Scotland/Scots > Life of Sir William Wallace, Knight of Ellerslie, and Guardian of Scotland

48
LIFE OF
with his friend at Paris, and returned with him
to Scotland, as we hear nothing of him previous
to the rencounter with Fenwick. It is very pro¬
bable that it was on this occasion John Blair was
installed in the office of chaplain; and it is
likely that he got this preference from the cir¬
cumstance of the other being already provided
for: as they both appear, from their learning
and patriotism, to have been equally deserving
of the affection and confidence of their country¬
men.
Having given the foregoing brief notices of
such of the companions of Wallace as are said to
have been present at this engagement, the curious
reader will not be displeased if we conclude this
chapter with the following description of the
dress and armour in which our hero appeared
on that memorable day. It is from Henry, the
minstrel, and is given with a minuteness which
induces a belief that it is a literal, translation from
the work above-mentioned; more particularly
as Henry professes to have drawn his informa¬
tion from that authentic source:—
“ A habergione vndyr his goune he war,
A steyle caplyne in his bonet but mar;
His glowis of plate in cloith were couerit weell.
In his doublet a closs coler of steyle,
His face he kepet, for it was ever-bare.
With his twa handis, thequhilk full worth! war.**