The
circumstances of a man from the private stations of life being elevated
to such a dignity would be felt as an insult by every royal house, and
foes and friends would arm against us. On these grounds of policy
alone, even were my heart not loyal to the vows of my ancestors, I
should repel the mischief you would bring upon yourselves by making me
your king. As it is, my conscience, as well as my judgment, compels me
reject it. As your general, I may serve you gloriously; as your
monarch, in spite of myself, I should incur your ultimate destruction."
"From whom, noblest of Scots!" asked the Lord of Bothwell.
"From yourselves, my friends," answered Wallace, with a gentle smile.
"Could I take advantage of the generous enthusiasm of a grateful
nation; could I forget the duty I owe to the blood of our Alexanders,
and leap into the throne, there are many who would soon revolt against
their own election. You cannot be ignorant, that there are natures who
would endure no rule, did it not come by the right of inheritance; a
right by dispute, lest they teach their inferiors the same refractory
lesson. But to bend with voluntary subjection, to long obey a power
raised by themselves, would be a sacrifice abhorrent to their pride.
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