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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| III. | CHAP. III. How WALLACE march'd into England, and remained
there Three Quarters of a Year, and returned without Battle.
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 | CHAP. III. How WALLACE march'd into England, and remained
there Three Quarters of a Year, and returned without Battle.
A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace |  |
189
CHAP. III. How WALLACE march'd into England, and remained there Three Quarters of a Year, and returned without Battle.
October
now by this Time's almost past,
And cold November is approaching fast.
When to his Shifts, those News, King Edward puts,
And do confound him to the very Guts.
Yet by Corspatrick's Counsel, does intend,
Once more, an Army 'gainst the Scots to send.
Wallace informed, of their wicked Plots,
Assembled quickly Fourty Thousand Scots:
In Rosin-Moor, where he the Lords addrest,
Edward he said our Nation's common Pest,
Us to invade does threaten with bold Face,
But, Faith I'll try if I can turn the Chace.
And with an Host be first on English Ground,
In spite of all the Subjects of his Crown.
The Lords, they off'red very Chearfully;
To march along with all their Cavalry;
Wallace he thank'd them, thought it needless then,
Choos'd of that Number Twenty Thousand Men.
With Horse, and Harness, Weapons new and tight,
Does them provide, and shining Armour bright.
The Rest to march, he quickly did command,
To their own Homes, and cultivat the Land.
This Army's big enough for my Design,
If we be all of one, and the same Mind.
Then let us to it, either doe or die.
Who fly's or yield's shall never ransom'd be.
Our Kingdom's poor, wasted by Suthron Knaves
We shall get Gold or honourable Graves.
Then all the Host promis'd with Heart, and Hand,
Closs to stand by him, and obey Command.
VVith Wallace also, Earl Malcom's gone,
A better Lord, and braver could be none;
And Campbel kind, the good Knight of Lochow,
To Suthron still a fearfull grievous Cow.
Good Ramsay also, Honour to his Name,
And the most valiant, good Sir John the Graham
And Adam Wallace, whom no Man durst doubt
And Robert Boyd, both trusty, true, and stout.
Lundie and Lauder, and brave Auchinleck,
Seatoun, and Hay, all Men of great Respect.
And cold November is approaching fast.
When to his Shifts, those News, King Edward puts,
And do confound him to the very Guts.
Yet by Corspatrick's Counsel, does intend,
Once more, an Army 'gainst the Scots to send.
Wallace informed, of their wicked Plots,
Assembled quickly Fourty Thousand Scots:
190
Edward he said our Nation's common Pest,
Us to invade does threaten with bold Face,
But, Faith I'll try if I can turn the Chace.
And with an Host be first on English Ground,
In spite of all the Subjects of his Crown.
The Lords, they off'red very Chearfully;
To march along with all their Cavalry;
Wallace he thank'd them, thought it needless then,
Choos'd of that Number Twenty Thousand Men.
With Horse, and Harness, Weapons new and tight,
Does them provide, and shining Armour bright.
The Rest to march, he quickly did command,
To their own Homes, and cultivat the Land.
This Army's big enough for my Design,
If we be all of one, and the same Mind.
Then let us to it, either doe or die.
Who fly's or yield's shall never ransom'd be.
Our Kingdom's poor, wasted by Suthron Knaves
We shall get Gold or honourable Graves.
Then all the Host promis'd with Heart, and Hand,
Closs to stand by him, and obey Command.
VVith Wallace also, Earl Malcom's gone,
A better Lord, and braver could be none;
And Campbel kind, the good Knight of Lochow,
To Suthron still a fearfull grievous Cow.
Good Ramsay also, Honour to his Name,
And the most valiant, good Sir John the Graham
191
And Robert Boyd, both trusty, true, and stout.
Lundie and Lauder, and brave Auchinleck,
Seatoun, and Hay, all Men of great Respect.
This noble Host with Courage march away,
To Broxes Field, in good and brave Array,
VVhere VVallace made a little Haste and then,
To Roxburgh Gate rode up, with Twenty Men.
VVhere boldly he did call on Sir Ralph Gray,
Told him for sieging now he could not stay.
Therefore desired he would quickly please,
To quite the Castle, and give up the Keys.
If he refus'd, then swore before them all,
At his Return, he'd hang him o'er the VVall.
Then wheel'd about, back to his Army went,
The like Command to Berwick quickly sent,
VVith Sir John Ramsay, who dispatch'd on Sight;
Then march'd the Host, all in their Armour bright;
Began at Tweed and nothing spar'd they fand,
But burn'd by Force thro' all Northumberland,
All Durham Town, up in a Flame they sent,
But Churches spar'd and Abbays where they went.
Then unto York they march'd, without Delay,
No Sin they thought it, there to burn and slay.
For Suthron had committed the same Thing,
VVhen they as Tyrants did in Scotland, Reign
Forts and small Castles, Wallace did throw down.
Burn'd to the Gates and Suburbs of the Town.
About the Walls, full Fifteen Days they spent,
And then at last, Edward to Wallace sent.
A Knight, a Clerk, a Squire of the Peace,
Intreating, that from burning he would cease.
Who promise in King Edward's Name, and says,
He should have Battle, within Fifteen Days.
Good Wallace smil'd, and to the Gentlemen,
With noble Air replyed briskly then.
I'll both desist from Fire, and from Sword,
For Fourty Days, if he but keep his Word.
King Edward's Faith under his Seal they gave,
That, in that Space, Wallace should Battle have.
Who quickly did consent unto the Thing,
Then they returned all unto their King.
Who told that they, never as yet had seen,
Such Men for Order, and good Discipline.
Then spoke the King, when they were at an End,
It Wisdom is, our En'mies to commend.
They'r to be fear'd; as sure as shines the Sun,
They will resent the Inj'ries we have done.
Frighted I leave them here, to their new Plots,
And do return unto the valiant Scots.
To Broxes Field, in good and brave Array,
VVhere VVallace made a little Haste and then,
To Roxburgh Gate rode up, with Twenty Men.
VVhere boldly he did call on Sir Ralph Gray,
Told him for sieging now he could not stay.
Therefore desired he would quickly please,
To quite the Castle, and give up the Keys.
If he refus'd, then swore before them all,
At his Return, he'd hang him o'er the VVall.
Then wheel'd about, back to his Army went,
The like Command to Berwick quickly sent,
VVith Sir John Ramsay, who dispatch'd on Sight;
Then march'd the Host, all in their Armour bright;
Began at Tweed and nothing spar'd they fand,
But burn'd by Force thro' all Northumberland,
All Durham Town, up in a Flame they sent,
But Churches spar'd and Abbays where they went.
Then unto York they march'd, without Delay,
No Sin they thought it, there to burn and slay.
For Suthron had committed the same Thing,
VVhen they as Tyrants did in Scotland, Reign
192
Burn'd to the Gates and Suburbs of the Town.
About the Walls, full Fifteen Days they spent,
And then at last, Edward to Wallace sent.
A Knight, a Clerk, a Squire of the Peace,
Intreating, that from burning he would cease.
Who promise in King Edward's Name, and says,
He should have Battle, within Fifteen Days.
Good Wallace smil'd, and to the Gentlemen,
With noble Air replyed briskly then.
I'll both desist from Fire, and from Sword,
For Fourty Days, if he but keep his Word.
King Edward's Faith under his Seal they gave,
That, in that Space, Wallace should Battle have.
Who quickly did consent unto the Thing,
Then they returned all unto their King.
Who told that they, never as yet had seen,
Such Men for Order, and good Discipline.
Then spoke the King, when they were at an End,
It Wisdom is, our En'mies to commend.
They'r to be fear'd; as sure as shines the Sun,
They will resent the Inj'ries we have done.
Frighted I leave them here, to their new Plots,
And do return unto the valiant Scots.
Wallace from York did march the second Day,
With his whole Host, in noble good Array.
To the North-west, they peaceably go down,
And pitch their Tents near to Northallertoun.
Proclaim'd his Peace, and Mercats all to stand,
For Forty Days, throughout all the whole Land.
There Sir Ralph Rymount, secretly did boast,
For to surprise good Wallace, and his Host.
Of which, some Scotsmen private notice got,
Then unto Wallace did reveal the Plot.
Good Lundie then, he called to him there,
And Hugh the Hay, of Lochartquart the Heir.
Three Thousand Men, he quickly with him sent
Then quietly out from the Host they went.
The Men he took, that came to him of new,
To be their Guides, for they the Country knew.
Silence profound he order'd there to be,
And then drew up the Host most privatly.
Rymount, he with Seven Thousand did advance,
Of English Horse, who there did proudly prance.
The Ambush then, Bambusl'd all their Game,
For with pel-mel the Scots upon them came.
Three thousand whole, they quickly brought to Ground,
And with a Vengeance there were all cut down.
Sir Ralph himself, was sticked with a Spear,
Then all the Rest in Hurry fled, with Fear.
To Miltoun, where Wallace pursued fast,
Great Numbers kill'd, and seiz'd the Town at last.
Great store of Riches, he got in the Town,
Wherewith it did so very much abound.
Plenty of Victuals, Ale, and noble Wine
Sent to his Host, a very Sweet Propine.
They ate and drank, truss'd off their whole Desire,
Broke down the Walls, and set the rest on Fire.
Three Days he liv'd, at the Expence and Cost,
Of Suthron, then returned to his Host.
Caus'd cast a Ditch about him speedily
To keep his Camp from sudden Jeopardie.
VVhen English Men got Notice of this Thing,
They from all Airts, ride straight unto their King,
VVho lay at Pumfret, but his Parliament,
Battle to give, would not at all consent.
VVhich carri'd was, by most of all their Votes,
Unless that Wallace, crown'd were King of Scots.
But if on him, Wallace the Crown would take,
To give him Battle, all would ready make.
This Message quickly they to him dispatch'd,
But in that Snare he was not to be catch'd.
The Messengers he quickly did discharge,
Out of his Presence in a mighty Rage.
His Council call'd, and told them all the Plot,
And treasonable Message he had got.
It were said he, a too presumptous Thing,
Against my Faith, to rob my righteous King.
It's ne'er be said in Country, nor in Town;
I'm such a Rogue, as to usurp the Crown.
But still my King, and Country, I'll defend,
Let GOD above reward me in the End.
Some cry'd to crown him; some said the Consent
Must first be had, of a Scots Parliament.
Campbel the Knight, was there among the rest,
Who in his Judgement, thought it truely best;
To crown him King solemnly, for a Day,
And put an End to Edward's long Delay.
Which, when the Earl Malcom he did hear,
Both he and People, all were very clear,
Yet Wallace in his Mind abhor'd the Thing,
Tho' all cry'd out, to crown and make him King.
Then in short Terms he said it ne'er should be,
Rest satisfy'd, you get no more of me.
But if you please to let the Story pass,
That I am crown'd, (tho' still the same I was)
Assuredly we quickly then shall know,
Whither, they do design to fight, or no.
Then to the Messengers the News they bring,
Make them believe Wallace was crowned King.
Who like poor credulous and lying Sots,
Affirm they saw Wallace crown'd King of Scots.
Then said the Lords, he did so well before,
Now when he's King he'll certainly do more.
If we give Battle he's so Fortunate,
We may repent it, when it is too late.
Then spoke another, he must Battle have.
Or wast our Land, ther's nothing else can save,
Tho' all his Conquests first since he began,
Nothing but Death ransoms an English-Man.
Woodstock said, tho', we Fight and them Defeat,
They've Men enough behind, that will debate;
If Wallace be but safe, they do not care,
Therefore, methinks more safe, and sure it were:
To keep each Strength, Castle and walled Town,
And save our Men; than to expose our Crown.
Then all approv'd what Woodstock he did say,
And cowardly the Battle did delay.
Thus thro' their Falshood, and Subtility,
Thinking that Wallace of Necessity:
Thro' want of Food his Ground could never stand,
But be oblidg'd to steal out of the Land:
Advis'd the King, to cry the Mercats down,
From Trent, to Tweed, in ev'ry Burgh and Town.
That in the Bounds no Man should Victual lead,
Under the pain of Death without remead.
Wallace lay still, while Fourty Days were gone,
Waiting to fight, but Battle got he none.
The Scottish Banner then he did display,
Trode under Foot the English Seal that Day.
An ignominious, but deserving Thing,
To such a base, and cowardly, false King.
Then rais'd he Fire, burn'd Northallartoun,
March'd thro' York-Shire, boldly up and down.
Destroy'd that Land, as far as they could ride,
Seven Miles about they burn'd on ev'ry Side.
Proud Palaces, and Tow'rs, they did cast down,
Gardens and Orchards there did all confound.
Nothing they spar'd of all came in their Lurch,
But Women, Children, and the Holy Church,
To York they march, and then they very soon,
With all their Force, closely besiege the Town.
A strong Defence, they do prepare within,
And they without, a grand Assault begin.
With his whole Host, in noble good Array.
193
And pitch their Tents near to Northallertoun.
Proclaim'd his Peace, and Mercats all to stand,
For Forty Days, throughout all the whole Land.
There Sir Ralph Rymount, secretly did boast,
For to surprise good Wallace, and his Host.
Of which, some Scotsmen private notice got,
Then unto Wallace did reveal the Plot.
Good Lundie then, he called to him there,
And Hugh the Hay, of Lochartquart the Heir.
Three Thousand Men, he quickly with him sent
Then quietly out from the Host they went.
The Men he took, that came to him of new,
To be their Guides, for they the Country knew.
Silence profound he order'd there to be,
And then drew up the Host most privatly.
Rymount, he with Seven Thousand did advance,
Of English Horse, who there did proudly prance.
The Ambush then, Bambusl'd all their Game,
For with pel-mel the Scots upon them came.
Three thousand whole, they quickly brought to Ground,
And with a Vengeance there were all cut down.
Sir Ralph himself, was sticked with a Spear,
Then all the Rest in Hurry fled, with Fear.
To Miltoun, where Wallace pursued fast,
Great Numbers kill'd, and seiz'd the Town at last.
Great store of Riches, he got in the Town,
Wherewith it did so very much abound.
194
Sent to his Host, a very Sweet Propine.
They ate and drank, truss'd off their whole Desire,
Broke down the Walls, and set the rest on Fire.
Three Days he liv'd, at the Expence and Cost,
Of Suthron, then returned to his Host.
Caus'd cast a Ditch about him speedily
To keep his Camp from sudden Jeopardie.
VVhen English Men got Notice of this Thing,
They from all Airts, ride straight unto their King,
VVho lay at Pumfret, but his Parliament,
Battle to give, would not at all consent.
VVhich carri'd was, by most of all their Votes,
Unless that Wallace, crown'd were King of Scots.
But if on him, Wallace the Crown would take,
To give him Battle, all would ready make.
This Message quickly they to him dispatch'd,
But in that Snare he was not to be catch'd.
The Messengers he quickly did discharge,
Out of his Presence in a mighty Rage.
His Council call'd, and told them all the Plot,
And treasonable Message he had got.
It were said he, a too presumptous Thing,
Against my Faith, to rob my righteous King.
It's ne'er be said in Country, nor in Town;
I'm such a Rogue, as to usurp the Crown.
But still my King, and Country, I'll defend,
Let GOD above reward me in the End.
195
Must first be had, of a Scots Parliament.
Campbel the Knight, was there among the rest,
Who in his Judgement, thought it truely best;
To crown him King solemnly, for a Day,
And put an End to Edward's long Delay.
Which, when the Earl Malcom he did hear,
Both he and People, all were very clear,
Yet Wallace in his Mind abhor'd the Thing,
Tho' all cry'd out, to crown and make him King.
Then in short Terms he said it ne'er should be,
Rest satisfy'd, you get no more of me.
But if you please to let the Story pass,
That I am crown'd, (tho' still the same I was)
Assuredly we quickly then shall know,
Whither, they do design to fight, or no.
Then to the Messengers the News they bring,
Make them believe Wallace was crowned King.
Who like poor credulous and lying Sots,
Affirm they saw Wallace crown'd King of Scots.
Then said the Lords, he did so well before,
Now when he's King he'll certainly do more.
If we give Battle he's so Fortunate,
We may repent it, when it is too late.
Then spoke another, he must Battle have.
Or wast our Land, ther's nothing else can save,
Tho' all his Conquests first since he began,
Nothing but Death ransoms an English-Man.
196
They've Men enough behind, that will debate;
If Wallace be but safe, they do not care,
Therefore, methinks more safe, and sure it were:
To keep each Strength, Castle and walled Town,
And save our Men; than to expose our Crown.
Then all approv'd what Woodstock he did say,
And cowardly the Battle did delay.
Thus thro' their Falshood, and Subtility,
Thinking that Wallace of Necessity:
Thro' want of Food his Ground could never stand,
But be oblidg'd to steal out of the Land:
Advis'd the King, to cry the Mercats down,
From Trent, to Tweed, in ev'ry Burgh and Town.
That in the Bounds no Man should Victual lead,
Under the pain of Death without remead.
Wallace lay still, while Fourty Days were gone,
Waiting to fight, but Battle got he none.
The Scottish Banner then he did display,
Trode under Foot the English Seal that Day.
An ignominious, but deserving Thing,
To such a base, and cowardly, false King.
Then rais'd he Fire, burn'd Northallartoun,
March'd thro' York-Shire, boldly up and down.
Destroy'd that Land, as far as they could ride,
Seven Miles about they burn'd on ev'ry Side.
Proud Palaces, and Tow'rs, they did cast down,
Gardens and Orchards there did all confound.
197
But Women, Children, and the Holy Church,
To York they march, and then they very soon,
With all their Force, closely besiege the Town.
A strong Defence, they do prepare within,
And they without, a grand Assault begin.
| CHAP. III. How WALLACE march'd into England, and remained
there Three Quarters of a Year, and returned without Battle.
A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace | |