"Marmion" is a narrative poem in six cantos, set in the sixteenth century and leading up to the Battle of Flodden. It follows the ambitious Lord Marmion and weaves romance and history in Scott's characteristic verse. Its stirring scenes and memorable lines keep it engaging for readers.
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Cover of the original edition (Project Gutenberg, public domain).
Text source: gutenberg.org · The work is in the public domain.
Opening of the book
Transcribed from the 1888 Cassell & Company edition by Sandra Laythorpe and David Price, email [email protected] CASSELL’S NATIONAL LIBRARY. Marmion: A TALE OF FLODDEN FIELD. BY SIR WALTER SCOTT. Decorative graphic CASSELL & COMPANY, Limited: LONDON, PARIS, NEW YORK & MELBOURNE. 1888. INTRODUCTION. The “Lay of the Last Minstrel,” Scott’s first romantic tale, was published in January, 1805, and won for its author his first great success. The writing of “Marmion” was begun in November, 1806. Constable offered as publisher to pay at once a thousand guineas for the copyright, when he heard that the new poem was begun, though he had not yet seen a line of it. Miller and Murray joined, each taking a fourth part of the venture, and John Murray said, “We both view it as honourable, profitable, and glorious to be concerned in the publication of a new poem by Walter Scott.” Scott, thirty-five years old, had the impulse upon his mind of a
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