Page:Marmion - Walter Scott (ed. Bayne, 1889).pdf/175

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CANTO V.
145
Such acts to chronicles I yield; Go seek them there, and see:Mine is a tale of Flodden Field, And not a history.—1015At length they heard the Scottish hostOn that high ridge had made their post, Which frowns o'er Millfield Plain;And that brave Surrey many a bandHad gather'd in the Southern land,1020And march'd into Northumberland, And camp at Wooler ta'en.Marmion, like charger in the stall,That hears, without, the trumpet-call, Began to chafe, and swear:—1025'A sorry thing to hide my headIn castle, like a fearful maid, When such a field is near!Needs must I see this battle-day:Death to my fame if such a fray1030Were fought, and Marmion away!The Douglas, too, I wot not why,Hath 'bated of his courtesy:No longer in his halls I'll stay.'Then bade his band they should array1035For march against the dawning day.
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