Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/17

Rh the exercise; and that by living in the enemy’s country during the winter, provisions at home would be spared. No one dared to oppose him when he entered England; and having remained there from the 1st of November to the 1st of February, refreshing his men with the forage of the enemy, and enriching them with their spoils, he returned home surrounded with glory. This expedition, as it increased the renown and authority of Wallace among the people, so it excited against him the envy of the nobles; for his praises appeared to reproach the high and powerful chieftains either with cowardice tor nor daring, or with treachery for being unwilling, to attempt what a gentleman in low circumstances, and destitute of every advantage of fortune, had not only bravely undertaken but successfully accomplished.

With an army of 1500 cavalry and 20,000 infantry, Edward marched against Wallace, who in the mean time was collecting his chosen troops, rallied, and near Stanmore came in view of the mighty monarch. Edward’s army appeared incredibly numerous; the soldiers’ armour glittering, the officers’ equipage rich and elegant, and the noise, of their drums pompous and terrible. Wallace commanded all, upon pain of death, to keep their ranks, to march with gravity, and to attempt nothing without his orders. The veteran and experienced soldiers of Edward had not arrived from France, and perceiving the order, discipline, and formidable appearance of the enemy, every officer and man acting the part of a hero, Edward durst not hazard his own glory, with an undisciplined militia, and therefore wisely retreated. The fame of this bloodless victory obtained over so powerful a king incensed his enemies much more bitterly, who now widely reported that he was beginning openly to aspire to the Crown. The nobles, on hearing this report, became indignant, particularly Bruce and Comyn, who, belonging to the blood-royal, determined to undermine the authority of Wallace. Edward aware of