Marmion . on that dangerous ford, and to the Tweed Leafs eddies creep He ventured desperately:And not a moment will he squire, or groom, before him ride;Headmost of all he stems the tide, And stems it held Clare u])on her shore. Old Hubert led her rein,Stoutly they braved the currents , though far downward driven per force, The southern bank they gain;Behind them straggling, came to shore. As best they might, the train:Each oer his head his yew-bow bore, A caution not in vain;Deep need that day that every string,By wet unharmed, should sharply r
Marmion . on that dangerous ford, and to the Tweed Leafs eddies creep He ventured desperately:And not a moment will he squire, or groom, before him ride;Headmost of all he stems the tide, And stems it held Clare u])on her shore. Old Hubert led her rein,Stoutly they braved the currents , though far downward driven per force, The southern bank they gain;Behind them straggling, came to shore. As best they might, the train:Each oer his head his yew-bow bore, A caution not in vain;Deep need that day that every string,By wet unharmed, should sharply moment then Lord Marmion breathed his steed, his men arrayed, Then forward moved his band,Until, Lord Surreys rear-guard won, CANTO VI. THE BATTLE. 269 He halted by a Cross of Stone,That, on a hillock standing lone,Did all the field command. XXIIl. Hence might they see the full arrayOf either host, for deadly fray ;Their marshalled lines stretched east and west,And fronted north and south,. /y// ^N ^ And distant salutation passed From the loud cannon mouth;Not in the close successive rattle,That breathes the voice of modern battle. But slow and far between. —The hillock gained, Lord Marmion stayed: Here, by this Cross, he gently said, You well may view the shalt thou tarry, lovely Clare:Oh! think of ]\rarmion in thy prayer! — 270 MARMION. canto vi. Thou wilt not? — well, no less my careShall, Avatchfiil, for thy weal prepare. —You, Blount and Eustace, are her guard. With ten ])icked archers of my train;With England if the day go hard, To Berwick speed amain, —But if we conquer, cruel spoils shall at your feet he laid, When here we meet waited not for answer would not mark the maids despair. Nor heed the discontented lookFrom either squire; but spurred , dashing through the battle-])lain. His way to Surrey took. XXIV. — The good Lord Marmion, by my life. Welcome to dangers hour ! —Short greeting serves
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