XXIV.

“The good Lord Marmion, by my life! Welcome to danger’s hour! Short greeting serves in time of strife: Thus have I ranged my power: Myself will rule this central host, Stout Stanley fronts their right, My sons command the vaward post, With Brian Tunstall, stainless knight: Lord Dacre, with his horsemen light, Shall be in rearward of the fight, And succour those that need it most. Now, gallant Marmion, well I know, Would gladly to the vanguard go; Edmund, the Admiral, Tunstall there, With thee their charge will blithely share: There fight thine own retainers too, Beneath De Burg, thy steward true.” “Thanks, noble Surrey!” Marmion said, Nor farther greeting there he paid; But, parting like a thunderbolt, First in the vanguard made a halt, Where such a shout there rose Of “Marmion! Marmion!” that the cry Up Flodden mountain shrilling high, Startled the Scottish foes.