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THE POEMS

OF

WILLIAM DUNBAR.

VOL. I.

a

" WILLIAM DUNBAR, THE GREATEST POET THAT SCOTLAND HAS PRODUCED."— GEORGE ELLIS.

•• THIS DARLING OF THE SCOTTISH MUSES HAS BEEN JUSTLV RAISED TO A LEVEL WITH CHAUCER BY EVERY JUDGE OF POETRY TO WHOM HIS OBSOLETE LANGUAGE HAS NOT RENDERED HIM UNINTELLIGIBLE."-SIR WALTER SCOTT.

THE POEMS

OF

WILLIAM DUNBAR,

NOW FIRST COLLECTED. WITH NOTES, AND A MEMOIR OF HIS LIFE.

BY DAVID LAING.

• • • •

• •• •

VOLUME FIRST.

EDINBURGH: MDCCCXXXIV.

PRINTED FOR LAING AND FORBES, PRINCE'S STREET; AND WILLIAM PICKERING, LONDON.

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03

CONTENTS OF VOLUME FIRST

THE PREFACE.

N^ MEMOIRS OF WILLIAM DUxNBAR, ....

^i Appendix TO THE Meinioir.

No. I. Notices of the Dunbars of Beill, during the Fifteenth 1 Century, ........

No. II. Notices of William Dunbar, from the Public Records of Scotland, .......

fi

POEMS BY WILLIAM DUNBAR.

The Thrissill and the Rois,

The Goldyn Targe,

Bewty and the Presonelr,

To a Ladye. " Sweit Rois," .

The Visitation of St Francis,

Dunbar's Dream,

The Birth of Antichrist,

Off the Fenyeit Freir of Tungland,

The Devill's Inquest,

The Dance of the Sevin Deidly Synnis,

The Justis betuix the Tailyeour and Sowtar,

Amendls to the Tailyeouris and Sowtaris,

The Twa Maryit Wemen and the Wcdo,

The Twa Cummeris,

The Tod and the Lamb,

lAl.li

ix 1

G5 68

3 II 22

27 28 01 36 :j9 4.5 49 54 69 61 81

VI

CONTENTS.

Dunbar's Diri'ge to the King at Stirling,

New Year's Gift to the King,

Of the Ladyis Solistaris at Court,

In Prais of Wemen,

To the Merchantis of Edinburgh,

Of Solistaris at Court, .

Tydingis fra the Sessioun, .

Welcome to the Lord Treasurer,

Ane his awin Ennemy,

To the Lordis of the Kingis Chacker,

To the Queue. Of James Doig, &c.

Of the said James,

To the King. " That he war John Thomsounis Man,

To the Queue. " Madame, your Men,

Complaint aganis Mure,

Of a Dance in the Quenis Chalmer,

To a Ladye. " Quhen he list to fayne;

Of ane Blak-Moir,

Of Sir Thomas Norray,

Of his Heid-ake,

Welcum to Lord Bernard Stewart,

Elegy on the Death of the said Lord,

Aganis Treason, an Epitaph for Donald Owre,

Testament of Mr Andro Kennedy,

Dunbar's Complaint to the King,

His Remonstrance. " Schir, ye have mony," &c.

His Petition to the King, .

Responsio Regis, .

The Quenis Progress at Aberdene,

To the King. " Schir, at this feist,"

To the King. " Sanct Salvatour,"

To the King. " Off benefyce, Schir,''

To the King. " Schir, yit remembir,''

Of Discretioun in Asking, .

Of Discretioun in Geving,

Of Discretioun in Taking, .

PAQE

86 91 92 93 97 101 102 103 107 109 110 III 113 113 117 119 121 123 123 128 129 133 133 137 142 143 149 132 153 136 137 159 161 163 167 170

CONTENTS.

VU

Inconstancy of Luve,

Of Men Evill to Pleis,

Of Covetyce, .

Gude Counsale,

Rfwl of Ariis Self,

Of Deming,

How sail I Governe me !

Best to be Blyth,

On Content,

Advice to Spend Anis awne Gud

No Tressour Availis, &c.

None may Assure, &c.

Learning Vain, &c.

Of the Warklis Vanity,

Of the Changes of Lyfe,

Of the Warldis Instabilitie,

Erdly Joy returnis in Pane,

Lament for the Makaris,

The JNIerle and the Nychtingaill,

Of Luve Erdly and Divine,

The Maner of Passyng to Confess

The Tabill of Confessioun

Ane Orisoun. " Salviour suppois.

Of Lyfe. "Quhat is," &c,

Of the Nativitie of Christ,

Ballat of our Lady, .

Of the Passioun of Christ,

Of the Resurrection,

Of Manis Mortalitie,

Ane Orisoun. " Quhen the Governour," &c

Meditatioun in Wyntir, . . . .

loun.

&(

PAGE

172

173

175

177

179

181

184

187

189

191

193

195

199

201

203

204

209

211

216

221

225

228

235

235

236

239

243

247

249

251

253

THE PREFACE.

It has generally been acknowledged that a complete edition of the works of such a Poet as Dunbar, would form the best monument that could be erected to his genius. As such a tri- bute of respect to this old distinguished " Makar " is now for the first time offered, it may be proper to briefly point out the sources whence his poems have been collected.

It is well known that the early miscellaneous poetry of Scotland has been preserved to our times chiefly by means of two Manu- script Collections ; — the one by George Bannatyne, a burgess of Edinburgh, written in 1568, — the other, nearly of a coeval date, by Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington, a Senator of the -College of Justice, and Lord Privy Seal of Scotland. The se- lections made of Dunbar's poetry from these MSS. having been published by successive Editors,' with varied degrees of accuracy,

' The earliest was the author of ' The Gentle Shepherd,' in his publi- cation of " The Evergreen, being a collection of Scots Poems, Wrote by the Ingenious before 1600. Published by Allan Ramsay. Edinburgh, Printed by Mr Thomas Ruddimaa for the Publisher, at his shop, near the Cross." 1724. 2 vols. 12mo. The latest was James Sibbald, in his " Chronicle of Scottish Poetry ; from the 13th Century to the Union of the Crowns." Edinburgh, 1802. 4 vols. 8vo.

X THE PREFACE.

it was essentially requisite, in collecting materials for this publi- cation, to have a direct recourse to the originals. An examina- tion was accordingly made of these as well as of such other MSS. as were known to contain any reliques of old Scotish poetry ;2 in the course of which I could not overlook the printed fragments which had issued from the press of Chepman and Myllar, (by whom printing was first introduced and practised in Scotland, in the year 1307,) as these include several of our Author's poems, printed most likely under his own inspection.

From these several sources I have endeavoured, by careful collation, to make as near an approach as was possible to the true text of the Author. With this view, the text of what seemed the best copy has been adopted, while the principal various readings are given in the Notes. The First Volume contains every Poem ascribed in these early MSS. to Dunbar, printed entire and without mutilation, in arranging Avhich it was obvi- ously impracticable to attempt any thing like a chronological order, or even to adopt a minute separation of them into several classes. Poems, however, of the same character are brought together as nearly as possible : — that is, those of an Allegorical, Satirical, and Humorous character, are followed by such as have a refer- ence to the Poet himself, whether in the form of Complaints, or of Addresses to James the Fourth for preferment, while his Moral and Devotional pieces form the sequel of the collection.

^ Among these may be noticed Asloane's IMS., written during the minority of James the Fifth (in 1515), and consequently of an earlier date than any of the other collections. Unfortunately, as appears from the original table of contents, nearly one-half of the volume must have been lost or destroyed, and including evidently several poems by Dunbar. It is preserved in the Library of Sir James Boswell of Auchinleck, Baronet.

THE PREFACE. XI

The Poems in the Second Volume consist of the following divisions : — I. Poems ascribed to Dunbar. II. The Flyting of Dunbar and Kennedy. And, III. Poems by Walter Kennedy. I had also intended to have given Selections from the Minor Poets of the Reign of James the Fourth ; and, in fact, had inserted a Fourth division, entitled, " Poems by Contemporaries of Dunbar ; " but finding that by retaining these the work would necessarily be extended to three volumes, while the propriety of adding such selections might be considered as very question- able, the sheets were, on maturer consideration, cancelled.^

In the Notes, I was anxious to retain all such as had been made by preceding Editors whenever the text was elucidated by them, contenting myself with making such additions as might ex- plain the occasion upon which the poems were composed, or incidentally throw hght on the manners and customs of the age. The Glossary, which is appended, while it has received consi- derable aid from the Rev. Dr Jamieson's valuable " Etymolo- gical Dictionary of the Scottish Language," may be regarded as little more than an enlargement of that which accompanies Lord Hailes' volume;* and it has afforded me much satisfaction, in

^ This will account for a break in the numbering of the pages near the middle of the Second Volume.

* This volume is entitled " Ancient Scottish Poems. Published from the MS. of George Bannatyne, 1568. Edinburgh : Printed by A. Murray and J. Cochran, for John Balfour, 1 770." 12mo, pji. xii. 332 J and reprinted at Leeds, 1817, 8vo. A considerable part of the volume is occupied with Poems by Uunbar. These, without Lord Hailes' Notes, or any additional poems, were reprinted as the " Select Poems of Wil. Dunbar. Part First. From the JM. S. of George Banna- tyne, Published 1568. Perth : Printed for R. Morison & Son, &c. " 1788. 12mo, pp. 100. No Second Part ever appeared.

Xll THE PREFACE.

having been thus enabled to follow the footsteps of an Editor, who, for learning, research, and judgment, was one of the bright- est ornaments of our countrj' during the last century.

During two successive visits to Cambridge, which I found to be requisite for examining Maitland's MS.,* I acknowledge with pleasure how much I was indebted to the politeness of the Rev. William Crawley, A.M., and the Rev. John Lodge, A.M. (now principal Librarian to the University), Fellows of Magda- lene College, for granting me access to the Pepysian Library, in which that MS. is deposited, and for the time which, in con- formity with the restrictions imposed by the founder, these gen- tlemen alternately and cheerfully spent in attendance, while I was employed in transcribing.

At the same time, I had an opportunity of consulting the MS. collection of early Scotish poetry written by John Reidpeth in 1623,8 which fortunately contains several of Dunbar's poems

* There are two volumes preserved in the Pepysian Library, Magdalene College, Cambridge, but only that in folio contains any Poems by Dun- bar. A list of the Contents of these MSS. is subjoined to the collection by John Pinkerton, entitled, " Ancient Scotish Poems, never before in print. But now published from the MS. Collections of Sir Richard Maitland of Lethington, Knight, Lord Privy Seal of Scotland, and a Senator of the College of Justice. Comprising pieces written from about 1420 till 1586." London, 1786. 2 vols. 8vo.

" MSS. More, L 1. 5. University Library, Cambridge. The volume, which now consists of 64 leaves, is somewhat mutilated, several leaves having been torn out of the middle. On the first leaf is written, " A nic Joanne Reidpeth, septimo Decembris inchoat, 1622 ... . Finis .... 1623. Ex libris M''- CTistoi)hcri Cokburne." It consists, with a few exceptions, of poems cither by Dunbar or Sir Richard Maitland, and I think it not improbable that Reidpeth obtained the use of Maitland's folio MS. in making his collection, from which, indeed, it might have been

• »•

THE PREFACE. XUl

not known to exist elsewhere. The chief part of the volume, indeed, consists of his poetry, which the late eminent antiquary, Mr RiTsoN, transcribed in 1793, evidently with an intention of publication. After his decease the volume was purchased by the Author of " Caledonia," who proposed to follow up Ritson's design. Having obtained from the late Mr Chalmers the free use of that transcript, I was thus enabled to compare it with the original; and, subsequently, I have been indebted to liis nephew, James Chalmers, Esq., not only for presenting me with the volume itself, as a memorial of my old friend, his respected rela- tive, but also for the communication of copious notes illustrative of several of Dunbar's poems, the result of his own extensive, accurate, and unwearied research.

I might likewise enumerate the names of other friends to whom I have been indebted for advice and information. But I cannot withhold my acknowledgments to the Curators of the Advo- cates' Library during the year 1821, by whose kind indulgence the task of collating and transcribing from Bannatyne's MS.' was in every way facilitated. To Dr Irving, Keeper of the

entirely copied, as it is by no means an improbable conjecture, that anv additional poems by Dunbar which it has been the means of preserving might have been contained in some leaves of the earlier MS. which were lost or destroyed before the volume was rebound in Pepys's time.

' A list of the contents of that Manuscript, which I then drew up, has been since printed in the volume entitled " Memorials of George Bannatyne, 1546 — 1608." Edinburgh, 1829, 4to, and printed for the Members of ' The Bannatyne Club,' — a literary association in Edinburgh, which, under the auspices of its late President, Sir Walter Scott, assumed the name of the compiler of that manuscript for their designa- tion. A similar compliment to Sir Richard IVIaitland has been conferred by a like Institution at Glasgow.

XIV THE PREFACE.

Library, my best thanks are likewise due, as I had afterwards frequent occasion to consult that MS. while engaged in prepa- ring the following sheets for the press.

It will thus appear that the materials for this edition were col- lected several years ago ; and were laid aside for a time, partly with a fond hope that further research, or accident, might bring to light additional matter, so as to render the work more worthy of public notice and of Dunbar. Even after the printing of the text was completed, various delays have intervened to retard its appearance, to which I should not have alluded, had it not been for the circumstance that the present volumes, while^in an unfinished state, have been quoted in works which were published long previous to this date.

D. LAING.

Edinburgh, January, 1834.

MEMOIRS

WILLIAM DUNBAK.

VOL. T.

a

MEMOIRS

OP

WILLIAM BUNBAK.

AMES THE FOURTH ascended the Throne of Scotland, June 1488, in the sixteenth year of his age. His accession was at- tended by circumstances which were little auspi- cious to the welfare and peace of the country. Yet, during his reign, for a period of twenty-five years, the nation enjoyed a degree of tranquillity to which it had been long unaccustomed, and which, under a vigorous and wise administration, must have been highly conducive to the general prosperity. It was fortunate, also, for the advancement of learning and various liberal pursuits, that the mind of the Scotish monarch was not wholly bent upon idle and frivolous amusements. For, while James continued to patron- ise the various branches of literature, as well as what- ever might be useful or ornamental in the arts, he, in

4 MEMOIRS OF

an especial manner, loved and encouraged the Muses. Among the individuals who then flourished, eminent for learning or genius, and who have shed so much lustre over that age, the suffrage of criticism has awarded the place of chief eminence to William Dunbar, " the excellent poet," as he has lately by high authority been styled,^ " unrivalled by any which Scotland ever produced."

Such is the high rank and character of the author, whose poems, after the lapse of three centuries, are now for the first time collected. That such an act of justice should have been so long deferred, is ex- tremely remarkable ; but the destiny of the author is altogether so singular, as to be almost without parallel in the annals of modern literature. During his own age, he received the homage due to his genius, and his writings for a time continued to be admired and imitated by succeeding poets ; — yet he was doomed to such total and absolute neglect during the long period which elapsed between the year 1530, when Sir David Lyndsay mentions him among the poets then deceased, and the year 1724, when Allan Ram- say published a selection of his poems, that, with one solitary exception,' no allusion, not even so much as the mere mention of his name,^ can be dis-

' By Sir Walter Scott, in " Memorials of George Bannatyne," p. 14. Edinburgh, 1829, 4to."

* In the " Adhortation," by Henry Charteris, prefixed to his edition of Lyndsay's Poems, Edinburgh, 1568, 4to, in the following words: Thocht Kennedie and Dunbar bure the bell For the large race of rethorik they ran. ' The name of Dunbar is not mentioned by Bale, Dempster, David

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 5

covered in the whole compass of our literature ! — If any misfortune had befallen the two nearly coeval manuscript collections of Scotish poetry by Ban- natyne and Maitland, the great chance is that it might have been scarcely known to posterity that such a poet as Dunbar had ever existed. His name, it is true, w^ould have been found casually recorded as a poet, but how subdued is the interest that at- taches to a mere name ; — as, for instance, to that of his contemporaries, Stobo, Quintyne, or Sir John the Ross, whose works have perished. It may therefore excite regret, rather than surprise, to find that the history of a person who is now allowed to hold so conspicuous a place in the literature of his country, should have been entirely neglected; and that, instead of the copiousness and minute details of modern biography, there remains little to gratify any new interest which may be felt respecting him, save the various but obscure hints contained in his own verses. These, however, merit particular attention, as it is very rare to find an early writer leaving so many pieces descriptive of his private feelings and sentiments, suggested as they were by the incidents of his ovv'n history, which they fortunately serve to illus- " trate. But although we may not now be otherwise enabled to throw much light on Dunbar's personal

Buchanan, Sibbald, ]\Iackenzie, or any other early writer on the literary history of Scotland. In Bishop Tanner's Bihliotheca, 1748, the ' Tabill of Confession,' printed at page 228 of this volume, is the only work attri- buted to Dunbar!

6 MEMOIRS OF

history, it is some consolation to think that so con- siderable a number of his poems has been preserved, and that he is likely to enjoy that degree of fame which true genius, amidst all the changes in human affairs, seldom fails to ultimately secure.

The surname of Dunbar is of very considerable antiquity and distinction in Scotland. The founder of the chief family of the name was Cospatrick, Earl of Northumberland, who, having settled in Scotland immediately after the Norman Conquest, became allied by marriage to Malcolm Canmore, who be- stowed on him the manor of Dunbar, and many fair lands in the Merse and Lothian. Earl Waldhave, the fourth in succession, who was one of the hos- tages for the release of William the Lion from cap- tivity in 1174, was the first of the family who had the title of Earl of Dunbar ; while Patrick the eighth Earl was, in 1292, designated Earl of March. That our author's progenitors were connected by im- mediate descent with this great and powerful family is placed beyond doubt by the testimony of his poe- tical antagonist, Walter Kennedy. In the ' Flyting,' he not only speaks of Dunbar's ' forbears' or ances- tors, as belonging to ' Cospatrick's clan,' which had at an early period ' brought Scotland into confusion,' by joining themselves to the English faction, during the continuous warfare between the two kingdoms, but he also in the most direct terms deduces the poet's descent from the Earls of March, while he expressly denies his connexion with the branch of the

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 7

family created Earls of Moray during the fourteenth century, or with the Dunbars of Westfield, who were male descendants of the last Earl of Moray. Now it is obvious, that had our author's relation- ship to the March family been so remote, as not to be recog-nised at the time, Kennedy's allusions would have had no meaning, and still less would he have thought it necessary to deny Dunbar's ha- ving any connexion with the remote collateral de- scendants of that family, who happened to be per- sons of great wealth and influence. The allusions, also, of Kennedy were rendered not the less sarcas- tic by the contrast of his own opulence and patrimony with the humbled fortunes of his antagonist's family; for it is well known that George, eleventh Earl of March, was attainted in an arbitrary manner by James the First, in the Parliament held at Perth, January 10th, 1434-5,* — by which forfeiture the earldom, and such of his lands as M^ere held of the King, became annexed to the Crown ; whence the Earl's descen- dants were at once stripped of their hereditary honours and extensive domains, and doomed to live in a state of comparative dependence.

William Dunbar vi^as born about the middle of the fifteenth century. Tiie precise date of his birth has not been ascertained, but, from circumstances to

* Acts of the Parliaments of Scotland, vol. ii. p. 23. Wood's Peerage, vol. ii. J). 172.

8 MEMOIRS OF

be afterwards stated, we may with certainty place it not later than the year 1460. According to the poet's own words,^ Dunbar was a native of Lothian. The only branch of the attainted family, of which he is represented as a descendant, retaining- property in that district, was Sir Patrick Dunbar of Beill, in East Lothian, a younger son of George the tenth Earl of March. This Sir Patrick signalized himself on many occasions, and was one of the hostages for James the First in 1426; and it also appears from an original charter, dated August 10th, 1440, that one of his sons was named William, who in all probability was either the father or uncle of the poet.*" No other persons of the same baptismal name can be traced during the whole of that century, and as such names usually run in families, the circumstance of our author's alleged descent from the Earls of March, in connection with his own avowal respecting his birthplace, adds some strength to the conjecture of his being the grandson of Sir Patrick Dunbar of Beill.

It has been inferred, from a passage in one of Kennedy's satires, that the village of Salton, in East

* I tak on me ane pair of Lowtliiane bippis, Sail fairar Inglis inak, and niair parfyte, Than thow can blabbar with thy Cairik lippis.

Fhjting, line 110, vol. ii. p. 69. ^ For more minute notices of the family of Dunbar of Beill, during the fifteenth century, see Appendix to this Memoir, No. I. For pointing out the notice of the above charter, which is preserved in the Earl of Rose- berry's charter-chest, I am indebted to John Riddell, Esq. Advocate.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 9

Lothian, was the place of the poet's birth. Of this, however, there is no evidence, the notion having originated in an error committed by Allan Ramsay in printing this passage,'' the sense of which has hi- therto been completely misunderstood.

It is probable that Dunbar was very early intended for the church, in which case he must have had the advantage of a imiversity education ; for, in a jocu- lar manner, he tells us, that even on his nurse's knee he was ' Dandeley, Bishop, dandeley !' But we are ignorant of the earliest events of his life, and under whose instruction he was first placed. It is satisfac- tory, however, to be able to state, that in the year 1475, when, we presume, our author had at least at- tained fifteen or sixteen years of age, he was sent to St Andrews, the most flom'ishins: seat of learnlno- and science at that period in Scotland. This fact, hitherto unnoticed, is ascertained from the old re- gisters of the University, in which the name of Wil- liam Dunbar, is entered, in 1477, among the Dcter- minantes or Bachelors of Arts, in St Salvator's Col- lege, a degree which students were not entitled to claim until the third year of their attendance at Col- lege; and two years later, in 1479, the name of Wil- liam Dunbar again occurs in the registers as then having taken his degree of Master of Arts.^ It may

' See note upon lines 367-370 of the Flyting, vol. ii. p. 79.

* Acta Facultatis Artium S. Andreae, MS. — For a curious notice re- garding St Andrews in 1491, see tte note upon Dunbar's poem, (vol. i. p. 199,) said to have been written ' at Oxinfurdc.'

10 MEMOIRS OF

also be stated, that he is uniformly styled Maister William Dunbar, this designation, till a late period, being exclusively appropriated to persons who had taken that degree at some university.

Whether Dunbar, after finishing his course of study at St Andrew's, might have had the further ad- vantage of prosecuting his studies at some foreign uni- versity, appears doubtful ; and, indeed, with respect to his subsequent history for nearly twenty years, viz. from 1480 to 1499, we possess no satisfactory information.^ We have, however, his own authority for stating, that at an early period of his life he had entered the order of St Francis ; and as he had been subsequently employed as an itinerant or preaching friar, he must necessarily have completed his novi- tiate. It is well known that the order of mendicants, called Franciscan or Grey Friars, were divided into Conventuals and Observantines. The latter had an establishment at Edinburgh, endowed by James the First, about the year 1446, where divinity and phi- losophy were regularly taught ; and here it is highly probable that Dunbar might have spent some of his earlier years. But as he himself informs us that the studies and life of a friar were not suited to his dis- position, it is reasonable to infer that his connection with that religious order or community was terminated

'■' The number of Scotish students who at this period visited France was very considerable, but I have been unsuccessful in more than one at- tempt to ascertain whether Dunbar was in the number, although the registers of the old University of Paris are still preserved.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 11

at 110 very advanced period of his life. This infor- mation is conveyed to us in his poem of ' The Visi- tation of St Francis,' written long afterwards. In these verses he relates hoM^ a fiend, in the likeness of that saint, appeared to him in a dream, desiring him to assume the friar's habit, and renounce the world ; but the poet, in hinting that he should go to heaven with more satisfaction were he invested with the robes of a bishop, adds, " Had it ever been my fortune to become a friar, the time for this is long since past ; in the habit of that order have I made good cheer in every flourishing town in Eng- land, betwixt Berwick and Calais ; in it also have I ascended the pulpit at Dernton and Canterbury ; and crossed the sea at Dover, and instructed the inhabi- tants of Picardy." '°

It might have been to this period of Dunbar's life that Kennedy alludes, when he taunts him with his pilgrimage, as a pardoner, begging in all the churches from Ettrick Forest to Dumfries. It is not known how long he continued to lead such a desultory kind of life, nor in what manner his time was employed after he had relinquished the character of friar, as his poems throw no light on the circumstance M'hich first brought liiin in connexion with the Scotish Court.

At a later period, when we find Dunbar residing in Edinburgh, and presenting his supplications to

"• See the Poem, vol. i. p. 28, and Notes, vol. ii. p. 231.

13 MEMOIRS OF

James the Fourth for preferment in the church, he ureses his claims not on account of merit, for "alas !" says he, " I can do nothing but brieve (or write) ballads," but as the just recompense to which he was entitled by long and faithful service. In one place he tells the King, that had he been so disposed, he might, in his youth, have obtained employment abroad ; ^' in another, he urges the King to have re- gard, and to bestow compensation on his ' auld servi- touris,' no less than on the crowd of idle and worth- less characters who daily importuned 'his Grace;' and speaks of himself as one of those that

Throw all regiouns hes tein hard tell, Of quhilk my wryttiiig witnes beiris.

And when contrasting his own small reward with his long and ' leill service,' he adds,

Nocht I say this, by this countrie, France, Ingland, Ireland, Almanie, Bot als be Italie and Spaine, Quhilk to considder is ane paine!

These allusions to the countries visited by Dunbar, while employed in the King's service, which include the chief parts of Europe, will readily suggest the nature and character of his employment. It is well known that James the Fourth maintained a constant

" Quhen I wes youug, and into ply,

• « • •

I had been bocht in realmes by. Had I consentit to be saiild. — Vol. i. p. 149.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 13

and friendly intercourse with tlie Courts of France, Flanders, Spain, Denmark, and other countries,^^ and that such international relations were carried on by the mission of heralds, envoys, and merchants, as well as in the more solemn way of embassies to foreign courts, including that of England. The most probable conjecture then that can be offered is, that Dunbar was employed in the course of these embassies, as it was usual on such occasions to appoint ' ane clerk;' for it must be considered that the literary attainments of the clergy, who were almost the only class of men who then received any thing like a liberal education, eminently recommended them to the service of fo- reign negotiations.

The most direct intimations, however, that we pos- sess of Dunbar's having visited foreign lands, occur in his poetical contest, or ' Flyting,' with his friend Walter Kennedy. The date of this singular com- position may be placed a few years after 1491. The Flyting commences on the part of Dunbar at a time when he was at some distance from Court. Addressing Sir John Ross, whom he elsewhere com- memorates among the Scotish makars or poets, he

'* That we are unable, from tHe public registers, to ascertain this more distinctly, we impute to the circumstance, that in the safe-conduct granted for such embassies when passing through England, to go beyond seas, as well as to the English Court, the names only of the two or three leading persons are mentioned, with a specified number of attendants and horses

in their train See Rymer's Foedera andRoTULi 5^co</rr, passim. See

also Pinkerton's Hist. vol. ii. and Tttleb's Hist. vol. iv.

14 MEMOIRS OF

says, " There is a thing compiled by Kennedy and his commissary Quintyne, lauding each other in the most extravagant terms ; but if they had ventured to attempt ' any manace' to occasion strife, however loth I am to be reckoned ' a baird,' being ashamed to use terms of fly ting, from which neither honour nor renown are to be gained, nothing should secure them from my wrath, for this would be so terrible, that to hear what 1 shall write ' with pen and ink,' the earth and firmament would tremble, the devils in hell quake with fear, and the city bell make a noise." To such an unusual mode of address, writ- ten with the evident intention of being: communicated to the persons who are named, Kennedy answers in a sufficiently insolent and provoking manner, setting Dunbar and his wrath at defiance. This, of course, produces a reply ; and the two poets fall by the ears, and abuse one another in good set terms of ribaldry, of wdiich it would not be easy to find a parallel in modern literature.

As this strange performance is full of allusions to the personal history of the writers, it is necessary to examine it with greater attention than it might seem to deserve. It does not appear that either of their friends, Quintyne or Sir John Ross, had taken any share in this trial of skill in the art of scolding ; but unless we suppose that considerable intervals of time had elapsed between the writing of the several parts, and tlmt some intermediate portions had been

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 15

lost, there is no satisfactory mode of explaining and reconciling the apparent discrepancies, and abrupt transitions.

It is not less necessary to remark that this alterca- tion neither originated nor was carried on in conse- quence of any personal animosity or dislike, nor does it appear that it had any tendency to interrupt the cordiality of private friendship ; but was merely the result of ' illiberal fancy,' of which several examples occur in our literature during the sixteenth century. Kennedy was a person highly connected, being the third son of Gilbert first Lord Kennedy, and as a poet he enjoyed great distinction in his own time. His acquaintance with Dunbar must have been of several years' standing, and of an intimate kind, to have warranted such kind of sport, by which they were alike subjected to general ridicule. That they were of the same age, may be inferred, as their academical studies were contemporaneous, Kennedy having been a student at Glasgow when Dunbar was at St Andrews ;^^ and as this contest tended to the amusement of their friends at Court, and no doubt excited a lively interest at the time, it might be said of them, with equal truth and propriety,

Ambo florentes setatibus, Arcades ambo, Et cantare pares, et respondere parati.

" Records of the University of Glasgow. See the notes upon Ken- nedy's poems, in vol. ii. p. 87, &c.

rr^hix

16 MEMOIRS OF

Dunbar in his first reply asserts that Kennedy was k afraid to show his malice until the sails had been W^A drawn above his head, and the boisterous winds, in '"» Kj the dark and moonless time of the year, had driven

the vessel out of its reckoning, many hundred miles ' by Holland, Zealand, and the Northicay coast,' to deserts where they were almost famished ; yet, says he, ' / shall come home, and lay thy boast.' According to another passage in the Flyting, it would seem from Kennedy's words, that the vessel in which Dunbar had sailed from Leith had been wrecked on the coast of Zealand, where he was left in such distress as to occasion him often ' to sit supperless,' and to cry Caritas, pro amove Dei, from door to door.

Obscure as the Flyting is in many of its allusions, there can be no doubt that when the concluding por- tion by Kennedy was written, Dunbar was residing at Paris ; and moreover, the mention of the ship Katherine, when compared with a notice in the Trea- surer's Accounts for Jul yl 491,^* renders it more than probable that he was in the train of the Earl of Both- -Si. w \ 1 ^-ell and Lord Mony penny, then sent on an embassy ft/v-i c^<^i to France. As the ambassadors returned at the end of November that same year, Dunbar might have been left behind in Paris, during the winter season, for the purpose of crossing the Alps in the further

" See note on line 449 of ' The Flyting.' — In July 1491, thirty- six shillings was paid by the Treasurer to ' the Preist that wrayt the instru- mentis and otheris lettcris that past with the Iinliassatours in France.'

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 17

prosecution of ' the erandis' of his royal master ; for, as Kennedy says, he could not at that time cross Mount Bernard for wild beasts, nor win throuo-h Mounts Scarpre, Nicholas, and St Godard, for the snow ; and since no lord would take him into his ser- vice, he is advised to remain in Paris, with the ' Maister Burreau,' or public executioner, and assist in hanging criminals at the rate of half-a-franc a piece. But after such gratuitous advice, Kennedy thus addresses the King :

Hie, Soverane Lord, lat never this sinful! sot Do scliame, fra hame, unto your Nation ;

— words which evidently corroborate the supposition of Dunbar's having been employed in the King's ser- vice on some foreign mission.

Without attempting any further illustrations of our Poet's history from this composition, which would be less unintelligible had we been acquainted with the object and destination of his travels, we may safely conclude, that, before the close of the fifteenth cen- tury, Dunbar had, on more than one occasion, visited the continent. Little as we know respecting his early life, and the circumstances that led to the develope- ment of his genius, there can be no doubt that the advantages he enjoyed from visiting distant lands, must have had considerable influence in imparting greater strength and energy to his poetical concep- tions, not only by aff"ording him a wider field for ob- servation of the varied scenery of nature, but by pre-

VOL. I. b

18 MEMOIRS OF

senting to him more extensive opportunities for study- ing the diversities of human character.

We are now made acquainted with a new occur-

A \il rence in the life of Dunbar. In the year 1500 he obtained from the King a yearly pension of ten

■^1 ' pounds, ^^ which is the first occasion on which we find his name occurring in the public records. This pen- sion might have been granted in consequence of one of his addresses to the King, where he says,

Schir, yet remember as of befoir.

How that my youth is doneforloir

In your service, with pane and grief,

Gude Conscience cryis, ' Reward thairfoir /'

The Treasurer's Accounts for that year have not been preserved, but the grant appears in the register of the Privy Seal, under the date of August 15th, ^^ ordaining that sum to be paid out of the royal coffers by the treasurer, at the half-yearly terms of Whit- suntide and Martinmas, without specifying on what account it was conferred, and with this provision, that the sum should be paid to ' Maister William Dunbar for all the day is of his life, or untill he be pro- moted BY OUR SOVEREIGN LORD TO A BENEFICE OF THE VALUE OF FORTY POUNDS OR MORE YEARLY.'

" The sum of tun pounds may appear small; and at that time one pound English money was equivalent to three pounds ten shillings Scot- ish. But we must be careful not to reckon the value of money in those days by the present standard.

'° Reg. Seer. Sigill. vol. ii. fol. 9, b. See Appendix to this Meraoiri No. II.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 19

The regular payment of this half-yearly salary, with occasional gratuities bestowed on hira 'by the a,- ■ King's command,' show, that during the life of JamesT* /' ^ our author must have resided almost constantly in ( '- I Edinburgh ; and the grant might have been made for the special purpose of retaining hira at Court, although its continuance is not made to depend upon any subsequent contingency. As a poet, although surrounded by many competitors, his reputation was at this time established and widely extended ; and in 1503, he says of himself, that his heart in former years had rejoiced in making ' sangis under the leavis grene.^ Gawin Douglas, afterwards Bishop of Dun- keld, (himself one of the most eminent of our ancient poets,) in his ' Palice of Honour,' written in the year 1501, having introduced Chaucer, Gower, and Lydgate, along with all the great poets of antiquity, as possessing a distinguished place in the ' Court of the Muses,' adds, » .

Of this Natioun I knew also anone yyvOvhL /

Greit Kennedie, and Dunbar ^zY wrirfetW, nOlJ-J^i- "tl^'^;;!/^,

And QuiNTiNE withane huttok on Lis heid." klcl*- ^*»-hi

From the Treasurer's Accounts, we accidentally a learn that Dunbar must have again visited England -jN -. at the close of the year 1501. Among the half-yearly pensions due at Martinmas, and entered as paid on the

'" The Palice of Honour, reprinted from the edition 1570, p. 28, Edinburgh, 1830, 4to.

20 MEMOIRS OF

20tli of December that year, when Dunbar's name occurs, it is added, ' quhilk wes payit him aftir he came furth of Ingland.' The next date in that division of the Accounts being February 21, 1502, we can- not ascertain precisely the time of his return, v/hich must have been subsequent to the reguhir term of payment, otherwise such an intimation woukl have been quite superfluous. This, in itself, would be a circumstance of trivial importance, were it not that it is thus rendered probable that he accompanied the ambassadors who were sent to England to conclude the negotiations for the King's marriage in October 1501, and that he remained to witness the ceremony of affiancing the Princess Margaret, which took place at St Paul's cross, with great solemnity and splen- dour, on the 25th of January, 1502. Under this sup- position we can have little hesitation in believing that Dunbar was the person then styled ' The Rhymer OF Scotland,' who received L.6, 13s, 4d. in reward from Henry VII. on the 3 1st of December, 1501, and a similar sum on the 7th of January following. '^

The Princess Margaret remained in England till July 1503, and the minute and interesting account of her progress to Scotland, by John Young, Somerset

'" Extracts from the Privy Purse Expenses of Henry VII., printeil by Sir Harris Nicolas iu Benthy' s JExccrpta Historka, 1801, 8vo, }'• !'-(>• If the original accounts, from which these extracts were made during the last century, should be discovered, some further particulars regarding the persons sent from Scotland on this embassy might no doubt be gleaned.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 21

herald, which has been preserved, presents a striking picture of society at that time." Dunbar's poem, the ' Thrissil and the Rois,' was written on the 9th of May, three months previous to the Queen's arrival ; in which, by a most beautiful and appropriate alle- gory, comparing her to the Rose, the queen of flowers, and James to the national emblem, the Thistle, he celebrates the prospect of that alliance which, although not productive at the time of all its expected advan- tages, yet eventually led to the permanent union of the two kingdoms. The Queen made her public en- trance into Edinburgh on the 7th of August, with / '^ ^' every demonstration of public rejoicing; and on the day after, the marriage ceremony took place in the Abbey of Plolyrood, with a degree of solemnity and splendour which perhaps was never equalled in this part of the kingdom.

The historian of English Poetry asserts, that in consequence of this alliance, a new communication and intercourse were opened between the two courts and kingdoms, which " must have greatly contributed to polish the rude manners, and to improve the lan- guage, literature, and arts, of Scotland." ^° Such an hypothesis is not borne out by facts ; as previous to

" Printed in tlie Appendix to Lcland's Collectanea, 3d edit. 1770, vol. iv. p. 258. In addition to the official account by Young, ' who at- tended the said Princess on her journey,' the Treasurer's Accounts throw considerable light on the magnificent preparations for the nuptials on th« part of the Scotish IMonarch,

"" Warton's Hist. edit. 1824, vol. iii. p. 96.

22 MEMOIRS OF

this event, James the Fourth, by his personal accom- plishments and chivalrous disposition, combined with a love of splendour and profuse liberality little com- mensurate with his limited means, had attracted to his Court persons of rank and influence, as well as those who were distinguished for learning or genius. Nei- ther the Queen, nor the few English attendants who remained with her, appear to have contributed in any degree towards exciting or fostering intellectual acquirements; and long before her arrival in Scot- land, our native poets had raised themselves to a rank far above any of the English followers of Chaucer. In short, the whole tone and character of the litera- ture of that period presents a striking contrast to that of England.

While the Scotish monarch was an avowed patron of literature, in which he himself is allowed to have made some proficiency, the natural gaiety of his dis- position led him to encourage all kinds of public amusements. Dunbar, on more than one occasion, insinuates that the Royal attention and bounty were too profusely directed to the support of pantomimic exhibitors, pipers, fiddlers, jesters, and common min- strels, as well as foreign impostors and mere pretend- ers to science. The Accounts of the Lord High Treasurer, while they exhibit rmmberless instances of his prodigality in encouraging and rewarding those who contributed to the King's own personal gratifi- cations, and present a singular picture of his daily

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 23

occupations, at the same time show that the monarch was a munificent encourager of the useful arts, and that his liberality displayed itself in acts of charity and kindness to his domestic servants. He also appears to have expended large sums of money in building or adorning the royal palaces of Holyrood, Linlithgow, Stirling, and Falkland ; in the erection of religious foundations, in the prosecution of maritime enter- prises, and in the extension of commerce ; while the internal prosperity of the country was essentially promoted by a strict and impartial administration of justice.

At this period Dunbar appears to have lived on terms of great familiarity with the King, and to have participated freely in all the gaieties and amusements of the Scotish Court; his sole occupation being that of writing ballads on any passing event which might serve to exercise his fancy or imagination, and thus contribute to the entertainment of his royal master. It is singular that so considerable a number of pieces written by him upon private and obscure individuals should have been thought worthy of preservation, while no doubt many others of more permanent in- terest were allowed to perish ; for it is inconceivable, that a poet in Dunbar's situation would remain silent in regard to many public events which were calcu- lated to call forth some ' melodious song' from one who was daily accustomed to the composition

OfFsangis, ballatis, and of play is.

2't MEMOIRS OF

As the limited space of tliis Memoir will not admit of any detailed account of tlie persons or events commemorated by Dunbar, occasional illustrations will be found in the Notes upon the respective poems. One class of his poems, however, although of a tem- porary nature, requires notice in this place, as it consists of supplications and addresses to the King, which fortunately serve to throw some light on the personal history and fortunes of the poet himself. The grand object of Dunbar's ambition was prefer- ment in the church ; which, independently of any other claims he might possess, he was entitled to expect from the terms of the grant of his yearly pen- sion. That his continuous and importunate solicita- tions were attended with little or no advantage, might be inferred from their number and diversified cliarac- ter ; but this supposition is discountenanced by the knowledge which we possess of the regular payment of his annual pension. It is somewhat amusing, however, to consider with what ingenuity and address he varies his petitions. In general, he seems to found his chief claims for preferment upon former services which he had rendered, his youth having been spent in the King's employment, while he intimates that his wants would be easily satisfied. But, whether in the form of a satirical or of a pathetic appeal to the King, or simply as a congratulation on the New Year, or whether under some humorous personation be brought forward his request, still the burden of

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 25

Dunbar's song was a Benefice ! Again, at times he breaks out in a more vehement tone, and uses the language of remonstrance. On observing benefices given to persons who had already enjoyed several others, he asks the King, whether it is more charity to give drink to him who stands in great need of it, or to fill « a full man till he burst ? ' while his companion, who is as deserving as he to drink wine is allowed to die of thirst. His virtuous indio^nation is still more excited on beholding the great abuses which prevailed at Court, and on contrasting his own small reward with the liberal encouragement bestowed on needy adventurers and impostors, he is led, but with no un- due degree of vanity, to predict the endurance of his own works."^

But the most singular instance of all his supplica- tions is perhaps that, in which he represents himself under the character of a worn-out steed, or an old grey horse, which deserved to be turned out to pas- ture, and to have shelter provided during the winter season. Attached to this poem is the following reply to the petition, in the form of a mandate addressed to the Treasurer by his Majesty ; but whether the words were actually written by the King himself, or added in his name by Dunbar, as an ingenious mode of enforcing his request, the reader must be left to his own conjecture. In modern orthography the lines are :

^' See lines 25—34, vol. i. p. 146.

26 MEMOIRS OF

After our writings,-- Treasurer, Take in this grey horse, Old Dunbar, Who in my aucht," vvitli service true. In lyart-* changed is liis hue; Gar" house him now against this Yule, And busk'" him like a bishop's mule : For, with my hand, 1 have indost" To pay whate'er his trappings cost.

. The books of the Lord High Treasurer furnish us QjjiVvi ?4i(irith another incident in the life of the Poet. It appears, that on the 17th of March, 1504, he first '^ performed mass in the King's presence, whose offer- V. <aO h \ ing on the occasion was seven French crowns, or ' X h^ £4, 18s. in Scotish money, a larger sum than was ' usually given by his Majesty on hearing '^ priest's

first mass.' This circumstance is more worthy of notice, as it not only proves that Dunbar was in priest's orders, but likewise serves to refute the idle and unjust insinuations, that his moral conduct must have been the sole cause that prevented the King from bestowing on him any kind of church prefer- ment. The true cause, we should hope, consisted in the King's reluctance to be deprived of his attend- ance at Court.

It also appears, that at Martinmas 1507, his pension was newly eiked, or augmented, the King having ordered it to be increased to the annual sura of £20 ;

^'According to Our mandate. ^^ Possession. ^* Gray-haired.

" Cause. *" Dress, or adorn. '" Indorsed, or signed.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 27

and three years afterwards, as will be stated, it was raised to a much larger amount. But the Kino- was not the only person whom the Poet addressed in order to gain the summit of his ambition. Queen Margaret, in particular, seems to have shown him much compas- sionate regard, and he expresses an ardent wish that her power to serve him was commensurate with her incli- nation. The Lord Treasurer, from whom he received his half-yearly pension, he commends on the score of generosity and great punctuality, adding that he knew not what he should have done had his Lordship absented himself at the ordinary term of payment. Again, he assures the Lords of the King's Exche- quer, that for liis part he has no occasion for reckon- ing on his fingers the amount of his rents, having none to receive ; and as for money, it was all spent, but how he could not tell, and he refers to his empty purse to confirm the truth of what he says. Some of his expressions indeed are not to be taken in too lite- ral a sense ; for instance, ' I stand fastand in a nuik,* or, ' How glaid that ever I dyne or soivp,' as if they implied a state of absolute want, — although it might have happened, that when other men with their purse ' in tune,' or well filled,

Passes to drink or to disjune,

Then must I keep ane gravity.

And say, ' That I'll fast untill noon! '

Among the events which distinguish the reign of James the Fourth, we cannot fail to reckon those which

28 MEMOIRS OF

were calculated to encourage education, and to extend the benefits of literature by the establishment of a printing press. In 1490 the Scotish Parliament passed an act enjoining, that the eldest sons of all barons and substantial freeholders should be sent to school at the age of eight or nine years, to receive a competent foundation in the Latin language, and afterwards that they should three years attend to the study of ' art and jure,' — or science and jurispru- dence, that they might have ' knawledge and under- standing of the lawis.' It was not, however, till some years later that the art of printing was introduced in- to Scotland, but it was under the royal auspices, by a grant of exclusive privileges to Walter Chepman and Andrew Myllar, issued under the Privy Seal, . Sept. 15th, 1507. The extent to which their labours

-' , were carried cannot now be ascertained, owing to the

pr u.^<"- f^lmost total destruction of the current literature of ?* ra»4-v.-'the time; but among the few existing specimens of the first Scotish press, it is more especially worthy of notice, that there are several of Dunbar's poems printed with much carelessness, but no doubt under his own inspection. These include the Goldyn Targe, the Flyting, and his Lament for the Makars, which appear to have issued from Chepman's press, in the year 1508,-^ in separate sheets, containing one

'^ A fac-simile republication in black letter of this singularly interest- ing collection appeared under the title of " The Knightly Talc of Gola- grus and Gawanc, and other Ancient Poems." Edinburgh, 1827, 4to.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 29

or more poems, sometimes by different authors. Except for the fortunate discovery of these inte- resting reliques, we should have been inclined to have fixed the date of his Lament for the Makars several years later; but in 1507 or 1508, when it must have been written, the poet was advanced in life, and at the time enfeebled by sickness, which occasioned him to look around with desponding thoughts. All his early friends and brother poets had submitted to the stroke of death, excepting Kennedy, who, he tells us, was then laid on a sick-bed, and not expected to survive ; while he who was once ' so gay and full of health,' now felt himself standing as it were alone of all his contemporaries. But this feeling of alarm passed away upon his re- covery; and as his love of flowers and of external nature remained unimpaired, so we find him ere long ' brieving ballatis,' much in the same gay^ careless strain as before. Indeed, in the midst of disappointed expectations, or the alternate feelings which the gaie- ties of the Court and the attentions of the great excited, with his hopes long deferred, and at times, it is to be feared, with but scanty means of subsistence, his buoyancy of spirit seems seldom to have forsaken him. ' For,' says he, ' had I taken to heart the world's unkindness, or permitted myself to be debar- red from my ordinary enjoyments, I had doubtless been dead long ago.' '^

The pension, however, which Dunbar had enjoyed

«9 Lines GI— 05 vol. i. p. 188.

30 MEMOIRS OF

for several years was quite inadequate to satisfy his high and continued expectations ; although he might have gladly accepted a benefice worth L.tO per an- num, as mentioned in the grant of his pension in 1500; for he says,

And quhen that age now dois me greive, Ane simple vicar I cannot be !

In a pecuniary point of view, therefore, his wishes must have been so far satisfied by a fresh proof of the King's favour. On the 26th of August, 1510, by a warrant under the Privy Seal, Dunbar's pension was increased from £'20 to £80, to be paid as before at the stated terms of Martinmas and Whitsuntide,^'^ during his life, * or until he be promoted to a BENEFICE OF £I00, OR ABOVE.' This prospcct be- ing still held out to him may account for the fre- quency of his urgent appeals to the King for such preferment. But the poet himself, in one of his peti- tions, says with much truth, * It has been so long pro- mised, that it might have come in much shorter time from the New found Isle, over the great Ocean- Sea, or from the deserts of India,' — and adds, perhaps with more apparent than real humility, that he had no ex-

*> Reg. Seer. Sig See Appendix to this Memoir, No. II. This

conditional mode of granting a pension was not unusual. James V. be- stowed on Hector Boyce the historian, in 1527, the yearly sura of L.50 Scots, " untill the King promote him to a benefice of 100 marks Scots of yearly value." In IMay 1513, two of the clerks ia King's Chapel of Holyrood, on account of their having each a benefice, received from the Treasurer a smaller sura as their half-yearly pension than the other clerks.

WILLIAM DUA'BAR. 31

pectations to obtain tlie revenue of great abbacies, for a chureli, although scarcely covered with heather, ■would amply satisfy his desires. With all his cheer- fulness of temper and elasticity of spirit, Dunbar had reached a period of life when he must have felt more keenly the misfortune of continuing so long a depen- dant on Court favour, while the promise of some competent provision was held out to him year after year by the King. Had the Scotish monarch not been desirous of retaining Dunbar as a personal attendant, he could have found no difficulty in gratifying the wishes of an old and faithful servant, as the presenta- tion to all vacant benefices was vested in the Kinar's hands ; for it has been well observed that ' It must have been a pure priesthood indeed, to which Dunbar would not, in his maturer years, have done honour.'^^ Queen Margaret, in the month of May 1511, for the first time, set out to visit the Northern parts of Scotland, and our author must have been in her train ; as the poem by Dunbar, descriptive of her reception at Aberdeen, is evidently written by an eye-witness. In the notes upon that poem some account is given of the preparations made by the citizens to receive her Ma- jesty with all due honour and solemnity. Another of his poems, although satirical, is interesting also on account of the locality, being an Address to the Mer- chants of Edinburgh, written probably about the year 1500 ; and exhibiting a most curious picture of the state of the Scotish metropolis at that early

" Lives of Eminent Scotsmen, part ii, p. 3'2.

32 MEMOIRS OF

period. The principal streets crowded with stalls — the confused state of the different markets — the noise and cries of the fishwomen, and of other persons retailing their wares round the Cross — the booths of traders crowded together ' like a honeycomb' near the church of St Giles, which was then, and con- tinued till within a very recent period, to be dis- figured with mean and paltry buildings stuck round the buttresses on each side of the church — the outer- stairs of the houses projecting into the street — the swarm of beggars — the common minstrels, whose skill was confined to one or two hackneyed tunes — all to- gether form the subject of a highly graphic and inte- resting delineation.

While this country was continuing to advance rapidly in the course of improvement, the temper of the generous and high-minded Sovereign was in one sad moment doomed to put an end to this state of high national prosperity. No greater calamity could have happened to the Scotish nation than resulted from the King's impetuosity at Floddon, on the 8th of September, 1513.^^ Along with the gallant but

^^ I have here added a facsimile of the King's signature, " James R." copied from the last page of the Treasurer's Accounts, August 8th, 1513, and probably the latest specimen of his writing that now exists.

C/T'l'^^^

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 33

unfortunate Monarch/^ several prelates, the chief part of his nobles, and nearly every person who had been intrusted with the management of public aifairs, were involved in one common catastrophe ; and it is impos- sible to calculate how much such an unexpected blow must have tended to retard the nation in its progress towards wealth, knowledge, and refinement. The unutterable dismay which was spread over the whole country, with all the disastrous consequences atten- dant upon the minority of an infant King, — a disputed regency and divided counsels, — the factions of rival nobles, — the intrigues of foreign powers, — the dis- turbed state of the borders, and the dread of a threa- tened invasion, are matters of history, and need not be here detailed

This fatal event is also to be considered as inauspi- cious to the personal fortunes of Dunbar. The royal establishment at Holyrood was doubtless soon broken up, there being neither the means nor any necessity for continuing the festivities and expenses of the Court. But whether any provision was made for those individuals who had been long attached to the King's

^^ Buclianan, in his ' Justa,' consecrated the following lines to the obse- ijuies of this gallant Monarch.

Jacobo IV. Regi Scotorum. Fama orbem replet, mortem sois occulit : at tu

Dt'ssiue scrutari ijuod tegat ossa solum. Si mihi deut animo uon impar fata sepulchrum, Angusta est tumulo terra Britanna meo. VOL. I. C

34 MEMOIRS OF

person cannot now be ascertained. The Treasurer's Accounts, from the 8th of August, 1513, (a month pre- vious to the battle of Flodclon,) to the 25 th of January, 1515, which might have thrown some light on the subject, have not been preserved ; and in those from that date to the 4th of September, 1518, (from which time, to the 5th of June, 152'2, there is another blank in the series,) there is no mention of Dunbar's name. We cannot therefore discover the date of the last payment of his pension. But although we now lose all trace of his name in the public records, it by no means follows that his pension was entirely with- drawn : it might either have been transferred to some other branch of the royal revenue, or the Poet might at last have been promoted to a benefice, when con- sequently his pension would cease.

That Dunbar might have succeeded in obtaining preferment in the church, is indeed rendered highly probable. The Queen Dowager, whom, during the King's life, our Poet styled his ' Advocate haythfaxr and siceit,' could have no difficulty during her regency in providing for his wants ; and we cannot believe that she would allow his old age to pine away in poverty and neglect. Even were it otherwise, we are not to suppose that he had no other friends in power who would be unwilling to assist in procuring some ade- quate and permanent provision for an individual, who had so long contributed by his writings to the amuse- ments of the Court.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 35

What might have been the fate of Dunbar during the closing years of his life can therefore only be surmised, as we are even unable to ascertain how long he survived his Royal master. Several of his poems denote the sedate and contemplative feelings of advanced age ; and one of them, written on the oc- casion of the governor, John, Duke of Albany, pass- ing into France, contains a pathetic lamentation over the distracted state of public affairs in Scotland. This perhaps was one of the latest of his productions, and cannot be assigned to any date prior to the 8th of June, 1517. Lyndsay, who must have been personally acquainted with Dunbar,^* in a poem written in the year 1530, after alluding to Chaucer, Gower, and Lydgate, as the great masters ' of Rethorick,' ' Quhais siceit sentence throv.ch Albion bene sung,^ exclaims.

Or quha can now the warkis contrefait

Oil' Kennedie with terines aureait? Or off Dunbar, qulia language had at large.

As may be sene intill his Goldin Targe.

From these words, and from the manner in which Lyndsay laments Bishop Douglas, who died in 1522,

^^ Lyndsay was at Court during the reign of James tlie Fourth, but in what capacity is not so certain. In October, loll, he received a play- coat of blew and yellow taffety " for the play, playit in the King and Queuis presence, in the Abbay." Addres^ng James the Fifth, in 1529, he tells his Majesty that he had entered his service ' the day of thy na- tivitie.' James the Fifth was born April 12, 1512, and Lyndsay's name occurs in the Treasurer's Accounts of 1512 and 1613, as * Ischar to my Lord Prince,' with the yearly salary of L.40.

06 MEMOIRS OF

it may be inferred that our author's decease was pre- vious to tliat of the prelate ; wherefore we cannot greatly err in supposing that he died about the year 1520, when he had attained at least sixty years of age. Having arrived at this conclusion in the Poet's biography, every admirer of genius will regret that we have not decisive evidence to show that Dunbar was enabled to spend his declining years in the shade of that peaceful and religious retirement, for which he had most earnestly longed. It would also have been gratifying to have ascertained the spot wherein were consigned the mortal remains of the greatest of all Scotland's early Makars.

Having endeavoured, in the preceding pages, to present as full an account of the personal history of Dunbar as the scanty materials remaining would aiford, we may now consider his poetical character, and in what respect he stands distinguished among the earlier poets of Scotland. Although the poets who preceded him were neither few in number, nor inconsiderable in point of genius, there was concentrated in him such a rare association of talents as had not, in Britain at least, been known, except in Chaucer, to whom he looked up with reverence as to his master, who sur- passed, he says, all other bards, ' as far as Mayis morroic dois midnycht.^ Of such early Scotish poets of

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 37

whose compositions any remains have been preserved, a few words may be reqnisite in this place.

In Thomas of Erceldoune, surnamed the Rhy- mer, who flourished about the middle of the thirteenth century, we have the earliest acknowledged writer of romance poetry in Britain. Unfortunately the works attributed to this venerable Bard do not possess un- doubted claims of genuineness ; and, indeed, with the exception of some lines of a Prophecy, in reply to a question of the Countess of Dunbar, in reference to the wars of Edward the First in Scotland, the only work that can be so conceded to him, is the metrical romance of Sir Tristrem.^^ Yet as this romance in more than one place expressly mentions the Rhymer in the third person, ' JVith Thomas spak /,' — ' As Tliomas telles,' &c., and as the words of Robert de Brunne, written in 1305,

I see in song, in sedge3'ng tale

Of Erceldoune and of Kendale, &c.

usually quoted in support of Thomas being the author of Sir Tristrem, are very obscure, might it not have been a more plausible conjecture, to have inferred that the romance in question was actually composed

^ Sir Tristrem, which was first published in 1804, by Sir Walter Scott, has passed through several subsequent impressions. The lines of the Prophecy referred to, were supposed by him to be of a later date, and to have an application to the wars of Edward the Third, — but they exist In a IMS. prior to his reign. See the Appendix to ' Select Remains of the Popular Poetry of Scotland,' 1 822, 4to.

63837

38 MEMOIRS OF

by Kendale, and tliat the invention only belonged to Thomas of Ereeldoune ?

Among the earlier reliques of the Scotish Muse which have been preserved, we may reckon the three curious and interesting romances in alliterative verse on the subject of Sir Gawane. One of these, written in a very peculiar measure, and undoubtedly the most ancient, is still unpublished,^^ and probably belongs to the end of the thirteenth century. Wyntown, who wrote about 1420, has mentioned in terms of commendation, a poet of the name of Huchown of THE AwLE Ryall, or the Royal Hall or palace, who ' cunnand xces in llteratiae.' Besides, Huchown's great historical work, described as the ' Gest Hys- toryale,' there are specified among his works, ' the Gret gest of Arthure,' ' the Pystyl of swete Susan,' and the ' Awntere of Gawane.' Dunbar also mentions among the Scotish poets, Clerk of Tkanent, ' that maid the Aionteris of Gawane.' It has been suggested that Huchown, or Hugh, might possibly have been the Christian name of Clerk of Tranent.^^ This, it

^ This romance of Gawane and the Grenc Knight, preserved in an aacient MS. in the Cottonian Library, has been announced for publica- tion by Sir Frederick Madden, to the gratification of all who feel interest- ed in such valuable reliques of ancient literature. I am happy to say that Sir F. Madden informs me that he has discovered in MS. ' the Gret Gest of Arthure,' attributed to Huchown, and which cannot fail to be a most desirable acquisition to our early romance poetry.

^' See Macpherson's Notes to Wyntown, vol. ii. p. 46.3. lie elsewhere says, ' Huchown perhaps was King's Poet.'

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 39

must be confessed, is no very probable conjecture. On the other hand, it has been asserted that Huchown was the same person with Sir Hugh de Eglintoun, whom Dunbar has enumerated among the early Scot- ish Makars.^* This seems to be not much more pro- bable. When we consider the high official rank and distinction of Sir Hugh Eglintoun of Eglintoun, who had been allied by marriage to King Robert the Second, and the minuteness with which Wyntown usually designates the persons whom he names, it is hardly credible that he would on more than one occa- sion speak of Sir Hugh Eglintoun, who appears to have had no permanent situation at Court, simply as Huch- own. A poem in alliterative verse on the subject of Susanna, answering the description of the ' Pistill' ascribed to Huchown, is still preserved, and from similarity of style, one or other of the later romances of Gawane may be assigned to the same author. An- other curious specimen of alliterative poetry, which probably belongs to an early period of our literature, is the ' Taill of Rauf Coilyear.' ^^ But in forming any opinion regarding the age or authorship of such

^* See introductory notice to the ' Pistill of Susan,' which is printed in the collection already quoted in Note 35, and Chalmers' Lyndsay, vol. i. p. 132. Some farther account of Sir Hugh de Eglintoun will be found in the Notes upon Dunbar's poem, vol. i. p, 213.

'" ' Imprintit at Sanct Androis be Robert Lekprevick, 1571,' and re- printed in the volume of ' Select Remains,' &c., 1822, 4to.

40 MEMOIRS OF

ancient remains, miicli must necessarily rest upon mere conjecture.

The work next to be mentioned, is one of great and deserved celebrity, being the Life and Acts of Robert Bruce, which was written by John Barbour, Arch- deacon of Aberdeen, in the year 1375. He was also the author of a historical poem on the Genealogy of the Kings of Scotland, frequently referred to by Wyn- town, but which is not known to be preserved. Bar- bour was fortunate in the subject of his Robert the Bruce, and in that work, while we are made sensible of the charms of romantic narrative, there is also found in his spirited descriptions, a more than ordinary ad- herence to the correctness of historical detail.'"'

Andrew of Wyntown, prior of the Monastery of St Serfe in Lochlevin, between the years 1410 and 1420, compiled a Metrical Chronicle, which is valuable not only for its minuteness and precision in

*" The most genuine edition of Barbour's Bruce, is tliat edited by the Rev. Dr Janiieson, from a IMS. written in ] 489. Edinburgh : 1820, 4to. That MS. was supposed to be the only one in existence ; but, in the Library of St John's College, Cambridge, there is another, dated 1488, which would be worthy of collation, although unluckily it wants several leaves at the beginning. It has also been generally asserted that the edi- tion by Hart, in 1616, 8vo, was the earliest of Barbour's poem, but I am possessed of one in small 4to, black-letter, (which has lost the title- page,) apparently printed at Edinburgh, about the year 1570, which may explain the allusion made by Patrirk Gordon, in 161.5, to * the printed Imok.'

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 41

point of dates, but likewise for the curious traits of ancient manners which it incidently elucidates. But this Chronicle, while it entitles the author to the repu- tation of an original historical writer, displays none of the genius which adorns the truly national poem of WyntowJi's predecessor.*^

The poet next in succession is one of higher distinc- tion, not only for rank, but also for genius ; and it is singular that Dunbar, while he mentions the names of several obscure poets, as we must now consider them, in his Lament for the Makars, should have overlooked that of King James the First. The King's Quair,*- written by the captive Prince, to solace his weary hours during his residence in Windsor castle, is re- markable for a degree of grace and elegance which seems till then to have been unknown to our earlier writers. Nothing can exceed the beauty and tender- ness with which he describes his feelings on behold- ing in the garden below the tower where he was con- fined, the lady Jane Beaufort, (whom he afterwards married,) as she was coming forth to her morning orisons. The humorous popular ballads in the verna-

'" That part of Wyntown's Chronicle relating; to Scotland, was pub- lished with not less care and ability than elegance, by the late ]\Ir David Rlacpherson. London : 1795, 2 vols, royal 8vo.

*^ First published by William Tytler, Esq. of Woodhouselee, in 1 783, 8vo, and more recently by Mr Thomson of Ayr Academy, in 1 824, and by Mr George Chalmers, in his * Poetical Remains of the Scotisli Kings." London : 1 824. 8vo.

42 MEMOIRS OF

cular dialect wliicli have been attributed to the same Royal author, undoubtedly belong to a much later age.

During the reign of James the Second, there flourished at least two poets of some note. The one was a priest of the name of Holland, an adherent of the noble family of Douglas, wlio appears to have continued an attached follower during their misfor- tunes. He was the author of a curious allegorical poem, the Buke of the Howlat, written about 1453, which displays some invention and descriptive powers, although greatly obscured by the style of its allitera- tive verse.'^^

The other poet was Sir Gilbert Hay, Cham- berlain to Charles the Sixth, King of France, who appears to have devoted much of his leisure to trans- lations from the works of French authors. He is en- titled to notice on account of the recent discovery of his unpublished version of the very voluminous, but popular metrical French romance of Alexander the Great,^^— a translation extending to upwards of

'" The Buke of the Howlat or Owl, is preserved in the MSS. of Asloauo and Bannatync. From the latter MS. it was included iu a collection of ' Scotish Poems,' edited by John Pinkcrton. London: 1792. vol. 3, 8vo. A more accurate text, from the earlier MS. of Asloane, was print- ed as a contribution to the Bannatyne Club. Edin. : 1823. 4to.

« In the library of the Right Hon. the Earl of Ormelie. The MS. is slightly imperfect at the beginning, and evidently appears to have been transcribed sometime before 1579, from a copy of ' this noble buik,' written in 1499, which was probably also imperfect. Dr George Mackenzie, iu his Life of Sir Gilbert May, describes a MS. then in his posseSBion, beirg

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 43

20,000 lines, and probably conipleted about the year 1460. This work is not to be confounded with ' the Foray of Gaderis,' and other supplementary branches of the romance of Alexander, also transla- ted from the French by an anonymous author, in 1438.*^

Nearly coeval with Holland and Hay, but survi- vors at the close of the fifteenth century, were two poets who have still better claims on our regard. One of these was Robert Henryson, who, during- the latter portion of his life, acted as a notary publick, and as preceptor in the Benedictine Convent at Dun- fermline. To him we are indebted for the beautiful pastoral ballad of Robene and Makyne, (the earliest of this class of compositions in our language,) and for several other poems and fables, which, while they breathe a fine strain of morality and poetical sen- timent, are enriched with a freshness and facility of de- scription, indicating a clear and animated perception of the beauties of nature.**^

a translation from tlie Frencli into prose of Bonnet's ' Buke of Armys, or the Flour of Batailes,' made hy Sir Gilbert Hay» at the request of Wil- liam, Earl of Orkney, at Roslin Castle, in the year 1456. The fate of that MS. is not known.

■** No MS. of this anonymous translation has been discovered. It was printed at Edinburgh by Alexander Aibuthnot about the year 1680 ; and the only copy of this volume known to exist, is in the library of the Right Hon. the Earl of Panraure. A reprint of the volume (which is not quite perfect) has been executed for the Members of the Bannatyne Club.

*^ Henryson's Poems and Fables have hitherto been printed only in

44 MEMOIRS OF

The other poet was Henry the blind Minstrel, who owes much of his fame to the subject of his well-known work, the Life and Acts of Sir William Wallace.*^ The Minstrel has referred to the ' gret gestis,' which had been previously made ' of the gud dedis and manheid' of our ' illuster and vailzeand cam- pioun :' what these consisted of, cannot now be ascer- tained. But it is somewhat singular that his own work should have usually been regarded in the light of an original composition, when it is evident from the concluding address, that it was, in a great mea- sure, a translation from the Latin. That this metrical history should have been eminently successful, was owing, perhaps much less to its poetical merits, than to the name of its great and patriotic hero. Even the frequent extravagance of the narrative, which partakes more of the character of romantic fiction than is suitable to heroic verse, might have no less contri- buted, for upwards of three centuries, to its uninter- rupted and almost unequalled degree of popular esteem.

We now arrive at the reign of James the Fourth, a period which seems to have been peculiarly fertile in

detached forms ; but a collected edition, in a volume uniform with the present work, is in immediate preparation for the press.

^^ An edition uniform with The Bruce, mentioned in note 40, was edited by Dr Jamicson, from a MS. written in 1 486. No other fllS, has yet been discovered ; but some fragments exist of an edition supposed to have come from the press of Walter Chepman before 1520.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 45

productions of genius. But with regard to the many- poets who then flourished, it is remarkable that, with the exception of our author and of Gawin Douglas, their works have almost wholly perished. Dunbar, in his Lament for the Makars, written about 1507, has enumerated at least twelve poets, who were his con- temporaries, of whose compositions either no remains, or only A'ery inconsiderable ones, have been disco- vered. Among these were Stobo, Alexander Traill, Sir Mungo Lockhart, Sir John Ptoss, Quintyne Schaw, Patrick Johnstone, the two RowUs, and James Affleck.*^ We might have concluded that the preser- vation of Dunbar's own works was owing to their being more admired than those of other poets, were it not that both Douglas and Lyndsay speak of Quin- tyne and Kennedy in equal terms of commendation. Yet not a single work of Quintyne is known to be preserved, while the poems of Kennedy which still exist do not display such powers as would warrant the epithet ' great ' which was attached to his name. It must, however, be remembered, that most of our native bards have been doomed to a peculiarly hard fate ; and that if Dunbar and Douglas have been more fortunate in this respect than others, it was only be- cause their works were more numerous and import- ant; for it will be seen that Quintyne is not the

^^ See the notes upon the ' Lament for the Makars,' vol. L p. 211, and the ' Poems by Dunbar's Contemporaries,' in vol. ii., for some addi- tional particulars regarding these poets.

46 MEMOIRS OF

only poet whose name has been recorded, while his works have perished.

It certainly would not be easy to refer the loss M'hich our vernacular literature has sustained to any single cause. It might have proceeded no less from popularity at one time than from neglect at another, as large impressions of works seem to have been bought up, and actually worn out in the course of frequent and extensive perusal.*^ But the literature of a period previous to the introduction of printing, must have suflFered greatly by the burnings and ravages of the English forces during the first half of the sixteenth century, as well as by the excesses committed at the period of the Reformation, which it is to be feared was the main cause of the destruction of monastic and other libraries.

In the case of Dunbar, the reproach to our liter- ature in allowing such an author to fall into the obscurity which has been alluded to, was in part taken away by the selections of his poems from Bannatyne's manuscript, which were published successively by Allan Ramsay in 1724, and by Lord Hailes in 1770. In availing himself of these selections, Warton, the classical historian of English poetry, was enabled, in

^* Even of volumes of considerable bulk, such as Henry's Wallace, Barbour's Bruce, the Romance of Alexander, RoUand's Sevin Sages, and his Court of Venus, and the editions of Lyndsay's Works, printed in Scot- land before 1600, no second copies of most of them are known to be preserved.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 47

1778, to present an analysis of what was tlien consi- dered to be the author's three chief productions, and by the estimate which he formed of his genius, to ren- der Dunbar's name in some deg-ree familiar to the English reader. After his analysis of the Daunce, he says, " I have been prolix in my citations and expla- nations of this poem, because I am of opinion that the imagination of Dunbar is not less suited to satirical than sublime allegory; and that he is the first poet who has appeared with any degree of spirit in this way of writing since Piers Plowman. His Thistle and Rose, and Golden Targe, are generally and justly men- tioned as his capital works ; but the natural complexion of his genius is of the moral and didactic cast."^"

The subsequent additions made to Dunbar's poems by Mr Pinkerton in 1786, from Sir Richard Mait- land's manuscript, presented fresh proofs of the pecu- liar richness and copiousness of our Poet's genius. This last editor cautions his reader, that Warton's estimate " must not be taken too strictly." For, as he suggests, " the Golden Targe is moral ; and so are many of his smaller pieces ; but humoui-, description, alle- gory, great poetical genius, and a vast wealth of words, all unite to form the 'complexion' of Dunbar's poetry. He unites in himself, and generally sur- passes, the qualities of the chief old English poets ; the morals and satire of Langland ; Chaucer's hu-

»" Hist, of English Poetry, vol. ii. p. 278; 8vo edit. vol. iii. p. 109.

48 MEMOIRS OF

mour, poetry, and knowledge of life ; the allegory of Gower ; the description of Lydgate. " ^^ Elsewhere he adds, that " His short moral pieces have a terseness, elegance, and force, only inferior to those of Horace."

In like manner, a late elegant writer says, " Mr Warton, who has bestowed great commendations on Dunbar, observes, that his genius is peculiarly ' of a moral and didactic cast;' and it is certainly in such pieces that he is most confessedly superior to all who preceded, and to nearly all who have followed him ; but his satires, his allegorical and descriptive poetry, and his tales, are all admirable, and full of fancy and originality." ^-

This is high praise, but it is supported by the opinion of other eminent writers." Sir Walter Scott, in particular, with that liberality of sentiment which so well became a distinguished author, on several occasions expressed his admiration of our old ' Ma- kar.' " Tliis darling of the Scottish Muses (he ob- serves) has been justly raised to a level with Chaucer by every judge of poetry, to whom his obsolete language has not rendered him unintelligible. In brilliancy of fancy, in force of description, in the power of conveying moral precepts with terseness,

*' Ancient Scottish Poems, &c. vol. i. p. xciv.

** Ellis's Specimens of the Early English Poets, vol. i. p. 377.

*' Among these may be mentioned I\Ir IVIalcolm Laina;, (iu his con- tinuation of Dr Henry's History,) l)r Irving, I\Ir Gilchribt, Rev. Dr Nott, Mr T. Cami)buU, Dr Drake, and Mr Frascr Tytlcr.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 49

and marking lessons of life with conciseness and energy, in quickness of satire, and in poignancy of humour, the Northern Makar may boldly aspire to rival the Bard of Woodstock. In the pathetic, Dun- bar is Chaucer's inferior, and, accordingly, in most of his pieces he rather wishes to instruct the understand- ing, or to amuse the fancy, than to affect the heart." ^* Elsewhere he says, " Dunbar, the Scottish Chaucer, appeared at Court, with a power both of heroic and humorous poetry no way unworthy the Bard of Woodstock. " And again, " The genius of Dunbar and Gawain Douglas alone is sufficient to illuminate whole centuries of ignorance. "^^

In instituting a comparison of our author with the father of English poetry, we cannot assert that he has left us such a gorgeous piece of colouring, blended with such fine touches of pathetic and natu- ral sentiment, as the ' Knightes Tale,' far less that he has produced any thing as a whole to be placed in competition with the Prologue to the Canterbury Tales, which, in its vivid description of the persons brought together in pilgrimage to the shrine of Tho- mas of Becket, presents such a graphic picture of English life and manners as never has been surpassed. Yet in all the essential characteristics of Chaucer's

5* Memoirs of George Bannatyne, p. 14, Edin. 1829, 4to. — a volume printed for the Members of the Bannatyne Club.

'' History of Scotland, (Lardner's Cyclopaedia,) vol. i. pp. 338 and 351.

VOL. I. d

30 MEMOIRS OF

genius, Dunbar will not shrink from comparison.*^ With perhaps higher inventive powers, and greater terseness of style, he has exhibited the same discrimi- nation of character, derived from acute and extensive observation, the same rich vein of humour, and clear perception of the ludicrous, with equal picturesque- ness of language and imagery.

Of Dunbar's immediate contemporaries, there is no one who has left us sufficient evidence of the extent or fertility of his genius, to be placed in any point of comparison with our author. Gawin Douglas,^'' Bishop of Dunkeld, is indeed a poet of a high order, but he has displayed neither the versatility nor the original powers of Dunbar. In the former we find laboured and high-wrought descriptions, in place of

'* " It is evident (says Dr Drake) ttat a union of talents of tliis wide range must necessarily be of rare occurrence ; nor can we wonder that a century should elapse before a poet in any high degree approaching the genius of Chaucer made his appearance in this island. Not, indeed, until Dunbar arose in the sister kingdom, had we another instance of the combination of first-rate abilities for humour and comic painting, with an equally powerful command over the higher regions of fiction and imagina- tion."— Mornivgs in Spring, vol. ii. p. 5.

" A complete and uniform edition of Douglas's works would undoubt- edly be a desirable publication. Probably the best MS. of liis celebrated translation of Virgil, is one preserved in Trinity College Library, Cam- bridge, and which has never been collated. It was written, I should sup- pose, about 1525, and has the autograph of " Johannes Daneylston, Rector a Dysert," and is said to have been " the first correk coppy nixt efter the translacioun wrytin be master Matho Geddes, scribe or writar to the Translatar." — (MSS. Gale, O. 3. 12.)

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 51

that vividness of representation which Dunbar pro- duces by a few masterly touches ; the fancy and learning of Douglas having been more exercised in allegorical abstractions, and classical allusions, than in attempting to produce actual sketches of human life and character. Some striking compositions of this age are unfortunately anonymous, as it would have conferred honour upon any poet to have been the ascertained author of such a poem as the Freirs of Berwick, which is usually ascribed to Dunbar.^^

With one exception, the poets of the reign of James the Fifth made no very important additions to the stock of our vernacular literature. Sip.. David Lynd- SAY, to whom our allusion applies, was assuredly en- titled to no ordinary praise, whatever regret we may feel for the occasional coarseness and vulgarity which disfigure his verses. It was not till a mature period of life that he commenced his career as an author — his earliest work being written in 1529. He enjoy- ed the King's special protection, which was fortunate for him, as the plain homeliness of his style, together

*' See it inserted in vol. ii. p. 3, and tte Notes. Among other ano- nymous productions of the same period, deserving of notice, may be men- tioned, — " Clariodus, a Metrical Romance," printed for the Members of the Maitland Club. Edin. 1830. 4to. "The Buke of the Chess,'- printed at the Auchinleck Press, by the late Sir Alexander Boswell, from Asloane's MS., 1818. 4to. " The Tailis of the Thrie Preists of Peblis ;" and " The Murning Maiden. " Both reprinted in " Early Metrical Tales ;'' Edin. 1826. 12mo. And " the Buke of the Sevin Sages," a version hitherto unpriatcd.

52 MEMOIRS OF

with the bold, open, and uncompromising tone, by which he was so eminently qualified for the task of exposing the prevailing abvises, whether in church or state, could not fail to raise against him many ene- mies. This familiarity and freedom of expression, which rendered his verses intelligible to the lower classes, contrasts well with his strong and pointed satire, and might have contributed at the time as well to the efficacy of his writings, as to their extensive and long-continued popularity .^^

The poetical writers of the subsequent reigns were altogether an inferior race in point of talent, while such of those of the seventeenth century, who are entitled to particular notice, belong to the class of English poets, having nothing of the tone and charac- ter peculiar to the Scotish Muse.

Nearer our own time, the poet of all others in the higher walks of genius, with v/hom Dunbar might be best compared, was Robert Burns.^° Although the

^' The only complete cditiou of Lyndsay's Works is that edited by the late Mr Chalmers. Lond. 1806. 3 vols. 8vo.

"" Such a comparison has, in fact, been ably drawn by Dr Drake, in an essay, entitled, " Chaucer, Dunbar, and Bui-ns compared." — " Where shall we find such another concentration of varied talent, such a blending of satire and humour and characteristic delineation, with the higher fa- culties subservient to passion, imagination, and lofty description, as we have just pointed out in the instances of Chaucer and Dunbar ? Where, I will venture to reply, but in the person of Burns ? who, it may safely be asserted, has rivalled those poets in humour, description, and moral satire, and even surpassed tliem in the pathetic, the terrible, and sublime." — Mornings in Sprini/, vol. ii. p. 1.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 53

little we possess by Burns, of what might be termed pure invention — his Tam o' Slianter, for instance — is truly admirable, for expressive personation and al- legorical imagery (agreeably to the taste and man- ners of his age), Dunbar was certainly preeminent. For strength of satire, richness of humour, vivid de- scription of external nature, and characteristic deli- neations of life and manners, it would be difficult to say which of these poets is entitled to the highest praise. Most of Burns's pieces are essentially lyrical — a style of writing which must be deemed of a less ancient date than the era of the elder poet, who, not- withstanding, is not less remarkable for ease and har- mony of versification. This form of composition might perhaps have led Burns to the habitual expres- sion of intense and varied feeling, wherein he greatly exceeded, not only Dunbar, but almost every other poet, whether of ancient or of modern times.*^'

^' But as in extent of genius, so in their fate, tbe two Scotish poets miglit not be unaptly compared. Dunbar's fame was established before he had been brought into immediate connexion with the court of Holy- rood ; and it is impossible to say how far the idleness and frivolity of such a mode of life, and his continued dependence upon royal favour, which he might have felt as a kind of degradation, must have withdrawn his mind from higher and more noble exertions. It is far more certain, that the dis- tinction and public notoriety attendant upon Burns's first visit to the me- tropolis, was any thing but fortunate either for his personal happiness, or as a spur to his genius. In his earliest volume, published before that event, we find several — nearly all — of his finest compositions, displaying so much natural purity of taste, and vigour of conception, that it might have been well for him had circumstances never raised him beyond his original sphere

54 MEMOIRS OF

The sentiments, already quoted, of persons so well qualified to pronounce on the merits of our earlier writers, ought to render any thing like minute and detailed criticism, in regard to the general character of Dunbar as a poet, superfluous. But it will be proper now to consider how far his acknowledged compositions may be supposed to bear upon his moral character. From the entire ignorance which has pre- vailed concerning his personal history, and his own unceasing supplications to James the Fourth for a benefice, it has been rashly concluded that such pre- ferment was withheld in consequence of moral disqua- lification. It cannot be with truth asserted that Dun- bar has, on every occasion, kept his muse within the bounds of decency and propriety — or that he has al- ways exhibited himself in a light consistent with our notions of what was becoming his profession of the priesthood — yet the freedom and levity displayed in some of his verses was not likely to prejudice the mind of such a monarch as James the Fourth against the author ; and preferment to the highest dignities

of life. And what was the result ? He was flattered for a time by persons of wealth and fashion — he was courted, or rather seduced, by individuals wholly undeserving of his familiarity, into idle and dissipated habits — and at length, his high and manly spirit was bowed down by the necessity of accepting an inadequate, and, in his own estimation, a degrading situation. It may, however, be questioned whether, in the neglect which has obscu- red Dunbar's personal history, he has not been thus more fortimate than Burns, in escaping the exposure and exaggeration of every failing, as if there were a gratification experienced in degrading the memory of the dead.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 55

in the Church, was not the reward either of personal fitness or of purity of conduct. Accordingly, such ad- missions do not necessarily infer, on the part of Dun- bar, an abandonment of all moral restraint, but rather a charge of depraved taste ; for we ought to distinguish between the actual conduct of the Poet, and his deli- neations of the passions and actions of others. In this point of view, candour must allow, that Dunbar's faults were rather those of the age, than of the individual ; nor should he be singled out as peculiarly deserving of reprobation for faults which he had in common with others, perhaps even to a much smaller extent. By far the coarsest of his productions is the Flyting; yet there is every reason to believe that the equal share which Kennedy had in this poetical contest, and in which he at least rivals Dunbar for scurrility, had no effect whatever in lowering his own character, or in preventing him from obtaining preferment in the church. Hence, as we ought not to judge of the man- ners of Dunbar's age by our own, it would be mani- festly unjust were we to sit in judgment upon him by the same standard of morality to which we our- selves may be subjected.

Fortunately, there is no necessity to undertake a defence of our Author for merely presumed inconsis- tencies of conduct. All we know respecting his mode of life is derived from his own writings, and these fur- nish us with no substantial proofs wherewith to im- peach his moral character. But some apology may be deemed requisite for the publication of his coarser

56 MEMOIRS OF

pieces, wherein will be found the occasional violations of decency and good taste to which we have alluded. Had the present Editor consulted his own inclina- tion, he would have made occasional retrenchments ; but the appearance of such a castigated edition might have excited notions far more prejudicial to the Poet's reputation than is likely to attend the actual produc- tion of the most objectionable passages. Dunbar is in no respects so outrageously offensive as Chaucer. He is even far less offensive than Lyndsay, and others of a later age, who professed a purer faith, and were instrumental in overthrowing the altars of Popery.

Of all Dunbar's poems, the tale of the Twa Mar- yit Wemen and the Wedo, is most liable to the charge of immodest description. The poet pretends to overhear three females, who are seated in a green arbour, drinking rich wines, while they relate to each other their experience of a married life. This they do with all possible freedom, and (as Dr Irving re- marks) " the sentiments which they utter, are as profligate as can well be imagined. It is to be hoped (he adds) that Dunbar did not intend this as a general representation of the ladies of his own age and nation." This tale is evidently an early production, and one of the few of his works in which we trace direct imita- tion, as he must have had in his eye Chaucer's Pro- loo-ue to the Wife of Bathe's tale. As the Scotish poet presents in it a singular picture of life and man- ners, interspersed with some beautiful sketches of scenery, we might regret that he should have adopt-

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 57

ed an antiquated style, were it not that the subject of the poem is best veiled in such obscurity. Another poem, which has occasioned much of the outcry raised against him, is an address to the Queen, in which he exposes the licentious conduct of some of her ser- vitours on the eve of Lent ; indicating very plainly the coarse manners of the age, which could admit of such language being submitted to a personage so ex- alted. Now, it is obvious, that the poet never would have presumed to write in such a strain, had it been deemed at the time so peculiarly offensive ; and this poem only furnishes an additional proof that females, even of the highest rank, at that time, were not re- markable for that sensitive delicacy which belongs to a more refined state of society. Several of his other effusions are mere pleasantries, flowing from a mind alive to the peculiarities of character and situation presented to his view by individuals well known at court, and written without any design of gratifying a spirit of malevolence. Such are his verses on James Doig, his Testament of Andrew Kennedy, his allusions to the King's amours, his ballad of the Freir of Tungland, and his Dance in the Queen's chamber. In this Dance he scruples not to hold him- self up to ridicule, by representing himself*^" dancing in no very decorous attitude, and as the avowed lover of Mistress Musgraif, one of the Queen's ladies of ho-

^- Of Duubar's personal appearance, no kind of description bas been preserved ; nor is any portrait of bira known to be in existence. I have also searcbed in vain to discover some specimen of tbe Poet's handwriting.

58 MEMOIRS OF

nour, who had come in her train from England. But no person, in delineating Dunbar's character from his own writings, would be so absurd as to imagine that he meant to avow himself chargeable with all, or even a tithe of the enormities, contained in his Table of Con- fession ; which is a mere modus confitendi, intended, according to the forms of the Romish ritual, to suggest to every class of penitents, the particular points ap- plicable to each individual case in confession. The Flyting with Kennedy, though now the most ob- scure of all his poems, was probably one of the most popular, and met with several imitators during the sixteenth century .'^^ But the delicate reader need fear no great contamination from its perusal, for while it exhibits a remarkable proof of the copiousness and fertility of our language in scurrilous and sarcastic epithets, it requires more than ordinary skill to be fully sensible of the caustic nature of its raillery. His Tournament of the Soutar and Tailor, is also a very coarse, but it is likewise a highly ludicrous picture. It is, however, a pleasure to turn from such a species of vituperative amusement, to consider the grave reflec- tive cast of his moral and devotional poems ; nor will the reader among these forbear (in the words of an elegant writer) ' to admire the sweet moral pathos which has given an undying charm to the beautiful stanzas on Winter.'''*

It has been supposed that the pageants and inter-

"^ See Notes upon the Flyting, in vol. ii. *' Drake's IMoinings in Spring, vol. ii. p. 8.

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 59

ludes of that age must have quickened Dunbar's in- vention in forming his grotesque groups — but we might enquire who were the writers of such pageants and interludes ? Dunbar himself informs us that he was in the constant habit of exercising his fancy in such compositions, — although the exact nature of these plays and interludes cannot be well ascertained, as pro- bably few, if an)'-, of them now exist. They might be short compositions, either for recitation, like ' the Droichis part of the play,'''^ or, written in dialogue, for a species of acting during the intervals of dancing, or in the disguisings, with the exhibition of which the Scot- ish monarch seems to have been delighted. One of the most striking features, at least, of Dunbar's ge- nius, is his power of allegorical invention. The old poets carried this species of composition to excess, almost every thing being conveyed in the form of ab- stract or moral personification, with a prolixity not adapted to compensate for the want of interest in such cold and fanciful abstractions. In the Goldyn Terge, Dunbar's most elaborate work of the kind, the poet

*^ This singular poem, in wtich the Genius of Wealth is represented as a pigmy or dwarf, boasting, however, of his great prowess and strength, although now ' cryned ' in through age, undoubtedly belongs to the reign of James IV. It is written in the same measure with the ballad of the Freir of Tungland, and it might have been included in the class of ' Poems attributed to Dunbar.' Having printed it, however, in a previous collec- tion, (" Select Remains," &c., 1822, 4to,) which it is contemplated to republish uniform with the present work, it has not been inserted in these volumes.

60 MEMOIRS OF

has presented a favourable and striking specimen of this style of writing, the characters who are attendants on Lady Beauty, being not incongruous with the per- sonages of heathen mythology who are introduced, while the verses display the greatest richness of de- scription and imagery. It is, notwithstanding, to be regretted, that Dunbar and other contemporary poets should have shown such a marked predilection for al- legory, instead of cultivating more assiduously the narrative style of composition, which admitted of vivid and spirited delineations of individual character being blended with scenes drawn from familiar life, — such, for instance, as we find in the admirably managed tale of the Freirs of Berwick. ''^

In conclusion it may be observed, that we ought perhaps to consider those works of Dunbar which have been preserved, more as manifestations of what the author was capable of producing, than as present- ing to us the full and matured fruits of his genius. It cannot fail to strike the reader how great a proportion of his poems are of a mere temporary nature, refer- ring to passing events of no permanent interest, or to circumstances of no further importance, except as illustrations of his own personal fortunes. Whether the poet ever applied himself to any great achieve- ment in the walks of literature, cannot be ascertain- ed ; but we can easily conceive that some, if not many

** See vol. ii. p. 3, and the Notes to the Poem,

WILLIAM DUNBAR. 61

of his more valuable productions, might have shared the destructive fate which has deprived us of so much of the coeval literature. Yet although we have no

power to

call up him who left half-told

The story of Cambuscan bold,

there is a possibility that some additional fragments of Chepman's press, or some neglected manuscript collection may yet be discovered, that will increase our present stores. The zeal of our early collectors, unfortunately, was not regulated by the taste and judgment of later times ; and while such poems as the Flyting and the Tournament are preserved in various forms, the Thrissil and Rois, the Queen's Reception at Aberdeen, and the Satire on Edinburgh, have seve- rally been discovered in single manuscripts ; and the Welcome to Lord Aubigny on his arrival in Scotland, exists only in a mutilated printed form.

We need, however, no proofs in addition to what are furnished by the poems in this volume, to show that Dunbar possessed in no common degree, one pe- culiar and distinguishing characteristic of every great poet, — a certain transparency or purity of language, which at once conveys to the mind of the reader the exact image or conception that is intended, and which implies energetic brevity of expression. These poems, also, afford a striking proof of the singular variety and diversified nature of our author's compositions, evincing that his genius was of no ordinary kind.

62

MZMOreS OF DrXBAR.

Wken ve reflect. Aezefere, on die greatnes and varieiy €£ Dunbar's poweis, it is impossible to divine what SBck a mind as bis, onder &TOiiiable ciionn- stances, vas r^aMe of prodacing. He wbo coold, vitb tbe view of enlirening tbe ^>orts of Holvrood, pmdnee sncb a firing pictnre as tbe Dance of the Seren Deadly Sns, — and tben pass, wiibout effort, to canjnie iq» in tibe infernal regions an exbibidon of sndi faioad and eoaise bnmonr as tbe mock-tonma- meot b^ween a Tailar and a Soatar, migbt tmly be icgarded as a po^ vbose inia^;inadon was capable of any effioit ^riiaterer: — at <»e time, revelling on- emtroDed in die fields of aUegmy : — upon otber oc- rising fiam sane bomely e:sbibidon of tbe or- erentB of life, and readiing eren * the bri^itest beafvii of inventifln.'

APPEXDIX TO THE MEMOIRS OF DL-XBAR,

	mimmammmM		Mta
■	1	aL'ftiwP'P	!	^ ^^*^i		^^

APPENDIX.— NO. I.

NOTICES OF THE DUNBARS OF BEILL,

DURING THE FIFTEENTH CENTURY.

JOSPATRICK, Earl of Northumberland, maternal grandson of Ethelred, King of England, settled in Scotland after the Norman Conquest. As stated in the Memoir of the Poet, (p. 6,) he was the ^_____ ancestor of the Earls of Dunbar and March. In tracing the descent of that ancient and very- powerful family, our Peerage writers, Crawfurd, Douglas, and Wood, have varied in several particulars ; and consi- derable difficulty occurs in such an investigation, owing to the persons in succession being often of the same Christian name, and not sufficiently distinguished in the charters of the 13th and 14th centuries. In collecting some detached notices of a particular branch of that family, during the 1.5th century, it may be sufficient to observe that,

George, Tenth Earl of Dunbar and March, married Christian, daughter of Sir William Seton, and died in 1420, aged upwards of 82. In a charter, 20, Rob. III. (1392) Wawan, Colin, Patrick, and John, are mentioned as brothers

vol. i. e

66 APPENDIX. [no. I.

of George, afterwards Eleventh Earl. There was also a younger brother, Sir David, who was slain at Perth in 1437. The eldest son, George, Eleventh Earl, was attainted in Jan. 1434, after which, along with his son Patrick, he retired to England ; whose descendants, deprived of their titles and he- reditary possessions, existed for a time in comparative obscu- rity, when contrasted with the former splendour of the family.

Sir Patrick Dunbar of Beill, mentioned in the charter 1392, was fourth son of George, tenth Earl. He was taken prisoner at the battle of Homildon, 1402 ; was one of the liostages for King James tlie First, 1424 ; married pre- vious to 1426, when a safe-conduct was granted to his wife and four servants to repair to him in the Tower of London ; and was appointed ambassador to England in 1429. Two charters of Geo. de Dunbar, Earl of March, granted to Sir Patrick Dunbar of Biel, of several lands in Berwickshire, were confirmed., April 24, 1452, by King James the Second. (Reg. Magni Sig. IV. 236.)

George, Walter, and William Dunbar, are de- scribed as sons of ' Patrick of Dunbar of Bele,' in an original charter or obligation by George of Dunbar, Earl of March, to Robert of Levingston, burgess of Lythgow, dated August 10, 1440. To another deed, (being a resignation of the lands of Middle Binning, Linlithgowshire,) dated July 3, 1440, The same William Dunbar appears as a witness thus : ' Magistro Willielmo de Dunbar.' (The original deeds are preserved in the charter chest of the Earl of Rosebery, according to information communicated by John Riddell, Esq. Advocate.)

>"0. I,] APPENDIX. 67

David Dunbar of Bele, who is styled " air to um- quhile Alexander Dunbar of Bele, liis brother," and " Anna- bella Boid, spous of uraquhill Patrik Dunbar, brother of tiie said umquhile Alexander," are mentioned in a law proceed- ing regarding part of the lands of Mersinton in Berwick- shire, Oct. 10, 1488. (Acta Auditorum, p. 114.)

Hugo de Dux\bar de Bele, Sept. 12, 1489 ; in the fol- lowing charter : " 164. Rex concessit armigero suo Roberto Lauder de Edringtoune et heredibus suis — terras de Bele — Johnesclewche, — et le Clyntis, — cum turri, fortilicio et molendino de Bele, — in baronia de Dunbar, infra constabu- lariam de Hadingtoune, et vie. de Edinburghe ; — necnon terras et molendinum de Mersintoune, — cum superiore et inferiore toftis et pertinen. earundem, infra vie. de Berwik: — quas Hugo de Dunbar de Bele resignavit." (Reg. Magni Sig.)

APPENDIX.— NO. II.

NOTICES OF WILLIAM DUNBAR,

FROM THE PUBLIC RECORDS OF SCOTLAND.

PRIVY SEAL REGISTER, Vol. ii. fol. 9.

1500. A Lettre maid to Maifter Williame Dunbar of Aug. 13. the gift of ten li. of penfioune to be pait to him of our Souerane Lordis coflferis, be the The- gratis. faurare, for al the dais of his life, or quhil he be promovit be oure Souerane Lord to a bene- fice of xl ti or abone, &c. de data, xv'" Auguftj, et regni Regis xiij, [1500.] Per Signaturam.

ACCOUNTS OF THE LORD HIGH TREASURER.

1501. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar in his penfioun May 23. of Mertymes bipaft, be command of ane pre- cept, . . . . . . V ti.

July 20. Item, to Maister William Dunbar, his penfioun of the Witfonday terme bipaft, be command of ane precept, . , . . v ti.

Dec. 20. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, quhilk was payit to him efter he com furth of Ing- land, . . . . . . V ti.

1502. Item, to Maister William Dunbar, fie like, [his July 0. penfioun of Witfonday terme bipaft,] v ti.

NO. II.] APPENDIX. 69

1502. Item, to Maiiler William Dunbar, liis penfioun Nov. 12. of the faid terme of Mertymes, . v li.

1503. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, his half 5eris June 14. penfioun of the faid terme [of Witfonday

last], vti.

Nov. 12. Item, to iMaifter William Dunbar, his penfioun

of Mertymes fie lyke, . . . v ti.

1503-4. Item, the xvij day of March, to the Kingis of-

Marcb 17. ferand at Maifler W^illiam Dunbar's first mes,

vij fr. cr. ... Sra. iiij ti. xviijs.

1504. Item, to Maifler William Dunbar, his penfioun May 28. fie like, [of the terme of Witfonday bipafl,] v ti. Nov. 12. Item, to Maifter Dunbar, his penfioun ficlike,

[of the terme of Mertymes bipaft,] v tl.

1505. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, his penfioun May 4. ficlike, [of the terme of Witsonday,] vti.

Aug. 11. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, be the Kingis

command, ..... xlijs.

Nov. 11. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, his penfioun

of Mertymes, . . . . v ti.

Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, be the Kingis

command, for cans he wantit his goun at

3ule, . . . . . V ti.

Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, his penfioun

of terme forefaid, [of Witfonday,] vti.

Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, be the Kingis

command, . . . . . v ti.

Nov, 12. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, his penfioun of

the faidterrae [of Mertymes] , . v ti.

1506-7. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, in recompen-

Jan. 4. fation for his goun, . . . v ti.

1507. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, his half 3eri8

May 23. penfioun ofthe said terme [of Witfonday], vti.

1505-6.

Jan. 27.

1506.

June 2.

Aug, 1 1

70 APPENDIX. [no. II.

1507. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, his penfioun of Nov. 12. the faid terme [of Mertymes], . xti.

& new ekit. 1507-8. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, be the Kingis March 15. command, . . . . . v ti.

1508. Item, to Maifter William Dunbar, his penfioun June 15. of the faid terme [of Witfonday], . x ti.

26. Item, the xxij day of Junij, to Maifter William Dunbar, be the Kingis command, iij ti. x s.

The Treasurer s Accounts from August 1508 to August 1511, luxve not heen preserved.

PRIVY SEAL REGISTER, Vol. iv. fol. 80.

1510. A Lettre maid to Maifter William Dunbar, of the Aug. 26. gift of ane 3eirly penfioun of iiij"^ [four-scorej ti. to be pait to him at Mertymes and Witfon- gratis. day of the Kingis cofferis, be the Thefaurar that

now is, and beis for the tyme, or quhill he be promouit to [anej benefice of j*' [one hun- dred] ti.orabone, &c.; with command to the faid Thefaurar to pay the famyn, and to the Auditouris of chekker to allow, &c. At Edin- burgh the xxvj day of Auguft the 3ere forfaid [anno regni Regis xxiij, 1510.]

Per Si";naturam.

n

ACCOUNTS OF THE LORD HIGH TREASURER.

1511, Nov. 1^ Item, to Maifter William Dunbar takand

1512, May, j termlie fourtj ti. of Martimes and Wit-

fondaylaft, . . . Sm. Ixxx ti.

NO. II,] APPENDIX. 71

1511-12. Item, to Maifter William Duubar, for his 5ule Jan. 23. leveray, vj elnis ane quartar Parife blak to be

hyme ane gowne, price eln xls. Sm. xij ti. xs. Item, allowit to the faid Maifter William, attour

his leveray was tane at 5ule in anno V^xj.

[1511], v.quartaris scarlete, price iij ti.ij s. vj d.

1512. Item, the xxiiij day of December, to Maister Dec. 24. William Dunbar his Mertymes fee, be the

Kingis command, . . . xlti.

1513. Item, the first day of Aprile, to Maifter 'William April 1. Dunbar, ..... xlij s.

14. Item, the xiiij day of Aprile, gevin to Maifter

William Dunbar, . . . xlij 5.

May 14. Item, the xiiij day of Maij, to Maifter William

Dunbar in his penfioun, . . Ivj s.

Tlie Treasurers Accounts, frmn Aug. 8, XhYi^to June, 1515, liave not been preserved. In those of a subsequent date, Dunbar's name does not appear.

POEMS

BY

WILLIAM DUNBAR.

VOL. I.

THE THRISSILL AND THE ROIS.

QuHEN Merch wes with variand windis part, And Appryll had, with hir iilver fchouris,

Tane leif at Nature with ane orient blaft, And lufty May, that muddir is of flouris. Had maid the birdis to begyn thair houris 5

Aniang the tendir odouris reid and quhyt,

Quhois armony to heir it wes delyt :

In bed at morrow, fleiping as I lay.

Me thocht Aurora, with hir criftall ene,

In at the window hikit by the day, 10

And halfit me, with vifage paill and grene ; On quhois hand a lark fang fro the fplene,

A walk, luvaris, out of your flomering,

Se how the lufty morrow dois up fpring.

Me thocht frefche May befoir my bed up ftude, 15 In weid depaynt of mony diverfs hew,

Sobir, benyng, and full of manfuetude, In brycht atteir of flouris forgit new, Hevinly of color, quhyt, reid, broun, and blew,

Balmit in dew, and gilt with Phebus bemys ; 20

Quhyll all the houfe illumynit of hir lemys.

4 THE THRISSILL AND THE ROIS.

Sluglrd, fcho faid, awalk annone for fcliame, And in my honour fum thing thow go wryt ;

The lark hes done the niirry day proclame,

To raife up luvaris with confort and delyt ; 2 5 Yit nocht increffis thy curage to indyt,

Quhois liairt fiim tyme hes glaid and blisfull bene,

Sangis to mak undir the levis grene.

Quhairto, quoth I, fall I up ryfe at morrow,

For in this May few birdis herd I fihg ; 30

Thai haif moir caufe to weip and plane thair forrow ; Thy air it is nocht holfum nor benyng ; Lord Eolus dois in thy feffone ring :

So bufteous are the blaftis of his home,

Amang thy bewis to walk I haif forborne. 35

With that this Lady fobirly did fmyle, And faid, Upryfe, and do thy obfervance ;

Thow did promyt, in Mayis lufty quhyle, For to difcryve the Rois of moft plefance. Go fe the birdis how thay fing and dance, 40

Illumynit ourc with orient skyis brycht,

Annamyllit richely with new afure lycht.

Quhen this wes faid, departit fcho, this Queue, And enterit in a luAy gairding gent ;

And than me thocht, full heftely befene, 45

In ferk and mantill [eftir hir] I went In to this g^rth, moft dulce and redolent,

THE THRISSILL AND THE ROIS. 5

OS herb and flour, and tendir plantis fueit, And grene levis doing of dew doun fleit.

The purpour fone, with tendir bemys reid, 50

In oi'ient bricht as angell did appeir,

Throw goldin fltyis putting up his heid, Quhois gilt treffis fchone fo wondir cleir, That all the world tuke confort, fer and neir,

To luke upone his frelbhe and blisfuU face, 55

Doing all fable fro the hevynnis chace.

And as the blisfull foune of cherarchy

The fowlis fong throw confort of the licht ;

The birdis did with oppin vocis cry,

O luvaris fo, away thow dully nycht, 60

And welcum day that confortis every wicht ;

Haill May, haill Flora, haill Aurora fchene,

Haill princes Nature, haill Venus luvis queue.

Dame Nature gaif ane inhibitioun thair

To ferfs Neptunus, and Eolus the bawld, 65

Nocht to perturb the M^attir nor the air.

And that no fchouris [fnell] nor blaftis cawld Eifray fuld flouris nor fowlis on the fold :

Scho bad eik Juno, goddes of the iky,

That fcho the hevin fuld keip amene and dry. 70

Scho ordand eik that every bird and beift Befoii' hir Hienes fuld annone compeir,

THE THRISSILL AND THE ROIS.

And every flour of vertew, moft and leill, And every herb be feild fer and neir, As thay had wont in May, fro yeir to yeii*, 73 To hir thair makar to mak obediens, Full law inclynnand with all dew reverens.

With that annone fcho fend the fuiyft Ro To bring in beiftis of all conditioun ;

The reflles SuaUow commandit fcho alfo 80

To feche all foull of fmall and greit renown ; And to gar floiu-is compeir of all faflbun,

Full craftely conjurit fcho tlie Yarrow,

QuhUk did furth fwirk als fwift as ony arrow.

All prefent wer in twynkling of ane e, 85

Baith beift, and bird, and flour, befoir the Quene ;

And fii'ft the Lyone, gretaft of degre.

Was callit thair, and he, moft fair to fene, With a full hardy contenance and kene,

Befoir dame Nature come, and did inclyne, 90

With vifage bawld, and corage leonyne.

This awfull beift full terrible wes of cheir, Perfing of luke, and ftout of countenance,

Rycht ftrong of corpis, of faffoun fair, but feir, Lufty of I'chaip, lycht of deliverance, 95

Reid of his cullour, as is the ruby glance;

On feild of gold he ftude full mychtely,

With flour-de-lycis fuculit luftely.

THE THRISSILL AND THE ROIS.

This Lady liftit up his cluvis cleir,

And leit him liftly lene upone hir kne, 100

And crownit him with dyademe full deir,

OflF radyous ftonis, moft ryall for to fe ;

Saying, The King of Beiftis mak I the, And the cheif protector in woddis and fchawis ; Onto thy leigis go furth, and keip the lawis. 105

Exerce juftice with mercy and confcience, And lat no fmall beift fuffir fkaith na fcomis,

Of greit beiftis that bene of moir pifcence ;

Do law elyk to aipis and unicornis, -^ tos t ct t> <^ C^^

And lat ndT)owgle with his bufteous hornls 110 \:u'tfcil t

The meik pluch-ox opprefs, for all his pryd,

Bot iu the yok go peciable him befyd.

Qulien this was faid, with noyis and foun of joy,

All kynd of beiftis in to thair degre, Atonis cryit, lawd, Vive le Roy, 115

And till his feit feU with humilite ;

And all thay maid him homege and fewte ; And he did thame reflaif with princely laitis, ' Quhois noble yre is parcere proftratis.

Syne cro-wnit fcho the Egle King of Fowlis, 120 And as fteill dertis fcherpit fcho his pennis,

And bawd him be als jult to awppis and owlis, As unto pacokkis, papingais, or crennis. And mak a law for wycht fowlis and for wrennis ;

8 THE THRISSILL AND THE ROl!?.

And lat no fowll of ravyne do efFeray, 125

Nor devoir l)irdis bot his awin pray.

Than callit fcho all flouris that grew on feild, Difcirnyng" all thair faflionis and eflFeiris :

Upone the awfull Thrissil fcho beheld. And faw him kepit with a bufche of fpeiris ; 130 Confidering him fo able for the weiris,

A radius croun of rubeis fcho him gaif,

And faid, In feild go furth, and fend the laif :

And fen thow art a King, thow be difcreit ;

Herb without vertew thow bald nocht of fic pryce

As herb of vertew, and of odour fueit ; And lat no nettill vyle, and full of vyce, Hir fallow to the gudly flour-de-lyce ;

Nor latt no wyld weid, full of churlichenefs,

Compair hir till the lilleis nobilnefs : 140

Nor bald non iidir flour in fic denty

As the frefche Rois, of cuUour reid and quhyt :

For gife thow dois, hurt is thyne honefly ; Confiddering that no flour is fo perfyt. So full of vertew, plefans, and delyt, 145

So full of blisful angeilik bewty,

Imperiall birth, honour and dignite.

Than to the Rois fcho turnit hir vifage, And faid, O lufty dochtir moil benyng,

THE THRISSILL AND THE ROIS. 9

Aboif the lilly, illuftare of lynnage, 150

Fro the ftok ryell ryfing frefche and ying, Bot ony fpot or macull doing fpring : Come blowme of joy with jemis to be cround, For oure the laif thy bewty is renownd.

A coiftly croun, with clarefeid ftonis brycht, 155 This cumly Quene did on hir heid inclois

Quhyll all the land illumynit of the licht ; Quhairfoir me thocht the flouris did rejois. Crying, attonis, Haill be thow richeft Rois !

HaillhairbisEmpryce,haillfrefcheftQueneof Flouris,

To the be glory and honour at all houris.

Thane all the birdis fong with voce on hicht, Quhois mirthfull foun wes mervelus to heir ;

The mavyis fang, Haill Rois moft riche and richt, That dois up flureifs undir Phebus fpeir ; 165 Haill plant of yowth, haill Princes dochtir deir,

Haill blofome breking out of the blud royall,

Quhois pretius vertew is imperiall :

The merle fcho fang, Haill Rois of moll delyt, Haill of all flouris quene and foverane : 170

The lark fcho fang, Haill Rois both reid and quhyt, Moft plefand flour, of michty cullouris twane : The nychtingaill fang, Haill Naturis fuftragane,

In bewty, nurtour, and every nobilnefs,

In riche array, renown, and gentilnefs. 175

10 THE THRISSILL AND THE ROIS.

The commoun voce up raife of birdis fmall, Apon this wyis, O bliffit be the hour

That thow wes chofin to be our principal! ; Welcome to be our Princes of" honour, Our perle, our plefans, and our paramour, 180

Oiu- peax, our play, our plane felicite ;

Chryll the conferf frome all adverlite.

Than all the birdis fong with fie a fchout, That 1 annone awoilk quhair that 1 lay,

And with a braid 1 turnyt me about 185

^ To fe this court ; hot all wer went away : Then up I lenyt, lialflingis in affray,

And thus I wret as ye half hard to-forrow, ^

Off lufty May upone the nynt morrow.

.,!*'

THE GOLDYN TARGE.

Bryght as the ftern of day begouth to fchyne, Quhen gone to bed war Vefper and Lucyne,

I raife, and by a rofere did me reft ; Up fprang the goldyn candill matutyne, With clere depurit bemes criftallyne, 5

Glading the mery foulis in thair neft ;

Or Phebus was in purpur cape reveft Up raife the lark, the hevyns menftrale fyne

In May, in till a morow myrthfulleft.

Full angellike thir birdis fang thaii* houris 10

Within thair courtyns grene, in to thair bouris,

Apparalit quhite and red, wyth blomes fuete ; Anamalit was the felde wyth all colouris, The perly droppis fchuke in filvir fchouris ;

Quhill all in balme did branch and levis flete 15

To part fra Phebus, did Aurora grete ; Hir criftall teris I faw hyng on the flouris,

Quhilk he for lufe all drank up with his hete.

For mirth of May, wyth Ikippis and wyth hoppis. The birdis fang upon the tender croppis, 20

With curioufe notis, as Venus chapell clerkis ; Tlie rolls yong, new fpreding of thair knoppis,

12 THE GOLDYN TARGE.

War powderit brycht with hevinly beriall droppis, Throu hemes rede, hirnyng as ruby fperkis ; The fkyes rang for fchoutyng of the larkis, 25

The purpur hevyn oiire fcailit in filvir floppis Ouregilt the treis, branchis, leivis and barkis.

Doun throu the ryce a ryvir ran wyth ftremys, So luftily agayn thai lykand lemys,

That all the lake as lamp did leme of Hcht, 30 Quhilk fchadouit all about wyth twynkling glemis ; That be wis bath it war in fecund bemys

Throu the reflex of Phebus vifage brycht ;

On every fyde the hegeis raife on hicht, The bank was grene, the bruke was full of bremys,

The ftanneris clere as flernis in frofty nycht.

The criftall air, the fapher fii'mament, The ruby ftyes of tlie orient,

Keft beriall hemes on emerant bewis grene ; The rofy garth depaynt and redolent, 40

"With purpur, azure, gold, and goulis gent

Arayed was, by dame Flora the queue,

So nobily, that joy was for to lene ; The roch agayn the ryvir resplendent

As low enlumynit all the leves schene. 45

Quhat throu the mery foulys armony, And throu the ryveris foiui that ran me by.

On Florais mantill I flepit as I Lay, Quhare fone in to my dremes fantafy

THE GOLDYN TARGE. 13

I faw approch agayn the orient (ley, 50

A faill, als quhite as bloffum upon fpray, Wyth merfe of gold, brycht as the llern of clay ;

Quhilk tendit to the land full luftily, As falcoun fwift defyroufe of hir pray.

And hard on burd unto the blomyt medis, 55

Amang the grene rifpis and the redis,

Arrivit fcho, quhar fro anon thare landis Ane hundreth ladyes, lufty in to wedis, Als frefch as flouris that in May up fpredis,

In kirtillis grene, withoutyn kell or bandis : 60

Thair brycht hairis hang gletering on the llrandis In treffis clei*e, Avyppit wyth goldyn thredis.

With pappis quhite, and mydlis fmali as wandis.

Difcrive I wald, bot quho coud wele endyte

How all the feldis wyth thair lilies quhite 65

Depaynt war brycht, quhilk to the hevyn did glete : Noucht thou, Homer, als fair as thou coud wryte, For all thine ornate flilis fo perfyte ;

Nor yit thou, TuUius, quhois lippis fuete

Off rethorike did in till termes flete : 70

Your aureate tongis both bene all to lyte,

For to compile that paradife complete.

Thare faw I Nature, and als dame Venus quene, The frefch Aurora, and lady Flora fchene,

Juno, [Latona,] and Proferpyna, 75

Dyane the goddelle chafte of woddis grene,

14 THE GOLDYN TARGE.

My lady Cleo, that help of Makaris bene, Thetes, Pallas, and prudent Minerva, Fair feynit Foi'tune, and lemand Lucina,

Thir mychty Quenis in crounis mycht be fene, 80 Wyth bemys blith, bricht as Lucifera.

There faw I May, of myrthfull monethis quene, Betuix Aprile, and June, her lifter fchene,

Within the gardyng walking up and doun Quham of the foulis gladdith al be dene ; 85

Scho was full tender in hir yeris grene.

Thare faw I Nature prefent hir a goun

Rich to beliald, and nobil of renoun, Off eviry hew undir the hevin that bene

Depaynt, and braid be gude proporcioun. 90

Full luftily thir ladyes all in fere tjsir Enterit within this park of moft plefere,

Quhare that I lay oure helit wyth levis ronk ; The mery foulis, blisfuUeft of chere, Saluft Nature, me thoucht, on thair manere, 95

And eviry blome on branch, and eke on bonk,

Opnyt and fpred thair balmy levis donk, Full low enclynyng to thair Quene fo clere,

Quham of thair nobill norifing thay thonk.

Syne to dame Flora, on the famyn wyfe, 100

Thay falufe, and thay thank a thoufand fyfe ;

And to dame Venus, lufis mychty quene, Thay fang ballettis in lufe, as was the gyfe.

THE GOLDYN TARGE. 15

With amoroufe notis lufty to devife,

As thay that had lufe in thair hei-tis grene; 105 Thair hony tlirotis, opnyt fro the fplene,

With werblis fuete did perle the hevinly fkyes, Quhill loud refownyt the firmament ferene.

Ane othir court thare faw I confequent,

Cupide the king, wyth bow in hand ybent, 110

And dredefull arowis grundyn fcharp and fquare : Thare law I Mars, the god armypotent, Aiifull and fterne, ftrong and corpolent ;

Thare faw I crabbit Saturn aid and haire,

His luke was lyke for to perturb the aire ; 1 15 Thare was Mercurius, wife and eloquent,

Of rethorike that fand the flouris faire ;

Thare was the god of gardingis, Priapus ; Thare was the god of wildernes, Phanus;

And Janus, god of entree dely table; 120

Thare was the god of fludis, Neptunus ; Thare was the god of Avyndis, Eolus,

With variand luke, rycht lyke a lord unftable ;

Thare was Bachus the gladdir of the table ; Thare was Pluto, the elrich incubus, 125

In cloke of grene, this court ufit no fable.

And eviry one of thir in grene arayit, On harp or lute full merily thai playit,

And fang baUettis with michty notis clere : Ladyes to dance full foberly aflayit, 130

16 THE GOLDYN TARGE.

Endlang tlie lufly ryvir so thai mayit :

Their observance rycht hevynly was to here ; Than crap I tlirou the levis, and drew nere,

Quhare that I was richt fudaynly aiFrayit,

All throu a lake, quhilk I have boucht full dere.

And fchortly for to Ipeke, be Lufis Quene I was afpyit, fcho bad hir archearis kene

Go me arreft ; and thay no time delayit ; Than ladyes fair lete fall thair mantillis grene, With bo wis big in treffit hair is fchene, 140

All fudaynly thay had a felde arayit ;

And yit rycht gretly was I noucht aiFrayit, The party was fo plefand for to fene,

A wonder lufty bikkir me alTayit.

And firft of all, with bow in hand ybent, 145

Come dame Beautee, rycht as fcho wald me fchent ;

Syne folowit all hir damefelis yfere. With mony diverfe aufull inftrument. Unto the pres, Fair Having wyth her went,

Fyne Portrature, Plefance, and lufly Chere. 150

Than come Refoun, with fchelde of gold fo clere. In plate and maille, as Mars armypotent,

Defendit me this nobill chevallere.

Syne tender Youth come wyth hir virgyns ying, Grene Innocence, and fchamefuU Abaifing, 155

And quaking Drede, Avytli humble Obedience; The GoLDYN Targe harmyt thay no thing ;

THE GOLDYN TARGE. IT

Curage in tbame was noucht begonne to fpring ; Full fore thay dred to done a violence : Suete Womanhede I faw cum in prefence, 160

Of artilye a warld fcho did in bring, Servit wytb ladyes full of reverence.

Scbo led wytb bir Nurture and Lawlynes, Contenence, Pacience, Gude Fame and Stedfaftnes,

Difcretioun, Gentrife, and Confiderance, 165

Levefell Company, and Honefl, Befynes,

Benign e Luke, Mylde Cbere, and Sobirnes :

All tbir biire ganyeis to do me grevance ; But Refon bure tbe Targe wyih fik conftance, Tbair fcbarp aflayes mycht do no dures 170

To me, for all tbeir aufuU ordynance.

Unto tbe pres perfewit Hie Degree, Hir folovvit ay Eftate and Dignitee,

Comparifoun, Honour, and Nobill Array, Will, Wantonnes, Renoun, and Libertee, 175

RicbefTe, Freedome, and eke Nobilitee :

Wit ye thay did tbair baner bye difplay ;

A cloud of arowis as hayle fcbour loufit tbay, And fcbot, qubill waftit was tbair artilye,

Syne went abak reboytit of tbaii* pray. 180

Quben Venus had perfavit this rebute, Diflymulance fcho bad go mak perfute,

At all powere to perfe tbe Goldyn Targe ; And fcho that was of doubilnes tbe rute,

VOL. I. B

18 THE GOLDYN TARGE.

Afkit hir choife of archeris in refute. 185

Venus the beft bad hir go wale at large ; Scho tuke Prefence pliclit ankers of the barge,

And Fair Callyng that wele a flayn coud fchute, And Cherifing for to complete hir charge.

Dame Hamelynes fcho tuke in company, 190

That hardy was, and hende in arcliery,

And broucht dame Beautee to the felde agayn ; With all the choife of Venus chevalry Tliay come, and bikkerit unabailitly :

The fchour of arowis rappit on as rayn ; 195

Periloufe Prefence, that mony fyre has flayne, The bataill brouclit on bordour hard us by,

The fait was all the farar futh to fayn.

Thik was the fchote of grundyn dartis kene ;

Bot Refoun with the Scheld of Gold fo fchene, 200

Warily defendit quho fo evir affayit ; The aufuU ftoure he manly did fuftene, Quhill Prefence kefl a pulder in his ene.

And than as drunkyn man he all for way it : Quhen he was blynd the fule wyth hym thay playit, And banyft hym amang the bewis grene ;

That fory ficht me fudaynly affrayit.

Than was I woundit to the deth wele nere. And yoldyn as a wofull prifonnere

To lady Beautee, in a moment fpace ; 210

Me thoucht fcho femyt luftiar of chere,

THE GOLD YN TARGE. 19

Efter that Refoun tynt had his eyne clere, Than of before, and lufliare of face : Quliy was thou blyndit, Refoun ? quhy, allace !

And gert ane hell my paradife appere, 215

And mercy feme, quhare that I fand no grace.

Diflymulance was befy me to file,

And Fair Calling did oft apon me fmyle,

And Cheriling me fed wyth wordis fair ; New Acquayntance enbracit me a quhile, 220

And favouryt mee, quhill men mycht go a myle,

Syne tuk hir leve, I faw hir nevir mare :

Than faw I Dangere toward me repair, I coud efchew hir prefence be no wyle,

On fyde fcho lukit wyth ane fremyt fare. 225

And at the lafl departing coud hir drefle, And me delyverit unto Hevyneffe

For to remayne, and fcho in cure me tuke ; Be this the Lord of Wjnidis, wyth wodenes, God Eolus, his bugill blew I geffe ; 230

That Avith the blaft the levis all to fchuke,

And fudaynly, in the fpace of a luke, All was hyne went, thare was hot wildemes,

Thare was no more bot birdis, bank, and bruke.

In twynkling of ane eye to fchip thay went, 235 And fwyth up faile unto the top thay ftent.

And with fwift courfe atom* the flude thay frak ; Thay fyrit gunnis wyth powder violent,

20 THE GOLDYN TARGE.

Till that the reke raife to the firmament,

The rochis all refoAvnyt wyth the rak, 240

For reird it femyt that the rayn bow brak ;

"Wyth fpirit affrayde apon my fete I fprent Amang- the clewis, fo carefuU was the crak.

And as I did awake of my fueving,

The joyfuU birdis merily did fyng 24<5'

For myrth of Phebus tendir hemes fchene ; Suete war the vapouris, foft the morowing, Halefura the vale, depaynt wyth flouris ying ;

The air attemperit, fobir, and amene ;

In quhite and rede was all the felde befene, 250 Throu Naturis nobil frefch anamalyng,

In mirthfuU May, of eviry moneth Quene.

O reverend Chaucere, rofe of rethoris all, As in oure tong ane flour imperiall.

That raife in Britane evir, quho redis rycht, 255 Thou beris of Makaris the tryumph riall ; Thy frefch anamalit termes celicall

This matir coud illumynit have full brycht :

Was thou noucht of oure Inglifch all the lycht, Surmounting eviry tong terreftriall, 260

Alls fer as Mayes morow dois mydnycht.

O morall Gower, and Lydgate laureate, Your fugurit lippis and tongis aureate,

Bene to oure eris caufe of grete delyte ; Your angel mouthis moft mellifluate 265

THE GOLDYN TARGE. 21

Our rude langage has clere illumynate,

And faire oure gilt our fpeche, that imperfyte Stude, or your goldyn pennis fchupe to write ;

This lie before was bare, and defolate

Off rethorike, or lufty frefch endyte. 270

Thou lytill Quair, be ever obedient, Humble, fubject, and fymple of entent.

Before the face of every connyng wicht : I knaw quhat thou of rethorike hes fpent ; Off all liir lufty rofis redolent 275

Is none in to thy gerland fett on hicht ;

Efchame thar of, and draw the out of licht ! Rude is thy wede, difteynit, bare, and rent,

Wele aucht thou be aferit of the licht.

BEWTY AND THE PRESONEIR.

Sen that I am a Prefoneir

Till hir that faireft is and beft, I me commend, fra yeir to yeir,

In till hir bandoun for to reft ;

I govit on that gudlieft, 5

Sa lang to luk I tuik lafeir,

Quhill I wes tane withouttin teft, And led fm-tli as a Prefoneir.

Hir Sweit Having, and Frefche Bewte,

Hes wondit me but fwerd or lance; 10

With hir to go commandit me,

On till the Caftell of Pennance.

I faid. Is this your govirnance, To tak men for thair luking heir ?

Frefche Bewty fayis, Ya, Schir, perchance Ye be my Ladeis Prefoneir.

Thai had me bun din to the yett,

Quhair Strangenefs had bene porteii* ay ;

And in deliverit me thairat.

And in thir termis can thai fay, 20

BEWTY AND THE PRESONEIR. 23

Do wait, and lat him nocht away. Quoth Strangenefs unto the porteir,

On till my Lady, I dar lay, Ye be to pure a Prefoneir.

Thai keft me in a deip dungeoun, 25

And fetterit me but lok or cheyne ;

The capitane hecht Comparefone,

To luke on me he thocht greit deyne : Thocht I was wo, I diu'ft nocht pleyne.

For he had fetterit mony aiFeir ; 30

With peteous voce thus cuth I fene,

Wo is a wofull Prefoneir !

Langour wes weche upon the wall.

That nevir lleipit, hot evir wouke ; [And] Skorne wes bourdour in the hall, 35

And oft on me his babill fchuke ;

Lukand with mony a dengerous luke. — Quhat is he yone, that methis us neir ?

Ye be to townage, be this buke, To be my Ladeis Prefoneir. 40

Gud Howp [then] rownit in my eir, And bad me baldlie breve a bill ;

With Lawlinefs he fuld it heir.

With Fair Schervice fend it hir till :

I wouk and wret hir all my will. 45

Fair Schervice fure withonttin feir.

24 BEWTY AND THE PRESONEIR.

Sayand till hir, with wirdis Hill, Haif pety on your Prefoneir.

Than Lawlinefs to Petie went,

And faid till hir, in termis fchort, — 50

Lat we yone Prefoneir be fchent

Will no man do to us fupport ;

Gar lay ane fege unto yone fort ! Than Petie faid, I fall appeir.

Thocht fayis, I hecht, wun I ourthort, 55 I houp to lowfs the Prefoneir.

Than to battell thai war arreyit all, And ay the wawart kepit Thocht ;

Luft bure the benner to the wall,

And Biffinefs the grit gyn brocht. 60

Skorne cryis out, fayis, Wald ye ocht ?

Luft fayis, We wald haif entre heir. Comparifone fayis. That is for nocht.

Ye will nocht wyn the Prefoneir.

Thai thairin fchup for to defend, 65

And thai thairfurth failyeit ane hour : Tlian Biffinefs the grit gyn bend,

Straik doun the top of the foir tour.

Comparifone began to lour, And cryit furth, I yow requeir, 70

Soft and fair, and do favour. And tak to yow the Prefoneir.

BEWTY AND THE PRESONEIR. 25

Thai fyrit the yettis deliverly

With fag'gottis wer grit and huge; And Strangenefs, quhair that he did ly, 75

Wes brint in to the porter luge.

Luftely thay lakit hot a Juge, Sik ftraikis and ftycliling wes on fteir ;

The femelieft wes maid affege, To quhome that he wes Prefoneir. 80

Thruch Skornes nofe thai put a prik,

This he wes banift and gat a blek ; Comparifone wes erdit quik,

And Langour lap and brak his nek ;

Thai failyeit faft all the fek, 85

Luft chafit my Ladeis chalmirleir,

Gud Fame wes drown it in a fek, Thus ranfomit thai the Prefoneir.

Fra Sklandir hard Luft had undone

His ennemeis, him aganis 90

AiTemblit ane femely fort fuU fone,

And raifs and rowttit all the plan is ;

His cufing in the Court remanis, Bot Jaloufe folkis and Geangleii'is,

And fals Invy that no thing lanis, 95

Blew out on Luvis Prefoneir.

Syne Matremony, that nobill king Was grevit, and gadderit ane grit oft,

26 BEWTY AND THE PRESONEIR.

And all enermit without lefing,

Cheft Sklander to the Weft Se coft ; 100

Than was he and his linege loft, And Matremony, withouttin weir,

The band of freindfchip hes indoft Betuix Bewty and the Pi'efoneir.

Be that of eild wes Gud Faraifs air, 105

And cummyne to continuatioun, And to the Court maid his repair,

Quhair Matremony than woir the crowne ;

He gat ane confirmatioun, All that his Modir audit but weir : 1 10

And baid ftiU, as it wes reflbne, With Bewty and the Prefoneir.

TO A LADYE.

SwEiT Rois of vertew and of gentilnefs.

Delytfum Lyllie of everie luftynefs, Richell in bontie, and in bewtie cleir, And everie vertew that is [held moft] deir,

Except onlie that ye ar raercylefs. 5

In to your garthe this day I did perfew, Thair faw I flowris that frefche wer of hew ;

Baithe quhyte and reid raoift lufty wer to feyne, And halfum herbis upone ftalkis grene ; Yit leif nor flour fynd could I nane of Rew. 10

I dout that Merche, with his cauld blaftis keyne, Hes flane this gentill herbe, that I of mene ;

Quhois petewous deithe dois to my heart fie pane That I wald niak to plant his rute againe, So confortand his levis unto me bene. 15

THE VISITATION OF ST FRANCIS.

This nyclit befoir the clawing cleir Me thocht Sanct Francis did to me appeir, With ane religioufe abbeit in his hand, And faid, In this go cleith the my fervand, Refuifs the warld, for thow mon be a Freir. 5

With him and with his abbeit bayth I fkarrit, Lyk to ane man that with a gaift wes marrit :

Me thocht on bed he layid it me abone ;

But on the flure delyverly and fone I lap thaii" fra, and nevir wald cum nar it. 10

Quoth he, Quhy fkai'ris thow with this holy weid ?

Cleith the thairin, for weir it thow moft neid ; Thow that lies lang done Venus lawis teiche, Sail now be freir, and in this abbeit preiche ;

Delay it nocht, it mon be done but dreid. 15

Quoth I, Sanct Francis, loving be the till. And thankit mot thow be of thy gude will

To me, that of thy claithis are fo kynd ;

Bot thame to weir it nevir come in my mynd ; Sweit Confeflbur, thow tak it nocht in ill. 20

THE VISITATION OF ST FRANCIS. 29

In haly legentlis haif I hard allevin,

Ma fanctis of bilchoppis, nor freiris, be fie fevin ;

Off full few freiris that hes bene fanctis I reid ;

Quhairfoir ga bring to me ane bifchoppis weid, Gife evir thow wald my faule yeid unto hevin. 25

My brethir oft hes maid the fupplicationis, Be epiftillis, fermonis, and relationis,

To tak this abbeit ; hot thow did poftpone ;

But furder procefs, cum on thairfoir anone All circumilance put by and excufationis. 30

Gif evir my fortoun wes to be a freir, The dait thairof is paft full mony a yeir ; For in to every lufty toun and place, Off all Yngland, from Berwick to Kalice, I haif in to thy habeit maid gud cheir. 35

In freiris weid full fairly haif I fleichit, In it haif I in pulpet gone and preichife

In Derntoun kirk, and eik in Canterberry ;

In it I paft at Dover oure the ferry, Thi-ow Piccardy, and thair the peple teichit. 40

Als lang as I did beir the freiris ftyle, In me, God wait, wes mony wrink and wyle ; In me wes fiiUet with every wicht to flatter, Quhilk mycht be flemit with na haly watter ; I wes ay reddy all men to begyle. 45

30 THE VISITATION OF ST FRANCIS.

The freir that did Sanct Francis thair appeir, Ane feind he wes in liknes of ane freir ;

He vaneift away with ftynk and fyrrie fmowk ;

With him me thocht all the houfe end he towk, And I awoik as wy that wes in weir. 50

DUNBAR'S DREAM.

This hinder nyclit half-fleiping as I lay, Me thocht my chalmer in ane new aray Was all depaynt with many diverfs hew, Of all the nobill ftoryis aid and new, Sen oure firft father formed was of clay. 5

Me thocht the lift all bricht with lampis lycht, And thair in enterrit many lullie wicht, Sura young, fum old, in findry wyfe arayit, Sum fang, fum danceit, on inftrumentis fum playit, Sum maid difportis with hartis glaid and lycht. 10

Tlian thocht I thus, this is ane felloun phary. Or ellis my witt rycht wondrouflie dois varie ;

This feimes to me ane guidlie companie.

And gif it be ane freindlie fantafie, Defend me Jhefu, and his moder Marie ! 15

Thair pleafant fang, nor yett thair pleafant toun. Nor yett thair joy did to my heart redoun ;

Me thocht the drerie damiefall Diflres,

And eik hir forie filler Hevinefs, Sad as the leid, in bed lay me abone, 20

32 DUNBAR'S DREAM.

And Langour fatt up at my beddis lieid, With inftrument full lamentable and deid ; Scho playit fangis fo duilfuU to heir, Me thocht ane houre feimeit ay ane yeir ; Hir hew was wan and wallowed as the leid. 25

Than com the ladyis, danceing in ane trace, And Nobilnes befoir thame come ane fpace,

Saying, with cheir bening and Avomaiily,

I fe ane heir in bed oppreliit ly, My fifteris go and help to get him grace. 30

With that anon did ftart out of a dance Twa fifteris, callit Confort and Pleafance, And with twa harpis did begin to fing, Bot I thair of mycht tak na rejoleing. My Hevinefs oppreft me with fic mifchance. 35

Thay faw that I nocht glaidder wax of cheir, And thair of had thai winder all but weir,

And laid ane lady that Perfaveing hicht.

Of Hevinefs he feillis fic a Avecht, Your melody he pleiffis nocht till heir. 40

Scho and Diftres hir fifter dois him greve : Quod Nobilnefs, Qiihow fall he thame efchew ? Than fpak Difcretioun, ane lady richt bening, Wirk eftir me, and I fall gar him fing, And lang o* nicht gar Langour tak hir leve. 45

DUNBAR'S DREAM. 33

And then faid Witt, GiiF thai work nocht be the, But onie dout thai fall not work be me.

Difcretioun faid, I knaw his malady.

The ftrok he feillis of melancholic, And Nobilnefs, [his] lecheing lyis in the. 50

Or evir this wiclit at heart be haill and feir, Both thou and I muft in the court appeir ; For he hes lang- maid fervice thair in vaine : With fum rewaird we mane him quyt againe, Now in the honour of this guid new yeir. 55

Weill worth the, fifter, faid Confiderance, And I fall help for to mantene the dance. Than I'pak ane wicht callit Blind EfFectioun, I fall befoir yow be, with mine electioun, Of all the court I have the governance. 60

Than fpak ane conftant wycht callit Reffoun, And faid, I grant yow hes beine lord a feffioun. In dillributioun, hot now the tyme is gone. Now I may all dillribute myne alone ; Thy wrangous deidis did evir man enfchefoun. 65

For tyme war now that this man had fum thing, That lange hes bene ane fervand to the King, And all his tyme nevir flatter couthe nor faine, Bot humblie in to ballat wyfe complaine, And patientlie indure his tormenting. 70

VOL. I. c

34 DUNBAR'S DREAM.

I counfall him be mirrie and jocound ;

Be Nobilnefs his help mon firft be found.

Weill fpokin, Reflbun,mybx-othei', quoth Difcretioun, To fett on deifs with lordis at the ceffioun,

In to tliis realme yow war worth mony ane pound. 75

Than fpak anone Anoportunitie,

Ye fall nocht all gar him fpeid without me,

For I Hand ay befoir the Kingis face ;

I fall him deiff, or ellis my felf mak chace, Bot gif that I befoir him fervit be. 80

Ane befy afkar foonner fall he fpeid,

Na fall twa befy fervandis out of dreid,

And he that afkisjnocht tynes bot his word, Bot for to tyne lang fervice is no bourd,

Yett thocht I nevir to do fic folic deid. 85

Than com anone ane callit Schir Johne Kirkepakar,

Off many cures ane michtie undertaker, Quod he, I am poffell in kirkis fevin, And yitt I think thai grow fall till ellevin.

Or he be fervit in ane, yone ballet maker. 90

And then fchir Bet-the-kirk, fa mot I thryff,

I haif of bufie fervandis foure or fyve, And all directit unto fmdrie fteidis, Ay ftill awaitting upoun kirk-menes deidis,

Fra quhom my tithingis will I heir belyff. 95

DUNBAR'S DREAM. 35

Quod Refoun than, The ballance gois unevin, That thow allace to fei"ff hes kirkis fevin, And fevin als worth kirk, nocht haifand ane, With gredines I fie this world ourgane, And fufficience dwellis nocht hot in heavin. 100

I have nocht wyt thairof, quod Temperance, For thocht I hald him evinlie the ballance ;

And, but ane cuir, full [evin] micht till him wey, Yett wiU he take ane uther and gar it fuey : Quha beft can rewll wald maifl have governance. 105

Patience to me, My friend, faid, mak guid cheir, And on the prince depend with hevinely feir,

For I full Weill dois knaw his nobill intent ;

He wald nocht, for ane bifchopprikis rent, That yow war unrewairdit half ane yeir. 110

Than as ane fary thai to duir did frak, And fchot ane gone that did fo rudlie rak,

Quhill all the aird did raird the rane bow under,

On Leith fandis me thocht fcho brak in founder,

And I ainon did walkin with the crak. 115

THE BIRTH OF ANTICHRIST.

LuciNA fchynnyng in filence of the nycht, The hevin all being full of Iternis bricht, To bed I went ; bot thair I tuke no reft, With hevie thocht fo foir I wes oppreft, That fail- I langit eftii- the dayis licht. 5

Off Fortoun I complenit hevely, That fcho to nie ftude fo contrarioufly ; And at the laft, quhen I had turnyt oft For weirines, on nie ane Hummer foft Come, with ane dremyng and a fantefy. 10

Me thocht deme Fortoun, with ane fremmit chelr, Stude me beforne, and faid on this maneir : Thow fuffir me to Avirk gif thow do weill. And preifs tlie nocht to flryfe aganis my quheill, Quhilk every warldly thing dois turne and fteir. 15

Full mony ane man I turne imto the hicht, And makis als mony full law down to licht ; Up on my ftaigis or that thow afcend, Treift weill thy trouble is neir at ane end, 19 Seing thir takinis, quhairfoir thow mark thame rycht.

THE BIRTH OF ANTICHRIST. 37

Thy trublit gaifl fall neir moir be degeft,

Nor thow in to no benifice poffefl,

Quhill that ane Abbot him cleith in ernis pennis, And fle up in the air amangis the crennis,

And as ane falcone fair fro call to weft. 2b

He faU afcend as ane horrible griphoun, Him meit fall in the air ane fcho dragoun ; Thir terrible monfteris fall togidder thrift, And in the cludis gett the Antechrift, Quliill all the air infeck of thair puyfoun. 30

Undir Satumus fyrie regioun

Symone Magus fall meit thame, and Mahoun ;

And Merlyne, at the mone, fall hym be bydand ;

And Jonet the weido, on ane btiftbme rydand, Off wichifs with ane wondir garefoun. 35

And fpie thay fall difcend with reik and fyre, And preiche in erth the Antechryftis impyre ;

Be than it fall be neir this warldis end.

With that this Lady fone fra me did wend : Sleipand and walkand wes fruftrat my del'yre. 40

Quhen I awoik my dreme it wes fo nyce,

Fra every wicht I hid it as a vyce ;

Quhill I hard tell, be mony futhfaft wy, Fle wald ane Abbot up in to the fky,

And all his fethreme maid wes at devyce. 45

38 THE BIRTH OF ANTICHRIST.

Within my hairt confort I tuke full lone, Adew, quoth I, my drery dayis ar done :

Full Weill I will to me wald never cum thrift,

Quhill that twa monis wer fene up in the lift,

Or quhill an Abbot flew aboif the mone. 50

OFF THE FENYEIT FREIR OF TUNGLAND.

As ying Aurora, with hir crillall hale, In orient fchew hir vifage pale, A fwevyng fwyth did me aflale.

Off fonnis of Satlianas feid ; Me thocht a Turk of Tartary 5

Come out of the land of Barbary, And lay forloppin in Lombardy,

Full lang in waith-man weid.

Fra baptifing for till efchewe,

Thar a religioufe man he flewe, 10

And cled him in his habit newe,

For he couth wryte and reid. Quhen kend was his diffimilans. And aU his curfit govii'nans, For fair he fled, and come in Fraunce, 15

With litill of Lombard leid.

To be a leche he feynit him thar, Quhilk mony a man mycht rew evir mar ; For he left nothii* feike nor fair

Unflane, or he hyne yeid. 20

40 THE FENYEIT FREIR

Vane organis he full clenly kervit ; Quhen of his ftraik fo mony ftervit, Dreid he had gottin that he defervit, He fled away gud Ipeid.

In Scotland than, the narreft way, 25

He come, his cunnyng till allaye, To fum man thar it was no play

The preving of his fciens. In potingary he wrocht gret pyne, He murdrell in to medicyne ; 30

The Jowe was of a gret ingyne,

And generit was of gyans.

In lechecraft he was homocide,

He wald haf for a nycht to byd,

Ane haknay and the hurt mannis hyd, 35

So melde he was of myans. His imis was rude as ony rauchtir, Quhar he leit blude it was no lauchtir, Full mony inilrumentis for llauchtir

Was in his gardyvians. 40

He couth gif cure of laxatif. To gar a wicht horfe want his lyf ; Qulia evil* allay wald, man or wyf, Thar hippis yeid hiddy-giddy. His praktikis nevir war put to preif 45

Bot I'udand deid, or gret mifcheif ;

OF TUNGLAND. 41

He had purgacioun to mak a theif To de without a wedye.

Unto no mefs preiflit the prelat,

For found of facrying bell nor lliellat ; 50

As blak fmytli brukit was his pellat,

For battiring at the ftudy. Thocht he come hame a newe maid channoun, He had difpenfit with matinnis cannoun, On him come nothir Hole nor fannoun, 55

For fmwking of the fmedye.

Me thocht feir faflbunis he aflalyeit, To mak the quinteflence, and faUyeit ; And quhen he faw that nocht avalyeit,

A federem on he tuke : 60

And fchupe in Turky for to fle ; And quhen that he did mont on hie, All fowlis farlet quhat he fuld be,

That evir did on him luke.

Sum held he had bene Dedalus, 65

Sum the Mynataur mervalufs, Sum Mertis blak fmyth Vulcanus,

And fum Saturnus cuk. And evir the cuchettis at him tuggit. The rukis him rent, the ravynis him druggit, 70 The huditt crawis his hair furth ruggit, The hevin he micht nocht bruke.

42 THE FENYEIT FREIR

The Myttane and Sanct Mertynis i'owle

Wend he had bene the hornit howle,

Thay fet upone him with a yowle, 75

And gaif liim dynt for dynt. The golk, the gormaw, and the gled, Beft him with bufrettis quhill he bled ; The fpar halk to the fpring him fped

Als fers as fyre of flynt. 80

The tarfall gaif him tug for tug, A flancliell hang in ilk a lug, The pyot furth his pennis did rug,

The llork ftraik ay but Hint ; The biffart, bifly but rebuik, 85

Scho was fo clevervis of hir cluik, His bawis he micht nocht langer bruik,

Sclio held thame at ane hint.

Thik was the clud of kayis and crawis,

Of marleyonis, mittanis, and of mawis, 90

That bikkrit at his berd with blawis,

In battell him abowt : Thay nybbillit him with noyis and cry, The rerd of thame raife to the iky, And evir he cry it on Fortoun, Fy I 95

His lyfe was in to dowt.

The ja him fkrippit with a fkryke. And ikornit him as it was lyk ;

OF TUNGLAND. 43

The egill ftrong at him did ftryke,

And rawcht him mony a rout ; 100

For feir uncunnandly he cawkit, Quhill all his pennis war drownd and drawkit, He maid a hundreth nolt all hawkit,

Beneth him with a fpowt.

He fchewre his feddereme that was fchene, 105 And flippit owt of it full clene, And in a myre, up to the ene,

Amang the glar did glyd. The fowlis all at the fedderem dang As at a monfter thame amang, 110

Quhill all the pennis of it owtljiraiig

In till the air full wyde.

And he lay at the plunge evir mair

Sa lang as any ravin did rair ;

The crawis him focht, with cryis of cair, 115

In every fchaw befyde. Had he reveild bene to the ruikis, Thay had him revin all with thair cluikis : Thre dayis in dub amang the dukis

He did with dirt him hyde. 120

The air was dirkit with the fowlis That come with yawmeris, and with yowlis, With fkryking, ilcrymming, and with fcowlis, To tak him in the tyde.

44. THE FENYEIT FREIR OF TUNGLAND.

I walknit with the noyis and fchowte, 125

So hiddowis beir was me abowte. Sen fyne I curfe that cankerit rowte Quhair evir I go or ryde.

THE DEVILL'S INQUEST.

This nycht in my fleip I wes agast, Me tliocht the Devill wes tempand faft

The people, with aithis of crewaltie ; Sayand, as throw the mercat he part,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 5

Me thocht as he went throw the way, Ane prieft IVeirit braid, be God verey,

Quhill at the alter reflavit he. Thou art my clerk, the Devill can fay,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me, 10

Than fwoir ane courtyour mekle of pryd, Be Chryllis woundis bludy and wyd,

And be his harmes wes rent on tre. Than fpak the Devill, hard him befyd,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 15

Ane merchand, his geir as he did fell, Renuncit his pairt of hevin and hell.

The Devill faid, Welcum mot thow be, Thow fall be merchand for my fell,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 20

46 THE DEVILL'S INQUEST.

Ane goldfmyth faid, The gold is fa fyne That all the workmanlchip I tyne ;

The feind reflaif me gif I lie. Think on, quoth the Devill, that thow art myne,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 25

Ane tailyour faid, In all this toun, Be thair ane better weil maid goun,

I gif me to the feynd all fre. Gramercy, tailyour, faid Mahoun,

Renunce thy» God, and cum to me. 30

Ane fowttar faid. In gud effek, Nor I be hangit be the nek,

Gife bettir butis of ledder ma be. Fy, quoth the feynd, thou fairis of blek,

Ga clenge the clene, and cum. to me, 35

Ane baxftar fayd, I forfaik God, And all his werkis, evin and od,

Gif fairar fluff neidis to be. The Devill luche, and on him cowth nod,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 40

Ane flefchour fvvoir be the facrament, And be Chryflis bind maift innocent,

Nevir fatter flefch faw man with e. The Devill faid, Hald on thy intent,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 45

THE DEVILL'S INQUEST. 4,7

The maltman fayis, I God forfaik, And mot the devUl of hell me talk,

Gif ony better malt may be, And of this kill I haif inlaik :

Renunce thy God, ^nd cum to me, 50

Ane browftar fwoir the malt wes ill, Baith reid and reikit on the kill.

That it will be na aill for me ; Ane'boll will not fex gallonis fill : OL iN^-^ vks | Z | 'i---

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 55

Be Goddis bluid, quoth the tavernnier, Thair is fie wyne in my felleir,

Hes never come in this cuntrie. Tut, quoth the Devill, thou fellis our deir,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 60

The fmyth fv^oir be rude and raip, In till a gaUowis mot I gaip,

Gif I ten dayis wan pennyis thre. For with that craft I can nocht thraip :

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 65

Ane menfl;rall faid, The feind me ryfe, Gif I do ocht but drink and fwyfe ;

The Devill faid. Than I counfall the, Exerfe that craft in all thy lyfe,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 70

48 THE DEVILL'S INQUEST.

Ane dyfour faid, with wirdis of ftryfe, The devill mot ftik him with a knyfe,

Bot he keft up fair fyifis thre ; The DevUl faid, Endit is thy lyfe,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 75

• Ane theif faid, God that evir I chaip, Nor ane flark widdy gar me gaip,

Bot I in hell for geir wald be. The Devill faid, Welcum in a raip,

Renunce thy God, and cum to me. 80

The fifche wyffis flett, and fwoir with gran is, And to the Feind faule, flefche and banis

Thay gaif thame, with ane fchowt on hie. The Devill faid, Welcum all attanis,

Renunce your God, and cum to me. 83

The reft of craftis grit aithis fwair, Thair wark and craft had na compair.

Ilk ane into thair qualitie. The Devill faid. Than withoutin mair,

Renunce your God, and cum to me. 90

THE DANCE OF THE SEVIN DEIDLY SYNNIS.

Off Februar the fyiftene nycht, Full lang befoir the dayis lycht,

I lay in till a trance ; And than I faw baith Hevin and Hell : Me thoclit, amangis the feyndis fell, 5

Mahoun gart cry ane Dance Off Schrewis that wer nevir fchrevin, Aganis the feift of Fallernis evin,

To mak thair obfervance ; He bad gallandis ga graith a gyifs, 10

And kaft up gamountis in the lliyils,

As varlotis dois in France. i

Heilie Harlottis on hawtane wyils, Come in with mony findrie gyifs,

Bot yit luche nevir Mahoun, 15

Quhill preiftis come in with bair fchevin nekkis ; Than all the Feyndis lewche, and maid gekkis,

Blak-belly and Bawfy- Broun.

VOL. I. D

50 THE DANCE OF THE

Lat fe, quoth he, now quha begynnis.

With that the fowll Sevin Deidly Synnis 20

Begowth to leip at anis. And firft of all in Dance wes Pbyd, With hair wyld bak, and bonet on fyd,

Lyk to mak vaillie wanis ; And round abowt him, as a quheill, 25

Hang aU in rumpillis to the heiU

His kethat for the nanis : ^ony prowd trumpour with him trippit, Throw Ikaldand fyre, ay as thay fkippit

Thay gyrnd with hyddoufs granis. 30

Than Yre come in with Hurt and ftryfe ; His hand wes ay upoun his knyfe,

He brandeift lyk a heir : Boftaris, braggaris, and barganeris, Eftir him paffit in to pairis, 35

All bodin in feir of weir ; In jakkis, and fcryppis, and bonettis of lleiU, Tliair leggis wer chenyeit to the heill,

Frawart wes thair affeir : Sum upoun uder with brandis beft, 40

Sum jagit utheris to the heft,

With knyvis that fcherp cowd fcheir.

Nixt in the Dance followit Invy, Fild full of feid and fellony,

Hid malyce and difpyte : 45

SEVIN DEIDLY SYNNIS. 51

, For pry vie hatrent that tratour trymlit ; Him followit mony freik diffymlit, With fenyeit wordis qiihyte : And flattereris in to menis facis ; And bak-byttaris in fecreit placis, SO

To ley that had delyte ; ,And rownaris offals lefingis, Allace ! that courtis of noble kingis Of thame can nevir be quyte.

Nixt him in Dans come Cuvatyce, 55

Rate of all evill, and grand of vyce,

That nevir cowd be content : Catyvis, wrechis, and ockeraris, w >€iv;t--' Hud-pykis, hurdaris, and gadderaris,A-A

All with that warlo went : 60

Out of thair throttis thay fchot on udder Hett moltin gold, me thocht, a fudder

As fyre-flawcht maift fervent ; Ay as thay tumit thame of fchot, Feyndis fild thame new up to the thrott 65

With gold of allkin prent.

Syne Sweirnes, at the feconnd bidding, Come lyk a fow out of a midding.

Full flepy wes liis grunyie : Mony fweir bumbard belly huddroun, 70

Mony flute daw, and flepy duddroun,

Him fervit ay with founyie ;

52 THE DANCE OF THE

He drew thame furtli in till a chenyie, And Belliall witli a brydill renyie,

Evir lafcht thame on the lunyie : 75

In Dance thay war fo flaw of feit, Thay gaif thame in the fyre a heit,

And maid them quicker of counyie.

Than LicHERY, that latldy corfe,

Came berand lyk a bagit horfe, 80

And Ydihiefs did him leid ; Thair wes with him ane ugly fort, And mony ftynkand fowll tramort,

That had in fyn bene deid : Quhen thay wer enterit in the Dance, 85

Thay wer full llrenge of countenance,

Lyke tortchis byrnand reid ; Ilk ane led uthair be the tarflis ; Suppoifs thay fyleit Avith thair arflls,

It mycht be no remeid. 90

Than the fowll monftir Gluttony, Off wame unfafiable and gredy,

To Dance he did him di'efs : Him followit mony fowll drunckart, With can and collep, cop and quart, 95

In furffet and excefs ; Full mony a waifllefs Avally-drag, With wamis unweildable, did furth wag,

In creifche that did increfs :

SEVIN DEIDLY SYNNIS. 53

Drynk I ay tbay cryit, with mony a gaip, 100 The Feyndis gaif thame halt leid to laip, Thair leveray wes na lefs.

Na menftrallis playit to thame but dowt, For gle-men thair wer haldin owt,

Be day, and eik by nycht ; 105

Except a menflrall that flew a man, Swa till his heretage he wan,

And enterit be breif of richt.

Than cryd Mahoun for a Heleand Padyane : Syne ran a Feynd to feche Makfadyane, 1 10

Far north wart in a nuke ; Be he the Correnoch had done fchout, Erfche men fo gadderit him abowt,

In Hell grit roume thay tuke : Thae tarmegantis, with tag and tatter, 115

Full lowd in Erfche begowth to clatter,

And rowp lyk revin and ruke. The Devill fa devit wes with thair yell, That in the depeft pot of hell

He fmorit thame with fmuke. 120

THE JUSTIS BETUIX THE TAILYEOUR AND SOWTAR.

NiXT at a Tornament was tryit, That lang before in Hell was cryit,

In prefens of Mahoune ; Betuix a Tailyeour and a Sowtar, A prikloufs and a hobbill clowtar, 5

Thair barrafs was maid boune. The Tailyeour, baith with fpeir and fclield, Convoyit was unto the feld,

With mony a lymmer lowne ; Of feme bytaris, and beist gnapparis, 10

Of ftomok ftelaris, and clayth knapparis

A gracelefs garifoun.

His baner borne him was before, Quharin war cloutis a hundreth fcore,

Ilk ane of diverfs hew ; 15

And all ftollyn owt of fyndry webbis. For, quhill the fe flude fillis and ebbis,

Tailyeouris will nevir be trewe. The buthman on the barrafs blent ; Allace ! he tynt all hardyment, 20

For feir he changit hew :

THE TAILYEOUR AND SOWTAR. 55

Mahoune him comfort, and maid him knycht, No ferly thocht his hart was licht. That to fie honour grew.

He hecht hiely before Mahoune, 25

That he fidd dyng the Sowtar doun,

Thocht he war wicht as mall ; Bot quhen he on the barrafs blenkit, The Tailyeouris corage a litill fclirenkit,

His hart did all oure call : 30

And quhen he faw the Sowtar cum, OflF all fie wordis he was dum.

Full fair he was agall ; For he in hart tuke fie a feunnir, A rak of fartis lyk ony thunnir, 35

Went fra him, blall for blaft.

The Sowtar to the feld him dreft. He was convoyit out of the weft,

As a defendour ftowt : Suppois he had no lully varlot, 40

He had full mony lowfy harlot,

Faft rynnand him abowt. His banir was a barkit hyd, Quharin Sanct Girnyga did glyde,

Before that rebald rowt : 45

Full Sowtar-lyk he was of laitis, For ay betwene the harnas platis,

The oyly briftit out.

56 THE JUSTIS BETUIX THE

Apon the Tailyeoiir quhen he did hike,

His hart a litill dwalmyng tuke, 50

Uneifs he myclit upfit ; In till his ftomok was fie a fteir, Of all his dyner that coil him deir,

His hreft held never a hit. To comfort him, or he raide forthir, 55

The Devill of knycht-hed gaf him ordir ;

For llynk than he did fpit ; And he about the Devillis nek Did fpewe agane a quart of hlek,

So knychtlie he him quyt. 60

Than forty tymes the Feynd cryit, Fy I The Sowtar furtli affraitlye,

Unto the feld he foucht : Quhen thai war fervit with thair fperis, Folk had a feile be thair eflPeris, 65

Thair hai'tis was baith on flocht. Thai fpurrit apon athir fyd, The horfs attour the grene did glyd,

And tham togiddir brocht ; The Tailyeour was no thing wele fittin, 70

He left the fadill all befchittin,

And to the ground he focht.

His birnes brak and maid a bratill,

The Sowtaris horfe fcai-rit with the rattill,

And round about did reile ; 75

TAILYEOUR AND SOWTAR. 57

This beift that was affrayit full evill, Ran with the Sowtar to the DeviU,

And thar vewardit him wele. Sum thing fra him the Feynde efchewit, He trowit agane to be befpewit, 80

So ftrenyt he was in ftele : He thocht he wald agane debait him, He torned his erfs and all bedrait him,

Quyte our fra nek to hele.

He lowfit it with fie a rerd, 85

Baith horfe and man flawe to the crd,

He fartit with fic a fair : Now, haif I quyt the ! quoth Mahoun ; The new maid knycht lay into fwoun,

And did all armes forfweir. 90

The DeviU gart thaim to dungeoun dryf. And tham of knycht-hed to depryf,

Difcharging tham all weir ; And maid tham harlotis agane for evir, Quhilk ftyle to kepe thai had fer levir 95

Na ony armes beir.

I had mair of thair werkis writtin, Had nocht the Sowtar bene befchittin,

With Beliallis arfs unblift ; Bot that fa gud a bourd, me thocht, 100

Sic folace to my hart it wrocht,

For lauchtir neir I brift.

58 THE TAILYEOUR AND SOWTAR.

Quliar tlirow I walkinnit of my trauns ; To put in to rememberans,

Micht no man me refift, 105

To dyte how all this thing befell Before Mahoune, the heir of hell :

Schirris, trow it gif ye lift.

AMENDIS TO THE TAILYEOURIS AND SOWTARIS.

Betuix twell houris and ellevin, I dremed ane angell came fra Hevin, With plefand llevin, fayand on hie, Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, bliil be ye.

In Hevin hie ordand is your place, 5

Aboif all Sanctis in grit folace,

Nixt God, gritteft in dignitie : Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, blift be ye.

The caufe to yow is nocht unkend,

That God mifmakkis ye do amend, 10

Be craft and grit agilitie :

Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, blefl be ye.

Sowtaris, with fchone weill maid and meit,

Ye mend the faltis of ill maid feit,

QuhairfoLr to Hevin your faulis will flie : 15 Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, bliil be ye.

Is nocht in all this fair a flyrok, That has upoun his feit a ^vyrok.

60 AMENDIS TO THE TAILYEOURIS, &c.

KnowU tais, nor mowlis in no degrie,

But ye can hyd thame : blift be ye. 20

And Tailyeouris witli well maid clais, Can mend the werfl maid man that gaifs, And mak him femely for to fe : Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, blift be ye.

Tliocht God mak ane mifFaflbnit man, 25

Ye can him all fchaip new agane,

And faffoun him bettir be fie tlu-e : Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, blift be ye.

Thocht a man haif a brokin bak,

Haif ye a gude crafty Tailyeour, quhat-rak, 30 That can it cuver with craftis (lie I Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, blift be ye.

OflF God grit kyndnefs may ye claime, That helpis his peple fra cruke and lame,

Supportand faltis with yom* fupplie : 35

Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, blift be ye.

In Erd ye kyth fie mirakillis heir,

In Hevin ye fal be Sanctis full cleir, Thocht ye be knavis in this cuntre : Tailyeouris and Sowtaris, blift be ye. 40

THE TUA MARYIT WEMEN AND THE WEDO.

A PON the Midfumer evin, mirrieft of nichtis, I muvit furth allane, neir as midnicht wes paft, Befyde ane gudlie grene garth, full of gay flouris, Hegeit, of ane huge hicht, with hawthorne treis ; Quhau'on ane bh-d, on ane branfche, fo birft out hii' notis That never ane blythfullar bird was on the beuche harde : Quhat tlirough the fugarat found of hir fang glaid, And through the favour fanative of the fueit flouris, I drew in derne to the dyk to dirkin eftir myrthis ; The dew donkit the daill, and dynarit the foulis. 10

I hard, under ane holyn hevinlie grein hewit, Ane hie fpeiche, at my hand, with hautand wourdis ; With that in haill to the hege fo hard I inthrang That I was heildit with hawthorne, and with heynd leivis: Throw pykis of the plet thorne I prefandlie luikit, 15 Gif ony perfoun wald approche within that plefand garding.

I faw Thre gay Ladels fit in ane grene arbeir. All gi'athit in to garlandis of frefche gudelie flouris ; So glitterit as the gold wer thair glorius gilt treffis, Qiihill all the greflis did glcme of the glaid hewis ; 20

62 THE TUA MARYIT WEMEN

Kemmit was thair cleir hair, and curiouflie fched Attour thair fchulderis doun fchyre, fchyning full bricht ; With curclies, caffin thame abone, of kirfp cleir and thin : Thair mantillis grein war as the grefs that grew in May

felToun, Fetrit with thair quhyt fingaris about thair fair fydis : 25 Off ferliful fyne favour war thair faceis meik, All full of fluinft fairheid, as flouris in June ; Quhyt, feimlie, and foft, as the fweit lillies ; New up fpred upon fpray, as new fpynift rofe, Arrayit ryallie about with mony rich wardour, 30

That Nature, full nobillie, annanialit fine with flouris Ofi" alkin hewis under hevin, that ony heynd knew ; Fragrant, all full of frefche odour fynefl of fmellj Ane marbre tabile coverit wes befoir thai Tlire Ladeis, With ryale cowpis apon rawis full of ryclie wynis : 35 And of thir fair Wlonkes, with Tua [that] weddit war

with Lordis, Ane wes ane Wedow, I will, wantoun of laitis. And, as thai talkit at the tabill of mony taill funde, Thay wauchtit at the wicht wyne, and warit out wourdis ; And fyne thai fpak more fpedelie, and I'parit no materis. 40

Beyrrie, faid the Wedo, ye weddit wemen ying, Quhat mirth ye fand in maryage, fen ye war menis wyffis ; Reveill gif ye rewit that rakles conditioun ? Or gif that ever ye luflSt leyd upone lyf mair Nor thame that ye your fayth lies feflinit for ever ? 45 Or gif ye tliink, Jiad ye chois, that ye wald cheis better ?

AND THE WEDO. 63

Think ye it nocht ane blift band that bindis fo fall That none unto it adew may fay hot the deithe alane ?

Than fpak ane lufly belyf, with lufty eflFeiris ; It, that ye call the blill band that bindis fo fall, 50

Is bair of blis, and bailfull, and greit barrat wirkis. Ye fpeir, had I fre chois, gif I wald cheis better ? Chenyeis ay ar to efchew ; and changeis ar fueit : Sic curlit chance till efchew, had I my chois anis, Out of the chenyeis of ane churle I chaip fuld for ever. 35 God gif matrimony were made to meU for ane yeir ! It war bot monllrous to be mair, bot gif our myndis plefit : It is agane the law of luif, of kynd, and of nature, Togiddir hartis to llrene, that llry veis with uther : Birdis hes ane better law na bernis be meikiU, 60

That ilk yeir, with new joy, joyis ane maik ; And fangis thame ane frefche feyr, mifulyeit, and con-

llant ; And lattis thair fulyeit feiris flie quhair thai pleis. Chryfl gif lie ane confiietude war in this erth holdin ! Than Weill war us wemen, that ever we may be fre ; 65 We fuld have feiris as frefche to fang quhen we wald. And gif all larbaris thair levels, quhan thai lak curage. My felf fuld be full feralie with lilkis arrayit ; Gymp, jolie, and gent, richt joyus, and gentryce, I fuld at fairis be found, new faceis to spy ; 70

At playis, and preichingis, and pilgrimages greit. To fchaw my renoun, royaly, quhair preis was of folk ; To manifell my makdome to midtitude of pepill,

64 THE TUA MAIiYIT WEMEN

And blaw my bewtie on breid, quhair bernis war mony ; That I micht cheis, and be chofin, and change quhen me lykit : 75

Than fuld I waill ane full weill, oure all the wyd realme. That fuld my womanheid weild the lang winter nicht ; And when I gottin had ane ginime, ganeft of uther, Yaip, and ying, in the yok ane yeir for to draw ; Fra I had preivit his pith the firil plefand moneth, 80 Than fuld I call me to keik in kirk, and in markat, And all the cuntre about, kyngis court, and uther, Quhair I ane galland micht get aganis the nixt yeir, For to perfurneis furth the werk quhen failyeit the tother : A forky fui-e, ay furthwart, and forfy in draucht ; 85 Nothii' febill, nor fant, nor fulyeit in labour ; Bot als frefche of his forme, as flouris in IVIay ; For all the fruit fuld I fang thocht he the flour burgeoun. I have ane wallidrag, ane worme, ane auld wobat carle, A Avaiflit wolroun, na worth bot wourdis to clatter; 90 Ane bumbart, ane dron bee, ane bag full of flewme, Ane fcabbit fkarth, ane fcorpioun, ane fcutarde behind : To fee him fcart his awin Ikyn grit fcunner I think. Quhen kidis me that carybald, than kyndillis all my forow; As birfs of ane brym hair, liis herd is als llif, 95

Bot foft and foupill as the fdk is his fary Iwme : He may weill to the fyn allent, bot fakles is his deidis. With gor is his tua grym ene gladderrit all about, And gorgeit lyk twa gutaris that wer with glar lloppit ; Bot qidien that glouraud gaill grippis me about, 100

Than think 1 hiddowiis Mahounc lies me in armes ;

AND THE WEDO. 65

Than ma na fainyne me fave fra that auld Sathaue ; For, thocht I wofe me all cleine, fra the croun doun, He will my corfe all beclip, and clap to his breift. Qiihen fchaiffyn is that aid fchalk with a fcharp rafiour, He fchowis on me his fchewill mouth, and fchedis my

lippis ; And with his hard hurcheone fk yn fa heklis he my cliekis. That as a glemand gleyd glowis my chaftis ; I fchrenk for the fcharp ftound, hot fchout dar I nought, For fchore of that auld fckrew, fchame him betide ! 110 Tlie luf blenkis of that bogill, fra his blerde ene, As Belzebub had on me blent, abafit my fpreit ; And quhen the fmy on me fmyrkis, with his fmake fmolet, He fepillis like a farcy aver, that flyrit on a gillot.

Quhen that the found of his faw fmkis in my eris, 115 Than ay renewis my noy, or he be neir cumand : Quhen I heir nemmyt his name, than mak I nyne crocis, To keip me fra the cummerans of that carll mangit, That full of eldnyng is, and anger, and all evill thewis . I dar nought luk to my luf for that lene gib, 120

He is fa full of jelufy, and engyne fals ; Ever ymagynyng in mynd materis of evill, Compafand and caftand cacis a thoufand How he fall tak me, with a trawe, at trill of ane othir : I dar nought keik to the knaip that the cop fillis, 125 For eldnyng of that aid fchrew that ever on evill thynkis ; For he is waiilit, and worne fra Venus werkis. And may nought beit worth a bene in bed of my myftirs. He trowis that young folk I yerne yeild, for he gane is,

VOL. I. E

66 THE TUA MARYIT WEMEN

Bot I may yuke all this yeir, or his yerd help- 130

Ay quhen that caribald carll wald clym on my wambe, Than am I dangerus, and dane, and dour of my will ; Yit leit I never that larbar my leggis ga betueene, To flyle my flefche, na fumyll me, without a fee gret ; And thoght his pen purly me payis in bed, 135

His purfe pays richely in recompenfe efter ; For, or he clym on my corfe, that carybald forlane, I have conditioun of a curche of kerfp all ther fyneft ; A goun of engrany t claith, right gaily furrit ; A ring with a ryall ftane, or other riche jo well, 140

Or reft of his roufty raid, thoght he wer rede wod : For all the buddis of Johne Blunt, quhen he abone clymis, Me think the baid deir aboucht fa bawch ar his werkis ; And thus I fell him folace, thoght I it four think : Fra fie a fyre, God yow faif, my fueit Sifteris deir! 145

Quhen that the Semely had faid her fentence to end, Than all thai leuch apon loft, with laitis full mery ; And raucht the cop round about full oflF riche wynis. And ralyeft lang, or thai wald reft, with ryatus fpeche.

The Wedo to the tothir Wlonk warpit thir wordis ; 150 Now, fair Sifter, fallis yow but fenyeing to tell, Sen man firft with matrimony yow menkit in kirk. How haif ye fame be your faith ? confefs us the treuth : That band to blifs, or to ban, quhilk yow beft thinkis ? Or how ye like lif to leid in to leill fpoufage ? 155

And fyne my felf ye exeme on the famyn wife.

AND THE WEDO. 67

:Aii(l I fall fay furth the futb, diflymyland no word.

The Plefand faid, I proteft, the treuth gif I fchaw, That of your toungis ye be traift : The tothir twa grantit ; With that fpraiig up hir fpreit be a fpan bechar. 160 To fpeik, quoth fcho, I fall nought fpair ; ther is no fpy neir : I fall a ragment reveil fra the rute of my hert, A rouft that is fa rankild qubill rifis my llomok ; Now fall the byle all out brift, that beild has fo lang ; For it to heir on my brift wes burdin our bevy : 165

I fall the venome devoid with a vent large, And me affuage of the fwalme, that fueUit wes gret.

My bufljand wes a hui* maifter, the hugeaft in erd, Tharfoir, I bait him with my hert, fa help me our Lord I He is a young man ryght yaip,bot nought in youthisflouris ; For be is fadit fuU far, and feblit of ftrenth : He wes as flurifing frefcbe within thir few yeris, Bot he is fulyeit full far, and falyeid in labour; He has bene lychour fo lang qubill loft is his natur, His lume is waxit larbar, and lyis in to fwoune; 175 Wes never fugeorne wer fet na on that fnaill tyrit, For efter feven oulkis reft, it will nought rap anys ; He has bene waiftit apon wemeii, or be me wif cheiiit, And in adultre, in my tyme, I baif him tane oft : And yit, he is als brankand with bonet on fyde, 180

And blenkand to the bricbteft that in the burgh duellis, Alfe curtly of his clething, and kemmyng of his hair, As be that is mair valyeand in Venus cbalmer ; He femys to be fumtbing worth, that fyphyr in hour,

68 THE TUA MARYIT WEMEN

He lukls as he wald lufEt be, tliocht he be litill of valour; He dois as dotit dog that daniys on all buffis, And liftis his leg apon loft, thoght he nought lift pifche ; He has a luke without luft, and lif without curage ; He has a forme without force, and feflbun but vertu, And fair wordis but effect, all frufter of dedis ; 190

He is for ladyis in luf a richt lufty fchadow, Bot in to derne, at the deid, he falbe drup fundin ; He railyeis, and makis repet with ryatus wordis, Ay rufing him of his radis, and rageing in chalmer ; Bot God wait quhat I think quhen he fo thra fpekis : 195 And how it fettis him fo fyde to fege of fic materis. Bot gif him felf, of fum evin, myght ane fay amang thaim, Bot he nought ane is, bot nane of naturis poflefforis.

Scho that has ane auld man nought all is begylit ; He is at Venus werkis na war na he femys : 200

I wend I jofit a gem, and I half ane geit gottin ; He had the glemying of gold, and wes bot glafe fundin : Thought men be ferfe, wele I fynd, fra failye thaii' cm-age, Thar is bot eldnyng, or anger thair hertis within. Ye fpeik of birdis on bench : of blife may thai fmg, 205 That, on fanct Valentynis day, ar vacandis ilk yeir : Hed I that plefand prevelege to part quhen me likit, To change, and ay to clieife agane, than, Chaftite, adew I Than fuld I haif a frefch feir to fang in myne armes : To hald a freke, quhill he faynt, may foly be callit. 210

Apone fic materis I mufe, at mydnyglit, full oft. And murnys fo in my mynd, I murdris my felfin ; Than ly I walkand for wa, and walteris about

AND THE WEDO. 69

Wariand off my wickit kyn, tliat me away caft, To flc a craudoune, but curage, that knyt my cler bewte; And ther fo mony kene knyghtis this kenrik within : Than think I on a femelyar, the futh for to tell, Na is our fyre be lie fevin ; with that I fych oft : Than he ful tenderly dois turne to me his tume perfoun, And with a yoldin yerd, dois yolk me in armys ; 220 And fays, My foverane fueit thing, quhy lleip ye no

better ? Me think ther haldin yow a hete, as ye fum harme aUyt. Quoth I, My hony, hald abak, and handill me nought fair ; A hathe is happinit haftely at my hert rut. With that I feme for to fwoune, thought I nafwerftak ; 225 And thus befwik I that fwane, with my fueit wordis : I caft on him a crabbit e, quhen cleir day is cummyn, And leitis it is a luf blenk, quhen he about glemys, I turne it in a tender luke, that I in tene warit, And him behaldis liamely, with hertly fmyling. 230

I wald a tender peronall, that myght na put thole, That liatit men with hard geir, for hurting of flefch, Had my gud man to liir geft ; for I dar God fuer, Scho fuld not ftert for his ftraik a ftray breid of erd. And fyne, I wald that ilk band, that ye fo blilt call, 235 Had bund him fo to that bryght, quhiU his bak werkit ; And I AVer in a bed broght Avith berne that me likit, I trow, that bird of my blis fuld a bourd want.

Onone quhen this Amyable had endit hir fpeche, Loudly lauchand the laif allowit hir mekle : 240

70 THE TUA MARY^IT WEMEN

Thir gay Wiffis maid game amang the grene leiffis ; Thai drank, and did away dole, under derne bewis ; Thai fwapit of the fueit wyne, thai fwan quhit of hewis, Bot all the pertlyar in plane thai put out thair vocis.

Than faid the Weido, I wis ther is no way other ; 245 Now tydis me for to talk ; my taill it is nixt : God my fpreit now infpir, and my fpeche quykkin, And fend me fentence to fay, fubftantious, and noble ; Sa, that my preching may pars your perverft hertis, And mak you mekar to men in maneris and conditiounis.

I fcliaw you, Sifteris in fchrift, I wes a fchrew evir, Bot I wes fchene in my fchrowd, and fchew me innocent ; And thought I dour wes, and dane, difpitois, and bald, I wes diflymblit futtelly in a fanctis liknes : I femyt fober, and fueit, and fempill without fraud, 255 Bot I couth fexty diffaif that futtillar wer haldin.

Unto my leffon ye lyth, and leir at me wit, Gif you nought lift be forleit with lofingeris untrew : Be conftant in your governance, and counterfeit gud ma- neris. Thought ye be kene, and inconftant, and cruell of mynd ; Thought ye as tygris be terne, be tretable in luf ; And be as turtoris in yom* talk, thought ye liaif talis

brukiU ; Be dragonis baithe and dowis, ay in double forme, And quhon it nedis you, onone, note baith ther ftranthis ; Be amyable with humble face, as angellis apperand, 265 And with a terrebill tail be ftangand as cdderis ;

AND THE WEDO. 71

Be of your luke likeinnocentis, thoght ye half evUlmyndis ; Be courtly ay in clething, and coftly arrayit, That hurtis yow nought worth a hen ; your hufbandpays for alL Twa hufbandis haif I had, thai held me baith deir, 270 Thought I difpytit thaim agane, thai fpyit it na thing : Ane wes ane hair hogeart, that hoftit out flewme ; I hatit him like a hund, thought I it hid preve : With kiffing, and with clapping, I gert the carill fon ; Weil couth I claw his cruke bak, and kerne his cowit noddiU, 275

And with a bukky in my cheik bo on him behind ; And with a bek gang about, and bier his aid e ; And with a kyind countenance kys his crynd chekis ; In to my mynd makand mokis at that mad fader, Trowand me with trew lufe to treit him fo fair : 280 This couth I do without dule, and na difes tak, Bot ay be mery in my mynd, and myrthfull of cheu-.

I had a luffuramar leid, my lull for to flokyn, That couth be fecrete and fure, and ay faif my honour. And few bot at certayne tymes, and in ficir placis ; 285 Ay Avhen the aid did me anger, with akword wordis, Apon the galland for to goif it gladit me agane. I had fie wit that for wo weipit I bot litill ; Bot leit the fueit ay the four to gud fefone bring. Quhen that the chuf wald me chid, with girnand chaftis, I wald lum chuk, cheik and chyn, and cheris lum fo mekill ; That his cheif chymys had chevift to my fone, Suppois the churll wes gane cliaift, or the child wes gottia :

12 THE TUA MARYIT WEMEN

As wife woman ay I wrought, and nought as wod ftUe, For mair with wylis I wan na wichtnes of handis. 295

Syne maryit I a merchand, myghti of gudis : He was a man of myd eld, and of mene flatur ; Bot we na fallowis wer in frendfchip and blud, In fredome, na furth bering, na fairnes of perfoune ; Quhilk ay the fule did foryet, for febilnes of knawlege; Bot I fa oft thoght him on quhill angrit his hert, And quhilum I put furth my voce, and Pedder him callit : I wald ryght tuichaudly talk, be I wes tuyfe maryit, For endit wes my innocence with my aid hufband: 1 wes apperand to be pert within perfit eild ; 305

Sa fais the curat of our ku-k, that knew me full ying : He is our famous to be fals, that fair worthy prelot ; I falbe laith to lat him le, quhill I may hike furth. I gert the buthman obey, ther wes no bute ellis ; He maid me ryght hie reverens, fra he my rycht knew : Foi*, thocht I fay it my felf, the feverance was mekle, Betuix his baliard blude, and my birth noble. That page wes never of fic price for to prelbme anys Unto my perfone to be peir, had pete nought grantit. Bot mercy in to womanheid is a mekle vertu : 315

For never bot in a gentill hert is generit ony ruth. I held ay grene in to his mynd that I of grace tuk him. And for he couth ken him felf I curtafly him lerit : He durfl not fit anys my fummondis ; for, or the fecund

charge, He wes ay redy for to ryn ; fo raid he wes for blame. 320

AND THE WEDO. 73

Bot ay my will wes the war of womanly natur ; The mair he loutit for my luf, the les of him I rakit ; And eik, this is a ferly thing, or I him faith gaif, I had fie favour to that freke, and feid fyne for ever.

Quhen I the cur had all clene, and him our cummyn haill, I crew abone that craudone, as cok that wer victour ; Quhen I him faw fubject, and fett at myn bydding, Than I him lichtlyit as a lowne, and lathit his maneris. Than woxe I fa unmerciable to martir him I thought, For, as a beift, I broddit him to all boyis laubour : 330 I waldhaif ridden him to Rome, with ane raip in his held, "Wer not ruffill of my renoune, and rumour of pepill. And yit hatrent I hid within my hert all ; Bot quhilis it hepit fo huge, quhill it behud out : Yit tuk I nevir the wofp clene out of my wyde throte, 335 Quhill I oucht wantit of my will, or quhat I wald defir. Bot quhen I feverit had that fyre of fubflance in erd ; And gottin his biggingis to my bame, and his burrow

landis ; Than with a flew ftert out the ftoppell of my hals. That he all flynyll tlii'ou the Hound, as of a ftele wappin. Than wald I, efter lang, fii'ft fa fane haif bene wrokin. That I to flyte wes als fers as a fell dragoun. I had for flattering of that fule fenyeit fo lang, Mi evidentis of heritagis or thai wer all felit ; My breill that wes gret beild, bowdyn wes fa huge, 345 That neir my baret out brift or the band makin ; Bot quhen my billis, and my bauthles wes all braid felit, I wald na langar beir on bridill, bot braid up my held ;

74 THE TUA MARYIT WEMEN

Thar myglit na molet mak me moy, na hald my mouth in : I gert the renyeis rak, and rif in to fondir ; 330

I maid that wif carll to werk all womenis werkis, And laid all manly materis, and menfk in this eird. Than faid I, to my cumaris, in counfall about, Se how I cabeld yone cout with a kene brydill ! The cappill, that the crelis keft in the caf mydding, 355 Sa ctu-tafly the cart di'awis, and kennis na plungeing, He is nought Ikeich, na yit (leer, na fcippis nought on fyd : And thus the fcorne and the fcaith fcapit he nothir.

He wes no glaidlum geft for a gay lady, Tharfoir, I gat him a game that ganyt him bettir ; 360 He wes a gret goldit man, and of gudis riche ; I leit him be my lumbart to lous me all mifteris, And he wes fane for to fang fra me that fair office, And tlioght my favoris to fynd through his feill giftis. He grathit me in a gay lilk, and gudly array is ; 365

In gownis of engranyt clayth, and gret goldin chenyeis ; In ringis ryally fet with riche ruby ftonis, Quhill hely raife my renoune amang the rude peple; Bot I full craftely did keip thai courtly Avedis, Quhill eftir dede of that di'upe, that docht nought in chalmer : 370

Thought he of all my clathis maid cofl and expenfe, Ane othir fall the worfchip half, that weildis me efter ; And thoght I likit him bot litill, yit for the luf of othei'is, I wald me prunya plefandly; in precius wedis, That luffaris myght apon me hike, and ying lufly gal- landis, 375

AND THE WEDO. 75

That I held more in daynte, and derer be ful mekill,

Ne him that dreffit me fo dink : full dotit wes his heyd.

Quhen he wes heryit out of hand, to hie up my honoris,

And payntit me as pako, proudeft of fedderis,

I him mifkennyt, be Clirift ; and cukkald him maid ; 380

I him forleit as a lad, and lathlyit him mekle :

I thoght my felf a papingay, and him a plukit herle ;

All thus enforfit he his fa, and fortifyit in Ilrenth,

And maid a llalwart ftaff to ftrik liirn felfe doune.

Bot of ane bowrd in to bed I fall yow breif yit : 385 Quhen he ane hail year wes hanyt, and him behuffit rage, And I wes laith to be loppin with fie a lob avoir, Alfe lang as he wes on loft, I lukit on him never ; Na leit never enter in my thought that he my thing perfit. Bot ay in mynd ane other man ymagynit that I haid ; 390 Or ellis had I never mery bene at that myrthles raid. Quhen I that grome geldit had of gudis, and of natur. Me thought him gracelefe on to goif, fa me God help : Quhen he had warit all on me his welth, and his fubftance, Me thought his wit wes all went away with the laif ; 395 And fo I did him difpife, I fpittit quhen I faw That fuper fpendit evill fpreit, fpiUyeit of all vertu. For, Weill ye wait, Wiffis, that he that wantes riches. And valyeandnes in Venus play, is ful vile haldin ; Full frufter is his frefch array, and fairnes of perfoune, 400 All is bot frutlefe his effeir, and falyeis at the up with.

I buflcit up my barn is like baronis fonnis, And maid bot fulis of the fry of his firft wif : I banyft fra my boundis his brether ilkane ;

76 THE TUA MARYIT WEMEN

His frendis as my fais I held at feid ever ; 405

Be this, ye beleif may, I luffit nought him felf, For never I likit a leid that langit till his blude : And yit thir wifemen, thai wait that all wiflBs evill Ar kend with tliair conditionis, and knawin with the famin.

Deid is now that dyvour, and doUin in erd : 410

With him deit all my dule, and my drery thoghtis ; Now done is my dolly nyght, my day is upfpringin, Adew dolour, adew ! my daynte now begynis : Now am I a wedow, I wis, and weill am at efe ; I weip as I wer woful, bot wel is me for ever ; 415

I bufk as I wer bailfull, bot blith is my hert ; My mouth it makis murnyng, and my mynd lauchis ; My clokis thai ar cairfull in colour of fabill ; Bot courtly and ryght curyus my corfe is ther undir : I drup with a ded luke, in my dule habit, 420

As with manis daill I had done for dayis of my lif.

Quhen that I go to the kirk, cled in cair weidis. As foxe in a lambis fleife fenye I my cheir ; Than lay I furth my bright buke on brcid on my kne, With mony lufty letter ellummynit with gold ; 425

And drawis my clok forthwart our my face quhit. That I may fpy, unalpyit, a ipace me belide : Full oft I blenk by my buke, and blynis of devotioun. To fe quhat berne is bell brand, or bredeft in fchulderis, Or forgeit is maift forcely, to fixrnyfe a bancat 430

In Venus chalmer, valyeandly, withoutin vane rufe : And, as the new mone, all pale, oppreffit with change,

AND THE WEDO. 77

Kythis qulillis her cleir face, through cluddis of fable,

So keik I through my clokis, and caftis kynd hikis

To knychtis, and to cleirkis, and courtly perfonis. 435

Quhen frendis of my hufbandis behaldis me on fer, I half a water fpunge for wa, within my wyde clokis, Than wring I it full wylely, and wettis my chekis ; With that watteris myn ene, and welteris doune teris. Than fay tliai all, that fittis about, Se ye nought, aUace ! Yone luftlefe leid fo lelely fcho luffit hir hulband : Yone is a pete to enprent in a princis hert, That fie a perle of plefance fuld yone pane dre I I fane me as I war ane fanct, and femys ane angell ; At langage of lichory I leit as I war crabit : 445

I fich, without fair hert, or feiknes in body ; According to my fable weid I mon haif fad maneris, Or thai will fe all the futh ; for certis, we women We fet us all fra the I'yght to fyle men of treuth : We dule for na eviU deid, fa it be derne haldin. 450

Wife women has wayis, and wonderfull gydingis With gret engyne to bejaip ther jelyus hulbandis ; And quyetly, with fic craft, convoyis our materis That, under Clu'ill, no creatur kennis of our doingis. Bot folk a cury may mifcuke, that knawledge wantis, 455 And has na colouris for to cover thair awne kindly fautis ; As dois thir damyfellis, for derne dotit lufe, Thatdogonis haldis in dainte, and delis with thaim fo lang, Quhill all the cuntre knaw ther kyndnes, and faith : Faith has a fair name, bot faliheid fai'is better : 460

Fy on hir that can nought feyne her fame for to faif !

78 THE TUA MARVIT WEMEN

Yet am I wife in lie werk, and wes all my tyme ; Thoglit I want wit in warldlynes, I wylis liaif in luf, As ony happy woman has that is of hie blude : Hutit be the halok lafe a liunder yeir of eild I 465

I have ane fecrete fervand, rycht fobir of his toung, That me fupportis of fic nedis, quhen I a fyne mak : Thoght he be fympill to the ficht, he has a tong liekir ; Full mony femelyar fege wer fervice dois mak : Thought I half cair, under cloke, the cleir day quhill nyght, 470

Yit half I folace, under ferk, quhill the fone ryfe.

Yit, am I haldin a haly wif our all the haill fchyre, I am fa peteoufe to the pur, quhen thair is perfonis mony In paffing of pilgrymage I pride me full mekle, Mair for the prefe of peple, na ony perdoun wynyng. 475

Bot yit, me think, the beft bourd, quhen baronis and knychtis, And othir bachilleris, blyth blumyng in youth, And all my luffaris lele, my lugeing perfewis ; And fillis me wyne wantonly, with weilfair and joy : Sum rownis ; and fum ralyeis ; and fum redis ballatis ; 480 Sum raiffis fiirth rudly with riatus fpeche ; Sum plenis, and fum prayis ; fum praifis my bewte, Sum kiffis me ; fum clappis me ; fum kyndnes me proferis ; Sum kerffis to me curtalli ; fum me the cop giffis ; Sum Italwardly fteppis ben, with a llout curage, 485 And a ftif ftandand thing ftaiffis in my neiff ; And mony blenkis ben our, that but full fer fittis. That mai nought, for the thik thrang, thrif as thai wald.

AND THE WEDO. 79

Bot, with my fair calling, I comfort tliaim all :

For he that fittis me nixt, I nip on his finger ; 490

I ferf him on the totliir fyde on the famin faffon ;

And he that behind me fittis, I hard on him lene ;

And him befor, with my ftit faft on his I ftramp ;

And to the bernis far but fueit blenkis I caft :

To every man in fpeciall fpeke I fum wordis, 495

So wifly, and i'o womanly, quhill warmys thair hertis.

Thar is no liffand leid fo law of degre That fall me luf unluffit, I am fo loik hertit ; And gif his luft fo be lent, into my lyre quhit, That he be loft or with me lig, his lif fall nocht haif danger ; 500

I am fo mercifull in mynd, and menys all wichtis, My fely faull, falbe faif, quhen fa bot all jugis. Ladyis leir thir leffonis, and be no laffis fundin : This is the Legeand of my lif, thought Latyne it be nane.

Quhen endit had her ornat fpeche this eloquent Wedow, Lowd thai leucli all the laif, and loiffit hir mekle ; And faid, thai fuld exampill tak of her foverane teching, And wirk efter hir wordis, that woman wes fo prudent. Than culit thai thair mouthis with confortable drinkis ; And carpit fuU cummerlik, with cop going round. 510

Thus draif thai om- that deirnight, with danceisfidl noble, QuhiU that the day did up daw, and dew donkit the flouris; The morow myld wes and meik, the mavis did fing, And all remuffit the myft, and the meid fmellit ;

80 THE TUA MARYIT WEMEN, &c.

Silver fchouris doune fchuke, as the fcliene criftall, 515 And birdis fchoutit in fchaw, with thair fchill notis ; The goldin glitterand gleme, fo gladit thair hertis, Thai maid a glorius gle amang the grene hewis. The foft fouch of the fwyr, and foune of the ftremys, The fueit favour of the 1 ward, and Tinging of foulis, 520 Myght confort ony creatur of the kyn of Adam ; And kindill agane his curage thocht it wer cald (loknyt.

Than rais thir ryall roifis, in thair riche wedis, And rakit hame to thair reft, tlirough the rife blumys ; And I all prevely paft to a plefand arber, 525

And with my pen did report thau' paftance moft mery.

Ye Auditoris, moft honorable, that eris has gevin Onto this uncouth Aventur, quhilk airly me happinnit ; Of thir Thre Wantoun Wiffis, that I haif writtin heir, Quhilk wald ye waill to your Wif, gif ye fuld wed one ?

THE TWA CUMMERIS.

Rycht alrlie on Afli Weddinfday, Drynkand the wyne fatt Cummeris Tway :

The tane cowth to the tother complene ; Graneand, and fuppand cowth fcho fay,

This lang Lentren makis me lene. 5

On cowth, befyd the fyre fcho fatt, God wait gif fcho wes grit and fatt,

Yit to be feble fcho did hir fene ; And ay fcho faid, Latt preif of that :

This lang Lentren makis me lene. 10

My fair fweit Cummer, quoth the tuther, Ye tak that nigirtnefs of your muther ;

All wyne to teft fcho wald difdane But mavafy, fcho bad nane uther :

This lang Lentren makis me lene. 15

Cummer, be glaid, both even and morrow, Thocht ye fuld bayth beg and borrow ;

Fra our lang fafting ye yow refrene. And latt your hulband dre the forrow :

This lang Lentren makis me lene. 20

VOL. I. F

82 THE TWA CUMMERIS.

Your counfale, Ciunmer, is gxid, quoth fcho, All is to tene him that I do ;

In bed he is nocht wLrth a bene : Fill f'ow the glafs, and drynk me to :

This lang Lentren makis me lene. 25

Off wyne, out of ane choppyne llowp, Thay drank twa quartis, fowp and fowp ;

Off drowth fie excefs did thame conftrene ; Be than to mend thay had gud howp :

That Lentren fuld nocht mak thame lene. 30

THE TOD AND THE LAMB.

This hindir nycht in Dumfermeling, To me wes tawld ane windiz* thing, That lait ane Tod wes with ane Lame, And with hir playit, and maid gud game ;

Syne till his breift did hir imbrace, 5

And wald haif riddin hir lyk ane Rame ;

And that me thocht ane fei-ly cace.

He braifit hir bony body fweit,

And hallit hir with |^his]] fordir feit,

Syne fchuk his tail!, with quhinge and yelp ; 10

And todlit with hir lyk ane qulielp ;

Syne lowrit on growfe, and alTiit grace. And ay the Lame cryd, Lady, help !

And that me thocht ane ferly cace.

The Tod wes nowder lene nor fkowry, 15

He wes ane lufty reid-haird lowry, Ane lang taild beift, and grit withall ; The fiUy Lame wes all to fniaU,

To fie ane tribbill to hald ane bace : Scho fled him nocht ; fair mot hir fall ! 20

And that me thocht ane ferly cace.

84 THE TOD AND THE LAMB.

The Tod was reid, the Lame wes quhyte,

Scho wes ane morfall of delyte ;

He lovit na yowis auld, teuch and Mender :

Becaus this Lame wes ymig and tendei' ; 25

He ran upoun hir with a race, And fcho fchup nevir for till defend hir :

And that me thocht ane fei'ly cace.

He grippit hir abowt the weft,

And handlit hir as he had heft ; 30

This innocent that nevir trefpaft,

Tuke hert that fcho wes handlit faft,

And lute him kifs hir lufty face : His girnand gamis hir noclit agaft ;

And that me thocht ane ferly cace. 33

He held hir till him be the hals, And fpak full fair, thocht he wes falfs ; Syne faid, and fwoir to hir be God, That he fuld nocht twich hir prene-cod.

The filly thing trowd him, allace I 40

The Lame gaif creddence to the Tod ;

And that me thocht ane ferly cace.

I will no lefingis put in verfe, Lyk as tliir jangleris dois reherfs ; Bot be quhat maner thay war mard, 45

Quhen licht wes owt, and durris wes bard, I wait nocht gif he gaif hir grace ;

THE TOD AND THE LAMB. 83

Bot all the hollis wes ftoppit hard ; And that me thocht aneJferly cace.

Quhen men dois fleit in joy maiil far, 30

Sone cumis wo or thay be war ;

Quhen carpand wer thir two mod crowfe,

The "Wolf he ombefett the houfe,

Upoiin the Tod to mak ane chace : The Lamb than cheipit lyk ane mowfe ; 55

And that me thocht ane ferly cace.

Throw hiddowis yowling of the Wowf,

This wylie Tod plat doun on growf ;

And in the lilly Lambis fkin,

He crap als far as he micht win ; 60

And hid him thair ane Weill lang fpace ; The yowis befyd thay maid na din,

And that me thocht ane ferly cace.

Quhen of the Tod wes hard no peip,

The Wowf went all had bene on lleip ; 65

And quhill tlie Tod had ftrikkin ten,

The Wowf hes dreft him to his den,

Proteftand for the fecound place : And this report I with my pen,

How at Dumfermling fell the cace. 70

DUNBAR'S DIRIGE TO THE KING AT STIRLING.

We that ar heir in Kevins glory,

To yow that ar in Purgatory,

Commendis us on our hairtly wyifs, —

I mene we folk in Parradyifs,

In Edinburgh with all mirrinefs, 5

To yow in Strivilling in diflrefs,

Quhair nowdir plefance nor delyt is,

For pety thus ane Apoftill wrytis.

O Ye Heremeitis, and Hankerfaidillis, That takis your pennance at your tabillis, 10 And eitis nocht meit reftorative, Nor drynkis no wyne confortative, Bot aill, and that is thyn and fmall ; With few courfis in to your hall, But cumpany of Lordis or Knychtis, 15

Or ony uder gudly wichtis, Solitar walkand your aUone, Seing no thing but ftok and ftone ; Out of your panefull Purgatory, To bring yow to the blils of glory, 20

DIRIGE TO THE KING. 87

Off Edinburgh, the mirry toun,

We fall begyn ane cairfull foun ;

Ane DiRiGE (levoit and meik,

The Lord of blifs doing- befeik

Yow to dely ver out of your noy, 25

And bring yow fone to Edinburgh joy,

For to be mirry araang us :

And fa the Dirige begynis thus.

Lectio Prima. The Fader, the Sone, and Haly Gaift, The mirthfuU Mary, virgene chaift, 30

Of Angellis all the ordouris nyne, And all the Hevinly Court devyne, Sone bring yow fra the pyne and wo Of Strivilling, every court raanis fo, Agane to Edinburghs joy and blifs, 35

Quhair wirfchep, walth, and weilfair is, Play, plefance, and eik honefty : Say ye, Amen, for Cheritie.

Responsio.

Tak confolatioun in your pane,

In tribulatioun tak confolatioun, 40

Out of vexatioun cum hame agane,

Tak confolatioun in your paine. Out of diftrefs of Strivilling toun To Edinburghs blifs, God inak yow boun I

88 DUNBAR'S DIRIGE

Lectio Secunda. Patriarchis, Profeitis, and Appoftillis deir, 45 Confeffouris, Virgynis, and Marteris cleir, And all the Saitt Celeftiall, Devotely we upoiin thame call, That fone out of your panis fell, Ye may in Hevin heir with us dwell ; 50

To eit fwan, cran, pertrik, and plever, And every fifche that fwymis in rever ; To dx'ynk with us the new frefche wyne, That grew upoun the rever of Ryne ; Frefche fragrant Clairettis out of France, 55 Of Angerfs, and of Orliance, With mony ane courfe of grit dyntie : Say ye Amen, for Cheritie.

Responsio.

God and Sanct Jeill, heir yow convoy

Baith fone and weill, God and Sanct Jeill, 60

To fonce and feill, folace and joy,

God and Sanct Jeill heir yow convoy. Out of Strivilling panis fell, In Edinburghs joy, fon mot ye dwell I

Lectio Tertia.

We pray to all the Sanctis of Hevin, 65

That are aboif the fterris fevin, Yow to deliver out of your pennance,

TO THE KING AT STIRLING. SS-

That ye may fone play, fing, and dance

Heir in to Edinburgh, and mak gud cheir.

Quhair welth and weilfair is but weir, 70

And I, that dois your panis difcryve,

Thinkis for to viffy yow belyve ;

Nocht in defert with yow to dwell,

Bot as the angell Sanct Gabriell,

Dois go betwene, fra Hevinis glory, 75

To thame that ar in Purgatory,

And in thair tribulatioun.

To gif thame confolatioun.

And fcliaw thame quhen thair panis ar paft

Thay fall till Hevin cum at laft ; 80

And how nane defervis to haif fweitnefs.

That nevir taiilit bitternefs :

And thairfoir, how fuld ye confiddir

Of Edinburghs blifs, quhen ye cum hiddir,

But gif ye taiftit had befoir 85

Of Strivilling toun, the panis foir ?

And thairfoir, tak in patience

Your pennance, and your abftinence,

And ye fall cum, or Yule begin,

In to the blifs that we ar in : 90

Quhilk grant the glorius Trinitie !

Say ye, Amen, for Cheiitie.

Responsio. Cum hame, and dwell no moir in Strivilling, Frome hyddoufs Hell cum hame and dwell,

90 DIRIGE TO THE KING.

Quhair fifche to fell is non bot fpirling, 95

Cum liame, and dwell no moir in Strivilling.

Et ne nos inducas in teraptationem de StriviUing : Sed libera nos a malo ejnfdem. Requiem Edinburgi dona eis, Domine, Et lux ipfius luceat eis. A porta trillitise de Strivilling, Erue, Domine, animas et corpora eorum. Credo guflare vinum Edinburgi, In villa vinentium.

Requiefcant statim in Edinburgo. Amen. Domine, exaudi orationem meam : Et clamor meus ad te veniat. Oremus. Dens qui juftos et corde Immiles ex omni eorum tri- bulatione liberare dignatus es, libera famulos tuos apud villam de Strivilling verfantes a pcenis et triftitiis ejuf- dem, et ad Edinburgi gaudia eos perducas. Amen.

NEW YEARS GIFT TO THE KING.

My Prince in God git the guid grace, Joy, glaidnes, confort, and folace, Play, pleafance, myrtli, and mirrie cheir. In hanfell of this guid New Yeir.

God gif to the ane bliffed chance, 5

And of all vertew aboundance. And grace ay for to perfeveir. In hanfell of this guid New Yeir.

God give the guid profperitie, Fair fortoun and felicitie, 10

Evir mair in earth quhill thow ar heir. In hanfell of this guid New Yeir.

The heavinlie Lord his help the fend, Thy realme to reull and to defend, In peace and juftice it to fteii', 15

In hanfell of this guid [New] Yeir.

God gif the Wis quhair evir thow bownes. And lend the many Fraunce crownes, Hie liberall heart, and handis nocht fwear, In hanfell of this guid New Yeir, 20

OF THE LADYIS SOLISTARIS AT COURT.

Thir Lady is fair,

That makis repair, And in the Court ar kend,

Thre dayis thair,

Thay will do mair, 5

Ane mater for till end,

Than thair gud men

Will do in ten, For ony craft thay can ;

So Weill thay ken, 10

Quhat tyme and quhen, Thair menes thay sowld mak than.

With littill noy

Thay can convoy Ane mater fynaly, 15

Richt myld and moy,

And keip it coy, On evyns quyetly ;

Thay do not mifs,

Bot gif thay kifs, 20

And keipis collatioun,

OF THE LADYIS SOLISTARIS. 93

Quhat rek of this ? Thair mater is Brocht to conclusioun.

Ye may wit weill, 25

Thay haif grit feUl Ane mater to folift ;

Treft as the fleiU,

Syne nevir a deill Quhen thay cum hame ar mift. 30

Thir lairdis ar

Me think richt far Sic Ladyis behaldin to,

That fa weill dar

Go to the bar, 35

Quhen thair is ocht ado.

Tbairfoir I reid,

Gif ye haif pleid, Or mater in to pley.

To mak remeid, 40

Send in your fteid Your Ladyis g-raithit up gay :

Thay can defend,

Evin to the end, Ane mater furth exprefs ; 45

Suppois thay fpend, It is unkend, Thair geir is nocht the lefs.

94 OF THE LADYIS SOLISTARIS.

In quyet place,

Thoclit tliay liaif fpace, 50

Within lefs nor twa liowris,

Thay can, percaice,

Purchefs fum grace At the compofitouris ;

Thair compofitioun, 55

Without fufpitioun, Thair fynallie is endit,

With expeditioun,

And full remiflioun, And thair feilis to ar pendit. 60

Alhaill almoift,

Thay mak the coLft, With fobir recompens ;

Richt littill loft,

Thay get indoift, 65

AlhaiU thair evidens ; —

Sic Ladyis wyfe,

Thay ar to pryis, To fay the veretie,

Swa can devyifs, 70

And nocht fuppryifs Thame, nor thair Honcftie.

IN PRAIS OF WEMEN.

Now of Wemen this I fay for me.

Off erthly thingis nane may bettir be :

Thay fuld haif wirfchep and grit lionoring

Off men, aboif all uthir erthly thing;

Rycht grit dilhonour upoun himfelf he takkis 5

In word or deid quha evir Wemen lakkis ; .

Sen that of Wemen cumin all ar we,

Women ar Wemen, and fa will end and de :

Wo wirth the fruct wald put the tre to nocht !

And wo wirth him rycht fo that fay is ocht 10

Off Womanheid, that may be ony lak,

Or fie grit fchame upone him for to tak !

Thay us confaif with pane, and be thame fed,

Within thair breiftis thair we boun to bed :

Grit pane, and wo, and murnyng mei'vellufs, 15

Into thair birth thay fuffir fair for us ;

Than, meit and drynk, to feid us get we nane,

Bot that we fowk out of thair breiftis bane :

Thay ar the confort that we all haif heir,

Thair may no man be till us half fo deir : 20

Thay ar oui' verry neft of nurriffing.

In lak of thame, quha can fay ony thing.

That fowll his neft he fylis I and for thy

Exylit he fuld be of all gud cumpany ;

96 IN PRAIS OF WEMEN.

Thair fuld na wyifs man gif audience, 25

To fie ane without intelligence.

Chryll to liis Fadei', he had nocht ane man :

Se quhat wirfchep Wemen fuld half than I

That Sone is Lord, that Sone is King of Kingis,

In Hevin and Erth his Majeftie ay ringis I 30

Sen fcho hes borne him in hir halines,

And he is well and grund of all gudnes,

All Wemen of us fuld half honoring.

Service, and lufe aboif all uthir thing !

TO THE MERCHANTIS OF EDINBURGH.

QuHY will ye, Merchantis of renoun, Lat Edinburgh, your nobill toun, For laik of reformatioun The commone profFeitt tyne and fame ?

Think ye nocht fchame, 5

That ony uther regioun Sail with diflionour hurt your Name I

May nane pas throw your principal] Gaittis, For ftink of haddockis and of fcaittis ; For cryis of carlingis and debaittis ; 10

For fenfum flyttingis of defame :

Think ye nocht fchame, Befoir ftrangeris of all eftaittis That fie diflionour hurt your Name !

Your ftinkand Scule that ftandis dirk, 15

Haldis the lycht fra your Parroche Kirk ; Your foirftairis makis your houffes mirk, Lyk na cuntray hot heir at hame : Think ye nocht fchame, VOL. I. o

98 TO THE MERCHANTIS

Sa Htill polefie to work 20

In hurt and Iklander of your Name I

At yonr hie Croce, quhair gold and fdk Sould be, thair is hot crudis and milk; And at your Trone but cokill and wilk, Panfches, pudingis of Jok and Jame : 25

Think ye nocht fchame, Sen as the world fayis that ilk In hurt and fclander of your Name I

Your commone Menftrallis lies no tone, Bot Now the day dawis, and Into Joun; 30 Cuningar men man fcherve Sanct Cloun, And nevir to uther craftis clame :

Think ye nocht fchame, To hald fic mowaris on the moune, In hurt and fclander of your Name I 35

Tailyouris, Soutteris, and craftis vyil, The faireft of your ftreitis dois fyll ; And merchandis at the flinkand Styll At hamperit in ane hony came :

Think ye nocht fchame, 40

That ye have nether witt nor wyll To win your felff ane bettir Name !

Your Burgh of beggaris is ane nefl,

To fchout thai fwenyouris will nocht reft ;

OF EDINBURGH. 99

All lioneft folk they do moleft, 45

Sa piteuflie thai cry and rame :

Think ye nocht fchame, That for the poore hes no thing dreft, In hurt and fclander of your Name I

Your proffeit daylie dois increfs 50

Your godlie workis lefs and lefs ; Through ftreittis nane may mak progrefs, For cry of cruikit, blind, and lame :

Think ye nocht fchame, That ye fie fubftance dois pofTefs, 55

And will nocht win ane bettir Name I

Sen for the Court and the Seflioun,

The great repair of this regioun

Is in your Burgh, thairfoir be boun

To mend all faultis that ar to blame, 60

And efchew fchame ; Gif thai pas to ane uther Toun Ye will decay, and your great Name I

Thairfoir ftrangeris and leigis treit,

Tak nocht ouer meikle for thair meit, 65

And gar your Merchandis be difcreit.

That na extortlounnes be proclaime,

Awfrand ane fchame : Keip ordour, and poore nychtbouris beit. That ye may gett ane bettir Name ! 70

100 TO THE 3IERCHANTIS OF EDINBURGH.

Singular profifeit fo dois yow blind, The common profFeit gois behind : I pray that Lord remeid to fynd That deit into Jerufalem ;

And gar yow fchame ! 75

That fum tyme reffoun may yow bind, For to [reconqueisj yow guid Name.

OF SOLISTARIS AT COURT.

Be dyvers wayis and operatiounis

Men makis in Court tliair foliftationis :

Sum be fervice, and diligence ;

Sum be continewale refidence ;

Sum on his fubflance dois abyde, 5

Quhill Fortoun do for him provyde ;

Sum fingis ; fum dancis ; fum tellis ftoryis ;

Sum lait at evin bringis in the moreis ;

Sum flyrdis ; fum fenyeis ; and fum flattiris ;

Sum playis the fuUe, and all owt clattiris ; 10

Sum man, mufand with the wa,

Luikis as he raycht nocht do with a ;

Sum ftandis into a nuike, and rownis ;

For covatyce ane uther neir fwownis ;

Sum beiris as he wald ga wod 15

For heit defyir oflF warldis guid ;

Sum at the mefs leivis all devotioun,

And befy labouris for promotioun ;

Sum lies thair advocattis in chamir,

And takis thame felffe thairofF no glamii-. 20

My fympilnes, amang the laiff, Wait of na way, fa God me faiff ! Bot, with ane humbill cheir and face, Referris me to the Kyngis grace : Me thinkis his gracious countenance, 25

In ryches is my fufl&cence.

TYDINGIS FRA THE SESSIOUN.

Ane Murlandis Man of uplandis mak, At hame thus to his Nyclitbour fpak, Quliat Tydingis, Goflep, peax or weir ? The tother rownit in his eir,

I tell yow this undir confeflioun, 6

Bot laitly lichtit of my meir,

I come of Edinburgh fra the Seffioun.

Quhat Tythingis hard ye thair, I pray yow ? The tother anfwerit, I fall fay yow : Keip this all fecreit, gentill brother, 10

Is na man thair that treftis ane uther :

Ane commoun doar of tranfgreffioun, Of innocent folkis prevenis a futher :

Sic Tydingis hard I at the Seffioun.

Sum with his fallow rownis him to pleifs 15

That wald for invy byt of his neifs ;

His fa fum by the oxftar leidis ;

Sum patteris with his mowth on beidis,

That lies his niynd all on oppreffioun ; Sum beckis full law, and fchawis bair heidis, 20

Wald luke full heich war nocht the Seffioun.

TYDINGIS FRA THE SESSIOUN. 103

Sum bydand the law, layis land in wed ;

Sum fuper expendit gois to his bed ;

Sum fpeidis, for he in court lies menis ;

Sum of parcialitie complenis, 25

How feid and favour flemis difcretioun ; Sum fpeikis full fair, and falfsly fenis :

Sic Tythingis hard I at the Seffioun.

Sum caftis fummondis, and fum exceptis ; Sum ftandis befyd, and Ikaild law keppis ; 30 Sum is continwit ; fum wynnis ; fum tynis ; Sum makis him mirry at the wynis ;

Sum is put owt of his poffeflioun ; Sum herreit, and on creddens dynis :

Sic Tydingis hard I at the Seffioun. 35

Sum fweiris, and [fum] forfaikis God ; Sum in ane lamb-lkin is ane tod ; Sum in his toung his kyndnes turfis ; Sum cuttis throttis, and fum pykis purfis ;

Sum gois to galloufs with proceffioun ; 40

Sum fanis the fait, and fum tliame curfis :

Sic Tydingis hard I at the Seffioun.

Religious men of diverfs placis Cummis thair to wow, and fe fair facis ; Baith Carmeleitis and Cordilleris 45

Cummis thair to genner and get ma freiris, And ar unmindful! of thair profeffioun ;

104 TYDINGIS FRA THE SESSIOUN.

The yungar at the eldar leiris :

Sic Tydingis hard I at the Seffioun.

Thair cummis yung monhis of he complexioun, 50 Of devoit mynd, luve, and aflFectioun ; And in the Courte thair hait flefche dantis. Full fader-lyk, with pechis and pantis ;

Thay ar fo hummill of interceflioun, All mercyfull wemen thair errandis grantis : 55

Sic Tydingis hard I at the Seffioun.

WELCOME TO THE LORD TREASURER.

I THOCHT lang quliile fum Lord come hame, Fra whom faine kyndnefs I wald dame ; His name of confort I will declair, Welcom, my awin Lord Thefaurair !

Befoir all raik of this regioun, 5

Under our Roy of moft renoun, Of all my mycht, thocht it war mair, Welcom, my awin Lord Thefaurair.

Your nobill payment I did affay,

And ye hecht fone without delay, 10

Againe in Edinburgh till repair ;

Welcom, my awin Lord Thefaurair !

Ye keipit tryft fo winder weill, I hald you trew as ony fteill ; Neidis nane your payment till difpair ; 15

Welcom, my awin Lord Thefaurair !

Yett in a pairt I was agaft. Or ye the narreft way had paft.

106 WELCOME TO THE LORD TREASURER.

Fra town of Stirling to the air :

Welcom, my awin Loi-d Tliefaurair I 20

Thane had my dyt beine all in duill, Had I my wage wantit quhill Yuill ; Quhair now I fing with heart on fair, Welcum, my awin Lord Tliefaurair !

Welcum, my benefice, and my rent, 25

And all the lyflett to me lent ; Welcum, my penfioun moft preclair ; Welcum, my awin Lord Tliefaurair !

Welcum, als heartlie as I can,

My awin dear maifter to your man ; 30

And to your fervand fingulair,

Welcum, my awin Lord Thefaurair I

ANE HIS AWIN ENNEMY.

He that hes gold and grit richefs, And may be into mirrynefs,

And dois glaidnefs fra him expell, And levis in to wretchitnefs,

He wirkis forrow to him fell. 5

He that may be but Hurt or ftryfe, And leif ane lufty plefand lyfe,

And fyne with mariege dois him mell, And bindis him with ane wicket wyfe,

He wirkis forrow to him fell. 10

He that hes for his awin genyie

Ane plefand prop, bot mank or menyie,

And fchuttis fyne at ane uncow fchell, And is forfairn with the fleis of Spenyie,

He wirkis forrow to him fell. 15

And he that with gud lyfe and trewth, But varians or uder flewth,

Dois evir mair with ane maifter dwell, That nevir of him will haif no rewth,

He wirkis forrow to hira fell. 20

108 ANE HIS AWIN ENNEMV.

Now all this tyme lat us be mirry, And fet nocht by this warld a chirry :

Now quhill thair is gude wyne to fell, He that dois on dry breid wirry,

I gif him to the Devill of HeU. 25

TO THE LORDIS OF THE KINGIS CHACKER.

My Lordis of Chacker, pleis yow to heir My coumpt, I fall it mak yow cleir,

But ony circumftance or fonyie ;

For left is neither corce nor cunyie Off all that I tuik in the yeir. 5

For rekkynning of my rentis and roumes, Ye neid nocht for to tyre your thowmes ;

Na, for to gar your countaris clink,

Nor paper for to fpend, nor ink, In the reflaveing of my foumes. 10

I tuik fra my Lord Thefaurair Ane foume of money for to wair :

I can nocht tell yow how it is fpendit,

Bot Weill I waitt that it is endit ; And that me think ane coumpt our fair ! 15

I trowit, in tyme, quhen that I tuik it, That lang in burgh I fould have bruikit,

Now the remanes are eith to turfs ;

I haif na preiff heir, bot my purfs, Quhilk wald nocht lie, and it war luikit. 20

OF JAMES DOIG, KEIPER OF THE QUENIS WARDROP.

TO THE QUENE.

The Wardraipper of Venus boure, To giff a dowblett he is als doure, As it war off ane fute fyd frog :

Madame, ye heff a dangeroufs Dog 1

Qulien that I fchawe to him your markis, 5 He turnis to me again, and barkis, As he war wirriand ane hog :

Madame, ye heff a dangeroufs Dog !

Quhen that I fchawe to him your writing, He girnis that I am red for by ting ; 10

I wald he had ane havye clog :

Madame, ye heff a dangeroufs Dog I

Quhen that I fpeik till him freindlyk, He barkis lyk ane midding tyk. War chaiffand cattell through a bog : 15

Madame, ye heff a dangeroufs Dog !

He is ane maftyf, mekle of mycht, To keip your wardroippe over nycht,

OF JAMES DOIG. HI

Fra the grytt Sowdan Gog-ma-gog :

Madame, ye heff a dangeronfs Dog ! 20

He is owre melde to be your meflan, Madame, I reid you get a lefs ane, His gang garis all your chalmeris fchog : Madame, ye heff a dangeroufs Dog !

OF THE SAID JAMES,

QUHEN HE HAD PLEISIT HIM.

O GRACIOUS Princes, guid and fair ! Do Weill to James your "Wardraipair ; Quhais faithfull bruder maift freind I am : He is na Dog ; he is a Lam.

Thocht I in ballat did with him bourde, 5

In malice fpak I nevir ane word, Bot all, my Dame, to do you game : He is na Dog ; he is a Lam.

Your Hienes can nocht get ane meter,

To keip your wordrope, nor difcreter, 10

112 OF JAMES DOIG.

To rule your robbis, and drefs the fame : He is na Dog ; he is a Lam.

The wyff, that he had in this innys, That with the tangis wald break his fchynnis, I wald fcho drownit war in a dam : 15

He is na Dog ; he is a Lam.

The wyff that wald him kuckold mak, I wald fcho war, bayth fyd and bak, Weill batteret with ane barrow tram :

He is na Dog ; he is a Lam. 20

He lies fa weill doin me obey In till all thing, thairfoir I pray, That nevir dolour mak him dram : He is na Dog ; he is a Lam.

TO THE KING.

THAT HE WAR JOHNE THOMSOUNIS MAN.

ScHiR, for your Grace baytb nicht and day, Richt hartlie on my kneis I pray, With all devotioun that I can,

God gif ye war Johne Thomfounis man !

For war it fo, than weill war me, 5

Bot benifice I wald nocht be ; My hard fortoun war endit than :

God gif ye war Johne Thomfounis man !

Than M^ald fum reuth within you reft.

For faik of hir faireft and heft, 10

In Bartane, fyn hir tyme began ;

God gif ye war Johne Thomfounis man !

For it micht hurt in no degre, That one, fo fair and gude as fche. Throw hir virtew iic wirfchip wan, 15

As you to mak Johne Thomfounis man.

I wald gif all that evir I haif

To that conditioun, fo God me faif,

VOL. I. H ^

114 TO THE KING.

That ye had vowit to the Swan, Ane yeir to be Johne Thoml'ounis man. 20

The merfy of that 1 Veit meik Rois, Suld foiFt yow Thrifill, I fuppois, Quhois pykis throw me fo reuthles ran ; God gif ye war Johne Thomfounis man !

My advocat, bayth fair and fweit, 25

The hale rejofing of my fpreit, Wald fpeid in to my errandis than ;

And ye war anis Johne Thomfounis man.

Ever qnhen I think yow harde or dour, Or mercyles in my fuccom*, 30

Than pray I God, and fweit Sanct An, Gif tliat ye war Johne Thomfounis man !

TO THE QUENE.

Madame, your Men faid thai wald ryd, And latt this Faftrennis evin ower flyd :

Bot than thair Wyffis come furth in flockis, And baid thame betteis foun abyd

At hame, and lib tbame of the pockis. 5

Now propoifs thai, fen ye dwell ftill, Oif Venus feift to fang ane fill,

Bot in the felde preiv thai na cockis ; For till haif riddin had been lefs ill

Nor latt thair wyffis breid the pockis. 10

Sum of your men fie curage had. Dame Venus fyre fa hard thame fl;ed,

Thai brak up diu-ris, and raiflF up lockis, To gett ane pamphelet on ane pled,

That thai mycht lib thame of the pockis. 15

Sum, that war ryatoufs as rammis Ar now maid tame lyk ony lammis,

And fettin doun lyk farye crockis ; And hes forfaikin all fie gammis,

That men call libbing of the pockis. 20

116 TO THE QUENE.

Sum, tliocht thame felffis ftark, lyk gyandis, Ar now maid weak lyk willing wandis ;

With fcliinnis fcharp, and fmall lyk rockis ; And gottin thair bak in baytli tliair handis,

For ower off libbing of the pockis. 25

I faw cow-clinkis me befyd

The young men to thair howflis gyd,

Had better liggit in the ftockis ; Sum fra the bordell wald nocht byd,

Quhill that thai gatt the Spanyie pockis. 30

Thairfor, all young men, I yow pray, Keip yow fra harlottis nycht and day ;

Thay fall repent quha with thame yockis : And be war with that perreUoufs play,

That men callis libbing of the pockis. 35

COMPLAINT AGANIS MURE.

TO THE KING.

SoHiR, I complane of injuris :

A ryfeing fone of rakyng MuRis

Hes mangellit my makking, throw his malifs,

And prefent it in to your Palifs :

Bot, fen he plefis with me to pleid, 5

I fall him knawin mak hyne to Califs,

Bot giff your Hienefs it remeid.

That fuUe difmemberit hes my metei*,

And poyfound it >vith ftrang faltpeter,

With rycht defamoufs fpeiche off Lordis, 10

Quhilk with my coUouris all difcordis :

Quhois crewall fclanderis fervifs deid ; And in my name all leis recordis.

Your Grace befeik I of remeid.

He hes indorfit myn indytting 15

With verfis off his [awin] hand writting ; Quhairin baith fclander is and treffoun : Off ane wod fuill far owt off fefsoun,

He wanttis nocht bot a roundit heid, For he hes tynt baith wit and refToun : 20

Your Grace befeik I off remeid.

118 COMPLAINT AGANIS MURE.

Puneifs Lim for his deid culpabill ;

Or gar deliver him ane babill,

That Cuddy Ring the Drumfrefs fuill,

May him refave agane this Yuill, 25

All roundit into yallow and reid ; That laddis may baitt him lyk a buill :

For that to me war fum remeid.

OF A DANCE IN THE QUENIS CHALMER.

ScHiR Jhon Sinclair begowthe to dance, For he was new cum out of France ; For ony thing that he do mycht, The ane futt yeid ay unrycht,

And to the tother wald not gree. 5

Quoth ane, Tak up the Quenis knycht :

A mirrear Dance mycht na man fee.

Than cam in Maifter Robert Schaw :

He luikit as he culd lern tham a ;

Bot ay his ane futt did waver, 10

He llakkerit lyke ane ftrummell aver,

That hap fchakkellit abone the kne : To feik fra Strivilling to Stranaver,

A mirrear Daunce mycht na man fee.

Than cam in the Maifter Almaser, 15

Ane hommelty-jommelty juffeller, Lyk a ftirk ftackarand in the ry ; His hippis gaff mony hiddoufs cry.

John Bute the Fule faid, Wa is me ! He is bedirtin,— Fy ! f y ! ' 20

A mirrear Dance mycht na man fee.

120 DANCE IN THE QUENIS CHALMER.

Than cam in Dunbar the Makkar ;

On all the flure thair was nane frakkar,

And thair he daunflt the Dirrye dantoun ;

He hoppet lyk a pillie wantoun, 25

For luiflF of Mufgraiffe, men tellis me ; He trippet, quhill he tint his pantoun :

A mirrear Dance mycht na man fee.

Than cam in Maiftrifs Musgraiffe ;

Scho mycht haiff lernit all the laiffe ; 30

Quhen I faw liir fa trimlye dance,

Hir guid convoy and countenance,

Than, for hir faik, I wiflit to be . The grytaft erle, or duik, in France :

A mirrear Dance mycht na man fee. 35

Than cam in Dame Dautiebour ; God waitt giflF that fcho loukit four ! Scho maid fie morgeounis with hir hippis. For lauchter nane mycht hald thair lippis ;

Quhen fcho was danceand biflelye, 40

Ane blafl, of wind foun fra hir flippis :

A mirrear Dance mycht na man fee.

Quhen thair was come in fyve or fax,

The Quenis Dog begowthe to rax ;

And of his band he maid a bred, 45

And to the danceing foun he him med ;

Quhow maftive lyk about yeid he I He ftinckit lyk a tyk, fum laid :

A mil-rear Dance mycht na man fee.

TO A LADYE.

QUHEN HE LIST TO FAYNE.

My Hartis Trefure, and fvvete affured fo, The finale endar of my lyfe for ever ;

The creuell bi'ekar of my hart in tuo, To go to deathe, this I defervit never : O man flayar I quhill faule and life diffever ; 5

Stynt of your flauchter ; Allace ! your man am I,

A thowfand tymes that dois you mercy cry.

Have mercie, Luif I have mercie, Ladie bricht !

Quhat have I wrocht aganis your womanheid, That ye [fuld] murder me, a faiklefs wicht, 10

Trefpaffing never to yow in word nor deid ?

That ye confent thairto, O God forbid ! Leif creuelte, and faif your man for fchame,

Or throucht the warld quyte lofit is your name.

My deathe chafis my lyfe fo befalie 15

That wery is my goift to fle fo fall ; Sic deidlie dwawTues fo mifcheifaiflie

Ane hundrethe tymes hes my hairt ovirpaft ;

Me think my fpireit rynnis away full gaft, Befeikand grace, on kneis yow befoir, 20

Or that your man be loft for ever moir.

122 TO A LADYE.

Behald my wod intollerable pane,

For ever moir quhilk salbe my dampnage !

Quliy, undir traifl, your man thus have ye flane ? Lo ! deithe is in my bi*eift, with furious rage, 25 Quhilk may no balme, nor tryacle affuage,

But your mercie, for laik of quhilk I de :

Allace ! quhair is your womanlie pitie I

Behald my deidlie paffioun dolorous !

Behald my hiddowfs hew, and wo, allace ! 30 Behald my mayne, and murning mervalous.

Withe forrowfuU teris falling from my face !

Rewthe, Luif, is nocht, helpe ye nocht in this cace, For how fould ony gentill hart indure To fe this fycht on ony creature ! 35

Quhyte Dow, quhair is your fobir humilnes ?

Swete gentill Turtour, quhair is your pete went ? Quhair is your rewthe ? the frute of nobilnes,

Off womanheid the trefour, and the rent ;

Vertue is never put out of meik intent, 40

Nor out of gentUl hart is fundin petie ; Sen mei'cyles may no wycht nobiU be.

In to my mynd I fall yow mercy cry,

Quhill that my toung sail faill me to speik ;

And quhill that Nature me in fycht deny ; 45

And quhill my ene for pane inclufe and fteik ; And quhill the Dethe my hart in sowndir breik ;

And quhiU my mynd may think, and towng may steir ;

And syne, Fair weill, my hartis Ladie deir !

OF ANE BLAK-MOIR.

Lang half I maid of Ladyes Quhytt, Now of ane Blak I will indytt,

That landit furth of the laft fchippis ; Quhowe fain wald I defcryve perfytt,

My Ladye with the mekle lippis. 5

Quhow fcho is tute mowitt lyk an aip, And lyk a gangarall unto graip ;

And quhow hir fchort catt nois up Ikippis : And quhow fcho fchynes lyk ony faip ;

My Ladye with the mekle lippis. 10

Quhen fcho is clad in reche apparrall, Scho blinkis as brycht as ane tar barrell ;

Quhen fcho was born, the lone tholit clippis, The nycht be fain faucht in hir quarrell :

My Ladye with the mekle lippis. 15

Quhai for hir faik, with fpeir and fcheild, Preiffis niaift mychtelye in the feild,

Sail kifs, and withe hir go in grippis ; And fra thyue furth hir luiif fall weild :

My Ladye with the mekle lippis. 20

124 OF ANE BLAK-MOIR.

And quliai in feilde receavis fchanie, And tynis thair his knyclitlie name,

Sail cum behind and kifs liir hippis ; And nevir to other confort clarae :

My Ladye with the raekle Jippis. 25

OF SIR THOMAS NORRAY.

Now lythis of ane gentill Knycht, ScHiR Thomas Norray, wyfe and wicht,

And full of cliivalrie ; Quhais Father was ane Grand Keine, His Mother was ane Farie Queine, 5

Gottin be foffery.

Ane fairer Knycht nor he was ane, On ground may nether ryd nor gang,

Na beir bucklar nor brand ; Or cum in this Court but dreid ; 10

He did full mony valyeant deid

In Rofs, and Murray land.

Full many Catherein hes he cheift, And cummered many Helland gaift,

Amang thai dully glennis : 15

OS the Glen Quhettane twenti fcoir He drave as oxin him befoir ;

This deid thocht na man kennis.

At feiftis and brydallis up-aland,

He wan tlie grie, and the garland ; 20

126 OF SIR THOMAS NORRAV

Danceit non fo on deifs : He lies at warfliiigis beine ane liunder, Yett lay his body nevir at under :

He knawis gif this be leis.

Was never weild Robeine under Bewch, 25

Nor yitt Roger of Clekkinfklewch,

So bauld a bairne as he ; Gy of Gyfburne, na Allane Bell, Na Simones fonnes of Quhynfell,

At schot war nevir fo flie. 30

This anterous Knyclit, quhaire ever he went, At juftinge, and at tornament,

Evir moir he wan the gree ; Was never of halff fo great renoun Schir Bewis the knycht of South Hamptoun : 35

I fchrew him gif I lie.

Thairfoir Quhentyne was hot ane lurdane, That callit him ane full plum Jurdane,

This wyfe and worthie knycht ; He callit him foullar than ane fule, 40

He said, He was ane licherufs bull,

That crooned bayth day and nycht.

He wald have maid him Curries knaifF ; I pray God better his honour faiff,

Na to be lichtleit fua ! 45

OF SIR THOMAS NORRAY. 127

Yett this far furth I dar him prais, He fyld never fadell in his dayis ; And Currie befyld twa.

Quhairfoir, ever at Pafche and Yule,

I cry him Lord of everie fuill, 50

That in this regioun dwellis ; And, verralie, it war great rycht : For, of ane hie renowned knycht,

He wantis no thing hot beUis.

ON HIS HEID-AKE.

TO THE KING.

My heid did yak yefterniclit, This day to mak that I na micht,

So fair the magryme dois me meiiyie,

Perfeing my hrow as ony ganyie, That fcant I luik may on the licht. 5

And now, Schir, laitlie, eftir Mefs, To dyt, thocht I begowthe to drefs,

The fentence lay full evill till find,

Unfleipit in my heid behind, Dullit in dulnefs and diftrefs. 10

Full oft at morrow I upryfe, Quhen that my curage fleipeing lyis,

For mirth, for menftrallie and play,

For din, nor danceing, nor deray. It will nocht walkin me no wife. 15

WELCUM TO BERNARD STEWART, LORD OP AUBIGNY.

Renownit, ryall, right reverend and ferene, Lord hie tryuniphing in wirfchip and valoure,

Fro kyngis downe moft Criftin knight, and kene, Moft wyfe, moft valyeand, moft laureat hie victour, Unto the fterris upheyt is thyne honour ; 5

In Scotland Welcum be thyne Excellence

To King, Queyne,lord, clerk, knight andfervatour,

With glorie and honour, lawde and reverence.

Welcum in ftour moft ftrong, incomparable knight,

The fame of armys, and floure of vaflalage ; 10 Welcum in vreir mofte worthy, vryfe and wight ;

Welcum the foun of Mars of mofte curage ;

Welcum mofte luftybranche of our linnage. In every reahne our fcheild, and our defence ;

Welcum om- tendir blude of hie parage, i:>

With glorie and honour, lawde and reverence.

Welcum in weir the fecund Julius,

The prince of knightheyd, and flour of chevalry ; Welcum moft valyeant and victorius;

Welcum invincible victour mofte wourthy ; 20

VOL, I. 1

130 WELCUM TO BERNARD STEWART,

Welcum our Scottis chiftane moft duglity ; Wyth fowne of clarioun, organe, fong and fence,

To the atonis, Lord, Welcum all we cry ; "With glorie and lionour, lawde and reverence.

Welcum our indeficient adjutorie, 25

That evir our Natioun helpit in thare neyd ; That never faw Scot yit indigent nor fory,

Bot thou did hym fupport, with thy gud deid ;

Welcum, therfor, ahufe all livand leyd, Withe us to live, and to maik recidence, 30

QuhUk never fall funyhe for thy faik to bleid : To quham be honour, lawde and reverence.

Is none of Scotland borne faitlifull and kynde,

Bot he of natural! inclinacioune Dois favour the, withe all his liert and myndc, 35

Withe fervent, tendir, trew intencioun ;

And wald of inwart hie effectioun, But dreyd of danger, de in thy defence.

Or dethe, or fchame, war done to thy perfoun ; To quham be honour, lawde and reverence. 40

Welcum thow knight, mode fortunable in feUd ;

Welcum in arrais mofte aunterus and able, Undir the foun that beris helme or fcheild ;

Welcum thou campioun, in feght unourcumable ;

Welcum moft dughty, dlgne, and honorable, 45 And moift of lawde, and hie magnificence.

LORD OF AUBIGNy. 131

Nixt undir kingis to ftand incomparable ; To quham be honour, lawde and reverence.

Throw Scotland, Ingland, France, and Lumbardy,

Fleyis on wyng thy fame, and thy renoune ; 50 And oure all cuntreis, undirnethe the fky,

And oure all ftrandis, fro the fterris doune ;

In every province, land, and regioun, Proclamit is thy name of excellence.

In every cete, village, and in toune, 55

Withe gloire and honour, lawd and reverence.

O feyrfe Achill, in furius hie curage I

O ftrong invincible Hector, undir fcheild I

O vailyeant Arthur, in knyghtly vaflalage !

Agamemnon, in governance of feild ! 60

Bold Henniball, in batall to do beild !

Julius, in jupert, in wifdom and expence I

Moll fortunable chiftane, bothe in yhouth and eild.

To the be honour, lawde and reverence !

At parlament thow fuld be hye renownit, 65

That did fo mony victoryfe opteyn ; Thy criftall helme with lawry fuld be crownyt.

And in thy hand a branche of olyve greyn ;

The fueird of conquis, and of knyghtheid keyn, Be borne fuld highe before the in prefence, 70

To reprefent fic man as thou has beyn ; With glorie and honour, lawde and reverence.

132 WELCUM TO BERNARD STEWART.

Hie furius Mars, the god armipotent,

Rong in the hevin at thyne nativite ; Saturnus douiie, with fyry eyn, did blent, 75

Tlirow bludy vifar, men menafing to gar de ;

On the frefche Venus keift hir amouroufe e ; On the Marcurius furtheyet his eloquence ;

Fortuna Major did turn hir face on the ; With glorie and honour, lawde and reverence. 80

Prynce of fredom, and flour of gentilnes,

Sweyrd of knightheid, and choife of chevalry,

This tyme I lefe, for grete prolixitnes,

To tell quhat feildis thou wan in Pikkardy,

In France, inBertan, in Naplis, and Lumbardy ; 85

As I think eftir, withe all my diligence. Or thow departe, at lenthe for to difcry ;

With glorie and honour, lawd and reverence.

B, in tliy name, betaknis batalrus ;

A, able in feild ; R, right renoune moll hie ; 90 N, nobilnes ; and A, for aunterus ;

R, ryall blude ; for dughtines, is D ;

V, valyeantnes ; S, for llrenewite ; Quhoife knyghtly name, Co fchynyng in clemeuce,

For wourthines in gold fuld writtin be ; 95

With glorie and honour, lawd and reverence.

ELEGY ON THE

DEATH OF BERNARD STEWART, LORD OF AUBIGNY.

Illuster Lodovick, of France moft Crillin King,

Thow may complain with fighis lamentable, The death of Bernard Stewart, nobill and ding,

In deid of armis moft anterous and abill ;

Moft mychty, wyfe, worthie, and confortable, 5 Thy men of weir to goveme and to gy :

Fortun, allace ! now may thow weir the fabill, Sen he is gone, the Flour of Chevalrie.

Complaine fould everie nobill valiant Knycht

The Death of him that douchtie was in deid ; 10 That many ane fo in feild hes put to flycht.

In weiris wicht, be wifdome and manheid ;

To the Tiu-k fey all land did his name dreid, Quhois force all France in fame did magnifie ;

Of fo hie price fall nane his place pofleid, 15

For he is gone, the Flour of Chevalrie.

O duilfiill Death I O Dragon dolorous ;

Quhy hes thow done fo dulfullie devoir The prince of knychtheid, nobill and chevalrous.

The witt of weiris, of armes and honour, 20

134 ON THE DEATH OF BERNARD STEWART.

The cropt of curage, the ftrenth of amies in flour, The fame of France, the fame of Lumbardy,

The choifs of cheiftanes, moft awfull in armour^ The charbuckell cheif of every Chevalrie I

Pray now for him, all that him loveit heir 1 25

And for his fanll mak interceffioun Unto the Lord, that hes him bocht fo deii'.

To gif him mercie and remiffioun ;

And namelie We of Scottis natioun. In till his lyff quliom moft he did affy, 30

Foryett we nevir in to our Orifoun To pray for him, the Flour of Chevalrie

AGANIS TREASON.

ANE EPITAPH FOR DONALD OWRE.

In vice moft vicius he excellis

That with the vice of Treffone mellis ;

Thocht he remiflioun

Haif for prodiffioun,

Schanie and fufpiflioun Ay with him dwellis. 5

And he evir odious as ane owle,

The fait fa filthy is and fowle ;

Horrible to Natour

Is ane tratour,

As feiud infratour Undir a cowle. 10

Quha is a tratour, or ane theiff,

Upoun him felif turnis the mifcheilF ;

His frawdfull wylis

Him felf begylis

As in the His Is now a preiff. 15

The fell flrong Tratour Donald Owyir,

Mair falfett had nor udir fowyr ;

Rownd Ylis and Seyis

In his fuppleis,

On gallow treis, Yitt dois he glowir. 20

136 AGANIS TREASOUN,

Falfett no feit lies, nor deflfence,

Be power, practik, nor pufcence,

Thocht it fra licht

Be fmord with flicht,

God fchawis the richt, With foir vengence ! 25

Off the falis fox diffimulatour,

Kynd hes every theiff and tratour,

Eftir refpyt

To wirk difpyt,

Mair appetyt He hes of Natour. 30

War the fox tane a thowfand fald.

And grace him gevin ay quhen he wald ;

War he on plane,

All war in vane,

Frome hennis agane Micht non him hald. 35

The murtherer ay mnrthoiir mais.

And evir, quhill he be flane he flais ;

Wyvis thus niakis mokkis,

Spynnand on rokkis,

Ay rynnis the fox Quhill he fute hes. 40

THE TESTAMENT OF MR ANDRO KENNEDY.

I Maister Andro Kennedy,

Curro quando fum vocatus, Gottin with fum incuby,

Or with fum freir infatuatus ; In faith I can nought tell redly, 5

Unde aut ubi fui natus, Bot in trewth I trow trewly.

Quod fum diabolus incarnatus.

Cum nichill fit certius morte.

We mon all de, quhen we haif done, 10

NefcLmus quando, vel qua forte,

Na blind AUane wait of the mone. Ego patior in pectore,

This nyght I myght nocht fleip a wink ; Licet seger in corpore, 15

Yit wald my mouth be wet with drink.

Nunc condo teftamentum meum,

I leifF my faull for evermair, Per omnipotentem Deum,

In to my Lordis wyne cellair ; 20

138 THE TESTAMENT OF

Semper ibi ad remanendum,

Quhill domifday, Avithout diffever,

Boniim vinum ad bibendum,

With fueit Cuthbert that luffit me never.

Ipfe eft dulcis ad amandum, 25

He wald oft ban me in his breith, Det michi modo ad potandum,

And I forgif liim laith and wraith : Quia in cellario cum cervifia,

I had lever lye baith air and lait, 30

Nudus folus in camifia,

Na in my Lordis bed of ftait.

A baiTell bung ay at my bofum,

Of warldis gud I had na mair ; Et corpus meum ebriofum, 35

I leif in to the tonne of Air ; In a draff mydding for ever and ay

Ut ibi fepeliri queam, Quhar drink and draff may ilka day

Be caiTyne fuper faciem meam : 40

I leif my hert that never wes fickir,

Sed femper variabile, That never mair wald flow nor flickir,

Conforti meo Jacobe : Thought I wald bynd it with a wickir, 45

Verum Deum renui ;

MR ANDRO KENNEDY. 139

Bot and I hecht to teme a bicker. Hoc pactum femper tenui.

Syne leif I the befl aucht I bocht,

Quod eft Latinum propter caupe, 50

To hede of kyn, bot I wait nought

Quis eft ille, than I fchrew my fcawi)e ; I callit my Lord my heid, but hiddill,

Sed nulli alii hoc dixerunt, We wer als fib as feve and riddill, 55

In una filva quae creverunt.

Omnia mea folatia

Thay wer bot lefingis all and ane, Cum omni fraude et fallacia,

I leif the maifter of Sanct Antane ; 60

Willelmo Gray, fine gratia,

Myne awne deir cufing, as I wene, Qui nunquam fabricat mendacia,

But quhen the holyne growis grene.

My fenyeing, and my fals wynnyng, 65

Relinquo falfis fratribus ; For that is Goddis awne bidding,

Difperfit, dedit pauperibus. For menis faulis thay fay and fing,

Mentientes pro muneribus ; 70

Now God gif thaim ane evill ending,

Pro fuis pravis operibus.

140 THE TESTAMENT OF

To Jok Fule, my foly fre

Lego poll corpus fepultum ; In faith I am mair fule than he, 75

Licet oftendit bonum vultum : Of corne and catall, gold and fe,

Ipfe habet vald^ multum, And yit he bleris my Lordis e

Fingendo eum fore llultum. 80

To Mailer Johne Clerk fyne,

Do et lego intimfe, Goddis [braid] malifone and myne :

Ipfe eft caufa mortis mese. War I a dog and he a fwyne, 85

Midti mirantur fuper me, Bot I fuld ger that lurdane quliryne,

Scribendo dentes fine de.

Refiduum omnium bonorum

For to difpone my Lord fall haif, 90

Cum tutela puerorum,

Ade, Kytte, and all the laif. In faith I will na langar raif :

Pro fepultura ordino On the new gys, fa God me faif, 95

Non ficut more folito.

In die mese fepulturae

I will nane haif bot our awne gyng,

MR ANDRO KENNEDY. 141

Et duos rullicos de rure

Berand a barell on a ftyng ; 100

Drynkand and playand cop out, evin,

Sicut egomet folebam ; Singand and gretand with hie ftevin,

Potum meum cum fletu mifcebam.

I win na Preiftis for me fing, 103

Dies ilia, Dies irae ; Na yit na bellis for me ring,

Sicut femper folet fieri ; Bot a bag pipe to play a fpryng,

Et unum ail wofp ante me ; . 110

In ftayd of baneris for to bring

Quatuor lagenas cervilise : Within the graif to fet lie thing,

In modum crucis juxta me. To fle the feyndis, than hardely fing 115

De terra plafmafti me.

DUNBAR'S COMPLAINT.

TO THE KING.

CoMPLAiNE I wald, wift I quhoni till,

Or unto quhom dii'ect my bill ;

Quhiddei' to God, that all thing lleiris,

AU thing feis, and all thing heiris,

And all thingis wrocht in dayis fevin ; 5

Or till his Mothir, Quein of Heaven ;

Or unto Worldlie Prince heir doun,

That dois for juftice weir a crown ;

Off wrangis, and of great injui'es

That nobillis in thair dayis indures, 1 0

And men of vertew, and cunning,

Of witt, and wifdom in gyding,

That noclit can in this Court conqueifs

For lawtie, love, or lang fchervice.

Bot fowU, jow-jowrdane-yhedit jeveUis, 15 Cowkin-kenfeis, and culroun kevellis ; Stuffettis, ftrekouris, and flafifche ftrurameUis ; Wyld hafchbaldis, haggerbaldis, and hummellis ; Druncardis, dyfouris, dyoiu'is, drevellis, Miigydit memberis of the divellis ; 20

Mifniaid maudragis of mallyf llrynd, Crawdones, couartis, and theiffis of kynd ;

DUNBAR'S COMPLAINT. 143

Blait mowit blaidyeanes, with bleddir cheikis,

Club-faceit cluccanes, with cloutit breikis,

Chuff-midding churllis, cuming off cart fillaris, 25

Great glaichew-heidit gorge millaris,

Evill horrible monftouris, fals and foidl ;

Sum caufles cleikis till him ane cowll,

Ane gryt convent fra fyn to tyce ;

And he him felff example of vyce : 30

Enterand for geu-e, and no devotioun,

The divell is glaid of his promotioun ;

Sum ramyis ane rokkat fra the Roy,

And dois ane daftart deftroy ;

And fum that gettis ane perfonage, 35

Thinkis it ane prefent for a page ;

And on na wayis content is he,

My Lord quhill that he callit be. Bot how is he contentit, or nocht,

Deme ye about in to yoiu- thocht ! 40

The lerit fone of Erll or Lord,

Upoun this ruffle to remord.

That with aid caftingis hes him claid.

His errandis for to ryn and red ?

And he is mailler native borne, 45

And all his eldaris him beforne ;

And mekle mair cunning be fie thrie,

Hes to poffeid ane dignitie,

Saying his odius ignorance

Panting ane prelottis countenance, 50

Sa far abone him fett at table

144. DUNBAR'S COMPLAINT.

That wont was for to inuk the liable :

Ane pyk-thank in ane prelottis claifs,

With his wauld feitt, and wirrok taif's,

With hopper hippis, and henches narrow, 55

And baufy handis to beir ane barrow ;

With lut fchulderis, and luttaird bak,

Quhilk nature maid to beir ane pak ;

With gryddy rayiid, and glafchand game,

Mell heidit lyk ane mortar ftane, 60

Fenyeing the feiris of ane Lord,

And he ane ftrumbell, I ftand ford ;

And evir moir as he dois ryfe,

And nobUlis of bluid he dois difpyfe.

And helpis for to bald tham downe, 65

That they ryfe nevir to his renown e.

Thairfoir, O Prince, maifl honorable ! Be in this mater merciable. And to thy old fchervandis have an e, That lang lies lippinit into The ; 70

Gif I be ane of thay my fell, Throw all Regiounes lies tein hard tell, Of quliUk my wrytiiig witnes beiris ; And yett thy danger ay me deiris : Bot eftir danger cummis grace, 75

As hes bein herd in mony place.

DUNBAR'S REMONSTRANCE.

TO THE KING.

ScHiR, ye have mony fervitouris,

And officiaris of dyvers curis ;

Kirkmen, courtmen, and craftifmen fyne ;

Doctouris in jure, and medicyne ;

Divinouris, rethoris, and philofophouris, 5

Aftrologis, artiftis, and oratouris ;

Men of armes, and vailyeand knychtis,

And mony uther gudlie wichtis ;

Muficianis, menftralis, and mirrie fingaris ;

Chevalouris, callandaris, and QFrenfhe]] flingaris ;

Cunyouris, carvouris, and carpentaris,

Beildaris of barkis, and ballingaris ;

Mafounis, lyand upon the land,

And fchip wrichtis hewand upone the ftrand ;

Glafing wrichtis, goldfmythis, and lapidaris, 15

Pryntouris, payntouris, and potingaris ;

And all of thair craft cuniming,

And all at anis lawboring,

Quhilk pleifand ar and honorable ;

And to your Hienes profitable ; 20

And richt convenient for to be,

With your hie regale Majeftie ;

VOL. I. K

146 REMONSTRANCE

Deirerving of your Grace moft ding Bayth thank, rewarde, and cheriffing.

And thoclit that I, amang the laif, 25

Unworthy be ane place to have, Or in thair nummer to be tald, Als lang in mynd my wark fall hald ! Als haill in everie circiimftance, In forme, in mater, and fubftance, 30

But wering, or confumptioun, Roufl, cankar, or corruptioun, As ony of thair werkis all, Suppois that my rewarde be fmall I

Bot ye fa gracious ar, and raeik, 35

That on your Hienes foUowis eik Ane uthir fort, more miferabill, Thocht thay be nocht fa profitable : Fenyeouris, fleichouris, and flatteraris ; Cryaris, craikaris, and clatteraris ; 40

Sonkaris, gronkaris, gledaris, gunnaris ; Monfouris of France, gud clarat cunnaris ; Innopportoun afkaris of Yrland kynd ; And meit revaris, lyk out of mynd ; ScaflFaris, and fcamleris in the nuke, 45

And hall huntaris of draik and duik ; Thrimlaris and thriftaris, as thay war woid, Kokenis, and kennis na man of gude ; Schulderaris, and fchowaris, that lies no fchame, And to no cunning that can clame ; 50

And can non uthir craft nor curis

TO THE KING. 14^

Bot to mak tlirang, Schir, in Your duris,

And rufche in quhair tliay counfaJe heir,

And will at na man nurtir leyr :

In quintifcence, eik, ingynouris joly, 55

That far can multiplie in folie ;

Fantaftik fulis, bayth fals and gredy,

Off toung untrew, and hand evill dredie :

Few dar of all this laft additioiin,

Cum in tolbuyth, without remiffioun. 60

And thocht this nobill cunning fort, Quhom of befoir I did report, Rewardit be, it war bot reflbun, Thairat fuld no man mak encheflbun : Bot quhen, the uthir fulis nyce, 65

That feillit at Cokelbeis gryce, Ar all rewardit, and nocht I, Than on this fals warld I cry, Fy I My hart neir briftis than for teyne, Quhilk may nocht fuffer nor fuftene 70

So grit abulioun for to fe, Daylie in Court befoir my e !

And yit, more panence wald I have, Had I rewarde amang the laif ; It wald me fum thing fatiffie, 75

And lefs of [my] malancolie And gar me mony fait ouerfe. That now is brayd befoir myn e : My mynd fo fer is fet to flyt, That of nocht ellis I can indyt ; 80

148 REMONSTRANCE TO THE KING.

For owther mane my hart to breik ;

Or with my pen I man me wreik ;

And fen the tane moft nedis be,

In to malancolie to de,

Or lat the vennim ifche all out, — 85

Be war, anone, for it will fpout,

Gif that the tryackill cum nocht ty t

To fwage the fwalme of my dispy 1 1

TO THE KING.

THE PETITION OF THE GRAY HORSE, AULD DUNBAR.

Now Lufferis cummis with largefs lowd, Quhy fould not Palfrayis thane be prowd, Quhen GiUettis wilbe fchomd and fchroud, That ridden ar baith with lord and lawd ?

Schir, lett it nevir in toun be tald, 5

That I fould be ane Yuillis yald I

Quhen I was young and into ply,

And wald caft gammaldis to the iky,

I had beine bocht in Realmes by,

Had I confentit to be fauld. 10

Schir, lett it nevir in toun be tald,

That I sould be ane YuUlis yald !

With gentill horfs quhen I wald knyp,

Thane is thair laid on me ane quhip.

To colleveris than man I fkip, 15

That fcabbit ar hes cruik and cald.

Schir, lett it nevir in toun be tald,

That I fould be ane Yuillis yald !

Thocht in the ftall I be nocht clappit,

150 PETITION TO THE KING

As curfouris that in filk beine trappit, 20

With ane new lioufs I wald be happit, Aganis this Cryilinmes for the cald.

Schir lett it nevir in town be tald,

That I fould be ane YuiUis yald !

Suppois I war ane auld yaid aver, 25

Schott fiu'th our clewchis to pull the claver, And had the ftrenth off all Stranaver, I wald at Yuill be houfit and ftald.

Schir, latt it nevir in toun be tald,

That I fuld be ane Yuillis yald ! 30

I am ane Auld Horfe, as ye knaw. That evir in duill dois dring and draw ; Great court horfe puttis me fra the flaw, To fang the fog be frith and fald.

Schir, latt it nevir in toun be tald, 35

That I fould be ane Yuillis yald 1

I haif run lang furth in the feild,

On paftouris that ar plane and peild ;

I mycht be now tane in for eild,

My beikis ar spruning he, and bauld. 40

Schir, latt it nevir in toun be tald.

That I fould be ane Yuillis yald !

My mane is turned in to quhytt, And thair of ye have all the wytt I

OF THE GRAY HORSE, AULD DUNBAR. 151

Quhen uther liorfe had bran to bytt 45

I gat bot grifs, knip gif I wald.

Schir, latt it nevir in toun be tald,

That I fould be ane Yuillis yald !

I was nevir dautit into liable,

My lyf hes bene fo miferable, 50

My hyd to offer I am able,

For evill fchom ftrae that I reive wald.

Schir, latt it nevir in toun be tald.

That I fould be ane Yuillis yald !

And yitt, fuppois my thrift be thyne, 55

Gif that I die your audit within, Latt nevir the Soutteris have my Ikin, With uglie gumes to be gnawin.

Schir, latt it nevir in toun be tald,

That I fould be ane Yuillis yald I 60

The Court hes done my curage cuill, And maid me [ane] forriddin Muill ; Yett, to weir Trappom-is at this Yuill, I wald be fpurrit at everie fpald.

Schir, latt it nevir in toun be tald, 65

That I fould be ane Yuillis yald !

RESPONSIO REGIS.

Eftir Our Wrettingis, Treasurer, Tak in this Gray Horse, Auld Dunbar, QuHiLK IN My aucht, with schervice trew,

In LYART CHANGEIT IS HIS HEW ;

Gar howse him now aganis this Yuill, And busk him lyk ane Bischoppis Muill : For, with My hand, I have indost To Pay quhat evir his Trappouris cost.

THE QUEINIS RECEPTION AT ABERDEIN.

Blyth Aberdene, thow beriall of all tounis,

The lamp of bewtie, bountie, and blythnes ; Unto the heaven [afcendit] thy renown is,

Off vertew, wifdome, and of worthines ;

He nottit is thy name of nobilnes, 3

In to the Camming of Oure Luflie Quein,

The wall of welth, guid cheir, and mirrines : Be blyth, and bliffuU, burgh of Aberdein.

And firft Hir mett the burgefs of the toun,

Richelie array it as become thame to be, 10

Of quhom they chelit four men of renoun,

In gounes of velvot, young, abUl, and luftie,

To beir the paiU of velvet cramafe Abone Hir held, as the cuftome lies bein ;

Gryt was the found of the artelerie : 15

Be blyth, and bliffuU, burgh of Aberdein.

Ane fair proceflioun mett hir at the Port, In a cap of gold and iilk, full pleafantlie,

Syne at hir Entrie, with many fair difport,

Reffavit hir on ftreittis luftilie ; 20

/

154 THE QUEINIS RECEPTION

Quliair firft the Salutatioun honorabilly Of the fweitt Virgin, guidlie myclit be feine ;

The found of menftrallis blawing to the iky : Be blyth and bliffull, burgh of Aberdein.

And fyne thow gart the Orient Kingis thrie 25

OflFer to Chryfl, with benyng reverence, Gold, fence, and mir, with all humilitie,

Schawand him King with moft magnificence ;

Syne quhow the AngiU, with fword of violence, Furth of the joy of Paradice putt clein 30

Adame and Eve for innobedience : Be blyth and bliffull, burgh of Aberdein.

And fyne the Bruce, that evir was bold in flour, Thow gart as Roy cum rydand under croun,

Richt awfull, ftrang, and large of porti'atour, 35 As nobill, dreidfuU, michtie campioun : The [nobill Stewarts] fyne, of great renoun,

Thow gart upfpring, with branches new and greine, Sa gloriouflie, quhill glaided aU the toim :

Be blyth and bliffull, burgh of Aberdein. 40

Syne come thair four and twentie madinis ying, All claid in greine of mervelous bewtie,

With hair detreflit, as threidis of gold did hing. With quhyt hattis all browderit rycht bravelie, Playand on timberallis, and fyngand rycht fweitlie;

That feimlie fort, in ordour weill befein,

AT ABERDEEN. 155

Did meit the Quein, hir faluand reverentlie : Be blytli and bliffull, burgh of Aberdein.

The ftreittis war all hung with tapeftrie,

Great was the prefs of peopill dwelt about, 50

And pleafant padyheanes playit prattelie ;

The legeifs all did to thair Lady loutt,

Quha was convoyed with ane royall routt Off gryt barrounes and luftie ladyis [fchene] ;

Welcuui, Our Quein I the commons gaif ane fchout : Be blyth and bliffull, burgh of Aberdein.

At Hir cumming great was the mirth and joy, For at thair Croce aboundantlie rane wyne ;

Untill hir ludgeing the Toun did hir convoy ;

Hir for to treit thay fett thair haill ingyne, 60

Ane riche prefent thay did till hir propyne ;

Ane coftlie coup that large thing wald contene, Coverit and full of cunyeitt gold rycht fyne :

Be blyth and bliffull, burgh of Aberdein.

O potent Princess, pleafant, and preclair, 65

Great cans Tliow hes to thank this nobiU Toun, That for to do The honour, did nocht fpair

Thair geir, riches, fubftance, and perfoxm,

The to reflave on maift fair fafoun ; The for to pleis thay focht all way and mein ; 70

Thairfoir, fa lang as Quein thow beiris Croun, Be thankful! to this burgh of Aberdein.

TO THE KING.

QUHEN MONY BENEFICES VAKIT.

ScHiR, at this feift of benefyce,

Think that fmall partis makis gryt fervice,

And equall diftributioun,

Makis thame content that hes reffoun ; And quha hes nane ar plefit na wyfs. 5

Schir, quhidder is it almefs mair To gif him drink that thriftis fair ;

Or fyll ane full man quhyll he brifl, ;

And latt his fallow die for thrift Quhylk wyne to drink als worthie wer ? 10

It is no glaid coUatioun

Quhair ane makis mii'rie, ane uther lukis downe ; Ane thriftis, ane uthair playis cope out : Lat anis the cope go round about,

And wein the covanis bennifoun. 15

TO THE KING.

Sanct Salvatour fend filver forrow ; It grevis me both evin and morrow,

Chafing fra me all cheritie ; It makis me all blythnes to borrow ;

My panefull purs fo prikillis me. 3

Quhen I wald blythlie ballattis brief, Langour thairto givis me no leif ;

War nocht gud howp my hart uphie. My verry corps for cair wald cleif ;

My panefull purs fo prikillis me. 10

Quhen I fett me to fing or dance, Or go to plefand paftance,

Than panfing of penuritie, Revis that fra my remembrance ;

My paneftdl purs fo prikillis me. 15

Quhen men that hes purfTis in tone, Paflis to drynk or to difjone,

Than raon I keip ane gravetie. And fay. That I will faft quhiU none ;

My panefull purs fo prikillis me. 20

158 TO THE KING.

My purs is maid of fie ane fkyn, Thair will na corfes byd it within ;

Strait as fra the Feynd thay fle, Quha evir tyne, quha evir win ;

My panefuU purs fo prikillis me. 25

Had I ane man of ony natioun, Could mak on it ane conjuratioun,

To gar filver aye in it be, The Devill fuld haif no dominatioun,

With pyne to gar it prikill me. 30

I haif inquyrit in mony a place, For help and confort in this cace,

And all men fayis, My Lord, that ye Can beft remeid for this mal-eifs,

That with fie panis prikillis me. 35

TO THE KING.

Off benefyce, Schir, at everie feift, Quha monyeft hes makis maift requeift :

Get thay nocht all, tliay think ye wrang thame ; Ay is the ouer-word of the gaift,

GiflF thame the pelf to part amang thame. 5

Sum fwaillis fwan, fum fwaillis duik, And I ftand faftand in a nuike, Quhill the effect off all thay fang thame : Bot, Lord I how petewouflie I luike,

Quhen all the pelf thay pairt amang thame. 10

Off fie hie feiftis of Sanctis in glorie, Baithe oflF commoun and proper florie,

Quhair lordis war patronis, oft I fang thame Caritas pro Dei amore ;

And yit, I gat na thing amang thame. 15

This blynd warld ever fo payis his dett, Ryche befoir puir fpraidis ay thair net,

To fifche all wateris dois belang thame : Quha na thing hes can na thing get,

Bot ay as fypher fett amang thame. 20

160 TO THE KING.

Swa fome the kirk had in thair cure, Thay fors bot lytill how it fure,

Nor of the buikis, nor bellis quha rang thame : Thay panfe nocht off the parrochin pure,

Had thay the pelf to part amang tharae. 25

So variant is this warldis rent, That men of it ar nevir content,

Off dethe quhyll that the dragoun flang thame ; Quha maift hes than fall maift repent,

And hes maift compt to part amang thame. 30

TO THE KING.

ScHiR, yit remeinbir as of befoir, How that my yowth is done forloir

In your fervice, with pane and greif, Gud Confciens cryis, Reward thairfoir !

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 5

Your Clerkis ar fervit all about, And I do lyk ane Reid Halk fchout,

To cum to lure that hes no leif, Quhair my plummy is begynis to brek out :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 10

Foryett is ay the Falconis kynd ; But evir the Mittane is hard in mynd,

Of quhome the Gled dois prectikis preif ; The gentill Goiihalk gois unkynd :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 15

The Pyet with hir pretty cot, Fenyeis to iing the Nychtingalis not ;

Bot fcho can nevir the corchat cleif, For harlhnefs of hir carlich throt :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 20

VOL. I. L

162 TO THE KING.

Ay fareft faderis bes farreft Fowlis ; Suppois thay haif no fang bot youlis,

In filver caigis tbay fit at cbeif ; Kynd natyve neft dois clek bot Owlis :

Excefs of thocbt dois me mifcheif. 25

O gentill Egill, bow may tbis be, Tbat of all fowlis dois beeft fle I

Your leigis quby will ye nocbt releif, And cbereifs eftir tbair degre ?

Excefs of tbocbt dois me mifcbeif. 30

Quben fervit is all utbir man, Gentill and fempill off every clan,

Kyne of Raup Colyear, and Johne the Reif, Na tbing I get, nor conqueis can :

Excefs of tbocbt dois me mifcbeif. 35

Tbocbt I in court be maid refufs. And baif few vertewis for to rufs ;

Yit am I cumin of Adame and Eif, And fane wald leif as utberis dois :

Excefs of tbocbt dois me mifcbeif. 40

Or I fuld leif in fie mifcbance, Gife it to God war no grevance,

To be a pyk-tbank I waJd preif, For tbay in warld wantis no plefans :

Excefs of tbocbt dois me mifcheif. 45

TO THE KING. 163

In fum parte on my felf I plenye ; Quhen uthir folkis dois flattir and fenye,

Allace ! I can bot BaUattis breif ; Sic bairneheid biddis my brydill renye :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 50

I grant my fervice is bot licht ; Thairfoir of mercy, and nocht of richt,

I afk yow, Scbir, no man to greif, Sum medecyne gife that ye micht :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 35

May nane remeid my malady Sa Weill as ye, Schir, veraly ;

For with a Benefice ye may preif, And gif I mend nocht heftely :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 60

I wes in yowth on niireifs kne, Dandely ! Bifchop, dandely !

And quhen that ege now dois me greif, Ane fempill Vicar I can nocht be :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 65

Jok that wes wont to keip the ftii-kis, Can now draw him ane cleik of kurkis,

With ane fals cairt in to his fleif. Worth all my Ballattis undir the birkis :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 70

164 TO THE KING.

Twa curis or thre lies iipolandis Micliell, With difpenfationis bund in a knitchell ;

Thoclit he fra nolt had new tane leif, He playis with totum, and I with nichell !

Excefs of thochtdois me mifcheif. 76

How fuld I leif that is nocht landit, Nor yit with Benefice am I blandit,

I fay nocht, Schir, yow to repreif ! Bot doutlefs I ga rycht neir hand it :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 80

As faule is heir in Purgatory, Leving in pane and houp of glory ;

So is my felf ye may beleif. In howp, Schir, of your adjutory :

Excefs of thocht dois me mifcheif. 85

OF DISCRETIOUN IN ASKING.

Of every Afking followis nocht Rewaird, hot gif fum caufe war wrocht ;

And quhair caufe is, men weill may fie, And quhair nane is, it wilbe thocht

In Alking fowld Difcretioun be. 5

Ane fule, thocht he haif caufs or nane, Cryis ay, Gif me, in to a drene ;

And he that dronis ay as ane bee Sowld haif ane heirar dull as ftane :

In Ailiing fowld Difcretioun be. 10

Sum afkis mair than he defervis ; Sum afkis far les than he fervis ;

Sum fchames to afk, and braidis of me, And aU withowt reward he ftervis :

In Afking fowld Difcretioun be. 15

To afk but fervice hurtis gud fame, To afk for fervice is nocht to blame ;

To ferve and leif in beggartie. To man and maifler is baith fchame :

In Afking fowld Difcretioun be. 20

166 OF DISCRETIOUN IN ASKING.

He that dois all his beft fervyifs, May fpill it all with crakkis and cryis,

Be fowll inoportunitie ; Few wordis may fuffyis the wyifs ;

In Afking fowld Difcretioun be. 25

Nocht neidfull is men fowld be dum, Na thing is gottin but wordis fum,

Nocht fpeid but diligence we fe ; For na thing it allane will cum :

In Afking fowld Difcretioun be. 30

Afking wald haif convenient place, Convenient tyme, lafour, and fpace ;

But haifl or preifs of grit menyie, But hairt abafit, but toung reklefs :

In Afking fowld Difcretioun be. 35

Sura micht haif Yea, with littill cure, That hes oft Nay, with grit labour ;

All for that tyme nocht byd can he. He tynis baith errand and honour :

In Afking fowld Difcretioun be. 40

Suppois the fervand be lang unquit, The Lord fum tyme rewaird will it I

Gif he dois nocht, quhat remedy ? To fecht with Fortoun is no witt :

In Afliing fowld Difcretioun be. 45

OF DISCRETIOUN IN GEVING.

To fpeik of Giftis or almoufs deidis : Sum gevis for mereit, and fum for raeidis ;

Sum wardly honour to upliie ; Sum gevis to thame that no thing neidis ;

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 3

Sum gevis for pryd, and glory vane ; Sum gevis with grugeing and with pane ;

Sum gevis on prattik for fupple ; Sum gevis for twyifs als gud agane :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 10

Sum gevis for thank, and fum for threit ; Sum gevis money, and fum gevis meit ;

Sum gevis wordis fair and fle ; And giftis fra fum ma na man treit :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be; 15

Sum is for gift fa lang requyred, Quhill that the crevar be fo tyred,

That or the gift deliverit be, The thank is fruftrat and expyred :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be, 20

168 OF DISCRETIOUN IN GEVING.

Sum gevis fo littill full wretchitly, That all his giftis ar nocht fet by,

And for a huid-pyk haldin is he, That all the warld cryis on him Fy !

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 25

Sum in his geving is fo large, That all our-laidin is his barge ;

Than vyce and prodigalitie, Thair off his honour dois difchairge :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 30

Sum to the riche gevis his geir. That micht his giftis weill forbeir ;

And thocht the peur for fait foiild de. His cry nocht enteris in his eir :

In Geving fowld Difci-etioun be. 35

Sum gevis to ftrangeris with face new, That yifterday fra Flanderis flew ;

And to auld fervandis lift nocht fe, War thay nevir of fa grit vertew :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 40

Sum gevis to thame can aflc and plenyie ; Sum gevis to thame can flattir and fenyie ;

Sum gevis to men of honeftie, And haldis all janglaris at difdenyie :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 45

OF DISCRETIOUN IN GEVING. 671

Sum gettis giftis and riche arrayis To fweir all that his raaifter fayis,

Thocht all the contrair weill knawis he ; Ar mony fie now in tliir dayis :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 50

Sum gevis to gud men for thair thewis ; Sum gevis to trumpouris and to fchrewis ;

Sum gevis to knaw his awtoritie ; Bot in thair office gude fundin few is :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 55

Sum gevis parrochynnis full wyd, Kirkis of Sanct Barnard and Sanct Bryd,

The people to teiche, and to owirfie, Thocht he na wit hes thame to gyd :

In Geving fowld Difcretioun be. 60

OF DISCRETIOUN IN TAKING.

Eftir Geving I fpeik of Taking, Bot littill of ony gud forfaiking ;

Sum takkis our littill awtoritie, And fum our-mekill, and that is glaiking :

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. 3

The clerkis takis beneficis with brawlis,

Sum of Sanct Petir, and fum of Sanct Paidlis ;

Tak he the rentis, no cair hes he, Suppois the Devill tak all thair fawlis :

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. 10

Barronis takis fi'a the tennentis peure, All fruitt that growls on the feure,

In mailis and gerfomes raifit ouir hie, And garris thame beg fra dure to dure :

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. 15

Sum merchandis takis imleill'um win, Quhilk makis thair pakis oft tymes full thin ;

Be thair fucceffioun as ye may fie. That ill win geir riches nocht the kin :

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. '20

OF DISCRETIOUN IN TAKING. 171

Sum takis uthir mennis takkis,

And on the peure oppreffioun makkis,

And nevir rememberis that he mon die, Quhyll that the gallowis gar him rax :

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. 23

Sum takis be fie, and fum be land.

And nevir fra taking can bald thair hand,

Quhill he be tyit up to ane tre ; And fyne thay gar him undirftand,

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. 30

Sum wald tak all his nychbouris geir ; Had he of man als littill feir

As he hes dreid that God him fee ; To tak than fowld he nevir forbeir :

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. 35

Sum wald tak all this warld on breid ; And yit nocht fatisfeit of thair neid,

Throw hairt unfatiable and gredie ; Sum wald tak littill, and can nocht fpeid ;

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. 40

Grit men for taking and oppreffioun Ar fet full famous at the Seffioun,

And peur takaris are hangit hie, Schamit for evir, and thair fucceffioun :

In Taking fowld Difcretioun be. 46

INCONSTANCY OF LUVE.

QuHA will behald of Luve the chance, With fueit diffavyng countenance, In quhais fair diffimulance,

May none alTure : Quhilk is begun with inconflance, 5

And endis nocht but variance ; Scho haldis with continewance

No ferviture. Difcretioun and Confiderance Ar both out of hir governance ; 10

Quhairfoir, of it the fchort plefance

May nocht indure. Scho is fo new of acquentance. The auld gais fra remembrance ; Thus I gife our the obfervans 15

Of Luvis cure. It is ane point of ignorance To lufe in fie diflemperance, Sen tyme mifpendit may avance

No creature : 20

In Luve to keip allegiance, It war als nyfe an ordinance As quha wald bid ane deid man dance.

In fepulturc.

OF MEN EVILL TO PLEIS.

Four maner of folkis ar evill to pleis ; Ane is, that riches hes and eifs, Gold, fdver, corne, cattell, and ky, And wald haif part fra utheris by,

Ane uther is of land and rent, 5

So great ane lord, and fo potent, That he may notlier it rewill nor gy ; And yit wald haif fra utheris by.

Ane is that hes of nobill bluid Ane lufty lady, fair and gude, 10

Boith verteous, wyfe, and womanly ; And yit wald haif ane uther by.

Ane uther dois fo dourlie drink, And aill and wyne within him fmk, Quhill in his wame no roume be dry ; 15

And yit wald haif fra uthei-is by.

In earth no wicht I can perfaif, Of gud fo great aboundance haif, Nor in this world fo welthfull wy,

Yit he Avald haif frome utheris by. 20

174 OF MEN EVILL TO PLEIS.

Bot yitt of all this gold and guid, Or uther cunyie, to conclude, Quha evir it haif, it is nocht I ; It gois frome me to utheris by.

And namelie at this Chryftis mefs, 25

Quhair evir Schir Gold maid his regrefs, Off him I will no Largel's cry ; He yeid fra me till utheris by.

a<^

OF COVETYCE.

Fredome, honour, and nobilnefs, Meid, manheid, mirth, and gentilnefs, Ar now in court reput as vyce, And all for caufs of Cuvetice.

All weilfair, welth and wantonefs, 5

Ar chengeit into wretchitnefs, And play is fett at littiil pryce ; And all for caufs of Covetyce.

Halking, hunting, and fwift horfe rynning, Ar chengeit all in wrangus wynnyng ; 10

Thair is no play hot cartis and dyce, And all for caufs of Covetyce.

Honorable houfe-haldis ar all laid doun ; Ane laird hes with him hot a loun, That leidis him eftir his devyce ; 15

And all for caufs of Covetyce.

In burghis to landwart and to fie, Quhair was plefour and grit plentie, Vennefoun, wyld-fowill, wyne, and I'pice,

Ar now decayid thruch Covetyce. 20

169 OF COVET VCE.

Hufljandis that grangis had full grete, Cattell and corne to fell and ete, Hes now no beift bot cattis and myce ; And all thruch caufs of Covetyce.

Honeft yemen in every toun, 25

War wont to weir baith reid and broun, Ar now arrayit in raggis with lyce ; And all thruch caufs of Covetyce.

And lairdis in filk harlis to the dill, For quhilk thair tennentis fauld fommer meill, 30 And leivis on rutis undir the ryce ; And all for caufs of Covetyce.

Quha that dois deidis of petie,

And leivis in pece and cheretie, , . ,

Is haldin a fule, and that full nyce ; o^c aiS 35 c I f*i-hi And all for caufs of Covetyce.

And quha can reive iithir menis rowmis, And upoun peur men gadder fowmis, Is now ane active man and wyice ;

And all for caufs of Covetyce. 40

Man, pleifs thy Makar, and be mirry, And fett nocht by this warld a chirry ; Wirk for the place of Paradyce, For thairin ringis na Covetyce.

GUDE COUNSALE.

Be ye ane luvar, Think ye nocht ye fuld Be Weill advyfit in your governing ?

Be ye nocht fa, it will on yow be tauld ; Be war thairwith for dreid of mif-demyng : [5 Be nocht a wreclie, nor fkerche in your fpending ;

Be layth alway to do amifs or fchame ;

Be rewlit l*ycht, and keip [weiU] this doctring,

Be fecreit, trew, increffing of your name.

Be ye ane lear, that is werft of all ;

Be ye ane tratlar, that I hald als evill ; 10

Be ye ane janglar, and ye fra vertew fall,

Be nevir mair on to thir vicis thraU ;

Be now and ay the maiftLr of yoru* will ; Be nevir he that leifing fall proclame ;

Be nocht of langage quhair ye fuld be ftill ; 15 Be fecreit, trew, increffing of your name.

Be nocht abafit for no wicket tung ;

Be nocht fa fet as I haif faid yow heir ; Be nocht fa large unto thir faw is fung ;

Be nocht our prowd, thinkand ye haif no pair, 20

vol.. I. M

178 GUDE COUNSALE.

Be ye fo wyifs that utheris at yow leir ; Be nevir he to (klander, nor defame ;

Be of your lufe nor preichour as a freir ; Be fecreit, trew, increfling of your name.

REWL OF ANIS SELF.

To dwell in court, my freind, gife that thow lift,

For gift of Fortoun invy thow no degre ; Behold and heir, and lat thy tung tak reft.

In mekle speich is part of vanitie ;

And for no malyce preifs the nevir to lie : 5

Als trubill nevir thy felf foir be no tyd,

Uthiris to rewill, that will nocht rewlit be : He rewlis weill, that weUl him felf can gyd.

Be war quhome to thy counfale thou difcure,

For trewth dwellis nocht ay for that trewth appeiris ; 10 Put nocht thyne honour in to aventeure,

Ane freind may be thy fo as Fortoun fteiris ;

In cumpany cheifs honourable feiris, And fra vyld folkis draw the far on fyd,

The Pfalme fayis, Cum fancto fanctus eris ; 1 5

He rewlis weill, that weill him felf can gyd.

Haif pacience thocht thow no lordfchip poffeid, For hie vertew may ftand in law eftait ;

Be thow content, of mair thow lies no neid,

And be thow nocht, defyre fall mak debait ; 20

Evirmoir till deth fay to the than chakmait,

Thocht all war thyne this warld within fo wyd,

180 REWL OF ANIS SELF.

Quha can refift the ferpent of difpyt ? He rewlis weill, that weill him felf can gyd.

Fie from the fallowfchip of fic as ar defamit, 25

And fra all fals tungis fullfild with flattry, Als fra all fchrewis, or ellis thow art efchamit ;

Sic art thow callit as is thy cumpany :

Fie perrellus taillis foundit of invy ; With wilful! men fon argown thow no tyd, 30

Quhome no reffone may feis nor pacify : He rewlis weill, that weill him felf can gyd.

And be thow nocht ane roundar in the nuke,

For gif thow be, men will hald the fufpect ; Be nocht in countenance ane fkornar, nor by luke, 35

Bot dowt ficlyk fall ftryk the in the neck :

Be war alfo to counfal or coreck Him that extold lies far him felf in pryd,

Quhair parrell is but proffeit or effeck ; He rewlis weill, that weill him felf can gyd. 40

And fen thow feyis mony thingis variand,

With all thy hart treit biflinefs and cure ; Hald God thy friend, evir llabill be him ftand,

He will the confort in all mifaventeur ;

And be no wayis difpytfuU to the peure 45

Nor to no man do wiang .it ony tyd ;

Quho fo dois, this ficker I yow afTure, He rewlis weill, that fa weill him can gyd.

OF DEMING.

Musing allone this hinder nicht, Of mirry day quhen gone was licht,

Within ane garth undir a tre, 1 hard ane voce, that faid on hicht.

Ma na man now Undemit be : 5

For thocht I be ane crownit King, Yit fall I nocht efchew Deming ;

Sum callis me guid, fum fayis thay lie, Sum cravis of God to end my ring,

So fall I nochfc Undemit me. 10

Be I ane Lord, and nocht lord-lyk, Than every pelour and purf-pyk

Sayis, Landis war bettir warit on me ; Thocht he dow nocht to leid a tyk,

Yit can he nocht lat Deming be. 15

Be I ane lady frefche and fair. With gentill men makand repair,

Than will thay fay, baith fcho and hie, That I am jaipit lait and air ;

Thus fall I nocht Undemit be. 20

182 OF DEMING.

Be I ane courtman, or ane knyclit, Honeftly cled eftir my mycLt,

Ane prydfuU man than call tbay me ; Bot God fend thame a widdy wicht,

That can nocht lat fic Deming be. 25

Be I bot littill of ftature, Tbay call me catyve createure ;

And be I grit of quantetie, Thay call me monftrowis of nature ;

Thus can thay nocht lat Deming be. 30

And be I ornat in my fpeicbe, Than Towfy fayis, I am fa ftreiche,

I fpeik nocht lyk thair houfs menyie ; Suppois her mowth mifteris a leiche,

Yit can fcho nocht lat Deming be. 35

Bot wift thir folkis that uthir Demis, How that thair fawis to uthir femis,

Thair vicious wordis and vanitie, Thair tratling tungis that all furth tumis,

Sum [tyme] wald lat thair Deming be. 40

War nocht the mater wald grow the mair, To wirk vengeance on ane Demar,

But dout I wald cans mony de ; And mony cative end in cair,

Or fura tyme lat thair Deming be. 45

1

OF DEMING. 183

Gude Ja>ies the Ferd, our nobill King, Quhen that he was of yeiris ying, In fentens faid full fubtillie,

Do WEILL, AND SETT NOCHT BY DeMING,

For no man sall Undemit be. 50

And fo I fall with Goddis grace, Keip his command in to that cace,

Befeiking ay the Trinitie, In Hevin that I may haif ane place,

For thair fall no man Demit be. 55

HOW SALL I GOVERNE ME !

How fowld I rewill me, or quliat wyifs, I wald fum wyifs man wald devyifs ;

I can nocht leif in no degre, Bot fum will my maneris difpyis ;

Lord God, how fall I governe me ! 5

Gif I be galland, lufty and blyth.

Than will thay fay on me full fwyth, ,

That out of mynd yone man is he. Or fum hes done him confort kyth :

Lord God, how fall I governe me ! 10

Gife I bo forrowfull and fad. Than will thay fay that I am mad,

I do bot drowp as I wold die ; Thus will they fay baith man and lad :

Lord God, how fall I governe me I 15

Be I liberall, gentill, and kynd Thocht I it tak of nobill ftrynd,

Yit will thay fay, baith he and fche, Yon man is lyk out of his mind :

Lord God, how fall I governe me ! 20

HOW SALL I GOVERNE ME ! 185

Gife I be lufty in array,

Than luve I paramouris thay fay,

Or in my hairt is prowd and hie, Or ellis I haif it fum wrang way ;

Lord God, how fall I governe me ! 25

Gife I be nocht weill als befene.

Than twa and twa fayis thame betwene^

That evill he gydis yone man, trewlie ; Lo ! be his claithis it may be fene :

Lord God, how fall I governe me ! 30

Gife I be fene in court ouir lang. Than wUl thay mnrmour thame amang.

My frends ar nocht worth a fle, That I fa lang but guerdon gang :

Lord God, how fall I governe me ! 35

In court rewaird than purchefs I, Than haif thay malyce and invy,

And fecreitly thay on me lie. And dois me folander prevely :

Lord God, how fall I governe me ! 40

I wald my gyding war devyiit ; Gife I fpend littill I am difpyfit,

Gif I be nobill, gentill, and fre, A prodigall man I am fo pryfit :

Lord God, how fall I governe me I 45

186 HOW SALL I GOVERNE ME !

Now juge thay me baitli guid and ill, And I may no manis tung hald llill,

To do the beft my mynd falbe ; Latt every man fay quliat he will,

The gracious God mot governe me I 50

BEST TO BE BLYTH.

Fui-L oft I mufe, and hes in thocht, How this fals Warld is ay on flocht,

Quhair no thing ferme is nor degeft ; And when I haif my mynd all focht,

For to be blyth me think it bell. 6

This warld evir dois flicht and wary, Fortoun fa faft hir quheiU dois cary ;

Na tyrae but turning can tak reft, For quhois fals change fuld none be fary ;

For to be blyth me think it beft. 10

Wald men confiddir in mynd rycht weill, Or Fortoun on him turn hir quheiU,

That erdly honour may nocht left. His fall lefs panefull he fuld feill ;

For to be blyth me think it beft. 15

Quha with this waild dois warfiU and ftryfe, And dois his dayis in doloxu: dryfe,

Thocht he in lordfchip be pofleft. He levis bot ane wrechit lyfe :

For to be blyth me think it beft. 20

188 BEST TO BE BLYTH.

Off warldls gud and grit ricliel's, Quliat fruct lies man but mirrinelis ?

Tliocht he this warld had eift and weft, All wer povertie but glaidnefs :

For to be blyth me think it beft. 25

Quho fuld for tynfall drowp or de, For thyng that is bot vanitie ;

Sen to the lyfe that evir dois left, Heir is bot twynklyng of an ee :

For to be blyth me think it beft. 30

Had I for warldis unkyndnefs In hairt tane ony havinefs,

Or fro my plefans bene oppreft, I had bene deid lang fyne dowtlefs :

For to be blyth me think it beft. 35

How evir this warld do change and vary, Lat us in hairt nevir moir be fary,

Bot evir be reddy and addreft, To pafs out of this frawfull fary :

For to be blyth me think it beft. 40

OF CONTENT.

QuHO thinkis he lies fuflScience, And of gudis hes no indigence ;

Thocht he have nowthir land nor rent, Great mycht, nor hie magnificence,

He hes anewch that is content. 5

Quho had all the riches unto Ynd, And wer nocht fatisfeit in mynd,

With povertie I hald him fchent ; Off covatyce fie is the kynd :

He hes anewch that is content. 10

Thairfoir I pray yow, breider deii-, Nocht to delyt in daynteis feir ;

Thank God of it is to the fent, And of it glaidlie mak gud cheir :

He hes anewch that is content. 15

Defy the warld, fenyeit and fals, With gall in hart, and hunyit hals :

Quha maift it fervis fall fonaft repent : Off quhais fubchettis four is the fals :

He hes anewch that is content. 20

190 ON CONTENT.

Gif thow hes myclit, be gentill and fre ; And gif thow ftandis in povertie,

Off thine awin will to it confent ; And riches fall return to the :

He hes anewch that is content. 25

And ye and I, my bredir all,

That in this lyfe hes lordfchip fmall,

Lat languour nocht in us iniprent ; Gif we nocht clym we tak no fall :

He hes anewch that is content. 30

For quho in warld moft covatus is In world is puireft man, I wys,

And moift neidy of his intent ; For of all gudis no thing is his,

That of no thing can be content. 35

ADVICE TO SPEND ANIS AWIN GUDE.

Man, fen thy lyfe is ay in weir, And deid is evir drawand neir, Thy tyme imficker and the place,

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow hes fpace.

Gif it be thyne, thy felf it ufis, 5

Gif it be nocht, the it refufis ; Ane uthir of it the proffeit hes ; Thyne awin glide fpend quhill thow hes fpace.

Thow may to day half gude to fpend,

And heftely to morne fra it wend, 10

And leif ane uthir thy baggis to braifs ;

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow hes fpace.

Quhill thow hes fpace, fe thow difpone. That for thy geir, quhen thou art gone. No wicht ane uther flay nor chace ; 15

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow hes fpace.

3

Sum all his dayis dryvis our in vane, Ay gadderand geir with forrow and pane.

192 ADVICE TO SPEND ANIS AWIN GUDE.

And nevii* is glaid at Yule nor Paifs ;

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow Ives fpace. 20

Syne cumis ane uther glaid of bis forrow, That for him prayit nowtliir evin nor morrow, And fangis it all Avith mirrynais ;

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow hes fpace.

Sum grit gud gadderis, and ay it fpairis, 25

And eftir him thair cumis yung airis, That his auld thrift fettis on an ace ;

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow hes fpace.

It is all thyne that thow heir fpendis,

And nocht all that on the dependis, 30

Bot his to fpend it that hes grace ;

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow hes fpace.

Treft nocht ane uther will do the to, It that thy felf wald nevir do ;

For gife thow dois, ftrenge is thy cace ; 35

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow hes fpace.

Luke how the bairne dois to the muther, And tak example be nane uther. That it nocht eftir be thy cace ;

Thyne awin gude fpend quhill thow hes fpace. 40

NO TRESSOUR AVAILIS WITHOUT GLAIDNES.

Be mirry, Maiij and tak nocht far iii mynd

The wavering of this wrechit Warld of forrow;

To God be humill, and to thy freynd be kynd, And with thy nychtbouris glaidly len and borrow ' His chance to nycht it may be thyne to morrow ;

Be blyth in hairt for ony aventure,

For oft with wyfe men it hes bene faid aforrow,

Without Glaidnes availis no Treffonr.

Mak the gud cheir of it that God the fendis>

For Warldis wrak but weilfair nocht availis ; 10

Na gude is thyne, faif only [that] thow fpendis, Remenant all thow brukis bot with bailis : Seik to folace quhen fadnes the aflailis ;

In dolour lang thy lyfe may nocht indure,

Quhairfoir of confort fet up all thy failis ; 15

Without Glaidnes availis no Treflbur.

Follow on petie, fle truble and debait, With famous folkis bald thy cumpany ;

Be charitabill and humyll in thyne eftait, For Warldly honour leftis bot a cry ; 20

VOL. I. N

194 NO TRESSOUR AVAILIS, &c.

For truble in erd tak no mallancoly ; Be riche in pacience, gif tliovv in gudis be pure,

Quho levis mirry he levis michtely ; Without Glaidnes availis no Treffour.

Thow feis thir wrechis fett with forrow and cair, 25 To gaddir gudis in all thair lyvis fpace ;

And quhen thair haggis ar full thair felfis ar bair, And of thair riches hot the keping hes : Quhill uthiris cum to fpend it that hes grace,

Quhilk of thy wynning no labour had nor cure, 30 Tak thow example, and fpend with mirrinefs ;

Without Glaidnes availis no Treffour.

Thocht aU the werk that evir had levand wicht

Wer only thyne, no moir thy pairt dois fall, Bot meit, drynk, clais, and of the laif a licht, 35

Yit to the Juge thow fall gif compt of all ;

Ane raknyng rycht cumis of ane ragment fmall : Be juft and joyus, and do to none injure,

And Trewth fall mak the ftrang as ony wall ; Without Glaidnes availis no Treffour. 40

NONE MAY ASSURE IN THIS WARLD.

QuHOME to fall I complene my wo, And kyth my kairis ane or mo ?

I knaw nocht amang riche nor pure, Quha is my freynd, quba is my fo ;

For in this Warld may none affure. 5

Lord ! how fall I my dayis difpone, For lang fervice rewarde is none ;

And fchort my lyfe may heir indure ; And loffit is my tyme bygone :

In to this Warld may none affure. 10

Oft Falfett rydis with ane rowt, Quhen Trewth gois on his fute abowt.

And lak of fpending dois him fpur ; Thus what to do I am in dowt :

In to this Warld may none affure. 15

Nane heir bot riche men hes renoun. And bot pure men ar pluckit doun ;

And nane bot juft men tholis injure, Sa Wit is blindit and Reffoun :

In to this Warld may none affure. 20

196 NONE MAY ASSURE IN THIS WARLD.

Vertew the Court lies done difpyifs ; Ane rebald to renoun dois ryifs,

And cairlis of nobillis lies the cure, And bumbardis brukis the benifyifs :

In to this Warld may none affui-e. 25

All Gentrice and Nobilitie Ar paffit out of he degre ;

On Fredome is laid foirfaltour ; In Princes is thair no pety ;

For in this Warld may none aflure. 30

Is none fo armit in to plait, That can fra truble him debait ;

May no man lang in welth indure, For wo that evir lyis at the wait :

In to this Warld may none affure. 35

Flattery weiris ane furrit goun.

And Falfett with the Lordis dois roun ;

And Trewth ftandis barrit at the dui*e ; And Honour exul is of the toun :

In to this Warld may none affure. 40

Fra everilk mowth fair wirdis proceidis, In every hairt difceptioun breidis,

Fra everilk e gois luke demure, Bot fra the handis gois few gud deidis :

In to this Warld may none ailiire. 45

NONE MAY ASSURE IN THIS WARLD. 197

Toungis now ar maid of quhyte quliaill bone, And hairtis ar maid of hard flynt Hone ;

And ene of amiable blyth afure, And handis of adamant laith to difpone :

In to this Warld may nane affure. 50

Yit hairt, with hand and body, all Mon anfwer Deth quhen he dois call,

To compt befoir the Juge future ; Sen all ar deid, or than de fall,

Quha fuld in to this Warld aflUre ? 55

No thing hot Deth this fchortly cravis, Quhair Fortoun evir as fo diffavis,

With freyndly fmylingis of ane hure, Quhais fals behechtis as wynd hyne wavis :

In to this Warld may none afllire. 6

O ! quha fall weild the wrang pofTeffioun, Or the gold gatherit with oppreflioun,

Quhen the Angell blawis his bugiU fture ? Quhilk unreftorit helpis no confeffioun :

In to this Warld may none allure. 65

Quhat help is thair in lordfchippis fevin, Quhen na houfs is hot Hell and Hevin,

Palice of licht, or Pitt obfcure, Quhair youlis ar hard with horreble llevin .

In to this Warld may none alfure. 70

198 NONE MAY ASSURE IN THIS WARLD.

Ubi ardentes Animae, Semper dicentes Vse I Vffi !

Sail cry, AUace ! that wemen thame bure ; O quantse funt iftae tenebra) !

In to this Warld may none affure. 75

Than quho fall wirk for Warldis wrak, Quhen flude and fyre fall our it frak,

Ana trely fruftir feild and fure, With tempeft kene and hiddous crak?

In to this Warld may none affure. 80

Lord ! fen in tyrae fa fone to cum, De terra furrecturus fum,

Reward me with non erdly cure, Bot me receave in regnum tuum :

In to this Warld may none affure. 85

LEARNING VAIN WITHOUT GUID LYFE,

WRITTEN AT OXINFURDE.

To fpeik of fcience, craft, or fapience,

Off vertew, morall cunnyng, or doctryiie ; Off jure, of wifdome, or intelligence ;

Off everie ftudy, lair, or difcipline ;

All is hot tynt, or reddie for to tyne, 5

Nocht ufing it as it lliould ufit be ;

The craift exerceing, confiddering nocht the fyne : Ane paralous feiknes is Vain Profperite.

The cui'ious probatioun logical! ;

The eloquence of ornat rethorie; 10

The naturall fcience philofophicall ;

The dirk apperance of Aftronomie ;

The Theologis fermoun ; the fablis of Poetrie ; Without Guid Lyfe all in the felf dois de.

As Mayis flouris dois in September dry : 15

A paralous lyfe is Vain Profperitie.

Quhairfoir, ye Clerkis griteft of conftance,

Fullefl of fcience and of knawlegeiug. To us be niyrroris in youi* governance ;

200 LEARNING VAIN, &c.

And in our darknefs be lampis in fchyning : 20 Or thane in fruftar is all your lang learning ;

Gif to your fawis your deidis contrair be, Your maift accufar falbe your awin cunning ;

A peralous feiknes is Vaine Profperitie.

OF THE WARLDIS VANITY.

O Wreche, be war ! this Warld will wend the fro,

Quhilk hes begylit mony greit eftait ; Turne to tliy freynd, beleif nocht in thy fo.

Sen thow mon go, be grathing to thy gait ;

Remeid in tyme, and rew nocht all to lait ; 5

Provyde tliy place, for thow away mon pafs

Out of this vaill of trubbill and dillait : Vanitas Vanitatura, et omnia Vanitas.

Walk furth Palgrime, quhill thow hes dayis lycht,

Drefs fro defert, draw to thy dwelling place ; 10

Speid home, for quhy ? anone cunimis the nycht

Quhilk dois the follow with ane ythand chaife !

Bend up' thy faill, and win thy port of grace ; For and the Deith ourtak the in trefpas.

Then may thow fay thir wourdis with Allace I 15

Vanitas Vanitatum, et omnia Vanitas.

Heir nocht abydis, heir ftandis no thing flabill, [For] this fals Warld ay flittis to and fro ;

Now day up bricht, now nycht als blak as fabill.

Now eb, now flude, now freynd, now cruell fo ; 20

202 OF THE WARLDIS VANITY.

Now glaid, now fad, now weill, now in to wo ; Now cled in gold, diliblvit now in afs ;

So dois this Warld [ay] tranfitorie go : Vanitas Vanitatum, et omnia Vanitas.

OF THE CHANGES OF LYFE.

I SEIK about this Warld unftabill, To find ane fentence conveneabill ;

Bot I can nocht in all my wit,

Sa trew ane fentence find of it, As fay it is diffaveabiU. 5

For yeftirday, I did declair

Quhow that the tym was faft and fair,

Come in als frefche as pacock feddar ;

This day it ftangis lyk ane eddar, Concluding all in my contrair. 10

Yeftirday fair up fprang the flouris, This day thay ar all flane with fchouris ; And fowlis in forreft that fang cleir, Now weipis with ane dreirie cheir, Full caidd ar bayth thair bedis and bouris. 15

So nixt to Symmer, Wynter bein ; Nixt eftir confort, cairis kein ;

Nixt eftir dark nycht, the mu-thfull morrow ;

Nixt eftir joy, ay cummis forrow: So is this Warld, and ay hes bein. 20

OF THE WARLDIS INSTABILITIE.

TO THE KING.

This waverand Warldis wretchednefs, The failyeand and fruitlefs biffinefs. The mifpent tyme, the fervice vaine, For to confidder is ane pane.

The flydand joy, the glaidnefs fchort, 5

The feinyeid luif, the fals confort, The fvveit abayd, the flichtfull trane, For to confidder is ane pane.

The fugiirit mouthis, with myndis tliairfra, The figurit fpeiche, Avith faceis tua, 10

The plefand toungis, with liartis unplane, For to confidder is ane pane.

The leill labour loft, and leill fervice, The lang availl on huniill wyfe. And the lytill rewarde agane, 15

For to conlidder is ane pane.

Nocht I fay all be this Cuntre,

OF THE WARLDIS INSTABILITIE. 205

France, Ingland, Ireland, Almane, Bot all be Italic and Spane ;

Quliilk to confidder is ane pane. 20

The change of Warld fra weill to wo, The honourable ule is all ago, In hall, in hour, in burgh and plane ; QuhUk to confidder is ane pane.

Beleif dois hoip, traift dois nocht tarie, 25

Office dois flit, and courtis dois varie, Purpois dois change, as wynd or rane ; Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

Gude rewU is banifchit our the Bordour, And rangat ringis bot ony ordour, 30

With reird of rebaldis, and of fwane ; Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

The pepiU fo wickit ar of feiris, The frutlefs erde aU witnefs beiris, The ayr infectit and prophane ; 35

QuliUk to confidder is ane pane.

The temporall fl;ait to gryp and gather, The fone diflieris wald the father, And as ane dyvour wald hini demane ;

Quhilk to confidder is ane pane. 40

206 OF THE WA RLDIS INSTABILITIE.

Kirkmen fo halie ar and gude, That on tliair confcience, rowne and rude, May turn audit oxin and ane wane ; Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

I knaw noclit how the Kirk is gydit, 45

Bot Beneficis ar nocht leill devydit ; Sum men hes fevin, and I nocht ane ; Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

And fum, unworthy to brouk ane flail, Wald clym to be ane Car din all, 50

Ane Bifchoprik may nocht him gane ; Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

Unworthie I, amang the laif, Ane Kirk dois craif, and nane can liaif ; Sum with ane thraif playis pafilige plane ; 55

Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

It cumis be King, it cumis be Quene,

Bot ay fie fpace is us betwene,

That nane can fchut it witli ane flane ;

Quhilk to confidder is ane pane. 60

It micht have cummin in fchortar quhyll Fra Calyecot and the new-fund Yle, The partis of Tranfmeridiane ; Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

OF THE WARLDIS INSTABILITIE. 207

It micht, be this, had it bein kynd, 65

Cummin out of the defertis of Ynde, Our all the grit fe Oceane ;

Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

It micht have cummin out of all airtis, Fra Paris, and the Orient partis, 70

And fra the Ylis of Aphrycane ; Quhilk to conlidder is ane pane.

It is fo lang in cuming me till,

I dreid that it be quyt gane will,

Or bakwart is turnit agane ; 75

. Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

Upon the held of it is hecht

Bayth unicornis, and crownis of wecht,

Quhen it dois cum all men dois frane;

Quhilk to confidder is ane pane. 80

I wait [it] is for me provydit, Bot fa done tyrefum it is to byd it, It brekis my hairt, and briftis my brane ; Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

Greit Abbais grayth I nill to gather, 85

Bot ane Kirk fcant coverit with hadder ; For I of lytill M'ald be fane ; Quhilk to confidder is ane pane.

208 OF THE WARLDIS INSTABILITIB.

And for my Curis in findrie place, With help, Schir, of your nobill Grace, 90

My fillie faule fall never be flane j Na for fie fyn to fuffer pane.

Experience dois me so infpyre, Of this fals failyeand Warld I tyre, That ever moir flittis lyk ane phane ; 95

Quhilk to.confidder is ane pane.

The formest hoip yit that I have

In all this Warld, fa God me fave,

Is in Your Grace, hayth crop and grayne,

Quhilk is ane leilbun of my pane. 100

I

ERDLY JOY RETURNIS IN PANE.

Off Lentren in the firft momyng, Airly as did the day up fpring, Thus fang ane bird with voce upplane, All Elrdly joy returnis in pane.

O Man ! haif mynd that thow men pafs ; 5 Remembir that thow art hot afs, And fall in afs return agane : All Erdly joy returnis in pane.

Haif mynd that eild ay foUowis yowtli, Deth foUowis lyfe with gaipand mowth, 10 Devoring fruct and flowring grane : All Erdly joy returnis in pane.

Welth, warldly gloir, and riche array, Ar all bot thornis laid in thy way, Ourcovered with flouris laid in ane trane : 15 All Erdly joy returnis in pane.

Come nevir yit May fo frefche and grene, Bot Januar come als wod and kene ; VOL. I. o

210 ERDLY JOY RETURNIS IN PANE.

Wes nevir fie drowth bot anis come rane : All Erdly joy returnis in pane. 20

Evemiair unto this Warldis joy, As nerreft air fucceidis noy ; Thairfoir quhen joy may nocht remane, His verry air fucceidis pane ;

Heir Helth returnis in Seiknefs ; 25

And Mirth returnis in Havinefs ; Toun in defert, forreft in plane : All Erdly joy returnis in pane.

Fredome returnis in Wrechitnefs, And Trewth returnis in Dowbilnefs, 30

With fenyeit wirdis to mak men fane ; All Erdly joy returnis in pane.

Vertew returnis into Vyce, And Honour into Avaryce ; With Cuvatyce is Confciens flane ; 35

All Erdly joy returnis in paine.

Sen erdly joy abydis nevir, Wirk for the joy that leftis evir ; For uther joy is all bot vane :

All Erdly joy returnis in pane. 40

LAMENT FOR THE MAKARIS.

QUHEN HE WES SEIK.

I THAT in heill wes and glaidnefs, Am trublit now with gi-et feiknefs, And feblit with infirmitie ; Timor Mortis conturbat me.

Our plefance heir is all vane glory, 5

This fals Warld is bot tranfitory, The flefche is brukle, the Feynd is fle ; Timor Mortis conturbat me.

The ftait of Man dois change and vary, Now found, now feik, now biyth, now fary, 10 Now danfand mirry, now like to die ; Timor Mortis conturbat me.

No Stait in Erd heir ftandis ficker ; As with the wynd wavis the wickir, So wavis this Warldis vanite ; 15

Timor Mortis conturbat me.

212 LAMENT FOR THE MAKARIS.

Unto the Deid gois all Eftaitis, Princis, Prellattis, and Poteftaitis, Baitli riche and puire of all degre ;

Timor Mortis conturbat me. 20

He takis the Knychtis in to feild, Anarmit under helme and fcheild ; Victour he is at all mellie : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

That ftrang unmercifull tyrand 25

Takis on the Mutheris breill fowkand The Bab, full of benignite : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He takis the Campioun in the flour, The Capitane clofit in the tour, 30

The Lady in hour full of bewtie : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He fpairis no Lord for his pifcence, Nor Clerk for his intelligence ; His awfuU ftraik may no man fle ; 35

Timor Mortis conturbat me.

Art Magicianis, and Aftrologgis, Rethoris, Logicianis, Theologgis, Thame helpis no conclufionis lie ;

Timor Mortis conturbat me. 40

LAMENT FOR THE MAKARIS. 213

In Medicyne the moft Practicianis, Leichis, Surrigianis, and Phificianis, Thame felf fra Deth may nocht fupple ; Timor Mortis conturbat me.

I fee that Makakis amang the laif 45

Playis heir thair padyanis, fyne gois to graif ; Spairit is nocht thair faculte : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He hes done peteouflie devour, The noble Chawcer of Makaris flouir, 50

The Monk of Bery, and Gower, all thre ; Timor Mortis conturbat me.

The gude Schir Heav of Eglintoun, Etrik, Heryot, and Wyntoun, He hes tane out of this Cuntre ; 55

Timor Mortis conturbat me.

That Scorpioun fell hes done infek Maifter Johne Clerk, and James Afflek, Fra baUat making and tragede ; Timor Mortis conturbat me. 60

Holland and Barbour he has berevit ; AUace ! that he nocht with us levit Schir MuNGO Lokert of the Le : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

214 LAMENT FOR THE MAKARIS.

Clerk of Tranent eik he hes tane, 65

That maid the awnteiis of Gawane ; Schir Gilbert Hay endit lies he : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He hes Blind Hary, and Saistdy Traill Slaine with his fchot of mortall haill, 70

Quhilk Patrik Johnestoun mycht nocht He ; Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He hes reft Merseir his endyte, That did in luve fo lifly write, So fchort, fo quyk, of fentence hie : 75

Timor Mortis conturbat me.

He hes tane Roull of Abirdene, And gentill Roull of Corilorphine ; Two bettir fallowis did no man fe :

Timor Mortis contui-bat me. 80

In Dumfermelyne he hes tane Broun, With Maifter Robert Henrisoun ; Schir JoHNE the Ross embraift hes he : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

And he hes now tane, laft of aw, 85

Gud gentill Stobo and Quintyne Sghaw, Of quhome all wichtis hes petie : Timor Mortis conturbat me.

LAMENT FOR THE MAKARIS. 215

Gud Maifter Walter Kennedy, In poynt of dede lyis veraly, 90

Gret reuth it wer that fo fuld be ; Timor Mortis conturbat me.

Sen he hes all my Brether tane, He will noclit lat me leif alane, On forfe I men his nyxt pray be ; 95

Timor Mortis contm-bat me.

Sen for the Deld remeid is non, Beft is that we for deid difpone. Eftir om- deid that leif may we

Timor Mortis conturbat me. 100

THE MERLE AND THE NYCHTINGAILL.

In May, as that Aurora did up fpring, With criftall ene chafing the cluddis fable,

I liard a Merle, with mirry notis, fing

A fang of luve, with voce rycht confortable, Agane the Orient bemis amiable, 5

Upone a blifsful brenche of lawryr grene ; This wes hir fentens fueit and delectable,

A lufly lyfe in Luvis fervice bene.

Undir this brench ran doun a revir bricht.

Of balmy liquour, criftall yne of hew, 10

Agane the hevinly aifure Ikyis licht ;

Quhair did, upone the tothir fyd, perfew A Nychtingaill, with fuggurit notis new,

Quhois angell fedderis as the pacok fchone :

This wes hir fong, and of a fentens trew, 15

All Luve is loft bot upone God allone.

With notis glaid, and glorious armony, This joyfuU Merle fo faluft fcho the day,

Quhill rong the woddis of hir melody.

Saying, Awalk, ye luvaris of this May ; 20

THE MERLE AND THE NYCHTINGAILL. 217

Lo frefche Flora hes flureft every I'pray, As Nature hes liir taucht, the noble Quene,

The feild bene clothit in a new array : A lufty lyfe in Luvis fervice bene.

Nevir fuetar noys wes hard with levand man 25 Na maid this mirry gentill Nychtingaill,

Hir found went with the rever as it ran

Out throw the frefche and flureift lufty vaiQ : O Merle I quoth fcho, O fule I ftynt of thy taUl,

For in thy fong gud fentens is thair none, 30

For boith is tynt, the tyme and the travaill

Of every Luve hot upone God allone.

Seifs, quoth the Merle, thy preching, Nychtingaill : Sail folk thair yowth fpend in to holinefs ?

Of yung fanctis growis auld feyndis but fable. 35 Fy ! Ypocreit, in yeiris tendirnefs, Agane the law of kynd thow gois exprefs.

That crukit aige makis one with yowth ferene, Quhome natur of conditionis maid dyverfs :

A lufty lyfe in Luvis fervice bene. 40

The Nychtingaill faid, Fule, remembir the, That both in yowth and eild, and every hour,

The luve of God moft deir to man fuld be ;

That him, of nocht, wrocht lyk his awin figour. And deit him felf fro deid him to fuccour ; 45

O quhithir wes kythit thair trew luve or none ?

218 THE MERLE AND THE NYCHTINGAILL.

He is moft trew and fteidfaft paramour, And Luve is loft bot upone him aUone.

The Merle faid, Quliy put God fo grit bewte

In ladeis, with fic womanly liaving, 50

Bot gif he wald tliat thay fuld luvit be ?

To luve eik Natur gaif thame inclynnyng ;

And He of Natur that wirker wes and king, Wald no thing fruftir put, nor lat be fene.

In to his creature of his awin making : 55

A lufty lyfe in Luvis fervice bene.

The Nychtingaill faid, Nocht to that behufe

Put God fic bewty in a ladeis face. That fcho fuld haif the thank thairfoir, or lufe,

Bot He the wirker, that put in hir fic grace ; 60

Off bewty, bontie, richefs, tyme, or fpace. And every gudnefs that bene to cum or gone,

The thank redoundis to Him in every place : All Luve is loft bot upone God allone.

O Nichtingaill I it wer a ftory nyce 65

That luve fuld nocht depend on cherite ; And gife that vertew contrair be to vyce.

Than luve mon be a vertew, as thinkis me ;

For ay to luve invy mone contrair be : God bad eik luve thy nichtbour fro the fplene, 70

And quho than ladeis fuetar nychtbouris be ? A lufty lyfe in Luvis fervice bene.

THE MERLE AND THE NYCHTINGAILL. 219

The Nyclitingaill faid, Bird, quhy dois thow raif ?

Man may tak in his lady fie delyt, Him to foryet that hir fie vertew gaif, 75

And for his hevin rafl"aif hir cullour quhyt :

Hir goldin treflit hairis i*edomyt, Lyk to Appollois bemis thocht thay fchone,

Suld nocht him blind fro liive that is perfyt ; All Luve is loft hot upone God allone. 80

The Merle faid, Luve is caufe of honour ay,

Luve makis eowardis manheid to purchafe, Luve makis knychtis hardy at afl^ey,

Luve makis wreehis full of lergenefs,

Luve makis fueir folkis full of biffinefs, 85

Luve makis fluggirdis frefche and weill befene,

Luve ehangis vyee in vertewis nobUnefs ; A lufty lyfe in Luvis ferviee bene.

The Nychtingaill faid, Trew is the eontrary ;

Sic fruftir luve it blindis men fo far, 90

In to tliair myndis it makis thame to vary ;

In fals vane glory thai fo drunkin ar,

Thair wit is went, of wo thai ar nocht war, Quhill that all wirchip away be fro thame gone,

Fame, guddis, and ftrenth : quhairfoir weill fay I dar, 95 And Luve is loft hot upone God allone.

Than faid the Merle, Myne errour I confefs ; This fruftir luve all is bot vanite ;

220 THE MERLE AND THE NYCHTINGAILL.

Blind Ignorance me gaif fie hardiness,

To argone fo agane the varite : 100

Quhairfoir I counfall every man, that he

With luve nocht in the feindis net be tone, Bot luve the Luve that did for his luve de :

All Luve is loft bot upone God aUone.

Than fang thay both with vocis lowd and cleir : 105

The Merle fang, Man, luve God that lies the wrocht. The NychtingaiU fang, Man, luve the Lord moft deir,

That the and all this warld maid of nocht.

The Merle faid, Luve him that thy lufe hes foclit, Fra lievin to erd, and heir tuk flefche and bone. 110

The NychtingaiU fang, And with his deid the bocht: All Luve is loft but upone Him aUone.

Thane flew thir birdis our the bewis fchene,

Singing of luve amang the levis fmaU ; Quhois ytliand pleid yit maid my thochtis grene, 115

Bothe fleping, walking, in reft, and in travaill :

Me to reconfort moft it dois availl Agane for luve, quhen luve I can find none.

To think how long this Merle and NychtingaiU, AU Luve is loft bot upone God allone. 120

OF LUVE ERDLY AND DIVINE.

Now culit is Dame Venus brand ; Trew Luvis fyre is ay kindilland, And I begyn to undirftand, In feynit luve qiibat foly bene :

Now cumis Aige qubair Yowth hes bene, 5

And true Luve ryfis fro tbe splene.

Qubill Venus fyre be deid and cauld,

Trew luvis fyre nevir birnis bauld ;

So as the ta luve waxis auld,

The tothir dois increfs moir kene : 10

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene,

And true Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

No man hes curege for to wryte,

Quhat plefans is in luve perfyte,

That hes in fenyeit luve delyt, 15

Thair kyndnes is fo contrair clene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene,

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Full Weill is him that may imprent,

Or ony wayis his hairt confent, 20

222 OF LUVE ERDLY AND DIVINE.

To turne to trew luve his intent, And ilill the quarrell to fufteine :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene,

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

I haif experience by my fell ; 25

In Luvis court anis did I dwell,

Bot quhair I of a joy cowth tell,

I culd of truble tell fyftene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene.

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene. 30

Befoir quhair that I wes in dreid. Now haif I confort for to fpeid ; Quhair I had maugre to my meid, I treft rewaird and thankis betwene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene, 35

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Quhair luve wes wont me to difpleis,

Now find I in to luve grit eis ;

Quhair I had denger and difeis,

My breifl: all confort dois contene : 40

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene.

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Quhair I wes hurt with jelofy. And wald no luver wer bot I ; Now quhair I luve I wald all wy 4<5

OF LUVE ERDLY AND DIVINE. 223

Als weill as I luvit I wene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene, And trevv Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Befoir quhair I durft nocht for fchame

My luve defcrive, nor tell hir name ; 50

Now think I wirfchep wer and fame,

To all the warld that it war fene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene.

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Befoir no wicht I did complene, 55

So did her denger me derene ;

And now I fett nocht by a bene

Hir bewty, nor hir twa fair ene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene,

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene. 60

I have a luve fairar of face, Quhom in no denger may haif place, Quhilk wiU me guerdoun gif and grace, And mercy ay quhen I me mene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene, 65

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Unquyt I do no thing nor fane.

Nor wairis a luvis thocht in vane ;

I falbe als weill luvit agane,

Thair may no jangler me prevene : 70

224 OF LUVE ERDLY AND DIVINE.

Now curais Aige quhair Yowth hes bene, And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Ane luve fo fare, fo gud, fo fueit,

So riche, fo rewthfull, and difcreit,

And for the kynd of man fo meit, 75

Nevir moir falbe, nor yit hes bene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene,

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Is none fa trew a luve as he,

That for trew luve of us did de ; 80

He fuld be luvit agane, think me,

That wald fa fane our luve obtene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene,

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene.

Is none but grace of God I wis, 85

That can in Yowth confiddir this ;

This fals diffavand Warldis blifs,

So gydis Man in flouris grene :

Now cumis Aige quhair Yowth hes bene,

And trew Luve ryfis fro the fplene. 90

THE MANER OF PASSYNG TO CONFESSIOUN.

0 SYNPULL Man, thir ar the fourty dayis That every man fuld wilfull pennence dre ;

Oiu'e Lorde Jhefu, as haly writ layis,

Fallit him felf oure exampill to he, —

Sen fie ane michty King and Lorde as he, 5

To faft and pray was fo obedient, We fynfiill folk fulde be more deligent.

1 reid the, Man, of thi tranfgreffioun, With all thi hert, that thow be penitent ;

Thow fclu'ive the clene, and mak confeffioun, 10

And fe thairto [that] thow be deligent. With all thi fynnes into thi mynde prefeut. That every fyn be the felfe befchaAvin, To thyne confeffioun it ma be kend and knawin.

Apon thi body gif thow hes ane wounde 15

That cauffis the gret panis for to feill, Thair is no leiche ma mak the haili and foimde,

Quhill it be fene, and clengit every deill ;

Richt fua thi Ichrift, hot it befchawin weill,

VOL. I. P ^

226 THE MANER OF PASSYNG

Thow art nocht abill remiffioun for to get, 20

Wittandlie and thow [fuld] ane fyn foryet.

Off tuenty woundis, and ane be left unhelit

Quhat avalis the leiching of the laif ? Rycht fua thi fchrift, and thair be oucht concelit,

It avalis nocht thi fely faule to faif ; 25

Nor yit of God remiffioun for to haif : Of fyn gif thow wald have deliverance, Thow fulde it teU with all the circumftance.

Sa that thi Confeffour be wyfs and difcreit, Than can the difcharge of every doute and weir, 30

And power hes of thy fynnes compleit :

Gif thow can nocht fchaw furth thi fynnes perqueir. And he be blynde, and can nocht at the fpeir,

Thow ma rycht weiU in thi niynde confydder

That ane blynde man is led furth be ane utlier. 35

And fa I halde, that ye ar baith begylde ;

He can nocht fpeir, nor thow can nocht him teU,

Quhen, nor how, thi confcience thow hes fylde ; Thairfor, I reid, that thow excufe thi fell, And rype thi mynde how every thing befell, 40

Tlie tyme, the place, and how, and in quhat vryis,

So that thi confeffioun ma thi fynnes pryce.

Avyfs the weill, or thou cum to the Preifl, Off all thi fynnes, and nanielie of the maiit,

TO CONFESSIOUN. 227

That thai be reddy prentit in thi breifl ; 45

Thow fulde nocht cum to fchryfe the in [gret] haift, And fyne fit doun abafit as ane beift : With humyll [hairt] and fad contrytioun, Thow fuld cum to [mak] thine confeffioun.

With thine awin mouth thi fynnes thow fuld tell ; 50 Bot fit and heir the Preift hes nocht ado,

Quha kennes thi fynnes better na thi fell ? Thairfor, I reid the, tak gude tent thairto ; Thow knawis beft quliair bindis the thi fcho ;

Thairfor, be wyfe afor or thow thair cum, 55

That thow fchaw fm*th thi fynnes all and fum.

Quhair feldin compt is tane, and hes a bevy charge. And fyne is reklefs in his governance,

And on his confcience he takis all to large,

And on the end hes no rememberance, 60

That man is abill to fall ane gret mifchance :

The fynfull man that all the yeir our fettis,

Fra Pafche to Fafche, rycht mony a thing foryettis.

I reid the, Man, quhiU thow art ftark and young,

With pith and ftirenth into thi yeiris grene, 65

QuhiU thow art abiU baith in raynde and toung, Repent the, Man, and kepe thi confcience clene ; TUl byde tiU age is mony perrell fene :

Small merit is of fynnes for to irke

Quhen thow art aid, and ma na wrangis wyrke. 70

THE TABILL OF CONFESSIOUN.

To The, O mercifull Salviour, Jhefiis,

My King, my Lord, and my Redemar fweit,

Befoir tliy bludy figour dolorus,

I fchir me cleyne, with humill heart contreit,

That evir I did unto this hour compleit, 5

Baith in werk, in word, and eik in entent ; Falling on face, full law befoir thy feit,

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

To The, my meik fweit Salviour, I me fchryve.

And dois me in thy mercy maift excelling, 10

Off the wrang fpending of my Wittis Fyve, —

In Hering, Seeing, Gulling, Twitching, and Smelling, Ganeftanding, greving, offending, and rebelling

Aganis my God and Lord omnipotent ;

With teiris of forrow from my ene diftilling, 15

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

I wretchit fynner vyle, and full of vyce.

Oft' the Sevin Deidly Synnys dois me fchryve, —

Off Pryde, off Yre, Invy, and Covetyce,

Off Lichery, Gluttony, with Slewth ay till our dryve,

THE TABILL OF CONFESSIOUN.

229

Exercing vycis evir in all my lyve, For quhilk, allace I I fervit to be fchent :

Rew on me, Jhefu, for thy woundis fyve I I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

I fchryve me. Lord I that I abufit half 25

The Sevin Deidis of Mercy Corporall, — The hungry meit, nor thrifty drink I gaif,

Nor vefeit the feik, nor did redeme the thrall,

Herbreit the wilfum, nor naikit cled att all, Nor yit the deid to bery tuke I tent : 30

Thow, that put mercy aboif thy workis all, I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

In the Sevin Deidis of Marcy Spirituall, —

To ignorantis nocht gaif I my teiching, Synnaris correctioun, nor deftitut counfall, 35

Na imto wofull wretchis conforting,.

Nor unto faulis fupport of my preiching. Nor was to afk forgifnefs penitent.

Nor to forgif my nychtbouris offending ; I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent. 40

Lord ! I haif done full litill reverence

Unto the Sacramentis Sevin of gret renoun, —

Thy Haly Supper for my fyn recompence, Baptiling, Penance, and Confirmacioun, Matrimony, Ordour, and Extreme Uncioun ; 45

Heiroff, als fer as I wes negligent,

230 THE TABILL OF CONFESSIOUN.

With haii-t contreit, and teiris falling doun, I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

Thy Ten Commandis,— A God for till honour,

Nocht tane in vane his name, na flayar to be, 50

Fader and moder to wirfchip at all hour, To be no theif, the haly day to uphie, Nychtbouris to lufe, fals witnefs for to fle,

To leif adultre, to covet na manis rent ;

In all thir. Lord ! culpable knaw I me ; 55

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

The Artickillis of Treuth,— A God to trow,

The Fader that all thingis wrocht and comprehendit,

And in his haly bliffit Sone, Jhefu,

Of Mary borne, on croce deit, to hell difcendit, 60 The thrid day ryfing, to the Fader afcendit.

Off quick and deid to cum, and bald Jugement ;

In to thir poynttis, O Lord 1 quhair I have offendit,

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

I trow in to the bliifit Haly Spreit, 65

And in the Kirk, to do as it commandis.

And to thy dome that we fall ryfe compleit

And tak our flefch againe, baith feit and handis, All to be faiff in ftait of grace that ftandis ;

Plane I revoik in thir quhair I mifwent, 70

Befoir the Juge and Lord of fee and landis,

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

THE TABILL OF CONFESSIOUN. 231

I fynnit, Lord 1 that nocht being ftrong as wall,

In Howp, in Faith, in fervent Cheretie ; Nocht with the Foure Vertewis Cardenall, 75

Aganis vycis fure enarmyng me.

With Fortitude, Prowdence, Temperance, thir thre With Juftice ever in werk, word, or entent ;

To The, Chryft Jhefu, cafting up myne e, I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent. 80

The Sevin Commandis of the Kirk, — that is to fay, Thy teind to pay, and curfmg to efchew,

To keipe the feftuall and the falling day.

The mefs on Sonday, the parroche kirk perfew,

To proper Curat to mak confeffioun trew, 85

Anis in the yeir to tak the Sacrament ;

In thir pointis, quhair I oflFendit, fair I rew ;

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

Off fyn alfo aganis the Haly Spreit,

Off fchrift poftponit, of fyn aganis nateur, 90

Off incontricioun, of confeffioun indifcreit.

Off reffait fmfull of The my Salvatour,

Off undone pennance, and fatisfactioun fiu*e, Off the Sevin Giftis the Haly Gaift me fent.

Off Pater nofter, and Sevin Peticionis pure ; 95

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

Nocht thanking The of gratitude nor grace,

That thow me wrocht, and bocht me with thi deid ;

232 THE TABILL OF CONFESSIOUN.

Off this fchort lyfe remembring' nocht the fpace,

The hevinnis blifs, the hellis hiddeoufs feid, 100

But more trefpals, my fynnis to remeid,

Concluding' nevir all thruch in myne entent ;

O ThoAv, quhois blude on rude for men ran reid,

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

I knaw me vicious, Lord, and richt culpable, 105

In aitliis fvveiring, leifing, and blafpheming,

Off fruftrat fpeiking in court, in kirk, and tabill, In wordis vyle, in vaneteis expreming, Preyffing my felf, and evill my nichtbouris deming,

And fo in ydilnefs my day is I haif fpent ; 110

Thow that wes rent on rude for my redeming,

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

I fynnit in confaving thochtis jolye.

Up to the hevin extolling myn ententioun.

In he exaltit arrogance, and folye, 1 15

Prowdnefs, derifioun, fcorne, and vilipentioun, Prefumptioun, inobedience, and contemptioun,

In fals vane gloir, and deidis negligent ;

O Thow, that deit on rude, for my redemptioun,

I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent. 120

I fynnit als in reif, and in oppreflioun,

In wrangufs gudis taking and poifeding, Contrar gud refl'oun, confcience, and difcretioun,

In prodigall fpending, but revvth of peure folkis neiding,

THE TABILL OF CONFESSIOUN. 233

In fowll difceptiounnis, in fals inventionis breiding, 125 To conqueifs honor, trefor, land, and rent,

In flefclily luft aboif mefure exceiding ; I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

Off mynd diffymulat. Lord ! I me confefs,

Off feid lindir ane freindly countenance, 130

Off parciall jugeing, and perverfs wilfulnefs,

Off flattering wordis for fynding of fubftance,

Off fals folilling for wrang deliverance At Counfale, Seffioun, and at Parliament ;

Off everilk guilt, and wicket govirnance, 135

I cry Th6 mercy, and lafar to repent.

I fchryve me of all curfit company.

In aU tyme, witting and unwitting me, Off criminall caufes, oft' deid of fellony,

Off tyranny, and vengeable crewaltie, 140

Off hurt or flawchter, culpable gif I be, In ony wife, deid, counfale, or confent ;

O deir Jhefu ! that for me deit on tre, I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

Thocht I half nocht thy precious fait to kifs, 145

As had the Magdelene, quhen fcho did mercy craif,

I fall as fcho, weip teiris for my mifs,

And every morrow feik The at thy graif ; Thairfoir, forgife me, as thow hir forgaif,

That feis my hert, as fynner penitent !

234 THE TABILL OF CONFESSIOUN.

Thy precious body, in breift I refaif ; I cry The mercy, and lafar to repent.

Thow mak me, Jhefu, on The to remember I

I afk thy Paflioun in me fo to habound, 150

Quhill nocht of me unmanyeit be a member,

Bot fall in wo, with The, of every wound ;

And every ftraik mak throu my hert aftound. That evir did ftrenye thy fair flefche innocent ;

Sa that no part of my body be found, 155

Bot crying The mercy, and lafar to repent.

Oif all thir fynnis that I did heir expreme. And als foryet, to The, Lord ! I me fchryve,

Appeling fra thy Jullice court extreme,

Unto thy court of Mercy exulyife ; 160

Thow mak my fchip in bliffit port arryve,

That failis heir in ftormis violent,

And faif me, Jhefu I for thy woundis fy ve,

That cryis The mercy, and lafar to repent.

ANE ORISOUN.

Salviour, fuppois my fenfualitie,

Subject to fyn, hes maid my faull oft fyis, Sum fpark of licht and fpiritualitie,

Walkins my witt, and reffoun bidis me ryis ;

My corrupt confcience afkis, clipis and cryis, Firft grace, fyn fpace, for to amend my myfs ;

Subllance with honour doing nane fuppryis, Freindis profperitie, heir peax, fyn heavins blyfs.

OF LYFE.

QuHAT is this Lyfe bot ane ftraucht way to deid, Quhilk hes a tyme to pas, and nane to duell ;

A flideing quheill us lent to feik remeid ; A fre chois gevin to Paradice or Hell ; A pray to deid, quhome vane is to repel! ;

A fchoirt torment for infineit glaidnefs,

Als fchoirt ane joy for leftand hevynefs f

OF THE NATIVITIE OF CHRIST.

RoRATE Coeli defuper !

Hevins dilliJl your balmy fchouris, For now is i-iflln the bryclit day-fter,

Fro the Roifs Mary, flour of flouris:

The cleir Sone, quhome no clud devouris, 5 Surmunting Phebus in the eft,

Is cumin of his hevinly touris ; Et nobis Puer natus eft.

Archangellis, angellis, and dompnationis,

Tronis, poteftatis, and marteiris feir, 10

And all ye hevinly operationis,

Ster, planeit, firmament, and fpeir,

Fyre, erd, air, and watter cleir, To Him gife loving, moft and left,

That come in to fo meik maneii'; 15

Et nobis Puer natus eft.

Synnaris be glaid, and pennance do,

And thank your Makar hairtfuUy; For He, that ye mycht nocht cum to,

To yow is cumin full humly, 20

OF THE NATIVITIE OF CHRIST. 237

Your faulis with his hlud to by, And loufs yow of the feindis arreft,

And only of his awin mercy ; Pro nobis Puer natus eft.

All clergy do to him inclyne, 25

And bow unto that barne benyng, And do your obfervance devyne,

To him that is of kingis King ;

Enfence his altar, reid, and fing In haly kirk, with mynd degeft, 30

Him honouring attour all thing, Qui nobis Puer natus eft.

Celeftiall fowlis in the air,

Sing with your nottis upoun hicht ; In firthis and in forreftis fair 35

Be myrthfuU now, at all your mycht,

For paffit is your dully nycht ; Aurora lies the cluddis perft,

The fone is riffin with glaidfum lycht, Et nobis Puer natus eft. 40

Now fpring up flouris fra the rute,

Revert yow upwart naturaly, In honour of the bliffit frute,

That raifs up fro the Rois Mary ;

Lay out your levis luftely, 45

Fro deid tak lyfe now at the left,

238 OF THE NATIVITIE OF CHRIST.

In wirfchip of that Prince wirthy, Qui nobis Puer natus eft.

Syng Hevin imperial!, moft of hiclit,

Regions of Air mak armony ; 50

All Fifche in flud, and FouU of flicht,

Be myrthfull and mak melody :

All Gloria in excelsis cry, Hevin, Erd, Se, Man, Bird, and Beft,

He that is crownit above the Sky, 55

Pro nobis Puer natus eft.

ANE BALLAT OF OUR LADY.

Haile, fterne fuperne ! Haile, in eterne,

In Godis ficht to fchyne I Xiucerne in derne, for to difceme

Be glory and grace devyne ; Hodiern, modem, fempitem, 5

Angelicall Regyne ! Our tern inferne for to difpem,

Helpe rialeft rofyne.

Ave Maria, gratia plena I

Haile, frefclie flour femynyne ! 10

Yerne us, guberne. Virgin matern,

Of reuth baith rute and ryne.

Haile, yyng, benyng, frefche flurifing I

Haile, Alphais habitakle ! Thy dyng of fpring maid us to fyng 15

Befor his tabernakle ; All thing maling we doune thring,

Be ficht of his fignakle ; Quliilk King us bring unto his ryng.

Fro dethis dirk umbrakle. 20

Ave Maria, gratia plena !

240 ANE BALLAT OF OUR LADY.

Haile, Modir and Maid but makle ! Briclit fygn, gladyng our languiffing, Be micht of thi mirakle.

Haile, bricht, be ficht, in hevyn on hicht ! 25

Haile, day fterne orientale ? Our licht moll richt, in clud of nycht,

Our darknefs for to fcale : Haile, wicht, in ficht, puttar to flicht

Of fendis in battale I 30

Haile, plicht, but ficht I HaUe, raekle of mycht !

HaUe, glorious Virgine, haile ! Ave Maria, gratia plena !

Haile, gentiU nychttingale ! Way ftricht, cler dicht, to wilfome wicht, 35

That irke bene in travale.

HaUe, Queue ferene ! Haile, moll amene !

HaUe, hevinlie hie Empryfs I Haile, fchene, unfeyne with carnale eyne !

HaUe, Rois of Paradyfs I 40

Haile, clene, bedene, ay till conteyne I

Haile, fair frefche flour-de-lyce ! Haile, grene dafeyne ! Haile, fro the fplene,

Of Jhefu genetrice I

Ave Maria, gratia plena ! 45

Thow bair the Prince of Pryfs ; Our tryne to meyne, and go betweyne,

As Immile Oratrice.

ANE BALLAT OF OUR LADY. 241

Haile, more decore, than of before,

And fwetar be fie fevyne, 50

Oui- glore, forlore. for to reftore,

Sen thow art Quene of Hevyne ! Memore of fore, ftern in Aurore,

Louit with Angellis ftevyne ; Implore, adore, thow indeflore, 55

To mak onr oddis evyne.

Ave Maria, gratia plena !

With lovingis lowde ellevyn, Quhill ftore and hore, my youth devore.

Thy name I fall ay nevyne. 60

Empryce of pryfe, Imperatrice,

Brycht polift precious flane ; Victryce of vyce, hie genitrice

Of Jhefu, Lord foverayne : Our wyfe pavyfe fro enemyis, 65

Agayne the feyndis trayne ; Oratrice, Mediatrice, Salvatrice,

To God gret fuflFragane !

Ave Maria, gratia plena !

Haile, fterne meridiane ! 70

Spyce, flour-de-lice of Paradyfe,

That hair the gloryus grayne.

Imperiall wall, place paleftrall. Of peirlefs pulcritude ;

VOL.. I. Q

242 ANE BALLAT OF OUR LADY.

Tryumphale hall, hie trone regall 75

Of Godis celfitude ; Hofpitall riall, the Lord of all

Thy clofet did include ; Bricht ball, criftall, rois virginall,

Fulfillit of angell fude. 80

Ave Maria, gratia plena !

Thy birth has with his blude, Fra fall mortall, originall.

Us ranfomid on the rude.

OF THE PASSIOUN OF CHRIST.

Amang thir Freiris, within a clofter,

I enterit in ane Oratory, And knellit doun with ane Pater nofter,

Befor the michti King of glorye,

Having his Paffioun in memorye; 5

Syne till his Mudir I did inclyne,

Hir haliing with ane gaude-flore ; And fodanely I flepit fyne.

Me thocht Judas with mony a Jow

Tuke bliflit Jhefu, our Salvatoui', 10

And fchot him furth, with mony a fchow,

With fchamefull wordis of dilhonour ;

And lyke ane theif, or ane tratour, Thai led that hevinlie Prince moft hie,

With mannafing attour mefour, 15

O Mankynd, for the luf of the.

Falfly condampnit befor ane Juge,

Thai fpittit in his vifage fair ; And, as lyonis with awfuU ruge,

In yre thai harlit him lieir and thair, 20

244 OF THE PASSIOUN OF CHRIST.

And gaf him mony buffatis fair, That it was forrow for to fe ;

And of his claithis thai tirvit him hair, O Mankynd, for the lufe of the.

Thai tyrandis to revenge thair teyne, 25

For fcorne thai clad him in to quhyte ; And hid his bliffull glorius eyne,

To fe quhom Angellis had delyte ;

Difpituofly fyne did him fmyte, Saying, Gif Sone of God thow be, 30

Qnha ftraike the now, thow tell us tyte ?— O Mankynd, for the luf of the.

In teyne, thai tirvit him agane,

And till ane pillar thai him band ; Quhill blude out briftit at every vane, 35

Thai fcurgit him baith fute and hande :

At every flraik ran furth a ftrand, Mycht have ranfomit warldis thre ;

He baid in ftound quhill he mycht Hand, O Mankynd, for the lufe of the. 40

Nixt all in purpour thai him cled.

And fyne with thornis fcharpe and kene ;

His faiklefs blude agane thai fched, Perfing his hed with pykis grene ; Uneifs with lyf he mycht fuftene 45

That croune, on thrung with creuelte,

OF THE PASSIOUN OF CHRIST. 245

Quhill flude of blude blyndit his eyne, O Mankynd, for the luf of the.

Ane croce that was baith gret and lang,

To heir thai gaf that bliffit Lord ; 50

Syne furiufly, as theif to hang,

Thai harlit him furth with raipe and corde ;

With blude and fwait was all deflord His face, the fude of angellis fre ;

His feit with flanis war revin and fcord, 55 O Mankynd, for the luf of the.

Agane thai tirvit him bak and fyde,

Als brym as ony baris wod ; The claith that claif to his clere hyde,

Thai raif away with ruggis rude, 60

Quhill ferfly followit flefche and blude, That it was pete for to fe ;

Na kynd of torment he ganeftood, O Mankynd, for the luf of the.

Unto the croce of breid and lenth, 65

To gar his lymmis largear wax. Thai ftraitit him with all thair ftrenth,

Quhill to the end thai gart liim rax ;

Syne tyt him up with gret irne tax. And him all nakit on a tre 70

Thai raifit on loft, be houris fax, O Mankynd, for the luf of the.

246 OF THE PASSIOUN OF CHRIST.

Quhen he was bendit all on breid, QuliiU aU Lis vanys brift and brak,

Till gar his cruell pane exceid, 75

Thai leit him fall doune with a fwak, Quhill corfs and corps and aU did crak ;

Agane thai raifit him on hie, Redy mair torment for to tak,

O Mankynd, for the luf of the. 80

Betuix twa theiffis the fpreit he gaif,

Unto his Father raoft of mycht ; The erd did trymble, the cragis raif,

The fone obfcurit of his licht ;

The day wox dirk as ony nycht, 85

Deid bodyis raifs in the cite :

Godis deii' Sone all thus was dicht, O Mankynd, for the luf of the.

In weir that he was yit on lyf,

Thai ran a rude fpeir in his fyde, 90

And did his precious body ryf,

Quhill blude and wattir did furth glyde :

Thus Jhefu with his woundis wyde, As martir fuffirit for to de,

And tholit to be crucifyid, 95

O Mankynd, for the luf of the.

OF THE RESURRECTION OF CHRIST.

Done is a battell on the Dragon blak,

Our campioun Chryft confoundit lies his force ;

The yettis of Hell ar brokin with a crak, The iigne triumphall raiit is of the Croce, The DiviEis trymmillis with hiddoufs voce, 5

The faulis ar borrowit, and to the blifs can go, Cliryft with liis blud onr ranfoms dois indoce :

Surrexit Dominus de fepiilchro.

Dungin is the deidly dragon Lucifer,

The crewall ferpent with the mortall ftang ; 10 The auld kene tegir, with his teitli on char,

Quhilk in a wait lies lyne for us fo lang,

Thinking to grip us in his clowis ftrang ; The mercifuU Lord wald nocht that it wer fo,

He maid him for to felye of that fang : 15

Surrexit Dominus de fepulchro.

He for our faik that fufferit to be flane, And lyk a lamb in facrifice wes dicht.

Is lyk a lyone riffin up agane.

And as gyane [hes] raxit him on hicht : 20

248 OF THE RESURRECTION Of CHRIST.

Sprungin is Aurora radius and bricbt, On loft is gone the glorius Appollo,

The bliffull day departit fro the nycht : Surrexit Dominus de fepulchro.

The grit Victour agane is riflln on hicht, 25

That for om- querrell to the deth wes woundit ; The fone that wox all paill now fchynis bricht,

And dirknes clerit, our fayth is now refoundit ;

The knell of mercy fra the hevin is foundit ; The Chriftins ar deliverit of thair wo, 30

The Jowis and thair errour ar confoundit : Surrexit Dominus de fepulchro.

The fo is chafit, the battell is done ceifs,

Tlie prefone brokin,the jevellouris fleit and flemit ;

The weir is gone, confermit is the peifs, 35

The fetteris lowfit, and the dungeoun temit, The ranfoum maid, the prefoneris redemit;

The feild is win, ourcumin is the fo, Difpulit of the trefure that he yemit :

Surrexit Dominus de fepulchro. 40

OF MANIS MORTALITIE.

Memento, Homo, quod cinis es !

Think, Man, thow art bot erd and afs ; Lang heir to dwell na thing thow prefs.

For as thow come, fo fall thow pafs,

Lyk as ane fchaddow in ane glafs : 5

Syne glydis all thy tyme that heir is ;

Think, thocht thy bodye war of brafs, Quod tu in cinerem reverteris.

Worthye Hector, and Hercules,

Forcye Achill, and ftrong Sampfone, 10

Alexander of grit nobilnes,

Meik David, and fair Abfolone,

Hes playit thair pairtis, and all are gone, At wiU of God, that aU thing fteiris :

Think, Man, exceptioun thair is none ; 15

Sed tu in cinerem reverteris.

Thocht now thow be maift glaid of cheir, Faireft and plefandeft of port,

Yet may thow be, within ane yeir,

Ane ugfum, uglye [fowll] tramort : 20

And fen thow knawis thy tyme is fchort.

250 OF MANIS MORTALITIE,

And in all lioure thy lyfe in weir is,

Think, Man, amang all uthir fport, Quod tu in cinerem reverteris.

Thy luftye bewte, and thy youth, 25

Sail faid as dois the fomer flouris, Syne fall the fwallow with his mouth

The dragone Death, [that all devouris ;]

No caftell fall the keip, nor touris, Bot he fall feik the with thy feiris ; 30

Thairfore, remembir at all houris, Quod tu in cinerem reverteris.

Thocht all this warld thow did poffeid, Nocht eftir death thow fall poffefs,

Nor with the tak, but thy guid deid, 35

Quhen thow dois fro this warld the drefs : So fpeid the, Man, and the confefs,

With humill hart and fobir teiris. And fadlye in thy hart imprefs,

Quod tu in cinerem reverteris. 4,0

Thocht thow be taklit nevir fo fure,

Thow fall in deathis port arryve, Quhare nocht for tempeft may indure,

Bot ferfle all to fpeiris [dryve ;]

Thy Ranfomer, with woundis fyve, 45

Mak thy plycht-anker, and thy Iteiris,

To hald thy faule with Iiim on lyve, Cum tu in cinerem reverteris.

ANE ORISOUN.

QUHEN THE GOVERNOUR PAST INTO FRANCE.

Thow tliat in Hevin for our falvatioun,

Maid juftice, mercie, and pietie, to ag-gre ; And Gabriell fend with the Salutatioun

On to the Mayd of maift humilite;

And maid thy Sone to tak humanite, 5

For our demereittis to be of Marie borne ;

Haif of us pietie, and our protectour be I For, but thy help, this Kynrick is forlorne.

O hie fiipernale Father of fapience,

Quhilk of thy vertew dois everie folie chais, 10

Ane fpark of thy hie excellent prudence

GifF us, that nouther wit nor reffoun hes !

In quhais heartis no prudence can tak place, Exemple, nor experience of beforne ;

To us, fynnaris, ane drop fend of thy g^ace ! 15

For, but thy help, our Kynrick is forlorne.

We ar fo beiftlie, dull, and ignorant.

Our rudenefs may nocht lichtlie be correctit ; Bot Thow, that ait of mercy militant,

252 ANE ORISOUN.

Thy vengeance feifs on us to fyn fubjectit, 20

And gar thy juftice be with reuth correctit;

For quyt away fo wyld fra us is worne, And in folie we ar fo far infectit,

That, but thy help, this Kynrick is forlorne.

Thow, that on rude us ranfomit and redemit, 25

Rew on our fyn, befoir your ficht decydit;

Spair our trefpas, quhilk may nocht be expremit, For breif of juftice, for we may nocht abyd it, Help this pure Realme, in partyis all devydit !

Us fuccour fend, that wair the crown of thorne, 30

That with the gift of grace it may be gydit !

For, but thy help, this Kynrick is forlorne.

Lord I hald thy hand, that ftrikken hes fo foir;

Haif of us pietie, eftir our punytioun ; And gif us grace The [for] to greif no more, 35

And gar us mend with penance and contritioun ;

And to thy vengeance mak non additioun. As Thow that of michtis may to morne,

Fra cair to confort thow mak reftitution : For, but thy help, this Kynrick is forlorne. 40

MEDITATIOUN IN WYNTIR.

In to thir dirk and drublie dayis, Quhen fabill all the Hevin arrayis,

With myftie vapouris, cluddis and fkyis,

Nature all curage me denyis OS fangis, ballattis, and of playis. 5

Quhen that the nycht dois lenthin houris, With wind, with haill, and havie fchouris,

My dule fpreit dois lurk forfchoir ;

My hairt for languor dois forloir, For laik of Summer with his flouris. 10

I walk, I turne, fleip can I nocht, I vexit am with havie thocht ;

This Warld all ouir I caft about,

And ever the mair I am in dout, The raair that I remeid have focht. 15

I am aflayit on everie fyde, Difpair fayis ay, In tyme provyde.

And get fum thing quhairon to leif ;

Or with grit troubill and mifcheif, Thow fall in to this Court abyde. 20

254 MEDITATIOUN IN WYNTIR.

Than Patience fayis, Be noclit agaft : Hald Hoip and Treuthe within the faft ; And lat Fortoun wirk furthe hir rage, Quhen that no Rafoun may afluage, Quhill that hir glafs be run and paft. 25

And Prudence in my eir fayis ay, Quhy wald thow hald that will away ?

Or craif that thow may have no fpace

Thow tending to an uther place, A journay going everie day ? 30

And than fayis Age, My freind cum neir. And be nocht ftrange, I the requeir : Cum, Brudir, by the hand me tak. Remember thow lies compt to mak Off all the tynie thow fpendit heir. 35

Syne Deid caftis up his yettis wyd, Saying, Thir oppin fall ye byd ;

Albeid that thow were never fo llout,

Undir this lyntall fall thow lowt : Thair is nane uther way befyd. 40

For feir of this all day I drowp ; No gold in kift, nor wyne in cowp,

No ladeis bewtio, nor luiffis blys.

May lat me to remember this : How glaid that ever I dyne or fowp. 45

MEDITATIOUN IN WYNTIR. 255

Yit, quhan the nycht beg^mnis to fcliort, It dois my fpreit fum part confort,

Off thocht oppreflit with the fchouris.

Cum, luftie Symmer I with thy flouris, That I may leif in fum difport. 50

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