Many other places fell, and battles were fought, in which the
English were everywhere victorious; for," added Edwin, "none of your
generals would draw a sword under the command of Badenoch; and, alarmed
at these disasters, the Bishop of Dunkeld is gone to Rome, to entreat
the Pope to order your return. The Southrons are advancing into
Scotland in every direction. They have landed again on the eastern
coast; they have possessed themselves of all the border counties; and
without your Heaven-anointed arm to avert the blow, our country must be
irretrievably lost."
Edwin had brought letters from Ruthven and the young Earl of Bothwell,
which none particularly narrated these ruinous events, to enforce every
argument to Wallace for his return. They gave it as their opinion,
however, that he must revisit Scotland under an assumed name. Did he
come openly, the jealousy of the Scottish lords would be reawakened,
and the worst of them might put a finishing stroke to their country by
taking him off by assassination or poison. Ruthven and Bothwell,
therefore, entreated that, as it was his wisdom as well as his valor
their country required, he would hasten to Scotland, and condescend to
serve her unrecognized till Bruce should be established on the throne.
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