MARMION. CANTO FIFTH. The Court. I. THE train has left the hills of Braid; The barrier guard have open made, (So Lindesay bade,) the palisade, That closed the tented ground, Their men the warders backward drew, And carried pikes as they rode through, Into its ample bound. Fast ran the Scottish warriors there, Upon the Southern band to stare; And envy with their wonder rose, To see such well-appointed foes; Such length of shafts, such mighty bows, So huge, that many simply thought, But for a vaunt such weapons wrought; And little deemed their force to feel, Through links of mail, and plates of steel, When, rattling upon Flodden vale, The cloth-yard arrows flew like hail. II. Nor less did Marmion's skilful view Glance every line and squadron through; And much he marvelled one small land Could marshal forth such various band: For men-at-arms were here, Heavily sheathed in mail and plate, Like iron towers for strength and weight, On Flemish steeds of bone and height, With battle-axe and spear. |