XIII.

Then stepped, to meet that noble lord, Sir Hugh the Heron bold, Baron of Twisell and of Ford, And captain of the hold. He led Lord Marmion to the dais, Raised o’er the pavement high, And placed him in the upper place— They feasted full and high: The whiles a Northern harper rude Chanted a rhyme of deadly feud, “_How the fierce Thirwalls_, _and Ridleys all_, _Stout Willimondswick_, _And Hardriding Dick_, _And Hughie of Hawdon_, _and Will o’ the Wall_, _Have set on Sir Albany Featherstonhaugh_, _And taken his life at the Deadman’s-shaw_.” Scantly Lord Marmion’s ear could brook The harper’s barbarous lay; Yet much he praised the pains he took, And well those pains did pay: For lady’s suit and minstrel’s strain, By knight should ne’er be heard in vain.