THE SCOTIAD - damowords

THE FURTHER TURMOIL OF THE BRUCEThe Turmoil of Robert the BruceTall in the midst of all these plotsThere rode the 'Hammer of the Scots,'Who, brandishing banners of truce,Made converse with Robert the Bruce,"Man, if today ye shall not fightI should set all thy lands aright,Thee never war & never failThe Lords of Carrick-Annandale,& if, ye, vassalage returnNo more thy villages shall burnFor if you deign to fight with usThis day must be victorious& glory pour’d all over us!Bruce, thought awhile, torment, thenRode off to Wallace & his men,& said, "How does the battle bide?""Better now ye are by ma’ side,I have a plan for your small force,Your knights shall mount oor finest horse& to the flanks silently borneThere wait the thrice-blast of this horn,& inflicting muckle murder,Drive Longshanks to Northumbria!""Aye!" said the Bruce, & took his leave,Soul-searing demons his to grieve,His mind’s storm-clouds made mighty roll,Thundring unspokens on the soul!