Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/125

165Their mutual greetings duly made,
The Lion thus his message said:—
'Though Scotland's King hath deeply swore
Ne'er to knit faith with Henry more,
And strictly hath forbid resort
170From England to his royal court;
Yet, for he knows Lord Marmion's name,
And honours much his warlike fame,
My liege hath deem'd it shame, and lack
Of courtesy, to turn him back;
175And, by his order, I, your guide,
Must lodging fit and fair provide,
Till finds King James meet time to see
The flower of English chivalry.'

IX.
Though inly chafed at this delay,
180Lord Marmion bears it as he may.
The Palmer, his mysterious guide,
Beholding thus his place supplied,
 Sought to take leave in vain:
Strict was the Lion-King's command,
185That none, who rode in Marmion's band,
 Should sever from the train:
'England has here enow of spies
In Lady Heron's witching eyes;'
To Marchmount thus, apart, he said,
190But fair pretext to Marmion made.
The right hand path they now decline,
And trace against the stream the Tyne.

X.
At length up that wild dale they wind,
 Where Crichtoun Castle crowns the bank;
195For there the Lion's care assign'd
 A lodging meet for Marmion's rank.
That Castle rises on the steep
 Of the green vale of Tyne: