Here did they rest. The princely care Of Douglas, why should I declare, Or say they met reception fair? Or why the tidings say, Which, varying, to Tantallon came, By hurrying posts or fleeter fame, With every varying day? And, first, they heard King James had won Etall, and Wark, and Ford; and then That Norham Castle strong was ta’en. At that sore marvelled Marmion; And Douglas hoped his monarch’s hand Would soon subdue Northumberland: But whispered news there came, That, while his host inactive lay, And melted by degrees away, King James was dallying off the day With Heron’s wily dame. Such acts to chronicles I yield: Go seek them there and see; Mine is a tale of Flodden Field, And not a history. At length they heard the Scottish host On that high ridge had made their post Which frowns o’er Milfield Plain, And that brave Surrey many a band Had gathered in the Southern land, And marched into Northumberland, And camp at Wooler ta’en. Marmion, like charger in the stall, That hears, without, the trumpet call, Began to chafe and swear: “A sorry thing to hide my head In castle, like a fearful maid, When such a field is near! Needs must I see this battle-day; Death to my fame if such a fray Were fought, and Marmion away! The Douglas, too, I wot not why, Hath ’bated of his courtesy: No longer in his halls I’ll stay.” Then bade his band they should array For march against the dawning day. INTRODUCTION TO CANTO SIXTH. TO RICHARD HEBER, ESQ. _Mertoun House_, _Christmas_.