Summary for the poem Lochinvar by Sir Walter Scott

 

                        Lochinvar

-        Sir Walter Scott

Lochinvar is a lovely and wonderful ballad written by Sir Walter.  The poem is set in between the border of Scotland and England. It is a ballad and at the same time it’s a love poem too.  In this ballad many characters are searching for Ellen.

Lochinvar was a young Scottish Lord who loved the fair Ellen of the Netherby clan. Ellen also loved Lochinvar. Lochinvar asks her father for his desire to marry Ellen. But Ellen’s father rejects for the marriage.

Lochinvar hears about the bethoral of Ellen to another man. He rode nonstop to stop the marriage. He rode continuously without stopping to take a break or even to take time to cross the fordless Eske River. When Lochinvar entered, the bride had already consented to the wedding.

Lochinvar said his intention to the bride’s father that he had come in peace to drink wine and dance at the wedding. He convinced the family members claiming that he has come only to enjoy in the marriage ceremony. He claims that other women are lovelier than Ellen and they are willing to marry him if he consented. Ellen seeing him sighed and blushed. She kissed a goblet of wine, from which Lochinvar drank and threw down. Ellen had a smile on her lips and tears in her eye.

Lochinvar danced with Ellen. As they danced the bridesmaids admired the beautiful dancing pair and whispered that they were made for each other. Both were lovely and Lochinvar whispered something into her ears. When they reached the doorway, they eloped quickly. Lochinvar set her on his horse that was waiting at the door, and then quickly sprang on himself. The Nether by family followed them when they realized what had happened, but they were unable to catch up to them. They never found Ellen. Thus, Lochinvar was able to make the love of his life his own.