The Life and Heroick Actions of the Renoun'd Sir William Wallace,
General and Governour of Scotland
by William Hamilton of Gilbertfield

Book XI, Chapter III (Continued)
How Edward King of England came into Scotland, and made whole Conquest thereof.

• Read a synopsis of this chapter in modern American English.

"It's true," said Bruce, "but tho' I Righteous be,
This is not now a proper Time for me.
At present I'm in Edward's Hands, and loath
To break with him and violate my Oath.
Yet tho' he promis'd back this Land to me,
Pray do not you and all the Nation see,
How he divides and deals my Heritage,
To South'ron some, and some for Traytors Wage.

"My Lordships," Cummine said, "I'll lay you down,
If you'll resign your Title to the Crown.
Or I shall help you with my Pow'r and Might."
But Bruce reply'd, "I will not sell my Right.
Yet tell me what's the Lordship thou doest crave,
Which for thy Help, I promise thou shall have."
"Pray, leave yon King," said Cummine craftily,
"For Edward hath all Galloway given to me.
And Soullis, my Nephew, Berwick does Command,
We both shall follow you with Heart and Hand.
My other Nephew, a great Man of Might,
The Lord of Lorn, will help you to your Right.
My Nephew Third, Barron of Brichen bold,
Shall rise with us; thus I my Tale have told."

Then said the Bruce, "It were a lucky Chance,
Could we get Wallace back again from France.
This Kingdom he redeem might yet once more,
We're too long Strangers, which I rue full sore."
This with the Cummine did not well go down,
For he himself an Eye had to the Crown.
Yet that same Night they did compleat the Band,
And seal'd the same most fairly with their Hand.
This Paper Bruce left with the Cummine there,
Then with King Edward did to England fare.
And did remain untill it was made known,
Three Years and more before he claim'd his own.

Some thinks that Cummine did disclose the Thing
Because his Wife was Cousin to the King.
But had the Bruce gone to St. Johnstoun Town,
By whole Assent he had receiv'd the Crown:
And then he might have execute the Law
'Gainst Cummine, and keep'd all such Rogues in Aw.

The ballad, The Life and Heroick Actions of the Renoun'd Sir William Wallace, General and Governour of Scotland, by William Hamilton of Gilbertfield, 1722, is in the public domain.