The Louvre.
These preliminaries of lasting friendship being arranged, and sworn to
by Philip, Wallace dispatched a messenger to Scotland, to Lord Ruthven,
at Huntingtower, informing him of the present happy dispositions with
regard to Scotland. He made particular inquiries respecting the state
of the public mind; and declared his intention not to introduce Bruce
amongst the cabals of his chieftains until he knew exactly how they
were all disposed. Some weeks passed before a reply to this letter
arrived. During the time, the health of Helen, which had been much
impaired by the sufferings inflicted on her by De Valence, gradually
recovered, and her beauty became as much the admiration of the French
nobles as her meek dignity was of their respect. A new scene of
royalty presented itself in this gay court to Wallace, for all was
pageant and chivalric gallantry; but it had no other effect on him than
that of exciting those benevolent affections which rejoiced in the
innocent gayeties of his fellow-beings. His gravity was not that of a
cynic. Though hilarity never awakened his mind to buoyant mirth, yet
he loved to see it in others, and smiled when others laughed.
With a natural superiority, which looked over these court pastimes to
objects of greater moment, Bruce merely endured them; but it was with
an urbanity congenial with his friend's, and while the princes of
France were treading the giddy mazes of the dance, or tilting at each
other in the mimic war of the tournament, the Prince of Scotland, who
excelled in all these exercises, left the field of gallantry
undisputed, and moved an uninterested spectator in the splendid scene,
talking with Wallace or with Helen on events which yet lay in fate, and
whose theater would be the field of his native land. So accustomed had
the friends now been to share their thoughts with Lady Helen, that they
imparted to her their plans, and listened with pleasure to her timid
yet judicious remarks. Her soul was inspired with the same zeal for
Scotland which animated their own breasts; like Bruce's it was ardent;
but, like Wallace's, it was tempered with a moderation which, giving
her foresight, freed her opinion from the hazard of rashness. What he
possessed by the suggestions of genius, or had acquired by experience,
she learned from love. It taught her to be careful for the safety of
Wallace; and while she saw that his life must often be put in peril for
Scotland, her watchful spirit, with an eagle's ken, perceived and gave
warning where his exposure might incur danger without adequate
advantage.
The winds of this season of the year being violent and often adverse.
Wallace's messenger did not arrive at his destined port in Scotland
till the middle of November, and the January of 1299 had commenced
before his returning bark entered the mouth of the Seine.
Wallace was alone, with Grimsby, opening the door, announced Sir Edwin
Ruthven. In a moment the friends were locked in each other's arms.
Edwin, straining Wallace to his heart, reproached him in affectionate
terms for having left him behind; but while he spoke, joy shone through
the tears which hung on his eyelids, and with the smiles of fraternal
love, again and again he kissed his friend's hand, and pressed it to
his bosom. Wallace answered his glad emotions with similar
demonstrations of affection, and when the agitations of their meeting
were subdued, he learned from Edwin that he had left the messenger at
some distance on the road, so impatient was he to embrace his friend
again, and to congratulate his dear cousin on her escape.
Edwin answered the anxious inquiries of Wallace respecting his country,
by informing him that Badenoch, having arrogated to himself the supreme
power in Scotland, had determined to take every advantage of the last
victory gained over King Edward. In this resolution he was supported
by the Lords Athol, Buchan, and Soulis, who were returned, full of
indignation from the Court of Durham. Edward removed to London; and
Badenoch, soon hearing that he was preparing other armies for the
subjugation of Scotland, sent embassadors to the Vatican to solicit the
Pope's interference. Flattered by this appeal, Boniface wrote a letter
to Edward, exhorting him to refrain from Further oppressing a country
over which he had no lawful power. Edward's answer was full of
artifice and falsehood, every good principle, and declaring his
determination to consolidate Great Britain into one kingdom, or to make
the northern part one universal grave.** Wallace sighed as he listened.
**Both these curious letters are extant in Hollingshed.
"Ah! my dear Edwin," said he, "how just is the observation, that the
almost total neglect of truth and justice, which the generality of
statesmen discover in their transactions with each other, is an
unaccountable to reason as it is dishonorable and ruinous! It is one
source of the misery of the human race--a misery in which millions are
involved, without any compensation; for it seldom happens that this
dishonesty contributes ultimately even to the interests of the princes
who thus basely sacrifice their integrity to their ambition. But
proceed, my friend."
"The speedy consequence of this correspondence," Edwin continued, "was
a renewal of hostilities against Scotland. Badenoch took Sir Simon
Fraser as his colleague in military duty, and a stout resistance for a
little while was made on the borders; but Berwick soon became the prey
of Lord Percy, and the brave Lord Dundaff was killed defending the
citadel. Many other places fell, and battles were fought, in which the
English were everywhere victorious; for," added Edwin, "none of your
generals would draw a sword under the command of Badenoch; and, alarmed
at these disasters, the Bishop of Dunkeld is gone to Rome, to entreat
the Pope to order your return. The Southrons are advancing into
Scotland in every direction. They have landed again on the eastern
coast; they have possessed themselves of all the border counties; and
without your Heaven-anointed arm to avert the blow, our country must be
irretrievably lost."
Edwin had brought letters from Ruthven and the young Earl of Bothwell,
which none particularly narrated these ruinous events, to enforce every
argument to Wallace for his return. They gave it as their opinion,
however, that he must revisit Scotland under an assumed name. Did he
come openly, the jealousy of the Scottish lords would be reawakened,
and the worst of them might put a finishing stroke to their country by
taking him off by assassination or poison. Ruthven and Bothwell,
therefore, entreated that, as it was his wisdom as well as his valor
their country required, he would hasten to Scotland, and condescend to
serve her unrecognized till Bruce should be established on the throne.
While Edwin was conducted to the apartments of Lady Helen, Wallace took
these letters to his prince. On Bruce being informed of the
circumstances in which his country lay, and of the wishes of its most
virtuous chiefs for his accession to the crown, he assented to the
prudence of their advice with regard to Wallace. "But," added he, "our
fortunes must be in every respect, as far as we can mold them, the
same. While you are to serve Scotland under a cloud, so will I. At
the moment Bruce is proclaimed King of Scotland, Wallace shall be
declared its bravest friend. We will go together--as brothers, if you
will!" continued he. "I am already considered by the French nobility
as Thomas de Longueville; you may personate the Red Reaver; Scotland
does not yet know that he was slain; and the reputation of his valor
and a certain nobleness in his wild warfare having placed him, in the
estimation of our shores, rather in the light of one of their own
island sea-kings than in that of his real character--a gallant, though
fierce pirate--the aid of his name would bring no evil odor to our
joint appearance. But were you to wear the title you bear here, a
quarrel might ensue between Philip and Edward, which I perceive the
former is not willing should occur openly. Edward must deem it a
breach of their amity did his brother-in-law permit a French prince to
appear in arms against him in Scotland; but the Reaver being considered
in England as outlawed by France, no surprise can be excited that he
and his brother should fight against Philip's ally. We will, then,
assume their characters; and I shall have the satisfaction of serving
for Scotland before I claim her as my own. When we again drive Edward
over the boarders, on that day we will throw off our visors, and Sir
William Wallace shall place the crown on my head."
Wallace could not but approve the dignity of mind which these
sentiments displayed. In the same situation they would have been his
own; and he sought not, from any motive of policy, to dissuade Bruce
from a delicacy of conduct which drew him closer to his heart.
Sympathy of tastes is a pleasant attraction; but congeniality of
principles is the cement of souls. This Wallace felt in his new-born
friendship with Bruce; and though his regard for him had none of that
fostering tenderness with which he loved to contemplate the blooming
virtues of the youthful Edwin, yet it breathed every endearment arising
from a perfect equality in heart and mind. It was the true fraternal
tie; and while he talked with him on the fulfillment of their
enterprise, he inwardly thanked Heaven for blessing him so abundantly.
He had found a son in Edwin; a brother, and a tender sister in the
noble Bruce and lovely Helen.
Bruce received Edwin with a welcome which convinced the before anxious
youth that he met a friend, rather than a rival, in the heart of
Wallace. And every preliminary being settled by the three friends
respecting their immediate return to Scotland, they repaired to Philip,
to inform him of Lord Ruthven's dispatches and their consequent
resolutions.
The king liked all they said, excepting their request to be permitted
to take an early leave of his court. He urged them to wait the return
of a second embassador he had sent to England. Immediately on
Wallace's arrival, Philip had dispatched a request to the English king,
that he would grant the Scots the peace which was their right. Not
receiving any answer, he sent another messenger with a more categorical
demand. The persevered hostilities of Edward against Scotland
explained the delay; but the king yet hoped for a favorable reply, and
made such entreaties to Bruce and his friend to remain in Paris till it
should arrive, that they at last granted a reluctant consent.
At the end of a week, the embassador returned with a conciliatory
letter to Philip; but, affirming Edward's right to Scotland, declared
his determination never to lay down his arms till he had again brought
the whole realm under his scepter.
Wallace and his royal friend now saw no reason for lingering in France;
and having visited the young De Longueville at Chartres, they apprised
him of their intention to still further borrow his name. "We will not
disgrace it," cried Bruce; "I promised to return it to you, a theme for
your country's minstrels." When the friends rose to depart, the brave
and youthful penitent grasped their hands: "You go, valiant Scots, to
cover with a double glory, in the field of honor, a name which my
unhappy brother Guy dyed deep in his own country's blood! The tears I
weep before this cross for his and my transgressions have obtained me
mercy; and your design is an earnest to me from Him who hung on this
sacred tree, that my brother also is forgiven."
At an early hour next day, Wallace and Bruce took leave of the French
king. The queen kissed Helen affectionately, and whispered, while she
tied a jeweled collar round her neck, that when she returned, she hoped
to add to it the coronet of Gascony. Helen's only reply was a sigh,
and her eyes turned unconsciously on Wallace. He was clad in a plain
suit of black armor, with a red plume in his helmet--the ensign of the
Reaver, whose name he had assumed. All of his former habit that he now
wore about him, was the sword which he had taken from Edward. At the
moment Helen looked toward Wallace, Prince Louis was placing a
cross-hilted dagger in his girdle. "My deliverer," said he, "wear this
for the sake of the descendant of St. Louis. It accompanied that holy
king through all his wars in Palestine. It twice saved him from the
assassin's steel; and I pray Heaven it may prove as faithful to you."**
**The author was shown the dagger of Wallace by a friend. It was of
very strong but simple workmanship, and could be used as a knife as
well as a weapon.
Soon after this, Douglas and Cummin entered, to pay their parting
respects to the king; and that over, Wallace taking Helen by the hand,
led her forth, followed by Bruce and his friends.
At Havre, they embarked for the Frith of Tay; and a favorable gate
driving them through the straits of Calais, they launched out into the
wide ocean.