Page:The Lay of the Last Minstrel - Scott (1805).djvu/152

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143

Their leading staffs of steel they wield,
As marshals of the mortal field;
Then heralds hoarse did loud proclaim,
In king, and queen, and wardens' name,
That none, while lasts the strife,
Should dare, by look, or sign, or word,
Aid to a champion to afford,
On peril of his life.
Then not a breath the silence broke,
Till thus the alternate heralds spoke.

XIX.
English Herald.
Here standeth Richard of Musgrave,
Good knight, and true, and freely born,
Amends from Deloraine to crave,
For foul despiteous scathe and scorn.
He sayeth, that William of Deloraine
Is traitor false by Border laws;
This with his sword he will maintain,
So help him God, and his good cause!