MARMION.

CANTO SIXTH.

The Battle.

MARMION.

CANTO SIXTH.

The Battle.

1.

WHILE great events were on the gale,
And each hour brought a varying tale,
And the demeanour changed and cold,
Of Douglas, fretted Marmion bold,
And, like the impatient steed of war,
He snuff'd the battle from afar ;

And hopes were none, that back again
Herald should come from Terouenne,

Where England's King in leaguer lay,

Before decisive battle-day;

While these things were, the mournful Clare

Did in the Dame's devotions share :

For the good Countess ceaseless pray'd

To Heaven and Saints, her sons to aid,
And, with short interval, did pass

From prayer to book, from book to mass,

And all in high baronial pride,—

A life both dull and dignified;

Yet as Lord Marmion nothing press'd

Upon her intervals of rest,

Dejected Clara well could bear

The formal state, the lengthen'd prayer;
Though dearest to her wounded heart

The hours that she might spend apart.

II.

I said, Tantallon's dizzy steep

Hung o'er the margin of the deep.