The opening interjection “Oh!” in the poem is to introduce the dashing Lochinvar who is a promising knight of the highlands. His coming from the west is a metaphor which resembles for him of being like sun. He came unarmed riding on his horse through the wide border and throughout this special journey he carried no weapons and rode all by himself. He is faithful to his love and fearless at the same time. He is known for being gallant and dauntless in every war he fought for the country. He is so valiant that no obstacle or hardship could save him from reaching the desired goal. He swam across the Eske River even though the river had no shallow part where it was being crossed by some stream. It was a deep river that he crossed bravely and without any fear.
As he reached the Netherby gate and alighted himself on the horse, the bride Ellen had framed her personal opinion for him as a gallant who had arrived late and was straggler and fought cowardly and disgracefully in the war of love for the bride. He was to take the fair Ellen’s hand in marriage. He entered the Netherby Hall so boldly even at the presence of the bride’s men and kinsmen, her brothers and all her relatives.
The poor craven bridegroom never said a word. The bride’s father stood up, with his hand gripping his sword, spoke up and asked Lochinvar whether he came here in peace or with an intention of war, or to dance at their bridal.
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Lochinvar gave a bold reply that he had been looking for the Lord’s daughter since long but was denied the opportunity to marry her. He responded that his love had taken the back seat and he had only come to drink a cup of wine at the marriage feast. He claimed that many beautiful maidens who are far more fair and beautiful than Ellen would open-heartedly come to be a bride for him. He took one dance with the bride after she blessed his wine. Demurely she accepted, blushing.Though there were tears in her eyes, her lips carried the smile that came from her heart.
The two danced in pair with grace and filled the room with their presence. Like the sun she was illuminated by his light. The groom stood there ashamed and unable to do anything. Though bride’s mother was fretted and her father infuriated, they could do nothing to stop them. They were immobilized by his ‘stately form’. The wedding party also agreed to the match between young Lochinvar and Ellen.
It only took ‘one touch of his hand and one word in her ear’ for her to bend to his incredible will. He was able to win back Ellen’s love.On his horse he galloped away with Ellen. The clans tried to chase but their bride was lost without being in sight. Thus the bridegroom proved that he was a ‘laggard in love’, unable to stand up for himself.