THE LIBRARY
OF
THE UNIVERSITY
OF CALIFORNIA
LOS ANGELES
THE
17 I F E
O F
ROBERT BRUCE
KING OF
SCOTS.
A POEM,
By JOHN HARVEY M. A.
— FUIMUS Troes, fwt IHum, & wgens
Gloria Teucrorumj/mw omnia Jupiter Argos
Tranfiulit. V I R G. ^En.
EDINBURGH,
Printed byJoHNCATANACH, in WarMon's Clofsa oppofite t
' the Lttckmbootbs. MDCCXXIX.
• •
PR
3566
T O
The Right Honourable,
The Lord BRUCE.
My LORD,
HE enfuing Poem prefumes to Ihelter
it felf under your Patronage, not
upon Account of its Merit, but in
Confidence of its Title. ROBERT
BRUCE was born to make his own
Way to Greatnefs and to Renown,
to become the Love and Aftoniilirnent of Mankind,
and hath, in a Manner, fecur'd the Succefs of any
huneft and tolerable Endeavour in his Behalf. VVhilft
13
others
C )
others may ftrain hard to diftinguilh their HE-
ROES and themfelves, the leaft Attempt in his
Favour fhines back upon the Author, and gilds
him with the Refle&ions of his Glory.
UNKNOWN, My Lord, 'but thus fupported,
I have ventured into your Prefence ; 'Tis thus I
have dar'd to be bold, in Spite of my Imperfefli-
ons and Obfcurity. Nor am I ignorant of the Danger
and Delicacy that attends fuch an Effay, as is that of
the Life of ROBERT BRUCE King of S C O T S ;
the very Mention of whofe Name can confign to Fame,
or condemn to Infamy for ever. A Name ! that
hath long ago difarm'd Malice and Flattery at once;
and hath fet it felf equally above Libel and Pane-
gyric!
I lhall hope the beft. I'm fare I have meant well,
and, Your Lordfhip knows, Perfection is no Prero-
gative of Humanity.
I F his Character then can afFedl at fuch a Rate
the leaft Remembrance of him, even in an obfcure
Perfon
C )
Perfon and a Stranger ; what Glory muft it difFufe
amongll his Kindred, what Honours derive upon his
Pofterity ? Your noble Family, My Lord, need not
have Recourfe to the Herauld-Offi.ce for a Coat, or
an Efcutcheon ; You have many a gallant Field to
furnifli out the Device, and BANNOCKBURN
to diftinguifh the Bearing. The Defcendents of
ROBERT BRUCE need not envy thofe Aflions
that are handed down to us in the founding Rhe-
toric of Greece, or that appear in the brighteft Pomp
Of Roman Eloquence. By him the Laurels of
Marathon have been rivaFd on the Banks of Forth,
nor do the Grampian Plains give Way to thofe of
Pharfalia.
I T is not, My Lord, the Intent of this Addrefs,
to encroach upon your Time, or to run a
Length of Encomium equally naufeous and fiit
pefled. All my Defign is to beg your Lordfhip's
Protection to aa Effay on the Reign of your great
Anceftor; one of the moft renown'd t Princes
(as B u C H A N N A N, no very great Friend
a 2 to
to Monarchy, owns ) that ever fway'd a Sceptre;
I hope his Character has fuffer'd as little in my.
Hands, as it has by any former Attempt this Way*
And if You can find any Account in the Perufai
of thefe Sheets, That, with the continued Ho-
nour and Happlnefs of Your Illuftrious Family,
( now the only Rival of its great Originals, H U N-
T I N G T O N and C A R R I c K ; lhall complete the
Satisfaction of,.
My LORD,
Your Lord/hip's
Moft Humble,
Moft Obedient, and'
Devoted Servant,.
John Harvey.
THE
%^i^ T)o not pretend, in the following Sheets, to prefent
S) / £ the Reader with an Epic Poem. M 1 prefume isr
G&$$fe 'That I have wrote fomething in Imitation of one,
as will') I hope, appear from the fubfeque-Kt Hints.
To begin then with the AUion, it ought to be founded on
Hiftorical Truth, or may be founded upon Fable. The
'Patrons for the abfohite Necejjity of Fable have the w 'hole-
Current of Antiquity again ft them. For when they have
thrown Lucan and Statius out of the C/afs of Epic Writers
among the Ancients, and TaiTo and Milton among the
Moderns, becaufe their 'Poems were not founded tip on Fi-
ction ; yet unluckily the Iliad and ^Efieid fland in the Way,
built upon certain Faft, upon true and undeniable Hi ft cry.
That the ^ILnetd is grounded upon FaU, is plain from the
joint Teftimovy of all the Roman Hiftorians* The Account of
'^Eneas his coming into ltz\y, fettling there, and giving the fr ft
\Rije to the Roman State, which was founded by bis Slice ejfors
about Three hundred Tears after him, has been confirmed by
the' general Voice of Antiquity for upwards of Two, thoufand
Tears,,
The PREFACE.
9'ears, and is only oppos'd by a fttpercilious Critic or
Two, who would pretend ( in Order to be Jingular and con-
fequently diftingidjh 'd ) that ^Eneas never came into Italy. /
have not Time to enter into the Merits of their Side of the
Qiteflion', nor do I think it neceffary, Jince the Majority on
Ours muft determine the Cafe, and render the Affertion of
a fmgle Perfon or tw@, of 'very little or no Moment at all.
that the Iliad is likffWays founded upon Hiftorical Truth,
is plain from the unanimous Confent of all Antiquity. And
ifwejbou'd reject evry Account be fides, yet we never can
that of Dares Phrygius, and Didys Cretenfis, who both
ferv'd at the Siege of Troy, the one on the Trojan Side, the
ether on the Grecian, tinder Idomeneus King of Crete.
Ibis la ft was particularly enjoin d by that 'Prince, to write
the Memoirs of fo remarkable a Siege ; which he did in
Phoenician CharaUers, upon the "Barks or rather Rbinds of
Linden frees', and ordering at his T)eatb a Copy to be
interred with him in a Tin Cbeft, it was done at Gnoflus,
the Tlace of his "Birth and 'Burial. *But his Grave hav-
ing been afterwards thrown open by an ^Earthquake, fome
'Peafants found the Che ft, and deliver' d it to their Mafler
Eupraxides, by whom it was carried to Rutilius Rufus
the Roman Troconful in thofe Tarts, and by him fent to
•Nero the Emperor, who commanded the Hiftory to be
translated into Greek, the Latin T^erfion whereof is now
in every Body's Hands. So that we fee the two only Epic
Poems ( at lea ft thofe that are allow' d for fuch ) are found-
ed on real Hiftorical Iruth, and as certain FaB, as is the
'Poem called, The Life of Robert Bruce King of Scots.
The Time of Aftion (beginning at the Battle of Methuen,
which fell out according to Buchanan, on the i^th of the
Cal. of Auguir, or the 1 8/# of July, to the 'Battle of Ban-
nock-
The PREFACE.
nockburn, which happen d en the zift of June after) com-
prehends 1 1 Months and fome 'Days.
The ABion it f elf is One, according to theftritteft Rules.
The f articular Attempts of James Douglas, Edward Bruce,
Thomas Randolf, &c. wake up the different Epifodes,
which are all fubfervient to the grand Attion.
1 hope the Moral is as clear, and as plainly dedticible
from the SubjeU, as can poffibly he dejired. Tiety, 'Patience*
and Courage, are inculcated on ths Reader from the Cha-
racter of Robert Brnce, where they jhone in fo confpicuous
a Manner. The Tride, the Violence, and Tyranny of his
foreign Enemies, the Treachery, the Pill any, and at I aft the
total Ruin of his rebellious Siibjefts, are fet in their proper '
Light. The fir ft Tart to he imitated by every ^Prince, the lat-
ter to he detefted by every 'Perfvn that's honeft, and a Lover
of his Country.
As to the Number of Books in an Heroic Poem, there cany
I prefume, he no Hated Rule. Or if there is, and if Homer
be the Standard, Virgil is in the Wrong. 'But Homer can-
not be the Standard, nor was the Iliad ever divided by him
into %ooks, but fuvg or recited in little broken Sketches, caird
by the Greeks Rhapfodies ; and vcere Jo handed about, till
( becaufe they contain d excellent Maxims both civil and mi-
litary ) they were collected by Lycurgus the great Law-
giver of the Spartans, and after him digefted into that Or-
der fbey now appear in amongft us, by Solon and others.
Machines are *Parts of a ¥oem introduced upon extraordi-
varv Occafans. When a jDifficu/tv occurs that exceeds all
Trobability of being unravel? d by human Means, then the:
*Poet mujl hai'e Recourfe to fome fuperior Tower, whofe In-
teri'entionisreqtiijitefor clearing the Embarrafsmevt. I have
The PREFACE.
e them but fparingly, and never > 1 think, but 'upon
Neceffiiy.
A no the Manners and Characters 2 hope they are pretty
evenly prefervdy but I leave the Judgment of the whole to
the Reader.
There are two Lines, B. 3.?. 1 86 L. laft, mifplac'd by Inad-
vertency. The lajl mu ft be read 'fir ft.
I have us'd the Word South'ron as it was a Term in thofe
T)ays, peculiarly appropriated by the Scots to the Englilh,
upon Account of their Situation in RefpeU to them ; and be-
caufe it has more of the Mr of thofe Times than the ordi-
nary modern Appellation. And where the Word Southern
is made Ufe of ( which I think is but once ) /'/ denotes the
South 'Parts of Scotland. I do not remember anything fur-
ther worttiobferving, where any Ef capes do occur -, the Read-
er may pardon or corrcffi them as he thinks ft.
A LIST
L IS T
O F
The Names of Subfcribers.
*~TH E Right Honourable
-*- the Earl of Aboyne,
The Right Honourable the
Vijcount of Arbuthnot,
Sir John Areskine 0/*Alva,
John Aitkin Efquire^ Secreta-
ry at war for North-Britain,
Mr. David Anderfon Merchant
in Edinburgh,
The Reverend Mr. John A-
lexander, Mimfter of the
Gofpel ^Clackmannan;
Mr. James Anderfon,
John Antonius Wright in E-
dinburgh,
George Anderlbn Writer in
Ed'nbui
ii Ef quire,
• r
urc,
ip-m after
in '
a Ah ?s,
r.. Richard A u pi in Vint tier
in Coupar.
B
The Right Honourable the
Lord Bruce.
'clone I Hary Bruce of Clack-
mannan,
Sir Thomas Bruce of Kinrofs
"Baronet,
Hary Bruce younger of Clack-
mannan JLfquire,
James Bruce of Powfaulis,
David Bruce of Kinnaird,
Alexander Bruce ^Kennet,
James Bruce TLfquire,Advccate)
Sir Michael Bruce ^Stenhoufe,
Bruce-Stewart $f
Blairhal,
Alexander Bruce Efquire,
Michael Bruce EfqitirVi
Mr. John Bruce Minifter of the
Charles Bruce Glazier in Edin-
burgh,
Andrew Brown of Braid Ef-
quire,
The
r. Alexander Bayne of Logic
Advocate, and 'Profeffor of
the Municipal Law in the
College of Edinburgh,
•. John Blair Thyjician in
Dundee,
Thomas Blair Merchant in
Dundee,
Mr. Robert Blair Student in
Mr. Andrew Baxter,
Alexander Blair Writer in E-
dinburgh,
John Barclay Wr it ing-m after
in Dundee,
Walter Bofwal Saddler in E-
dinburgh,
Thomas Belches Sheriff Ckrk
of Edinburgh,,
Thomas Bailie younger of Pol-
kimmet Efquire,
Mr, George Bethune in Coupar.
'Right Honourable th(
Earl of Carnwath,
Mris. Colquhoun0f Luis,
Mr. George Chalmers Writer to
the Signet,
Mr. Archibald Sockburrr Tr.
of Longtoun Advocate,
Mr. Andrew Cranftouft,
Mr. Colin Campbel younger
er Aberuch il Advocate,
Mr. Dougal Campbel ^Deputy
Store-ma fter of the Caftle of
Edinburgh,
Thomas Calderwood younger
tf^Poltoun Efquire,
Mr. Colin Campbel,
Mr. Robert Clark, Brother to-
, the Hon. "Baron Clark,
William Congalton younger of
that Ilk, Efquire,
C0r»#DavidChapeau cf Briga-
dier Churchhill'j- 'Dragons,
James Carnegy of FinhaT*en
Mr. Richard Cholmley,
Mr. David Coupar of New-
grange Writer in Edinburgh,.
Efquire,
James Cockburn Hojter in E-
dinburgh,
Mr. John Corfar Writer in
Edinburgh,
The Reverend Mr. Alexander
Clark Mimfter of the G&fpet,
Mr. David Carmi-rhael Writer
Hdinbun. •
)undee,
;an
. urgeon
i^undec,
Ronalu .umpbel of Bakmo
Efqttire,
Mr> Archibald Campbel Writer
to the Signet. D Hit-
D
C )
n
n
Ws Grace tie Z>. of Douglas,
*Ihe Right Honourable Lady
Jean Douglas,
William Drummond of Grange
Efquire,
John Drummond Sen. M. D.
John Drummond jun. M. D.
George Donaldibn Writer
Edinburgh,
Robert Douglas Vintner
Edinburgh,
John Douglas Saddler in Edin-
burgh,
Mr. Patrick Dickion,
John Don of Hattenburn Efq.
Captain Thomas Don of the
North-Britiih Fuziliers,
David Denune Saddler in Ca-
non gate,
William Dalrymple Efquire,
Mr. John' Dickie Accomptant
General to the Excife Office
in Edinburgh,
Mr. John Drummond one
John Erskine younger of Dim
Efquire,
John Edmonftoun Writer ii$
Edinburgh.
F
The ~Right Honourable th*
Lord Forbes,
The Hon. Mr. James Forbes,
Sir Alexander Forbes £/Fove-
ran Baronet,
Adam F^irholm of Greenhil
Efquire,
Thomas Forbes younger ~
Watertoun
of
the fellers of the "Bank of
Scotland,
David droll Wight.
E
¥be ~Riglrt Honourable the
Count&fs of Eglintoun,
Charles Erskine younger of
Tinwal Efquire,
Mr. Charles FarquharfonJ/T/-
ter to the Signet,
John Forbes r/Neaw Efquire,
Mr. George Fothringham Wri-
ter in Edinburgh,
Sir Arthur Forbes ^jfCraigivar
"Baronet,
David Fothringham M. D.
William Fleming Tr. Brevcar
in Canongate,
James Fleming *Brevoer in
Broughton,
John For reft Merchant in E-
dinburgh,
Hugh Fleming Writer to the
Signet,
Frafer ^flnverallachy,
Efquire,
b 2 Mr.
Mr. Thomas Frafcr Writer in
, Edinburgh,
Mr. Francis Farquharfon Wri-
ter in Edinburgh,
James Freebairn Efquire.
G
Ibe Right Honourable the
Lord Gairlies,
The Right Honourable the
Lord Gray,
Lady Mary Graham,
Alexander Gall Merchant in
Edinburgh,
Patrick Gr^nie Goldfmith in
Edinburgh,
Mr. John Gray Writer in E-
din burgh,
Mr. Grierfon of
Ihe Hon. Mr. John Gordon,
William Gordon younger of
El Ion EJ "quire y
William Gourlcy of Kincraig
Efquire,
Mr. James Gibb,
one oj- the
Geddes ^Kircurd,
Patrick Graham of Inchbraikie
The Reverend Mr. Andrew
Garden, Mini ft er of the Gof-
pel at Annandale,
James Graham tffBraco', Efq.
William Graham M. D.
Mr. Thomas Gibfbn one oj the
principal Clerks of Sejfion,
Mr. James Gordon Merchant
in Edinburgh,
Mr. John Gray
Son to Mr.
Gray at
Dalkeith.
the Iron-mill of
H
Sir John Home of Blackadcr
Baronet,
Sir Alexander Home of Renton
Baronet,
Mr. James Home Writer to the
Signet,
Mr. Hay ^Drumelier,
Cornet George Hay of the Roy-
al Nbrch-britiih
ag
John Hay Writer to the Signet,
Andrew Hay of Mugdrum,
Mungo Halden of Gleneagies
Mailers of the Hij(h~fcbool\
of Edinburgh
Robert Graham of Fintray,
Efquire,
Mr. James Graham of Airth Mr. Hope of Rankeiler Tr.
Advbcaie, and 'Judge Ad-, Mr. Thomas Hope, Scm to the
. miral for North-Britain ; Hon. Colonel Hope,
William Graham junior Mer- John Hall F^jquire,
chant in Edinburgh, ' Mr. William Hamil
amilton,
¥he Hon. Mr. John Hamilto
Advocate,
James Home of Gemelfhiel
Efquire,
Mr. William Hall of Whitehal
one of the principal Clerks
of Seffwn,
Cornet John Hamilton of Ban-
gour,
John Home of Ninewels Ef-
quire.
I
Sir Alexander Innes 0fCoxtoun
^Baronet,
Alexander Jackfon Writer in
Perth,
Mr. David Inglis Merchant in
Edinburgh,
Mr. Hugh Inglis Writer in
Edinburgh,
Robert Johnfton 0f Wamphray
TZfquire,
James Johnfton yotmger of
Wamphray Ej quire.
K
The Right Honourable the
Earl of Kincardin,
The iiight Honourable the
Vifcount of Kenmuir,
James Kinloch younger of Gil-
merton Efquire,
Patrick Kinloch Son to Sir
James Kinloch of that Ilk,
Mr. Francis Kinloch,
Mr. Thomas Kirk wood, Mafler
of the Grammar- jchool of
Leith,
William Ker Efquire,
Alexander Keith Writer in E-
dinburgh.
L>ady Henrietta Livingflon,
Ihe Right Honourable Simon
Lord Lovat,
The Hon. Mr. James Lyon,
Mr. John Lumifden,
The Rev. Mr. Robert Lyon,
Mimfter of the Gofpel at
Crayll,
Sir Alexander Lauder 0f Foun-
tainhal 'Baronet,
Mr. Andrew Lauder Surgeon
, Major to General Evans
his Regiment of "Dragoons y
Mr. Charles Lauder,
Mr. George Loch,
George Law ion Upholfferer.
M
His Grace the T)nke of Mon=-
trofe,
Hbc Right Honotirable the
Counters of Marifhal,
*Ihe Right Honourable the
Earl of March,
Ihe Right Honotirable Lord
George Murray for 2 Copies,
William Murray of Abercairny
Efquire,
James Murray younger of A-
bercairny Efquire,
Sir William Maxwel 0/*Spring-
kel Baronet,
James Maxweljy0#7/£tfr of Barn-
cleugh Efquire, J
William Murray younger of
Ochtertyre, Efquire,
Charles Maitland of Pitrichie,
Efquire,
John M'kay 2r. of Balgowan
Efquire,
Mr. George M'kenzie ^Neat-
hil Advocate,
Anthony Murray of Dollary,
Robert Man Merchant in
Dundee,
Mris. Agnes Matthie Spoufe to
Mr. Abercromby Ship-ma-
fter in Dundee,
William M'Farlane M. D.
Mr. Walter Mitchel, late Se-
cretary to the Earl of Sel-
kirk,
Mr. John M'Farlane Writer to
the
Andrew Mitchel tf/Thainftoun
Efquire,
Robert Mitchel Merchant in
Aberdeen,
Mr. Kenneth M'kenfcie
vocate,
Mr* John Malcombie Writer
in Edinburgh,
Mr. Colin M'Laurin Trofeffor
of Mathematics in the Col-
lege of Edinburgh, and
F. R. S.
Mr. Robert Maule,
David Morifon Writer in E-
dinburgh,
Mr. William M'Gibbon Mttfi-
cian in Edinburgh,
Mr. Patrick Middleton Writer
in Edinburgh,
James Mill M. D.
Sir Patrick Hepburn-Murray^*
Black-Cattle Baronet,
Mr. Charles M'Kay Trofeffor
of Univerfal Hiftory in the
College of Edinburgh,
Alexander Maben Organ-ma-
ker in Edinburgh,
Mr. John Mien Writer to the
Signet,
Mr. Walter Moriion, one of
the Clerks to the Comptrol-
ler's Office in Edinburgh.
C )
N
.. Right Hon. tie Lady
"Dowager of Nairn/<?r Two,
William Nisbet fffDnlctonffij.
O
The Hon. Mr. George Ogil vie
Advocate,
James Oliphant Writer in Cou-
par.
P
The Right Honourable the
Count ejs o/Panmure,
The Right Honourable the
Vifcountjf Primrofe,
Sir Robert Pringle of Stitch-hil
Baronet,
Mr. Francis Pringle, Regent in
the Univerfay qfS. Andrews,
Mr. George Paterfon Teacher of
Mathematics in Edinburgh,
Mr. Alexander Pitcairn Writer
to the Signet,
James Paterfon of Woodfide
Efquire,
Sir John Prefton of Preftonhal
Baronet,
JohnPaterfon 0/Preftonhal Efq.
James Prefton Writer m Edin-
burgh,
William Prefton Writer to the
Signet.
the
the
R
Ihe Right Honourable
Lord Rofs,
The Right Honourable
Lord Rollo,
Mr. Thomas Riggyww'w Ad-
vocate >
John Renton younger ^fLam-
berton Efquire,
Mr. James Ramfay Writer to
the Signet,
Mr. William Rolland,
Robert Rutherford Efqtiire,
Tihe Reverend Mr. David Ray
Minitter of the G*/pe/ in
Edinburgh,
Alexander Reid Writer in E-
dinburgh,
Mr. Michael Ramfay ^*Monk-
hal,
Mr. David Robertfon,
Hugh Rofc 0f Kilravock fenior
Efqiiire,
Hugh Rofe of Kilravok junior
Efqmre,
Hugh Rofe of Geddes, Ef-
quirc,
Colonel Alexander Rofe, Ef-
quire,
Hugh Role of Clava Jenior^
Hugh Rofe of Claya junior
Efquire, Mr*
Mr. Charles Rofc,
Mr. John Role.
The Eight Honourable the
Lord Somerveil,
The Right Honourable the
Lady Somerveil,
Stirling 0f Keir,
Mrs. Ifabel Seton,
Mrs. Jean Seton,
Sir John Sinclair of Longfor-
macus Baronet,
Alexander MafterofSslton,
Sinclair of Roflin
Efquire,
Thomas Stewart of Grantully
Efquire,
John Stewart of Innernyty
Efquire,
T*he Honourable Mr. Francis
Stewart,
Scot of Scotftarva
Efquire,
Captain Robert Seton, Judge-
Advocate,
Mr. William Seton Writer t
the Signet,
Mr. James Seton, Merchant /;
Edinburgh,
Mr. Robert Simpfon ^/>//>r i
Edinburgh,
The Reverend Mr. William
Somerveil Min. ofthGofp
ohn Smith of Browfterland
Efquire,
Mr. George Sharp of Hoddam
Mr. William Seller Writer In
Edinburgh,
r. Archibald Stewart Mer-
chant in Edinburgh,
Mr. William Simpfon Mafter
of the Grammar-fchool of
Dalkeith,
ohn Sivewright Writer in E-
dinburgh,
Mr. Robert Spenfe, one of the
Mafters of the High School
0/" Edinburgh,
Patrick Seller J^intner in Edin-
burgh.
The Right Honourable the
Earl of Traquair,
Mr. John Thomfon Writer in
Edinburgh,
William Thomfon Wig-maker
in Edinburgh,
Alexander Troup 'Dyer in E-
dinburgh.
W
The Right Honourable the
Earl of Wigtoun,
The
27je Right Honourable the
Earl of Wcemyfs,
David Warrender Writer inHL-
dinburgh,
George Warrender of Brunts-
field Efquire,
Allan Whiteford Merchant in
Edinburgh,
Mr. Adam Wat P. H. in the
Uiiiverjity of Edinburgh,
Mr. James White Sttident of
^Divinity in the Univerjity
(/"Edinburgh,
James White Writer in Edin-
burgh,
Udney of that Ilk,
John Wallace*?/* Eld erfly,
Andrew Wachop of Edmon-
fton Efquire,
Andrew Wachop of Niddry
Efquire,
Mr. William Watfon Writer
in Edinburgh,
John Wilfon M. D.
Mr. Hugh Warrander, Trofef-
for of the Oriental Langua-
ges, in the Univerfity of St.
Andrews.
Cornet John Young, in the
Right Honourable the Earl
of Stai r's Regiment of 'Dra-
goons,
Mr. David Young Regent in
St. Andrews,
Mr. Ninian Young Regent in
St. Andrews.
Mr. David Batrd of Edinburgh
Merchant,
Ralph Dundafs <?/* Manner,
Edmonfton ^Newtoun,
Edmonfton of Cambus-
Wallace,
Mr. John Forbes of Newkal,
Advocate,
John Halden ^fLanerk,
George Home of Argaty,
Walter Home of Baflendean,
Efquire,
James Mufchet 0f*-Craighead,
Mr. David Walker Advocate,
William M'pherfon Hufician
in Edinburgh*
Some of the above Names, having come to Hand fince the others were printed ofF,
not be i»fert ia .their .proper Places.
To the Author.
T)Right, as from Chaos fprung tie Unii'trfe,
Shines Scotland's Hero in your polifh'd Verfe\
rAnd as, from Ibraldom and Oppre/Jion, He
Majeftick rofe his native Land to free j
With equal Plgoiir, and as glorious Rage,
*Ihroy the rude Gibberffi of a barb'rous Age,
lou march and fetch his mile AEls to Light,
1 In Numbers daring as himfelf in Fight.
Let carping Critics, Foes, yet Friends to Fame,
Their titmofl do thy well-meant Work to blame ^
r
Such is the lemper of thy Manly Tage,
rAs foothes their Venom and retrains their Rage ;
foil'd like the Foes of the Great BRUCE,
Submiffive they retreat, and vwn the Vittor King.
Such is thy Work by Oppofition made,
'And fuch the Glory round it vanqtiifh'd Critics fhed.
W.P.
THE
F E
O F
ROBERT BRUCE King of Scots.
BOOK I.
HILST I, unequal, tempt the mighty Theme,
And rife, adventurous, to the B R u s s i A. N Name ;
Whilft in my Soul a filial Ajdour reigns,
To fmg the HERO fweating on the Plains ;
J Immers'd in His, and long with Foes befet,
' By Caution now, now defperately great •
A Be
2 The LIFE of Book I,
Be prefect, P H OE B u s, in the op'ning Scenes,
Inipire my Thoughts, and regulate ray Strains ;
Tell how the HERO triumphed o'er his Foes»
10 Grew in Diftrefs, and on his Dangers rofe.
IN former Ages, and in ancient Reigns,
When Senfe and Honour grac'd lerite's Plains f
When her high Monarchs and her HEROES ltoo<ff
In Streams of Cimbrian and of Saxon Blood ;
3 5 Proud of her Sons, old Caledonia dar'd
The haughty Foe, nor foreign Infutt fear'd.
Her Monarchs then, to lineal Honours grew,
And Conqueft grac'd each HERO'S awful Brow.
[ Graced lerne'j Plains. ] lerne, from the old Galician Word Eryn or Heryn9
fignifies a Country that lies towards the Wed ; It is cummonly taken for that
Part of Scotland called Strathem, and figuratively for rh : whole Narion.
[ In Streams of Cimbrian and of Saxon Blood. ~\ Citnbri was- the ancient Name
of that Warlike People, now call'd ths Dane^ who overrun many Nations^ eon^
quer'd England, but received fo frequtnt Overthrows in tliis Country, That Scotland
was call'd Danorttm Tumulus, the Grave of the Danes.
[ Old Caledonia dar'd. ] Caledonia, properly taken for that Part of Scotland which!,
runs along the Face of the Hills,, from Aberdeen mo Cumberland, and figuratively
lor. the whole.
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 5
I N thofc remoter Times ( as Fame hath faid )
30 A Prince renown'd th' Albanian Sceptre fway'd ;
Well fram'd his Perfbn, and well fbrm'd his Soul,
True Majefty and Mercy tun'd the Whole.
Unhappy Day ! wherein the Wife, the Great,
Upon thy Banks, O Fortb, refign'd to Fate !
25 May that dire Day be from our Annals torn,
Nor let the Sun once cheer the guilty Morn.
Since then, What Slaughter rag'd on SCOTIA'S Shore,
And drench'd the Mother in the Children's Gore ?
What dire Opprefllon on her Mountains reign'd ?
30 WLat Blood and Rapine all her Valleys ftain'd ?
The barb'rous Marks of curft Tyrannic Sway,
Of lawlefs Might, and Kingly Perjury. ^
A 2 Beneath
[ A Prince renown* d. ] Alexander III. who died of a Fall from his Horfe at
Kingborn. [ Albaman> &c. ] From Albin or Albimcb> the Name given to Scot/wef
by the Highlanders.
[ Wliat dire OppreJJton, &c. ] No Body needs to be inform'd of Edward I. of
England's being chofen Arbiter in the Controverfy betwixt Bruce and Ba/iol3 for the
Crown of Scot/and, his unjuft Ufurpation, and the Miferies that Kingdom was re-
duced to by his Means.
4 The LIFE of Book L
Beneath her Ills, old Caledonia groans,
Mourns her wafte Cities and her flaughter'd Sons ;
35: Beholds unnumber'd Legions crowd her Strand,
And Luft and Havock ravage all the Land.
Greatly diftrefs'd ! impatient of the Day,
Slow to a Grampian Cave ihe bends her Way j
There, like fome ruin'd Pile, great in Decay,
40 Sunk in her Woes, the facred Matron lay ^
Deep in the Grott, upon a MofTy Bed,
Silent reclines her venerable Head.
Solemn in Grief, Majeftic in Defpair,
Thus waits till thefe dire Accents reached her Ear,
45 The barVrous Foe now triumphs on thy Shore,
And the fam'd Caledonia is no more*
Unhappy
\ Slow to a Grampian Cavey &c. ] The Mountains of Granzeben^ commonly
call'd the Grampian Hills, run from Aberdeen in the North, to Duntbfirton in the
Weft ; and contain the Braes of the Mcarns3 Angus t PwftWhire, and the Lennox^
and feveral Countries bcfide. . ,
[ OM Caledonia &c. ] This ProfopopaSa or Fidlioa of Perfons, every Reader
knows to be common, efpecially in Poetry.
Book I. King RObERTBRUCE. 3
Unhappy Sound ! the Matrons doleful cries,
AfTdil th' Immortals, and fatigue the Skies.
At laft, Omnipotence beholds our Ills,
50 And Pity ftreight th' Eternal Eofom fills.
'T w A s Night ; but where, above yon azure Skies,
Empyreal Domes on flaming Columns rife ;
High arch'd with Gold, with blazing ErrTraulds bright,
Far thro' the Void diffufe a purple Light ;
55 There Ihining Regions feel no fading Ray,
Loft in the Splendors of Eternal Day.
Enthroned amidft the ftrong Effulgence, fat
The Pow'r Supreme ! furrounding Spirits wait.
He calls the Guardian of the Seottijh Sway,
tfo And ARIEL haftens thro* the Choirs of Day.
Then from the Throne, th' Immortal Silence broke/
( Trembled the folid Hear'ns as he fpoke )
Ply ARIEL, fly, and let a Guardian's Hand,
Prevent the Ruin of his fav'rite Land ,
Old
[Fly, Ariel, /^&c.] 'Tis hoped the Reader will allow thejuftice of this Piece of
The LIFE of Book I.
65 Old Caledonia-) once thy pious Care,
O'errun with Blood, with Ravage and Delpair,
Old Caledonia \ funk beneath her Ills,
With her loud Cries th' Eternal Manfions fills.
Hafte, and the Youth, whom Heav'n hath chofe, infpire
70 With filial Duty, and with martial Fire ;
Arm his intrepid Soul to fave the State,
Preferye his Mother, and reverfe her Fate.
H E fpoke. The Seraph bows, and wings his Way,
Swift o'er the Realms of unextinguifh'd Day;
75 Down thro* the lower Spheres dircds his Flight,
And fails, incumbent, on inferior Night.
WHERE
Machinery, becaufe of its Neceffity. Scotland was now reduced, in a Manner, be-
yond all numan M?ans of Recovery. Nothing cou'd fave it, but the Intervention
and Influence of fome fuperipr Power. This, the Author, with Submiflion, thought
a dignus vindice nodus, a Difficulty that required fuch an Interpofal, and confe-
quently introduced the Machine.
[ Hafte, and the Youth, &c. ] Sir William Wallace of Ellerfly, who flood for the
Liberties of Scotland, in Oppofition to the Ufurparion of Edward I. The Reader
will pleafe to obferve here, That the Author defigns not a particular Detail of the
Actions of Sir William Wallace, but only fo far as truy immediately concern the
Affairs of Robert Brace. And therefore, he brings Wallace directly to the Battle of
Falkirk, where, in a Conference with that Prince, he lays before him the treach6r-
ous Defigns of the Ettglifb King, and convinces him dc his own Loyalty to his
Country, and the B R u S S I A N Intcreft.
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE.
WHERE T/7)', thro* verdant Valleys rolls his Waves,
And fair J&neia's fruitful Borders laves ;
Rear'd on its Margin old Ahftum Hands,
So Whofe riling Spires overlook the neighboring Lands.
The youthful HERO here all filent lay,
And in foft Slumbers lull'd the Cares of Day.
With Speed th* Immortal Nuncio hither flies,
And FERGUS* Air and Shape his Form difguife
85 Approaching foft, his wond'ring Eyes he fix'd
On the young H E R o's Bloom, with manly Vigour rmVd f
But faw, while Slumbers thus his Limbs inveft,
Short Sighs and Groans, alternate, heave his Breaft*
His Country's Wrongs ftill in his Bofom roll,
5>o Invade his Dreams, and rack his gen'rous SouL
'T w A s now the aerial Minifter began,
And in great F E R G u s^ Voice add reft the Man*
Arife, my Son, thy dauntlefs Arm oppofe
To this yaft Deluge of thy baib'rous Foes.
$ Inyoly'd
8 The LIFE of Book I.
95 Involved in Blood, fee, thy dear Country lies,
And her loud Plaints hare rcach'd the pitying Skies.
To thee, O Youth Divine! whom Fate decrees
Reftorer of thy Country's Liberties j
To thee this facred Charge from Heav'n I bring,
100 Commiflion'd by the Gods Eternal King.
Roufe then, my Son, exert thy warlike Pow'r,
And drive the Foe from this unhappy Shore j
Date thy Renown from this aufpicious Day,
And fave from Ruin the Ferguftan Sway.
105 He faid ; and mounting in a Blaze of Light,
&L. ' .-,' -'-•
The Seraph reafcends the Empyreal Height.
BY this AURORA, in her Chariot drawn,
Had ting'd the ruddy Eaft, and blufh'd the Dawn.
When calTd by Heav'n, to manage Heav'n 's Defigns,
no In glitt'ring Steel, the ILUerfdan HERO fhines.
Born to chaftife the Pride of perjur'd Kings,
Quick to the Field, the youthful Warriour fprings.
While
Book. I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 9
Winie nigaer Names ( a bafe degen'rate Crowd )
Stain their proud Titles, and difgracc their Blood:
i 1 5 For fa&ious Ends, their Country's Rights forego,
Treacherous retire, or, impious, aid the Foe.
Others more honeft, but by Pow'r opp'reit,
Had tamely purcha/d an inglorious Reft ;
O.ily a few, whole Thoughts, by Heav'n infpir'd,
li :> And with the facred Love of Freedom fii'd ;
Bravely diiHain'd the proud Uiurper'sSway,
Nor Fraud nor Force, their gen'rous Souls betray.
Thefe on their Country's Freedom fix their Eyes.
And Threats and Promifes alike defpife.
525 Immortal Chiefs! who (ifmyartlefs Rhime
Can gain upon the Injuries of Time )
Shall live, to late Poiterity renown'd,
With Wreaths of everlafting Laurel crpwn'd.
AMONGST the Firft, the brave Limonian Thane)
130 And Hay and Lauder glitter'd on the Plain.
B The
f Limonian rhaae. ] Earl of Lerftox.
io The LIFE of Book I.
The daring Setony and the faithful
Bauntlefs approach, and clofe the HERO'S Side.
"Rqrnfay and Lyle> and Stuart of Race divine,
In awful Pomp, and dreadful Honours fhine.
135 Crawfif$ and Cam-pie I (long a loyal Name)
Array'd in Steel, to that Afiembly came*
The Keith and Murray-) with their fhining Shields,
And 'Baird and Barclay, loyal, grace the Fields.
Each Warriour led a frnall,, but honeft Band,
140 Fix'd to the Interests of his native Land. *
Cuming approach'd, Ten thoufand in his Train,
The fatal Ruin of the future Plain.
The Qordon^ to a Length of Honours born,,
- •
Rutfa&t and Ker the Rendezvous adorn.
'145 Cleland and Andoinlsck^ a faithful Pair,,
Hafte to the Field, and, gen'rous, aid the War.
Now laft of all appears upon the plainy
The Love and Wonder of the Warlike Train,
,;,!_ Intrc-
Bo k I. King ROBERT BRUCE.
Intrepid Graham \ the Martial Pomp to crown,
150 Array'd in burnifh'd Steel, feverely ihone.
The Chiefs at once the Godlike Man accoft,
And fondly welcome to the loyal Hoft.
From out the Throng, the Leader quickly ran,
And to his Bofom preft the gallant Man :
155 Hail, deareft Brother! welcome to my Arms,
Born to redrefs thy ruin'd Country's Harms ;
Straight, at thy Preience, vanilh all my Cares,
And dli my anxious Dread of future Wars.
He laid. The Chief, advancing on the Plain,
1 60 With graceful Mien falutes the Warriour-Train*
B y this the Sun had {hot a fainter Ray,
And do*wn the Weftern Steep had roll'd the Day ;
When to Falkirky enclosed with verdant Meads,
The gen'rous Hoft th' Ellerjlian Hero leads.
165 From thence to the T'jrwood their Way they chofe,
•And 'midil its Shades enjoy'd a foft Repofe.
B z
iz The LIFE of Book I.
Now o'er the Ck/W-Heights the riling Beam,
Darts thro* the ruftling Leaves a wavy Gleam j
When from the Wood advancing to the Plain,
170 In Martial Honours fhone the GRAMPIAN Train*
The daring Leader waves his awful Hand,
And lift'ning Chiefs in filent Order itand.
Approaching Squadrons next enclofe the Man>
While from a riling Ground he thus began.
175 < IMMORTAL Sons of All Ms ancient Race,
* Whom Faith unftain'd, and loyal Honours Grace!
* Whofe noble Anceftors, undaunted, ftood
* In Streams of Cimbrictn and of Saxon Blood j.
* Whom Rome's Imperial Arms effay'd in vain^
>8o ' Her Eagles ftirinking on the bloody Plain 9
* Behold, my Friends, your ruin'd Country's Woesr
4 And view the Triumphs of her barb'rous Foes.
Gafping
F Nov o'er the QchA-beigks, &c. } Ocelli Monies, the Ofte/-hills, |y betwiiT
&&rf3r*a Clackmannan, and Awr^-ihtres, and for the moft Part are all green;
Book I. King R O b E R T B R U G E. I J
c Gafping in Death, lee, Caledonia lyes,
< And to the Heav'ns and you for Succour criesv
185 c You! whom, of all her Progeny, file owns
* Her Genuine Oif-fpring, and her duteous Sons,.
* Behold your aged Sires in Fetters pin'd,
' * Or to a Dungeon's noyfom Depth confined,
< With upcaft Eyes implo-re your filial Aid, "' v*
[ipo c And feebly fink again the hoary Head.
< Behold our ravifh'd Virgins, and our Youth,,
c The Spoils and Victims of the perju-r'd South \
4 Your felves from all your deareft Pledges tornr
4 With Want oppreft, with Infamy and Scorn ;
Thro*" Woods, and Wilds, and. lonely Defarts toft,.
ExposM to Summer Suns, and Winter FrofL
Whilft the proud South'ron, by no Power withftoody
Pillage your Fortunes, and debauch your Blood.
Unhappy
[' JSe perjured South, &c, ] Edwfird I. of England had i/worn. tx> determine
impartially in rhs Controverfy betwixt Brttce and Ratio/; Bu'cA breaking tliat
endeavour'd to ufurp the Sovereignty
14 The LIFE of Book I.
* Unhappy Scots \ are all our Heroes fled ?
'200 £ Our FERGUS' KENNETHS, and our MALCOMS dead?
* Our HAYS, and KEITHS, and our Immortal GRAHAMS,
* And all our glorious ancient Lift of Names ?
c Was it for this thofe mighty HEROES flood
* In Storms of Death, and Crimfon Scenes of Blood ?
205 ' Did thofe Stern Patriots in Battle Ihine,
* To fave their Country, and fecure their Line;
< When Tay beheld them and the trembling Forth,
* Mix in dire Conflict with the Warlike North ?
4 And fhall no Son confefs his gen'rous Sire?
210 c No Bofbm kindle with the glorious Fire?
Sec
[ Oetr FERGUS, KENNETHS, &c. ] The Piffs having joyn'd the
and Britons againft the Scots, defeated them in the Field, ilew their Kin^, and
drove the whole Nobility and Gentry out of the Nation. ' But at laft, by the Va-
lour and Conduct of Fergus II. the Scots were reftor'd, and afterwards engag-
ing the Pi fit under the leading of Mfalpm, alias Kenneth-More ; they overthrew 'em,
and purfu'd their Victory to the Extirpation of their Name.
[KENNETHS, MALCOMS, &c. ] Kenneth III. and Malcom II. famous
for thofe dreadful Overthrows they gave the Danes .
[HAYS and KEITHS, &c. } A (horc Account will be given of then! ii)
{heir proper Places.
Book I. King R O E E R T B R u C E. 15
4 See ! yonder Loncarty's and Banjr's plain,.
* Still red with Carnage of the fkughter'd 'Dane- 1
4 Thofe very Fields where your great Fathers foughtj,
4 And 'midft a Wafte of Death your Freedom bought.
215 c Roufe then, and let thofe Names, your Breaits infpiie
' With manly Ardour, and with loyal Fire-
* Let your great Fathers all your Souls poife%
' And dauntlefs Arms your Country's Wrongs redrefL
* See ! where the haughty South, in bright Array,
220 * From yonder ihining Plains refled the Day.
4 Behold Tlantagenet) with awful Pride,
4 In burnilK'd Gold amidlt his Squadrons ride I
* Come, gallant Friends, attack the perjur'd Hoi?,,
c And drive th* infulting Legions from our CoafL.
225 He faid. The Chiefs, obedient, hail the Manr
And thro* the Hoft confenting Murmurs ran,
B Y this the South'ron Trumpets from; afarr
In ihriller Notes proclaim, th' advancing War,
21 The LIFE of Book I.
The daring Scots return the Martial Sound,
230 And from the Hills the loud Allarms rebound.
Approaching now th' cmbattl'd Squadrons Hand,
And in ftern Order glitter on the Strand.
The thickning War, around, obfcures the Fields,
With Groves of Lances arm'd, and bofiy Shields.
235 As when fome dusky Cloud o'erihades the Main,
«-•• The Breeze but whiip'ring o'er the liquid Plain,
Scarce heave the Surges, Ocean feems to fleep,
And a Hill Horror fettles on the Deep.
Thus iilent, the thick Legions form around,
240 And the dread Battles blacken all the Ground.
BUT here, alas ! how lhall a Scottijh Mufe
Thy fatal Crime, O Cumlernald^ excufe ?
Fain
[ thy fatal Crime, 0 Cumbernalcl, &c. ] C u M I N7 G Earl of Cumlerttaldy had
joyn'd the Army at fa/kirk with Ten thpufand Men. But having himfelf an Eye
to the Crown, and either fufpcding or ciifc-aining theSucccfs of Sir WiJHainWdlacei
a private Gentleman, much inferior to his Rank, but then Guardian of Scotland,
caus'd STUART Lord Bare fall out with him about leading the Vnn of tlu
£x>ts Army.i alleging that Poft v/as du^ to his -Family. WALLACE infixed
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 17
Fain wou'd the Mufe th' ungrateful Theme decline,
Or wipe the Tarnifh from the tainted Line.
245 Fain wou'd in Silence pafs th' ill omen'd Scene,
The Chiefs embroii'd, and the deferted Plain. ,
What direful Woe from wild Ambition fprings ?
The Wreck of Empires, and the Bane of Kings.
Difcord, with hideous Grin and livid Eyes,
250 Swift, thro' the Hoft, on footy Pinions flies.
Difcord ! Ambition's direful Brood, beheld
Ten thoufand treach'rous Scots forfake the Field.
Traitors I whofe Names no Annals fince have own'd,
Wrapt in difgraceful Night, in dark Oblivion drown'd.
255 tlrg'd by his Wrongs, and with Refent.ment fir'd,
The Et/erJItan HERO from the Plain retired.
Ten thoufand Scots with Tears their Chief attend,
The Sun himfelf ne'er faw a braver Band.
C So
tcm the .Privilege of his Office, and they parted from one another in high Chauff.
'WALLACE drew off his Men, and CUMING having wrought his Defign,
treachsroufly recir'd alfo, and abandon'd Lord S T u A R T to the Fury of the
whole Englijh Army.
18 The LIFE of Book J.
So great ACHILLES, on the Pbrygian Strand,
260 Injur'd by ATREUS' Son's unjuft Command,
Full of his Wrongs, deferts his Country's Caufe,
And all his Myrmidons from Iroy withdraws.
Left in the Field the noble STUART alone,
Before his few, but faithful, Squadrons fhone.
265 AND now great Hartford thunders on the Plain,
And twice Ten thoufand glitter in his Train.
The hardy Stuart abandoned to his Foes,
Dauntlef;, to meet that dreadful Battle, goes.
Twelve hundred Scots ( no more had Fate allow'd )
270 To guard their Lord, around the Standard Crowd.
THE War begins, the blended Clamours rife,
And Shouts and Groans, promifcuous, rend the Skies.
The glorious Bute, undaunted fcours the Field,
His doughty Hands a mighty Fauchion wield.
175 O'er South'ron Necks he hews his horrid Way,
While roll'd in Heaps, expiring Squadrons lay. '••-'.£&.
Hartford
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 19
Hartford beheld his fainting Legions yield,
And Edward's Glory fading in the Field ;
Amaz'd, he views the Chief's unbounded Might,
280 Defpairs Succefs, and meditates his Flight.
The Scots, by their great Leader's Pattern taught,
Advancing, with redoubled Fury fought.
Back to the Camp Lord Hartford wings his Way,
And on the Plain Ten thoufand Vidims lay.
285 IMMORTAL Stuart \ O were my Bofom fir'd
With Ardours like to thofe thy Soul infpir'd,
The Mufe fliou'd raifc a Trophy to thy Fame,
Great as thy Worth, and deathlefs as thy Name.
But fee ! where 'Bruce ^ array'd in Martial Pride,
2po And crafty BE IK before their Squadrons ride.
Towards the Scots they Ihape their dreadful Way,
And Forty tlioufand Helms reflccl the Day.
Waving in Air the gilded Lion flies,
And the loud Trumpets eccho thro' the Skies.
C 2 2^5 TIR'D
20- The LIFE of Book L
295 TIR'D with late Toils, the noble Tlute beheld
The fwarming Legions crowd the blooc y Field ;
Anxious and doubtful view'd their mighty Pow'r,
And the firm Ranks extended on the- Shore.
Amazed at firft, his Spirits backward roul,,
500 And by Degrees forfake his generous Soul,
He cafts his Eyes around, but fees no Aid,
WALLACE is injured, and the Traitor fted.
O deadly Gufl of Paffion ! direful Heat !
Dangerous to all,, but fatal to the Great !
305 In grov'ling Minds but low P^efentment dwells.
And their grois. Blood fcarce o'er its Qhanels fwells • j
Spirits high-born, like Meteors in the Sky,
Ferment in Storms, and round in Ruin fly,
Relentlefs Ellerjty I ah^ canft thou fland,,
jio And fee the HERO butch er'd on the Strand ^
The HERO! w>hom Ib recent Laurels crown,. ;
By Numbers and Superior Force undone !
O fen,
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 21
O fend the God-like Graham ( and lave thy Vow )
Or fend the faithful 'lloyd to his Relcue }
315 Or let the generous Setons Tears prevail
To ihare the Day, and turn the fatal Scale,
Behold the Chiefs all fuppliant beg around,
Their Tears in Torrents trickling to the Ground.
In vain. Unmov'd the injur'd Leader ftands>
320 Weeps loud, and yet denies their juft Demands.
WITH eager Hafte approach the Saxon Lines?
And in the Front the reverend Warrionr fiiines.
The noble *Bute beheld the numerous Bands>
Whilft rccolieaed in himfelf he tfands j
325 Then rous'd his little Hoft with frefh Alarms,,
And the fhrill Trumpet founds again to Arms.
Secure
• [ The reverend Warriottr jbwes. ] Anthony Beik Biihop of Durban:, a great Enemy
.to ths §cots, more famous for his Skill in the Arts of War than in th2 Gofpd of
Peac3, as a certain Author remarks.' This Prelate headed 10000 Men at the Bat-
tle offolkirk, rais'd by his own Influence and Authority..
2i The LIFE of Book I.
Secure of Glory, and a deathlefs Name,
Laviili of Life, he rallies into Fame.
THE Signal giv'n, inftam'd with mutual Rage,
330 Th' unequal Squadrons furioufly engage.
Thro' burniiht Steel faft buriis the ftreaming Gore,
And rolls, a purple Current, on the Shore.
The cautious %>eik each various Scene beheld,
Long us'd in War, and hardened to the Field ;
335 Extends his Ranks, and fummons frefti Supplies,
, And to furround the Scottijh HERO tries.
The glorious jBufe percciv'd his fly Defigns,
And with Stern Rage attacked the moving Lines.
His manly Arm dealt fell Deftrudion round,
340 Arid Saxon Crowds lay gafping on the Ground.
Their Leader's Pattern the bold Scots inipires,
And from their Rage the Rev'rcnd Chief retires.
BUT now brave Stuart beholds a fhining Train-
In thick Baftatia marfiiaU'd on the Plain. 7.,^
345 To
Book!. King Ro B E R T BR u CE. 23
345 To fuccour $eiky full Thirty thoufand Spears,
And at their Head the mighty Bruce appears.
Difplay'd againft his frwn, the Lions glare,
And martial Trumpets animate the War.
Deluded Prince ! fbon fhall thy Soul bemone
350 Thofc cruel Deeds on Fortb's fair Borders done.
The gen'rous ^Bitie weeps at the barb'rous Sight,
When awful 'Bruce addreft him to the Fight y
On his thin Ranks a furious Charge he made,
And roll'd in Heaps on Heaps the mangled Dead.
355 Now Stuart beholds his little faithful Band
Drench'd in their Gore, and gafping on the Strand 5
With Grief recounts their Wonders on the Plain,
Full Twenty thoufand by Twelve hundred flairu
Great in Diftrefs ! impatient of the Light,
3<5o Refolv'd to die, he ruihes to the Fight.
Fraught with Defpair, he dealt his Blows around,
And South/ron Blood fall ftains the Crimfon Ground.
But
24 The LIFE of Book I.
But ipent with former Toils, o'ermatch'd with Fow'r,
At laft the HERO finks upon the Shore.
355 Strctcht on the Strand the Godlike Patriot lies,
And fhades Eternal Settle round his Eyes.
How happy he ! who falls amid ft his Foes,
A fkred Viclim to his Country's Caufe ?
What Tears, what Vows attend his parting Breath ?
In Life how lov'd ! and how ador'd in Death!
370 Eternal Monuments fecure his Fame,
And lafting Glory dwells upon his Name !
SOL'S fiery Steeds, down from the Noon-day Height,
Thro* weftern Climes precipitate their Flight.
Expanded Skies. the. flaming Chariot bore,
And Rays declining gild th' He f peri fin Shore.
375 Th' ILLerf!iaii Chief in burnifht Armour Hands,
A,nd, 'beck'ning, round him calls, his daring Bands.
Sullen and fad approach the Warriour-Train,
And, touch'd with Woe, regard the fatal Plain. ., Y
When
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 25
When thus the Chief. You lee our Friends are loft,
380 By Treafbn murdcr'd on that bloody Coaft.
The awful Bmce yon mighty Battle leads,
And crafty %eik his fcle& Squadrons heads.
See where their haughty King, in dread Array,
Moves from the Camp, and haftes to lhare the Day.
385 Then fay, What fhall be done? the Queilion's nice,
And Fate allows us but a dang'rous Choice.
If for Supplies we fhou'd to Lothian go,
Then furiouily purfues the numerous Foe.
Or if to the Torwood our Rout we bend,
'590 Thro* Srace's Ho ft we muft that Shelter find.
Say then. The Chiefs aflented to his Will,
What he commanded eager to fulfil.
THE Hero then, all dreadful as a God,
To meet the Bruce, before his Squadrons rode.
3P5 Ten thoufand Spears advancing in his Train
.(Anlroa Foreft ! ) glitter'd o'er the Plain.
«>I'W>iC* wH Jj^> v ' *** <_-J'_.
D By
z5 The LIFE of Book L
By this Lord 'Bruce had rang'd his Warlike Lines,
And at their Head in bloody Armour ihines.
But O my Mufe, what God fhall lead the Way ?
400 What Infpiration guide thee thro' the Day ?
To fing the Chiefs, that never knew to yield,,
Engag'd in furious Combat on the Field ?
Tfabtts ! affift, and all the Tbeffian Throng
Conjoyn your Voices, and exalt the Song.
405 BOTH Armies now approaching to the Fight,
In blazitfg Terrors ihone confus'dly bright.
The fprightly Trumpet's martial Clangors rife>
And foil in rattling Ecchoes thro* the Skies.
Glory and Fame each HERO'S Soul poflfefr,
410 And Death or Triumph breath/d in ev'ry Breaff.
THE War now mingling ; fiery Couriers bound?
And ruihing Squadrons fhake the trembling Ground.
Thro' polifh'd Steel faft ftreams the reeking Gore,
And Crimlbn Torrents drench the purple Shore.
415 There.
Book I. King ROBER.T BRUCE. -27
415 There warlike Bruce exerts his awful Might,
Here Wallace thunders thro* the bloody Fight.
Behold great Graham force his refiftlefs Way,
Thro' all the Ruins of the dreadful Day.
Here Seton, Hay, and Lander Icour the Plain,
420 There !Boyd and Keith a diftant Fight maintain.
Yonder brave Kennedy in Battle ftands,
And great Montgomery joyns his faithful Bands.
The hardy Fraz-ers for the Charge prepare,
And dauntlefs Lundie ruihes to the War.
425 See gallant QHphani to Battle ride,
Ttundafs and Scrimzeonr glitt'ring at his Side.
Yonder the haughty Turn&ul takes the Field,
And Savage Spoils glare in his Orby Shield.
Johnjlonn and Rutherford, and Blair and Gray,
430 And Gttthr)\ Scot, and Lindfay iha-fe the Day.
, Tinto, Link, grace the Field,
And Haliday that well could Weapons wield.
28 The LIFE of Book I.
Bold Haliday\ in xWar a Noble Man,
Haftes to his Erne, and combats in the Van.
435 Thro' hoftile Ranks they fcatter Fate around,
And twice Four thoufand gafp along the Ground.
Quite thro' the Soutl/ron Holt, o'er Carron's Flood,
To Norwood Shades the Scots in Safety rode.
Wallace alone, and Graham and Lattder ftay,
440 Unfated with the Slaughter of the Day j
Greedy of Fame, their fiery Courfers rein,
And drive, impetuous, back unto the Plain.
Three hundred Men to guard t,he Chiefs prepare,
Inur'd to Blood, and hardened to the War.
445 Where Saxon Ranks in thickeft Order ftood,
With awful Force thefe dauntlefs Warriors rode.
Ere "Bruce cou'd well the Scottify Band perceive^
His Legions rally, orjuft Orders give;
With Wounds transfixed, all weltring in their Gore?
450 Three hundred Saxons ftrow'd the bloody Shore.
But
[ Erne, ] An old Scott Word for Uncle*
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 29
But now bold !Bruce his ftrong Battalions heads.
And Thirty thoufand to the Oniet Leads.
Cozen'd by Fraud, and jealous of his Right,
Wing'd with Revenge, he rufhes to the Fight.
455 Three worthy Scots, pierc'd by his mighty Hand,
Roul in their Blood, and bite the purple Strand.
Th' Ellerf!ian Chief with Sorrow fees them bleed,
And f \veliM with Rage, he reins the fiery Steed j
Againft the *Brucc directs his awful Force,
460 The jBrucey all dreadlefs, meets the HERO'S Courfe.
Charged in his Reft a mighty Lance he wore,
And WALLACE' Hand a glitt'ring Fauchion bore.
Together faft the dauntlefs Warriors ride,
And thro' bright Steel foon burfts the blufhing Tide.
465 From Wallace' Thigh transfixed fail flows the Gore,
And B R u c E ' s Courfer tumbles on the Shore*
The
[ Cozened ly Fra'tet, &c. T The Elder Bruce who was Conrostiror with Pafisf
for the 'Crown of Scotland,, was impos'd on by the King of England* and made-
believe that WALLACE defgn'd ro ufurp- the Sovereignty, which occafioired his.
fighting here at Falkirk wicli his Friends and Vafials againft the Scat*.
30 The LIFE of Book I.
The valiant Bands loon mount the ^Bruce again,
When Graham and Lander thunder 'd on the Plain.
Thro' South'ron Ranks thefe HEROES urg'd their Way?
470 And bore alone the Fury of the Day :
Whilft Wallace flood and ftemm'd his bleeding Wound,
In Heaps .the Foe lay fcatter'd on the Ground.
His Blood now ftanch'd, the Chief returns anew,
The hardy Graham and Lander to refcue.
475 To their Relief he rode in all his Might,
But cautious %eik advancing to the Fight:
By Numbers overpowYd the Scots retire,
Nor cou'd great Graham reftrain his Martial Fire j
A burnifh'd Sword in his ftrong Hand he bore,
480 And forward ruftiing thro* the Shock of War ;
Before the Bntce he (truck an JZngliJh Knight,
Where his gay.glitt'ring Creft flood polifh'd bright,
t**?l
With unrcfifted Force, thro' Helm and Head,
Down to the Collar glanc'd the ihining Blade.
485- The
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE.
485 The Knight falls, proftrate, on the Gorey Ground,
And Blood and Soul ruih mingled thro' the Wound*
A fubtil Knight, who faw the deadly Blow,
Fir'd with Refentment, meditates the Foe.
As Graham return'd, the crafty Warriour fpy'd,
4po Beneath his Armour, a defence! efs Void,
In at his Back, full aim'd with cautious Care,.
Quite thro' his Bowels glides the treacherous Spear,
The HERO turned and imote the cruel Foe^
Juft where the Cafque the Vizor joyns below j.
425 Thro' Steel and Brain faft ruih'd the forceful Brandy
The noble Graham fwcons on the bloody Strand ;
This lateft Proof of loyal Valour fhows,
And greatly falls amidft his Country's Foes~
WHEN EllerJJy the glorious Chief beheld
500 Bath'd in his Blood, and ftretcht upon the Field j,
What fudden Pangs his throbbing Soul poffeft ?
What Rage and Grief? tumultuous, tore his Bieafl?
He
32 The LIFE of Book I.
He weeps, he raves, abandoned to Defpair,
Then, wing'd wuh Fury, rufnes to the War.
505 Enrag'd, he rides amidft the thickeft Foe,
And certain Death defcends in ev'ry Blow.
Bereft of Reafon, carelefs of his Life,
Defp'rate, he urges the unequal Strife ;
The bloody Torrents thicken as they flow,
510 And Heaps of Slaughter the red Level flrow.
But now two ilrong Battalions fhape their Way,
Their beamy Lances glittering in the Day.
Led by bold Bruce, the HERO'S Steed they gore,
Fail bleeds the Courfer on the Crimfon Shore.
515 Their Spears in Pieces hew'd the Martial Knight,
Then from the Plain precipitates his Flight.
O'er Carron's Flood the wounded Steed him bore,
Then fell down dead upon the farther Shore.
P HOE BU s in weftern Waves had drench/d his Team,
520 And the brown Twilight fhed a dusky Gleam.
To
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 53
To T0rzw^-Shades the Scottifo Troops repair;
Wallace and Ker alone with equal Care,
Silent on Carron's flow'ry Borders ftray'd,
Revolv'd the Day, and mourn'd the valiant Dead.
525 The South'ron too retire, and *Bruce and Hay
Along the nearer Bank purfu'd their Way.
When, thro* the Gloom, upon the diftant Side,
The hardy 'Bruce the Scottijh Chief efpy'd.
Where jutting Rocks a ftraiter PafTagc frame,
530 Leffcnthc Chanel, and contrad the Stream.
There Wallace heard the Leader call aloud,
And, Hopping, prefs'd the Margin of the Flood.
When thus the %rucey ' I know thou art the Knight,
( This Day that, dreadful, led the Scots in Fight.
535 c Ainaz'd, I faw thee in dire Combat ftand,
4 And, curious, mark'd the Wonders of thy Hand,
< To real Worth a juft Applaufe we owe,
* Nor is it mine to ftain a gen'rous Foe.
E ' But
34 The LIFE of Book L
* But fay, what wild Ambition fires thy Soul ?
540 c What Rage and Madnefs in thy Boibm roll?
* Does the thin Air of popular Applaufe
* Engage thee, defp'rate, in a finking Caufe?
-ibai odtfiaTuiwcxS MlT ?sY
* Or does the Lnft of Sway thus urge thce on
< To empty Titles, and a fancy'd Throne ?
r> • '- -tia r 'WJ
545 c To wade thro* Seas of thy dear Country's BloocJ^
' Born on the Breath of a tumultuous Crowd ?
< Dar*ft thou prefume to match the Ev£/i/b Force,
( Or flop the mighty Edward's boundlefs Courfc ?
4 Vain Man ! difinifs that Thirft of lawlefs Sway>
550 c And due Obedience to the Victor pay.
* ihrderve thy Country from impending Woe,
4 And yield, fubmiffivc, to the conquering Foe. *
Thus HUNTINGTON. When from the other Sidcj
The Scottijh Chief in honeft Terms repIyU
555 * I own the Charge. Ambition fires my Soul,
< And Rage and Madnels in my Bofbm rolL
* Ambition I
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 3 J
' Ambition ! to preferve a finking State,
< Bafely abandoned by the faithlefs Great;
c To fave my Country from th' accurfed Crew
560 * Of barbarous Foes, and yet more barb'rous 2/0w!
* I claim no Right, nor ihall my Pow'r imploy
* To mount to Titles, or to Lawlefs Sway;
* My Soul hath ftill abhor'd the gaudy Dream
4 Of fancy'd Rule, or an Ufurper's Name;
565 c To fave my Country, if ailow'd by Fate,
< All other Ways difdaining to be great.
* Our Adions are our Glory or our Shame,
4 Not borrowed Titles, or an airy Name.
'* The Peafant to Renown may nobly rife,
570 c Whilft the proud Tyrant undiftinguifh'd lies.
' Know then, I'll die, or fct my Country free,
c In Spite of Edward, and in Spite of Thee :
< Thee! who, by Right, fhould ft Albion9* Sceptre wieW3
* Yet Tear'ft her Bowels in the bloody Field.
" 35 The LIFE of Book L
575 l Who, impious, rcturn'ft from yonder Shore,
1 Still warm, and reeking with thy Country's Gore.
4 Before to Morrow's Sun begins his Courfe,
c Once more I'll dare to meet the South'ron Force.
< For that dear Land, where firft I drew my Breath,
580 < I'll feek the Tyrant in the Fields of Death;
c Begirt with Guards, and wall'd with Legions round,
< I'll drive him, perjur'd, from our native Ground.
< Farewcl, deluded Man ! thy Right forego,
1 And bow, a Monarch, to a treach'rous Foe.
585 { Be a fecure, inglorious SlaV'ry thine,
« But Death or Liberty fliall flill be mine. '
THUS fpoke the Chief. His lateft Accents roll
Thro* truce's Heart, and fettle in his Soul !
He finds himfelf by Edward's Fraud milled,
And long by South'ron Artifice betray 'd ,
Perceives the Scottijb Leader's loyal Care,
His honed Toils, and unambitious War.
Thea
Book I. King ROBE RT BRU CE
Then thus. < -You fee, my Friend, the doubtful Light
* Leads on the fable Chariot of the Night ;
c Near 'DutijpOGf, where Hands afacred Fane,
' By Nine next Morning, let us meet again.
c No—long ere Pba&us runs that Length of Courfe,
< Reply'd the Chief, we'll meet the Tyrant's Force ;
* In Spite of all the Pow'r he has to fway,
600 c Fate fhall, before that Time, decide the Day.
< He either {hall his impious Claim give o'er,
c And fhamefully repete his native Shore $
' Or one of us fhall fall in bloody Fight,
* Impartial Hcav'n will judge our Caufe aright,
£05 c But if you pleafe th' Appointment to affign
* At Three, I'll meet ye near the ancient Shrine. '
The Bmce confented, and to 'Lithgoiso paft,
To 2Vz#00<r/-Shades good Ker and Wallace hafte.
Refrefn'd with Food^ the Holt for Reft prepare,
£10 And in Ihort Slumbers hulh the Din of War.
. BRIGHT
38 The LIFE of Book I.
BRIGHT Tbtfphor foon the vaulted Azure gilds,
And Stars, retiring, quit the airy Fields.
The Scottffi Chief abandons his Repofe,
And Arms of Proof his Manly Limbs enclofe.
615 With Clafps around the temper'd Mail he ties,
And graven Cuiihes glitter on his Thighs.
Upon his Head a fhining Caique he wore,
A Staff of Steel in his ftrong Hand he bore,
A beamy Fauchion grac'd his Manly Side,
£20 Boldly he feem'd in Battle to abide.
His Armour-bearer J o P went on before,
And the great Warrior's mafTy Buckler bore.
Thus forth the HERO marching, views the Lines,
And to each Chief his proper Poft alTigns.
Ramfaj>, and Ltmdy, and the hardy Thane
Of Lennox, led Five Thoufand to the Plain.
Five thoufand more himielf and Lauder guide,
And l&cbarton and Seton clofe their Side.
To
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 39
To the late Field they march in deep Array,
630 And view the Ruins of the former Day.
There, what a horrid Scene the Sight confounds ?
What Heaps of Carnage ftrow th* adjacent Grounds,
And Life, fcarce cold, yet bubbling thro* the Wounds !
Along the Strand the floating Streams of Blood
Roll on in Tides, and choak the neighbouring Flood.
Here lay brave Stuart, and Rojfia's gallant Thane,
With honcft Wounds transfix'd upon the Plain.
There lay great Graham extended on the Shore.,
Lifelefs, and pale, and ftain'd with clotted Gore,
640 Him Wallace faw, and throbbing at the Sighr^
Alights, and nifties to the lovely Knight.
Up in his Arms he rais'd his drooping Head,
And thus, with Tears, addreft the gallant Dead.
« F A R E w E L, my beft IcvM Frrend ! A long Adieu
[ To all th' iliufive Joys of Life and you,
* Farewdt
40 The LIFE of Book I.
' Farev/el ( O grateful Victim to our Foes )
* Thou facred Martyr for thy Country's Caufe !
< For her thou fought'ft in dreadful Fields of Death,
, « For her thus greatly thou refign'ft thy Breath.
650 c That Warlike Arm ihall I behold no more,
c The Fauchion brand ifh on the blocdy Shore.
c No more thofe Eyes fliall fierce in Battle glow, \\f #
' Thy Friends Delight, and Terror of the Foe.
< How is the mighty fall'n upon the Plain I
655 < The Chief, the HERO by a Coward flam!
c Nor ihall his Soul the treacherous Triumph boaft,
£ Sad and confounded on the Stygian Coaft.
4 Thy Noble Hand foon fent the daftard Foe,
( Murdered and damn'd down to the Shades below.
660 * Ah ! Gallant Man, what Worth adorn'd thy Mind ?
' How brave an En'my, how fincere a Friend ?
* Sincere to me, flnce firfb our Love began,
c Thy T)avid I, and thou my Jonathan.
< Thou
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 41
' Thou waft the Hope, the Glory of my Life,
£65 c My better Genius in the doubtful Strife.
c Warm'd by thy Prefence, how did I difdain
< The Toils and Dangers of th' unequal Plain ?
* How did my Soul with rifing Ardours glow,
* Leflen the Hazard, and contract the Foe,
570 * O'erlook the adverfe Hoft, when I beheld
* My brave Companion thunder in the Field ?
< Old Albion fhall in Tears of Blood bemoan
c The Gallant Patriot, and the duteous Son.
« In thee her Freedom and her Honour dead,
675 c Her Hopes all blafted, and her Succour fled.
< Farewel, bleft Shade ! may thine unfpotted Soul,
4 Now rais'd on high to thy congeneal Pole,
4 In Flames of Heav'nly Raptures ever glow,
* And fmile, propitious, on our Toils below '
680 He faid. The Hoft accompany their Chief,
Burft into Tears, and give a Loofe to Grief,
F So
42. The LIFE of Book I.
So once, of old, on the Molojian Coaft,
Bold The feus mourn'd his dear Tiritbotts loft.
Now wafh'd from Blood, upon their Shields they bore
685 The Lifelefs HERO from the fatal Shore.
With folemn Pomp the mournful Chiefs proceed,
And in the various Fane inhume the Dead.
To all the Chiftains {lain due Rites they pay,
Then to th' Appointment Wallace bends his Way.
tfpo The Lofs oFGrafiam, and that unhappy Field,
Infiam'd his Soul when he the Bruce beheld.
Approaching quick, the ireful Chief began,
And in Stern Language thus add reft the Man.
Doft thou repent thy bafe unnatural War ?
Or Thirfts thy Soul yet ftill for native Gore?
Rew'ft thou the Actions of thy barb'rous Hand,
The cruel Havock on yon bloody Strand ?
See thofe brave Patriots, who, too loyal, came
To fave their Country, and maintain thy Claim ;
700 T'oppofe
Bookl. King ROBEPvT BR U C E. 45
700 T' oppofe a haughty Tyrant's lawlels Might,
And 'gainft thy felf t' afTert thy native Right:
See where they lay diftain'd with Purple Gore,
By their own Prince all murder'd on the Shore.
Behold the gallant Stuart, and Rojfia's Thane,
705 And Go,d-like Graham, late, ftretcht upon the Plain.
HEROES! whofe Blood not Armies can attone,
By Fraud, and Tyranny, and Thee undone.
Unhappy Man ! More wou'd.the Chief have iaid
When drovvn'd in Tears, the noble Bruce reply'd.
710 < Yes, gen'rous Friend ! I fa w the HE ROE s ftand
< Like Gods in Battle on yon bloody Strand.
c Eager of Fame, unknowing how to yield,
* How did they court the Dangers of the Field ?
( O'ermatch'd with Numbers, prodigal of Life,
715 < How did they ftruggle in th' unequal Strife?
c For their dear Country, mix'd in dire Debate,
< They ftroye with Heaven, and difputed Fate.
* .'.*-'• \ . ^Xi1*
F a « 'Tvfas
'
44 The LIFE of Book I.
< 'Twas I, deluded Wretch! who led that Pow'r
* Againft my Friends to this unhappy Shore.
720 c 'Twas I, ill-fated I! whole guilty Hand
' Dy'd with my native Blood yon Crimfon Strand*
' Poor, haplefs Man ! by fair Pretences led
< To Ruin, and by Kingly Fraud betray 'd.
, WALLACE with Joy hears what the Bruce had faid,
725 And on his Knee a low Obeifance made.
The South'ron Pow'r he beg'd him to difbwn,
And reign, a Monarch, on his native Throne.
Againil that crafty Prince aflert his Claim,
Revenge his Wrongs, and vindicate his Name.
730 Alas! nor yet I dare, the Sruce reply'd,
Forfake yon King, or quit the South'ron Side ;
My Son a Hoftage for my Fealty lies,
Which if the Sire ftiould violate he dies.
But here I vow, ne'er lhall this guilty Hand
735 A Sword imploy againft my native Landj ' ./j
No
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 45
No more againft my Friends a Weapon bear :
But foon as I efcape the treach'rous Snare,
To thee I'll come, and on thy Faith rely, •
T' aflcrt my Title, and fecure my Sway.J
* ** *
740 This faid, in Arms he rais'd the gallant Man,
And Tides of Joy thro* Wallace Eofom ran.
Betwixt them mutual kind Endearments paft,
Then, parting, each revifited his Hoft.
Waiting their Chief on the late Field of Blood,
745 In Order rang'd, the Grampian Squadrons flood.
Arriv'd, the HERO mounts, and leads the Way,
And the firm Lines move on in clofe Array.
By Inner amn LENNOX guides his Band,
And hardy Crawfordft&tsz the Earl's Command.
750 Thus ordered thro' the lower Way to ride
Obfcurc, by South'ron Watches uncipy'ch
Wallace himfelf conducts a chofen Band
On the South-fide thro* ManweF* rocky Land.
To
4* The LIFE of Book I.
To Litbgow ftraight, where mighty EDWARD lay,
755 Silent, the hardy Lennox fpeeds his Way;
Sudden, amidft the Tents, in Armour fhincs,
And hafly Slaughter rages thro* the Lines.
Spent with the Labours of the former Day,
DifTolVd in Sleep th' ill-guarded South 'ron lay.
760 When thro' the Camp the clalhing Arms refound,
And hoftile Cries their drowfy Souls confound.
Edward, amaz'd, beholds the fudden War,
And bids his Legions for the Fight prepare.
Enrag'd, his Courier mounts, and fcours along,
765 And roufes, with Reproach, the Sluggard Throng.
Bold Hartford haftes, to Tork his Forces joyns,
When Wallace, entering, thunders thro* the Lines;
On South'ron Ranks exerts his well known Might, ^.c7
And drives, confpicuous, thro* the bloody Fight.
. 770 Some naked, fome half arm'd, ( a fenfelefs Throng)
Part, ftupid, gaz'd^ Part run confus'd along.
Whilft
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 47
Whilit the bold Scots diftribute Death around,
Steeds, Tents, and Squadrons mingling on the Ground*
The awful King item in the Battle fhines,
775 And with his Prefence animates the Lines.
To Arms the hardy "Bruce he calls aloud,
And Twenty thoufand round that HERO crowd,
Refolv'd no more his Subjects to offend,
The ^Bmce advances on his Mock-Command.
780 Great, as he wont, before his Squadrons rode,
Awful in Steel, and dreadful as a God.
The ulual Fiercenefs kindles in his Eyes,
And o'er his Face diflembled Terrors rife.
His beamy Fauchion brandlfhing in Air,
785 He feems to charge, and counterfeits the War,
His threatning Blows ( if Blows at all defcend)
Fall innocent, as from a Father's Hand.
WALLACE, meantime, and Lemw^ in their. Courfe,
Meet in the Centre, and conjoyn their Forces
48 The LIFE of Book I.
790 The Warlike Bands exert their utmoft Might,
And, unrefifted, thunder thro* the Fight.
Fir'd with Refentment of the former Plain,
Their Country fpoil'd, their brave Companions ilain !
Forward, united in their Fury, go,
7^5 And pour fwift Vengeance on the guilty Foe.
Graham, and the Chiftains loft infpire each Deed,
And to their Ghofts Ten thoufand Vidims bleed.
Abas'd, the South'ron Holt for Flight prepare,
And from the Field fail fpeeds the vulgar War.
800 Only the King, now long renown'd in Fame,
Combats for Glory, and aflerts his Name.
And other Chiefs, in Martial Honours great,
Before their Monarch nobly meet their Fate.
Agairift that King to prove his awful Might,
805 The ScottiJJj Chief rode, furious, thro* the Fight j
Thro* all the Force of the oppofing Foe,
Full at his Vizor aim'd a deadly Blow $
;: "He
Book I. King ROBERT Bauce. 49
He mifs'd the King ; the Standard-Bearer's Head
Afunder cleft the unrefifted Blade,
g 10 The royal Standard (fhameful!) prefs'd the Plain,
Then fled, difmay'd, at once the South'ron Train.
The hardy Scots their Warlike Steeds prepare,
And, mounting, fwift puriue the flying War ;
From Glotta's Banks, to Nitbia's fteepy Coaft,
£15 With Blood and Slaughter drove the fcatter'd Hoft.
Pierc'd with dilhoneft Wounds Three thoufand ly,
And Crawford-Moo* with mingled Carnage dye.
With Tears great Edward views the difmal Scene,
His braveft Troops without Refentment flain.
820 While Rage and Grief at once his Soul oppreft,
He turned, and thus the valiant tBmce addreft.
Ah, HUNTINGTON! thou feeft yon murdering Crowd,
With Slaughter tir'd, yet flill athirft for Blood j
G Our
C Gktt*, ] Clyde River. [ Mtbia, ] Kitbsdalc.
50 The LIFE of Book I.
_____ __ _ __T ._ _. . _ _ _ - — *••
Our Friends all butchered, and yon bloody Heath
825 One Heap of Carnage, and a Wafte of Death.
Woud'ft thou but turn, and ftop their barb'rous Might,
By all the Pow'rs ! I Ihall confirm thy Right.
He faid. The "Bruce in modeft Terms reply'd,
Annul my Bond, make my Engagements void j
830 Then Ihall I turn, attack the Scottffi Pow'r,
And drive their Legions back to Carrorfs Shore.
The royal Statefman, vers'd in Kingly Art,
At once perceives his alienated Heart ;
Hence guards his Motions, watches his Defigns^
835 And as a Prilbner at large confines.
But now the Warlike Scots approaching near,
Fall in with Shouts, and thunder on the Rear.
>. With heavy Heart the mighty E^^r^fled,
Mourn'd his loft Honour, and his Legions dead,
$40 O'er Sofway's Stream, home to his native Shore,
He leads the Relieves of his vanquifh'd Pow'r.
FuH
Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE. 51
Full Fifty thoufand in that Journey loft,
With mingled Corpfes ftrow'd the Scottijh Coaft.
THUS farthcMufe, in juft Example, fings
845 Of Traitors, loyal Chiefs, ufurping Kings;
Their Deeds tranfmitting down to future Times,
In faithful Records, and unbyafs'd Rhimes.
Of virtuous Names ihe marks the glorious Fate,
And hrands with Infamy the fadious Great.
850 Fadion! thou dire, thou legionary Fiend,
How dark thy Views, how difmal is thy End ?
What numerous Woes in thy black Bofom dwell ?
On Pride firft founded, and infpir'd by Hell !
By Thee the Gods were mix'd in dire Debate,
855 And daring Fa&ion Ihook th' immortal State ! .$
In Bands combined, affail'd the facred Throne,
'Till in his Might arofe th' Eternal Son ! :
Full in his Father's Strength attacks the Foe,
And hurls them, flaming, to th' Abyfs below ;
G 2 85o Far
5> The LIFE of Book I.
$60 Far from th' Effulgence of fupcrior Light, '
'Midft liquid Fire to roul, and Shades of deepeft Night !
Mankind, immortal, innocent, firft fell
By thee, thou darling Principle of Hell !
Since, uncontroul'd, thou ipread'ft thy boundlefs Reign,
865 Infpir'ft th' ambitious, and delud'ft the vain.
THIS Wallace found. Not all his gen'rous Toils,
His glorious Conqucfts, and triumphant Spoils ;
Not all his brave Attempts to free the State,
Cou'd skreen the Patriot from the jealous Great.
£70 Befet by Malice, and by Fraud oppreft,
( Yet green with Laurels, and with Triumphs grac'd ! )
The Godlike Leader to jE^/7/<2 came,
Renounc'd his Pow'r, difclaim'd a Guardian's Name $
'Midft Tears of loyal States refign'd his Truft,
$75 A willing Exile from his native Coaft.
His caulelefs Wrongs deep in his Boibm fat,
And deeper ftill the Ruin of the State.
fct
Bookl. King ROBERT BRUCE. 53
Yet, forc'd by Faction, he forfakcs the Land,
His Friends attend him to the briny Strand ;
§So In a lone Bark they launch into the Main,
The bounding Veflel plows the wat'ry Plain ;
Aloft} inipiring Gales, propitious blow,
Obfequious rolling, roars the Tide below ;
'Till fafe from Dangers of the liquid Reign,
885 The Warlike Crew the Roche/ Harbour gain.
F A R E w E L, thou gen'rous Man ! a long Adieu
To wretched Albiotfs Safety, and to you.
Who fiull in Arms dare to fupport her Right ?
What hardy Chief ihali lead her Sons to Fight ?
Her once brave Sons ! now terrified and aw'd,
At home by Fa&ion, and by Pow'r abroad,
To Woods and Wilds and lonely Defarts go,
Forfake her Caufe, nor dare to meet the Foe. v
The Foe again fwarms on her crowded Strand,
And frefh Deftmdion fweeps her wafted Land f
Farcwel
54 The LIFE of Book I.
Farewel, brave injured Man ! thou Boaft of Fame !
At once thy Country's Glory, and her Shame !
Nor (hall the Mufe thy further Ads explore,
On Scotia's Plains, or on the Gallic Shore.
«?oo The weary Mufe here refts her drooping Wing,
And confcious of thy Fate, forbears to fing.
Some other Genius lhall the Task attend,
And paint the Villain in the pcrjur'd Friend.
Nor fhall the Bruce's Fate her Notes infpire,
£05 Or tune to Elegy the mournful Lyre.
Secret, fhe weeps the lucklels Father dead,
The Scene o'ervciling with a filent Shade.
Now fits the Harp to a fublimer Strain,
The Godlike Son ! and his immortal Reign.
BOOK
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 5?
BOOK II.
TH E South'ron Trumpets found the dread Alarm,
The War rekindles, and the Legions arm.
The younger BRUCE is calFd from Ga/lia's Shorcj,
For now the haplefs Father was no more.
5 In Warlike Pomp array'd, the crowded Hoft
Moves, fable, onward to the Scottijh Coaft.
As Cranes, embody 'd, fhade th* ^Etherial Plains,
Stretch'd on the Wing, to Ihun impending Rains $
The airy Holt on founding Pinions flie^
Jo ( A Hying Cloud ) along the darkened Skies ;
So, wrapt in Duft, the South'ron ihape their Way,
Obfcure the Sun, and intercept the Day.
Great in the Van the mighty Monarch flione,
And by his Side in Armour blaz'd the Son*
ET
I $ Next,
jS The LIFE of Book II.
1 5 Next, mournful Bruce, before th' cmbatterd Crowd,
Full of his Sire, in lilent Grandeur rode.
Thick fwarm the hoftile Bands on Scotia's Shore,
*-r And Sword and Fire her poor Remains devour.
To Hills and Dales her trembling Sons retreat,
20 Their Homes abandon, to avoid their Fate.
Mothers and Infants fhare the common Woe,
And feebly flying, fall before the Foe.
From Solway's Stream, to Caithnefs ftormy Strand,
One difmal Wafte of Ruin fweeps the Land.
25 As when fbme Torrent fwell'd with Wintry Rains,
Rolls from the Mountains, and o'erfpreads the Plains j
The Swains and Flocks o'erwhelm'd confusedly roar,
And Woods and Harvcfls float along the Shore.
Now fraught with Spoils from far Pomona's Coaft,
30 To Terth returns the Irinobantian Hoft.
From
[ Pomona, ] Tke largeft of- the Orkney Ifiands.
[ Trinobantian Hoft. ] Trinobantes were the People of Middhfex, &c. taken here
r" the Eagtijh in general.
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 57
From thence to Scoon the Victor takes his Way,
The facred Seat of Scotia's ancient Sway;
Where twice ten Centuries her Monarchs fat,
On fated Marble, venerably great.
2 5 Imperial Scoon \ how is thy Pomp defac'd ?
Thy Archives riffled, and thy Glories raz'd I
Thy facred Monuments ( the Prize of War, )
And Spoils of Ages grace th' Ufurper's Car !
The Deeds and Records of great Fergus' Line,
40 The fatal Stone torn from its hallowed Shrine;
The learned, and their Works, in Triumph born,
'Jugufta's Cells, and Libraries adorn.
This Cuming faw, and fpite of jealous Hate,
Mourns the wide Ruin of the wafted State:
45 Touched with the woful Scene, the Bruce addreft,
And thus, with Tears, unfolds his laboring Breaft.
AH Huntiii£ton\ how long lhall Rival Hate
Divide our Int'refts, and improve our Fate ?
H Thou
5 8 The LIFE of Book II.
Thou feeft our Country, by her Foes opprcft,
50 One Heap of Ruin, one abandon'd Waite!
Her Laws and Rights and Liberties forlorn,
By foreign Force, but more by Faftion torn.
Since you and I an equal Right pretend,
Let both our Claims in mutual Friendfhip end j
55 Shou'd you to me convey your Right, then I
To you make o'er my Lands and Property.
Or, if to you my Title I refign,
Then your paternal Heritage be mine.
The Bruce accepts the latt ; And thus agreed,
fco They fign, and feal, and interchange the Deed.
Meantime his Rout again great TLdward bends
Back to Auguftti) and the Bruce attends.
Wrapt in his Hopes, impatient for the Day
T' alTert his Right, and vindicate his Sway.
^ But
Book II. King ROBER T BR U C E. 59
65 BUT now, fell Jfe, Source of human Woes,
Difmal from Depths of Tartarus arofe.
Fir'd at th' Agreement, the black Fury fled,
And, direful, hovers round the Cttmwg's Head.
The footy Spe&re Ihed a noxious Steam,
70 And her red Eye-balls flaih'd a hellifh. Gleam.
In vifionary Scenes he hears her howl,
And feels th' ambitious Venom in his Soul.
Full of the T><£mon, flatting from his Bed,
5t
Difclaims his Oath, and the Agreement made;
75 To ILdward fends the Writing feal'd and flgn'd,
And fhows, malicious, what the Bruce defign'd.
JLdvoard in Council reads the hated Scroll,
And fudden Vengeance kindles in his Soul.
Straightway the noble 31ruce is doom'd to bleed,
So 3ut Fate forbad, and Heav'n oppos'd the Deed.
H 2 Bright
[ Ate, fignifies Guilt. 1 She was the Goddefs of Revenge, Difcord, Ambition,
Paiftons fo definitive to human Kind. Any Reader will eafily fee the Proibpo-
poda, and b'keways underftand the Machine.
6o The LIFE of Book II.
Bright Ariel-* anxious for his facred Care,
Shoots downward in a Veil of thickened Air.
Mix'd with th' Aflembly unperceiv'd he fat,
Direds their Thoughts, and guides the BruJJian Fate.
£5 In fecret Whilpers Heav'n's Behefts conveys,
Breathes in each Heart, and all the Go ncii fways.
The facred Motion touch'd fly Temlroke's Breaft,
The Peer arofe, and thus the King addreft.
Sovereign ! Not Htwtiftgton alone muft bleed,
po His Kindred alfo muft atone the Deed.
Till thefe are feiz'd, the Puniftiment decline,
Then wreck your Wrath on all the Sruffian Line.
His Brethren, Allies, and his Friends muft fall,
And one dire Ruin overwhelm them all.
9j 'Tis thus you are fecure. The Peers affent,
And Edward, fullcn, owns the Sentiment;
Nor knows the fix'd Eternal Voice of Fate
Haddoom'd him fife, and fpoke the HERO great j
For
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 61
For him immortal Honours had decreed,
joo And cndlefs Glories fhed around his Head :
Bid him thro' Dangers ftruggle to Renown
And rife the Theme of Ages not his own.
'Tw<is Night; and now the great Aflembly rofe,
Each Peer retiring to his late Repole.
£05 Not fo bright Ariel his dear Charge dilmift,
But, watchful, hovers o'er Montgomery's Breaft.
With Tenderneis to "Bruce his Heart he fires,
And to prevent his Doom, his Thoughts infpires ;
Bids the fbft Motion in his Bofbm roll,
ijio And breathes the Friend, in Whiipers, to his Soul.
Full of the Vifions of the Night, by Fear
And Love awak'd, up rofe the friendly Peer.
A faithful Servant foon his Lord attends,
Whom fraught with Prefents to the "Bruce he fends,
tij No Charge in Words the trufty Menial bore,
But in his Hand a Purfe of Ihining Ore.
Tw6
<6z The LIFE of Book II.
' Two glittering Spurs of Silver polifh'd bright, t
The certain Emblems of a fpccdy Flight.
The Charge delivered, and the Man difmift,
ri 20 Snice rolls the myftic MefTagc in his Brcaft.
By Heav'n inftructed, foon the Meaning clears,
Calls his Attendants, and for Flight prepares.
'T w A s when bleak Boreas' fullen Gufts ariie,
And bear the fleecy Winter thro' the Skies;
125 When bellying Clouds defcend in fpreading Snow,
And form a filming Wilderncfs below.
By Night the .Prince, two Servants in his Train,
On Horfe-back mounting, fcours the tracklcfs Plain.
But left the Foe fhouid trace his fudden Flight,
130 Along th* Imprcffion on the fnowy White,
By fecrct Hands his Courfcrs backward fhod,
Elude the Search, and falfify the Road
Thro' dreary Shades of Night, and Tracks of Snow,
Where Winds and Storms in ftruggling Tempefts blow;
135 Where
Book II. King Ro B E RT B H U C E. 6j
135 Where Hills and Dales, the Forcft and the Field,-
One tireibme undiftinguiih'd Profpeft yield ;
Where roaring Torrents roll their wafry Sway>
The noble "Bruce purfues his reftlefs Way,
Till paft the Dangers of the hoftiie Plain,
140 And the bleak Horrors of the Wintry Reign,,
Lochmabens Gates a fafe Retreat afford,
Unfold obfequious, and receive their Lord.
By two Attendants led, the royal Gueft
His great Anceftors ancient Pavement preft:
145 There found his Brother, and Kilpatrick wight,
Fleming and Lindfayy and the .R<!vzc^r-K night.
His Eyes, with Wonder and Confufion mix'd,
On the brave Stranger Royal Edward fix'd.
He gaz'd aftonilh'd ! then his Brother knew,
150 And, wing'd with Joy, to his Embraces rlew,
Each
Locbmabcn's Gates. ] Lochmaben Iwlong'd hereditarily to Bruce's Family, as
they w..-e Lords of Aiinanda'.e.
\ , ihr; •R*«™r- Knight.] Ths ^.d-Reaver, aim Thorns of Qwrtres or
whom Wallace took at Sea.
$4 The LIFE of Book II.
Each Chief falutes his Sovereign in his Turn,
And all their Hearts with mutual Transports burn.
The Menials next with Victuals load the Board,
And Chiefs attending entertain their Lord.
155 His Hunger fbon allay 'd, the Royal Gueft
( As Men of War are us'd with ihort Repaft )
Begun his late Adventures to relate,
And runs the Series of his former Fate;
Till, Sleep approaching, all the Chiefs arofe
I 60 To guard their Sov'reign to his foft Repofe.
Now ope's the wintry Dawn, and Cynthia's Ray
Shoots a dim Twilight thro* the lowring Day,
When loyal Friends in Bonds a Courier bring, •
Fraught with Diipatches to the South'ron King,
By Cumlng fent. The hardy 'Edward rofe,
And to the King's Apartment foftly goes.
He found the Monarch flarting from his Bed,
And to his Prefence loon the Captive led.
The
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 65
The Man at once produced the traitorous Writ :
fcyo The Monarch read, and ihudder'd at the Sight.
He views, and wonders at the black Defign,
His Eyes, indignant, rolling o'er each Line.
The Purport bore — To hafte the Bruce's Fate,
For Kings fhou'd dread the Popular and the Great.
175 Fir'd with Revenge, his Courfcr quick he calls,
And, furious, leaves Lochmalens ancient Walls.
His Friends, all ready now, their Steeds bcftrodc,
And fwiftly follow thro' the marihy Road.
Straight to 'Dumfries advances all the Train,
1 80 And find the Cuming in the facfed Fane.
Rage and fwift Vengeance rolling in his Breaft,
^Bruce furious cnter'd, and the Man addreft,
Villain ! ( meantime he fhows the trait'rous Scroll )
Read this, and learn to hate thy perjur'd Soul.
1 85 Nor more but puli'd a Poniard from its Sheath,
And in his Heart deep drove the ihining Death.
I Lord
66 ir:: .The, LI FE *£>..\\* ^ook H.
Lord Cuming falls, a Tide :of Crimfon Gote, .f$_
Burfts.frorn the. Wound, and ftains the hallow'd Floq.
His Coufin .Edward^ hafting to his Aid, t \
190 Prone at his Side by Lindfafs Hand is laid. •**
This done, the,.2?r//£<?,attenjcled by his Train, ,-,T'
Swift, to Ltochmajben ..meafures back the Plain* .-y
Thence round his royal Jflavifego fends, . «. ,:rt >T^
To warn his Subjects, and invite his Friend*. . »
IP5 High rais'd, in. Gold the glittering Lions glare,.-.
And round .the Standard crowds the loyal War**
The King^appcars, his noble Mejn imparts , t
Love to their: Souls,, and Courage to their Hearts. ; ^
They view their Prince, in Arms, a glorious Name !
2oo And cv'ry, Breaft beats high with future Fame. .\.
The Monarch, mounting, foremoft trac'd the Plain,
Glitter th| loyal Squadrons in his Train. • * * «
Straight to Imperial .Scoan they bend their Way,. , ,.,
The facred Sc^t tf .Fergus* ancient Sway, i *t »*
When
Bobk II. King R o £ E'R f B R u c E. 67
205 When, o'er the 'Lawns, as 'Bruce dire&s his Sight,
-A Warlike Courfer bore a fable Knight.
His clouded Mail a dusky Horror ihed,
A bloody Plume blaz'd nodding o'er his Kfcad^
As from ibmc nightly Cloud's impregnate Womb,
£10 The fudden Lightning glares along trie Gloom \ '
.High on_his Helm fo wav'd the blazy Stream, *•£
And o'er, his ,A-rmaur caft.a doubtful Gleam.
In his lj?ong Hand a. Lance herajs'd on high,
And a broad FaucJiion ^li^ter'd- at his Thigh.-
ii 5 Soon as the Bruce the Warlike Knight beheld,
,:l,. .-J '- .** •'
Forcmoft, he fpeeds his Courfer o'er the Field ^
His beamy Spear advancing in his Reft,
Aloud he calls, and thus the Man addreft.
c Whoe'er thou art in Arms that tread'ft the. Plain^
IM t- ' . ",.5*?.
220 c Difclofe thy Purpofe, thy Defigns explain 5
t -- -'V ' - .* '' '
* Whether a Stranger from ibme foreign Soil,
•-*.'••• ».«:?- *j * *f.v'' ''*. f T
* Thou com'fl to view old Caledonia's Toil ;
'- -liii^', i..*-^r*--tA'. ..„*,•* "'\ **..:^ : 4"
I i « By
68 The LIFE of Book II.
< By Hcav'n direded from a diftant Shore,
' To joyn her loyal Sons, and aid her righteous War :
125 c Or if thou com'ft her Freedom to oppofe,
< Obftrud our Right, and to affift our Foes ;
* Who e'er thou art, obfcure, or known to Fame,
< Shovr thine Intentions, and unfold thy Name.
Thus fpoke the King, and now the Warriour Band
230 Approaching, round the gallant Stranger Hand.
The courteous Knight a low Obeifance made,
And thus to Royal Bruce, fubmifnVe, faid ;
< From foreign Climes, and diftant Tracts of Earth,
* I fought the Soil where Nature gaye me Birth ;
235 c Long fince inform 'd of my dear Country's Woes,
' By homebred Fadion torn, and foreign Foes ;
v< Arrived, with Tears I view'd her wafted Shore,
€ Horrid with Slaughter, and dcform'd with Gore.
< One Face of Ruin, direful, fpread each Plain,
240 « Her Towns in Afncs, and her HEROES flain. -* ',*
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 6g
* I found my much lov'd Sire a Captive led,
' In Fetters pin'd, and in a Dungeon dead ;
< My felf bereft of all his wide Domains,
* Where, now, the haughty Clifford proudly reigns. j
145 c Mine Erne add reft th' Ufurper to regain
< My Right paternal, but addreft in vain.
4 The Suit preferr'd, the Tyrant role in Ire,
c And proudly check'd the venerable Sire.
c Rejected with Difdain, and difpoffeft,
350 < What Grief and Rage, indignant, toremyBreaft?
< Full of my Country's Wrongs, mine own Difgrace,
e I vow'd Revenge on all thc-South'ron Race.
< Juftas the Motion in my Boibm roll'd,
' A loyal Friend in joyful Whifpers told,
The noble &ruce> eicap'd, purfu'd his Way,
T' affert his Title to the Scottify Sway.
Rouz'd with the Thought, I arm, and foon prepare
To joyn my Prince, and aid the loyal War.
*>."
7<5 S 5 " The LIFE of - Bbot It.
< If thou'rt that -Bruce-, ; and thole thy martial Bands,
c A faithful Subject -waits thy j uft Comrriandsr
* A Stranger,!, a, Youth unknown -to* Fame, - <x'
c .But Ipyal. tDou&kis was. my Father's -Name;*
KV*
The Wuce, ''we'll knowing what the Sire had done,
Flew to ttf Embrace's of the gallant Son.
'" ,.r', &?•&*?•+ J</f "i(''v* ^
Clofe incriis Arms the Godlike Man he preft,
•»> jift- , ., «r., .x J.v*,'-'"'^ ,",...-. .v. ...1
And all trie Ifrain falute the noble Gueft.
^iiv^<& — H ;c':r; ">;^ •'•^-ii-^ -:
Thence to Imperial Scoon they bend their Way^
TKe'Tar 'lam'd Seat of4 Albion's ancient Sway.
^tfraRra, tncy cnterY Guards furrounding wait,
^yo Whilft'^r^ is feated on a Throne of State.
Then from trie "Altar of the hallo w'd Fane,
The facred ti'Mccrs the Rites began.
The Regal 6yl^ firft, pfac'd by pious Hands,
In holy VaJe's on the Altar ftands. ; ,
. ,M L. fa ,-• .''"- "IVI ft M# ;V>"I/
27J Tflie tuneful Choir their folemn Voices raife,, „ ^ .
And Heav'nYeiounds the confccrated Lays.
1 The
King Ro BEtfirr BR u c E
. The Roy jalFjr^gran«ej?n his, Head, they pour, ot ot
In od'rpus. J?r,Q.ps. deicendsL the ihailowM iShow'r*< 1 W ; e *
Of QpJd~an4. Jewels,. next the* Imperial <Grt>w^ \ »V>-
(A daz'ling R^ctiangeJ^^xound.hkiTempic^ Ihbnd
Mean while, tfte Chiefs, . and , the , attending Trairt^
Intently gazing pn.the awtul Scene^vu<AvuW > ;-..-, A,
With Wonder fa w a Flame,. }nnqxiQu§>Q)icad^. .4 .^.j
Its lambent Glories round^ the .Monarch's Head £ \
Amaz'd, t beheld unui^ai Sple^pr^ .rife ! /^.-v, V^H
Play^o'erhU Face, and fpaxkle in feis JEyes.: Vsv\
Again th^ Choi c. their Note^Cc^t,pyn^ri^.^
Warbles the.Heay'nl; ( Anthem ^rp';the.S}irine* V s/
The Crowd in Peals of loud Applaufes rife, ^ '
r.,.', ^x ^,x'"'{ '*'• 'T' ^"''^ir )"" '*^' ?;'r^- ^* ' i*J"
And' catch'd, from Vault to Vault, the ecchoing Noife
."^^t/ ,,.,:•,.>. <,,, '-o-/./ .•fi.',-^ >«f/ -'V «HK.
Rolls thio' the Dome, and rattles in the Skies.
v , , , x^ 'li/^/vr *\i *
The Rites perfprm'd,,^ attended, by his.jT
The facre4 Mpn
72 The LIFE of Book !!•
To Rooms of State afcends the Royal Gueft,
>5>5 Where Boards flood loaded with a rich Repaft.
Gay iparkling Bowls the various Banquet cheer,
And Mufic's Charms again fufpend the Ear.
The Royal Repaft done, fucceeds the Ball,
And Caledonian Beauties grace the Hall ;
300 In rich Attire attend their gen'rous Prince,
And in bright Meafures lead the numerous Dance.
Now Night, once more, the Boards with Goblets crown'd,
Long live the King \ in ev'ry Glais goes round ;
Round from repeated Bowls rich Neclar flows,
305 Till drowfy Slumbers fummon their Repofe.
The rifing Beams glow on the Verge of Day,
And o'er old Ocean's heaving Bofom play.
The noble Sruce Imperial Scoon forfakes,
To Bertha's Tow'rs a Royal Journey takes.
ft. «'' 'jk •* 0_ 'l ',' '-'^
310 With him fierce ILdward iflues to the Plain, : *•
Lennox the bold, and Atbof* hardy Thane.
RanJal
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 73
Randal and Hay^ two Thunderbolts of War !
Selon and %oyd to guard their Prince prepare.
The daring Somerveil in Armour Ihines,
ji j And hardy Frafer his Battalions jpyns.
Incbmartin-t *Barclay, on the Field appear,
And doughty Ttotigtas glitter'd in the Rear.
Five hundred Spears advance in bright Array,
Gkam o'er the Lawns, and doubly gild the Day.
£20 In Eert&a'sTow'is the crafty Tembroke ftay'd,
And twice Ten hundred his Commands obey'd.
Before the Town, then girt with Walls around,
The King approaching, mark'd the proper Ground.
Near to the Works encamp'd the Squadrons lay,
Commidion'd thence two Trumpets take their Way*
Straight to tfie Gates the martial Heraulds came,
Required the Place in good King ROBERT'S Name;
Summon'd the haughty Tem&roke fbon to yield^
Or bravely meet their Matter in the Field.
K The
74 The LIFE of Book II.
330 The. Chief, indignant, hears the bold Alarm,
Deigns no Reply, but bids the Legions arm.
Throughout the Troops the Leader's Orders run,
And, quick, in Arms the warlike South'ron ftione.
Back to the Camp the Heraulds foon repair,
335 And bid their Monarch for the Fight prepare.
The Scots hear from the Walls the loud Alarms^
The ecchoing Trumpets, and the Din of Arms*
Repairs each Leader to his fix'd Command,
And rang'd in firm Array the Legions ftand.
•A
340 The King on Horfeback views th' embattled Lines'^
Then dauntlefs at their Head in Armour fhincs.
Ready to fally, now, the South' ron Train,
The Gates unfolding, haften to the Plain ;
When lo ! a Chief before the Ranks appear?,
345 Grave were his Looks, and rev'rend were his Years j
. In ev'ry martial Art precifely skilled,
Deep at the Board, and daring in the Field.
>-w-SIr.
Book II. King R o B E RT B R u c E. 75
Sir Inghrabam Omphravitte, well known to Fame,,
In Peace and War a venerable Name !
The ifluing Troops his awful Prefence ftay'd,
And thus the Chief to haughty Tembroke faid.
« High from the Walls I view'd yon level Strand,
* Where Scots array 'd in firm Battalia Hand ;
* Compared to us, afmall, but dauntlefs Train,
c Inur'd to Blood, and hardened to the Plain.
* Their Countrcy's Love a gen'rous Warmth impart?,
^ Arms their intrepid Hands, and fteels their Hearts.
4 Sec ! round the Ranks great jBmce exerts his Care,
4 Cheers ev'ry Boibm, and inflames the War.
c Full of his Sire! his Sire well known of old,
4 -In Council fubtil, and in Aclion bold.
f Yon other Chiefs oft have I ieen before,
< Thunder thro* Death, and fweep the bloody Shore.
c Glory and Liberty their Bofoms fill,
c And ev'ry Captain boa Us a Gen'ral's Skill.
K 2 ' Greater
76' The LIFE of Book II.
* Greater oar Numbers, but yon hardy Train,
< Long ils'd to War, are matchlefc on a Plain.
' Therefore, my Lord, the doubtful Field delay,
* And promife Battle the fucceeding Day.
.370 * Cautious, meantime, furpfifertlfe Scots by Slight,
' Secure and guardlefs 'midft the Shades of Night. *
As SE NTS the Leader, and the Troops recals;
Sudden proclaims a Trumpet from the Walls,
This Night each Army to their Reft repair,
£75 And let to Morrow's Sun decide the War.
;•,•' Keiaid. The Scots, Part on the Field abode,
And Part to Mellvseu's neighboring Foreft rode,
In foft Repofe to lull each anxious Care,
Thoughtlefs of Danger, undifturb'd by Fear.
380 Now Cynthia, filent, fneds a filver Light,
Gilds the blue Expanfe, and adorns the Night.
The Planets round in various Orbks roll,
Glows \vith unnumbered Fires the ipangled Pole.
A fx>-
Book II. King R O B E R T BRUCE. 77
A folemn Horror fettles on the Woods,
385 And deeper roll the Murmurs of the Floods.
Late to their Reft retire the laboring Swains,
And Silence o'er the Face of Nature reigns.
'Twas now the South'ron Chiefs for Fight prepare,
And from the Walls lead forth th' embattl'd War.
35)0 The waving Lances ihoot a beamy Light,
And doubly gild the Glories of the Night.
To Met~br£en, where the Scots iecurely lay,
The crafty Leaders lhape their filent Way.
Swift as they march'd, by Chance a watchful Knight
395 Defcries the Squadrons thro' the gleam y Night.
Sudden he hades to rouze the ilumb'ring Crowd :
By that fly Ompravillc attacks the Wood.
The hardy King had fcarce his Banner cry'd,
When Temlroke thunder'd at the Foreft Side.
400 The narrow Foreft no Defence cou'd yield,
Then rufti'd the daring Monarch to the Field.
^>;; ->^ The
78 The LIFE of Book II*
The Scottifh Chiefs to guard the Standard ran,
Furious commenc'd the Combat on the Plain*
Together fafc the Battle brimly goes,
405 Loud to the Skies the thick'ning Clamours rofc.
From forged Steel thick flaih'd the ftreamy Light,
Mix'd with the Air, and bla2/d along the Night.
The doughty King aloud his Banner cries,
And furious 'midft the thickeft Squadrons flies.
410 His burnilht Brand was heavy, fliarp, and long,
With ireful Force he hew'd amidft the Throng.
Thro* fhining Armour burlts the crimfbn Gore,
And a red Deluge floats along the Shore.
The Chiefs advance, their Sovereign to fuftain, .
And haughty Pembroke meets the loyal Train.
Fierce with a Shout the Holts together bound,
Trembles the Foreft, and the Skies reibund.
A Wafte of Ruin round the Field is fpread,
And Heaps on Heaps ly roll'd the mangled Dead.
420
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 79
420 The noble King exerts his awful Might,
And Edward's Fury flam'd amidft the Fight.
There Somerveil dealt round his deadly Blows,
And doughty Tlouglas thunder'd on his Foes.
Bold Lennox here, there Algol's hardy Band
425 Pour on the Front, and fwecp the deathful Strand,
Pembroke with Grief their awful Force beheld,
His Troops all broke, and reeling in the Field j
Unable to fuftain their martial Fire,
Difmay'd he Hood, and ready to retire ;
*
£30 When Ompbraville (the Scottijb Commons won)
And Moubray on the Rear a Charge begun.
This Tembroke faw, and foon his Pow'r recalls,
And with frelh Vigour in the Front ailails.
The Scots o'erpow*rd, and on the Point to yield,
43 5 With Rage and Grief the glorious King beheld.
Aloud his royal Banner calls again,
And fiercely ruHies on th/ oppoling Train*
Thro*
8o The LIFE of Book li.
Thro* all the Ranks he fcatters Death around,
Red roll the Crimfon Torrents o'er the Ground.
440 To fave his Friends, and to fecure the State,
What Wonders wrought he in the dire Debate !
But vain the Thought, thus fingly to fuftain
The War's whole Tide, and Fury of the Plain.
Urg'd in the Front, encompafs'd on the Rear,
*j45 His fainting Squadrons all for Flight prepare.
Their Foes no longer able to withftand,
Diverfe they fled, and left the bloody Strand.
Handal and Somerveil proud Temlrok* bore
Inchmartin, "Barclay, Captives from the Shore!
450 And Frafery long for martial Deeds renown'd,
And other Chiefs the South'ron Triumph crown'd.
The hardy Moubray rufhing o'er the Strand,
Had feiz'd the Srttcis Bridle in his Hand j \ -^ ;
Loud to the Legions the bold Warrior cries,
Halle to my Aid, mine is the Royal Prize.
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 2 1
But daring Seton fees the captive Prince,
And, fudden, rufhes to his Lord's Defence;
High, in his Right, he bore a flaming Brand,
On Moiibrays Helm the thickning Blows defcend ;
460 Till, bent beneath his Force, he quits the Rein,
And reels, and ftaggers, ftunn'd, along the Plain.
The King, thus refcu'd, from the Battle fled,
And South'ron Chiefs to Penh their Captives led.
Diipatch'd, a Courier ipeeds o'er Solway's Shore,
465 And 'Pembroke* Letters to great Edward bore.
Joyful, he reads the Aftion on the Plain,
The Bruce's Rout, the Captives,' and the ilain ;
Each Prisoner foon a barb'rous Death enjoy ns:
But the wife Leader baulks his Lord's Defigns*
470 His crafty Speeches their Intentions try'd,
And Bounty fix'd them to the hoftile Side:
Their Lives he granted, Liberties reitorM,
And ev'n young Randv/fown'd a South'ron Lord.
;.;: , L The
ii •- — •- • " ' * —
[ Young Randolj own' jj &c. ] Thomas Randolf was th; King's N.'voy by hij
2 2 The LIFE of Book II.
The Commons all a joynt Obedience yield,
475 Difmay'd, and routed in the bloody Field,
Forfake their Homage flnce the fatal Strife,
And meanly barter Liberty for Life.
The noble Monarch thus by Fraud o'erthrown,
His Hopes near ruin'd, and his Succours gone ^
<j.So To Mountains, Wilds, and Defarts now repairs,
To ihun the Danger of furrounding Wars.
ikkvard attends him on his lonely Way,
j4thol-> and 'Douglas, and the loyal Hay.
Campbel and Haliburton with him ride,
485 Names all devoted to the righteous Side.
Three hundred Peafants gath'ring to their Lord,
A weak but voluntary Aid afford.
'Midft barren Rocks, and unfrequented Ways,
The Royal Outlaw fpends his irkfoni Days.
Siibr: Who being made Prisoner here, and defpaiiing of his Uncle's Affairs,
V.;nt h:aruly in to the- Ettg'iifo Intersil. Bat b.-ing fometime after rttakan by
Jumts Douglas, rcftor'd to the King's Favour," and created Earl o£ Murrey, tie
Brov'd one ot Uis greateft Comaiandsrs of liis Tirncv
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 83
45?o Wild Roots his Hunger, and his Thirft allay'd
The friendly Stream that thro* the Valley ftray'd.
£reen Mofs by Night affords his homely Bed,
'Midft the dark Foreft's hofpitable Shade.
Thus, lonely, wander'd, overftrt with Pow'r,
495 The Royal Exile on his native Shore :
Till pinch'd with Cold and Want, the feeble Tram
Their Toils no longer able to fuftain ;
Where fair Dwaua's friendly Fortrefs lay,
Thro* Roads uncouth direct their fecret Way.
$00 Thither the Queen and beauteous Ladies came,
Brave Neil attending on the Royal Dame.
D E v A N A ! boafted Seat of Arts divine,
Renown'd by Thocbus, and the facred Nine!
With ail th* immortal Stores of Science grac'd,
'5-05 The Spoils of Rome, and Trophies of the Eaft.
L 2 Since
'[ DF. V'AN A. ] 'Nsw Aba-den, ficuated towards the Mouth of the River /)«?.
About a Mih from thence Northward lyes old Akcr&cn, mar thj Mou:h of ths
'River Don. Where i'tands a famous Univeriity, founded by 'Jam. IV. K?i;=* of SMS.
*4 The LIFE of Book IJ.
Since, driv'n by barb'rous Bands, th' harmonious Maids,
From Thejpian Bow'rs, and from the Latian Shades,
By fPh%bus Care conducted o'er the Main, t
Of old arriv'd on the Tlgzalian Plain ;
510 Near where the 2)#;,~ fam'd for her fcaly Brood,
Her Tide difgorges in the Grampian Flood ;
A Fabrick ftands, whofe gilded Tow'rs on high,
Rear'd into Diadems, invade the Sky.
Here meets th' Albanian Prince the tuneful Choir,
515 And hails the Patron of the founding Lyre ;
Conducts the Muies to the gay Retreat,
Affigns their Manfion, and confirms their Seat.
O much lov'd Seat ! Nurfe of my tender Days,
Accept this humble Tribute of my Lays.
520 So may each Art and Science grace thy Halls,
And Wealth and Splendor itiil adorn thy Walls.
May
[ Ttsa/i. ] The Peoph of Mar, Bivban, and all about /i/wv/a?;.
I Albanian Prince, ] 'i'hs foreiaid jfam. IV.
Book II. King ROBE Pv T BR U C E. 85
May ev'ry Mufe, and ev'ry Grace be thine,
As Love and Gratitude fhall Itili be mine.
Thy duteous Sons fhall Hng thy Glories round,
525 And 'Dona's Banks repeat the pleafing Sound.
To ev'ry Lyre the rural Pow'rs fhall crowd,
The Sylvan Gods, and Naiads of the Flood ;
With Raptures lift'ning to the Song divine,
Infpir'd by Tfabus and the facred Nine.
550 Let Helicon his Fountains boalt no more,
Nor Tjbsr glory in his vocal Shore ;
Ye Greek and Lallan Springs refign your Fame,
New loft in 3D on a' s confecrated Stream.
WITHIN the neighboring Walls the Monarch lay,
535- Liv'd on Delight, and lov'd the Hours away.
The other Chiefs amidft their Confbrts Charms,
Forget their Toils, and lull the Din of Arms.
Short their Delights. From all th' adjacent Lands,
And neighboring Strengths, arofe the South'ron Bands.
440 Aflemble
%6 The LIFE of Book II.
540 Aflcmble to the War the gathering Pow'rs,
And joyn and thicken to *Bewuu&t Tow'rs,
The King appriz'd, nor able to fuftain
Th' unequal Force, withdraws his little Train.
From tDeva's Shores to Avon's fpacious Source,
£45 The Royal Bands remcnfurate their Courfe.
There rode the Queen, and all the lovely Fair,
'Midft barren Glimes exposed to bleaky Air.
Near where M^dotigal held his Savage Sway,
The Monarch with his thin Battalions lay.
£50 M'dougal Nevoy to the Cumin flain,
Fir'd with Revenge, advances to the Plain.
• . A thoufand Shields approaching to the Fight,
Dart from their bofly Orbs a glimm'ring Light.
The
[ M'tlotsgal of Lorn, ] Was Sifter Son to Cumin whom Bruce ha.i flain; anl
as was natural, relented his Uncle's Death, whilft perhaps he did not know who
had the jull Title to the Crown. His honourable and loyal Defceiidcnts will par-
don the Author's being oblig'd to follow the.. Courfe of the Hiitory, and to treat
hjm here as a Rebel. . ,•
Book II. King ROBERT BRU CE. 87
The hardy King near to a Foreft Hands,
555 And to Array calls forth his faithful Bands.
Three hundred Lances-glitter in the Air,
Move into Ranks, and wait the barb'rous War.
Swift as their native Docs, the hoftile Train
Arm'd with fell Axes, bounding to the Plain j
$5o By fierce M^dongal violently led,
•
On Bmce's Hoft a furious Onfet inade.
Ye Gods ! how dire, how dreadful was the Fray ?
How fierce the Charge, how obftinate the Day ?
The bold JtPddHgafa Troops, a barb'rous Crowd,
565 Inur'd to Rapine, and bred up to Blood ;
Like Wolves untam'd, or like the Mountain Boar,
Their Fury on the Royal Squadrons pour,
And with fell Axes mow the bloody Shore.
'Twas here the noble King was hard efTay'd,
570 At once his Courage, Force, and Gonduft try'd,
He
82 The LIFE of Book II.
He mark'd the Fury of the barb'rous Hoft,
And faw his Friends beftrow the fanguine Coaft;
With Grief beheld the Havock of the Day,
Ev'n ^Douglas bleeding, and the gallant Hay.
575 He felt his Soul pierc'd with the tender Sight,
And call'd forth all the Wonders of his Might.
Awful in Ire, his Banner cry'd aloud,
And rufli'd refiftleis on the Savage Crowd.
Thro' the crufh'd War with dreadful Force he broke,
580 Trembled the nodding Foreft at the Shock.
As when fome furious Whirlwind fweeps the Plain,
Sounds thro' the Skies, and fettles on the Main j
Mix'd in black Tempeft riling Billows roll,
Roars the vex'd Ocean, and refounds the Pole.
'585 Thus far'd the Monarch 'rnidft the adverfe Band,
Thus burn'd the thickning Combat on the Strand.
The barb'rous Foe, ftopt in their bloody Courfc, j,
Stood flill, and gaz'd, aftoniih'd, at his Force.
While
Book II. King R CrBERT BRUCE. £9
While pour'd in Torrents rolls the Savage Gore,
And Tenfcore Axes ftrow the Crimfon Shore ;
Ev'n fierce M'dougal dreads the Monarch's Might,
Yet fir'd with Rage ftill animates the Fight.
Meantime the Queen, and all the lovely Crowd,
From the thick Covert of the fhady Wood,
Viewing the Fury of each adverle Train,
And all the variows Terrors of the Plain }
Amaz'd, and trembling at the Face of War,
Thus to the Heav'ns their ardent Vows prefer.
THOU! at whofe Voice Divine the Thunders roll,
600 And £hake the folid Bafis of the Pole ; '
Whofe dreadful Nod ev'n Gods and Men obey,
Thou fole, thou facred Reclor of the Sky !
To our joynt Vows thine Ear, propitious, bend,
And thine Anointed from his Foes defend ;
Bear him, thou mighty Arbiter of Fate,
Far from the Fury of the dire Debate ;
M Or
<>o The L IFE of " Book II.
Or crufh the hoftile War, and drive yon Band,
Difmay'd and withered, from the bloody Strand :
The Monarch's Labours crown, reward his Toils,
c>io And bid him. triumph in the Rebel-fpoils.
They laid, and Hcav'n aiTents to half the Pray'r,
The Half rejeds. and mingles with the Air.
JUST as the Foe again for Fight prepare,
Range in fierce Ranks, and recommence the War ;
615 The King, with Wifdom as with Valour grac'd,
His Bands aflembling, thus the Chiefs ad dreft.
You lee, yon Rebel animates his Train,
His Squadrons rallies, and renews the Plain ;
Num'rous their Troops, and well with Weapons ftor'd,
62© A brutal People with a Savage Lord,
Stock'd with Provifions in their native Soil ;
We pinch'd with Famine, and fatigu'd with Toil.
Suffice it then, we once have checked their Courfe,
Their Fury blunted^ and repeird their Force.
- 625 Nor
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 91
525 Nor let us further tempt our doubtful Fate,
But favc our Friends, and cautioufly retreat.
Renown'd the Chiefs, whofe Souls, undaunted, dare
Face the ftern Day, and meet the Front of War!
Can Slaughter in each hideous Form difdain,
630 Thunder thro' Fate, and fweep the ghaftly Plain!
The HEP<O lives exalted into Fame:
Nor lels the Glory of that Leader's Name,
Who, preft with Odds, can check his martial Fire,
Elude the Foe, and cautioufly retire.
635 .THUS fpoke the King j and loon, injuft Array,
Retreat the Legions from th' unequal Day/
The hoitile Squadrons for the Chafe prepare,
But the bold Monarch flernly guards the Rear.
'Douglas, and Hay, and all the Chiftains ftand
640 In Arms ( an Iron Bulwark! ) on the Strand.
Till by Degrees retiring from the Field,
The loyal Troops had gain'd the Woody Bield.
M 2 His
' The LIFE of Book II
His Hopes all blafted, and his Purpofe croft,
To Lorn Mdougal reconducis his Hoft.
THUS to the Wood the King and Chiefs repair,
Safe from the Noife and Danger of the War;
There found the Queen, and all the charming Train,
And in their lovely Arms forget their Pain.
By their fbft Hands each Scar, and bleeding Wound,
650 With ftudious Care is tented, bath'd, and bound.
Not Thochts felf, God of the healing Art,
Cou'd half fb fwifc, fb Sov'reign Eafc impart.
Her Dittany no longer Crete fhall boaft,
No more Arabia vaunt her balmy Coaft ;
£55 The fair Phyficians fpeedier Aid afford,
Their Touch was Med'cine, and their Lips reftor'd.
The weary Chiefs, fecure from dire Alarms,
Feed on their Eyes, and live upon their Charms ;
In pleafing Dialogue confume the Light,
And melt in fofcer Extafies the Night.
Book II. King R O B E RT B R u c E. 53
Now, late in Ocean bath'd, th' autumnal Star
Rears his red Orb, and ihoots a keener Glare.
Around, his Breath in fultry Vapours flies, v
Glows the pare h-'d Earth, and flame the middle Skies.'
665 Long had the Hod confum'd their irkfbm Time,
'Midft barbarous Foes, and in a horrid CtimeJ
By Hunger driv'n, purfu'd the Hunter's Toil,
O'er Craggy Cliffs, and thro' a defart Soil;
Spoil'd all the Forefts of their Savage Game,
670 Ranfack'd each Den, and pillag'd ev'ry Stream ,*
Now fpent with Labour much, with Famine more,
At laft prepare to quit the rugged Shore.
'Bove all, the Royal Dame, and beauteous Train,
Strange to the HardfhipS of a rough Campaign j
675 By Hunger pinch 'd, and round with Foes befet,
Rclolve to flee, and tempt their future Fate.
The King and Chiefs their Conforts Sorrows fhar'd,
Mourn'd their declining Strength and Charms impair'd ;
AVith
94 The LIFE of Book H.
With boding Hearts the lovely Fair embraced,
f>So And, bath'd in Tears, the fad Departure hafte.
The noble Neil, and Athol's loyal Thane,
Dired the Way, and guide the lovely Train.
ON 'Dona's fertile Banks a Fortrefs ftcod,
Stupendous Pile ! the Labour of fome God.
£85 Held by the Father of the Royal Dame,
Impregnable! K.i!druinmy is its Name.
Thither the watchful Chiefs, with loyal Care,
Thro' Wilds, and Paths unknown, condud the Fair.
There at their Eafe the tender Beauties reft,
690 But ftill the Monarch labours in their Breaft.
The Monarch ! who, meantime, thro' Hills and Dales,
fMidft barren Rocks, and folitary Vales ;
With Fates averfe, with Cold, and Famine's Pains,
Superior ftrives, and Heav'n his Soul fuftains.
How
•[ Noble AW/.l Neil Bruce the King's Brother, taken afterwards by the Englijb,
and put to Dsath at Kildrunnny.
Book II. King PV o B E PV T BRUCE. 95
How deep the Counfels of th/ E tcrnal Mind ?
• v Man's Thoughts how ftinted, and his Views how blind?
Far in the Womb of Caufes, fix'd on high,
Events in regular Confufion ry $
Till Hcav'n lhall by Degrees each Link unlooit,
700 And Step by Step our future Fate diiclofe j
Not Man, but Angels, (hall explore in vain
The winding Order of the myilic Chain.
Mortals, obedient to th* Eternal Nod,
Muft Hope, and fuffer, and attend the God.
705 THUS, long the Monarch ftruggled with his Fate,
Glorious in Patience, and refign'dly great ;
Means and Events he weigh'd with proper Care,
In Counfel wife, and terrible in War j
Thought ev'ry Scene, in ev'ry Ad fedatc^
710 Bold to attack, and cautious to retreat:
No Toil refufingfor the State's Defence,,
i A loving Father, and a gen'rous Prince*
96 The LIFE of Book II.
THUS long, Illuftrious, in Diftrefs he lay,
And fpent, in Mountain Waftes, his tedious Hours away :
715: Nor durft, fore pinch'd with Want, the loyal Pow'r
Forfake the Heights, -or tempt the Champaign Shore.
Now dutumn paft, approached the wintry Sway,
And Night's black Shades ufurp'd upon the Day.
The gathering Clouds defcending from on high,
726 Lowr, fraught with Storms, and threaten in the Sky.
The North's chill Breath comes keener o'er the Plain,
And, ftiarper thrilling, feuds the thicken'd Rain.
The noble %ruce, unable now to bear,
Amidft a defart Clime, th' inclement Year; . *\
725 His Legions warns, refblving to retreat,
And in Cantyre to tempt his future Fate.
Meanwhile, before the gen'rous Campbel lends,
To view the Countrey, and apprife his Friends,
Then to Lochlowmond march the loyal Band,
730 And find a crazy Birlin on the Strand j
They
Book II. King ROBERT BRU CE. 97
They launch the Boat, and, Pair by Pair, the Hoft
f In twice twelve Hours attain the farther Coaft.
;- ' •
The hungry Legions fcour the defert Lawns,
Beat round the Woods, and rouze the nimble Fawns,
735 Bold Lennox hears, amaz'd, the- mingle^ Sounds
Of cheering Horns about, and opening Hounds.
Lennox! who, here, fince Metbwcn's fatal Strife,.
On Roots, and Savage Game fuftain'd his Life.
He knew the King, and warn'd his little Pow'r,
740 And, joyful, met him near the briny Shore.
At once the Monarch and the Chiefs drew near,
And, courteous, hail and hug the loyal Peer.
The loyal Peer fupplies the Hoft with Food, ; .';
The Mountain-Goat, and Produd of the Wood.
745 Of Toils and Dangers paft the various Tale
Mutual Diverts, and cheers the welcome Meal.
The Repaft ended, rofe the Royal Train,
And hafted to the Margin of the Main.
N By
9^ The LIFE of _ Book II.
By this -had faithful Cample! gain'd the Land,
750 And Ships, with Victuals fraught, obfcur'd the Strand.
The joyful Holt ibon launch into the Deep,
And laboring Oars the foamy Billows fweep.
Th' Helridian Chief, who ftretch'd his ample Reign
Wide o'er the Daughters of the Weftern Main,
755 The Monarch welcomes to the friendly Coaft,
And gen'rous entertains the loyal Iloft.
Three Days they refted, then put out to Sea,
And to-Racttnda plow'd the liquid Way.
~R.acliHda'$ Boors their ready Aid afford,
760 Receive with Joy, and own their righteous Lord ;
Gladly fupply the Troops with needful Store :
A friendly Race, an hofpitable Shore.
Thro' the black Seafon here the Monarch ftay'd
Obicure, and Fame around proclaimed him dead,
Mean
.[ Th' HeMtRaa Chief, &c. 1 JEtisas or Angus Lord of the Wefter* Ides.
[ Wide o'er thi Daughters, &c. ) A poetical Way of expreffing thoii J
fcatter'd uo an.i down thro' tiu Caledonian Sea.
} Hwlmm or Ratebfae» onv3 of tlis faid Iflands.
Book II. King R O B E R. T B R U C E. 99
) Meanwhile his Foes ailemhie all their Bands,
Harafs his Kindred, and ranfack their Lands.
No Difference put 'twixt Sacred and Profane,
And ev'n the hallow'd Mitre pled in vain.
Glafgow's old) loyal, venerable Sire, . ;>,>,,
770 In Bonds and Dungeons felt the Faction's Ire.
The noble Seton, ever dear to Fame,
A Godlike Patriot, and a fpotlefsName;
By factious Treafbn in Lochdown betrayed,
And to Augufta's hoftile Tow'rs conveyed ;
775 For Scotia Js Sake refign'd his gallant Breath,
Great in his Life, and glorious in his Death.
Set on ! thou Brave, thou ever loyal Name !
How the Mufe warms with the exalted Theme!
Let Rome no more her fam'd Prefevers boail,
780 Cami//usy Cwiiy and theFtf£/tf#Koft;
N 2 Old
[G/a/gow's old, loyal, venerable Sire. ] Th^Bii'hop ofG/^on? (our Author does
•not: mention his iNamc-) iitiprilbn'd and pnt to Death by th.; Cuniiniati Fsttion.
[ Th^: noble Seton. ] Sir Cbrijiophcr S<!ton3 the noble Anccftor of thcE.
[ sutgujla. ] London.
loo The LIFE of Book II.
Old dttion, in her Setons, vaunts her Odds,
A Race of H E R o E s riling into Gods.
The Royal Dame, befet with trait'rous Pow'r,
Forfakes Kilfl rummy , and the faithlefs Shore.
785 Northward ihc fled, but Rofia's Rebel-Thane
BetrayVI, ungenerous, the Femal Train j
Convey 'd them Captive to Jluguflas Tow'rs,
To wafte, confined, their melancholy Hours.
T' aflail Kildrummy South'ron next prepare,
790 And young Caernarvan heads the num'rous War.
'&' :l ~
Great Glocejler the youthful Leader joyns,
And, 'midft his Squadrons, hardy Hertford Ihines.
In broad Array the Legions iwecp along,
And round the Walls difpofe the warlike Throng.
Each Gate young ILdward views, each Pafs fecures,
And Storms of Batt'ries rattle on the Towers.
But gallant j\T<?/7, and Athol's hardy Thane
Repel the Fury of the hoftile Train:
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. ici
In vain an Iron Tempeft round them flies,
800 And Shocks of Engines thunder thro* the Skies.
Their noble Bre'afts no Senfe of Danger palls,
Each Soul undaunted, as unmov'd the Walls.
Tir'd with the fruitlefs Task, th' impatient Prince
His Sire admonifYd of the bold Defence.
805 The haughty Sire ibon arms his awful Pow'r,
And onward fpeeds to Solway's fandy Shore.
Fond Man! How infcious of thy mortal Date?
How blind to that laft fwift Approach of Fate ?
In vain thou feeft thy freely Legions glare,
810 And triumph'H: in the Pomp of impious War.
In thy fond Heart proud Conqueft vainly reigns,
And Luft of lawlefs Pow'r thy Bofbm ftains.
In vain opprelUve Sway thy Bread infpires :
Behold the Period of thy vaft Defires !
815 Sudden, thou fe(Tft thy lateft Minutes roll,
And in a paultry Hutt expii^ft thy Soul.
Pride
An J in a paultry Huit, &c, ] Ed.vard \f died fudd^nly in tliis Expedition
i o z The LIFE of _ Book II*
Pride and Ambition hand thee down to Fame,
And Tyranny fits black upon thy Name.
Not fb, when once, 'gainft unbelieving Foes,
$20 FlamM thy dread Fauchion in the facred Caufe !
When Antiocb faw thee Thunder on her Shore,
And Syrian Streams run red with *Pagan Gore.
'Twas then bright Trophies to thy Name arofe,
And Bays unfading grac'd thy awful Brows.
825 Now lawlefs Might and Fraud the Scene o'ercaft,
Wither thy Laurels, and thy Triumphs blaft.
Now, unlamented, thou refign'll thy Breath,
The Hate of Life, and Ridicule of Death.
MEANWHILE the Scots maintain
830 And Darts and Jav'lins mix in Iron Showers.
High in their glitt'ring Arms the Chiefs appear,
And from the Walls annoy the hoftile War.
Impregnable
• ^ff - —-
fa Scot land, at a Cottage in a Place called Burgh upon the Sands.
Book II. Kiug ROBERT BRUCE. 103
Impregnable the mighty Fortrefs ftands,
And braves the Force of all the South'ron Bands.
835 VcxM.at the Tain Attack, the Prince recals
His Troops, juft ready to fcrfkke the Walls :
When fuddenly a mighty Flame he fpies
Burft from the Roof, and crackle in the Skies.
Accurft Contrivance ! a perfidious Scot
840 Had in a fecret Tow'r the Treafon wrought.
At this, the Prince again his Squadrons forms,
And with frem Force the flaming ;Fortrefs 'ftorms.
Betrayed, the brave Defendants, and amaz'd,
With Tears upon the fpreading Mifchief ga^'d.
845 No longer equal to the dire Difpute,
Aflaird by Fire within, by Foes without ;
Their Hopes extinguifn'd, their Proviflons loft,
On Terms furrender to the South'rori Hoft.
But haughty "Edward^ who no Terms obferv'd,
850 Some hang'd, fome quartered, ibme in Priibns ftary'd.
The
104 The LIFE of Book II.
The Chiefs, brave Neil and Jthol long renown'd,
Their Fate amidft a thoufand Torments found.
AND now Caernarvan and his Bands retire,
To pay the laft fad Duties to his Sire.
855 The Court expe&ingon the Border-flrand,
Welcome the Monarch to his native Land.
Peers, Prelates, Gen'rals, Knights, a fplendid Train !
Sumptuous attend, and aid the Iblemn Scene ;
To Weftminfter in fable Pomp proceed,
860 Yawns the deep Marble, and receives the Dead !
The Sire's laft Rites performed, his royal Son,
The young Caernarvan^ mounts the South'ron Throne.
MEANTIME brave Bruce on RauMin's rugged Shores,
Patient confumes the Winter's bleaky Hours ;
865 Intirely infcious of the Low-land State,
His Captive Queen, and mighty Edward's Fate.
Nor Fame had yet o'er thofe wild Mountains Ipread
Kildr^mmy fack'd, and his lov'd Brother dead.
Unknowing,
Book II. King R o B E R T B R. U C E.
Unknowing, and unknown, his Days he paft,,
870 Far on a horrid, unregarded Coaft.
But 'Douglas weary of the dull Delay, '
The vain-fpent Night, and the inactive Day;
The martial Youth afpiring now to Fame,
To prove his Worth, and to aflert his Name ;
875 CouM brook no longer this inglorious Reft,
And thus, impatient, the bold "Boyd add re ft.
4 How long, my Friend, thus idly ftiall we rnoim-
* Our Fortunes ruin'd, and the State undone?
< How long fliall Albion* unrelenting Fees
J88o c Feed on her Spoils, and triumph -in her Woes,
< While thus her Caufe her Sons like Cowards yield,
'
* Nor dare aflert her in the gen'rous Field ?
< Forbid it Heav'n ! nor let the IJongtas' Fame
* Sink in a daftard Son's inglorious Name.
< No; like- my Sires, I'll feck the dire Debate,
* Meet the brave Day, and court the Face of Fate.
O * Henceforth
106 The LIFE of Book II.
* Henceforth this anxious Soul fhall know no Reft,
« No Eafe thefe Limbs, no Peace this lab'ring Breaft ;
< Till Albion, free from Force of foreign Bands,
8po < And from her impious Sons more barb'rous Hands,
* Shall in her Pomp of ancient Splendor rife,
' Her Glory fill the Earth, and reach thediftant Skies $
< Till Bruce, fucceeding to his Right divine,
* Shall add new Luftre to great Fergus' Line.
$25 He faid : And ^Boyd aflented as he fpoke,
And at the King a fudden Leave they took.
SWIFT from the rough Rac/ivda's fteepy Bay,
Launch the bold Chiefs, and fweep the wat'ry Way,
Fly o'er the whitening Surface of the Main,
5>oo And .land on Arran's Coaft their little Train.
Long had the lile obey'd the South 'ronlPow^
And Jiafiings govern^ on the rocky Shore.
In cBrac!wick Fortrefs lay the hoftife Band,.
When IScyd ar>d Tioqgtas gained the barren Strand.
The
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 107
905 The Scots withdrew, and in clofe Ambufh lay,
Far in a Thicket on a fcroggy Bay.
Juft as the Deputy three Galleys brought,
With Arms? and with Provafions richly fraught j
The Mariners their VefTels quickly moor,
910 As quick the Scottijh Chiefs array their Pow'r.
The Servants led the Vi&uals from the Main,
Mov'd thelturf'd Waggons o'er the beachy Plain j.:
When, all amaz'd, the Caravan beheld
The hardy Scotsy in Order, take the Field.
pi 5 As when fbme Lion, couching on the Lawns,
Views from a rocky Cliff the fportive Fawns £
The lordly Savage fhoots along* the Way,
Bounds from the Steep, and tears his trembling Prey.
Thus 'Douglas ) furious, rum'd amid ft the Foe,
And twenty Deaths the Sea-beat Level ftrow.
The artful %oy d his needlefs Aid reftrain'd,
But fpoird th' Attendants,, and the Victuals gain'd.
O z Bjr
io3 The LIFE of Book II.
By this bold Ha ft ings hears the warlike Noife,
And ireful to his Friends Afliftance flies.
The doughty Douglas fpies th' approaching Band,
And fudden haftes to meet them near the briny Strand.
But when the haughty South'ron Chief beheld
The daring Foe thus dauntlefs take the Field \
Superior, yet he dreads the 'Douglas* Might,
And back to 33ratty&lck wings his coward Flight.
Brave T)ougjas to the Walls purfues in vain,
Strong was the Fort, and few the Scottffi Train* .
The Chief returning finds the hoftile Store,
And faithful Boyd attending on the Shore.
$35 Then, in the Covert of a fhady Wood,
The Scots themfelves and all the Prey beftow'd.
TEN Days were paft, when ^Bntce cmbarques his Hoft,
And fwiftly launches from Rac/ittda's Coaih
FurniftYd with needful Stores, the Royal Train.
In thirty Galleys plow the wat'ry Plain
Oa
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.
On Arran's rocky Ifle, direft, they bore,
And Gales, propitious, waft them to the Shore. .,
There role a Hamlet ^&n a rugged Bay ;
Thkhcr the King and Chiftains bent their Way;
Entred ^a paultry Inn, and, quick, demand
What Strangers, late, had trod the barren Strand*
Up rofe a Female, and the Monarch led
Where BoyJwd T^ougJas held the Foreft-ihade.
" The *Bruce his Horn infpires, the veh'ment Blaft
Rings thro* the Wood, and floats along the Coaft.
Alarm'd the Leaders at the well-known Sound,
With eager hafte from out the Thicket bound.
Joyful lalute the King, and then relate
The Warden's Foil, and their firft profp'rous Fate:.
Thence to the Inn trace back the winding Shore,
And Menials lead along the rifled' Store.
Rich Scouh'ron Victuals load the homely Board,
And 2^ and "Douglas entertain their Lord.
Next
1 10 The LIFE of Book II.
Next all the Army ihare a large Repaft,
960 Glad was the King, and merry was the Hoft.
*N ow ceas'd keen Boreas' freezing Breath to blow,
And Streams, unbound, in grateful Murmurs flow.
No? more,, thro' louring Skies, mix/d Tempefts reign,
Nor angry Surges fwell the founding Main.
$65 Smile all the Meads, and bloflbm all the Groves,
And the wing'd Songfters chant their tender Loves.
The various Beauties of the Spring appear,
And. gentle Zephyrs fan the Genial Year.
The noble King three Days in j/rran's Ifle,
970 Refrelh'd his Troops, and'refted from his Toil.
Now tir'd of Eafe, his Thoughts on Carrick bends,
And thither foon a faithful Courier fends ;
Bids him, attentive, view the Country, o'er,
Pra&jfe with Caution, and their Faith explore.
. 975 If
[ On Carrick, 6"r. 1 Carrick belong'd hereditarily to Robert Bruce in Right of
his Mother, which made him the fonder to found the Inclinations of that People.
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 1 1 1
5?75 If friendly on the Coaft a Fire muft blaze,
Th* undoubted Signal of a loyal Raee.
The MeiTenger obeys, and quits the Strand,
And, fwift, arrives on Brute's native Land.
The Peafants tries, but finds them, as he goes,
980 All fworn to South'ron, all the Monarch's Foes.
Yet or by Chance or Fraud, 'tis hard to fay, "
The Blaze appeared upon th* appointed Day.'
The careful King beholds the riling Gleam,
And to the Leaders points the diflant Flame.
Bui
-[ A Fire tituff Maze., &c. ] I 'have always found it the grcateft Difficulty to
bring up fuch little Circutnftances as thde to any Degree of 'Poetry. When the
Adion is great in it felf, and the Incidents proportionally noble, the Poet labours,
leaft. A Dignity of Expre/Tion riles naturally out of the Grcatncfs of fuch1 an Ac-
tion, and in that Cafe, a Man has more Ufe for his Judgment than his G.nius, irt
order to moderate his Heat, and keep him from running up into Rant and Fuftain*
On the contrary, in petty Circumftances, like this before us, the Judgment has but
little to do; nor are they capable of Genius, becaufe^they cannot bs tUni'd out of
their own Nature, that is, they cannot be railed or deprefs'd with any manner of
Decorum Or Propriety.
[ The careful King beholds the r'tfwg Gleam. ] In cafe the Reader fhou'd not fa
well underitand this Circumftance, as 'tis narrated in Rhime, I mall t.'ll him in Prole,,
that the King had commanded a trufiy Servant to pals privately over from Arran^
{where he then Was) into Carrick, one of his own hereditary PofTeffions, in order
jo 'try the Ificlirmtians of that People. If Ixc found them Loyal, he was to cre£t
Vii The LIFE of Book IL
#85 But whilft the Sailors at their Lord's Command,
Unmoor the Fleer, and clear the crowded Strand \
"The Hoftefs, bent beneath a Load of Years,
Before the Monarch on the Beach appears.
Time on her Brows in wrinkled Furrows fat,
But deep her Counfels, and her Words were Fate,
Some fecret Pow'r her lab'ring Bofbm fway'd,
Her briflled Hair rofe horrid round her Head ;
Foaming fhe flares, her Eye-balls wildly roul*
As Bruce's Fate came full upon her Soul.
Her Words, in more than mortal Sounds, unfold
Long fix'd Decrees, and Oracles of old.
While thus — - 'Hail, Mighty Prince ! purfuethy Way,
. * Thro* Toil, to Glory and undoubted Sway.
< Defcend-
a Fire upon the neareft Point of Land towards Art-op, as a Sign of their Fidelity
and good Difpofition ; but if not, he was to corns off privately as he went, with-
out kindling any fuch Fire. He found thsm ititirely in the Ew'ifb Inter-eft, and
Brace's Enemies to a Man, and confequently. erc-dted no Fire. However, 'either by
Chance, or to the King's Imagination, a Fire did appear, which carried1 him over
the Midft of his Enemies.
Book II. King R OBERT B R II C E
c Deiccnded of an ancient
*poo < Fcei future Scenes, and labour with the Sky.
c Long fhalt ttiou ftrugle in the dire Debate,
* Combat Diftrefles, and contend with Fate.
< Ev'n now I fee thee fxveating on the Shore,
< And the red Field diftain'd with running Gore.
too 5 c I fee a HE RO, now amidft our Foes,
' Whofe Soul, mifled, (till loves the loyal Caufe;
* By fubtil Art to South'ron Homage brought,
4 Rife on Negled, and conquer"by<his Fault.
-' I fee a Knight from hoftile Regions far,
i oio ( Grea«t in his Wrongs, approach to Aid thy War,
P < The
[ DsfeenJtd of an ancient Druid, &c. ] The Drxids were ancient Heathen
Priefts both in franct and Britain. The/ generally perform'd all their religious
Offices under Oak Trees, and from thence receiv'd their Names for Ib Oaks are
calPd in the Greek and old Ceitorfeytbic Language.
[ / Jfc a HERO, new amidjl o:ir Fees, P.ifi on Negiefi d>r. ] This was
'Mom^s Randolf, the King's Nevov, who had been taken, and was at this Time in
th: Englijh Interdl i But was afterwards recover'd by -Jzmes Doug/as, as I hinted
before. At the Battle of B&mockburn, h: haopen'd. to n;gle«5t a roft His Majeily1
had order'd him to maintain, but afterwards bravely recover'd his Honour, aajt
Was a great Inilrument in the Vi&ory of that Day.
n4 The LIFE of Book II-
i The injur'd Exile combats with Difdain,
< And Glory crowns him on a foreign Plain.
* I fee yon fable Chief, amidft the Croud,
* All grim with Duft, and ftain'd with future Blood.
1015 ' Ere yet Eternal Slumbers feal thine Eyes,
* Ere yet thy Soul lhall mount its kindred Skies $
. •' To him I hear thy lateft Breath impart
' The pious Charge of thine untainted Heart :
' Pure from thy Breaft, enchas'd in fhining Ore,
1020 ' To bear the Reiique to the facred Shore.
' I fee the HERO eager to fulfil
4 The laft great Mandate of his Sovereign's Will,
' Around
[ The injured Exile., &c. ] The Anceftor of the prefent Duke of Hamilton.
His Name was Gilbert Hampton, defcended ( as fome {'ay ) of the Family of Let-
ce/fer. This Gentleman having fpoke well of Robert Bruce in the Engfifi Court,
was, for thatReafon, fuddenly attack'd, and flightly wounded by one of the Spen-
cers then great Favourites of Edward II. The CroUd interpos'd, fo as Mr. Hamp-
ton could not revenge himfdf at that Time, but the next Day he met him, and run
him through. Upon this he left his Country, and fled to Robert Brace, who re-
ceiv'd him kindly, and in lieu of his F-ftate, which was then forfeited in England, gavs
him the Lands oFCwdzcrv, Hamiltoun., &c. in theWv/2, and chang'd his Name from
Hampton to Hamilton, He behav'd with the utmoft Bravery at Bannockburn, and
was knighted on the Field.
[ I fee yon fable Chief., &c. ] James Doaqtas, who was ordsf'4 by K, 'Rtiert
t® carry His Hsarc after hj^ P§ath to the Holy
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. ii J-
< Around encompafs'd by a warlike Throng,
1025 * And joyn'd by Sinclair, and the gallant Toiwg ;
< In Toy's broad Chanel hoift his fwelling Sails,
* Waft o'er the Brine, and reach I&eria's Vales.
' I fee him there oppofe his manly Breaft
* To fwarming Legions from the fwarthy Eajl j
1 1030 c All bath'd in Blood, upon the dtftant Shore,
4 I fee him thunder thro* the Pagan War j
c I fee whole Nations fall beneath his Hand,
4 And Ofman's Millions choak th' I&erian Strand.
' But now his Courage into Rafhnefs grows,
1035 c And, flufh'd with Succefs, he difdains his Foes ;
P 2 c Too
[ And reach Iberia'* Vahs, ] Iberia and He/peria ancient Names of Spain.
[ To fa? arming Legions from the faartby Eaft. ] This was about the End of ths
1 3th C.ntury, when thofe Expeditions of the Chriftian Princes (commonly call'd
the Croifade ) in order to recover the Holy Land out of the Hands of the Infidels,
were hotteft. Jaiws Douglas having been enjoyn'd ( as I have hinted ) to carry the
• King's Heart to the Holy Sepulchre, hearing in his Paltage by the Coaft of Spain,
that ths Saracens were very numerous^ and prevail'd exceedingly there, immediately
landed, engaged and defeated ihem in feveral Battles. At la!l growing too confi-
dent of his Succefs, the Enemy having now become contemptible to him, and ven-
turing to purfue a vait Number with a Handful of Men, he fell into an Am--
bufcade, .was furrounded and Hain.
[ OJman ] Emperor of the Saracens.
i\6 The LIFE of Book II.
* Too far, incautious, tempts the treach'rous Plain,
-c O'erborn by Armies, and by Armies {lain.
4 More I cou'd'name of ancient loyal Blcod,
' But fee thy Fleet already ftems the Flood.
1 040 c Go then, to Glory, patient, trace thy Way,
4 Till once ihall dawn the bright immortal. Day ;
* When one brave Field ihali all thy Labours crown,
< And Earth and Skies Ihall eccho thy Renown.
v And to confirm the Fate I now declare,
.1045 c Mine own two-Sons' ftiall all thy Dangers {hare;
' Attend thy Toils, 'till the great Task is done,
< And Fate have fix'd theftruce on Fergus' ancientThrone,*
THUS far the Prophetefs, and bent her Way
Back to the Inn; the Monarch put to Sea.
1050 The lab'ring Oars the heaving Billows fvveep,
Bound the fwift VefTels o'er the hoary Deep.
At laft they gain the Smce's native Land,
And the moor'd Galleys cloud the Oozy Strand.
Book II. King R O B E PvT B R U C E. 117
Dejected, on the Beach appeared the Squire,
1055 Before commiflion'd to erect the Fire.
He told the Monarch all was hoftile Ground,
And the. bold 'Piercy rul'd the Country round.
Three hundred South'ron waited his Command,
Himfclfthe foV'reign Tyrant of the Land.
io5o Then ask'd the Monarch, how he dar'd to raife
Upon a hoflile Coail the trait'rous Blaze ?
The Man deny'd; nor knew he how it came,
Nor durft extinguifh the deceitful Flame.
Then thus the King accofts the Council round,
1065 ( Or fhall we venture on the faithlefs Ground ?
4 Or filent fhall we quit the dangerous Plain,
* Unmoor our Fleet, and meafure back the Main ?'
To this the fiery "Edward fir ft reply M,
' .No Dread fhall drive me back into the Tide;
,1070 c Let Thoufands meet our Hundreds on the Strand,
' Refoly'd I'll venture on the Rebel-land,
The
ij_8 The LIFE of Book II-
The Monarch frmTd, the Chiefs the Sentence own,
March the bold Squadrons to the neighboring Town.
'Twas Night, and all fecure the South'ron flept,
1075 No Danger dreaded, and no Watches kept.
Diverfe, the Scots to diftant Quarters go,
And, fierce, with Shouts affail the droufy Foe;
Break fplint'ring Bars, and burft oppofing Doors,
And with red Torrents, fudden, ftain the Floors.
j.o8o The Air around mix'd Groans and Clamours bears,
And mournful Accents reach Lord Tiercy's Ears.
But fafe in T#r;/£Yj}/-Fortrefs Tiercy lay,
Nor durffc approach or mingle in the Fray/
Alone M^ougal^ who betray 'd before
1085 The Monarch's Brothers to the South'ron Pow'r;
An ancient Traitor, Tcap'd by fudden Flight,
Unknown, and favoured by the Shades of Night.
Before
[ Ahae M'Dougal, &c. } -This was not M'Dougal of Lorn, whofe Engagement
with the King we have defcrib'd before ; but one Duncan M'Dougal of <j(i!lowa>yy
who had betray 'd 'Ihumas and Alexander Bruce the King's Brothers to the Englifoi
and this is all the Notice my Author takes of that A&on.
Book II. King ROBERTBRUCE. 119
Before the Sun arofe to gild the Day,
Drench'd in their Gore three hundred South'ron lay.
iopo Next lurnVry Caftle the bold Monarch view'd
But then impregnable the Fortrefs flood.
Two Days Lord Tiercy lurk'd within the Walls,
And on the Third a faithful Courier calls.
Straight to Northumberland his Orders fends,
i op 5 To warn his Friends, and raife his native Bands.
Nortumbrian Pow'rs the Courier foon alarms,
And fudden fhone a thoufand Men in Arms.
But Gaudifer de Lyle, an ancient Knight,
Who knew the Scottijh Chiefs, and Brute's Might ^
1 1 oo DifTwades his Vaflals from a March Ib far,
Propounds the Danger, and deters the War :
The Folly fliows to feek in their own Soil
An Hoft experienced, and inur'd to Toil.
The
[ Gattdifar de Lyle, &c. ] A French Name, one of thofe who fettled in England
after the Conc|u:ll. It is reprefented by the Honourable 'Squire Lylf, aG^nrLiiwa
of a conflde/able Fortune in NwfbttJtiforlimA to this Day.
120 The LIFE of Book II.
The Troops, diftieartned, wou'd have quit the Shore,
f^io) But hardy St. John animates .the Pow'r.
By him conduced, focn arrive the Hoft,
And guard Lord Piercy to his native Coaft.
Secret they march'd, reiblving not to fight,
For now the South'ron fear'd the Monarch's Might.
a 1 10 MEANTIME, fecure, the Scots in Carrick lay,
And all the Region own'd their Sov'reign's Sway.
The King at Leifure view'd the Country round,
And mark'd the Ruins of his native Ground.
As 'Phoebus once, declining to the Sea,
1115 Glow'd on the Margin of Hefperian Day ;
Along the pleating Vales the Monarch ftray'd,
And 3$oyd and ^Doiiglas clos'd his Royal Side.
Far on the Lawns a warlike Troop they fpy'd,
And at their Head a Nymph her Charms difplay'd.
1 1 20 Ad-
[ Hardy St. John, &c. ] The Anceftor of the late Vifcount Eolitrglroke.*.
Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE. 121
1120 Advanced the Loyal Fair with eafy Grace,
The Monarch's Couiin, of Clackmannan 's Race.'
Approaching, the bright Dame and all her Train
Their Sovereign hail, fubmiffive, on the Plain.
Her Name and Bus'nefs next the Nymph cxpreft,
1125 The King, furpris'd, the loyal Fair embraced,
To ferve their Prince, Ihe told, thcfe Warriors came,
The 1>nice accepts the Aids, and thanks the gen'rousDamc.
A Band of Forty kneeling on the Shore,
A firm inviolable Homage fwore.
1130 The King and Chiefs difpofe the lifted War,
And ftraight to Turnb'ry Fort conduct the Fair.
Glad was the Monarch, but his Joy how fhort,
Soon as he heard the Lady's fad Report?
' -^ .t -•
His Royal Conlbrt to the Foe betray'd,
1135 His Brother, Atbol^ and brave Seton dead !
C How
[ The Monarch's Cvufm, &c. ] This Lady was of the Houfe of Clackmmt»/m}
which Family is ftill extant, and its Honourable Ksprefentative Chief of thetfrarw.
I 22
The LIFE of
Book II.
How did he mourn, how did the Chiefs deplore
That Scene of Fate to them unknown before ?
The Dame herfelf fbme Comfort rnuft afford
To foothe the Leaders, and their doleful Lord. '
1140 Sometime Ihe ftay'd, and her fond Care expreft,
To lull the Tumult in her Sovereign's Breaft :
At laft departs, the Chiefs in Order came,
And homeward, grateful, guard the gen'rous Dame.
BOOK
Book III.
King ROBERT BRUCE.
125
< BOOK m. ^3 ^
TH E King o'er Carrick now extends his Sway v
Submit the Chiftains, and the Boors obey \
Peaceful, and gently rules his native Land,
And ev'ry Subjed feels the loft Command.
5 But doughty TDougtas, now a dreadful Name,
Fir'd with an high uncommon Thirft of Fame;
Feels no Delight, nor taftes his lab'ring Breaft
The Uzy Charms of an inglorious Reft.
War's diftant Scenes ftill in his Bofom roll,
jo And future Fields run Crimfon in his Soul.
Whilft thus his Heart the glorious Impulfe feels,
He meets his Prince, and thus his Thoughts reveals.
Now,
124 The LIFE of Book III.
c Now, gen'rous Sovereign ! you have gain'd your own,
4 Th' aulpicious Prelude to your lineal Crown.
15 < EutC/tffbrd, ftill pofleft of my Domains,
< His lawlefs Title to my Right maintains.
£v ...-.* But here I vow by all th* immortal Pow'rs,
* That tread yon Azure Vault, and blifsfulBow'rs;
c He either fhall refign my rightful State,
jso 'Or one of us fhall meet a fudden Fate.
* Forth then, dread Sovereign ! give me Leave to go>
c Ptirfue my Fortune, and attempt the Foe.
4 His Arms and mine ihall in the Field be try'dj
* And fix the Title to the conqu'ring Side.
J8,j < Yon Chief may fee your Subjedt bravely dy,
< But ne'er Ihall Clifford fee the T>ouglas fly. '
The HERO thus. But ^Bruce^ whofe cautious Mind
Events and Means in juft Proportion joyn'd>
Oppos'dl
t But CMord frill po/e/t, &c. ] Lord Clifford had goc the Grant of Doaglat
his Lands fro;ii Edward I*
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 125
Oppos'd the Motion, and the Chiftain tpld
30 c The Foe was num'rous, and the Leader bold.
* I know thou dar'ft, he faid, but haft not Pow'r
* To match yon Captain on the doubtful Shore.
* Weigh well the Odds, and thy Refolves delay,
c Till Heav'n fhall open a fecurer Way ;
35 * Till wefome farther our juft Right regain,
c Then may we try our Fortune on the Plain. '
Thus the wife Monarch. 'Douglas quick reply *d?
c Did ail the Pow'r of England guard his Side \
< I'll meet th' Ufurper in the Field of Death,
.0 ' My Right reconquer, or refign my Breath. '"
< Go then, faid Bruce, and blefs'd him as he went,
* May Heav'n, propitious, fecond thy Intent. '
Now ^Douglas fpeeds him to his native Land,
And only Two th' adventurous Chief attend*
5 Thro' Hills and Dales, and rugged Rocks by Day
Painful he labours on his cautious Way*
By
The LIFE of Book III.
By Night fomc Grove affords a moify Bed,
And round him throws its hofpitable Shade.
Secret, at laft, thro' Paths untrod before,
50 Arrives the HERO on his native Shore.
'Tvvas Night, and now from the laborious Field
The Swain retiring, feeks his homely Bield.
Sol's fiery Chariot drench'd in Ocean lies,
And Stars began to fpangle o'er the Skies ; -. ;.
55 When thro' the Gloom the Chief a Stead efpy'd,
And a foft Stream juft murm'ring by its Side.
Then from within a Taper's twinkling Light,
Pointed his doubtful Paflage thro' the Night.
Bold TJouglas, cautious, view'd the Stead around.,
£o And by the Barn the honeft Farmer found ;
Who mark'd ( his Labours done ) with curious Eyes
The Signs, and read the Symptoms of the Skies ;
Adjuft-
[ A Stead eftfd, &c. ] A Stead is a Scotch Word for a Country Farm or
Cottage,
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 1*7
Adjusting, by the Stars, to Morrow's Toil,
To threfh the Grain, or vex the fallow Soil.
6$ Becaufe the Stars (as Swains, expcrienc'd, fay )
Are certain Prophets of the future Day^
'Doug/as the Man approaching, foftly calk,
Friend ! may three Yeomen harbour in thy Walls
This Night ? Nor longer we refolve to flay,
70 But with to Morrow's Sun renew our Way.
The Laborer, unabas'd, enquires their Name,
What their late Journey meant, and whence they came I
And, feign'dly, fatisfy'd in thofe Requefts,
Straight to his homely Parlour leads the Guefts.
75 Now ^Douglas*) feated in the Houmold-chair,
( The Reft promifcuous round the beamy Fire, )
View'd his new Holt, nor view'd without Surprize.,
And marked the iparkling Vigour of his Eyes.
A lively Bloom his manly Face o'erfpread^
So' Tho' Sixty Winters had already fried
^Their fnowy Honours o'er his rev'rend HeaeL
*JL% The LIFE of Book III.
Juft were his Sentiments, his Looks ferene,
And all the Man exprefs'd a more than vulgar Mien.
85 Nor was the Loyal Boor unknown to Fame,
True to his Lord, and ^Dickfon was his Name.
A jolly Ruftick, and in Danger bold,
And long had ferv'd the T)ouglas\ Sire of Old.
The Board -was loaded with a clean Repair,
90 And the kind Hoft invites each hungry Gueflr.
Great ^Douglas now confpicuous by the Light
The Farmer views, and wonders at the Sight.
His noble Mein, and his creeled Face
Undaunted, flieds around a dreadful Grace.
P5 His Brows, auguft, in fable Arches rife,
And glare, two living Fires, his piercing Eyes.
Huge Nervous Limbs compos'd the H E R o's Frame,
His Looks were Terror, and his Soul was Flame !
The Lab'rer, curious, runs his Vifage o'er,
loo And marks fome Features not unknown before.
Intent
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. i 29
Intent he gaz'd, impell'd by fond Defire,
And in the Son began to trace the Sire.
By this the Guefts had finifhM their Repaft,
And Sleep invites each weary Swain to Reft.
105 'Douglas alone ftill with the Farmer ftay'd,
While to the Chief the Loyal Ttickfon faid,
c Pardon, my Lord, perhaps an erring Thought^
' Nor blame the Man whole Zeal may be his Fault,
* Superior I o'er all his menial Throng
.1 10 c Your Father ferv'd, and think I faw you young.
4 I lhar'd my Country's Troubles, nor has Fame
* Ev'n blufh'd to mention Thomas ^Dickfons Name.
* I know by South'ron Pow'r my Mafter gone;
4 But hope I view the Father in the Son. '
He faid, and Tears run trickling from his Eyes, : ,
Whilft, half aftonifh'd, 'Doug/as thus replyes. , ,
c Faithful old Man ! How am I pleas'd to lee
4 .My Father's Friend and mine alive in thee ?
R * My
I jo The LIFE of Book III.
* My good old Father ! dead in South'ron Chains I
-120 c And I excluded all his wide Domains ;
* While Clifiord holds my Heritage by Might,
c And reigns a lawlefs Tyrant o'er my Right !
* Therefore I come ( your ancient Matter's Son )
* To try fome Method to regain my own.
?X2j * And here I vow by ev'ry facred Pow'r,
4 That never fhali I quit this native Shore ;
* Till Clifford or refigns without Debate,
* Or one of us in Battle meets his Fate.
' Now (fmcc the dubious Means diftraftmy Choice,
$30 * Prove your ASe&ion in. your beft Advice.'
THUS ipoke the Chief, and THcltfon foon reply 'd,
c To Morrow's Light fbme Succours fliall provide.
c My Duty to your noble Sire I own,
( Nor lhall, ungrateful, e'er defert his Son,'
135 This faid, to Bed the honeft Farmer goes,
And leaves the T)ouglas to his late Repofe.
SCARCS
Book III. King R O B E R T R R u c E. i 3 i
Sc ARCE had the Orient Dawn difclos'd the Day,
When Loyal *Dl£kfon fpeeds him on his Way.
;*4tf Thro5 ^Douglafdah his eage| Steps he bends,.
And fecrdt warns his Matter's ancient Friends.
Each Man in Private bids his Arms prepare,
And fingly to his Farm by Night repair.
The loyal Swains to his Defire accord,
£45 And one by one hafte to attend their Lord.
Hardy in Arms full Forty Ruftics came,
And fwore Allegiance to brave 'Douglas Name.
Round their young Chief the joyful Vaflals flood,
Old Borderers I arid long bred up to Blood.
150 ^Douglas-) mean while, embraces all his Friends,
And, artful, their paft Services commends.
Now down in iH'clfin's Barn the Council far,.
The lafgeft Room, and fktcft for t)ebate.
The Queftion's put What fliou'd be firft effay'df
155, The 'Douglas* CaPdc, all at once reply 'd.
R 2 For
132 The LIFE of Book III.
For if from Clifford we that Fortrefs gain,
We may with greater Eafe the future Strife maintain.
There South'ron hoardlheir Stores, themfelves fecure,
And fafe within the Walls defy our Pow'r.
f£b Near to the Caftle, on th* adjoyning Plain
Ereded, ft and s %rigidia'$ ancient Fane.
Thither, next Sunday, South/ron bear their Palms^
There pay their Vows, and diftribute their Alms.
Then, let us each his private Arms prepare,
165 And to the Temple one by one repair;
There all at once, unwary as they Hand,
Boldly with Swords aflail the South'ron Band.
Aflents the Chief. Each homeward bends his Way,
And, unfuipected, waits th* appointed Day*
170 Appeared the Day. The hardy Scots attend
At Church, and South'ron from the Fort defend* -
Juft
[ Brigidia, ] Brigid(t; or Bvigitta, A holy Woman, to whom this Church wag
nfscrated. She was the Inftitutor of 40 Order of Nuns in the Time of Pope
rbM V. A. D. 1264.
[ Jm, \ from ths Latin Fanum, a Temple or Churchv
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 133
Juft as the Prieft the facred Rites began,
And all, promiscuous, crowding throng'd the Fanej
*Dickfon aloud, The nolle Ttouglas^ cry'd,
17 j Th' appointed Signal to the Scottifi Side.
The Bord'rers, at the Word) their Weapons bare,.
And, fierce, before the Quire commence the War.
The Prieft and People with the Scene difmay'd,
From 'midft the Combatants confusedly fled,
1 80 Straight to the Chancel's utmoft facred Mound^
And grafp'd th' inviolable Altar round.
Meanwhile the South'ron in their Arms appear,
Rang'd in the Quire, and bravely face the War.
But *DongfaSy whirling round his flaming Brand, -.*•
jpo Like Thunder burits upon the adverfe Band.
In Heaps on Heaps the Foe to Ground he bore,
And Purple Streams ftray'J o'er the hallowed Floor.
His
[ The Bord'rers at the Word., &c. ] It was common in thofe Days to have a-
certain Word whereby to animate the Men when they began the Battle, or at any
Tkne when they* flacken'dj or began to weary, and intermit. This Word was
coin-
His Vsffala almoft interrupt the Fight,
And gaze, aftoniili'd, at their Leader's Might ;
15? 5 Till hardy "Ditlsfon ^Douglas names again,
Then all the Scots at onee their Force unrein,
And ftrow the brcathlefs Corfes round the Fane.
Thence to th* adjoyning Cattle march'd the Pow'r,
Warm as they were, and red, with recent Gore.
^200 Void, and dcfericelefs 'gainft a hoftile Crowd,
With Gates difclos'd, at large the Fortrcfs Hood.
Entring, the Train1 a Cook and Porter met,
Poor Menials ! doorh'd to fhare their Matter's Fate.
The Porter, negligent, defcrv'd the Stroak,
$05 But where the "Trefpafc of the harmlefs Gook?
Ev'n now, had he prepaid a fumptuous Feaft^
His haplcls Labours doom'd---— but juft to tafte.
His
commonly the Name o£ the King, or the Captain who led them at that .Time*
pardon the Levity
, and cou'd not get
by it. If it gives Oifc'nce to the Criricks, as an Indecorum in a ferious Performance,
they
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 155
His weil-drcfs'd Victuals bloody Douglas gains,
Eats up his Hopes, and riots in his Pains.
210 The Repaft done, they fearch the Cafde o'er,
Seize Clothes, and Arms, and pillage all the Store;
Trufs what they can, then lire die Houfe aroiu?.^
And the gay Fortrefs level \ykh the Ground.
To Woods and Wilds, in fecrct, thro* the Land,
215 Repairs the Chi&ain, and his loyal Band ;
By Ttidfai y& dilTvv.ade^ to .appear,
Till ftclh Supplies fhou'd reinforce .their War.
InformM now Clifford fytzfa o'e,r So/way's Shore,
And thro' the Dales, indignant, leads his Pp.w'r*
220 He came, he view'd his Fort }n Alhes laid,
His Stores all rifled, and his Servants c}ead.
Bold
thay may apply thimfeives to facred .or .profaa^ Anria4aity, and they'll per-
haps find th^ Character and Office of a Cook no: ib defpicabk as is commonly
imagined, elfe I had hardly muddied with tins. popr, Fellow at all.
[ Sofoay's Shore, 1 S^Wy-FJrth diviuech England and Sc btland on the Wtf Bor-
d-r. It -hath its Denomination frpm an ancient Peopis call'd Se'govi, whOj in
ftthmeft T\m3 dwdt asar it, and-w^re 3 Tribe of the '
The LIFE of Book III.
Bold T)GUglaS) Author of the horrid Scene,
Vengeful he fought, but fought the Chief in rain ;
Nor durft too far thro* Woods and Wilds purfue.
So brave a Leader, and fb bold a Crew.
Returning, fbon his Artizans he calls,
Re-builds the Fort, and Wronger rears the Walls.
Appoints the Guards, and re-inftates the Land,
And to keen Ihirfwall deputes the Command.
£30 This done, to Solway recondufts his Hoft,
And quickly lands on England's fruitful Coaft.
I N Carrick ftill the noble Monarch lay,
And o'er his own exerts his Clement Sway.
The Region whole a firm Obedience Ihows,
* %v 7 ^ * * '
Aflerts his Claim, and aids the Royal Caufe.
Meantime great Pembroke from Ediiia's Tow'rs,
Affembles all around the South'ron Pow'rs.
Soon at the Summons rendezvous the Bands,
And hardy Qmphravilk the Troops commands.
240 By
Book III. King RO B E RT B Pv U C E. 137
240 By 'Pembroke ordcr'd to conduct the Ho ft
Againft the Bruce, and Carrie/is Rebel-coaft j
Sudden, the Warlike Chief in Armour ihines,
And ftraight to Air advance th' embattled Lines.
Nor wou'd fly Qmphraville purfuc too far,
245 Thro* Fenns and FaftnefTes, the Royal war.
He knew his Force fuperior, but he knew
What the bold Monarch in the Field cou'd doj
So judg'd it Conduct to decline the Fight,
To act by Treachery, and gain by Slight.
550 A Boor in Ctfrricky not unsldli'd in Arms,
And his two Sons manur'd adjoyning Farms,
Robuft, in Enterprises hardy found,
The Terror of the Neighbourhood around.
Upon th.e Sire the $mce had oft rcly'd,
255 And his firm Faith in frequent Danger try'd;
Firm unattempted but too bale to hold
-' Unftain'd, againft th' infernal Tempter Gold.
S Gold !
The LIFE of Book III.
Gold ! Of each Virtue the undoubted Teft,
DiiTolves in Treafon thro* the Villain's Breaft.
5o As 'by Degrees, in diftant India's Mines,
By Suns, and Central Stearns, the Ore refines 5
Sain the Soul the Metal works by Time,
Exalts to Guilt, and ripens into Crime.
Sly Qmpbrtiwih* fccrct McfTagc fends
$.65 To the falfe Boor ; the Boor the Chief attends*
The Treafon in a Moment is decreed, . / . : .
And Forty Pound the Price of Sntcs's Head. ; *
\ ' '
Back to his Farm returns the Felon-Boor,
Informs his Sons, and waits the treach'rous Hour*
270 He knew the Monarch us'd each op'ning Dawn^
To take the Air along a fcroggy Lawr>.
Thence o'ej a Mountain to a diftaal Wood,
A Page attending on his Solitude..
Thither completely arm'd the Rogues repair,
^75 With Swords, and Spears, and Implements of War..
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 159
Now, fudden, mult the glorious Monarch bleed,
A Traitor-Friend the Author of the Deed !
,, ._„•.-'•• • > = .->.-»," ': •*• '" ' ' "'. ''"•* ' ''.»••"
Unleen, unaided by his faithful Bands,
Muft fall a Viclirn to a Villain's Hands.
J ,80 But Fate forbids 1 and Ariel from on high,
Swift as a Thought, ihoots down the Nether-Sky,
Not half fb quick, the Lightning's flamy glare
Burfts on the Night, and glances thro* the Air.
Faft by his Charge, .unfeen, the Guardian ftands,
Warms his brave Heartland fortifies his Hands.
And now the Monarch, thro' the gloomy Dawn,
Efpies the Traitors ftretching o'er the Lawn }
Feels in his JBtreaft a jealous Impulfe roll,
And fccret Treafon whifper'd to his Soul :
What Arms the Boy had brought in hafte demands,
A Bow and fingle Arrow charg'd his Hands.
He fnatch'd, and as he' bent the twanging Hugh,
The trembling Child aiTum'd a liyid Hue.
S 5 Then
740 The LIFE of Book III.
Then to the String he fits the feather'd Flanc,
i<?5 And bids the Page retire — for, Villains crofsd the Tlain*
Approaching, now the Three were juft at Hand,
When, loud, the Monarch bids the Rafcals ftand,
Nor dare the Lawn one further Step to tread,,
Or Death attends the Order difobey'd.,
300 The Ruftic Sire continues to advance,
And fawns, and feems furpris'd at his Offence;
Enquires fubmiflive ftill approaching near,
The whizzing Death fwift cleaves the yielding Air j
Thro* the left Orb of Light it pierc'd the Brain,
305 The Traitor, reeling^ backward prefs'd the Plain*
The vengeful Son nYd at the Father's Fall,
Furious advanc'd the Monarch to affail.
Charged in his Hand a large broad- Fauchion flionc;
The King unfheath'd his Sword, and met the Clown*.
310 With manly Force, full aim'd, the faining Blade
Down to the Jaws divides the. Villain's Head..
Ireful
Book III. King R O B E R T BRUCE. 141
Ireful the Third, advancing to the War,
Againft his Prince protends a Length of Speaiv
The Monarch bending Ihuns the coming Foe,
315 And hews the Lance afunder at a Blow j
Then thro' his Bowels drove the reeking Brand,.
• y.
Tumbles the Rebel-Carcafe on the Strand.
Now roul the Traitors in the Gafps of Death,
And curfe the Treafon with their parting Breath.
320 Their Souls, with Horror fraught, forfake the Light,
Flit, confcious, to the Shades, and veil their Forms in Night*.
The Scene completed, and the Felons dead,
His Vows to Heav'n the grateful Monarch paid.
Then,, with hi? Page, returning to his own,
•yiU ^.oi vtu 'if ••» -''i / .f.-3^;ii?ifc/''? kvo>l sn A
3^5 Relates th' Adventure of the diflant Lawn,
vJ; c3 t\'A
The Chiftains hear the Tale with vail Surprize,
And blame their Monarch, while they thank the Skies,.
Inform 'd, fly Gfftp£ravi/fe purfues his Way,
Suaight to Lccbmafan wlicre the Warden lay.
3.30- B'o-
142, The LIFE of Book III.
330 Before that Chief runs o'er the recent Scene,
The Treafon baffled, and the Traitors flain.
'Pembroke himfelf admires the Monarch's Force,
Xho' vex'd, and puzzled in his future Courfe.
BRUCE refts a while, but fbon a warlike Hoft
335 From Gall 'way's Shores advance to Carrick's GoalL
Two hundred Men in Battle broad array'd,
The late eicap'd MifDougal at their Head.
His Pow'r difpos'd in Hamlets thro* the Land,
Scarce Sixty Warriors on the King attend.
^40 With thefe the !Bruce by Night purfues his Way*
Where a great River wafh'd a craggy Bay.
The Royal Watch had view'd the Foe afar,
And to their own declared the coming War.
The crafty King in Covert lodg'd his Band,
Himlelf alone ad ventured to the Strand;
Nor forward to engage in doubtful Fight,
He went, ami view'd the Foe by Cynthia's friendly Light;
Full
Book III. King Ro B E R T B R U C E. 145
Full on the River's rocky Margin flood,
And faw the Van on Horfeback take the FloG;ci; ;
350 Then felt his Soul with fudden Ardour glow,
To match alone with all the coming Foe !
The Stream he faw in its deep Chanel glide,.
And riling Rocks orerhang the filent Side.
Careful he fearch'd the rugged Margin round,
355 And from the Bank .but one ftrait PalTage found 5
Where one at once on Horfeback, and no more,
Cou'd juft but labour up the ftcepy Shove. ;^ '
;
Fir'd by fome- Ad Divine* the Monarch there
His Sword unflieaths, and, fingly, waits the War I
360 Advance the Pow'r, an 3, joyn'd, the Currerr. brcak>
The Chiftain firft defcries the ftecpy Track*
Cautious afcends, and as lie culls hrs Way^
A Man in Arms cfpies upon the Bay*
He mounts, and near had gain'd the rugged Brow>
365 When daring Bntcz difcharg'd a deadly Blow.
Futt
•M4_ The LIFE of Book III.
Full on his Caique dcfccnds the forceful Stroke,
Backward the Chiftain tumbles from the Rock ;
And checking, as he fell, th' untimely Rein,
Recoii'd the Steed on the fucceeding Train j
370 Hurl'd headlong downward from the craggy Side,
Mix'd Men and Courfers flounder in the Tide.
Some in the Fall wsre bruis'd, and others fluin,
Their Fellows gaz'd aftonilh'd, at the Scene.
Now fir'd with Rage all haften to the Fray,
£75 And with loud Shouts at once afcend the Bay.
But in the Pafs fee the bold Monarch ftand,
And in the foremoft Courfer plunge his Brand.
Reels the gall'd Courfer. back upon the Crowd,
And Brute's Fauchion drinks the Rider's Blood.
380 Succeisful, he purfues the lucky Blow,
And down the Steep, confounded, drives the Foe.
.Awful
, [ And down the Steep, cotfourj&d, &c. ] I confider'd this Aftion in all the Lights
I polTiblv could, before I advcntur'd to narrate it. It has indeed ?.n Air of Im-
probability in it at iidl Siaht, and fa vours ibmewhac of Romance. But if we
look
Book III. King ROBERT BaucE.
Awful he thunders on the falling War,
And Steeds and Riders tumble on the Shore.
Now mingled Heaps on Heaps, they choak the Bay>
38) The Pals encumber, and block up the Way.
Amaz'd, the Rear in wild Confufion flood,
Entangled in the Margin of the Flood.
Swift down the ftcepy Track the Monarch fped,
And dauntiels trod the Ruins of the Dead.
£po Fierce on the River's Brink, by Cynthia's Light,
With dreadful Shouts commenced the doubtful Fight.
With awful Force ,he rufh'd upon his Foes,
Marr'd and encumbred in the fliiny Ooze.
Full Fifteen Warriors, by. his fingle Hand,
i • V * '
Drench'd in their Blood, lay gafping on .the Strand.
T Cruflit
look into tlia Charafter of the Perfon \vho manig'd it, a Man of the unnoft Con-
Kcadcr to his own Opinion.
The LIFE of Book III.
Crulht by his fingle Might, the daftard Pow'r
Retire, infamous, to the farther Shore ;
Bear their Difgrace to G a/I' ways diftant Coafl :
Returns the conqu'ring Monarch to his HofK .
STILL in the Dales the hardy 'Douglas lay,
And Tbirfwal ftill pofleft his native Sway.
Long had he feen the haughty South'ron Bands>
P.eign uncontroul'd, and riot o'er his Lands.
At laft the Chief his Friends to Council calls,
Where a fmall Wood near joyn'd the Caftle- walls.
There they deliberate to decoy the Train,
And draw the haughty 'Thirfwal to the Plain.
Some Herds (the Country's fpoils) at Random fed,
Hard by the Fort, along a fhrubby Mead.
Thele IJoitgftis Orders Ten to drive away,
^^', {
In Ambufh Forty in the Foreft lay 5
Himielf their Head, Soon by the Ev'ning-Dawn,
Speedful, they drive the Cattle from the Lawn. *
The
vfc» kjt tlv Ev');irg-D<mtr. I I wou'd QOC have our Cridcs miiiaka tins Es-
BookJII. King ROBERT BRUCE. 147
The Watch cfpics the Theft, and fudden calls.
415 Tbirfwal and his in Arms dcfcend the Walls ; -
Purfue the Robb'ry o'er the op'ning Glade,
And juft had paft the fccret Ambufcade ^
When T)ouglas rofc, and all the private War
Ruih'd to the Plain, and charg'd the South' ron Rear.
4.20 The blended Shouts behind the Van furprize,
And Ihirfwal wonders at the fudden Noife.
Bright in his Mail, the ireful Chief returns,
And, dcfp'rate, on the Field the Combat burns.
The Word was Clifford on the South'ron Side,
425 A ^Douglas the bold Borderers reply'd.
From Plaits of polifh'd Steel the ftreaming Gore,
In Purple Currents 'drench'd the braky Shore.
Full in the From: the hardy 'Ihirfeoal fUnds,
Kis brave Example animates his Bands.
T 2 435 He
preffion for an Impropriety. If they cjueftion it,' they may (amongft other?) con-
iult Ds.-5«p«r/'s Traniiation of that Paflage m Ovid, Trabtra* cum fir a crtpuftak
nofiem. The Dr. is reckcn'd Claflic.
1 4% The LIFE of Book III-
430 He fees bold lDQnglas thunder thro' the Fight,
And forward rufhes to oppofe his Might,
Againft the Chief advanc'd his fhining Spear ^
The daring Douglas meets th' extended War ;
Evites the Stroke, the Truncheon hews in Twain,
435, Glitters the fteely Fragment on the Plain.
A flaunting Blow next aim'd -y the trenching Blade
Fail by the Collar lopt the Warrior's Head.
Ey this, the Ten, that drove the Herd, appear,
And with frefli Vigour charge the Somh'ron Rear.
440 Thus, preft on ev'jy Side, the hoftile Train
In mangled. Heaps 3y fcatter'd o'er the Plain;
A few by Flight the neighboring Fortrefs gaiiv
To the parfuing War the Gates oppofey
And Bolts fliut out the Fury of the FQC&
450
{ Tht trrncfag Eldtk. } Trenchiflg, an old Word for Cutting. Hsnc* R
lo take c&j impair, or
Book III. King ROBE R.T BR U C E. 149
445 ^Douglas returns, and fuddcn bends his Way
To Carrick's Coaft, where ftill the Monarch lay ;
Since the late wond'rous Acl the Loyal Bands
Increafing daily from the neighboring Lands.
Then all at once decamp the Royal War,
450 And to GleniroTs thick woody Shades repair.
AND now from Carlile on the Somh'ron Ccait,
tPem&rekcy'and Vanes, and diffird lead their Hofh
Swift to G.Icutrol the Squadrons fhape their Way, '
And Fifteen hundred Shields reEcft the Day.
455 LONG had the ffruee's Stars, malignant, fried '
Their direful Influence o'er his Royal Head.
Long had he thro.' a Maze ofDangsrs. run,
His Toilsx fecceiilye, circling with the Sun ;
Thro^ Woods, and Mountains, and deierted Shores^
4^0 Purfu'd by Fa£lion, and by foreign Pow'rs 3,
Expos'd to Want, to Fears, and hoftile Snares?
And nil the Miferlcs of lawlefs Wars.
But
150 The LIFE of Book Ilf.
But now the Suff 'rer feels the Stars relent,
Their Force exhaufted, and their Poilbn fpcnt.
q6) Each Orb, benign, now fhoots a milder Ray,
And dawning Glory riles on the Day.
The Heav'ns at laft dtfclofe th' immortal Scenes,
Conquefts, and Laurels, and triumphant Plains I
Bounteous the Monarch's patient Toils reward,
470 And Victory fits brooding on his Sword.
Nor more he needs to weigh the dire Debate,
Doom'd to the Palm, and Conqueror by Fate.
The Pow'rs, by Patience won, at laft have fried
A Blaze of future Glories round his Head.
475 APPROAC H'D the South'ronTroops,and quickly found
The Scots dilpos'd along the higher Ground.
Juft where a woody Mountain's rugged Brow,
IThreat'ning, o'erhung a ftcepy Vale below.
The
r more bs needs to weig^tec. ] I hope this Paftige won't be cxceptcd a-
upon Account 'of th- King's future Circumfpe^ion 5 becauD his Ignorance
c£ fuch a Dwtwrminai:ionj made him ftill to go on to aft, with his ufual Caution.
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 1
The Spies advanced to view the Royal Force,
4^0 And found that Steep i'mpaflable to Horfe.
Soon they return, and to the Leaders ihow
The Ground, and ftrait Encampment of the Foe,
Then 'Pembroke * Ufelefs here our Cavalry,
* And if we ftrive on Foot to force our Way \
485 * The Scots advantaged by the craggy Height,
* Shou'd mock our Labour, and defeat our Might.
c Long hath the ^Bnice in martial Arts been skill'd,
c And long yon Legions harden'd to the Field.
' Then let us, cautious, Hum the plain Debatc>
490 c Act by Surprize, and conquer by Deceit.
* Poorly array'd, a Woman firfl fhall go,
' And, unfufpected, Ihall decoy the Foe j
( Slyly expofe the Weaknefs of our Train,
' And draw the Scots, incautious, to the Plain.
' Meantime our Troops, unfcen, from yonder Wooxi,
i> * Shall fecretly furround the hollile Crowd^*
The LIFE of Book III.
THE Chiefs approve. The Woman takes her Way,
A Staff fupports her up the rugged Bay.
Straight to the King the Beggar-Traitrefs came,
500 And ask'd an Alms in good St. Andrews Name ;
So might that Saint ftill fhield him from ail Harms,
And grant due Succefs to his righteous Arms.
Not far encamp'd, ftie told, on level Ground
Sir jfymer lay, below the craggy Mound.
', • '. ^
505 But his raw Troops undifciplin'd appear,
Green to the Field, and Novices in War.
Wou'd he defcend, foon might he rout the Foe,
Look them to Flight, and gain without a Blow,
Full on her Face the Monarch fix'd his^Eyc,
.
jio And gaz/d, fulpicious, on the Beggar-Spy.
His
[ So might that Sa:rrt, &rc. 1 I defign'd ro have put this fhort Addrcfs in th;
Wife's o\vn Lr-n^uagc, as I have bepun it in thofe-rvo Lin^; but am fo afraid
of ihs Cavils of little Wits, and the Efte£Vs they may have on ordinary -Readers to
iny PrejuJice, that ail I dare do, is to (ho\v 1 thought it moft natural it fhou'd-
have been fo.
Book III. King ROBERT B PV u c E. i y
His Yeomen calls, Out fprings a nimble Band,
And Hidden feize the Mendicant in Hand.
Afraid of Death, the trembling Traitrefs kneels,
Her Crime confefTes, and the Truth reveals :
515 Informs the King the South'ron were. at hand,
And 'Pembroke) Vanes^ and Clifford led the Band.
THE Monarch heard, and foon the War array-d,
And his broad Banner in the Field difplay'dv.
Wedg'd In clofe Ranks the firm Battalions flood,
jao And now the Foe advances from the Wood.
A Bow already bent the Monarch drew,
Whiz'd the fvvift Arrow from the twanging Eugh.
Quite thro* the foremoft's Gullet glanc'd the Flanr,
The wounded Warrior, falling, bites the Plain.
5:25 Fierce on the Ranks the hardy Edward goes,
And Hay and 'Douglas pour upon their Foes.
-*
With their bold Chiefs advanc'd th' inferior War,
; - And' to the Ground the South'ron Vanguard bore.
U" Succeed-
J54 The LIFE of Book IIL
Succeeding Lines difheartned with the Sight, !
530 Back thro' the Wood precipitate their Flight.
The haughty Chiefs, afhatn'd at the Defeat,
Induihious hafte to flop the foul Retreat :
Now threaten, now exhort the coward Train,
But ftill they threaten and exhort in vain.
',535 The hardy Scots th' aftonifh'd Foe purlVd,
And Heaps of Death lay fcatter'd thro* the Wood.
The Southron Rear beheld the routed Van,
And down the Rocks in wild Diforder rant
The Cen'rals fled, confounded and afham'd,
^40 And every Chief his fellow Leader blam'd.
'Twixt Vanes and Clifford high the Quarrel rofe*
And Words began to terminate in Blows.
Divided Bands efpoufe their Chiefs Debate,
And South'ron Lances South'ron Lances threat-
But 'Pembroke's interpofing Pow*r prevails,
And (juick the dangerous civil Kff'rence c^uellsv
Thus
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.
Thus 'Brucs with twice Two hundred in his Train,
Drove Fifteen hundred South'ron from the Plain ;
Nor longer now his royal Pow'r conceals,
550 In Woods, and invious Hills, and barren Yales;
No more can brook the tedious flow Debate,
Nor the dull Tenor ol his lazy Fate :
But feels his Boibm with new Ardors glow,
To rifque his future Fortunes at a Blow.
'$55- The Chiefs he calls, and all the loyal Bands,
Mounts at their Head, and to the Plain defcen.ls.
Thro* ev'ry honeft Breaft what Raptures ran,
Soon as the Monarch glitter'd in the Van ?
With Tears of Joy the loyal Troops beheld
560 Their Prince undaunted take the open Field ;
In Caves, and woody Coverts lurk no more,
On bleaky Mountains, and a barren Shore ;
But to the Plains dcfcend in bold Array,
.The gilded Lions waving in the Day.
116 The LIFE of Book III-
565 A thoufand warlike Scots of ancient Racer
In fteely Ranks around the Banner blaze ;
Thro' Kyle, and Cunninghams direft their Way :
The loyal Regions own their Sov'reign's Sway.
To Botbwel where great 'Pembroke ruled his Hoft^
570 Soon fpreads the News of Kyle's revolted Coaflv
Incens'd, that Chief his Rendezvous ordains,
In Arms a Thoufand glitter on the Plains.
To Coila's Shore advance th* embattled Lines,
And at their Head the hardy Moiibray fhines*
575 But 'Doug/as' Spies Abroad had timely view'd
The fvvift Approaches of the hoftile Crowd j,
Then, fudden, to the royal Camp repair^
And to their Chief narrate the Doming War.-
'Twas Night, when jDougtas call'd his proper Band,
580 And Sixty Spears gleafhM o^er the dusky Strand.
To- JZlderfoord he fliapcs his private Way,
Where a ftrait Pafs 'twixt two Moraffes lay.
Thither
Book IIL King R O B E R T B R U C E. 157
t
Thither he faw the Foe muft bend their Courfc,.
And knew that Pafs impervious to Horfe ;
585 A narrow, broken Track of rugged Ground!
With Fenn?, and Briers, and Brambles hcdg'd around.
There all the Night the Scots in Ambufli lay.
And fbon as PBafas rofe to gild the Day,
In Order rang'd, approached the South'ron War, '•£'-
55>o Their gilded Enfigns glitt'ring in the Air.
The Scots flilllurk'd unfeen, till all the Pow'r,,
Their Steeds difmounting, throng'd the narrow Shores -
Then all at once the hardy Ambufh rofcj.
And, fhouting, fierce aflaird the incumber'd Foes }
5P5 With fleely Lances gor'd thj afioniih^d Van,
And Men and Couriers tumbled in the Fen.
So flrait the Pafs, fo deep thole Fens below,.
So fierce th' Affault, and fo amafc'd the Foe!
That Moubray ev'n with Tears beheld his Band; ]
^oa Without Refentmcm butcher Jd on the Strand..
Tfic-
The LIFE of Book IIL
The muddy Ooze (load ftagnated with Gore,
And mangled Steeds and Warriors choak'd the Shore.
The dire Difafter of the fliughter'd Van,
Back to the Rear in doubled Terrors ran.
Where Hopes or Fears di red their doubtful Way,
Diverfe diey fled, aftonifh'd at the Day.
The Chief deferted views the routed War,
The murder'd Vanguard, and the flying Rear.
Griev'd, and inflam'd at the difiit'rous Sight,
Unreiris his Steed, and rufties thro' the Fight.
Charg'd in his Hand a Lance he bore on high,
A ifoely Fauchion glitter'd at his Thigh.
Onward he drove, and as he icour'd the Strand
A Scottijh Warrior feiz'd his Ihining Brand ;
GrafpM the ftrong Belt, and ftrove, but ftrove in vain
To flop the gallant Moubray on the Plain.
Furious he rulh'd, and in the Warrior's Hand
The buriling Belt he left, and ihining Brand. .^
Thus
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 159
Thus having Ycap'd the Danger of the Day>
620 Firil to Kilmarmck he directs his Way ;
Thence thro' Kifainning and the Largs he goes*.
Till Inzer kip?, at laft, afbrds a late Repofe^
A South'ron Garifbn that Fortrefs held,
To thefe the Chief narrates the haplels Field ;
£35 His Troops all helplefs butchei'd in his Sight,
By Scott ijh Treachery and T^QUglas* Might.
IN JSotbwel ftill the Warden held his Seat.
Vex'd at the News ofMoti&ray's foul Defeat,,
Rage in his Breaft and Grief, alternate, roll,
£30 And fudden Thirfl of Vengeance fires his Soul ;
Soon to the Sntce a trufly Herauld fends.
The Herauld, careful, bears his Lord's Commands
The Purport thus Againft a certain Date
If Bricee wou'd venture on the ftern Debate^
63 $ His fly Attempts, and Stratagems refrain,
And nobly dare to riil^uc the gerj'rgus-Pkin 5;
Then*
j 60 . . The LIFE of Book III,
Then fhou'd the HERO fix his future Fame,
Alive renown'd, or dead a glorious Name,
Arriv'd the Herauld, and his Charge reveal'd,
£40 The dauntlefs King accepts the proffer'd Field.
'Twixt Gafton Heath, where lay the Royal Pow'r,
And Low down Hill, upon the mofTy Shore ;
There was the Ground deterniin'd ; and the Day
Fix'd to the firft approaching Tenth of May.
645 Returns the Meflenger with fpeedy Care,
And to the Chief narrates th* accepted War ;
The Time prefix'd, and the determin'd Ground t
And now to Arms the South'ron Trumpets found.
To Botlvoel) where the Rendezvous was made,
650 Conveen the Legions fox the War array 'd.
Three Thoufand whole, adorn'd in martial Pride,
Bred to the Field, and oft in Battle try'd.
The Chief confided in thefe daring Bands,
Secure ofConqueft from fuch valiant Hands. :/,^
MEAN-
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 161
MEANTIME the King, by Prudence ever ru]/dr
'Cautious in Warmth, and rationally bold ;
Whole Courage no fermented Spirits nYd,
No riling' Tumult of the Blood inipir'd ;
Where fadden Gufts of Paluoh, furious, roll,
Arrd Rage, ungovern'd, fiiperfedes the Soul !
But led by Schemes from due Reflection brought,
Byt iblid Plans, and Conlequenc'e of Thought j
Each Qircumftance with Cireumftance ftill weighs,
t- -And all the Series of the A£ion fees';
66$ Then Dauntlefs in the Field his Force unreins, >
'Combats from Reafon, and by Reafon gains.
- THUS, on the Ninth, while Shades involv'd the Night,
Secret he went, and view M the Field of Fight.
He found the beach y Plain lay ftrctch'd too wide,
'670 But hemm'd with Mariihes on either Side.
Fcar'd left die Fee fhoti'd, on that Length of Ground,
Outwing his Numbers, and his Troops lurround.
X Three
i5z The LIFE of Book III,
Three Ramparts therefore from each bord'ring Fen> , .-^
Of Hurdles rear'd, he drew a-crofs the Plain.
£75 Nor did thefe Ramparts at the Centre clofe,
But opening Breaches fo received the Foes,
As equal Force might equal Force oppofe.
This done, back to his Hoft he bends hrs Way,
Prepares the War, and waits th' approaching Day.
£So AROSE the Day, and P&t&W from the Deep
His blazing Carr drives up the Orient Steep*
From 3?#tev/'s Plain approach the South 'ron Lines.,
And Pompous in the Van proud 'Pembroke mines.
The Van, on barbed Steeds, that Chief around,
685 Rode Iheath'd ia Mail, with vclafping Silver bound.
Next thefe, with Lances arrn^ and boffy Shields,,
Advanced the fecond Battle o'er the Fields,
gilded Banners high in Air xUfplay'd,
Qmpbvaville and Clifford at their Head*
Book III. King R O B E R T B R II C E.
690 The noble Bruce perceived them from afar,
And at the fecond Rampart rang'd his War.
Seven hundred Scots in native Armour fhonc,
And Spears and Axes glitter'd in the Sun.
The gen'rous King full in the Centre flood,
6^5 And on his Right the fiery Edward rode.
The Left, to Battle rang'd in firm Array,
Were led by doughty 'Douglas to the Day.
Three hundred Waggoners, ignoble Crowd,
Upon the Hill, retir'd, at Diilance ftood,
'700 Approach'd the Foe. The Monarch gives the Sign,
And ruming Pow'rs in furious Combat joyn.
From either Hoft promifcuous Shouts arife.
Ring thro' the Hills, and thicken up the Skies.
With Spears protended, and oppofing Shields,
705 Together, dreadful, rufh the adverfe Fields,
Refounds the Crafti of Lances thro' the Air,
" And Roars., transnVd with Wounds, the dying War.
X 2 The
1 64 The LIFE of . Book III.
The Lances broke, unfheath'd by eager Hands,
Thro' all the Ranks thick Flame the glitt'nng Brands.
•jfto The noble tPem&nke animates hisy Train,,
Infpires the Combat, and fupports the Plain. \ •
You have I cholc, he faid, to guard my Fame,
©n you alone depends your !P£#;£r<?/:rs Name..
Meantime the $nice in ev'ry Rank appears,
£15 Aids ev'ry Scene,., and ev'ry Danger fhares..
Each fingle Warrior by his Name he calls,
Commends his Worth, and ev'ry Blow extols.
Thro' all the Field he fheds a Father's Care.
Each Soldier's Bofom warrns^ and cheeis the War*
•*'*'iV"'i. '
$20 'Tis yours, my Friends, he faicl, this Day to
If I muft rule ye,, or yon foreign Foe.,
Lodg'd LQ your Hands is all your Brace's
By you he's wretched^ or by you he's great*
In you your Country's lateft Hope remains^
Her ancient Frcedgmx or her future Chains*,
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. i
He fpoke,. and bmfling on the -hoflile Bands,.
UnquefHon'd Death in ev'ry 'Blow dclcends.
Ev'n Edward wonders at his Brother's Might,
And onward rufhes to fupport the Fight.
730 Clifford and Ompbravitfe exert their Pow'r,
Thick burns the Combat round th' chfanguin'd Shores
Here daring Tswiglas and the gallant ffajy
There fubtile S^refiftlefs urge their Way.
The Crimfbn Torrents roll along the Strand,
735 And Heaps of Warriors, dying, fpurn the
The King the Vanguard broke, and all around1
Widens the fpreading Iluirr o'er the Ground.
Next 'E Award ravages the bloody Coaft,
And breaks, and drives, and fcatters
74.0 The South'ron Rear beholds the Van defeat,
And fpite of Threats aiid Fromifes* retreat.
In vain great Pembroke, long in Battle skiird?.
Us'd all his Conduct to -fuftain the Field..
•I 66 The LIFE of Book III
Vain were his Flatt'ries, his Reproaches vain,
^45 The Grampian Legions thunder thro* the Plain.
As when fome Storm, long hung in bellying Clouds,
Burfts from their hollow Womb and fweeps the Woods>
The roaring Tcnipeil in its Rage defcends,
This Way and that the cracking Forcft bends ;
750 Nor able tooppoie its dreadful Courfc,
Yields to the Blaft, and falls beneath its Force:.
So yield, o'erpow-er'd at length, the hoftile Lines,
And all the wav'ring Field at once inclines.
Th£ Scots to Ground a Thoufand Warriors bore,
755 Bold Troops! the Pride of all the South'ron Pow'r.
The reft amaz'd, and daunted at the Sight,
From the dire Field precipitate their Flight.
Homeward great 'Pembroke, from the Scottifo Coaftj
Retires, indignant, and refigns his Trull.
760 The Chiftains fled along, and all the Band,
Difpcrs^d, at once defert the hoftile Land, ^v..
- The
Book III. King R O B E R T B n U CE. 1 5f
The Provinces to Bruce their Horuage pay,.
And all the Weft, obedient, owns his Sway.
THE Well reduced, with Banners broad djfplay'c^
755 The Monarch to the North his Squadrons led*
His hardy Brother, and the gallant Hayy
Lennox, and 'Eoyd attend him on his Way.
Meantime bold 'Douglas with his trufty Friends,
Private, to *DouglasdaU his PaiTage bends ;
770 Beduc'd hfs Fcrtrefs, and his native Lands.,
And Etrick whole refciTd from South^rorr Hands,
Ttandolf) and Stuart y who had fince Metbvc-in's Plalir^
Renounced their Faith, and ferv'd the hoftile Train j.
Both Prisoners of War the 1)ouglas mader
775 And, after, to the King the Kindred-Captives led*.
Meantime the King ftill northward march'd his Hoft,,
»
But on the Mountains fkken'd as he pafr.
Of this informed, Sucbama's Jlcbel-Thane-
Near &c&&y rendexvouz'd his Train^
780^ Fix'cT
V ~": """"The LIFEf'of Book fff.
jgrSo Fix'd to Revenge, his treach'rous Uncle dead,
Full .Fifteen hundred to -the Field he led, . .-. ;v
HZrecbin, Himfdf, and Moubray at their Head..
Of their Approach the Monarch quickly hears,,.
And, unrecoverd, for the J?ight prepares.
785 Straight he commands a Troop to guard him rpund^
And bear him in a Litter to the Ground.
" ,•-*«•-*$'* » •• " . ^ ' * • •,,*•,• r '^
His Brother orders in the Van to ride,
And Hay, and cBoyd, and Lennox by his Side..
Thefe, fecret, bids direcl him in the Fray,
Cheek his fierce Heat, and guide him thro* the Day.
rieas'M with his Orders '"Edward quickly iliines
' Before the Van, and onward leads the Lines.
In Arms Seven hundred haircn to the Plain,
The bold Array foon ihook the Coward Thane j
A* • "i * * / ' •' ~*i " ^* "
or daring to endure the Warlike Sight,
-The Rebel Squadrons meditate their Flight.
The
Book JIL King R O B E Pv T B R U C E.
The King that Inilant felt his Illnefs gone,
And, mounting, Hidden in the Centre fnonc.
His Friends, aflonifh'd, rend with Shouts the Air,
%po Inglorious fled at once the Rebel War.
Cummin and Moubray hafte, to dun their Death,
To South'ron Shores, i>ut there refign their Breath.
Strecbin to his own Gallic bends his Flight,
And there belieg'd, foon owns the Brace's Right.
§05 The Monarch rode thro* all the Northern Land,
The North at once acknowledged his Command.
To Angus thence returning, refts a While,
Then1 Forfar's Fortrefs . levels with the Soil.
To 2>7 advancing next, the -Royal Pow'rs
Sio With hardy Force affaulted Sertba'a Tow Vs.
Their Ladders rear'd, the Monarch foremoft icales,
And all the Legions fud'den mount the Walls.
The
[ C//OT»«» and Moitbray, &c.: ] This was one Sir Jcbn Moulray., net that Per-
fnn we mention'*! before, and who held6>/r//>^ Caillc, as we (hall hear by and by*
whofe Name was Sir Philip Moiimy, a Man far Superior to the other.
170 The LIFE of Book III.
The Tow'rs demolilh, and the Works around,
The fcatter'd Ruins fmoke along the Ground*
815 Thefe ail redue'd, ftraight with a ielect Bandr
Edward advanc'd to Gaf/'wafs rugged Strand 5
St. John, and OmpbrAlilk in Arms well skill'd,
Twice there defeat, and droye them from the Field 3
Victorious over all the Region paft,
820 And to his Brother's Sway reduc'd the Coaft,
^Doug/tis now Mallei of his native Land,
Straight to the Monarch recondufts his Band,
Makes Stuart^ and Ravdolfm his Journey lliare;,
And to the King prcfents the Rebel-Pair.
$25 Soon Stuart^ fubmiilive^ own'd his forc'd Offence,
And had his Crime giv'n to his Penitence.,
But Rantfyffc obftinate, the King ordains
To flric^er Durance, only free from Chains £ \
Till Friends, and his Repentance interposed,
Vjo Obtained his Pardon, and the Captive loos'd.
Braye
Book III. King R o B E R T B R u c E. 171
Brave Randolf! firft arnongft" the Loyal Train,
Created Lord of Murray's fertile Plain.
THE Royal Holi, again led forth to War,
In Arms to Lorn (rebellious Clime) repair.
835 That Chief the Royal Caufe had long diilreft*
O'crrun, and ruin'd half the Loyal Weft.
With Rage the Monarch feels his Bofbm glow,
And, fraught with Vengeance, haftens to the Foe.
Appris'd, bold Lorn conveens his traitorous Pow'r,
840 Two thoufand Targes glitter on the Shore.
Hard by the Sea, where a rough Mountain's Brow
Slop'd by Degrees, and touch'd a Stream below.
'Deputed Leaders the fierce War array,
Himfelf embarqu'd beheld them from the Sea.
845 For Lorn now dreading hardy Brace's Might,
Had man'd his Galleys to fecure his Flight.
By Spies afcertain'd of the Rebels Poft,
The wary Monarch fbon divides his Holl.
f •• , ' '
Y 2 T^o-ilas
i-jz The LIFE of Book III.
^Douglas he orders with the Archer-Lines,
850 (And Gray and Frafer to that Leader joyns)
Unfeen by any- Foe, their Rout to keep,
And fetch a Compafs round the rugged Steep" j
Soon as they heard -himiclf begin th' Attack,
Then, unawares, to charge the Rebels Back.
£55 ^Dmgjas obeys. The Monarch takes his Way,.
And, foremoft, boldly mounts the craggy Bay.
Advance the Foe, and from the Mountain pour
Vaft Heaps of tumbling Stones, a rocky. Show 'r»
In vain. The King itili prefTcs to the War :
By that ftern ^Douglas, thunders on the Rear.
The Vanguard in dole Fight the Monarch joyn'd,
And the fierce Archers gall'd them from behind*
Tii' environ'd Rebels defp'rate in the Fightx
Exert the utmoft Rage of lavage Might.
^ Vain Rage ! behind in feathered Tempefts nVar
The whizing Flanes, and wide Deftr action drew.
Book III. King R O B E R. T B R U C E. 175
The hardy King the Ruin fpreads before,
In Heaps the Dead and Dying crowd the Shore.
A few efcap'd, but met the Fate they ihun'd,
870 Amidft th* adjoyning Streams deep Eddies drown'd*
M^DougaPs felf fwifc launching to the Main,
Plows to-fome diftant Coail the xvat'ry Reign.
Submits Argyle at laft to Uvucfa Swiy,
And all the Tribes their due Obedience pay.
875 Now from the Heights deicend the Loyal Pow'rsr
And fpread their Conqucfts o'er the Champaign Shores
JjinHthgffW Pcil by 'Binnfs Means they gain,
And the ilrong Bulwark level with the Plain.
To Tcnh the Monarch iiiarc-h'd, and Raudolf x£s*&
S8o To Favour now, and high with Titles grac'd ;
To the Ilivgd Camp advanced by Fortba's Goad*
And near the Maiden-Fortrefs lodg'd his HofK'
The
The Cattle of LJ&fargb, a Paflhge was diicovcrM to,
up the Rock by one William Frances.
[ To the Wing'd Camp ] Ths Ctfra .Vata, or f Vlag ;V Can^ an old Aojvll^-
tion of the City of J&aifogft
174 The LIFE of Book III.
The Maiden-Fortrefs {till the South'ron keep,
And Randolf boldly ftornis the rocky Steep.
885 In vain. Impregnable the Caftle ftands,
And mocks the Labours of the Loyal Bands.
Frances at laft a fecret PafTage found,
And led the Chiftain up the craggy Mound.
Firft Frances mounts by Night, the Legions fcale*
8po And drive the Watches headlong o'er the Wall.
Arofe the Guards, and quick commence the War,
The hardy Scots their fudden Weapons bare;
Fierce on the Foe the hardy Randoff&eWy
And at a Stroke the South'ron Captain flew.
Spj The doughty Legions feconded their Head,
And all the Guards along the Works Uy dead.
Bold Rando/fthus Ediua's Fort poffeft,
And longfatigu'd, indulg'd his grateful Reft.
Meantime tjje cDouglas on the Border Dales,
900 Roxburgh's ftrong Tow'rs by -Craft nocturnal Scales, .^-y
.,.» ITnicca
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.
Unfeen the Warriors climb the fteepy Mound,
And all the Fortrefs fcatter o'er the Ground.
All Teviotdale by Force the Chief overruns,
The Land reduc'd its rightful Sovereign ownsv
£05 By this fierce JLdward on th* jlleffiian Shore$
l|,ad quickly rendezvouz/d his feled War.
Into the Town his hardy Legions pours,
And foon in Ruins lays the ancient Tow'rs*
Without Delay from thence to Stirling* Coaft,.
Boldly advances the vi&onous HofL
Around the Walls diipos'd, the hardy Tr-ain,
AiTault with Fury, but aflkult in vain.
That Seat the gallant Mou&ray boldly held^
Wife at the Board, and daring in. the Field^
Edward impatient of the tedious Hours,,
And Moiibrcty dreading his decaying Stores 5,
BotR
\ Tbfft Seat the gallant Moubray, c^r. ] This was the brave Sir Pbi/if> Moubray,
at this Time in the Litglijh Interdl, ba: after the Battle of Bannockbttru, he bscaoe
Loyal: to King Robert.
J_7f The LIFE of Book UI.
Both to a- mutual Interview advance,
And artful Mottbray thus propounds his Senfe.
,£20 c My Lord, you've prov'd and found the Fortr
*• The Siege expenfive, and the Labour-long.
' Coo'd you accept a Truce for certain Days,
' Throughout which Time Hoftilities may ceafc j
< Then I, affixed by the South'ron Might,
#25 < Shall fairly meet your Troops in equal Fight.
* But if Fm-ftill unfuccour'd by thefe Pow'rs, •
• Then at the* Day the Fortrefs mall be yours.*
JLdwetYd unieen in politic Defigns,
Accepts the Terms, and the fly Treaty figns,
£30 And from the leagiier'd Walls draws off the Scottifo Lines.
To ftu'dugtifta Moiilray fpeeds his Way,
The haughty Seat of great Cacrnarcan's Sway.
There
[ Great CaernarvanV, &c. ] Edward II. of England, was always
yonvd of C&7Wrfrv«0> a Place in Wales, where he was born.
Book III. King ROBERT BR.UCE. 177
There the bold Chief, before the South'ron States,.
Propones the Treaty, and the Terms relates.
935- The King and Peers applaud the Leader's Senle,
Commend the Truce, and jefl the Scottffi Prince.
MEANTIME to 2Vr/Z?, where his wife Brother layy
Good undergoing ILdward fliapes his Way :
Joyful, relates each various Adion done,
940 The Treaty fign'd, and hardy Moubray gone.
The Monarch heard the Terms with vaft Surprize,
And on his thoughtlefs Brother' fix'd his Eyes.
THEN thus. < Fond Man ! which fhall I firft regret,
* A Brother's Folly, or my Country's Fate ?
P45 < Harafs'd with Toil, with Dangers prcfs'd before,
4 Haft thou not learn'd to know yon Monarch's Pow'r?
* Yon Monarch ! whom no neighb'ring States withiland^
{ Sole Heir of all his Father's large Command.
< Whofe Sway not Britain's Shores alone reftrain,
9 50 { Wide ftretch his Conqiicfts o'er the diftant Main.
I7& The LIFE of Book III,
4 His Tyranny, not CamSria feels alone,
* Or in his Bonds Hibernian Valleys groan*
« Great Part of France,, and Flanders owns his Claim,,
1 And Europe trembles at his mighty Name.
< Drawafrom thofe Climes, what Swarms fhall crowd our
(Shore?
* How vaft th'AiTemblage ! how array'd the Pow Jr f
* Their Numbers fhall our outmoft Thoughts beguile,
* Extend o'er Shires, and darken half the Ifle !
4 The Rebel-xSfotfj befides, a potent Line,
* (In Arms already) fhall their Standards joyn.
* Then what are we, how fmatl our native Lands ?
c How weak our Force, how thin our loyal Bands ?
* See our dispeopled Plains, our barren Soil,
' To Faction long exposed, and foreign Spoil..
"* Confidcr this, and view the Treaty made,
< And all our Hopes in that on« Treaty dead.
[Cambria] Wales. Hibernia, Ireland.
I Afottnt Live.] The whole Race of the Cmfag*, and their Allies,..
Book III. King R O-B ERTBRUGE. 179
< By cautious Steps we hop'd our Right to gain,
* But, rafhly, thou haft render'd Caution vain,
< Difarm'd, and bound by Truce fo long a Date
5770 c Secures the Tyrant, and completes our Fate.
' Long have we vainly fpent our tedious Hours,
* 'Midft hoary Mountains, and deferted Shores,
c 'Midft Cold, and Heat, and Hunger's pinching Pain,
' Long- have we toil'd, but long have toil'd in vain.
£75 c In anxious Thoughts have pad the wakeful Night,
' And, girt -with Foes, confum'd the dang'rous Light.
* By Suffring, partly we regained our Sway,
e And, p^///j-like, we ccnquer'd by Delay,
4 In one rafh Word now. all our Labour's gone,
980 ' Our Hopes extingiufii'd, and our felves undone.
c,Say, Brother! Whence fhali we our Troops prepare,
( Where is our Force to meet yon dreadful War ?'
He fpoke, difdainful "Edward fierce, replie's,
'* By all the Pow'rs that tread yon fpanglcd Skies j
Z 2 ?3>
1 8o The LIFE of Book III.
5)85 ' Let Ifles united with the diftant Land>
* And Europe pour her Millions on our Strand j
6 Refolv'd, I'll dauntlefs face the dread Array,
c And meet the glorious Terrors of the Day.
* I love the gen'rous Treaty, and in vain
c Shou'd Crowns and Sceptres bribe me from the Plain.
* ^Gotland may fee me fall, but never yield,
* Or fly, a Coward, from fo brave a Field ! '
THE Monarch Unil'd. His dauntlefs Soul he knew,
And what he dar'd to fay, he dar'd to do.
The noble Warrior in his Arms he preft,
And all the Brother kindled in his Breaft.
Then thus. * So may juft Heav'n our Counfels aid,
* As I fhall facred keep what thou haft faid.
f Hafte then, bid all our Loyal Friends prepare
1'eoo ' To joyn our Standard 'gainfl the Day of War.
* The Day 1 when each Pretenfion {hall be try'd,
f And Heav'n determine on the jufter Side. *
M fi A K-
Book III. King R O B E RT BRUCE, i £ i
MEANWHILE Caernarvan mounts his Royal Seat,
The Peers around in fplendid Order wait.
1005 Thence to the Chiefs he iflues his Commands,
To raife his Pow'rs, and mufter all his Bands.
Near Berwick's Walls ; on Tweda's fertile Plains,
The Royal Writ the Rendezvous ordains.
The Warlike Chiefs in Hidden Armour flione,
1010 And round difpatch'd the Mandate of the Throne.
Straight ring the South'ron Shores with loud Alarms,
And Drums and Trumpets, mingled, found to Arms.
Sing, Mufe, from various Climes th' afTcmbled Throng,
And fit their Names, and Numbers to the Song.
1015 Where Wye's fmooth Stream, and Severn's fiercer Tide
Thro' Cambrian Dales in wild Meander's glide j
Where %ritijb Billows pent, indignant, roar,
And, furious, lafh old Cornwafa chalky Shore ;
Rofe Thirty thoufand, in ftrange Arms array *d,
'1020 And hardy Monmctitb glitter'd at their Head.
WHE RE
The LIFE of Book 111.
,WHE RE 'lame and IJis roll their royal Waves,
And the mixt Current Princely Structures laves j
Where flows the Ouze^ and Trent divides the Land3
( Both loft in Humbert more[capacious Strand )
£025 Arofe the mighty I'M nob ant i an Hoft,
And Fifty thoufand cloud the darken'd Coaft.
The moving Bands the neighboring Vales o'eripread,
.By Arundel9 and gallant Oxford led.
FROM Humbert Stream, whofe tumblingWaves refound,
10^0 And deafen all th' adjoyning Coail around j
To where tlie Tweed in fofter Windings flows,
Full Fifty thouland quiver'd Warriors rofc.
'•^ A har-
jlrirc. They have their Confluence at Dorcejlcr, and from thence running in one uni-
ted Stream, fall into the German Ocean, 30 Miles below London.
[ Trent divides, &c. ] The River Trent is reckon'd to divide England into two
equal Parts, North and.Soistl>. It rifcs in Staf/cKf? Shire, paiieth through Da-l-y Sfiire,
Leiceflcr Shire, &c. and below Kitrionn in Lincoln Shire, falleth inro the Hitmber.
[ Trimbantisn Heft. ] Irinobantes were the People of Ejfix, MiMIcj'ex, and all a-
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 18$
A hardy Race, who ( well experienced ) knew
To fit the Shaft, and twang the bended Euglu
1035 Bred up to Danger, and inur'd to dare
In diftant Fight, and aim the feather'd War.
Thefe Bands their Country's higheft Triumphs boaft:
And Glocefter, and Hart fordid the Hoft.
ADVANCE the factious Scots, a Rebel-Line^
1040 And to the Foe their impious Levies joy n..
Five times Five thousand, by Experience skill'd
To mix in clofer Combat on the Field ;
Led by great Omflora^ille^ well known to Fame .;-.
And bold Corfpatricky a redoubted Name.
104 j NE x T to the Scots approach th' Hibernian Fow'rs,,
From hoary Mountains, and from fenny Shores ;
Three times Ten thoufand ftrong, a nervous Race?,
Bred to wild Game,, and nimble in the Chafe.
Before thefe Troops, ~Ftiz-Ger aid's haughty Son?
165.0 The brave Qneily and hardy "Defmont fhone.
The LIFE of Book III
FROM GW//Vz now, and Sff/gizm's ciftant Coaft,
In Arms aflembled, moves the foreign HofL
Twice Twenty thoufand whole, a Warlike Train,
In lixty Galleys plow the liquid Reign.
1055 Nor does the Muie the Leaders Names rehearfc,
Nor Hand thofe Names fo fmooth in Sriti/h Verie.
Albi&fa white Cliffs ibon gain the foreign Sails,
And pour their Legions on Northumbrian Vales.
Now with the King from fair Angujla's Tow'rs,
io£o Proceeds the Court to Bervoick's crowded Shores.
The awful King! in Gold and Gems array 'd>
The vaft the wondrous Rendezvous furvey'd ;
His thick Battalions views extended far,
And glories in the lengthened Pomp of War.
1065 The various Climes in various Armour Ihinc,
And diftant Nations wonder as they joyn.
Review'd,
] The Name the mo4ern Etglifb give to Lotion.
Book III. King R O B E R T B .R U C FT. 1 3 ?
Reviewed, wide o'er the Fields encamp the Pow'rs,
Repairs the fhining Court to Berwick's Tow'rs.
NEAR <$>/r//;/£'s Walls where Fortb's large Billows p!ay
$070 The noble femes with twice two Hundred lay ;
^ From whence around his Royal Writ he fends,.
To warn the Chiefs, and fummon all his Friends.
Meantime he view'd the Ground, and mark'd a Plain*
Th' intended Mufler of the Loyal Train.
1 07 5^ Before that Plain, a League extended, lay »*T
A Green-fward Marifli, on a flaunting Bay.
The King, well feen in all Events of War,
The muddy Fen furveys with cautious Care. .
His Troops he calls, and digs, a Spear-length deep,
1080 The level Marifh, from, the floping Steep :
^Then Plants with fharpen'd Piles the Track around,
And clofe .with Hurdles --cov'ring o'er the Ground j
i.v^il .. U"ntouch\1 the Plain appeared, and all the hollow found.
Behind thofe Fens the King refolv'd to ftand,
1085 And there the haughty Foes firit Charge attend.
A a '' ^ The
i'85 The LIFE of Book III.
The Scottifo Peafants from the Champaign Shore,
Up to the Mountains led their Houfhold Store j
The Plains of Herds and Victual difpoffeft,
And left the Country one abandoned Wafte.
* .
6090 Now rings th* Alarm along the Northern Coafts.
And rufti to War the Caledonian Hofts.
From Skyey 'Pomona's Ifles, and Caithnefs* Strand,
Three thoufand Targets glitter o'er the Land.
The Skye, and Orkneys their own Chiftains Head3 ;
£095 And Caithnefs' Troops the gallant Sinclair led.
Strathnacer, Sutherland in Arms appear,
And the bold Rdjfians iflbe to the War.
The brave M" dona Ids and M'kenzie-s joyn,
FraferSy and Grants^ and the Clanchattan Line.
Thatftretch, difpers'd, along th' Hebridian Shores.
iioo Monroe Sy M-Gleans^ M*-kaysy and all the Pow'rs,
Thefc
; H;bridian Shores.} The Hebrides are a vaft Clutter of Iflands, lying on the
North-welt and Weft of Scotland^ fcatter'd up and down the Deitcalcdwian Sea.
Booklll. King ROBERT RR.UCE. ij
Thefc hardy Troops in Scytbian Arms array 'd>
Diftinft in Tribes, their proper Chiefs obey'd,
Convcen the Bands on Roffia's fpacious Bay,
51105 And twice Three thoufand Bucklers gild the Day.
From Murray's Shores advance a Thoufand Spears^
And daring Randotf at their Head appears.
EAST on T^zalia's Coaft, there lies a Plain,
Bleft with rich Pafture, and luxuriant Grain;
|iio Much fam'd for Cattle, much for Woolly Store^
But for its hofpitable People, more.
On its fmooth Margin German Billows playr
And pour their finny Millions in each Bay.
This Region 'ipite of the falfe T&ave's Commands,
1 1 1 5 Rtis'd and maintained at its own Charges, fends
A Thoufand Warriors to the P.oyal Aid,
By bold Thilortb, and brave Titfligo led.
A a 2 A N r3
ia. ] The Countries of Mar, Bucbav, and all about Aberdeen , Bucbatt
is only meant here.
[ The falfe Tluns, &c. ] Cuming Earl of Bucban.
i88 The LIFE of Book III.
AND now in Arms the noble Gordon fhincs,
And Enzie's Squadrons to Strathbogy joyns.
1 1 10 jtpnaS keen Axes in the Centre glare,
And ^Badenccb gleams, horrid, in the Rear.
NEXT, hardy Forbes, and the gallant JMttr>
On 2)07/8 fair Borders rendezvous the War.
Forbes \ in Scotia's Annals long renown'd,
•,'11125. And oft of old with Loyal Laurels crown'd.
' lO'V \ >\*fiS --Jj *
HORESTIA'S Plains a Thou&nd Warriors yield,
And Godlike • Marfoal leads them to the Field.
Thrice noble Chief! I feel my Spirits roll,
v s And all the HERO rufhes to my Soul.
1130 Where fhall the Mufe commence thy deathlcfs Fame?
From what immortal ./Era trace thy .Name ?
She faw thy Sire of old, on Barry's Shore,
When rapid Locby groan'd with Cumbrian Gore.
She
[ Abria. ] Th> Country of
I Hordlia-. ] The Shire of Meows*
Book III. King ROBERT R R U C E. I £9
She fa\v him 'midft furrounding Ruins ftand,
1135 Wh,e.n hardy Camus bit the bloody Strsnd.
When from the Field he bore the regal Spoils,
Proud Prize ! the Badge of his triumphant Toils.
Oft wou'd the Mufe have fung the Godlike Line,
But the bold Task fcill chcck'd the juft Defign.
140 Fond She fee out, but felt the Theme too {hong
Too high the Labour, and too vaft the Song!
Nor needful For, what Genius ever fings
Of Scotia's HEROES, and her ancient Kings $
Let their fam'd Deeds but once the Mufe engage,
1 145 And ftill fome KEITH fhall glitter in the Page.
NEXT, where the Esk a double Current pours,
And laves JEneia's. ever Loyal Shores ;
Two thoufand Lances gleam along the Strand,
Stratbtttorei Souths sk^ and Airly led the Band.
^150 Airly * renown'd for ancient Honours gained,
When Gifcbrift conquer 'd, and ^William reign'd.
The LIFE of Book III.
Kinnaird and ~Fakoiiar their Legions call,
The brave 'Dundee, and ever faithful Mauh.
ADJOYNING near, a fruitful Region lies,
1155 The darling Care of more indulgent Skies;
Whole Sunny Mountains, and luxuriant Vales,
Are fann'd by friendly Zephyr's Ibfter Gales ;
Where the rich Year in vaft Profufion reigns,
Riots in Groves, and revels on the Plains :
Ii5o Thence came a Thoufand in bright Mail array'd,
Glitter'd the mighty Jlrrol at their Head.
Full of his Sires, the HERO took the Field,
Difplay'd, the Yoke glar'd in his bloody Shield.
Proud Enfign ! Glory of that dire Debate,
1 1 £5 Where dauntlefs flay reversed the Scottijh Fate ;
When
[ Tfj2 brave Dundee, &rc. ] The Reader will pleafe obferve here on^e for all,
that we don't by any Means pretend, thefe Gentlemen were all nobilitated either
before or at this Time. 'We only give them the Titles of their Pofterity, in Order
to make the Narration the clearer, and their Names more obvious to the prefent
Age.
[ A fruitful Region fas.] The Carfe of Gowry*
Book III. Kiug ROBERT BRUCE. 191
When Loncarty beheld th' Albanian
Vanquifh'd, and routed on her {anguine Shores \
'Twas then, great Hay opposed the ihameful Flight,
Drove back the conquered, and renew'd the Fight \
1 1 70 Thro' ' Cimbrian Ranks, impetuous, forc'd his Way,
And thundering with his Yoke reftor'd the Day.
By him thus ( wond'rous ! ) rofe the ruin'd State,
Conquer'd by Lofs, and triumphed by Defeat !
'TWERE long in ancient Actions to engage,
1175 And crowd with difPrent Characters the Page -y
Nor needful is the Task. Our Chiefs of old
Brave by Succeffion, and by Birthright bold}
In all their Father's various Virtues fhone,
And ev'ry Sire defcended in the Son.
l[i8o Bred to the Field, and confcious of their Might,
They rang'd the Globe, and taught the World to fight.
FROM Fife 's fair Coaft Three thoufand take the Plain,
Headed by JI'eemyfsy and Crawford's ancient Thane..
The
The LIFE of . Book II I,
The noble Weemyfsl M*" duff's immortal Son,
1 1 3) M'duff! th' Aflertcr of the Scottijb. Throne;
Whole Deeds let %inuine zn&rDnitJinnan tell,
When Canmore battled, and the Villain fell.
BY Athol) and by Tertb array'd to War, . >
Three thoufand Lances glitter in the Air.
1 1 pa See! glorious in his Sires, the great Montr of e> • i"
Amidfthis conqu'ring Grahams to Battle goes. ?J
His Mail bright Studds of Gold enamel'd. gild,
Th' immortal Trophy of fome ancient Field. , .
Three times Five hundred to the War proceed, .,
up 5 By ILglinton, and Nairn and ^Botbwel led.
Carrick and Kyle pour forth their hardy Train,
And Kennedy conduds them to the Plain.
7v^;//r<?£2Vand 'Bute, and .Rvtbfaj joyn their Aid,
Glitters the Godlike Stuart at their Head.
1200 Ad-
S ' \ . r j*.r -r ''•••
[ And tie Villain foil. ] Ths Storv of Rtleatb*s Ufarpation, in the Time of
ldlcoin CffntHCf't', and likeways thi: Prophecy concerning Eirnane-vccd's coming to
, i> fo common^ I need not infill on it.
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 193
?2oo Advance in Arms the drgat&e/ian lAnes,
And in the Van the Loyal Cainp&til fhines.
Some faithful Aids approach from Lothian's Coaft,
And Seton's Loyal Off-fpririg leads the Hoft.
From Mercys fertile Plains appeared a Band,
1 205 Obedient to the gallant Humes Command.
Confederate Dales, and Warlike Borders joyn,
Proud at their Head to fee great "Douglas fhinc.
Fierce Edward^ laft, leads from his native Shores,
Rang'd to the Field, the Galhvidian Pow'rs.
1 210 THUS from the diftant North, and Solway's Sands,
At %>a?mock-T$mn arriv'd the Loyal Bands.
The King with Joy beheld thf aflembled Train,
Full Five and Thirty thoufand, crowd the Plain.
The Chiefs embrac'd, and vicw'd the Squadrons round,
1215 Affign'd their Stations, and mark'd out the Ground.
The Leaders to the Royal Tent repair,
And o'er the Fields encamp th' inferior War.
B b Now,
•15/4 The LIFE of Book III.
Now, in ten Battles rang'd, from Iweda's .Vales,
The South'ron Pow'rs advance thro' Lotbian Dales,
The wide extended Pomp the Region fills,
Glares o'er the Lawns, and gleams along the Hills.
Nations on Nations fhade the crowded Strand,
Prom Shor£ to Shore, and cover half the Land.
Thick as the waving Grain the Valley Clouds,
Or Leaves in Spring that load the blooming Woods \
. Lances and Shields emit their blended Rays,
And o'er the diftant Plains confusedly blaze.
Thro' LotkLan fwift advance the fwarming Pow'rs,
And, fudden, crowd Bodatria's winding Shores*
1250 Thence, quick, arriving at the various Fane,
Wide o'er the Fields encamp the num'rous Train*
D E T A c H ' D old Stirling's Fortrcls to fecure,
Before the Hoft, Lord Clifford leads his Pow'r.
la
Various Fa/if. 1 FalkirJc*
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 195
In Arms Eight hundred with that Leader ride,
£235 Choice Bands ! the mighty TLdivard's chiefeft Pride*
Meantime bold ~R.andolf<> charg'd a Pod to keep, -
Ciofe by the Temple, on a Hoping Steep,
Thro* which, unheeded by the Scots, the Chief
March'd his fwift Legions to the Town's Relief j
1240 Foul Negligence! to expiate his Offence,.
And foothe thejuft Difpleafure of his Prince j
With eager Steps purfues th' efcaped War,
Two hundred Lances filming in his Rear.
Soon as the South'ron Chief the Scots beheld
ifi'45 With Force inferior boldly take the Field j
Difdainful, in Array he rang'd his Band,
And in the Front himfelf and Howard Hand.
Jloward the brave ! a Knight renown'd in Farnc^
The Boaft, the Glory of the South'ron Name. ^g
B b 2 1250 Am*
•'. Howard Jtatut. ] Sir William Hmai'd* the noble Anceftor of die Puke o£
1 96 The LIFE of Book III.
1250 Ambitious Chief! too eager in the Strife,.
Too rafhly bold, and Prodigal of Life -y
Forward thou rufheft upon certain Death,
And midft unnumbred Wounds refign'ft thy Breath.
Thy native Troops with Tears beheld thee bleed,
5 And Eqgfand yet laments her HERO dead.
MEANWHILE the Combat, furious, burns around;,
And Crimfbn Tides roll, flipp'ry, o'er the Ground.
Baulk'd in his firft Defign, and fir'd with Spite,
The haughty Clifford^ vigorous, urg'd the Fight.
His lengthened Ranks extended o'er the Ground,
And juft began t> enclofc the Scots around.
This Randolffaw, and with a Gen'rals Care,
DifposM into an Orb his thinner War.
Each Way obje&ed, Spears and gleaming Shields,
$ 265 Glitter, an kon Circle, round the Fields.
And now both Hofts i-n cloier Combat joyn,
And thick'ning Deaths in redder Ruin fhioe..
Not
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 197
Nor knows the ardent Warrior to retire,
Fix'd where he Hands to conquer or expire.
1270 No blended Shouts of War's tremendous Voice,
Ring thro* the Hiils, or rattle in the Skies,
The bufied Field hears no tumultuous Breath,
But clafhing Armour, and the Groan of Death.
Glorious each Chief, and grim with Dnft and Blood,
^275 Amidft the War with rival Fury rode.
Alongft the Strand the wid/ning Havock fpread,
And round them rol-Fd in Heaps the mangled Dead.
But Englifo Bow-men, long in Battle skilFd,
With feather 'd Deaths fore gall/d die Scottijh Field.
I 2§o This *Dmglas viewing from the Camp afary
Thus to the King prefers a Soldier's Pray'r*
t Sovereign J he faid, may Heav'n dire£t the
. * And may to Morrow's Sun fecure thy Sway
* As I with Pity view yon dreadful Scene,
a^S-j c And j£tfff<2^f fweating on th' unequal Plain.
The LIFE of Book III-
' Opprcft with Numbers, and overwhelmed with Foes,
* Behold your HERO fainting in your Caufe.
4 Soon fhall he fall 'midft yon fuperior Hoft,
* And Scotia in her fecond Hope be loft.
I2po c Forbid it Fate! ---- and thou, our gen'rous Prince,
' Forgive a Nevoy's undefign'd Offence;
4 O'erlook the Fault, and let me hafte to lhare
* Yon bloody Field, and turn the Scale of War.
4 So may kind Heav'n confirm thy Right Divine,
[I2P5 c And fix the Sceptre, ever, in thy Line.'
HE faid ---- The Monarch thus himfelf expreft,
(The gen'ral Scene engroffing, whole, his Breaft)
c No Aid from us this Day fhall skreen his Crime,
c My flighted Words, and his neglected Time.
£300 * Let him, unfuccour'd, 'midft yon furious Crowd,
* Feel his paft Folly, and repent1 in Blood, J
He
Umkjign'd Offence. } Raudolf had been cotnmanded by the King, 'to gterd 2t
n:ajr the Church, 'by which ths Enemy bchov'd to inarch to the Relief of
Stirling i
Book III. Kina ROBERT BRUCE.
He fpokc, and thro' the Camp purfu'd his Way,,
To view the Troops, and predilpofe the Dayv
Still on the Spot the hardy ^Douglas ftay'd,
1305 Fix'd to his Purpofe, and refblv'd to aid:
When now the Foe, with Plcafure, he beheld,
Loofe in their Ranks, and reeling in the Field :
TLandolf and his, with unrefifled Might,
Bearing down Crowds, and burning thro' the Fight.
1310 Then ftopt th' intended Aid left Aid had ftain'd,
The Glory by fuch Blood and Labour gain'd.
And now Lord Clifford's Troops defer t the War,
And Randolf thunders on the flying Rear.
Back to their Hoft retreats the routed Train/
And twice two Hundred breath! efs prefs the Plain*
'Randolf returns, the Monarch grafpt his Hand^
And to their Reft ordain'd the weary Band1*
BY
Stirling ; but having neglected ir, he was obliged to follow A/K/ </^ack th?in.
t^s Plain, with Kuinbers much inferior to theirs^
200 The LIFE of Book III.
B Y this • the Night unufual Darknefs fpreads,
AndHeav'n and Earth involves in thickeft Shades*
{[320 No Beams from Cynthia's Silver Orb appear,
ISo leflcr Taper twinkles in the Sphere ;
But Nature funk in fable Horrors lay
Profound, and pregnant with the future Day.
Yet watchful 'Bruce exerts a Father's Care,
1325 And thro* the filent Gloom explores the War.
Views all the Lines, now part in Slumbers loft,
Part talking, wakeful, of the adverfe Hoft.
In deep Attention, (till he march'd along,
And mark'd the whole Behaviour of the Throng:
1330 In ev'ry Word, in ev'ry Gefture skill'd :
And as he went difpos'd th' approaching Field.
Near to th* Entrenchments Hood an ancient Fane,
The pious Structure of fome former Reign.
When?
[ Unttfaal Darkntjs &c. ] This was ths more ritnarkabb, upon Account of. the.
Seafon of the Year, it being on the aoth of /«»^ whaiin theie Climates there is"
liiti^ or no Darkn.is at all.
Book III. KingROBEP^T BRUCE. 201
Where Midnight Vows employ the rev'rend Sires,
$340 And twinkle in their Lamps the drowfy Fires,
Thither his private Oraifons to pay,
Devout, the Monarch treads his filent Way..
The Priefts receive him with Paternal Care j
But fbon to Heav'n as he prefers his Pray'r,
^345 Dreadful, thro' all the Skies loud Thunders roll,
And the thick Lightning gleams from Pole to P6l(v
The Fathers, hafting to the Porch, efpy,
Two flaming Armies Combat in the Sky.
The Legions feem'd to blaze in red Attire,
1350 And all the viiionary War on Fire.
Then fudden, in a Trail of flafhy Light,
Downward bright Ariel fhoots along the Night ;,'
Straight to the King appears within the Shrine,
Celeftial Glories round his Temples fhine.
1355 His flowing Robe in Azure Volumes rolFd,
. Bright Sapphires blazing on /Etherial Gold,
Cc (Pure,
20 z The L I F E of -Euok IJL
(Pure radiant Gold of Heav'o, without Allay)
Around the Fane difFus'd a Flood of Day!
The gen'rous Monarch at the Sight amaz'd, <
1360 On the bright Form with awful Reverence gaz'd £
When Arid thus. fc From Regions diftant far,.
* Beyond the Convex. of yon arched Sphere; :i
* Where blifsful Minds dillb.lv'd. in Raptures ly>
* Or float on azure Pinioas, thro* the Sky \
1-355 c Or on the l-tint's immortal Glories gaze,
' Bask in the Beams,, and live upon the Blazer
* Down from thofe happy Seats,; to thee I come,, ; t
* To foothe thy Cares Not to- unfold thy Doom*
* That fecrct lies beyond the Realms of Light,
* Far in the Womb of Fate, and wrapt in Night-
c To Heights of future Scenes in vain we foar^
4 The fole, fi-x'd Privilege of eternal Pow'r!
* No more I know,, but that to Morrow's Ray
4 Is dooni'd to finijQi this contended Sway.
1375 « Thee
Book III. King R O B E Pv T B i\. II C E. 203
1375 c Thee I beheld, v/ith anxious Cares oppreft,
' Alone to Heav'n rcfign thy pious Bread:.
* Go then, and boldly meet the ftern Debate,
« Beftill thy felf, and leave th' Event to Fate,
< With pious Courage fraught, thy Fortune try,
1 3 So * A Fortune not unfavour'd by the Sky. '
Tiiis faid, the Seraph fwiftly wings his Way, -
Mounts thro' the Spheres, and gains upon the Bay.
Full of the wond'rous Scene, the Monarch trod
Back to the Camp his folitary Road ;
1385 Alone unto the Royal Tent repairs,
And a fhort Slumber overfhades his Cares.
FROM Ocean now uprais'd, the God of Day,
Mournful and flow purfues his airy Way. <
The ifiery Car the Steeds, reluctant, roll, ,.
1390 Recoil, and fcarceoppofe the whirling Pole.
Condenfe the Vapours, not to feed the Bia£e,
Or add freili Fuel to decaying Rays.;
C c 2 But
104 The LIFE of Book III
But that the Beams might point Oblique, nor gild,
Direct,- the Horrors of fo dire a Field*
2395 Now from Fatkirk, by Fortba's winding Coaft^
In dreadful Order moves the South*ron Hoft.
'-Men, Arms, and Sceeds the Mountains ftiade afar,
And Valleys groan beneath the Load of War.
Unfurl'd in Air the golden Banners play>
1400 And Clarions, Drums, and Trumpets roufc the Day.
Adjoyning Hills the laud Alarm rebound,
And Rocks and Forefts multiply the Sound.
Great in the Van, and awful as a God,
In Gerns and Gold the mighty Edward* rode.
1405 Round him, all fticath'd in Mail, a dreadful Liney
Three thoufand Warriors on barb'd Courfers Ihine^
Bold G/ofter-, and 'JBohun a martial Knight,
Oxford, and Kent, and Hertford guard the Righu
The Left obeys ily Omphrazille's Commands,
1^.10 Joyn'd by GorfeatricK* and by Clifford'* Bands.
The
Book III. King R o B E R T B R u c E. 205
The Troops from Belgium > and from Gal/la's Coaft,
Make up the Centre of the martial Hoft.
Monmoutb) Qneil, and "Defmont next appear,
- , ' "*^4
And with united Squadrons guard the Rear.
1415 The quiver'd Bands around the Flanks difpos'd,
On either Side the moving Battles clo^d.
In pompous Order thus the num'rous Train,
Forward advances to the defdn'd Plain.
T H R o' Bruce's Hoft next ring the loud Alarms,,
1420 Arfd Caledonian Trumpets found to Arms.
All o'er the Camp the ready Squadrons ftand,
And wait, impatient,, for their Chief's Command.
Forth from his Tent advancing to the Lines,.
The daring Monarch in bright Armour fhines.
1425 A cheerful Vigour fparkles in his Eyes,
And o'er his Face the martial Terrors rife.
Blaz'd his ftrong Corflet on his ample Breaity
And nodded on- his Helm a bloody Crefh.
205 The LIFE of Book III-
Faft by his Thigh bright fhorie his flaming Brand,,
1430 An Ax of Steel gleam'd in his better Hand.
The Legions joyful, on their Monarch flare,
And wonder at the Godlike Form of War.
The Grampian Chiefs, array'd in Warlike State,
With cheerful Pomp upon their Monarch wait.
5435 ^r'd HOW to Battle arms each loyal Band,
And thick'ning Squadrons form along the Strand.
Glare in the Van the bold T&zaliari Lines,
And at their Head the noble ~R.andolf ihines.
Rang'd on the Right the Southern Legions flood,
1440 And on their Front the fiery Edward rode.
With him experienc'd %oyd divides the Sway,
Sent by the King to guide him thro' the Day.
Before the Weft upon the Left appears,
Young Stuart, and "Douglas joyns his Border-Spears.
1445 The other Chicfs.their proper Stations held,
But Ibefe the gen'rai Leaders of the Field.
In-
Book III. King R O B E R T B R U C E, 207
Intruded laft the Rear in Order flood,
; And at their Head the King, tinufual, rede.
But whilfl lie views around th* embattled Wary
1450 The gen'rous Keith fuppltes his Matter's Care..
AND now both Hofts a Mile divided fat,
A fhort and anxious Interval of Fate ;
When great Caernarvon waves his awful Hand,.
Ana lift'ning Thoufands round their Monarch ftand.
2455 Then thus* * Behold^ my Friends, our mighty Pow'rs>
* From Britifo Climes conveen*d, and foreign Shores \
6 Our Sire's immortal Laurels to maintain,.
4 And fix our Conquefts o'er the Grampian R.efgn. :.
c Ev'n here your {elves before have often fought,
1460 ' And frequent Ruin on the Rebels brought.
* This Day have we a mightier Force array 'd,
* Than e'er, at once, our Sire's Commands obey'dl
4 You then who ftill with him victorious lhone>
4 Still conquer, nor degenerate with the Son*
< Behold
208 The LIFE of Book IIL
1465 ' Behold how thin appear yon daftard Bands,
< Scarce half lufficient for our Soldiers Hands.
* Ev'n Thoufands here fhall find no Foe to flay,
* But idly lhare the Triumphs of the Day.
< Go then, my Friends, attack the puny Plainr
1470 * And drive yon Handful, fcattcr'd, to the Main.
* Afiert your own, aflert your Monarch's Name,
* Let Death, or Fetters cruih yon Rebel's Claim.'
He ipoke— — With mingled Shouts relbunds the Air,
And all the eager Troops require the War.
1475 Now the bold Bruce before the Centre ftands,
And thus accofts his Caledonian Bands.
' FE LLOWS in Arms! long did our Sires oppofc
* The haughty Infults of ambitious Foes.
•* Long hath our Country ftruggled with her Fate,
1480 * With Tictijb Fraud, and Saxons favage Hate.
< Thefe too fupported by Aufonian Pow'rs!
4 How did the mighty Ruin fbread her Shores ?
What
Book III. King ROBERT BR.IICE. 209'
* What Seas of Blood, what Mountains of the Slain,
f Clhoak'd ev'ry Vale, and ftrow'd each purple Plain ?
5*48 5 ' Thus fell our Sires ; or, drove by Sword and Flamc^'
* Fled far ; and Scotia Icarce remained a Name.
c Yet Heav'n, relenting Hcav'n beheld her Fate,
c And arm'd the great Reftorer of the State !
* From frozen Climes, and Scythia's, diftant Strand,
'1490 ' The Godlike Man colle£b the fcatter'd Band.
c He came, he conquer'd, and her Right reftor'd,
c Doomed to the Sway, and Albion's fated Lord.
c 'Pitiifo and Saxon Spoils his Triumphs grace,
e Thefe banifh'd, thofe a quite extinguifh'd Race.
1495 c Next from the North) where 'Baltic Billows rave,
< And Civnbrian Rocks the foamy Tempefts lave;
< Againll our Sires advance the fwarming Train,
c Our hardy Sires, undaunted, take the Plain.
D d < Let
[ 77w GotUlke Man, &c. 1 Fergus II. who nftor'd th.1 Monarchy of^ir/W, *t-
ic had been almoit urt^rl cxdnuiiTx\l b th- P/'tf/j Saxons and Kowaas.
2io The LIFE of Book HI.
1500 5 Let wond'ring Loncarty record the Day,
1 And to great Kenneth joyn the greater Hay.
4 Let Malcolm next, and Keith's fuperior Rage,
' And Barry's Field run Purple in the Page !
* When Locbty's Current, choak'd with Tides of. Blood,
1505 c Groan 'd to the Ocean in a Crimfon Flood.
1 For Scotia's Right thus flood the Scots of Old, - .
' Thus glare your Fathers in recording Gold.
4 Such were their Acls, and fuch their loyal Flame,
< Such Glories blaze around each deathleis Name !
*5io • Anxl now, my Friends, this Day, methinks, I fee
c Thole noble Patriots in their Progeny.
* This Day ' the laft of all our long Debate,
* The fix'd, important Period of our Fate.
* How does yon King in Gold and Jewels glare ?
1 5 1 5 * What Pride of Armies ! and what Pomp of War !
< Behold yon vaft Array, yon fwarming Hoft,
c How the extended Legions cloud the Coaft !
4 This
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 211
* This Hour! this inftant Hour of Fate demands
< Your Fathers Souls, and all your Fathers Hands,
$£20 £ We know the Deeds of ev'ry doughty Sire,
c Nor Ihall we doubt their hardy Offspring's Fire.
* Methinks I fee great Grabam undaunted go,
' 'Gainft Rome's proud Eagles, and the Saxon Foe.
' Here are his Sons, behold the manly Race,
r 525 c See how the Father threatens in their Face.
< Methinks I fee the 'Douglas* Sire of Old,
4 Red from his Toils, and refling on the Mold ;
< When the juft Prince enquired the HER o's Name,
* And Sholto (Dow glas pointed him to Fame.
1530 * Already mentioned, needleis I run o'er, '
* The Trophies by our Sires obtain'd before.
D d 2 c This
[ And Sholto Dow glas, &r. ] This is faid by fome ro have happen'd in the
Reign of Soluathhis Km» of Scott, AJXO Dem. 787. to wit, that in sfo thgagemcnt
- betwixt the Scots and P?Vfr, aided by the Saxcns, the Scots wer^ in a manner in-
tirejy routed; but the extraordinary Bra-veiy of \\vs-Dfnvg! a i tiirn'd 'thi ^'ortuns of
the Day, and proeur'd the Vivlory to the Scots. The King enquiring who he was
whom he had feen behave fo gallantly, a Gentleman pointed him out, as he refbd
hJmielf on the Ground, and faid, Sbolto Dowglas, fee the Black-grey Man. Ths
Kinj loaded him with Honours, and his Family hath ever fines bore that Name.
^^^ The LIFE of Book III,
' This glorious Day fhall ev'n eclipfe their Rage,
< And Banmck-fairn roil redder in the Page ;
1 A new, a nobler sEra Jriall unfold,
1535 e And Scotia's Sons fhall ftand in brighter Gold.
< Pardon, my Friends, that I the Field delay,
* And ftop with Words the Laurels of the Day}
e That I retard the Freedom of the State,
( Your Glory, and niy own propitious Fate.
1540 c Go on, brave Scots, and let each HERO'S Fire,
c Prove his bold Lineage, and affert his Sire.
* Scotiit this Day demands her ancient Right,
r 'Tis Scotia arms her daring Sons to fight.
' The Pride, the Hate, the Tyranny you know,
j>545 * And all the R-age of yon relentlels Foe:
4 Think then, your Wives, and helplefs Infants fland?
* And Weep for Safety at each Warrior's Hand.
* Dear Pledges ! Let their Images remain
' Fix'd in your Souls, and bear you thro' the Plain. ,
1550 < Let
Book III. , King ROBE RT BRU CE. 213
1550 c Let thofe foft Ties of Life, your better Part,
c String ev'ry Nerve, and ftecl each H E R o's Heart j
< Thro' ev'ry Scene of AcUon point your Way,
' And Heav'n, prop-itious, fhall conduct the Day. . '
,He fpokc -And Tears, indignant, fwell'd their Eyes,
1555 And furious Shouts to Battle tore the Skies.
BUT pious jBmce, in View of all the Hoft,
Prone on the Earth his iuppliant Body caft;
His Hand apply'd unto his fpotkls Breaft,
And thus the Father of the Skies addreft.
* IMMORTAL Pow'r ! Whofe facrcd Voice, fupreme,
4 Spoke to Exigence this ftupendous Frame ;
( Who f way 'ft the Nations with thy dreadful NoJ ^
4 And Crowns, and trembling Thrones confeis the Godi
' If e'er with Lips unfeign'd my Vows I pay'd,
c If e'er my Soul a pure Oblation made ;
< Regard my Sufferings paft, attend my Woes,
* And judge, O judge this Day thy Suppliant's Caufc.
4 If
214 The LIFE of Book III.
* If I, unrighteous, fall before yon Foe,
< From thec, fubmiffive, I receive the Blow.
^570 c But if my Right th' Almighty's Aid can claim,
* Aid tho.u, and teach me to adore thy Name, '
The pious Monarch thus. And all the Bands,
With humble Hearts, and with uplifted Hands,
Devout, addrefs the Sov'reign Pow'r on high,
1575 Confefs their Guilt, and deprecate the Sky.
THIS done, advancing from theSouth'ron Train^
A Knight in ftiining Armour crofs'd the Plain.
His haughty Mien, and his gigantic Size
At once attracted ev'ry Warrior's Eyes.
ijSo The hardy Champion forth, difdainful, rode,
And in his Reft a Lance, enormous,, ftood.
Approaching, he defies each Scottijb Knight,
And dares the Braveft out to iingle Fight.
Soon
[ A Knight m frinh'g Armour •, &c. ) This is faid to be Sir Henry Tjocmtc, or /?<?-
«;> of ^hc Fainily of Warwick.
Book III. King ROBERT B R U C E. 2 i j
Soon as the King the Giant-Foe beheld
^1585 Alone defy his Legions on the Field ;
The Steed he reins, and rufhes o'er the Strand,
An Ax well tempered charg'd his better Hand :
Dauntlefs he rode to meet the Champion's Force,
And the proud Knight begins his furious Courfe^
I jpo Full at the Monarch aims his Length of Spear,
Th' eluded Weapon fpends its Strength in Air.
The Courfer bore him on, but as he paft,
( Juft where the Plume ftood nodding on his Creft)
A forceful Blow the Monarch aims with Skill,
1 5P5 Thro' Helm and Brain down rufri'd the fhining Steel.
Prone fell the Champion on the gory Strand,
And the ftern Vifage threatned on the Sand.
This faw both Hofts, and from th' important Sight,
Each takes the Omen of the future Fight.
i £00 Returns the King, his Worth each Bofom fires,
• And ev'ry Leader to his Pod retires.
AND
The LIFE .of Book III.
AND now both Armies for the Fight prepare,
And fhrillcr Clangors animate the War.
Drums, Trumpets, Clarions blend their warlike Nolle,
Ring up the Air, and cccho thro* the Skies.
Woods, Vales, and Mountains the Alarm rebound,
And Heav'n and Earth appeared involved in Sound.
S A Y, Sacred Nine ! the dreadful Scene relate,
/
And paint the Wonders of the Day of Fate !
1610 Approach the Foe, Ten thoufand Qlofter heads,
Ten thoufand more the hardy Hertford leads.
Full on the Scottffi Right they ihape their Way,
Where Edward's Legions lin'd the hollow Bay ^
The hollow Bay thick fet with Piles before,
1615 And with factitious Turff diffembled o'er.
Arm'd on rich Steeds the South'ron thither bound,
And plunge at once into the faithlefs Ground.
Five thoufand whole lay wallowing in the Shore,
And lharpen'd Spikes Fiye thoufand Couriers gore.
1620
Book III. King R o B E R T BRUCE. 2 1 7
620 Edward to War his Infantry commands ;
Rufh the fierce Foot amidft th' entangled Bands,
Their fiery Leader thunders at, their Head,
And fail around the wid'ning Slaughter fpread.
Warriors and Steeds lay in one Ruin mix'd,
162, j By Craft ingulph'd, and fecret Piles transfix'd.
The reft, affrighted, from the fatal Coaft,
/ • •
Confus'dly flying, joyn'd the diftant Hoil.
AGAIN in Air the South'ron Banners play,
And Fifty thoufand ifllie to the Day.
"1630 The hardy Monmouw heads his Cambrian Force,
And Oxford joyns his clrinolantian Horfe.
To, meet thofe Battles dauntlefs Edward goes,
But looks for Aid againfc fuch Odds of Foes.
Nor long expects. Before his hardy Lines,
1635 Soon at his Side the noble Ranclolf ^fhincs.
In quick Battalia form'd each adverie Train,
With double Rage commenced the fccond Plain.
E c To-
'2 1 8 • The LIFE of Book III.
Together faft the Burft of Battle goes,
And to the Skies the Shouts, tremendous, rofe.
As when loud Winds the foamy Surges fweep,.
And from its Caverns tear the bellowing Deep ;
Or, as fierce Flames their crackling Torrents pour
Thro' Mountain-Forefts, and the Shades devour ^
Juft with fuch Rage the Hofls together bound,
Juft ibthe Clamours thro-' the Heav'ns refbund*
Soon as the Crufh of Spears obfcures the Air,
At once unfheath'd thegleamy Fauchions glare..
From claihing Arms the blended Sparkles blaze,
And blu filing Torrents form a crimfbn Maze.
1550 Here haughty Monmoutb thunders in his Might;.
There hardy Oxford animates the Fight,
In vain. See where fierce ILdward fvvims in Gore,
And Rando/fs mighty Arm lays wafte the Shore.
See where the fpreading Ruins of the Slain,.
1655 Thicken, and grow> and widen o'er the Plain !
In-
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 219
Incline the South'ron Ranks; nor longer dare
Oppofe the Fury of the Grampian War.
Monmoutb and Oxford lee their Troops give way,
And, pierc'd with Wounds, themfelves foriakethe Day.
i££o Retreat the Legions to the gen'ral Hoft,
And Twenty thouiand, lifeleis, Itrow the Coaft.
The Scots foon rally, and their Standards joyn,
And the form'd Troops again in Order fhine.
DOUBLY repuls'd, now all the South'ron War>
1665 Fir'd with Rcfentmcnt, for the Field prepare.
In Gold array'd, and blaming Diamonds bright,.
The mighty King rode foremoft to the Fight.
Three thouiand Knights in Mail, feverely gay,
Rich on barb'd Steeds conducb him to the Day.
1570 The long extended Legions fill the Train,
And crowding Nations thicken to the Plain. '
Aloft, unfurl'd, the gilded Standards fly,
And all the Pomp of Battle ftrikcs the Sky.
E e 2 Where
zip The LIFE of Book III.
Where Edward's Legions and brave RauMfs flood,
1575 Rally 'd, and reeking ftill with recent Blood ;
Array'd, the banded Squadrons proudly fare,
In all the dire Magnificence of War.
Unequal Match! But ere th' Attack begun,
Amid ft the Chiefs the doughty ^Douglas ihone.
1680 Three thoufand Bord'rers his Command obey,
Frefh to the Field, and ardent for the Day.
Him gallant Stuart in burnifn'd Armour joy ns,
And to the Oniet leads his Weftern Lines.
Heroic Youth ! nor had five Lu fires filed
1685 Their circling Seafonj o'er his blooming Head*
• THE Charge begins. The Hofts together bound,,
And Steeds and Warriors tumble on the Ground.
The craihing Spears in Clouds of Splinters rife,
Fierce thundYing Hofts, deep Groans and mingled Cries
Ring round the Forefts ; ecchoing Rocks reply,
And all th< War redoubles in the Sky.
The
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 221
The Monarch's ftcely Guards, amidft the Fight, \
Oa EtkeMtefis Legions pour their awful Might j
Edward as furious meets the Iron-Train,
165?) And Heads and Helmets ring againft the Plain. \
Hibernian Foot, and Q alii as warlike Horfe
Toward the noble Randotf bend their Courlc.
The noble Randolf 'gain ft thofe Squadrons rode,
And foreign Gore icon fwell'd the neighb'ring Flood.
1700 What Wonders were by dreadful ^Douglas wrought ?
And ev'n young Stuart^ not undifttnguifhM, fought.
But Owpbravi/ie, in Arts of War long ski i I'd,
Draws forth the Soutli'ron Bowmen to the Field.
. Rang'd to th' Attack, full Fifty thoufand came,
That drink the Tine^ and ffwn&er's tunbliag Strcarm.
From twanging. Hughs the whizzing Tcmpefts fly,
And Clouds of feather'ci Fates obfcure the Sky.
B T this Hyperion on his radiant Carr
Flam'd in the Zenith of the middle Sphere.
1710 AndC
^^^ The LIFE of Book III.
3710 And now th' unerring Balances on high,
Fram'd of pure Gold, depended from the Sky £
The Work of Art divine, to weigh the Fates
Of Rival Monarchs, and contending States ;
Impartial HeavVs Decrees ordain'd to prove,
1715 And fix th' Eternal Equity above.
Bright in the azure Vault the Balance ihone,
And 23ritifh Fates in either Side are thrown.
Sinking more pond'rous, Scofia's Lots prevail,
High mounts in Air, o'erpois'd, the South'ron Scale.
4720 MEANWHILE the King, rior yet engag'd, beheld
The bold Encounters on the v arious Field ;
Joyful had view'd his glorious Leaders fight
In all the Terrors of their Fathers Might ^
But
[ Bright m the Azart Vauk t^e Reliance from. ] This Piece of Machinery (if ws
may call it fo ) the Reader will find made Ufe of both by Homer and Virgil^ nor
is it any Invention ol theirs, or, indeed, owing ro the Pagan Theology. We have
fl'veral Authorities for it in facred Writ, particularly that of DtfwV/, in the Accounc
lie gives of Bdjkazzar's Feaft, C%>. 5. u. 17.
Book III. King ROBERT Bail CE. 223
But now at laft perceives thequiver'd Pow'r,
1725 By crafty Omphravilte well known before,
Rang'd on the hoftile Flanks, in Order glare,
And gall with diftant Wounds the Scottijh War.
To Arms he calls, and Tribe by Tribe draws forth,
Array'd to Battle, the intrepid North..
17 jb Himfelf before the Squadrons takes the Plain,
And Hay and Keith and Gordon fill theTrauv
His Troops M^kenzie- to M-donald joyns,
And all the War in Scythian Armour fhines^
The Dales around Hebridian Axes gild,
1735 And bofly Bucklers glimmer o'er the Field.
Detatch'd before, the noble Marfcbal rode,
To quell the Fury of the Archer-Growd.
Two thoufand Spears obey the Chief's Commands*
Fiercely they ruJh amidft the quiver'd Bands..
1740 The bold Detachment dealt deftruclion round,
Bows, Shafts and Warriors mingling on the Ground.
No
224 The LIFE of Book III.
Nor able to fuftain their awful Might,
Back to the Rear the Archers wing their Flight.
B y this the^King, Majeftically great,
1745 Shines in the Centre of the Day of Fate !
Stern Terrors rifing brood upon his Brows,
And in his Looks the God of Battles glows.
Quick round the Field his piercing Eye-balls glare>
$.t once directed thro' each Scene of War.
^750 Then as the Thunder, burfting from on high,
Drives thro* the gather'd Rack, and fweeps the Sky;
While Clouds, diflblv'd in mighty Torrents, pour
The founding Ruin round the deltig'd Shore;
So ruftYd the Monarch 'midft the thickeft Fight,
1755 And flam'd in all the Wonders of his Might.
Gods ! How his Rage the widening Havock fprcad ?
How thick around him rofe the growing Dead !
What Tides of rolling Gore from Ranks overthrown,
Unite, and fwell,.and deeper float the Lawn.
1760 The
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.
1700 The Lawn! that, late, frclh crown'd with Verdure lay*
Now Groans with Death^.and waves a Purple Sea.
The diftant War, aftonifh'd, ftopt i:s Courfe,
And, .wond'ring, view'd his more than mortal Force.
The hardy North's undaunted Sons engage,
1765 And lecond thro* the Field their Monarches Rage.
The foreign Troops, amaz'd, for Flight prepare.,
And ev'n the great Cacrnarvan dreads the War.- *~ ?
But Qmphravilie collects the Haggling Lines,
And at their Head once more that Leader Urines.
1770 Bold Giles the Argentine renown'd in Fame, >
And long in foreign Fields a dreadful Name^
Recalls the '%j/gian, and the Gallic Horfe,
And joyns to Ompbravillff the rally'd Force.
The Scott ijb Battles, diftant, on the Field,
1775 ThJ aflembied Foe's frefn Rendezvous beheld ;
From different Quarters their whole Troops combine-,
• And all at once the Monarch's Standard jovn. .
j «
F f The
The LIFE of Book III.
The Monarch takes the Van, and all the Pow'r
Upon the Foe with dreadful Fury bore ;
1780 On them the hardy Foe as furious bound,
Deep groan'd beneath the Shock the trembling Ground.
The mighty Clafh of Arms refounds in Air,
And Mountains eccho to the Din of War.
How did the 'Bruce > in all his dread Array,
i/8) Renew the former Wonders of the Day !
His Rage thro' cv'ry Scene of Battle ran,
Flam'd on the Flanks, or lightcn'd in the Van.
Gods ! How fierce JLdwnrd 'urg'd the ftern Debate,
From his bold Hand what Warriors met their Fate I
1790 In vain the Gallic Chief oppos'd his Pow'r,
Breathlefs by him extended on the Shore.
This "Belgium faw, and GWs aftonifh'd Horfe>
And fled, difbrder'd, from his dreadful Force.
Bold T)ouglaS) RanMf, Stuart, exert their Mightf
1795 Thunder thro* Death, and drive the fcatter'd Fight, -.
Their
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. ^^^
Their Rage no more fuftains the hoftilc Band,
All difarray'd, and reeling on the Strand. . £,
And now the Sun had ftiot a fainter Ray,
His Car declining to the Weftern Sea ;
4800 When from the Heights defcend the Scottifh Swains :
The Foe beheld, afrefh, the cover'd Plains.
They gaze fbmc Time, aftoniih'd at the Sight,
Then all at once precipitate their Flight.
His Armies routed, and his Honour loft,
1805 The great Caernarvan leaves the bloody Coaft.
To where loud Billows beat T>umbartan Shores,
He flies; and IDouglas drives the fcatter'd Powers.
By Sea at laft he gains his native Sway ;
£1
Dead in the Chafe Three thoufand Vidims lay.
1810 Of hoftile Corp(es (dreadful to relate)
Full Fifty thoufand gorg'd the Field of Fate.
Four hundred Spurs of Gold, Equeftrian Spoils !
Part grace, and Part reward the Grampian Toils.
Ff2 There
The LIFE of Book III.
Tl^ere lypoirt fell, m&.GloceJier the brave
1815 Prom H&'tice's gen'rcus Bounty found a Grave,
There the bold Argentine's fam'd Laurels fade,.
Mix'd with the Ruins of the vulgar Dead.
fc^jSCfe? -4f£f9*^ vvk° neyer knew to yield,
And fcom'd to fly, inglprious,. from die Field:
1820 In diftant Climes for martial Toils r.enown'd,
And thrice his Head with Tagan Triumphs crown'd.
Four thoufand EC tftifi Warriors yield their Breath,
Loyal in Life, and glorious in their Death.
"
There We font fell, and Rofs, renown 'd of Old,.
1825 But ilillj m^Scofia's Annals, live in Gold.
• .. ,
While thrice the Sun his courie Diurnal rolls,
•
AndlShades, fuccefiive, thrice involve the Poles ;
t.j'>, t
-
Still "Bannockrburn choak'd with a Tide of Gore,
• "
Groan'd in deep Murmurs to its ghaftly Shore,
180
[ Tsje bold Argcnrin^'i-j &c. ] Sir G//wths Argentine , who conimandsd a parr
of tne foreign Auxiliaries, was a bravs Man, and had cons Hgnal Services abroad
againit the Saraceus. He was call'd tl^ Argentine, from Argentina a City ot./Lyii-
1w in {jtrmany.) now Strasburg.
Book III, King R O B E RT B P U C E. 229
1830' ILdwartf efcap'd , bold 'Douglas leads his Holt
Back to victorious "Bruce by Fvrtbrfs Coaft.
Conjoyn'd, to Sterling march'd the laurel'd War,
And Spoils of Nations load each groaning Car.
Vaft Troops of captive Foes the Pomp "adorn 'd,-
1835 And haughty Chiefs in hoflile Fetters mourn'd.
Chiefs who, cftipons by gen'rous 'Bruce difmift,,
Reftor'd his Royal Confort to his Breaft.
Mcubray the Fort Turrenders, loyal growrr,
And henceforth faithful ta the Scott ifh Crown.
1-840 Now, glorious ^nice (all Oppofition quell'd,.
Each Fadion crufh'd, arid ev'ry Foe repell'd )
Tlfroughout tire Provinces proclaims his Sway,
At once the willing Provinces obey.
From far Pomona's Cbaft to So fatty's Shore,
1845 Each Subject, loyal, owns his Sovereign Pow'r.-'
His Friends rewarded, and his Hod difmifr,
With Bounty loaded, and with Freedom bleft;
..-. -, » J
The LIFE of Boo*
Each Office he invefts with due Command,
|
Diipcnfes Laws, and conftitute* the Land.
1850 No more dare foreign Foes his Right invade,
No more dares Faction lift its Rebel-head.
No more the Grampian Swain in Battle bleed?,
But to the Sword the peaceful Rake fuccceds.
The lab'ring Hind, free from opprcflivc Toil,
1855 Turns the rich Furrows of his native Soilj
In Freedom, Peace and Plenty waftes the Day,
And all th* Indulgence of a righteoui Swiy.
No longer Caledonia now deplores,
Her ruin'd Cities, and her dcfart Shores ;
i85o Her Cities, round, their ancient Splendor gain,
And golden Harvefts wave on ev'ry Plain.
At home rever'd, abroad diffus'd by Fame,
Thro' diftant Climes reibunds the BruJJian Name.
THUS far the Mule, in unambitious Strains,
Hathfung the Monarch fweating on the Plains, f
Immers'd
Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE. 231
Immers'd iu Ills, with Perils long befet,
(Glorious in Patience, and refign'dly great ! )
Till by Degrees he gain'd upon his Foes,
Grew in Diftreis, and on his Dangers rofc ;
1870 Triumphant 'midft the Spoils of Nations fhonc :
And HOW unrivaTd, mounts his native Throne;
Where regal Ore, and Gems his Brows infold,
And eyerlafling Laurels fhade the Gold.
WHILE circling Spheres their endlefs Roundi fhall run-
1875 And feel the genial Influence of the Sun ;
While Earth ihall dairy on her Axle roll,
And the flow Wain attend the freezing Pole ;
While Monthly Moons their Revolutions keep,
By Turns Ihatl raifc, and fink by Turns the Deep j
1880 While Fortha, fpacious, rolls her winding Waves,
And TLays rich Stream J&neian Borders laves j
Still dear to Albion be her Brace's Fame,
Sacred his Merit, and rever'd his Name.
So
The^LIFE of
Book- lit
So may juft Hcav'n maintain her ancient Crown,
1885 And Banqubo's Race for ever fill her Throne.
May both, ye Gods ! one final Period know,
THAT ceafe to rule, and Fortha ceafe to flow,
F 1 N I S.
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