The guide, abating of his pace,

Led slowly through the pass’s jaws,

And ask’d Fitz-James, by what strange cause

He sought these wilds, traversed by few,

Without a pass from Roderick Dhu.

IV.

“Brave Gael, my pass in danger tried,

Hangs in my belt, and by my side;

Yet, sooth to tell,” the Saxon said,

“I dreamt not now to claim its aid.