Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/50

 ( 50 ) had more reason to take the advantage of Edward's absence, to deliver his country from servitude, then he, of the division of a free and independent people to enslave them: he added, that he had invaded England to repay the in. juries done to Scotland; that he meant to keep his Easter in the same country, and he invited his Highness to that feast, Wallace performed his promise. Edward with a mighty army of fifteen hund- red cavalry, and twenty thousand infantry, marched against Wallace With his usual in- trepidity, he collected his chosen troops, rallied, and, not far from Stanmore, came in view of the mighty monarch. The army of Edward appeared incredibly numerous: the armour of the soldiers glittering, the equipage of the officers rich and elegant, the sound of their trumpets, and the noise of their drums, pompons and terrible! Such, however, was the ardour and bravery of the Scottish youth, that many of them solicited leave to go a-pickering, to merit golden spurs. But Wallace issued a proclamation, command- ing all upon pain of death, to keep their ranks; to march with gravity, and to attempt nothing without his orders. Edward observed, and admired the order, discipline, and formidable appearance of the enemy he had been accustomed to despise. With astonishment and grief, he now perceived that the men with whom he had to encounter, acted with subordination and concert; and that dest