Page:The Lay of the Last Minstrel - Scott (1805).djvu/269

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260

Again, in scene 4th, Miranda enters with Hippolito's sword wrapt up.

Hip. O my wound pains me.[She unwraps the sword.
Mir. I am come to ease you.
Hip. Alas, I feel the cold air come to me;
My wound shoots worse than ever.
Mir. Does it still grieve you?[She wipes and anoints the sword.
Hip. Now, methinks, there's something laid just upon it.
Mir. Do you find no ease?
Hip. Yes, yes; upon the sudden all this pain
Is leaving me. Sweet heaven, how I am eased!

On Pencryst glows a bale of fire,
And three are kindling on Priesthaughswire.
St. XXVI. p. 85.

The border beacons, from their number and position, formed a sort of telegraphic communication with Edinburgh. The act of parliament 1455, c. 48, directs that one bale or faggot shall be warning of the approach of the English in any manner; two bales that they are coming indeed; four bales, blazing beside each other, that the enemy are in great force. "The same taikenings to be watched and maid at Eggerhope Castle, fra they se the fire of Hume, that they fire richt swa. And in like manner on Sowtra edge, sall se the fire of Eggerhope Castell, and mak taikening in like maner: And then may all Louthiane be warned, and in special the Castel of Edinburgh; and their four fires to be maid in like maner, that they in Fife, and fra Striviling east, .and the east part of Louthiane, and to