As is also that speech of Meg Merrilies, as she addresses Mr.Bertram, standing on the bank.

"Ride your ways," said the gipsy; "ride your ways, Laird of Ellangowan; ride your ways, Godfrey Bertram.

This day have ye quenched seven smoking hearths; see if the fire in your ain parlour burn the blyther for that.

Ye have riven the thack off seven cottar houses; look if your ain rooftree stand the faster.

Ye may stable your stirks in the shealings at Derncleugh; see that the hare does not couch on the hearthstane at Ellangowan." That is romance, and reaches the very height of the sublime.