He is to conduct the Scottish prisoners to the borders,
and then to fall upon Scotland with all his strength, unless you
previously surrender, not only Berwick, but Stirling, and the whole of
the district between the Forth and the Tweed, into his hands."
"My Lord de Warenne," replied Wallace, "you can expect but one return
to these absurd demands. I shall accompany you myself to the Scottish
borders, and there made my reply."
De Warenne, who did indeed look for this answer, replied, "I
anticipated that such would be your determination, and I have to regret
that the wild counsels which surround my prince, precipitate him into
conduct which must draw much blood on both sides, before his royal
father's presence can regain what he has lost."
"Ah, my lord," replied Wallace, "is it to be nothing but war? Have you
now a stronghold of any force in all the Highlands? Is not the greater
part of the Lowlands free? And before this day month, not a rood of
land in Scotland is likely to hold a Southron soldier. We conquer, but
it is for our own. Why then this unreceding determination to invade
us? Not a blade of grass would I disturb on the other side of the
Cheviot, if we might have peace.
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