Page:History of the Scottish patriot, Sir Wm. Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie.pdf/24

24 nence and rank, in presence of all of whom he was placed on the south bench of the great hall; and either because they wished the people to believe that he had aspired to the Crown of Scotland, or that it was reported that he said he deserved to wear a crown there, they crowned him in derision with laurel, while Sir Peter Malorie, the chief-justice, impeached him with high treason. Wallace boldly replied, “That a traitor he never was, nor could be to the King of England.” The burning of towns, storming of castles, killing the English, and others of a similar nature, he frankly acknowledged. These heroic virtues were declared capital crimes; and though the prisoner had never acknowledged nor submitted to the laws of England, yet he was tried by them, and unjustly condemned to be hanged, drawn, and quartered, and while alive, to have his bowels cut out, which was accordingly done with the utmost cruelty and barbarity. His head was fixed on London Bridge, and the four quarters of his body were placed on the gates of as many of the principal cities of his native country. Such was the end of a man by far the most pre-eminent in the times in which he lived; who, for greatness of soul in undertaking, and wisdom and fortitude in conducting perilous enterprises, may be compared with the most illustrious leaders of antiquity. In love to his country, inferior to none of the most eminent ancient patriots; amid the general slavery, he stood alone unsubdued and free; and neither could rewards induce nor terrors force him to desert the public cause which he had once undertaken; and his death was the more grievous, because, unconquered by his enemies, he fell, betrayed by those whom he least suspected. But, although Edward procured the death of the valorous Wallace, Scotland was not deserted: Bruce assumed the reins of government, and restored her to her former independence.— (See Brydone’s History of King Robert Bruce, No. 15)