One touch to her hand and one word in her ear,
When they reached 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! 40
‘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;
Fosters, Fenwicks, and Musgraves, they rode and they ran:
There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee, 45
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?
Sir Walter Scott (1771–1832) Lochinvar (1808)
Writing Prompt: Write an elopement scene, from any viewpoint, serious or humorous.
Consider the emotions involved. Our hero has claimed his love, possibly at the risk of his life and/or honor. Our heroine may have been rescued from a fate worse than . . . A father may be furious and a scorned suitor left standing at the altar. In Lochinvar fair Ellen eloped willingly, but in the exercise here, has the heroine been abducted by our hero and their love has yet to grow? What are our hero and heroine risking by running off together? Does this act automatically bind them as mates or must they still pursue a blessing on their union from an authority figure?
What is your favorite stolen bride/elopement story?
Photo: Andrew C.
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