Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

III.

On foot the yeoman too, but dressed

In his steel jack, a swarthy vest,

With iron quilted well;

Each at his back, a slender store,
His forty days provision bore,

As feudal statutes tell.

His arms were halbard, axe, or spear,
A cross-bow there, a hagbut here,
A dagger-knife, and brand.—
Sober he seemed, and sad of cheer,
As loth to leave his cottage dear,
And march to foreign strand,

Or musing, who would guide his steer,
To till the fallow land.

Yet deem not in his thoughtful eye

Did aught of dastard terror lie,—

More dreadful far his ire,

Than theirs, who, scorning danger's name,

In eager mood to battle came,

Their valour like light straw on flame,
A fierce but fading fire.

IV.

Not so the Borderer :-bred to war,
He knew the battle's din afar,

And joyed to hear it swell.

His peaceful day was slothful ease;
Nor harp, nor pipe, his ear could please,

Like the loud slogan yell.

On active steed, with lance and blade,

The light-armed pricker plied his trade,— Let nobles fight for fame;

Let vassals follow where they lead,
Burghers, to guard their townships, bleed,
But war's the Borderers' game.

Their gain, their glory, their delight,
To sleep the day, maraud the night,

O'er mountain, moss, and moor;

Joyful to fight they took their way,

Scarce caring who might win the day,
Their booty was secure.

These, as Lord Marmion's train passed by,
Looked on, at first, with careless eye,
Nor marvelled aught, well taught to know
The form and force of English bow.
But when they saw the Lord arrayed
In splendid arms, and rich brocade,
Each Borderer to his kinsman said,-

66

Hist, Ringan! seest thou there!

Canst guess which road they'll homeward ride?

O! could we but, on Border side,

By Eusedale glen, or Liddell's tide,

Beset a prize so fair!

That fangless Lion, too, their guide,
Might chance to lose his glistering hide ;
Brown Maudlin of that doublet pied,

Could make a kirtle rare."

V.

Next Marmion marked the Celtic race,
Of different language, form, and face,
A various race of man;

Just then the chiefs their tribes arrayed,
And wild and garish semblance made,
The chequered trews, and belted plaid,
And varying notes the war-pipes brayed
To every varying clan ;

Wild through their red or sable hair
Looked 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 hardened to the blast;

Of taller race the chiefs they own
Were by the eagle's plumage known.
The hunted red-deer's undressed hide
Their hairy buskins well supplied;
The graceful bonnet decked their head;
Back from their shoulders hung the plaid ;

A broad-sword 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,

To that which England bore.

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 mixed,
Grumbled and yelled the pipes betwixt.

VI.

Thus through the Scottish camp they passed, And reached the City gate at last,

Where all around, a wakeful guard,

Armed burghers kept their watch and ward.

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »