The greensward way was smooth and good, Through Humbie’s and through Saltoun’s wood; A forest glade, which, varying still, Here gave a view of dale and hill, There narrower closed, till overhead A vaulted screen the branches made. “A pleasant path,” Fitz-Eustace said, “Such as where errant-knights might see Adventures of high chivalry; Might meet some damsel flying fast, With hair unbound, and looks aghast; And smooth and level course were here, In her defence to break a spear. Here, too, are twilight nooks and dells; And oft, in such, the story tells, The damsel kind, from danger freed, Did grateful pay her champion’s meed.” He spoke to cheer Lord Marmion’s mind; Perchance to show his lore designed; For Eustace much had pored Upon a huge romantic tome, In the hall-window of his home, Imprinted at the antique dome Of Caxton, or De Worde, Therefore he spoke—but spoke in vain, For Marmion answered nought again. V. Now sudden, distant trumpets shrill, In notes prolonged by wood and hill, Were heard to echo far: Each ready archer grasped his bow, But by the flourish soon they know, They breathed no point of war. Yet cautious, as in foeman’s land, Lord Marmion’s order speeds the band, Some opener ground to gain; And scarce a furlong had they rode, When thinner trees, receding, showed A little woodland plain. Just in that advantageous glade, The halting troop a line had made, As forth from the opposing shade Issued a gallant train. VI. First came the trumpets, at whose clang So late the forest echoes rang; On prancing steeds they forward pressed, With scarlet mantle, azure vest; Each at his trump a banner wore, Which Scotland’s royal scutcheon bore: Heralds and pursuivants, by name Bute, Islay, Marchmount, Rothsay, came, In painted tabards, proudly showing Gules, argent, or, and azure glowing, Attendant on a king-at-arms, Whose hand the armorial truncheon held, That feudal strife had often quelled, When wildest its alarms. VII.