Page:Memorable Battle of Bannockburn, fought on the 25th of June 1314.pdf/4

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Then brazen trumpets flourishing with peals of death

did ring.

Each army join'd in loud huzzas, and cry’d long live

our king.

The hurricane of doubtful war began on every side. And death in ev’ry awful form did o’er the field preside, O muse! thy kind assistance lend, to paint the warlike

scene,

Else Description will be lost in so lofty a theme.

From twanging strings the deadly shafts did fly as    thick as hail,

The jav’lins, spears; and faulchions. as fiercely did

prevail,

Each combatant on either side such valour did display, As on his single arm had hung the success of the day. Renowned chiefs in shining steel bestrew’d the gory'

plain,

Till room was hardly left to fight for mountains of

the slain;

The limpid stream of Bannockburn, which wont so

smooth to glide,

Was totally converted to a sanguinary tide.

As a rock in the ocean with fortitude braves

Th' impetuous assault of the proud swelling waves. When with formidable efforts they beat the solid

stone

Which repels the angry surges in white lashing foam. Thus the hardy Scots intrepidly their num’rous foes

repell'd

On right and left with total rout their boasted courage

quell'd.

Thus Edward in the centure saw, and grieved at the

fight,

To find no other safety left but in a fpeedy flight.