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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 | CHAP. I. The Battle of Falkirk.
A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace |  |
287
To the Appointment was betwixt them made.
At sight of whom, his Face flusht in a Flame,
When he thought on the Loss of gallant Graham:
Does thou not rue said he in angry Mood,
Thy fighting 'gainst thy native Flesh and Blood.
Oh! said the Bruce rebuke me now no more,
My foolish Deeds do check and bite me sore
Wallace surprized, was put to a Stance,
Fell on his Knees and chang'd his Countenance.
At which the Bruce embrac'd him in his Arms,
And thus the Two came in good speaking Terms.
Pray Sir said Wallace leave that Suthron King,
The Bruce said that were an ignoble Thing;
I am so bound, faithful to be and leill,
For England I'll not falsifie my Seal.
But here I Promise unto GOD and thee,
Hereafter Scots shall ne'er be harm'd by me.
And if you Victors be, as grant you may,
I will not fight to save my Life this Day,
But with King Edward I'll return again,
Unless that I be taken or be slain.
And when my Term with him is fairly out,
May I escape I'll come to thee no doubt.
Thus Bruce took Leave and did to Edward post,
And Wallace soon returned to his Host.
Crawford he made the Earl Malcolm's Guide,
To Inneravin the low way to ride,
288
The other Host himself led hastily.
By the South Manwel, where they were not seen
Of the Outwatches, there had planted been.
The Earl Malcolm enters Lithgow now,
Where a hot Dispute quickly did ensue.
Wallace and his made little Noise or Cry,
But on King Edward's Host fell suddenly.
And did their Weapons Gallantly imploy,
To his great Terror, but the Scotsmens Joy.
Tents and Pavilions were cast to the Ground,
Numbers of Suthron cut in Pieces down.
Edward he calls on Bruce, to round him then,
With Twenty Thousand of well harnish'd Men
But the Surprise put them in such a Ghast,
That they were flying from all Quarters fast.
Wallace his Way thro' them did cut so clean,
As if he had more than a Mortal been.
Edward himself most bravely did behave,
Which to his Men both Life and Vigour gave.
Yet nothing could the Scottish Courage tame.
When they thought on the loss of Gallant Graham.
They fought like Furies in that dreadful Throng,
And 'mongst the Suthron rais'd a dolefull Song,
The English Commons fled on every Side,
But the best sort did with the King abide,
289
And looked on with feigned Countenance.
Lord Hartford then did make him for the Flight.
Unto his King a mortifying Sight.
Who all this Time to flee a Foot disdains,
Untill the Scots 'most seiz'd his Bridle Reins.
His Banner-Man close by him Wallace slew
Next to the Ground the Banner quickly flew.
At which the Scots were not a litle glad,
And then the King and all his Army fled,
Ten Thousand dead were in the Town and Field,
Before King Edward once his Ground would yeild.
Yet Twenty Thousand fled of Suthron Men,
Tho' at the first brave Wallace had but Ten,
The Scots in haste the Victory pursue,
All brave bold Men, stout like the Steel and true.
But Wallace wisely caus'd them close abide.
In a full Body and good Order ride.
Lest Suthron might at some convenient Place,
If they dispers'd, ralzy and turn the Chace.
In good Array thus rode they at his will,
And all they overtook did quickly kill,
They came so close upon the Suthron's Rear,
None from the Army durst come off for fear.
Ten Thousand Straglers joyn'd the Suthron Host
Thus Thirty Thousand fled to England Post.
Tho' the Scots Horse were almost spent yet they,
Caus'd Edward change his Horses oft that Day,
290
Three Thousand of the outmost Men they slew.
In Crawford Moor many a Man was slain,
Then Edward calls the Bruce to him again;
To charge the Scots with all his Power and Might,
For which he should be put in his own Right.
Then said the Bruce, Sir, loose me of my Band,
And I shall turn, I give you here my Hand.
When from the Bruce this Answer he did get,
He knew his Heart on Scotland then was set.
From that Time forth, Edward most subtilly,
Over the Bruce did cast a watchful Eye.
Bruce turned not, nor further Language made,
But with King Edward unto Solway rade.
Who when he came upon the English Coast,
Found, that he Fifty Thousand Men had lost.
VVallace returns to Edinburgh without more,
Makes Crawford Captain as he was before.
The like he did unto his Judges all,
Each in his former Office did install.
Thus he to Scotland Peace and great Content
Procur'd; and then streight to St. Johnstoun went:
Where all the Scottish Lords assembl'd were,
To whom he all his Progress did declare
By this Time Scrimzeor had reduc'd Dundee,
Then on a Gallows Mortoun hang'd was high.
291
And Scots no more of Suthron were afraid.
The noble Lords Wallace did then address,
And with good Air himself did thus express.
My Lords said he, since over all your Force
You made me Gen'ral, both of Foot and Horse,
I hope your Lordships plainly all do see,
Once more I've set this ancient Kingdom free.
And yet for all my Service, secretly,
Some do reproach me, what a Pox care I.
With what's Ignoble I dare boldly say,
There's none can charge me standing here this Day.
To stay at Home no longer I incline,
My Office therefore freely I resign.
No Gift I ask as my Reward or Fee,
I've Honour purchas'd, that's enough for me.
I'll back to France where I had Laud and Praise,
And spend the rest of my remaining Days.
The Lords did all oppose it, but in fine,
Was no Man there could make him change his Mind.
Most heartily he bad them all farewell,
Then march'd with Eighteen Men as stout as Steel.
The Baron's Sons of Brechin with him went,
And Longoveil, on Honour always bent.
Simon, and Richard, Wallace Nephews brave,
Went both along for Honour or a Grave.
292
Good Edward Little, Jop, and Mr. Blair.
And Kierly who, had long with Wallace been,
Thro' all the Wars, and bloody Bouts had seen.
With those brave Men he shipped at Dundee,
Then hoised Sail, and fairly set to Sea.
| CHAP. I. The Battle of Falkirk.
A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace | |