Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/166

To Wolsey's hand the papers 'bring,
That he may show them to the King:
 And, for thy well-earn'd meed,
Thou holy man, at Whitby's shrine
695A weekly mass shall still be thine,
 While priests can sing and read.—
What ail'st thou?—Speak!'—For as he took
The charge, a strong emotion shook
 His frame; and, ere reply,
700They heard a faint, yet shrilly tone,
Like distant clarion feebly blown,
 That on the breeze did die;
And loud the Abbess shriek'd in fear,
'Saint Withold, save us!—What is here!
705 Look at yon City Cross!
See on its battled tower appear
Phantoms, that scutcheons seem to rear,
And blazon'd banners toss!'—

XXV.
Dun-Edin's Cross, a pillar'd stone,
710Rose on a turret octagon;
 (But now is razed that monument,
  Whence royal edict rang,
 And voice of Scotland's law was sent
  In glorious trumpet-clang.
715O! be his tomb as lead to lead,
Upon its dull destroyer's head!—
A minstrel's malison is said.)—
Then on its battlements they saw
A vision, passing Nature's law,
720 Strange, wild, and dimly seen;
Figures that seem'd to rise and die,
Gibber and sign, advance and fly,
While nought confirm'd could ear or eye
 Discern of sound or mien.
725Yet darkly did it seem, as there
Heralds and Pursuivants prepare,
With trumpet sound, and blazon fair,