Galloping up from the
front of their ranks, they threw themselves from their steeds, and
before Wallace could recover from the surprise into which this
unexpected salutation had thrown him, Lord Bothwell and Lord Loch-awe,
followed by the rest, had bent their knees, and acknowledged him to be
their sovereign. The Bishop of Dunkeld at the same moment drawing from
his breast a silver dove of sacred oil, poured it upon the unbonneted
head of Wallace. "Thus, O King!" cried he, "do I consecrate on earth,
what has already received the unction of Heaven!"
Wallace, at this action, was awe-struck, and raising his eyes to that
Heaven, his soul in silence breathed its unutterable devotion. Then
looking on the bishop: "Holy father," said he, "this unction may have
prepared my brows for a crown, but it is not of this world, and Divine
Mercy must bestow it. Rise, lords!" and as he spoke, he flung himself
from his horse, and taking Lord Bothwell by the hand, as the eldest of
the band, "kneel not to me," cried he; "I am to you what Gideon was to
the Israelites-your fellow-soldier. I cannot assume the scepter you
would bestow; for He who rules us all has yet preserved to you a lawful
monarch.
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