rrived at
the palace hall, at Holy-Rood. In this princely abode James was feasting
the chiefs of Scotland. The historic halls rang with mirth, for well the
monarch loved song and banquet. By day the tourney was held, at night
the mazy dance was trod by quaint maskers. The scene of this night
outshone all others. The dazzling lights hanging from the galleries,
displayed the grace of lords and ladies of the court. The "motley fool"
retailed his jest, the juggler performed his feat, the minstrel plied
his harp, and the lady touched a softer string.

All made room as through this throng the King came to greet his guest.
And now, his courtesy to show,

"He doff'd to Marmion, bending low,
His broider'd cap and plume.
For royal was his garb and mien,
His cloak, of crimson velvet piled,
Trimm'd with the fur of martin wild;
His gorgeous collar hung adown,
Wrought with the badge of Scotland's crown,
The thistle brave, of old renown:
His trusty blade, Toledo right,
Descended from a baldric bright;
White were his buskins, on the heel,
His spurs inlaid of gold and steel:
His bonnet, all of crimson fair,
Was buttoned with a ruby rare:
And Marmion deemed he ne'er had seen
A prince of such a noble mien."

His splendid form, his eagle eyes, his light footstep, his merry laugh
and speaking glance made him envied of men and adored of women. He joyed
to linger in banquet bower, but often in the midst of wildest glee, a
shadow and an expression of pain flitted across the handsome face. His
hands instinctively clasped as he felt the pain of the penance belt,
worn in memory of his slain father. In a moment the pang was past, and
forward, with redoubled zest, he rushed into the stream of revelry.

Courtiers said that Lady Heron, wife of Sir Hugh of Norham, held sway
over the heart of the King. To Scotland's court she had come to be a
hostage, and to reconcile the offended King to her husband. The fair
Queen of France also held the king in thrall. She had sent him a
turquoise ring and a glove, and charged him as her knight in English
fray, to break for her a lance. For love of the French Queen, as much as
for the rights of Scotland, he clothed himself in mail and put his
country's noblest, dearest, and best in arms, to die on Flodden Field.
For Love of Lady Heron, he admitted English spies to his inmost
counsels.

"And thus, for both, he madly p