32 The Cameronians had suffered persecution, but it was without learning mercy.
We are informed by Captain Crichton, that they had set up in their camp a huge
gibbet or gallows, having many hooks upon it, with a coil of new ropes lying
beside it, for the execution of such royalists as they might make prisoners.
Guild, in his Bellum Bothuellianum, describes this machine particularly.
 
33 A Cameronian muse was awakened from slumber on this doleful occasion, and
gave the following account of the muster of the royal forces, in poetry nearly
as melancholy as the subject:-
 
They marched east through Lithgow-town
For to enlarge their forces;
And sent for all the north country
To come, both foot and horses.
 
Montrose did come, and Athole both,
And with them many more;
And all the Highland Amorites
That had been there before.
 
The Lowdien Mallisha they
Came with their coats of blew;
Five hundred men from London came,
Claid in a reddish hue.
 
When they were assembled one and all,
A full brigade were they;
Like to a pack of hellish hounds,
Roreing after their prey.
 
When they were all provided well,
In armour and amonition,
Then thither wester did they come
Most cruel of intention.
 
The royalists celebrated their victory in stanzas of equal merit. Specimens of
both may be found in the curious collection of Fugitive Scottish Poetry,
principally of the Seventeenth Century, printed for the Messrs. Laing,
Edinburgh.
 
34 The Author does not, by any means, desire that Poundtext should be regarded
as a just representation of the moderate Presbyterians, among whom were many
ministers whose courage was equal to their good sense and sound views of
religion. Were he to write the tale anew, he would probably endeavour to give
the character a higher turn. It is certain, however, that the Cameronians
imputed to their opponents in opinion concerning the Indulgence, or others of
their strained and fanatical notions, a disposition not only to seek their own
safety, but to enjoy themselves. Hamilton speaks of three clergymen of this
description as follows: -
»They pretended great zeal against the Indulgence; but alas! that was all; their
practice otherwise being but very gross, which I shall but hint at in short.
When great Cameron and those with him were taking many a cold blast and storm in
the fields and among the cot-houses in Scotland, these three had for the most
part their residence in Glasgow, where they found good quarter and a full table,
which I doubt not but some bestowed upon them from real affection to the Lord's
cause; and