The Waverley Anecdotes - 2 Author:Sir Walter Scott Volume: 2 General Books publication date: 2009 Original publication date: 1833 Original Publisher: J. Cochrane and J. McCrone Subjects: Fiction / Classics Fiction / Historical Fiction / Literary Literary Criticism / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh Notes: This is a black and white OCR reprint of the original. It has no il... more »lustrations and there may be typos or missing text. When you buy the General Books edition of this book you get free trial access to Million-Books.com where you can select from more than a million books for free. Excerpt: Tlie forest of Glenmore, in the northern Highlands, is believed to be haunted by a spirit, called Llham Dearg, in the array of an ancient warrior having a bloody hand from which he takes his name. He insists upon all those he meets doing battle with him. According to the legend -- " From time immemorial in llenmore's dread shade, Foul witches, and spirits of darkness have played, But the chief who presides o'er the terrible band, The most cruel, most fell, is the fierce ' Bloody Hand.' Like a warrior he prowls clad in armour so bright, While his eyes of blood-red pierce the mantle of nigh . And forth from his nostrils, there issue red flames, Though a warrior in form, him a demon proclaims. On his casque a red plume fans the chilly night air, And his hand dyed with blood, a keen sword doth bear, And all who dare stray into Glenmore's dark gloom, Must bis challenge receive, and encounter their doom. And if they forget to their maker to pray, The demon's keen steel to their breasts finds its way; While his hands pluck the heart from the wound he hath made. All the demons dance round as he carves with his blade. To each he apportions the horrid repast, And the banquet of blood is devoured full fast! He divides every limb, and he severs each bone, But the heart he reserves for his eating alone. Vide Note to Marmion, Canto III. Thou start'st -- but each word that I tell thee,...« less