Note † — BOOK I.
Reading edition
[xiii_*131-*144]
Now ga we on them sa hardely, *131 And ding on them sa doughtely, That they may feele, at our comming, That we them hate in meekle thing: For great cause they have us made, *135 That occupied our landis brade, And put all to subjectioun: Your goodis made all theirs commoun: Our kyn and frendis, for their awne, Dispitteously hanged and drawne: *140 And wald destroy us gif they might. Bot, I trow, God, through his foresight, This day hes granted us his grace To wrek us on them in this place. *144
From H: not in C E. These remarks seem quite out of place. The spirit of animosity is not in harmony with the tenour of Bruce’s other speeches; the language at certain points is not Barbour-like; and the whole passage is thus of questionable authenticity. See Preface, pp. vii-viii.