He waited not for answer there, And would not mark the maid's despair, Nor heed the discontented look From either squire; but spurred amain, His way to Surrey took. XXIV. -The good Lord Marmion, by my life! Welcome to danger's hour!— Short greeting serves in time of strife : Thus have I ranged my power: Myself will rule this central host, Stout Stanley fronts their right, My sons command the vaward post, And succour those that need it most. Now, gallant Marmion, well I know, Edmund, the Admiral, Tunstal there, With thee their charge will blithely share; There fight thine own retainers too, Beneath De Burg, thy steward true.""Thanks, noble Surrey!" Marmion said, Nor further greeting there he paid; But, parting like a thunder-bolt, First in the vanguard made a halt, Where such a shout there rose Of" Marmion! Marmion!" that the cry Up Flodden mountain shrilling high, Startled the Scottish foes. XXV. Blount and Fitz-Eustace rested still With Lady Clare upon the hill; Could plain their distant comrades view: Ꮓ Sadly to Blount did Eustace say, "Unworthy office here to stay! No hope of gilded spurs to-day. But, see! look up-on Flodden bent, The Scottish foe has fired his tent." And sudden, as he spoke, From the sharp ridges of the hill, Was wreathed in sable smoke; Volumed and vast, and rolling far, As down the hill they broke ; Nor martial shout, nor minstrel tone, Announced their march, their tread alone, At times one warning trumpet blown, At times a stifled hum, Told England, from his mountain-throne King James did rushing come.— Scarce could they hear, or see their foes, Until at weapon-point they close. They close, in clouds of smoke and dust, With sword-sway, and with lance's thrust; And such a yell was there, Of sudden and portentous birth, As if men fought upon the earth, O life and death were in the shout, Recoil and rally, charge and rout, And triumph and despair. Long looked the anxious squires; their eye Could in the darkness nought descry. XXVI. At length the freshening western blast Aside the shroud of battle cast; And, first, the ridge of mingled spears Then marked they, dashing broad and far The broken billows of the war, And plumed crests of chieftains brave, Floating like foam upon the wave; But nought distinct they see: Wide raged the battle on the plain ; Spears shook, and faulchions flashed amain; Fell England's arrow-flight like rain; Crests rose, and stooped, and rose again, Wild and disorderly. Amid the scene of tumult, high They saw lord Marmion's falcon fly: And stainless Tunstall's banner white, And Edmund Howard's lion bright, Still bear them bravely in the fight; And many a rugged Border clan, With Huntley, and with Home. |