Marmion: Canto I. - The Castle Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BBCBBBCAADEED A FFGHHGIJKKJLL A MNNFOOOFPPQRRQRR A NSTTTSUUSVRVVVR T VVTSWXVVHYZZA2A2A2B2 C2C2C2B2 A RRVVVVVVVVVD2D2VV A NNE2E2FFVVA2A2 A NNLLVVF2F2QQF2F2QQVV VVVVLGFF N G2G2VG2G2VA2A2VH2H2V N VAVAVVVVG2VG2V N I2I2G2VVG2J2J2G2VVG2 G2VG2V N RVRVG2VG2VAVAVVA2VA2 VVVVVFVJ2 N VVVVNANAVVRFFRG2K2FF FFG2G2 A NNNNVRVRVA2VA2NG2NG2 A FG2FG2G2A2G2G2A2VVVV VVVA2A2A2VVVVVL2A2L2 A2 A VAVAA2A2G2G2FFFB2M2E 2E2 A VVVVNNA2VVA2VAVAFF A VVA2A2VVVVNNVVA2A2 N A2G2A2A2RRNN N VVFFA2A2A2A2NNRRVVVV N NNVVVVVVA2A2NNRRVVA2 A2RRA2A2A2A2VVNNVVVA AAA2A2A2A2A2 N VVVA2A2N2N2NNRRRVVVV VRRRA2A2NN N O2P2Q2A2A2A2A2VVNNA2 A2RRVANV N NNVVL2L2FFRRNNN N A2A2NNVVVVVRRNVVN N VVA2A2FFRRA2A2A2A2VV FFNN N NNNNRRNNVVVFFVA2A2VV N RRRA2VVVA2RRRVA2A2A2 VA2A2A2A2NNNA2RR N FFVVNNVNNNVRRA2FFA2 N BBBNVVVNANA2A2VVVV N NNA2A2VVNNVVVVVVNNA2 NNA2A2A2A2

I	A
	-
Day set on Norham's castled steep	B
And Tweed's fair river broad and deep	B
And Cheviot's mountains lone	C
The battled towers the donjon keep	B
The loophole grates where captives weep	B
The flanking walls that round it sweep	B
In yellow lustre shone	C
The warriors on the turrets high	A
Moving athwart the evening sky	A
Seemed forms of giant height	D
Their armour as it caught the rays	E
Flashed back again the western blaze	E
In lines of dazzling light	D
	-
II	A
	-
Saint George's banner broad and gay	F
Now faded as the fading ray	F
Less bright and less was flung	G
The evening gale had scarce the power	H
To wave it on the donjon tower	H
So heavily it hung	G
The scouts had parted on their search	I
The castle gates were barred	J
Above the gloomy portal arch	K
Timing his footsteps to a march	K
The warder kept his guard	J
Low humming as he paced along	L
Some ancient Border gathering song	L
	-
III	A
	-
A distant trampling sound he hears	M
He looks abroad and soon appears	N
O'er Horncliff Hill a plump of spears	N
Beneath a pennon gay	F
A horseman darting from the crowd	O
Like lightning from a summer cloud	O
Spurs on his mettled courser proud	O
Before the dark array	F
Beneath the sable palisade	P
That closed the castle barricade	P
His bugle horn he blew	Q
The warder hasted from the wall	R
And warned the captain in the hall	R
For well the blast he knew	Q
And joyfully that knight did call	R
To sewer squire and seneschal	R
	-
IV	A
	-
Now broach ye a pipe of Malvoisie	N
Bring pasties of the doe	S
And quickly make the entrance free	T
And bid my heralds ready be	T
And every minstrel sound his glee	T
And all our trumpets blow	S
And from the platform spare ye not	U
To fire a noble salvo shot	U
Lord Marmion waits below	S
Then to the castle's lower ward	V
Sped forty yeomen tall	R
The iron studded gates unbarred	V
Raised the portcullis' ponderous guard	V
The lofty palisade unsparred	V
And let the drawbridge fall	R
	-
V	T
	-
Along the bridge Lord Marmion rode	V
Proudly his red roan charger trode	V
His helm hung at the saddlebow	T
Well by his visage you might know	S
He was a stalwart knight and keen	W
And had in many a battle been	X
The scar on his brown cheek revealed	V
A token true of Bosworth field	V
His eyebrow dark and eye of fire	H
Showed spirit proud and prompt to ire	Y
Yet lines of thought upon his cheek	Z
Did deep design and counsel speak	Z
His forehead by his casque worn bare	A2
His thick moustache and curly hair	A2
Coal black and grizzled here and there	A2
But more through toil than age	B2
His square turned joints and strength of limb	C2
Showed him no carpet knight so trim	C2
But in close fight a champion grim	C2
In camps a leader sage	B2
	-
VI	A
	-
Well was he armed from head to heel	R
In mail and plate of Milan steel	R
But his strong helm of mighty cost	V
Was all with burnished gold embossed	V
Amid the plumage of the crest	V
A falcon hovered on her nest	V
With wings outspread and forward breast	V
E'en such a falcon on his shield	V
Soared sable in an azure field	V
The golden legend bore aright	V
Who checks at me to death is dight	V
Blue was the charger's broidered rein	D2
Blue ribbons decked his arching mane	D2
The knightly housing's ample fold	V
Was velvet blue and trapped with gold	V
	-
VII	A
	-
Behind him rode two gallant squires	N
Of noble name and knightly sires	N
They burned the gilded spurs to claim	E2
For well could each a war horse tame	E2
Could draw the bow the sword could sway	F
And lightly bear the ring away	F
Nor less with courteous precepts stored	V
Could dance in hall and carve at board	V
And frame love ditties passing rare	A2
And sing them to a lady fair	A2
	-
VIII	A
	-
Four men at arms came at their backs	N
With halbert bill and battle axe	N
They bore Lord Marmion's lance so strong	L
And led his sumpter mules along	L
And ambling palfrey when at need	V
Him listed ease his battle steed	V
The last and trustiest of the four	F2
On high his forky pennon bore	F2
Like swallow's tail in shape and hue	Q
Fluttered the streamer glossy blue	Q
Where blazoned sable as before	F2
The towering falcon seemed to soar	F2
Last twenty yeomen two and two	Q
In hosen black and jerkins blue	Q
With falcons broidered on each breast	V
Attended on their lord's behest	V
Each chosen for an archer good	V
Knew hunting craft by lake or wood	V
Each one a six foot bow could bend	V
And far a clothyard shaft could send	V
Each held a boar spear tough and strong	L
And at their belts their quivers rung	G
Their dusty palfreys and array	F
Showed they had marched a weary way	F
	-
IX	N
	-
'Tis meet that I should tell you now	G2
How fairly armed and ordered how	G2
The soldiers of the guard	V
With musket pike and morion	G2
To welcome noble Marmion	G2
Stood in the castle yard	V
Minstrels and trumpeters were there	A2
The gunner held his linstock yare	A2
For welcome shot prepared	V
Entered the train and such a clang	H2
As then through all his turrets rang	H2
Old Norham never heard	V
	-
X	N
	-
The guards their morrice pikes advanced	V
The trumpets flourished brave	A
The cannon from the ramparts glanced	V
And thundering welcome gave	A
A blithe salute in martial sort	V
The minstrels well might sound	V
For as Lord Marmion crossed the court	V
He scattered angels round	V
Welcome to Norham Marmion	G2
Stout heart and open hand	V
Well dost thou brook thy gallant roan	G2
Thou flower of English land	V
	-
XI	N
	-
Two pursuivants whom tabarts deck	I2
With silver scutcheon round their neck	I2
Stood on the steps of stone	G2
By which you reach the donjon gate	V
And there with herald pomp and state	V
They hailed Lord Marmion	G2
They hailed him Lord of Fontenaye	J2
Of Lutterward and Scrivelbaye	J2
Of Tamworth tower and town	G2
And he their courtesy to requite	V
Gave them a chain of twelve marks' weight	V
All as he lighted down	G2
Now largesse largesse Lord Marmion	G2
Knight of the crest of gold	V
A blazoned shield in battle won	G2
Ne'er guarded heart so bold	V
	-
XII	N
	-
They marshalled him to the castle hall	R
Where the guests stood all aside	V
And loudly flourished the trumpet call	R
And the heralds loudly cried	V
Room lordlings room for Lord Marmion	G2
With the crest and helm of gold	V
Full well we know the trophies won	G2
In the lists at Cottiswold	V
There vainly Ralph de Wilton strove	A
'Gainst Marmion's force to stand	V
To him he lost his lady love	A
And to the king his land	V
Ourselves beheld the listed field	V
A sight both sad and fair	A2
We saw Lord Marmion pierce his shield	V
And saw his saddle bare	A2
We saw the victor win the crest	V
He wears with worthy pride	V
And on the gibbet tree reversed	V
His foeman's scutcheon tied	V
Place nobles for the Falcon Knight	V
Room room ye gentles gay	F
For him who conquered in the right	V
Marmion of Fontenaye	J2
	-
XIII	N
	-
Then stepped to meet that noble lord	V
Sir Hugh the Heron bold	V
Baron of Twisell and of Ford	V
And captain of the hold	V
He led Lord Marmion to the dais	N
Raised o'er the pavement high	A
And placed him in the upper place	N
They feasted full and high	A
The whiles a Northern harper rude	V
Chanted a rhyme of deadly feud	V
HOW THE FIERCE THIRWALLS AND RIDLEYS ALL	R
STOUT WILLIMONDSWICK	F
AND HARDRIDING DICK	F
AND HUGHIE OF HAWDON AND WILL O' THE WALL	R
HAVE SET ON SIR ALBANY FEATHERSTONHAUGH	G2
AND TAKEN HIS LIFE AT THE DEADMAN'S SHAW	K2
Scantly Lord Marmion's ear could brook	F
The harper's barbarous lay	F
Yet much he praised the pains he took	F
And well those pains did pay	F
For lady's suit and minstrel's strain	G2
By knight should ne'er be heard in vain	G2
	-
XIV	A
	-
Now good Lord Marmion Heron says	N
Of your fair courtesy	N
I pray you bide some little space	N
In this poor tower with me	N
Here may you keep your arms from rust	V
May breathe your war horse well	R
Seldom hath passed a week but just	V
Or feat of arms befell	R
The Scots can rein a mettled steed	V
And love to couch a spear	A2
St George a stirring life they lead	V
That have such neighbours near	A2
Then stay with us a little space	N
Our Northern wars to learn	G2
I pray you for your lady's grace	N
Lord Marmion's brow grew stern	G2
	-
XV	A
	-
The captain marked his altered look	F
And gave a squire the sign	G2
A mighty wassail bowl he took	F
And crowned it high with wine	G2
Now pledge me here Lord Marmion	G2
But first I pray thee fair	A2
Where hast thou left that page of thine	G2
That used to serve thy cup of wine	G2
Whose beauty was so rare	A2
When last in Raby towers we met	V
The boy I closely eyed	V
And often marked his cheeks were wet	V
With tears he fain would hide	V
His was no rugged horse boy's hand	V
To burnish shield or sharpen brand	V
Or saddle battle steed	V
But meeter seemed for lady fair	A2
To fan her cheek or curl her hair	A2
Or through embroidery rich and rare	A2
The slender silk to lead	V
His skin was fair his ringlets gold	V
His bosom when he sighed	V
The russet doublet's rugged fold	V
Could scarce repel its pride	V
Say hast thou given that lovely youth	L2
To serve in lady's bower	A2
Or was the gentle page in sooth	L2
A gentle paramour	A2
	-
XVI	A
	-
Lord Marmion ill could brook such jest	V
He rolled his kindling eye	A
With pain his rising wrath suppressed	V
Yet made a calm reply	A
That boy thou thought'st so goodly fair	A2
He might not brook the Northern air	A2
More of his fate if thou wouldst learn	G2
I left him sick in Lindisfarne	G2
Enough of him But Heron say	F
Why does thy lovely lady gay	F
Disdain to grace the hall to day	F
Or has that dame so fair and sage	B2
Gone on some pious pilgrimage	M2
He spoke in covert scorn for fame	E2
Whispered light tales of Heron's dame	E2
	-
XVII	A
	-
Unmarked at least unrecked the taunt	V
Careless the knight replied	V
No bird whose feathers gaily flaunt	V
Delights in cage to bide	V
Norham is grim and grated close	N
Hemmed in by battlement and fosse	N
And many a darksome tower	A2
And better loves my lady bright	V
To sit in liberty and light	V
In fair Queen Margaret's bower	A2
We hold our greyhound in our hand	V
Our falcon on our glove	A
But where shall we find leash or band	V
For dame that loves to rove	A
Let the wild falcon soar her swing	F
She'll stoop when she has tired her wing	F
	-
XVIII	A
	-
Nay if with royal James's bride	V
The lovely Lady Heron bide	V
Behold me here a messenger	A2
Your tender greetings prompt to bear	A2
For to the Scottish court addressed	V
I journey at our King's behest	V
And pray you of your grace provide	V
For me and mine a trusty guide	V
I have not ridden in Scotland since	N
James backed the cause of that mock prince	N
Warbeck that Flemish counterfeit	V
Who on the gibbet paid the cheat	V
Then did I march with Surrey's power	A2
What time we razed old Ayton Tower	A2
	-
XIX	N
	-
For such like need my lord I trow	A2
Norham can find you guides enow	G2
For here be some have pricked as far	A2
On Scottish ground as to Dunbar	A2
Have drunk the monks of St Bothan's ale	R
And driven the beeves of Lauderdale	R
Harried the wives of Greenlaw's goods	N
And given them light to set their hoods	N
	-
XX	N
	-
Now in good sooth Lord Marmion cried	V
Were I in warlike wise to ride	V
A better guard I would not lack	F
Than your stout forayers at my back	F
But as in form of peace I go	A2
A friendly messenger to know	A2
Why through all Scotland near and far	A2
Their King is mustering troops for war	A2
The sight of plundering Border spears	N
Might justify suspicious fears	N
And deadly feud or thirst of spoil	R
Break out in some unseemly broil	R
A herald were my fitting guide	V
Or friar sworn in peace to bide	V
Or pardoner or travelling priest	V
Or strolling pilgrim at the least	V
	-
XXI	N
	-
The captain mused a little space	N
And passed his hand across his face	N
Fain would I find the guide you want	V
But ill may pursuivant	V
The only men that safe can ride	V
Mine errands on the Scottish side	V
And though a bishop built this fort	V
Few holy brethren here resort	V
Even our good chaplain as I ween	A2
Since our last siege we have not seen	A2
The mass he might not sing or say	N
Upon one stinted meal a day	N
So safe he sat in Durham aisle	R
And prayed for our success the while	R
Our Norham vicar woe betide	V
Is all too well in case to ride	V
The priest of Shoreswood he could rein	A2
The wildest war horse in your train	A2
But then no spearman in the hall	R
Will sooner swear or stab or brawl	R
Friar John of Tillmouth were the man	A2
A blithesome brother at the can	A2
A welcome guest in hall and bower	A2
He knows each castle town and tower	A2
In which the wine and ale is good	V
'Twixt Newcastle and Holyrood	V
But that good man as ill befalls	N
Hath seldom left our castle walls	N
Since on the vigil of Saint Bede	V
In evil hour he crossed the Tweed	V
To teach Dame Alison her creed	V
Old Bughtrig found him with his wife	A
And John an enemy to strife	A
Sans frock and hood fled for his life	A
The jealous churl hath deeply swore	A2
That if again he venture o'er	A2
He shall shrive penitent no more	A2
Little he loves such risks I know	A2
Yet in your guard perchance will go	A2
	-
XXII	N
	-
Young Selby at the fair hall board	V
Carved to his uncle and that lord	V
And reverently took up the word	V
Kind uncle woe were we each one	A2
If harm should hap to brother John	A2
He is a man of mirthful speech	N2
Can many a game and gambol teach	N2
Full well at tables can he play	N
And sweep at bowls the stake away	N
None can a lustier carol bawl	R
The needfullest among us all	R
When time hangs heavy in the hall	R
And snow comes thick at Christmas tide	V
And we can neither hunt nor ride	V
A foray on the Scottish side	V
The vowed revenge of Bughtrig rude	V
May end in worse than loss of hood	V
Let Friar John in safety still	R
In chimney corner snore his fill	R
Roast hissing crabs or flagons swill	R
Last night to Norham there came one	A2
Will better guide Lord Marmion	A2
Nephew quoth Heron by my fay	N
Well hast thou spoke say forth thy say	N
	-
XXIII	N
	-
Here is a holy Palmer come	O2
From Salem first and last from Rome	P2
One that hath kissed the blessed tomb	Q2
And visited each holy shrine	A2
In Araby and Palestine	A2
On hills of Armenie hath been	A2
Where Noah's ark may yet be seen	A2
By that Red Sea too hath he trod	V
Which parted at the prophet's rod	V
In Sinai's wilderness he saw	N
The Mount where Israel heard the law	N
Mid thunder dint and flashing levin	A2
And shadows mists and darkness given	A2
He shows Saint James's cockle shell	R
Of fair Montserrat too can tell	R
And of that grot where olives nod	V
Where darling of each heart and eye	A
From all the youth of Sicily	N
Saint Rosalie retired to God	V
	-
XXIV	N
	-
To stout Saint George of Norwich merry	N
Saint Thomas too of Canterbury	N
Cuthbert of Durham and Saint Bede	V
For his sins' pardon hath he prayed	V
He knows the passes of the North	L2
And seeks far shrines beyond the Forth	L2
Little he eats and long will wake	F
And drinks but of the stream or lake	F
This were a guide o'er moor and dale	R
But when our John hath quaffed his ale	R
As little as the wind that blows	N
And warms itself against his nose	N
Kens he or cares which way he goes	N
	-
XXV	N
	-
Gramercy quoth Lord Marmion	A2
Full loth were I that Friar John	A2
That venerable man for me	N
Were placed in fear or jeopardy	N
If this same Palmer will me lead	V
From hence to Holyrood	V
Like his good saint I'll pay his meed	V
Instead of cockle shell or bead	V
With angels fair and good	V
I love such holy ramblers still	R
They know to charm a weary hill	R
With song romance or lay	N
Some jovial tale or glee or jest	V
Some lying legend at the least	V
They bring to cheer the way	N
	-
XXVI	N
	-
Ah noble sir young Selby said	V
And finger on his lip he laid	V
This man knows much perchance e'en more	A2
Than he could learn by holy lore	A2
Still to himself he's muttering	F
And shrinks as at some unseen thing	F
Last night we listened at his cell	R
Strange sounds we heard and sooth to tell	R
He murmured on till morn howe'er	A2
No living mortal could be near	A2
Sometimes I thought I heard it plain	A2
As other voices spoke again	A2
I cannot tell I like it not	V
Friar John hath told us it is wrote	V
No conscience clear and void of wrong	F
Can rest awake and pray so long	F
Himself still sleeps before his beads	N
Have marked ten aves and two creeds	N
	-
XXVII	N
	-
Let pass quoth Marmion by my fay	N
This man shall guide me on my way	N
Although the great arch fiend and he	N
Had sworn themselves of company	N
So please you gentle youth to call	R
This Palmer to the castle hall	R
The summoned Palmer came in place	N
His sable cowl o'erhung his face	N
In his black mantle was he clad	V
With Peter's keys in cloth of red	V
On his broad shoulders wrought	V
The scallop shell his cap did deck	F
The crucifix around his neck	F
Was from Loretto brought	V
His sandals were with travel tore	A2
Staff budget bottle scrip he wore	A2
The faded palm branch in his hand	V
Showed pilgrim from the Holy Land	V
	-
XXVIII	N
	-
Whenas the Palmer came in hall	R
Nor lord nor knight was there more tall	R
Or had a statelier step withal	R
Or looked more high and keen	A2
For no saluting did he wait	V
But strode across the hall of state	V
And fronted Marmion where he sate	V
As he his peer had been	A2
But his gaunt frame was worn with toil	R
His cheek was sunk alas the while	R
And when he struggled at a smile	R
His eye looked haggard wild	V
Poor wretch the mother that him bare	A2
If she had been in presence there	A2
In his wan face and sun burned hair	A2
She had not known her child	V
Danger long travel want or woe	A2
Soon change the form that best we know	A2
For deadly fear can time outgo	A2
And blanch at once the hair	A2
Hard toil can roughen form and face	N
And want can quench the eye's bright grace	N
Nor does old age a wrinkle trace	N
More deeply than despair	A2
Happy whom none of these befall	R
But this poor Palmer knew them all	R
	-
XXIX	N
	-
Lord Marmion then his boon did ask	F
The Palmer took on him the task	F
So he would march with morning tide	V
To Scottish court to be his guide	V
But I have solemn vows to pay	N
And may not linger by the way	N
To fair St Andrews bound	V
Within the ocean cave to pray	N
Where good Saint Rule his holy lay	N
From midnight to the dawn of day	N
Sung to the billows' sound	V
Thence to Saint Fillan's blessed well	R
Whose springs can frenzied dreams dispel	R
And the crazed brain restore	A2
Saint Mary grant that cave or spring	F
Could back to peace my bosom bring	F
Or bid it throb no more	A2
	-
XXX	N
	-
And now the midnight draught of sleep	B
Where wine and spices richly steep	B
In massive bowl of silver deep	B
The page presents on knee	N
Lord Marmion drank a fair good rest	V
The captain pledged his noble guest	V
The cup went through among the rest	V
Who drained it merrily	N
Alone the Palmer passed it by	A
Though Selby pressed him courteously	N
This was a sign the feast was o'er	A2
It hushed the merry wassail roar	A2
The minstrels ceased to sound	V
Soon in the castle nought was heard	V
But the slow footstep of the guard	V
Pacing his sober round	V
	-
XXXI	N
	-
With early dawn Lord Marmion rose	N
And first the chapel doors unclose	N
Then after morning rites were done	A2
A hasty mass from Friar John	A2
And knight and squire had broke their fast	V
On rich substantial repast	V
Lord Marmion's bugles blew to horse	N
Then came the stirrup cup in course	N
Between the baron and his host	V
No point of courtesy was lost	V
High thanks were by Lord Marmion paid	V
Solemn excuse the captain made	V
Till filing from the gate had passed	V
That noble train their lord the last	V
Then loudly rung the trumpet call	N
Thundered the cannon from the wall	N
And shook the Scottish shore	A2
Around the castle eddied slow	N
Volumes of smoke as white as snow	N
And hid its turrets hoar	A2
Till they rolled forth upon the air	A2
And met the river breezes there	A2
Which gave again the prospect fair	A2

Walter Scott (sir)

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