“Eustace did ne’er so blithely mark
     The first notes of the morning lark.”

CHAPTER IV.

    “The lark sang shrill, the cock he crew,
     And loudly Marmion’s bugles blew,
     And with their light and lively call,
     Brought groom and yeoman to the stall.”

Light of heart they came, but soon their mood was changed.  Complaint was heard on every side.  One declared his armor had been used, another that his spear had been taken.  Young Blount, Marmion’s second squire, found his steed covered with foam, though the stable boy swore he had left the beautiful creature well groomed on the previous evening.

While the impatient squire raged and fumed, old Hubert cried: 

“Ho, comrades, help!  Bevis lies dying in his stall!  To our lord this will bring sorrow indeed.  Who will dare tell him of the horse he loved so well?”

Fitz-Eustace, who knew of the midnight ride, of the condition of horse and rider on their return, offered to bear the unwelcome message.  Marmion, sitting plunged in deep thought, received the tidings unmoved, gave little attention, passed the matter as if it were a mere accident and ordered the clarions sound “To horse.”

Young Blount was less easily dealt with.  He declared he would pay no fee for food or care.  Man or demon, he said, had ridden his steed all night and left him in sorry condition for the day’s journey.  Marmion gave the signal to set forth, and led by the calm, gloomy Palmer, they journeyed all the morning.

Who can picture the thoughts of Palmer and of knight?  Could one have looked beneath the Palmer’s cowl there might have been seen a smile almost sardonic playing upon his features.  In passing Blount’s horse the pious man’s thin brown hand stole from beneath the long gown and lovingly caressed the animal, while were muttered the words, “Noble, noble beast!”

On rode the train through the lovely country, over the smooth greensward, and under the vaulted screen of branches.

    “‘A pleasant path,’ Fitz-Eustace said,
     ’Such as where errant-knights might see
     Adventures of high chivalry;
     Might meet some damsel flying fast,
     With hair unbound, and looks aghast;
     And smooth and level course were here,
     In her defence to break a spear.”

He spoke to cheer Lord Marmion’s mind, but spoke in vain, for no reply was given.

Suddenly distant trumpets were heard in prolonged notes over hill and dale.  Each ready archer seized his bow, and Marmion ordered all to spur on to more open ground.  Scarce a furlong had they ridden, when, from an opposite woodland, they saw approaching a gallant train.