Page:Life and history of Mary, Queen of Scots.pdf/15

Rh errors were now forgotten—they thought only of her misfortunes, her gentleness, grace and beauty. At the end of the week, she found herself at the head of a powerful confederacy, by which nine Bishops, eighteen Lords, and many gentlemen of high rank, engaged to defend her person, and restore her power.

But these bright prospects were soon obscured. The Regent Murray was lying at Glasgow, and although his troops were much inferior to Mary's in point of number, yet, with a just confidence in his own abilities, assisted by the experience of Kirkaldy, Morton, and other tried officers, he determined to meet the Queen’s Lords, and give them battle.

The two armies met at the village of Langside, near Paisley. Too confident in their number and valour, the Harmiltons, and others of Mary’s party, rushed heedlessly on to the engagement. Both parties fought with obstinacy, but the Earl of Morton decided the battle, by attacking the Hamiltons in flank, while their columns were closely engaged in front. This movement was decisive, and the Queen's army was completely routed.

From a rising ground in the neighbourhood Mary witnessed this fatal defeat, whereby all her brilliant prospects were completely extinguished. Filled with distress and terror, she instantly rode off at full speed, accompanied by a few faithful followers, and never closed her eyes till she reached