Attendant on a King-at-arms, Whose hand the armorial truncheon held, That feudal strife had often quelled, When wildest its alarms. VII. He was a man of middle age; In aspect manly, grave, and sage, Expression found its home; The flash of that satiric rage, Branded the vices of the age, And broke the keys of Rome. On milk-white palfrey forth he paced; His cap of maintenance was graced With the proud heron-plume. From his steed's shoulder, loin, and breast, Silk housings swept the ground, With Scotland's arms, device, and crest, Embroidered round and round. The double tressure might you see, First by Achaius borne, The thistle, and the fleur-de-lis, And gallant unicorn. So bright the king's armorial coat, That scarce the dazzled eye could note, In living colours blazoned brave, The Lion, which his title gave. A train, which well beseemed his state, Still is thy name in high account, And still thy verse has charms, Sir David Lindesay of the Mount, N Down from his horse did Marmion spring Soon as he saw the Lion-King, For well the stately Baron knew, To him such courtesy was due, Whom royal James himself had crowned, And on his temples placed the round Of Scotland's ancient diadem; And wet his brow with hallowed wine, The emblematic gem. Their mutual greetings duly made, The Lion thus his message said : "Though Scotland's King hath deeply swore, Ne'er to knit faith with Henry more, And strictly hath forbid resort From England to his royal court, Yet, for he knows Lord Marmion's name, And honours much his warlike fame, My liege hath deemed it shame, and lack Of courtesy, to turn him back; And, by his order, I, your guide, Must lodging fit and fair provide, Till finds King James meet time to see The flower of English chivalry." IX. Though inly chafed at this delay, Lord Marmion bears it as he may. The Palmer, his mysterious guide, Strict was the Lion-King's command, That none, who rode in Marmion's band, Should sever from the train : "England has here enow of spies X. At length up that wild dale they wind, Where Crichtoun-Castle crowns the bank; For there the Lion's care assigned A lodging meet for Marmion's rank. That Castle rises on the steep Of the green vale of Tyne; And far beneath, where slow they creep Where alders moist, and willows weep, You hear her streams repine. The towers in different ages rose e; Their various architecture shows The builders' various hands; A mighty mass, that could oppose, The vengeful Douglas bands. XI. Crichtoun! though now thy miry court But pens the lazy steer and sheep, Thy turrets rude, and tottered Keep, |