I should be unworthy the honor of protecting a brave
nation, did I stoop to tread on every reptile that stings me in my
path. Leave Lord de Valence to the sentence his commander has
pronounced, and as an expiation for your having offended both military
and moral law this day, you must remain at Stirling till I return into
Scotland."
De Valence, hardly awake from the stupor which the blow of the
battle-ax had occasioned (for indignation had given to the young
warrior the strength of manhood), was raised from the ground; and soon
after coming to himself and being made sensible of what had happened,
he was taken, foaming with rage and mortification, into the center of
the Southron lines.
Alarmed at the confusion he saw at a distance, Lord Montgomery ordered
his litter round from the rear to the front, and hearing all that had
passed, joined with De Warenne in pleading for the abashed Edwin.
"His youth and zeal," cried Montgomery, "are sufficient to excuse the
intemperance of the deed."
"No!" interrupted Edwin; "I have offended and I will explate. Only, my
honored lord," said he, approaching Wallace, while he checked the
emotion which would have flowed from his eyes, "when I am absent,
sometimes remember that it was Edwin's love which hurried him to this
disgrace.
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