iiP!illiPti|i!il!!!!iiiiJii|!!i|lifflill!|!l;!i;iiiliii Uit THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES POETICAL WORKS BY ALEXANDER GARDEN (;lasgow: I'RINTEl) HV k0BF;RT ANDERSON, 22 ANN STREET. BISHOP OF ABERDEEN. (U^'/.^'-i '^€^1 ■: A THEATRE OF Scottish Worthies: AND THE LYF, DOINGS, AND DEATHE OF William Elphinston BISHOP of ABERDEEN BY ALEXANDER GARDEN ADVOCATE, ABERDEEN PRIVATELY printed MDCCCLXXVIII "PR /g7S PRESENTED TO THE ^I E M B E R S OF THE HUNTERIAN CLUB BY ALEXANDER B. STEWART G4T291 INTRODUCTORY NOTICES OF ALEXANDER GARDEN, AND HIS POETICAL WORKS. HE name of Alexander Garden or Gardyne occurs in the lifts of Scottifh Poets as the Author of two feparate works. The one pubhfhed during his own time is entitled, " A Garden of Grave and Godlie Flovvres: Sonets, Elegies, and Epitaphs, Planted, polifhed, and perfefted by Mr. Alexander Gardyne. Et facer & magnus Vatuni labor. Edinburgh, Printed by Thomas Finlafon. 1609. With Licence." 4to. The fecond has this title, "The Theatre of the Scotifli Kings. By Alexander Garden, Profeffor of Philofophy at Aberdeen. Done from the Original Manufcript. Edinburgh, Printed by James Watfon, and Sold at his Shop, next Door to the Red Lyon, oppofite to the Luken-booths. 1709." 4to. Thefe two were reprinted in a handfome quarto volume, as a contribution to the Abbotsford Club, by Jofcph Walter King Eyton, Efq., in the year 1845. The Editor, his friend, William Barclay Turnbull, Efq., Advocate, having shown me his Prefatory Remarks, I was led to point out to my impulfive friend, the Editor, that there exifted a confufion in regard to the Authorfliip, as both works were evidently by one and the fame perfon. To prove this more viii Introductory Notices clearl)', I addreffcd a letter to Mr. Turnbull on the fubje6l, which he fubjoined to his "Prefatory Remarks" in that vokune; and I cannot do better than give the following extra6l :— "Signet Library, 2nd Oflolm; 1845. " My Dear Sir, — After examining with feme care the queflion regarding the authorfliip of 'The Garden of Flowres,' i6og, and of ' The Theatre of the Scotifli Kings,' I can come to no other conclufion than to attribute both works to the elder Alexander Gardvne or Garden, Advocate in Aberdeen. Any confufion that has arifen on this point feems to have proceeded upon a millake of the editor of the latter work in ryog. On referring to the manufcript in the Advocates' Library from which it was publifhed, I find it affords no authority for afcribing the work to ' Alexander Garden, Profeffor of Philofophy at Aberdeen;' neither is it 'the original manufcript.' As the work itfelf was probably commenced, if not completed, previoufly to the death of Prince Henry, in 16 12, but undoubtedly not later than 1625, in which year the manufcript was tranfcribed, fome pofitive evidence is furely required before we fliould afcribe fucli a laboured production to a youth who, as it appears, had not finiflied his academical fludies till 1631. " Alexander Garden, who became a member of the Faculty of Advocates in Aberdeen, may have been connected with the Gardens of Banchory, and we may place his birth between the years 1585 and 1590. His defignation of "Mr. " fhows that he had taken the degree of A.M. before 1609. 'The Garden of Flowres' in that year, was no doubt his earliefl performance. 'The Theatre of Scoiifh Kings," completed between 16 12 and 1625, was apparently followed by his 'Theatre of Scotifli Worthies.' As this work mufl have contained some interefling notices of the author's contemporaries, the hope may be expreffed that the MS. from which the quotation you have given at p. xv., from Nifbet, is Hill in exiflence. Garden's metrical verfion of Bifhop Elphinflone's Life, from the Latin of Hector Boece, bears the date of 16 19." OF Alexander Garden. ix In this letter I fupplied fuch fets of commendatory verfes as I could find Avritten by Gardyne or Garden, and pre- fixed to works by his friends, publiflied in the years 1615, 1622, and 1634; along with thofe addreffed to himfelf, and prefixed to the MS. of his " Theatre of Scottifli Kings," which the Editor in 1709 had omitted. In the printed title an engraving of the Royal Arms is inferted, and the Author is defcribed as "ALEXANDER GKRD^^,ProfeJforofPhilofophy at Aberdeen." The MS. \\.i€ii furnijlies no fiicJi Jiatement, and this has occafioned the confufion in regard to the a6lual Author. Mr. Turnbull, in his Prefatory Remarks, refers to another work by Garden, by quoting from Nifbet's Heraldry the Notice and Verfes on Sir James Lawfon, extra6led from Garden's "Scottifl-i Worthies." "But his 'Scottifli Worthies' (Mr. T. adds) belongs to the Bibliotheca A bfcondita et depcrdita of our anceftors. No copy of it is known." — (p. xv.) At this time it had completely efcaped my recollection that many years previoufly I had actually feen a manufcript copy of " The Scottifli Worthies " in the Library of the late Sir Alexander Bofwell of Auchinleck. On accidentally afcertaining this fa6l, and having a natural defire to examine the work, I obtained from the Honorable Richard Wogan Talbot the ufc of the volume, with liberty to have it tran- fcribed or printed if defirable. Acting upon this permiffion, and having recommended the volume to the Council of The Hunterian Club, it was adopted as a private con- tribution to the Club by ALEXANDER B. STEWART, Esq., a few words of explanation regarding the work and its Author may be expected. The information to be gleaned refpe6ting the Author, in addition to what is already ftated, is very unimportant. The name of Garden occurs at an early date, and our Author, at No. 126, celebrates one whom he calls Irvine Kempt xii Introductory Notices fixtoen according" to the following A61 printed by Kennedy from Records of the Sheriff Court: — "At Aberdeen, the fecond day of 0(5lober, 1633. — In prefence of the Right Honourable Thomas Crombie of Kemnay, (heriff principal of Aberdeen. "The quhilk day the flieriff principal forefaid caufit call and convene before him the perfons particularlie following, quha ar the ordinar advocates and procurators of this judicatorie, and hes been in ufe to procuir in all caufes. — They are to fay, Mr. Alex. Irving, Mr. William Barclay, Mr. William Lumfden, Mr. James Irving, Mr. Alex. Davidfon, Mr. George Anderfon, Mr. Alex. Reid, j\Ir. Alex. Paip, jNIr. Robert Reid, Alex. Thomfon, Mr. Alex. Gardyn, George Middleton, \Villiam Cordoner, John Hunter, j\Ir. Andrew Clerk, and George Merfer. Quhilks per- fones being all perfonallie prefent, and the fheriff underflanding of their abilities, honeflie, and judgement, to continue as members and ordinar advocates and procurators of this feat; the faid flierifif, be vertue of his office and authoritie, Refavit and admittit them, and everie ane of them, to that place and priviledge, and caufit them all to be folemlie fworne for yair dew obedience and reverence to the feat, and for faithfull and trew ufeing and dif- charging of thair place and charge, and for obferving of fick guid and laudabill lawes, actis, flatutes, and ordinances, as fould be fett down and prefcrybit; and, farder, the faid flierifif declairit and ordainit, and expreflie difchargit all uther perfones quhatfumevir of all libertie or priviledge to compeir or procuir before the fherifif or his deputtis, at any time hereafter, in cphatfumever caus, or to tak upon them to be advocates or procurators, except they be firfl lawfuUie admittit be the fheriff, and his licence and libertie purcheffit, gevin, and grantit, to that effect."^ The name of Mr. Alexander Gardyn, Advocate, occurs in the Fafli Aberdonenfes, laft April, 1638, p. 409, as the firft nCennedy's Annals of Aberdeen (1818, vol. ii., p. 166). OF Alexander Garden. xiii of a Committee of four appointed to choofc "ane Sub- Principal in place of Mr. David Leiche, who had been tran- fported to the Kirk of Ellon ; in virtue of which they elected and prefented to ane Reverend Father my Lord Chancellor, Mr. Robert Ogilvic to be Sub-Principal; quhome the said reverend father chancellor inftantlie admittct and tuik his oathe folemplie fworne," &c. Upon the fame occafion, " Convenit Mr. Robert Ogilvie fubprincipal, Mr. Johne Lundie grammarian, Mr. James Sandilandes canonift, Mr. Alexander Middletoun and Mr. Alexander Gardyne regentis, quha all in ane voyce nominatt and prefentit to the prin- cipall Mr. Alexander Scrogie younger student of theology, to be tryit iff he be fand worthie, to be Regent in place of Mr. Robert Ogilvic." Mr. Turnbull, in his Abbotsford Club volume, refers to the MS. Life of Bifliop Elphinfton, then in my poffeffion, and fays; — " This manufcript is in quarto, beautifully written, at Aberdeen, in the year 1619. It was formerly in the collection of old Robert Myln, and is apparently the original. A copy in a firailar hand was purchafed by Principal Lee, at the fale of Dr. Jamiefon's Library in 1838. "From the refemblance which the autograph of this MS. bears to that of the ' Theatre of Scottifh Kings ' in the Faculty Library — as well as the Angular coincidence of flyle in the two com- pofitions, it would appear that both proceeded from the fame pen. I fhould therefore have availed myfelf of Mr, Laing's friendly per- miffion to print it in the prefent volume, had not Mr. Innes intended to do fo in the Appendix to the third volume of the Chartulary of Aberdeen; of which important publication two volumes have juft appeared." Unfortunately, no third volume of the Chartulary ever appeared. xiv Introductory Notices Garden's work is little elfe than a metrical verfion of the earliefl biography of the Bifliop by He6lor Boyfe or Boethius, in a volume in which the biography of his patron forms the chief portion. It is entitled, " Epifcoporum Murthlacenfe et Aberdonenfe. Per He6lorem Boetium VitK." A facfimile of this engraved ornamented title of the " Prelum Afcenfianum " is given on the oppofite page, as printed at Paris, 1522, and republiflied for the Bannatyne Club in 1825. At a more recent date, having obtained the manufcript at Principal Lee's fale already mentioned, the other was tranf- ferrcd to the Library of the Univerfity of Edinburgh. A facfimile page of each MS. is given. The one now in my poffeffion is evidently the original, in the old parchment cover, with thefe initials ftamped on the fide. L. A. E. This clearly fhows it had been the dedication copy to Alexander, Lord Elphinfton. There were four Alexanders in fucceffion, Lords Elphinfton. Robert, third Lord Elphinfton, died in May, 1602, when Alexander fucceeded to the title. He held various offices, and furvived till July, 1648. His elcjeft fon, Alexander, who took the fecond title of Killdrumie, to whom GARDEN alfo infcribed his work, enjoyed the title of Lord Elphinfton for only twelve months, as he died in 1649. In the prefent volume the text is given from a collation of both manufcripts, as it was not thought neceffary to ad- here flavifhly to the pedantic orthography of the original. Prefixed to this portion of the volume, a brief notice of Bifhop Elphinfton's life, along with his Portrait, will be given. Profeffor ALEXANDER Garden, we may fuppofe, was the fon of the elder Garden. ,.^.\.^\.,\.^\. .\.^y,\\^\ \\ fn...\.,..\,...i.u^.,.i.ul...niil\,\,(IIIUlltUII 60. 61. lob. Leflie, Bip . of Rofs, in his Chron. , pag. 109. Holin., in the lyfe of King Conar, pag. 63. lo. lonfl:., p. 2. A Theatre of 4- (tDiraamte* Boece. 7 book, Was governor after the death of Fergus the 2d., his fone in cap. 6. fol. 84. i^yr^ fQj. Eugenius his nevoy, and in a mofl troublfome tyme, with exceeding manhood, govern'd the eflate; from him lo. Leilie, Severus Wall is yet caled Grsemes Dyke. He gave "the Scot. hift.. ,•• ,,, or ,0 r^ pr^„ ,4^_ begmmg to that noble name & famous houfs of Grseme, Montrofs, & Montdiew. He florifhed after Chrifl 420 yeares. Iff this great Graem a Scott, a Brittane borne, A Roman was, or Pight, put yow the cafe, That did the houfs of Montidew adoarn, And was the root to that renouned race: Id. Major. Whofe fa6ls alfe fare as Fame cane flee hes floune, And gotten a greatnefs by plaine ftrength, not floune. It is a wonder, and no wonted thing, To fee a leige give to his Lords his lands ; Yet he a countrie conquiflit to his King, And wane his houfs firft honor with his hands : hift.. p. 83. When he deforc'd thofe famous forts which Fame Since to this day hes bapteif'd with his name. What multituds could but performe att length, He hes alone demolifh't & o'rethroun; He was withftander of the Roman ftrength, Controling others ever was his oune : p°g o" Without all change, ftill lyke himfelfe the fame. The heire of Honor & the chyld of Fame. Scottifh Worthies, 5 dB^utllame* King Achaius brother, a princly Captane, went to France Boece, cio., lo with 4000 men of Warr, after the League made with Charles ^°° ^'^ ^^. ^ the Great to confirme it, who did excellent fervice therwith i3S- againfl the Infidealls, reflored Poppius the 3 to his Papacie, & the Citie of Florence to her libertie. Laftlie, he ^''- ^^^^J°'"' pag. 35. eredled diverfe Monaflries m Germanic, & ther, & in France, is yet famous. Flouriflied the yeare of Chrifl 800. The floorifhing fame of King Achaius fa6ls Great Brittane could not in her bounds imbarr; Noe, bot it throw the boundlefs Ocean breaks, And flyes o're Ewrope to the Afian warr: Thence from the Eaft wnto the Weft againe O're the Alps it flew to France to Charlemane, Who both enamord & admyring it, Long to be federat with fuch a frynd, For non befand to forder France fo fitt ; Wherfore to fute & feik the fame he fend : Which laughfull league (who knows not) yet ftill ftands, Since thefe great Kings both joyfull joyn'd ther hands. Then, mightie William ! thow was made the mene, And firft to France with power fupporting paft, Both to eftablifli and to intcrtaine A Treatie that eternally fliould laft; Wherewith thow did fuch drcadlefs deads of fame, ^°- loli^f^-j . pag. ' That Dutchland, France, & Florence fil'd with them. B lo A Theatre of 6. ^av* ' Boece, 1 1 book, With his two fones, armed with 3 plough yoks, in a (Irait ^^^' ^ ' ° • • paffage flopt the flight of our fleeing forces, and repulfed the power of the Dainesj whereby they conquiflit to them- ^h w^'^f '" i€\.Vi> & there pofleritie advancment, honor, and immortall Kenneth 3, glorie in that memorable battell of Loncartie, 2 yeare of P^S- 196. Kenneth 3, the yeare of Chrift 942. When Danifli fortoun forft our fathers flee, And hade in flight our phallanx near defeat", Then happie Hay, thy two ftout fones with the. There timorus troups conftrained in a ftrait The furious foe to reafront to face, And conquer them that conquering came to chace. Hoiin., in the ^^"^o that famous feild att Loncartie, Scots, hift., p. When on hard tearmes our countrie ftanding ftood, Thy dreadfull dints made many Dain to die, And att thy feet lay bubling in there blood: Yq jojjft Great gallant there, thow with thy youths & yoke, pag. 3- Moft nottablie nobilitat thy ftock. Thow as a battall ftrong ftood in that ftoure. Winged with the valour of thy ventrous fones, Whofe Herculian hands in halfe ane hour. With windrous valour & great virtew, winns From foes the feild, & from thy freinds the fame, That lies and fliall fore're renoun thy name. Scottlfh Worthies. 1 1 7. ^ixmoUxtMtit^. A young man, the ennobler of his famous name and familie, uoece, in his whofe fmgular manhood and valour att that battell in Barrie ' ' ^°°''^' f^^P- ° 17, fol. 169. defeated the Danes, flew there Captane Camus, and pur- chafed therfore to himfelfe and his fucceffors great feagnories jjoq}.^ pl^ao". and that honorable charge to be Great Marfhall of Scotland. He flooriflied wnder King Malcolme the 2, the yeare of Chrifl 1006. Thow little Lothee, languifliing & ftill Raph. Holin., For wanting water, hot thy ftirring ftood l^if^^ pag. Whill that this knightlie Keith thy flainks did fill i<56. With Danifli bouks and billoes of ther blood : Thow that anon but ftreams all emptie ftands, Now crimfon collor'd fwels o're fchore & fands. Brave Martialift! thy glorie fmce does fliyne For killing Camus, bringer of ther bands ; Thyfelfe made Marfliall, & thy fones fenfyne Inculpat in that calling yet commands: No pettie praife, nor little laude to the, lo. lonft., So to be firft of fuch a familie. High honors therfore to thy heires & houfe, And dignities from thy defairts redounds : Thy deads that day, gallant, egregious. Done for thy countrie, into Barrie bounds, The confummatione of the world fliall come Before they fleep and ceafs unfong be fome. 12 A Theatre of Lellie, in the lyfe of Mak- beeth, p. 207. IIol., Sco. Cro., p. 176. Boece, 12 book, p. 7, fol. 176. lo. lonfl., 8. 0iamut Thane of Fyfe, a wyfe and valiant Captane, fled from the tirranie of Makbeath to England, and from thence reduced the laughfuU King Malcolm the 3, flew the tirrane Makbeeth with his omi hands, wherfore he was made Earle of Fyfe. From him are defcended the honorable houfs of Weems of that Ilk. He floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1079. I was the obje6l of a tirrans ire, And aimc wherat his bloodie bolts was bent ; My fpoufc difj^atcli'd, my fortrefs fat in fire. My felfe exiled, my fones flaine innocent: And }'et this wrong, great & exceffive ill. It kendl'd more then did my courage kill. For I triumph'd and took the tirrans lyfe, A pofthumus fliorne from my mothers fyde; My curteleax ftay'd much inteftine ftryfe. And did the doubtfull defteneis decyde, Whairin with nane but graclcfs witches guyded. The faithlefs King too much before confided. My banifliment the trew King Malcolme brings. And he with him fecuritie to all, So from m'exile and my expeling fprings My countries freedom by the tyrrans fall; Wherfore my felfe with gifts and glorie gat My houfs with honor privilegiat. Scottifh Worthies. 13 9. ^it ^llejcanDer Carroun* Hade his name changed, and was called Scrimgeour (a hardie Hoi., pag. 178, feighter) for his magnanimitie manifafled att Spey with King '" ^'^^ ^'^^^- '"^* Malcolm the 3; therfore rewarded with the hereditarie office to be principall Vexillifer to his Prince, which yet his ^-eilie, pap. 212. heires the L. of Dudop, Conflables of Duntay, poffeft. He flooriflied the yeare of Chrift 1057 yeares. When bafs and fervile feare his fprit poffeft, Hoi. in the That then King Malcolms royall banner boore, Scot, hist., Thy couraige by his cowardice increfl, And caught the collours fliaking and wnfure: Rebooking him thus that aftoniflit flood, Boece lib For feare of foes or furie of the flood. 12, fol. 267. What daftard dreeds or doubts thow for to die, Or fants thow for this flood or for thefe foes ; Come, couard, come, & fordward follow me, Dreed not this deep, nor doubt the dint of thofe: X^CS* J oCOL( Behold ws beat ther bands, ignoble, bafe, hift., p. 212. And o're this Spey bot any perrill pafs. This thow couragious to that fpritlefs fpake, And fearlefs on the foe the collors caries, Wherat thy Prince there did occafionc take, j^ j^^^^ And the brave Carroun to his collors marries: p. 6. Which yet the Deudopean houfs inherits, Thy laughfuU lyne to manifaft thy merits. T4 A Theatre of lo. ^ir ^laltcr ^tetioart, i^occe.Cron., 12 The fone of Fleannce, & the noble nepot of Banquho, for his foL i'74^'^ courage & aclivitie wfed in dantoning the rebells in Gallo- Les., pag. 210. way, was made be Malcohii 3 Queflor, or great Steuart of Scotland, from whom aredefcended the illuflruous,floorifliing, lIol.,Scot. hift., & royall familie of the Stewarts, which fo long, with great t*^S- 178. felicitie, hes impyred & rung above ws. He floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1062 yeares. Loud thundring love, great god omnipotent ! In jeopardces, and in the lions jaws, Fenc'd the the father & the foundament Of his great houfs, whom now three kingdoms knawes : And ferv's fmcearlie for there foveraigne Lord, With more great gifts then fkill can count decora. Boece, 12 Til' unbridl'd barrens bravlie thow debel'd, book, p. I r, Whofe fwords forfuorn there foveraigne Lord did fchore ; fol. 179. r i> Thow caus'd them fmart that of fedition fmel d, And this thy Prince repay'd thy paines therfore : Thow was high Steward of the State inftal'd, From whom fo manie Kings are come & cal'd. lo. lonft., They firft from the there firft high honor have, P^s- 5- Since firft thy fa6ls ennobled firft ther name, And firft begining to ther greatnefs gave. Now fhyning feene fo eminent in theme: What thow began there cariaige hes increaft Above all midds matche to the mightieft. Scottlfh Worthies. 1 5 II. (!3ilcl)rift For manie famous and heroick facts was highlie honored Hoi., Scot, hift., in King Malcolm the 4 his dayes, yet his fortoun changing ^^^' ^' wnder King William, was reduced to great miferie, floutlie Les., pag. 224. fuflained it, and happilie overcame in the end. From him the noble houffes of Angous and Ogilvie are fupponed to Boece, hb. 13. be difcended. He floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1 165. 078, 281. 283, 284! What fubje6l leiv'd & greater honor hade, Who was nor I erteam'd more ftout & wife ; The royall blood it beutifi'd my bed, And I went vi6lor from the battells thrice : I was advanc'd, depreft, belov'd, invy'd. And the effe6ls of both the fortouns try'd. Sufpitious, fals, Janonick-jealoufies lo. lonft., With informatione fond made me defile, ^^^^' '^' And blot my honor with ane infamie. And therfore juftlie judged to exile: Where, e're reftor'd, to recompence my fpight, I paffed all that any mortall might. I was the roote and the originall Both of the houfs of Ogilvie & Angous, From whence fo many men fo martiall Wee know are come, & yet remaine among-ws : As few are found fuch families before, That may and will accept or want of more. 1 6 A Theatre of 12. ®abiti» Lellie, pag. Earle of Huntingtoune, brother to King William, and nepot ^^4- to King David i ; went with Philip and Ritchard, Kings off Hoi., pag. 191, France and England, to the Sacred Warrs, where, after great Scot.hin.,cS;i95. renoun and worfliipe, woun innumerable perrills with great Boece, lib. 13. patience, manheid, and magnanimitieoverpafl, returned home, fol. 285, 286, founded Lundoirs, and flooriflied the yeare of Chrifl 1219. A Gencrall nought be my chance bot chofe, lo. lonft.. I" Paleftine wnto the warrs I went, P- 7- To conqueis fame wpon the faithlefs foes : Where firft to my renoun my regiment Took Achon, in a citie fenc'd with forts, And plac'd the Lion pinfell on her ports. Out through a thowfand perrills I have paft. And with no mene miffortouns I have met; Marr'd on the maine & on the waters waft, On that with bloes, on this with billoes bet: Yet both thofe flormes flill ftoutlie I fuftain'd With valour that with wifdome this preivein'd. Without adventuring I noe worfliip wanne, Nor did but perrell purchafs any praife; A conq'ror now, o'recame & captive than, No fmall diftrefs indur'd I in my dayes: ""^ Where danger dwelt, yea from the dures of death, I pul'd perforce, & oft reported fpreathe. Scottifh Worthies. i 7 13. ^ir aiejcaitDcr ^teuarn* Grandfather to King Robert the 2, att the Larges vanquifhed Hoi., Scot. hift., the Danes, & flew 24M of thair men, chaifed ther King and ^^^' '^^' ^°°' Captanes Acho to his fliipps, & dehvered his countrie from Boetius, lib. there tirranie and oppreffion. He floriflied the yeare of '3' ° • ^ 9- Chria 1268. Wat the thow northeafb ryfe into thy raige, And ftufif our ftations with thy tours of trie, lo. lonft., This hand and fword thy fweling fliall affuage, ^^' ' And chace the from our fchores wnto the fea: My boldnefs bot & nought my bands fliall beat the, My fortitude & nought my force defeat the. Thy awfull Acho, that vfurper I Gave att the Largs a foull yet famous foile, Where numbers of thy Norces left yet ly A fpe6lacle to fpecifie there fpoile; And yet I have the fortitude & whips In nead to beat the bleiding to thy fhips. Bot think not for my felfe, as thow & thync Wnjuftly thus my panes a croun prepares, Albeit it may be I indeed devine The fame fomctyme fhall hapine to my heires : And of my blood fliall come more crouned Kings Nor now beneath the airie region reigns. C 1 8 A Theatre of 14. Cl)oma0 Carle of Carricfe* Leilie, in ihe Earle of Atholl, John Stewart, brother to Alexander of Dun- lyfeofK. Alex""- donald, Alexander Cuming, Robert Keith, George Durvard, ,' '^ , ^ Tohn Ouincie, & William Gordon, honorable commanders, liol.,intlieScol. , . , . , liift.. pag. 202. worthie captanes, and com'agious knights, att the command of Alexander the 3d, condu6ling with the 1600 fouldiers went to Africk with San6l Lewes, the French King, who defyred aide att the faid Alexander, which honorable & worthie men all dyed there, aither wpon the enemeis fword, or be the intemperait aire & heat of the countrie, the yeare of Chrifl 1270. Boece, lib. The woiidrous, willing, and the worthie zeall That yow, our faithfull fathers, did inflame, To fence and free the Chriftian Commonweell, More nor to fpread & fet afloat ther fame, From tirranie and from the Turkifli thrall, Wpbraids our aige, & it the cold does call. The perrill of your perfons, nor your paines, Heat, hunger, hoftile ftrengthe, nor all extreams Impaflit yow not to pafs the partched plaines, And dryed wp defarts brunt with Phebus beams; But worthie yow went by your warlick works From Saleins ftrengthes for to extrude the Turks. As thefe attempts yow now immortall makes. And bolded lies aboue both the globs your glorie, So they this foile of flouth doth taint, doeth tax, And fhoues it fliould be both afliam'd & forie; Since it containes fo manie knights, God knows, Yet all fo cairlcfs of the Chriftian caufe. Scottifh Worthies. 19 Lord of Boote, Bunele, Ranfrew, Rothfay, and Stewardtoune, Holin.. Scot. left be the Governour Wallas, and be the flight of the ' '.' ^'° Cuming, fuflained the charge of all the Englifh armie, and ^ '^' ^^^^' ~ valiantlie feighting with 10,000 of his freinds & followers, was flaine att Falkirk the yeare of Chrifl 1300. When Wallafs honor, which his valor wan, Boetius. The craftie Cumine fo to fpred efpy'd, fol' l^i Firft att his greatnefs he to gnidge began. Then wrongouflie his worthinefs envied ; But, wanting valor to exprefs his fpight, Cauf'd me wnkyndh'e quarrel! with that knight. Which counfalls contraire to the Common-weell lo. Maioi, No little bale wnto the countrie bred, fo. 71. And made my felfe for his offence to feell, That onlie faultie Avas and feeblie fled : When flilie he hade fct ws by the eares To give our foes advantage in the weares. Yet tho o'rewhelm'd with ane o'rematch of men, Deferted to, bot nought therby difgrac'd, I neither quench'd nor cam'd my courage then, Bot att Falkirk of all left to the laft; I'll follow'd feightand for my countrie ftood, Backt by my brandans to my knees in blood. 20 A Theatre of 1 6. ^ir 3!ol)u (tB»ml)ame» Holin., Scot. Ane couragious knight, companion, and fellow in armes to hiii., pag. 2IO. j-]^g valliant Wallace in all his enterpryfes, was flaine in the defence of his countrie att Falkirk, the yeare of Chrifl 1300. Boet. lib ■'^'^y pi'ovefs paft my pedegree does prove, 14, fol. 307. And my defairts deduces my defcent; Wnto my countrie and this land my love, While that the laft fpunk of my fprit was fpent, Makes me the emuU of his fa6ls & fame, That firft gave honor & renouned our name. pa. 10. fc."^ I was his fellow & his faithfuU frynd, Into his age the ornament of armes, And alwayes in his a6lions to my end, A partner both of his good haps & harmes; lo. lonft., Aiicj by himfelfe (albeit I was the worft) Account'd of his followers the firft. Att Falkirk feild, wherin a fox bot faeth Seids of feditione & diffention few, Which made that day prove difmall by the death Of notable and noblemen anew: My felfe there ane, it was too clearlie knoun, Was flaying flaine, not vanquifli'd nor o'rethroune. Scottifh Worthies. 2 1 17. ^ix milliam mallact. Made Governor after the death of Alexander 3 for his glorie in ^°^"^' Scot. y, liilt., pag. 209, armes, comparable to the moll excellent, nottable, & moll 210. antient captanes, ane man both for his flrength «S: floutnefs Lellie, pag. 236. matchlefs & admir'd, moll conftant he defended his countrie, delivered her from thraldome thrice ; a knight couragious &: Boetius, hb.^ mofl memorable, betrayed to his enemeis by a too much 307, 308, 310. betrufled frynd, the yeare of Chrifl 1305. Who e're more famous and more full of force, Into that aige was any where brought furth, Ne're put in warre with valour to the wors, But always equall for his wondrous worth To He6lor, Haniball, to Hercules, lo. Maior, Or to th' Athenian Themiflocles. IjJ- ^[^%\ When all our Barrens were in bondage bound, Allone a libertine (this brave) abode; No worth nor wifdomc could his valour wound, Nor oft attempted on his treuth could trode: His greateft foes, forc'd on there faith, affirms J°; I'^'f" He was the glorie of his age in armes. This famous, yet ne're forced by his foe, i His freind profeft tho falfe did fnare wee fee, If treafon can trew fortitude o'rethrow, When with all hardinefs & honor he Intruded tirranes hade outthrufled thrife; Betraied in torments he triumphs & dies. 2 2 A Theatre of . 1 8. ^ir golju Cumm; And Sir Simon Frazer, two bardie and honorable knights, famous for defaiting with 8000 men in one day three feverall tymes three diverfe armies of Englifhmen, everie one con- fifling of 10,000 flrong, att Rofling, the 24 day of Februar, the yeare of Chrifl 1302. If force with lyke and equall force defeat, The victors valour, paines, and praifes prove, Then with difvantage viclrie win I wait, Should more nor praife & admiration move : Advance the virtue, & the manhead mount Paft credit of the conqu'rors in account. Whofe provefs thane depoftulats more praife, Or who (moft martiall) admiratione more. Since that your deids condignlie in your dayes Made yow to match, if not in fame before, Boece, lib. jj^gf^, Romans bold that Haniball debel'd, 4, fo. 308. And from all pairts of there Empyre expel'd. lo. lohnaon, Att Rolling, with eight thowfand men att moft, ,j^ *' ^^' Ye in one day fought & defeated thrife Three tymes ten thowfand in ane Englilh hoft; lo. Major, A happilie perfected interpryfe, i_j' ' Which to yow both, tho dead, diffolv'd, & rotten, Perpetuall praife & glorie lies begotten. Scottifh Worthies. 23 19. ^ix Mobtxt ^leemmg* A honorable and valeant gentleman, ane of the tirll. that joyned with King Robert Bruce before the llaughter of the Cuming, and conflantlie followed him in all his fortouns, and was rewarded therfore with the Lordfliip of Combernald, pertaining to the faid Cuming. He floorifhed in the yeare of Chrifl 1305. That conquering- King, & ne're conquer'd Knight, Carnarvans fcourge, he that the Cumine kill'd, When famous fa6ls, when fame & force in fight, The regions moft remote & fareft field, He the couragious, kind, and conftant knew Firfl att Dumfries, when he his feller flew. Then in his fturrs and tempefts inteftine, Hoet., lib. The hot with rebells and his bondmen borne, ''^' '^' ^'°' Whom he brought to obey that fhould have been By law his fervants & his fubjecls fworne; So thow did ferve, & did fupport that Prince, That mak's thyfelfe and feed fo cel'brat fince. Thy faith in both his fortouns firme he fand, Sincere ftill foore and moft inteire he try'd, It but a flot or any ftumbling ftand, Wntainted trew wnto the day thou dy'd ; Which worthic verteus thus reward he wald, By giving the the countic Cumbernald. 24 A Theatre of 20. ^ir button ftam* And Sir Walter Logane, moR valiant Knights, greatlie Holin., Scot. favouring there countrie, were betrayed, & taken by the ■' I'^^' -'5- fadlion of the Cumins, fent to London, & there execut the yeare of Chrifl 1306. lo. lonft., For being loyal to our native land, Scot^^ :>a.^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^ ^^^'^^ ^^^^ ^^^^ bound to beare, II- The Cumine, att the Englifli Kings command, Betray'd and led ws wnto London, wheare lo. Major, Wec fuffer'd for no other found offence, But difapproving that wfurping Prince. If't be a break where wee was bound to bide. Or treafone to our countrie to be trew; If fubje6ls flip t'affifl there foveraignes fide, Againft a King that all the world kne-w, Sought to fubje6l ws by the fword, then wee Confefs wee fail'd & by defarte did die. But when great Scevol, with a wondrous will, Encourag'd only by his countries love, Did mint tho mift th'Etrufcan King to kill. That Pagan Prince more pitiful! did prove: He praif'd his fprit, & did affe6l his faith, And then preferv'd him from a prefent deith. lib. 4, fo. 80. Scottifh Worthies. 25 21. CtittartJ I5ruce» Ane mofl advenlrus Prince, brother to King Robert i., for the Holin. Scot. fame of his valor by the Eflates of Ireland was chofen & h'^-' pag- 221. crouned ther King, in a battell there againefl the Englifh, Leilie, pag. 247. overmatched with a multitude of men, nought abyding the Boet., 14 book, coming of his brother King Robert, but haiflening to fight, '^^P- ">fol- 214- was flaine, att Dundack, the yeare of Chrifl 13 16. Altho the merits of this martiall man Envie would wrong, tyme & occafion fmother, Or preas for to fupprefs his praife, what thane? It fhall fuffice he was the Braces brother, Whom Fame lies for a Neo-Mars renoun'd, And Scotland for her Knight & Conqu'ror croun'd. O ! but his ventrus valour in the warrs. And great groun glorie of his fa6ls & fame, lo. lo., So was difperft and pearft the Irifli ears, P'''" ^^ '^ ^^' Who nearlic noting his renoun & name, As ane weell-worthie in there inter-regne. Prince Edward they appoynt & crouns ther King. Who oft there foes defaiting there he fought, j^ ^^■ And tam'd them too that wndertook to tort-him, fp- 87, Whill once too fordward for to fight would nought ' ' ^" Stay on his brother pofting to fupport him; Yet not fo much by force as Fortouns fpight, Thair fell the Irifh King, the Scottifli Knight. D 26 A Theatre of 22. ^it* famejs ©otsDglafjs, Holin., Scot. The heroick adherent, faithful! follower of King Robert Bruce, ni^ft.. pag- -2\ .jj^^j partner of all his adventures and vicflories ; after his death, Lcflie Dap ""o ^'^ perfomic his Princes vow, went to the Holy Grave with his Boece m Iwok Princes hart to be intered there, who, after 57 tymes vi6lorie cap. pag. 219, againefl the Engliflimen, and 13 tymes againft the Infidells, cnp'r" 16 ' •" ^^^^ returne throw Spaine, inclofed with ane ambufh, was lo Maior lib llaine with his followers, the 26 of Augufl, the yeare of S,"fo. Sis.'siS. Chria 1330. What Kefare, King, or what conqueftor knew lo. lo., A fubje6l then wnto this clieeff a chofc.'' ^^ "• Anc match for Mars, whofe doeing did fubdue, And feaventie tymes in fight defeat his foes: O valor worthie of Apollos fpirit! More nor to mount t'immortaleize his merit. No mortall man durft doc or doubt indure, But (Pirrhus peer) he fuffered & perform'd, And att the bondage that his countrie boore His high gainftanding ftomach ever ftorm'd; While that his bled the thunder bolting brafe Her to her former freedome did reduce. But heir when matter for his martiall might, Nor for unforc't his ftrengthe was to withftand. Then paft this Captane & this conquring Knight, T'entomb his Princes hart in the Holy Land, Wher, after forcing oft the Infidell, While then ay fortunat this famous fell. Scottifli Worthies. 27 23. ^ir malttt ileflte» Earle of Rofs, caled, for his magnitude of mynd and ftrength of bodie, the Wight, wha in diverfe warrs againfl the Infidells Ledie, with Charles the 4 Emperor, by his wifdorae & great valour ^'^' ' obtained great honor & renoun ; of whom are defcended the Earles of Rothes and diverfe others barrons, wha received from King Malcolm the Firfl, then from his fuceffor, large lands in Fyfe, Angous, Cowrie, & Garioch. He flooriflied the yeare of Chrift 1329. Worthie Sir Walter, whom the world cal'd Wight, And for thy love & to thy honor wf'd, To note the with the name of noble Knight, And in our dayes wee by Tradition doef 't : Welcome from Buda here, or Belgrade rather. To Brittanie came thy foir-famous father, Whofe forefight, faith, & force infatigable, That flout King Malcolme oft & treulie tri'd, In purchafmg a place inexpugnable, (Then feiming fo) which hade his force defi'd: That fteep flrong rock, that high o'rc Edin ftands, And lykc a lord o'relooks all Lauthean lands. He here att hame, thow in the Sarc'n warres, With Second Lues, and with Charles the Fourt, Moft eminent fliew lyke two ftrcaming ftarres, Both heir & there into the camp & court; Whcrby yow both into the books of Fame, For Knights compleet have eterniz'd your name. 28 A Theatre of 24. ^ir C^Wliam finder* And Sir Walter Logan, two honorable and hardie Knights, Boete, 15 book, famous for there fortitude in the warrs of King Robert Bruce, C3.D I xyosT 2 1 ' " * and then for the going to the Holy Land with his hart, and for many knightlie deeds in the Sacred Warrs, where they were flaine, the yeare of Chrift 1330. The conftant courage & the loiall love, The hardie hearts, the reddines of hands, Whill that the ftrong King ftiff & ftoutlie ftrove By force & fcight to free (halfe left) his lands; That in thir two, tried in his worthie warrs, Makes them now gUfter lyke two golden ftarrs. lo. lonft.. The oppofitions & alterations oft, P^' "• That to impead thair Prince his peace appear'd. Made nought ther gallants leave him while aloaft On honors rock his roiall ferge was reir'd: lo. Major, No, Hor when dead ; but both, lo ! after death lib. 5, fo. 98. -phir Knisfhts well kith'd to leave ther Lord were leath. 'fc>' For with that hardie Counte that hade his harte. To be inhumed att the Holy Grave, This pare therewith to pafs prepair'd depairt To do't the honor lafl that it fliould have; Which deulie done, as the deceaft deferv'd, Gainft Saracens whill they were flaine they ferv'd. Scottifh Worthies. 29 229, et 225. Leflie, pag. 2^1. Boece, 15 book, cap. I, fol. ii8. 25. Cljomais BauDolpl^c, Earle of Murray, nephew to King Robert Bruce, for his wifdome Holin., Scot. & valour fecond to non of his qualitie in his dayes, & ther- ^^^•> P^g- 228 & fore choifen be his wncle (in regaird of his infirmitie) in his oun time to governe the Kingdome; ficklyke governed happihe for his coufmg, King David 2, in his minoritie; died, poyfioned att the defire of his enemeis by a monk, a coun- terfite phifitiane, the yeare of Chrifl 133 1. Egregious Earle! thow by thy mightie minde Declares the nepot to the noble King, And reconfirms this knowledge of thy kinde, By deeds of hand & bardie hazarding ; Att Bannockburn thow gallantlic begane That wondros vi6lorie that thy wncle wane. The heart of He6lor, & Achilles hand, With th' eloquent & wife Vliffes witt, Into thy bofomc with the brafen band Of pregnant & politique knowledge knitt, Made the to meritt the mageftick mace, T'impire {he Iciving) in thy Prince his place, Which Roume thow reul'd with witt & valor fo, As ay the end was regular & right. Defending frinds, affronting ftill thy foe, That could nocht flay bot fhift the by a flight ; Yet in the giving wpe thy ghoft thow gain'd (He forft) triumph & viclorie obtain'd. lo. lonft., pa. 13. ^o A Theatre of 26. ^ix 0. 1$mmMltom. Holiii Scot Author of his name in Scotland, fled from King Edward Car- hift., pag". 224. narvon to King Robert Bruce, after the flaughter of one Leflic, 7 book, Spencer, that hade detra6led the vi6lorious King Robert, pag. 248. ^^.j^^ gladeUe received knighthood, and gave him the lands p^Tq fol^226' °^ Cadzow to mantaine his Rate, of whom are defcended the name & noble houfs of Hamiltone, fo floorifliing att this day. He leived the yeare of Chrifl 13 14. lo. lonft., Clear kithing valor in a vertuous Prince ^^" '^' Forc't the agaiiift thy countrie, faith, and freind, (Appeal'd be Spencer) feiglit in his defence, Whofe iffue made more eminent in end: His valour wrong'd, and this by weaknefs flrong, To ftill by ftrength th' untrew detraftors tongue. Wherfore thow loft thy countrie, kin, and king, And fled enforc'd a fugitive from thence To Scotland, to a bountefull benigne, And then of all the moft accompliflit Prince, Who trepHe the thy interefts reftor'd, And with the ftill to be his knight decor'd. Thair was no wrong to make a worthie change. To lofs thy king and countrie gods ingrate, Who for advancing virtue wold revenge, And Harn'toune the for helping honor hate; Bot couards, non bafs borne or fimple feed, Darr the detra6l or difcommend thy deed. Scottifh Worthies. 31 Regent in the minoritie of David Bruce, did nottable and much Holin., Scot, good fervice to his countrie, flrook & wan the battell of l^si'7^^^ Panmure, defeated the Cumins, followers of the BalioU, Lgjiie, 7, pag. chafed the Englifh att Roxburgh, and took manie flrongholds 254. to his Majeflies vfe, and fome wnprofitable demoliflied. He Boece, 15 book, flooriflied the yeare of Chrift 1332. tlap.'gX^zii Thy fortitude, fidelitie, & fafts Wnto thy fame affords a fairer face, Since for a Murrays mifs amends thow makes, To exulat that former great difgrace, And gaine once loft renoune unto thy name, lo. lonft., By him that pitch'd the ftaike into the ftreame. pa. 14. Into th' wnjuft and bloodie Baliolls warrs, A troubl'd tyme & full of dangerous daies. Through ftrength of fteall wpon the points of fpears, The vigor of thy valour made thy waies, And fliortlie did pcrforme & interpryfe So much as m.ight a captanes aige fuffife. For by thy might and manhood neir amated, lo. Major, The ftrongeft ftrengths was feafed on & fliaken, 101,^102, And in the feild the foes in fight defeated, io3- So thow triumph'd the tyme that thow was taken: Nought in thy flight bot following too faft, Thow in thair wards unwares & powers paft. A Theatre of Holin., Scot, hift., pag. 230 &231. Boece. 15 book, pag. 2. 220. lo. Major, fol. 98. lo. lonfL, pag. 14. 28. aicjcantjcr LmDCa^* Lord of Glenefl.:, cheif of his name, a honorable and hardie Knight; with fourfcore of his name, were flaine in amies for defence of thair King, David Bruce, in that wnfortunat contli6l att Duphne, the yeare of Chrift 1332. Who will not, Duplinc, bot difdaine thy day, Or rather raige to name thy noyfome nights, Since mifregaird with treafone did betray To couards too, fo many counts & knights ; And yet a boutcherlic committed murther. But all aftivitie in armes or order. Tho Fortune keith'd a frynd wnto thy foe, Thow with the boldeft barrens of thy blood. In that fouU confli6l fighting failed noe, But ftoutlie whill ye were deftroy'd ye ftood; To let thefe theeves & cut-throats couards knaw, But Fortoun nought ther force did yew o'rethraw. Bot heir behold your fourfcore famous freinds. Into the verie loffrng of there life, With the ther captane and there cheif contends (A glolious moft ftout & ftaitlic ftryfe); For this ther countrie that ther nonaige nurft, Who fhall doe beft and doing who die firft. Scottifh Worthies. ^^ 29. 2IliUiam !^ai?» Earle of Erroll, llaine with his haill name, & if nought be Holin., Scot, the Divyne Providence, he hade left his wyfe with chyld, ^ift., pag. 231. who boare him a fone after his death, his name and race Boece, 15 hade bein extinguifhed att Duphne, the yeare of Clirifl 1332. '^°°'^'' ^^P- ^' Was it our fate, misfortoune, or our foes? Was it our fond affiance in our force? lo. Major, Or was't our pride & plaine contempt of thofe P^^' ^ ' That murder'd ws but mercie or remorcc? Yea all concur'd was caufes & o'recame-ws, lo. lonfl., And therfore all this day they doe condem-ws. '^^''^' ^^' Yet creuell all, why did there wraiths devoure? And was more mercilefs to me & myne, Then to the reft in ane wnhappie houre, To leave no living man in all my lyne; And fo my race have rooted out & rais'd, In paffed times fo for there provefs prais'd. If not a ftronger nor the ftrength of man, That Faits & Fortoune does difdaine & fcorne. Hade fowne the feed, and fend in a fone, that thane Was in his mothers bellie & wnborne, Wnto th' eftate my race for to reftorc. To fight for it, as was my forme before. E 34 A Theatre of o o o. ^iv lEobett i^eitl^. Holin., Scot. Sone to Robert, Earle Marfliall, with manie of his name, flaine ' l^''^' ^^^' at DupHne, couragiouflie reveng'd there death, took by affault Perth, fortified by the Baleoll, difmantled it, flew thefe therin that hade bein att the feild of Duphne, and Boece, 15 book, execute Andrew JMurray for liis treafone att Earnfoord, the pag. 221, cap. 3. yeare of Chrifl. 1332. Id. Major, Thy laiids, mens lofs, thy freinds^ & fathers fall, fo. 98. jj^^^ Qj^ ^^^^ doolfull day att Dupline dy'd, Thow to revenge, bold inyndcd Martiall, Thy valorous vindi6live fprit apply 'd, lo. lonft., And to releive what all the land thought loft, P^- ^S- Wherby the countrie or the King was croft. Thy interpryfes into everie pairt, They were feconded with a good fuccefs, Concording with thy hautinefs of heart, Thy virtue, valour & thy worthinefs : There was noe foe nor ftrength that could withftand, But thow dang doun, o'recame, & did command. Perth, ftronglie ftuff'd with the Baleolls bands, And packed with his peers & principalis, Thofe thow hemn'd in with hardinefs of hands, And ventrouflie wan & went o're the walls : The ftifborne then thow ftikked that Avithftoode, Or hade att Dupline fhed the Barrens bloode. Scottifli Worthies. 35 31. s>ir ^IctanUer ketone. Cheefe & Lord of his name, a faithfull Knight to his countrie, ^°^"^' ^'^°^ . .... hift., pag. 232. greatlie incouraiged by his nianhe-minded wife, choos'd rather to fuffer his two fones die by the tirranie of King Ldlie, pag. 252. Edward, then to deliver Ber^nck (committed to his bq^^^ i-bool: cuflodie) to that perfidious King, the yeare of Chrill 1333. cap. 4, fo. 222. Give no attendance to that tirrans threats, lo. Major, Nor yet obc}' that boutcher for his boaft, ^" Suppofe our fones he now with ftrangling ftraits, Yet wee are young, altho they both be loft; Bot once our honor with a treafone tainted Can never be repeated thought repented. Our children knowes them for there countrie borne, lo. lonft.. And for this Toune they take it & efleam them; P^' '^• Therfore the gallants they difdaine & fcorne, That fo yow fhould or ranfone or redeem them : No, no, deir Lord! or thow this toune betray, They both fhall die a glorious death this day. O faithfull father (& bot feconds) fones. But matchlefs mother for thy manlie minde. And of true honor the triumphant twinns ! And but compare wnto your countrie kinde. Where fhall fuch famous faithfull four be found. So (for lyke courage) worthie to be croun'd. 2)6 A Theatre of 32. arcI)lialD ?^otD9lafj3» Hoi., Scot, hifl., Earle of Dowglafs, Regent ; with the greatell pairt of the nobiUtie, pag. 232 & 233. eaniefl to revenge the wrongs done by King Edward to his Leflie, pag. 253, countrie, & that infamous and perfidious fa(5l done to the fones of Sir Alexander Seaton, inconfideratly fought att can. t;' fol 22" ' Hahdoun-hill, and was llaine with the cheiffe of the nobihtie cap. 5, fol. 223 about him, the yeare of Chrifl 1333. That feeble fa6l againes the law of amies, And furor of that proud perfidious Prence, Infineit hurts, hoftilitie, & harmes, With daylie domage, wrong & violence lo. Major, Done to my countrie & that conftant Knight, ° ^^' Could nought hot force a fazarde for to fight. lo. lonfl., Wherfore my fprit, o'reloathing to delay, pag. 16. Deferr revenge, or wink att fuch a wrong, To Haledoun on Magdalens day I came & coaped with that tirrane ftrong, Wherein the choak, hade not my fortoun chang'd, I hade reverted vi6lor & reveng'd. O bot file frounde! and there my chance did clieake, And gave my luck, bot not my manhead, mate ; A fainzed flight my bands beleiving breake, Wherby fuch were the furie of our fate They both & I was in the danger drawne. So fell I fearclie following vv'ith my awne. Scottifh Worthies. ^^^ 3. giol^n aSanDolpli* _,,_,, ^- ,^ „ Hoi., Scot, hid., Earle of Murray, fone to Earle Thomas, Regent, alio was Go- p^g. 23ic>c235. vernor himfelfe for King David j with great honor difcharged Boece, 13 book, that office, and in a mofl turbulent tyme did great & good cap.7&8,fo.235, , . ,. . ^^ „ . „ ^ . . ixcap. 3, fo. 231. fervice to his King i^ countrie. He tionfhed the yeare of Chrift 1336. Thy faith & fa6ls with forwardnefs, but feare, In fouleft ftorms for ftanding of the State, Does foorelie fliow thow was his fone & heire, That for it ftood in many ftoure and ftraite, lo. Major, And ever where moft perrell was appearing °" ^'" Was there found firft & with the laft reteering. The precious pairts plac'd in thy parents fpreit, ^°- ^o"*^-' Into thy courage kith'd & doeth decore the, Match'd with thy minde there to remaine thy meit. Which whill he was, wes found in him before-the : To make the perfe6l, if noght fo, yet fuch As from thy countrie does demerite much. With handfulls bot of men thow match'd & met Flocks of thy foes & with good fortoune fought them ; Thofe too that durft rebell thow bravelie bet, And in time cuming to be trew thow taught them: Who did fuch fa6ls performe, nor could conclude. Except a branclic borne of the Bruces bloode. 38 A Theatre of Hoiin., Scot. 34- l^atncli ©umbar* hid., pag. 230, 231. Earle of March, Governor with Andro Murray (nough he Leflie, 7 book, caled Corfpatrick), famous for nianie fadls & his conRancie ^^S- ^51- ill the defence of his countrie. He flooriflied under King Boece, 15 book, q^^j^ 2, the yeare of ChriR 1336. cap. 3, fo. 221. ' •' ^^ lo. Major, What Csefar fomtymes wnto Tullie told ^°- '°'- His foe may fitlie be afifirm'd of the; He faw him flow & he did know him cold In that Avhich did concerne himfelfe, faid he; Bot what the Senat or did touch the Toune, "'■ In that implacable & importoune. lo. lonft., So for thy countrie thy continuall care, P' • Refpecling nought thy perfone nor thy paines, Moft manlie March, moft clearlie does declare. That Marcus meaning in thy mynd remains; For by thy force thow did in her defence No lefs nor he by arte & elocjiuence. Into thy tyme, ane ill & angrie aige. When all this ill was weded wnto warr, (Pure peace expel'd) and nothing rang bot rage, Ay with the Bruce then was thow, bold Dumbarr: To foes and freinds, when't was thy chance to charge, To thefe a terror & to the other a targe. Scottifh Worthies. 39 35. ^(r ^ilejcanDtr d^ortione^ Anevaleant and worthie Knight, led the rereguarde in the batell Boece, 15 book, of Halidoun-hill, who couragiouflie (tho with crofs fortoune) ° • 33i' "ne 70. fought, yet returned faife, & att Kildrimmie kiled David ^^''^^^fo^^o^^'^' Cumen, Earle of Atholl, ane enemie to liis countrie. He 15 book, flooriflied in the yeare of Chrifl 1336. Thy manic marks, and on thy fcalp the fkarrs, lo- lonft., And varrous wounds, that yet thy breafl does bear. Got in our wrackfull & invafive warrs, Were they reveiwed would witnefs thow was there : One both that gote and gave oft overthrowes, Freind to the Bruce, but fatall to his foes. When that perfidious & difloyall Lord, Wnto his King and countrie tryed wntrue. For Englands fake oft hade wnfheath'd his fuord, And to King David diverfe fubje6ls flew, Thow kil'd him, to thy honor, with thy hands, Among the bold and braveft of his bands. At Halidoun yet nought thought Fortoune froun'd. Thy heart nor hand into the feighting fail'd, That vi6lonc did nought thy valour wound, Nor tho they wan that vantage & prevail'd, Was hurt thy honor, nor the fame of thofe, That fell thereby the fortoune of there foes. 40 A Theatre of O 6. ^if muiiam teitl). Holin., Scot. Sir Robert Gordone, and Sir Lawrence Preflone, three couragious 1 ■' P^S- 237- Captanes, overthrew and defeated two Enghfli Armies con- duded by William Talbot & Ritchard Montfort; the faid Talbot was taken by William Keith after the difcomfiture of his people, and the other, Montfort, flaine be the faid Robert & Lawrance, with the maifl pairt of his companeis, the yeare of Chrifl 1337. Boece, lib. Your mother countrie, with incurnons croft, 15; P- 333-! With forranc force, and with onfrends infefted, Togedder with inteftine tumults toft, And multituds of miferies molefted, lo. Major, Your fprits with pittie her concuffion kills, °" ^°-^' And caus'd yow fpare to obviat her ills. When on the feilds ye th' Englifli forces fand, Ranping in raige & lyke the Furies fairing, Diftroying all and with a hungrie hand, No, not fo much as facred places fpairing. Nor anie fex, but where there forces flitted, A hudge & cruell carnage they committed. Then juftlie Avas your angers fet on raige, And your bold breifts with bloodie famine fill'd, Whofe fwcling could noucht fettle nor affuage, While that your courage hade there cohorts kill'd, And Talbot tanc that boafted the fubjecling. Of Croun & King, tho fail'd in the efife6ling. Scottifli Worthies. 41 37. ^ix ^ilejcantier asamfa^. Of Dalhoufie, one of the mofl valiant Captanes that was knowen Hoi., Scot. in his dais J after manic imployments & vidlories over the ^ "' P^" ^^^' enemeis of his countrie, his advancment by his adverfare, Boece, lib. 15. William Dowglafs, of Liddisdale, invied was by a pollicie, ^^- 33o. 334- by him apprehended, imprifoned, and inhumanlie forced to die by famen, the yeare of Chrifl 1342. O hade my fortoune favored me fo farre, lo. Major, And made me bleft by bein^ one of thofe, ^'^J- ^°^i ^°3. That in the countries caufe & common warre, With glorie fell in fight amongft her foes ! I hade not now one creweltie exclam'd, lo. lohnft., Nor hade my foe bein for his fa6l defam'd. P^' ^^' ^9- Or hade I there then perifli'd, I proteft it, (Att the Englifh doors when I defait thair hoft, And after that took Roxburgh or I reftit), My death hade given no grciff wnto my Ghoft, That griev'd now groans, becaus I was referv'd In Hermitage, for to be hunger-ftarv'd. Yet want of fpreit, nor power to repell Efifronts, nor force brought me wnto this bay, Since non was knowen that could my courage quell, Nor with his valor wrong me anic way: Altho with pollicie fuppryfed, yet I, Maugre my foe, difdaining death did die. F 42 A Theatre of 38. fiBiUiam €. ?^0U8laCj5. hift., p'ag. 238. Lord of Liddifdale, a Knight & Captane (if he hade not mightilie hurt his honor by the flarving to death of Sir Boece, lib. 15, Alexander Ranifay in Caflell Hermitage), for many high '^' ^^ ' interpryfes hardihe performed, manie vi(5lories valorouflie obtained, and much good fervice done to his countrie, lo. lonft., nottable, famous, & renouned. Floorifhed the yeare of ^°'- ^9- Chria 1342. Thaife glorious gifts that make a gallant great, Witt, valor, will, a breaft robuft and bold, With freinds and Fortoune to performe each feat, From thy elders thow in heretadge did hold ; And what more Mars could grant, his freinds profeft, By Nature thow as proper thine poffeft. lo. Major, Nought given in vane nor granted was thefe graces, j^;^' ° Bot nottable moft when thy natione needs, A thowfand prooffs into a thowfand places Thow gave of thefe, brave Dowglafs, by thy deeds ; And if nought with Dalhoufies death diftain'd, Thow hade the glorie of thy grandfirs gain'd. Bot that wnworthie and fo vile revenge. Still Treuth & Tyme as moft ignoble netted, Whilk now noe collor nor excufe can clenge, "• So palpablie thy reputatione fpotted, That one treffpafs thy praifes all hes fpoil'd. And all thy Aveell done former fa6ls hes foiled. Scottifh Worthies. 43 A memorable and worthie KLnight, encountering with the EngHfh, oftentymes vi6loriouflie, took Sir John Lilborne there Holin., Scot. Captane, after the faid Sir John Gordone hade renewed the '"^■' P""^' ^46- fight fix tymes in ane day; therafter took Thomas Mufgrave, Captane of Berwick, and with fome Knights, his corapUfhes, affaulted the Toune and tooke it, the yeare of Chrifl 1378. When March & Murray privilie furpryfed, And Roxburgh reft out of the Englifh hands, They to revenge, into there wraith devis'd. To burne our holdings and lay waift our lands; Who with thair armie entring and begane. And what was thyn they robbers firft o'reran. Whofe raige for to refift and to requyte, What they to the in ther difpite hade done, Thaire fpoile with fpoile and pryde with plaine difpyte, Thy freinds and force thow did affemble foone ; But what effefls thy fouror there afforded, Raph Holinflied thair Cronicler recorded. Six tymes thow faught, & five tymes in that day (Freind to thy foes) on the thy fortoune froun'd, Yet ever thow wrg'd and reenforc'd the fray, Whill thow was victor & with conquefl croun'd ; Lilburn, Mufgrave, thair captanes to decore the, (Bervick debel'd) paft priffoners before the. 44 A Theatre of 40. 91ame)S3 €ax\t of ©ouglafe- liolin., Scot. For his hardinefs called the Bellicofs, famous for wonderfull & '>1q^^ vi6lories atcheived over his enemeis, & fpecillie being challenged be the Lord Perfie to the combat for difmunting him before Newcaflell, and his notable viclorie obtained att Otterburne, where, thrice Rricken throw the bodie, he died after the wining of the feild, in the reigne of Robert 2d, the day of the yeare of Chrifl 1388. What for his Rome did Mark Marcellus more, Nor for thy countrie thow gave overthrows, lo. Major, Or thofe Horatii got they greater glore, 1%, 118. ^^^' thow combating for thy countries caufe, Or who amongft the antique for ther acls. Was found nor thow more famous for ther fa6ls ? et 345- Boece, lib. Moft inclite Earlc, kenc & couragious Knis^ht! et'^dt; ^'^ Who dow thy deeds, thy praife & provefs pen.^ Who can fet furth thy fame into that fight (Sought to the fame) before Newcaftell, when Thy ftrong fteel'd ftaff, with fervor of thy force, Hees'd hot-fpur'd Percies heels above his horfe.-' lo. lonfl pa. 19. Lykc Hercules cled with his club or clave. Where moft repair'd thow in the preas did pafs. And knightlie there, bold, bcUicos & brave, Thow multituds did maw doun with thy mace: Neir Otterburne, att one tyme vi6lore twyfe, Thow thaire the Campioun of thy countrie dies. Scottifli Worthies. 45 And Patrick Hepburne, his fone, Lords of Hailles; John Lord Leilie in his Keith, Marflmll of Scotland; & the Lord Montgonirie, ^'^°^- ^^o"-' 4 worthie Nobles & valorous Knights, gave mofl memorable marks of there raartiall mynds, and notes of there trew nobilitie, in the battell of Otterburne, where the firfl two are faid to have reflored the battell, almod lofl, and the Lord Montgomrie took priffoner Henrie Percie, generall of the Boece lib. i6 Englifh armie, & the faid Lord Marfhall took his brother, P-'^- 345- Rodolph Percie, and brought them both priffoners home. They floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1388. Moft honorable both Hepburne of the Haills, Montgomrie thow, & thow courageous Keths, Att Otterburne your valour all availls; And there your deeds deferves now after death, Yea, pithelie prows, demonftrations ftrong, j°- Major, From whence your ne're cxpyring praife hes fprung. For in that bloodie, feirce & famous feight, Where aufull Angous, that egregious Earle, A Mars for magnitoodc of mynd & might. And for his princlie pairts & fpreit a pearll, Alace! for pittie was tranfperfed thrice, And yet triumphing & a vi6lor dies. The virtue of your valors fo prevail'd, That it reciuced that declyning day. And vi6loric to ws and honor hail'd From thefe proud Percies with plaine worth away: Where thow. Count Marfhall, & Montgomrie thow, Thaire feighting took thofe captanes captive too. 46 A Theatre of 42. j^mh UnUav* Holin., Scot. Earle of Crawfoord, nottablie celebrat & renoun'd in our hiflorie hift., pag. 252. f-Qj. (lifmounting and wanquifliing the Lord Wailles, ane Leflie, 7 book. Englifli nobleman, on London Bridge, in a monomachie pag. 263. offered to all our countrie Knights by the faid Lord Wailes, dc accepted by the faid Earle for reproachfull fpeeches againfl the Knighthood of our countriemen into the reigne of Robert the Thrid, the yeare of Chrifl 1396. fo. -48. ' N<^ fl where this magnifick Earle was flaine, moR highlie pag- 421- commended, prais'd, & lamented by his verie enemeis, the yeare of Chrifl 1520. If noble birth, with manic princlie pairts, Imprinted in a prone & prudent fpreit Augments, or yet perfe6lione more impairts, To make the ouner alway exquifitc; Then both thy birth, great gifts, & graces manie, Perfe6led the, if perfe6l here be anie. High lauded Lennox, for thy Lords releif. Which tuifc before in the perfecling fail'd; Thy coufmg King the as his chiftane cheef, The thrid tyme yet for to adventure vail'd ; Thow boldl' obey'd, & hade perforce him fred, Hade nought thy forces fals or fearfull fled. Yet there infamous flight, nor yet the foe, Could force the fant, nor from thy ftandart flirr; But lyke that brave Burgandean Count, they knoe Thow fought alone, difdaining them & thir; While thow was flaine, & yet not vnrepented, And by thy foes both lauded & lamented. Scottifh Worthies. 63 59- dDiilbert J^enneDie. Earle of CalTiUs, a man of a great & a heroick fpreit, by ane iiolin., Scot. ambufh intraped by his enemeis, about the tyme that the '^^^•' P^S- SM- Earle of Lennox was flaine, the yeare of Chrifl 1526. Leflie, 9 book, pag. 422. What lliall, brave Count! as well thy virtues clam'd, Thy countries kynd commend & doe decoir-the? Or for her lofs of fuch a Lord now leam'd, Shall fhe thy praifes overpaft deploir-the? No, no; thy worthe deferveth fo that Hie Commend, decore, deplore, & praife the too. Thy valour, witnefs to the world, was Demonftrating thy magnitood of mynd. Which, gallant Gilbert, to thy honor hes, E're fmce decor'd thy Carrick & thy kinde; And tho the wicked they thy worth envi'd, Thy honor leiv's, tho by deceat thow di'd. Audacious Earle, great & egregious youth! Mavors his minion & the Mufes man; Rememberancc call with ane immortall mouth, Doe what envy wnto the contrairc cane; Proclame thy praife, bevailc thy want & wrongs, Wnto thy honor in heroick fongs. 64 A Theatre of 60. frafew^ Holiii., Scot. A populus name, oft-tymes weill mereiting for there fervice in •>1'S-.-)j5- ^j^g Common-wealth; ombefet with a multitude of the Leflie, 10 book, Highland Clanns, the Lord Lovat, there cheeff, there pag. 474. prefent, with three hundered of his name, flaine all in one day, att one tyme, the yeare of Chrifl 1544. Much fortunate more famous was your falls, Bold Fabians! that for your cities fake, And in the veine of her environ'd walls Your felvis a facred facrifice did make; And the three hundereth of a name, yet O ! Great was your glore & praife to perifli fo. And alfo was our number and our name, And wills alfe willing" for our countrie weell; Bot Fates our fortoune did misfortoun'd frame, And by the facill flitting of her weell; Nought wnto men, but leopards a prey, Wee fell three hunder Frazers in a day. With forrane fors or ftrangers hade we ftrevin, And loft our lives for this our lands releife, The fatall fall that fure feirce Fates lies given, Hade bein more to our glorie more our greiff; , But to be flaine by fuch a favage fort, We fpight that after fpeeches fliould report. Scottifh Worthies. 65 61. giol^tt ^tetoart* Called the doughtie Duke of Albanie, fone to Alexander Duke Holin., Scot. of Albanie, brother german to King James 2d, was Go- ^\ V^ "^ ^^ ^ ^ vernour to King James 5; ane heroick Captane; a Prince, wife, circumfpe6l, and verie politique in all his proceedings; ofour'scot. liift. efter yeares government went to France, in the yeare of Chrifl 1524. Well may thow, Worthie, for thy worth advance, And but fufpicious of all pride prefume, To march in front with fhout Rinald of France, Or Regulus that race renoun'd in Rome; Since that thy doeings did defigne, thow durfh Fight for thy force this famous or that furft. The fierie face of Mars, the forcefull fift, Nor yet of warr the wavering event, Ne're could they make the terrifi'd nor trifl, Nor carie the as croft or difcontent; Bot cheerfull ay, how things e're chang'd or chanc'd, Thow paft them prudentlie, onpain'd, onpanc't. For glorious dreds furnam'd the doughtie Dook, For th' executione, counfall, & fuccefs Of all the exploits that to attempt thow took, Condignlie thow collowded are no lefs; So that the earth & th'aers all bordring bounds. The fhoare & feas thy praifes fmgs & founds. I 66 A Theatre of 62. 9laine0 ^tetoart* llolin., Scot. Commonlie caled the little Earle of Murray; was honorable, liift-, pag. 315. wife, & famous amongll manie Princes, for his manie virtues, Leilic, 9 book, & many ambaffages mofl happilie perform'd amongfl them. P-ig- 424, 425- Died in his caflell Tarnaway, and florifli'd the yeare of Chria 1546. When th' wfe of amies the raige of warr requir'd, And per'loLis plotts in pra6leis wee to put, Thy martiall mynd ne're to attempt them tir'd, And with the formoft therto flew thy foot; Yet ever ftill, fo reafon the dire6led, That all thy fa6ls but furrie tliow effe6led. And when for th' oake the olive branch did bude, Or happie peace Bellonas place poffeft, Thy councill quick, wyfe, godlie, grave & good. Was thane defir'd, brave Barron, with the beft; And as in warr thy prompt fprit was appi'ov'd, So was in peace thy witt & learning lov'd. Thy knowledge kith'd & courage kene concur'd, Wlien ather Mars or yet Minerva ment, With counfall flie, he with the facking fword. To go to gall or grace the government, And witnes'd weell that valour, virtue, witt, Was all into a microcofmo knit. Scottifli Worthies. 67 63. ^ir 3!o^n 'Bortljtpicfe* A Captane, for his vertue & valour, deerlie loved of his Prince, Holin., Scot. King James 5; and for his finceritie in profeffion of the ^^^'' ^^- 2^^- gofpell, alfe mutch haited of the Roman Clergie, who, to Leflie, 9 book exprefs there fpight, condemned him as ane heretick, and P^S- 452- burnt his pidlure in San6l Androis, himfelfe being then in France, the yeare of Chrifl 1540. Give that thy couraige, Captane, or thy caires, Addvance the worfliipe of the Word divyne, Ane ampler praife or pithier prepaires For the it is deficult to define; Since thow for that be merit was admir'd, And then to this a paffing zeall appear'd. Th' efife6led fa6ls and fortouns into France, In ftraits with ftomach ftout, with ftrength extream, And all atcheiv'd by chevalrie, not chance, Enucleats, & fo renouns thy name. That nought Columna, that accompliflit Knight, His honor hail'd hade to a greater hight. And for thy pietie exprcft before. And woundrous zeall, it's doubtfull to decide, Give honor'd with the good or hated more, For thy difpyfing of the Popifli prydc ; Who by decrees did the to death condemne, And yet but burnt thy figour in a flame. 68 A Theatre of Holin., Scot, hift., in the Cattalogueofour Scotts Writters, pag. 462. 64. ^ir l^abiu ImDm^* Knight, of the Mount, Lord Lyon King of Armes; a worthie man, nottable and famous for his calling, & for his great fehcitie in Avritting, and dexteritie in Scottifli Poefie, and foundrie of his works yet extant teflilie. He floriflied the yeare of Chrift 1546. Come, come, weill worthie, famous, & moft fit To march among thir mightie men of fprits, Thy Royall roume of right requyreth it. And for thy worth thofe Worthies the inveits, That of thy vene divyne, & virtues that Thy fpreit poffeft, they may participat. When for ther King, ther countrie, freinds, or fame, They meant to march & vadge a worthie warr. Knight, King of Armes, thy pairts was to proclame, Denunce, & dreedlefs to the duell darr The proudeft Princes and the Staits moft ftrong, That offer'd once to doe there countrie wrong. High was thy honor with thy Prince & place. And therfore rightlie thy renoun was rung; But greater is thy glorie & thy grace. For manie facred fong fo fweitlie fung; And worthie works, whofe lyek few fmce or fine, To witnefs fuch a witt and vene divyne. Scottifh Worthies. 69 65. jatnftiefielD* Infortunatlie foughten & loofl after the vauntguard, led by Holin., Scot. Archbald Dowglafs, Earle of Angous, hade defeat the firfl ^^^•' P^S- 343- battell of the enemeis, the yeare of Chrifl, September 1547. Ledie, 10 book, pag. 486. Who could difcryve that doolfuU deedlie day, Or who that fatall and misfortoun'd feight Wold as it was in veritie bewray, And as no partie fpeak of it but fpight, Should fee it was nought valour that prevail'd, Nor our freinds force but fortoun then that fail'd. For lyke a butt of brafs for to be broken Impoffible, embattel'd ftood our bands, Whill wrath divyne our wrongs on ws to wroken, The vi6lne wrang & honor from our hands ; When aufull Angous hade the vauntguard winn, And for our force a glorious game begun. O ! but from thence what foull misfortoun fell, And to what hight that maffacre did mount? Whofe witt can writt, whofe tongue but tears can tell, Or carlefs can that Cannas curts recount, Where fpent lay fpoil'd, more by fupernall pow'rs Then feight of foes, of all our force the flour's. 70 A Theatre of 66. arcl^balD J^ouglafe^ Holin., Scot. Earle of Angous, a couragious and noble Earle, in whom the hid., pag. 343. nobiUtie, martiall magnitude of mynd, hardinefs of harte & Leflie in die readinefs of hand of his generous anceflors, in defence of lyfe of King his countrie & invafione of the enemeis therof, cleirhe •^^™^''' keithed, and was mofl eminent in his dayes; & flooriflied the yeare of Chrifl 1547. That worth wherat the worthieft did wonder, Succcffively that his anceftors fliew, In voiting wife, in battell bolts of thunder, The Avorld reveiv'd that valor it did view; Sie and behold in him hereditarie The honor of the Dowglafs houfs & Iieare. There ever-wondrous valour to invade There foes, & fervore fearlefs to defend. The Countrie, Croun, & Prince there praifes fpred, And there triumphs & trophes did extend ; So from defert and like great martiall mynd, He now noe lefs from Fame does favour fynd. For conftant courage in his countries caufe, And fortitude in her defence to feight, AUeadgance to his Lord & to his Lawes, With hardinefs into his honors right. Affords him now alfe floorifliing a fame, As anie one renouned of his name. Scottifh Worthies. 71 67. (iB»ili)crt leniteMe* Earle of Caflills; a worthie Nobleman, ambalTador to France. Holin., Scot. With others of the nobilitie, died in Deip. the 15 day of '"^•' P^2- 362- September, nought but vehement fufpitione of poyfione, the ^ „. , , ^ ° '■ i. J ■> Leflie, 10 book, yeare off Chnfl 1558. pag. 539. In the that old high honor of thine hous, And all thy prediceffors paft appeare, That gained the name of great & glorious, By there heroick hands whill they were here ; Since what in them fliew fmgular does fhine AUone in the, left Lord of all thy line. A ritch ripe witt, a right refolved will, And weell rul'd boldnefs in thy breaft was borne To keith thy courage with thy martiall flvill, And all thy other doeings to adorne; Which for there wondrous worth & valor were Seconded feldome fince fo fmgulare. O ! bot fuch worth did yet ne're want envie, For fpightfull fpreits fuch perfeft pairts difpife, As thow in France did find & trewlie trie, Difpatch'd with poifion, where, great Lord, thow lies Inter'd, and yet twyfe nottablc renoun'd For worth & wrong gottne in the Gallick ground. 72 A Theatre of 68. Slanted iHontgomerie* Earle of Montgomerie, fone of that James, caled Montfieur De Lorge, a knight excellent, famous in the Civill Warrs of France; wrged to Jufl by Henrie the 2, King of France, kiled him with the fplinter of his fpear, and therafter (tho by the Prince himfelfe pardoned) againfl promeis, by Queen Katharin de Medeces, att the feige of Donfron in Nor- mandie, was taken, & beheaded in Pareis, the yeare of Chrill 1574. France on thy father did beftow her ftiles, From fuch a root to raife to her a race, With manors faire in meafure manie miles, To entertaine his prefent port and place ; Bot fatall for her found againes thy will, (Conjour'd to juft) when thow her King did kill. And tho her Atlas by thy force did fall, Who of the French did favour more his France? Who gave more prooff of manhood mongft them all, And with more valor did there warrs advance? Or which of them, in there religious warrs For Chrift, did carrie in his fkin more fkarrs? Yet for thy fact, fo much again'ft thy mynd, Quyt pardoned by the tranfperfed Prince, France by her faith, both crwell & wnkynd, Smot of thy head bot nought thy honor fmce; And for noe fault thine in effect bot fain'd, Thow that reward for thy good fervice gain'd. Scottifh Worthies. 73 69. ^ir 3!ante0 ^antjelanDjJ* Lord of Sancl John and of Calder, Knight; for his valor, his virtues, reHgione & faith, famous. Floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1560. Thy fpreit and prudence made thy Prince imploy Thy perfone, prompt to punifh & reprefs Enormities of thofe that did annoy, And cruciat the countries quietnefs; Imploiment fitt hot for a pafllng fpreit, And thow the man to manadge it moft meit. Experience prov'd th' opinion of the Prence, Tane of thy virtues wanifht noucht in vaine ; For great deeds done and done with diUigence, What could b' expe6led they expreft it plaine, And did declare, for Countrie, Croun, & King, Non hade more hape nor heart in hazarding. Vn-conquer'd countrie for thy croun oft croft, Minerv-like mother of fuch martiall men, As none may of more bold nor better boft, Or of more wife & worthie warriors then, Account thy Calder, for his famous fights, One of thy Captanes & couragious Knights. K 74 A Theatre of 70. autiretD ^tettjart* Lord of Ocheltrie, a nobleman as virtuous, fo valorous; one trew profeffor of tlie Evangell, & of a good, godlie, & charitable life. Floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1561. To come of Kings & doe from Dooks difcend, Be thefe the trew nots of nobilitie; Who will before the for a place pretend, Or princli'r prove him by his pedegree, Since thy defcent thow deulie dow deduce From that thrice great fucceffor of the Bruce? But to be noble born and be of blood, Wnto the ritcheft that great reg'ouns raigne, And yet to be but gifts & graces good. Such are wnto there ftocks & ftates a ftaigne; But noble birth, verniflit wnth virtuous warks, Are onlie of trew noblemen the marks. Bot thy good lyfe, but all ambition blind. Which in high born oft vertues eyes out blots, Which one mofi: meek, yet one magnanime mind, Was of thy trew nobilitie the nots ; For vertue does wndoubtedlie adorne, The bafe birth much, but more the nobler borne. Scottlfh Worthies. ' 75 71- 91attte0 ^tetoart* Earle of Murray and Pryor of Sancfl Andrews ; Regent in the minoritie of our Soveraigne Lord, King James of Great Brittane; a nobleman of a judicious, quick, and wirking wittj was flaine in Linlithgow, the 12 January, the yeare of ChrilT. 1570. Thy Soveraigne fifter, and thy gracious Queen, Did daylie double on the dignities, And nought in fliow, bot foorlie, made befeen To the her bountie & benignities; And for thy pairts, experience was plane, How for her goodnefs thow was great againe. Thy nature, name, & thy nobilitie, Cleen knaleg'd by thy courfes made them knowne, And in thy purpofe for the pollicie, What thow hes been abrod thy broot is bloune; And what thy aimes & etlings be the end. Who knows not now, wherto they then did tend. Thy fortone, fate, & by th' effe6ts, thy faith, Did flio thy charitie into thy charge; Thy deep defignes, thy docings & thy death, Thy laud and life are left ws foe att large; And by fuch penns profound fet furth before. That few will mint to fay fo much, non more. 7 6 A Theatre of 72. malttt JLonnie* Laird of Lundie in Fife, be one vninterrupted fucceffion reckoned, and fuppofed to be the tenth from King William; therfore, and for his oun worthinefs & honorable fucceffion from himfelfe, a knight memorable and renoun'd. He floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1567. The qualities that could decora a King, A Counfallor, a Captane, or a Knight, Egregious old man, were efpy'd to fpring, And lent a luftre in thy lyfe & light; To bring from byAvayes featlie to reforme, And waene from vice the ill ones & enorme. Such qualities commendable became, Kinde Knight, thy kinde deriv'd from noble race; Since thow are faid defcended of the fame, (No little to thy glorie and thy grace) And by deduflion lineall & difcent. From that ftout King the Lyon, tearm'd the Tent. Religious Lundie, whill this lyfe thow leiv'd, So prudentlie thow ponder'd it & paiz'd, That in't were all the anceftors wife reviv'd, A fpeciall point to make the (paft) be praiz'd; As thow alive beloved wes alone, \. No lefs than they (tho altogether) gone. Scottifli Worthies. ']'] 73 iJttatl^ets) ^tetjjart Earle of Lennox, Governor, & Goodfir on the father-fide, to our Soveraigne Lord now reignand; and a Prince endued with all the noble, heroick, & princlie pairts pertinent to a perfone of his qualitie; traiterouflie flaine in Stirling, 4 Sep- tember, the yeare of Chrifl. 15 71. Great Mathew, if my mufe (as minde) hade means To pen thy good pairts & t' exprefs thy praife, As to thy perfone, place, & fprite pertanies, Moft worthie, wife, and valorous ahvaife, She fhould portraie, in poliflit poems thane, A maiklefs modell of a matchlefs man. Whofe princlie fpreit all vulgar witts o'rev/ent, Whofe judgm.ent found, fure fatl'd, fharpe, & fage, And whofe great a6lions alway excellent Thy tyme outftript, ant'occupi'd thy age, And of thy fpreit paft prooffs before thy prime, That few attain'd wnto, into there tyme. Whofe lyfe among the leiving bred fuch love, Whofe graces was foe with the good agreing, Whofe murder did s'immoderat murning move, And fuch a during dollor att thy deing. And whofe great gifts was fmgular & fuch. That non can cleer them, nor commend too much. yS A Theatre of 74. ^nijoux fotht^. Brother to William, Lord Forbes; a man of fmgular witt, flout- nefs of heart, & reddinefs of hand fufticientlie famous. Was flaine by one of the name of Gordoune att Tilliangous, the yeare of Chrifl 1 5 7 1 . Why doe the Brittons brave it out & boaft Of Mordreds deeds, or of King Arthours a6ls, Which non for current credits, and almoft The credence from there trueft ftories takes? So of there force they fabl'd have, & faine Prodig'ous deeds, works wonderful & vaine. Bot mark yow me, & Arthour heir behold, His match in ftrength, bot not his mate in ftate. His feer in fight and to abide als bold, In everie battel!, bargane, & debeat; Vea, for to hazard hardie, and als able As Lancelot or Triftram, of his Table. Yet Arthours ftate nor his ftupendious ftrength, His knighthood nor his courage keept wncroft; Bot by bad luck and fatall lot att length Born doun in battell, there his lyfe he loft; So I, with nev'r wrong'd valor e're invy'd. Fell in the feild, among my foes, & dy'd. \ Scottifh Worthies. 79 75 3i0t)n€tMn* Earle of Marr, a wyfe and worthie nobleman ; for his fufficiencie, witt, & worthinefs, chofen Governor in the lefs aige of the rnoft. excellent, high, & mightie Prince James, King of Great Brittane. He floorifli'd the yeare of Chrift 1572. My mufe waike wings & too too fklender fkill, Durft they prefume to park, or preafs to pitch, Wpon the hight & head of Honors hill? Or fuch a talk onterminable tuche, As thy great valor, virtue, witt, & worth. Into fo bafe a forme for to fett forth? The world in warr fhould then thy valour view, And thy furpaffing pietie in peace. In this inteer, in that tri'd flout tri'd trew, And knightlie conftant into everie cace, Which gallant gifts and goodlie graces great, Got the the fteer of this monarchik ftate. That honor yet heis'd nought too high thy heart, Nor did promotion puff the wpe with pride; But as a Peer, a Prince (praife-worthie pairt) Juft ballanc'd thy behaviour did abyde; So both a leige & lator of the Law, Mofl: moderat the Calidon did knaw. 8o .A Theatre of 76 ^ir milliatn MrMltiie* Lord of Grange; a Knight in the conflitutione of his bodie llrong, «S: for the magnanimitie of his minde, almofl match- lefs. He floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1572. Yow Latine Lords & great men of the Greeks, Achilles, Tancred, Turnus, Telamon, Whom of the princes of the Poets fpceks, And for there provefs praifed, I fuppone; This Guillam of the Grange, als ftout, als ftrong. Your compeer, knights, yow muft admitt among. For here he one as braveft, beft, and bold. In monomachees and for fmgle fights. One chear of cheef in honors houfs fliould hold. With thefe our countrie beft combattant knights, Wha for his perfone, pra6lies, pith and fpreit, As ane of thefe great martialifts lies merit. At home, a feild, in fight, a foot, on horfs, His knightlie courage conqueft him commend, And ail-where made him famous for his force, Yet could it nought eveit a vofuU end ; For too too much efteeming of his ftrength, Onluckilie, loft him his lyfe att length. \ Scottifh Worthies. 8i 77 ^IcjcanDer i^uttte. Lord Hume, High Chamberland of Scotland; for flrength and perfeclione of perfone, & raanie excellent graces of the minde, a nobleman mofl renowned. Died the yeare of Chria 1573. Now thow in little compafs are compared, A worthie Captane of a ventrous claim, That lieving nothing but the laurell lacked, According to the minde to make the man; Excellent great, exceeding glorious, Renoun'd, eternall, & notorious. For both great power, preheminence, & place, Great wealth, great worth, with grave & greater wit, Conglomerat agreed all to grace Thy famous fa6ls, for thy great fortouns fitt ; Yet ftill thy fprite afpyring did prefume To thy great haps t' add greater hopes, great Hume. And hade thow from a facilnes been frie. And nought too much too noble of thy minde, Wherto the great & better fort they be Too oft by corrupt counfallors enclin'd, Non of that aige, of thy cftate or yeares, Hade pre-excel'd or paft the of thy peers. L 82 A Theatre of 78. (iD»ilefpic6 CambelL Earle of Argyle, Lord Campbell & Lorn, Great Juflice of Scot- land; a nobleman religious, and mofl emulus of his prediceffors noble valour & vertues. Floorifiied the yeare ofChrifl 1573. If from antiquitie, eftate, or ftile, Refpe<5l or praife, to place or perfone fprings, Gillefpick, then, to the and thy Argyle, (Sumtyme the feat & antient court of Kings) Muft needs renoun and great regaird aryfe, Since that was old, thefe great, & thow was wife. From which great witt, great zeall and pitie fprang, Great gifts that grac'd & did the countrie good ; With valour readie to revenge her wrang, And fpreit to prop her when fhe ftouping ftood; Soore foleid fignes thy obfervance that fhaws. To God, the King, the Countrie, & the Lawes. For in Religion thow was reverent, And her corruptions cairfull to correft ; Vnto th' Authoretie obedient, And to the Laws hade fpeciall refpecl ; Laft to thy Countrie honor, and behove, Non leiv'd (great Lord) that hade a greater love. Scottifh Worthies. S;^ 79 ^cotlani)* Her inveflive complaint againfl Suaden for the monflruous, inhumane, & onmanlie murder of the Scottifh regiment, wnder the conducl of CoUonell Ruthven, att Wefenberge, the yeare of Chrifl 1574. When that great Rufhe, whom thow calls rude, arofe, With force t' affli6l the for his right of ree, Then thow them in thy caftells did inclofe, Whill that thow got fupport of men from me ; Which favage Swaden (I muft fay) I fend, From barbrous foes more brutifli freinds to fend. Livoniane volfs, tho ne're fo wood or wild. Nor horrid tiggars of the Hircan hills, Who of the brutifli beafts moft fterne are ftil'd, Crofs nought there kinde nor there companions kills; Bot gain'ft there kinds antagonifbs contends, And force there foes & fauns wpon there freinds. Bot thow, more favage by a hundered fife. More brutifh, bloodie, cruell & more curft, Nor what the witt of wifdome could divyfe, Or Nature yet invented for the worft; That in thy wolfifh woodnefs did devour, Thy freinds farr fetch'd for thy defence before. 84 ' A Theatre of 80. aiejcantjcr Cumngljam, Called the good Earle of Glencairne; a nobleman vertuous, godlie, zealous, and very forward in the tyme of the altera- tione of the Religion. He died the yeare of Chrifl 1574. That thow was one of thefe, religious Lord, Glade is thy ghoft, and now Glencairne does glore, Who did concurr and conftantlie accord, From Romifli roots Religion to reftore; And from all forms phantaftick did refine Her with the Avarrand of the Word divyne. No faftions heir nor forces fetch'd from France, Nor the pretended terror of the Laws Made the divert, nor werie to advance Into thy Chrift and thy Creators caufs; Bot conftant ftill, couragiouflie & keen, Thow ever was a fharp affertor feen. Who for there countrie or there freinds doe fight, Bot limitat and meafur'd glorie gains. When th^ adventures for religions right, Eternall treafure & triumph obtaines; With no lefs honor heere & lies in heavne, One wncorrupted croune of glorie givne. \ Scottifh Worthies. 8 8i. George d^ortione* Earle of Huntlie, Lord Gordone & Badzenoch, &c. : A mightie, wife, and mod noble Earle. A feffion grave of all the Graces fet, Long cairfull did confult & then decreed; Prevented tho thow pay'd to death thy debt, And att the noonday of thy doing died, That thow yet as a femi-Sune fliould fhine Into thy feed now leiving of thy line. And the from grofs forgetfulnefs to guarde, Thay convocat rotundlie in a ring, The fpirite of each old poetick barde. By courfes encomaftick fongs to fing About thy herfs, leaft tearing Tyme effay To weare the, Worthie, out of mynd away. The fubje6l of there oft reitred fong Is fpeciall praifc & the defunct thy fame. To vindicat thy vertues from the wrong, That future times & dayes may doe to them; Thay conftantlic this kind of courfe contane, There where they end, there they begin againe. 86 A Theatre of 82. Cl^oma^ Jltenf ?ie0* Of Petfoddells, Major of the Burgh of Aberdeen, & Comptroller of Scotland; a man for manie good gifts verie memorable. Flooriflied the yeare of Chrift 1576. As manie raife to be renoun'd in Rome, That never tried ther fortouns in the fight; Bot in the pollicie cmploi'd att home, Part nought the ports, nor from the cities fight ; Yet in fijpporting the Republick pain'd, As th' arm'd there glorie in there gouns thay gain'd. So for thy good defignes and great defert. Thy witt moft fharp, moft fage and folid feen, And proof'd in th' vrbane pollicie expreft, As manie hade of thy forbears been, Thow as the wife and worthieft alwaies, Dire6ted the Abredeans all thy dales. And by thy carrage, conqueft and acquyr'd (Moft fortunat) more favorars & fame, Nor all that in that province hade impir'd, Of whatfo'r eftate, renoun, or name: So for thy hap and honors yet thy Oois Have right and reafone juflHe to rejoyce. Scottifh Worthies. ^j 83 3!ol^n ilorts L^on of dB^lam^^ Great Chancellar of Scotland; a nobleman nottable for many noble pairts; a lover of letters & a patron of learned men; & one for his manie Angularities worthie of eternall memorie. Was flaine the yeare of Chrifl 1577. Shall I the progrefs of thy proav's pen, There renoun'd ryfing from there root & race, Since by much mereit manifaft to men, Peremptorlie in tyme of warr and peace, Or fmge thofe fignes in youth that fhow in age, Thow fhould lyke Cato kithe in counfall fage. Trialls of the teftificats of thame, The tongue of treuth, Times ftories, trew hes told, And left nought to the faeth of flowing Fame Your names nor high renouns to be inrol'd. Bot there are printed with fuch precious plumes, That nere corrupts, nor cankers, nor confumes. Since thow in thamc and they in the are grac'd, Thow grave great Lion, Leader of our Laws, For thy perpollent fprite and prudence plac'd Cheeff Chancellour of this Kingdome, who not knaws; I leave your lauds, leifb fum fuppone I praife Your ghofts (among the good) that non gainfaies. 88 A Theatre of 84. muiiam Icitl), Brother-gennan to George, Earle Marifhall of Scotland, now leiving; a noble youth of fmgular hope & expedlatione onhappily flaine att Geneva, the yeare of Chrift 1577. O with what woes the world thy want bevaills, And with what greiff the godlie for the groans! O what a forrow all the faige affaills, And malcontented for thy murther moans! Yea, yet how cairfull thy deir countrie cry's Her fweit fone loft att Geneve left yet lyes. Exceiding wife, grave, good and godlie youth, Thy fauciat foule hurt with a holy love. To th' only trew Teftator & the treuth A conftant motione in thy mynd did move To green to goe to Geneve to be nurifli'd, Where then His word & faith moft freely florifli'd. O hot great Dis! that dragon old difdain'd. And of fuch fervent faith affraid he fret it, Therfore he reftlefs raig'd and to reftrain'd. Laid all his lines to take thy life and let it; Which devlifli purpofe, ploted & proje6led, A hellifli hand infamuflie effected. \ Scottifh Worthies. 89 85. maiiaml&tm^ Mafler of Marfhall; father to George, now Earle Marfhall; a nobleman nottablie indu'd, both godhe, grave, and good. In the flour of his aige, before his father, died the yeare of Chrift 1580. Scrutator! quick and curious to kno This moft renoun'd, his nature & his name, His godh'nefs and his great graces, go Search in the fcrolls and brazen book of Fame, Where thow fhall fee fign'd this fententious foume, Lord William Keith's (too mean) the marble tombe. Then fliall thow find, in facound phraife fet furth, His parents progrefs and there progenie; With ther's his works, witt, virtues and his worth, Mark't with the manufcript of memorie ; A monument for to remember ay His houffes honor to that dreadfull day. There hes the great Grynean Apollo PerfeclHe pen'd his more nor mereit praife; Then after him the maiden Mufes folio. With laurat layes above the round's they raife, And with the force of never failing Fame, This happie heros hes renoun'd his name. M 90 A Theatre of 86. ^ir ^nam (tD»orDone* Of Aucliindoun ; wncle, on the father fyde, to George, Marquis of Hunthe, that now is; a captane comparable to anie of what qualitie foever in his tyme, as his great and good fuccefs oft teflifi'd. He flooriflied the yeare of Chrift 1580. What Generall might for his martiall glorie, Or Captane know'n could for his courage clame A ftall or ftation in th' eternall ftorie, That Tyme hes trufted to the faith of Fame, But thow, audacious Adam, Honors heire. Might with thame for thy knightly parts compaire? Witt to advyfe, a reafone to refolve, And fortitude with forwardnefs conforme, All danger, dreed & doubts for to diffolve, With a borne boldnefs in the flrongeft ftorme, As anie Captane knoun or found before the; Great Gordone, thefe does grace, croun 81 decore the. With forces few fl^ilfuU performed feats, Th' opinion of thy provefs did approve, Thy ftomack fteel'd ftill ftouteft into ftraits, Allowance large, libralitie & love; . With favour to thy followers & freinds, - Above thefe all (great Captane) the commends. Scottifli Worthies. 91 87. mtlltam meiti). Great Marfhall of Scotland; a nobleman of fingular pietie, pru- dence & good lyfe; outleiving his fone William, and his nepote; flaine att Geneve, extreamlie old, mofl holelie depairted, in the yeare 1581. Mofl mightie Marfhall, for thy mynd & means. Sometymes lyke Telamon in tender yeares, A galeated gallent as perteans Thy perfone and thy place among thy peers ; Bot nottable lyke Neftor now in age, Perander, Pittacus, or Solon fage. What valor, ftrength & armes, when thow was young, Did for to make the famous in the fields! Thy prudencie, from long experience fprong, Wnto thy aige now no lefs honor yeelds, And maks the wifeft for lyke wifdome wifli, O happic Earle! in all bot not in this. That th' aig'd ears did heir, thy eies behold. For e're, alace ! a lofs to be lamented. Thy hopefull hey re to end when thow was old, And nepot be by violence prevented ; Two greefifs too grave for anie breaft to bear, If wit divine & reafone ruled not there. 92 A Theatre of . 88. giame^ Crigljtoun* Of Clunie ; a gentleman for the gift of the bodie & graces of the mynd to the mofl admir'd, Admirable; invied therfore in Mantua by the Books fone therof, by night diflionorablie flaine, to the eternall ignominie of that houfe, the yeare of ChriR 1581. How exquifite eaven wold the wifeft wifh, Or curious crave a man wnto there minde! All that both wold was to be viewde in this, And in the compafs of his corps confin'd ; Of compofitione comlie and a cre'ture, As if thrife fyn'd & re-reform'd by Nature. A perfonage compleit in all his pairts, To Marfs a match, a man wnto the Mufes ; And fo excelling others in all airts. Which for advancment, witt, or valor wfes. That France her rarefi; witts & ripeft than, And Italic it felfe admir'd this man. But jealous yet that his egregious gifts Should all the praife of there beft fprits fupprefs, Which fo aloft th' Italians laud Avplifts, A fpightfull Prince of Mantua, merciles, By treacherie (ftill to that State a ftaine) This youth, a wonder to the World, hes flaine. Scottifh Worthies. 93 89. 31ame0 J^ouglaf0» Earle of Mortoun, Regent; a nottable example of the inflabilitie & the changes of men and mortall things; fuffred in the yeare of Chrifl 1581. What prejudice is pleafure to the fpreit, That purlie is to pietie difpos'd! How hurtfuU's honor wnto infineit, That therin as there greateft good rejoyc'd! And how pernicious & difpleafant proves, Preferments high that humane minds fo mov's! This honorable, wife and worthie Count, Once happie thought in everie outward eie, Whofe wifdome did advance & merits mount Him to be nixt the greateft in degree, Fand honor, pleafure & preferment great Vndid and was deftruftione to his ftate. Thus there is nothing firme into the Fates, And there events wirks wonderfuli & ftrange; Nor is ther ftable ftanding in Eftates, But all by courfe is chaned wnto change ; And of this all, croft with converfions than, Moft nottable this mortall mafs is man. 94 A Theatre of 90. c^fmc or ^imt^ ^tetoatt* Duke of Lennox; lone to John Stewart, Lord of Obigney in France, Great Marfliall there &c.; come in Scotland the yeare 1579; fmgularhe beloved & honored by his Majeftie; firfl made Earle and then Dook of Lennox, which now his fone Lodowick, a noble Prince, enjoys. Florifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1582. Grand Lord, thy grace lyes in ane urne nought ample, From thy goodfir and from thy grandfirs great, Whofe vertues was worth for a tomb, a temple, Of purple porphire, or of poliflit jeat; Non hot will grant that they were great, & thow Non will deny, or no lefs nobl'd now. The favors that thy Fathers fand in France, And honors done to dignifie them there. They clame nought to, nor came they to, by chance, Nor were there titles toome nor idle aire. That fome for fhois in regifbers inferts, No. but they got them for there great deferts. There thair's was great, bot thine more high was heir, Non by a Prince could be promov'd to more, For from a Count a Dook, thy cufmg deir , Created the that thow was nought before ; \ Yet thy promotione, place & ftatlie tittle, T'his Grace goodwill & love to the was litle. Scottifh Worthies. 95 91 %o\)n €ocfihmm. Of Ormeifloun; a honorable and religious gentleman; verie dilligent & zealous in the work of the Reformatione. He dyed the yeare of Chrift 1583. Firft famous found, thy lyfc was for thy lyne. From men of noe mean mynds deduc'd & drowen ; Then for thy witt, fenfe, fmgular art thow foon Came cleerlie, Cockburn, to thy countrie knovvne; And lyke a citie on a mountane fliew, With knightlie courage, Chriftiane care in yow. Enlightned with the light that lieds to lyfe, And with the fervour of the faith inflam'd. In thofe religious ftormie ftours and ftrife, Thow keept the Congregatione whill it calm'd ; For perrell, promeifes, expence, nor pains, From thy firme faith noe nought a grane weight gaines. Thy bloodflied footh'd & taught this true, I know, When curtfoot Bodwell lyke a limmer lay, (A traitour tried and a tirrane too) And wnawarrs did wound the on the way; Thy fame nor honor yet nought hurt, no, no, Bot growne more great and feminats more fo. c)6 A Theatre of 92. Robert HorD ^tvtoum. Cheift' and Lord of his antient name and famelie; a worthie nobleman naturallie endevved with manie nottable and mod noble pairts. Floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1584. The reafons fhould arife from that renoun'd, That Berricks fort fo faithfulUe defended, Long fince with honor and triumph cntomb'd, Wherewith thow could condignlie be commended; If thow hade nought fuch a6lione of thy oune, To caufe the be (from him thou'r come of) knowne. His famous faith, thy fa6ls maks the and him, Whill the difloyall droun'd for ever die, Into the feas of glorie faiflie fwim, And for your merits there immortall be ; Thus thy deferts affifts his funn to fhine, And his does helpe to honor the in thine. Thy Father grand, that ftout & loyall Lord, (Altho foull warrs did to that worthie wrang) His countrie with fuch ftore of Knights decor'd, Thy parents all that from his perfone fprang; That endlefs were to name or number heir, Yet in thy perfone praifed all appeare. Scottlfh Worthies. 97 93 l^ug]^ iHoutgomerie. Earle of Eglintowne; ane heroick nobleman; ilaine att Annak, the yeare of Clirifl 1586. How greatlie Nature the her graces gave, And Hberallie her bleflings did beftow, So plentifull did all mens fight perceave. From fo good gifts lyke good effe6ls to flow; And as they highlie honor'd the that hade them, So pleafur'd they thy countrie where thow fpred them. That little fpace that wrong & wraith hade fpair'd, Brave Lord, thy lyfe difpightfullie onfpoil'd ; Works worthie of the wifeft know'n declair'd, Invtilie thow tint no tyme bot toil'd; And aim'd for all or each one of thofe ends. For countrie, king, for honor, faith or freends. But how all thefe were nottablie anoi'd, (When hatefull hands hade bath'd them in thy blood) And judg'd themfelv's injur'd, that nought enjoy'd Thy haires when gray, whofe green began fo good; I pafs of purpofe to the profound pen. Of Mars, Mercure, or the Mufes then. N 98 A Theatre of Of that Ilk; a Barron, cheef of that name, and Warden of the Wefl Marches. Flooriflied the yeare of Chrifl. 1587. Cheeff born be birth and Captane of a Clann, All from the womb ws'd & invr'd to armes; Prompt with the fpcar to prick & plaie the man, Amongft the midft and loudeft of allarms, Wrongs or invafions of the Englifli, oft That reft there reft, repofe & flumbrings foft. To cooll the fervours of his hot fpur'd freinds, And in there furic to affront his foes, God gave him witt that the moft brutifli bends. And ftrength to ftrick even att the boldeft bloes; O! happie he that hade concurring ftill, With wifdome worth & t'wfe them well at will. And O ! ye freinds, how fortunat to find. And get a guide grac'd (as with graces grave); With manhood too and to mantain'd a mind. That bandide braggs could neither bend nor brave; But of more doing delt with, or if darr'd, Still di'mond-like, more hammered more hard. Scottifh Worthies. 99 95 ^rcl^balD ?^otDgla0* Earle of Angous (called the Good); ane fmgular and nottable nobleman in his daies; indu'd with many virtues; left with all the godlie ane veray great and eminent dolor at his death. Florifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1588. Give thow, that hade within thy breaft imbrac't The charities concomitat with all Thefe gifts the good and that the greateft grac't, The Virtues wifelie cal'd the Cardinall, May not be judg'd for happie heir, who then Shall fo be faid amongs the fones of men ? The firft three facrad in thy foull foor feas'd, Bafs thoughts, low hopes, and inward ills exill'd ; And thy cheeff perfe6t power thy reafone rais'd O're all that is efteem'd or earthlie ftil'd, T' afcend and foare o're the Celeftiall Signs, Difdaining all as drofs bot divyne things. With thefe three firft, the four laft by th' effeas Of all hes made the as effe6led fear'd; Which after death, as thy dew right ere6ls (What in thy lyfe renoun began & rear'd) Eternall tropheas & immortall fraims, Wheratt the a6live honor ever aimes. loo A Theatre of . 96. ^ir 3!ame0 i^al^liurtoun* Tutor of Petcur; Prepofite of Dundie; Captane of the Kings men of arm's; ane refolved fouldier; ane cowragious and a fkilfull Captane, as manie experiences taught in his tyme. Flooriflied the yeare of Chrift 1588. Whan aither glorie, praife, applaus or fame, Thy countries Campiouns or her Knights does crave, Come Captane, come thow & caft in thy clame, And nought the laft nor leaft among the leave; For thy defarts in monie dangrous read Shall to prove perfe6l thy petitions plead. The Frenchmens force & Englifh too att once, That both t'incroach wpon thy countrie came, Wnder whofe burdens grave aggreev'd the groans; Whill that incens'd and forie for the fame Thow boldlie both thofe did debell, & broke Th' vnright'ous rackles of the Romifli yoke. Therfore the Firth, the Forth, the Tweed, the Tay, Our Ocean & the great Grampiane hills, The World as witnefs of thy vertues thay, They with thy fame & nought officious fills ; And makes the ftouteft that does reid thy fborie, T'admire the both & emulat thy glorie. Scottifh Worthies. loi 97 l^amcft Horn Hmtifa^* And Bires; a nobleman verie religious, mofl conflant, mofl cow- ragious and wife. He floorifh'd the yeare of Chrifl. 1589. When that with fhifnne rent was this foil afunder, And with two pow'rs perponderous depreft, That with lyke furie (as from heaven flees thunder) The bulk of this divyded State diftreft, Thow kith'd alfe conftant as couragious there, In helping them to whom thow did adhere. Thus, all inflam'd & in a factious fire, Thy countrie cumbers kindl'd & increft; Whill thefe two parties plaid for the impire, Our mother looked out of meafure moeft, And when flie counts all gone thy courage grew, As Leith, Longfide, Creeche & Carbarrie knew. Yet Janus phane, faft bolted wp and clos'd, When from the raige of warr the rulers reft, Thow did fufpend thy fpeer to peace difpos'd, And no few differs by difcretion dreft; So try'd thow ftout whill thefe wproars remain'd. And then in peace no lefs thy perfone pain'd. I02 A Theatre of 98. ^ir 0. iHontgomrie* The fone of James, Monfieur De Large; in the lafl Civill Warrs of France, for his fortitude and good fervice done to Henrie the 4, a man mofl nottable; flaine att Dole, the yeare of Chrift 1590, This martiall and mightie man att armes, When arm'd among his foes from foot to front ; The tyme of France religious allarms, So warlick was, that all the wulgar wont He hade been Marfs, that great, grim god of warr, His force in feights, his a6ls fo awfull are. Lyke Haniball, or Trojan He6tor, he, Difdaining death and dreidfull danger, drew With much admiring, each cavallars eie, His wondrous valour in thofe Warrs to wiew; And as tha'all wordring weived, fo tha'all advance. And well compaired him with the Peers of France. For, as ftout Henrie, ftomachat and fbrong. Late Flour of France, and once Roomes errors tried His loyaltie, his love, and labours long Into his fervice, ere att Dole he died ; So that great Prince himfelfe proclam'd his praife, And thus flaine lyes, one of his fheilds he faies. Scottifh Worthies. 103 Of Dun; a honorable Barron; religious, wife, and in the work of the Reformation ane mofl zealous & painfull. Flooriflied the yeare of Chrifl 1591. Senator grave & Superintendant fage, Refpefled fo for prudence with the peers, And honor'd for the honor of thy aige; To fuch a greatnefs groun & grouth of yeares, As few fall fight or ftand with the att ftrife, For fo weell led & fo long liv'd a life: Then from which of thy gifts fall I begin, Whilks, whill I gaized on, great and greater grow, So that my Mufe a maine is entered in, From whence fuch floods of thy perfe6lions flow, That her conceapt chofe ftore of matter choaks. So worthie yet that all her pen provoaks? Thy witt devoted to the Cuntrie well, And conftant cleaving to the State in ftorme. Thy holie heart, lykc Phineas, full of zeall. In Church eff'aires things faultie to reforme. And of thy Faith thy fa6ls perfe6led then. Well witnefs now thow was a worthie man. I04 A Theatre of loo. ^ir 3io^n Campbell Of Caddell; ane worthie and ane honorable Knight; fhot and flaine in his oun houfs by ane wnknovven enemie, the yeare of Chrifl 1592. This Knight deare to his Countrie, to his Clann, And to the good and godlie gracious ay; One both well mix'd but better mov'd, a man (Tho full of worth) tane wickedlie away; While as fecure he dream'd nought of his death, A pellet pearft and did abredge his breath. No manifafted foe, nor man of mark, Of note or noble minde, of pow'r or fpreit, Would give there word wnto fo wile a wark. Much lefs be att fuch boutcherie albeit ; There was much blood, huge fyre & harfliip Arrange, But pitie fpilt and rais'd in the revenge. No! bot fome baftard fpreit oppon'd to thofe, That nought what honor was nor knighthood knew, To currie court and credit with his foes, Deceatfullie this Knight of Caddell flew; A feeble fa6l that ftill reproach fall raife To th' a6lor, and wnto the patient praife. Scottifh Worthies. 105 1 01. 9!amej5 ^teirart Earle of Murray, Lord Abernethie, Lord of Downe and Sanct Colme. Flooriflied in the yeare of Chrifl 1592. If all the knighthood & the counts of France, With all thofe that from Rome to Carthage came, (Whom for there worth wife writters does advance And with renoun hes noted by there name), Were to give mufters into Mars his green, Nor thow non fould more fmgular be feen. Nought Abfalom, fo for his beutie blaizde, Nor Ifraells Saul, fo honor'd for his bight. Nought Peleus fone, for pith & fpreit fo prais'd, Nor Milo, for his magnitood & might, Nought He6lor, Hercules, nor Hanniball, In fbature was more ftraight, more trime, nor tall. And yet thy outward parts that paft compaire Wes bot the cadge or cace that did inclood (The excellent and perfe6l figour faire Of the moft glorious God, moft great, moft good) Th' effentiall foul, pure, fubtcill & celefl, With all the graces beutified & bleft. O io6 A Theatre of 1 02. gjamejai Coltilt Appearand of Weems; a youth for his perfpicuous prudence, pietie, faire form & fortitude, of great expe6latione; in the flour of his aige dyed, the yeare of Chrifl 1594- Thy worthie fyr was Mars his fonc it feems, Since fo declair'd his deeds into his dayes But with thy valour thy grave wifdome (Weems) Does evidentlie witnefs and bewraies ; Thow was Minerva's child, the Mufes chofe, The palme of prudence & of reafon rofe. Firft Fife gave fuck and France it fed the fine, Heir firft to grow thy grace and guifts begane, There floriflied the fruits of thy ingine, And perfecl rype there plac'd & prov'd the man ; Sancl Valerie thy virtew wieued & wondred, When battring her th" Iberian bombards thundred. But hade the Weirds that greateft worth envies, Or fpightfuU Faets with pities eyes efpy'd, (How in thy youth thow worthie was & wife) And gevene the tyme for to extend & try'd, Thay hade feen in the things wondrous & more, Nor in fyve hunder they hade found before. Scottifh Worthies. 107 103. ^ir patxic'k (Bothont. Of Auchindouncj wncle to George, Marquefs of Huntlie, that now leives; a noble gentleman and a gallant knight of a fingular & heroick fpeirit. Floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl 1594. Of purpofe I the praife, Sir Patrick, pafs Of all thy parantage and pedegrie, Whofe fplendor great and glorie, in the glafs Of thy oun worth, fuch as hes fight may fee ; And there there a6ls autentick too & old, May reprefented happilie behold. Integritie, treuth and trew honor held Into thy heart the cheiff and higheft hold, Ingenit, dewtie & difcretion duel'd. That temperats extreams in breafts like bold, And therewith was vivacitie of witt, By courage clofs the fure confort of it. Thefe nought in ane nought idle ornaments, Nor perfunclorious in thy perfone plact, As cafuall, incertane accidents. That for the forme the gloried and grac'd ; No! bot flill working virteus they th' attend Wnto thy glorious & gallant end. io8 A Theatre of 104. 3]o]^n jHaitlanti* Lord Thirlflane; and for his letters & wifdome made Great Chancellor of Scotland; a wife, politique, flatfman, ane eloquent orator, & a nottable philolog. He dyed the yeare of Chrifl 1595. I boldlie nought th' ambitious Beldame blind, Whom foolls a Fortoun call, did follow firft, But with a meafur'd, yet a mounting minde, (And nought in vaine) for honors throne did thirft; Yet nought the Royall roumes, nor cheifeft chaire, But nixt to that, I rais'd and rear'd myne there. No grace decoaring could, nor gift be given. Men fubje6ls born but meane, to magnifie And helpe to honor; but behold the heven, In paffing plentie, did impairt to me, A ftomak, ftrength, wealth, ftature, wifdome, will, And t'aide my freinds and flcaith my foes a fkill! Yet damne me nought, deare countrie, when I could. And nought perform'd that all that thow expe6led ; Th'allfeing Word will witnefs that I would, And was ftill to thy forderance eftecled; But when my witt works for thy well invented, Then troubl'd tymes turn'd them to nought intented. Scottifh Worthies. 109 105. ^ir asobert jHontgomene* Brother to Hugh, Earle of Montgomerie, flaine att Annick; a man of great fpereit; after incredible deeds and lowrs done and taken for revenge of his brothers flaughter, laid doun his armes, and deteafling defire of revenge, died hohHe, the yeare of Chrill 1596. The after tymes fall tell this & extoll, Als long as Fame hes in her bougie breath, And make thy praife outfpring and pafs the Poll, For thy brave deids done for thy brothers death; Thy paines, th' expenfs, and all thy hazards hard. They will nought want (as worthie) there rewarde. Who for a fratri-coede was found fo fierce, Who did fo much fo markable and ftraunge, Or who for fuch like flaughters made fuch ferche, And was fo reftlefs reddie to revenge? Few fo fraternall found are now or non, The caire for kinde & goodmen all is gone. Yet when thy works of wrath thow viewed, thow wift All that by violence thow wrought was wrong; Thefe doings then condemned thow did defift, And left it that did to the Lord belong, Remitt or vengeance for thy brothers blood. As it fhould feem wnto his Godhead good. I lo A Theatre of 1 06. Co The moll martiall and all praifeworthie Scottifh Gentlemen and gallant Sojours, flaine att Hulll, the yeare of Chrift 1590. Refolved Worthies, and renoun'd, rejoice, Since lofs of life your laud and glore begane, And now is groun as great as that of thofe That in thofe warrs the name of Wortheis wan; Death does deduce no dram for your defearts, No! bot more matter to your praife impairts. A knightlic death infamous life before, Heroick hearts & men of fame preferr, All martiall minds they eftimat it more, If with triumph renoun there truncks interr; Nor give them cities, fegnories & fuch, The love of honor fo there ftomaks touch. This witnefs'd weell your aflions ere yow ended, When th' Archiduke did fulminat & forc'd Onhappie Hulft, therby your fa6ls defended. And therefrom but by death to be divorc'd; Your blood fo boldlie fpendit there & fpilt, Your Tombs nor gold more gloriouflie hes built. \ Scottifh Worthies. 1 1 1 107. gjame^ LorD ^tctoart Brother-german to Andrew, Lord Ochiltrie; a noble gentleman, a famous Captane, a brave schollar, a grave flatfman ; Earle of Arrane & Great Chancellor of Scotland. Floorifhed & was flaine, the yeare of Chrift 1597. When deeds of honor high, or hazards hard, Occur'd to be efifeftuat by force, What anie martiall doer durft thovv darr'd. Yet wiflie weigh'd the advantage or the worfe; Thy will & vfe to actione thow inur'd, Through nature ftrong and dreidlefs to indur'd. Thy fanning fortoune, nor thy frouning fate, Thy cleare funfliine, nor yet thy cloudie day. Thy ftanding honor, nor thy ftouping ftate, They mov'd nought much, nor did thy minde difmaie; But lyke a tall fhipe in a ftormie tide, Thow onabafed bold lie did abyde. And when the force of foes did moft affront the, There moien moft & thine was att the meaneft; There magnitude of minde did nought furmount the, But thine was know'n coeciuall with the keeneft ; This witnes'd was when wnawarrs invaded, Thy fortitude nought att thy faling faded. 112 A Theatre of 1 08. Lacl^lane jHafeclane* A man for his fpreit, flrcngth and heroicall dignitie of perfone, to be compair'd to the mofl ancient Captanes of his Countrie; onhoneflhe betrai'd and flaine by his fiflers fone, Sir James Mackonell, the yeare of Chrifl. 1598. Who of thy Highland Peers in fpreit furpaft, Or overmatch'd the in a mite, Mackclane? Yea! if I lliould all our records o'recaft, Scarce fould I finde of infineit hot ane ; So was thow both in partes efpied, & fpreit Be beft approv'd opinions compleit. The high commend thow to thy glorie got, (And then thy foes from gallent men & great) Still fall it fland to thy renoune a note; When Time is nought and dales fhall have noe dait, Thy praifes fall be publiflit & repeated, At fuch a work, with reafone, thow was rated. Yet this thy worth that fo efteemed ftood Wes trait'rouflie betrai'd and tane away, And by a brench (a boutcher of thy blood) Condignlie for his deeds condamn'd this day, For the rewards on treafon that attends, Are, dreidfull doome ! difgrace and doolfull ends. Scottifh Worthies. 1 1 3 109. ^ir aiejcantser ilturra^ CoUonell of the Scottifli regiment in the Low Countries, and ane couragious man of Avarr; flaine in Bumble with the cannon, the yeare of Chrill 1599. O how farr fall the tirranie extend, And furie of the Spanifli forces faire! Sail ne're there ire, nor wrong invafions end ? Shall nought there pride from perfecution fpaire? Or fall they ne're defift from the defire, Of the Wneited Provinces impire? Shall nought but it there appeteits appeafe? Shall nought bot it make fatt there meagrie minds? Sail ne're our eies behold her holie daies, Nor find the fru6ls of peace that France now finds ? To mattocks turn'd the mace, the fword, the fithe, Blefs God, & for that benefeit be blithe. No, no, but att ane other end they aime. And to a broader butt there bolts are bent; Thir countries are nought but a coUord clame, It is the trew Religion they wold rent; And they this head for hecatombs will have, Which grant, good God! it may releive the leave. P 1 14 A Theatre of no. giamejS J^otngla©* Earle of Buchane; a young nobleman amongfl the number of our noble youths one of mofl fmgular hope and expe6tatione; died in the 21 yeare of his aige, the yeare of Chrifl. 1601. Laid in the ludge of Honor heir behold The man that Mars & that Minerve admir'd ; In yeares the young, yet in his aflions old, And lyke a pure wnfpoted pearle appear'd; A Count & Knight, by kinde couragious, The onlie hope and honor of his Houfs. That too fhort tyme of life that Nature lent, And on this proudent potentat did fpaire, To hav't but prejudice to honor fpent. He hade a circumfpe6l and conflant caire; And nought wcell done nor perfeft wold approove, If nought in pietie perform'd & love. AUace! fould nought this land lament this lofs. And for this Worthie weep a world of teares.-' Who in his dauning was diffolv'd to drofs. And tane wntimlie in his tender yeares; Before was feen perafted be him ag'd. That young fo foone & certane fignes prefag'd. Scottilh Worthies. 1 1 5 III. i^arfe SiltxanUt OBoitie. A learned, virtuous, & weell difpos'd gentleman; ane excellent Poet, whereof manie records yet reniaines. After his pere- grinatione tuife allmofl through all Europe, in the vigor of his aige, depairted the yeare of Chrifl 1601. Brave Boyde! that by thy airt divyne hes draw'n, And with Apolinean pen expreft So manie warlike Worthies of thy oune. Out from the flirine of thy Hyblean breaft, Thow for thy worth fliould with thefe Worthies pafs, And be with them, too, rancked for thy race. A famous Clane, a faft and faithful! kinde Beare the a branche refembling right the roote; For frequentlie it falleth out, wee find, A good tree gives againe a gracious froot ; So fend that noble kinde from whence thow came, The (to this foil) befeeming weell the fame. Fraught weell with learning and the librall arts. With tri'd intelligence into the tongs. And other manie more approved pairts, That to the laureat & learn'd belongs. Which magnifi'd, fhall make the & admir'd, And prais'd perpetuallie, fuppofe expir'd. 1 1 6 A Theatre of 112. aiejcannet gjnajme* Of Drum, ane ancient, wife, and honorable, aged Barron, • died 1602. Bold Barron! borne of noe bafe blood nor birth, Bot from Patrician peers and parents fprong: All men of wifdome, honor and of worth, That by fucceffion laughfuU and a long Have bein both good, and of there a6lions great, Into the publi6l and the privat ftate. One of thy great grand-firs, a gallant Knight, When James the Firft, a wife and worthie prince. Was captive keept, againfl all reafons right. Or law then know'n, or yitt fancited fmce. Was one of thefe, thofe Worthies weell efteem'd, That ranfon'd him, and brought him^ home redeem'd. Harlaw and Brechen battells both doe beare, (Feights famous, perremptor and perrillous) That two of thy forbears bravlie there. And hardilie won honor to thy Houfs ; Which thow, with wifdome, and by hardinefs. To thine and thers great credit did increafs. Scottifh Worthies. 1 1 7 113. ^ir 3!oljn; dB'orDon* Of Pitlurge; a honorable, wife, and worthie Knight. Thow grave, good Knight, fair fafhion'd, full of faith, And wonderfuUie vigillent and wife, That nothing bot nobilitie did breath, Heer in the limeits of a little lies; Whofe placid fpreit fo was to peace difpos'd, That it eternall with the Jufb enjoyft. Into thy tyme, thy manie travells tends (Tranquillitie fo all thy life thow lov'd) To quench the countrie quarrells and of freinds, T' amend what mal & mifcontentments mov'd; O worthie Knight! according to thy kind So wiflie weell and vertuouflie inclyn'd. Manie be borne, ftir'd be there nature ftrong, And confidence into ther force t' afifecl, Yea fofler feids the wicked they and wrong, And that bot for there pride and powr's refpecl ; But thow to peace was (to thy glorie) giv'n, A jem on earth, a Jewell into heaven. 1 1 8 A Theatre of 1 14. ^(r antireicD ^tetjjart* CoUonell ; nottable & mod famous for his militarie knowledge, pradeifed in the Eaft pairts, Low-Countrie warres; & att home, for his fmgular good fervice, renoun'd. Floorifh'd the yeare off Chrifl Two Roman rewlars and ane Epirot, For valor all, bot warring divers waies, Renoun'd names triumph with glorie, got The laurall too adorne them in there daies: Firfb Maximus, when it feem'd meet he might. For wife avoiding & deferring fight : Marccllus fine is celebrat and prais'd, For valerous adventring in his warr, And ever biding battell onabais'd, Tho ne're fo awfuU his adverfars ar: And Pirrhus laft, that Epirat renoun'd, Was, for the befb encamping, Captane croun'd. Bot of thefe gallants all thefe graces great. And martiall mindes of thefe three mightie men, Witt to bewar, force to efife6l a feat, And how t'encampe convenienthe to ken, Keen Collonell, all through thy theorie. And pra6leifes was proper wnto the. Scottiih Worthies. 119 115. ^ir Cl}oma0 d^oruone* Of Cluny; a Knight, honorable, valerous, & wife; courteouflie inclyn'd, virteuouflie difpofed, and affable wnto all in all his affaires. Floorifhed the yeare of Chrifl More large the lofs, and greater nor the greif, Is that by death the Countrie-State fuftaines ; It ftricks the ftanders, and cuts doun the cheeff, Strong pedeftalls to prop it that pertaines; The domage then that death does to th' Eftate Exceeds the courfe and compafs of conceapte. Each moment, month, each yeare, each day, each houre Exempted non that mortall is among, And in each place, experience of the pow'r Is doolfullie taught of the Tirrane ftrong; Yea, that this day, in this accomplifh't Knight, Wee foorlie fie with forrow in our fight. Since when occafione did occure or crave To marke or meafure by the minde a man, Few was, in giving councill good or grave. That paft him, eln, or inch, or fpace, or fpane; No, non, and if to goe, to Mars his gaine. Who better prov'd, or feen into the fame.** I20 A Theatre of 1 1 6. gioljit iitarauc0 of i^atnmiltoun* Earle of Arran, Lord of Evan and Aberbrotbock, &c.; a honorable and egregious perfonage, [in] whom the marks and notts of trevv Nobihtie ever was mofl eminent. He died the yeare of Chrifl So many reafons relevant arife, And ftore of fluff t' wp propt thy praife appeare, That might make wicked wretches that invies The Worthie moft, there eyes eclipfed cleare In the the fignes of honor, to behold That virtew weive into the worthie wold. No notes ignoble, nor bafe formes was found (That could a Prince his reputatione paire) Within thy bofome grave to get a ground ; No, nor thral'd thoughts was hid or harbr'd there, Thoughts that to vice and flaves to fmn are feen. Nought noble thoughts of noble mynds I meen. Nobilitie concording with thy minde. With vertuous works (nought wedded to thy will) In th' affable and mightie Marquis fliinde. And fliew'd thow ay ftood ftaide and ftable ftill, One ever effaulde & religious Lord, Onharm'd thy honor & onwrong'd thy word. Scottifh Worthies. 1 2 1 117 3!o]^n Horn -Jforbe^* A flout couragious Lord ; in his youth entangled with troubles, and in his aige in peace, both grave & godlie. Died Anno Chriflie 1606. Long with the jaw's of nightbour jarrs I jufted, And in a warrs onkindlie wau's was volv'd, Long of thefe greiffs that follow force, I gufted, Yet refolute and lyke my felfe refolv'd; I ftable fhai'd and ftood one alwayes ftill, Into my fortouns faire, even odd or ill. Nought that I took into that life delight, Or fanc'd with freinds old to be att ods ; Nor by the profound powers of my fpright, And th' everlafting glorie of the gods, I doe protefb, could warrs have been prevented, I both did loath, miflike them, and lamented. But fatall caices they muft have ther courfs. And deeds predeftinat they muft be done, Tho whills the worthie Warriors get the worfs. And whills they ventrars in ther warrs they win; B' infortund fight there can come noe difcredit Wnto bold breafts, that bravlie does abyd it. Q 12 2 A Theatre of 1 1 8. ^(r 2IliUiam Cnmonti* Colonell to one of the Scotts regiments in the Low-Countries, and one of the Counfaill of warr of the Wneited Provinces; a knight that for his exceiding valour pafl all the degrees of martiall dignities, and gave ws manie and nottable prooffs of his flortJone» Earle of Southerland; ane heroick and mofl noble Earle, worthilie lamented j in the flrength of his aige depairted this life, the yeare of Chrifl 1615. Aftrea fad in feck and fable fute, Difcheveled about her hade her hair, Nought murning like a maide, bot manlie mute, Croft and confounded for thy caufe with caire, Wpon thy tomb a ftone lyke flatue ftands, With fixed feit, clofs eyes, and croffed hands. And fo by filent fignes fuch forrow fhows, As witt can nought invent, nor wreit, nor word, No, nor our humane hearts compre'nds nor knows, Nor tho yet know'n could mans concept record; So with difpleafures fhe oppreft appear's, That ther's noe place for plaints nor time for tears. Yet by this folemne filence it wold feem That this moft moeftfull Maid but murmur means, More pithelie nor by high plaints, t' expream Th' affaults of forrows that her fouU fufteans, And for thy want, wife, worthie Earle, will ay With vult and nought with voce her woe bewray. R 130 A Theatre of 126. girtJine iftempt dB^attien* A man of admirable and flupendious flrength, called the Kempt for killing of a feirce and mightie boar in the den of Garden, and got the faid lands therfore, being the firfl that boor our name, & from whom all that boor the fame are de- fcended. He flooriflit about the reigne of King Gregorie the Great. When they, whom Fame for nottable renoun'd, Are nam'd, numbred, and notorious, And with the cape of land for lawrell croun'd, To make them gallenter and glorious, Should thow, that was as excellent as old. Reft onremembred, reckned, or onfcrold? No, noe; the kiling of that cruell beaft, His head throw'n of and from his den furth draw'n, As is in thy primevident expreft, Hes caus'd the be Kempt Irvine cald & knawn. Thy ftyle and laud thow from thy Lord for that, And wee from the our name of Garden, gatt. That Boars head, bloodie, rugged of, & rent, (When others fliorne or beatten of it beares) In figne of honor for thy hardiment, Thy recla-line yitt as thow wan it wears, So be that fimple onfuppHed bage, All come of the are knaw'n in everie aige. Scottifli Worthies. 131 127. ^ir 9|ame0 ^tet^att Called the Black Knight, fone to the Lord of Lome; ane noble & a worthie Knight; maried Queen Jean Seymer after the Leilie, in the death of King James i., her husband, the yeare 1439, & Scot, hift., pag. begot on her John and James, Earles of AthoU and Buchane, and Andrew, Bifhope of Murray; was removed from Court be moyen of the Earle of Dowglafs; therafter, failing to Flanders, was by the Fleemings taken, and in Flanders died, the yeare of Chrifl 1446. Thy worthie vertues, they indeid defire, I grant, a more Homerick mufe nor mine To furnifli food and fevvell to the fyre, That fould them to the future times define; And perfe6llie both forme & fet them forth, According as they were, & thow was worth. Illuftruous Lord! my Mufe immature yet, Loath that the floorifh of thy fame fhould fade, Or be pen't in Oblivions pitchie pit, Wherin of mereits is no mentione made, But there, all that deferv'd, lye dead & clean Oblit'rat arc, as they hade never bene. Therfore fhe will, fmce it fo much deferv'd, Nuriflied with ne6lar and ambrofian breath, From th'all fuppreffing priffon to preferv'd, Wfe then the dungeon & the den of death, That it may vivid wax and never vane, Bot evermore remembered remaine. 132 A Theatre of 1 28. ^ix anntetD dD-rat* Ane Englifli gentleman, the firfl of that name in Scotland; for the love he beare to the worthie King James the i, came in his Graces fervice, & weell efleem'd be the faid King got in recompence the heretrix of Foulls, Helen Mortimer, in mariaige, from whom the houfs of Gray is defcended. He flooriflied the yeare of Chrifl 1424. When James the Firfl, that wife and worthie King, From England home there long detain'd reteir'd; In whom there did fuch wondrous prudence fpring, That Englifli both did mark it, and admeir'd That in a Royall youth, of fo few yeares, So manie princlie pairts fo foon appears. Which admiratione mightilie did move, And into diverfe there of ftate did ftirr A firme afifeftione, liking, and a love To ferve and hold of him; and thow of thir Was nought the laft, nor meaneft, hot a man Refpe6led moft and beft thought of thefe then. This gracious King the leaving of your land To thefe & the pafl nought wnrecompenft. No, but his Highnefs, with a liberall hand, i . Yow all to honor and to wealth advanft ; And ther, be th' heretrix of Fowlls, made heare To that old Knight, Sir Roger Mortimer. Scottifh Worthies. 133 1 29. 3;ame32J Horti C^giltie. Father to James Lord Ogilvie that now is; a courteoufs and a noble Lord, belov'd and highUe honor'd with his Prince ; fent cheiff in a Royall ambaffage to the Corronation of Chriflian the 4, now King of Denmark, etc. Departed this prefent life, the yeare of Chrifl 1597. Moft lovlie Lord, in forme and fafliions faire, In courtefies and complements compleit, That with the beft componde thow might compare In pregnancie and powers of the fpreit; The gifts and graces of the minde, I mean. That ornaments beft to the beft lies bein! This thy innate and noble naturall, Thy educatione, travells, and thy fight, Each helping others and conjoyned all, They have prepaired and proportion'd right The a pure poliflit fpreit, as good as great. And ripe to rule beneath a Royall State. Wcell did the pearle and paragone of Princes, Thy foveraignc Lord, thy Prot'us pairts cfpie Out of his wifdomes fharp-ride-fight & fences. That built in his Bafilik bofomc ly; The therfore and thy witts be wiflic ws'd, And once to be his chcefif Embafdore chous'd. 134 ^ Theatre of 1 30. 9|o]^n Carle of Cafllll^* A wife, renouned and noble Earle; depairted the yeare of his aige, the yeare of Chrifl 1615. Carrick, thy Count and weelbeloved Lord, With all thy nigh'bring Provinces deplore ; Into whofe bofome witt and valor ftor'd, And daily to his death augmented more; Into that breaft no bad, nor baflard thought, A habitatione hade, nor feat hes fought. Concerning worfhipe or religious rights, But ftablie rearing on the ftedfaft rock, His leivlie faith impoftures he difpights, And all there mad mal-ventions he did mock, Accounting mercenar that humane means. Which to fupport Plutonean pride perteans. Thow'r intereft the King and Countrie too, He laiks a loiall leege, a lover it, A learned, wife, and Lord moft loving thow. To ferve him Lord the and defend her fit; So Carrik, thow the Countrie, King & Faeth Are intereft all by th' Earles wntimlie death. Scottifh Worthies. 135 131 l^atrtfe €arle of linel^orne* Lord Lion, Belleville, & Glamfs; a religious, wife, folide, and worthie Earle. Depairted this life, the yeare of his aige - the yeer of Chrifl 1615. Who greatter graces hade of graver yeares? Who of his place of greater fpreit lies fpir'd ? Who hes more prudent proven among the peers, Or with more parts praife-worthie hes appear'd, Into that too curt courfe of life (hot lent) And little fpace that heir Earle Patrick fpent? His faith faft fixt was naither fond nor fain'd, In's courfes conftant but recalling knaw'n ; One neare for feare, nor want of ftomak flain'd, Nor be inducement from that deutie drawn, That to ther God, ther Soveraigne Lord & Law, Good Chriftians and loiall fubje6ls aw. No, no ; non can that Count expyr'd reprove, Nor anie point to his difpraife impute; Bot rather will (into his lyfe fuch love His working wifdome wan) rife & refute The calumneis that envie dare obtrude, Glammfs, gainft thy Earle, fo great, fo grave, fo good. i3<5 A Theatre of 132. dD^eorge dDiotDone* Earle of Huntlie, Eangye, Lord Gordone, Loquhaber, & Badze- noch, Great Chancellar of Scotland ; ane heroick and noble Earle, notablie famous in the Scottifh hiftorie, Floorifhed the yeare Reft noble Lord, firft famous for thy kinde, Then nottable was for thy calling knawne; Bot markablc moft for great gifts combin'd, Which makes the fo be through all Brittane blawne, And ev'crie throat to be a fhalme to found Thefe virtews that, Great Noble, the renoun'd, Thow borrow'd non, thy virtews were thine oune, Thow filfli'd from non there feathers when thow flew, Nor ought that now fufteins thy ftatue's ftowne, Bot all thy golden graces with the grew; And what eVe did adorne the to thy death Began to bud when thow began to breath. Bot how they fpred and fprang into thy youth, And florifh'd in thy tyme of tutelage, Or how, in ftronger ftate or greater grouth, They buire faire fru6l to the ending of thy aige. Now oceans and fpeats of praife difplayes. When clos'd with credit is thy date of dayes. Scottifh Worthies. 137 133 ^Itjcanut ismct. Of Earlfhall; ane honorable Barron, adorned with many good & godhe graces. Dyed m the yeare of Chrifl 1600. Thow that does from that thunderbolt, the Bruce, (Borne both his foes to beat, debell and brave) Thy lawfull line and thy difcent deduce, The higheft honor that thy Houfs could have; Such was thy cariaige, knaw'n in everie place, As beft becum from fuch a Root & Race. Firft to thy God thow hade a great regaird. To King and Countrie then thy caire exceeded ; Thy tables, too, were princlie-lyke prepair'd, To all and wnto non deny'd that needed ; Yet to fuperflous formes oppon'd exprefs, That feem'd bot fib to ryot and excefs. No brainfick-heads was harbour'd in thy houfs, Nor non difpighting pietie nor peace; Thy noble nature deligat and douce, Could nought allow fuch laulefs fpritts a place ; No, but it plainlie did expell the proud. And lou'd non bot the godlie and the good. S 138 A Theatre of 134. ^it 91ol)n oTarmicl^aeU* Of that Ilk, Knight j a valerous Gentleman, fomtime Warden of the [Middle] Marches; ryding to correct the infolencie of fome rebellious Borderers, was flaine be 1600. While be Commiffione and the Kings command, Wnto the Border Lands neir England, where The torrent Arve does flrick wpon the ftrand And fat the feilds and weari'd valies there, Thow then, Lord Warden, went to give the Law, For bringing rebell-ryders wnder aw. Some perverfe fpreits, oft pra6leifed to fpoile. That then difdain'd direftions to indure, Or laufullie to labour, love or toill, Moft cruelly to cutt thy throat conjoure; And as they plot they pra6leis and performe, And flroak the with ane wnexpected florme. A deed, no doubt, indigne to be declar'd, A bold and contumelious contempt, That thow could nought for thy great fpreit be fpaired, Nor for thy place be from that ill exempt; But inhumainlie made away, God knaws. In fpight of heavenlie & of humane Laws. Scottifh Worthies. 139 135 ^it Cl^omajai L^one* Of Baldoukie, Knight; brother-germane to John, Lord Glames, etc., Great Chancellar of Scotland; a foleid, Avife and martiall minded gentleman; one of the Lords of Counfall & Seflione; Treafurer of Scotland, the yeare Preferment, praifc, and honor high pertaines To thofe that reftlefs nought remiffly rinne; They that extreamitie of ftorme fuftaines, As went'rars wife moft worthilie fliould winne, And they whofe virtews does there names renoune, Them cheiflie Honor does commend and croune. Thow then that ftronglie fo State ftorms fuflain'd, Nor mean nor few Republi6l races ran, And manfullie in all thy matters meen'd, Still leiving like a great and gallant man. In the expreffion of a fpregnant fpreit Hes for reward this croune of Honor merit. Them as thy juftum thow injoy it muft. To make thy ghoft be glaid and glorie too, When thefe thy bones falbe diffolv'd to duft, And turn'd to earth and aflie, as they are now; 'Since that the gifts of thy great fpreit procures, That wndefac'd cv'r thy dcfarts indures. 140 A Theatre of 136. Now glorious are there Ghofls that for there God, There King, ther Couiitrie, Faith, or for there Freinds Doe by the force of foes, the rack, or rod, There vitall fpirits prodigallie fpend ; And happie them the World accounts and calls Whom to like fine, like fate, or fortoun falls. Whofe Ghofts more glade fhould be and glorious then. And whofe renouns more rolled through this round, Whofe deeds and death amongs ws mortall men, For better cauffes clameth to be croun'd ; Gif for the Churches, the Countrie, King, or Kin, It glorious be to doe and die therin. Then greeflefs, glade, and glorious is thy Ghoft, Now plac't where praife and pleafures are compleet. That with thy Soveraigne Lord, thy life hes loft. And fell before him fightand att his feet, Whaire nought few of thy freinds to him and the Declair'd ther loialtie and love, did die. Scottifli Worthies. 141 137. Malttt ^tfcoaxt Lord of Blantire; ane of the Extraordinary Lords of the Seflion, one of the Odlavians, and one of His Majeflys honorable Privie Councill; a prudent and difcreit gentleman, depairted this lyfe the yeare i6 And ^(t; g|oI)n button. Of [Fentonbarns], Knight, Lord Prefident of His Majeflys Seffion; a honorable, learned, & judicious gentleman, departed this lyfe the yeare i6 Advert Viator and advance thine eyes Wpe to thofe moldie monuments & tombs, Wherin, thow worthie, worfliipfull & wife, (Too narrow ftraight and clofs concreated rooms) There terrane trunks, there flitting tents, there traefli Heir bot a while are folded in there flefli. There fpirits pure, that from the pureft fprang. Corruption could nought keep, nor clay inclofe; From whence they come they green'd againe to gang, And throw the durrs of Death their glaidlie goes, Whaire they attending (mirthfull does remaine) A re-uneiting glorious againe. For name, renoun, nor praife they neid nought pans. Nor what detra6lione after death can doe; They reigne in reft where is no change, nor chance, Nor where is neid to eek, nor add Avnto That paffing all and pcrfe6l plenitood Of glorie into God, the greateft good. 142 A Theatre of 138 datlt ot iSDtMav* (Or Earle of Bothwell, Duke of Orknay). Magnanime minds, why mufe ye as amaz'd, To fee your fellous feirce and froward fates ? Oft Tyme and Fortone ruin'd hes and rais'd Bafs blood, high born, and altred all eftates; Be nought amazed then, nor think it wonder, Tho Kings be croft and Majeftie ly wnder. On Neptuns back my barge feem'd fett fecure, While with the lions love it fail'd circounded ; But few that God fo fetl'd fie, nor fure, And I not obftant thefe am thus confounded ; Time hes my truft, my life and ftate betray'd, And in my fate, my fall and wrack bewray'd. Heroicks yet the Fortoun, Fate, and Time, To ruine yow attempt and t'alter all ; Yow fliould be femi-dean and fubleim, And ftoup nought for diftreffes temporall; But in the lofs of life, and change of States, Be refolute and feare not force of Feats. \ Scottifh Worthies. 143 139 ^ivmhtttMitl). Of Benholme, brother-german to George, Great Marfhall of Scotland, now leiving; a honorable and noble mynded gentleman, depairted the prefent lyfe, the yeare i6 All yew that valor, worth, or courage carie, That noble birth and gallant fpreits refpecls^ T'attend thefe tropheas, tomb & triumphs, tarrie, That now renoun in honor heir erecls. Of this moft Mars-like Marflialls brother bold, Whofe worthinefs was worth a grave of gold. And yow that rarities and wonders wold. Or wifh to view things marvellous yow may; Heir love and honor, hand in hand, behold March with the Mufes all in doole this day; Bellona brave, and Mars the mourners cheeff, Gods feldome fene to figh, or groan for greeff. Nought to this Worthie to be wanting yit, They in a mortall manner and humane, This high-bonie-heros-herfe to honor it. All cled with caire & cypres croun'd doe daigne; And with fad Anthems, blak & luri'd layes, Shall grave in gold this Worthies worth & praife. 144 ^ Theatre of 140, Whanc change of Time and chance of Feat confpires, And mens mifcariaige as a curs concurrs, Throns they orethrow, prefs and pull doun Impires, Great Kefars, Kings and Dukes drives out of dures ; Chance, Change and Time, like cancre, moaths & freats, Yea, wndermines all men and mundane States. What Time, what Change, what Chance and m' vnfreinds might, Could all confederat agains me frame. Both with difdainfull and deferved fpight, Conbin'd t'obliterat and blot my name Out of the Rolls and Records of renoun. How foon m'offended Prince they fand to froune. Chance, Change and Time yit juftlie did conjoure. And for my follies fram'd my fall and foill, Which me from th' hight of my beft fortouns bure, Fleim'd and defam'd wnto a forraigne foill; Whair I bot vext did wait on others will, Whill Death woutchaf'd to eas and end my ill. Scottifh Worthies. 145 141. Moft pregnant Worthie, worfhipfull and grave, In worde, in vote, and in thy working wife ; With gifts more nor gray hairs grac'd is thy grave, Whairin thy reHques rcfts and ludg'd now lies ; A wonder once, a world of Avitt and worth, Th'Vliffes of this Hand fince thy birth. Before the few, and feldome fince are fuch In giving of a councill fage and found. In turns materiall that the State did twich, Non faithfull forowarder nor thow was found, Ane as in State that in the Church advis, Nev'r fail'd, nev'r did difficult things refuife. For in what was thy witts and fpreit imployd, Thy tongue, lyke Tullies, told, thy pen expreft, Or than thy cuning compafs'd and convoy'd, And what difficill was to doe, thow dreft; Yea, whan awry (feem'd works of greateft weight) And crooked kyth'd, thow caufed them ftand wp ftreight. T 146 A Theatre of 142. ^ir 3!o!)n ^fieem Of Currihill, Knight; ane eloquent Orator, learned Jurifl, flcil- fuU Antiquarie; principall Clerk of the Regiflers and Rolls, and one of the Lords of his Majeflys mod honorable Privie Councill. He died 16 17. Gif martiallie, or be what means of might, (Amongs the noble Romans e're renoun'd) A citizen ane other fav'd in fight. He was with civick wreaths decor'd & croun'd ; And therforc honor'd more & thought of thofe, Then he that hade triumphed and taen ten foes. Gif then the faver of a citizen Thefe worthie Romans grac'd & fo reguarded, How fhall the paines and pra6leis of thy pen Be worthilie, as they were worth, rewarded, That fav'd fo many thowfands of this Ifle, Whill thow refyn'd the ftufif, refram'd the ftyle? Of th' Ancient Monuments, the Modern Laws, And foundamentall Statutes of Eftate, Works of great witt and knowledge who nought knaws, Into two volums both as good as great; Wherin thefe Law's are be thy labors dreft. And to thy praife, plain'd, polliflit & expreft. Scottifh Worthies. 147 143. aiejcantier OBumet Of Leyes; a honorable, wife & politique gentlman. Died anno 1620. Suift filver ftreams, fmooth, flaw and foftlie flyd, No, ftay yow flill, rin retrograd and turne, Re-gorge againe, dead bot a motione byde, With cairfull Crathes to lament and mourne, And as my Leyes along the mourners bears, Deave them with din, and droun them with thy tears. And I, I fhall re-echo everie roare, Refound our forrows and our fliouting fhrill, While they wnto the criftall celing foar, And all the Earth as they wpfleing fill ; For he our love is to be buri'd borne, That me fo much and Dea did the adorne. In cariaige comlie, in his counfaills faige, Pollitique he was, provident and wife ; Ane ornament and honor to his aige, Now in the phane, which he caus'd frame, he lies. Awaiting, as all that be mortal! muft, (To reigne in refl) the ryfing of the Juft. 148 A Theatre of 144. ^ir Cl^omajs iHemiejJ, Of Cults, Knight; Prepofite of the burgh of Aberdeen; ane accompliflied & a vvorthie gentlman ; returning from Court to Scotland, depairted this life, in the North pairt of England, the yeare 1620. S age facred Mufe! prepare thy felfe t'affift I n fable cyphers for to fet my fong, R efang thy flute and with a flebile fift T urn'd to the tune mofl tearfull tunes among, H eirs a Thanatick theame, t' extend and ftraine clav's in voe, ov're everie common vene. M oft m.eftfull Citie, moan and murne with me, A nd from the laweft vaile and vults of voe S earche for the caires that yet wnknawne be; M aflv mufters then and fwarmes of forows fhoe, E xceeding all and all exceffive more N or lies bein told of in the times before. G roan Tragick girle and paffionatlie plaine, Y ell with thy voce a deed and doolfull dittie, E vir ejulat, groan and regrate againe, 1 n tearmlefs tears the forrows of this Cittie; S ince, to her great & wondrous voe in volor, O h! ominous to it expir'd her olor. Scottifh Worthies. 149 145. i^iejcantjer ketone* Earle of Dumfermling, Lord Fivie, &c. ; Great Chancellor of Scotland, and High Commiffioner for his Majefly in Parlia- ment, anno 16 ; ane egregious Earle; a Angular, good and gratious Judge; a great and grave Statfman; of a pro- found and prudent providence and witt; and mofl worthie of immortall memorie. Depairted this prefent life, in the yeare 1622, Accomplifht Count, when broot of Fame hade blaw'n, And doubtfullie dilated hade thy death, Tho too too trew, as t'have bein cleerlie know'n, The Virtues therewith wrong'd weept & were Avraeth, The Graces groan'd, the Mufes all they murn'd, All th' Arts there cheerfuU lookes in luring turn'd. The Princes plaind, the mightiefl bemoan'd, The learn'd lament' t, and voefuU was the vife ; The confcrip-fathers when they think wpon't. Was he with there eyes the ludging where thow lyes; And all the Jurift's with there clients come, And offers tears for tribute to thy tombc. Egregious grave, thrife highlic happie thow, That fo rare heavenlie troups, rich earthly traines. Deplores thy death and to advance awow Perpetually thy praifes with there paines, And make thy mereits bend above and rtreatch O're Mundane reafon, and all mortall reatch. I so A Theatre of 146. giame^, 3!ol)n, am auan ^teirartjs. Brothers, cufings-german to King David Bruce, and brother to Robert the Second, King of Scotland; Hugh, Earle of Rofs; Kenneth, Earle of Sutherland; Alexander Bruce, Earle of Carrick; Andro, James, & Simon Frazers brother; all worthie and valerous noble perfonagis, llaine in that wnhappie feild of Halidonehill, 1333. Boece, lib. 15. The Romans raige in warr and fought, bot how, fo. 328. ^j^ nations help did with there ftandarts ftand; Bot valerous and worthie Worthies yow, That bot few Clans and Cohorts did command; And with fupport, aide, and fupplies bot fmall, Made oft your foes before yow fold and fall. lo. Major, They for there oun effefl, now friends, then foes, li^v.^'r^' With Fortoun favring as there freind did fight, And with or gainft there mother countrie goes, To roborat, or robb her of her right ; As did that Antone, Marks, & Marius, Great Pompey, Sill, and Caefer Julius. Bot ever famous yee, all force defeat, Triumph'd on all attemps and wracks of warre. And tho to fall in fine, it was your fate, While fearlefs (doughtie) yow defending are Your Countries querrell and your Kings ; what then ? Yow leave, tho dead, therby immortall men. Scottlfh Worthies. 1 5 i 147. asobett ^tetoart Sone to the Earle of Lennox ; a noble & worthie Captane, never lo. Major, wearied with the voes incident to warrs; Good-fire to that ' '^'' noble and famous Bernard Stewart, Lord of Obegny, &c. ; renouned fo in the Frenfli, Scottifli, Englifli, and Italian hiflories; was flaine, with the Earle of Buchan, John Stewart, Conflable of France, and Archbald Dowglafs, Earle of Wigtone and Duke of Turone, att the battell of Wernoll 1422. Bold Worthie! yow that thy begining brings, And reakins from that root and Royall race, Th' illuftrious ftocke and ftemme of Steward Kings, Boece, lib. 16, Whofe glorie now this earthlie glob doth grace; ' The wnconquer'd courage thow at VernoU fliew, Thy pedegree from Princes fprung proves trew. It were difgrace to him that thinks him come From famelies of fuch a famous fame. So long, fo nottablie renoun'd, to whom Might aither be imputed baiflie blame. Or that his actions did not anfwer all, And in fome fort fliaw meer majefticall. Thow wifelie this into thy wifdome viev'd, And Honor held thy diameter and fquare; Difhonor baifs, as fliamefull thow cfchew'd. And never did approve, that did impare The glorious grandeur, great renoun & name, Of thefe from whence for to be come ye clame. 152 A Theatre of Fenerius Pede - montanus in lu- cremento et Oii- giiie Goidoni- nnim Familia?. Boecc, lib. 12, p. 264. Leslie, lib. 6, fo. 209. Hoi., Scot. Hifl., pag. 176. 148. dD'ornon* In the reigne of King Malcolme Cainmor, this gallant man, whofe proper name is nought exprell amongs diverfe others valerous& proudent gentlmen, was then verie famous for his courage and fingular good fervice in the faid Princes warrs; and in great honor and highlie favour'd be reafon in his faid Prince his prefence, in the wood off Huntlie, with magne flrength, & much magnanimitie, he overmaftered and flew a terrible great boare, wherfore he was created firfl. Lord Gordon, and caries in teflimonie therof three boar-heads cutit of in a golden feild, of whom are that numberous and noble name floorifliing this day defcendit. He floorifli'd about the yeare 1063. Whan that renoun'd King, Malcolm Cainmor, rang, Which was the Third in number of his name, Thefe eminent and men of mark amang. That hither on noe fmall occafions came; And were (for manfull & there martiall deed In our State ftories) regiflrat, wee read. Non more efteam'd, nor than thought of than thow, Ane offspring more lies fpred in fo fliort fpace, Yea, near to numbers numberlefs, he's now Grow'ne from the Gordon ground of thy great race; And to a grandeur fuch efteem'd hes ftor'd, That as thow than this countrie fmce decor'd. Thy glorie great, gain'd by that gallant deed, (The manfull maftring of that monftrous Boare) Illullrat fmce and fhynes fo in thy feed, Perforce pcrform'd thy Princes face before, That clarcfeis and thy couragious kinde. Thy mightie martiall and thy manfull minde. Scottifh Worthies. 153 149 ^it Ulilliam (Portion* A wight, valiant, and worthie Knight; nottable and famous in Fenerius de the reigne of Alexander the 2^; with diverfe others of the montan, incre- Nobilitie of the Scottifli Natione, Patrick Dumbare Earle Gordoniarum of March, and David Lindfay of Gleneflc, went with Lodo- fi^miJi;i--- vick, the 7 King of France, to Jerufalem to the Sacred Warrs; and there, waliantlie feightand, with manie other noble Chriflians, were flaine about the yeare 1232. Among the numbers of our noble Knights, Boece, lib. 13, (And nought a few our ferteill countrie afforded) ^'" ^^■*' That are found famous into forraigne fights, As ours and other Chronicles recorded; Sir William, thow was noted ane of thofe. That hatch'd high honors in the Heathen foes. The firft moft famous honorable warr, And onlie worthie valour to advance, T' all force and feights to be preferred farr, The lofs of life be there th'event and chance; For higher honor is to lofs all fo, Nor conquer kingdoms from a Chriftian foe. Thy courage there did thy defcent declare, And there the pietic of thy fpreit was fpyed, That fpair'd thy proves heir and proof'd it there, Where valiantly advancing there thow dy'd; The noble quarrell & the Chriftian clame. To th'endlefs glorie of the Gordons name. U 154 -^ Theatre of 150. for-beCt Ane ancient wortliie gentlman; the head & cheeff of ane great famiUe, markabHe remembered in the Hiflory of Scotland, hade his name changed from that of his forbears, called ( ) and by the occafione of the kiling of a mightie bear, or rather a boare, was called " For-the-beft," and by contra6tion Forbes, as all the families defcended from him are foe named to this day. He flooriflied in the reigne of Robert the Firfl, about the yeare 1317. My father, freinds, and all my kinfmcn kinde, Boece, lib. 1-4, And what was thers, there ftrength, there ftates, thcr flore, fo. 309. -^Yith there wfurping fatall foes was fil'd, And in there pow'r what they poffeft before ; My pregnant Mother only fcaps there hands, Wnknow'n, and force fled wnto forraigne lands. Whairc whill I to a twentie yeares attain'd, To long and large with follcs wnknow'n a while, With me my murning Mother there remain'd, Attending better tymes then ftill exile; For when the conquering Bruce here all commands, I come againe, and clam'd my fathers lands. But being by that Prince defpon'd before, \ To caufe his wifdome with his valour fliine. He doth a ftate (tho nought the fame) reftore To me as much as I could clame for myne; And if the treuth our Annalls hes expreft, My name was chang'd and I was cal'd Forbeft. Scottifh Worthies. T ii^ ^ 151 JHalcolm Carl of iLennoji\ And Gilbert Haj^, Lord Erroll; two honorable noblemen, the conftant and faithful! followers of the vidlorious Kingf, Robert the Firll; and two that attended and never forfook him in all his . They floorifli'd in his reygne about the yeare of Chrifl Weell-worthie Worthies of a wortheis name, And worthie all the honors to inhereit, That faultlefs faith and conftancie can clame, Or magnitude of martiall minds can mereit, Since through your faith now hence three hundcr years, Frefli floorifliing and faire your fame appeares. Whill th' ev'r matchlefs memorable Prince, The bold King Robert, that condu6ler brave, For martiall fpreit and prafteize never fmce, (Shall Nature boaft that fuch a grand flie gav^e) Wifelie gave way to Time fearce feats & foes, That then t' opprefs him all there powr's oppofe. Then ftedfaflHe to him in all his ftraits, While others hade noe hope, yew did adheare In all his fortouns, when raw roots he eats. And when he triumph'd too, both ye were there. As latelie to adorne yow, Daniell Into King Edward Long-lcggs Life dois tell. Boece, lib. 14, fo. 310. lo. I.eQie. Hoi., Scot. Hift,, p. 214, Daniell in the Life of Edward I., p. 171. 156 A Theatre of 152. i^atiiD ^av ConCtable, Keith Marfliall; Strathquhan, then Chamberlane to the Chancellor of Scotland; John Randolph, Earle of Morray, and Earle of Strathearne; James Lindfay of Gleneflc; John Lyon of Bonewill; Roger Scrhngeor; [William] Frafer; Alexander Gordone; John Waus; INIichaell Scott; Dowgall Campbell; Maurice Murray; Alexander Bodevall, called the Flour of chivalry; Robert Leflie; and John Myrtoun; with many other gentlmen and commons, flaine att the battell of Durham, 17 October 1346. Boece, lib. 15, All they for worthie deeds that glorie gain'd, fo. 336. j^^^ hev'd there honors out of bote alarms, All they in pret'red tymes that he obtained Fame for there fa6ls and a6lions in ther armes; Yea all remembred into martiall ftorie Deferve no more renoun, no greater glorie. Leflie, lib. 7, Nor yow all gallants and egregious Earles P' ^^5- Have, att the lafb expyring of your fperit, About your Prince wnparaleled pearls. That day att Durham where ye dy'd demerit; When as your valour to your foes a wonder, Or life leaft yow laid many of them wnder. Hoi., pag. 241. Yet tho your defteneis decre'd that ye, Into that famous fight among your foes Debaiting, fould for your King David die. And in that bloodie campe your courfes clofe, Such floods of fame flou'd from your purple ftream's, That notifies, & nottablie, your names. Scottifli Worthies. ' iS7 153- Cl^e (BatU^ Of Dowglafs (called William); Fife; Sutherland; Wigtoun; and Monteath; honorablie, after manful! and valerous feighting with there foveraigne Lord, King David Bruce, were taken with him in the battell of Durham, 17 October, the yeare 1348. What tho ye captive were, thrice worthie Counts, Your hearts difdain'd for to defert your King, Where through your glorie graves your mereits mounts, Boecc, lib. 15, And from your priffon does your praifes fpring; °' "'"^ For to have fayntlie fled, and left your Prince, Hade been a deip defe6l, a foull offence. And as thofe Princlie Peers above the poolls, Leil., lib. 7, That with him there there fpireit plac't are fpent, P^s- 255. So with your noble names remembrance poolls, Enritched are with gold engrav'n and grac'd; Hoi., Scot. And are your lauds, they are no less, fmce Fate, li^a., p. 241. T' attend your captive King, prolong'd your date. And yet nought want of ventring nor goodwill, No, nor of ftrength nor ftomach to withftand, Your foes that caught yow and your freinds did kill, And a' re your oft-croft Captane did command, No but the Fat's preordaind they fliould fall, And yow furveive for to revenge them all. 1.8 A Theatre of Hoi., Scot. Hift. . pag. 246. Boece, lib. pag- 341- Lellie, lib. pa. 261. 154. gioljn Uon* The firfl Lord Lion of Glaninis; a man adoarn'd with many nottable and fmgular graces of the minde, advanced to the court and favour of King Robert the 2^; and maried Elizabeth Stewart, daughter to the said mightie Prince, and therby got many faire lands, high honors, and great dignities; and was made Chancellor of Scotland; & wnhappilie flaine in Forfar, be James Lindsay Lord of Crawford, the yeare By no fain'd Fate that th' Heathen hold divine, But deftinat and be Divine decree, It was ordain'd, Lord Lion of thy line, That thow the firft fliould rift renoun'd to be ; Since that thy nature, name & noble minde, Expreft thow fprang & come of Lion kinde. Thy high attemps above bafe fpireits fprings, And lot fuccefs did fecond thy affife, Thow fcorn'd to linck but with the line of Kings, Dire6llic whence difcended are thefe fayes, As trew tongu'd knawledge reckoning them records All lawfull from thy loyns ten Lion Lords. Egregious fonns with the there great-grand-fyre. All in your tim's amplie advanc'd & rais'd To places of refpe6l in this Impire, And by the Princes your promovers prais'd. For weell imploy'd paines into your places. The higheft honor of heroick races. Scottlfh Worthies. 159 155 Cl^oma^ antj iSicIjola^ Cr^fttne. Alexander Lindfay, and William Cuningham of Kilmauers, 4. heroick and noble gentlmen, defeated ane flrong Englifli Hoafl that landed on both the fydes of the Firth, cruelly deflroying, killing, and berrying all before them where they come, and burnt St. Colmes Abay, & many touns in Fyfe ; and att lafl were by thofe noble and valerous gentlmen valiantly routed, put to flight, flaine, taine, or drouned, attempting to re-enter ther fhips, in the reigne of King Robert the Second. Ane Englifli armie Armada all in ire, With barbarous bloodie harts and boutcher hands, Beyond the Forth and into Fyfe with fyre, Moft mercilefs all where they came commands ; No Churches, no, nor th' Abbays there forbearing, But Tigre-lyke all tuging doun and tearing. There violence all wraikcd and devour'd, Boece, lib. 16, Th' old they rept wpe and new born babs they brain'd ; °' ^^^' Matrons mifus'd and maidens they deflour'd ; The Holie houffes fpoyled and profain'd ; Cities they fack't, the farms perforce in flamm, And each the devill play'd proudlie in the famme. This rent your foulls, and rais'd yow to revenge Hoi., pag. 247. With wondrous valour thofe wnworthie wrongs. Which as with ftomach ftout, with ftrength as ftrange, Ye ranklic rag'd, thefe inhumane amongs; And fo vindi6live were yow and weell will'd, That all that came to hand were caught or kil'd. i6o A Theatre of 1 56. atiam dB'ortion^ Sir John Swinton; John Levingfloun of Callander; [Sn Alexander] Ramfay of Dalhouflie; Walter de St. Clare; Rodger Gordon; and Walter Scott; all honorable, valerous, & oft renoun'd Knights ; flaine in a battell att Hommildoun, fighting againfl Harie Percie, the Duke of Northumber- land; & George Dumbar, Earle of March, then a rebell to his countrie, & Patrick Hepburne of Haills, flaine att Nifbet, with fundrie gentlemen of his houfs; fightand, as faid is, againfl the faid Duke & Earle, in the reigne of Robert the 3d, about the yeares 1402 & 1403. Moll: loving fonnes wnto your Mother-foil, Boece, lib. 6, And all moft valiant ventrars for her weell, fo. 351- Wnnat'rally when fhe contempt and fpoill, Yea force from March difloyall fafts did feill; And for her peace the fome your fprits there fpended, Yet with your lives nor fames nor honors ended. Leflie, lib. 7, For ftill pofteritie fliall preach your praife, fo. 266. j^^^^ ^11 ^j^^l-'g cairfull for the publicl peace; But martiall mynds fhall magnifie and raife, And moft of all commend yew in this caice; To make from all there bloodie beds your worth (Yitt glorious graves) your laud and fame fly furth. Major, lib. 124. Such powerful! vertew hade your purple wounds, ^^5- Such living force hade all your dying falls, That both ftill your heroick honor founds, Hoi.. 254. And yow your Countries killed campeons calls; The honor that heroes highft hold, Howbeit moft dear for to be fought & fold. Scottifh Worthies. i6i 157- CHilliam ®otciglaf0* Earle of Angous; Alexander, Lord Elphinflone; & Adam Hepburn of Haills; three martiall & egregious Noblemen, defeit Henrie Perfey Duke of Northumberland, att Pj'-perden, in thereigne of James the i.; flew Harie Cliddifdale, John Ogle, & Ritchard Perfey, knights, with 15 hundereth gentlmen, and commons, and 40 knights therof: Alexander Lord Elphinfloun, fo feirclie follomng the flying enemie, is, with two knights, and tvra hundereth in the feight, and there flaine about the yeare When the Northumbrian Prince the Perfey arm's, Rackt with four thowfand bold men in his bands, And with all malice hurt and hofteill harmes, Brack's in our Borders and the Limit-lands, Whill by your worthie walors they were then, Stai'd and conftrain'd to fight att Pipperden. Where nought few hour's moft feirclie there ye fought, And nought amongs yow militar omitted. That aither fliould be done in deid or thought, And that commanders great in feighting fitted; For all the captanes & attenders too, Did all that they in there degrees fhould doe. With courage all yow confbantlie contend. For life and honor, countrie, freinds & fame, Whill your wndaunted, aufull amies in end Ouel'd all there Cohorts and confounded thame, The thow Lord Elphinftone there lofl thy life. In that feirce confli6t & that bloodie ftrife. X Boece, lib. 15. lo. Major, lib. 6, fo. 134. Leflie, lib. 7, pag. 276. Hoi., Scot. His., pag. 266. i62 A Theatre of 158. ©ailltam ?^oia)gla0» Fra. Thinn, ane Soiie to Archibald, Lord Galloway ; wan great fame & honor^for his English Writter. ^^.^j^ proves & iioble valiancie, etc. ; wherfore King Robert 2 thought him worthie of high advancment, and gave him his daughter Giles in mariaige, and with her the Lands of Nid- difdale. This William was a blacifli color, not overcharged with flefli, bot bigg of bone; a mightie perfonage; wpright and tall; valiant, courteous; amiable, free of liberalitie, merrie, faithfull and pleafant in companie; but heirwith of fuch flrength that whenfoever he flrook with mace, fvvord, or fpeare, doun he went, were he never fo weill armed; with 800 he fought and defeat 3000 Englifli, flew 200 & To. Fourden, took 500 priffoners; in Spruffe chofen admirall; envyed by Scot. \Yritter. ^|^g lqj^.j Clifford, was appealed to the combat, but before the day (being feared of his foe) was difhonorablie laid in wait for, and before the day of tryall, Avpon the Bridge of Danzike; was flaine about the yeare 1394. How much thy ftrength and ftomach was efteem'd, And how much made thy manhood the admeer'd ; How much thy fpreit thy pedegree expreem'd. And proof d the then even with the beft that fpeer'd, But derogatione wnto Royall races, Comparable in all in other caces. \. So was thy valour valoued and vented, Hoi., in Scot. So was eftceme'd thy a6lIons in the Eaft, Uis., p. 52 & ^^ Spruffe report fo made thy provefs painted, That there th'admeir'd the as a Mars almaift, And therforc choofe the Cheeff and Admirall, To there Sea-forces and there navies all. But his envy and to thy honor hate, Did caufe the Clifford, to thofc warrs invited. Began a braill, a bargane and debate. That privatly thy praifes ftill defpyted; And ye appeal'd, bot or th' appoynt'd day On Danzik Bridge did to his fhame th6 flay. Scottifli Worthies. 163 159- [iSobert] ©otDglate^ Mafler of Mortoun, Dalkeith, &c.; and [Laurence] Oliphant, appearand heires to [William] Dowglafs, Earle of Morton ; and [Laurence] Oliphant, Lord Oliphant, two generous and martiall minded Noblemen, depairted from Scotland the yeare of Chrifl [1584]. Egregious gallants in your greeneft youth, Why fhould the World nought wonder & admeir The deep defire and the dipfaik drouth, That did into your fpringing fpreits appeare, Whill as the vigour of your valours wount. To make your doings your defignes furmount? The knightlie couraige of your weell know'n kinde Could nought comport, difpence with, nor indure To be inclos'd, coapt wp, ingadg'd, confin'd, Nor in this waterie-walled Ifle immur'd ; Your mounting minds, heroick hearts fo high. Beyond her frontiers all (tho faire) did flie; And made the Worlds remoteft ftrands the ftage, Wheron your virtews valour fhould be view'd; Which worthily lies for reward and wage, Such glorie gain'd as death fliall ne're fubdew'd, Whill Heav'ns conceave and ftarry coap fliall coome. The Earth below, your ludging tent, your tomb. 164 A Theatre of 160. J^ebotet! To the Iramortall Memorie of all Collonells, Captanes, Com- manders and Gentlemany Servurs of the Scottifli Nation, llainc in the mofl memorable VVarrs in tlie Low-Countries thefe yeare by pafl And wnextra6led yet your tropheas fbands, And non to publifli your exploits prepaire them, Which doe indeed deferve a hundereth hands, And all the fl^ill of knawledge to declaire them; For Belgick by yow knaw flie ne're o'recame, But authors yow or a6lors in the fame. Your perfones to her perrells yow oppos'd, And ne're for death or danger was, I dred, Oft for her try'd tint wan triumph'd and lofs'd; Yet ne're lyke couards from her colors fled, But 'gainft th' Iberian boldlie brooked bounds, Or gallantly glafs'd with your gore there grounds. What honor herefore Belgick all yow aw's, Heroicklie deferv'd, non will deny; For the Caftilians to there coaft yet knaws. With lauds and glory in your graues yow ly, And with a boldnefs brave your bloods yow bled. And great exploits with pettie powars exped. Scottifli Worthies. 165 161. (BtotgtMitl). Earle Marifhall, Lord Keith & Altrie; AnibalTador to Denmark for the Mariaige of Anna with the mofl mightie Monarch, James, King of Great Brittane, France, etc., 1590; Lev- tennant in the North of Scotland, & High Commiffioner in Parhament, the yeare 1609; a wife, a learn'd, and a cour- teous nobhiian. Depairted this prefent, tlic 5 of April, 1623, and of his aige the 70. The glore of thy foregoing Grand-fires, great Preeminence and fplendor of there place, Thefe brave beginers, ftru6lors of there ftate, There good guberning and there gallant grace, There worthie deeds and folemne fervicc fince Imploy'd oft for the Publift weell and Prince. Admeirablie hes magnify'd there name, Yea ftellifi'd and ftreach't it to the ftarrs, As proves our ftories to there praife fupream, In times of battell and of bloodic warrs: A gloric great no lefs to the then thame, Heire of there honors, fortons, faeth & fame. Thy carlaigc, knowledge, and thy candor cleare, Imployments high in honorable affaires, Ingraphs thy glore hings wpe thy honor here, And of auld Earle the account compleit declar'd, To be a fubjecl to ane after ftoric, T' augment the grander of the Marflialls glorie. 1 66 A Theatre of 162. dEfcorge i^at* A noble gentleman of high hope ; fone to Frances, now Earle of En-oU; Great Conflable of Scotland, etc., depairted in France the yeare 1622; and Lawrence Gordone, fone to George, now Marquefs of Huntlie, a noble youth of fingiilar expeclatione; depairted this prefent lyfe, the yeare of Grace 1623. Speek Argus-eyed and mille-mouthed Fame, Why groans the Graces greived & agaft? What ftirrs this ftrange diftemprature in thame, And what ane wnknow'n crofs doth overcaft, Such clouds of caire t'eclips there cheerfull eyes. That wount to glade the Earth and grace the Skyes? Wh>' wondrous vofull weeps the Virtews all, As fpireitlefs, depreft and drooping dyes, Who as they are fliould keith them Cardinall, And ftill be ftout, ftill temp'rat, jufl & wife; And for no chance, no change, no, no for non, (As mutable) be mov'd to mirth or moan. Aud why amaz'd does all the Mufes murne. And as diftraught dois roar and rend ther haire? What doeth there Pindus or Parnaffus burne. Or is AppoUo chaced from his chaire.-' No, bot there lowes, there lifes, there Lords here lyes. And murning thus all acts there Obfequeis. Scottifh Worthies. i6 1 163. Thy Anceftors as eminent as old, Ay honor'd for there honor worth refpects, For Virteus cariaige and for courage bold, In publi6l prov'd be many faire effe6ts, Monts the this monument, this finlefs frame Of marble nought, bot of immortall fame. This flux of fame that from thy fathers flows, Deriv'd and dew to the for thy defearts, More greater ^\•^th thy gifts and graces grows, And higher then th' Egiptian ftceples ftarts. For what there goods, there gifts, there graces gain'd, Thy couraige nor thy cariaige never ftain'd. Nor did thy deeds difgrace nor wrong the word, But proudent what thow promeis'd did performe ; Ne're wndeferv'd did thow wnflieith thy fword, Nor with thy freind in his diftrefs did florme ; But like a wifeman that of Wortheis came, Poiz'd what thow purpos'd & expead the fame. 1 68 A Theatre of 164. JLintifa^. A proper name to him than whilk now is the furname of the whoU Clan; a generous, fpireited Genthnanj in the tyme of Kenneth the Second, rewarded with large lands for his good counfall and foveraigne manhood in the overthrow and extirping of the Pights: this is drawen from the Oratione made be David, Earle of Crawfoord to King James 2d, when he craved pardon for the rebellion with the Earl of Douglafs, about the yeare 145 . Into his fpring then in perfefter yeares, His vigour will'd, his fpireits prickt him too, And courage his conceats calls wp & cheers, Somewhat of worth t' attempt, t' intend & doo. That fliould defigne the deeps of his defires, Ev'r from the pappe promp & difpos'd to efpire. Wherforc whill Alpins fone. King Kenneth rang. The root wpe-renter of the Pi6lifli race, His men of mark and militants amang. His courage conqueft him a Captanes place, In which his valour, witt & virtews vv^an As much applaus as any other than. That nev'r ynough, nor too much praifed Prince, A wife rewarder of a worthie deed, Advanc'd him for his fervicc, fo that fmce In folemne fort, his fucceffors & feed. To honors neireft to the Royall race : But wnder heayn, no State heir flable ftay's. Scottifli Worthies. 169 165. ©attts Hintifa^* Earle of Crawfoord; Alexander Ogilvie, of Innerquliarritie; John Forbes, of Pitfligo; Alexander Barclay, of Gartuly; James Maxwell, of Tellen; Invein Garden, of that Ilk; Duncan Campbell, of Confyth; William Garden, of Bur- rowfield, barrons; & many gentlmen flaine att the battell of Aberbroth, the yeare of Chrifl 1445, 9 callend of February. My Mufe refolv'd to fearch and feek no more For nottable and men of noble fame, Into our Annalls as flie ws'd before, That could a croun of commendation clame; For valor, or for works of Avitt, or both. That graced are, and there ingraphted Goth. The bleeding Ghofts of thofe about ingrofs'd, As yet in armes and paffion feem'd t'appeare, That by Arbroth were in that battell loft, And irefull aflc her and in fplen they fpeare Why fhe did hipp them that with honor hade. As any there their bloods as bravely blade. Howbeit with groans they granted that the grounds, Of thefe there greeffs indeed were not fo great, That gave fo many deaths and deedlie wounds, To breed fo blood a battell and debeat; Yet they proteft, there proves there expres'd, Requyr'd to be recoorded with the reft. Y 1 70 A Theatre of , 1 66. aiejcanner linDCa^* The nixt eminent fucceffor to that Lindfay, the firfl which wee find of that name, flaine att the bridge of Stirline, in the quarrell of King Robert the Firfl, about the yeare 1306; Alexander I^indfay, fone to the precedent Alexander, was flaine att that mightie maffacre made att Dupline, the yeare 1332; after this Alexander fucceided, both heire to liis lands & fortoune, for he was flaine att Halydomi Hill, the yeare 1333; then David Lindfay, fone to John, brother to the former David, fucceided, and was the firfl created Earle of Crawfoord; fought for his Countrie with the Lord Wells on the Bridge of London, on St. George Day, & vanquiflied him, anno 1396. Into that famous firft King Roberts reigne, That valerous and thunderbolt in warr. Who bctt in battell that brave Englifli King Neir Bannockburn, and drave him to Dumbar; Att Stirling Bridge, I th' Englifli power oppos'd, And was in combat kill'd by them inclos'd. My fucceffor be law & be my line, In David Bruce defence att Dupline dy'd; His heir againe lyke fortorie & lyke fyne, Att Halidon with honor ftoutlie tiy'd, And fell for Scotlands frecdome & defence, Tho treafon thcr tint all, & negligence. His nephew nixt in his default of heirs, That commonlie was Earle Beardie cali'd. The noble notes hrft of our countie vearfe. And was condignlie in that ftate inftall'd, When for the Land on London Bridge he fought, With honors charg'd & home with triumphs brought. Scottifh Worthies. 171 167. fame0> Marquis of Hamiltoun, Earle of Arran and New Caftll, Lord Evandale, etc. A wife & gallant nobleman, depairted the prefent, in England, the day of the yeare 1625. March mother Breitan all in mvrning maner, And make thow forrow fubjefl to thy fong, Since death and dolor with there bealfuU baner Triumphs thy Princes and thy Peers among: Let nought bot fable and the blake be borne, And noe fkye collour be nor flcarlet Avorne. O Brittane ! now thy beft and braveft men, Thy nottable and non bot Nobles dies, And thefe into there coffins cary'd then Are ofteft objects to thy weeping eyes; Murne then therfore and matchleflie be maft, Since dayly day's thy bravefl & thy beft. Great Lord ! in England it hes bein thy lot, Wherin thy old for-bears firft did breath, And nought where they great lands and honor got, In Scotland, to have pay'd thy debt to Death ; Yet tho thow there expyr'd or th' afli & wrne, Scotland fliall ay for the her Marqucfs murne. 172 A Theatre of 168. Thy gallant prcfence & thy grand afpc6l, Thy brazen breaft and thy high beilded braine, Did works of worth and fa6ts of fame s' afifeft With perrill pra6leiz'd and tho proofft with paine That never feeble feare, nor force of foes, Could hold th6 from the hazarding for thofe. Yet virtew, wifdome, w'ith defire divine, Religious love and lowlinefs of heart, Compofe the in thy courfes to inclyne T' all found fitting to a prudents parte, And caufe the in thy carriaige fweetlie flio That headftrong will thy virtews wronged no. In all th' adoes into thy w^axing dayes, Thy proofifs were pracleifes of fpreit & pith. But worthie all, and fuch were thy affayes, As did a Count become confortcd with Non but thofe that were with deferts indeu'd, For never thow of lofs nor lend allow'd. Scottifh Worthies. 173 169. j^atiiD jiinDfa^* Earle of Crawfoord, Lord Lindfay; a young nobleman too much caried with the conceats of too too young counfallors, mif- manadged & crofs-caried the great eRate of his Noble forbears, and dyed the yeare i6 Altho that youth did wreift thy witt awray, And hair-brain'd heads held the as captive caught, That fuck'd the cifterns of thy fubflance dry, And brought thy Houfs & noble name to naught; Yet fmce fans blotts fcarce any be that breath, Oblitrat be thy o'refights after death. The fortouns of thy Fathers famous houfs, That fevrend once, now no refpe6led race, Crofscoming accidents and profperous. That Clans flafris." ALPHABETICAL INDEX TO SCOTTISH WORTHIES. Aberbroth, Battle of, a.d. 1445—165. Aberdeen, Citizens of, a.d. 1411—43- Abernethie, James, Lord. — See Stewart, James. Albanie, John Stewart, Duke of— 61. Angus, Archibald Dowglafs, Earle of — 65. Angus, Archibald Do^vglafs, Earle of — 66. Angus, Archibald Dowglafs, Earle of — 95. Argadus, Governor — 3. Argyle, Gilefpick (or A rchibald ) Campbell, Earle of — 78. Arrane, Thomas Boyd, Earle of— 50. Atholl, Earle of — 14. * Atholl, David Cuming, Earle of— 35- Aubigney, Lord. — SeeSteuart, Bernard. Bartan, Captaine Androw — 55- Blantire, Walter Stewart, Lord of— 137. Boide, Mark Alexander — III. Borthwick, Sir John— 63. Bothwell, Earle of, and Duke of Orknay — 138. Boyd, Thomas. — See Arrane, Earle of. Bruce, Alexander, of Earls- hall— 133. Bruce, King David — 153. Bruce, Edward — 21, 174. Buccleugh. — See Scott, Sir Walter. Buchane, James Douglafs, Earl of — 1 10. Buchane, John Stewart, Earle of — 46. Burnet, Alexander — 143. Cadall, Governor, B.C. 77 — 2. Cambell, Archibald. — See Argyle. Campbell, Sir John — 100. Carmichaell, Sir John — 134. Carrick, Thomas, Earle of — 14. Carroun, Sir Alexander — 9. Caffdls, Gilbert Kennedie, Earle of (1526) — 59. CaffiUs, Gilbert Kennedie, Earle of (1558)— 67 Caffills, John, Earle of — 130. Cockburne, John — 91. Colvill, James — 102. 2 C 198 Alphabetical Index. Cravvfoord, David Lindfay, Earle of — 42. Crawfoord, David Lindfay, Earle of— 165. Crawfoord, David l.indfay, Earle of— 169. Craig, Alexander, of Rofecraig —173- Creichtoune, Sir William — 48. Crightoun, James — 88. Cumin, Sir John — 18. Cuningliam, Alexander, Earle of Glencairne — 80. Cuningham, ^Villiam, of Kil- -155- raawers- Douglass, James, Earle of — • 40. Douglas, James. — See Buchane, Earle of. Douglafs, James. —See Mor- toun, Earle of. Douglafs, William, Earle — Dovvglas, William, fon to Lord Galloway — 158. Dowglafs, '\^^illiam, Earl of Angous— 157. Dowglafs, Ai-chibald, Earle of —32- Dowglafs, Archibald. — See Angus. Dowglafs, Archibald, Earle of Wigtoune — 46. Dowglafs, Sir James — 22. Dowglafs, [Robert] — 159. Drummond, [James]. — See Perth, Earle of. Dumbar, Patrick, Earle of March — 34. Dumfermling, Earle of — See Setone. Durham, Battell of, a.d. 1346- 1348—152, 153. Earles flaine at Floddon, a.d. 1513—56. Edmond, Sir William — 118. Eglinto\vne, Earle of. — See Montgomerie, Hugh. Elphinfton, Alexander, Lord —157- Erroll, Earle of — See Hay, William, Erroli , Lord — See Hay,Gilbert. Erflvin, John, Earle of Marr —75- Erfkine, John, of Dun — 99. Erlkine, Thomas, Lord Kelly — 172. Erfkines,Thomas,and Nicholas — 155- Ferchard, Captain of Lorn, B.C. 213 — I. Fleeming, Sir Robert — 19. Floddon, Battell of, a.d. 15 13 -56. Forbes, Arthour — 74. Forbes, John, Lord — 117. Forbeft, (Forbes) — 150. France, Civill Warrs in — 124. Frafers, The, 1544—60. Frazer, Sir Simon— 20. Frazer, Sir John — 18. Frazer, Thomas, of Strechen — 121. Garden, Irvine Kempt — 126. Garden, John — 175. Gilchrill— II. Glammis, Lord. — See Lyon, John. Glencairne, Earle of. — See Cuningham, Alexander. Gleneflv, Lord. — See Lindfay, Alexander. Gordon, reign of Malcolme Canmore — 148. Alphabetical Index. 199 Gordon, George, Earle of Huntlie— 81. Gordon, George, Earle of Huntlie — 132. Gordon, Lawrence, fon to the Marquefs of Huntlie — 162. Gordon, Sir John — 113. Gordon, Sir William— 149. Gordone, Sir Adam— 86. Gordone, Sir Alexander- — 35. Gordone, Alexander, Earle of HuntUe — 49. Gordone, Sir John — 39. Gordone, Sir Robert — 36. Gordone, Sir Thomas — 115. Gordone, Sir Patrick — 103. Gordone, John. — See Souther- land, Earle of Gray, Sir Andrew — 128. Graeme, Governor, a.d. 420 —4. Graham, John. — SeeMontrofs, Earle of Grahame, Sir John — 16. Guillame, brother to King Achaius — 5. Hadingtoun, John, Lord Ramfay, Vifcount — 171. Hailles, Lords of — 41. Halidon Hill, a.d. 1333 — 146. Halyburton, Sir James — 96. Hamiltoun, James, Marquis of — 167. Hamiltoune, James, Lord — 53- Hammiltone, Sir N. — 26. Hammiltoun, John, Marques of — 116. Harlaw, Battle of, a.d. 141 i —47- Hay, and his two Sons — 6. Hay, George, fon to the Earle of Erroll — 162. Hay, David '' Conflable "— 152. Hay, Gilbert, Lord Erroll — 151- Hay, William, Earle of Erroll —29, 54, Hepburne, Adam, of Hailes —157- Hepburne, Patrick, of Hailes —41. Hommildoun, Battell of, a.d. 1402 — 156. Huldernefs, Earle of — See Hadingtoun, Vifcount. Hulfl, Town of — 106. Hume, Alexander, Lord — 77. Huntingtoune, David, Earle of — 12. Huntlie, Earles of — See Gor- done, Alexander, and George. Irvine, Alexander, of Drum — 112. Johnstone, John, Warden of the Wefl Marches — 94. Keith, George, Lord Keith and Altrie — 161. Keith, John, Lord — 41. Keith, Sir Robert — 7. Keith, Sir Robert— 30. Keith, Sir Robert — 139. Keith, AVilliam — 84. Keith, William, Mafler of Marifliall, 1577 — 85. Keith, William, Marifhall of Scotland, 1581 — 87. Keith, Sir William, 1337 — 36. Kennedie, Gilbert. — See Caf- fills, Earle of Kennedie, Sir Hugh — 44. Kinghorne, Patrik, Earle of — 131- 200 Alphabetical Index. Kirkaldie, Sir William — 76. Lawson, Sir James, of Hum- bie — 120. Lennox, Efme, Duke of — 90. Lennox, Malcolm, Earle of — Lennox, Earls of — 56. Lennox. — See Stewart, John and Mathew. Leflie, Sir Walter, Earle of Rofs — 23. Levingftoun, Sir Alexander — 47- Lindfay, (time of King Kenneth II).— 164. Lindfay, Alexander, Lord Glenefk— 28. Lindfay, Alexander — 155, 166. Lindfay, David. — See Craw- foord, Earle of. Lindfay, Sir David — 64. Lindfay, Patrick, Lord — 97. Lion, John, Lord of Glamms — 154- Logan, Sir Walter — 24. Logane, Sir Walter — 20. Loncartie, Battle of, a.d. 942 —6. Londie, Walter — 72. Lome, Captain of — See Fer- chard. Lovat, Lord, chief of the Frafers, 1544 — 60. Low Countries, Wars in, 109, 1 14, 116, 118, 160. Lumifden, Sir Robert — 45. Lyon, John, Lord of Glamys -83. . Lyone, Sir Thomas — 135. Maitland, John, Lord Thirl- stane — 104. Makclane, Lachlane — 108. Makduf, Thane of Fyfe— 8. March, Patrick, Earle of — See Dumbar. Marifhall, Mafler of — See Keith, William. Marr, Earle of — See Erfkin, John. Menzies, Thomas, of Pitfoddels —82. Menzies, Sir Thomas, Provofl of Aberdeen — 144. Montgomerie, Hugh, Earle of Eglintowne — 93. Montgomerie, James, Earle of —68. Montgomerie, Lord (1388) — 41- Montgomerie, Sir N. — 98. Montgomerie, Sir Robert — 105. Mont-Rofe, John, Earle of — 170. Montrofs, John Graham, Earle of — 119. Mortoun, James Douglas, Earle of — 89. Murray, Sir Alexander — 109. Murray, Sir Andrew — 27. Murray, Earles of — See Ran- dolphe, John, and Thomas. Murray, Earle of. — See Stewart, James. OcHELTRiE, Lord. — See Stewart, Andrew. Ogilvie, Sir Alexander — 43. Ogilvie, James, Lord — 129. Oliphant, Laurence — 159. Orknay, Duke of —See Both- well, Earle of Perth, James Drummond, Earle of — 122. Alphabetical Index. 20 1 Pinkiefield, Battell of, a.d, 1547—65- Preflon, Sir John — 137. Preflone, Sir Lawrence — 36. Pyper-den, Battell of, a.d. 143 —157- Ramsay, Sir Alexander — 37. Ramfay, John, Lord. — See Hadingtoun, Vifcount. Randolphe, John, Earle of Murray — ^^. Randolphe, Thomas, Earle of Mun-ay — 25. Rofs, Earle of — See Leflie, Sir Walter. Ruthven, Collonell — 79. Sandelands, Sir James — 69. Scott, Sir Walter, of Buccleugh —57- Scotland, Complaint againfl Suaden [Sweden] — 79. Scrimgeour. — See Carroun, Sir Alexander. Setone, Alexander, Earle of Dumfermling — 145. Setone, Sir Alexander — 31. Seytoune, Robert, Lord — 92. Sincler, Sir William — 24. Skeen, Sir John — 142. Southerland, Earle of — 125. Steuard, Sir Alexander — 13. Steuard — Lord Bernard — 5 1 . Stewart, Sir Andrew — 114. Stewart, Andrew, Lord Ochel- trie — 70. Stewart, James, Earle of Mur- ray (1546)— 62. Stewart, James, Earle of Mur- ray, and Pryor of Sancl An- drews (1570) — 71. Stewart, James, Earle of Mur- ray, and Lord Abernethie (1592)— lOI. Stewart, Sir James, of Blan- tire — 123. Stewart, Sir James, fone to Lord Lome — 127. Stewart, James, Lord — 107. Stewart, John, Duke of Al- banie — 61. Stewart, John, Lord of Boote [Bute]— 15. Stewart, John, Earle of Buchan -46. Stewart, John, Earle of Lennox -58. Stewart, Mathew, Earle of Lennox — 73. Stewart, Robert, fon of the Earle of Lennox — '147. Stewart, Sir Walter — 10. Stewart, Walter, Lord Blan- tyre— 137. Stewarts, James, John, and Allan — 146. Sweden. — See Scotland. Thirlstane, Lord. Maitland, John. See Wallace, Sir William — Wigtoune, Archibald Douglas, Earle of — 46, Wood, Sir Andrew, of Largo —52- \ THE LIFE OF WILLIAM E L P H I N S T O N BISHOP OF ABERDEEN By ALEXANDER GARDEN I 6 I 9 ^ WILLIAM ELPHINSTON, Bishop of Aberdeen. HERE are few perfons in early times who have received fo much praife as this excellent Prelate, William Elphinston, Bifliop of Aberdeen. Yet in many points of his hiflory there is great uncertainty, as the ftatements are either contradiftory or unfatisfaftory ; for inftance, his parentage, the date of his birth, and his early courfe of life. His firft biographer, He6lor Boyce, whom he patronifed in his Vitac Epifcoporum Abcrdonenjiwn, did not confider dates to be of great importance, and omits fuch nearly altogether. Yet the one or two dates which he has given are not unimportant. The date of the Bifliop's birth is not ftated. The prefent volume, which contains a rhyming verfion founded upon the chief part of that work in praife of his great patron, Garden does not profefs to fupply fuch a defect. According to the ordinary authorities, he was born at Glafgow, in the year 1437. It might be more corre6l to affign the date to 143 1, as Heftor Boyce expreffly fays, in reference to his lafl illnefs, " Sed ne ipfa quidem feneftus, communis et inevitabilis mortalium morbus, licet contuderit, effregit : ut qui, tertimu fiipra o6logefmmin afmum agens in gravibus Reipublicae negotiis, ca;teris acutius differebat,'" &c. Thefe words are thus rendered by Garden as to " the yeare of his age and deathe," — This happic Prelat, his Departour was 't appears, iv The Life of In th' aughtic throe yeer of his age; When fuUie threttie yeeres, Uelov'de and honor'd ev're, Heere he had Bifliope bene; Whiche from tlic bliffed birthe fell fyf— Ten hundreth and fourtene, His father was of the fame name, and b)^ fome writers reckoned a younger brother of the noble family of Elphin- fton, who became a merchant-burgefs of Glafgow, and his mother was Margaret Douglas, of the Houfe of Mains in Dunbartonfliire.^ According to the Peerage of Scotland, Sir William de Elphinflon, Dominus ejufdem, who flouriflied at the end of the 14th century, had three fons. The third fon was William, firfi: of the Elphinftons of Blythfwood, in Lanarkfliire, who married Margaret Douglas, of the Houfe of Mains, in Dun- bartonfliire. A younger fon of theirs was William Elphin- fton, Bifliop of Aberdeen; his father, William, after he had become a widower, having entered into Holy Orders, and became Archdeacon of Teviotdale. Garden, in defcribing the Bifhop's family pedigree, fays: — In Glafco Burrow he was borne : His pedegree and lyne From Elphinfloune, a Houfe Old, opulent, and trew, And yit a famous Famelie Legittimat he drew. \ The words of He6lor Boyce, on which thefe lines are founded, fays : — " Is in inclyta Glafguenfi civitate, et Univer- fali fchola infigni, natus, ex vetere Elphinftonorum famiiia habuit originem." Thus Crawfurd ftates, "While Mr. Elphinfton was a widower, out of a principle of devotion, or fome other 'George Crawfurd's Officers of State, 1726, p. 47. William Elphinston. v motive, he entered into Holy Orders, and was firfl made Re6lor of Kirkmichael, and at length Arch-deacon of Teviotdale, in which fbation he died on the 30th of June, i486, after he had had the comfort of feeing his fon Bifliop of Aberdeen," ^ Bifliop Keith and others repeat this ftate- ment. But it is by no means probable that his father, at a fomewhat advanced time of life,fl'iould have ftudied theology, and obtained preferment in the Church "after he became a widower." There is, however, fome confufion regarding two perfons of the fame name, which at that time was not un- common. Like many of the Prelates of that period, however, who required Letters of Legitimation, Elphinfton was not an exception. Although the fa6l itfelf may be otherwife afcer- tained, I may here refer to a letter addreffed to myfelf by the late John Riddell, Efq., Advocate, fo well known for his refearches in all Peerage cafes and other collateral fubjecls, and give it in full in the Appendix No. 1. In reference alfo to the Bifliop's ftudies at the Univerfity of Glafgow, Boyce informs us, " Confummatus in philofophia quintum annum fupra vicefimum agens magiftratus infignia in liberalibus, difciplinis fmiul atque facerdotium eft adeptus." Thefe words are literally rendered by Garden — Swa confirmat become Into philofophie, Into his fyve and twentie yeere His courfe conclooded hee; And manumiffed then, Withe laude the Laurell wraethe, And at that tyme his Priefthood there He got togidder baithe. In receiving his education at the "paedagogium and Univerfity of Glafgow," we find in the Annals of the ^ Crawfurd, as above, p. 47. VI The Life of Univerfity in the year 1451, in the Nomina Incorporatoruni et Congregationes Univerjltatis, the eleventh name recorded is "WiLLELMUS Elpiiinstoune," and in the i6th March, 1451-52, "MAGISTER WiLLELMUS ElPHINSTOUNE." There are other entries referring to the Elphinftons in the large and valuable colle6lions, entitled "Munimenta Alme Univerfitatis Glafguenfis: Records of the Univerfity of Glafgow from its foundation till 1727." Another fimilar important contribution was printed at the expenfe of the Earl of Aberdeen, K.T., and prefented in his name as Pre- fident of the Spalding Club, viz.: '' Fafti Aberdonenfes : Sele6lions from the Records of the Univerfity and King's College of Aberdeen, 1494- 1854," Aberdeen, 1854. Profeffor Cofmo Innes, the Editor, in his Preface has carefuU)- examined various matters illuftrating the life of Bifliop Elphinfton. I may take advantage of his labours,^ without attempting to reconcile fome difcrepancies of dates, and give the following extract (p. xiii.) : — "It is impoffible (he fays) perfectly to reconcile Boece's narra- tive with the dates fixed by the records of the Univerfity of Glafgow. Some confufion arifes alfo from the identity of name, and fometimes of office, in the father and fon. But, it would feem, that even more than two perfons of the name muft have held benefice in the Church, and place in the Univerfity of Glafgow at the fame time. '•'William Elphinflone, apparently our Bifhop's father, is ftyled Canon of Glafgow, from 1451 down to 1483, holding the offices of Dean of Faculty of Arts (1468), Prehendary of Ancrum (1479)^ Archdeacon of Teviotdale (1482). The following dates feem to apply to the Bifhop : — '•' 1457. — William Elphinflone 'fcolaris' matriculated. ■' 1459. — He took his Bachelor's degree. 1 1 may add that in a work of this kind, where fo much refearch and accuracy of tranfcription was effential. Profeffor Innes was fortunate, as he tells us, in having fuch competent aid in Mr. Francis Shaw as Sub-Editor. William Elphinston. vii "1462. — He took his Mafler's degree, 'poil rigorofum examen.' " 1462-4. — Active in Univeriity affairs. "1465. — W. de Elphinflone, junior, rector of Kirkmichael, was a Regent in the Univerfity. "147 1-2. — W. Elphinflone was Official-General of the Diocefe of Glafgow, and Dean of the Faculty of Arts. " 1473. — Mafler William de Elphinflone, Official, took the degree of Licentiate in Canon Law, and was Dean of the Faculty. " 1474. — W. de Elphinflone, Official, a Mafler of Arts, Licentiate in Decrees, and Reclor of Kirkmichael, was chofen Re6lor of the Univerfity." It would be fuperfluous to fwell out this volume with any detailed account of the later incidents of Bifhop Elphin- ftone's life, which at leaft are fo acceffible in a variety of works. A few dates, however, may be added. In 1478 he was appointed Official of Lothian. Three years later he was made Bifhop of Rofs, though fome delay took place in his Confecration, perhaps on account of his birth. He was nominated Bifliop of Aberdeen in the autumn of 1483; yet his Confecration only took place between 17th December, 1487, and April, 1488. He was employed on various Embaffies during the reign of King James the Third, and held for a brief fpace the office of Lord High Chancellor of the Kingdom until the King's death, 14th June, 1488. Among the great works in which Bifhop Elphinflon Avas engaged were rcftonng the fervice and the fabric of his Cathedral, the foundation of King's College and Univerfity, and the ereclion of a Bridge over the Dee. He furvived to lament the fate of King James the Fourth and fo many of his countrymen, at the fatal field of Floddon, the 9th September, 1 5 1 3. He himfelf died amidft univerfal regret on the 2Sth 06lober, 15 14. vni The Life of David Camerarius or Chalmers, in his work entitled •'De Scotoruni Fortitudine. Doftrina, et Pietate, ac de ortu ct progreffu haerefis in Regnis Scotiae ct Angliae, Libri Ouatuor. Parifiis, 1631," 4to, at p. 157, 12 die Junij, gives an account of " Beatus Guillelmus Elphinftonius Epif- copus Aberdonenfis," commencing with an elaborate de- fcription of the magnificence of the Bifhop's Cathedral Church, ere6led at Aberdeen, " Hkc fciens recenfere volui ut videat lc6lor quam magna fuerit apud Scotos gloria domus Domini, dum apud eofdem Catholica et Romana floreret religio;" and concluding with the account of his death with the words, " Poft hsec nomen Jefu ct Marise inter mortuis vocibus identidem appellans placidiffime efflauit animam anno Chrifti 15 14, anno fui Pontificatus 30, setatis vero 84." This ftatement, of courfe, as already remarked, would fix the date of the Bifhop's birth to the year 1430 or 1431. Bilhop Elphinfton has long enjoyed the honour of a learned author. In particular, there are two works that have frequently been mentioned in connexion with his name. The firft is the Continuation of the Scotichronicon, or Book XL, preferved amongft the MSS. in the Bodleian library. This later portion of the volume was printed for the Maitland Club, under the title " The Life and Death of King James the Firft of Scotland," edited by Jofeph Stevenfon. Glafgow, 1837. 4to. This MS. was then thought to be the only copy known, but others have fince been difcovered, including one in the College Library, Glafgow, which had belonged to William Schevez, Arch- bifhop of St. Andrews {1478 to 1496). It was very clear, however, from allufions in the book by the writer to the time when he accompanied the Princefs Margaret, for her marriage with the Dauphin of France, that Elphinfton could William Elphinston. ix not have been the author, which refers to events in France about the time that .Elphinfton was born. In defcribing the various MSS. of the Scotichronicon, and the authors of the Continuations, Mr. W. F. Skene clearly eftablifhed the fa6l that the one in queftion was known as the LiBER Pluscardensis, and that the true author was MAURITIUS or Maurice de Buchanan, who had been in France from 1429 to 1460. — See Mr. Skene's communications to the Society of Antiquaries, vol. viii., p. 239, vol. ix., p. 13, and vol. X., p. 27; alfo his Preface to vol. i. of the original text of Fordun. I may alfo refer to a fhort notice on the fubjeft that appeared in the Society's Proceedings, vol. xii., p. 28, The fecond work ufually attributed to Bifliop Elphinfton contains the Lives or Legends of the Scottifh Saints. In regard to fuch a work, it is generally confidered that the introdu6lion of the Art of Printing into Scotland was, in a great meafure, owing to Bifhop Elphinfton in the year 1507, who obtained a grant of exclufive privileges in favour of Walter Chepman and Andro Myllar, two burgeffes of Edinburgh, in September, 1507. According to this document, one of the chief obje6ls con- templated was to fupply Church Service books " efter our awin Scottis Ufe, and with Legendis of Scottis San6lis, as is now gaderit and ekit be ane Reverend father in God, and our confalour Williame Bifchope of Abirdene and utheris, be ufit generaly within al our Realme alffone as the fammyn may be imprentit and providit," &c. The principal work of this clafs, and the one undoubtedly referred to, was the " Breviarium Aberdonenfe," a rare but well-known work in two fmall fized volume, filled with con- traflions, Pars Eftivalis and Pars Hyemalis (fee Bannatyne Club Catalogue, &c., p. 82, No. 96), printed at Edinburgh X The Life of in the years 1509-15 lo, 8vo; and fince republiflied at London in 1854, page for page, in two handfome volumes, 4to. In a preface, which was intended to be prefixed to the Club copies, fome months after their circulation, I ftated as follows: — "The work was prepared and completed under the perfonal fuperintendence of William Elphinfton, Bifhop of Aberdeen, a prelate who has obtained a high chara6ler as an enlightened and liberal patron of learning. It may be inferred from the words of his contemporary biographer, He6lor Boyce, and other writers, that feveral of the Leffons appointed in the Proprium San6lorum to be read on the feftivals of the Scottifh Saints, either were written by the Bifliop himfelf, or were the refult of re- fearches inftituted by his order into the ecclefiaftical annals and traditions of the nation. That the work was the refult of great care and labour need fcarcely be remarked. For the purpofe of having it printed for general ufe, and under his immediate infpc6lion, we arc fully warranted in attri- buting to this Prelate the fcheme w^hich fecured the eftab- lifliment of a printing Prefs in this Country." Pp. 20, 21. Profeffor Innes, in his Preface to the " Regiftrum Epifco- patus Aberdonenfis," printed for the Spalding Club, 1845, 2 vols., has alfo given a fketch of the Bifhop's Life, as it was moft requifite, he fays, " to endeavour to give fome chrono- logical precifion from Records or authentic documents to the events of Bifliop Elphinftone's epifcopate and his life." — (Preface, p. xliii). Yet he affigns the ordinary date of his birth as 1437, ^^^^ concludes with fimply faying that Elphin- fton lived to extreme old age. He elfewhere, in a quotation from Spottifwoods Hiftory, mentions Elphinfton, when he was eighty-three years old. He further repeats the palpable miftake, in referring to Bilhop Elphinfton's Hiftorical Col- William Elphinston. xi leflions, as preferved in the Bodleian Library, Oxford; as well as the vague fbatement that "A confiderable number of Elphinfton's MSS, are ftill in the Library of his own Univerfity, but they feem to be entirely Law Notes and Commentaries." Thefe, of courfe, could not have been written by the Bifliop, but there are other volumes con- taining "Nic. de Tudefchis Leftura: fupcr Decretalium Libri, &c., dated Parifiis, 1470," 5 vols. Alfo " Gloffa; Cle- mentinse," &c., and another volume of " Le6lura2 fuper Libro IV. Decretalium," each of them marked " LiBER Magistri Wilelmi de Elphinston." The books here referred to I examined feveral years ago. There are a confiderable number that have this in- fcription, "Liber Magiftri Will, de Elphinfton;" and they doubtlefs formed, as it were, the foundation of the Library attached to the Univerfity. I had noted in particular — 1st. Six large volumes written on paper, partially injured and imperfe6l, which belonged to Bifliop Elphin- fton ; they confift of " Le6turai fuper Libros Decre- talium," &c., with a colophon at the end of the laft volume, " dated xi Maij, MCCCCLXIX." 2nd. Five volumes of a fmaller fize, and not fo well pre- ferved (the firft volume being greatly injured by damp), with the name of William Elphinfton in various parts, and confift of treatifes on the Decretals, Canon Law, &c. According, however, to the more precife titles given in the lift of MSS. fubjoined to the " Catalogue of the General Library of the Univerfity of Aberdeen," {vol. ii., 1874, p. 793), I find I had overlooked the fa6l that the earlier volumes were a6lually written by the elder Elphinfton, and thus ferve to xii The Life of throw fome light upon his hiftory. For inftance, three volumes are thus defcribed : — " Juftinianus: Le6lurae Grofbeli, Reteri, Ricardi de Tur- naco, et aliorum in Titulos fele6los Codicis, Inftitutionum, Digeftorum, et Feudorum, fcriptae per Will. Elfynfton, in Artibus Magiftrum, et Lovanii Studentem, MCCCCXXXIII." Alfo two volumes of " Reterus (Hen.) : Relata fuper Libri XXIV. Digeftorum Titulo de Soluto Matrimonio, fcripta per Will. Elfynflon in Artibus Magiftrum et in Legibus Studentem Lovanii." " Relata fuper Libri XLV. Digeftorum Titulo de Verborum Obligationibus, fcripta a Willelmo Elfynfton Lovanii, MCCCCXXXili." In examining the Regifters of the Univerfity of St. An- drews, under this head, " Licentiati Anno Dom. M.CCCC"'° triceffimo," the name, as I imagine, occurs of the Bifhop's father, " Dns. Wills- de Elfynston." This date at leaft harmonizes with his receiving, in due courfe, the degree of A.M. before proceeding to profecute the fludy of Canon Law at the Univerfity of Louvain in H33.— (See p. 20). Keith, in his Catalogue of Bifhops, fays : — " William Elphinfton, Archdeacon of Argyle, is ' Eleclus et confirmatus Roffen,' in the Rolls of Parliament, 2nd December, 1482, and on the 21ft of February, 1482-3, ' Eleclo et confirmato Roffen,' and is Bifliop here the fame year." On the 17th of May, 1485, the Parliament of Scotland, in an embaffy fent to the Pope, ftating, amongft the other articles, the following: — " And attour to mak Supplicacioun to oure Haly Fader that, fen he has promovit Reverend Faders Robert Blacater to the bifchopric of Glafgow, William Elphinftoune to the bifchopric of Aberdeen, and Johnne of Hepburne to the priorie of Sanctandrew, quhilk ar thank- full perfonis to our Souveran Lord and of his fpeciale William Elphinston. xiii counfale, and reffavit and admittit be his Hienes to the temporaliteis : That therfor his Halynes Avil defend thaim therein gif ony perfonis walde tende to mak thaim truble or more pley again thame." The refult of this SuppHcation probably ferved only for a time. — (See Appendix No. I.) The Portrait of Bifhop Elphinfton is on pannel, and may have been painted abroad: it has appeared in more than one publication; and was firft engraved for Pinkerton's "Icono- graphia Scotica," 1797. Pinkerton fays it is taken from a painting, apparently contemporary, in the Univerfity of Aberdeen. There is alfo an excellent old copy of it in the Univerfity Libraiy there. The moft fatisfactory likenefs was given as the frontifpiece to the important volume already quoted, " Fafti Aberdonenfes. Sele6lions from the Records of the Univerfity and King's College of Aberdeen, 1494- 1854. Aberdeen: Printed for the Spalding Club, 1854." In the large paper copies of the volume the portrait is given in colours. The prcfent portrait is not inferior to any of thefe, with the advantage of having been taken dire6l from the original Painting. APPENDIX. No. I. Letter from John Riddell, Esq., Advocate. Edinburgh, March 2nd, 1844. Dear Sir, — I fend you, as I promifed, the following from Lord Elphinflone's charter chefl, that I examined feveral years ago : — Letter dated Edinburgh, 28 July, 1644, from W. Guild to Lord Elphinflone, where he alludes " to the fyve belles in the college fleeple of Aberdeen, founded by that worthie cadent of your hous to the eternal honor therof," and his Bifliop William Elphinllone, in reference alfo to the fa(5t of the fleeple being ruined by a temped, &c. Grant by King James III., June 25th, 1477, -'Speciale et dile6lo clerico noflro magiflro Willielmo Elphinflone Reflori de Kirk- michael in artibus magiflro, et in Decretis " giving him full power and licence to difpone at any time upon his lands, tenements, and goods, &c., — "non obflante baflardia fua in qua genitus efl," Src, legitimating him "per omnia ficut de legitimo thoro effet pro- creatus." It alfo, in energetic terms, enables him to hold clerical preferment, from which he would have been barred by his baflardy. This Mr. William Elphinftone is clearly the Bifhop of Aberdeen, who was originally Reftor of Kirkmichael. — See Keith's " Bifliops," p. 68 (firfl edition). He flarted in public life at home, according to Keith, in 147 1. There is alfo in the Elphinflone charter chefl a deed by James V., dated 28th of November, 15 16, reciting that " Dominus Willielmus Elphinflone Canonicus Ecclefie cathedralis Aberdonenfis ac pre- bendarius de Clatt is propinquior agnatus, id eft. confanguineus, ex parte patris Alexandro filio et heredi quondam Alexandri domini Elphinflon, et quod exceffit Ktatem viginti quinque annorum," &c., Appendix. jsv and therefore conferring him in the office of tutor to the young Lord Alexander. This William Elphinflone is, of course, not the Bifliop, but of a higher and purer lineage. He, however, may- have been patronized by the Bilhop, whofe origin feemed very obfcure. — I remain, yours truly, John Riddell. No. II. Elphinston Writs in Cumbernauld House. — Notes taken by John Riddell, Esq., Advocate (1829). Grant by King James III., 25 June, 1477, in favour of "fpeciale et deleclo clerico Magiflro Willelmo Elphinflon recflore de Kirk- mi ch el, in Artibus Magiflro et in Decretis," giving him license to difpone at any time upon his lands, tenements, &c. " Non obflante baftardia fua in qua genitus efl," and legitimating him "per omnia ficut de legitimo thoro effet procreatus" (rather in flrong and energetic terms). No. III. Subfequent to the date of the above letter the valuable work by Father Auguflinus Theiner has been publiflied under the title " Vetera Monumenta Hibernorum et Scotorum Hifloriam, illus- trantia, 1216-1547. Romae, Typis Vaticanis, 1864," folio. In this volume, among the " Epiftoloe Alexandri," P. VI., a letter. No. 894, is addreffed to Bifliop Elphinflon, " Super fuo prasfectione, tranf- latione, ac defe6lu Natalium." In this letter of difpenfation the " Defe6lu" is more than once mentioned, for inflance: — DCCCXCIV, page 508. — " Alexander Epifcopus, etc., Venera- bili fratri Willelmi Epifcopus Aberdonenfi falutem," etc., after relating that Pope Sextus IV. (1471-1484) had preferred Elphin- xvi Appendix. flon to the See of Rofs, " teque illi prefecit in Epifcopum et paflorum ac per alias tecum, ut non obflante defe6lu natalium;" and in his tranflation to Aberdeen, no mention having been made of this defect, in order to relieve him from any further trouble or tlie rill-c of fufpenfion, he, the Pope, "■ motu proprio, mere liberalitate," had granted him a full and free difpenfation : "non obflantibus defectu et aHis premiffis, etc. Datum Rome, apud San6lum Petrum, Anno 1494, pridie Idus Decembris, Pontificatus noftri, Anno tertio." No. IV. Registrum Glasguense. Vol. II. p. 369. — Willelmus de Elfynfloun, Canonicus Ecclefiae Glaf- guenfis, 30 Augufl, ----- 1448. P. 420. — MagiRer Willelmus de Elphinflone, ofRcialis Glaf- guenfis generalis, 29 January, . . . 1472. P. 435. — Willelmus de Elphinflon, Canonicus Glafguenfis, 1477. P. 439. — Magifter Willelmus de Elphingflone, archdiaconus Lefmorenfis, in ecclefia noflra, 2 December, - - 1479 P. 444. — Willelmus de Elphinflon, procurator archdiaconus Thevidale, 5 June, ----- 1480. P. 453. — Magifler Willelmus de Elphinflon, Canonicus Glafguenfis, 16 June, _ . _ . 1487. \ Exfcripta ex Martyrologio Metropolis Glafguenfis. P. 616. — Obitus MagiRri Willelmi Elphinflon, Archidiaconi Thevidalie, ultimo die Junij, Anno Domini millefimo quadringentefimo ocluagefimo fexto, - - - [i486], P. 616. — Obitus Willelmi Elphinflon, Epifcopi Aber- donenfis, vigefimo quinto die OcSlobris, Anno Domini millefimo quingentefimo decimo quarto, - - [1514]. APPENDIX 1 6 Panmure Place, Edinburgh, 24th 06tober, 1876. Dear Sir, — I fpent four days at Aberdeen lafl week, and made fearch regarding Mr. Alexander Gardyn, according to the note which I had from you. The refult is, I fear, not very fatif- factory : — Searched Burgh Safmes from i6og to 1635: No entry. Searched Council and Guild Regifler: Found — 15 May, 1629. — Decernes Alexander Gardyne, fometime of Banchorie, to pay to Thomas Gordon, merchant, ^60 for hemp and iron bought from the latter. 30 Augufl, 1631. — Inter alias: — "MagiRer Alexander Gar- dyne" admitted burgefs and Guild Brother. I hope to fee you early next week, and to hand over the Elphin- flone MS.-- 1 am, dear Sir, yours truly, Walter Macleod. Aberdeen Burgh Sasines. Vol. xvi. 8 Aug., 1576. — Safme to Elizabeth Keyth, fpoufe of George Gardyn of Banchorie. Ibid. 5 April, 1577. — A young man, John Gardyn, fon of the brother german, and heir of the late William Gardyn, butcher, burgefs of Aberdeen, gets fafine of a tenement in Aberdeen. xvili ArPENDix. Vol. XXX. 24 April, 1607. — Safine to "an honorable man," Alexander Gardin of Banchorie, fon and heir to the late Arthur (iardin of Banchorie, of a tenement in Aberdeen. [In March, 1603, it appears from a fafme to the faid Arthur Gardyn of Banchorie, and Janet Forbes his fpoufe, that he had a brother german, Patrick Gardin, who is a witnefs.] Vol. xxxi. 10 July, 1 610. — Safine to Alexander Gardin in Glaflerberrie, brother german and heir of the late William Gardin, fl^inner, burgefs of the faid burgh of Aberdeen. Vol. xxxii. 9 March, 161 1. — Safme to Alex"" Gardin in Glaflerberrie, and Jean Trowp, daughter of Alexander Trowp in Murthill, his future fpoufe, in terms of marriage contrail of fame date, of a tenement in Aberdeen. o w JiiLctox ^<=>■ Cr^^>^}/>^^ uy^. ^ {/ Col J CO' J' /itti^' Wtc^ ^nnon^ ^ CFf^jPf^ '3^ all. y J^^ l-^U^ ij/^^ £^ "V :,X'^'^ ' ' y, . ; . \(>^Sj\ '-^.'^ "'^i '.. ''. " yV •-'-, ^ -^^^\ ^ 1* ■« \ '^-■■S''^ \_ % -. rv->. >s4X\ -\; v?:-. \\ v> ^^^v^ 0. C .. rx ^'jV^^. WILLIAM ELPHINSTOUN, 2^ Bishop of Abirdene. WHAN Bilhop Blacater (In Paleftine deceas'd) Tranfported was to Glafco's Seat, And Protomyft thair plac'd, The channons, clerks, and all, All wounderfuUie proone, Prayes, and for Paftor poftulats, Ane Williame Elphinftoune, (But vaunting be it fayd) Into that tyme and age, lo A man of all moft fpiritfull, Moft fanftifeed and fage. Whairfor, this Worfliipfull Juditious Diuyne, To limne his Lyf, dois afk the ayd Of all the triple Tryne. Whow fall I, then, fince I Am fo infirme, fett foorthe And wreat of this great Williame, all His virtues, works and woorthe? 20 Unlefs my pen were puU'd From Delius' facrat wing. And, with the Mufes happie hands, Dipt in the Thefpian fpring; That, be thair heauenlie help, My unaccouftom'd quill, Mycht Golden numbers, ne6lar-lyk, Elaborat, diftill, 6 TJie Lyf, Doings, and Deathe And fyned quintcffence. My lynes and labours than, 30 Conforme unto fome meafure too The Merits of the Man : Who as his Nature good In th' adolefcing age, Will: [Elph.] His futur Grace and greatnefs bothe, Inclinatioune. j^j^j promeis and prefage; So in his Lyf weell led, Moft worthy Neftors yeers, Muchemorc nor could expefled be. Performed was, appears. 40 Now, this great worthy, Avyfe, And vigilant Diuine, In Glafco Burrow he was borne : His pedegree and lyne From Elphinstoune, a houfe Old, opulent, and trew, And yit a famous famelie Legittimat he drew. At Glafco firfl he got, (Whair all fueet Science fownds) - 50 In that thryfe Inclyt Academe. His Elements and Grounds. There to be borne, to breathe, \ Did God and Nature give, And there his louing Lord did learne Him laudablie to Hue; Thair did he fuck his Dame, Thair on the Mufes milk His fragrant frefhe ingyne was fed And foftred firft, be whilk 60 The Tyare he attain'd, And that highe honour had of William Elphinjloim. To haue his Name immortaliz'd, And all whair fpars'd and fpred : There it reported is And taken for a trewthe, He throghe his Nurfe's negligence, The fourt yeer of his youthe, On tyme a myrfmg was, And fearched for, was found, 70 Withe more appearing zeall nor yeers, Low proftrat on the ground, In the Cathedrall Churche, Into ane inner Yle, Whair on the Virgin's counterfit His eyes war fixt the whyll, So firmelie and fo faft, That doubtlefs difcontent, His litle mynding to remoue, H' expreffed be complaint, 80 Whiche feem'd to fome a figne A prefage and a Note, That he fould proue, as came to pafs, Religious and devote. Than he into his Sext Or fevnt yeer at the maift, To ground him in his Grammcr, withe A pedagoge was plac't, Whofe pr' excellent ingyne Did fo furpafs his peers, 90 That it his prudence pre-expreft In his perfe6lar yeeres. His Wit, acute and quick, With Judgement joynd to thefe, Yit being bot a Boy, fo did The Archeprelat's fpirits pleafe. 8 The jLyf, Doings, and Deathe That cache night once he hade Him haunted to rehearfe A fentence of fome learned Sage, Or fome fleeted verfe. loo Heir willing I wald pafs Unpennd his vifioun, Since mony in thir days will deeme It doltrie and derifioun : His Vifioun. Yit fmce its plainlie penn'd Be our Chronographer, I fhaw the fame, and thairof fhall The faithe to him referre. It feem'd to him he fate On's baire and bended knees, no At th' Altar of the Mother-Maid, Whome he fuppons he fees. Amidds his quyet reft Ae waking he was wount T' ui^hold and heis his hands, his hart So to the Mayd did mount. Then with fadde fownding fighes, Great groanings and agaft, Into thir words he afl Licentiat in the Ciuill Law, And Profeffor pereit, Withe fuche fedulitie, Allacritie and care, He fyve yeers out, or fix (with fome,) Still teaching tareid thair. Whair bothe fuche faithe, and fuche Sinceritie, he fhew. That all mens' eyes to him allone H' attracted and he drew. 420 Thefe fex yeers all outrun, Deferuing worthelic, He got the Laurell of the Laues, And Doflor's Dignitie. Then up to Orleance, Withe Doctors refident Thair to conferre decm'd erudeit, Thryfe Laureat Williame went; In whofe focietie A certan fpace he fpent, 430 Whair with a diclione delegat, Pure, apt, and eloquent. All Theorems of Law, Hidde miftick and obfcure. But ony pains, he did explane Be his large literature. C 1 8 The Lyf, Doings, and Beat he So withe incredible And admiratioun inuche, They did behold and faw that his Sagacitic was fuche. 440 Whair throw he rightlie raife, And came in fuche account, That his renowne and name abone His marrows muche did mount. Whill that the firfl of France So did his guifts regaird, That his advyfe they oft tymes us'd In Parl'ment efter-ward. His fame for Thus as liis fame throw France, lioune"*^'" Ai^d all whair, famous flew, 450 So, honour'd be the beft, good will To him and freindiliip grew, Withe thefe that did upoun The fage great fenate fit, Bot withe De Gana moft, a man Of ryppe and reddie wit, Whofe Wifdome efter-ward And Virtues did aduance. And caus'd him Chancelar chofm be Of all the Realme of France. 460 VVhiche freindfliippe flill infring'd, \ Continew'd 'tuixt thame tway, In forme and force fraternall lyk, Unto thair deeing day. Whill his perfe6liouns thus (That propre his did clame Laud from each lippe,) had famous France Oreflowed with his fame, Tuo Lufters one yeer, left That he had there foiorn'd, 470 of IVilliain Elphinjloun. 19 His Returne He, much admeird and more renown'd, to Scotland. t ,. . a ^ . ' i intreated, home return d. And unto Glafco firft Great Doctor Williame dois — The natrall nurce of the none age, And of his morning Mufe — Go, to the Prelat thair, A wyfe and worthy man Of letters, and of h'terats A choife Excultor than ; 480 Whome, courtefs, kyndHe he Did tender, and intreat Withe correfpondence to his worthe, And to his awne cftate. Whair to giue publick proof, And mak it clearHe knawnc. What learning from the fonts of France H' exhaufted had and drawne. Of the Pontifique Laues Some problems he propon'd, 490 Which bothe percit and promplie he Refolued and expound, And with fuche flowing phrafe, Fit, formall and profound, Diffolued doubte, and mifticks maid Significant and found. That all the Clergie thair Admiringly amaz'd. The proto-Prelat, prefent too, His pregnancie he praifd. 500 Whairfor fincc thus they fie Him graced with fuche guifts. They mynd (for all things aids that God Aduances and uplifts,) 20 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe And deulie dois determine With the advyfe of all, He is Com- 'fo Great him thair Commiffare GiaSrow. Judge or Officiall, A dignit and degree, Commodious and large, 510 Gevine bot to fuche as could the fame Condignelie weel difcharge. Bot fo withe equitie The ballance thair he buir, In office faithfuU fund, and ay Knawne incorrup, and pure: A cenfurer feuere Of wrongs injurious, And to all lewd litigians With reafoun rigorous: ' 520 This adage ufmg oft And iterating ftill, — " The Judge injures the juft that dois Unpuniflit fpare the ill." So laudablie he layd, With Reafon's reule aright, The ground oft all his efter great- nefs, magnitude and might. O ! bot fo large a light, This litle meafurc mean 530 Could noght inclus'd ecclipfed keep, Uniliyning and unfeene, Bot that it muft difperfe So ritche and radiant rayes. Throw all the corners off this Yle Be many wounderous wayes. That Court too clean and curt, For fuch a mynd unmeat, of PVilliam Elphmjloun. 21 He is maid a Counfalonr. Bp. Williame fent Orator to France. The circuit of that Citie walls Too fpair for fuch a fpreit. 54° For why? to come to Court The Counfell they him craue, To giue withe thame, in things of weght, His good advyfe and graue. Whair to aduance him more, Whillt with the King he bade At Court, he was of Andr'apole Judge And Officiall maid. And efter that noght long, Yit his eftate t' extoll, 55° Amongs the Kings cheef Counfalours This Reuerend they inroll; Whairin him felf he us'd. And counfall gaue fo good, As withe the weel and honor of His Highnefs State ay ftood. Thus was his praifes fpred. And ore this regioune ran, His gloree and his greatnefs thus, Here bothe to grow begane. S^o But now the Weirds inveits. And Williame will aduance Withe fortouns yit more fair, and mak Him Orator to France! Withe th' Earle of Buchaii, then The Juftice Generall, And that thryfc worthy worlhipfull The Bifliop of DnnkcU, Dire6l from Janes the Thrid Unto King Ludouickc 570 Th' Elevint, t' appaife fufpitiouns fprung, Now kindled new and quick, "fe" 22 The Lyf, Doings, and DcatJie And lyk to bread bothe breks, Great difcords and debaits, Betuixt thefe long Confed'rat tuo Stronge floorifhing Eftatcs, A peruerfe poyfned platt Of Wracthc and wyld Enny: That gif thefc Kings fould juft and jarre, They then might gain thairby; 580 The whichc nought onlie hee A tyme reflrain'd and ftench't, B. Williame's ^^^ withe this pleafant pitthie fpeache Oiatiounto He quayld it clean and quench't: Frens King. " Illuftrious Princc of France! '' Moft Chriftian King! (quod hee,) " Wald God that Natur. Art, or Ufe " Voutchaifed had on me, " Suche pow'rfull plent' of fpeache, " Suche welthe of words and wit, 590 " As in fome parts fould aptly proue " Convenient and fit, " T' accord, to obuiat, " To correfpond and be " Equivalent unto your Grace, " Your greatnefs and degree : " Bot O ! fo in my birthe '\ " Siniftrous war my fignes " That haplefs I inhibeit am " Since all the Thefpian fprings ! 600 " So thus it comes, great King! " No fyllabe worthy can, " By worthies me, all unexpart, " Weel be propond, O than ! " Admeir not, Sacrat Sir, " Tho' in your prefence plac't of JVilliam Elphiuftoim. 23 " Amongs your Palatins and Peers, " Heir pallid, me almaift " Amaz'd and moued mutche " To harrang yow behold, ^'° '' Whair Orators moft exquifeit " Skarce weel aduenture wold. " Aduenture wold ! who wold " In prefence of a Prince " Renown'd, proclam'd viclorious " In armes and eloquence? " Heirfore, braue Prince! without " Difpleafur, pafs I pray, " When weghtlefs words, unworthy thee, " My weaknefs fall bewray. ^^^o " Since no, nought raOilie, nor, " As may be fayd be fome " Upoun fliild confidence, unto " Thy Court, O King, I come. " No, no, bot be command, " Straght mandat, will and charge, " Of my dred, deir and Souraigne Lord : " I come aboard my bairge " To do his Highnes hefts, " Moft gratious of all other, 630 " Wha does reguard and highlie hold, " Sir, yow his Royall brother! " Whairfor, I rather to " Thy clemencie will cleaue, " And anchor on thefe fauours firme " Your Highnes wount to haue, " That I more boldlic bold " May fomewhat fay, thought fmall, " Yit trewlie poynting to a Peace " Publick perpetuall, ^Ho Concord. 24 TJic Lyf, Doings, and DeatJie " Than to negleft, retard, " Poftpone, refuife, withfland, " Aganis all dcwtie, ( God forbid ! ) " My facrat King's command, " Then to accommodat " Rcfpe6ls important mouc. " Our fpeaches firft, brauc Prince! to peace, " To amitie and loue; " The proper pedcftals, " Th' approv'de fupporting fpyrs, ^50 The prais of " The nerue-ftronge flable flay of States, " The pillar of Empyrs, " The fruitful! daughter fair " Of th' cu're lining Lord; " The gloric of the good, " Th' abater of the bloody fuord, " The light and lyf of Lawes, " Trew Juftice, firme Defence; " The patron of all policie " And pleafure of the Prence, 660 " Withe and whoes onlie ayd " Still ffcands Eftates, and Regnes " In quyet calme, but cros of cares: " Dukes, Empriours, and Kings, " Publicl nor priuat States, \ " Whow mightie muche or mean, " Sans or but this State ftabling peace, " Unftreffed can fufteene ; " Nor to our felf, nor too " Our Countree, King or blood ; » 670 " But thefe we profitable proue, " Be gratious or good : " Suche the opiniouns war " Of Nat'ralifts of old, of William ElpJiinJloim. 25 " And Wretars wyfeft and diuyne " This for a Maximc hold, — " That concord, loue, and peace, " Farre paffing earthHc eyne, " Ar fuirelie facrat of thame felfs, " Uraniah and Diuine: 680 " To whiche effeft th' arche foe, " To faftious Catelene, " Whofe melleit mouthe, and flowent phrafe, " So much admeired hes bene, " Exclamis and cryis : ' O thay '' ' Who fo audacious bold, " ' Dares fo difrump the publick peace, " ' Pull from the World e wold " ' The Golden Eye of Heauen, " ' The fpeciall nurce of things, 690 " ' That on the maffie Mother Earthc " 'AH forming Nature brings!' " Since noght a greater grace " Nor happines from Heauen, " For confort of all creatures " Was, is, nor fall be gevin ; " And nought, Viftorious Prince! " Is that more pleafant proues, " Nor when tuo Monarches and thair men " Ar6llie Colleagued loues! 700 " And the Stragirian Sage " Protefts, tho' Kings poffes " All other goods but freinds ; this all — " Then nought is nothing les. " What welthy wordlings, wife " Potentats, Princes, and " What Fortoun's fau'rits, but thair freinds, " Suir in eftate can ftand? D 26 TJie Lyf, Doings, and Deatlie " Pompe, peace, profperitie, "And what vain welthe, auails 7'° " To Countreis, Kings, and Common welths, "Whan freinds and freindfliip fails? " And whow, but freindfliip, may " Moft wyflie uneneru'd, " Great Princip'litcis and pours " Be Princes be preferu'd ? " Whow muche more man abound, " Swell, and in fubftance fwim, " So muche more oft ar moft mifliapps " Hard at the hand to him. 720 " In ev'rie greateft greef, " Whiche mortals marrethe moft, "" And in thair cheef calamiteis " Whair with tha' ar crufli'd and croft, " Thair onlie left releef, " Refuge and confort ay, " (Saif in the Lord thair God) " Into thair louing freinds they lay. " Bot to comprend and coutche, " Yea in few words confyne, 730 " Bothe mony maters large and good, — " So concord is divyne: " That heir throughe things thought mean, " Yit multipl' and augment, " And but the fame, ritche Royal) Crouns " Decay, ar torne and rent! " Some brutiflie creaturs too, " Wha vaunting Reafon's ufe, " That nature be th' Omnipotent, " Dois creat and produce ; 740 " Wold we perceaue, they do " Prognofticat and preache, of William Elphinftoim. 27 " And whow men ought to Hue, thair Hues '' Exemplific and teache : " Bot cheeflic thefe, that be " Experience we find, " The oxin, horfe, and Iheepe, whiche ar " Moft tradable; be kynd " They kyndlie concord keep, " And lyk conburgers be, 750- " Without all foirthought, foftred frawd, " Hait or hoftiUtie. " Bot th' other favagc fort " To rapine prone and raif, " Thair cruel I natrall kynd ftill dois " Thair kendled cholors chaife, " That cache with other it " Holdis, jangling ftill at jarre, " And makes thame moue to mortall men " A brutiflic bloody warre: 760 " And tho in ufe to us " They feldome be and rare, " And verie few confum'd be withe " Th' inclemenc' of the air, " Yit thir intractable, " Into thair numbers neuer " To multitudes amount, bot ane " Alwayes almofl ar euer. " Againe th' innoxius kynd, " Depopulat thoughc thay 77o " By butchers be, and fubje6l too " To wrack of weather ay, — " Yit co-obferuing loue, " They do ftill more and more " To hudge and numbers numberles " Profper, incres and ftoar. 28 TJie Lyf, Doings, and Deathe " O fit fyn documents ! " And leffons worthe to learne, " And to be taught to all eftates, " Whow freindfliip dois concerne! 780 " And is right requifeit, " Yea neceffarlic brings " Into this lyf to all a help " And increment of things. " Bot from digreffing thus, " To mak a ftay, and ftand " Aback, for to returne vnto " That whilk we haue in hand,- — " Th' illuftr'ous James, the Thrid " Of that renowned name, 79° " Our four'ane Lord, alone that bears " Unthral'd his diademe, " Be us his Orators, " (Altho unworthy wee) " Excellent and moft Chriflian King, " Salutes thy Majeftie! " And with that reuerence " Moft dew, condigne and meet " To thy degree, moft pow'rfull Prince! " Moft glaidlie dois the greet; 800 " Defyring nothing more " To him befall nor chance, " Nor knaw your Highnes to haue helthe, " And florifliing be France! " And cheeflie cheef in this " His Highnes hopes repofe, " And with your Grace, for all good lucks, " He joyntlie dois rejois. " His Grace's Grandfyr-great, " By thair braue mereits maid sro of IVilliam Elphinjtoun. 29 " Thy France thair freind confederat, " VVhiche but all bracks abaid, " From Charles furnamd the Great, " And King Achaius' dayes — " Sir, to your happie regne, that now " The Gallick fcepter fwayes — " A louing league, a band, " And faft confedracie, " Obferu'd and treulie intertain'd " With all integritic: 820 " And noght with wreat and wax, " Or Buls allon, hes bene " This faithfull fsedracie conferm'd, " Bot fealed it was fene, " Oft with th' efifunded blood " Of men moft choife, and cheef " Of bothe the natiouns, feghtand for " Thair mutuall releef " This doolefull tryell taught " At th' expugnatioun long 830 " Of th' Englifhe Anwick Caftell, bothe " Be Art and Natur ftrong, " Whair mony famous Frenfche " Throw Engliflie force did fall, " And war in ftrait, yea at the poynt " For to haue perifh'd all, " Gif that couragious Count, " The Douglas dred, had nought " Withe fpeed approacht, and with him thair " His bands triumphant brocht. 840 " Whow mony worthy vScots " Of the Patrician flate, •' I purpofe not thefe too, too old " Examples paft repeat, — 30 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe " At Wenioll, Crefcie, Blange, " In the defence of France, " With martiall lawd, haue loaft thair lyues, " Be fliot, be fuord, and lance. " Look, LudoLiick, heirfore — " What cordiall loue we bear 850 " To thee and thyn, of EngHfhe force " But all regaird and feare; " To perrels but refpe6l " Wc pas, and faill the fea, " And venters lyfes our worthieft wares " To feght for thyn and thee. " Suche is our reuerence, " Integritic, and trothe, '' That we haue borne, and alwyfe beai'e " To that fuorne facrat oathc, 860 " That cuntrcc, goods and freinds, " Our childring, wyfes, and als " Our lyfes fall lofc, or we be fund " Fidifragie and fals ! " Breack not than, facrat Syre! " The long unbleamifht band, " That with fa mony Chriftian Kings " Unviolat lies ftand; " And in that freindlie forme, \ " In force and in efifefl, ' 870 " Sa mony ages hes befoir '' But blcamifhe bene, and breck. " Which League, my fouraigne Lord, " His too too carefull cares, " Whow he wald haue it fure obferu'd, " Deciphers and declairs ; " Altho fome fpreits impure " Oft impiouflie haue preft, of JVilliam Elphinjtotin. 3 1 " Withe finifter fuggcftiouns, " To gall it, and difgrac't, 880 " And withe thair buflie brains " Yit dois affay and feik " To Ihak it to your fhame: Syre, withe " Your patience, I fpeak, — " For gif in France default, " The League conferud fo long, " A rupture fall receaue, or breache, " A violence or wronge, — " Moft louing Ludouick! '■ This Ihall imputed be 890 " Unto thy gratious, too, too cre- " dulous credulitie: " Since that the Scotifhe King, " Our facrat fouraigne Lord, " Moft conftant curiouflie dois keep " This confacrat accord ; "His Highnes fets befoir " His rev'rent Royall eye, " His Grace's grand foirbears good, " Of matcheles memorie; 900 " And thairunto adjoyns " His Highnes' honor, that " By might nor mundan means can be " Nor wrong'd nor violat. " His nat'rall loue lykuyfe " Is lyk a circling chayne, " His freindfhippe with the Rcalme of France. " Moft ftronglie to mantain: " To beai'e record of this, " And manifeft it mair, 910 " For France his highe follicitude " And his kynd countrees caire. 32 Tlie Lyf, Do i Jigs, and D eat he " That reuerend diuyne, " The Bifliop of Dunkell, " And that right famous inclyt Erie, " Great Uncle to himfell, "Withe this perexcellent graue Ju- " rift, whome we call " (The vulgar vocable to ufe,) " Our Juflice Generall, 920 " And me my felf, I grant " Unworthe, unapt, indigne, " To undergo fo great a charge, " Unto fo great a King! " Unto your Celfitude, " His Highnes heir hes fend, " All maters marr'd, and manag'd wrong, " For to remeed and mend; " And ficlyk to your Self, " To fhaw and fignifie, 930 " And for to certiorat and make " This facrat Senat fie, " That gif reports hes paft " Whiche may the peace fupplant, " Or gif ought hes bene fayd unto " Th' old freindfhippe diffonant, " Or in his name if too " Your Royall hands be broght " Some fecret fuits, or fuche lyk things, " But warrand all ar wrought, 940 " And heirfor. Sir, for to " Decypher fuche, as als " To proue thair mifreports to be " Bot fables faingz'd and fals, " Unto thefe reuerend, " Great noble men, and fage, of IVilliam Elphinftoim. 33 The tenor of " Committed is his Highnes mynd thair Com- ,, a j i.^ ^ miffioune. -^^^'^" matters to manage: " The long confedrat League, " Gif harmed ony whair, 95a " Or labefafted they it find, " Thai haue powar to repair ; " And gif it fo fhall need, " Yit new conditions thay " Sir, with your Graces's gevin confent, " Adde at thair plcafour may: " And to promitt fupport, " Commiffioun and command, " We haue aganis your prefent foes " That now infeft your land : 960 " And fpeciallie this, more " For to avert your harmes, " To fhaw our Prince, in perfon fall " Now prefentlie tack armes : " Suche is to you his loue, " Suche his weell meaning mynd, " And to affect your France, fo is " He cairfullic inclyn'd, " That nothing he can coumpt " Convenient, good, nor grate, 970 " Whiche is not for thy publick weell " Thy Kingdome, Croune, and State, " But whofe profperitie, " Great Segnyour, fuir thy fell, " His Highnes' difcontents and greivs " No terren tounge can tell! "Your Gracefs bothe ar glaid, " (And I beleve dois gloire) " Than in your mutuall amitie, " In nothing mortall moir. 980 34 TJie Lyf, Doings, and Deal he " Viftorious Prince ! ar thou " Noght th' onlie earthelie King " Inaugur'd with that facrat oyle, " That heav'nlie holy thing? " And unto whome allone " Is grauntcd from aboue, " By th'only tuitche, the wyld cheek rheume " To remeed, and remoue? " Ar thou noght th' onlie Prince " By guift divyne that wears, 99° " And in thy badge, the beautifull " And braue, braue Lillie, bears? " Whiche thy forbears bold " Haue prouidentlie fpaird, " And to the Lyon left to be " His garland and his guaird ; " To giue ane euidence " Unto the World's end " That Scotland France, France Scotland, fall " Prote6l, mantain, defend. looo " Ar thefe not arguments " Then, valeid, firme, and ftrong, " For to mantene this amitie " Your Maiefteis among? " Moft Royall King! then wee, \ " We pray, requeft, implore " Your Grace, to keep us faithful! freinds " As France hes fund befoir; " T' obferuc this old contra6l, " Kythe, louing, conftant, kynd, loio " And withe a paritie in loue " Sir, meit our Maifter's mynd ; — " A chyld yit for his yeeres, " Bot into wifdome old, of William Elphinfioim. 35 " He dantoun'd lies his montane men — " Men fearlefs, fearce and bold ; " And calmelie queyeted, " Yea he hes fatled fo " His Realme, that thair no rumor is, " Nor fear of ony foe. 1020 " Since that he finds this tyme " Heir troublefome, to be " Fit whairin he may bothe availl " And forder France and thee. *' Whairfor be loathe that once " It fould be fayd or fene, " That thow fould breck that band, at vvhois " Begininge bleft hes bene " Incall'd th' Eternall treuthe, " God th' cuer lining Lord, 103c " To punifhe the perjur'd in that " Commodious accord, " Eftablifhed fo oft, " Conferm'd, affuird and feal'd. " With bothc the Nations' nobleft blood, " For others quarrels fkeald. " Then cherifhe, louc, efleme " Us louing, faithfull, and " That 'tuix the People and Princefs, peace " May ftill and ftable ftand ; 1040 " Whairbe in profp'rous peace " Thow juftlie fall rejofe, " Defend, keip, and conferue thy Crowne " But fear of all thy foes. " But heir to put a poynt, " Sir, you fall know from thefe, " All wyfe, renown'd and noble Lords, " When yee appoynt and pleafe. 36 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe " The forder will and pleafure of " Our Prince, whiche is commit 1050 " Unto thair judgements great and graue, " Skill, prudencie, and wit." Now hauing harrangd with Ane admirable grace, Withe the applaufe of Prince and Peers, The Prelat held his peace ; Whofe words weell wealled and Convenientlie couch'd, The maters marche, the purpofe fp'rits, Inter other fo touch'd, 1060 That amber-lyk to him They link't King Lues' loue, In maner fuche as could noght be Maid efter to remoue. So rofe the Gallick Roy, And louinglie imbraces Th' Imbaffadours, as there they flood In thair appoynted places. Then, luifing Ludouick, Moft earneftlie defyres, 1070 And efter bothe his Highnes" helthe And countree's ftatc requyres: Wharof fuffic'entlie \ Affured and refolvde, He greatlie did congratulat, The Senate fyn diffolv'de; And th' Orators then, lyk A moft magnifick Lord, He feafted with all dainteis that His Francia could afford : 1080 Expenfs he fpaired not. Nor gold he ought regairds, of IVilliam Elphmjtonn. 37 Bot with maifl princelie ritche propyns, Thame honors and rewards. The day fucceeding that, The Celtick Senat dois Yeeld to our Legats' wholl demands And nothing did refuife That to our Sou'rane Lord Or to his countree can, 1090 Or unto others weill availl Bot glaidl' all granted than — Then with kynd countenance, Thofe men of mekle mark, From France took leaue, and out of Deep For Britain they imbark; Whair faiflie fet a flioar, Thair Sou'rane they falut. Thus the Imbaffad braue, Deulie difpatcht and fpcd, noo The Prince his grace and great good will Unto the Bifhop bred; Whiche to mak clearlie knawne, He him prefcnts and chufes Unto the Biflioprick of Rofs, — Herefuifesthe Whiche fairlie he rcfuifes; B: of Rofs. Protefling that was noght The place for him prepaird, Whairin he fould be confecrat And call'd too he declair'd : mo And when his freinds inquyr'd, VVhow hapned it that he Wald not accept bot had refuis'd So ample a Prelacie.'' " Thair is no feat prepaird " For us," quod he, " bot whair 38 TJic Lyf, Doings, and Deathe " The Holy Mayd Deiparent is " Approird Prote6lres thair" Unto his former dreame Alluding', as appears, "20 Or unto that he feem'd to fie Into his younger yeeres. Bot mark from thence he is More counted and refpefted, And on the Counfell worthelie Is chofen and ele6led; So that the ftate affaires Of greateft importance Ar cheeflie done be his advyfe, His Avit and ordinance; 1130 And when be the effe6ls That from his wifdome flows, He came in credeit with his King, And more, more greater grows. Then as a godlie man Wald noght betray his truft, Bot graiv'l' exhorts his Prince to leaue Hie avarice and luft, Tuo plagues moft peftilent And more nor deadlie thinges, "4° To be predominant and regne In Potentats and Kinges; And for to ftoppe and flay The furie, and repres Thefe robbers' rage, that daylie did His countree ftates diftres: For certanlie bothe great And greuous wrongs be thofe Oppreffiouns, fprung unto the Crowne And the Republick rofe. "5° of William Elphinjloun. 39 And ficlyk he adhorts And labors muche to moue His Highncs to adheare t' intreat, To cheariflie and to loue His chaift and fruitfull Queene, The Lady Margret, borne And fprung from princes' blood, & whome Great graces did adorne. He forder to his Prince Intearlie dois intreat "6° To ufe his great men's grave advyfe In fleering his eftate, And to prote6l his poore From wrongs and injurie, And he him felf to Hue his lyf, More whoU and holelie. Laft, he befowght he fould Be clement ever more, Becaus that qualitie a king Dois verie muche decoire. "7° Thir exhortatiouns oft, Weell withe the Prince preuail'd. For nather they in good effe6ls Nor in thair fruits they fail'd ; He better liu'd, and was Religious more from thence. And ever went to worfhip God With greater reuerence. And all tymes efter that, To pray the Lord he lears, "80 Bothe for his awne and Countrcc's ftatc, With trembling and with tears. And to the indigent, The Churche, and Church-men all, 40 The Lyf, Doings, and Deal he As it became his qualitie, Was muche more liberall. About this tyme it chanc't, Into this cuntree come A Bifliop or Imbaffadour Send from the Pope of Rome, ' "90 With prill i leges great, And muche immunitie, In fauors of our Sov'rane Lord And his Nobilitie. This Prclat, lo! the Prince, As it becomes great Kings, He honors highhe, and rewards With mony Royall things; And did about him felf This ftranger ftill retein, 1200 Delighting muche to hear him fpeek Of purpofc peregrine. But once it chancl thair met His Highnes in the way, As he unto Leftarik Avent Upoun a hoHe day — A Noble-man, condemn'cl And deftinat to die For blood and flaughter, who, whow fone The Sovrane he did fic, ^2'° Downc at his feet he falls Befoir him on his face, Then lifts his chayned hands, with tears, And humblie calls for grace ; Befceking him he wold Remember that renown'd — That Royall vertew, clemencie, That mony Kings hes crown'd; of WiUiaui Elphinjtonn. 41 And whairbe oft the wretche Convick a hoip lies had, 1220 Yea at the poynt to fuffer too Has bene releu'd and fred: Then, " Gratious Prince!" quod he, " Proue pitiful! and fpair, " (Since that my cryme come hot be chance, " And was involuntare,) " Left that I be withe thofe " For foir confulted crymes, " By lliamefuU deathe be maid a ftane " Unto the efter tymes." 1230 The Prince, to pitie prone, Dois to the Legat look, And from the damned man's demand A fit occafioun took. To mak the Roman bold To be a fupplicant, The author, mean, and th' inftrument To moue his Grace to grant Lyf, lands, and libertie, And to the pris'ner peace, 1240 Yit did the Romeift rigorous. Stay fpeacheles all the fpacc. As inexorable. He dumme and mute remain'd, Untill his Grace agane thus urg'd, And t' anfuer him conftrain'd; " What is" quod he "to us "Thy counfeli in this cace?" The other, ruidlic, then reply'd, — " Let Jurtice haue hir place." ,250 The myld and clement King, To Williame then converts, F 42 TJie Lyf, Doings, and Deathe And fayes, " Is this the clemencie "Of the Italian harts? " Is this the pitie plac't •' And bred into thair breafts, " 0{ that renown'd and reu'rend rowt " Rome's Prelats and hir preifts ? " Thow often otherwyfe, " Ufe mony meanes to move 1260 " Us to inclyne to clemencie, " And pitifull to proue." The graue and godlie man At that refponfe he fpights, And on the ground for werie greef He fixed long his lights: And hates th' immanitie And fearcefnes that he fand, Into that cruell Clergie man Come from the Latine land ; Bot yit, unmyndfull noght, Kyths now the Chriftian King, What glorie great this clemencie Dois unto Princes bring : And th' other's fentence fliarp. As tyrranous detefts, And be his mercie to the man His myldnes manifefts: The Kings For there the doome of deathe, Clemencie. ^^^ fentence he refcinds, And from the burding of his bands The Baron he unbinds. Then with a gallant grace, The guiltie man difcharg'd, And law free for that fa6t from thence To libcrtic inlairg'd : 1270 1280 of IVilliam Elphinjioun. 43 Togidder fhawing thair, That Princes great fould be, With meafour meek and mercifull, And cled with clemencie; 1*90 And that it is injuft And alway impious, For to perfuade and counfell Kings For to be rigorous. Now daylie more and more His Grace' good lyking grew, And princelie fauors be efFe6ls To Bifhop Williame fliew: For when important things, Be cace in queftioun came, 1300 He was alon ele6l, imploy'd And tain t' entreat the fame, Be reafoun of his great Dexterit' of ingyne, His muche admeired modeftie With fair and fafhions fyn. About this tyme was fawen The feminar and feeds Of ane moft wrackfuli futur warre, Be fome unhappie heads, 131° Betuix King James the Thrid And th' Inglifhe nightbour King: Bot th' object is to ftoppe the ftreame Of this tempeftuous fpring. Our worthy Williame wyfe, By fearche the fitteft found, To be the healthefum Cataplafme To that appearing wound. He is fend This laft he took on him, to England. ^^^ ^^ j^.^^ Eduard went, 1320 44 J^^^(^ J^yfy Doings, and Deathe Where with a harrang grauelie thair, Exceeding eloquent, His Princes will he expon'd Dilucidlie and large, And fo with Wifdomc wyfelie wrought And exccut his charge, That bothc the Princes' harts, Difjoyncd be difdain, Be his Legation he alon Knits and uneits againe ; 1330 So, as appear'd, they bothe Nought onlie War difarm'd, Bot that thair was perpetuall peace Eftablifli'd and conferm'd, Gif noght that wicked Warre, And that inteftine ill, Alex: Si: Had not bcgunne, that all thir bounds brother to the ^yj^j^ fadious force did fill, Betuixt our Sou'rane Lord And the Albanian Duke, 1340 Whofe part (refpefting not the peace) The Engliflie Eduard took. Altho a fugitiue — With money and with men, He him affifted and fuppleed \ Aganis his brother then. Whairfor not efter long, Betuixt thir Natiouns fprang, And was proclaim'd a wofull warre, Sharpe, pcrellous and lang. 1350 Our moft couragious King Did nocht fo muche mifdeeme The Englifhe amies, as fear'd his awne, Siniftrouflie that feeme of IVilliam ElpJiinJloitn. 45 His 2d Voyage to England. He is pre- fented to the Bifliop: of Abirdone and Chancellarie of Scot: For to be freinds, and more To fauor and affe6l The Duke's defignes than his, thair Prince, His part, for to refpecl: Bot in this change of things, And variable event, 1360 Whiche wrackfull warre this tyme betuixt Thcfe Princes did prefent ; Our Prelat Williame, withe The States' confent, is fend The fecond tyme, to put to warrs And to thefe ills ane end. Unto the Englifhe King; With whome the peace he platts, And queyet of the kingdomes bothe, — So now negotiats, 1370 That bothe a gen'rall peace He confumats and ends. And with the King agrees the Duke, And maks thame fullie freinds. Whairforc both th' Engliflie King Him royallie rewarded. And all his guifts and graces great Moft gratiouflie regarded ; And for his paffed pains. Great mereits and deferts, 1380 Whan backe from his Legatioun laft And voyage he reverts. His Sov'raignc Lord King James Gave him moft willinglie, Be prefentatioun, Abirdone Hir fpacious Prelacie. And fliortlic efter that His fafts fuche fauor fand, 46 The Lyf, Doings, mid Deathe That he was maid call'd and declair'd Lord Chancelar of the Land. 1390 Soone efter this begane To brak out and to burft, Anc execrable, wrongfull warre, And quarrell moft accurft, Betuixt the Syre and Sone, The Thrid and Feird King James, That, throughe fome corrupt Counfalours, Stood bothe upoun extreams: Whiche querrell to compone, And contravers t' accord, 1400 And mak the Sonne fubmit him felf To his parentall Lord, — Unceffanth'e he feeks, And ufeth all his witt. And what might pleafe the parteis bothe. To do, dois noght omitt: Bot when he hes pra6liz'd, And all did enterpryfe That could become a graue, a good, A virtous man and wyfe, — 1410 And nothing yit preuaild ; He then did fermel' adhear — Unto the parent Prince his part, \ To th' ending of the warre. Bot when this wrackfull warre "" With bade fuccefle did ceafe, . - . He came heir home to Abirdone, And prefentlie did preas For to corre6l the Churche, And all things to repair, ,. 1420 Neglefted the preceeding yeeres, And growne irregular: of IVillimii Elpkinftonn. 47 He talcs The facrat feruicefs Churche He did appoynt, and wold affairs. They fould be fung and celebrat With organs, as of old The fathers in the Churche They ever wount to ufe, And as we knaw the Catholiks Into thir dayes yit does. 1430 Whairfor to this effe6l, A verie modeft man, Ane Johne Molyfoune, he appoynts, A learn'd Mufician, To haue the charge, to be Cheef Chanter in the Chore, That Mufick in his Churche might be Als frequent as befoir. The knaledge and incres, Into this Boreall part, 1440 Of Mufick, juftlie it belongs To this Molyfoun's art; For nane into thefe dayes Was thairin cunning knawne, Bot fuche as from his dodlrinc dulce Thair documents hed drawne. Now mony other warks That worthie war of prais, The Prelatt platts to interpryfe, And his accounts he lays HSo For to accompleiflie heir, Bot is conftrain'd to ftay, And to deferre his good defignes Unto ane other day ; For he was, with ane charge, Call'd to the Court to come. 48 The Lyf\ Doings, and Deathe For to be great Counfalour To James the Fourt, to whome H'is reconcild, and is, With great reguard & grace, ' i4<^o R' eftabhflied and repoffeft Unto his prior place ; And with no les refpecl, Or in effe6l -with more, This Prince the Prelat held nor him His father had befoir. Bot mark, fome refts remain'd, And coals of thefe difcords That had confum'cl the King, his cheef Nobilitie, and Lords; 1470 Whiche gif they war not quyt Extinguiflid and put out Withe ciuill broyls, they wald re-burne, Northe Britan bounds, no dout. All thefe aduenting ills, And that appearing peft, Our Prelat with exceeding pains Politiklie repreft: And whan he had remou'd Diftra6lions and debate, 1480 Hidde liate, diftrufl, and jelofees, \ Mongs members of Eftate, He counfald then the King, (That had no forrane foe. Nor no domeftick ane at hame) Then to begin and goe Advyfedlie to wey. Yea tuichinglie to feell, And treat of things that profeit ports Unto the publick weell ; 1490 of Williani Elphinjtoim. 49 And to imploy his pains To what may honour bring, Advancement, glorie, and renowne, Unto his Royall Regno. Firft then his Grace begins, And dois ordane all whair His Kingdome throghe, negle6led long, A Gen' rail Juftice Air. To puniflie and repres All villaneis and vyce, '5°° Without a partiall refpeft Of powar or of pryce. At laft when publick peace In all parts fpred hir palms, And all the faflions, feirce befoir, Now queyeted and calme, — It is decree'd, and paft With generall confent Bothe of the Prince and the Eftates, Into a Parl'ament, ^S^o To furniflie furthc and fend, Some rare renowned man. Unto the Roman Empriour Great Maximilian, — To move a manage, Betuixt our prudent Prence And Csefar's daughter Margaret, Hir Grace's excellence. For th' adolefcing King, Flamm'd with afTe6lion's fyres, 1520 To wyne in marr'age with that mayd He fecreatlic dcfyres; Beleeving fuirlic that, Be that conjun6lioun bred, G 50 The Lyf, Doings, mid Deathe His great and royall glorie fould Be more difpers'd and fpred. Then fit they to confult, To Cefar whome to fend, And all into ane voce they vote Our Elphinftoune in end: 1530 Wha to Augufta goes, And thair but queftioun had. Of all his limited demands, And of his purpofe fped, Gif not th' Imperiall Mayd, Upoun fome great pretence Had be hir parents bene efpous'd Unto the Spaniflie Prence. Yit leaft it fould appear That he had doone no good, 1540 Since he could not the mariage As was decreed conclood, A long depending plea With wifdome wyfelie he, 'Tuixt the Coloniens and ours This grave man did agree ; For he his perfon fo Tharin imployd and paynd. That tharof no, no noght fo muche . As ony mark remain'd. 155° This tyme ane Eduard came From Flanders with ane oaft, (Dead Engliflie Eduard's fone fuppos'd) Upoun the Scotiflie coaft, And from the King aflc't ayd Whairbe he better might, Gif not be fair and freindlie formes, Be force then or be fight of William Elphinjloim. 51 Regain his Kingdomes Crowne, His livings and his lands, 1560 Iniuftlie then injoyd, out of Th' Ufurper Henrie's hands. Th' egregious King, King James, Upoun requeft he yeeldis To give and furniflie him with force, And feat thame to the feeldis. But lo ! whoAv foone King James Th' exyled Eduard dois Grant a fupport, behold, alfoone King Henrie did refuis 1570 For to repair all wrongs, To render and reftoir All fpoyld and taken goods, as was Agree'd on before, Whiche Avas the cheefeft caufe That fhortlie warrs enfeuit, Whiche maid bothe kings and countrie too Long tyme regrait and rew it. Th' ufurping Henrie then, Whow foonc herof he heires, 15S0 And finds thcfe forces wynd in on, Now nought in vain, he fears : Whairfore, he fend to fea A fextie faills of warre, And fourtie more he furnifht furthe, That all thair bagage bear Withe a dire6lioun flrait, And abfolute command, To ufe the means that might moleft Us bothe be fea and land ; 1590 Divyning thairby right, And fure fupponing fo. 52 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe The preparatiouns to impead, That foulcl in England go. This quippage and fea-force From England heir fend northe, They fhew thame felf about the Mey, And entred firft the Forthe; Whairas it did, and got Exceeding hurt and fkaithe, 1600 Whiche maid this warre a wrackfull work And banefull to thame baithe ; Whill bothe the parteis thoght Expedient to prove Gif be good arbiters they might Thefe mifereis remove, And plat a perfe6l peace, And former wrongs repair, Doone on the Scotifhe Marches heir, Or on the Engliflie thair: 1610 It is agreed that fome For England's part thair fliall Deputed be, and for our Prence Propon'd as principall, Our Bifliop Williame was, With other men of fpreit; Who, be appoyntment paft befoir Did all in Melros meit; Whair efter fermon fet, They enter and intreats, 1620 And with thair contrar arguments Thair buffnies debeats: All with thair reafons flrong, From out thair wifdomes wrung, Thair aduerfars' opinions They publicklie impugne: of IVilliam Elphinftoiui. 5-^ o Whair throughe the difference It almoft did appeare, They thence without appoyntmcnt bothe Sould difcontcnt rcteir, 1630 Gif they had not had hope In Bifhop WilHame's wit, Whiche now they all do look upoun And onlie leans to it, — Protefting plainlie he Had prudence to compone, And caufe the contraverting Kings Become be concord one. Bot when they him behold With fuche a goodlie grace 1640 Protefting thair and praying thame To be difpos'd to peace, — There pert'nacie they put And wilfulnes away, And the perfe6ling of the peace On him alone they lay: Whiche when he had perform'd, Impoffible to thame, Whair be bothe kingdomes got great good, And he a noble name, — 1650 His prudent Hc prudentlie propons advyfe to his ^^^ ^j^ perfuade his Prence, To bring his Highlandis and the Yles Under obedience. For all the Clans and Macks Were out of ordour ay, Gif not the powar of the Prence Thair ftryfes inteftine flay. Withe exortatiouns than, Bothe oft and earneftlie, 1660 54 TJic Lyf, Doings, and Deathe The Prince his fubjefls all inceits To civill policie. His Highnes will precced, And by example fliaw, The obligatioun he and thay Unto the countrie aw: Three palaces he builds, Prepolifli'd work and rare, In Falkland, Stirling, Edinbrughe, All bellifant and fair: 1670 All riche and royall rowmes, And admirable moft For ftatelie Handing, ftru6lure, ftrengthe. For carpentrie and coft ; All whiche he plenifhed With Princelie pleafant things, All fit and correfpondent to The qualitie of Kings. Then mony men of mark, As he thair Prence befoire, " 1680 With ftrong and ftatelie holdis began Thair countrie to decore: His Grace this ciuill courfe Infifted in begun, And layd his coumpts the Race of Rule And Reafon he wald run : And firft he did fecure From violence and wrong, His poore and popular, from thofe More powerfull and ftrong: 1690 His great and Nobles, nixt. In concord he contains, Withe lib'rall loue, or than thereto Be force of law conftrains. of JVillimn Elphinjioim. 55 Sua be his clemencie, Lib'ralitie or fear, His people peceablie and all Moft profperous appear: Wharof the cheefeft praife It properlie pertenis, 1700 And juftHc fuld be attribute . Unto our Prelat's painis; Wha whill a priuat man, And publick, he did live. The labours of his lyf unto The commound good did give: For he perform'd the peace, Th' aggrcments and accords, Betuixt the King and High-land Clanns, The Laicks and the Lords. 17*0 No perrell on the land, Nor danger on the fea, No, noght his bodei's helthe, no nor His age reguardethe he! This proper his appeard, And his peculiar. Withe more induftrie his devyfe He did exceed and war: And yit his providence, His paffing pains furpaft; 1720 And what he did, it feem'd beft done Wharin he labour'd laft. Whair throughe his crcdeit great He with the King increft, His credeit And cfter his imploymcnts oft Ind mo'^e""'' Moft plainlic hes expreft : For when his Highnes had Heirwith his awne t' intreat, 56 The Lyf, Doi7igs, and Deathe Or for to knit contra6ls with Kings, Or ony forrane ftate, 1730 Or gif be' occafioun of Agreements new, his Grace Withe cities, touns, or provinces, Was to appoynt a peace, — To Williame worfliipfull, Thefe works of worthe and weght, To be accompliflit and perform'd, War all committed ftraght: And what befoir the King In confultation came, 174° He was cheef counfallour that did Sight and confult the fame. Whairbe unto the prince. The people, and ev'rie peere, The accomplis't prelat Williame was Undoubtedlie moft deere. Officious, light, or vane, Nor fimulat, this love Did in the Prince, or in his peeres. Unto the preachour prove 1750 For fo his woundrous wit. And mony precious parts Attraftiue war, and drew to him \^ Unfengzedlie thair harts: This kynd, this conftant loue, And permanent good will. We feldome fie is conqueflied Or trewl' attain'd untill. And being got conferu'd. But graces excellent 1760 Into the partie purchafer Exceeding eminent! of JVillimu Elphiiiftoim. 57 As in our Williame was In all affcmbleis fhawne, So oft and too too noturlie To mony countries knawne. Bot when be his paffed pains, The Prelat dois efpy His Prince at peace in ev'rie part, He then prepairs to applye 177° His lyf and labours left, T' illuftrat and adorne His natiue fole, — this Kingdome whair He was begotten and borne. He heirfor in the Northe, Whair 'twas to live his lucke, Concluds a Regall Accademe And College to conftru6l; Since fome into the Sowthe, And in the Weft fome had, 1780 Be inftituting publick fcooles Thair countries honored. For, lo! fome worfliipfull And men of mightie zeall, Upoun moft fpeciall refpects Unto the publi6t weell, And more nor commond loue Unto the li brail artes, Bothc in mofl proper, competent, And moft commodious partes, 179c Had founded abefoir, For all the faculteis And forts of Sciences then taught Four Uniucrfitcis; Wharof in Glafco ane, One Williame Durrifdere H M: R: H: 58 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe He did erect, and inftitut That tyme Arche-Bifliope thair, And in San6l Andra-poU, A worthy man Wardlaw, 1800 His love and lyking in his lyf To Sciences did fliaw; For thair he firft did found A commound College, whence Excellent, great and mony Clerks, Hes bene produced fince; And daylie yit we fie Bothe learned men and wyfe, Fit for the Churche and Commound weell Inftru6led thair aryfe; i^io And thairfor muche renown'd, Bot rather famous farre and Pqj. 1^ eloquent and profound men M: That thair Profeffors ar; Some borne with us, taught too In Germanie and France, And for thair cuning called thair. The commound weell t' aduance. Thairefter to inlarge Wardlau his worthy wark, 1820 A reu'rend Primat Kennedie, '\ Thair in his tyme a Clark, Wha for his learning great, Did of all others then Deferve and mereit moft of all The Mufes and thair men, — Did build San6l Saluator's, But ayd, upoun his awne, For beutie of the building braue To mony Kingdoms knawne; 1830 T:F of William Elphinjloun. 59 And thair unto annext Bothe lands and livings large, For all that thairin burden buire Or exerceis'd a charge. The thrid, a Prior thair, John Hebburne, efterwards Did found and inftitut that now Is namd San6l Leonard's. Bot hola! foft my Mufe! What means and thinks thow thus 1840 To pafs our awne, and pen thofe things Impertinent to us.-* R'affume thy fubjeft firfl, And reconvert thy ftyll Unto the Prelat Elphinftoune, Left of this former vvhyll: Thefe forfaid virtuous works Of weell difpofed fpreits, Our Williame, weell inclynd, unto Lyk worthy works inveits : 1850 For as he had decreed A Regall Scoole t' erefl, His former refolutioun now He foUowes to efife6l : And firft fundatiouns frams For all the members meit, That was for fuche ane interpryfe Reputed requifeit: Then Doctors he dois chuife. To reule and to Regent, i860 As Chancelar, Re6lor, Dean and Pri- mar, or a Prefident. He Heclor Boass wa.s, — A weell deferving man 6o TJie Lyif, Doings, and Deathe Of all his countrie fince; in Pa- rifli a Profeffor than : For eloquentlie he Our Cronicles contryues; And firft did wreit and congregat Thir worthy Prelats' lyues. 1870 Of Williamc's worthynes, In France, from fame inform'd, Bot with propynes and promifes, Propyned and perform'd, Alluird, he hither came. This philofophe approu'de, And learnedlie the lib'rall Arts And Mufes all promov'de. Thus come and fatled heir, Our worthy wyfe divyne, 1880 And all his Channons, chofen Clerks, Lamps that in learning fliyne, With gratious looks, as beft Men bothe fo good and graue Became, moft lovinglie they him Accept of and receave. He to his ftudeis than, And to his tafk he takis him, M. \v. H. And ane his fellow-ftudent Hay His fellow Maifter maks him, — 1890 A learnd judicious yowthe That neuer his paines lies fpair'd, T' informe, inftrudi, and tymelie teache, As efter th' end declair'd : For be ther neuer fpair'd paines, Eache in thair fev'rall places, So mony learn'd, in litle tyme, Withe fo great guifts and graces, of William Elpliinjtoiui. 6i Into this common Scoole Was Laur'at, and inlarg'd, 1900 That bothe in Churche and Commound weell No deuties mean difcharg'd; Whofe catolog to call, To coumpt, or to declair All thair promotions or thair place, I do of purpofe fpair, Since He6lor has to there Great gloreis and renowne, Thame fev'rallie, in his awne book, Defcrybed and fct doun. rqio And gif all thofe that fmce That famous hous brought forthc, Heir I fall name that paft be proof For wit of woundrous worthe, For facultcis profound, And mony pretious parts, Skill, cunning and intelligence, Exaa in all the Artes,— I think my curt compend Sould lend a larger fliow, «92o And rather than unto a mean To monftrous greatnes grow ; For no Vniuerfitie, Since this ereflioun, may Brag of the bringing better up, Nor flie did to this day. Of more, yea mony may, Bot for the publi6l ufe, Whiche will prefume praife worthy more It ever did produce: "^3° Bot as the former, fo This nameles number, I 62 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe I pas, and to my purpofe will Agane my pen applye. This prudent Prelat now Beyond compair content, And muche delighted with the learnd And Clergeis increment; That his defigne moft fure And ftabill moft might ftand, 1940 He purpofes and all prepairs, Prepaird, puts to his hand ; And in a proper place, He meafures out and mooldes. A manour, for the Mufes meit, And inftantlie he buildis A ftatelie ftru6lure thair, A.fabrick firme and faire, Whiche hes a tempill tabulat Of polifht ftones and fquair; 1950 With tables, celrings, feats, Lights of difcolord glas, All inftruments for fervice us'd, Of gold, of filuer, brafs ; Hingers with filuer fet, Noght few with gold ingroft, For veluet veftments vulgar was \ All reft, non left, now loft ; Yea thowfand things that than The Churche did haunt to haue, i960 More nor ar heir, guifts of great worthe. His Guifts. The gratious Guill'ame gaue, — As cenfers, phials, lamps, Of gold and filuer all, With croffes, coups, and candlefticks. Large, hollow, trim and tall ; of IVilliani ElpJiinftoitii. 63 A ftraght ftronge fteiple too, A pleafant princelie frame; Beautifeit with bells, within, without, Deckt with a diademe, 1970 This his new College Churche, But fpairing of expence, He furnifht thus, as he had hed The powar of a Prence. With pearle and pretious ftones, A ritche wrought Cypres cheft, Wharin the Reliques of the San6ls, With great refpe6l war plac't. Bot gif what he did give, I fould declair and count. 19^ His guifts, fo great togidder groft, To multitudis fould mount. Bot to proceed, — he dois For this highe Churche ordaine Aught Chaplanes, and fevin fmgin^ boycs, Thair chorifts to remain. Then all this wark almoft, And Churche to keep more fover. Withe no fmall coft and cunning, he With cakes of lead caus'd cover 199° And that from thefe his paines Sould forder flow more fruit, Inftituuoun of Profeffours four, four Doftors more, 4. Doaors. ^j^^j^ j^g ^jj inftitute. Amongs thefe four, the firfl He ordains the Divyne, The Canonift, the Ciuilift, And ane for Phifick fyne: Then he prouifioun maks For ev'rie one of thefe, "°°° 64 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe Inftitutioun of 14 Burfars. The Gram- marian. Whence the Lining was acquirit. And enters to ere6l and rear Four duellings for thair eafe; Bot noght perfe6led all. Nor furniflit in his dayes, For he, prevented lo! be deathe, This work unended ftayes. Licentiats Laureat ten, Or Bach'lars ordinar, To hear the Do6lours, and t' inftru6l All others ordanit ar: Of thefe the firft and cheef Was the Subprincipall, Who next the Primar lies the place In governing of all: Then fourtene yowthes he founds, And thefe the Burfars be. That fould imploy thame in and ply Thame to philofophye, And laft, he inftituts, For to inftrucl the young, Ane learned in humanitie Into the Latine towng; Whiche rowme, when He6lor wreit their Lyves, Ane Waufius held, Moffc eloquent, in labours great, V And learning that excel'd. The members founded all, Fit for this famous frame. From th' Ecclefiaftick lands h' acquirs Rents competent to thame. And yit this worthy never, Than with fuche cairs as crais'd Or fpent his foot, his hand, or mynd. To eafe or reft him rais'd; 2010 2020 2030 of IVilliam Elphinjlottn. 65 Bot lyk Briarius hudge, Thought t' haue a hundrethe hands, He doethc ftill, or wretcthe ftill, Deuyfethe, or commands. Unto his countries weell, Or Churche, his travelLs tends; 2040 And ev^re his interpryfes aym'd At good and godHe ends. His Churche, then Cathedrall, He to adorne converts, Reparatioun And gave it niony coftlie capps, of his Cathed. QqJ^j ^vrought with antique arts : Than to the Prelats' ufe, Proper, perpetuall, He gave, and caus'd tuo Myters mak. With gold ftitclie browdered all; 2050 And to a Thrid, of old Moft ritche and thair befoir, Compois'd of gold, inchac't with ftones, He added mony more. That four fquair turret fair, Or the great fteiple than, Whiche Bifhop Lichton, long befoire, To raife and builde begane — Compleitlic he perfytes ; And all the Churche with lead, 20^0 A work great yit to veiw, now tirr'd, He theaked or his dead; And thairinto three bells, Tuell thowfand weght, he plac't, To fervc for facrat ufe, pull'd doun, Demolifli'd and defac't. In hand heircfter he No litle a turnc he taks, I 66 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe And to rebuild his Churche's Chore, No mean prep'ratioun maks ; 2070 For. all that for fo great And fair a frame Avas fitt, Or he wold put a hand thairto, He all provyded it. That martiall mightie King — The Bruce — myne Author fayes, (The Bifliop Cheyne, exyl'd) this Chore, Ere6led in his dayes; Bot feing it futed noght Proport'nallie the Seat, 2080 He purpofed to haue it maid Agreablic as great; Bot loathe the old t' undoo. And to pull't doun, whill he Bot ony intermiffioun might ^ The new re-edifie, — That worthy interpryfe. It onlie was begun, Bot throughe his other great adois, And deathe, was never doone. 2090 And yit a wark als great, And neceffar muche more Unto his awnc, his countries good, \ And bothe thair greater gloir, Annon tharefter he Refolv'd, and firft intends, That evrie age and eye that views, Ameirs yit and commends : This was the Brige ou'r Dea, Which cv're man may mark, 2100 Ane neidfull, moft cxpenfiue, great, A good and gallant wark; of H'^illiam Elphinftoun. 67 Knit clofs with quadrat ftones, Free all, incis'd and fliorne: Of thefe the pend, with arches fevene, Supported is and borne: Sharp poynted butreffes Be bothe, that braks & byds The powar of the winter fpeats, And ftrengthe of fimmer tyds: 2110 Above it's beutifeit With ports and prickets four, And all alongs it rayled is, And battaild to look over. A great and goodlie work, Whiche, vvhow long 't ftands & ftayes, It ay fall mater miniftrat Unto the Author's praife. Yit this muche mark, this Brigge Remembrcd heir, was bot . 2120 Be him intended, in his tyme Begun, and finiflit not. Now whill this working was In part, his exerceis Was to fmd furthe, and fcharplie fearfe Out our antiquiteis; Cheefl' in the Hebreid Ifles, Whair fome tyme bureid lay Our Kings deceas'd, and kceped was Our Monuments, they fay: 2130 All whiche, whilk he could find, Bothe be him felf, and fearche, He wreat thame in a volume all, ; And fome fuppons in Verfe. Bot by thefe ciuil works, And thefe religious deeds, 68 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe His love unto and caire of kin. All common fort exceeds. To mony of his name, Almoft and kinfmen all, ^140 He did poffeffiouns give, or char- ges ecclcfiafticall : To mony too bcfyd, Whofe gifts and treuthe he try'd, In his particular adois H'inricht'd and dignify'd: Oft tymcs exhorting thame. This worthy Divyne dois, That they thair fortoun and thair welthe Weell war and wyfelie ufe; 2150 Remembring whence they raife, And that it once might fall. When he war hence thair fortoun change, And changes crofs thame fall; And they conftraind and forc't To feill and fuffer than ; That once fkars cairles they wold look Too in ane other man. This fmgularlie rare, Brought furthe and borne, but dout, 2160 The Kirk and Commound weell t' aduance. His cuntree whoU throughe out, His Chaiitie For preaching Minor Freers Men^^'^°"' And Carmaleits, in means He bothe fupports, and what to build Thair palaces perteins. Thir war the works alniaift This worthy wrought, whiche never Sould be oblit'rat, nor cancelled, Bot be recorded ever. 2170 of IVilliam Elphinjioitn. 69 His Studeis. His Medita- tiouns. In a6ling yit thefe all, And doing ftill but reft, Yea almoft with infineit caires O'rewhelmed and oppreft, Yit neuer a myte the more Did he avert his mynd, Or from his book or exerceis Into his charge declyn'd; Bot bothe in yowthe, and when His leafure ferv'd, in age, 2180 He ty'd him to thefe tuo, and ftill Him felf did there t' ingage. Bot in the Scriptures cheef, He greateft pleafure had ; The Do6lors oft, and Sages too, With great regaird he redde And what was meiteft fund, And to good lyf conduc't Thairin he did delight him moft. And that his Lecture chuis't. And when to cafe him, whylles He from his reading refted. He meditatethe with him felf, Difputed and contefted: Recalling to his mynd What deuteis him became, Whow unto God, and whow to man, He had difcharg'd the fame. And that rcfrcfliing tyme, Oft he confumit and fpent 2200 In ofF'ring up his priuat pray'r To the Omnipotent. Thus was he folitarc, Alon this was his eafe, 2190 70 The Lyf, Doings, and Deaf he His Behaueoi . The quicknes his Wit and Injrene. Thus whill he refts from his effaires, \V is bufficd in thefe. In converfatioun fueet Nought flubbornc nor auftear, Bot as the Company requyr'd He plyable did appear: At meat moft mirrie ay, Yit fobcr tho folatious, And unto all and evric ftate Welcome and . 3«t ]Sisr :3i Ingiiiiie irnincs. ir aiui^r Stt ^rsac :::iaE .lume i ir^irre on j& FviT ii±er luu rat aiociix:;. Ihmi X srsaiiilie Jaaas:, T J oriw K_nif Hearte. juud. Ji Fraj»s Tiis iis buKJW-iiratiiig fawme ikiui pecaahie -ixi. iuv 76 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe When as a murmur great was maid, And mony raife in rage, — 2410 Tho' they had neuer feene Mar's count'nance fueet nor Ibwre, And niuche reproache and fpightfull fpcache Did gainft the Prelat powre; Yea mighteHe malign'd This Worthy mony wayes, Upbraiding him as dotting than Into his latter dayes; As he both fooliflihe And fantingHe had fpokin 2420 Aganis the common good, to haue The band with France be brokin. Thus followd was the will Of youthe and numbers moft, - And th' aged wyfe advyfe of few, Not credited bot croft. A herauld than, poft haift, Reid warre for to proclame, In England they did fend, into The King and Countrie's name. 2430 Whiche vi'lent warre to bothe, What efter wraks and woes It did, the Author's Cornicle, \ Than wretand vivelie, fhoes. Bot leaft I ftay too long Relating this, I will My proper tafk, my Prelat's Lyf, Againe rcturne untill: Wha whowfoone he hes hard This warr's fo bade fucceffe, 2440 For verie greef, he grew almoft Bothe fpcache and fpiritleffe, of IVilliani Elphmjlouu . 77 And evin contra6led then That feiknes, mofl affuir'd, That vext him ever, and left him never, Bot to his deathe induird. Neu'r was he feene to lache, Nor trews with greef to tacke, Nor thence fo muche as feene to fmyll, Nor any mirthe to mak. 2450 Short and foone efter this, The whoill eftates, that they Upoun the Govern'ment might meit, At Perthe appoynts a day: Whair met, they a6l, intreat, And handils many things, And our divyne, Arche Bifhop of , ^. Sanftandrois, all defignes. His modeftie . . . in refliifing the Whiclie ample Primacic Arche. Bifli. p^^ plainlie hes refuis'd, 2460 And fayd he had als muche and more As he could get weill uf'd; Altho exprefl' appeard, Whill as this Prelat fpir'd, The worthy Avorks that he had wrought War of all men admeir'd. So withe the Biflioprick Content that he had heir. The Counfall and Conventioun up, Unto \ he did reteir, 2470 To fpend what yit was fpaird Of his flaort race to run, In's Churche's charge, and building of His Chore, and Brigge begun: For he defyred muche, In peace and pietic, 78 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe His difeafe. His Tefta- ment. Into his Abirdone at hame, To end his dayes and die. O! bot the defteneis Wold noght he fuld conclood His works intended and devys'd, So neceffarlie good! For quicklie he's recall'd For fatling fome difcords, That fnice his coming from the Court Was mov'd among the Lords; Whairthrow, what doing was, Now neidis a tyme muft flay, — And fome tharof to his returne Some fall, and ever lay. This tyme to be difeas'd And feiklie he began, Thairfor his freinds requefts and dois Diffuaide his going than, " Bot all for nought;" (fayd he) " You preas t' impead me now; " For I am not borne to my felf, " Bot to my countrie too, " And muche more to hir good, " My freinds for certan knaw, "And commod, I, nor to my awne, " Or to my helthe I awe." So feik, Southe fordward fettis, Bot wors wax't on the way; Unto Dumfermeling he divertes, And thair's conftrain'd to ftay. Whair whill fome dayes bed faft, And fever afflicted he. His gold, his goods, all what he had, He leaves in legacie, 24S0 2490 2500 \ 2510 of IVilliani Elphiujtoim. 79 To confumat his Brigge And College works, that yit Were not outred; and to fome freinds The reft bequethcthe it. In gold, ten thoufand punds He had, in purfe and pofe, Befyd his plate and tapeftrie, Things exquifeit and choife. His freinds t' awayt on him, Thair frequentlie reforted, 2520 And for his eafe to Edinbrughe The Prelat they tranfported, The fext day efter, thair Incrediblie increft His fevers force, yet buir he't fair, And paffmg pain fuppreft. The Do6lors then are call'd, And exerceife thair art; Yet fruitles, hopeles of his lyf, Into difpair depart. 2530 Bot not the lefs of this His fever fyring ftill. And thairwith weakncd as he was. To Churche yit walk he will: And thair as when he wount. And was bothe \vhoill and ftrong, He piouflie did pray and preache, Moft learnedlie and long. And fyne the Sacrament, He afked and did crave; 2540 Than hartlie, humble, and proflrat, he Thair did the fame receave. Hence then they had him home, Unto his houfe again. 8o The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe Whair with fum freinds he fupt that night, And ftill fuppreft his pain: And as he fat by ufe, He filent was and fadde, Whiche evrie ane appr'ends to be A figne prefaging bade. 2550 Then gois he to his bed, Bot gets no reft nor fleep ; And yit a flum'ring fimulats, And quyet him dois keep. In prayer priuatlie; And loathe his fervands fould. Withe too much waking weareid be, Gif other wyfe he could; Bot neir the day he finds The rotle and rheume to ryfe, 2560 And bold'ne his breafl, and heirfor he, Law as he could, he cryes: His fervandis, at his call, And kinfmen comes, and fie That then he waxed weak, and wold Ere long expyre and die. Then him th' exhort to be In faithe and courage ftrong. For he wald breeflie better be. And get releef ere long : ^ And fome, of tend'rar hearts. Stood by him then; bot thay Did burft for baill, and weep for woe, To fie his deeing day. Thefe hearing, he, his eyes. Than dim and deeing, clears, — And gif that was there conforts that From thame h' expe6led, fpears : of Williain Elphinjiomi. 8i " I did conceate," fayd he, " Farre other wyfe of you, ^S^o " Nor to be fo difconfolat " And thus deje6lcd now: " I will foliceit be " For wordlie things no more, " For foone I fall haue heavenlie helthe, " Reft and eternall gloir; " And fliortlie be exim'd " From flefhlic groans and greef, — " For th' hour is hard at hand, I hope, His exoita- " Whichc brings mc my releef. 2590 tioim to his ,,„-<- t Freinds & " Whairfor, I pray yow all, Sevuands. .. -pj^^^. g^^,|^ ^f ^q^^. ^^I^^ q\}c^&x, " Opitulat as Chriftians kynd, " And as becomes a brother: " My felf, God knaws, I liv'de " a Chriftian, and I, " Lawd, praife, and gloir to God therefor, " This day the fame fall die." Then, whair he fould b' interr'd, Thair aflved fome of thefe : a6oo To whome he meeklie anfuer maks, — His laft " Evne whow and whair ye pleas. Speaches. « p^j. ^^^^ |-j„^^ j ,-,-,y fo^^n " Vow'd, and to God I gave ; '• And this my fleflie, diffolv'd thairfor, " The earthc muft hold and have." Now, yit once more again, Tho deing, they demand, Gif then his abfent other freinds Withe ought he wold command .' 2610 " No, nothing, now," fayd he. " Command thame with I will, L 82 Tlie Lyf\ Doings, and Deathe " Bot prayes and wiflies to thame weell, " Grace and good fortoun ftill: " For unto greater good, " From grace to gloir I go. " And, conftantlie incalling Chryft, Sueetlie dcceafed fo. The honour of his age! And to his cuntree borne, 2620 A fplcndour, ornament, and grace Ordain'd the Churche t'adorne! For thefe precedents (haws. What credeit and renowne His wifdome wan unto the Churche, His Countrie, Clan, and Crowne. Yea from his a6liouns all, Sprang fruitfull, fair effefts ; For in the Clergie, muche corrupt, He flvilfullie corre6ls, 2630 Exenterated then. His body they imbalme With fpyce perfum'd, & Cretan wynes, The raireft in this Realme. And withe more pitifuU Nor princclie pomp, the fame, From Edinbrughe to Abirdone \, With mony mourners came: Then with exceffive greef, Yit with all honour, thay 2640 Into his College it befoir The cheefefh altar lay; Benethe a monument Of no mean coft nor charge, Of Hclian ftones, thric for the bafe, Abone ane long and large; of JVilliani Elphinjioim. 83 The yeer of his age & deathe. Prodigious things at his dcatlie. Whiche, with fix pedaftalls, Upholden was, and borne: Whair lay his ftatue tall of brafs, Cafl, carved, cut or fhorne : 2650 Withe facrilegious hands Direpted now and reft, And nothing bot the pondrous flones, That wold not lift, is left. This happie Prelat, his Departour was 't appears. In th' aughtie three yeer of his age; When fullie threttie yeeres, Belov'de and honor'd ev're, Heere he had Bifliope bene; 2660 Whiche from the bliffed birthe fell fyf — ten hundreth and fourtene. This tyme things markable And mervalous, they tell, — As monftrous births, and others more, Mod fairlie full furthe fell : Thanes from the houfes wholl, Breack or unfor6l did fall: And ficlyk, at his buriall borne, Brak his ftafif paflorall. 2670 A voce unknawne was heard, That vivelie feem'd to fay — " The Myter with the Williame fould " Be buried this day." Thefe mervalous things and ftrange, Both feene and cenfurd than, To be the fignes prefaging deathe Of this maift matchles man ! Thus what our Williame was, I haue deducit and drawne; 26S0 84 The Lyf, Doings, and Deathe When priuat, and when publick too, SuccinflHc 1 haue fliawnc. And that muche, breeflie more, 1 mufl of faithe confeffe, Nor did demereit and deferve His wit and worthines. Yit fince that fame from fafts, As from a fontane flows, — And from men's deeds, done in thair dayis, Thair praife and glorie grows ; 2690 Than, from thefe, jufllie muft B' extolHt and commendit, Our worthy Williamc wyfe, that wecU Began and better endes. For 's great and good deferts, Weell dois demereit now, A book of brafs, and tooles of lieel Thairin t' ingrave thame too. For wha throw witt fo weell And towardlie did treat, 2700 So mony tymes, fo mony turnes, So weghtie and fo great! Wha in politick changes So prompt, and prudent prov'd? And wha the Churche and Churche effairs Advanc't more and promov'd? His Com- Wha in his lyf fo wholl mendatiouns. j^ ^aners fo modeft! Wha in his calling cairfull more, Or grytcr paines exprefl! 2710 To Vanitie and Vyce Wha was a greater foe! And wha to Virtue fuche a freind And it advancit fo! of IVilliam Elphiujioun. 85 Who lawl' and humble more, And who the proud prophane Did les accompanie, refpe6l, Support, or intcrtain! In handling Holie thingcs O, wha was fo devoit! 2720 And pitifull unto the poore That he out paffed not! And what age erft, or fnice, Hes ev'r, or did produce. A wit alwayes fo worthy for Eachc good and godlic ufe! No nane, or few, was fund That in his dayes did fall That could compare with his goo^ partes, Or equal) thame at all: 2730 And heirfore he The fieavens Moft happie now inherits, In pleafurc and in peace prepaird For beft and bliffed Spirits! FINIS. -h I UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY ^ Los Angeles This Dook is DUE on the last date stamped below. km^\f^%i ^ cm •■rLJCB.V"'*'®"*'*y °' California 4nf m^"!"*^ REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY W5 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library [rom which it was borrowed. Form L9-42jn-8,'49 (B: / 9 im ^min^^^^^^^^^.f^tGi^/^ALL.BK^R^fAClMTV AA 000 345 506 PR 2276 G3t 1878 iHi^ li; 'i^UiMimH^l! JJM r ') T f ^ wm\