“The Monastery”
THE MONASTERY
BOOK FIRST
a
[Diamond‐shaped ornament]
WHITE lady white lady sing on in the glen,
of glendarg 1 but do not do ill to men,
many a haunt and many a nook,
many a thought and many a look,
5has been reported of that place,
of the people of thy race. 2
there was a river called the tweed,
where the sheep and cattle fed:
there was a drawbridge over the stream,
10to let over travelling men,
that came down the narrow glen.
at the bridge there was a warder | b .
he lived in a lonly tower,
to let down the drawbridge when:
15there came over tra
but from them he exacted pay,
before he let them on their way. 3
one day a monk 4 was going by,
to go home to his monastery:
20the monk was forced to
he was not quite so rich as a lord,
he would not give the warder pay,
the warder told him to go that way.
when he came to the side of the stream,
25where his mule was to go in,
30he saw a figure in great grief:
the monk resolved to give her relief,
she seemed as if to pass the water,
was her wish the cruel warder; d
30perhaps deprived her of her way,
but what it was she did not say.
she jumped upon his mule behind,
swifter even than the wind:
the mule did kick and plunge and leaped,
35the monk did sit upon the beast and whipped:
at length she plunged into the river,
leaping oer a bunch of heather; e
the ford was deep the current bore,
the mule along the winding shore.
50the maiden then began to chaunt, f
the stories of her avenel haunt: 5
which frightened still the monk much more,
as they swam along the winding shore.
they came at length to a water fall deep,
55deeper een than a salmons leap,
the mule attempted on to go,
the abbot now was in great woe,
upon a black volume 6 his hand he laid;
because he was much much afraid:
60the maiden pitched him from the saddle,
out as well as he could to waddle:
and when he set his foot on land,
he sunk upon the yellow sand.
when the abbot did arise,
65to behold the earth and skies,
home wards he did bend his way; g
on a bed his head to lay.
but the monks around him crowd,
to hear his story told aloud,
70and the first words he uttered then; h
were the maidens song when in the glen. 7
the abbot 8 did start when he heard the song,
and he said to his brother how long how long,
wilt thou keep up that spirits song
75at length the monk did go his way,
to bed and glad he was to lay,
his head upon his pillow then,
we must return to the haunted glen.
the abbot when he first arose
80which was when first the good cock crows,
he called good father eustace to:
his chamber and thus spoke to him lo.
our brother is no less than haunted,
with a spirit which to him chaunted; i
85some words which now we must not name,
lest open wide mouthed tattling fame:
should spread these curious news abroad,
and for the people pave the road,
to superstitions house to go: 9
90and plunge them in a sea of woe.
now brother eustace go to the glen,
oer river bog or ford or fen,
and if a spirit shall arise j
and stand before your wondering eyes:
95bring home the curious tale to me,
and iʼll believe what you do see.
the monk obeyed and off he rode,
before again the good cock crowed,
and rode on speedily through the glen,
100oer river bog or ford or fen.
of glendarg 1 but do not do ill to men,
many a haunt and many a nook,
many a thought and many a look,
BOOK FIRST
71
5has been reported of that place,
System generated line number
5of the people of thy race. 2
there was a river called the tweed,
where the sheep and cattle fed:
there was a drawbridge over the stream,
10to let over travelling men,
System generated line number
10that came down the narrow glen.
at the bridge there was a warder | b .
he lived in a lonly tower,
to let down the drawbridge when:
15there came over tra
lll
ve
lling men;
c
System generated line number
15but from them he exacted pay,
before he let them on their way. 3
one day a monk 4 was going by,
to go home to his monastery:
20the monk was forced to
go to
a ford,
System generated line number
20he was not quite so rich as a lord,
he would not give the warder pay,
the warder told him to go that way.
when he came to the side of the stream,
25where his mule was to go in,
System generated line number
25 BOOK FIRST
72
30he saw a figure in great grief:
the monk resolved to give her relief,
she seemed as if to pass the water,
was her wish the cruel warder; d
30perhaps deprived her of her way,
System generated line number
30but what it was she did not say.
she jumped upon his mule behind,
swifter even than the wind:
the mule did kick and plunge and leaped,
35the monk did sit upon the beast and whipped:
System generated line number
35at length she plunged into the river,
leaping oer a bunch of heather; e
the ford was deep the current bore,
the mule along the winding shore.
50the maiden then began to chaunt, f
System generated line number
40the stories of her avenel haunt: 5
which frightened still the monk much more,
as they swam along the winding shore.
they came at length to a water fall deep,
55deeper een than a salmons leap,
System generated line number
45the mule attempted on to go,
BOOK FIRST
73
the abbot now was in great woe,
upon a black volume 6 his hand he laid;
because he was much much afraid:
60the maiden pitched him from the saddle,
System generated line number
50out as well as he could to waddle:
and when he set his foot on land,
he sunk upon the yellow sand.
when the abbot did arise,
65to behold the earth and skies,
System generated line number
55home wards he did bend his way; g
on a bed his head to lay.
but the monks around him crowd,
to hear his story told aloud,
70and the first words he uttered then; h
System generated line number
60were the maidens song when in the glen. 7
the abbot 8 did start when he heard the song,
and he said to his brother how long how long,
wilt thou keep up that spirits song
75at length the monk did go his way,
System generated line number
65to bed and glad he was to lay,
his head upon his pillow then,
BOOK FIRST
74
we must return to the haunted glen.
the abbot when he first arose
80which was when first the good cock crows,
System generated line number
70he called good father eustace to:
his chamber and thus spoke to him lo.
our brother is no less than haunted,
with a spirit which to him chaunted; i
85some words which now we must not name,
System generated line number
75lest open wide mouthed tattling fame:
should spread these curious news abroad,
and for the people pave the road,
to superstitions house to go: 9
90and plunge them in a sea of woe.
System generated line number
80now brother eustace go to the glen,
oer river bog or ford or fen,
and if a spirit shall arise j
and stand before your wondering eyes:
95bring home the curious tale to me,
System generated line number
85and iʼll believe what you do see.
the monk obeyed and off he rode,
before again the good cock crowed,
BOOK SECOND
75
and rode on speedily through the glen,
100oer river bog or ford or fen.
System generated line number
90
BOOK SECOND
END OF BOOK SECOND
UP the glen a little way,
where a pretty meadow lay,
there was a tower upon the hill:
close beside the pretty rill.
5at the battle of pinkie where,
the scotch fled like the frigtened [sic] hare: 10
the owner of this tower expired,
rushed on his fate by anger fired:
the grey goose shaft did pierce him through,
10to the rejoicing of the foe.
far from this towʼr there was a barons seat,
and woods and landscapes at its feet:
and the name of this baron was great avenel,
for the good of his country in battle he fell:
15and his widow was left to provide for her child,
and beautiful was she and still more mild.
and farther on there was some land,
alotted to a farmers hand:
and the farmers name that did live there,
20was martin and though they had but poor fare:
they were happy and good tibb tacket his consort,
would do every thing for her husbands comfort.
and the widow of avenel the baron did go,
away to this farmers for fear of the foe.
25but shortly she staid there for soon came a band,
of english barbarians that plunder the land:
and they robbed the poor farmer of cow and of sheep,
and hardly would leave him poor shagram to keep. 11
now must we leave poor martin there,
30while we relate the towers fare.
a band of english soldiers marched,
close by the tower and as they passed; k
good dame glendinning her sons led,
out from the gate and thus she said.
35no means of fighting have I on this land,
and I am at the mercy of your hand.
the serjeant of the troop replied, 12
though I have means of fighting on my side:
I scorn with women now to strive,
40go to your tower again and live.
yet dame I own I envy you,
that little rogue with eyes so blue.
and will you come with me my lad,
the serjeant of the troop he said.
45no said the blue eyed edward no,
because you are to us a foe:
not only that but then you are,
a heretic and fond of war.
why god a mercy old stawarth did say,
50I see that alone I must go my way.
but stay thou black eyed come with me,
and many a fine sight thou shalt see.
no cried the furious halbert no,
because thou art to us a foe:
55and when Im older thou shalt see,
the effects of my fathers sword on thee.
why again god a mercy old stawarth did say,
I see that alone I must go my way:
but stay heres a token that if some men,
60come riding down this narrow glen:
they may know that you are under my,
protection then I say goodbye.
so saying from his bonnet he,
took a red cross 13 and said dost see; l
65this token, here thou blackeyed boy,
take it and may it give thee joy:
give me thy bonnet off thy head,
the commander of the troop he said.
halbert was silent and would not stir,
70more than the lofty towering fir:
command it to stir from the place where it stands,
and it will not without the help of hands:
but yet its green branches do wave in the wind,
and even so was proud halberts mind: 14
75but from his head the mother snatched,
his cap at which young halbert catched:
but missed his aim the mother then,
gave it to the serjeant when:
he stuck the cross into the band
80and put it in young halberts hand
no sooner had he done so but
young halbert with a furious look
took the cross and threw it in
the very pretty murmuring stream
85young edward was instantly in the water
and brought it out safe to its rightful owner
why how now said the serjeant with some surprise
whats the reason of this my good blue eyes
that young rogue there throws it into the stream
90and when heʼs done so you leap in
and fetch it out and I demand
why you did throw it off the land
st georges cross and why did you
st Georges cross so soon pursue
95because st george said halbert is
a southern saint, and the cross thats his
I will not wear in my bonnet or hat
why now said old stawarth I think that that
is a very good reason and why did you
100st Georges cross so soon pursue
because the cross is the sign of our lord
and not only that but his blessed word
well good bye said old stawarth but theres the cross
if you lose it twill be a very great loss 15
so saying he rode down the glen
106oer river bog or ford or fen
where a pretty meadow lay,
there was a tower upon the hill:
close beside the pretty rill.
5at the battle of pinkie where,
System generated line number
95the scotch fled like the frigtened [sic] hare: 10
the owner of this tower expired,
rushed on his fate by anger fired:
the grey goose shaft did pierce him through,
10to the rejoicing of the foe.
System generated line number
100far from this towʼr there was a barons seat,
and woods and landscapes at its feet:
and the name of this baron was great avenel,
for the good of his country in battle he fell:
15and his widow was left to provide for her child,
System generated line number
105and beautiful was she and still more mild.
76
and farther on there was some land,
alotted to a farmers hand:
and the farmers name that did live there,
20was martin and though they had but poor fare:
System generated line number
110they were happy and good tibb tacket his consort,
would do every thing for her husbands comfort.
and the widow of avenel the baron did go,
away to this farmers for fear of the foe.
25but shortly she staid there for soon came a band,
System generated line number
115of english barbarians that plunder the land:
and they robbed the poor farmer of cow and of sheep,
and hardly would leave him poor shagram to keep. 11
now must we leave poor martin there,
30while we relate the towers fare.
System generated line number
120a band of english soldiers marched,
close by the tower and as they passed; k
good dame glendinning her sons led,
out from the gate and thus she said.
35no means of fighting have I on this land,
System generated line number
125and I am at the mercy of your hand.
the serjeant of the troop replied, 12
77
though I have means of fighting on my side:
I scorn with women now to strive,
40go to your tower again and live.
System generated line number
130yet dame I own I envy you,
that little rogue with eyes so blue.
and will you come with me my lad,
the serjeant of the troop he said.
45no said the blue eyed edward no,
System generated line number
135because you are to us a foe:
not only that but then you are,
a heretic and fond of war.
why god a mercy old stawarth did say,
50I see that alone I must go my way.
System generated line number
140but stay thou black eyed come with me,
and many a fine sight thou shalt see.
no cried the furious halbert no,
because thou art to us a foe:
55and when Im older thou shalt see,
System generated line number
145the effects of my fathers sword on thee.
why again god a mercy old stawarth did say,
I see that alone I must go my way:
78
but stay heres a token that if some men,
60come riding down this narrow glen:
System generated line number
150they may know that you are under my,
protection then I say goodbye.
so saying from his bonnet he,
took a red cross 13 and said dost see; l
65this token, here thou blackeyed boy,
System generated line number
155take it and may it give thee joy:
give me thy bonnet off thy head,
the commander of the troop he said.
halbert was silent and would not stir,
70more than the lofty towering fir:
System generated line number
160command it to stir from the place where it stands,
and it will not without the help of hands:
but yet its green branches do wave in the wind,
and even so was proud halberts mind: 14
75but from his head the mother snatched,
System generated line number
165his cap at which young halbert catched:
but missed his aim the mother then,
gave it to the serjeant when:
he stuck the cross into the band
79
80and put it in young halberts hand
System generated line number
170no sooner had he done so but
young halbert with a furious look
took the cross and threw it in
the very pretty murmuring stream
85young edward was instantly in the water
System generated line number
175and brought it out safe to its rightful owner
why how now said the serjeant with some surprise
whats the reason of this my good blue eyes
that young rogue there throws it into the stream
90and when heʼs done so you leap in
System generated line number
180and fetch it out and I demand
why you did throw it off the land
st georges cross and why did you
st Georges cross so soon pursue
95because st george said halbert is
System generated line number
185a southern saint, and the cross thats his
I will not wear in my bonnet or hat
why now said old stawarth I think that that
is a very good reason and why did you
100st Georges cross so soon pursue
System generated line number
190 80
because the cross is the sign of our lord
and not only that but his blessed word
well good bye said old stawarth but theres the cross
if you lose it twill be a very great loss 15
so saying he rode down the glen
System generated line number
195106oer river bog or ford or fen
END OF BOOK SECOND
HERN HILL
DULWICH
DULWICH
52
BOOK THIRD
I MUST return to martin now
whom I left standing in the bow
window of his cottage sweet 16
well to this tower they sped their feet
5and martin and tibb tack did go
away to this tower for fear of the foe
and the widow of avenel with them did go
but between the tower and them
on the way to glendarg glen
10there was a bog and oer this part
where even the lightfooted hart
go could
sunk as he sped him on his way
not only martin had to pass
15but een good shagram with the lass
named mary avenel and when
they had come nearer to the glen
it was so bad that their [sic] m they stuck
for stir they could not een a foot
20so martin took his task as guide
and all the women did in him confide
martin then did look about
to see where he could spy an out
let. n then selecting the safest way
25he to shagram began to say
come on good horse and let us see
whether thou wilt obey thy master me 17
come on but shagram would not go
though mute he very well said no
30for shagram snorted laid his paws
As if he encountered a great bears jaws 18
And would not go, Een tak your ain
Way said the shepherd I would fain
Get oʼer to tʼother side and be
35Safe on our way so let us see
What you can do for us and when
We are safe at glendarg glen
Safe in stable you shall stand
With plenty hay and fodder at your hand
40Just at this moment mary saw
Just as good shagram raised his paw
A beauteous lady far away
And seeing her she thus did say
I see a lady just up there
45And I must say exeeding o fair
Where where cried the whole of the family then
Why very near to glendarg glen
She signs to us to come yon gate
But it was great avenels fate
50To have a spirit in their line
And so it was in this odd time p
This tibb tacket thought it then
For twas near to glendarg glen
And her haunt was near this part
55Where oft the very slender hart
Had drank at this place but was neer
Frightened by her very fair
Form appearing like a fog
And this I suspect was that seen in the bog. 19
60shagram at his own free will
Did no longer stand stock still
But set off at ao q good rate
And then it was good shagrams fate
To take them safely through the bog
65Indeed he did so though a fog
Oerspread the land. But worthy tis
OF remark that the little miss
Oft mentioned to the servants round
While they were still on boggy ground
70The lady and her signals and
When they were off the boggy land
The servants changed expressive looks
With each other, for the nooks
Of fairies were supposed to be
75Just in the glen and they thought theyʼd see
A fairy peeping out from moss
Or perhaps it might peep from a great morass
All halloween said tibby to
Martin. Woman you are too
80Said martin or you would not dare
To speak of fairies ony mair.
When once more on firm ground they were
And had rid themselves of fear
Martin saw some landmarks high
85Upon a hill against the sky
And taking them for his good guide
And ever keeping by their side
88Very soon at the tower of glendarg they arrived
whom I left standing in the bow
window of his cottage sweet 16
well to this tower they sped their feet
System generated line number
2005and martin and tibb tack did go
away to this tower for fear of the foe
and the widow of avenel with them did go
but between the tower and them
on the way to glendarg glen
System generated line number
20510there was a bog and oer this part
where even the lightfooted hart
go could
not
for his feet in claysunk as he sped him on his way
not only martin had to pass
System generated line number
21015but een good shagram with the lass
named mary avenel and when
they had come nearer to the glen
it was so bad that their [sic] m they stuck
for stir they could not een a foot
System generated line number
21520so martin took his task as guide
53
and all the women did in him confide
martin then did look about
to see where he could spy an out
let. n then selecting the safest way
System generated line number
22025he to shagram began to say
come on good horse and let us see
whether thou wilt obey thy master me 17
come on but shagram would not go
though mute he very well said no
System generated line number
22530for shagram snorted laid his paws
As if he encountered a great bears jaws 18
And would not go, Een tak your ain
Way said the shepherd I would fain
Get oʼer to tʼother side and be
System generated line number
23035Safe on our way so let us see
What you can do for us and when
We are safe at glendarg glen
Safe in stable you shall stand
With plenty hay and fodder at your hand
System generated line number
23540Just at this moment mary saw
Just as good shagram raised his paw
54
A beauteous lady far away
And seeing her she thus did say
I see a lady just up there
System generated line number
24045And I must say exeeding o fair
Where where cried the whole of the family then
Why very near to glendarg glen
She signs to us to come yon gate
But it was great avenels fate
System generated line number
24550To have a spirit in their line
And so it was in this odd time p
This tibb tacket thought it then
For twas near to glendarg glen
And her haunt was near this part
System generated line number
25055Where oft the very slender hart
Had drank at this place but was neer
Frightened by her very fair
Form appearing like a fog
And this I suspect was that seen in the bog. 19
System generated line number
25560shagram at his own free will
Did no longer stand stock still
But set off at ao q good rate
And then it was good shagrams fate
55
To take them safely through the bog
System generated line number
26065Indeed he did so though a fog
Oerspread the land. But worthy tis
OF remark that the little miss
Oft mentioned to the servants round
While they were still on boggy ground
System generated line number
26570The lady and her signals and
When they were off the boggy land
The servants changed expressive looks
With each other, for the nooks
Of fairies were supposed to be
System generated line number
27075Just in the glen and they thought theyʼd see
A fairy peeping out from moss
Or perhaps it might peep from a great morass
All halloween said tibby to
Martin. Woman you are too
System generated line number
27580Said martin or you would not dare
To speak of fairies ony mair.
When once more on firm ground they were
And had rid themselves of fear
Martin saw some landmarks high
System generated line number
280 56
85Upon a hill against the sky
And taking them for his good guide
And ever keeping by their side
88Very soon at the tower of glendarg they arrived
BOOK 4
ONE night when all the winds combined
To frighten een the strongest mind
And halloween it was and all
The fairies seemed and elves to call
5In the loud wind that roared round
The tower with its awful sound
And when in gambols mongst the trees
The brownies used themselves to please
And when the kelpies liked to take
10The careless traveller to the lake
And plunge him in and hear his cry
Ascending to the stormy sky
Well on this night of spirits power
Thats greatest at the midnight hour 20
15Tibb and the rest sat round the fire
Unmindful of the tempest dire
While from the bible alice read
Stories of saints that long were dead
Martin hammered bored or sawed
20The substance of the hardy board
Tibb watched the process of scalding the whey
While martin sawed or bored away
Dame elspeth pulling the thread sate
From her distaff near her mate 21
25Mary of avenel halbert and all
Were allowed to run up and down the hall
There were some rooms adjacent to
The hall where sometimes they would go
I mean the children and at length
30Into these rooms they all were sent
But from them openmouthed there came
To spread abroad the ghost like fame
The boys and they indeed did tell
That a man like he of the clinthill 22
35Was in the spence. then Alice said
Where is my child and so she led
Halbert glendinning first to arm
With an old sword his open palm
And Edward seized the ladys book
40And the ladys fear they all then took
And then unto the spence they went
When their alarm soon from them went
For no man armed there appeared
And what made you ye false misleard
45Said good dame elspeth to her bairns
And what made you ye misleard loons
Come there yon gate into the hall
Roaring I am sure like a bull
And could ye find nae night for daffing
50Save halloween when the leddy was reading
The elder boy bent eyes on ground
With the youngest tears their access found.
System generated line number
285To frighten een the strongest mind
And halloween it was and all
The fairies seemed and elves to call
5In the loud wind that roared round
The tower with its awful sound
System generated line number
290And when in gambols mongst the trees
The brownies used themselves to please
And when the kelpies liked to take
10The careless traveller to the lake
And plunge him in and hear his cry
System generated line number
295Ascending to the stormy sky
Well on this night of spirits power
57
Thats greatest at the midnight hour 20
15Tibb and the rest sat round the fire
Unmindful of the tempest dire
System generated line number
300While from the bible alice read
Stories of saints that long were dead
Martin hammered bored or sawed
20The substance of the hardy board
Tibb watched the process of scalding the whey
System generated line number
305While martin sawed or bored away
Dame elspeth pulling the thread sate
From her distaff near her mate 21
25Mary of avenel halbert and all
Were allowed to run up and down the hall
System generated line number
310There were some rooms adjacent to
The hall where sometimes they would go
I mean the children and at length
30Into these rooms they all were sent
But from them openmouthed there came
System generated line number
315To spread abroad the ghost like fame
The boys and they indeed did tell
That a man like he of the clinthill 22
58
35Was in the spence. then Alice said
Where is my child and so she led
System generated line number
320Halbert glendinning first to arm
With an old sword his open palm
And Edward seized the ladys book
40And the ladys fear they all then took
And then unto the spence they went
System generated line number
325When their alarm soon from them went
For no man armed there appeared
And what made you ye false misleard
45Said good dame elspeth to her bairns
And what made you ye misleard loons
System generated line number
330Come there yon gate into the hall
Roaring I am sure like a bull
And could ye find nae night for daffing
50Save halloween when the leddy was reading
The elder boy bent eyes on ground
System generated line number
335With the youngest tears their access found.