Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/136

XXVII.
Thin curling in the morning air,
550The wreaths of failing smoke declare
To embers now the brands decay'd,
Where the night-watch their fires had made.
They saw, slow rolling on the plain,
Full many a baggage-cart and wain,
555And dire artillery's clumsy car,
By sluggish oxen tugg'd to war;
And there were Borthwick's Sisters Seven,
And culverins which France had given.
Ill-omen'd gift! the guns remain
560The conqueror's spoil on Flodden plain.

XXVIII.
Nor mark'd they less, where in the air
A thousand streamers flaunted fair;
 Various in shape, device, and hue,
 Green, sanguine, purple, red, and blue,
565Broad, narrow, swallow-tail'd, and square,
Scroll, pennon, pensil, bandrol, there
 O'er the pavilions flew.
Highest, and midmost, was descried
The royal banner floating wide;
570 The staff, a pine-tree, strong and straight,
Pitch'd deeply in a massive stone,
Which still in memory is shown,
 Yet bent beneath the standard's weight
  Whene'er the western wind unroll'd,
575  With toil, the huge and cumbrous fold,
And gave to view the dazzling field,
Where, in proud Scotland's royal shield,
  The ruddy lion ramp'd in gold.

XXIX.
Lord Marmion view'd the landscape bright,—
580He view'd it with a chiefs delight,—
 Until within him burn'd his heart,