164
MARMION.
To Surrey's camp to ride;
He had safe-conduct for his band,
Beneath the royal seal and hand,
385 And Douglas gave a guide:
The ancient Earl, with stately grace,
Would Clara on her palfrey place,
And whisper'd in an under tone,
'Let the hawk stoop, his prey is flown.'—
390The train from out the castle drew,
But Marmion stopp'd to bid adieu:—
'Though something I might plain,' he said,
'Of cold respect to stranger guest,
Sent hither by your King's behest,
395 While in Tantallon's towers I staid;
Part we in friendship from your land,
And, noble Earl, receive my hand.'—
But Douglas round him drew his cloak,
Folded his arms, and thus he spoke:—
400'My manors, halls, and bowers, shall still
Be open, at my Sovereign's will,
To each one whom he lists, howe'er
Unmeet to be the owner's peer.
My castles are my King's alone,
405From turret to foundation-stone—
The hand of Douglas is his own;
And never shall in friendly grasp
The hand of such as Marmion clasp.'—
He had safe-conduct for his band,
Beneath the royal seal and hand,
385 And Douglas gave a guide:
The ancient Earl, with stately grace,
Would Clara on her palfrey place,
And whisper'd in an under tone,
'Let the hawk stoop, his prey is flown.'—
390The train from out the castle drew,
But Marmion stopp'd to bid adieu:—
'Though something I might plain,' he said,
'Of cold respect to stranger guest,
Sent hither by your King's behest,
395 While in Tantallon's towers I staid;
Part we in friendship from your land,
And, noble Earl, receive my hand.'—
But Douglas round him drew his cloak,
Folded his arms, and thus he spoke:—
400'My manors, halls, and bowers, shall still
Be open, at my Sovereign's will,
To each one whom he lists, howe'er
Unmeet to be the owner's peer.
My castles are my King's alone,
405From turret to foundation-stone—
The hand of Douglas is his own;
And never shall in friendly grasp
The hand of such as Marmion clasp.'—
XIV.
Burn'd Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire,
410And shook his very frame for ire,
And—'This to me!' he said,
'An 'twere not for thy hoary beard,
Such hand as Marmion's had not spared
To cleave the Douglas' head!
415And, first, I tell thee, haughty Peer,
He, who does England's message here,
Although the meanest in her state,
May well, proud Angus, be thy mate:
Burn'd Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire,
410And shook his very frame for ire,
And—'This to me!' he said,
'An 'twere not for thy hoary beard,
Such hand as Marmion's had not spared
To cleave the Douglas' head!
415And, first, I tell thee, haughty Peer,
He, who does England's message here,
Although the meanest in her state,
May well, proud Angus, be thy mate:
