A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace General and Governour of Scotland. Wherein the Old obsolete Words are rendered more Intelligible; and adapted to the understanding of such who have not leisure to study the Meaning, and Import of such Phrases without the help of a Glossary |
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| 1. | The First BOOK OF Sir William Wallace
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 | A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace |  |
1
The First BOOK OF Sir William Wallace
CHAP. I.
Of our Ancestors brave true, Ancient Scots,Whose glorious Scutcheons, knew no Bars, nor Blots:
But Blood untainted circled ev'ry Vein,
And ev'ry Thing ignoble did disdain;
Of such Illustrious Patriots, and bold,
Who stoutly did maintain our Rights of Old,
Who their malicious, and inveterate Foes,
With Sword in Hand, did gallantly oppose;
2
Did briskly check the frequent Insolence
Of haughty Neighbours, Enemies profest,
Picts, Danes, and Saxons, Scotland's very Pest:
Of such I say, I'll brag and vaunt so long
As I have Pow'r to use my Pen or Tongue;
And sound their Praises, in such modern Strain,
As suiteth best a Scots Poetick Vein.
First, Here I honour in Particular,
Sir William Wallace, much renown'd in War:
Who's bold Progenitors have long Time stood,
Of honourable, and true Scotish Blood;
And in first Rank of Ancient Barrons go,
Old Knights of Craigy, Barronets also;
Which gallant Race, to make my Story brief,
Sir Thomas Wallace represents as Chief.
So much for the brave Wallace Father-side,
Nor will I here his Mother's Kindred hide.
She was a Lady most compleat and bright,
The Daughter of that honourable Knight,
Sir Rannald Crawford, high Sheriff of Air,
Who fondly doted on this charming Fair.
Soon wedded was the lovely blooming she,
To Malcom Wallace, then of Ellerslie:
Which am'rous Pair transported with Delight,
Begot young Malcom that same joyful Night:
Then William; who by true Consent of all,
Was honour'd to be Scotish General:
3
At Forrest Church, made Baliol's Viceroy.
Who's martial Courage, with his Conduct wise,
From English Thraldom rescu'd Scotland thrice,
And did preserve the old Imperial Crown,
To his immortal Glory, and Renown.
'Twas then, that, to the Terror of his Foes,
Our Thistle, did drive Home the insulting Rose.
But here I must beg leave to bid adieu
To good Sir William, for some Minutes few,
Till, like a just, impartial, honest Man,
As I have heard, tell how the Wars began.
King Alexander, at Kinghorn in Fife,
There, from his Horse did lose his Royal Life,
Thro' which arose a grievous sore Debate,
Some Years thereafter, who should Rule the State
David our Prince, Earl of Huntingtoun
Three Daughters had; whom search all Britain round,
Thro' all its Corners, and its different Airts,
None more excell'd in bright, and princely Parts.
Bruce, Baliol, Hasting from those Ladies spring;
The Bruce and Baliol strive who shall be King.
Nor did the Dispute end, but grew so hot,
The Candidats in two strong Factions got.
Which at that Time appear'd to be so equal,
Few could foresee, or guess well at the Sequel;
Here lay the great Distress and Misery,
The Case at Home could not determin'd be;
4
The Scotish States esteem'd it better far,
The two Contendants should submit the Thing,
To the Decision of the English King.
Who greedily the Ref'rence did Embrace,
But play'd his Cards with a dissembling Face:
Yea, so politick was this crafty King,
For his Self-ends, Things so about to bring,
That, Agents he did secretly imploy,
The Scotish Lords with cunning to decoy
To his ow'n Measures; a pernicious Plot
Quite opposite unto the Trust he got;
Thinking to make, (so big his Hopes were grown)
The Scotish Crown pay Homage to his own.
Which with one Voice, flatly the States refuse,
In spite of all Politicks he could use.
The Bishop there of Glasgow, sitting by,
Said Sir excuse us, for we do deny,
Any ov'r Lord, but the great God above
To whom we'll Homage pay, or Subject prove.
Then to the Bruce, the Treason was propos'd
Which was by him most gen'rously oppos'd,
Believe me Sir said he, I'll hang as soon,
As I'll Resign our independent Crown.
Therefore leave off, your Words are all in vain,
Such Treachery, true Honour does disdain.
Unto the Baliol next he did apply,
Who did consent, Alas too hastily
5
For which he was created King on sight:
O base Decision! Shall the Guise thus go!
Shall Ancient Scotland hold of England? No.
On such base Terms, both make a scurvy Step,
Edward to grant, and Baliol to accept,
A Thing, which is for certain known and sure,
Was never yet in either of their Pow'r:
Neither could be, without the firm Assent,
Of the Estates of Scotish Parliament.
Since the Scots Crown, our Kings so long had wore,
Was to be Independent as before.
An English Parliament within short Space
Is call'd, where Baliol suffred great Disgrace,
At which Affront was so exceeding wroth,
He quickly broke his base unlawful Oath:
Repented sore, and curs'd the fatal Hour,
Wherein he swore, what was not in his Pow'r.
Which was much better, as Divines exhort,
Than to continue, and be Damned sor't.
On which King Edward rais'd an Host with speed,
And came himself with them, to Wark on Tweed.
Unto Corspatrick of Dunbar he sent,
His Counsel asks, but on a bad intent,
Who, when he came in Presence of that King,
Advis'd him, and inform'd him ev'ry Thing.
Then like a Rogue, against the Light of Nature
To his own Country, proves a bloody Traitor:
6
To undermine, destroy, cheat and deceive:
Was welcom'd there, with more Respect than due,
And thought by Scots both faithful, leill and true,
King Edward follows on with all his Host
By Treachery poor Berwick then was lost.
Corspatrick rose, when all were sleeping sound,
Drew the Portculzies, let the Bridges down.
Edward he enters, bloodily falls on,
Eight Thousand kills, and Fifty, spareth none.
Then to Dunbar he and Corspatrick rode,
Without Remorse, or any fear of God.
There did the stout and valiant Scots conveen,
With Resolution true, and Courage keen.
To fight King Edward then the common Foe,
Who dy'd in Blood, did thro' the Nation go:
But by Deceit, and a prodigious Force,
The Scots are here again put to the worse.
The Earles Mar, Monteith, and Athol brave,
No Access to their gallant Men could have:
Who in the Castle closely were block'd up,
And scarcely had, whereof to bite, or sup;
So by no Means unto their Men could get,
Corspatrick had the Castle so beset.
At last the Armies march, and do inclose,
Where the brave Scots, ov'r powred by their Foes,
Rather than sly or cowardly to yeild,
Do bravely fight, and die upon the Field.
7
Without all Mercy, most of them were slain.
For when the Battle hottest was, he then,
Plague rot him; hew'd down all his Country-men.
Great Loss the Scots at Berwick and Dunbar
Had in this most unjust and cruel War.
CHAP. II. How King Edward and Corspatrick came to Scoon, and deposed the Baliol.
King Edward and Corspatrick march for Scoon,And Scotland now sings a most mournful Tune.
Few Scots were left, the Kingdom to defend,
Then for the Baliol to Montrose they send:
And to their great and everlasting Shame,
Do strip him of his Royal Diademe.
When thus depos'd, Edward usurps the Crown,
And then Alas, all Things went upside down.
8
Gathelius sent from Spain with his own Son.
When Iber Scot first into Scotland came;
Kenneth our King, and second of that Name,
Brought it to Scoon, where Kings in Pomp and Glore,
Were crowned for Eight hundred Years and more.
Ev'n in that Ancient, Royal, Marble Chair,
So Famous, and so long, preserved there.
Which, as a Trophee, thence they do transport,
To London where King Edward keep'd his Court.
But yet I'm told that Ancient Fates decree,
Where this Stone stands, Scots shall the Masters be.
Bruce, with Eight score the Flow'r of Scotland then,
Were Captives led away, with English-Men.
At last the Pow'rs above, beheld the Wrong,
And let not the Usurper Reign too long.
For at this Time Scotland was almost lost,
And overspread with a rude South'ron Host.
Wallace his Father, to the Lennox fled,
His eldest Son he thither with him led,
The tender Mother's also gone at last,
And to Kilspindie, with young Wallace past:
Into the pleasant Carss of Gowrie, where,
He was brought up with his old Uncle there:
Who to Dundee him carefully does send,
For Education, but behold the End.
There he continues in his tender Age,
Till more adult, than does he ramp and rage,
9
And govern'd, by a most unrighteous King.
Who wrought great wrong in Country and in Town,
Wasted our Lands, and broke our Buildings down,
Maids, Wives, and Widows Chastity, they spill,
Nor could the Nuns resist their lustful Will.
King HEROD's Part they acted in the Land,
Upon the Children, they before them fand:
The Bishopricks that were of most avail,
From Bishops, and Arch-Bishops, they took haill.
Nor could the Pope, them with his threatnings scar,
They gripped all, thro' violence of War.
Of ev'ry Benifice was worth their while
They took the Rents; left Bishops the bare Stile.
Our Barrons kill'd, without Remorse, or Care,
As testifie the bloody Barns of Air.
Where Eighteen Score were hang'd by Saxon Seed,
As in the Seventh Book you shall shortly read,
But I go on with faithful Pen and true,
And candidly my Purpose do pursue;
Wallace, tho' young as yet for Sword or Spear,
Did grieve, and groan, such Injuries to hear;
Ah should my Country suffer such Distress
Said he; and Suth'ron daily thus increase,
O had I but Ten thousand at my Back,
And were a Man, I'd gar their Curpons crack.
Yet e'r he was full Seventeen Winters old,
He was both Seemly, Strapping, Stout and Bold;
10
And sometimes twinn'd them of their precious Life.
By hewing down, all grew above their Neck;
A certain token of true Scots respect.
Then, left them sweltring in their Blood and Gore,
A full Foot shorter than they were before.
That they to Scots might give no more Offence,
Wherewith his Priest most freely did Dispence:
Absolv'd the Sin, and did remitt the Guilt
Of South'ron Blood; so innocently spilt.
Chap. III. How WALLACE kill'd Young Selbie the Constable's Son of Dundee.
Unto Dundee Young Wallace now is gone,Sprightly and gay, as could be look'd upon,
Well shap'd and handsome, Cliver, neat and clean,
Clad with a Garment of a gemming Green.
11
That crabbed Rogue, who most maliciously
Oppress'd the Scots; with great despite and rage,
A Son he had, near Twenty Years of Age:
Who some young Fellows with him ev'ry Day
Took to the Town; to sport the Time away.
This vain young Fop, so much on folly bent,
Young Wallace saw, then straight unto him went
And with disdain, said, Scot, I pray thee stay,
What Devil clad thee in a suit so gay:
A Horse's Mantle, was thy kind to wear,
And a Scots whittle at thy Belt to bear.
Rough Roulion Shoes, or any common trash
Did serve such Whore-Sons thro' the Dubs to plash
Give me that Knife, under thy Girdle hings,
Nay pardon me, Sir, I know better things;
Therefore forbear, I earnestly intreat,
It both defends me, and it cuts my Meat.
Selbie assaults him, and would tak't by force,
And so the Plea went on, from bad, to worse.
Fast by the Collar Wallace did him take,
Made the young Squire tremble there and shake,
His Dager with the other Hand drew out,
In spite of all his Men so throng about:
And boldly without either fear or dread,
Upon the spot he stick'd young Selbie dead.
The Squire fell, of him there was no more,
And then his Men pursu'd young Wallace sore;
12
And so escap'd from all the South'ron Chiels.
The bloody Dagger fast held in his Hand,
And spared none that did his Flight withstand.
Unto an Inn he formerly did know,
Thither he fled, and could no further go.
Help help he cry'd, when the Good-Wife he saw,
And save my Life from cruel South'ron Law.
With Russet Gown she quickly got him drest
Above his Cloaths, which cov'red all the rest:
A sudled Curch o'er Head and Neck let fall,
A white worn Hat then birsed on withal:
And as the South'ron came into the Inn,
Gave him a Rock then he began to spin.
In quest of Wallace they some time have spent,
But could not know at what Door in he went:
They search'd thro' all the Corners of the Inn,
But he sat still, and cunningly did spin:
Tho' at the Trade he was not Prentice long,
He drew a Threed, and cron'd away his Song.
Away they went, then Wallace did revive,
And leugh, and smirtl'd at them in his Sleeve.
Like mad Men then, they all run up and down,
Cry, burn the Scots, leave none alive in Town.
Yet the Good-Wife, kept Wallace until Night
Safe and secure, out of the Southrons sight.
Thro' a back Way she did convey him fast,
Where quietly he by the Water past.
13
That she of him did almost now despair.
At length she met him to her great surprise,
Bless me dear Son, may I believe mine Eyes,
Is't possible thou hast the Danger past,
Sure, Providence is more than kind at last.
There he inform'd her of his doleful Case,
At which she weep'd and often said alace,
Ee'r thou leave off, thy Foes will have thee fang'd,
Mother he said, I'd rather see them hang'd:
These English Lowns that do possess our Land,
Me-thinks we should most manfully withstand.
His Uncle knew he had the Squire kill'd,
Which the old Man with Grief and Sorrow fill'd:
Yet did abate when a few Days were past,
But dreaded Mischief to him at the last.
The English now most subtile ev'ry way,
A Ditty great 'gainst Scots prepared they,
For, at Dundee they call a Justice air,
No longer then durst Wallace sojourn there.
His Mother clad her self in Pilgrim's weed,
Then him disguis'd and both march'd off with Speed:
Nought to defend himself he had from Foes,
But a small Sword he bore below his Cloaths;
Away they went, none with them living moe,
When challeng'd, said, to St. Marg'ret we go.
From Suth'ron Folk great Friendship thus they found,
Because St. Margret was of English Ground.
14
Then thro' the Ochell marched very fast:
Into Dumfermling lodged all that Night,
And on the Morrow by the Day was light
They travel'd with some English Gentlemen,
Who had their dwelling in Linlithgow then.
A Captain's Wife who had a Pilgrim been
Was there, who when she had young Wallace seen
Did him admire; because he was so fair,
Handsome, Gentile, and of engaging Air:
There merrily they past the time around,
Then cross'd the Forth straight to Linlithgow Town.
Where mutually a Complement or two
Was past, and then to Dunipace they go;
There Wallace Friend did dwell a Parson great,
Wallace by Name, of opulent Estate:
A Man devout, who bravely made them fare
And share the best, the time they tarried there.
He did inform, and made them understand
The troubles great that then were in the Land,
Intreating them, in kind and homely Phrase,
There to abide, till God sent better Days.
Wallace reply'd, I hasten to the West,
Our Kin are kill'd, were I at home, the best
Of South'ron blood, I hope 'twixt you and me
To let it out; then I'll avenged be.
The Parson sigh'd, and said he much did doubt,
It would be long e'r that time came about.
15
Then to the honest Parson bad adiew.
To Ellerslie he and his Mother went,
She on the Morrow for her Brother sent,
Who told her to her Sorrow, Grief and Pain,
Her Husband and her eldest Son was slain.
That, when Sir Malcom's Hough Sinews were cut
South'ron to death upon his Knees he put:
Till with their bloody Spears, they bore him down,
Then stick'd that Glorious Knight of great Renown.
Thus at Lochmabane, for their Country's sake,
A noble Exit these Two Heroes make.
To Ellerslie I back again repair,
Where good Sir Rannald met his Sister there:
Who did beseech and humbly pray'd also,
That to Lord Piercy forthwith he would go:
For from her House she would no longer fly,
But long'd at Home for to live quietly.
Sir Rannald in his Sisters Favours wrote,
And then to her a safe Protection got;
Which the brave Wallace highly did disdain,
Therefore no longer would with her remain.
Nor durst Sir Rannald entertain him there,
So to his shift, away does Wallace fare.
The English had the whole Strengths of the Land,
And what they did none durst nor could withstand:
Yet Wallace never could with them accord,
For be he Squire, be he Laird or Lord,
16
He got a Blow unto his great Disgrace.
The English Clerks in Prophecy have found,
A Wallace, should put them from Scotish Ground
Which afterwards prov'd to be very true,
For thrice he drove away that barb'rous Crew.
Sir Rannald now for him a Place prepares,
To keep him safe from English Traps and Snares,
With his own Uncle, who at Richardtoun
Did dwell, and was Sir Richard of Renoun.
In Heritage he had that whole Estate,
Tho' blind he was, which chanc'd thro' Courage great
'Gainst Englishmen; whom he did daily dare,
When he was Young, and well expert in War.
Then did he burst some Veins, and lost much Blood,
A Gentleman both Valiant, Wise, and Good.
In Februar, Wallace was to him sent,
And in April, a fishing from him went,
Which will afford some Sport as you shall hear
Pray listen then with an attentive Ear.
17
CHAP. IV. How Wallace fish'd in Irvin Water.
Dreading no harm, nor danger of his Foes,Wallace a fishing for Diversion goes
To try what Sport and Pastime he might get,
None with him but a Boy to bear his Net.
Lucky he was, fish'd most successfully,
Till the Lord Piercy, and his Court rode by:
Which did confuse, and much perplex his Mind,
Because he had forgot his Sword behind.
Five of that trooping Train in Garments Green,
Mounted on Horse-back, having Wallace seen
To him advanc'd, and blustring Language gave,
Then damn'd and swore, Zounds Scot thy Fish we'll have,
With modest Grace good Wallace did reply,
I'll share the half with you most chearfully,
One of them answer'd that would be too small;
Then lighted down, and from the Boy took all.
18
The meikle sorrow be in's greedy Guts.
Then Wallace said, I'm sure in Modestie
You'll leave us some if Gentlemen you be;
An aged Knight that lives in yonder House
Let him have some pray, be so Generous.
The Cloun he boasting said not one Word more,
The River has enough behind in store:
We serve a Lord shall Dine on them e'r long,
Then Wallace fretting said thour't in the wrong;
Whom thou's thou here, Faith thou deserves a Blow
Poor prating Scot, how darest thou talk so.
Then at him runs, and out his Sword does draw,
But Wallace Poult-staff kept the Rogue in aw.
That trusty Tree as the poor Scoundrel found,
Lay'd him and Sword, both quickly on the Ground:
Wallace the Sword caught fast into his Hand,
Which did the saucy Fellow soon command:
Then a back stroak so cliverly he gave,
His Neck in two most cleanly there he clave.
The other Four alighting from their Horse
Do him attack; with all their Strength, and Force,
Yet tho' they him surround on ev'ry Side,
With handy Blows he pay'd them Back and Side.
Upon the Head so fierce he struck at one,
The shearing Sword cut thro' his collar Bone:
Another on the Arm that stood near by,
He struck; till Hand and Sword on Field did ly.
19
Unto their Horse in a confounded fright:
Left all their Fish, no longer durst remain,
And Three fat English Boucks upon the Plain.
Thus in great hurry having got their Cuffs,
They scamper'd off in haste to save their Buffs.
When Piercy knew by the poor silly Lowns
That Three were kill'd, and saw Two bloody Crowns,
He quickly ask'd how many Foes might be
They said but One, a Devil sure was he.
Since One has killed Three, put Two to flight,
Cowardly Coxcombs pack you out of sight:
Most mastfully it seems the Scot has fought,
For me this Day in Faith he's not be sought.
Was't ever heard before? you Whore-Sons Burds
That a Scots Poult-staff foil'd Five English Swords.
To Wallace I return who by meer force
Defeat the Five and pickt up all their Horse:
Was better mounted than he was before,
Rode to his Uncle, fish'd that Day no more.
The News did so surprise the ancient Knight,
He almost fainted in his Nephews sight:
Then bids keep secret: for such fishing sport
If it be known you may pay dearly for't.
Uncle said Wallace, to the good old Man,
I'll push my Fortune now where best I can:
Since I no longer may with you abide,
I'll try these English Geldins how they ride.
20
Wallace kneel'd down, and humbly took his leave,
When that is done, pray Nephew send for more,
Thus ends the First Book, here I draw my Score.
| A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace | |