46 THE HISTORY OF NEWMARKET. [Book I. 



hopeless, and having seen the king out of danger, he bade 

 him farewell, and, turning his horse, rode back to the enemy, 

 shouting that he was not used to fly, charged into the thick 

 of the fight, and soon met that death which he sought. 



Sir Walter Scott gives the following poetic picture of the 

 defeat of Edward II., and the fate of Argentine : — 



Already scatter'd o'er the plain, 

 Reproof, command, and counsel vain, 

 The rearward squadrons fled amain, 



Or made but doubtful stay ; — 

 But when they mark'd the seeming show 

 Of fresh and fierce and marshall'd foe, 



The boldest broke array. 



give their hapless prince his due ! 

 In vain the royal Edward threw 



His person 'mid the spears. 

 Cried, " Fight ! " to terror and despair, 

 Menaced, and wept, and tore his hair, 



And cursed their caitiff fears ; 

 Till Pembroke turn'd his bridle rein. 

 And forced him from the fatal plain. 

 With them rode Argentine, until 

 They gain'd the summit of the hill, 



But quitted there the train : — 

 " In yonder field a gage I left — 



1 must not live of fame bereft ; 



I needs must turn again. 

 Speeds hence, my Liege, for on your trace 

 The fiery Douglas takes the chase. 



I know his banner well. 

 God send my Sovereign joy and bliss. 

 And many a happier field than this ! — 



Once more, my Liege, farewell." 



Again he faced the battle-field,— 



Wildly they fly, are slain, or yield, 



" Now then," he said, and couch'd his spear, 



" My course is run, the goal is near : 



One effort more, one brave career, 



Must close this race of mine." 

 Then in his stirrups rising high, 

 He shouted loud his battle-cry, 



" Saint James for Argentine ! " 

 And, of the bold pursuers, four 

 The gallant knight from saddle bore ; 



