ROBERT BRUCE. DUNFE11ML1NE ABBEY. 145 



vestige of it now remained, and no investigation took place to solve the doubt. 

 At length, in making preparations for the foundation of a new church in 1818, 

 the workmen, on digging under the ruins of the ancient choir, came to a sub- 

 structure of cemented stone, which was evidently the tomb of some person of 

 distinction. Curiosity was thus excited, the workmen proceeded, and on 

 opening the vault, found in it the decayed fragments of a coffin, in the midst of 

 which lay a skeleton wrapt in lead. This was unrolled, and around the head 

 was found a circlet of lead placed in form of a crown. Closer examination 

 showed that the body had been originally shrouded in cloth of gold, from the 

 shreds of that material which still remained. These circumstances excited the 

 greatest attention, particularly as the grave was immediately in front of the 

 high altar, and rendered it probable that such was the last resting-place of the 

 immortal Bruce. The truth of this was soon confirmed by the discovery of a 

 small coffin-plate among the rubbish, bearing these three words ROBERTUS. 

 SCOTORUM. REX. Having obtained this conclusive evidence, the tomb was shut 

 up, and notice sent to the Barons of Exchequer. A day being then fixed for 

 the imposing ceremony, the tomb was re-opened in their presence, and in that of a 

 great many persons of rank, as well as of literary and scientific distinction; when 

 the royal skeleton was examined, measured, and drawings and casts taken 

 of it. The breast bone, in corroboration of history, was found to have been 

 sawn asunder an operation necessary for taking out the heart, which the good 

 Lord James of Douglas was to convey to the Holy Land.* It was now ascer- 



" When Bruce found his end drew nigh, that great king summoned his barons and peers around him, 

 and affectionately recommended his son to their care ; then, singling out the good Lord James of Douglas, 

 fondly entreated him, as his old friend and companion in arms, to cause the heart to be taken from his body 

 after death, conjuring him to take the charge of transporting it to the Holy Land, in redemption of a vow 

 which he had made to go in person thither when he was disentangled from the cares brought on him by 

 the English wars. " Now the hour is come," he said, " I cannot avail myself of the opportunity, but 

 must send my heart thither in place of my body ; and a better knight than thou, my dear and tried friend 

 and comrade, to execute such a commission, the world holds not." All who were present wept bitterly 

 round his bed, while the king, almost with his dying words, bequeathed this melancholy task to his best 

 beloved follower and champion. On the 7th of June, 1329, died Robert Bruce, at the almost premature 

 age of fifty-five. With the precious heart under his charge the good Lord James accordingly set out for 

 Palestine, with a gallant retinue, and observing great state. He landed at Seville in his voyage, and 

 learning that King Alphonso was at war with the Moors, his zeal to encounter the infidels induced him 

 to offer his services, which were honourably and thankfully accepted. But having involved himself too 

 far in pursuit of the retreating enemy, Douglas was surrounded by numbers of the infidels, where there 

 were not ten of his own suite left around his person ; yet he might have retreated in safety, had he not 

 charged with the intention of rescuing Sir William Sinclair, whom he saw home down by a multitude. But 

 the good knight failed in his generous purpose, and was slain by the superior number of the Moors. . . . 

 The relics of his train brought back the heart of the BRUCE, with the body of his faithful follower, to their 

 native country. The heart of the king was deposited in Melrose Abbey, and the corpse of Douglas was 

 laid in the tomb of his ancestors, in the church of the same name. Sir Waller Scott. Hist. Scot. 



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