Page:Prophecies of Thomas Rymer (2).pdf/19

 This victory gave now spirits to the whole army, and made them so eager for the general engagement, that the night, though among the shortest of the year, seemed long to them. Edward too, exasperated at the defeat of his detachment, was determined to bring on the battle on the morrow. 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 ardour of the Scots: a solemn mass, in the manner of these times, was said by the Abbot of Inchaffery, a monastry in Strathearn, 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 track of ground called Nether Touchadam, which lies along the declivity of a gentle rising hill: This situation had been previously chosen, because of its advantages. Upon the right they had a range of steep rocks, now called Murray's Craig, and in their front were steep banks of the rivulet of Bannockburn. Not far behind them was a wood, some vestiges of which still remain. Upon the left was a morass, now