If that slight palfrey stand the shock;
But, swerving from the knight’s career,
Just as they met, Bruce shunn’d the spear.
Onward the baffled warrior bore
His course—but soon his course was o’er!
High in his stirrups stood the King,
And gave his battle-axe the swing.
Right on De Boune, the whiles he pass’d,
Fell that stern dint—the first—the last!