V. Next, Marmion mark'd the Celtic race Of different language, form, and face, A various race of man; Just then the chiefs their tribes array'd, And wild and garish semblance made, The chequer'd trews, and belted plaid, And varying notes the war-pipes bray'd, To every varying clan; Wild through the red or sable hair Look'd out their eyes, with savage stare, On Marmion as he past; Their legs above the knee were bare; Their frame was sinewy, short, and spare, And harden'd to the blast; Of taller race, the chiefs they own The hunted red-deer's undress'd hide The graceful bonnet deck'd their head; Back from their shoulders hung the plaid. 6 A broadsword of unwieldy length, A dagger proved for edge and strength, A studded targe they wore, And quivers, bows, and shafts,-but, O! Short was the shaft, and weak the bow, The Isles-men carried at their backs The ancient Danish battle-axe. They raised a wild and wondering cry, As with his guide rode Marmion by. Loud were their clamouring tongues, as when The clanging sea-fowl leave the fen, And, with their cries discordant mix'd, Grumbled and yell'd the pipes betwixt. VI. Thus through the Scottish camp they pass'd, And reach'd the City gate at last, Where all around, a wakeful guard, Arm❜d burghers kept their watch and ward Well had they cause of jealous fear, When lay encamp'd, in field so near, Or toil'd the swarthy smith to wheel Of jarring grindstone was applied. Page, groom, and squire, with hurrying pace, Bore lance, or casque, or sword; While burghers, with important face, Discuss'd his lineage, told his name, Which high o'erlook'd the crowded street; VOL. III. Following-Feudal retainers. B There must the Baron rest, Till past the hour of vesper tide, Such was the King's behest. Meanwhile the Lion's care assigns And when the appointed hour succeeds, And following Lindesay as he leads, The palace-halls they gain. VII. Old Holy-Rood rung merrily, That night, with wassel, mirth, and glee: King James within her princely bower Well loved that splendid monarch aye The banquet and the song, By day the tourney, and by night The merry dance, traced fast and light, The masquers quaint, the pageant bright, The revel loud and long. This feast outshone his banquets past; It was his blithest,-and his last. The dazzling lamps, from gallery gay, Courted the ladies of their heart, Nor courted them in vain ; For often in the parting hour, Victorious Love asserts his power |