TO
The Right Honourable,
**The Lord BRUCE.**

My LORD,

HE ensuing Poem prefumes to shelter
it self 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 Aftonifhment of Mankind,
and hath, in a Manner, fecur'd the Succefs of any
honeft and tolerable Endeavour in his Behalf. Whilft
others

TO
The Right Honourable,
The Lord BRUCE.

My LORD,

HE enfuing Poem prefumes to shelter
it self 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 Aftonifhment of Mankind,
and hath, in a Manner, fecur'd the Succefs of any
honest and tolerable Endeavour in his Behalf. Whilft
others

others may ftrain hard to distinguiſh their HERRONES and themſelves, the leaſt Attempt in his Favour ſhines back upon the Author, and gilds him with the Reflections of his Glory.

UNKNOWN, My Lord, but thus ſupported, I have ventur'd into your Prefence; 'Tis thus I have dar'd to be bold, in Spite of my Imperfections and Obſcurity. Nor am I ignorant of the Danger and Delicacy that attends ſuch an Eſſay, as is that of the *Life* of ROBERT BRUCE King of SCOTS; the very Mention of whose Name can ſignify to Fame, or condemn to Infamy for ever. A Name! that hath long ago diſarm'd Malice and Flattery at once; and hath ſet it ſelf equally above Libel and Panegyric!

I ſhall hope the best. I'm ſure I have meant well, and, Your Lordship knows, Perfection is no Prerogative of Humanity.

IF his Character then can affect at ſuch a Rate the leaſt Remembrance of him, even in an obſcure Person

Person and a Stranger; what Glory muſt it diffuse amongſt his Kindred, what Honours derive upon his Poſterity? Your noble Family, My Lord, need not have Recourſe to the Herauld-Office for a Coat, or an Eſcutcheon; You have many a gallant Field to furnish out the Device, and BANNOCKBURN to diſtinguish the Bearing. The Deſcendents of ROBERT BRUCE need not envy thofe Actions that are handed down to us in the ſounding Rhetoric of Greece, or that appear in the brighteſt Pomp of Roman Eloquence. By him the Laurels of Marathon have been rival'd on the Banks of Forth, nor do the Grampian Plains give Way to thofe of Pharsalia.

IT is not, My Lord, the Intent of this Addrefs, to encroach upon your Time, or to run a Length of Encomium equally nauſeous and ſuſpected. All my Deſign is to beg your Lordship's Protection to an Eſſay on the Reign of your great Anceſtor; one of the moſt renown'd Princes (as BUCHANNAN, no very great Friend to

## The PREFACE.

introduc'd them but sparingly, and never, I think, but upon
Necessity.

As to the Manners and Characters I hope they are pretty
evenly preferr'd, but I leave the Judgment of the whole to
the Reader.

There are two Lines, B. 3. L. misplac'd by Inade-
vertency. The last must be read first.

I have us'd the Word South'ron as it was a Term in those
Days, peculiarly appropriated by the Scots to the English,
upon Account of their Situation in Respect to them; and be-
cause it has more of the Air of those Times than the ordi-
nary modern Appellation. And where the Word Southern
is made Use of (which I think is but once) it denotes the
South Parts of Scotland. I do not remember any Thing fur-
ther worth observing; where any Escapes do occur, the Read-
er may pardon or correct them as he thinks fit.

## A LIST

A

## LIST
OF
The Names of Subscribers.

THE Right Honourable
the Earl of Aboyne,

The Right Honourable the
Viscount of Arbuthnot,

Sir John Areskine of Alva,

John Aitkin Esquire, Secreta-
ry at war for North-Britain,

Mr. David Anderson Merchant
in Edinburgh,

The Reverend Mr. John A-
lexander, Minifter of the
Gospel at Clackmannan;

Mr. James Anderson,

John Antonius Wright in E-
dinburgh,

George Anderson Writer in
Edinburgh,

John Alifon of Birkhil Esquire,

William Robert Adair younger
of Drummore Esquire,

James Abercromby Ship-mafter
in Dundee,

Mrs. Henrietta Alves,

Mr. Richard Auplin Vintner
in Coupar.

B

The Right Honourable the
Lord Bruce.

Colonel Hary Bruce of Clack-
mannan,

Sir Thomas Bruce of Kinrofs
Baronet,

Hary Bruce younger of Clack-
mannan Esquire,

James Bruce of Powfaulis,

David Bruce of Kinnaird,

Alexander Bruce of Kennet,

James Bruce Esquire, Advocate,

Sir Michael Bruce of Stenhoufe,

Bruce-Stewart of
Blairhal,

Alexander Bruce Esquire,

Michael Bruce Esquire,

Mr. John Bruce Minifter of the
Gospel,

Charles Bruce Glazier in Edin-
burgh,

Andrew Brown of Braid Es-
quire,

Mr.

Mr. Thomas Frazer Writer in
Edinburgh,

Mr. Francis Farquharson Writer in Edinburgh,

James Freebairn Esquire.

G

The Right Honourable the
Lord Gairlies,

The Right Honourable the
Lord Gray,

Lady Mary Graham,

Alexander Gall Merchant in
Edinburgh,

Patrick Græme Goldsmith in
Edinburgh,

Mr. John Gray Writer in E-
dinburgh,

Mr. Grierson of Lagg,

The Hon. Mr. John Gordon,

William Gordon younger of
Eilon Esquire,

William Gourley of Kincraig
Esquire,

Mr. James Gibb, one of the
Masters of the High-school
of Edinburgh ;

Robert Graham of Fintray,
Esquire,

Mr. James Graham of Airth
Advocate, and Judge Ad-
miral for North-Britain ;

William Graham junior Mer-
chant in Edinburgh,

( )

Geddes of Kircurd,
Patrick Graham of Inchbraikie

The Reverend Mr. Andrew
Garden, Minifter of the Gof-
pel at Annandale,

James Graham of Braco, Esq.

William Graham M. D.

Mr. Thomas Gibbon one of the
principal Clerks of Session,

Mr. James Gordon Merchant
in Edinburgh,

Mr. John Gray, Son to Mr.
Gray at the Iron-mill of
Dalkeith.

H

Sir John Home of Blackader
Baronet,

Sir Alexander Home of Renton
Baronet,

Mr. James Home Writer to the
Signet,

Mr. Hay of Drumelier,

Cornet George Hay of the Roy-
al North-british Dragoons,

John Hay Writer to the Signet,

Andrew Hay of Mugdrum,
Mungo Halden of Gleneagies
Esquire,

Mr. Hope of Rankeiler Tr.

Mr. Thomas Hope, Son to the
Hon. Colonel Hope,

John Hall Esquire,

Mr. William Hamilton, The

( )

The Hon. Mr. John Hamilton
Advocate,

James Home of Gemelshiel
Esquire,

Mr. William Hall of Whitehal
one of the principal Clerks
of Session,

Cornet John Hamilton of Ban-
gour,

John Home of Ninewels Es-
quire.

I

Sir Alexander Innes of Coxtoun
Baronet,

Alexander Jackson Writer in
Perth,

Mr. David Inglis Merchant in
Edinburgh,

Mr. Hugh Inglis Writer in
Edinburgh,

Robert Johnston of Wamphray
Esquire,

James Johnston younger of
Wamphray Esquire.

K

The Right Honourable the
Earl of Kincardin,

The Right Honourable the
Viscount of Kenmuir,

James Kinloch younger of Gil-
merton Esquire,

Patrick Kinloch Son to Sir
James Kinloch of that Ilk,

Mr. Francis Kinloch,

Mr. Thomas Kirkwood, Mafter
of the Grammar-school of
Leith,

William Ker Esquire,

Alexander Keith Writer in E-
dinburgh.

L

Lady Henrietta Livingston,
The Right Honourable Simon
Lord Lovat,

The Hon. Mr. James Lyon,

Mr. John Lumifden,

The Rev. Mr. Robert Lyon,
Minifter of the Gofpel at
Crayill,

Sir Alexander Lauder of Foun-
tainhal Baronet,

Mr. Andrew Lauder Surgeon
Major to General Evans
his Regiment of Dragoons,

Mr. Charles Lauder,

Mr. George Loch,
George Lawson Upholsterer.

M

His Grace the Duke of Mon-
trose,

The

2

The LIFE of

Book I.

Be present, PHOEBUS, in the op'ning Scenes,
Inspire my Thoughts, and regulate my Strains;
Tell how the HERO triumph'd o'er his Foes,
Grew in Distreffs, and on his Dangers rofe.

IN former Ages, and in ancient Reigns,
When Senfe and Honour grac'd Ierne's Plains;
When her high Monarchs and her HEROES stood,
In Streams of Cimbrian and of Saxon Blood;

15 Proud of her Sons, old Caledonia dar'd
The haughty Foe, nor foreign Inſult fear'd.
Her Monarchs then, to lineal Honours grew,
And Conqueſt grac'd each HERO's awful Brow.

IN

[Grac'd Ierne's Plains.] Ierne, from the old Galician Word Eryn or Heryn, signifies a Country that lies towards the West; It is commonly taken for that Part of Scotland called Serathern, and figuratively for the whole Nation.

[In Streams of Cimbrian and of Saxon Blood.] Cimbri was the ancient Name of that Warlike People, now call'd the Danes, who overrun many Nations, conquer'd England, but received ſo frequent Over throws in this Country, That Scotland was call'd Danorum 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 into Cumberland, and figuratively for the whole.

3

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

IN those remoter Times (as Fame hath ſaid)

20 A Prince renown'd th' Albanian Sceptre ſway'd;
Well fram'd his Person, and well ſform'd his Soul,
True Majeſtly and Mercy tun'd the Whole.
Unhappy Day ! wherein the Wife, the Great,
Upon thy Banks, O Forth, reſign'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 Oppreſſion on her Mountains reign'd?

30 What Blood and Rapine all her Valleys ſtain'd?
The barb'rous Marks of curſt Tyrannic Sway,
Of lawleſs Might, and Kingly Perjury.

A 2

Beneath

[A Prince renown'd.] Alexander III. who died of a Fall from his Horse at Kinghorn. [Albanian, &c.] From Albin or Albinich, the Name given to Scotland by the Highlanders.

[What dire Oppreſſion, &c.] No Body needs to be inform'd of Edward I. of England's being choſen Arbiter in the Controverſy betwixt Bruce and Baltoſ, for the Crown of Scotland, his unſt Ofurpation, and the Mities that Kingdom was reduced to by his Means.

4

The LIFE of

Book I.

35

Beneath her Ills, old *Caledonia* groans,
Mourns her waeſte Cities and her ſlaughteŕd Sons;

Beholds unnumber'd Legions crowd her Strand,
And Luſt and Havock ravage all the Land.

Greatly diſtress'd! impatient of the Day,

Slow to a *Grampian* Cave ſhe bends her Way;

There, like ſome ruin'd Pile, great in Decay,

40

Sunk in her Woes, the ſacred Matron lay;

Deep in the Grott, upon a Moſſy Bed,
Silent reclines her venerable Head.

Solemn in Grief, Maſſeſtic in Despair,

Thus waits till these dire Accents reach'd her Ear,

45

The barb'rous Foe now triumphs on thy Shore,
And the fam'd Caledonia is no more.

Unhappy

[Slow to a Grampian Cave, &c.] The Mountains of Granzeben, commonly call'd the Grampian Hills, run from Aberdeen in the North, to Dumbarton in the West; and contain the Braes of the Mearns, Angus, Perth-shire, and the Lennox, and feveral Countries beſide.

[Old Caledonia &c.] This Proſopœia or Fiction of Perſons, every Reader knows to be common, eſpecially in Poetry.

5

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

Unhappy Sound! the Matrons doleful cries,
Aſſail th' Immortals, and fatigue the Skies.

At laſt, Omnipotence beholds our Ills,
And Pity ſtreight th' Eternal Boſom fills.

50

'TWAS Night; but where, above yon Azure Skies,
Empyreal Domes on flaming Columns rife;
High arch'd with Gold, with blazing Em'raulds bright,
Far thro' the Void diffuse a purple Light;

55

There ſhining Regions feel no fading Ray,
Loſt in the Splendors of Eternal Day.

Enthron'd amidſt the ſtrong Effulgence, ſat
The Pow'r Supreme! ſurrounding Spirits wait.

He calls the Guardian of the *Scottish* Sway,

60

And ARIEL haſtens thro' the Choirs of Day.

Then from the Throne, th' *Immortal* Silence broke,
(Trembled the ſolid Heav'ns as he ſpoke)

Fly ARIEL, fly, and let a Guardian's Hand,
Prevent the Ruin of his fav'rite Land;

Old

[Fly, Ariel, fly, &c.] 'Tis hoped the Reader will allow the juſtice of this Piece of Machi-

5

The LIFE of

Book I.

65

Old Caledonia, once thy pious Care,
O'errun with Blood, with Ravage and Despair,

Old Caledonia ! funk beneath her Ills,
With her loud Cries th' Eternal Manfions fills.

Hafe, and the Youth, whom Heav'n hath choſe, inſpire

70

With filial Duty, and with martial Fire;
Arm his intrepid Soul to ſave the State,

Preſerve his Mother, and reverse her Fate.

HE ſpoke. The Seraph bows, and wings his Way,
Swift o'er the Realms of unextinguifh'd Day;

75

Down thro' the lower Spheres directs his Flight,
And fails, incumbent, on inferior Night.

WHERE

Machinery, because of its Necessity. Scotland was now reduced, in a Manner, be-
yond all human Means of Recovery. Nothing could ſave it, but the Intervention
and Influence of ſome ſuperior Power. This, the Author, with Submiffion, thought
a Signus odice nodus, a Difſculty that required ſuch an Interpoſal, and confe-
quently introduced the Machine.

[Hafe, and the Youth, &c.] Sir William Wallace of Ellerby, who ſlood for the
Liberties of Scotland, in Oppofition to the Unfaration of Edward I. The Reader
will pleafe to obſerve here, That the Author deſigns not a particular Detail of the
Actions of Sir William Wallace, but only to far as they immediately concern the
Affairs of Robert Bruce. And therefore, he brings Wallace directly to the Battle of
Falkirk, where, in a Conference with that Prince, he lays before him the treacher-
ous Deſigns of the English King, and convinces him of his own Loyalty to his
Country, and the BRUSSIAN Intereft.

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

7

80

WHERE Tay, thro' verdant Valleys rolls his Waves.
And fair Æneia's fruitful Borders laves;
Rear'd on its Margin old Alestum stands,
Whofe riling Spires o'erlook the neighb'ring Lands.

The youthful HERO here all-filent lay,
And in soft Slumbers juill'd the Cares of Day.

With Speed th' Immortal Nuncio hither flies,
And FERGUS' Air and Shape his Form difguife.

85

Approaching soft, his wond'ring Eyes he fix'd
On the young HERO's Bloom, with manly Vigour mix'd;
But ſaw, while Slumbers thus his Limbs inveſt,
Short Sighs and Groans, alternate, heave his Breast.

His Country's Wrongs ſill in his Boſom roll,
Invade his Dreams, and rack his gen'rous Soul.

90

'TWAS now the aerial Minifter began,
And in great FERGUS' Voice addreſt the Man.

Arife, my Son, thy dauntleſs Arm oppoſe.

To this vaſt Deluge of thy barb'rous Foes.

95 Involv'd

8

The LIFE of

Book I.

95

Involv'd in Blood, fee, thy dear Country lies,
And her loud Plaints have reach'd the pitying Skies.
To thee, O Youth Divine! whom Fate decrees
Reftorer of thy Country's Liberties;
To thee this sacred Charge from Heav'n I bring,

100

Commission'd by the Gods Eternal King.
Rouſe then, my Son, exert thy warlike Pow'r,
And drive the Foe from this unhappy Shore;
Date thy Renown from this auſpicious Day,
And ſave from Ruin the *Ferguſian* Sway.

105

He ſaid; and mounting in a Blaze of Light,
The Seraph reaſcends the Empyreal Height.

By this *AURORA*, in her Chariot drawn,
Had ting'd the ruddy Eaſt, and bluſh'd the Dawn.
When call'd by Heav'n, to manage Heav'n's Deſigns,

110

In glitt'ring Steel, the *Ellerſian* HERO ſhines.
Born to chaſtife the Pride of perjur'd Kings,
Quick to the Field, the youthful Warriour ſprings.

While

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

9

115

While higher Names (a bafe degen'rate Crowd)
Stain their proud Titles, and difgrace their Blood:

For factious Ends, their Country's Rights forego,
Treach'rous retire, or, impious, aid the Foe.
Others more honest, but by Pow'r oppreſt,
Had tamely purchas'd an inglorious Reſt;
Only a ſew, whose Thoughts, by Heav'n inſpir'd,

120

And with the ſacred Love of Freedom fir'd;
Bravely diſdain'd the proud Uſurper's Sway,
Nor Fraud nor Force, their gen'rous Souls betray.
Theſe on their Country's Freedom fix their Eyes,
And Threats and Promiſes alike deſpife.

125

Immortal Chiefs ! who (if my artleſs Rhime
Can gain upon the Injuries of Time)
Shall live, to late Pomerity renown'd,
With Wreaths of everlaſting Laurel crown'd.

130

AMONGST the Firſt, the brave *Limonian* Thane,
And *Hay* and *Lauder* glitter'd on the Plain.

B

The

[ Limonian Thane. ] Earl of Lennox.

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?

' Was it for this thofe mighty HEROES stood

' In Storms of Death, and Crimson Scenes of Blood?

205 ' Did thofe Stern Patriots in Battle fhine,

' To fave their Country, and fecure their Line;

' When Tay beheld them and the trembling Forth,

' Mix in dire Conflict with the Warlike North?

' And fhall no Son confefes his gen'rous Sire?

210 ' No Bosom kindle with the glorious Fire?

See

[ *Our FERGUS, KENNETHS, &c.* ] The Piets having joyn'd the Romans and Britons againſt the Scots, defeated them in the Field, flew their King, and drove the whole Nobility and Gentry out of the Nation. But at laſt, by the Valour and Conduct of Fergus II. the Scots were reſtor'd, and afterwards engaging the Piets under the leading of Mcalpin, alias Kenneth-More; they overthrew 'em, and purſu'd their Victory to the Extirpation of their Name.

[ KENNETHS, MALCOMS, &c. ] Kenneth III. and Malcolm II. famous for thofe dreadful Over throws they gave the Dances.

[ HAYS and KEITHS, &c. ] A ſhort Account will be given of them in their proper Places.

Book I.
King ROBERT BRUCE.

15

' See! yonder Lonearty's and Barry's plain,

' Still red with Carnage of the ſlaught er'd Dane !

' Thofe very Fields where your great Fathers fought,

' And 'midſt a Wafte of Death your Freedom bought.

215 ' Rouſe then, and let thofe Names your Breaths inſpire

' With manly Ardour, and with loyal Fire.

' Let your great Fathers all your Souls poffeſs,

' And dauntleſs Arms your Country's Wrongs redreſs.

' See! where the haughty South, in bright Array,

220 ' From yonder fhining Plains reflect the Day.

' Behold Plantagenet, with awful Pride,

' In burniſh'd Gold amidſt his Squadrons ride !

' Come, gallant Friends, attack the perjur'd Hoft,

' And drive th' inſulting Legions from our Coast.

225 He faid. The Chiefs, obedient, hail the Man,
And thro' the Hoft conſenting Murmurs ran.

By this the South'ron Trumpets from afar,
In ſhriller Notes proclaim th' advancing War.

The

16

The LIFE of

Book I.

The daring *Scots* return the Martial Sound,
230 And from the Hills the loud Allarms rebound.
Approaching now th' embattl'd Squadrons stand,
And in stern Order glitter on the Strand.
The thickning War, around, obscures the Fields,
With Groves of Lances arm'd, and boffy Shields.
235 As when fome dusky Cloud o'ershades the Main,
The Breeze but whisp'ring o'er the liquid Plain,
Scarce heave the Surges, Ocean seems to sleep,
And a still Horror fettles on the Deep.
Thus filent, the thick Legions form around,
240 And the dread Battles blacken all the Ground.

But here, alas! how shall a *Scottish* Mufe
Thy fatal Crime, O *Cumbernald*, excuse?

Fain

[ *Thy fatal Crime, O Cumbernald, &c. *] CUMING Earl of *Cumbernald*, had joyn'd the Army at Falkirk with Ten thousand Men. But having himself an Eye to the Crown, and either suspecting or dreading the Successes of Sir William Wallace, a private Gentleman, much inferior to his Rank, but then Guardian of Scotland, caus'd STUART Lord Bate fall out with him about leading the Van of the *Scots* Army; alledging that Poft was due to his Family. WALLACE infised Off

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

17

Fain wou'd the Mufe th' ungrateful Theme decline,
Or wipe the Tarnish from the tainted Line.
245 Fain wou'd in Silence pa's th' ill omen'd Scene,
The Chiefs embroil'd, and the deferted Plain.
What direful Woe from wild Ambition springs?
The Wreck of Empires, and the Bane of Kings,
Discord, with hideous Grin and livid Eyes,
250 Swift, thro' the Hoft, on footy Pinions flies.
Discord ! Ambition's direful Brood, beheld
Ten thousand treach'rous *Scots* forfake the Field.
Traitors ! whose Names no Annals since have own'd,
Wrapt in difgraceful Night, in dark Oblivion drown'd.
255 Urg'd by his Wrongs, and with Resentment fir'd,
The *Ellerflian* *HERO* from the Plain retir'd.
Ten thousand *Scots* with Tears their Chief attend,
The Sun himself self ne'er faw a braver Band.

C

So

on 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,
treacheroufly retir'd alfo, and abandon'd Lord STUART to the Fury of the
whole English Army.

18

The LIFE of

Book I.

So great **A CHILLES**, on the Phrygian Strand,
260 Injur'd by **ATREUS'** Son's unjuft Command,
Full of his Wrongs, deferts his Country's Caufe,
And all his *Myrmidons* from Troy withdraws.
Left in the Field the noble **STUART** alone,
Before his few, but faithful, Squadrons ſhone.

265 **AND** now great Hartford thunders on the Plain,
And twice Ten thouſand glitter in his Train.
The hardy Stuart abandon'd to his Foes,
Dauntleſs, 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 ſcours 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.

Hartfo

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

19

280 Defpairs Succeſs, 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 thouſand Vifims lay.

285 IMMORTAL Stuart! O were my Boſom fir'd
With Ardours like to thofe thy Soul inſpir'd,
The Muſe ſhou'd raife a Trophy to thy Fame,
Great as thy Worth, and deathleſs as thy Name.
But ſee! where Bruce, array'd in Martial Pride,
And crafty BEIK before their Squadrons ride.
290 Towards the Scots they ſhape their dreadful Way,
And Forty thouſand Helms reflect the Day.
Waving in Air the gilded Lion flies,
And the loud Trumpets eccho thro' the Skies.

C 2

295 TIR'D

20

The LIFE of

Book I.

295

TIR'D with late Toils, the noble Bute beheld
The fwarming Legions crowd the bloody Field;
Anxious and doubtful view'd their mighty Pow'r,
And the firm Ranks extended on the Shore.
Amaz'd at first, his Spirits backward roul,

300

And by Degrees forfake his gen'rous Soul.
He cafts his Eyes around, but sees no Aid,
WALLACE is injur'd, and the Traitor fled.
O deadly Guft of Passion! direful Heat!
Dang'rous to all, but fatal to the Great !

305

In growling Minds but low Refentment dwells,
And their gros Blood scarce o'er its Chanels swells;
Spirits high-born, like Meteors in the Sky,
Ferment in Storms, and round in Ruin fly.
Relentles Ellerfly! ah, canst thou stand,

310

And see the HERO butcher'd on the Strand?
The HERO! whom so recent Laurels crown,
By Numbers and Superior Force undone!

O sen

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

21

315

O fend the God-like Grabam (and fave thy Vow)
Or fend the faithful Boyd to his Refcue;

Or let the gen'rous Seton's Tears prevail
To fhafe the Day, and turn the fatal Scale.
Behold the Chiefs all supplant beg around,
Their Tears in Torrents trickling to the Ground.

In vain Unmov'd the injur'd Leader stands,
Weeps loud, and yet denies their juft Demands.

320

WITH eager Haffe approach the Saxon Lines,
And in the Front the rev'rend Warriour Shines.
The noble Bute beheld the num'rous Bands,
Whilft recollected in himfelf he stands;

325

Then rous'd his little Hoft with fresh Alarms,
And the thrill Trumpet founds again to Arms.

Secure

[The reverend Warriour jines.] Authority Beik Bishop of Durham, a great Enemy to the Scots, more famous for his Skill in the Arts of War than in the Gospel of Peace, as a certain Author remarks. This Prelate, headed 10000 Men at the Battle of Falkirk, rais'd by his own Influence and Authority.

22

The LIFE of Book I.

Secure of Glory, and a deathless Name,
Lavish of Life, he rushes into Fame.

330

THE Signal giv'n, inflam'd with mutual Rage,
Th' unequal Squadrons furiously engage-
Thro' burnisht Steel faft burfts the fstreaming Gore,
And rolls, a purple Current, on the Shore.
The cautious Beik each various Scene beheld,
Long us'd in War, and harden'd to the Field;

335

Extends his Ranks, and fummons fresh Supplies,
And to surround the *Scottish* HERO tries.

340

The glorious Bute perceiv'd his fly Defigns,
And with Stern Rage attack'd the moving Lines.
His manly Arm dealt fell Deftruction round,
And Saxon Crowds lay gasping on the Ground.
Their Leader's Pattern the bold Scots infpires,
And from their Rage the Rev'rend Chief retires.

BUT now brave Stuart beholds a fhining Train
In thick Battalia marshall'd on the Plain.

345 To

23

Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE.

345

To succour Beik, full Thirty thoufand Spears,
And at their Head the mighty Bruce appears.
Display'd againſt his wn, the Lions glare,
And martial Trumpets animate the War.
Deluded Prince! ſoon ſhall thy Soul bemone

350

Thofe cruel Deeds on Forth's fair Borders done.
The gen'rous Bute weeps at the barb'rous Sight,
When awful Bruce addreſt him to the Fight;
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 gasping on the Strand;
With Grief recounts their Wonders on the Plain,
Full Twenty thoufand by Twelve hundred ſlain.
Great in Diftrefs! impatient of the Light,

360

Reſolv'd to die, he rufhes to the Fight.
Fraught with Despair, he dealt his Blows around,
And South'ron Blood faſt stains the Crimſon Ground.

But

24

The LIFE of

Book I.

But spent with former Toils, o'ermatch'd with Pow'r,
At last the HERO sinks upon the Shore.

365
Stretcht on the Strand the Godlike Patriot lies,
And shades Eternal Settle round his Eyes.

How happy he! who falls amidst his Foes,
A sacred Victim to his Country's Cause?
What Tears, what Vows attend his parting Breath?
In Life how lov'd! and how ador'd in Death!

370
Eternal Monuments secure his Fame,
And lafting Glory dwells upon his Name!

SOL'S fiery Steeds, down from the Noon-day Height,
Thro' western Climes precipitate their Flight.
Expanded Skies the flaming Chariot bore,
And Rays declining gild th' Hesperian Shore.

375
Th' Ellerian Chief in burnisht Armour stands,
And, beck'ning, round him calls his daring Bands.
Sullen and sad approach the Warriour-Train,
And, touch'd with Woe, regard the fatal Plain.

Whe

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

25

When thus the Chief. You see our Friends are loft,
380
By Treason murder'd on that bloody Coast.

The awful Bruce yon mighty Battle leads,
And crafty Beik his select Squadrons heads.
See where their haughty King, in dread Array,
Moves from the Camp, and haftes to share the Day.

385
Then say, What shall be done? the Question's nice,
And Fate allows us but a dang'rous Choice.

If for Supplies we fhould to Lothian go,
Then furiously purfues the num'rous Foe.
Or if to the Torwood our Rout we bend,

390
Thro' Bruce's Hoft we muft that Shelter find.
Say then. The Chiefs affented 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.

395
Ten thousand Spears advancing in his Train
(An Iron Foreft !) glitter'd o'er the Plain.

D

By

26

The LIFE of

Book I.

By this Lord Bruce had rang'd his Warlike Lines,
And at their Head in bloody Armour flines.
But O my Mufe, what God shall lead the Way?

400 What Inspiration guide thee thro' the Day?
To sing the Chiefs, that never knew to yield,
Engag'd in furious Combat on the Field?

Phabus ! affift, and all the Thefpian Throng,
Conjoyn your Voices, and exalt the Song.

405 BOTH Armies now approaching to the Fight,
In blazing Terrors fhone confus'dly bright.
The fprightly Trumpet's martial Clangors rife,
And roll in rattling Ecchoes thro' the Skies.
Glory and Fame each HERO'S Soul poffeſt,

410 And Death or Triumph breath'd in ev'ry Breaft.

THE War now mingling; fiery Courfers bound,
And rufhing Squadrons shake the trembling Ground.
Thro' polifh'd Steel faſt ſtreams the reeking Gore,
And Crimſon Torrents drench the purple Shore.

415 There

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

27

415 There warlike Bruce exerts his awful Might,
Here Wallace thunders thro' the bloody Fight.
Behold great Graham force his refiſtleſs Way,
Thro' all the Ruins of the dreadful Day.

420 Here Seton, Hay, and Lauder ſcour the Plain,
There Boyd and Keith a diſtant Fight maintain.

Yonder brave Kennedy in Battle ſtands,
And great Montgom'ry joyns his faithful Bands.

The hardy Frazers for the Charge prepare,
And dauntleſs Lundie rufhes to the War.

425 See gallant Oliphant to Battle ride,
Dundafs and Scrimzeour glitt'ring at his Side.
Yonder the haughty Turnbul takes the Field,
And Savage Spoils glare in his Orby Shield.
Johnſtoun and Rutherford, and Blair and Gray,

430 And Guthry, Scot, and Lindsay share the Day.
Newbigging, Tinto, Little, grace the Field,
And Haliday that well could Weapons wield.

D 2

Bold

22

The LIFE of

Book I.

Bold *Haliday*: in War a Noble Man,
Hastles to his Eme, and combats in the Van.

435 Thro' hostile Ranks they scatter Fate around,
And twice Four thousand gasp along the Ground.
Quite thro' the South'ron Hoft, o'er *Carron's* Flood,
To Torwood Shades the *Scots* in Safety rode.

*Wallace* alone, and *Graham* and *Lauder* stay,

440 Unfated with the Slaughter of the Day;
Greedy of Fame, their fiery Courfers rein,
And drive, impetuous, back unto the Plain.
Three hundred Men to guard the Chiefs prepare,
Inur'd to Blood, and harden'd to the War.

445 Where Saxon Ranks in thickest Order stood,
With awful Force these dauntles Warriors rode.
Ere *Bruce* cou'd well the *Scottish* Band perceive,
His Legions rally, or just Orders give;
With Wounds transfix'd, all weltring in their Gore,
450 Three hundred *Saxons* strow'd the bloody Shore.

[ *Eme* ] An old *Scots* Word for *Uncle*.

Bu

29

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

But now bold *Bruce* his strong Battalions heads,
And Thirty thousand to the Onset Leads.

Cozen'd by Fraud, and jealous of his Right,
Wing'd with Revenge, he rushes to the Fight.

455 Three worthy *Scots*, pierc'd by his mighty Hand,
Roul in their Blood, and bite the purple Strand.
Th' *Ellerfian* Chief with Sorrow sees them bleed,
And fwell'd with Rage, he reins the fiery Steed;
Against the *Bruce* directs his awful Force,

460 The *Bruce*, all dreadlefs, meets the HERO'S Courfe.
Charg'd in his Reft a mighty Lance he wore,
And WALLACE' Hand a glitt'ring Fauchion bore.
Together faft the dauntles Warriors ride,
And thro' bright Steel soon burfts the blushing Tide.

465 From *Wallace'* Thigh transfix'd faft flows the Gore,
And BRUCE's Courser tumbles on the Shore.

The

[ Cozen'd by Fraud, &c. ] The Elder *Bruce* who was Competitor with *Baltol* for the Crown of Scotland, was impos'd on by the King of England, and made believe that WALLACE design'd to usurp the Sovereignty, which occasioned his fighting here at Falkirk with his Friends and Waffals against the *Scots*.

32 The LIFE of

Book

505

He weeps, he raves, abandon'd to Despair,
Then, wing'd with Fury, rufhes to the War.

Enrag'd, he rides amidst the thickeſt Foe,
And certain Death descends in ev'ry Blow.

Bereſt of Reaſon, careleſs of his Life,
Desp'rate, he urges the unequal Strife;
The bloody Torrents thicken as they flow,

510 And Heaps of Slaughter the red Level ſtrow.

But now two ſtrong Battalions ſhape their Way,
Their beamy Lances glitt'ring in the Day.

Led by bold Bruce, the H E R O 's Steed they gore,
Faſt bleeds the Courſer on the Crimſon 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 ſell down dead upon the farther Shore.

520 And the brown Twilight ſhed a dusky Gleam.

PHOEBUS in western Waves had drench'd his Tear

Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE.

33

525

To Torwood-Shades the *Scottish* Troops repair;
Wallace and Ker alone with equal Care,
Silent on Carron's flow'ry Borders ſtray'd,
Revolv'd the Day, and mourn'd the valiant Dead.

The South'ron too retire, and Bruce and Ray
Along the nearer Bank purſu'd their Way.

When, thro' the Gloom, upon the diſtant Side,
The hardy Bruce the *Scottish* Chief eſpy'd.

Where jutting Rocks a ſtraiter Paſſage frame,

530

Leſſen the Chanel, and contract the Stream.

There Wallace heard the Leader call aloud,
And, ſtopping, preſs'd the Margin of the Flood.

When thus the *Bruce*, ' I know thou art the Knight,
' This Day that, dreadful, led the *Scots* in Fight.

535

' Amaz'd, I ſaw thee in dire Combat ſtand,

' And, curious, mark'd the Wonders of thy Hand.

' To real Worth a juſt Applause we owe,

' Nor is it mine to ſtain a gen'rous Foe.

E

'But

34

The LIFE of

Book 1

' But say, what wild Ambition fires thy Soul?

540 ' What Rage and Madneſs in thy Boſom roll?

' Does the thin Air of popular Applaufe

' Engage thee, deſp'rate, in a ſinking Caufe?

' Or does the Luft of Sway thus urge thee on

' To empty Titles, and a fancy'd Throne?

545 ' To wade thro' Seas of thy dear Country's Blood,

' Born on the Breath of a tumultuous Crowd?

' Dar'ft thou preſume to match the English Force,

' Or ſtop the mighty Edward's boundleſs Courſe?

' Vain Man ! diſmifs that Thirſt of lawleſs Sway,

550 ' And due Obedience to the Vicer pay.

' Preſerve thy Country from impending Woe,

' And yield, submiſſive, to the conqu'ring Foe.'

Thus HUNTINGTON. When from the other Side,
The Scotliſh Chief in honest Terms reply'd.

555 ' I own the Charge. Ambition fires my Soul,

' And Rage and Madneſs in my Boſom roll.

'Ambition

Book I. King ROBERT BRUCE.

35

' Ambition! to preſerve a ſinking State,

' Safely abandon'd by the faithleſs Great;

' To ſave my Country from th' accuſed Crew

560 ' Of barb'rous Foes, and yet more barb'rous You!

' I claim no Right, nor ſhall my Pow'r imploy

' To mount to Titles, or to Lawleſs Sway;

' My Soul hath ſtill abhor'd the gaudy Dream

' Of fancy'd Rule, or an Uſurper's Name;

565 ' To ſave my Country, if allow'd by Fate,

' All other Ways diſdaining to be great.

' Our Actions are our Glory or our Shame,

' Not borrow'd Titles, or an airy Name.

' The Peafant to Renown may nobly rife,

570 ' Whilſt the proud Tyrant undiſtinguish'd lies.

' Know then, I'll die, or ſet my Country free,

' In Spite of Edward, and in Spite of Thee:

' Thee ! who, by Right, ſhouldſt Albion's Sceptre wield,

' Yet Tear'ft her Bowels in the bloody Field.

E 2

575 ' Who,

36

The LIFE of

Book I.

575 ' Who, impious, return't from yonder Shore,
' Still warm, and reeking with thy Country's Gore.
' Before to Morrow's Sun begins his Course,
' Once more I'll dare to meet the South'ron Force.
' For that dear Land, where firft I drew my Breath,
580 ' I'll seek the Tyrant in the Fields of Death;
' Begirt with Guards, and wall'd with Legions round,
' I'll drive him, perjur'd, from our native Ground.
' Farewel, deluded Man! thy Right forego,
' And bow, a Monarch, to a treach'rous Foe.
585 ' Be a secure, inglorious Slav'ry thine,
' But Death or Liberty shall still be mine.'

THUS spoke the Chief. His lateft Accents roll
Thro' Bruce's Heart, and fettle in his Soul!
He finds himself by Edward's Fraud miffed,
590 And long by South'ron Artifice betray'd;
Perceives the Scottish Leader's loyal Care,
His honest Toils, and unambitious War.

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

37

Then thus. ' You fee, my Friend, the doubtful Light
' Leads on the fable Chariot of the Night;
595 ' Near Dunipace, where stands a facred Fane,
' By Nine next Morning, let us meet again.
' No--long ere Phæbus runs that Length of Course,
' Reply'd the Chief, we'll meet the Tyrant's Force;
' In Spite of all the Pow'r he has to fway,

600 ' Fate ſhall, before that Time, decide the Day.
' He either ſhall his impious Claim give o'er,
' And ſhamefully repete his native Shore;
' Or one of us ſhall fall in bloody Fight,
' Impartial Heav'n will judge our Cauſe aright.

605 ' But if you pleafe th' Appointment to affign
' At Three, I'll meet ye near the ancient Shrine.'
The Bruce conſented, and to Lithgow paſt,
To Torwood-Shades good Ker and Wallace haſte.
Refresh'd with Food, the Hoſt for Rest prepare,
610 And in ſhort Slumbers hush the Din of War.

Th

BRIGHT

38

The LIFE of

Book I.

BRIGHT Phosphor soon the vaulted Azure gilds,
And Stars, retiring, quit the airy Fields,
The Scottish Chief abandons his Repose,
And Arms of Proof his Manly Limbs enclose.

615 With Clasps around the temper'd Mail he ties,
And graven Cuifhes glitter on his Thighs.
Upon his Head a fhining Cafque he wore,
A Staff of Steel in his ftrong Hand he bore.
A beamy Fauchion grac'd his Manly Side,

620 Boldly he seem'd in Battle to abide.
His Armour-bearer JOP went on before,
And the great Warrior's maffy Buckler bore.
Thus forth the HERO marching, views the Lines,
And to each Chief his proper Poft affigns.

625 Ramfay, and Lundy, and the hardy Thane
Of Lennox, led Five Thoufand to the Plain.
Five thoufand more himfelf and Lauder guide,
And Richardon and Seton cloſe their Side.

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, ſcarce cold, yet bubbling thro' the Wounds !
Along the Strand the floating Streams of Blood

635 Roll on in Tides, and choak the neighbouring Flood.
Here lay brave Stuart, and Roffia's gallant Thane,
With honest 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 ſaw, and throbbing at the Sight,
Alights, and rufhes to the lovely Knight.
Up in his Arms he rais'd his drooping Head,
And thus, with Tears, addreſt the gallant Dead.

'FAREWEL, my beſt lov'd Friend! A long Adieu

645 ' To all th' illufive Joys of Life and you.

'Farewell

T

40

The LIFE of

Book I.

'Farewel (O grateful Victim to our Foes)

'Thou sacred Martyr for thy Country's Cause!

'For her thou fought'ft in dreadful Fields of Death,

'For her thus greatly thou resign'ft thy Breath.

650 'That Warlike Arm shall I behold no more,

'The Fauchion brandifh on the bloody Shore.

'No more those Eyes shall fierce in Battle glow,

'Thy Friends Delight, and Terror of the Foe.

'How is the mighty fall'n upon the Plain ?

655 'The Chief, the HERO by a Coward plain!

'Nor shall his Soul the treach'rous Triumph boast,

'Sad and confounded on the Sygian Coaft.

'Thy Noble Hand soon sent the daftard Foe,

'Murder'd and damn'd down to the Shades below.

660 'Ah! Gallant Man, what Worth adorn'd thy Mind ?

'How brave an En'my, how sincere a Friend ?

'Sincere to me, since firft our Love began,

'Thy David I, and thou my Jonathan.

'Th

41

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

'Thou waft the Hope, the Glory of my Life,

665 'My better Genius in the doubtful Strife.

'Warm'd by thy Preference, how did I disdain

'The Toils and Dangers of th' unequal Plain ?

'How did my Soul with rifting Ardours glow,

'Leffen the Hazard, and contract the Foe,

670 'O'erlook the adverse Hoft, when I beheld

'My brave Companion thunder in the Field ?

'Old Albion shall in Tears of Blood bemoan

'The Gallant Patriot, and the duteous Son.

'In thee her Freedom and her Honour dead,

675 'Her Hopes all blafted, and her Succour fled.

'Farewel, bleft Shade! may thine unspotted Soul,

'Now rais'd on high to thy congeneal Pole,

'In Flames of Heav'nly Raptures ever glow,

'And ſmile, propitious, on our Toils below.'

680 'He said. The Hoft accompany their Chief,

Burſt into Tears, and give a Loofe to Grief.

F

So

42

The LIFE of BookI

635

So once, of old, on the *Molosian* Coast,
Bold *Theseus* mourn'd his dear *Pirithous* loft.
Now wath'd from Blood, upon their Shields they bore
The Lifelefs *HERO* from the fatal Shore.

With solemn Pomp the mournful Chiefs proceed,
And in the various Fane inhume the Dead.

To all the Chiftains flain due Rites they pay,
Then to th' Appointment *Wallace* bends his Way.

690

The Lofs of *Graham*, and that unhappy Field,
Inflam'd his Soul when he the *Bruce* beheld.

Approaching quick, the ireful Chief began,
And in Stern Language thus addreft the Man,
Doft thou repent thy base unnatural War?

695

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'oppo

43

BookI. King ROBERT BRUCE.

700 T' oppofe a haughty Tyrant's lawleſs Might,
And 'gainſt thy ſelf t' affert thy native Right:

See where they lay diſtain'd with Purple Gore,
By their own Prince all murder'd on the Shore.

Behold the gallant *Stuart*, and *Reſſier's* Thane,

705 And God-like *Graham*, late, ſtreteht upon the Plain.
HEROES! whose Blood not Armies can attone,
By Fraud, and Tyranny, and *Thee* undone.

Unhappy Man! — More wou'd the Chief have faid
When drown'd in Tears, the noble *Bruce* reply'd.

710 ' Yes, gen'rous Friend! I ſaw the HEROES ſtand

' Like Gods in Battle on yon bloody Strand.

' 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 ſtruggle in th' unequal Strife?

' For their dear Country, mix'd in dire Debate,

' They ſtrove with Heaven, and disputed Fate.

F 2

'Twas

44

The LIFE of Book

'Twas I, deluded Wretch! who led that Pow'r
' Againft my Friends to this unhappy Shore.

720 'Twas I, ill-fated I! whose guilty Hand
' Dy'd with my native Blood yon Crimson Strand.
' Poor, hapleſs Man! by fair Pretences led
' To Ruin, and by Kingly Fraud betray'd.

725 WALLACE with Joy hears what the *Bruce* had faid
And on his Knee a low Obeifance made.
The South'ron Pow'r he beg'd him to diſown,
And reign, a Monarch, on his native Throne.
Againſt that crafty Prince aſſert his Claim,
Revenge his Wrongs, and vindicate his Name.

730 Alas! nor yet I dare, the *Bruce* reply'd,
Forſake yon King, or quit the South'ron Side ;
My Son a Hoftage for my Fealty lies,
Which if the Sire ſhould violate — he dies.
But here I vow, ne'er ſhall this guilty Hand
735 A Sword imploy againſt my native Land ;

Book I.
King ROBERT BRUCE.
45

No more againſt my Friends a Weapon bear:
But ſoon as I eſcape the treach'rous Snare,
To thee I'll come, and on thy Faith rely,
T' aſſert my Title, and ſecure my Sway.]
740 This faid, in Arms he rais'd the gallant Man,
And Tides of Joy thro' *Wallace'* Boſom ran.
Betwixt them mutual kind Endearments paſt,
Then, parting, each reviſited his Hoft.
Waiting their Chief on the late Field of Blood,
745 In Order rang'd, the *Grampian* Squadrons ſtood.
Arriv'd, the HERO mounts, and leads the Way,
And the firm Lines move on in cloſe Array.
By *Inneravin* LENNOX guides his Band,
And hardy *Crawford* ſhares the Earl's Command.
750 Thus order'd thro' the lower Way to ride
Obſcure, by South'ron Watches uneſpy'd.
*Wallace* himſelf conducts a choſen Band
On the South-fide thro' *Manwel's* rocky Land.

To

46

The LIFE of

Book I.

755

To Lithgow straight, where mighty EDWARD lay,
Silent, the hardy Lennox speeds his Way;

Sudden, amidst the Tents, in Armour shines,
And hafty Slaughter rages thro' the Lines.

Spent with the Labours of the former Day,
Diffolv'd in Sleep th' ill-guarded South'ron lay.

760

When thro' the Camp the clashing Arms refound,
And hoftile Cries their drowfy Souls confound.

Edward, amaz'd, beholds the sudden War,
And bids his Legions for the Fight prepare.

Enrag'd, his Courser mounts, and scours along,

765

And roufes, with Reproach, the Sluggard Throng.

Bold Hartford haftes, to Tork his Forces joyns,
When Wallace, ent'ring, thunders thro' the Lines;
On South'ron Ranks exerts his well known Might,
And drives, conspicuous, thro' the bloody Fight.

770

Some naked, some half arm'd, (a senſeleſs Throng)
Part, ftupid, gaz'd, Part run confus'd along.

Wh

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

47

775

Whilſt the bold Scots diſtribute Death around,
Steeds, Tents, and Squadrons mingling on the Ground.

The awful King ſtern in the Battle ſhines,
And with his Preſence animates the Lines.

To Arms the hardy Bruce he calls aloud,
And Twenty thouſand round that HERO crowd.

Reſolv'd no more his Subjects to offend,
The Bruce advances on his Mock-Command.

780

Great, as he wont, before his Squadrons rode,
Awful in Steel, and dreadful as a God.

The uſual Fierceneſs kindles in his Eyes,
And o'er his Face diſſembled Terrors rife.

His beamy Fauchion brandiſhing in Air,

785

He seems 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 Lennox, in their Courſe,
Meet in the Centre, and conjoyn their Force.

The

48

The LIFE of

Book I.

790 The Warlike Bands exert their utmost Might,
And, unrefited, thunder thro' the Fight.
Fir'd with Resentment of the former Plain,
Their Country spoil'd, their brave Companions slain !
Forward, united in their Fury, go,

795 And pour swift Vengeance on the guilty Foe.
Graham, and the Chiftains loft infpire each Deed,
And to their Ghosts Ten thousand Victims bleed.
Abas'd, the South'ron Hoft for Flight prepare,
And from the Field faft speeds the vulgar War.

800 Only the King, now long renown'd in Fame,
Combats for Glory, and afferts his Name.
And other Chiefs, in Martial Honours great,
Before their Monarch nobly meet their Fate.
Againft that King to prove his awful Might,

805 The Scottish Chief rode, furious, thro' the Fight;
Thro' all the Force of the opposing Foe,
Full at his Vizor aim'd a deadly Blow;

H

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

49

He miff'd the King; the Standard-Bearer's Head
Afunder cleft the unrefited Blade.

810 The royal Standard (fameful!) pref'd the Plain,
Then fled, difmay'd, at once the South'ron Train.
The hardy Scots their Warlike Steeds prepare,
And, mounting, swift purfue the flying War;
From Glotta's Banks, to Nithia's steepy Coast,

815 With Blood and Slaughter drove the scatter'd Hoft.
Pierc'd with diffoneft Wounds Three thousand ly,
And Crawford-Moor with mingled Carnage dye.
With Tears great Edward views the difmal Scene,
His braveft Troops without Resentment flain.

820 While Rage and Grief at once his Soul oppreft,
He turn'd, and thus the valiant Bruce addreft.
Ah, HUNTINGTON! thou feest yon murd'ring Crowd,
With Slaughter tir'd, yet still athirst for Blood;

G

Our

[Glotta,] Clyde River. [Nithia,] Nithsdale.

50

The LIFE of

Book I.

825

Our Friends all butcher'd, and yon bloody Heath

One Heap of Carnage, and a Wast'e of Death.

Wou'd'ft thou but turn, and stop their barb'rous Might,
By all the Pow'rs! I shall confirm thy Right.

He said. The *Bruce* in modeft Terms reply'd,
Annul my Bond, make my Engagements void;

830

Then shall I turn, attack the *Scottish* Pow'r,
And drive their Legions back to Carron's Shore.

The royal Statesman, vers'd in Kingly Art,
At once perceives his alienated Heart ;

Hence guards his Motions, watches his Defigns,

835

And as a Prisoner at large confines.

But now the Warlike *Scots* approaching near,
Fall in with Shouts, and thunder on the Rear.

With heavy Heart the mighty *Edward* fled,
Mourn'd his loft Honour, and his Legions dead,

840

O'er Solway's Stream, home to his native Shore,
He leads the Reliques of his vanquish'd Pow'r.

Fu

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

51

Full Fifty thousand in that Journey loft,
With mingled Corpses strow'd the *Scottish* Coast.

845

THUS far the Mufe, in juſt Example, ſings
Of Traitors, loyal Chiefs, ufurping Kings;

Their Deeds transmitting down to future Times,
In faithful Records, and unbyafs'd Rhimes.

Of virtuous Names ſhe marks the glorious Fate,
And brands with Infamy the factious Great.

850

Faction! thou dire, thou legionary Fiend,
How dark thy Views, how diſmal is thy End?

What num'rous Woes in thy black Bofom dwell?
On Pride firſt founded, and inſpir'd by Hell!

By Thee the Gods were mix'd in dire Debate,
And daring Faction ſhook th' immortal State!

855

In Bands combin'd, affair'd the Sacred Throne,
'Till in his Might aroſe th' Eternal Son!

Full in his Father's Strength attacks the Foe,
And hurls them, flaming, to th' Abyfs below;

G 2

860 Far

52

The LIFE of

Book I.

260 Far from th' Effulgence of superior Light,
'Midst liquid Fire to roul, and Shades of deepest Night
Mankind, immortal, innocent, firſt fell

By thee, thou darling Principle of Hell!

Since, uncontroul'd, thou spread'ft thy boundlesſ Reign

265 Inſpir'ſt th' ambitious, and delud'ſt the vain.

THIS *Wallace* found. Not all his gen'rous Toils,
His glorious Conqueſts, and triumphant Spoils ;

Not all his brave AtTEMPTS to free the State,
Cou'd skreen the Patriot from the jealous Great.

870 Befat by Malice, and by Fraud oppreſt,
( Yet green with Laurels, and with Triumphs grac'd ! )

The Godlike Leader to *Edina* came,
Renoune'd his Pow'r, disclaim'd a Guardian's Name ;
'Midſt Tears of loyal States reſign'd his Truſt,

875 A willing Exile from his native Coast.
His causeleſs Wrongs deep in his Bosom ſat,
And deeper ſtill the Ruin of the State.

53

Book I.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

Yet, fore'd by Faction, he forſakes the Land,
His Friends attend him to the briny Strand ;

880 In a lone Bark they launch into the Main,
The bounding Vessel plows the wat'ry Plain ;
Aloft, infpiring Gales, propitious blow,
Obſequious rolling, roars the Tide below ;

'Till safe from Dangers of the liquid Reign,

885 The Warlike Crew the *Rochel* Harbour gain.

FAREWEL, thou gen'rous Man! a long Adien
To wretched *Albion's* Safety, and to you.

Who ſhall in Arms dare to ſupport her Right?

What hardy Chief ſhall lead her Sons to Fight ?

890 Her once brave Sons ! now terrified and aw'd,
At home by Faction, and by Pow'r abroad,

To Woods and Wilds and lonely Defarts go,

Forſake her Caufe, nor dare to meet the Foe.

The Foe again swarms on her crowded Strand,

895 And fresh Deftruction sweeps her waſted Land!

Farewel

54

The LIFE of

Book I

Farewel, brave injur'd Man! thou Boaft of Fame !

At once thy Country's Glory, and her Shame !

Nor shall the Mufe thy further Acts explore,
On Scotia's Plains, or on the Gallic Shore.

900 The weary Mufe here refts her drooping Wing,
And conscious of thy Fate, forbears to sing.

Some other Genius shall the Task attend,
And paint the Villain in the perjur'd Friend.

Nor shall the Bruce's Fate her Notes infpire,

905 Or tune to Elegy the mournful Lyre.

Secret, she weeps the luckles's Father dead,
The Scene o'erveiling with a silent Shade.

Now fits the Harp to a sublimer Strain,
The Godlike Son! and his immortal Reign.

BOO

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

55

BOOK II.

T
HE South'ron Trumpets found the dread Alarm,
The War rekindles, and the Legions arm.
The younger BRUCE is call'd from Gallia's Shore,
For now the haplefs Father was no more.

5 In Warlike Pomp array'd, the crowded Hoft
Moves, fable, onward to the *Scottish* Coaft.

As Cranes, embody'd, fhade th' Ætherial Plains,
Stretch'd on the Wing, to fhun impending Rains;
The airy Hoft on founding Pinions flies,

10 ( A living Cloud ) along the darken'd Skies;
So, wrapt in Duft, the South'ron shape their Way,
Obſcure the Sun, and intercept the Day.
Great in the Van the mighty Monarch ſhone,
And by his Side in Armour blaz'd the Son.

15 Next,

The LIFE of

Book II.

Next, mournful *Bruce*, before th' embattel'd Crowd,
Full of his Sire, in filent Grandeur rode.

Thick swarm the hoftile Bands on Scotia's Shore,
And Sword and Fire her poor Remains devour.

To Hills and Dales her trembling Sons retreat,

Their Homes abandon, to avoid their Fate.

Mothers and Infants share the common Woe,
And feebly flying, fall before the Foe.

From Solway's Stream, to Caithnefs' stormy Strand,
One difmal Wafe of Ruin sweeps the Land.

As when some Torrent fwell'd with Wintry Rains,
Rolls from the Mountains, and o'er spreads the Plains ;
The Swains and Flocks o'erwhelm'd confus'dly roar,
And Woods and Harvests float along the Shore.

Now fraught with Spoils from far Pomona's Coaft,

To Perth returns the Trinobantian Hoft.

From

[Pomona,] The largest of the Orkney Islands.
[Trinobantian Hoft.] Trinobanties were the People of Middlesex, &c. taken by
for the English in general.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

57

From thence to Scoon the Victor takes his Way,
The sacred Seat of Scotia's ancient Sway;
Where twice ten Centuries her Monarchs fat,
On fated Marble, venerably great.

Imperial Scoon! how is thy Pomp defac'd ?

Thy Archives rifled, and thy Glories raz'd !

Thy sacred Monuments ( the Prize of War, )
And Spoils of Ages grace th' Ufurper's Car !

The Deeds and Records of great Fergus' Line,

The fatal Stone torn from its hallowed Shrine;

The learned, and their Works, in Triumph born,
Augusta's Cells, and Libraries adorn.

This Cuming law, and spite of jealous Hate,
Mourns the wide Ruin of the wafted State:

Touch'd with the woful Scene, the Bruce addreft,
And thus, with Tears, unfolds his lab'ring Breast.

AH Huntington! how long shall Rival Hate
Divide our Int'refts, and improve our Fate?

H

Thou

58

The LIFE of Book II.

50

Thou feet our Country, by her Foes oppreft,
One Heap of Ruin, one abandon'd Waffe!
Her Laws and Rights and Liberties forlorn,
By foreign Force, but more by Faction torn.
Since you and I an equal Right pretend,
Let both our Claims in mutual Friendship end;

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 resign,
Then your paternal Heritage be mine.

60

The *Bruce* accepts the laft; And thus agreed,
They sign, and feal, and interchange the Deed.
Meantime his Rout again great *Edward* bends
Back to *Augusta*, and the *Bruce* attends.

Wrapt in his Hopes, impatient for the Day
T' affert his Right, and vindicate his Sway.

65 B U T

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

59

65

But now, fell *Ate*, Source of human Woes,
Difmal from Depths of *Tartarus* arofe.

Fir'd at th' Agreement, the black Fury fled,
And, direful, hovers round the *Cuming's* Head.

70

The footy Spectre shed a noxious Steam,

And her red Eye-balls flash'd a hellish Gleam.

In visionary Scenes he hears her howl,
And feels th' ambitious Venom in his Soul.

Full of the *Demon*, starting from his Bed,
Difclaims his Oath, and the Agreement made;

75

To *Edward* fends the Writing feal'd and sign'd,
And shows, malicious, what the *Bruce* defign'd.

*Edward* in Council reads the hated Scroll,
And sudden Vengeance kindles in his Soul.

Straightway the noble *Bruce* is doom'd to bleed,

80

But Fate forbad, and Heav'n oppos'd the Deed.

H 2

Bright

[ *Ate*, signifies Guilt.] She was the Goddeſs of Revenge, Diſcord, Ambition,
Paffions ſo deftraſtive to human Kind. Any Reader will eafily fee the Profopo-
zia, and likeways understand the Machine.

60

The LIFE of

Book II.

Bright *Ariel*, anxious for his sacred Care,
Shoots downward in a Veil of thicken'd Air.
Mix'd with th' Assembly unperceiv'd he sat,
Directs their Thoughts, and guides the *Bruffian* Fate.

In secret Whispers Heav'n's Behefts conveys,
Breathes in each Heart, and all the Council sways.
The sacred Motion touch'd fly *Pembroke’s* Breast,
The Peer aroſe, and thus the King addreſt.

Sov'reign! — Not *Huntington* alone must bleed,
His Kindred also muſt atone the Deed.

Till these are ſeiz'd, the Puniſhment decline,
Then wreck your Wrath on all the *Bruffian* Line.
His Brethren, Allies, and his Friends muſt fall,
And one dire Ruin overwhelm them all.

'Tis thus you are ſecure. The Peers affent,
And *Edward*, fullen, owns the Sentiment;
Nor knows the fix'd Eternal Voice of Fate
Had doom'd him ſafe, and ſpoke the *HERO* great;

F

61

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

For him immortal Honours had decreed,
And endleſs Glories ſhed around his Head :
Bid him thro' Dangers ſtruggle to Renown
And rife the Theme of Ages not his own.

'Twas Night; and now the great Assembly roſe,
Each Peer retiring to his late Repoſe.

Not so bright *Ariel* his dear Charge diſmift,
But, watchful, hovers o'er *Montgom'ry's* Breast.
With Tenderneſs to *Bruce* his Heart he fires,
And to prevent his Doom, his Thoughts inſpires:
Bids the soft Motion in his Bosom roll,

And breathes the Friend, in Whifpers, to his Soul.
Full of the Vifions of the Night, by Fear
And Love awak'd, up roſe the friendly Peer.
A faithful Servant ſoon his Lord attends,
Whom fraught with Preſents to the *Bruce* he ſends.

No Charge in Words the truſty Menial bore,
But in his Hand a Purſe of ſhining Ore.

Two

62

The LIFE of

Book I.

120

Two glitt'ring Spurs of Silver polifh'd bright,
The certain Emblems of a speedy Flight.

The Charge deliver'd, and the Man dismift,

*Bruce* rolls the mystic Meflage in his Breaft.

By Heav'n inſtructed, ſoon the Meaning clears,
Calls his Attendants, and for Flight prepares.

125

'TWAS when bleak *Boreas'* fullen Gufts arife,
And bear the fleecy Winter thro' the Skies;

When bellying Clouds defcend in spreading Snow,
And form a fhining Wilderneſs below.

By Night the Prince, two Servants in his Train,
On Horſe-back mounting, ſcours the trackleſs Plain.

But left the Foe ſhould trace his ſudden Flight,

130

Along th' Impreffion on the ſnowy White,

By ſecret Hands his Courſers backward ſhod,

Elude the Search, and falſify the Road

Thro' dreary Shades of Night, and Tracks of Snow,

Where Winds and Storms in ſtruggling Tempeſts blov

135

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

63

135

Where Hills and Dales, the Foreft and the Field,
One tiresome undiftinguifh'd Proſpect yield;

Where roaring Torrents roll their wat'ry Sway,
The noble *Bruce* purſues his reſtleſs Way,
Till paſt the Dangers of the hoſtile Plain,

140

And the bleak Horrors of the Wintry Reign,
Lochmaben's Gates a ſafe Retreat afford,
Unfold obſequious, and receive their Lord.

By two Attendants led, the royal Gueſt
His great Anceſtors ancient Pavement preſt:

145

There found his Brother, and *Kilpatrick* wight,
*Fleming* and *Lindsay*, and the *Reaver*-Knight.

His Eyes, with Wonder and Confuſion mix'd,
On the brave Stranger Royal *Edward* fix'd.

He gaz'd aftonifh'd! then his Brother knew,

150

And, wing'd with Joy, to his Embraces flew.

Each

*Lochmaben's Gates.*] *Lochmaben* belong'd hereditarily to *Bruce's* Family, as they were Lords of *Annamdale*.

The *Reaver*-Knight.] The Red-Reaver, *alias* Thomas of *Chartres* or *Longaville*, whom *Wallace* took at Sea.

64

The LIFE of

Book II.

Each Chief salutes his Sov'reign in his Turn,
And all their Hearts with mutual Transports burn.
The Menials next with Vietsuals load the Board,
And Chiefs attending entertain their Lord.

His Hunger soon allay'd, the Royal Gueft
(As Men of War are us'd with short Repaft)
Begun his late Adventures to relate,
And runs the Series of his former Fate;
Till, Sleep approaching, all the Chiefs arose
To guard their Sov'reign to his soft Repofe.

160

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 Dispatches to the South'ron King,

By Cuming sent. The hardy Edward roſe,
And to the King's Apartment softly goes.
He found the Monarch starting from his Bed,
And to his Prefence soon the Captive led.

165

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

65.

The Man at once produced the trait'rous Writ:
170 The Monarch read, and ſhudder'd at the Sight.
He views, and wonders at the black Deſign,
His Eyes, indignant, rolling o'er each Line.
The Purport bore --- To haſte the Bruce's Fate,
For Kings ſhou'd dread the Pop'lar and the Great.

175

Fir'd with Revenge, his Courſer quick he calls,
And, furious, leaves Lochmaben's ancient Walls.
His Friends, all ready now, their Steeds beſtrode,
And swifly follow thro' the marſhy Road.

180

Straight to Dumfries advances all the Train,
And find the Cuming in the ſacred Fane.

Rage and swif't Vengeance rolling in his Breaſt,
Bruce furious enter'd, and the Man addreſt,
Villain! (meantime he ſhows the trait'rous Scroll)
Read this, and learn to hate thy perjur'd Soul.

185

Nor more --- but pull'd a Poniard from its Sheath,
And in his Heart deep drove the ſhining Death.

I

Lord

66

The LIFE of

Book II

Lord Cuming falls, a Tide of Crimson Gore
Burfts from the Wound, and ftains the hallow'd Fleet
His Coufin Edward, hafting to his Aid,

190 Prone at his Side by Lindsay's Hand is laid.
This done, the Bruce attended by his Train,
Swift to Lochmaben measures back the Plain.
Thence round his royal Manifesto tends,
To warn his Subjects, and invite his Friends.

195 High rais'd, in Gold the glitt'ring Lions glare,
And round the Standard crowds the loyal War.
The King appears, his noble Mein imparts
Love to their Souls, and Courage to their Hearts.
They view their Prince, in Arms a glorious Name!

200 And ev'ry Breast beats high with future Fame.
The Monarch, mounting, foremoft trac'd the Plain,
Glitter the loyal Squadrons in his Train.
Straight to Imperial Scon they bend their Way,
The sacred Seat of Fergus' ancient Sway.

205 Wh

67

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

205 When, o'er the Lawns, as Bruce directs his Sight,
A Warlike Courser bore a fable Knight.
His clouded Mail a dusky Horror fixed,
A bloody Plume blaz'd nodding o'er his Head.

As from some nightly Cloud's impregnate Womb,
210 The sudden Lightning glares along the Gloom;
High on his Helm so wav'd the blazy Stream,
And o'er his Armour caft a doubtful Gleam.
In his strong Hand a Lance he rais'd on high,
And a broad Fauchion glitter'd at his Thigh.

215 Soon as the Bruce the Warlike Knight beheld,
Foremoft, he speeds his Courser o'er the Field;
His beamy Spear advancing in his Reft,
Aloud he calls, and thus the Man addreft.

'Whoe'er thou art in Arms that tread'ft the Plain,

220 ' Difcloſe thy Purpofe, thy Deſigns explain;
' Whether a Stranger from ſome foreign Soil,
' Thou com'ſt to view old Caledonia's Toil;

'By

I 2

68

The LIFE of

Book II.

225

' By Heav'n directed from a diffant Shore,

' To joyn her loyal Sons, and aid her righteous War:

' Or if thou com'ft her Freedom to oppofe,

' Obftruct our Right, and to affift our Foes;

' Who e'er thou art, obſcure, or known to Fame,

' Show thine Intentions, and unfold thy Name.'

230

THUS ſpoke the King, and now the Warriour Band

Approaching, round the gallant Stranger ſtand.

The courteous Knight a low Obeſance made,

And thus to Royal *Bruce*, ſubmiſſive, ſaid ;

235

' FROM foreign Climes, and diffant Tracts of Earth

' I ſought the Soil where Nature gave me Birth;

' Long ſince inform'd of my dear Country's Woes,

' By homebred Faction torn, and foreign Foes;

' Arriv'd, with Tears I view'd her waſted Shore,

' Horrid with Slaughter, and deform'd with Gore;

' One Face of Ruin, direful, ſpread each Plain,

240

' Her Towns in Aſhes, and her HEROES ſlain.

69

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

' I found my much lov'd Sire a Captive led,

' In Fetters pin'd, and in a Dungeon dead ;

' My ſelf bereft of all his wide Domains,

' Where, now, the haughty Clifford proudly reigns.

245

' Mine Eme addreſt th' Uſurper to regain

' My Right paternal, but addreſt in vain.

' The Suit preferr'd, the Tyrant roſe in Ire,

' And proudly check'd the venerable Sire.

' Rejected with Difſain, and diſpoſſed,

250

' What Grief and Rage, indignant, tore my Breast ?

' Full of my Country's Wrongs, mine own Difſgrace,

' I vow'd Revenge on all the South'ron Race.

' Juſt as the Motion in my Boſom roll'd,

' A loyal Friend in joyful Whifpers told,

255

' The noble *Bruce*, eſcap'd, purſu'd his Way,

' T' aſſert his Title to the *Scottish* Sway.

' Rouz'd with the Thought, I arm, and ſoon prepare

' To joyn my Prince, and aid the loyal War.

' If

70

The LIFE of

Book II

‘ If thou’rt that *Bruce*, and those thy martial Bands,
260 ‘ A faithful Subject waits thy just Commands.

' A Stranger I, a Youth unknown to Fame,
' But loyal *Douglas* was my Father's Name.'

The *Bruce*, well knowing what the Sire had done,
Flew to th' Embraces of the gallant Son.

265 Close in his Arms the Godlike Man he preft,
And all the Train salute the noble Gueft.
Thence to Imperial *Scoon* they bend their Way,
The far fam'd Seat of *Albion's* ancient Sway.
Arriv'd, they enter; Guards surrounding wait,

270 Whilft *Bruce* is feated on a Throne of State.
Then from the Altar of the hallow'd Fane,
The sacred Officers the Rites began.

The Regal Oyl, firft, plac'd by pious Hands,
In holy Vafes on the Altar ftands.

275 The tuneful Choir their solemn Voices raife,
And Heav'n refounds the confecrated Lays.

www.benchm

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

71

The Royal Fragrance on his Head they pour,
In od'rous Drops descends the hallow'd Show'r.
Of Gold and Jewels next the Imperial Crown,
280 (A daz'ling Radiance!) round his Temples fhone.
Mean while, the Chiefs, and the attending Train,
Intently gazing on the awful Scene,
With Wonder faw a Flame, innoxious, ſpread
Its lambent Glories round the Monarch's Head;

285 Amaz'd, beheld unufual Splendorſs rife!
Play o'er his Face, and ſparkle in his Eyes.
Again the Choir their Notes in Confort joyn,
Warbles the Heav'nly Anthem thro' the Shrine,
The Crowd in Peals of loud Applaufeſs rife,

290 And catch'd, from Vault to Vault, the ecchoing Noife
Rolls thro' the Dome, and rattles in the Skies.

THE Rites perform'd, attended by his Train,
The sacred Monarch leaves the hallow'd Fane.

To

72

The LIFE of

Book II.

To Rooms of State ascends the Royal Gueft,
295 Where Boards ftood loaded with a rich Repaft.
Gay sparkling Bowls the various Banquet cheer,
And Muſic's Charms again suspend the Ear.
The Royal Repaft done, succeeds the Ball,
And Caledonian Beauties grace the Hall;
300 In rich Attire attend their gen'rous Prince,
And in bright Meaſures lead the num'rous Dance.
Now Night, once more, the Boards with Goblets crow:
Long live the King! in ev'ry Glafs goes round;
Round from repeated Bowls rich Nectar flows,
305 Till drowſy Slumbers ſummion their Repoſe.

THE rifing Beams glow on the Verge of Day,
And o'er old Ocean's heaving Boſom play.
The noble Bruce Imperial Scoon forſakes,
To Bertha's Tow'rs a Royal Journey takes.
310 With him fierce Edward iffues to the Plain,
Lennox the bold, and Athol's hardy Thane.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

73

Randal and Hay, two Thunderbolts of War!
Seton and Boyd to guard their Prince prepare.
The daring Somerveil in Armour flines,
315 And hardy Frajer his Battalions joyns.
Inchmartin, Barclay, on the Field appear,
And doughty Douglas glitter'd in the Rear.
Five hundred Spears advance in bright Array,
Gleam o'er the Lawns, and doubly gild the Day.

220 In Bertha's Tow'rs the crafty Pembroke stay'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,
225 Commission'd thence two Trumpets take their Way.
Straight to the Gates the martial Heraulds came,
Requir'd the Place in good King ROBERT's Name;
Summon'd the haughty Pembroke ſoon to yield,
Or bravely meet their Maſter in the Field.

K

The

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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 phone.
Back to the Camp the Heraulds soon 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 stand.

340 The King on Horseback views th' embattled Lines,
Then dauntles at their Head in Armour fhines.
Ready to fally, now, the South'ron Train,
The Gates unfolding, haften to the Plain ;
When lo ! a Chief before the Ranks appears,

345 Grave were his Looks, and rev'rend were his Years;
In ev'ry martial Art precifely skill'd,
Deep at the Board, and daring in the Field.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

75

Sir Inghraham Ompbraville', well known to Fame,
In Peace and War a venerable Name!

350 The iffuing Troops his awful Prefence ftay'd,
And thus the Chief to haughty Pembroke faid.

' High from the Walls I view'd yon level Strand,

' Where *Scots* array'd in firm Battalia fand ;

' Compar'd to us, a finall, but dauntles Train,

355 ' Inur'd to Blood, and harden'd to the Plain.

' Their Countrey's Love a gen'rous Warmth imparts,

' Arms their intrepid Hands, and steels their Hearts.

' See! round the Ranks great *Bruce* exerts his Care,

' Cheers ev'ry Boſom, and inflames the War.

360 ' Full of his Sire! his Sire well known of old,
' In Council ſubtil, and in Action bold.

' Yon other Chiefs oft have I feen before,

' Thunder thro' Death, and fweep the bloody Shore.

' Glory and Liberty their Boſoms fill,

365 ' And ev'ry Captain boafs a Gen'ral's Skill.

K 2

'Greater

78

The LIFE of

Book I

The *Scottish* Chiefs to guard the Standard ran,
Furious commenc'd the Combat on the Plain.
Together faſt the Battle brimly goes,

405
Loud to the Skies the thick'ning Clamours roſe.
From forged Steel thick flash'd the fstreamy Light,
Mix'd with the Air, and blaz'd along the Night.
The doughty King aloud his Banner cries,
And furious 'midſt the thickſt Squadrons flies.

410
His burniſht Brand was heavy, ſharp, and long,
With ireful Force he hew'd amidſt the Throng.
Thro' ſhining Armour burſts the crinſon Gore,
And a red Deluge floats along the Shore.

The Chiefs advance, their Sov'reign to ſuſtain,

415
And haughty *Pembroke* meets the loyal Train.
Fierce with a Shout the Hoffs together bound,
Trembles the Foreſt, and the Skies refound.

A Wafe of Ruin round the Field is ſpread,
And Heaps on Heaps ly roll'd the mangled Dead.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

79

420 The noble King exerts his awful Might,
And *Edward's* Fury flam'd amidſt the Fight.
There *Somerveil* dealt round his deadly Blows,
And doughty *Douglas* thunder'd on his Foes.
Bold *Lennox* here, there *Athol's* hardy Band

425 Pour on the Front, and ſweep the deathful Strand.
*Pembroke* with Grief their awful Force beheld,
His Troops all broke, and reeling in the Field ;
Unable to ſuſtain their martial Fire,
Difſmay'd he ſtood, and ready to retire ;

430 When *Omphraville* (the *Scottish* Commons won)
And *Moubray* on the Rear a Charge begun.
This *Pembroke* ſaw, and ſoon his Pow'r recalls,
And with fresh Vigour in the Front affairs.

The *Scots* o'erpow'd, and on the Point to yield,

435 With Rage and Grief the glorious King beheld.
Aloud his royal Banner calls again,
And fiercely rufſes on th' oppofing Train.

Thro'

80

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Book II.

Thro' all the Ranks he scatters Death around,
Red roll the Crimson Torrents o'er the Ground.
440
To save his Friends, and to secure the State,
What Wonders wrought he in the dire Debate!
But vain the Thought, thus singly to suftain
The War's whole Tide, and Fury of the Plain.
Urg'd in the Front, encompafs'd on the Rear,
His fainting Squadrons all for Flight prepare.
Their Foes no longer able to withstand,
Diverse they fled, and left the bloody Strand.
Randal and Somerveil proud Pembroke bore
Inchmartin, Barclay, Captives from the Shore.
445
And Frafer, long for martial Deeds renown'd,
And other Chiefs the South'ron Triumph crown'd.
The hardy Moubray rushing o'er the Strand,
Had feiz'd the Bruce's Bridle in his Hand;
Loud to the Legions the bold Warrior cries,
450
Haste to my Aid, mine is the Royal Prize.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

81

But daring Seton fees the captive Prince,
And, sudden, rushes to his Lord's Defence;
High, in his Right, he bore a flaming Brand,
On Moubray's Helm the thickning Blows descend;
460
Till, bent beneath his Force, he quits the Rein,
And reels, and ftaggers, ftunn'd, along the Plain.
The King, thus rescu'd, from the Battle fled,
And South'ron Chiefs to Perth their Captives led.
Difpatch'd, a Courier speeds o'er Solway's Shore,
And Pembroke's Letters to great Edward bore.
465
Joyful, he reads the Action on the Plain,
The Bruce's Rout, the Captives, and the flain;
Each Pris'ner foon a barb'rous Death enjoyns:
But the wife Leader baulks his Lord's Defigns.
470
His crafty Speeches their Intentions try'd,
And Bounty fix'd them to the hostile Side:
Their Lives he granted, Liberties restor'd,
And ev'n young Randolf own'd a South'ron Lord.
The
L

[ Young Randolf own'd, &c. ] Thomas Randolf was the King's Nevoj by his

82

The LIFE of

Book II.

The Commons all a joynt Obedience yield,
475 Dismay'd, and routed in the bloody Field,
Forfake their Homage since 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;
480 To Mountains, Wilds, and Desarts now repairs,
To shun the Danger of surrounding Wars.

Edward attends him on his lonely Way,
Ahol, 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 spends his irksom Days.

WH

Sifter: Who being made Pris'ner here, and defpairing of his Uncle's Affairs, went heartily in to the English Interest. But being sometime after retaken by James Douglas, refor'd to the King's Favour, and created Earl of Murray, Prov'd one of the greatest Commanders of his Times.

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

83

490 Wild Roots his Hunger, and his Thirst allay'd
The friendly Stream that thro' the Valley stray'd.
Green Mofs by Night affords his homely Bed,
'Midft the dark Foreft's hofpitable Shade.
Thus, lonely, wander'd, overft with Pow'r,
495 The Royal Exile on his native Shore:
Till pinch'd with Cold and Want, the feeble Train
Their Toils no longer able to suftain;
Where fair Devana's friendly Fortreſs lay,
Thro' Roads uncouth direct their ſecret Way.
500 Thither the Queen and beauteous Ladies came,
Brave Neil attending on the Royal Dame.

DEVANA! boafted Seat of Arts divine,
Renown'd by Phæbus, and the ſacred Nine!
With all th' immortal Stores of Science grac'd,
505 The Spoils of Rome, and Trophies of the Eaſt.

L 2

Since

[DEVANA.] New Aberdeen, situated towards the Mouth of the River Dee. About a Mile from thence Northward lies old Aberdeen, near the Mouth of the River Don. Where it stands a famous University, founded by Jam. IV. King of Scots.

www.buckinghamshire council.gov.uk

84

The LIFE of

Book II.

Since, driv'n by barb'rous Bands, th' harmonious Maid,
From *The*spian Bow'rs, and from the *Latian* Shades;
By *Phabus'* Care conducted o'er the Main,
Of old arriv'd on the *Tæzalian* Plain;

510 Near where the *Don*, fam'd for her scaly Brood,
Her Tide difgorges in the *Grampian* Flood;
A Fabrick stands, whose 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 Mufes 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 still adorn thy Walls.

M

[ *Tæzali*.] The People of Mar, Buchan, and all about *Aberdeen*.
[ *Albanian Prince*.] The forefaid *Jam*. IV.

85

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

May ev'ry Mufe, and ev'ry Grace be thine,
As Love and Gratitude fhall still be mine.
Thy duteous Sons fhall sing thy Glories round,
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,
Inspir'd by *Phæbus* and the Sacred Nine.

530 Let *Helicon* his Fountains boast no more,
Nor *Tyber* glory in his vocal Shore;
Ye *Greek* and *Latian* Springs resign your Fame,
Now loft in *Dona's* confecrated Stream.

WITHIN the neighb'ring Walls the Monarch lay,
535 Liv'd on Delight, and lov'd the Hours away.
The other Chiefs amidft their Conforts Charms,
Forget their Toils, and lull the Din of Arms.
Short their Delights. From all th' adjacent Lands,
And neighb'ring Strengths, arose the South'ron Bands.

440 Assemble

86

The LIFE of

Book II

540 Affable to the War the gath'ring Pow'rs,
And joyn and thicken to Devana's Tow'rs.
The King appriz'd, nor able to suftain
Th' unequal Force, withdraws his little Train.
From Deva's Shores to Avon's spacious Source,
The Royal Bands remensurate their Courfe.
There rode the Queen, and all the lovely Fair,
'Midft barren Climes expos'd to bleaky Air.
Near where M'dougal held his Savage Sway,
The Monarch with his thin Battalions lay.

545

550 M'dougal Nevoy to the Cumin flain,
Fir'd with Revenge, advances to the Plain.
A thousand Shields approaching to the Fight,
Dart from their boffy Orbs a glimm'ring Light.

The

[M'dougal of Lorn,] Was Sifter Son to Cumin whom Bruce had flain; and as was natural, refented his Uncle's Death, whilft perhaps he did not know who had the just Title to the Crown. His honourable and loyal Defcndents will perdon the Author's being oblig'd to follow the Courfe of the Hiltory, and to treat hima here as a Rebel.

87

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

The hardy King near to a Foreft stands,
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 Does, the hoftile Train
Arm'd with fell Axes, bounding to the Plain;

555

560

By fierce M'dougal violently led,
On Bruce's Hoft a furious Onfet made.

Ye Gods! how dire, how dreadful was the Fray?

How fierce the Charge, how obftinate the Day?

The bold M'dougal's 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 effay'd,

570

At once his Courage, Force, and Conduct try'd.

He

22

The LIFE of

Book II

575

580

585

He mark'd the Fury of the barb'rous Hoſt,
And saw his Friends beſtrow the ſanguine Coaſt;
With Grief beheld the Havock of the Day,
Ev'n *Douglas* bleeding, and the gallant *Hay*.

He felt his Soul pier'd with the tender Sight,
And call'd forth all the Wonders of his Might.
Awful in Ire, his Banner cry'd aloud,
And rufh'd refiſtleſs on the Savage Crowd.

Thro' the cruſh'd War with dreadful Force he broke,
Trembled the nodding Foreſt at the Shock.

As when ſome furious Whirlwind ſweeps the Plain,
Sounds thro' the Skies, and fettles on the Main;
Mix'd in black Tempeſt rıſing Billows roll,
Roars the vex'd Ocean, and ſeounds the Pole.

Thus far'd the Monarch 'midſt the adverſe Band,
Thus burn'd the thickning Combat on the Strand.
The barb'rous Foe, ſtopt in their bloody Courſe,
Stood ſtill, and gaz'd, aſtoniſh'd, at his Force.

W

29

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

Book II.

While pour'd in Torrents rolls the Savage Gore,
And Tenſcore Axes ſtrow the Crimſon Shore;
Ev'n ſierce *Mc dougal* dreads the Monarch's Might,
Yet fir'd with Rage ſtill animates the Fight.
Meantime the Queen, and all the lovely Crowd,
From the thick Covert of the ſhady Wood,
Viewing the Fury of each adverſe Train,
And all the various Terrors of the Plain;
Amaz'd, and trembling at the Face of War,
Thus to the Heav'ns their ardent Vows prefer.

595

THOU! at whose Voice Divine the Thunders roll,

600

And ſhake the ſolid Bafis of the Pole;
Whose dreadful Nod ev'n Gods and Men obey,
Thou ſole, thou ſacred Rector of the Sky!
To our joynt Vows thine Ear, propitious, bend,
And thine Anointed from his Foes defend;

605

Bear him, thou mighty Arbiter of Fate,
Far from the Fury of the dire Debate;

M

Or

90

The LIFE of

Book II.

Or crush the hoftile War, and drive yon Band,
Dismay'd and wither'd, from the bloody Strand:
The Monarch's Labours crown, reward his Toils,
And bid him triumph in the Rebel-f spoils.
They said, and Heav'n affents to half the Pray'r,
The Half rejects and mingles with the Air.

JUST as the Foe again for Fight prepare,
Range in fierce Ranks, and recommence the War;
The King, with Wisdom as with Valour grac'd,
His Bands assembling, thus the Chiefs addreft.

You see, yon Rebel animates his Train,
His Squadrons rallies, and renews the Plain;
Num'rous their Troops, and well with Weapons for
A brutal People with a Savage Lord,
Stock'd with Provisions in their native Soil;
We pinch'd with Famine, and fatigu'd with Toil.
Suffice it then, we once have check'd their Courfe,
Their Fury blunted, and repell'd their Force.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

91

625 Nor let us further tempt our doubtful Fate,
But save our Friends, and cautiously retreat.
Renown'd the Chiefs, whose Souls, undaunted, dare
Face the stern Day, and meet the Front of War!
Can Slaughter in each hideous Form difdain,

630 Thunder thro' Fate, and sweep the ghaftly Plain!
The HERO lives exalted into Fame:
Nor lefs the Glory of that Leader's Name,
Who, preft with Odds, can check his martial Fire,
Elude the Foe, and cautiously retire.

635 THUS spoke the King; and soon, in juft Array,
Retreat the Legions from th' unequal Day.'
The hoftile Squadrons for the Chafe prepare,
But the bold Monarch fternly guards the Rear.
Douglas, and Hay, and all the Chiftains fand

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

92

The LIFE of

Book II.

His Hopes all blighted, and his Purpose crost,
To Lorn M'dougal reconducts his Hoft.

645

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 soft Hands each Scar, and bleeding Wound,

650

With studious Care is tented, bath'd, and bound.

Not Phæbus self, God of the healing Art,
Cou'd half so swift, so Sov'reign Eafe impart.

Her Dittany no longer Crete shall boast,
No more Arabia vaunt her balmy Coast;

655

The fair Physicians speedier Aid afford,
Their Touch was Med'cine, and their Lips restored.

The weary Chiefs, secure from dire Alarms,
Feed on their Eyes, and live upon their Charms;
In pleasing Dialogue confume the Light,

660

And melt in softer Extafies the Night.

No

93

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

Now, late in Ocean bath'd, th' autumnal Star
Rears his red Orb, and shoots a keener Glare.
Around, his Breath in sultry Vapours flies,
Glows the parch'd Earth, and flame the middle Skies.

665 Long had the Hoft confum'd their irksom Time,
'Midft barb'rous Foes, and in a horrid Clime;
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 Ransack'd each Den, and pillag'd ev'ry Stream;
Now spent 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 Hardships of a rough Campaign;

675 By Hunger pinch'd, and round with Foes befet,
Relolve 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;

With

94

The LIFE of

Book I.

With boding Hearts the lovely Fair embrac'd,
And, bath'd in Tears, the sad Departure haſte.
The noble Neil, and Athol's loyal Thane,
Direct the Way, and guide the lovely Train.

ON Dona's fertile Banks a Fortrefs ftood,
Stupendous Pile! the Labour of ſome God.

Held by the Father of the Royal Dame,
Impregnable! Kildrummy is its Name.
Thither the watchful Chiefs, with loyal Care,
Thro' Wilds, and Paths unknown, conduct the Fair.

There at their Ease the tender Beauties reft,
But still the Monarch labours in their Breaſt.

The Monarch! who, meantime, thro' Hills and Dales,
'Midft barren Rocks, and ſolitary Vales;
With Fates averſe, with Cold, and Famine's Pains,
Superior ſtrives, and Heav'n his Soul ſuſtains.

Ho

[ Noble Neil.] Neil-Bruce the King's Brother, taken afterwards by the Egl and put to Death at Kildrummy.

95

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

How deep the Counſels of th' Eternal Mind?
Man's Thoughts how ftinted, and his Views how blind?

Far in the Womb of Caufes, fix'd on high,
Events in regular Confuſion ly;
Till Heav'n ſhall by Degrees each Link unloofe,

And Step by Step our future Fate diſcloſe;
Not Man, but Angels, ſhall explore in vain
The winding Order of the myſtic Chain.
Mortals, obedient to th' Eternal Nod,
Muſt Hope, and ſuffer, and attend the God.

THUS, long the Monarch ſtruggled with his Fate,
Glorious in Patience, and reſign'dly great;
Means and Events he weigh'd with proper Care,
In Counſel wife, and terrible in War;
Thought ev'ry Scene, in ev'ry Act ſedate,

Bold to attack, and cautious to retreat:
No Toil refuſing for the State's Defence,
A loving Father, and a gen'rous Prince.

THUS

96

The LIFE of

Book II.

THUS long, Illuftrious, in Diftrefs he lay,
And spent, in Mountain Waftes, his tedious Hours
715
Nor durft, fore pinch'd with Want, the loyal Pow'r
Forfake the Heights, or tempt the Champaign Shor.
Now Autumn paft, approach'd the wintry Sway,
And Night's black Shades ufurp'd upon the Day.
The gath'ring Clouds descending from on high,
720
Lowr, fraught with Storms, and threaten in the Sky.
The North's chill Breath comes keener o'er the Plain,
And, sharper thrilling, scuds the chicken'd Rain.
The noble Bruce, unable now to bear,
Amidft a defart Clime, th' inclement Year;
725
His Legions warns, resolving to retreat,
And in Cantyre to tempt his future Fate.
Meanwhile, before the gen'rous Campbell sends,
To view the Countrey, and apprife his Friends,
Then to Lochlowmond march the loyal Band,
730
And find a crazy Birlin on the Strand;

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

97

They launch the Boat, and, Pair by Pair, the Hoft
In twice twelve Hours attain the farther Coast.
The hungry Legions scour the desert Lawns,
Beat round the Woods, and rouze the nimble Fawns.
735
Bold Lennox hears, amaz'd, the mingled Sounds
Of cheering Horns about, and op'ning Hounds.
Lennox! who, here, since Methwen's fatal Strife,
On Roots, and Savage Game suftain'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 supplies the Hoft with Food,
The Mountain-Goat, and Product of the Wood.
745
Of Toils and Dangers paft the various Tale
Mutual Diverts, and cheers the welcome Meal,
The Repaft ended, rose the Royal Train,
And hafted to the Margin of the Main.

N

By

100

The LIFE of

Book II.

Old Albion, in her Setons, vaunts her Odds,
A Race of HEROES riling into Gods.

The Royal Dame, beset with trait'rous Pow'r,
Forfakes Kildrummy, and the faithles's Shore.

785 Northward she fled, but Roffia's Rebel-Thane
Betray'd, ungenerous, the Femal Train;
Convey'd them Captive to Auguſta's Tow'rs,
To waſte, confin'd, their melancholy Hours.

T' aſſail Kildrummy South'ron next prepare,
790 And young Caernarvan heads the num'rous War.
Great Gloeſter the youthful Leader joyns,
And, 'midſt his Squadrons, hardy Hertford ſhines.

In broad Array the Legions ſweep along,
And round the Walls diſpoſe the warlike Throng.

795 Each Gate young Edward views, each Pals ſecures,
And Storms of Batt'ries rattle on the Tow'rs.

But gallant Neil, and Athol's hardy Thane
Repel the Fury of the hoſtile Train:

101

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

In vain an Iron Tempeſt round them flies,

800 And Shocks of Engines thunder thro' the Skies.
Their noble Breaſts no Senſe of Danger palls,
Each Soul undaunted, as unmov'd the Walls.

Tir'd with the fruitleſs Task, th' impatient Prince
His Sire admoniſh'd of the bold Defence.

805 The haughty Sire ſoon arms his awful Pow'r,
And onward ſpeeds to Solway's fandy Shore.

Fond Man! How inſicious of thy mortal Date?

How blind to that laſt ſwift Approach of Fate?

In vain thou ſeeſt thy ſteely Legions glare,

810 And triumph'ſt in the Pomp of impious War.

In thy fond Heart proud Conqueſt vainly reigns,

And Luft of lawleſs Pow'r thy Bosom ſtains.

In vain oppreſſive Sway thy Breaſt inſpires :
Behold the Period of thy vaſt Desires !

815 Sudden, thou feel'ſt thy latest Minutes roll,
And in a paultry Hutt expir'ſt thy Soul.

Pride

And in a paultry Hutt, &c.] Edward I. died suddenly in this Expedition

102

The LIFE of

Book I.

820

Pride and Ambition hand thee down to Fame,
And Tyranny fits black upon thy Name.
Not so, when once, 'gainst unbelieving Foes,
Flam'd thy dread Fauchion in the sacred Cause!
When *Antioch* saw thee Thunder on her Shore,
And *Syrian* Streams run red with *Pagan* Gore.
'Twas then bright Trophies to thy Name arose,
And Bays unfading grac'd thy awful Brows.

825

Now lawles's Might and Fraud the Scene o'ercast,
Wither thy Laurels, and thy Triumphs blast.
Now, unlamented, thou resign'ft thy Breath,
The Hate of Life, and Ridicule of Death.

830

MEANWHILE the Scots maintain *Kildrummy's* Tower
And Darts and Jav'lins mix in Iron Show'rs.
High in their glitt'ring Arms the Chiefs appear,
And from the Walls annoy the hostile War.

Impregna

to Scotland, at a Cottage in a Place called Burgh upon the Sands.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

103

Impregnable the mighty Fortrefs stands,
And braves the Force of all the South'ron Bands.

835

Vex'd at the vain Attack, the Prince recals
His Troops, juft ready to for-fake the Walls:
When suddenly a mighty Flame he spies
Burft from the Roof, and crackle in the Skies.
Accurst Contrivance! a perfidious Scot

840

Had in a secret Tow'r the Treason wrought.
At this, the Prince again his Squadrons forms,
And with fresh Force the flaming Fortrefs storms.
Betray'd, the brave Defendants, and amaz'd,
With Tears upon the spreading Mifchief gaz'd.

845

No longer equal to the dire Dispute,
Affail'd by Fire within, by Foes without;
Their Hopes extinguifh'd, their Provisions loft,
On Terms surrender to the South'ron Hoft.
But haughty Edward, who no Terms obferv'd,

850

Some hang'd, some quarter'd, some in Prisons starv'd.

The

104

The LIFE of

Book II.

The Chiefs, brave *Neil* and *Athol* long renown'd,
Their Fate amidst a thousand Torments found.

AND now *Caernarvan* and his Bands retire,
To pay the last sad Duties to his Sire.

855 The Court expecting on the Border-strand,
Welcome the Monarch to his native Land.
Peers, Prelates, Gen'ral's, Knights, a splendid Train!
Sumptuous attend, and aid the solemn Scene;
To Westminster in fable Pomp proceed,

860 Yawns the deep Marble, and receives the Dead!
The Sire's last Rites perform'd, his royal Son,
The young *Caernarvan*, mounts the South'ron Thron

MEANTIME brave *Bruce* on *Rauchlin's* rugged Shores
Patient confumes the Winter's bleaky Hours;

865 Intirely infamous of the Low-land State,
His Captive Queen, and mighty Edward's Fate.
Nor Fame had yet o'er those wild Mountains spread
Kildrummy fack'd, and his lov'd Brother dead.

Unknown

105

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

Unknowning, and unknown, his Days he paft,
870 Far on a horrid, unregarded Coast.

But *Douglas* weary of the dull Delay,
The vain-spent Night, and the inactive Day;
The martial Youth aspiring now to Fame,
To prove his Worth, and to assert his Name;

875 Cou'd brook no longer this inglorious Reft,
And thus, impatient, the bold *Boyd* addreft.

'How long, my Friend, thus idly shall we moan

'Our Fortunes ruin'd, and the State undone?

'How long shall *Albion's* unrelenting Foes

'Feed on her Spoils, and triumph in her Woes,

'While thus her Cause her Sons like Cowards yield,

'Nor dare assert her in the gen'rous Field ?

'Forbid it Heav'n! nor let the *Douglas'* Fame

'Sink in a daftard Son's inglorious Name.

885 'No; like my Sires, I'll seek the dire Debate,

'Meet the brave Day, and court the Face of Fate.

'Henceforth

O

106

The LIFE of

Book II.

Henceforth this anxious Soul shall know no Rest,
No Eafe these Limbs, no Peace this lab'ring Breast,
Till Albion, free from Force of foreign Bands,
And from her impious Sons more barb'rous Hands,
Shall in her Pomp of ancient Splendor rife,
Her Glory fill the Earth, and reach the diffant Skies;
Till Bruce, succeeding to his Right divine,
Shall add new Luftre to great Fergus' Line.

925 He said: And Boyd affented as he spoke,
And at the King a sudden Leave they took.

SWIFT from the rough Raclinda's fteepy Bay,
Launch the bold Chiefs, and sweep the wat'ry Wats,
Fly o'er the whit'ning Surface of the Main,
And land on Arran's Coaft their little Train.
Long had the Ude obey'd the South'ron Pow'r,
And Haflings govern'd on the rocky Shore.
In Bradwick Fortrefs lay the hoftile Band,
When Boyd and Douglas gain'd the barren Strand.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

107

905 The Scots withdrew, and in close Ambush lay,
Far in a Thicket on a ferroggy Bay.
Just as the Deputy three Galleys brought,
With Arms, and with Provisions richly fraught;
The Mariners their Vessels quickly moor,

910 As quick the Scottisb Chiefs array their Pow'r.
The Servants led the Victuals from the Main,
Mov'd the ftuff'd Waggons o'er the beachy Plain;
When, all amaz'd, the Caravan beheld
The hardy Scots, in Order, take the Field.

915 As when fome Lion, couching on the Lawns,
Views from a rocky Cliff the fportive Fawns;
The lordly Savage shoots along the Way,
Bounds from the Steep, and tears his trembling Prey.
Thus Douglas, furious, rufh'd amidst the Foe,

920 And twenty Deaths the Sea-beat Level ftrow.
The artful Boyd his needleſs Aid refrain'd,
But fpoil'd th' Attendants, and the Victuals gain'd.

O 2

By

102

The LIFE of

Book II.

By this bold Haulings hears the warlike Noife,
And ireful to his Friends Affistance flies.

925 The doughty Douglas spies th' approaching Band,
And sudden haftes to meet them near the briny Strand.
But when the haughty South'ron Chief beheld
The daring Foe thus dauntles take the Field;
Superior, yet he dreads the Douglas' Might,

930 And back to Brathwick wings his coward Flight.
Brave Douglas to the Walls purfues in vain,
Strong was the Fort, and few the Scottish Train.
The Chief returning finds the hostile Store,
And faithful Boyd attending on the Shore.

935 Then, in the Covert of a shady Wood,
The Scots themselves and all the Prey beftow'd.

TEN Days were past, when Bruce embarques his Hs
And swiftly launches from Raclinda's Coaft.

Furnisht with needful Stores, the Royal Train

940 In thirty Galleys plow the wat'ry Plain;

On Arran's rocky Isle, direct, they bore,
And Gales, propitious, waft them to the Shore.
There rose a Hamlet on a rugged Bay;
Thither the King and Chiftains bent their Way;

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

109

945 Entred a poultry Inn, and, quick, demand
What Strangers, late, had trod the barren Strand.
Up rose a Female, and the Monarch led
Where Boyd and Douglas held the Foreft-shade.

The Bruce his Horn infpires, the veh'ment Blaft

950 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 salute the King, and then relate
The Warden's Foil, and their first profp'rous Fate:

955 Thence to the Inn trace back the winding Shore,
And Menials lead along the rifled Store.

Rich South'ron Victuals load the homely Board,
And Boyd and Douglas entertain their Lord.

Next

110

The LIFE of

Book II.

Next all the Army share a large Repaſt,
960 Glad was the King, and merry was the Hoff.

Now ceas'd keen Boreas' freezing Breath to blow,
And Streams, unbound, in grateful Murmurs flow,
No more, thro' louring Skies, mix'd Tempeſts reign,
Nor angry Surges ſwell the founding Main.

965 Smile all the Meads, and bloſſom all the Groves,
And the wing'd Songſters chant their tender Loves,
The various Beauties of the Spring appear,
And gentle Zephyrs fan the Genial Year.

The noble King three Days in Arran's Isle,

970 Refresh'd his Troops, and reſted from his Toil.

Now tir'd of Eafe, his Thoughts on Carrick bends,
And thither ſoon a faithful Courier ſends;
Bids him, attentive, view the Country o'er,
Practife with Caution, and their Faith explore.

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

III

975 If friendly ------ on the Coast a Fire muſt blaze,
Th' undoubted Signal of a loyal Race.

The Meſſenger obeys, and quits the Strand,

And, wſwift, arrives on Bruce's native Land.

The Peafants tries, but finds them, as he goes,

980 All ſworn to South'ron, all the Monarch's Foes.

Yet or by Chance or Fraud, 'tis hard to ſay,

The Blaze appear'd upon th' appointed Day.

The careful King beholds the riling Gleam,

And to the Leaders points the diſtant Flame.

But

[A fire muſt blaze, &c.] I have always found it the greatest Difficulty to bring up ſuch little Circumſtances as there to any Degree of Poetry. When the Artion is great in it ſelf, and the ſupradicars proportionably noble, the Poet labours hard. A Dignity of Expression riles naturally out of the Greatness of ſuch an Action, and in that Caſe, a Man has more Life for his Judgment than his Genius, in order to moderate his Heat, and keep him from running up into Mont and Eufain. On the contrary, in pretty Circumſtances, like this before us, the Judgment has but little to do; nor are they capable of G minus, because they cannot be turn'd out of their own Nature, that is, they cannot be raiſed or deſpised with any manner of Decoar or Proximity.

[The careful King beholds the riling Gleam.] In caſe the Rendr should not ſo well andzitand this Circumſtance, as 'tis narrated in Rhime, I ſhall tell him in Poffe, that the King had commanded a truly Servant to pail privately over from Arrauns, where he diuin was) into Carrick, one of his own hereditary Poffeffions, in order to try the Influations of that People. If he found them Loyal, he was to ereth a

[On Carrick, &c.] Carrick belong'd heretarily to Robert Bruce in Rige, his Mother, which made him the ſonder to found the Inclinations of that Pait.

112

The LIFE of

Book II.

985 But whilft the Sailors at their Lord's Command,
Unmoor the Fleet, 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,

990 But deep her Counfels, and her Words were Fate.
Some secret Pow'r her lab'ring Bosom fway'd,
Her brifted Hair roſe horrid round her Head;
Foaming the stares, her Eye-balls wildly roul,
As Bruce's Fate came full upon her Soul.

995 Her Words, in more than mortal Sounds, unfold
Long fix'd Decrees, and Oracles of old.
While thus --- 'Hail, Mighty Prince! purfueth Way,
'Thr o' Toil, to Glory and undoubted Sway.

'Defend

a Fire upon the nearest Point of Land towards Arcon, as a Sign of their Fille
and good Difpoſition; but if not, he was to come off privately as he went,
our kindling any further Fire. He found them intirely in the English Interſt,
Bruce's Enemys to a Man, and conſuiently eructed no Fire. However,
Chance, or to the King's Imagination, a Fire did appear, which carried him on
amongst the Midft of his Enemys.

113

Book II. King ROBERT BRUCE.

'Defended of an ancient *Druid*, I

1000 ' Feel future Scenes, and labour with the Sky.

'Long ſhalt thou ftrugle in the dire Debate,

'Combat Diftreſſes, and contend with Fate.

'Ev'n now I fee thee sweating on the Shore,

'And the red Field diſtain'd with running Gore.

1005 ' I fee a HERO, now amidſt our Foes,
' Whole Soul, midled, ſtill loves the loyal Cauſe;
' By ſubtil Art to South'ron Homage brought,
' Rife on Neglect, and conquer by his Fault.

'I fee a Knight from hofftile Regions far,

1010 ' Great in his Wrongs, approach to Aid thy War,

P

'The

[Defended of an ancient *Druid*, &c.] The Druids were ancient Heathen
Puritans both in France and Britain. They generally perform'd all their religious
Offices under Oak Trees, and from thence receiv'd their Name; for the Oaks are
called in the Greek and old Celtic Language,
[Here a HERO, now amidſt our Foes, --- Rife on Neglect &c.] This was
Thomas Handolf, the King's Nevoy, who had been taken, and was at this Time in
the English Interſt; But was afterwards recover'd by James Douglas, as I hinde
before. At the Battle of Enmockburn, he happen'd to neglect a Poſt His Majesty
had order'd him to maintain, but afterwards bravely recover'd his Honour, and
was a great Inſtrument in the Victory of that Day.

114

The LIFE of

Book II.

' The injur'd Exile combats with Difdain,

' And Glory crowns him on a foreign Plain.

' I see yon fable Chief, amidst the Croud,

' All grim with Duft, and ftain'd with future Blood.

1015 ' Ere yet Eternal Slumbers feal thine Eyes,

' Ere yet thy Soul fhall mount its kindred Skies;

' To him I hear thy lateft Breath impart

' The pious Charge of thine untainted Heart:

' Pure from thy Breast, enchas'd in fhining Ore,

1020 ' To bear the Relique to the sacr'd Shore.

' I see the H E RO eager to fulfil

' The laft great Mandate of his Sov'reign's Will,

' Around

[The injur'd Exile, &c.] The Anceftor of the preſent Duke of Hampton, His Name was Gilbert Hampton, defended (as some ſay) of the Family of Leefer. This Gentleman having ſpoke well of Robert Bruce in the English Coopers then great Favours of Edward II. The Croud interpos'd, ſo as Mr. Hampton could not revenge himſelf at that Time, but the next Day he met him, and neiv'd him kindly, and in lieu of his Eſtate, which was then forfeited in England, got him the Lands of Cardlezon, Hamilitoun, &c., in the Weſt, and chang'd his Name from was knighted on the Field.

[I see yon fable Chief, &c.] James Douglas, who was order'd by K. Robert to carry his Heart after his Death to the Holy Land.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

115

' Around encompafs'd by a warlike Throng,

2025 ' And joyn'd by Sinclair, and the gallant Young;

' In Tay's broad Chanel hoift his ſwelling Sails,

' Waft o'er the Brine, and reach Iberia's Vales.

' I see him there oppofe his manly Breast

' To ſwarming Legions from the ſwarthy Eaſt;

1030 ' All bath'd in Blood, upon the diſtant Shore,

' I fee him thunder thro' the Pagan War;

' I fee whole Nations fall beneath his Hand,

' And Ofman's Millions choak th' Iberian Strand.

' But now his Courage into Raphneſs grows,

1035 ' And, flush'd with Succesſs, he diſdains his Foes;

P 2

' Too

[and reach Iberia's Vales.] Iberia and Hesperia ancient Names of Spain.

To ſwarming Legions from the ſwarthy Eaſt.] This was about the End of the Iland, when those Expeditions of the Chriſtian Princes (commonly call'd the Criege) in order to recover the Holy Land out of the Hands of the Infidels, were botched. James Douglas having been enjoyn'd (as I have hinted) to carry the King's Heart to the Holy Sepulchre, hearing in his Paffage by the Coast of Spain, that the Saracens were very numerous, and prevail'd exceedingly there, immediately land'd, engaged and defated them in ſeveral Battles. At laft growing too confiſtant of his Successes, the Enemy having now become contemptible to him, and ven- tanc'd, was ſurrounded and flain.

[Ofman] Emperor of the Saracens.

116

The LIFE of

Book II.

' Too far, incautious, tempts the treach'rous Plain,

' O'erborn by Armies, and by Armies flain.

' More I cou'd name of ancient loyal Blood,

' But see----- thy Fleet already items the Flood.

1040 ' Go then, to Glory, patient, trace thy Way,

' Till once shall dawn the bright immortal Day;

' When *one braze Field* shall all thy Labours crown,

' And Earth and Skies shall eccho thy Renown.

' And to confirm the Fate I now declare,

1045 ' Mine own two Sons shall all thy Dangers share;

' Attend thy Toils, 'till the great Task is done,

' And Fate have fix'd the *Bruce* on *Fergus'* ancient Throes.

THUS far the Prophets, and bent her Way
Back to the Inn; the Monarch put to Sea.

1050 The lab'ring Oars the heaving Billows sweep,
Bound the swift Vessels o'er the hoary Deep.

At last they gain the *Bruce's* native Land,
And the moor'd Galleys cloud the Oozy Strand.

Dejeftel

117

King ROBERT BRUCE.

Book II.

Dejected, on the Beach appear'd the Squire,

1055 Before commission'd to erect the Fire.

He told the Monarch all was hostile Ground,

And the bold *Piercy* rul'd the Country round.

Three hundred South'ron waited his Command,

Himself the fav'reign Tyrant of the Land.

1060 Then ask'd the Monarch, how he dar'd to raise
Upon a hostile Coast the trait'rous Blaze?

The Man deny'd; nor knew he how it came,

Nor durst extinguish the deceitful Flame.

Then thus the King accofts the Council round,

1065 ' Or shall we venture on the faithless Ground?

' Or silent shall we quit the dangerous Plain,

' Unmoor our Fleet, and meafure back the Main?'

To this the fiery *Edward* firſt reply'd,

' No Dread shall drive me back into the Tide;

1070 ' Let Thousands meet our Hundreds on the Strand,

' Refold I'll venture on the Rebel-land.

The

118

The LIFE of

Book II

The Monarch ſmil'd, the Chiefs the Sentence own,
March the bold Squadrons to the neighb'ring Town,
'Twas Night, and all ſecure the South'ron ſlept,
1075
No Danger dreaded, and no Watches kept.
Diverſe, the Scots to diſtant Quarters go,
And, fierce, with Shouts aſſail the drouſy Foe;
Break ſplint'ring Bars, and burſt oppoſing Doors,
And with red Torrents, ſudden, ſtain the Floors.
1080
The Air around mix'd Groans and Clamours bears,
And mournful Accents reach Lord Piercy's Ears.
But ſafe in Turnb'ry-Fortrefs Piercy lay,
Nor durſt approach or mingle in the Fray.'
Alone McDougal, who betray'd before
1085
The Monarch's Brothers to the South'ron Pow'r;
An ancient Traitor, 'cap'd by ſudden Flight,
Unknown, and favour'd by the Shades of Night.

Before

[Alone McDougal, &c.] This was not McDougal of Lorn, whose Engagements with the King we have deferib'd before; but one Duncan McDougal of Galland, who had betray'd Thomas and Alexander Bruce the King's Brothers to the English, and this is all the Notice my Author takes of that Action.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

119

Before the Sun aroſe to gild the Day,
Drench'd in their Gore three hundred South'ron lay.

1090
Next Turnb'ry Caſtle the bold Monarch view'd
But then impregnable the Fortrefs ſtood.

Two Days Lord Piercy lurk'd within the Walls,
And on the Third a faithful Courier calls.

Straight to Northumberland his Orders ſends,

1095
To warn his Friends, and raife his native Bands.

Nortumbrian Pow'rs the Courier ſoon alarms,
And ſudden ſhone a thouſand Men in Arms.

But Gaudifer de Lyle, an ancient Knight,
Who knew the Scottish Chiefs, and Bruce's Might;

1100
Diffwades his Vαſſals from a March ſo far,
Propounds the Danger, and deters the War:
The Folly ſhows to ſeek in their own Soil
An Hoſt experienc'd, and inur'd to Toil.

The

[Gaudifer de Lyle, &c.] A Froneh Name, one of those who fettled in the Conquelt. It is repreſented by the Honourable 'Squire Lyle, a Gentleman of a considerable Fortune in Northumberland to this Day.

120

The LIFE of

Book II.

The Troops, difheartned, wou'd have quit the Shire,
1105 But hardy St. John animates the Pow'r.
By him conducted, soon arrive the Hoff,
And guard Lord Piercy to his native Coaft.
Secret they march'd, resolving not to fight,
For now the South'ron fear'd the Monarch's Might.

9110 MEANTIME, secure, 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 Phæbus once, declining to the Sea,

1115 Glow'd on the Margin of Hesperian Day;
Along the pleafing Vales the Monarch ftray'd,
And Boyd and Douglas clos'd his Royal Side.
Far on the Lawns a warlike Troop they fpy'd,
And at their Head a Nymph her Charms display'd.

[Hardy St. John, &c.] The Ancestor of the late Viscount Bolingbroke.

Book II.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

121

1120 Advanc'd the Loyal Fair with eafy Grace,
The Monarch's Cousin, of Clackmannan's Race.
Approaching, the bright Dame and all her Train
Their Sov'reign hail, submissive, on the Plain.
Her Name and Bus'neſs next the Nymph expreſt,

1125 The King, ſurpris'd, the loyal Fair embrac'd.
To ſerve their Prince, ſhe told, theſe Warriors came,
The Bruce accepts the Aids, and thanks the gen'rous Dame.
A Band of Forty kneeling on the Shore,
A firm inviolable Homage ſwere.

1130 The King and Chiefs diſpofe the lifted War,
And ſtraight to Turnb'ry Fort conduct the Fair.
Glad was the Monarch, but his Joy how ſhort,
Soon as he heard the Lady's ſad Report?
His Royal Confort to the Foe betray'd,

1135 His Brother, Athol, and brave Seton dead!

How

[The Monarch's Cousin, &c.] This Lady was of the House of Clackmannan, which Family is still extant, and its Honourable Representative Chief of the Bruce.

122

The LIFE of

Book III.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

123

How did he mourn, how did the Chiefs deplor
That Scene of Fate to them unknown before?

The Dame herself some Comfort must afford
To soothe the Leaders, and their doleful Lord.

140

Sometime she stay'd, and her fond Care exprest,
To lull the Tumult in her Sov'reign's Breast :

At last departs, the Chiefs in Order came,

And homeward, grateful, guard the gen'rous Dame.

BOOK III.

BOOK III.

THE King o'er Carrick now extends his Sway;
Submit the Chiftains, and the Boors obey;
Peaceful, and gently rules his native Land,
And ev'ry Subject feels the soft Command.

But doughty Douglas, now a dreadful Name,
Fir'd with an high uncommon Thirst of Fame;
Feels no Delight, nor taftes his lab'ring Breast
The lazy Charms of an inglorious Reft.

War's diffant Scenes still in his Bosom roll,
And future Fields run Crimson in his Soul.
Whilft thus his Heart the glorious Impulse feels,
He meets his Prince, and thus his Thoughts reveals.

Q 2

' Now,

124

The LIFE of

Book III.

' Now, gen'rous Sov'reign! you have gain'd your own,
' Th' auspicious Prelude to your lineal Crown.

25 ' But Clifford, still poſſeſt of my Domains,
' His lawleſs Title to my Right maintains.

' But here I vow by all th' immortal Pow'rs,

' That tread yon Azure Vault, and blifſful Bow'rs;

' He either ſhall reſign my rightful State,

30 ' Or one of us ſhall meet a ſudden Fate.

' Forth then, dread Sov'reign! give me Leave to go;

' Purſue my Fortune, and attempt the Foe.

' His Arms and mine ſhall in the Field be try'd,

' And fix the Title to the conqu'ring Side.

35 ' Yon Chief may see your Subject bravely dy,

' But ne'er ſhall Clifford see the Douglas fly.'

The HERO thus. But Bruce, whose cautious Mind
Events and Means in juſt Proportion joyn'd,

Oppoſ

[But Clifford still poſſeſt, &c.] Lord Clifford had got the Grant of Douglas' Lands from Edward I.

125

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

Oppoſ'd the Motion, and the Chiftain told

30 ' The Foe was num'rous, and the Leader bold.

' I know thou dar'ſt, he ſaid, but haſt not Pow'r

' To match yon Captain on the doubtful Shore.

' Weigh well the Odds, and thy Reſolves delay,

' Till Heav'n ſhall open a ſecurer Way;

35 ' Till we ſome farther our juſt Right regain,

' Then may we try our Fortune on the Plain.'

Thus the wife Monarch. Douglas quick reply'd,

' Did all the Pow'r of England guard his Side;

' I'll meet th' Uſurper in the Field of Death,

40 ' My Right reconquer, or reſign my Breath.'

' Go then, ſaid Bruce, and bleſs'd him as he went;

' May Heav'n, propitious, ſecond thy Intent.'

Now Douglas ſpeeds him to his native Land,
And only Two th' advent'rous Chief attend.

45 Thro' Hills and Dales, and rugged Rocks by Day
Painful he labours on his cautious Way.

By

126

The LIFE of

Book III

By Night some Grove affords a moffy Bed,
And round him throws its hofpitable Shade.
Secret, at laft, thro' Paths untrod before,
Arrives the HERO on his native Shore.

'Twas Night, and now from the laborious Field
The Swain retiring, seeks his homely Bield.
Sol's fiery Chariot drench'd in Ocean lies,
And Stars began to spangle o'er the Skies;

When thro' the Gloom the Chief a Stead efpy'd,
And a soft Stream juft murm'ring by its Side.
Then from within a Taper's twinkling Light,
Pointed his doubtful Paffage thro' the Night.

Bold Douglas, cautious, view'd the Stead around,
And by the Barn the honeſt Farmer found;

Who mark'd (his Labours done) with curious Eyes
The Signs, and read the Symptoms of the Skies;

Adjut.

[ A Stead efpy'd, &c. ] A Stead is a Scotch Word for a Country Farm or Cottage.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

127

Adjuiting, by the Stars, to Morrow's Toil,
To threfh the Grain, or vex the fallow Soil.

Because the Stars (as Swains, experienc'd, ſay)
Are certain Prophets of the future Day.

Douglas the Man approaching, softly calls,
Friend! may three Yeomen harbour in thy Walls
This Night ? Nor longer we resolve to ſtay,

But with to Morrow's Sun renew our Way.

The Lab'rer, unabas'd, enquires their Name,

What their late Journey meant, and whence they came?
And, feign'dly, fatisfy'd in thofe Requeſts,
Straight to his homely Parlour leads the Gueſts.

Now Douglas, feated in the Houſhold-chair,
(The Reſt promifcuous round the beamy Fire,)
View'd his new Hoſt, nor view'd without Surprize,
And mark'd the ſparkling Vigour of his Eyes.

A lively Bloom his manly Face o'erſpread,

Tho' Sixty Winters had already ſhed

Their snowy Honours o'er his rev'rend Head.

Juſt

128

The LIFE of

Book III.

Juft were his Sentiments, his Looks serene,
And all the Man exprefs'd a more than vulgar Mien.

Nor was the Loyal Boor unknown to Fame,
True to his Lord, and *Dickson* was his Name.

A jolly Ruftick, and in Danger bold,
And long had ferv'd the *Douglas'* Sire of Old.

The Board was loaded with a clean Repaft,

And the kind Hoft invites each hungry Gueft.
Great *Douglas* now conspicuous by the Light

The Farmer views, and wonders at the Sight.

His noble Mein, and his erected Face
Undaunted, fheds around a dreadful Grace.

His Brows, auguft, in fable Arches rife,
And glare, two living Fires, his piercing Eyes.

Huge *Nervous* Limbs compos'd the HERO'S Frame,
His Looks were Terror, and his Soul was Flame!

The Lab'rer, curious, runs his Viſage o'er,

And marks ſome Features not unknown before.

Intent

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

129

Intent he gaz'd, impell'd by fond Desire,
And in the Son began to trace the Sire.

By this the Gueſts had finifh'd their Repaſt,
And Sleep invites each weary Swain to Reſt.

105 *Douglas* alone ſtill with the Farmer ſtay'd,
While to the Chief the Loyal *Dickſon* ſaid,
' Pardon, my Lord, perhaps an erring Thought,
' Nor blame the Man whoſe Zeal may be his Fault.
' Superior I o'er all his menial Throng

110 ' Your Father ſerv'd, and think I ſaw you young.

' I ſhar'd my Country's Troubles, nor has Fame

' Ev'n bluſh'd to mention *Thomas Dickſon's* Name.

' I know by South'ron Pow'r my Maſter gone;

' But hope I view the Father in the Son.'

115 He ſaid, and Tears run trickling from his Eyes,
Whilft, half aftonifh'd, *Douglas* thus replyes.

'Faithful old Man! How am I pleas'd to ſee

' My Father's Friend and mine alive in thee ?

R

' My

130

The LIFE of

Book II.

120 ' And I excluded all his wide Domains;

' While Clifford holds my Heritage by Might,

' And reigns a lawless Tyrant o'er my Right!

' Therefore I come (your ancient Master's Son)

' To try some Method to regain my own.

125 ' And here I vow by ev'ry sacred Pow'r,

' That never shall I quit this native Shore;

' Till Clifford or resigns without Debate,

' Or one of us in Battle meets his Fate.

' Now (since the dubious Means divaract my Choice)

130 ' Prove your Affection in your best Advice.'

THUS spoke the Chief, and Dickson soon reply'd,

' To Morrow's Light some Succours shall provide.

' My Duty to your noble Sire I own,

' Nor shall, ungrateful, e'er desert his Son.'

135 This said, to Bed the honest Farmer goes,

And leaves the Douglas to his late Repose.

SCARCE

131

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

SCARCE had the Orient Dawn disclosed the Day,
When Loyal Dickson speeds him on his Way.

140 Thro' Douglasdale his eager Steps he bends,
And secret warns his Master's ancient Friends.

Each Man in Private bids his Arms prepare,
And singly to his Farm by Night repair.

The loyal Swains to his Defire accord,

145 And one by one hafte to attend their Lord.

Hardy in Arms full Forty Ruftics came,
And fware Allegiance to brave Douglas' Name.

Round their young Chief the joyful Vassals ftood,
Old Borderers! and long bred up to Blood.

150 Douglas, mean while, embraces all his Friends,
And, artful, their paft Services commends.

Now down in Dickson's Barn the Council fat,
The largest Room, and fittest for Debate.

The Question's put---- What fhou'd be firft effay'd?

155 The Douglas' Castle, all at once reply'd.

R 2.

For

132

The LIFE of

Book II

For if from Clifford we that Fortrefis gain,
We may with greater Eafe the future Strife maintain
There South'ron hoard their Stores, themfelves fecur,
Andafe within the Walls defy our Pow'r.
160
Near to the Castle, on th' adjoyning Plain
Erer'ted, ſtands Brigidia's ancient Fane.
Thither, next Sunday, South'ron bear their Palms,
There pay their Vows, and diſtribute 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 ſtand,
Boldly with Swords affair the South'ron Band.
Affents the Chief. Each homeward bends his Way,
And, unſuſpecte'd, waits th' appointed Day.
170
Appear'd the Day. The hardy Scots attend
At Church, and South'ron from the Fort defcend.

Juſt

[1] *Brigidia,* [1] *Brigida,* or *Brigitta,* A holy Woman, to whom this Church was confecrated. She was the Initiuror of an Order of Nuns in the Time of Pop[1]an V., A. D. 1264.
[2] *Fane,* [1] from the Latin *Fanum*, a Temple or Church.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

133

Juſt as the Prieft the ſacred Rites begin,
And all, promiſcuous, crowding throng'd the Fane;
Dickſon aloud, The noble Douglas, cry'd,
175
Th' appointed Signal to the Scottifh 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 diſmay'd,
From 'uiddt the Combatants confus'dly ſled,
180
Straight to the Chancel's utmoſt ſacred Mound,
And graſp'd th' inviolable Altar round.
Meanwhile the South'ron in their Arms appear,
Rang'd in the Quire, and bravely face the War.
But Douglas, whirling round his ſlaming Brand,
190
Like Thunder burſts upon the adverſe Band.
In Heaps on Heaps the Foe to Ground he bore,
And Purple Streams ſtray'd o'er the hallowed Floor.

His

[1] *The Bord'rers at the Word, &c.*] It was common in those Days to have a certain Word whereby to animate the Men when they began the Battle, or at any time when they flacken'd, or began to weary, and intermit. This Word was com-

136

The LIFE of

Book III.

225

Bold Douglas, Author of the horrid Scene,
Vengeful he fought, but fought the Chief in vain;
Nor durft too far thro' Woods and Wilds purfue

So brave a Leader, and so bold a Crew.
Returning, soon his Artizans he calls,
Re-builds the Fort, and stronger rears the Walls.
Appoints the Guards, and re-instates the Land,
And to keen Thirfwall deputes the Command.

230

This done, to Solway reconducts his Hoft,
And quickly lands on England's fruitful Coaft.

235

IN Carrick still the noble Monarch lay,
And o'er his own exerts his Clement Sway.
The Region whole a firm Obedience shows,
Afferts his Claim, and aids the Royal Cauſe.
Meantime great Pembroke from Edina's Tow'rs,
Assembles all around the South'ron Pow'rs.
Soon at the Summons rendezvous the Bands,
And hardy *Omphrazille* the Troops commands.

240 By

137

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

240

By Pembroke order'd to conduct the Hoſt
Against the *Bruce*, and *Carrick's* Rebel-coaſt;
Sudden, the Warlike Chief in Armour ſhines,
And straight to *Air* advance th' embattled Lines.
Nor wou'd fly *Omphrazille* purſue too far,

245

Thro' Fenns and Faſtneſſes, the Royal-war.
He knew his Force ſuperior, but he knew
What the bold Monarch in the Field cou'd do;
So judg'd it Conduct to decline the Fight,
To act by Treachery, and gain by Slight.

250

A Boor in *Carrick*, not unkill'd in Arms,
And his two Sons manur'd adjoyning Farms,
Robuſt, in Enterprizes hardy found,
The Terror of the Neighbourhood around.
Upon the Sire the *Bruce* had oft rely'd,

255

And his firm Faith in frequent Danger try'd;
Firm unattempted --- but too bafe to hold
Unſtain'd, againſt th' infernal Tempter Gold.

S

Gold!

138

The LIFE of

Book III.

Gold! Of each Virtue the undoubted Teft,
Diffolves in Treafon thro' the Villain's Breast.

260 As by Degrees, in diffant India's Mines,
By Suns, and Central Steams, the Ore refines;
So in the Soul the Metal works by Time,
Exalts to Guilt, and ripens into Crime.
Sly Ombraville a secret Meffage fends

265 To the falſe Boor; the Boor the Chief attends.
The Treafon in a Moment is decreed,
And Forty Pound the Price of Bruce's Head.
Back to his Farm returns the Felon-Boor,
Informs his Sons, and waits the treach'rous Hour.

$70 He knew the Monarch us'd each op'ning Dawn,
To take the Air along a feroggy Lawn.
Thence o'er a Mountain to a diffant Wood,
A Page attending on his Solitude.

Thither completely arm'd the Rogues repair,

275 With Swords, and Spears, and Implements of War

Now

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

139

Now, sudden, muſt the glorious Monarch bleed,
A Traitor-Friend the Author of the Deed!
Unſeen, unaided by his faithful Bands,
Muſt fall a Victim to a Villain's Hands.

280 But Fate forbids! and Ariel from on high,
Swift as a Thought, fhoots down the Nether-Sky.
Not half so quick, the Lightning's flafhy glare
Burfts on the Night, and glances thro' the Air.
Faſt by his Charge, unſeen, the Guardian stands,

285 Warms his brave Heart, and fortifies his Hands.
And now the Monarch, thro' the gloomy Dawn,
Espies the Traitors ſtretching o'er the Lawn;
Feels in his Breast a jealous Impulſe roll,
And ſecret Treafon whifper'd to his Soul :

290 What Arms the Boy had brought in haſte demands,
A Bow and ſingle Arrow charg'd his Hands.
He ſnatch'd, and as he bent the twanging Eugh,
The trembling Child affum'd a livid Hue.

S 2

Then

140

The LIFE of

Book III

Then to the String he fits the feather'd Flane,
295 And bids the Page retire --- for, Villains crofs'd the Plain
Approaching, now the Three were juft at Hand,
When, loud, the Monarch bids the Rafcals stand,
Nor dare the Lawn one further Step to tread,
Or Death attends the Order disobey'd.

300 The Ruftic Sire continues to advance,
And fawns, and seems surpris'd at his Offence.
Enquires submiffive — still approaching near,
The whizzing Death swift cleaves the yielding Air;
Thro' the left Orb of Light it piere'd the Brain,
305 The Traitor, reeling, backward prefs'd the Plain.
The vengeful Son fir'd at the Father's Fall,
Furious advanc'd the Monarch to affaill.

Charg'd in his Hand a large broad Fauchion fhone;
The King unsheath'd his Sword, and met the Clown-
510 With manly Force, full aim'd, the fhining Blade
Down to the Jaws divides the Villain's Head.

Ircul

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

141

Ircful the Third, advancing to the War,
Against his Prince protends a Length of Spear.
The Monarch bending fhuns the coming Foe,
315 And hews the Lance afunder at a Blow;
Then thro' his Bowels drove the reeking Brand,
Tumbles the Rebel-Carcaſe on the Strand.
Now roul the Traitors in the Gaps of Death,
And curſe the Treafon with their parting Breath.

320 Their Souls, with Horror fraught, forſake the Light,
Flit, conscious, 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 his Page, returning to his own,
325 Relates th' Adventure of the diſtant Lawn.
The Chiftains hear the Tale with vaſt Surprize,
And blame their Monarch, while they thank the Skies.
Inform'd, fly *Omphraville* purſues his Way,
Straight to *Lochmaben* where the Warden lay.

330 Be-

142

The LIFE of

Book III

330 Before that Chief runs o'er the recent Scene,
The Treason baffled, and the Traitors slain.
Pembroke himself admires the Monarch's Force,
Tho' vex'd, and puzzled in his future Course.

BRUCE refts a while, but soon a warlike Hoft

335 From Galloway's Shores advance to Carrick's Coast.
Two hundred Men in Battle broad array'd,
The late efcap'd McDougal at their Head.
His Pow'r dispos'd in Hamlets thro' the Land,
Scarce Sixty Warriors on the King attend.

340 With these the Bruce by Night purfues his Way,
Where a great River wash'd a craggy Bay.
The Royal Watch had view'd the Foe afar,
And to their own declar'd the coming War.
The crafty King in Covert lodg'd his Band,

345 Himself alone adventur'd to the Strand;
Nor forward to engage in doubtful Fight,

He went, and view'd the Foe by Cynthia's friendly Light.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

143

Full on the River's rocky Margin flood,
And saw the Van on Horseback take the Flood :

350 Then felt his Soul with sudden Ardour glow,
To match alone with all the coming Foe !
The Stream he saw in its deep Chanel glide,
And rifting Rocks o'erhang the silent Side.

Careful he search'd the rugged Margin round,

355 And from the Bank but one ftrait Paffage found;
Where one at once on Horseback, and no more,
Cou'd juft but labour up the steepy Shore.

Fir'd by some Act Divine! the Monarch there
His Sword unfheaths, and, singly, waits the War !

360 Advance the Pow'r, and, joyn'd, the Current break,
The Chiftain firft defcries the steepy Track.

Cautious ascends, and as he culls his Way,
A Man in Arms efpies upon the Bay.

He mounts, and near had gain'd the rugged Brow,

365 When daring Bruce diſcharg'd a deadly Blow.

Full

144

The LIFE of

Book III

Full on his Cafrique descends the forceful Stroke,
Backward the Chiftain tumbles from the Rock;
And checking, as he fell, th' untimely Rein,
Recoil'd the Steed on the succeeding Train;
370
Hurl'd headlong downward from the craggy Side,
Mix'd Men and Courfers flounder in the Tide.
Some in the Fall were bruis'd, and others flain,
Their Fellows gaz'd aftonish'd, at the Scene.
Now fir'd with Rage all haften to the Fray,
375
And with loud Shouts at once ascend the Bay.
But in the Pairs see the bold Monarch stand,
And in the foremost Courser plunge his Brand.
Reels the gall'd Courser back upon the Crowd,
And Bruce's Fauchion drinks the Rider's Blood.
380
Successful, he pursues the lucky Blow,
And down the Steep, confounded, drives the Foe.

Awful

[And down the Steep, confounded, &c.] I confider'd this Action in all the Lights and Conduits, before I adventur'd to narrate it. It has indeed an Air of Improbability in it at firft Sight, and favours fomewhat of Romance. But if we look

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

145

Awful he thunders on the falling War,
And Steeds and Riders tumble on the Shore.
Now mingled Heaps on Heaps, they choak the Bay
385
The Pairs encumber, and block up the Way.
Amaz'd, the Rear in wild Confusion flood,
Entangled in the Margin of the Flood.
Swift down the steepie Track the Monarch sped,
And dauntles trod the Ruins of the Dead.

390
Fierce on the River's Brink, by Cynthia's Light,
With dreadful Shouts commence'd the doubtful Fight.
With awful Force he rufh'd upon his Foes,
Marr'd and encumbred in the slimy Ooze.
Full Fifteen Warriors, by his single Hand,

395
Drench'd in their Blood, lay gasping on the Strand.

T

Crusht

look into the Character of the Person who manag'd it, a Man of the utmost Cou-
age and Conduct, joyn'd to an extraordinary Strength of Body, advantag'd on this
Occafion by the Circumftances of the Time (it being Night) and likewise by the
Nominals and Steepeſs of the Place; all theſe put together, did in my Judg-
ment take the Probability, and induc'd me to the Narration. But I leave the
Reader to his own Opinion.

146

The LIFE of

Book III.

Crusht by his single Might, the daftard Pow'r
Retire, infamous, to the farther Shore;
Bear their Difgrace to Gall'ways distant Coast:
Returns the conqu'ring Monarch to his Hoft.

400 STILL in the Dales the hardy Douglas lay,
And Thirswal still posseft his native Sway.

Long had he seen the haughty South'ron Bands,
Reign uncontroul'd, and riot o'er his Lands.

At laft the Chief his Friends to Council calls,

405 Where a small Wood near joyn'd the Castle-walls.
There they delib'rate to decoy the Train,

And draw the haughty Thirswal to the Plain.

Some Herds (the Country's spoils) at Random fed,
Hard by the Fort, along a shrubby Mead.

410 These Douglas Orders Ten to drive away,

In Ambush Forty in the Foreft lay;

Himself their Head. Soon by the Ev'ning-Dawn,
Speedful, they drive the Cattle from the Lawn.

Th

[ Seen by the Ev'ning Dawn.]

I wou'd not have our Critics mistake this

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

147

The Watch espies the Theft, and sudden calls.

415 Thirswal and his in Arms defcnd the Walls;

Purfue the Robb'ry o'er the op'ning Glade,

And juft had paft the secret Ambuscade;

When Douglas rose, and all the private War

Rush'd to the Plain, and charg'd the South'ron Rear.

420 The blended Shouts behind the Van surprize,

And Thirswal wonders at the sudden Noife.

Bright in his Mail, the ireful Chief returns,

And, deſp'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 streaming Gore,

In Purple Currents drench'd the braky Shore.

Full in the Front the hardy Thirswal stands,

His brave Example animates his Bands.

T 2

435 He

preſion for an Impropriety. If they question it, they may (amongst others) con-
fult Dr. Sower's Translation of that Paffage in Ovid, Træbent cum ſera cropſeula
enſuen. The Dr. is reekon'd Clafſic.

148

The LIFE of

Book III.

430 He fees bold Douglas thunder thro' the Fight,
And forward rushes to oppose his Might,
Against the Chief advance'd his shining Spear;
The daring Douglas meets th' extended War;
Evites the Stroke, the Truncheon hews in Twain,
435 Glitters the steely Fragment on the Plain.

A flaunting Blow next aim'd; the trenching Blade
Pass'd by the Collar lopt the Warrior's Head.
By this, the Ten, that drove the Herd, appear,
And with fresh Vigour charge the South'ron Rear.

440 Thus, preft on ev'ry Side, the hostile Train
In mangled Heaps ly scatter'd o'er the Plain;
A few by Flight the neighboring Fortrefs gain.
To the purfuing War the Gates oppose,
And Bolts shut out the Fury of the Foes.

450 Douglas

[The trenching Blade.] 1 Trenching, an old Word for Cutting. Hence Renown'd to take off, impair, or diminith.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

149

445 Douglas returns, and sudden bends his Way
To Carrick's Coast, where still the Monarch lay;
Since the late wondrous Act the Loyal Bands
Increasing daily from the neighboring Lands.
Then all at once decamp the Royal War,
450 And to Glentrol's thick woody Shades repair.

AND now from Carlile on the South'ron Coast,
Pembroke, and Vanes, and Clifford lead their Host.
Swift to Glentrol the Squadrons shape their Way,
And Fifteen hundred Shields reflect the Day.

455 LONG had the Bruce's Stars, malignant, shed;
Their direful Influence o'er his Royal Head.
Long had he thro' a Maze of Dangers run,
His Toils, successive, circling with the Sun;
Thro' Woods, and Mountains, and deferted Shores,
460 Purfu'd by Faction, and by foreign Pow'rs;
Expos'd to Want, to Fears, and hostile Snares,
And all the Miferies of lawles Wars.

But

150

The LIFE of

Book III

But now the Suff'rer feels the Stars relent,
Their Force exhausted, and their Poison spent.
465
Each Orb, benign, now shoots a milder Ray,
And dawning Glory rifes on the Day.
The Heav'ns at laft difcloſe th' immortal Scenes,
Conqueſts, and Laurels, and triumphant Plains!
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 ſhed
A Blaze of future Glories round his Head.
475
APPROACH'D the South'ron Troops, and quickly found
The *Scots* diſpos'd along the higher Ground.
Juſt where a woody Mountain's rugged Brow,
Threat'ning, o'erhung a ſteep Vale below.
The

[ Nor more he needs to weigh, &c. ] I hope this Paſſage won't be excepted to gaint, upon Account of the King's future Circumſpectiſh; becauſe his Ignorant ſuch a Determination, made him ſtil to go on to act with his uſual Camm

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

151

The Spies advanc'd to view the Royal Force,
480
And found that Steep impaſſable to Horſe.
Soon they return, and to the Leaders ſhow
The Ground, and ſtrait Encampment of the Foe.
Then Pembroke ---- ' Uſeleſs here our Cavalry,
' And if we ſtrive on Foot to force our Way;
485
The *Scots* advantag'd by the craggy Height,
' Shou'd mock our Labour, and defeat our Might.
' Long hath the *Bruce* in martial Arts been skill'd,
' And long yon Legions harden'd to the Field.
' Then let us, cautious, ſhun the plain Debate,
490
Act by Surprize, and conquer by Deceit.
' Poorly array'd, a Woman firſt ſhall go,
' And, unſuſpected, ſhall decoy the Foe;
' Slyly expofe the Weakneſs of our Train,
' And draw the *Scots*, incautious, to the Plain.
495
Meantime our Troops, unſeen, from yonder Wood,
' Shall secretly ſurround the hoſtile Crowd.'

THE

152

The LIFE of

Book III.

THE Chiefs approve. The Woman takes her Way,
A Staff supports her up the rugged Bay.
Straight to the King the Beggar-Traitrels came,
500 And ask'd an Alms in good St. Andrew's Name;
So might that Saint still shield him from all Harms,
And grant due Success to his righteous Arms.
Not far encamp'd, she told, on level Ground
Sir Aymer lay, below the craggy Mound.
505 But his raw Troops undifiplin'd appear,
Green to the Field, and Novices in War.
Wou'd he descend, soon might he rout the Foe,
Look them to Flight, and gain without a Blow.
Full on her Face the Monarch fix'd his Eye,
510 And gaz'd, suspicious, on the Beggar-Spy.

HIS

[So might that Saint, &c.] I design'd to have put this short Address in my own Language, as I have begun it in those two Lines; but am so far迷 of the Cavils of little Wits, and the Effects they may have on ordinary Readers, that I have been fo.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

153

His Yeomen calls, --- Out springs a nimble Band,
And sudden seize the Mendicant in Hand,
Afraid of Death, the trembling Traitrels knells,
Her Crime confesses, 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 soon the War array'd,
And his broad Banner in the Field display'd.
Wedg'd in close Ranks the firm Battalions stood,
520 And now the Foe advances from the Wood.

A Bow already bent the Monarch drew,
Whiz'd the swift Arrow from the twanging Eugh.
Quite thro' the foremost's Gullet glanc'd the Fiane,
The wounded Warrior, falling, bites the Plain.

525 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-

154

The LIFE of

Book III.

Succeeding Lines disheartned with the Sight,
530 Back thro' the Wood precipitate their Flight.

The haughty Chiefs, afham'd at the Defeat,
Induſtrious hafte to ſtop the foul Retreat :
Now threaten, now exhort the coward Train,
But ſtill they threaten and exhort in vain.

535 The hardy Scots th' aftonifh'd Foe purſu'd,
And Heaps of Death lay ſcatter'd thro' the Wood.

The South'ron Rear beheld the routed Van,
And down the Rocks in wild Disorder ran.

The Gen'rals fled, confounded and afham'd,

540 And every Chief his fellow Leader blam'd.
'Twixt Vanes and Clifford high the Quarrel roſe,
And Words began to terminate in Blows.

Divided Bands eſpouse their Chief's Debate,
And South'ron Lances South'ron Lances threat.

545 But Pembroke's interpoſing Pow'r prevails,
And quick the dang'rous civil. Diff'rence quells.

Thus

155

Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

Thus Bruce 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 Vales ;

No more can brook the tedious flow Debate,
Nor the dull Tenor of his lazy Fate :

But feels his Bofom with new Ardors glow,
To rifque his future Fortunes at a Blow.

555 The Chiefs he calls, and all the loyal Bands,
Mounts at their Head, and to the Plain deſcen is.

Thro' ev'ry honeſt Breast 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 deſcend in bold Array,
The gilded Lions waving in the Day.

U 2

565 A

156

The LIFE of

Book III

565 A thoufand warlike *Scots* of ancient Race,
In fteely Ranks around the Banner blaze;
Thro' *Kyle*, and *Cunninghame* direct their Way:
The loyal Regions own their Sov'reign's Sway.
To *Bothwel* where great *Pembroke* ruled his Hoft,
570 Soon fpreads the News of *Kyle's* revolted Coaft.
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 *Moubray* fhines.
575 But *Douglas'* Spies Abroad had timely view'd
The f swift Approaches of the hoftile Crowd;
Then, fudden, to the royal Camp repair,
And to their Chief narrate the coming War.
'Twas Night, when *Douglas* call'd his proper Band,
580 And Sixty Spears gleam'd o'er the dusky Strand.
To *Elderfoord* he fhapes his private Way,
Where a ftrait Pafs 'twixt two Moraffes lay.

Thither

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

157

Thither he faw the Foe muſt bend their Courſe,
And knew that Pafs impervious to Horſe;
585 A narrow, broken Track of rugged Ground!
With Fenns, and Briers, and Brambles hedg'd around.
There all the Night the *Scots* in Ambufh lay.
And foon as *Phæbus* roſe to gild the Day,
In Order rang'd, approach'd the South'ron War,
590 Their gilded Enſigns glitt'ring in the Air.
The *Scots* ſtill lurk'd unſeen, till all the Pow'r,
Their Steeds diſmounting, throng'd the narrow Shore.
Then all at once the hardy Ambufh roſe,
And, ſhouting, fierce affaɪld the incumber'd Foes;
595 With fteely Lances gor'd th' aſtoniſh'd Van,
And Men and Courſers tumbled in the Fen.
So ſtrait the Pafs, ſo deep thoſe Fens below,
So fierce th' Affault, and ſo amaz'd the Foe!
That *Moubray* ev'n with Tears beheld his Band
600 Without Refentment butcher'd on the Strand.

The

158

The LIFE of

Book III.

The muddy Ooze stood stagnated with Gore,
And mangled Steeds and Warriors choak'd the Shore.
The dire Difafter of the slaughter'd Van,
Back to the Rear in doubled Terrors ran.

605 Where Hopes or Fears direct their doubtful Way,
Diverse they fled, aftenish'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 disaft'rous Sight,

610 Unreins his Steed, and rufhes thro' the Fight.
Charg'd in his Hand a Lance he bore on high,
A steely Fauchion glitter'd at his Thigh.

Onward he drove, and as he cour'd the Strand
A *Scottish* Warrior feiz'd his fhining Brand;

615 Grafp'd the strong Belt, and ftrove, but ftrove in vain
To stop the gallant *Moubray* on the Plain.
Furious he rufh'd, and in the Warrior's Hand
The burfting Belt he left, and fhining Brand.

Thus

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

159

Thus having 'fcap'd the Danger of the Day,
610 First to *Kilmarnock* he directs his Way;
Thence thro' *Kilwinning* and the *Largs* he goes,
Till *Inverkipt*, at last, affords a late Repofe.
A South'ron Garifon that Fortrefls held,
To these the Chief narrates the haplefs Field ;
615 His Troops all helplefs butcher'd in his Sight,
By *Scottish* Treachery and *Douglas'* Might.

IN *Bothwel* still the Warden held his Seat.
Vex'd at the News of *Moubray's* foul Defeat,
Rage in his Breast and Grief, alternate, roll,
620 And sudden Thirft of Vengeance fires his Soul :
Soon to the *Bruce* a truſty Herauld fends.
The Herauld, careful, bears his Lord's Commands.
The Purport thus---- Againſt a certain Date
If *Bruce* wou'd venture on the ſtern Debate ;
625 His fly Attempts, and Stratagems refrain,
And nobly dare to risque the gen'rous Plain ;

Then

160

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,
640
The dauntlesſ King accepts the proffer'd Field.
Twixt Gaffon Heath, where lay the Royal Pow'r,
And Lowdown Hill, upon the moffy Shore;
There was the Ground determin'd; and the Day
Fix'd to the firſt approaching Tenth of May.

645
Returns the Meſſenger with ſpeedy Care,
And to the Chief narrates th' accepted War;
The Time prefix'd, and the determin'd Ground:
And now to Arms the South'ron Trumpets found.
To Bothwel, where the Rendezvous was made,
650
Conveen the Legions for the War array'd.
Three Thouſand whole, adorn'd in martial Pride,
Bred to the Field, and oft in Battle try'd.
The Chief confided in these daring Bands,
Secure of Conqueſt from ſuch valiant Hands.

655 MEAN-

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

161

655 MEANTIME the King, by Prudence ever rul'd,
Cautious in Warmth, and rationally bold;
Whole Courage no fermented Spirits fir'd,
No riling Tumult of the Blood inſpir'd;
Where ſudden Guſts of Paffion, furious, roll,
650
And Rage, ungovern'd, ſuperſedes the Soul!
But led by Schemes from due Reſlection brought,
By ſolid Plans, and Conſequence of Thought;
Each Circumſtance with Circumſtance ſtill weighs,
And all the Series of the Action ſees;

655 Then Dauntlesſ 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'd the Field of Fight.
He found the beachy Plain lay ſtretch'd too wide,

670 But hemm'd with Marifhes on either Side.
Fear'd leſt the Foe ſhou'd, on that Length of Ground,
Outwing his Numbers, and his Troops ſurround.

X

Three

162

The LIFE of

Book III

Three Ramparts therefore from each bord'ring Fen,
Of Hurdles rear'd, he drew a-crofs the Plain.

675 Nor did these Ramparts at the Centre clofe,
But op'ning Breaches so receiv'd the Foes,
As equal Force might equal Force oppofe.
This done, back to his Hoft he bends his Way,
Prepares the War, and waits th' approaching Day.

680 AROSE the Day, and Phæbus from the Deep
His blazing Carr drives up the Orient Steep.
From Bothwel's Plain approach the South'ron Lines,
And Pompous in the Van proud Pembroke fhines.
The Van, on barbed Steeds, that Chief around,
685 Rode fheath'd in Mail, with clafping Silver bound.
Next these, with Lances arm'd, and boffy Shields,
Advanc'd the ſecond Battle o'er the Fields.
Their gilded Banners high in Air display'd,
And Ompbraville and Clifford at their Head.

690 The

Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

163

690 The noble Bruce perceiv'd them from afar,
And at the ſecond Rampart rang'd his War.
Seven hundred Scots in native Armour ſhone,
And Spears and Axes glitter'd in the Sun.
The gen'rous King full in the Centre ſtood,
695 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 Diftance ſtood.

700 Approach'd the Foe. The Monarch gives the Sign,
And rufhing Pow'rs in furious Combat joyn.
From either Hoſt promifcuous Shouts arife,
Ring thro' the Hills, and thicken up the Skies.
With Spears protended, and oppofing Shields,
705 Together, dreadful, rufh the adverſe Fields.
Refounds the Crafh of Lances thro' the Air,
And Roars, transfix'd with Wounds, the dying War.

X 2

The

164

The LIFE of

Book III

The Lances broke, unsheath'd by eager Hands,
Thro' all the Ranks thick Flame the glitt'ring Brands.
710
The noble *Pembroke* animates his Train,
Inspires the Combat, and supports the Plain.
You have I chose, he said, to guard my Fame.
On you alone depends your *Pembroke's* Name.
Meantime the *Bruce* in ev'ry Rank appears,
715
Aids ev'ry Scene, and ev'ry Danger shares.
Each single Warrior by his Name he calls,
Commends his Worth, and ev'ry Blow extols.
Thro' all the Field he sheds a Father's Care.
Each Soldier's Boisom warms, and cheers the War.
720
'Tis yours, my Friends, he said, this Day to show
If I must rule ye, or yon foreign foe.
Lodg'd in your Hands is all your *Bruce's* Fate,
By you he's wretched, or by you he's great.
In you your Country's latest Hope remains,
725
Her ancient Freedom, or her future Chains.

446

165

Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

He spoke, and burfting on the hostile Bands,
Unquestion'd Death in ev'ry Blow descends.
Ev'n *Edward* wonders at his Brother's Might,
And onward rushes to support the Fight.

730 Clifford and *Omphrazille* exert their Pow'r,
Thick burns the Combat round th' enfanguin'd Shore.
Here daring *Douglas* and the gallant *Hay*,
There subtile *Boyd* refiftles urge their Way.
The Crimson Torrents roll along the Strand,

735 And Heaps of Warriors, dying, spurn the Sand.
The King the Vanguard broke, and all around
Widens the spreading Ruin o'er the Ground.
Next *Edward* ravages the bloody Coast,
And breaks, and drives, and scatters Clifford's Holes.

740 The South'ron Rear beholds the Van defeat,
And spite of Threats and Promises retreat.
In vain great *Pembroke*, long in Battle skill'd,
Us'd all his Conduct to sustain the Field.

Vain

156

The LIFE of

Book III.

745

Vain were his Flatt'ries, his Reproaches vain,
The Grampian Legions thunder thro' the Plain.

As when some Storm, long hung in bellying Clouds,
Burfts from their hollow Womb and sweeps the Woods,
The roaring Tempeft in its Rage defcends,
This Way and that the cracking Foreft bends;

750

Nor able to oppofe its dreadful Courfe,
Yields to the Blaft, and falls beneath its Force:

So yield, o'erpower'd at length, the hoſtile Lines,
And all the wav'ring Field at once inclines.

The *Scots* to Ground a Thousand Warriors bor

755

Bold Troops! the Pride of all the South'ron Pow'r.
The reſt amaz'd, and daunted at the Sight,
From the dire Field precipitate their Flight.

Homeward great Pembroke, from the *Scottish* Coaſt,
Retires, indignant, and reſigns his Truſt.

760

The Chiftains fled along, and all the Band,
Diſpers'd, at once defert the hoſtile Land.

The

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

167

The Provinces to *Bruce* their Homage pay,
And all the Weſt, obedient, owns his Sway.

THE Weſt reduc'd, with Banners broad display'd,

The Monarch to the North his Squadrons led.
His hardy Brother, and the gallant *Hay*,
*Lennox* and *Boyd* attend him on his Way.

Meantime bold *Douglas* with his truſty Friends,
Private, to *Douglasdale* his Paſſage bends;

770 Reduc'd his Fortreſs, and his native Lands,
And *Etrick* whole reſcu'd from South'ron Hands.

*Randolf*, and *Stuart*, who had ſince *Methwin's* Plain,
Renounc'd their Faith, and ſerv'd the hoſtile Train;
Both Pris'ners of War the *Douglas* made,

775 And, after, to the King the Kindred-Captives led.
Meantime the King ſtill northward march'd his Hoſt,
But on the Mountains ſicken'd as he paſt.

Of this inform'd, *Buchania's* Rebel-Thane
Near Inverury rendezvouz'd his Train.

780 Fix'd

168

The LIFE of

Book III

780 Fix'd to Revenge, his treach'rous Uncle dead,
Full Fifteen hundred to the Field he led,
Brechin, Himself, and Moubray at their Head,
Of their Approach the Monarch quickly hears,
And, unrecover'd, for the Fight prepares.

785 Straight he commands a Troop to guard him round,
And bear him in a Litter to the Ground.
His Brother orders in the Van to ride,
And Hay, and Boyd, and Lennox by his Side,
Thefe, secret, bids direct him in the Fray,

790 Check his fierce Heat, and guide him thro' the Day,
Pleas'd with his Orders Edward quickly shines
Before the Van, and onward leads the Lines.

In Arms Seven hundred haften to the Plain,
The bold Array soon shook the Coward Thane;
795 Nor daring to endure the Warlike Sight,
The Rebel Squadrons meditate their Flight.

The

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

169

The King that Inftant felt his Illneſs gone,
And, mounting, ſudden in the Centre ſhone.
His Friends, aſtoniſh'd, rend with Shouts the Air,
800 Inglorious ſled at once the Rebel War.
Cummin and Moubray hafte, to ſhun their Death,
To South'ron Shores, but there reſign their Breath,
Brechin to his own Caſtle bends his Flight,
And there befieg'd, ſoon owns the Bruce's Right.

805 The Monarch rode thro' all the Northern Land,
The North at once acknowledg'd his Command.
To Angus thence returning, reſts a While,
Then Forfar's Fortreſs levels with the Soil.
To Tay advancing next, the Royal Pow'rs

810 With hardy Force aſſaulted Bertha's Tow'rs.
Their Ladders rear'd, the Monarch foremoſt ſcales,
And all the Legions ſudden mount the Walls.

Y

The

† Cummin and Moubray, &c.] This was one Sir John Moulray, not that Per-
ſon we mention'd before, and who held Stirling Caſtle, as we ſhall hear by and by
Whole Name was Sir Philip Moulray, a Man far Superior to the other.

170

The LIFE of

Book III

815

The Tow'rs demolifh, and the Works around,
The scatter'd Ruins smoke along the Ground.

These all reduc'd, ftraight with a select Band,
Edward advanc'd to Galloway's rugged Strand;
St. John, and Ompbraville in Arms well skill'd,
Twice there defeat, and drove them from the Field;
Victorious over all the Region paft,

820

And to his Brother's Sway reduc'd the Coaft.
Douglas now Mafter of his native Land,
Straight to the Monarch reconducts his Band;
Makes Stuart, and Randolf in his Journey share,
And to the King preſents the Rebel-Pair.

825

Soon Stuart, submiſſive, own'd his fore'd Offence,
And had his Crime giv'n to his Penitence.

But Randolf, obſtinate, the King ordains
To ftricter Durance, only free from Chains ;
Till Friends, and his Repentance interpos'd,

830

Obtain'd his Pardon, and the Captive loos'd.

Brave

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

174

Brave Randolf! firſt amongst the Loyal Train,
Created Lord of Murray's fertile Plain.

THE Royal Hoſt, again led forth to War,
In Arms to Lorn (rebellious Clime) repair.

835

That Chief the Royal Caufe had long diſtrefſt,
O'errun, and ruin'd half the Loyal Weſt.

With Rage the Monarch feels his Boſom glow,
And, fraught with Vengeance, haſtens to the Foe.
Appris'd, bold Lorn conveens his trait'rous Pow'r,

840

Two thousand 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 ſ fierce War array,
Himſelf embarqu'd beheld them from the Sea.

845

For Lorn now dreading hardy Bruce's Might,
Had man'd his Galleys to ſecure his Flight.

By Spies aſcertain'd of the Rebels Poſt,
The wary Monarch ſoon divides his Hoſt.

Y 2

Douglas

172

The LIFE of

Book III

Douglas he orders with the Archer-Lines,
850 (And Gray and Frazer to that Leader joyns)
Unseen by any Foe, their Rout to keep,
And fetch a Compafis round the rugged Steep;
Soon as they heard himfelf begin th' Attack,
Then, unawares, to charge the Rebels Back.

855 Douglas obeys. The Monarch takes his Way,
And, foremost, 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 still preffes to the War :

$60 By that stern Douglas thunders on the Rear.
The Vanguard in clofe Fight the Monarch joyn'd,
And the fierce Archers gall'd them from behind.
Th' environ'd Rebels desp'rate in the Fight,
Exert the utmoft Rage of savage Might.

$65 Vain Rage! behind in feather'd Tempefts flew
The whizzing Planes, and wide Deftruction drew.

The

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

173

The hardy King the Ruin spreads before,
In Heaps the Dead and Dying crowd the Shore.
A few eſcap'd, but met the Fate they ſhun'd,
Amidft th' adjoyning Streams deep Eddies drown'd.
McDougal's ſelf twiſt launching to the Main,
Plows to ſome diſtant Coaſt the wat'ry Reign.
Submits Argyle at laſt to Bruce's Sway,
And all the Tribes their due Obedience pay.

875 Now from the Heights defcend the Loyal Pow'rs,
And spread their Conqueſts o'er the Champaign Shores.
Linlithgow Peil by Binny's Means they gain,
And the ſtrong Bulwark level with the Plain.
To Perth the Monarch march'd, and Randolf rais'd

$80 To Favour now, and high with Titles grac'd ;
To the Wing'd Camp advanc'd by Forthe's Coaſt.
And near the Maiden-Fortrefs lodg'd his Hoft.

The

[To the Maiden Fortrefs.] The Castle of Edinburgh, a Paſſage was discovered to in up the Rock by one William Frances.

[To the Wing'd Camp.] The Caffra Alota, or Wing'd Camp, an old Appaltan of the City of Edinburgh.

174

The LIFE of

Book III

The Maiden-Fortres still the South'ron keep,
And *Randolf* boldly fforms the rocky Steep.

885 In vain. Impregnable the Caftle fands,
And mocks the Labours of the Loyal Bands.
*Frances* at laft a ſecret Paſſage found,
And led the Chiftain up the craggy Mound.
First *Frances* mounts by Night, the Legions ſcale,

890 And drive the Watches headlong o'er the Wall.
Aroſe the Guards, and quick commence the War,
The hardy *Scots* their ſudden Weapons bare;
Fierce on the Foe the hardy *Randolf* flew,
And at a Stroke the South'ron Captain flew.

895 The doughty Legions ſeconded their Head,
And all the Guards along the Worke lay dead.
Bold *Randolf* thus *Edina's* Fort poffeſt,
And long fatigu'd, indulg'd his grateful Reſt.
Meantime the *Douglas* on the Border Dales,

900 *Roxburgh's* ſtrong Tow'rs by Craft nocturnal Scales.
Unkeen

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

175

Unkeen the Warriors climb the ſteepy Mound,
And all the Fortres ſcatter o'er the Ground.
All *Teviotdale* by Force the Chief o'erruns,
The Land reduc'd its rightful Sov'reign owns.

905 By this ſterſe *Edward* on th' *Aleſtian* Shore,
Had quickly rendezvous'd his ſelect War.
Into the Town his hardy Legions pours,
And ſoon in Ruins lays the ancient Tow'rs.
Without Delay from thence to *Stirling's* Coaſt,

910 Boldly advances the victorious Hoft.
Around the Walls diſpos'd, the hardy Train,
Aſſault with Fury, but aſſault in vain.
That ſeat the gallant *Moubray* boldly held,
Wife at the Board, and daring in the Field.

915 *Edward* impatient of the tedious Hours,
And *Moubray* dreading his decaying Stores;

Both

Both

1 That ſeat the gallant *Moubray*, &c.] This was the brave Sir Philip *Moubray*, or this Time in the English Interest, but after the Battle of Bannockburn, he became Loyal to King *Robert*.

175

The LIFE of

Book III

Both to a mutual Interview advance,
And artful *Moubray* thus propounds his Senſe.
920

' My Lord, you've prov'd and found the Fortrefs ſtong
' The Siege expenſive, and the Labour long.
' Cou'd you accept a Truce for certain Days,
' Throughout which Time Hoftilities may ceafe?
' Then I, affiſted by the South'ron Might,
925

' Shall fairly meet your Troops in equal Fight.
' But if I'm ſtill unſuccour'd by theſe Pow'rs,
• Then at the Day the Fortrefs ſhall be yours.

*Edward* ſunſen in politic Deſigns,
Accepts the Terms, and the fly Treaty ſigns,
930

And from the leaguer'd Walls draws off the *Scottish* Lines.

To fair *Augusta Moubray* ſpeeds his Way,
The haughty Seat of great *Caernarvan's* Sway.

Then

[ Great Caernarvan's, &c. ] Edward II. of England, was always called to Edward of Caernarvan, a Place in Wales, where he was born.

177

Book III
King ROBERT BRUCE.

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 Senſe,
Commend the Truce, and jeſt the *Scottish* Prince.

MEANTIME to *Perth*, where his wifc Brother lay,
Good undefigning *Edward* ſhapes his Way :
Joyful, relates each various Action done,
940

The Treaty ſign'd, and hardy *Moubray* gone.
The Monarch heard the Terms with vaſt Surprize,
And on his thoughtleſs Brother fix'd his Eyes.

THEN thus. 'Fond Man! which ſhall I firſt regret,
' A Brother's Folly, or my Country's Fate?
945

' Harafs'd with Toil, with Dangers preſs'd before,
' Haſt thou not learn'd to know yon Monarch's Pow'r?
' Yon Monarch ! whom no neighb'ring States withſtand,
• Sole Heir of all his Father's large Command.
' Whofe Sway not *Britain's* Shores alone reſtrain,
950

' Wide ſtretch his Conqueſts o'er the diſtant Main.

Z

'His

178

The LIFE of Book III.

' His Tyranny, not *Cambria* feels alone,

' Or in his Bonds *Hibernian* Valleys groan-

' Great Part of *France*, and *Flanders* owns his Claim,

' And *Europe* trembles at his mighty Name.

955 ' Drawn from those Climes, what Swarms shall crowd our
(Shore?)

' How vast th'Affemblage! how array'd the Pow'r!

' Their Numbers shall our outmost Thoughts beguile,

' Extend o'er Shires, and darken half the Isle !

' The Rebel-Scots besides, a potent Line,

960 ' (In Arms already) shall their Standards join.

' Then what are we, how small our native Lands?

' How weak our Force, how thin our loyal Bands?

' See our dispeopled Plains, our barren Soil,

' To Action long expos'd, and foreign Spoil,

965 ' Confider this, and view the Treaty made,

' And all our Hopes in that one Treaty dead.

By

[*Cambria*] Wales, *Hibernia*, Ireland.

[A potent Line.] The whole Race of the *Curnings*, and their *Allies*.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE. 179

' By cautious Steps we hop'd our Right to gain,

' But, rafhly, thou haft render'd Caution vain.

' Disarm'd, and bound by Truce so long a Date

970 ' Secures the Tyrant, and completes our Fate.

' Long have we vainly spent our tedious Hours,

' Midft hoary Mountains, and deferted Shores.

' Midft Cold, and Heat, and Hunger's pinching Pain,

' Long have we toil'd, but long have toil'd in vain.

975 ' In anxious Thoughts have passed the wakeful Night,

' And, girt with Foes, confum'd the dang'rous Light.

' By Suffring, partly we regain'd our Sway,

' And, Fabius-like, we conquer'd by Delay.

' In one rafh Word now all our Labour's gone,

980 ' Our Hopes extinguifh'd, and our felves undone,

' Say, Brother! Whence shall we our Troops prepare,

' Where is our Force to meet you dreadful War?'

He spoke, difdainful---- *Edward* fierce, replies,

' By all the Pow'rs that tread yon fpangled Skies;

Z 2

985 ' Let

180

The LIFE of

Book III.

985 ' Let Ifles united with the diffant Land,
' And Europe pour her Millions on our Strand;
' Refolv'd, I'll dauntlefs face the dread Array,

' And meet the glorious Terrors of the Day.

' I love the gen'rous Treaty, and in vain

990 ' Shou'd Crowns and Sceptres bribe me from the Plain,
' Scotland may see me fall, but never yield,
' Or fly, a Coward, from so brave a Field!'

THE Monarch smil'd. His dauntleſs Soul he knew,
And what he dar'd to ſay, he dar'd to do.

995 The noble Warrior in his Arms he preſt,
And all the Brother kindled in his Breast.
Then thus. 'So may juſt Heav'n our Counſels aid,
' As I ſhall facred keep what thou haſt ſaid.

' Haste then, bid all our Loyal Friends prepare
' To joyn our Standard 'gainſt the Day of War.

1000 ' The Day! when each Pretension ſhall be try'd,
' And Heav'n determine on the juſter Side.'

MEAN-

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

181

MEANWHILE Caernarvan mounts his Royal Seat,
The Peers around in ſplendid Order wait.

1005 Thence to the Chiefs he iffues his Commands,
To raife his Pow'rs, and muſter all his Bands.
Near Berwick's Walls; on Tweda's fertile Plains,
The Royal Writ the Rendezvous ordains.

The Warlike Chiefs in ſudden Armour ſhone,

1010 And round dispatch'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' asſembled Throng,
And fit their Names, and Numbers to the Song.

1015 Where Wye's ſmooth Stream, and Severn's fiercer Tide
Thro' Cambrian Dales in wild Meander's glide;
Where British Billows pent, indignant, roar,
And, furious, laſh old Cornwall's chalky Shore;
Rose Thirty thousand, in ſtrange Arms array'd,

1020 And hardy Monmouth glitter'd at their Head.

WHERE

182

The LIFE of

Book III.

WHERE *Tame* and *Ifis* roll their royal Waves,
And the mixt Current Princely Structures laves;
Where flows the *Ouze*, and *Trent* divides the Land,
(Both loft in *Humber's* more capacious Strand)

1025 Arose the mighty *Trinobantian* Hoft,
And Fifty thoufand cloud the darken'd Coaft.
The moving Bands the neighb'ring Vales o'crispread,
By *Arundel*, and gallant *Oxford* led.

FROM *Humber's* Stream, whose tumbling Waves refound,
1030 And deafen all th' adjoyning Coaft around;
To where the *Tweed* in softer Windings flows,
Full Fifty thoufand quiver'd Warriors roſe.

A har-

[Where *Tame* and *Ifis*, &c.] The River *Thames*, upon which *London* is founded, the greatest in England. It has its Name from *Thame*, which rifes in Buckinghamshire; and *Ifis*, which rifes in the Borders of *Glocefter*, near the Confines of Wiltshire. They have their Confluence at *Dorefter*, and from thence running in one united 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 South. It rifes in Staffordshire, paffeth through Derbyshire, Leicestershire, &c. and below Burton in Lincolnshire, falſeth into the Humber.

[Trinobantian Hoft.] Trinobantes were the People of Eſſev, Middifex, and all about London.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

183

A hardy Race, who (well experienc'd) knew
To fit the Shaft, and twang the bended Eugh.

1035 Bred up to Danger, and inur'd to dare
In diffant Fight, and aim the feather'd War.
These Bands their Country's highest Triumphs boaſt:
And *Glocefter*, and *Hartford* led the Hoft.

ADVANCE the factious *Scots*, a Rebel-Line,
And to the Foe their impious *Levies* joyn.
Five times Five thouſand, by Experience skill'd
To mix in eloſer Combat on the Field;
Led by great *Omphraeville*, well known to Fame;
And bold *Corſpatrick*, a redoubted Name.

1045 NEXT to the *Scots* approach th' *Hibernian* Pow'rs,
From hoary Mountains, and from fenny Shores;
Three times Ten thouſand ſtrong, a nervous Race,
Bred to wild Game, and nimble in the Chafe.

Before these Troops, *Fitz-Gerald's* haughty Son,
1050 The brave *Oneil*, and hardy *Desmont* ſhone.

FROM

184

The LIFE of

Book III.

FROM *Gallia* now, and *Belgium's* diffant Coaft,
In Arms affembled, moves the foreign Hoft.

Twice Twenty thouſand whole, a Warlike Train,
In ſixty Galleys plow the liquid Reign.

Nor does the Mufe the Leaders Names rehearſe,
Nor ſtand thoſe Names ſo ſmooth in *Britifh* Verſe.
*Albion's* white Cliffs ſoon gain the foreign Sails,
And pour their Legions on *Northumbrian* Vales.

Now with the King from fair *Augusta's* Towrs,
Proceeds the Court to *Berwick's* crowded Shores.
The awful King! in Gold and Gems array'd,
The vaſt the wondrous Rendezvous ſurvey'd;
His thick Battalions views extended far,
And glories in the lengthen'd Pomp of War.

The various Climes in various Armour ſhine,
And diffant Nations wonder as they joyn.

Review'd

[ *Augusta* ] The Name the modern *English* give to *London*.

Iok III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

185

Review'd, wide o'er the Fields encamp the Pow'rs,
Repairs the ſhining Court to *Berwick's* Tow'rs.

NEAR *Stirling's* Walls where *Forth's* large Billows play,

The noble *Bruce* with twice two Hundred lay ;
From whence around his Royal Writ he ſends,
To warn the Chiefs, and ſunimon all his Friends.
Meantime he view'd the Ground, and mark'd a Plain,
Th' intended Muſter of the Loyal Train.

Before that Plain, a League extended, lay.
A Green-lward Marifh, on a flaunting Bay.
The King, well ſeen in all Events of War,
The muddy Fen ſurveys with cautious Care.
His Troops he calls, and digs, a Spear-length deep,

The level Marifh, from the floping Steep :
Then Plants with ſharpen'd Piles the Track around,
And cloſe with Hurdles cov'ring o'er the Ground;
Untouch'd the Plain appear'd, and all the hollow found.
Behind thoſe Piles the King reſolv'd to ſtand,

And there the haughty Poes firſt Charge attend.

A a

The

186

The LIFE of

Book III.

The *Scottish* Peafants from the Champaign Shore,
Up to the Mountains led their Household Store;
The Plains of Herds and Vietaual dispoſſeſt,
And left the Country one abandon'd Wafe.

1090
Now rings th' Alarm along the Northern Coaſts,
And rufh to War the Caledonian Hoffs.

From Skye, Pomona's Isles, and Caithneſs' Strand,
Three thouſand Targets glitter o'er the Land.

The Skye, and Orkneys their own Chiftains Head,

1095
And Caithneſs' Troops the gallant *Sinclair* led.
Strathnaver, Sutherland in Arms appear,
And the bold *Reſſians* issue to the War.

The brave McDonalds and M'kenzies joyn,
Frafers, and Grants, and the Clauichattan Line.

That ſtretch, diſpers'd, along th' Hebridian Shores.

1100
Monroes, McCleans, M'kays, and all the Pow'rs,

Theſe

[Hebridian Shores.] The Hebrides are a vall Cluſter of Islands, lying on the North-welt and Weſt of Scotland, ſcatler'd up and down the Duncaledonian Sea.

## Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

187

Theſe hardy Troops in *Scythian* Arms array'd,
Difſinct in Tribes, their proper Chiefs obey'd.
Conveen the Bands on *Roffia's* ſpacious Bay,
And twice Three thouſand Bucklers gild the Day.

From *Murray's* Shores advance a Thouſand Spears,
And daring *Randolf* at their Head appears.

EAST on Tazalia's Coaſt, there lies a Plain,
Bleſt with rich Paſture, and luxuriant Grain ;

to Much fam'd for Cattle, much for Woolly Store,
But for its hofpitable People, more.

On its ſmooth Margin *German* Billows play,
And pour their finny Millions in each Bay.

This Region 'pite of the falſe Thane's Commands,

Rais'd and maintain'd at its own Charges, ſends
A Thouſand Warriors to the Royal Aid,

By bold Philorth, and brave Pitſligo led.

## A a 2

AND

[Tazalia.] The Countries of Mar, Buchan, and all about Aberdeen; Buchan is the name of the isle where the false Thane, &c.]

[The false Thane, &c.] Caining Earl of Buchan.

188

The LIFE of

Book III.

AND now in Arms the noble Gordon shines,
And Enzie's Squadrons to Strathbogy joyns.

1120 Abria's keen Axes in the Centre glare,
And Badenech gleams, horrid, in the Rear.

NEXT, hardy Forbes, and the gallant Mary,
On Don's fair Borders rendezvous the War.
Forbes! in Scotia's Annals long renown'd,

1125 And oft of old with Loyal Laurels crown'd.

Horestia's Plains a Thoufand Warriors yield,
And Godlike Marshal leads them to the Field.
Thrice noble Chief! I feel my Spirits roll,
And all the HERO rufhes to my Soul.

1130 Where shall the Mufe commence thy deathless Fame
From what immortal Æra trace thy Name?
She saw thy Sire of old, on Barry's Shore,
When rapid Lochty groan'd with Cimbrian Gore.

She

[Abria.] The Country of Lochaber.

[Horestia.] The Shire of Meawrs.

189

Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

She saw him 'midst surrouning Ruins stand,
1135 When hardy Camus bit the bloody Strand.

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 still check'd the jutt Design.

1140 Fond She fet out, but felt the Theme too strong
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,

1145 And still fome KEITH shall glitter in the Page.

NEXT, where the Esk a double Current pours,
And laves Æneia's ever Loyal Shores ;

Two thoufand Lances gleam along the Strand,
Strathmore, Southesk, and Airly led the Band.

1150 Airly, renown'd for ancient Honours gain'd,

When Gilcrigf conquer'd, and a William reign'd.

Kinnaird,

190

The LIFE of

Book III.

Kinnaird and Falconar their Legions call,
The brave Dundee, and ever faithful Maults.

ADJOYNING near, a fruitful Region lies,
1155 The darling Care of more indulgent Skies;
Whose Sunny Mountains, and luxuriant Vales,
Are fann'd by friendly Zephyr's softer Gales;
Where the rich Year in vaft Profusion reigns,
Riots in Groves, and revels on the Plains :

1160 Thence came a Thoufand in bright Mail array'd,
Glitter'd the mighty Arrol at their Head.
Full of his Sires, the HERO took the Field,
Display'd, the Toke glar'd in his bloody Shield.
Proud Ensign ! Glory of that dire Debate,

1165 Where dauntlefs Hay revers'd the Scottish Fate;
When

[ The brave Dundee, &c. ] The Reader will pleafe obferve here once 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 Pomerity, in Order to make the Narration the clearer, and their Names more obvious to the prefent Age.

[ A fruitful Region lies. ] The Carfe of Gowry.

Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

191

When Lonicarity beheld th' Albanian Pow'rs
Vanquifh'd, and routed on her fanguine Shores;
Twas then, great Hay oppos'd the fameful Flight,
Drove back the conquer'd, and renew'd the Fight;
To Thro' Cimbrian Ranks, impetuous, fore'd his Way,
And thund'ring with his Yoke reftor'd the Day.
By him thus (wond'rous!) roſe the ruin'd State,
Conquer'd by Lofs, and triumph'd by Defeat !

'TWERE long in ancient Actions to engage,
And crowd with diff'rent Characters the Page;
Nor needful is the Task. Our Chiefs of old
Brave by Succession, and by Birthright bold;
In all their Father's various Virtues ſhone,
And ev'ry Sire defcended in the Son.
To Bred to the Field, and confcious of their Might,

They rang'd the Globe, and taught the World to fight.

FROM Fife's fair Coaſt Three thouſand take the Plain,
Headed by Weemyſs, and Crawford's ancient Thane.
The

194

The LIFE of

Book III.

Now, in ten Battles rang'd, from *Tweda's* Vales,
The South'ron Pow'rs advance thro' *Lothian* Dales,
3220 The wide extended Pomp the Region fills,
Glares o'er the Lawns, and gleams along the Hills.
Nations on Nations fhade the crowded Strand,
From Shore to Shore, and cover half the Land.
Thick as the waving Grain the Valley Clouds,
3225 Or Leaves in Spring that load the blooming Woods;
Lances and Shields emit their blended Rays,
And o'er the diffant Plains confus'dly blaze.
Thro' *Lothian* swift advance the fwarming Pow'rs,
And, fudden, crowd *Bodotria's* winding Shores.
1230 Thence, quick, arriving at the various Fane,
Wide o'er the Fields encamp the num'rous Train
DETACH'D old *Stirling's* Fortrefs to fecure,
Before the Hoft, Lord *Clifford* leads his Pow'r.

In

[ Various Fane. ] Falkirk.

311

King ROBERT BRUCE.

195

In Arms Eight hundred with that Leader ride,
Choice Bands! the mighty Edward's chiefest Pride.
Meantime bold *Randolf*, charg'd a Poft to keep,
Close by the Temple, on a floping Steep,
Thro' which, unheeded by the *Scots*, the Chief
March'd his swift Legions to the Town's Relief;
Foul Negligence! to expiate his Offence,
And soothe the just Displeasure of his Prince;
With eager Steps purfues th' escaped War,
Two hundred Lances fhining in his Rear.
Soon as the South'ron Chief the *Scots* beheld
With Force inferior boldly take the Field;
Diffainful, in Array he rang'd his Band,
And in the Front himself and *Howard* stand.
Howard the brave! a Knight renown'd in Fame,
The Boaft, the Glory of the South'ron Name.

B b 2

1250 Am-

[ Howard fland. ] Sir William Howard, the noble Anceſtor of the Duke of ſhak.

196

The LIFE of

Book III.

1250 Ambitious Chief! too eager in the Strife,
Too rashly bold, and Prodigal of Life;
Forward thou rufhest upon certain Death,
And midft unnumbred Wounds resign'ft thy Breath.
Thy native Troops with Tears beheld thee bleed,
1255 And England yet laments her HERO dead.

MEANWHILE the Combat, furious, burns around,
And Crimson Tides roll, flipp'ry, o'er the Ground.
Bauik'd in his firft Defign, and fir'd with Spite,
The haughty Clifford, vig'rous, urg'd the Fight.

1260 His lengthen'd Ranks extended o'er the Ground,
And juſt began t' encloſe the Scots around.
This Randolf ſaw, and with a Gen'ral's Care,
Diſpos'd into an Orb his thinner War.
Each Way objected, Spears and gleaming Shields,
1265 Glitter, an iron Circle, round the Fields.
And now both Hoffs in cloſer Combat joyn,
And thick'ning Deaths in redder Ruin ſhine.

Nor

ok III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

197

Nor knows the ardent Warrior to retire,
Fix'd where he stands to conquer or expire.

No blended Shouts of War's tremendous Voice,
Ring thro' the Hills, or rattle in the Skies,
The buſed Field hears no tumultuous Breath,
But clashing Armour, and the Groan of Death.

Glorious each Chief, and grim with Duſt and Blood,
1275 Amidft the War with rival Fury rode.

Alongſt the Strand the wid'ning Havock ſpread,
And round them roll'd in Heaps the mangled Dead.
But English Bow-men, long in Battle skill'd,
With feather'd Deaths ſore gall'd the Scottish Field.

1280 This Douglas viewing from the Camp afar,
Thus to the King prefers a Soldier's Pray'r.
' Sov'reign! he ſaid, may Heav'n direct the Day,
' And may to Morrow's Sun ſecure thy Sway.

' As I with Pity view yon dreadful Scene,
1285 ' And Randolf fveating on th' unequal Plain.

' Oppreſt

158

The LIFE of

Book III.

' Oppreft with Numbers, and o'erwhelm'd with Foe,

' Behold your HERO fainting in your Caufe.

' Soon shall he fall 'midft yon ſuperior Hoſt,

' And Scotia in her ſecond Hope be loft.

1290 ' Forbid it Fate! -----and thou, our gen'rous Prince,

' Forgive a Nevoy's undefign'd Offence;

' O'erlook the Fault, and let me hafte to ſhare

' Yon bloody Field, and turn the Scale of War.

' So may kind Heav'n confirm thy Right Divine,

1295 ' And fix the Sceptre, ever, in thy Line.'

HE faid ----- The Monarch thus himſelf expreſſt,
(The gen'ral Scene engroſſing, whole, his Breaſt)

' No Aid from us this Day ſhall skreen his Crime,

' My flighted Words, and his neglected Time.

1300 ' Let him, unſuccour'd, 'midſt yon ſurious Crowd,

' Feel his paſt Folly, and repent in Blood.'

He

[ Uncigna'd Offence. ] Randolf had been commanded by the King, to guard a
Paſs near the Church, by which the Enemi behov'd to march to the
Relief of
Stirling's

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

199

He ſpoke, and thro' the Camp purſu'd his Way,
To view the Troops, and preſiſpofe the Day.

Still on the Spot the hardy Douglas stay'd,

1305 'Fix'd to his Purpofe, and reſolv'd to aid:

When now the Foe, with Pteafure, he beheld,
Loofe in their Ranks, and reeling in the Field :

Randolf and his, with unreſiſted Might,
Bearing down Crowds, and burſt ing thro' the Fight.

1310 Then ſtopt th' intended Aid -----left Aid had ſtain'd,
The Glory by ſuch Blood and Labour gain'd.

And now Lord Clifford's Troops defert the War,
And Randolf thunders on the flying Rear.

Back to their Hoſt retreats the routed Train,

1315 And twice two Hundred breathleſs preſs the Plain.

Randolf returns, the Monarch graſpt his Hand,
And to their Reſt ordain'd the weary Band.

By

Cefling; but having neglected it, he was obſi'd to follow and attack them on
the Plain, with Numbers much inferior to theirs.

202

The LIFE of

Book III.

1350

1365

1370

(Pure radiant Gold of Heav'n, without Allay)

Around the Fane diffus'd a Flood of Day!

The gen'rous Monarch at the Sight amaz'd,

On the bright Form with awful Rev'rence gaz'd;
When *Ariel* thus. 'From Regions diffant far,

' Beyond the Convex of yon arched Sphere;

' Where blissful Minds diffolv'd in Raptures ly,

' Or float on azure Pinions thro' the Sky;

' Bask in the Beams, and live upon the Blaze:

' Down from thofe happy Seats, to thee I come,

' To soothe thy Cares----- Not to unfold thy Doom,

' That secret lies beyond the Realms of Light,

' To Heights of future Scenes in vain we foar,

' The sole, fix'd Priv'lege of eternal Pow'r!

' No more I know, but that to Morrow's Ray

' Is doom'd to finifh this contended Sway.

1375 ' Thee

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

203

1375 ' Thee I beheld, with anxious Cares oppreft,

' Alone to Heav'n resign thy pious Breast.

' Go then, and boldly meet the Stern Debate,

' Be still thy self, and leave th' Event to Fate.

' With pious Courage fraught, thy Fortune try,

1380 ' A Fortune not unfavour'd by the Sky.'

This faid, the Seraph swifly wings his Way,

Mounts thro' the Spheres, and gains upon the Day.

Full of the wond'rous Scene, the Monarch trod

Back to the Camp his Solitary Road;

1385 Alone unto the Royal Tent repairs,

And a short Slumber overshades his Cares.

FROM Ocean now uprais'd, the God of Day,

Mournful and flow perfues his airy Way.

The ſery Car the Steeds, reluctant, roll,

1390 Recoil, and ſcare oppofe the whirling Pole.

Condeſe the Vapours, not to feed the Blaze,

Or add fresh Fuel to decaying Rays;

C c 2

Bue.

104

The LIFE of

Book III

But that the Beams might point Oblique, nor gild,
Direct, the Horrors of so dire a Field.

1395 Now from Falkirk, by Fortha's winding Coast,
In dreadful Order moves the South'ron Hoft.
Men, Arms, and Steeds the Mountains shade afar,
And Valleys groan beneath the Load of War.
Unfurl'd in Air the golden Banners play,

1400 And Clarions, Drums, and Trumpets roufe the Day.
Adjoying Hills the loud Alarm rebound,
And Rocks and Forefts multiply the Sound.
Great in the Van, and awful as a God,
In Gems and Gold the mighty Edward rode.

1405 Round him, all sheath'd in Mail, a dreadful Line,
Three thoufand Warriors on barb'd Courfers fhine.
Bold Glofter, and Bohun a martial Knight,
Oxford, and Kent, and Hertford guard the Right.
The Left obeys fly Amphbracille's Commands,
Joyn'd by Corfpatrick's and by Clifford's Bands.

The

III,

King ROBERT BRUCE.

205

The Troops from Belgium, and from Gallia's Coast,
Make up the Centre of the martial Hoft.

Monmouth, Oneil, and Defmont next appear,
And with united Squadrons guard the Rear.

145 The quiver'd Bands around the Flanks dispos'd,
On either Side the moving Battles clos'd.

"In pompous Order thus the num'rous Train,
Forward advances to the deftin'd Plain."

THRO' Bruce's Hoft next ring the loud Alarms,
420 And Caledonian Trumpets found to Arms.

All o'er the Camp the ready Squadrons stand,
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 sparkles in his Eyes,
And o'er his Face the martial Terrors rife.
Blaz'd his strong Corflet on his ample Breast,
And nodded on his Helm a bloody Creft.

Fasb

206

The LIFE of

Book III.

Faft by his Thigh bright fhone his flaming Brand,
1430 An Ax of Steel gleam'd in his better Hand.

The Legions joyful, on their Monarch ftare,
And wonder at the Godlike Form of War.

The Grampian Chiefs, array'd in Warlike State,
With cheerful Pomp upon their Monarch wait.

1435 And now to Battle arms each loyal Band,
And thick'ning Squadrons form along the Strand.

Glare in the Van the bold Tazalian Lines,
And at their Head the noble Randolf Shines.

Rang'd on the Right the Southern Legions ſtood,

1440 And on their Front the fiery Edward rode.

With him experienc'd Boyd 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 Chiefs their proper Stations held,
But These the gen'ral Leaders of the Field.

In-

I. III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

207

Infructed laft the Rear in Order ſtood,
And at their Head the King, unuſual, rode.
But whilſt he views around th' embattled War,
The gen'rous Keith ſupplies his Maſter's Care.

AND now both Hoffs a Mile divided fat,
A ſhort and anxious Interval of Fate;
When great Caernarvan waves his awful Hand,
And lift'ning Thoufands round their Monarch ſtand.

145 Then thus. ' Behold, my Friends, our mighty Pow'rs,

'From British Climes conveen'd, and foreign Shores';

'Our Sire's immortal Laurets to maintain,

'And fix our Conqueſts o'er the Grampian Reign :

'Ev'n here your ſelves 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'd.

'You then who ſtill with him victorious ſhone,

'Still conquer, nor degen'rate with the Son.

1465 ' Behold

208

The LIFE of

Book III.

III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

209

1465 ' Behold how thin appear yon daftard Bands,

' Scarce half sufficient for our Soldiers Hands.

' Ev'n Thousands here shall find no Foe to slay,

' But idly share the Triumphs of the Day.

' Go then, my Friends, attack the puny Plain,

1470 ' And drive yon Handful, scatter'd, to the Main.

' Aflert your own, aflert your Monarch's Name,

' Let Death, or Fetters crush yon Rebel's Claim.'

He spoke---- With mingled Shouts refounds the Air,
And all the eager Troops require the War.

1475 Now the bold Bruce before the Centre stands,
And thus accoits his Caledonian Bands.

' FELLOWS in Arms! long did our Sires oppofe

' The haughty Infults of ambitious Foes.

' Long hath our Country struggled with her Fate,

1480 ' With Pictish Fraud, and Saxons lavage Hate.

' These too supported by Aufonian Pow'rs!

' How did the mighty Ruin fpread her Shores?

What

' What Seas of Blood, what Mountains of the Slain,

' Choak'd ev'ry Vale, and ftrow'd each purple Plain ?

' Thus fell our Sires; or, drove by Sword and Flame,

' Fled far; and Scotia scarce remain'd a Name.

' Yet Heav'n, relenting Heav'n beheld her Fate,

' And arm'd the great Reftorer of the State !

' From frozen Climes, and Scythia's diffant Strand,

The Godlike Man collects the scatter'd Band.

' He came, he conquer'd, and her Right restor'd,

' Doom'd to the Sway, and Albion's fated Lord.

' Pictish and Saxon Spoils his Triumphs grace,

' These banifh'd, those a quite extinguifh'd Race.

1490 ' Next from the North, where Baltic Billows rave.

' And Cimbrian Rocks the foamy Tempefts lave;

' Againft our Sires advance the fwarming Train,

' Our hardy Sires, undaunted, take the Plain.

D d

' Let

The Godlike Man, &c.] Fergus H. who restor'd the Monarchy of Scotland, at-
though it had been almost utterly extinguifhed by the Picts, Saxons and Romans.

210

The LIFE of

Book III.

1500 ' Let wond'ring *Lonearty* record the Day,

' And to great *Kenneth* joyn the greater *Hoy*.

' Let *Malcolm* next, and *Keith's* superior Rage,

' And *Barry's* Field run Purple in the Page !

' When *Lochty's* Current, choak'd with Tides of Blood,

1505 ' Groan'd to the Ocean in a Crimson Flood.

' For *Scotia's* Right thus stood the *Scots* of Old,

' Thus glare your Fathers in recording Gold.

' Such were their Acts, and such their loyal Flame,

' Such Glories blaze around each deathlefs Name!

1510 ' And now, my Friends, this Day, methinks, I see

' Thofe noble Patriots in their Progeny.

' This Day! the last of all our long Debate,

' The fix'd, important Period of our Fate.

' How does yon King in Gold and Jewels glare?

1515 ' What Pride of Armies! and what Pomp of War!

' Behold yon vaft Array, yon swarming Hoſt,

' How the extended Legions cloud the Coaſt!

' This

211

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

' This Hour! this inſant Hour of Fate demands

' Your Fathers Souls, and all your Fathers Hands.

1520 ' We know the Deeds of ev'ry doughty Sire,

' Nor ſhall we doubt their hardy Offspring's Fire.

' Methinks I see great *Graham* undaunted go,

' *Gainſt. Rome's* proud Eagles, and the *Saxon* Foe.

' Here are his Sons, behold the manly Race,

1525 ' See how the Father threatens in their Face.

' Methinks I see the *Douglas'* Sire of Old,

' Red from his Toils, and reſting on the Mold ;

' When the juſt Prince enquir'd the *HERO'S* Name,

' And *Sholto Dow glas* pointed him to Fame.

1530 ' Already mention'd, needleſs I run o'er,

' The Trophies by our Sires obtain'd before.

D d 2

' This

[And *Sholto Dow glas*, &c.] This is faid by fome to have happen'd in the Reign of Soluathius King of *Scots*, *Aino Dow*. 787. to wit, that in an Engagement of the *Scots* and *Picts*, aided by the *Saxons*, the *Scots* were in a manner in-bewixt the *Scots* and *Picts*, but the extraordinary Bravery of this *Dow glas* turn'd the Fortune of tirely routed; the extraordinary Bravery of this *Dow glas* turn'd the Fortune of the Day, and procu'd the Victory to the *Scots*. The King enquiring who he was whom he had seen behave ſo gallantly, a Gentleman pointed him out, as he reſted himself on the Ground, and faid, *Sholto Dow glas*, ſee the *Black-grey* Man. The King loaded him with Honours, and his Family hath ever ſince bore that Name.

212

The LIFE of

Book III.

' This glorious Day shall ev'n eclipse their Rage,
' And Bannock-burn roll redder in the Page;
' A new, a nobler Æra shall unfold,

1535 ' And Scotia's Sons shall stand in brighter Gold;
' Pardon, my Friends, that I the Field delay,

' And I stop with Words the Laurels of the Day;

' That I retard the Freedom of the State,

' Your Glory, and my own propitious Fate.

1540 ' Go on, brave Scots, and let each HERO's Fire
' Prove his bold Lineage, and affert his Sire.

' Scotia this Day demands her ancient Right,

' Ti, Scotia arms her daring Sons to fight.

' The Pride, the Hate, the Tyranny you know,

1545 ' And all the Rage of yon relentless Foe:
' Think then, your Wives, and helples's Infants stand,
' 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 ROBERT BRUCE.

213

1550 ' Let those soft Ties of Life, your better Part,
' String ev'ry Nerve, and steel each HERO's Heart;

' Thro' every Scene of Action point your Way,

' And Heav'n, propitious, shall conduct the Day.'

He spoke----- And Tears, indignant, fwell'd their Eyes,
And furious Shouts to Battle tore the Skies.

But pious Bruce, in View of all the Hoft,
Prone on the Earth his suppliant Body cast;
His Hand apply'd unto his spotles's Breast,
And thus the Father of the Skies addreft.

1560 ' IMMORTAL Pow'r! Whose sacred Voice, supreme,
' Spoke to Existence this stupendous Frame;

' Who fway'ft the Nations with thy dreadful Nod;

' And Crowns, and trembling Thrones confes the God !

' If e'er with Lips unfeign'd my Vows I pay'd,

1565 ' If e'er my Soul a pure Oblation made;

' Regard my Suff'ring paft, attend my Woes,

' And judge, O judge this Day thy Suppliant's Cause.

" If

214

The LIFE of

Book III.

' If I, unrighteous, fall before yon Foe,
' From thee, submissive, I receive the Blow.
1570
' But if my Right th' Almighty's Aid can claim,
' Aid thou, and teach me to adore thy Name, '
The pious Monarch thus. And all the Bands,
With humble Hearts, and with uplifted Hands,
Devout, addres's the Sov'reign Pow'r on high,
1575
Confess their Guilt, and deprecate the Sky.

THIS done, advancing from the South'ron Train,
A Knight in fhining Armour crofs'd the Plain.
His haughty Mien, and his gigantic Size
At once attracted ev'ry Warrior's Eyes.
1580
The hardy Champion forth, disdainful, rode,
And in his Reft a Lance, enormous, ftood.
Approaching, he defies each Scottifh Knight,
And dares the Braveft out to single Fight.

Soon

[A Knight in fhining Armour, &c.] This is faid to be Sir Henry Doci ne, or Bokyn, of the Family of Warwick.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

215

Soon as the King the Giant-Foe beheld
15 Alone defy his Legions on the Field;
The Steed he reins, and rufhes o'er the Strand,
An Ax well temper'd charg'd his better Hand :
Dauntlefs he rode to meet the Champion's Force,
And the proud Knight begins his furious Course;
190
Full at the Monarch aims his Length of Spear,
Th' eluded Weapon spends 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,
195
Thro' Helm and Brain down rufh'd the fhining Steel.
Prone fell the Champion on the gory Strand,
And the ftern Viſage threatned on the Sand.
This ſaw both Hoſts, and from th' important Sight,
Each takes the Omen of the future Fight.
200
Returns the King, his Worth each Boſom fires,
And ev'ry Leader to his Poſt retires.

AND

215

The LIFE of

Book III.

AND now both Armies for the Fight prepare,
And thriller Clangors animate the War.
Drums, Trumpets, Clarions blend their warlike Noife,
1605 Ring up the Air, and echo thro' the Skies.
Woods, Vales, and Mountains the Alarm rebound,
And Heav'n and Earth appear'd involv'd in Sound.

SAY, Sacred Nine! the dreadful Scene relate,
And paint the Wonders of the Day of Fate!

1610 Approach the Foe, Ten thousand Glofter heads,
Ten thousand more the hardy Herford leads.
Full on the Scottish Right they shape their Way,
Where Edward's Legions lin'd the hollow Bay;
The hollow Bay thick set 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 faithleſs Ground.
Five thousand whole lay wallowing in the Shore,
And sharpen'd Spikes Five thousand Courfers gore.

1620 Edward

217

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

620 Edward to War his Infantry commands;
Rush the fierce Foot amidft th' entangled Bands.
Their fiery Leader thunders at their Head,
And faft around the wid'ning Slaughter spread.
Warriors and Steeds lay in one Ruin mix'd,
1625 By Craft ingulph'd, and secret Piles transfix'd.
The reft, affrighted, from the fatal Coast,
Confus'dly flying, joyn'd the diffant Hoft.

AGAIN in Air the South'ron Banners play,
And Fifty thousand illue to the Day.

1630 The hardy Monmouth heads his Cambrian Force,
And Oxford joyns his Trinobantian Horse.
To meet those Battles dauntleſs Edward goes,
But looks for Aid againſt ſuch Odds of Foes.
Nor long expeſts. --- Before his hardy Lines,

1635 Soon at his Side the noble Randoff ſhines.
In quick Battalia form'd each adverſe Train,
With double Rage commence'd the ſecond Plain.

Ee

To-

218

The LIFE of

Book III.

1640

Together faſt the Burſt of Battle goes,
And to the Skies the Shouts, tremendous, roſe.

As when loud Winds the foamy Surges ſweep,
And from its Caverns tear the bellowing Deep;
Or, as fierce Flames their crackling Torrents pour
Thro' Mountain-Foreſts, and the Shades devour;
Juſt with ſuch Rage the Hoffs together bound,

1645

Juſt ſo the Clamours thro' the Heav'ns ſeſound.
Soon as the Cruſh of Spears obſcures the Air,
At once unſheath'd the gleamy Fauchions glare.

From clafſhing Arms the blended Sparkles blaze,
And bluſhing Torrents form a crimſon Maze.

1650

Here haughty *Monmouth* thunders in his Might;
There hardy *Oxford* animates the Fight,
In vain. See where fierce *Edward* ſwims in Gore,
And *Randolf's* mighty Arm lays waſte the Shore.
See where the ſpreading 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
Oppoſe the Fury of the *Grampian* War.

*Monmouth* and *Oxford* ſee their Troops give way,
And, pierc'd with Wounds, themselves forſake the Day.

1660

Retreat the Legions to the gen'ral Hoft,
And Twenty thouſand, lifeleſs, ſtrow the Coaſt.
The *Scots* ſoon rally, and their Standards joyn,
And the form'd Troops again in Order ſhine.

DOUBLY repuls'd, now all the South'ron War,

1665

Fir'd with Refentment, for the Field prepare.
In Gold array'd, and blazing Diamonds bright,
The mighty King rode foremost to the Fight.
Three thouſand Knights in Mail, severely gay,
Rich on barb'd Steeds conduct him to the Day.

1670

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 ſtrikes the Sky.

E c 2

Where

220

The LIFE of

Book III.

Where Edward's Legions and brave Randolf's flood,
1675 Rally'd, and reeking still with recent Blood;
Array'd, the banded Squadrons proudly fare,
In all the dire Magnificence of War.

Unequal Match! But ere th' Attack begun,
Amidst the Chiefs the doughty Douglas fhone.

1680 Three thousand Bord'rers his Command obey,
Fresh to the Field, and ardent for the Day.
Him gallant Stuart in burnifh'd Armour joyns,
And to the Onfet leads his Western Lines.
Heroic Youth! nor had five Luftres fhed

1685 Their circling Seaſons o'er his blooming Head.

THE Charge begins. The Hoſts together bound,
And Steeds and Warriors tumble on the Ground.
The crafhing Spears in Clouds of Splinters rife,
Fierce thund'ring Hoſts, deep Groans and mingled Cries
1690 Ring round the Foreſts; ecchoing Rocks reply,
And all the War redoubles in the Sky.

The

221

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

The Monarch's ſteely Guards, amidſt the Fight,
On Edward's Legions pour their awful Might;
Edward as furious meets the Iron-Train,

1695 And Heads and Helmets ring againſt the Plain.
Hibernian Foot, and Gallia's warlike Horſe
Toward the noble Randolf bend their Courſe.

The noble Randolf 'gainſt thoſe Squadrons rode,
And foreign Gore ſoon ſwell'd the neighb'ring Flood.

1700 What Wonders were by dreadful Douglas wrought?
And ev'n young Stuart, not undiſtinguifh'd, fought.

But Omphraville, in Arts of War long skill'd,
Draws forth the South'ron Bowmen to the Field.

Rang'd to th' Attack, full Fifty thousand came,
That drink the Tine, and Humber's tumbling Stream.
From twanging Eughts the whizzing Tempeſts fly,
And Clouds of feather'd Fates obſcure the Sky.

By this Hyperion on his radiant Car,
Flam'd in the Zenith of the middle Sphere.

1710 And

222

The LIFE of

Book III.

1710 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 Heav'n's Decrees ordain'd to prove,

1715 And fix th' Eternal Equity above.

Bright in the azure Vault the Balance Phone,
And British Fates in either Side are thrown.

Sinking more pond'rous, Scotia's Lots prevail,
High mounts in Air, o'erpois'd, the South'ron Scale.

1720 MEANWHILE the King, nor yet engag'd, beheld
The bold Encounters on the various Field;
Joyful had view'd his glorious Leaders fight
In all the Terrors of their Fathers Might;

But

[ Bright in the Azure Vault the Balance Phone. ] This Piece of Machinery (if we may call it so) the Reader will find made Use of both by Homer and Virgil; nor is it any Invention of theirs, or, indeed, owing to the Pagan Theology. We have several Authorities for it in sacred Writ, particularly that of Daniel, in the Account he gives of Belfrazzar's Feast, Chap. 5. v. 27.

223

Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

But now at last perceives the quiver'd Pow'r,

1725 By crafty Omphracille well known before,
Rang'd on the hostile Flanks, in Order glare,
And gall with diffant Wounds the Scottish War.

To Arms he calls, and Tribe by Tribe draws forth,
Array'd to Battle, the intrepid North.

1730 Himself before the Squadrons takes the Plain,
And Hay and Keith and Gordon fill the Train.

His Troops M'kenzie to McDonald joyns,
And all the War in Scythian Armour fhines.

The Dales around Hebridian Axes gild,

1735 And boffy Bucklers glimmer o'er the Field.

Detatch'd before, the noble Marschal rode,
To quell the Fury of the Archer-Crowd.

Two thousand Spears obey the Chief's Commands,
Fiercely they rufh amidft the quiver'd Bands.

1740 The bold Detachment dealt destruſion round,
Bows, Shafts and Warriors mingling on the Ground.

No

224

The LIFE of

Book III.

Nor able to fuſtain their awful Might,
Back to the Rear the Archers wing their Flight.

By this the King, Majestically great,
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,
At once directed thro' each Scene of War.

Then as the Thunder, burſting from on high,
Drives thro' the gather'd Rack, and sweeps the Sky;
While Clouds, diffolv'd in mighty Torrents, pour
The founding Ruin round the delug'd Shore;
So rufh'd the Monarch 'midft the thickeſt Fight,

And flam'd in all the Wonders of his Might.
Gods! How his Rage the wid'ning Havock ſpread?
How thick around him roſe the growing Dead!
What Tides of rolling Gore from Ranks o'erthrown,
Unite, and ſwell, and deeper float the Lawn.

1760 The

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

225

1760 The Lawn! that, late, fresh crown'd with Verdure lay,
Now Groans with Death, and waves a Purple Sea.

The diſtant War, aſtoniſh'd, ſtopt its Course,

And, wond'ring, view'd his more than mortal Force.

The hardy North's undaunted Sons engage,

And ſecond thro' the Field their Monarch's Rage.
The foreign Troops, amaz'd, for Flight prepare,
And ev'n the great Caernarvan dreads the War.

But *Omphraville* collects the ſtagg'ring Lines,
And at their Head once more that Leader ſhines.

Bold Giles the Argentine renown'd in Fame,
And long in foreign Fields a dreadful Name;
Recalls the *Belgian*, and the *Gallic* Horſe,
And joyns to *Omphraville* the rally'd Force.

The *Scottish* Battles, diſtant, on the Field,

Th' assembled Foe's fresh Rendezvous beheld;
From diſ'rent Quarters their whole Troops combine,
And all at once the Monarch's Standard joyn.

F f

The

226

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 Clafsh of Arms refounds in Air,
And Mountains eccho to the Din of War.
How did the *Bruce*, in all his dread Array,
1785
Renew the former Wonders of the Day!
His Rage thro' ev'ry Scene of Battle ran,
Flam'd on the Flanks, or lighten'd in the Van.
Gods ! How fierce *Edward* urg'd the stern Debate,
From his bold Hand what Warriors met their Fate!
1790
In vain the Gallic Chief oppos'd his Pow'r,
Breathlefs by him extended on the Shore.
This *Belgium* saw, and *Gaul's* aftonish'd Horfe,
And fled, disorder'd, from his dreadful Force.
Bold *Douglas*, *Randolf*, *Stuart*, exert their Might,
1795
Thunder thro' Death, and drive the featter'd Fight.

Their

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

227

Their Rage no more suftains the hoftile Band,
All difarray'd, and reeling on the Strand.
And now the Sun had fhot a fainter Ray,
His Car declining to the Western Sea;
800
When from the Heights defcend the *Scottish* Swains;
The Foe beheld, afresh, the cover'd Plains.
They gaze fome Time, aftonifh'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 *Dumbartan* Shores,
He flies; and *Douglas* drives the featter'd Pow'rs.
By Sea at laft he gains his native Sway;
Dead in the Chafe Three thoufand Victims lay.
1810
Of hoftile Corpfes (dreadful to relate)
Full Fifty thoufand gorg'd the Field of Fate.
Four hundred Spurs of Gold, *Equestrian* Spoils!
Part grace, and Part reward the *Grampian* Toils.

Ff 2

There

228

The LIFE of Book III.

There *Typont* fell, and *Gloocfter* the brave
1815 From *Bruce's* gen'rous Bounty found a Grave.
There the bold *Argentine's* fam'd Laurels fade,
Mix'd with the Ruins of the vulgar Dead.
The *Argentine*, who never knew to yield,
And fcorn'd to fly, inglorious, from the Field:
1820 In diffant Climes for martial Toils renown'd,
And thrice his Head with *Pagan* Triumphs crown'd.
Four thoufand *Scottish* Warriors yield their Breath,
Loyal in Life and glorious in their Death.
There *Wepont* fell, and *Rof's*, renown'd of Old,
1825 But ftill, in *Scotia's* Annals, live in Gold.
While thrice the Sun his courfe Diurnal rolls,
And, Shades, successive, thrice involve the Poles ;
Still *Bannock-burn* choak'd with a Tide of Gore,
Groan'd in deep Murmurs to its ghaftly Shore.

1830 Ed-

[ *The bold Argentine's, &c.* ] Sir Giles the Argentine, who commanded a part of the foreign Auxiliaries, was a brave Man, and had done fignal Services abroad against the Saracens. He was call'd the Argentine, from *Argentina* a City of America in Germany, now Strasburg.

Book III.

King ROBERT BRUCE.

229

1830 Edward eſcap'd; bold Douglas leads his Hoſt
Back to victorious Bruce by Fortha's Coaſt.
Conjoyn'd, to Sterling march'd the laurel'd War,
And Spoils of Nations load each groaning Car.
Vaſt Troops of captive Foes the Pomp adorn'd,
1835 And haughty Chiefs in hoſtile Fetters mourn'd.
Chiefs who, eſtfoons by gen'rous Bruce diſmift,
Reſtor'd his Royal Confort to his Breaſt.
Moubray the Fort surrenders, loyal grown,
And henceforth faithful to the *Scottish* Crown.

1840 Now, glorious Bruce (all Oppofition quell'd,
Each Faction crush'd, and ev'ry Foe repell'd )
Throughout the Provinces proclaims his Sway,
At once the willing Provinces obey.
From far Pomona's Coaſt to Solway's Shore,
1845 Each Subject, loyal, owns his Sov'reign Pow'r.
His Friends rewarded, and his Hoſt diſmift,
With Bounty loaded, and with Freedom bleſt;

Each

230

The LIFE of Book III.

1850

Each Office he invefts with due Command,
Diffenſes Laws, and conſtitutes the Land.

No more dare foreign Foes his Right invade,
No more dares Faſtion lift its Rebel-head.

No more the Grampian Swain in Battle bleeds,
But to the Sword the peaceful Rake ſucceeds.
The lab'ring Hind, free from oppreſſive Toil,

1855

Turns the rich Furrows of his native Soil;
In Freedom, Peace and Plenty waſtes the Day,
And all th' Indulgence of a righteous Sway.
No longer Caledonia now deplores,
Her ruin'd Cities, and her defart Shores;

1860

Her Cities, round, their ancient Splendor gain,
And golden Harveſts wave on ev'ry Plain.
At home rever'd, abroad diffus'd by Fame,
Thro' diſtant Climes ſefounds the Bruffian Name.

1865

THUS far the Mufe, in unambitious Strains,
Hath ſung the Monarch ſweating on the Plains.

Immers'd

Book III. King ROBERT BRUCE.

231

Immers'd iu Ills, with Perils long befet,
(Glorious in Patience, and reſign'dly great !)
Till by Degrees he gain'd upon his Foes,
Grew in Diftreſs, and on his Dangers roſe;

1870 Triumphant 'midft the Spoils of Nations ſhone :
And now unrival'd, mounts his native Throne;
Where regal Ore, and Gems his Brows infold,
And everlaſting Laurels ſhade the Gold.

WHILE circling Spheres their endleſs Rounds ſhall run

1875

And feel the genial Influence of the Sun;
While Earth ſhall daily on her Axle roll,
And the flow Wain attend the freezing Pole;
While Monthly Moons their Revolutions keep,
By Turns ſhall raife, and ſink by Turns the Deep;

1880

While Fortha, ſpacious, rolls her winding Waves,
And Tay's rich Stream Æneian Borders laves;
Still dear to Albion be her Bruce's Fame,
Sacred his Merit, and rever'd his Name.

So