He blushed as he spoke, but truth and honor were painted in his face, and the maiden’s fear was relieved.  The Abbess entreated, threatened, wept, prayed to saint and to martyr, then called upon the Prioress for aid.  The grave Cistercian replied: 

“The King and Douglas shall be obeyed.  Dream not that harm can come to woman, however helpless, who falls to the care of Douglas of Tantallon Hall.”

The Abbess, seeing strife was vain, assumed her wonted state, composed her veil, raised her head, and began again,—­but Blount now broke in: 

    “’Fitz-Eustace, we must march our band;
      St. Anton fire thee! wilt thou stand
      All day, with bonnet in thy hand,
        To hear the lady preach? 
      By this good light! if thus we stay,
      Lord Marmion, for our fond delay,
        Will sharper sermon teach. 
      Come, don thy cap, and mount thy horse;
      The dame must patience take perforce.”

“Dear, holy Abbess,” said Clare, “we must submit to the separation for the present,

    “’But let this barbarous lord despair
      His purposed aim to win;
      Let him take living, land, and life;
      But to be Marmion’s wedded wife
        In me were deadly sin.’

“Mother, your blessing and your prayers are all I ask.  Remember your unhappy child!  If it be the decree of the King that I return not to the sanctuary with thee to dwell, yet one asylum remains—­low, silent, and lone, where kings have little power.  One victim of Lord Marmion is already there.”

Weeping and wailing arose round patient Clare.  Eustace hid his tears, and even the rude Blount could scarce bear the sight.  Gently the squire took the rein and led the way, striving to cheer the poor fainting girl, by courteous word and deed.

They had passed but a few miles, when from a height, they saw the vast towers of Tantallon.  The noble castle was enclosed on three sides by the ocean, and on the fourth by walled battlements,

    “And double mound and fosse,
     By narrow drawbridge, outworks strong,
     Through studded gates, and entrance long,
       To the main court they cross. 
     It was a wide and stately square: 
     Around were lodgings, fit and fair,
       And towers of various form.”

Here they rested, receiving from the host cold, but princely attention.  By hurrying posts, daily there came varying tidings of war.  At first they heard of the victories of James at Wark, at Etall, and at Ford; and then, that Norham castle had been taken; but later, news was whispered that while King James was dallying the time away with the wily Lady Heron, the army lay inactive.  At length they heard the army had made post on the ridge that frowns over the Millfield Plain, and that brave Surrey, with a force from the South, had marched into Northumberland and taken camp.

At this, Marmion exclaimed: