Marmion: Canto V. - The Court Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BBBCDDCEEFFGHHIIJJ A DDKKLMMNOPPPQPPPQEEP NNNPNRMR A SSTRRTOLKOOKOKAAUVVV W D RXTYYTBBVZA2VNNB2C2C 2B2AAQD2BBZEE2E2E2EE 2E2E2E D F2F2PBBG2G2PEEG2EEG2 PPG2G2G2G2H2H2RQD2RI 2I2AAPPG2G2 A G2G2G2G2OOOQQJ2J2IIG 2G2F2F2G2F2G2VVG2G2G 2G2G2G2K2K2PL2L2L2P A DDWWWC2C2AM2G2G2G2M2 G2G2C2C2N2N2G2G2G2G2 G2G2PWWPAAAP A VVO2QQQQO2PG2G2PG2PP PG2G2IIEEPP L2 L2L2EAAEL2L2L2L2AAPP WP2P2WG2G2PPRWDDG2G2 G2G2PP L2 L2L2VG2G2G2VPPL2AAL2 G2G2G2L2G2G2EEG2G2TP PTWW D Q2G2R2R2Q2Q2G2WAS2S2 AG2G2N2N2N2G2G2G2DDT 2T2 W G2G2PPWW PPG2G2WW S2S2G2G2WW G2G2PPWW U2U2AAWW L2L2O2O2WW WWT2T2WW PPDDWW D T2T2WWG2G2WPWWPG2G2D DV2V2G2G2G2G2PPPPPP A G2G2WWAAAG2VVG2JJDWW DPPG2WWG2G2G2G2G2 A WG2G2WWWG2G2DDPPPPG2 G2G2G2G2DDPPWWPDDDDV VV A W2X2W2JV2V2J AAG2WG2G2WPPPG2G2G2G 2G2G2G2PPAA A G2G2DDDM2M2JJG2G2Y2Z 2G2G2G2A3A3PPG2G2DDJ JAJWW A JJPPG2G2G2WWWG2WWWG2 G2G2G2PDPDJJPPG2G2 D G2G2AAJJJJDG2DAG2Y2Z 2 D VVAAWWJN2N2JAAG2B3B3 G2DWDDWDD D PPG2G2JJAAG2G2VVAJG2 G2G2PPN2N2PPG2G2G2G2 G2G2G2G2G2G2AAG2G2JJ D DDPWWWPPPWWWPPG2G2G2 PDPDDVDDDVWWPDDPPPWW D G2G2G2C3C3C3G2G2G2G2 PG2PWWC3WC3WPPWG2JJG 2WWJ A JJG2WWG2PPPG2WWWG2N2 N2G2PPG2V2V2JPPJWWDW WD A PPG2J2G2J2G2G2G2DDPJ JJPWWWC3G2G2G2C3G2G2 C3 A WJWWWJPPG2G2WPPPPWDD C3JJJC3JJC3JJJG2B3JJ JB3C3C3PJJJPG2G2 J JPJPWWWWWWD3G2G2G2D3 PPWG2G2G2WB3E3B3G2PP G2 P C3WC3WG2G2G2G2G2G2G2 G2DDDG2G2G2G2G2PPDDP P D DDJJWJWC3C3G2G2WWDDP PPG2G2PG2G2DG2G2C3G2 G2WWW D G2G2G2G2G2G2G2PWWPG2 G2G2WG2G2WC3C3DC3DDD G2G2G2G2G2G2G2V2V2G2 G2JJ D PPG2G2G2G2WDDDWG2G2G 2WDDDDDDPPWPG2G2G2F3 PPF3DD D WWPPPPDDC3C3G2G2G2G2 PWPWWWWDPDDPG2G2PG2G 2P D G2G2G2G2WWDDDDM2M2DW WC3WWPPWC3 P WWWDC3C3DPPPPG2G2C3D DDC3G2DG2DG2G2PG2G2G 2PJJWG2G2WG2G2G2PDG2 G2G2

I	A
	-
The train has left the hills of Braid	B
The barrier guard have open made	B
So Lindesay bade the palisade	B
That closed the tented ground	C
Their men the warders backward drew	D
And carried pikes as they rode through	D
Into its ample bound	C
Fast ran the Scottish warriors there	E
Upon the Southern band to stare	E
And envy with their wonder rose	F
To see such well appointed foes	F
Such length of shaft such mighty bows	G
So huge that many simply thought	H
But for a vaunt such weapons wrought	H
And little deemed their force to feel	I
Through links of mail and plates of steel	I
When rattling upon Flodden vale	J
The clothyard arrows flew like hail	J
	-
II	A
	-
Nor less did Marmion's skilful view	D
Glance every line and squadron through	D
And much he marvelled one small land	K
Could marshal forth such various band	K
For men at arms were here	L
Heavily sheathed in mail and plate	M
Like iron towers for strength and weight	M
On Flemish steeds of bone and height	N
With battle axe and spear	O
Young knights and squires a lighter train	P
Practised their chargers on the plain	P
By aid of leg of hand and rein	P
Each warlike feat to show	Q
To pass to wheel the croupe to gain	P
The high curvet that not in vain	P
The sword sway might descend amain	P
On foeman's casque below	Q
He saw the hardy burghers there	E
March armed on foot with faces bare	E
For vizor they wore none	P
Nor waving plume nor crest of knight	N
But burnished were their corslets bright	N
Their brigantines and gorgets light	N
Like very silver shone	P
Long pikes they had for standing fight	N
Two handed swords they wore	R
And many wielded mace of weight	M
And bucklers bright they bore	R
	-
III	A
	-
On foot the yeomen too but dressed	S
In his steel jack a swarthy vest	S
With iron quilted well	T
Each at his back a slender store	R
His forty days' provision bore	R
As feudal statutes tell	T
His arms were halbert axe or spear	O
A crossbow there a hagbut here	L
A dagger knife and brand	K
Sober he seemed and sad of cheer	O
As loth to leave his cottage dear	O
And march to foreign strand	K
Or musing who would guide his steer	O
To till the fallow land	K
Yet deem not in his thoughtful eye	A
Did aught of dastard terror lie	A
More dreadful far his ire	U
Than theirs who scorning danger's name	V
In eager mood to battle came	V
Their valour like light straw on flame	V
A fierce but fading fire	W
	-
IV	D
	-
Not so the Borderer bred to war	R
He knew the battle's din afar	X
And joyed to hear it swell	T
His peaceful day was slothful ease	Y
Nor harp nor pipe his ear could please	Y
Like the loud slogan yell	T
On active steed with lance and blade	B
The light armed pricker plied his trade	B
Let nobles fight for fame	V
Let vassals follow where they lead	Z
Burghers to guard their townships bleed	A2
But war's the Borderer's game	V
Their gain their glory their delight	N
To sleep the day maraud the night	N
O'er mountain moss and moor	B2
Joyful to fight they took their way	C2
Scarce caring who might win the day	C2
Their booty was secure	B2
These as Lord Marmion's train passed by	A
Looked on at first with careless eye	A
Nor marvelled aught well taught to know	Q
The form and force of English bow	D2
But when they saw the lord arrayed	B
In splendid arms and rich brocade	B
Each Borderer to his kinsman said	Z
Hist Ringan seest thou there	E
Canst guess which road they'll homeward ride	E2
Oh could we but on Border side	E2
By Eusedale glen or Liddell's tide	E2
Beset a prize so fair	E
That fangless Lion too their guide	E2
Might chance to lose his glistering hide	E2
Brown Maudlin of that doublet pied	E2
Could make a kirtle rare	E
	-
V	D
	-
Next Marmion marked the Celtic race	F2
Of different language form and face	F2
Avarious race of man	P
Just then the chiefs their tribes arrayed	B
And wild and garish semblance made	B
The chequered trews and belted plaid	G2
And varying notes the war pipes brayed	G2
To every varying clan	P
Wild through their red or sable hair	E
Looked out their eyes with savage stare	E
On Marmion as he passed	G2
Their legs above the knee were bare	E
Their frame was sinewy short and spare	E
And hardened to the blast	G2
Of taller race the chiefs they own	P
Were by the eagle's plumage known	P
The hunted red deer's undressed hide	G2
Their hairy buskins well supplied	G2
The graceful bonnet decked their head	G2
Back from their shoulders hung the plaid	G2
A broadsword of unwieldy length	H2
A dagger proved for edge and strength	H2
A studded targe they wore	R
And quivers bows and shafts but oh	Q
Short was the shaft and weak the bow	D2
To that which England bore	R
The Islesmen carried at their backs	I2
The ancient Danish battle axe	I2
They raised a wild and wondering cry	A
As with his guide rode Marmion by	A
Loud were their clamouring tongues as when	P
The clanging sea fowl leave the fen	P
And with their cries discordant mixed	G2
Grumbled and yelled the pipes betwixt	G2
	-
VI	A
	-
Thus through the Scottish camp they passed	G2
And reached the city gate at last	G2
Where all around a wakeful guard	G2
Armed burghers kept their watch and ward	G2
Well had they cause of jealous fear	O
When lay encamped in field so near	O
The Borderer and the Mountaineer	O
As through the bustling streets they go	Q
All was alive with martial show	Q
At every turn with dinning clang	J2
The armourer's anvil clashed and rang	J2
Or toiled the swarthy smith to wheel	I
The bar that arms the charger's heel	I
Or axe or falchion to the side	G2
Of jarring grindstone was applied	G2
Page groom and squire with hurrying pace	F2
Through street and lane and market place	F2
Bore lance or casque or sword	G2
While burghers with important face	F2
Described each new come lord	G2
Discussed his lineage told his name	V
His following and his warlike fame	V
The Lion led to lodging meet	G2
Which high o'erlooked the crowded street	G2
There must the baron rest	G2
Till past the hour of vesper tide	G2
And then to Holyrood must ride	G2
Such was the king's behest	G2
Meanwhile the Lion's care assigns	K2
A banquet rich and costly wines	K2
To Marmion and his train	P
And when the appointed hour succeeds	L2
The baron dons his peaceful weeds	L2
And following Lindesay as he leads	L2
The palace halls they gain	P
	-
VII	A
	-
Old Holyrood rung merrily	D
That night with wassail mirth and glee	D
King James within her princely bower	W
Feasted the chiefs of Scotland's power	W
Summoned to spend the parting hour	W
For he had charged that his array	C2
Should southward march by break of day	C2
Well loved that splendid monarch aye	A
The banquet and the song	M2
By day the tourney and by night	G2
The merry dance traced fast and light	G2
The maskers quaint the pageant bright	G2
The revel loud and long	M2
This feast outshone his banquets past	G2
It was his blithest and his last	G2
The dazzling lamps from gallery gay	C2
Cast on the Court a dancing ray	C2
Here to the harp did minstrels sing	N2
There ladies touched a softer string	N2
With long eared cap and motley vest	G2
The licensed fool retailed his jest	G2
His magic tricks the juggler plied	G2
At dice and draughts the gallants vied	G2
While some in close recess apart	G2
Courted the ladies of their heart	G2
Nor courted them in vain	P
For often in the parting hour	W
Victorious Love asserts his power	W
O'er coldness and disdain	P
And flinty is her heart can view	A
To battle march a lover true	A
Can hear perchance his last adieu	A
Nor own her share of pain	P
	-
VIII	A
	-
Through this mixed crowd of glee and game	V
The King to greet Lord Marmion came	V
While reverent all made room	O2
An easy task it was I trow	Q
King James's manly form to know	Q
Although his courtesy to show	Q
He doffed to Marmion bending low	Q
His broidered cap and plume	O2
For royal was his garb and mien	P
His cloak of crimson velvet piled	G2
Trimmed with the fur of martin wild	G2
His vest of changeful satin sheen	P
The dazzled eye beguiled	G2
His gorgeous collar hung adown	P
Wrought with the badge of Scotland's crown	P
The thistle brave of old renown	P
His trusty blade Toledo right	G2
Descended from a baldric bright	G2
White were his buskins on the heel	I
His spurs inlaid of gold and steel	I
His bonnet all of crimson fair	E
Was buttoned with a ruby rare	E
And Marmion deemed he ne'er had seen	P
A prince of such a noble mien	P
	-
IX	L2
	-
The monarch's form was middle size	L2
For feat of strength or exercise	L2
Shaped in proportion fair	E
And hazel was his eagle eye	A
And auburn of the darkest dye	A
His short curled beard and hair	E
Light was his footstep in the dance	L2
And firm his stirrup in the lists	L2
And oh he had that merry glance	L2
That seldom lady's heart resists	L2
Lightly from fair to fair he flew	A
And loved to plead lament and sue	A
Suit lightly won and short lived pain	P
For monarchs seldom sigh in vain	P
I said he joyed in banquet bower	W
But 'mid his mirth 'twas often strange	P2
How suddenly his cheer would change	P2
His look o'ercast and lower	W
If in a sudden turn he felt	G2
The pressure of his iron belt	G2
That bound his breast in penance pain	P
In memory of his father slain	P
Even so 'twas strange how evermore	R
Soon as the passing pang was o'er	W
Forward he rushed with double glee	D
Into the stream of revelry	D
Thus dim seen object of affright	G2
Startles the courser in his flight	G2
And half he halts half springs aside	G2
But feels the quickening spur applied	G2
And straining on the tightened rein	P
Scours doubly swift o'er hill and plain	P
	-
X	L2
	-
O'er James's heart the courtiers say	L2
Sir Hugh the Heron's wife held sway	L2
To Scotland's Court she came	V
To be a hostage for her lord	G2
Who Cessford's gallant heart had gored	G2
And with the king to make accord	G2
Had sent his lovely dame	V
Nor to that lady free alone	P
Did the gay king allegiance own	P
For the fair Queen of France	L2
Sent him a turquoise ring and glove	A
And charged him as her knight and love	A
For her to break a lance	L2
And strike three strokes with Scottish brand	G2
And march three miles on Southron land	G2
And bid the banners of his band	G2
In English breezes dance	L2
And thus for France's queen he drest	G2
His manly limbs in mailed vest	G2
And thus admitted English fair	E
His inmost counsels still to share	E
And thus for both he madly planned	G2
The ruin of himself and land	G2
And yet the sooth to tell	T
Nor England's fair nor France's Queen	P
Were worth one pearl drop bright and sheen	P
From Margaret's eyes that fell	T
His own Queen Margaret who in Lithgow's bower	W
All lonely sat and wept the weary hour	W
	-
XI	D
	-
The queen sits lone in Lithgow pile	Q2
And weeps the weary day	G2
The war against her native soil	R2
Her monarch's risk in battle broil	R2
And in gay Holyrood the while	Q2
Dame Heron rises with a smile	Q2
Upon the harp to play	G2
Fair was her rounded arm as o'er	W
The strings her fingers flew	A
And as she touched and tuned them all	S2
Ever her bosom's rise and fall	S2
Was plainer given to view	A
For all for heat was laid aside	G2
Her wimple and her hood untied	G2
And first she pitched her voice to sing	N2
Then glanced her dark eye on the king	N2
And then around the silent ring	N2
And laughed and blushed and oft did say	G2
Her pretty oath By yea and nay	G2
She could not would not durst not play	G2
At length upon the harp with glee	D
Mingled with arch simplicity	D
A soft yet lively air she rung	T2
While thus the wily lady sung	T2
	-
XII LOCHINVAR	W
	-
Oh young Lochinvar is come out of the west	G2
Through all the wide Border his steed was the best	G2
And save his good broadsword he weapons had none	P
He rode all unarmed and he rode all alone	P
So faithful in love and so dauntless in war	W
There never was knight like the young Lochinvar	W
	-
He stayed not for brake and he stopped not for stone	P
He swam the Esk river where ford there was none	P
But ere he alighted at Netherby gate	G2
The bride had consented the gallant came late	G2
For a laggard in love and a dastard in war	W
Was to wed the fair Ellen of brave Lochinvar	W
	-
So boldly he entered the Netherby Hall	S2
Among bride's men and kinsmen and brothers and all	S2
Then spoke the bride's father his hand on his sword	G2
For the poor craven bridegroom said never a word	G2
Oh come ye in peace here or come ye in war	W
Or to dance at our bridal young Lord Lochinvar	W
	-
I long wooed your daughter my suit you denied	G2
Love swells like the Solway but ebbs like its tide	G2
And now am I come with this lost love of mine	P
To lead but one measure drink one cup of wine	P
There are maidens in Scotland more lovely by far	W
That would gladly be bride to the young Lochinvar	W
	-
The bride kissed the goblet the knight took it up	U2
He quaffed off the wine and he threw down the cup	U2
She looked down to blush and she looked up to sigh	A
With a smile on her lips and a tear in her eye	A
He took her soft hand ere her mother could bar	W
Now tread we a measure said young Lochinvar	W
	-
So stately his form and so lovely her face	L2
That never a hall such a galliard did grace	L2
While her mother did fret and her father did fume	O2
And the bridegroom stood dangling his bonnet and plume	O2
And the bride's maidens whispered 'Twere better by far	W
To have matched our fair cousin with young Lochinvar	W
	-
One touch to her hand and one word in her ear	W
When they reached the hall door and the charger stood near	W
So light to the croup the fair lady he swung	T2
So light to the saddle before her he sprung	T2
She is won we are gone over bank bush and scaur	W
They'll have fleet steeds that follow quoth young Lochinvar	W
	-
There was mounting 'mong Graemes of the Netherby clan	P
Forsters Fenwicks and Musgraves they rode and they ran	P
There was racing and chasing on Cannobie Lee	D
But the lost bride of Netherby ne'er did they see	D
So daring in love and so dauntless in war	W
Have ye e'er heard of gallant like young Lochinvar	W
	-
XIII	D
	-
The monarch o'er the siren hung	T2
And beat the measure as she sung	T2
And pressing closer and more near	W
He whispered praises in her ear	W
In loud applause the courtiers vied	G2
And ladies winked and spoke aside	G2
The witching dame to Marmion threw	W
A glance where seemed to reign	P
The pride that claims applauses due	W
And of her royal conquest too	W
A real or feigned disdain	P
Familiar was the look and told	G2
Marmion and she were friends of old	G2
The king observed their meeting eyes	D
With something like displeased surprise	D
For monarchs ill can rivals brook	V2
E'en in a word or smile or look	V2
Straight took he forth the parchment broad	G2
Which Marmion's high commission showed	G2
Our Borders sacked by many a raid	G2
Our peaceful liegemen robbed he said	G2
On day of truce our warden slain	P
Stout Barton killed his vassals ta'en	P
Unworthy were we here to reign	P
Should these for vengeance cry in vain	P
Our full defiance hate and scorn	P
Our herald has to Henry borne	P
	-
XIV	A
	-
He paused and led where Douglas stood	G2
And with stern eye the pageant viewed	G2
I mean that Douglas sixth of yore	W
Who coronet of Angus bore	W
And when his blood and heart were high	A
Did the third James in camp defy	A
And all his minions led to die	A
On Lauder's dreary flat	G2
Princes and favourites long grew tame	V
And trembled at the homely name	V
Of Archibald Bell the Cat	G2
The same who left the dusky vale	J
Of Hermitage in Liddisdale	J
Its dungeons and its towers	D
Where Bothwell's turrets brave the air	W
And Bothwell bank is blooming fair	W
To fix his princely bowers	D
Though now in age he had laid down	P
His armour for the peaceful gown	P
And for a staff his brand	G2
Yet often would flash forth the fire	W
That could in youth a monarch's ire	W
And minion's pride withstand	G2
And e'en that day at council board	G2
Unapt to soothe his sovereign's mood	G2
Against the war had Angus stood	G2
And chafed his royal lord	G2
	-
XV	A
	-
His giant form like ruined tower	W
Though fall'n its muscles' brawny vaunt	G2
Huge boned and tall and grim and gaunt	G2
Seemed o'er the gaudy scene to lower	W
His locks and beard in silver grew	W
His eyebrows kept their sable hue	W
Near Douglas when the monarch stood	G2
His bitter speech he thus pursued	G2
Lord Marmion since these letters say	D
That in the north you needs must stay	D
While slightest hopes of peace remain	P
Uncourteous speech it were and stern	P
To say return to Lindisfarne	P
Until my herald come again	P
Then rest you in Tantallon Hold	G2
Your host shall be the Douglas bold	G2
A chief unlike his sires of old	G2
He wears their motto on his blade	G2
Their blazon o'er his towers displayed	G2
Yet loves his sovereign to oppose	D
More than to face his country's foes	D
And I bethink me by Saint Stephen	P
But e'en this morn to me was given	P
A prize the first fruits of the war	W
Ta'en by a galley from Dunbar	W
A bevy of the maids of Heaven	P
Under your guard these holy maids	D
Shall safe return to cloister shades	D
And while they at Tantallon stay	D
Requiem for Cochrane's soul may say	D
And with the slaughtered favourite's name	V
Across the monarch's brow there came	V
A cloud of ire remorse and shame	V
	-
XVI	A
	-
In answer nought could Angus speak	W2
His proud heart swelled well nigh to break	X2
He turned aside and down his cheek	W2
A burning tear there stole	J
His hand the monarch sudden took	V2
That sight his kind heart could not brook	V2
Now by the Bruce's soul	J
	-
Angus my hasty speech forgive	A
For sure as doth his spirit live	A
As he said of the Douglas old	G2
I well may say of you	W
That never king did subject hold	G2
In speech more free in war more bold	G2
More tender and more true	W
Forgive me Douglas once again	P
And while the king his hand did strain	P
The old man's tears fell down like rain	P
To seize the moment Marmion tried	G2
And whispered to the king aside	G2
Oh let such tears unwonted plead	G2
For respite short from dubious deed	G2
A child will weep a bramble's smart	G2
A maid to see her sparrow part	G2
A stripling for a woman's heart	G2
But woe awaits a country when	P
She sees the tears of bearded men	P
Then oh what omen dark and high	A
When Douglas wets his manly eye	A
	-
XVII	A
	-
Displeased was James that stranger viewed	G2
And tampered with his changing mood	G2
Laugh those that can weep those that may	D
Thus did the fiery monarch say	D
Southward I march by break of day	D
And if within Tantallon strong	M2
The good Lord Marmion tarries long	M2
Perchance our meeting next may fall	J
At Tamworth in his castle hall	J
The haughty Marmion felt the taunt	G2
And answered grave the royal vaunt	G2
Much honoured were my humble home	Y2
If in its halls King James should come	Z2
But Nottingham has archers good	G2
And Yorkshire men are stern of mood	G2
Northumbrian prickers wild and rude	G2
On Derby hills the paths are steep	A3
In Ouse and Tyne the fords are deep	A3
And many a banner will be torn	P
And many a knight to earth be borne	P
And many a sheaf of arrows spent	G2
Ere Scotland's king shall cross the Trent	G2
Yet pause brave prince while yet you may	D
The monarch lightly turned away	D
And to his nobles loud did call	J
Lords to the dance a hall a hall	J
Himself his cloak and sword flung by	A
And led Dame Heron gallantly	J
And minstrels at the royal order	W
Rung out Blue Bonnets o'er the Border	W
	-
XVIII	A
	-
Leave we these revels now to tell	J
What to Saint Hilda's maids befell	J
Whose galley as they sailed again	P
To Whitby by a Scot was ta'en	P
Now at Dunedin did they bide	G2
Till James should of their fate decide	G2
And soon by his command	G2
Were gently summoned to prepare	W
To journey under Marmion's care	W
As escort honoured safe and fair	W
Again to English land	G2
The Abbess told her chaplet o'er	W
Nor knew which saint she should implore	W
For when she thought of Constance sore	W
She feared Lord Marmion's mood	G2
And judge what Clara must have felt	G2
The sword that hung in Marmion's belt	G2
Had drunk De Wilton's blood	G2
Unwittingly King James had given	P
As guard to Whitby's shades	D
The man most dreaded under heaven	P
By these defenceless maids	D
Yet what petition could avail	J
Or who would listen to the tale	J
Of woman prisoner and nun	P
'Mid bustle of a war begun	P
They deemed it hopeless to avoid	G2
The convoy of their dangerous guide	G2
	-
XIX	D
	-
Their lodging so the king assigned	G2
To Marmion's as their guardian joined	G2
And thus it fell that passing nigh	A
The Palmer caught the Abbess' eye	A
Who warned him by a scroll	J
She had a secret to reveal	J
That much concerned the Church's weal	J
And health of sinner's soul	J
And with deep charge of secrecy	D
She named a place to meet	G2
Within an open balcony	D
That hung from dizzy pitch and high	A
Above the stately street	G2
To which as common to each home	Y2
At night they might in secret come	Z2
	-
XX	D
	-
At night in secret there they came	V
The Palmer and the holy dame	V
The moon among the clouds rose high	A
And all the city hum was by	A
Upon the street where late before	W
Did din of war and warriors roar	W
You might have heard a pebble fall	J
A beetle hum a cricket sing	N2
An owlet flap his boding wing	N2
On Giles's steeple tall	J
The antique buildings climbing high	A
Whose Gothic frontlets sought the sky	A
Were here wrapt deep in shade	G2
There on their brows the moonbeam broke	B3
Through the faint wreaths of silvery smoke	B3
And on the casements played	G2
And other light was none to see	D
Save torches gliding far	W
Before some chieftain of degree	D
Who left the royal revelry	D
To bowne him for the war	W
A solemn scene the Abbess chose	D
A solemn hour her secret to disclose	D
	-
XXI	D
	-
O holy Palmer she began	P
For sure he must be sainted man	P
Whose blessed feet have trod the ground	G2
Where the Redeemer's tomb is found	G2
For His dear Church's sake my tale	J
Attend nor deem of light avail	J
Though I must speak of worldly love	A
How vain to those who wed above	A
De Wilton and Lord Marmion wooed	G2
Clara de Clare of Gloucester's blood	G2
Idle it were of Whitby's dame	V
To say of that same blood I came	V
And once when jealous rage was high	A
Lord Marmion said despiteously	J
Wilton was traitor in his heart	G2
And had made league with Martin Swart	G2
When he came here on Simnel's part	G2
And only cowardice did restrain	P
His rebel aid on Stokefield's plain	P
And down he threw his glove the thing	N2
Was tried as wont before the king	N2
Where frankly did De Wilton own	P
That Swart in Gueldres he had known	P
And that between them then there went	G2
Some scroll of courteous compliment	G2
For this he to his castle sent	G2
But when his messenger returned	G2
Judge how De Wilton's fury burned	G2
For in his packet there were laid	G2
Letters that claimed disloyal aid	G2
And proved King Henry's cause betrayed	G2
His fame thus blighted in the field	G2
He strove to clear by spear and shield	G2
To clear his fame in vain he strove	A
For wondrous are His ways above	A
Perchance some form was unobserved	G2
Perchance in prayer or faith he swerved	G2
Else how could guiltless champion quail	J
Or how the blessed ordeal fail	J
	-
	-
XXII	D
	-
'His squire who now De Wilton saw	D
As recreant doomed to suffer law	D
Repentant owned in vain	P
That while he had the scrolls in care	W
A stranger maiden passing fair	W
Had drenched him with a beverage rare	W
His words no faith could gain	P
With Clare alone he credence won	P
Who rather than wed Marmion	P
Did to Saint Hilda's shrine repair	W
To give our house her livings fair	W
And die a vestal vot'ress there	W
The impulse from the earth was given	P
But bent her to the paths of heaven	P
A purer heart a lovelier maid	G2
Ne'er sheltered her in Whitby's shade	G2
No not since Saxon Edelfled	G2
Only one trace of earthly strain	P
That for her lover's loss	D
She cherishes a sorrow vain	P
And murmurs at the cross	D
And then her heritage it goes	D
Along the banks of Tame	V
Deep fields of grain the reaper mows	D
In meadows rich the heifer lows	D
The falconer and huntsman knows	D
Its woodlands for the game	V
Shame were it to Saint Hilda dear	W
And I her humble vot'ress here	W
Should do a deadly sin	P
Her temple spoiled before mine eyes	D
If this false Marmion such a prize	D
By my consent should win	P
Yet hath our boisterous monarch sworn	P
That Clare shall from our house be torn	P
And grievous cause have I to fear	W
Such mandate doth Lord Marmion bear	W
	-
XXIII	D
	-
Now prisoner helpless and betrayed	G2
To evil power I claim thine aid	G2
By every step that thou hast trod	G2
To holy shrine and grotto dim	C3
By every martyr's tortured limb	C3
By angel saint and seraphim	C3
And by the Church of God	G2
For mark When Wilton was betrayed	G2
And with his squire forged letters laid	G2
She was alas that sinful maid	G2
By whom the deed was done	P
Oh shame and horror to be said	G2
She was a perjured nun	P
No clerk in all the land like her	W
Traced quaint and varying character	W
Perchance you may a marvel deem	C3
That Marmion's paramour	W
For such vile thing she was should scheme	C3
Her lover's nuptial hour	W
But o'er him thus she hoped to gain	P
As privy to his honour's stain	P
Illimitable power	W
For this she secretly retained	G2
Each proof that might the plot reveal	J
Instructions with his hand and seal	J
And thus Saint Hilda deigned	G2
Through sinners' perfidy impure	W
Her house's glory to secure	W
And Clare's immortal weal	J
	-
XXIV	A
	-
'Twere long and needless here to tell	J
How to my hand these papers fell	J
With me they must not stay	G2
Saint Hilda keep her Abbess true	W
Who knows what outrage he might do	W
While journeying by the way	G2
O blessed saint if e'er again	P
I venturous leave thy calm domain	P
To travel or by land or main	P
Deep penance may I pay	G2
Now saintly Palmer mark my prayer	W
I give this packet to thy care	W
For thee to stop they will not dare	W
And oh with cautious speed	G2
To Wolsey's hand the papers bring	N2
That he may show them to the king	N2
And for thy well earned meed	G2
Thou holy man at Whitby's shrine	P
A weekly mass shall still be thine	P
While priests can sing and read	G2
What ail'st thou Speak For as he took	V2
The charge a strong emotion shook	V2
His frame and ere reply	J
They heard a faint yet shrilly tone	P
Like distant clarion feebly blown	P
That on the breeze did die	J
And loud the Abbess shrieked in fear	W
Saint Withold save us What is here	W
Look at yon city cross	D
See on its battled tower appear	W
Phantoms that scutcheons seem to rear	W
And blazoned banners toss	D
	-
XXV	A
	-
Dunedin's Cross a pillared stone	P
Rose on a turret octagon	P
But now is razed that monument	G2
Whence royal edict rang	J2
And voice of Scotland's law was sent	G2
In glorious trumpet clang	J2
Oh be his tomb as lead to lead	G2
Upon its dull destroyer's head	G2
A minstrel's malison is said	G2
Then on its battlements they saw	D
A vision passing Nature's law	D
Strange wild and dimly seen	P
Figures that seemed to rise and die	J
Gibber and sign advance and fly	J
While nought confirmed could ear or eye	J
Discern of sound or mien	P
Yet darkly did it seem as there	W
Heralds and pursuivants prepare	W
With trumpet sound and blazon fair	W
A summons to proclaim	C3
But indistinct the pageant proud	G2
As fancy forms of midnight cloud	G2
When flings the moon upon her shroud	G2
A wavering tinge of flame	C3
It flits expands and shifts till loud	G2
From midmost of the spectre crowd	G2
This awful summons came	C3
	-
XXVI	A
	-
Prince prelate potentate and peer	W
Whose names I now shall call	J
Scottish or foreigner give ear	W
Subjects of him who sent me here	W
At his tribunal to appear	W
I summon one and all	J
I cite you by each deadly sin	P
That e'er hath soiled your hearts within	P
I cite you by each brutal lust	G2
That e'er defiled your earthly dust	G2
By wrath by pride by fear	W
By each o'er mastering passion's tone	P
By the dark grave and dying groan	P
When forty days are passed and gone	P
I cite you at your monarch's throne	P
To answer and appear	W
Then thundered forth a roll of names	D
The first was thine unhappy James	D
Then all thy nobles came	C3
Crawford Glencairn Montrose Argyle	J
Ross Bothwell Forbes Lennox Lyle	J
Why should I tell their separate style	J
Each chief of birth and fame	C3
Of Lowland Highland Border Isle	J
Foredoomed to Flodden's carnage pile	J
Was cited there by name	C3
And Marmion Lord of Fontenaye	J
Of Lutterward and Scrivelbaye	J
De Wilton erst of Aberley	J
The self same thundering voice did say	G2
But then another spoke	B3
Thy fatal summons I deny	J
And thine infernal lord defy	J
Appealing me to Him on high	J
Who burst the sinner's yoke	B3
At that dread accent with a scream	C3
Parted the pageant like a dream	C3
The summoner was gone	P
Prone on her face the Abbess fell	J
And fast and fast her beads did tell	J
Her nuns came startled by the yell	J
And found her there alone	P
She marked not at the scene aghast	G2
What time or how the Palmer passed	G2
	-
XXVII	J
	-
Shift we the scene The camp doth move	J
Dunedin's streets are empty now	P
Save when for weal of those they love	J
To pray the prayer and vow the vow	P
The tottering child the anxious fair	W
The grey haired sire with pious care	W
To chapels and to shrines repair	W
Where is the Palmer now and where	W
The Abbess Marmion and Clare	W
Bold Douglas to Tantallon fair	W
They journey in thy charge	D3
Lord Marmion rode on his right hand	G2
The Palmer still was with the band	G2
Angus like Lindesay did command	G2
That none should roam at large	D3
But in that Palmer's altered mien	P
A wondrous change might now be seen	P
Freely he spoke of war	W
Of marvels wrought by single hand	G2
When lifted for a native land	G2
And still looked high as if he planned	G2
Some desperate deed afar	W
His courser would he feed and stroke	B3
And tucking up his sable frock	E3
Would first his mettle bold provoke	B3
Then soothe or quell his pride	G2
Old Hubert said that never one	P
He saw except Lord Marmion	P
A steed so fairly ride	G2
	-
XXVIII	P
	-
Some half hour's march behind there came	C3
By Eustace governed fair	W
A troop escorting Hilda's dame	C3
With all her nuns and Clare	W
No audience had Lord Marmion sought	G2
Ever he feared to aggravate	G2
Clara de Clare's suspicious hate	G2
And safer 'twas he thought	G2
To wait till from the nuns removed	G2
The influence of kinsmen loved	G2
And suit by Henry's self approved	G2
Her slow consent had wrought	G2
His was no flickering flame that dies	D
Unless when fanned by looks and sighs	D
And lighted oft at lady's eyes	D
He longed to stretch his wide command	G2
O'er luckless Clara's ample land	G2
Besides when Wilton with him vied	G2
Although the pang of humbled pride	G2
The place of jealousy supplied	G2
Yet conquest by that meanness won	P
He almost loathed to think upon	P
Led him at times to hate the cause	D
Which made him burst through honour's laws	D
If e'er he loved 'twas her alone	P
Who died within that vault of stone	P
	-
XXIX	D
	-
And now when close at hand they saw	D
North Berwick's town and lofty Law	D
Fitz Eustace bade them pause awhile	J
Before a venerable pile	J
Whose turrets viewed afar	W
The lofty Bass the Lambie Isle	J
The ocean's peace or war	W
At tolling of a bell forth came	C3
The convent's venerable dame	C3
And prayed Saint Hilda's Abbess rest	G2
With her a loved and honoured guest	G2
Till Douglas should a barque prepare	W
To waft her back to Whitby fair	W
Glad was the Abbess you may guess	D
And thanked the Scottish Prioress	D
And tedious were to tell I ween	P
The courteous speech that passed between	P
O'erjoyed the nuns their palfreys leave	P
But when fair Clara did intend	G2
Like them from horseback to descend	G2
Fitz Eustace said I grieve	P
Fair lady grieve e'en from my heart	G2
Such gentle company to part	G2
Think not discourtesy	D
But lords' commands must be obeyed	G2
And Marmion and the Douglas said	G2
That you must wend with me	C3
Lord Marmion hath a letter broad	G2
Which to the Scottish earl he showed	G2
Commanding that beneath his care	W
Without delay you shall repair	W
To your good kinsman Lord Fitz Clare	W
	-
XXX	D
	-
The startled Abbess loud exclaimed	G2
But she at whom the blow was aimed	G2
Grew pale as death and cold as lead	G2
She deemed she heard her death doom read	G2
Cheer thee my child the Abbess said	G2
They dare not tear thee from my hand	G2
To ride alone with armed band	G2
Nay holy mother nay	P
Fitz Eustace said the lovely Clare	W
Will be in Lady Angus' care	W
In Scotland while we stay	P
And when we move an easy ride	G2
Will bring us to the English side	G2
Female attendance to provide	G2
Befitting Gloucester's heir	W
Nor thinks nor dreams my noble lord	G2
By slightest look or act or word	G2
To harass Lady Clare	W
Her faithful guardian he will be	C3
Nor sue for slightest courtesy	C3
That e'en to stranger falls	D
Till he shall place her safe and free	C3
Within her kinsman's halls	D
He spoke and blushed with earnest grace	D
His faith was painted on his face	D
And Clare's worst fear relieved	G2
The Lady Abbess loud exclaimed	G2
On Henry and the Douglas blamed	G2
Entreated threatened grieved	G2
To martyr saint and prophet prayed	G2
Against Lord Marmion inveighed	G2
And called the Prioress to aid	G2
To curse with candle bell and book	V2
Her head the grave Cistercian shook	V2
The Douglas and the King she said	G2
In their commands will be obeyed	G2
Grieve not nor dream that harm can fall	J
The maiden in Tantallon Hall	J
	-
XXXI	D
	-
The Abbess seeing strife was vain	P
Assumed her wonted state again	P
For much of state she had	G2
Composed her veil and raised her head	G2
And Bid in solemn voice she said	G2
Thy master bold and bad	G2
The records of his house turn o'er	W
And when he shall there written see	D
That one of his own ancestry	D
Drove the monks forth of Coventry	D
Bid him his fate explore	W
Prancing in pride of earthly trust	G2
His charger hurled him to the dust	G2
And by a base plebeian thrust	G2
He died his band before	W
God judge 'twixt Marmion and me	D
He is a chief of high degree	D
And I a poor recluse	D
Yet oft in Holy Writ we see	D
Even such weak minister as me	D
May the oppressor bruise	D
For thus inspired did Judith slay	P
The mighty in his sin	P
And Jael thus and Deborah	W
Here hasty Blount broke in	P
Fitz Eustace we must march our band	G2
Saint Anton' fire thee wilt thou stand	G2
All day with bonnet in thy hand	G2
To hear the lady preach	F3
By this good light if thus we stay	P
Lord Marmion for our fond delay	P
Will sharper sermon teach	F3
Come don thy cap and mount thy horse	D
The dame must patience take perforce	D
	-
XXXII	D
	-
Submit we then to force said Clare	W
But let this barbarous lord despair	W
His purposed aim to win	P
Let him take living land and life	P
But to be Marmion's wedded wife	P
In me were deadly sin	P
And if it be the king's decree	D
That I must find no sanctuary	D
In that inviolable dome	C3
Where even a homicide might come	C3
And safely rest his head	G2
Though at its open portals stood	G2
Thirsting to pour forth blood for blood	G2
The kinsmen of the dead	G2
Yet one asylum is my own	P
Against the dreaded hour	W
A low a silent and a lone	P
Where kings have little power	W
One victim is before me there	W
Mother your blessing and in prayer	W
Remember your unhappy Clare	W
Loud weeps the Abbess and bestows	D
Kind blessings many a one	P
Weeping and wailing loud arose	D
Round patient Clare the clamorous woes	D
Of every simple nun	P
His eyes the gentle Eustace dried	G2
And scarce rude Blount the sight could bide	G2
Then took the squire her rein	P
And gently led away her steed	G2
And by each courteous word and deed	G2
To cheer her strove in vain	P
	-
XXXIII	D
	-
But scant three miles the band had rode	G2
When o'er a height they passed	G2
And sudden close before them showed	G2
His towers Tantallon vast	G2
Broad massive high and stretching far	W
And held impregnable in war	W
On a projecting rock they rose	D
And round three sides the ocean flows	D
The fourth did battled walls enclose	D
And double mound and fosse	D
By narrow drawbridge outworks strong	M2
Through studded gates an entrance long	M2
To the main court they cross	D
It was a wide and stately square	W
Around were lodgings fit and fair	W
And towers of various form	C3
Which on the court projected far	W
And broke its lines quadrangular	W
Here was square keep there turret high	P
Or pinnacle that sought the sky	P
Whence oft the warder could descry	W
The gathering ocean storm	C3
	-
XXXIV	P
	-
Here did they rest The princely care	W
Of Douglas why should I declare	W
Or say they met reception fair	W
Or why the tidings say	D
Which varying to Tantallon came	C3
By hurrying posts or fleeter fame	C3
With every varying day	D
And first they heard King James had won	P
Etall and Wark and Ford and then	P
That Norham Castle strong was ta'en	P
At that sore marvelled Marmion	P
And Douglas hoped his monarch's hand	G2
Would soon subdue Northumberland	G2
But whispered news there came	C3
That while his host inactive lay	D
And melted by degrees away	D
King James was dallying off the day	D
With Heron's wily dame	C3
Such acts to chronicles I yield	G2
Go seek them there and see	D
Mine is a tale of Flodden Field	G2
And not a history	D
At length they heard the Scottish host	G2
On that high ridge had made their post	G2
Which frowns o'er Milfield Plain	P
And that brave Surrey many a band	G2
Had gathered in the Southern land	G2
And marched into Northumberland	G2
And camp at Wooler ta'en	P
Marmion like charger in the stall	J
That hears without the trumpet call	J
Began to chafe and swear	W
A sorry thing to hide my head	G2
In castle like a fearful maid	G2
When such a field is near	W
Needs must I see this battle day	G2
Death to my fame if such a fray	G2
Were fought and Marmion away	G2
The Douglas too I wot not why	P
Hath 'bated of his courtesy	D
No longer in his halls I'll stay	G2
Then bade his band they should array	G2
For march against the dawning day	G2

Walter Scott (sir)

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