Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/51

195He led Lord Marmion to the deas,
 Raised o'er the pavement high,
And placed him in the upper place—
 They feasted full and high;
The whiles a Northern harper rude
200Chanted a rhyme of deadly feud,
 'How the fierce Thirwalls, and Ridleys all,
  Stout Willimondswick,
   And Hardriding Dick,
 And Hughie of Hawdon, and Will o' the Wall,
205Have set on Sir Albany Featherstonhaugh,
And taken his life at the Deadman's-shaw.'
 Scantly Lord Marmion's ear could brook
  The harper's barbarous lay;
 Yet much he praised the pains he took,
210  And well those pains did pay
For lady's suit, and minstrel's strain,
By knight should ne'er be heard in vain,

XIV.
'Now, good Lord Marmion,' Heron says,
 'Of your fair courtesy,
215I pray you bide some little space
 In this poor tower with me.
Here may you keep your arms from rust,
 May breathe your war-horse well;
Seldom hath pass'd a week but giust
220 Or feat of arms befell:
The Scots can rein a mettled steed;
 And love to couch a spear:—
Saint George! a stirring life they lead,
 That have such neighbours near.
225Then stay with us a little space,
 Our northern wars to learn;
I pray you, for your lady's grace!'—
 Lord Marmion's brow grew stern.