Chapter XXI

“O holy Palmer!” she began—
“For sure he must be sainted man
Whose blessèd feet have trod the ground
Where the Redeemer’s tomb is found—
For His dear Church’s sake my tale
Attend, nor deem of light avail,
Though I must speak of worldly love—
How vain to those who wed above!
De Wilton and Lord Marmion wooed
Clara de Clare, of Gloucester’s blood;
Idle it were of Whitby’s dame,
To say of that same blood I came;
And once, when jealous rage was high,
Lord Marmion said despiteously,
Wilton was traitor in his heart,
And had made league with Martin Swart,
When he came here on Simnel’s part
And only cowardice did restrain
His rebel aid on Stokefield’s plain,
And down he threw his glove: the thing
Was tried, as wont, before the king;
Where frankly did De Wilton own
That Swart in Gueldres he had known;
And that between them then there went
Some scroll of courteous compliment.
For this he to his castle sent;
But when his messenger returned,
Judge how De Wilton’s fury burned
For in his packet there were laid
Letters that claimed disloyal aid,
And proved King Henry’s cause betrayed.
His fame, thus blighted, in the field
He strove to clear by spear and shield;
To clear his fame in vain he strove,
For wondrous are His ways above!
Perchance some form was unobserved;
Perchance in prayer or faith he swerved;
Else how could guiltless champion quail,
Or how the blessèd ordeal fail?