University of Virginia Library

The Eight BOOK OF Sir William Wallace.

CHAP. I. How WALLACE put Corspatrick out of Scotland.

Five Moneths thus Scotland had Peace and Rest,
From War, wherewith they were so much oppress'd.
Then a Convention's call'd of the Estates,
To settle Matters and end all Debates.
And in St. Johnstoun are assembled all,
Except Corspatrick, who did mock their Call.
Then Wallace he address'd that Parliament,
And humbly ask'd, if they would all consent:
For to forgive Corspatrick what was past,
Providing he would own his Fault at last;
And swear Fidelity unto the Crown,
To which they all consented very soon:
A Letter then they speedily indite,
And in most kind, and friendly Terms they write,
Beseeching him, with handsome Complement,
He would accept Share of the Goverment,
Which kindly Message, all did prove in vain,
He leugh, and it contemn'd with great Disdain.
We have great need said he, now of a King,
When Wallace he as Governour does Reign.
That King of Kyle, I cannot understand,
Of him I never held a Furr of Land
That Bauchler think's and does believe it well,
That Fortune she will never change her Wheel.
As for you Lords, I let you understand,
I'm not oblig'd to answer your Demand.
As free I am in this Realm to reign,
Lord of my own as either Prince or King.
Great Lands in England there I also have,
Whereof no Subject Rent of me can crave.
What would you then, I warn you I am free,
No Answer more your Letter gets from me.
Back to St. Johnstoun this fine Speech is sent,
And laid before the Lords of Parliament.
At reading which, VVallace no Patience had,
But storm'd, and star'd, as he'd been almost mad.
Himself could not recover for a while,
'Cause in Disdain he call'd him King of Kyle.
Then up he rose, and without more or less.
Unto the Lords he did himself address.
My Lords said he, there can be but one King,
Who can at once over this Kingdom reign.
If Earl Patrick take such Ways and Gates,
And suff'rd be, thus to insult the States:
I plainly think, and I shall add no more,
We are in worse Condition then before,
Therefore I vow to God, if that he be.
In this Realm, one of us Two shall die.
Unless he come, and own his lawfull King,
'Gaingst the false Title Edward takes to reign,
His Taunt, and Scorn, he shall repent and rue,
Who calls me King, that am a Subject true.
He took his Leave of all the Council then,
And march'd away with Two Hundred good Men.
Towards Kinghorn does hasten very fast.
And on the Morrow over Forth he past,
Then in to Musselburgh does safely get,
Where he with Honest Robert Lauder met.
Who 'gainst the Crown did never yet rebel,
And hated Edward, as he hated Hell
'Gainst Earl Patrick, was most glad to goe,
Who to his Country was a Bloody Foe,
Christal of Seatoun with his Men e'er long
Came, and made Wallace full Four Hundred strong.
A Squire Lyle, that did the Country ken
At Lintoun he came up with Twenty Men.
Told, that Corspatrick and his Men of War,
From Cock-burn's-path, were marching to Dunbar.
Come on said Lauder, let us faster ride,
No no said Wallace, he'll our Bellum bide,
Another Thing pray also understand,
A hardier Lord is not in all our Land.
By East Dunbar, they march'd, and tarry'd not,
But Earl Patrick of them Notice got.
Who in a Field near Innerweik did then,
Draw up Nine Hundred able fighting Men.
Wallace with his Four Hundred stout, and tight,
Approached fast, and came within their Sight.
Who fiercely up to Earl Patrick ride,
Where they like Furies, fight on ev'ry Side.
That Conflict was both terrible, and strong,
On either Side, and did continue long.
Much Scottish Blood was spilt, they sought so fierce
More than with Pleasure I can here rehearse.
But Earl Patrick left the Field at last,
Some few with him to Cock-burn's-path they past.
Towards Dunbar march'd Wallace, but was told,
That no Provisions left were in the Hold.
Nor Men of Worth the Castle to defend,
When he that Story heard from End to End
Dunbar he took, and no Resistance fand,
Gave it to Christal Seatoun, to command.
After the Earl, Wallace marches then,
To Cock-burn's-path with him Three Hundred Men.
Whom in a Range about the Park he led,
To Buncle Wood, Corspatrick then he fled;
Then out of that, to Norham passed he,
When Wallace saw that better could not be:
To Cald-Stream rode, and lodged upon Tweed,
Then Earl Patrick made great hast and speed;
And passed by e'er Wallace Men arose.
To Etrick Forrest without resting goes:
Into Cockholm, Corspatrick took him rest,
Then for more Force Wallace march'd to the West
The Earl Patrick, he goes by and by
For England, seeking some more new Supply.
To Bishop Beik he there complained sore,
Whom Wallace had from Scotland chas'd before,
Who all Northumberland, with great Surprise,
Caus'd quickly with the Earl Patrick rise.
Then order'd Bruce, likwise to Scotland go,
To win his own, they coxed him up so.
Made him believe Wallace set up for King,
A most ridic'lous, and calumnious Thing.
Whereas the whole Design he had in Hand,
Was to bring Bruce, free Home to his own Land.
Thus from Oyss Water to the River Tweed,
An Host of Thirty Thousand pass'd with Speed.
And from the Thames came Ships immediatly,
To watch Dunbar, that none should them supply,
With Twenty Thousand all bred up in War,
The Earl Patrick does Besiege Dunbar.
The Bishop Beik, and Robert Bruce did then,
Abide at Norham with Ten Thousand Men.
Then Wallace like a sudden Thunder Crack,
Came with Five Thousand Scotsmen at his Back.
All shining in their Armour clear and bright,
For to rescue the Seatoun wise and wight.
Then under Yester, that Night lodged he,
Where Hay came to him with good Cavalry.
Who in Down Forrest all that Time had been,
And had the coming of the Suthron seen.
Fifty good Men that Hay had with him there
Corspatrick's Case to Wallace all declare.
My Counsel is said Hay, you Battle give,
It is a Pity he so long should Live.
If with your Men you could him overset,
Such Pow'r again he would not quickly get.
Wallace he thank'd him for his Counsel kind,
Yet after all, consulted his own Mind.
By this Corspatrick caus'd a Fellow pass,
Who told to Beik that Wallace coming was
He of the Tidings was exceeding glad,
Amends of him fain would he there have had.
But more adoe, thro' Lammer-moor they rode,
Near the Spot-moor in Ambush there abode.
Most cunningly so closs together drew,
That of their coming Wallace nothing knew.
Then, which was worse did suddenly espy,
Corspatrick marching very furiously,
On a plain Field, with all his num'rous Host,
Of whom the Braggadocio much did boast.
Brave Seatoun who was a most welcome Guest,
To Wallace his Assistance came in haste,
Yet prudently the Scots concluded then.
Themselves too few for Twenty Thousand Men:
Jop musing also, did advise at length,
That Wallace would retire into some Strength.
To lose your Men great Folly were therefore,
I'll goe with Speed, and quickly bring you more.
A dang'rous Chase said Wallace, they may make,
We are too near, such Counsel now to take.
Therefore I'll never flee, nor yet give o'er,
So long as I have one, against their Four,
There's Twenty here with us this very Day,
Would them attack, altho' I were away.
If they be Numerous, we are stout, and Strong,
Let's up and fight them for they'll neer stand long.

CHAP. II. How Corspatrick brought into Scotland Bishop Beik and Robert Bruce, and how WALLACE gave them Battle and put them out of Scotland.

CHAP. III. How WALLACE march'd into England, and remained there Three Quarters of a Year, and returned without Battle.

CHAP. IV. The Siege of YORK.

Wallace his Army does in Four divide,
And then the Town invests, on ev'ry Side.
Himself, with Lauder, that good cliver Hand,
At the South Port, do take the chief Command.
The Earl Malcolm, Noble, Stout, and Great,
VVith valiant Boyd, commanded the VVest Gate.
Campbel the Knight, and Sir John Ramsay brave
At the North Gate their Post, assign'd them have.
To the East Gate Wallace he does direct,
Sir John the Graham, Crawford, and Auchinleck.
One Thousand Archers of the Scottish Side,
At the Four Gates caus'd equally Divide
Full Seventeen Thousand Suthron, then appear,
Upon the Walls with all their Bow, and Spear.
Who furiously doe sally out, but got,
A warm Reception, from each worthy Scot.
In spite of all their Arrows and big Stones,
Were driven back, with sore and Bloody Bones.
Who, when they got within the Town at last,
Faggots of Fire out o'er the Walls do cast.
And great Prodigious red hot Gads of Iron,
Which from old Nick their Master they did Learn.
Hot burning Pitch, and scalding stinking Tar,
And other curs'd Contrivances of War:
Nevertheless, the Scots that were without,
So valiant were, so hardy, and so stout.
They fiercely burnt the Bulwark of the Town,
Their Barmkin wan, and cast great Turrets down.
The wearied Host with great Fatigue opprest,
And Night approaching, think of taking rest,
Most carefully, first, they wash ev'ry Wound,
Their Watches set, and then sleep safe and sound.
Next Day, their Cloaths were scarce well on their Back
When all cry'd out, for a new fresh attack.
Drew up again, as they had done before,
And then the Town assaulted wondrous sore.
The Scottish Archers all, so leilly shot,
Numbers they kill'd, in Truth they miss'd them not.
Then burning Fire set to ev'ry Gate,
So mortally they did the Suthron hate,
Yet notwithstanding, the fierce English Men,
Themselves, and Town, did gallantly defend.
When that whole Day was spent, and come the Night,
To his Pavilion went each weary Wight.
The English then with Vigilance and Care,
For a fresh Sally do themselves prepare.
Sir William Mortoun, and Sir William Lies,
Most cunningly they draw up by Degrees.
And make a fearful, furious Sally then,
On Earl Malcom, with Five Thousand Men.
Wallace himself, as he rode the Grand-round,
Seeing them coming, caus'd a Trumpet Sound.
The Harnish'd Scots that keeped Guard that Night,
Took the Alarm, then mounted all on Sight.
Then briskly charg'd the cruel Suthron Foe,
With Sword in Hand, and many a Bloody Blow.
Wallace, who knew the Earl was too hot.
That he would fight tho' dye upon the spot.
Up to him rides, as quickly as he may,
With a good Sword, that paved well his Way,
The first he struck, fell dead upon the Place,
The Second's Nose, he levell'd with his Face.
The hardy Earl, did no Suth'ron spare,
But hew'd them down, and left them crawlling there.
By this the Host, were all in good Array,
And Suthron thought 'twas Time to march away.
Wallace knew well, they could not stand it long,
Wherefore he thrust into the thickest throng.
And cliverly, so laboured their Buff,
Their Armour did not signify a Snuff.
The Scotsmen there behav'd extreamly well,
As the poor Suthron sensibly did feel.
Then all the English left the Field and fled,
And Sir John Mortoun he was killed Dead.
Twelve Hundred more, upon the Field are slain,
The rest fled back unto the Town again.
And then good Wallace with his valiant Host.
Return'd, each Man unto his proper Post.
And took them Rest, wherewith so fresh they grew,
They on the Morn assault the the Town of new.
Against the City all their Force do bend,
And fight, as if they had been more then Men.
But now their Victualls to be scarce begin,
Tho' little knew the Englishmen within.
Who that same Day, a Parley caus'd be beat,
At which good Wallace did appear in State.
Attended by some of his chiefest Friends,
And boldly asketh, what the Parley means.
To whom, the Major in Name of all did say,
We'll pay a Ransom, if you'll march away.
We would give Battle, or do any Thing,
Would purchase Peace; but dare not for our King.
Then with a Countenance austere, and bold,
VVallace reply'd we value not your Gold.
Your King he promis'd, we should Battle have,
VVhich Faithfully under his Seal he gave.
The Major did then reply most Courteously,
He is the King, and we but Subjects be.
Therefore we pray, as you would us oblige,
To take our Gold and do remove the Siege.
Then with his Council he consulted long,
VVho thought the Town, for Siege was too too strong.
And Victualls scarce, therefore it safer found,
To take some Gold, then march for Scottish Ground
VVallace reply'd, I'm not all content,
Unless the Town give us their whole Consent:
To let our Banner blow upon their VVall,
And there to flourish, in the sight of all.
This Answer soon was sent unto the Major,
VVho did consent, with all the rest were there.
The Banner set, to Scotland's great Renown,
Upon the VValls from Eight, to Twelve at Noon.
Then was Five Thousand Pound of English Gold,
Pay'd down in Specie, to that Army bold,
Good Bread, and VVine, they gladly to them gave,
And all Provisions that they pleas'd to have.
Twenty long Days, at York remained they,
Then gloriously in Triumph march away.
Unto the Country back again they'r gone,
Burn'd, and broke down fine Buildings, spared none.
All Myldlame they burn'd up into a Fire,
Broke down the Parks, destroyed all the Shire.
Wild Deer they slew, for other Beasts were none,
And fed like Princes on good Vennison.
Toward the South, they turned at the last,
Made Buildings bare, as far as e're they past.
The Commons now, for London all design,
Where they most freely, tell the King their Mind.
Unless from Wars, he would cause Wallace cease.
They'd take Protection, and accept his Peace.
No Herauld then, durst unto Wallace go,
The King, to him his Faith had broken so.
And Edward, that was once, so bold, and pert,
His Army now, does cowardly desert.
So long in England, there was never one.
Since Brutu's Death except Wallace alone
That march'd from England, without stroke of Sword;
Fy on the King, that broke his royal Word.
Great Julius for all his Strength and Force,
Was chas'd from England twice, and got the worse,
With Arthur als, first when the Wars he priv'd,
Twice did they fight, altho' they were mischiev'd.
But awful Edward, durst not Wallace bide,
In a plain Battle, for all England wide.
In London lay, at his own Ease and Rest,
And brake his Vows, which of them think you best.
Wallace's Host, for Scotland, long to go,
So scarce the Victuals, every Day did grow.
Immediatly good Wallace calls for Jop,
In him, was all his Confidence and Hope;
Next unto GOD; because he knew the Land,
And still was ready to obey Command.
Who said, if you'll advised be by me,
The Plentiest part of England you shall see.
Good Wine, and Wheat, you'll get in Richmond Shire,
And each Thing else unto your Heart's Desire.
Thither they went, their Time did not purloyn;
Nine Thousand Scots, did there with Wallace joyn.
All swinging, able, lusty, well look'd Men,
He, and his Host had great rejoicing then.
Into that Shire, Plenty had of Food.
Both tame, and wild, and ev'ry Thing was good.
Throughout that Land they march'd, in good array,
A handsome Place then found upon the Way;
Ramswatch to Name, then Jop, to Wallace told
Fechew was Lord and Captain of that Hold.
Five Hundred there, quickly assembled then,
To save their Lives and Goods from Wallace Men
A noble House, stood by the Forrest Side,
VVith stately Turrets, in great Pomp, and Pride.
VVell built about for Strength, ingeniously,
VVith Five great Towers that mounted very high
Numbers of Men, upon the VValls are seen,
Bravading in their Armour, clear and clean,
The Host march'd by, not one VVord said at all,
But they within, aloud on VVallace call.
Their Trumpets blew, with many a warlike Sound,
Then Wallace said, had we yon Gallants down.
On a plain Ground; they should get Sport their fill,
Such as his Brother got on Tinto Hill.
Sir John the Graham would at the Bicker be,
But Wallace soon the Danger did forsee.
Commanded him, to let alone his Haste,
We have no Men so foolishly to waste.
But yet to gratifie your fond Desire,
Our first Attack, shall be with burning Fire.
I see their Bulwark of old with'red Oak,
Were that one Fire it would not bide a Stroke.
Houses, and Woods, in plenty here there be,
Who hews best of this Forrest let me see.
Pull Houses down, let each Man take his turn,
Old Timber, will make green Wood bravely burn.
At his Command most busily they wrought,
Great store of Wood unto the Place they brought.
The Bulwark won, then closly at the last,
Unto the Barmkin, heaps of Timber cast.
The Bow-Men fiercely shot, on ev'ry Side,
But Suthron worsted were for all their Pride.
Women and Children, on their Knees do fall,
And loud for Mercy, do on Wallace call.
So pitiful he was, tho' bold, and stout,
He heard their Crys, and let them safely out.
Then Fire, and smoak, in fearfull Clouds arose,
And burning Flames, all round their Castle goes.
Barrels of Pitch, which stood long there before,
VVent all in Flame, the Mischief was the more.
Both Man, and Beast, are are all burn'd up with Fire,
Thus Wallace Host have got their Hearts Desire.
Fechew himself, smother'd with Smoak, and Smell,
Lap from a Hight, and on the Barmkin fell;
VVith a good Sword, Wallace struck off his Head,
Five Hundred more were choak'd, and burned dead.
On the next Day, the Fire being spent,
Wallace's Men, unto the Castle went.
Struck down the Gate, and took what they could find,
Jewels, and Gold, great Riches to their Mind,
Spoiled the Place, and nothing else left there,
But Beasts, burnt Bodys, and great Buildings bare.
Then Wallace, to the Widow of Fechew
Said; promise here, as you'r a Woman true,
Wo turse your Husband's Head, to London Town,
And tell King Edward, if he do not soon
Give Battle, I doe swear by all the Fates,
This Moneth once, to be at London Gates.
For if he keep not's faithful VVord to me,
All the South-west of England I shall see.
To London Town then without more she went,
VVhere Edward lay, displeas'd, and ill content.
His Nephew's Head, did him with Anguish fill,
And more and more, increas'd his Sorrows still.
With great unease, upon his Feet he stood
Weeping, and wailing, for his tender Blood.
Then rose the Council, praying him to cease,
We England lose, unless we purchase Peace.
Woodstock, for Peace was clear, then in the End,
The King consents and bids a Message send;
No Man the Message there would undertake,
Because the King so oft his Faith did break.
The Queen, when she saw all refuse the Thing,
Down on her Knees she fell before the King.
Soveraign she said, if it your Pleasure be,
I pray, permit me Wallace once to see.
Perhaps he may do more for Women far,
Than for your Men that mind him still of War.
If with him I prevail not very soon,
I may return with little Dammage done.
The Lords were glad the Queen was minded so,
And humbly beg'd the King, to let her go.
To which the (King altho' much discontent,)
And backward to it, did at last consent.
Some said the Queen did Wallace much admire,
Who daily so much Honour did acquire,
And in her Heart by far, did him prefer
To most of Men, for his brave Character.
And that she lov'd him; but till once they meet
I'll pass no Judgement, 'tween themselves Two be't:
Mean Time she's march'd, (to leave our Drolls and Jests,)
With Fifty Ladies and Seven ancient Priests.
Now Edward, for Fechew does sigh, and mourn,
But unto Wallace, I must now return.
The worthy Scots, among the Suthron ride,
And great Destruction make, on ev'ry Side.
The Host was glad, and blest their happy Fate,
No Force there was, that durst with them debate.
Riches, and Gold, they got their very fill,
And ev'ry Thing they pleas'd at their own Will.
South they are march'd, and to St. Albans gone,
In all that Country, Damage did they none.
The Prior sent them Vennison and Wine,
Refresh't the Host, and made them bravely Dine.
The Night appeared shortly in the Place,
Then pitch'd their Tents from thence a little Space.
Into a Valley, by a River fair,
Where Hart, and Hynd, on either Side repair,
Their Watches set, all in good Order keep,
To Supper went and in due Time did sleep.

CHAP. V. How the Queen of England came to speak with WALLACE.

Upon the Morrow, Wallace quickly rose,
To take the Air, out of his Tent he goes.
And then the good, and reverend Mr. Blair,
For Morning Service, quickly does prepare.
Wallace most nobly did himself array,
In shining Armour, Glorious and Gay.
It's several Parts, are needless to rehearse,
From Top, to Toe, he look'd exceeding fierce.
Boyd, Adam Wallace, wait on him with Speed,
Along a River thro' a Flowry Mead.
Thus, on the Eields all pleasant sweet and green,
Fetching a walk, they spy the English Queen.
Towards the Host riding, most soberly,
With Fifty Ladies in her Company.
And Seven old Priests, Religious, Grave and Wise,
Who in all Matters did the Queen advise.
To the Pavilion with the Lyon, all
Ride, then light down and on their Knees do fall.
Praying for Peace, with many a piteous Tear,
Lord Malcom said our Chiftain is not here.
Pray Madam rise, a Queen I'll not allow,
Unto a Subject on her Knees to bow.
Then did he lead her by the tender Hand,
To Wallace, where, he like a Prince did stand.
So soon's she saw him, she began to kneel,
Then Wallace did a mighty Passion feel.
He her embrac'd, and kiss'd, but did no more,
The like to Suthron, he ne'er did before.
Then smiling, softly whisper'd in her Ear,
Madam, how please you our encamping here.
Sir very well, but we your Friendship, need
GOD grant we may in this our Errand speed.
Madam, I must remove a little Space
With this Lord; then I'll wait upon your Grace.
To the Pavilion, both they do repair,
And very quickly call a Council there,
Where he enlarg'd, on Women's Subtilty,
How by their cunning, Men may tempted be,
On pain of Death, therefore your Men Command,
Or to their highest Perill let them stand,
That none with them converse, but such as born
Of high Blood are, and to this Counsel sworn.
This, out in Orders thro' the the Army's gone,
To ev'ry single, individual one.
Then to the Queen, he and the Earl went,
And Courteously, conduct'd her to the Tent.
Went to a sumptuous, noble Dinner then,
All serv'd with stately, handsome Gentlemen.
Some of her chiefest, royal Dainties there,
The Queen pull'd out, and kindly bid them share.
Of ev'ry Thing, she first did taste and prieve,
No Poison's here, my Lords you may believe.
Soon after Meat, all did themselves absent,
Excepting those, that to the Counsel went.
Mean while the Ladies, did the Queen attend,
Untill the Counsel over was and then,
Good Wallace quickly waited on the Queen,
And calmly ask'd, what did her Journey mean.
Peace, said the Queen, we have no other thought,
This raging War, hath such Destruction wrought.
Then grant it Sir, for his sake dy'd for us,
Madam, we cannot lightly leave it thus.
You ask no peace, but for your own self Ends,
That cannot make us a sufficient mends.
For the unjustice, done our Royal Prince,
The breach of Faith, and Blood shed ever since.
These wrongs she said, ought all to be redrest,
But Wallace still, the more for Battle prest.
The Queen she answer'd, with great Modesty,
Peace now were best, if it might purchas'd be;
For which if you a Truce with us will take,
Thro' England all, we shall cause Prayers make;
That Matters go not on, from bad to worse.
Compelled Prayers Madam have no Force,
Before that they get half way to the Heav'ns,
I hope for Mends, then shall we all be ev'ns.
Then to the Queen did all the Story tell,
At Alexander's Death, what us befell.
How Bruce, and Balliol, long Time did contend
Who should be King, at length did condescend
And did the Matter to a Ref'rence bring,
To the Decision, of her Lord, and King.
And how unjustly Edward did decide,
And then usurp the Crown, thro' Hellish pride
In short he told her all the Story o'er,
As I have told you in my Book before.
How Edward made him Prisoner at Air,
Broke a strict Truce, and hang'd our Barrons there,
How Hesilrig, kill'd his beloved Wife.
And therefore would hate Suthron during Life.
The Silver Tears, (great Pity to behold,)
Came trickling down, when he his Tale had told
The Queen, with Wallace so did sympathize.
The Tears that Moment, blinded both her Eyes.
Curs'd Days she said that Hisilrig was born,
On his Account, many are now forlorn.
As Queen or Princess Madam then said he,
She in her Time, was full as dear to me.
Wallace she said, from this Discourse we'll cease,
The Mends thereof, is Prayer and good Peace.
Three Thousand Pound, she down before him told,
All of the finest and true English Gold;
Such Tribute Madam, now we do not crave,
Another Mends of England we would have.
For all the Gold and Riches, of your Reign,
I'll grant no Peace, in absence of your King.
When she saw Gold, nothing would Wallace move,
Then sporting said, Sir you are call'd my Love
I've ventur'd here my Life laid at the Stake,
Methinks you should do something for my sake;
In love you Suth'ron, with your subtile Cracks,
One Thing pretends, and the quite contrair acts.
With pleasant Words, you and such Ladies fair,
Would us decoy like Birds into a Snare,
We'll take our Chance, whatever may befall,
No flattering Words, nor Gold, shall tempt us all.
At which, a rosey Blush her Cheeks did fill,
Dear Sir she said, pray let me know your will;
For solemnly I here to your protest,
I think a Truce, would for us both be best;
With Ladys, Madam, Truce I cannot make,
Least your false King hereafter do it break.
Then have we none, but Ladys to reprove,
That shall not be, by him that sits above.
The whole Affair he on himself shall take,
Of Peace, or War, what e'er we chance to make.
The Queen she said, it was sufficient,
To which the rest did freely all consent.
Yet sorry was she and did blush for Shame,
That she obtain'd not all for which she came.
Unto the Host, the Gold she freely gave,
To ev'ry one, that pleased for to have.
When Wallace saw, what ev'ry one had got.
He said, that Kindness should not be forgot.
We you assure, our Host shall nothing Act,
Till you a Message, from your King send back.
Your Heraulds also, hither to and fro,
May likewise very safely come and go.
She and her Ladys, thank'd him then and drank,
To Wallace, and the Lords of ev'ry Rank,
Her leave she took, no longer there abode,
Five Miles that Night unto a Nunn'ry rode.
And on the Morn, to London travell'd they,
To Westminster, where King and Counsel lay.
Wallace's Answer show'd, and did report,
Most nobly of him, both to King and Court.
Upon his Wit, and Manhood, did comment,
His Freedom, Truth, and martial Government.
More Chiftain-like he's in his Armour seen,
Than ever yet I think in England's been.
From Honour he, (on which he's so much bent,)
Will not retract, for all the Kingdom's Rent.
Then purchase Peace, and I shall add no more,
Or else all England may repent it sore.
Mean Time, unto your Heraulds he gives leave,
To come and go, and no Man dare them grieve.
The King and Council, in their Minds were eas'd,
Thanked the Queen, and all were bravely pleas'd
Then all concluded, it was only best,
To take a Truce, else they would get no Rest.
Then do dispatch a Herauld wise and grave,
To whom safe Conduct Wallace frankly gave,
Then Clifford, Bewmont, Woodstock, doe procure,
To treat with Wallace a most ample Pow'r.
Thus these Three Lords, to him ride all in State,
Where subtilly Woodstock did there debate.
To which good Wallace did reply again,
You speak in Sophisms, but I'll tell you plain;
Roxburgh and Berwick, you must us restore
Which was our Right and Heritage bofore.
Also we ask, by Vertue of this Bond,
Our Native King so long keep'd from his own.
Those you shall grant, on your King's Faith to me
To which, on Sight the Lords did all agree.
The Randal Young' whom there he did demand,
And the Lord Lorn, were granted to his Hand.
The Earl Buchan, tender but, and Young
He did obtain for the wind of his Tongue.
Cumming, and Souls, he caus'd deliver als,
Who, after to King Robert, proved false.
Vallance for fear, durst scarcely keep his Bed,
But like a Thief, to Pickardie he fled.
The noble Bruce alas was gone away,
Before that Time, to Calice many a Day,
Unto his Uncle Glocester; which Thing,
King Edward prov'd, so Wallace wants his King:
The Earl Patrick, who at London stay'd,
No more Allegiance to King Edward pay'd.
But unto Wallace speedily came down,
And held his Lands all of the Scottish Crown.
An Hundred Horse, with brave Scots Noblemen,
Came trooping gladly all to Wallace then.
Under his Seal King Edward then did send,
And caus'd deliver, to the Scottish Men,
Roxburgh, and Berwick, Five Years Peace ensues,
To ancient Scotland, great and glorious News.
Which unto Wallace quickly was sent down,
And fairly sign'd, closs by Northallertoun:
To Bamburgh, came the Scottish Army then,
Which did consist of Sixty Thousand Men.
To Carham Moor, came all in good Array,
With Hearts rejoicing upon Lambmass Day.
The Priest next Day, in Church did Wallace please,
Deliver'd him, Roxburgh and Berwick Keys.
Berwick, to Ramsay he gave, on the Spot,
And noble Seatoun, Roxburgh Castle got.
With Earl Patrick, Wallace without more,
Rode to Dunbar, and there did him restore.
Scotland all o'er, from Rosss to Sollway Sand,
Wallace he did give Statutes to the Land.
Unto the Lennox then, he did repair,
Sir John Montieth, that Time was Captain there.
And twice before had Wallace Gossip been,
Yet now no Friendship was betwixt them seen.
Upon a Rock a House he founded there,
Then to the March he did again repair.
In Roxburgh then, he choos'd a handsome Place,
And built a Tow'r within a little Space.
Jop twice he sent to Bruce of Huntingtoun,
Beseeching him to come, and take the Crown.
Such counsel of the Saxons false took he,
In all his Life, he Wallace ne'er did see.
Three Years the Kingdom, Quiet had and Rest,
And ev'ry Man, his own with Peace possest.