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

168 R oM. CANTO IV
Ill-omened gift! the guns remain
The conqueror's spoil on Flodden plain.
XXVIIL
Nor marked they less, where in the air
A thousand streamers flaunted fair;
Various in shape, device, and hue,
Green, sanguine, purple, red, and blue,
Broad, narrow, swallow-tailed, and square
Scroll, pennon, pensil, bandrol, there
O'er the pavilions flew.
Highest, and midmost, was descried
The royal banner, floating wide;
The staff, a pine-tree strong and straight,
Pitched deeply in a massive stone,
Which still in memory is shown,
Yet bent beneath the standard's weight,
Whene'er the western wind unrolled,
With toil, the huge and cumbrous fold,
And gave to view the dazzling field,
Where, in proud Scotland's royal shield,
The ruddy Lion ramped in gold.
XXI.
Lord Marmion viewed the landscape bright, —
lie viewed it with a chief's delight,Until within him burned his heart,
And lightning from his eye did part,
As on the battle-day;
Such glance did falcon never dart,
When stooping on his prey.
"OhI well, Lord-Lion, hast thou said,
Thy King from warfare to dissuade
Were but a vain essay;
For, by Saint George, were that host mine,
Not power infernal, nor divine,
Should once to peace my soul'incline,
Till I had dimmed their armour's shine
In glorious battle fray!" —
Answered the bard, of milder mood:
"Fair is the sight,-and yet'twere good,
That kings would think withal,