fray proceaded, thare
troopes encreassed, but to no number; (for Carleyle, fearing to have
bein assaulted, suffered no man to ishe out of thare yettis;) and so the
greatast nomber, that ever appeared or approched befoir the
discomfitour, past nott thre or foure hundreth men; and yitt thei maid
hott skarmisching, as in thair awin ground, in such fates,[215] thei ar
most experte. About ten houris, when fyris war kendilled and almost
slokned[216] on every syd, thought Olyver tyme to schaw his glorie; and
so incontinent was displayed the Kingis baner; Oliver upoun spearis lyft
up upoun menis schoulderis, and thair with sound of trompett was he
proclamed generall lievtenneant, and all man commanded to obey him, as
the Kingis awin persone under all hieast panes. Thare was present the
Lord Maxwaill, Wardane, to whome the regiment,[217] in absence of the
King, propirlie apperteaned: he heard and saw all, butt thought more
then he spak. Thare war also present the Erles Glencarne and Cassiles,
with the Lord Flemyng, and many uther Lordis, Baronis, and gentilmen of
Lotheane, Fyf, Anguss, and Mearnes. In this mean tyme did the
skirmishing grow hottar[218] then it was befoir: schouttis war heard on
everie syd. Some Scottismen war stryckin doune; some not knowing the
ground lared, and lost thair horse.[219] Some Engliss horse of purpose
war lett lowse, to provok gready and imprudent men to preak[220] at
thame; as many did, but fand no advantage. Whill such disordour ryses
more and more in the army, men cryed in everie care, "My Lord
Lievetennant, what will ye do." Charge was gevin, that all man should
lyght and go to array; for thei wald fight it. Otheris cryed, "Against
whome will ye feght? Yone men will feght non utherwyise then ye see
thame do, yf ye will stand hear whill the morne." New purpose was
tackin, that the foott men, (thei had with thame certane bandis of
soldeouris,[221]) should softlye retear towardis Scotland, and the
horsemen should tack thare horse agane, and so follow in ordour. Great
was the noyse and confusioun that was heard, whill that everie man
calles his awin sloghorne.[222] The day was neyre spent, and that was
the cause of the greatast fear. The Lord Maxwell perceiving what wold be
the end of such begynnynges, stood upoun his foote with his freandis,
who being admonissed to tack his horse, and provide for him self;
ansured, "Nay, I will rather abyd hear the chance that it shall please
God to send me, then