Wyseby

OF THE FIRST IRVINGS. 7
of death is upon him. On a green knoll he halts ; —
he strikes the armed staff deep into the earth, and
there, 'neath the folds of the standard of his king, his
brave spirit fled. On the morrow the hero and the
banner were found. That banner, borne by a son of
that warrior, was on the field of Bannockburn."
" In good sooth it was," cried the Bruce ; " in the
van of the army it floated, a star of victory. Say
thy boon, brave youth, and, by our kingly word, be
it in reason, it is thine."
'' Three roods of land, my liege, where my father
died, with leave to build a castle thereon, that my
sovereign's foes, and the murderers of my father,
may learn to fear his son."
" A modest request," said the king, " and ill pro-
portioned to thy merit. Be it thine till our royal
bounty find fitting opportunity to remember thy fa-
ther's memory and thy bravery." Right gracefully
bowed the youth, and withdrew from the court.
These, my child, are the lands, the gift of King
Robert, and that grey ruin was the castle the gal-
lant youth built thereon. Of that castle I will tell
thee a tale,