He talked of the coming
battle with horrid rapture, and told the young Edwin he should that day
see Loch Lomond red with English blood.
Offended at such savageness, but without answering him, Wallace drew
toward Murray, and calling to Edwin, ordered him to march at his side.
The youth seemed glad of the summons, and Wallace was pleased to
observe it, as he thought that a longer stay with one who so grossly
overcharged the feelings of honest patriotism, might breed disgust in
his innocent mind against a cause which had so furious and therefore
unjust a defender.
"Justice and mercy ever dwell together," said he to Edwin, who now drew
near him; "for universal love is the parent of justice, as well as of
mercy. But implacable Revenge! whence did she spring, but from the
head of Satan himself?"
Though their cause appeared the same, never were two spirits more
discordant than those of Wallace and Kirkpatrick. But Kirkpatrick did
not so soon discover the dissimilarity; as it is easier for purity to
descry its opposite, than for foulness to apprehend that anything can
be purer than itself.
The forces being marshaled according to the preconcerted order, the
three commanders, with Wallace at their head, led forward.
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