Page:Life of the celebrated Scottish patriot Sir Wm. Wallace.pdf/16

16 feared, would arise than from the war. To alleviate these calamities, Wallace ordered all the young men capable of bearing arms, to meet him on a certain day, when he led them into England, in the hope that they would acquire health and strength by the exercise; and that by living in the enemy's country during the winter, provisions at home would be spared. No one opposed him when he entered England; and having remained there from the 1st of November to the 1st of February, refreshing his men with the forage of the enemy, and enriching them with their spoils, he returned home. This expedition increased the renown and authority of Wallace among the people, bntbut [sic] it excited against him the envy of the nobles; for his praises appeared to reproach them for not daring to attempt what lie, destitute of every advantage of fortune, had not only bravely undertaken, but successfully accomplished.

With an army of 1500 cavalry and 20,000 infantry, Edward marched against Wallace, who, in the meantime, was collecting his chosen troops, all of whom he commanded, upon pain of death, to keep their ranks, to marehmarch [sic] with gravity, and to attempt nothing without his orders. The veteran and experienced soldiers of Edward had not arrived from France, so perceiving the order, discipline, and formidable appearance of the enemy, he dared not hazard his own glory with an nudisciplinedundisciplined [sic] militia, and therefore wisely retreated. The fame of this bloodless victory obtained over so powerful a king incensed his enemies, who now reported that lie aspire to the crown. The nobles, on hearing this, became indignant, particularly Bruce and Comyn, who, belonging to the blood-royal, determined to undermine the authority of Wallace, Edward having been made aware of their dispositions, raised a large army, and next summer came to Falkirk, about 11 miles from Stirling. The Scottish