Then he set up the flag o' red, A' set about wi' bonny blue; "Since ye'll no cease, and be at peace, 35 See that ye stand by ither true."
They stell'd their cannons on the height, And showr'd their shot down in the howe; An' beat our Scots lads even down, Thick they lay slain on every knowe. 40
As e'er you saw the rain down fa', Or yet the arrow frae the bow,-- Sae our Scottish lads fell even down, An' they lay slain on every knowe.
"O hold your hand," then Monmouth cry'd, 45 "Gie quarters to yon men for me!" But wicked Claver'se swore an oath, His Cornet's death revenged sud be.
"O hold your hand," then Monmouth cry'd, "If onything you'll do for me; 50 Hold up your hand, you cursed Græme, Else a rebel to our king ye'll be."
Then wicked Claver'se turn'd about, I wot an angry man was he; And he has lifted up his hat, 55 And cry'd, "God bless his Majesty!"
Than he's awa' to London town, Aye e'en as fast as he can dree; Fause witnesses he has wi' him ta'en, And ta'en Monmouth's head frae his body. 60
Alang the brae, beyond the brig, Mony brave man lies cauld and still; But lang we'll mind, and sair we'll rue, The bloody battle of Bothwell Hill.
This battle was fought on the evening of the 27th of July, 1689, a little to the north of the pass of Killiecrankie, in the Highlands of Perthshire, between King William's army under General Mackay, and a body of Highlanders under the renowned Claverhouse, the bravest and most faithful adherent of the house of Stuart. Mackay's troops, which were partly Dutch and partly English, amounted to 4,500 foot and two companies of horse. The Highlanders were not much more than half as numerous. They consisted of the followers of Maclean, Macdonald of Sky, Clanronald, Sir Evan Cameron of Lochiel, and others, with a few Irish. The left wing of Mackay's army was almost instantly routed by a furious charge of the Macleans. The right wing stood their ground manfully, and even repulsed the assault of the Macdonalds, but being taken in flank by the Camerons and a part of the Macleans, they were forced to retire and suffered great loss. While directing the oblique movement of the Camerons, Claverhouse received a mortal wound under the arm, and with him fell the cause of King James.