"Cousin, you declare my sentiments," rejoined Edwin; "my soul can never
again associate with these sons of Envy. I cannot recognize a
countryman in any one of them; and, should Sir William Wallace quit a
land so unworthy of his virtues, where he goes I will go--his asylum
shall be my country, and Edwin Ruthven will forget that he ever was a
Scot."
"Never," cried Wallace, turning on him one of those looks which struck
conviction into the heart. "Is man more just than God? Though a
thousand of your countrymen offend you by their crimes, yet while there
remains one honest Scot, for his sake and his posterity it is your duty
to be a patriot. A nation is one great family, and every individual in
it is as much bound to promote the general good as a brother or a
father to maintain the welfare of his nearest kindred. And it the
transgression of one son be no arouse for the omission of another, in
like manner, the ruin these turbulent lords would bring upon Scotland
is no excuse for your desertion of your interest. I would not leave
the helm of my country did she not thrust me from it; but though cast
by her into the waves, would you not blush for your friend should he
wish her other than a peaceful haven?" Edwin spoke not, but putting
the hand of Wallace to his lips, left the tent.
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