A truant-boy, I sought the nest, While rose, on breezes thin, Saint Giles's mingling din. And o'er the landscape as I look, XXV. But different far the change has been,1 Thousands on thousands there were seen, In crossing ranks extending far, Oft giving way, where still there stood Some relics of the old oak wood, And tamed the glaring white with green : In these extended lines there lay A martial kingdom's vast array. XXVI. For from Hebudes, dark with rain, 1 MS." But, oh! far different change has been, Since Marmion, from the crown Of Blackford-hill, upon the scene 2 See Appendix, Note 3 E. 3 MS." A thousand said the verse? I ween, Thousands on thousands there were seen, That whitened all the heath between." 4 Here ends the stanza in the MS. Seven culverins so called, cast by one Borthwick. XXVII. Thin curling in the morning air, The wreaths of failing smoke declare To embers now the brands decay'd, By sluggish oxen tugg'd to war; And there were Borthwick's Sisters Seven,5 XXVIII. Nor mark'd they less, where in the air Highest and midmost, was descried The staff, a pine-tree, strong and straight, Yet bent beneath the standard's weight Whene'er the western wind unroll'd, With toil, the huge and cumbrous fold, And gave to view the dazzling field, Where, in proud Scotland's royal shield, The ruddy lion ramp'd in gold. XXIX. Lord Marmion view'd the landscape bright,-10 Until within him burn'd his heart, Such glance did falcon never dart, For, by St. George, were that host mine, In glorious battle-fray!" 6 Each of these feudal ensigns intimated the different rank of those entitled to display them. 7 See Appendix, Note 3 F. 8 MS." The standard staff, a mountain pine, Pitch'd in a huge memorial stone, That still in monument is shown." 9 See Appendix, Note 3 G. 10 MS." Lord Marmion's large dark eye flash'd light, It kindled with a chief's delight, For glow'd with martial joy his heart, As upon battle-day." |