Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/123

Each ready archer grasp'd his bow,
But by the flourish soon they know,
 They breathed no point of war.
100Yet cautious, as in foeman's land,
Lord Marmion's order speeds the band,
 Some opener ground to gain;
And scarce a furlong had they rode,
When thinner trees, receding, show'd
105 A little woodland plain.
Just in that advantageous glade,
The halting troop a line had made,
As forth from the opposing shade
 Issued a gallant train.

VI.
110First came the trumpets, at whose clang
So late the forest echoes rang;
On prancing steeds they forward press'd,
With scarlet mantle, azure vest;
Each at his trump a banner wore,
115Which Scotland's royal scutcheon bore:
Heralds and pursuivants, by name
Bute, Islay, Marchmount, Rothsay, came,
In painted tabards, proudly showing
Gules, Argent, Or, and Azure glowing,
120 Attendant on a King-at-arms,
Whose hand the armorial truncheon held,
That feudal strife had often quell'd,
 When wildest its alarms.

VII.
 He was a man of middle age;
125 In aspect manly, grave, and sage,
  As on King's errand come;
 But in the glances of his eye,
 A penetrating, keen, and sly
  Expression found its home;