The actis and deidis of the illuster and vailzeand campioun, Schir William Wallace, knicht of Ellerslie — Wallace

The actis and deidis of the illuster and vailzeand campioun, Schir William Wallace, knicht of Ellerslie — Wallace

Table of contents

¶The actis and Deidis of the Illuster and Vailȝeand Campioun, Schir William Wallace, Knicht of Ellerslie.

¶The First Buik.

¶The Wynning of Berwik. Cap. ij.

¶The Battell of Dunbar. Cap. iij.

¶How King Edward and Corspatrik come to S•one, and put doun Iohne Ballioun, and had with yame ye A•ris of Scotland. Cap. iiij.

¶How Wallace slew ȝoung Selbie, the Constabillis Sone of Dundie. Cap. v.

¶How Wallace past to the watter of Irwyn to tak Fische. Cap. vj.

¶The Secund buik declairis how Wallace slew the Churll with his awin staf in Air.

Cap. j.

¶How Wallace slew Lord Peirseis Stewart, and was tane and presonit in Air. Cap. ij.

¶How Wallace was presonit in Air and eschaipit. Cap. iij.

¶The Battell of Lowdoun hill.

¶The Thrid Buik.

How ye Inglismē tuik peice with Wallace. Ca. ij

¶How Wallace slew the Buklar player in the toun of Air. Cap. iij.

¶The Fourt buik declairis how Wallace wan the P•ill of Cargunnok.

Cap. j.

How Wallace past to Sāct Iohnstoun & slew ye Capitane, & how he wan Kincleuin. Cap. ij.

¶Schortwod Schawis. Cap. iij.

¶How Wallace was sauld to Inglismen be his Lemmane. Ca. iiij.

§

¶How Wallace eschaipit out of Sanct Iohnstoun and past to Elchok Park. And how he slew Faudoun. Ca. j▪

¶How Wallace past to Lochmabane, and how thay cuttit his hors taillis, and how he schaif the blude latter. Ca. ij.

¶How Wallace wan ye Castel of Craufurd, and how he slew the Capitane thairof. Ca. iij.

¶In this Sext Buik is declarit the Spousage of Wallace, and how Hessilrig slew Wallace wyfe in the Toun of Lanerk, and how he •ew Hessilrig for the samin cause, and put the Inglismen out of Lanerk.

¶Heirof as now, farther I speik na mair, Bot to my purpois schortly will I fair.

¶The Battell of Bigar,

¶The Seuint part of this Buik declairis how Wallace brynt ye Bernis of Air, and put Bischop Beik out of Glasgow, & slew Lord Persee.

Ca. j.

¶How Wallace slew Makfadȝean. Ca. ij.

¶How Wallace wan Sanct Iohnston. Ca. iij.

¶How Wallace laid ane Seige to Dundie, and how he gait battel at the brig end of Striuiling to Kirkinghame yat was Thesaurar to Edward King, and to ye Erll or Warrane. Ca. iiij.

¶The aucht part of yis buik declairis how Wallace put Corspatrik out of Scotland.

Ca. j.

¶How Corspatrik brocht in Scotland Bischop Beik and Robert the Bruce, and how Wallace gaif thame battell, and put thame out of Scotland. Ca. ij.

¶How Wallace past in Ingland, and remanit yair thre quarteris of ane ȝeir, and come hame agane but battell. Ca. iij.

¶The Seige of Ȝork. Ca. iiij.

¶How the Quene of Ingland come and spak with Wallace. Ca. v.

¶The Nynt part of this buik declairis how Wallace past in France.

Cap. j.

¶How Wallace past in France, and faucht wit• the Reid Reuar and vincust him. Cap. ij.

¶How Wallace past in Guyan. Cap. iii.

¶The Tent Buik declairis how Wallace wan Sanct Iohnstoun be ane Ieopardie.

Ca. j.

¶The Battell of Blak Irne syde Forest. Ca. ij.

¶The wynning of Lochleuin. Cap. iij.

¶The wynning of Erth. Cap. iilj.

¶How Wallace brynt the Inglismen in Dunbertane. Cap. v.

¶How Schir William Dowglas wan the Castell of Sauquhair be ane Ieopardie, and how William Wallace reske wit him fra the Inglismen, and put thame out of that part. Cap. vj.

¶The Elleuint Buik declairis the Battell of the Fawkirk.

Cap. j.

¶How Wallace met with Iohne of Lyn vpon the sey. Cap. ij.

¶How Edward King of Ingland come in Scotland and maid haill Conqueis thairof. Cap. iij.

¶The Twelft Buik declairis how Wallace Conqueist the land of Guyan, and how he was maid Lord thairof.

Cap. j.

¶How Wallace slew the twa Campiounis. Cap. i•.

¶How Wallace slew the Lyoun in the Barrace. Cap. iij.

¶How Wallace come in Scotland agane at the Battell of Elchok Park. Cap. iiij.

¶The Seige of Sanct Iohnstoun.

¶How Wallace was betraisit be Schir Iohn of Menteith, and had in Ingland, and Martyrit thair. Cap. v.

§

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¶The actis and Deidis of the Illuster and Vailȝeand Campioun, Schir William Wallace, Knicht of Ellerslie.

☞ )(✚)( ☜

¶

¶The First Buik.

OVR Antecessouris, that we suld of reid,

And hald in mynd yair nobill douchtie deid

We let ouir slyde throw verray sleuthfulnes

And castis vs euer to vther besynes.

On vane gamming is set our haill Intent.

Quhilk hes bene sene in till thir tymis by went.

Our nixt nichtbouris cūmin of Brutus blude,

That oftentymis to Scottis willit lytill gude.

Thocht now of lait God turnit yair mynd & will,

That greit kyndnes yai haue schawin vs till.

The hartis of pepill the Lord hes in his hand,

He may yame reu [...], and gyde at his command.

And thocht all Leidis wald haue yis lād in thrall,

Oppone his power, God can aganis thame all.

As we haue sene in our foirbearis afoir,

Bot of thir Parabillis, as now I speik no moir.

¶We reid of ane, richt famous of Renoun,

Of worthy blude that Regnit in this Regioun.

And hyne furth now, I will my purpois hald,

Of William Wallace, as ȝe haue hard heir tald.

His Foirbearis, quha lykis to vnderstand,

Of auld Lynnage, and trew blude of Scotland.

[Page]Schir Rannald Craufurd, richt Schiref of Air,

Swa in his tyme he had ane docher fair.

And ȝoung Schir Rannald, Schiref of yat toun,

His Sister fair, of gude fame and Renoun.

Malcolme Wallace hir gat in mariage,

That Ellerslie than had in heritage.

Auchin bothy and mony ane vther place,

The secund Oye, he was to gude Wallace.

The quhilk Wallace full hardely had wrocht,

Quhen Walter heir of Wallace to him socht.

Quha lykis to heir, mair knawledge in yat part,

Ga reid the lyne of the first Stewart.

Bot Malcolme Wallace gat on this Lady bricht,

Malcolme Wallace, ane full gude gentill Knicht.

And William als, as Cronicklis beiris on hand,

Quhilk efter was the Reskewer of Scotland.

Quhen it was loist with tressoun and falsnes,

Ouir set with fais, it fred throw Goddis grace.

King Alexander our worthy King forlorne,

Be auenture his lyfe had at Kingorne.

Thre ȝeiris still ye Realme stude desolait,

Quhair throw yair rais ane full greuous debait.

Our Prince Dauid Erll of Huntingtoun,

Thre dochteris had of gude fame and Renoun.

Of ye quhilk thre, come Bruce, Balliol, & Haisting

Twa of thir thre desyrit to be King.

The Ballioll clamit of ye first gre lynely,

And Bruce the first Maill of ye secund gre by.

To Edward sone vnto Ingland thay send,

Of this greit stryfe, thocht yai suld mak ane end.

Foly it was, forsuith it hapnit sa,

Succour to seik of thair auld mortall fa.

Edward Langschankis had new begun his weir

[Page]Vpon Gascone, into ane awfull feir.

Thay landis quhilkis he clamit stude in sic cais,

He thocht fra hand to mak it haill conqueis.

To Norhame Kirk, he come withouttin mair,

The counsall yan of Scotland met him thair.

Full subtellie he chargit thame in bandoun,

As thair Ouirlord, to hald of him the Crown.

Bischop Robert in his tyme full worthy,

Of Glasgow Lord, said that we do deny.

Ony Ouirlord, bot the greit God abuif,

The King was wraith, and hame he did remuif.

Ȝit Iohne Ballioll followit on him sa fast,

To hald of him, he grantit at the last.

And contrair richt, ane King he maid him yair,

Quhair throw Scotland repentit it full sair.

To the Ballioll, our Lordis wald nocht consent

Edward furth with set doun ane Parliament.

He callit Ballioll to answer for Scotland,

The wyse Lordis gart him sone brek yat band.

Ane Abbot past, and gaif ouir his alledgeance,

King Edward yan it tuik in greit greuance

His Oist he raisit, and come to Werk on Tweid,

Bot for to fecht, as yan he had greit dreid.

To Corspatrik of Dunbar sone he send,

His counsall askit, for he the countrie kend.

Fra he was brocht in presence of the King,

Be subtell band, yai cordit on this thing.

¶The Wynning of Berwik. Cap. ij.

ERll Patrik than, to Berwik couth persew,

Ressauit he was, and traistit verray trew.

The King followit with his men of Renoun,

[Page] [...]ter mydnicht at rest was all the toun.

Corspatrik rais, the keyis weill he knew,

Leit briggis doun, and Portcuilleis thay knew.

Edward Enterit, and gart sla haistely,

Of men and wyfis aucht thousand and fyfty.

And barnis als, be this fals auenture,

Of trew Scottis, chaipit na creature.

Ane Capitane thair, this fals King hes maid,

Towart Dunbar without resting thay raid.

¶The Battell of Dunbar. Cap. iij.

QVhair gadderit was greit power of scotlād

Aganis Edward, in Battell for to stand.

Thir four Erllis was enterit in that place,

Of Mat, Menteith, and Athoill, vpon cace.

In the Castell the Erll gart hald thame in,

That to thair men, without yai micht not win.

Nor ȝit to thame suppleing for to ma,

The Battellis than, togidder fast thay ga.

Full greit slauchter yat pietie was to se,

Of trew Scottis, ouir set with subteltie.

Erll Patrik than, quhen the fechting was fellaist,

To our fa turnit and harming did vs maist.

Is nane in warld yat skaithis may do mair,

Than weill traistit in borne familiar.

Our men ar slane without redemptioun,

Throw thir deidis, haill tynt was this Regioun.

¶How King Edward and Corspatrik come to S [...]one, and put doun Iohne Ballioun, and had with yame ye A [...]ris of Scotland. Cap. iiij.

☞ (✚) ☜

[Page]KIng Edward past, and Corspatrik to Scone

And thair he gat homage of Scotland sone.

For nane was left, ye Realme for to defend,

For Iohne Ballioll yan to Montros yat send.

And him depryuit for ay of his Kingrik,

Than Edward his self was callit ane Royall Rik

The Crown he tuik, vpon ye samin stane,

That Gathelus send with his Sone fra Spayne

Quhen Yber Scot first in Scotland came,

That Canmore syne, King Fergus had to Name.

Brocht it to Scone, and gart it stabill thair,

Quhair Kingis war Crownit viij. hūdreth ȝeir & mair

Befoir the tyme yat King Edward it fand,

Thir Iowellis he gart turs in Ingland.

In Londoun set in witnes of that thing,

Be conqueis yan of Scotland maid him King.

Quhair yt stane standis, Scotlād suld maister be,

God cheis ye tyme for Margaretis airis to se.

Aucht scoir thay led, of greitest yat yai fand,

Of airis with thame, and Bruce out of Scotland

That office than he bruikit bot schort tyme,

I may not now put all ye deidis in ryme.

On Cronicklis quhy suld I tary lang?

To Wallace agane, now breifly will I gang.

Scotland was loist, quhen he was bot ane Chyld

All haill ouir set with our enemeis wyld.

His Father Malcolme in the Lennox fled,

His eldest Sone thidder with him him he led.

His mother fled with him fra Ellerslie,

To Gowrie past, and dwelt in Kilspindie.

The Knicht hir Father thidder thame sent,

Vnto his Vncle with ane gude Intent.

In Gowrie dwelt, and had thair leuing thair,

[Page]Ane agit man, quhilk ressauit thame fair.

Than to Dundie Wallace to Scuill thay send,

Quhill he of wit full worthely was kend.

Thus he continewit in his tender age,

In armis syne did mony vassallage.

Quhen Saroun blude in this Regioū couth Ring

Markand the will of that vnrichteous King.

Mony greit wrang yai wrocht in this Regioun,

Destroyit our Lordis, & brak yair biggingis doun

Baith wyfis and Wedowis, yai tuik at yair awin will

Nūnis & Madynnis, quhom yai lykit to spil.

King Herodis part yai playit into Scotland,

Of ȝoung Chyldren, yat yai befoir yame fand.

The Bischoprikis that was greitest of vaill,

Thay tuik in handis of yair Archebischoppis haill

Nocht for the Pape, yai wald na Kirkis forbeir,

Bot grippit all, be violence of weir.

Glasgow yai gaif, as at thair waill was kend,

To the Diocie of Durhame to ane commend.

Small benefice, yan yai wald nocht persew,

Bot for this thing full mony vther yai slew.

Hangit Barrounis, and wrocht full mekill cair,

It was weill knawin, within the Barnis of Air.

Thair auchtene scoir, put to ane felloun dreid,

Bot God abuif hes send vs sum remeid.

It is rememberit farther in the taill,

I will follow vpon my purpois haill.

William Wallace, or he was man of armis,

Greit pietie thocht, yat Scotland tuik sic harmis.

Mekill dolour it did him in his mynd,

For he was wyse, richt worthy, wicht and kynd.

In Gowrie dwelt, still with yis worthy man,

As he Incressit, and with abandoun than.

[Page]Into his hart he had full mekill cair,

He saw the Sutheroun multiplie mair and mair.

And to him self, oft wald he mak his mane,

Of his gude kyn, yai had slane mony ane.

Ȝit he was than, semely, stark, and bald,

And he of age, was seuintene wynter ald.

Wappinnis he bair, outher gude sword or knyife,

For he with thame, hapnit richt oft to stryife.

Quhair he fand ane out of ane vtheris presence▪

Efter to Scottis, thay did na mair offence.

To cut his throit, or stik him suddandly,

He waynit nocht, fand he yame anerly.

Sindrie wantit, bot nane wist be quhat way,

For as to him yair couth na man ocht say.

Lytill of speiche, was courtes and bening,

Sad of countenance, he was baith ald and ȝing.

¶How Wallace slew ȝoung Selbie, the Constabillis Sone of Dundie. Cap. v.

VPone ane day to Dundie he was send,

Of cruelnes full lytill thay him kend.

The Cōstabill was ane felloun man of weir

And vntill Scottis he did full mekill deir

Selbie he hecht dspiteous and of outrage,

Ane Sone he had, neir twentie ȝeir of age.

Into tshe toun he vsit euerie day,

Thre men or four, yairto with him to play.

Ane Hielie schrew, wantoun in his Intent,

Wallace he saw, and towart him he went.

Lyklie he was, richt big and weill besene,

Intill ane weid of gudly ganand grene.

He callit on him, and said thow Scot abyde,

[Page]Quha Deuil (quod he) the graithit in sa guid weid

Ane hors mantill it war thy kynd to weir,

Ane Scottis quhittill vnder thy belt to beir.

Rouch Rillingis vpon thy harlotis feit,

Gif me thy knyfe, quhat dois thy geir sa meit.

To him he ȝeid, his knyfe to tak him fra,

Fast be the Collar Wallace can him ta.

Vnder his hand, his knyfe he braidit out,

For all his men yat semblit him about.

Bot help him self, he wist of na remeid,

Without reskew he stikkit him to the deid.

The Squyar fell of him yair was na mair,

His men followit on Wallace wounder sair.

The preis was thick, and cūmerit yame full fast,

Wallace was spedy, and greitly als agast.

The bludy knyfe was drawin in his hand,

He spairit nane, that he befoir him fand.

The hous he knew his Eme had ludgit in,

Thidder he fled, farther he micht nocht win.

The gude wyfe thair, within the clois saw he,

And help he cryit, for him yat deit on tre.

The ȝoung Capitane hes fallin with me at stryfe,

In at the dur he went with this gude wyfe.

Ane Russat gown of hir awin scho him gaif,

Abone his weid, that couerit all the laif.

Ane suddillit Courche, ouir nek and heid leit fall,

Ane worne quhyte hat scho braissit on with all.

For yai suld nocht lang tary at that In,

Gaif him ane Rock, and syne sat doun to spin.

The Sutheroun socht quhair Wallace was but dreid

Thay wist not weill at quhat ȝet he in ȝeid.

In that same hous thay socht him besely,

Bot he sat still, and span richt cūnandly.

[Page]As of his tyme, he had nocht leirit lang,

Thay left him sa, and furth this gait can gang.

With heuy cheir, and sorrowfull in thocht,

Na wit of him, as yan get culd thay nocht.

The Inglismen all than in barrat boun,

Bad fyre all Scottis, that war into that toun.

Ȝit this gude wyfe held Wallace vntill nicht,

Maid him gude cheir, syne put him out of sicht.

Throw ane dirk gait scho gydit him full fast,

In couert went, syne vp the watter past.

Forbure the gait, for wachis that was thair,

His Mother was into ane greit despair.

Quhen scho him saw, scho thankit heuinis King,

And said deir Sone, sa lang quhair hes yow bene

He tauld his Mother of that suddand cace,

Than weipit scho, and said full oft allace.

Or that thow ceis, thow will be slane with all,

Mother he said, God reuilar is of all.

Vnsufferabill is the pepill of Ingland,

Part of thair Ire, me think we suld ganestand.

His Eme wist weill, that he the Squyar slew,

For dreid thairof, in greit langour he drew.

This passit ouir quhill diuers dayis war gane,

That gude man dred that Wallace suld be tane.

For Sutheroun ar full subtell euerilk man,

Ane greit Dittay for Scottis ordanit yai yan.

Be the Law dayis in Dundie set ane Air,

Than Wallace wald na langer Soiorne thair.

His Mother graithit hir in ane Pilgrame weid,

Him self disagysit, syne glaidly with hir ȝeid.

Ane schort sword vnder his weid bair he,

In all the land full mony fais had he.

Baith on yair fuit, with yame mair tuik yai nocht

[Page]Quha speirit scho said, to Sanct Margaret thay socht

Quha seruit hir, ful greit freindschip yai fād,

With Sutheroun folk, for scho was of Ingland.

Besyde Lundoris, the Ferry ouir thay past,

Syne throw the Ochell sped yai wounder fast.

Into Dunfermeling thay ludgit all that nicht,

Vpon ye morne, quhen that the day was lichr,

With gentill wemen hapnit thame to pas,

Of Ingland borne, in Lynlithgow wynnād was.

The Capitanis wyfe in Pilgramage had bene,

Fra scho thame met, and had ȝoung Wallace sene

Gude cheir thay maid, for he was wounder fair,

Nocht large of toung, weill taucht and debonair.

Furth talk and thus, of materis yat war wrocht,

Quhill south ouir Forth with hir Sone scho yame brocht

In to Lynlithgow yai wald not tary lang

Thair leif thay tuik, to Donypace thay gang.

Thair dwelt his Eme, ane man of greit riches,

This michtie persoun hecht to Name Wallace.

Maid yame gude cheir, & was ane full gude man,

Welcūmit yame fair, and to thame tald he than.

Did him to wit the land was all on steir,

Tretit thame weill, and said my Sone sa deir.

Thy mother and yow richt heir with me sall byde,

Quhill better be, for chance that may betyde.

Wallace answerit, said Westir mair we will,

Our kyn is slane, and that me lykis euill.

And vther mony, worthy in that art,

Leif I, will God, we sall vs wreik on part.

The Persoun sichit, and said my Sone sa fre,

I can nocht wit how that redres may be.

Quhat suld I speik of frustrair at this tyde,

For gift of gude, with him he wald nocht byde.

[Page]His Mother and he to Ellerslie thay went,

Vpon the morne scho for hir brether sent.

In Corsbie dwelt, and was Schiref of Air,

His Father was deid, had leuit lang tyme thair.

Hir eldest Sone yat mekill was of mane,

Hir husband als, at Lochmabane was slane.

Schir Malcolme Wallace was his name but leis

His hoch sennounis he cuttit in that preis.

On kneis he faucht, feill Inglismen thay slew,

To him than socht ma fechtaris than anew.

On ather syde with speiris bair him doun,

Thair stickit thay, yat gude Knicht of Renoun.

Vnto my taill I left at Ellersly,

Schir Rannald come vnto his Sister fre.

Welcūmit thame hame, and speirit of yair Intent

Scho prayit that he, Lord Peirse to wald went.

Scho Irkit of weir, scho culd na farther fle,

To purches peice, in rest that scho micht be.

Schir Rannald had the Peirseis protectioun,

As for all part, to tak Remissioun.

Than he gart wryte to his Sister that tyde,

In that respect, Wallace wald nocht abyde.

His Mother he left, scho weipit with hart full sair

His leif he tuik, syne fra his Eme can fair.

Ȝoung he was, and to Sutheroun richt sauage,

Greit rowme yai had despyte and eik outrage.

Schir Rannald durst not weill had Wallace yair

For greit perrell, he wist appeirand wair.

For yai had haill the strenthis of this land,

Quhat yai wald do, durst nane aganis yame stād

Schiref he was, and vsit thame amang,

Full sair he dred, yat Wallace suld tak wrang.

For he and thay culd neuer weill accord,

[Page]He gat ane blaw, thocht he was Lad or Lord.

That profferit him ony lichtlynes,

Bot thay repairit ouir mekill to that place.

Als Inglis Clerkis in Prophecie it fand,

How ane Wallace suld put yame fra Scotland.

Schir Rannald knew, weill ane mair quyet steid

Quhair William micht be better fra thair feid.

With his Vncle, Wallace of Ricardtoun,

Schir Richard hecht, that gude Knicht of Renoū.

Thay landis haill than was his heritage,

Bot blynd he was, sa hapnit throw curage.

Be Inglismen that dois vs mekill deir,

In his rysing, he worthy was in weir.

Throw hurt of Vainis, and menisching of blude,

Ȝit he was wyse, and of his counsall gude.

In Februar, Wallace was to him send,

Into Apryll fra him he bownit to wend.

Bot gude seruice he did him with plesance,

As in that space was worthy to auance.

¶How Wallace past to the watter of Irwyn to tak Fische. Cap. vj.

SA on ane tyme he desyrit to play,

Into Apryll, the thre and twentie day.

To Irwyn watter, fische to tak he went,

Sic fantasie fell into his Intent.

To leid his Net, ane Chyld with him yair ȝeid,

Bot he or None, was in ane felloun dreid.

His sword he left, sa did he neuer agane,

It did him gude, suppois he sufferit pane.

Of that laubour, as than he was nocht sle,

Happy he was, tuik fische aboundantlie.

[Page]Or of the day ten houris ouir couth pas,

Rydand thair come, neir by quhair Wallace was:

The Lord Peirse, was Capitane yan of Air,

Fra him he turnit, and couth to Glasgow fair.

Part of the Court had Wallace laubour sene,

To him yair raid fyne cled in garment grene.

Sanct Martynis fische, said Scot now we wald haif,

Wallace agane, yame meikly answer gaif.

It war ressoun me think ȝe suld haue part,

Waith suld be delt in all place with fre hart.

He bad his Chyld, gif yame of our waithing,

The Sutheroun said, as now of thy deilling:

We will nocht tak, thow wald gif vs our small,

He lychtit doun, and fra the Chyld tuik all.

Wallace said than, gentil men gif ȝe be,

Leif vs sum part, we pray for cheritie.

Ane agit Knicht seruis our Lady this day,

Gude freind leif part, and tak nocht all away.

Thow sall haue leif, to fische and tak the mair,

All this forsuith sall in our flitting fair.

We serue ane Lord, thir fische sall to him gang,

Wallace answerit, said thow art in the wrang.

Quhom thowis yow scot, in faith yow seruis ane blaw

To him he ran, and out ane sword cā draw.

William was wa, he had na wappinis thair,

Bot the Polt staf, quhilk in his hand he bair.

Wallace with it fast on the cheik him tuik,

With sa gude will, quhill of his feit he schuik.

The sword flaw fra him, ane fuit braid on ye land

Wallace was glaid, and hynt it sone in hand.

And with ye sword, ane akwart straik him gaif,

Vnder the heid, his craig in sunder draif.

Be that the laif lychtit about Wallace,

[Page]He had na help bot only Goddis grace.

On ather syde full fast at him thay dang,

Greit perrell was gif thay had lestit lang.

Vpon the heid, in greit Ire he straik ane;

The scheirand sword, glaid to the collair bane.

Ane vther he hit, on the arme haistely,

Quhill hand and sword baith on ye land can ly,

The tother twa fled to thair hors agane,

He stikkit him yat last was on the plane.

Thre slew he thair, twa fled with all yair micht,

Efter thair Lord, bot he was out of sicht.

Takand the mure, or he and thay culd twyn,

To him yai raid, anone or yai wald blyn.

And cryit abyde, ȝour men ar martyrit doun,

Richt cruelly into this fals Regioun.

Fyue of ȝour men heir at the watter baid,

Fische ȝow to bring, thocht it na proffeit maid.

We ar eschaipit, bot in feild stane ar thre.

The Lord speirit, how mony micht thay be?

We saw bot ane, that hes ouircūmin vs all,

Than leuch the Lord, and said soull mot ȝow fall.

Sen ane ȝow all hes put to confusioun,

Quha menis it maist, ye Deuill of hell him droun.

This day for me, in faith he beis nocht socht,

Quhen Wallace yus, ye worthy work had wrocht

Thair hors he tuik, and geir yat was left thair,

Gaif ouir ye craft, and ȝeid to fische na mair.

Went to his Eme, and [...]ald him of the deid,

And he for wo neir worthit out of weid.

And said sone thir tythandis sittis me soir,

And yai be knawin, yow may tak skaith yair foir.

Vncle he said, na langer will I byde,

Thir Sutheroun hors, lat se gif I can ryde.

[Page]Than bot ane Chyld him seruice for to mak,

His Emis sone with him he wald nocht tak.

This gude Knicht said, deir Cousing pray I the,

Quhen thow wantis gude, [...]ū feche auouch at me.

Siluer and gold, he gart ane to him geif,

Wallace Inc [...]ynit, and lawly tuik his leif.

☞ )(✚)( ☜

¶The Secund buik declairis how Wallace slew the Churll with his awin staf in Air.

Cap. j.

ȜOung Wallace yan fulfillit of hie curage,

In pryis of armis desyrous of Vassalage.

Thy vassalage may neuer be forlorne,

Thy deid is knawin, yocht all ye warld had sworne

For thy haill mynd, laubour and besynes,

Was set in weir, and verray richteousnes.

And felloun lois of thy deir worthy kin,

The Rancour mair remanis thy mynd within.

It was his lyfe, and maist part of his fude,

To se yame sched, ye byrnand Sutheroun blude.

To Ouchtirhous, withouttin mair he raid,

And bot schort tyme, in peice yair he abaid.

Thair was ane Wallace, yat welcūmit him full weill,

Thocht Inglismen yairof had lytill feill.

Baith meit and drink, at his will had he thair,

In Laglane wod, quhen that he maid repair.

This gentill man full oft was his refeit,

With stuf of hous, full oft he can him beit.

Sa he desyrit, the toun of Air to se,

His Chyld with him, as than na ma tuik he.

Ay nixt the wod▪ Wallace gart leif his hors,

[Page]Syne on his suit ȝeid to the mercat Cros.

The Peirse was in the Castell of Air,

With Inglismen greit number and repair.

And all the toun reulling on yair awin wyse,

To mony Scot yai did full greit suppryse.

All but abaissing Wallace amang thame ȝeid,

The rage of ȝouth maid him to haue na dreid.

Ane Churll thay had, yat felloun burdingis bair,

Exceidingly he wald lift mekill mair.

Than ony thre yat yai amang thame fand,

And als be this ane sport he tuik on hand.

He bure ane sting in ane busteous poill,

On his braid bak of ony wald he thoill.

Bot for ane groit, als fast as he micht draw,

Quhen Wallace hard speik of that mery saw.

Than he desyrit at that mercat to be,

And for ane straik he bad him groitis thre.

The Churll grantit, of that proffer was fane,

To pay that siluer Wallace was full bane.

Wallace that sting tuik vp into his hand,

Full sturdely, befoir him couth he stand.

Wallace with that vpon the bak him gaif,

Quhill his Rig bane all into sunder draif.

The Carll was deid, of him I speik na mair,

The Inglismen assemblit on Wallace thair.

Feill on the feild of folkis fecht and fast,

He vnabaisit, and nocht greitly agast:

Vpon the heid with the sting ane hit he,

Quhill bane and brayne he gart in pecis fle.

Ane vther he straik on ane basnet of steill,

The tre thair raif, and fruschit euerilk deill.

His sting was tynt, the Inglisman was deid,

For his craig bane was brokin in that steid.

[Page]He drew ane sword, that helpit him in neid,

Throw out the thickest of the preis he ȝeid.

And at his hors, full fane he wald haue bene,

Twa sairit him maist, yat cruell was and kene.

Wallace returnit, as man of mekill mane,

And at ane straik, the formest he bes slane.

Ane felloun straik ye tother gat that tyde,

With his gude sword, he gart him thair abyde.

In at the Corslait brymlie he him bair,

The groundin sword, throw out his body schair.

Fyue slew he thair, or he past fra the toun,

He gat his hors, to Laglane maid him boun.

And keipit his Chyld, and leit him nocht abyde,

Eschaipit thus, he can to Laglane ryde.

Feill followit him on hors and als on fute,

To tak Wallace, as than it was na bute.

The treis was thick, that keipit him full weill,

Bot thair to byde, yat couth he nocht adeill.

Gude ordinance yat effeirit for his stait,

His custume was, all tyme baith air and lait.

The Squyar Wallace, in Ouchterhous yat was,

Baith bed and meit for him he maid to pas.

As for that tyme that he remanit thair,

Bot sair he langit, to se the toun of Air.

Thidder he past, vpon ane mercat day,

Wald God as than, that he had biddin away.

His Emis seruand, for to by fische he send,

Schir Rānald Craufurd yt schiref yan was kend.

¶How Wallace slew Lord Peirseis Stewart, and was tane and presonit in Air. Cap. ij.

QVhen he had tane, sic gude as he had bocht,

The Peirseis Stewart, richt sadly to him socht.

[Page]And said thow Scot, quhome to byis thow that thing?

To ye Schiref, he said be heuinis King.

My Lord sall haue it, and syne ga feche the mair,

Wallace on cace, neir by was gangand thair.

He ȝeid to him, said deir freind I pray the,

The Schireffis seruand yat yow wald lat him be

Ane Lordly man that Stewart was of blude,

And thocht Wallace him chargit in termis rude.

Ga hyne yow Scot, ye mekill Deuill the speid,

At thy Schireffis vse, thow wenis vs to leid.

Ane hunting staf, into his hand he bair,

Thair with he smoit, on William Wallace thair.

Bot with his tre full lytill sonȝe he maid,

Fast by the Collair, him claucht withoutti [...] baid.

Ane felloun knyif fast to his hart straik he,

Syne fra him deid, schot him richt suddandlie.

Catour sen syne, I trow he was na mair,

The Inglismen assemblit on Wallace thair.

Four scoir war set in armour burneist boun,

On mercat day, for Scottis to keip the toun.

Wallace baldly he drew ane sword of weir,

Into the birny, the formest couth he beir.

Out throw the body stikkit him to the deid,

And sindrie ma, or he past [...]ra that steid.

Ane vther akwart, ane lang straik tuik he thair,

Vpon the kne ye bane in sunder schair.

The thrid he struik on ane pesane of mailȝe,

His craig in twa, na weidis micht auailȝe.

Thus Wallace fairi, als wod as ane Lyoun,

Than Inglismen that war in Bargane boun.

Thay keip the gait, with speiris rude and lang,

For dynt of sword na man micht to him gang.

Wallace was harnest, on his body weill,

[Page]At him thay socht, with schairp swordis of steill.

And fra his strenth Inueronit him about,

Out throw the preis, on ane syde he brak out.

Vnto ane well that stude be the sey syde,

For weill or wo, thair must he neid abyde.

Part of yair speiris in pecis thair he schair,

Than fra ye Castell, vther help come mair.

Out ouir the dyke yai glaid on ather syde,

Brak doun the wall, na succour was that tyde.

Than Wallace wist of na wane bot to de,

To wyn his deid, amang thame thus ȝeid he▪

Vther part in greit Ire heuand fast,

His byrneist brand it brystit at the last.

Brak in the hyltis, away the blaid it flew,

He wist na wane, bot furth his knyif he drew.

The first he slew, quhilk him in hand hes hynt,

And vther twa, he stikkit with his dynt.

The remanent to him with speiris hes socht,

Bure him to ground, that farther he micht nocht.

The Lordis bad, that yai suld nocht him sla,

To pyne him mair, thay chargit him to ta.

Into thair Innis, suppois yat he had sworne

Out of the gait, be force thay haue him borne.

Thus gude Wallace, with Inglismen was tane,

In falt of help, for he was him allane.

He culd nocht ceis, his curage sa him bair,

Freuoll Fortoun hes brocht him in the snair.

Thir fals Goddes full of vnrichteousnes,

And fals Iuno, full of dowbilnes.

Thay fenȝeit Goddes, ȝit Wallace neuer knew,

Greit rychteousnes, ay him to mercy drew.

His kyn micht nocht, him get for na kin thing,

Micht thay haue payit y [...] Ra [...]soun of ane King.

[Page]The mair thay bad, the mair it was in vane,

Of yair best men yat day seuin hes he slane.

Thay gart set him, intill ane presoun fell,

Of his torment greit pietie was to tell.

Euill meit and drink, yai gart vnto him geif,

Greit meruell was, gif he micht lang thair leif.

And eik thairto, he was in presoun Law,

Quhill yai thocht tyme on him to hald the Law.

Leif I him thus, into this panefull steid,

Quhill God abuif, do him send sum remeid.

The plane complaint, and pieteous womenting,

The wofull weiping, yat was for his taking.

The tormenting of euerie creature,

Allace thay said how sall our lyfe Indure?

The flour of ȝouth, into his tender age,

Be fortoun of armis, hes left him in thirlage.

Leuand this day, ane Chiftane haue we nane,

Durst tak on hand, bot ȝoung Wallace allane.

The land is loist, he is claucht in the snair,

The Apercy of Scotland is in greit cair.

¶How Wallace was presonit in Air and eschaipit. Cap. iij.

BArrellit hering, and watter yai him gaif,

Quhair he was set into that vgly Caif.

Sic fude for him was febill to commend,

Than said he thus, gif God wald me ressaif,

My pieteous Spreit, and saull ouir all the laif.

My cairfull lyfe, I may nocht now defend,

Ouir few Sutheroun vnto the de [...]th I drew

And that I rew, in deid and verray trew,

That sone I will out of this warld wend

Gif I suld now, in presoun mak ane end.

[Page]¶Eternall God quhy suld I yus wyis die?

Sen my beleif all haill remanis in the.

And thy awin hand full worthely hes wrocht,

Bot thow remeid, na lyfe thay ordane me.

My only Sauiour that deit on the tre

Fra hellis presoun with thy blude hes me bocht,

Quhy will thow gif thy handy work for nocht?

And mony vther, in greit pane that I se,

For of my lyfe ellis na thing I rocht.

O waryit sword, of temper neuer trew

Thy fruschand blaid in presoun sone me threw.

And Inglismen ouir lytill harmis hes tane

Of vs thay haue vndone ma than anew

My faithfull Father despytfully thay slew

My brother als, and gude men mony ane,

This is the dait sall vs ouircum Ilk ane.

On this Kingrik, deir God quhen sall thow rew?

Sen my power thus suddandly is gane▪

All worthy Scottis, Almichty God ȝow leid

Sen I na mair in worschip may ȝow speid

In presoun heir, me worthis to mischeif

Now sel [...]e Scotland, that of help hes greit neid,

Thy Natioun standis intill ane felloun dreid

Of warldlynes richt thus I tak my leif

Of vther panis God lat ȝow neuer preif.

Thocht I for wo furth of my wit suld wend

Nane vther gift I may now to ȝow geif.

Adew Wallace, vmquhyle was stark and sture

Thow man on neid in presoun now Indure

Thy worthy kyn the may nocht saif for gold,

Ladyis weipis, that was baith myld and mure.

In furious pane thy Mother that the bure

For thow to hir was deirar than the gold

[Page]Hir maist desyre was to be vnder mold

In warlolynes quhy suld ony assure?

For thow was formit forsy on the fold.

¶Complene ȝe pure, yus as ȝour cedullis tellis

Complene to heuin with wordis that nocht faillis

Complene ȝour voce to the greit God abuif

Complene for him that sittis in sytehfull Cellis.

Complene his pane, that thus in dollour dwellis

In langour lyis, for loissing of thair lufe,

His furious pane was felloun for to prufe.

Complene also, ȝe byrdis blyith as bellis

Sum happy chance may fall for ȝour behuif.

Complene Lordis, complene Ladyis bricht,

Complene for him, that worthy was and wicht

Of Saxonis Sonis yat sufferit mekill deir.

Complene for him that is in presoun dicht,

And for na caus, Scotland bot for thy richt.

Complene also ȝe worthy men of weir.

Complene for him that was ȝour asper speir,

Few Inglismen ȝit to the deith he dicht.

Complene for him, ȝour tryumph had to beir.

Cellimus his Maister Iauelour was now

In Inglismen, allace quhy suld we trow?

Our worthy kyn ar pynit on this wyse

Sic reull but richt, is lytill till allow,

Me think we suld in barret mak thame bow

At our power, and sa we do feill syse

Fra thair danger God mak vs for to ryse.

That weill hes wrocht befoir thir tymis now

For thay mark ay to wait vs with suppryse.

Quhat suld I mair of Wallace torment tell?

The Fluxis he tuik into that presoun fell

Neir to the deith, lyklie he was to draw

[Page]Thay chargit ye iauellour on him not for to dwell

Bot bring him furth sone of that vgly Cell

Into Iudgement, quhair he suld thoill the Law,

This man went doun, and suddandly he saw.

And to his sicht, deith had him snappit snell

Syne said to thame, he hes payit that he aw.

Quhen thay presumit he suld be verray deid,

Thay gart seruandis withouttin langer pleid.

With schort auise, vnto the Wall him beir,

Thay cais [...] him ouir out of that bailfull steid,

Of him thay trowit, thair suld be na remeid.

In ane draf mydding quhair he remanit thair

His first Nureis of the new toun of Air

To him scho come, quhilk was full will of reid▪

And purchest leif away with him to fair.

Into greit Ire thay grantir hir to go

Scho tuik him vp withouttin wordis mo.

And in ane Cart vnlyklie thay him cast

Atouir the watter thay led him with greit wo,

To hir awin hous, withouttin ony ho.

Scho warmit watter, & all hir seruandis fast

His body wesche, quhill filth of him was past,

His hart was wicht, and flikkerit to and fro,

And his twa Ene, at last kest vp also.

His Foster Mother him luifit ouir the laif,

Gat mylk to warme, his lyfe gif scho micht saif.

With all hir cure, greit kyndnes couth him kyith

Hir dochter had of twelf oulkis ane knaif

Hir Chyldis pape in Wallace mouth it gaif

The womanis mylk confortit him full swyith

Syne in ane bed thay brocht him for to lyith.

And couertly keipit him in that caif

Him for to saif sa secreitly thay micht.

[Page]¶In thair Chalmer thay keipit him that tyde,

Scho gart graith vp ane buird in the hous syde.

With Tapestrie claithis honourit with greit slicht

And that the voce in euerie land suld byde

That he war deid, throuch out the land sa wyde

In presence ay scho weipit vnder slicht

Bot gudly meittis scho graithit at hir micht,

And sa befell into that samin tyde

Quhill farther mair that Wallace worthir wicht.

Thomas Rymour withouttin faill was than,

With the Minister quhilk was ane worthy man,

He vsit oft to that Religious place,

The pepill demit of mekill wit he can

And sa he tald, suppois thay blis or ban

Quhilk hapnit suith in mony diuers place

I can nocht say be wrang or richteousnes.

In reull of weir, quhidder he tynt or wan

It man be demit be diuisioun of grace.

Thair man that day had in the mercat bene,

Of Wallace knew this cairfull cace sa kene

His Maister speirit quhat tythingis yat he saw?

His man answerit, of lytill hard I mene

The Maister said, that hes bene seindill sene.

Quhair Scottis and Inglis semblit on ane raw,

Was neuer ȝit, as far as I culd knaw

Bot outher ane Scot, wald done ane Sutheroū tene,

Or he to him, for auenture micht faw.

Wallace ȝe wait, was tane into that steid,

Out ouir the wall I saw thame cast him deid

Out of thair presoun, fameist for falt of fude

The Maister said, with hart heuy as leid

Sic deid to thame me think suld foster feid

For he was wicht, and cūmin of gentill blude.

[Page]Thomas answerit, thir tythingis ar nocht gude

And that be suith my self sall neuer eit breid

For all my wit heir schortly I conclude.

Ane woman syne of the new toun of Air

To him scho went, fra he was fallin thair

And on hir kneis richt lawlie thame besocht

To purches leif scho micht hyne with him fair

In lichtlynes yai grantit to hir thair

Atouir the watter vnto hir hous him brocht

To bury him, als gudly as scho mocht.

Than Thomas said, ȝit sall I leif na mair

Gif that be trew, be God that all hes wrocht,

The Maister hard, quhat Thomas said in plane

He chargit his man to speid him fast agane.

To se the hous, and warly to espy

Quhat word he hard amang thame besely.

The man went furth, at bidding was all bane,

To the new toun, to pas he did his pane

To that Ilk hous, and went in suddandly

About he blenkit vnto the buird him by

The woman rais in hart scho was nocht fane,

Quha lyis heir, he did demand in plane?

Wallace scho said, full worthy that hes bene,

Than weipit scho, that pietie was to sene.

The man thairto, greit credence gaif he nocht,

Towart the buird, he bownit as he best thocht.

On kneis scho fell, and cryit for Iesus schene

Lat sclander be, and fra ȝour thocht it fleme.

The man than swore be him that all hes wrocht,

I wald his weilfair, and caist into his thocht.

Micht I on lyfe him anis se with my Ene,

He suld be saif, thocht Ingland wald him fle [...].

Scho led him vp to Wallace be the greis▪

[Page]He spak with him, syne fast agane can preis.

With glaid bodwart, yair mirthis to amend,

And come agane, and tauld yame haill to end.

He tauld to thame the first tythingis was leis,

Than Thomas said, for suith or he deceis

Mony thousand in feild sall tak ane end

Fra this Regioun he sall the Sutheroun send.

And Scotland thryis, he sall bring to ane peace,

Into this Realme, greit God sall send him grace.

¶All worthy men, that hes gude wit to waill,

Be war that ȝe, do nocht misdeme my taill.

Perchance ȝe say, to Bruce was nane siclyke

He was als gude, quhair deidis was to assaill,

As of his handis, and baulder in battaill

Bot Bruce was knawin richt air of this Kingrik

For he had richt, we call na man him lyke.

Bot Wallace th [...]yis, this Kingrik conqueist haill▪

In Ingland far socht battell on that Ryke.

¶The Battell of Lowdoun hill.

I Will returne to my purpois agane,

Quhen Wallace was releissit of his pane.

The coutrie demit, all haill that he was deid

His derrest kyn wist nocht of his remeid.

Quhill haill he was, lyklie to gang and ryde,

Into that place he wald nocht langer byde.

His trew keiper he send to Ellerflie,

Efter him thair, he durst nocht lat hir be.

Hir dochter als, hir seruandis and hir Chyld,

He gart yame pas vnto his Mother myld.

Quhen thay war gane, na wappinnis yair he saw

To help him with, quhat auenture micht faw.

Ane roustie sword in ane Nuik he saw stand,

Withouttin belt, bois, bucklair, or band.

[Page]Lang tyme befo [...]e it had bene in that steid,

Ane agit man, it left quhen he was deid.

He drew the blaid, and fand it wald weill byte,

Thocht it was foull, he tuik it with him tyte.

God help his man, for thow sall gang with me,

Quhill better cum will God sone that may be.

To Schir Rannald as than he wald nocht fai [...],

Into that passage for Sutheroun maid repa [...]r.

At Ricardtoun he wald full fane haue bene,

To get him hors and part of armour schene.

Than efterwart as he bownit to fair,

Thre Inglismen he met rydand to Air.

At yair veyage, in Glasgow furth had bene,

Ane Longcastell, that cruell was and kene:

Ane bald Squyar, with him gude ȝemen twa,

Wallace drew by, and wald haue lattin ya [...]e ga.

To him thay raid, and said despyteously,

Thow Scot abyde, I trow thow be ane spy.

Or ellis ane theif, fra presence wald the hyde,

Than Wallace said, with sober wordis that [...]yde,

Schir I am seik, for Goddis luif lat me ga,

Longcastell said, forsuith it beis nocht [...]wa.

Ane felloun freik thow se [...]is in thy fair,

Quhill men the knaw, thow sall with me to Air.

Hynt out his sword, yat was of Nobill hew,

Wallace with that, at his lich [...]ng him threw:

Vpon the craig, with his sword hes him [...]ane,

Throw braune and lyre, in sunder brak the bane.

Be he was fallin, the twa was lichtit doun,

To venge his deid, on Wallace maid yame boun.

The tane of thame vpon the heid he gaif,

The roustie blaid vnto the craig him claif.

The tother fled, and durst na langer byde

[Page]With ane rude step Wallace culd efter glyde.

Out throw his Ribbis, ane sicker straik gaif he,

Quhill Louer and Lungis men micht atanis se.

The hors he tuik, baith wappinnis and armour,

Syne thankit God, with glaid hart in that hour.

Siluer thay had, all with him hes he tane

Him to support, for spending had he nane.

Into greit haist he raid to Ricardtoun,

Ane blyith semblay was at his lychting doun.

Quhen Wallace met with schir Richart ye knicht

For him had murnit, quhill febill was his micht.

His twa Sonnis, of Wallace was full fane,

Thay had him loist, ȝit God sauit him agane.

His Eme Schir Rannald, to Ricardtoū come fast

The woman tald by Corsbie as scho past.

How Wallace eschaipit, syne on thair wayis ȝeid,

Schir Rannald ȝit was in ane felloun dreid.

Quhill he him saw, in hart he thocht full lang,

Than suddandly in armis he him thrang.

He micht nocht speik, bot kissit him tenderly,

His trubillit spreit was in ane extasy.

Thy blyith teiris, thay brist fra his Ene twa,

Or that he spak ane lang tyme held him sa.

And at the last richt freindfully said he,

Welcum Neuoy, welcum deir Sone to me.

Thankit be he, that all the warld hes wrocht,

Thus fairlie the hes out of presoun brocht.

His Mother come, and vther freindis anew,

With full glaid will, to se thir tythingis new.

Gude Robert Boyd, that worthy was and wicht

Wald not yame trow, quhil he saw him with sicht.

Fra sindrie partis, thay socht to Ricardtoun,

Feill worthy folkis, that war of greit Renoun.

[Page]Thus leif I thame, in mirth blyithnes and plesāce

Thankand greit God, of his hie happy chance.

¶The Thrid Buik.

IN Ioyus Iulij quhen the flouris is sweit,

Digestabill, Engendering with the heir.

Baith flour and fruit, buskis, & bewis braid,

Aboundantly in euerie slonk and flaid.

All bestiall thair richt cours to Indure,

Weill helpit ar be wirking of Nature.

On fuit ascendand to the heuinis hicht,

Conseruit weill be the maker of micht.

Fische in the flude refectit Really,

To mannis fude ye warld to occupy.

Bot Scotland sa, was waistit mony day,

Throw weir sic skaith, that laubour was away.

Vittall worthit scant, or August culd appeir,

Throw all the land the fude hapnit full deir.

Bot Inglismen, that riches wantit nane,

Be Cariage brocht, yair vittall in gude wane,

Stuffit housis, with wyne and gude vernage,

Enioyit this land as thair awin heritage.

This Kingrik haill, yai reullit at thair will,

Messingeris than sic tythingis tald yame till.

And tauld the Peirse yat Wallace leuand wes,

And fra thair presoun in Air eschaipit hes.

Thay trowit it weill, that Wallace past yat steid,

For Longcastell, and his thre men war deid.

Thay waryit the chance, yat Wallace was sa past

In euerilk part, yai war full greitly agast.

Throw Prophecie, yat yai had hard befoir,

Lord Peirse said, quhat neidis wordis moir.

Bot he be fast, he sall do greit meruall,

It war the best for King Edwardis auaill.

[Page]Micht he him get, to be his steidfast man,

For gold or land, his conqueis micht stand yan.

We think be force he may nocht gottin be,

Wyse men forsuith, be his eschaip may se.

Thus deme thay him, in mony diuers cace,

We leif yame thus, and speik of gude Wallace.

In Ricardtoun, he wald na langer byde,

For freindis counsall, nor nocht that may be [...]yde.

And quhen thay saw, that it auaillit nocht,

His purpois was, to venge him gif he mocht.

On Sutheroun blude, that hes his Elderis slane,

Thay leit him wirk, his awin will into plane.

Schir Richart had, thre Sonnis as I ȝow tald,

Adam, Richart, and Symon that was bald.

Adam Eldest was growin into curage,

Fordwart, richt fair, and xviij. ȝeiris of age.

Large of persoun, baith wyse, worthy, and wicht,

Gude King Robert, in his tyme maid him Knicht.

Lang tyme efter in Brucis weiris abaid,

On Inglismen mony gude Iourney maid.

This guid Squyar, with Wallace bownit to ryde

And Robert boyd, quhilk wald na langer byde.

Vnder thirllage of Seigis of Ingland,

To the fals King, he had neuer maid band.

Cleland was thair, neir Cousing to Wallace,

Syne baid with him in mony perrillous place▪

And Edward lytill, his Sister Sone sa deir,

Full weill graithit into thair armour cleir.

With thair seruandis to Ricardtoun thay raid,

To Mauchline mure ane schort tyme thair abaid.

For freindis thame tald, was bundin in thir [...]lage,

That Fenwik sent was for the Peirseis Cariage.

Within schort tyme, he will bring it to Air,

[Page]Out of Carleill thay haue ressauit it yair.

That pleisit Wallace, in hart richt greitumly,

Wit ȝe thay war, ane gudly cumpany.

Towart Lowdoun yai bownit thame to ryde,

And in ane Schaw ane lytill thair besyde.

Thay ludgit thame for it was neir the nicht,

To wache the way, als gudly as thay micht.

Ane gude trew Scot, quhilk Oistlair hous held thair

Vnder Lowdoun, my Author can declair.

He saw yame cum, he went to yame in hy,

Baith meit and drink, he brocht thame priuely.

And to thame tald, the Cariage men in plane,

[...]hair [...]oir Rydar to Air was past agane.

Left thame to cum, with power of greit vaill,

Thay trowit be than, thay war in Annandaill.

Wallace than said, we will nocht Soiorne heir,

Nor change na weid, bot our Ilk dayis geir.

At Crossintoun the way was spilt that tyde,

For that same way behouit thay to ryde.

And fra the tyme, that he of presoun [...]ure,

Gude Somer weid▪ daylie on him he bure.

Gude licht harnes, fra that tyme vsit he euer,

For suddand stryfe fra it he wald nocht seuer.

Ane Haberȝoun vnder his gown he bair,

Ane gude steill cap in his bonnet but mair.

Twa gluiffis of plait with claith was couerit weil

In his Doublet ane clois Collair of steill.

His face he keipit, for it was euer bair,

With his twa hādis, ye quhilkis full worthy wair

Into his weid, and he come in ane thrang,

Was na man than, on fuit micht with him gang.

Sa growin of pith, of power stark and sture,

His terribill dyntis was feirfull to Indure.

[Page]Thay traistit mair of Wallace him allane,

Than ane hundreth of Ingland micht be tane.

Thir worthy Scottis maid thair na tarying,

To Lowdoun hill past in the gray dawing.

Deuysit the place, and put thair hors away,

And thocht to wyn, or neuer hyne to ga.

Twa Scurriouris send, to vesy weill the plane,

Bot thay richt sone, returnit in agane.

To Wallace tald, that thay war cūmand fast,

Than to the ground, all kneilland at the last.

With humbill hartis, prayit with all thair micht,

To God abuif, to help thame in thair richt.

Thay graithit thame to harnes haistely,

Thair sonȝeit nane of that gude cumpany.

Than Wallace said, heir was my Father slane,

My brether als, quhilk dois vs mekill pane.

Sa sall my self, or vengit be but dreid,

The tratour is heir, is causer of the deid.

Than hecht thay all, to byde with hartly will,

Be that the power was takand Lowdoun hill.

The Knicht Fenwik, conuoyit the cariage,

He had on Scottis, maid mony schrewit veyage.

The sone was rissin, lemand ouir landis licht,

The Inglismen saw yat thay come to the hicht.

Neir him thay raid, and sone the Scottis saw,

He tald his men, and said to thame on raw.

Ȝone is Wallace that eschaipit our presoun,

He sall agane be drawin throw the toun.

His heid I wait, micht better pleis the King,

Than gold or land, or ony eirdly thing.

He gart his seruandis byde with ye Cariage still,

Thocht to demane the Scottis at thair will.

Nyne scoir he led, in harnes burneist bricht,

[Page]And fyftie war with Wallace in the richt.

Vnrebutit, the Sutheroun was in weir,

And fast thay come, full awfull in effeir.

Ane maner of dyke of stanis thay had maid,

Narrowit ye dyke▪ quhait throw the thickest raid

The Scottis on [...]uit, tuik the gait thame befoir,

The Sutheroun saw, thair curage was the moir.

In prydfull Ire thay thocht ouir thame to ryde,

Bot vtherwayis it hapnit in that tyde.

On ather syde togidder fast thay glaid,

The scottꝭ on fuit greit rowme about yame maid.

With prunȝe and speiris, throw plaitis of fyne steil

The Inglismen, that thocht to venge yame weill:

On harnest hors, about yame rudely raid,

That with vneis, vpon thair fuit yai baid.

Wallace the formest in the birny bair,

The groundin speir throw out his body schair.

The schaft he schuik it of the fruschand tre,

Deuoydit it sone, sen na better micht be.

Drew swordis syne, baith heuy schairp and lang,

On ather syde full cruelly thay dang.

Fechtand atanis in that felloun dout,

Than Inglismen Enueronit thame about.

On force ettillit, out throw yame for to ryde,

The Scottis on fuit, that baldly couth abyde.

With swordis schair throw hals and habrik gude,

Vpon the feildis schot out the Sutheroun blude.

Fra hors and man throw harnes burneist bene,

Ane sair assailȝe, forsuith yair micht be sene.

Thay traist na lyfe, bot to the latter end,

Of sa few folk, greit nobilnes micht be kend.

Togidder baid, defendand yame sa fast,

Durst nane disseuer, quhill yat ye preis was past.

[Page]The Inglismen, yat war richt wyse in weir,

Be force ordanit, in sunder thame to beir.

Thair cheif Capitane als feirs as ony bair,

Throw matalent and verray proper cair.

Syne ane greit hors into his glitterand geit,

Out ouir castis ane felloun asper speir.

The Knicht Fenwik, that cruell was and kene,

Of Wallace Father he at the deith had bene.

And of his brother, that douchtie was and deir,

Quhen Wallace saw, yat fals Knicht was sa neir

His curage grew in Ire as ane Lyoun,

To him he ran, and freikis feill bair doun.

As he glaid by, ane akwart straik can him ta,

Baith Thee and Arsoun in sunder gart he ga.

Fra the Cuirsour he fell on the far syde,

With ane schairp sword, he straik him in yat tyde.

Or he was deid, ane greit preis come sa fast,

Ouir him to ground, yai bure Boyd at the last.

Wallace was neir, and turnit in agane,

Him to reskew, quhill he rais of the pane.

Wichtly did him wier, quhil he ane sword had tane

Throw out the stour, yir twa in feir ar gane.

The remanent vpon thame followit fast,

In thair passage, feill Sutheroun maid agast.

Adam Wallace the Air of Ricardtoun,

Straik ane Bewmont, ane Squyar of Renoun.

On the pesane with his sword burneist bair,

The burneist blaid his hals in sunder schair.

The Inglismen saw thair Chiftane was slane,

Baldly abaid, as men of mekill mane.

Riche hors Rampand, ruschit freikis vnder feit,

The Scottis on fuit gart mony lois the sweit.

With men lichtit, thame self for to defend,

[Page]Quhair Wallace come, [...]hair deid was lytill kend

The Sutheroun part, forfruschit war that tyde,

That in that stour, thay micht nocht lang abyde.

Wallace in deid he wrocht richt worthely,

The Squyar Boyd, and all thair Cheualry.

The Inglismen tuik plane part to fle,

Lytill and Cleland gart of thair enemeis de.

On hors sumpart to strent his can yame found,

To succour yame with mony werk and wound.

Ane hundreth deid, in feild was leuit thair,

And thre ȝemen of Wallace deid but mair

Twa was of Kyle, and ane of Cuninghame,

With Robert Boyd, to Wallace come fra hame.

Four scoir eschaipit, fra feild on [...]utheroū syde,

The Scottis in place, that baldly couth abyde.

Spuilȝe and the feild, of gold and vther geir,

Harnes and hors, quhilk thay mysterit in weir.

The Inglis knaifis thay gart the Cariage leid,

To Clydis Forest, quhen yai war out of dreid.

And band yame fast, with widdeis sad and [...]air,

On bowand tr [...]is, syne hangit thame richt thair.

He spairit nane that abill war for weir,

Bot wemen and preistis he gart thame ay forbeir

Quhen this was done, to Den [...]er sone yai wend,

Of stuf and wyne that God had to thame send.

Ten scoir thay wan, of hors that Cariage bure,

With vittall & wyne, als mekill as thay micht fure

And vther stuf, that thay of Carleill sed,

The Sutheroū part out of the feild that sled.

With sorrow socht to the Castell of Air,

Befoir the Lord, and tald him of thair [...].

Quhat gude thay left, and quha in feild was slane

Throw wicht Wallace, that mekill was of mane.

[Page]And how he had gart all thair seruandis hang,

The Peirse said, and that Squyar lest lang:

Out of this land he sall exyle vs clene,

Sa dispytefull in warld was neuer sene.

In our presoun heir last quhen yat he was,

Ouir sleuthfully our keiper leit him pas.

Than thus our hald, I find weill may nocht be,

we man gar bring our vittell be the sey.

Bot lois our men it helpis vs richt nocht,

Our kyn may ban that euer we hidder socht.

Leif I yame now blamand thair sary chance,

And mair to speik of Scottis mēnis gouernance.

¶Quhen Wallace had weill vincust into plane

The fals ty [...]an that had his Father slane.

His brother als quhilk was ane douchtie Knicht,

Vther gude men befoir to deith thay dicht.

He gart prouyde, and partit thair vittaill,

With stuf and hors, that was of greit auaill.

To freindis about, richt priuely thay send,

The remanent full glaidly thair thay spend.

In Clydis wod, thay Soiornit thair thre dayis,

Na Sutheroū was that did persew thay wayis.

Bot he thoillit deith, that come in thair dangeir,

The word of Wallace walkit far and neir.

Wallace was knawin on lyfe leuand agane,

Thocht Inglismen yairof had mekill pane.

The Lord Peirse to Glasgow culd he fair,

With wyse Lordis, and held ane counsall thair.

Quhen thay war met, ma than ten thousand,

Na Chiftane was, that tyme durst tak on hand:

To leid ane Range, on Wallace to assaill,

Speirit about, quhat was thair best counsaill.

Schir Aymeir Wallāge, yat fals tra [...]our & strang

[Page]In Both well dwelt, and than was thame amang

He said my Lord my counsall will I geif,

Bot ȝe do it, fra skaith ȝe may nocht leif.

Ȝe man tak peice, without mair tarying,

As for ane tyme, we man send to the King.

The Perse said, of our trewis will he nane,

Ane awfull Chiftane trewly he is ane.

He will do mair, in faith or that he blyn,

Sutheroun to slay, he thinkis it is na syn.

Schir Aymeir said, trewis behouis ȝow ta [...],

Quhill efterwart, for him prouysioun mak.

I knaw he will do mekill for his kin,

Gentrice and treuth ay restis him within.

How ye Inglismē tuik peice with Wallace. Ca. ij

HIs Vncle Schir Rannald may mak ye bād

Gif he will nocht, recogneis all his land,

Vnto ye tyme yat he yis work haue wrocht

Schir Rannald was sone to thair counsall brocht

Thay chargit him to mak Wallace at peis,

Or he suld pas to Londoun or he ceis.

To King Edward, and byde in his presoun,

Thay ask to haue peice for his Ransoun.

Schir Rannald said, Lordis ȝe knaw richt weill,

At my counsall he will nocht do ane deill.

His worthy kyn despytefully ȝe slew,

In presoun syne, neir to the deith him drew.

He is at large and will nocht do for me,

Thocht ȝe thairfoir suld now gar me de.

Schir Aymeir said, thir Lordis counsall send

Me to the King, to mak ane finall end.

Of his conqueist forsuith he will it haif,

Wallace nor thow may nocht this Kingrik saif:

Micht Edward King get him for gold or land,

[Page]To be his man, than micht he bruik Scotland.

The Lord bad ceis, thow faillis to that Knicht,

Far mair in treuth, than it is ony richt.

The wrang conqueist our King desyris ay,

On him and vs it fall be sene sum day.

Wallace hes richt, baith force and fair Fortoun,

Ȝe hard how he eschaipit our presoun.

Thus said that Lord, and prayit Schir Rannald fair,

To mak this peice, yow Schiref art of Air.

As for ane tyme we may auysit be,

Vnder my Seill I sall be bund to the.

The Inglismen that thay sall do him nocht,

Nor to na Scottis, bot it be on thame socht.

Schir Rannald wist, he micht yame not ganestād

Of Lord Perse he hes ressauit that band.

Perse was trew, and ay of greit auaill,

Sober in peice, and cruell in battaill.

Schir Rannald him bownit on the morne but baid,

Wallace to seik, in Clydis Forrest raid.

Sa he him fand bownand to his Denneir,

Quhen yai haif sene yis gude Knicht cūmand neir

Weill he him knew, and tald thame quhat he was

Meruell he had, quhat gart him hidder pas.

Maid him gude cheir of meittis gude and fyne,

King Edwardis self culd get na better wyne.

Than thay had yair, vernage and vennysoun,

Of bestiall into greit fusioun.

Than efter meit he schew thame of this deid,

How he had bene into sa mekill dreid.

Neuoy he said, work part of my counsaill,

Tak peice ane quhyle and for the mair auaill.

Bot thow do sa, forsuith thow hes greit syn,

For thay ar set to vndo all thy kyn.

[Page]Than Wallace said, to gude men him about,

I will na peice for all this felloun dout.

Bot gif it pleis better to ȝow than me,

The Squyar Boyd him answerit soberlie.

I gif ȝow counsall or this gude Knicht be slane,

Tak peice ane quhyle, suppois it do vs pane.

Sa said Adam the Air of Ricardtoun,

And Cleland als, to thair opinioun.

With thair consent Wallace this peice hes tane,

As his Eme wrocht, quhil ten monethis war gane

Thair leif thay tuik with sad comfort in plane,

Fand God to broch, thay suld meit haill agane.

Boyd and Cleland past to thair placis hame,

Adam Wallace to Ricardtoun be Name.

Furth with schir Rānald, can William Wallace ryde

And his houshald in Corsbie for to byde.

This peice was cryit, in August moneth myld,

Thir Goddes of battell furious and wyld.

Mars and Iuno ay dois thair be [...]ynes,

Cawser of weir, ay wirker of wickitnes.

And Venus als quhilk Goddes is of lufe,

And auld Saturne his cours for to apprufe.

Thir four schawis of diuers complexioun,

Battell, deba [...]t, Inuy, and destructioun.

I can nocht denie of thair Malancholy,

Bot Wallace culd nocht weill in Corsbie ly.

Him had leuar in trauell for to be,

Richt fair he langit the toun of Air to se.

¶How Wallace slew the Buklar player in the toun of Air. Cap. iij.

SChir Rannald past, fra hame vp on ane day

Fyftene he tuik, and to ye toun went thay.

Couerit his face, yat na mā micht him knaw

[Page]Na thing him rocht how few enemies him saw.

In sober weid disagysit weill war thay,

Ane Inglisman on the gait saw he play.

At the scrymmage ane buklair on his hand,

Wallace neir by in fellowschip couth stand.

Lichtly he said, Scot dar thow nocht preif?

Wallace said ȝe, sa thow dar gif me leif.

Smyte on said he, I defy thy Natioun,

Wallace thair with hes tane him on the Croun.

Throw buklar band, and the harne pan also,

Vnto the schulderis ye schairp sword gart he go.

Lichtly returnit to his awin men agane,

The wemen cryit, our Buklar player is slane.

The man was deid, quhat neidis wordis mair,

Feill men of armis, about him semblit thair.

Aucht scoir atanis vpon sextene thay set,

Bot Wallace sone with the formest hes met.

With Ire and will on the he [...]d hes him tane,

Throw the bricht Helme, in sunder brist the bane.

Ane vther braithly in the breist him bair,

His burneist blaid throw out the body schair.

Greit rowme he maid, his men was fechtand fast

And mony ane grome yai maid full sair agast.

For thay war wicht, and weill vsit in weir,

Of Inglismen, richt bauldly doun thay beir.

On yair enemeis greit martyrdome yai maid,

Thair hardy Chiftane sa weill amang yame glaid

Quhat Inglismen that baid into his gait,

In contrair Scotland maid neuer mair debait.

Feill freikis on fold war fellit vnder feit,

Of Sutheroun blude lay stikkit in the streit.

New power come fra the Castell that tyde,

Than Wallace fled, and drew towart ane syde.

[Page]With richt gude will he wald eschew suppryse,

For he in weir, was worthy, wicht, and wyse.

Harnes and heidis he bewit in sunder fast▪

Be force out throw the thickest preis he past.

Wallace returnit behynd his men agane▪

At the reskew feill Sutheroū hes he slane.

His men all than, he out of perrell brocht,

Fra yair enemeis, with all the power he mocht.

Vnto thair hors, thay went but mair abaid,

For danger syne, to Laglane wod thay raid.

Twentie and nyne yai left into that steid,

Of Sutheroun men, that bryttinit wat to deid.

The remanent agane turnit that tyde,

For in this wod thay durst nocht him abyde.

Towart the toun, thay drew with all thair mane,

Curiand the peice yai tu [...]k befoir in plane.

The Lord Perse, in hart was greitly greuit,

His men supprysit, agane to him releuit.

And feill war deid into thair armour cleir,

Thre of his kyn, that war to him full deir.

Quhen he hard tell of thair greit greuance,

Thair self was caus of this mischeiffull chance.

Murning he maid, thocht few Scottis it kend,

Ane Herald than to Schir Rannald he send.

And to him tald of all thair suddand cace,

And chargit him tak Souerance of Wallace.

He said him hald fra merket, toun, and fair,

Quhair he micht best be out of thair repair.

The Sutheroun wist yat it was wicht Wallace,

That thame ouir set into that suddand ca [...]e.

Thair trewis for this thay wald nocht brek adeill

Quhen Wallace had this chance eschewit weill

Vpone ane nicht fra Laglane hame he raid,

[Page]In Chalmer sone thair residence thay maid.

Vpon the morne, quhen that the day was licht,

With Wallace furth went schir Rānald ye knicht.

Schew him the writ, yat Lord Perse him sent,

Deir Sone he said, this is my haill Intent.

That thow wald grant, quhil yat yir trewis war worne

Na skaith to do till Inglismē yat is borne,

Bot quhair I pas daylie thow byde with me,

Wallace answerit, gude Schir yat may nocht be.

Richt laith I war deir Vncle ȝow to greif,

I sall do nocht, quhill tyme I tak my leif

And warne ȝow als, or yat I fra ȝow pas,

His Eme and he, on this accordit was.

Wallace with him maid his continewance,

Ilk wicht was blyith to do him plesance.

In Corsbie thus he restit thame amang,

Thair seuintene dayis, suppois be thocht it lang.

Thocht yai him pleisit as Primate or King.

Into his mynd remanit ane vther thing.

He saw his enemeis maister in this Regioun,

Micht nocht him pleis, thocht he war King with Croun.

Thus leif I him with his deir freindꝭ stil,

Of Inglismen now speik sum part I will.

¶The Fourt buik declairis how Wallace wan the P [...]ill of Cargunnok.

Cap. j.

IN September that humbill Moneth sweit,

Quhen passit by the hicht was of the heit.

Vittall and frute ar rypit in aboundance,

As God ordanit to mannis sustenance.

Sagittarius with his asper bow,

Be Ilk Signe the veritie to know.

The changeing cours quhilk makis greit differāce

[Page]And leiffis had loist thair cullour of plesance.

All warldly thing hes nocht bot ane seasoun,

Baith herb and frute man fra the hicht c [...]m doun.

In this Ilk tyme ane greit counsall was set,

In Glasgow toun quhair mony Maisteris met.

Of Inglis Lordis to statu [...]e this countrie,

Than chargit thay all Schireffis thair to be.

Schir Rānald Craufurd behouit yat tyme be yair

For he throw richt was borne Schiref of Air.

His deir Neu [...]y with him that tyme he tuik,

William Wallace, as witnes beiris the buik.

For he na tyme suld far be fra his sicht,

He luifit him with hart and all his micht.

Thay graithit thame without langer abaid,

Wallace sum part befoir the Court furth raid.

Ouir tuik the Chyld, schir Rannaldis sowme suld leid

With him twa mē, yat worthy war in deid.

Softly thay raid, quhill yai the Court suld knaw

Sa suddandly that tyme him self he saw.

The Perseis Sowme in quhilk greit riches was,

The hors was tyrit, and micht na farther pas.

Fyue men war chargit to keip it weill yat tyde,

Twa was on fuit, and thre on hors can ryde.

The Maister man at thair seruand can speir,

Quha aw this Sowme? the suith yow to me leir.

The man answerit withouttin wordis mair,

My Lordis he said, quhilk Schiref is of Air.

Sen it is his, this hors [...]all with me gang,

To serue our Lord, or ellis me think greit wrang.

Thocht ane subiect in deid wald pas his Lord,

It is nocht leuit be na richteous record,

Thay cuttit the brace, and leit the harnes faw,

Wallace was neir, quhen he sic rubrie saw.

[Page]He spak to thame with manly countenance,

In fair forme he said but variance.

Ȝe do vs wrang, and it in tyme of peis,

Of sic rubrie it war gude tyme to ceis.

The Sutheroun schrew, in Ire answerit him to,

It sall be wrocht as thow may se vs do.

Thow gettis na mendis, quhat neidis wordꝭ mair

Sadly auysit, Wallace rememberit thair:

Of the promeis he maid his Eme befoir,

Ressoun him reullit, as than he did na moir.

Bot past away to meit his Eme agane,

Seand this Reif, was muifit with greit pane.

The hors ȝit tuik, yai for auenture micht fall,

Band on thair sow me, syne furth ye way can call.

Thair tyrit Sowmar yai left thair in the plane,

Wallace returnit towart the Court agane.

On the mure syde sone with his Eme he met,

And tald how yai ye way had for him set.

And war nocht I was bund in my legeance,

We parrit nocht thus, for all the gold in France.

The hors thay reft, quhilk suld ȝour harnes beir,

Schir Rannald said that is bot lytill deir.

We may get hors and vther thing in plane,

And men be loist we get thame neuer agane.

Wallace than said, als wyselie God me saif,

Of this greit mys, amendis I fall haif.

And nouther lat for peice nor ȝit plesance,

With witnes heir, I gif vp my legeance.

For cowartly ȝe ar lyke to tyne the richt,

Sone efter syne, ȝour self to deith will dicht.

In wraith thair with, suddandly fra him went,

Schir Rannald was wyse, and kest in his Intēt.

And said I will, byde at the Mernis this nicht,

[Page]Sa Inglismen of vs sall deme nane vnricht.

Gif ony be deid, befoir vs vpon cais,

Than we in Law may byde the richteousnes.

His ludgeing tu [...]k at the Meirnis still he baid,

Full greit murning for his Neuoy he maid.

Bot all for nocht, quhat micht it him auaill?

As into weir, he wrocht nocht his counsaill.

Wallace raid furth, with his twa ȝemen past,

The Sowmar men he followit wounder fast.

Be eist Cathcart he ouir hyit yame agane,

Than knew thay weill, that it was he in plane:

Be hors and weid, had arguit thame befoir,

The fyue to thame, returnit withouttin moir.

Wallace to ground fra his Cuirsour can glyde,

Ane burneist brand he braidit out that tyde.

The Maister man with sa gude will straik he,

Baith hat and heid, in sunder gart he fle.

Ane vther fast vpon the face him gaif,

To deid on ground but mercy sone him draif.

The thrid be hit with greit Ire in that steid,

Fey on the feild, he hes him left for deid.

Wallace slew thre, be that his ȝemen wicht

The tother twa, derfly to deith had dicht.

Syne spuil ȝeit thay the harnes or yai wend,

Of siluer and gold thay gat aneuch to spend.

Iowellis thay tuik, the best was chosin thair,

Gude hors and g [...]ir, syne on thair wayis can fair.

Than Wallace said, at sum strenth wald I be,

Ouir Clyde that tyme was ane gude brig of tre.

Thidder thay past, in all thair gadly micht,

The day was gane, and cūmin was the nicht.

Thay durst nocht weill neir still be Glasgow byde

In the Lennox, he tuik purpois to ryde.

[Page]And sa he did, syne ludgit yair that nicht,

As yai best micht, quhill that ye day was licht.

To ane Oistillary he went and Soiornit thair,

With trew Scottis that his neir freindis wair

The counsell met richt gudly on the morne,

Bot feill tythingis war brocht Peirse beforne.

His men war slane, his treasure als was reft,

With feill Scottis, and yame na Iowellis left.

Thay demit about of yat d [...]rf dourfull cace,

The Sutheroun said, forsuith it is Wallace.

The Schireffis Court was cūmand to ye toun,

And he was ane for Scot of maist Renoun.

Thay gart ga seik Schir Rannald in yat rage,

Bot he was still yan at his herberage.

Sum wyse men said, heirof na thing he kend,

The men war slane heir at the tounis end.

Schir Rannald come be nyne houris of the day,

Befoir the Peirse, and his men brocht wat thay.

Thay followit him of fellony yat was wrocht,

The Assyse of this to him couth say richt nocht.

Thay demit about of yat fell suddand cace,

Befoir the Iudge yair he denyit Wallace.

And sa he micht, he wist nocht quhair he was

Fra this counsall my purpois is to pas.

OF Wallace to speik, in wyldernes sa wyde,

The Lord God be his Gouernour and gyde

Still at yat place, four dayis he soiornit hail

Quhill tythingis come to him fra that counsaill.

Than statute thay in Ilk steid of the west,

In thay boundis, Wallace suld haue na rest.

His deir Vncle ane greit ai [...]h gart him [...]weir,

That he but leif, na freindschip suld him beir.

And mony vther full wo was that day,

[Page]Robert Boyd stall of the toun away.

And Cleland als, befoir with him had bene,

Thay had far leuar to se him with thair Ene:

Leuand on lyfe, as thay knew him befoir,

Than of clene gold, ane fyne Myl koun and moir.

Boyd weipit sair, and said our Lord is gane,

Amang his fais is set all him allane.

Than Cleland said, fals Fortoun changis fast,

Greit God sen we with him had euer past.

Edward Lytill in Aunandaill is went,

And wait richt nocht of this new Iudgement.

Adam Wallace baid still in Ricardtoun,

Sa fell it thus, with Wallace of Renoun.

He with his power partit meruellously,

Be Fortoun of chance ouir turnis dowbilly.

Thair pieteous mane, as than couth nocht be bet,

Thay wist na wit quhair that thay suld him get.

He left the place quhair he in ludgeing lay,

To Erll Malcolme he went vpon ane day.

The Lennox haill he held into his hand,

To King Edward yan had he nocht maid band.

That land was strait, and maisterfull to win,

Gude men of armis yat tyme was it within.

The Lord was traist, ye men sicker and trew.

With waik power thay durst him nocht persew.

Richt glaid he was of Wallace cumpany,

Welcūmit him fair, with worschip reuerently.

At his awin will, desyrit gif he wald

To byde thair still maister of his houshald.

Of all his men he suld haill Chiftane be,

Wallace answerit that war aneuch for me.

I can nocht abyde, my mynd is set in plane,

Wrokin to be, or ellis de in the pane.

[Page]Our west countrie, thair statute is sa strang,

Into the North my purpois is to gang.

Steuin of Ireland than in the Lennox was,

With wicht Wallace he ordand him to pas.

And vther als, that war borne of Argyle,

Wallace still thair, maid residence ane quhyle.

Quhill men it wist, and semblit sone him till,

He chargit nane, bot at thair awin gude will.

Thocht yai war strangeris, ȝit couth he not yame dreid,

Bot ressauit thame all in his weiris to leid.

Sumpart of thame was yan of Ireland borne,

That Makfadȝeane had exylit out beforne.

King Edwardis man, he was sworne of Ireland,

Of richt law birth suppois he tuik on hand.

To Wallace thair, come ane yat hecht Fawdoun,

Of Malancholy, and euill complextioun.

Heuy of stature and dour of contenance,

Sorrowfull was ay, in dreid without plesance.

Wallace ressauit, quhat men wald cum him till,

The bodylie aith thay maid him with gude will.

Befoir the Erll, all in ane gude concord,

And him ressauit, as thair Capitane and Lord.

His speciall men, that come with him fra hame,

The tane hecht Gray, the tother Keirly be name.

In his seruice come first in all thair mane,

To Lowdoun hill, quhair yat Fenwik was slane.

He thame commandit ay nixt yame to persew,

For he thame kend, richt hardy, wyse, and trew.

His leif he tuik, richt on ane fair maneir,

The gude Erll than, he bad him giftis seir.

Wallace wald nane, bot gaif of his feill syis,

To pure and riche, vpon ane gudly wyis.

Humbill he was, hardy, wyse, and fre,

[Page]And of riches he held na propertie.

Of honour, worschip, he was an em [...]rour kend,

As he of gold had aboundantly to spend.

Vpon his fais he wan it worthely,

Thus Wallace past and his gude Cheualry.

Sextie he had of lyklie men at wage,

Throw the Lennox he led yame with curage.

Abone Lekky he ludgit thame in ane vaill,

Ane strenth thair was, quhilk yai thocht to assaill.

On Cargunnok thair biggit was ane [...]eill,

That stuffit was with men and vntall weill.

Within ane dyke, Clois, Chalmer, and [...]all,

Capitane thairof, to name hecht Thirll wall.

Thay led Wallace quhair yat this bigg [...] was,

Thocht to assailȝe it far by or [...]e wald pas.

Twa spyis he send to vesy all the land,

Richt laith he was, the thing to tak on hand.

The quhilk be force, yat suld gang him agane,

Rather he had throw auenture bene slane.

Thir men went furth quhē it was large mydnicht

About the hous thay spyit all at richt.

The wachemen heuy was, and fallin on sleip,

The brig was drawin yat ye entrie suld keip.

The laubouraris lait reklesly went in,

Thir men returnit withouttin noyis or din.

To thair Maister, and tald quhat thay had sene,

Than graithit he sone thir men of armis kene.

Sadly on fuit vnto the hous thay socht,

And enterit in, for letting had thay nocht.

Wicht men assayit with all thair besy cure,

Ane lokkit bar was drawin athort the [...]ure.

Bot yai micht nocht it brek out of the waw,

Wallace was greuit quhen he sic tary saw.

[Page]Sum part anoyit, wraithly to it he went,

Be force of handis, it raisit out of the sprent.

Thre elne of breid, als of the wall pullit out,

Than meruellit all his men that was about.

How he did mair, than twentie of thame micht,

Syne with his fuit, the ȝet he straik vp richt.

Quhill brace and bandis he bristit all atanis,

Frayi [...]lie thay rais, that was within yai waynis.

The wache man had ane felloun staf of steill,

At Wallace straik, bot he keipit him richt weill.

Rudely fra him, he reft it in the thrang,

Dang out his harnis, syne in the dyke him slang.

The remanent, be that was on thair [...]eit,

Thus Wallace sone, can with the Capitane meit.

The sta [...] he had, heuy and forgit new,

With yat Wallace vpon the heid him drew.

Quhill bane and brane all in sunder ȝeid,

His men enterit, that worthy war in deid.

In handis hynt, and stikkit all the laif,

Wallace commandit, yai suld na weirman saif.

Twentie and twa, yai stikkit in that steid,

Wemen and barnis, quhen yat ye men was deid.

He gart be tane, and keipit in clois full weill,

That yai thair out, micht haue yairof na feill.

The deid bodyis yai put sone out of sicht,

Tuik vp the brig or that the day was licht.

In that place daid four dayis or he wald pas,

Wist nane yairout, how that the mane [...] was.

Spuilȝeit yat [...]teid and tuik thame gan and geir

Iowellis and gold away with yame thay beir.

Quhen he thoc [...] [...] tyme, thay Ischit on the [...]icht,

To the [...] wod yai went with all yair micht.

The Capitanis wyfe, wemen and Chylder thre,

[Page]Past quhair yai wald, for Wallace left yame fre.

In that Forest he lykit nocht to abyde,

Thay bownit yame ouir Forth for to ryde.

The Mos was strang, to ryde yan was na bute,

Wallace was wicht, and lichtit on his fute.

Few hors thay had lytill thairof yai rocht,

To saif thair lyf [...]s, fell strenthis oft thay socht.

Steuin of Ireland, he was thair gyde that nicht,

Towart Kincardin syne restit thair at richt.

In that Forest, quhilk was baith lang and wyde,

Quhilk fra the Mos grew to the wa [...]ter syde

Efter the Sone Wallace walkit about,

Vpon Tech syde, quhair he saw mony ane rout.

Of wyld beistis, wauerand in wod and plane,

Sone at ane schot, ane greit Hart hes he slane.

Flew fyre of flynt, and graithit yair at richt,

Suddandly thair▪ fresche vennysoun thay dicht.

Vittall thay had, baith breid and wyne sa cleir,

With vther stuf aneuch at thair Denneir.

This staf of steill, he gaif Keirly to keip,

Syne past thay ouir, the watter of Tech sa deip.

Into Stratherne thay enterit suddandly,

In couert past, or Sutheroun suld thame spy.

Quhome yat yai fand of Scotlandis aduersouris

Without respect, was cum thair fatall houris.

Quhome euer thay met, was at the Inglis fay,

Thay slew all doun, withouttin mair delay.

Thay spairit nane yat was of Inglis blude,

To deith he ȝeid, thocht he was neuer sa gude.

This was the grace that Wallace to yame gaif,

Thay saifit nane, Knicht, Squyar, nor knaif.

Bot waistit all, be worthynes of weir,

Of that partie, that micht beir bow or speir.

[Page]Sum part be slicht, sum part be force thay flew,

Bot Wallace thocht yai waistit neuer anew.

Siluer thay tuik, and als gold as thay fand,

Vther gude geir full lichtly red fra hand.

Cut [...] it throttis, syne in Peitpottis yame kest,

Put out of sicht, for yat yai thocht was best.

At the blak Furde as thay suld yan pas ouir,

Ane Squyar come, and with him bernis four.

To Down suld ryde, and wenit yat yai had bene

All Inglismen, yat he befoir had sene.

Tythingis to speir, he huwit thame amang.

Wallace thair with ane gude sword out he [...]wang

Vpon the heid he straik with sa greit Ire,

Throw bane and brane in sunder straik ye fyre.

The tother thre, in handis sone war hym,

Derfly to deith, stikkit or thay wald slynt.

The hors thay tuik, and quhat thay lykit be [...],

Spuilȝeit yame bair, syne in the Gog yame kest.

O [...] yis mater na mair tary thay maid,

Bot furth yair way, passit withou [...] abaid.

Thir weirlyke Scottis, all with ane assent,

Sa North ouir Erne, out throw the land yai wēt.

In Methuen wod yair ludgeing tuik yat nicht,

Vpon the morne, quhen yat ye day was licht:

Wallace rais vp, went to the Forrest syde,

Quhai [...] yat he saw full weill beistis abyde.

Of wyld and tame, walkand aboundantlie,

Than Wallace said, this countrie lykis me.

W [...]rmen may do, with fude yat yai suld haif,

Bot want yai meit, thay rek nocht of ye laif.

Of day [...]tie fair Wallace tuik neuer keip,

Bot as it come, welcum was meit and sleip.

Sum tyme he had greit sufficience within,

[Page]Now want, now haue, now lois, now win.

Now licht, now sad, now blyith, now in baill,

In haist, now hurt, now sorrow, and now haill.

Now weildād weill, now cald wedder, now hei [...]

Now moist, now drouth, now wauerand wynd, now wei [...]

Sa fairꝭ wt him, for scotlādꝭ richt ful euī

In fell debait, seuin ȝeirts and monethis seuin,

Quhen he wan peice, and left Scotland in plane,

The Inglismen maid new conqueist agane.

In frustrat termis I will nocht tary lang,

Wallace agane vnto his men can gang.

And said heir is ane land of greit aboundance,

Thankit be God of his hie purueyance.

Seuin of ȝow feiris, graith sone and ga with me,

Richt sair I lang, Sanct Iohnstoun for to se.

How Wallace past to Sāct Iohnstoun & slew ye Capitane, & how he wan Kincleuin. Cap. ij.

STeuin of Ireland, as God of heuin the saif,

Maister and [...]eidar I mak the of ye laif

Keip weill my men, lat nane out of thy sicht

Quhill I gang hidder, sall cum with all my micht

Byde me seuin dayis into this Forest strang,

Ȝe may get fude suppois I dwell sa lang.

Sum part ȝe haue, and God will send ȝow mair,

Thus turnit he, and to the toun can fair.

The Mair keipit the Port of the Village,

Wallace knew weill, and send him his Message.

The Mair was brocht, saw him ane gudly man,

Richt reuerently he hes ressauit thame than.

At him he speirit, all Scottis gif ȝe be,

Wallace said ȝe and it is peice trow we.

I grant he said, that lykis vs wounder weill,

[Page]Trew men of peice man ay sum freindschip feill.

Quhat is ȝour name? I pray ȝow tell me it,

William Malcolmesone, he said sen ȝe wald wit.

In Ettrik Forest hes my wynning bene,

Thair I was borne, amang the Schawis schene.

Now I desyre this Northland for to se,

Quhair I micht fynd bet [...]er dwelling for me.

The Mair said Schir, I speirit for nane euill,

Bot feill tythingis is oft tymis brocht vs till.

Of ane Wallace, that was borne in the west,

Our Kingis men he haldis at greit vnrest.

Martyris thame doun, greit pietie is to se,

Out of the trewis, forsuith I trow he be.

Wallace said than, we heir speik of that man,

Tythingis of him, to ȝow tell I nocht can.

For him he gart yan ane Innis graithit be,

Quhair nane suld cum, bot his awin men and he.

The Stewart Keirly brocht thame in fusioun,

Gude thing aneuch, the best was in the toun.

Als Inglismen to drinking wald him call,

And commounly he delt nocht thair with all.

In thair presence he spendit ressonabilly,

Ȝit for him self he payit aboundantly.

On Scottis men he spendit mekill gude,

Nane with his will vpon ye Sutheroū blude

Sone he consauit, in his wit priuatly,

Into that toun quha was of maist party.

Schir Iames Buttellar, ane agit cruell Knicht,

Keipit Kincleuin, ane Castell wounder wicht.

His Sone Schir Iohne, yat dwelt into ye toun,

Vnder Capitane to Schir Gerard Heroun.

The wemen als, he vesyit at the last,

And sa on ane, his Ene began to cast.

[Page]In the South gait, of fassoun ferly fair,

Wallace to hir maid priuatly repair.

Sa fell it thus, fra the toun or he past,

At ane accord, thay hapnit at the last.

Wallace with hir in secreit maid him glaid,

Sutheroun wist nocht, yat he sic plesance had.

Oft on the nicht he wald say to him fell,

This is far war than ony pane of hell.

That yus with wrang, yir Deuillꝭ br [...]kis our lād

And I with force, may nocht aganis yame stand.

To tak this toun, my power is to small,

Greit perrell als of my self may be [...]all.

Set it in fyre, it will vndo my sell,

Or lois my men, thair is na mair to tell.

The ȝettis ar cloisit, the dykis ar deip with all,

Thocht I wald swo [...]ne, forsuith yai can nocht all.

This mater heir, thairfoir I will lat slyde,

For in this tyme, I may na langer byde.

Als men him tauld, the Capitane was to pa [...]

Hame to Kincleuin, quhairof richt glaid he was.

His leif he tuik a [...] Heiris of the toun,

To Methuen wod richt glaidly maid him boun.

His horile he hynt, and blyithlie bownit to blaw,

His men him hard, and thair sone can yai draw.

Richt blyith he was, for yai war haill and feir,

Mony at him for, tythingis wald nocht speir.

He thame commandit for to mak reddy fast,

In gude array out of the wod thay past.

Towart Kincleuin, thay bownit yame yat tyde,

Syne in ane vaill, yat neir was thame besyde.

Fast vpon Tay his buschement he can draw,

In ane derne wod, he stellit thame on raw.

Set Scurriouris furth, the countrie to espy,

[Page]Bot sone or none yair come foir Rydaris by.

The wache turnit to se quhat was his will,

He yame commandit, in couert hald thame still.

And we skaill furth, the hous wil knawledge haif

And that may sone be warning to the laif.

All force in weir dois nocht bot greuance,

Wallace was few, bot happy was his chance.

Maid him feill syse his aduersaris to win,

Be that the Court of Inglismen come in.

Four scoir and ten, weill graithit in thair geir,

Harnest on hors, as lyklie men of weir.

Wallace saw weill thair number was na ma,

He thankit God, and syne the feild can [...]a.

The Inglis meruellit, greitly quhat yai suld be,

Bot fra yai saw yai maid thame for melle:

In reist thay kest, schairp speiris in that tyde,

In ouir yai thocht, outouir the Scottis to ryde.

Wallace and his, went cruelly thame agane,

At the first rusche feill Sutheroun men war slane

Wallace straik ane with his speir of gude steill,

Throw out the coist, ye schaft fruschit Ilk deill.

Ane burneist brand in haist yan hynt he out,

Thryse vpon fuit, he thrang throw all the rout.

Sterne hors thay stikkit, suld men of armis beir,

F [...]y vnder fuit was fuilȝeit men of weir.

Buttellar lychtit him self for to defend,

With men of armis, quhilk full worthy war kend.

On ather syde, feill freikis war fechta [...]d fast,

The Capitane baid, thocht he was sair agast.

Part of Sco [...]tis be worthynes thay slew,

Wallace was wa, and towart him he drew.

His men than dred, the Buttellar bald and kene,

On him he socht, with Ire and proper tene.

[Page]Vpon the heid him straik in matalent,

The burneist blaid, throw out his basnet went.

Baith bane and braue, he brystit throw his weid,

Thus Wallace hand, deliuerit yame of that dreid.

Ȝit feill on fold was fechtand fellounly,

Steuin of Ireland, and all the Cheualry.

Into that stour did worthely and weill,

And Keirly als, with his gude sta [...] of steill.

The Inglismen fra thair Chiftane was slane,

Thay left the feild, and fled in all thair mane.

Thre scoir war slane or thay wald leif that steid,

The fleand folk that wist of na remeid:

Bot tak the hous thay fled in all thair micht,

The Scottis followit, yat worthy war and wicht

Few men of fence, war left that place to keip,

Wemen and Preistis vpon the wall can weip.

For weill yai wenit, the flearis war thair Lord,

To tak thame in, thay maid thame reddy ford.

Leit doun the brig kest vp the ȝettis wyde,

The frayit folk enterit yat durst nocht byde.

Gude Wallace euer, he followit thame sa fast,

Quhill in the hous he enterit at the last.

The ȝet he wore, quhill cūmit was all the rout

Of Inglis and Scottis, he held na man yair out.

The Inglismen that wynnit in that steid,

Withouttin grace thay bryttinit thame to deid.

The Capitanis wyfe, wemen and Preistis twa,

And ȝoung Chylder, forsuith thay sauit na ma.

Held thame in clois efter this suddand cace,

Or Sutheroun men, suld seige yame in yat place.

Tuik vp the brig, and cloisit ȝettis fast,

The deid bodyis out of sicht yai gart cast.

Within the hous, and outwith that war deid,

[Page]Fyue of his awin to bury he gart leid.

In that Castell seuin dayis still baid be,

And euerilk nicht thay spuil ȝeit besylie.

To Schort wod schawis led wyne & vittal bricht

Houshald and geir, baith gold and siluer bricht.

Wemen and thay, quham to he grantit grace,

Quhen he thocht tyme, thay put out of the place.

Quhen thay had tane, quhat lykit thame to haif,

Straik doun the ȝet, and set in fyre the laif.

Out of wyndois stanchou [...]is all yai drew,

Full greit Irne werk into the watter threw.

Buirdin durris, and lokkis in thair Ire,

All werk of tre thay brynt in to the fyre.

Spilt that yai micht, brak brig and Bulwerk doū

To schort wod schaw in haist yai maid yame boū.

Cheissit ane strenth, quhair yai yair lugeing maid,

In gude effeir, ane quhyle yair still he baid.

Ȝit in the toun, of this na wit had thay,

The countrie folk, quhen it was lycht of day:

Greit reik saw ryse, and to Kincleuin thay socht,

Bot wallis and stane, mair gude fand thay nocht.

The Capitanis wyfe to Sanct Iohnstoun scho ȝeid,

And to Schir Gerard tauld yis felloū deid

Als to hir Sone quhat hapnit was be cace,

Than demit thay all, yat it was wicht Wallace.

Befoir tyme thair he spyit had the toun,

Than chargit thay all, thay suld be reddy boun.

Harnest on hors into thair armour cleir,

To seik Wallace, thay went all furth in feir.

Ane thousand men weill garneist for the weir,

Towart the wod richt awfull in effeir.

¶Schortwod Schawis. Cap. iij.

[Page]TO Schortwod schaw, and set it all about,

With fyue staillis, yat stalwart war & stout.

The sext yai maid, ane felloū Raynge to leid

Quhair Wallace was, full worthy ay in deid.

The strenth he tuik, and bad thame hald it still,

On euerie syde assailȝe quha sa will.

Schir Iohne Buttellar into the Forest went,

With twa hundreth, fair muifit in his Intent.

His Fatheris deith, to venge him gif he mocht,

To Wallace sone with men of armis he socht.

Ane cleuch thair was, quhair of ane strenth thay maid,

With thortour treis, & baldly thair abaid.

Fra the tane syde thay micht Ische to ane plane,

Syne throw the wod to the strenth pas agane.

Twentie he had, yat Nobill Archearis wair,

Aganis seuin scoir of Inglis bowmen sair.

Thre scoir of speiris neir hand yame baid full richt

Gif Scottis Ischit, to help yame at thair micht.

On Wallace set, ane bikker bald and kene,

Ane bow he bair, was big and weill besene.

And arrowis als, baith lang and schairp with aw

Na man was yair, yat Wallace bow micht draw.

Richt stark he was, and in full souer geir,

Baldly he schot amang thay men of weir.

Ane Angill heid vnto the huikis he drew,

Syne at ane schot the formest sone he slew.

Inglis Archearis, that hardy war and wicht,

Amang the Scottis, bikkerit with all thair micht

Thair awfull schot was felloun for to byde,

Of Wallace men thay woundit feill that tyde.

Few of thame was sicker of Archery,

Better thay war, and thay gat euin party.

In feild to byde, outher with sword or speir,

[Page]Wallace persauir his men tuik mekill deir.

He gart thame change, and stand not in yat steid,

He kest alwayis to saif thame fra the deid.

Full greit trauell vpon him self tuik he,

Of Sutheroun Archearis feill men he gart de.

Of Longcastell Schyre, bowmē war in yat place

Ane fair Archear ay waittit on Wallace.

At ane oppin, quhair he vsit to repair,

At him he drew ane sicker schot and sair.

Vnder the Chyn throw ane collar of steill,

On the left syde, and hurt his hals sum deill.

Astoneist he was, bot nocht greitly agast,

Out fra his men, on him he followit fast.

In the turning with gude will hes him tane,

Vpon the craig, in sunder straik the bane.

Than feill of thame, na freindschip with him fand

Fyftene that day, be schot deit with his hand.

Be that his arrowis waistit war and gane,

The Inglis Archearis, forsuith yai wantit nane.

Out with thay war, thair power to renew,

On euerilk syde, to thame yai culd persew.

William Lorane come with his busteous staill,

Out of Gowrie on Wallace to assaill.

Neuoy he was, as it was knawin plane,

To the Buttellar, befoir that thay had slane.

To venge his Eme, he come in all his micht,

Thre hundreth led of men in armis bricht.

To leid the Raynge on fute he maid him ford,

Wallace to God his conscience couth remord.

Syne comfort thame with manly countenance,

Ȝe se he said, gude Schirris thair ordinance.

Heir is nane chois, bot outher do or de,

We haue the richt, the happyer may it be.

[Page]That we sall chaip, with grace out of this land,

The Lorane be that, was reddy at his hand.

Be this it was, efter none of the day,

Feill men of wit, to counsall sone ȝeid thay.

The Sutheroun kest schairply on euerilk syde,

And saw ye wod was nouther lang nor wyde.

Lichtly thay thocht, he suld it hald sa lang,

Fyue hundreth maid on fuit throw it to gang.

Sad men of armis, that egir war of will,

About the Scottis, with mony schout full schill.

With bow and speir, and swordis stif of steill,

On ather syde, na freindschip couth thay feill.

Wallace in Ire ane buirly brand can draw,

Quhair feill Sutheroun, war semblit on ane raw

To fend his men with his deir worthy hand,

The folk war fey, that he befoir him fand.

Throw the thickest of ye greit preis he past,

Vpon his enemeis, he wand wounder fast.

Aganis his dynt, na weidis micht auaill,

Quhome sa he hit, was deid withouttin faill.

Of the feirsest full braithly bair he doun,

Befoir ye Scottis, that war of greit Renoun.

To hald ye strenth yai preissit with all yair micht,

Than Inglismen, yat worthy war and wicht:

Schir Iohne Buttellar releuit in agane,

Synderit ye Scottis, and did yame mekill pane.

The Lorane als, that cruell was and kene,

Ane sair assay, forsuith yair micht be sene.

Than at ye strenth yai micht na langer byde,

The Raynge sa strang come vpon ather syde.

In ye thickest wod yai maid thair fell defence,

Aganis thair fais, sa full of violence.

Richt feill Sutheroun leuit thair lyfe in wed,

[Page]To ane new strenth Wallace and his men fled.

On thair aduersaris, thay maid full feill debait,

Bot help yame self, nane vther succour yai wait.

The Sutheroun als, war synderit than in twyn,

Bot thay agane togidder sone can wyn.

Full subtelly thair ordinance thay maid,

The Raynge agane, thay bownit but mair abaid.

The Scottis was hurt, & part of yame war slane,

Than Wallace said, we laubour all in vane.

To slay commounis it helpis vs richt nocht,

Bot thair Chiftanis, that hes yame hidder brocht.

M [...]cht we wirk swa, yat ane of yame war slane,

Sa sair assay thay culd nocht get agane.

Be this the Oist approchand was full neir,

Thus yai thame held, full manly vpon steir.

Quhen Wallace saw the Sutheroun was at hād

Him thocht na tyme langer yan for to stand.

Richt manfully he graithit hes his geir,

Sadly he went aganis thay men of weir.

Throw out the stour full fast fecht and he socht,

With Goddis grace to venge him gif he mocht.

Vpon the Buttellar awfully straik he,

Saifgaird he gat vnder ane bowand tre.

The branche in twa he straik abone his heid,

Als to the ground, and fellit him in that steid.

The haill power vpon him come sa fast,

That thay be force reskewit him at the last.

Lorane was wa, and thidder fast couth draw,

Wallace returnit, sa suddandly him saw.

Out at ane syde full fast to him he ȝeid,

He gat na gyrth for all his burneist weid.

With Ire him straik on his gorget of steill,

The trench and blaid it persit euerilk deill.

[Page]Throw plait and stuf, micht nocht aganis it stand

Derfly to deith, he left him on the land.

Him haue yai loist, thocht sutheroū had it sworne,

For his craig bane was all in sunder schorne.

The worthy Scottis did Nobilly that day,

About Wallace, quhill he was won away.

He tuik the strenth aganis thair fais will,

Abandoundly in bergane baid thame still.

The scry sone rais, the bald Lorane was deid,

Schir Gerard Heroun tranoyntit to that steid.

And all the Oist assemblit him about,

At the North syde than Wallace Ischit out.

With his gude men, and bownit thame to ga,

Thankand greit God, that thay war partit sa.

Seuin of his men to deith that day was dicht,

To Cargill wod thay went that [...]amin nicht.

In the feild left of the Sutheroun se [...] scoir,

And Lorane als, thair murning was the moir.

The Raynge in haist thay rayit sone agane,

Bot quhen thay saw thair trauell was in vane:

Quhen he was past full mekill mane thay maid,

To rype the wod, [...]aith vaill, slonk, and s [...]aid.

For Buttellaris gold, Wallace tuik gold befoir,

Bot thay fand nocht, wald thay seik euer moir.

His hors thay gat bot nocht ellis of his geir,

With dulefull mane returnit thir men of weir,

To Sanct Iohnstoun with sorrow & greit [...]air,

Of Wallace furth me lykis to speik sum mair.

The secund nicht, the Scottis co [...]h yame draw,

Richt priuatly agane to Schort wod schaw.

Tuik vp thair gude quhilk was put out of sicht,

Clei [...]hing and [...]u [...], baith gold and siluer bricht.

Vpon thair feit, for hor [...] was than thame fra,

Or the Sone rais to Methuen wod can ga.

[Page]The twa dayis ouir yair lugeing still yai maid,

On the thrid nicht yai mouit but mair abaid.

¶How Wallace was sauld to Inglismen be his Lemmane. Ca. iiij.

TO Elchok Park full suddandly thay went,

Thair in yat strenth to byde was his Intēt.

Than Wallace said, he wald ga to ye toun,

Arrayit him weill intill ane Preistis gown.

In Sanct Iohnstoun disagysit can he fair,

To this woman, the quhilk we spak of air.

Of his presence scho richt reioysit was,

And ay in dreid, how he away suld pas.

He Soiornit thair fra none was of the day,

Quhill neir the nicht, or yat he went his way.

He trystit hir, quhen he suld cum agane,

On the thrid day, than was scho wounder fane.

Ȝit he was sene with enemeis as he ȝeid,

To Schir Gerret yai tauld of all this deid.

And to Buttellar, yat wald haue wrokin bene,

Than yai gart tak, yat woman bricht and schene:

Acomfit hir sair of resset in that place,

Feil sysescho swore, yat scho knew nocht Wallace.

Than Buttellar said, we wait weill it was he,

And bot thow tell, in baill fyre sall thow de.

Gif thow will help to bring ȝone Rebald doun,

We sall the mak ane Lady of Renoun.

Thay gaif to hir baith gold and siluer bricht,

And said scho suld be weddit with ane Knicht.

Quhome scho desyrit, yat was but mariage,

Thus temptit yai hir, throw counsal & greit wage

That scho yame tald, quhat tyme he wald be yair,

Than war yai glaid, for thay desyrit na mair.

Of all Scotland bot Wallace at thair will,

Thus ordand thay, ya [...] pointment to fulfill.

[Page]Fell men of Armis thay graithit haistelie,

To keip the ȝettis wicht Wallace to espy.

At the set tryst he enterit in the Town

Witt and na thing of all this fals tressoun.

To hir Chalmer he went but mair abaid,

Scho welcūmit him, and ful greit plesance maid.

Quhat that thay wrocht I can not graithly say,

Rycht vnperfite I am of Venus play.

Bot haistely he graithit him to gang

Than scho him tuke, and speirit gif he thocht lang

Scho askit him that nycht with hir to byde

Sone he said nay, for chance that micht betyde

My men ar left at misreull all for me,

I may nocht sleip this nycht quhill I thame se.

Than weipit scho, and said full oft allace

That I was maid wa worth the cursit cace.

Now haue I loist the best man that leuand is,

O febill mynde to do sa foull ane mis

O waryit wit, wickit and variance,

That me hes broucht in this mischeuous chance.

Allace scho said in warld that I was wrocht

Gif all this pane on my self mycht be brocht

I haue seruit to be brint in ane gleid,

Quhē Wallace saw scho neir fra wit couth weid

In his armis he claucht hir soberly,

Quha hes done ocht he said, deir hart, haue I?

Na I (quod scho) hes falsly wrocht this trane,

I haue ȝow sauld, richt now ȝe will be slane.

Scho tald to him hir tressoun to ane end

As I haue said, quhat neidis mair legend.

At hir he speirit gif scho forthocht it sair,

Ȝe Schir scho said, and sall do euer mair.

My waryit weird in warld I mon fulfill,

[Page]To mend this mys I wald byrn on ane hill.

He comfort hir, and bad hir haue na dreid,

I will he said haue sumpart of thy weid.

Hir gowne he tuke on him and courcheis als

Will God I sall eschaip this tressoun fals.

I the forgi [...] withouttin wordis mair,

He kissit hir, syne tuik his leif to fair.

His burely brand helpit him oft in neid,

Richt priuatly hid it vnder that weid.

To the south ȝet the ganest way he drew,

Quhair that he fand of armit men anew.

To thame he tauld diss [...]nulit in countenance▪

To the Chalmer quhair he was in perchance

Speid fast he said, Wallace is lokkit in

For him thay socht without noyis or din.

To that samin hous about thay can thame cast

Out at the ȝet than Wallace gat full fast.

Richt glaid in hart, quhen that he was without

Richt fast he ȝeid, ane sture pais and ane stout·

Twa him beheld and said we will ga se

Ane stalwart quene forsuith ȝone semis to be.

Thay followit him throw the south inche yai twa

Quhē Wallace saw with yame thair come na ma

Agane he turnit, and hes the formest slane,

The tother fled than Wallace with greit mane

Vpon the heid with his sword hes him tane

Left yame baith deid, [...]yne to the strenth him tane

His men he gat richt glaid quhen thay him saw

To thair defence in haist he gart thame draw.

Deuoydit him sone of the womans weid,

Thus chaipit he out of this felloun dreid.

☞ (✚) ☜

❧

§

[Page]

¶How Wallace eschaipit out of Sanct Iohnstoun and past to Elchok Park. And how he slew Faudoun. Ca. j▪

THe dark Regioun apperit wonder fast

In Nouember quhen October was past:

The dayis fall throw rycht cours worthit schort

To baneist men that is na greit comfort.

With thair power seir placis worthis gang,

Heuy thay think quhen that the nicht is lang.

Thus Wallace saw the nicht is messingeir,

Phebus had loist his [...]yrie brandis cleir.

Out of the wod thay durst nocht turne yat tyde,

For aduersaris that in thair way wald byde.

Wallace thame tauld anew war on his hand

The Inglismen war of the town cūmand.

The dur yai brak quhair yai trowit Wallace was

Quhen thay him myssit thay bownit hyne to pas.

In this greit noyis the woman gat away,

Bot to quhat stede, I can not graithly say.

The Suthroun socht richt sadly for that steid

Throw the south inche and fād yair twa mē deid

Thay knew be that Wallace was in the strenth

About the Par [...] thay set on breid and lenth:

With sex hundreth weill graithit in thair armis

All likly men to wreik thame of thair harmis.

Ane hundreth men chargit in armis strang,

To keip ane hound that thay had thame amang.

In Gilder land thair was that bratchet bred,

Sicker of sent to follow thame that fled.

Scho was sa vsit on Esk and Liddisdaill.

Quhill scho had blude na fleing micht auaill.

Than said thay all▪ Wallace micht nocht away,

He suld be thairis for ocht that he do may.

[Page]The Oist thay left in diuers partis that tyde,

Schir Gerard Heroun in the staill can abyde.

Schir Iohne Butellar the range he tuke him til

With thre hundreth quhilk war of hardy will

Into the wod vpon Wallace thay ȝeid,

The worthie Scottis that war in mekle dreid

Socht to ane place for to haue Ischit out

And saw the staill enuyronit thame about.

Agane yai went with hiddeous straikis & strang,

Greit noyis and dyn was raisit thame amang.

Thair cruell deith rycht meruellous to ken

Quhair fourtie matchit aganis thre hundreth mē

Wallace sa weill vpon him tuik that tyde:

Throw the greit preis he maid ane way ful wyde

Helpand the Scottis with his deir worthy hand

Fell famen he left fey vpon the land.

Ȝit Wallace loist fyftene into that steid

And fourtie men of Sutheroun thair war deid.

The Butellaris folk sa fruschit war in deid,

The hardy scottis to the strenthis throw yai ȝeid

Vpon Tay syde thay haistit thame full fast,

In will thay war the watter to haue past.

Better him thocht in perrell for to be

Vpon the land than wilfully to se

His men to drowne quhair reskew mycht be nane

Agane in Ire to the feild ar thay gane

Butellar be than had put his men in array,

On thame he set with awfull hardy assay.

On ather syde with wappnis stif of steill

Wallace agane na freindschip leit thame feill.

Bot do or de thay wist na mair succour,

Thus fend thay lang into that stalwart stour.

The Scottis Chiftane was ȝoung & in ane rage,

[Page]Vsit in weir, and fechtis with curage▪

He saw his men of Sutheroun tak sic wrang,

Thame to Reuenge all dreidles can he gang.

For mony of thame war bleidand wounder sair

He cou [...]h nocht se na help appeirand thair.

Bot gif thair Chiftane war put out of his gait,

The brym Butellar sa bauldly maid debait.

Throw the greit preis Wallace to him socht,

His awfull deid he eschewit as he mocht.

Vnder ane Aik with men about him set,

Wallace micht nocht ane graith straik on him get

Ȝit sched he thame, ane full rude s [...]op hes maid▪

The Scottis went out, na langer thair yai baid.

Steuin of Ireland quhilk hardy was and wicht

To help Wallace he did greit preis and micht.

With trew Keirly doucht [...]e in mony deid,

Vpon the ground fell Sutheroun gart yai bleid.

Sextie war slane of Inglismen in that place,

And nyne of scottis yair tynt war throw yat cace

Butellaris men sa distroyit war that tyde,

Into the stour he wald na langer abyde.

To get supple he went vnto the staill,

Thus loist he yair ane hundreth of greit vaill.

As thay war best arrayand Buttellaris rout

Betui [...] parteis than Wallace Ischit out.

Sextene with him thay graithit thame to ga,

Of all his men he had leuit na ma.

The Inglismen hes missit him in hy,

The hound thay tuke, and followit him haistely.

At the Gask wod full [...]ane he wald haue bene,

Bot this sluth Ratche quhilk cruel was and kene

On Wallace fute followit wounder fast,

Quhill in thair sicht thay approchit at the last.

[Page]Thair hors was wicht, had soiornit weill lang,

To the nixt wod twa myle thay had to gang.

Of vpwith eird thay ȝeid with all thair micht,

Gude hope thay had, for it was neir the nicht.

Faudoun he tyrit, and said he micht nocht gang,

Wallace was wa to leif him in that thrang.

He bad him ga and said the strenth was neir,

Bot he thairfoir wald nocht the faster steir.

Wallace in Ire on the craig can him ta,

With his gude sword, and straik the heid him fra

Dreidles to ground he duschit to the deid,

Fra him he lap and left him in that steid.

Sum demis it to Ill, and sum to gude,

And I say heir into thir termis rude:

Better it was he did, as thinkis me,

First to the hound it micht greit stopping be.

Als Faudoun was haldin at greit suspisioun,

For he was knawin of brukill complexioun.

Richt stark he was and had bot lytill gane,

Thus Wallace wist, had he bene left allane:

And he war fals to enemeis wald he ga,

Gif he war trew the Sutheroun wald him sla

Micht he do ocht, bot tyne him as it was,

Fra this questioun now schortly will I pas.

Deme as ȝe list, ȝe that can best and may,

Bot I reheirs as myne Author will say.

Sternis as than, began for to appeir,

The Inglismen wa [...] cūmand wounder neir.

Fyue hundreth haill war in that Cheualry,

To the nixt strenth than Wallace can him hy.

Steuin of Ireland vnwittand of Wallace,

And gude Keirlie baid still neir hand that place.

At the mure syde into ane scrogy slaid,

[Page]Be eist Duplin quhair thay this tary maid.

Faudoun was left besyde thame on the land,

The power come, and suddanly him fand.

For thair sluith hound the graith way to him ȝeid

Of vther tred as than scho tuik na heid.

The sluith stoppit at Faudoun still scho stude,

Na forther wald, fra tyme scho fand the blude.

The Inglismen demit for vther yai couth not tell,

Bot yat ye Scottis had fochtin amang yame sell

Richt wa thay war for loissit was thair sent,

Wallace twa men amang the Oist in went.

Dissimulit weill, that na man suld thame ken,

Richt in affeir as thay war Inglismen.

Keirlie beheld vnto the bauld Heroun,

Vpon Faudoun as he was luikand doun.

Ane subtill straik vpwart him tuik that tyde,

Vnder the cloik the grundin sword can glyde.

By the gude mai [...]ȝe baith craig and hals bane,

In sunder straik, thus endit that Chiftane.

To ground he fell, feill folk about him thrang,

Tressoun thay cryit, ane tratour vs amang.

Keirly with that slaid out at ane syde,

His fellow Steuin than thocht na tyme to byde.

The fray was greit, and fast away thay ȝeid,

Baith toward Erne thus chaipit yai that dreid.

Butellar was wa of weiping micht nocht stynt,

Thus reklesly this gude Knycht haue thay tynt.

Thay demit all that it was Wallace men,

Or ellis him self, thocht thay culd nocht him ken.

He is richt neir, we sall him haue but [...]aill,

The f [...]ill wod may lytill him auaill.

Fourtie thair past agane to Sanct Iohnstoun,

With this deid Corps, to burying maid it boun.

[Page]Partit thair men, and diuers wayis raid,

Ane greit power at Duplin still thair baid.

To Danrich the Butellar past but let,

At sundrie furdis the gaitis vmbeset:

To keip the wod quhill it was day thay thocht,

As Wallace thus in the thick Forest socht:

For his twa men in mynde he had greit pane,

He wist nocht weill gif thay war tane or slane:

Or chaipit haill be ony Iepardie,

Threttene war left, with him na ma had he.

In the Gask hall thair ludgeing haue thay tane,

Fyre gat thay sone, bot meit than had thay nane.

Twa scheip thay tuik besyde thame in ane fald,

Ordanit the Supper into that semely hald.

Graithit in haist sum meit for thame to dicht,

Sa hard thay blaw rude hornis vpon hicht.

Twa send he furth to luik quhat it micht be,

Thay baid richt lang, and na tythingis hard he.

Bot busteous noyis sa brymlie blawand fast,

Sa vther twa in to the wod furth past.

Nane come agane bot busteously can blaw,

Into greit Ire he fend thame furth on raw.

Quhen that allane Wallace was left thair,

The awfull blast aboundit mekill mair.

Than trowit he weill thay had his ludging sene,

His sword he drew of Nobill mettell kene.

Syne furth he went quhair yat he hard ye horne

Without the dur Faudoun was him beforne.

As to his sicht, his heid into his hand,

Ane croce he maid, quhen he him sa saw stand.

At Wallace in the heid he swakit thair,

And he in haist sone hynt it be the hair.

Syne out at him agane he couth it cast,

[Page]Into his hart he was greitly agast.

Richt weill he trowit that was na spirit of man

It was sum Deuill that sic malice began.

He wist nane auaill thair langer to abyde,

Vp throw the hall thus wicht Wallace can glyde

To ane clois stair the burdis raif in twin,

Fyftene fute large he lap furth of that In.

Vp the watter suddanly can he fair,

Agane he blent quhat apperance he saw thair.

Him thocht he saw Faudoun that vgly Syre,

Vpon the hous, and all the laif in fyre.

Ane greit rufe tre he had into his hand,

Wallace as than na langer wald he stand.

Of his gude men full greit meruell had he,

How thay war tynt throw this fell fantasie.

Traistis richt weill all this was suith in deid,

Supppois that it na point be of the Creid.

Power thay had with Lucifer that fell,

The tyme that he departit fra heuin to hell.

Be sic mischeif gif his men micht be loist,

Drownit or slane amang the Inglis Oist.

Or quhat it was in lyknes of Faudoun,

Quhilk brocht his men to suddand confusioun.

Or gif the man endit in euill Intent,

Sum wickit Spirit agane for him present.

I can not speik of sic Diuinitie,

To Clerkis I wil [...] lat all sic maters be.

Bot of Wallace on furth I will ȝow tell,

Quhen he was went out of this perrell fell:

Ȝit glaid he was that he had chaipit sa,

Bot for his men greit murning can he ma.

Flait be him self to the maker abufe,

Quhy he sufferit he suld sic panis prufe.

[Page]He wist nocht weill gif it was Goddis will,

Richt or wrang his fortoun to fulfill.

Had it pleisit God he trowit it micht nocht be,

He suld him set in sic perplexitie.

Bot greit curage in his mynd euer draif,

Of Inglismen ane mendis think and to haif.

As he was thus walkand be him allane,

Vpon Erne syde makand ane pieteous mane.

Schir Iohne Butellar to wache yai furdis richt

Out fra his men of Wallace had ane sicht.

The myst was went, and to the mountanis gane

To him he raid quhair that he maid his mane.

On loud he speirit, quhat art thow walkꝭ yis gait

Ane trew man Schir, thocht my vayage be lait.

Erandis I pas fra Down vnto my Lord,

Schir Iohne Stewart, ye richt quha wil record

In Down is now, new cūmin fra the King,

Than Butellar said, this is ane selcouth thing.

Thow leid he said, thow hes bene with Wallace,

I sall the knaw or thow cum of this place.

To him he stert, the Cursour wounder wicht,

Drew out a sword, syne maid him for to licht.

Abone the kne gude Wallace hes him tane,

Throw Thee and braune in sūder straik the bane

Derfly to ground the Knicht fell on the land,

Wallace the hors sone sesit in his hand.

Ane akwart straik syne tuke him in that steid,

His craig in twa, this was the Butellar deid.

Ane Inglisman saw thair Chiftane was slane,

Ane speir in reist he kest in all his mane.

On Wallace draif, fra the hors him to beir,

Warly he wrocht, as worthie man in weir.

The speir he wan, withouttin mair abaid,

[Page]On hors he lap, and throw ane greit rout raid.

To Dalrich than he knew the fuird full weill.

Befoir him come feill stuffit in lyne steill.

He straik the first but baid in the blasoun,

Quhill hors and man all flet the watter doun.

Ane vther sone downe fra his hors he bair,

Strampit to ground, and drownit without mair

The thrid he hit in his harnes of steill,

Throw out the coist the speir it brak ilk deill.

The greit power than efter him can ryde,

He saw na wisdome thair langer to abyde

His burnist brand in hand braithly he bair,

Quhome he hi [...] richt, thay followit him na mair.

To s [...]uf the chace few freikis followit fast,

Bot Wallace maid the gayest ay agast.

The mure he tuke and throw thair power ȝeid,

The hors was gude, bor ȝit he had greit dreid.

For failȝeing or he wan to a strenth,

The chace was greit scaillit on breid and lenth.

Throw strang danger thay had him ay at sicht,

At the blak furd thair Wallace down can licht.

The hors stiffit, the way was deip and lang,

Ane large lang myle wichtly on [...]ute can gang.

Or he was horsit rydaris about him kest,

He saw full weill lang sa he micht nocht lest.

Sad men in deid vpon him can renew,

Without recouering twentie yat nicht he slew.

The feirsest ay rudely rebutit he,

Keipit his hors, and rycht wisely can fle.

Quhill that he come the mirkest mure amang,

His hors gai [...] ouir, and wald na farther gang.

Wallace on fute tuke him with gude Intent,

The hors he slew, or that he farther went.

[Page]That Inglismen of him suld haue na gude,

And left on fute for weill he vnderstude:

For Sutheroun men of him suld haue na sicht,

In heich hadder he past with all his micht.

Throw that dark mure fra yame yan hes he socht

Bot suddanly thair come into his thocht:

Greit power wo [...]k at Striuiling brig of tre,

Sichand he said, na passage is for me.

For fault of fude, and I haue fastit lang,

On weirmen now, me think na tyme to gang.

At Cambuskinneth I sall the watter till,

Lat God aboue do with me quhat he will.

Into this land langer I may nocht byde,

Tary he maid sumpart on Forthis syde.

Tuik of his weid and graithit him but mair,

His swo [...]d he band, that wounder scharply schair

Amang his geir on his schulders on loft,

Thus in he went, to greit God prayand oft.

Of his hie grace his cause to tak on hand,

Ouir the watter he swam to the south land.

Arrayit him sone, the sesoun was richt cauld,

For Piscis was into his dayis auld.

Ouirthort the Kers to the Torwod he ȝeid,

Ane wedow dwelt quhilk helpit him in neid.

Hidder he come or day began to daw,

To ane windo, and priuatly can caw.

Thay speirit his name, bot tel yame wald he nocht

Quhill scho hir self neir to his langage socht.

Fra tyme scho wist that it was wicht Wallace,

Reiosit scho was, and thankit God of his grace.

Scho speirit sone quhy he was him allane,

Murnand he said, as now man haue I nane.

Scho askit him quhair that his men suld be,

[Page]Fair Dame he said ga get sum meit for me.

I haue fastit sen ȝister day at morne

I dreid full sair that my men be forlorne.

Greit part of thame to the deith I saw brocht

Scho gat him meit in all the haist scho mocht

Ane woman he callit and als with hir ane chyld

And bad thame pas agane thay wayis wyld.

To the Gask hall tythingis for to speir

Gif part war left of his men in to feir.

And scho suld find ane hors sone in hir gait

He bad thame se gif that place stude in stait,

Thairof to heir he had full greit desyre

Because he thocht it was all into fyre.

Thay passit furth withouttin tary mair

Him for to rest Wallace remainit thair.

Refreschit he was with meit drink and heit,

Quhilk causit him throw naturall cours to sleip

Quhair he suld sleip at that woman he speirit

The wedow had thre sonnis that war leirit,

First twa of thame scho send to keip Wallace

He gart the thrid ga sone to Donypace

And tald his Eme that he was hapnit thair,

The Persoun come to se of his weilfair.

Wallace to sleip was laid in the wod syde

The twa ȝoūg men without him neir couth byde.

The Persoun come neir hand thair maner saw

Thay bekynnit him to quhat stede he suld draw.

The Rone was thick that Wallace sleipit in

About he ȝeid and maid bot lytill dyn.

Sa at the last of him he had ane sycht

Full priuatly quhair that his bed was dicht.

He him beheld, syne said vnto him sell,

Heir is meruell quha lykis it for to tell.

[Page]This is ane Persoun be worthines of hand

Trowis to stop the power of Ingland.

Now fals Fortoun the miswirkar of all,

Be auenture hes geuin him ane fall.

That he is left without supple of ma

Ane cruell wyfe with wapins micht him [...]la.

Wallace him hard with yat the sleip ouer past,

Feirfly he rais, and said to him als fast

Thow leis fals Preist war thow ane fa to me,

I wald not dreid sic vther ten as the.

I haue had mair sen ȝisterday at morne,

Than sic sextie war assemblit me beforne.

His Eme him tuke, and wēt furth with Wallace,

He tauld to him of all his panefull cace.

This nicht he said I was left myne allane

In fell debait with Enemeis mony ane.

God at his will hes ay my lyfe to keip.

Ouer Forth I swame that awfull is and deip.

Quhat I haue had in weir befoir this day,

Presoun and pane to this nicht was bot play.

Sa bet I am with straikis sad and sair,

The schill watter brynt me mekill mair.

Efter greit blude throw heit and cald was wrocht

That of my lyfe almaist nathing I rocht.

I mene far mair the tynsall of my men,

Nor for my self micht I suffer sic ten.

The Persoun said deir sone thow may se weill,

Langer to stryfe it helpis nocht adeill:

Thy men ar loist, and [...]ane will with the ryse,

For Goddis saik mak as I sall deuyse.

Tak ane Lordschip quhair on that thow may leif

King Edward will greit landis to the geif.

Vnkill he said of sic wordis na mair,

[Page]This is na thing bot [...]iking of my cair.

I lyke better to se the Suthroun de,

Than gold or land that thay can gif to me.

Traist thow richt weill of weir I sall not ceis,

Vntill the tyme I bring Scotland to peis:

Or de thairfoir in plane to vnderstand

Sa come Keirlie and gude Steuin of Ireland,

The Wedowis Sone to Wallace he yame brocht

Fra thay him saw of na sadnes thay rocht.

For perfite Ioy thay weipit with thair Ene,

To ground thay fell, and thankit heuinis Quene

Als he was glaid for reskew of thame twa,

Of thair feris leuand war left na ma:

Thay tauld him that Schir Gerard was deid,

How thay had weill eschapit of that steid,

Throw the Oichell thay had gane all that nicht,

To Erth ferry quhen that the day was licht.

How ane trew Scot throw kyndnes of Wallace

Brocht thame [...]one ouer syne kend thame to that plac [...]

Als Ke [...]y wist gif Wallace leuand war,

Neir Do [...]ypais that he suld find him thair.

The Persoun gart gude purueyāce for yame dicht

In the Torwod thay ludgit all that nicht.

Quhill the woman that Wallace north had send,

Returnit agane and tauld him to ane end.

Quhat Inglismen in the way scho fand deid,

Fell was fallin fey in mony sindrie steid.

The hors scho saw that Wallace had be reft,

And the Gask hall standand as it was left:

Withouttin harme, not steirit of it ane stane,

Bot of his men gude tythingis scho gat nane.

Thairfoir he greuit greitly in that [...]yde,

In the Forest he wald na langer abyde.

[Page]The wedow him gaif part of siluer bricht,

Twa of hir Sonnis that worthie war & wicht.

The thrid scho left because he laikit age

In weir as than micht nocht wyn vassalage.

The Persoun than gat thame gude hors and geir

Bot wa he was, his mynd was sa in weir,

Thus tuke he leif without langer abaid,

In Dundaf mure the samin nicht he raid.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame quhilk lord was of yat land

Ane agit Knicht had maid nane vther bād.

Bot purchest peax in rest he micht byde still,

Tribute he payit full sair aganis his will.

A Sone he had baith wise worthie and wicht,

Alexander the feirs at Berwik maid him Knicht.

Quhair schawin was of battell to haue bene,

Betuix Scottis and the bauld Persee kene.

This ȝoūg schir Iohne richt nobill was in weir,

On ane braid sword his father gart him sweir,

He suld be trew to Wallace in all thing,

And he to him quhill lyfe in thame micht Ring.

Thre nychtis thair Wallace was out of dreid,

Restit him weill, sa hes he mekle neid.

On the feird day he wald na langer abyde

Schir Iohne ye Grahame bownit wt him to ryde

And he said nay, as than it sulde not be,

Ane plane part ȝit I will not tak on me.

I haue tynt men throw my ouir reckles deid,

Ane brynt chylde als mair sair the fyre suld dreid.

Freindis sumpart I haue in Cliddisdaill,

I will ga se quhat thay may me auaill.

Schir Iohne answerit I will ȝour counsall do,

Quhen ȝe think tyme send priuatly me to.

Than I sall cum with my power in haist,

[Page]He him betaucht vnto the haly Gaist.

Sanct Iohne to borgh yai suld meit hail & sound,

Out of Dundaf he and his four couth found.

In Bothwell mure that nicht remanit he,

With ane Craufurd yat ludgit him priuie.

Vpon the morne to the Gilbank he went,

Ressauit he was of mony with glaid Intent.

For his deir Eme ȝoung Anchinlek dwelt thair,

Brother he was to the Schiref of Air.

Quhen auld Schir Rānald to his deid was dicht

Than Anchinlek weddit that Lady bricht.

And Chylder gat, as storyis will record,

Of Lesmahago for he held of that Lord.

Bot he was slane, that pietie was the mair,

With Perseis men into the towne of Air.

His Sone dwelt still, than nyntene ȝeir of age,

And bruikit haill his Fathers heritage.

Tribute he payit for all his landis braid,

To Lord Persee, as his brother had maid.

I leif Wallace with his deir Vnkill still,

Of Inglismen ȝit sum thing speik I will.

Ane messinger sone throw the countrie ȝeid,

To Lord Persee, and tauld this felloun deid.

Kincleuin was brynt, brokin and cassin doun,

The Capitane deid of it and Sanct Iohnstoun.

The Lorane als in schortwod schawis schene,

Into that land greit sorrow hes bene sene.

Throw wicht Wallace yat all this deid hes done

The towne he spyit, and that forthocht vs sone.

Butellar is slane with douchtie men and deir,

In asper sp [...]iche the Persee than can speir.

Quhat word of him I pray the graithly tell,

My Lord he said, richt thus the cais befell.

[Page]We knaw for treuth he was left him allane,

And as he fled he slew full mony ane.

The hors we fand yat him yat gait couth beir,

Bot of him self nane vther word we heir.

At Striuiling brig we wait he passit nocht,

To deith in Forth he may for vs be brocht.

Lord Perses said, now suithly that war sin,

Sa gude of hand is nane this warld within.

Had he tane peax and bene our Kingis man,

This haill Impyre he micht haue conquest yan.

Greit harme it is our Knychtis that ar deid,

We mon gar se for vther in thair steid.

I trow nocht ȝit that Wallace loissit be,

Our Clerkis sayis he sall gar mony de.

The messinger sayis, all that full suith hes bene,

Mony hundreth that cruell was and kene.

Sen he began ar loist without remeid,

The Persee said forsuith he is nocht deid.

The cruikis of Forth he knawis wounder weill,

He is on lyfe that sall our Natioun feill.

Quhen he is stressit, than can he swome at will,

Greit strenth he hes, baith wit and grace yairtill.

Ane messinger the Lord chargit to wend,

And this comand in writ he with him send.

Schir Iohne Stewart gart Schiref yā be maid

Of Sanct Iohnstoun, and all the landis braid.

Into Kincleuin thair dwelt nane syne agane,

Thair was nocht bot brokin wallis in plane.

Leif I thame thus reuland the landis thair,

And speik I will of Wallace glaid weilfair.

He send Keirlie vnto Rannald that nicht,

To Boyd and Blair, that worthie war & wicht.

And Adame als, his Cousing gude Wallace,

[Page]To thame declarit all this panefull cace.

Of his eschaip out of that company,

Richt wounder glaid war thir gude Cheualry.

Fra tyme thay wist that Wallace leuand was,

Gude expensis thay maid to him to pas.

Maister Iohne Blair was ane of that message,

Ane worthy Clerk baith wise and richt sauage.

Leirit he was befoir in Pareis toun,

Amang Maisteris in science of gude Renoun.

Wallace and he at hame in scule had bene,

Sone efterwart as veritie was sene:

He was the man that principall vndertuke,

That first compylit in dyte the latine buke.

Of Wallace lyfe richt famous of Renoun,

And Thomas Gray Persoun of Libertoun.

With him thay war, and put in Historiall,

Oft ane or baith mekill of his trauall.

And thairfoir heir I mak of thame mentioun,

Maister Iohne Blair to Wallace maid him doun

To se his heill his comfort was the mo [...],

As thay full oft togidder war befoir.

Siluer and gold thay gaif him for to spend,

Sa did he thame frely quhen God it send.

Of gude weilfair as than he wantit nane,

Inglismen wist he was left him allane.

Quhair he suld be was nane of thame couth say

Drownit or slane or eschaipit away.

Thairfoir of him thay tuke bot lytill heid,

Thay knew him nocht, the les he was in dreid.

All trew Scottis greit fauour to him gaif,

Quhat gude thay had he misterit nocht to craif.

The peax lestit that Schir Rannald had ta [...]e,

Thay thre monethis it suld nocht be out gane.

[Page]Haill Cristmes Wallace remanit thair,

In Lanerk oft to sport he maid repair.

Quhen that he went to Gilbank fra the toun,

Gif he fand men was of that Natioun.

To Scotland thay did neuer greuance mair,

Sum stikkit thay, sum throttis in sunder schair▪

Feill war fund deid, bot nane wist quha it was,

Quhome he handlit he leit na farther pas.

Thair Hessilrig dwelt, yat cursit Knycht to waill,

Schiref he was of all thay landis haill.

Of felloun outrage, dispitefull in his deid,

Mony of him thairfoir had mekill dreid.

Meruell he thocht, quha durst his pepill [...]la,

Without the toun he gart greit number ga:

Quhen Wallace saw that thay war ma than he

Than did he nocht bot salust courtes [...]ie.

Als his four men bure thame sa quyetlie,

Na Sutheroun culd deme yame vnhonestlie.

In Lanerk dwelt ane gentill woman thair,

Ane madyn myld, as my buik will declair.

Auchtene ȝeir auld, or lytill mair of age,

Als borne scho was to part of heritage.

Hir Father was of worschip and renoun,

And Hew Braidfute he hecht of Lāmintoun.

As feill was than in the countrie cald,

Befoir tyme thay gentill men war of ald.

Bot this gude man and als his wyfe was deid,

The madin than wist of nane vther remeid.

Bot still scho dwelt on tribute in the toun,

And purchest had King Edwards protectioun.

Seruandis with hir of freindis at hir will,

Thus leifit scho without desyre of Ill.

Ane quyet hous as scho micht hald in weir,

[Page]For Hessilrig had done hir mekill deir.

Slane hir brother quhilk eldest was and Air,

All sufferit scho, and richt lawly hir bair.

Amiabill, sa bening war and wyse,

Courtes and sweit, fulfillit of all gentrice.

Weill reullit of toung, richt haill of countenance,

Of vertewis scho was worthie to auance.

Humbill hir led, and purchest ane gude Name,

Of alkin wicht scho keipit hir fra blame.

Trew richteous folk ane greit fauour hir lent,

Vpon ane day to the Kirk as scho went:

Wallace hir saw as he his Eye can cast,

The prent of lufe him prunȝeit at the last.

Sa asperly throw beutie of that bricht,

With greit vneis in presence byde he micht.

He knew full weill hir Kinrent and hir blude,

And how scho was in honest vse and gude.

Quhyle wald he think to lufe hir ouir the laif,

Ane vther quhyle, he thocht on his desaif.

How that his men war brocht to confusioun,

Throw his last lufe he had in Sanct Iohnstoun.

Than wald he think to leue and lat ouir flyde,

Bot that thocht lang in mynd micht nocht abyde

He tauld Keirlie of his new lust and baill,

Syne askit he him of his trew counsall.

Maister he said, als far as I haue feill,

Of liklynes it may be wounder weill.

Sen ȝe sa lufe, tak hir in mariage,

Gudely scho is, and als hes heritage.

Suppois that ȝe in luifing feill ane mis,

Greit God forbid it suld be sa with this.

To mary thus I can nocht ȝit attend,

I wald of weir first se ane finall end.

[Page]I will na mair allane to my lufe gang,

Tak tent to me for dreid I suffer wrang.

To proffer lufe thus sone I wald nocht preif,

Micht I leif of in weir I think to leif.

Quhat is this lufe na thing bot fulischnes,

It may reif me baith wit and steidfastnes.

Than said he thus, this will nocht graithly be,

Amouris and weir atanis to regne in me.

Richt suith it is stude I in blis of lufe,

Quhair deidis war I suld the better prufe.

Bot weill I wait quhair greit ernist is in thocht,

It lattis weir in ye wysest man was wrocht.

Les gif it be bot a [...]erly till ane deid,

Than he that thinkis of lufe to speid.

He may do weill, haue he fortoun and grace,

Bot this standis all in ane vther cace.

Ane greit Kinrik with feill fais ouirset,

Richt hard it is amendis for to get.

A [...]anis of thame, and keip the obseruance,

Quhilk belangis lufe, and all his freuoll chance.

Exempill I haue, that me forthinkis sair,

I trow to God it sall be sa na mair.

The treuth I knaw of this and hir lynnage,

I knew nocht hir, thairfoir I loissit ane gage.

To Keirlie he thus arguit in this kynd,

Bot greit desyre remaning in his mynd.

For to behauld that frely of fassoun,

Ane quhyle he left, and come nocht in the toun.

On vther thing he maid his wit to wa [...]k,

Preuand gif he micht of that langour s [...]aik.

Quhen Keirlie saw he sufferit pane for thy,

Deir Schir he said, ȝe leif in slogardy.

Sa se ȝour lufe, than sall ȝe get com [...]ort,

[Page]At his counsall he walkit for to sport.

Vnto the Kirk quhair scho maid residence,

Scho knew him weill, bot as of eloquence

Scho durst nocht weill in presence to him kyth,

Full sair scho dred that Sutheroun suld hir myth

For Hessilrig had ane mater new begune,

And hir desyrit in mariage to his Sone.

With hir madin thus Wallace scho besocht,

To dyne with hir, and priuatly scho him brocht.

Throw ane gardin scho had gart wirk of new,

Sa Inglismen nocht of thair meting knew.

Than kissit he this may glaidly with plesance,

Sone hir besocht richt hartly of acquentance,

Scho answerit him with humbill wordis & wyse

War my acquentance richt worthie for to pryse:

Ȝe sall it haue as God me saif in saill,

Bot Inglismen garris our power faill.

Throw violence of thame and thair bairnage,

That hes weill neir distroyit our lynage.

Quhen Wallace hard hir compleyne pieteously,

Greuit in hart he was richt gretumly.

Baith Ire and lufe him set into ane rage,

Bot nocht for thy he soberit in curage.

Of his mater he tauld as I said air,

To that gudely how lufe constraint him sair.

Scho answerit him richt ressonablie agane,

And said I sall to ȝour seruice be bane.

With all plesance in honest causis haill.

And I traist nocht ȝe wald set to assaill.

For ȝour worschip to do me dishonour,

And I ane Mayde, and standis in mony stour.

Fra Inglismen to saif my womanheid,

And coist hes maid to keip me fra thair feid▪

[Page]With my gude will, I will na Lemman be,

To na man borne, thairfoir me think suld ȝe.

Desyre me nocht bot into gudlynace,

Perchance ȝe think I war to law percace.

For to attend to be ȝour richteous wyfe,

Into ȝour seruice I wald vse all my lyfe.

Heir I beseik for ȝour worschip in armis,

Ȝe charge me nocht with na vngodly harmis.

Bot me defend for worschip of ȝour blude,

Quhen Wallace weill hir trew taill vnderstude:

As in ane part him thocht it was ressoun,

Of hir desyre thairfoir to conclusioun.

He thankit hir, and said gif it micht be,

Throw Goddis will that our Kinrik be fre.

I wald ȝow wed with all hartly plesance,

Bot at this tyme I may nocht tak sic chance.

And for this cause nane vther now I craif,

Ane man in weir may nocht all plesance haif.

Of thair talk than can I tell ȝow na mair,

To my purpois quhat band that thay maid thair.

Conclude thay thus, and to the Denner went,

The sair greuance remanit in his Intent.

Lois of his m [...]n and lustie pane of lufe,

His leif he tuke at that tyme to remufe.

¶How Wallace past to Lochmabane, and how thay cuttit his hors taillis, and how he schaif the blude latter. Ca. ij.

SYne to Gilbank he past or it was nicht,

Vpon ye morne with his four mē him dicht

To the Corheid without resting he raid,

Quhair his Neuoy Thom Haliday him abaid.

[Page]And Edward Lytill als his Cou [...]ing deir,

Quhilk was [...]a blyith quhen he wist him sa neir.

Thankand greit God he send thame saif agane,

For mony demit he was in Stratherne slane.

Gude cheir thay maid all out thay dayis thre,

Than Wallace said that he desyrit to se:

Lochmabane toun, and Inglismen yat was yair

On the feird day thay bownit thame to fair.

Sextene he was of gudly Cheualry,

In the Knok wod he leifit all bot thre.

Thomas Haliday went with him to the Town

Edward Lytill and Keirly maid thame bown.

To ane Oistler Thomas Haliday led yame richt,

And gaif command yair Denner suld be dicht.

To heir ane Mes in gude Intent thay ȝeid,

Of Inglismen thay trowit thair was na dreid.

Ane Cliffurd come was Emis Sone to the Lord

And thre with him, in treuth for to record.

To thair Innis sone efter Wallace past,

Quha aucht thay hors in greit hething he ast·

The gude wyfe said for to haue pleist him best,

Thre gentill men ar cūmin out of the west.

Quha Deuill thame maid sa gaylie for to ryde,

In faith with me ane wed thair mon abyde.

Thir lewit Scottis hes leirit lytill gude,

Lo all thair hors ar schent for fault of blude.

Into greit scorne for outtin wordis mair,

The taillis all of thay thre hors thay schair.

The gude wyfe cryit, and pieteously couth greit,

Sa Wallace come, and couth the Capitane meit.

Ane woman tauld him thay had his hors schent

For proper Ire he grew in matalent.

He followit fast, and said gude freindis abyde,

[Page]Seruice to tak for thy craft in this tyde.

Marchell thow art without command of me,

Reward agane me think I suld pay the.

Sen I of lait new come out of the west,

In this countrie ane barbour of the best.

To cut and schaif and that ane wounder gude,

Now thow sall feill how I vse to lat blude.

With his gude sword the Capitane hes he tane,

Quhill hors agane he merchellit neuer nane.

Ane vther sone vpon the heid straik he,

Quhill chaftis and cheik vpon the gait can fle.

Be that his men the tother thre had slane,

Thair hors thay tuke, and graithit yame ful bane

Out of the Town, for Denner baid thay nane,

The wyfe he payit, that maid sa pieteous mane.

Than Inglismen fra that Chiftane was deid,

To Wallace socht fra mony sindrie steid.

Of the Castell come cruell men and kene,

Quhen Wallace hes thair suddand semblie sene.

Towart sum strenth he bownit him to ryde,

For than him thocht it was na tyme to b [...]de.

His hors bled fast that gart him dreding haif,

Of his gude men he wald haue had the laif.

To the Knok wod withouttin mair thay ra [...]d,

Bot into it na Soiorning he maid.

That wod as than was nouther thick nor strang

His men he gat, syne lichtit he to gang.

Towart ane hicht, and led thair hors ane quhyle,

The Inglismen war than within ane myle.

On fresche hors rydand full haistely,

Seuin scoir as than was in that cumpany.

The Scottis lap on quhen thay that power saw,

Frawart the south thame thocht it best to draw.

[Page]Than Wallace said, it is na wit in weir,

With our power to byde thame bargane heir.

Ȝ [...]ne ar gude men, thairfoir I reid that we,

Innermair seik, quhill God send vs supple.

Haliday said, we sall do ȝour counsaill,

Bot sair I dreid that thir hurt hors will [...]aill.

The Inglismen in burnist armour cleir,

Be than to thame approchit wounder neir.

Horsit Archearis schot and wald nocht spair,

Of Wallace men thay woundit twa full sair.

In Ire he grew quhen that he saw thame bleid

Him self he turnit, and on thame sone he ȝeid.

Sextene with him that worthie was in weir,

Of the formest richt scharply doun thay beir.

At that returne fyftene in feild was slane,

The laif thay fled vnto thair power agane.

Wallace followit with his gude Cheualry,

Thomas Haliday in weir was full besy.

Ane buschement saw, that cruell was and kene,

Twa hundreth haill of weill graithit Inglismen.

Vnkill he said, our power is to smaw,

Fra this plane feild I counsall ȝow to draw.

To few we ar aganis ȝone felloun staill,

Wallace returnit full sone at his counsaill.

At the Corheid full fane thay wald haue bene,

Bot Inglismen hes weill thair purpois sene.

In plane battell thame followit hardely,

In danger thus thay held thame awfully.

Hew of Morland Wallace followit fast,

He had befoir maid mony Scot agast.

Haldin he was, of weir the worthiest man,

In north Ingland with thame was leuand yam▪

In his armour weill forgit of fyne steill,

[Page]Ane nobill cursour bure him baith fast and weill.

Wallace returnit besyde ane burely Aik,

And on him set ane felloun sicker straik.

Baith collar bane and schulder blaid in twa,

Throw the mid coist ye gude sword gart he ga.

His speir he wan, and als his cursour bricht,

Syne left his awin for loissit was his micht.

For laik of blude he micht na farther gang,

Wallace on hors the Sutheroun men amang.

His men releuit, that douchtie war in deid,

Him to reskew out of that felloun dreid.

Cruell straikis forsuith thair micht be sene,

On ather syde quhill blude ran on the grene.

Richt perrillous the semblay was to see,

Hardy and hait continewit the mellee.

Schow and reskew of Scottis and Inglis als,

Sum keruit bane in sunder, and sum the hals.

Sum hurt sum hynt, sum doungin to the deid,

The hardy Scottis sa steirit in that steid.

With Haliday on fute that bauldly abaid,

Amang Sutheroū ane ful greit rowme yai maid

Wallace on hors hynt ane Nobill speir,

Out throw thame raid, as gude Chiftane in weir

Thre slew he thair or that his speir was gane,

Thus his gude sword in hand hes he tane.

Dang on derf [...]y, with straikis sad and sair,

Quhome that he hit, greuit the Scottis na mair.

Fra Sutheroun men be naturall ressoun knew,

How with ane straik ay ane man he slew.

Than meruellit thay, he was sa mekill of mane,

For thair best man in that kynd he had slane.

That his greit strenth agane him helpit nocht,

Nor nane vther incontrair Wallace socht.

[Page]Than said thay all leif he in strenth vntane,

This haill Kinrik he will wyn him allane.

Thay left the feild, and to thair power fled,

And tauld thair Lord how euill the formest sped.

Quhilk Graystok hecht, was new cum in ye land

Thairfoir he trowit nane durst agane him stand.

Wounder him thocht, quhen yat he saw that sicht

Quhy his gude men for sa few tuik the flicht.

At that returne in feild twentie war tynt,

And Morland als thairfoir he wald nocht stynt.

Bot followit fast with thre hundreth but dreid,

And swore he suld be vengit of that deid.

The Scottis wan hors, because yair awin couth faill,

In fleing syne cheisit the maist auaill.

Out of the feild thus wicht Wallace is gane,

Of his gude men he had not loissit ane.

Fyue woundit war, but lichtly furth thay raid,

Wallace ane space behind yame ay abaid.

And Halyday preuit weill in mony place,

Sister Sone he was to gude Wallace.

Warly thay raid, and held thair hors in aynd,

For thay trowit weill the Sutheroun wald affaynd.

With haill power atanis on thame set,

Bot Wallace kest thair purpois for to let.

To brek thair ray he vesyit him full fast,

Than Inglismen sa greitly was agast.

That nane of thame durst rusche out of the staill,

All in array togidder held thame haill.

The Sutheroun saw how that abandounly,

Wallace abaid neir hand thair Cheualry.

Be Morlandis hors yai knew him woūder weill

Past to thair Lord, and tauld him euer ilk deill.

Lo Schir thay said, forsuith ȝone same is he,

[Page]That with his handis garris sa mony de.

Haue his hors grace vpon his feit to byde,

He doutis nocht throw fyue thousand to ryde.

We reid ȝe ceis, and follow him na mair,

For dreid that we repent it syne full sair.

He blamit thame, and said men may weill se,

Cowartis ȝe ar that for sa few wald fle.

For thair counsall ȝit leif wald he thame nocht,

Into greit Ire he on thame sadly socht.

Waillād ane place quhair yai micht bargane mak

Wallace was wa vpon him for to tak.

And he sa few to byde thame on ane plane,

At Quenisbery he wald haue bene full fane.

Vpon him self he tuke full greit trauell,

To fend his men, gif that micht him auaill.

Ane sword in hand richt manlyke him to weir,

Ay waittand fast gif he micht get ane speir.

Now heir now thair, befoir thame to and fra,

His hors gaif ouir, and micht na farther ga.

Richt at the Skirt of Quenisbery befell,

Bot vpon grace as myne author will tell.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame yat worthie was and wicht

To ye Corheid come on ye vther nicht.

Threttie with him of Nobill men at wage,

The first douchter he had in mariage:

Of Haliday was neuoy to Wallace,

Tythingis to speir Schir Iohne past of ye place.

With men to speik quhair thay ane tryst had set,

Richt neir the steid quhair Scottis & Inglis met

Ane Kirkpatrik, that cruell was and kene,

In E [...]daill wod that half ane ȝeir had bene.

With Inglismen he tuld nocht weill accord,

Of Torchorwald he Barroun was and Lord.

[Page]Of Kin he was to Wallace Mother deir,

On Craufurd syde, that mekill had to steir.

Twentie he led of worthie men and wicht,

Be than Wallace approchit to thair sicht.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame quhē he ye coūter saw

On thame he raid, and stude bot lytill aw.

His gude Father he knew richt wounder weill,

Kest doun his speir, and sonȝeit nocht adeill.

Kirkpatrik als with worthie men in weir,

Fyftie in front atanis doun thay beir.

Throw the thickest of thre hundreth thay raid,

On Sutheroun syde [...]ull greit slauchter yai maid

Thame to reskew that was in felloun thrang,

Wallace on fute the greit power amang.

Gude rowme he gat throw help of Goddis grace

The Sutheroun fled, and left thame in that place

Horsis thay wan to stuf the chace gude speid,

Wallace and his that douchtie war in deid.

Graystok tuke flicht, on sterne hors and on stout,

Ane hundreth held togidder in ane rout.

Wallace on thame full sadly culd persew,

The fleing weill of Inglismen he knew.

That ay the best wald pas with thair Chiftane,

Befoir him [...]ād he gude schir Iohne ye Grahame.

Ay strykand doun quhome euer he micht hy,

Than Wallace said, this is bot waist foly.

Commounis to slay, quhair Chiftanis gais away

Ȝour ho [...]s ar fresche, thairfoir do as I say.

Gude men ȝe haue ar ȝit in Nobill stait,

To ȝone greit rout for Godis lufe hald ȝour gait.

Sinder thame sone, we sall cum at ȝour hand,

Quhen schir Iohne had his taill weill vnderstād.

Of nane vther fra thynefurth tuke he heid,

[Page]To the formest he followit weill gude speid.

Kirkpatrik als considderit thair counsaill,

Thay chargit thair men ay follow on the staill.

At his command full sone with thame thay met,

Sad straikis and [...]air sadly vpon thame set.

Schir Iohne the Grahame to Graystok fast he socht,

His Pesane yan it helpit him richt nocht.

Vpon the craig ane graith straik gat him richt,

The burly blaid was braid, and burnist bricht.

In sunder ker [...]it the mailȝeis of fyne steill,

Throw braun and bane it ruschit euerilk deill.

Deid with that dynt to the groūd doun him draif

Be that Wallace assemblit on the laif.

Derflie to deith feill freikis thair he dicht,

Rais neuer agane quha euer that he hit richt.

Kirkpatrik than, Thom Haliday and thair men

Thair douchtie deidis war Nobill for to ken.

At the Knok heid the bald Graystok was slane,

And mony men quhilk war of mekill mane.

To saif thair lyfis part in the wod thay past,

The Scottis men thay ran togidder fast.

Quhē Wallace with Schir Iohne ye Grahame met,

Richt gudly he with hūbilnes him gret.

Perdoun he askit of the reprufe be [...]oir,

Into the chace, and said he suld no moir

Informatioun mak to him that was sa gude,

Quhen that Schir Iohne Wallace weill vnderstude.

Do way he said, yairof as now na mair,

Ȝe did full richt, it was for our weill fair.

Wyser in weir ȝe ar all out than I,

Father in armis ȝe ar to me for thy.

Kirkpatrik syne that was his Cousing deir,

He thankit him richt on ane gude maneir

[Page]Nocht ane was loist of all thair Cheualry,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame to yame come happily

The day was done, approchand was the nicht,

At Wallace thay askit his counsall richt.

He answerit thus, I speik bot with ȝour leif,

Richt laith I war ony gude man to greif.

Bot thus I say in termis schort for me,

I wald assaill gif ȝe think it may be.

Lochmabane hous, quhilk now is left allane,

For weill I wait that power in it is nane.

Carlauerok als ȝit Maxwell hes in hand,

And we had this, thay micht be baith ane wand.

Aganis Sutheroun, that now hes our countrie,

Say quhat ȝe will, this is the best think me.

Schir Iohne the Grahame gaif first his gude cō sent

Syne all ye laif richt with ane hail Intent.

To Lochmabane richt haistely thay ryde,

Quhen yai come yair nocht half ane myle besyde:

The nicht was mirk, to counsall ar thay gane,

Of Mone or Sterne apperance was yair nane.

Than Wallace said, me think this land at rest,

Thom Haliday thow knawis the countrie best.

I heir na noyis of feill folk heir about,

Thairfoir I trow we ar the les in dout.

Haliday said, I will tak ane with me,

And ryde befoir the maner for to se.

Watsone he callit, with me thow mak the bown,

With yame thow was ay nichtbour in yis town.

I grant I was with thame aganis my will,

And myne Intent is euer to do thame Ill.

Vnto the ȝet thay twa peirtly furth raid,

The Portar come without langer abaid.

At Iohne Watsone tythingis culd he speir,

[Page]Oppin he bad, the Capitane cūmis neir.

The ȝe [...] but mair vnwysely vp he drew,

Thom Haliday sone be the craig him threw.

And with ane knyfe stikkit him to deid,

In ane dark hoill doun dreidles kest him deid.

Iohne Watsone hes hynt the keyis in his hand,

The Portar yā with wicht Wallace was cūmand

Thay enterit in, befoir thame fand na ma,

Except wemen and simpill seruandis twa.

In the kiching lang scudlaris had thay bene,

Sone thay war slane, quhen the Lady had sene.

Scho cryit grace for him that deit on tre.

Than Wallace said, Madame ȝour noyis lat be.

To wemen ȝit we do bot lytill euill,

And ȝoung childer we lyke nocht for to spill.

I wald haue meit, Haliday quhat sayis thow,

For fastand folk to dyne gude tyme war now.

Greit pur [...]iance was ordanit thame befoir,

Baith breid and aill, gude wyne, and vther stoir.

To meit thay bownit, for thay had fastit lang,

Gude men of armis vnto the clois gart gang.

Part fleand folk on fute thay fra thame glaid,

On the Knok heid quhair greit melle was maid:

Ay as thay come Iohne Watsone leit thame in,

And done to deith, without noyis or din.

Na man left thair that was of Ingland borne,

The Castell weill thay vesyit on the morne.

For Iohnstoun send ane man of gude degre,

Secund dochter forsuith weddit had he.

Of Halidayis, deir Neuoy to Wallace,

Greit Capitane thay maid him of that place.

Thay left him thair into ane gude array,

Syne Ischit furth vpon the secund day.

[Page]Wemen had leif in Ingland for to fair,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame, & gude Wallace culd cair.

To the Corheid, and ludgit yame yat nicht,

Vpon the morne the Sone was at the hicht.

Efter Denner thay wald na langer byde,

Thair purpois tuke in Craufurd mure to ryde.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame with Wallace yat was wicht,

Thom Haliday agane returnit richt.

To the Corhall, and thair remanit but dreid,

Na Sutheroun wist principall quha did yis deid

Kirkpatrik past in Eskdaill woddis wyde,

In saiftie thair, he thocht he suld abyde.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame, & gude Wallace in feir

With thame fourtie men of armis cleir.

Throw Craufurd mure as that thay tuke ye way

On Inglismen thair mynd remanit ay.

¶How Wallace wan ye Castel of Craufurd, and how he slew the Capitane thairof. Ca. iij.

FRa Craufurd Iohne ye watter doun yai ryde

Neir hand the nicht thay lichtit vpon Clyde.

Thair purpois tuke into ane quyet vaill,

Than Wallace said, I wald we micht assaill:

Craufurd Castell with sum gude Ieopardie,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame how say ȝe best may be

This gude Knicht said, and ye men war without,

To tak the hous thair is bot lytill dout.

Ane Squyar than, reullit that Lordschip haill,

Of Cūbirland borne, his name was Mortindaill.

Than Wallace said, my self will pas in feir,

And ane with me, of herbery for to speir.

Follow on dreich, gif that we myster ocht,

[Page]Edward Lytill with his Maister furth soche.

To ane Ostillary, and with ane woman met,

Scho tauld to yame yat Sutheroun yair was set

And ȝe be Scottis I counsall ȝow pas by,

For and thay may ȝe will get euill herbery.

At drink thay ar, sa haue thay bene richt lang,

Greit word thair is of Wallace thame amang.

Thay trow that he hes fund his men agane,

At Lochmabane feill Inglismen a [...] slane.

That hous is tynt, that garris thame be full wa

I trow to God that thay sall sone tyne ma.

Wallace speirit of Scotland gif scho be,

Scho said him ȝee, and thinkis it to se,

Sorrow on thame throw help of Goddis grace,

He askit hir quha was into the place.

Na man of fence is left that hous within,

Twentie ar heir mak and greit noyis and din.

Allace scho said, gif I micht anis se,

The worthie Scottis in it maist maister be.

With this woman he wald na langer stand,

Ane bekin he maid, Schir Iohne come at his hād

Wallace went in and said benedicite,

The Capitane speirit, quhat bella [...]ny may thow be.

That cūmis sa grym sum tything is to vs tel,

Thow art ane Scot, the Deuill thy natioun quel.

Wallace braid out his sword withouttin mair,

Into the breist the brym Capitane he bair.

Throw out the coist, and stikkit him to d [...]id,

Ane vther he hit akwart vpon the heid.

Quhome euer he straik he bris [...]it bane and lyre,

Feill of thame deit, fell flatlingis in the fyre.

Haistie payment he maid thame on the [...]lure,

And Edward Lytill keipit weill the dure.

[Page]Schir Iohne ye Grahame fane wald haue bene in

Edward him bad at the Castell begin.

For of thir folk we haue bot lytill dreid,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame fast to the Castell ȝeid

Wallace rudely sit routis on thame gaif,

Thay twentie men derfly to deith thay draif.

Fyftene he straik, and fyftene hes he slane,

Edward slew fyue, quhilk was of mekill mane.

To the Castell Wallace had greit desyre,

Be that Schir Iohne had set the hous in fyre.

Nane was thair in that greit defence culd ma,

Bot wemen fast sair weip and into wa.

Without the place ane auld Bulwark was maid,

Wallace ȝeid ouir withouttin langer abaid.

The wemen sone he saifit fra the deid,

Waik folk he put, and barnis fra that steid.

Of purueyance he fand lytill or nane,

Befoir yat tyme thair victuall all was gane.

Ȝit in that place thay ludgit all that nicht,

Fra Oistillary brocht sic gude as thay micht.

Vpon the morne housis thay spulȝeit fast,

All thing that docht out of that place thay cast.

Treme wark yai brynt, yat war within yai vanis

Wallis brak doun that stalwart war of stanis.

Spilt that thay micht, syne wald na langer byde,

Vnto Dundaf that samin nicht thay ryde.

And ludgit thair with mirth and all plesance,

Thankand greit God yat lent yame sic gude chāce

☞ (✚) ☜

☞ ¶ ☜

❧

[Page]

¶In this Sext Buik is declarit the Spousage of Wallace, and how Hessilrig slew Wallace wyfe in the Toun of Lanerk, and how he [...]ew Hessilrig for the samin cause, and put the Inglismen out of Lanerk.

THan passit was the Octauis of Februar,

And part of Marche be richt degestioun

Appeirit than the last Moneth of Ver,

The Signe of Somer with his sweit sesoun.

Be that Wallace fra Dundaf maid him boun,

His leif he tuke, and to Kilbank can fair

The rumour rais throw Scotland vp and doun,

With Inglismen, that Wallace leuand wair.

Into Apryle quhen cleithit is but wene,

The abill ground throw wirking of natour

And woddꝭ hes won yair worthie weidꝭ of grene

Quhen Nympheus in beilding of his bour.

With oyle and balme fulfillit of sweit odour,

Canettis in [...]race, as thay war wont to gang.

Walkand thair cours in euerie casuall hour,

To glaid the huntaris with thair mery sang.

In this same tyme to him approchit new,

His lustie pane the quhilk I spak of air

Be luifis cace he thocht for to persew,

In Lanerk Toun, and hidder can he fair.

At residence ane quhyle remanit thair,

In hir presence as I haue said befoir

Thocht Inglismen greuit at his repair,

Ȝit he desyrit the thing that set him soir.

The fyre of lufe him reullit at sic wyse,

[Page]He lykit weill with that gudely to be,

Quhylis he wald think of danger for to ryse,

And vther quhylis out of hir presence fle.

To ceis of weir it war the best for me,

Thus win I nocht bot sadnes on ilk syde

Sall neuer man this cowardnes in me se,

To weir I will, for chance that may betyde.

Quhat is this lufe, it is bot greit mischance?

That me wald bring fra armis verrily,

I will nocht change my worschip for plesance

In weir I think my tyme to occupy.

Ȝit hir to lufe, I will nocht let for thy,

Mair I sall desyre my worschip to refer [...]

Fra this day furth, than euer mair did I,

In feir of weir quhidder I leif or sterf.

Quhat suld I say, Wallace was planely set,

To lufe hir best in all the warid sa wyde,

Thinkand he suld of his desyre to get▪

And sa befell be concord on ane tyde.

That scho was maid at his command to byde,

And thus began the stynting of his stryfe.

The band begun with graith witnes besyde

Myne Author sayis scho was his weddit wyfe.

Now leif in peax, now leif in gude concord,

Now leif in play, now leif in haill plesance

For scho be chance hes baith hir lufe and Lord,

He thankis lufe that did him sa auance.

Sa eninly held be fauour the ballance,

Sen he at will may lap hir in his armis

Scho thankit God of hir hie happy chance,

For in his tyme he was the flour of armis.

[Page]

Fortoun him schew hir figurit doubill face,

Feill syse or than he had bene set abufe.

In presoun now deliuerit now throw grace,

Now at vneis, now at vnrest and rufe.

Now weill at will weild and his plesand lufe,

And thocht him self out of aduersitie,

Desyrand ay his manheid for to prufe

In curage set vpon the stagis hie.

The verray treuth I can nocht graithly tell,

Into this lyfe how lang that thay had bene

Throw naturall cours of generatioun fell,

Ane chylde was cheuit thir twa luifaris betwene

Quhik gudelie was, ane madin bricht and schene.

Sa farther furth become tyme of hir age,

Ane Squyar schaw yat yan full weill hes sene

This lyfe lait man gat hir in mariage.

This vther maid weddit ane Squyar wicht,

Quhilk weill was knawin cummin of Balliollis blude

And thair Airis be lyne succedit richt,

To Lāmintoun and vther landis gude.

Of this mater the richt quha vnderstude

Heirof as now I will na mair proceid,

Of my sentence than schortly to conclude

Of vther thing my purpois is to reid.

Richt gudely men come of this Lady ȝing,

Farther as now of thame I speik na mair

Bot Wallace furth into his weir can ring

He micht nocht ceis greit curage sa him bair.

Sutheroun to slay for dreid he wald nocht spair,

And thay oft syse feill causis to him wrocht

Fra that tyme furth quhilk mouit him mair sair.

[Page]That neuer in warld out of his mynd was brocht

Now leif thy myrth, now leif thy haill plesance

Now leif thy blis, now leif thy chyldis age

Now leif thy ȝouth, now follow thy hard chance

Now leif thy lust, now leif thy mariage.

Now leif thy lufe, for thow sall tyne ane gage,

Quhilk neuer in eird salbe redemit agane

Felloun fortoun and all hir feirs outrage

Go leif in weir, go leif in cruell pane.

Fy on fortoun, fy on thy freuoll quheill,

Fy on thy traist, for heir it hes no lest

That sa trāsfigurit Wallace out of his weill

Quhen he traistit for to haue leuit best.

His plesance heir to him was bot ane gest,

Throw thy feirs cours, that hes na hap to ho.

Him thow ouirthrew out of his lykand rest,

Fra greit plesance, in weir trauell and wo.

Quhat is fortoun, quha drawis the dait sa fast?

We wait thair is baith weill, and wickit chance.

Bot this fals warld with mony doubill cast,

In it is nocht bot verray variance.

It is na thing to heuinly gouernance,

Than pray we all to the maker abufe

Quhilk hes [...]and of Iustice the ballance,

That he vs grant it of his deir lestand lufe.

¶Heirof as now, farther I speik na mair, Bot to my purpois schortly will I fair.

TVelf hundreth ȝeir, thairto nyntie & seuin,

Fra Christ was borne the richteous King of heuin.

Williame Wallace into gude lyking gais

[Page]In Lanerk toun amang his mortall fais.

The Inglismen that euer fals hes bene,

With Hessilrig quhilk cruell was and kene.

And Robert Thorne ane felloun subtile Knicht▪

Hes fund the way be quhat mene best thay micht

How that thay suld mak contrary to Wallace,

Be argument as he come vpon cace.

On fra the Kirk that was without the toun,

Quhill thair power micht be in armis boun.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame yat worthie was and trew

To Lanerk toun gude Wallace to persew.

Of his weilfair as he full oft had sene,

Gude men he had, in cumpany fyftene.

And Wallace nyne, thay war na feiris ma,

Vpon the morne vnto the Mes can ga.

Thay and thair men graithit in gudely grene,

For the sosoun sic vse full lang hes bene.

Quhen sadly thay had said thair deuotioun,

Ane arguit thame, as thay went throw the toun.

The starkest man that Hessilrig than knew,

And als he had of lichtly wordis anew.

He salust thame as it war bot in scorne,

Dew gard gude day, bone senȝeour & gude morne

Quhome scornis thow (quod Wallace) quha leirit thee?

Quhy schir he said, come ȝe not ouir ye see?

Pardoun me than for I weind ȝe had bene,

Ane Ambaxat to bring ane vncouth Quene.

Wallace answerit, sic pardoun as we haif,

In vs to gif thy part thow sall nocht craif.

Sen ȝe ar Scottis, ȝit salust sall ȝe be,

Gud euin daucht Lord, Ballanch Banȝeochade.

Ma Sutheroun men to thame assemblit neir,

Wallace was laith as than to mak ane steir.

[Page]Ane maid ane skrip, and tit at his lang sword,

Hald still thy hand (quod he) and sp [...]ik thy word.

With thy lang sword thow makis mekill boist,

Thairof (quod he) thy dame maid lytill coist.

Quhat cause hes thow to weir yat gudely grene?

My maist cause is, bot for to mak the tene.

Quhat suld ane Scot do with sa fair ane knyfe?

He said the Preist that last Ianglit thy wyfe:

That woman lang hes callit him sa fair,

Quhill that his chylde worthit to be thyne air.

Me think (quod he) thow dryfis me [...]o scorne,

Thay dame was Iapit or thow was borne.

The power than assemblit him about,

Twa hundreth men that stalwart war and stout

The Scottis saw thair power was cūmand,

Schir Robert Thorne and Hessilrig at hand.

Greit multitude with wappinis burneist bene,

The worthie Scottis quhilk cruell war and kene

Amang Sutheroun sic dyntis gaif that tyde,

Quhill blude on breid, bristit fra woundis wyde.

Wallace in stour was cruelly fechtand,

Of ane Sutheroun he smoit of the richt hand.

And quhen that Carll of fechting micht na [...]air,

With the left hand in Ire held ane buklair.

Than fra the stump the blude out sprang ful fast,

In Wallace face aboundantly can it cast.

Into greit part it marrit him of his sicht,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame ane straik hes tane him richt

With his gude sword vpō ye sutheroun syre

Derfly to deith draif him into that Ire.

The perrell was richt awfull hard and strang,

The stour indurit meruellously and lang.

The Inglismen ȝit gadderit wounder fast,

[Page]The worthie Scottis the gait left at the last.

Quhen thay had flane and woundit mony ane,

To Wallace Innis the ganest way thay gane.

Thay passit sone, defendit thame richt weill,

He and Schir Iohne with swordis stif of steill.

Behind thair men, quhill thay the ȝet had tane,

This woman than quhilk was full will of wane.

The perrell saw with felloun noyis and din,

Set vp the ȝet, and leit thame enter in.

Throuch to ane strenth thay passit of that steid,

Fyftie Sutheroun vpon the gait lay deid.

This fair woman with besynes and micht,

The Inglismen to tary with ane slicht.

Quhill that Wallace into the wod was past,

Than Cartlane craigis thay persewit full fast.

Quhē Sutheroun saw yat chaipit was Wallace,

Agane thay turnit, the woman tuke on cace.

Put hir to deith, I can nocht tell ȝow how,

Of sic mater I may nocht tarie now.

Quhair greit dule is, but redeming agane,

Renewing of it is bot eiking of pane.

Ane trew woman had seruir hir full lang,

Out of the toun the ganest way can gang.

To Wallace tauld, how all this deid was done,

The panefull wo socht to his hart full sone.

War nocht for schame he had schot to the ground

For bitter baill that in his breist was bound.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame baith wyse gentil & fre

Greit murning maid that pietie was to se.

And als the laif that war assemblit thair,

For pure sorrow with hart weipit full sair.

Quhen Wallace feld thair curage was sa small,

He fenȝeit him for to comfort thame all.

[Page]Ceis men he said, this is ane buteles pane,

For we can nocht cheueis hir lyfe agane.

Vneis ane word he micht bring out for tene,

The bailfull teiris brist braithly fra his ene.

Sichand he said, sall neuer man me se,

Rest into eis quhill this deid wrokin be.

The sarkles slauchter of hir baith blyith & bricht,

That I awow to the maker of micht.

Of that Natioun I sall neuer forbeir,

Ȝoung nor auld that abill is to weir.

Preist nor woman I think nocht for to sla▪

In my default, bot gif thay causing ma.

Schir Iohne he said, lat all this murning be,

And for hir saik thair sall ten thousand de.

Quhair men may weip, thair curage is the les,

It slaikis Ire, of wrang thay suld redres.

Of thair complaint as now I speik na mair,

Of Auchinlek in Kilbank dwelland thair.

Quhen he hard tell of Wallace vexatioun,

To Cartlane wod with ten men maid him boun.

Wallace he fand sumpart within the nicht.

To Lanerk toun in all haist thay yame dicht.

The watche as than of thame had lytill dreid,

Partit thair men, syne diuers wayis ȝeid.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame and his gude cūpany,

To Schir Robert Thorne full fast thay hy.

Wallace and his, to Hessilrig sone thay past,

In ane heich hous quhair he was sleipand fast.

Struik at the dure with his fute hardely,

Quhill bar and brais in the flure gart he ly.

The Schiref cryit quha makis that greit deray,

Wallace he said, quhilk thow hes socht this day.

The womanis deith, will God thow fall deir by,

[Page]Hessilrig thocht it was na tyme to ly.

Out of that hous full fane he wald haue bene,

The nicht was mirk, ȝit Wallace hes him sene,

Feirfly him straik, as he come in greit Ice,

Vpon the heid, bristit throw bane and lire.

The scheirand sword glaid to his schulder bane,

Out ouir the stair amang thame is he gane.

Gude A [...]chinlek trowit nocht that he was deid,

Thryis with ane knyfe he straik him in that steid.

The scry about rais rudely in that streit,

Feill of the laif war ful ȝeit vnder feit.

Ȝoung Hessilrig and wicht Wallace is met,

Ane sicker straik Williame hes on him set.

Derfly to deith, ouir the stair dang him doun,

Mony that nicht thay slew in Lanerk toun.

Sum Greissis lap, and sum stikkit within,

Affeirit thay war, with hiddeous noyis and din.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame had set ye hous in fyre

Quhair Robert Thorne was brynt vp bane & lyre.

Twelf scoir thay slew yat war of Ingland borne,

Wemen thay leuit, and Preistis on the morne.

To pas thair way of blis and gudis bair,

And swore that thay, agane suld cum na mair.

Quhen Scottis hard thir fyne tythingis of new,

Out of all partis to Wallace fast thay drew.

Pleneist the toun quhilk was thair heritage,

Thus Wallace straif aganis that greit barnage.

Ay he began with stryfe and stalwart hand,

To cheueis agane sum rowmis in Scotland.

The worthie Scottis that semblit to him thair,

Cheis [...]t him for cheif, thair Chiftane and leidair.

Aymer Wallange ane felloun Tyran Knicht,

In Both wel dwelt, King Edwards mā ful richt.

[Page]Murray was out, thocht he was richteous Lord,

Of all that land, as trew men will record.

Into Arrane he was dwelland that tyde,

And vther ma, in this land durst nocht byde.

Bot this fals Knicht in Both well w [...]mand was

Ane man he gart sone to King Edward pas.

And tauld him haill of Wallace ordinance,

How he had put his pepill to mischance.

And planely was, rissin agane to Ring,

Greuit thair at, richt greitly was this King.

Throw all Ingland he gart his doaris cry,

Power to get, and said he wald planely:

In Scotland pas, that Realme to statute new,

Feill men of weir to him richt fast thay drew.

The Quene feld weill how that his purpois was

To him scho went, on kneis syne can scho as.

He wald desist, and nocht in Scotland gang,

Ȝe suld haue dreid, to wirk sa felloun wrang.

Cristinit thay ar, ȝone is thair heritage,

To reif thair Croun it is ane greit outrage.

For hir counsall at hame he wald nocht byde,

His Lordis him feit in Scotland for to ryde.

Ane Scottis mā yan dwelt with King Edward,

Quhen he hard fell that Wallace tuke sic part:

He stall fra thame als priuatly as he may,

Into Scotland he come vpon ane day.

Seikand Wallace he maid him reddy boun,

This Scot was borne in Kyle at Ricardtoun.

All Ingland coist he knew it wounder weill,

Fra Hull about, to Bristow euerie deill.

Fra Carlile throuch Sandwiche yat Royall steid

Fra Douer ouir, vnto Sanct Bayis heid.

In Picardy and Flanders baith he had bene,

[Page]All Normandy and France hes he sene.

An [...] Purseuant to King Edward in weir,

Bot he culd neuer gar him his armis beir.

Of greit stature, and sumpart gray was he,

The Inglismen callit him bot Grymisbie.

To Wallace come, and into Kyle him fand,

He tauld him haill the tythingis of Ingland.

Thay turnit his name fra tyme yat he him knew

And callit him Iop of Ingyne he was trew.

In all his tyme gude seruice in him fand,

Gaif him to beir the armis of Scotland.

Wallace agane in Cliddisdaill sone he raid,

And his power semblit withouttin baid.

He gart command quha wald his pear tak,

Ane fre remit he suld gar to him mak.

For alkin deid that thay had done beforne,

The Perseis peice & Schir Rannalds was worne

Feill to him drew, that bauldly durst abyde,

Of Wallace kyn of mony diuers syde.

Schir Rannald than send him his power haill,

Him self durst nocht be knawin in battall:

Agane Sutheroun, for he had maid ane band,

Lang tyme befoir, to hald of thame his land.

Adame Wallace past out of Ricardtoun,

And Robert Boyd, with gude men of Renoun.

Of Cuninghame and Kyle come men of waill,

To Lanerk socht on hors ane thousand haill.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame, & his gude Cheualrie▪

Schir Iohne of Tynto, with mē yat he micht be▪

Gude Auchinlek, that Wallace Vnkill was,

Mony trew Scot, with yair Chiftane culd pas.

Thre thousand haill of lyklie men in weir,

And feill on fute, quhilk wantit hors and g [...]ir▪

[Page]The tyme be this was cūmand vpon hand.

The awfull Oist with Edward of Ingland.

¶The Battell of Bigar,

TO Bigar come with sextie thousand men,

In weir weidis, that cruell was to ken.

Thay plantit thair feill Tentis & pauillonis

Quhair clarions blew with mony michtie soundꝭ

Pleneist that place with gude victuall and wyne

In Cartis brocht thair purueyance full fyne.

This awfull King gart twa Heraldis be brocht,

Gaif thame command in all the haist thay mocht.

To charge Wallace that he suld cum him till,

Without promis, and put him in his will.

Becaus we wait he is ane gentill man,

Cum in my grace, and I sall saif him than.

As for his lyfe I will vpon me tak,

And efter this gif he wald seruice mak.

He sall haue wage that may him weill suffice,

That Rebald wenis, for he hes done supprise.

To my pepill oft vpon auenture,

Aganis me that he may lang Indure.

To this proffer ganestandand gif he be,

Heir I awow he salbe vangit hie.

Ane ȝoung Squyar was brother to Schir Hew

He thocht he wald ga disagysit to persew.

Wallace to se, that tuke sa hie ane part,

Borne Sister Sone he was to King Edward▪

Ane coit of Armis he tuke on him but baid,

With the Heraldis full priuatly furth raid.

To Tynto hill withouttin residence,

Quhair Wallace lay, with his folk at defen [...]

[Page]Ane likly Oist as of sa few thay fand,

To him thay socht, and wald na langer stand.

Gif ȝe be he that reullis all this thing,

Credence we haue brocht fra our worthie King.

Than Wallace gart thre Knichtis to him call,

Syne red the writ in presence of thame all.

To thame he said, answer ȝe sall nocht craif,

Be word or writ quhilk lyks ȝow best to haif.

In wryt thay said it war the liklyest.

Than Wallace thus began to dyte in haist.

¶Thow [...]euar King yow chargis me throw cace

That I suld cum and put me in thy grace.

Gif I ganest and, thow hechtis for to hing me,

I awow to God, and euer I may tak the.

Thow salbe hangit ane exempill to geif,

To King of Reif, als lang as I may leif.

Thow profferis me of thy wagis to haif,

I the defy power and all the laif,

That helpis the heir, of thy fals Natioun,

Will God thow salbe put from this Regioun.

Or de thairfoir contrair thocht thow had sworne

Thow sall vs se or nyne houris the morne,

Battell to gif, maugre of all thy kyn,

For falsly thow seikis our Realme within.

This wri [...] he gaif to the Heraldis but mair,

And gude reward he gart delyuer thame thair.

Bot Iop knew weil ye Squyar ȝoūg schir Hew,

And tauld Wallace, for he was euer trew.

He thame commandit that thay suld sone him tak

Him self began sair accusing to mak.

Squyar he said, sen thow hes fenȝeit armis,

On the sall fall sumpart of thir harmis.

Exempill to gif to all thy fals Natioun.

[Page]Vpon ane hill he gart syne set him doun.

Straik of his heid or he wald farther go,

To the Herald said syne withouttin ho.

For thow art fals to armis and manesworne,

Throw thy cheikis thy toung salbe out schorne.

Quhen that was done, than to the thrid said he,

Armis to Iudge thow sall neuer graithly se.

He gart ane Smyth, with his turcas richt thair,

Pull out his ene, syne gaif thame leif to fair.

To ȝour fals King thy fellow sall the leid,

With thy answer, turs him his Neuoyis heid.

Thus sair I dreid the King and all his boist.

His dum fellow led him vnto thair Oist.

Quhē King Edward his Heraldis thus hes sen [...]

In proper Ire he woxe neir wod for tene.

That he wist nocht, on quhat wyse him to wreik,

For sorrow all maist ane word he culd nocht speik

Ane lang quhyle he stude wrythand in ane rage,

On loud he said, this is ane fell outrage.

This deid to Scottis full deir it salbe bocht,

Sa dispitefull in warld was neuer wrocht.

Fra this Regioun I think nocht for to gang,

Quhill tyme that I sall se that Rebell hang.

I lat him thus in syte and sorrow dwell,

Of the gude Scottis schortly I will tell.

FVrth fra his men than Wallace raikit richt,

To him he callit schir Iohne Tynto ye knicht

And leit him wit, to vesy he wald ga,

The Inglis Oist, and bad him tell na ma.

Quhat euer thay speirit, quhill yat he come agan [...]

Wallace disagy [...]t thus [...]ownit ouir ane pla [...]e.

Betuix Culter and Bigar as he past,

[Page]He was sone war quhair ane warkman come fast

Dryuand ane meir, and pitcheris for to sell,

Gude freind he said in treuth will thow me tell.

With this chau [...]cy quhair passis thow trewly?

To ony place quha lykis for to by.

It is my craft, and I wald sell thame fane,

I will thame by, sa God me help fra pane.

Quhat pryce lat heir, I will haue thame ilk ane,

Bot half ane mark, for sic pryce haue I tane.

Twentie schillingis, Wallace said thow sall haif,

I will haue Meir, pitcheris and all the laif.

Thy gowne and hois in haist thow put of syne,

And mak ane change, for I sall gif the myne.

And thy auld hude because it is threid [...]air.

The man wend weill he had scornit him thair.

Thow tary nocht, it is suith that I say,

The man kest of his febill weid of gray.

And Wallace his, syne payit siluer in hand.

Pas on he said, thow art ane bad Merchand.

The gowne and hois in clay that claggit was,

The hude heklit, and syne maid him to pas.

The quhip he tuke, and furth the Meir can call,

Attouir ane bray the vp mest pot gart fall.

Brak on the ground, the man leuch at his fair,

Bot thow be war, thow tynis of thy chauffair.

The Sone be than was passit out of sicht,

The day was went, and cūmin was the nicht.

Amang the Sutheroun full besely he past,

On ather syde his ene he can to cast.

How Lordis lay, and had thair ludging maid,

The Pauilloun quhair that the Leopardis baid.

Spyand full fast quhair his auaill micht be,

He culd weill wynk and luke vp with ane Ee.

[Page]Sum scornit him, sum gleyit Earll callit him ya [...]

Aggreuit thay war of thair Heraldis misfait.

Sum speirit at him how he sauld of the best,

For fourtie pennyis he said quhill thay may lest.

Sum brak ane part, sum prikkit at his Ee,

Wallace slaid out priuatly and leit thame be.

Vnto his Oist agane he passit richt,

His men be than had tane Tynto the Knicht,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame gart bind him woūder fast

For he wist weill he was with Wallace last.

Sum bad byrn him, sum hang him in ane cord,

Thay swore that he had dessauit thair Lord.

Wallace be this was enterit thame amang,

To him he ȝeid, and wald nocht tary lang.

Syne he gart lous him of thay bandis new,

And said he was baith sober, wyse, and trew.

To Supper sone bownit but mait abaid,

He tauld to thame quhat merkat he had maid.

And how that he the Sutheroun saw full weill

Schir Iohne ye Grahame displesit was sum deill

And said to him nocht Chiftane lyke it was,

Throw wilfulnes in sic perrell to pas.

Wallace answerit, or he win Scotland fre,

Baith ȝe, and I, in mair perrell mon be.

And mony vther the quhilk full worthie is,

Now of ane thing we do sum part ane mis.

Ane lytill sleip I wald fane that we had,

With ȝone men syne, luke how we may vs glaid.

The worthie Scottis tuke gude rest quhill neir day

Thā rais yai vp, to array sone ordanit thay.

The hill is lefe, and to ane plane is gane,

Wallace him self the vangard first hes tane.

With him was Boyd, and Auchinlek but dreid,

[Page]With ane thousand of worthie men in weid.

Als mony syne in the myddill waird put he,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame he gart yair leidar be.

With him ȝoung Adam the Lord of Ricardtoun

And Someruell ane bald Squyar of Renoun.

The thrid thousand in the reirward he dicht,

To Walter gaif of Newbigging the Knicht.

With him Tynto that douchtie was in deid,

And Dauid Sone to Schir Walter to leid.

Behind thame neir the fute men gart he be,

And bad thame byde quhill thay yair tyme micht se.

Ȝe want wappinnis, and harnes in this tyde

The first counter ȝe may nocht weill abyde.

Wallace gart sone the Chiftanis to him call,

This charge he gaif, for chance that micht befall.

To tak na heid to geir nor ȝit peillage,

For thay will fle as wod folk in ane rage.

Win first the men, the gude syne ȝe may haif.

And tak na tent of couetise to craif.

Throw couetise men loissis gude and lyfe,

I ȝow command forbeir sic in our stryfe.

Luke ȝe saif nane, Lord, Capitane, nor Knicht,

For worschip wirk, and for our Eldaris richt.

God blis vs all, that we may in our veyage,

Put thir fals folk out of our heritage.

Than thay Inclynit all with ane gude will,

His plane command thay hecht it to fulfill.

On the greit Oist the parteis fast can draw,

Cūmand to thame out of the South thay saw:

Thre hundreth men into thair Armour cleir,

The ganest way to thame approchit neir.

Wallace said sone, thay at na Inglismen,

For by this Oist the gaitis weill thay ken.

[Page]Thom Halyday thay men he gydit richt,

From Annandaill he had led thame that nicht.

His twa gude Sonnis, Iohnstoun & Rutherfurd

Wallace was blyith, fra he had hard that word.

Sa was the laif of his gude Cheualry,

Iardane thair come into thair cumpany.

And Kirkpatrik befoir in Eskdaill was,

Ane wing thay war in Wallace Oist to pas.

The Inglis watche, that nicht had bene on steir,

Drew to thair Oist, richt as the day can peir.

Wallace knew weill, for he befoir had sene,

The Kingis Pauillone quhair it was buskit bene.

Than with riche hors ye Scottis vpō yame raid,

At the first counter, sa greit abasing maid.

That all the Oist was stoneist of that sicht,

Full mony ane derfly to deith was dicht.

Feill of thame as than was out of array,

The mair awfull and haistie was the fray.

The noyis was hudge, throw straikkis that thay dang,

The rumour rais sa rudely yame amang.

That all the Oist was than in point to fle,

The wyse Lordis fra thay the perrell se.

The felloun fray als rasit was about,

And how thair King stude in sa mekill dout.

To his Pauillone full mony thousand socht,

Him to reskew be ony way thay mocht.

The Erll of Kent that nicht walkand had bene,

With fyue thousand of men in armour kene.

About the King full suddandly thay gang,

And traistis weill ye assailȝe was richt strang.

All Wallace folk in vse of weir was gude,

Into the stour, sone lichtit quhair yai stude.

Quhome euer yai hit na harnes micht yame stynt

[Page]Fra thay on fute assemblit with swordis dy [...]t.

Of manheid thay in hartis cruell was,

Thay thocht to win or neuer hyne to pas.

Feill Inglismen befoir the King thay slew,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame come with his power new

Amāg ye Oist with ye myddil ward he raid

Greit martirdome on Sutheroun men yai maid.

The reirward than set ou sa hardely,

With Newbigging and all the Cheualry.

Pauillone raipis thay cuttit all in sunder,

Borne to the ground and mony smorit vnder.

The fute men come, the quhilk I spak of air,

Qu frayit folkis set straikis sad and sair.

Thocht thay befoir wantit baith hors and geir,

Aneuch thay gat, quhat yai wald waill to weir.

The Scottis power than all togidder war,

The Kingis Pauillone brymly doun thay bair.

The Erll of Keut with ane gude Axe in hand,

Into the stour full stoutly culd he stand.

Be [...]oir the King makand full greit debait,

Quha best did than had the hiest estait.

The felloun stour sa stalwart was and strang,

Thairto continewit meruellously and lang.

Wallace him self full sadly culd persew,

And at ane straik the cheif Chistane he flew.

The Sutheroun folk fled fast and durst not byde

Horsit thair King and of the feild can ryde.

Aganis his will, for he was laith to fle,

Into that tyme he rocht nocht for to de.

Of his best men thre thousand thair was deid,

Or he culd find to fle and leif that steid.

Twentie thousand fled with him in ane staill,

The Scottis gat hors, and followit yat battaill.

[Page]Throw Culter hope or tyme thay wan the hicht,

Feill Sutheroun folk war marrit in thair micht.

Slane be the gait as thair King fled away,

Baith fair and bricht, and richt cleir was the day.

The Sone rysin schynand ouir hill and daill,

Than Wallace kest quhat was his best auaill

The fleand folk that of the feild first past,

In to thair King agane yai semblit fast.

Fra ather syde sa mony assemblit thair.

That Wallace wald lat follow thame na mair.

Befoir he raid gart his folk turne agane,

Of Inglismen seuin thousand thair was slane.

Than Wallace Oist agane to Bigar raid,

Quhair Inglismen greit purueyance had maid.

The Iowalry as thay war hidder led,

Pauillonis and all thay leifit quhen thay fled.

The Scotts gat gold, gude geir and vther wage

Releuit thay war that partit that peillage.

To meit thay went with myrth and plesance,

Thay spairit nocht King Edwardis purueyance.

With solace syne ane lytill sleip thay ta,

Ane priuat watche he gart amang thame ga.

Twa Cuikis fell thair lyfis for to saif,

With deid Crocis that lay vnput in graif.

Quhen thay saw weill the Scottis war at rest,

Out of the feild, to steill thay thocht it best.

Full law thay crap quhill thay war out of sicht,

Efter the Oist syne ran in all thair micht.

Quhen yat ye Scottis had sleipit bot ane quhyle

Than rais thay vp, for Wallace dreidit gyle.

He said to thame the Sutheroun may persew,

Agane to vs, for thay ar folk anew.

Quhair Inglismen prouisioun makis in weir,

[Page]It is full hard to do thame mekill deir.

On this plane feild we will thame nocht abyde,

To sum gude place my purpois is to ryde.

The purueyance thay left was into that steid,

To Roppis Bog he gart seruandis it leid

With ordinance that Sutheroun brocht in thair,

He with the Oist to Dauidschaw can fair.

Quhair thay remanit ane greit space of the day,

Of Inglismen ȝit sum thing will I say.

As King Edward throw Culter hopis socht,

Quhen he persauit the Scottis followit nocht:

In Iohnis Graif he gart his Oist byde still,

Feill fleand folk assemblit sone him till.

Quhen thay war met, the King neir worthit mad

For his deir kyn that he thair [...]o [...]ssit had.

His twa Emis into the feild was slane,

His secund Sone that mekill was of mane.

His brother Hew was killit thair full cald,

The Erll of Kent, that cruell berne and bald.

With greit worschip tuke deid befour the King,

For him he murnit sa lang as he micht Ring.

At this semblay as thay in sorrow stand,

The twa Cu [...]kis come sone in at his hand.

And tauld to him, how thay eschaipit wair,

The Scottis all, as swyne lyis drunkin thair.

Of ȝour wicht wyne ȝe gart vs hidder leid,

Full weill ȝe may be vengit of thair deid.

Vpon our lyfis, is suith that we ȝow tell,

Returne agane, ȝe sall find thame ȝour sell.

He blamit thame, and said na wit it was,

That he agane for sic ane taill suld pas.

Thair Chiltane is richt meruellous in weir,

Fra sic perrell he can full weill thame beir.

[Page]For to seik mair, as now I will nocht ryde,

Our meit is loissit, thairfoir we man nocht byde.

The hardy Duke of Longcastell and Lord,

Souerane he said, to our counsall concord.

Gif this be [...]rew, we haue the mair auaill,

We may thame win, and mak bot licht trauell.

War ȝone folk deid, quha micht agane vs stand?

Than neid we nocht for meit to leif the land.

The King answerit, I will nocht ryde agane,

As at this tyme my purpois is in plane.

The Duke said Schir, gif ȝe determynit be,

To moue ȝow mait, it effeiris nocht to me.

Command power, agane with me to wend,

And I of this, sall se ane finall end.

Ten thousand haill he chargit for to ryde,

H [...]ir in this strenth all nicht I sall ȝow byde

We may get meit of bestiall in this land,

Gude drink as now we may nocht bring to hand.

Of West mure land the Lord had met yame yair,

On with the Duke he graithi [...] him to fair.

At the first straik with thame he had nocht bene

With him he led ane thousand weill besene.

Ane Pikard Lord was with ane thousand boun,

Of King Edward he keipit Calice toun.

Thir tweir thousand vnto the toun can fair,

The twa Capitanis sone met thame at Bigair.

With the hai [...] stuf of Roxburgh and Berwike,

Schir Rauf Gray saw yat thay war Sutheroun like.

Out of the South approchit to thair sicht,

He knew full weill with yame it was not richt.

Aymer Wallance with his power come als,

King Edwardis man ane tyran Knicht and fals.

Quhen thay war met, thay [...]a [...]d nocht [...] yair,

[Page]Bot deid Crocis, and thay war spulȝeit bair.

Than meruellit thay quhair the Scottis suld be,

Of thame about apperance thay culd nocht se.

Bot spyis yame tauld yat come wt Schir Aymare

In Dauidschaw thay saw yame mak repair.

The feill Sutheroun sone past to that place,

The watche was war, and tauld it to Wallace.

He warnit the Oist out of the Toun to ryde,

In Roppis Bog he purposit to abyde.

Ane lytill Schaw vpon the ane syde was,

That men on fute out of the Bog micht pas.

The hors thay left into that lytill hald,

On fute thay thocht the Mos that thay suld hald.

The Inglis Oist had weill thair passage sene,

And followit fast with cruell men and kene.

Thay trowit yat Bog micht mak yame lytil vaill

Growin ouir with Risp, & all ye sward was haill.

On thame to ryde thay ordanit with greit Ire,

Of the formest ane thousand in the myre.

Of hors with men, ar plungit in the deip,

The Scottis of thair cūming tuke gude keip.

Vpon thame set with straikis sad and sair,

Ȝeid nane away of all that enterit thair.

Licht men on fute vpon thame derfly dang,

Feill vnder hors war smorit in that thrang.

Strampit in Mos, and with rude hors ouir gane

The worthie Scottis the dry land than hes tane.

Vpon the laif fechtand full wounder fast,

And mony grume thay maid full sair agast.

The Inglismen that besy was in weir,

Assailȝeit sair, thame fra the Mos to beir.

On ather syde, bot than it was na bute,

The strenth thay held richt awfully on fute.

[Page]To men and hors gaif mony greuous wound,

Feill to the deith thay stikkit in that stound.

The Pikard Lord assailȝeit scharply thair,

Vpon the Grahame with straikis sad and sair.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame with ane stif sword of steill

His bricht byrneis he peirsit euerie deill.

Throw all the stuf, and stikkit him in that steid,

Thus of his dynt the bauld Pikard was deid.

The Inglis Oist tuke plane purpois to fle,

In thair turning the Scottis gart mony de.

Wallace wald fane at the Wallange haue bene,

Of Westmureland the Lord was yame betwene

Wallace on him he set ane awfull dynt,

Throw Basnet & stuf, yat na steill micht out stint.

Derfly to deith he left him in that place,

Swa the fals Knicht eschapit throw this cace.

Gude Robert Boyd hes with ane Capitane met,

Of Berwik than, ane sad straik on him set.

Ouirthort the craig, and keruit the Pesane,

Throw all his weid in sunder straik the bane.

Feill horsmen fled fast, and durst nocht abyde,

Rebutit euill vnto thair King thay ryde.

The Duke him tauld of all thair Iourney haill,

His hart for Ire boldnit in bitter baill.

Heichly he hecht, he suld neuer Londoun se,

On Wallace deith quhill he reuengit be.

Or lois his men, agane as he did air,

Thus south he socht, with greit sorrow and cair.

Than at the Kirk ane lytill tary maid,

Syne throw the land ouir Sulway fast he raid.

The Scottis Oist ane nicht remanit still,

Vpon the morne thay spulȝeit with gude will.

The deid corps syne culd to Braidwod fair,

[Page]At ane counsall thre dayis thay soiornit thair.

At the Forest Kirk ane meting ordanit he,

Thay cheisit Wallace Scottis wardane to be.

Craisting he suld thair panefull sorrow ceis,

He ressauit all that wald cum to his peis.

Schir William come, that Lord Dowglas was

Forsuke Edward, at Wallace peax can as.

In that thirlage he wald na langer be,

Tribute befoir to Ingland payit he.

In contrair Scottis with thame neuer raid,

Far better cheir Wallace thairfoir him maid.

Thus treitit he, and chereist wounder fair,

Trew Scottis men, that fewtie maid him thair.

And gaif greitly feill gudis that he wan,

He warnit it nocht to na gude Scottis man.

Quha wald rebell, and gang contrair the richt,

He puneist sair, war he Squyar or Knicht.

Thus meruellously, gude Wallace tuke on hand,

Likly he was, richt [...]air and weill farrand.

Manly and stout, and thairto richt liberall,

Plesand and wyse in all gude generall

To slay forsuith Sutheroun he spairit nocht,

To Scottis men full greit proffit he wrocht.

Into the South forsuith than passit he,

As him best thocht he reullit that countrie.

Schireffis he maid, that cruell was and kene,

And Capitanis of trew wyse Scottis men.

Fra Gamyllis peth, the land obeyit him haill,

To Vr watter, baith strenth Forest and daill.

Aga [...]s him in Galloway hous was nane,

Except Wigtoun, biggi [...] of lyme and stane.

That Capitane hard the reull of Wallace,

Away be sey he stall out of that place.

[Page]Leuit all waist, and culd in Ingland wend,

Bot Wallace sone ane keipar to it send.

Ane gude Squyar, and to name he was cald,

Adam Gordoun as the storie me tald.

ANe strenth thair was at the watter of Cre,

Within ane roche richt stalwart wrocht of tre

Ane gait befoir, na man micht to it win,

But the consent of thame that dwelt thairin.

On the bak syde ane roche and watter was,

Ane strait entre forsuith thair was to pas.

To vesy it Wallace him self sone went,

Fra he it saw, he kest in his Intent.

To win the hald, he hes chosin ane gait,

That thay within suld mak lytill debait.

His power haill hes gart byde out of sicht,

Bot thre with him quhill tyme that it was nicht.

Than tuke he twa quhen that the nicht was dym

Steuin of Ireland and Keirly that culd clym.

Vp sone thay went aganis that roche sa strang,

Thus enterit thay the Sutheroun men amang.

The watche befoir tuke na tent to that syde,

Thir thre in feir sone to the Portar thay glyde.

Gude Wallace than straik the Portar him sell,

Deid ouir the roche into the dyke he fell.

Leit doun the brig, and blew his horne on hicht,

The buschment brak, and come in all thair micht.

At thair awin will, sone enterit in that place,

To Inglismen thay did full lytill grace.

Sextie thay slew, in that hald was na ma,

Bot ane auld Preist, and sempill wemen twa.

Greit purueyance was in that roche to spend,

Wallace baid still, quhill it was at ane end.

[Page]Brak doun the strenth, baith brig & Bulwark all,

Out ouir the Roch thay gart the tymmer fall.

Vndid the gait, and wald na langer byde,

In Carrik syne, thay bownit thame to ryde.

Haistit thame nocht, bot soberly can fair,

To Turnbery, that Capitane was of Air,

With Lord Persee to tak his counsall haill,

Wallace purpoisit, that place for to assaill.

Ane woman tauld, quhen ye Capitane was gane,

Gude men of fence into the steid was nane.

Thay fillit the dyke with eird and tymmer baill,

Syne fyrit the hous, na succour micht auaill.

Ane Preist thair was, and gentill wemen yairin,

Quhilk for ye maner, maid hiddeous noyis & din.

Mercy thay cryit, for him that deit on tre,

Wallace gart slaik, the fyre and let thame be.

To mak defence na ma was leuit thair,

He thame commandit out of the land to fair.

Spulȝeit the place, and spilt all that thay mocht

Vpon the morne to Cummok sone thay socht.

To Lanerk syne, and set ane tyme of Air,

Mudoaris feill, he gart be punist thair.

To gude trew men he gaif full nobill wage,

His brother Sonnis put to thair heritage.

To the blak craig in Cumnok past agane,

His houshald set with men of mekill mane.

Thre monethis thair be dwelt into gude rest,

The subtill Sutheroun fand weill it was ye best

Trewis to tak for to eschew ane chance,

To further this thay send for Knicht Wallance.

Bothwell ȝit that Tratour keipit still,

And Air all haill was at Lord Perseis will.

Throw greit supple of the Capitane of Air,

[Page]The Bischop Beik in Glasgow he dwelt thair.

Erll of Stanefurd was Chalmerlane of Inglād,

With Schir Aymer, this Tratour tuke on hand.

To procure peax be ony maner of cace,

Ane saif Conduct thay purchest of Wallace.

In Ruglin Kirk the tryst thair haue thay set,

And promis maid to meit Wallace but let.

The day of this approchit wounder fast,

The greit Chancelar and Aymer hidder past.

Syne Wallace come, and his men weill besene,

With him fyftie, arrayit all in grene.

Ilk ane of thame ane bow and arrowis bair,

And lang swordis, the quhilk full scharply schair.

Within the Kirk how sone he enterit had,

Vnto his prayer he past but mair abaid.

Syne vp he rais and to his tryist he went,

And his gude men full cruell of Intent.

In Ire he grew, that Tratour quhen he saw,

The Inglismen of his face stude greit aw.

Wit reullit him, that he did nane outrage,

The Erll beheld fast to his hie curage.

Forthocht sumpart that he come to that place,

Greitly abasit for the vult of his face.

Schir Aymer said, this speiche ȝe may begin,

He will nocht bow to na Prince of ȝour kyn.

Assouerit ȝe ar, I traist ȝe may speik weill,

For all Ingland he will nocht brek adeill.

His saif Conduct, or quhair he makis ane band,

The Chancellar than proferrit him his hand.

Wallace stude still, and culd na handis tak,

Freindschip to thame na liklynes wald he mak.

Schir Aymer said, Wallace ȝe vnderstand,

This is ane Lord, and Chancellar of Ingland.

[Page]To salus him, ȝe may be proper skill,

With schort auise he maid answer him till.

Sic salussing I vse to Inglismen,

Sa sall thay haue quhair euer I may thame ken.

At my power that mak I God awow,

Out of Conduct gif that I had him now.

Bot for thy lyfe, and all his land sa braid,

I will nocht brek the promis that is maid.

I had leuer at myne awin will haue the,

Without conduct, that I micht wrokin be.

Of thy fals deid, thow dois in this Regioun,

Than of pure gold ane Kingis greit Ransoun.

Bot for my band, as now I will lat be,

Chancellar say furth, quhat ȝe desyre of me.

The Chancellar said, the maist caus of this thing,

To procure peax, I am send fra the King.

With the greit seill, and voce of his Parliament,

Quhat I bind heir, our barnage sall consent.

Wallace answerit, ouir lytill mendis we haif,

Syne of our richt ȝe occupy the laif.

Quytclame our land, and we sall nocht deny,

The Chancellar said, of na sic chargis haue I.

We will gif gold or our purpois suld faill,

Than Wallace said in waist is that trauaill.

We ask na gold, be fauour of ȝour kyn,

In weir of ȝow, we tak that we may wyn.

Abaissit he was to mak answer agane,

Wallace said Schir, we Iangill all in vane.

My counsall geuis, I will na fabill mak,

As for ane ȝeir, ane finall peax to tak.

Nocht for my self, that I bind to ȝour Seill,

I can nocht trow, that euer ȝe will be leill.

Bot for pure folk that greitly hes bene supprysit,

[Page]I will tak peax quhill farther we be auysit.

Than band thay thus, thair suld be na debait,

Castell and Toun suld stand in that ilk stait.

Fra that day furth quhill ane ȝeir war at end,

Seillit this peax, and tuke thair leif to wend.

Wallace fra thame past into the west,

Maid plane repair quhair that him lykit best.

Ȝit sair he dred, that thay suld him dissaif.

This Indenture to Schir Rannald he gaif,

His deir Vnkill, quhair it micht keipit be,

In Cumnok syne to his dwelling went he.

☞ )(✚)( ☜

¶The Seuint part of this Buik declairis how Wallace brynt ye Bernis of Air, and put Bischop Beik out of Glasgow, & slew Lord Persee.

Ca. j.

IN Februar befell the samin cace,

That Inglismen tuke trewis with Wallace

This passit ouir quhill Marche away was socht▪

The Inglismē kest all ye wayis yai mocht.

With subtill and wickit Illusioun,

The worthie Scottis to put to confusioun.

Into Aprile the King of Ingland come,

In Cumbirland of pumfret fra his home.

Into Carlile to ane counsall he ȝeid,

Quhairof the Scottis micht haue ful mekil dreid

Mony Capitane that was of Ingland borne,

Hidder thair past, semblit thair King beforne.

Na Scottis man to that counsall thay cald,

Bot Schir Aymer, that tratour was of auld.

At him thay speirit how thay suld tak on hand,

[Page]The richteous blude to stroy out of Scotland.

Schir Aymer said, thair Chiftane can weill do,

Richt wyse in weir, and hes greit power to.

And now this trewis geuis thame sic hardiment,

That to ȝour saith thay will nocht all consent.

Bot wald ȝe do richt as I can ȝow leir,

The peax to thame it suld be sauld full deir.

Than demit he the fals Sutheroun amang,

How thay best micht the Scottis Barrounis hāg

Four greit Bernis that tyme stude into Air,

Wrocht for the King quhen his bigging was yair

Biggit about, that na man enter micht,

Bot ane atanis, nor haue of vther sicht.

Thair ordanit thay thir Lordis suld be slane,

Ane Iustice maid quhilk was of mekill mane.

To Lord Persee of this mater thay laid,

With sad auise agane to thame he said.

Thay men to me hes keipit treuth sa lang,

Dissaitfully I may nocht se thame hang.

I am thair fa, and warne will I thame nocht,

Sa I be quyte, I rek nocht quhat ȝe wrocht.

Fra thyne I will, and toward Glasgow draw,

With our Bischop, to heir of his new Law.

Than cheissit thay ane Iustice feirs and fell,

Quhilk Arnulf hecht as myne Author will tell.

Of South Hamptoun he hecht baith Air & Lord,

He vnder tuke to pyne thame with ane cord.

Ane vther Air in Glasgow ordanit thay,

For Clyddisdaill men to stand the samin day.

Syne chargit thame in all wayis eirnestly,

Be na kyn meake Wallace suld eschaip yame by.

For weill thay wist, & thir men war ouirthrawin,

Thay micht at wil bruik Scotland as yair awin.

[Page]This band thay clois vnder thair Seillis fast,

Syne socht ouir mure agane King Edward past.

The new Iustice ressauit was in Air,

The Lord Persee can vnto Glasgow fair.

This Air was set in Iune the xviij. day,

And planely cryit, na fre man war away.

The Scottis meruellit, and peax tane in the land

Quhy Inglismen, sic maistrie tuke on hand.

Schir Rannald set ane day befoir this Air,

At Monktoun Kirk, his freindis to meit him yair

Williame Wallace vnto that tryist culd pas,

For he as than, Wardane of Scotland was.

This Maister Iohne ane worthie clerk was yair

He chargit his kyn for to byde fra that Air.

Richt weill he wist, fra Persee left that land,

Greit perrell was to Scottis appeirand.

Wallace fra thame, into the Kirk he ȝeid,

Pater Noster, he said, and als ane Creid.

Syne to the Grece he lenit him soberly,

Vpon ane sleip he slaid full suddandly.

Cleland followit, and saw him fallin on sleip,

He maid na noyis, bot wisely culd him keip.

In that slummer, cūmand him thocht he saw,

Ane stalwart man that toward him culd draw.

Sone be the hand he hint him haistelie,

I am he said, in veyage chargit with the.

Ane sword him gaif, of burely burnist steill,

Gude Sone he said, this sword thow sall bruik weill.

Of Topasion him thocht the plumat was,

Baith hilt and all, glitterand as the glas.

Deir Sone he said, we tary heir to lang,

Thow sall ga se, quhair wrocht is mekill wrang.

Than he him led to ane montane on hicht,

[Page]The warld him thocht he micht se at ane sicht.

He left him thair, syne sone he fra him went,

Thairof Wallace studyit in his Intent.

To se him thair he had full greit desyre,

Thair with he saw begyn ane felloun fyre.

Quhilk braithly brynt on breid out throw ye land

Scotland attour, fra Ros to Sulway sand.

Than sone to him descendit thair ane Quene,

Illuminat licht, schinand full bricht and schene.

In hir presence appeirit sa mekill licht,

That all the fyre scho put out of his sicht.

Gaif him ane wand of cullour reid and grene,

With ane Saphir saynit his face and ene.

Welcum scho said, I cheis the to my lufe,

Thow art grantit be the greit God abufe.

To help pepill that sufferis mekill wrang,

With the as now, I may nocht tary lang.

Thow sall returne to thyne awin Oist agane,

Thy derrest kyn ar heir in mekill pane.

This richt Regioun, thow mon redeme it all,

Thy last rewaird in eirth salbe bot small.

Let nocht thairfoir, tak redres of this mis,

To thy rewaird thow sall haue heuinis blis.

Of hir richt hand scho betaucht him ane buik,

Humbly thus hir leif than scho tuik.

Vnto the Clud ascendit of his sicht,

Wallace brak vp the buik in all his micht.

In thre partis the buik weill writtin was,

The first letteris, war gros letteris of bras.

The secund gold, the thrid was siluer schene,

Wallace meruellit quhat this wryting suld mene.

To reid the buik he besyit him sa fast,

His Sprite agane to walkand mynd it past.

[Page]And vp he rais syne suddandly furth went,

This Clerk he fand, and tauld him his Intent.

Of this visioun as I haue said befoir,

Compleitly furth, quhat neidis wordis moir.

Deir Sone he said, my wit vnabill is,

To ratifie sic for dreid I say mys.

Ȝit I sall deme, thocht my cunning be small,

God grant na charge efter my wordis fall.

The stalwart man gaif the that sword in hand,

Fergus it is first winnar of Scotland.

That montane is, quhair he the had on hicht,

Knawledge to haif of wrang yat thow mon richt.

That fyre salbe feill tythingis or ȝe part,

Quhilk will be tauld in mony sindrie art.

I can nocht wit, quhat Quene that that suld be,

Bot gif it be Fortoun ane Lady quhylis richt fre.

The pretty wand I trow be myne Intent,

Betaiknis reull, and cruell chaistement.

The reid cullour, quha graithly vnderstude,

Betaikinis all to greit battell and blude.

The grene curage, that thow art now amang,

In trubill and weir, thow sall continew lang.

The Saphir stane scho blissit the with all,

Is happy chance will God sall to the fall.

The thrynfald buik, is bot this brokin land,

Thow mon redeme be worthynes of hand.

The bras letteris betaikinis bot to this,

The greit oppres in weir and mekill mys.

The quhilk thow sall bring to the richt agane,

Bot thow thairfoir mon suffer mekill pane.

The gold betaikinis honour and worthynes,

Victor in armis, manheid and Nobilnes.

The siluer schawis clene lyfe and heuinnis blis,

[Page]To thy rewaird that myrth thow sall nocht mis.

Dreid nocht thairfoir, be out of all dispair,

Farther as now heirof I can na mair.

He thankit him, and thus his leif hes tane,

To Corsbie syne with his Vnkill raid hame.

With myrthis thus all nicht soiornit thair,

Vpon the morne thay graithit thame to the Air.

And furth thay raid, quhill thay come to Kyncace,

With dreidfull hart thus speirit wicht Wallace.

At Schir Rannald for the Charter of peis,

Neuoy he said, thir wordis ar nocht leis.

It is leuit in Corsbie in the kist,

Quhair thow it laid, thairof nane vther wist.

Wallace answerit, had we it heir to schaw,

And thay be fals we sall nocht enter aw.

Deir Sone he said, I pray the pas agane,

Thocht thow wald send, thy trauell war in vane.

Bot thow or I, can nane it bring this tyde,

Greit grace it was, maid him agane to ryde.

Wallace returnit, tuke nane with him bot thre,

Nane of thame knew this Indenture bot he.

Vnhap him led, forbid him culd he nocht,

Of fals desait this gude Knicht had na thocht.

Schir Rannald raid, but resting to the toun,

Wittand na thing of all this fals ttessoun.

That wickit Signe sa reullit that Planeit,

Saturne was than into his hiest stait.

Abone Iuno in his Melancoly,

Iuppiter, Mars, ay cruell of Inuy.

Saturne as than auancit his nature,

Of Tyranny he power had and cure.

Rebellis reullis in mony seir Regioun,

Trubillous wedder, makis mony schippis to droū

[Page]His driching is with Pluto in the Se,

As of the land full of Iniquitie.

He walknis weir, full of Pestilence,

Filling of wallis with cruell violence

Poysoun is ryfe, amang thir vther thingis,

Suddand slauchter of Empriouris and Kingis.

Quhen Sampson pullit to ground the Pillair,

Saturne was than into the hiest Speir.

At Thebes als of his power thay tell,

Quhen Phiorax sank throw the eirth to hell.

Of the Troianis he had full mekill cure,

Quhen Achilles at Troy slew gude Hector.

Burdeous schent, and mony Cieteis mo,

His power ȝit, it hes na hap to ho.

In braid Bertane feill vengeance hes bene sene,

Of this and mair, ȝe wait weill quhat I mene.

Bot to this hous that stalwart was and strang

Schir Rannald come and micht nocht tary lang▪

Ane balk was knit all full of raipis kene,

Sic ane Tolbuith sen syne was neuer sene.

Strang men was set the entre for to hald,

Nane micht pas in, bot ane as thay war cald.

Schir Rannald first to mak fewtie for his land,

The Knicht went in, and wald na langer stand.

Ane rynnand cord thay slippit ouir his heid,

Hard to the balk, and hangit him to deid.

Schir Brice the Blair nixt efter in he past,

Vnto the deith thay haistit him full fast.

Be he enterit, his heid was in the snair,

Tit to the balk, hangit to deith richt thair.

The thrid enterit, greit pietie was for thy,

Ane gentill Knicht Schir Neill of Montgomery

And vther feill of landit men about,

[Page]Mony ȝeid in, bot na Scottis come out.

Of Wallace part thay put to that derf deid,

Mony Craufurd sa endit in that steid.

Of Carryk men Kennedeis slew thay als,

And kynd Campbellis, that neuer had bene fals.

Thir Rebellit nocht contrair yair richteus croun,

Sutheroun for thy yame put to confusioun.

Barklayis, Boydis, and Stewartis of gude kyn,

Na Scot eschaipit that tyme that enterit in.

Vpon the balk thay hangit mony pair,

Besyde thame deid, in ane nuik kest thame thair.

Sen the first tyme, that ony weir was wrocht,

To sic ane deith sa mony ȝeid thair nocht.

Vpon ane day throw cursit Saxonis seid,

Vengeance of this out throw that kynrent ȝeid.

Grantit it was fra the greit God of heuin,

Sa ordanit, that law suld be thair steuin.

To the fals Saxonis for thair fell Iudgement,

Thair wickitnes ouir all the warld is went.

Ȝe Nobill men that ar of Scottis kynd,

Thair pieteous deith, ȝe keip it in ȝour mynd.

And vs reuenge quhen we ar set in thrang,

Dollour it is, heiron to tary lang.

Thus auchtene scoir, derfly to deith thay dicht,

Of Barrounis bald, and mony worthie Knicht.

Quhen thay had slane the worthiest was thair,

For waik pepill thay wald na langer spair.

Into ane garth kest thame out of that steid,

As thay war borne, spulȝeit bair and deid.

Gude Robert Boyd vnto ane Tauern ȝeid,

With twentie men, that douchtie war in deid.

Of Wallace hous full cruell in Intent,

He gouernit thame, quhen Wallace was absent.

[Page]Keirlie returnit with his Maister agane,

Cleland and Boyd, that mekill was of mane

Steuin of Ireland went furth into the streit,

Ane trew woman full sone with him culd meit.

He speirit at hir, quhat happinnit in the Air?

Sorrow scho said, is na thing ellis thair.

Feiritly scho said, allace quhair is Wallace?

Fra vs agane he passit at Kyncace.

Ga warne his folk, and haist thame of the toun,

To keip him self I salbe reddy boun.

With hir as than na mair tary he maid,

To his fellowis he went withouttin baid.

And to thame tauld of all this greit misfair,

To Laglane wod thay bownit without mair.

Be this Wallace was cūmand wounder fast,

For his freindis he was full sair agast.

Vnto the Bern sadly he culd persew,

To enter in, for he na perrell knew.

This trew woman, vpon him loud can call,

O feirs Wallace, feill tempest is befall.

Our men is slane feill tempest is to se,

As bestiall houndis hangit ouir ane tre.

Our trew Barrounis be twa and twa past in,

Wallace weipit, for greit lois of his kyn.

That with vneis vpon his hors he baid,

Mair for to speir to this woman he raid.

Deir Nece he said, gif thow the treuth can tell,

Is myne Eme deid, or how the cace befell.

Out of ȝone Bern forsuith I saw him borne,

Naikit laid law, on cald eirth me beforne.

His frosty mouth I kyssit in that steid,

Richt now manlyke, bair and brocht to deid.

And with ane claith I couerit his Lichame,

[Page]For in his lyfe he did neuer woman schame.

His Sister Sone, thow art worthie and wicht,

Reuenge his deith, for Goddis lufe at thy micht.

Als I sall help, as I am woman trew,

Deir wicht he said, greit God gif yat thow knew

Gude Robert Boyd, quhair euer thow can him s [...]

Williame Craufurd, als gif he leuand be.

Adam Wallace wald help me in this stryfe,

I pray to God send me thame all on lyfe.

For Goddis saik bid thame sone cum to me,

The Iustice Innis thow spy for cheritie.

And in quhat feir that thay thair ludging mak,

Sone efter that we sall our purpois tak.

Into Laglane, quhilk hes thair succour bene,

Adew merkat, and welcum woddis grene.

Heirof as than, to hir he spak na mair,

His brydill turnit and fra hir can he fair.

Sic murning maid for his deir worthie kyn,

Him thocht for baill his brist neir brist in twyn.

As he thus raid, in greit anger and tene,

Of Inglismen thair followit him fyftene.

Wicht waillit men, that toward him culd draw,

With ane Maissar, to teiche him to the Law.

Wallace returnit in greif and matalent,

With his sword drawin amang yame sone he wēt

The myddill of thame he mankit sone in twa,

Ane vther thair vpon the heid can ta.

The thrid he straik, and throw the coist him claif,

The feird to ground richt derfly doun he draif.

The fyft he hit with greit Ire in that steid,

Without reskew dreidles he left thame deid.

Than his thre men had slane the tother fyfe,

Fra thame the laif eschaipit with thair lyfe.

[Page]Fled to thair Lord, and tauld him of this cace,

To Laglane wod than rydis with Wallace.

The Sutheroun said, quhat ane that he hit richt,

Without mercy dreidles to deith was dicht.

Meruell thay had, sic strenth in ane suld be,

Ane of thair men at ilk straik he gart de.

Than demit thay, it suld be Wallace wicht,

To thair langage, maid answer ane auld Knicht.

Forsuith he said, be he eschaipit this Air,

All ȝour new deid is eiking of our [...]air.

The Iustice said, quhen thair sic rumour rais,

Ȝe wald be feirit, and thair come mony fais.

That for ane man me think ȝow lyke to fle,

And wait nocht ȝit, in deid gif it be he.

And thocht it war, I compt him bot full licht,

Quha bydis heir, ilk gentill man salbe Knicht.

I think to deill thair landis haill to morne,

To ȝow about, that ar of Ingland borne.

The Sutheroun drew to yair ludgeing but mair

Four thousand haill that nicht was into Air.

In greit Bernis biggit without the Toun,

The Iustice lay with mony bauld Barroun.

Than he gart cry about thay wanis wyde,

Na Scottis beirne amang thame thair suld byde

To the Castell he wald nocht pas for eis,

Bot soiornit thair with thing yat micht him pleis

Greit purueyance be sey was to thame brocht,

With wyne and aill, the best that couth be bocht.

Na watche was set, becaus thay had na dout,

Of Scottis men that leuand was without.

Laubourit in mynd thay had bene all that day,

Of aill and wyne, aneuch chosin had thay.

As beistlyke folk tuke of thame self na keip,

[Page]In thair vainis sone slaid the sleuthfull sleip.

Throw foul gluttony in swair swappit like swine

Thair Chiftane was greit Bacchus god of wine.

This wyse woman lang tyme amang yame was

Feill men scho warnit, and gart to Laglane pas.

Hir self formest, quhill thay with Wallace met,

Sum comfort than into his hart was set.

Quhen he thame saw, he thankit God of micht,

Tythingis he askit the woman tauld him richt.

Sleipand as swyne ar all ȝone fals menȝe,

Na Scottis man is in ȝone cumpany.

Than Wallace said, gif thay all drunkin be,

I call it best with fyre for thame to se.

Of gude men than, thre hundreth to him socht,

The womā had tald thre [...]ew Burges ya [...] brocht

Out of the Toun with nobill aill and breid,

And vther stu [...], als mekill as thay micht leid.

Thay eit and drank, the Scottis men that mocht

The Nobillis than Iop hes to Wallace brocht.

Sadly he said, deir freindis now ȝe se,

Our kyn ar slane, thairof is greit pietie.

Throw foull murther, the greit despite is moir,

Now sunt remeid I wald we set thairfoir.

Suppois that I was maid Wardane to be,

Part ar away, sic chargis put to me.

And ȝe ar heir cūmin of als gude blude,

And richteous borne be auentur and als gude

Als fordward, fair, als likly of persoun,

As euer was I, thair for conclusioun.

Lat vs cheis fyue of this gude cumpany,

Syne cauillis cast quha sall our maister be.

Wallace and Boyd, and Craufurd of Renoun,

And Adam als, than Lord of Ricardtoun.

[Page]His Father than was vesyit with seiknes,

God had him tane into his lestand grace.

The Fyft Auchinlek, in weir ane Nobill man,

Cauillis to cast, about thir fyue began.

It wald on him, for ocht thay wald deuyse,

Continually quhill thay had cassin thryse.

Than Wallace rais and out ane sword can draw▪

He said I awow to the maker of aw.

And to Marie his Mother Virgine cleir,

My Vnkillis deith, now salbe sauld full deir.

With mony ma of our deir worthie kyn,

First or I eit, or drink we sall begyn.

For sleuth nor sleip, sall neuer remaine with me,

Of this tempest, quhill I auengit be.

Than all inclynit richt humbill of ane accord,

And him ressauit as thair Chiftane and Lord.

Wallace ane Lord, he may be clepit weill,

Thocht rurall folk thairof haue lytill seill

Thay deme na Lord, bot landis be thair part,

Had he the warld and be wretchit of hart.

He is na Lord bot to the worthynes,

It can nocht be but fredome Lordlynes.

At the Roddis, thay mak full mony ane,

Quhilk worthie ar, thocht landis thay haue nane.

This discussing we leif Heraldis to end,

Vnto my mater breifly I will wend.

Wallace commandit ane Burges for to get,

Fyne calk ancuch, that his deir Nece micht set.

At ilk ȝet quhair Sutheroun war on raw,

And twentie men he gart sone widdeis thraw.

Ilk man vpon thair arme ane pair threw,

Vnto the Toun full fast thay can persew.

The woman past befoir thame subtelly,

[Page]Calkit ilk ȝet, thay nedit nocht ga by.

Than festnit thay the durris with widdeis fast,

To stapill and hesp with mony sicker cast.

Wallace gart Boyd neir hand the Castell ga,

With fyftie men ane Ieopardy to ma.

Gif ony Ischit, the fyre quhen that thay saw,

All fast to the ȝet he ordanit thame to draw.

The laif with him about the Bernis ȝeid,

This trew woman him seruit weill in neid.

With lynt and fyre, that haistie kendill wald,

In euerilk nuik thay festnit bleissis bald.

Wallace commandit to all his men about,

Na Sutheroun man that thay suld lat brek out.

Quhat euer he be, reskew nane of that kyn,

Fra the reid fyre, him self sall pas thairin.

The l [...]and low sone lansit vpon hicht,

Forsuith he said, this is ane plesand sicht.

To our hartis it salbe sum redres,

War [...]h [...]r away, thair power war the les.

Vnto the Iustice, him self on loud can caw,

Lat vs to borgh our men fra ȝour fals Law.

That leuand ar, and chaipit fra ȝour Air,

Deill nocht thair land, the vnlaw is ouir sair.

Thow had na richt, it salbe on the sene,

The rumour rais with caitfull cry and kene.

The baill fyre brynt, richt brymly vpon lofe,

To slepand men thair walkning was vnsoft.

The sicht without was awfull for to se,

In all the warld na greitar pane micht be.

Than thay within sufferit for to dwell,

That euer was wrocht bot purgatorie or hell.

Ane pane of hell weill neir it micht be cald,

Maid folk in fyre hamperit in monyfald.

[Page]Feill biggingis brynt yat worthy war and wicht

Gat nane away, knaif, Capitane, nor Knicht.

Quhen brandis fell of rufe treis yame amang,

Sum rudely rais in bitter panis strang.

Sum nakit brynt bot belchis all away,

Sum neuer rais bot smorit quhare yai lay.

Sum ruschit fast to air gif yai micht wyn,

Blyndit in fyre yair dedis warfull dym.

The reik fylit with filth of carioun,

Amang the fyre richt fowll of infectioun.

The pepill beirrit like wod beistis in that tyde,

Within the wallis rampand on ather syde.

Rumist with reuth, and mony ane grisly grane.

Sum grymly grat quhill thair life days war gane.

Sum durris socht the entre for to get.

Bot Scottis men la wysely thame beset,

Gif ony brak be auenture of that steid.

With swerdis sone brimmyt thay war to deid,

Or ellis agane be force dreuin in the fyre.

Thair chapit nane bot brynt vp bane and lyre.

The stynk scaylit of deid bodyis sa wyde,

The Scottis abhorrit neir hand thame for to byde.

Ȝeid to the wynd and leit thame euin allane,

Quhill the reid fyre had yat fals blude our gane.

Ane freir Drumlaw was Priour than of Air.

Seuin score with him yat nycht tuke harbery ya [...]

In till his Innis for he micht not thame let,

Quhill neir mydnycht ane wach on thame he set.

Him self wolk weill quhill be the fyre saw ryse.

Sum mendis be thocht to tak of that suppryse,

His brethir vii. sone to harnes thay ȝeid.

Him self chiftane the remanent to leid,

The best thay waill of armour and gude geir.

[Page]Syne wapins tuke richt awfull in affeir.

Thir viij. Freris in thre partis thay ga,

With swerdis drawin to ilk hous ȝeid twa.

Sone enterit in quhare Suthroun sleipand war,

Vpone thame set with straikis sad and sair.

Feill freikis thair thay Freiris dang to deid,

Sum nakit fled and gat out of that steid.

The watter socht abaissit out of sleip,

In to the Freir Well that was baith lang and deip.

Feill of thame fell that brak out of that place,

Drounit to ground and deit withoutin grace.

Drounit and slane was all that harbryit thair,

Men callis it the Freris blissing of Air.

Few folk of vale was leuit. Vpon cace,

In the Castell Lord Peircie fra that place.

Before the Air fra thyne to Glasgou drew,

Of men and stuf it was to puruey new.

Ȝit thay within saw the fyre birnand stout,

With schort aduise Ischit and maid na dout.

The bushment than as weriouris wyse and wicht,

Leit thame allane and to the hous past richt.

Boyd wan the port enterit and all his men,

Keiparis init was left bot nyne or ten.

The formaist sone him self seisit in hand,

Maid quyte of him syne slew all that thay fand.

Of purueyance in that Castell was na [...]e,

Schort tyme befoir fra it Peircie was gane.

The Erll Arnulf had ressauit that hald,

Quhilk in the toun was brynt to pouder cald.

Boyd gart remane of his xx. men still,

Him self past furth to wit of Wallace will

Keipand the toun quhill nocht was leuit thair,

Bot the wod fyre and belchis brynt full bair.

[Page]Of likly men that borne was of Ingland,

Be swerd and fyre that nycht deit fyue thousand.

Quhen Wallace men was weill togidder met,

Gude freyndis he said ȝe knaw that thair was set.

Sic law as this now into Glasgow toun,

The Bishop Beik and Peircie of renoun.

Thairfor I will in haist we hidder fair,

Of our gude kyn sumpart is loissit thair.

He gart full sone the Burges to him call,

And gaif command in generall of thame all.

In keiping thay suld tak the hous of Air,

And hald it haill quhill tyme that we heir mair.

To byde our King Castellis I wald we had,

Cast we doun all we may be demit our bad.

Thay gart meit cum for he had fastit lang,

Litill he tuke syne bounit thame to gang.

Hors thay cheis that Suthroun had brocht thair

Anew at will and of the toun can fair.

Thre hundreth haill was in his cumpany,

Richt wounder fast raid this gude cheualry.

To Glasgow brig that biggit was of tre.

Sone passit ouir or Suthroun micht thame se,

Lord Peirce wicht that besy was in weir.

Semblit his men full awfull in affeir,

Than demit thay all that it was wicht Wallace,

He had befoir eschapit throw mony cace.

The Bischop Beik and Peircy that was wicht,

Ane thowsand led of men in armour bricht,

Wallace saw weill quhat noumer semblit thair.

He maid his men in twa partis to fair,

Graithit thame weill without the town end.

He callit Auchinlek for he the passage kend.

Vncle he said be besy in to weir,

[Page]Quhethir will ȝe the Bischopis taill vp beir,

Or pas before and tak his benysoun.

He ansuerit him with richt schort prouisioun,

W [...]bischopit ȝit forsuth I trow ȝe be.

Ȝour self sall first his blissing tak for me,

For sickerly ȝe seruit it best to nycht.

To bere his taill we sall in all our mycht,

Wallace ansuerit sen we mon sindry gang.

Perell it is and ȝe byde fra vs lang,

For ȝone ar men will nocht be sone agast.

Fra tyme we meit for Goddis saik by ȝow fast,

Our sindering I wald na Suthroun saw.

Behynd thame cum in throw the north eist raw,

Gude men of weir ar all Northumbirland.

Thay partit thus tuke vthir be the hand,

Auchinlek said we sall do that we may.

We wald lyke euill to byde ocht lang away,

Ane busteus staill betuix vs sone mon be.

Bot to the richt Almichty God haue Ee.

Adam Wallace and Auchinlek was down.

Seuyn score wt tham on the bak syde of the toun,

Richt fas [...] thay ȝeid quhill thay war out of sicht.

The tothir part arrayit thame full richt,

Wallace and Boyd the plane streit vp can ga.

Suthroun merwalit because thy saw na ma,

Thair Ensenȝe cryit vpone the Peircyis syde.

With Bischop Beik that baldly durst abyde,

Ane fair semblay was at thair meting sene.

As fyre on flynt it fairit thame betuene,

The hardie Scottis richt awfully thame abaid,

Broch feil to ground throw weid ye weil was maid,

Peirssit plaittis with poyntis stif of steill,

Be force of hand gart mony cruell kneill.

[Page]The strang stour rais as reik abone thame fast.

Or myst throw Sone vp to the clowdis past.

To help thame self ilk ane had mekill neid.

The wourthy Scottis stude in ane felloun dreid.

Ȝit furthwart fast thay preissit for to be,

And thay on thame greit wounder was to se.

The Peircyis men in weir war vsit weill,

Richt feirsly faucht and sonȝeit nocht adeill.

Adam Wallace and Auchinlek come in,

Ane part of Suthroun richt sadly thay twyn.

Returnit to thame as nobill men of weir,

The Scottis gat roume and mony doun thay beir.

The new countit assailȝeit thame sa fast,

Throw Inglismen main sloppis at the last.

Than Wallace self in to the felloun thrang.

With his guid Swerd that heuie was and lang.

At Peircyis face with ane guid will he bair,

Baith bane, & brayne, the fruschit steill throw schair.

Thre hundreth men quhan Lord Peircy was deid,

Out of the gait the Bischop Beik thay leid.

For than thame thocht it was na tyme to byde,

By the freir Kirk to ane wod thair besyde.

In that forest forsuth thay taryit nocht,

On fresch hors to Bothuell sone thay socht.

Wallace followit with wourhty men and wicht.

Forfochtin thay war and trauellit all the nycht,

Ȝit feill thay slew in to the chace that day.

The Bischoppis self and guid men gat away.

Aymeir Wallange reskewit thaim in that place,

That Knicht full oft did greit harme to Wallace.

Wallace began that nycht at ten nouris in Air,

On day be ix. in Glasgow semblit thair.

Be ane ouir none at Bothuell ȝei he was.

[Page]Reprenit Wallange or he wald forthir pas.

Syne turnit agane as weill witnessis the buik,

To Dundaf raid and thair resting he tuik.

Cald guid Schir Iohne of thir tythingis in Air,

Greit mane he maid he was nocht with him thair.

Wallace soiornit in Dundaf at his will,

Fyue dayis out, quhill tythingis come him till.

Out of the hicht quhair guid men war forlorne,

For Buchane rais, Athole, Menteith, and Lorne.

Vpon Argyle, ane fellone weir thay mak,

For Edwardis saik this thay can vndertak.

The Knicht Campbell in Argyle than was still,

With his guid men aganis King Eduardis will.

And keipit fre Lochaw his heritage,

Bot Makfadȝeane than did him greit outrage.

This Makfadȝeane to Inglismen was sworne,

Edward gaif him baith Argyle and Lorne.

Fals Iohne of Lorne to that gift can accord,

In Ingland than he was ane new maid Lord.

Thus falsly he gaif out his heritage,

And tuke at London of Edward ane greit wage.

Duncane of Lorne ȝit for the Landis straif,

Quhill Makfadȝeane ourset him with the laif.

Put him on force to guid Campbell the Knicht,

Quhilk in to weir was wyse, wourthy, and wicht.

This Makfadȝeane was enterit in Scotland,

And merualously that Tyran tuke on hand.

With his power the quhilk I spak of Air,

Thir thre Lordschippis all semblit to him thair.

Fyftene thowsand of curssit folk in deid,

Of all gadering in oist he had to leid.

And mony of thame was out of Irland brocht,

Barnis nor wyfe thay pepill sparit nocht.

[Page]Waistit the land als fer as thay micht ga,

Thay beiftly folk couth nocht bot byrne and sla,

In to Lochaw he enterit suddandly,

The guid Knicht Cāpbell saw guid defence for thy.

To Crag Hummyr with thre hundreth he ȝeid,

That strenth thay held for all thair cruell deid.

Syne brak the brig that thay mich nocht our pas,

Bot throw ane furd quhair narrow passage was.

Abandounly Campbell aganis thame baid,

Fast vpone Awfe that was baith deip and braid.

Makfadȝeane was vpone the tothir syde,

And thair on force behufit him for to byde.

For at the Furd he durst not enter out,

For guid Campbell micht set him than in dout.

Makfadȝeane socht and ane small passage fand,

Had he layser thay micht pas of that land.

Betuix ane Roche and the greit Watter syde,

Bot four in front thay micht nane gang nor ryde.

In to Lochaw was beistis greit plente,

And quhill he thocht thair with his oist to be.

And vthir stuf that thay had with thame brocht,

Bot all his cost auailit him richt nocht.

Duncane of Lorne has sene this suddand cace,

Fra guid Campbell he went to seik Wallace.

Sum help to get of thair torment and tene,

Togidder befoir in Dunde thay had bene.

Lernand at Scole in to thair tender age,

He thocht to slaik Makfadȝeanis hie curage.

G [...]michell than with Duncane furth him dicht,

Ane gyde he was and fute man wounder wicht.

Sone gat thay with quhair Wallace lugir was,

With thair complaynt to his presence thay pas.

Erll Malcolme als the Lennox held at peis,

[Page]With his guid men to Wallace can he preis.

To him thair come guid Richard of Lundy,

In to Dundaf he wald na langar ly.

Schir Iohne the Grahame als bounit him to ryde,

Makfadȝeanis weir sa greuit him that tyde.

¶How Wallace slew Makfadȝean. Ca. ij.

THan Wallace thocht his greit power to so,

In quhat array he reullit that cuntre.

The Rukbie than keipit with greit wrang,

Striueling Castell that staluart was and strang.

Quhen Wallace come be south it in ane vaill,

To Erll Malcolme he said he wald it saill.

In diuers partis, he gart disseuer his men,

Of thair power that Suthroun suld nocht ken.

Erll Malcolme baid in buschment out of sicht,

Wallace with him tuk guid Schir Iohn ye Knicht

And ane hundreth of wyse weir men but dout,

Throw Striueling raid gif ony wald Ische out.

Towart the Brig the ganest way thay pas,

Quhen Rukbie saw quhair that thair power was,

He tuk seuin scoir of Archearis that war thair,

Vpone Wallace thay followit wounder sair.

That feill bikker did tham mekill deir,

Wallace in hand grippit ane nobill speir.

Agane returnit and hes the formast slane.

Schir Iohn the Grahame that mekil was of mane

Amang thame raid with ane guid speir in hand.

The first he slew that he befoir him fand,

Vpone ane vthir his speir in so under ȝeid.

Ane swerd he drew, quhilk helpit him in neid.

Inglis Archearis vpone thame can renew.

[Page]That his guid Hors with arowis sone thay slew.

On fute he was quhen Wallace has it sene.

He lichtit sone with men of Armes kene.

Amang the rout fechtand full wounder fast,

The Inglismen returnit at the last.

At the Castell thay wald haue bene full fane,

Bot Erll Malcolme with men of mekill mane,

Betuix the Suthroun and the ȝettis ȝeid.

Mony thay flew that douchty was in deid.

In the greit preis Wallace and Rukbie met,

With his guid sword ane straik vpone him set.

Derfly to deid the auld Rukbie he draif,

His tua sonnis eschaipit amang the laif.

In the Castell be auenture thay ȝeid,

With threttie men na ma chaipit that dreid

The Lennox men with thair guid Lord that was,

Fra the Castell thay said thay wald nocht pas,

For weill thay wist it micht nocht haldin be.

For na lang tyme for thy thus ordanit he.

Erll Malcolme tuke the hous to keip that tyde,

Wallace wald nocht fra his first purpose byde.

Instance he maid to this guid Lord and wyse,

Fra thyne to pas he suld on na kyn wyse.

Quhill that he had Striueling the Castell strang,

Trew men him tauld thay micht nocht hald it lang.

Than Wallace thocht was maist on Makfadȝeane

Of Scottis men he had slain mony ane,

Wallace auowit that he suld wrokkin be.

On that Rebald or ellis thairfoir de,

Of tyranny King Edward thocht him guid,

Law borne he was and als of sympill bluid.

Thus Wallace was sair greuit in his entent,

To this iourney richt ernestfully he went.

[Page]At Striueling Brig assemblit to him richt,

Twa thowsand men that wourthy war and wicht.

Towart Argyle he bounit for to ryde,

Duncane of Lorne was thair trew sicker gyde.

Of auld Rukbie the quhilk we spak of Air,

Twa sonnis on lyfe in Striueling leuit thair.

Quhen thai Brethir consauit all at richt.

This hous to hald that thay na langar micht,

For cause quhy thay wantit men and meit,

With Erll Malcolme thay maid thame for to treit.

Grace of thair lyfis and thay that with thame was,

Gaif ouir the hous syne couth in Ingland pas.

On the thrid day that Wallace fra thame raid,

With King Edward full mony ȝeir thay baid.

In Brucis weir agane come in Scotland,

Strueling to keip the ane of thame tuke on hand.

Mentioun of Bruce is oft in Wallace buik,

To fend his richt full mekill pane he tuik.

Quhairfore suld I heir ony tary ma,

To Wallace furth now schortly will I ga.

Duncane of Lorne Gilmichell fra him send,

Ane spy to be for he the cuntre kend.

Be our party was past Strath fillane,

The small fute folk began to irk ilkane.

And hors als on force behufit to faill,

Than Wallace thocht that cumpany to waill.

Guid men he said this is nocht meit for vs.

In brokin array and we cum on thame thus,

We may tak skaith and harme our fais small,

To thame in lyke we may nocht assembill all.

Tary we lang ane plane feild quhill thay get.

Vpone thame sone sa weill we may nocht set.

Part we man leif vs followand to be,

[Page]With me sall pas our power in to thre,

Fiue hundreth first to him self has he tane.

Of westland men war wourthy knawin ilkane.

To schir Iohne the Grahame als mony ordanit he,

And fiue hundreth to Richard of Lundie,

In that part was Wallace of Ricardtoun.

In all gude deid he wes ay reddy boun,

Fiue hundreth left and micht not with thame ga.

Suppois that thay to byde wes woundir wa,

Thus Wallace oist begouth to tak the hicht,

Our ane montane syne passit out of sicht.

In Glendochar thair spy met thame agane,

With Lord Campbell then was our folk richt fane.

At thair meiting greit blythnes micht be sene,

Thre hundreth led that cruell war and kene,

He comfort thame and bad thame haue na dreid.

Ȝone beistly folk wantis wapnis and weid,

Sone will thay fle scharply and we persew.

Be Loch Douchar full suddandly thame drew.

Than Wallace said ane lyfe we sall all ta,

For heir is nane will fra his fallow ga.

The spy thay send the entre for to se,

Vpon the Mos ane Scurreour sone fand he.

To scour the land Makfadȝeane had him send,

Out of Cragmore that day he thocht to wend.

Gilmichell fast vpon him followit thair,

With ane guid Swerd that weill & scharply schair

Maid quyte of him that tythingis tald he nane,

The out spy thus wes loissit fra Makfadȝeane.

Than Wallace oist vpon thair fuit thay licht.

Thair hors thay left thocht thay war neuer sa wicht.

For Mos and Crag thay micht na langar dre,

Than Wallace said quha gangis best lat se.

[Page]Throw out the mos delyuerly thay ȝeid,

Syne tuke the hals quhairof thay had maist dreid,

Endlang the schore ay thre in front thay past,

Quhill all within thair semblit at the last.

Lord Campbell said we haue cheisit this hald,

I trow to God thair walknyng sall be cald.

Heir is na gait to sle ȝone pepill can.

Bot rochis heich and watteris deip and wan.

Auchtene hundreth of douchty men in deid,

On the greit oist but mair proces thay ȝeid,

Fechtand in front and meikill maistrie maid,

The frayit folk buskit withoutin baid.

Rudly to ray thay ruschit thame agane,

Greit part of thame was men of mekill mane.

Gude Wallace men sa stoutly can thame steir,

The battall on bak fyue aker breid thay beir.

In to the stour seill tyrant gart thay kneill,

Wallace in hand had ane guid stat of steill.

Quhom euer he hit to ground brymlie thame bair,

Roumit him about ane large rude and mair.

Schir Iohn the Graham in deid was richt worthy.

Guid Campbell als, and Richard of Lundy.

Adam Wallace and Robert Boyd in feir,

Amang thair fais quhair dedis war sauld deir.

The felloun stour was awfull for to se,

Makfadȝeane than sa greit debait maid he.

With Irland men hardie and corageous,

The stalwart stryfe richt hard and perillous,

Abundance of blude fra woundis wyde and man.

Stikkit to deid on groun [...] lay mony man.

Tua houris large in to the sto [...]r thay stand▪

The [...]rssest thay a [...]ch of fech [...]ing and

That [...]op himself [...]ill wist nocht [...],

[Page]Bot Wallace men wald nocht in sounder twyn.

To help thame self thay war of hardy will,

Of Irland blude full fellonly thay spill.

With fell fechting maid sloppis throw the thrang,

On the fals part our wicht weirmen sa dang.

That thay to byde micht haue na langar micht,

The Irland Folk than maid thame for the flicht.

In Craggis clam, and sum in watter flet.

Tua thowsand thair drounit withoutin let,

Borne Scottis men baid still in the feld.

Kest wapnis thame fra and on thair kneis kneild.

With pietuous woce thay cryit on Wallace,

For Goddis saik to take thame in his grace.

Greuit he was bot reuth of thame he had,

Ressauit thame fair with countenance full sad.

Of our awin blud we suld haue greit piete,

Luk ȝe slay nane of Scottis will ȝoldin be,

Of outland men lat nane chaip with the lyfe.

Makfadȝeane fled for all his felloun stryfe.

Vnto ane Caif within ane clift of stane,

Vnder Cragmoir with fyftene is he gane.

Duncane of Lorne, his leif at Wallace ast,

On Makfadȝeane with worthie men he past.

He grantit him to put thame all to deid,

Thay left nane syne bot brocht Wallace his heid.

Vpone ane speir throw the feild it bair,

The Lorde Campbell, syne hynt it be the hair.

Heich on Cragmoir he maid it for to stand.

Still on ane stane for honour of Irland.

The Lyflait men that war of Scotland borne,

Sone at his faith he gart thame be suorne.

Restorit thame that wald cum to his leis.

He leit slay nane that wald cum to his peis.

[Page]Efter this deid in Lorne syne couth he fair,

Rewllit the land had bene in mekill cair

In Ardcatan ane counsall he gart cry.

Quhair mony man come to his Senȝeoury.

All Lorne he gaif to Duncane that was wicht,

And bad him hald in Scotland with the richt.

And thow sall brouk this land in heritage,

Thy brothir sone in London has greit wage.

Ȝit will he cum he sall his landis haif,

I wald tyne nane that Veritie micht saif.

Mony trew Scot to Wallace couth persew,

At Ardcatane fra feill strenthis thay drew.

Ane guid Knicht come and with him men sexty,

He had bene oft in mony strang ieoperdy.

With Inglismen and sonȝeit nocht adeill,

Ay fra thair faith he fendit him full weill.

Keipit him fre thowcht King Edward had sworne,

Schir Iohne Ramsay that richteous was borne,

Of Ouchtirhous and vthir landis lord,

And Schirref als as my buke will record.

Of nobill blude and auld ancestrie,

Continewit weill with wourthy Cheualrie.

In to Stroonchane lang tyme he had bene,

At greit debait amang his enemyis kene.

Richt wichtly wan his leuing in to weir,

To him and his Suthroun did meikill deir.

Weill he eschewit and sufferit greit distres,

His sone was callit the flour of courtlynes

As witnessis weill in to this schort trety,

Efter the Bruce quha reidis that history,

He reullit weill baith in to weir and peis,

Alexander Ramsay to name he hecht but leis.

Quhen it was weir to armes he him kest,

[Page]Vnder the Croun he was ane of the best.

In tyme of peax to courtlynes he ȝeid,

Bot to gentrice he tuke nane vthir heid,

Quhat gentill man had nocht with Ramsay bene,

Of courtlynes thay comptit him not ane prene.

Fredome and trueth he had as men wald as,

Sen he began nane better Squyar was.

Roxburgh ald he wan richt manfully,

Syne held it lang quhill tratouris tresonabilly.

Causit his deith I dar nocht tell ȝow how,

Of sic thingis I will ga by as now.

I haue had blame to say the suthfastnes,

Thairfoir I will bot lichtly ryn that cais.

Bot it be thing that planely sclanderit is,

For sic I trow thay suld nocht demena mis.

Of Alexander as now I say na moir,

His fader come as I tald ȝow befoir.

Wallace of him richt full greit comfort hais,

For he weill couth do harmyng to his fais.

In weir he was richt mekill for to pryse,

Bosy and trew baith, sober, wicht and wyse.

Ane guid Prelat als to Ardchatane socht,

Of his Lordschip as than he broukit nocht.

This wourthy Clark cumin of the lynage,

Of Siuclare blude nocht fourtie ȝere of age.

Chosin he was be the Papis consent,

Of Dunkeld Lord was maid with guid entent.

Bot Inglismen that Scotland grippit haill,

Of benefice thay leit him brouk bot small.

Quhen he saw weill thairfoir he micht nocht mute,

To saif his lyfe thre ȝeris he dwelt in Bute.

Leiffit as he micht and keipit ay guid part,

Vnder saustie of Iames than Lord Stewart.

[Page]To gud Wallace quhilk Scotland wan with pane.

Restorit this Lord to his leuing againe,

And mony ma that lang had bene ourthrawin.

Wallace thame put richteously to thair awin.

The small oist als quhilk I spak of Air.

In to the hicht that Wallace leuit thair.

Come to the feild quhair Makfadȝeane had bene,

Tuke that was left baith weid and wapnis schene.

Throw Lorne syne past als gudly as thay can,

Of thair nomber thay had not loissit ane man.

On the fift day wan to Ardchatane,

Quhair Wallace baid with guid men mony ane.

He welcumit thame vpone ane gudly wyse,

And said thay war richt mekill for to pryse.

All trew Scottis he honorit in to weir.

Gaif that he wan, him self keipit na geir.

¶How Wallace wan Sanct Iohnston. Ca. iij.

QWhen Wallace wald na langar soiorne thair,

Fra Ardchatan out throw the land thay fair.

Towart Dunkeld with guid men of renoun.

His maist thocht than was of Sanct Iohnstoun.

He callit Ramsay, that guid Knycht of greit vaill.

Sadly auysit besocht him of counsaill

Of Sanct Iohnstoun now haue I rememberance

Thair haue I bene and loissit men throw chance.

Bot ay for ane we gart ten of thame de,

And ȝit me think that is na mendis to me.

I wald assay fra this land or we gang,

And lat thame wit thay occupie heir wrang.

Than Ramsay said that toun thay man not keip.

The wallis ar lawt suppois the dykis be deip.

[Page]Ȝe haue anew that sall thame cummer sa,

Fill vp the dyke that we may planely ga.

In haill ba [...]tell ane thousand ouir atanis,

Fra this power, thay sall nocht hald ȝone wanis.

Wallace was glaid that he sic comfort maid,

Furth talkand thus vnto Dunkeld thay raid.

Thre dayis thair thay ludgeit with plesance,

Quhill tyme thay had forsene thair ordinance.

Ramsay gart big strang Bastailȝeis of tre,

Be gude wrichtis the best in that cuntre.

Quhen yai war wrocht, betaucht yame mē to leid

The watter doun, quhill thay come neir yat steid.

Schir Iohne Ramsay richt gudely was yair gyde

Reullit thame weill, at his will for to byde.

The greit Oist than about the village past,

With eird and stane thay fillit dykis fast.

Flaikis thay laid on tymmer lang and wicht,

Ane roume passage to the wallis thay dicht.

Feill Bastailȝeis richt starkly vp thay rais,

Gude men of armes sone to assailȝe gais.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame, and Ramsay yat was wicht,

The Turat brig assegit in all yair micht.

And Wallace self at mid syde of the toun

With men of armes that was to bargane boun.

The Sutheroun men maid greit defence yat tyde

With Artailȝe that felloun was to byde.

With Tablaster, ganȝe, and stanis fast,

And hand gunnis richt brymlie out thay cast.

Funȝeit with speiris at men of armis kene,

The Nobill Scottis that worthy ay hes bene:

At hand straikis fra thay togidder met,

With Sutheroun blude thair wappinnis sone yai wet.

Ȝit Inglismen yat worthy war in weir,

[Page]Into the stour richt baldly can thame beir.

Bot all for nocht auaillit thame thair deid,

The Scottis throw force vpon yame in thay ȝeid

Ane thousand men ouir wallis ȝeid haistely,

Into the toun rais hiddeous noyis and cry.

Ramsay and Grahame the Turat ȝit hes wyn,

And enterit in, quhair greit stryfe did begyn.

Ane trew Squyar quhilk Rothuē hecht to name,

Come to ye assalt with gude Schir Iohn ye Grahame.

Threttie with him of men yat preuit weill

Amang thair fais with wappinnis stif of steill.

Quhen that the Scottis assemblit on ather syde,

Na Sutheroun was that micht thair dynt abyde

Twa thousand sone was fulȝeit vnder feit,

Of Sutheroun blude thay stikkit in the streit.

Schir Iohn Stewart saw weill the toun was tynt,

Tuik him to slicht, & wald na langer stynt.

In ane licht Barge, and with him men sextie,

The watter doun socht succour at Dundie.

Wallace baid still, quhill the feird day at morne,

Add left nane thair that was of Ingland borne.

Riches thay gat of gold and vther gude,

Pleneist the toun, agane with Scottis gude.

Ro [...]huen he left, thair Capitane to be,

In heritage gait him the office of fe.

Of all Stratherne and Schiref of the toun,

Syne in ye North gude Wallace maid him boun.

In Abirdene he gart ane counsall cry,

Trew Scottis men suld assembill haistely.

To Cowper he raid, to vesy that Abbay,

The Inglis Abbot was fled fra thyne away.

Bischop Sinklair without langar abaid,

Met thame at Glammis, syne furth with yame he raid.

[Page]Into Brichen thay ludgeit all that nicht,

Sone on the morne Wallace gart graith at richt,

Displayit on breid the Baner of Scotland,

In gude array, with Nobill men at hand.

Gart planely cry that sauit suld be nane,

Of Sutheroū blude, quhair yai micht be ouirtane

In plane battell throw out ye Meirnis thay ryde

The Inglismen that durst thame nocht abyde,

Befoir the Oist full feiritly thay fle,

To Dūnotter ane strenth within the se.

Na farther thay micht wyn out of the land,

Thay assemblit thair quhil yai war four thousand

To ye Kirk yai ran, yai thocht girth to haue tane,

The laif remanit vpon the Roch of stane.

The Bischop than began tretie to ma,

Thair lyfis to get, out of the land to ga.

Bot thay war rad, and durst nocht weill affy,

Wallace in fyre gart set all haistely.

Brynt vp the Kirk, and all that was thairin,

Attour the Roch the laif ran with greit dyn.

Sum hang on craigis richt duilfully to de,

Sum lap, sum fell, sum flotterit in the se.

Na Sutheroun on lyfe was leuit in that hald,

And thay within, thay brynt in powder cald.

Quhen this was done, thay fell on kneis doun,

At the Bishop askit absolutioun.

Than Wallace leuch, said I forgif ȝow all,

Ar ȝe weirmen that repentis for sa small.

Thay rewit vs nocht into the toun of Air,

Our trew Barrounis, quhen yat yai hangit yair,

To Abirdene than saifly can thay pas,

Quhair Inglismen besy flittand was.

Ane hundreth Schippis, yat Ruther buir and Air

[Page]To turs thair gudis in hauin was byd and thair.

Bot Wallace Oist come on thame suddandly,

Thair schaipit nane of all that greit nauy.

Bot feill seruandis in thame was leuit nane,

At ane Eb [...]sey the Scottis is on thame gane.

Tuik out the geir, syne set the Schippis in fyre

The men on land, thay brynt baith bane and lyre.

Ȝeid nane away bot Preistis, wyfis and barnis,

Maid thay debait, thay chaipit nocht but harmis.

Into Buchane Wallace maid him to ryde,

Quhair Lord Bewinout was ordanit to abyde.

Erll he was maid bot of schort tyme befoir,

He bruikit it nocht for all his busteous schoir.

Quhen he wist weill that Wallace cūmand was,

He left the land, and couth to Slanis pas.

And syne be Schip fled in Ingland agane,

Wallace raid throw the North land into plane.

At Cromarrie feill Inglismen thay slew,

The worthy Scottis vnto him couth persew.

Returnit agane, and come to Abirdene,

With his biyith Oist vpon the Lammes euin.

Stabillit the land as him thocht best suld be,

Syne with ane Oist he passit to Dundie.

¶How Wallace laid ane Seige to Dundie, and how he gait battel at the brig end of Striuiling to Kirkinghame yat was Thesaurar to Edward King, and to ye Erll or Warrane. Ca. iiij.

GArt set ane Seige about the Castell strang,

I leif him thair, and farther I will gang.

Schir Aymeir Wallāge haistir him full fast

Into Ingland with his haill houshald past.

[Page]Bothwell he left was Murray is heritage,

And tuik him than bot to King Edwardis wage.

Thus his awin land forsuik for euer mair,

Of Wallace deid greit tythingis tald he thair.

Als Inglismen sair murnit in thair mude,

That loissit heir baith lyfe landis and gude.

Edward as than couth nocht in Scotland fair,

Bot Kirkinghame that was his Thesaurair.

With him ane Lord, than Erll was of Warrane,

He chargit thame with numberis mony ane.

Richt weill besene in Scotland for to ryde,

At Striuiling still, he ordanit thame to byde:

Quhill he micht cum with ordinance of Ingland,

Scotland agane he thocht to tak on hand.

This Oist past furth, and had bot lytill dreid,

The Erll Patrik ressauit thame at Tweid.

Malice he had at gude Wallace befoir,

Lang tyme bypast, and than Incressit moir.

Bot throw ane cace it hapnit of his wyfe,

Dunbar fra him scho held into that stryfe.

Throw the supple of Wallace into plane,

Bot he be meane gat his Castell agane.

Lang tyme or than, and ȝit he couth nocht ceis,

Agane Wallace he preuit in mony preis.

With Inglismen suppleit thame at his micht,

Contrair Scotland yai wrocht full greit vnricht.

Thair musture than was awfull for to se,

Of fechtand men thousandis war sextie.

To Striuiling brig past or thay lykit to byde,

To Erll Malcolme ane Seige thay laid yat tyde

And thocht to keip the command of thair King,

Bot gude Wallace wrocht for ane vther thing.

Dundie he left, and maid ane gude Chiftane,

[Page]With twa thousand to keip that hous of stane.

Of North land men, and dwellaris of Dundie.

That samin nicht, to Sanct Iohnstoun went he.

Vpon the morne to Schiref mure he raid,

And thair ane quhyle in gude array he baid.

Schir Iohne ye grahame said we haif vndertane

With les power, sic thing that weill is gane.

Thā Wallace said, quhair sic things cūmis of neid

We suld thank God, that makis vs to speid.

Bot neir the brig my purpois is to be,

And wirk for thame sum subtill Ieopardie.

Ramsay answerit, the brig we may keip weill,

Of way about, the Sutheroun hes lytill feill.

Wallace send Iop the battell for to set,

The Tuisday nixt, to fecht withouttin let.

On Setterday vnto the brig thay raid,

Of gude plane buird, was weill & Ioyntly maid.

Gart wachis wait, that nane suld to thame pas,

Ane wricht he tuik, the subtillest that thair was:

And ordanit him to saw the buird in twa,

Be the myd trest, that nane micht ouir it ga.

On Charnall bandis naillit it full sone,

Syne fillit with clay, as na thing had bene done.

The tother end he ordanit for to be

How it suld stand vpon the Rollaris of tre.

Quhen ane war out, that the laif doun suld fall,

Him self vnder, he ordanit thair with all.

Bund on the trest, in ane Cradill to sit,

To lous the pyn quhen Wallace leit him wit.

Bot with ane horne quhen it was tyme to be,

In all the Oist na man suld blaw bot he.

The day approchit of the greit battall,

The Inglismen for power wald nocht faill.

[Page]Ay sex thay war, agane ane of Wallace,

Fyftie thousand maid thame to battell place.

The remanent baid at the Castell still,

Baith feild and hous thay thocht to tak at will.

The worthy Scottis vpon the tother syde,

The plane feild tuik, on fuit maid thame to byde.

Hew Kirkinghame the vangard than led he,

With twentie thousand of lyklie men to se.

Threttie thousand the Erll of Warrane had,

Bot he did than, as the wyse man him bad.

All the first Oist befoir him ouir was send,

Sum Scottis man that weill the maner kend:

Bad Wallace blaw, and said thay war anew,

He haistit nocht, bot sadly couth persew.

Quhill Warranis Oist, thick on the brig he saw,

Fra Iop the horne he hint and couth it blaw:

Sa asperly, and warnit gude Iohne wricht,

The Rollar out he straik with greit slicht.

The laif ȝeid doun quhen the pynnis out gais,

Ane hiddeous cry amang the pepill rais.

Baith hors and men into the watter fell,

The hardy Scottis that wald na langer dwell.

Set on the laif with straikis sad and sair,

Of thame thair ouir, as than souerit thay wair.

At the foir breist thay preuit hardely

Wallace and Grahame, Boyd, Ramsay, & Lundy.

All in the stour fechtand face to face,

The Sutheroun oft bak reirit in that place.

At the first straik fyue aiker braid and mair,

Wallace on fuit ane greit scharp speir he bair.

Amang the thickest of the preis he gais,

On Kirkinghame ane straik he cho [...]n bais.

In the birneis that polist was full [...]cht,

[Page]The prunȝeand heid the plaitis peirsit richt.

Throw the body stikkit him but reskew,

Der [...]ly to deith that Chiftane wes adew.

Baith man and hors at that straik he bair doun,

The Inglis Oist quhilk war in battel boun:

Comfort thay tynt quhen yair Chiftane was slane

And mony ane to fle began in plane.

Ȝit worthy men baid still into that steid,

Quhill ten thousand war brocht vnto the deid.

Than fled the laif, and micht na langer byde,

Succour thay socht in mony diuers syde

Sum eist, sum west, and sum fled to the North,

Seuin thousand large, atanis flotterit in Forth

Plungit in deip, drownit without mercie,

Nane left on lyfe of all that fell menȝe.

Of Wallace Oist na man was slane of vaill,

Bot Andro Murray into that strang battaill.

The South part yan yat saw yair men was tynt

Als feirsly fled as fyre dois fra the flynt.

The place thay left, Striuiling Castell and toun,

Towart Dunbar, in greit haist maid yame boun.

Quhē Wallace oist had wyn ye feild throw micht

Tuik vp the brig and lowsit gude Iohne wricht.

On the flearis syne followit wounder fast,

Erll Malcolme als out of the Castell past.

With Lennox men to stuf the chace gude speid,

Ay be the way thay gart feill Sutheroun bleid.

In the Torwod thay gart full mony de,

The Erll of Warrane that can full feirsly fle:

With Corspatrik that graithly was his gyde,

Vnchangit hors out throw the land thay ryde.

Straicht to Dunbar, bot few with thame yai leid

Mony war slane ouir sleuthfully that fled.

[Page]The Scottis hors had run wounder lang,

Mony gaif ouir, and micht na farther gang.

Wallace and Grahame euer togidder baid,

At Hadingtoun full greit slauchter thay maid.

Of Inglismen quhen thair hors tyrit had,

Quhen Rāsay come, gude Wallace was ful glaid.

With him was Boyd and Richard of Lundy,

Thre thousand haill was of gude Cheualry.

And Adam Wallace, als of Ricardtoun,

With Erll Malcolme yame fand at Hadingtoun.

The Scottis men on slauchter taryit was,

Quhill to Dunbar, the twa Chiftanis couth pas.

Full sytefull war for thair contrary cace,

Wallace followit quhill thay gat in that place.

Of thair best men, and Kirkinghame of Renoun,

Threttie thousand was deid but redemptioun.

Besyde Beltoun Wallace returnit agane,

To follow mair than was it bot in vane.

IN Hadingtoun ludgeing he maid all nicht,

Vpon the morne to Striuiling passit richt.

On ye Assumptioun day befell this cace,

Ay louit be our Lord of his gude grace.

Conuoyar oft, he was to gude Wallace,

And helpit him in mony sindrie place.

Wallace in haist sone efter this battaill,

Ane greit aith tuik of all the Barrounis haill.

That with gude will wald cum to his presence,

He hecht thame als to byde at thair defence.

Schir Iohne Menteith was yan of Arrane Lord

To Wallace come, and maid ane plane concord.

With witnes thair, with his aith he him band,

Lawtie to keip to Wallace and Scotland.

[Page]Quha wald nocht with fre will to richt apply,

Wallace be force, puneist thame rigorously.

Part put to deith, part set in presoun strang,

Greit word of him throw baith yir Realmes rang

Dundie thay gat, sone be ane schort tretie,

Bot for thair lyfis thay fled away be see.

Inglis Capitanis that hous had in hand,

Left Castellis fre, and stall out of the land.

Within ten dayis, efter this tyme was gane,

Inglis Capitanis in Scotland was leit nane.

Except Berwik and Rorburgh Castell wicht,

Ȝit Wallace thocht to bring thame to the richt

THat tyme thair was ane worthy trew B [...] roun

To name he hecht Cristal of Setoun.

In Iedburgh wod, for saiftie he had bene,

Agane Sutheroun full weill he couth contene.

Edward cout nocht, fra Scottis faith him get,

Thocht he him gaif ane mulȝeoū of gold weil met

Herbottill fled fra Iedburgh Castell wicht,

Towart Ingland, thair Setoun met him richt.

With fourtie men Cristall in bargane baid,

Agane seuin scoir, and mekill maistrie maid.

Slew that Capitane, and mony cruell man,

Full greit riches in that Iourney he wan.

Houshald and gold, as thay suld pas away,

The quhilk befoir thay keipit mony day.

Iedburgh he tuik, and Rothuen leuit he,

At Wallace will thair Capitane to be.

Bald Setoun syne to Louthiane maid repair,

In this storie ȝe may heir of him mair.

And into Bruce, quha lykis for to reid,

He was with him in mony cruell deid.

[Page]Gude Wallace than full sadly can deuyse,

To reull the land with worthy men and wyse.

Capitanis he maid, and Schireffis yat was gude

Part of his Kyn, and of trew vther blude.

His deir Cousing in Edinburgh ordanit he,

With trew Craufurd, that ay was full worthie.

Keipar of it, with Nobill men at wage,

In Manwell than he had gude heritage.

Scotland was fre, that lang in baill had bene,

Wallace it wan fra our fals enemeis kene.

Greit Gouernour in Scotland he couth ring,

Waitand ane tyme, to get his richteous King.

Fra Inglismen, that held him in bandoun,

Lang wrangously, fra his awin richteous Croun.

¶The aucht part of yis buik declairis how Wallace put Corspatrik out of Scotland.

Ca. j.

FYue monethis yus, scotlād stuid in gude rest

Ane coūsall cryit, yame thocht it was ye best.

In sanct Iohnstoun quhair it suld haldin be

Assemblit Clerk, Barruun, and Birges fre.

Bot Corspatrik wald nocht cum at thair call,

Baid in Dunbat, and maid scorne at thame all.

Thay spak of him, feill Lordis in yat Parliament

Than Wallace said, will ȝe heirto consent:

Forgif him fre, all thing that is bypast,

Sa he will cum, and grant he hes trespast.

Fra this tyme furth keip lawtie to our Croun,

Thay grant thairto, Clerk, Burges, and Barroū.

With haill consent thair wryting to him send,

Richt lawly thus, thay thame to him commend.

Besocht him san, as ane than of the land,

[Page]To cum and tak sum Gouernance on hand.

Lichtly he leuch, in scorne as it had bene,

And said he had sic Message seildin sene.

That Wallace now, as Gouernour sall Ring,

Heir is greit falt of ane gude Prince and King.

That King of Kyle I can nocht vnderstand,

Of him I held neuer ȝit ane fur of land.

That Bachiller trowis, for Fortoun schawis hir quheil

Thair with to lest it sall not lang be weil.

Bot to ȝow Lordis, and ȝe will vnderstand,

I mak ȝow wyse, I aucht to mak na band.

Als fre I am in this Regioun to Ring

Lord of myne awin, as euer was Prince or King.

In Ingland als greit part of land I haif,

Manrent thairof thair will na man me craif.

Quhat will ȝe mair, I warne ȝow I am fre,

For ȝour Summoundis ȝe get na mair of me.

To Sanct Iohnstoun this writ he send agane,

Befoir the Lordis was manifest in plane.

Quhen Wallace hard the Erll sic answer makis

Ane greit heit throw curage than he takis.

For he wist weill thair suld be bot ane King

Of this Regioun atanis for to Ring.

Ane King of Kyle, for that he callit Wallace,

Lordis he said, this is ane vncouth cace.

Be he sufferit, we haue war than it was,

Thus rais he vp, and maid him for to pas.

God hes vs toillit to do sa for the lait,

In lyfe or deith, in faith we sall him haif.

Or gar him grant quhome he haldis for his Lord,

Or ellis war schame, in stor [...]e to record.

I vow to God, with eis he sall nocht be,

Into this Realme, bot ane of vs sall de.

[Page]Les than be cum and knaw his richteous King

In this Regioun weill baith we sall nocht ring.

His lichtly scorne he sall repent full soir,

Bot power faill or I sall end thairfoir.

Sen in this eird is ordanit me na rest,

Now God be Iudge the richt he knawis best.

At that counsall langer he taryit nocht,

With twa hundreth fra sanct Iohnstoun he socht.

To the Counsall maid Instance or he ȝeid,

Thay suld contene, and of him haue na dreid.

I am bot ane, and for gude caus I ga,

Towart Kingorne the ganest way thay ta.

Vpon the morne ouer Forth south thay couth pas

On his veyage he haist it wounder fast

Robert Lawder at Mussilburgh met Wallace,

Fra Inglismen he keipit weill his place.

Couth nane him treit, Knicht, Squyar, nor Lord,

With King Edward for to be at concord.

On Erll Patrik to pas he was full glaid,

Sum said befoir the Bas he wald haue had.

Gude men come als, with Cristall of Setoun,

Than Wallace was four hundreth of Renoun

Ane Squyar Lyle that weill the cuntre knew,

With twentie men to Wallace couth persew.

Besyde Lyntoun, and to thame tald he than,

That Erll Patrik with mony Lyklie man:

At Cokburnis peth he had his gaddering maid,

And to Dunbar wald cum withouttin baid.

Than Lawder said it war the best think me,

Fa [...]er to pas in Dunbar or he be.

Wallace answerit we may at laiser ryde,

With ȝone power he thinkis bargane to byde.

And of ane thing, ȝe sall weill vnderstand,

[Page]Ane hardyer Lord is nocht into this land.

Micht he be maid, trew steidfast to ane King,

Be wit and force he can do mekill thing.

Bot wilfully he lykis to tyne him sell,

Thus raid thay furth, and wald na langer dwell.

Be eist Dunbar, quhair men thame tald on cace,

How Erll Patrik was warnit of Wallace.

Neir Innerwik cheisit ane feild at waill,

With nyne hundreth of lyklie men to waill.

Four hundreth was with Wallace in the richt,

And thay anone approchit to thair sicht.

Greit falt thair was of gude tretie betuene,

To mak concord, and that full sone was sene.

Without reheirs of actioun in that tyde,

On ather part togidder fast thay ryde.

The stour was strang, and wounder perrillous,

Contenit lang with deidis Cheualrous.

Mony thair deit of cruell Scottis blude,

Of this tretie the mater is nocht gude.

Thairfoir I ceis to tell the distructioun,

Pietie it was, and all of ane Natioun.

Bot Erll Patrik the feild left at the last,

Richt few with him to Cokburnis peth yair past.

Aggreuit sair that his men thus was tynt,

Wallace returnit, and wald na langer stynt.

Towart Dunbar, quhair suithfast men him tald,

Na purueyance was left into that hald.

Nor man of fence, all had bene with thair Lord,

Quhen Wallace hard the sicker trew record:

Dunbar he tuik all haill at his bandoun,

Gaif it to keip to Cristall of Setoun.

Quhilk stuffit it weill, with men and gude vittaill

Vpon the morne, Wallace that wald nocht faill

[Page]With thre hundreth to Cokburnis peth he socht,

Erll Patrik Ischit, for byde him wald he nocht.

Sone to the Park Wallace ane range hes set,

To Bonkill wod Corspatrik fled but let.

And out of it, to Norhame passit he,

Quhen Wallace saw it micht na better be:

To Caldstreme raid, and ludgeit him on Tweid,

Erll Patrik than in all haist can him speid:

And passit by or Wallace power rais,

Without resting in Ettrik Forest gais.

Wallace followit, bot he wald nocht assaill,

Ane range to mak, as than it micht nocht vaill.

Quir few he had, the strenth was thick and strang

Twelf myle on breid, and thairto twyis als lang.

Into Cokholme Erll Patrik baid at rest,

For mair power Wallace past in the west.

Erll Patrik than him graithit haistelie,

In Ingland past, to get him thair supple.

Out throw the land richt eirnistly cout pas,

To Anthonie Beik, that Lord of Durame was.

Wallace him put out of Glasgow befoir,

And slew Perse, thair malice was the moir.

The Bischop Beik gart sone greit power ryse,

Northumbirland, vpon ane awfull wyse.

Thay ordanit Bruce in Scotland for to pas,

To wyn his awin, bot euill dissauit he was.

Thay gart him trow that wallace was Rebell,

And thocht to tak the Kinrik on him sell.

For fals thay war, and euer ȝit hes bene,

Lawtie and treuth was euer in Wallace sene.

To fend ye richt was all be tuik on hand,

And thocht to bring, the Bruce fre to his land.

Of this mater as now I tary nocht,

[Page]With strang power Sutheroun togidder socht.

Fra Oyis watter assemblit haill to Tweid,

The land Oist was threttie thousand in deid.

Of Themis mouth send Schippis be the see,

To keip Dunbar that nane suld thame supple.

Erll Patrik past with twentie thousand but let,

Befoir Dunbar ane stalwart Seige he set.

The Bishop Beik, and Robert Bruce baid still,

With ten thousand, in Norame at thair will.

Wallace be this, that fast was lauborand

In Louthiane come with gude meu fyue thousād

Richt weill besene into thair armour bricht,

Thocht to reskew the Setoun bald and wicht.

Vnder Ȝester that first nicht ludgeit he,

Hay come to him with ane gude Cheualrie,

In Doun Forest all that tyme he had bene,

He had the cūming of the Sutheroun sene.

Fyftie he had of wise men into weir,

Thay tald Wallace of Patrikis greit affeir.

Hay said forsuith, and ȝe micht him ouirset,

Power agane richt sone he may nocht get.

My counsall is, that we gif him battall,

He thankit him of comfort and counsall.

And said freind Hay in this caus that I wend,

Sa that we wyn I rek nocht for to end.

Richt suith it is that anis we mon de,

Into the richt quha suld in terrour be?

Erll Patrik thair ane Messinger gart pas,

Tald Anthonie Beik that Wallace cūmand was.

Of this tythingis the Bischop was full glaid,

Ane mendis of him full fane he wald haue had.

But mair prolong throw Laumyr mure yai raid,

Neir the Spot mure in buschment still he baid.

[Page]Quhair Erll Patrik than ordanit for to be,

Wallace of Beik, vnwarnit than was he.

Ȝit he befoir was nocht haistie in deid,

Bot than he put baith him and his in dreid.

Vpon swyft hors scurriouris raid betuene,

The cūming than of Erll Patrik hes sene.

The hous he left, and to the mure is gane,

Ane plane feild thair, with his Oist hes he tane.

Gude Setoun syne, Ischit with few menȝe,

Part of his men into Dunbar left he.

To Wallace raid was on the richteous syde,

In gude array, to the Spot mure thay ryde.

Sum Scottis dred, the Erll sa mony was,

Twentie thousand agane sa few to pas.

Bot Iop persauit, he bad Wallace suld byde,

Tyne nocht ȝour men, bot to sum strenth ȝe ryde.

And I sall pas to get ȝow power mair,

Thir ar ouir gude, thus lichtly for to wair.

Than Wallace said, in treuth I will nocht fle,

For four of his, ay ane quhill I may be.

We ar ouir neir, sic purpois for to tak,

Ane dangerous chace thay micht vpon vs mak.

Heir is twentie, with this power to day,

Wald him assay, suppois I war away.

Mony thay ar, for Goddis saik be we strang,

Ȝone Sutheroun folk, in stour wil not byde lāg.

☞ (✚) ☜

¶How Corspatrik brocht in Scotland Bischop Beik and Robert the Bruce, and how Wallace gaif thame battell, and put thame out of Scotland. Ca. ij.

[Page]THe bryme battell braithly on ather syde,

Greit reird yair rais ouir all quhair yat yai ryde.

The sair sēblie, quhē yai togidder met

Feill straikis thair thay sadly on vther set.

Prunȝeand speiris throw plaitis peirsit fast,

Mony of hors doun to the ground thay cast.

Sadillis thay teym of hors but maisteris thair,

Of the south syde fyue thousand doun thay bair.

Gude Wallace Oist the formest cūmerit sa,

Quhill yat the laif was in will away to ga.

Erll Patrik baid, sa cruell of Intent,

All haill his Oist tuik of him hardiment.

Aganis Wallace in mony stour was he,

Wallace knew weill that his men wald nocht fle.

For na power that leuand was on lyfe,

Quhill thay in heill micht be ay ane for fyfe.

In that greit stryfe mony was handillit hair,

The feill dyntis, the cruell hard debait.

The feirs stryking maid mony ane greuous woūd

Vpon the eird the blude maid to abound.

All Wallace Oist into ane compas baid,

Quhair sa thay turnit full greit slauchter yai maid

Wallace and Grahame, Ramsay full worthy,

The bald Setoun, and Richard of Lundy.

And Adam Wallace, als of Ricardtoun,

Baith Hay and Lyle, with gude men of Renoun.

Boyd, Barklay, Baird, & Lawder yat was wicht

Feill Inglismen, dersly to deith thay dicht.

Bot Erll Patrik full feirsly faucht agane,

Throw his awin hand mony he put to pane.

Our men on him thrang ford wart into thra.

Maid throw his Oist feill sloppis to and fra.

The Inglismen began planely to fle,

[Page]Than Bischop Beik full suddandly thay se.

And Robert Bruce, contrair his natiue men,

Wallace was wa, fra tyme he couth him ken.

Of Brucis deidis he was aggreuit mair,

Than all the laif, that day that semblit thair.

The greit buschment atanis brak on breid,

Ten thousand haill that douchtie war in deid.

The flearis than with Erll Patrik releuit,

Thay faucht agane quhair mony war mischeuit.

Quhen Wallace saw, the buschment brokin was,

Out of the feild, on hors thay thocht to pas.

Bot he saw weill his Oist sound in thair weid,

He thocht to fray the formest or he ȝeid.

The new cūmin Oist about thame semblit yair,

On ather syde, with straikis sad and sair.

The worthy Scottis sa feirsly faucht agane,

Of Anthonis men mony haue thay slane.

Bot that tyran sa vsit was in weir,

On Wallace Oist thay did full mekill deir.

And the bald Bruce sa cruelly wrocht he,

Throw strenth of hand feill Scottis he gart de.

To resist Bruce, Wallace he preissit fast,

Bot Inglismen sa thick betuix thame past:

And Erll Patrik in all the haist he mocht,

Throw out the stour to Wallace sone he socht.

On the Pesane ane felloun straik him gaif,

Keruit the plait, with his scharp groundit glaif.

Throw all the stuf, and woundit him sum deill,

Bot Wallace thocht he suld be vengit weill.

Followit on him, and ane straik ettillit fast,

Bot ane Maitland reklesly betuix thame past.

Vpon ye heid gude Wallace hes him tane,

Throw heid and braune in sunder straik the bane.

[Page]Deid to the ground at that straik he him draif,

Thus Wallace was disseuerit fra the laif.

Of his gude men, amang thame him allane,

About him socht feill enemeis mony ane.

Stikkit his hors, to ground behuisit him licht,

To fend himself als wyselie as he micht.

The worthy Scottis, that micht na langer byde,

With sair hartis out of the feild thay ryde.

With thame in feir, thay weind Wallace had bene

On fuit he was, amang his enemeis kene.

Gude roume he maid about him into breid,

With his gude sword that helpit him in neid.

Was nane sa strang, that gat of him ane straik,

Efter agane maid neuer ane Scot to wraik.

Erll Patrik than that had greit craft in weir,

With speiris ordanit, gude Wallace doun to beir.

Anew thay tuik, was haill into the feild,

To him thay ȝeid, thocht he suld haue na beild.

On ather syde fast prunȝeand at his geir,

He hewit of heidis, and wyselie couth him weir.

The worthy Scottis of this full lytill wist,

Socht to gude Grahame, quhē yai yair Chiftane mist.

Lawder & Lyle, & Hay yat was ful wicht,

And bald Ramsay, quhilk was ane worthy knicht

Lundy and Boyd, and Cristall of Setoun,

With fyue hundreth that war in bargane boun.

Him to reskew full ruidly in thay raid,

About Wallace ane large roume thay maid.

The Bischop Beik was braithly borne to eird,

At that reskew thair was ane felloun reird.

Or he gat vp, feill Sutheroun thay slew,

Out of the preis, Wallace thay can reskew.

Sone horsit him, vpon ane Cuirser wicht,

[Page]Towart ane strenth, rydis in all thair micht.

Richt wyselie fled, reskewand mony man,

The Erll Patrik to stuf the chace began.

On the slearis, thair lytill harme thay wrocht,

Gude Wallace folk away togidder socht.

Thir fyue hundreth, ye quhilk I spak of air,

Sa awfully abandounit thame and sair.

Na followar durst, out fra his fellow ga,

The gude flearis sic turning in thay ma.

Four thousand haill had tane the strenth befoir,

Of Wallace Oist, his comfort was the moir.

Of Glastaden that Forest thocht to hald,

Erll Patrik turnit, thocht he was neuer sa bald:

Agane to Beik, quhen chaipit was Wallace,

Curssand Fortoun of his mischancefull cace.

The feild he wan, and seuin thousand was loist,

Deid on that day for all the Bischoppis boist.

Of Wallace men, fyue hundreth slane I ges.

Bot na Chiftane, his murning was the les

Neir euin it was, bot Beik wald nocht abyde,

In Laumyr mute thay turnit in that tyde.

Thair ludgeingtuik, quhair he thocht maist auaill

For weill he trowit, the Scottis wald assaill:

Vpon the feild quhair thay gaif battell last,

The cuntrie men to Wallace gadderit fast.

Of Edinburgh with Craufurd that was wicht,

Four hundreth come into thair armour bricht.

To Wallace raid, be his ludgeing was tane,

Of Teuidaill come gude men mony ane.

Out of Iedburgh with Rothuen at that tyde,

Togidder socht, fra mony diuers syde.

Schir Williame yan, yat Lord was of Dowglas

With him four scoir, that nicht come to Wallace.

[Page]Twentie hundreth of new men met that nicht,

Vpon yair fais, to venge thame at thair micht.

At the first feild thir gude men had nocht bene,

Wallace wachis thair aduersaris hes sene.

Into quhat wyse thay had thair ludgeing maid,

Wallace bownit, efter Supper but baid.

In Laumyr mute thay passit haistely,

Sone to array ȝeid this gude Cheualry.

Wallace thame maid in twa partis to be,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame, & Setoun ordanit he,

Lawder and Hay, with thre thousand to ryde,

Him self the laif, tuik wyselie for to gyde.

With him Lundy, baith Ramsay and Dowglace,

Barklay and Boyd, and gude Adam Wallace.

Be this the day approchit wounder neir,

And bricht Titan, in presence can appeir.

The Scottis Oist sone semblit into sicht,

Of thair enemeis thay war nocht reddy dicht.

Out of array feill of the Sutheroun was,

Richt awfully Wallace can on thame pas.

At this entre the Scottis sa weill thame bair,

Feill of thair fais to deith was brytinuit thair.

Redles thay rais, and mony fled away,

Sum on the ground was smoirit quhair yai lay.

Greit noyis and cry was raisit thame amang,

Gude Grahame come in, yat stalwart was & strāg

Fra Wallace men war weill togidder met,

On the South part sa awfully thay set.

Incontrair thame thay frayit folk micht not stād

Atanis thair fled, of Sutheroun ten thousand.

The worthy Scottis wrocht vpon sic ane wyse,

Iop said him self yat yai war mekill to pryse.

Ȝit Bischop Beik that felloun tyran strang,

[Page]Baid in the stour, richt awfully and lang.

Ane Knicht Skeltoun, that cruell was and kene,

Befoir him stuid, into his armour schene.

To fend his Lord, full worthely he wrocht,

Lundy him saw, and sadly to him socht.

With his gude sword, ane akwart straik him gaif

Throw Pesane stuf, his craig in sunder draif.

Quhair of the laif war stoneist in that steid,

The bald Skeltoun of Lundyis hand was deid.

Than fled thay all, and micht na langer byde,

Patrik and Beik away with Bruce can ryde.

Fyue thousand held into ane slop away,

To Norhame hous in all the haist thay may.

Our men followit, that worthy war and wicht,

Mony flear derfly to deith thay dicht.

Thir thre Lordis to the Castell thay socht,

Full feill thay loissit, that was of Ingland brocht.

At this Iourney twentie thousand thay tynt,

Drownit and slane, with speir and swordis dynt.

The Scottis at Tweid, than haistit thame sa fast

Feill Sutheroun men to wrang fuirdis thay past.

Wallace returnit, in Norhame quhen yai wair,

For worthy Bruce his hart was wounder sair.

He had leuer haue had him at his large,

Fre till our Crown, than of fyne gold to charge.

Mair yan in Troy was quhen ye Greikis it wan.

Wallace passit, with mony awfull man.

Ouir Patrikis land, and waistit wounder fast,

Tuik out greit gudis, and placis doun can cast.

His steidis twelf that Met hamys was cald,

Wallace gart brek thay buirly biggingis balo.

Baith in the Mers and als in Louthiane,

Except Dunbar standand he leuit nane.

[Page]To Edinburgh than vpon the aucht day,

Vpon the morne Wallace without delay:

To Perth he past, quhair ane Counsall was set,

To the Barrounis he schewit withouttin let.

How his greit vow richt weil eschewit was,

To ane maister he gart Erll Patrik pas.

Becaus he said, of Scotland he held nocht,

To King Edward, to get supple he socht.

The Lords was blyith, and welcūmit weill Wallace

Thankand greit God of his fair happy cace.

Wallace tuik stait to Gouerne all Scotland,

The barnage haill maid him ane oppin band.

Than delt he land to gude men him about,

For Scotlandis richt had set yair lyfis in dout.

Stanetoun he gaif to Lawder in his wage,

The Knicht Wallange aucht it in heritage.

Than Birgem cruik he gaif Lyle yat was wicht

To Skrymgeour als, full gude rewaird he dicht.

Syne Wallace toun and vther landis yair till,

To worthy men he delt with Nobill will.

To his awin kyn, heritage nane gaif he,

Bot office haill that euerilk man micht se.

For couetise, thair couth na man him blame,

He baid rewaird, quhill the King suld cum hame.

Of all he did, he thocht to byde the Law,

Befoir his King, maister quhen he him saw.

Scotland was blyith, in dolour had bene lang,

In ilk ane part to gude laubour thay gang.

¶How Wallace past in Ingland, and remanit yair thre quarteris of ane ȝeir, and come hame agane but battell. Ca. iij.

[Page]BE this the tyme of October was past,

Nouember neir approchit wounder fast.

Tythingis thair come, King Edward greuit was

With his power in Scotlād thocht to pas.

For Erll Patrik had geuin him sic counsall,

Wallace gat wit, and semblit power haill.

Fourtie thousand on Roslyng mure thair met,

Lordis he said, this is King Edwardis set.

In contrair richt to seik vs in our land,

I hecht to God, and to ȝow be my hand.

I sall him meit for all his greit barnage,

Within Ingland to fend our heritage.

His fals desyre sall on him self be sene,

He sall vs find incontrair of his ene.

Sen he with wrang hes riddin this Regioun,

We sall pas now incontrair of his Crown.

I will nocht bid greit Lordis with vs fair,

For myne Intent I will planely declair.

Our purpois is, outher to wyn or de,

Quha ȝeildis him sall neuer ransonit be.

The Barrounis than, him answerit worthely,

And said thay wald pas with thair Cheualry.

Him self and Iop prouydit that menȝe,

Twentie thousand of waillit men tuik he.

Harnes and hors, he gart amang thame waill,

Wappinnis anew, that micht for thame awaill.

Graithit thir men, that cruell war and kene,

Better in weir, in warld couth nocht be sene.

He bad the laif on laubour for to byde,

In gude array fra Rossing mure thay ryde.

At yair muster gude Wallace couth thame as,

Quhat mysteris ma in ane power to pas?

All of ane will, as I trow set ar we,

[Page]In plane battell can nocht discomfeist be.

Our Realme is pure, waistit with Sutheroun blude

Go wyn on yame gold or vther gude.

The Oist Inclynit all with humbill will,

And said thay suld his bidding than fulfill.

The Erll Malcolme, with Ireland men is gane,

Bot name of reull on him he wald tak nane.

Wallace him knew, ane Lord yat was worthy,

At his counsall he wrocht full steidfastly.

Starker he was, gif thay had battell sene,

For he befoir had in gude Iournayis bene.

Ane man of strenth, that hes gude wit with all,

Ane haill Regioun may comfort at his call.

As manly Hector wrocht into his weir,

Aganis ane hundreth comptit was his speir.

Bot that was nocht throw his strenth anerly,

Sic reull he led of Nobill Cheualry.

Thir exemplis war worthy for to ken,

Hector I leif, and speik furth of our men.

The Knicht Campbell maid him to that veyage,

Of Lochow cheif, that was his heritage.

The gude Ramsay furth to that Iourney went,

Schir Iohne the Grahame, fordwart in his Intent.

Wallace Cousing, Adam full worthy was,

And Robert Boyd, furth blyithly can yai pas.

Baith Auchinlek, and Richard of Lundy,

Lawder and Hay, and Setoun full worthy.

THis Royall Oist but resting furth thay raid,

To Brokis feild, & yair ane quhyle yai baid.

Thā Wallace tuik, with him fourty but leis,

To Roxburgh ȝet raid sone or he wald ceis.

Sutheroun meruellit, gif it suld be Wallace,

[Page]Without assouerance, come to persew that place.

Of Schir Rauf Gray sone presence couth he as,

And warnit him thus, farther or he wald pas.

Our purpois is in Ingland for to ryde,

Na tyme we haif of Seissing now to byde.

Tak tent and heir of our cūming agane,

Gif ouir this hous, send me the keyis in plane.

Thus I command befoir thir witnes large,

Gif thow will nocht, remane with all the charge.

Bot this be done, throw force and I tak the,

Out ouir this wall, thow sall be hangit hie.

With that he turnit, and to his Oist can wend,

This ilk command, to Berwik sone he send.

With gude Ramsay, yat was ane worthy Knicht,

The Oist but mair, full awfully he dicht

Began at Tweid, and spairit nocht thay fand,

Bot brynt be force, all haill Northumberland.

All Durame toun thay brynt vp in ane gleid,

Abbayis thay spairit, & Kirkis quhair yat yai ȝeid.

To Ȝork thay raid, but baid or thay wald blyn,

To byrne and slay, of thame he thocht na syn.

Na sin thay thocht, the samin to lat vs feill,

Bot Williame Wallace quit our querrell weill.

Forthis thay wan, and small Castellis kest doun.

With asper wappinnis payit thair ransoun.

Of presoneris thay lykit nocht to keip,

Quhome yai ouir tuik, thay maid thair freindis to weip.

Na sutheroūsauit, for all yair greit riches,

All sic trustrie he callit bot wretchitnes.

Vnto the ȝettis, and Subuerbis of the toun,

Braithly yai brynt, and brak yair biggingis doun.

At the wallis assailȝeit fyftene dayis,

Quhil King Edward scud to yame in this wayis.

[Page]Ane Knicht, ane Clerk, and ane Squyar of peis,

And prayit him fair of byrning for to ceis.

And hecht battell or fyftene dayis war past,

Souerance sa lang gif him lykit he ast.

And als he speirit, quhy Wallace tuik on hand

The felloun stryfe in defence of Scotland?

And said he meruellit, in his wit for thy,

Aganis Ingland, was of sa greit party.

Sen ȝe haue maid mekill of Scotland fre,

It war gude tyme for to lat malice be.

Wallace hes hard the message say thair will,

With manly voce richt thus he said thame [...]il.

Ȝe may knaw weill, that richt aneuch we haif,

Of his Souerance I keip nocht for to craif.

Becaus I am ane natiue Scottis man,

It is my det to do all that I can.

To fend our Kingrik out of dangering,

To his desyre we will grant in sum thing.

Our Oist sall ceis, for chance that may betyde,

Thir fyftene dayis, bargane for to abyde.

And sall do nocht, les than it mufe in ȝow,

In his respite my self couth neuer trow:

King Edwardis writ, vnder his Seill yai gaif,

Be fourtie dayis that thay suld battelll hait.

Wallace than gaif, this credence to thair King,

Thair leif thay tuik, syne passit but resting.

And tald him haill how Wallace leit thame feill,

Of yair Souerance he keipit nocht adeill.

Sic reullit men, sa awfull in effeir,

Ar nocht Cristinit, as he leidis in weir.

The King answerit, and said it suld be kend,

It cūmis of wit, enemeis to commend.

Thay ar to dreid, richt greitly in certane,

[Page]Sadly thay think of harmis that thay haue tane.

Leif I thame thus, at counsall with thair King,

And of the Scottis agane to speik sum thing.

VAllace tranoyntit vpon the secund day,

Fra Ȝork yai past, richt in ane gude array.

North west yai went, in battell buskit boun

Thair ludgeing tuik besyde Northallartoun.

And cryit his peax, thair mercatis for to stand,

Thay fourtie dayis, for pepill of Ingland.

Quha that lykit, ony vittall to sell,

Of all thair schoir war mekill for to tell.

Schir Rauf Rymont Capitane of Miltoun was,

With greit power be nicht ordanit to pas

On Wallace Oist, to mak sum Ieopardie,

Feill Scottis men, that dwelt in that countrie

Wist of this thing, and gadderit to Wallace,

Thay maid him wyse of all this felloun cace.

Gude Lundy than, to him he callit thair,

And Hew ye Hay of Lochorquhart was Air.

With thre thousand, yat worthely had wrocht,

Syne priuatly on fra the Oist thay socht.

The men he tuik, that come to him of new,

Gydis to be, for thay the cuntrie knew.

The Oist he maid in gude quyet to be,

Ane space fra thame he buskit priuatlie.

Schir Rauf Rymōt, with seuin thousand come in

On Wallace Oist, ane Ieopardie to begin.

The buschment brak, or thay the Oist come neir,

On Sutheroun men, ye worthy Scottis cā s [...]eir.

Thre thousand hail war braithly brocht to groūd,

Iourney thay socht, and sickerly hes found.

Schir Rauf Rymont was stikkit on ane speir,

[Page]Thre thousand slane that worthy war in weir.

The Sutheroun wist quhen thair Chiftane was slane

To Miltoun fast yai fled in all thair mane.

Wallace followit with his gude Cheualry,

Amang Sutheroun thay enterit suddanly.

Scottis and Inglis, into the toun atanis,

Sutheroun men schot, & braithly kest doun stanis

Of thair awin men richt feill thair haue yai slane,

The Scottis about, that war of mekill mane.

Vp Greissis ran, and seisit all the toun,

Derfly to deith, the Sutheroun dang thay doun.

Wallace thair hes fundin full greit riches,

Iowellis and gold, wappinnis, and harnes.

Spulȝeit the toun of wyne and of vittaill,

To his Oist send, with cariage of greit waill.

Thre dayis still within the toun he baid,

Syne brak doun werk, that worthely was maid.

Wyfis and barnis thay put out of the toun,

Na man he sauit that was of that Natioun.

Quhen Scottis had tane, and tursit thair desyre,

Wallis thay brak, and set the laif in fyre.

The tymmer werk thay brynt vp all in plane,

On the feird day to his Oist raid agane.

Gart cast ane dyke, that micht sum strenthing be,

To keip the Oist fra suddand Ieopardie.

Than Inglismen was richt greitly agast,

Fra North and South, vnto thair King yai past.

At Punfrayt lay, and held ane Parliament,

To gif battell the Lordis couth nocht consent.

Bot Wallace war, of Scotland crownit King,

Thair counsall fand, it was ane perrillous thing.

For thocht thay wan, thay wan bot as thay wair.

And gif thay tynt, loist Ingland euer mair.

[Page]In cace it war put in the Scottis hand,

And this decreit thair wit amang thame fand.

Gif Wallace wald vpon him tak the Crown,

To gif battaill thay suld be reddy boun.

The samin message to him thay send agane,

And thair Intent thay tald to him in plane.

Wallace thame chargit, fra his presence absent,

His Counsall callit, and schew thame his Intent.

He and his men desyrit battell to haif,

Be ony wyse, of Ingland ouir the laif.

Him self said first, that war ane ouir hie thing,

Aganis my faith, to reif my richteous King.

I am his man, borne natiue of Scotland,

To weir the Crown, I will nocht tak on hand.

To send the Realme, it is my det be skill,

Lat God abone reward me as he will.

Sum bad Wallace vpon him tak the Crown,

Wyse men said nay, it war derisicun.

To Crown him King but voce of Parliament,

For thay wist nocht gif Scotland wald consent.

Vther sone said, it was the wrangous place,

Thus demit thay of mony diuers cace.

The Knicht Campbell of wit ane worthy man,

As I said air, with thame was present than.

Hard and answerit, quhen mony said thair will,

This war the best wald Wallace grant thair till.

To Crown him King Solempnitly for ane day,

To get ane end of all our lang delay.

The gude Erll Malcolme, said yat Wallace micht

As for ane day, in fence of Scotlandis richt.

Thocht he refuissit it lestandly to beir,

Ressaue the Crown, as into feir of weir.

The pepill all, to him gaif thair consent,

[Page]Malcolme of ald was Lord of Parliament.

Ȝit Wallace thoillit, and leit thame say yair will

Quhen thay had demit be mony diuers skill:

In his awin mynd he abhorrit with this thing,

The cōmounis cryit mak Wallace crownit King.

Than semblit he, and said it suld nocht be,

At termis schort, ȝe get na mair of me.

Vnder cullour our answer we man mak,

Bot sic ane thing I will nocht on me tak.

I will ȝow suffer, to say that it is swa,

It war ane scorne the Crown on me to ta.

Thay wald nocht lat, the message of Ingland

Cum thame amang, or thay suld vnderstand.

Twa Knichtis past to the message agane,

Maid yame to trow wallace was crownt in plane

Gart yame traist weil, yat yis was suithfast thing

Deliuerit thus, thay passit to the King.

To Punfret went, and tald that thay had sene,

Wallace Crownit, quhairof yai Lordis war tene.

In barrat wox, in Parliament quhair thay stude,

Than said thay all, thir tythingis ar nocht gude.

He did sa weill in thir tymes befoir,

And now thair King, he will do mekill moir

Ane fortunate man, na thing gais him agane,

And we gif battell, we sall repent with pane.

Ane vther said, and battell will he haue,

Or stroy our land, na tresour may vs saue.

In his conquest, sen first he couth begyn,

He sellis nocht, bot takis that he may wyn.

For Inglismen he settis na dome bot deid,

Price nor pennyis may mak vs na remeid.

Ane Wodstok sayis, ȝe wirk nocht as the wyse,

Gif that ȝe tak the anter of suppryse.

[Page]For thocht we wyn all that ar in Ingland,

The laif ar stark aganis vs for to stand.

Be Wallace saif, vther thay compt bot small,

For thy me think, it war the best of all.

To keip our strenthis of Castellis & wallit toun,

Sa we sall fend the folk of this Regioun.

Thocht North be brynt, better of souerance to be,

Than set all Ingland on ane Ieopardie.

Thay grantit all as Wodstok can thame say,

And thus thay put the battell to delay.

And kest thame haill for vther gouernance,

Aganis Wallace to wirk sum ordinance.

Thus Wallace hes in plane discomfeist haill,

Aganis King Edward all his haill battall.

For throw falset and his subtilitie,

Thay thocht he suld for greit necessitie:

And falt of fude, to steill out of the land,

Than this decreit thair wit amang thame fand.

Thay gart the King cry all thair mercat doun,

Fra Trent to Tweid, throuchfair and fre toun.

That in thay boundis na man suld vittall leid,

Sic stuf or wyne, vnder the pane of deid.

This same decreit thay gaif in Parliament,

Of Scottis furth to speik is myne Intent.

Wallace lay still, quhill fourtie dayis war gane,

Abydand thame, bot apperance saw he nane.

Battell to haue as thair promeis was maid,

He gart display agane his baner braid.

Repreuit Edward, richt greitly of this thing,

Bauchillit his Seill, blew out on this fals King.

As recryand, turnit bak and ȝeid his gait,

Than Wallace maid full mony biggingis hait.

Thay raissit fyre, brynt vp Northallartoun,

[Page]Agane throw Ȝork schyre baldly maid yame bost.

Distroyit the land, als far as euer thay ryde,

Seuin myle about, thay brynt on ather syde.

And wrocht ye Sutheroū mony werkād wound,

Palicis spilt, greit Towris can confound.

Wedowis weipit, with sorrow in thair sang,

Madynnis murnit, with greit mening amang.

Thay spairit nocht, bot wemen and the Kirk,

The worthy Scottis of laubour wald nocht Irk.

Gaif to Abbayis richt largely of thair gude,

To all Kirk men thay did na thing bot gude.

The temporall land thay spuilȝeit at thair will,

Gude Gardingis gay, and greit Orchartis yai spil

To Ȝork thay went, thir weirmen of Renoun,

Ane Seige thay set richt sadly to the Toun.

For greit defence thay garneist thame within,

Ane felloun salt without thay can begin.

¶The Seige of Ȝork. Ca. iiij.

DEuydit the Oist in four partis about,

With wachis fell, that na man suld Isch out

Abone the toun vpon the south part syde,

Thair Wallace wald, and gude Lundy abyde.

Erll Malcolme syne at the west ȝet abaid,

With him ye Boyd yat gude Iourneyis had maid

The Knicht Campbell, of Lochow yat was Lord,

At the North ȝet, and Ramsay maid thame ford.

Schir Iohn ye grahame yat worthy was in weir

Auchinlek, Craufurd, with full manly effeir.

At the eist port baldly thay boun to byde,

Ane thousand archearis vpon the Scottis syde.

D [...]le [...]erit thame amang the four party,

[Page]Fyue thousand bowmen in the toun for thy.

Within the wallis arrayit thame full richt,

Twelf thousand ma, that semelie was to sicht.

Than said Wallace, and ȝone war on ane plane,

In feild to fecht, me think we suld be fane.

Than sailȝeit thay, richt fast on euerie syde,

The worthy Scottis, that baldly durst abyde.

With speir and scheild, for gunnis bad ya nane,

Within the dykis yai gart feill Sutheroun grane.

Arrowis thay schot, richt feirs as ony fyre,

Out ouir the wallis, that flawmit in greit Ire.

Throw birneis bricht with heidis of fyne steill,

The Sutheroun blude, of freindschip nane yai feil

Our schynand harnes schot the blude sa schene,

The Inglismen that cruell war and kene.

Keipit thair toun, and fendit thame full fast,

Faggaldis of fyre amang the Oist thay cast.

With pik and tar of feill Sowis thay lent,

Mony war hurt or thay fra the wallis went.

Stanis of Springhaldis thay cast out sa fast,

And gaddis of Irne maid mony grome agast.

Bot neuertheles the Scottis yat war without,

The toun full oft, thay set into greit dout.

Thair Bulwerk brynt, richt brymly of the toun,

Thair Barmkin wan, & greit garrettis kest doun.

Thus sailȝeit thay, on ilk syde with greit micht,

The day was gane, and cūmin was the nicht.

The wery Oist, than drew thame fra the toun,

Set out wachis, for resting maid thame boun.

Wisch woundis with wyne, of yame yat was vnsoūd

For nane was deid, of greit mirth yai aboūd

Feill men war hurt, bot na murning thay maid,

Confermit the Seige, and steidfastly thay baid.

[Page]Quhen that the Sone on morrow rais vp bricht,

Befoir the Chiftanis assemblit thay full richt.

And said amendis of the toun thay suld tak,

For all the fence yat the Suther [...]un micht mak.

Arrayit agane, as thay began befoir,

About the toun thay sailȝe wounder soir.

With felloun schot out ouir the wallis full schene,

Feill Inglismen that cruell war and kene.

With schot war slane, for all thair targis strang,

Bristit helmys, mony to ground thay dang.

Brym byrnand fyre thay kest to euerie ȝet,

The entres thus in perrell oft thay set.

The defendaris war of full greit defence.

Keipit thair toun, throw strenth and violence.

All thus the day thay draif vnto the nicht,

To Pauillounis bownit mony wery wicht.

All Irk of weir, the toun was strang to win,

Of artailȝe and Nobill men within.

Quhen that yai trowit ye Scottis war all at rest,

For Ieopardy the Inglismen thame kest.

Schir Iohne Mortoun, was knawin worthy & wicht

Schir william Leis graithit yame ye nicht

With fyue thousand, weill garnist and sauage,

Vpon the Scottis, thay thocht to mak skirmage.

And at the ȝet Ischit out haistely,

On Erll Malcolme, and his gude Cheualry.

To chak the wache Wallace and ten hes bene,

Rydand about, and hes thair cūming sene.

He gart ane blaw was in his cumpany,

The reddy men arrayit thame haistely.

Feill of the Scottis Ilk nicht in harnes baid,

Be ordinance, for thay sic reull had maid.

With schort auyse togidder ar thay went,

[Page]Vpon yair fais, quhair feil Sutheroū war schent

Wallace knew weill, the Erll to haistie was,

For thy he sped him in the preis to pas.

Ane sword of weir into his hand he bair,

The first he hit, the craig in sunder schair.

Ane vther akwart on the face tuik he,

Baith neis and front, in the feild gart he fle.

The hardy Erll befoir his men our past,

Into the preis, quhair feill war fechtand fast.

Ane scheirand sword, he bair drawin in hand,

The first was tey, that he befoir him fand.

Quhen Wallace and he was togidder set,

Thair lest it nane agane thame that thay met.

Bot outher deid, or ellis fled thame fray,

Be this the Oist all in ane gude array:

With the greit scry, assemblit thame about,

Than stuid the Sutheroun in ane felloun dout.

Wallace knew weill the Inglismen wald sle,

For thy he preissit in the thickest to be.

Hewand full fast on quhat Seigis he socht,

Aganis his dynt, fyne steill auaillit nocht.

Wallace of hand, sen Arthur had na maik,

Quhome he richt hit, was ay deid at ane [...].

That was weill knawin in mony places [...],

Quhome Wallace hit, yai detrit ye scottis na [...].

Als all his men, did cruelly and weill,

That come to straikꝭ, yat micht ye Sutheroū [...].

The Inglismen fled▪ and leit the feild p [...]anely▪

The worthy Scottis wrocht thair sa hardely.

Schir Iohne Mortoun in yat place he was deed▪

And twelf hundreth, but ony mair remeid.

Thir mony was left in the feild and slane,

The laif returnit in to the toun agan [...].

[Page]And rewit full sair, that euer yai furth couth foūd,

Amang yame was full mony ane werkād wound

The Oist agane ilk ane to thair waird raid,

Commandit wache, and na mair noyis maid.

Bot restit still quhill that the bricht day dew,

Agane began, the toun to sailȝe new.

All thus thay wrocht with full greit worthynes,

Assailȝeit sair, be wit and hardynes.

The Oistis vittall worth skant and failȝeit fast,

Thus lay thay thair, quhil diuers dayis war past.

The land waistit, and meit was nane to win,

Bot that wist nocht the folk that was within.

Thay dred full sair for thair awin vernysoun,

For Souerance prayit the power of the toun.

To speik with Wallace thay desyrit fast,

And he appeirit, and speirit quhat thay ast.

The Mair answerit, said we wald pay ransoun,

To pas ȝour way, and deir na mair our toun.

Greit schame it war that we suld ȝoldin be,

And tounis haldin of les power than we.

Ȝe may nocht wyn, vs lang thocht yat ȝe byde,

We sall gif gold, and ȝe will fra vs ryde.

We may gif battell, durst we for our King,

Sen he hes left, it war ouir hie ane thing.

To vs to do, without his ordinance,

This toun of him we hald in gouernance.

Wallace answerit, of ȝour gold rek we nocht,

It is for battell that we hidder socht.

We had leuer haue battell of Ingland,

Than all the gold that gude King Arthur fand.

On Mont Michell, quhen he the Giant slew,

Gold may be gane, bot worschip is ay new.

The King promeist, that we suld battell haif,

[Page]His writ thairto vnder his Seill thay gaif.

Letter or band, ȝe se may nocht auaill,

Vs for this tyme he thocht to gif battall.

Me think we suld on his men wrokin be,

Vpon our kyn, mony greit wrang wrocht he.

His deuill lyke deid he wrocht into Scotland,

The Maif said Schir, richt thus we vnderstand.

We haue na charge quhat our King garris vs do,

Bot in this kynd we sall be bound ȝow to.

Sum part of gold to gif ȝow with gude will,

And nocht efter to wait ȝow with nane Ill.

Be na kin meane the power of this toun,

Bot gif our King mak him to battell boun.

Into the Oist, was mony worthy man,

With Wallace ma, nor rekkin now I can.

Better it was, for at his will thay wrocht,

Thocht he was best, ȝit vther lak we nocht.

All sernit thank, to Scotland euer mair,

For manheid wit, the quhilk thay schewit thair.

The haill counsall thus demit thame amang,

The toun to Seige, thay thocht it was to lang.

And nocht ane way to wyn it with na slicht,

The counsall fand, it was the best thay micht.

Sum gold to tak, sen that thay get na mair,

Syne furth away into thair veyage fair.

Than Wallace said, my self will nocht consent,

Bot gif this toun mak vs this plane content:

Tak our baner, and set it on the wall,

For our power thair Realme hes riddin all.

Ȝoldin to be, quhen we think thame to tak,

In Ingland lang residence and we mak.

This answer sone, thay send vnto the Mair,

And thay consentit, the remanent that was thair▪

[Page]The baner tu [...]k vp, and set it on the toun,

To Scotland was, hie honour and Renoun.

Thai baner thair, fra viij. houris vnto none,

Thair finance maid, deliuerit gold full sone.

Fyue thousand pundis, all gude gold of Ingland

The Oist ressauit, with vittall aboundand.

Baith breid and wyne, richt glaidly furth yai gaif

And vther stuf, that thay lykit to haif.

Twentie dayis out, the Oist remanit thair

Bot want of vittall gart thame fra it fair.

Ȝit still in peax, the Oist ludgeit all yat nicht,

Quhill on the morne, the Sone was ryssin bricht.

In till Apryll amang the Schawis schene,

Quhen that the ground was cled in tender grene.

Plesand it war to ony Creature,

In lustie lyfe this tyme for to Indure.

The gude wemen, had fredome largely,

Bot fude was skant, thay micht get nane to by.

Tursit Tentis, and in the cuntrie raid,

On Inglismen full greit heirschip thay maid.

[...]ry [...]t and brak doun, biggingis spair thay nocht

R [...]cht worthy Wallace, law to groūd yame brocht

All Mydiame land thay brint vp in ane fyre,

Brak Parkis doun, distroyit all the Schyre.

Wyld Deit thay slew, for vther beistis was nane,

Thie weirmen tuik of vennysoun gude wane.

Towart the south, thay turnit at the last,

Maid biggingis bair, als far as euer thay past.

The commounis all, to Londoun ar thay went,

Be [...]oir the King, and tald him thair Intent.

And said thay wald, bot he gart Wallace ceis,

For [...]aik thair faith, and tak thame to his peis.

[...] Herald thair, than durst to Wallace pas,

[Page]Quhairof the King greitly aggreuit was.

Thus Edward left his pepill into baill,

Contrair Wallace he wald nocht gif battall.

Nor byde in feild, for nocht that thay can say,

Gaif ouir the caus, to Londoun past his way.

At men of wit, this questioun heir I as,

Amang Nobillis gif euer ony was.

Sa lang in Ingland throw force or throw cace,

Sen Brutus deit, but vittall bot Wallace.

Greit Iulius, the Empyre had in hand,

Twyis on force was put out of Ingland.

Wicht Arthur als, first of weir quhen he preuit,

Als twyis yai faucht, suppois thay war mischeuit.

Awfull Edward durst nocht wicht Wallace byde

In ane plane battell, for all Ingland sa wyde.

In Londoun lay, and tuik him to his rest,

And brak his vow▪ quhilk hald ȝe for the best?

D [...]me as ȝe list gude men of discretioun,

Richt clair it is to resolue this questioun.

To my sentence now breifly will I pas,

Quhan Wallace yus throw Ȝork schyre iournād was.

Vittall as than, was nane left in the land,

Bot in housis, quhait it micht be warrand.

The Oist heirof, abaissit was to byde,

Fra fude skantit, na plesance was that tyde.

Sum bad turne hame, & sum wald farther maie,

Wallace callit Iop, and said to him richt thair.

Thow knawis the land, quhair maist aboundāce is

Be thow our gyde, and ya [...] we sall nocht mis.

Vittall to find, that I wait wounder weill,

Thow hes I traist of Ingland mekill feill.

The King and his, to s [...]ar [...] stren [...] his ar gane,

Bot Ieopardie now perrell haue we nane.

[Page]Than Iop said Schir, be ȝe gydit be me,

The plentiest part of Ingland ȝe sall se.

Of wyne and quheit, thair is in Rochmōt Schyre

And vther stuf of fude as ȝe desyre.

Quhair of I trow, ȝe salbe weill content,

The Oist was glaid, and hidderwart thay went.

Mony trew Scot was semblit in that land,

To Wallace come, weill ma than nyne thousand.

Of presone part sum had in laubour wrocht,

Fra ather part full fast to him thay socht.

Wallace was blyith of our awin natiue kin,

That come to him of baill that thay war in.

And all the Oist of comfort was blyithar,

Fra thair awin folk was multipliand mair.

In Rochemont Schyre thay fand aboundance,

Of breid and aill, with vther purueyance.

Brak Parkis doun, and slew beistis mony ane,

Of wyld and tame, forsuith thay spairit nane.

Throw out the land thay past in gude array,

Ane semely place sa fand thay in thair way.

Quhilk Ramiswauch hecht as Iop him self tald

Fehew was Lord, and Capitane in that hald.

Fyue hundreth men war semblit in that place,

To saif thame self and thair gude fra Wallace.

Ane Royall steid fast by ane Forest syde,

With Turatis fair, and garratis of greit pryde.

Beildit about, richt lyklie to be wicht,

With fyue greit Towris weill biggit to the hicht.

Feill men about, on wallis buskit bene,

In gude armour, that burnist was full schene.

The Oist past by, and vesyit bot that place,

Ȝit thay within on loud defyit Wallace.

And Trumpetis blew, with mony weirlyke soun,

[Page]Than Wallace said, had we ȝone gallandis doun

On the plane ground, thay wald mair sober be,

Than Iop said Schir, ȝe gart his brother de.

In Herald weid, ȝe wait on Tynto hill,

Wallace answerit, sa wald I with gude will.

Had I him self, bot we may nocht him deir,

Gude men man thoill, of harlottis scorne in weir.

Schir Iohn ye grahame wald at ane bikker bene

Bot Wallace sone the perrell hes foirsene.

Commandit him to lat his feirsnes be,

We haue na men to waist in sic degre.

Wald we thame harme, I knaw ane vther gait,

How we with fyre, within sall mak thame hait.

For fyre hes bene ay felloun into weir,

On sic ane place it may do lytill deir.

Thair bulwark auld, I se of widderit aik,

War it in fyre, thay micht nocht stand ane straik.

Housis and wod, heir is aneuch plentie,

Quha hewis best of this Forest lat se.

Pull housis doun, we sall nocht wane adeill,

The auld tymmer, will gar the grene byrn weill.

At his command full besely thay wrocht,

Greit wod in haist about the place thay brocht.

The Bulwerk wan, thir men of armes bricht,

To the Barmkin, laid tymmer vp on hicht.

Than bowmen schot, to keip thame fra the cast,

Bot thay about had festinit fyris fast.

Wemen and barnis, on Wallace loud thay cry,

On kneis thay fell, and askit him mercy.

At ane quarter quhair fyre had nocht ouirtane,

Thay tuik thame out fra that Castell of stane.

Syne bet the fyre with brandis brym and bald,

The reid low rais full hie abone that hald

[Page]Barrellis of pik, sor fence was hungin thair,

All straik in fyre, thair mischeif was the mair.

Quhen the bryme fyre atoui [...] the place was past,

Than thay within, micht nouther schuit nor cast.

Als bestiall of nolt and hors within.

Amang the fyre thay maid ane hiddeous din.

The armit men in harnes was sa hait,

Sum doun to ground, duschit but mair debait.

Sum lay sum fell, into the felloun tyre,

Smo [...]rit to deith, and brynt vp bane and lyre.

The fyre brak in at all oppinis about,

Nane baid on loft, sa felloun was the dout.

Fehew him self lap rudely fra the hicht,

Throw all the fyre, can ouir the Barmkin licht▪

Wi [...]h ane gude sword, Wallace straik of his heid,

Iop hint it vp, and turssit it fra that steid.

Fyue hundreth men, that was into that place,

Gat nane away, bot deit withouttin grace.

Wallace baid still, with his power that nicht,

Vpon the morne the fyre had failȝeit micht.

Befoir the ȝet, quhair it was brynt on breid,

Ane rod thay maid and to the Castell ȝeid.

Straik doun the ȝet, & tuik that thay micht win,

Iowellis and gold, greit riches was thairin.

Spuilȝeit the place, and le [...]t nocht ellis thair,

Bot beistis, brynt, bodyis and wallis bair.

Than tuik thay hir that was wyfe to Fehew,

Gaif hir command, as scho was woman trew.

To turs that heid to Londoun to King Edwart,

Scho it ressauit, with greit sorrow in hart.

Wallace him self, thir chargis to hir gai [...],

Say to ȝour King, bot git I battell [...]ai [...]:

At Londoun ȝettis we fall assailȝe sair,

[Page]In this moneth we think for to be thair.

Traist in ye treuth will God we sall nocht faill,

Bot I desist throw charge of our counsall.

The south west part of Ingland we sall se,

Bot he seik peax, or ellis bergane with me.

Vpon ane tyme he chargit me on this wise▪

Richt busteously to mak to him seruice.

Sic sall he haue, as he vs caus hes maid,

Than mouit thay, withouttin mair abaid.

Deliuerit scho was fra this Cheualry,

Towart Londoun scho dicht hir ernistly.

Vnto the toun but mair proces scho went,

Quhair Edward lay sair mouit in his Intent.

His Neuoyis heid, quhen he saw it was brocht,

Sa greit sorrow sadly vpon him socht.

With greit vneis, vpon his feit he stude,

Weipand in wo, for his deir tender blude.

The Counsall rais, and prayit him to ceis,

We lois Ingland, bot gif we purches peis.

Than Wodstok said, this is my best counsall,

Tak peice ane tyme as for our a win auaill.

Or we tyne mair, we slaik of our curage,

Efter ȝe may get help be ȝour barnage.

The King grantit, and bad yame message send,

Na man was thair, that durst to Wallace wend.

The Quene appeirit, and saw this greit distance,

Weill borne scho was of the richt blude of France

Scho trowit weill, yairfoir to speid the eirair,

Hir self purpoissit in that Message to fair.

Als scho forthocht that the King tuik on hand,

Agane the richt, sa oft to reif Scotland.

And [...]eill men said, the vengeance hapnit sair,

Of greit murther, his men maid into Air.

[Page]Thus demit thay the counsall thame amang,

To this effect, the Quene bownit to gang.

Quhen scho hes sene ilk man forsaik this thing,

On kneis scho fell, and askit at the King.

Souerane scho said, gif it ȝour willis be,

That I desyre ȝone Chiftane for to se.

For he is knawin, baith hardy, wyse, and trew,

Perchance he wald erar on wemen rew.

Than on ȝour men, thay haue done him sic dei [...],

Quhen he thame seis, it mui [...]is him ay to weir.

It may nocht skaith, suppois I do na vaill,

To help this land, I wald mak my trauaill.

The Lordis all, of hir desyre was fane

Vnto the King maid Instance into plane:

That scho micht pas [...] the King with akwart will,

Half into Ire he gaif consent thair till.

Sum of thame said, the Quene luifit Wallace,

For the greit voce of his hie Nobilnes.

Ane hardy man, that is lyklie with all,

Greit fauour will of Fortoun to him fall.

Anent wemen, is sene in mony place,

Sa happinnit, in this tyme of Wallace.

In his rysing, he was ane luifar trew,

And cheissit ane, bot Inglismen hir slew.

Ȝit said thay nocht, the Quene wald on hir tak,

As for his lufe sic trauell for to mak.

Now lufe or leif, or for help of thair land,

I mak reheirs, as I in Scripture land.

Scho graithit hir, vpon ane gudly wyse,

With gold and geir, and folk at hir deuyse.

Ladyis with hir▪ nane vther wald thay send,

And auld Preistis, that weill the cuntrie kend.

Leif I the Quene to message reddy dicht,

[Page]And speik farther of Wallace trauell richt.

THe worthy Scottꝭ amāg yair enemeis raid,

Distructioun greit, vpō yame haif yai maid.

Waistit the land, about on ather syde,

Na weirman than, durst in thair wayis abyde.

Thay Ransonit nane, bot to the deith thame dicht

In mony steid maid fyris braid and bricht.

The Oist was blyith, and in ane gude estait,

Na power was, that wald mak thame debait.

Greit riches wan, of gold and gude thair till,

Leuing aneuch to tak at thair awin will.

In awfull feir thay trauell throw the land,

Maid biggingis bair, yat thay befoir thame fand.

Greit Barmkinnis brak, of steidis stark & strang,

Thir wicht weirmen of trauell thocht nocht lang.

South in the land richt ernistly thay socht,

To Sanct Albanis, bot harme yair did yai nocht.

The Pryour send, i hame wyne and vennysou [...],

Refreschit the Oist with fude in greit fusioun.

The nicht appeirit, quhen thay war at that place,

Thay herbi yit than, fra thyne ane lytill space.

Cheissit ane s [...]eid, quhair thay suld byde all nicht,

Ten [...]s on ground and Pauillioūis proudly picht.

Into ane vaill▪ besyde ane Riuer fair,

On ather syde quhair wylde beistis maid repair.

Set wachis out, that wyselie couth thame keip,

To Supper went, and tymously couth sleip.

Of meit and drink, thay ceis with sufficiance,

The nicht was schort, ouir draif▪ the dirkful chāce.

¶How the Quene of Ingland come and spak with Wallace. Ca. v.

[Page]THe mery day sprang fra the Orient,

With bemis bricht, Illuminit ye Occident.

Efter Tytan Phebus vprysit fair,

Heich in the Spheir the Signis maid declair.

Zephirus began his michtie morrow cours,

The sweit vapour did fra the ground resours.

The donk dew doun fra the heuin did vaill,

In euerie meid, baith Firth, Forest, and daill.

The fresche Reuer amang the Rochis rang,

Throw grene branchis, quhair byrdis biythly sāg.

With Ioyous voce, in heuinly harmony,

Than Wallace thocht it was na tyme to ly.

He blissit him, syne suddandly vp he rais,

To tak the air, out of his Tent he gais.

Maister Iohne Blair was reddy haistelie,

To Goddis seruice bownit richt reuerentlie.

Quhen that was done Wallace couth him array,

In his armour, quhilk was baith gude and gay.

His schynand scheild, yat burneist was full bene,

His leg harnes, that claspit was full clene.

Pulanis greis, he claspit on full fast,

Ane clois birny, with mony sicker cast.

Breist plait Braissaris, yat worthy war in weir,

Besyde him furth, Iop couth his Basnet beir.

His glitterand gluiffis grauin on ather syde.

He semit weill in battell for to byde.

Ane gude girdill, and syne ane buirly brand,

Ane staf of steill he grippit in his hand.

The Oist him blissit, and prayit God of his grace,

Him to conuoy fra all mistemperit cace

Adam Wallace, and Boyd furth with him ȝeid,

Endlang ane Riuer out throw ane flureist meid.

And as thay walk atouir the feildis grene,

[Page]Out of the South, yai saw quhair yat ye Quene.

Towart the Oist come rydand soberly,

Fyftie Ladyis war in hir cumpany.

Waillit of wit, and demit of Renoun,

Sum wedowis war, and sum of Religioun.

And seuin Preistis, that enterit war in age,

Wallace to sic did neuer greit outrage.

Bot gif to him yai maid ane greit offence,

Thus thay approchit on towart thair presence.

At the Pauilloun quhair thay the Lyoun saw,

To ground thay licht, and syne on kneis yai faw.

Prayand for peice, thay cry with pieteous cheir,

Erll Malcolme said, our Chiftane is nocht heir.

He bad hir ryse, and said it is nocht richt,

Ane Quene on kneis, to ony lawer wicht.

Vp be the hand, the gude Erll hes hir tane,

Atouir the bent, to Wallace ar thay gane.

Quhen scho him saw, scho wald haue kneillit doū

In armes sone he claucht yis Quene with Croun.

And Kissit hir withouttin wordis moir,

Sa did he neuer to na Sutheroun befoir.

Madame he said, richt welcum mot ȝe be,

How pleissit ȝow, our Oisting for to se?

Richt weill scho said, of freindschip we haue neid,

God grant ȝe wald, of our necessair to speid.

Suffer we mon, suppois it lyke vs Ill,

Bot traistis weill it is contrair our will.

Ȝe sall remane with this Lord I man gang,

Fra ȝour presence we sall nocht tary lang.

The Erll and he, vnto the Pauilloun ȝeid,

With gude auyse to deme mair of this deid,

The counsall sone, Wallace gart call thame to,

Lordis he said, wait ȝe quhat is ado.

[Page]Of thair cūming my self hes na plesance,

And thairfoir man we wirk with ordinance.

Wemen may be contempning into weir,

Amang fuillis, that can nocht thame forbeir.

I say nocht this, be thir, nor be the Quene,

I trow it be bot gude that scho will mene.

Exempill tak, of lang tyme passit by,

At Runsy vaill, the tressoun was planely.

Be wemen maid, yat Ganzelone with him brocht,

And Turky wyne, forbeir than couth thay nocht.

Lang vse in weir, gart thame desyre thair will,

Quhilk brocht King Charlis to felloun lois & Ill.

The flour of France, without redemptioun,

Throw that foull deid, was brocht to confusioun.

Command ȝour men, thairfoir in priuat wyse,

On pane of lyfe thay wirk nocht on sic gyse.

Nane speik with yame bot wyse men of greit vaill

That Lordis ar, and sworne to this counsall.

His charge thay did, als gudly as thay mocht,

This ordinance throw all the Oist was wrocht.

He and the Erll baith to the Quene thay went,

Ressauit hir fair, and brocht hir to ane Tent.

To Denner bownit, als gudly as thay can,

And seruit was with mony lyklie man.

Gude purueyance the Quene had with hir brocht.

Ane assay scho tuik of all that gude hir thocht.

Wallace persauit, and said we haue na dreid,

I can nocht trow Ladyis will do that deid.

To poysoun men for all Ingland to wyn,

The Quene answerit, gif poysoun be thairin:

Of ony thing quhilk is brocht heir with me,

Vpon my self, first sorrow ȝe sall se.

Sone efter meit ane Marschell gart all absent,

[Page]Bot Lordis and thay, that to the counsall went.

Ladyis appeirit in presence with the Quene,

Wallace askit quhat hir cūming micht mene,

For peice scho said, that we haue to ȝow socht,

This byrnand weir in baill hes mony brocht.

Ȝe grant vs peice for him that deit on tre,

Wallace answerit, Madame that may nocht be.

Ingland hes done sa greit harmis to vs,

We may nocht pas, and lichtly leif it thus.

Ȝes said the Quene, for cristin folk we ar,

For Goddis saik sen we desyre na mair.

We aucht haue peice, he said that we deny,

The perfite caus, that sall I schew for quhy.

Ȝe seik na peice bot for ȝour awin auaill,

Quhen yat ȝour King had Scotland grippit haill

For na kin thing that he befoir him fand,

He wald nocht thoill the richt blude in our land.

Bot reft thair rent, syne put thame self to deid,

Ransoun of gold micht mak vs na remeid.

His fell fals weir sall on him self be sene,

Than soberly to him answerit the Quene.

Of thir wrangis amendis war maist fair,

Madame he said, of him we ask na mair.

Bot that he wald byde vs into battall,

And God be Iudge, he kennis the mater haill.

Sic thing scho said, it war nocht gude think me,

Peice now war best, and it micht purchest be.

Wald ȝe grant peice, and trewis with vs tak,

Throw all Ingland we suld gar prayeris mak:

For ȝow and yame, yat in the weir war loist,

Than Wallace said, quhair sic cūmis throw boist:

Prayer of force, quhair sa that it be wrocht,

To vs helpis, outher lytill or nocht.

[Page]Warly scho said, thus wyse men hes vs kend,

Ay efter weir, peice is the finall end.

Quhairfoir ȝe suld of ȝour greit malice ceis,

The end of weir is cheritie and peis.

Peice is in heuin, with blis and lestandnes,

We sall beseik the Lord of his hie grace:

To command peice, sen we may do na mair,

Madame he said, or ȝour prayer cum thair:

Mendis of Ingland we think yan for to haue,

Quhat set ȝow thus, on weir sa God ȝow saue.

Fra violent weir, that ȝe think nocht to dwell,

Madame he said, the treuth I sall ȝow tell.

Efter the dait of Alexanderis Ring,

Our land thre ȝeir stuid desolat but King.

Keipit full weill at concord in gude stait,

Throw twa yat clamit thair hapnit greit debait.

Sa ernistfully accord thame nocht thay can,

Ȝour King thay askit for to be thair ouir man.

Slely he slaid in strenthis of Scotland,

The Kingrik syne he tuik at his awin hand.

He maid ane King aganis our richteous Law,

For he of him suld haue the Regioun aw.

Contrair this band, war all the haill barnage,

For Scotland ȝit, was neuer in thirlage.

Greit Iulius, that tribute tuik of all,

His wynning was, in Scotland bot richt small.

Than ȝour fals King, vnder collour but mair,

Throw band he maid, to Bruce that is our Air.

Vndid that King quhilk he befoir had maid,

Throw all Scotland, with greit power yai raid.

To Bruce sen syne he keipit na cunnand,

He said he wald nocht gang and conqueis land:

To vther men, and thus the cace befell,

[Page]Than Scotland throw he demanit him sell.

Slew our Eldaris, greit pietie was to se,

In presoun syne, lang tyme thay presonit me.

Quhill I was than, cassin out for deid,

Thankit be God he send me sum remeid.

Vengit to be, I preuit all my micht,

Feill of that Kin, to deith syne haue I dicht.

The rage of ȝouth gart me desyre ane wyfe,

That rewit I sair, and will do all my lyfe.

Ane Tratour Knicht but mercy gart hir de,

Ane Hessilrig, bot for despyte of me.

Than rang I furth in trauell weir and pane,

Quhill we redemit part of our land agane.

Than ȝour counsall desyrit of vs ane trew,

Quhilk maid Scotland full graithly for to rew.

Into that peice thay set ane subtill Air,

Than xviij. scoir to deith thay hangit thair.

That Nobillis war, and worthy of Renoun,

Of coit armouris, eldest in that Regioun.

That deith wethink to venge in all our micht,

The woman als, that duilfully was dicht.

Out of my mynd that deith will neuer slyde,

Quhill God me tak fra this fals warld sa wyde.

On Sutheroun sen, I can na pietie haif,

Ȝour men in weir I neuer think to saif.

The bricht teiris was pietie to behald,

Brist fra his ene quhen he his taill had tald.

The Quene weipit for pietie of Wallace,

Allace scho said, wa worth the wickit cace.

In waryit tyme that Hessilrig was borne,

Mony worthy throw his deith ar forlorne.

He suld haue pane that saikles sic ane sleu [...]h,

Ingland sen syne hes bocht it deir aneuch

[Page]Thocht scho had bene ane Quene or ane Princes,

Madame he said, als God gif me gude grace:

Princes or Quene, of quhat stait sa thay be,

Into hir tyme scho was als deir to me.

Wallace scho said, of this talk we will ceis,

The mendis heirof is gude prayer and peis.

I grant he said, of me as now na mair,

This is richt nocht bot eiking of our cair.

The Quene fand weill langage na thing hir bet,

Scho trowit with gold; that he micht be ouirset.

Thre thousand pund of fynest gold sa reid,

Scho gart be brocht to Wallace in that steid.

Madame he said, na sic tribute we craif,

Ane vther mendis we wald of Ingland haif.

Or we returne [...]ra this Regioun agane,

Of ȝour fals b [...]ude that hes our Eldaris slane.

For all the gold, and riches in ȝour Ring,

Ȝe get na peice but desyre of ȝour King.

Quhen scho saw weill gold micht hir nocht releif,

Sum part in sport scho thocht him for to preif.

Wallace scho said, ȝe war clepit my lufe,

Mair aboundantly I maid me for to prufe.

Traisting thairfoir ȝour rancour for to slaik,

Me think ȝe suld do sum thing for my saik.

Richt wyselie he, maid answer to the Quene,

Madame he said, and veritie war sene:

That ȝe me luifit, I aucht ȝow lufe agane,

Thir wordis all ar nathing bot in vane.

In speiche of lufe, subtill ȝe Sutheroun ar,

Ȝe can vs mok, suppois we get na mair.

To tak ane lyking, and syne get na plesance,

Sic lufe as that is nathing to auance.

In Londoun scho said, for ȝow I sufferit blame,

[Page]Our counsall als will lauch quhen I cum hame.

Sa may thay say wemen ar feirs of thocht,

To seik freindschip, and syne can get richt nocht.

Madame we wait how ȝe war hidder send,

Ȝe trow we haue bot lytill for to spend.

First with ȝour gold, for ȝe ar riche I wis,

Ȝe wald vs blind, sen Scottis ar sa nys.

Syne plesand wordis of ȝow, and Ladyis fair,

As quha suld dryfe the byrdis to ane snair.

With ane quhissill pype, for it will freschest call,

Madame as ȝit, ȝe may nocht tempt vs all.

Greit part of gude is left amang our kyn,

In Ingland als we find aneuch to wyn.

Abaissit scho was, to mak answer him till,

Deir Schir scho said, sen that it is ȝour will:

Weir or peice, quhat that ȝow lykis best,

Lat ȝour hie wit, and gude counsall degest.

Madame he said, now sall ȝe vnderstand,

The ressoun quhy that I will mak na band.

With ȝow Ladyis, I can na trewis bynd,

For ȝour fals King wald sone heirefter fynd:

Quhen he saw tyme to brek it at his will,

And planely say he grantit nocht thair till.

Than had we nane bot Ladyis to reprufe,

That sall he nocht, be God that sittis abufe.

Vpon wemen I will na weir begin,

On ȝow in feild, na worschip is to win.

All the haill pais on him self he sall tak,

Of peice or weir, quhat we happin to mak.

The Quene grantit his answer sufficient,

Sa did the laif, in plane that was present.

His deliuerance thay held of greit auaill,

And stark aneuch, to schaw to thair counsall.

[Page]Wa was the Quene, hir trauell helpit nocht,

The gold scho tuik, that yai had with hir brocht:

Into the Oist richt frely scho it gaif,

To euerie man that lykit for to haif.

Menstrallis, and Heraldis, scho gaif aboundantle

Beseikand thame, hir freind that thay wald be.

Quhen Wallace saw the fredome of the Quene,

Sadly he said, the suith weill hes bene sene.

Wemen may tempt the wysest hes bene wrocht,

Ȝour greit gentrice, it sall not be for nocht.

We ȝow assure our Oist sall do na thing,

Quhill tyme ȝe may send Message fra ȝour King.

Gif it be swa, that he accord and we,

Than for ȝour saik it sall the better be.

Ȝour Heraldis als, sall saifly cum and ga,

For ȝour fredome, we sall trubill na ma.

Scho thankit him, of his grant mony syse,

And all the Ladyis vpon ane gudly wyse.

Glaidly thay drink, the Quene and gude Wallace,

Hir Ladyis als, and Lordis in that place.

Hir leif scho tuik, for outtin langer baid,

Fyue myle that nicht south to ane Nonry raid.

Vpon the morne to Londoun passit thay,

In Westmynster, quhair that the counsall lay.

Wallace answer scho gart schaw to the King,

It neidis nocht heir, now mair reheirs this thing.

The greit commend that scho to Wallace gaif,

Befoir the King in presence of the laif.

To trew Scottis, it suld greitly appleis,

Thocht Inglismen thairof had lytill eis.

O [...] worschip, wit, manheid and gouernance,

Of fredome, treuth, key of remembrance.

Scho callit him thair, into thair hie presence,

[Page]Thocht contrair thame, he stude at his defence.

Sa Chiftane lyke, scho sayis as he is sene,

Into Ingland I trow hes neuer bene.

Wald ȝe of gold gif him this Realmis rent,

Fra honour he, will nocht turne his Intent.

Assouerit ȝe ar, quhill ȝe may message mak,

Of wyse Lordis sum part I reid ȝow tak.

To purches peice withouttin wordis mair,

For all Ingland may rew his raid full sair.

Ȝour Heraldis als, to pas to him hes leif,

In all his Oist thair sall na man thame greif.

Than thankit thay the Quene for hir trauell,

The King and Lordis that war of his counsell.

Of hir answer the King appleissit was,

Than thre greit Lordis thay ordanit to pas:

Thair counsall haill hes fund it for the best,

Trewis to tak or ellis thay get na rest.

Ane Herald went in all the haist he may.

To Auane vaill, quhair that the Scottis lay.

Conduct to haue, till thay had said thair will,

The counsall sone ane Conduct send thame till.

Agane he past with Souerance to his King,

Than cheissit thay thre Lordis for this thing.

The Kene Cliffurd, that than was Wardane haill

Bewmont, Wodstok, all men of mekill vaill.

Quhat thir thre wrocht, ye laif suld stand yair till,

The Kingis self was geuin thame at thair will.

Sone thay war brocht to speiking with Wallace,

Wodstok him schewit furth mony subtill cace.

Wallace hes hard thair Sophysmis euerilk deill,

As ȝit he said, me think we mene bot weill.

In wrang ȝe hald, and dois vs greit outrage,

Of housis part that is our heritage.

[Page]Out of this peice, in plane I mak thame knawin,

Thame for to wyn, sen that thay ar our awin.

Roxburgh, Berwik, yat ouris lang tyme hes bene

Into the handis of ȝour fals King I wene.

We ask heir als be vertew of this band,

Our awin ȝoūg King be wrang led fra Scotlād.

We sall thame haue withouttin wordis mair,

To his desyre the Lordis grantit thair.

Richt at his will thay haue consentit haill,

For na kyn thing, the peice thay wald nocht faill.

The ȝoung Randall, that than in Londoun was,

The Lord of Lorne in this band he can as.

The Erll of Buchane, bot than in tender age,

Efter he grew ane man of greit vassalage.

Cumyng and Foullis he gart delyuer als,

Quhilk efter was, to King Robert full fals.

Wallange fled ouir, & durst nocht byde yat mute,

In Picardy to ask him was na bute.

Bot he wald erar haue had that fals Knicht,

Than ane thousand of fynest gold sa bricht.

The Bruce he askit, bot he was had away,

Befoir that tyme, to Calice mony ane day.

King Edward preuit yat yai micht nocht him get,

Of Glocester his Vncle had him fet.

That Calice had, haill into his keiping.

Wallace that tyme gat nocht his richteous King.

The Erll Patrik als fra Londoun thay send,

With Wallace to gang, as weill befoir is kend.

Of this mater ane finall gouernance,

To King Edward he gaif vp his legeance.

And tuik to hald of Scotland euer mair,

With full glaid hait Wallace ressauit him yair.

Thay honourit him richt reuerently as Lord,

[Page]The Scottis was all reioysit of that concord.

Ane hundreth hors, with ȝoung Lordis of Renoū,

To Wallace come, all fred of that presoun.

Vnder his Seill King Edward yan gart send,

For to gif ouir, and mak ane finall end

Roxburgh, Berwik, quhilk war of mekill vaill.

To Scottis men, and all the boundis haill.

For syne ȝeir trewis thay promeist be yair band

Than Wallace said, we will pas neir Scotland.

Or ocht be Seillit, and thairfoir mak vs boun,

Agane we will besyde Northallartoun.

Quhair King Edward first battell hecht to me,

As we began thair sall it endit be.

Greit weill the Quene he chargit the Message

It is for hir that we leif our veyage.

Ane day he set, quhen thay suld meit him thair,

And seill the peice withouttin proces mair.

Vpon the morne the Oist but mair auyse,

Tranoyutit north vpon ane gudly wyse.

To the set tryst that Wallace had thame maid,

The Inglis message come but mair abaid.

Thay seillit the peice without langer delay,

The message than vpon the Secund day:

To Londoun went in all the haist thay can,

The worthy Scottis with mony gudly man:

To Bamburgh come, with all thair power haill,

Sextie thousand all Scottis of greit vaill.

Ten dayis befoir Alhallowis euin thay fure,

On Lammes day thay lichtit on Carhame mure.

Thair ludgeit thay, with plesance as thay mocht,

Quhill on the morne that Preistis to yame brocht

In Carhame Kirk, and seissit in his hand,

Roxburgh keyis as thay had maid cūna [...]d:

[Page]And Berwik als, quhilk Inglismen had lang,

Thay fred the folk in Ingland for to gang.

For thair lyfis Ischit of ather place,

Thay durst nocht weill byde rekning of Wallace.

Capitane he maid, in Berwik of Renoun,

That worthy was, gude Cristall of Setoun.

Keiper he maid to Roxburgh Castell wicht,

Schir Iohn Ramsay, ane wyse & worthy Knicht.

Syne Wallace self with Erll Patrik in plane,

To Dunbar raid, and restorit him agane.

In his Castell, and als his heritage,

With the consent of all the haill barnage.

Quhen Wallace was aggreit and this Lord,

To reull the Realme he maid him gudly ford.

Scotland atouir fra Ros to Sulway sand,

He raid it thryis, and statute all the land.

In the Lennox, ane quhyle he maid repair,

Schir Iohn Menteith ane quhyle was Capitane thair.

Als twyis befoir he had his Gossop bene,

Bot na freindschip betuix thame syne was sene.

Twa monethis still he dwelt in Dunbartane,

Ane hous he foundit vpon ane Roch of stane.

Men left he thair to big it to the hicht,

Syne to the Marche, agane he rydis richt.

Into Roxburgh thay cheissit him ane place,

Ane gude Towr thair, he gart big in schort space▪

The Kingrik stude in gude worschip and eis,

Was nane sa greit durst his nichtbour displeis.

The abill ground gart laubour thriftely,

Vittall and frute thair grew aboundantly.

Was neuer befoir sen this was callit Scotland,

Sic welth and peice atanis in the land.

He send Iop twyis to Bruce in Huntingtoun,

[Page]Beseikand him, to cum and tak his Crown.

Counsall he tuik at fals Saxonis allace,

He had neuer hap, in lyfe to get Wallace.

Thre ȝeir as thus, the Realme stude in gude peis

Of this saying me wourthis for to ceis.

And farther furth of Wallace will I tell,

Into his lyfe quhat auenture ȝit befell.

¶Heir endis the first Conqueis of Scotland.

☞ )(✚)( ☜

(⁂)

¶The Nynt part of this buik declairis how Wallace past in France.

Cap. j.

ANe Royall King that Regnit into France,

Greit worschip hard, of Wallace gouernance.

The proues, price, and of his worthy deid,

Als Furthwart fair, commendit of manheid.

Baith humbill, trew, and pruifit weill of pryce,

Of honour, treuth, and voyd of couetyce.

That Nobill King Regnand in Royaltie,

Had greit delyte this Wallace for to se.

And knew richt weill schortly to vnderstand,

The greit suppryse, and [...]uirset of Ingland.

He meruellit als, of Wallace small power,

That but ane King tuik sic a Realme to steir.

Aganis Ingland, and gart thair malice ceis,

Quhill thay desyrit with gude will to tak peis.

And richt anone ane Herald gart he call,

In schort termis he hes reheirsit all.

Of his Intent compleitly to ane end,

[Page]Syue in Scotland, he bad him he suld wend.

And he wrait richt with verray greit honour,

To William Wallace as ane Conquerour.

O Louit leid, with worschip wyse and wicht,

Thow verray help, in halding of thy richt.

Thow richt reskewar of thy natiue land,

With Goddis grace aganis thy fais to stand.

In defence helpar, of thy richteous blude,

O worthy birth, and blissit be thy fude.

As it is red of Prophecy beforne,

In happy tyme for Scotland thow was borne.

I the beseik with all humilitie,

My clois letter, thow wald consaif and se.

As ȝour brother I cristynit King of France,

To the beirar, ȝe heir and gif credance.

The Herald him bownit, and to ye Schip is gane

In Scotland sone, he cūmis into ane.

Bot Herald lyke he seikis his presence,

On land he went, and maid na residence.

In euerie steid quhair he presumit thair,

Sa on ane day, he fand him into Air.

In gude effeir, and manlyke cumpany,

The Herald than with honour reuerently.

Hes salust him, vpon ane gudely maneir,

And he agane with humbill hamely cheir:

Ressauit him, into richt gudly wyse,

The Herald than, with worschip to deuyse:

Be tuik to him the Kingis write of France,

Wallace on kne, with lawly obeysance.

Richt reuerently for worschip of Scotland,

Quhen he it red, and had it vnderstand:

At this Herald he askit his credance,

[Page]With asper speiche, and manly countenance.

And he him tald, as I haif said befoir,

The Kingis desyre, quhat neidis wordis moir▪

The hie honour, and the greit Nobilnes,

Of ȝour manheid weill knawin in mony place.

Him lykis asweill ȝour worschip to auance,

As ȝe war borne ane leige man of France.

Sen his Regioun is flour of Realmis sene,

Als the greit band of kyndnes ȝow betwene.

And sen this Realme standis in sic saiftie,

It war worschip his presence for to se.

Wallace consauit, withouttin tarying,

The greit desyre of this gude Nobill King.

Syne to him said, sa God of heuin me saue,

Heirefter sone, ȝe sall ane answer haue.

Of ȝour desyre that ȝe haue schewit me till,

Welcum ȝe ar with ane fre harty will.

The Herald baid vnto the twentie day,

With Wallace still, in gude weilfair and play.

Consumit the tyme with wirschip and plesance,

Be gude auyse maid his deliuerance.

With his awin hand he wrait vnto the King,

All his Intent as tuiching to this thing.

Richt riche rewaird he gaif the Herald to,

And him conuoyit, quhen he had leif to go.

Out of the toun with gudly cumpany,

His leif he tuik, and went vnto the sey.

Gude Wallace than hes maid his purueyance,

His purpois was to se the King of France.

Neirest but weir to Sanct Iohnstoun couth fair

Ane counsall than he had gart ordane thair.

Into his steid, cheisit ane Gouernour,

To keip the land, ane man of greit honour.

[Page]Iames gude Lord the Stewart of Scotland,

Quhilk Father was as storyis beiris on hand.

To gude Walter quhilk was of hie parage,

Mariory Bruce syne gat in Mariage.

Thairof as now, to speik I haue na space,

It is weill knawin, thankit be Goddis grace▪

And to the Herald withouttin residence,

How he appeirit vnto the Kingis presence.

Fra the Rochell the land sone hes he tane,

A touir the land he graithit him to gane.

Seikand the King als gudly as he may,

Sa to the Court he passit on ane day.

To Paris went, as peirles of Renoun,

This King that tyme held Palice in that toun.

Quhen he him saw, hes graithly vnderstand,

He speirit tythandis, the weilfair of Scotland.

The Herald said, into thir termis schort,

That all was gude, he had the mair comfort.

Saw thow Wallace the Chiftane of that land,

And he said ȝe, that dar I tak on hand.

Ane worthyar, this day is leuand nane,

In way of weir, als far as I haue gane.

The hie worschip, and the greit Nobilnes,

The gude weilfair, plesance and worthynes.

The riche rewaird, was michtie for to se,

That for ȝour saik he kyithit vpon me.

And his answer in writ he hes ȝow sent,

The King ressauit, it with ane gude Intent.

O Royall Roy, and richteous Crownit King.

Ȝe knaw this weill, be vther ma than me,

How yat our Realme, standis in perplexite.

The fals Natioun that we ar Nichtbouris to,

[Page]Quhen pleissis thame thay mak vs ay ado.

Na band may be maid of sic sufficiance,

Bot ay in it thay find ane variance.

To wait ane tyme will God that I may be,

Within ane ȝeir I will ȝour presence se.

Of this answer weill pleisit was the King.

Leif I thame thus in Royaltie to Ring.

And glaid comfort richt as I haue ȝow tald,

Of Wallace furth I will my purpois hald.

¶How Wallace past in France, and faucht wit [...] the Reid Reuar and vincust him. Cap. ij.

INtill Apryll, the ane and twentie day,

The Kalend changit as we vse to say.

The lustie tyme of Mayis fresche cūming,

Celestiall greit blyithnes in to bring.

Principall moneth, forsuith it may be sene,

The heuinly hewis vpon the tender grene.

Quhen auld Saturne his cluddy cours hes gane,

The quhilk hes bene baith bird and beistis bane.

Ȝephirus eik with his sweit vapour,

Hie comfort hes be wirking of natour.

All fructeous thing into the eird adoun,

That reullit is vnder the hie Regioun.

Sober Luna in following of the se,

Quhen bricht Phebus is in his Chemeis hie:

The Bullis cours sa takin hes his place,

And Iuppiter was in the Crabbis face.

Quhen Aries the hait Signe Colerik,

Into the Ram quhilk hes his roumis rike.

Thetis had his place and mansioun,

In Capricorne the Signe of the Lyoun.

[Page]Gentill Iuppiter with his myld ordinance,

Baith herb and tre reuertis into plesance.

And fresche Flora hir floury mantill spreid,

In euerie vaill baith hoip hill and meid.

In this same tyme, for thus myne Author sayis,

Wallace to pas of Scotland tuik his wayis.

Be schort anyse he schuip him to the sey,

And fyftie men tuik in his cumpany.

He leit na word than walk of his passage,

Or Inglismen had stoppit his veyage.

Nor tuik na leif at Lordis of Parliament,

He wist full weill thay wald nocht all consent.

To suffer him out of the land to ga,

For thy anone without witting of ma:

He gart foirse and ordane weill his schip,

And thir war thay past in his fellowschip.

Twa Wallacis was his kynnismen full neir,

Craufurd, Cleland, to him war haldin deir.

At Kirkeudbricht he ordanit his passage,

Seymen he set, and gaif thame gudly wage.

Ane gude new Barge, richt worthely wrocht for weir

Thay wātit nocht, of wyne, vittal nor geir.

Wit ȝe thay war ane gudly cumpany,

Of waillit men, had wrocht full hardely.

Boneallies drank richt glaidly on ane morrow

Syne leif thay tuik, & with greit God to borrow▪

Boittis war schot, and fra the land thame sent,

With glaid hartis atanis in thay went.

Vnto the Schip thay rowit haistely,

The Seymen than wirkand full ernestly.

Ankeris wand in, wyselie on ather syde,

Thair leidis kest, and waittit weill the tyde.

Leit Saillis fall, and hes thair cours anone,

[Page]Ane gudly wynd out of the richt airth come.

Freikis on foirstam reullit weill thair geir,

Leidis on lebuird, with ane Lordly feir.

Lynis laid out to luik thair passage sound,

With ful Saill yus, fra Scotland Firth yai foūd.

Saillit haill ouir, the day and als the nicht,

Vpon ye morne quhen yat ye Sone schynit bricht

Thair Schipmaister vnto the Top is went,

South eist he saw, that trublit his Intent.

Sextene Saillis arrayit on ane raw,

In collour reid, that towart yame couth draw.

The glitterand Sone vpon thame schewit bricht,

The sey about Illuminit with the licht.

This mānis Sprite was in ane extasy,

Doun went he sone, and said richt sorrowfully.

Allace (quod he) the day that I was borne,

Without remeid our lyfis ar all forlorne.

In curssit tyme I tuik this cure on hand,

The best Chiftane, and reskew of Scotland:

Ouir reklesly I haue tane vpon me,

With waik power to bring him throw the see.

It forcit nocht, wald God I war torment,

Sa Wallace micht, with worschip chaip vnschēt.

Quhen Wallace saw, and hard this mānis mane,

To comfort him, with gude will is he gane.

Maister he said, quhat hes anoyit the?

Nocht for my self, this man said pieteouslie.

Bot of ane thing I dar weill vndertane,

Thocht all war heir the Schippis in Bertane.

Part suld we lois, set Fortoun had it sworne,

The best weirman in sey is vs beforne.

Leifand this day, and King is of the see,

Wallace sone speirit, wait thow quhat he may be.

[Page]The Reid Reuar thay call him in his style,

That I him saw, O waryit be the quhyle.

For myne awin lyfe I wald na murning mak,

Is na man borne, that ȝone Tyran will tak.

He saifis nane, for gold nor vther gude,

Bot slayis and drownis all derfly in the flude.

He gettis na grace, thocht he war King or Knicht

This sextene ȝe ir he hes done greit vnricht.

The power is sa strang he hes to steir,

May nane eschaip, yat cūmis in his dangeir.

Wald ȝe him buird, na buit is to begin,

The lakest schip that is his floit within.

May saill vs doun vnto the dulefull deid,

Than Wallace said, sen thow can na remeid:

Tell me his feir, and how I sall him knaw,

Quhat is his vse, and syne go luge the law?

The schip men said, full weill ȝe may him ken,

Be graith takynnis full cleirly be his men.

His co [...]t armour is sene in mony steid,

All battell bown in rayment all of reid.

This formest schip that persewis vs sa fast,

Him self is in, and will nocht be agast.

He will ȝow haill quhen yat thay cum ȝow neir,

Without tary than man ȝe stryke and steir.

Him self will enter first full hardely,

Thir ar the Signis, yat ȝe sall tak him by.

Ane bar of Blew into his schynand scheild,

Ane bend of Quhyte desyrand ay the feild.

The Reid betakynis blude and hardyment,

The Quhyte curage, Incressand his Intent.

The Blew he beiris, for he is cristin man,

Sadly him answerit, William Wallace than.

Thocht he is cristin, this is na cristin deid,

[Page]Ga vnder loft, ye Lord God mot vs speid.

Baith Schipmaister, and Steirisman also,

Into the how, but baid he gart thame go.

His fyfcie men withouttin langer rest,

Wallace gart ray, into thair armour prest.

Aucht and fourtie on lufe buird laid thay law,

William Craufurd than to him can he caw.

And said thow can sum part of Schipman fair,

Thow hes bene vsit into the toun of Air.

I pray the tak this doctrine weill of me,

Luik that thow stand still straitly be the tre.

Quhen thay bid stryke, to seruice be thow bane,

Quhen I the warne, lat doun the Saill agane.

Cleland Cousing cum tak the steir on hand,

Heir on the waill neir by the sall I stand.

God gyde our Schip, as now I say na mair,

The Barge began with ane ful weirlyke fair.

Him self on loft, was with ane drawin sword,

And bad yair Steirisman lay endlang the buird.

On loud he cryit, stryke doggis or ȝe sall de,

Craufurd leit draw the Saill a lytill we.

The Capitane lap in, ful sone and wald not slynt,

Wallace hes him sone be the gorget hynt.

On the ouir loft, kest him quhair yat he stude,

Quhill neis and mouth all ruschit turth of blude.

Ane forgit knyfe, braithly he braidit out,

The weir schippis was lappit thame about.

The Barge clippit, bot thay nocht festnit fast,

Craufurd drew Saill, schot by and of thame past.

The Reuar cryit with pieteous voce full cleir,

Grace of his lyfe, for him yat bocht vs deir.

Mercy he cryit, for him that deit on Rude,

Laser to mend, I haue spilt mekill blude.

[Page]For my trespas I wald mak sum remeid,

Mony saikles I haue gart put to deid.

Wallace wist weill, thocht he to deith war brocht

Fra thame to chaip, on na wyse micht he nocht.

And of his lyfe sum reskew micht he mak,

Ane better purpois, syne sone than can he tak.

And als he rewit, for his lyfe had bene Ill,

In Latine toung richt thus he said him till.

I neuer tuik man that enemie was to me,

For Goddis saik thy lyfe ȝit grant I the.

Baith knyfe and sword, he tuik fra him anone,

Vp be the hand, as presoner hes him tane.

Vpon his sword, scharply he gart him sweir,

Fra that day furth he suld him neuer deir.

Command thy men, said Wallace to our peis,

Thair schot of gun, that was nocht eith to ceis.

Thay castand war, awfull on ather syde,

The Reid Reuar commandit thame to byde.

Held vp ane gluif in taikning of the trew,

His men beheld and weill that Senȝe knew.

Left of thair schot, the Signe quhen yat yai saw,

His greitest barge towart him can he caw.

Lat [...]e ȝour weir, thir ar freindis at ane,

I trow to God our werst houris ar gane.

He askit Wallace to do quhat was his will,

With schort auyse, richt thus he said him till.

To the Rochell I wald ȝe gart thame Saill,

For Inglismen we wait nocht quhat may aill.

He thame commandit for outtin wordis mair,

Turne Saill and wynd, towart the Rochell fair.

For thair will God is our purpois to be,

Luik weill about, for S [...]urriouris on the se.

His charge thay wrocht in all the haist thay can,

[Page]Wallace desyrit to talk mair with this man.

Wyselie he speirit, in quhat land art thow borne?

In France he said, and all my Elderis beforne.

And thair we had sum part of heritage,

Thocht feirs Fortoun, yus brocht me in ane rage.

Wallace answerit, how come thow to this lyfe?

Forsuith he said, bot throw ane suddand stryfe.

Sa happinit I, into the Kingis presence,

Ouir recklesly to do ane greit offence.

Ane worthy man of gude kyn and Renoun,

That throw my deid was put to confusioun.

Deid of ane straik, quhat neidis wordis mair,

All mendis it nocht, thocht I repent it sair.

Throw freind in Court, I chaipit of that place,

And neuer sen syne couth get the Kingis grace.

Feill of our kyn thay gart for my saik de,

Fra tyme I saw it micht na better be.

Bot leif the land, that me behuifit on neid,

Vpon ane day to Burdeous I ȝeid.

Ane Inglis Schip sa gat we on ane niche,

For sey laubour, full ernestly vs dicht.

To me assemblit, mysdoaris vther ma,

Within schort space we multiplyit sa.

Was few that micht contrair our power gang,

In tyrannie thus haue we rungin lang.

Thir sextene ȝeiris, I haue bene on the se,

And done greit harme, thairfoir full wa is me.

I saifit quhene for gold or greit Ransoun,

Bot slew and drownit into the sey all doun.

Fauour I did, to folk of sindrie land,

Bot Frenche men na freindschip in me fand.

Thay gat na grace, als far as I micht Ring,

Als on the sey I cleipit was ane King.

[Page]Now se I weill, that my Fortoun is went,

Vin [...]ust with ane, that garris me sair repent.

Quha wald haue said, this samin day at morne,

I suld with ane, thus lichtly doun be borne.

In greit heithing my men wald it haue tane,

My self thocht als, to haue matchit ony ane.

Bot I haue fund the verray plane contrair,

Heir I gif ouir rubrie for euer mair.

In s [...] mysreull I sall neuer armes beir,

Bot gif it be in honest vse of weir.

Now haue I tald part of my blis and pane,

For Goddis saik sum kyndnes kyith agane.

My hart will brek, bot I wit quhat ȝe be,

Outrageously that hes rebutit me.

For weill I weind, that leuand had bene nane,

Be force or strenth, micht me as presoner tane.

Except Wallace that hes redemit Scotland,

The best is callit, this day leuand of hand.

Into his weir war worschip for to waik,

As now in warld I trow he hes na maik.

Wallace smylit, and said freind it may weill be,

Scotland had neid of mony sic as the.

Quhat is thy name, tell me sa haue thow Seill,

Forsuith he said, Thomas of Longueill.

Weill bruik thow it, all thus styntis our stryfe,

Schaip to pleis God in mending of thy lyfe.

Thy faithfull freind my self thinkis to be,

And als my name I sall sone tell to the.

For chance of weir thow suld na murning mak,

As weird will wirk, thy fortoun man thow tak.

I am that man, that thow auancis sa hie,

And bot schort tyme se [...] I come to the se.

Or Scotland borne my rycht name is Wallace,

[Page]On kneis fell, and thankit God of his grace.

I dar avow, that ȝoldin is my hand,

To the best man, this day that is leuand.

Forsuith he said, this plesis me mekill moir,

Than of Floringis ȝe gaif me sextie scoir.

Thā wallace said, yow art heir now throw chāce,

My purpois is to pas now into France.

Vnto the King, sen I am bown to pas,

To my rewaird, thy peice I think to as.

Peice I wald haue, fane of my natiue King,

And na langer into the Realme to Ring.

Than thow tak leif to cum far it agane,

Into thy seruice I think for to remane.

Seruice he said, Thomas that may nocht be,

Bot gude freindschip, as I sall keip to the.

Gart draw the wyne, and Ilk ane mery maid,

The Schippis be than was in the Rochell raid.

THe Reid Blasoūis, as yai had borne in weir

The toun was sone into ane suddand feir.

The Reid Reuar thay said was at yair had,

The quhilk throw strenth, micht nane aganis him stand.

Sum schippis fled, & sum ye land hes tane

Clariounis blew, and Trumpetis mony ane.

Quhen Wallace saw the pepill was on steir,

He gaif command na Schip suld neirar peir.

Bot his awin Barge, in the hauin gart draw,

The folk was glaid, quhen thay the baner saw.

Full weill thay knew, in gold the reid Lyoun,

Leit vp the port ressauit thame in the toun.

Thay souerit him, for all he had thair brocht,

The Reid Nauie into the hauin thay socht.

On land syne went, quhair yat yame lykit to pas,

[Page]Richt few wist thair, quhat Scottisman Wallace was.

Bot weil yai thocht he was ane gudly mā,

And honourit him with all the craft thay can.

Thay four dayis still, Wallace remanit thair,

Thir men he callit, quhen he was boun to fair.

He thame commandit vpon that coist to byde,

Quhill he thame fred, for chance yat micht betyde.

Beir ȝow euinly, quhat gude that euer ȝe spend,

Leif of ȝour awin, quhill I ȝow tythingis send.

Gar sell thir Schippis, and mak ȝow men of peis

It war gude tyme of wickitnes to ceis.

Ȝour Capitane sall pas to the King with me,

Throw help of God, I sall his warrand be.

He gart graith him, in suit with his a win man▪

Was na man thair, yat micht weill Thomas ken.

Lyklie he was, manly of countenance,

Lyk [...] to the Scottis be mekill gouernance.

Saif of his toung, for Scottis had he nane,

In latine weill he micht haue sufficit for ane.

Thus past thay on, in all the haist thay may,

To Paris toun thay went vpon ane day.

Tythingis war brocht of Wallace to the King,

Sa greit desyre he had of na kin thing.

As in that tyme quhill he had sene Wallace,

To meit him self he waittit vpon cace.

In ane garding quhair he gart thame be brocht,

To his presence with manlyke feir thay socht.

Twa and fyftie atanis kneland doun,

And salust him, as Roy of maist Renoun.

With reullit speiche in sa gudly auyse,

All France couth nocht mair nurtour yame deuyse

The Quene had leif, and come in hir effeir,

For mekill scho hard of Wallace deid in weir.

[Page]Quhat neidis mair of courtesy to tell,

Thay keipit weill, that to the Scottis befell.

Of Kingis fair, I dar mak na reheirs,

My febill mynd, my trubillit Sprite transuers.

Of the riche seruice, quhat neidis wordis mair,

Micht nane be fund, bot I was preseut thair.

Sone efter meit, the King to Perlour went,

With gudly Lordis, thair Wallace was present.

Than commonit thay of mony sindrie thing,

To speik with him, greit desyre had the King.

At him he speirit, of weir the gouernance,

He answerit him with manly countenance.

To euerie point, als far as he had feill,

In Latine toung, richt naturally and weill.

The King consauit sone be his hie knawlage,

Quhat weirmen vsit be reif in thair passage.

Into quhat mynd the Reid Reuar than was,

Meruell he said, how he leit Wallace pas.

To him he said, ȝe ar sum thing to blame,

Ȝe micht haue send with our Herald fra hame.

Efter power, to bring ȝow throw the se,

God thank ȝow Schir, thairof aneuch had we.

Few men may pas, quhair thay find na perrall,

Richt quhene may keip, quhair nane is to assaill.

Wallace he said, thairof meruell haif I,

Ane Tyran Regnis in Ire full cruelly.

Vpon the sey, that greit sorrow hes wrocht,

Micht we him get, it suld not be for nocht.

Borne of this land, ane natiue man to me,

Thairfoir on vs, the greitest harme dois he.

Than Thomas quoik, and changit countenance

He hard the King his euill deidis disauance.

Wallace beheld, and fenȝeit in ane part,

[Page]Forsuith he said, we fand nane in that art.

That profferit vs ony sic vnkyndnes,

Be ȝour leif Schir, I speik in hamelynes.

Trow ȝe be sicht, ȝe couth that Squyar knaw,

To lang it war, sen tyme that I him saw.

Bot thir wordis, of him ar bot in vane,

Or he cum heir, richt gude men will be slane.

Than Wallace said heir haue I brocht with me,

Of lyklie men that dwelt in our cuntrie.

Quhilk of all thir wald ȝe call him maist lyke,

Amang thame blent, this Royall Roy maist ryke,

Vesyit thame weill, baith stature and curage,

Maner, makdome, thair fassioun and vesage.

Sadly he said, auysit soberly

That largest man ye quhilk standis neist ȝow by.

Wald I call him, be makdome to deuise,

Thir ar na thing bot wordis of office.

Befoir the King on kne fell gude Wallace,

O Royall Roy, of hie honour and grace.

With waist wordis I will ȝow nocht trauall,

Now I will speik sum thingis for myne auaill.

Our barrane land hes bene ouirset with weir,

Be Saxonis seid, that dois vs mekill deir.

Slane our Eldaris, distroyit our richteous blude

Waistit the land, of gold and vther gude.

And ȝe ar heir in micht and Royaltie,

Eye ȝe suld haue to our aduersitie.

And vs support for kyndnes of the band.

Quhilk is confermit betuix ȝow and Scotland.

Als I am heir, for ȝour charge at plesance,

My lyflait is bot honest cheuisance.

Flour of Realmes forsuith is this Regioun,

To my rewaird I wald haue greit guardoun.

[Page]Wallace he said, now ask quhat ȝe wald haif,

Gude gold or land sall nocht be lang to craif.

Wallace answerit, swa ȝe grant it to me,

Quhat I wald haue, it sall sone chosin be.

Quhat euer ȝe ask that is in this Regioun,

Ȝe sall it haue, except my wyfe and Crown.

He thankit him of his greit Kinglynes,

All my rewaird salbe asking of grace

Peice to this man, I brocht with me throw chāce

Heir I quyt clame all vther gift in France.

This same is he, gif that ȝe knaw him weill,

That we of spak, Thomas of Longoueill.

Be rigour ȝe, desyrit he suld be slane,

I him restoir vnto ȝour grace agane.

Ressaif him fair, as leige man of ȝour land,

The King meruellit, and couth in study stand.

Perfytlie knew, that it was Longoueill,

He him forgaif, his trespas euery deill.

Bot for his saik that had him hidder brocht,

For gold nor gude, ellis he did it nocht.

Wallace he said, I had leuer of gude land,

Thre thousand pund haue seissit in thy hand.

That I haue said, sall haldin be in plane,

Heir I ressaif Thomas to peice agane.

Deirar to me, than euer he was befoir,

All for ȝour saik, thocht it war mekill moir.

Bot I wald wit how this meruell befell,

Wallace answerit, the treuth I sall ȝow tell.

Than he reheirsit, quhat hapnit on that day,

As ȝe befoir myne Author hes hard say.

Quhen the gude King had hard the suddand cace,

Vpon the sey be for sicht of Wallace.

The King him held richt wourthy to auance,

[Page]

[...]

[Page]

[...]

[Page]He saw in him manheid and Gouernance.

Sa did the Quene and all thir vther Lordis,

Ilk wicht of him greit honour than recordis.

He purchest peice for all the power haill,

Fourtene hundreth was left at the Rochell.

Gart cry thame fre, trew seruandis to the King,

And neuer agane, for [...]alt into sic thing.

Quhen Thomas was restorit to his richt,

Of his awin hand the King had maid him Knicht

Efter he gaif stait to his neirest Air,

And maid him self with Wallace for to fair.

Thus he hes brocht, thay men fra reif throw cace,

Be suddand chance of him and wicht Wallace.

Thus leif we thame in worschip and plesance,

At lyking still with the gude King of France.

¶How Wallace past in Guyan. Cap. iii.

THay twentie dayis he ludgit into rest,

Sa to remane he thocht it nocht the best.

Still into peice, he couth nocht lang indure,

For quhy contrarious it was to his nature.

Richt weill he wist Inglismen occupyit

Guyan that tyme, thairfoir he hes espyit.

Sum Ieopardie vpon thame for to mak,

Ane gudly leif he at the King couth tak.

Of Frenche men he wald nane with him call,

At that first tyme for auenture that micht fall.

Bot Schir Thomas that seruice couth persew,

He wist nocht weill gif all the laif was trew.

Of Scottismen than semblit haistely

Nyne hundreth sone of worthy Cheualry.

In Guyan land full haistely can ryde,

[Page]Raissit feill fyre, and waistit wynningis wyde.

Forthis thay brak, and stalwart biggingis wan,

Der [...]y to deith, brocht mony Sutheroun man.

Ane weirlyke toun sa fand thay in that land,

Quhilk Schemēt hecht, yat Inglismē had in hād.

Towart that steid, full sadly Wallace socht,

Be ony way, assailȝe gif he mocht.

Bergane to haue, and he micht get thame out,

Greit strenth of wod, yair was yat toun about.

The toun stude als vpon ane watter syde,

Into ane Park, that was baith lang and wyde.

Thay buskit thame, quhill passit was the nicht,

Quhen the Sone rais, four hundreth mē he dicht.

The laif he gart Craufurd in buschement tak,

Gif thay mysterit ane reskew for to mak.

Than Longoueill that ay was full Sauage,

With Wallace past, as ane to that skirmage.

Thir four hundreth, yat was full weill arrayit,

Befoir the toun, the plane baneir displayit.

It was nocht weill than knawin in yat cuntrie,

The Lyoun in gold, yat awfull was to se.

Ane forray kest, and seissit mekill gude,

Weirmen within, that wyselie vnderstude.

Sone Ischit out, the pray for to reskew,

The worthy Scottis feill Inglismen thay slew.

The laif for dreid, fled to the toun agane,

The forray tuik the pray, and passit in plane.

Towart the Park, bot power of the toun,

Ischit agane in awfull barteil boun.

Ane thousand haill of men in armes strang,

Few baid within, that micht to armes gang.

Than Wallace gart the forrayaris leif ye pray,

Assemblit sone into ane gude array.

[Page]Ane cruell counter was at that meitting sene,

Of wicht weirmen into thair armour schene.

Feill left thair lyfe vpon the Sutheroun syde,

Bot nocht for thy, full baldly thay abyde.

Of the Scottis part than worthy men thay slew,

William Craufurd that weill the perrell knew:

Out of the Park he gart the buschment pas,

Into the feild quhair feill men fechtand was.

At thair entre thay gart full mony de,

The Inglismen was wounder [...]aith to fle.

Full worthely thay wrocht into that place,

Baid neuer sa few sa lang aganis Wallace.

With sic power, that day as he was thair,

On ather syde assailȝeit wounder sair.

Into that stour sa fellounly he wrocht,

That worthy men derfly to deith was brocht.

With pointis peirssit throw plaittis birnist bricht,

Wallace him self, and Schir Thomas the Knicht.

Quhome sa thay hit, maid neuer mair de [...]ait,

The Sutheroun part was handillit thair sa hait.

Into that place thay micht na langer byde,

Out of that feild with sair hartis thay ryde.

Vnto the toun thay fled full haistely,

Wallace followit, and his gude Cheualry.

Fechtand sa fast into the thickest thrang,

Quhill in the toun thay enterit thame amang.

With him Craufurd, and Longoueill ye Knicht,

And Richard als▪ Wallace his Cou [...]ing richt.

Fyftene thay war, of Scottis in cumpany,

Thus hapnit thay, amang that greit party.

Ane cruell portar gat vp vpon the wall,

Pullit out the pyn, leit the port Culȝe [...]s fall.

The Inglismen saw, enterit in was na ma,

[Page]Vpon the Scottis full hardily thay ga.

Bot to ane wall thay haue thair bakkis set,

Sad straikis and sair baldly about thame bet.

Richard Wallace the Turngrece weill hes sene,

He followit fast vpon thair portar kene.

Vpon the wall, deid doun in ane dyke him draif,

Gat vp the port, and leit in all the laif.

Quhen Wallace men, had thus the entre wyn,

Full greit slauchter agane thay haue began.

Thay [...]aifit nane vpon the Sutheroun syde,

That wappinis bair, or harnes in that ryde.

Wemen and barnis, the gude thay tuik yame fra,

Syne gaif thame leif in the rowme land to ga.

The Preistis als, that was nocht in the feild,

Of agit men that micht na wappinis weild.

Thay slew nane sic, for Wallace charge it was,

Bot maid thame fre, at larges for to pas.

Riches of gold thay gat in greit plentie,

Harnes and hors, that micht thame weill supple.

With Frenche folk pleneist the toun agane,

On the tent day, the feild thay tuik in plane.

The Riuer doun into the land thay socht,

On Sutheroun men ful greit maistry yai wrocht.

Than quhen trew men to the King tald this taill,

Of Frenche men he semblit ane battall.

Twentie thousand of trew liegis of France,

His brother thame led, was Duke of Orliance.

Throw Guyan land, in rayit battell thay raid,

To follow Wallace, quha maid bot lytill baid.

For Frenche supple to help him in thair richt,

Neir Burdeous or thay ouirtak him micht.

Gude Wallace was thair, & cho [...]in hes ane plane,

For sū men tauld, yat Burdeous with greit mane.

[Page]Within schort tyme thocht battell for to geif,

Bot fra thay wist, that Frenche folk wald releif:

With greit power for helping of Wallace,

Vther purpois thay tuik into schort space.

In Dicardy sone message couth thay send,

Of Wallace cūming thay haif tauld to ane end.

Of Glocester Capitane of Calice was,

The hardy Erll, and maid him for to pas.

In Ingland sone, and syne to Londoun went,

Of Wallace deid he tauld in thair Parliament.

Sum planely said, that Wallace brak the peis,

Wyse men said nay, and prayit thame for to ceis.

Lord Bewmont said, he tuik bot for Scotland,

And nocht for France, yat sall ȝe vnderstand.

Gif our Indenturis speikis of ony mair,

He hes done wrang the suith ȝe may declair.

Wodstok answerit, said ȝe haue spokin weill,

Bot contrair richt, yat taill is euerilk deill.

Gif ȝone be he, that band for him and his,

May na man say, bot he hes wrocht a mys.

For principally he band with vs the trew,

And now agane beginnis malice new.

Schir King he said, gif ȝe think euer to mak,

On Scotland weir, on hand now ȝe suld tak.

Quhill he is out, or ellis it helpis nocht,

As Wodstok said, the haill counsall hes wrocht.

Power thay raissit, in Scotland for to ryde,

Be land and sey, yai wald na langer byde.

Thair land Oist thay rayit sone in deid,

Thair vangard tuik the hardy Duke to leid.

Of Glocester, that of weir had greit feill,

Of [...]ong castell the Duke gouernit weill

The myddill waird, and to the fey thay send,

[Page]Schir Iohn Psewart, yat weil ye northland kēd▪

The Knicht Wallange befoir the Oist in raid,

And sic ane way with euill Scottis men maid.

Mony Castellis he gart sone ȝoldin be,

To Inglismen, withouttin mair melle.

Or the best wist, that it was weir in plane,

Enterit he was into Bothwell agane.

Schir Iohne Psewart that come in be the se,

Sanct Iohnstoun sone gat throw ane Ieopardie

Dundie thay tuik, and put Scottis men to deid,

In Fyfe fra thame was nocht keipit ane steid.

And all the south, fra Cheuiot to the se,

Into the west, thair micht na succour be.

The worthy Lord that suld haue gouernit this,

God hes him taue, we trow to lestand blis.

His Sone Walter, that bot ane Child ȝit was,

Trew men him tuik, and couth in Arrane pas.

Adam Wallace, than wist of na supplie,

To Rauchlie went, and Lindesay of Cragie.

Gude Robert Boyd in Bute maid residence,

For haistie dissait, thay tuik thame to defence.

Schir Iohn ye grahame, in Dundaf micht nocht byde,

Succour he socht to the Forest of Clyde.

The Knicht Psewart, ane Schiref maid of Fyfe,

Schir Aymeiris brother, and gaif for terme of lyfe

Thay landis all, that Wallange aucht befoir,

Richard Lundy, had greit dreid throw yair schoir.

He lykit nocht for to cum to thair peis,

For thy in Fyfe thay wald nocht lat him ceis.

To pas ouir Tay, as than it micht nocht be,

For Inglismen sair reullit that cuntrie.

Out of that land he stall away be nicht,

Auchtene with him, that worthy war & wicht.

[Page]And als his Sone, that was in tender end,

Bot efter sone, he couth weill wappinis weild.

At Striuiling brig, or that the wache was set,

Thair passit he, the way withouttin let.

In Dūdaf mure schir Iohn ye Grahame he socht,

Ane woman him tald, as yan befoir was wrocht.

Vnto ane strenth, he went vpon the morne,

Lanerk was tane with ȝoūg Thomas of Thorne.

Hay and Lundy thay micht na langer remane,

Be south Tynto to ludge thay maid in plane.

Schir Iohn ye grahame gat wit yat yai war yair

To thame he past, withouttin proces mair.

Wallange gart bring fra Carlile cariage,

To stuf Bothwell, baith wyne and gude vernage.

Lundy and Grahame gat with of that vittall,

Richt suddandly thay maid thame to assaill.

Fyftie thay war of Nobill Cheualry,

Aganis four scoir of Inglis cumpany.

Ane Squyar than, keipit the cariage,

All Brankistuhait haill, that was his heritage.

Lundy & Grahame, met with yat Squyat wicht,

Feill Inglismen, derfly to deith thay dicht.

Sextie was slane vpon the Sutheroun syde,

And fyue Scottis, sa baldly thay abyde.

Greit gude thay wan, baith gold and vther geir,

Vittall and hors, thus hapnit in this weir.

Syne yai haue sene, weill lang yai micht not lest,

Into that land, for thy thay thocht it best.

To seik sum place, in strenth that thay micht byde

For Sutheroun folk had pleneist on Ilk syde.

[...]undyis ludge thay left vpon ane nicht,

Into the Lennox thay past the way full richt.

To Erli Malcolme that keipit that cuntrie,

[Page]Fra Inglismen throw help of thair supplie.

Setoun and Lyle into the Bas abaid,

For Inglismen sa greit maistrie had maid.

That all the South was tane into thair hand,

And How ye Hay thay send into Ingland.

And vther Airis, to presoun at thair will,

The Northlād Lordis saw na help come yame till

Ane Squyar Guthrie, amang yame ordanit thay,

To warne Wallace in all the haist he may.

Out of Abirbrothok he passit to the se,

And at the Sluce land takin sone hes he.

In Flanderis land na residence he maid,

In France he past, bot Wallace weill abaid.

On his purpois, in Guyan at the weir,

On Inglismen he had done mekill deir.

Quhill gude Guthrie had gottin his presence,

He haistit fast, and maid na residence.

He hes him tauld, with Scotland how it stude,

Than Wallace said. thir tythingis ar nocht gude.

I had exempill of tymes that is by worne,

Trewis to bynd, with yame that is manesworne.

Bot I as than, couth nocht think of sic thing,

Becaus that we tuik peice with thair fals King.

Be thair Chancellar the tother peice was bun [...]in

And that full sair our foir Elderis hes fundin.

Vnder that trew yai gart auchtene scoir de,

That Nobillis war, the best in our cuntrie.

To the greit God, my avow heir I mak,

Peice with that King think I neuer to tak.

He sall repent that he this weir began,

Thus mouit he with mony Royall man.

Vnto the King, and tald him his Intent,

To lat him pas the King wald nocht consent.

[Page]Quhill Wallace thair, maid promeis be his hand,

Gif euer agane he thocht to leif Scotland.

To cum to him, his greit Seill he him gaif,

Of quhat Lordschip that he lykit to haif.

Thus at the King ane haistie leif tuik he,

Na man with him he brocht of that cuntrie.

Bot his awin men, and Schir Thomas ye Kniche

In Flanderis land, thay past with all yair micht.

Guthreis Barge at the Sluce couth ly still,

To ye sey yai went, with ane full egir will.

Baith Forth and Tay, thay left and passit by,

On the North coist, gude Guthrie was thair gy.

In Montros hauin thay brocht him to the land,

To trew Scottis it was ane blyith tythand.

Schir Iohne Ramsay, yat worthy was & wicht,

Fra Ouchtirhous the way he cheissit richt.

To meit Wallace with men of armis strang,

For his dwelling, thay had thocht wounder lang.

The trew Rothuen come als withouttin baid,

In Birnane wod he had his ludgeing maid.

Barklay, Bissat, to Wallace semblit fast,

With thre hundreth to Ouchtirhous he past.

☜)(✚)(☞

¶The Tent Buik declairis how Wallace wan Sanct Iohnstoun be ane Ieopardie.

Ca. j.

THe latter day of August fell this cace,

For the reskew thus ordanit gude Wallace.

Of Sanct Iohnstoū, yat Sutheroun occupyit

Fast towart Tay thay passit and espyit.

Or it was day vnder kynnoull thame laid,

[Page]Out of the toun, as Scottismen to him said:

Thair seruandis I schit with Cartis, hay to leid,

Swa was it suith, and hapnit in that steid.

Than sex thair come, and brocht bot Cartis thre,

Quhen yai of hay was leidand besylie.

Guthrie with ten, in handis hes thame tane,

Put all to deith, of thame he saifit nane.

Wallace in haist, gart tak thair vmest weid,

And siclyke men thay waillit weill gude speid.

Four was richt gude, Wallace him self tuik ane,

Ane Russet cloik, and with him gude Rothuen.

Guthrie, Bissat, and als gude ȝemen twa,

In that Ilk fute, thay graithit thame to ga.

Fyftene thay tuik, of men of armis wicht,

In Ilk Cart fyue, thay ordanit out of sicht.

Full subtellie thay couerit thame with hay,

Syne to the toun thay went the ganest way.

Thir Carteris had schort swordis of gude steill,

Vnder thair weid, callit furth the Cartis weill.

Schir Iohn Ramsay, baid in the buschemēt still,

Quhen myster war, to help yame with gude will.

Thir trew Carteris past on withouttin let,

Atouir the brig, and enterit at the ȝet.

Quhen thay war in, thair cloikis kest thame fra,

Gude Wallace than the cheif portar couth [...]a.

Vpon the heid, quhill deid he hes him left,

Syne vther twa the lyfe fra thame he reft.

Guthrie, Bissat, did richt weill in the toun,

And Rothuen als, dang of thair fey men doun.

The armit men, that in the Cartis war brocht,

Rais vp and weill thair deuoir dewly wrocht.

Vpon the gait thay gart feill Sutheroun de,

Than Ramsayis spy, hes sene thame get entre.

[Page]The buschement brak baith brig and port hes wyn

Into the toun greit stryfe thair was begun.

Twentie and ane or Ramsay come in plane,

Within the toun had fourtie Sutheroun slane.

The Inglismen to array was nocht gane,

The Scottis as than, laiser leit yame haue nane.

Fra gude Ramsay with his men enterit in,

Thay saiffit nane, was knawin of Sutheroū kin.

And Longoueill, ye worthy Knicht schir Thomas

Preuit weill thair, and mony vther place.

Aganis his dynt, few Inglismen micht stand,

Wallace in him greit faith and kyndnes fand.

The Sutheroun part saw weil ye toun was tynt

Feirsly thay fled, as fyre dois of the flynt.

Sum fled, sum fell, into draw dykis deip,

Sum to the Kirk, thair lyfe gif thay micht keip.

Sum fled to Tay, and in small veschell ȝeid,

Sum derfly deit, and drownit in that dreid.

Schir Iohne Psewart at the west ȝet out past,

To Methuen wod he sped him wounder fast.

Ane hundreth men the Kirk tuik for succour,

Bot Wallace wald na grace grant in that hour.

He bad slay all of cruell Sutheroun kyn,

Thame for to slay, he said it was na syn.

Four hundreth men within the toun was deid,

Seuin scoir on lyfe, chaipit out of that steid.

Wyfis and barnis, thay maid thame fre to ga,

With Wallace will he wald slay nane of tha.

Riches thay fand, that Inglismen had brocht new

Pleneist the toun, with worthy Scottis & trew.

Schir Iohne Psewart left Methuen Forest strāg

Went to the Gask full feill Sutheroun amang.

And syne in Fyfe quhair Wallange Schiref was

[Page]Maid Scurriouris sone, out throw ye lād to pas.

And gadderit men, ane stalwart cumpany,

To Ardagane he drew thame priuatly.

Ordanit thame in reddy bergane bown,

Agane he thocht to sailȝe Sanct Iohnstoun.

Quhair Wallace lay, and wald na langer rest,

Reullit the toun, as than him lykit best.

Schir Iohne Ramsay greit Capitane ordanit he,

Rothuen Schiref, at ane accord to be.

This charge he gaif, gif men yame warning maid

To cum to him, withouttin mair abaid.

And sa yai did, quhen tythingis was yame brocht

With ane hundreth Wallace furth fra yame socht.

¶The Battell of Blak Irne syde Forest. Ca. ij.

IN Fyfe he passit, to vesy that cuntrie,

Bot wrang warnit of Inglismen was he.

Schir Iohne Psewart quhē yai war passit by,

Fra the Oychell he sped him haistely.

Vpon Wallace followit with all his micht,

In Abirnethy tuik ludgeing that first nicht.

Vpon the morne with fyftene hundreth men,

To Blak Irnesyde, as his gydis couth him ken.

Thair Wallace was, and micht na message send,

To Sanct Iohnstoun, to mak this Iourney kēd.

For Inglismen that full subtill hes bene,

Greit wachis warnit, yat nane micht pas betuene

Than Wallace said, this mater plesis nocht me,

He callit to him the Squyar gude Guthrie.

And Bissat als, that knew full weill the land,

And askit at yame quhat deid was best on hand.

Message to mak, our power for to get,

[Page]With feill Sutheroun we will be vnbeset.

And wickit Scottis that knawis this Forest best

Thay ar the caus that we may haue na rest.

I dreid far mair Wallange that is the gyde,

Than all the laif, that cūmis vpon that syde.

Than Guthrie said, micht we get anis ouir Tay,

To Sanct Iohnstoun it war the ganest way.

And warne Ramsay, we wald get succour sone,

Ouir suith it is, that can nocht weill be done.

Richt weill I wait, Veschell is leuit nane,

Fra the wod hauin, to ye Ferry callit Arrane.

Than Wallace said, the watter awfull is,

My self can swoume. I trow and aill na mys.

Bot currour vse accordis nocht for me,

And leif ȝow heir, ȝit had I leuar de.

Throw Goddis grace we sall better eschew,

The strenth is strang, and we ar men anew.

In Elchok Park bot fourtie men war we,

For seuin hundreth, and gart feill Sutheroun de.

Eschaipit weill in mony vnlyklie place,

Sa sall we heir, throw help of Goddis grace.

Quhill men may fast, we may this wod hald still,

For thy Ilk man be of trew hardy will.

And that we do sa Nobilly into deid,

Of vs be fund, efter na lak to reid.

The richt is ouris, we suld mair ardent be,

I think to freith this land or ellis de.

His waillit speiche, with wit and hardiment,

Maid all the laif sa cruell of Intent.

Sum bad tak feild, and gif battell in plane,

Wallace said nay, thay wordis ar in vane.

We will nocht leif, that may be our auantage,

This wod to vs is worth ane ȝei [...]is wage.

[Page]Of he win tymmer in haist he gart thame tak,

Sillis of Aik, and ane greit Barreris mak.

At ane foir front, fast in the Forest syde,

Maid ane greit strēth quhair yai purposit to byde.

Stellit thame fast, to treis that growand was,

That thay micht weill in fra the Barreris pas.

And se thair vaill on ather syde about,

Syne cum agane, quhen yai saw yair was dout.

Be that this strenth arrayit was at richt,

The Inglis Oist approchit to thair sicht.

Than Psewart come, yat way for to haue wend▪

That thay war wont, his gydis sa him kend.

At thair entre, thay thocht to haue passage,

Bot sone thay fand, yat maid yame greit stopage.

Ane thousand he led of men in armis strang,

With fyue hundreth he gart Iohn Wallāge gang.

Without the wod, that nane suld chaip him fra,

Wallace with him had fourtie Archearis thra.

The laif was speiris, full Nobill in ane neid,

On thair enemeis thay bikker with greit speid.

Ane cruell counter was at the Barreris sene,

The Scottis defence, sa sicker was and kene.

Sutheroun stude aw, to enter thame amang,

Feill to the ground, yai ouirthrew in that thrang.

Ane rowme was left, quhair part in front micht fair,

Quha enterit in, agane ȝeid neuer mair.

Fourtie thay slew, that ganewart wald haue past

All disarayit, the Oist was all agast.

Ane part of hors throw schot to deith was brocht,

Brak to ane plane, the Sutheroun to thame socht

Than Psewart said, allace how may this be,

And do na harme, ouir greit rebute haue we.

He callit Wallange, and askit his counsall,

[Page]Schiref thow art, quhat may vs maist auaill.

Bot few thay ar, that makis this greit debait,

Iohne Wallange said, this is the best I wait.

To ceis heirof, and remane heir besyde,

For thay may nocht lang in this Forest byde.

For falt of fude thay man in the cuntrie,

Than war mair tyme to mak on thame melle.

Or thay be wyn, on force into this stryfe,

Feill that ȝe leid, sall erar lois the lyfe.

Than Psewart said, this rede I will nocht tak,

And Scottis be warnit, reskew sone wil yai mak

Of this despite amendis I think to half,

Or de thairfoir in number with the laif.

Into ane range my self on fute will fair,

Aucht hundreth he tuik, the lykliest yat was yair.

Syne bad the laif byde at the Barreris still,

With Iohne Wallange to reull yame at his will.

Wallange he said be ford wart in this cace,

In sic ane snair, we couth nocht get Wallace.

Tak or slay him, I promeis be my lyfe,

That King Edward sall mak the Erll of Fyfe.

At ȝone Eist part we think to enter in,

I bad na mair, micht ȝe this Barreris wyn.

Fra thay be closit graithly amang vs sa,

Bot meruell be, thay sall na farther ga.

Assailȝe sair, quhen ȝe wit we cum neir,

On ather syde we sall hald thame on steir.

Thus Psewart thair vpon ane awfull wyse,

Wallace hes sene, quhat hes bene thair deuyse.

Gude men he said, vnderstand this deid,

Forsuith he said, thay ar richt mekill to dreid.

Ȝone Psewart is ane worthy Nob [...]ll Knicht,

Ford wart in weir, richt hardy, wyse, and wicht.

[Page]His assailȝe he ordanis wounder sair,

Vs for to harme, mānis wit can do na mair.

Plesand it is, ane wyse Chiftane to ga,

Sa Chiftane lyke, it suld greit comfort ma.

To his awin men, and thay of worschip be,

Than for to se ten thousand cowartis fle.

Sen we ar set, with enemeis on Ilk syde,

And heir on force mon in this Forest byde.

That all the laif of vs abaissit be,

Assay the first, for Goddis saik cruellie.

Craufurd he left, and Longoueill the Knicht,

Fourtie with thame, to keip the Barreris wicht.

With him sextie, all worthy men in weid,

To meit Psewart, with hardy will he ȝeid.

Ane maner of dyke, into the wod was maid,

Of thortour ryis, baldly he thair abaid.

Ane dounwith vaill the Sutheroun to yame had,

Sone semblit thay, with straikis sair and sad.

Scharp speiris than, duschand on ather syde,

Throw birneis bricht, maid woūdis deip & wyde.

The vantage was, the Scottis thame dantit sa,

That na Inglismen durst fra his fellowis ga.

To brek array, or formest enter in,

Of cristynit blude to se it was greit sin.

For wrangous caus, and hes bene mony day,

Feill Inglismen in the dyke deid thair lay.

Speiris full sone, all into splenderis sprang,

With scharp swordis thay hewit on in thrang.

Blude bristit out throw fyne harnes and maill,

Iohne Wallange als, full scharply can assaill.

Vpon Craufurd, and the Knicht Longoueill,

With thair power keipit the Barreris weill.

Maid gude defence, be wit, manheid, and micht,

[Page]At the entre feill men to deith thay dicht.

Thus all atanis thay sailȝeit ather place,

Nane that was thair durst turne fra ye Barrace.

To help Wallace na man of his durst pas,

To reskew thame, sa fell the fechting was.

At ather hand thay handillit war full hait,

Bot do or de, na succour ellis thay wait.

Wallace was stad into that stalwart stour,

Guthrie, Bissat, with men of greit valour.

Richard Wallace, that worthy was of hand,

Psewart meruellit, yat contrair yame micht stād.

That euer sa few micht byde in battell place,

Aganis thame, and machit face for face.

He thocht him self, to end that mater weill,

Fast preissit in, with ane gude brand of steill.

Into the dyke, ane Scottis man gart he de,

Wallace thairfoir in hart had greit pietie.

Ane mendis to haue, he followit on him fast,

Bot Inglismen sa thick betuix thame past:

That vpon him, ane straik get culd he nocht,

Vther worthy detfly to deith he brocht.

Sloppis thay maid throw all the Cheualry,

The hardy Scottis than wrocht sa worthely.

Than Sutheroun saw of thair gude men sa drest,

Langer to byde, yame thocht it nocht the best.

Four scoir war slane, or thay wald leif the steid.

And fyftie als was at the Barreris deid.

Ane Trumpet blew, and fra the wod thay draw,

Wallange left of, that sicht fra that he saw.

To sailȝe mair, thay thocht it was na speid,

Without the wod to counsall sone thay ȝeid.

The worthy Scortis, to rest thame was full fane

Fell hurtis thay had, bot few of thame was slane.

[Page]Wallace bad all, of gude comfort to be,

Thankit be God, the fairar part haue we.

Ȝone Knicht Psewart hes at greit Iourneyis bene

Sa fair assay I haue bot seildin sene.

I had leuar on Wallange wrokin be,

Than ony man that is of ȝone menȝe.

The Scottis all vnto the Barreris ȝeid,

Stanchit woundis, that couth full braithly bleid.

Sum Scottismen had bled full mekill blude,

For falt of drink, and als wanting of fude.

Sum febillit fast, that had feill hurtis thair,

Wallace thairfoir sichit with hart full sair.

Ane hat he hint to get watter is gane,

Vther refuge as than he wist of nane.

Ane lytill strand he fand that ran him by,

Of cleir watter he brocht thame aboundantly.

And drank him self, syne said with sober mude,

The wyne in France me thocht not half sa gude.

Than of the day, thre quarteris was ouir went,

Schir Iohne Psewart, hes cassin in his Intent.

To sailȝe mair, as than he couth nocht preif,

Quhill on the morne that new men couth releif.

And keip thame in, quhill thay for honger soir,

Cum in his will, or ellis de thairfoir.

Wallange he said, I charge the for to byde,

And keip thame in, quhill I to Cowper ryde.

Thow sall remane with fyue hundreth at thy will

And I ye morne with power sall cum the till.

Iohne Wallange said, this charge heir I forsaik,

Efter this day, all nicht I may nocht waik.

Bot traistis weill, thay will Ische to the plane,

Thocht ȝe byde als, or ellis de in the pane.

Psewart bad byde, or vnderly the blame,

[Page]I the command on gude King Edwardis name.

Or heir to God, avow I mak beforne,

And thay brek out to hyng the hie the morne.

Of his command Iohn Wallange had greit dreid

Psewart fra thame with nyne scoir into deid.

Nixt hand the wod, and his gude men of Fyfe,

The Scottꝭ was blyith, quhē yt yai hard sic stryfe.

Wallace drew neir, his tyme quhen yat he saw,

To the wod syde, and couth on Wallange caw.

That Knicht hes hecht ye morne to hang the hie,

Cum [...]n to vs, I sall thy warrand be.

In contrair him, and all King Edwardis micht,

Tak we him quyk, we sall him hang on hicht.

Ane gude Lordschip I sall the gif heir Eist,

In this Ilk land that thy brother hes leisit.

Wallange was wyse, full sone couth vnderstand,

Be lyklines Wallace suld wyn the land.

And better him war, into the richt to byde,

Than be in weir vpon the tother syde.

With schort auysement, to Wallace in thay socht,

Than Psewart cryit, and said that beis for nocht.

And fals of kynd, thow art of heritage,

Edward on the hes euill wairit greit wage.

Heir I sall byde, my purpois to fulfill,

Outher to de, or haue the at my will.

For all his speiche, to pas yai wald nocht spair,

With full glaid hart Wallace ressauit yame yair.

Be that Rothwen, and Ramsay of Renoun,

Be ane trew Scot, yat past to Sāct Iohnstoun.

Thame warning maid, yat Psewart followit fast

Vpon Wallace, than war thay sair agast.

Out of the toun, Ischit in all thair micht,

With thre hundreth, yat worthy war and wicht.

[Page]To Blak Irnesyde assemblit in that place,

As Wallange was gane in to gude Wallace.

The Knicht Psewart hes weill thair cūming sene

Ane fair plane feild he cheisit thame betuene.

Elleuin hundreth, and four scoir than had he,

The Scottis men, war fyue hundreth and sextie.

Thir was bot few, ane plane feild for to tak,

Out of the wod gude Wallace can him mak.

He wist na wit of thame that cūmand was,

Mair hardiment was fra the strenth to pas.

Bot quhen he hard, Rothuen and Ramsay cry,

Of Ouchtirhous blyith was this Cheualry.

Micht thay of gold, haue brocht ane Kingis rent,

To gude Wallace micht nocht sa weill content.

Than to array thay ȝeid on ather syde,

In cruell Ire at battell bowne to byde.

Worthyer men than Psewart semblit thair,

In all his tyme Edward had neuer mair.

Bot Psewart saw his number was far ma,

His power sone he gart deuyde in twa.

To fecht in that caus Knichtly he thame kend,

In that Iourney outher to wyn or end.

The worthy Scottis yat first amang yame baid,

Full greit slauchter on Inglismen thay maid.

Into the wod befoir had preuit weill,

Than on the plane thay sonȝeit neuer adeill.

In curage grew, as thay war new begun,

Schort rest thay had, fra rysing of the Sone.

Be that Ram [...]ay, and gude worthy Rothuane,

Throw out the thickest of the preis is gane.

Sloppis thay maid amang the Inglismen,

Disseuerit thame be twentie, and be ten.

Quhen speiris war gane, with swordis of mettel [...]

[Page]To Inglismen thair cūming sauld full deir.

Wallace and his be worthynes of hand,

Feill Sutheroun blude gart licht vpon ye land.

The twa feildis togidder reillit than,

Schir Iohne Psewart with mony Nobill man.

To help thair Lord thre hundreth in ane place,

About him stude, and did thair besynes.

Defendand him with mony awfull dynt,

Quhill all the outwart of the feild was tynt.

Of commounis part, into the Forest fled,

Su [...]cour to seik, thir men sa had thame led.

The Scottis hes sene sa mony in ane rout,

With Psewart stand, that Inueronit him about,

Vpon all sydis, assailȝeit wounder sair,

The poleist plaitis with poyntis peirsit bair.

The Sutheroun maid defence full cruelly,

All occupyit was this Nobill Cheualry.

Schir Iohne Ramsay wald thay had ȝoldin bene

Wallace said nay, it is all wrang ȝe mene.

Ransoun to tak, we can nocht now begin,

On sic ane wyse, this land ȝe may nocht win.

Ȝone Knicht of auld our enemie hes bene,

Sa fell to vs, of thame I haue nocht sene.

Now he sall de throw help of Goddis grace,

He come to pay his Ransoun in this place.

The Sutheroun saw, and wist planely to de,

Reskew was nane, suppois that thay wald fle.

Freschly thay faucht, as thay had enterit new,

Vpon our syde part worthy men thay slew.

Thā Psewart said, allace throw wrangous thing

Our lyfis we lois, for desyre of our King.

That felloun Knicht dou [...]it his lyfe richt nocht,

Amang the Scottis full manfully he wrocht.

[Page]Bisset he straik to deith for outtin mair,

Wallace preuit with his sword birneist bair.

At Psewartis hals, he ettillit with greit Ire,

Throw pe [...]ane stuf, in sunder straik the swyre.

Deid to the ground he ruschit for all his micht,

Be Wallace, and thus endit that gude Knicht

The remanent without mercy thay sla,

For gude Bisset, the Scottis was wounder wa.

In handis sum, thay stikkit but remeid,

Na Sutheroun past with lyfe out of that steid.

Than to the wod, for thame that left the feild,

Ane range thay set thus micht thay get na veild.

Ȝeid nane away was contrair our opinioun,

Gude Rothuen past agane to Sanct Iohnstoun.

Schir Iohne Ramsay to Cowper Castell raid,

That hous he tuik, for defence nane was maid.

Wallace, Craufurd, and with yame gude Guthrie

Richard Wallace had lang bene in mellie.

And Longoueill into Lundoris baid still,

Fastit thay had to lang agane thair will.

Wallange thay maid thair Stewart for to be,

Of meit and drink thay fand aboundantlie.

The power fled, and durst na langer byde,

That was befoir vpon the Sutheroun syde.

Vpon the morne to Sanctandrois thay past,

Out of the toun that Bischop bownit fast.

The King of Ingland had him thidder send,

That rent at will he gaif him in commend.

His Kingis charge, as than he durst nocht hald,

Ane wrangous Pape yat Tyran micht be cald.

Few fled with him, and gat away be see,

For all Scotland, Wallace he wald nocht se.

Of him as than, he maid bot licht record,

[Page]Ga [...]t restoir him, that thair was richteous Lord.

The worthy Knicht that into Cowper lay,

Gart spuilȝe it vpon the secund day.

Syne ordanit men, at the command of Wallace,

But mair proces for to cast doun the place.

Myndouris gart sone peirs out throw the wall,

Syne punciounis fyrit, vnto the gound kest all.

Schir Iohne Ramsay syne to Carrell can fair,

Sutheroun was fled, and left bot wallis bair.

Efter Psewart thay durst nocht tary lang,

The Scottis at large out throw all Fyfe yai rāg.

Na Inglismen was left in that cuntrie,

Bot in Lochleuin thair baid ane cumpanie.

Vpon that Inche in small housis thay licht,

Castell was nane, bot wallit with watter wicht.

Besyde Carrell semblit Wallace beforne,

His purpois was for to assay Kingorne.

Ane Knicht Musgraif, Capitane in it was,

Be schort auyse he purposit for to pas.

Erar he wald byde challange of his King,

Than with Wallace to reckin for sic thing.

That hous thay tuik, and lytill tary maid,

Vpon the morne withouttin mair abaid.

Atouir the mure, quhair thay the tryst had set,

Neir Scotland well thair ludging tuik but let.

Efter Supper, Wallace bad thame ga rest,

My self will walk, me think it may be best.

¶The wynning of Lochleuin. Cap. iij.

AS he commādit but grunching yai haue done,

Into thair sleip Wallace him grauhit sone.

Past to Lochleuin as it was neir mydnicht.

[Page]Auchtene with him, that he had warnit richt

Thir men weind weill he come to ves [...] it,

Fellowis he said, I do ȝow weill to wit.

Considder weill this place and vnderstand,

That it may do full greit skaith to Scotland.

Out of the south, and power cum thame till,

Thay may tak in, to keip at thair awin will.

Vpon ȝone Inche richt mony men may be,

And syne Ische out, thair tyme quhen yar yai se.

To byde langer heir we may nocht vpon chance,

Ȝone folk hes fude, traist weill at sufficance.

Watter fra thame, forsuith can nocht be fet,

Sum vther wyle behouis vs for to get.

Ȝe sall remane heir at this part all still,

And I my self the boit sall bring ȝow till.

Thair with his weid in baist of castis he,

Vpon ȝone syde na wache man can I se.

Held on his sark, and tuik his sword sa gude,

Bund on his nek, syne lap into the flude.

And ouir he swame, for letting had he nocht,

The Boit he tuik, and to his men it brocht.

Arrayit him weill, and wald na langer byde,

Bot passit in, and rowit to the tother syde.

The Inche yai tuik, with drawin swordis in had,

Thay spairit nane, that thay befoir thame fand.

Straik durris vp, and stikkit men quhair yai [...]ay,

Vpon the Sutheroun this sadly sembill thay.

Threttie thay slew, that was into that place,

To mak defence, the Inglismen had na space.

Thair wemen fyue, was send out of that steid,

Wemen nor barnis, he gart neuer put to deid.

The gude thay tuik, as it had bene thair awin,

Than Wallace said, fellowis I mak ȝow knawin

[Page]The pur [...]eyante that is within thir wanis,

We will nocht tyne, ga [...] sembill vs all atanis.

Lat warne Ramsay, and our gude men Ilkane,

I will remane quhill that this stuf be gane.

Send furth ane man thair horsis for to keip,

Drew vp the boit, syne beddis tuik to sleip.

Wallace power, neir Scotland Well quhilk lay,

Befoir the Sone thay myssit him away.

Sum mening maid, and meruellit of that cace,

Ramsay bad ceis, and murne nocht for Wallace.

It is for gude, that he is fra vs went,

That sall ȝe se, and traist weill werrayment.

My heid to wed, Lochleuin he passit to se,

Bot in that place, na Inglismen knew he.

Into this land, bet [...]ix thir watteris left,

Tythingis of him, full sone ȝe sall heir eft.

As thay about war talkand on this wyse,

Message come, and chargit thame to ryse.

My Lord he said, to Denner hes ȝow cald,

Into Lochleuin, quhilk is ane lyklie hald.

Ȝe sall fair weill, thairfoir put of all sorrow,

Thay graithit thame, richt airly on the morrow.

And thidder past of Wallace will to wit,

Than semblit in, ane full blyith fellowschip.

Thay lugi [...] yame yair, quhil viij dayis was at end

Of me it and drink, thay had aneuch to spend.

Turssit furth geir yat Sutheroun had brocht yair

Gart byrn the boit, to Sanct Iohnstoun yai fair.

Bischop Sinklar, that worthy was and wyse,

To Wallace come, and tauld him his auyse.

Thus he desyrit Wallace with him wald ryde,

And in Dunkeld Soiorne that wynter tyde.

Bot he said nay, that hald I nocht the best,

[Page]And Scotland thus, in peice we can nocht rest.

The Bischop said, planely ȝe may nocht wend,

Into the North, for men I reid ȝow send.

I grant (quod he) and cheisit ane messingair,

The worthy Iop was with the Bischop thair.

And Maister Blair, quhill Wallace come yai baid

With yat gude Lord, yat Nobill cheir, yame maid.

Wallace send Blair, into his Preistis weid,

To warne ye west, quhair freindis had greit dreid.

How thay suld pas, or to gude Wallace wyn,

For Inglismen, that held thame lang in twyn.

Adam Wallace, and Lindesay that was wicht,

Rauthlic thay left, and went away be nicht.

Throw out the land, to the Lennor thay fair,

To Erll Malcolme, that welcūmit yame full ȝair.

Maister Iohne Blair, was blyith of that semblie,

Gude Grahame was yair, and Richard of Lūdie.

Als Robert Boyd, that out of Bute thame socht,

Gat yai Wallace, of na thing than thay rocht.

Bot Inglismen betuix thame was sa strang,

That thay in plane, micht nocht weill to him gāg.

Iop passit on, for na thing wald he let,

Greit power than, as thair he couth nocht get.

The Lord Cumyng, that Erll of Buchaue was,

For auld Inuy, he wald lat na man pas.

That he micht lat in gude Wallace [...]upplie,

The Erll Patrik at plane feild keipit he.

Ȝit pure men come, and preuit all thair micht▪

To help Wallace in fence of Scotlandis richt.

The gude Randall in tender age was kend,

Part of gude men out of Murray he send.

Iop passit agane, and come in presence sone,

Befoir Wallace, and tauld how thay had done.

[Page]Bot Maister Blair, sa gude tythingis him brocht,

That of the Cumyng Wallace full lytill rocht.

Als Inglismen, than had full mekill dreid,

Fra Fyfe was tynt, the war thay trowit to speid.

The Duke and Erll that tyme in Scotland led,

Capitanis thay maid, in Ingland syne thay sped.

Wallace him bownit, quhē he thocht tyme suld be,

Fra Sanct Iohnstoun, and tuik with him fyftie.

Steuin of Ireland, and Keirly yat was wicht,

For Inglismen thay had haldin the richt.

In waith men weid, and fendit thame richt welll

To gude Wallace thay war als trew as steill.

To follow him, thay twa thocht neuer lang,

Throw the Oychell, thay maid yame for to gang.

Of mair power he taryit nocht that tyde,

To keip the land the laif he gart abyde.

To Striuiling brig, as than he wald nocht pas,

For strang power of Inglismen thair was.

¶The wynning of Erth. Cap. iilj.

TO Erth Ferry thay passit priuatly,

And buskit thame in ane dern steid thair by.

Ane cruell Capitane in Erth dwelt that ȝeir.

In Ingland borne, and hecht Thomlin of weir.

Ane hundreth men was at his leiding still,

To bruik that land thay did power and will.

Ane Scottis fischear quhilk yai had tane beforne,

Contrair his will, gart him be to thame sworne.

In thair seruice thay held him day and nicht,

Befoir the Sone Wallace gart Iop him dicht.

And send him furth the passage to espy,

On that fischear he hapnit suddandly.

[Page]All him allane, bot ane boy that was thair,

Iop hynt him sone, and for na dreid wald spair.

Be the collar, and out ane knyfe pullit he,

For Goddis saik this man askit mercie.

Iop speirit sone, of quhat Natioun art thow,

Ane Scot he said, bot Sutheroun gart me vow.

In thair seruice, aganis my will full sair,

Bot for my lyfe, that I remanit thair.

To seik fische I come on this North syde,

Be ȝe ane Scot, I wald fane with ȝow byde.

Than he him brocht in presence to Wallace,

The Scottis was blyith, quhen yai haue sene yis cace

For with his boit yai micht weil passage haif,

For Ferry craft he thocht nocht for to craif.

Vpon that syde, lang space thay taryit nocht,

In the south land with glaid hartis thay socht.

Syne brak the boit, quhen thay war landit thair,

Ser [...]ice of it, Sutheroun micht haue na mair.

Than throw the Mos, thay passit full gude speid,

To the Torwod yat man with thame thay leid.

The Wedow thair, brocht tythingis to Wallace,

Of his trew Eme, that dwelt in Donypace.

Thomlin of weir, in presoun had him set,

For mair tresour ya nhe befoir micht get.

Wallace said Dame he sall weill lousit be,

The morne be none, or ma thairfoir sall de.

Scho gat thame meit, and in quyet thay baid,

Quhill it was nicht, syne reddy sone thay maid.

Towart Erth hall, richt suddandly thame drew,

Ane strenth thair was, yat weill ye fischear knew.

Of draw dykis, and full of watter wan,

Wysel [...]e thairof hes warnit thame this man.

On the bak syde he led thame priuatlie

[Page]Fra the watter, as wount to cum was he.

Our ane small brig, gude Wallace enterit in,

Into the hall him self thocht to begin.

Fra the Supper, as thay war bown to ryse,

He salust thame vpon ane awfull wyse.

His men him followit, suddandly atanis,

Haistie sorrow was rasit in thay wanis.

With scheirād swordis, scharply about yame dang

Feill on the flure, was fellit thame amang.

With Thomlin weir, Wallace him self hes met,

Ane felloun straik sadly vpon him set.

Throw heid and swyre, all throw ye coist him claif

The worthy Scottis fast stikkit of the laif.

Keipit durris, and to the deith thame dicht,

To chaip away, the Sutheroun had na micht.

Sum wyndois socht for to haue brokin out,

Bot all for nocht, full fey was maid that rout.

About the fyre buschit the blude sa Reid,

Ane hundreth men was slane into that steid.

Than Wallace socht quhair his Vncle suld be,

In ane deip Coif he was set dulefullie.

Quhair watter stude, and he in Irnis strang,

Wallace full sone, the brais vp he dang.

Of that myrk hoill, brocht him with strenth & list,

Bot noyis he hard, of na thing ellis he wist.

Sa blyith befoir, in warld he had nocht bene,

And thair with sichit, quhen he had Wallace sene.

In dykis out, the deid bodyis thay kest,

Graithit the place, as that thame lykit best.

Maid full gude cheir, and wyse wachis thay set,

Quhill neir the day, thay sleip withouttin let.

Quhen thay had sicht, spuilȝeit the place in hy,

Fand ganand geir, baith gold and Iowalry.

[Page]Ouir all that day in quyet held thame still,

Quhē Sutheroun come, ressauit yame with gude will.

In yat laubour ye Scottis was ful bane,

Inglismen come in, bot nane ȝeid out agane.

Wemen and barnis, put in presoun and caif,

Sa thay micht mak na warning to the laif.

Steuin of Ireland, and Keirly yat was wicht,

Keipit the port vpon the secund nicht.

Befoir the day the worthy Scottis rais,

Turssit gude geir, and to the Torwod gais.

Remanit thair, quhill nicht was cūmin on hand,

Syne bownit thame in quyet throw the land.

The wedow sone, fra thay war passit dout,

Ane seruand send, and leit the wemen out.

To pas fra Erth quhair yat yame lykit best,

Now speik of thame, that went into the west.

¶How Wallace brynt the Inglismen in Dunbertane. Cap. v.

VAllace him self was sicker gyde that nicht,

To Dunbartane the way he cheisit richt.

Or it was day, for than the nicht was lang,

Vnto the toun full priuatly thay gang.

Mekill of it Inglismen occupyit,

Gude Waallce sone, throw ane dark garth him hyit

Vnto ane hous quhair he was wont to ken,

Ane wedow dwelt, that was freind to our men.

About hir bed, on the bak syde was maid,

Ane dern wyndo, was nouther lang nor braid.

Thair Wallace callit, and sone fra scho him knew

In haist scho rais, and priuatly him drew:

To ane clois barn, quhair thay micht keipit be,

[Page]Baith meit & drink, scho brocht yame greit plentie.

Ane gudly gift, to Wallace als scho gaif,

Ane hundreth pund, and mair atouir the laif.

Nyne Sonis scho had, was likly men and wicht,

Ane aith to him scho gart thame sweir full richt.

In peice thay dwelt, in trubill thay had bene,

And tribute payit to Inglis Capitanis kene.

Schir Iohne Menteith, the Castell had in hand,

Bot sum men said thair was ane preuie band.

To Sutheroun maid, be meanis of that Knicht,

In thair supplie to be at all his micht.

Thairof as now, I will na proces mak,

Wallace that day, ane schort purpois can tak.

Quhen it was nicht he bad the wedow pas,

And mark the duris, quhair Sutheroun dwellād was.

Syne efter this, he and his Cheualry,

Graithit thame weill, and wappinis tuik in hy.

Went on the gait, quhair Sutheroū was on s [...]ei [...] ▪

Ane greit Oistillary our Scottis tuik to keip

Ane Inglis Capitane was sittand vp sa la [...]

Quhen he and his, with drink was maid sa [...]:

Nyne men was thair, with him set in hie [...],

Sum wald haue had gude Wallace in that ca [...].

Sū wald haue būd, schir Iohn ye grahame throw [...]ēth

Sū wald haif had guid boyd at swordꝭ [...]eth▪

Sum wissit Lundy, yat chaipit was in Fyfe,

Sum wichter was, nor Setoun yan in stryfe.

Quhen Wallace, hard, the Sutheroū mak sic dyn

He gart all byde, and him allane went in.

The laif remanit to heir of thair ty [...]hance,

He salust thame with sturdy countenance.

F [...]llowis he said, sen I come last fra [...]ame,

In trauell I was, in land ouir vncouth fame.

[Page]Fra South Ireland I come in this cuntrie,

The new conqueis of Scotland for to se.

Part of ȝour drink, and sum gude I wald haif,

The Capitane than ane schrewit answer him gaif

Thow semis ane Scot vnlikly vs to spy,

Thow may be ane of Wallace cumpany.

Contrait our King he is ryssin agane,

The land of Fyfe he hes riddin in plane.

Thow sall heir byde, quhill we wit how it be,

Be thow of his, thow sall be hangit hie.

Wallace thocht than it was na tyme to stand,

His Nobill sword he grippit sone in hand.

Ouir thort the face, drew the Capitane in tene,

Straik all away, that grew abone his Ene.

Ane vther braithly in the breist he bair,

Baith braune & bane, ye buir [...]y blaid throw schair.

The laif ruschit vp, to Wallace in greit Ire,

The thrid he fellit, full derfly in the fyre.

Steuin of Ireland, and Keirly in that thrang,

Keipit na charge, bot enterit thame amang.

And vther ma, that to the dure can preis,

Quhill yai him saw, yair culd na thing thame ceis

The Sutheroun men full sone was brocht to deid

The blyith Oistillar, bad thame gude aill & breid.

Wallace said nay, quhill we haue laiser mair,

To be our gyde, thow sall befoir vs fair.

And begyn fyre quhair yat the Sutheroun lyis,

The Oistillar sone vpon ane haistie wyis.

Hynt fyre in hand, and to ane greit hous ȝeid,

Quhair Inglismen was into mekill dreid.

For thay wist nocht, quhill yat ye Reid low rais,

As wod beistis amang ye fyre than gais.

With panis fell, ruschit full sorrowfully,

[Page]The laif without of our gude Cheualry.

At Ilk hous quhair the Oistillar began,

Keipit the duris, fra thame chaipit na man.

For all yair micht, thocht king edward had sworne

Gat nane away, that was of Ingland borne.

Bot outher brynt, or but reskew was slane,

And sum throw force dreuin in the fyre agane.

Part Scottis folk in seruice thame amang,

Fra ony pane frely thay leit thame gang.

Thre hundreth men was to Dunbertane send,

To keip the land, as thair Lord had thame kend.

Skaithles of thame, for ay was this Regioun,

Wallace or day maid him out of the toun.

Vnto the Coif of Dunbertane thay ȝeid,

And all that day, thair soiornit but dreid.

Baith meit and drink the Oistillar gart be brocht

Quhē nicht was cūmin, in all ye haist thay mocht

Towart Rosneith full ernistly thay gang,

For Inglismen was in that Castell strang.

On the Garloch thay purpois thame to byde,

Betuix the Kirk, that neir was thair besyde.

And to the Castell full priuatly thay ga,

Vnder ane bray thay lubgit thame full la.

Vnder the watter quhair commoun vse had thay

The Castell stuf vnto the Kirk Ilk day.

Ane mariage als, was that day to begin,

All Ischit out, and left na man thairin.

That fence micht mak, bot seruandis in that place

Thus to that tryst thay passit vpon cace.

Wallace and his drew thame full priuatly,

Neir hand the place, quhen thay war passit by.

Within the hall, and thocht to keip that steid,

Fra Sutheroun men, or ellis thairfoir be deid.

[Page]Compleit was maid, the mariage into plane,

Vnto Rosneth thay passit hame agane.

Four scoir and ma, was in that cumpany,

Bot nocht arrayit, as was our Cheualry.

To the Castell thay weind to pas but let,

The worthy Scottis sa hardly on thame set.

Fourtie atanis derfly to ground thay bair,

The remanent effrayit war sa sair.

Langer in feild thay had na micht to byde,

Bot feirsly fled fra thame on ather syde.

The Scottis thair with, weill hes ye entre win,

And slew all thair, that in the hous was fundin.

Syne on the flearis followit wounder fast,

Na Inglisman with lyfe thair fra thame past.

The wemen sone thay seisit into hand,

Keipit thame clois for warning of the land.

And deid bodyis all out of sicht thay kest,

Than at gude eis thay maid thame for to rest.

On that purueyance seuin dayis ludgit thair,

At rude coistis, to spend thay wald nocht spair.

Quhē Sutheroun come, thay tuik thame glaidly in,

Bot out agane thay leit nane of that kin.

Quhat tythingis send the Capitane of yat steid,

Thair seruitouris the Scottis put to deid.

Spuilȝeit the place, and left na gudis thair,

Brak wallis doun, and maid the biggingis bair.

Quhen yai had spilt all stane werk yat yai mocht,

Syne kendillit fyre, and fra Rosneth thay socht.

Quhen thay had brynt all trein werk in yat place

Wallace gart freith the wemen of his grace.

To do thame harme neuer his purpois was,

Than to Falkland, the worthy Scottis can pas.

Quhair Erll Malcolme, was bydand at defence,

[Page]Richt blyith he was of Wallace gude presence.

Than he fand thair ane Nobill cumpany,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame, and Richard of Lūdy.

Adam Wallace that worthy was and wyse,

Barklay, and Boyd, with men mekill to pryse.

At Cristynmes, yair Wallace Soiornit still,

Of his mother tythingis was brocht him till.

That tyme befoir, scho had left Ellerstie,

For Inglismen scho durst nocht in it be.

Fra thyne disagysit scho past in pilgrame weid,

Sum girth to seik, to Dunfermling scho ȝeid.

Seiknes scho had, forsuith into that steid,

Deceissit scho was, God tuik hir Sprite to leid.

Quhen Wallace hard yat yir tythingis war trew

How sadnes sa, on Ilk syde can persew.

In thank he tuik, becaus it is naturall,

He louit God with sicker hart and haill.

Better him thocht, as it was hapnit sa,

Than Sutheroun suld put hir to vther wa.

He ordanit Iop, and alswa maister Blair,

Thidder to pas, and for na coist to spair.

Bot honorabilly ye Corps put in Sepulture,

At his command thay seruit all the cure.

Doand thairto, as deith requyrit to haif,

With riche entrie, the Corps thay put in graif.

Agane thay turnit, and schewit of hir end,

He thankit God, quhat grace that euer he send.

He seis the warld sa full of fantasy,

Comfort he tuik leit all murning ga by.

His maist desyre was for to freith Scotland,

Now will I tell quhat cace yan come on hand.

☞ )(✚)( ☜

¶

[Page]

¶How Schir William Dowglas wan the Castell of Sauquhair be ane Ieopardie, and how William Wallace reske wit him fra the Inglismen, and put thame out of that part. Cap. vj.

SChir William lang of Dowglasdaill was lord

Be his first wyfe, as richt is to record

Deceissit than out of this warldly cair,

Twa Sonis he had with hir that leuit thair.

Quhilk lyklie was, and abill in curage,

To Scuill war send into thair tender age.

Iames and Hew, sa hecht thir brether twa,

And efter sone thair Vncle culd thame ta.

Gude Robert Keith had thame fra Glasgow [...]oun

And ouir the sey, to France he maid him boun.

At study syne he left thame in Paris,

With ane Maister, yat worthy was and wyse.

The King Edward tuik thair Father yat Knicht,

And held him still, thocht he was neuer sa wicht.

Quhill [...]yme he had assentit to his will,

Ane mariage als thay haue ordanit him till.

The Lady Ferres of power and hie blude,

Bot thairof come to his lyfe lytill gude.

Twa Sonis he gat on this Lady but mair,

With Edwardis will he tuik his leif to fair.

In Scotland come, and brocht his wyfe in peis,

In Dowglas dwelt, forsuith this is na leis.

King Edward trowit that he had steidfast bene,

Fast to thair faith, bot the contrair was sene.

Ay Scottis blude remanit into Dowglas,

Aganis Ingland, that preuit in mony place.

The Sauquhair was ane Castell fair and strang

[Page]Ane Inglis Capitane had done feill scottis wrāg.

Into it dwelt ane Bewfurd he was cald,

That held all waist, fra thyne to Dowglas hald,

Richt neir of kyn was Dowglas wyfe and he,

Thairfoir he trowit in peice of him to be.

Schir William saw, that Wallace rais in plane,

And richt lyklie to freith Scotland agane.

To help him part, into his mynd he keft,

For in that lyfe richt lang he couth nocht left.

He thocht na charge to brek vpon Ingland,

It was throw force yat euer he maid thame bād.

Ane ȝoung man than, that hardy was and bald,

Borne with him self, and Thomas Diksoun cald.

Deir freind he said, I wald preif at my micht,

And mak ane fray to fals Bewfurd the Knicht.

In Sauqu [...]air dwellis, & dois ful greit outrage,

Than Diksoun said, my self in that veyage.

Sall for ȝow pas, with Andersoun to speik,

Freindschip to me my Cousing will nocht brek.

He is the man thair fyre leidis thame till,

Throw his help ȝour purpois ȝe may fulfill.

Schir William than in all the haist he micht,

Threttie trew men in that veyage he dicht.

And tald his wyfe, to Dunfreis he wald fair,

Ane tryst he said of Ingland he had thair.

Thus passit he, quhair yat na Sutheroun wist,

With thir threttie, throw waist land at thair list.

Quhill nicht was cūmin, he buschit yame full law

Into ane cleuch neir at the watter of Craw.

To the Sauquhair Diksone allane he send,

And he sone maid with Andersoun this end.

Diksoun suld tak baith his hors and his weid,

Be it was day, ane draucht of wod to leid.

[Page]Agane he past, and tald the gude Dowglas,

Quhilk drew him sone into ane priuat place.

Andersoun tald quhat stuf that was thairin,

To Thomas Diksoun, was richt neir of his Kin.

Fourtie thay ar, all men of mekill vaill,

Be thay on fuit, thay will ȝour sair assaill.

Gif ȝe happin the entrie for to get,

On thy richt hand ane stalwart axe is set.

Thair with thow may defend the in ane thrang

Be Dowglas wyse, he byde nocht fra the lang.

Andersone ȝeid to the buschement in hy,

Neir the Castell he drew thame priuatly.

Vnto ane Schaw, Sutheroun mistraistit nocht,

To the nixt wod with Diksoun sone he socht.

Graithit ane draucht on ane braid flyp and law,

Chargit ane hors, and to the toun can draw.

Arrayit he was, intill Andersonnis weid,

And bad haue in, the Portar come gude speid.

This hour he said, thow micht haue bene away,

Vntymous thow art, for it is scantly day.

The ȝet ȝeid vp, Diksoun gat in but [...],

Ane thortour band that all the draucht vp bair.

He cuttit it, the flyp to ground couth ga,

Cūmerit the ȝet, steiking thay [...]cht nocht ma.

The Portarsone he hynt into that f [...]ryfe,

Twyis throw the heid, and rest him sone his lyfe.

The axe he gat that Andersoun of spak,

Ane beikning maid, yair with ye buschement brak

Dowglas him self was formest in that preis,

In ouir the wod, enterit or thay wald ceis.

Thre wachemen was, fra the wallis cūmin new,

Within the clois the Scottismen thame slew.

Or ony scry was raisit in that stour,

[Page]Dowglas had tane the ȝet of the greit Tour.

Ran vp the Grece quhair that the Capitane lay,

On fuit he gat, and wald haue bene away.

Quir lait it was, Dowglas straik vp the dure,

Bewfurd he fand in myddis of the flure.

With ane stif sword to deith he hes him dicht,

His men followit, that worthy war and wicht.

The men thay slew, that was within thay wanis

Syne in the clois thay semblit all at atanis.

The hous thay tuik, and Sutheroun put to deid,

Gat nane bot ane, with lyfe out of that steid.

For that the ȝet sa lang vnsteikit was,

This spy he fled, and to Durrisdeir can pas.

Tald that Capitane that thay had hapnit sa,

And vther he gart vnto the Ennoch ga.

And Tyberis mure was warnit of this cace,

And Lochmabane all semblit to this place.

The countrie als, quhen thay hard of sic thing,

To seige Dowglas, and hecht thay suld him hing.

Quhen Dowglas wist, that nane was fra thame chaip

To sailȝe him, he trowit yt yai wald schaip.

Diksone he send vpon ane Cuirsour wicht,

To warne Wallace in all the haist he micht.

In the Lennox Wallace had tane the plane,

With four hundreth that was of mekill mane.

Kilsyth Castell he thocht to vesy it,

That Rauinda [...]ll held, bot trew men leit him wit

That he was out, that tyme in Cūmernald,

Lord Cumyng dwelt on tribute in that hald.

Quhen Wallace wist, he gart Erll Malcome ly,

With twa hundreth in buschement neir thairby.

To keip the hous, that nane suld to it fair,

He [...]ulk the laif in the wod syde neir thair.

[Page]Ane Scurriour set, to warne gif he saw ocht,

Sone Rauindaill come, of yame he had na thocht.

Quhen he was cūmin yt twa buschemētis betuene

The Scurriou [...] warnit thir cruell men and kene.

Quhē Erll Malcolme had barrit yame fraye place

Na Sutheroun ȝeid with lyfe thay did yat grace.

Part Lennox men thay left the hous to ta,

On spuilȝeing than thay wald na tary ma.

To seige housis, than Wallace couth nocht byde,

Throw out the land in awfull wyse thay ryde.

Than Lynlithgow toun, yai brynt into yair gait,

Quhair Sutheroū dwelt, yai maid yair biggingꝭ

The Peill yai tuik, slew yame yt was yairin, [...]ha [...]

On Sutheroun blude, ye Scottis thocht na sin.

Syne on the morne brynt Dalkeith in ane gleid,

Than to ane strenth in Newbottill wod yai ȝeid.

Be that Lawder, and Cristall of Setoun,

Come fra the Bas, & brynt North Berwik toun.

For Inglismen yair suld na succour get,

Quhome yai ouir tuik, thay slew for outtin let.

To meit Wallace thay past in all thair micht,

Ane hundreth with thame of men in armis bricht.

Ane blyith me [...]ting that tyme was thame [...]etuene

Quhen Erll Malcolme, & Wallace hes yame sene.

Thomas Diksoun was met with gude Wallace,

Quhilk grantit sone, for to reskew Dowglas.

Diksoun he said, wait thow of thair multiplie,

Thre thousand men yair power may nocht be,

Erl Malcolme said, thocht yai war thousādis fyfe

For this actio [...]n me think yat we suld stryfe.

Than Hew the Hay, yat dwelt vnder trewage,

Of Inglismen sone he gaif ouir that wage.

Mair for to pay, as than he lykit nocht,

[Page]With fyftie men to Wallace furth he socht.

To Peblis fast, bot na Sutheroun yame bald,

Thair at the Croce, ane plane cry haue thay maid.

Wallace commandit, quha wald cum to his peis,

And byde thairat, rewaird suld haue but leis.

Gude Rutherfurd, that euer trew had kene,

In Etttik wod, agane the Sutheroun bene.

Biddin he had, and done thame mekill deir,

Sextie [...]e led of Nobill men of weir.

Wallace him welcūmit, that come in his supplie,

With Lordlyke feir, and Chiftane lyke was he.

Than to array, thay went without the toun,

Thair number was sex hundreth of Renoun.

In beirnis bricht, all men of mekill waill,

With glaid hartis thay past throw Cliddisdaill.

The Seige began, was to the Sau [...]uhair set,

Sic [...]ythingis come, that maid thairin ane let,

Quhen Sutheroū hard yat Wallace was sa neir,

Throw vaistie fray, the Oist was all [...]n stei [...].

Na man was yair, wald for ane vther byde,

Purpois thay tuik, in Ingland for to ryde.

The Chi [...]tane said, sen thair King had befoir,

Fra Wallace fled, thair causis was the moir.

Fra South yai socht, to byde it was greit wraith

Dowglas as yan, was thus quyte of thair skaith.

In Craufurd mure be than was gude Wallace,

Quhen men him tauld that Sutheroū vpon cace:

Was fled away, and durst him nocht abyde,

Thre hundreth than he cheisit with him to ryde.

In lieht harnes, and hors yat thay wald waill,

The Erll Malcome he had byde with the staill.

To follow thame ane bak gaird for to be,

To stuf the chace, in all haist bownit he.

[Page]Throw Durrisdeir he tuik the gauest gait,

Richt fane he wald with Sutheroun mak debait.

The planest way abone Mortoun thay hald,

Rydand the hicht, gif that the Sutheroun wald.

Was to persew, or turne to Lochmabane,

Bot tent thairto the Inglismen tuik naue▪

Doun richt yai held, graith gydis couth yame le [...],

Abone Closburn Wallace approchit neir.

In Ire he grew, quhen thay war in his sicht,

To yame thay sped, with will and all thair micht.

On ane out part ye Scottis set that tyde,

Seuin scoir at eird thay had sone at a [...]e syde.

The Sutheroun saw that it was hapnit [...],

Turnit in agane than sum reskew to ma.

Quhen thay trowit best, aganis Wallace to stand

Erll Malcolme come, than richt neir at thair had.

The haill power tu [...]k plane purpois to fle,

Quha was at eird, Wallace gart la [...] thame be.

Vpon the formest followit with all his micht,

The Erll and his amang the laif can licht.

Did all to deith, yat vn̄horssit war yat ayde,

Efter the hors full freschly than thay ryde▪

Fyue hundreth large, or thay past Daiswy [...]toun,

On Sutheroun syde, to ground was brocht doun

The Scottis hors, mony began to tyre,

Suppois thair self was feirs as ony fyre.

The flearis left, baith wod, watteris and hill,

To tak the plane, speidfull thay thocht thame till.

In greit battell away full fast thay raid,

Into ye strenthis thay thocht to mak na baid.

N [...]ir Lochmabane, and Ochti [...]hous thay went,

Besyde Croichmad, quhair feill Sutheroun was sche [...].

Richt mony hors that rūnin had sa lang,

[Page]And trauellit sair, thay micht na farther gang.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame vpon his fuir was set,

Than Wallace als, lychtit withouttin let.

Thir twa on fuit amang yair enemeis ȝeid,

Was nane but hors, micht fra yame pas for speid.

On Inglismen sa cruelly thay socht,

Quhome thay ouirtuik, agane harmit vs nocht.

To Wallace come, ane part of power new,

On restit hors that peirtly couth persew.

Adame Corry with gude men of greit vaill,

And Iohnstoun als, that dwelt into Eskdaill.

And Kirkpatrik was in that cumpany,

And Haliday, quhilk semblit sturdily.

Quhair thay enterit ye sa [...]ȝe was sa sair,

Deid to the ground, feill flearis doun thay vair.

Seuin scoir was haill of new cūmin men in deid,

The South partie of yame had mekill dreid.

Wallace was hors [...] vpon ane Cuirsour wicht,

That gude Corty had brocht him to that sicht.

To stuf the chace with new Cheualry,

Commandit Grahame, and his gude men for thy.

Togidder dyde, and follow as thay micht,

Thre Capitanis yair full sone to deith yai dicht.

That restit hors sa wounder weill him bair,

Quh [...]me he ouirtuik, agane rais neuer mair.

Raithly he raid, and wrocht full mony wound,

Thir thre Capitanis he stikkit in ane stound.

Of Durrisdeir, Ennoch, and Teberris mure,

Lord Cu [...]urdis Eme away to Carlile fure.

The quhilk befoir yat keipit Lochmabane,

Na landit man with him cha [...]pit bot ane.

For Maxwell als, out of Carlauerok come,

On ye Sutheroun the ganest way hes nome.

[Page]Into the chace sa wilfully thay ryde,

Few gat away, that come vpon that syde.

Besyde Cokpule full feill fechting thay fand,

Sum drownit was, sum slane vpon the land.

Quha chaipit was, in Ingland fled away,

Wallace returnit, na presoner tuik thay.

In Carlauerok, that nicht resting thay maid,

Vpon the morne to Dumfreis bly [...]thly raid.

Thair Wallace cryit, quha wald cum to his peis,

Aganis Sutheroun, thair malice for to ceis.

To trew Scottis he ordanit warysoun,

Quha taltit had, he grantit remissioun.

In Dumfreis than, he wald na langer byde,

The Sutheroun fled [...]f Scotland on Ilk syde.

Be sey and land without langer abaid,

Of Castellis, tounꝭ, yan Wallace Chiftanis maid.

Reullit the land, and put it in gude rest,

With trew keiperis the quhilkis he traistit best.

The gude Dowglas, that I ȝow tald of air,

Keiper he was fra Drumlanerik to Air.

Becaus he had, on Sutheroun sie thing wrocht,

His wyfe was wraith, bot yat scho schew it nocht.

Vnder couert hir malice held perfyte,

Ane Serpent waitis, hir tyme yat scho may byte

To Dowglas oft, scho wrocht full mekill cair,

Of that as now, I leif quhill farther mair.

Bot Sutheroun men durst yan na Castellis hald

Thay left Scotland, befoir as I ȝow tald.

Saif ane Mortoun, ane Capitane feirs and sell,

That held Dundie, Wallace wald nocht dwell.

Thidder he past, and lappit it about,

Quhen Mortoun saw, that he was in yat dout.

He askit leif with thair for lyfis to ga,

[Page]Wallace denyis, and sayis it beis nocht swa.

The last Capitane of Ingland yat heir was,

I gaif him leif haill with his men to pas.

Thow sall forthink sic maistrie for to mak,

All Ingland sall of the exempill tak.

Sic men I weind, fra thyne for to haue worne,

Thow salbe hangit, suppois thy King had sworne▪

He gart command na Scottis suld to yame speik,

Confermit the seige, and said we sall vs wreik:

On Inglismen, as skill will of Dundie,

Skrymgeour he maid, thair Constabill to be.

Ane Ballingair of Ingland that was thair,

Past out of Tay, and come to Quhitbie fair.

To Londoun send, and tald of all this cace,

To hyng Mortoun sa vowit had Wallace.

Befoir this tyme, Edward with power ȝeid,

To weir on France, for than he had na dreid.

Befoir he trowit Scotland to be his a win,

Quhen thay him warnit how his men was ouirthrawin:

Agane he tuik, to Ingland haistely,

And left his deid, all fiklit in foly.

Gascoun he clamit all in heritage,

He left it thus, with all his hie barnage.

And Flanderis als, he thocht to tak on hand,

All thir he left, and come to reif Scotland.

Quhē yat this King in Inglād was cūmin hame,

Sūmoundis yai maid, & chargit Bruce be name.

And vther ma, that leuit vnder his Crown,

Bischop Barroun, to cum at his Summoun.

Quhē Wallace twyis throw grace had fred Scotland

This tyran King tuik planely vpon hand.

For sic desyre, that he micht haue na rest,

He thocht to him, to mak it plane conquest.

[Page]In couetise he had rungin sa lang,

Chiftanis he maid, yat thay suld nocht pas wrang

Gydis thay theis, fra strenthis thame to gy,

Thay thocht na mair to byde at Ieopardy.

In plane battell, and thay micht Wallace wyn,

He trowit of weir, thay wald na mair begyn.

Leif I this King makand his Ordinance,

My purpois is, to speik sum thing of France.

The Inglismen, than Guyan held of weir,

To Frenche folk, yai did full mekill deir.

King and counsall sone in thair wittis kest,

To get Wallace, thame thocht it was the best.

For Guyan land the Inglismen had thay,

Than schuip thay thus, in all the haist thay may.

For thay traistit gif Scotland war weill stad,

Wallace wald cum, as he thame promeist had.

The samyn Herald befoir in Scotland was,

Thay him commandit, and ordanit he suld pas.

Into Scotland without langer delay,

Out of the Sluce als gudly as he may.

Reddy he was, in Schip he past on cais,

In Tayis mouth but baid the hauin he tais.

Quhair Wallace than, was at ye sailȝe still,

And he ressauit the Herald with gude will.

Thair writ he red, and said thame on this wyse,

Ane answer sone he couth thame nocht deuyse.

To honest Iunis, the Herald than he send,

On Wallace coist richt baldly for to spend.

Quhill tyme he saw how vther materis ȝeid,

Than answer he suld haue withouttin dreid.

The wit of France, thocht Wallace to commend,

Into Scotland with his Herald thay send.

Praise of his deid, and als the descriptioun,

[Page]Of him tane thair be men of discretioun.

Clerkis, Knichtis, Heraldis that him saw,

Bot I heirof, can nocht reheirs at aw.

Wallace stature of greitnes and of hicht,

Was Iudgit thus be discretioun of sicht.

That saw him baith on Cheuall and in weid,

Nyne quarteris large of hicht he was in deid.

Thrid part that lenth, in schulderis braid was he,

Richt semely strang, and richt lustie to se.

In lymmis greit, with stalwart pais and sound,

His braunis hard, with armis lang and round.

His handis maid richt lyke to ane Palmeir,

Of manlyke mak, with naillis lang and cleir.

Proportionat fair, and lang was his visage,

Richt sad of speiche, and abill of curage.

Braid breistit heich, with sturdy craig and greit,

His lippis round, his neis was squair and treit.

Broundant broun hair on browis and breis licht

Cleir asper ene, lyke Dyamantis bricht.

Vnder his chyn, on his left syde was sene,

Be hurt ane wen his cullour was sanguene.

Woundis he had in mony diuers place,

Bot fair and haill weill keipit was his face.

Of riches als he keipit na propir thing,

Gaif yat he wan, lyke Alexander the King.

In tyme of peis meik as ane mayd suld be,

Quhair weir approchit, the richt Hector was he.

To Scottis men richt gude credence he gaif,

Bot knawin enemyis yai couth him nocht dissaif.

Thir properteis war Iudgit into France,

Of him to be, ane gudly remembrance.

Maister Iohn Blair, this Patroun couth ressai [...],

In Wallace buik he breuit it with the laif.

[Page]Bot he heirof, as than tuik lytill heid,

His lauborous mynd was all of vther deid.

At Dundie Seige, this ernest as he lay,

Tythingis to him Iop brocht vpon ane day.

How Edward King with lyklie men to waill,

Ane hundreth thousand come for to assaill.

Than Scotland ground thay had tane vpon cace

Into sum part it greuit gude Wallace.

He maid Skrymgeour at the hous to ly,

With twa thousand, and chargit him for thy.

That nane suld chaip with lyfe out of that steid,

That Sutheroun war, bot put yame all to deid.

Skry [...]geour grantit, richt faithfully to byde,

With aucht thousand Wallace can fra him ryde.

To Sanct Iohnstoun thre dayis he graithit yair

With sad auyse towart the south can fair.

For King Edward that tyme ordanit had,

Ten thousand haill, to pas that was full glaid.

With ȝoung Wodstok, ane Lord of mekill micht,

A [...] Striuiling brig he ordanit thame full richt.

And thair to byde, the entrie for to weir,

Of Wallace than, he trowit to haue na deir.

Thair leif thay tuik, and past on but delay,

Richt Royally into ane gude array.

To Striuiling come, and thair wald nocht abyde

To se the North beȝond Forth can thay ryde.

Sic new curage sa fell in his Intent,

Quhilk maid Sutheroun full [...]air for to repent.

☞ )(✚)( ☜

¶The Elleuint Buik declairis the Battell of the Fawkirk.

Cap. j.

[Page]

THis Wodstok raid into ye North gude speid,

Of Scottis as than, he had bot lytill dreid.

For weill thay trowit for to reskew Dundie

Thair Schippis come to Tay in be the se.

His gydis said, that thay suld leid him by

Sanct Iohnstoun quhair passage lay planely.

The hicht thay tuik, and luikit thame about,

Sa war thay war of Wallace and his rout.

Than in sumpart he remordit his thocht,

The Kingis command becaus he keipit nocht.

Bot fra he saw thay fewar was nor he,

He wald thame byde, and outher do or de.

Schir Iohne Ramsay formest this power saw,

Said ȝone ar thay, that ȝe se hidder draw.

Outher Sutheroun that cūmis sa cruellie,

Or Erll Malcolme to seik ȝow for supplie.

Than Wallace smylit, said Inglismen thay ar,

Ȝe may thame ken riche weill quhair yat yai fair

On Sehiref mure Waallce the feild hes tane,

With aucht thousand, of worthy men in wane.

The Sutheroun war richt douchtie into deid,

Togidder straik stuffit in steill weid.

Than speiris sone all into splenderis sprent,

The hardy Scottis out throw ye Sutheroū wēt

In rayit battell seuin thousand doun thay bair,

Deid on the bent, that cowerit neuer mair.

Richt fell fechting with wappinnis groūdin kene,

Blude fra beirnis was buschit on the grene.

The stalwart stour that felloun was and strang,

The worthy Scottis sa derfly on thame dang.

That all was deid within ane lytill stound,

Nane of that place had power for to found.

Ȝoung Wodstok hes baith lyfe and Oist forlorne

[Page]The Scottis spuilȝeit of gude geir thame beforne

Quhat thame thocht best of fyne harnes yai waill

Baith gold and gude, and hors that micht auaill.

To Striuiling brig, without resting thay raid,

Or ma suld cum, Wallace this ordinance maid.

Past ouir the brig, Wallace gart wrichtis call,

And with craftis men vndid the passage all,

Syne thay same folk he send to the Drip furd,

Gart set the ground with stark staikkis and burd

With nyne or ten Sillis he kest the gait befoir,

Endlang the schald maid it als deip as schoir.

Than Wallace said we sall on ane syde be,

Ȝone King and I, bot gif he southwart fle.

He send Lawder, quhilk had in hand the Bas,

Endlang the coist quhair ony Veschell was.

And men with him, that besylie couth luik,

Of Ilk boit ane buird or twa out tuik.

Schippis thay brynt of strangeris yat was yair,

Setoun and he, to Wallace thus can fair.

In Striuiling lay vpon his purpois still,

For Inglismen, to se quhat way thay will.

The Erll Malcolme Striuiling in keiping had,

To him he come, with men of armis sad.

Thre hundreth haill, that sicker was and trew,

Of Lennox folk, thair power to renew.

Schir Iohne the Grahame fra Dundaf sickerly,

To Wallace come, with ane gude Cheualry.

Tythādis him brocht, ye Sutheroū come at hand

In Torphtchen King Edward was ludgeand.

Distroy and the place of purueyance was thair,

Sanct Iohnis gude as than yai wald nocht spair

Gude Stewart of Bute come to Wallace yair,

With him he had twelf hundreth men and mair.

[Page]The Cumyng than was past in Cumm [...]rnald,

Vpon the morne bownit the Stewart bald.

Sone to array, with men of armis bricht,

Twentie thousand than semblit to thair sicht.

The Lord Stewart, and Cumyng furth ya [...] ryde

To the Fawkirk, and thocht thair to abyde

Wallace and his, than to array thay ȝeid,

With ten thousand of worthy men in deid.

Quha culd behald his awfull Lordly vul [...],

Sa weill besene, sa fordwart, sterne and stout.

Sa gude Chifranis, as with sa few thay b [...],

Without ane King, was neuer in Scotland [...]ene.

Wallace him self, and Erll Malcolme the Lord,

Schir Iohne ye grahame, & Ramsay at record.

Setoun, Lawder, and Ramsay yat was wicht,

Adam Wallace was to that Iourney dicht.

And mony vther quhilk preuit weill in preis,

Thair namis all, I may nocht heir rehe [...]rs.

Sutheroun or than, out of Torphichen fure,

Thair passage maid into Slam [...]nane mure.

Into ane plane set Tentis and Pauilloun,

South the Fawkirk, a lytill abone the toun.

Gude Iop him self Iudgit be his sicht,

In haill number ane hundreth thousand richt.

Of Wallace come the Scottis sic comfort tuik,

Quhen thay him saw all dreddour thay forsuik.

For of Inuy was few thair that it wist,

Tressonabill folk thair mater wirkis with list.

Poysoun sen syne at the Fawkirk is cald,

Throw greit tressoun and corruptioun of ald.

Lord Cumyng had Inuy at gude Wallace,

For Erll Patrik that hapnit vpon cace.

Countes of Marche was Cumyngis Sister deir,

[Page]Vnder cullour he wrocht on this maneir.

Into the Oist had ordanit Wallace deid,

And maid Stewart to fall with him at pleid.

That Lord he said, that Wallace had na richt,

Power to leid, and he present in sicht.

He bad him tak the vangaird for to gy▪

Sa wist he weill that he suld stryfe for thy.

Lord Stewart askit at Wallace his counsall,

Said Schir ȝe knaw, quhat may vs maist auaill

Ȝone awfull King is felloun for to b [...]de,

Richt vnabasit Wallace answerit that tyde.

And I haue sene ma swyis into Sc [...]la [...]d,

With ȝone ilk King quhē Scot [...]s [...]ē tuik on hand

With [...]ewar men, than now a [...] hidder soch [...],

This Realme agane, to full gude purpois brocht

Schir we will fecht, fo [...] we haue men anew,

As for ane day, so that we all be trew.

The Stewart said, he wald the vangaird haif,

Wallace answerit, and said sa God [...]e [...]f.

That ȝe sall nocht, sa lang as I may ring,

Nor na man ellis, quhill I se my richteous King.

Gif he will cum, and tak on him the Crown,

At his command, I sall be reddy boun.

Throw Goddis grace I reskewit Scotlād twyis

I war to mad, to tyne it on sic wyse.

To tyne for boist, that I haue gouernit lang,

Thus half in wraith, srawa [...]t him ca [...] he gang.

Stewart thair with all bowdnit into ba [...],

Wallace he said, be the I tell ane [...]a [...]ll.

Say furth (quod he) o [...] the fairest ȝe can,

Vnhappely his ta [...] thus he began.

Wallace he said thow [...]akis the mekill cu [...]e,

Sa fairir it be wirking of nature.

[Page]How ane Howlet complenit of his Fethrame,

Quhill Dame nature tuik of Ilk bird but blame:

Ane fair fedder, and to the Howlet gaif,

Than he throw pryde rebutit all the laif.

Quhairfoir suld thow thy Senȝe schaw sa hie,

Thow thinkis nane heir, that suld thy fellow be.

This makis it, thow art cled with our men,

Had we our awin, thyne war bot few token.

At thir wordis gude Wallace brynt as fyre,

Quir hastely he answerit him in Ire:

Thow leid he said, the suith full oft hes bene,

Thair haue I biddin, quhē thow durst not be sene

Cōtrair thy enemeis na mair for Scotlandꝭ richt,

Nor dar the Howlet, quhen yat ye day is licht.

That taill full neir thow hes tald be thy sell,

To thy desyre thow sall me nocht compell.

Cumyng it is hes geuin the this counfall,

Will God ȝe sall of ȝour first purpois faill.

This fals tratour, that I of danger brocht,

Is wounder lyke this Realme to bring to nocht.

For thyne oggart outher thow sall byde or de,

To presoun led, or cowartly to fle.

Reskew of me, thow sall get nane this day,

Thair with he [...]urnit, and fra thame raid his way

Ten thousand haill, away with Wallace raid,

Naue better was in all the warld sa braid.

As of sic men, that leuand was on lyfe,

Aliace greit harme fell Scotland for that stryfe.

Past to ane wod, fra the Fawkirk be eist,

He wald nocht byde for command nor requeist.

For charge of nane, bot it had bene his King,

That micht that tyme bring him fra his etling.

The v [...]her Scottis that saw this discentioun,

[Page]For discomfort to leif the feild was boun.

Bot that thay men was natiue to Stewart,

Principall of Bute, tuik hardiment in hart.

Lord Stewart was at Cumyng greuit thair,

Hecht and he leuit, he suld repent full sair.

The greit trespas that he throw mysknawlage,

Had gart him mak to Wallace in that place.

Of thair debait it was ane greit pietie,

For Inglismen than micht na blyithar be.

Haistit sa fast, ane battell to the feild,

Thrertie thousand, yat weil couth wappinꝭ weild.

The Erll of Harthfurd was chosin yair Chi [...]tane,

The gude Stewart than to array is gane.

The feild he tuik, as trew and worthy Knicht,

The Inglismen come on with full greit micht.

Thair feill meiting was awfull for to se,

At that counter thay gart feill Sutheroun de.

Quē speiris war spilt, hynt out with swerdis sone

On ather syde full douchtie deid was done.

Feill on the ground was fellit in that place,

Stewart and his can on thair enemeis race.

Blude bristit out throw mailȝe burn [...]st bricht,

Twentie thowsand with dreidful wappinis [...]icht

Of Sutheroun men derfly to deith thay ding,

The remanent agane fled to the King.

Ten thounsand than efter the deid eschewit,

With thair Chiftane vnto the Oist releuit.

Agane to ray the hardy Stewart ȝeid,

Quhen Wallace saw this worthie Nobill deid:

Held vp his handis, with humbill prayer prest,

O God he said, gif ȝone Lord grace to left.

And power haue, his worschip to attend,

To wyn thir folk, and tak the haill commend.

[Page]Greit harme it war that he suld be ouirset,

With new power thay than on him reb [...]t.

Be that the Bruce ane awfull battell rayir,

The Bischop Belk, that oft had bene assayit.

Fourtie thousand vpon the Scottis to fair,

With feill effeir thay rais [...]t vp richt [...]hair.

The Brucis Baner with gold and goulis cleir,

Quhen Wallace saw the battellis approchit neir:

The richt Lyoun aganis his awin Kynrike,

Allace he said the warld is contrair like.

This land suld be ȝone tyranis heritage,

That cūmis thus, to stroy his awin barnage.

Sa I war fre, of it that I said Air,

I wald forsweir Scotland for euer mair.

Contrair Bruce, I suld reskew thame now,

Or de thairfoir, to God I mak avow.

The greit debait in Wallace wit can wald,

Betuix kyndnes, and wilfull vow was maid,

Kyndnes bad him reskew thame fra yair sa,

Than will said nay, quhy fuill wald thow do sa▪

Thow hes na wit, with richt thy self to leid,

Suld thow help him, that wald put the to deid.

Kyndnes said ȝit, thay ar gude Scottis men,

Than will said wit, the veritie thow may ken.

Had thay bene g [...]de all ane we had bene,

Be ressoun here, the contrair weill is sene.

For thay me ha [...]t, mair than the Sutheroun leid,

Kyndnes said nay that schaw yai nocht in deid.

Thocht ane of yame, be fals into thair saw,

Becau [...] of [...] thow suld nocht lois thame aw.

Thay haue done weill into ȝo [...]e felloun stour,

[...] yame now, and tak ane hie honour.

Will said thay wald, haue reft fra me my lyfe,

[Page]I baid for thame in mony ane felloun stryfe.

Kyndnes said help, thair power is at nocht,

Syne wreik on him, that all the malice wrocht.

Will said this day thay sall nocht helpit be,

That I haue said, fall ay be said for me.

Thay ar bot deid, God grant thame of his blis,

Inuy lang syne, hes done greit harme and mis.

Wallace thair with turnit for Ire and tene,

Teiris for baill brist out fra baith his ene.

Schir Iohne ye Grahame, & mony worthy wicht

Weipit in wo, for sorrow of that Knicht.

Quhen Brucis battell vpon the Scottis straik,

Thair truell cūming, maid cowartis for to quaik.

Lord Cumyng fled to Cūmernald away,

About the Scottis, the Sutheroun lappit thay.

The men of Bute befoir thair Lord thay stude,

Defending him, quhen feill stremis of blude:

All thame about, in floitis quha [...] thay ȝeid,

Baithit in blude was Brucis sword and weid.

Throw feill slanchter of feill men of his awin,

Sone to the deid, the Scottis war duirthrawin.

Syne slew the Lord, for he wald nocht be tane,

Quhē Wallace saw, yat yair gude men war gane

Lordis he said, quhat now is ȝour counsall?

Twa choissis thair is, I reid the best ȝe waill.

Ȝonder the King his Oist abandounand,

With Bruce and Beik in ȝone battell to stand.

Ȝone King in weir wyse and felloun hes bene,

Thair Capitanis als, full cruell ar and kene.

Better of hand is nocht leuand I wis,

In tyranny, ȝe trow me weill of this.

Nor Bruce and Beik, to quhat syde thay be set,

We haue ane chois, quhilk is full hard but let.

[Page]And we turne eist, for strenth in Louthiane land,

Thay stu [...]ane [...]hace, richt hard I vnderstand.

Tak we the m [...]re, ȝone King is vs befoir,

Thair is bot this, withouttin wordis moir.

To the Torwod, for our succour is thair,

Throw Brucis Oist, forsuith first man we fair.

Amang vs now, thair neidis na debait,

Ȝone men ar deid, we neid nocht stryue for stait.

Thay consent haill to wirk richt as he will,

Quhat him thocht best, thay grantit to fulfill.

Gude Wallace than, yat stoutly couth thame steir,

Befoir thame raid, into his armour cleir.

Reullit his speiris, all in aue number round,

And we haue grace, for to pas throw yame sound

And few be loist, to our strenth will we ryde,

Want we mony in faith we sall abyde.

With thair armit hors, fast on the Oist yai raid,

The rei [...]d than rais, quhen speiris in sunder glaid.

Duschi [...] in dros▪ [...]untit with speiris dynt,

Fra forgit steill the fyre flow furth but stynt.

The felloun thrang quhen hors and men renewit,

Vp draif the dust, quhair yai yair pithis preuit.

The tother Oist micht nocht yair deidis se▪

For stour that rais, quhill thay disseuerit be.

The worthy Scottis viij. thousand doun yai baie

Few was at eird that gude Wallace brocht yair.

The King cryit hors vpon yame for to ryde,

Bot this wyse Lord gaif him counsall to byde,

The Erll of Ȝork said Schir ȝe wirk ane mis,

To brek array, ȝone men quyte throw thame is.

Thay ken the land, and will to strenthis draw,

Tak we the plane, we ar in perrell aw.

The King consauit, that his counsall was richt,

[Page]Reullit his Oist, and baid still in tha [...]r sicht.

Or Bruce and Beik micht returne thair battall,

The Scottis war throw, and had ane greit auail

Wallace commandit the Oist suld pas away,

To the Torwod in all the haist thay may.

Him self and Grahame, and Lawder turnit in,

Betuix battellis, price and prowes for to win.

And with thame baid in yat place hun [...]rethis [...]hre

Of west land men, vsit in Ieopardie.

Vpon wicht hors, yat richt wyselie couth ryde,

Ane slop thay maid, quhair thay set on ane syde.

Na speiris thay had bot swordis of gude steill,

Thair with in stour, thay leit thair enemeis [...]eill.

How thay full oft had preuit bene in preis,

Of Inglismen thay maid feill to deceis.

Or Bruce thairof micht weill persauing haif,

Thre hundreth yair was graithit to yair graif.

The hardy Bruce ane Oist abandounit,

Threttie thousand he reullit be force and wit.

Vpon the Scottis, his men for to reskew,

Seruit thay war with gude speiris anew.

And Bischop Beik ane stuf to him to be,

Quhen gude Wallace thair ordinance can se:

Allace he said, ȝone man hes mekill micht,

And ouir gude will, to vndo his awin richt.

He bad his men towart the Oist in ryde,

Thame for to saif, he wald behind thame byde.

Mekill he trowit in God and his awin deid,

To saif his men into his douchtie weid.

Vpon him self mekill trauell he tais,

The greit battell, compleit vpon him gais.

In the foir brunt, he returuit full oft,

Quhome euer he hit, thair sauchning was vnsoft.

[Page]That day in wa [...]ld knawin was nocht his maik,

Ane Sutheroun man ay he slew at ane straik.

Bot his awin strenth, micht not aganis yame be,

Towart his Oist, behouit him to fle.

The Bruce him hurt, at his returning thair,

Vnder the hanche, ane deip wound and ane sair.

Blude bristit out, bra [...]thly ane speiris lenth,

Fra the greit Oist, he fled towart his strenth.

Sic ane slear befoir was neuer sene,

Nocht at Gaderis of Gaudifere the kene.

Quhen Alexander reskewit the Forreouris,

Micht nocht to him, be compairit in thay houris.

The feill turning of for [...]eouris he maid,

How bandounly befoir the Oist he baid.

Nor how gude Grahame with cruell hardymen [...],

Nor how Lawder amang his fais went.

How thame allane into the stour thay stude,

Quhill Wallace was in stanching of his vsude.

Be than he had stemmit full weill his wound,

With thre hundreth, vnto the feild can found.

To reskew Grahame, and Lawder yt was wicht,

Bot Bischop Be [...]k come with sic strenth & slicht.

The worthy Scottis, thay reirit far on bak,

Seuin aikir breid in turning of thair bak.

Ȝit was thay twa, thair delyuerit weill,

Be his a win hand, and ane gude sword of steill.

The awfull Bruce, amang yame with greit mane

At the reskew, thre Scottismen hes slane.

Quhome he hit richt, ay at ane straik was deid,

Wallace preissit in, thairfoir to set remeid.

With ane gude speir ye Bruce was seruit but baid

With greit [...]nuy, to Wallace fast he raid.

And he to him, asso [...]ȝoit nocht for thy,

[Page]The Bruce him myst, as Wallace passit by.

Akwart he straik, with his schairp groundin glaif

Speir and hors craig, he all in sunder draif.

Bruce was at eird, or Wallace turnit about,

The greit battell of Sutheroun sterne and stout.

Thay horsit Bruce, with men of greit valour,

Wallace allane was in that stalwart stour.

Grahame preissit in, and straik ane Inglis Knicht

Befoir the Bruce, vpon the Basnet bricht.

That fruell stuf, and all his vther weid,

Baith bane & braune, ye nobill sword throw ȝeid.

The Knicht was deid, gude grahame returnit tite

Ane subtell Knicht, yair at had greit despite.

Followit at wait, and hes persauit weill,

Grahamis birny, to narrow was sum deill.

Beneth the waist, at clois it micht nocht be,

On the fillat full sternly straik that he.

Peirsit the bak, in the bowellis him bair.

With ane schairp speir, that he micht leif na mair.

Grahame turnit thair, & smoit that Knicht in tene

Throw the Visair, ane lytill beneth the ene.

Deid of that dynt, to the ground he duschit doun,

Schir Iohne ye Grahame swounit on his arsoun

Or he ouircome to pas to his party,

Feill Sutheroun men, that was on fuit him by:

Stikkit his hors, that he na farther ȝeid,

Grahame ȝald to God his gude sprite & his deid.

Quhē Wallace saw yis guid Knicht to deid brocht

The pieteous pane sa fair thirlit his thocht.

All out of kynd it alterit his curage,

His wit in weir, was than bot ane wod rage.

The hors him bair, in feild quhair sa him list,

For of him self, as than lytill he wist.

[Page]Lyke ane wod beist, that war fra ressoun rent,

As wi [...]les wy into the Oist he went.

Dingand on hard quhat Sutheroun he richt hit,

Straucht vpon hors, agane micht neuer sit.

Into that rage, full feill solk he dang doun,

All him about was reddit ane greit roume.

Quhen Bruce persauit, with Wallace it stude sa,

He chargit men lang speiris for to ta.

And slay his hors, sa he culd nocht eschaip,

Feill Sutheroun yan to Wallace can yameschaip

Peirsit his hors with speiris on ather syde,

Woundis yai maid, yat war baith deip and wyde

Of schaftis part Wallace in sunder schair,

Bot feill heidis into his hors left thair.

Sum wit agane to Wallace, can redoun,

In his awin mynd sa reullit him ressoun.

Sa for to de he thocht it na va [...]age,

Than for to fle, he tuik intill ane rage.

Spurrit the hors, he ran in ane randoun,

To his awin folk, was bydand on Caroun.

The sey was in, thay stoppit and still stude,

On loud he cryit, and bad thame tak ye flude.

Togidder byde, ȝe may nocht lois ane man,

At his command thay tuik the watter than.

He returnit, the entrie for to keip,

Quhill all the Oist was passit ouir the deip.

Syne followit fast, and dred his hors suld faill,

Him self was cled in heuy plait of maill.

Thocht he couth swoume, he trowit he micht nocht weill,

The cleir watter cuillit the hors sum deill.

Atouir the flude he bair him to the land,

Syne fell doun deid, and micht na langer st [...]d.

Keirly full sone ane Cuirsour to him brocht,

[Page]Than vp he lap, amang the Oist he socht.

Grahame was away, and vther fyftene wicht,

On Magdalene day, thir folk to deith was dicht.

Threttie thousand of Inglismen for trew,

The worthy Scottis vpon that day thay slew.

Quhat be Stewart, and syne be wicht Wallace,

For all his price King Edward rewit that race.

To the Torwod, he bad the Oist suld ryde,

Keirly and he passit on Caroun syde.

Behaldand ouir vpon the south party,

Bruce formest come, and couth on Wallace cry.

Quhat art thow thair? ane man Wallace can say,

The Bruce answerit, that hes thow preuit to day.

Abyde he said, thow neidis nocht now to fle,

Wallace answerit, I eschewit nocht for the.

Bot that thy power hes neir thyne awin vndone,

Amendis will God, heirof we sall haue sone.

Langage of the, the Bruce sayis I desyre,

Say furth quod he, thow may for lytill hyre.

Ryde fra thy Oist, and gar yame byde with Beik,

I wald fane heir, quhat thow lykis to speik.

The Oist baid still the Bruce passit yame fra,

Na man with him, bot ane Scot yat hecht Ra.

Quhen that the Bruce out of thair heiring were,

He turnit in hy, and this questioun can spere.

Quhy wirkis thow thus, & micht in gude peice be?

Than Wallace said, bot in defalt of the.

Throw thy falset, thyne awin wit is myskend,

I clame na richt, bot wald this land defend.

That thow vndois throw thy fals cruell deid,

Thow hes tint twa, yat was worth far mair meid

Vpon this day, with ane gude King to found,

Nor fyue Millioun of fynest gold sa round.

[Page]That euer was wrocht, in werk or cunȝe bricht,

I trow in warld be nocht ane better Knicht.

Than was gude Grahame, of treuth & hardymēt,

Teiris thair with fra Wallace ene doun went.

Bruce said far mair on this day we haue loist,

Wallace answerit, allace thay war euill coist.

Throw thy tressoun yat suld be our richtous King

That wilfully distroyis thyne awin ofspring.

The Bruce answerit, will thow do my deuyse?

Wallace said nay, thow leuis in sic ane wyse:

Thow wald me mak at Edwardis will to be,

Ȝit had I leuer, ye morne be hangit hie.

Ȝit sall I say, as I wald counsall geif,

Than as ane Lord, thow micht at lyking leif.

At thyne awin will in Scotland for to Ring,

To be in peice, and hald of Edward King.

Of that fals King I think neuer to tak,

Bot contrair him with my power to mak.

I clame na thing as be tytill of richt,

Thocht I micht reif, sen God hes lent me micht.

Fra the thy Crown of this Regioun to weir,

Bot I will nocht sic charge vpon me beir.

Greit God wait best, quhat weir I tuik on hand,

For to keip fre, that thow art ganestandand.

It micht be said of lang tyme beforne,

In curssit tyme, thow was for Scotland borne.

Schamis thow nocht, that neuer ȝit did gude,

Thow Regnegat deuorar of thy blude,

I vow to God may I thy maister be,

In ony feild, thow sall far rather de:

Than sall ane Turk, for thy fals cruell weir,

Paganis to vs, dois nocht sa mekill deir.

Than leuch the Bruce at Wallace ernistnes,

[Page]And said thow seis, that thus standis the cais.

This day thow art with our power ouirset,

Aganis ȝone King, ouirhand thow may not get.

Than Wallace said we ar be mekill thing,

Starker this day incontrary ȝone King.

Than at Bigger quhair he left mony of his.

And als the [...]eild, sa sall he do with this.

Or de thairfoir, for all his mekill micht,

Into this feild we haue loist bot ane Knicht.

And Scotland now, into sic perrell is stad,

To leif it thus, I micht be [...]allit full mad.

Wallace he said, it approchis neir the nicht,

Wald thow the morne, quhē yat ye day is licht:

Or nyne of B [...]ll meit me at this Chapell,

By Donypace, I wald haue thy counsell.

Wallace said nay, or that Ilk tyme be went,

War all the men hyne to the Orient.

Into ane will with Edward quha had sworne,

We sall bergane or nyne houris the morne.

Of his wrang reif, outher he sall think schame,

Or de thairfoir, or fle in Ingland hame.

Bot and thow will, sone be the hour of thre,

At that Ilk tryst, will God I sall the se.

Quhill I may lest, this Realme sall nocht forfait,

Bruce promeist him, with twelf Scottꝭ to be yair.

Than Wallace said, stuid thow richteous to me,

Ane contrapeir, I suld nocht be to the.

I sall bring ten, and for thy power ma,

I gi [...] na force, thocht thow be f [...]eind or fa.

Thus thay depart, the Bruce passit his way,

To Lynlithgow raid, quhair ye King Edward lay.

The feild had left, and ludgit be south the toun,

To Supper set, as B [...]uce at the Pauilloun,

[Page]Sa enterit in, and saw vacand his seit,

Na watter he tuik, bot maid him to the meit.

Fastand he was, and bene in mekill dreid,

Bludy was all his wappinis and his weid.

Sutheroun Lordis, scornit in termis rude,

And said behald, ȝone Scot eitis his awin blude.

The King thocht euill thay maid sic derisioun,

Bad haue watter to Bruce of Huntingtoun.

Thay bad him wesche, he said that wald he nocht

This blude is myne, that hurtis maist my thocht.

Sadly the Bruce than in his mynd remordit,

The wordis suith Wallace had him recordit.

Than rewit he sair, fra ressoun had him knawin,

That blude & land suld baith haue bene his awin.

With thame he was, lang or he gat away,

Bot contrair Scottis he faucht nocht fra yat day

Leif I the Bruce sair murnand in his Intent,

Gude Wallace sone, agane to his Oist went.

In the Torwod, quhilk had thair ludging maid,

Fyris thay bet, that was baith bricht and braid.

Of nolt and scheip thay tuik at sufficence,

Thairof full sone to get yame sustinence.

Wallace steipit, bot schort quhyle and sone rais,

To reull the Oist on ane gude mak he gais.

To Erll Malcolme, Ramsay and Lundy wicht,

With fyue thousand in battell yame he dicht.

Wallace, Lawder, and Cristall of Setoun,

Fyue thousand led, and Wallace of Ricardtoun.

Full weill arrayit into thair armour clene,

Past to the feild, quhair that the chace had bene.

Amang deid men seikand the worthyaist,

The Corps of Grahame for quhome yai murning maist

Quhē yai him fand, & guid wallace him saw

[Page]He lychtit doun, him hynt befoir thame aw.

In armis vp behaldand his paill face,

He kissit him, and cryit full oft allace.

My best brother, in warld that euer I had,

My afald freind, quhen I was hardest stad.

My hoip, my heill, thow was of maist honour,

My faith, my help, my strenthar into stour.

In the was wit, fredome and hardynes,

In the was treuth, manheid and Nobilnes.

In the was reull, in the was gouernance,

In the vertew, withouttin variance.

In the lawtie, in the was greit largnes,

In the gentrice, in the was steidfastnes.

Thow was greit caus of wyning of Scotland,

Thocht I began and tuik the weir on hand.

I vow to God that hes the warld to wald,

Thy deid sall be to Sutheroun full deir sald.

Martir thow art for Scotlandis richt and me.

I sall the venge or ellis thairfoir to de.

Was na man thair fra weiping micht refrene,

For lois of him, quhen thay hard Wallace plene.

Thay caryit him with worschip and honour,

In the Fawkirk maid him ane Sepultour.

Wallace commandit his men thairfoir to byde,

His ten he tuik, for to meit Bruce that tyde.

South west he past, quhair that the tryst was set,

The Bruce full sone, and gude Wallace is met.

For lois of Grahame, and als for propir tene,

He grew in Ire, quhen he the Bruce hes sene.

Thair salussing was bot bustous and thrawin,

Rewis thow he said, thow art contrair thy awin.

Bruce said Wallace, rebute me nocht na mair,

Myne awin deidis hes bet me wounder sair.

[Page]Quhen Wallace hard, with Bruce yat it [...]ind sa,

On kneis he fell, fair countenance can him ma.

In armis sone, the Bruce hes Wallace tane,

Out f [...]a thair men, in counsall ar thay gane.

I can nocht tell perfytlie thair langage,

Bot this was it, thair men had of knawlege.

Wallace him prayit cum fra his Sutheroun King

The Bruce said nay, thair lattis me ane thing.

I am sa bund, with witnes to [...]e [...]e [...]t,

For all Ingland I wald nocht [...]a [...]s my Seill.

Bot of ane thing, I hecht to God and t [...]e,

That contrair Scottis, agane I sall nocht be.

Into na feild, with wappinis that I beir,

In thy purpois I sall the neuer deir.

Gif God the grantis ouirhand of vs to haif,

I will bot fle, myne awin self for to laif.

And Edward chaip, I pas with him agane,

Bot I throw force be outher tane or sl [...]ne.

Brek he on me, quhen that my teirme is out,

I cum to the, may I chaip fra that dout.

Of thair counsall I can tell ȝow na mair.

The Bruce tuik leif, and can to Edward fair.

Richt sad in mynd, for Scottismen that war loist,

Wallace in haist prouydit sone his Oist.

He maid Craua [...]d, the Erll Malcolme to gyde,

The latch way to Inner [...]auy [...] to ryde.

For thair wachis [...]han suld thame not espy,

The tother Oist him self left haistely.

Be south Manwell, quhill that thay war betuene

Of the out wacht, this chaipit thay vnsene.

The Erll Malcolme on Lynlithgow enter [...]t in,

Thair haistely, greit stryfe he can b [...]gin.

Wallace was nocht all to the battell boun,

[Page]Quhen that thay hard, the scry ryse in the toun.

On Edwardis Oist thay set full suddandly,

Wallace and his, maid lytill noyis or cry.

Bot occupyit with wappinis in that stour,

Feill fellit to deith, that was without armour.

All disarrayit the Inglis Oist was than,

Amang ye Pauilliounis ye Scottis quhair mony man

Cuttit doun cordis, gart mony Tentis fall,

Nane sonȝeit than, a [...]anis was fechtand all.

Gude Wallace Oist, & Erll Malcolme with micht

King Edward than with awfull feir on hicht:

Cryit to array, on Bruce sa sterne and stout,

Twentie thousand in armis him about.

Into harnes had biddin all the nicht,

Bot frayit folk sa duilfully was dicht.

On Ilk syde fled, for feirsnes of thair deid,

Wallace and his, sa rouchly throw thame ȝeid.

Towart the King, and fellit feill to ground,

Quha baid yame yair, richt feill fechting hes [...]oūd

The cruell King richt awfully abaid,

To all his folk ane greit comfort he maid.

The worthy Scottis agane him in that stour,

Feill Sutheroun slew into thair fyne armour.

Sa fordwartly thay preissit in that thrang,

Befoir the King, maid s [...]oppis thame amang.

Inglis commounis than fled on ather syde,

Bot Nobill men, thair durst nane vther byde.

The Bruce as than, to Scottis did na greuance,

Bot Iudge he was, with fenȝeit countenance.

Sa did he neuer into na battell air,

Nor ȝit efter, sic deid as he schew thair.

The Erll Malcolme, be than into the toun,

The Erll Harthfurd, to fle he maid him boun.

[Page]The Lennox men set thair lugeis in fyre,

Than feiritly fled feill mony Sutheroun syre.

The King Edward, yat ȝit was fechtand still,

Hes sene yame fle, yan lykit him full Ill.

The worthy Scottis fast towart him yai preis,

His brydill neir, assayit or thay wald ceis.

His baner man Wallace slew in that place,

And syne to ground, the baner sone thay race.

The Erll of Ȝork counsallit the King to fle,

Than he returnit, sen na succour thay se.

The Inglismen hes sene thair baner fall,

Without comfort, to fle thay purpois all.

Ten thousand men, in feild and toun was deid,

Of Edwardis folk, or him self left that steid.

Twentie thousand away togidder raid,

King and Chiftanis na langer tary maid.

The Scottis in haist, than to thair hors yai ȝeid,

To stuf the chace, with worthy men in weid.

The Lennox folk, that wantit hors and geir,

Tuik thame at will, to help thame in yair weir.

At stragill raid, quhat Scot micht formest pas,

On Sutheroun men, quhair full greit s [...]auchter was

Wallace hes sene the Scottis vnordourly,

Follow the chace, he maid Maissaris in hy.

Thame for to reull, and altogidder ryde,

Commandand thame, Ilk ane suld vther byde.

Into fleing the Sutheroun subtell ar,

Se thay ane tyme, thay will set on vs sair.

Feill scaillit folk to thame will sone renew,

For ȝe se weill that thay ar men anew.

The followaris war reullit weill with skill,

In gude array thay raid all at his will.

And slew doū fast, quhat Sutheroun yai ouirtak

[Page]Contrair ye Scottis come nocht maistrie to mak.

Into the chace, thay haistit thame sa neir,

Na Inglisman durst fra the Oist out steir.

The frayit folk at stragill was sleand,

Drew to the King, weill ma yan ten thousand.

Threttie thousand in number yan war thay,

Into array togidder past yai away.

Feill Scottis hors sa dreuin was in trauaill,

For run that day, sa Irkit began to faill.

The Sutheroun was with hors seruit sa weill,

Of Wallace chace, the Sutheroun had sum feill.

Of hors thay war purueyit in greit wane,

The King changit of sindrie hors of Spane.

Than Wallace said, Lordis ȝe may weill se,

Ȝone folk ar now, all that ȝone King may be.

For falt of stuf we lois ouir mekill thing,

Had we gude hors to pas befoir this King:

We suld mak end of all this lang debait,

Ȝit sum of thame sall be handillit sa hait.

Part of our hors ar haldin fresche and wicht,

Set on thame fast, quhill that we ar in micht.

With yat ye Scottis sa hard amang thame drew

Of the outwaird thre thousand yair yai slew.

In Craufurd mure mony ane man was slane,

Edward gart call the Bruce mekill of mane.

Than said he thus, gude Erll of Huntingtoun,

Ȝe se the Scottis puttis feill to confusioun.

Wald ȝe with men, agane on thame releif,

And mar thame anis, I sall quhill I may leif:

Luif ȝow far mair than ony vther Knicht,

And for all this sall put ȝow to ȝour richt.

Than said the Bruce, Schir lous me of my band,

And I sall turne, I hecht ȝow be my hand.

[Page]The King full sone considderit in his mynd,

Quhen he hard Bruce answer him in sic kynd:

Fra Inglismen the Brucis hart set is,

Than kest he thus, how he suld mend that mis.

And sa he did in Ingland at his will,

Na Scottis man he leit with Bruce byde still.

Bot quhair he past, held him in subiectioun,

Of Inglismen, vnder ane greit bandoun.

He turnit nocht, nor na mair langage maid,

In rayit battell the King to Sulway raid.

With mekill pane past vpon Ingland coist,

Fyftie thousand in that trauell thay loist.

Quhen Wallace saw, he chaipit was away,

Vpon command, agane returnit thay.

To Edinburgh withouttin wordis moir,

Put in Craufurd, that Capitane was befoir.

Of heritage he had in Manwell land,

Wallace commandit, Ilk man suld hald in hand.

Thair awin office, as thay befoir tyme had,

Put in gude peice, Scotland in richt he stad.

On the tent day to Sanct Iohnstoun he went,

Semblit Lordis, syne schawit yame his Intent.

Skrymgeour come, yat than had wyn Dundie,

Wallace command that tyme weill keipit be.

He sailȝeit sa, quhill strang hounger yame draif,

Sa [...]ebillit war, the hous to him thay gaif.

Thay wageouris sone, he put to confusioun,

Syne brocht Mortoun to mak ane conclusioun.

Befoir Wallace, and sone fra he him saw,

He garthyng him, for all King Edwardis aw.

Masounis, myndouris, with Skrymgeour furth he sēd,

Kest doun Dundie, & yairof maid ane end.

Wallace sadly, quhen thir deidis war done,

[Page]The Lordis he callit, & his will schew yame sone.

Gude men he said, I was ȝour Gouernour,

My mynd was set to do ȝow ay honour.

And for to bring this Realme to richteousnes,

For it I past in mony panefull place.

To wyn our awin, my self I neuer spaird,

At the Fawkirk thay ordand me rewaird.

Of thair rewaird, ȝe heir na mair throw me,

To sic giftis God will full weill haue E.

NOw ȝe ar fre throw the maker of micht,

He grant ȝow grace for to defend ȝour richt

Als I presume gif harme be ordand me,

Thay ar Scottis men, quhilk suld ye wirkaris be

I haue aneuch of our auld enemeis stryfe,

Me think our awin suld nocht Inuy my lyfe.

My office heir, ouir planely I resing

I think na mair to tak on me sic thing.

In France I will, and wyn my leuing thair,

As now auysit, and hame to cum na mair.

Lordis ganestude, bot all that helpit nocht,

For ony thair, he did as him self thocht.

Bischop Sinklair, was vesyit with seiknes,

Into Dunkeld, and syne throw Goddis grace:

He recouerit quhen Wallace past away,

Efter the Bruce he leuit mony ane day.

Gude Wallace thus tuik leif in Sanct Iohnstoun

Auchteue with him, to Dundie maid yame boun.

Longoueill past, that douchtie was in deid,

The Barrounis sone of Breichen with him ȝeid.

Twa brether als, with thair Vncle thame dicht,

Symon Wallace and Richard that was wicht.

Schir Thomas Gray, this Preist can with him fair

[Page]Edward Lytill, gude Iop and Maister Blair.

Gude Keirly past, had bene with Wallace lang,

And done full weill in mony felloun thrang.

This Keirly than, that couth with Wallace fair,

Will Ker he hecht, myne Author dois declair.

Keirlie in Irisch, is bot Ker lytill cald,

In Carrik he had heritage of ald.

His foirbear, quhilk worthy was of hand,

Sanct Dauid King him brocht out of Ireland▪

Syne at Dūmoir, quhair first Norowais [...]ome in

This gude Ker maid greit discomfit of yair kin.

With seuin hundreth, he vincust nyne thousand,

Sum drownit in Donne, sum slane vpon ye land.

Thay landis haill the gude King gaif him till.

How Wallace past, now farther speik we will.

¶How Wallace met with Iohne of Lyn vpon the sey. Cap. ij.

AMang Merchandis yus Wallace tuik ye se,

Pray we to God, that he thair helper be.

Thay saillit furth be part of Ingland schoir,

To Humber mouth, quhen that thay come befoir.

Out of the South ane greit Reid Saill yai se,

Into the Top, thre Leopardis standand hie.

The Merchandis than, ye signe quhē yat yai saw

Cumand sa neir, thay war discomfort aw.

For weill thay wist, that it was Iohne of Lyn,

Scottis to slay, he said it was na syn.

Thir frayit folk thay ȝeid to Confessioun,

Than Wallace said, sic ane deuotioun:

Ȝit saw I neuer, in na place quhair I past,

That for ane Schip, me think ȝow all agast.

[Page]Ȝone wod Cattis, sall do vs lytill deir,

We saw yame faill twyis ma quhen yat yai weir.

On ane fair feild, sa sall thay on the se,

Despite it is, to se thame stand sa hie.

The Steirsman said, Schir will ȝe vnderstand,

He saisis nane, that is borne of Scotland.

We may nocht fle fra ȝone Barge wai [...] I weill,

Weill stufit yai ar, with gun and ganȝe of steill.

Vpon the sey ȝone Reuar lang hes bene,

To richteous men he dois full mekill tene.

Micht we be saifit we rek nocht of our gude,

This vse he hes, in schort for to conclude.

Ane flude he beiris vpon his coit armour,

Ay drownand folk, sa paintit is his figour.

Suppois we murne, ȝe suld haue na meruaill,

Than Wallace said, heir is men of mair vaill:

To saill the Schip, thairfoir in how thow ga,

And thy feiris, na mair cūmir thow ma.

Wallace and his, than sone to harnes ȝeid,

Quhen thay war graithit into thair worthy weid

Him self and Blair, and the Knicht Longoueill,

Thir thre hes tane to keip the mydschip weill.

Befoir was aucht, and sex be eft he kend,

Syne twa he cheisit; the Top for to defend.

And Gray he maid yair Steirisman for to be,

The Merchandis than saw thame sa manfullie:

Defend thame self, becaus thay had na weid,

Out of the how thay tuik skynnis gude speid.

Ay betuix twa stuffit woll as thay micht best,

Agane the straik, that thay micht sumpart lest.

Than Wallace leuch, and commendit thame aw,

Of sic harnes, befoir he neuer saw.

Be that the Barge come on thame wounder fast,

[Page]Seuin scoir in hir, that was na thing agast.

Quhen Iohne of Lyn saw yame in armour bricht

He leuch and said, thir haultand wordis on hicht.

Ȝone glaikit Scottis, can vs nocht vnderstand,

Fuillis thay ar, new cūmin of the land.

He cryit stryke, bot nane answer thay maid,

Blair with ane Bow, schot fast withouttin baid.

Or thay clippit, he schot bot arrowis thre,

And at ilk schot, he gart ane Reuar de.

The Briggantis than yai bikkerit wounder fast,

Amang the Scottis, with schot of gunnis cast.

And thay agane, with speiris heidit weill,

Feill woundis maid, throw plaitis of fyne steill.

Ather vther festnit with clippis kene,

Ane cruell counter thair was at schipburd sene.

The derf schot draif als thick as haill schour,

Lestit yair weill, neir the space of ane hour.

Quhen schot was gane, ye Scottis greit comfort had

At hand straikis thay war sicker and sad.

The Merchandis als, with sic thing as yai micht,

Preuit full weill, in defence of thair richt.

Wallace and his, at neir straikis quhen thay se,

With schairp swordis, yai gart feill Briggātis de.

Thay in the Top, sa wichtly wrocht with hand,

In the south Top yair micht na Reuar stand.

All the mydschip of Reuaris was maid waist,

That to gif ouir in point thay war almaist.

Than Iohne of Lyn was richt greitly agast,

He saw his folk about him failȝe fast.

With egir will he wald haue bene away,

Bad wynd the Saill in all the haist thay may.

Bot fra the Scottis than micht yai nocht eskey,

The Schippis sa sair on ather syde thay wey.

[Page]Thay saw na thing that micht be to thame eis,

Craufurd on loft, thair Saill brynt in ane bleis.

Or Iohne of Lyn schuip for to leif that steid,

Of his best men, sextie war brocht to deid.

Thair schip by ouris, ane burd was mair of hicht,

Wallace lap in amang thay Reuaris wicht.

Ane man he straik, ouir schip burd in the se,

On the ouir loft he slew sone vther thre.

Longoueill enterit, and als gude Maister Blair,

Thay gaif na grace, to freik yat yai fand thair.

Wallace him self with Iohne of Lyn he met,

At his collair ane felloun straik he set

Baith Helme and heid, fra the schulderis he draif,

Blair ouir the burd, in the sey kest the laif.

Of his, body than all the remanand,

Enterit and slew, the Briggantis that yai fand.

The Schip thay tuik, greit gold and vther geir,

That thay Reuaris had gadderit lang in weir.

Bot Maister Blair spak na thing of him sell,

In deid of armis, quhat auenture that befell.

Schir Thomas Gray was Preist yan to Wallace

Put in the buik how thame hapnit this cace.

That Blair was in, and mony worthy deid,

Of quhilk him self had na plesance to reid.

Wallace gart reull the schip with his awin men,

And saillit furth the richt cours for to ken.

In the Sluce hauin, quhill thay enterit be,

The Merchandis weill he helpit in saiftie.

Of gold and geir he tuik part that thay fand,

Gaif thame the Schip, syne passit to the land.

Throw Flanderis raid, vpon ane gudly wise,

Enterit in France, and syne socht to Parise.

The glaid tythingis, yat to the King was brocht,

[Page]Of Wallace cūming, it comfort all thair thocht.

Thay trowit be him, to get redres of wrang,

The Sutheroun had, in Guyan wrocht sa lang.

The Peiris of France war still at yair Parliamēt

The King commandit, with haill and trew Intēt

Thay suld foirse ane Lordschip to Wallace,

The Lordis than all demit of this cace.

For Guyan was all haill out of thair hand,

Thay thocht it best for to gif him that land.

For weill thay trowit, he had wrocht sa befoir,

He suld it wyn, or ellis de thairfoir.

Alswa of it thay micht na proffeit haif,

This was the caus to Wallace thay it gaif.

This Decreit sone thay schew vnto the King,

Displesit he was, thay maid him sic ane thing.

Of Guyan thus, quhen Wallace had ane feill,

Na land he said, lykit him half sa weill.

My chance is thus, for to be ay in weir,

And Inglismen, hes done our Realme maist deir.

It was weill knawin my defence richteous yair,

Richt haue I heir, my comfort is the mair.

I thank ȝow Lordis, maid sic rewaird to me,

Ȝour purpois is, I sall nocht Idill be.

The King bad him be Duke of Guyan land,

To yat command Wallace was ganestandand.

Becaus that land was haistely to conqueis,

His thocht was ay to wyn it throw Goddis grace

Bot neuertheles the King had maid him Knicht,

And gaif him gold for to mantene his richt.

And syne gaif charge to all weirmen in France,

Thay suld be haill at Wallace Ordinance.

And als of him he bad him armis tak,

Wallace forsuik, sic changeing for to mak.

[Page]Sen I began, I buir the Reid Lyoun,

And thinkis to be, ay trew man to that Crown.

I thank ȝow Schir, of this mychtie rewaird,

Ȝour men heirfoir, sall nocht richt lang be spaird.

I think to quyte sum part ȝe kyithit on me,

In ȝour seruice, or ellis thairfoir to de.

Gude Wallace thocht his time he wald not waist

Vnto the weir, he graithit him in haist.

All Scottis men that was into that land,

To him thay socht with thair fewtie and band.

Longoueill als, ane greit power can rais,

In Wallace help, this gude Knicht glaidly gais.

Ten thousand haill of Nobill men thay wair,

The braid Baner displayit of Scotland thair.

Thir weirmen sone vpon Guyan thay [...]ure,

Brak biggingꝭ doun, quhilk had bene stark & sture

Sutheroun thay slew, agane thame maid debait,

Brichtly on breid, thay raisit fyris hait.

Schemon yai tuik, that Wallace first had winin,

And slew all men of Sutheroun yair was fundin.

Into that toun Wallace his dwelling maid,

All thair about he wan the countrie braid.

The worthy Duke of Orlyance was Lord,

Semblit his folk into ane gude accord.

Twelf thousand than, he had in armour bricht,

And thocht to help gude Wallace in his richt.

Leif I thame thus, the Duke and Wallace baith,

And speik sū part how Scotlād tuik greit skaith.

¶How Edward King of Ingland come in Scotland and maid haill Conqueis thairof. Cap. iij.

☞ )(✚)( ☜

[Page]

THe fals Inuy, and the wickit tressoun,

Amang thame self, brocht feill to confusioun.

The knicht wallāge in scotland maid repair

The fals Menteith, schir Iohne withouttin mair.

Betuix thay twa was maid ane priuate band.

Sa on ane day thay met into Annand.

Of the Lennox Schir Iohne had greit desyre,

Schir Aymeir hecht he suld it haue in hyre.

To hald in fee, and vther landis mo,

Of King Edward, sa he wald pas him to.

Thus cordit thay, and syne to Londoun went,

Edward was glaid to hald that pointment.

Menteith annone, was bound to that fals King,

To further him, to Scotland in all thing.

Syne passit hame, and Wallange with him fure,

Quhill he was brocht, agane ouir Carlile mure.

King Edward than, in Ire and feirs outrage,

Be threttie dayis he raisit his barnage.

In Scotland past, and thair na stopping fand,

Na Chiftane was, that durst agane him stand.

For Menteith tald yai thocht to mak Bruce King

All trew Scottis wald be pleist of that thing.

Ȝit mony fled, and durst nocht byde Edwart,

Sum into Ros, and in the Ilis past part.

Bischop Sinklair agane fled into Bute,

With that fals King he had na will to mute.

Thus without straik the Castellis of Scotland,

King Edward hes tane into his awin hand.

Deuydit syne, to men that he wald lyke,

Strenthis and toūis, to Ros throw ye Kingrike.

Baith hicht and vaill, obeyit haill his will,

That he commandit thay purpois to fulfill.

The Bischoppis all Inclynit to his Crown,

[Page]Baith temporall, and the Religioun.

The Romane buikis, yat yan war in Scotland,

He gart yame beir to Scone quhair yai yame fād.

And but redeme thay brynt thame all Ilk ane,

Salisbery vse, our Clerkis than hes tane.

The Lordis he tuik, yat wald nocht of him hald,

In Ingland send, the Nobill blude of ald.

Schir William lang Dowglas to Londoun send

In strang presoun, quhair throw he maid ane end.

Erll Thomas als, that Lord was of Murray,

And Lord Fresar with him he send away.

Als Hew the Hay, and vther airis ma,

He gart Wallange with yame in Ingland ga.

Na man was left, all this mane land within,

Fra Edwardis peice, was knawin of ony kin.

Setoun, Lawder, dwelt still into the Bas,

With thame Lundy, and men that worthy was.

The Erll Malcolme, and Campbell past but let,

In Bute succour, with Sinklair for to get.

Schir Iohn Ramsay, and Rothuen yai fled north

To thair Cousing, that Lord was of Fillorth,

He past with yame throw Murray landis richt,

Sa fand yai yair ane gentill worthy Knicht.

That Clement hecht, full cruell ay had bene,

And fendit weill amang thair enemeis kene.

He thocht neuer at Edwardis will to be,

Into his tyme he gart feill Sutheroun de.

He led thir Lordis, in Ros withouttin mair,

At the stok furd, ane stark strenth biggit thair.

Keipit that lang, richt worthely be weir,

To thair enemeis thay did full mekill deir.

Adam Wallace and Lindesay of Cragey,

Away thay fled, into the nicht be sey.

[Page]And Robert Boyd, quhilk was baith wyse & wicht

Arrane thay tuik, to fend yame at thair micht.

And Corspatrik into Dunbar dwelt still,

Fewtie full sone he maid King Edward till.

Abirnethie, Lord Soullis and Cumyng als,

And Iohne of Lorne, yat lang tyme had bene fals

The Lord of Breichen, and mony vther ma,

At Edwardis peice for giftis yat he yame ga.

Iusting of peice, for twentie dayis set he,

Of Inglismen, in Lorne that men micht se.

Plane to declair, bot for this caus I wis,

That all Scotland be conqueis than was his.

The Lordis than, and gude Bischop Sinklair,

Syne out of Bute thay maid ane Ballingair.

To gude Wallace, tald him thair torment haill,

Than wrait thay thus, to get Bute of thair baill.

OVr hoip, our heill, and our haill Gouernour,

Our gudly gyde, our best Chiftane in stour.

Our Lord, our luif, our strēth in richteousnes

For Goddis saik redeme vs anis to grace.

And tak the Crown, to vs it war kyndair,

To bruik for ay, or fals Edward it bair.

The writ he gat, bot ȝit suffer he wald,

For greitt falset, that part him did of ald.

Mekill dolour it did him in his mynd,

Of thair mysfair, for trew he was and kynd.

He thocht to tak amendis of thair wrang,

He answerit nocht, bot into weir furth rang.

Of King Edward, ȝit mair furth will I mele,

Into quhat wyse that he couth Scotland dele.

In Sanct Iohnstoun, the Erll of Ȝork he maid

Capitane to be, of all thay landis braid.

[Page]Fra Tay to Dee, and vnder him Buttellair,

His Grandschir had at Kincleuin endit thair.

His Father als, Wallace had baith thame slane,

Edward thairfoir, maid him ane man of mane.

The Lord Bewmont into the North he send,

Thay Lordschippis haill, he gaif thame in cōmend

To Striuiling syne, fra Sāct Iohnstoun he went

Thair to fulfill the laif of his Intent.

The Lord Cliffurd, he had than Dowglasdaill,

Reullar to be of the South Marchis haill.

All Galloway he gaif Cumyng in hand,

Wist nane bot God, how lang yat stait suld stand

The gentill Lord, gude Bischop of Lambertoun,

Of Sanctandrois had Dowglas of Renoun.

Befoir that tyme, ȝoung Iames wicht and wise,

To him was cum, fra Scuillis of Parise.

Ane priuate fauour the Bischop to him bair,

Bot Inglismen was sa greit maisteris thair:

He durst nocht weill in place schaw him kyndnes,

Quhill on ane day he tuik sum hardynes.

Dowglas he callit, and couth to Striuiling fair,

Quhair King Edward was deiland landis thair.

He profferit him to the Kingis seruise,

To bruik his awin, fra he wist in this wise

Dowglas he was, than he forsuik planelie,

Sweiris be Sāct George, he bruikis na lands of me.

His Father was incontrair of my Crown,

Thairfoir as now, he bydis in our presoun.

To the Bischop nane vther answer he maid,

Bot as he plesit, delt out thay landis braid.

To the Lord Soullis, all haill the Mers gaif he,

And Capitane als of Berwik for to be.

Olyphant yan, yat he in Striuiling fand,

[Page]Quhen he him had, he wald nocht keip his band.

The quhilk he maid, or he Striuiling him gaif,

Dissaitfully this King couth him dissaif.

Into Ingland, send him to presoun strang,

In greit distres he leuit thair full lang.

Quhen Edward King had delt this Regioun,

His leif he tuik, in Ingland maid him boun.

Out of Striuiling south wart as yai can ryde,

Cumyng hapnit neir hand the Bruce to byde.

Thus said he Schir, and ȝe can keip counsall,

I can ȝow leir, quhilk may be ȝour auaill.

The Bruce answerit, quhat euer ȝe schaw to me,

As for my part, sall weill conceillit be.

Lord Cumyng said, Schir ȝe knaw not yis thing

Of all this Realme ȝe suld be richteous King.

Than said the Bruce suppois I richteous be,

I se na tyme to tak sic thing on me.

I am haldin into my enemeis hand,

Vnder greit aith, quhen I come in Scotland.

Nocht part fra him, for proffeit nor requeist,

Nor for na strenth, bot gif deid me arreist.

He hecht agane to gif this land to me,

Now fynd I weill it is bot subteltie.

For thus thow seis, he deillis my heritage,

To Sutheroun part, and sum to tratouris wage.

Than Cumyng said, will ȝe heirto concord,

Of my landis, and ȝe lyke to be Lord.

Ȝe sall thame haue, for ȝour richt of ye Crown,

Or and ȝe lyke, Schir for my warysoun:

I sall ȝow help, with power at my micht,

The Bruce answerit▪ I will nocht sell my richt.

Bot on this wyse, quhat Lordschip thow wil craif

For thy supplie, I hecht it thow sa [...]l haif.

[Page]Cum fra ȝone King Schir with sum Ieopardie,

Now Edward hes all Galloway geuin to me.

My Neuoy Soullis, that keipis Berwik toun,

At ȝour command his power sall be boun.

My Neuoy als, ane man of mekill micht,

The Lord of Lorne hes greit rowme in ye hicht.

My thrid Neuoy, ane Knicht of greit Renoun,

Will ryse with vs, of Breichen the Barroun.

Than said the Bruce, fell thair sa fair ane chance,

That we micht get agane Wallace of France:

Be wit and force, he couth this Kingrik wyn,

Allace we haue bene ouir lang haldin in twyn.

To that langage Cumyng maid na record,

Of auld deidis into his mynd remord.

The Bruce and he completit furth thair band,

Syne yat same nicht seillit it with thair hand.

This Ragment left the Bruce with Cumyng yair

With King Edward hame in Ingland couth fair.

And yair remanit, quhil yis ragmēt was knawin,

Thre ȝeir or mair, or Bruce preissit to his awin.

Sum men demis, Cumyng the Ragment send,

Sum men thairfoir, agane makis defend.

Nane may say weill that Cumyng was saikles,

Becaus his wyfe was Edwardis Cousignes.

He seruit deid be richt law of his King,

Sa reklesly myskeipit sic ane thing.

Had Bruce past by, but baid to Sanct Iohnstoun

Be haill assent, and ressauit his Crown.

On Cumyng syne he micht haue done the law,

He couth nocht th [...]ill, fra tyme that he him saw.

Thus Scotland left in hard perplexitie,

Of Wallace ma [...]e, in him part speik will we.

☜)(✚)(☞

[Page]

¶The Twelft Buik declairis how Wallace Conqueist the land of Guyan, and how he was maid Lord thairof.

Cap. j.

THe sair trauell, the ernist besynes,

The fell laubour he had in mony place.

To wyn the land, yat ye gude King him gaif

Into his Regne he wald na Sutheroun saif.

In Guyan land Wallace was still at weir,

Of Scotlandis lois, it did his hart grei [...] deir.

Of trew Scottis in mynd he had pietie,

He thocht to help, his tyme quhen he micht se.

Of set battellis fyue he discomfeist haill,

But Ieopardie, and mony strang assaill.

Syne thay forsuik, and durst him nocht abyde,

The Sutheroun fled, fra thyne on ather syde.

To Burdeous, into greit multiplie,

The toun thay stuf, with vittallis be the se.

All Guyan land Wallace tuik to his peis,

To Burdeous he past or he wald ceis.

On out biggingis full greit maistrie he maid,

Still twentie dayis, at strang assailȝeing baid.

Forthis and werk that was without the toun,

Thay brak and brynt, and put to confusioun.

Hedgis and alayis, be laubour that was thair,

Fuilȝeit and spilt, thay wald na fruitis spair.

The Inglismen maid greit defence agane,

With schot and cast, that mekill war of mane.

Of gūnis thay war, and ganȝeis stuffit weill,

All artailȝe, and wappinis of fyne steill.

With men and meit within was buskit bene,

The greit Capitane, was wyse, cruell, and kene.

Of Glocester the huge Lord and Here,

[Page]The Erll had bene ay vsit into were.

Keipit his men be wit and hardyment,

Without the toun yair durst nane fra him went.

The land without was neir waistit away,

Weirmen sa lang into the countrie lay.

In Wallace Oist sa scant was of vittaill,

Thay micht nocht byde na langer to assaill.

Than this wyse Lord the Duke of Orlyance,

To Wallace said, Schir ȝe suld ken this chance.

It standis ouir weill with yis fals sutheroū blude

For on na wyse can we stop thair fude.

The hauin thay haue, and schippis at thair will,

Of Ingland cūmis, vittall aneuch thame till.

The land is pure of vittall suld vs beild,

And ȝe se weill, als thay forsaik the feild.

Thay will nocht fecht, thocht ȝe all ȝeir suld byde,

Ȝe may of peice pleneis thir landis wyde.

My counsall is, in plane anent this thing,

That ȝe wald pas with worschip to the King.

Be his assent, ȝe may at laiser waill,

With prouisioun agane thame to assaill.

Wallace Inclynit, and thankit this wyse Lord,

Than thay returnit, all in ane gude accord.

Past vp in France, with honour to the King,

And schew him haill the veritie of this thing.

And he thairof in hart was wounder glaid,

Frenche men befoir, yat hundreth ȝeir nocht had:

Of Guyan haill sa mekill in thair hand,

Wryting be than was new cūmin of Scotland.

Fra part of Lordis, and gude Bischop Sinklair,

Besocht the King into thir termis fair.

Of his gentrice, and of his gudly grace,

For thair supple, to counsall gude Wallace:

[Page]To cum agane, and bring thame of bandoun,

And tak to weir, the Crown of that Regioun.

This writ as than, he wald nocht to him schaw,

Richt laith he was, for freindschip, feid, or aw.

Wallace suld pas sa sone fra his presence,

Ane dwelling place he tuik to his residence.

In Schynnone still, Wallace his dwelling maid,

And held about, richt lykand landis braid.

Ane kene Capitane than clamit in heritage,

Office of it, and greit landis in wage.

Thairfoir he thocht gude Wallace for to sla,

Vnder cullour sic maistrie for to ma.

Lang tyme he socht to get ane day and place,

Said he desyrit in seruice to Wallace.

ANe tryste thay set with fyftene on the syde,

Fourtie thair by he gart in buschement byde.

Of men in armis, quhen he with Wallace met,

Richt awfully he bad thame on him set.

Nane armour had Wallace men in that place,

Bot sword & knyfe yai bure on yame throw grace

Part of his men left neir ane Forest syde,

Richt busteously the Capitane said that tyde:

That Wallace held of his landis vnricht,

Richt soberly he said to that Frenche Knicht:

I haue na land, bot quhilk the King gaif me,

My lyfe thairfoir hes bene in Ieopardie.

The Knicht answerit, thy lyfe sall be forlorne,

Or ellis that land, the contrair quha had sworne.

Abak he lap, and out ane sword he drew,

The buschement brak, quhen he that takin schew.

Gude Wallace thocht that mater stude not weill,

He grippit sone ane scheirand sword of steill.

[Page]And at ane straik the Knicht to deith he draif,

About sextene sone lappit all the laif.

Wallace and his, sa worthely thay wrocht,

Full feill thay [...]lew, that [...]airest on thame socht.

The Knichtis brother, yat stalwart was & strang,

And thocht thay suld be vengit or thay gang.

Of Wallace men sum part he woundit sair,

Mawand thair was, into ane Medow thair:

Nyne stout Carllis, all seruandis to that Knicht,

Syithis thay hynt, and ran in all thair micht:

To the fechtaris, or thay come neir that place,

Bot thame persauit, richt weil hes gude Wallace.

Sa awfull thing, of sic he neuer saw,

Thame to resist, him self can to thame draw.

Into the stout left his men fechtand still,

To meit thay Carllis, that come with egir will.

The first leit draw at Wallace with his Syith,

Deliuer he was, and heich ouirlap it swyith.

Ane akwart straik hit the Churll on the heid,

Derfly on ground, he hes him left for deid.

The tother he met, ouir lap his Syith sa kene,

On the schulder, als straik him in that tene.

Throw all the coist, the Nobill sword doun schair

The thrid he met, with ane full awfull fair.

The groundin Syith, at Wallace he leit draw,

This gude Chiftane clenely ouir lap thame aw.

With his guid sword he maid ane hiddeous woūd

Left him for deid, syne on the feird can found.

On the Rig bane in greit Ire can him ta,

Cleuit the coist richt cruelly in twa.

Thre formest Syithis yis gude Wallace ouir lap,

And four he slew, yai saw sic was thair hap.

For ane man ay he slew at euerilk straik,

[Page]The last fled first, this can thair power [...]laik.

Wallace followis, and sone the fyft ouirtais,

Straik him to deith, that na farther he gais.

Syne sped him sone, vnto his men agane,

Be than thay had the Knichtis brother slane.

Fyftie and sex, derfly to deith was dicht,

Except seuin men, that fled out of thair sicht.

Fyue Mawaris als, that Wallace self with met,

To Frenchemen, sen syne na sic tryst set,

Becaus that thay him brocht to sic ane cace,

The King hard tell, weill chaipit was Wallace.

Send for him sone, syne prayit him for to be,

Of his houshald, and leif in gude saiftie.

For weill he saw thay had him at Inuy,

Still with him self, he gart him byde for thy.

Twa ȝeiris thair, Wallace with myrth abaid,

Still into France mony gude Iourney maid.

The King him pleisit in all his gudly mane,

Fra him he thocht, he suld nocht part agane.

Lordis and Ladyis honourit him reuerently,

Wretchis and Schrewis, ay had him at Inuy.

¶How Wallace slew the twa Campiounis. Cap. i [...].

TWa Campiounis, yat time dwelt wt ye King

Had greit despite, at Wallace in all thing.

Togidder ȝeid ay thir twa Campiounis,

Of felloun force, and thrawart conditiounis.

Richt greit despite thay spak ay of Scotland,

Quhill on ane day, it hapnit vpon hand.

Wallace and thay war leuit thame allane,

Be auenture, into ane hous of stane.

[Page]Thay vsit to beir na wappinis in that hall,

Thay trowit thairfoir, ane mys yai micht not fall.

Thair commonnit thay of Scotland scornefully,

Than Wallace said, ȝe wrang vs vtterly.

Sen we ar bund in freindschip to ȝour King,

And he of vs, is plesit in all thing.

All Scottismen hes helpit this Realme fra dreid,

Me think ȝe suld, gif gude word for gude deid.

Quhat may ȝe speik of ȝour enemeis bot euill,

In lichtlynes thay maid answer thair till.

And him dispytit in thair langage als,

Ȝe Scottis thay said, hes euer ȝit bene fals.

Wallace tuik ane, on the face in his tene,

With his gude hand, quhill neis mouth and ene:

Throw the braith blaw, all buschit out of blude,

Grouflingis to groūd he smoit him quhair he stude

The tother hynt to Wallace in that steid,

For weill he weind, his fellow had bene deid.

And he agane, in greif him grippit sair,

Quhill his spreit failȝeit, yat he micht do na mair.

The first freik rais, and smoit on Wallace fast,

Baith to the deith he brocht thame at the last.

Vpon ane Pillair thair harnis out he dang,

And with his handis out at ye dur yame slang.

And said quhat Deuill, mouit ȝone Carllis at me,

Lang tyme in France, I wald haif lattin yame be

Traist weill in treuth, thus war thay gane in deid

Thocht Frenche mē now, not lykis yairof to reid.

Als I will ceis, and put it out of Ryme,

Better it is, quha richt can luik the tyme:

Mony greit Lord was displeisit in France,

Bot ye gude King, yat knew all haill the chance.

Richt greit despite, of Scotland spokin had thay,

[Page]This passit ouir, quhill yat vpon ane day:

Was nane of thame, yat durst it vndertak,

He had done wrang, or yairfoir battell mak.

¶How Wallace slew the Lyoun in the Barrace. Cap. iij.

THis Royall Roy ane hie worschip him gaif,

As Conquerour, him honourit ouir ye laif.

Ane fell Lyoun yis King had gart be brocht

Within Barrace, for greit harme yat he wrocht.

Tyrlisit in Irne na mair power him gaif,

Of wodnes he exceidit all the laif.

Bot he was fair, and richt felloun in deid,

In that strang strenth he gart men him feid.

Keipit him clos, for men and bestiall,

In Court yair dwelt twa Squyarꝭ of greit vaill.

That Cousingis war, to ye Cāpioūis twa,

The quhilk befoir Wallace hapnit to sla.

Ane band thay maid in preuy conclusioun,

At thair power to wirk his confusioun.

Be ony meane, throw fraud and subteltie,

Efter yairfoir yai thocht nocht for to de.

To deith or schame, sa yat yai micht him bring,

Vpon ane tyme thay went vnto the King.

This Scot thay said, that ȝe sa weill fair mak,

He seis nocht heir, bot he wald vndertak.

Be his greit force to put to confusioun,

Now he desyris to fecht with ȝour Lyoun.

And bad vs ask, at ȝow this battell strang,

Ȝe grant him leif in the Barrace to gang.

Sadly agane, to thame answerit the King,

Sair me forthinkis he desyris sic a thing.

[Page]Bot I will nouther, for greif nor ȝit plesa [...]ce,

Deny Wallace, quhat he desyris in France.

Than went thay furth, & sone met with Wallace,

Ane figurat taill thay tauld him in yat cace.

Wallace thay said, the King desyris that ȝe,

Direnȝe battell, sa cruell for to se.

And chargis ȝow, to fecht with this Lyoun,

Wallace answerit in haistie conclusioun.

And I sall do quhat be the Kingis will,

At my power richt glaidly to fulfill.

Than passit he vnto the King but mair,

Ane Lord of Court, quhen he approchit thair:

Vnwyselie speirit without prouisioun,

Wallace dar ȝe, ga fecht with our Lyoun?

And he said ȝe, sa the King suffer me,

Or with ȝour self, gif ȝe ocht better be.

Quhat will ȝe mair, this thing admittit was,

That Wallace suld vnto the Lyoun pas.

The King chargit to bring him gude harnes,

And he said nay, God scheild me fra sic cais.

I suld it tak, gif I faucht with ane man,

Bot for ane Dog, that nocht of armis can.

I will haue nane, bot singlil as I ga,

Ane greit mantill about his hand can ta.

And ane gude sword with him he tuik na mair,

Abandoundly in Barrace enterit thair.

Greit cheinȝeis was wrocht in ye ȝet with a gin,

And pullit to, quhen Wallace was thairin.

The wod Lyoun, on Wallace quhair he stude,

Rampand he brayit, for he desyrit blude.

With his round pollis in the mantill rocht sa,

Akwart the bak ȝit Wallace can him ta.

With his gude sword, that was of birneist steill,

[Page]His body in twa, it cuttit euerilk deill.

Syne to the King he raikit in greit Ire,

And said on loud, was this all ȝour desire?

To wair ane Scot this lichtly into vane,

Is thair ma Doggis, yat ȝe ȝit wald haue slane?

Ga bring yame furth, sen I man Doggis quell,

To do bidding, quhill yat I with ȝow dwell.

It ganis full weill, to graith me in Scotland,

For greiter deidis, yair men hes tane on hand.

Than with ane Dog in battell to encheif,

At ȝow and France, for euer I tak my leif.

The King persauit yat Wallace greuit was,

Sa ernistly he askit leif to pas.

Rewit in his mynd, that it was hapnit sa,

Sa lewd ane deid, to lat him vnderta.

Knawand the worschip, and ye greit Nobilnes,

Of him quhilk sprang, yat tyme in mony place.

Hamely he said, it suld displeis ȝow nocht,

It ȝe desyrit, it bred neuer in my thocht.

And be the faith I aw the Crown of France,

I thocht neuer to charge ȝow to sic chance.

Bot men of vaill, that askit it for ȝow,

Wallace answerit, to God I mak ane vow:

I lykit neuer, sic battell to be in,

Vpon ane Dog, na worschip is to win.

The King consauit how this falset was wrocht,

The Squyaris baith, was to his presence brocht.

Culd nocht deny, quhen thay come him befoir,

All thair trespas, thay tald withouttin moir.

The King commandit, yai suld be done to deid,

Smoit of thair heidis without [...]ny remeid.

The Campiounis, lo for Inuy caus [...]es,

To suddād deith Wallace yame brocht throw cais

[Page]The Squyaris als, fra yair falsnes was kend,

Inuy yame brocht, baith to ane suddand end.

Lordis behald, Inuy the euill Dragoun,

In cruell fyre he byrnis this Regioun.

For he is nocht yat aboundis in Inuy,

To sum mischeif, it bringis thame haistely.

Forsaik Inuy, thow sall the better speid,

Heirof as now, I will na farther reid.

Bot in my mater, that I befoir began,

I sall declair, als planely as I can.

QVhen Wallace saw, thay had him at Inuy,

Langer to byde, he couth nocht yan planely.

Better him thocht, in Scotland for to be,

And auenture tak, outher to leif or de.

To help his awin, he had far mair plesance,

Than thair to byde, with all the welth in France.

Than his haill mynd, manheid, and curage,

Was planely set, to wyn out of bondage.

Scotland agane, fra pane, and mekill schoir,

He vowit he suld, or ellis de thairfoir.

The King hes sene how gude Wallace is set,

The letter than, him gaif withouttin let.

The quhilk of lait fra Scotland was him send,

Wallace it saw, and weill yair harmis kend.

Be the first writ thairto accordiall,

Thame to supple, he thocht he wald nocht faill.

Quhairof suld I, heirof lang proces mak,

Wallace of France ane gudly leif can tak.

The King hes sene, it wald nocht ellis be,

To Chalmer went, behald him micht nocht he.

For greit langour, quhen Wallace can remufe,

The King to him keipit kyndnes ay and lufe.

[Page]Iowellis and gold, his worschip for to saif,

He bad thame gif als mekill as he wald haif.

Lordis and Ladyis weipit wounder fast,

Quhen Wallace thair, sa tuik his leif and past.

Na man he tuik, bot quham he thidder brocht,

Agane with him gude Longoueill furth socht.

For pane or blis, yat gude Knicht left him neuer,

For cace befell, quhill deith maid yame disseuer.

Towart the Sluce, in gudlie feir past he,

Ane Veschell gat. and maid him to the se.

Aucht Schipmen feyit, & gudly wage yame gaif,

To Scotland fure, the Firth of Tay thay haif.

¶How Wallace come in Scotland agane at the Battell of Elchok Park. Cap. iiij.

VPon the nicht Wallace the land hes tane,

At Ernis mouth, and is to Elchok gane.

He gart the Schip in couert saill away,

Sa out of sicht, thay war or it was day.

At Elchok dwelt, ane Wallace Cousing deir,

That Craufurd hecht, ye hous quhē yai come neir.

On the bak syde Wallace ane wyndo fand,

And in he callit, syne Craufurd come at hand.

Fra tyme he wist, that it was gude Wallace,

Into his Barn he ordanit yame ane place.

Ane mow of corne he biggit thame about,

And closit it weill, nane micht persaif thair out.

Bot at ane place quhair meit was to yame brocht

And bedding to, als gudly as he mocht.

Ane dern hoill furth on the north syde thay had,

Vnto the watter, quhair of Wallace was glaid.

Four dayis or fyue, in rest yai soiornit thair,

[Page]Quhill meit was gane, than Craufurd bownit for mair

To Sāct Iohnstoun yair purueyance to by

Inglismen thocht he tuik mair aboundantly:

Than he was wount in ony tyme befoir,

Thay haue him tane, put him in presoun [...]oir.

Quhat gaistis he had, to tell thay maid requeist,

He said it was bot to ane Kirking feist.

Ȝit thay presumit the cūming of Wallace,

Knawledge to get, yai set ane subtell race.

Thay leit him pas with thing that he had bocht,

Syne efter sone in all the haist thay mocht.

To harnes ȝeid the power of the toun,

Aucht hūdreth men wt Buttellar maid yame boun

Followit on dreich, quhill yat yis man come hame

Wallace him saw, and said he seruit blame.

In my sleiping ane fell visioun me tald,

Till Inglismen, that thow suld me haue sald.

Craufurd him said, he had bene torment sair,

With Inglismen that had him at dispair.

Thairfoir ryse vp, and sone sum succour se,

I dreid full sair thay set wachis on me.

The worthy scottis yai graith yame in guid weid

Thair wappinis tuik, syne of that hous thay ȝeid.

Thus suddandly thir feill Sutheroun yai saw,

To few thay war to fecht agane thame aw.

That kenely come, with ȝoūg Buttellar ye knicht,

Than Wallace said, ane plane land is nocht richt.

Bot Elchok Park, that is neir heir besyde,

The first sail ȝe, we think thair to abyde.

Nyntene thay war, and Craufurd with gude wil,

The twentie man, the number to fulfill,

The Park thay tuik, Wallace ane place hes sene,

Ot greit Holing, yat grew baith heich and grene.

[Page]With thortour treis ane maner of strenth maid he

Or that war wyn, thay thocht to gar feill de.

The wod was thick, bot lytill of breid and lenth,

And yai had meit, yai thocht to hald that strenth.

The Inglismen than past to Craufurdis place,

Fand in the barn the ludgeing of Wallace.

Than Craufurdis wyfe in handis thay haue tane,

And askit at hir, quhat way the Scottis is gane?

Richt weill thay trowit, that Wallace suld yair be

Fra France to Tay, he was cūmit throw the se.

Scho wald nocht tell for boist nor ȝit rewaird,

Thā Buttellar said, ouir lāg thow hes bene spaird

Thair with he grew in matalent and Ire,

And gart thame big ane braid byrnand fire.

The Sutheroun swore yairin scho suld brynt be,

Than Wallace said scho sall nocht end for me.

Greit sin it war, ȝone faikles wicht to sla,

Or scho suld end, in faith yair sall de ma.

He left the strenth, and the plane feild can ta,

On loud he cryit, and said lo heir thy fa.

Thinkis thow not schame for to tormēt ane wyfe,

Cum first to me, and mak end of our stryfe.

Fra Buttellar had on feild gude Wallace sene,

For auld malice he woxe neir wod for tene.

Vpon ye Scottis thay schuip all with greit mane

Gude Wallace sone the strenth he tuik agane.

Ane feill bikker the Inglismen began,

Assailȝeit sair with mony cruell man.

Bot yai within war Nobill of defence,

Maid greit debait with force and violence.

At the entrie fyftene thay put to deid,

Than all the laif remouit fra that steid.

Ȝe [...]d to array, agane to sailȝe new,

[Page]Wallace beheld, quhilk weill in weir him knew.

Fellowis he said agane all at this place,

Thay will nocht faill, bot thus standis the cace.

Ȝone Knicht thinkis for to deuyde his men,

In Seir placis, the suith ȝe sall weill ken.

Agane on vs to preif how it may be,

Vs now behouis sum vther way to se.

Contrair thair micht, ane gude defence to mak,

Now Longoueill thow sall sex with the tak:

William my Eme, als mony sall with ȝow ga,

And lyue with me, as now we haue na ma.

Knicht Buttellar than, partit his men in thre,

Wallace vesyit quhair Buttellar schuip to be.

Thidder he yan past, that entrie for to weir,

Quhilk syde thay did assailȝe with greit feir.

Wallace leit part on the entrie begin,

Bot nane ȝeid out, that on the Scottis come in.

Seuin formest was that in the frount first ȝeid,

Wallace fyue men that douchtie was in deid.

Ilk ane slew ane, and Wallace gart twa de,

Buttellar was neist, and said yis will nocht be.

Abak he drew, and leit his curage slaik▪

The worthy scottis preuit weill for scotlandꝭ saik.

Gude Longoueill his counter maid sa sair,

And Craufurd als, thay sailȝeit thame na mair.

Richt neir be than approchit to mirk nicht,

And sternis to appeir, began into thair sicht.

Sutheroun set wachis, and to thair Supper wēt

The Buttellar was sair greuit in his Intent.

Ȝit fure thay weill, of gude stuf, aill, and breid

Wallace and his, thay wist of na remeid.

Bot cald watter that ran out throw ane strand,

In that ludgeing, nane vther fude thay fand.

[Page]Than Wallace said, gude fellowis think not lang,

Will God we sall be sone out of this thrang.

Suppois we fast ane day ouir or ane nicht,

Tak all in thank, this pane for Scotlandis richt.

The Erll of Ȝork was in Sanct Iohnstoun still

To Buttellar send, and bad him byde at will.

To him full sone yair suld cum new power,

And als him self thus tauld the Messinger.

Buttellar wald fane Wallace had ȝoldin bene,

Or the Erll come, and for this caus was sene:

His Grandschir and his Father baith he slew,

This Knicht yair with towart ye Park him drew

Quhat cheir thay maid, vpon the Scottis he cald,

Than Wallace said, far better than th [...]w wald.

The Buttellar said, I wald fane speik with the,

Wallace answerit, thow may for lytill fe.

Wallace he said, thow hes done me greit skaith,

My Father and my Grandschir thow slew baith.

Than Wallace said, for stait that thow art in,

It war my det, for to vndo thy kin.

And I think als, as God of heuin me saif,

That my twa handis sall graith the to thy graif.

The Buttellar said, that is nocht lyklie now,

Bot we the haue, we sall gar sydis sow.

Of this I ask, and thow wald mak me grant,

Quhat I the hecht, yat thing thow sall not want.

Say furth (quod he) be thy desyre ressonabill,

I sall it grant, withouttin ony fabill.

The Buttellar said, Wallace thow knawis richt,

Thow may not chaip, be power nor be [...]licht.

And sen thow seis, it may na better be,

For thy gentrice thow wald th [...] ȝeild to me.

Than Wallace said thy will vnskilfull is,

[Page]Thow wald me do, quhilk is ouir hi [...] ane mis.

Ȝoldin I am, to better I can prufe,

To quhome he askit? to the greit God abu [...]e.

For euerilk day, sen I had wit of man,

Befoir my werk, to ȝeild me I began.

And als at euin, quhen yat I failȝeit licht,

I me betuik, to the maker of micht.

The Buttellar said, me think thow hes done weill

Ȝit of ane thing, I pray the lat me feill.

For thy manheid, yis to me manifest,

Quhen that thow seis, thow may na langer lest:

On this Ilk place, quhilk I haue tane to weir,

That thow cum furth, and all vther forbeir.

Than Wallace leuch at his cruell desyre,

And said I sall, thocht thow war wod as fyre.

And all Ingland the contrarie had sworne,

I sall cum out, at that Ilk place the morne.

Or ellis this nicht, traist weill yat I the say,

I byde nocht heir, quhill nyne houris of the day.

Buttellar send furth, ye chak wache on Ilk syde,

In that Ilk place baldly he bownit to byde.

Thus still thay baid, quhill day began to peir,

Ane thick myst fell, ye Planeit was nocht cleir.

Wallace assayit, all that place about,

Leit as he wald, at ony ane place brek out.

Quhill Buttellaris men away fra him couth ga,

To help the laif, quhen yai saw it was sa.

Wallace and his, fast sped thame to that steid,

Quhair Buttellar baid, feill men yai draif to deid.

The worthy Scottis sone passit throw yat melle,

Craufurd thair with was sair hurt in ye kne.

At eird he was, gude Wallace turnit agane,

And at ane straik he hes the Buttellar slane.

[Page]Hynt vp that man, vnder his arme sa strang,

Defendand him out of that felloun thrang.

Gude roume he maid, amāg yame quhair he gais,

With his richt hand he slew fyue of his fais.

Bure out Craufurd be force of his persoun,

Nyne aiker braid, or euer he set him doun.

The Sutheroun fand, yt thair Capitane was deid

Semblit him about, bot yan was na remeid.

Threttie with him, of the wichtest thay brocht,

Deid on that place quhair at ye Scottis out socht

Wallace and his, be than was fra thair sicht,

Sutheroun baid still for greit lois of that nicht.

The myst was mirk, that Wallace lykit weill,

Him self was glaid, and said to Longoueill:

At Methuen wod, is my desyre to be,

For thair is bestiall to get of greit plentie.

Be than thay war, weill cūmin to the hicht,

The myst slaikit, the Sone schynit fair and bricht.

Sone war thay war, ane lytill space thame by,

Of four and threttie in ane cumpany.

Than Wallace said, be ȝone freind or fa,

We will thame se, sen that thay ar na ma.

Quhen thay come neir ane Nobill Knicht it was,

The quhilk to Name hecht Hew of Dundas.

And schir Iohn Scot, ane wyse & worthy knicht,

Into Stra [...]herne ane man of mekill micht.

For thair he had, greit part of heritage,

Dundas Sister he had in mariage.

Passand thay war, and micht na langer lest,

To Inglismen, thair fewtie for to fest.

The Lord of Breichen sic cūnand had yame maid

Of King Edward to hald thair landis braid.

Bot fra thay saw, that it was wicht Wallace

[Page]Held vp thair handis, and thankit God of grace.

Of his greit help, quhilk he had send yame yair,

To Methuen wod with ane assent thay fair.

Sone gat thame meit of bestiall that thay fand,

Restit that day, quhē nicht was cūmin on hand:

To Birnane wod, but resting ar thay gane,

Quhair yai haue fund, ye Squyar gude Ruthuane

In outlaw vse he had lang leuit thair,

Of bestiall, quhill he micht get na mair.

Thay taryit nocht, bot into Athoill ȝeid,

Quhair meit was scant, yair Wallace had greit dreid

Passit to Lorne, richt lytill fand he thair,

Of wyld and tame, that countrie was maid bair,

Bot in strenthis, thair fude was leuit nane,

Thir worthy scottis yan maid ane pieteous mane

Schir Iohne Scot said, he had far rather de

Into gude name, and leif his airis fre.

Than for to byde, as bund in subiectioun,

Quhen Wallace saw thir gude men of Renoun:

With hunger stad, almaist micht leif na mair,

Wit ȝe for thame he sichit wounder sair.

Gude men he said, I am the caus of this,

At ȝour desyre I sall amend this mis.

Or leif ȝow fre, sum cheuisance for to ma,

All him allane he bownit for to ga.

Prayit thame byde, quhill he micht cum agane,

Out ouir ane hill he passit into plane.

OVt of thair sicht, into ane Forest syde,

He set him doun vnder ane Aik to byde.

His Bow and Sword he lenit to ane tre,

In anguische, greif, on grouf sa turnit he.

This pieteous mane, was for his men sa wrocht,

[Page]That of him self, lytill thing than he rocht.

O wretche he said, that neuer couth be content,

Of ouir greit micht, yat ye greit God the lent.

Bot thy feirs mynd, wilfull and variabill,

With greit Lordschip thow couth not sa byde stabill

And wilfull wit, for to mak Scotland fre,

God lykis nocht, that I haue tane on me.

Far worthyar than I, of birth was borne,

Throw my desyre, for hounger ar forlorne.

I ask at God, thame to restoir agane,

I am the caus, I suld haue all the pane.

Quhyle studyand yus, quhyle flytād with him sell,

Quhill at the last, vpon s [...]eiping he fell.

Thre dayis befoir thair had him followit Fyue,

The quhilk was bund, or ellis to lois yair lyue.

The Erll of Ȝork bad yame sa greit guardoun,

That thay be thift, thocht to put Wallace doun.

Thre of yame was borne men of Ingland,

And twa was Scottis, yat tuik ye deid on hand.

And sum men said, ye thrid brother betraisit,

Kyndrōme eist, quhair greit sorrow was raisit.

Ane Child yai had quhilk helpit to beir meit,

In wildernes, amang the montanis greit.

Thay had all sene the disseuering of Wallace,

Fra his gude men, and quhair he baid on ca [...]e.

Amang thick wod, in couert held thame law,

Quhill thay persauit, he couth on sleiping faw.

And than thir fyue, approchit Wallace neir,

Quhat best to do, at vther fast thay speir?

Ane man said thus, it war ane hie Renoun,

And we micht quick leid him to Sanct Iohnstoū

Lo how he lyis, we may our grippis waill,

Of his wappinis, he sall haue nane auaill.

[Page]We sall him bynd in contrair of his will,

And leid him thus on bak syde of ȝone hill.

Sa that his men sall na thing of him knaw,

The tother four assentit to his saw.

And than thir fyue maid thame vnto Wallace,

And thocht throw force to bynd him in that place.

Quhat trowit thir fyue for to hald Wallace doun?

The manlyest man, the starkest of persoun.

Leuand he was, als stude into sic richt,

We traist weill God his deidis hes in sicht.

Thay grippit him, and out of sleip he braid,

Quhat menis this? than sadly Wallace said.

About he turnit, and vp his armis thrang,

On thay tratouris with Knichtly feir he dang.

The starkest man into his hand hynt he,

And all his harnis he dang out on ane tre.

His sword he gat, sone efter that he rais,

Campioun lyke, amang the four he gais.

Euer ane man, he gart de at ane dynt,

Quhē twa was deid, ye tother thre wald not stynt

Maid thame to fle, bot than it was na bute,

Was nane leuand micht fra him pas on fute.

He followit fast, and sone to deith thame brocht,

Than to the Chyld, sadly agane he socht.

Quhat did thow heir? ye Chyld with ane pail face

On kneis fell, and askit Wallace grace.

With thame I was, & knew na thing yair thocht,

Into seruice, as thay me bad I wrocht.

Quhat beiris thow thair? bot meit ye Chyld can say,

Ga tak it vp, and pas with me away.

Meit in this tyme is far better nor gold,

Wallace and he furth foundit on the fold,

Quhat brocht Wallace fra his enemeis bald,

[Page]Quha bot greit God, yat hes this warld to hald.

He was his help in mony felloun thrang,

With glaid cheir thus, vnto Erne can he gang.

Baith roistit flesche, yair was als breid and cheis,

To succour yame, yat was in point to leis.

And he it deillis to four men and fyftie,

Quhilk had befoir fastit ouir dayis thre.

Syne tuik his part, he had fastit als lang,

Quhair hard ȝe euer ony in sic thrang.

In hounger sa sleipand and wappinles,

Sa weill recouerit, as Wallace did in cais.

Planely be force vincust his enemeis fyue,

Men of wit this questioun now discryue.

Withouttin glois I will tell furth my taill,

How come this meit? the fellowschip askit haill.

To thair desyre, Wallace na answer ȝald,

Quhair fyue was deid, he led yame furth and tald

Greitly displeisit was all that Cheualry,

To ane Chiftane thay held it fantasy.

To walk allane, Wallace with sobir mude,

Sayis heirof, is cum na thing bot gude.

To the Law land agane full fast thay socht,

Speirit at yis Chyld, gif he couth wis yame ocht.

Quhair thay micht best, of purueyance for to win,

Of nane he said was that countrie within.

Nor all about, in als far as I knaw,

Quhill yat ȝe cum doun to the Rannoch haw.

That Lord hes stuf, baith aill, breid, and vernage,

Of King Edward he takis full mekill wage.

Than Wallace said, my self sall be ȝour gyde,

I knaw that steid, about on ather syde.

Throw the wyld la [...]d, he gydit thame full richt,

To Rannoch hall he brocht thame yat same nicht.

[Page]Ane wache was out, and that full sone thay ta,

He was ane Scot, ȝit he wald nocht him sla.

Bot gart him tell the maner of that place,

Thus enterit thay within ane lytill space.

The ȝet thay wan, for Castell was yair nane,

Bot mud wall wicht, withouttin lyme or stane.

Wallace in haist straik vp the Chalmer dure,

With his richt fuit, that stalwart was and sture.

Than thay within walknit suddandly,

The Lord gat vp, and mercy can him cry.

Fra tyme he wist that gude Wallace was thair,

He thankit God, syne said thir wordis mair.

Trew man I was, and wyn aganis my will,

With Inglismen, suppois I lykit Ill.

All Scottis we ar, yat in this hous is now,

At ȝour command, all baldly sall we bow.

Of our Natioun gude Wallace had pietie.

Tuik aithis of thame, and syne meit askit he.

Gude cheir yai maid, quhill licht day on ye morne,

This trew man than sone semblit him beforne.

Thre Sonis he had, yat stalwart war and bald,

And twentie men of kyn in his houshald.

Wallace was blyith thay maid him sic supplie,

Said I thank God, yat we thus multiplie.

All that day ouir, in gude lyking thay rest,

Wachis thay waill, to keip thame that couth best.

Vpon the morne the licht day quhen thay saw,

Than Wallace said our power for to knaw.

We will tak feild, and vp our Baner rais,

In richt of Scotland, and contrair of our fais.

We will na mair now vs in couert hyde,

Power to vs, will sembill on Ilk syde.

Than hors thay get, the best that culd be thair,

[Page]Towart Dunkeld the ganest way thay fair.

The Bischop than gat to Sanct Iohnstoun,

The Scottis slew that was of yair Natioun.

Baith pure and riche, and seruandis yat yai fand,

Left nane on lyfe that borne was of Ingland.

The place thay tuik, and maid yame weill to fair,

Of purueyance that Bischop had brocht thair.

Iowellis thay gat, baith gold and siluer bricht,

With gude cheir yair fyue dayis Soiornit richt.

On the sext day Wallace to counsall went,

Gart call the best, and schew yame his Intent.

Na men we haue to sailȝe Sanct Iohnstoun,

Into the North, thairfoir lat mak vs boun.

In Ros ȝe knaw gude men ane strenth hes maid,

Heir yai of vs, yai cum withouttin baid.

Als into Bute is gude Bischop Sinklair,

Fra he get wit, he cūmis withouttin mair.

Gude westland men, of Arrane and Rauchlie,

Fra thay be warnit, thay will all cum to me.

Thus purpois tuik, and in the North yai ryde,

Na Inglisman durst in thair gait abyde.

Quhome Wallace tuik, yai knew ye auld ransoun

Fra he come hame, to fle thay mak yame boun.

And Scottismen semblit to Wallace fast,

In awfull feir out throw the land thay past.

Strenthis was left, wit ȝe all desolait,

Agane thir folk na man durst mak debait.

In rayit battell thay raid to Abirdene,

In haill number vij. thousand than was sene.

Bot Inglismen had left the toun all waist,

On euerilk syde away than can thame haist.

In all that land left nouther mair nor les,

Lord Bewmont tuik the sey at Buchane nes.

[Page]Throw Scotland than was manifest in plane,

The Lordis that fled, in hart was wounder fane.

The Knicht Clement of Ros come suddandly,

In Murray land, with thair gude Cheualry.

The hous of Narne yat guid knicht weil hes tane

Slew the Capitane, and gude men mony ane.

Out of Murray, and Buchane land come thay,

To seik Bewmont, bot he was past away.

Than thir gude men to Wallace passit richt,

Quhē Wallace saw schir Iohne Ramsay ye knicht

And vther gude men, that had bene fra him lang,

Greit curage yan was raisit thame amang.

The land he reullit, as that him lykit best,

To Sanct Iohnstoun, syne raid or yai wald rest.

¶The Seige of Sanct Iohnstoun.

AT euerilk port ane stalwart wache he maid,

Confermit ane Seige, and steidfastly abaid.

Bischop Sinklair in all gude haist him dicht,

Come out of Bute, with semely men be sicht.

Out of the Ilis, of Rauchlie and Arrane,

Lindesay and Boyd, with gude men mony ane.

Adam Wallace, Barroun of Ricardtoun,

Full sadly socht to Wallace of Renoun.

At Sanct Iohnstoun baid at the Sailȝe still,

For Sutheroun men, yai micht weill pas at will.

For in thair way thair durst na enemie be,

Bot fled away, be land and als be se.

About that toun thus semblit thay but moir,

For thay had bene with gude Wallace befoir.

Setoun, Lawder, gude Richard of Lundie,

In ane gude Barge thay past about the se.

[Page]In Sāct Iohnstoun hauin, yair ankeris haue yai set

Twa Inglis schippꝭ, yai tuik withouttin let.

The tane thay brynt, and stuffit the tother weill,

With artailȝe, and stalwart men in steill.

To keip the Port, yait suld cum na vittaill,

Into the toun, nor men that micht auaill.

Fra South and North, mony of Scotland fled,

Left Castellis waist, feill leuit thair lysis in wed.

The Sutheroun Bischop yat befoir left Dunkell,

To Londoun past, and tald Edward him sell

In Scotland yair had fallin ane greit myschance,

Than send he sone for Aymeir the Walla [...]ce.

And askit him, quhat than was best to do,

He hecht to pas, and tak greit gold thairto.

Into Scotland sum meanis for to mak,

Aganis Wallace, on hand this can he tak.

He said he wald, vndo King Edwardis Crown,

Bot gif he micht throw tressoun put him doun.

King Edward hecht, quhat thing ye Wallange bād

He [...]uld it keip, yairto he gaif his hand.

Wallange tuik leif, and into Scotland went,

To Bothwell come, syne kest in his Intent.

Quhat man thair was micht best Wallace begyle

And sone he fand within ane lytill quhyle:

Schir Iohne Menteith Wallace Gossop was,

Ane Messinger Schir Aymeir hes gart pas.

Vnto Schir Iohne, and sone ane tryst hes set,

At Ruglyn Kirk, thir twa togidder met.

Than Wallange said, Schir Iohne yow knawis yis thing

Wallace agane rysis contrair ye King.

And yow may hau [...] quhat lordschip yow wil wail

And yow wald wirk as I wald gi [...] counsaill,

Ȝone tyran haldis the Realmis at trubill baith,

[Page]To thriftie men it dois full mekill skaith.

He traistis ye, yow may full weill him tak,

Of this mater, I reid ane end yow mak.

War he away we micht at lyking Ring,

As Lordis all, and leif vnder ane King.

Than Menteith said, he is our Gouernour,

For vs he baid in mony felloun stour.

Nocht for him self, bot for our heritage,

To sell him thus, it war ane foull outrage.

Than Wallange said, and thow weill vnderstude

Greit merite it war, he spillis sa mekill blude.

Of cristin men, puttis saullis into perrell,

I bynd me als, he sall be haldin haill.

As for his lyfe and keipit in presoun,

King Edward wald haue him in subiectioun.

Than Menteith thocht sa thay wald keip cūnand

He wald full fane haue had him of Scotland.

Wallange saw him into ane study be,

Thre thousand pund of fyne gold leit him se.

And hecht he suld the Lennox haue at will,

Thus tressonabilly Menteith grantit thair till.

Ane Obligatioun with his awin hand he maid,

Syne tuik ye gold, and Edwardis Seil sa braid

And gaif thame his, quhen he his tyme micht se,

To tak Wallace, ouir Sulway gif him fre.

To Inglismen, be this tressonabill concord,

Schir Iohne suld be of all the Lennox Lord.

Thus Wallace suld in Ingland keipit be,

Sa Edward micht mak Scotland to him fre.

Thair couetise was ouir greit maister sene,

Nane exempill takis how ane vther hes bene.

For couetise put in panis strang and fell,

For couetise the Serpent is in hell.

[Page]For couetise gude Hector tuik the deid,

For couetise thair can be na remeid.

Throw couetise gude Alexander was loist,

And Iulius als, for all his reif and boist.

Throw couetise deit Arthur of Britane,

For couetise, thair hes deit mony ane.

For couetise the tratour Gauilioun,

The flour of France he put to confusioun.

Throw couetise thay poysonit gude Godefray,

In Antioche, as the Author will say.

For couetise Menteith vpon fals wyis,

Betraisit Wallace, yat was his Gossop thryis.

Wallange in haist, with blyith will and gude hart

To Londoun past, and schew to King Edwart.

Of thair contract he had far mair plesance,

Than of fyne gold geuin in Ballance:

Of greiter wecht than his Ransoun micht be,

Of Wallace furth ȝit speik sum part will we.

AT Sanct Iohnstoun was at the seigeing still,

In ane morning ye Sutheroū with guid will

Fyue hundreth men in armis richt Egerly,

Thay Ischit furth to mak ane Ieopardy.

At the South Port vpon Scot and Dundas,

Quhilk in yair tyme richt wyse and worthy was.

Aganis thair fais richt scharply faucht and sair,

In that counter seuin scoir to deith thay bair.

Ȝit Inglismen that cruell was and kene,

Full derfly faucht▪ quhair douchtie deid was sene.

Fra the west ȝet drew all the Scottis haill,

To the fechtaris, quhen yai saw nocht auaill.

Bot in agane, full fast thay can thame speid,

The Knicht Dundas preuit douchtie in deid.

[Page]Ouir neir the ȝet, full bandounly he baid,

With ane gude sword, full greit maistrie he maid.

Nocht wittand weill, his fellowis was him fra,

In at the ȝet, the Sutheroun can him ta.

Vnto the Erll thay led him haistelie,

Quhen he him saw, he said he suld nocht de.

To slay this ane, it may vs lytill remeid,

He send him furth, to Wallace in that steid,

Vnto the North his battellis hes he brocht,

Quhill he him saw, of this he wist richt nocht.

Send to the Erll, and thankit him largelie,

Hecht for to quyte, quhen he sic caus micht se.

Bot ȝit yairfoir, souerance he wald nocht grant,

Thocht thay war ȝoldin, and cum recryant.

For gold nor gude he wald na tribute tak,

Ane greit assault, than he began to mak.

The Erll of Fyfe, dwelt vnder trewis lang,

Of King Edward, and than he thocht it wrang.

That Wallace sa was seigand Sanct Iohnstoun

Bot gif he come in richt help of the Crown.

To Inglismen he wald nocht keip that band,

Than he come sone, with gude men of the land.

And Iohne Wallange was yan Schiref of Fyfe,

To Wallace past, and starkit him in that stryfe.

The Erll was cūmin of gude trew Nobill blude,

Of ye auld Thane, quhilk in his tyme was gude.

Than all about to Sanct Iohnstoun yai gang,

The felloun sault, was hiddeous, schairp & strang.

Full feill faggaldis, into the dyke thay cast,

Haddir and hay, wound about flaikis fast.

With treis and eird, ane greit passage yai maid,

Out ouir the wallis, thay ȝeid in battell braid.

The Sutheroun than, maid greit defence agane,

[Page]Quhil at the wallis thair was ane thousand slane

Wallace ȝeid in, and his rayit battell richt,

All Sutheroun men derfly to deith yai dicht.

To saif the Erll, Wallace the Herald send,

Gude Iop him self, the quhilk befoir him kend:

For Dundas saik, he said he suld nocht de,

Wallace him self, thus ordanit for to be.

Ane small Haiknay to him he gart be tak,

Siluer and gold, his coistis for to mak

Set on his cloik, ane takin for to se,

Ane Lyoun in wa [...]e, that suld his Conduct be.

Conuoyit him furth, and na man him with all,

Wemen and barnis, Wallace gart freith yame all.

And syne cryit trew Scottis to thair awin,

Pleneist ye lād, quhilk lang had bene ouirthrawin

Than Wallace past, the south land for to se,

Edward the Bruce in his tyme richt worthie.

That ȝeir befoir he had in Ireland bene,

And thair with him cruell men and kene.

Fyftie in feir, was of his motheris kin,

At Kirkcudbricht in Galloway enterit in.

With thay fyftie, he had vincust nyne scoir,

And syne he past withouttin tary moir.

To Wigtoun sone, and that Castell hes tane,

Sutheroun was fled, and left it all allane.

Wallace him met, with trew men reuerentlie,

To Lochmabane, went all that Cheualrie.

Thay maid Edward baith Lord and leidar yair,

This conditioun Wallace him maid but mair.

Bot ane schort tyme to byde Robert the King,

Gif he come nocht in this Regioun to Ring:

That Edward suld ressaif the Crown but faill,

This hecht Wallace, and all the barnage haill.

[Page]In Lochmabane Prince Edward leyndit still,

And Wallace past to Cumnok with gude will.

At the Blak bog, quhair he was wount to be,

Vpon that steid ane Royall hous held he.

Inglis Wardanis to Londoun past but mair,

And tauld the King of all thair greit mysfair.

How Wallace can Scotland fra thame reduce,

And how he had, ressauit Edward Bruce.

The Commounis swore yai suld cum neuer mair,

Vpon Scotland, and Wallace leuand wair.

Than Edward wrait to Menteith priualy,

Prayit him to haist, the tyme was passit by.

Of the promeis, ye quhilk yat he was bundin,

Schir Iohne Menteith, into his wit hes fundin:

How he suld best his purpois do fulfill,

His Sister sone in haist he callit him till.

And ordanit him in dwelling with Wallace,

Ane aith agane he gart him mak on cace.

Quhat tyme he wist, Wallace in quyet draw,

He suld him warne, quhat auenture micht faw.

This man grantit, that sic thing suld be done,

With Wallace thus, he was in seruice sone.

Bot of tressoun Wallace had lytill thocht,

His lauborous mynd in vther materis wrocht.

Thus Wallace thryis, hes maid all Scotland fre,

Than he desyrit in lestand peice to be.

For as of weir he was in sum part Irk,

He purpoisit than to serue God and the Kirk.

And for to leif vnder his richteous King,

That he desyrit atouir all eirdly thing.

¶How Wallace was betraisit be Schir Iohn of Menteith, and had in Ingland, and Martyrit thair. Cap. v.

[Page]

THe Herald Iop, in Ingland sone he send,

And wrait to Bruce richt hartly his cōmend

Beseikand him, to cum and tak his Crown,

Nane suld ganestand, Clerk, Burges, nor Barroū

The Herald past, quhen Bruce saw his credance,

Thairof he tuik, ane perfyte greit plesance.

With his awin hand, agane wrait to Wallace,

And thankit him of lawtie and kyndnes.

Beseikand him, this mater to conceill,

For him behouit, out of Ingland to steill.

For lang befoir was keipit the Ragment,

Quhilk Cumyng had, to byde the Parliament.

Into Londoun, and gif thay him accuse,

To cum fra thame, he suld mak sum excuse.

He prayit Wallace, on Glasgow mure to waik,

The nixt first nicht of Iulij for his saik.

And bad he suld, bot into quyet be,

For he with him, micht bring few Cheualrie.

Wallace was blyith, quhen he this wryting saw,

His houshald sone, he gart to Glasgow draw.

That moneth thair, he ordanit thame to byde,

Keirly he tuik, Ilk nicht with him to ryde.

And this ȝoung man yat Menteith to him send,

Wist nane bot yir, quhat way yat Wallace wend.

The quhilk gart warne his Eme the xviij. nicht,

Sextie full sone, Schir Iohn Mēteith gart dicht.

Of his awin kyn, and allya was borne,

To this tressoun he gart yame all be sworne.

Fra Dunbertane yai sped thame haistely,

Neir Glasgow Kirk thay buskit yame priuely.

Wallace past furth quhair yat ye tryst was set,

Ane spy thay maid, and followit him but let.

Robert Railstoun, was neir the way besyde,

[Page]And bot ane hous quhair Wallace vsit to byde.

He woik on fuit, quhill passit was mydnicht,

Keirly and he, than for ane s [...]eip yame dicht.

Thay bad this man, that he suld walk his part,

And walkin Wallace, come men fra ony art.

Quhen thay sleipit, yis tratour tuik gude h [...]id,

He met his Eme, and bad him haue na dreid.

On sleip he was, and with him bot ane man,

Ȝe may him haue, for ony craft he can.

Without the hous, thair wappinnis laid yame fra

For weill thay wist, gat Wallace ane of tha.

And on his feit, his Ransoun suld be sauld,

Thus semblit thay about that febill hauld.

This tratour wa [...]he fra Wallace than he stall,

Baith knyfe and sword, his bow and arrowis all.

Efter mydnicht in handis thay haue him tane,

Slomerit on sleip, with him na man bot ane.

Keirly thay tuik, and led him fra that place,

Did him to deith, withouttin langer space.

Thay thocht to bynd, Wallace with strēthis strāg

On fuit he gat, thay fell tratouris amang.

He grippit about, bot na wappin he fand,

Vpon ane Sill he saw besyde him stand:

The bak of ane he bristit in that thrang,

And of ane vther the harnis our he dang.

And als mony as handis couth on him lay,

Be force him hynt, for to haue him away.

Bot that power ane fuit micht nocht him leid,

Out of that hous, quhill yai or he war deid.

Schir Iohne saw weill, be force it couth not be,

Or he war tane, erar he thocht to de.

Menteith bad ceis, and thus spak to Wallace,

Syne schew him furth, ane full richt subtell cace.

[Page]Ȝe haue sa lang heir vsit ȝow, allane,

Quhill wit thairof is into Ingland gane.

Thairfoir heir me, and sober ȝour curage,

The Inglismen with ane full greit barnage:

Ar semblit heir, and set this hous about,

That ȝe be force, on na wayis may wyn out.

Suppois ȝe had the strenth of gude Hector,

Amang this Oist, ȝe may nocht lang Indure.

And thay ȝow tak in haist ȝour deith is dicht,

I haue spokin with Lord Cliffurd that Knicht.

With thair Chiftane, weill menit for ȝour lyfe,

Thay ask na mair, bot be quyte of ȝour stryfe.

To Dunbartane ȝe sall pas furth with me,

In ȝour awin hous, ȝe may in saiftie be.

Sutheroun sic vse with Menteith lang had thay,

That Wallace trowit, sum part that he wald say.

Menteith said Schir, lo wappinis we na [...]e haif,

We come in traist, ȝour lyfe gif we micht saif.

Wallace trowit weill, and he his Gossop thryis,

That he wald nocht be na maner of wyis:

Him do betrais, for all Scotland sa wyde,

Ane aith of him▪ he askit in that tyde.

Thair wantit wit, quhat suld his aithis moi [...],

Forsworne to him, he was lang tyme befoir.

The aith he maid, Wallace come in his will,

Richt fraudfully all thus he schewit him till.

Gossop he said, as Presoner yai mon ȝow se,

Or yan throw force, yai will tak ȝow fra me.

Ane Courche with slicht vpon his handis yai laid,

And vnder syne with sicker cordis thay braid.

Baith schairp and teuch, and fast togidder drew,

Allace the Bruce, micht fair that bynding rew.

Quhilk maid Scotland sone brokin vpon cace,

[Page]For Cumyngis deith, and lois of gude Wallace.

Thay led him furth in feir amang thame aw,

Keirly he myst, and na Sutheroun he saw.

Than wist he weill, that he betraissit was,

Towart the South with him quhen yai can pas.

Ȝit thay him said, in trenth he suld nochc de,

King Edward wald, him keip in gude saiftie.

For the honour in weir that he had wrocht,

The sair bandis sa trublit all his thocht.

Credence thairto forsuith he couth nocht geif,

He wist full weill, thay wald nocht lat him leif.

Ane fals foull cais yat Menteith hes him sald,

Quhen on this wyse gude Wallace he was cald.

Sum men sayis it was to saif his Lord,

Thay leid all out, that maid that fals record.

At the Fawkirk the gude Stewart was slane,

Our Chronicklis, reheirsis that in plane.

On Magdalene day the xviij. ȝeir befoir,

Cumyngis deith thairfoir it witnessis moir.

At Restoun Wallace was tressonabilly,

Thus falsly stollin fra his gude Cheualry.

In Glasgow lay, and wist nocht of this thing,

Thus he was loist in byding of his King.

South thay him led, ay haldand the waist land,

Deliuerit him in haist ouir Sulway sand.

The Lord Cliffurd, and Wallange tuik him thair

To Carleill toun, full fast with him thay fair.

In Presoun him set, that was ane greit dolour,

That hous efter, thay callit Wallace Tour.

Sum men syne said, yat knew not weill ye cace,

In Berwik toun, to deith thay put Wallace.

Contrair is knawin, be this opinioun,

For Scottismen than had all Berwik toun.

[Page]To Scotland fre, vntill yat Soullis it gaif,

For Lord Cumyng to Ingland with the laif.

Ane vther point is, the tratouris durst nocht pas,

That sauld him sa, quhair scottismen maister was.

The thrid point is, ye commounis of Ingland,

Quhat thay deny, thay will nocht vnderstand.

That thing be done, for witnes that may be,

Na credence gif farther nor yai may se.

To se him de Edward had mair desyre,

Than to be Lord of all the haill Empyre.

And for this caus thay keipit him sa lang,

Quhill ye commounis micht vnto Londoun gāg.

¶Allace Scotland, to quhome sall thow cōplene?

Allace fra pane, quha sall the now refrene?

Allace thy help, is fastly brocht to ground,

The best Chiftane in braith bandis is bund.

Allace thow hes now loissit thy gyde of licht,

Allace quha sall defend the in thy richt?

Allace thy pane approchit wounder neir,

With sorrow sone, thow man be left on steir.

Thy gracious gyde, thy greitest Gouernour,

Allace ouir neir is cum thy fatall hour.

Allace quha sall now beit the of thy baill?

Allace quhen sall of harmis thow be haill?

Quha sall defend? quha sall the now mak fre?

Allace in weir, quha sall thy helper be?

Quha sall the keip? quha sall the now redeme?

Allace quha sall the Saxonis fra the fleme?

I can na mair, bot beseik God of grace,

The to restoir, in haist to welth and peice,

Sen gude Wallace may succour the na mair,

The lois of him Incressis mekill cair.

Now of his men, in Glasgow still that lay,

[Page]Quhat sorrow rais, quhen thay missit him away.

The cruell pane, the wofull complening,

Thairof to tell it war ouir heuy thing.

I will lat be, and speik thairof na mair,

Lytill reheirs is ouir mekill of cair.

And principally quhair redemptioun is nane,

It helpis nocht, to tell thair pieteous mane.

The deith yairof is ȝit in remembrance,

I will lat slaik of sorrow the ballance.

Bot Longoueill to Lochmabane can pas,

and yair hecht he quhair gud prince Edward was

Out of Scotland he suld pas neuer mair,

Lois of Wallace socht to his hart sa [...]air.

The Realme of France he vowit neuer to se,

Bot avenge Wallace, or ellis yairfoir to de.

Thair he remanit quhill cūming of the King,

With Bruce in weir, yis guid knicht furth did ring

Remembrance syne is in the Brucis Buik,

Secund he was, quhē yai Sanct Iohnstoū tuik.

Followit the King at wynning of the toun,

The Bruce thairfoir, gaif him full greit guardoun

☞All Charteris landis ye gude King to him gaif

Charteris sen syne of his kyn is the laif.

Quhairto suld I far in this Story wend,

B [...]t of my buik to mak ane finall end.

Robert the Bruce come hame on the thrid day,

In Scotland efter, that Wallace was had away.

To Lochmabane, quhair he fand gude Edwart,

Quhairof he was, greitly reioysit in hart.

Bot fra he wist, Wallace away was led,

Sa mekill baill into his breist was bred.

Neir out of wit he worthit for to weid,

Edward full sone yan to his brother ȝeid.

[Page]Ane suddand chance this was in wa fra weill,

Gude Edward sayis yis helpis nocht adeill.

Lat murning be, it may be na remeid,

Ȝe haue him tynt, ȝe suld Reuenge his deid.

Bot for ȝour caus, he tuik the weir on hand,

In ȝour defence, and thryis hes fred Scotland.

The quhilk was tynt, fra vs and all our kyn.

War nocht Wallace, we had neuer enterit in.

Myrrour he was, of lawtie and manheid,

In weir the best, that euer sall power leid.

Had he lykit, for to haue tane ȝour Crown,

Wald nane him let, yat was in this Regioun.

Had nocht bene he, ȝe suld had na entres,

Into this Realme for tressoun and falsnes.

That sall ȝe se, the tratour that him sald,

Fra ȝow he thinkis, Dunbartane for to hald.

Sum comfort tak, and lat slaik of this sorrow,

The King chargit Edward vpon the morrow.

Redres to tak of wrang yat wrocht him was,

To Dalswyntoun he ordanit him to pas.

And men of armis, gif yai fand Cumyng thair,

Put him to deith, for na dreid thay suld spair.

Thay fand him nocht, the King him efter s [...]ew,

Into Drumfreis, quhai [...] witnes was anew.

That hapnit wrang, ouir greit haist in ane King,

To wirk by law, it may skaith mekill thing.

I neid nocht heir na farther for to schaw,

How that was done, is knawin to ȝow aw.

BOt ȝoung Dowglas first to the King cā pas,

In all his weir, yat wicht and worthy was.

Nor how ye King hes tane on him ye Croun,

Of all that heir I mas bot schort mentioun.

[Page]Nor how Lord Sou [...]is gaif Berwik toun away

How efter sone tynt was Galloway.

How Iohne of Lorne agane his richt King rais,

On ather syde how Bruce had mony fais.

How bald Breichen contrair his King couth ryde,

Richt few was than in weir with him to byde.

Nor how the North was geuin fra the gude King

Quhilk maid him lang, in panefull weir to Ring.

Bot trew to him, was Iames ye gude Dowglas

For Brucis richt, ba [...]d weill in mony place.

Vnder the King he was the best Chiftane.

Bot Wallace I set ane Chiftane him allane.

Thairfoir to him is na comparisoun,

As of ane man, saif reuerence of the Crown.

Bot sa mony as of the Dowglas hes bene,

Gude of all thing, was neuer in Scotland sene.

Comparisounis I can nocht weill declair,

Of Brucis Buik, as now I speik na mair.

Maister Iohne Barbour, quhilk was ane worthy Clerk

He said the Bruce amang his vther week.

In this mater I am prolixt all maist▪

To my purpois breifly I will me haist.

How gude Wallace was set amang his fais▪

To Londoun with him Cliffurd & Wallange gais

Quhair King Edward was richt fane of ye fang,

Thay haue him set richt in ane Presoun strang.

Of Wallace end my self wald leif for dreid,

To say the werst, bot richteousnes me leid.

We fynd his lyfe was all sa verray trew,

His fatall hour I will nocht fenȝe now.

Menteith him sauld, & yat ouir weill was knawin

Feill of that kyn, in Scotland yan was sawin.

Chargit to byde vnder the greit Iudgement,

[Page]That King Robert actit in his Parliament.

Thairof I mak na langer continewance,

Bot Wallace end in warld was displesance.

Thairfoir I ceis, and puttis it nocht in Ryme,

Scotland may thank the blyssit happy tyme:

That he was borne, be principall pointis twa,

This is the first, or that we farther ga.

Scotland he fred, and brocht it fra thirllage,

And now in heuin he hes his herberage.

As it is preuit be gude experiance,

Wyse Clerkis it hes ȝit in remembrance.

¶Becaus that the mair part of thir thingis followand, as altogidder superstitious and not agreabill to ye treuth of Goddis word, we haue thocht it expedient to admonische the (gude Reidar) that albeit we haue Insert yame efter the forme of our Copie, ȝit notwithstanding we do na thing les than allow or appru [...]e tham [...] for ony treuth, bot rather on the ane part we haue retenit thame still to schaw the blyndnes and errour of that tyme, quhairin mē wer (as it wer) enforcit to beleif sic vaniteis and leis: yat now that may be steirit vp to gif thankis to the Eternall our God that hes oppinnit thair eyis and deliuerit yame from Ignorance, yat yai may cleirly discerne betuix licht and mirknes, richt and wrang. On the vther part to satisfie the appetytis of mony that culd nocht esely permit ony thing to be tane away or alterit in this wark, quhair in we haue borne with thame, alterand almaist na thing heirin, lest thay suld Iudge vs rasche or haistie in doing thairof, at our libertie and plesure.

HOw that ane Monk of Bury Abbay than,

Into that tyme ane richt Religious man.

Ane ȝoūg mā als, with him in ordour stude

Quhilk knew his lyfe, was clene, perfyte, & gude.

This Father Monk was vesyit with seiknes,

Out of the warld, as he suld pas on cais.

His brother saw, his spreit lyklie to pas,

Ane band of him, richt ernestly couth he as.

[Page]To cum agane, and schaw him of the meid,

That he suld ask of God for his gude deid.

He grantit him, at his power to preif,

And cum agane, gif God wald gif him leif.

His spreit changit out of yis warldis pane,

In that same tyme come to the Monk agane.

Sic thing hes bene, and is be voce and sicht,

Quhair he appeirit, yair schynit mekill licht.

Lyke to Lanternis, that Illuminit sa cleir,

That warldly licht thairto micht be na peir.

Ane voce said thus, God hes me grantit grace,

That I sall keip my promeis in this place.

The Monk was blyith of this clene figure fair,

Bot ane fyre brand in his foirheid he bair.

And yat him thocht mislydst all the laif,

Quhair art thow spreit▪ answer sa God the saif.

In Purgatory how lang sall thow be thair?

Bot half ane hour, to cum, and lytill mair.

Purgatory is, I lat the weill to wit,

In ony place quhair God will it commit.

Ane houris space I was yair Iudgit to be,

And that passis suppois I speik with the.

Quhy hes thow that, and all the laif sa haill?

For of science, I thocht me maist of vaill.

Quha prydis yairin yair laubour is in waist,

For science cūmis bot of the haly Gaist.

Efter thy hour, quhatis thy passage euin?

Quhen tyme cūmis, he said to lest and heuin.

Quhat tyme is that? I pray ȝow now declair,

Twa ar on lyfe, man be befoir me thair.

Quhilk twa ar thay? the veritie me ken,

The first hes bene ane greit slayer of men.

Now yai him keip, to Martyr in Londoun toun,

[Page]On Wednisday, befoir King and Commoun.

Is nane on lyfe, that hes sa mony slane,

Brother he said, that taill is bot in vane.

For slauchter is to God abhominabill,

Than said the spreit, forsuith this is na fabill.

He is Wallace defender of Scotland.

For richteous weir, that he tuik vpon hand.

Thair richteousnes is luiffit ouir the laif,

Thairfoir in heuyn he sall that honour haif.

Syne ane pure Preist, is mekill to commend,

He tuik in thank, quhat thing that God him send.

For godlynes, and gude deuotioun,

Heuin he sall haue to lest and warysoun.

I am the thrid, grantit throw Goddis grace,

Brother he said, tell I this in our place,

Thay will bot deme, I outher dreme or raif,

Than said the Spreit, this witnes yow sall haif.

The bellis sall ring for ocht that ȝe do may,

Quhen thay him slay, half ane hour of the day.

And sa thay did, ye Monk wist quhat yai a [...]i [...]t,

Throw braid Bertane ye word yairof was scailli [...]

The spreit tuik leif, at Goddis will to be,

Of Wallace end, to heir is greit pietie.

ANd I wald nocht put men in greit dolour,

Bot lichtly pas, out ouir this fatall hour.

On Wednisday yi [...] fals Sutheroun furth brocht,

To martyr him, as thay befoir had wrocht.

Wallace was Martyrit, ye suith to ȝow to tell,

As wer Oswald, Edmond, Edward, with panis tell.

Of men in armis led him ane full greit rout,

With ane bald spreit Wallace blent about.

Ane Preist he askit, for him that deit on tre,

[Page]King Edward than commandit his Clergie,

And said I charge, in pane of lois of lyfe,

Nane be sa bold ȝone tyran for to schryfe.

He hes rung lang incontrair of my hienes,

Ane blissit Bischop sone present in that place.

Of Canterbery he than was richteous Lord,

Aganis the King he maid this richt record.

And said my self sall heir his Confessioun,

Gif I haue micht, incontrair of thy Crown.

Or thow throw force sall stop me fra this thing,

I vow to God quhilk is my richteous King:

Or all Ingland I sall than Interdyte,

And mak it knawin thow art ane Heretyke.

The Sacrament of Kirk I sall him geif,

Syne tak thy chois to sterf or lat him leif.

It war mair vaill in worschip of thy Crown,

To keip sic ane on lyfe in thy bandoun.

Than all the land and gude yat thow hes re [...]t,

Bot couetise ye ay fra honour dre [...]t.

Thow hes thy lyfe rung in all wrangous deid,

That sall be sene, on the or on thy seid.

The King gaif charge thay suld the Bischop ta,

Bot wyse Lordis counsallit to lat him ga.

All wyse men said, yat his desyre was richt,

To Wallace than he raikit in thair sicht.

And sadly hard his Confessioun to end,

Humbly to God his spreit he did commend.

Lawly him seruit with hartly deuotioun,

Vpon his kneis, and said ane Orisoun.

His leif he tuik, and to Westmynster raid,

The Cleuch men than yai buir Wallace but baid,

Vnto ane place, his martyrdome to tak,

For to his deith he will na furthering mak.

[Page]Fra the first nicht he was tane in Scotland,

Thay keipit him into that samin band.

Na thing he had that hes done him gude,

Bot Inglismen him seruit of cairfull fude.

This warldly lyfe desyris the sustenance,

Thocht he it gat incontrair of plesance.

Thay threttie dayis his bandis yai durst not flaik

Quhill he was bund on ane Scamyll of Aik.

With Irne cheinȝeis, that war baith stark & kene,

Ane Clerk thay set to heir quhat he wald mene.

Thow Scot he said, yat sa greit wrang hes done,

Thy fatall hour, thow seis approchis sone.

Thow suld in mynd remember thy mysdeid,

That Clerkis may, quhen yai yair Psalmes reid:

For Cristin saullis, yat makis thame to pray,

In thair number, yow may be ane of thay.

For now thow seis, on force thow man deceis,

Than Wallace said, for all thy round reheirs:

Thow hes na charge, suppois I had done mys,

Ȝone blissit Bischop hes hecht I sall haue blys.

And I trow weill, that God sall it admit,

Thy simulate wordis, sall not my conscience smit.

Comfort I haue, of way that I suld gang,

Maist pane I feill, that I byde heir sa lang.

Than said this Clerk, our King oft send the till,

Thow micht haue had, all Scotland at thy will,

To hald of him, and ceissit of thy stryfe,

Sa as ane Lord, to rungin furth thy lyfe.

Than Wallace said, thow speikis of michty thing,

Had I lestit, and gottin my richteous King,

Fra worthy Bruce had ressauit his Crown,

I thocht haif maid Ingland at his bandoun.

That vtterly suld haue bene at his will,

[Page]Quhat pleisit him, to saif thy King or spill.

Weill said the Clerk, I se thow repentis nocht,

Of wickitnes, thow hes ane felloun thocht.

Is nane in warld, that hes sa mony [...]lane,

Thairfoir to ask, me think thow suld be bane,

Grace at our King, and syne at his barnage,

Than Wallace smylit, ane lytill at his langage.

I grant he said, sum Inglismen I slew,

In my querrell, me thocht nocht half anew.

I muifit na weir, bot for to wyn our awin,

Baith God and mā ye richt full weill hes knawin

Thy frustrat wordis dois nocht bot tyris me,

I the command of Goddis Name lat me be.

Ane Schiref gart this Clerk sone fra him pas,

Richt as thay durst, grantit quhat he wald as.

Ane Psalter Buik Wallace had on him euer,

Fra his Chyldheid, with it he wald nocht seuer.

The better he trowit in veyage for to speid,

Bot than he was dispuilȝeit of his weid.

This grace he askit at Lord Cliffurd that Knicht,

To lat him haue his Psalter buik in sicht.

He gart ane Preist it oppin befoir him hald,

Quhill thay to him, had done quhat yat yai wald,

Steidfast he red, for ocht thay did him thair,

Feill Sutheroun said, that Wallace feld na sair.

Gude deuotioun sa was his beginning,

Continewit yair with, and swa was his ending.

Quhill speiche and Spreit atanis all can fair,

To lestand blys, we trow for euer mair.

I will nocht tell how he deuydit was,

In fyue partis, and ordanit for to pas.

Ȝit his spreit thus, be lyklines was weill,

Of Wallace lyfe quha hes ane better [...]eill.

[Page]May schew furth mair, with writ and eloquence,

For I to this hes done my diligence.

Efter the Prose geuin fra the Latine buik,

Quhilk Maister Blair in his tyme vnder tuik.

In fair Latine compylit to ane end,

With gude witnes, the mair is to commend.

Bischop Sinklair than Lord was of Dunkell,

He gat this Buik, and confirmit it him sell.

For verray treuth, thairof he had na dreid,

Him self hard greit part of Wallace deid.

His purpois was to haue send it to Rome,

Our Father of Kirk yairin to gif his dome.

Bot Maister Blair, and als schir Thomas Gray,

Efter Wallace thay leuit mony ane day.

Thir twa knew best of gude schir Williamis deid

Fra sextene ȝeir, quhill nyne and twentie ȝeid.

Fourtie and fyue Wallace of age was cald,

That tyme yat he was to the Sutheroun sald.

Thocht this mater be nocht to all plesance,

His suithfast deid is worthy to auance.

All worthy men, that reidis this rurall dyte,

Blame nocht the buik, thocht I be Imperfyte.

I suld haue thank, sen I na trauell spaird,

For my trauell na man hecht me rewaird.

Na charge I had, of King nor vther Lord,

Greit harme I thocht his gude deid suld be smord

I haue said heir, neir as the proces gais,

And fenȝeit nocht, for freindis nor ȝit for fais.

For coistis heirof, was na man bund to me,

In this sentence, I had na will to le.

Bot in als mekill, as I reheirsit nocht,

Sa worthely as Nobill Wallace wrocht.

Bot in ane point, I grant, I said ane mis,

[Page]Thir twa Knichtis suld blamit be of this.

The Knicht Wallace of Cragy richteous Lord,

And Lyddaill als, gart me mak wrang record.

On Allartoun mure, ye Crown he tuik ane day,

To get battell, as myne Author will say.

Thir twa gart me say on ane vther wyse,

To Maister Blair, we did part of suppryse.

GO Nobill buik fulfillit of sentence,

Suppois thow be barrane of eloquence.

Go worthy buik, fulfillit of worthy deid,

Bot the to help, of langage thow hes neid.

Quhen gude makeris rang weill in to Scotland,

Greit harme it was, that nane of thame the fand.

Ȝit thair is part, that can the weill auance,

Now byde the tyme, and be in remembrance.

I ȝow beseik of ȝour beneuolence,

Quha will nocht loif, lak nocht my eloquence.

It is weill knawin I am ane Rurall man,

And heir hes done, als gudely as I can.

My toung did neuer ornate termis embrace,

I beseik God that geuar is of grace:

Maid hell and eird, and set ye heuin abufe,

That he till vs grant, his deir lestand lufe.

¶Thus endit Williame Wallace the wicht,

Behind him left nocht sic ane Knicht.

Be worthynes, and deid of hand,

Fra thraldome thryis he fred this land.

§

§

¶Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik at the Expensis of Henrie Charteris, & ar to be sauld in his Buith, on the North syde of ye gait abone the Throne. Anno. Do. M.D.LXX.

Information about this book

Title statement

The actis and deidis of the illuster and vailzeand campioun, Schir William Wallace, knicht of EllerslieWallace

Henry, the Minstrel, fl. 1470-1492.

Edition statement

1570

Publication

Publisher

Text Creation Partnership,

Place of publication

Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) :

Date

2009-03 (EEBO-TCP Phase 1).

ID [DLPS]

A03007

ID [STC]

STC 13149

ID [STC]

ESTC S119817

ID [EEBO-CITATION]

99855023

ID [PROQUEST]

99855023

ID [VID]

20493

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Series

Early English books online.

Notes

(EEBO-TCP ; phase 1, no. A03007)

Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 20493)

Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 569:18)

Source

— The actis and deidis of the illuster and vailzeand campioun, Schir William Wallace, knicht of Ellerslie, Wallace, Henry, the Minstrel, fl. 1470-1492., Blair, John, fl. 1300..

Extent

184 leaves

Be Robert Lekpreuik at the expensis of Henrie Charteris, [and] ar to be sauld in his buith, or the north syde of ye gait abone [sic] the Throne,. [Imprentit at Edinburgh :: Anno. Do. M.D. LXX. [1570]]. (By Henry the Minstrel. Purportedly based on a Latin prose original by John Blair, of which no copy is known.) (In Scots verse.) (Caption title. Imprint from colophon.) (Reproduction of the original in the British Library.)

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