MARMION. CANTO FOURTH. The Camp. I. EUSTACE, I said, did blithely mark The first notes of the merry lark. The lark sung shrill, the cock he crew, But soon their mood was changed; Of something disarranged. Some clamour'd loud for armour lost; Some brawl'd and wrangled with the host; Last night he dress'd him sleek and fair. Old Hubert shouts, in fear and wonder, "Help, gentle Blount! help, comrades all! Bevis lies dying in his stall: To Marmion who the plight dare tell, Of the good steed he loves so well?"— Gaping for fear and ruth, they saw The charger panting on his straw; Till one, who would seem wisest, cried, "What else but evil could betide, With that cursed Palmer for our guide? Better we had through mire and bush Been lantern-led by Friar Rush.”* II. Fitz-Eustace, who the cause but guess'd, Nor wholly understood, His comrades' clamorous plaints suppress'd; He knew Lord Marmion's mood. Him, ere he issued forth, he sought, And found deep plunged in gloomy thought, And did his tale display Simply, as if he knew of nought To cause such disarray. Lord Marmion gave attention cold, Pass'd them as accidents of course, And bade his clarions sound to horse. *Alias Will o' the Wisp.-See Note. |