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',.L, IL IV
THE POEMS
OF THE
SEMPILLS OF BELTKEES.
THE POEMS
OF THE
SEMPILLS OF BEITREES,
NOW FIRST COLLECTED,
WITH NOTES AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTICES OF
THEIR LIVES,
BY
JAMES PATERSON,
AUinOR OF THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF AYR, A\D OP THR FAMILIES
OF AVKSHIRE; THE CONTEMPORARIES OF BURNS; EDITOR OF
THE OBIT-BOOK OF THE CHURCH OF ST JOHN
THE BAPTIST, AYR,
fi:c. &e. &c.
EDINBURGH :
THOMAS GEORGE STEVENSON,
87, PRINCE'S STREET.
M.DCCC'.XLIX.
IMPRESSION
STRICTLY LIMITED TO TWO HCXDRED AJID FItTY COPIES.
TK
»^ »^ "^ {^
TO
DAVID LAING, Esquire,
TBEASUREB TO THK SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES OF SCOTLAND,
Whose intimate acquaintance with all matters relating to the Literature
and Antiquities of his native country is well known,
EDITOR OF THE WORKS OF THAT
"DARLING OF THE SCOTTISH MUSES,"
WILLIAM DUNBAR,
THE "CnAUCER OF SCOTLAND,"
&c. &c. &c.
THIS VOLUME
IN TESTIMOXT OF ADMIRATION', RESPECT, AXD ESTEEM,
IS
RESPECTFULLY INSCRIBED
3Y
HIS OBLIOED SERVANT,
THE PUBLISHER.
v-i"
7iJ(K<yi
CONTENTS.
Page
The Pkeface, ... ... ... ... xi
Genealogical Account of the Sempills of Bel-
trees, ... ... ... ... xvii
Epitaphs on Sir James and Robert Sempill, c
Poem by Sir James Sempill.
The Pack-mans Paternoster, ... ... 1
Poems by PiObert Sempill.
1. The Life and Death of the Piper of Kilbarchan, 41
2. Epitaph on Sanny Briggs, ... ... 45
Poems by Francis Sempill.
1. The Banishment of Poverty, ... ... 51
2. A Discourse between Law and Conscience, 59
3. The Blythsome Wedding, ... ... 67
4. Sho raise and loot me in, ... ... 71
5. Maggie Lauder, ... ... ..." 73
VIU CONTENTS.
Page.
KOTES.
1. The Pack-mans Paternoster, ... ... 77
2. The Piper of Kilbarchan, ,.. ... 87
3. Epitaph on Sanny Briggs, ... ... 95
4. The Banishment of Poverty, ... ... 99
5. A Discourse between Law and Conscience, 105
6. The Blythsome Wedding, ... ... 106
7. She raise and loot me in, ... ... 112
8. Maggie Lander, ... ... ... 114
Appendix.
1. Johnne Sempill's Eatificatioun, &c., 1567, 123
2. The Eeuocatioun of the Collectorie, 1581, 127
3. Homing. — Maxwell and Patoun contra Sem-
pill, 1677, ... ... ... ... 127
4. MS. Narrative of his Family, drawn up by Ro-
bert Sempill, fifth of Beltrees, ... 128
5. Instrument of Sasine, 1678, ... ... 129
6. Instrument of Sasine, 168 , ... ... 130
7. Lyferent Obleistment, ... ... ... 131
8. Ane Accompt of the Debts eudew be me Eo-
bert Sempill of Beltreis, &o. ... ... 132
9. Discharge be Magdalen Spence to Piobert
Sempill of Billtrees, &c. ... ... 134
10. Band by Biltreis and his Leadic, &c, ... 134
11. Band bee Beltreise and his Ladie, &c. ... 134
12. Band be Beltreis and his Leadie, &c. ... 135
13. Precept of Clare Constat, &c., ... ... 135
CONTENTS. ix
Page.
14. Instrument of Sasine, &c., 1710, ... 136
15. An Adventure at Edinburgh by the Laird of
Beltrees, ... ... ... ... 137
16. Letter to Sir James Sempill of Beltrees, 139
17. Letter to Sir James Sempill, ... 140
THE PREFACE.
The SeMPILLS of Beltrees were a distinguislied family
— not more so by tlie nobility of their descent than their
genius and literary acquirements. It is assuredly of rare
occurrence that the poetic temperament descends froni
father to son, or that a taste for letters becomes heredi-
tary in a family ; but such was the case with the Sempills
of Beltrees. Sir James, the grandfather, Robert, the
son, and Francis, the grandson, were all men of letters ;
and have each left behind them incontrovertible evidence
of their attainments. Sir James Scmpill no doubt claims
the first attention, if not from innate superiority of talent,
at all events from seniority, and the high position which
he occupied at the court of James the Sixth ; though
the productions of his son and grandson have enjoyed
a degree of popularity denied to the more grave writings
of the polemic and courtier.
It has been matter of surprise that the poetical efFu-
XU THK PREFACE.
sions of so remarkable a family should never before liave
been collected. Laudatory notices of them are to be
found in numerous works ; still there was a vagueness
about their real position in the " Republic of Letters."
The Sempills of Beltrees have often been confounded
with Robert Sempil, author of " The Regentis Trage-
die," 1570, <fcc., whom Sibbald conjectured to have been
Robert, fourth Lord Sempill, but whose identity at this
moment remains as doubtful as it did before Sibbald
ventured to give any opinion on the subject. Certain it
seems, however, that none of the Lords Sempill were
poets ; and although it is altogether extraordinary that
the identity of an author of so much ability and reputa-
tion as Robert Sempil should have been lost sight of,
still it is nevertheless true that it has hitherto eluded all
research. The Sempills of Beltrees were altogether dis-
tinct from this writer. Robert Sempill of Beltrees did
not exist at the time Robert Sempil, author of " The
Regentis Tragedie," flourished.*
* Besides " The Regentis Tragedie," Robert Sempil was the author
of " The Bischoppis Lyfe and Testament," 1571 ; " M7 Lord Methwenis
Tragedie," 1572; " The Sege of the Castel of Edinburgh," 1573 ;— [a
facsimile reprint in black letter of the " Sege," with an introductory
notice, appeared in 1813. Small 4to.] — and several poems published in
" The Evergreen," by Allan Ramsay, 1724. All that seems to bo
known of him is contained in a somewhat overstrained eulogy by
THE PREFACE. xiii
The poetical writings of tlie Sempills of Beltrees, in
a collected form, has long been considered a desideratum.
The late William Motherwell, Esq., entertained for
many years the intention of supplying the want. In a
letter to his friend Mr Laing, in 1825, he says, " I
would like in verity to get on with the Sempills.
You were so good as to promise you would inquire
at Mr Chalmers if he had any notices of the Sem-
pills," &c. In reference to the design of Motherwell,
the editor of Hamilton of Wishaw's " Lanark and
Renfrewshire," published by the Maitland Club in
1831, says — " the Sempills of Beltrees are distinguished
by a kind of hereditary affiance to letters and the muses,
and various eminently successful effusions have been
ascribed to individuals of the family. There can be no
doubt that a careful collection of their poetical writings,
accompanied with memoirs of the writers, would prove
liighly acceptable and useful to Scottish literature ; and
this, it is gratifying to learn, has in some measure been
promised by a gentleman of the neighbourhood — one
Dempster in liia " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum : sive de
Scriptoribus Scotis," published by the Bannatyne Club in 2 vols. 4to.
1829. A collection of .Sempil's poems, with some authentic account of
the author, is certainly a desideratum in Scottish literature, which the
publisher, Mr Stevenson, may at no distant period endeavour to supply.
xvi THE PREFACE.
ready assistance in aiding literary enterprize has not
always been acknowledged as it onght ; and this is the
more inexcusable that he is so liberal in contributing the
fruits of his arduous labours.
In the Appendix will be found various papers, printed
from the original documents, illustrative of the history of
the family. From the manner in which these came to
hand they could only be generally referred to in the
" Genealogical Account of the Sempills," but the reader
will have little difficulty in discovering their bearing on
the text, or the separate interest they may possess.
Edinburgh, June 1849,
GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT
OF
THE SEMPILLS
OF
BELTREES.
I
GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT
OF THE
SEMPILLS OF BELTREES.
I. John SemPILL of Beltrees wag the son of Robert,
third Lord Scmpill, called the " great Lord Sempill," by
his second lady, Elizabeth Carlyle, daughter of Lord Car-
lyle,* of Torthorald, in Dumfries-shire.
AVilliam, the second Lord Scmpill, obtained a charter of
the five-pound lands of Beltrees from Queen lilary, dated
October 1545. t These lands previously belonged to a
family of the name of Stewart. William Stewart and
Alison Kennedy had a charter of them from King
James III. in 1477. This family failed in the person
of another William Stewart of Beltrees in 1599.]:
* This title became extinct in 1579 or 80. The heiress of the estates
married Sir James Douglas, natural brother to James Earl of Morton,
and her eldest son, Sir James, was created Lord Torthorald in 1609.
t Crawfurd's History of Renfrewshire, by fcjemple, p. 48. 4to. 1782.
* He seems, from the following entry, to have become a citizen of
Glasgow : — " 18" Junii, 1575, To William Stewarde of Bultreis, in pairt
payment of his ouregeving and kyndnes of the denys (Deans) hous, to
the Prouest and towne, v lib." — (Burgh Recoids, p. 49. 4to. 1832.)
XX GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
Bel trees, in the parisli of Locliwinnocli, Renfrewshire,
became the patrimony of John Sempill, son of the " great
Lord Sempill," as already mentioned. He married, in
March 1564-5, one of the " Queen's Maries " — Mary
Livingstone, sister of William Lord Livingstone,* who
was attached to her Majesty as a companion or servant
from her infancy till her detlu-onement, and enjoyed
a large share of her Majesty's confidence and esteem.
Knox, in his rude style, says, " Bot yit wes not the
Courte purged of hvireis and huredomc, quhilk wes the
fontane of sik enormiteis; for it wes Weill knawin, that
schame haistit mariage betwix Johne Sempill callit
the Danser, and Marie Levingstoune, surnameit the
Lustie.t What bruit the Maries and the rest of the
dansaris of the Courte had, the ballattes of that aige J did
* " Alexander 5th Lord Livingstone was a man of great integrity
and honour. He was entrusted with the care of Queen Mary's educa-
tion in her young and tender years, and discharged his duty with great
fidelity His second wife was Lady Agnes Douglas, daughter of John
second Earl of Mortoun, by whom he had six children. Among them,
Mary Livingstone, who married John Sempill of Beltrees, son of Lord
Sempill."— (Douglas's Peerage, p. 412. Folio, 1764.)
t The comely, or good-looking, not corpulent, as the word now sig-
nifies.
J The ballads to which Knox specially alludes are not known to be
preserved. Various enactments and proclamations were made from
time to time prohibiting, in 1565, for instance, " the odeoiis ballates
and rymes laitly sett furth be sume evill inclinit personis of your
toun." — (Maitland's History of Edinbiirgh, p. 14.)
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. xxi
witues,. quliilk we for modesteis sake omit."* On tlie
9th March, 1564-5, Queen Mary granted a charter of
the lands of Auchtermuchty, in Fife, and the lands
and lordship of Stewarton, with the feu niaill, &c. in the
Baillierie of Cuninghanie [AjTshire], to " John Sempill,
sone to hir cousin Robert Lord Sempill, and Marie Le-
vingstone his spouse, sister to William Lord Levingstone "
in consideration that " it had pleisit God to move thair
hartes to joyne togidder in the stait of matrimonye."
And this " thair godlie purpose hir Majestie nav^^is
Avilling to impe<le or hinder, Lot rather to sett the
samyn fordwart," at the same time gave and granted to
the said John and Mary various lands in the barony of
Strathbogy, Aberdeenshire, and of Ormischuc, in the
Bailliery of Cuninghame, Ayrshire. f The first of these
grants was ratified in Parliament 16lh April 1567 ;+
and the same favour was continued by James the
Sixth, on the penult November 1581, from his general
Kevocation of grants. Both " John the Dancer," and
" Mary the Lusty," thus seem to have been particular fa-
* History of tLe Reformation. Laing's edition. Vol. 2, p. 415. 8vo.
Edin. 1848."
+ Register of Signatures.
I See Appendix, No. I. — How long these lands remained with the
Beltrees family does not appear from their papers. Sir James Sempill,
son of .Tohn, had a ratification of the infeftment of Stewarton iu 1612.
— (Robertson's Description of r'nninghame, p. 313, 4to. 1S20 )
xxii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
vourites of Queen Mary. Robert, tlic third Lord Seni-
})ill, father of John, granted to the young couple, in
1564-5, the 50s. land of Calderhauch, -with the fishing at
the mouth of Calder-water, to be holden from Lord
Sempill in " few blench," or payment of " one pennie upon
the grund thairof, gif it be askit allanerlie."
John, first Lord Sempill, founded and largely endowed
a collegiate church, near to his mansion of Castlesempill,
for a provost, six prebendaries, and two singing bovs,
in 1504, confirmed by a charter of James IV. in 1506.
He also annexed the rectory of Glasford, in Lanarkshire,
to this church, wliich was called " the Kirk of Sempill."
John Sempill of Beltrces became provost of the church,
and soon after the Reformation reported that the re-
venues of his parsonage of Glasford were let for £40 in
money, and two chaldcrs of oats, yearly, of which he
had received nothing since he was appointed provost.*
In 1577, John Sempill of Beltreeswas convicted, and
had the '• Dome of foirfaltour pronuncit aganis him,"
for art and part in a conspii'acy to slay the Regent Mor-
ton. This affair is stated in the " Criminal Trials,"! ^
* Chalraers' Caledonia, vol. 3, p. 828. 4to. 1824.
t Ancient Criminal Trials in Scotland, from 1488 to 1624, with His-
torical Notes vand Jllustratioiis, bv Hubert Pitcairn. 3 vols. 4to. Edm.
1833.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. xxiu
have taken place in January 1577 : '' Quhilk conspira-
cioune and conferance tliairof wes usit be the said Johnnc
•within the Kirk and Kirkland of Paisley, and iither
places." It is well known that the Regent Morton
carried matters with a high hand, and a deep feeling of
opposition prevailed against him. This aifair is nar-
rated at some length in " The Historic and Life of King
James the Sext ;"* and Craufurd in his " Memoirs "t
gives the following explanation of the matter : —
" In the beginning of the year 1577, a circumstance
occurred which the Eegent eagerly seized upon as a fit
opportunity for again oppressing the Hamilton family.
Queen Mary, previously to her retreat into England, had
bestowed upon Mary Liviugstoun, one of her maids of
honour, a certain portion of land. This lady had mar-
ried John 8cmpill of Beltrees, and Morton, to one of
whose estates the property lay contiguous, resolved to
reduce the deed of gift, and convert it to his own use.
* " The Historic and Life of King James the Sext : being an Ac-
count of the Affairs of Scotland from the year 1566 to the year 159G;
with a short continuation to tlie year 1617." Edited by Thomas Thom-
son, Escj. for the Bannatync Club. 4to. Edin. 18-'5.
t Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland, containing a full and impartial
account of the Revolution in that Kingdom begun in 1567. Faithfully
published from an authentic MS. by Her Majesty's Historiographer for
the Kirrgdom of Scotland [David Crawfurd of DrumsoyJ 8vo. Lon-
doii, 1703.
XXIV GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
The business was accordinfflv brouoht before the Court
of Session, where Morton urged that the gift was null
and void, as the Crown lands could not be alienated.
Beltrecs answered ' That it was a plain deed of gift, un-
der the Groat and Privy Seal, and therefore could not
be recalled.' The plaintiff, however, was both party
and judge, for he sat in person to browbeat the judges ;
and the defender, Sempill, seeing his plea likely to be
lost, in a great rage openly protested that if he lost
his suit he should lose his life too. His uncle, White-
fuird of Milntoune, fell into the same violent passion,
and alluding to Morton's low stature, said ' that Nero
was but a dwarf compared to Mortoun.' These and other
intemperate expressions uttered out of Court, gave the
Regent a handle, and proceedings were instituted against
both uncle and nephew. Beltrees was taken in to Edin-
burgh, but Milnetoun absconding was apprehended at
Bute. A report was industriously spread by the crea-
tures of the government, that these two persons had been
hired by Lord Claud Hamilton to murder the Regent,
and the torture was had recourse to, to make them cri-
minate that nobleman. Beltrees, naturally weak and
timorous, sunk under the first application of the Boot,
and confessed everything they wished ; but Milnetoun, a
THK SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. XXV
man of a more determined spirit, resolutely bore all their
torments with unshaken constancy, and asserted his own
and Lord Claud's innocence. He was shortly afterwards
discharged ; but such cried and arbitrary proceedings
excited the highest indignation, and made Morton's govern-
ment be universally detested."
John Sempill of Beltrees died 25th April, 1579.
This appears from his latter-will, which was recorded
19th February, 1581 [1581-2] :— " The Testament Da-
tive and Inventar of the gudis, geir, sowmes of money
and dettis pertening to umquhile JoHNE SymPILL of
Bultrees, within the Sheriffdome of Renfrew, the tyme
of his dcceis, quha deceist vpon tlie xxv day of August
Im.v^'.lxxix zeiris — faithfullie maid and gevin vp be
Marie Levingstoun his relict [spous] in name and behalf
of Arthour, Jchnc and Dorathie Sympillis, lauchfull
bairnis to the Defunct."
No mention is here made of James, the eldest son ;
but this mav be accounted for from the fact of his being
otherwise provided for.
The " Summa of the Inventar" was " ix^lxxxj libs,
xvjs. vlijd." — " Summa of the Dettis awand to the
deid, iiijmiijcxxxiij lib. vjs. viijd." — " Summa of the
Inventar and Dettis, £5,315. 3. 4." These sums Avere
xxvi GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
" to be divitlit into thrie pairtis, the Deidis pairt,
Im yjjcjxxj lib. xijs. vd." " Quotta componitur pro
XXX lib." (Scottish money). The " Dettis " consisted
of the following : — " Item, thair was awin to the
said umqtihill Johne Sympill of Bultries, be Francis
Erie of Both well, Commendator of the Abbay of Kelso,
ane zeirlie pensioun restand awand out of the said Ab-
bacie, be the space of threttein zeiris preceding his deceis,
extending zeirlie to flfyve hundi'etli merkis, Summa
vjmyc merkis."* This debt having been resting owing
for the space of thirteen years prior to the death of John
Sempill, it consequently dates back to the year 1566,
when the pension was probably first granted. No notice
of it occurs in any of the gifts of the Crown to Sempill.
Mary Livingstoun, Lady. Beltrees, had a charter from
P.obert, fourth Lord Sempill, superior, in liferent of
the ten merkland of Thridpairt, and her son, James Sem-
pill, in fee, 20th January, 1583. The curators for
James Sempill were William Lord Lewingstoun, Hew
Montgomerie of Hesilhcid, and Duncan Lewingstoun,
burgess of Edinburgh. Lord Sempill confirmed his grand-
father's charter of Thridpairt, granted in March, 1564-5,
* According to the rate of Scottish money, this 6500 marks amount-
ed to the £4333, 6s. 8cl. included in the sum of the inventory.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTKEES. xxvu
The cliai-tev of confirmation was subscribed at Edinburgh,
before Thomas Sempill, Mathew Sempill, &c. Robert,
the fourth Lord Sempill, or his curators, seem to have
refused the ratification* of the charter of the 50s. land of
Calderhauch, granted by Robert, the third Lord Sempill,
to his son and Mary Livingstone in 1564-5, for Lady Bel-
trees raised an action before the Lords of Council, 25th
February, 1583, to compel his doing so. The Lords
pronounced their " Decreit, that Lord Sempill shall war-
rant and defend Mary Levingstoun, &c., of the 50s. land
of Calderhaugh, with the Fisching at the water mouth of
Calder ; and also the ten merk land of Thridpairt, with
the Manner-place, Mylne, and the Fischings."
II. SiK James Sempill of Beltrees, son and suc-
cessor of " John the Dancer," and author of " The Pack-
man's Paternoster," was born in the year 1566. He
was served heir of his father, John Sempill of Bel-
trees, in the lands of Auchtermuchtie, in Fife, in 1588.
He had a ratification of his infeftment of the lands of
Stewarton from James VI., 12th October, 1612.* He
marrie<l Egidia, or " Geillis Elphistoun, sister of Maistcr
* These lands must have heen alienated from the Beltrees family be-
tween 1612 and ]G3.'J, in whicli Iritter year the acts of Parliament show
that they belonged to the CuniiighaitieB of Cnrschill.
xxvm UENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
George Elphistoun of Blythswod," in 1594. The contract
of marriage is dated 12t]i June of tliat year. He infeft her
in the ten merk land of Thridpairt, 16th July, 1594,
Her tutors were Robert Chirnsyde of Over Possill, Ma-
riot Scott, his wife, Mr Greorge Elphinstone, her brother,
&c. Sir James appears to have received his education
along with James the Sixth, who ever afterwards main-
tained the highest esteem for him. This fact is stated in
a manuscript fragment, written by Mr Greorge CraAvfnrd,
the historian of RenfreAvshire, found amongst the Belti'ees
papers. The MS. is as follows : —
" Vita Jacobi Semple de Beltrees militis, 1626.
" Sir James Semple of Beltrees was son of John S. of
the same place, who was son of Robert Lord Semple by
his second lady, Elizabeth Cairlyle, dr. to the Lord Thor-
thorald.
" Our author's mother was Mary Livingstoun, daugh-
ter of the Lord Livingstoun, one of the Maids of Honour
to Queen Mary. Sir James was born about the year
1565. His mother being married the preceding year,
and being of an age with King James ye 6t, had his
education with that learned Prince, with whom he be-
came a most intimate companion, and enjoyed some very
honourable offices in the State. Particularlv, I find him
'.''
THE SEMPILLS OP BELTREES. xxix
Secretary-Depute, and Resident att Londoun. There
are very honourable documents in the hands of his suc-
cessour. He dyed in the year 1626. Leaving Robert,
his son and heir, (author of Habbie Simson,) and two
daughters, Maiy, married to Collin Campbell of Arking-
lass, and Margaret, to Walter M'Farland of Arochar."
James VI. was in fact god-father to Sir James Sem-
pill, though an infant, and unconscious of it at the time.
Alluding to this circumstance, Sir James, in his " Sacri-
lege Sacredly Handled,"* says, "Yea, behold what interest
I have also in our sacred David : Even devoted to his ser-
vice, by my parents, before I was ; thereafter, named in,
and after his Majesties owne name, before himselfe could
know it ; yet after knowledge, confirmed, and in his H.
Court, almost ever since, both nursed and schooled. And
so is our David, the King of my birth ; the Master of
my service ; the father of my name ; framer of my na-
ture ; and the Gamaliel of my education ; at whose feet
(no, at whose elbow, and from whoso mouth) I confesse
I have suckt the best of whatsoever may bee thought
good in me."
Sir James Sempill liad thus the advantage of being
• " Sacrilege Sacredly Handled, that is according to Scripture only;
for the Use of all Churches in general, but more especially for those of
North-Britaine. Small 4to. Lond. 1619."
XXX GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
instructed by that eminent scholar and writer, George
Buchanan ; and no doubt it was to this circumstance that
we may attribute much of the excellence of Sir James's
Latinity ; but he completed his education at the University
of St Andrews. Sir James was " Resident at London " in
1599. The original of the following letter, addressed to
him while there, is among the Bel trees papers. An in-
accurate transcript of it was given by Semple in his Con-
tinuation of Craufurd's history of Renfrewshire. The
substance of it was also copied, without acknowledgment,
by the late Mr Maxwell, minister of Kilbarchan, with all
its blunders, into the Statistical account of that parish : —
" Letter from King James VI. to Mr James Sempill,
in 1599."*
" Mr James Symple of Biltrees our Resident Agent in
our Aflfaires at Londoun We greit you wele. It is our
will and we command that vpoun the sicht heirof ye
anser our seruitor Robert Foulis off the soume of ane
hundreth pundis sterling money off the first and reddyest
of this yeiris amiuitie ressauit be yow, and that for the
defray of sumpairt of his chairges susteinit be his remaning
thair, and to be susteanit in liis hamecumin and quliilk
order be failein for the pament of sic debtis as ar restand
* Indorsation.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTKEES. xxxi
awand to liim Quhilk soume salbe tliankfullie allowed to
yow upoun compt keipand tliir presents in his discharge
upoun tlie ressait tliairof for your wairand. Subscrivit in
our hand, At Linlytgow the xii. day of September 1599.
(Signed) " James R."
Sir James was recalled in February. The following
passport, by the Queen of England, is also among the
Beltrees papers : —
" An order for Sheriffs, Justices of the Peace, &c. to
provyde Sir James Sempill with sufficient post Horses to
serve him in his Return from England where he had
been sent Ambassador from the Scotts King to the Queen
of England : 1599. *
" Whereas the Leard of Bcltrcys beyng sent Ambas-
sador from the Scottish Kinge unto hir Majestic, ys now to
make his departure againe into Scotlande, This is there-
fore to will and command you in Her Majestie's name
not onlie to see him furnished of sufficient good hable
poste horses for himselfe his servants and guides from
place to place to the towne of Berwick, But also to see
him in his said Journey used with all favour and cur-
tessie Whereof faylle you not as you will answer unto
the contrarie. From the Court at Richmonde the 23d of
February 1599 (1600).
•
* Indorsation, in a rather modern hand.
xxxii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
" To all Mayors, Sheryvis, Justyces, Bailyfcs, Consta-
bles, Headborouglis, and all other her Majesties Officers
and others to whom it shall appertain and to every of
them .
" Sic subscribitur,
" Tho. Egerton.
Gr. HUNSDON.
W. K NOLLYS.
T. BUCKHURST.
Ro. North.
Ro. Cecyle.
Nottingham.
j. fortescue."*
Not long after Sir James Sempill's return to the Scot-
tish Court he was made Knight Bachelor ; and in 1601,
sent ambassador to France. He proceeded by England ;
the friendly terms on which the two countries then were
affording every facility for travelling by Dover to France.
The following licence from the English Court is said, by
Semple, to be among the Beltrees papers ; but it proba-
* In the State Paper Office, P. 20, T. 24, there are three letters from
8ir .lames 8erapill of Boltrees, while ambassador at London, to Sir
Robert Cecil, the Secretary of State. They are prettily written on
gilt paper, and he signed his name " Ja. Sempill of Beltkeis."
The first is dated London, 3d November, 1.599 ; the second, London,
17th November, 1.599 ; the third, London, " This Friday at night : This
ynnch on my going ;twify." — MS. NOTE BY THE AUTHOR OF CALEDONIA.
THE SEMPILLS OP BELTliEES. xxxiii
bly has been lost, as it did not turn up in our search.
We therefore quote from Semple : —
" Whereas Sir James Semple knyght servant to the
King of Scotts is to make his speedy repare into Franco
for some specyal servyce of the sayd King these are
therefore to will and i-equyre you and every of you not
only to suifjr him and his servants quyetly to passe with-
out any unnecessarie lette or interuptione but also to see
them provyded of suffj'cient and liable post horses toge-
ther with guydes from stage to stage to the towne of
Dover at such reasonable pryces as arc accustomed to be
payed in lyke cases and thereof not to fayl as you will
ansuer for the contrary at your perill. From the Courte
at Richmond the 4th Octr. 1601.
" To all hir Majesties sherifes justyces of peace baylies
constables postmasters headboroughs and all other hir
Majestyes oflicers whom it may concern.
(Signed) " ROBERT CeCYLL."
Semple states, that after the return of Sir James from
France, he built a large house at the Cross of Paisley,
called the Black Land, which he intended for the recep-
tion of the King when his Majesty visited the Monastery
of Paisley. Semple, however, is in error. The Black
Land was possessed by his father, John Sempill of Bel-
3
xxxiv GE^^EALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
trees, and therefore could not have been built by him.
In the " E-cntale of the annualis callit pittancis, within
the Burgh of Paslay, to be payit zeirlie from 1658," Ave
find the following entry : — " The heych houssis and tene-
ments now at the Croce perteining to Sir James Sympill
of Eilltries, knight, wes of auld ij tenements, qrof. the
heych houss wes callit the challmerlainis houss, and payit
yeirlie . . and the vther tenement quhair the hall is
now, wes anis vmqle Martha Hamiltones, and payit yeirlie
of pittancis . . zeit thereftir coft all thaim, viz. 25
Maij anno 1548 be Robt. Master Sympill than, payand
yeirlie vi lib. xiijs. iiijd. than, for the heych house onle,
and thairefter a new chartor gevin to vmqle John Sympill
of Billtreis of the heych houss at the Croce foirsaid, pay-
and yeirlie thairfoire x merks, and payand yeirlie for Mar-
tha Hamiltou.nis houss thair, xijs vid. 14 Jan. Anno
1555."*
Sir James was unwittingly perhaps, the cause of much
commotion in the Presbyterian Church, and no small
uneasiness to his liberal patron the King. He was em-
ployed as amanuensis by his Majesty when the latter, in
1599, composed his celebrated treatise, the '•' Basilicon
» Paislev Magazine, edited by W. Motherwell, pp. 686-7. 8vo, 1828.
THE SEMPILLS OP BELTREES. xxxv
Doron.^^* The King intending the work to be kept
secret, it being solely for the use of his son, Prince Heniy,
only seven copies were printed ; but Sir James, through
old acquaintance, having shown one of the copies to
Andrew Melville, the latter took notes of certain pas-
sages, which were laid before the leading Presbyteries. A
ferment was the result. Melville had always taken an
active part in the movement of the clergy. In May
1606, he and several others were summoned by the King
to repair to London, before the 15th September following,
to a conference, with the view of settling the peace of the
Church. This treaty as is well known, led to no ami-
cable result, and ultimately Melville was sent to the Tower,
where he was kept under great restraint for about ten
months, when a mitigation of his punishment was pro-
cured chiefly through the instrumentality of Sir James
Sempill. At length, Nov. 1610, it was intimated to
him that he should bo released from prison on condition
of his going to France. Melville made every exertion
to obtain his liberty. He wrote a letter to Sir James
Sempill, in which he modestly stated his claims " at least
to an honest retreat from wafare, with the hope of burial
* " Sir James was a very proper transctiber, as he wrote a pretty
hand." — MS. note 1'v the author of Caledonia.
xxxvi GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
with his ancestors." Melville was highly sensible of Sir
James Sempill's exertions in his behalf. Writing to his
nephew, he says : — " Did my friend Sempill, the assertor
of my liberty, visit you in passing 1 If he did, as he
promised he would, why have you not said a word about
him ? All my friends owe much to him on my account.
He takes a warm interest in my studies, as well as in the
welfare of my person ; and, Avhat is more, I am persuaded
that he takes a warm interest in the cause. The Court
does not contain a more religious man, one who unites
greater modesty with greater genius, and a more matured
judgment with more splendid accomplishments. In pro-
curing for me a mitigation of my imprisonment, he has
shown, both by words and deed, a constancy truly worthy
of a Christian. If you meet with him on his return
(for he means to return with your hero) thank him on
my account ; for he will not rest satisfied until he haa
effected my complete liberation."*
In February 1611 Melville received a letter from the
Duke of Bouillon, stating that he had procured his li-
beration from the Tower, and inviting him to Sedan.
There he was appointed joint professor of divinity with
Tilenus, a native of Silesia, who had come to France
• M'Crie's Life of Melville, pp. 409-11. 8vo. Edin. 1824.
TUB SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. xxxvii
early in his youth. Having become a convert to Armin-
ianism, Tilenus at length left Sedan, and became an open
and avowed enemy of Calvinism, which Melville had all
along strenuously supported. This involved Melville in
a controversy, in which he was ably assisted by Sir James
Sempill. Tilenus, disappointed in his scheme of raising
partizans in France, sought to ingratiate himself ^vith
Knig James, by a defence of the late proceedings in
Scotland, and by an attack on the Scottish Presbyterians.
His work was entitled, " Panenesis ad Scotos, Genevensis
Disciplinae Zelotas. Autore Dan. Tileno Silesio. Lon-
don, 1620." Small 8vo. There is also an edition of
this little work from the press of Edward Raban, at St.
Andrew's, in 1620. The reply to this, usually attri-
buted to Melville, was the production of Sir James
Sempill. It is entitled, " Scoti Toe Tup/oyroj Para-
clesis contra Danielis Tileni Silesii Paraenesin. — Cuius
pars prima est, De Episcopali Ecclesiae Eegimine.
Anno 1622." 4to. The work is written with much
ability, in a style of nervous reasoning, seasoned with
satire, which is, upon the whole, less severe than
the rudeness of the attack which it repels would have
justified. At the close the author signifies his intention
of publishing two parts, on Elders, and on the Five Cc-
xxxviii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
remonics obtruded upon the Kirk of Scotland. But the
necessity for these was superseded by the elaborate " Al-
tare Damascenum'' of Caldcrwood, which appeared the
following year.
Besides these two controversial essays, Sir James was
the author of " Cassandra Scoticana to Cassander Angli-
canus. Ep. Dedic. Midelburgi, 1618," and a work against
Scaliger and Selden, entitled, " Sacriledge Sacredly
Handled, &c. Lond. 1619. 4to. To this latter work
three epigrams by Melville are prefixed.
These, together with " The Packman's Paternoster,"
are the only known works of Sir James Sempill. They
are sufficient, however, to elevate the author to no mean
rank among the controversial writers of a bygone age ;
and certainly bear out Melville in his estimate of the
learning and genius of the author.
The position which Sir James Sempill held at Court,
together with his zealous Presbytcrianism and literary
reputation, brought him into frequent communication
with the public men of his time. We find Archbishop
Spottiswood addressing a letter to him on the 12th Oc-
tober 1611 ;* and another dated " Dublin, May 4, 1612,"
* "W'odrow's Life of Spottiswood.
TlIK SEMPILLS OF EELTilEES. xxxix
from James Hamilton,* in recommendation of Usher,
* " The state of education had fallen so low (in Ii'eland) that it was
with difficulty an individual capable of teaching the learned languages
could be fouud even in the capitol.
" In 1587 James Fullarton and James Harailtoun established a school
in Dublin. The talents of the two Scotsmen, joined with the most
winning manners, soon procured them scholars. After they had taught
privately for five years, they were admitted to professorships in Trinity
College, the fabric of which had been recently co77ipleted ; and they
contributed greatly to bring the University of Dublin into that repu-
tation which it quickly acquired. Their labours would have deserved
to be commemorated if they had done no more than to educate the
celebrated James Usher, afterwards Archbishop of Armn.gh, the great
ornament of the Church of Ireland, and one of the most learned men
of his age. He was one of their first pupils in the grnmmar-school,
was conducted through his course of philosophy at the University by
Hamilton, and was accustomed to mention it as an instance of the
kindness of Providence that he received his education under the two
Scotsmen, ' who came thither by chance, and yet proved so happily
useful to himself and others.' At a subsequent period, James [VI.]
availed himself of the credit which they had gained, and they were
employed in secret negotiations of the nature mentioned, which they
carried on with much ability and success. The services of both were
rewarded. Fullarton was knighted, admitted of the bed-chamber, and
resided ordinarily at court after the accession. Hamilton was created
Viscount Claneboy, and afterwards Earl of Clanbrissil ; was entrusted
with great authority in Ireland; and, in concert with his pupil, the
Primate, and his countryman, the Bishop of Kaphoe, shev.-ed favour to
such ministers as took shelter in that country from the persecution of
the Scottish prelates." — M'Crie's Life of Melville.
" In the kirkyard of Duniop there is a tomb erected about 180 years
ago to the memory of a minister of the pariah. On a flagstone in the
Hoor is the following inscription: ' Heir lyis Hanis liamiltcune, vicar
of Dunlope, ((uha deceisit ye 30 of Alaii 1608, ye aige of 72 yeirs, and
Janet Denham his spous.' Under a marble arch, with two marble
pillars of the composite order in front, are two statues kneeling on a
marble monument in the attitude of devotion, and habited according
to the fashion of the times. There is also a long inscription on a
marble slab in the wall, stating that he was the son of Archibald Ha-
milton of Raploch, and that his wifj was the daughter of James Den-
ham of West Sheilds — that they lived together forty-five years, during
which period he served the euro at this church ; — that they had six.
xl GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
when he went to London to publish his first work.
" Clear them," (Dr Chaloner and Mr Usher), says Ha-
milton, '• to his Majestie that they are not puritans ; for
they have dignitarieships and prebends in the Cathedral
Churches here."*
As Sheriff Substitute of Renfrewshire, to which he
had been appointed in 1602, f Sir James appears to have
heartily entered into the preparations made for the recep-
tion of James the Sixth, his king and patron, who visited
the Monastery of Paisley in 1617 ; but the arrangements
of his Majesty did not admit of his crossing the bridge into
sons, and one daughter, Jean, married to William Muire of Glander-
stouu — and other particulars.
" It appears to have been erected by their son, James, the first Vis-
count Claudebois, of the kingdom of Ireland, from whom descended
the Hamiltons, Earls of Clanbrassil, a family whose honours became
extinct in 1798. It is a piece of fine workmanship." — Robertson's
Cuninghame, p. 306.
Sir James Sempill participated to some extent in the good fortune
of FuUarton and Hamilton. He had a sliare of the out-farms of Car-
berry, in the county of Cork, granted by King James in 1606 to
Graham and Hamilton, which portion he exchanged for a great extent
of Walter Coppinger's lands. Ho experienced much difficulty in ob-
taining the conditions, or payment of the bonds. He at length, how-
ever, got a deliverance of " Oliver St John," the Lord Lieutenant of
Ireland in 1617. These lands were violently appropriated during the
usurpation of Cromwell ; and the successors of Sir James in vain at-
tempted to recover them.
» M'Crie's Life of Melville, p. 406, vol. ii.
t March 9th, 1602, Sir James Sempill, Knight, admitted Sheriff Sub-
stitute, in presence of the Honourable the Master of Paisly. upon a
commission from Robert Lord Semple, Sheriff Principal of Renfrew-
shire, and Robert Vass, appointed to be Sheriff Clerk.- Paisley Re-
cords.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTIiEES. xli
Paisley. Motives of prudence — not to put the burgh to
expense — it is said, dictated this course.* There can be
little doubt that Sir James was the author of the Oration
delivered before the King by a " a prettie boy of 9 yeerea
age," in the great hall of Abercom House. In " The
Muses Welconie," by Adamson, the following account
is given of the reception of the King : —
" The Kings Maiestie came to Pasley the xxiiii of Jvly where
in the Earle of Abercorne his great Hall was verie gra-
tiouslie deliuered by a prettie boy of 9 yeeres age Williams
Semple sone to Sir James Semple of Beltries this Welcome
following.
" A Graver Orator (Sir) would better become so gi-eat an ac-
tion as to welcome our great and most gratious Soveraine ; and
a bashfull silence were a boyes best eloquence. But seeing wee
read that in the salutations of that Romane Caesar, a sillie Pyo
amongst the rest cryed Ave Csesar to : Pardon mee (Sir) your
M. uwne old Parret, to put furth a few words, as witnesses of
the fervent affections, of your most faithfull subjects in these
parts ; who all by my tongue, as birds of one Cage, cryo with
mee, Ave Ctesar, Welcome most gratious King.
" Welcome then is the word, and welcome the work wee all
aimc at. A verball welcome were base, trivial and for everie
* Semple, in his Continuation of Cra-wfurd, says — " As T am inform-
ed the King was petitioned not to pass through tho port at the old brig
into the town, the magistrates being afraid they would not be able to
maintaiu the dignity of a royal burgh."
xlii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
body ; and a Real or Royal welcome answering either our harts
desires, or your H. deservings, Ad hcec quis sujiciens ? Actions
can never tequall affections. Saying then is nothing ; shall I
sweare your I\I. welcome ? I dare ; hut it hecommeth not a boy
to touch the Bible ; and yet, because an oath taken by nothing,
is but nothing, I sweare by the Black Book of Paisley* your M.
is most dearlie Welcome.
" Thus have I said (Sir) and thus have 1 sworne.
Performance tak fi-om Noble Abercorne.
" Welcome then (Sir) every where, but welcomer here, then
any where. This seemeth a Paradox, but if I prove it, your
M. I hope will approve it. Three pillers of my proof I find in
our old Poet, Phoebus, his Clytia ; and his Leucothoe ; whose
fabulous Allegorie if I can applie to our selves by true historie,
all is well.
" Phoebus (Sir) you knowe is knowne to all, because seene
of all : that Sunne, that Eye, by which the world seeth, shin-
ing alike both on good and bad. And are not you (Sir) onr
royaU Phoebus ? are not you, as ane eye of world, seeing vpon
you are the Eyes of the world, some for good, others for evill
* The Black Book (or Chronicle) of Paisley. Mr Riddell, advocate,
in his " Reply" to Dr Hamilton of Bardowie, has the following note in
reference to this ancient record :— " In the same year, 1574, Lord Claud
Hamilton pursues Lord Sempill in the Civil Court for delivery to him
of the Black Book of ' Fasly.' This it is believed is the oldest notice of
a chronicle alluded to by historians which has been the subject of con-
troversy. Some relative extracts are to be found in a M.S. in the Ad-
vocates Library, transcribed in 1501. Like most of our chronicles it
may chiefly have embodied Fordun; at the same time these often con-
tain interjections and additions that are curious."
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTKEES. xlm
according to tbeir minds. And as that Sunne in his course,
compasseth and passeth by the whole world ; so hath your
M. since you beganne to shine in your royall Sphaere, in-
hanced a good part of the world ; but passed by, and buried
all the Princes, aswell of the Heathen as Chiistiane world.
O shine still then our royall Fhoebus.
" Now that your M. is the peculiar Phoebus of our westerne
world, if any doubt, then, Ex ore duorum aut trium, your
three Kingdomes ar three witnesses. Still shine then our royal
Phoebus. Now (Sir) Clytia and Leucothoe were Phoebus Mis-
tresses ; Clytia the daughter of the Ocean, Phoebus first Love.
Hence did the Poets faine, that the Sunne rising in the East,
holdeth his course westward, for visiting his love, and accord-
ing to their long or short embracements, aryse our long or short
dayes and nights. And are not wee then (Sir) of Scotland,
your M. owne old kindlie Clytia ? are not you (Sir) our Phoe-
bus, commiug from the East, with glorious displayed beames,
to embrace vs in the mouth of the Ocean ? and is not this verie
place now (Sir) your vestermost period ? Ergo (Sir) your kind-
liest Clytia.
" Your Clytia (Sir) is of many goodlio members. Your M.
hath past alreddio her head, neck, and armes, your greater
Townes and Cities ; but till now came you never to her hart.
Why ? because in this very parish is that auncient seat of
William Wallace that worthie Warner, to whome (vnder God)
wee owe that you ar ours, and Britanno yours. In this very
parish is that Noble house of Dairnley-Lennox, whence sprung
your M. most famous progenitors. In the Citie you eamo from,
the bed that bred you : In the next you goe to, That noble
>:liv GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
nico of Hamilton, wherein your H. most royall Stemme dis-
tilled some droppes of their dearest Blood : and in this very
house, is, your M. owne noble Abercorne, a cheef sprigge of
the same roote, removed only a litle by tyme, but nothing by
Nature. And therefore are you in the verie hart of your
Clytia, and so welcomer to her hart, then to any other part.
And so I hope your Parret hath proved his Paradox.
" Now (Sir) Leucothoe, that fairest Ladye, Phoebus second
love, shee is even your M. owne glorious England most worthy
of all love. When that Phoebus, first wowed that Leucothoe,
hee was faine to transforme him selfo in the shape of her
Mother, and so to chift her hand-maids for a more pi'ivat ac-
cesse. But when your M. went first to your English Leucothoe,
you went lik your selfe, busked with your owne beames, and
backed with the best of your Clytia : So were both you and
wee welcome, and embraced of your Leucothoe. And retourn-
ing now to your Clytia, you bring with you againe, the verie
lyfe (as it were) of your Leucothoe, these Nobles and Genti-ie
which accompanie you ; and shuld not both bee ; nay ; are not
both most dearlie welcome to your Clytia.
" That Phoebus in his love to his Leucothoe forgot his Clytia;
he came no more at her, her nights grewe long, her winters
tedious, whereupon Clytia both revealed and reviled their loves;
and so Leucothoe was buried quick by her owne furious father,
and Clytia cast out for ever of Phoebus favour. But your M.
in your most inward embracements of your Leucothoe, then
were you most mindfuU of your old Clytia. Jndeed our nights
have beene long, a fourtein yeeres winter, if wee weigh but
your persone ; but yet the beames of your Royall hart (the
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTKEES. xlv
onlie lyfe of Love) were ever awarming vs. The onely reme-
die were, that these two Ladyes, as their loves are both fixed
on one, so them selves become both one ; and what will not
true love vnite ? As they have alreadie taken on one Name
for their deare Phoebus sake, let them put on also one Nature
for the same sake. So shall our Phoebus shine alike on both ;
be still present with both ; our nights shalbe turned in day,
and our w inter in ane endlesse Sommer ; and one beame shall
launce alike on both sides of our bound-rod, and our Phcebus
no more need to streach out his armes on both sides of it,
devyding as it were his Royall body for embracing at once
two devidcd Ladyes. Hce that conspireth not to this Union,
let never Phoebus shine more on him.
" Lastly (Sir) that poore Clytia, thogh shee lost her Phoebus
favour, yet left shee never of to love him, but still whether his
Chariot went, thether followed her eyes, till in end by her end-
lesse observance shee was turned in that floure called Helio-
tropion or Solsequium. And how much more (Sir) shuld wee
who growe daylie in your grace and favour ; bee all turned in
a Baei7.soTPorio\/ with a faithfull Ohsequium. Our eyes shall
ever be fixed on your Royall Chariot : and our harts on your
Sacred Person.
" Royal Phonbus keepc this course for ever,
And from thy deare Britannia never sever,
But if the Fates will rather frame it so
That Phoebus now must come, and then must goe,
Long may thy selfe ; Thy race mot ever ring
Thus, without end: we end. God Save our King.
" Amen."
xlvi GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
" After a patient investigation of the Records of the
Town Council of the Burgh," says Motherwell in the
Paisley Magazine, " we cannot discover any notice of
this visit, which leads us to conclude that his Majesty
never crossed the Cart, or passed through the Brig-port.
This silence also gives a colour of truth to the current
tradition that the Bailies supplicated his Majesty not to
enter within their bounds, their common burse being then
so miserably reduced that they, his loyal and dutiful sub-
jects, could, not entertain him with that sumptuousness
which befitted their respective estates. To this request,
it seems, the benevolent monarch lent a gracious ear, and
contented himself with abiding in the Place or Abbev of
Paisley, where he was most hospitably entertained by the
' noble Abercorn,' "
The year following the visit of the King, Sir James
was bereaved of his lady, who died at Bell's Wynu,
Paisley, in the month of September 1618. Her will,
which is curious, is as follows : —
" Test. &c. Dame Geillis Elphinstoune, Ladie Biltreis, wtin.
the burt. of Paslay, the tyrao of hir deceis, Quha deceist in
the moueth of September, Jra vie and Auchtein zeiris, &c.
" Legacie. At Bells Wynd, the scvint day of Januar,
Jm vie and Auchtein zeirs. The quhilk day Dame Geillis
Elphinstoune, Ladie Beltreis, Recomends hir saull and bodie
THE SEiMPILLS OF BELTliEES. xlvii
in the hands of the Eternall God hir creator. Item, scho no-
minats Mareoun, Geillis and IsobellSeinpills, hir dochteris, hir
onlie exi'S. Intrors. wt. hir guids, geir and debtis. Item, Scho
levis to hir dochtei", the Ladie Arkinlas, ane gown of flowrit
velvot, ane doublat and skirt of purpor. flourit velvet. Item,
to the Ladie M'farlande, ane blak sattein dowblet and figorit
Telvot, wt. ane gowne of the samyne. Item, ane gowne and
ane wyliecoitt, the goune of burret, and the wylicoitt of reid
claithe. To Mareoun Paden, with fyve hundrithe mks., for
hir feyis and guid srvis Item, to hir eldest sone,
Robert, ane diamont ring. Item, ane vther ring of blew safeir
[ ] to the said Mareoun. Item, ane dussane of sylwir
spones and twa taibletts of gold to George, hir sone. To hir
dochter, Margaret, ane furneist fedder bed, in lyng. and all
necessaris, viz. fedder bed, bowster, twa codis, twa coveringis,
twa pair blankatts, four pair scheitts, twa pair small scheitts,
and twa pair round scheitts. To ]\Iareoun Paden ane furneist
fedder bed for the bairne George. Item, to the Ladie M'far-
land ane cheynze of gold and caskat, Item, to Mareoun ane
cheynze of gold wt. ane knap in forme of pig at the end thairof
Item, to Geillis, hir dochter, ane vther cheinze of gold of ffour-
scoir twelf linkes. Item, to Issobell, hir dochter, ane cheinze
of gold set wt. sum stanes and pearled. Scho recommendis
Mareoun to the Ladie Arkinlas, Geillis to Sir George Elphin-
stoune, hir brother. Item, George, hir sone, and Isobell, to
ye said Mareoun Paden, in kciping, on thair awin expenss.
Item, scho recommends the orsyt. of hir haill bairnes and
estait to hir husband, Sir George and James Elphinstounes,
hir brether. Item, scho hes in Edl. present Thrattein hun-
xlviii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
drithe inks, in gold. Off the qlk. expenss in all thingis to be
done deducit, scho levis the rest to Geillis, hir dochter. Sub-
scryvit with hir hand, &c. In presens of Sir George Elphin-
stoune, hir brother, &c. Confirmed, June 4, 1633."
In this document, it will be observed, tliere is no men-
tion made of tbe " prettie boy " who delivered the ora-
tion. If Adamson was correct in saying he was a son
of Sir James Sempill, the youth must have died in the
interval between the visit of the King and the death of
Lady Bel trees.
The items specified in the legacy are not only interest-
ing as showing the extent of " plenishing " and bijoutrie
possessed by a lady of quality in the early part of the
seventeenth century ; but they also exhibit a fine example,
in the legacy to Mareoun Paden, of the respect in which
old and worthy servants were held by our ancestors.
Sir James survived his lady about seven years. lie
died at his house in Paisley, in the month of February
1G25-6. His death is noticed in " The Obituary of Ro-
bert Boyd of Trochrig," (vol. i. of the " Bannatyne
Miscellany,") where he is described as a gentleman of
learning, an old and familiar servant of the King, and a
" grand enemie h la pseudo-hicrarchie." From the testa-
nientof his lady, it would appear that he had issue by her : —
TUE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. xlix
1. Robert, who succeeded.
2. George, (an Infant in 1617).
1. Marion, married to Colin Campbell of Ardkinlas.
2. Margaret, married to Walter M'Farlane of that Ilk .*
3. Mary; 4. Geillis ; 5. Isobell.
III. Egbert SempilL of Beltrees, who enlarged
the " Packman's Paternoster," and the author of the
" Elegy on the Death of Habbie Simson," &c. was the
eldest son and successor of Sir James. He was served
heir of his father, Oct. 12, 1625, in the lands of Yochar,
Blavarthill, Kings-medow, &c., in Renfrewshire ; also,
in the lands of Stewarton, with the pendicles to it of the
lands of Ormcsheuche, Hilhouse, &c., in Ayrshire ; and
in the Island of Little Cumray, in the shire of Bute.
Oct. 10, 1626, he was served heir in general to his father.
He was probably born in 1595, his parents having been
man'ied in 1594. He was educated at the College of
Glasgow, having entered, or matricvilated, in the Kalends
of March 1613. In the Register he is designed " Ro-
* M'Farlane was a great loyalist, and " suffered much on account of
his attachment to the royal family, in the reign of King Charles I.,
and was fined by Parliament for having joined Montrose, in the sum of
3000 merks, in 1C4(J. He was twice besieged in his own house, during
Cromwell's usurpation, and one of his houses, called the Castle of In-
verouglas, was burnt to the ground by the English ; and in it several of
the antient writs of the family were consumed." Ho died in 1664. —
Douglas's Baronage of Scotland, p. 9G. Edin. 1798, folio,
4
1 GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
bcrtu3 Semple ha;rcs de Bultrcis." He married Mary,
daughter of Sir Thomas Lyon of Auldbar.
As a poet, the additions to his father's poem of the
" Packman's Paternoster," and the " Elegy on Habbie
Simson," entitle liim to no mean consideration. It is to be
regretted that so few of his productions have been
preserved. The great civil war, which raged during
the prime of his life, would no doubt interrupt the
flow of his muse. In that struggle, as we learn from
a paper among the Beltrees documents, written by his
grandson, he fought on the side of Charles I. and his
successor, being an officer in the royal army, and like
many others suffered severely in the cause. He took an
active part in promoting the Restoration ; but never had
his Irish lands restored to him. It may be conceived,
therefore, that during the Commonwealth he had but
little heart to cultivate the muse. The pecuniary dif-
ficulties of the family at this period are indicated by a
wadset, contracted on the 10th March 1649, by which
Robert Sempill and his spouse. Dame Marie Lyoune,
dispone " all and haill thaire twa pairte of the fywe
merk land of Auchinlodmont, with housses, zairds, &c.
lyand within the parochin of Paisley," to " Capitane
Livetenncnt George Montgomeric," for ^^3000.
Robert Sempill of Beltrees must have died before
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTJREES. li
1669, ou the 28tli June of wliich year his son, Francis
Sempill of Beltrees, "vvith consent of his wife, Jean
Campbell, made an excamby with John Caldwell,
mason, portioner of Risk, of part of the Park Meadow for
" twa Rigs, along with the Hall of Beltrees." He Avas
alive in 1660, having been a witness to a baptism at
Forehouse on the 28th September of that year. Besides
his successor, he had a daughter, Elizabeth, married to
Sir George Maxwell of New-wark.
IV. Francis Sempill of Beltrees, author of " The
Banishment of Poverty," &c. succeeded his father. The
time of his birth has not been ascertained. Amongst
the many traditions of his poetical talent preserved by
the peasantry of Lochwinnoch and Kilbarchan parishes,
there is one to the effect that, when quite a boy, his
grandfather and he happening to be walking together,
the former observed — " Thy faither is a poet — thou
maun ti-y thy hand. We'se gang the length of Castle-
Sempill, then let me hear it," The first attempt of
Francis, thus prompted, was as follows : —
" Thair livit thrie lairds into the west,
And thair names were Beltrees :
An the Deil wad tak twa awa',
The thiid wad loive at ease."
lil GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
" Sir James straikit his head, but nippit his lug [ear]."
So says tradition, and the anecdote seems to bo popularly
believed in the district. But it is somewhat apocryphal.
Sir James Serapill, the grandfather of Francis, died in
1625-6 ; and as he was only married in 1594, his son
Hobert, the father of Francis, could not be more than
thirty years of age at his death. Supposing Robert to
have married at the age of twenty, and there is reason
to believe that he did marry early in life, Francis Avould
not be more than nine years old when his grandfather
died. He seems, therefore, to have been too young to
compose the lines attributed to him.
" Francis Sempill, younger of Beltries, married Jeane
Cample, in the paroch of Lochgoilsheid, 3 April, 1655."
The ceremony took place in the kirk of Lochgoilshead.
His lady was a daughter of Ardkinlas, and a full cousin
of his own. Though his family had suffered considerably
by their loyalty, Francis continued to be warmly attached
to the house of Stuart. He wrote satires on the Whigs,
and complimentary verses on the Duke of York and
Albany, afterwards James VII., and on the births of his
children. *' The Banishment of Poverty," one of the
best and longest of his poems which have been preserve<l,
is laudatory of the Duke of Albany.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. liii
° From the family papers it appears that Robert, the
father of Fi-ancis, had incurred considerable debt — ^the
consequence, partly, it may be presumed, of his bearing
arms in the cause of the unfortunate Charles I. In the
hands of Francis the family estates gradually became
less, and he seems to have been subjected to no small em-
barrassment. In 1674 (20th January) he gave a charter
of alienation of the lands of Beltrees and Thridpairt to
his son. He made no secret of his want of means,
which, in his " Banishment of Poverty," he attributes to
his having become security for some one. Speaking of
poverty, he says —
" The first time that he met with me,
Was at a clachan in the west:
Its name, I trow, Kilbarchan be,
Where Habbie's drone blew many a blast.
Whore we shook hands, cauld ho his cast,
An ill dead may that custron die —
For there he gripped me well fast,
Where first I fell in cautionrie."
There is amongst the Beltrees papers a horning — " Max-
well and Patoun contra Sempill, 17 April, 1G77." for
^150, 10s. Scots. From this period the property seems
to have been rapidly encroached upon. Francis Sempill,
liv GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
with consent of liis spouse, Jean Campbell, feuecl " anesex-
tene pennie land of Glenheid," called the Hall, IStli Nov.
1677. He sold, feued out to vassals, the lands of Bel-
trees in 1677 — ^as, for example, to Humphra Barbour of
Risk, the 6s. 8d. land of Beltrees for 2500 merks Scots,
with consent of Jean Campbell his spouse, and Robert
Sempill his only son and heir. The superiority of Bel-
trees he sold to Thomas Crawfurd of Cartsbum before
1678 ; and on the 15th June 1680, he and his spouse
resigned then* life-rent of " pairts of the Thridpairt to
Robert Sempill thair son, for the younger laird's infeft-
ment in all and haill the 46s. 8d. land of Clochodrick ;
the yovmger laird paying the old laird's debts, amounting
to 800 merks and ^^800 Scots."*
The appointment of Sheriff Depute of Renfrewshire,
which Francis Sempill received before 1677, may be
supposed to have added to his pecuniary resources. To
be qualified for such an ot'fice, he had no doubt studied
as a lawyer — which circumstance may explain the allu-
sion in the epistle of William Starrat, teacher of mathe-
matics in Ireland, to Allan Ramsay : —
" Nor e'en the loyal bruiker of Bcltrccs,
* Beltrees papers.
THE BEMPILLS OP BELTRBES. Iv
Wha sang with hungry wame his want of fees ;
Nor Habby's drone cou'd with thy wind-pipe please."*
While Sheriff Depute of Renfrewshire, Francis Sempill
made a narrow escape Avith his life. In the discharge of
his duty, during the troublous times of Charles II., he
had apprehended one " Walter Scot, a late magistrate
[of Renfrew], a noted ringleader of Conventicles, and of
such like disorders." A tumult was the consequence, in
the course of which the prisoner was rescued, and Bel-
trees beaten and wounded to the hazard of his life. I This
cii'cumstance is alluded to by the author in " The Ba-
nishment of Poverty."
Francis Sempill did not live to see the Revolution, and
the flight of James VII., the Duke of Albany of his
muse. He died before 1685, in which year (January 21),
his relict, Jean Campbell, granted an assignation of her
estate to her son, Robert Sempill, then of Beltrees.|
He was alive, however, in 1681, as the following letter
to Robert Sempill, writer in Edinl)urgh, shows : —
* Printed in the earlier editions of Ramsay '.« poems. tStarrat, or
Stirrat, was jprobably from D;ilry parish, Ayiehirc, where the name
still prevails.
t Wodrow's History of the Sufferings of the Church of Scotland,
vol. ii., Appendix, p. 8, i'olio. 1722.
X Beltrees papers.
Ivi GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
" Burnfoot, September 19, 1681,
" Loveing Cousine,
" I have sent your wyfe 12 lib. Scots, in pairt of that 35 lib.
which I am oweing her, which I shall study to have in with
all expedition, as I heirby oblegc me. You showld not have
wanted it all so long, but that owr people heir are sadly vexed
with the bad weather, lyke to lose all their stuffe, and can not
get promise to provide money. But this I have sent for your
pi'esent necessitie, thynking your wyfe may be lyeing in. I
dcsyre you to send my wyfc's cloathes by the bearer, for wo
expect my Lord Sempill, and my Lady will bring strangers
with them, and she cannot well want her cloathes at such a
tyme. I have wryten at leist thryce to yow and James ffrce-
land, but never saw any ansuar, only I got a letter from yow
and him anent George Scot's troubling M'Gill. I have ans-
wered that twyce, once by Euphane Sempill's man, another
tyme by William Mug, my Lord Sempill's servant. However, if
I had goten the Retrocession west, to subscrive, the money and
it had been returned before now. As I have wryten to James
ffreeland by the bearer, to the quhich I refer yow. And with
respects to your bedfellow. I am,
" Your most affectionate cousine to serve yow,
" F. Sempill.
" My wyfe desyres to know how Mr Williame
Hog's wyfe is, to both which I amc hereby
hcartely recommended."*
* Original in the possession of D. Laing, Esq.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. Ivii
This letter, from its contents as well as the date, bears
evidence of having been written after the resignation of
the writer's life-rent to the son. It also shows that, not-
withstanding the munificence of the Duke of Albany, so
much extolled in " The Banishment of Poverty," the
poet still felt the inconvenience of an ill-replenished ex-
chequer. From this specimen of his pen, which is a
small neat hand, he seems to have had the benefit of an
excellent education. We remark this, because it is evi-
dent from writings which have been preserved, that the
family gradually deteriorated in this respect.
The in-everent notice of the death of " Sempill of
Beltries," in Law's " Memorialls,"* no doubt refers to
the poet. The difference in the ecclesiastical and politi-
cal creed of the parties may account for the reverend
annalist's jeers. From Law's statement it would appear
that Francis Sempill died suddenly at Paisley on the
evening of Sabbath, 12th March 1682. He had intend-
ed presiding in the Slierifi Court on the Tuesday fol-
lowing. His lady was with him at the time.
Francis Sempill and his wife, Jean Campbell, had two
sons, whose names are recorded : —
* Memorialls ; or, the Memorable Things that fell out within this
Island of Britain from 1638 to 168i. By the Rev. Roliort Jiaw. Edit-
ed from the MS. by Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpc, Esq. 4to. Edin. 1818.
Iviii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
1. Robert, who succeeded, baptized 11th April, 1656.
2. James, baptized 10th May, 1657 ; he appears to
liave died young.
As a poet, Francis seems to have allowed himself
greater scope than either his father or grandfather. He
possessed considerable humour, and a ready turn for im-
promptu. This is evinced by the reputation in which
his memory is still held in his native district, and the
many anecdotes of his muse which tradition has pre-
served. Some of these are unmeet for modem ears. The
following gleanings, however, will show the popularity
of the author : —
An old woman having died at Kilmacolm, and been
buried in an " unco lair," the proprietor of the buiying-
ground caused the body to be taken up and re-interred.
The nephew of the old woman applied to Francis Sem-
pill, who was then a young man, for an epitaph, which
Jie forthwith produced as follows : —
" Heir lyis yirdit our gude auld auntie,
Quham Deth grippit in his pockmantie,
She deit at the aige of fyve and fiftie,
Schamc faw the hands that first did lift thee."
One Macnair was buried, and he wrote an impromptu
epitaph : —
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. lix
" Heir lyis the corpse of Laird Macnair,
Wha left his geir to Hewie Blair,
He livit a gock and deit a heist,
And we's cum heir to his last feist.
Och ! och ! hon !"
He exercised his wit on tlie Laird of Garscaddan thus : —
" Heir lyis the corps of auld Garscad ;
He was a neibour unco bad ;
He dyit in Northbar wi' a fou bollie,
Whan ho was courtand Ladie Kellie ;
He dyit nyne nichts afore the fair.
And aw tlie fock said, Dcil may care."
The following is a jeu cC esprit on Lady Schaw of
Greenock : —
" Heir lyis interrit, forbyc a witch,
Anc oppressor baith of puir and rich :
How scho fends, and how scho fares,
Naebodie kens, and as few cares."
When CromweH's forces were garrisoned in Glasgow,
the city was put under martial law. Every person enter-
ing it had to report himself on amval to the command-
ing officer. Francis Sempill had occasion to visit his
aunt, wlio lived in the liouse commonly called the Duke
of IMontrosc's Lodgings, or Barrel's Haw, near the " Bell
Ix GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
o' the Brae " in the High Street. He intimated his ar-
rival in rhyme : —
" To aw to quham it concerns ; neir the Tempill,
Thair is ane wons wi" auntie Sempill,
His consort forbye, gif ye pleise ;
Thair's twa o's horse, and ane o's men,
That's bidand doun wi' Allan Glen :
Thk lynes I send to you for feir
Of puining o' auld auntie's geir ;
What neir ane befoir durst steir ;
It stinks for fuistiness I daur sweir."
This humorous notification is said to have first led to a
quarrel, and afterwards to a familiar intimacy between
the commanding ofl^icer and the poet ; and the editor
(the late William Stenhouse) of Johnson's " Musical
Miscellany," supposes it " probable that [the officers] of
Cromwell had introduced two of Sempill's songs into
England before the period of the Eestoration ; for they
were both printed and well known in England, in the
reign of Charles II., the words and music being en-
gmvcn by Charles Cross. Henry Playford afterwards
introduced the song of " She rose and let me in " in his
" Wit and Mirth," vol. i., printed in London in 1698."
The visit of Francis Sempill and his lady to Glasgow
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTUEES. Ixi
must have taken place some time after 1655, the year in
which he was married — not 1651, as Steuhouse's aii-
tliority supposes.
It is said that Francis Sempill left a number of pieces
in manuscript. " It is to be regretted," says Motherwell,*
" that the manuscripts of Francis Sempill are irretrieve-
ably lost. They fell into hands which knew not their
value, and it is to be feared out of them they will never
be recovered." It is extremely probable that the poet
left sundry pieces in manuscript ; but certain it is none
of them are preserved among the Beltrees papers. The
manuscripts to which Motherwell refers consisted, in all
likelihood, of a number of loose sheets which have been
most kindly and unexpectedly handed to us by H. G.
Gardner, Esq., a descendant, maternally, of the Sempill s
of Beltrees. They consist of pieces attributed to Francis
in different hands of write — none of them holograph of
the author himself. Of the genuineness of the older
portion of these manuscripts we have not the slightest
doubt. From a comparison of the writing we should
say that they are copies, either from the original MS. of
Francis Sempill, or from memory, by the grandson of the
* Introduction to the " Harp of Renfrewshire."
Ixii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
poet, Robert Sempill, sixth of Beltrees. They seem, from
the style, to have been wiitten about the beginning of
last century. The first wc shall transcribe are in honour
of the poet's famous patron, the Duke of Albany. We
do not adhere to the orthography, which is bad — evidently
the blunders of the copyist : —
[fragment.]
* * * *
Welcome to Caledon, brave Duke of Albany,
Heir to Great Charle's throne.
Welcome to Caledon;
When he to glory's gone
Homage we'll pay to thee —
Welcome to Caledon, brave Duke of Albany.
FOLLOW SOME LINES BY FRANCIS SEMPILL OF BELTREES UPON HIS
HIGHNESS, JAMES DUKE OF ALBANY, AT HIS FIRST COMING TO
SCOTLAND.
To the ttme of the lass that came to bed with me.
Lot cannons roar from sea and shear,
And trumpets sound triumphantly ;
Whilst we drink the health, we'll fai'C in wealth,
Of that high-born Duke of Albany,
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. Ixiii
He is a child from Scotland's womb,
Though his nativity's by thames;
He's from the glorious martyr come.
And he bears the name of good King James.
O noble peers and princes all !
Our royal throne do not disgrace ;
Act no enormity at all,
Nor bastardise a royal race.
Let Hagar and her brat be gone —
Her bottle on her shoulder be ;
For Sarah says unto her son,
Ho never shall be heir with thee.
Turn all such fancies clean away,
And push down such Egyptian pride ;
Before we want a seigniory plant
In a king on Yarrow side.
Yet at that Duke no spleen I have,
Ingenuously I do declare :
If he'll but carry it brisk and brave.
And move in his peculiar sphere.
O^noblc Duke of Albany !
Pardon mo if I transgress ;
It is a fault in loyalty,
And I'll ue'cr mend though I confess.
Ixiv GExXEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
If this prodigious comet be
The object of our thoughts and fears ;
To deal the cards "twixt him and thee,
And to set all Britain by the ears.
But let Scots lads in heart be blent,
To fight it out most valiantly ;
And keep the Crown in its just descent
For that high-born Duke of Albany.
Though a heavenly crown he doth prefer,
From a earthly should he barred be ?
O, the King of Kings will both confer
On James the Duke of Albany.
UPON THE BIRTH OF CHARLOTTE-MARY, DAUGHTER TO KINO JAMES
THE SEVENTH.*
To the tune of Corn Rigs are Bonny.
True subjects all let us rejoice,
Come let us all be merry,
Our Royal Princess is brought to bed
Of a bonny Charlotte-Mary.
Charlotte-Mary is my love, *
She's sweeter than the honey ;
* So styled by the writer. He waB, however, only Dtike of Albany
when the verses were composed.
THE SEMFILLS OP BELTREES. Ixv
She's fairer than the fairest flower,
O if she be not bonny.
No star doth shine so bright as she ;
She's very like her daddie ;
Forerunner she is come to be
Of a bonny lusty lady.
In the meantime we'll thank you Lord
For that we have already ;
Bless'd is the babe that is now born
On the feast of our bless'd Lady.*
When that her mother was so big,
That blind might well discern ;
Our faithless Whigs did still deny
That e'er she was with bairn.
Now they begin to threep the child
Is dead, when scarcely born ;
Still venting their malicious heart
With old tout of new horn.
But let those brosic pack tout on — >
They are poor fools and silly ;
They'll tout another tune I true,
When Charlotte gets a billy.
• Aiisust.
Ixvi GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
Good Lord ! who hath begun this . . .
For comfort of the nation,
Perfect the same, and crown at last
All just men's expectation.
Cliarlotte-Mary — better known simply as " Mary " —
espoused the Prince of Orange, and, with her husband,
became the " William and Mary" of the Revolution
settlement.
The next piece we transcribe, as nearly as we can
guess, in chronological order, is entitled : —
A ROUNDELL IN NAME OF THE tOYAL BUEGESSES OF GLASGOW, Y
F. S. OF BELTREES. JULY 23d. 1670.
1st. Good Mr Bishop Lighten,
You'r welcome to this town ;
We wish you prove a wight one ;
Good Mr Bishop Lighten,
It's feared ye prove a slight one,
For upholding of the Crown.
Good Mr Bishop Ijighton,
You'r welcome to this town.
2d. You'r sanctified societie
] )oth purchase you renown ;
And raouastick sobiietie,
You'r sanctified societie,
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. Ixvii
You'r gravitie and pietie,
Cry all our bishops down :
You'r sanctified societie
Doth purchase you renown.
3d. We think ye do right Aveil,
To give to poor your winning,
In money, malt and meal ;
We think you do right weil ;
We never knew you peel,
But old Mr James Glendinning :
We think ye do right weil
To give the poor your winning.*
The subject of the foregoing " Roundell " ■was the
well-know-n Robert Leighton, D.D., Archbishop of Glas-
gow^, the charge of whicli Diocese he assumed in 1671.
He had previously been Bishop of Dunblane. He was
a man of mild demeanour, and made every exertion to
mitigate the rigorous proceedings adopted by Government
against the Presbyterians. His exemplary virtues and
talent as a divine spread wide his reputation, even among
the Presbyterians. Leighton resigned the See of Glas-
gow in 1674. He soon afterwards repaired to England,
* Mr James was minister in Kilbarclian, and gave very much to tlio
poor, even to the gtrftitening of himself and family, — [Note by the
writer.]
Ixviii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
where he spent tlie remainder of his life with his sister.
He died at London on the 25th June 1684, in the 74th
year of his age.*
Like the Ayrshire Bard, in more recent times , Francis
Sempill frequently identifies himself with his poetical
effusions. His " Banishment of Poverty " is altogether
a personal narrative ; while the two following pieces refer
still more pointedly to passages in his life elsewhere men-
tioned — ^the first to the unhappy raid at Arinfrew,
" Where they did bravely buff [his] beef,"
and for which " Indemnity thought nothing due " — the
second, to the effects of his falling " in cautionrie." Some
of the words are ohliterated in the MS.
[Lines by F. S. of Beltrees after he some people that had
abused . . .he went to Renfrew, and . . several times delayed by
the Lords of Justiciary at Gr . . .at last there was an act of in-
demnity past, which cleared his niaitreaters.]
I marvel much our gracious King
Should serve his subjects so,
To send three Reidgowns to the west
Could neither say nor do.
* See " A Practical Commentary upon the First Epistle of St Peter ;
and other Expository Works : by Robert Leighton, D.D., Archbishop
of Glasgow. To which is Prefixed a Life of the Author by the Rev.
John Norman Pearson, M.A.," &c. 8vo. London, 1835.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTKEES. Ixix
The diet still they do desert,
And nothing else they say,
But let it be swipUcitcr,
Until another day.
The Lords of our Justiciary,
To clarks they give command,
That Gibbie, with his rusty throat,
Give Whigs to understand,
By public proclamation,
And . . . exalted high,
That rebels in this nation,
And all the Whigs go free.
Mr John Gray's admonition
Doth take no place at all ;
Who knew of no condition
To favour great or small.
But O that base trepidity,
Which we in judges see,
Blunting the just asperity
Of regal monarchy.
But had poor Frank been with tlic Whigs,
Which he did still ablior,
lie needed not have sold his rigs
On a distressed score.
Ixx GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
His main misfortune was before
Kindness and caution ry ;
But oh, alas for evermore !
. . . indemnity I
Take courage, Whigs, to arms again,
You may be bold and stout ;
Indemnity prevents your pain ;
Ye need not stand in doubt.
Our gracious king will grant you grace.
Wherefore ye need not fear
To rise in arms and sacrifice
A prelate every year.
But be advised, my honest Whigs,
Before ye rise again,
Fight better than at Bodel Brig,
Where .... mears were slain.
The cannon shots did clear the field,
Before they came to blows ;
There the saints faith was in their heels,
Their hearts were in their hose.
THE SEMPILLS OP BELTREES. Ixxi
[F. S. of Beltrees being engaged cautioner for Nework to Glencairn,
had the misfortune to be apprehended for the same by two messen-
gers when he was attending some business of his own before the
Commissariat Court in Glasgow, upon which he made the following
lines :]
July the nine-and-twenty day,
Fell out an unexpected fray ;
Beltrees he did in Glasgow stay,
His process to attend ;
Before the Commissar to stand,
With all his libels in his hand :
In came John Weir, with Charles' wand.
Whom ho took for his friend.
" Now, are you there, my bonny bairn ?
To see you here doth me concern :
Here is a ticket from Glencairn,
As cautioner for Nework.
" I'm glad I met you in the morning ;
My business it is no scorning ;
It is a caption after horning,
Judge ye if it be stark."'
Then Francie looked round about,
With his glied eye and crooked snout :
And what to say he was in doubt—
The case it was so kittle.
Ixx GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
His main misfortune was before
Kindness and cautioniy ;
But oh, alas for evermore !
. . . indemnity !
Take courage, Whigs, to arras again,
You may be bold and stout ;
Indemnity prevents your pain ;
Ye need not stand in doubt.
Our gracious king will grant you grace,
Wherefore ye need not fear
To rise in arms and sacrifice
A prelate every year.
But bo advised, my honest Whigs,
Before ye rise again,
Fight better than at Bodel Brig,
Where .... mears were slain.
The cannon shots did clear the field.
Before they came to blows ;
There the saints faith was in their heels,
Their hearts were in their hose.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. Ixxi
[F. S. of Beltrees being engaged cautioner for Nework to Glencairn,
had the misfortune to be apprehended for the same by two messen-
gers when he was attending some business of his own before the
Commissariat Court in Glasgow, upon which he made the following
lines :]
July the nine-and-twenty day,
Fell out an unexpected fray ;
Beltrees he did in Glasgow stay,
His process to attend ;
Before the Commissai- to stand,
With all his libels in his hand :
In came John Weir, with Charles' wand,
Whom ho took for his friend.
" Now, arc you there, my bonny bairn ?
To see you here doth me concern :
Here is a ticket from Glencairn,
As cautioner for Nework.
" I'm glad I met you in the morning ;
My business it is no scorning ;
It is a caption after horning.
Judge ye if it be stark."'
Then Francie looked round about,
With his glied eye and crooked snout :
And what to say he was in doubt —
The case it was so kittle.
Ixxii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
Yet thought it best to hold him quiet,
And not to pi'attlc like a pyet,
Lest Weir should give him sandie diet,
And feed him with hut little.
In came his comrade, Jamie Bryce,
Who neither would for prayer nor price
Deal ill with Frank, he was so wise,
Lest ho should afterward
Exclaim on him in verse and prose,
And all his secret tricks disclose,
To prison him would not repose.
Until his case were heard.
They led Frank as he'd been a Whig,
Far faster than Carnegie's jig,
And took him through the Candilrig,
For fear of public view.
Then said, " we'll to some honest house.
Where we may have a kind carouse;
Albeit wo should not leave a sous.
We'll down to Eobin Sempill's.
So hand in hand they thither went.
To try a claret compliment,
Till ho for Thomas Craufurd sent,
Possessor of Cartsburn,
THE si:mpills of BELTKEES. Ixxiii
Who presently obeyed his letter,
Althou£:li the bargain had been greater,
And there he clearly closed the matter;
And bravely did his turn.
Two catchpole messengers regard ;
How civil to a country laird,
Who had once rid into the guard,
That would not him affront.
So they a glass of claret took.
Might make a guarder pawn his cloak ;
Then they three limmers in a shoak,
Bad Limmerfield adieu.*
The foregoing pieces exhaust the older portion of the
MSS. In the more modem there is a copy of " She
rose and loot me in " — which is called " a song made
by Francis Sempill of Beltrees " — " A Carrol for Christ-
mas," and " Old Longs>nie," both of Avhich are attributed
to Francis Sempill. Of the latter, which appeared in
" Watson's Collection," there arc two copies — one in the
same round, bold hand as the older MSS., though ap-
parently written at a later period, and when the copyist
was more advanced in life. We therefore entertain no
* He calls the Commissary Court Limmerfield, — [Note bv the writer.]
Ixxiv GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
doubt of their accuracy in attributing tlic verses in ques-
tion to Francis Seiupill.
A CARROL FOB CHRISTMAS, BY FRANCIS SEMPILL OF BELTREES.
To the tunc of Craujie Forhes's Lilt.
What poor creature, framed by nature.
Can rightly understand,
The great glory of the story
Which now we have in hand.
For wit's fulness is but dulness.
For to sound this groundless deep,
Whilst the wisest and precisest
In amazement's lull'd asleep.
It's the history of a mystery,
That's not easily understood ;
Scarce perceived or believed
By fragil flesh and blood.
O ! all the nations' great salvation
In this mystery was wrought ;
Who stood gazing and amazing,
How this mystery was brought.
That a stable was more able
To produce such heavenly things,
TilE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. Ixxv
Than the brightest or the lightest
Shining palaces of kings.
Where the sweetest and completcst
Bright Queen of Chastity,
A poor stranger, in a manger,
Brought forth Divinity.
Why should wretches heap up riches,
Since this princely povertie
Makes more honour wait upon her
Than brimful treasures be.
Beggar Croesus with rich Jesus
In competition brought,
Is much poorer and obscurer
Than Dives' Lazarus thou";ht.
"to'
! then wherefore should men care for
Rusty riches that decay.
Sinco treasure, and heaven's pleasure,
So meek and lowly lay.
O ! how sweetly and completely
His poverty he bore ;
High aspiring and empiring,
In this world he forcborc.
I beseech you let this teach you,
With your lot to be content,
Ixxvi GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
Since the Ruler and Controller
Is all OmniiDotent.
In this fashion and mean station
A poor pilgrim choos'd to be ;
He lies lowly to make holy
A monastic poverty.
A bright star then, from afar then,
Three wise princes did behold,
Who in cofl'ers comes and offers
Frankincense, myrrh, and gold.
O ! how finely and divinely
Did these sophists understand
That great wonder, passing thunder,
Which was wrought in Jury land.
How the notion of devotion
These Arabians could disclose,
Whilst his nation in proud fashion
Did prove his mortal foes.
To conclude now, 1 thought good now
This heroic theme to choose ;
And for its matter, what is better,
Or fitter for our use.
Let us sing then, till heavens ring then.
Whilst the angols concert keep,
THE SEMPILL3 OF BELTREES. Ixxvii
To the choicest of whose voices
First (lid lull this babe asleep.
To be merry be not weary,
But on holy triumph say —
Hallilujah ! hallilujah !
For this is Christmas dav.
A SONG CALLED OLD LONGSYNE, MADE BY FlUNCIS SEMPILL
OF BELTBEES.
Should old acquaintance be forgot,
And never thought upon ;
The flaines of love extinguished,
And freely past and gone ?
Is thy kind heart now grown so cold,
In that loving breast of thine,
That thou can'st never once reflect
On old longsvne ?
Where are thy protestations.
Thy vows and oaths, my dear,
Thou mad'st to me, and I to thee,
In register yet clear ?
Is faith and truth so violate
Unto the god divine,
That thou can'st never once reflect
On old longsyne ?
Ixxviii GKNEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
1st Cupid's fears, or frosty cares,
That makes thy spirits decay ;
Or is't some object of more worth,
That's stole thy heart away :
Or some desert makes thee neglect
Ilim so much once was thine,
That thou can'st never once reflect
On old longsyne ?
Is't worldly cares so desperate
That makes thee to despair ;
Is't that makes thee exasperate,
And bids thee to forbear ?
If thou of that were free as I,
Thou surely should be mine ;
If this v/ere true we should renew
Kind old longsyne.
But since that nothing can prevail,
And all my hope is vain.
From these rejected eyes of mine
Still showers of tears shall rain ;
And though thou hast me now forgot,
Yet I'll continue thine.
And ne'er forget for to reflect
On old longsyne.
If e'er 1 have a house, my dear,
Tliat's truly called mine,
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTHEES. Ixxix
And can afford but country cheer,
Or ought that's good therein :
Though thou wert rebel to the king,
And beat with wind and rain,
Assure thyself of welcome, love,
For old longsyne.
FOLLOWS THE SECOND PART.
My soul is ravish'd with delight,
When you I think upon :
All griefs and sorrows take the flight,
And hastily are gone ;
The fair resemblance of your face
So fills this breast of mine,
Ko fate nor force can it displace.
For old longsyne.
Since thoughts of you do banish grief,
'\^''hcn I'm from you removed ;
And if in them I find relief,
When with sad cares I'm mov'd,
How doth your presence me affect
With ecstacy divine,
Especially when I reflect
On old longsyne.
Since thou hast robb'd me of my heart,
By those resistless powers
Ixxx (JENKALOUICAL ACCOUNT OF
AV'hich Madam Xaturo doth impart
To those fair eyes of yours,
Witli honour it doth not consist
To hold a slave in pine,
Pray let your rigour then desist,
For old longsyne.
'Tis not my freedom I do crave,
By deprecating pains ;
Sure liberty ho would not have
Who glories in his chains.
Eut this, I wish the gods would move
That noble soul of thine
To pity, since thou cannot love.
For old longsyne.
V, Robert Semplll of Beltrees, only law^ful son and
lieir of Francis Sempill of Beltrees, married Mary, eldest
daughter of Robert Pollock of that Ilk, 14tli November
1678. By the contract of marriage she was infeft in
the ten merk land of Thridpairt, reserving £200 Scots
to Jean Campbell, his motlier, as an annuity. Robert
Sempill took upon him the debts of his father, Francis.
On the 13th April lG86,heowed 890 merks and £505.
Also annual rents amounting to £94. Four other bands
for money appear by Robert Sempill of Beltrees. He
renewed a band to Robert Chapman, son and heir of the
THE SEJIPILLS OF BELTKEES. Ixxxl
deceased Robert Chapman, Glasgow, for 4000 inerks,
over the lands of Thridpairt, 9th June, 1701.* He
paid a visit to Ireland, with the ^^ew of prosecuting the
family claim to the lands of Carberry, of which they
had been deprived during the usurpation ; but he return-
ed in May 1703, not having met with sufficient encour-
agement to institute legal proceedings.
Robert Sempill of Beltrees was alive at the Union, as
his son, Robert Sempill, younger, is mentioned in the
Act. But he died before 1717, in which year " John
Cochrane, [second] husband to the Ladie Beltrees," was
bi'ought before the Presbytery of Renfrewshire, accused
of adultery. t Lady Beltrees would be about fifty-six
years of age at this time. She had to Robert Semjnll
of Beltrees : —
1. Robert, his heir, born 8th January, 1687.
2. Jean, bom 21st Sept. 1679.
3. Elizabeth, born 12th Nov. 1680.
4. Grizel, bom 14th May, 1682.+
Robert Sempill of Beltrees seems to have died in the
* Beltrees papers.
■f Lochwinnoch Kirk->Session Record.
* Kilbarchan Register of Baptisms. The witnesses to the baptism
of Jean were Francis Sempill of Bcltroos, grandfather of the child,
and John Sempill, .vounger, in Bridgend. To tliat of Elinaboth, Francis
Sempill of lielireos, and John Tatyii ; and to that of Grizel, the Laird
of Pollock.
Ixxxii CENEALOUltlAL A(H'OUiNT OF
courge of 1713. He was, according to tradition, a re-
markably handsome man. Two lines of a local song,
popular before the middle of last century, allude to Bel-
trees : —
" Cum ben Bislioptoun, ben cum Blair,
And ben cum Beltrees, the flower of them tliair."*
There is another fragment of verses, referring to the
same period, from which it would appear that Ladie
Beltrees was somewhat of a gallant ; —
" Mathew Orr was awa' to Glasgow.
As fast as he could ca',
And whan they speirt whar he had been,
He said, at the Thridpairt Ha'.
'• But I didna see the Ladie Beltrees —
The Ladie Beltrees she fled ;
She lockit hersel' into the room,
And hid her ahint the bed.
* » * * *
Meg Peock she said she wasna in.
And sae did Jean Cochrane.
" Dinna yc mind o' Ladie Beltrees,
Sin I led thee up the stair ?
Thou said I was a bonnier lad
Than bonnie Johnnie Blair.
* From the recitation of Mrs Blackburn, deceased.
TUK SEMPILLS OF BELTKEES. Ixxxiii
" Hasua thou mind o' Ladie Bel trees,
Sin* I kist thee in thy bed ;
Thou said I was a bonnier lad
Than Johnnie Blair or bonnie Ned.
" Johnnie Blair was a bonnie lad,
And the ladie likit him weil ;
Ned Davison* was a clever spark.
As souple as onie eel."
VI. — Robert Semplll of Bel trees. He had a dispo-
sition and resignation of tlxe lands of Beltrees and Thrid-
pairt from his father, son of Francis Sempill, dated 13th
June 1687, when only about five months old. This
resignation was no doubt resorted to, the better to secure
the property, amid the pecuniary embarrassments to which
the family were subjected. He married, 20th June 1722,
Elizabeth, daughter of Col. Alexander Cochrane of
Mainshill, in Ayrshire, and grand-niece of Lord Coch-
rane of Dundonald. In his early years he followed a
sea-faring life — visiting Russia and various other countries.
Amongst the family papers with which we have been
favoured there is a characteristic letter of his addressed
from Edinburgh to his mother. It is superscribed: —
* One Edward Daridson, in the troop of Lord Ro6B in 1686, witnesied
a paper at the Thridpairt in that your.
Ixxxiv GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
" The Laird of Beltrees, or in his absence to his Lady —
These":—
" Dr
" Mother I Admire that all this while ye never sent me my
deaths knouing that 1 had but one shurt I intrcat you to send
them for I am ashamed to borrow 1 have sent for John Chap-
man and Wm. Clark so being in haste T am
" Your Loveing sone
" Robert Sempill."
" Edi-. June 28 1710."
Robert Sempill would be in his tvrenty-third year when
this epistle was penned. His business in Edinburgh at
this period had reference probably to the defence of his
father and himself against the litigation carried on against
them by James Steill, writer in Beith, who attempted to
wrest the estate of Thridpairt from them on the plea of
having claims against his father. We have voluminous
papers before us on the subject, but the following extract
from Fountainhall's Decisions,* will perhaps convey a
clearer idea of the case than we could gather from the
mass of legal documents : —
» Decisions of the Lords of Council and Session, from June 6th,
1678, to July 30th, 1712. Collected by the Honourable Sir John
Lauder of Fountainhall. 2 vols, folio. Edinburgh, 1761.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. Ixxxv
" Nov. 29, 1709. — Semple of Beltrees eklcr, hmi-y
resting some small debts up and down the coinitry, and
trusting one James Steill, a notar and writer in Beith, to
purchase in his debts, he taking advantage of his sim-
plicity, buys in about 20 debts, and causes Beltrees re-
new the bonds, and because he was vmder a registrate
interdiction, he, to shun it makes them of a date some
years prior, and then adjudges for the whole, and charges
the superiors to infeft him, and pursues for mails and
duties. Beltrees younger, finding his father over-reached
he raises a reduction and improbation of the whole bonds,
which were the grounds of the adjudication ; and Steill
having produccl them all but three, there is a certifica-
tion extracted against these three, as false, for not produc-
tion ; and as to the 17 produced, Beltrees craved he might
abide by the verity thereof sub periculo falsi. And he
compearing refused to abide by 15 of them, but only
subscribed his abiding by two ; whereupon young Beltrees
extracted his decreet of improbation as to these 15 sim-
ply passed from, which extended to upwards of 25,000
inerks ; and as to the remaining, he repeated his articles of
falsehood, but so as they likewise dipped on the forgeiy
of these 15 passed from, in regard to the darkness of the
contrivance, and the length of time, had made the probu-
Ixxxvi GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
tlon and discovery more difficult, yet vestiges enougli still
remained of the forgery, such as he was under no neces-
sity to purchase them, and knew old Beltrees was inter-
dicted, and yet he would meddle.
" Next they (though for considerable sums) are all
wrote on half sheets, and such as want the mark of the
paper, by which, in the Earl of Haddington's time,
when President of the Session, a forgery of a bond was
discovered, and some of them being granted to his own
tenants, were afterwards paid and allowed in their rents.
And as some sort of men had need of a good memory,
80 Mr Steill has been here caught in his o-vvn snare, for
some of the bonds acknowledge receipts of the money
from persons that were not then four years old, and
others of them are dated on Sunday, and generally
they bear dead witnesses, whereof one of them on his
death-bed declared he was never adhibit a witness to any
of Beltrees's bonds, above eight years ago, and yet they
bore a much older date ; besides they were all of one
stile, which evinced that one spirit actuated and informed
the whole machine, and proved the contrivance came
from one and the same hand ; and though a late example
was made on Hunter and Strachan, yet it was forgot, and
persons were beginnitig that trade again.
THE SEMPILLH OF BELTRRES. Ixxxvii
Tlie Lords thouglit his passing from the 15 bonds did
not free him from the pacna falsi, seeing he had made
use of them in the manner above mentioned ; and
though he denied any accession, and alledged all he
acted was with old Beltrees's consent, yet the Lords dis-
charged the Clerks to give up these bonds passed from,
but ordained them to lie till the event, for giving fartlier
light, and issued out a warrant to SiierifFs, Magistrates,
and all other Judges, to apprehend him till he were tried
either before themselves, or the Ciiminal Court."
Robert Sempill of Beltrees was made a burgess of
Renfrew, 11th Jixly 1716, and was Collector of Cess for
Renfrewshire, James Blair being his depute, in 1784.
He seems to have been esteemed a person of consider-
able integrity and judgment. In 1742, he was appoint-
ed arbiter in an important dispute between Robert Brodie
of Calderhauch, and Mary Buutine, relict of Andro
Walker, of the Briglands, and Agnes Buntine, wife of
Dr Caldwell, about the property, money and goods left
by Walker. Bro<lie was ordaiiie<l to pay the Buntines
1048 merks.
About 1755 the Laird of Beltrees seems to have se-
riously entertained tlie idea of prosecuting the family
claim to the estate of Carlxjrrv in Ireland. There is a
Ixxxviii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
letter from Craut'urd of Cartsbum, addressed to him, 28tli
January of that year, stating the reasons lie had heard
assigned by Sempill's father for not following out steps
for the recovery of the property. The substance of it
is as follows : — At Sir James Sempill's death, Robert,
his son, entered heir to his father, in order to pursue said
claim. When about entering upon the prosecution, the
first rebellion came on in Ireland, which made him lay
aside thoughts of pursuing his design. At last he died,
and when his son, Francis, was resolving to go there, the
next rebellion broke out ; and so soon as that was settled,
he died. Afterwards there came people from Ireland,
inquiring for these papers from his son, Robert, which he
refused, because his own affairs were disordered at home.
He took it into his head to go to Carberry himself and
family, to pursue his claim ; but as he travelled in Ire-
land to the county of Tyrone, he met with a beneficial
lease of lands from Squire Chappell, which he accepted ;
and after staying some time there, that gentleman took
his papers* to Dublin for consultation. When he re-
* The papers consisted of the following: —
I. Indenture betwixt Sir James Senipill, Sir John Graham of Urchill
(Perthshire), .and James Hamilton, dated 9th of December, 1606.
IL Articles of agreement betwixt Donald M'Arthie Roogh of Carberry,
Sir James Sonipil), Sir John Graham, and James Hamilton, dated
17U, Di-c IGOu.
TIJE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. Ixxxix
turned them he said that something might be got for
them, but he feared he would not be able to pursue it.
A correspondence was also carried on about this time, by
Craufurd of Cartsbum and Robert Sompill, with a law-
yer of the name of Kennedy, who offered to throw " a
cool hundred " into the affair, besides his professional
services, if he liked the complexion of the case. The
prosecution, however, never seems to have been actually
commenced.
The pecuniary difficulties under which the family of
Beltrees laboured, seems to have at last compelled the
entire alienation of the property. The sale of the Third-
part to William M'Dowall of Castle-Sempill took place
in 1758. The lands comprehended the Hall, or pro-
per Thirdpart, VYatcrsyde, Faulds, Corbets, Drygate,
Hardgait, and Margonhill. After the sale he retired
to Kilbarchan, where he feued thirty-four falls of
ground, part of the Quarry, or Meadow-Park, for 22s. 2d.
yearly, from Jean lliTillikcn, widow of William Milliken
Napier of Cullcreoch, 12th March 1777. and built there-
in. Patent under the Broad Seal granted by King James to Sir James
Senipill, of the village and lands of Kilbrittan, in the country <if
Carberry, Ireland, with severall other lands, iu the 13th year of his
Mnjcsty's reign in England, 1G15.
xc OEKBALOGICAL ACCOUNT OK
ofi a liouse cull*."! licltrees Cotta^o. lie dit;poned this
house to his «lau;^hter, Jean Sernjull, 2J(!t Au;^uBt, 1784,
liolx'rt, th«.' last lainl of IJieltrwH, liverj to a very a<l-
varujiiid ag«;. 1I«; 'lied in AugUBt 1789, having complete*!
two vears more tlian a century- Towards tlie <loi>e of
his life his memory gradually faile<i hiiri. Two occur-
rences, however, remained firmly impresHe<l njwn his
mind after ahnost every other had l>een forgotten. 'JMie
fiiwt of tliese was the burning of tlie vvit<;h«;H at l*ai«l«y,
on the iOtli June 1C!J7. ile was then alwut ten years
of age, and rc.>iding, along with his parentis, at Pollock
JFouse, the residence of his uncle, lie winhe*! to visit
Paiwlev on the occasion, hut liis prents hid his shoes, to
keep him from going. He, however, went barefooted.
'J'he memorabh; seven years' famine, when " deaths and
burials were so many and common, ihat the living wer«
w«yjiri«jd in the burying of the dea<i," prevailwl at this
lime. An immense crowd atisembled at J^aisley to wit-
ness tlie immolation of the witclies, and brea<l could not
Ik' hijjl at any jiriw. The nar/nx] or^-iirreuc*} was lii*
having been J^et«;r the Great, (J/ar of Kussia, at Arch-
angel, whih; amu«ing himself with some sea animals in
a pond. One of them snap}>e'l at the Czar, and bit the
cock of liifi hat.
THE SEMPILL* OF BBLTRBES. x.ei
In stature Robert Sempill was not above tlie mid«lle
size, five feet seven or eigbt incites bigk ; but remarkably
stoat and well built. He usually went to bed by ten at
aiglit ; roise early, generally before any other member of
the family ; was very temperate in ids meals — plain diet,
polfcatge and r riWk. for breakfast, broth, and meat for din-
ner, and poCTage, or sowens, and milk for supper. In
iW latter jwirt oi his life, when tea became more ^hion-
aJbile in the aflemooa, he took a tittle cheese and bread,
and a bottle of porter or strong ale. He never tasted
tea in his life. He was somewhat social, and would oc-
casionally take a long seat at the bottle, though by no
means a drunkard. ^\'hen engaged in a company to his
liking he was not the first to rise. Spirits and strong
ale were his favourites. If at anv time he drank, toddv,
he had not above two-thirds of it water. Mrs Campbell,
kie daughter, siiid that his legs were a little swelled ever
since she remembered any thing of him ; yet he enjoyed
an uninterrupted state of good health, till within ten
days of his death. In proof of this, it is said he could
perform a journey about twenty miles a-day, as well a^
many feats of agility, such as leaping, not long before
his death.
TKe lady of Robert Sempill of Beltrees is said to have
xoii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OF
been a very elegant woman. She predeceased her hus-
li;ind. They had issue : —
1. James, who died at St Lucie, in America.
2. , died young.
3. Kobert, of whom afterwards.
. 4. Ursula, married to William Collins, Esq. Bonaw.
He was an Englishman — second son of Thomas
Collins, Esq. of Lively Woodhouse, near Durham.
They had many children, who all died without
issue, except
1. Hamilton Collins, who married Mary Currio, Ar-
gylesliire. Issue : —
Hamilton Collins, who, on the death of his grand-
uncle, assumed the name of Sempill, bom 2d
Oct. 1794. He married Susanna Ann Dow, grand-
daugliter of George, eldest son of John Campbell
of Otter, Argyle, by Marion, daughter of Sir
Collin Campbell of Ardkinlas, •whose mother was
Marion, daughter of Sir James Sempill of Bel-
trees, and has issue.
5. Elizabeth, married to John Gardner, Esq. of Rustle-
a'-Thorns and Windyash, Cumberland, and had issue,
a son and daughter. Gardner, the son, mar-
ried the only daughter of Gilbert Ogilvie, Esq., by
THE SEMl'lLLS OF BELTKEES. xciii
Miss Wright of Broom, and had issue, John Gardner,
Esq. of Springbog ; Gilbert Ogilvie Gardner, M.D.,
of the H.E.l.C. Medical Staff; and Robert Ogilvie
Gardner, lieut. in tlie 19th foot, who died at Ceylon.
6. Annabella, born in 1729, was married to Ebenezer
Campbell, son of a clergyman in Ayrshire, in 1752.
He studied for the Church. He went to the
West Indies, leaving his family at Kilbarchan. He
died in Jamaica. Annabella Sempill, or Mrs
Campbell, died at Kilbarchan, September, 1812,
aged 83. She had four daughters, two of whom
married, and had issue. The eldest, Elizabeth,
married John Stewart, from Paisley, merchant in
Greenock.
7. Isabella Sempill died unmarried at Kilbarchan.
8. Jean, bom in 1737, remained a spinster at Kil-
barchan. Her father disponed to her his house at
Kilbarchan, (21st August 1784), which she sold
to William Stewart in the Tandlehill, 29th August
1789, about a fortnight or three weeks after her
father's death. She died ot Kilbarclian, in 1817.
From the hand-writing we conceive Robert, the last
Laird of Beltrees, to have been the preserver of the
poems by his grandfather, Francis Sempill, whicli we
XCIV GENEALOGICAL ACCUUJNT OF
have liad the pleasure of piintiug for the first time in
the foregoing- pages. He evidently had a taste for poetry,
there being several other pieces among his MSS. not the
composition of his grandfather.* There is some reason
to believe that he occasionally wooed the muse himself.
The following song, called " B-amillies," is ascribed by
tradition to Bel trees. It was composed on a daughter
of his neighbour, who left an old man whom she was
forced to marry, and ran off with a sailor.
* The following lines occui- in the older portion of the MSS. The
author of them is not mentioned. The reader is therefore at liberty
to conjecture vrhether they may or may not be the production of
Erancis Sempill : —
Si tn esses mea res,
Mea res, mea res ,
yi tu esses mea res,
Quam bone te amarem !
E Lundino afferem,
Galeriareni optimam,
Sic bene te amarem.
[In Scots as follows :]
If thou were my ain thing,
Ay ain thing, my ain thing ;
If thou were my ain thing,
How dearly would I love thee I
Out of London I would bring
A silken hat, a golden string,
And after that some better thing,
So dearly would I love thee.
THE SEMi'lLL.S OF HELTUEES. XCV
RAMILLIES.
My daddie marrie't me too young
To an auld man baith deaf and dumb ;
He laid beside me like a rung,
Ho wadna turn unto his lassie.
Och I laddie munt and go,
Dear sailor, hoise and go ;
Och ! laddie munt and go ;
Go, and I'se go wi' thee, laddie.
Vie sell my rock, I'se sell my reill,
And sae sail I my spinning wheill,
And I'se buy thee a kep o' steill,
And thou gang wi' me, laddie.
Och I laddie, &:c.
The auld man he lay fast asleep,
The keys o' the coffer she did keip,
And out o' the wunnock she did creip,
bhe's muutit and gane wi' her laddie.
Och ! laddie, &c.
They hired a boat at the lliunillics,
To sail to yon fine ship at sea.
To sail to yon fine ship at sea,
To see gif she was wi' her laddie.
Och ! laddie, &c.
xuvi ge:vealogical account of
And thiiir they drank the red wyne sae free,
And cuist the glasses in the sea ;
And cuist the glasses in the sea,
Wi' joy that she wan wi' her laddie.
Och ! laddie, &c.*
We have seen that Francis Sempill was the author of
the oldest version of " Auld Langsyne." It is evident,
however, that there must have been another, which
Burns modelled into the present popular set. From
statements by the descendants of the Beltrees family, it
is not improbable that Robert the last laird was the au-
thor of the version amended by Bums. On this subject
Mr Alexander Stuart, of Beltrees Cottage, Greenock,
says, in a letter dated 11th October 1843, " 1 have heard
Mr H. C. Sempill and my father conversing together
about the song of ' Auld Langsyne.' They cannot
state who the author is, but maintain it belongs to the
family of Sempill. If you compare what I said in my
former letter about this, it ought to be, that old Beltrees
(VI.) in speaking to my father when a lad, took notice
of that expression in the song, " we twa hae paidl't in
the burn," as merely in allusion to himself and his sister
* From oral recitation in 1829.
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. XCVU
when children. At all events that song is not tlie conl-
position of the Edinburgh brewer."
VII. Robert Sempill,bom at the Thridpairt about 1726.
He "went to Edinburgh, where he became an eminent
brewer. He is mentioned in Williamson's Directory of
Edinburgh for 178 4 — " Robert Scmpill, Brewer, Castle-
barns." He died at Castlebams, 5th February 1810, and
was buried at Colinton, near Edinburgh. He mar-
ried an Edinburgh lady, but the union proved an unfor-
tunate one. All his children predeceased him. By his
latter-will, dated 11th July 1807, and recorded 10th
February 1810, a grand-nephew, therein called Robert
Collins, was constituted his heir. The trustees were
directed " to dispone to Robert Collins, son of Ha-
milton Collins, my grand-nephew, on condition of his
assuming and using the name of Scmpill, and to his
lieirs using the name of Sempill, all and whole my
property of Castlebarns, to remain in perpetuity in the
family of Sempill of Beltrees, being part of tlie lands of
Brandsflcld, formerly called Dairy, lying within the
parish of St Cuthberts and shcriifdom of Ediuburoh ;
and in case the said Robert Collins shall be in minority
at the time of my decease, the trustees shall not dispone
7
xcviii GENEALOGICAL ACCOUNT OP
the said property to him, but retain possession and man-
agement thereof till his majority, &c." In case of his
dying without issue, the trustees were to " dispone the
said pi'operty, and profits and rents thereof in their hands,
to his own nearest heir-male whomsoever." It would
appear that Robert was a misnomer. The disposition
of the property, according to the will, was effected on
18th January, 1817, " to and in favour of Hamilton
(in the said trust-disposition misnamed Hobert) Collins
Sempill, only son and child of Hamilton Collins, grand-
nephew of the said Kobert Sempill," &c. Notwith-
standing the injunction of the testament, that the
" property of Castlcbams should remain in the fa-
mily of iSempill of Beltrees," it Avas disposed of by the
creditors of Hamilton Collins Sempill to Janet Ingram,
alias Spence, in 1818.
Mr Sempill left legacies " to Jean Sempill, my sister,
residing at Springbog, £50 ; to Annabella Sempill, my
sister, at Kilbarchan, £50," &c.
The residence of the Sempills of Beltrees was origin-
ally at Beltrees, where there was a strong stone house,
or tower. It is enumerated, among other places of
strength in the county of Renfrew, in Monipennie's
THE SEMPILLS OF BELTREES. xcix
" Abridgement, or Summarie of the Scots Chronicles,"
printed in 1G12.* It is supposed that the tower of
Bel trees had become ruinous, or been taken down about
1650, when the family removed to their other seat of
Thirdpart. Both residences were in the south of the
county, on the borders of Ayrshire.
The anus of the Sempills of Bcltrecs were the same
as those of Lord Sempill. Nisbet says — " Francis
Scmpill of Beltrees carries, as Sempill, with a gilly-
flower, for his difference." In " The Publict Register of
the Avmes and Bearings in Scotland," 1676, folio MS.,
probably a duplicate of the Lyon Registci", the arms arc
thus described : — " Francis Sempill of Beltrees, descend-
ed of the family of Sempill, Bears Ar. a chevrone
checkie Gr., and of the first betwixt three bugles Sa. In
chiefe three gelli flowers of the second. Crest, a hand
holding a pistoll. The motto is In loyaltie.
* Reprintod in the " Miscellanea Scotica : a collection of Tracts
relating to the History, Antiquities, Topography, auU Literature oi"
Scotland," Glasjjow, l<jl8, 4 vols, sin. bvo.
EPlTAfH ON SIR JAMES SEMPILL.
The following Epitaplis on Sir Jaracs Sempill and his
son RoLert, are copied from the original MSS., which
were " found," by Wodrow,* " amongst the papers of
Sir James Semple of Beltrees at Thridpairt, in KIl-
Larclian " : —
EPITAPH OF THE RIGHT WOP.TIIIE SIR JAMES
SEMPLE OF BELTREIS KNYGHT.
GiUE that my mournful Muse wold rest bot for a quhyle
That I might now impart my woe with ane heroik style
Quhair sal I pairt my plaints : quhair sal I confort seik
Since al hes intresse in my losse : and all of sorrow speik
This land has lost such one : one man of men and more
Who was menteinner of Gods trewth (as was that Lord before
His grandfather of worth : defendit by his suord
The gospell of Chryst Jesus still) : Ho with his pen and word
Defendit ay Chrystis caus : against both freind and fo
Whilk makis his fame to live behind : and sail doe ever so
Then mourne all that hes losse : (he is not lost for ever
Ach zit it doeth confounde me heir that I sail sie liim never)
Mourne Preachers first of all, for ze hawe lost a piller,
Zea such ane knyght is not behind, so forward a weil wilier,
* Wodrow MSS. fol. vol. xxviii, in the posssession of the Church
of Scotland.
EPITAPn ON SIR JAMEB SEMPILL. ci
So zelous in defence, by learning to defend
Zour caus against all Popish broodis wliar ewer tliey war kcnd
Foi* Splint* lie was hard flint : for Preasts a learnit Packman
Thair knaweries he did well detect and made them to stepe
bak than
I can not tel zour caus ze hawe to mourne and cry
Of water ze wil knaw the wse, quhen once the wel is dry
Sigh nixt thow Pasley sore, for now thy Lott is gone
Wnto his citie of refuge : Thy day it wil come on
Bcraone him Semplcs all : zour greife can not be shav/ne
The greatest gloria of that name he made it to be knawne
Let not zour mowrning be ; this day unto the Temple
Bot mowrne ye ewir quhen ze heir the name of Sm James
Sempill.
Mourne ze his Orphanes nync : lowe wther without stryfe
The lowingest Father had ze once that ewer leiwit on lyfe
Ze mournfull Musis nyne, to these his nyne zow turne
And toonc zour strings wnto their clcifs, and helpe them stil
to mourne.
Zour quintessence is waste : he's dead that made zow leife
Death hcs bereft zow of zour lyfe ze cane not not now bot
greive
Now let zour laural rot, die, fade, consume, and wither
And die ze ^lusis nyne with him, and be intombed togither :
* More correctly " Sprint," as the reference is evidently to John
Sprint, " a grave and pious divine," who published, in 1018, ii tiiut en-
titled " Cassander Anglicanus: shewini^ the necessity of conforming
to the prescribed Coreniouies of our C'liurch," &e. iiir James Sem-
pill v.Tote nn answer to this tract, under the title of " Cassandrn Sci>-
ticana to Cassandur AiisHcanus."
oil ELEGY ON SIR JAMES SEMPILL.
No monumental Tonibe his worth can heir inherit
Let gude report be stil his Tombe, acccording to his merit.
A. S.*
[ELEGY ON SIR JAMES SEMPILL OF BELTKEES.]
ILLUSTRISSIMO VIRO ET NUNQUAM SATIS LAUDATO, DEQUE REPU-
BLICA LITERARIA OPTIME MERITO D. JACOBO SEMPLIO,
posuiT GULIELMUS WALLESIUS.t
Quse cineri quae justa tuo, vir magne, parentum
Debita sincera; pignora amicitiee ?
An lacrymee dira infandi Monumenta doloris
Moestaque flebilibus carmina fusa modis ?
Vnde mihi tan to lacrymarum isquanda dolori
Vis, vdo madidas qu?e riget imbre genas ?
Aut quis to dignum carmen dabit ? Anser olori
Audeat obstreperos ore ciere sonos ?
* Alexander Sempill, a sonnet by ■nhom appears in " The Packman's
ratcrnoster," page 11-
f William Wallace was Master of tlie Grammar School of Glasgow.
Among other Latin verses b}' him, we may notice a contribution to the
'• Funerals of Patrick Forbes ol' Corse, Bishop of Aberdene," in IG'So,
where he designs himself " M. GVL. AVALLAS, Latinro Lingruc Pro-
fessor, et Schohe Giasgueusis Prirceptor." Principal Baillie, in May
IG'JO, enumerating some of the eminent men of Glasgow, includes
" Guil. Wallace, our lato tSchnol master, a fine poet." — (Ijetters and
Journals, vol. iii. p. 403.)
EPITAPH ON ROBERT SEMPILL. ciu
Aut quis sidereas suetum* volitare per arces
Ingenium merita tollere laude queat ?
Grandia quid tenues ? "Vellens mihi Cynthius aurom
Sic monet : in magnis est voluisse satis.
Ergo canas tu te ipse, canat te poathuma faraa,
Te Monumenta canant divitis ingenii.
[EPITAPH ON R. SEMPILL OF BELTEEES.]
IN HONOBATISS. ET CUNCTIS DILECTISS, DOMINUM ROBERTUM
SEMPELIUM A BELTREES.
Suavis abit virtus, scelus obrepit, en adit astra
Rectum, proh terris noxia castra locant,
Baltkisius virtutis amans, sic tendit ad astra
Xostris non precibus proh revocandus, abit.
Sistere ne poteras ? tua dum consortia nobis
Chara forent, minime me vocitante Deo.
Prompta nimis scd eras subito tarn rumpere filum
Atropc, crudclitas sed tua fugit atrox :
Musophilum doleant cuncti, lugetc Camoente
Moereat ct Icpidus ; occidit ille legens.
Yitte transacta) Celebris nunc proemia carpit,
Elysiis campis, quam lachrymandus, obit.
* On the innrgin corrected, " natum."
civ EPITAPJl ON KOBEKT SEMI'lLL.
IN EUNDEM.
Clare Sempeli petis astra, splendor
Patriae, Musis decus, et facoetus
Semper, absentem doleant amid
Notus et omnis.
Nam sales omnes fuerunt amoence
Defuit noxse jocus, at quis alter
MoBSta (suppleta vice) rebus arctis
Corda levabit.
Fata te cliarum vocitare, verura
Frustra, discedis Domino vocante,
Ast tuam famara (sine fine) nullum
Eruet eevum.
A. W. T. S.
THE
PACKMAN'S PATERNOSTER,
BY
SIR JAMES SEMIMLL,
WITH ADDITIONS BY HIS SOX.
1
PICK-TOOTH
For the POPE :
OK
THE PACK-MANSPA TER NOSTER.
Set Down in a Dialogue, betwixt a
Packman and a Priest.
Translated out of Dutch by S.I.S. and
Newly Augmented and Enlarged by
his Son, R. S.
This pious Poeme buy and read
For off the Pope it knocks the head.
m
^
EDINBURGH,
Printed hy Andrew Anderson, A mw 1669.
TO THE READER.
This Present (for the present) I present,
To you, good Reader, with my small addition,
The which, to imitate is my intent :
To match, or over-match, were great ambition :
I hut enlarge it, not surpasse ; for neither
I may, can, will, dare parrallel my Father.
I may not ; for I cannot reach unto it ;
And though I could. I will not enterprise it ;
And though I would, could, might, I dare not do it;
To dare, were with disdain for to despise it.
My Parents Poeme only to expresse,
I presse, of new, to put into the Presse.
CONFERENCE
BETWEEN
A PEDLER AND A PRIEST.
OR,
The Pack-iuans Pater noster,
Which lie leurn'd in a Closter :
Whereof he sore repented,
And prayes it may be printed.
Not fitting for the Schools, 5
Yet School-master of fools,
A Polands Pedler went upon a day.
Unto his Parish Priest to learn to pray :
The Priest said, Pack-man, thou must haunt the Closter,
To learn the Ave, and the Pater noster. 10
Pack-man.
Now, good Sir Priest, said he, What talk is that ?
I hear you speak, but God in Heaven knows what.
Priest.
It is, said he, that holy Latine-lettcr,
That pleaseth God well, and our Ladie better.
6 THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTEK.
Pack-man.
Alace, Sir John, I'le never understand them, 15
So must I leave your prayers as I fand them.
Priest.
Tush, tush, says he, if thou list for to learn
The Latine prayers rightlie to discern,
And sojourn but a little with me here.
Within a month I shal make thee parqueer. 20
Pack-nian.
Parqueer, said he ! that will be but in saying ;
In words, not sense, a pratling, not a praying.
Shal I, Sir John, a man of perfect age,
Pray like an idle Parret in a cage ?
Priest.
A Parret can b\it pratle for lier part, 25
But towards God hath neither hand nor heart.
Paclc-rtban.
And seeing I have head and heart to pray,
Sliould not my heart know what my tongue does say ?
For when my tongue talks, if mine heart miscarry,
How quickly may I mar your Ave Mary ? 30
And I, Sir, having many things to seek,
How shal I speed, not knowing what I speak ?
Priest.
Because tliat God all tongues doth understand.
Yea knows the very thoughts before the hand.
TUE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER.
Pack-man.
Then if I think one thing, and speak another, 35
I will both crab Christ, and our Ladie his mother ;
For when I pray for making up my pack, man,
Your Ave Mary is not Avorth a plack, man.
Priest.
Thy Latine prayers are but general heads,
Containing every special that thou needs ; 40
The Latine serves us for a Liturgie,
As medicines direct the Chirurgie :
And in this language Mass is said and sung :
For private things pray in thy mother tongue.
Pack-man.
Then must I have a tongue, Sir John, for either, 45
One for the Mother, another for the Father.
Priest.
Thinks thou the Mother does not know such smal things \
Christ is her Son, man, and he tells her all things.
Pack-m^an.
But, good Sir John, where learned our Lady her Latinos,
For in her dayes were neither Mass nor Matines, 50
Nor yet one Priest tliat Latine then did speak.
For holy words were then all Hebrew and Greek ;
She never was at Rome, nor kist Popes toe,
How came she by the Mass, then would I kno ?
8 Tin; I'ACK-MANS I'ATEll NOSTHK.
Prie^it.
Pack -mail, it" tlum l»»!liovo the Logendjiry ; i''^
The Masse is ehler far then Christ or Mai_v :
Isir all the Patriarclis, lioth UKire and Icsse,
And "rrcat Mclchiscilcck. hini.scll" said Mass.
Paclc-man.
\][i{ iiiKMl Sir .Kilni, sjtakc all ihc-ic Fathers liatine I
And said thev Masse in snrplitx's and Satine '. 00
Conld they ypoak liatine long ere Latinc grew ;
And without Latinc no Mass cjin Ix^ true.
And as lor llcrclicks that now translate it,
I'aise niisereants, they shame the Masse and slate it {
Priest.
\\ «11, I'ack-nian, laitli, thou art too cnrions. (]!j
Tliv spiir-hliinl zeal, fervent, but furious :
r«l rather teach a wliolc Coven of Monks,
'J'lun such a l*ack-man with his Puritane Hj)unks.
This thou must know, that eainiot he (h-ny'd,
Konie roign'd over all when l/hrist was erucify'd : 7()
Home Ethcniek then, but aft«>nvaivls converted,
And grew so honest, and so licdy hearte<l,
That now her Kmp'ror is tnniM in our Pt)])e,
Mis Holiness, as you have heard, I hope.
Me made a Law, that all the World should pray 7')
111 Latine Language to the Loni cacli <la\ :
And thus in our Traditions y<iu may try,
Which if you list to read, and shal espy
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTEK. 9
The Pope to be Clirists Vicar, sole and sure,
And to the Worlds end will so endure. 80
Pack-man.
Surely this purpose puts me far aback,
And liath mo points, then pins in all my pack ;
Wliat ever power you give to your Pope.
He may not make a man an Ape, I hope.
R. S.
But good Sir John, before we further go, 85
Resolve me this, since you assail me so :
How, when, and where this Vicarage l)efell
Unto your Pope? 1 pray you briefly tell.
Priest.
Know you not ? Peter when he went to Rome,
He there was execute, wliich was his doom : 90
And in his latter will and Legacy,
At Rome he left his full Supremacy
Unto the Pope ; which Legacy was given
By Christ to Peter, when he went to Heaven.
And so the Pope (though mediately, indeed 95
By Peter) Christs sole Vicar doth succeed ;
And eveiy Pope sensync from race to race,
Succeeds each other in the Papal place.
Pack-man.
By your assertion surely I perceive,
You press to prove that Peter then did leave 100
10 THE PACK-MANS PATEli N0STE1{.
►Such Legacy to tliose who did him inurther :
Think ye such fond conceits your cause can further ?
That's but a very falsly forged fiction,
And proves most for your Romish whoors conviction.
For Rome did falsly fall from Peters faith, 105
And Burreo-like bereft him of his breath.
And so your Pope doth merit no preferment,
But, as an Hangman, Peters upper garment.
And still. Sir John, ye strive to play the knave,
Affirming falsly Peter did receive 110
His Primacy from Christ, when thus he spoke,
That he Avould build his Church upon that Rock :
As if on Peter Christ had only founded
His Holy Cliurch for ever to be grounded :
To wrest the Scripture is your whole pretence, 115
Either into an ill or double sense.
Christ built his Church on Peters pure profession.
And on the solide Rock of his confession.
That he was Christ, which is a firm foundation
Against all Romish-Popish inundation. 120
I sory am to see you so unwise.
For Peter after that deny'd Christ thrice :
Christ built his Church on faith, which byds a tryal,
And not upon poor Peters thrice denyal :
On this* a friend of mind did make a Sonet ; 125
A pretty one, if I could light upon it :
So here it is, and in it ye may read,
How your proud Pope to Peter did succeed.
* Alexan. Hempill.
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER. 11
Why sliould propliane proud Papists thus presume
To say, their Pope to Peter doth succeed I 130
Read we that Peter (if he was at Rome)
Rode rob'd with triple crowns upon his head 1
Pray'd ever Peter for the souls of dead ?
Or granted pardon for the greatest sin ?
How many Nunces, note we, he did need 135
Through all the Nations that his name was in I
How many Friers had Peter, can we find,
In sundry sorts so shaven with a shame ?
Was ever Peter so blasphemous blind,
As to take holinesse unto his Name \ 140
The Pope succeeds to Peter in no case,
But in denial, and in no divine place.
M.S.
Poor Peter, only thrice, did Christ deny :
Once was too much : but soon he did espy
How that he rashly had forsworn his master ; 145
For which Christ shortly did apply a plaster
To his sick Soul, and plac'd his grace therein.
Which is the only antidote for sin.
Christ tum'd and look'd on him, and was content
To pardon Peter, since he did repent. 150
But I can prove your Pope, Sir John, to be
Into a great deal worse estate then he :
For Popes do dayly both in word and deal
Deny our Lord, as after ye may read :
Who derogates from Christ the full perfection 155
Of mediation, for our Souls election :
12 THE PACK-MANS PATEK NOSTEK.
And say, his sufterings cannot satisfie
For all our sins, and cure our misery :
But mix their humane merite (vile ambition !)
The foolish brain-sick birth of mans tradition : 1 GO
And als the works of Supererogation,
With Christs true merite, our sole consolation,
Denyes that Christ can be his onlv Saviour :
Can ye call this a Christian-like behaviour ?
No, that ye cannot, for avc may espy all 165
Such dealing is of Christ a flat denyal.
But this your Pope doth mishently maintain,
That humane merite mercy must obtain :
What humane merite means, I have no skill,
Gro ye to Heaven by any means ye M'ill : 170
I hope in God that heaven I shal inherite
Through Christ his only mercy-worthy merite.
Your Pope denyes his Lord without repentance,
For dayly profit ; and draws near the sentence
Of Judas case ; For when the Lord had told him 175
He should betray him, then he shortly sold him
Unto the Jews, and thirty pence did take,
Too smal a sum his Saviour to forsake.
Yet after that he fain would have repented.
But not so soon his sin he had resented : 180
He forth-with ran in haste, and hang'd himself,
W^ho sold his Saviour for vile worldly pelf.
For Judas one, each Pope may compt five hunder
For every day, and do not at it wonder,
Nor think him damnified by such transgression, 185
For 'tis the richest point of his profession.
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER. 13
And is the finest feather in his wing,
Which makes him loath to quite such trafficking ;
And so your Pope not only doth deny Christ,
But Judas-like, he sels, and Papists buy Christ. 190
Yet suffer me. Sir John, for to relate
Some Orders of your Popish Roman state.
First is your Pope, whom so your Clergy calls,
Next him ye have your pompous Cardinalls,
Your Prelats, Priests, your Priors and your Patrons, 195
Your Monks at Mass, and Matins with your Matrons :
Your Abbots Convents, and your Chaste Abesses ;
Your Nunries Nuns, your painted Prioresses :
Your Jebusitish Jesuits, your Friars,
So ras'd with rasors, and so shaven with shears : 200
Some of the Order of Dominican,
Some of the Order of proud Franciscan.
And, think ye not the Romish Church doth erre.
When before Christ Saint Francis they prefer ?
They make Christ (only) but as an Orator, 205
But make Saint Francis only Exorator.
Christ but to pray, Saint Francis to prevail,
And to obtain, when Christ his prayers fail.
Some of another Order are content,
Call'd Capuchins, themselves for to torment, 210
With many mo I may not now rehearse.
Which would be tedious to put in verse.
Search all the Scriptures through, see what it sayes.
If such styles were in Christs or Peters dayes.
No, good Sir John, I surely do suppone, 215
Like those vou shal find cither few or none.
14 THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER.
And yet, Sir John, I'le show you what a story
Your ancient Fathers tell of Purgatory :
They do affirm that Antichristian Cell
To be a place next adjacent to Hell ; 220
Alike in pain, but not alike in case,
Of the continuance of time and space :
Wherein are Souls for venial sins committed ;
(For satisfying mortal sins remitted :
Some souls are likewise for a time tormented) 225
Until by pray'r Grods anger be relented.
And the confession hex'eof is, as saith
Your Bellarmine, a point of Catholick faith :
And so must be undoubtedly believed ;
Where-out, who payes most, soonest is relieved : 230
Not by good faith, but only by good deeds,
And pratling Pater nosters on their beads :
And dayly Sacrifices of the living.
And weekly rents, and oft'erings largely giving :
And by their publick and proclaimed alms, 235
A silver showr that fyrie furnace calmes.
And as for me. Sir John, I say no more,
But tliis into my heart I heap in store ;
By faith in Christ Gods grace is to me given,
Tliat my Soul shortly shal ascend to Heaven, 240
When this life ends, my ghost shal go to glory.
Pox on your presupposed Purgatory,
Infantum Limbus, and your Limbus Patruni,
Where-out none comes, but by the Preces Fratrum,
(Ye say) and Masses said for souls departed, 245
Whereby poor picvish peoples pelf is parted
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER. 15
Amongst your Clerg-y, making them believe
Their silly souls tlien quickly shal relieve
Out of that pain : And as for them that pay most,
Creeds, Aves, Paters, Mass, they pray, and say most. 250
To make their sayings sure, they cite the Scripture,
But falsely formed with a ragged rupture ;
Of which, if ye would surely have a scent,
Read Cartwright against Rhemes New Testament ;
The which to prove how little they prevail, 255
Read Doctor Mortons Protestant appeal ;
Where ye shal find this purpose well disputed,
And by them both right learnedly refuted.
It passeth Papists power for to prove it.
The more I hear, the more I loath to love it. 260
So since. Sir John, ye have no Scripture for it.
But meer alleadgences, I must abhore it ;
To trust such tales I shal be very sory,
I'le go to Heaven, go ye to Purgatory.
In Rome likewise, to hinder fornicatioii, 265
Your Pope admits a great abomination ;
They suffer borthols without reprehension,
For augmentation of their yearly pension,
Wherein for Clergy-men are Stewes allowed,
For weekly payment, constantly avowed. 270
They spare not only to exact a rent.
From persons willing to live continent ;
Allowing tliem their whoors (thus they insist)
In Stewes ; where the may have them, if they list.
For Clergy-men thoy suffer not to marry, 275
Consenting to a course tliat's quite contrary
16 THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER.
To Gods Law, cliarging his Church withall,
There should not he a wlioor in Israel.
}3ut your Pope Adrian, for yearly fewes,
Did build in Rome (0 Rome !) a stately JStewes ; 280
Behold his godlesse, gracelesse, goodlesse carriage ;
To Iniild a Borthel, disanulling marriage.
Now, were I lay, or Church-man, hy my life,
I should renounce your Stewea, and take a wife.
And last, your Pope, like all devouring dogs, 285
In Rome allows the Jews their Synagogues ;
Wherein our Lord and Saviour Christ they curse,
For yearly payment to enlarge their purse ;
And yet before a Jew become a Papist,
Hee'l rather quite his God and turn an Atheist. 290
Now what profession will they not permit.
For profit in their Sodom for to sit 1
Except true Protestants, most Apostolick,
And pure professors, Christians Catholick ;
Such they will never snfler in their city, 295
They persecute them all, and have no pity ;
But still pursue them both with sword and tire,
Like mad-men in their fui*y and their ire,
And like blood-thirsty raging Lyons roaring
After their prcyes ; like hungry Wolves devouring 300
The blood of Saints, when they can apprehend them ;
I hope in God, he dayly shal defend them
Against their Devilisli desperate intentions ;
And their invective Jesuite inventions,
And all their wicked wills, and subtile shots, 305
Their most abominable powder plots.
THE PACK-MANS PATER XOSTER. 17
Sec from their fountains what sweet water springs,
To send out tongues to kill their native Kings ;
Both Prince and people, to destroy they care not,
Man, wife, and child to put to death they spare not. 310
Mark what a vile report Queen Katherin caries,
For that mad Massacre she made at Paris :
Should any soul such sakelesse slaughter smother,
So mishently committed by her Mother?
Who sent out bloody Butchers to cut down, 315
The whole Protestants present in the toAvn ;
Both under trust, and under cloud of night :
But I repose in Jacobs God of might,
He will undoubtedly ere it be long.
Both judge their cause, and eke revenge their wrong. 320
Albeit their bones be buried in the dust,
In Grod omnipotent I put my ti-ust :
(As in the sacred Fathers we do read)
The blood of Saints shal be the Churches seed.
Though ye think your Profession true and pure, 325
Had ye a spunk of grace (Man) I am sure,
(Hearing me make so many time relations,
How Rome maintains so gross abominations)
Her de^dlish doctrine soon ye would despite,
And questionless, her courses quickly quite. 330
For Rome, we see, retains into her Treasure,
Popes, perjury, profanity, and pleasure;
Priests, Papists, Pardons, Prelates, Priors punks.
Mass, matines, matrons mumbling with their Monks ;
Contentious Jesuits, counterfeit contrition ; 335
That hellish hole of Spanish Inquisition ;
B
18 THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTEK,
Earth Epicures, equivocating elfs,
Puft up witli pampering pride of paltred pelfs ;
Terrestrial temporizers, trutliless traitors ;
False, fained, faitliless, filthy fornicators : 340
Unhappy hj-pocrites, unwholsome whoors,
In beastly horthels, Babylonish bowrs.
With shameless stiiimpets in their stinking Stewes ;
Invyous Jesuits, invective Jews.
Equivocation, mental reservation, 345
The devil devis'd such doctrine for damnation ;
They cat their God, they kill their King, they cousen
Their neighbour : is not this a great abusing I
With many monstrous things I cannot name,
On which to think it makes me sweat for shame : 350
As are these Rites maintain'd in Homes theatre,
And first the casting of their holy water :
Their exorcisme, their images, their altars :
Of crosses, cups, and pals, Popes are exalters,
Of candles, and of Chvirches consecration, 355
With vestments in the Church for decoration :
Their hypocritical hid Hermitages,
Their pennance and polluted pilgrimages ;
Free wall, and humane merite for offences,
With jugling Jubilees and indulgencies ; 360
And of the Saints their idle invocation,
And by the Pope their curst Canonization.
Auricular Confession, vile pollution,
And for their sins a-pay'd for absolution :
Their private Masses, and their murmuration, 365
Their elevation, transubstantiation.
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER. 19
Sir John, if ye would hear me but record,
Some verses on the Supper of our Lord ;
It was a friend of mine to me did send them,
Hee's not a Christian will not commend them. 370
Priests make Christs both body and soul, we need not
doubt,
They eat, drink, box him up, they bear about,
One is too little ; bread and Avine
Holds not him several, so we dine ;
Thou with thy Christ, I with mine. 375
Is thy mouth the Virgine womb ? Is bread her seed ?
Are thy words the holy Ghost ? Is this our Creed ?
O presumptuous undertaker !
Never Cake could make a Baker,
Yet the Priest can make his Maker. 380
What's become of all these Christs the priests liave made?
I)o these hostes of ostes abide ? or do they fade ?
One Christ abides, the rest do flie ;
One Christ he lives, the rest do die :^
One Christ is true, the rest a lie. 385
R. S.
Into the Gospel, Take ye, Eat ye, Christ saith.
For which. Receive ye. Swallow ye, your Priest saith.
See how by Popes the Sacraments are driven,
Where Christ makes two, they ad five, so make seven.
For Baptism and the Supper of the Lord, 390
These only two did Christ to us afford.
With Christ his institution not content,
To these two tmc, five bastards they augment.
20 THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER.
A bastards name doth duly them befit ;
For they were never reabled as yet; 395
Nor ever shal, but still will be abhor'd,
Because they have no warrant from the Lord,
As Confirmation, Pemiance, Extream Unction,
With Priestly Orders to adorn their function ;
And Matrimony they maintain as one. 400
But here's a wondi'ous thing to think upon,
How Popes do call themselves, Scrvi servorum;
Yet in procession keep a strange Decorum.
They tread on necks of Kings upon the street;
And forcing Emperors to kiss their feet. 405
Doth God the Father in his Law allow
These vile inventions your Church doth avow 1
Doth Christ his Son into his Gospel give
Such wayes to walk in, such faith to believe ?
Or doth the holy Ghost in us inspire, 410
More then the Law and Gospel doth require?
The Father hath prescriv'd to us a Law,
To keep us in obedience and aw :
And Christ his Son our Saviour, did provide us
His glorious Gospel always for to guide us: 415
The holy Ghost doth from them both proceed.
To guard us from our sins in time of need.
If we transgress the Law of God the Father,
Then neither grace nor comfort can we gather.
If we believe not in his only Son, 420
Then our belief is doubtlessly undone ;
And if we breath not of the holy Ghost,
Then is our labour all our life-time lost:
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER. 21
But Gods Commandments your Kirk reverses.
Some she conjoins, and others she disperses ; 425
She trusts in Saints and Angels many one,
And should trust in the Trinity alone :
Wherefore Gods holy Sp'rit Can nev'r attend her.
Nor in distress or danger ev'r defend her.
And though she reign a while in pompe and pride, 430
I hope in God, my good and gracious guide,
To her the true Religion hee'l advance,
Ere long, and bring her out of ignorance,
Wherein she hath these many hundreth years
Lyen wilfully, which manifest appears, 435
By her unwillingnesse from thence to part.
She is so obdurate, and hard of heart ;
So that except God by his mighty hand.
Her power, her pride, and cruelty withstand,
And force her from her iilthinesse to flie, 440
Of errors great, and gross idolatrie :
So if she follow not Christs true instruction,
I fear her final dangerous destruction :
Which God forbid : I hope in his own time,
Hee'l both forgive, and purge her of all crime. 445
Heard ever ye, Sir John, a purpose quicker,
To prove the Pope to be Christs only Vicar?
S. I. S.
And though he were full Vicar to our Lord,
Should not his words and Christs keep one accord ?
22 THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER.
Priest.
Doubtless tliey do, and never arc contrary, 450
In Pater-noster, Creeds, nor Ave Mary.
Pack-man. ^
But Christs Disciples wlien they made their motion,
To Ciirist their Master, how to make devotion,
As I have done to you, Sir Jolm, to day,
I pray you, in what tongue bade he them pray ? 455
Christ did not one word Latine to them speak :
Their talk was all in Syriack, Hebrew, Greek.
He bade all nations pray after one manner:
But bade not all take Latine for their Banner.
Your Latine is but one of the Translations: 460
Why should it then exclude all other Nations?
And on my Soul, Sir John, if I but say,
In mine own Mother tongue, when I do pray ;
Lord, help me. Lord, forgive me all my sins;
Yea, why not, Lord, increase my pack and pins. 4G5
And every thing whereof I stand in need ;
For this depends upon our dayly bread :
I hope in God, to reap more comfort herein,
Then Latine ye would make mo so parquier in.
And since some tongues have more antiquity 470
Then Latine, were it not iniquity
To force all people to pray like the Pope?
No, good Sir John, yec'l not say that 1 hope.
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER. 23
Priest.
But, Pack-man, one point would I fain make plain,
Let us come back to our Ladie again ; 475
And if thou had as much capacity,
As raving wit, with great audacity.
The case is clear, that Virgin Maiy meek.
She could all languages perfitely speak.
Hast thou not heard, man, how the holy Ghost 480
Came down like cloven tongues at the Pentecost,
And fild the house where all the twelve were ready,
And one tongue truely lighted on our Lady ?
And lest thou think I talk of idle themes,
Consult the reverend Jesuits of Rhemes : 485
I pray thee. Pack-man, earnestly tliis note.
Pack-man.
In faith, Sir John, it is not worth a groat.
Will I believ't, tlunk ye, because they say it \
Priest.
No ; but they prov't, as no man can deny it.
Saith not the Text, that when the Lord ascended, 490
Unto the twelve he earnestly recommended,
That from Jerusalem they should not go,
f^ntill the Comforter shoidd come, and so,
Into an upper room they went together,
Where Marie still was one, ye must consider, 495
With many mo in number full six score,
That with the twelve did davly God adore:
TUE PACK-MANS PATER >'OSTEK.
And then lie saitli. when Pentecost was come,
Thev were to2:ether iu one place, all. and some.
And ,alP were filled with the holv Ghost. oOO
Fa<^k-man.
o"ood Sir John, ve count without vour host.
Xow I see well your Jesuitical tongues
Have cloven the Text even to the very lun^s :
That (all) which first was spoken of six score,
Is here meant of the only twelve, no more. 505
Xor Mary is not named now, as than ;
AN hat need I then believe it, holy man ?
On with your spectacles. Sir John, and read.
And credit this as a pciint of your Creed :
The holy Ghost could fall upon no more 510
Then he was promised unto before.
Doubtless he took not a blind-folded flight,
Like fyled Larks, not knowing where to light.
Xow he was promis'd only to the twelve.
Look on the text. Sir John, and judge your selve. 515
Speak man, and be not silent ; I am sorie.
To see you ignorant of such a storie.
And as the stories in themselves are divcre,
Flowing and falling into sundrie rivers;
In divers chapters so they stand divided, 520
So that the case may clearly be decided.
For when these six score was at first convecned,
There was another mysterie then mcaned ;
To wit, Matthias free election.
And so Saint Peter gave direction. 525
TilE TAOK-MAXS TATKR XOSTER. 25
That (all) the six score tlicro should boar record
Of their procoeilings thou Wforo the Lonl :
The choosius: of a Pastor was in hand,
^^Tiich if the Clmroli aUow not, cannot stand:
And so Mattliias, throuch the power of Heaven, 530
By lot was held as one of the eleveJi.
Then saye-s the text, all these were still together :
^^ hat all these were, let anv man consider.
Tlie twelve, say I. in the last verso before:
And not make Leap-year of eleven verse more. 535
To draw all lv\ek to these huudreil and twentie;
Tndeeil this way we should have tongues in plenty;
And as thev differ bv twelve vei*se or hnies,
bo are tliev ten daves ditierent in times:
The tirst ujxm the day when Christ ascendo*!, 540
The other when the holy Ghost dcsconde^l;
Such glazen arcumeuts will bide no hammer.
For they are but ill Lojiick. and worse Granniier:
So oulv twelve roeeiv'd the holv Ghost :
And so our Ladie all her tongues hath lost. 545
Now for the holy Ghost its truly try ed.
His coming down is unto no law Ive^l.
Sometimes invisible, and sometimes seen,
As divcrsly at divei-s times hath been.
His coming neeils but to be seen of few. 550
His works may serve for witnesses anew ;
And so Saint Paul himself I understand,
But privatly by Ananias hand.
And so, Sir John, to show you all my pack.
And let von sei^ mv breast as well as bark :
).).)
26 THE PACK-MANS PATEIl NOSTER.
I wonder ye consider not tlie end,
Why God the holy Ghost in tongues did send ;
Know ye not, Tongues were only given for teaching I
Know ye not, women are forbidden preaching ?
Yea scarce at home have liberty of speach, 560
But ask their husbands, and they for to teach.
Since women then in Gods word may not walk,
What should they do with tongues that may not talk ?
And then, Sir John, what worship do ye win^
Unto our Ladie, when you bring her in 565
Jack-fellow-like with others whole six score,
Who got the holy Ghost, and she no more 'i
And where the Pope hath made her queen of heaven,
Ye make her but like one of the eleven ;
Surely, Sir John, this is an ill favour'd htching ; 570
Ye tliurst her from the Hall down to the kitching.
And this is also one of the rare Themes,
Held by your reverend Jesuits of Rhemes ;
That Latine came not with the holy Ghost,
When the cloven tongues came at the Pentecost. 575
Now, if it came not by the holy Ghost,
Whence is this holynesse whereof ye boast.
That in it only, and none other tongue.
Both Masse and Matines must be said and sung?
Your last refuge will be unto the Pope ; 580
So knit up altogether in one rope.
Then, good Sir John, consider but a little,
How you gave unto Marie many a tittle.
Whereof ye have no warrand in the Word ;
And yet pursue us both with fire and sword, 585
THE PACK-MANS PATEll NOSTER. 27
As Hereticks, for not doing as ye <lo ;
Yet what the Word bids, and no more, that we do.
Think ye that any man can be so mad,
As to hold Christ liis Saviour ; and so bad,
As to hold Marie for his Saviours Mother, 590
And not to love her still above all other ?
We love her then, though we believe not in her.
Nor by will- worship think we for to win her.
We hold her blessed, for Christs flesh conceiving,
But far more blessed, for Christs faith receiving ; 595
She is his Mother, and the Church his wife,
Which was to him more dearer then his life.
So, if the one could fall out with the other.
He would respect his Wife, more then his Mother;
For this is every Spouses carriage, 600
But most in this spiritual Marriage ;
And as she's Mother of his humane life,
She's but a Daughter of his heavenly Wife;
And by his Mother, member of Christs body;
Who tlxinks not so, is but a very Noddy. 605
All this, Sir John, I do but briefly say,
To let you see, that ye play us foul play.
rriest.
Well, Pack-man, though thou bear about that trunk,
I fear thou be but some foreloppin Monk,
Of Luthers lore, or crooked Calvins creM'. 610
And sent abroad, such business to brew ;
Transformed in the person of some Pedlcr.
28 THE TACK-MANS PATER NOSTER.
Pack-man.
Now, good Sir John, in faith I am no medler,
Nor have I mind nor means so high to mount;
I can but read a little, and lay a count, 615
And seek my meat through many an unknown Maison.
I know not what ye call your Kyrie Laison;
So help me God, Sir John, I know no better.
Nor in your Latine can I read one letter.
I but believe in God, and some times say, 620
Christ help me, when I wander out the way.
Priest. R. S.
I pray thee. Pack-man, this much for to tell me,
Since thou presumes so far for to excell me,
Were't not a very reasonable thing :
K one were going to an earthly King, 625
To get forgivenesse for some great transgression,
That he should shortly sute the intercession
Of some great Favorite, and he for to passe
To purchase pardon for his high trespasse;
And not the guilty person to proceed 630
Presumptuously before the King to plead ;
But use his moyen by his Highnesse Minion.
Pack-7}ian.
Sir Jolm, that motion is not worth an Onion.
What if the King shal hear the poor mans sute,
AVould he stand silent as if he were mute "? 635
No ; he should prostrate, lay his fault before him ;
And lie himself for pity should implore him.
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTEli. 2U
For intercessors ofttimes lurks and lingers,
Except the pleaders largely fill tlieir fingers.
There is a Proverb in the Scottish lawes, G40
A man, a Lyon is, in his own cause.
Though great abuses lie in earthly things,
We must not so abuse the King of Kings.
Such idle tales my mind doth much molest.
Priest.
I pray thee. Packman, hear me out the rest ; 645
And so this present purpose to conclude,
Would ye think any man should be that nide,
To pray to God, without Saints mediation ?
It would be thought a great abomination :
The heavens such heinous pride hath ay abhor'd, 650
So proudly to compear before the Lord.
Such great presumption God will surely punish ;
That's not the way his faults for to diminish ;
He must implore our blessed Ladies aide,
Then she should shew her son what he hath said, 655
And so command him go unto his Father,
That for his sute some comfort he may gather;
Or else he must employ some Saint or Angel.
Pack-man.
Such words I do not find in the Evangel.
Surely, Sir John, such sayings arc but idle: 660
Such blasphemy is not in all the Bible ;
To trust your words, or Pauls, now tel mc whether?
30 THE PACK-MANS TATER NOSTER.
Priest.
Reject them, if they jump not just together.
Pack-man.
And so I slial, for I can let you see
In Pauls Epistle unto Timothie, 665
He plainly sayes, There is one God, and than,
One Mediator between God and man.
The same is He, which is the man Christ Jesus,
And he from death to life can only raise us :
Since he redeem'd us as our elder brother, 670
Pray as ye please, I'le never seek another.
S. I. s.
And so what e're I have, what e're I want,
I neither pray to He, nor to She Saint.
And as for tongues, I have but one, no more ;
And wit ye well, albeit I had ten score, 675
I would vise all conform to Pauls commanding.
Pray with my tongue, pray with my understa,nding.
Think ye these twelve, when they receiv'd these tongues.
Did talk like Parrets, or like barrel bungs,
Yeelding a sound, not knowing what they said; 680
Idle in preaching, idler when they pray'd?
No : each of them knew well what he did sav.
And why not we, Sir John, as well as they?
For since all men have one tongue at command,
Should we seek tongues we do not understand ? 685
Alace, Sir John, had I been traiu'd at School,
As I am but a simple ignoyant fool,
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTEK. 31
An hundred questions more I might liave moved,
But here I cease, fearing to be reproved :
For these few doubts I leam'd in diverse places, 690
Tliinking the Clergy-men would clear all cases.
Pnest.
Now, Pack-man, I confesse thou puts me to it,
But one thing I will tell thee, if thoul't do it ;
Thou shalt come to our holy Prior, Pack-man,
And he, perhaps, will buy all on thy back, man ; 695
And teach thee better how to pray then any,
For such an holy man there are not many.
Be here to-morrow, just 'tween six and seven,
And thou will find thy self halfway to heaven.
Pack-man.
Content, quoth I, but there is something more, 700
I must have your opinion in before.
In case the holy Prior have no leasuro.
To speak of every purpose at our pleasui-e :
There was but one tongue at the birth of Abel,
And many at the building up of Babel : 705
A wicked work which God would have confounded,
But when Christ came all tongues again resounded,
To build his Church by his Apostles teaching,
Why not in praying, as well as in preaching ?
Since prayer is the true and full perfection 710
Of holy service, saving your correction :
So if our Lord to mine own tongue be ready,
^Vhat need 1 then witli Latine trou]>le our Lady?
32 THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTEK.
Or if both these my prayei' must be in,
I pray thee, tell me at whom to begin "? 715
And to pray joyntly to them both as one,
Your Latine prayers then are quickly gone :
For Pater noster never will accord
With her, nor Ave Mary with our Lord.
If I get him what need I seek another ? 720
Or dare he do nothing without his Mother ?
And this. Sir John, was once in question,
Disputed long with deep digestion,
Whether the Pater noster should be said
To God, or to our Lady, when they pray'd ? 725
When Master Mare of learn'd Diversitie,
Was Rector of our Universitie :
They sate so long, they cooled all their kail,
Untill the Master Cook heard of the tale.
Who like a mad-man ran amongst the Clergie, 730
Crying \nth many a Domine me asperge:
To give the Pater noster to the Father,
And to our Ladie give the Avees rather;
And like a Welsh man SAVore a great Saint Davies,
She might content her wel with Creeds and Avees : 735
And so the Clergie fearing more confusion,
V> ere all contented with the Cooks conclusion.
Priest.
Pack-man, this Tale is co}Tied of the new.
Pack-man.
Sir John, I'll qnyte the pack, if't be not true.
THE PACK-MANS PATEK NOSTEll. 33
Again, Sir John, ye learned Monks may read, 740
How Christ himself taught us of his own head,
That every soul that was with sin opprest,
Should come to him, and he would give them rest.
Come all to me, saith he, not to another ;
Come all to me, saith he, not to my Mother : 745
And if I do all as Christ did command it,
I hope her Ladiship will not withstand it.
And so. Sir John, if I should speak in Latine
Unto the Lord, at Even-.3ong and at Matine,
And never understand what I were saying, 750
Think ye the Lord would take this for true praying?
No : that ye cannot ; for ye may consider,
My tongue and heart should jjray together.
And hereupon ye shal hear what befell
To certain Clerks, that Latino well could spell : 755
With whom, by chance, I lodged at an Inne,
Where an old ^vife upon a rock did spin ;
And towards evening she fell to and pray'd.
But neither they, nor I knew what she said.
One said, the Carling counterfeits the Canting. 760
Another said, it's but the Matrons manting.
Some call'd it Gibbers, others call'd it Clavers,
But still the Carling speaks, and spins, and slavers.
Now good Sir John, what think ye of this Hussie ?
Where was her heart, when her hand was so busie? 705
In end, one said. Dame, wot ye what ye say?
No, not, saith she, but well I wot I pray.
Ye pray, said he, and wots not what ? I grant.
Alace, how can ye be so ignorant?
C
34 THE PACK-MANS PATER NOBTEK-
The Matrone musing little at the motion, 770
Said, Ignorance is mother of devotion.
Then Dame, said he, if ignorance be the mother,
Darknesse must be the daughter, and none other.
Pray'd ye, said he, when all the time yc span 1
What reck of that? said she, God's a good man, 775
And understands all that I say in Latine,
And this I do at Even-song and at Matine.
Alace, Sir John, was not this wife abused.
Whose soul and senses all were. so confused?
Ye know these unknown tongues can profit no man, 780
And one tongue is enough for any woman.
But when one prayes in true sincerity,
As God commands, in Spirit and verity;
The heart sends up the tongue as messenger
Unto the Lord a pleasant passenger. 785
Priest.
But, Pack-man, here's a prettie little book,
Wherein if thou wilt listen for to look.
Set out by a true Catholick Divine,
And out of doubt will settle thine ingine.
Faith, read it. Pack-man, for it is but little. 790
The gadge of the new Gospel is it's title,
He clearly proves by Zacharies example.
When he did sacriiice within the Temple,
And all the people stood and pray'd without.
They knew not then what tongue he spake, no doubt ; 795
Ergo the Masse may both be said and sung
[n other language then the mother tongue.
THE PACK-MANS PATEK NOSTEK. 85
Pack-tnan.
Sir John, I see your holy Catholick,
Upon the trutli, liath put a pretty trick.
Have ye not heard this proverl) oftimes sounded, 800
Homo qui male audit tnale rounded?
So if the people heard not what he said.
How could they know in what language he pray'd ?
Since understanding cometh by the ear,
He cannot understand tliat doth not hear. 805
Or how proves this that Zacharie the Priest
Spake Latine, then the language of the Beast \
Were Liturgies under the Law, but so
In such a tongue that all the Jews did know ?
What e'er he spake, himself sure understood it: 810
And so your Catholick did ill conclude it:
Because a learned Priest may pray in Laiine,
And mumble o'er his Even-song, Masse and Matine.
Ergo a Pack-man to the Lord may pray.
And never know a syllable he doth say: 815
For when you put me to my Pater noster,
I seek an ^%^^, and yc give me an oster.
And so. Sir John, I have given you a wadge.
That's good enough for your new Gospel gadge.
Last, since wc say that God is good to speak to, 820
Who will botli hoar our text, and hear our eke to:
AVhat if he answer me in the Latine tongue
Wherein I pray, and wherein Masse is sung?
1 must say, Lord, I wot not what thou saycst,
And hce'i say, Fool, thou wots not what thou prayest. 825
36 THE PACK-MANS PATEK NOSTEK.
Even, Lord, say I, as good Sir Jolm did teach me,
Sir John, saith he, a Priest unmeet to preach me,
Or in your mishent mouths once for to name me :
With different tongues and hearts, such Jock such Jamie.
For though I know luo tongues tlien ye can tell, 830
False knaves, should ye not understand your sell?
Gave I not you a tongue as well as heart,
That hoth to me should play an a-fold part ?
But like two double devils ye have dissembled.
At this Sir John he quaked, and he trembled, 835
And said, good Pack-man, thou art so quick witted.
Unto the Prior all must be remitted.
And so the Pack -man past unto his lodging.
Having within his heart great grief and grudging :
Sometimes he doubted if the Monks were men, 840
Or Monsters, for his life he could not ken :
He said, Sir John was a fair fat fed Ox,
Sometimes he said, he looked like John Knox.
But Knox was better versed into the Bible,
A studie that Sir John held very idle: 845
They dive not deep into Divinity,
And trouble them little with the Trinity.
And are more learned in the Legendarie,
In lives of Saints, and of the Lady Maiy.
The only Idole they embrace and kisse A, 850
Is to prove servants unto Mistresse Missa.
With such conceals the Pack-man past the night,
With little sleep, until it was day light.
And by the peep of day he early i-ose,
And trim'd him finely in his holy-dayes hose; 855
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTER. 37
And to Sir Johns own cliamber straight he went,
Who was attending : So with one assent,
They hycd them to the Prior both in haste,
To whom Sir John began to give a taste
Of all the questions that had past amongst them. 860
He call'd them Hereticks both, and vow'd to hang them.
With that the Pack-Man hurled through the Closter,
And there he met with an ill-favoured Foster;
Who quickly twined him, and all on his Back ;
And then he leam'd to pray, shame fall the Pack ; 865
For if they have not fred me of my sin,
They sent me lighter out than I came in.
And still he cry'd. Shame fall both Monks and Fryers,
For I have lost my Pack, and leam'd no Prayers.
So Farewel Ave, Creed, and Pater noster; 870
I'le pray'n my mother tongue, and quite the Closter.
FINIS.
POEMS
BY
ROBERT SEMPILL.
i
THE LIFE AND DEATH
OF THE
PIPER OF KILBARCHAN
OK,
The Epitaph of Habbie Simson,
Who on his drone bore mony flags ;
He made his cheeks as red as crimson,
And babbed when he blew his bags.
Kilbarchan now inay say alas ! 5
For she hath lost her game and grace,
Both Trixie, and the Maiden Trace :
But what remead ?
For no man can supply his place,
Hab Simson's dead. 10
Now who shall play, the Day it Daws ?
Or Hunts Up, when the Cock he Craws I
Or who can for our Kirk-town-causc,
Stand us in stead ?
On bagpipes (now) no body blaws, 15
(Sen llabbie's dead.
42 THE PIPER OF KILBAKCHAN.
Or wlm will cause our shearers shear 1
Wha Avill bend up the brags of weir,
Bring in the bells, or good play meir,
In time of need 1 20
Hab Simson cou'd, what needs you spear ?
But (now) he's dead.
So kindly to his neighbours ueast,
At Beltan and Saint Barchan's feast,
He blew, and then held up his breast, 25
As he were weid ;
But now we need not him arrest.
For Habbie's dead.
At fairs he play'd before the Spear-men,
All gaily graithed in their gear-men : ' 30
Steel bomiets, jacks, and swords so clear then.
Like any bead.
Now wha will play before such weir-men.
Sen Habbie's dead ?
At Clark-plays when he wont to come, 35
His pipe play'd tiimly to the drum ;
Like bikes of bees lie gavt it bum,
And tun'd his reed.
Now all our pipers may sing dumb,
Sen Habbie's dead. 40
And at Horse Races many a day,
Before the black, the brown, the gray,
THE PIPER OF KILBARCHAN. 43
He gart his pipe, when he did play,
Baith skirl and skreed ;
Now all such pastime's quite away, 45
Sen Habhie's dead.
He counted was a weil'd wighl-nian,
And fiercely at Foot-uall he ran :
At every game the gree he wan,
For pith and speed. 50
The like of Habbie was ua than,
But now he's dead.
And than, besides his valiant acts,
At bridals he wan many placks,
He bobbed ay behind fo'ks backs, 55
And shook his head.
Now we want many meny cracks.
Sen Habbie's dead.
He was convoyer of the bride,
With Kittock hinging at his side: 60
About the Kirk he thought a pride
The ring to lead.
But now we may gae but a guide,
For Habbie's dead.
So well's he keeped his decorum, 65
And all the stots of W hip-meg -mot^m,
He slew a man, and wae's me for him,
And bure the fead !
44 THE PIl'Ell OF KILBAllCIIAN.
But yet the man wan hamc before him,
And was not dead ! 70
And whan he play'd, the lasses leugh,
To see him teethless, auld and teugh.
He wan his pipes beside Barcleugh,
Withouten dread :
Which after wan him gear enough, 75
But now he's dead.
Ay whan he play'd, the gaitlings gedder'd,
And whan he spake, the carl bledder'd ;
On Sabbath days his cap was fedder'd,
A seemly weid. 80
In the kirk-yeard, his mare stood tedder'd.
Where he lies dead.
Alas! for him my heart is sair,
For of his springs I gat a skair,
At every play, race, feast and fair, 85
But guile or greed.
We need not look for pyping mair,
Sen Habbie's dead.
EPITAPH ON SANNY BKIGGS. 45
EPITAPH ON SANNY BRIGGS,
NEPHEAV TO HABBIE SIMSON, AND BUTLER TO
THE LAIRD OF KILBARCHAN.
Alake for everraare and wae !
To wha shall I whan droiithie gao ]
Dool, sturt and sorrow will me slae
Without remeid,
For hardship ; and alakc a day ! 5
Since Sanny's dead.
O'er butiet-stools, and hassocks tumble,
how he gart the j utters jumble,
And glo\\Ten fow both reel and rumble,
And clour their head. 10
Now they may gape, and girn, and grumble.
Since Sanny's dead.
And how he gart the carles clatter,
And blirten fow their bowspreets b.-'tter,
Laughcn to see them pitter-patter, 15
Naivel and bleed 1
Ho was a deadly fae to water,
But now he's dead.
46 EPITAPH ON SANNY BRIGGS.
Wha'U jaw ale on my dvoiithy tongue,
To cool the heat of light and lung] 20
Wha'U bid me when the kaill-bell's rung,
To board me speed ?
Wha'U set me by the barrel-bung,
Since Sanny's dead?
Wha'U set me dribbling be the tapp ; 25
While winking I begin to Napp,
Then lay me down and well me happ,
And binn my head ?
I need na think to get ae drap,
Since Sanny's dead. 30
Well did the master-cook and he,
With giff-gaft' courtesie agree,
While tears as fast as kitchen-fee
Drapt frae his head.
Alake a day ! though kind to me, 35
Yet now he's dead.
It very muckle did me please,
To see him howk the Holland cheese :
I kend the clinking o' his kies
In time of need. 40
Alake a day ! though kind to me,
Yet now he's dead.
He was as stout as was his steel,
And gen yc'll trow he cou'd fa' well
EPITAPH ON SANNY BRIGGS. 47
At wapensliaM-s the younkers dreill, 45
And bra'ly lead,
Baith to the field and frae the field,
But now he's dead.
When first I heard the woeful knell,
And dool-ding o's passing- bell, 50
It made me yelp, and yeul, and yell.
And skirl and ski-eed.
To pan trie-men I bid farewell.
Since Sanny's dead.
Fast is he bunn, baitli head and feet, 55
And wrapped in a winnen sheet :
Now cou'd I sit me down and greet,
But what's the need?
Shou'd I like a bell'd-wadder bleet,
Since Sanny's dead? 60
POSTSCEIPT.
The chiel came in his room, is bauld; 65
Sare be his shins, and's kail ay cauld ;
Which gars us ay pray for the auld.
With book and beid.
Now Lord hae mercy on his sau],
For now he's dead.
POEMS
HY
TRANOIS SEMPILL.
?
THE BANISHMENT OF POVERTY BY HIS
ROYAL HIGHNESS J. D. A.
TO THE TUNE OF THE LAST GOOD NIGHT.
Pox fa that pultron Povertie,
Wae worth the time that I him saw ;
Son tlrst he laid his fang on me,
Myself from him I douglit ne'er draw.
His wink to me has been a law. 5
He haunts me like a penny-dog;
Of him I stand far greater aw
Than pupill does of pedagogue.
The first time that he met with me,
AVas at a clachan in the west ; ]
Its name I trow Kilbarchan be,
Where Habbie's drones blew many a blast ;
Tliere we shook hands, cauld be his cast;
An ill dead may that custron die;
For there he gripped me full fast, 15
When first I fell in cautionrie.
52 THE BANISHMENT OF POVERTY
Yet I had hopes to he reliev'd,
And fre'ed from that fovil Laidly lown ;
Femzier, when Whiggs were ill mischiev'd,
And forc'd to fling their weapons down, 20
When we chased them from Glasgow town,
I with that swinger thovight to grapple ;
But when Indemnity came down,
The laydron pow'd me by the thrapple.
But yet in hopes of some relief, 25
A rade I made to Arinfrew,
Where they did bravely huff" my beef,
And made my body black and blew.
At Justice Court 1 them pursue,
Expecting help by their reproof; 30
Indemnity thought nothing due;
The deil a fartliine for my loof.
But wishing that I might ride east.
To trot on foot I soon would tire ;
My page allowed me not a beast, 35
I wanted gilt to pay the hire :
He and I lap o'er many a syi-e :
I heuked him at Calder-cult,
But lang ere I wan to Snyps-myre,
The ragged rogue took me a whilt. 40
THE BANISHMENT OF POVERTY. 53
By Holand-busli and Brigg o' Bonny,
We bickered down towaixls Bankier ;
We fear'd no reavers for our monev.
Nor whilly-whaes to grip our gear.
^J3
My tatter 'd tutor took no fear, 45
(Though we did travel in the mirk ;)
But thought it tit, when we drew near,
To filsh a fori-age at Falkirk.
No man would open me the door,
Because my comrade stood me by; 50
They di-ead full ill I was right poor,
By my forcasten company.
But Cuningharae soon me espy'd ;
By hue and hair he brought me in,
And swore we should not part so dry, 55
Though I were naked to the skin.
We baid all night, but lang ere day,
My curst companion made me rise :
I start up soon and took my way:
He needed not to bid me twice. (JO
But what to do we <lid advise ;
In Lithgow we might not sit do\ATi :
On a >Scots groat ato Kaitcd thrice,
And in at night to Edinburgh town.
64 THE BANISHMENT OF POVERTY.
We held the Lang-gate to Leith Wynd, 65
Where poorest purses use to be;
And in the Caltoun lodged syne,
Fit quarters for such companie.
Yet I the High-town fain would see,
But that my comrade did me discharge; 70
He will'd me Blackburn's ale to prie.
And muff my beard that was right large.
The mom I ventur'd up the Wynd,
And slung'd in at the Nether-bow,
Thinking that truiker for to tine, 75
Who does me damage what he dow.
His company he doth bestow
On me, to my great grief and pain;
Ere I the thrang could wrestle through.
The lown was at my heels again. 80
I grein'd to gang on the plain-stanes,
To see if comrades wad me ken:
We twa gaid pacing there our laines,
The hungry hour 'twixt twelve and ane.
Tlien I kend no way how to fen, 85
My guts nimbl'd like a hurle-barrow ;
I din'd with saints and noblemen,
Even sweet Saint Giles and Earl of Murray.
THE BANISHMENT OP POVERTY. 55
Tykes test'inent take him for their treat,
1 needed not my teeth to pike ; 90
Though I was in a cruel sweat,
He set not by, say what I like.
I call'd him Turk and traiked tyke,
And wearied him with many a curse;
My banes were hard like a stone dyke, 95
No Reg. Marie was in my purse.
Kind Widow Caddel sent for me,
To dine, as she had oft forsooth ;
But ah ! alas, that might not be,
Her house was o'er near the Tolbooth. 100
Yet God reward her for her love
And kindnes, which I fectlie fand,
Most readie still for my behove,
Ere this hells-hound took me in hand.
I slipt my page and stour'd to Leith, 105
To tiy my credit at the wine;
But foul a dribble fil'd my teeth,
He gript me at the coffee sign.
I staw down through the Nether- Wynd,
My Lady Semple's house was near ; 1 10
To enter there was my design,
Where Povcrtie durst ne'er appear.
56 THE BANISHMENT OF POVERTY.
I dined thei*e, but baid not lang;
My Lady tain wad slielter me;
But oh ! alas, I needs must gang*, 115
And leave that comelie companie.
Her lad conVoy'd me Vvitli her key,
Out through the garden to the fields,
Ere I the Links could graithlie see,
My govemour was at my heels. 120
I dought not dance to pipe nor harp ;
I had no stock for cards and dice;
But I fure to Sir William Sharpe,
Who never made his Counsel nice.
That little man he is right wise, 125
And sharp as any brier can be;
He bravelie gave me his advice,
How I might poyson povertie.
Quoth he, there grows hard by the dyal.
In Hatton's garden bright and sheen, 130
A soveraign herb called Penny-Royal,
Whilk all the year grows fresh and green.
Could ye but gather it fair and clean,
Youl- business would go the better;
But lot account of it be seen, 135
To the Physicians of Exchequer.
THE BANISHMENT OP POVERTY. 57
Or if that ticket ye bring with you,
Come unto me, you need not fear,
For I some of that herb can give you,
Whilk I have planted this same year. 140
Your page it will cause disappear,
^Vho waits on you against your will ;
To gather it I shall you lear,
In my own yards of Stonny-lxill.
But when I dread that would not work, 145
I ovcrthought me of a wyle,
How I might at my leisure lurk.
My graceless guardian to beguile.
It's but my galloping a mile, '
Through Canon-gate, with little loss, 150
Till I have sanctuary a while.
Within the girth of Abbey Closs.
There I wan in, and blyth was I
AVhen to the inner court I di'ew;
My governour I did defy ; 155
For joy I clapt my wings and crew.
There messengers dare not pursue,
Nor with their wands men's shoulders steer ;
There dwells distressed lairds cnew,
In peace though they have little gear. 160
68 THE BANISHMENT OF POVERTY.
There twa hours I did not tarie,
Till my blest fortune was to see
A sight, sure by the mights of Mary,
Of that brave Duke of Albania ;
Where one blink of his princely eye, ] 65
Put that foul foundling to the flight;
Frae me he banished Povertie,
And gart him take his last good-night.
DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW AND CONSCIENCE. 59
A DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAAV AND
CONSCIENCE
WHEN THEY WERE BOTH BANISHED PROM PARLIA-
MENT. IN THE FIRST PARLIAMENT OF K. JAMES
THE SEVENTH.
Law to Conscience.
How now, my Lord, how is it so,
That thus in sable weed ye go ?
What means this sudden alteration,
That you have lost your veneration.
And due benevolence that ye owe 5
Unto your country, now brought low ?
In yonder Court ye ought to sit,
A free-born member ye're of it,
And well acquainted with the laws,
Go and defend your ancient cause. 10
Conscience Reply.
Alace, said Conscience, well you wit.
In yonder Court I dar not sit.
Unless that I betray my right,
And dictat laws against my light :
Your Parliament it looks awry, 15
For 1 sat in it yesterday.
60 DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW AND CONSCIENCE.
And voted never a vote but an,
And tliey against me did exclaine,
With lustie words both high and bigg;
They swore that Conscience was a Whigg ; 20
For him they have no veneration,
Cause banish him out of the nation ;
And prayed the Clark to word it better,
Then to put Conscience in a letter,
To send unto his Majestie, 25
Who bears a mortal teed at me ;
For treason, which they say, I thought,
Into the year fortie eight.
For which I wandred too and fro,
Even since the year sixty two, 30
That I was banished from tlie Court,
By Lords and Earls of great i*eport :
Though I should famish, starve and die,
Yet none of them would harbour me ;
I rapped rudely at their gat, 35
But never enterance could get;
I knockt and challeng'd as I can.
Yet non recev'd a banished man.
The little shelter that I found.
Was in the Presbyterians ground ; 40
Yet many of them me sore abus'd
And most untenderly me us'd ;
Some took bonds, some took the Test,
Some to the Kirk were sorely prest.
Some with their course untender walk, 45
Some Avith their proud unseemly talk,
DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW AND CONSCIENCE. Gl
Some with their giddie "wild opinions,
Would banish me from these dominions ;
And now since they have serv'd me so,
To forraign lands I think to go, 50
To see what residence I find;
Pray Brother Law, what is your minde ?
Laws Ansivere.
Alace ! my Lord, Iioav can I hear,
Your dollourous and heavie chcar ?
When your afflicted, I do mourn, 55
W e both upon one wheel do turn ;
If Conscience once do lose the van,
Law is a broken baukinipt man ;
When Conscience tunis like weatlier-cock,
Then they will cut the Nazeren Lock; 60
My strength lyes in the Penal Laws,
Cut they off these, we'll lose the cause :
Our honours both in this doth stand ;
A dum man yet wan never land ;
We will be trusty to our nation ; G5
An humble sute is mv intent.
That we may sit in Parliament.
Conscience Reply.
My Brotlier Law, where is your wit,
Thinlc you of us they will permit.
To sit in court who thus have us'd us, 70
And formerly hatli thus abus'd us ;
G2 DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW AND CONSCIENCE.
Should I my wrongs denominate,
Or could my grief demonstrate,
What I have sutfer'd would appear,
From tliem above this twentv vear : 75
It's long since they me cauteriz'd,
But now they have me stigmatiz'd :
And for to make me hold my peace,
They put hot iron upon my face,
Like Collilian they A\dll mc make : 80
Some sufFer'd shipwrack for my sake :
How can you think that such men minde
Our Laws, and Conscience to hofriend,
Or ever give a free consent.
That we should sit in Parliament ; 85
My dearest Brother then I pray.
That you may not retard, away.
Laws Ansivere.
Alace ! my Lord, will vou be Sfone,
Then I may mourning go alone ;
If noble Conscience leave the land, 90
Who then will Popery withstand,
For Law will prove a broken reed,
When Conscience goes in pilgrims weed?
You Protestants may be agast,
And may prepair you for a blast, 95
W hen Law and Conscience are abus'd,
And worse then broken merchands us'd ;
In Abay's they will shelter find,
But none to us will prove so kind ;
DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW AND CONSCIENCE. 63
But yet I liumbly do you pray, 100
My dearest Lord go not away ;
To yonder Parliament address,
Some friends you have will entercess
Themselves for you, and for you plead,
Some place at Court may yet be had. 105
Conscience Reply.
My Brother, 1 would be content,
T'regain my place in Parliament ;
But for these men they'l never grant it ;
A pick at me they never wanted.
I know there's severals do pretend, 110
For to propose me as their end ;
But let them once be contradicted,
They'l look as if they were convicted ;
If but one Lord should them control,
Thev'l swear it was an Hvborbole ; 115
Like as I often have it found,
Pretended friends give many a wound,
Have alwayes falsly prov'd to mo;
Farewel Brother, farewell ye.
Laws Answer.
My dearest Lord, my counsel take, 1 20
Not for my own but country's sake.
If you desert these Courts and go,
To forraign lands and live tliem so,
They will establish with their haii<l,
That Popci7 shall overspread tlie land, 125
04 DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW AND CONSCIENCE.
Once more I luimWy you in treat,
And beggs tliis favour I may get,
To signifie you are content,
To supplicate the Parliament.
Conscience Reply es.
Well Brother Law, I am content, 130
To supplicat the Parliament,
And your to blame Brother, not I,
If they shal raise the Hu and Cry ;
Come let us joyn with Veneration,
For to present this supplication, 135
For to vot freely for the laws.
Your countrey, and your ancient caiise.
THE HUMBLE ADDRESS OF CONSCIENCE AND LAW,
TO THE HOUSE OF PARLIAMENT.
My Lords, and Gentlemen, here lyes
Two objects low before your eyes.
Conscience and Law, two nobles born, 140
To whom the country once was sworn,
Bnt now deserted as you see.
By horrid perjur'd Treacherie;
Yet we're content to pardon that,
And humbly here to supplicat, 145
Ye would be plcas'd to permit,
Us in the Parliament to sit.
DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW A]!{D CONSCIENCE. OO
To serve our countrie and our cause,
And to defend the Penal Laws;
My Lord, our loyaltie you know, 150
Some further proofe we mind to show ; '
We shall vot nothing but whats good;
Our wrong is great to be gainstood.
My Lord Commissioner, if your Grace
Would harken to our words of peace, 155
We would you teach, how you should be
True to your King, your vows and me.
And my Lord Chancellour, we would crave
That Popish tenets you would leave,
The ancient faith ye would imbrace, 160
Else you will nc'rc condol our case.
And you Lord Bishops, where you sit.
We little trust to your commit,
You who betrayed our ancient cause.
You would take oil" the Penal Laws; 165
Conscience nor Law you'l never defend,
What ever truths you do pretend :
I know once us two ye lov'd dear.
But we're foresaken for a Kings ear;
And for obeying mans command, 170
Ye are thrust fi*om tlie Holy Land.
You honorable house of Commons all,
For your assistance we do call :
Keep Law and Conscience in the land.
And against Popery stoutly sta)id; 175
If you refuse so just a thing.
Then know I am repute a King,
£
66 DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW AND CONSCIENCE.
And I will exercise my Law,
On you when you can not withdraw,
And make you, were you better fellows, 180
Like Judas run unto the gallows !
Or else like Spira to discover
Your knavery all the world over ;
And for the mischief you have acted,
My terrors make you go distracted ; 185
My scepter over you I'le sway,
In Time and in Eternitie.
This to your wisdom we commend,
And on your answer we attend.
THE BLYTHSOME WEDDING. 67
THE BLYTHSOME WEDDING.
Fy let us all to the Briddel,
For there will be lilting there,
For Jockie's to be married to Maggie,
The lass with the gauden hair ;
And there will be lang-kail and pottage, 5
And bannocks of barley-meal.
And there will be good salt-herring.
To relish a kog of good ale.
Fv let us all to the Bi'iddel,
For there will be lilting there, 10
For Jockie's to be married to Maggie,
The lass with the gauden hair.
And there will be Sandie the Sutor,
And Willie with the meikle moAv,
And there will be Tom the Ploutter, 1 5
And Andrew the Tinkler I trow,
And there will be bow legged Robbie,
And thumbless Katie's good-man,
And there will be blue cheeked Dallie,
And Lawrie the laird of the land. 20
Fv let us, &c.
68 THE BLYTH80ME WEDDING.
And there will be Sow-libber Peatie,
And plouckie f'ac't Wat in the Mill,
Capper-nos'd Gibbie, and Francie
That wins in the how of the hill, 25
And there will be Alaster-Dowgal
That splee-fitted Bessie did woo,
And sniffling Lillie and Tibbie,
And Kirstie, that belly-god sow.
Fy let us all, &c. 30
And Crampie that married Stainie,
And coft him breeks to his arse.
And afterwards hanged for stealing,
Great mercy it hapned no woi'se ;
And there will be fairntickl'd Hew, 35
And Bess with the lillie white leg,
That gat to the south for breeding,
And bang'd up her wamb in Mons-Meg.
Fy let us all, &c.
And there will be Geordie M'Cowrie, 40
And blinking daft Barbra and Meg,
And there mil be blincht Gillie- Whimple,
And peuter-fac't Hitching Joug.
And there will be happer-ars'd Nansie,
And fairie-fac'd Jeanie be name, 45
Gleed Katie and fat lugged Lisie,
The lass with the gauden wamb.
Fy let us all, &c.
THE BLYTHSOME WEDDING. 69
And there will be Grirn-again Gibbie,
And his glaked wife, Jeanie Bell, 50
And mislie-chin'd flyting Geordie,
The lad that was skipper himsell ;
There'll be all the lads and the lasses,
Set down in the midst of the Ha,
With sybows and rifarts and carlings, 55
That are both sodden and ra.
Fy let us all, &c.
There will be tartan, di-agen and brachen,
And fouth of good gappocks of skate,
Pow-sodie, and drarnmock, and crowdie, 60
And callour nout-fect in a plate ;
And there will be partans, and buckies,
Speldens, and haddocks anew.
And sing'd sheep-heads, and a haggizc,
And scadlips to sup till ye're fow. 65
Fy let us all, &c.
There will be good lapper'd-milk kcbucks,
And Bowens, and farles, and baps.
And swats, and scraped paunches,
And brandie in stoups and in caps. 70
And there will be meal-kail and castocks,
And skink to sup till you rive.
And rosts to rost on a brander,
Of flouks that was taken alive.
Fv let us all, &c. 75
70 THE BLYTHSOME WEDDING.
Scrapt haddocks, wilks, dulse and tangle,
And a mill of good snizing to prie,
When wearie with eating and drinking.
We'll rise up and dance till we die.
Fy let us all to the Briddel, 80
For there will be litting there,
For Jockie's to be married to Maggie,
The lass with the gauden hair.
SHE RAISE AND LOOT ME IN. 71
SHE RAISE AND LOOT ME IN.
The night her silent sable wore,
And gloomy were the skies ;
Of glitt'ring stars appear'd no more
Than those in Nelly's eyes.
When at her father's yate I knock'd, 5
Where I had often been,
She, shrouded only with her smock,
Arose and loot me in.
Fast lock'd within her close embrace,
She trembling stood asham'd ; 10
Her swelling breast, and glowing face,
And ev'ry touch inflam'd.
My eager passion I obey'd,
Kesolv'd the fort to win, '
And her fond heart was soon betray'd 15
To yield and let me in.
Then, then, beyond expressing,
Transporting was the joy ;
I knew no greater blessing,
So bless'd a man was 1. 20
72 «11E KAISE AJS'D LOOT ME IN.
And she, all ravish'd with delight,
Bid nw. oft come again ;
And kindly vow'd, that every night
She'd rise and let me in.
But ah! at last she prov'd with bairn, 25
And sighing sat and dull,
And I, that was as much concern'd,
Look'd e'en just like a fool.
Her lovely eyes with tears ran o'er,
Repenting her rash sin ; 30
She sigh'd, and curs'd the fatal hour
That e'er she loot me in.
But who could cruelly deceive.
Or from such beauty part ?
I lov'd her so, I could not leave 35
The charmer of my heart ;
But wedded, and conccal'd our crime:
Thus all was well again,
And now she thanks the hapj)y time
That e'er she loot me in. 40
MAGGIE LAUDEK. 73
MAGGIE LAUDER.
Wha waclna be in love
Wi' bonnie Maggie Lauder?
A piper met her gaon to Fife,
And spier'd what was't they ca'd her :
Richt scornfully she answered him, 5
Begone, you hallanshakcr !
Jog on your gate, you bladderskate !
My name is Maggie Lauder.
Maggie ! <^uoth he ; and, by my bags,
I'm ildgin' fain to see thee! 10
Sit doun by me, my bonnie bird ;
In troth I winna steer thee ;
For I'm a piper to my trade ;
My name is Rob the Ranter :
The lasses loup as they were daft, 15
AVhcn I blaw up my chanter.
Piper, quo Meg, hae ye your bags,
Or is your drone in order?
If yc be Rob, I've heard o' you :
Live you upo' the Border? 20
74 MAGGIE LAUDER.
The lasses a', baith far and near,
Have heard o' Rob the Ranter;
I'll shake my toot wi' richt gude will,
Gif ye'll blaw up your chanter.
Then to his bags he flew wi' speed ; 25
About the drone he twisted :
Meg up and wallop'd ower the green ;
For brawly could she frisk it !
Weeldone! quo he. Play up! quo she.
Weel bobb'd ! quo Rob the Ranter ; 30
It's worth my while to play, indeed,
When I hae sic a dancer!
Weel hae ye play'd your part ! quo Meg ;
Your cheeks are like the crimson !
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel, 35
Sin' we lost Habbie Sirason.
I've lived in Fife, baith maid and wife,
This ten years and a quarter;
Gin ye should come to Anster Fair,
Spier ye for Maggie Lauder. 40
NOTES.
NOTES.
THE PACK-MANS PATER NOSTEK. Paee 1
O"-
We print this poem from the Edinburgh edition of
1669, preserved in the Advocate's Library, As stated
on the title-page, the original, by S. I. S. (Sir James
Sempill) was " newly augmented and enlarged by his
son, R. S." (Robert Sempill). These augmentations arc
distinguished by the initials R. S. From tlie following
lines, by Robert Sempill, in the preface, we should con-
clude that " The Pack-mans Pater Noster " had been
printed in the lifetime of Sir James ;
" My Parents Poeme only to expresse,
I presso, of new, to put into the Presse."
\\ e have not been able, however, to lay our hands upon
any edition of the poem as published by Sir James ; but
this is the less to be regretted, as the one we have tran-
scribed may be regarded as the most complete — emanating
as it did from the son, with all his augmentations and
amendments.
78 NOTES.
A fragment of a copy, evidently from the press of John
Wreittoun, printer and burgess of Edinburgh, who died
in February 1640, in the possession of D. Laing, Esq. of
the Signet Library, is the earliest edition known to exist.
There were several later editions, particularly one printed
at Glasgow, " by Robert Sanders, printer to the Town,"
in 1669, 12mo.; another at the same place in 1695,
12mo.; and one at Edinburgh, in 1700, 24mo. We
have collated three of these editions, and find the va-
riations so trifling as not to call for particular remark.
Of the merits of this once popular poem it is scarcely
our province to speak. It is stated on the title-page that
the original portion of it — by Sir James Sempill — is
a translation from the Dutch ; but this may be regarded
as one of the pardonable devices to which authors some-
times have recourse — for, in the preface, the language of
the son implies that he was more than a ti-anslator —
" To match, or over-match, were great ambition:
I but enlarge it, not surpasse ; for neither
I may, can, will, dare parallel my Father."
The poem bears every evidence of having been the
production of highly educated persons. It is clothed in
good language ; and it will be observed that the ortho-
graphy differs very slightly from that now in use. The
aim of the writers was not so much the display of fine
writing, as the putting forth of strong arguments in an
easy flow of verse, so as to be readily understood and re-
membered by the humblest of their readers. In this they
certainly succeeded; and there can be little doubt that
" The Pack-mans Pater Noster" was far more effective
NOTES. 79
in combating the abuses of Popery, among the bulk of
the people, than the most learned and abstruse of all the
many works published on the subject. The rhyme is
almost faultless ; and throughout are scattered many pun-
gent remarks, and not a few happy sallies of humour.
The dialogue, perhaps, is not so well managed as it might
have been — the Packman having more than his due share
of the conference ; but this, no doubt, is in accordance
with the design of the Avriters, which was to bring the
arguments for and against the Popish mode of worship
strongly into contrast.
The great points involved in the discussion are the
pretensions of the Pope as the successor of Peter, the
saying of mass and prayers in Latin, and the undue ex-
altation of the Virgin Mary. We can form now but a
faint idea of the intense interest of the subject, both
prior to and long after the Revolution, and with what
delight the reasoning of the victorious Packman would
be conned over by our metaphysical ancestors. The
winding up of the conference is managed with character-
istic humour. There is one obvious inconsistency, how-
ever, which the keen wit of the authors failed to discover.
While the Packman disclaims all knowledge of any other
language than his mother tongue —
" I can but read a little, and lay a count,
# * * *
So help mc God, Sir John, I know no bettor,
Nor in your Ijatine can I read one letter" —
And yet, in the course, of the discussion, he glibly quotes
Latin })hrases by the line !
so NOTES.
Lines 1 iinJ 2.
Tho Pack-mans Pater noster,
Which ho learn'd in a Closter.
We need not remark on the words " Pater noster." They
are well understood. Closter, for cloister, was frequently
used by Scottish writers in the age to which this poem
belongs.
Line 20.
Within a month I shal make thee parqueer.
Parqueer, perquier, or perquer, is used by Barbour.
It signifies accurately ; or, per quair, according to the
book.
Line 55.
Pack-man, if thou believe the Legendary.
The Legendary — the traditions of the fathers, upon
which rests so much of the authority of the Roman Ca-
tholic Church. Originally the Legendary was a book
containing the lessons to be read in divine service.
Line 58.
And great Molchisedcck himself said Mass.
It was upon this passage of Scripture — Genesis, 14 —
that the celebrated discussion between John Knox and
the Abbot of Crossraguel, held at Maybole in 1562,
X0TE3. 31
mainly hinged.* Knox claimed the victory, but the fact
is he had little to boast of. while the advantage lav with
the Abbot in having conducted his argument in a spirit
of gentlemanly moderation, which it would have been
Avell for Knox to have imitated.
Line 64.
False miscreants, they shame the Masse and slate it.
To slate, as used in " The Palis of Honoure." means to
let loose — applied in reference to hunting. In the pre-
sent case, however, it must be held as signifying abuse —
to slight it, from the Islandic sladde, slovenly, or inde-
corous.
Line 07.
rd rather teach a whole Coven of Monks.
The " dulc-tree " — a large tree invariably to be found
in the front of old Scottish mansions — is in some parts
of Scotland called the " covin-tree." Here the owner
used to meet his visitors; hence, we may presume, the
meaning of " Coven of monks." Here also the heads of
the family used to assemble on occasions of sorrow —
hence its designation of the " dule-tree."
* Imprinted at Edinburgh by Robert Lekpreiiik ]oG3. aiiJ reprinted
bv Sir Alexander Bos-well of AiichinlccU in sm. 4to. 1M12.
82 NOTES.
Line 106.
And Burreo-like bereft him of his breuth.
Burreo-like, hangman -like. From the Fr. Bourreau.
Line 125.
On this a friend of mine did make a Sonet.
This friend is named on the margin " Alexander Sempiil."
There is a small work by A. S. entitled " <t)TAAON
EAAIA2 Carolo Regi. Anticrhisto Brontia." Edin. 1G43.
4to. Six leaves. There were a great many families of the
name of Sempiil in Renfrewshire and Dumbartonshire, all
more or less directly connected with the noble house of
Sempiil ; and, from the expression of Sir James Sempiil,
" a friend of mine," it seems probable that the author of
the sonnet belonged to one or other of them.
Line 135.
How many Nances, note we, he did need.
Nunce, the Pope's legate, or nuncio.
Line 138.
In sundry sorts so shaven with a shame?
Priors were called shavelings, on account of their using
the tonsor, or shaven crown — hence " shaven with a
shame."
NOTES. 83
Line 167.
But this your Pope doth mishently maintain.
M'lSchantUe, mescJiantUe, or nmhently, wickedly.
Line 206.
But make Saint Francis only Exorator.
E.i;ovator, Lat., entreater.
Lines 227-228.
And the confession hereof is, as saith
Your Bellarminc, a point of Catholick faith ;
Robert Bellarmin, an Italian Jesuit, was one of the
most celebrated controversial writers of Lis time. Born
in Tuscany, 1.545. Died, 1621. In 1599 lie was hon-
oured with a Cardinal's hat. No author ever defended
Popery to more advantage.
Lines 243-4.
Infantum Limbus, and your Limbus Patrum,
Where-out none comes, but by the Preces Fratrum.
Infantum Limbus, the place assigned to children M'ho
die in infancy. Limbus Patrum, said to be Abraham's
bosom, where repose the saints who lived before the com-
ing of Christ. Preces Fratrnm, prayers of the brethren.
S4- NOTES.
Line 254.
Read Cartwright against Rheraes New Testament.
Thomas Cartwright, a celebrated English Puritan divine,
whose " Confutation of the Ehemish Translation of the
New Testament, 1618," was much in repute, and is still
worthy the attention of the curious. He was born in
Hertfordshire, 1535. Died, 1603.
Line 256.
Read Doctor Mortons Protestant appeal.
Thomas Morton, Bishop of Durham, was another of
those English divines who took up the pen against the
statements put forward by the writers of the Rhemish
Bible. He was born at York in 1564, and died in
1659. He wrote a great many treaiises.
Line 2G7.
They suffer borthels without reprehension.
Borthel, a brothel. The Pope licensed a brothel at
Home in 1471 — the prostitutes paying him a weekly
tax, which, it is said, amounted to 20,000 ducats a-year.
Line 306.
Their most abominable powder plots.
The well-known " Gunpowder Plot," to blow up ihu
NOTES. 85
English Parliament, was discovered on the 5th Novem-
ber, 1605.
Lines 311-312.
Mark what a vile report Queen Katherin caries,
For that mad Massacre she made at Paris.
Catharine de Medicis. — This massacre, so horrifying in
its details, occurred at Paris, on Saint Bartholomew's day,
in the year 1572.
Line 347.
They eat their God, they kill their King, they cousen.
Simon, a monk of Swinstead, poisoned John, King of
England, in 1216.
Line 402.
How Popes do call themselves, Servi gervorum.
The title of Servant of Servants was brought in by
Pope Gregory.
Line 404.
They tread on necks of Kings upon the street.
Pope Alexander, in 1164, trode on the neck of Frederick
Emperor of Germany.
Line 609.
I fear thou be but some foreloppin monk.
i>6 NOTES.
Foreloppin, fugitive.
Lines 616-17.
And seek my meat through many an unknown Maison.
1 know not what ye call your Kyrie Laison.
Maison, Fr., a house. Kyrie Laison, Kyrie Elecson,
the two first words of the Roman Catholic Litany — Lord
have mercy upon us, &c.
Line 632.
But use his moyen by his Highnesse Minion.
Moyen, means.
Line 726.
When Master Mare of learn'd Diversitie.
Probably alluding to John Mair, or Major, a scholas-
tic divine and historian, who wrote with "great liberty of
spirit, not sparing the usurpation of Rome, and taxing in
divers places the laziness and superfluity of the clergy."
He was born at North-Berwick in 1469. Died, 1549.
Line 731.
Crying with many a Doniine me asperge.
Domine me asperge. Lord preserve us.
Line 863.
And there he met with an ill-favoured Foster.
NOTES. 87
Foster, an adopted person, such as a foster-brother. In
this case a foster brought up in the priory.
THE PIPER OF KILBARCHAN. Page 41.
It has been stated that this poem was written about
1640 ; but as the writer was then young — not probably
more than twenty — it may, from the style of the verses,
be considered a later production. It has also been re-
marked that no evidence exists of its having been printed
before it appeared in " Watson's Collection," in 1706.*
This is a mistake ; as there is in the possession of
D. Laing, Esq., a broadside of " The Life and Death
of the Piper of Kilbarchan," with tlie use of which we
have been kindly favoured, evidently printed before the
year 1700. Mr Laing possesses another broadside copy,
apparently printed in the year 1698. In addition to the
typographical indication of their priority, both copies want
the second last verse to be found in the version of Wat-
son, which is not likely to have been omitted in any sub-
sequent copy.
As remarked in the " Paisley Repository,"']' Robert
* " A Choice Collection of Comic and Serious Scots Poems, botb
Ancient and Modern, by Several Hands. In Three Parts." Small 8vo.
Edinburgh, 1706-9-10.
t Edited by Mr John Millar, schoolmaster at Giffen, parish of Beith,
Ayrshire, 12rao. 1808, who also published " A History of the Witches of
Renfrewshire, who were burned on the Gallowgreen of Paisley." 12mo.
1809.
88 NOTES.
Sempill is " alloAved to be the inventor of the stanza of
this Epitaph. Allan Ramsay and William Hamilton
(of Gilbertfield), in v.'riting the same measure, acknoAv-
ledge ' The Elegy on Habbie Simson ' to be ' a finished
piece,' and a standard of that kind of rhyme :
' May I be licket wi' a bittle,
Gin of your numbers I think littlp,
Ye're never rugget, shan, nor kittle,
But blythe and gabby,
And bit the spirit to a tittle,
Of STANDAKD HaBBY.'*
' And on condition I were as gabby,
As either thee or honest Habby.
That I lined a' thy claes wi' Tabby,
Or velvet plush,
And then thou'd be sae far from shabby.
Thou'd look right sprush.''"r
Line 7.
Both Trixie, and the Maiden Trace.
" Hey trix, trim go trix, under the greenwood tree," and
" The Maiden Trace," were popular tunes ; as also " The
Day it Daws," " Hunts Up, when the Cock it Craw8,"
mentioned in lines 11 and 12.
Line 17.
Or wha will cause our shearers shear ?
It was customary, in former times, for the piper to play
* Ramsav's first epistle to Hamilton.
t Hamilton's second epistle to Rfitiisny.
NOTES. 89
in the field while the reapers were at work, with a view
to stimulate them in their labours.
Lines 18-19.
Wha will bend up the brags of weir,
Bring in the bells, or good play meir.
Who will bear up the boasts of war ; and bring in the
pastime of the bells, or good play-mare.
Line 29.
At fairs he play'd before the Spear-men.
Spear-men, the ancient guard of the authorities, or city
officers, as they were latterly styled.
Line 35.
At Clark-plays, when he wont to come.
Clerk, or stage plays, were performances upon platforms
in the open air. Simson is said to have often played at
these exhibitions in Edinburgh when the author was
present.
Line 41.
And at horse-races many a day, &o.
As illustrative of this line, Mr Millar states that " at
Paisley Saint-James'-day Race, the horses run for silver
bells, and the horse which is so fortunate as to win the
90 NOTES.
race is led to the town iu triumph, with the bells he has
so meritoriously gained, hung round his'neck : afterwards
the bells are sold back again, for a fixed value which was
set on them. It is very probable that something similar
was the case here : that Habby, proudly playing on his
pipes, would usher the victorious horse with the bells into
the town."
Line 47.
He counted was a weil'd wight man.
Wight-man, a strong man ; weiVd, probably should be
ivaled, meaning that he w^as the wale, or choice, of strong
men. In the broadside copies of the poem possessed by
Mr Laing, the word is printed walVd, and waiVd.
Line 59.
He was conveyer of the bride.
It was the custom at Kilbarchan, in former times, says
Mr Millar, " for the bride and her maidens to walk three
tijnes round the church before the marriage was cele-
brated, led on by the piper, who played, some pecu-
liar tune on the occasion, which got the name of the
Maiden-trace.^'
Lines 65- G6.
So well's he keeped his decorum,
And all the stots of Whip-meg -moriim,
■Siot, a quick motion in dancing.
NOTES. 91
He that tynes a stot o' the spring,
Shall pay the Piper a pennie. —
The Country Wedding.
In one of the broadside copies, however, we find the read-
ing, And all the steps of, ^'c.
Line 67.
He slew a man, and wae's me for him.
This is explained in the folloAving account of Habbie
Simson, drawn up by Robert Sempill of Beltrees, grand-
son of the author :
" This (Epitaph) was made by Robert, son to Sir
James Sempill, and father to Francis Sempill of Beltrees.
But before Ave write the Epitaph it is necessary to inform
the reader of some things, which will make it better un-
derstood. Know then, when Habbie was a boy he herded
at a place called Barr, where there was a heugli, or coal-
pit, and played as other herds upon the stock and the
horn : and at that time there was a man lived in the
towTi, who made bagpipes, and sold them at four pounds
Scots ; and Habbie having got so much for herding, he
went doAATi to the toA\Ti and bought a stand of them, and
began to play ; and in process of time he became a good
player, married, and had a son, and kept a servant.
Both of them he taught to play, and came that length,
that on a wedding day he played the newest tune, and
then laid them by, and ordered his son and servant to
play the rest, and himself sat down at the bride's table;
and after dinner, in those days, they had a fashion that
92 NOTES.
they went to a little green, near the Fennel thorn, and
danced at the ring as they called it, where Habbie (who
always wore a durk, which he called Kittoch, after a
great robber in the Highlands called Coll Kittoch), al-
ways played the first and newest tune ; and at that time
there was a new tune called Whooj^-rneg-monim, which
he Avas playing, when a young felloAv that had drank
more than he should, designing to play a trick on Habbie,
pulls out a knife and thrusts it into the bag, which let
out the wind. Habbie was sensible of the affront, and
pulls out his durk, as he thought, and gave the fellow
a backward push in the breast, which hearted him, so
that he fell down. Habbie seeing this, threw away the
durk, and fled down to Craigends Moss, where he lay till
it was dark ; but before that he had observed the tang of
the durk, which had been rusted in, appearing out of the
scabert, which made him hope that it was not so ill with
the man as he believed at first, and therefore he ventured
home to Kilbarchan, where he then lived, and asked how
matters went, Avhen his wife told him that the man was
a little hurt, but was pretty well." * This explains
He slew a man, and waes me for him,
And burc the fead !
But yet the man wan hame before him,
And was not dead.
The fact that Habbie herded at a place called the Barr,
sufficiently explains the line —
* Annual Miscellanr, 1812, pp. 88, 89.
>fOTE3. 93
He wan his pipes lieside Barcleuglj.
which ought, probably, to be printed Barheugh, there
having been coal-pits in the vicinity; although anciently
cleuch and hcugh, a precipice, were synonymous terms.
In " Watson's Collection " it is printed Borcheugh. The
Barrhill, as it is now called, is near the town of Kilbar-
chan. There are the remains of a rude encampment of
stones upon it, of unknown antiquity.
It is not known when Habbic was either born or died ;
but from the '' Epitaph," which says he was " teethless,
auld, and teuch," it may be inferred that he lived to a long
age. " His tombstone," says the Paisley Beposito^y,
" in Kilbarchan parish churchyard, is so much defaced
with time, that there are scarce any characters legible
except H. S., the initials of his name, and a figure, re-
sembling a Hesher's chopping knife. Some think it the
remains of a l)agpipe. Tradition says he was a flesher
as well as bagpiper. Amongst the Craigends papers there
is a tack by Craigends, " To James Simson, Jlesher, at
Kilbarchan, as Kindlie Tenant of that House and Yeard,
with the Chalmcr, heigh and laicli, possest last be Kath-
rein Pollik, his mother, lyand wilhin the merkland or
Kirktoun, during the lyfetyme of the said Laird of Craig-
ends, for sixtein mcrk Scots monie, yeirlie, daitit 28
Apryle, 1682." This James was probably the son of
Habbie. If so, " Kathrcin Pollik " must have been the
wife of the piper. There was one William Simson, at
the Kirk of Kilbarchan, whose name occurs as witness to
a law deed in 1630.
94 NOTES.
" In Kilbarclian (1st October, 1808) there is a family
of the name of Anderson, who are related to Habbie
JSimson by the mother's side. That Habbie >Simson had
at least a son, is evident from the following anecdote : —
Francis Sempill, son of Robert, the author of Ilabby's
Epitaph, had upon some occasion offended his father,
who for a long time would not speak to him ; but by the
intercession of some friends, the father agreed to forgive
him upon condition that he gave a verse of poetry extem-
pore. The youth asked his father upon what subject.
His father desired him to make another verse to Habby's
Epitaph. Without hesitation Francis repeated —
" It's now these bags are a' forfaim,
That Habby left to Jock the bairn,
Tho' they were sew'd wi' Hollan' yairn,
And silken thread,
It maks na, they were fiU'd wi' shairn,
Sin Habby's dead.
*• I have seen the first two lines of this stanza of Francis
Sempill altered thus :
These pipes whereon poor Hab did learn,
He left them unto Jock the baii'n."
Fowler, in his " Sketches of the Towns, Villages, <fec.,
of Renfrewshire," says, that " in the middle of the town is
a schoolhouse, to which a steeple is attached, and in a
niche of the said steeple there was placed, in 1822, a
statue of Habbie Simson, the famous piper. It is con-
sidered an excellent piece of statuary, and highly credit-
able to the talents of the sculptor, Archibald Robinson,
in Greenock."
NOTES. 95
A painting of Habbie Simson was in the possession of
John Buchanan, Esq. of Greenock, in 1843.
EPITAPH ON SANNY BRIGGS. Page 45.
We are not aware tliat this poem is anywhere set down as
the production of Robert Sempill of Beltrees ; but there can
be little doubt that it is an emanation from the same muse
that composed the wcU-knuwn and inimitable Epitaph on
the Piper of Kilbarchan. It is similar in construction,
spirit and humour, and by no means inferior. Whether it
was printed before the existence of " Watson's Collection"
is a question which we cannot solve; but it is there
placed immediately after the Epitaph on Habbie Simson,
which, of itself, may be regarded as indicative of its pa-
ternity. Chalmers, author of Caledonia, was of opinion
that Robert Sempill was the autiior.*
" Sanny Briggs, the hero of the poem, was, we are
told, " Nephew to Habbie Simson, and Butler to the
Laird of Kilbarchan." But who was the Laird of Kil-
barchan ? The church and church lands of Kilbarchan
belonged to the Abbey of Paisley. The revenues, at
the time of the Reformation, were let to William Wallace
of Johnstoune, " whose lands, along with the patronage
* MS. notes in the possession of D. Laing, Esq.
95 NOTES.
of the church, were purchased in 1733, by Major
James Milliken:" but the Laird of Kilbarchan would ap-
pear to have been Cuning'hame of Craigendg. He was
at all events proprietor or superior of the kirk lands of
Kilbarchan, on which the town of Kilbarchan is built.
This property he acquired in 1574, as the following
document shows: —
" Renunciatioun be Maister Robert Conynghame of
Wolyeart of all right and kindnesse to the Kirklands of
Kilbarquhan, In favours of Alexr. Conynghanie Laird of
Craganis, 13 Nov. 1574; or the liesignation and Dis-
chairg gevin be Maistr. Robert Conynghanie of the cotrall
lands at Kilbarchane.
" Me, Maistir Robert Conynghame, in Wilzart, granttis
me to haif rasavit fra the handis of Alexr. Conynghame,
Laird of Craganis, the soume otF Fourtie Pundis money,
in compleit payment for my rycht, Kyndnes, Entres, Pro-
pertie, and Possessiouu of the Kyrklands, Housis and
Orchards, lyand at the Kyrk off Kilbarquhan, perteinand
to me in Tak and Assedatioun, and occupyit be Marioun
Nickcaw, my subtenant yrof., and siclyik of the Letter of
Bailzerie of the haill Cottralls* occupyars of the said Kyrk-
lands, maid to me be Maistr. Johne Macquhen, wicar of
ye samen for the tyme, and off Thomas Merschalls House,
Landis, and all vtheris the rest of the Coittralls* dwelland
on ve said Kyrklands, perteinand to me be Tak, Sett of
Bailzerie, &c. I sell the, &c., quytclamis and dischairgs
* This term is evidently tlie same as the modern word " cottar."'
NOTES. 97
the said Alexr. C, Laird of Craganis, liis airis, for now
and ever," &c.
The following appears to be a minute of the first hold-
ing of the new Laird's Court : —
" The Act of Court quhair the Tenantis of the Glyb
and Kirklands at Kilbarchan, compeirit in the Lairdis
Court, and confessit to pay thair Dewtie, conforme to his
Infeftmeut, the xiii of November, 1574.
" The Court of the Gleib and Kirklands of Kilbar-
quhan, balding at the samen the xxiii day of November,
1574, be ane Honourabill man, Alexander Cunynghame
of Cragans, and Heritor and Fewar of the said Glybe and
Kirkland, and James Conynghame, Chalmerlanc of Kil-
wyning, his Bailye : The suittis callit : The absentis nottit :
the Court confirmit in dew tyme mthall of Court
in forme as effeiris.
" The quhilk day the Tenantts callit, compeirit, viz.
Maistcr Robert Conynghame, James Dowgall, James
Fleming, James Walkinschaw, Thomas Merschell and
James Andro, and confarit in to the said Coui-t without
onie obstakill, or impediment, and grantit in Judgement
to ansuer, obey, and niak payment of thaii* Maillis and
Dewties to ye said Alexander ; conforme to auld wsc
and wont and his Infefmcnt maid."
The now thriving town of Kilbarchan appears to have
consisted, in 1574, of six houses only, including the
manse.
The property, or superiority, of the Kirklands of Kil-
G
98 NOTES.
barclian continued long in the possession of tlie Craigends
family. In 1688, the Laird of Craigends agreed, along
with the other heritors, to build a dissenting kirk, or
meeting-house, under the Act of Toleration, " at the
Kirktoune, upoune the terms, viz. Alexr. Cuninghame
of Craigends he lies condescendeit to tack wpoune him
the chairg and oversight of the heall Avork, and is to
l>uild ane IIous, of ffyve Bays* of length, with tlirie
Bays of ane ell, or tofall,"| &c. The Revolution occur-
ring soon after rendered the meeting-house unnecessary.
The Session Clerk, in the record, says — " Upon the 16th
day of June 1689, we left the Meeting House and took
up the Church." In 1704, Alexander, Laird of Craig-
ends, obtained a charter from Queen Anne, erecting his
village of Kilbarchan into a burgh of barony, with
power to hold fairs, and to exact all the profits and duties
thereof.
Craigends would thus appear to have been the Laird
of Kilbarchan ; yet it is rather singular that the poet
should have designated him otherwise than by his proper
title.
In the poem itself there is little to call forth particular
remark. The language must be familiar to most readers
of Scottish poetry. Burns had probably the following
coiiplet in his recollection when he penned his " Address
to the Toothache" : —
* A Bay Is the division betwixt one couple and another in the rig-
ging or the roof.
t A ToFALL is a smaller building, the roof of which rests on the
wall of the principal one.
NOTES. 99
" O'er buffet-stools, and hassocks tumble,
O how he gart the j utters jumble."
Hassock, a besom ; jutters, tipplers.
THE BANISHMENT OF POVERTY. Paoe 51.
■fa^
This poem is to be found in " Watson's Collection."
There were, however, several earlier editions. We print
from a broadside in the possession of James Maidmcnt,
Esq., advocate, without a date, but bearing evidence of
being an earlier production than 1706. We have care-
fully collated it, not only with " Watson's Collection,"
but with two other broadsides, in the possession of D.
Laing, Esq., one of them supposed to have been printed
about 1680, the year in which the poem was written.
It was also printed in a small collection by the Fouliscs,
Cflasgow, in 1751.* The variances in the different edi-
tions are chiefly verbal. As a whole, perhaps, Watson's
is the most correct ; but it contains sundry emendations
which we certainly do not consider improvements. We
have therefore chosen to abide mainly by tlic broadside
copies, adopting Watson's i)npro\-cments where they seemed
to be confined to the correction of obvious blunders.
* Entitled " The Hpcech of a Kife Laird nowly como from the Grave;
The Marc of OoUingtoun ; Tho Banishment of Toverty, Three Scots
Poems.'' Urn, 8vo.
100 NOTES.
"The Banislimcnt of Poverty, by His Royal High-
ness J. D. A." — James Duke of Albany [and York],
afterwards James VII., tells its own tale, and seems to
be a narrative of certain real passages in the life of the
author, quaintly and humorously told. He unhesitat-
ingly intimates the embarrassments and even poverty
into which he was brought by becoming security : —
For there he gripped me full fast,
When first I IgU in cautionrie.
Francis Sempill sold the Beltrees property, retaining
the superiority, in 1G77. This sale is supposed to have
been occasioned by the "cautionrie" here alluded to.
Line 1.
Pox fa that pultron Povertic.
PoUron, Eng. coward, scoundrel, &c.
Line 14.
An ill dead may that custron die.
Custroun, a low-born fellow.
Lines 19-20.
Femzicr, when Whiggs were ill mischiev'd,
And forc'd to fling their weapons down.
Fernzier, fernyear, the preceding year. The battle of
Drumclog, the skirmish at Glasgow, and the insurrection
of Bothwell Brig, occun-ed in 1679. It therefore fol-
lows that the poem was written in 1680.
NOTES. 101
Line 22.
I with that swinger tliought to grapple.
" That swinger" alluding to Poverty. Siueyngeour is
synonymous with dyvour, a bankrupt.
Line 24.
The laydron pow'd me by the thrapple.
Laydrou, a lazy knave, sloven, &c.
Line 28.
And made my body black and blew.
This circumstance is referred to in tlxe Memoir of Francis
Sempill. As Skerift- Depute of Renfrewshire, he was at
the capture of one Walter Scott, a late magistrate, and
" ring-leader of conventicles," when his party were de-
forced, and himself wounded to the hazard of his life.
Line 44.
Nor whilly-whacs to grip our gear.
Whilly-wJiae, a cheat.
Line 52.
By my forcasten company.
Forecasten, neglected.
Line 65.
Wo held the Lang-gate to Lcith Wynd,
102 NOTES.
'• The Lang-gate'''' seems to haA'c been tlie patli skirting
tlie margin of the Nor'-Loch, which now forms Prince's
Street.
Line 71.
He will'd me Blackburn's ale to prie.
Blachhurn was a celebrated brewer of ale in Edinburgh
in the days of Francis Sempill.
Line 84.
The hungry hour 'twixt twelve and ane.
The citizens of Edinburgh were in the habit of dining
between tAvelve and one o'clock. This, indeed, was the
dinner hour throughout the countiy generally.
Lines 87-88.
I din'd with saints and noblemen,
Even sweet Saint Giles and Earl of Murray.
" The meaning is, that he walked his dinner in St Geil's
Kirk, where some Earl of Murray has had a monument.
St Paul and Duke Humphrey were celebrated in London
for a similar species of hospitality." — MS. Note hy Mo-
therwell on a copy of Ritsons Caledonian Muse.
Tlie monument referred to was that of the celebrated
Regent Murray. It stood on the west side of the south
transept. It was " surmounted with his arms, and bore
on the front of it a brass plate, with the figures of Jus-
tice and Faith engraved thereon, and the cpitai)h com-
NOTES. 103
posed by Buchanan for the purpose. * * Underneath
the coat of arms was the motto."*
Line 89.
Tykes testament take him for their treat.
Tykes testament — dog's testament, an okl saying, mean-
ing tliat there should be nothing left.
Line 93.
I call'd him Turk and traiked tyke.
Traiked tyke, lounging or fatigued dog.
Line 97.
Kind Widow Caddel sent for me.
Who this kind lady was does not appear. Slie seems to
have been an inhabitant of the Ltickenbooths or Lawn-
market, from her too near vicinity to the Tolbooth.
Lines 109-110.
1 staw down through the Nether- Wynd,
My Lady Semple's house was near.
It would thus appear that the noble family of Sempill
had a house at Leith at this period [1680]. The house
in Sempill's Close, in the High Street of Edinburgh,
described in the " Traditions of Edinburgh" as the town
* Wilson's "Memorials of Edinburgh." 1848. 4to.
104 NOTES.
residence of the Sempill family, was not purcliaseJ till
1743, by Hugh, twelfth Lord Sempill, although it has
the date 1638 upon it.*
Line 123.
But I fure to Sir William Sharpe.
Fare, went. Sir William Sharp of Stoniehill, brother
of Archbishop Sharp. He was for many years Cash
Keeper to the Treasury, and afterwards Master of the
Mint. He died previous to 1693. Stoniehill is situated
about a mile from Musselburgh, and now belongs to the
Earl of Wemyss.t
Lines 161-2.
There twa hours I did not tarie,
Till my blest fortune was to see.
Li " Watson's Collection," these two lines ai-e printed
thus ; —
I had not tarried an hour or two,
When my blest fortune was to see.
We have retained the reading of the broadside editions,
because it seems preferable, and accords best with the
rhythm of the verse.
* Wilson's " Memorials of Edinburgh."
t Scottish Elegiac Verses, m.dc.XXIX.-m.dcc.XXIX. ; with Notes, and
Appendix of Illustr.ative Papers. Edinburgh : Thomas G. Stevenson,
87 Prince's Street. m.dccc.XLII. This volume contains an elegy " On
the Death of Sir William Sharp of Stoniehill," in which he is lauded as
"faithful, wise, and just."
NOTES. 105
Lines 163 to 106.
A sight, sure by the mights of Mary,
Of that brave Duke of Albanie ;
Where one blink of his princely eye,
Put that foul foundling to the flight.
This supposed grant of money must have proved of great
ser\ace to the Laird of Beltrees in his distress. The pas-
sage has been held to contain an example of the author's
sagacity in trimming to the various religious systems then
warring against each other — " Sure by the mights of
Mary," being regarded as complimentary to the Roman
Catholic Duke of York and Albany, although probably
the exclamation was adopted simply because it afforded a
ready rhyme to " tarie." " Be our Ladie," " Be Sanct
Marie," &:c., were common oaths in the days of Sir David
Lvndsav.
A DISCOURSE BETWEEN LAW AND
CONSCIENCE. Page 59.
Mr Laing, in his " Fugitive Scottish Poetry,"* attri-
butes this poem to Francis Sempill, and following the
suggestion of one so competent to form an opinion in
• " Various Pieces of Fugitive Scottish Poetry, principally of the
Seventeenth Century." Small 8vo. Edinburgli, 1825.
106 NOTES.
matters of tliis kind, we were led to adopt it. The fact,
liowever, struck us as somewhat questionable ; not only
from the manner in which the supposed writer speaks of
James the Seventh, his former patron — " the brave Duke
of Albanie " — but from the inferior character of the poem;
and now, from closer inquiry into the aftair, it seems
that our suspicions were well founded. Tlie " Discourse "
has reference to " the first Parliament of K. James the
Seventh," and of course must have been composed after
the accession to the throne of that monarch. This event
took place at the death of Charles II., on the 2d of
February, 1685. Francis Sempill, the presumed author,
died before that period. Tlie precise day or year of his
death has not been ascertained ; but as his relict, Jean
Campbell, grants an assignation to her son, dated
21st January, 1685, it is evident that he died before
James the Seventh became king. Francis Sempill, there-
fore, could not be the author of the " Discourse," and
the poem has no proper claim to appear in this collection.
THE BLYTIISOME WEDDING. Page 67.
This truly graphic and humorous song has been long
and generally attributed to Francis Sempill. Of late
years, however, it has been claimed as the production of
Sir William Scott of Thirlestauc, in Selkirkshire, ances-
NOTES. 107
tor of the present Lord Napier. Various notices have
appeared on tlie subject, in more than one publication ;
but the substance of the whole is comprised in the follow-
ing statement by Mark Napier, Esq., in his very inter-
esting volume entitled " History of the Partition of the
Lennox :"* —
" The information which the late Lord transmitted to
myself on the subject is as follows : ' Sir William Scott
was author of that well known Scots song, ' Fye let us
a' to the bridal, for there will be lilting there,' — a better
thing than Horace ever wrote. My authority was my
father, who told me he had it from his, and that he had
it from his, who was Sir William's son."t
The claim in favour of Sir William Scott thus rests
simply on a family tradition. It is supported by no cor-
roborative fact, and has the disadvantage of having been
put fonvard late, and in the face of the almost imiversal
belief that Francis Sempill was the author.
The claim of the latter is also founded on family tra-
dition — the statement of Mrs Campbell, daughter of
Robert Sempill of Beltrees, who died at Kilbarchan in
1789, agal 103. So far, the claims of both parties may
be regarded as e(|ual ; and in forming an opinion on the
subject the reader must be guided by other circumstances.
First, It cannot bo shown that Sir William Scott of
Thirlestane, who died in 1725, ever wrote anything in
the Scottish vernacular, least of all anything akin in style
* Edinburgh : 'Williaiu Blackwood and .Sons, 183.5, 8vo.
t Letter to the author, dated Thirlestane, 15th December 1831.
108 NOTES.
or liumour to " Tlie Blythsome Wedding." A number
of Latin poems, written l)y him, were published in a
small volume printed at Edinburgh in 1727.
On the contrary, Francis Sempill, who died between
1680 and 1685, was the author of various pieces, which
have been preserved, and no doubt of many others that
are lost, written in the Scots dialect, displaying a capacity
for broad humour and graphic description, which points
him out as the only man of his age capable of producing
such a song as " Fye let us a' to the Briddell."
Secondly, The internal evidence of the song itself is
perhaps worth attention. Mr Napier, in the work al-
ready referred to, quotes a letter from the late Mr Allan
Cunningham to Lord Napier on the subject of the song,
in which he says, " Your Lordship was the first who
drew my attention to the sea-side flavour of the feast, and
to the north of Scotland sort of air of the words ;" but
in what respect this discovery tended to strengthen Mr
Cunningham's belief, that it was " the lyric of a Napier"
[Scott he should have said], we really cannot imagine.
It could have no reference to the locality of Sir William
Scott's residence, as Thirlestanc is situated in a pastoral
district. If it has a leaning at all it is in favour rather
of Sempill, who had much intercourse with the west coast,
through his relations there, and had in consequence every
opportunity of becoming acquainted with sea-side feasts
and manners. He was related by blood to the Camp-
bells of Ardkinlass, in Argyleshire, and married his
cousin, Jean Campbell, of that family ; hence we might
account for the introduction of such a West Highland
name as " Alaster-DoAvgal " into the song.
NOTES. 109
Still farther — what are we to make of the rather plain
spoken lines —
" And there will be fairntickl'd Hew,
And Bess with the lillie white leg,
That gat to the south for breeding,
And bang'd up her wamb in Mons-Mcg ?"
Bess went to the south to acquire manners, and there, in
the south, got herself into the condition described. This,
we think, is the obvious reading of the verse. If Sir Wil-
liam Scott was the author of the song, and writing at
Thirlestane, the south would obviously mean England.
Now, we know that the large piece of ordnance called
Mons-Meg, to which the author unqviestionably refers,
was not removed to London from the Castle of Edinburgh
till 1754,* consequently the circumstance described could
not have taken place in England. But if the author was
Francis Sempill, writing at the Thridpairt, or Ard-
kinlass, it would not have been inconsistent with the
usual meaning attached to the terms south and north in
Scotland, to have said that Bess had gone south [to Edin-
burgh], and at the same time been perfectly accurate in
point of chronology. When the song was written, whe-
ther by Scott or Sempill, the Union between England
and Scotland had not taken place, and Edinburgh, as the
seat of the Scottish Executive, was regarded, as it still is
to a great extent, the source of genteel education.
By these remarks, avc do not mean to aver our positive
* It was restored to the Castle in 1829. The occasion was quite a
gala daj- in Edinburgh,
110 NOTES.
belief tliiit Francis Seinpill was the author of " Fyc let
us all to the Briddell ;" but we put them fonvard as
good reasons for not abandoning the traditionary claim of
the latter, simply because another traditionary claim has
been set up. We have every respect for the punctilious
accuracy of the noble family of Napier ; but in a matter
of this kind, it is not at all impossible that a mistake
may have occurred.
So far as is known, " The Blythesome Wedding " was
first published in " Watson's Collection." It next ap-
peared in Ramsay's " Tea-Table Miscellany,"* and subse-
quently in " Herd's Collcction."t In more recent times
it has been included in most of the numerous collections
of Scottish songs which have teemed from the press — not,
however, without undergoing sundry changes. We have
printed the song literally from " Watson's Collection,"
discarding the various readings to be found in other ver-
sions, as spurious.
Most readers of Scottish poetry will be able to peruse
it without the aid of a glossary. It was customary in
former times, as it still is in the more remote districts of
England, to designate individuals by some personal char-
acteristic, such as " capper-nos'd Gibbie," or " plouckic
fac't Wat." The parties were frequently, in fact, as the
criminal records amply testify, better known by their
nick-'iiame than their Christian — hence the peculiarly
* " The Tea-Table Miscellany, being a Choice Collection of English
and Scotch Songs." 12mo. 1724.
t " Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, Heroic Ballads," &c. 12ino.
1769, and again in 2 ^ ols. 12mo. 1776.
NOTES. Ill
motley aspect of the gatlieriiig at tlie wedding. Were
assemblies in our own day to be similarly described, a
poet of equal humour with the author of " Tlic Blythe-
some Wedding," would have little difficulty in pourtray-
ing a very ridiculous group. Tlie song is valuable as
furnishing an imperishable record of bygone manners,
and of the dainties which used to garnish the tables of
the peasantry, on occasions of festivity, a century or two
ago — for, although these arc enumerated with quizzical
breadth and levitv, it is casv to discover in the incongruous
medley, not a few dishes of good substance as well as
flavour. It is here that the reader stands most in need
of a glossary. From line 55 to 78, the catalogue is
truly formidable : —
" With sybows and rifarts and carlings," &c.
Syhows, onions ; mfarts, radishes ; carlings, pease hirsled
or broiled ;* fartan-])\irrj a pudding of red colewort
mixed with oat-meal; dragen, perhaps from droggis,
confections ; bracken, perhaps brochan, oatmeal boiled
to a consistency thicker tlian gruel ; fouth, abundance ;
gappocTcs, gobbets, as much as can be swallowed at once ;
Poiu-sodie, sheep's-head broth ; drammock, meal and
water mixed in a raw state ; crowdie, this word, as here
used, probably means curds witli the whey pressed out,
otherwise it would be a repetition of dramnioclc ; scad-
lips, fat broth or soup, the scum or fat of wliich keeps in
* " Hot pease and beans" used, until lately, to be a nightly *cry' in
Edinburgh.
112 NOTES.
tlie steam ; sivats, new ale ; castochs, tlie core of a stalk
of colewort or cabbage ; skink, drink in general, &c.
SHE KAISE AND LOOT ME IN. Page 71.
" The late Mr Ritson asserted that tliis was an English
composition which he had seen printed, with the music,
in a publication in or about the year 1600, that belonged
to the late Major Pearson. Ritson states this from me-
mory, and probably alludes to the celebrated Collection
of Ballads and Songs, printed on broadsides, and bound
in two large folio volumes, which belonged to Major
Pearson, and afterwards to the Duke of Roxburghe, who
added a third volume. Ritson may have seen a copy of
the song on a broadside in one of Major Pearson's two
volumes, most of the pieces in which, though without
dates, appear to have been printed in the latter part of
the seventeenth century and early part of the eighteenth
century. The song appearing in such a collection can
be no proof of its being English, or of its not being writ-
ten by Francis Sempill.
" In fact, a Mrs Campbell, the daughter of Robert
Sempill (grandson of Francis) of Beltrees, was possessed
of several poetical pieces in MS. by Francis Sempill, and
among others of this very song — " She raise and loot me
in," in MS. This lady was living at Paisley (Kilbarchan)
in 1791.— Campbells Introduction to the Histo7^ of
Scottish Poetry, 1798, 4to. p. 362.
NOTES. 113
" This song, ' She raise and loot me in,' was reprinted,
and probably retouched by Ramsay, in his ' Tea-Table
Miscellany.' * It contains several words that shows its
Scotch origin, as ' yate,' for door or gate ; ' bairn,' for
child ; and ' Nelly ' is the name of the heroine." |
The original Scotch words are to be found, with the
music, in Playford's ' Choice Ayres and Songs,' 1683.
A copy of the air, " in square-shaped notes," was " in-
serted in an old MS. original book in the possession of
the editor [of Johnson's Musical Museum],^ where it
was entitled ' Slioe roasse and leit me in.'" The same
air, together with the song, appeared in Thomson's Orpheus
Caledonius, 1733. There can be no doubt that the
song was originally written by Francis Sempill. The
heroine is said to have been a Miss Craufurd of Auchin-
ames.§ William Craufurd of Auchinames, who died in
1695, had, by his first marriage, a daughter name<l Ellen
(Scots Nelly). She might have been, in point of age,
heroine of the song. She was married to Patrick Ed-
monston of Ne^vtoun, but left no issue.
• See edition 1733, p. 133 ; and edition 1753, p. 123 ; and see it in
Herd's Ancient and Modern Scottish Songs, 1776, v. i. 280. It is not
in Ritsou's Scottish Songs.
t MS. notes by the late George Chalmers, Esq. author of 'Caledo-
nia,' &c. in the possession of D. Laing, Esq.
* " The Scots Musical Museum, consisting of upwards of Six Hun-
dred Songs, with proper Basses for the Piano Forte, &c." 6 vols. 8vo
1787-1803. This very valuable work was reI'KINTED with Notes and
Illustrations of the Lyric Poetry and Music of Scotland, by W. Sten-
house, Charles Kirkpatrick .Sharpe, and David Laing, Esqrs. in 1838, by
Messrs Blackwuod, Edinburgh.
S Tradition communicated to Dr A. Crawfurd, .lohnshill, Lochwin-
noch, by the late Jaine.'i Seuiple, merchant, Kill)archan, in 1830.
H
114 NOTES.
" What may be called the Anglified version [of this
song] first appeared in Johnson's Museum.* Bums was
mistaken in thinking that Ramsay was the author of this
version, for Ramsay gives the original words, with all
their warmth and high colouring."*
We print from the " Tea-Table Miscellany."
MAGGIE LAUDER. Page 73.
Mr SteNHOUSE, in his notes to Johnson's " Musical
Museum," says — " this comic ballad was written by
Francis Semple of Beltrees, Esq. in the county of Ren-
frew, about the year 1642.t This fact is stated on the
joint authorities of two of his descendants, viz. the late
Mr Semple of Beltrees, who died in 1789, and his rela-
tion, the late Islr Semple (brewer) of Edinburgh."
Notwithstanding this very positive assertion, the au-
thorship has been questione<:l, amongst others, by Robert
Chambers, in the introduction to his collection of Scottish
Songs, J who thinks it not so probable that he wrote the
excellent song of " ]Maggie Lauder," as that he was the
* Book of Scottish Song. Blackie and Son, Glasgow. Sq. 12mo. 1843.
+ It was more probably later, as Francis Senipill must have been
very young iu 16i2.
* " The Scottish Songs ; Collected and Illustrated bv Robert Cham-
bers," &r. 2 vols. 18mo., 1829.
NOTES. 115
author of " Fy let us a' to the Briddell." " Was it
likely," he says, " that a song possessed of such popular
qualifications should have escaped Rauisay, if it had
been written before his time ?" and upon this slender ne-
• gative he proceeds to consider it more likely that Lieuten-
ant William Hamilton, author of an elegy on " Bonny
Heck, a famous Fife Greyhound," published in " Wat-
son's Collection," was the writer. And why ? For this
very cogent reason, that " some of the verses in * Bonny
Heck ' relate to the veiy spot of country which may be
said to form the scenery of ' Maggie Lauder ';" forgetting
that Hamilton Avas a west country man, and had as little
to do with Fife as Francis Sempill !
Mr Chambers, at the same time, is more inclined to
give the credit of " Maggie Lauder " to some local poet
or other, and he discovers that " towards the middle of
the (last) century, when it is most probable that ' Maggie
Lauder ' was written, ' the East Neuk of Fife,' as the
district is called, was a perfect nest of poetical wits ; the
chief of whom was Clerk DisMngton, of Crail." And
so he is ready to ascribe it to Clerk Dishington. There
is no end to conjecture ; and we regard it as very im-
proper to attempt to disturb " unvarying tradition " in
matters of this kind, without some strong circumstance
or fact to rest upon.
But unfortiuiately for the pretensions of Clerk Dishing-
ton, it is known that " Gay introduced the air of ' Maggie
Lauder ' in his musical opera of ' Achilles,' printed in
1733. The same air had previously been used for a
song called ' Sally's new Answer, set to the tune of
1L6 NOTES.
Moggy Louther," a sort of parody on Carey's ' Sally in
our Alley,' as well as for a song in the Quaker's Opera,
written by Thomas Walker, and acted at Lee and Har-
per's Booth in Bartholomew Fair, anno 1728."*
The song of " Maggie Lauder," though it is not in
the " Tea-Table Miscellany," must therefore have been
known in the time of Ramsay. That the air should
have found its way to England so early may be accounted
for by the traditional fact, that Francis Sempill was in-
timate with many of the English officers in the army of
the Commonwealth at Glasgow, who are said to have
highly appreciated his acknowledged wit and humour.
But, curiously enough, Mr Chambers himself furnishes
an anecdote of " Maggie Lauder," showing that the he-
roine, if not the song itself, was of the age of the Com-
monwealth : —
" While I am upon the subject of ' Maggie Lauder,' I may
be permitted to introduce a very curious and interesting anec-
dote of the lady herself, which I had the good fortune to dis-
cover in an old manuscript volume of genealogical collections
in the Library of the Faculty of Advocates. It occurs in the
shape of a note to an account of the family of Lauder of the
Bass; to which family, it thus appears, we are indebted for at
least the name, if not also the character, of the heroine.
" Note. There hath been a tradition in the Burgh of North
Berwick, and country about, handed down to this time from
father to son, that when Oliver Cromwell, that usui-per, hypo-
crite, and great wicked man, lay with his army encamped
about Dunbar, before the battle of Downhill, that ho had sent
a party to North Berwick, where Sir Robert Lauder, then- of
* Stenhouse's Notos.
NOTES. » 117
Bass, had his house with barn-yard and other office-houses.
The party entered the bam, where the corn was sacked up, ready
to be carried out to be sown; the party having offered to cary
oflF the corn for the use of their master, the Lord Protector
(as they called him) his army, Sir Robert's servant went into
the house, and acquainted Mrs Margaret alias Maggy Lauder,
Sir Robert's sister, who had the management of his family
and affairs. She immediately ordered the sharpest knife and
flail to be brought to her, and went into the barn, where, after
upbraiding the party, she ripped up the sacks, and managed the
flail with such dexterity, that she beat off the party; for which
she most deservedly may be accounted amongst the greatest
and most glorious heroines of that age. Sir Robert was ob-
liged at that time to abscond, because he was a loyalist, as all
of that and other families of that name have almost always
been, and still continue."
Francis Sempill was in the hey-day of manhood when
this exploit of Mrs Margaret Lauder occurred ; and
although, as Mr Chambers observes, he " was a gentle-
man of Renfrewshire," yet we know that he spent much
of his time in Edinburgh, and, no doubt, was familiar
with all the on dits of the day.
But the song itself furnishes evidence of its having
been written long before the time of Clerk Dishington —
" Weel hao ye play'd your part ! quo Meg ;
Your cheeks are like the crimson !
There's nane in Scotland plays sae weel,
Sin' we lost Ilahbie Simson."
Robert Sempill of Beltrees, author of the Elegy on
Habbie Simson, died before 1669 — probably some years
previously — and there can be little doubt that the poem
itself was written between 1640 and 1650. Is it pro-
118 NOTES.
bable, then, that Clerk Dishington, writing a hundred
years afterwards (about 1750) would make use of the
expression, " Sin ive lost Habbie Slmson^''^ Consi-
dering the long lapse of time between the two periods,
the allusion would have been ridiculous. But if we
look upon Francis Sempill as the author, the expression
becomes felicitous ; for he wrote, we may safely presume,
while his father was alive, and while the memory of
Habbie Simson was fresh in the recollection of all.
The similarity between the line in the elegy —
" He made his cheeks as red as crimson " —
and that in the song —
" Your cheeks are like the crimson " —
may also be considered favourable to the claim of Francis
Sempill as the author of " Maggie Lauder." No one
could be better acquainted with the language of the elegy
than the son of the author.
The song is printed from " Herd's Collection " — no
earlier copy having fallen into our hands. If written, as
we believe, by Francis Sempill in the seventeenth century,
and if only preserved orally until it found a protector in
David Herd, the probability is that it has undergone
not a few verbal changes. These it is impossible, how-
ever, to point out ; and we shall not surmise in the
absence of proof. The orthography is modern Scots.
Hallanshaker, (line 6) almost the only word at all puz-
zling to the ordinary reader, signifies a sturdy beggar.
The hallan is described in Jamieson's " Scottish Die-
NOTES. lll>
tionary " as the space, in old cottages, partitioned oft' by
a wall from the fire-place, running backwards, to shelter
the inner part of the house from the door ; but Allan
Ramsav gives a more correct idea of it. lie savs " a
hallen is a fence (built of stone or turf, or a moveable
flake of heather) at the sides of the door in country
places, to defend them from the wind. The trembling
attendant about a forgetful great man's gate or levee, is
also expressed in the term hallenshaker."
I
APPENDIX.
APPENDIX.
No. I.
ACTA PARLIAMENTORUM MARI^
XVI DIE APRILIS, 1567.
14.
JOHNNE SEMPILL RATIFICATIOUN, &c.
The quiiilk day fforsamekle as oure soucrane Lady takand
regard and respect to the lang and coutinnall faithful seruiee
not onlie done one the anc parte to hir Maiestie and umqle. hir
derrest Moder Regent of hir Rcahnc for the tyme be hir weil be-
louit cousing WiUiam Lord Levingstoim Bot alssua be his sister
germane Maiie Leuingstoun hir hienes familiar scruitrice And
one that vther pairt be hir daylie and familiar seruitour Johnne
Semple sonc to Robert Lord Scmplo during all the youth heid
and rainoritio of hir hicnes seruitouris foirsaidis And beirand
gud mynd and fauour as hir hienes devvetie requyrit To hir
said speciall seruitoris the said Johnne Semplo and Marie Le-
uingstoun to knytt thame togedder in lauchfuU marriage :
And for maintening and setting fordwarttis of thair honestie
and estimatioun in lauchfull marriage with prouisioun of ane
ressonablo leving for thair estait Quhairthrow that thai myt.
the mair fervontlio and reddelie continew and perseucir in thair
obedient and faithful] seruiee in all tyme cuming It lies plcsit
hir Maiestie of hir libcralitie in recompance and reward of
124 APPENDIX.
thair said soruice and for marriage to be completit lietwix
thame,
To infeft the said Johne Senipill and Marie Leuingstoun
his spous And the langar levand of thame tua In conjunctfeft-
ment and the airis lauchfuUie gottin or to be gottin betuix
thamo quhilk failyeing to returnc agane to hir hienes
and hir successouris be hir hienes charter vnder hir gret seill
In all and haill the landis of Over Drumdelgie, Bogmoyne, Nether
Drumdelgie, and in diuoris and vtheris landis speeifiit and con-
tenit in the said infeftment quhilkis pertenit to George sum-
tyme Erie of Huntlie And be ressoun of his foirfaltour dis-
ponit to the said Johne Sempill and to his said spouss be hir
hienes And in speciall securitie and warrandice thairof infeft
thame in hir hienes townis and landis of Auchtermuchtie with
the mylnis multiris few males pairtis pendiclis and pertinetis
Hand in the lordschip stewartrie and shereffdom of Fyff And
in all and haill the landis and lordschip of Stewarttoun with the
few males pairtis pendicles and pertinentis of the samin Hand
in the baillierie of Cunynghame and sheriffdom of Air The yle
of Littil Cumray Hand in the sherifl'dome of Bute The landis
of Yethie The landis of Blawarthill occupiit be Knox the
relict of umqle James Patersoun and landis of Kingis Medow
of Renfrew occupiit be Robert SpreuU with all thair few males
parttis pendicles and pertinetis of the samin Hand in the she-
riffdom of Renfrew Togedder with ane annuell rent of the
sowme of thretty pundis four pennyis money of this realme
yeirlie to be vpliftit and tane at twa termes in the yeir wit-
sonday and martynemess in winter be equale portionis of the
landis of Bancref and few maillis of the samin Hand within the
sherefFdome of Edinburgh and constabularie of Hadingtoun
To be haldin of hir hienes and hir successouris and that ay
and quhill her hienes and hir successouris infeft thame hereta-
billie in alsmekill and gud lewing as extendit to five hundreth
pundis be yeir As at lenth is contenit in the Charter and In-
feftment vnder hir hienes gret Seill of the dait at Edinburgh
the ix day of Marche the yeir of God J^v^'lxiiij yeiris maid
thairupoun
APPENDIX. V25
And now hirhienes takand consideratioun that hir richt traist
cousing and counsallour George P^rle of Huntlie is or to
be in this present Parliament restorit and reponit agane to his
landis and leving And speciallie to the landis foirsaidis princi-
pallie disponit be oure said Souerano Ladie to the said Johnne
and his said spous quhairthrow thai will be denudit of the
heretable richt and propirtie of the sarain be ressoun of the
said rcductiounandrestitutioun notwithstanding the infeftment
foirsaid granttit be hir Majestie to tharae thairupoun : yit
nottheles hir hienes being movit of petie and takand consi-
<leratioun of the proraissis
And being of ferme mynde and gud will that hir saidis
seruitouris be not alluterlie disheresit : And put fra thair
sobir leving gewin be hir Majestie to thame in recorapans and
reward foirsaid hos thairforo thocht expedient and being
bundin of hir dewetie that the landis foirsaidis viz townis
and landis of Auchtermuchtie Stewartoun Yle of Littil
Cumray the landis of Yethie the landis of Blawarthill and
landis of Kingis Medow with pairtis pendiclis and pertinentis
thairof and threttio pundis foure pennio annual rent foirsaid
furth of the landis of Bancreif quhairintill thai ar infcft in
speciall warrandice and securitie of the saidis vtheris landis
quhilk pertenit to the said Erie of Huntlie of befoir be maid
sicker and sure to thame and thair airis specifiit 'and contenit
in the said Infeftment siclike as the samin had bene principall
in the said Infeftment And the samin to bo corroborat And of
sic strenth and effect to thame as may or can be devysit
Thairfore hir hienes with dcliberat mynd and with consent
authoritic and assent of the thro estaitis of this present parlia-
ment convenit hes ratifiit be the tcnour of thir presentis ratifiis
apprcvis and confirmis the foirsaid Chartour and Infeftment
abouo specifiit in sa far as extendis or may bo extendit to the
heretable infeftment and richt of the foirsaidis landis of Auch-
termuchtie Stewartoun and vtheris landis following thairupoun
quhilkis wcr gewin in warrandice of the vtheris landis of the
Erledomo of Huntlie foirsaid And all poinctis articles and
clauses contenit thairintill sa far as conccrnis the samin.
12C APPENDIX.
Willing and declaring be the avyss of the tlire estatis foir-
saidis that the said former Infeftment maid be hir hienes to
hir seruitouris foirsaidis of the foirsaidis landis of Auchter-
muchtie Stewartoune and vtheris abouwritten To be as vail-
lable and of als gret strenth force and effect as and the con-
sent avyss and auctoritie of the three estaitis of Parliament
with thair decrete irretant had been had tbairto forsaidis
in plane parliament from the begynning And forder gif neid
beis hir Maiestie with awyss and consent foirsaid off new gevis
granttis and disponis to the said Johnne Sempill and his said
spous and thair airis All and sindrye the foirsaidis landis of
Auchtermuchtie Stewarttoun &c. (exceptand the landis of the
Erledome of Huntlie) To be bruikit joissit and possedit be
thame and thair airis perpetuallie conforme to the samin In-
feftment withowtt ony revocatioun contradiccioun reductioun
or agane calling quhatsumeuir renunceand the samin and all
actioun and clamo that hir hienes may half or pretend againis
the samin in ony tyme heirefter &c.
Oblissand hir hienes and hir successouris in this hir plane
parliament Yerbo Regio neuir to cum incontrar the tenour of
the said infeftment &c. And the extract thairof drawin furth
of the bukis of parliament be the clerk of Regr. subscrivit
with his hand sail half passage throw hir hienes gret seill And
of als gret strenth to be warrand to hir hienes chancellar for
deliuering and putting of the samyne throw hir grot seill to
the said Johnne and his spous as the samin had past throw
hir signet and privic scillis of befoir to the effect aboue writtin.
— Thomson's Acts of Parliament of Scotland.
APPENDIX. 127
No. II.
ACTA PARLIAMENT A JACOBI VI .
XXIV DEI OCTOBERIS, 1581.
70.
THE REUOCATIOUN OF THE COLLECTORIE.
Exceptant) and reservand alwayis furth of this our reuoca-
tiounis the infeftment maid and gevin be the quene our dar-
rest Mother to vmquhill Johne Semple of Bultreis and Marie
Leuingstoun his spous of all and haill the toun and landis of
Auchtermuchtie with mylne multuris fewfei'inis and perti-
nentis lyand within our sherefdome of Fyilf and vtheris spe-
cifcit in the said Infeftment And for tho said Maiies eecu-
ritie thairof during hu' awin lyif onlie As in the same at
mair lenth is contenit Reseruand alwayis to ws of the said
Maries consent sex chalders aittis with haill pultrio fowUis
and geiss with all thair canis to he vpliftit yeirlic he our
Comptrollair his factouris and servitouris in his name furthe
of the saidis toun and landis of Auchtermuchtie Providing
alwayis that efter the said ^Maries dcccis thir presentis sail
not prejudge ws of our rycht and titill to the saidis toun and
landis with mylnis multuris and pertinentis thairof except-
and &c. &c. &c.
^•o. III.
HORNING.
Maxwell and Patoun contra Skmpxll.
17 Apnl, 1677.
Charles King of Great Bhitain, &c. To our Lovits, &.c.
meant and shewen to us be our lovitts Robert Maxwell and
128 APPENDIX.
James Piitoun burgesses of Glasgow, that quhairas ffrancis
Sempill of Biltrees be his band daitit 8 October 1675, grantit
him to have barrowit from the Compleanars, ane £150. 10. 0,
Scots, to be payit at Mertymes then nixt to cum, but is not
payit, &c.
Our will is heirby, &c. ye pass to the dwelling House of said
Francis Sempill, to command him to pay the said £150. 0. 0,
&c. under the payne of rebellion and putting of him to our
horn, &c. &c.
Covin vnder our Signet att Edinr. 5 Apryll, 1677.
Ex deliheratione dominorum consillii.
Will. Honeysonk, Clk.
17 Aprilis, 1677.
No. IV.
MS. NARRATIVE OF HIS FAMILY, DRAWN UP BY
ROBERT SEMPILL, FIFTH OF BELTREES.
" In the year 1660 Cromwell* went over to Ireland and re-
duced the whole countrio and made a settlement of the con-
fiscated estates for the pay of the undertakers for the Irish
War and of the Officers that had served in it. Yet though
that was done he could not for fault my predecessor Sir James
who was over lord of the lands of Carberie and I think if any
of his Vassalls were in the Rebellion there estates should have
fain to him and his heirs and not to the crown of whom he
held it and by this time was long dead and his sone at the
Kings Restoration and before it still loyal, and his sonef my
grandfather was out for the King and though the King when
* Cromwell died in 1658.
t Robert, the author of Habbie, aa this Narrative shows, must havo
been an oflRcer iu the loyal nrmy.
APPENDIX. 129
at Broda had by his letter promised to confirm Cromwell's
Settlement of Ireland, and as the English interest there had
gone in unanimously to the design of the King's Restoration
and had merited much on that account. So my predecessors had
merited in proportion to his interest there having gone out for
him here and had suffered for him.
" My predecessours were sure they had done noe thing either
against King or government but reather lost their meens at
home, by their avowedly appearing for His Majesty. So they
thought they had noe thing to fear. And though they sent
over men from England and set up a Court of Claims to exa-
mine the Pretensions of the Ii'ish yet my authors had noe thing
to fear it was thought as they were always loyal and in the
raeen while Sir James his sone dyed, and his sone my grand
father* was assisting the King's Restoration here."
No. V.
INSTRUMENT OF SASINE.
Marie Pollock spous to Robert Sempill of Beltreis of the
Lands and otheris within mentd. provydeit to hir in Lyfrent
vt infra Deatit the 9th Deer. 167§.
Ano discreit Gentleman James Sempill in Parks of Castell-
sempill leat servitor to the dcceist Robert Lord Sempill, Bail-
lie in that part To P'rancis and Robert Scmpills of Biltrcis.
And Robert Caklwill elder in Maincs of Thridpairt actorney
for Mary Pollock eldest dochtcr of the dcceist Robert Pollock
of that Ilk now Spous to the said Robert Sempill of Biltreis
liaveand and holding in hier hands ane certaino contract of
Matremoniall, &c.
Francis S. and Jean Campbell living parents of the said Ro-
bert of Biltreis.
* Robert iit'inpill, third of Beltrees.
130 APPENDIX.
Marie Pollock with advyse of her mother — Jean Crawfurd
Helict of Robert — Robert Pollock now of that Ilk hir eldest
brother; Hew Crawfuird fiar of Jordanhill, Thomas C. of Craw-
fuirdsburne hir Unckles, Lowrance Crawfuird eldest sone to
said Hew, and Thomas Crawfuird eldest sone to the said
Thomas C. of Crawfuirdsburne Contractors with her.
On the other Pairt
of lith Novr. 1678 and for the mariag then agreit upoun and
solemnizat
To infeft Marie Pollock in the £5 Land of Biltreis, Glen-
heid, and Brunthills — the 463. 8d. land of Clochrodricks, and
these pairts of the Ten mark land of Thridpairt with the
Walkmill the Manor place, the Maines (except certain parts
of &c. possesit by Francis &c. in liferent)
Written be John Hamiltoun servitor to John Crawfurd
Wryter in Glasgow Befoir these witnesses Thomas Pollock of
Balgray, Robert Spens Writter in Glasgow &c.
After Publicke reading &c. the Infeftment was done before
James Orr in Drjgat, James Scherar in Murgeon-hill James
Allasone in Burnfoot of Clochodrick, James King wright in
Meikell-Gauen, and Androw Adam seruitor to the said Fran-
cis Sempill.
Et ego vera Joannes Speir clericus, d'c.
Registrat att Glasgow 8 Jan. 1679 by me James Sempill
Clerk to and Keiper of the Register.
No. VI.
INSTRUMENT OF SASINE.
Seasing, 15 168 [torn]
SEASING Marie Pollock of the Ten Mark Land of Thrid-
pairt 15 day of 1G8 •
Compeired ane discreit man Robert Semple Travyler to Ir-
land now residenter att Earskein as actorney for Mario Pol-
APPENDIX. 131
lock spou3 to Robert Semple of Biltrees as also compeired
Francis Slaeman Sheriff Officer Baillie in that pairt.
Holding a Dispositione made be Robert S. of Biltrees to in-
feft Marie Pollock his spous in liferent in the Ten Merk land
of Thridpairt reserving out &c. in favors of Jean Campbell his
mother, ane Annualie of £200 Scots of the Lands of Drygat
and portioners of Third pairt called Braeneock and Water-
sydo &.C.
Written bo John Ure Wrytcr in Glasgow, att Glasgow 15 day
of 163- Befoir Robert Hall of Fullbarr, John Maxwell
of Ouermaines.
Post &c. the Infeftment was done befoir thir Witnessis
Robert Fork elder lait Baillie of Pasley. "William Stewart
Stationer thair, James Patoune Messi*. thair, and John Fork
Wryter thairof.
Et ego vera Joannes Fork Clericus dec.
No. vn.
LYFERENT OBLEISTMENT
Ij. Biltrees younger To L. Biltreis Elder and his Ladie 1680.
Bo it Kend mo Robert Sempill Ficar of Biltreis, as Francis
Scmpill of Biltrees and Jcanc Campbell his spous my Parents,
bo tha,ir Letters of Dispositioun and Rcnunciatione vizt. they
sauld to me All and Haill tlicir Lyfercnt of the pairts and
portions of the Thridpairt with iSIanor Place yairds, corn and
Walkmilns &c. lyand in Kilbarchan Paroch, Lordship of Scm-
pill teinds. And seiiig the Disposition is grantit upon condi-
tion of my making thairfor wit ye me said Robert Sempill
with the advyce of Hugh Crawfurd fliear of Jordanhill Thomas
Crawfurd of Crawfurdsburnc, and of Francis Sempill my fa-
ther to whom I stand interdicted to be bund and oblist to in-
feft and seaso Francis Scmpill of Biltrees and Jean Campbell
in Lyferent in All and Haill in my 4:6s. 5d. Land of Clocho-
132 APPENDIX.
drick. As for the Piincipall the Ten Merks land of Thiid-
pairt, In speciall Warrandice and Securitie to them in Life-
time the 4:6s. Sd. Land of Clochodrick &c. in caise of evictione
of the samin fra them be ony Francis his Creditors for ony
debts dew by him to them, Whairof I of ane band relative to
my contract of marriage ame bund to relieve him at their hands
or Be Marie Pollock my spouse Lyfcrentrix of sd, Clochodrick
be virtow of her Lyferent infeftment thairof.
Moreover wit ye me to be bund to pay to the said Francis
his Creditors the following somes vizt.
To Thomas Crawfurd of Crawfurdsburne 500 Merks
To Do. . . 200 Do.
To John Caldwill in Risk . £233 6 8
Jo John Gillies in Castclsempell 100
To Jonct Orr in Bracnook . 200
To the Taylzours of Pasley for the use
of the Poor of the sd. trade . 100 merks
To the Bairns of John Marschall
Laitelie of Clochodrick £266
Wrytten be Robert Spens, Wryter in Glasgow at Glasgow
15 June 1680. Witnesses John Crawfurd Wryter in Glasgow
and said Robert Spcus.
No. vin.
ANE ACCOMPT of the DEBTS endew be me Robert Sem-
piLL of Beltreis to the persones under wintten to be payed
be Mr John Semfill my Factor in maner specifit in the
Factorie made be me to him of the date of thir presents
vizt. (13 April 1686).
To the Representatives of umqlc. Mr John Stirlemg minister
£100 Scots.
To John Senipill at Bri<1gend ane 100 racrks
APPENDIX. 133
To William King at A.chindennan of bygaue a. rent of Three
Score Sex punds
To Agnes Marshell at Park bygane a. rent of £18
To Issobell Hunter a. rent of £-1:0
To Robert Spoir in Kilbarchan 50 merks
To James Arthure 60 merks
To James Steill of Moorstoun 100 merkes
To Alexr. Cochran in ThriJpart 50 merkes
To Robert Orr in Barr 10 merks
To John Riddell ten merkes
To James Connell at Achindennan 50 merkes
To James Brydine in Bridgehouse 5 merkes
To John Love in Ward end 20 merkes
To Robert Blackburnc in Barbury 20 merkes
To David Cochran in Corsfoord 5 merkes
To Hugh Miller in Forehouse 5 merkes
To Hugh Walker in Hallhill £4
To Ninian Tarbert in Lamarnock £4
To Mr John Sompill above designed £14, 8s.
To Robert Chapman merchand in Glasgow £300
To John Orr in Glasgow merchand 100 merkes
To Anaple Dick £8
To William Henderson Pror. Fiscal in Paysley £12
To Michael Baird in Paysley 5 merkes
To Jean Gordon in Glasgow £30
To John Thomson in Glasgow £10
To Janet Tulloch there £10
To My Lord Glassfoord 300 morks
To Certan other Pcrsones not mentioned £13
In Witness qrof. I have subd. thir presents at Castlcsemple
13 Aprill 168G Bofoir thir Witnesses — Mr Alexander Duncan
Minister at Kilbirnio and the said James Steill.
(Signed,) Vobebt Sempill.
134 APPENDIX.
No. IX.
DISCHARGE be Magdalen Spenck To Rot, Sempiil of
Billtrees 24 Jauy. 1G88.
Said Magdalen relict of John Sempiil merchant in Edin-
burgh received from Robert Sempiil now of Belltrees eldest
Kone to umquhill Francis Sempiil of Billtrees The soume of
£23 Scots owing to umquhill Robert Sempiil merchant in
Edinburgh who assigned it to me, and £5 for a law plea to
recover it &c.
Writtin be Hugh Hamiltoun Wryter in Edinburgh son of
umquhill Mr Robert Hamiltoun W. S.
Att Edinburgh 24 Jany. 1688.
Witness John Sempiil my sone and said Hugh Hamiltoun.
No. X.
BAND by Biltreis and his Leadie To James Cochrane of £22
Scots. 20 Deer. 1688.
Robert Sempiil of Biltreis and Marie Pollock grant to be in-
dcbtit to James Cochrane in Howood of £22, failing him to
pay the same to John Young in Howood.
Writtin be John Speir of Wardhouse At Hall of Thridpairt.
No. XT.
BAND beo Beltreise and his Ladie, To Jonet Keke : Daitit
30 May 1689.
Robert Sempiil of Beltreise and Marie Pollok spouses bur-
rowit fra Jonet dochter to Johne Ker in the Brumeheid of
Lochineucli, All and Haill the soume of £50 Scots, &c.
APPENDIX. 135
Wrvtino beo tho said Robert Sempill of Beltreiso at Thrid-
pairt, 20 May 1689,
Witnesses Alexander Cochrane in I\Iaines of Thridpairt, and
James Ore in Drygait.
No. XII.
BAND be Beltreis and his Leadie, To James Cochrane of
£29. 9. 0, Deatit the 19 July, 1689.
Robert Sempill of Biltreis and Marie Pollock, spousis, Grant
us to be adebtcd to James Cochrane in Howod, the soume of
£28. 9. 0. Scots for the pryce of certaine guids and sufiicient
Ait meill bocht be us, &c. We bind use to pay the said James
Cochrane, &c. failying, be deceise, (Sec. To John Young in How-
wud, my son-in-law, &,e. 1 August, 16S9.
Writtin be John Spoir of Wardhous 19 Julie, 1689. Wit-
nesses James Connell our servitor and Alexr. Cochrane in
Maines of Thridpaii't.
No. XIII.
PRECEPT OF CLARE CONSTAT in Favours of John
Chapman in Beltrees, 9 June 1701.
Robert Sempill of Beltrees, superior, &c. made clear to me
(Beltrees) that the deceased Robert Chapman, merchand, in
Glasgow, father to John Chapman, wrytter thair, bearer of
thir presents, died sesed, &;c. In all and Haill The Ten Merle
land of Thridpairt with the Maner- Place, &c. lying within the
Lordship of Sempill, &c.
A Wodset be umquhill Robert Chapman, &c. of 4000 merks
to me (Beltrees) over the Thridpairt, &:c.
(Writtin be James Steill of Muirstown wryter in Beith,) I
have subscryvcd thir presents, at Camercoch in Donachodic in
Ireland, 9 June, 1701. Thir witnesses Jolin M'Connell, un-
dwcUer, in Camercoch, and James Sempill merchand in Don-
nochadic.
136 APPENDIX.
No. XIV.
INSTRUMENTUM SASIN.E in favorom Roberti Sempill
junioris de Biltrees, 6 Mar. 1710.
John son of John Niven in Yairdfute, actomie and pror. for
Robert Sempill eldest son of Robert Sempill of Biltrees.
Compeired also James Houston wearer in Thridpairt Baillie
in that pairt.
Said Robert Sempill having in his hands a certain Charter
granted by Lady Ann Sempill Lady of Sempill, superior, &c.
with consent of Francis, Lord of Glasfoord, her husband, &c.
With regard to the Ten merk land of Thridpairt, &c. Re-
serving liferents of Robert Sempill senior and Mary Pollock
spouses of certain Parts of the samin.
Reserving to the said Lady Sempill, &:c. her airs, &c. aquse
obstructionem raolendini Fullonis, vulgo, Lie Walkmiln dam,
or Inlayer of Thridpairt, cum aquce ductu de Kert, vulgo The
Channels of the Water of the Kert, cum libertate effodiendi
et abducendi aquse Obstructionem et aqupeductum Lie Walk-
miln Dam, and Channell of the Water of Kert, tarn profundum
Dominse Annse Sempill melius visam fuerit in omni tempore
futuro in perpetuum secundum tenorem Literee Dispositionis
fact. dat. et concess. per dictum Robertum Sempill in illorum
favore earumque dedata 13 April 1687.
Writtin be James Steill of Muirstoun : Apud Castrum nos-
trum (Lady Sempill) de Sempill, 14 June, 1687.
Witnesses James Abercrombie, James Leishman, and Mr
John Davidson, my sei-vitors.
Post, thir things were done, &c. Coram James son of Ninian
Tarbat in Lawmarnock and John White junior in Paisley.
Et ego vero Guliehnua Tarhat, clericus &c.
ArrENDix. 137
No. XV.
An ADVENTURE at Edinburgh by the Laird of Beltrees,
without date, found in the Charter Chest of Beltrees.
Aug accompt of the circumstances.
Upon Tuesday last betwixt 12 and ano o'clock in the morn-
ing came ryding to the West Port, where I fund two men
standing without the Port, I desired them to knock at the Port,
or call for ony within to speake to me. Upon which a person
cam and told me the key was at the Town- Guard. So I in-
treated that person within to goo to ony of the Captaines of
the Guard and tell them my name, and that I had necessar
busines called mc to ryd so latc.bcsyds thatlchoosd to travell
in the coule of the evening, rather as in the heat of the day.
The persone went to the Guard and it seims the Captaine was
so discreet as to send the keys to open it and let me in. Bot
staying so long till tliey went the round I was weary being soe
late and I advised and perswaded the two persones I met with-
out to go round by the south syd of the wall and I wold get in
at the Neathcr Bow, and prayd me to go bccaus then they wold
get in when the Port was opened to me. They told mc they
wer sojeres. I asked wher they wer quartered, and they said at
the West Port. I asked what was the busines that tym of night,
not only to be out of ther quarters, bot to seek to gctt in to the
Town and so go from ther quarters wanting their sojog coat ;
to qch. they wavered, and gave mc no satisfing answer. Therfor
for I was vpon my guard both of them said they knew me after
they heard my name, and pretended kyndness to mc. One of
them which was discritest dropt his way and I understood and
conceived he was gon about the wall, yet lest they might prove
roges I waited yet a litall longer bot mounted my horse again
to be upon my guardo, and at lust when no apoarance of any
of tho guard coming with the koycs I went about ryding a
good spaco bofor the sojor that stayed, lost the other that I
suposod might bo bofor, or any ols by the way might start out
upon mo ; the sojor behind culls mc to ryd softly till he cam up
138 APPENDIX.
and he wold showe the way, and so get in with me. Bot by
no means wo!d I lot him come up until! I find no person by
the way. And that we wer at the entrance Cyety Port and
so to go throw first on and in another narrow way betwixt two
walls by the Pleasans. Then I mad him pass befor (being
still vncertain of his design) till we comes to the Naader Bow
Port that I supposed then when we got in he might be honest.
In gratitude to the gentleman that opened the Port so quickly
I delighted and thanked him and took one drink of ale with
him and then mounted my horse and bid the sojore go tak a
drinke of the ale, having bid the Gentleman and sojor fare-
welle: I went down Blackfriar-Wynd and about the midle
of the Cowgate in the narrow Port therof. It seims the sam
sojare that cam in at the Port with me came down some or
other close or way for he comes upon my back and having no
shoes on bot his stocking I could not heir his feet till he takes
hold of my horse brydle vpon which I putt my hand to draw
my pistoU to defend myself and beat him from the horse bot
he catches hold of my hand and the pistoll when I was drawing
it therfor with one hand I kept him from drawing that pistoll
and so cndevores to draw my other pistoll bot with his other
armo he catches hold of the other and threatened he wold
pull mc off my horse and take my own arms to foyl my solfe.
All this tym 1 asked what he meant ? he said I was a rog and a
knaue he wold have money I pray him to quit my horse brydle
and cary himself civily and go to my quarters with me and I
wold give him some thing to drink. [A few words are blotted
out] in my pocket and tooke out a 5 p or 7 f piec and bid him
go drink and meit me another tyrae. Bot then he rages and
wrestes to di-aw one or both of my pistol Is bot with each hand I
secured his hands from drawing the pistolls. And leaned down
with my armes to secure them the better. And so when no argu-
ment could prevaile 1 cryed for any of the guard or any eis to
assist, for he was a rogue seking to robe me and to disarm
me. Then when he see a maid upon the streit, and some look
cut at windows, he cryes out, that I was a Robber and he had
APPENDIX. 139
apprehended mc. Bot presently comes then one of the Toun
Guard that was providentilly neir by us I desired his help to
get the sojore to quit my bridle and tak his hands off my arms
which he prayd him to do and with great difficulty (after our
intreating him to go with me to my quarters or come another
tym and I wold give him something to drink) not for any obli-
gation, bot it seims it was all my money and amies he wold
have, we at last got to my quarters ; and if that person of the
Towns Guard had not assisted he had done more prejudice
even then all which I referr to him and the other witnesses
ffor when carying him to the Guard led and commanded he
gave me a severe blow with his fist on the cheik that cutt my
lip throw and so thought to get away, bot we catched him
and with much adoe and more help got him to the Guarde :
many other circumstances may be added which for brevity I
leive out.
The people on the Streets and at my qrters and the main
guarde can witness of his rude and violent cariedge with at-
tempts on my person, if he had not been hindered.
No. XVI.
LETTER TO SIR JAMES SEMPILL OF BELTREES.
Righte Honorable Sr, havinge vnderstoode the aunswero
which Sr Robert Cicill gave to yor. Lordshippe tovvchinge my
libertie I did wrighte there vpon to the Frenche Imbassidor re-
questing him most humblie if his honor did intcndo any
thinge against meo tendingc to the hindrance of my liberte
that yt would please him to cause mee be called to my exa-
mination to tlie o«d that beinge eyther founde guiltic or inno-
cent I might be intrcatod accordin^flie. Whose answerc was
that as towchinge his ^Ir. the King of Fraunce ho never had
any thinge to laie to my charge. And as for himselfe he had
spoken sondryo tymcs in my favour bothe to Mr Secretarye
and to some others of the (Jouncell, and that he was readio to
140 APPENDIX.
pleasure mec in all that he coulde. Whiche thingc being soo
as yt ys indcdc his Lordshippc male easilie perceyve that
there shalbe no great a doo to obtaine my deliverye from this
loathsome lodginge where I have lingered soo long without any
cause yf so yt will please him of his kindncsse and cur-
tesie to take the paines to bringe to an ende that which he
hath so ffavourablie begone to the furtherance whereof his
Lordshippo may bo advaunced yf yt would please him to
vnderstande that the onlie cause of my cominge from beyonde
the Seas and joinge into Scotlande was the earnest desier 1
had to visite my flather George Campbell of Duckett Hall or
Stinston Brethcren and other ffrinds from whose desired pre-
sence I have bine withdrawne the space of x yeres by my so-
iourninge and traveliuge in forraine and strange contryes parte-
lie in Italie partlie in Germaynie Loraine and ffraunco where I
have not bine resident these ix yeres but onlie since the last
Christcmes. And being there in Parrice sundrie and divers tymes
intreated of manie of my finnds. And also ernestlie requested
by letters from my Parentcs to returne into my native con-
trye assuring mee of their goodwills and favour. Wherevppon
havinge obtayned licence of my Superiors to accomplishe theiro
desiers I began my voiage the monethe of August goinge from
Parrice to Newhaven with my ffellowe compagnion religious of
my owne order who was appointed of our Superiors to accom-
pany mee in my voiage suche being the custome of our Order
to goo two and two togeathcr thinkinge there to have had the
commodytie of some Scottishc Shippe therein to have sailed
into Scotlande but beinge there for wante of Shippinge frus-
trated of our desiere from thence wee wente to Depe and so
forthe alonge the cost sydc to Callice where at last findinge no
Shippinge for to serve our turno wee did conclude to goo from
Callice to England and from thence straighte waio into Scote-
lande And before God this was our onelie mvnde and intencion
entendingo no waies to soiourn or reraaino in this Realme much
lesse to meddle with matters of estate. Wherefore I most
humblio crave his Lordshipps favourable Ifrindshippe to bo
APPENDIX. 141
contynewed towanls mce in followinge forthe the sute of my
wonted liberty and in sendinge raee to my Native Contne
where I wilbe rcadie to stande to the Lawes and gracious will
of my Soveraigne Prince the Kinge of Scotelande nothinge els
but here takinge my leave of your Lordshippe I praie God of
his goodnes graunt you the perfect accomplishment of all your
good desires fFrom the Marshalsea the xxijth of Novembre
1599.
Your Honors most humble Orator
JiioNE Campeeli,.*
(Indorsed)
To the Right Honorable
Sk. James Semple
of Beltrees Imbassidor
for the Kinge of Scotlande.
No. xvn.
LETTER TO SIR JAMES SEMPILL.
Sir, — If I douted no more the daungers of our frequent In-
telligences, then the cooling of thair ailcctiouns to the honest
man yow wrote of, I had long synce prevented your importuning
of me with the lyik impeshments not of papers only, but even
of my owcn presence : but suche is the tyme, that as itt eclip-
seth boith, it must cxcuiss boith ; a tymo (as yow wrote) for
captions, that those of whome this tymo is not worthio, are
therein captivat; and (if men myght in such tym vss liberall
speaches) I woldo say no les, then my alFcctiouns wer thereby
captives : But ineugh of this.
I thank yow hartly for yowr Tragicall, Frenshc, Satyrc, and
Salt, Frenshe Tragoedio : and also of yowr occurences of Sr
* From the Wodrow MSS.
142 APPENDIX.
Anthonye Sherley.* God grant all galand spreits such galand
fortunes.
I wold vss the berar often towards vow if I had purpoiss,
but fayling the necessitie of mater, I wold not one man war
marked to haunt muche boith our companves in ordinare nia-
ner, your honorable aSfectiouns I most hartly embrace, and (as
occasioun shall present) shall not faill to aquyte thame. Your
services to him who is capable of thame, and hath alreadye
found the fruits thereof, and (as I hope) shall ;never forget
thame. Burne, or returne the presents, as yow best plcass,
least thess ill masked cyphers decyphre their maister, and so I
end.
Yours euer one.t
* The famous Sir Anthony Shirley, who, according to Lord Hailes,
was a partisan of Spain, able, insinuatinp;, false. His negotiations -with
King James are understood to be still in MS. His Travels in Persia,
Russia, Turkey, Spain, &c., were printed in 1601, 1607, 1609, and 1613,
and an interesting review of them will be found in tho " Retrospectiva
Review," \ol. ii. pp. 351, &c.
t From the Wodrow MSS. — Wodrowsays in a MS. note — This seems
A.Boyd, Bishop of Argyle, To Sr. Ja. Semple. — [Andrew Boyd^ natiu-al
Bon to the Lord Boyd, was Bishop of Argyle from 1613 to 1637.]
J. & "VV. Pater SON, Printees, EmNBuncH.
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