eceived;

"'A blazon'd shield in battle won,
Ne'er guarded heart so bold.'"

As they marshalled him to the castle hall, the guests stood aside, and
again the trumpets flourished, and the heralds cried:

"'Room, lordlings, room for Lord Marmion,
With the crest and helm of gold!
Full well we know the trophies won
In the lists at Cottiswold:
There, vainly Ralph de Wilton strove
'Gainst Marmion's force to stand;
To him he lost his lady-love,
And to the King his land.
Ourselves beheld the listed field,
A sight both sad and fair;
We saw Lord Marmion pierce the shield,
And saw the saddle bare;
We saw the victor win the crest
He wears with worthy pride;
And on the gibbet-tree, reversed,
His foeman's scutcheon tied.
Place, nobles, for the Falcon-Knight!
Room, room, ye gentles gay,
For him who conquered in the right,
Marmion of Fontenaye!'"

As the welcome died away, forth stepped Sir Hugh, lord of the castle. He
led his visitor to the raised dais and placed him in the seat of honor,
while a northern harper chanted a rude hymn. The ear of Marmion could
scarcely brook the barbarous sound, yet much he praised, well knowing
that,

"Lady's suit, and minstrel's strain,
By knight should ne'er be heard in vain."

As the weird strains died away, the host pressed the English lord to
bide long as a guest, promising rest for horse, and refreshment and
pleasure for man, with many a joust, or feat at arms, for those who
wished to learn northern ways.

At this the brow of Marmion grew dark and stern. Sir Hugh marked the
changed look, and pouring out a bowl of sparkling wine, said:

"'Now pledge me here, Lord Marmion:
But first I pray thee fair,
Where hast thou left that page of thine,
Whose beauty was so rare?
When last in Raby towers we met,
The boy I closely eyed,
And often marked his cheeks were wet
With tears he fain would hide.'"

Lord Marmion ill concealed his rising anger, yet he made a calm reply.

"The lad was too frail to endure the northern climate, and I have left
him at Lindisfarne. May I ask, Lord Heron, why the lady of the castle
disdains to grace the hall to-day? Is it because Marmion of Fontenaye is
present?"

The Knight replied:

"Norham Castle is a grim, dull cage for a bird so beautiful as