The day in Marmion's journey wore; Yet, e'er his passion's gust was o'er, They cross'd the heights of Stanrig-moor. His troop more closely there he scann'd, 475 And miss'd the Palmer from the band.-- 'Palmer or not,' young Blount did say, ' He parted at the peep of day; Good sooth, it was in strange array.'-- 'In what array?' said Marmion, quick. 480 'My Lord, I ill can spell the trick; But all night long, with clink and bang, Close to my couch did hammers clang; At dawn the falling drawbridge rang, And from a loop-hole while I peep, 485 Old Bell-the-Cat came from the Keep, Wrapp'd in a gown of sables fair, As fearful of the morning air; Beneath, when that was blown aside, A rusty shirt of mail I spied, 490 By Archibald won in bloody work, Against the Saracen and Turk: Last night it hung not in the hall; I thought some marvel would befall. And next I saw them saddled lead 495 Old Cheviot forth, the Earl's best steed; A matchless horse, though something old, Prompt to his paces, cool and bold. I heard the Sheriff Sholto say, The Earl did much the Master pray 500 To use him on the battle-day; But he preferr'd'--'Nay, Henry, cease! Thou sworn horse-courser, hold thy peace.-- Eustace, thou bear'st a brain--I pray, What did Blount see at break of day?' 505 XVII. 'In brief, my lord, we both descried (For then I stood by Henry's side) The Palmer mount, and outwards ride, Upon the Earl's own favourite steed: All sheathed he was in armour bright, 510 And much resembled that same knight, Subdued by you in Cotswold fight: Lord Angus wish'd him speed.'-- The instant that Fitz-Eustace spoke, A sudden light on Marmion broke;-- 515 'Ah! dastard fool, to reason lost!' He mutter'd; 'Twas nor fay nor ghost I met upon the moonlight wold, But living man of earthly mould.-- O dotage blind and gross! 520 Had I but fought as wont, one thrust Had laid De Wilton in the dust, My path no more to cross.-- How stand we now?--he told his tale To Douglas; and with some avail; 525 'Twas therefore gloom'd his rugged brow.-- Will Surrey dare to entertain, 'Gainst Marmion, charge disproved and vain? Small risk of that, I trow. Yet Clare's sharp questions must I shun; 330 Must separate Constance from the Nun-- O, what a tangled web we weave, When first we practise to deceive! A Palmer too!--no wonder why I felt rebuked beneath his eye: 535 I might have known there was but one, Whose look could quell Lord Marmion.' XVIII.