Page:Life and surprising adventures of that renowned hero, Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/22

 himself submit to the king of England, he never would; nor would he yield allegiance to any power, except the king of Scotland his rightful sovereign.”

Since, therefore, neither threats nor bribes nor example, neither open force nor secret stratagem, could conquer the invincible soul of our undaunted hero. Edward bethought him of the traitor Sir John Monteith, one of those in whom he placed the most unbounded confidence, who brought a party of Englishmen upon him, as he lay concealed in the neighbourhood of Glasgow. These having immediately apprehended him, carried him to London, by orders of king Edward. As this misfortune, the greatest which at this juncture could befal the kingdom of Scotland, was inexpressibly afflicting to all its sincere friends and honest defenders, so it gave joy and pleasure to all ranks of people in England. They now imagined that the war was at an end; yet even the rabble could not but pity the hard fate of the enemy so renowned.

When he arrived in London, he was conducted to and lodged in the house of one William Delect, in Fenchurch street. The next day he was brought on horseback to Westminster, attended by several knights, the mayor, sheriffs, and aldermen of the city, with many other persons of eminence