Marmion

CANTO FIFTH. THE COURT.

I.

The train has left the hills of Braid; 
The barrier guard have open made 
(So Lindesay bade) the palisade, 
  That closed the tented ground; 
Their men the warders backward drew, 
And carried pikes as they rode through, 
  Into its ample bound.

Fast ran the Scottish warriors there, 
Upon the Southern band to stare. 
And envy with their wonder rose, 
To see such well-appointed foes; 
Such length of shafts, such mighty bows, 
So huge, that many simply thought, 
But for a vaunt such weapons wrought;

And little deem’d their force to feel, 
Through links of mail, and plates of steel, 
When rattling upon Flodden vale, 
The cloth-yard arrows flew like hail.

II.

Nor less did Marmion’s skilful view 
Glance every line and squadron through; 
And much he marvell’d one small land 
Could marshal forth such various band; 
  For men-at-arms were here, 
Heavily sheathed in mail and plate, 
Like iron towers for strength and weight, 
On Flemish steeds of bone and height, 
  With battle-axe and spear.

Young knights and squires, a lighter train, 
Practised their chargers on the plain, 
By aid of leg, of hand, and rein,        
  Each warlike feat to show,

To pass, to wheel, the croupe to gain, 
And high curvett, that not in vain 
The sword sway might descend amain 
  On foeman’s casque below.             

He saw the hardy burghers there 
March arm’d, on foot, with faces bare, 
  For vizor they wore none, 
Nor waving plume, nor crest of knight; 
But burnish’d were their corslets bright, 
Their brigantines, and gorgets light, 
  Like very silver shone.

Long pikes they had for standing fight, 
  Two-handed swords they wore, 
And many wielded mace of weight, 
  And bucklers bright they bore. 

III.

On foot the yeoman too, but dress’d
In his steel-jack, a swarthy vest,
  With iron quilted well;
Each at his back (a slender store) 
His forty days’ provision bore,
  As feudal statutes tell.

His arms were halbert, axe, or spear,
A crossbow there, a hagbut here,
  A dagger-knife, and brand.