Dread thou to speak presumptuous doom But say, 'He died a gallant knight, XXXVIII. I do not rhyme to that dull elf That all through Flodden's dismal night That when brave Surrey's steed was slain 'T was Wilton's brand that deepest hewed That, after fight, his faith made plain, Paint to her mind the bridal's state, That Wolsey's voice the blessing spoke, In blessing to a wedded pair, 'Love they like Wilton and like Clare!' 1150 2160 1170 WHY then a final note prolong, Sound head, clean hand, and piercing wit, 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, To thee, dear school-boy, whom my lay And pleasing dreams, and slumbers light! 10 ABBREVIATIONS USED IN THE NOTES. Cf. (confer), compare. F. Q., Spenser's Faërie Queene. fol., following. Id. (idem), the same. Imp. Dict., Ogilvie's Imperial Dictionary (Century Co.'s ed., New York, 1883). ind., introduction. Lockhart, J. G. Lockhart's eation of Scott's poems (various issues). P. L., Milton's Paradise Lost. Rich., Richardson's Dictionary (London, 1838). Wb., Webster's Dictionary (revised quarto ed. of 1879). Worc., Worcester's Dictionary (quarto ed.). The abbreviations of the names of Shakespeare's plays will be readily understood The line-numbers are those of the "Globe " edition. The references to the Lady of the Lake are to Rolfe's ed. SCOTT began Marmion in November, 1806, while he was engaged upon his edition of Dryden. It was published on the 23d of February, 1808, "in a splendid quarto, price one guinea and a half" (about $7.50 in Federal money), and the first edition of two thousand copies was exhausted in less than a month. During the author's life some fifty thousand copies were sold, and ever since it has been one of the most popular of his poetical romances. The poem was dedicated to "the right honorable Henry, Lord Mon tague," and was prefaced by the following " Advertisement:". |