At this
intimation the impassioned Bruce, stung to the soul that such an
argument could be expected to have weight with him, solemnly bent his
knees, and clasping his sword, vowed before Heaven "either to release
Wallace or--" to share his fate! he would have added; but Isabella,
watchful of his words, suddenly interrupted him, by throwing herself
wildly on his neck, and exclaiming:
"Oh, say not so! Rather swear to pluck the tyrant from his throne;
that the scepter of my Bruce may bless England, as it will yet do this
unhappy land!"
"She says right!" ejaculated Ercildown, in a prophetic transport; "and
the scepter of Bruce, in the hands of his offspring, shall bless the
united countries to the latest generations! The walls of separation
shall then be thrown down, and England and Scotland be one people."
Bruce looked steadfastly on the sage: "Then if thy voice utter holy
verity, it will not again deny my call to wield the power that Heaven
bestows! I follow my fate! To-morrow's dawn sees me in the path to
snatch my best treasure, my counselor, my guide, from the judgment of
his enemies--or woe to England, woe to all Scotland born who have
breathed one hostile word against his sacred life! Helen dost thou
hear me?" cried he: "Wilt thou not assist me to persuade thy too timid
sister that her Bruce's honor, his happiness, lives in the preservation
of his friend? Speak to her, counsel her, sweet Helen, and, and,
please the Almighty arm of Heaven, I will reward thy tenderness with
the return of Wallace!"
Helen gazed intently on him while he spoke.
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