And think what next he must have felt, At buckling of the faulchion belt! And judge how Clara changed her hue, While fastening to her lover's side A friend, which, though in danger tried, He once had found untrue! Then Douglas struck him with his blade: "Saint Michael and Saint Andrew aid, I dub thee knight. Arise, Sir Ralph, De Wilton's heir! For king, for church, for lady fair, See that thou fight." And Bishop Gawain, as he rose, Said "Wilton! grieve not for thy woes, Disgrace and trouble; For He, who honour best bestows, May give thee double." De Wilton sobb'd, for sob he must "Where'er I meet a Douglas, trust "Nay, nay," old Angus said, "not so; To Surrey's camp thou now must go, I have two sons in yonder field; And foul fall him that blenches first!". XIII. Not far advanced was morning day, Beneath the royal seal and hand, The ancient Earl, with stately grace, And whisper'd in an under tone, But Marmion stopp'd to bid adieu : "Though something I might plain," he said, "Of cold respect to stranger guest, But Douglas round him drew his cloak, "My manors, halls, and bowers, shall still The hand of Douglas is his own; And never shall in friendly grasp The hand of such as Marmion clasp." XIV. Burn'd Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire, And shook his very frame for ire, r And—” This to me !" he said,— “An 'twere not for thy hoary beard, Such hand as Marmion's had not spared To cleave the Douglas' head! And, first, I tell thee, haughty Peer, Here in thy hold, thy vassals near, And if thou said'st, I am not peer Lowland or Highland, far or near, Fierce he broke forth,-" And darest thou then To beard the lion in his den, The Douglas in his hall? And hopest thou hence unscathed to go?— No, by Saint Bride of Bothwell, no !— Lord Marmion turn'd,-well was his need, Like arrow through the arch-way sprung, Το pass there was such scanty room, The bars, descending, razed his plume. XV. The steed along the drawbridge flies, Just as it trembled on the rise; Not lighter does the swallow skim Along the smooth lake's level brim: And when Lord Marmion reach'd his band, |