University of Virginia Library

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CHAP. VI. How WALLACE was betray'd by Sir. John Monteith, carry'd to England and martyr'd there

That Wallace Foes might him no more traduce,
Jop quickly is dispatch'd away to Bruce.
Most earnestly beseeching he'd come down,
To Scotland, and receive the ancient Crown.
Since there was none that now durst him oppose,
Having subdued all his Suthron Foes.
When Jop's Credentials Bruce had fully read,
His Heart exulted, and was mighty glad.

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With his own Hand he back to Wallace wrote,
And thank'd the Hero for a Loyal Scot.
Intreating him the Matter to conceal.
And quickly he would out of England steal,
To meet me then said Bruce be very sure,
The first of July next on Glasgow Moor.
And let your Company be very few,
For I shall have but a small Retinue.
Which when good Wallace read, blyth was his Thought,
And all his Houshold then to Glasgow brought.
That Month he ordered them there to abide.
Keirly he took each Night with him to ride.
And the young Man that false Monteith had sent,
None but those Two knew what Way Wallace went.
The vile young Villain, on the Eighteenth Night,
Warned Monteith, who Sixty Men on Sight
Caus'd mount, that were his own near Kins-men born,
And deeply all unto the Treason sworn.
Who from Dumbartan march, fy on them fy,
And near to Glasgow Church come privily.
A cunning Spy out as a Watch they sent,
To notice and observe where Wallace went.
Robreston it was near to the Way Side,
And but on House where he used to bide.
There walk'd on Foot till Midnight it was past,
Keirly and he lay down to sleep at last.

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Charg'd the young Rogue, from whom no Harm he fear'd,
To waken him if any Man appear'd
But as he soundly slept the Traitor bold,
His Uncle met and like a Villain told.
That now it was the only Golden Time,
For him to perpetrat the wicked Crime.
Then all the cursed vile Barbarian Crew,
Surround the House and honest Keirly slew
The ruffian Servant he to work does fall,
Steals Wallace Sword, his Dagger, Bow and all.
To bind him then with Cords the bab'rous Byke,
Surround the Hero, but he Sampson like,
Got to his Feet, finding no other Tool,
Broke one Rogues Back with a strong wooden Stool,
And at a Second Blow, with little Pains,
Beat out another fouty Rascal's Brains,
As many as upon him Hands could lay,
By force do think to carry him away
On Foot alive; but that prov'd all in vain,
He on the Spot chus'd rather to be slain,
At which the false Monteith, his Silence broke,
And subtily thus unto Wallace spoke.
So long you have continued here alone,
That Notice is unto the Suthron gone.
Who have beset this House all round about,
That by no means at all you can get out.

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With the Lord Clifford, who doth here command,
And with his Party, at the Door doth stand,
I spoken have, who promises your Life,
Shall be most safe, if you'll give o'er your Strife:
That to Dunbartan you shall with me pass,
And be as fafe at Home as e'er you was
You likewise see that we no Weapons have,
We came in mighty haste your Life to save.
Wallace believing he would do no wrong,
To him, who had his Gossip been so long,
Made the Monteith to swear he would fulfill
What he had promis'd, then came in his Will.
As Prisoner the Suthron must you see,
Or else by Force they'll take you Sir from me,
Said false Montieth; then slily on his Hands,
They slipped cunning and most cruel Bands.
Which underneath with sicker Cords they drew,
Alas the Bruce that binding sore may rue.
For Scotland's Ruin quickly came about,
Occasion'd by the loss of Wallace stout.
Who when led out little or nothing said,
But missing Kierly knew he was betray'd.
Then was he carry'd South o'er Solway Sands
And left in Vallange and Lord Clifford's Hands.
To Carlile Prison with him they do scour,
Which to this Day is called Wallace Tow'r

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Some Writers please to say, but that's not sound,
That Wallace martyr'd was in Berwick Town.
That could not be I'm very sure for then,
It was possest by brave bold Scottish Men.
For which the Traitors went not by the Merse,
Nor durst they march thro' Berwick for their Arse.

Mongst Wallace Men, at Glasgow where they lay,
Great Sorrow was, when they found him away.

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Unto Lochmabane, Longoveil did pass,
In mighty haste where good Prince Edward was.
Where he in greatest Grief, and Sorrow swore,
He never would depart from Scotland more,
Nor yet his Native Land of France would see,
On Wallace Foes till he aveng'd should be.
Thus did that Knight in Scotland still remain,
Untill the Bruce returned Home again.
Was with the King when he St. Johnstoun took,
The Second Man that enter'd, says the Book.
With Chartris Lands was gifted by the King,
From whom the Chartris ever since do spring.
Robert the Bruce came Home on the Third Day,
To Scotland after Wallace was away.
And at Lochmabane with good Edward met,
Where he the News of Wallace soon did get.
At which was so exceeding griev'd and sad,
He almost lost his Wits, was next to mad.
Hold Brother, Edward said, by all that's good,
If we him lose, we shall revenge his Blood.
It's for your Cause, he's now to England led,
In your Defence Scotland he Thrice hath fre'd.
And had he not a faithfull Subject been,
The ancient Kingdom we had never seen.
Remember when he offer'd was the Crown,
How he refus'd, and knock't the Project down.
And now the Traitor that him basely sold,
From you he thinks Dunbartan Fort to hold.

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Unto Dalsuintoun Edward order'd was,
With Men in Arms next Day in haste to pass.
And if he chanc'd to find the Cummine there,
That by no Means his Life he then should spare.
Finding him not, they all return in Peace,
The King thereafter kill'd him in Drumfreiss.
How that was done is needless to be shown,
Since perfectly to every Man it's known.
First to the King came Douglas that brave Knight,
In all his Wars who worthy was and wight,
Nor need I tell how Bruce did take the Crown,
And how Lord Soulis deliver'd Berwick Town,
Galloway lost, How John of Lorn arose
Against the King with many other Foes.
How Brechin bold, against the King did ride,
With whom few honest Scotsmen did abide.
And how the North was given from the King,
Which made him long in painfull War to reign.
But Douglas still his Loyalty did shew,
And to the King was stedfast firm, and true.
A better Chiftain Bruce had never one,
Save Wallace who's without Commparison.
Yet of the Douglas, more good Knights have been,
Than in one House, was e'er in Scotland seen.
As Bruce's Book doth plainly testify,
By Mr. Barbour written faithfully.

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With Cliffard now Wallace to London goes,
A Prisoner among his Mortal Foes.
Then in a Prison strong clap't up was he,
Whose dismal Hour King Edward long'd to see.

The following Story savouring of the superstitious Credulity of the People and deceitfull Cousenage of the Monks of these Times, we have notwithstanding insert, lest we should seem at our own Hands rashly to ommit any Thing that we found in our Copy; to the End we may be admonished to study Thankfullness to GOD, who hath now open'd our Eyes to see thro' the Mist wherewith these former Ages were blinded.

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