MARMION.

CANTO FOURTH.

The Camp.

I.

EUSTACE, I said, did blithely mark

The first notes of the merry lark.
The lark sung shrill, the cock he crew,
And loudly Marmion's bugles blew,
And, with their light and lively call,
Brought groom and yeoman to the stall.
Whistling they came, and free of heart,

But soon their mood was changed;
Complaint was heard on every part,
Of something disarranged.

Some clamour'd loud for armour lost;

Some brawl'd and wrangled with the host; "By Becket's bones," cried one, "I fear "That some false Scot has stolen my spear!". Young Blount, Lord Marmion's second squire, Found his steed wet with sweat and mire ; Although the rated horse-boy sware,

Last night he dress'd him sleek and fair.

While chafed the impatient squire like thunder,

Old Hubert shouts, in fear and wonder,

،،

Help, gentle Blount! help, comrades all ! "Bevis lies dying in his stall:

4

، To Marmion who the plight dare tell, "Of the good steed he loves so well ?"Gaping for fear and ruth, they saw

The charger panting on his straw;

Till one, who would seem wisest, cried,

"What else but evil could betide,

، With that cursed Palmer for our guide ?

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"Better we had through mire and bush

"Been lantern-led by Friar Rush.”*

II.

Fitz-Eustace, who the cause but guess'd,

Nor wholly understood,

His comrades' clamorous plaints suppress'd;

He knew Lord Marmion's mood.

Him, ere he issued forth, he sought,

And found deep plunged in gloomy thought,

And did his tale display

Simply, as if he knew of nought

To cause such disarray.

Lord Marmion gave attention cold,
Nor marvell'd at the wonders told,-

Pass'd them as accidents of course,

III.

Young Henry Blount, meanwhile, the cost
Had reckon'd with their Scottish host;

And, as the charge he cast and paid,
"Ill thou deserv'st thy hire," he said;

"Dost see, thou knave, my horse's plight?

"Fairies have ridden him all the night,

"And left him in a foam !

"I trust, that soon a conjuring band, "With English cross, and blazing brand,

"Shall drive the devils from this land,

"To their infernal home:

"For in this haunted den, I trow,

"All night they trampled to and fro.”— The laughing host look'd on the hire,— "Gramercy, gentle southern squire, "And if thou com'st among the rest,

"With Scottish broad-sword to be blest,

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Sharp be the brand, and sure the blow,

"And short the pang to undergo.”—

Here stay'd their talk,-for Marmion

Gave now the signal to set on.

The Palmer shewing forth the way,

They journey'd all the morning day.

IV.

The green-sward way was smooth and good,

Through Humbie's and through Saltoun's wood;
A forest glade, which, varying still,
Here gave a view of dale and hill,
There narrower closed, till over head

A vaulted screen the branches made.

"A pleasant path," Fitz-Eustace said;
"Such as where errant-knights might see
"Adventures of high chivalry;

"Might meet some damsel flying fast,

"With hair unbound, and looks aghast;

"And smooth and level course were here,

"In her defence to break a spear.

"Here, too, are twilight nooks and dells;

"And oft, in such, the story tells,