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 |
 |
|
| 1. |
| 2. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| 3. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| 4. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| 5. |
| 6. |
| I. |
| II. |
| 7. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| 8. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| IV. |
| V. |
| 9. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| 10. |
| 11. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. |
| 12. |
| I. |
| II. |
| III. | CHAP III. How WALLACE killed the Lyon.
|
| IV. |
| V. |
| VI. |
 | CHAP III. How WALLACE killed the Lyon.
A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace |  |
314
CHAP III. How WALLACE killed the Lyon.
The King of France by no Means does neglect,To put on Wallace Marks of great Respect.
For many Battles had he fought and won,
And for the King, great Fates and Service done.
Had Guyen Land from Suthron Foes redeem'd.
And was a mighty Conqueror esteem'd.
Which gall'd the Courtiers, almost put them mad.
That he was in such Estimation had.
315
Were with Envy great Spite and Malice fill'd.
For plainly they discover'd now and saw,
It was the King protect'd him from the Law.
For which Two Squires hellishly do plot,
How to destroy the brave Heroïck Scot.
Who near Relations were as you must know,
Unto the late deceased Champions Two.
And in this Manner do they undertake,
The Wallace brave a Sacrifice to make.
The King a cruel Lyon had, which scarce
Could be govern'd, was so exceeding fierce.
Which the Two Squires, knowing by and by.
Came to the King and forg'd a cursed Lie.
This Scot said they his Bragg and Boast doth make,
And plainly says that he will undertake
To fight your Lyon, if you'll freely give,
Him your Allowance, Liberty, and Leave.
This he desired us of you to ask,
We'er sure he'll have a most difficult Task.
To which with great Concern reply'd the King,
I'm sorry he desires such a Thing.
Yet I will not deny what e'er may chance,
The Favour that he'll ask me while in France.
Gladly away they went to Wallace, where,
Like Rogues they counterfit the Story there.
VVallace said they, the King Commands that you
Will fight his Lyon without more ado.
316
Unto my Pow'r most gladly I'll fulfill.
Then to the King did instantly repair.
A Lord at Court when he saw Wallace there
Most foolishly, ask'd him if he durst fight
With the fierce Lyon, who reply'd on Sight.
Yes truely if the King would have it so,
Or with your self, I fear none of the Two.
Let Cowards from Kings Courts be all debar'd,
I may be worsted, but shall ne'er be dar'd.
So long's my Nostrils any Breath remains,
Or Scottish Blood does circle in my Veins.
Like a true Scot I'll fight and scorn to fly,
For why, I know that Man is born to dye,
Then by the King in short it granted was,
That Wallace might unto the Lyon pass.
Yet all this Time knew nothing of the Plot,
So deeply laid against the Noble Scot.
Nor in the Matter further did enquire,
Thinking it was good Wallace own Desire.
Mean Time of him so Tender was the King,
He order'd Harness quickly there to bring.
No Wallace said, I leave that to the Field,
Almighty God shall only be my Shield,
Since this is but a Beast and not a Man,
With what I have, I'll fight him as I can.
And will encounter single as I goe,
This strong rapacious, cruel savage Foe.
317
And in the other did his broad Sword clap.
Then briskly without any furder stay,
Came to the Place where the fierce Lyon lay.
Who ramping rose against him where he stood,
Dreadfully roar'd, expecting present Blood,
Then Wallace drew a Stroke from Neck to Heel,
With his good Sword made of the burnish'd Steel,
And gave the Lyon such a dreadful Blow,
As cut his Body cliverly in two.
Then to the King he call'd aloud in Ire,
Pray Sir said he, is this your whole Desire?
Thus to expose me to the Rage and Will,
Of your fierce Lyon, have you more to kill?
Cause bring them forth, such Beasts since I must quell,
I will obey, so long's I with you dwell.
But now of France for ever I take leave,
Some greater Action I may soon atchieve.
At Shemon, Sir, I thought the other Year,
You would have other Bus'ness for me here.
Than fight a cruel savage Beast, wherefore,
To Ancient Scotland I'll return once more.
The King perceiving Wallace in a Fire,
Meekly reply'd it was your own Desire.
Else by the Faith of a most Christian King,
I never would allow of such a Thing.
For Men of Honour ask'd it in your Name,
So you or they are only for to blame.
318
This seems to me a Thing both Strange and Odd
By all that's Good no higher can be sworn,
I know no more on't, than the Child unborn.
Of Honour sure I have a better Taste,
Than to be proud to sight a savage Beast.
This is a Trick devis'd by some of those,
Who are my secret and Malicious Foes.
The King conceiving there was Falshood wrought,
Caus'd both the Squires quickly to be brought:
Who when they came, the Crime could not deny:
But plainly did confess the Treachery.
For which, and other must ungodly Deeds,
The King commanded to strike off their Heads.
Thus came the Squires to their fatal End,
As did the Champions, to all Men be't kend.
The Champions first, for their Disdain and Flout
At Scotland, justly got their Brains beat out.
The Squires next, for Malice and Envy,
Did lose their Heads and most deservedly.
For our Instruction then, we may reflect.
Nothing from Justice Villains can protect.
Each Rogue, altho' with Nick he should combine:
Shall be discov'red either soon or syne.
And may be certain of a Rogue's Reward,
Vertue and Honour who does not Regard,
As in the sacred Scriptures we may read,
But to my Purpose further I proceed.
319
To Scotland then he purposed to go:
To aid his Country, and to take his Chance,
Despising all the Wealth he had in France.
Once more his Native Land for to relieve,
Which Suthron Foes did now afflict and grieve.
And to its pristine Freedom it restore,
Or else he vow'd that he should dy therefore.
The King perceiving Wallace that Way bent,
Gave him the Letter that was lately sent.
From the Scots Lords, which he read and perus'd,
Then told the King he must have him excus'd.
For he in France no longer could remain,
But must return to Scotland back again.
Since that his Country was distressed so,
Being invaded by the Suthron Foe.
But to abridge my Story and be short,
Wallace takes leave of King and all the Court.
At which the King did sorrowful appear,
And to the Chamber quickly did retire.
Jewels and Gold he gave him in that Hour,
For to support his Honour and Grandeur.
But Lords and Ladies did lament and grieve,
And weeped sore when Wallace took his Leave,
No Man he took with him of Note, or Might.
To Scotland back, but Longoveil the Knight.
320
What e'er befel, would never from him part,
Towards the Sluce in goodly Order past,
A Vessel got and made to Sea at last.
Eight Seamen had, as good as were alive,
And then at Tay did safely all arrive.
| CHAP III. How WALLACE killed the Lyon.
A new edition of the life and heroick actions of the renoun'd Sir William Wallace | |