The young lords crowded round to hear this dialogue between majesty and lowliness. She smiled, and turned toward them.
"Do not accuse me of disloyalty, but I have a curiosity to ask another question."
"Nothing your majesty wishes to know," said Bishop Beck, "can be amiss."
"Then tell me," cried she—"for you wandering minstrels see all great people, good or bad, else how could you make songs about them!—did you ever see Sir William Wallace in your travels?"
"Often, madam."
"Pray tell me what he is like! you probably will be unprejudiced, and that is what I can hardly expect in this case from any of these brave lords."
Wishing to avoid further questioning on this subject, Wallace replied:
"I have never seen him so distinctly as to be enabled to prove any right to your majesty's opinion of my judgment."
"Cannot you sing me some ballad about him?" inquired she, laughing; "and if you are a little poetical in your praise, I can excuse you; for my royal brother thinks this bold Scot would have shone brightly in a fairer cause."
"My songs are dedicated to glory set in the grave," returned Wallace, "therefore Sir William Wallace's faults or virtues will not be sung by me."