Marmion: Canto Vi. - The Battle Poem Rhyme Scheme and Analysis

Rhyme Scheme: A BBCCDEFFGGHHIIJJKKLL HHMM A NNHHAAHHOOPQHHRRSSSF FFTTRRUUKKKVV A HHHAKKKAFFFFBBFWIRRX XXFFYDZYA2A2FLLFB2RR HFFFH C2 KKHHD2D2RRD2D2HHHAAF FRRFFUUKKE2E2F2F2G2H 2 D2 I2GJ2J2J2I2GK2L2L2GV PM2N2O2O2P2Q2R2R2FFH IHHHHISSOOWIAA A D2 GGRWRWHFFHWWWGGHHXXH S2S2UIIUT2T2U2VQQQFQ FD2AH2H2 A FFFQQQFV2V2QQJQQW2X2 X2W2QQY2Z2Z2A3 A FABQQBQFQFFFFQQQFAAF FFW2W2Z2Z2B3QQB3QQ X2 QQQQQFFQQFFX2X2X2FFF FQQ X2 FFQQFFC3C3FFFFFQQFFF W2FFW2D3D3D3W2 X2 GGFFE3QQE3X2X2FAFFQQ QQQAX2F3F3QQQQBBQQFF FQFQFA2A2 X2 X2X2QQFQQFQQQFFQX2X2 G3X2G3QQFX2X2FQQQQ X2 FFQQQQX2X2FFFFQQQQQQ H3H3I3I3FFFFFJ3J3 A FFQQQQFFQQFQFQQQFFFQ F3F3FFE3X2X2X2E3QQK3 K3L3L3 A X2X2A2A2QQX2X2X2X2W2 W2QQI3I3FFI3I3QQQQQQ X2X2 A FFFQQFFFM3M3N3N3N3NN FFQQO3O3E3E3QQQQFFFX 2X2FF A FFFFFFFFH3H3FFFFX2FF X2BBFFFX2FFAAAAFF A FFP3P3X2FFX2FFFFFFFQ 3X2X2 R3AFX2X2X2X2SSSX2X2X 2 X2 R3FFFR3S3S3S3S3FSSFF S3FFS3P3P3S3N3N3T3T3 FFL3L3 F FFS3S3FFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFS3S3 F AAU3U3S3V3V3S3FFAFAF AFFFFFFFFFF F FFFFFFS3S3W3FNNFFFFF FFFFFFFFFSSFFFFFFF F FFFX3FX3S3S3FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFYFFY F FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFAAF A S3S3FFFFFFFFFH3S3S3H 3FFH3FFFU3FU3FFFFFT2 T2FFFFAF F FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FU3FFFY3 F S3S3FFFFFFFS3FFS3FFF FFS3S3FFFFFFFFFZ3Z3F FFFFFFFFFFFFFF F FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF F FFFFFFFFFSSX2FFFFFFF FFFFFFFFSSF F FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFA4S 3A4S3FFFS3FFFFFF F FFFFFFFFFS3S3S3S3FFF FFFFFFFFFFFFFB4B4 F FFFFFFFK3SSK3FFFFFFF FS3S3FFFFFFFF F S3S3SSSY3FFU3FFFFFFF FFFFFFFFFFFFF F C4D4FFNNSFFFSFFFS3FF FS3SSFFFFFFFFFFP3FP3 FS3S3S3E2E2FFFFF F FFFFS3FFFFFFFFFFFFFF FF F FFS3S3FFYYYFFFFFP3P3 FFFFFFS3S3FFFFFL3L3 F P3P3S3FS3S3FS3S3FFFF P3P3FFFS3S3E2E2FFL3L 3FF F FFFFFFFFS3S3FFFFFFFF FFH3H3FFFFFF F E2E2FFFFFFFFFFFFF3F3 FFFFF

I	A
	-
While great events were on the gale	B
And each hour brought a varying tale	B
And the demeanour changed and cold	C
Of Douglas fretted Marmion bold	C
And like the impatient steed of war	D
He snuffed the battle from afar	E
And hopes were none that back again	F
Herald should come from Terouenne	F
Where England's king in leaguer lay	G
Before decisive battle day	G
Whilst these things were the mournful Clare	H
Did in the dame's devotions share	H
For the good countess ceaseless prayed	I
To Heaven and saints her sons to aid	I
And with short interval did pass	J
From prayer to book from book to mass	J
And all in high baronial pride	K
A life both dull and dignified	K
Yet as Lord Marmion nothing pressed	L
Upon her intervals of rest	L
Dejected Clara well could bear	H
The formal state the lengthened prayer	H
Though dearest to her wounded heart	M
The hours that she might spend apart	M
	-
II	A
	-
I said Tantallon's dizzy steep	N
Hung o'er the margin of the deep	N
Many a rude tower and rampart there	H
Repelled the insult of the air	H
Which when the tempest vexed the sky	A
Half breeze half spray came whistling by	A
Above the rest a turret square	H
Did o'er its Gothic entrance bear	H
Of sculpture rude a stony shield	O
The bloody heart was in the field	O
And in the chief three mullets stood	P
The cognisance of Douglas blood	Q
The turret held a narrow stair	H
Which mounted gave you access where	H
A parapet's embattled row	R
Did seaward round the castle go	R
Sometimes in dizzy steps descending	S
Sometimes in narrow circuit bending	S
Sometimes in platform broad extending	S
Its varying circle did combine	F
Bulwark and bartisan and line	F
And bastion tower and vantage coign	F
Above the booming ocean leant	T
The far projecting battlement	T
The billows burst in ceaseless flow	R
Upon the precipice below	R
Where'er Tantallon faced the land	U
Gateworks and walls were strongly manned	U
No need upon the sea girt side	K
The steepy rock and frantic tide	K
Approach of human step denied	K
And thus these lines and ramparts rude	V
Were left in deepest solitude	V
	-
III	A
	-
And for they were so lonely Clare	H
Would to these battlements repair	H
And muse upon her sorrows there	H
And list the sea bird's cry	A
Or slow like noontide ghost would glide	K
Along the dark grey bulwark's side	K
And ever on the heaving tide	K
Look down with weary eye	A
Oft did the cliff and swelling main	F
Recall the thoughts of Whitby's fane	F
A home she ne'er might see again	F
For she had laid adown	F
So Douglas bade the hood and veil	B
And frontlet of the cloister pale	B
And Benedictine gown	F
It were unseemly sight he said	W
A novice out of convent shade	I
Now her bright locks with sunny glow	R
Again adorned her brow of snow	R
Her mantle rich whose borders round	X
A deep and fretted broidery bound	X
In golden foldings sought the ground	X
Of holy ornament alone	F
Remained a cross with ruby stone	F
And often did she look	Y
On that which in her hand she bore	D
With velvet bound and broidered o'er	Z
Her breviary book	Y
In such a place so lone so grim	A2
At dawning pale or twilight dim	A2
It fearful would have been	F
To meet a form so richly dressed	L
With book in hand and cross on breast	L
And such a woeful mien	F
Fitz Eustace loitering with his bow	B2
To practise on the gull and crow	R
Saw her at distance gliding slow	R
And did by Mary swear	H
Some lovelorn fay she might have been	F
Or in romance some spell bound queen	F
For ne'er in work day world was seen	F
A form so witching fair	H
	-
IV	C2
	-
Once walking thus at evening tide	K
It chanced a gliding sail she spied	K
And sighing thought The Abbess there	H
Perchance does to her home repair	H
Her peaceful rule where Duty free	D2
Walks hand in hand with Charity	D2
Where oft Devotion's tranced glow	R
Can such a glimpse of heaven bestow	R
That the enraptured sisters see	D2
High vision and deep mystery	D2
The very form of Hilda fair	H
Hovering upon the sunny air	H
And smiling on her votaries' prayer	H
Oh wherefore to my duller eye	A
Did still the saint her form deny	A
Was it that seared by sinful scorn	F
My heart could neither melt nor burn	F
Or lie my warm affections low	R
With him that taught them first to glow	R
Yet gentle Abbess well I knew	F
To pay thy kindness grateful due	F
And well could brook the mild command	U
That ruled thy simple maiden band	U
How different now condemned to bide	K
My doom from this dark tyrant's pride	K
But Marmion has to learn ere long	E2
That constant mind and hate of wrong	E2
Descended to a feeble girl	F2
From Red De Clare stout Gloucester's Earl	F2
Of such a stem a sapling weak	G2
He ne'er shall bend although he break	H2
	-
V	D2
	-
But see what makes this armour here	I2
For in her path there lay	G
Targe corslet helm she viewed them near	J2
The breast plate pierced Ay much I fear	J2
Weak fence wert thou 'gainst foeman's spear	J2
That hath made fatal entrance here	I2
As these dark blood gouts say	G
Thus Wilton Oh not corslet's ward	K2
Not truth as diamond pure and hard	L2
Could be thy manly bosom's guard	L2
On yon disastrous day	G
She raised her eyes in mournful mood	V
Wilton himself before her stood	P
It might have seemed his passing ghost	M2
For every youthful grace was lost	N2
And joy unwonted and surprise	O2
Gave their strange wildness to his eyes	O2
Expect not noble dames and lords	P2
That I can tell such scene in words	Q2
What skilful limner e'er would choose	R2
To paint the rainbow's varying hues	R2
Unless to mortal it were given	F
To dip his brush in dyes of heaven	F
Far less can my weak line declare	H
Each changing passion's shade	I
Bright'ning to rapture from despair	H
Sorrow surprise and pity there	H
And joy with her angelic air	H
And hope that paints the future fair	H
Their varying hues displayed	I
Each o'er its rival's ground extending	S
Alternate conquering shifting blending	S
Till all fatigued the conflict yield	O
And mighty Love retains the field	O
Shortly I tell what then he said	W
By many a tender word delayed	I
And modest blush and bursting sigh	A
And question kind and fond reply	A
	-
VI	A
	-
DE WILTON'S HISTORY	D2
	-
Forget we that disastrous day	G
When senseless in the lists I lay	G
Thence dragged but how I cannot know	R
For sense and recollection fled	W
I found me on a pallet low	R
Within my ancient beadsman's shed	W
Austin remember'st thou my Clare	H
How thou didst blush when the old man	F
When first our infant love began	F
Said we would make a matchless pair	H
Menials and friends and kinsmen fled	W
From the degraded traitor's bed	W
He only held my burning head	W
And tended me for many a day	G
While wounds and fever held their sway	G
But far more needful was his care	H
When sense returned to wake despair	H
For I did tear the closing wound	X
And dash me frantic on the ground	X
If e'er I heard the name of Clare	H
At length to calmer reason brought	S2
Much by his kind attendance wrought	S2
With him I left my native strand	U
And in a palmer's weeds arrayed	I
My hated name and form to shade	I
I journeyed many a land	U
No more a lord of rank and birth	T2
But mingled with the dregs of earth	T2
Oft Austin for my reason feared	U2
When I would sit and deeply brood	V
On dark revenge and deeds of blood	Q
Or wild mad schemes upreared	Q
My friend at length fell sick and said	Q
God would remove him soon	F
And while upon his dying bed	Q
He begged of me a boon	F
If e'er my deadliest enemy	D2
Beneath my brand should conquered lie	A
Even then my mercy should awake	H2
And spare his life for Austin's sake	H2
	-
VII	A
	-
Still restless as a second Cain	F
To Scotland next my route was ta'en	F
Full well the paths I knew	F
Fame of my fate made various sound	Q
That death in pilgrimage I found	Q
That I had perished of my wound	Q
None cared which tale was true	F
And living eye could never guess	V2
De Wilton in his palmer's dress	V2
For now that sable slough is shed	Q
And trimmed my shaggy beard and head	Q
I scarcely know me in the glass	J
A chance most wondrous did provide	Q
That I should be that baron's guide	Q
I will not name his name	W2
Vengeance to God alone belongs	X2
But when I think on all my wrongs	X2
My blood is liquid flame	W2
And ne'er the time shall I forget	Q
When in a Scottish hostel set	Q
Dark looks we did exchange	Y2
What were his thoughts I cannot tell	Z2
But in my bosom mustered Hell	Z2
Its plans of dark revenge	A3
	-
VIII	A
	-
A word of vulgar augury	F
That broke from me I scarce knew why	A
Brought on a village tale	B
Which wrought upon his moody sprite	Q
And sent him armed forth by night	Q
I borrowed steed and mail	B
And weapons from his sleeping band	Q
And passing from a postern door	F
We met and countered hand to hand	Q
He fell on Gifford Moor	F
For the death stroke my brand I drew	F
Oh then my helmdd head he knew	F
The palmer's cowl was gone	F
Then had three inches of my blade	Q
The heavy debt of vengeance paid	Q
My hand the thought of Austin stayed	Q
I left him there alone	F
O good old man even from the grave	A
Thy spirit could thy master save	A
If I had slain my foeman ne'er	F
Had Whitby's Abbess in her fear	F
Given to my hand this packet dear	F
Of power to clear my injured fame	W2
And vindicate De Wilton's name	W2
Perchance you heard the Abbess tell	Z2
Of the strange pageantry of Hell	Z2
That broke our secret speech	B3
It rose from the infernal shade	Q
Or featly was some juggle played	Q
A tale of peace to teach	B3
Appeal to Heaven I judged was best	Q
When my name came among the rest	Q
	-
IX	X2
	-
Now here within Tantallon Hold	Q
To Douglas late my tale I told	Q
To whom my house was known of old	Q
Won by my proofs his falchion bright	Q
This eve anew shall dub me knight	Q
These were the arms that once did turn	F
The tide of fight on Otterburne	F
And Harry Hotspur forced to yield	Q
When the dead Douglas won the field	Q
These Angus gave his armourer's care	F
Ere morn shall every breach repair	F
For naught he said was in his halls	X2
But ancient armour on the walls	X2
And aged chargers in the stalls	X2
And women priests and grey haired men	F
The rest were all in Twisel Glen	F
And now I watch my armour here	F
By law of arms till midnight's near	F
Then once again a belted knight	Q
Seek Surrey's camp with dawn of light	Q
	-
X	X2
	-
There soon again we meet my Clare	F
This baron means to guide thee there	F
Douglas reveres his king's command	Q
Else would he take thee from his band	Q
And there thy kinsman Surrey too	F
Will give De Wilton justice due	F
Now meeter far for martial broil	C3
Firmer my limbs and strung by toil	C3
Once more O Wilton must we then	F
Risk new found happiness again	F
Trust fate of arms once more	F
And is there not an humble glen	F
Where we content and poor	F
Might build a cottage in the shade	Q
A shepherd thou and I to aid	Q
Thy task on dale and moor	F
That reddening brow too well I know	F
Not even thy Clare can peace bestow	F
While falsehood stains thy name	W2
Go then to fight Clare bids thee go	F
Clare can a warrior's feelings know	F
And weep a warrior's shame	W2
Can Red Earl Gilbert's spirit feel	D3
Buckle the spurs upon thy heel	D3
And belt thee with thy brand of steel	D3
And send thee forth to fame	W2
	-
XI	X2
	-
That night upon the rocks and bay	G
The midnight moonbeam slumbering lay	G
And poured its silver light and pure	F
Through loophole and through embrazure	F
Upon Tantallon's tower and hall	E3
But chief where arched windows wide	Q
Illuminate the chapel's pride	Q
The sober glances fall	E3
Much was there need though seamed with scars	X2
Two veterans of the Douglas' wars	X2
Though two grey priests were there	F
And each a blazing torch held high	A
You could not by their blaze descry	F
The chapel's carving fair	F
Amid that dim and smoky light	Q
Chequering the silvery moonshine bright	Q
A bishop by the altar stood	Q
A noble lord of Douglas blood	Q
With mitre sheen and rocquet white	Q
Yet showed his meek and thoughtful eye	A
But little pride of prelacy	X2
More pleased that in a barbarous age	F3
He gave rude Scotland Virgil's page	F3
Than that beneath his rule he held	Q
The bishopric of fair Dunkeld	Q
Beside him ancient Angus stood	Q
Doffed his furred gown and sable hood	Q
O'er his huge form and visage pale	B
He wore a cap and shirt of mail	B
And leaned his large and wrinkled hand	Q
Upon the huge and sweeping brand	Q
Which wont of yore in battle fray	F
His foeman's limbs to shred away	F
As wood knife lops the sapling spray	F
He seemed as from the tombs around	Q
Rising at Judgment Day	F
Some giant Douglas may be found	Q
In all his old array	F
So pale his face so huge his limb	A2
So old his arms his look so grim	A2
	-
XII	X2
	-
Then at the altar Wilton kneels	X2
And Clare the spurs bound on his heels	X2
And think what next he must have felt	Q
At buckling of the falchion belt	Q
And judge how Clara changed her hue	F
While fastening to her lover's side	Q
A friend which though in danger tried	Q
He once had found untrue	F
Then Douglas struck him with his blade	Q
Saint Michael and Saint Andrew aid	Q
I dub thee knight	Q
Arise Sir Ralph De Wilton's heir	F
For king for church for lady fair	F
See that thou fight	Q
And Bishop Gawain as he rose	X2
Said Wilton grieve not for thy woes	X2
Disgrace and trouble	G3
For he who honour best bestows	X2
May give thee double	G3
De Wilton sobbed for sob he must	Q
Where'er I meet a Douglas trust	Q
That Douglas is my brother	F
Nay nay old Douglas said not so	X2
To Surrey's camp thou now must go	X2
Thy wrongs no longer smother	F
I have two sons in yonder field	Q
And if thou meet'st them under shield	Q
Upon them bravely do thy worst	Q
And foul fall him that blenches first	Q
	-
XIII	X2
	-
Not far advanced was morning day	F
When Marmion did his troop array	F
To Surrey's camp to ride	Q
He had safe conduct for his band	Q
Beneath the royal seal and hand	Q
And Douglas gave a guide	Q
The ancient earl with stately grace	X2
Would Clara on her palfrey place	X2
And whispered in an under tone	F
Let the hawk stoop his prey is flown	F
The train from out the castle drew	F
But Marmion stopped to bid adieu	F
Though something I might plain he said	Q
Of cold respect to stranger guest	Q
Sent hither by your king's behest	Q
While in Tantallon's towers I stayed	Q
Part we in friendship from your land	Q
And noble earl receive my hand	Q
But Douglas round him drew his cloak	H3
Folded his arms and thus he spoke	H3
My manors halls and bowers shall still	I3
Be open at my sovereign's will	I3
To each one whom he lists howe'er	F
Unmeet to be the owner's peer	F
My castles are my king's alone	F
From turret to foundation stone	F
The hand of Douglas is his own	F
And never shall in friendly grasp	J3
The hand of such as Marmion clasp	J3
	-
XIV	A
	-
Burned Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire	F
And shook his very frame for ire	F
And This to me he said	Q
'An 'twere not for thy hoary head	Q
Such hand as Marmion's had not spared	Q
To cleave the Douglas' head	Q
And first I tell thee haughty peer	F
He who does England's message here	F
Although the meanest in her state	Q
May well proud Angus be thy mate	Q
And Douglas more I tell thee here	F
Even in thy pitch of pride	Q
Here in thy hold thy vassals near	F
Nay never look upon your lord	Q
And lay your hands upon your sword	Q
I tell thee thou'rt defied	Q
And if thou said'st I am not peer	F
To any lord in Scotland here	F
Lowland or Highland far or near	F
Lord Angus thou hast lied	Q
On the Earl's cheek the flush of rage	F3
O'ercame the ashen hue of age	F3
Fierce he broke forth And dar'st thou then	F
To beard the lion in his den	F
The Douglas in his hall	E3
And hop'st thou thence unscathed to go	X2
No by Saint Bride of Bothwell no	X2
Up drawbridge grooms what warder ho	X2
Let the portcullis fall	E3
Lord Marmion turned well was his need	Q
And dashed the rowels in his steed	Q
Like arrow through the archway sprung	K3
The ponderous gate behind him rung	K3
To pass there was such scanty room	L3
The bars descending razed his plume	L3
	-
XV	A
	-
The steed along the drawbridge flies	X2
Just as it trembled on the rise	X2
Nor lighter does the swallow skim	A2
Along the smooth lake's level brim	A2
And when Lord Marmion reached his band	Q
He halts and turns with clenched hand	Q
And shout of loud defiance pours	X2
And shook his gauntlet at the towers	X2
Horse horse the Douglas cried and chase	X2
But soon he reined his fury's pace	X2
A royal messenger he came	W2
Though most unworthy of the name	W2
A letter forged Saint Jude to speed	Q
Did ever knight so foul a deed	Q
At first in heart it liked me ill	I3
When the King praised his clerkly skill	I3
Thanks to St Bothan son of mine	F
Save Gawain ne'er could pen a line	F
So swore I and I swear it still	I3
Let my boy bishop fret his fill	I3
Saint Mary mend my fiery mood	Q
Old age ne'er cools the Douglas blood	Q
I thought to slay him where he stood	Q
'Tis pity of him too he cried	Q
Bold can he speak and fairly ride	Q
I warrant him a warrior tried	Q
With this his mandate he recalls	X2
And slowly seeks his castle halls	X2
	-
XVI	A
	-
The day in Marmion's journey wore	F
Yet ere his passion's gust was o'er	F
They crossed the heights of Stanrig Moor	F
His troop more closely there he scanned	Q
And missed the Palmer from the band	Q
Palmer or not young Blount did say	F
He parted at the peep of day	F
Good sooth it was in strange array	F
In what array said Marmion quick	M3
My lord I ill can spell the trick	M3
But all night long with clink and bang	N3
Close to my couch did hammers clang	N3
At dawn the falling drawbridge rang	N3
And from a loophole while I peep	N
Old Bell the Cat came from the keep	N
Wrapped in a gown of sables fair	F
As fearful of the morning air	F
Beneath when that was blown aside	Q
A rusty shirt of mail I spied	Q
By Archibald won in bloody work	O3
Against the Saracen and Turk	O3
Last night it hung not in the hall	E3
I thought some marvel would befall	E3
And next I saw them saddled lead	Q
Old Cheviot forth the earl's best steed	Q
A matchless horse though something old	Q
Prompt in his paces cool and bold	Q
I heard the sheriff Sholto say	F
The earl did much the master pray	F
To use him on the battle day	F
But he preferred Nay Henry cease	X2
Thou sworn horse courser hold thy peace	X2
Eustace thou bear'st a brain I pray	F
What did Blount see at break of day	F
	-
XVII	A
	-
In brief my lord we both descried	F
For then I stood by Henry's side	F
The Palmer mount and outwards ride	F
Upon the earl's own favourite steed	F
All sheathed he was in armour bright	F
And much resembled that same knight	F
Subdued by you in Cotswold fight	F
Lord Angus wished him speed	F
The instant that Fitz Eustace spoke	H3
A sudden light on Marmion broke	H3
Ah dastard fool to reason lost	F
He muttered 'Twas nor fay nor ghost	F
I met upon the moonlight wold	F
But living man of earthly mould	F
O dotage blind and gross	X2
Had I but fought as wont one thrust	F
Had laid De Wilton in the dust	F
My path no more to cross	X2
How stand we now he told his tale	B
To Douglas and with some avail	B
'Twas therefore gloomed his rugged brow	F
Will Surrey dare to entertain	F
'Gainst Marmion charge disproved and vain	F
Small risk of that I trow	X2
Yet Clare's sharp questions must I shun	F
Must separate Constance from the nun	F
Oh what a tangled web we weave	A
When first we practise to deceive	A
A Palmer too no wonder why	A
I felt rebuked beneath his eye	A
I might have known there was but one	F
Whose look could quell Lord Marmion	F
	-
XVIII	A
	-
Stung with these thoughts he urged to speed	F
His troop and reached at eve the Tweed	F
Where Lennel's convent closed their march	P3
There now is left but one frail arch	P3
Yet mourn thou not its cells	X2
Our time a fair exchange has made	F
Hard by in hospitable shade	F
A reverend pilgrim dwells	X2
Well worth the whole Bernardine brood	F
That e'er wore sandal frock or hood	F
Yet did Saint Bernard's Abbot there	F
Give Marmion entertainment fair	F
And lodging for his train and Clare	F
Next morn the baron climbed the tower	F
To view afar the Scottish power	F
Encamped on Flodden edge	Q3
The white pavilions made a show	X2
Like remnants of the winter snow	X2
	-
Along the dusky ridge	R3
Long Marmion looked at length his eye	A
Unusual movement might descry	F
Amid the shifting lines	X2
The Scottish host drawn out appears	X2
For flashing on the edge of spears	X2
The eastern sunbeam shines	X2
Their front now deepening now extending	S
Their flank inclining wheeling bending	S
Now drawing back and now descending	S
The skilful Marmion well could know	X2
They watched the motions of some foe	X2
Who traversed on the plain below	X2
	-
XIX	X2
	-
Even so it was From Flodden ridge	R3
The Scots beheld the English host	F
Leave Barmore Wood their evening post	F
And heedful watched them as they crossed	F
The Till by Twisel Bridge	R3
High sight it is and haughty while	S3
They dive into the deep defile	S3
Beneath the caverned cliff they fall	S3
Beneath the castle's airy wall	S3
By rock by oak by hawthorn tree	F
Troop after troop are disappearing	S
Troop after troop their banners rearing	S
Upon the eastern bank you see	F
Still pouring down the rocky den	F
Where flows the sullen Till	S3
And rising from the dim wood glen	F
Standards on stardards men on men	F
In slow succession still	S3
And sweeping o'er the Gothic arch	P3
And pressing on in ceaseless march	P3
To gain the opposing hill	S3
That morn to many a trumpet clang	N3
Twisel thy rocks deep echo rang	N3
And many a chief of birth and rank	T3
Saint Helen at thy fountain drank	T3
Thy hawthorn glade which now we see	F
In spring tide bloom so lavishly	F
Had then from many an axe its doom	L3
To give the marching columns room	L3
	-
XX	F
	-
And why stands Scotland idly now	F
Dark Flodden on thy airy brow	F
Since England gains the pass the while	S3
And struggles through the deep defile	S3
What checks the fiery soul of James	F
Why sits that champion of the dames	F
Inactive on his steed	F
And sees between him and his land	F
Between him and Tweed's southern strand	F
His host Lord Surrey lead	F
What 'vails the vain knight errant's brand	F
Oh Douglas for thy leading wand	F
Fierce Randolph for thy speed	F
Oh for one hour of Wallace wight	F
Or well skilled Bruce to rule the fight	F
And cry Saint Andrew and our right	F
Another sight had seen that morn	F
From Fate's dark book a leaf been torn	F
And Flodden had been Bannockbourne	F
The precious hour has passed in vain	F
And England's host has gained the plain	F
Wheeling their march and circling still	S3
Around the base of Flodden Hill	S3
	-
XXI	F
	-
Ere yet the bands met Marmion's eye	A
Fitz Eustace shouted loud and high	A
Hark hark my lord an English drum	U3
And see ascending squadrons come	U3
Between Tweed's river and the hill	S3
Foot horse and cannon hap what hap	V3
My basnet to a 'prentice cap	V3
Lord Surrey's o'er the Till	S3
Yet more yet more how far arrayed	F
They file from out the hawthorn shade	F
And sweep so gallant by	A
With all their banners bravely spread	F
And all their armour flashing high	A
Saint George might waken from the dead	F
To see fair England's standards fly	A
Stint in thy prate quoth Blount thou'dst best	F
And listen to our lord's behest	F
With kindling brow Lord Marmion said	F
This instant be our band arrayed	F
The river must be quickly crossed	F
That we may join Lord Surrey's host	F
If fight King James as well I trust	F
That fight he will and fight he must	F
The Lady Clare behind our lines	F
Shall tarry while the battle joins	F
	-
XXII	F
	-
Himself he swift on horseback threw	F
Scarce to the Abbot bade adieu	F
Far less would listen to his prayer	F
To leave behind the helpless Clare	F
Down to the Tweed his band he drew	F
And muttered as the flood they view	F
The pheasant in the falcon's claw	S3
He scarce will yield to please a daw	S3
Lord Angus may the Abbot awe	W3
So Clare shall bide with me	F
Then on that dangerous ford and deep	N
Where to the Tweed Leat's eddies creep	N
He ventured desperately	F
And not a moment will he bide	F
Till squire or groom before him ride	F
Headmost of all he stems the tide	F
And stems it gallantly	F
Eustace held Clare upon her horse	F
Old Hubert led her rein	F
Stoutly they braved the current's course	F
And though far downward driven per force	F
The southern bank they gain	F
Behind them straggling came to shore	F
As best they might the train	F
Each o'er his head his yew bow bore	F
A caution not in vain	F
Deep need that day that every string	S
By wet unharmed should sharply ring	S
A moment then Lord Marmion stayed	F
And breathed his steed his men arrayed	F
Then forward moved his band	F
Until Lord Surrey's rear guard won	F
He halted by a cross of stone	F
That on a hillock standing lone	F
Did all the field command	F
	-
XXIII	F
	-
Hence might they see the full array	F
Of either host for deadly fray	F
Their marshalled lines stretched east and west	F
And fronted north and south	X3
And distant salutation passed	F
From the loud cannon mouth	X3
Not in the close successive rattle	S3
That breathes the voice of modern battle	S3
But slow and far between	F
The hillock gained Lord Marmion stayed	F
Here by this cross he gently said	F
You well may view the scene	F
Here shalt thou tarry lovely Clare	F
Oh think of Marmion in thy prayer	F
Thou wilt not well no less my care	F
Shall watchful for thy weal prepare	F
You Blount and Eustace are her guard	F
With ten picked archers of my train	F
With England if the day go hard	F
To Berwick speed amain	F
But if we conquer cruel maid	F
My spoils shall at your feet be laid	F
When here we meet again	F
He waited not for answer there	F
And would not mark the maid's despair	F
Nor heed the discontented look	Y
From either squire but spurred amain	F
And dashing through the battle plain	F
His way to Surrey took	Y
	-
XXIV	F
	-
The good Lord Marmion by my life	F
Welcome to danger's hour	F
Short greeting serves in time of strife	F
Thus have I ranged my power	F
Myself will rule this central host	F
Stout Stanley fronts their right	F
My sons command the vaward post	F
With Brian Tunstall stainless knight	F
Lord Dacre with his horsemen light	F
Shall be in rearward of the fight	F
And succour those that need it most	F
Now gallant Marmion well I know	F
Would gladly to the vanguard go	F
Edmund the Admiral Tunstall there	F
With thee their charge will blithely share	F
There fight thine own retainers too	F
Beneath De Burg thy steward true	F
Thanks noble Surrey Marmion said	F
Nor farther greeting there he paid	F
But parting like a thunderbolt	F
First in the vanguard made a halt	F
Where such a shout there rose	F
Of Marmion Marmion that the cry	A
Up Flodden mountain shrilling high	A
Startled the Scottish foes	F
	-
XXV	A
	-
Blount and Fitz Eustace rested still	S3
With Lady Clare upon the hill	S3
On which for far the day was spent	F
The western sunbeams now were bent	F
The cry they heard its meaning knew	F
Could plain their distant comrades view	F
Sadly to Blount did Eustace say	F
Unworthy office here to stay	F
No hope of gilded spurs to day	F
But see look up on Flodden bent	F
The Scottish foe has fired his tent	F
And sudden as he spoke	H3
From the sharp ridges of the hill	S3
All downward to the banks of Till	S3
Was wreathed in sable smoke	H3
Volumed and fast and rolling far	F
The cloud enveloped Scotland's war	F
As down the hill they broke	H3
Nor martial shout nor minstrel tone	F
Announced their march their tread alone	F
At times one warning trumpet blown	F
At times a stifled hum	U3
Told England from his mountain throne	F
King James did rushing come	U3
Scarce could they hear or see their foes	F
Until at weapon point they close	F
They close in clouds of smoke and dust	F
With sword sway and with lance's thrust	F
And such a yell was there	F
Of sudden and portentous birth	T2
As if men fought upon the earth	T2
And fiends in upper air	F
Oh life and death were in the shout	F
Recoil and rally charge and rout	F
And triumph and despair	F
Long looked the anxious squires their eye	A
Could in the darkness nought descry	F
	-
XXVI	F
	-
At length the freshening western blast	F
Aside the shroud of battle cast	F
And first the ridge of mingled spears	F
Above the brightening cloud appears	F
And in the smoke the pennons flew	F
As in the storm the white sea mew	F
Then marked they dashing broad and far	F
The broken billows of the war	F
And plumed crests of chieftains brave	F
Floating like foam upon the wave	F
But nought distinct they see	F
Wide raged the battle on the plain	F
Spears shook and falchions flashed amain	F
Fell England's arrow flight like rain	F
Crests rose and stooped and rose again	F
Wild and disorderly	F
Amid the scene of tumult high	F
They saw Lord Marmion's falcon fly	F
And stainless Tunstall's banner white	F
And Edmund Howard's lion bright	F
Still bear them bravely in the fight	F
Although against them come	U3
Of gallant Gordons many a one	F
And many a stubborn Badenoch man	F
And many a rugged Border clan	F
With Huntley and with Home	Y3
	-
XXVII	F
	-
Far on the left unseen the while	S3
Stanley broke Lennox and Argyle	S3
Though there the western mountaineer	F
Rushed with bare bosom on the spear	F
And flung the feeble targe aside	F
And with both hands the broadsword plied	F
'Twas vain But Fortune on the right	F
With fickle smile cheered Scotland's fight	F
Then fell that spotless banner white	F
The Howard's lion fell	S3
Yet still Lord Marmion's falcon flew	F
With wavering flight while fiercer grew	F
Around the battle yell	S3
The Border slogan rent the sky	F
A Home a Gordon was the cry	F
Loud were the clanging blows	F
Advanced forced back now low now high	F
The pennon sunk and rose	F
As bends the barque's mast in the gale	S3
When rent are rigging shrouds and sail	S3
It wavered 'mid the foes	F
No longer Blount the view could bear	F
By heaven and all its saints I swear	F
I will not see it lost	F
Fitz Eustace you with Lady Clare	F
May bid your beads and patter prayer	F
I gallop to the host	F
And to the fray he rode amain	F
Followed by all the archer train	F
The fiery youth with desperate charge	Z3
Made for a space an opening large	Z3
The rescued banner rose	F
But darkly closed the war around	F
Like pine trees rooted from the ground	F
It sunk among the foes	F
Then Eustace mounted too yet stayed	F
As loth to leave the helpless maid	F
When fast as shaft can fly	F
Bloodshot his eyes his nostrils spread	F
The loose rein dangling from his head	F
Housing and saddle bloody red	F
Lord Marmion's steed rushed by	F
And Eustace maddening at the sight	F
A look and sign to Clara cast	F
To mark he would return in haste	F
Then plunged into the fight	F
	-
XXVIII	F
	-
Ask me not what the maiden feels	F
Left in that dreadful hour alone	F
Perchance her reason stoops or reels	F
Perchance a courage not her own	F
Braces her mind to desperate tone	F
The scattered van of England wheels	F
She only said as loud in air	F
The tumult roared Is Wilton there	F
They fly or maddened by despair	F
Fight but to die Is Wilton there	F
With that straight up the hill there rode	F
Two horsemen drenched with gore	F
And in their arms a helpless load	F
A wounded knight they bore	F
His hand still strained the broken brand	F
His arms were smeared with blood and sand	F
Dragged from among the horses' feet	F
With dinted shield and helmet beat	F
The falcon crest and plumage gone	F
Can that be haughty Marmion	F
Young Blount his armour did unlace	F
And gazing on his ghastly face	F
Said 'By Saint George he's gone	F
That spear wound has our master sped	F
And see the deep cut on his head	F
Good night to Marmion	F
Unnurtured Blount thy brawling cease	F
He opes his eyes said Eustace peace	F
	-
XXIX	F
	-
When doffed his casque he felt free air	F
Around 'gan Marmion wildly stare	F
Where's Harry Blount Fitz Eustace where	F
Linger ye here ye hearts of hare	F
Redeem my pennon charge again	F
Cry 'Marmion to the rescue ' Vain	F
Last of my race on battle plain	F
That shout shall ne'er be heard again	F
Yet my last thought is England's fly	F
To Dacre bear my signet ring	S
Tell him his squadrons up to bring	S
Fitz Eustace to Lord Surrey hie	X2
Tunstall lies dead upon the field	F
His life blood stains the spotless shield	F
Edmund is down my life is reft	F
The Admiral alone is left	F
Let Stanley charge with spur of fire	F
With Chester charge and Lancashire	F
Full upon Scotland's central host	F
Or victory and England's lost	F
Must I bid twice hence varlets fly	F
Leave Marmion here alone to die	F
They parted and alone he lay	F
Clare drew her from the sight away	F
Till pain rung forth a lowly moan	F
And half he murmured Is there none	F
Of all my halls have nursed	F
Page squire or groom one cup to bring	S
Of blessed water from the spring	S
To slake my dying thirst	F
	-
XXX	F
	-
O woman in our hours of ease	F
Uncertain coy and hard to please	F
And variable as the shade	F
By the light quivering aspen made	F
When pain and anguish wring the brow	F
A ministering angel thou	F
Scarce were the piteous accents said	F
When with the baron's casque the maid	F
To the nigh streamlet ran	F
Forgot were hatred wrongs and fears	F
The plaintive voice alone she hears	F
Sees but the dying man	F
She stooped her by the runnel's side	F
But in abhorrence backward drew	F
For oozing from the mountain's side	F
Where raged the war a dark red tide	F
Was curdling in the streamlet blue	F
Where shall she turn behold her mark	A4
A little fountain cell	S3
Where water clear as diamond spark	A4
In a stone basin fell	S3
Above some half worn letters say	F
Drink weary pilgrim drink and pray	F
For the kind soul of Sybil Gray	F
Who built this cross and well	S3
She filled the helm and back she hied	F
And with surprise and joy espied	F
A monk supporting Marmion's head	F
A pious man whom duty brought	F
To dubious verge of battle fought	F
To shrive the dying bless the dead	F
	-
XXXI	F
	-
Deep drank Lord Marmion of the wave	F
And as she stooped his brow to lave	F
Is it the hand of Clare he said	F
Or injured Constance bathes my head	F
Then as remembrance rose	F
Speak not to me of shrift or prayer	F
I must redress her woes	F
Short space few words are mine to spare	F
Forgive and listen gentle Clare	F
Alas she said the while	S3
Oh think of your immortal weal	S3
In vain for Constance is your zeal	S3
She died at Holy Isle	S3
Lord Marmion started from the ground	F
As light as if he felt no wound	F
Though in the action burst the tide	F
In torrents from his wounded side	F
Then it was truth he said I knew	F
That the dark presage must be true	F
I would the Fiend to whom belongs	F
The vengeance due to all her wrongs	F
Would spare me but a day	F
For wasting fire and dying groan	F
And priests slain on the altar stone	F
Might bribe him for delay	F
It may not be this dizzy trance	F
Curse on yon base marauder's lance	F
And doubly cursed my failing brand	F
A sinful heart makes feeble hand	F
Then fainting down on earth he sunk	B4
Supported by the trembling monk	B4
	-
XXXII	F
	-
With fruitless labour Clara bound	F
And strove to staunch the gushing wound	F
The monk with unavailing cares	F
Exhausted all the Church's prayers	F
Ever he said that close and near	F
A lady's voice was in his ear	F
And that the priest he could not hear	F
For that she ever sung	K3
IN THE LOST BATTLE BORNE DOWN BY THE FLYING	S
WHERE MINGLES WAR'S RATTLE WITH GROANS OF THE DYING	S
So the notes rung	K3
Avoid thee Fiend with cruel hand	F
Shake not the dying sinner's sand	F
Oh look my son upon yon sign	F
Of the Redeemer's grace divine	F
Oh think on faith and bliss	F
By many a death bed I have been	F
And many a sinner's parting seen	F
But never aught like this	F
The war that for a space did fail	S3
Now trebly thundering swelled the gale	S3
And Stanley was the cry	F
A light on Marmion's visage spread	F
And fired his glazing eye	F
With dying hand above his head	F
He shook the fragment of his blade	F
And shouted Victory	F
Charge Chester charge On Stanley on	F
Were the last words of Marmion	F
	-
XXXIII	F
	-
By this though deep the evening fell	S3
Still rose the battle's deadly swell	S3
For still the Scots around their king	S
Unbroken fought in desperate ring	S
Where's now their victor vaward wing	S
Where Huntly and where Home	Y3
Oh for a blast of that dread horn	F
On Fontarabian echoes borne	F
That to King Charles did come	U3
When Rowland brave and Olivier	F
And every paladin and peer	F
On Roncesvalles died	F
Such blast might warn them not in vain	F
To quit the plunder of the slain	F
And turn the doubtful day again	F
While yet on Flodden side	F
Afar the royal standard flies	F
And round it toils and bleeds and dies	F
Our Caledonian pride	F
In vain the wish for far away	F
While spoil and havoc mark their way	F
Near Sybil's Cross the plunderers stray	F
Oh lady cried the monk away	F
And placed her on her steed	F
And led her to the chapel fair	F
Of Tillmouth upon Tweed	F
There all the night they spent in prayer	F
And at the dawn of morning there	F
She met her kinsman Lord Fitz Clare	F
	-
XXXIV	F
	-
But as they left the dark'ning heath	C4
More desperate grew the strife of death	D4
The English shafts in volleys hailed	F
In headlong charge their horse assailed	F
Front flank and rear the squadrons sweep	N
To break the Scottish circle deep	N
That fought around their king	S
But yet though thick the shafts as snow	F
Though charging knights like whirlwinds go	F
Though billmen ply the ghastly blow	F
Unbroken was the ring	S
The stubborn spearmen still made good	F
Their dark impenetrable wood	F
Each stepping where his comrade stood	F
The instant that he fell	S3
No thought was there of dastard flight	F
Linked in the serried phalanx tight	F
Groom fought like noble squire like knight	F
As fearlessly and well	S3
Till utter darkness closed her wing	S
O'er their thin host and wounded king	S
Then skilful Surrey's sage commands	F
Led back from strife his shattered bands	F
And from the charge they drew	F
As mountain waves from wasted lands	F
Sweep back to ocean blue	F
Then did their loss his foemen know	F
Their king their lords their mightiest low	F
They melted from the field as snow	F
When streams are swoll'n and south winds blow	F
Dissolves in silent dew	F
Tweed's echoes heard the ceaseless plash	P3
While many a broken band	F
Disordered through her currents dash	P3
To gain the Scottish land	F
To town and tower to down and dale	S3
To tell red Flodden's dismal tale	S3
And raise the universal wail	S3
Tradition legend tune and song	E2
Shall many an age that wail prolong	E2
Still from the sire the son shall hear	F
Of the stern strife and carnage drear	F
Of Flodden's fatal field	F
Where shivered was fair Scotland's spear	F
And broken was her shield	F
	-
XXXV	F
	-
Day dawns upon the mountain's side	F
There Scotland lay thy bravest pride	F
Chiefs knights and nobles many a one	F
The sad survivors all are gone	F
View not that corpse mistrustfully	S3
Defaced and mangled though it be	F
Nor to yon Border castle high	F
Look northward with upbraiding eye	F
Nor cherish hope in vain	F
That journeying far on foreign strand	F
The royal pilgrim to his land	F
May yet return again	F
He saw the wreck his rashness wrought	F
Reckless of life he desperate fought	F
And fell on Flodden plain	F
And well in death his trusty brand	F
Firm clenched within his manly hand	F
Beseemed the monarch slain	F
But oh how changed since yon blithe night	F
Gladly I turn me from the sight	F
Unto my tale again	F
	-
XXXVI	F
	-
Short is my tale Fitz Eustace' care	F
A pierced and mangled body bare	F
To moated Lichfield's lofty pile	S3
And there beneath the southern aisle	S3
A tomb with Gothic sculpture fair	F
Did long Lord Marmion's image bear	F
Now vainly for its site you look	Y
'Twas levelled when fanatic Brook	Y
The fair cathedral stormed and took	Y
But thanks to Heaven and good Saint Chad	F
A guerdon meet the spoiler had	F
There erst was martial Marmion found	F
His feet upon a couchant hound	F
His hands to heaven upraised	F
And all around on scutcheon rich	P3
And tablet carved and fretted niche	P3
His arms and feats were blazed	F
And yet though all was carved so fair	F
And priest for Marmion breathed the prayer	F
The last Lord Marmion lay not there	F
From Ettrick woods a peasant swain	F
Followed his lord to Flodden plain	F
One of those flowers whom plaintive lay	S3
In Scotland mourns as wede away	S3
Sore wounded Sybil's Cross he spied	F
And dragged him to its foot and died	F
Close by the noble Marmion's side	F
The spoilers stripped and gashed the slain	F
And thus their corpses were mista'en	F
And thus in the proud baron's tomb	L3
The lowly woodsman took the room	L3
	-
XXXVII	F
	-
Less easy task it were to show	P3
Lord Marmion's nameless grave and low	P3
They dug his grave e'en where he lay	S3
But every mark is gone	F
Time's wasting hand has done away	S3
The simple cross of Sybil Gray	S3
And broke her font of stone	F
But yet out from the little hill	S3
Oozes the slender springlet still	S3
Oft halts the stranger there	F
For thence may best his curious eye	F
The memorable field descry	F
And shepherd boys repair	F
To seek the water flag and rush	P3
And rest them by the hazel bush	P3
And plait their garlands fair	F
Nor dream they sit upon the grave	F
That holds the bones of Marmion brave	F
When thou shalt find the little hill	S3
With thy heart commune and be still	S3
If ever in temptation strong	E2
Thou left'st the right path for the wrong	E2
If every devious step thus trod	F
Still led thee further from the road	F
Dread thou to speak presumptuous doom	L3
On noble Marmion's lowly tomb	L3
But say He died a gallant knight	F
With sword in hand for England's right	F
	-
XXXVIII	F
	-
I do not rhyme to that dull elf	F
Who cannot image to himself	F
That all through Flodden's dismal night	F
Wilton was foremost in the fight	F
That when brave Surrey's steed was slain	F
'Twas Wilton mounted him again	F
'Twas Wilton's brand that deepest hewed	F
Amid the spearmen's stubborn wood	F
Unnamed by Holinshed or Hall	S3
He was the living soul of all	S3
That after fight his faith made plain	F
He won his rank and lands again	F
And charged his old paternal shield	F
With bearings won on Flodden Field	F
Nor sing I to that simple maid	F
To whom it must in terms be said	F
That king and kinsmen did agree	F
To bless fair Clara's constancy	F
Who cannot unless I relate	F
Paint to her mind the bridal's state	F
That Wolsey's voice the blessing spoke	H3
More Sands and Denny passed the joke	H3
That bluff King Hal the curtain drew	F
And Katherine's hand the stocking threw	F
And afterwards for many a day	F
That it was held enough to say	F
In blessing to a wedded pair	F
Love they like Wilton and like Clare	F
	-
	-
L'ENVOY TO THE READER	F
	-
	-
	-
Why then a final note prolong	E2
Or lengthen out a closing song	E2
Unless to bid the gentles speed	F
Who long have listed to my rede	F
To statesmen grave if such may deign	F
To read the minstrel's idle strain	F
Sound head clean hand and piercing wit	F
And patriotic heart as Pitt	F
A garland for the hero's crest	F
And twined by her he loves the best	F
To every lovely lady bright	F
What can I wish but faithful knight	F
To every faithful lover too	F
What can I wish but lady true	F
And knowledge to the studious sage	F3
And pillow to the head of age	F3
To thee dear schoolboy whom my lay	F
Has cheated of thy hour of play	F
Light task and merry holiday	F
To all to each a fair good night	F
And pleasing dreams and slumbers light	F

Walter Scott (sir)

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