Scottish Text Society publications > Old series > Actis and deidis of the illustere and vailzeand campioun, Schir William Wallace, Knicht of Ellerslie

THE FYFT BUIK.
75
In Gyllisland thar was that brachell brede, 25
Sekyr off sent to folow thaim at flede.
So was scho vsyt on Esk and on Ledaill;
Quhill scho gat blude no fleyng mycht awaill.
Than said thai all, Wallace mycht nocht away,
He suld be tharis for ocht at he do may. 30
The ost thai delt in diners part that tyde.
Schyr Garrat Herroun in the staill can abide;
Schyr Jhon Butler the range he tuk him till,
With thre hundre quhilk war of hardy will;
In to the woode apon Wallace thai jjeid. 35
The worthi Scottis that wer in mekill dreid,
Socht till a place for till haiff yschet out,
And saw the staill enwerounyt thaim about.
Agayne thai went with hydwys strakis strang,
Gret noyis and dyne was rayssit thaim amang. 40
Thar cruell deide rycht merwalus to ken,
Quhen xl macht agayne thre hundyr men.
Wallace so weill apon him tuk that tide,
Throw the gret preys he maid a way full wide;
Helpand the Scottis with his der worthi hand: 45
Fell faymen he left fey vpon the land.
3het Wallas lost xv in to that steid;
And xl men of Sothroun part war dede.
The Butleris folk so fruschit was in deid,
The hardy Scottis to the strenthis throw thaim jeide. 50
On to Tay side thai hastyt thaim full fast,
In will thai war the wattir till haiff past.
Haiff couth nocht swym that than with Wallas was;
And he wald nocht leiff ane, and fra thaim pass.
Bettir him thocht in perell for to be 55
Wpon the land, than willfully to se
His men to droun, quhar reskew mycht be nayne.
25. Gilderland . . . bratchel. 41. deith.
27. and Liddisdaill. 42. matchit aganis.
28. had blude. 48. thair war deid.
31* fhay left. 50. yai 2eid.
39. hiddeous.