1579 G. Fenton tr. F. Guicciardini Hist. Guicciardin ii. 99 The men at armes of the Vitellis comming behind with a slow marche, and therefore not able in tyme to ioyne with him.

1675 H. Neville tr. N. Machiavelli Art of War ii. viii, in tr. N. Machiavelli Wks. 459 Nothing is of greater importance than to have Souldiers which can put themselves instantly into their ranks, and to learn that it is necessary to exercise them in these Companies at home, to teach them the quick and the slow march, [etc.].

1781 E. Gibbon Decline & Fall II. xix. 159 When he had subdued or pacified the Barbarians of the Danube, Constantius proceeded by slow marches into the East.

1827 W. Scott Surgeon's Daughter in Chron. Canongate 1st Ser. II. xiv. 330 He understood it was the purpose..to proceed by slow marches and frequent halts.

1889 Infantry Drill 29 The Slow March.

1949 Times 13 June 2/3 The Colours were then borne high at the slow march from the church into the garden.

2015 Prospect Aug. 20/2 Then the guards wheeled left A yard in front of me, and their slow march..boomed and whispered and went silent.

1729 Daily Jrnl. 22 Nov. Next march'd all the Militia Infantry..the Colours and Drums in Mourning, the Drums beating a slow March.

1777 W. Mason Caractacus (new ed.) iii. i. 35 (stage direction) The curtain draws up, while a slow march is played.

c1790 C. G. Zierlein (title) A Slow March & Quick Step... Dedicated to the Earl of Ormond.

1859 Volunteers' Handbk. 94 The band will play a slow march as the officers and sergeants march to the line.

1934 Music & Lett. 15 115 After an introductory slow march, bugle and trumpet calls and signal cannon, the fun begins.

2013 Church Times 17 May 30/4 The middle section of this first song is shiveringly dark, a slow march full of omen.

1600 T. Nashe Summers Last Will sig. I Slow marching thus, discend I to the feends.

1723 S. Wesley Battle of Sexes 15 Wisdom next slow marching to his Aid, In heavy Armor took th'uncertain Field.

1831 Daily National Intelligencer (Washington) 29 July A pilgrim gray, Who came with furrowed brow and wan, Slow marching on his way.

1888 J. B. Howe Cosmopolitan Actor xxvi. 206 When we left the garrison gates, we were ordered to slow march to the right.

1967 C. FitzGibbon Through Minefield iv. xiv. 239 Paris fell and France surrendered while we were fully occupied learning how to slow march and to present arms.

2002 Daily Tel. 9 Apr. 3/2 The four grandsons slow marched around the catafalque before taking up their places behind four green uniformed members of the Royal Company of Archers.

1760 Let. to Honourable Brigadier Gen. 9 As your Friend and Favourite, Lord George, slow-marched the Cavalry at the Battle of Minden.

1813 A. S. de Peyster Miscellanies 45 The corporal now between reliefs may sleep..On arms reversed, although no soldiers weep! No muffled drum slow march them to the grave.

1977 Times 30 July 2/3 The RAF colour squadron slow-marched the old colour..off the parade ground.

2015 A. Quinn Curtain Call iii. xix. 283 They slow-marched the coffin back down the aisle.

1743 tr. Prudentius Psychomachia 37 Slow-marching Pomp was forc'd to mend her pace.

1887 D. F. Boyd Addr. Anniv. Delta Rifles 8 See him riding up and down that slow-marching line.

1992 M. Bentine Reluctant Jester (1993) vi. 107 The measured tramp of the slow-marching military and naval personnel who preceded the cortège.