[340: S _deis_ for “an obvious error”; but see note.] The Battle of Methven and the First Discomfiture of King Robert. [Sidenote: JUNE 26, 1306] _The Scots give way_] On athir syd thus war thai yhar, And till assemble all redy war. Thai straucht their speris, on athir syd, And swa ruydly gan samyn ryd, That speris all to-fruschyt war, 350 And feyle men dede, and woundyt sar; The blud owt at their byrnys brest. For the best and the worthiest, That wilfull war to wyn honour, Plungyt in the stalwart stour, 355 And rowtis ruyd about thaim dang. Men mycht haiff seyn in-to that thrang Knychtis that wycht and hardy war, Undyr hors feyt defoulyt thar, Sum woundyt, and sum all ded: 360 The gress woux off the blud all rede. And thai, that held on hors, in hy Swappyt owt swerdis sturdyly; And swa fell strakys gave and tuk, That all the renk about thaim quouk. 365 The Bruysis folk full hardely Schawyt thair gret chevalry: And he him-selff, atour the lave, Sa hard and hevy dyntis gave, That quhar he come thai maid him way. 370 His folk thaim put in hard assay, To stynt thar fais mekill mycht, That then so fayr had off the fycht, That thai wan feild ay mar and mar: The Kingis small folk ner vencusyt ar. 375 And quhen the King his folk has sene Begyn to faile, for propyr tene Hys assenyhe gan he cry; And in the stour sa hardyly He ruschyt, that all the semble schuk; 380 He all till-hewyt that he our-tuk; And dang on thaim quhill he mycht drey. And till his folk he criyt hey; “On thaim! On thaim! Thai feble fast! “This bargane nevir may langar last!” 385 And with that word sa wilfully He dang on, and sa hardely, That quha had sene him in that fycht Suld hald him for a douchty knycht. Bot thocht he wes stout and hardy, 390 And othir als off his cumpany, Thar mycht na worschip thar availyhe; For thar small folk begouth to failyhe, And fled all skalyt her and thar. Bot the gude, at enchaufyt war 395 Off ire, abade and held the stour To conquyr thaim endles honour. [Sidenote: 1306] _Fate of the Prisoners_]