And, sweeping o'er the Gothic arch, To gain the opposing hill. That morn, to many a trumpet clang, XX. And why stands Scotland idly now, And struggles through the deep defile? What checks the fiery soul of James? And sees, between him and his land, Between him and Tweed's southern strand, What 'vails the vain knight-errant's brand? O for one hour of Wallace wight, From Fate's dark book a leaf been torn, XXI. Ere yet the bands met Marmion's eye, Between Tweed's river and the hill, Foot, horse, and cannon :-hap what hap, My basnet to a prentice cap, Lord Surrey's o'er the Till! Yet more! yet more!-how far array'd They file from out the hawthorn shade, And sweep so gallant by! With all their banners bravely spread, And all their armour flashing high, Saint George might waken from the dead, To see fair England's standards fly.""Stint in thy prate," quoth Blount, "thoud'st best, And listen to our lord's behest."— With kindling brow Lord Marmion said,— "This instant be our band array'd; The river must be quickly cross'd, That we may join Lord Surrey's host. XXII. Himself he swift on horseback threw, So Clare shall bide with me." Then on that dangerous ford, and deep, THE BATTLE. He ventured desperately: And not a moment will he bide, Till squire, or groom, before him ride; Headmost of all he stems the tide, And stems it gallantly. Eustace held Clare upon her horse, Old Hubert led her rein, Stoutly they braved the current's course, 353 And, though far downward driven per force, The southern bank they gain; Behind them straggling, came to shore, As best they might, the train: Each o'er his head his yew-bow bore A caution not in vain; Deep need that day that every string, That, on a hillock standing lone, Did all the field command. XXIII. Hence might they see the full array Of either host, for deadly fray;' Their marshall'd lines stretch'd east and west, And fronted north and south, And distant salutation pass'd From the loud cannon mouth; Not in the close successive rattle, That breathes the voice of modern battle, But slow and far between. The hillock gain'd, Lord Marmion staid : 1 See Appendix, Note Q. |