Such dusky grandeur clothed the height, Whose ridgy back heaves to the sky, And, broad between them rolled, Like emeralds chased in gold. 615 620 625 The spur he to his charger lent, And raised his bridle hand, And, making demi-volt in air, Cried, "Where's the coward that would not dare To fight for such a land?” The Lindesay smiled his joy to see; Nor Marmion's frown repressed his glee. 630 635 XXXI. Thus, while they looked, a flourish proud, And fife and kettle-drum, And sackbut deep and psaltery, And war-pipe with discordant cry, 640 And cymbal clattering to the sky, Did up the mountain come; The whilst the bells, with distant chime, 645 Merrily tolled the hour of prime, And thus the Lindesay spoke : "Thus clamor still the war-notes when When blither was their cheer, XXXII. "Nor less," he said, "when looking forth, I view yon Empress of the North Sit on her hilly throne, Her palace's imperial bowers, 650 655 660 Her stately halls and holy towers Nor less," he said, "I moan 665 To think what woe mischance may bring, And how these merry bells may ring The death-dirge of our gallant king; Or with their larum call The burghers forth to watch and ward, 670 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,- When joins yon host in deadly stowre, 675 That England's dames must weep in bower, 680 For never saw'st thou such a power Led on by such a king.". And there they made a stay.- 685 Of Scotland's ancient court and king, 690 CANTO FIFTH. THE COURT. I. THE train has left the hills of Braid; That closed the tented ground; Their men the warders backward drew, Fast ran the Scottish warriors there, 5 10 To see such well-appointed foes; Such length of shafts, such mighty bows, But for a vaunt such weapons wrought; And little deemed their force to feel Through links of mail and plates of steel, II. Nor less did Marmion's skilful view 15 20 Heavily sheathed in mail and plate, Like iron towers for strength and weight, Young knights and squires, a lighter train, Each warlike feat to show, To pass, to wheel, the croupe to gain, For visor they wore none, Nor waving plume, nor crest of knight; Like very silver shone. Long pikes they had for standing fight, And many wielded mace of weight, III. On foot the yeoman too, but dressed With iron quilted well; Each at his back (a slender store) As feudal statutes tell. His arms were halbert, axe, or spear, 50 |