As adieus were about to be said, Lord Marmion began:

"In the treatment received, I, your guest, by your king's command, might
well complain of coldness, indifference, and disrespect; but I let it
pass, hoping that,

"'Part we in friendship from your land;
And, noble Earl, receive my hand.'--
But Douglas round him drew his cloak,
Folded his arms, and thus he spoke:--
'My manors, halls, and bowers, shall still
Be open, at my sovereign's will,
To each one who he lists, howe'er
Unmeet to be the owner's peer.
My castles are my King's alone,
From turret to foundation-stone--
The hand of Douglas is his own;
And never shall in friendly grasp,
The hand of such as Marmion clasp.'"--

"Burn'd Marmion's swarthy cheek like fire,
And shook his very frame for ire,
And,--'This to me!' he said,--
'An 'twere not for thy hoary beard,
Such hand as Marmion's had not spared
To cleave the Douglas' head!
And, first, I tell thee, haughty peer,
He, who does England's message here,
Although the meanest in her state,
May well, proud Angus, be thy mate: