So there's baith law and gospel for it. An his honour
winna believe the Leviticus, he might aye believe the Statute-book; but
he may tak his ain way o't; it's a' ane to Duncan Macwheeble. However, I
shall send to ask up auld Janet this e'en; it's best no to lightly them
that have that character; and we'll want Davie to turn the spit, for I'll
gar Eppie put down a fat goose to the fire for your honours to your
supper.'
When it was near sunset Waverley hastened to the hut; and he could not
but allow that superstition had chosen no improper locality, or unfit
object, for the foundation of her fantastic terrors. It resembled exactly
the description of Spenser:--
There, in a gloomy hollow glen, she found
A little cottage built of sticks and reeds,
In homely wise, and wall'd with sods around,
In which a witch did dwell in loathly weeds,
And wilful want, all careless of her needs,
So choosing solitary to abide
Far from all neighbours, that her devilish deeds,
And hellish arts, from people she might hide,
And hurt far off, unknown, whomsoever she espied.
He entered the cottage with these verses in his memory.
Pages:
825
826
827
828
829
830
831
832
833
834
835
836
837
838
839
840
841
842
843
844
845
846
847
848
849