XXXI.

The Abbess, seeing strife was vain, Assumed her wonted state again— For much of state she had— Composed her veil, and raised her head, And—“Bid,” in solemn voice she said, “Thy master, bold and bad, The records of his house turn o’er, And when he shall there written see, That one of his own ancestry Drove the monks forth of Coventry, Bid him his fate explore. Prancing in pride of earthly trust, His charger hurled him to the dust, And, by a base plebeian thrust, He died his band before. God judge ’twixt Marmion and me; He is a chief of high degree, And I a poor recluse; Yet oft, in Holy Writ, we see Even such weak minister as me May the oppressor bruise: For thus, inspired, did Judith slay The mighty in his sin, And Jael thus, and Deborah”— Here hasty Blount broke in:— “Fitz-Eustace, we must march our band; Saint Anton’ fire thee! wilt thou stand All day, with bonnet in thy hand, To hear the lady preach? By this good light! if thus we stay, Lord Marmion, for our fond delay, Will sharper sermon teach. Come, don thy cap, and mount thy horse; The dame must patience take perforce.”