---
title: "Lochinvar Poem"
date: 2016-12-02
author: "Richard"
---

# Lochinvar Poem

#### Lochinvar

*O young Lochinvar is come out of the west,*   
*Through all the wide Border his steed was the best;*  
 *And save his good broadsword he weapons had none,*  
 *He rode all unarm’d, and he rode all alone.*  
 *So faithful in love, and so dauntless in war,*  
 *There never was knight like the young Lochinvar.*

*He staid not for brake, and he stopp’d not for stone,*  
 *He swam the Eske river where ford there was none;*  
 *But ere he alighted at Netherby gate,*  
 *The bride had consented, the gallant came late:*  
 *For a laggard in love, and a dastard in war,*  
 *Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar.*

*![sirwalterscott](https://lochinvar.ltd.uk/uploads/2016/11/sirwalterscott-218x300.jpg)So boldly he enter’d the Netherby Hall,*  
 *Among bride’s-men, and kinsmen, and brothers and all:*  
 *Then spoke the bride’s father, his hand on his sword,*  
 *(For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word,)*  
 *“O come ye in peace here, or come ye in war,*  
 *Or to dance at our bridal, young Lord Lochinvar?”*

*“I long woo’d your daughter, my suit you denied;—*  
 *Love swells like the Solway, but ebbs like its tide—*  
 *And now I am come, with this lost love of mine,*  
 *To lead but one measure, drink one cup of wine.*  
 *There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far,*  
 *That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar.”*

*The bride kiss’d the goblet: the knight took it up,*  
 *He quaff’d off the wine, and he threw down the cup.*  
 *She look’d down to blush, and she look’d up to sigh,*  
 *With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye.*  
 *He took her soft hand, ere her mother could bar,—*  
 *“Now tread we a measure!” said young Lochinvar.*

*So stately his form, and so lovely her face,*  
 *That never a hall such a galliard did grace;*  
 *While her mother did fret, and her father did fume,*  
 *And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume;*  
 *And the bride-maidens whisper’d, “’twere better by far*  
 *To have match’d our fair cousin with young Lochinvar.”*

*One touch to her hand, and one word in her ear,*  
 *When they reach’d the hall-door, and the charger stood near;*  
 *So light to the croupe the fair lady he swung,*  
 *So light to the saddle before her he sprung!*  
 *“She is won! we are gone, over bank, bush, and scaur;*  
 *They’ll have fleet steeds that follow,” quoth young Lochinvar.*

*There was mounting ’mong Graemes of the Netherby clan;*  
 *Forsters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran:*  
 *There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee,*  
 *But the lost bride of Netherby ne’er did they see.*  
 *So daring in love, and so dauntless in war,*  
 *Have ye e’er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar?*

BY SIR WALTER SCOTT

#### The Abbotsford House

Many years later, when Abbotsford House, the former home of Sir Walter Scott, underwent a major refurbishment programme, our high-efficiency boilers and water heaters were chosen – click [here](https://lochinvar.ltd.uk/projects/abbotsford-house/) for more information.