Part 2 (2/2)

Last, twenty yeomen, two and two, 115 In hosen black, and jerkins blue, With falcons broider'd on each breast, Attended on their lord's behest.

Each, chosen for an archer good, Knew hunting-craft by lake or wood; 120 Each one a six-foot bow could bend, And far a cloth-yard shaft could send; Each held a boar-spear tough and strong, And at their belts their quivers rung.

Their dusty palfreys, and array, 125 Show'd they had march'd a weary way.

IX.

'Tis meet that I should tell you now, How fairly arm'd, and order'd how, The soldiers of the guard, With musket, pike, and morion, 130 To welcome n.o.ble Marmion, Stood in the Castle-yard; Minstrels and trumpeters were there, The gunner held his linstock yare, For welcome-shot prepared: 135 Enter'd the train, and such a clang, As then through all his turrets rang, Old Norham never heard.

X.

The guards their morrice-pikes advanced, The trumpets flourish'd brave, 140 The cannon from the ramparts glanced, And thundering welcome gave.

A blithe salute, in martial sort, The minstrels well might sound, For, as Lord Marmion cross'd the court, 145 He scatter'd angels round.

'Welcome to Norham, Marmion!

Stout heart, and open hand!

Well dost thou brook thy gallant roan, Thou flower of English land!' 150

XI.

Two pursuivants, whom tabarts deck, With silver scutcheon round their neck, Stood on the steps of stone, By which you reach the donjon gate, And there, with herald pomp and state, 155 They hail'd Lord Marmion: They hail'd him Lord of Fontenaye, Of Lutterward, and Scrivelbaye, Of Tamworth tower and town; And he, their courtesy to requite, 160 Gave them a chain of twelve marks' weight, All as he lighted down.

'Now, largesse, largesse, Lord Marmion, Knight of the crest of gold!

A blazon'd s.h.i.+eld, in battle won, 165 Ne'er guarded heart so bold.'

XII.

They marshall'd him to the Castle-hall, Where the guests stood all aside, And loudly nourish'd the trumpet-call, And the heralds loudly cried, 170 --'Room, lordings, room for Lord Marmion, With the crest and helm of gold!

Full well we know the trophies won In the lists at Cottiswold: There, vainly Ralph de Wilton strove 175 'Gainst Marmion's force to stand; To him he lost his lady-love, And to the King his land.

Ourselves beheld the listed field, A sight both sad and fair; 180 We saw Lord Marmion pierce his s.h.i.+eld, And saw his saddle bare; We saw the victor win the crest, He wears with worthy pride; And on the gibbet-tree, reversed, 185 His foeman's scutcheon tied.

Place, n.o.bles, for the Falcon-Knight!

Room, room, ye gentles gay, For him who conquer'd in the right, Marmion of Fontenaye!' 190

XIII.

Then stepp'd, to meet that n.o.ble Lord, Sir Hugh the Heron bold, Baron of Twisell, and of Ford, And Captain of the Hold.

He led Lord Marmion to the deas, 195 Raised o'er the pavement high, And placed him in the upper place- They feasted full and high; The whiles a Northern harper rude Chanted a rhyme of deadly feud, 200 'How the fierce Thirwalls, and Ridleys all, Stout Willimondswick, And Hardriding d.i.c.k, And Hughie of Hawdon, and Will o' the Wall, Have set on Sir Albany Featherstonhaugh, 205 And taken his life at the Deadman's-shaw.'

Scantly Lord Marmion's ear could brook The harper's barbarous lay; Yet much he praised the pains he took, And well those pains did pay 210 For lady's suit, and minstrel's strain, By knight should ne'er be heard in vain,

XIV.

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