And tablet carved and fretted niche,
His arms and feats were blazed.
And yet, though all was carved so fair,
And priest for Marmion breathed the prayer,
The last Lord Marmion lay not there.
From Ettrick woods a peasant swain
Followed his lord to Flodden plain,
One of those flowers, whom plaintive lay
In Scotland mourns as
"wede away
Sore wounded, Sybil's Cross he spied,
And dragged him to its foot and died,
Close by the noble Marmion's side.

:

1105

1110

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

1140

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,

1145

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

XXXVIII.

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;

1150

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 Holinshed 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

1155

1160

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!"

1165

1170

L'ENVOY.

To the Reader.

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

A garland for the hero's crest,

And twined by her he loves the best;

To every lovely lady bright,

1175

1180

1185

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.

1190

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!

1195

NOTES.

The story of this poem has to do with the private adventures of a fictitious character, Marmion, a proud English lord and stalwart knight. It is called a "Tale of Flodden Field," because the hero's fate is immediately connected with that memorable battle.

CANTO I.

The main purpose of this canto is to usher into the story the central figure, Lord Marmion. Incidentally, the author calls our attention at the outset to the feudal character of the times and to the relation between the Scotch and the English at this period. The Place. Find Norham Castle on the map. Was it an English or a Scotch fortress? Why was the Scotch Border such an attractive locality to the lover of ballads and of minstrelsy? (See Percy's ballad of Chevy Chase and Scott's Border Minstrelsy.) The Time. No dates are given in this canto, and only a wise reader would know what century is indicated when the poet alludes to "fair Margaret and Royal James" of Scotland. The careful reader, however, will detect many suggestions of early sixteenth century customs.

The Story. What is Lord Marmion's errand to the King of Scotland? Why does he delay his journey by resting over night at Norham Castle? Notice the martial character of the story; it begins with a salute of artillery. How do the various persons mentioned in this canto regard Lord Marmion? How do you like him?

Themes for Composition.

1. Norham at Sunset.

2. The Approach of Marmion and his Train as seen from Norham's "gloomy portal arch.”