Wallace placed his helmet on his head, and advanced toward them, just as Edwin had joined him, and Sir Roger Kirkpatrick appeared from the tower. “Blessed be this morn!” cried the old knight6. “My sword springs from its scabbard to meet it; and ere its good steel be sheathed7 again,” continued he, shaking it sternly, “what deaths may dye its point!”
Wallace shuddered8 at the ferocity with which his colleague contemplated9 this feature of war from which every humane10 soldier would seek to turn his thoughts, that he might encounter it with the steadiness of a man, and not the irresolution11 of a woman. To hail the field of blood with the fierceness of a hatred12 eager for the slaughter13 of its victim-to know any joy in combat but that each contest might render another less necessary-did not enter into the imagination of Wallace until he had heard and seen the infuriate Kirkpatrick. He talked of the coming battle with horrid14 rapture15, and told the young Edwin he should that day see Loch Lomond red with English blood.
Offended at such savageness16, but without answering him, Wallace drew toward Murray, and calling to Edwin, ordered him to march at his side. The youth seemed glad of the summons, and Wallace was pleased to observe it, as he thought that a longer stay with one who so grossly overcharged the feelings of honest patriotism17, might breed disgust in his innocent mind against a cause which had so furious and therefore unjust a defender18.
“Justice and mercy ever dwell together,” said he to Edwin, who now drew near him; “for universal love is the parent of justice, as well as of mercy. But implacable Revenge! whence did she spring, but from the head of Satan himself?”
Though their cause appeared the same, never were two spirits more discordant19 than those of Wallace and Kirkpatrick. But Kirkpatrick did not so soon discover the dissimilarity; as it is easier for purity to descry20 its opposite, than for foulness21 to apprehend22 that anything can be purer than itself.
The forces being marshaled according to the preconcerted order, the three commanders, with Wallace at their head, led forward.
They passed through the forest of Glenfinlass; and morning and evening still found them threading its unsuspected solitudes23 in unmolested security; night, too, watched their onward24 march.
The sun had just risen as the little band of patriots25, the hope of freedom, emerged upon the eastern bank of Loch Lomond. The bases of the mountains were yet covered with the dispersing26 mist of the morning, and hardly distinguishable from the blue waters of the lake, which lashed27 the shore. The newly-awakened sheep bleated28 from the hills, and the umbrageous29 herbage, dropping dew, seemed glittering with a thousand fairy gems30.
“Where is the man who would not fight for such a country?” exclaimed Murray, as he stepped over a bridge of interwoven trees, which crossed one of the mountain streams. “This land was not made for slaves. Look at these bulwarks32 of nature! Every mountain-head which forms this chain of hills is an impregnable rampart against invasion. If Baliol had possessed33 but half a heart, Edward might have returned even worse than Caesar-without a cockle to decorate his helmet.”
“Baliol has found the oblivion he incurred,” returned Wallace; “his son, perhaps, may better deserve the scepter of such a country. Let us cut the way, and he who merits the crown will soon appear to claim it.”
“Then it will not be Edward Baliol!” rejoined Scrymgeour. “During the inconsistent reign34 of his father, I once carried a despatch35 to him from Scotland. He was then banqueting in all the luxuries of the English court; and such a voluptuary I never beheld36! I left the scene of folly37, only praying that so effeminate a prince might never disgrace the throne of our manly38 race of kings.”
“If such be the tuition of our lords in the court of Edward-and wise is the policy for his own views!” observed Ker, “what can we expect from even the Bruce? They were ever a nobler race than the Baliol; but bad education and luxury will debase the most princely minds.”
“I saw neither of the Bruce when I visited London,” replied Scrymgeour; “the Earl of Carrick was at his house in Cleveland, and Robert Bruce, his eldest39 son, with the English army in Guienne. But they bore a manly character, particularly young Robert, to whom the troubadours of Aquitaine have given the flattering appellation40 of Prince of Chivalry41.”
“It would be more to his honor,” interrupted Murray, “if he compelled the English to acknowledge him as Prince of Scotland. With so much bravery, how can he allow such a civetcat as Edward Baliol to bear away the title, which is his by the double right of blood and virtue42?”
“Perhaps,” said Wallace, “the young lion only sleeps! The time may come, when both he and his father will rise from their lethargy, and throw themselves at once into the arms of Scotland. To stimulate43 the dormant44 patriotism of these two princes, by showing them a subject leading their people to liberty, is one great end of the victories I seek. None other than a brave king can bind45 the various interests of this distracted country into one; and therefore, for fair Freedom’s sake, my heart turns toward the Bruces with most anxious hopes.”
“For my part,” cried Murray, “I have always thought the lady we will not woo we have no right to pretend to. If the Bruces will not be at the pains to snatch Scotland from drowning, I see no reason for making them a present of what will cost us many a wet jacket before we tug46 her from the waves. He that wins the day ought to wear the laurel; and so, once for all, I proclaim him King of good old Albin,21 who will have the glory of driving her oppressors beyond her dikes.”
21 Albin was the ancient name of Scotland.
Wallace did not hear this last sentiment of Murray’s, as it was spoken in a lowered voice in the ear of Kirkpatrick. “I perfectly47 agree with you,” was the knight’s reply; “and in the true Roman style, may the death of every Southron now in Scotland, and as many more as fate chooses to yield us, be the preliminary games of his coronation!”
Wallace, who heard this, turned to Kirkpatrick with a mild rebuke48 in his eye. “Balaam blessed, when he meant to curse!” said he; “but some curse, when they mean to bless. Such prayers are blasphemy49. For, can we expect a blessing50 on our arms, when all our invocations are for vengeance51 rather than victory?”
“Blood for blood is only justice!” returned Murray; “and how can you, noble Wallace, as a Scot, and as a man, imply any mercy to the villains52 who stab us to the heart?”
“I plead not for them,” replied Wallace, “but for the poor wretches53 who follow their leaders, by force, to the field of Scotland; I would not inflict54 on them the cruelties we now resent. It is not to aggrieve55, but to redress56, that we carry arms. If we make not this distinction, we turn courage into a crime; and plant disgrace, instead of honor, upon the warrior’s brow.”
“I do not understand commiserating57 the wolves who have so long made havoc58 in our country,” cried Kirkpatrick; “methinks such maidenly59 mercy is rather or of place.”
Wallace turned to him with a smile: “I will answer you, my valiant60 friend, by adopting your own figure. It is that these Southron wolves may not confound us with themselves, that I wish to show in our conduct rather the generous ardor61 of the faithful guardian62 of the fold, than the rapacious63 fierceness which equals them with the beasts of the desert. As we are men and Scots, let the burden of our prayers be, the preservation64 of our country, not the slaughter of our enemies! The one is an ambition, with which angels may sympathize; the other, a horrible desire, which speaks the nature of fiends.”
“In some cases this may be,” replied Sir Roger, a little reconciled to the argument, “but not in mine. My injury yet burns upon my cheek; and as nothing but the life blood of Cressingham can quench65 it, I will listen no more to your doctrine66 till I am avenged67. That done, I shall not forget your lesson.”
“Generous Kirkpatrick!” exclaimed Wallace, “nothing that is really cruel can dwell with such manly candor68. Say what you will, I can trust your heart after this moment.”
They had crossed the River Ennerie, and were issuing from between its narrow ridge31 of hills, when Wallace, pointing to a stupendous rock which rose in solitary69 magnificence in the midst of a vast plain, exclaimed, “There is Dumbarton Castle!-that citadel70 holds the fetters71 of Scotland; and if we break them there, every minor72 link will easily give way.”
The men uttered a shout of anticipated triumph at this sight; and proceeding73, soon came in view of the fortifications which helmeted the rock. As they approached, they discovered that it had two summits, being in a manner cleft74 in twain; the one side rising in a pyramidal form; while the other, of a more table-shape, sustained the ponderous75 buildings of the fortress76.
It was dusk when the little army arrived in the rear of a close thicket77 to a considerable length over the plain. On this spot Wallace rested his men; and while they placed themselves under its covert78 till the appointed time of attack, he perceived through an opening in the wood, the gleaming of soldiers’ arms on the ramparts, and fires beginning to light on a lonely watchtower, which crowned the pinnacle79 of the highest rock.
“Poor fools!” exclaimed Murray; “like the rest of their brethren of clay, they look abroad for evils, and prepare not for those which are even at their doors!”
“That beacon-fire,” cried Scrymgeour, “shall light us to their chambers80; and for once we thank them for their providence81.”
“That beacon-fire,” whispered Edwin to Wallace, “shall light me to honor! To-night, by your agreement, I shall call you brother, or lie dead on the summit of those walls!”
“Edwin,” said Wallace, “act as you say; and deserve not only to be called my brother, but to be the first banneret of freedom in arms!”
He then turned toward the lines; and, giving his orders to each division, directed them to seek repose82 on the surrounding heather, till the now glowing moon should have sunk her telltale light in the waves.
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1
clarion
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| n.尖音小号声；尖音小号 | |
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lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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3
awakened
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| v.（使）醒( awaken的过去式和过去分词 )；（使）觉醒；弄醒；（使）意识到 | |
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rosy
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| adj.美好的，乐观的，玫瑰色的 | |
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bugle
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| n.军号，号角，喇叭；v.吹号，吹号召集 | |
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knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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7
sheathed
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| adj.雕塑像下半身包在鞘中的；覆盖的；铠装的；装鞘了的v.将（刀、剑等）插入鞘( sheathe的过去式和过去分词 )；包，覆盖 | |
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8
shuddered
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| v.战栗( shudder的过去式和过去分词 )；发抖；（机器、车辆等）突然震动；颤动 | |
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9
contemplated
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| adj. 预期的 动词contemplate的过去分词形式 | |
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10
humane
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| adj.人道的，富有同情心的 | |
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11
irresolution
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| n.不决断，优柔寡断，犹豫不定 | |
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12
hatred
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| n.憎恶，憎恨，仇恨 | |
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13
slaughter
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| n.屠杀，屠宰；vt.屠杀，宰杀 | |
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14
horrid
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| adj.可怕的；令人惊恐的；恐怖的；极讨厌的 | |
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15
rapture
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| n.狂喜；全神贯注；着迷；v.使狂喜 | |
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16
savageness
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| 天然，野蛮 | |
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patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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18
defender
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| n.保卫者，拥护者，辩护人 | |
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19
discordant
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| adj.不调和的 | |
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20
descry
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| v.远远看到；发现；责备 | |
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21
foulness
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| n. 纠缠, 卑鄙 | |
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apprehend
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| vt.理解，领悟，逮捕，拘捕，忧虑 | |
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23
solitudes
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| n.独居( solitude的名词复数 )；孤独；荒僻的地方；人迹罕至的地方 | |
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24
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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25
patriots
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| 爱国者，爱国主义者( patriot的名词复数 ) | |
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26
dispersing
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| adj. 分散的 动词disperse的现在分词形式 | |
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27
lashed
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| adj.具睫毛的v.鞭打( lash的过去式和过去分词 )；煽动；紧系；怒斥 | |
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28
bleated
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| v.（羊，小牛）叫( bleat的过去式和过去分词 )；哭诉；发出羊叫似的声音；轻声诉说 | |
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29
umbrageous
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| adj.多荫的 | |
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gems
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| growth； economy； management； and customer satisfaction 增长 | |
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31
ridge
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| n.山脊；鼻梁；分水岭 | |
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32
bulwarks
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| n.堡垒( bulwark的名词复数 )；保障；支柱；舷墙 | |
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33
possessed
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| adj.疯狂的；拥有的，占有的 | |
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34
reign
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| n.统治时期，统治，支配，盛行；v.占优势 | |
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35
despatch
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| n./v.(dispatch)派遣；发送；n.急件；新闻报道 | |
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36
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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37
folly
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| n.愚笨，愚蠢，蠢事，蠢行，傻话 | |
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38
manly
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| adj.有男子气概的；adv.男子般地，果断地 | |
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39
eldest
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| adj.最年长的，最年老的 | |
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40
appellation
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| n.名称，称呼 | |
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41
chivalry
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| n.骑士气概，侠义；（男人）对女人彬彬有礼，献殷勤 | |
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42
virtue
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| n.德行，美德；贞操；优点；功效，效力 | |
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43
stimulate
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| vt.刺激，使兴奋；激励，使…振奋 | |
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44
dormant
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| adj.暂停活动的；休眠的；潜伏的 | |
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45
bind
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| vt.捆，包扎；装订；约束；使凝固；vi.变硬 | |
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46
tug
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| v.用力拖(或拉)；苦干；n.拖；苦干；拖船 | |
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47
perfectly
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| adv.完美地，无可非议地，彻底地 | |
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48
rebuke
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| v.指责，非难，斥责 [反]praise | |
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49
blasphemy
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| n.亵渎，渎神 | |
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50
blessing
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| n.祈神赐福；祷告；祝福，祝愿 | |
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51
vengeance
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| n.报复，报仇，复仇 | |
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52
villains
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| n.恶棍( villain的名词复数 )；罪犯；（小说、戏剧等中的）反面人物；淘气鬼 | |
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53
wretches
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| n.不幸的人( wretch的名词复数 )；可怜的人；恶棍；坏蛋 | |
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54
inflict
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| vt.(on)把…强加给，使遭受，使承担 | |
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55
aggrieve
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| v.使委屈，使苦恼；侵害 | |
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56
redress
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| n.赔偿，救济，矫正；v.纠正，匡正，革除 | |
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57
commiserating
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| v.怜悯，同情( commiserate的现在分词 ) | |
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58
havoc
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| n.大破坏，浩劫，大混乱，大杂乱 | |
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59
maidenly
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| adj. 像处女的, 谨慎的, 稳静的 | |
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60
valiant
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| adj.勇敢的，英勇的；n.勇士，勇敢的人 | |
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61
ardor
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| n.热情，狂热 | |
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62
guardian
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| n.监护人；守卫者，保护者 | |
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63
rapacious
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| adj.贪婪的，强夺的 | |
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64
preservation
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| n.保护，维护，保存，保留，保持 | |
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65
quench
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| vt.熄灭，扑灭；压制 | |
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66
doctrine
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| n.教义；主义；学说 | |
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67
avenged
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| v.为…复仇，报…之仇( avenge的过去式和过去分词 )；为…报复 | |
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68
candor
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| n.坦白，率真 | |
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69
solitary
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| adj.孤独的，独立的，荒凉的；n.隐士 | |
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70
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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71
fetters
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| n.脚镣( fetter的名词复数 )；束缚v.给…上脚镣，束缚( fetter的第三人称单数 ) | |
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72
minor
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| adj.较小(少)的，较次要的；n.辅修学科；vi.辅修 | |
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73
proceeding
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| n.行动，进行，(pl.)会议录，学报 | |
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74
cleft
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| n.裂缝；adj.裂开的 | |
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75
ponderous
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| adj.沉重的，笨重的，(文章)冗长的 | |
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76
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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77
thicket
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| n.灌木丛，树林 | |
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78
covert
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| adj.隐藏的；暗地里的 | |
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79
pinnacle
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| n.尖塔，尖顶，山峰；(喻)顶峰 | |
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80
chambers
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| n.房间( chamber的名词复数 )；（议会的）议院；卧室；会议厅 | |
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81
providence
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| n.深谋远虑，天道，天意；远见；节约；上帝 | |
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82
repose
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| v.(使)休息；n.安息 | |
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