Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/56

 ( 56 ) aid all that could have been expected from the greatest commander in the world. - Cumming, with his men, went off the field without drawing their swords. Sir John Stewart and his vassals fought bravely, and died honourably. Alas! however, the fatal dissensions of the Scots lost the day, and upwards of ten thousand men were slain. Unable either to reseue Stewart. or alone to withstand the enemy, and the an! of Carrick having nearly surrounded him, Wallace re- treated, and passed the small river Carron, which he knew the enemy durst not ford it his presence. By this dexterous nendeurre, he not only saved his own men but those of Stewart's, who fled to him; and, by keeping himself in the rear, with his eye fixed on those who pursued, he cut off several of them par- ticularly one Frare Bryan Jay, a knight temple, upon whom he turned, and slew him in the sight of the victorious army. This intrepid and bola action taught others to keep at a respectable distance. The beautiful poem entitled, “ The Lament of WALLACE, after the Battles of Falkirk," as expressive of his feeling and destiny selected from the Poems of TANNAHILL, may here be inserted. Thou dark-winding Carron, once pleasing to seep To me thou can'st never give pleasure again; My true Caledonians lie low on the lee, And thy streams are deep ting'd woitis the blood of the slain.