University of Virginia Library

CHAP. I. The Battle of Falkirk.

Young Woodstock now, all in his Airs is got,
He'll Wallace fight, rescue Dundee, what not?
But was surpriz'd, when looking round about,
He Wallace saw, with him Eight Thousand stout
Old bardy Boys, which made him change his Hue,
And on a sudden look both Pale and Blue.
But finding them in Number less than he,
Resolves to fight, and not a Foot to flee.
On Sherriff-Moor Wallace drew up his Men,
Who had Eight Thousand 'gainst Lord Wood-Stock's Ten
There furiously the Armies do engage
Each other, in a Desp'rate Bloody Rage.
The hardy Scots together stuck so true,
In Rank and File Seven Thousand Suthron slew.
Three Thousand more who fought and would not yeild,
VVere quickly all cut down upon the Field.
Lord Woodstock dead among them also lay,
Not one escap'd the Sword that fatal Day;
Silver and Gold, Horses and other Spoil,
Scotsmen got to remunerat their Toil.
VVithout a Halt to Stirling Bridge they ride,
And all pass over to the other Side.
Then Carpenters and Crafts men quickly call.
VVho presently undo the Passage all.
To the Dridfoord Wallace he sent them syne
VVho ordered all according to his Mind.
Then made he Lauder very quickly pass,
Along the Coast where any Vessel was
And Men with him who searched every Nook,
And from each Boat a Board or Two they took,
In Stirling then lay with his Foot and Horse,
VVatching what VVay the English bent their Force.
The Earl Malcolm came to VVallace then,
With the brave Lennox Lads true hearted Men.
Sir John the Graham came also speedily,
Attended with a Glorious Company.
Who Tydings brought King Edward was at Hand.
Ev'n at Torphichen with his Suthron Band.
Stuart of Bute with a great Number next
To Wallace came for Battle bravely fixt.
Who on the Morrow with the Cummine arch,
Each with Ten Thousand, to Falkirk did march.
Ten Thousand also of brave valiant Men,
Wallace drew quickly up in Order then,
There Earl Malcolm was of mighty Fame,
And that renowned Knight Sir John the Graham
Seaton, and Lauder, Boyd the stout and tight.
And Adam Wallace, a most noble Sight.
Then by Express came Information sure,
The Suthron all were in Slamannan-Moor.
Pitching their Tents, setting Pavilions down,
Be South Falkirk, litle above the Town.
Jop view'd their Number as they went along
VVhich was compute one Hundred Thousand Strong.
Nevertheless, the Scots do Courage take
At Sight of VVallace, and all Fear forsake.
The Cummine here, fy on him for a Scot,
'Gainst Wallace does contrive a hellish Plot.
Told the Lord Stuart Wallace had no Right
To lead the Van, before him in the Fight.
Which bred great Heat betwixt the Gallant Two,
So subtily Cummine the Coal did blow.
The Stuart then does toward Wallace make,
Pray Sir, what Course is proper now to take.
For Edward comes with a prodigious Power;
To fight said Wallace, there's no other Cure.
With far more Troops I've seen yon King appear,
And soundly beat, with fewer Men than here.
Let's to it then for we have Men anew,
Likely and good, providing they be true
Then Stuart said the Van-Guard he would have;
Wallace reply'd, as God my Soul shall save
That shall ye not, I'll grant you no such Thing,
Nor no Man else, except my righteous King.
Twice have I rescu'd this my Native Land,
And shall I now resign my old Command.
I let you know, its neither Brag nor Boast,
Will bully me out of my righteous Post.
So much a Fool I am not Sir, by half,
At such a Time to quit my Marshalls Staff,
To which the Stuart answered again
The Owl did of his Feathers once complain,
At which Dame Nature took a Feather fair
From every Bird, and him delivered there.
Which Gift the Owl no sooner did receive,
Than he thro' Pride rebuted all the lave.
Why then so high Sir? does it not appear,
That you condemn all but you self are here
Then of your Men be not so Vain, but mind,
Had each his own, you should have few behind.
Wallace enrag'd, flew in a flame of Fire,
And too too rashly call'd the Stuart Liar,
No Owl I am, for I have often been,
At the Noon Day where thou durst not be seen:
Fighting thy Foes, for Glory not for Pelf,
This Parable thou speak'st against thy self.
It is the Cummine has thee thus advis'd,
I know his Speech, tho' masked and disguis'd.
From Danger great I did relieve that Slave,
And this is all the Thanks I now receive.
No Succour then expect from me this Day,
Then wheel'd and with Ten Thousand rode away.
Great Comfort this did to the English yeild
And almost forc'd the Scots to leave the Field.
At which the Stuart greiving much he swore,
Cummine should rue his base Advice full sore.
For that he now did very plainly see,
His Plot was only Self and Treachery.
The Earl Hartford 'gainst the Stuart then,
Advanc'd with Thirty Thousand Englishmen.
Whom the brave Stuart charg'd so fierce and hot,
That Hartford's Men in Heaps lay on the Spot.
When Spears were broke, boldly their Swords they drew
And Twenty Thousand of the Suthron slew,
The Rest they fled unto their King with Grief,
VVho sent Ten Thousand for a fresh Relief.
VVhich when the noble Champion Wallace saw,
And the brave Scots up in Battalie draw.
Held up his Hands, and fervently did say,
O GOD Assist yon Lord I humbly Pray;
And tho' he be with fresh Force overset.
Grant he the Victory o'er his Foes may get,
By this the Bruce and Bishop Beik, do then,
Fiercely advance with Forty Thousand Men.
When Wallace did the Bruce's-Banner know,
Good GOD said he how do this World go.
To see a Man so forward and so rude,
As fight against his Native Flesh and Blood.
Were I but free of my rash Oath and Vow,
I'd either dy or Stuart brave rescue.
Kindness said pray rescue him from the Foe,
But Will said Nay, why Fool wilt thou do so?
Kindness reply'd they are good Scottish Men,
On that said Will I cannot much depend.
Had they been good, as one we all had been,
The contrair whereof now is plainly seen.
Tho' one be false said Kindness that ne'er shall,
Make us neglect the Rest and lose them all.
Who have behaved so well and Suthron slain,
Rescue them now and thereby Honour gain.
Then on the Rogue, occasion'd all the Strife,
Avenge thy self if he be found on Life,
Will said this Day they shall not helped be,
What I have said, shall still be said for me.
With that the Tears unto their great Surprize,
Burst out and trickled down from both his Eyes.
Sir John the Graham and many others more,
For the brave Stuart weeped wondrous sore.
To see him with such Numbers overpowr'd.
While Cowardly the Cummine fled and scour'd
The Men of Bute before their Lord they stood,
Defending him in streams of their own Blood.
Till at the last so faint and weary grown,
They by the Bruce are all quite overthrown:
And brave Lord Stuart scorning for to yeild.
With his good Men lay dead upon the Field,
Then Wallace turn'd about to his Men true.
My Lords said he what's proper now to do.
If we turn East for Strength in Louthian Land,
They'll us pursue, with all their Numerous Band
Take we the Moor King Edward is before;
We have but one Thing for't without words more
To the Tor-Wood in Order all Compleat,
Thro' Bruce's Host we'll fight a brave Retreat,
To which they all did chearfully consent.
And as one Man were all alike content,
Good Wallace then mounting his Horse on Sight
March'd at their Head in shining Armour bright.
With harnish'd Horse when to the Host he drew,
The Cry arose and Spears in pieces flew,
So fiercely sought the Scots, that by and by.
Eight Thousand Suthron on the Field did ly.
E'er Bruce and Beik, their Men got in array,
Wallace pass'd thro' and cleanly cut his Way.
Then gave Command to march his Host on Sight,
To the Tor-Wood with all the speed they might.
He and Sir John the Graham and Lauder then,
Stay'd with Three Hundred Stout West Country Men.
Expert in War would hazard any Thing,
Who do attack some of the En'mies Wing.
No Spears they had, but Swords of Temper'd Steel.
As to their Smart the Englishmen did feel,
For e'er the Bruce thereof could Knowledge have,
Wallace had sent Three Hundred to their Grave,
With Thirty Thousand Men Bruce did pursue
His Native Scots, the Suthron to rescue.
And order'd Beik for a Relief to be,
Which when good Wallace did observe and see,
Alas he said how Bruce with all his Might
Does ruin, and destroy his own true Right.
Wallace Commands his Men to their own Host
And stay'd behind for all the Bruce's Boast.
Yea on their Front so fiercely in he broke,
A Suthron there he slew at every Stroke,
But when retiring, woe is me therefore,
Under the Haunch the Bruce did Wound him sore.
At which the Graham and Lauder so inrag'd,
Did cut down all with whom they once engag'd.
For they alone bravely maintain'd their Ground,
While Wallace was a dressing of his Wound
Who with Three Hundred very quickly came,
To rescue Lauder and the noble Graham.
Then with fresh Force does Bishop Beik appear,
Who makes the Scots Seven Aiker broad retire.
Yet were the Two delivered there full well,
By Wallace Hand, and a good Sword of Steel
At this successful, brisk and bold Rescue,
The awful Bruce three gallant Scotsmen slew.
Then with great Fury with a Spear or Lance,
At Wallace struck, but miss'd him by good Chance.
To whom a backward Stroke good Wallace gave,
Which his Horse Neck and Spear asunder clave.
Bruce was at Ground e'er Wallace look'd about,
But was re-hors'd by valiant Men and stout
And Wallace all alone left in the Stour,
Which Graham perceiving 'spite of all their Pow'r;
Bravely advanc'd, and struck an English Knight,
Before the Bruce, upon the Baisnet Right,
So furiously, that, with a single Blow,
He cut him down, and then away did go.
But Oh my Heart does grieve and bleed to tell,
What after this, the noble Graham befell.
A subtile English Knight there suddenly,
An open 'twixt his Harnish did espy,
Thro' which alace, who can forbear to tear?
He in his Bowels thrust his bloody Spear,
And yet the Graham for all his mortal Wound.
Turn'd, kill'd the Knight and rush'd him to the Ground.
Then christianly, in Temper calm, and sweet,
To the Almighty did resign his Sp'rit.
When Wallace saw the gallant Graham was gone
How did it rack him to the very Bone.
Like one demented, and from Reason rent,
Amidst the Suthron Host with Fury went.
Enraged at the loss of Graham that Day,
He cut down all that came into his Way.
When Bruce perceived Wallace in such Rage,
He order'd Spearmen with him to engage.
To kill his Horse that he might not escape,
They thought him all a Devil in Mans shape.
Then did the Suthron Spears on every Side,
Pierce his good Horse with cruel Wounds and wide.
In this sad Pickle Wallace by and by,
Thought it convenient for him now to fly.
Spurr'd up his Horse, lamenting still for Graham,
Then to his Folks at Carron Water came.
The Sea was in they stopped there and stood,
Aloud he cry'd and bade them take the Flood.
Accordingly the Host they all obey,
He follows on in all the Hast he may.
Who clad was with a heavy Coat of Mail
Which made him fear his wounded Horse would fail.
Yet thro' the Flood he bore him to the Land,
Then fell down dead (poor Beast) upon the Sand.
But Kierly soon re-mounted Wallace Wight,
Upon a Horse, both able, sound, and tight.
Rode to his Host; but oh! Graham was away,
And Fifteen more brave Scots on Mag'dlane Day.
Yet Thirty Thousand of the Suthron Crew,
Most certainly that Day the Scotsmen slew.
What by the Stuart Stout and Wallace Wight,
To Edward sure a most confounding Sight.
To the Tor-wood Wallace commands his Host,
Kierly and he march along Carron Coast.
A Party on the other Side they spy,
Bruce marching first, who does on Wallace cry.
What art thou there? a Man Wallace did say,
Yes said the Bruce, that hast thou prov'd this Day.
Abide he said thou need'st not now to flee,
Wallace reply'd, it's not for fear of thee,
To talk with thee, the Bruce said I desire,
Say on said he, thou may'st for little Hire.
Ride from thine Host let them abide with Beik,
I fain would hear what thou inclines to speak.
What is the Cause said Bruce, thou wilt not cease
From bloody Wars, who mayest live in Peace.
It's thy own Fault said Wallace, be it known,
Who shamefully dost fight against thy own.
I claim no Right to rule, but to defend
My native Land, from Edward and his Men.
This Day thou's lost Two noble Knights and bold,
Worth more than Millions of the finest Gold.
The Stuart stout, the gallant Graham and wise,
With that the Tears came trinkling from his Eyes.
Thou that should be our true and Righteous King,
Destroys thy own, a cruel horrid Thing
But 'gainst the Suthron. I must tell you Sir,
Come Life come Death, I'll fight with all my Birr.
But wilt thou do as I shall Counsel give
Said Bruce, and as a Lord thou mayest live
At thine own Will, and enjoy every Thing
In Peace, if thou wilt hold of Edward King
No, No, said Wallace with Disdain and Scorn,
I'd rather choose be hang'd upon the Morn,
The great GOD knows, the Wars I took in Hand,
Was to keep free what thou does now gainstand.
In cursed Time thou was for Scotland born,
O Runnagado, Faithless and Mansworn.
I vow to GOD may I thy Master be,
In any Field thou shalt far rather die,
Than Turk or Pagan; this I shall keep good,
Thou grand devourer of thy native Blood.
Bruce smil'd and said, with Pow'r you'r overset,
You'll ne'er the upper Hand of Edward get.
Wallace reply'd this Day we're stronger far,
And I am sure much more expert in War,
Than when at Biggar, where he run for fear,
And left his Host, so doubtless shall he here.
Shall I leave Scotland now in such a Plight,
No Faith not I, till I redress its Right.
Well, said the Bruce, it now draws towards Night,
Will you meet me the Morrow when its Light
At Dunipace, and I do promise fair,
By Nine a Clock to here thy Council there.
No Wallace said, tho' Edward, had it sworn,
I'll have a Bout with him e'er Nine the Morn.
But if thou'll meet me at the Hour of Three,
By all that's good I doubtless shall thee see.
Bruce promis'd with Twelve Scotsmen to be there,
Wallace with Ten, which both kept to a Hair.
Thus did they part, and Bruce rode on his Way,
Near to Linlithgow where King Edward lay.
Into the King's Pavilion then does get,
Where with the Lords he was at Supper set,
Bruce sitting down in his own vacant Seat,
Call'd for no Water, but went straight to Meat.
Tho' all his Weapons and his other Weed,
Were stain'd with Blood, yet he began to feed:
The Suthron Lords did mock him in terms Rude,
And said behold yon Scot eats his own Blood.
The King he blush'd at this so Home a Jest,
And caus'd bring Water to the Bruce in hast.
They bade him wash, he told them he would not,
The Blood is mine, which vexes most my Thought.
Then did he sadly to his Mind recal,
And did believe what Wallace told him all.
With rueful Thoughts, the Bruce most sadly tost
I leave; and follow Wallace to his Host.
At the Tor-Wood, where speedily he goes,
Sleeped a little and thereafter rose.
His Host consisting of Ten Thousand Men,
Drew quickly up in noble Order then,
The Earl Malcolm, Ramsay, Lundie wight.
Command Five Thousand gallant Men and tight.
VVallace himself Lauder, and Seaton have
Led on Five Thousand valiant Men and brave.
VVith them good Wallace was of Riccartoun,
VVho never spar'd but hew'd the Suthron down.
All well aray'd in Armour bright, and clean,
March'd to the Field, where the great Fight had been
There narrowly they searched all the same,
And found the Corps of good Sir John the Graham,
Whom when good Wallace saw, he lighted down,
And did embrace that Knight of high Renown.
With Sorrow great beholding his Pale Face.
He kiss'd his Mouth, and often cry'd Alace.
My dearest Brother that I ever had,
My only Friend, when I was hard bestead.
My Hope, my Health O Man of Honour great.
My Faithfull Aid and Strength in every Strait.
Thy matchless Wisdom cannot here be told,
Thy noble Man-hood, Truth, and Courage bold,
Wisely thou knew to rule, and to govern,
Yea Virtue was thy chief and great Concern.
A bounteous Hand, a Heart as true as Steel,
A steady Mind, most courteous and gentile.
When I this Kingdom did at first rescue,
Great Honour then I'm sure to thee was due.
Wherefore I vow to the great GOD and swear,
Thy Death shall be to Suthron bought full dear.
Martyr thou art for Scotland's Right this Day,
Which I'll avenge with all the Might I may.
With that he sigh'd, and hugg'd him o'er again,
Was no Man there from weeping could refrain.
Then in Falkirk prepares his Sepulchre,
And does his noble Corps in Pomp interr:
On his Tomb-Stone the following Epitaph
They wrote, which put the Suthron in a Chaff
Unto the Bruce Wallace he forthwith rade,
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,
That Suthron Watches might not them espy,
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,
'Mongst whom was Bruce, who did behold the Dance,
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,
And then the Scots so closs upon them drew,
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.
Next was the Castle all in Rubbish laid,
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.
Sir Thomas Gray the Priest with him did fare,
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.