Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/108

Yet, obstinate in silence still,
405The haughty demon mocks my skill.
But thou,—who little know'st thy might,
As born upon that blessed night
When yawning graves, and dying groan,
Proclaim'd hell's empire overthrown,—
410With untaught valour shalt compel
Response denied to magic spell."—
"Gramercy," quoth our Monarch free,
"Place him but front to front with me,
And, by this good and honour'd brand,
415The gift of Coeur-de-Lion's hand,
Soothly I swear, that, tide what tide,
The demon shall a buffet bide."—
His bearing bold the wizard view'd,
And thus, well pleased, his speech renew'd:—
420"There spoke the blood of Malcolm!—mark:
Forth pacing hence, at midnight dark,
The rampart seek, whose circling crown
Crests the ascent of yonder down:
A southern entrance shalt thou find;
425There halt, and there thy bugle wind,
And trust thine elfin foe to see,
In guise of thy worst enemy:
Couch then thy lance, and spur thy steed—
Upon him! and Saint George to speed!
430If he go down, thou soon shalt know
Whate'er these airy sprites can show:—
If thy heart fail thee in the strife,
I am no warrant for thy life."

XXIII.
'Soon as the midnight bell did ring,
435Alone, and arm'd, forth rode the King
To that old camp's deserted round:
Sir Knight, you well might mark the mound,
Left hand the town,—the Pictish race,
The trench, long since, in blood did trace;