XXXVIII.

I do not rhyme to that dull elf,

Who cannot image to himself,

That all through Flodden's dismal night,
Wilton was foremost in the fight;

That, when brave Surrey's steed was slain,

'Twas Wilton mounted him again;

'Twas Wilton's brand that deepest hewed,

Amid the spearmen's stubborn wood:

Unnamed by Hollinshed or Hall,

He was the living soul of all;

That, after fight, his faith made plain,

He won his rank and lands again;

And charged his old paternal shield

With bearings won on Flodden Field.

Nor sing I to that simple maid,

To whom it must in terms be said,
That king and kinsmen did agree,

To bless fair Clara's constancy;
Who cannot, unless I relate,

Paint to her mind the bridal's state;

VOL. II.

That Wolsey's voice the blessing spoke,

More, Sands, and Denny, passed the joke :

That bluff King Hal the curtain drew,

And Catherine's hand the stocking threw ;

And afterwards, for many a day,

That it was held enough to say,

In blessing to a wedded pair,

"Love they like Wilton and like Clare!"—

L'Enboy.

TO THE READER.

Why then a final note prolong,

Or lengthen out a closing song,

Unless to bid the gentles speed,

Who long have listed to my rede ?

To Statesman grave, if such may deign

To read the Minstrel's idle strain,

Used generally for tale, or discourse.

Sound head, clean hand, and piercing wit,

And patriotic heart-as PITT!

A garland for the hero's crest,

And twined by her he loves the best;

To every lovely lady bright,

What can I wish but faithful knight?

To every faithful lover too,

What can I wish but lady true?

And knowledge to the studious sage;

And pillow soft to head of age.

To thee, dear schoolboy, whom my lay
Has cheated of thy hour of play,

Light task, and merry holiday!

To all, to each, a fair good night,

And pleasing dreams, and slumbers light.

END OF MARMION.

NOTES.