Marmion by Bayne, Thomas, Scott, Walter, Sir, 1771-1832

Warm'd by such names, well may we then, Though dwindled sons of little men, 285 Essay to break a feeble lance In the fair fields of old romance; Or seek the moated castle's cell, Where long through talisman and spell, While tyrants ruled, and damsels wept, 290 Thy Genius, Chivalry, hath slept: There sound the harpings of the North, Till he awake and sally forth, On venturous quest to prick again, In all his arms, with all his train, 295 Shield, lance, and brand, and plume, and scarf, Fay, giant, dragon, squire, and dwarf, And wizard with his wand of might, And errant maid on palfrey white. Around the Genius weave their spells, 300 Pure Love, who scarce his passion tells; Mystery, half veil'd and half reveal'd; And Honour, with his spotless shield; Attention, with fix'd eye; and Fear, That loves the tale she shrinks to hear; 305 And gentle Courtesy; and Faith, Unchanged by sufferings, time, or death; And Valour, lion-mettled lord, Leaning upon his own good sword. Well has thy fair achievement shown, 310 A worthy meed may thus be won; Ytene's oaks--beneath whose shade Their theme the merry minstrels made, Of Ascapart, and Bevis bold, And that Red King, who, while of old, 315 Through Boldrewood the chase he led, By his loved huntsman's arrow bled-- Ytene's oaks have heard again Renew'd such legendary strain; For thou hast sung, how He of Gaul, 320 That Amadis so famed in hall, For Oriana, foil'd in fight The Necromancer's felon might; And well in modern verse hast wove Partenopex's mystic love; 325 Hear, then, attentive to my lay, A knightly tale of Albion's elder day.

CANTO FIRST.

THE CASTLE.

I.