NCERT Textbook - Lord Ullin Daughter | NCERT Textbooks & Solutions for Class 9 PDF Download

 Page 1


CBSE
9 9
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.4    Lord Ullin's Daughter
by Thomas Campbell
1. Scotland stretches away in a spectacular fusion of wooded glens, sweeping 
moors, rugged coasts, towering mountains, green valleys and deep blue lakes 
known as Lochs. The Scottish people have long been famous for their close-knit 
clans organized under chieftains who often led fierce warriors to savage feuds.
2. Lord Ullin's Daughter is one of the most popular romantic poems of Thomas 
Campbell. It describes how a Scottish Chieftain and his beloved flee her wrathful 
father, but their defiance leads to their deaths, in a surging, stormy sea.
3. Your teacher will play a recording of the poem. Listen to it with your books closed 
and conjure up a scene of mystery, adventure and high drama that the poem 
portrays.
1 A Chieftain, to the highlands bound, 
Cries, "Boatman, do not tarry! 
And I'll give thee a silver pound 
To row us o'er the ferry!"-
5 "Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, 
This dark and stormy weather?"
"O, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle, 
And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. -
"And fast before her father's men
10 Three days we've fled together, 
For should he find us in the glen, 
My blood would stain the heather.
74
tarry: linger, delay
isle: an island
glen: a deep narrow valley, especially in the mountains of Scotland.
heather: low, spreading plant with woody stems, small spiky leaves and purple, pink or white flowers.
Page 2


CBSE
9 9
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.4    Lord Ullin's Daughter
by Thomas Campbell
1. Scotland stretches away in a spectacular fusion of wooded glens, sweeping 
moors, rugged coasts, towering mountains, green valleys and deep blue lakes 
known as Lochs. The Scottish people have long been famous for their close-knit 
clans organized under chieftains who often led fierce warriors to savage feuds.
2. Lord Ullin's Daughter is one of the most popular romantic poems of Thomas 
Campbell. It describes how a Scottish Chieftain and his beloved flee her wrathful 
father, but their defiance leads to their deaths, in a surging, stormy sea.
3. Your teacher will play a recording of the poem. Listen to it with your books closed 
and conjure up a scene of mystery, adventure and high drama that the poem 
portrays.
1 A Chieftain, to the highlands bound, 
Cries, "Boatman, do not tarry! 
And I'll give thee a silver pound 
To row us o'er the ferry!"-
5 "Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, 
This dark and stormy weather?"
"O, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle, 
And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. -
"And fast before her father's men
10 Three days we've fled together, 
For should he find us in the glen, 
My blood would stain the heather.
74
tarry: linger, delay
isle: an island
glen: a deep narrow valley, especially in the mountains of Scotland.
heather: low, spreading plant with woody stems, small spiky leaves and purple, pink or white flowers.
CBSE
Poetry
75
"His horsemen hard behind us ride; 
Should they our steps discover, 
15 Then who will cheer my bonny bride 
When they have slain her lover?"
Out spoke the hardy Highland wight,
"I'll go, my chief- I'm ready: 
It is not for your silver bright,
20 But for your winsome lady:
"And by my word! the bonny bird
In danger shall not tarry;
So, though the waves are raging white,
I'll row you o'er the ferry."
25     By this the storm grew loud apace,
The water-wraith was shrieking; 
And in the scowl of heaven each face
Grew dark as they were speaking.
But still as wilder blew the wind,
30 And as the night grew drearer,
Adown the glen rode armed men,
Their trampling sounded nearer
"O haste thee, haste!" the lady cries,
"Though tempests round us gather;
35 I'll meet the raging of the skies,
But not an angry father."
The boat has left a stormy land,
A stormy sea before her, 
When, O! too strong for human hand,
40     The tempest gather'd o'er her.
bonny: lovely, attractive
wight: valiant, skilled in fighting
winsome: pleasing because of a childlike charm and innocence
raging: angry, infuriated
apace: quickly
wraith: ghost, spectre, spirit
scowl: frown; black, dirty look
adown: (archaic) coming down
trampling: stamping, treading, walking over.
Page 3


CBSE
9 9
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.4    Lord Ullin's Daughter
by Thomas Campbell
1. Scotland stretches away in a spectacular fusion of wooded glens, sweeping 
moors, rugged coasts, towering mountains, green valleys and deep blue lakes 
known as Lochs. The Scottish people have long been famous for their close-knit 
clans organized under chieftains who often led fierce warriors to savage feuds.
2. Lord Ullin's Daughter is one of the most popular romantic poems of Thomas 
Campbell. It describes how a Scottish Chieftain and his beloved flee her wrathful 
father, but their defiance leads to their deaths, in a surging, stormy sea.
3. Your teacher will play a recording of the poem. Listen to it with your books closed 
and conjure up a scene of mystery, adventure and high drama that the poem 
portrays.
1 A Chieftain, to the highlands bound, 
Cries, "Boatman, do not tarry! 
And I'll give thee a silver pound 
To row us o'er the ferry!"-
5 "Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, 
This dark and stormy weather?"
"O, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle, 
And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. -
"And fast before her father's men
10 Three days we've fled together, 
For should he find us in the glen, 
My blood would stain the heather.
74
tarry: linger, delay
isle: an island
glen: a deep narrow valley, especially in the mountains of Scotland.
heather: low, spreading plant with woody stems, small spiky leaves and purple, pink or white flowers.
CBSE
Poetry
75
"His horsemen hard behind us ride; 
Should they our steps discover, 
15 Then who will cheer my bonny bride 
When they have slain her lover?"
Out spoke the hardy Highland wight,
"I'll go, my chief- I'm ready: 
It is not for your silver bright,
20 But for your winsome lady:
"And by my word! the bonny bird
In danger shall not tarry;
So, though the waves are raging white,
I'll row you o'er the ferry."
25     By this the storm grew loud apace,
The water-wraith was shrieking; 
And in the scowl of heaven each face
Grew dark as they were speaking.
But still as wilder blew the wind,
30 And as the night grew drearer,
Adown the glen rode armed men,
Their trampling sounded nearer
"O haste thee, haste!" the lady cries,
"Though tempests round us gather;
35 I'll meet the raging of the skies,
But not an angry father."
The boat has left a stormy land,
A stormy sea before her, 
When, O! too strong for human hand,
40     The tempest gather'd o'er her.
bonny: lovely, attractive
wight: valiant, skilled in fighting
winsome: pleasing because of a childlike charm and innocence
raging: angry, infuriated
apace: quickly
wraith: ghost, spectre, spirit
scowl: frown; black, dirty look
adown: (archaic) coming down
trampling: stamping, treading, walking over.
CBSE
Poetry 
76
And still they row'd amidst the roar
Of waters fast prevailing:
Lord Ullin reach'd that fatal shore, --
His wrath was changed to wailing.
45 For, sore dismay'd through storm and shade,
His child he did discover: -
One lovely hand she stretch'd for aid,
And one was round her lover.
"Come back! Come back!" he cried in grief
50 "Across this stormy water:
And I'll forgive your highland chief,
My daughter! - O my daughter!"
'Twas vain: the loud waves lash'd the shore,
Return or aid preventing:
55 The water wild went o'er his child,
And he was left lamenting.
About the Poet
Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) was born in Scotland. He is chiefly remembered for 
his sentimental poetry dealing specially with human affairs. He was also one of the 
initiators of a plan to found what became the University of London. In 1799, he wrote 
'The Pleasures of Hope', a traditional 18th century survey in heroic couplets. He also 
produced several stirring patriotic war songs - "Ye Mariners of England", "The 
Soldier's Dream", "Hohen Linden" and in 1801, "The Battle of the Baltic".
4. Now, listen to the poem again. As you listen this time, read the poem aloud, along 
with the recording. Try to copy the rhythm of the recording.
5. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions 
by ticking the correct choice.
prevailing: conquering, overcoming
wrath: anger, exasperation
wailing: lamenting, crying, bemoaning
sore: in pain, distressed, pained
dismayed: disconcerted, shocked, disturbed
vain: futile, useless, to no avail
lashed: beat against, pounded, dashed against
lamenting: wailing, moaning, sobbing.
Page 4


CBSE
9 9
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.4    Lord Ullin's Daughter
by Thomas Campbell
1. Scotland stretches away in a spectacular fusion of wooded glens, sweeping 
moors, rugged coasts, towering mountains, green valleys and deep blue lakes 
known as Lochs. The Scottish people have long been famous for their close-knit 
clans organized under chieftains who often led fierce warriors to savage feuds.
2. Lord Ullin's Daughter is one of the most popular romantic poems of Thomas 
Campbell. It describes how a Scottish Chieftain and his beloved flee her wrathful 
father, but their defiance leads to their deaths, in a surging, stormy sea.
3. Your teacher will play a recording of the poem. Listen to it with your books closed 
and conjure up a scene of mystery, adventure and high drama that the poem 
portrays.
1 A Chieftain, to the highlands bound, 
Cries, "Boatman, do not tarry! 
And I'll give thee a silver pound 
To row us o'er the ferry!"-
5 "Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, 
This dark and stormy weather?"
"O, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle, 
And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. -
"And fast before her father's men
10 Three days we've fled together, 
For should he find us in the glen, 
My blood would stain the heather.
74
tarry: linger, delay
isle: an island
glen: a deep narrow valley, especially in the mountains of Scotland.
heather: low, spreading plant with woody stems, small spiky leaves and purple, pink or white flowers.
CBSE
Poetry
75
"His horsemen hard behind us ride; 
Should they our steps discover, 
15 Then who will cheer my bonny bride 
When they have slain her lover?"
Out spoke the hardy Highland wight,
"I'll go, my chief- I'm ready: 
It is not for your silver bright,
20 But for your winsome lady:
"And by my word! the bonny bird
In danger shall not tarry;
So, though the waves are raging white,
I'll row you o'er the ferry."
25     By this the storm grew loud apace,
The water-wraith was shrieking; 
And in the scowl of heaven each face
Grew dark as they were speaking.
But still as wilder blew the wind,
30 And as the night grew drearer,
Adown the glen rode armed men,
Their trampling sounded nearer
"O haste thee, haste!" the lady cries,
"Though tempests round us gather;
35 I'll meet the raging of the skies,
But not an angry father."
The boat has left a stormy land,
A stormy sea before her, 
When, O! too strong for human hand,
40     The tempest gather'd o'er her.
bonny: lovely, attractive
wight: valiant, skilled in fighting
winsome: pleasing because of a childlike charm and innocence
raging: angry, infuriated
apace: quickly
wraith: ghost, spectre, spirit
scowl: frown; black, dirty look
adown: (archaic) coming down
trampling: stamping, treading, walking over.
CBSE
Poetry 
76
And still they row'd amidst the roar
Of waters fast prevailing:
Lord Ullin reach'd that fatal shore, --
His wrath was changed to wailing.
45 For, sore dismay'd through storm and shade,
His child he did discover: -
One lovely hand she stretch'd for aid,
And one was round her lover.
"Come back! Come back!" he cried in grief
50 "Across this stormy water:
And I'll forgive your highland chief,
My daughter! - O my daughter!"
'Twas vain: the loud waves lash'd the shore,
Return or aid preventing:
55 The water wild went o'er his child,
And he was left lamenting.
About the Poet
Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) was born in Scotland. He is chiefly remembered for 
his sentimental poetry dealing specially with human affairs. He was also one of the 
initiators of a plan to found what became the University of London. In 1799, he wrote 
'The Pleasures of Hope', a traditional 18th century survey in heroic couplets. He also 
produced several stirring patriotic war songs - "Ye Mariners of England", "The 
Soldier's Dream", "Hohen Linden" and in 1801, "The Battle of the Baltic".
4. Now, listen to the poem again. As you listen this time, read the poem aloud, along 
with the recording. Try to copy the rhythm of the recording.
5. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions 
by ticking the correct choice.
prevailing: conquering, overcoming
wrath: anger, exasperation
wailing: lamenting, crying, bemoaning
sore: in pain, distressed, pained
dismayed: disconcerted, shocked, disturbed
vain: futile, useless, to no avail
lashed: beat against, pounded, dashed against
lamenting: wailing, moaning, sobbing.
CBSE
Poetry
77
(a) Lord Ullin's daughter and her lover are trying to_____________
(i) escape the wrath of her father.
(ii) settle in a distant land.
(iii) challenge the storm in the lake.
(iv) trying to prove their love for each other.
(b) The boatman agrees to ferry them across because_________
(i) he has fallen in love with Lord Ullin's daughter.
(ii) he wants to avenge Lord Ullin.
(iii) he has lost his love.
(iv) he is sorry for the childlike innocence of the lady.
(c) The mood changes in the poem. It transforms from _________
(i) happiness to fear.
(ii) anxiety to grief.
(iii) fear to happiness.
(iv) love to pain.
(d) The shore of Lochgyle has been referred to as 'fatal shore!' The poetic device used here 
is ________________
(i) metaphor 
(ii) simile 
(iii) transferred epithet 
(iv) onomatopoeia 
6. In pairs copy and complete the summary of the poem with suitable 
words/expressions. 
A Scottish Chieftain and his beloved were (a) _____ from her wrathful father. As they 
reached the shores, the (b) _____ told a boatman to (c) _____ them across Lochgyle. 
He asked him to do it quickly because if (d) _______ found them, they would kill him. 
The boatman (e) _______ to take them not for the (f) _______ that the Chieftain offered 
but for his (g) _______. By this time, the storm had (h) _____ and a wild wind had 
started blowing. The sound of (i)_____ could be heard close at hand. The lady urged 
the boatman (j)__________ as she did not want to face an angry father.
Page 5


CBSE
9 9
UNIT UNIT
Poetry
P.4    Lord Ullin's Daughter
by Thomas Campbell
1. Scotland stretches away in a spectacular fusion of wooded glens, sweeping 
moors, rugged coasts, towering mountains, green valleys and deep blue lakes 
known as Lochs. The Scottish people have long been famous for their close-knit 
clans organized under chieftains who often led fierce warriors to savage feuds.
2. Lord Ullin's Daughter is one of the most popular romantic poems of Thomas 
Campbell. It describes how a Scottish Chieftain and his beloved flee her wrathful 
father, but their defiance leads to their deaths, in a surging, stormy sea.
3. Your teacher will play a recording of the poem. Listen to it with your books closed 
and conjure up a scene of mystery, adventure and high drama that the poem 
portrays.
1 A Chieftain, to the highlands bound, 
Cries, "Boatman, do not tarry! 
And I'll give thee a silver pound 
To row us o'er the ferry!"-
5 "Now, who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, 
This dark and stormy weather?"
"O, I'm the chief of Ulva's isle, 
And this, Lord Ullin's daughter. -
"And fast before her father's men
10 Three days we've fled together, 
For should he find us in the glen, 
My blood would stain the heather.
74
tarry: linger, delay
isle: an island
glen: a deep narrow valley, especially in the mountains of Scotland.
heather: low, spreading plant with woody stems, small spiky leaves and purple, pink or white flowers.
CBSE
Poetry
75
"His horsemen hard behind us ride; 
Should they our steps discover, 
15 Then who will cheer my bonny bride 
When they have slain her lover?"
Out spoke the hardy Highland wight,
"I'll go, my chief- I'm ready: 
It is not for your silver bright,
20 But for your winsome lady:
"And by my word! the bonny bird
In danger shall not tarry;
So, though the waves are raging white,
I'll row you o'er the ferry."
25     By this the storm grew loud apace,
The water-wraith was shrieking; 
And in the scowl of heaven each face
Grew dark as they were speaking.
But still as wilder blew the wind,
30 And as the night grew drearer,
Adown the glen rode armed men,
Their trampling sounded nearer
"O haste thee, haste!" the lady cries,
"Though tempests round us gather;
35 I'll meet the raging of the skies,
But not an angry father."
The boat has left a stormy land,
A stormy sea before her, 
When, O! too strong for human hand,
40     The tempest gather'd o'er her.
bonny: lovely, attractive
wight: valiant, skilled in fighting
winsome: pleasing because of a childlike charm and innocence
raging: angry, infuriated
apace: quickly
wraith: ghost, spectre, spirit
scowl: frown; black, dirty look
adown: (archaic) coming down
trampling: stamping, treading, walking over.
CBSE
Poetry 
76
And still they row'd amidst the roar
Of waters fast prevailing:
Lord Ullin reach'd that fatal shore, --
His wrath was changed to wailing.
45 For, sore dismay'd through storm and shade,
His child he did discover: -
One lovely hand she stretch'd for aid,
And one was round her lover.
"Come back! Come back!" he cried in grief
50 "Across this stormy water:
And I'll forgive your highland chief,
My daughter! - O my daughter!"
'Twas vain: the loud waves lash'd the shore,
Return or aid preventing:
55 The water wild went o'er his child,
And he was left lamenting.
About the Poet
Thomas Campbell (1777-1844) was born in Scotland. He is chiefly remembered for 
his sentimental poetry dealing specially with human affairs. He was also one of the 
initiators of a plan to found what became the University of London. In 1799, he wrote 
'The Pleasures of Hope', a traditional 18th century survey in heroic couplets. He also 
produced several stirring patriotic war songs - "Ye Mariners of England", "The 
Soldier's Dream", "Hohen Linden" and in 1801, "The Battle of the Baltic".
4. Now, listen to the poem again. As you listen this time, read the poem aloud, along 
with the recording. Try to copy the rhythm of the recording.
5. On the basis of your understanding of the poem, answer the following questions 
by ticking the correct choice.
prevailing: conquering, overcoming
wrath: anger, exasperation
wailing: lamenting, crying, bemoaning
sore: in pain, distressed, pained
dismayed: disconcerted, shocked, disturbed
vain: futile, useless, to no avail
lashed: beat against, pounded, dashed against
lamenting: wailing, moaning, sobbing.
CBSE
Poetry
77
(a) Lord Ullin's daughter and her lover are trying to_____________
(i) escape the wrath of her father.
(ii) settle in a distant land.
(iii) challenge the storm in the lake.
(iv) trying to prove their love for each other.
(b) The boatman agrees to ferry them across because_________
(i) he has fallen in love with Lord Ullin's daughter.
(ii) he wants to avenge Lord Ullin.
(iii) he has lost his love.
(iv) he is sorry for the childlike innocence of the lady.
(c) The mood changes in the poem. It transforms from _________
(i) happiness to fear.
(ii) anxiety to grief.
(iii) fear to happiness.
(iv) love to pain.
(d) The shore of Lochgyle has been referred to as 'fatal shore!' The poetic device used here 
is ________________
(i) metaphor 
(ii) simile 
(iii) transferred epithet 
(iv) onomatopoeia 
6. In pairs copy and complete the summary of the poem with suitable 
words/expressions. 
A Scottish Chieftain and his beloved were (a) _____ from her wrathful father. As they 
reached the shores, the (b) _____ told a boatman to (c) _____ them across Lochgyle. 
He asked him to do it quickly because if (d) _______ found them, they would kill him. 
The boatman (e) _______ to take them not for the (f) _______ that the Chieftain offered 
but for his (g) _______. By this time, the storm had (h) _____ and a wild wind had 
started blowing. The sound of (i)_____ could be heard close at hand. The lady urged 
the boatman (j)__________ as she did not want to face an angry father.
CBSE
Poetry 
78
Their boat left the (k) _____ and as it got caught in the stormy sea, Lord Ullin reached 
the deadly (l) _____. His anger changed to wailing when he saw his daughter (m) 
_____. He asked her to return to the shore. But it was (n) _____ as the stormy sea 
claimed his daughter and her lover.
7. Why does Lord Ullin's daughter defy her father and elope with her lover? 
(Stanza 1) 
8. Give two characteristics of the boatman who ferries the couple across the sea.
9. "Imagery" refers to something that can be perceived through more than one of 
the senses. It uses figurative language to help form mental pictures. Campbell 
used vivid, diverse and powerful imagery to personify the menacing face of 
nature. Pick out expressions that convey the images of anger in the following 
stanzas
Stanza 6 • ________________________________________________
Stanza 7 • 'Water-wraith was shrieking'
• ________________________________________________
Stanza 9 • ________________________________________________
Stanza 10 • ________________________________________________
• 'Stormy land'
Stanza 13 • ________________________________________________
Stanza 14 • ________________________________________________
10. Read the following lines and answer the questions that  follow 
"His horsemen hard behind us ride;
Should they our steps discover,
Then who will cheer my bonny bride
When they have slain her lover?"
a)     Who is 'his' in line 1 ? Who does 'us' refer to?
b)     Explain - 'cheer my bonny bride'.
c)     Why would the lover be slain?
11. "The water -wraith was shrieking". Is the symbolism in this line a premonition of 
what happens at the end? Give reasons for your answer. (Stanza 7) 
12. The poet uses words like 'adown', 'rode' which contain harsh consonants. Why 
do you think the poet has done this? (Stanza 8)