4
Randolph, Earl of Murray,
Doughty Douglas and Walter Stuart,
well us’d in such a fray.
His brother Edward led the right,
the Earl of Murray the left;
Brave Douglas and Sir Walter Stuart
the main body has taught.
With whom the king in person rode,
charg'd cowards to retire,
For none should fight with him that day
who death at least did fear.
Between them and their foes they made
into the boggy ground,
Ditches and pits with sharpen’d stakes,
the Southrons to confound
With cramp-irons and crow-toes straw'd
among the grass so green,
And rushes floating on the mud,
deceiv’d the English keen.
Upon a rising ground they stood,
view'd how the English came,
All shining like the rising sun,
their army seem’d a flame.
The hills and dales did echo make,
their trumpets loud did blow,
Whilst ev’ry blast predicted death,
and Scotland's overthrow.
The king by chance looking about
he, wondering, did espy.
Eight hundred mounted cap-apee,
who did on horseback fly
Below St Ninians, cross the burn,
in flight for Stirling town.
