118
MARMION.
More dreadful far his ire,
Than theirs, who, scorning danger's name,
65In eager mood to battle came,
Their valour like light straw on name,
A fierce but fading fire.
Than theirs, who, scorning danger's name,
65In eager mood to battle came,
Their valour like light straw on name,
A fierce but fading fire.
IV.
Not so the Borderer:—bred to war,
He knew the battle's din afar,
70 And joy'd to hear it swell.
His peaceful day was slothful ease;
Nor harp, nor pipe, his ear could please,
Like the loud slogan yell.
On active steed, with lance and blade,
75The light-arm'd pricker plied his trade,—
Let nobles fight for fame;
Let vassals follow where they lead,
Burghers, to guard their townships, bleed,
But war's the Borderer's game.
80Their gain, their glory, their delight,
To sleep the day, maraud the night,
O'er mountain, moss, and moor;
Joyful to fight they took their way,
Scarce caring who might win the day,
85 Their booty was secure.
These, as Lord Marmion's train pass'd by,
Look'd on at first with careless eye,
Nor marvell'd aught, well taught to know
The form and force of English bow.
90But when they saw the Lord array'd
In splendid arms, and rich brocade,
Each Borderer to his kinsman said,—
'Hist, Ringan! seest thou there!
Canst guess which road they'll homeward ride?—
95O! could we but on Border side,
By Eusedale glen, or Liddell's tide,
Beset a prize so fair!
Not so the Borderer:—bred to war,
He knew the battle's din afar,
70 And joy'd to hear it swell.
His peaceful day was slothful ease;
Nor harp, nor pipe, his ear could please,
Like the loud slogan yell.
On active steed, with lance and blade,
75The light-arm'd pricker plied his trade,—
Let nobles fight for fame;
Let vassals follow where they lead,
Burghers, to guard their townships, bleed,
But war's the Borderer's game.
80Their gain, their glory, their delight,
To sleep the day, maraud the night,
O'er mountain, moss, and moor;
Joyful to fight they took their way,
Scarce caring who might win the day,
85 Their booty was secure.
These, as Lord Marmion's train pass'd by,
Look'd on at first with careless eye,
Nor marvell'd aught, well taught to know
The form and force of English bow.
90But when they saw the Lord array'd
In splendid arms, and rich brocade,
Each Borderer to his kinsman said,—
'Hist, Ringan! seest thou there!
Canst guess which road they'll homeward ride?—
95O! could we but on Border side,
By Eusedale glen, or Liddell's tide,
Beset a prize so fair!
