Fugitive Poetry. 1600–1878/The Caged Lady of Buchan
John Comyn, the last of the Earls of Buchan, had married Isabel Macduff, sister of the recusant Earl of Fife—one, along with her husband, of Edward's adherents. This lady was as warmly attached to the cause pf the Bruce as her husband and brother were opposed to it. The honour of placing the Scottish crown upon the head of the sovereign at the ceremony of coronation belonged of hereditary right to her brother, Lord Fife; but when Bruce was to be crowned at Scone, her brother, by his desertion of the cause, had forfeited, or at least abandoned, this distinguished privilege of his family. Determined that none but a Macduff should aspire to this honour, and in the enthusiasm of her own zeal for the cause, Isabel heroically assumed the office, and with her own hands raised the crown of Scotland to the brow of her rightful sovereign. Soon after this, Edward unfortunately became the arbiter of her future destiny. Isabel, having fallen into his hands, was kept shut up a prisoner, for seven years in Berwick Castle, in an iron cage; illustrating a frightful feature of the times, and of the character of Edward in particular.—Pratt's Buchan.
Like tameless monster caged, to pine
Through the sweet prime of age!
Could aught but lust of power and pride,
Have shaped this death, through years to bide,
To glut a tyrant's rage?
Foul stain on England's chivalry,
Thou rude and ruthless king!
Thou fledd'st before the northern foe,
And yet didst stoop, with coward blow,
To strike so fair a thing!
When setting woman's fear aside—
O deed of rare renown!—
With mail's resolve, but woman's grace,
Thou daredst on regal brow to place
Old Scotia's sacred crown.
Had he possessed thy soul to dare
Not England's king to fear,
How great had he been in the deed
Which gave the Bruce his rightful meed!
Then—hadst thou not been here!
Could thy high soul to treason move:
Husband and brother he
Who most could feel his country's woes,
And best give back the foemen's blows,
And set old Scotia free."
And Buchan's countess be forgot,
Might this remembered be!
That in the princely halls of Scone,
The Bruce, in mounting Scotland's throne,
Proclaimed his country free!
Shall I forget proud Edward's pangs
In weeping o'er mine own?
For well I wot this deed of shame
Shall married be to Edward's name,
Where'er that name is known.
Who, leagued with Scotland's ancient foes
Dishonoured traitors prove,
And leave it to a woman's hand
To fill the story of their land
With deeds of faith and love.
That Isabel, 'mid all her throes,
Is high of heart, and leal;
Mothers henceforth shall proudly tell
How caged and prisoned Isabel
Did serve her country's weal!"