The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott ... Notes & life of the author.

rANTO W1. LAS IMINSTRE. 51
His trumpet called, with parleying strain,
The leaders of the Scottish band;
And he defied, in Musgrave's right,
Stout Deloraine to single fight;
A gauntlet at their feet he laid,
And thus the terms of fight he said:If itthe lists good Musgrave's sword
Vanquish the knight of Deloraine,
Your youthful chieftain, Branksome' lord,
Shall hostage for his clan remain:
If Deloraine foil good Musgrave,
The boy his liberty shall have.
Howe'er it falls, the English band}'Unharming Scots, by Scots unharmed,
In peaceful march like men unarmed,
Shall straight retreat to Cumberland."
Xxx'
Unconscious of the near relief,
The proffer pleased each Scottish chief,
Though much the Ladye sage gainsayed:
I For though their hearts were brave and true,
From Jedwood's recent sack they knew.i How tardy was the regent's aid;' ~uAnd you may guess the noble Dame
Durst not the secret prescience own,
Sprung from the art she might not name,
By which the coming help was known.
Closed was the compact, and agreed
That lists should be enclosed with speed
Beneath the castle on a lawn:
They fixed the mkrow for the strifo;
On-foot, with Scottish.axe and knife,
At the fourth hour from peep of dawn:
-When Deloraine, from sickness freed,.Or else a champion in his stead,
Should for himself and chieftain stand,
i Against stout Musgrave, hand to hand,.
XXXL
r Iknow right well, that, in their lay,
4i Full many minstrels sing and say,
Such combat should he made on horse;
i EOn foaming steed, in full career,