The brave Earl Douglas, trained to meet
Dangers and perils wild,
Now kneeling at his sovereign's feet
Wept as a weaned child.
Beneath Dunfirmline's hallowed nave,
Enwrapt in cloth of gold,
The Bruce's relics found a grave
Deep in their native mould;
But locked within its silver vase,
Next to Lord James's breast,
His heart went journeying on apace,
In Palestine to rest.
While many a noble Scottish knight,
With sable shield and plume,
Rode as its guard in armour bright
To kiss their Saviour's tomb.
As on the scenery of Spain
They bent a traveller's eye,
Forth came in bold and glorious train,
Her flower of chivalry.
Led by Alphonso 'gainst the Moor,
They came in proud array,
And set their sorried phalanx sure
To bide the battle-fray.
"God save ye now, ye gallant band
Of Scottish warriors true,
Good service for the Holy Land
Ye on this field may do."
So with the cavalry of Spain
In brother's grasp they closed,
And the grim Saracen in vain
Their blended might opposed,
But Douglas with his falcon-glance
O'erlooking crest and spear,
Page:Poems Sigourney, 1834.pdf/141
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140
THE HEART OF KING ROBERT BRUCE.