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Show "CATHERINE DOUGLAS." T. K, Ogden: The line "Than . that by Catharine Douglas, when she barred the door at Perth," belongs to a ' charming poem, written by Henry A. Ashmead, a Canadian,' whose prose and poetic writings have earned for him an enviable position among the. brilliant writers of the Dominion. While we are pleased to oblige T. K. by giving the j entire poem special prominence, ve deem a few explanatory ex-planatory words to be not out of place. Catharine Douglas, called "the tender and the true," by Jamess Hogg, the Etrick Shepherd, was reared 'midst the turbulent nobility of a Scottish court. The incident, around which Mr. Ashmead has trelliaed his lines of beauty and romance, really real-ly happened. Some day "Royal Perth" will vote a monument to Catharine Douglas, for the patriotism patriot-ism of the Scot is ever more pronounced than his politics. Here is Henry Ashmead's poem, and its title, "How Catharine Douglas Barred the Door at Perth": Of the Stewart Kings of Scotland, who ruled that troubled land, 1 J King James the First holds foremost place, though he ruled with iron hand; As Monarch, Poet and Statesman, he was premier over all, - But treason lurked within his court and brought about his fall. King J ames' court was radiant with dames of high degree, For Scotia's hardy ddemoiselles were beautiful to see; But the brightest flower among them, the fairest of them alL Was Bonnie Catharine Douglas, the slender and the tall. ' King James "had come to "Royal Perth," with the favorites of his court, . (Not knowing by foul treachery, his life was sold and bought) ; The laugh and jest had passed around, he rose up to retire, When the clash of arms and furious shouts caused consternation dire. Too lateto fly! how deeply laid had been the cunning cun-ning plot, For the bolt was gone from the oaken door, and empty lay the slot ; The armed footsteps nearer drew was there no way to stay The entry of those regicides, and gain some 9hort delay ? ' ; ' . ...-.-. And then was seen how the Douglas strain, the blood of the stout Sir James, That never flinched when duty called, flowed in a lady's veins; For Catherine bared her shapely arm and barred the heavy door, Such, living bolt, with quivering flesh, was never seen befofe. , . Why dwell on the sickening details of a crushed and mangled limb, Of the murder foul, in the fbambor vault, nf tVio luckless, ill-starred king ? For Scottish annals tell the tale, and Scottish bards relate How Justice; ere a month had passed, avenged King James' fate. : 'Midst the roll of famous heroines, whose names will never fade, Stands the martyr of King James' court, the highborn high-born Scottish maid. Few nobler deeds were ever done by woman on this earth, Than that by Catherine Douglas, when she barred the door at Perth. ' |