The chief was silent for some time after the interpreter concluded Archie’s narrative; then he said: 

“Sir knight, it almost seems to me as if I had been listening to the tale of the wrongs of Ireland, save that it appears that the mastery of the English here has been more firmly established than with you.  This may be from the nature of the country; our hills are, for the most part, bare, while yours, you say, are covered with forest.  Thus the Normans could more easily, when they had once gained the upper hand, crush out the last vestiges of opposition than they could with you.  As I judge from what you say, the English in Scotland hold all the fortresses, and when the people rise they remain sheltered in them until assistance comes from England.  With us it is different.  First they conquer all the country; then from a wide tract, a third perhaps of the island, they drive out the whole of the people, and establish themselves firmly there, portioning the land among the soldiery and repeopling the country with an English race.  Outside this district the Irish chieftains, like myself, retain something of independence; we pay a tribute, and are in the position of feudatories, being bound to furnish so many men for the King of England’s wars if called upon to do so.  The English seldom come beyond their pale so long as the tribute is paid, and the yoke, therefore, weighs not so heavy upon us; but were we to rise, the English army would pour out from its pale and carry fire and sword throughout the country.

“We, like you, have been without one who would unite us against the common enemy.  Our great chiefs have, for the most part, accepted English titles, and since their power over the minor chiefs is extended, rather than decreased by the changed circumstances, they are well content, for they rule now over their districts, not only as Irish chieftains, but as English lieutenants.  You have seen, as you journeyed here, how sparse is the population of our hills, and how slight would be the opposition which we could offer, did the Earl of Ulster sweep down upon us with trained English soldiers.

“Were there a chance of success, Fergus of Killeen would gladly draw the sword again; but I will not bring ruin upon my family and people by engaging in a hopeless enterprise.  Did I raise my standard, all Donegal would take up arms; but Donegal alone is powerless against England.  I know my people —­ they are ready for the fray, they would rush to battle and perish in thousands to win victory, but one great defeat would crush them.  The story of the long fight which your Wallace, with a small following, made against the power of England, will never be told of an Irish leader.  We have bravery and reckless courage, but we have none of the stubborn obstinacy of your Scottish folk.  Were the flag raised the people would flock to it, and would fight desperately; but if they lost, there would be utter and complete collapse.  The fortitude to support repeated defeats, to struggle on when the prospect seems darkest, does not belong to my people.