Page:Scott - Tales of my Landlord - 3rd series, vol. 4 - 1819.djvu/179

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A LEGEND OF MONTROSE.
167
Chapter VIII.

Such mountains steep, such craggy hills
His army on one side inclose;
The other side, great griesly gills
Did fence with fenny mire and moss.

Which, when the Earl understood,
He council craved of captains all,
Who bade set forth with mournful mood,
And take such fortune as would fall.

Flodden Field, an Ancient Poem.


Montrose had now a splendid career before him, provided he could obtain the consent of his gallant, but desultory troops, and their independant chieftains. The Low Countries lay open before him without an army adequate to check his career, for Argyle's followers had left the Covenanters' host, when their master threw up