And how these merry bells may ring
The death-dirge of our gallant King;

Or with the larum call
The burghers forth to watch and ward,
'Gainst southern sack and fires to guard

Dun-Edin's leaguer'd wall.
But not for my presaging thought,
Dream conquest sure or cheaply bought !

Lord Marmion, I say nay:
God is the guider of the field,
He breaks the champion's spear and shield, -

But thou thyself shalt say, When joins yon host in deadly stowre, That England's dames must weep in bower,

Her monks the death-mass sing; For never saw'st thou such a power

Led on by such a King."

And now, down winding to the plain,
The barriers of the camp they gain,

And there they made a stay.-
There stays the Minstrel, till he fling
His hand o'er every border string,
And fit his harp the pomp to sing,
Of Scotland's ancient Court and King,

In the succeeding lay.

Introduction to Canto Fifth.

When dark December glooms the day,
And takes our autumn joys away ;
When short and scant the sunbeam throws,
Upon the weary waste of snows,

1 This accomplished gentleman, the well-known coadjutor of Mr. Canning and Mr. Frere in the "Antijacobin," and editor of “Specimens of Ancient English Romances," &c., died 10th April 1815, aged 70 years ; being succeeded in his estates by his brother, Charles Ellis, Esq., created in 1827 Lord Seaford,