The Lady of the Lake

Then Roderick with impatient look
From Brian’s hand the symbol took: 
‘Speed, Malise, speed’ he said, and gave
The crosslet to his henchman brave. 
’The muster-place be Lanrick mead—­
Instant the time—–­speed, Malise, speed!’
Like heath-bird, when the hawks pursue,
A barge across Loch Katrine flew: 
High stood the henchman on the prow;
So rapidly the barge-mall row,
The bubbles, where they launched the boat,
Were all unbroken and afloat,
Dancing in foam and ripple still,
When it had neared the mainland hill;
And from the silver beach’s side
Still was the prow three fathom wide,
When lightly bounded to the land
The messenger of blood and brand.