MARMION.

CANTO FIFTH.

The Court.

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,
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.

Young knights and squires, a lighter train,
Practised their chargers on the plain,

By aid of leg, of hand, and rein,
Each warlike feat to show;

To pass, to wheel, the croupe to gain,
And high curvett, that not in vain
The sword-sway might descend amain
On foeman's casque below.

He saw the hardy burghers there
March armed, on foot, with faces bare,
For visor they wore none;

Nor waving plume, nor crest of knight,
But burnished were their corslets bright;
Their brigantines, and gorgets light,
Like very silver shone.

Long pikes they had for standing fight,

Two-handed swords they wore,

And many wielded mace of weight,

And bucklers bright they bore.