The Scottish Chiefs; or, The Life of Sir William Wallace

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 19?? edition. Excerpt: ...a silver dove of sacred oil, poured it upon the unbonneted head of Wallace. "Thus, O King!" cried he, "do I consecrate, on earth what has already received the unction of heaven!" Wallace was awe-struck; and, raising his eyes to heaven, his soul in silence breathed its unutterable devotion. Then, looking on the bishop, "Holy father," said he, "this unction may have prepared my brows for a crown, but it is not of this world. Rise, lords!" and, as he spoke, he flung himself off his horse; and, taking Lord Bothwell by the hand, as the eldest of the band, "Kneel not to me," cried he, "I am to you what Gideon was to the Israelites--your fellow-soldier. I cannot assume the sceptre you would bestow; for He who rules us all, has yet preserved to you a lawful monarch. Bruce lives; and, were he extinct, the blood royal flows in too many noble veins in Scotland for me to usurp its rights." "The rights of the crown lie wkh the only man in Scotland who knows how to defend them; else reason is blind, or the people abandon their own prerogative. What we have this moment vowed is not to be forsworn. Baliol has abdicated our throne; the Bruce deserts it: all our nobles slept till you awoke; and shall we bow to men who may follow, but will not lead? No, bravest Wallace, from the moment you drew the first sword for Scotland, you made yourself her lawful king!" Wallace turned to the veteran Lord of Lochawe, who uttered this with a blunt determination, that meant to say, the election which had passed should not be recalled. "I made myself her champion to fight for her freedom, not my own aggrandizement. Were I to accept the honour with which this too grateful nation would repay my service, I should not bring in that peace for which I contended. Struggling for...