XXX.

Fitz-Eustace follow'd him abroad,

And mark'd him pace the village road,

And listen'd to his horse's tramp,

Till, by the lessening sound,

He judged that of the Pictish camp Lord Marmion sought the round. Wonder it seem'd, in the squire's eyes, That one, so wary held, and wise,Of whom 'twas said, he scarce received For gospel, what the church believed,— Should, stirr'd by idle tale,

Ride forth in silence of the night,

As hoping half to meet a sprite,
Array'd in plate and mail.

For little did Fitz-Eustace know,

That passions, in contending flow,

Unfix the strongest mind;

Wearied from doubt to doubt to flee,

We welcome fond credulity,

Guide confident, though blind.

XXXI.

Little for this Fitz-Eustace cared,

But, patient, waited till he heard,

At distance, prick'd to utmost speed,

The foot-tramp of a flying steed,
Come town-ward rushing on;

First, dead, as if on turf it trode,
Then, clattering on the village road—

In other pace than forth he yode*

Return'd Lord Marmion.

Down hastily he sprung from selle,
And, in his haste, well nigh he fell;
To the squire's hand the rein he threw,
And spoke no word as he withdrew :
But yet the moonlight did betray,
The falcon-crest was soil'd with clay;
And plainly might Fitz-Eustace see,
By stains upon the charger's knee,
And his left side, that on the moor
He had not kept his footing sure.

* Used by old poets for went.

Long musing on these wondrous signs, At length to rest the squire reclines, Broken and short; for still, between, Would dreams of terror intervene : Eustace did ne'er so blithely mark

The first notes of the morning lark.

END OF CANTO THIRD.

MARMION.

Introduction to Canto Fourth.