Page:King Robert Bruce's garland, an heroic ballad, or, A precise account of the famous battle of Bannockburn.pdf/5

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5

He called Earl Murray with speed,
who was charg’d to keep that ground.
A rose is from your chaplet fallen,
on yonder ground doth lie,
Redeem your honor now with grace;—
see how the English fly.
The earl, abash’d at this rebuke,
in rage he rode away,
Two hundred warriors, horseman all,
the bold Clifford to stay.
He got between them and the town,
Bewest from Livilands,
Where two stones as a memorial
unto this day there stands.
Now Clifford, as an art in war,
enclos'd the Scots about,
While Murray order'd back to back,
his horse were not so stout.
The king beheld from a hill-top,
and thought brave Murray gone,
Douglas implored him to risk,
but the king said, Let alone.
But yet at length he gave consent,
and e'er he got half thro’,
The English horse in scores came off,
toom saddles not a few.
Then Douglas stopt and gave a cheer,
when Murray turn’d again,
Who laid bold Clifford on the field;
with most part of his men.
But ere they reach’d the king again
the English van was come
To view the field on their south front,