The generosity which does justice to the character of an enemy, often marks Bruce's sentiments, as recorded by the faithful Barbour. He seldom mentions a fallen enemy without praising such good qualities as he might possess. I will only take one instance. Shortly after Bruce landed in Carrick, in 1306, Sir Ingram Bell, the English governor of Ayr, engaged a wealthy yeoman, who had hitherto been a follower of Bruce, to undertake the task of assassinating him. The king learned this treachery, as he is said to have done other secrets of the enemy, by means of a female with whom he had an intrigue. Shortly after he was possessed of this information, Bruce, resorting to a small thicket at a distance from his men, with only a single page to attend him, met the traitor, accompanied by two of his sons. They approached him with their wonted familiarity, but Bruce, taking his page's bow and arrow, commanded them to keep at a distance. As they still pressed forward with professions of zeal for his person and service, he, after a second warning, shot the father with the arrow; and being assaulted successively by the two sons, dispatched first one, who was armed with an axe, then as the other charged him with a spear, avoided the thrust, struck the head from the spear, and cleft the skull of the assassin with a blow of his twohanded sword. He rushed down of blood all red, And when the king saw they were dead, The king said, So our Lord me see, BARBOUR'S Bruce, Book V, Note 2. Stanza iv. Such hate was bis on Solway's strand, When vengeance elench'd his palsied hand, That pointed yet to Scotland's land." unless his inveterate resentment against the insurgents, who so frequently broke the English yoke when he deemed it most firmly riveted. After the battles of Falkirk and Methven, and the dreadful examples which he had made of Wallace and other champions of national independence, he probably concluded every chance of insurrection was completely annihilated. This was in 1306, when Bruce, as we have seen, was utterly expelled from Scotland: yet, in the conclusion of the same year, Bruce was again in arms and formidable; and in 1307, Edward, though exhausted by a long and wasting malady, put himself at the head of the army destined to destroy him utterly. This was, perhaps, partly in consequence of a vow which he had taken upon him, with all the pomp of chivalry, upon the day in which he dubbed his son a knight, for which see a subsequent note. But even his spirit of vengeance was unable to restore his exhausted strength. He reached Burgh-upon-Sands, a petty village of Cumberland, on the shores of the Solway Frith, and there, 6th July, 1307, expired, in sight of the detested and devoted country of Scotland. His dying injunctions to his son required him to continue the Scottish war, and never to recal Gaveston. Edward II. disobeyed both charges. Yet more to mark his animosity, the dying monarch ordered his bones to be carried with the invading army. Froissart, who probably had the authority of eye-witnesses, has given us the following account of this remarkable charge: << In the said forest, the old King Robert of Scotland dyd kepe hymselfe, whan Kyng Edward the Fyrst conquered nygh all Scotland; for he was so often chased, that none durst loge him in castell, nor fortresse, for feare of the sayd kyng. «And ever whan the king was returned into Ingland, than he would gather together agayn his people, and conquere townes, castells, and fortresses, iuste to Berwick, some by battle and some by fair speech and love: and when the said King Edward heard thereof, than would he assemble his power, and wyn the realme of Scotland again; thus the chance went between these two forsaid kings. It was shewed me, how that this King Robert wan and lost his realme v times. So this continued till the said King Edward died at Berwick : and when he saw that he should die, he called before him his eldest son, who was king after him, and there, before all the barones, he caused him to swear, that as soon as he were dead, that he should take his body, and boyle it in a cauldron, till the flesh departed clean from the bones, and then to bury the flesh, and keep still the bones; and that as often as the Scotts should rebell against him, he should assemble the people against them, and cary with him the bones of his father; for he believed verily, that if they had his bones with them, that the Scotts should never attain any victory against them. The which thing was not accomplished, for when the king died, his son carried him to London »-BERNERS' FROISSArt's Chronicle, London, 1812, pp. 39, 40. Edward's commands were not obeyed, for he was interred in Westminster Abbey, with the appropriate inscription:-« EDWARDUS PRIMUS, SCOTORUM MALLEUS, HIC EST. PACTUM SERVA.» Yet some steps seem to have been taken towards rendering his body capable of occasional transportation, for it was exquisitely embalmed, as was ascertained when his tomb was opened some Note 3. Stanza viii. Canna's tower, that, steep and gray, The little island of Canna, or Cannay, adjoins to those of Rum and Muick, with which it forms one parish. In a pretty bay opening towards the east, there is a lofty and slender rock detached from the shore. Upon the summit are the ruins of a very small tower, scarcely accessible by a steep and precipitous path. Here it is said one of the kings, or lords of the Isles, confined a beautiful lady, of whom he was jealous. The ruins are of course haunted by her restless spirit, and many romantic stories are told by the aged people of the is land concerning her fate in life, and her appearances after death. Note 4. Stanza ix. And Ronin's mountains dark have sent Ronin (popularly called Rum, a name which a poet may be pardoned for avoiding if possible) is a very rough and mountainous island, adjacent to those of Eigg and Cannay. There is almost no arable ground upon it, so that, except in the plenty of the deer, which of course are now nearly extirpated, it still deserves the description bestowed by the archdean of the Isles. «Ronin, sixteen myle north-wast from the ile of Coll, lyes ane ile callit Ronin Ile, of sixteen myle long, and six in bredthe in the narrowest, ane forest of heigh mountains, and abundance of little deire in it, quhilk deir will never be slane dounewith, but the principal saittis man be in the height of the hill, because the deir will be callit upwart ay be the tainchell, or without tynchel they will pass upwart perforce. In this ile will be gotten about Britane als many wild nests upon the plane mure as men pleasis to gadder, and yet by resson the fowls hes few to start them except deir. This ile lies from the west to the eist in lenth, and pertains to M'Kenabrey of Colla. Many solan geese are in this isle.»-MONRO's Description of the Western Isles, p. 18. Note 5. Stanza ix. On Scoor-Eigg next a warning light O'er their bleak shores in vengeance strode. These, and the following lines of the stanza, refer to a dreadful tale of feudal vengeance, of which unfortunately there are reliques that still attest the truth. Scoor-Eigg is a high peak in the centre of the small isle of Eigg or Egg. It is well known to mineralogists, as affording many interesting specimens, and to others whom chance or curiosity may lead to the island, for the astonishing view of the main-land and neighbouring isles, which it commands. I will again avail myself of the Journal I have quoted. «26th August, 1814.-At seven this morning we were in the sound which divides the isle of Rum from that of Egg. The latter, although hilly and rocky, and traversed by a remarkably high and barren ridge, called Scoor-Eigg, has, in point of soil, a much more promising appearance. Southward of both lies the Isle of Muich, or Muck, a low and fertile island, and though the least, yet probably the most valuable of the three. We manned the boat, and rowed along the shore of Egg in quest of a cavern, which had been the memorable scene of a horrid feudal vengeance. We had rounded more than half the island, admiring the entrance of many a bold natural cave, which its rocks exhibited, without finding that which we souglit, until that it should have escaped the search of strangers, as we procured a guide. Nor, indeed, was it surprising there are no outward indications more than might distinguish the entrance of a fox-earth. This noted cave has a very narrow opening, through which one can hardly creep on his knees and hands. It rises steep and lofty within, and runs into the bowels of the rock to the depth of 255 measured feet; the height at the entrance may be about three feet, but rises within to eighteen or twenty, and the breadth may vary in the cave is strewed with the bones of men, women, and same proportion. The rude and stoney bottom of this, children, the sad reliques of the ancient inhabitants of the island, 200 in number, who were slain on the following occasion:-The Mac-Donalds of the Isle of Egg, a people dependent on Clan-Ronald, had done some injury to the Laird of Mac-Leod. The tradition of the isle says, that it was by personal attack on the chieftain, in which his back was broken. But that of the other isles bears, more probably, that the injury was offered to two or three of the Mac-Leods, who, landing upon Eigg, and using some freedom with the young women, were seized by the islanders, bound hand and foot, and turned adrift in a boat, which the winds and waves safely conducted to Skye. To avenge the offence given, Mac-Leod sailed with such a body of men, as rendered resistance hopeless. The natives, fearing his vengeance, concealed themselves in this cavern, and after a strict search, the Mac-Leods went on board their gallies, after doing what mischief they could, concluding the inhabitants had left the isle, and betaken themselves to the Long Island, or some of Clan-Ronald's other possessions. But next morning they espied from the vessels a man upon the island, and immediately landing again, they traced his retreat by the marks of his footsteps, a light snow being unhappily on the ground. Mac-Leod then surrounded the cavern, summoned the subterranean garrison, and demanded that the individuals who had offended him should be delivered up to him. This was peremptorily refused. The chieftain then caused his people to divert the course of a rill of water, which, falling over the entrance of the cave, would have prevented his purposed vengeance. then kindled at the entrance of the cavern a huge fire, composed of turf and fern, and maintained it with unrelenting assiduity, until all within were destroyed by suffocation. The date of this dreadful deed must have been recent, if one may judge from the fresh appearance of those reliques. I brought off, in spite of the judice of our sailors, a skull from among the numerous specimens of mortality which the cavern afforded. Before reimbarking we visited another cave, opening to the sea, but of a character entirely different, being large open vault as high as that of a cathedral, and running back a great way into the rock at the same pre a of many, that these little isthmuses, so frequently styled Tarbat in North Britain, took their name from the above circumstance; Tarruing signifying to draw, and Bata, a boat. This too might be called, by way of preeminence, the Tarbat, from a very singular circumstance related by Torfæus. When Magnus, the barefooted King of Norway, obtained from Donald-Bane of Scotland the cession of the western isles, or all those height. The height and width of the opening gives ample light to the whole. Here, after 1745, when the catholic priests were scarcely tolerated, the priest of Eigg used to perform the Roman catholic service, most of the islanders being of that persuasion. A huge ledge of rocks, rising about half way up one side of the vault, served for altar and pulpit; and the appearance of a priest and Highland congregation in such an extraordinary place of worship, might have engaged the pen-places that could be surrounded in a boat, he added cil of Salvator.>> Note 6. Stanza x. the group of islets gay That guard famed Staffa round. It would be unpardonable to detain the reader upon a wonder so often described, and yet so incapable of being understood by description. This palace of Neptune is even grander upon a second than the first view. -The stupendous columns which form the sides of the cave, the depth and strength of the tide which rolls its deep and heavy swell up to the extremity of the vaultthe variety of tints formed by white, crimson, and yellow stalactites, or petrifactions, which occupy the vacancies between the base of the broken pillars that form the roof, and intersect them with a rich, curious, and variegated chasing, occupying each interstice-the corresponding variety below water, where the ocean rolls over a dark-red or violet-coloured rock, from which, as from a base, the basaltic columns arise-the tremendous noise of the swelling tide, mingling with the deep-toned echoes of the vault,-are circumstances elsewhere unparalleled. Nothing can be more interesting that the varied appearance of the little archipelago of islets, of which Staffa is the most remarkable. This group, called in Gaelic Tresharnish, affords a thousand varied views to the voyager, as they appear in different positions with reference to his course. The variety of their shape contributes much to the beauty of these effects. Note 7. Stanza xi. Scenes sung by him who sings no more! The ballad, entitled «<< Macphail of Colonsay, and the Mermaid of Corrievrekin,» was composed by John Leyden, from a tradition which he found while making a tour through the Hebrides about 1801, soon before his fatal departure for India, where, after having made farther progress in oriental literature than any man of letters who had embraced these studies, he died a martyr to his zeal for knowledge, in the island of Java, immediately after the landing of our forces near Batavia, in September, 1811. Note 8. Stanza xii. Up Tarbat's western lake they bore, Then dragg'd their bark the isthmus o'er. The peninsula of Cantire is joined to South Knapdale by a very narrow isthmus, formed by the western and castern Loch of Tarbat. These two salt-water lakes, or bays, encroach so far upon the land, and the extremities come so near to each other, that there is not above a mile of land to divide them. << It is not long," says Pennant, « since vessels of nine or ten tons were drawn by horses out of the west loch into that of the east, to avoid the dangers of the Muil of Cantyre, so dreaded and so little known was the navigation round that promontory. It is the opinion to them the peninsula of Cantyre by this fraud: he placed himself in the stern of a boat, held the rudder, was drawn over this narrow track, and by this species of navigation wrested the country from his brother monarch.»-PENNANT'S Scotland, Lond. 1790, p. 190. But that Bruce also made this passage, although at a period two or three years later than in the poem, appears from the evidence of Barbour, who mentions also the effect produced upon the minds of the Highlanders, from the prophecies current amongst them: But to King Robert will we gang, And gert men gang thereby drawing. Their fleet all over drawn was. And when they that in the isles were, BARBOUR'S Bruce, vol. III, Book XV, pp. 14, 15. Note 9. Stanza xiii. The sun, ere yet he sunk behind Loch Ranza is a beautiful bay, on the northern extremity of Arran, opening towards East Tarbat Loch. It is well described by Pennant. << The approach was magnificent: a fine bay in front, about a mile deep, having a ruined castle near the lower end on a low far-projecting neck of land, sister, par amours, to the neglect of his own lady, sis that forms another harbour, with a narrow passage; ter to David de Strathbogie, Earl of Athole. This cribut within has three fathom of water, even at the low-minal passion had evil consequences; for, in resentment est ebb. Beyond is a little plain, watered by a stream, and inhabited by the people of a small village. The whole is environed with a theatre of mountains; and in the back-ground the serrated crags of Grianan-Athol soar above.»-PENNANT'S Tour to the Western Isles, pp. 191, 2. Ben-Ghaoil, « the mountain of the winds,» is generally known by its English, and less poetical name, of Goatfield. Note 10. Stanza xviii. Each to Loch Ranza's margin spring; The passage in Barbour, describing the landing of Bruce, and his being recognized by Douglas and those of his followers, who had preceded him, by the sound of his horn, is in the original singularly simple and affecting. The king arrived in Arran with thirty-three small row-boats. He interrogated a female if there had arrived any warlike men of late in that country. Surely, sir,» she replied, «I can tell you of many who lately came hither, discomfited the English governor, and blockaded his castle of Brodick. They maintain themselves in a wood at no great distance.» The king truly conceiving that this must be Douglas and his followers, who had lately set forth to try their fortune in Arran, desired the woman to conduct him to the wood. She obeyed. The king then blew his born on high; And kissed them; and speared' syne BARBOUR'S Bruce, Book V, pp. 115, 16. Note 11. Stanza xx. his brother blamed, But shared the weakness, while, ashamed, The kind, and yet fiery character of Edward Bruce, Where he for any men made moaning. And here the venerable archdeacon intimates a piece of scandal. Sir Edward Bruce, it seems, loved Ross's of the affront done to his sister," Athole attacked the guard which Bruce had left at Cambus-Kenneth, during the battle of Bannockburn, to protect his magazine of provisions, and slew Sir William Keith, the commander. For which treason he was forfeited. In like manner, when, in a sally from Carrick-fergus, Neil Fleming, and the guards whom he commanded, had fallen, after a protracted resistance, which saved the rest of Edward Bruce's army, he made such moan as surprised his followers: Sic moan he made men had ferly,' Nor would not bear men make moaning. Such are the nice traits of character so often lost in general history. Note 12. Stanza xxvii. Thou heard'st a wretched female plain, And thou didst bid thy little band Upon the instant turn and stand." This incident, which illustrates so happily the chivalrous generosity of Bruce's character, is one of the many simple and natural traits recorded by Barbour. It occurred during the expedition which Bruce made to Ireland, to support the pretensions of his brother Edward to the throne of that kingdom. Bruce was about to retreat, and his host was arrayed for moving: The king has heard a woman cry, He asked, what that was in by, 2 It is the layndar, sir, sai ane, That her child-ill 4 right now has ta'en: BARBOUR'S Bruce, Book XVI, pp. 39, 40. CANTO V. Note 1. Stanza vi. O'er chasms he pass'd, where fractures wide The interior of the island of Arran abounds with rocky great height. There is one pass 3 Laundress. • Certainly. • Moved. over the river Machrai, renowned for the dilemma of a poor woman, who, being tempted by the narrowness of the ravine to step across, succeeded in making the first movement, but took fright when it became necessary to move the other foot, and remained in a posture equally ludicrous and dangerous, until some chance passenger assisted her to extricate herself. It is said she remained there some hours. Note 2. Stanza vi. Hle cross'd his brow beside the stone, Were druids erst beard victims groan, And at the cairns upon the wild, O'er many a heathen hero piled. The Isle of Arran, like those of Man and Anglesea, abounds with many reliques of heathen, and probably druidical superstition. There are high erect columns of unhewn stone, the most early of all monuments, the circles of rude stones, commonly entitled druidical, and the cairns, or sepulchral piles, within which are usually found urns inclosing ashes. Much doubt necessarily rests upon the history of such monuments, nor is it possible to consider them as exclusively Celtic, or druidical. By much the finest circles of standing stones, excepting Stonehenge, are those of Stenhouse, at Stennis, in the island of Pomona, the principal isle of the Orcades. These, of course, are neither Celtic nor druidical; and we are assured that many circles of the kind occur both in Sweden and Norway. Note 3. Stanza vi. Old Brodick's Gothic towers were seen. Brodick or Brathwick Castle, in the Isle of Arran, is an ancient fortress, near an open roadstead called Brodick-bay, and not distant far from a tolerable harbour, closed in by the island of Lamlash. This important place had been assailed a short time before Bruce's arrival in the island. James Lord Douglas, who accompanied Bruce to his retreat in Rachrin, seems, in the spring of 1306, to have tired of his abode there, and set out accordingly, in the phrase of the times, to see what adventure God would send him. Sir Robert Boyd accompanied him; and his knowledge of the localities of Arran appears to have directed his course thither. They landed in the island privately, and appear to have laid an ambush for Sir John Hastings, the English governor of Brodick, and surprised a considerable supply of arms and provisions, and nearly took the castle itself. Indeed, that they actually did So, has been generally averred by historians, although it does not appear from the narrative of Barbour. contrary, it would seem that they took shelter within a fortification of the ancient inhabitants, a rampart called Tor an Schian. When they were joined by Bruce, it seems probable that they had gained Brodick Castle. At least tradition says, that from the battlements of the tower he saw the supposed signal-fire on Turnberry-nook. On the The castle is now much modernized, but has a digni fied appearance, being surrounded by flourishing plantations. Note 4. Stanza vii. Oft, too, with unaccustom'd ears, A language much unmeet he hears. from which it would seem that the vice of profane swearing, afterwards too general among the Scottish nation, was, at this time, confined to military men. As Douglas, after Bruce's return to Scotland, was roving about the mountainous country of Tweeddale, near the water of Line, he chanced to hear some persons in a farm-house say « the devil.» Concluding, from this hardy expression, that the house contained warlike guests, he immediately assailed it, and had the good fortune to make prisoners Thomas Randolph, afterward the famous Earl of Moray, and Alexander Stewart, Lord Bonkill. Both were then in the English interest, and had come into that country with the purpose of driving out Douglas. They afterwards ranked among Bruce's most zealous adherents. Barbour, with great simplicity, gives an anecdote, Note 5. Stanza ix. For, see the ruddy signal made, The remarkable circumstances by which Bruce was induced to enter Scotland, under the false idea that a sigual-fire was lighted upon the shore near his maternal castle of Turnberry-the disappointment which he met with, and the train of success which arose out of that very disappointment, are too curious to be passed over unnoticed. The following is the narrative of Barbour. The introduction is a favourable specimen of his style, which seems to be in some degree the model for that of Gawain Douglas: ་ This was in ver, when winter tide, Burgeans, and bright blooms alsua, 7 Covering. 10 Before. He was well soon brought to the king, 13 Adventure. |