#The other posts were right this poem is written to be said outloud

[immediatebreakfast]

Marmion round two!

The poem seems to (for now) mostly focus on lord Marmion's arrival to the castle, and the impact of said arrival has upon the subjects, and more specifically the soldiers.

Moreover, lord Marmion did not arrive alone, with enough company to indicate how his lordship leads his people. Yet, the way these are numbered, and described could be seen of how Marmion is guarded yes, but not too guarded as not to give the impression that his status makes him a delicate noble in need of a lot of protection.

Behind him rode two gallant squires, Of noble name and knightly sires: They burned the gilded spurs to claim; For well could each a war-horse tame, Could draw the bow, the sword could sway,

First, there are two squires behind lord Marmion. Both of them are highlighted in their abilities for combat, and their noble birth. Yet, even when these squires are put right behind Marmion for protection, the poem wants us to know how they are gallant in both combat, and romance. Telling, with adjectives like courteus and actions like dancing, that the squires are not only warriors, but gentlemen as well.

Four men-at-arms came at their backs, With halbert, bill, and battle-axe: They bore Lord Marmion’s lance so strong, And led his sumpter-mules along, And ambling palfrey, when at need Him listed ease his battle-steed. The last and trustiest of the four, On high his forky pennon bore; Like swallow’s tail, in shape and hue, Fluttered the streamer glossy blue, Where, blazoned sable, as before, The towering falcon seemed to soar.

Second, four men (also armed) follow the squires while guiding Marmion's mules. The remark on the fourth one is very interesting since it mentions the falcon imagery again, but this time unlike Marmion, this falcon is "soaring" in between the blue of the essemble instead of being "trapped" in gold. What could this mean when a person of lower rank wears the same symbol as a lord, yet on the person the symbol is "free."

Last, twenty yeomen, two and two, In hosen black, and jerkins blue, With falcons broidered on each breast, Attended on their lord’s behest: Each, chosen for an archer good, Knew hunting-craft by lake or wood;

The count of lord Marmion's people went from six to twenty six in a matter of paragraphs. These soldiers are described mostly with their abilities in combat by mentioning the weapons they are prolific in, a very interesting choice since one would expect the mentioning of their fighting ways. Yet, I think this could also Illustrate how many weapons they mastered under the eyes of lord Marmion. A bow, a boar spear, a sword, their belts.

Tis meet that I should tell you now, How fairly armed, and ordered how, The soldiers of the guard, With musket, pike, and morion, To welcome noble Marmion,

I was making fun a little bit of lord Marmion's request of being received with trumpets, laughter, and glee... And it happened! Everyone in Norham organized themselves exactly how Marmion wanted, and the poem even remarks how this celebration is something that not even the castle itself had seen. Everything went to the letter, and with descriptives like thundering, flourished, and even telling how the sound made angels scatter.

Welcome to Norham, Marmion! Stout heart, and open hand! Well dost thou brook thy gallant roan, Thou flower of English land!”

What a chant to receive the lord. What an entrance for this man. I can even hear the voices of everyone yelling this at the top of their lungs.

Two pursuivants, whom tabarts deck, With silver scutcheon round their neck, Stood on the steps of stone, By which you reach the donjon gate, And there, with herald pomp and state, They hailed Lord Marmion: They hailed him Lord of Fontenaye, Of Lutterward, and Scrivelbaye, Of Tamworth tower and town;

Then, after the introduction two pursuivants (junior ranking officer) present lord Marmion, and what I can assume are all of the many titles he has won through kin, and conquest.

Now, largesse, largesse, Lord Marmion, Knight of the crest of gold! A blazoned shield, in battle won, Ne’er guarded heart so bold.

I don't know why, but even if this chant is complimentary of Marmion as a knight, it somehow feels like an omen of how that bold heart may be the one causing things.

Overall, even if this canto doesn't keep on with describing lord Marmion, it tells us how he is a leader by describing his army. Look at him all gallant, and brave, so his people should reflect his image. He makes sure that his essemble has the delicacy of dancing in a hall, and the might of holding a sword. A very knightly view given, and exalted by abilities, and blue.