And shepherd boys repair

To seek the water-flag and rush,
And rest them by the hazel bush,

And plait their garlands fair;
Nor dream they sit upon the grave,

That holds the bones of Marmion brave.-

When thou shalt find the little hill,

With thy heart commune, and be still.

If ever, in temptation strong,

Thou left'st the right path for the wrong ;
If every devious step, thus trode,

Still led thee farther from the road;

Dread thou to speak presumptuous doom,
On noble Marmion's lowly tomb;

But say,

“ He died a gallant knight,

With sword in hand, for England's right."

XXXIX.

I do not rhyme to that dull elf,

Who cannot image to himself,

That all through Flodden's dismal night, Wilton was foremost in the fight;

That, when brave Surrey's steed was slain,
'Twas Wilton mounted him again ;
'Twas Wilton's brand that deepest hewed,
Amid the spearmen's stubborn wood;
Unnamed by Hollinshed or Hall,
He was the living soul of all;

That, after fight, his faith made plain,
He won his rank and lands again;
And charged his old paternal shield
With bearings won on Flodden field.
Nor sing I to that simple maid,
To whom it must in terms be said,
That king and kinsmen did agree,
To bless fair Clara's constancy;
Who cannot, unless I relate,

Paint to her mind the bridal's state,
That Wolsey's voice the blessing spoke,
More, Sands, and Denny, passed the joke;

That bluff King Hal the curtain drew,

And Catherine's hand the stocking threw;

And afterwards, for many a day,

That it was held enough to say,

In blessing to a wedded pair,

"Love they like Wilton and like Clare!"—

L'Envoy.

TO THE READER.

Why then a final note prolong,
Or lengthen out a closing song,
Unless to bid the gentles speed,

a

Who long have listed to my rede?"
To Statesman grave, if such may deign
To read the Minstrel's idle strain,
Sound head, clean hand, and piercing wit,
And patriotic heart-as PITT!

A garland for the hero's crest,

And twined by her he loves the best ;

* Used generally for tale, or discourse.

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;
And pillow soft to head of age.

To thee, dear schoolboy, whom my lay
Has cheated of thy hour of play,
Light task, and merry holiday!
To all, to each, a fair good night,

And pleasing dreams, and slumbers light!

END OF MARMION.