By narrow draw-bridge, outworks strong, Through studded gates, an entrance long, It was a wide and stately square : Around were lodgings, fit and fair, Here did they rest.—The princely care Of Douglas why should I declare, Or r say they met reception fair? Or why the tidings say, Which, varying, to Tantallon came, By hurrying posts, or fleeter fame, With every varying day? And, first, they heard King James had won But whispered news there came, King James was dallying off the day Go seek them there, and see: Mine is a tale of Flodden field, And not a history.▬▬ At length, they heard the Scottish host Had gathered in the Southern land, And marched into Northumberland, And camp at Wooler ta'en. Marmion, like charger in the stall, Began to chafe, and swear :— "A sorry thing to hide my head In castle, like a fearful maid, When such a field is near! No longer in his halls I'll stay."-- END OF CANTO FIFTH. |