Page:Scotland's skaith, or, The history o' Will and Jean.pdf/18

 18 In a thrang o' comrades dying, Fighting foremost o' them a'; Swith, Fates wing'd ball cam fleeing, And took Willie's leg in twa. Thrice frae aff the ground he started, Thrice, to stand, he strave in vain ; Thrice, as fainting strength departed, Sigh'd—and sank, 'mang heaps o' slain.- Battle fast on battle raging, Wed our stalwart youths awa': Day by day, fresh faes engaging, Forc'd the weary back to fa'. Driv’n at last frae post to pillar, Left by friends wha ne'er prov'd true Trick'd by knaves, wha ponch'd our siller, What cou'd worn-out valour du. Myraids, dark like gathering thunder, Bursting, spread owre land and sea ; Left alane, alas nae wonder, Britain's sons were forc'd to flee. Cross the WAAL and YSSIL frozen, Deep thro' bogs and drifted snaw ; Wounded-weak--and spent, our chosen Gallant men now faint and fa'. On a cart wi' comrades bluiding, Stiff' wi' gore, and cauld as clay; Without cover, bed or bedding, Five lang nights WILL GAIRAACE lay. In a sick house, damp and narrow, (Left behint wi' hundreds mair) See Will neist, in pain and sorrow, Wasting on a bed o' care. Wounds, and pain, and burning fever. Prussian fidelity