Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/52

XV.
The Captain mark'd his alter'd look,
230 And gave a squire the sign;
A mighty wassell-bowl he took,
 And crown'd it high with wine.
'Now pledge me here, Lord Marmion:
 But first I pray thee fair,
235Where hast thou left that page of thine,
 That used to serve thy cup of wine,
 Whose beauty was so rare?
When last in Raby towers we met,
 The boy I closely eyed,
240And often mark'd his cheeks were wet,
 With tears he fain would hide:
His was no rugged horse-boy's hand,
To burnish shield or sharpen brand,
 Or saddle battle-steed;
245But meeter seem'd for lady fair,
To fan her cheek, or curl her hair,
Or through embroidery, rich and rare,
 The slender silk to lead:
His skin was fair, his ringlets gold,
250 His bosom—when he sigh'd,
The russet doublet's rugged fold
 Could scarce repel its pride!
Say, hast thou given that lovely youth
 To serve in lady's bower?
255Or was the gentle page, in sooth,
 A gentle paramour?'

XVI.
Lord Marmion ill could brook such jest;
 He roll'd his kindling eye,
With pain his rising wrath suppress'd,
260 Yet made a calm reply:
'That boy thou thought'st so goodly fair,
 He might not brook the northern air.