But with
Wallace, life was granted to all who asked; the wounded enemy and the
friend were alike succored by him. This conduct provoked the jealousy
of the Southron generals, not to be surpassed in generosity, and thus
comparatively few have been lost. But if in that number some of our
noblest chiefs, we must be resigned to yield to God what is his own;
may, we must be grateful, daughter of the gallant Mar, for the manner
in which they were taken. They fell in the arms of true glory, like
parents defending their offspring; while others--my grandfather and
father--perished with broken hearts, in unavailing lamentations that
they could not share the fate of those who died for Scotland."
"But you, dear Bruce," returned Wallace, "will live for her; will teach
those whose hearts have bled in her cause, to find a balm for every
wound in her prosperity."
Helen smiled through her tears at those words. They spoke the heavenly
consolation which had descended on her mourning spirit. "If Scotland
be to rest under the happy reign of Robert Bruce, then envy cannot
again assail Sir William Wallace, and my father has not shed his blood
in vain.
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