As afar o’er the meadows, with soldiers’ gear laden,

They merrily marched for their dear native land;

Their banners took sighs from full many a maiden,

And trembled, as love-lorn each waved her white hand.

But see from the troops

Where a warrior swoops,

From the speed of his courser his plume backward droops;

’Tis a bold Scottish Knight,

Whose joy and delight

Is to joust it in sport—or at outrance to fight.