Look you, the villains have struck him down behind his back, for there is not a man within ten Scotch miles of Perth, gentle or simple, Highland or Lowland, that would have met him face to face with such evil purpose.

Oh, brave men of Perth! the flower of your manhood has been cut down, and that by a base and treacherous hand." A wild cry of fury arose from the people, who were fast assembling.
"We will take him on our shoulders," said a strong butcher, "we will carry him to the King's presence at the Dominican convent" "Ay--ay," answered a blacksmith, "neither bolt nor bar shall keep us from the King, neither monk nor mass shall break our purpose.

A better armourer never laid hammer on anvil!" "To the Dominicans--to the Dominicans!" shouted the assembled people.
"Bethink you, burghers," said another citizen, "our king is a good king and loves us like his children.

It is the Douglas and the Duke of Albany that will not let good King Robert hear the distresses of his people." "Are we to be slain in our own streets for the King's softness of heart ?" said the butcher.

"The Bruce did otherwise.