Page:Battle of Bannockburn.pdf/7

 Then Murray fiercely on them set,

And did no mercy show,

While men and horse stuck in the mire,

And could no further go.

Then came the flower of English troops,

All mounted cap-a-pee,

Which joined a confused crowd,

And fought promiscuously.

The doughty Scots were near undone,

They had too much ado,

Till Murray had his battle done,

And came to their rescue.

But now the battle general was,

And spreading o'er the land,

Fresh English troops still marching on,

By their fierce king's command:

When on the top of Gillies-Craig,

Appeared in their sight,

A crowd, like twenty thousand men,

Which were no men of might;

But wives and old decripet men,

Some lasses and young boys,

With plaids and sheets waving on poles,

Who made a warlike noise.

The English soon perceived this,

With terror and affright,

And judg’d their safety was not sure,

So every man took flight.

Their king in Stirling would have staid,

But Moubray told him no,

For there in haste you'll be enclos’d,

And find your overthrow.

Your safety's home to England flee,

And thro' yon carse to ride;