XVI.

The day in Marmion’s journey wore; Yet, ere his passion’s gust was o’er, They crossed the heights of Stanrig Moor. His troop more closely there he scanned, And missed the Palmer from the band. “Palmer or not,” young Blount did say, “He parted at the peep of day; Good sooth it was in strange array.” “In what array?” said Marmion, quick. “My lord, I ill can spell the trick; But all night long, with clink and bang, Close to my couch did hammers clang; At dawn the falling drawbridge rang, And from a loophole while I peep, Old Bell-the-Cat came from the keep, Wrapped in a gown of sables fair, As fearful of the morning air; Beneath, when that was blown aside, A rusty shirt of mail I spied, By Archibald won in bloody work Against the Saracen and Turk: Last night it hung not in the hall; I thought some marvel would befall. And next I saw them saddled lead Old Cheviot forth, the earl’s best steed; A matchless horse, though something old, Prompt in his paces, cool, and bold. I heard the sheriff Sholto say, The earl did much the master pray To use him on the battle-day; But he preferred”—“Nay, Henry, cease Thou sworn horse-courser, hold thy peace. Eustace, thou bear’st a brain—I pray What did Blount see at break of day?”