Here
Marmion, his train, and Lady Clare, were given entertainment for the
night.
"'Next morn, the baron climb'd the tower,
To view afar the Scottish power,
Encamped on Flodden edge:
The white pavilions made a show,
Like remnants of the winter snow,
Along the dusky ridge.
Lord Marmion look'd:--at length his eye
Unusual movement might descry.
Their ranks inclining, wheeling, bending,
Now drawing back, and now descending,
The skilful Marmion well could know,
They watched the motions of some foe."
Even so it was. The Scots from Flodden ridge saw the English host leave
Barmore-wood and cross the river Till. Why did Scotland's hosts stand
idle? What checked the fiery James, that he sat inactive on his steed
and saw Surrey place the English army between Scotland and Scotland's
army? O Douglas! O Wallace! O Bruce! for one hour of thy leadership to
rule the fight! The precious hour passed,--the hour when in crossing the
river, the English might have been destroyed.
"From fate's dark book a leaf been torn,
And Flodden had been Bannockbourne!"
Fitz-Eustace called to Blount, and both to Marmion,
"'Lord Surrey's o'er the Till!'"
The spirit of war flowed in every vein.
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