THE SCENE: In this remarkable passage, we find William Wallace, the future liberator of Scotland, debating with his friend Kierly about whether he has room in his life for love, or whether his fight for his country must supersede all obligations.
THE TEXT: Now maz’d in doubts, and with strange tumults fill’d,
The lover thus his secret pangs reveal’d.
“What! Shall I then give up my breast to joy,
And all my schemes of future wars destroy?
Shall I thus lose myself in pleasing dreams,
While Scotia’s welfare all my bosom claims:
No! thus I stifle the inglorious flame,
And raze the image of the beauteous dame
–Rise glory, rise! Assume thy wonted charms,
And take me panting to thy sanguine arms,
I’ll drown each thought of her in war and loud alarms.
”Kierly beheld how the young warrior strove,
In vain to quell th’ unruly pangs of love;
How obstinately good, he scorn’d to know,
All but the dear unhappy country’s woe.
No cheering bliss gilds o’er his gloom of cares,
No sprightly joys his anxious bosom shares;
Fain would the friend his dreary cares beguile,
When thus he answer’d with an artful smile:
“And what can wound the strictest patriot’s name,
By wedding virtue in so fair a dame;
Since all your thoughts, imprest by love arise,
Enjoy the maid, bound your by nuptial ties.
She’s chase and virtuous, innocent and good:
Nor can her lineage ever stain your blood.”
“Ungen’rous man,” replied the wond’ring chief,
“And would’st thou have me dissipate my grief;
While Scotland weeps, weeps out her dearest blood,
And floats to ruin down the crimson flood.
Th’ important now, decides her future state;
And see! The scales are hung to weigh her fate.
While we’re the only friends that she can boast,
To counterpoint a hardy numerous host.
Our every thought, in such an enterprise,
Or big with conquest, or with death shall rise;
And sure while Scotia’s enemies remain,
Unnerving love should ever sue in vain.
– The Life and Heroick Actions of the Renoun’d Sir William Wallace, Blind Harry, 15th Century AD
