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'Of the great Wictorie S^r William Wallace obtained in France, and of his returne againe into Scotland.' Chap. 2.

'How S^r William Wallace slew yong Botler,' &c. Chap. 3.

'How S^r William Wallace beseaged S^t Johnston.' Chap. 4.

'How S^r William Wallace was betrayed by the false Menteithe.' Chap. 5.

'Of the famos raigne of King Robert de Bruise.' Chap. 6.

'How King Edward 3 of England inwadit Scotland, and was expellet again.' Chap. 7.

"Several chapters follow, 'Of Love,' 'The politick Law,' &c."

Being anxious to bring forward every authentic information that I could possibly collect concerning Wallace, I lately transmitted to Mr Ellis a few queries, especially regarding the Lanercost MS., which had occurred to me in consequence of his former obliging communication; and, while I feel myself deeply indebted to him for the trouble he has taken, and for the promptness of his reply, I cannot pretend to give the substance of it in any language so appropriate as that which he has himself used.

'Sub duce de genere gens Scotia degeneravit, Quae famam temere foedusque fidem violavit. Postquam Willelmus Wallen?s nobilitavit, Nobilitas prorsus Scottorum degeneravit.'

"Such are the scanty materials relating to Wallace's history in the Chronicle of Lanercost.

We have a similar account in the St Albans Chronicle.

"How Johne, that was Wyllyam Waleys brother, was put to dethe.

"As the gretteste masteyrs of Scotlonde were thus doon to euyll dethe, and destroyed for theyr falsnesse, Johan. that was Wyllyam Waleys brother, was take and doon vnto deth, as Syr Johan erle of Alethes was." Sign. q. vi. b. Edit. 1502.

The other queries were;--If, from any of the MSS. in the British Museum, there is ground to suppose that Wallace had ever fought with King Edward in England? If any thing occurs that might have given rise to the story, told by Henry, of an interview with the English queen? If there is any hint as to Wallace having opposed the English in Guienne? If there is any proof that Sir John Menteith was concerned in delivering up Wallace to the English? And if it appears that Menteith acted in concert with Aymer de Valence? To these Mr Ellis gives the following answer:--

"Except at the battle of Falkirk, I see no reason to think that Wallace was ever personally opposed to Edward the First; certainly not during his incursion in 1297, as Edward was then in France. The story of his meeting the queen at St Albans must be a fiction. It is too singular a circumstance, if it had happened, to remain totally unnoticed in any of the English annals. I can find no mention of Wallace's being in Guienne. I think it was not likely that he should be found there. Scotland and the Border gave him full employ for his short career. No concert is at all noticed in the Lanercost MS. between Aymer de Valence and Sir John Menteith."

Having made some inquiries as to the manuscript No. 1226, formerly mentioned, and suggested that, from its orthography, it seems to claim a date prior to the age of Charles the First; Mr Ellis has favoured me with the following reply:--

"The manuscript in the same collection, Num. 1226, is entirely in prose. It occupies about a hundred leaves in small quarto; but is not paged. From the orthography, the manuscript may be somewhat older than I had supposed. It certainly is not before the time of James the First. I think you are correct in supposing it a copy from Henry the Minstrel. In an address 'To the moist cortews Reader,' the author says, 'al thoche this famous historie hathe beine republished heir to foir by hime which deserws great thankis for so worthie a work, yit the gathering of the said historie in a smaller compass may gif moir content vnto some readers,' &c. From another passage it should seem that additions are interspersed; but evidently without either distinction or authorities."

Mr Ellis also informs me, that the only old edition of Wallace, in the Museum, besides that of 1570, is the one printed at Aberdeen, in 1630, small octavo.

ARGUMENTS

THE DIFFERENT BOOKS.

ARGUMENT OF THE FIRST BOOK.

PROEM, v. 1.--Parentage of Wallace, v. 17.--Bruce and Baliol, v. 47.--Battles of Berwick and Dunbar, v. 85.--Baliol deposed, v. 115.--Wallace slays young Selbie at Dundee, v. 203.--Escapes disguised as an old woman, v. 239.--Arrives, with his mother, at Ellerslie, v. 315.--Adventure, when fishing at the water of Irvine, v. 367.

ARGUMENT OF THE SECOND BOOK.

Wallace slays the churl at Ayr, v. 29.--Also Percy's Steward, v. 84.--Cast into prison in Ayr, v. 153.--Henry's lamentation for him, v. 160.--Thrown over the wall as dead, v. 252.--Recovered by his nurse, v. 258.--Thomas the Rhymer, v. 288.--Wallace, on his way to Riccarton, slays the Squire Longcastle, v. 360.

ARGUMENT OF THE THIRD BOOK.

Wallace revenges the slaughter of his father and brother at Loudounhill, v. 40.--Slays the knight Fenwick, v. 175.--Sojourns in Clyde's wood, v. 249.--Makes peace with the English, at the instigation of Sir Ronald Crawfurd his uncle, v. 278.--Slays the buckler-player in Ayr, v. 353.

ARGUMENT OF THE FOURTH BOOK.

Percy's servant slain, v. 31.--Wallace rides towards the Lennox, v. 104.--Visits Earl Malcolm, v. 156.--Character of Fawdoun, v. 185.--The Peel of Gargunnock taken, v. 213.--Wallace crosses Forth, v. 270.--Goes to St. Johnston; and takes the castle of Kinclevin, v. 358.--Battle of Shortwoodshaw, v. 512.--Betrayed by his lemman, escapes from Perth, v. 703.

ARGUMENT OF THE FIFTH BOOK.

Wallace traced by a slouth-hound, v. 23.--Goes to Elcho Park, v. 35.--Slays Fawdoun on suspicion, v. 115.--Kerl? kills Heron, v. 145.--Wallace reaches Gask Hall, v. 175.--Ghost of Fawdoun, v. 192.--Wallace slays Butler, v. 238.--Swims across Forth at Cambuskenneth, v. 304.--Finds shelter at Torwood, v. 319.--Here he meets with his uncle, v. 350.--Visits Sir John the Graham at Dundaff, v. 436.--Master John Blair and Parson Gray, v. 538.--Falls in love with a young lady in Lanark, v. 584.--His reasoning against love, v. 622.--He visits her, v. 672.--The English cut the tails of his horses in Lochmaben, v. 731.--He slays Hugh of Moreland, v. 820.--Graystock follows Wallace with three hundred men, and is slain by Sir John the Graham, v. 860.--Lochmaben Castle taken, v. 992.--Also that of Crawford, v. 1075.

Dissertation on love, v. 25.--Wallace marries Miss Bradfute, v. 48.--Being assaulted by the English, retreats to Cartlane Craigs, v. 155.--Hesilrig, to revenge the escape of Wallace, murders his wife, v. 191.--Wallace slays Hesilrig, and drives the English out of Lanark, v. 230.--The battle of Biggar, v. 341.--Wallace disguises himself, v. 435.--Chosen guardian of Scotland, v. 767.--Takes a strength on the water of Cree, v. 803.--Also Turnbery Castle in Carrick, v. 834.--Agrees to a truce at Rutherglen, v. 865.--Resides at Cumnock, v. 936.

ARGUMENT OF THE SEVENTH BOOK.

Wallace's vision in Monkton Kirk, v. 57.--Treachery of the English at Ayr, v. 171.--Burning of the Barns, v. 333.--The Friar of Ayr's Benison, v. 471.--Wallace drives Bishop Beck and Percy out of Glasgow, v. 515.--He seeks Macfadyan, and slays old Rukby at Stirling, v. 623.--Earl Malcolm takes Stirling Castle, v. 727.--Macfadyan killed, v. 862.--Council at Ardchattan, v. 875.--Wallace takes St Johnston, v. 958.--Destroys the English at Dunottar, v. 1042.--Burns an hundred ships belonging to them at Aberdeen, v. 1065.--Besieges the Castle of Dundee, v. 1090.--Battle of Stirling-bridge, v. 1134.--Hugh de Cresyngham slain, v. 1196.--Sir John Menteith takes an oath to Wallace, v. 1259.--Cristal of Seatoun, v. 1275.

ARGUMENT OF THE EIGHTH BOOK.

A parliament at Perth, to which Corspatrick refuses to come, v. 1.--Wallace fights with him at Dunbar, v. 86.--Bruce and Beik enter Scotland with an army, v. 139.--They, with Corspatrick, are driven out of the country, v. 380.--Wallace invades England, v. 433.--Advances to York, v. 517.--Demands battle of King Edward, v. 550.--The siege of York, v. 741.--Ramswaith burnt, v. 1008.--Poetical description of morning, v. 1181.--The Queen of England sues to Wallace for peace, v. 1215.--This is granted on certain conditions, v. 1510.--Wallace returns to Scotland, v. 1570.--Invited by the King of France to visit him, v. 1619.

ARGUMENT OF THE NINTH BOOK.

Description of Spring, v. 1.--Wallace sets sail for France, v. 47.--Is attacked by Longueville, the Red Reaver, v. 86.--Takes him prisoner, v. 149.--Goes to Paris, v. 300.--Obtains Longueville's pardon, v. 381.--Passes into Guienne, v. 427.--During his absence the English invade Scotland, v. 550.--He is invited to return, v. 646.--On his return he takes St Johnston, v. 697.--The battle of Black Irnside, v. 779.--Sir John Stewart killed, v. 1103.--Castle of Lochlevin taken, v. 1161.--Also, that of Airth, v. 1281.--Wallace delivers his uncle from prison, v. 1345.--Englishmen burnt in Dunbarton, v. 1376.--The castle kept by Menteith, v. 1395.--Death of the mother of Wallace, v. 1530.--Douglas takes the castle of Sanquhar, v. 1551.--The English lay siege to it, and Douglas is rescued by Wallace, v. 1729.--He lays siege to Dundee, v. 1839.

ARGUMENT OF THE TENTH BOOK.

The battle of Sheriff-muir, v. 19.--Battle of Falkirk, v. 37.--Contention between Wallace and Stewart of Bute, v. 109.--Death of Sir John the Graham, v. 378.--Conference between Wallace and Bruce at Carron, v. 439.--Lamentation of Wallace for the loss of Graham, v. 557.--Edward surprised at Linlithgow, v. 627.--Bruce held in subjection to England, v. 720.--Dundee taken, v. 751.--Wallace resigns his office, v. 762.--Sets sail for France, and meets John of Lynn, v. 797.--The Reaver killed, v. 885.--Menteith engaged to King Edward, v. 972.--Edward invades Scotland, divides the lands, and sends some noblemen to prison, v. 985.--Cumyn enters into a compact with the Bruce, v. 1007.--Different opinions as to the part he acted, v. 1153.

ARGUMENT OF THE ELEVENTH BOOK.

The success of Wallace in Guienne, v. 1.--A French knight seeks to slay him, v. 71.--Wallace slays two champions, v. 149.--His pretended encounter with a lion, v. 195.--He leaves France, and lands at the mouth of Earn, v. 295.--Slays young Butler in Elcho Park, v. 358.--Straits of Wallace and his companions from want of food, v. 553.--Kills five men who come on him while asleep, and provides food for his men, v. 571.--Lays siege to St Johnstoun, and drives the English out of Scotland, v. 707.--Wallange and Menteith plot against Wallace, v. 791.--St Johnstoun taken, v. 854.--Edward Bruce meets Wallace, v. 918.--Wallace invites Robert the Bruce to Scotland, v. 965.--Is betrayed and taken at Rob Royston, v. 995.--Lamentation for the loss of him, v. 1109.--Grief of Longueville, v. 1139.--Robert the Bruce arrives at Lochmaben, v. 1155.--Kills Cumyn, v. 1185.--Vision of a monk of Bury Abbey, v. 1238.--Martyrdom of Wallace at London, v. 1305.--Conclusion, v. 1451.

WALLACE.

BUKE FYRST.

Our antecessowris, that we suld of reide, And hald in mynde thar nobille worthi deid, We lat ourslide, throw werray sleuthfulnes; And castis ws euir till vthir besynes. Till honour ennymys is our haile entent, 5 It has beyne seyne in thir tymys bywent; Our ald ennemys cummyn of Saxonys blud, That neuyr yeit to Scotland wald do gud, Bot euir on fors, and contrar haile thair will, Quhow gret kyndnes thar has beyne kyth thaim till. 10 It is weyle knawyne on mony diuerss syde, How thai haff wrocht in to thair mychty pryde, To hald Scotlande at wndyr euirmar. Bot God abuff has maid thar mycht to par: Yhit we suld thynk one our bearis befor. 15 Of thair parablyss as now I say no mor.

We reide of ane rycht famouss of renowne, Of worthi blude that ryngis in this regioune: And hensfurth I will my process hald Of Wilyham Wallas yhe haf hard beyne tald. 20 His forbearis quha likis till wndrestand, Of hale lynage, and trew lyne of Scotland, Schir Ranald Crawfurd, rycht schirreff of Ayr: So in hys tyme he had a dochter fayr, And yonge Schir Ranald schirreff of that toune, 25 His systir fair, off gud fame and ranoune: Malcom Wallas hir gat in mariage, That Elrisl? than had in heretage, Auchinbothe, and othir syndry place; The secund O he was of gud Wallace: 30 The quhilk Wallas fully worthely at wrocht, Quhen Waltyr hyr of Waillis fra Warayn socht. Quha likis till haif mar knawlage in that part, Go reid the rycht lyne of the fyrst Stewart. Bot Malcom gat wpon this lady brycht 35 Schir Malcom Wallas, a full gentill knycht, And Wilyame als, as Conus cornykle beris on hand; Quhilk eftir was the reskew of Scotland. Quhen it was lost with tresoune and falsness, Our set be fais, he fred it weyle throu grace. 40

Quhen Alexander our worthi king had lorn, Be awentur, his liff besid Kyngorn, Thre yer in pess the realm stude desolate; Quharfor thair raiss a full grewous debate. Our prynce Dawy, the erle of Huntyntoun, 45 Thre dochtrys had that war of gret ranoun; Off quhilk thre com Bruce, Balyoune, and Hastyng: Twa of the thre desyryt to be kyng. Balyoune clamyt of fyrst gre lynialy; And Bruce fyrst male of the secund gre by. 50 To Paryss than, and in Ingland thai send, Fol. 1 b Off this gret striff how thai suld haif ane end. Foly it was, forsuth it happynnyt sa, Succour to sek of thar alde mortale fa. Eduuarde Langschankis had new begune hys wer 55 Apon Gaskone, fell awfull in effer: Thai landis thane he clamde as heretage. Fra tyme that he had semblit his barnage, And herd tell weyle Scotland stude in sic cace, He thocht till hym to mak it playn conquace. 60 Till Noram kirk he come with outyn mar, The consell than of Scotland meit hym thar. Full sutailly he chargit thaim in bandoune, As thar our lord, till hald of hym the croun. Byschope Robert, in his tyme full worthi, 65 Off Glaskow lord, he said that "we deny "Ony our lord, bot the gret God abuff." The king was wrath, and maid hym to ramuff. Couatus Balyoune folowid on hym fast: Till hald of hym he grantyt at the last. 70 In contrar rycht, a king he maid hym thar; Quhar throuch Scotland rapentyt syne full sar. To Balyoune yhit our lordis wald nocht consent. Eduuard past south, and gert set his parliment: He callyt Balyoune till ansuer for Scotland. 75 The wyss lordis gert hym sone brek that band. Ane abbot past, and gaif our this legiance. King Eduuard than it tuk in gret greuance. His ost he rasd, and come to Werk on Twede; Bot for to fecht, as than he had gret drede. 80 To Corspatryk of Dunbar sone he send, His consell ast, for he contr? kend: And he was brocht in presence to the king. Be suttale band thai cordyt of this thing.

Erle Patrik than till Berweik couth persew; 85 Ressawide he was and trastyt werray trew. The king folowid with his host of ranoun; Eftir mydnycht at rest wes all the toun. Corspatryk raiss, the keyis weile he knew, Leit breggis doun, and portculess thai drew; 90 Set wp yettis syne, couth his baner schaw; The ost was war, and towart hym thai draw. Eduuard entrit, and gert sla hastely, Of man and wiff, sewyn thousand and fyfty, And barnys als: be this fals awentur, 95 Of trew Scottis chapyt na creatur. A captayne thair this fals Eduuard maid: Towart Dunbar, without restyng thai raid; Quhar gaderyt was gret power of Scotland, Agayne Eduuard in bataill thocht to stand. 100 Thir four erllis was entrit in that place, Of Mar, Menteith, Adell, Ross, wpon cace. In that castell the erle gert hald thaim in, Fol. 2 a At to thar men with out thai mycht nocht wyn; Na thai to thaim suppl?yng for to ma. 105 The battaillis than to giddyr fast thai ga. Full gret slauchtyr, at pitt? was to se, Off trew Scottis oursett with sutelt?. Erle Patrik than, quhen fechtyng was fellast, Till our fa turnd, and harmyng did ws mast. 110 Is nayne in warld, at scaithis ma do mar, Than weile trastyt in borne familiar. Our men was slayne with outyn redemptioune; Throuch thar dedis all tynt was this regioune. King Eduuard past and Corspatrik to Scwne; 115 And thar he gat homage of Scotland swne: For nane was left the realme for to defend. For Jhon the Balyoune to Munross than he send, And putt hym doune for euir of this kynrik: Than Eduuarde self was callit a roy full ryk. 120 The croune he tuk apon that sammyne stane At Gadalos send with his sone fra Spane, Quhen Iber Scot fyrst in till Irland come. At Canemor syne king Fergus has it nome; Brocht it till Scwne, and stapill maid it thar, 125 Quhar kingis was cround aucht hundyr yer and thar, Befor the tyme at king Eduuard it fand. This jowell he gert turss in till Ingland; In Lwnd it sett till witness of this thing; Be conquest than of Scotland cald hym king. 130 Quhar that stayne is, Scottis suld mastir be: God chess the tyme Margretis ayr till see! Sewyn scor thai led off the gretast that thai fand Off ayris with thaim, and Bruce, out of Scotland. Eduuard gayf hym his faderis heretage; 135 Bot he thocht ay till hald hym in thrillage. Baith Blatok Mur was his and Huntyntoun; Till erle Patrik thai gaif full gret gardoun. For the frendschipe king Eduuard with hym fand, Protector haile he maid hym of Scotland. 140 That office than he brukyt bot schort tyme. I may nocht now putt all thair deid in ryme; Off cornikle quhat suld I tary lang? To Wallace agayne now breiffly will I gange. Scotland was lost quhen he was bot a child, 145 And our set throuch with our ennemyss wilde. His fadyr Malcom in the Lennox fled; His eldest sone thedir he with hym led. Hys modyr fled with him fra Elrisl?, Till Gowry past, and duelt in Kilspynd?. 150 The knycht hir fadyr thedyr he thaim sent Till his wncle, that with full gud entent In Gowry duelt, and had gud lewyng thar; Ane agyt man, the quhilk resawyt thaim far. In till Dund? Wallace to scule thai send, 155 Quhill he of witt full worthely was kend. Fol. 2 b Thus he conteynde in till hys tendyr age; In armys syne did mony hie waslage, Quhen Saxons blude into this realm cummyng, Wyrkand the will of Eduuard that fals king, 160 Mony gret wrang thai wrocht in this regioune, Distroyed our lordys, and brak thar byggynnys doun. Both wiffis, wedowis, thai tuk all at thair will, Nonnys, madyns, quham thai likit to spill. King Herodis part thai playit in to Scotland, 165 Off yong childer that thai befor thaim fand. The byschoprykis, that war of gretast waile, Thai tuk in hand of thar archbyschops haile: No for the Pape thai wald no kyrkis forber, Bot gryppyt all be wiolence of wer. 170 Glaskow thai gaif, as it our weile was kend, To dyocye in Duram to commend. Small benifice that wald thai nocht persew, And for the richt full worthy clerkis thai slew; Hangitt barrownnys and wroucht full mekill cayr: 175 It was weylle knawyn, in the Bernys of Ayr, Auchtene score putt to that dispitfull dede: Bot God abowyn has send ws sum ramede. The remembrance is forthir in the taile. I will folow apon my process haile. 180

Willyham Wallace, or he was man of armys, Gret pitt? thocht that Scotland tuk sic harmys. Mekill dolour it did hym in hys mynde; For he was wyss, rycht worthy, wicht and kynd: In Gowry duelt still with this worthy man. 185 As he encressyt, and witt haboundyt than, In till hys hart he had full mekill cayr, He saw the Sothroun multipliand mayr; And to hym self offt wald he mak his mayne. Off his gud kyne thai had slane mony ane. 190 Yhit he was than semly, stark and bald; And he of age was bot auchtene yer auld. Wapynnys he bur, outhir gud suerd or knyff; For he with thaim hapnyt richt offt in stryff. Quhar he fand ane without the othir presance, 195 Eftir to Scottis that did no mor grewance; To cut his throit, or steik hym sodanlye, He wayndyt nocht, fand he thaim fawely. Syndry wayntyt, bot nane wyst be quhat way; For all to him thar couth na man thaim say. 200 Sad of contenance he was bathe auld and ying, Litill of spech, wyss, curtass and benyng. Wpon a day to Dund? he was send; Off cruelness full litill thai him kend. The constable a felloun man of wer, 205 That to the Scottis did full mekill der, Fol. 3 a Selbye he hecht, dispitfull and owtrage. A sone he had ner twenty yer of age: Into the toun he wsyt euerlik day; Thre men or four thar went with him to play; 210 A hely schrew, wanton in his entent. Wallace he saw, and towart him he went; Likl? he was, richt byge and weyle beseyne, In till a gyde of gudly ganand greyne. He callyt on hym, and said; "Thou Scot, abyde; 215 "Quha dewill the grathis in so gay a gyde? "Ane Ersche mantill it war thi kynd to wer; "A Scottis thewtill wndyr thi belt to ber; "Rouch rewlyngis apon thi harlot fete. "Gyff me thi knyff; quhat dois thi ger so mete?" 220 Till him he yeid, his knyff to tak him fra. Fast by the collar Wallace couth him ta; Wndyr his hand the knyff he bradit owt, For all his men that semblyt him about: Bot help him selff he wsyt of no remede; 225 With out reskew he stekyt him to dede. The squier fell: of him thar was na mar. His men folowid on Wallace wondyr sar: The press was thik, and cummerit thaim full fast. Wallace was spedy, and gretlye als agast; 230 The bludy knyff bar drawin in his hand, He sparyt nane that he befor him fand. He knew the hous his eyme had lugit in; Thedir he fled, for owt he mycht nocht wyn. The gude wyff than within the closs saw he; 235 And, "Help," he cryit, "for him that deit on tre; "The yong captane has fallyn with me at stryff." In at the dur he went with this gud wiff. A roussat goun of hir awn scho him gaif Apon his weyd, at coueryt all the layff; 240 A soudly courche our hed and nek leit fall; A wowyn quhyt hatt scho brassit on with all; For thai suld nocht lang tary at that in; Gaiff him a rok, syn set him doun to spyn. The Sothroun socht quhar Wallace was in drede; 245 Thai wyst nocht weylle at quhat yett he in yeide. In that same houss thai socht him beselye; Bot he sat still, and span full conandly, As of his tym, for he nocht leryt lang. Thai left him swa, and furth thar gait can gang, 250 With hewy cheyr and sorowfull in thocht: Mar witt of him as than get couth thai nocht. The Inglis men, all thus in barrat boune, Bade byrne all Scottis that war in to that toun. Yhit this gud wiff held Wallace till the nycht, 255 Maid him gud cher, syne put hym out with slycht. Throw a dyrk garth scho gydyt him furth fast; Fol. 3 b In cowart went and vp the wattyr past; Forbure the gate for wachis that war thar. His modyr bade in till a gret dispar. 260 Quhen scho him saw scho thankit hewynnis queyn, And said; "Der sone, this lang quhar has thow beyne?" He tald his modyr of his sodane cass. Than wepyt scho, and said full oft, 'Allas! 'Or that thow cessis thow will be slayne with all.' 265 "Modyr," he said, "God reuller is of all. "Unsouerable are thir pepille of Ingland; "Part of thar ire me think we suld gaynstand." His eme wist weyle that he the squier slew; For dreid thar of in gret langour he grew. 270 This passit our, quhill diueris dayis war gane: That gud man dred or Wallace suld be tane: For Suthroun ar full sutaille euirilk man. A gret dyttay for Scottis thai ordand than; Be the lawdayis in Dund? set ane ayr: 275 Than Wallace wald na langar soiorne thar.

His modyr graithit hir in pilgrame weid; Hym disgysyt syne glaidlye with hir yeid; A schort swerd wndyr his weid priual?. In all that land full mony fays had he. 280 Baith on thar fute, with thaim may tuk thai nocht. Quha sperd, scho said to Sanct Margret thai socht, Quha serwit hir. Full gret frendschipe thai fand With Sothroun folk: for scho was of Ingland. Besyd Landoris the ferrye our thai past 285 Syn throw the Ochell sped thaim wondyr fast. In Dunfermlyn thai lugyt all that nycht. Apon the morn, quhen that the day was brycht, With gentill wemen hapnyt thaim to pass, Off Ingland born, in Lithquhow wounnand was. 290 The captans wiff, in pilgramage had beyne, Fra scho thaim mett, and had yong Wallace sene, Gud cher thaim maid; for he was wondyr fayr, Nocht large of tong, weille taucht and debonayr. Furth tawkand thus of materis that was wrocht, 295 Quhill south our Forth with hyr son scho thaim brocht. In to Lithkow thai wald nocht tary lang; Thar leyff thai tuk, to Dunypace couth gang. Thar duelt his eyme, a man of gret richess. This mychty persone, hecht to name Wallas, 300 Maid thaim gud cher, and was a full kynd man, Welcummyt thaim fair, and to thaim tald he than, Dide him to witt, the land was all on ster; Trettyt thaim weyle, and said; "My sone so der, "Thi modyr and thow rycht heir with me sall bide, 305 "Quhill better be, for chance at may betyde." Wallace ansuerd, said; 'Westermar we will: Fol. 4 a 'Our kyne ar slayne, and that me likis ill; 'And othir worthi mony in that art: 'Will God I leiffe, we sall ws wreke on part.' 310 The persone sicht, and said; "My sone so fre, "I cannot witt how that radress may be." Quhat suld I spek of frustir? as this tyd, For gyft of gud with him he wald nocht bide. His modyr and he till Elrisl? thai went. 315 Vpon the morn scho for hir brothyr sent, In Corsby duelt and schirreff was of Ayr. Hyr fadyr was dede, a lang tyme leyffyt had thar; Hyr husband als at Lowdoun-hill was slayn. Hyr eldest sone, that mekill was of mayn, 320 Schir Malcom Wallas was his nayme but less, His houch senons thai cuttyt in that press; On kneis he faucht, felle Inglismen he slew; Till hym thar socht may fechtaris than anew; On athyr side with speris bar him doun; 325 Thar stekit thai that gud knycht of renoun. On to my taile I left. At Elrisl? Schir Ranald come son till his sistyr fre, Welcummyt thaim hayme, and sperd of hir entent. Scho prayde he wald to the lord Persye went, 330 So yrk of wer scho couth no forthir fle, To purchess pes, in rest at scho mycht be. Schyr Ranald had the Perseys protectioune, As for all part to tak the remissioune. He gert wrytt ane till his systir that tyde. 335 In that respyt Wallas wald nocht abyde: Hys modyr kyst, scho wepyt with hart sar, His leyff he tuk, syne with his eyme couth far. Yonge he was, and to Sothroun rycht sauage; Gret rowme thai had, dispitfull and wtrage. 340 Schir Ranald weylle durst nocht hald Wallas thar; For gret perell he wyst apperand war: For thai had haile the strenthis of Scotland; Quhat thai wald do durst few agayne thaim stand. Schyrreff he was, and wsyt thaim amang; 345 Full sar he dred or Wallas suld tak wrang: For he and thai couth neuir weyle accord. He gat a blaw, thocht he war lad or lord, That proferryt him ony lychtlynes; Bot thai raparyt our mekill to that place. 350 Als Ingliss clerkis in prophecyss thai fand, How a Wallace suld putt thaim of Scotland. Schir Ranald knew weill a mar quiet sted, Quhar Wilyham mycht be bettir fra thair fede, With his wncle Wallas of Ricardtoun, 355 Schir Richard hecht, that gud knycht off renoun. Thai landis hayle than was his heretage, Fol. 4 b Bot blynd he was, 360 Throuch hurt of waynys, and mystyrit of blud. Yeit he was wiss, and of his conseil gud. In Feuiryer Wallas was to him send; In Aperill fra him he bownd to wend. Bot gud serwice he dide him with plesance, 365 As in that place was worthi to awance.

So on a tym he desyrit to play. In Aperill the thre and twenty day, Till Erewyn wattir fysche to tak he went; Sic fantasye fell in his entent. 370 To leide his net, a child furth with him yeid; But he, or nowne, was in a fellowne dreid. His suerd he left, so did he neuir agayne; It dide him gud, supposs he sufferyt payne. Off that labour as than he was nocht sle: 375 Happy he was, tuk fysche haboundanl?. Or of the day ten houris our couth pass, Ridand thar come, ner by quhar Wallace wass, The lorde Persye, was captane than off Ayr; Fra thine he turnde and couth to Glaskow fair. 380 Part of the court had Wallace labour seyne, Till him raid fyve cled in to ganand greyne, And said sone; "Scot, Martyns fysche we wald hawe." Wallace meklye agayne ansuer him gawe; 'It war resone, me think, yhe suld haif part: 385 'Waith suld be delt, in all place, with fre hart.' He bad his child, "Gyff thaim of our waithyng." The Sothroun said; 'As now of thi delyng 'We will nocht tak, thow wald giff ws our small.' He lychtyt doun, and fra the child tuk all. 390 Wallas said than; "Gentill men gif ye be, "Leiff ws sum part, we pray for cheryt?. "Ane agyt knycht serwis our lady to day; "Gud frend, leiff part and tak nocht all away." 'Thow sall haiff leiff to fysche, and tak the ma, 395 'All this forsuth sall in our flyttyng ga. 'We serff a lord; thir fysche sall till him gang.' Wallace ansuerd, said; "Thow art in the wrang." 'Quham thowis thow, Scot? in faith thow serwis a blaw.' Till him he ran, and out a suerd can draw. 400 Willyham was wa he had na wappynis thar, Bot the poutstaff, the quhilk in hand he bar. Wallas with it fast on the cheik him tuk Wyth so gud will, quhill of his feit he schuk. The suerd flaw fra him a fur breid on the land. 405 Wallas was glad, and hynt it sone in hand; And with the swerd awkwart he him gawe Wndyr the hat, his crage in sondre drawe. Be that the layff lychtyt about Wallas; Fol. 5 a He had no helpe, only bot Goddis grace. 410 On athir side full fast on him thai dange; Gret perell was giff thai had lestyt lang. Apone the hede in gret ire he strak ane; The scherand suerd glaid to the colar bane. Ane othir on the arme he hitt so hardely, 415 Quhill hand and suerd bathe on the feld can ly. The tothir twa fled to thar hors agayne; He stekit him was last apon the playne. Thre slew he thar, twa fled with all thair mycht Eftir thar lord; bot he was out of sycht, 420 Takand the mure, or he and thai couth twyne. Till him thai raid onon, or thai wald blyne, And cryit; "Lord, abide; your men ar martyrit doun "Rycht cruelly, her in this fals regioun. "Fyve of our court her at the wattir baid, 425 "Fysche for to bryng, thocht it na profyt maid. "We ar chapyt, bot in feyld slayne are thre." The lord speryt; 'How mony mycht thai be?' "We saw bot ane that has discumfyst ws all." Than leuch he lowde, and said; 'Foule mot yow fall; 430 'Sen ane yow all has putt to confusioun. 'Quha menys it maist, the dewyll of hell him droun; 'This day for me, in faith, he beis nocht socht.' Quhen Wallas thus this worthi werk had wrocht, Thar horss he tuk, and ger that lewyt was thar; 435 Gaif our that crafft, he yeid to fysche no mar; Went till his eyme, and tauld him of this dede. And he for wo weyle ner worthit to weide; And said; "Sone, thir tythingis syttis me sor; "And be it knawin, thow may tak scaith tharfor." 440 'Wncle,' he said, 'I will no langar byde; 'Thir Southland horss latt se gif I can ride.' Than bot a child, him serwice for to mak, Hys emys sonnys he wald nocht with him tak. This gude knycht said; "Deyr cusyng, pray I the, 445 "Quhen thow wanttis gud, cum fech ynewch fra me." Syluir and gold he gert on to him geyff. Wallace inclynys, and gudely tuk his leyff.

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