Wherever the hoofs of his war-horse strike, there grass never grows
again. The sword and the fire shall make a desert of this devoted
land; and your arrogant head, proud Scot, shall bleed upon the
scaffold!"
"He shall first see my fires, and meet my sword in his own fields,"
returned Wallace; "and if God continues my life, I will keep my Easter
in England, in despite of King Edward, and of all who bear armor in his
country!"
As he spoke he rose from his chair, and bowing his head to the herald,
the Scottish marshals conducted the embassadors from his presence. Le
de Spencer twice attempted to speak, but the marshals would not allow
him. They said that the business of the embassy was now over; and
should he presume further to insult their regent, the privilege of his
official character should not protect him from the wrath of the Scots.
Intimidated by the frowning brows and nervous arms of all around, he
held his peace, and the doors were shut on him.
Wallace foresaw the heavy tempest to Scotland threatened by these
repeated embassies. He perceived that Edward, by sending overtures
which he knew could not be accepted-by making a show of pacific
intentions, meant to throw the blame of the continuation of hostilities
upon the Scots, and so overcome the reluctance of his more equitable
nobility, to further persecute a people whom he had made suffer so
unjustly.
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