The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

280

HALIDON HILL.

[ACT I.

Pri. Heaven's blessing rest with thee,
Champion of Heaven, and of thy suffering country!
[Exit PRIOR. VIPONT draws a little aside,
and lets down the beaver of his helmet.
Enter SWINTON, followed by REYNALD and others, to whom
he speaks as he enters.
Swin. Halt here, and plant my pennon, till the
Regent
Assign our band its station in the host.
Rey. That must be by the Standard. We have
had
That right since good Saint David's reign at
least.
Fain would I see the Marcher would dispute it.
Swin. Peace, Reynald! Where the general
plants the soldier,
There is his place of honour, and there only
His valour can win worship. Thou'rt of those,
Who would have war's deep art bear the wild
semblance
Of some disorder'd hunting, where, pell-mell,
Each trusting to the swiftness of his horse,
Gallants press on to see the quarry fall.
Yon steel-clad Southrons, Reynald, are no deer;
And England's Edward is no stag at bay.
Vip. [advancing.] There needed not, to blazon
forth the Swinton,
His ancient burgonet, the sable Bolar