228 
sode off, his steed flying along the diaw- 
bridge just as it trembled on the rise. 
‘On reaching the neighbouring hoights 
of Stanridge, Marmion made enyul- 
ry what was become of the Palmer? 
Jo which Blount and Fitz-Eustace re- 
plied, that he parted at the peep of day 
upon the earl’s favorite steed in bright 
armor. Ou this a sudden light broke 
on Marmion, who now comprehended 
that the Palmer was no other than De 
Wilton himself; that he had told his tale 
to Angus, and that this accounted for 
the gloom which hung over the earl’s 
rugged brow. Stung with these thoughts, 
Marmion travelled onwards to the Con- 
vent of Lennel, on the banks of the 
Tweed, where he and his train were hos- 
pitably entertained; and from the tower 
of the monastery, he next morning view 
ed the Scottish power encamped on Flod- 
den edge; and by their movements he 
guessed that the enemy was in view. 
Aud soon he saw the English host pour- 
ing duwn the side of the rocky valley, 
where fows the sullen Vill; and rising 
froin the. dim-wood glen, pressing on 
their ceaseless march to gain the oppo- 
site ascent. Here the poet hieaks out 
jnto a most animated exclamation : 
6 And why stands Sco land idly now 
Dark Flodden! on thy airy brow, 
Since England gains the pass the while ? 
And struggles through the deep defite. 
What checks the fiery soul of James? 
Why sis that champion oj the aanics 
Inactive on his steed ? 
And sees between him and his land, 
Between him and ! weed’s southern strand 
His host Lord Surrey Teao ? 
What vals the vain knight errants brand ? 
O Douglas, tor thy leading wand ! 
Bierce Randolph, for thy speed ! 
© for one hour of Wallace wight, 
Or well skilled Bruce. to rule the fight, 
And cry ¢ Sta Andrew and cur right be 
Another sight hed seen that morn, 
From Fate’s dark book a leat been torne 
And Flodden tad been Bannock bourne ” 
Bidding a parting adieu to the Abbot 
of Lenvel, Marmion, with Clara, and 
his whole gallant traiz, crossed the 
Tweed, at the dangerous ford of Leat ; 
Fitz- Eustace bolding Clara on her horse 
‘while old Hubert Jed her rein; and at 
Jength jomed the bands of Lord Surrey, 
on the southern banks of the river, 
The English commander hailed the ap- 
proach of the brave Marmion with rap- 
ture, and placed him agrecably to his 
wishes in the front of the battle, while 
Blount and Fiz-bustace, with a party of 
areliers, femained as a guard to Clara 
Remarks on the Poetic Romance of Marmion. 
Wy Te seeeet ee 1 Ay ee Oe 
iy a 
. [O Se 
. is f j ; @ nn. 4 7 ” 
in the rear of the army. Ona sudden 
the Scots were seen to fire their tents, 
and to march swiftly down the hill to, 
the attack, and the two armies soon 
alter closed with fury, enveloped in 
clouds of smoke and dust, and sending, 
forth frightful shouts and yells, 
A most spirited description of the ene 
gagement ensues somewhat perhaps too, 
diffuse, and affording, like most other 
descriptions of the same kind, few dis-, 
tinct images. Blount, unable to contain 
his martial ardor, rashed into the fight; 
and, Fitz-Eustace, seeing Marmion’s steed 
flying by them without his rider, his 
housing and saddle bloody red, followed 
the example of his companion; and 
Clara was in that dreadful hour left des- 
titute of protection, At length she saw 
two horsemen drenched in gore bearing 
along a knight desperately wounded, 
who ona nearer view appeared to be 
Marmion himself. Ou taking off his 
casque he seemed momentarily to revive, 
and in a petemptory tone ordered all 
his attendants to depart and leave hia 
alone to die, Clara who had withdrawn. 
from this horrid spectacle, was moved 
to compassion, on hearing Marmion mur- 
mur out the words 
«Is there nore to bring 
One cup of water from the spring, 
To slake my dying thirst 1” 
The ensuing stanza is eminently beaus 
tiful s— , 
<¢Q woman! inour hours of ease 
Uncertain, coy, and hard to please, 
and v-riable as the shade 
By the light quivring aspen made. 
When pain and anguish wring the brow 
A miniscering angel thou !—- 
Scarce were the piteous accents said 
When, with the Baron’s casque, the maid 
To the nigh streamlet ran 5 
Forgot were hatrtd, wrongs and fears, 
The plaintive voice alone she hears, 
Sees but the dying man.” 
On ber return with the water, she dis- 
covered a smonk supporting the bead of 
Marmion, and, after drinking deep of 
the water, he recovered so far as to re 
cognize the person of Clara, and a cons; 
versation scene ensues, in which Mar- 
mion Jearns for the first time the terris 
fic fate of Constance, and he finally ex- 
pires in all the agonies of remorse. The 
batles till raging, the monk bore off the , 
lady to the chapel of Tilmouth on the 
Vuced. At length, chiefly through the 
herv:e exertions of De Wilton, a com- 
plete victory is gained by the English ; 
the King of Scotland, and the peda 
Ss 
