Ask me not what the maiden feels, Left in that dreadful hour alone: Perchance her reason stoops or reels; Perchance a courage not her own, Braces her mind to desperate tone. The scattered van of England wheels; She only said, as loud in air The tumult roared, “Is Wilton there?” They fly, or, maddened by despair, Fight but to die—“Is Wilton there?” With that, straight up the hill there rode Two horsemen drenched with gore, And in their arms, a helpless load, A wounded knight they bore. His hand still strained the broken brand; His arms were smeared with blood and sand. Dragged from among the horses’ feet, With dinted shield and helmet beat, The falcon-crest and plumage gone, Can that be haughty Marmion? . . . Young Blount his armour did unlace, And, gazing on his ghastly face, Said—“By Saint George, he’s gone! That spear-wound has our master sped— And see, the deep cut on his head! Good-night to Marmion.” “Unnurtured Blount! thy brawling cease: He opes his eyes,” said Eustace; “peace!” XXIX. When, doffed his casque, he felt free air, Around ’gan Marmion wildly stare:— “Where’s Harry Blount? Fitz-Eustace where? Linger ye here, ye hearts of hare? Redeem my pennon—charge again! Cry—‘Marmion to the rescue!’—Vain! Last of my race, on battle-plain That shout shall ne’er be heard again! Yet my last thought is England’s—fly, To Dacre bear my signet ring: Tell him his squadrons up to bring. Fitz-Eustace, to Lord Surrey hie; Tunstall lies dead upon the field, His life-blood stains the spotless shield Edmund is down:—my life is reft; The Admiral alone is left. Let Stanley charge with spur of fire— With Chester charge, and Lancashire, Full upon Scotland’s central host, Or victory and England’s lost. Must I bid twice?—hence, varlets! fly! Leave Marmion here alone—to die.” They parted, and alone he lay; Clare drew her from the sight away, Till pain rung forth a lowly moan, And half he murmured—“Is there none, Of all my halls have nursed, Page, squire, or groom, one cup to bring Of blessèd water from the spring, To slake my dying thirst?” XXX.