Page:King Robert Bruce's garland, an heroic ballad, or, The history of the famous Battle of Bannockburn.pdf/5

5 With whom the king in perſon rode,
 * charg'd cowards to retire,

For none ſhould fight with him that day
 * who death at leaſt did fear.

Between them and their foes they made
 * into the boggy ground,

Ditches and pits with ſharpen'd ſtakes,
 * the Southrons to conſound.

With cramp-irons and crow-toes ſtraw'd
 * among the graſs ſo green,

And ruſhes floating on the mud,
 * deceiv'd the Engliſh keen.

Upon a riſing ground they ſtood,
 * view'd how the Engliſh came,

All ſhining like the riſing ſun,
 * their army ſeem'd a flame.

The hills and dales did echo make,
 * their trumpets loud did blow,

Whilſt ev'ry blaſt predicted death,
 * and Scotland's overthrow.

The king by chance looking about
 * he, wondering, did eſpy,

Eight hundred mounted cap-apee,
 * who did on horſeback fly.

Below St Ninians, croſs the burn,
 * in flight for Stirling town.

He called Earl Murray with ſpeed,
 * who was charg'd to keep that ground.