CANTO II.
55
And well my folly's meed he gave,
Who forfeited, to be his slave,
All here, and all beyond the grave.—
He saw young Clara's face more fair,
510He knew her of broad lands the heir,
Forgot his vows, his faith forswore,
And Constance was beloved no more.—
'Tis an old tale, and often told;
But did my fate and wish agree,
515 Ne'er had been read, in story old,
Of maiden true betray'd for gold,
That loved, or was avenged, like me!
Who forfeited, to be his slave,
All here, and all beyond the grave.—
He saw young Clara's face more fair,
510He knew her of broad lands the heir,
Forgot his vows, his faith forswore,
And Constance was beloved no more.—
'Tis an old tale, and often told;
But did my fate and wish agree,
515 Ne'er had been read, in story old,
Of maiden true betray'd for gold,
That loved, or was avenged, like me!
XXVIII.
'The King approved his favourite's aim;
In vain a rival barr'd his claim,
520 Whose fate with Clare's was plight,
For he attaints that rival's fame
With treason's charge—and on they came,
In mortal lists to fight.
Their oaths are said,
525 Their prayers are pray'd,
Their lances in the rest are laid,
They meet in mortal shock;
And hark! the throng, with thundering cry,
Shout "Marmion, Marmion I to the sky,
530 De Wilton to the block!"
Say ye, who preach Heaven shall decide
When in the lists two champions ride,
Say, was Heaven's justice here?
When, loyal in his love and faith,
535Wilton found overthrow or death,
Beneath a traitor's spear?
How false the charge, how true he fell,
This guilty packet best can tell.'—
Then drew a packet from her breast,
540Paused, gather'd voice, and spoke the rest.
'The King approved his favourite's aim;
In vain a rival barr'd his claim,
520 Whose fate with Clare's was plight,
For he attaints that rival's fame
With treason's charge—and on they came,
In mortal lists to fight.
Their oaths are said,
525 Their prayers are pray'd,
Their lances in the rest are laid,
They meet in mortal shock;
And hark! the throng, with thundering cry,
Shout "Marmion, Marmion I to the sky,
530 De Wilton to the block!"
Say ye, who preach Heaven shall decide
When in the lists two champions ride,
Say, was Heaven's justice here?
When, loyal in his love and faith,
535Wilton found overthrow or death,
Beneath a traitor's spear?
How false the charge, how true he fell,
This guilty packet best can tell.'—
Then drew a packet from her breast,
540Paused, gather'd voice, and spoke the rest.
