Page:Life and surprising adventures of that renowned hero, Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/16

 seeing the enemy retreat, were eager to follow and charge their rear. He again upon pain of death, discharged every one from stirring from the ranks, and told his followers "that they had done enough when they stood their ground, and kept their countenance in the presence of such a power, which one would thought was able to have swallowed them up: that this was in effect a victory, and too much the more glorious, that they had gained it without drawing their swords.” This speech being circulated through the army, had an agreeable influence upon all their minds; the officers alighted from their horses, and the whole army prostrated themselves on the ground while, according to the custom of the day, they, sung the praises of St. Andrew the patron of Scotland, and returned thanks to St. Cuthbert, on whose feast, and in some measure by whose intercession, they attributed their courage having been roused, and their enemies put to flight.

The glory of Sir William Wallace was now at its height; and as, by numerous and gallant exploits, he had become the admiration of Europe, and the terror of England, and the darling of his countrymen; so he was the object of the envy, jealousy, and fear of the nobility.