Page:Battle of Bannockburn.pdf/4

 Brave Douglas and Sir Walter Stuart

The main body they taught;

In front our brave king Robert rode,

And thus address'd them all:

If there be any cowards here,

That are afraid to fall,

Let them retire before the fight,

And drag their servile chains;

While we, for Scotland's liberty,

Will drain our dearest veins.

See how the Southern lowns approach,

And think that we will fly:

Then let us forward to the fight,

And either do or die.

So spoke the gallant Bruce, and all

His men, with loud huzzas,

Cry'd, eager to be led to charge,

We'll die for freedom's cause.

Between them and their foes they’d dug

Into the boggy ground,

Ditches and pits, with sharpen’d stakes,

The Southerns to confound.

They made cramp-irons and crow-toes

Among the grass to lie,

While rushes, floating on the mud,

Deceiv’d the English eye.

Upon a rising ground they stood,

View'd how the English came,

All shining like the rising sun;

Their army seem’d a flame.

The hills and dales did echo make,

Their trumps so loud did blow,

Whilst ev’ry blast predicted death,

And Scotland's overthrow.