“Beside the watyre of Forth, he Forsook Wardane ever to be. For lever[64] he had to lyve simply. Na under sic doubt in Seigniory. Na the leal comonys of Scotland He wold not had peryst under his hand. “Of his good deeds, and manhood Gret Gestis, I hard say, are made. But sa mony I trow not As he intil hys dayis wroucht. Wha all his Dedis of price wald dyte Him worthyd a gret Book to wryte And all thae to wryte in here I want both wyt and good laysere.”[65] For several years after this, we do not meet with his name in the records of authentic history. The blind minstrel transports him to France during this period, where he goes through many adventures, and, among others, kills a lion in single combat. But we must hasten to the closing scene of his life. After Edward had overrun and subjected the whole country in 1303, all others who had distinguished themselves in the war were admitted to pardon upon terms more or less hard. “As for William Wallace,” says the deed, “it is covenanted, that if he thinks proper to surrender himself, it must be unconditionally to the will and mercy of our lord the king.” To accept such terms was to deliver himself over to death; he therefore betook himself to the woods and mountains, and lived upon plunder. It is amusing to trace the effects of national partiality in the contradictory accounts of the Scottish and English historians. Bower tells us that Wallace’s friends endeavoured to induce him to submit, upon the same terms as themselves; and that Edward was so anxious upon this head, that he offered, not only personal security, but an earldom, with ample domains, to be selected by himself, either in Scotland or England, as the price of his allegiance. But Wallace answered, that if every other Scot should submit, still he and his companions would stand up for the freedom of the kingdom; and never, as they hoped for God’s favour, obey any one except their monarch or his deputy. Langtoft, on the other hand, says that the Scottish hero offered to surrender upon assurance of safety in life, limb, and estate; but Edward’s anger was so hot against him, that he burst into a fury at the bare proposition. When they brought that tiding, Edward was full grim, And betaught him the fende,[66] als his traytoure in lond. And ever–ilkon his frende, that him susteyned, or fond. Three hundred marke he hette unto his warisoun,[67] That with him so met, or bring his hede to toun. Now flies William Wallis, of pes nought he spedis,[68] In mores and in mareis with robberie him fedis. * * * * *