'"
As they marshalled him to the castle hall, the guests stood aside, and
again the trumpets flourished, and the heralds cried:
"'Room, lordlings, room for Lord Marmion,
With the crest and helm of gold!
Full well we know the trophies won
In the lists at Cottiswold:
There, vainly Ralph de Wilton strove
'Gainst Marmion's force to stand;
To him he lost his lady-love,
And to the King his land.
Ourselves beheld the listed field,
A sight both sad and fair;
We saw Lord Marmion pierce the shield,
And saw the saddle bare;
We saw the victor win the crest
He wears with worthy pride;
And on the gibbet-tree, reversed,
His foeman's scutcheon tied.
Place, nobles, for the Falcon-Knight!
Room, room, ye gentles gay,
For him who conquered in the right,
Marmion of Fontenaye!'"
As the welcome died away, forth stepped Sir Hugh, lord of the castle. He
led his visitor to the raised dais and placed him in the seat of honor,
while a northern harper chanted a rude hymn. The ear of Marmion could
scarcely brook the barbarous sound, yet much he praised, well knowing
that,
"Lady's suit, and minstrel's strain,
By knight should ne'er be heard in vain.
Pages:
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25