EDINBURGH AFTER FLODDEN.1 I. NEWS of battle! - news of battle! Greetings from our gallant King? All last night we watched the beacons 1 Flodden a hill in Northumberland in the northeast of England. It is but a few miles south of the Scottish border or boundary. Here in 1513 a desperate battle was fought between the Scotch and the English forces. James IV. of Scotland thought to take advantage of the absence of Henry VIII. of England, who was then on the continent, to renew an alliance with France, England's old enemy. The Scottish king easily found causes of complaint against Henry, and demanded satisfaction. That monarch returned a contemptuous answer, and James declared war, and invaded England. The Earl of Surrey led the English. James commanded his own troops. The result of the battle was the defeat of the Scotch, though so valiantly did they fight that the English just barely gained an indecisive victory. The Scottish army, however, lost an enormous number, among whom was King James with all his chief men-i -in fact so terrible was the slaughter that it is said that " every noble house in Scotland left some of its name on the fatal field." The news of the defeat at Flodden caused the wildest grief, especially in Edinburgh. Later the citizens of that place rallied and built a new wall round their city, but the English did not advance; there was no second battle, and peace was made between the combatants. Blazing on the hills afar, All night long the northern streamers 1 II. News of battle! Who hath brought it? Bursts from out the bending crowd. In his weak and drooping hand III. Round him crush the people, crying, 1 Northern streamers: the Aurora Borealis or Northern Lights. 2 Warder: a guard or sentinel; one who kept the gate of the city, which was walled and fortified. 8 Harness: armor. 4 City band: the guard or militia of Edinburgh. Where are they who went to battle, Looks from out his helm 2 of steel; Chides his weary steed, and onward "By the God that made thee, Randolph! Then he lifts his riven 4 banner, And the asker's voice is dumb. IV. The elders of the city Have met within their hall The men whom good King James 5 had charged "Your hands are weak with age," he said, So bide ye in the Maiden Town,6 1 Weal: welfare, prosperity, joy. 3 Armed: pronounce in two syllables, arm'ed. 4 Riven rent, torn. 2 Helm helmet. 5 King James: James IV. of Scotland. 6 Maiden Town: in the seventh century Edinburgh Castle was called "Castrum Puellarum " or the Maidens' Castle, as the daughters of the ancient kings were kept and educated there until they were married. This While others fight for you. That all who wait within the gate Ye hear the English drum, Then man the walls like burghers stout, V. Then in came Randolph Murray, — The tears ran down his cheek: They fell upon his corslet 3 And on his mailed 4 hand, As he gazed around him wistfully, may be the reason of the name "Maiden Town" or it may be an allusion to the well-known resemblance of Edinburgh to Athens, the sacred city of Athena or Minerva, goddess of wisdom. 1 Border-side: the boundary between Scotland and England near which the battle of Flodden was fought. 2 Doffed: took off. 3 Corslet: armor for the trunk of the body. 4 Mailed: pronounce in two syllables, mail'ed. 1 Leaning sorely 1 on his brand. And their sons were with the King. And VI. up then rose the Provost 3 A brave old man was he, Of ancient name, and knightly fame, He ruled our city like a Lord 1 Sorely: grievously, heavily. 2 Couched a spear: held a spear in attitude of attack; the butt-end of the spear rested in a socket of the armor so as to hold it firm. 3 Provost: the mayor or governor of the city. 4 Degree: descent, family. 5 Brooked: endured. 6 Borough-muir: a vacant tract of land or common just outside of Edinburgh on the south. Here James IV. reviewed his army before marching for the fatal field of Flodden. |