From me, thus nurtured, dost thou ask The classic poet's well-conned task? Nay, Erskine, nay-on the wild hill Let the wild heathbell flourish still ; Cherish the tulip, prune the vine, But freely let the woodbine twine, And leave untrimmed the eglantine : Nay, my friend, nay—since oft thy praise Hath given fresh vigour to my lays, Since oft thy judgment could refine My flattened thought, or cumbrous line, Still kind, as is thy wont, attend, And in the minstrel spare the friend Though wild as cloud, as stream, as gale, Flow forth, flow unrestrained, my tale. R MARMION. CANTO THIRD. The Hostel, or Inn. I. THE livelong day Lord Marmion rode : |