“Bold he can speak, and fairly ride—

I warrant him a warrior tried.”

With this his mandate he recalls,

And slowly seeks his castle halls.

NOTES AND QUESTIONS

Note. Marmion, an English nobleman, has been sent as an envoy by Henry the Eighth, King of England, to James the Fourth, King of Scotland. The two countries are on the eve of war with each other. Arriving in Edinburgh, Marmion is entrusted by King James to the care and hospitality of Douglas, Earl of Angus, who, taking him to his castle at Tantallon, treats him with the respect due his position as representative of the King, but at the same time dislikes him. The war approaching, Marmion leaves to join the English camp. This sketch describes the leave-taking.

Discussion. 1. In what part of the castle does this conversation take place? 2. Why did Douglas refuse to receive the hand of Marmion? 3. Read the lines that give a vivid picture of the defiant Douglas. 4. What distinction does Douglas make between the ownership of his “castle” and that of his “hand”? 5. How does Marmion answer the implied insult in “howe’er unmeet to be the owner’s peer”? 6. What claim does Marmion make for one “who does England’s message”? 7. What do we call one “who does England’s message” at Washington? 8. What does Douglas mean by “to beard the lion in his den”? 9. What lines show Marmion’s narrow escape? 10. Why do you think Douglas changed his mind? 11. Would you have admired him more if he had given chase to Marmion? 12. Which man appears to better advantage in this scene?

Phrases