Page:The muses threnodie (Adamson, 1638).djvu/62
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42
The fourth muse
Thus Baliol proud to Perth did make his way,
The city all secure ere break of day
For to surprise, naked of walls and men,
As pray most easie did obtaine, and then
To fortifie the same, in haste, did call,
Go cast the fousie, and repair the wall.
The Earle of Merch, hearing the wofull chance,
Incontinent his armie did advance
To Perth, hoping the same he might regaine,
Did straitly it besiege, but all in vaine,
He forc'd was to reteir; Baliol to Scone
Then went, was crown'd, rather usurp'd the crown.
By these fair Fortuns having gain'd a faction,
Not for the countreyes peace, but for distraction
Did overswey the ballance, none with reason
Durst call the Baliols enterprise a treason,
Because it had good successe; so doth reele
Th'inconstant course of giddie Fortunes wheele.
Constant in changes of blindfolded chance.
Meane while King David Bruce did flee to France
As yet a child, his tender life to save
From tyrannizing Baliols bloodie glave.
The city all secure ere break of day
For to surprise, naked of walls and men,
As pray most easie did obtaine, and then
To fortifie the same, in haste, did call,
Go cast the fousie, and repair the wall.
The Earle of Merch, hearing the wofull chance,
Incontinent his armie did advance
To Perth, hoping the same he might regaine,
Did straitly it besiege, but all in vaine,
He forc'd was to reteir; Baliol to Scone
Then went, was crown'd, rather usurp'd the crown.
By these fair Fortuns having gain'd a faction,
Not for the countreyes peace, but for distraction
Did overswey the ballance, none with reason
Durst call the Baliols enterprise a treason,
Because it had good successe; so doth reele
Th'inconstant course of giddie Fortunes wheele.
Constant in changes of blindfolded chance.
Meane while King David Bruce did flee to France
As yet a child, his tender life to save
From tyrannizing Baliols bloodie glave.
Baliol install'd, in guarding leaves the town
To some true traitours, not true to the crown.[1]
Hereafter Nobles and commons all combinde
Whose kin wer kild at Dupline, in one minde
Aveng'd to be, did come in awfull maner
Unto the citie, with displayed banner;
And strongly it beseige three months and more,
Till strong assault, and famine, urgeing sore,
To some true traitours, not true to the crown.[1]
Hereafter Nobles and commons all combinde
Whose kin wer kild at Dupline, in one minde
Aveng'd to be, did come in awfull maner
Unto the citie, with displayed banner;
And strongly it beseige three months and more,
Till strong assault, and famine, urgeing sore,
Forc'd
- ↑ Perth beseiged three months.