|
THESE preliminaries of
lasting friendship being arranged, and sworn to by Philip; Wallace
despatched a messenger to Scotland, to Lord Ruthven at Hunting-tower,
informing him of the present happy dispositions with regard to Scotland.
He made particular inquiries respecting the state of the, public mind; and
declared his intentions, not to introduce Bruce amongst the cabals of his
cbieftains, until he knew exactly how they were all disposed. Some weeks
passed before a reply to this letter arrived. During the time, the health
of Helen, which had been much impaired by the sufferings inflicted on her
by De Valence, gradually recovered; and her beauty became as much the
admiration of the French nobles, as her meek dignity was of their respect.
A new scene of royalty presented itself in this gay court, to Wallace; for
all was pageant, and chivalric gallantry; but it had no other effect on
him, than that of exciting those benevolent affections, which rejoiced in
the innocent gaieties of his fellow-beings. His gravity was not that of a
cynic. Though hilarity never awakened his mind to buoyant mirth, yet he
loved to see it in others, and gently smiled when others laughed.
With a natural superiority,
which looked over these court pastimes, to objects of greater moment,
Bruce merely endured them; but it was with an urbanity congenial with his
friend’s: and while the Princes of France were treading the giddy mazes
of the dance, or tilting at each other in the mimic war of the tournament;
the Prince of Scotland, who excelled in all these exercises, left the
field of gallantry undisputed; and moved an uninterested spectator in the
splendid scene, talking with Wallace, or with Helen, on events which yet
lay in fate; and whose theatre would be the field of his native land. So
accustomed had the friends now been to share their thoughts with Lady
Helen, that they imparted to her their plans; and listened with pleasure
to her timid, yet judicious remarks. Her soul was inspired with the same
zeal for Scotland, which animated their own breasts: like Bruce’s it was
ardent; but like Wallace’s, it was tempered with a moderation which,
giving her foresight, freed her opinion from the hazard of rashness. What
he possessed by the suggestions of genius, or had acquired by experience,
she learnt from love. It taught her to be careful for the safety of
Wallace; and while she saw that his life must often be put in peril for
Scotland, her watchful spirit, with an eagle’s ken, per ceived,
and gave warning, where his exposure might incur danger without adequate
advantage.
The winds, of this season
of the year being violent, and often adverse, Wallace’s messenger did
not arrive at his destined port in Scotland, till the middle of November;
and the January of 1299 had commenced, before his returning barque entered
the mouth of the Seine.
Wallace was alone, when
Grimsby, opening the door, announced Sir Edwin Ruthven. In a moment the
friends were locked in each other’s arms. Edwin, straining Wallace to
his heart, reproached him in affectionate terms, for having left him
behind; but while he spoke, joy shone through the tears which hung on his
eyelids, and with the smiles of fraternal love, again and again he kissed
his friend’s hands and pressed it to his bosom. Wallace answered his
glad emotions with similar demonstrations of affection; and when the
agitations of their meeting were subdued, he learnt from Edwin, that he
had left the messenger at some distance on the road; so impatient was he
to embrace his friend again, and to congratulate his dear cousin on her
escape.
Edwin answered the anxious
inquiries of Wallace, respecting his country, by informing him that
Badenoch, having arrogated to himself the, supreme power in Scotland, had
determined to take every advantage of the last victory gained over King
Edward. In this resolution he was supported by the Lords Athol, Buchan,
and Soulis; who were returned, full of indignation, from the court of
Durham. Edward removed to London: and Badenoch, soon hearing that he was
preparing other armies for the subjugation of Scotland, sent ambassadors
to the Vatican to solicit the Pope’s interference. Flattered by this
appeal, Boniface wrote a letter to Edward, exhorting him to refrain from
further oppressing a country, over which he had
no lawful power. Edward’s answer was full of artifice and falsehood;
maintaining his pretensions to Scotland, by the abandonment of every good
principle; and declaring his determination to consolidate Great Britain
into one kingdom, or to make the northern part one universal grave. [Both
these curious letters are extant in Holingshed.] Wallace sighed as he
listened. "Ah! my dear Edwin," said he, "how just is the
observation, that the almost total neglect of truth and justice, which the
generality of statesmen discover in their transactions with each other, is
as unaccountable to reason, as it is dishonourable and ruinous! It is one
source of the misery of the human race; a misery in which millions are
involved, without any compensation; for it seldom happens that this
dishonesty contributes ultimately even to the interests of the princes,
who thus basely sacrifice their integrity to their ambition. But proceed,
my friend."
"The speedy
consequence of this correspondence," Edwin continued, "was a
renewal of hostilities against Scotland. Badenoch took Sir Simon Fraser as
his colleague in military duty; and a stout resistance for a little while
was made on the borders: but Berwick soon became the prey of Lord Percy,
and the brave Lord Dundaff was killed, defending the citadel. Many other
places fell; and battles were fought, in which the English were everywhere
victorious: for;" added Edwin, "none of your generals would draw
a sword under the command of Badenoch; and, alarmed at these disasters,
the Bishop of Dunkeld is gone to Rome, to entreat the Pope to order your
return. The Southrons are advancing into Scotland in every direction. They
have landed again on the eastern coast: they have possessed themselves of
all the border counties; and without your heaven-anointed arm to avert the
blow, our country must be irretrievably lost.
Edwin had brought letters
from Ruthven, and the young Earl of Bothwell; which more particularly
narrated these ruinous events, to enforce every argument to Wallace, for
his return. They gave it as their opinion, however, that he must revisit
Scotland under an assumed name. Did he come openly, the jealousy of the
Scottish lords would be re-awakened; and the worst of them might put a
finishing stroke to their country, by taking him off by assassination or
poison. Ruthven and Bothwell, therefore entreated, that, as it was his
wisdom, as well as his valour, their country required, he would hasten to
Scotland; and condescend to serve her unrecognised, till Bruce should be
established on the throne.
While Edwin was conducted
to the apartments of Lady Helen, Wallace took these letters to his Prince.
On Bruce being informed of the circumstances in which his country lay, and
of the wishes of its most virtuous chiefs for his accession to the crown,
he assented to the prudence of their advice with regard to Wallace.
"But;" added he, "our fortunes must be in every respect, as
far as we can mould them, the same. While you are to serve Scotland under
a cloud, so will I. At the moment Bruce is proclaimed King of Scotland,
Wallace shall be declared its bravest friend. We will go together; as
brothers if you will !" continued he; "I am already considered
by the French nobility, as Thomas de Longueville; you may personate the
Red Reaver :—Scotland does not yet know that he was slain: and the
reputation of his valour, and a certain nobleness in his wild warfare,
having placed him, in the estimation of our shores, rather in the light of
one of their own Island Sea-kings, than in that of his real character— a
gallant, though fierce pirate,—the aid of his name would bring no evil
odour to our joint appearance. But were you to wear the title you bear
here, a quarrel might ensue between Philip and Edward; which I perceive
the former is not willing should occur openly. Edward must deem it a
breach of their amity, did his brother-in-law permit a French prince to
appear in arms against him in Scotland. But the Reaver being considered in
England as outlawed by France, no surprise can be excited, that he and his
brother should fight against Philip’s ally. We will then assume their
characters; and I shall have the satisfaction of serving for Scotland,
before I claim her as my own. When we again drive Edward over the borders,
on that day we will throw off our visors, and Sir William Wallace shall
place the crown on my head."
Wallace could not but
approve the dignity of mind, which these sentiments displayed. In the same
situation, they would have been his own; and he sought not, from any
motive of policy, to dissuade Bruce from a delicacy of conduct, which drew
him closer to his heart. Sympathy of tastes is a pleasing attraction; but
congeniality of principles is the cement of souls. This Wallace felt in
his new-born friendship with Bruce; and though his regard for him, had
none of that fostering tenderness with which he loved to contemplate the
blooming virtues of the youthful Edwin, yet it breathed every endearment
arising from a perfect equality in heart and mind. It was the true
fraternal tie; and while he talked with him on the fulfilment of their
enterprise, he inwardly thanked Heaven for blessing him so abundantly. He
had found a son in Edwin; a brother, and a tender sister, in the noble
Bruce, and lovely Helen.
Bruce received Edwin with a
welcome, which convinced the before anxious youth that he met a friend,
rather than a rival, in the heart of Wallace. And every preliminary being
settled by the three friends, respecting their immediate return to
Scotland, they repaired to Philip, to inform him of Lord Ruthven’s
despatches, and their consequent resolutions.
The King liked all they
said, excepting their request to be permitted to take an early leave of
his court. He urged them to wait the return of a second ambassador he had
sent to England. Immediately on Wallace’s arrival, Philip had despatched
a request to the English King, that he would grant the Scots the peace
which was their right. Not receiving any answer, he sent another messenger
with a more categorical demand. The persevered hostilities of Edward
against Scotland explained the delay. But the King yet hoped for a
favourable reply; and made such entreaties to Bruce and his friend to
remain in Paris till it should arrive, that they at last granted a
reluctant consent.
At the end of a week, the
ambassador returned, with a conciliatory letter to Philip; but, affirming
Edward’s right to Scotland, declared his determination never to lay down
his arms, till he had again brought the whole realm under his sceptre.
Wallace and his royal
friend now saw no reason for lingering in France. And having visited the
young De Longueville at Chartres, they apprised him of their intention to
still further borrow his name. "We will not disgrace it," cried
Bruce; "I promise to return it to you, a theme for your country’s
minstrels." [The old poem of Barbour’s Bruce, is full of the
gallant name of Thomas de Lougueville, as a trusty partisan of the patriot
cause in Scotland.] When the friends rose to depart, the brave and
youthful penitent grasped their hands—"You go, valiant Scots, to
cover with a double glory, in the field of honour, a name which my unhappy
brother Guy dyed deep in his own country’s blood! The tears I weep
before this cross, for him and my transgressions, have obtained me mercy;
and your design, is an earnest to me from Him who hung on this sacred
tree, that my brother also is forgiven."
At an early hour next day,
Wallace and Bruce took leave of the French King. The Queen kissed Helen
affectionately, and whispered, while she tied a jewelled collar round her
neck, that when she returned, she hoped to add to it the coronet of
Gascony. Helen’s only reply was a sigh, and her eye turned unconscionaly
on Wallace. He was clad in a plain chain suit of black armour, with a red
plume in his helmet; the ensign of the Reaver, whose name he had assumed.
All of his former habit that he now wore about him, was the sword which he
had taken from Edward. At the moment Helen looked towards Wallace, Prince
Louis was placing a cross-hilted dagger in his girdle. "My
deliverer," said he, "wear this for the sake of the descendant
of St. Louis. It accompanied that holy King through all his wars in
Palestine. It twice saved him from the assassin’s steel; and I pray
Heaven it may prove as faithful to you." [The
author was shown the dagger of Wallace by a friend. It was of very strong
but simple workmanship; and could be used as a knife, as well as a weapon.]
Soon after this, Douglas
and Cummin entered, to pay their parting respects to the King; and that
over, Wallace taking Helen by the hand, led her forth, followed by Bruce
and his friends.
At Havre they embarked for the frith
of Tay; and a favourable gale driving them through the straits of Calais,
they launched out into the wide ocean.
|
