ni SCOTLAND ILLUSTRATED. 



that this scene had occupied filled the spectators on both sides, particularly 

 the Scotch, with agonizing suspense. But when the deed was done, and his 

 nobles earnestly remonstrated with him on the hazard to which he had exposed 

 his own person and the prosperity of Scotland, Bruce, making no attempt to 

 justify or extenuate the fact, only looked thoughtfully at his weapon, and replied, 

 — " That blow has broken my good battle-axe !" 



On the following morning, the 24th of June, Edward, putting his vast army 

 into motion, advanced to the attack with a personal guard of four hundred men at 

 arms. Immediately around him was the flower of English chivalry — all veterans, 

 and men of tried valour and experience. As the Scottish king and his patriotic 

 adherents saw the imposing array of the enemy's columns rolling towards them 

 like a succession of multitudinous waves, they invoked the God of battles to 

 grant them fortitude in the contest equal to the justice of their cause. The 

 abbot of Inchafiray was seen walking along the Scottish line, and the soldiers 

 at his approach kneeling to receive his benediction. Edward, who kept his 

 eye earnestly fixed on the Scottish van, and observed the act of genuflexion, 

 exultingly exclaimed, " See, they kneel — they crave merely !" ..." Yes," 

 answered Sir Ingram Umfiraville — an Anglicised Scotchman, in immediate 

 attendance upon Edward — " They crave mercy, but it is from heaven, not from 

 your highness : on that field they will win or die." — Hereupon the charge was 

 sounded, and Edward hastened to prove the trutli or fallacy of Umfraville's 

 prediction. The earls of Gloucester and Hereford, with their men at arms, 

 charged the Scots on the left vidng, which was commanded by Edward Bruce ; 

 but, having advanced with more impetuosity than discretion, their charge was 

 a failure. Unable to force the deep ranks of the spearmen, their horses were 

 thrown down, and their riders left at the mercy of the enemy. 



" A thousand spears, thrust forth all pure and bright. 

 Tarnished with death's red dew, returned back ; 

 A thousand swords that waved aloft in light, 

 Falling, were dimmed with life's unseemly wrack; 

 And arrows, shot aloft with hissing flight, 

 In gore alighted from their gleamy track ; 

 And cries arose of triumph and of pain, 

 And shouts, and thrilling shrieks, of slaying and of slain." 



The Other three divisions of the Scottish army attacked the EngUsh infantry, 

 who met the charge with unflinching courage. Their archers, as at the battle of 

 Falkirk, made fearful havoc among the Scottish spearmen, till Bruce commanded 

 Sir Robert Keith, the marshal of Scotland, to put himself at the head of four 



