Or yet the arrow from the bow,
Sae our Scots lads fell even down,
And they lay slain1 on every knowe.
Old Ballad2.
Ere Morton or Burley had reached the post to be defended, the enemy had commenced an attack upon it with great spirit. The two regiments3 of Foot-Guards, formed into a close column, rushed forward to the river; one corps4, deploying5 along the right bank, commenced a galling6 fire on the defenders7 of the pass, while the other pressed on to occupy the bridge. The insurgents8 sustained the attack with great constancy and courage; and while part of their number returned the fire across the river, the rest maintained a discharge of musketry upon the further end of the bridge itself, and every avenue by which the soldiers endeavoured to approach it. The latter suffered severely9, but still gained ground, and the head of their column was already upon the bridge, when the arrival of Morton changed the scene; and his marksmen, commencing upon the pass a fire as well aimed as it was sustained and regular, compelled the assailants to retire with much loss. They were a second time brought up to the charge, and a second time repulsed10 with still greater loss, as Burley had now brought his party into action. The fire was continued with the utmost vehemence11 on both sides, and the issue of the action seemed very dubious12.
Monmouth, mounted on a superb white charger, might be discovered on the top of the right bank of the river, urging, entreating13, and animating14 the exertions15 of his soldiers. By his orders, the cannon16, which had hitherto been employed in annoying the distant main body of the presbyterians, were now turned upon the defenders of the bridge. But these tremendous engines, being wrought17 much more slowly than in modern times, did not produce the effect of annoying or terrifying the enemy to the extent proposed. The insurgents, sheltered by copsewood along the bank of the river, or stationed in the houses already mentioned, fought under cover, while the royalists, owing to the precautions of Morton, were entirely18 exposed. The defence was so protracted19 and obstinate20, that the royal generals began to fear it might be ultimately successful. While Monmouth threw himself from his horse, and, rallying the Foot-Guards, brought them on to another close and desperate attack, he was warmly seconded by Dalzell, who, putting himself at the head of a body of Lennox-Highlanders, rushed forward with their tremendous war-cry of Loch-sloy. 30
The ammunition21 of the defenders of the bridge began to fail at this important crisis; messages, commanding and imploring23 succours and supplies, were in vain dispatched, one after the other, to the main body of the presbyterian army, which remained inactively drawn24 up on the open fields in the rear. Fear, consternation25, and misrule, had gone abroad among them, and while the post on which their safety depended required to be instantly and powerfully reinforced, there remained none either to command or to obey.
As the fire of the defenders of the bridge began to slacken, that of the assailants increased, and in its turn became more fatal. Animated26 by the example and exhortations27 of their generals, they obtained a footing upon the bridge itself, and began to remove the obstacles by which it was blockaded. The portal-gate was broke open, the beams, trunks of trees, and other materials of the barricade28, pulled down and thrown into the river. This was not accomplished29 without opposition30. Morton and Burley fought in the very front of their followers31, and encouraged them with their pikes, halberds, and partisans32, to encounter the bayonets of the Guards, and the broadswords of the Highlanders. But those behind the leaders began to shrink from the unequal combat, and fly singly, or in parties of two or three, towards the main body, until the remainder were, by the mere33 weight of the hostile column as much as by their weapons, fairly forced from the bridge. The passage being now open, the enemy began to pour over. But the bridge was long and narrow, which rendered the manoeuvre34 slow as well as dangerous; and those who first passed had still to force the houses, from the windows of which the Covenanters continued to fire. Burley and Morton were near each other at this critical moment.
“There is yet time,” said the former, “to bring down horse to attack them, ere they can get into order; and, with the aid of God, we may thus regain35 the bridge — hasten thou to bring them down, while I make the defence good with this old and wearied body.”
Morton saw the importance of the advice, and, throwing himself on the horse which cuddie held in readiness for him behind the thicket36, galloped37 towards a body of cavalry38 which chanced to be composed entirely of Cameronians. Ere he could speak his errand, or utter his orders, he was saluted39 by the execrations of the whole body.
“He flies!” they exclaimed —“the cowardly traitor40 flies like a hart from the hunters, and hath left valiant41 Burley in the midst of the slaughter42!”
“I do not fly,” said Morton. “I come to lead you to the attack. Advance boldly, and we shall yet do well.”
“Follow him not! — Follow him not!”— such were the tumultuous exclamations43 which resounded44 from the ranks; —“he hath sold you to the sword of the enemy!”
And while Morton argued, entreated45, and commanded in vain, the moment was lost in which the advance might have been useful; and the outlet46 from the bridge, with all its defences, being in complete possession of the enemy, Burley and his remaining followers were driven back upon the main body, to whom the spectacle of their hurried and harassed47 retreat was far from restoring the confidence which they so much wanted.
In the meanwhile, the forces of the King crossed the bridge at their leisure, and, securing the pass, formed in line of battle; while Claverhouse, who, like a hawk48 perched on a rock, and eyeing the time to pounce49 on its prey50, had watched the event of the action from the opposite bank, now passed the bridge at the head of his cavalry, at full trot51, and, leading them in squadrons through the intervals52 and round the flanks of the royal infantry53, formed them in line on the moor54, and led them to the charge, advancing in front with one large body, while other two divisions threatened the flanks of the Covenanters. Their devoted55 army was now in that situation when the slightest demonstration56 towards an attack was certain to inspire panic. Their broken spirits and disheartened courage were unable to endure the charge of the cavalry, attended with all its terrible accompaniments of sight and sound; — the rush of the horses at full speed, the shaking of the earth under their feet, the glancing of the swords, the waving of the plumes57, and the fierce shouts of the cavaliers. The front ranks hardly attempted one ill-directed and disorderly fire, and their rear were broken and flying in confusion ere the charge had been completed; and in less than five minutes the horsemen were mixed with them, cutting and hewing58 without mercy. The voice of Claverhouse was heard, even above the din22 of conflict, exclaiming to his soldiers —“Kill, kill — no quarter — think on Richard Grahame!” The dragoons, many of whom had shared the disgrace of Loudon-hill, required no exhortations to vengeance59 as easy as it was complete. Their swords drank deep of slaughter among the unresisting fugitives60. Screams for quarter were only answered by the shouts with which the pursuers accompanied their blows, and the whole field presented one general scene of confused slaughter, flight, and pursuit.
About twelve hundred of the insurgents who remained in a body a little apart from the rest, and out of the line of the charge of cavalry, threw down their arms and surrendered at discretion62, upon the approach of the Duke of Monmouth at the head of the infantry. That mild-tempered nobleman instantly allowed them the quarter which they prayed for; and, galloping63 about through the field, exerted himself as much to stop the slaughter as he had done to obtain the victory. While busied in this humane64 task he met with General Dalzell, who was encouraging the fierce Highlanders and royal volunteers to show their zeal65 for King and country, by quenching66 the flame of the rebellion with the blood of the rebels.
“Sheathe your sword, I command you, General!” exclaimed the Duke, “and sound the retreat. Enough of blood has been shed; give quarter to the King’s misguided subjects.”
“I obey your Grace,” said the old man, wiping his bloody67 sword and returning it to the scabbard; “but I warn you, at the same time, that enough has not been done to intimidate68 these desperate rebels. Has not your Grace heard that Basil Olifant has collected several gentlemen and men of substance in the west, and is in the act of marching to join them?”
“Basil Olifant?” said the Duke; “who, or what is he?”
“The next male heir to the last Earl of Torwood. He is disaffected69 to government from his claim to the estate being set aside in favour of Lady Margaret Bellenden; and I suppose the hope of getting the inheritance has set him in motion.”
“Be his motives70 what they will,” replied Monmouth, “he must soon disperse71 his followers, for this army is too much broken to rally again. Therefore, once more, I command that the pursuit be stopped.”
“It is your Grace’s province to command, and to be responsible for your commands,” answered Dalzell, as he gave reluctant orders for checking the pursuit.
But the fiery72 and vindictive73 Grahame was already far out of hearing of the signal of retreat, and continued with his cavalry an unwearied and bloody pursuit, breaking, dispersing74, and cutting to pieces all the insurgents whom they could come up with.
Burley and Morton were both hurried off the field by the confused tide of fugitives. They made some attempt to defend the streets of the town of Hamilton; but, while labouring to induce the fliers to face about and stand to their weapons. Burley received a bullet which broke his sword-arm.
“May the hand be withered75 that shot the shot!” he exclaimed, as the sword which he was waving over his head fell powerless to his side. “I can fight no longer.” 31
Then turning his horse’s head, he retreated out of the confusion. Morton also now saw that the continuing his unavailing efforts to rally the fliers could only end in his own death or captivity76, and, followed by the faithful Cuddie, he extricated77 himself from the press, and, being well mounted, leaped his horse over one or two enclosures, and got into the open country.
From the first hill which they gained in their flight, they looked back, and beheld78 the whole country covered with their fugitive61 companions, and with the pursuing dragoons, whose wild shouts and halloo, as they did execution on the groups whom they overtook, mingled79 with the groans80 and screams of their victims, rose shrilly81 up the hill.
“It is impossible they can ever make head again,” said Morton.
“The head’s taen aff them, as clean as I wad bite it aff a sybo!” rejoined Cuddie. “Eh, Lord! see how the broadswords are flashing! war’s a fearsome thing. They’ll be cunning that catches me at this wark again. — But, for God’s sake, sir, let us mak for some strength!”
Morton saw the necessity of following the advice of his trusty squire82. They resumed a rapid pace, and continued it without intermission, directing their course towards the wild and mountainous country, where they thought it likely some part of the fugitives might draw together, for the sake either of making defence, or of obtaining terms.
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1
slain
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| 杀死，宰杀，杀戮( slay的过去分词 )； (slay的过去分词) | |
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2
ballad
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| n.歌谣，民谣，流行爱情歌曲 | |
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regiments
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| （军队的）团( regiment的名词复数 )； 大量的人或物 | |
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corps
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| n.(通信等兵种的)部队；(同类作的)一组 | |
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5
deploying
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| （尤指军事行动）使展开( deploy的现在分词 )； 施展； 部署； 有效地利用 | |
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galling
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| adj.难堪的,使烦恼的,使焦躁的 | |
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7
defenders
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| n.防御者( defender的名词复数 )；守卫者；保护者；辩护者 | |
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insurgents
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| n.起义，暴动，造反( insurgent的名词复数 ) | |
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9
severely
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| adv.严格地；严厉地；非常恶劣地 | |
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10
repulsed
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| v.击退( repulse的过去式和过去分词 )；驳斥；拒绝 | |
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vehemence
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| n.热切；激烈；愤怒 | |
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12
dubious
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| adj.怀疑的，无把握的；有问题的，靠不住的 | |
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13
entreating
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的现在分词 ) | |
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14
animating
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| v.使有生气( animate的现在分词 )；驱动；使栩栩如生地动作；赋予…以生命 | |
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15
exertions
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| n.努力( exertion的名词复数 )；费力；（能力、权力等的）运用；行使 | |
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16
cannon
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| n.大炮，火炮；飞机上的机关炮 | |
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17
wrought
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| v.引起；以…原料制作；运转；adj.制造的 | |
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18
entirely
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| ad.全部地，完整地；完全地，彻底地 | |
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19
protracted
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| adj.拖延的；延长的v.拖延“protract”的过去式和过去分词 | |
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20
obstinate
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| adj.顽固的，倔强的，不易屈服的，较难治愈的 | |
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21
ammunition
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| n.军火，弹药 | |
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22
din
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| n.喧闹声，嘈杂声 | |
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23
imploring
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| 恳求的，哀求的 | |
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24
drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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25
consternation
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| n.大为吃惊，惊骇 | |
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26
animated
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| adj.生气勃勃的，活跃的，愉快的 | |
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27
exhortations
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| n.敦促( exhortation的名词复数 )；极力推荐；（正式的）演讲；（宗教仪式中的）劝诫 | |
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28
barricade
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| n.路障，栅栏，障碍；vt.设路障挡住 | |
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29
accomplished
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| adj.有才艺的；有造诣的；达到了的 | |
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30
opposition
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| n.反对，敌对 | |
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31
followers
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| 追随者( follower的名词复数 )； 用户； 契据的附面； 从动件 | |
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32
partisans
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| 游击队员( partisan的名词复数 )； 党人； 党羽； 帮伙 | |
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33
mere
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| adj.纯粹的；仅仅，只不过 | |
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34
manoeuvre
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| n.策略，调动；v.用策略，调动 | |
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35
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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36
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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37
galloped
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| （使马）飞奔，奔驰( gallop的过去式和过去分词 )； 快速做[说]某事 | |
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38
cavalry
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| n.骑兵；轻装甲部队 | |
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39
saluted
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| v.欢迎，致敬( salute的过去式和过去分词 )；赞扬，赞颂 | |
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40
traitor
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| n.叛徒，卖国贼 | |
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41
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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42
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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43
exclamations
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| n.呼喊( exclamation的名词复数 )；感叹；感叹语；感叹词 | |
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44
resounded
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| v.（指声音等）回荡于某处( resound的过去式和过去分词 )；产生回响；（指某处）回荡着声音 | |
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45
entreated
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| 恳求，乞求( entreat的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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46
outlet
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| n.出口/路；销路；批发商店；通风口；发泄 | |
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47
harassed
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| adj. 疲倦的，厌烦的 动词harass的过去式和过去分词 | |
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48
hawk
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| n.鹰，骗子；鹰派成员 | |
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49
pounce
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| n.猛扑；v.猛扑，突然袭击，欣然同意 | |
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50
prey
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| n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨 | |
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51
trot
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| n.疾走，慢跑；n.老太婆；现成译本；(复数）trots:腹泻（与the 连用）；v.小跑，快步走，赶紧 | |
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52
intervals
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| n.[军事]间隔( interval的名词复数 )；间隔时间；[数学]区间；（戏剧、电影或音乐会的）幕间休息 | |
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53
infantry
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| n.[总称]步兵(部队) | |
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54
moor
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| n.荒野，沼泽；vt.(使)停泊；vi.停泊 | |
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55
devoted
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| adj.忠诚的，忠实的，热心的，献身于...的 | |
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56
demonstration
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| n.表明，示范，论证，示威 | |
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57
plumes
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| 羽毛( plume的名词复数 )； 羽毛饰； 羽毛状物； 升上空中的羽状物 | |
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58
hewing
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| v.（用斧、刀等）砍、劈( hew的现在分词 )；砍成；劈出；开辟 | |
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59
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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60
fugitives
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| n.亡命者，逃命者( fugitive的名词复数 ) | |
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61
fugitive
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| adj.逃亡的，易逝的；n.逃犯，逃亡者 | |
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62
discretion
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| n.谨慎；随意处理 | |
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63
galloping
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| adj. 飞驰的, 急性的 动词gallop的现在分词形式 | |
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64
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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65
zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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66
quenching
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| 淬火，熄 | |
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67
bloody
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| adj.非常的的；流血的；残忍的；adv.很；vt.血染 | |
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intimidate
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| vt.恐吓，威胁 | |
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69
disaffected
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| adj.（政治上）不满的，叛离的 | |
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70
motives
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| n.动机，目的( motive的名词复数 ) | |
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71
disperse
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| vi.使分散；使消失；vt.分散；驱散 | |
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72
fiery
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| adj.燃烧着的，火红的；暴躁的；激烈的 | |
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73
vindictive
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| adj.有报仇心的，怀恨的，惩罚的 | |
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74
dispersing
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| adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式 | |
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75
withered
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| adj. 枯萎的，干瘪的，（人身体的部分器官）因病萎缩的或未发育良好的 动词wither的过去式和过去分词形式 | |
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76
captivity
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| n.囚禁；被俘；束缚 | |
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77
extricated
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| v.使摆脱困难，脱身( extricate的过去式和过去分词 ) | |
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78
beheld
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| v.看，注视( behold的过去式和过去分词 )；瞧；看呀；（叙述中用于引出某人意外的出现）哎哟 | |
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79
mingled
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| 混合，混入( mingle的过去式和过去分词 )； 混进，与…交往[联系] | |
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80
groans
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| n.呻吟，叹息( groan的名词复数 )；呻吟般的声音v.呻吟( groan的第三人称单数 )；发牢骚；抱怨；受苦 | |
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81
shrilly
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| 尖声的； 光亮的，耀眼的 | |
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squire
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| n.护卫, 侍从, 乡绅 | |
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