Page:Life and surprising adventures of that renowned hero, Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/18

 which that kingdom, with Ireland and Wales, could raise, had gratified his nobles, respecting the privileges for which they had long contended: and now their jealousies being completely removed, they marched with him against the Scots, with courage and alacrity. To oppose this formidable power Wallace had not above thirty thousand, including both horse and foot; yet in that high state of discipline which they had attained, and animated with that patriotic ardour which had long marked their conduct, they would doubtless have withstood their enemies, had they been commanded by the guardian alone; but unfortunately, two men, of acknowledged bravery indeed, but,———as were the greater part of the nobility and their immediate dependants, for the reasons already noticed,———his secred enemies, divided with him the command.

In this position did they remain at Falkirk, which is situated about eleven miles from Stirling, till the army of Edward appeared on the 22d day of July, after having reduced several castles, and penetrated thus far into the heart of the kingdom. And now was the time that the animosities that unhappily subsisted between the commanders should have been entirely banished; but, unfortunately for Scotland, this