To this end, he traversed the adjoining country, striving to enlighten the understandings of the stupidly satisfied and to excite the discontented, to revolt. With most he failed. Some took upon them to lecture him on “fishing in troubled waters;” and warned him, if he would keep his head on his shoulders, to wear his yoke4 in peace. Others thought the project too arduous5 for men of small means; they wished well to the arms of Sir William Wallace; and, should he continue successful, would watch the moment to aid him with all their little power. Those who had much property, feared to risk its loss by embracing a doubtful struggle. Some were too great cowards to fight for the rights they would gladly regain6 by the exertions7 of others. And others, again, who had families, shrunk from taking part in a cause which, should it fail, would not only put their lives in danger, but expose their offspring to the revenge of a resentful enemy. This was the best apology of any that had been offered; natural affection was the pleader; and though blinded to its true interest, such weakness had an amiable8 source, and so was pardoned. But the other pleas were so basely selfish, so undeserving of anything but scorn, that Sir Eustace Maxwell could not forbear expressing it. “When Sir William Wallace is entering full sail, you will send your hirelings to tow him in! but if a plank9 could save him now, you would not throw it to him! I understand you, sirs, and shall trouble your patriotism10 no more.”
In short, none but about a hundred poor fellows whom outrages11 had rendered desperate, and a few brave spirits who would put all to the hazard for so good a cause, could be prevailed on to hold themselves in readiness to obey Sir Eustace, when he should see the moment to conduct them to Sir William Wallace. He was trying his eloquence12 among the clan13 at Lennox, when Ker arriving, stamped his persuasions14 with truth; and above five hundred men arranged themselves under their lord’s standard. Maxwell gladly explained himself to Wallace’s lieutenant15; and summoning his little reserve, they marched with flying pennons through the town of Dumbarton. At sight of so much larger a power than they expected would venture to appear in arms, and sanctioned by the example of the Earl of Lennox (whose name held a great influence in those parts), several, who before had held back, from doubting their own judgment17, now came forward; and nearly eight hundred well-appointed men marched into the fortress18.
So large a reinforcement was gratefully received by Wallace; and he welcomed Maxwell with a cordiality which inspired that young knight with an affection equal to his zeal19.
A council being held respecting the disposal of the new troops, it was decided20 that the Lennox men must remain with their earl in garrison21; while those brought by Maxwell, and under his command, should follow Wallace in the prosecution22 of his conquests along with his own especial people.
These preliminaries being arranged, the remainder of the day was dedicated23 to more mature deliberations-to the unfolding of the plan of warfare24 which Wallace had conceived. As he first sketched25 the general outline of his design, and then proceeded to the particulars of each military movement, he displayed such comprehensiveness of mind; such depths of penetration26; clearness of apprehension27; facility in expedients28; promptitude in perceiving, and fixing on the most favorable points of attack; explaining their bearings upon the power of the enemy; and where the possession of such a castle would compel the neighboring ones to surrender; and where occupying the hills with bands of resolute29 Scots, would be a more efficient bulwark30 than a thousand towers-that Maxwell gazed on him with admiration31, and Lennox with wonder.
Mar16 had seen the power of his arms; Murray had already drunk the experience of a veteran from his genius; hence they were not surprised on hearing that which filled strangers with amazement32.
Lennox gazed on his leader’s youthful countenance33, doubting whether he really were listening to military plans, great as general ever formed; or were visited, in vision, by some heroic shade, who offered to his sleeping fancy designs far vaster than his waking faculties34 could have conceived. He had thought that the young Wallace might have won Dumbarton by a bold stroke, and that when his invincible35 courage should be steered36 by stroke, and that when his invincible courage should be steered by graver heads, every success might be expected from his arms; and saw that when turned to any cause of policy, “the Gordian knot of it he did unloose, familiar as his garter,” he marveled, and said within himself, “Surely this man is born to be a sovereign!”
Maxwell, though equally astonished, was not so rapt. “You have made arms the study of your life?” inquired he.
“It was the study of my earliest days,” returned Wallace. “But when Scotland lost her freedom, as the sword was not drawn37 in her defense38, I looked not where it lay. I then studied the arts of peace; that is over; and now the passion of my soul revives. When the mind is bent39 on one object only, all becomes clear that leads to it; zeal, in such cases, is almost genius.”
Soon after these observations, it was admitted that Wallace might attend Lord mar and his family on the morrow to the Isle40 of Bute.
When the dawn broke, he arose from his heather bed in the great tower; and having called forth41 twenty of the Bothwell men to escort their lord, he told Ireland he should expect to have a cheering account of the wounded on his return.
“But to assure the poor fellows,” rejoined the honest soldier, “that something of yourself still keeps watch over them. I pray you leave me the sturdy sword with which you won Dumbarton. It shall be hung up in their sight,24 and a good soldier’s wound will heal by looking on it.”
24 This tower, within the fortress of Dumbarton, is still called Wallace’s tower; and a sword is shown there as the one that belonged to Wallace.
Wallace smiled. “Were it our holy King David’s we might expect such a miracle. But you are welcome to it; and here let it remain till I take it hence. Meanwhile, lend me yours, Stephen, for a truer never fought for Scotland.”
A glow of conscious valor42 flushed the cheek of the veteran. “There, my dear lord,” said he, presenting it; “it will not dishonor your hand, for it cut down many a proud Norwegian on the field of Largs.”
Wallace took the sword, and turned to meet Murray with Edwin in the portal. When they reached the citadel43, Lennox and all the officers in the garrison were assembled to bid their chief a short adieu. Wallace spoke44 to each separately, and then approaching the countess, led her down the rock to the horses which were to convey them tot he Frith of Clyde. Lord Mar, between Murray and Edwin, followed; and the servants and guard completed the suit.
Being well mounted, they pleasantly pursued their way, avoiding all inhabited places, and resting in the deepest recesses45 of the hills. Lord Mar proposed traveling all night; but at the close of the evening his countess complained of fatigue46, declaring she could not advance further than the eastern bank of the River Cart. No shelter appeared in sight, excepting a thick and extensive wood of hazels; but the air being mild, and the lady declaring her inability of moving on, Lord Mar at last became reconciled to his wife and son passing the night with no other canopy47 than the trees. Wallace ordered cloaks to be spread on the ground for the countess and her women; and seeing them laid to rest, planted his men to keep guard around the circle.
The moon had sunk in the west before the whole of his little camp were asleep; but when all seemed composed, he wandered forth by the dim light of the stars to view the surrounding country-a country he had so often traversed in his boyish days. A little onward48, in green Renfrewshire, lay the lands of his father; but that Ellerslie of his ancestors, like his own Ellerslie of Clydesdale, his country’s enemies had leveled with the ground. He turned in anguish49 of heart toward the south, for there less racking remembrances hovered50 over the distant hills.
Leaning on the shattered stump51 of an old tree, he fixed52 his eyes on the far-stretching plain, which alone seemed to divide him from the venerable Sir Ronald Crawford and his youthful haunts at Ayr. Full of thoughts of her who used to share those happy scenes, he heard a sigh behind him. He turned round, and beheld53 a female figure disappear among the trees. He stood motionless; again it met his view; it seemed to approach. A strange emotion stirred within him. When he last passed these borders, he was bringing his bride from Ayr! What then was this ethereal visitant? The silver light of the stars was not brighter than its airy robes, which floated in the wind. His heart paused-it beat violently-still the figure advanced. Lost in the wilderness54 of his imagination, he exclaimed, “Marion!” and darted55 forward, as if to rush into her embrace. But it fled, and again vanished. He dropped upon the ground in speechless disappointment.
“’Tis false!” cried he, recovering from his first expectation; “’tis a phantom56 of my own creating. The pure spirit of Marion would never fly from me; I loved her too well. She would not thus redouble my grief. But I shall go to thee, wife of my soul!” cried he; “and that is comfort.” Balm, indeed, is the Christian’s hope!”
Such were his words, such were his thoughts, till the coldness of the hour and the exhaustion57 of nature putting a friendly seal upon his senses, he sunk upon the bank, and fell into a profound sleep.
When he awoke the lark58 was caroling above his head; and to his surprise he found a plaid was laid over him. He threw it off, and beheld Edwin seated at his feet. “This has been your doing, my kind brother,” said he, “but how came you to discover me?”
“I missed you when the dawn broke, and at last found you here, sleeping under the dew.”
“And has none else been astir?” inquired Wallace, thinking of the figure he had seen.
“None that I know of. All were fast asleep when I left the party.”
Wallace began to fancy that he had been laboring59 under the impressions of some powerful dream, and saying no more, he returned to the wood. Finding everybody ready, he took his station; and setting forth, all proceeded cheerfully, though slowly, through the delightful60 valleys of Barochan. By sunset they arrived at the point of embarkation61. The journey ought to have been performed in half the time; but the countess petitioned for long rests, a compliance62 with which the younger part of the cavalcade63 conceded with reluctance64.
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1
knight
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| n.骑士，武士；爵士 | |
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determined
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| adj.坚定的；有决心的 | |
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emulated
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| v.与…竞争( emulate的过去式和过去分词 )；努力赶上；计算机程序等仿真；模仿 | |
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yoke
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| n.轭；支配；v.给...上轭，连接，使成配偶 | |
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arduous
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| adj.艰苦的，费力的，陡峭的 | |
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6
regain
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| vt.重新获得，收复，恢复 | |
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7
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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8
amiable
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| adj.和蔼可亲的，友善的，亲切的 | |
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plank
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| n.板条，木板，政策要点，政纲条目 | |
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10
patriotism
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| n.爱国精神，爱国心，爱国主义 | |
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outrages
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| 引起…的义愤，激怒( outrage的第三人称单数 ) | |
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eloquence
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| n.雄辩；口才，修辞 | |
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13
clan
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| n.氏族，部落，宗族，家族，宗派 | |
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14
persuasions
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| n.劝说，说服（力）( persuasion的名词复数 )；信仰 | |
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15
lieutenant
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| n.陆军中尉，海军上尉；代理官员，副职官员 | |
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mar
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| vt.破坏，毁坏，弄糟 | |
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judgment
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| n.审判；判断力，识别力，看法，意见 | |
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18
fortress
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| n.堡垒，防御工事 | |
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zeal
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| n.热心，热情，热忱 | |
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20
decided
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| adj.决定了的，坚决的；明显的，明确的 | |
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garrison
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| n.卫戍部队；驻地，卫戍区；vt.派(兵)驻防 | |
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22
prosecution
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| n.起诉，告发，检举，执行，经营 | |
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23
dedicated
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| adj.一心一意的；献身的；热诚的 | |
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24
warfare
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| n.战争(状态)；斗争；冲突 | |
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sketched
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| v.草拟（sketch的过去式与过去分词形式） | |
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penetration
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| n.穿透，穿人，渗透 | |
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apprehension
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| n.理解，领悟；逮捕，拘捕；忧虑 | |
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28
expedients
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| n.应急有效的，权宜之计的( expedient的名词复数 ) | |
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29
resolute
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| adj.坚决的，果敢的 | |
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30
bulwark
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| n.堡垒，保障，防御 | |
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31
admiration
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| n.钦佩，赞美，羡慕 | |
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32
amazement
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| n.惊奇，惊讶 | |
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33
countenance
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| n.脸色，面容；面部表情；vt.支持，赞同 | |
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34
faculties
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| n.能力( faculty的名词复数 )；全体教职员；技巧；院 | |
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35
invincible
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| adj.不可征服的，难以制服的 | |
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36
steered
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| v.驾驶( steer的过去式和过去分词 )；操纵；控制；引导 | |
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drawn
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| v.拖，拉，拔出；adj.憔悴的，紧张的 | |
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defense
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| n.防御，保卫；[pl.]防务工事；辩护，答辩 | |
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39
bent
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| n.爱好，癖好；adj.弯的；决心的，一心的 | |
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40
isle
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| n.小岛，岛 | |
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forth
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| adv.向前；向外，往外 | |
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42
valor
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| n.勇气，英勇 | |
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43
citadel
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| n.城堡；堡垒；避难所 | |
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44
spoke
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| n.（车轮的）辐条；轮辐；破坏某人的计划；阻挠某人的行动 v.讲，谈（speak的过去式）；说；演说；从某种观点来说 | |
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45
recesses
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| n.壁凹( recess的名词复数 )；（工作或业务活动的）中止或暂停期间；学校的课间休息；某物内部的凹形空间v.把某物放在墙壁的凹处( recess的第三人称单数 )；将（墙）做成凹形，在（墙）上做壁龛；休息，休会，休庭 | |
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46
fatigue
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| n.疲劳，劳累 | |
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47
canopy
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| n.天篷，遮篷 | |
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48
onward
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| adj.向前的，前进的；adv.向前，前进，在先 | |
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49
anguish
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| n.(尤指心灵上的)极度痛苦，烦恼 | |
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50
hovered
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| 鸟( hover的过去式和过去分词 )； 靠近（某事物）； （人）徘徊； 犹豫 | |
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51
stump
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| n.残株，烟蒂，讲演台；v.砍断，蹒跚而走 | |
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52
fixed
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| adj.固定的，不变的，准备好的；(计算机)固定的 | |
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53
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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54
wilderness
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| n.杳无人烟的一片陆地、水等，荒漠 | |
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55
darted
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| v.投掷，投射( dart的过去式和过去分词 )；向前冲，飞奔 | |
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56
phantom
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| n.幻影，虚位，幽灵；adj.错觉的，幻影的，幽灵的 | |
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57
exhaustion
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| n.耗尽枯竭，疲惫，筋疲力尽，竭尽，详尽无遗的论述 | |
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58
lark
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| n.云雀，百灵鸟；n.嬉戏，玩笑；vi.嬉戏 | |
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59
laboring
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| n.劳动，操劳v.努力争取(for)( labor的现在分词 )；苦干；详细分析；（指引擎）缓慢而困难地运转 | |
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60
delightful
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| adj.令人高兴的，使人快乐的 | |
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61
embarkation
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| n. 乘船, 搭机, 开船 | |
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62
compliance
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| n.顺从；服从；附和；屈从 | |
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cavalcade
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| n.车队等的行列 | |
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64
reluctance
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| n.厌恶，讨厌，勉强，不情愿 | |
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