Ayrshire > Volume 1

62 HISTORY OF AYRSHIRE
before their eyes." Forgetting the weakness of the
measure in appreciation of the motive, let us as far as
possible leave Hamilton to interpret for us some of the
incidents with which the career of Wallace was identified
in Ayrshire. Thus, then, to begin with, is " How Wallace
fish'd in Irvine Water ": —
Dreading no harm nor danger from his foes,
Wallace a fishing for diversion goes,
To try what sport and pastime he might get ;
None with him but a boy to bear his net.
Lucky he was, fished most successfully,
Till the Lord Percy and his Court rode by ;
Which did confuse and much perplex his mind
Because he had forgot his sword behind.
Five of that trooping train in garments green,
Mounted on horseback, having Wallace seen,
To him advanced, and blustering language gave,
Then damn'd and swore, " Zounds, Scot, thy fish we'll have."
With modest grace good Wallace did reply,
" I'll share the half with you most cheerfully."
One of them answered, " That would be too small,"
Then lighted down and from the boy took all,
Which in his knapsack speedily he puts,
The mickle sorrow be in's greedy guts !
Then Wallace said, " I'm sure in modesty,
You'll leave us some if gentlemen you be.
An aged Knight that lives in yonder house,
Let him have some — pray be so generous."
The clown, he boasting, said not one word more,
But this, " The river has enough in store,
We serve a lord shall dine on them ere long."
Then Wallace, fretting, said " Thou'rt in the wrong."
" Whom thou's thou here ? Faith, thou deserv'st a blow,
Poor prating Scot, how darest thou talk so ?"
Then at him runs, and out his sword does draw,
But Wallace poult-staff kept the rogue in awe.
That trusty tree, as the poor scoundrel found,
Laid him and sword both quickly on the ground.
Wallace the sword caught fast into his hand,
Which did the saucy fellow soon command.
Then a back stroke so cleverly he gave,
His neck in two most cleanly there he clave.
The other four, alighting from their horse,
Do him attack with all their strength and force ;
Yet though they him surround on every side
With hardy blows he paid them back and side.