Page:History of Sir William Wallace (1).pdf/75

 (75) great power of the prices, and the little interest which he had on either side, had induced hin to acquit himself with honour in his decisions. " The parliament of Scotland therefore, threat- ened with a furious civil war, and allured by the great reputation of the English monarch, as well as by the present amicable correspondence be- tween the kingdoms, agreed in making a refer- ence to Edward; and Fraser bishop of St Anrew's, with other deputies, was sent to notify to him their resolution, and to claim his good offices in the present dangers to which they were es.posed, His inclination, they flattered themselves, led him to prevent their dissentions, and to interpse with a power which none of the competitors would dare to withstand. When this expedient was proposed by one party. the other deemed it dangerous to object to it; indifferent persons thought that the im- minent peritsn of a civil war would thereby be prevented: and no one reflected on the ambi- trous character of Edward, and the almost cer- tain ruin which must attend a small state, divided by faction, when it thus implicitly submits itself to the will of so powerful a neighbour." The temptation was too strong for the virtue of the English monarch to resist. He cheerfully accepted the important charges but with the secret design to embrace the present favourable. opportunity, if not to create, at least to revive his claim of feudal superiority over Scotland. At this declaration they were filled with astonish- mant and confusion; bat, cither or awed by ܡܶܕܵܝܵܐ