Page:Prophecies of Thomas Rymer (1).pdf/20

20 At length appeared the dawn of that important day, which was to decide whether Scotland was henceforth to be an independent kingdom, or subject to a foreign yoke.—Early all was in motion in both armies; religious sentiments were mingled with the military ardor of the Scots. A solemn mass was said by the Abbot of Inchaffery; who also administered the sacrament to the king, and the great officers about him, while inferior priests did the same to the rest of the army. After this they formed in order of battle, in a tract of ground called Touchadam. This situation had been previously chosen, because of its advantages. On the the right, they had a range of steep rocks, now called Murray's Crags; in their front, were the steep banks of the rivulet of Bannockburn; not far behind them, wit a word; on the left was a morass; but, as it was then the middle of summer, it was almost dry. Robert had orden a pits to be dug in this morass, and sharpened stakes to be driven into them, and the whole to be covered over again with green turf. He also scattered crow-feet throughout the