Lord Marmion rode on his right hand, The Palmer still was with the band; Angus, like Lindesay, did command, That none should roam at large. Of marvels wrought by single hand, And still looked high, as if he planned Some desperate deed afar. His courser would he feed, and stroke, And, tucking up his sable frock, Would first his metal bold provoke, Then soothe, or quell his pride. Old Hubert said, that never one A steed so fairly ride. XXVIII. Some half-hour's march behind, there came, By Eustace governed fair, A troop escorting Hilda's Dame, With all her nuns, and Clare. No audience had Lord Marmion sought; Ever he feared to aggravate Clara de Clare's suspicious hate; And safer 'twas, he thought, To wait till, from the nuns removed, And suit by Henry's self approved, His was no flickering flame, that dies He longed to stretch his wide command Yet conquest by that meanness won, Led him, at times, to hate the cause, Which made him burst through honour's laws. If e'er he loved, 'twas her alone, Who died within that vault of stone. XXIX. And now, when close at hand they saw Whose turrets viewed afar, The lofty Bass, the Lambie Isle, And prayed Saint Hilda's Abbess rest Glad was the Abbess, you may guess, And tedious were to tell, I ween, The courteous speech that passed between. Fair lady, grieve e'en from my heart, Such gentle company to part. Think not discourtesy, But lords' commands must be obeyed; And Marmion and the Douglas said, That you must wend with me. Lord Marmion hath a letter broad, Which to the Scottish Earl he showed, Commanding, that, beneath his care, To your good kinsman, Lord Fitz-Clare.” XXX. The startled Abbess loud exclaimed ; 66 They dare not tear thee from my hand, To ride alone with armed band." 66 Nay, holy mother, nay," Fitz-Eustace said, "the lovely Clare Will be in Lady Angus' care, In Scotland while we stay; And, when we move, an easy ride Befitting Gloster's heir; Nor thinks, nor dreams, my noble lord, By slightest look, or act, or word, To harass Lady Clare. Her faithful guardian he will be, Nor sue for slightest courtesy |