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THE  LIBRARY 

OF 

THE  UNIVERSITY 

OF  CALIFORNIA 

LOS  ANGELES 


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THE    BANNATYNE    MANUSCRIPT 


THE 


BAN  N ATYN  E 


MANUSCRIPT 


COMPILED    BY 

GEORGE      BANNATYNE 

1568 


VOL     II 


PRINTED    FOR   THE    HUNTERIAN   CLUB 

MDCCCXCVI 


CONTENTS   OF   VOLUME    II. 


PAGE 


The  Wryttar  to  the  Reidaris.     [Bannatyne]     -         -  i 

God.     [Bannatyne]        -         -         .         .         .         .  2 

Ane    most    godlie    mirrie    and    lustie    Rapsodie 

MAIDE    BE    SUNDRIE    LEARNED    SCOTS    POETS    AND 
WRITTEN   BE    GEORGE    BANNATYNE    IN    THE   TYME 

OF  HIS  Youth. 

I.  The  Benner  of  Pietie.     Be  lohine  Bellentyne          -  3 

II.  The  Proheme  of  the  Cronicule.    Be  lohine  Bellenden  9 

III.  The  Prollog  of  the  Tent  Buik  of  Virgill.     Quod 

Gawyne  Dowglas      -         -         -         -         -         -  21 

IV.  Ane  Ballat  of  the  Creatioun  of  the  Warld.     Quod 

Sir  Richart  Maitland  of  Lethingtoun          -         -  27 

V.  The  Ixxxiii.  Pfahiie  of  Dauid.     [Anon.]          -         -  33 

VI.  A  Song  of  him  lying  in  Poynt  of  Deth.     [Anon.]    -  35 

VII.  The  Sawle  of  Man  [etc.].     [Anon.]          -         -        -  36 

VIII.  The  Firft  Sahne.     Quod  /Alexander  Scott        -         -  39 

IX.  The  Fyifty  [firft]  Pfiialme.     Quod  Scott          -         -  40 

X.  [The  Tabill  of  Confeffioun].     Quod  Dumbar          -  43 

XI.  O  moft  heich  and  eternall  King.      Quod  [Robert] 

Norvall    -         - -  49 

XII.  Chrifle  qui  Lux  es  et  Dies.     [Anon.]      -         -         -  52 

XIII.  O  Hicht  of  Hicht,  and  Licht  of  Licht  niofl  cleir. 

[Anon.]    -         - 54 

XIV.  Spair  me,  gud  Lord,  and  mak  me  clene.       [Anon.]  55 
XV.  Cum  Haly  Spreit  moifl  fuperne.     [Anon.]       -         -  57 

XVI.  Ye  Sonis  of  Men,  be  mirry  and  glaid.     [Anon.]      -  58 

XVII.  Ye  that  contreit  bene  and  confefl.     [Anon.]   -         -  60 

XVIII.  Ane  Prayer  for  the  Pefl.     [Quod  Henryfone]           -  61 

XIX.  The  Song  of  the  Virgin  Mary.     [Anon.]          -         -  64 

Ballatis    of    the    Nativitie    of    Chryste. 

XX.  Now  glaidith  euery  Liffis  Creature.     [Dunbar]        -  67 


vi  CONTENTS. 

FACE 

XXI.  Rorate  Cell  defuper !     Quod  Dumbar       -  69 

XXII.  Jeiufalem  reiofs  for  Joy.     [Anon.]  71 

XXIII.  Haill,  Goddis  Sone,  of  Mychtis  maift.     [Anon.]  72 

XXIV.  We  that  ar  bocht  with  Chryftis  Blude.    [Anon.]  76 
XXV.  Omnipotent  Fader,  Sone,  and  Haly  Gaift.    [Anon.]  79 

XXVI.  The  Sterne  is  riffin  of  our  Redemptioun.   [Dunbar]  80 

De    Eius    Passione    quedam    Cantilene. 
XXVII.  My  wofuU  Hairt  me  ftoundis  throw  the  Vanis. 

[Quod  Clerk] 82 

XXVIII.  O  wondit  Spreit  and  Saule  in  till  Exile.     [Anon.]       85 
XXIX.  Compacience  perffis,  Rewth  and  Mercy  ftoundis. 

[Anon.] 89 

De    Resurrectione. 
XXX.  Thow  that  hes  bene  obedient.     [Anon.]    -         -       91 
XXXI.  Surrexit  Dominus  de  Sepulchro.     [Dunbar]       -       93 
XXXII.  Done  is  a  Battell  on  the  Dragon  blak.     Quod 

Dunbar       - 94 

EXORTATIONIS     OF     ChRYST     TO     ALL     SyNNARIS. 

XXXIII.  O  Man,  remember,  and  prent  in  to  thy  Thocht. 

Quod  Stewart 96 

XXXIV.  To  the  hie,  potent,  blisfuU  Trinitie.     [Anon.]    -  loi 

XXXV.  O  Man,  vnthankfull  to  thy  Creator.     [Anon.]    -  103 

XXXVI.  Chryift,  crownit  King  and  Conquerour.    [Anon.]  105 

XXXVII.  Eternall  King,  that  fittis  in  Hevin  fo  hie.    [Anon.]  107 

XXXVIII.  Quhen  be  Devyne  Deliberatioun.     [Anon.]        -  109 

XXXIX.  O  Lord,  my  God,  on  quhome  I  do  depend.  [Anon.]  1 1 1 

XL.  O  Creaturis  creat  of  me  your  Creator.     Quod 

Ledgait,  monk  of  Bery         -         -        -         -112 

The  secound  Pairt  of  this  Buk  conteneand  verry 

SINGULAR      BALLATIS,     FULL      OF      WiSDOME      AND 

Moralitie,  etc. 

XLI.  Wit.     [Anon.] 117 

XLII.  Furth  throw  ane  Forrefl  as  I  fure.     [Anon.]      -     118 
XLIII.  The  Prollog  of  the  Nynt  Buk  of  Virgell.     In 
Commendatioun  of  Vertew.     Quod  Gawyn 
Dow"lafs    -         -         -         -         -         -         -     1 2  2 


CONTENTS.  vii 

PAGE 

XLIV.  Quhylome  in  Grece,  that  nobill  Regioun.     Quod 

Chawfeir     -         -         -         -         -         -         -     123 

XLV.  Allone  af  I  went  vp  and  doun.     Quod  Robert 

Henryfone  -         -         -         -         -         -12^ 

XLVI.  Memento,    Homo,    quod    Cinis    es  I        Quod 

Dunibar      -         -         -         -         -         -         -     127 

XLVII.  O  mortall  Man !    remembir.      Quod  Lichtoun, 

monk  us       -         -         -         -         -         -         -129 

XLVIIL  Off  Lentren  in  the  firfl  Mornyng.    Quod  Dumbar     131 
XLIX.  Doun  by  ane  Rever  as  I  red.     [Dunbar]  -         -     133 
L.  Confidder,  Man,  all  is  bot  Vanitie  !     [Anon.]    -     136 
LI.  Lettres  of  Gold  writtin  I  fand.     Quod  Wa[lter] 

Broun         -         -         -         -         -         -         -     138 

LII.  At    Matyne    Houre    in    Midis    of  the    Nicht. 

Quod  Kennedy  -         -         -         -         -     143 

LIII.  Walking  allone  amang  thir  Levis  grene.    [Anon.]     145 
LIV.  The  Reffoning  betuix  Aige  and  Yowth.     Quod 

Robert  Henderfone     -         -         -         -         -     149 

LV.  The  Reffoning  betuix  Deth  and  Man.     Quod 

Henderfone         -         -         -         -         -         -     153 

LVL  Within  ane  Garth,  vndir  a  reid  Rofeir.     Quod 

Henderfone         -         -         -         -         -         -     155 

LVn.  The  thre  deid  Pollis.      Quod  Patrick  Johniftoun     157 
LVIII.  Sen  throw  Vertew  increffis  Dignitie. 

[Wedderburn] 159 

Certane    Balladis    agane    the    Vyce    in    Sessioun 
Court    and    all    Estaitis. 
LIX.  Ane  mvrlandis  Man   of  vplandis  Mak.      Quod 

Dumbar      -         -         -         -         -         -         -  160 

LX.  Devorit  with  Dreme,  devyfmg  in  my  Slummer, 

Quod  Dumbar    -         -         -         -         -         -  162 

LXL    Off    every    Aflcing     foUowis     nocht     Rewaird 

[Difcretioun  of  Afking].     [Dunbar]     -         -  165 

LXn.  Difcretioun  of  Geving.     [Dunbar]     -         -         -  167 

LXni.  Difcretioun  in  Taking.     Quod  Dumbar    -         -  170 

LXIV.  Mufing  allone  this  hinder  Nicht.    Quod  Dumbar  171 

LXV.  Sons  hes  bene  ay  exilit  owt  of  Sicht.     [Clerk]   -  173 

LXVI.  Fredome,  Honour,  and  Nobilnes.     [Dunbar]    -  175 

LXVn.  My  Mynd  quhen  I  compas  and  cafl.     [Anon.]  176 


viii  CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

LXVIII.  How  fowld  I  rewill  me,  or  quhat  wyifs.    Quod 

Dumbar     -         -         -         -         -         -         -  178 

LXIX.  Foure  Mener  of  Men  ar  evill  to  ken.   [Dunbar]  180 

LXX.  Sumtyme  this  Warld  fo  fteidfafl  was.   [Dunbar]  181 
LXXI.  Fals  Titlaris  now  growis  vp  full  rank.      Quod 

Robert  Henderfone     -        -         -        -         -  182 

LXXII.  To  dwell  in  Court,  my  Freind,  gife  that  thow 

lift.     Quod  Dumbar   -         -         -         -         -  184 

LXXIII.  In  to  this  Warld  we  fe  fic  Variance.    [Anon.]-  186 

LXXIV.  Man  of  maift  Fragilitie.     [Anon.]-         -         -  188 

LXXV.  In  Bittirnes  of  Sawill  call  vnto  Mynd.   [Anon.]  190 

LXXVI.  Moving  in  Mynd  ofmonydiuerfs  Thing.  [Anon.]  191 

LXXVII.  Certane  Preceptis  of  gud  Counfale.     [Anon.]  192 

Preceptis    of    Medecyne. 

LXXVIII.  Quha  wald  thair  Bodyis  hald  in  Heill.   [Anon.]  193 

LXXIX.  For  Helth   of  Body   couer   weill   thy    Heid. 

[Lydgate]  -        -        -         -         -         -        -  196 

LXXX.  Documenta  [etc.].     [partly  Dunbar]       -        -  199 

LXXXI.  O  wrechit  Man  !  full  of  Iniquite.     [Anon.]      -  209 

LXXXII.  Memervellisofthisgrit  Confufioun.  [Henryfon]  213 
LXXXIII.  We  Lordis  hes  chofm  a  Chiftane  mervellus. 

[Dunbar]    -         -         -         •         -         -         -  215 

LXXXIV.  Thingis  in  kynd  defyris  Thingis  lyke.    [Anon.]  217 
LXXXV.  All    rychtoufs    Thing    the    quhilk    dois    now 

proceid.     [Anon.]       -         -         -         -         -  219 

LXXXVI.  Oft  tymes  is  bettir  hald  nor  len.     [Anon.]       -  221 

LXXXVII.  This  Warld  is  all  bot  fenyeit  fair.     [Anon.]     -  222 

LXXXVIII.  I  saw  ane  Rob  riche  of  Hew.     [Anon.]  -         -  225 
LXXXIX.  O  God !   that  in  Tyme  all  Thingis  did  begin. 

[Anon.]       -         -         -         -         -         -         -227 

XC.  Say  weill   is   trewly   ane   wirthy   gud   Thing. 

[Anon.]       -------  230 

XCI.  To  gyd  thy  Tung  imprent  thir  thre.      [Anon.]  232 
XCII.  Suftene,   abftene,  keip   weill  in  your   Mynd. 

[Anon.] 232 

XCIII.  Quhome  to  fall  I  complene  my  Wo.     Quod 

Dumbar     -------  234 

XCIV.  Certane  wyifs  Sentences  drawin  furth  of  the 

Buik  callit  " Morall  Philofafie."     [Anon.]     -  237 


CONTENTS.   •  ix 

PAGE 


XCV.  Certane  Sayingis  of  wyifs  Philofapheris.     [Anon.]     238 
XCVI.  Be    gratious    Ground    and    Gate    ot    Sapience. 

[Anon.] 240 

XCVI  I.  Be  rychuus  Regent,  and  wele  exerce  thy  Cure. 

Contra  feptem  Peccata  mortalia.      [Anon]      -     243 
XCVIII.  Be  Gouernour  baith  guid  and  gratious.     Quod 

Henrye  Stewart      ---...     246 
XCIX.  This  hindir  Nycht  neir  by  the  Hour  of  Nyne. 

[Anon.]  -------     247 

C.  Precellend  Prince!   havand  Prerogatyue.     Quod 

W.  Stewart     -         -         -         -         -         -         -     250 

CI.  Suppoifs  I  war  in  Court  most  he.     [Anon.]  -     252 

CII.  Quhen  Doctouris  prechit  to  win  the  Joy  etemall. 

[Anon.] 254 

CIII.  Ane  New  Yeir  Gift  to  the  Quene  Mary,  quhen 

scho  come  firfl  Hame,  1562.     [Scott]      -         -  255 
CIV.  The  richt  Fontane  of  hailfuU  Sapience.      Quod 

Alexander  Kid        ......  262 

CV.  Jesu  Chryft  that  deit  on  Tre  !     [Kennedy]  -         -  265 

CVI.  Now  is  our  King  in  tendir  Aige.     [Anon.]   -         -  26S 

CVII.  Rolling  in  my  Remembrance.     [Anon.]        -         -  269 

CVIII.  Schir,  yit  remembir  as  of  befoir.     Quod  Dumbar  271 

CIX.  Firfl  Lerges  the  King  my  Cheife.     Quod  Stewart  274 

ex.  Schir,  sen  of  Men  ar  diuerfs  Sortis.     Quod  Stewart  276 

The  Thrid  Pairt  of  this  Buik,  contenand 
Ballettis  mh^ry,  and  vthir  solatius 
consaittis,  set  furth  be  diuers  ancient 
Poyettis.     1568. 

CXI.  Hermes  the  Philofopher.     Quod  Dumbar    •         -     279 
CXII.  Full  oft  I  mvfs  and  hes  in  Thocht.     Quod  Dunbar     281 
CXI  1 1.  Was  nevir  in  Scotland  hard  nor  fene.     Quod  King 

James  the  Firfl       - 282 

CXIV.  Quha  douttis   Dremis  is  bot  Phantafye?     Quod 

Lichtoun,  monicus  ------     289 

CXV.  The  Dregy  of  Dunbar  maid  to  King  James  the 
Fyift  being  in  Striuilling.  We  that  ar  heir  in 
Hevins  Glory.     [Dunbar]       -         -         -  292 


3j  CONTENTS. 


I'AGE 


CXVI.  In  fecreit  Place  this  hindir  Nycht.    Quod  Clerk,     296 

(Attributed  to  Dunbar  by  Laing.) 
CXVII.  The  Curfing  of  Sir  Johine  Rowlis  vpoun  the 

Steilaris  of  his  Fowlis.     Quod  RowU  -     298 

CXVIII.  Quhy  fowld  nocht  AUane  honorit  be?     Quod 

AUane  Matfonis  fuddartis  -         -         -     306 

CXIX.  I,    that   in    Heill    wes    and    Glaidnes.      Quod 

Dumbar   -------     308 

CXX.  The  Dance.     [Dunbar] 3^2 

CXXI.  The  Turnament.     Be  WiUiam  Dumbar     -         -     316 
CXXII.  The  Amendis  maid  be  him  to  the  Telyouris  and 
Sowtaris,    for    the    Turnament    maid    on 
thame.     Quod  Dumbar     -         -         -         -     3^9 

CXXIII.  I  male  it  kend,  he  that  will  fpend.     Quod  Johne 

Blyth        -------     321 

CXXIV.  SanctSaluatour!  fend  filuer  Sorrow.  Quod  Dumbar  322 
CXXV.  Liflis  Lordis,  I  fall  yow  tell.     [Anon.]        -         -     324 
CXXVI.  How    Dumbar   wes    defyrd    to    be   ane    Freir. 

Quod  Dumbar  -         -         -  -     327 

CXXVII.  Full  oft  I  mufe,  and  hes  in  Thocht.      [Dunbar]     329 
CXXVIII.  He   that   hes    Gold   and   grit  Richefs.      Quod 

Dumbar 329 

CXXIX.  The   Wowing  of  the    King   quhen    he  wes    in 

Dumfermeling.     Quod  Dumbar  -     330 

CXXX.  Ane  Ballat  of  the  fenyeit  Freir  of  Tungland, 
how  he  fell  in  the  Myre  fleand  to  Turkiland. 
Quod  Dumbar  -         -         -         -         -     333 

CXXXI.  Ane  littil  Interlud  of  the  Droichis  Part  of  the 

[Play].     [Anon.]        -         -         -         -         -     337 

CXXXH.  The  Wyf  of  Auchtirmwchty.     Quod  Mofat         -     342 
CXXXni.  A  Yungman  Chiftane,  witles.     [Anon.]     -         -     346 
CXXXIV.  The  llicht  Remeid  of  Luve.     Quod  Alexander 

Scott         -------     346 

CXXXV.  The  Ballat  maid  vpoun  Margret  Fleming,  callit 
the  Flemyng   Bark  in  Edinburcht.     Quod 

Sempill 348 

CXXXVI.  The  Defence  of  Criffell  Sandelandis,  for  vfmg 
hirfelf  contrair  the  Ten  Commandis.  Quod 
Semple 351 


CONTENTS.  xi 


PAGE 


CXXXVII.  The  Ballat  maid  be  Robert  Seniple  of  Jonet 

Reid,  [ane]  Violet  and  [ane]  Quhyt.    Quod 

R.  Semple         -.--..     ^55 

CXXXVIII.  Of  a  Wenche  with  Chyld.     Quod  ane  Inglif- 

man  ---.... 

CXXXIX.  Ane  Ballat  maid  to  the  Derifioun  and  Scorne 

of  wantoun  Wemen.     Quod  Scott      -         -     361 


358 


The  Wryttar  to  the  Reidaris. 

YE  reverend  redaris,  thir  workis  revolving  richt, 
Gif  ye  get  crymis,  corre6l  thame  to  your  micht, 
And  curfe  na  dark  that  cunnyngly  thame  wrait, 
Bot  blame  me  baldly  brocht  this  buik  till  licht 
In  tendereft  tyme,  quhen  knawlege  was  nocht  bricht,     5 
Bot  lait  begun  to  lerne  and  till  tranflait 
My  copeis  awld,  mankit,  and  mvtillait; 
Quhais  trewth,  as  ftandis,  yit  haif  I,  fympill  wicht, 
Tryd  furth,  thairfoir  excufe  fumpairt  my  eftait. 

Now  ye  haif  heir  this  ilk  buik  fa  provydit,  lo 

That  in  fyve  pairtis  it  is  dewly  devydit. 

1  The  firft  concernis  Godis  gloir  and  ouir  faluatioun; 

2  The  nixt  ar  morale,  grave,  and  als  befyd  it, 

3  Grund  on  gud  counfale.     The  thrid,  I  will  nocht  hyd  it, 
Ar  blyith  and  glaid,  maid  for  ouir  confollatioun ;  15 

4  The  ferd  of  luve,  and  thair  richt  reformatioun ; 

5  The  fyift  ar  tailis  and  ftoreis  weill  difcydit : 
Reid  as  ye  pleifs,  I  neid  no  moir  narratioun. 


God. 


^~^  OD  is  a  fubflance  for  evir  durable, 
^^-^Eteme,  omnipotent,  mercifull  and  juft, 
Ouha  gydis  all  thingis  in  order  convenable; 
A  God  in  quhome  ilk  man  awcht  for  to  truft, 
Quha  for  prayar  givis  grace  to  mortifie  our  luft, 
In  quhais  feir  and  luve  all  that  fall  endeur 
Sail  eftir  this  lyif  off  bettir  lyif  be  feur. 


ANE  MOST  GODLIE  Foi.  i.  a. 

MIRRIE  AND  LUSTIE  RAPSODIE 

MAIDE  BE  SUNDRIE  LEARNED  SCOTS  POETS 

AND  WRITTEN  BE  GEORGE  BANNATYNE 

IN  THE  TYME  OF  HIS  YOUTH. 


I. 

Heir  begytmis  the  richt  excellent,  godly  and  leniit  Werk 
callit  the  Benner  of  Pietie,  compylit  be  the  famous 
and  renowniit  Poet,  Mr  Johne  Bellenden,  A  reheden 
of  Mvrray,  concer[ning\  the  Incarnatmm  of  our 
Saluiour  Chryfi. 

QUHEN  goldin  Phebus  movit  fra  the  Ram, 
In  to  the  Bull  to  mak  his  manfioun, 
And  hornit  Dean  in  the  Virgin  cam, 
With  vifage  paill  in  hir  affentioun, 

Approcheand  to  hir  oppofitioun;  5 

Quhen  done  Awrora  with  hir  miftie  fchowris, 
Fleand  of  fkyis  the  bricht  reflexioun, 
Hir  filuer  teiris  fkalit  on  the  flouris;^ 

The  fefoun  quhen  the  greit  06lauian 

Baith  erd  and  feis  had  had  in^  gouirnance,  lo 

With  diademe  as  roy  Cefarian, 

In  maifb  excellent  honor  and  plefance, 

With  every  gloir  that  micht  his  fame  advance; 

Quhen  he  the  croun  of  hie  triumphe  had  worne 

Be  quhais  peax  and  royell  ordinance  15 

The  furious  Mars  wes  blawin  to  the  home; 

^  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  \a.%  fchffwris.         «  Vo.—had  in  his. 


4  THE  BENNER  OF  FIETIE. 

The  famyne  tyme  qulien  God  omnipotent 

Beheld  of  man  the  greit  callamitic, 

And  thocht  the  tyme  wes  than  expedient 

Man  to  redemc  fra  thrald  captiuitie,  20 

And  to  reduce  him  to  fclicitic, 

With  body  and  fawle  to  be  glorificat, 

Quha  wes  condempnit  in  the  lymb  to  bie, 

Fra  he  wes  firft  in  fyn  prevaricat ;  , 

rde.  Befoir  the  Fader  Mercy  than  appeiris,  25 

With  fiude  of  teris  rainnand  fra  hir  ene; 
Said,  "  Man  hes  bene  in  hell  fyve  thowfand  yeiris, 
Sen  he  wes  maid  in  feild  of  Damafcene, 
And  crc^v'all  tormentis  daly  dois  fuftene 
But  ony  confort,  cryand  for  mercie.  30 

How  may  thy  grace  nocht  with  thy  pietie  mene 
Of  thy  awin  werk  the  grit  infirmitie?" 

Veretie.  ''And  be  the  contrare,"  than  faid  Veretie, 

.  "Thy  word  eterne  but  end  is  permanent, 
Vnalterat  but  mvtabilitie,  35 

Withowttin  flicht^  of  ony  argument; 
Quhen  Adame  wes  fund^  inobedient 
In  Paradice  thruche  his  ambitioun, 
Pcrpetualy,  be  richtous  jugement, 
Off  thy  blift  vifage  tynt  fruifioun."  40 

Tece.  Than  Pccc  faid,  "  Lord  haif  in  thy  memorie 

That  man,  thy  wark,  was  creat  to  that  fyne, 
That  he  micht  haif  perfyte  felicitie 
With  the  aboif  the  hevynis  criftellyne, 
Quhilk  Lucifer  did  thrwch  his  foly  tyne,  45 

Sumtyme  maid  to  thy  image  worthieft: 
It  wes  faid  than  be  prophecie  devyne 
That  thow  fowld  fleip  and  in  my  bofum  reft." 

^  Dupl.  T&xt—ftcht.         -  lb. — maid. 


THE  BENNER  OF  PIETIE.  5 

Juflice.  And  Juftice  faid,  "  His  odius  offence 

Contrare  thy  hie  excellent  dignitie,  50 

His  oppin  fyn  and  wilfull  negligence 

Befoir  thy  ficht  fowld  mair  aggregit  bie, 

Sen  thow  art  Alpha,  O  and  Veritie : 

Be  richtous  dome,  Adame  and  all  his  feid. 

For  treffone  done  agane  thy  maieftie,  55 

Condempnit  is  to  thoill  the  bitter  deid." 

Thir  ladeis  foure  contending  befelie, 
With  argumentis  and  mony  ftrong  repplyis, 

Beffoir  the  bliffit  Fader  equalie,  Pol  2.  a. 

Sum  for  juftice,  and  fum  for  mercie  cryis:  60 

Sentence.         The  Fader  wret  ane  fentence  in  this  wyifs, 
"For  treffone  done  aganis  oure  maieftie, 
The  bittir  deid  falbe  ane  facrifyifs 
The  grit  offence  of  man  to  fatisfie." 

The  hevin,  the  eird  baith  ferchit  vp  and  doun,  65 

Nane  wes  thair  fund  fufficient  cheretie 

Man  to  redeme  with  this  conditioun. 

Than  God,  eterne  in  his  diuinitie, 

Seand  it  wes  fa  grit  difficultie 

To  purge  the  fpot  of  fyn  originall,  70 

Wes  penitent  that  he  maid  man  to  bie 

In  to  this  warld,  with  fawle  perpetuall. 

Thir  ladeis  foure  than  callit  hes  agane, 

And  faid,  "  Your  myndis  fall  fulfillit  be ; 

Ye  fall  ay  ftill  in  to  my  court  remane,  -- 

And  in  this  maner  half  fraternitie: 

My  Mercy  falbe  knit  to  Veritie, 

Than  Peax  and  Juflice  fall  togidder  brace; 

My  Sone  falbeir  the  burding  of  this  plie. 

And  man  falbe  reconcyld  to  my  grace."  80 


THE  BENNER  OF  FIETIE. 

The  Fader  than  on  Gabriall  did  call, 

And  faid,  "  My  ferwand  pas  with  diligence 

To  Mary  myld,  my  fpous  emperlall, 

In  wark  nor  word  that  nevir  maid  offence ; 

And  fay  to  hir  with  humill  reverence,  85 

My  tender  Sone  fall  in  hir  bofum  breid. 

And  in  hir  chalmer  mak  his  refidence; 

Hir  honor  favit,  and  hir  madinheid." 

Man  micht  nocht  mak  ane  facrifice  conding, 

For  Adams  fyn  and  his  pofteritie,  90 

To  God;  alfwa  it  wes  nocht  according 

AUanerlie  to  thoill  oure  miferie.  FoL  2.  b. 

Thairfoir  it  wes  convenient  to  be 

Chryift  God  and  man,  with  dowble  natur  cled, 

That  he,  as  man,  for  oure  offence  micht  de,  95 

And  fyne,  as  God,  to  ryifs  agane  frome  dede. 

Off  God  and  man  the  bliffit^  Mediateur, 

Be  fentence  of  the  bliffit  Trinitie, 

Is  cum  in  bofum  of  the  Virgin  peure, 

Subdewand  him  to  our  mortalitie,  100 

Thocht  he  wes  equall  in  diuinitie^ 

To  God  eterne.  Fader ^  omnipotent; 

Yit  man  to  faif  fra  thraid  captiuitie, 

Vnto  the  deid  wes  maid  obedient. 

As  craft  of^  hand  vpoun  the  ftringis  playis,  105 

Proportionat  in  hevinly  melodie, 

Quhair  thre  at  anis^  prefentlie  affayis 

The  vnifone  and  concord  armonie. 

The  craft,  the  firing,  the  hand  indifferentlie, 

Ane  found  is  hard  over  the  eir  jocund;  no 

Suppois  thir  thre  concurris  equalie, 

Yit  nane  of  thame,  bot  ftringis,  makis  the  found. 

1  Dupl.  iGxi—reut/ifull.         2  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  has  dmide. 

'Dupl.  Tq-hX—VhIo  his  fader,  God. 

*  Ih.—and.         '  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  has  attanis. 


THE  BENNER  OF  PIETIE.  ^ 

Richt  fo  the  Fader  and  the  Halie  Spreit 

Off  man  tewk  nevir  incarnatioun ; 

And  yit  thay  war  in  to  thair  mynd  compleit,  115 

Participant  in  operatioun, 

Confenting  to  that  hie  legatioun 

Maid  to  the  bhffit  Virgin  tendirlie, 

Quhen  Gabriell  maid  annuntiatioun : 

The  Sone  incarnat  wes  allanerhe.  120 

Then  jonit  wes,  in  perfyt  vnitie, 

Devyne  perfone  and  miferie  of  man, 

The  Moder  peur,  full  of  virginitie,^ 

The  fervent  hairt  and  faith  maift  fouerane,  FoI.  3.  a. 

God,  faule  and  flefche  at  anes  to  remane. 

Faffing  the  fbrenth  of  mannis  argument, 

Ane  fbanding  thre,  and  thre  ay  ftanding  ane, 

Be  michtie  werk  of  God  omnipotent. 


125 


130 


Thre  mervelus  And  of  thir  thre  the  formeft  vnioun 
mgis.  -yy^g  mervellus  in  maift  excellent  gre, 

Quhen  of  the  hevin  the  michtie  Campioun 

His  Godheid  knit  to  oure  humanite, 

Oppynit  the  port,  and  coft  our  libertie, 

Quhairthrow  the  fru6l  of  all  our  grace  began, 

Quhilk  micht  nocht  haif  fa  grit  difficultie  ije 

As  to  tak  natur  of  ane  mortal  man. 

The  fecund  wes  ane  richt  excellent  thing, 
Quhen  moderfull  wes  the  Virgin,  vndefloir; 
Quhair  natur  ftwneift  and  had  grit  wondering, 
And  all  that  hevinlie  labur  did  abhoir. 
Than  Reffone  faid,  "  It  wes  nocht  fene  afoir 
Into  this  warld  be  ony  levand  leid, 
Ane  chyld  to  be  of  ony  woman  boir, 
Hir  bofum  clene,  withowttin  manis  feid." 

^  Dupl.  Text — The  moder  full  of  pure  wirginitL 


140 


THE  BENNER  OF  PIETIE. 

The  thrid  excellent  wes  and  marvellus,  -  145 

Quhcn  fervent  hairt  and  faith  togidder  ran, 

Ane  thing  to  natur  richt  contrarius, 

Quhen  fcho  this  fubteill  argument  began ; 

How  may  thir  tway  haif  creddence  foveran 

With  ficker  faith  into  our  hairt  obfcure,  150 

That  God  eterne  micht  fland  ane  mortall  man, 

Ane  mother  how^  to  be,  the  Virgin  pure. 

Thow  Godheid  trine,  rignand  in  vnitie. 

Mover  of  all  with  ficht  maift  provident, 

Gevar  of  lyfe  with  all  tranquillitie,  155  Fol.  3.  b. 

Into  thy  felf  ay  ftandand  permanent! 

All  vthir  thing,  bot  thow,  art  indigent 

Thy  mercie  grit,  thy  gudnes  ineffable, 

Baith  hevin  and  erd  ar  infufficient 

To  fchaw  thy  wit  and  gloir  ineftimable.  160 

O  Sone  of  God!  that  for  the  weill  of  ws 

Tuik  in  thy  mynd  fo  grit  follicitude, 

Fra  hivin  to  cum  in  natur  glorius, 

Off  the  blift  Virgin  takand  flefche  and  blude. 

Howbeit  thy  Godheid  and  oure  nature  rude  165 

Difcordand  war  be  diftance  infinite, 

Thow  fchawin  hes  thy  michtie  celcitude, 

Quhen  thay  wer  knit  in  ane  perfone  perfite. 

For  thy  grit  gudnes,  and  that  mekle  pane 

Thow  had  in  corps  and  fawle  intelle6lyve,  17° 

Quhen  blude  and  watter  birft  fra  every  vane. 

And  grundin  fpeir  owtthrow  thy  hairt  did  ryve, 

Quhen  fra  thy  body  chafit  wes  thy  lyve. 

Bring  ws  amang  tha  happie  fenatouris, 

Quhome  thow  hes  coftin  with  thy  woundis  fyve,  i75 

Quhen  faule  depairtis  in  oure  lattir  houris. 

Heir  endis  the  Banner  of  Pietie  compylii  be  Maifler  lohine 
Bellentyne,  Archdene  of  Murray. 


1  Dupl.  TQ\\.—full. 


QUHEN  SILVER  DIANE. 

And  folloivis   the  ProJienie  of   the   CofmograpJde   of 
Scotland^  compylit  be  the  faid  Mr  lohine  Bellentyne. 


II. 

The  Prohenie  of  the  Cronicule  compylit  be  the  fatuous 
and  reuownit  Clerk,  Maifter  Johi'ne  Bellentyne, 
Archedene  of  Mvrray,  direcl  to  King  James  the 
Fyift,  vevry  lernit  and  morale. 


Fol.  4.  a. 


OUHEN  filuer  Diane,  full  of  bemis  bricht, 
Fra  dirk  eclips  wes  paft  this  vther  nicht, 
And  in  the  Crab,  hir  propir  manfioun,  gane, 
Artophilax  contending  at  his  micht. 
In  the  grit  eift,  to  fet  his  vifage  richt, 
(I  mene  the  ledar  of  the  Charle  wane) 
Aboif  oure  heid  wes  the  Vrfis  twane; 
Quhen  fterris  fmall  obfcuris  in  oure  ficht. 
And  Lucifer  left  twinkland  him  allane. 

The  frofty  nicht,  with  hir  prolixit  houris, 
Hir  mantill  quhyt  fpred  on  the  tendir  flouris; 
Quhen  ardent  labour  lies  addreffit  me 
Tranflait  the  ftory  of  oure  progenitouris, 
Thair  greit  manheid,  wifdome  and  honouris ; 
Quhair  we  may  cleir,  as  in  ane  mirrour,  fe 
The  furius  end  fumtyme  of  tirannye, 
Sumtyme  the  gloir  of  prudent  gouernouris, 
Ilk  fbait  appryfit  in  thair  facultie: 

My  wery  fpreit,  defyring  to  reprefs 
My  emptiue  pen  of  frutles  befmefs, 
Awalkit  furth  to  tak  the  recent  are ; 
Quhen  Priapus,  with  ftormy  weid  opprefs, 

1  MS.  has  Cojlland. 

B 


IS 


lO 


QUHEN  SILVER  DIANE. 

Requeiftit  me,  in  his  maift  tendirnefs, 

To  reft  ane  quhyle  amyd  his  gardingis  bare; 

Bot  I  no  maner  cowth  my  mynd  prepare  25 

To  fett  affyde  vnplefant  havinefs, 

On  this  and  that  contempling  folitare. 

And  firfl  occurrit  to  my  remmembring 

How  that  I  wes  in  fervice  with  the  king, 

Put  to  his  grace  in  yeiris  tendireft,  3° 

Clerk  of  his  comptis,  thocht  I  wes  inding  Fol.  4.  b. 

With  hairt  and  hand,  and  every  vthir  thing 

That  micht  him  pleifs  in  ony  maner  beft ; 

Quhill  hie  invy  me  frome  his  fervice  keft 

Be  thame  that  had  the  court  in  gouerning,  35 

As  bird  but  plumes  heryit  of  hir  neft. 

Oure  lyfe,  oure  gyding,  and  our  aventuris 

Dependis  frome  thir  hevinlie  creaturis, 

Apperandly  be  fum  neceffitie; 

For  thocht  ane  man  wald  fett  his  befy  curis,  40 

So  far  as  labor  and  his  wifdome  furis. 

To  fle  hard  chance  of  infortunitie, 

Thocht  he  efchew  it  with  difficultie. 

The  curfid  weird  yit  ithandly  enduris, 

Gevin  to  him  firft  in  his  natiuitie.  45 

Off  erdlie  ftait  bewaling  thus  the  chance. 

Of  fortoun  gud  I  had  no  efperance; 

So  lang  I  fwomit  in  hir  feis  deip, 

That  fad  Avyfmg  with  hir  thochtfull  lance, 

Cowth  fynd  na  port  to  anker  hir  firmance;  50 

Quhill  Morpheus,  the  drery  god  of  fleip. 

For  very  rewth  did  on  my  curis  weip, 

And  fet  his  flewth  and  deidly  countenance 

With  fnorand  vanis  to  throw  my  body  creip. 


Q  UHEN  SIL  UER  DIANE.  1 1 

Me  thocht  I  wes  in  to  ane  plefand  meid,  55 

Quhair  Flora  maid  the  tendir  blewmis  fpreid 

Throw  kyndlie  dew  and  humouris  nutratiue; 

Quhen  goldin  Titan,  with  his  flammis  reid, 

Aboif  the  feis  rafit  vp  his^  heid, 

Dififounding  doun  his  heit  reftoretive  60 

To  every  frute  that  natur  maid  on  lyve, 

Quhilk  wes  afoir  in  to  the  winter  deid 

For  ftormis  cawld  and  froiftis  penetryve. 

Ane  filuer  fontane  fprang,  with  wattir  cleir, 

Into  that  place  quhair  I  approchit  neir,  65 

Quhair  I  did  fone  efpy  ane  felloun  reird 

Off  courtly  gallandis,  in  thair  beft  maneir  Fol.  5.  a. 

Reiofmg  thame  in  feafone  of  the  yeir, 

As  it  had  bene  of  May  is  day  the  feird. 

Thair  gudly  havingis  maid  me  nocht  effeird.  70 

With  thame  I  faw  ane  crownit  king  appeir, 

With  tender  downis  ryfand  on  his  beird. 

Thir  courtly  gallandis  fettand  thair  intentis 
To  fmg,  and  play  on  diuerfe  inftrumentis, 
According  to  this  princis  appetit,  75 

Two  plefand  ladeis  come  pranfand  owir  the  bentis, 
Thair  coiftly  clething  fchew  thair  michtie  rentis ; 
Quhat  hairt  micht  wifs  thay  wantit  nocht  a  myt; 
The  rubeis  fchone  vpoun  thair  fingaris  quhyt; 
Verteu  and      And,  finaly,  I  knew  be  thair  confentis,  80 

Delyt.  This  ane,  Vertew,  that  vther  hecht  Delyt. 

Thir  goddeffis,  arrayit  in  this  wyfe, 

As  reverence  and  honor  lift  devyfe, 

Afoir  this  prince  fell  doun  upoun  thair  kneis; 

Syne  dreffit  thame  in  to  thair  beft  awyfe  85 

(So  far  as  wifdome  in  thair  power  lyis) 

1  MS.  has  hir. 


1 2  Q  UHEN  SIL  UER  DIANE. 

To  do  the  thing  that  micht  him  befl  appleifs, 

Ouhair  he  rciofit  in  his  hevinly  gleifs; 

And  him  defyrit,  for  his  hie  empryifs, 

Ane  of  thamc  two  vnto  his  lady  cheifs.  90 

Delyt  begynis.      And  firft  Delyt  vnto  this  prince  faid  thus, 
"Maift  valyeant  knycht  in  deidis  amoms, 
And  luftieft  that  evir  natur  wrocht, 
Ouhilk  in  the  floure  of  yewth  mellyfluus, 
With  notis  fweit  and  fang  mellodius,  95 

Awalkis  heir  amangis  the  flowris  foft, 
Thow  hes  no  game  bot  in  thy  mirry  thocht. 
My  hevinly  blifs  is  fo  delitius, 
All  welth  in  erd  but  it  avalis  nocht. 

"Thocht  thow  had  France,  and  Italie  alfo,  100 

Spane,  Ingland,  Pole,  with  vthir  realmis  mo; 
Thocht  thow  micht  rigne  in  ftait  moft  glorius; 
Thy  piffant  kingdome  is  nocht  worth  ane  ftro,  Fol.  5.  b. 

Gif  it  vnto  thy  plefour  be  ane  fo, 

Or  trubill  thy  mynd  with  curis  dolorus.  105 

Thair  is  no  thing  may  be  fo  odius 
To  man,  as  leif  in  miferie  and  wo, 
Defrawdand  God  of  natur  genius, 

"Drefs  the  thairfoir  with  all  thy  befy  cure. 
That  thow  in  joy  and  plefour  may  endeur,  no 

Foure  Ele-         Be  ficht  of  thir  foure  bodyis  elementar; 
mentis.  fwo  hevy  and  grofs,  and  two  ar  licht  and  peure. 

Thir  elementis,  be  wirking  of  nateure, 
Doith  change  in  vthir;  and  thocht  thay  be  richt  far 
Fra  vthir  feverit,  with  qualeteis  contrare,  115 

Of  thame  ar  maid  all  levand  creature, 
And  finaly  in  thame  refoluit  ar. 


Q  UHEN  SIL  UER  DIANE.  1 3 

"The  fyre  in  air,  the  air  in  waiter  cleir, 
In  erd  the  watter  turnis  withowt  weir, 
The  erd  in  watter  turnis  oure  agane.  120 

So  furth,  in  ordour:  nathing  confowmis  heir. 
Ane  man  new  borne  begynnis  to  appeir 
In  vthir  figeur  than  afoir  wes  tane ; 
Quhen  he  is  deid,  the  mater  dois  remane, 
Thocht  it  refolve  in  to  fum  new  maneir:  125 

No  thing  is  new;  nocht  bot  the  forme  is  gane. 

"Thus  is  no  thing  in  erd  bot  fugitive, 
Paffand  and  cumand  be  fpreiding  fucceffive. 
And  as  ane  beift,  fo  is  ane  man  confave 
Off  feid  infufe  in  memberis  genitive;  130 

And  furth  his  tyme  in  plefour  dois  ourdrive. 
As  chance  him  leidis,  quhill  he  be  laid  in  graue. 
Thairfoir  thy  hevin  and  plefour  now  reffave, 
Quhill  thow  art  heir  in  to  this  prefent  live ; 
For  eftir  deth  thow  fall  no  plefour  have.  i35 

"The  rofe,  the  lilleis,  and  the  violet, 
Vnpullit,  fone  ar  with  the  windis  ouirfet, 
And  fallis  doun  but  ony  fru6l,  I  wifs ; 
Thairfoir  I  fay,  fen  that  no  thing  may  let, 
Bot  thy  bricht  hew  mon  be  with  yeiris  fret,  Ho 

(For  every  thing  bot  for  ane  feffone  is) 

Thow  may  nocht  haif  ane  moir  excellent  blifs,  Fol-  6.  a. 

Than  ly  all  nicht  in  to  myne  armes  plet, 
To  hals  and  braifs  with  mony  lufty  kifs; 

"And  haif  my  tendir  body  by  thy  fyd,  ^45 

So  proper,  fet,  quhilk  natur  hes  provyd 
With  every  plefour  that  thow  may  devyne, 
Ay  quhill  my  tendir  yeiris  be  ouirflyd. 
Than,  gif  it  pleifs  that  I  thy  brydill  gyd. 


,4  Q  UHEN  SIL  UER  DIANE. 

ThoAV  mon  alway  fro  aigit  men  declyne;  150 

Sync  drefs  thy  hairt,  thy  curage  and  ingyne, 
To  fuffer  nane  into  thy  houfs  abyd, 
But  gif  thaey  will  vnto  thy  luft  inclyne. 

"Gif  thow  defyris  into  the  feyis  till  fleit 
Of  hevlnly  blifs,  than  me  thy  lady  treit;  ^55 

For  it  is  faid  be  clerkis  of  renoun, 
Thair  is  na  plefour  in  this  erd  fo  greit 
As  quhen  ane  lovar  dois  his  lady  meit, 
To  quickin  his  lyfe  of  mony  deidly  foun. 
As  hieft  plefour  but  comparifoun,  160 

I  fall  the  geif,  in  to  thy  yeiris  fweit, 
Ane  lufty  halk  with  mony  plwmis  broun; 

"Ouhilk  falbe  found  fa  joy  us  and  plefant, 

Gif  thow  in  to  hir  mirry  flichtis  hant, 

Of  every  blifs  that  may  in  erd  appeir,  165 

As  hairt  will  think,  thow  fall  no  plenty  want ; 

Quhill  yeiris  fwift,  with  quheilis  properant, 

Confowme  thy  fbrenth,  and  all  thy  bewty  cleir." 

And  quhen  Delyt  had  faid  on  this  maneir, 

As  rege  of  yowtheid  thocht  maift  relevant,  170 

Verteu  beg>'n-      Than  Vertew  faid,  as  ye  fall  eftir  heir; 
nis. 

"My  landis  braid,  with  mony  plentouus  fchyre, 

Sail  gif  thy  hienes,  gif  thou  lift  defyre, 

Trivmphant  gloir,  hie  honour,  fame  devyne; 

With  fic  piffans,  that  thame  na  furius  yre,  175 

Nor  weirand  aige,  nor  flame  of  birnand  fyre, 

Nor  bitter  deth,  may  bring  vnto  rewyne.  Fol.  6.  b. 

Bot  thow  moft  firft  enfufifer  mekle  pyne, 

Aboif  thy  felf  that  thow  may  haif  empyre : 

Than  fall  thy  fame  and  honour  haif  na  fyne.  180 


QUHEN  SILVER  DIANE.  15 

"My  realmes  is  fet  among  my  fois  all, 
Quhilkis  hes  with  me  ane  weir  continwall, 
And  evir  ftill  dois  on  my  bordour  ly; 
And  thocht  thay  may  no  wayis  me  ovirthrall, 
Thay  ly  in  wait,  gif  ony  chance  may  fall,  185 

Of  me  fumtyme  to  get  the  viflory. 
Thus  is  my  lyf  ane  ythand  chevalry : 
Labor  me  haldis  ftrong  as  ony  wall, 
And  nothing  brekis  me  bot  fluggardy. 

"  Na  fortoun  may  aganis  me  nocht  availl,  190 

Thocht  fcho  with  cluddy  ftormis  me  affail : 
I  brek  the  ftreme  of  fcherp  adwerfitie : 
In  wedder  loun  and  maift  tempeftouus  haill, 
But  ony  dreid,  I  beir  ane  equall  faill; 
My  fchip  fo  ftrang,  that  I  may  nevir  die.  195 

Wit,  reafone,  manheid,  governis  me  fo  hie, 
No  influence,  no  fterris  may  prevaill 
To  rigne  on  me  with  infortunitie. 

"The  rege  of  yewth  may  nocht  danttit  be, 
But  grit  diftrefs  and  fcherp  aduerfite;  200 

As  be  this  reafone  is  experience. 
The  fyneft  gold  or  filver  that  we  fe 
May  nocht  be  wrocht  to  oure  vtilite. 
But  flammis  kene  and  bittir  violence: 
The  moir  diftrefs,  the  m.oir  intelligence.  205 

Quhay  falls  lang  in  hie  profperitie, 
Ar  fone  ouerfet  be  ftormy  violence. 

"This  fragill  lyf,  as  moment^  induring. 
But  dowt  fall  the  and  every  pepill  bring 
To  ficker  blifs,  or  than  eternall  wo.  210 

Gif  thow  be  honeft  labour  dois  ane  thing. 
Thy  panefull  labour  fall  vaneis  but  tareing, 

^  MS.  has  mouent,  or  inonent. 


i6 


QUHEN  SILVER  DIANE. 


Ane  vthir  com- 
parifon. 


Thrid  com- 
parifon. 


Howbeit  thy  honeft  werkis  do  nocht  fo. 

Gif  thow  be  luft  dois  ony  thing  alfo, 

The  fchamefull  deid,  without  diffeuering,  215  Fol.  7.  a. 

Remanis  ay,  quhen  plefour  is  ago, 

"As  carvell  ticht  fafl  tending  throw  the  fee 
Levis  no  prent  amangis  the  walHs  hee; 
As  birdis  fwift,  with  mony  biffie  plwme, 
Perffis  the  air,  and  wait  nocht  quhair  thay  flee;  220 

Siclyk  our  lyfe,  withowt  a6liuitie, 
Gififs  na  fru6l,  howbeit  ane  fchaddow  blwnie. 
Quhay  dois  thair  lyf  in  to  this  erd  coinfwme 
Without  vertew,  thair  fame  and  memorie 
Sail  vaneis  fonar  than  the  reky  fwme.  225 

"As  watter  purgis  and  makis  bodeis  fair; 
As  fyre  be  natur  afcendis  in  the  air, 
And  purefeis  with  Ileitis  vehement; 
As  floure  dois  fmell;  as  fru6l  is  nvrefare; 
As  pretious  balmes  revertis  thingis  fair,  230 

And  makis  thame  of  rot  impatient; 
As  fpyce  maift  fweit,  and  ros  maift  redolent; 
As  fterne  of  day,  be  moving  circulare, 
Chaifis  the  nicht  with  bemis  refplendent : 

"Siclyk  my  werk  perfytis  every  wicht  235 

In  fervent  lufe  of  maifb  excellent  licht, 
And  makis  man  in  to  this  erd  but  peir; 
And  dois  the  faule  fra  all  corruptioun  dicht 
With  odour  dulce,  and  makis  it  moir  bricht 
Than  Diane  full,  or  yit  Appollo  cleir;  240 

Syne  raifis  it  vnto  the  hieft  fpeir, 
Immortaly  to  fchyne  in  Goddis  ficht, 
As  chofm  fpous,  and  creatour  moft  deir. 


THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  CRONICULE.  17 

"  This  vthir  wenche,  that  cHppit  is  Deht, 
Invohvis  man,  be  fenfuall  appetit,  245 

In  every  kynd  of  vice  and  miferie ; 
Becaufs  na  wit  nor  reffone  is  perfyte 
Quhair  fcho  is  gyd,  hot  fl^athis  infinit, 
With  dolour,  fchame,  and  vrgent  povertie. 
For  fcho  wes  get  off  frothis  of  the  fie ;  250 

Quhilk  fignefeis,  hir  plefeir  vennemit 
Is  midlit  ay  with  fcherp  adwerfitie. 

"  Duke  Hanniball,  as  mony  awthouris  wrait, 
Throw  Spanyie  come,  be  mony  paffage  ftrait, 
To  Italy  in  furour  bellicall ;  255 

Brak  doun  the  wallis,  and  the  montanis  flait, 
And  to  his  army  maid  ane  oppin  gait, 
And  victoreis  had  on  the  Romanis  all : 
At  Capua,  be  plefeir  fenfuall. 

This  Duck  wes  maid  fo  foft  and  dilligait,  260 

That  with  his  fois  he  wes  fone  overthrall. 

"  Off  fers  Achill  the  weirly  deidis  fprang 
In  Troy  and  Grece,  quhill  he  in  vertew  rang; 
How  luft  him  flew  it  is  bot  rewth  to  heir. 
Siclyk  the  Troianis,  with  thair  knychtis  ftrang,  265 

The  velyeant  Greikis  fra  thair  rowmis  dang, 
Victorioufly  exercit  mony  yeir: 
That  nicht  thay  went  to  thair  luft  and  plefeir, 
The  fatall  horfs  did  throw  thair  wallis  fang, 
Quhais  prignant  fydis  wer  full  of  men  of  weir.  270 

"  Sardanapall,  the  prince  effeminat, 
Fra  knichtlie  dedis  wes  degenerat; 
Twynand  the  threidis  of  the  purpour  lynt 
With  fingeris  foft,  amangis  the  ladeis  fat ; 
And  with  his  luft  cowth  nocht  be  fatiat,  275 

C 


i8 


THE  PROHEME  OF  THE  CRONICULE. 


"  Quhill  of  his  fois  come  the  bittir  dynt. 
Quhat  nobill  men  and  ladeis  hes  bene  tynt, 
Quhen  thay  with  luftis  wer  intoxicat, 
To  fchaw  at  lenth,  my  toung  fowld  nevir  ftynt. 

"  Thairfoir  Camill,  the  valyeant  chevaleir, 
Quhen  he  the  GaUis  had  dantit  be  his  weir, 
Off  heretable  landis  wald  haif  na  recompence; 
For,  gif  his  bairnis  and  his  freindis  deir 
Wer  vertewis,  thay  cowld  nocht  faill  ilk  yeir 
To  haif  ynewch  be  Romane  providence; 
Gif  thay  wer  gevin  to  vyce  and  infolence, 
It  wes  nocht  neidfuU  for  to  conqueifs  geir. 
To  be  occafioun  of  thair  incontinence. 

Revard  of         "  Sum  nobiU  men,  as  poetis  hft  declair, 
verteu.  Wer  deifeit ;  sum  goddis  of  the  aire ; 

Sum,  of  the  hevin :  as  Eolus,  Vulcan, 
Saturnc,  Mercuric,  Apollo,  Jupitair, 
Mars,  Hercules,  and  vthir  men  preclair. 
That  glory  immortall  in  thair  lyvis  wan. 
Ouhy  war  thir  pepill  callit  goddis  than.^* 
Becaus  thay  had  ane  vertew  fmgulair, 
Excellent,  hie  aboif  ingyne  of  man. 

Revard  of         "  And  vthiris  ar  in  reik  fulphurius ; 
vyce.  As  Ixion,  and  wery  Sifiphus, 

Eumenides,  the  Feureis  richt  odibill, 

The  prowd  Gyandis,  and  thrifty  Tantalus ; 

With  hugly  drink,  and  fude  moft  vennemus; 

Quhair  flammis  bald  and  mirknes  ar  fenfibill. 

Quhy  ar  thir  folk  in  panis  fo  terribill.'' 

Becaufs  thay  wer  bot  fchrewis  vicius, 

Into  thair  lyf,  with  deidis  moft  horribill. 


280 


285 


Fol.  8. 


290 


295 


300 


30s 


THE  PRO  HE  ME  OF  THE  CRONICULE.  19 

"  And  thocht  na  frucl  Aver  eftir  confequent 
Of  mortall  lyf,  bot  for  this  warld  prefent 
Ilk  man  to  haif  allanerly  refpe6l; 

Yit  vertew  fowld  fra  vice  be  different,  3ro 

As  quick  fra  deid,  as  riche  fra  indigent. 
That  ane,  to  gloir  and  honor  ay^  dire6l ; 
This  vthir,  faule  and  body  to  neclecl : 
That  ane,  of  reffone  moift  intelligent ; 
This  vthir,  off  beifbis  following  the  effe6l.  315 

"  For  he  that  nold  aganis  his  luftis  ftrive, 
Bot  leivis  as  beift  of  knawlege  fenfitive, 
Eildis  richt  fafb,  and  deth  him  fone  ouirhaillis. 
Thairfoir  the  mvle  is  of  ane  langer  lyve 
Than  ftonit  hors ;  alfo  the  barrane  wyve  320 

Appeiris  yung,  quhen  that  the  brudy  falls. 
We  fee  alfo,  quhen  natur  nocht  prevailis. 
The  pane  and  dolor  ar  fa  pungitive. 
No  medecyne  the  patient  availis. 

Conclufioun.      "  Sen  thow  hes  hard  baith  our  intentis  thufs,  325 

Cheifs  of  ws  two  the  maift  delitius : 
Firft  to  fuftene  ane  fcherp  adwerfitie, 
Danting  the  rege  of  yowtheid  furius; 
And  fyne  poffeid  tryvmphe  innvmerus, 
With  lang  impyre  and  he  felicitie :  330 

Or  haif,  ane  moment,  fenfualitie 
Of  fuliche  yowth  in  lyf  voluptouus, 
And  all  thy  dayis  full  of  miferie." 

Be  than  Phebus  his  fyrie  cairt  did  wry 
Fra  fowth  to  weft,  declynand  befely  335 

To  dip  his  fteidis  into  the  occiane; 
Quhen  he  began  ovirfyle  his  vifage  dry, 
With  vapouris  thik,  and  cluddis  full  of  fky; 
^  Jiie  written  below. 


20  THE  PRO  HEME  OF  THE  CRONICULE. 

And  Notus  brym,  the  wind  meridiane, 

With  wingis  donk,  and  pennis  full  of  rane,  340 

Awalknit  me,  that  I  micht  nocht  efpy 

Ouhilk  of  thame  two  wes  to  his  lady  tane. 

But  fone  I  knew  thay  wer  the  goddeffes 

That  come  in  fleip  to  vailyeant  Hercules, 

Quhen  he  wes  yung,  and  fre  of  every  lore  345 

To  luft  or  honor,  povertie  or  richefs; 

Ouhair  he  contempnit  luft  and  ydilnes, 

That  he  in  vertew  micht  his  lyf  decore ; 

And  werkis  did  of  maift  excellent  glore. 

The  moir  increffit  his  panefull  biffmes,  350 

His  hee  tryvmphe  and  loving  wes  the  more. 

Than  thrwch  this  morall  eruditioun 

Ouhilk  come,  as  faid  is,  in  my  vifioun, 

I  tuke  purpoifs,  or  I  forder  went. 

To  wryt  the  ftory  of  this  regioun,  35S 

With  deidis  of  mony  illufter  campioun. 

And,  thocht  the  pane  appeiris  vehement, 

To  mak  the  ftory  to  the  redaris  moir  patent, 

I  will  begin  at  the  defcriptioun 

Off  Albion,  in  maner  fubfequent.  360 

Finis.     Co7npyld  be  Maifler  lohine  Bellenden. 


THE  PROLLOG  OF  THE  TENT  BUIK  OF  VIRGILL. 


III. 

TheProllog  of  the  tent  hdk  of  Virgill,  compyld  be  the  noble       Fol.  9. 
poet,  Mr.  Gawyn  Dowglafs,  Bifchop  of  Dimkeld: — 
Of  Godis   Workis  to  be  inconprehenfible  be  man, 
%vit,  or  reffone,  as  for  example  of  the  Trinitie. 

HE  plafmatour  of  thingis  vniuerfall, 
Thow  renewar  of  kynd,  that  creat  all, 
Inconprehenfible  thy  werkis  ar  to  confaif, 
Quhilk  grantit  hes  to  every  wicht  to  half 
Quhat  thing  maift  ganis  vnto  his  governall.  5 

How  marvellus  bene  diuifionis  of  thy  gracis, 

Diftribut  fo  to  ilk  thing,  in  all  placis! 

The  fon  to  fchyne  over  all,  and  fchaw  his  licht, 

The  day  to  labour,  ffor  reft  thow  ordanit  nicht; 

For  diuerfs  cauffis,  fchupe  feir  feffonis  and  fpacis.  10 

Frefche  ver  to  burgeoun  herbis  and  fueit  flowris; 

The  hait  fommer  to  nvreifs  corne  all  houris, 

And  breid  alkynd  of  fowlis,  fifche,  and  beift ; 

Hervift  to  randir  his  fruftis  maift  and  leift; 

Winter  to  fnyb  the  erth  with  froftie  fchowris.  15 

Nocht  that  thow  neidit  ocht,  all  thing  thow  wrocht, 

Bot  to  that  fyne  thow  maid  all  thingis  of  nocht, 

Of  thy  gudnefs  to  be  participant; 

Thy  Godheid  na  richer,  nor  yit  mair  fkant, 

Nowthir  now  nor  than,  fet  ws  wrocht  of  nocht.  20 


2Z  THE  PROLLOG  OF  THE  TENT  BUIK  OF  VIRGILL. 

Thy  maifl  fupreme  indiuifible  fubftance, 

In  ane  natur,  thre  perfonis,  but  difcrepance, 

Rignand  eterne,  reffavis  nane  accidence ; 

For  quhy?  thow  art  richt  at  this  tyme  prefent 

It  that  thow  wes,  and  evir  fall,  but  variance.  25 

Sen  our  natur  God  lies  to  him  vnyt, 
His  Godheid  vncorrupt  remanis  perfyt, 
The  fone  of  God  havand  verry  naturis  twane 
In  ane  perfone,  and  thre  perfonis  all  ane 
.   In  deitie,  natur,  maieflie,  and  delyt.  30 

The  Sone  the  felf  thing  with  the  Fader  is; 

The  felf  fubftance  the  Holie  Gaift,  I  wifs, 

Is  with  thame  baith;  thre  diftinft  perfonage, 

As  wes,^  and  falbe,  evir  of  ane  age, 

Omnipotent,  ane  Lord,  equall  in  blifs.  35 

Quhilk  foverane  fubftance,  in  gre  fuperlative, 

Na  cunning  comprehend  ma  nor  difcrive; 

Nowther  generis,  generat  is,  nor  dois  proceid, 

Allane  begynner  of  every  thing,  but  dreid, 

And  in  the  felf  remanis  eterne  on  lyve.  40 

The  Fader,  of  none  generat,  creat,  nor  bore, 

His  onlie  Sone  ingenneris  evirmoir; 

Not  makis,  creatis,  bot  ingeneris  alway 

Of  his  fubftance;  and  all  tyme  of  baith  tuay 

Proceidis  the  Haly  Gaift,  equall  in  glore.  45 

Off  baith,  frome  ane  begynning,  proceidis  he ; 

Sa  bene  the  werkis  of  the  Trinitie 

Maift  excellent,  and  wonderfull  to  confaif : 

Yit  thame  to  treft  the  mair  mereit  we  half, 

That  be  na  manis  reffone  previt  may  bie  50 

^  ?  ar,  war. 


THE  PROLLOG  OF  THE  TENT  BUIK  OF  VIRGILL.  23 

The  Fader  knawis  him  felf,  quhilk  knalege  fpreidis 

Be  generatioun  eterne,  that  evir  breidis 

His  Sone,  his  word  and  wifdome  eternale: 

Betuix  thir  twa  is  hive  perpetuale, 

Quhilk  is  the  Haly  Gaift,  fra  baith  proceidis.  55 

Nocht  that  the  Faderis  natur  myneift  is, 

Of  his  fubflance  he  generis  his  Sone  in  bhfs; 

Nor  fo  the  Sone,  of  kynd  is  eiboir 

That  he  ane  pairt  hes  and  no  moir;  Fol.  10. 

Bot  all  he  gevis  his  Sone,  and  all  is  hifs.  60 

The  ilk  thing  he  him  gevis,  that  he  remanis : 

This  fmgle  fubftance  indifferentle  thus  ganis 

To  thre  in  ane,  and  ilkane  of  tha  thre 

The  famyne  thing  is  in  ane  maieftie, 

Thocht  thir  thre  personis  be  feuerall  in  thre  granis.         65 

Similitude.       Lyk  as  the  fawll  of  man  is  ane,  we  waite, 
Havand  thre  poweris  diftinft  and  feperait, 
Vndirftanding,  reffone,  and  memoir: 
Intelligence  confidderis  the  thing  befoir, 
Reffoun  decernis,  memor  keipis  the  confait.  70 

As  thay  bene  in  ane  fubftance  knit  all  thre, 

Thre  perfonis  regnis  in  ane  deitie. 

We  may  tak  als  ane  vthir  fimilitude, 

Groifly  the  famyn  purpois  to  conclude; 

Flamb,  heit,  and  licht,  bene  in  ane  fyre  we  fe.  75 

Quhair  evir  the  low  is,  hete  and  licht  bene  thare; 

And  had  the  fyre  bene  birnand  evirmair, 

Evir  fowld  the  flamb  ingennerit  haif  his  licht, 

And  of  the  birnand  low  the  flambis  bricht 

Perpetwaly  fowld  halt  haif  fprung  alquhare.  80 


24  THE  PROLLOG  OF  THE  TEN!  BUIK  OF  VIRGILL. 

So  generis  the  Fader  the  Sone  with  him  eterne, 

Frome  baith  proceidis  the  Haly  Gaifl  coeterne. 

Thus  rud  exampillis  and  figuris  may  we  geif ; 

Thocht  [God]  be  his  awin  createur  to  preif, 

War  mair  vnhknefs  than  Hknes  to  defcerne.  85 

Freind,  ferly  not,  na  caufs  is  to  complene, 

Albeit  thy  wit  grit  God  may  nocht  attene ; 

For,  micht  thow  comprehend  be  thyne  engyne 

The  maift  excellent  maieftie  devyne, 

He  micht  be  reput  ane  pretty  God  and  mene.  9o 

Confidder  thy  reffone  is  fo  feble  and  lite, 

And  his  knawlege  profound  and  infinite ; 

Confidder  how  he  is  vnmenfiirable : 

Him,  as  he  is,  to  knaw  thow  art  nocht  able; 

It  fiafeifs  the  beleif  the  creid  perfyte.  95 

God  is,  I  grant,  in  all  thing,  not  excludit;-^ 

Gevis  all  gudnes,  and  is  of  nocht  denudit ; 

Of  him  lies  all  thing  pairt,  and  he  not  mynneift; 

Haill  he  is  alquhair,  not  devydit,  nor  fynneift ; 

Withowt  all  thing  he  is,  and  not  excludit.  100 

0  Lord,  thy  wayis  bene  inveftigable ! 
Sweit  Lord,  thy  felf  is  fa  ineftimable, 

1  can  wryt  nocht  bot  wounderis  of  thy  micht, 
That  lawleit  fa  far  thy  maieftie  and  hicht 

To  be  borne  man  in  till  ane  oxis  ftabill.  105 

Thow  tuke  mankynd  of  ane  vnwemmit  maid, 

Inclofit  within  ane  virgynis  bofum  glaid, 

Quhome  all  the  hevynnis  micht  nevir  comprehend; 

Angellis,  scheipherdis,  and  kingis  thy  godheid  kend, 

Thocht  thow  in  crib  betuix  twa  beiftis  wes  laid.  no 

^  ?  includit. 


THE  PROLLOG  TO  THE  TENT  BUI K  OF  VIE  GILL.  25 

Quhat  infinit  excellent  hie  bonte 

Aboif  thy  werkis  all,  in  wonderful!  gre! 

Lord,  quhen  thow  man  maid  to  thyne  awin  image, 

That  tynt  him  felf  throw  his  fulifche  dottage, 

Thow  man  become,  and  deit  to  mak  him  fre.  115 

Maid  thow  nocht  man  firft  prefedent  vndir  the, 

To  dant  the  beiftis,  fowlis,  and  fifche  in  fe, 

Subdewit  till  him  the  erth  and  all  thairin;  Fol.  11. 

Syne  paradice  grantit  him  and  all  his  kin, 

Gaif  him  fre  will,  and  power  nevir  to  de?  120 

Enarmid  him  with  reffone  and  prudence; 

Only  bad  him  keip  thyne  obedience, 

And  to  him  fowld  all  creaturis  obey? 

Bittir  was  that  fru6l  for  his  ofspring,  and  fey, 

Maid  deth  vnknawin  be  fund,  and  lyf  ga  hence.  125 

O  thyne  ineftimable  lufe  and  cheretie! 

Become  ane  thrall  to  mak  ws  bundin  fre. 

To  quickin  thy  flvlavis  thold  fchamefull  deid  maifl  fell ; 

Blift  be  thow  virginall  fru6l,  that  herreit  hell. 

And  payit  the  price  of  the  forbiddin  tre!  130 

Thocht  thow  lerge  ftremis  fched  vpoun  the  rude, 

Ane  drop  had  bene  fufficient  of  thy  blude 

Ane  thowfand  warldis  to  half  redemit,  I  grant ; 

But  thow  the  well  of  mercy  wald  not  flcant, 

Ws  to  provok  to  lufe  the,  and  be  gude.  135 

Commoun-       Over  all  thys  fyne,  thy  infinit  godheid, 
loun.  rpj^^  flefche  and  blude,  lufly  with  wyne  and  breid, 

To  be  our  fude  of  grace,  in  plege  of  glorie, 
Thow  laft  ws  gaif,  in  perpetuall  memorie 
Of  thy  paffioun  and  dolorus  panefull  deid.  140 

D. 


«6  THE  PROLLOG  TO  THE  TENT  BUIK  OF  VIRGILL. 

Quhat  thankis  dew  or  gainyeild,  Lord  benyng, 

May  I,  niaift  fmfull,  wrechit  cative  indyng, 

Rander  for  this  foverane  hie  bontie? 

Sen  body,  fawle,  and  all  I  haif  of  the, 

Thow  art  my  price,  mak  me  thy  pray  conding.  145 

My  makar,  my  redemar,  and  fupport! 

Fra  quhome  all  grace  and  gudnes  cumis  at  fchort. 

Grant  me  thy  grace  my  mifdeiddis  till  amend, 

Of  this  and  all  my  warkis  to  mak  gud  end : 

This  I  befeik  the,  Lord,  I  the  exhort.  150 

Frome  the  begynning  and  end  be  thow  my  mufe : 

All  vthir  Joue  and  Phebus  I  refufe. 

Lat  Virgin  hald  his  maumentis  till  him  felf; 

I  wirfchep  nowdir  ydoll,  ftok,  nor  elf, 

Thocht  furth  I  wryt,  fo  as  myne  au6lor  dufe.  155 

Is  nane  bot  thow,  the  Fader  of  goddis  and  men, 

Omnipotent  eternall  Joue  I  ken; 

Only  thy  help,  Fader,  thair  is  nane  vthir: 

I  compt  nocht  of  thir  pagane  godis  ane  futhir, 

Quhas  power  may  nocht  help  ane  haltane  hen.  160 

The  fcriptur  clips  the  God,  of  goddis  Lord ; 

For  quhay  thy  mandimentis  keipis  in  accord 

Bene  ane  with  the,  not  in  fubflance,  bot  grace, 

And  we  our  Father  callis  the  in  every  place : 

Mak  ws  thy  fonis  in  cheretie,  but  difcord.  165 

Thow  haldis  court  over  criftall  hevynis  cleir, 

With  angellis,  fan6lis,  and  hevinly  fpreitis  feir, 

Thay,  but  feiffing,  thy  gloir  and  loving  fmgis : 

Manifeft  to  the,  and  patent,  bene  all  thingis ; 

Thy  fpous,  and  quene  maid,  and  thy  moder  deir.  170 


ANE  BALL  AT  OF  THE  CREATLOUN  OF  THE  WARLD.         27 

Concord  forevir,  mirth,  reft,  and  endles  blifs 

Na  feir  of  hell,  nor  dreid  of  deth,  thair  is 

In  thy  hie  realme,  nor  na  kynd  of  ennoye, 

Bot  all  weilfair,  eifs,  and  evirleftand  joye ; 

Quhais  he  plefance.  Lord,  lat  ws  nevir  mifs!  175 

Finis,    quod  Mr.  Ga\vyne  Dowglas. 


IV. 

Ane  Ballat  of  the  Creatioim  of  the  Warld,  Man,  his       Fol.  12. 
Fall  and  Redemptioim,  maid  to   the  tone  of  The 
Bankis  of  Helecon. 

GOD,  be  his  word,  his  work  began, 
To  forme  the  erth  and  hevin  for  man, 
The  fie  and  watter  deip ; 
The  fone,  the  mone,  the  ftarris  bricht, 
The  day  divydit  frome  the  nicht,  5 

Thair  courfis  for  to  keip; 
The  beiftis  that  on  the  grund  do  mvfe, 

And  fifche  in  to  the  fee; 
Fowlis  in  the  air  to  fle  abvfe. 

Off  ilk  kynd  creat  hee ;  10 

Sum  creiping-,  fum  fleiting. 
Sum  fleing  in  the  air. 
So  heichtly,  fo  lichtly. 
In  moving  heir  and  thair. 

Thir  workis  of  grit  magnificence,  15 

Perfytit  be  his  providence, 
According  to  his  will : 


28         ANE  BALLAT  OF  THE  CREATIOUN  OF  THE   WARLD, 

Nixt,  maid  he  man,  to  gif  him  gloir, 
Did  with  his  ymage  him  decoir, 

Gaif  paradice  him  till.  20 

Into  that  garding,  hevinly  wrocht 

With  plefowris  mony  one, 
The  beiftis  of  every  kynd  war  brocht, 
Thair  names  he  fowld  expone; 

Thame  nemmyng,  and  kennyng,  25 

As  he  lift  for  to  call, 

For  pleifmg  and  eifmg 

Off  man,  fubdewit  thame  all. 

In  hevinly  ioy  man  fo  poffeft, 

To  be  allone  God  thocht  not  befl,  3° 

Maid  Eve  to  be  his  maik; 
Bad  thame  increfs  and  mvltipHe, 
And  eit  of  every  fru6l  and  trie 

Thair  plefour  thay  fowld  talk, 
Except  the  trie  of  gud  and  ill  35 

That  in  the  middis  dois  ftand, 
Forbad  that  thay  fowld  cum  it  till, 
Or  twiche  it  with  thair  hand; 

Leift  plucking,  or  lucking, 

Baith  thay  and  als  thair  feid,  40 

Seveirly,  awfteirly, 

Sowld  dye  withowt  remeid. 

Now  Adame  and  his  lufty  wyfe 
In  parradyce  leidand  their  lyfe, 

With  plefowris  infineit,  45 

Wanting  na  thing  fowld  do  thame  eifs. 
Ilk  beift  obeying  thame  to  pleifs, 

As  thay  cowld  wifs  in  fpreit : 
Behald,  the  ferpent,  fubtilly 

Invyand  manis  eftait,  50 


MAN,  HIS  FALL  AND  REDEMPTIOUN.  29 

With  wickit  craft  and  fubtilty, 
Eve  temptit  with  diffait; 

Nocht  feiring,  bott  fpeiring, 

Quhy  fcho  tuke  not  hir  till, 

In  vfing  and  chufing  55 

The  fru6l  of  gud  and  ill  ? 

"  Commandit  ws,"  fcho  faid,  "  the  Lord, 
Nowayis  thairto  we  fowld  accord, 

Vnder  eternall  pane; 
Bot  grantit  ws  full  libertie  60 

To  eit  of  every  fru6l  and  trie, 
Except  that  tre  in  plane." 
"  No,  no,  not  fo,"  the  ferpent  faid, 
"Thow  art  diffauit  thairin; 
Eit  ye  thairof,  ye  fall  be  maid  65 

In  knawlege  lyk  to  him, 

In  femying,  and  demyng 

Off  every  thing  arricht, 

Als  dewly,  als  trewly, 

As  ye  war  goddis  of  micht."  70 

Eve,  with  thir  fals  wordis  thus  allurit, 
Eit  of  the  fru6l,  and  fyne  procurit 
Adame  the  fame  to  play. 
"  Behald,"  faid  fcho,  "  how  pretious. 
So  dilicat  and  delitious,  75 

Befyd  knawlege  for  ay." 
Adame,  puft  vp  in  warldly  gloir, 

Ambitioun  and  of  pryd, 
Eit  of  the  fru6l ;  allace  thairfoir, 

And  fwa  thay  baith  did  flyd ;  80 

Negle6ling,  fforgetting 
The  eternall  Goddis  command. 


3° 


ANE  BALL  AT  OF  THE  CREATIOUN  OF  THE   WARLD, 

Quha  fcLirgit  and  purgit 
Thame  quyt  owt  of  that  land. 

Quhen  thay  had  eitin  of  that  frute,  85  Fol.  13. 

Off  joy  than  war  thay  deflitute, 

And  faw  thair  bodyis  bair. 
Annone,  thay  paft  with  all  thair  fpeid, 
Off  leivis  to  mak  thame  felvis  a  weid, 

To  cleith  thame  was  thair  cair.  9° 

During  the  tyme  of  innocence, 

No  fyn  nor  fchame  thay  knew; 
Fra  tyme  thay  gat  experience, 
Vnto  ane  bufs  thay  drew; 

Abyding,  and  hyding,  95 

As  God  fowld  nocht  thame  fee ; 
Quha  fpyit,  and  cryit, 
"  Adame,  quhy  hyddis  thow  thee?" 

"  I  being  naikit,  Lord,  throw  feir, 
For  fchame  I  durft  nocht  to  compeir,  100 

And  fo  I  did  refufe." 
"  Had  thow  nocht  eitin  of  that  tre. 
That  knawlege  had  nocht  bene  in  the, 
Nor  yit  no  fic  excufe." 
'*  This  helper,  Lord,  thow  gaif  to  me,  105 

Hes  cawfit  me  tranfgrefs." 
Sayd  fcho,  "  The  ferpent  fubtilly 
Perfwadit  me  no  lefs; 

Intreitting,  be  eitting, 

That  we  fowld  be  perfyte,  no 

Me  fylit,  begylit; 

In  him  lyis  all  the  wyte." 

The  Lord,  that  evir  jugeit  richt, 
Bringand  his  iuftice  to  the  licht, 


MAN,  HIS  FALL  AND  REDEMPTIOUN.  31 

The  ferpent  firft  did  iuge.  115 

"  Becaufs  the  woman  thow  begylit, 
For  evir  thow  fall  be  exylit," 

Said  he,  "  withowt  reffuge. 
Betuix  hir  feid  and  thy  ofspring, 

Na  peax  nor  reft  falbe,  120 

And  her  feid  fall  thy  heid  doun  thring, 
For  all  thy  fubtilty ; 

Abhorit,  deformit, 

Thow  on  thy  breift  fall  gang, 

In  feiding,  and  leiding  125 

Thy  lyfe  the  beiftis  amang." 

The  woman  nixt,  for  hir  offence, 
Did  of  the  Lord  reffaif  fentence : 

Hir  fowrrow  fowld  increfs. 
With  wo  and  pane  hir  childrene  beir,  130 

Subdewit  to  man,  vndir  his  feir. 

No  liberty  poffefs. 
For  Adamis  fait  he  curft  the  erth, 

That  barane  it  fowld  be, 
Withowt  labour  fowld  yeild  na  birth  135 

Off  coirnis,  erb,  nor  tre; 

Bot  wirking  and  irking 

For  evir  fowld  remane, 

And  being,  in  deing, 

In  erth  returne  agane.  140 

O  crewall  ferpent!  vennemus, 
Difpytfull  and  feditious. 

The  grund  of  all  our  cair: 
Thow  fals  bound  flave  vnto  the  divill, 
Thow  firft  inventar  of  the  evill  145 

Off  blifs  quhilk  maid  ws  bair; 


32         ANE  BALL  AT  OF  THE  CREATLOUN  OF  THE  WARLD, 

O  diuillis  flaivc!  did  thow  beleif, 

Or  how  had  thow  fic  grace, 
Thairby  for  evir  thow  micht  leif, 

Aboif  in  to  that  place?  150 

Thy  grudgeing  gat  fcrudgeing; 
And  fwa  God  lute  the  fie, 
A  diffavar,  no  cravar, 
Off  his  reward  fowld  be. 

O  dilicat  dame,  with  eiris  bent,  iS5 

That  harknit  to  that  fals  ferpent, 

Thy  banis  we  may  fair  ban ; 
Without  excufe  thow  art  to  blame, 
Thow  juftly  hes  obtenit  that  name. 

The  verry  Wo  of  Man.  i6o 

With  teiris  we  may  bewaill  and  greit 

That  wickit  tyme  and  tyd, 
Quhen  Adame  was  cauffit  to  fleip, 
And  thow  tane  of  his  fyd. 

No  fleiping,  bot  weiping,  165 

Thy  feid  hes  fund  fenfyne: 
Thy  eitting,  and  fweitting, 
Is  turnd  to  wo  and  pyne. 

Adame,  thy  pairt  quha  can  excufe, 

With  knawlege  thow  that  did  abufe  170 

Thy  awin  felicitie.'* 
The  ferpentis  fals  inventing,  Fol.  14. 

The  womanis  fone  confenting, 

Was  nocht  fa  wickitlie. 
God  did  prefer  the  to  this  day,  175 

And  thame  fubdewid  to  the; 
So  all  that  thay  cowld  niene  or  fay, 

Sowld  not  haif  movit  the 


THE  LXXXIII  PSALME  OF  DA  UID.  33 

To  brecking,  abiecking 

That  heich  command  of  lyfe,  180 

Quhilk  gydit,  provydit 

The  ay  to  leif  but  ftryfe. 

Behald  the  ftait  that  man  was  in, 
And  als  how  it  he  tynt  throw  fyn, 

And  loift  the  fame  for  ay;  185 

Yit  God  his  promeifs  dois  performe, 
Send  his  Sone,  of  the  virgyn  borne, 

Oure  ranfone  for  to  pay. 
To  that  gret  God  lat  ws  gif  gloir, 

To  ws  hes  bene  fo  gude,  190 

Quha,  be  his  deith,  did  ws  reftoir, 
Quhairof  we  war  denude; 

Nocht  karing,  nor  fparing 

His  body  to  be  rent ; 

Redemyng,  releiving  195 

Ws  quhen  we  war  all  fchent. 

Finis  q.  Sr  Richart  Maitland  of 
Let/iingtouti,  Knycht. 


V. 

The  Ixxxiii  Pf aline  of  Dauid. 


GOD,  for  thy  grace,  thow  keip  no  moir  filence: 
Ceifs  not,  O  God,  nor  hald  thy  peax  no  moir. 
For,  lo!  thy  fois  with  crewall  violence 
Confiderat  ar,  and  with  ane  hiddeous  roir, 
In  this  thair  rage,  thaye  riballis  brag  and  fchoir; 
And  thay  that  hait  the  moift  malicioufly, 
Aganis  thy  micht  thair  heidis  hes  raifd  on  hie. 

E 


34  THE  LXXXIII  PSALME  OF  DAUID. 

For  to  opprefs  thy  pepill  thay  pretend 

With  fubteill  flicht,  and  move  confpiracie 

For  fic  as  on  thy  fecreit  help  depend.  lo 

"  Go  to,"  fay  thay,  "and  latt  ws  vtterHe 

This  natioun  rute  owt  frome  memorie, 

And  of  the  name  of  Ifraleitis  lat  nevir  Fol.  14.  b. 

Forther  be  maid  mentioun  for  evir." 

Confpyrit  ar,  with  crewall  hairtis  and  fell,  15 

Thus  aganis  the  togidder  in  ane  band. 

The  Edomeitis,  that  in  thair  tentis  to  dwell, 

And  Ifmaleitis  jonit  with  thame  to  ftand; 

The  Moabeitis,  vpoun  the  vder  hand. 

With  the  prowid  race  of  Agareines,  togidder  20 

Affemblit  ar,  and  wicketly  confidder; 

Geball,  Ammon,  and  Amalek,  all  thre 

Marche  furth  ilkane  with  his  garifoun; 

The  Philiftenis,  formeft  thay  think  to  be. 

The  indwellaris  of  Tyre  with  thame  ar  boun ;  25 

Afchur  alfo  is  thair  companyeoun ; 

With  the  childrene  of  Lott  to  arrayed. 

In  thair  fuppoirt  his  benner  is  difplayed. 

Do  thow  to  thame  as  thow  did  to  the  hoift 

OffMadian;  Jabin,^  and  Sifera,  30 

At  Kyfon  flude;  in  Endor  lyvis  thay  loift. 

To  dung  the  land  quhair  as  thair  bodyis  lay, 

Lyk  Oreb,  Zeb,  Zeba,  and  Salmunna, 

So  mak  thow  thame ;  evin  thair  moift  michty  princis, 

And  all  the  cheif  rewlaris  of  thair  provincis.  35 

Quhilk  faid,  "  Lat  ws  inhereit,  as  our  awin, 
Godis  manfionis."    My  God,  mak  thame  to  be 
Lyk  rolling  quheilis,  or  as  the  ftibill  blawin 

1  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  has  Jafin. 


A  SONG  OF  HIM  LYING  IN  POYNT  OF  BETH.  35 

Befoir  the  wind.     As  fyre  the  wid  we  fe 

Dois  burne,  and  flame  devoir,  on  montanis  he,  40 

The  hether  crop,  fo  lat  thy  tempefb  chace  thame, 

And  thy  quhirle  wind  with  terror  fo  deface  thame, 

Thair  faces,  Lord,  with  fchamefulnes  fulfill ; 
That  thay  may  feik  thy  name  in  mynd  to  prent, 
Confoundid  let  thame  be,  and  evir  ftill  45 

Vexid  with  wo ;  ye,  mak  thame  fchemd  and  fchent : 
And  lat  thame  knaw  that  thow  art  permanent. 
That  Jehova,  thy  name,  allone  parteineth 
To  the,  over  all  the  erth  quhois  glory  regneth. 

Fi7iis. 


VI. 

Followis  a  Song  of  Jiini  lying  in  poynt  of  detJi. 

OLord  my  God,  fen  I  am  brocht  To^  grit  diftrefs, 

Andthnvchemybodythairisnocht  Bot  havinefs, 

Mak  haift  in  tyme  to  fuccour  me,  O  richteoufs  Juge. 

Sen  I  half  nane  in  erth  bot  the  For  my  refuge, 

My  only  howp  and  confidence  In  the  is  fett,  5 

Affuring  me  that  my  offence  Salbe  forgett. 

And  all  my  tormentis  fall  tak  end  With  fuddane  fpeid,    F0I.15. 

Quhen  thow  fie  confort  fall  me  fend  As  I  haif  neid. 

Lord,  fbrenth  me  with  thy  patience  To  fuffer  ay 

Quhat  pleiffis  beft  thyne  excellence  On  me  to  lay;  10 

And  lat  me  nocht  declyne  at  all  In  tyme  of  greif, 

Bot  evirmair  on  the  to^  call  For  my  releif 

Help  me  to  beir  my  burding,  Lord,  For  I  am  Avaik; 

1  Dupl,  Text— /«,  2  lb,  _/, 


36 


THE  SA  WLE  OF  MAN. 


And  latt  my  ftrenth  and  chairge  accord, 

Affift  me  with  thyne  haly  fpreit, 

With  fteidfaft  hairt  and  howp  repleit, 

At  leift  fum  pairt,  I  the  befeik, 

As  thow  art  luving,  kynd  and  meik, 

Into  thy  juftice  and  jugement 

Bot  fen  I  am  fo  penitent, 

Quhen  that  my  fenffis  ar  all  gone, 

My  hairt  and  mynd  on  the  allone 

Thy  fweit  promelfs  and  tendir  luve, 

Owt  of  my  mynd  fall  nocht  rem  [u] ve, 

And  gif  thow  will  that  fuddanly 

I  recommend  my  fawle  to  the 

Quhair  it  fall  half  ane  dwelling  place 

To  rigne  in  hevinly  luve  and  peace 

Or  ellis,  gif  that  thy  plefour  be 

Releif  me  of  my  meferie 

Remeid  me,  that  am  lyik  to  mang. 

And  I  fall  fmg  thy  praeyfe  als  lang 


For  thy  names  faik. 
That  I  may  ftill,  15 

Abyid  thy  will. 
To  fwaige  my  pane ; 
Thy  wreth  refrane. 
Deill  nocht  with  me ; 
Grant  me  mercie.        20 
And  wordis  dois  faill, 
Salbe  all  haill, 
Na  tyme  nor  tyde, 
Nor  yit  lat  flyd. 
I  fall  depairt,  25 

With  cheirfull  hairt, 
With  angellis  hie, 
Eternallye.^ 
My  lyfe  to  fpair. 
And  prefent  cair.         30 
And  foir  oppreft. 
As  I  may  left. 

Finis. 


VII. 


O 


The  Sazvle  of  man. 

FF  all  the  gude  createuris  of  Goddis  creating 
'  Maift  peur  and  pretious  is  the  fawle  of  man ; 
A  perfe6l  fubftance,  at  na  tyme  abating; 
Quhilk,  with  the  body,  the  paffionis  fuffer  can ; 
In  vertew,  joyus;  in  vyce,  baith  wyifs-  and  wan; 
Quhilk,  eftir  daith,  fall  reffaif  the  rewarde 
Of  werkis  in  lyftyme  it  did  maift  regarde. 

1  Dupl.  TeyX— Perpetually.  2  ih.—wa. 


THE  LYFE  IN  MAN.  37 

TJie  Lyfe  in  man. 

Lyfe,  that  cuppillis  the  fawle  and  body  in  ane, 

Is  fraill  and  vane,  mair  flippry  than  the  flyme; 

A  heipfull  of  cairis,  bot  quyet  hes  it  nane;  10 

Ordanit  of  God  a  priffone  for  a  tyme, 

To  plege  and  purge  the  body  and  fawle  frome  cryme;        Fol.  15.  b. 

Quhilk  quha  fa  fpendis  verteously  and  wele, 

Sail  eftir  it  ay  in  glory  and  joyis  dwele. 

Confcience. 

In  quhat  ordor  fa  evir  a  manis  lyfe  is  heir  led,  15 

The  confcience  excufis  or  accufis  plane, 

Vthirwayis  to  perfwaid  ftandis  in  na  fled; 

It  prevailis  in  witnefs  to  joy  or  to  pane, 

Feir  God,  truft  in  him,  and  wickitnefs  refraine; 

Keip  faif  the  confcience  frome  feir  and  trymbling,  20 

That  trew  faith  and  peax  may  be  at  thy  ending. 

Prayar  and  Repentance. 

Prayar  is  the  maift  haly,  devyne  ferwice 
That  man  heir  on  erth  vnto  God  may  prefent. 
Faith,  with  repentance,  is  the  dew  and  perfett  devyce 
That  withftandis  the  diuill  and  his  curfit  entent.  25 

Pray  to  God,  truft  in  him,  bot  firfb  be  penitent; 
For,  as  a  feuir  fchip  favis  thame  that  be  thairin, 
Saprayar,  be  repentance,  favisws  frome  drownyng  in  fyn. 

Faith. 

Faith  is  a  fteidfaftnes  and  trewth  of  thingis 

Spokin  and  convenantit  off  God,  or  of  man.  30 


38  FEIR  OF  GOD. 

A  richt  faith  in  God  with  it  all  wayis  bringis 

Iiivinfibill  powar,  that  michtelly  can 

Withftand  the  affaltis  of  the  crewall  Satan : 

For  he  that  is  faithfull  and  trew  in  all  thingis 

Hes  michtyar  fervandis  than  lordis  or  kingis.  35 

Feir  of  God. 

Withowt  the  feir  of  God  na  man  can  be  juft, 

Nor  yit  richtly  rewill  his  corrupt  nature. 

Feir  ftrangly  mortifyis  all  filthy  lufb ; 

Feir  fyndis  entrance  in  to  a  lyfe  moift  peure, 

Quhilk  feir  vpoun  luve  dependis  maift  feure ;  40 

Or  ellis  feir  Avithowt  luve  increffis  hatred ; 

And  quhame  men  do  feir,  thay  wifs  war  perifched. 

Anjlotle. 

Bettir  it  is  to  dye,  the  fawlis  lyfe  to  fave, 
Than  to  loifs  the  fawle,  the  bodyis  lyfe  to  have. 

Seneca. 

It  is  better  to  haif  the  fawle  garniffid  with  vertew,  45 

Than  the  body  deckid  with  purple,  gold,  or  blew. 

Fmis. 


THE  FIRST  SALME.  39 

VIII. 

The  firjl  Sabne.  Fol.  i6.  a. 

Beatus  vir.        T  T  Appie  is  hie  hes  hald  him  fre 
1-  J-  Frome  folkis  of  defame ; 
Alwayis  to  fle  iniquite 
And  fait  of  fyn  and  fchame. 

Bot  hes  his  will  conforme  vntill  5 

The  Lordis  command  and  law, 
Thame  to  fulfill,  with  purpoifs  ftill 
Boith  day  and  nicht  to  knaw. 

He  fall  half  brute,  as  tre  on  rute 

Endlang  the  rever  plantit ;  lo 

To  burge  and  fchute,  and  fall  gif  frutt 

In  tyme,  as  God  hes  grantit. 

Quhois  leif  and  blaid  fall  nevir  faid, 

Bot  fragrant  ay  be^  flureift; 

Quhois  workis  on  braid  sail  evir^  fpraid,  15 

And  richtoufly  be  nvreift. 

Sail  non  be  fo  off  nochtis  no, 

Ouhilk  bene  of  curfit  kind:^ 

Bot  thay  fall  go  lyk  duft  and  ftro 

Bene  vaneift  with  the  wind.  20 

Evill  men  lykwyifs  fall  nocht  arryifs* 
To  jugement  as  thay^  trufl; 
Nor  thame  that  lyifs  in  fyne  of[t]  fyifs 
To  counfale  with  the  juft. 

^  Dupl.  Text — be  and.         ^  Vo.—profprus. 

3  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  has  bind.     "*  Dupl.  H&xl— thay  fall  nocht  ry if s. 

5  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  has  the. 


40  THE  FYIFTY-FIRST  PSHALME. 

For  air  and  lait  the  Lord  weill  wait  25 

The  wayifs  of  vertewus  men, 
And  every  gait  off  wicket  ftait 
Sail  perreifs  owt  of  ken. 

Gloria  Patri. 

To  Fader  gloir  be  evirmoir, 

To  Sone  and  Haly  Spreit;  30 

As  wes  afoir,  now  is  in  ftoir, 

And  ay  falbe,  So  beit. 

Finis  quod  Alex''  Scott. 


IX. 

The  fyifty[fir/l'\  PJJtalnie. 


LORD  God  deliuer  me,  allace!  Foi.  16.  b. 

For  thy  grit  mercy,  rewth,  and  grace, 
Soir  mornyng,  grufling  on  my  face, 

Rew  on  my  miferie : 
Als  for  the  mvltitud  and  fpace  5 

Off  thy  heich  clemenfs,  heir  my  cace. 
And  my  trefpafs  expell  and  chace; 
Lord  God  deliuer  me. 

Wefche  me,  and  mak  my  fawle  ferene 

Frome  all  iniquite  that  bene;  10 

Clenge  me  of  cryme  and  mak  me  clene, 

All  vycis  for  to  fie. 
For  my  tranfgreffioun  half  I  fene, 
Quhilk  tormentis  me  with  tray  and  tene. 


THE  FYIFTY-FIRST  PSHALME.  41 

And  ay  my  fyn  forgane  myne  ene;  15 

Lord  God  deliuer  me. 

Only  to  the  I  did  offend, 

May  non  my  mifs  bot  thow  amend, 

As  by  thy  fermondis  thow  art  kend 

Ourcum  all  contrarie.  20 

In  filth,  lo!  I  begyn  and  end. 
By  fyn  maternall  I  am  fend. 
With  vycQ  I  vaneifs  and  mon  wend ; 

Lord  God  deliuer  me. 

Thow  had  to  veritie  fic  zeill,  25 

That  of  thy  wifdome  did  reweill 
Incertane  hid  thingis  for  my  weill, 

And  laid  befoir  myne  e. 
For,  quhen  thy  fowth  of  grace  I  feill, 
I  falbe  clengit  dene  as  fteill,  30 

And  quhyttar  than  the  fnaw  gret  deill ; 

Lord  God  deliuer  me. 

Thow  fall  gif  glaidnes  vnto  heir, 
Me  into  joy  and  mirthful!  cheir, 
Quhen  all  my  febill  bonis  efeir  35 

Sail  gif  the  lovingis  hie. 
Heirfoir  avart  thy  vifage  cleir,  Fol.  17.  a. 

So  that  my  fynnis  cum  not  the  neir; 
Off  my  mifdeidis,  quhilk  dois  me  deir, 

Lor[d]  God  deliuer  me.  40 

Great  within  me  and  infound 
Ane  hart  immaculat  and  mound, 
Ane  fteidfaft  hairt  renew  and  ground 

Within  my  breift  to  be. 
Fleme  me  nocht  fra  thy  face  fecound,  45 

F 


42.  THE  FYIFTY-FIRST  PSHALME. 

Bot  lat  thy  Haly  Spreit  abound ; 
Lord  God  deliuer  me.^ 

Reftoir  me  to  the  exultatioun 
I  had  in  the  of  my  faluatioun, 
And  with  thy  Spreit  of  cheif  probatioun  50 

[Vpftirre  my  hairt  to  thee]^ 
I  fall  to  fynnaris  mak  narratioun, 
And  wicket  men  in  deviatioun 
I  fall  thame  ken  to  confolatioun ; 

Lord  God  deliuer  me.  55 

Lord  God  deliuer  me,  and  gyd 
Frome  fchedding  blude  and  homicyd; 
My  tung  fall  preifs  the,  juft,  but  pryd, 

And  petefull,  all  thre : 
Lowfe  thow  my  lippis,  that  tyme  and  tyd  60 

I  may  gif  to  the  lovingis  ^^yd, 
Till  all  that  fermely  lift  confyd; 

Lord  God  deliuer  me. 

Knew  I  thow  covet  facrifyifs. 

Or  ofiferand  holocaft  wald  pryifs  65 

I  fowld  thame  gif,  bot  thow  dennyifs 

Sic  to  reffaif  in  gre; 
For  thy  oblatioun,  Lord,  it  lyifs 
In  humill  hairt,  contreit  alwyifs; 
Pennens  of  fpreit  thow  nolt  difpyifs ;  7° 

Lord  God  deliuer  me. 

Sweit  Lord,  to  Syon  be  fuave, 

And  ftrenth  the  wallis  of  thy  conclave,  Fol.  17.  b. 

Jerufalem,  thy  haly  grave, 

Ouhilk  makis  ws  ranfone  fre:  75 

^  A  line  of  this  stanza  omitted  in  MS. 
2  From  old  verfion — MS.  has  Ainx  Sovirlie. 


THE  TAB  ILL  OF  CONFESSIOUN.  43 

This  facrifice  than  thow  fait  have 
Off  thy  juft  pepill,  and  reffave 
Thair  laill  trew  hairtis  with  all  the  lave; 
Lord  God  deliuer  me. 

Gloir  to  the  Fader  he  aboif,  80 

Gloir  to  the  Sone  for  our  behoif, 
Gloir  to  the  Haly  Spreit  of  loif, 

In  trenefald  vnitie; 
As  wes,  is,  falbe  ay,  but  roif, 

Ane  thre,  and  thre  in  ane,  to  proif  85 

Thy  Godheid  nevir  may  remoif  : 

Lord  God  deliuer  me. 

Finis  quod  Scott. 


X. 

\The  Tabill  of  Co7tfeffioun.] 

'TPO  The,  O  mercifull  Salviour,  Jefus, 

1   My  King,  my  Lord,  and  my  Redemar  fweit, 
Befoir  thy  bludy  figor  dolorus 
I  repent  my  fynnys,  with  humill  hairt  contreit, 
That  evir  I  did  vnto  this  hour  compleit, 
Baith  in  werk,  in  word,  and  eik^  intent; 
Falling  on  face,  full  law  befoir  thy  feit, 
I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

To  The,  my  fweit  Saluiour,  I  me  fchirryve, 
Committing  me  in  thy  mercy  [maift]  excelling,^ 

^Dupl.  Text— ?■«. 

2  MS    has  excellenting  altered  to  excelling,  and  the  word  excellmir 
iSeUmfn^  ""        ^^'*  '^^^^  ^^s-^wo^  dois  me  in  thy  mercy  moji 


44  THE  TAB  ILL  OF  CONFESSIOUN. 

Off  the  wrang  fpending  of  my  wittis  fyve, — 

In  hering,  feing,  gufting,  twiching,  and  fmelling, 

Ganeftanding,  greving,  moving,  and  rebelling 

Aganis  The  my  God  and  Lord  omnipotent ; 

With  teiris  of  forrow  frome  my  ene  diftilling,  15 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

I  wretchit  fynner,  vyle,  and  full  of  vycQ, 

Off  the  Sevin  Deidly  Synnys  dois^  me  fchirryve, — 

Off  pryd,  off  yre,  invy,  and  covetyce,  Fol.  18.  a. 

Off  lichery,  gluttony,  with  flewth  ay  to  ourdryve,  20 

Exercing  vycis  evir  in  all  my  lyve, 

For  quhilk,  allace!  I  fervit  to  be  fchent: 

Rew  on  me,  Jefu,  for  thy  woundis  fyve! 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

I  confefs^  me.  Lord!  that  I  abufit  haif  25 

The  Sevin  Deidis  of  Mercy  Corporall, — 

To  hungre  meit,  nor  drynk  to  thrifty^  gaif. 

Nor  vefeit  the  feik,  nor  did  redeme  the  thrall, 

Harbreit  the  wolfome,  nor  naikit  cled  att  all, 

Nor  yit  the  deid  to  bury,  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  corre6lioun,  nor  deftitut  counfall,  35 

Na  vnto  wofull  wretchis  conforting. 

Nor  to  my  nychtbouris  fupport  of  my  praying, 

Nor  was  to  afk  forgifnes  penitent. 

Nor  to  forgif  my  nychtbouris  offending; 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent.  40 

^  Dupl.  Text — do.         -  Va.—fchryif.         ^  y\^ — thrijlie  drink  I. 


THE  TAB  ILL  OF  CONFESSIOUN. 


45 


Commandis. 


Articulis 
creid. 


Lord !  I  half  done  full  littill  reverence 

To  thy  Sacramentis  excellent  of  ^  renoun, — 

Thy  Haly  Supper  ffor  my  fyn  recompence, 

And  of  my  gilt  the  holy^  fatisfa6lioun, 

And  Bapteme,  als  quhilk  all  my  fyn  wefche  doun;  45 

Heirof,  als  far  as  I  was  negligent, 

With  hairt  contreit,  and  teiris  falling  doun, 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

The  Ten  Commandis, — ane  God  for  till  honour, 

Nocht  tane  in  vane  his  name,  no^  fleyar  to  be,  50 

Fader  and  m.oder  to  wirfchep  at  all  hour. 

To  be  no  theif,  the  haly  day  to  vphie, 

Nychtbouris  to  lufe,  fals  witnefs  for  to  fle. 

To  leif  adultre,  to  covet  no  manis  rent; 

Aganis  thir  preceptis*  culpable  knaw  I  me;  55 FoI.  18. b. 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

The^  Articulis  of  Trewth,— in  God  to  trow, 

The  Fader  that  all  thingis  wrocht  and  comprehendit, 

And  in  his  haly  bliffit  Sone,  Jefu, 

Of  Mary  borne,  on  croce  deit,  to  hell  difcendit,  60 

The  thrid  day  ryfmg,  to  the  Fader  afcendit. 

Off  quick  and  deid  to  cum,  and  hald  jugement; 

In  to  thir  poynttis,  O  Lord !  quhair  I  offendit 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 


I  trow  in  to  the  bliffit  Haly  Spreit, 
And  in  the  Kirk,  to  do  as  it  commandis, 
And  to  thy  dome  that  we  fall  ryfs  compleit 
And  tak  our  flefche  agane,  baith  feit  and  handis. 
All  to  be  faiff  in  ftait  of  grace  that  ftandis ; 
Plane  I  rewoik  in  thir  quhair  I  mifwent, 

1  Dupl.  Text — of  excellent.      "  lb.  —  Gif  I  for  myfm  bewaill  and  mak. 
^  lb. — no  man.    *  lb. — In  all  this  warld.  Lord.    ^  lb. — Ii. 


65 


70 


46  THE  TAB  ILL  OF  CONFESSIOUN. 

Befoir  The,  Juge  and  Lord  of  fee  and  landis, 
I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

I  fynnyt,  Lord !  that  nocht  being  ftrong  as  wall, 

In  howp,  in  faith,  in  fervent  cheretie; 

Nocht  with  the  Foure  Vertewis  Cardenall,  75 

Aganis  vycis  feure  enarming  me. 

With  fortitude,  prowdence,  and  temperance,  thir  thre 

With  juftice  evir  [in]  work,  word,  or  intent; 

To  The,  Chryft  Jefu,  cafting  vp  myne  e, 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent.  80 

Off  fyn  als  aganis  the  Haly  Spreit, 

Of  vertew  poftponyng,  and  fyn  aganis  nateur, 

Off  [in]contritioun,  confeffour^  indifcreit, 

Of  reffait  fniffull  of  The  my  Saluiour, 

Of  non  repentance,^  and  fatisfa6lion  feur,  85 

Of  the  Sevin  Giftis  the  Haly  Gaift  me  fent, 

Of  Sex  Petitionis  in  Pater  Nofter  peur; 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

Nocht  thanking  The  of  gratitud  nor  grace. 

That  thow  me  wrocht,  and  bocht  [me]  with  thy  blude ;    9°  Fol.  19.  a. 

Of  this  fchort  lyfe  remembring  nocht  the  fpace. 

The  hevenis  blifs,  the  hellis  hiddoufs  feid,^ 

But  moir  trefpafs,  my  fynnis  to  remeid. 

Concluding  nevir  all  thrwch  in  myne  entent ; 

[O]  Thow,  quhois  blude  on  rude  ran  for  my  deid,^  95 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

I  knaw  me  vicious,  Lord,  and  richt  culpable 
In  aithis  fweiring,  leifmg,  and  blafpheming, 
Off  fruftrat  fpeiking  in  court,  in  kirk,  and  table, 

^  ?  coiifeffioun.     -  Dupl.  Text — vtidotte pennence.      ^  lb.  —fede. 
^Va.—for  7)ten  ran  redd. 


THE  TAB  ILL  OF  CONFESSIOUN.  47 

In  wordis  vyle,  in  vaneteis  expreming,  100 

Preyfing  my  felf,  and  evill  my  nichtbouris  deming, 
And  fo  in  ydilnes  my  dayis  haif  fpent ; 
Thow  that  was  rent  on  rude  for  my  redeming, 
I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

I  fynnit  in  confaving^  thochtis  jolie,  ^o5 

Vp  to  the  hevin  extolling  myne  ententioun, 

In  he  exaltit  arrogance  and  folye, 

Prowdnes,  derifioun,  fcorne  and  vilipentioun, 

Prefumptioun,  inobedience  and  contemptioun, 

In  fals  vane  gloir  and  deidis  negligent;  iio 

0  Thow,  that  deit  on  rud,  for  my  redemptioun, 

1  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

I  fynnit  als  in  reif  and  in  oppreffioun, 

In  wrangufs  gudis  taking  and  poffeding, 

Contrar  gud^  reffoun,  confcience  and  difcretioun,  ^^S 

Of^  prodigall  fpending,but  rewth  of  peure  folkisneiding, 

In  fowll  difceptionis,  in  fals  inventionis  breiding, 

To  conqueifs"^  honor,  trefor,  land  and  rent, 

In  flefchly  luft  aboif  mefur  exceding ; 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent.  120 

Off  mynd  diffymvlat.  Lord !  I  me  confefs, 

Of  feid  vndir  [ane]  freindly  countenance. 

Of  parciall  jugeing,  and  pervefs  wilfulnefs, 

In  flattering  wordis  for  fynning  of  fubftance, 

Of  fals  folifting  ffor  wrang  deliuerance  125 

At  Counfale,  Seffioun,  and  at  Parliament; 

Of  every  gilt,  and  wicket  govirnance, 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

I  fchryve  me  of  all  curfit  cumpany,  Yq\.  19.  b. 

All  tymes  both  witting  and  vnwitting  me,  13° 

1  Dupl.  Text — dijfaving.     "lb. — my.     ^Ib. — In.     ''lb. — conquere. 


48  THE  TAB  ILL  OF  CONFESSIOUN. 

Off  criminall  caufs,  off  deid  of  fellony, 
Of  tyranny,  and  vengeable  crewaltie, 
In  hurt^  or  flawchter,  culpable  gif  I  be, 
Be  ony  maner,^  deid,  counfale,  or  confent; 

0  deir  Jefu!  that  for  me  deit  on  tre,  135 

1  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

Thocht  I  haif  nocht  thy  pretious  feit  to  kifs, 

As  had  the  Magdalene,  quhen  fcho  did  mercy  craif, 

I  fall,  as  fcho,  weip  teiris  for  my  mifs, 

And  every  morrow  feik  The  at  thy  graif;  140 

Thairfoir,  forgif  me,  as  Thow  hir  forgaif, 

That  feis  my  hart  as  hiris  penitent! 

Thy  pretious  body  in  breift  or  I  reffaif, 

I  cry  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

To  mak  me,  Jefu,  on  The  to^  remember!  145 

I  afk  thy  Paffioun  me  fo  to  habound, 

Quhill  nocht  vnmenyeit  be  in  me  ane  member, 

Bot  fall  in  wo,  with  The,  of  every  wound ; 

And  every  ftraik  mak  throw  my  hart  a  ftound, 

That  evir  did  ftenyie  thy  fair  flefche  innocent,  150 

So  that  no  pairt  of  my  body  be  found, 

Bot  crying  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent. 

Off  all  thir  fynnis  that  I  did  heir  expreme. 

And  als  foryet,  to  The,  Lord !  I  me  fchryif, 

Appeling  fra  thy  juftice  court  extreme  155 

Vnto  thy  court  of  mercy  exvlyif ; 

Thow  mak  my  fchip  in  bliffit  port  to  arryif. 

That  failis  heir  in  ftormis  violent. 

And  faif  me,  Jefu !  for  thy  woundis  fyve. 

That  cryis  The  mercy,  and  lafar  to  repent.  160 

Fijiis  quod  Dumbar. 
^  Dupl.  Text — deid.       ^  lb. — wyis.       ^  Yo.—for  to. 


O  MOST  HEICH  AND  ETERNALL  KING.  49 

XI. 

\0  mojl  heicJi  and  eternall  Kingi] 

OMOST  heich  and  eternall  King,  Fol.  20,  a. 

Thow  helppis  the  lame  and  blind  to  ficht ; 
Frome  the  dois  every  vertew  fpring, 
Geving  the  fone  and  mone  thair  licht. 
Help  now  to  gyd  my  mynd  arricht  5 

This  lattir  fentence  till  apply, 
Quhilk  come  to  me  this  vthir  nicht: 
He  that  wold^  leif  moft  lerne  to  dy. 

[O  Lord,  quho  can  gife  and  be  lame. 

Or  iuge  cullouris,  wanting  his  ficht;  10 

Or  how  fuld  I  ane  mater  frame 

That  hes  no  knawlege  to  indyt? 

How  can  ane  blind  man  fchut  arrycht, 

Being  all  blind  without  ony  e? 

Sic  can  nocht  lichtly  hit  the  quhyt:  15 

He  that  will  leive  moft  lerne  to  de.^] 

My  cluddy  ficht,  O  Lord,  mak  cleir, 

Tak  of  the  mift  that  hurtis  foir. 

And  latt  the  licht  of  grace  appeir. 

Thow  cumis  to  faif  that  wes  forloir,  20 

The  blind  to  ficht  thow  dois  reftoir; 

Sic  is  thy  gentill  courtafie. 

To  the  be  lawid  and  prayifs  thairfoir : 

He  that  wold^  leif  moft  lerne  to  dy. 

Oppin  my  eis,  my  mercifull  Lord,  25 

The  licht  of  faith  cleirly  to  fie, 

1  Dupl.  Text— a:////.  ^  From  Dupl.  Text— not  in  MS. 

3  Dupl.  Text— ot7/. 

G 


50  O  MOST  HEICH  AND  ETERNALL  KING. 

And  to  beleif  thy  fecreit  word, 

The  quhilk  dois  fay,  "  Cum  vnto  me. 

All  ye  that  labor,  refrefcit  to  be." 

This  proclamatioun  Chryift  did  cry  30 

To  tak  from  ws  iniquitie : 

[He  that  will  leif  moft  lerne  to  dy.^] 

Chryft  come  nocht  the  richtoufs  to  call, 

Bot  fynnaris  to  repentance. 

Off  him  we  haif  the  confort  all,  35 

Quhairfoir,  his  holy  name  avance. 

He  makis  for  ws  purveance, 

Gif  we  in  tyme  frome  vyce  dois  flee ; 

With  him  we  fall  haif  heretance : 

He  that  wold  leif  moft  lern  to  dy.  40 

Agane  God  fayis,  "  Gif  ye  me  luve, 

Than  ye  moft  keip  my  commandment." 

This  text  all  godly  men  dois  move, 

To  be  to  him  obedient. 

It  is  for  ws  expedient  45 

His  godly  will  to  magnifie, 

And  of  our  fmfull  lyvis  repent :  Fol.  20.  b. 

He  that  wold  leife  moft  lerne  to  dy. 

Dy  frome  all  fyn  and  wicketnes, 

Frome  pryd  and^  abhominatioun.  50 

Dy  frome  fleuth  and  covetoufnes, 

Preifs^  to  gud  occupatioun. 

Now  is  tyme,  mak  preparatioun 

Our  fynfull  lyvis  to  mortify. 

For  help  to  God  mak  meditatioun :  55 

He  that  wold  leif  moft  lerne  to  dy. 

1  From  Dupl.  Text— not  in  MS.         ^  Yi^x■^\.  T&yii—with  Mr. 
^  lb. — And preifs. 


O  MOST  HEICH  AND  ETERNALL  KING.  51 

"Gif  thow  defyre  for  to  leif  long, 
In  reft  and  peice,  and  fee^  gud  dayis, 
Frome  fpeiking  lyis  refrane  thy  tong." 
The  four  and  thretty  Salme  thus  fayis,  60 

To  call  ws  vnto  godly  wayifs, 
And  wickit  toungis  to  pacifie. 
Remember  this,  mak  no  delayis: 
He  that  wold  leif  moft  lerne  to  dy. 

Tak  Chryiftis  croce  vpon  your  back,  65 

And  follow  him  in  leving  peur. 

Wirk  Weill  in  tyme,  and  be  nocht  flak, 

For  heir  we  can  not  long  endeur, 

Tyme  gois  away,  ye  may  be  feur; 

Our  flowris  fedis  away  trewly,  70 

Thairfoir  to  God  for  grace  procure : 

He  that  wold  leif  moft  lerne  to  dy. 

The  pfalme  doith  fay,  "  Call  vpoun  me 

In  tyme  of  tribulatioun. 

And  than  I  will  deliuer  the."  75 

The  Lord  hes  fic  compaffioun, 

To  him  mak  fupplicatioun. 

And  call  vpoun  him  fathfully, 

Quhen  ye  haif  vifitatioun: 

He  that  wold  leif  moft  lerne  to  dy,  80 

O  Lord  of  lordis  celeftiall! 

Thy  michty  arme  doith  ws  defend. 

Be  the  we  ryifs,  quhen  we  do  fall ; 

Thy  mercy  non  can  comprehend. 

Lord,  pardone  ws  quhair  we  offend,  85  Fol.ai.a. 

Heir  in  this  vaill  of  miferie. 

1  Dupl.  Text— 21^  leif  in  rejl  and  fee. 


52  CHRIS TE  QUI  LUX  ES  ET  DIES, 

Thus  I  conclud,  and  maids  ane  end: 
He  that  will  leif  mofl  lerne  to  dy. 

Finis  quod  [Ro.^]  Norvall. 


XII. 

\_ChriJie  qui  lux  es  et  dies.] 


CHRISTE  qui  lux  es  et  dies, 
O  Jefu  Chryft,  the  verry  licht 
And  daye  that  vndois  all  dirknes, 
Vncovering  mirknes  of  the  nicht, 

The'^  licht  of  licht,  beleve  it  richt,^  5 

Thow  grant  ws  all,  but*  difperance, 
Of  thy  vifage  to  half  a  ficht, 
Lumen  beatum  predicans. 

Precamur,  fan6le  Domine, 

Our  haly  Lord,  to  the  we  pray,  lo 

Defend  avs  in  this  nicht,  that  we 

In  the  mot  reft  withowt  efifray; 

And  grant  ws  grace,  that  we  may  fay 

This  ympne  fo  plefandly  to  the. 

To  bed  quhen  that  we  boun  ws  ay,  15 

No6tem  quietam  tribue. 

Ne  grauis  fompnus  irruat, 

Thow  tak  ws.  Lord,  in  thy  keiping. 

Fra  our  ennemy,  and  all  his  wreth, 

Defend  ws,  Lord,  attour  all  thing.  20 

Fra  dully  dremis  in  our  fleping,^ 

1  From  Dupl,  Text— not  in  MS.         ^  Dupi.  Text— T/ioTv. 
3  lb.  —helevit  richt.     *  lb.  —all  ay  but.     ^  lb.  —dule  dremyngis  mjleping. 


CHRISTE  QUI  L UX  ES  ET  DIES.  5 3 

Fra  Baliall,  and  his  belfull  bache/ 
Lat  nevir  our  flefche  in  confenting, 
Nos  tibi  reos  ftatuat. 

Oculi  fompnum  capiant,  25 

Our  ene  tak  fleping  on^  this  wyfe, 

That  our  hart  walk  and  be  conftant 

In  hevinly  thocht  and  thy  ferwyifs, 

Fra  we  tak  reft,  quhill  that  we  ryifs; 

Sen  we  may  nowdir  mvt  nor  munt  30 

Thy  haly  hand,  keip  ws  that  lyifs,  Fol.  21.  b. 

Famulos  qui  te  dihgunt. 

Defenfor  nofter,  afpice. 

Our  only  God  and  Defendour, 

Behald  our  ennemy,  and  fe  35 

Ay^  wating  ws  fra  hour  till  hour. 

God  fend  ws  grace  fra  hevynis  tour 

To  brek  thair  power  and  thair  prefs, 

And  fave  ws  fra  thair  fawis  [fa]  four, 

Quos  fanguine  mercatus  es.  40 

Memento  noftri,*  Domine, 

Haif  ws  in  mynd,  and  grant  ws  meid, 

Till  in  this  frivoll  flefche  ar  we. 

Haif  mercy,  Lord,  of  our  mifdeid ; 

Thow  art  the  defenfor^  at  neid 

Of  our  fawhs  in  neceffitie. 

On  domifday,  quhen  all  fall  dreid, 

Adefto  nobis,  Domine. 


45 


Deo  Patri  fit  gloria, 

To  glorius  God,  the  Fader  fre, 

And  to  his  onlie  Sone  alfwa, 

^  Struck  out  ill  MS.  and  altered  by  another  hand  to  bake.     Dupl. 
'YtyX—bach  or  bath, 

^  Dupl.  Text — in.     ^  lb. — Euir.     ^  lb. — mei,     ^  lb. — defenfor  ei<ir. 


50 


54  O  HICHT  OF  HICHT,  AND  LIGHT  OF  LIGHT. 

And  to  the  Holy  Gaift,  all  thre, 

Evirlefting  gloir/  but  ending,  be. 

Thow  grant  ws  grace,  quhen  we  hyne  ga, 

That  we  thyne  endles  joy  may  fe,  55 

In  fempiterna  fecula.     [Amen?-'] 

Finis. 


XIII. 

[0  Jiicht  of  hicht,  and  licJit  of  licht  inojl  cleii^^ 

O  HICHT  of  hicht,  and  licht  of  licht  moft  cleir, 
Prince  withowt  peir,  Crhyft  Jefu,  King  of  micht, 
Sone  fchynyng  bricht  aboif  Saturnus  fpheir, 
Quhois  vefage  heir  ffor  ws  wox  dym  of  ficht, 
The  way  to  beir  ws  to  eternall  licht.  5 

Thy  bittir  paffioun,  thy  pane  and  thy  torment 

In  ws  now  prent  with  pane  and  fic  pvnitioun, 

That  exerfitioun  off  deidis  penitent 

In  ws  be  lent  with  teiris  of  contritioun,^ 

Quhill  thow  confent,  thow  gif  ws  thy  remiffioun.  10  Foi.  22.  a. 

For  weill  war  me  the  mirreit  of  thy  woundis, 

That  paffis  the  boundis  of  our  iniquitie 

With  mercy,  this  warld  in  fyn  that  dround  is, 

Fro  hellis  houndis  conferve  our  fawlis  fre, 

Quhen  that  thow  foundis  thy  awfull  home  on  hie.  15 

Redemptor  gud,  reffaif  in  paradice 

Thy  merchandyce  that  thow  bocht  on  the  rude; 

1  Dupl.  Text— y^j/.         2  From  Dupl.  Text— not  in  MS. 
^  Dupl.  Text — effu/wun. 


SPAIR  ME,  GUD  LORD,  AND  MAK  ME  CLENE.  55 

Latt  not  the  wude,  infernall  cokatrice 

Fra  the  ws  tyfe,  fweit  Jefu,  myld  of  mude, 

For  the  grit  pryce  and  vertew  of  thy  blude.  20 

Obedient  Sone  thow  wes  to  the  deid, 

And  all  in  reid  for  ws  wes  revin  and  rent, 

Schamit  and  fchent  with  thorny  croun  on  held, 

Rute  of  remeid,  gife  ws,  fra  hyne  we  went, 

Thy  bliffit^  fteid  aboif  the  firmament.  25 

Fi7iis. 


XIV. 
\Spair  me,  giid  Lord,  and  inak  me  c/eue.] 

SPAIR  me,  gud  Lord,  and  mak  me  clene; 
For  my  lyfe  dayis  thay  be  richt  nocht. 
Quhat  is  a  man,  thocht  he  be  kene, 
Bot  waiftis  away  as  dois  a  thocht.-* 
Think,  Lord,^  of  erd  thow  hes  ws  wrocht. 
And  in  to  clay  that  turne  mon  we, 
Quhen  ony  baill  is  for  ws  brocht : 
Than  parce  michi,^  Domine. 

A  man  is  of  a  woman  born. 
His  lyf  is  bot  a  littill  thraw, 
His  wretchitnes  is  him  beforne, 
Quhill  he  is  weill,  he  ftandis  no  aw; 
In  his  maift  welth,  he  can  not  knaw 
Nowdir  him  felf  nor  yet  God  hie. 

1  Dupl.  Text— ^//j/«//.  '^Vo.— Lord  think.         ^Vo.— nobis. 


56  SPAIR  ME,  GUD  LORD,  AND  MAK  ME  CLENE. 

Quhen  we  ar  dcid,  and  lyis  full  law,  15 

Than  parce  michi,  Domine. 

My  fawll  is  irkit^  of  my  lyfe,  Fol.  22.  b. 

Thruch^  wretfchitnes  quhilkis^  me  within, 

For  labor,  forrow,  fturt,  and  ftryif, 

Dreid  of  deid,  and  dalie  fyn.  20 

The  feind,  he  wetis  his  pray  to  win, 

Ws  till  abandoun  evir  wald  hie ; 

Quhen  deid,  his  devoir  falbegyn, 

Than  parce  mihi,  Domine. 

Sail  paipis,  bifchopis,  and  clerkis  fterf?  25 

Sail  thay  half  hell  for  fynnis  faik? 

Ye,  thay  fall  haif  as  thay  deferf ; 

For  thay  a  full  hard  compt  fall  mak, 

Becaufe  the  kirkis  gudis  thay  tak, 

Syne  dois  thairfoir  nocht  thair  dewtie,  30 

Except  fic  fynnis  thay  fair^  forfaik: 

Than  parce  michi,  Domine. 

Sail  lordis  and  ladeis  die  and  rot, 

Or  fall  thay  ftynk,  that  fmellis  now  fweit.'' 

Sail  wormis  thame  brefe  abowt  the  throt,  35 

Quhair  goldin  colleris  hingis  fo  meit.-' 

Quhen  thay  ar  prickit  in  a  fcheit. 

Than  loft  is  all  thair  ryaltie. 

Bot  micht  thay  leif,  thay  wold  fo  yeit : 

Nunc  parce  mihi,  Domine.  4° 

I  mene  richt  weill  quhat  evir  I  fay, 
Wald  God  to  that  we  cowld  tak  heid, 
And  graith  our  fawlis  the  reddy  way 
Aganis  the  feirfull  day  of  deid. 

*  Dupl.  Text — irkis.         ^  lb. — For.         ^  lb. — is. 
■*  lb.  — Bot  thay  fic  fynnis  fair. 


CUM  HAL  V  SPREIT  MOIST  S UPERNE.  5 7 

Lord,  for  thy  woundis  that  foir  cowth  bleid,  45 

Quhen  thow  for  ws  deit  on  tre, 
Tak  no  vengeance  for  our  mifdeid, 
Bot  parce  michi,  Domine. 

Finis. 


XV. 
\Cum  Haly  Spreit  moijl  fiiperne?^ 

CUM  Haly  Spreit  moift  fuperne, 
Vefy  thy  pepill,  and  infpyre.  Fol-  23.  a. 

Illumene  ws  with  hcht  eterne, 
Inflame  ws  with  the  fervent  fyre 

Of  luve  of  the  with  fic  defyre,  5 

That  nothing  erdly  fover^  ws 
Nor  pairt  ws  fra  thy  hie  empyre : 
Veni,  Creator  Spiritus. 

Quhen  ony  werkis  we  begin, 

Thow  be  with  ws,  O  Haly  Gaift.  lo 

Latt  no  evill  fpreit  ws  within 

Mak  foiorne,  quhair  thow  fowld  be  plaift. 

Cum  Sone,  and  tak  the  houfs  in  haift; 

Cum  Capitane,  gude  and  gratius, 

At  morrow,  or  our  claythis  be  laift :  15 

Veni,  Creator  Spiritus. 

And  thocht  the  ennemy  wald  intend 

To  fett  a  fege  the^  houfs  abowt, 

Be  thow  within  for  to  deffend 

We  force^  nocht  quha  affaill  thairowt.  20 

1  Dupl.  T^yX—feiiir.  2  w^^^thy.  -^  ?  fear. 

H 


58  YE  SOJV/S  OF  MEN,  BE  MIRR  Y  AND  GLAID. 

Cum,  Lord,  and  in  our  lugeing  lowt, 
Cum,  our  Prote6lor  glorius, 
Ouhome  we  fall  thank  and  lawd  but  dowt : 
Veni,  Creator  Spiritus. 

Finis. 


XVI. 

[  Ye  Sonis  of  Men,  be  iiiirry  and  glaid?[ 

YE  fonis  of  men,  be  mirry  and  glaid, 
And  leif  in  confolatioun ; 
Tak  in  your  hairtis  no  clothis  faid, 
Dule,  dreid,  nor  difperatioun. 

Haif  howp  of  your  falvatioun,  5 

Think  of  the  joy  that  is  to  cum, 
Be  meik  in  tribulatioun : 
Lawdate  servi  Dominum. 

Be  glaid,  ye  princis,  moift  potent, 

Ouhome  God  lies  gevin,  of  his  fre  grace,  lo 

Grit  ryell  renoun,  riches,  and  rent, 

And  lufty  lordfchyppis  to  imbrace,  Fol.  23.  b. 

Benyngly  fall  vpoun  your  face. 

And  love  the  Lord  of  all  and  fum. 

That  of  this  lyf  he  lent  yow  hefs :  15 

Lawdate  fervi  Dominum. 

And  ye,  quhome  God  na  poffeffouris 

In  to  this  warld  hes  maid  heirdoun. 

Of  benificis,  boundis,  nor  treffouris. 

Ye  thank  als  richelie  his  renoun,  20 


VE  SONJS  OF  MEN,  BE  MIRRY  AND  GLAID.  59 

As  ye  all  cuntreis,  tour,  and  toun 
Joyfit,  of  Jordane  to  ye  flume ; 
Thy  compt  is  lefs^  at  conclufioun: 
Lawdate  ferui  Dominum. 

Quhairfoir  I  reid  boith  riche  and  peur,  25 

That  of  your  pairt  yc  be  content ; 

For  warldly  fubftance  is  not  feur, 

Nor  is  poffeffioun  permanent. 

Think  that  this  lyfe  is  nocht  the  lent 

For  fkafing  heir  of  fcruf  and  flcum,  30 

Bot  to  ferve  God  with  clene  entent : 

Lawdate  fervi  Dominum. 

Sen  that  fra  God  your  grace  cummis  all, 

Fra  your  regrait  ye  gif  him  girth ; 

Thocht  he  your  gud  tak,  grit  and  fmall,  35 

Fader  and  moder,  barne  and  birth, 

Blafpheme  him  not  be  feild  nor  firth. 

Nor  drowp  ye  not  as  ye  war  dum, 

Bot  boith  in  mowth  and  mynd,  with  mirth, 

Lawdate  fervi  Dominum.  40 

Gif  God  lift  tak  vnto  his  gloir 

Your  freind,  thairfoir  fay  not  allace, 

Bot  humly  gif  him  thankis  thairfoir, 

That  tuik  him  to  fa  joyfull  place, 

Ouhair  ye,  with  blifs,  fall  vthiris  brace  45 

Super  occurfois  fyderum, 

Your  Saluiour  feing  in  the  face: 

Lawdate  fervi  Dominum. 

Finis. 


^  Dupl.  Text — Lefs  thy  compt  is. 


6o  YE  THAT  CONTREIT  BENE  AND  CONFEST. 

XVIL 

[  Ye  that  contreit  be7ie  and  confc/ii\ 

YE  that  contreit  bene  and  confeft,  Fol.  24.  a. 

A  fprituall  glaidnes  to  you  tak; 
For  ye  reffaif  a  glorious  gaift, 
The  Lord,  that  all  the  hevynnis  did  mak. 
Awalk  in  fpreit,  and  be  not  walk ;  5 

Think  evir  thair  watis  yow  ane  fo; 
With  humill  hairt  him  not  foirfaik : 
Letamini  Jufti  in  Domino. 

Ye  fowld  be  glaid  for  reffonis  feir ; 

For  now  it  is  the  tyme  of  grace,  10 

The  tyme  of  penitence,  and  prayeir, 

The  tyme  of-^  conqueifs,  and  of  purchace, 

Of  the  triumphand  hevinly  place 

That  evill  angellis  wer  baneifh^  fro; 

For  ye  fall  fee  his  bliffit  face:^  15 

Letamini  Jufti  in  Domino. 

Now  is  the  tyme  of  battell  ftowt, 

That  every  ane  of  ws'^  fowld  be 

Inarmit,  baith  within  and  owt,^ 

With  howp,  faith,  and  cheritie,  20 

Aganis  thir  crewall  fayis  thre, 

The  divill,  the  warld,  the  flefche  alfo,® 

With  the  Croce  in  your  ftandart  hie : 

Letamini  Jufti  in  Domino 

Ye  that  ar  richtous  of  intent,  25 

And  groundit  vpon  futhfaftnes, 

^Dupl.Text — ofhe.    "lb. — exylit.    ^Ib. — occupy  thair  place.    ^Ib. — isor. 
^  lb.  — a7id  withowt.     ^  lb. —  77;,?  warld,  the  flefche,  thefeind  alfo. 


ANE  PRAYER  FOR  THE  PEST.  6i 

And  lift  not  to  no  vvrang  confent, 

To  lye,  deffaif,  nor  to  opprefs, 

Lat  joy  in  to  your  hairtis  increfs; 

For  he  that  brocht  ws  owt  of  wo  3° 

Sail  Weill  reward  yow  moir  and  less: 

Letamini  Julti  in  Domino. 

Finis. 


XVIII. 

Ane  Prayer  for  the  Pejl. 


OETERNE  God !  of  power  infinyt, 
To  quhois  hie  knawlege  na  thing  is  obfcure 
That  is,  or  was,  or  evir  falbe,  perfyt^  Fol.  24.  b. 

In  to  thy  ficht,  quhill  that  this  warld  indure; 
Half  mercy  of  ws  indigent  and  peure.  5 

Thow^  dois  na  wrang  to  pvneifs  our  ofifens : 
O  Lord,  that  is  to  mankynd  haill  fuccure, 
Preferve  ws  fra  this  perrelus  peftilens. 

We  the  befeik,  O  Lord  of  lordis  all ! 

Thy  eiris  inclyne,  and  heir  our  grit  regrait;^  10 

We  afk  remeid  of  the  in  generall. 

That  is  of  help  and  confort  defolait; 

Bot  thow,  with  rewth,  our  hairtis  recreat, 

We  ar  bot  deid  but  only  thy  clemens; 

We  the  exhort,  on  kneis  law  proftrait,  15 

Preferf  ws  fra  this  perrellus  peftilens. 

We  ar  richt  glaid  thow  pvneifs  our  trefpafs 
Be  ony  kynd  of  vthir  tribulatioun ; 

1  Dupl.  T^yX— or  falbe  is  perfyt.  ^  lb.  —  That.         3  jb,  —degrait. 


62  ANE  FRA  YER  FOR  THE  FEST. 

Wer  it  thy  will,  O  Lord  of  hevin !  allaifs, 

That  we  fowld  thus  be  haiftely  put  doun,  20 

And  dye  as  beiftis,  without  confeffioun, 

That  nane  dar  mak  with  vthir  refidence. 

O  bliffit  Jefu!  that  v/oir  the  thorny  croun, 

Preferve  ws  frome  this  perrellus  peftilens. 

Vfe  derth,  O  Lord,  or  feiknes,  and  hungir  foir,  25 

And  flaik  thy  plaig  that  is  fo  penetryve. 

Thy^  pepill  ar  perreift,  quha  ma  remeid  thairfoir, 

Bot  thow,  O  Lord,  that  for  thame  loft  thy  lyve, 

Suppoifs  our  fyn  be  to  the  pungityve, 

Oure  deid  ma  nathing  our  fynnys  recompens.  30 

Haif  mercy,  Lord !  we  ma  not  with  the  ftryve, 

Preferve  ws  frome  this  perrellus  peftilens. 

Haif  mercy.  Lord!  haif  mercy,  hevynis  King! 

Haif  mercy  of  thy  pepill  penetent ; 

Haif  mercy  of  our  petoufs  puniffmg!  35 

Retreit  the  fentence  of^  thy  juft  jugement 

Aganis  ws  fynnaris,  that  fervis  to  be  fchent 

Withowt  mercy;  we  ma  mak  no  defens.  Fol.  25.  a. 

Thow  that,  but  rewth,  vpoun  the  rude  was  rent, 

Preferve  ws  frome  this  perrellus  peftilens.  40 

Remmember,  Lord !  how  deir  thow  lies  ws  bocht, 

That  for  ws  fynnaris  fched  thy  pretius  blude. 

Now  to  redeme  that  thow  hes  maid  of  nocht, 

That  is  of  vertew  barrane  and  denude, 

Haif  rewth,  Lord!  of  thyne  awin  fym[i]litude;  45 

Puneifs  with  pety,  and  nocht  with  violens: 

We  knaw  it  is  for  our  ingratitude 

That  we  ar  pvneift  with  this  peftilens. 

»Dupl.  Text— 77/.-.  -Ih.—a7id. 


ANE  PRA  YER  FOR  THE  PEST.  63 

Thow  grant  ws  grace  for  till  amend  our  mifs, 

And  till  evaid  this  crewall  fuddane  deid :  50 

We  knaw  our  fyn  is  all  the  caufe  of  thifs. 

For  oppin  fyn  thair  is  fet  no  remeid, 

The  Juftice  of  God  mon  pvneifs  than  bot  dreid;^ 

For  by  the  law  he  will  with  non  difpens, 

Ouhair  Juftice  laikis,  thair  is  eternall  feid  55 

Of  God,  that  fowld  preferf  fra  peftilens. 

Bot  wald  the  heiddifman,  that  fowld  keip  the  law, 

Pveneifs  the  peple  for  thair  tranfgreffioun, 

Thair  wald  na  deid  the  peple  than  owrthraw; 

Bot  thay  ar  gevin  fo  planely  till  oppreffioun,  60 

That  God  will  nocht  heir  thair  interceffioun ; 

Bot  all  ar  pvneift  for  thair  innobediens, 

Be  fword  or  deid,  withowttin  remiffioun, 

And  hes  juft  caufe  to  fend  ws  peftilens, 

Superne  Lucerne,  guberne  this  peftilens,  65 

Preferve  and  ferve  that  we  not  fterve  thairin, 

Declyne  that  pyne,  be  thy  devyne  prudens. 

O  Trewth,  haif  rewth,  lat  not  our  flewth  ws  twin; 

Our  fyt,  full  tyt,  wer  we  contryt,  wald  blin, 

Diffiver,  did  never,  quha  evir  the  befocht.  70 

Send^  grace,  with  fpace,  and  ws  imbrace^  fra  fyn;  Fol.  25.  b. 

Latt  nocht  be  tynt  that  thow  fo  deir  hes  bocht. 

O  Prince  preclair!  this  cair  cotidiane, 

We  the  exhort,  diftort  it  in  exyle; 

Bot  thow  remeid,  this  deid  is  bot  ane  trane  75 

For  to  diffaif  the  laif,  and^  thame  begyle. 

Bot  thow,  fa  vyifs,  devyifs  to  mend  this^  byle 

Of  this  mifcheif,  quha  ma  releif  ws  ocht. 

'  Dupl.  Text— (5^  deid.         "  lb. — Bot.         '  Vo.—for  to  arrace, 
*  lb.  —faljly  and.         ^  lb.  — to  'win  us  fra  that. 


64 


THE  SONG  OF  THE   VIRGIN  MARY. 


For  wrangus  win,  bot  thow  our  fyn  ourfyll : 

Latt  nocht  be  tynt  that  thow  fo  deir  hes  bocht.  80 

Sen  for  our  vyce,  that  Juftyce  mon  corre6l, 

O  King  moft  hie !  now  pacific  thy  feid ; 

Our  fyn  is  huge,  refuge  we  not  fufpe6l. 

As  thow  art  Juge,  deluge  ws  of  this  dreid,^ 

In  tyme  affent,  or  we  be  fchent  with  deid ;  85 

We  ws  repent,  and-  tyme  mifpent  forthocht, 

Thairfoir,  evirmoir  be  gloir  to  thy  Godheid : 

Lat  nocht  be  tynt  that  thow  fa  deir  hes  bocht. 

Finis.     \^uod  Henryfone.^] 


XIX. 


Magnificat 
anima  mea 
Dominum. 


The  Song  of  the  Virgin  Mary. 
[Callit  Magnificat  anima  mea  Dominum.'^~\ 

WITH  lawd  and  prayifs  my  faule  hes  magnifeid 
The  eternall  God,^  both  ane,  two,  and  thre, 
That  all  hes  maid,  and  every  thing  dois  gyid ; 
Quhilk,  of  his  micht  and  bonteufs  petie, 
Off  his  gudnes  and  eik  benignitie. 
Only  of  his  mercy,  lift  to  half  plefance   " 
For  to  confidder  and  gratiouflie  to  fie 
To  my  meiknes,  and  humill  attendance. 


Et  exultauit     My  fpreit  alfo,  with  thocht  and  hairt  efeir, 
Spiritus  meus.  Reiofit  hes  with  fully  of  aboundance 

^  Dupl.  Text — And  thow  he  juge  dijluge  us  of  this  Jleid. 

2  lb. — For  we  repent  all.     ^  In  a  different  hand.     *  From  Dupl.  Text. 

2  Dupl.  Text — Lord. 


THE  SONG  OF  THE   VIRGIN  MARY.  65 

In  God,  that  is  my  fouerane  haill  enteir, 

And  all  my  joy,  and  all  my  fufficance, 

My  haill  defyre,  and  my  full  fuftenance. 

Within  my  thocht  he  is  fo  deip  ingrave 

That,  hot  in  him  withowt  variance,  15 

In  all  this  warld  I  can  no  glaidnes  halve. 

Quia  refpexit    For  he  frome  hevin  gudly  hes  behold  Fol.  26.  a. 

SS!"     Of  his  hand  maid  the  humilitie. 

Quhairfoir,  in  fic  only,  for  he  wold 

All  kinrikkis  faue,  Bliffit  call  thay  me;  20 

Of  quhilk,  O  Lord,  the  thank  be  vnto  the. 

With  prayifs  and  honor  of  hevery  hairt  and  toung, 

For  this  allone  be  to  thy  name  ay  foung. 

Quia  fecit  mihi  For  he  to  me  hes  done  thingis  grit, 

magna.  q^  j^^  renoun  and  paffmg  excellence.  25 

His  grace  fo  fully  to  me  dois  fleit; 

For  he  is  michty,  off  maift  magnificence; 

His  name  is  holy  and  maift  of  reverence, 

Than,  for  to  leif  it,  fall  I  nevir  aftart 

To  trufh  in  him  with  my  hoill  mynd  and  hairt.  30 

Et  miferi-        And  his  marcy,  moift  paffmg  famoufs, 
cordiaeiusetc.  prome  kin  to  kin,  and  fo  doun  to  kinreid. 

Sail  throw  his  grace  be  fo  plenteoufs 

Perpetualy,  that  it  fall  ay  proceid, 

And  fpecialy  to  thame  that  luve  and  dreid  35 

My  gratius  Lord,  with  hairt,  will,  and  mynd. 

To  fuche  his  pitie  fall  fpring  and  fpreid, 

Of  dew  richt,  and  nevir  be  behind. 

Fecit  potentia  And  als  his  arme  he  forcit  and  maid  ftrang, 
inbrachiofuo.  j^jg  ^reidfull  micht  that  men  may  fie  and  knaw;  40 

And  prowd  men,  that  thay  ringin  not  to  lang, 

I 


66  THE  SONG  OF  THE   VIRGIN  MARY, 

He  feverit  hes,  and  maid  thame  fo  full  law; 

With  all  his  hairt  doun  fra  the  quheill  thame  thraw, 

For  to  abait  thair  furquedry  and  pryd 

Full  foddanly,  and  laid  thair  boift  on  fyd.  45 

Depofuit  po-    The  michty  potent  frome  thair  ryell  fie, 

tentes de  fede.  Yj\,\^  ^s  he  wold,  he  hes  thame  brocht  law  doun; 

And  humill  and  meik,  for  thair  humilitie,  Fol.  26.  b. 

He  hes  avancit  to  full  hie  renoun; 

For  he  can  mak  ane  tranffmutatioun  50 

Fro  law  to  hie,  as  it  is  fene  full  oft, 

And,  quhen  he^  lift,  the  dominatioun 

Of  warldlie  pomp  to  fallin  full  vnfoft. 

Efurientes        He  hes  fulfillit  and  fofterit  in  thair  neid, 

impleuit.  -^j^i^  gy^jig  ^j^^2  pienteus  lerges,  55 

Thame  that  [wer^]  hungyrie,  indigent,  and  in  dreid, 

And  thame  relevit  of  all  thair  wretchitnes ; 

And  he  the  riche  hes  rawcht  frome  thair  riches, 

Full  wyld  and  waift,  to  walk  vpoun  the  plane; 

And  fuddanlie  thame  plungit  in  diftrefs,  60 

And  folitar  to  lat  thame  leif  in  pane.^ 

Sufcepit  And^  he  his  chofm  chyld  of  Yfraell 

fuum!^^''^"'"'  Benynglie  hes  talk  in  to  his  grace, 

And  of  his  mercy  hes  remembrit  weill 

To  woyid  all  vengeance  frome  his  face;  65 

And  humill  pepill  fall  occupy  his  place, 

And  peax  falbe  feifit  in  his  ftall. 

And  rewth  fall  his  richt  fo  imbrace 

To  fett  his  mercy  aboif  his  warkis  all. 

Sicut  locutus    As  he  hes  fpokin  and  futhfaftly  behecht  70 

eft-  To  our  faderis  that  we  haif  had  befoir, 

1  Dupl.  Text— /«>«.       ^  lb. — With  the gudls  of.      ^  From  Dupl.  Text. 
^  Dupl.  Text — vane.         ^  lb.  — For. 


NO  W  GLAIDITH  E  UER  Y  LIFFIS  CREA  TURE.  67 

To  Abrahame,  and  to  his  fyid  arricht, 

That  his  mercy  fall  left  for  evirmoir; 

For  withowt  it  this  warld  had  bene  forloir; 

To  the  quhilk  to  mak  men  to  attene,  75 

He  hes  maid  mercy,  mankynd  to  reftoir, 

Off  all  his  werkis  to  be  foverene. 

Finis. 


Followis  Ballatis  of  the  Nativitie  of  Chryfie. 

XX. 

\_Noiu  glaidith  euery  liffis  creature.'] 

NOW  glaidith  euery  liffis  creature,  FoI.  27. a. 

With  blifs  and  confortable  glaidnefs. 
The  hevynnis  King  is  cled  in  our  nature, 
Ws  fro  the  deth  with  ranfoun  for  to  redrefs. 
The  lamp  of  joy,  that  chafis  all  dirknefs,  5 

Afcendit  to  be  the  warldis  licht, 
Fro  euery  baill  our  boundis  for  to  blefs, 
Borne  of  the  glorius  Virgyn  Mary  bricht. 

Abone  the  radius  hevin  etheriall, 

The  court  of  fterris,  the  courfs  of  fone  and  mone,  10 

The  potent  Prince  of  joy  imperiall. 

The  he  furmonting  Empriour  abone 

Is  cummyn  fra  his  mychtie  Faderis  trone 

In  erd,  with  ane  ineftimable  licht. 

And  is,  of  angellis  with  a  fweit  intone,  15 

Borne  of  the  mofl  cheft  Virgin  Mary  bricht. 


68  NO  W  GLAIDITH  E  UER  Y  LIFFIS  CREA  TURE. 

Ouhoeuir  in  erd  hard  fo  blyth  a  ftory, 

Or  tithing  of  fa  grit  felicite, 

As  how  the  garthe  of  all  grace  and  glory 

For  luve  and  mercy  lies  tane  humanite ;  20 

Makar  of  angellis,  man,  erd,  hevin,  and  fe, 

And  to  ourcum  our  fo,  and  to  put  to  flicht, 

Is  cumin  a  bab,  full  of  benignite, 

Borne  of  the  moft  cheft  Virgin  Mary  bricht. 

The  fouerane  Senyour  of  all  celfitude,  25 

That  fittis  abone  the  ordour  cherubin, 

Quhilk  all  thing  creat  and  all  thing  dois  includ, 

That  neuir  fall  end,  na  neuir  moir  did  begin. 

But  quhome  is  nocht,  fra  quhome  no  tyme  dois  rin, 

With  quhome  all  gud  is,  with  quhome  is  euery  wicht,     30 

Is  with  his  woundis  cum  for  to  wefche  our  fyn; 

Borne  of  the  moft  cheft  Virgin  Mary  bricht, 

Quhairfoir  fmg  all  with  confort  and  glaidnes, 

And  caft  away  all  cair  and  cuvatice ; 

Devoyd  all  wo  and  leif  in  merines ;  35 

Exerce  vertew  and  banyfs  euery  vice ; 

Difpyfs  fortoun,  richt  rynis  on  fynk  and  fife; 

And,  in  the  honour  of  his  blisfuU  mycht, 

All  welcum  we  the  Prince  of  Paradice, 

Borne  of  the  moft  cheft  Virgyn  Mary  bricht.  40 

Finis. 


RORATE  CELI  DESUPER.  69 

XXI. 

l^Rorate  cell  defiiper.'] 

RORATE  cell  defuper! 
Kevins  diftill  your  balmy  fchouris, 
For  now  is  riffin  the  bricht  day  fter, 
Fro  the  rofs  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,  FoI,  27.  b. 

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  maneir;  15 

Et  nobis  Puer  natus  eft. 

Synnaris  be  glaid,  and  pennance  do, 

And  thank  your  Maker  hairtfully; 

For  he  that  ye  mycht  nocht  cum  to, 

To  yow  is  cumin  full  humly,  20 

Your  faulis  with  his  blud  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  vnto  that  barne  benyng, 
And  do  your  obferuance  devyne 

^  MS.  has  Power. 


70  RORATE  CELT  DESUPER. 

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  Pucr  natus  eft. 

Celeftiall  fowlis  in  the  are 

Sing  with  your  nottis  vpoun  hicht ; 

In  firthis  and  in  forreftis  fair  35 

Be  myrthfuU  now,  at  all  your  mycht. 

For  paffit  is  your  dully  nycht ; 

Aurora  hes  the  cluddis  perft. 

The  fon  is  riffm  with  glaidfum  lycht, 

Et  nobis  Puer  natus  eft,  4o 

Now  fpring  vp  flouris  fra  the  rute, 

Reuert  yow  vpwart  naturaly, 

In  honour  of  the  bliffit  frute 

That  raifs  vp  fro  the  rofe  Mary; 

Lay  out  your  levis  luftely,  45 

Fro  deid  tak  lyfe  now  at  the  left 

In  wirfchip  of  that  Prince  wirthy, 

Qui  nobis  Puer  natus  eft. 

Syng  hevin  imperiall,  moft  of  hicht, 

Regions  of  air  mak  armony ;  50 

All  fifhe  in  flud  and  foull  of  flicht, 

Be  myrthfuU  and  mak  melody : 

All  GLORIA   IN   EXCELSIS   cry, 

Hevin,  erd,  fe,  man,  bird,  and  beft, 

He  that  is  crownit  abone  the  fky  55 

Pro  nobis  Puer  natus  eft. 

Finis,  quod  Dumbar. 


JER USALEM  REIOSS  FOR  JOY.  71 

XXII. 

\Jeriifalem  reiofs  for  joy.] 

JERUSALEM  reiofs  for  joy; 
Jefus  the  fterne  of  moft  bewte 

In  the  is  riffin,  as  rychtous  roy,  Fol.  28.  a. 

Fro  dirknes  to  illumyne  the ; 

With  glorius  found  of  angell  gle  e 

The  Prince  is  borne  in  Baithlem, 
Quhilk  fall  the  mak  of  thraldome  fre; 
Illuminare  Jerufalem ! 

With  angellis  licht,  in  legionis, 

Thow  art  illumynit  all  about;  10 

Thre  Kingis  of  ftrenge  regionis 

To  the  ar  cumin  with  lufty  rout, 

All  dreft  with  dyamantis  but  dout, 

Reverft  with  gold  in  every  hem, 

Sounding  attonis  with  a  fchout,  15 

Illuminare  Jerufalem! 

The  regeand  tirrant  that  in  the  rang, 

Herod,  is  exilit  and  his  ofspring 

The  land  of  Juda,  that  jofit  wrang; 

And  riffm  is  now  thi  richtoufs  King.  20 

So  he,  fo  mychtie  is  and  ding, 

Quhen  men  his  gloriufs  name  dois  nem, 

Hevin,  erd,  and  hell  makis  inclynyng; 

lUumynare  Jerufalem! 

His  cummyng  knew  all  element;  25 

The  air  be  fterne  did  him  perfaife; 
The  watter,  quhen  dry,  he  on  it  went ; 


72  HAILL,  GODDIS  SONE,  OF  MYCHTIS  MAIST. 

The  erd,  that  trymlit  all  and  raife; 

The  fone,  quhen  he  no  lichtis  gaif; 

The  croce,  quhen  it  wes  done  contem ;  30 

The  ftanis,  quhen  thay  in  pecis  claif; 

Illumynare  Jerufalem! 

The  deid  him  knew  that  raifs  vpricht, 

Quhilk  lang  tyme  had  the  erd  lyne  vndir; 

Crukit  and  blynd  declarit  his  micht,  35 

That  heht  of  thame  fo  mony  hundir; 

Nature  him  knew,  and  had  grit  wundir, 

Quhen  he  of  wirgyn  wes  borne  but  wem ; 

Hell,  quhen  thair  yettis  wer  broken  a  fundir: 

Illumynare  Jerufalem!  4° 

Finis. 


XXIII. 

\Haill,  Goddis  Sone,  of  mychtis  inaijl'\ 

HAILL,  Goddis  Sone,  of  mychtis  maift! 
That  with  the  glorius  Fader  began, 
Euir  rynging  with  the  Haly  Gaift, 
All  feing,  prefent  now  and  than, 
Quhome  comprehend  no  hevynis  can, 
Nee  genus  temporum  menfurabit, 
For  ws  thow  tuk  the  forme  of  man : 
Beatus  venter  qui  te  portauit. 

Firft  be  the  prophetis  it  wes  fchawin 
To  ws.  Lord,  of  thy  cuming  heir; 
Be  angellis  fyne  in  erd  maid  knawin. 


HAILL,  GODDIS  SONE,  OF  MYCHTIS  MAI  ST.  73 

And  be  appoftillis  prefchit  cleir, 

Writtin  be  euangeliftis  but  weir,  yo\.  28.  b. 

Quos  quatuor  teftes  permififti, 

That  with  thi  deid  thow  bocht  ws  deir:  15 

Beata  vbera  que  fuxifti. 

Hale,  Jefu,  Virgyn  immaculat! 

Hale,  Virgynis  fru6l,  fareft  and  beft! 

Out  of  the  lilly  illuminat 

Thow  fprang  but  fpot,  rofs  ryelleft,  20 

Quhen  fro  the  nobilleft  neft 

Thow  raifs  a  femine  regis  Dauid 

To  ranfone  ws  and  bring  to  reft : 

Beatus  venter  qui  te  portauit. 

Thow  King  moft  gloriufs  and  grete!  25 

Quhat  meiknes  wes  thy  mynd  within, 

Out  of  thi  he  fupernall  fete 

Law  to  difcend  and  wefche  our  fin. 

Making  a  maid  of  our  pure  kin 

For  to  be  callit  mater  Chrifti,  30 

Our  faulis  fra  the  feind  to  win: 

Beata  vbera  que  fuxifti. 

Haill,  crownit  King  of  angellis  cleir! 

Haill,  Lord  of  all  the  angellis  he! 

Haill,  Prince  of  parradice  but  pair!  35 

Haill,  Empriour  of  erd  and  fe! 

That  fro  the  Faderis  maieflie, 

Qui  omnia  fecula  creauit, 

Come  down  for  ws  a  man  to  be : 

Beatus  venter  qui  te  portauit.  40 

Quhen  we  wer  banyft  fro  thi  bhfs, 
And  in  the  lymb  fra  lichtnes  lent, 
Mercy  bad  the  forgif  our  mifs, 

K 


74  HAILL,  GODDIS  SONE,  OF  MYCHTIS  MAIST. 

And  mekle  mekit  thyn  entent; 

Bot  Richt  faid  euer  in  jugement,  45 

Quod  fumma  Veritas  fuifti, 

And  mycht  nocht  to  that  wrang  confent : 

Beata  vbera  que  fuxifti. 

Thus  euer  quhen  Mercy  fpak  for  man, 

Rycht  faid,  "He  feruit  for  to  de."  50 

Sa  vpoun  this  a  ftryfe  began 

In  hevynnis  confiftory  he. 

Thow  Sone  of  God,  thame  to  agre. 

Lis  quorum  ceHs  non  ceffauit. 

To  de  for  man  thow  tuk  on  the:  55 

Beatus  venter  qui  te  portauit. 

Than  with  fueit  found  and  melody 

Sang  all  the  angell  ordouris  cleir, 

And  all  the  hevinly  cumpany 

Reiofit  with  a  blisfull  cheir.  60  Fol.29.a. 

Peace  kift  Juftice,  hir  fiftir  deir, 

Quia  nos  redimere^  voluifti; 

Than  Rycht  and  Mercy  imbracit  neir: 

Beata  vbera  que  fuxifti. 

Be  Mercy  firft  thow  wald  on  rude  65 

De  for  ws  fynnaris,  that  thow  wrocht; 

And  fyn  be  Richt  ye  hell  denude 

Off  ws  quhome  with  thi  blud  thow  bocht. 

Quhen  this  wes  to  conclufioun  brocht 

Virginem  Gabriell  falutauit  yo 

With  ane  gratia  mekle  of  thocht : 

Beatus  venter  qui  te  portauit. 

This  Virgyn  fueit,  that  neuir  offendit, 
Wes  fone  obedient  to  thi  will; 

^  MS.  has  redemere. 


HAILL,  GODDIS  SONE,  OF  MYCHTIS  MAIST. 

And  thow  as  dow  in  hir  difcendit 

The  haly  Scriptur  to  fulfill.  ^^ 

Ws  to  deliuer  frome  exill 

Tunc  in  hunc  mundum  peruenifti, 

Ouhairfoir  euir  loving  be  the  till : 

Beata  vbera  que  fuxifti. 

80 

The  nycht  of  thi  natiuite 

The  erd  wes  full  of  plefand  licht, 

The  hevin  wes  full  of  angell  gle, 

The  hellis  power  wes  put  to  flicht, 

A  fterne  raifs  with  bemis  bricht 

Et  omnem  terram  illuminauit, 

In  figne  that  thow  wes  borne  that  nycht : 

Beatus  venter  qui  te  portauit. 


75 


Thre  kingis  with  grit  reuerence 
Gold,  fence  and  myr  did  to  the  bryng, 
In  figne  of  thy  magnificence; 
And  that  thow  wes  the  greteft  Kine 
But  end  eternaly  to  ring, 
Tu  regnum^  munera  recipifti. 
The  angellis  did  about  the  fing, 
Beata  vbera  que  fuxifti. 

Into  this  erd,  with  pane  and  greif, 
Our  faulis  fra  the  feind  thow  wan; 
Grit  hungir,  thrift,  cauld  and  mifcheif 
Thow  fufiferit  for  the  faik  of  man. 
Sevin  tymes  for  ws  thy  blud  outran, 
Qui  nos  ab  omni  crimine  lauit, 
Syn  deit  for  ws  with  vifage  wan : 
Beatus  venter  qui  te  portauit. 


i?i 


90 


95 


Finis. 


76  IV£  THAT  ARE  BOCHT  WITH  CHRYSTIS  BLUDE. 

XXIV. 

[  We  that  are  bocJit  ivitk  Chryjlis  bhidei] 

WE  that  ar  bocht  with  Chryftis  blude, 
Lat  ws  with  loving  till  him  lout, 
That  ranfonit  ws  vpoun  the  rude  Fol-  29-  b. 

Fra  ruffy  ragmen  and  his  route, 

Quhairfoir  fuld  we  thir  deuillis  doute  5 

Habentes  talem  Redemptorem? 
Write  we  in  till  our  ftandert  ftoute 
Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem, 

Cheft  Virgyn  Mary,  in  hevin  now  hicht, 

Thow  moder  of  the  King  of  gloir,  lo 

The  blyth  birth  of  thi  bofum  bricht 

Hes  done  ws  to  the  joy  reftoir. 

We  fall  fmg  euir  in  erd  thairfoir 

Ad  tui  nominis  honorem, 

How  that  but  macull,  lefs  or  moir,  15 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem. 

The  he  Lord  fro  the  hevin  abone 

As  dew  difcendit  in  the  dovne. 

And  ws,  his  feruandis,  fuccurit  fone 

Out  of  the  herbry  of  Mahoun.  20 

Our  ranfoner  of  grete  renoun 

Curauit  feculi  langorem 

With  his  moft  glorius  paffioun : 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem. 

Thy  bofum  blift  be  that  bare  25 

Our  Saluatour,  fareft  of  face. 


30 


Wjs  that  are  bocht  with  CHRYSTIS  BLUDE.  77 

War  nocht  thi  fru6l,  that  flurift  fair, 
Our  lynnage  all  had  faid,  allace! 
Thow  glorius  grane  and  plant  of  grace 
Que  germinauit  celeftem  florem, 
Infernall  dragonis  for  to  chace : 
Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem. 

Thow  lufty  ledy,  lamp  of  lycht, 

Loud  louit  with  celeftiall  fang, 

Of  the  is  borne  our  dawing  brycht  35 

That  doun  our  drery  dirknes  dang. 

Our  brycht  Appollo  fra  the  fprang, 

Dans  mundi  tenebris  fplendorem. 

That  fra  the  dragon  reft  the  ftang: 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem.  40 

The  hevynnys  Lord  culd  law  difcend 

In  the  all  fmfull  man  to  faue. 

Him,  that  nocht  hevin  culd  comprehend, 

Thy  wamb  wes  wirthy  to  reffaue. 

Thow  clofit  in  thy  cleir  conclaue  45 

Celi  et  terre  conditorem, 

Quhilk  derfly  doun  the  dragon  draif : 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem, 

We  haif  put  ws  and  God  betuene 

Our  Saluatur,  Jefu,  on  the  rude,  50  Fol.  30.3. 

His  croun  of  thorne,  his  wundis  kene, 

His  paffioun,  and  his  pretious  blude, 

His  muder  Mary,  myld  of  mude, 

Lacrimas  eius  et  dolorem, 

That  our  hir  face  ran  doun  as  flud :  55 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem. 

Betuix  ws  and  thy  fellone  fede 
Ane  wall  ar  Chryftis  woundis  fyve; 


78  IVE  THAT  ARE  BOCHT  WITH  CHRYSTIS  BLUDE. 

His  body  bathit  in  blud  all  rede, 

The  fcurgis  that  his  flefch  did  ryfe,  60 

The  fpeir  that  Longens  did  indryfe 

In  latus  eius  per  vigorem, 

Schaip  the  no  moir  with  ws  to  ftryve : 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem. 

Betuix  ws,  varlo,  and  thy  weris  6^ 

All  Chryftis  paffioun  we  put  compleit ; 

Nocht  San6l  Johnis  held  and  the  Madalanis  teiris, 

The  pappis  of  the  Virgyn  fueit, 

The  blud  and  wattir  that  fcho  did  grete 

Propter  filialem^  amorem,  70 

Quhen  that  fcho  fell  doun  at  his  feit : 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem, 

He  mycht  be  callit  a  mercifull  King, 

Him  felf  that  offerit  to  be  flane, 

To  keip  his  peple  fro  perriffmg.  75 

That  Prince  he  tuk  on  him  the  pane, 

He  loft  his  blud  in  every  vane 

Et  mortuus  eft  propter  amorem ; 

Rycht  wald  we  fuld  lufe  him  agane: 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem,  80 

The  faikles  lamb  that  neuir  offendit, 

Full  mekle  to  the  deid  him  gave; 

Syne  with  his  croce  to  hell  difcendit, 

And  rudly  doun  the  yettis  rave. 

Dragonis  with  dule  on  vthir  drave  85 

Vultus  Jefu  propter  terrorem. 

He  gart  thame  vndirftanding  haue: 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem. 

The  terrible  pit  quhen  he  had  temyt 

Of  faulis  vnnumerable  to  nevin,  90 

^  MS.  \izsfiliole?n. 


OMNIPOTENT  FADER,  SONE,  AND  HALY  GAIST.  79 

He  went  with  thame  that  he  redemyt, 

And  enterit  in  the  bhfs  of  hevin 

Ad  Patrem  omnium  creatorem, 

Quhair  angelhs  fmgis  with  joyfull  ftevin : 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem.  95 

O  Lord,  fen  we  haif  no  refuge 

Bot  the,  that  hes  fa  deir  ws  bocht, 

Latt  mercy  wey  our  fynnys  huge,  Fol.  30.  b. 

Or  thi  iuftice  punyce  ocht; 

We  creaturis,  that  thow  hes  wrocht,  100 

Parce  Domine,  et  fac  fauorem ; 

Latt  nevir  thy  blud  be  fched  for  nocht : 

Virgo  peperit  Saluatorem. 

Finis. 


XXV 

[Omnipotent  Fader,  Sone,  and  Haly  Gaiji^ 

OMNIPOTENT  Fader,  Sone,  and  Haly  Gaift! 
Egall  in  glory,  puer,  and  maiefte; 
Thre  evin  of  mycht,  and  on  of  mychtis  maift, 
Ay  rignand  in  eterne  diuinite; 
Off  a  will,  fubftance,  and  equalite. 
In  quhome  is  nowthir  firft,  laft,  moir,  nor  left; 
To  be  laud  in  tryne  and  vnite: 
Pro  nobis  Chriftus  homo  fa6lus  eft. 

Sentence  of  grace  is  now  diffinityfe 
Concludit  in  the  hevinly  conciftory; 
Our  deth  anon  returnit  is  to  lyfe. 


8o  THE  STERNE  IS  RISSIN  OF  OUR  REDEMPTIOUN. 

In  erd  is  borne  the  blisfuU  King  of  glory, 

To  manis  heir  quhilk  is  a  myrthfuU  ftory. 

Sing,  chriftin  peplle,  with  folace,  joy,  and  feft; 

Be  glaid  and  blyth,  and  be  no  langar  fory :  15 

Pro  nobis  Chriftus  homo  faftus  eft. 

Our  dirk  orifoun  and  fable  emyfphery 

Is  lychnyt  now  with  licht  of  euery  licht ; 

Difcendit  is  the  Prince  of  he  empery 

With  fchynyng  face  to  chace  away  our  nycht,  20 

And  mak  vpfpring  our  purpour  dawing  brycht; 

Our  blisfuU  day  is  clerit  in  the  eft. 

The  fterne  of  joy'hes  lent  of  him  a  ficht: 

Pro  nobis  Chriftus  homo  fa6tus  eft. 

Go  we  and  meit  him  with  deuot  orifoun,  25 

And  welcum  him,  our  Saluiour  moft  fueit, 

That  for  ws  fufiferit  grit  vexatioun 

And  hurt  of  body,  bair  of  heid  and  feit, 

In  travel],  torment,  thrift,  hungir,  cauld,  and  heit; 

And  fyne  for  ws  a  martir  heir  did  fift,  30 

Off  quhois  cummyng  tak  confort  euery  fpreit: 

Pro  nobis  Chriftus  homo  fa6lus  eft. 

Finis. 


XXVI. 

\The  Sterne  is  riffin  of  our  Redeniptioun?\^ 

THE  Sterne  is  riffm  of  our  redemptioun 
In  Baithlem,  with  hemes  blyth  and  bricht; 
The  Sone  of  God  in  erd  he  fchewin  him  boun, 
Amang  his  angellis  with  a  glorius  licht. 
As  hevynnyis  Lord  of  maiefte  and  mycht! 


THE  STERNE  IS  RISSIN  OF  OUR  REDEMPTJOUN.  8i 

Cum  mortall  kingis,  and  fall  on  kneis  doun 

Befoir  the  King  of  leftand  lyfe  and  lycht :  yo\  31  a 

The  Sterne  is  riffin  of  our  redemptioun. 

All  empriouris,  kingis,  princis,  and  preleittis, 

Heir  nakit  borne  and  nvreist  vp  with  noy,  ,0 

Leif  all  your  wofull  truble  and  debaittis, 

Cum,  hike  on  the  eternall  King  of  joy; 

Ly  all  on  grufe  befoir  that  hich  grand  Roy, 

That  only  King  of  euery  regioun. 

Off  Perce,  of  Ynd,  of  Egipt,  Grece,  and  Troy: 

The  Sterne  is  riffin  of  our  redemptioun. 


IS 


Inclyne  befoir  the  Criftin  Conquerour, 

Of  euery  kith  and  kinryk  vndir  fky 

The  he  Makar,  the^  mychte  Saluatour. 

The  meik  Redimar  moft  to  magnify  20 

With  reuerend  feir  doun  on  your  facis  ly. 

And  on  this  day  in  his  laudatioun, 

Aue  Redemptor  Jefu!  all  ye  cry; 

The  Sterne  is  riffm  of  our  redemptioun. 

We  may  nocht  in  this  vale  of  bale  abyd,  25 

Ourdirkit  with  the  fable  clud  no6lurn; 

The  Sterne  of  glory  is  riffyn  ws  to  gyd 

Abone  the  fpeir  of  Mars  and  of  Saturn, 

Abone  Phebus,  the  radius  lamp  divrn. 

To  the  fuperne  eternall  regioun,  ^o 

Quhair  noxiall  fkyis  may  mak  no  fogeorn; 

The  Stern  is  riffin  of  our  redemptioun. 

All  follow  we  the  Sterne  of  mofh  brichtnes 

With  the  thre  blisfull  orientall  kingis, 

The  Sterne  of  day,  Voyder  of  dirknes,  35 

Abone  all  fterris,  planeitis,  fpeiris,  and  fingis; 

1  MS.  has  of  the. 

L 


82  MY  WOFULL  HAIRT  ME  STOUNDIS. 

Befeiking  him,  fra  quhome  all  mercy  fpringis, 

Ws  to  reffaue,  with  mirth  of  angell  foun, 

In  to  the  hevin  quhair  the  Imperiall  ringis : 

The  Stern  is  riffm  of  our  redemptioun.  4-o 

Fviis  Natiuitatis  Dei. 
\Sequunttir  de  eius  Fqffione  quedam  cantikne^\ 


XXVII. 

\My  zvofull  Hairt  me  Jlowidis  throzv  the  vams.] 

MY  wofuU  hairt  me  ftoundis  throw  the  vanis 
Ouhen  I  behald  my  Makar  on  the  tre, 
Wondit,  forbled,  all  plungit  in  till  panis, 
With  rewthfull  voce  fyn  cryand  vpoun  me: 
"O  mortall  man,  behald  with  hert  and  e  5 

How  for  thy  faik  me  panis  dois  opprefs, 
Thocht  for  thy  fyn,  my  tender  fpous,  I  de, 
Benedi6la  fit  San6la  Trinitas." 

My  Fader  faid,  "Go  to  thi  deid,  my  deir." 

With  all  blythnes  I  wes  obedient,  lo 

With  my  difciplis  toward  the  yerd  culd  fteir;  Fol.  31.  b. 

Syne  fone  allone  till  oratioun  I  went. 

Suet  my  blud,  prayit  with  mynd  fervent, 

Betrafit  and  tane  with  men  of  grit  trefpafs. 

All  the  brethir  fled  of  my  convent:  je 

Benedi6la  fit  San6la  Trinitas. 

Behind  my  bak  thay  band  my  handis  faft, 
Till  Annas  houfs  me  led  incontinent. 

^  MS.  has/et/uiiuf  .  .  .  quedem  cantilejice. 


MY  WOFULL  HAIRT  ME  STOUNDIS.  83 

Malcus  me  ftruk,  till  Caiphas  I  paft, 

Fals  witnes  aganis  me  wer  prefent  20 

As  blafphemar  of  God  Omnipotent. 

But  ony  law  thair  I  condampnit  was, 

Amang  thair  feit  defowlit  and  forfchent : 

Benedifta  fit  San6la  Trinitas. 

Befor  fals  jugeis  I  wes  falfly  accufit,  25 

Suftenit  ftraikis  and  blafphematioun; 

Myne  ene  fyld,  my  face  gritly  confufit, 

Malice  but  mefur  ranit  on  my  perfoun, 

To  Pylet  prefentit  with  grit  derifioun; 

Syn  to  Herod  rycht  fone  thay  gart  me  pafs;  30 

Thus  I  fuftenit  fcorne  and  grit  elufioun : 

Benedi6la  fit  San6la  Trinitas. 

I  wes  refufit,  and  the  theif  wes  fred; 

Off  all  veftment  difpoylit  and  maid  bair, 

Bund  till  a  pillar,  fcurget  quhill  I  bled,  35 

Briffit  my  body,  ryvin  bayth  hyd  and  hair; 

Till  eik  my  pane,  and  gar  my  fchame  be  mair, 

With  purpour  cleth  thay  cled  my  mortall  mafs; 

Baith  fell  and  flefch  it  fowit  and  maid  fair: 

Benedifta  fit  San6la  Trinitas.  40 

Vpoun  my  heid  thay  thrang  a  croun  of  thorn, 

Put  in  my  hand  a  reid  ffor  derifioun, 

Vpoun  thair  kneis  adorand^  me  in  fcorn; 

The  thorne  pykis  thay  to  my  tay  dang  doun ; 

Bot  fame  and  name  thay  think  to  confound,  45 

Thair  vyle  fpitting  my  panis  gart  all  crafs 

Fra  heid  to  fute,  that  neuir  a  parte  wes  found  : 

Benedi6la  fit  San6la  Trinitas. 

^  MS.  has  audornand. 


84  MV  WO  FULL  HALRT  ME  STO  UNDLS. 

Vpoun  my  bak  thay  put  ane  hevy  tre, 

Led  me  to  deid,  with  tormentis  me  flew ;  50 

Off  all  veftmentis  thay  barit  my  bode, 

On  lenth  and  breid  my  plagit  perfone  drew, 

Throw  feite  and  handis  rud  nalis  thay  threw. 

My  fpirit  than  preuit  all  pane  and  bittirnes ; 

Wes  non  this  pane,  bot  only  God,  that  knew:  55 

Benedi6la  fit  San6la  Trinitas. 

Fra  xij  to  iiij  vpoun  the  croce  I  hang, 

Plungit  in  panis  and  perplexite;  Fol.  32.3. 

Longins  a  lance  in  to  my  body  thrang ; 

I  wes  tane  doun,  and  woundit  richelie;  60 

My  muderis  fplene  pairfit  calamide; 

My  bliflit  body,  quhilk  paffit  all  rihas,^ 

Within  a  crag  wes  clofit  quietle : 

Benedi6la  fit  San6la  Trinitas. 

To  Lymbus  Patrum  I  paffit  but  mair  pane,  ^5 

Fred  all  my  knychtis  fra  captiuite; 

To  my  appoftillis  I  apperit  fyne  agane. 

All  my  difcipillis  lete  myne  afcenfioun  fe. 

In  glob  of  grand,  full  of  fehcite, 

With  fcience  feir  exertand  all  folafs :  7° 

Quha  feruis  me  fall  fing  thair  finale, 

Benedi6la  fit  San6la  Trinitas. 

Haill,  God  eternall,  haill,  grace  in  all  glore! 

In  fubflance  on,  in  perfonage  hale  thre. 

Hale,  Prince  fuperne,  haill,  hevinly  Empriore!  75 

Hale,  in  the  trone  of  thy  devinite ! 

Hale,  of  honor,  puer,  and  dignite, 

Science,  piete,  vertew,  and  gudlinafs, 

^  ?  riches. 


O   WONDIT  SPREIT  AND  SA  ULE  IN  TILL  EXILE.  85 

Immenfurable  be  all  tyme,  ftait,  and  gre! 

Benedi6la  fit  San6la  Trinitas.  80 

Finis.  \(iuod (Z\tx\.^\ 


XXVIII. 

\0  Wo7idit  Spreit  and  Sanie  in  till  exile.] 

O  WONDIT  fpreit  and  faule  in  till  exile, 
Schaddow  of  deth,  and  myrrour  of  myrknes, 
Spendand  thy  ficht,  thy  gyd  is  full  of  gile, 
Vndir  the  hevin  thow  findis  hot  fikilnes. 
Dignite  is  dowble,  in  euery  ftait  diftres,  5 

Deid  is  certane.     O  blind  luft,  I  inquyre, 
In  vicius  vanite  wilt  thow  yit  perfewyr? 

O  faith  deformit,  and  gife  it  be  faltles, 

Quhy  in  thy  deidis  is  fic  diuerfite, 

As  witles  worme,  vanerand  in  wrechitnes,  **^ 

Pure  of  vertew,  riche  in  iniquite, 

Refufand  verite,  chefand  vanite? 

Sen  Chryft  and  sanclis  fa  dcir  the  hevin  lies  bocht, 

Treft  Weill,  O  man,  thow  cumis  nocht  thair  for  nocht. 

Off  euery  wa  the  verry  deliuerance,  ^5 

The  grund  of  grace,  off  fyn  remiffioun, 
Vi6lorius  trivmphe  of  vertewis  haboundance, 
The  grund  and  hicht  of  verry  perfe6lioun ; 

^  In  a  different  hand. 


86  0   WONDIT  SPREIT  AND  SA  ULE  IN  TILL  EXILE. 

All  thir  ar  fundin  in  Chryftis  paffioun. 

O  hevinly  trefur,  in  fait  of  ferching  hid,  ^° 

Imprent  thy  grace  off  my  mynd  in  the  mid.  yo\.  32.  b. 

With  mynd  deuot  and  hairtly  compacience, 

Behald  the  Sone  of  God  in  orifoun. 

In  bludy  fueit  he  prayit  for  our  offence, 

In  pacience  eik  the  kifs  tuk  of  treffoun;  25 

The  Apoftils  fled  with  defolatioun. 

As  prefoner  commend  the  in  his  cure, 

The  to  redeme  fic  dolour  cuth  indure. 

Freindles  amang  his  fais,  in  febill  plite, 

As  impotent  and  wirthy  of  dampnatioun,  30 

Thay  fylit  his  face  with  fpitting  and  difpite, 

Sylit  his  ene,  as  fule  in  dirifioun: 

His  patience  paffit  imaginatioun. 

Peter  than  fell.     Quhairfoir,  O  fynnare! 

Repent  with  Petir,  and  leif  nocht  in  difpare.  35 

Quhen  Mary  faw  hir  bliffit  Sone  Jhefu 

Led  throw  the  cite,  with  diuerfs  panis  fmerte, 

Hir  dule  exceidand  his  dolour  cowth  renew; 

Vnthankfulnes  of  man  thirlit  his  hairte. 

The  end  of  auirice  of  wrechis  now  aduert:  4° 

Judas  throw  cuvatice,  the  girn  of  Sathanas, 

Hingit  him  felf,  as  man  difpair  of  grace. 

Chrift  wes  accufit  In  prefens  of  Pilate, 

The  Jowis  cryit  him  for  to  crucefie, 

Barrabas  wes  fred.     O  chance  infortunate!  45 

The  Sone  of  God  wes  fcurgit  crevvalie. 

O  hevinly  Flour  of  our  humanitie! 

Thy  fairnes  fedit,  thy  virgin  face  vox  pale : 

Now  man  behald  thi  Makar  immortale ! 


O   WONDIT  SPREIT  AND  SA  ULE  IN  TILL  EXILE.  87 

Vpoun  his  held  thay  thrang  a  croun  of  thorn  50 

For  diadem,  a  croce  to  beir  of  tre; 

Ane  King  of  Jowis  thay  faluft  him  in  fcorn, 

Betuix  twa  thevis  thai  deput  him  to  de. 

Thus  throw  his  hife  and  our  iniquite 

He  fufiferit.     Thow  fynnit,  O  man,  maifl  frevolus,  55 

Thocht  thow  be  wrechit,  thy  price  is  rycht  pretius. 

Thay  drew  him  on  the  croce  with  violence, 

His  vanis  brak,  his  banis  wes  innwmerable ; 

Cavilht  his  clething.     The  theif  confeffit  offence, 

With  all  his  mycht  to  grace  he  maid  him  able.  60 

Cryft  prayit  thair  for  his  fais  but  fable; 

His  meik  mudir,  abone  all  virgins  blift, 

Hairtly  commendit  to  Johne  the  euangelift. 

O  bliffit  Virgin!  fege  of  our  Saluiour,  Fol.  33.  a. 

Quhat  thocht  thow  of  thy  commendatioun?  65 

Sic  dule  mycht  neuir  yit  martiris  indure ; 

Thair  panis  wes  mixt  with  confolatioun; 

Bot  in  the  laik  of  lamentatioun 

Thow  fowpit  wes,  feand  thy  Son  torment, 

Complenand  thus  to  God  omnipotent:  70 

*'0  God  abufe,  that  regnis  eternally, 
Excerce  thy  fervand,  plungit  in  ftrang  difbres, 
Seand  my  Sone  and  Makar  immortall 
Thus  hoverand  in  the  hicht  of  hevines. 
The  fowrd  of  forrow  at  my  hairt  cowth  incres,  75 

With  pvnift  fpereit  in  fic  perplexite, 
Dippit  in  dolour  dre  furth  thi  prophece." 

O  man,  behald  the  wofull  diffeuerance! 

Behald  Mary!  behald  hir  Sone  Jefu! 

Gife  rewth  hes  rowme  in  thy  remembrance,  ^ 


88  O   WONDIT  SPREIT  AND  SA  ULE  IN  TILL  EXILE. 

With  peteous  hairt  his  paffioun  thow  perfcw, 
Throw  quhilk  thow  may  thy  innocence  renew. 
O  hevinly  faule,  knaw  thy  fehcite ! 
Slay  nocht  thy  felf  with  fals  iniquitie. 

Att  hour  of  none  he  cryit  haly ;  85 

The  fone  wes  clofit  in  till  clud  obfcure; 

Myr  mixt  with  gall  he  taiftit  thair  trewly; 

The  ftanis  raif,  deid  raifs  abufe  nature; 

The  Magdalenis  but  diflance  culd  indure. 

Off  all  his  panis  quha  mycht  expreme  the  left,  90 

Ouhen  that  he  cryit,  "Confumatum  eft"? 

His  fpreit  commendit  in  to  his  Faderis  cure, 

The  vale  trymblit  throw  diuifioun ; 

Bayth  hevin  and  erd,  and  lyfeles  criature, 

Vnto  thi  Makar  fchew  compaffioun.  95 

Refume  thy  fpereit,  man,  full  of  confufioun; 

For  lufe  of  Jefus,  devoyd  the  of  thi  vice, 

Quhilk  for  the  offerit  him  felf  in  facrifice. 

Doun  fra  the  croce  Jofeph  than  Jefu  bur, 

And  fpycit  his  body  with  pretius  vnyement;  100 

Syn  grathit  him  in  to  his  fepulture. 

Mary,  his  muder,  with  him  wes  ay  prefent. 

Immortal  God,  Makar  Omnipotent! 

Gife  me  thi  grace,  forgiff  me  my  offence, 

Conforme  my  will  to  thy  benevolence.  105 

Punyfs  nocht  thy  peple,  Lord  God,  in  thy  grevance ; 

Think  quhy  thy  Sone  Cryft  fufferit  fic  paffioun; 

The  croun  of  thorne,  the  croce,  eik  Longins  lance, 

For  manis  fyn  makis  interceffioun.  Fol.  33.  b. 

Half  rewth  of  manis  lamentatioun,  no 


COMPACIENCE  PERSSIS.  89 

To  quhome,  as  Redemar,  thow  culd  with  all  commend. 
For  lufe  of  him,  ws  fra  our  fa  defend. 

Fitiis. 


XXIX. 

\Compacience  perffis,  Rewth  and  Mercy  Jloimdis^ 

COMPACIENCE  perffis,  rewth  and  mercy  ftoundis 
In  myddis  my  hairt,  and  thirlis  throw  the  vanis; 
Thy  deid  Jefu,  thy  precius  crewell  woundis, 
Thy  grym  paflioun,  grit  torment,  and  crewell  panis, 
Ingranit  fadlyinto  my  fpreit  remanis;  5 

Sen  me  of  nocht  thow  bocht  with  thy  blude, 
My  ene  for  dolour  wofull  teiris  ranis, 
Quhen  that  I  fe  the  nalit  on  the  rude. 

In  liper  Symonis  houfs,  of  Bathany, 

Thy  feit  annoyntit  Mary  Magdalene  10 

With  precius  balme  and  verdus  fpicardy ; 

Scho  paffit,  fra  thyn  hir  fynnys  wes  forgeuen. 

Thy  flefch  and  blud  in  breid  and  wyne,  but  wene, 

Gif  thy  difciplis,  and  lawlie  wifche  thair  feit. 

Thy  manheid  dred  thy  paffioun  to  fuftene,  15 

Quhen  that  thow  prayit  in  the  Mont  Oliveit. 

To  gyd  the  Jows  come  Judas  Skareoth, 
And  lufl  the  kift;  all  thi  difcipillis  fled. 
As  ane  wrechit  man,  to  Caiphas  and  Pilate, 
Bundin  as  a  theif,  fo  thow  harlid  and  led  ao 

M 


90  COMPACIENCE  FERSSIS. 

Till  Arrot;  Arrot  had  the  in  purpour  habeit  cled. 
For  hethin  the  halfit,  blafphemyng  with  mony  blaw, 
Bundin  at  a  pillar,  blaiknit  and  foirbled, 
In  Lithofates,  quhair  that  thay  held  thair  law. 

Cuttis  for  thi  coit  thay  keft,  wes  neuir  fewit,  25 

Out  throw  thi  harnis  pykis  of  thornis  applyit, 
Defowling  thy  ene  in  to  thi  vifage  fpewit, 
And,  for  derifioun.  King  of  Jowis  thai  cryit. 
That  wycht,  San6l  Peth*,  thy  name  thrifs  denyit; 
Drowpand  in  dule,  myrk  wes  thi  mynd  Mare;  30 

Thy  voce  than  all  throw  Jerufalem  hyit. 
To  fe  thi  Sone,  that  thow  fofterit,  dee. 

Rufchit  on  the  croce  thir  wirdis  did  thow  reipeit, 
"Scitio."     Rycht  fuyth  thay  feruit  the  with  gall, 
Scherp  wes  the  fpeir,  flrang  nalis  lang  and  greit  35 

Thy  ribbis  routit,  thi  face  ourfpittit  all. 
To  Golgatha,  God  Sone  feleftiall, 
Thy  corfs  throw  forfs  thow  bur  with  cur  and  heit, 
Thy  tendir  hyd,  thy  flefch  virginall, 
Wery  for  wrocht  in  watter,  blud,  and  fueit.  40 

Throw  Mareis  faule  the  fuerd  of  forrow  thrift, 

Quhen  that  thow  faid,  "Lo  thair  thi  Sone,  woman;" 

Commandit  hir  to  Johine  the  evangelift, 

Scherp  bludy  teiris  hir  criftall  ene  ouran.  Fol.  34.  a. 

Sowand  wer  thy  fydis,  fair  fcurgis  bla  and  wan,  45 

Nakit  and  paill,  deid  on  the  croce  thow  hang, 

Thy  vanis  burfm,  thy  fennonis  fchorn  than, 

Crownit  with  thorne  for  fcorn,  twa  thevis  amang. 

My  wofull  hairt  is  bayth  roiofit  and  fad. 

Thy  corfs,  Lord  Jefus  Chryft,  quhen  I  behald.  5° 

Off  my  redemptioun  I  am  merry  and  glaid, 


THOW  THAT  HES  BENE  OBEDIENT  91 

Seand  thy  panis  fair  wep  I  wald. 

Cryand  haly,  the  gaiftly  fpereit  thow  yald ; 

To  Longens  hand  the  blud  ran  in  a  reft; 

Thy  pretius  bhid  for  our  redemptioun  thow  fald;  55 

Quhen  thow  incHnit  with  "Confummatum  eft." 

Dirk  wes  the  fone  fra  the  fext  hour  to  nyne, 

Montanis  trymbht,  hiUis,  erd  fchuk  and  claif; 

Senturio  faid,  "  Thow  art  Godis  Sone  devyne." 

Jofephe  decurio  fpifit  the  in  the  graif  g^ 

With  mir  mioft,  moft  pretius  and  fwaif. 

The  thay  gart  de  and  forgaif  Barrabas. 

My  faule  with  fan6lis,  fueit  Saluatur,  reffaif, 

Sen  that  thi  paffioun  purgis  my  trefpas. 

Finis  de  Pafflone. 
Et  feqtiitur  de  RefurreBione. 


XXX. 

\Thow  that  hes  bene  obedient?^ 

THOW  that  hes  bene  obedient 
To  God,  be  prayeris  and  abftinence, 
For  thy  trefpas  als  penitent, 
But  fpot  and  clene  of  all  offence, 
Ryfs  with  the  Lamb  of  Innocence, 
To  den  that  did  the  dragoun  draife. 
This  day,  with  he  magnificence. 
The  Lord  hes  riffin  fro  dede  to  lyffe. 

The  fmg  triumphale  of  the  croce 
Schew  to  confound  the  feindis  feid. 


92  THO  W  THA  T  HES  BENE  OBEDIENT. 

And  quhair  he  fechtis  with  maift  force 

With  confeffioun  hald  doun  his  heid. 

Ryfe  with  thi  ranfoner  fro  deid, 

And  the  of  all  thy  fynnys  fchryfe, 

Thow  rew  vpoun  his  woundis  reid,  ^5 

That  for  the  deid,  and  raifs  on  lyfe. 

And  thow  that  art  in  hairt  fo  dour, 

That  nocht  for  his  grit  paffioun  growis, 

Behald  thi  meik  fueit  Saluiour! 

The  to  inbrace  how  that  he  bowis ;  20 

Se  how  he  marterit  wes  with  Jowis, 

And  how  he  ftud  for  the  in  ftryff. 

Half  he  thi  lufe,  all  he  allowis, 

That  for  the  deid,  and  raifs  on  lyfe. 

And  thow  that  ar  with  errour  dirkit,  25 

Follow  the  Lord,  the  way  is  plane ; 

And  of  his  fute  fbappis  be  nocht  irkit,  Fol-  34-  b. 

That  tuk  thy  gydfchip  with  fic  pane. 

Quhen  thow  gois  wrang,  return  agane, 

And  with  thi  ranfoner  revyfe,  3° 

Lang  to  fin  to  ly  nocht  flane, 

Bot  rifs  with  him  fro  deid  to  lyif. 

O  man !  that  wes  in  fyn  difparit, 

Tak  now  gud  howp  and  haif  fruitioun ; 

For  thow,  that  rebell  wes  declarit,  35 

Hes  of  thi  realme  reftitutioun. 

Now  blindit  is  thi  imbitioun 

With  blud  of  Chriftis  woundis  fyif, 

And  felit  agane  is  thi  remiffioun 

To  ryfe  with  him  fro  deid  to  lyfe.  4° 

Finis. 


SURREXIT  DOMINUS  DE  SEFULCHRO.  93 


XXXI. 

[Surrexii  Dominus  de  Sepulchro^ 

SURREXIT  Dominus  de  fepulchro, 
The  Lord  is  riffm  fra  deid  to  lyfe  agane, 
Qui  pro  nobis  pependit  in  ligno, 
Quhilk  for  our  fynnys  on  the  croce  wes  flane ; 
Quhame  to  annoynt  went  Mary  Magdalene,  5 

Ibat  Maria  Salame  cum  ea; 
Quhen  Godis  angell  thus  did  anfuer  plane, 
"Surrexit  ficut  dixit,  allalua!" 

This  angellis  weid  wes  fnawith  in  cuUour, 

His  face  as  fyrflacht  flawmit,  ferly  brycht;  lo 

The  knychtis  keparis  of  Chriftis  fepultour 

Fell  doun  as  deid,  afferit  of  his  licht, 

Quhome  to  behald  thay  had  no  grace  nor  mycht; 

Et  terre  motus  eft  fa6lus  in  Judea; 

The  wird  of  Jefew  is  fulfillit  rycht,  15 

Surrexit  ficut  dixit,  allalua! 

Behaldin  the  brichtnes  of  this  angell. 
The  Magdalene  and  Mare  Salamee 
Abafit  wer  in  fprit,  as  fayis  the  Ewangell, 
And  ftud  abak.    "Be  nocht  afiferd!"  faid  he,  20 

"The  Lord  is  riffm  quhome  ye  come  to  fe, 
Ipfe  precedit  vos  in  Gallelea;^ 
To  his  Appoftillis  ga  tell  the  verite, 
Surrexit  ficut  dixit,  allalua!" 

1  MS.  has  Gallelela. 


94 


DONE  IS  A  BATTELL  ON  THE  DRAGON  BLAK. 

All  honour  we  this  Lord  with  joy  and  glory,  25 

Thanking  that  mychty  Campioun  invincible, 

That  wan  on  tre  trevmphe  of  he  vi6lory; 

Syne  brak  the  hellis  dungeoun  mofl  terrible. 

And  cheft  the  dragonis  hidous  and  horrible 

Per  crucis  validiffima  trophea,  30 

And  brocht  the  fawlis  to  joy  euir  permanfible : 

Surrexit  ficut  dixit,  allalua! 

Pleifs  we  this  Lord  that  did  in  battell  byd  Fol.  35.  a. 

For  ws,  quhilk  had  non  vthir  bute  nor  beild, 

Quhill  bludy  wes  his  bak,  body,  and  fyd;  35 

He  wes  our  mychte  pavifs,  and  our  fcheild. 

Or  Phebus  dirknes  him  Goddis  Sone  reveild 

Sanguinea  erant  eius  cannepea; 

He  deit  triumphand,  he  raifs  and  wan  the  feild : 

Surrexit  ficut  dixit,  allelua!  4° 

Finis. 


XXXIL 

{Done  is  a  Battell  on  the  Dragon  blaki\ 

.ONE  is  a  battell  on  the  dragon  blak. 
Our  campioun  Chryft  confoundit  hes  his  force ; 
The  yettis  of  hell  ar  brokin  with  a  crak, 
The  figne  trivmphall  rafit  is  of  the  croce, 
Pro  youlis.       The  diuillis  trymmillis  with  hiddoufs  voce, 

The  faulis  ar  borrowit  and  to  the  blifs  can  go, 


d; 


DONE  IS  A  BATTELL  ON  THE  DRAGON  BLAK. 

Chryft  with  his  blud  our  ranfonis  dois  indoce : 
Surrexit  Dominus  de  fepulchro. 

Dungin  is  the  deidly  dragon  Lucifer, 

The  crewall  ferpent  with  the  mortall  ftang;  lo 

The  auld  kene  tegir,  with  his  teith  on  char, 

Quhilk  in  a  wait  hes  lyne  for  ws  fo  lang. 

Thinking  to  grip  ws  in  his  clowfs  ftrang; 

The  mercifull  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  riffm  vp  agane, 

And  as  gyane  raxit  him  on  hicht ;  20 

Sprungin  is  Aurora  radius  and  bricht, 

On  loft  is  gone  the  glorius  Appollo, 

The  blisfull  day  departit  fro  the  nycht : 

Surrexit  Dominus  de  fepulchro. 

The  grit  Vi6lour  agane  is  riffm  on  hicht,  25 

That  for  our  querrell  to  the  deth  wes  woundit; 

The  Sone  that  vox  all  paill  now  fchynis  bricht, 

And  dirknes  clerit,  our  fayth  is  now  refoundit; 

The  knell  of  mercy  fra  the  hevin  is  foundit, 

The  Criftin[s]  ar  deliuerit  of  thair  wo,  30 

The  Jowis  and  thair  errour  ar  confoundit : 

Surrexit  Dominus  de  fepulchro. 

The  fo  is  chafit,  the  battell  is  done  ceifs, 

The  prefone  brokin,  the  jevellouris  fleit  and  flemit; 

The  weir  is  gon,  confermit  is  the  peifs,  ^5 

The  fetteris  lowfit  and  the  dungeoun  temit. 

The  ranfoun  maid,  the  prefoneris  redemit ; 


95 


96  O  MAN,  REMEMBER. 

The  feild  is  win,  ourcumin  is  the  fo, 
Difpulit  of  the  trefur  that  he  yemit: 
Surrexit  Dominus  de  fepulchro.  40 

Finis  quod  Dunbar. 


Followis  Exortationis  of  C/iryJi  to  all  Synnaris 
to  repent  thanie  of  the  fame. 

XXXIII. 

\0  Man,  remember,  andprent  in  to  thy  thocht^ 

OMAN,  remember,  and  prent  in  to  thy  thocht  Fol.  35.  b. 

Quhat  I  haif  done  to  bring  thy  faule  to  reft. 
The  gloir  of  hevin  I  left  and  fett  at  nocht. 
And  tuk  mankynd,  thy  dolour  to  degeft, 
In  all  my  lyfe  rycht  panefully  oppreft;  5 

Syne  for  invy  the  Jowis  culd  me  fla, 
Rycht  crewaly  with  malice  manifeft : 
Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

Wald  thow  behald  perfytly  my  paffioun 

With  hairt  contreit,  and  rew  on  my  torment,  10 

Haif  thow  no  dout  it  fuld  be  thy  faluatioun. 

Wald  thow  remembir  with  fchame  as  I  wes  fchent 

Fra  I  wes  borne,  quhill  that  my  fpereit  wes  fprent, 

That  neuir  had  reft  bot  pyne  nycht  and  day, 

Quhill  I  but  rewth  vpoun  the  rud  wes  rent:  15 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 


O  MAN,  REMEMBER.  gy 

Remembir,  man,  vpoun  Mont  Oleueit 

Quhen  I  fatt  thair  at  my  deuotioun, 

That  for  the  bayth  blud  and  wattir  fuet 

Our  all  my  body  in  grit  effufioun;  20 

For  feir  of  deid  wes  lyk  to  fuelt  in  fwoun. 

Na  tung  can  tell  the  torment,  tene,  and  tra 

That  I  haif  tholit  for  thy  redemptioun : 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

Quhen  Judas  me  kift,  the  Jowis  but  baid  me  band  25 

With  raipis  rud,  quhill  that  the  blud  breft  out; 
Hurlit  as  ane  theif,  that  durft  thame  nocht  ganeftand, 
To  Annas  houfs,  with  that  fowll  rounfy  rout 
Calland  me  fule  with  mony  ane  cry  and  fchout; 
Blerand  thair  ene,  cryand  O  bubo  ba, 
As  blind  feld  beft  thay  beft  me  all  about: 
Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 


30 


To  Pylet  than  thay  prefentit  me  in  haift, 

Be  his  decreit,  that  I  fuld  fone  be  deid. 

Than  he  furthwith  to  Herod  fone  me  chaift,  35 

Becaus  he  had  the  Galianis  to  leid. 

In  habeit  quhyt,  for  hething,  he  me  cled, 

In  foull  derifioun  to  him  that  I  come  fra; 

Be  my  prefens  endit  wes  thair  feid : 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra.  40 

Than  he  anone  difpolyeit  me  all  bair, 
And  I  wes  bund  and  bett,  both  bak  and  fyd; 
Thay  fonyeit  nocht  to  mak  my  fydis  fair. 
With  all  thair  wit  thay  Avrocht  me  woundis  wyd, 
Fra  nek  to  heill  vnhurt  thay  left  no  hyd.  45 

Forbled  and  blaknit  quhill  I  wes  blak  and  bla. 
Be  my  manheid  in  wit  I  mycht  nocht  byd : 
Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

N 


O  MAN,  REMEMBER. 

In  purpour  habit  thay  cled  me  as  ane  king,  yo\.  36.  a. 

With  reid  in  hand,  with  grit  difpyt  and  fcorn.  50 

"Haill,  King  of  Jowis!"  wes  than  thair  falufing. 
Blerand  thair  ene,  thay  kneht  me  beforne; 
Syn  thriftit  on  ane  crewall  croun  of  thorne 
Vpoun  my  heid,  and  pairfit  my  harnis  fwa 
That  windir  wes  nor  my  lyffe  wes  forlorne:  55 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

Ane  heuy  croce,  that  wes  bayth  grit  and  fquair, 

Thay  gart  me  beir  to  Caluary  on  my  bak, 

With  littill  help;  thay  fonyeit  nocht  my  fair. 

To  furdir  my  deid  my  fais  wes  rycht  frak;  ^ 

Difpytfull  wirdis  betuene  to  me  thay  fpak. 

Wes  nane  to  help,  my  freindis  wes  fled  away, 

My  face  ourfpittit,  bludy,  wan,  and  blak: 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

Syne  fett  me  doun  quhill  I  wes  cald  agane,  ^5 

And  ay  thai  dred  that  I  fuld  gett  refkew. 

With  all  thair  wit  thai  fett  to  get  me  flane; 

Quhill  I  wes  deid  thair  mycht  no  mirth  thame  glew, 

Thairfoir  my  deid  thai  fcharply  did  perfew. 

Quhen  all  wes  dry,  bayth  bak  and  fyd  couth  fla,  70 

And  raif  of  all,  my  panis  to  renew: 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

Be  this  wes  done,  with  nalis  lang  and  grit, 

Baith  feit  and  handis  thay  nalit  to  the  croce; 

On  lenth  and  breid,  as  thay  wer  out  of  wit,  75 

Thay  drew  me  lang,  and  maid  me  meit  of  force. 

Quhen  that  wes  don  thay  leit  me  fall  deorfs, 

Renewand  agane  my  pane  fra  top  to  ta. 

That  all  my  vanis  and  fennonis  wer  devorfs : 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra.  80 


O  MAN,  REMEMBER.  99 

For  grit  difpyt,  vpone  Mont  Caluary, 

To  wondir  on  as  I  had  bene  ane  theif, 

I  hang  on  croce,  that  all  the  warld  mycht  fe, 

Betuene  twa  theifis,  as  I  had  done  mifcheif. 

Thow  did  the  deid,  thow  mycht  mak  no  releif;  85 

Grit  fchame  I  fufferit  the  mendis  for  to  ma, 

Blafphemit  I  wes  with  forrow  and  repreif : 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

For  grit  difpyt,  vpoun  Mont  Caluary, 

Als  lang  als  lyfe  wes  left  my  corfs  within,  9° 

Thay  tyrit  nocht  to  do  me  tene  and  tray. 

With  ane  fcherp  fpeir  thay  thocht  it  wes  no  fm 

To  perfs  my  harte  quhill  all  ran  on  the  grene; 

Syne  gaif  me  to  drink  bittir  gall  betuene ; 

Syne  gafe  the  gaift,  my  baner  can  difpla,  95 

Ourfett  the  diuill,  and  all  his  werkis  but  vena : 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

O  man  vnmercifull!  quhat  is  within  thi  mynd,  Fol.  36.  b. 

Seand  quhat  pane  I  fufferit  for  his  faik, 

That  is  to  me  vnthankfull  and  vnkynd,  100 

Quhilk  is  thi  Makar,  and  maid  the  as  thy^  maik.-' 

To  fe  the  fchent  my  forrow  may  nocht  flaik; 

Thow  fufifers  nocht  my  torment  and  my  wa; 

Agane  m.y  will  thy  weill  gois  all  to  wraik : 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra.  105 

Thow  hes  grit  caus  to  murne  and  nocht  to  fmg 

For  thy  mifdeid,  that  cairis  for  no  fyn. 

Thow  lykis  in  lufl  and  ryalte  to  ring, 

Having  no  dreid  how  lang  to  ly  thairin ; 

Yit  thow  prefomes  eternall  blifs  to  win.  iio 

Thow  art  begyld  and  thow  trow  it  be  fa ; 

^  ?  my  or  his. 


O  MAN,  REMEMBER. 

Confefs  in  tyme,  and  of  thi  malice  blin : 
Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

Do  thow  nocht  this,  prefome  nocht  to  half  lyif, 

Juflice  man  punyfs  the  fyn,  quhair  euir  it  be.  ns 

Into  this  warld  wes  neuir  fyn  moir  ryif, 

And  nane  to  pvnyfs  the  grit  iniquite 

That  now  aboundis  in  he  and  law  degre. 

Juftice  will  nocht  that  fm  vnpunift  ga, 

Suppois  that  I  of  fynnaris  haif  pete:  120 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra, 

Thow  irkis  nocht  to  ferue  thy  innemy, 

That  ill  reuardis  his  feruand  at  the  end. 

My  law  with  the  is  lychleit  and  laid  by; 

Thow  takis  nocht  keip  thi  Makar  to  offend,  125 

Off  all  thi  malice  that  may  the  weill  amend. 

Both  thocht  and  deid  thow  pleifis  weill  thy  fa, 

And  in  my  feruice  liftis  nocht  thy  tyme  expend: 

Amend  thy  lyfe,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

Wolupteoufs  lyif,  quhy  thinkis  thow  fo  weill,  130 

The  quhilk  fall  end  with  forrow  and  with  pane, 

That  the  begylis,  and  may  nocht  help  a  deill.'' 

To  thy  tinfall  it  fchawis  bot  a  trane ; 

Throw  fenfuall  luft  thy  faule  may  fone  be  flane; 

Refift  in  tyme,  to  fyn  be  euir  thra,  135 

Schort  is  the  joy,  the  pane  will  ay  remane: 

Amend  thy  myfs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra. 

Quhy  haitis  thow  me,  that  luvis  the  our  all  tiling.^ 

That  I  the  lufe  the  deid  now  may  be  fchawin; 

Off  all  my  workis  thow  hes  the  gouerning,  j  .q 

And  be  thy  deid  thy  lufrent  may  be  knawin. 

I  lyk  it  nocht  that  thow  fuld  be  ourthrawin. 


TO  THE  HIE,  POTENT,  BLISFULL  TR  INI  TIE.  loi 

And  fched  my  blud  thy  ranfone  for  to  pa, 

And  maid  the  fre  off  det,  that  thow  wes  awin :  pol.  -7.  a. 

Amend  thy  mifs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fra.  145 

Ouhat  fall  I  fay?     Thow  vnkynd  but  weir, 

Vntrew,  vnthankfull  vnto  thy  Creatore, 

That  the  hes  bocht  with  my  hairt  bluid  fo  deir. 

Ouhair  half  I  feilit,  or  done  to  the  iniure? 

To  win  thy  luve  I  half  done  all  my  cure.  150 

Leive  thy  evill  lyfe,  and  leif  vpoun  my  lay, 

And  thow  fall  neid  non  vthir  procureur: 

Amend  thy  mifs,  this  plaig  fall  pafs  the  fray. 

Half  mercy,  Lord,  our  error  we  deploir. 

We  grant  our  gilt,  fubmittand  ws  to  grace;  155 

Latt  nocht  this  deid  but  pietie  ws  devoir. 

Ouhair  we  half  failit  to  the,  O  Lord!  allace. 

We  fall  ammend,  and  thow  Avill  grant  ws  pece. 

Half  mercy,  Lord,  haif  mercy,  we  the  pray, 

Thow  fru6l  vnfyld,  thow  fareft  floure  of  face :  160 

Befeik  oure  God  this  plaig  to  put  ws  fray. 

Finis  qtiod  Stewart. 


XXXIV. 

[  To  the  Hie,  Potent,  Blisfull  Trinitiei\ 

TO  the  hie,  potent,  blisfull  Trinitie, 
That  in  ane  Godheid  egall  regnis  abone. 
Be  gloir  and  lawid  in  coeternitie! 
Fra  hevin  to  erd,  with  fong  and  fweit  entone, 
The  Sone  is  cum  fra  the  hie  Fader  in  trone, 


102  TO  THE  HIE,  POTENT,  BLISFULL   TRINITIE. 

And  tane  oure  kynd  at  this  trivmphall  feft, 
Vpone  the  dragone  a  battell  for  to  done : 
A  fummo  celo  egreffio  eius  eft. 

The  Virgynis  wamb  be  glorifeit  and  blift, 

That  bure  our  michty  Saluiour  Miffias,  lo 

Oure  campioun  Chryft,  that  to  the  feild  him  draft, 

Moir  ftrong  than  Heftor,  Sampfone,  or  Golias; 

That  Lucifer  cheift  and  all  his  allias, 

And  all  the  feyndis  affreyit  moft  and  left; 

Surrexit  gigas  ad  currendum  vias :  15 

A  fummo  celo  egreffio  eius  eft. 

In  fole  pofuit  tabernaculum  fuum,  Fol.  37.  b. 

And  as  a  fpous  of  chalmer  did  proceid, 

This  campioun  kene  in  oure  refkorfs  did  cum 

Swiftar  nor  Dyane  throw  all  the  hevynis  on  breid,  20 

Moir  velyeant  nor  Mars  vpoun  his  fteid, 

Moir  frefche  nor  Phebus  ryfand  in  the  eft, 

Mor  terrible  eik  nor  Saturne  for  to  dreid : 

A  fummo  celo  egreffio  eius  eft. 

This  wicht  invinfible,  and  vi6torius  king,  25 

Quhois  bricht  plaitis  attoure  all  Juda  fchone, 

But  vanegard,  reirgard,  fcaill,  or  ony  wing, 

His  velyeand  body  to  battell  gaif  allone, 

Aganis  all  mortall  and  immortall  fone. 

Having  no  dreid  of  dethis  fcherp  arreift;  30 

For  caufs  of  ws  he  gart  the  dragone  grone : 

A  fummo  celo  eggreffio  eius  eft. 

Glaidith  ye  fterris  and  hevinly  fpheiris, 

Signis  and  plenneitis,  that  wer  in  his  paffage; 

For  he,  the  michtie  Lord  that  yow  all  fteiris,  35 

Throw  your  bricht  regionis  maid  his  blift  veyage. 


O  MAN,    VNTHANKFULL  TO  THY  CREATOR.  103 

Glaid  ye,  O  Man!  maid  eftir  his  image, 

For  quhois  faik  he  willingly,  but  requeft, 

Stervit  on  rude  with  deidly  pale  vifage : 

A  fummo  celo  egreffio  eius  eft.  40 

Finis. 


XXXV. 

\0  Man,  vjtthankfjill  to  thy  Creator!] 

OMAN,  vnthankfull  to  thy  Creator, 
Behald  the  gift  of  nature  and  of  grace! 
Sa  Weill  for  the  as  God  hes  done  his  cure. 
To  win  thy  luve  in  mony  fmdry  cace. 
That  bliffit  Prince  is  blyith  the  to  imbrace  5 

With  all  his  hairt,  wald  thow  with  him  accord, 
That  leivis  the  nocht  quhill  fyn  he  fra  the  chace: 
Quhy  art  thow,  man,  vnthankfull  to  thy  Lord.? 

Behald,  of  awld,  quhat  kyndnes  he  hes  wrocht ! 

That  the  deliuerit  of  Egiptis  fervitude,  10 

Quhair  thow  was  neir  to  thy  confufioun  brocht.  Fol.  38.  a. 

Thair,  but  his  help,  thow  had  bene  deftitute; 

Of  all  thy  blifs  he  is  baith  crope  and  rute. 

Mifknaw  thow  him,  thow  fall  pay  trewly  ford ; 

Keip  thow  command,  thow  falbe  blifb  but  bute:  15 

Quhy  art  thow,  man,  vnthankfull  to  thy  Lord.? 

Behald,  how  riche  arrayit  is  the  erd. 

To  thy  vphald,  in  habeit  plenteus! 

Yeildand  the  fru6l  as  anfueris  to  the  querd, 

Cawfit  be  God,  be  wirking  marvellus.  20 


I04  O  MAN,   VNTHANKFULL  TO  THY  CREATOR. 

Suppois  thow  be  to  him  contrarius, 

He  fchawis  gud  will  thy  confcience  to  remord, 

Sa  potent  to  puneifs,  fa  littill  rigorus : 

Ouhy  art  thow,  man,  vnthankfuU  to  thy  Lord? 

All  that  he  maid  wes  fubieft,  man,  to  the ;  25 

Baith  hevin  and  erd  he  formit  for  thy  caufs. 

And  ordanit  all  at  thy  command  to  be. 

And  thow  to  be  obeyfand  to  his  lawis. 

Bot  now,  allace,  fa  far  fra  faith  thow  fawis 

Be  deidly  fyn,  to  caftin  grit  difcord,  3° 

The  maift,  the  leift,  throw  wicketnes  ourthrawis : 

Quhy  art  thow,  man,  vnthankfuU  to  thy  Lord  ? 

Yit  nevir  the  lefs  mankynd  he  hes  him  tane, 

Sufferring  grit  fchame  and  panefully  oppreft; 

With  Jowis  being  fcrugit,  bayth  bak  and  bane;  35 

Crownit  with  thornis  for  fkorne  withowttin  reft ; 

Hurlit  lyk  a  theif  to  Calvary  in  heft. 

Vpoun  ane  croce  he  the  to  grace  reftoird, 

Nalit  thairon,  blafphemit  as  ane  beift : 

Quhy  art  thow,  man,  vnthankfuU  to  thy  Lord?  40 

Repent  thy  finfull  lyfe,  and  the  ammend, 

Fra  thynefurth  fe  thow  cuvat  no  manis  geir; 

And  now  in  tyme  I  mak  it  to  the  kend 

Thair  is  no  cryme,  bot  thow  mone  it  forbeir. 

And  thow  be  faif  fra  furius  feindis  feir;  45 

Or  vthir  wayis  in  fmoke  thow  falbe  fmord, 

In  hellis  pane,  in  wofull  wa,  and  weir. 

Be  thow  aganis  thy  gratius,  thankfull  Lord. 

Finis. 


CHR  VIST  CRO  WNIT  KING  AND  CONQ  UERO UR.  105 

XXXVI. 

\_ChryiJl  crotvnit  King  and  Conguerour.] 

CHRYIST,  crownit  king  and  conquerour,  FoI.  38.  b. 

Makar  of  all,  martir  and  remeid, 
Salwe  of  all  fair,  and  fweit  fuccour, 
Howp  of  all  haill,  and  help  at  all  neid, 
Saif  ws  fynnaris^  of  Adames  feid ;  5 

Defend  and  fre  ws  frome  oure  fo 
Thow  Lord  to  all  that  leivis  on  leid : 
Jefu,  noftra  redemptio ! 

Thow  wit,  thow  well  of  all  mercy, 

Grantar  and  gevar  of  all  grace,  lo 

In  the  our  treft  is  moft  trewly ; 

That  we  may  fpeid,  fpend  on  ws  fpace 

To  get  of  our  gilt  forgifnefs. 

And  our  mifdeidis  boith  all  and  fum, 

Thow  Virgins  fru6l  faireffc  of  face,  15 

Amor  et  defiderium ! 

Jefu,  our  luve  and  our  delyt, 

Our  luft,  our^  lyking  tilP  allow, 

This  warld  may  not  thy  wirfchep  wryt; 

To  quhois  bidding  all  thing  mon  bow  20 

That  wes,  or  falbe,  or  is  now; 

The  firmament,  the  feild,  and  flum,^ 

Quhy  fowld  thay  nocht  gif  blifs  to  yow, 

Deus,  creator  omnium  ? 

Thow  michtie  Makar  of  all  thing,  25 

But  vder,  as  confermis  the  creid, 
Incomperable,  baith  knycht  and  king, 

^Dupl.  Ten—finfull.      Hh.-~and.      ^Vo.—to.      ^\h.—and theflwne. 

o 


io6  CHR  VIST  CRO  WNIT  KING  AND  CONQ UEROUR. 

Moft  royall  Roy  that  we  of  reid, 

To  do  ws  fra  the  dulfull  deid^ 

Thow  borne  was  of  ane  birdis  bofum ;  30 

Quhen  we  fowld^  fpill  thow  gart  ws  fpeid, 

Homo  in  fine  temporum. 

Neir  warldis  end  thow  was  mane  maid, 

Confauit  but  mans  feid  or  fyn ; 

Thocht  thow  be  lichtit  in  fo  law  a  bed,  35 

Thy  maiefty  was  nocht  to  myn, 

Thow  wald  be  comptit  of  our  kin  Fol.  39.  a. 

To  win  ws  all  to  weill  fra  wa; 

To  tell  thair  can  no  tung  begin, 

Que  te  vicit  dementia.  4° 

Quhat  petie  was  that  the  compellit 

To  tak  mankynd  and  mak  ws  fre, 

Ane  theolog  me  trewly  tellit, 

Sayand  the  cheif  was  cheretie 

Gart  the  difcend  for  ws  to  die ;  45 

And  for  our  faik  thy  will  was  fa 

To  tak  the  fic  humilitie 

Vt  ferres  noftra  crimina. 

To  beir  our  fyn  thow  thocht  it  fweit, 

And  fufiferit  for  our  falvatioun;  50 

War  it  vndone,  thow  wald  doid  yeit, 

Sic  was  thy  awin  affe6lioun ; 

Quhat  mycht  be  moir  dele6lioun^ 

Than  thoill*  fic  angir  for  our  offens, 

Thow,  in  thy  peirles  paffioun,  55 

Crudelem  mortem  patiens? 

Thow  dampnit  was  to^  crewall  deid 
To  lowifs  fra  Lucifer  that  was  lonie ; 

^  Dupl.  Text — diuillis  dreid.  ^  lb.  — ivald. 

3  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.   has  rt^^^z'c7««.     *lh.—/uffir.     '^Ih.—to  ane. 


ETERNALL  KING,   THAT  SITTIS  IN  HEVIN.  107 

Our  all  thy  body  ran  ftrems  reid/ 

On  thy  heid  thriftit  ane  croun  of  thorne.  60 

Thow  was  fkurgit  with  fkrech  and  fcorne, 

Sic  panis  thow  previt  to  procur  ws  pefs; 

With  ane  fcharp  fpeir  thy  fyd  was  fchorne 

Vt  nos  a  morte  tolleres. 

Evir  endles  deid  fra  ws  to  do,  65 

Thow  was  beft  bludy,  bair  as  beift. 

Lord,  len  ws  lafar,  lyf,  and  fpace, 

O wt  of  this  warld  or  that  we  wend ;  ^ 

And  grant  ws  gratioufly  thy  grace 

That  we  our  mifdeidis  may  amend;  70 

And  frome  the  diuill  our  fawlis  diffend, 

Quha  wachis  evir  the  fame  to  fla ; 

Conducing  ws  to  joy^  but  end, 

In  fempiterna  fecula. 

Finis. 


XXXVII. 

\_Eternall  Kzjig,  that  fittis  in  Hevin  fo  hie.] 

ETERNALL  King,  that  fittis  in  hevin  fo  hie,  Fol.  39.  b. 

And  clymmith  vp  the  cluddis  fchynyng  licht, 
As  Zepherus  with  bemis  in  the  fkie, 
Quhilk  illumynis  the  ruddy  fterris  bricht; 
O  vnigeneit  Sone  to  God  of  micht !  5 

All  thing  creat  having  in  libertie, 
Ws  grant  that  we  my  fmg  with  hairt  vprycht 
This  impne,  Eterne  Rex  altiflime! 

^  Dupl.  TQ\t—Jiretnis  doun  reid.         ^  lb. — or  -we  hyne  wend. 
^  lb. — to  thijoyis. 


io8  ETERNALL  KING,   THAT  SITTIS  IN  HEVIN 

Excelland,  michtie,  and  immenfurable, 

O  gratious  God,  moft  fouerane  Lord  and  King!  lo 

Ouhilk  in  thy  lufty  palyce  moft  delegable 

Abone  Saturnus  thow  fittis  eternaling, 

Diftill  the  balme  of  thy  mercy  ding, 

As  thow  art  one  with  two'-  in  vnitie, 

Sa  that  we  ma  amang  thy  joyis  ring  »5 

With  the,^  Eterne  Rex  altiffime! 

O  Increat!  O  Godis  Sone  of  micht! 

And  eik  carnat  all  of  a  virgin  fchene, 

As  throw  the  glafs  dois  Phebus  fchyne^  fo  bricht, 

Scho  bure  hir  birth  remaningvirgyn  clene;  20 

And  eik  the  criftale  hevinis  all  bedene, 

Afcending  vp  the  trone  ftanding  fo  hie, 

With  mercy  on  ws  wretchit  fynnaris  mene, 

O  thow,  Eterne  Rex  altiffime! 

[Moft  fouerane  God,  that  fittis  in  trinitie,  25 

Of  quhilk  thy  Sone  we  haif  of  a  virgin  ybore, 

And  regnent  on  two  and  in  thre, 

And  with  his  croce  he  did  agane  reftoir 

The  faderis  auld,  in  lymbo  that  wes  forloir, 

From  the  obfcure  and  dirk  aduerfite;  30 

Lat  ws  vnto  the  offend  no  moir, 

O  thow,  Eterne  Rex  altiffime!]* 


15 


O  thow,  Eterne  Rex  altiffime! 

On  quhome  this  warld  alhaill  now  dois  depend' 

Doun  frome  thy  felf,  vt  primum  mobile,  35 

Cowth  prevelie^  within  the  comprehend 

That  in  thy  fouerane  joy  withowttin  end 

Thow  grant  thy  gratious  vifage  we  may  fie, 

And  all  trefpafs  perfytly  to  amend 

To  the,  Eterne  Rex  altiffime!  40 

Finis. 

^Dupl,  Text — two  regttand.  ^Ib. — the  O.  ^Ib. — viojl. 

*  This  (lanza  from  Dupl.  Text — not  in  MS. 

^  Dupl.  Text —  That  all  this  zvarlddois  in  thy  hafiddepetid.    *  lb.  ^primely. 


<2  UHEN  BE  DE  VYNE  DELIBERA  TIO  UN.  1 09 


XXXVIII. 


\^Quhen  be  Dcvyne  Deliberatioun.\ 


QUHEN  be  devyne  deliberatioun 
Off  perfonis  thre  in  a  Godheid  yfeir, 
The  grit  meffage  and  hie  legatioun  Fol.  40.  a. 

Wes  fend  vnto  the  bhffit  Lady  deir 

Be  Gabriell,  fcho  being  in  hir  prayeir  5 

Afking  of  God,  as  profeitis  dois  expreme, 
To  send  the  Sone  that  fowld  the  warld  redeme, 

The  angell  to  the  Virgin  is  removit, 
And  to  Marie  he  faid  on  this  maneir; 

"  Haill,  full  of  grace,  derreft  and  beft  belovit,  10 

God  is  with  the.     To  him  thou  art  moft  deir, 
Moft  pretious  and  principall,  but  peir, 
Thow  fvveit  fru6l^  tre,  and  well  of  fanetie, 
God  will  of  the  tak  his  humanitie." 

The  Virgin  wynderit  of  that  hie  meffage,  15 

And  was  abaifit  in  hir  humill  fpreit, 
On  to  the  angell  having  this  langage, 
With  fobir  mynd  and  wordis  verry  fweit, 
As  fcho  that  was  of  grace  fuU"^  repleit; 
"How  may  this  be,  I  fowld  confave  a  chyld,  20 

I  knaw  no  man,  my  madinheid  is  vnfyild?" 

''Be  nocht  perturbat  in  your  aducrtance, 
Your  benyng  eir  vnto  xiiy  voice  inclyne ; 
The  Faderis  power,  the  Sonis  fapience. 
The  vertew  of  the  Holie  Gaift  devyne  25 

Within  thy  wame  fall  obvmbir  and  fchyne; 

1  Dupl.  Text— «r//.         2  lb.  —full  of  grace. 


no  Q UHEN  BE  DE  VYNE  D ELI B ERA TIO UN. 

Thow  fall  confaif,  baith  clene  in  deid  and  thocht, 
Him  that  the  maid  and  all  this  warld  of  nocht." 

All  creatouris  on  kneis  fall  ye  doun ; 

Confent,  Virgin,  vnto  this  hie  meffage,  30 

Quhairby  followis  the  redemptioun 

Of  Abrahame  and  all  his  haill  lynnage. 

Thow^  Word,  may  now  infernall  folk  difchairge, 

The  faderis  eik,  that  dirknes  dois  inhanfs,  Fol.  40.  b. 

With  wofull  Adame  weiping  in  pennanfs.  35 

This  glorius  Lady  and  Virgin  celeftiall, 
As  God  fa  wald  his  prophecie  fulfill, 
Remmembring  eik  the  weilfair  of  ws  all, 
"Lo  heir,"  fcho  faid,  "Godis  humill  ancill, 
Be  it  to  me  eftir  thy  word  and  will."  40 

And  be  fcho  had  hir  wordis  thus  expremit, 
Confauit  was  hie  that  all  the  world  redemit. 

Thow,  Moyfes  bufk  remanyng  vncombuft, 

Quhilk  was  fair  figne  of  thy  virginitie, 

Refrene  ws  fra  all  warldlie^  flefchlie  luft,  45 

No  thing  to  joy  bot  in  thy  Sone  and  the; 

And  gif  ws  grace,  that  hour  quhen  we  fowld^  dee, 

Be  thy  fair  fru6t,  that  place  in  hevin  to  win 

That  ordanit  was  for  Adame*  and  all  his  kin. 

Finis. 


^  Dupl.  Text — Thy.      -Vo.—frawart.      ^  Yd.— fall.      ■*Ib. — Abrahame. 


0  LORD,  MV  GOB.  in 

XXXIX. 

[O  Lord,  my  God,  on  quJiome  I  do  depend.l 

OLORD,  my  God,  on  quhome  I  do  depend!  Fol.  41.  a, 

Thow,  that  lies  evir  bene  my  help  and  gyd, 
And  daylie  dois  frome  denger  me  defend, 
Grant  me  in  the  fermlie  for  to  confyd. 
Suffer  me  nocht  thrwch  flewthfulnes  to  flyd,  5 

Bot  grant  me  grace,  boith  now  and  evirmoir, 
To  randir  the  moft  humill  thankis  thairfoir. 

A  parfyt  luve,  gud  Lord,  grant  vnto  me, 

With  humill  hairt  to  gif  the  prayfis  ftill, 

Feiring  for  till  offend  thy  maieftie,  10 

Bot  daylie  to  obey  thyne  holy  will. 

Be  my  defens  frome  that  thing  that  is  ill 

And,  for  thy  onlie  trewth  and  promeifs  faik, 

Gif  eir  and  heir  the  prayar  that  I  maik. 

Grant  me  thy  grace  to  gyd  me  vprichtlie;  15 

Mak  me  thyne  holy  preceptis  for  to  knaw; 

Latt  thy  commandimentis  fo  governe  me 

To  do  to  every  ane  the  thing  I  aw. 

Inftruft  me,  Lord,  in  thy  moft  bliffit  law; 

Maik  me  nocht  our  defyrus  for  to  half,  20 

Bot  ay  to  rander  as  I  wold  reffafe. 

For  of  ane  mafs  thow  lies  ws  formit  all. 

And  of  the  clay  thow  creat  every  wicht ; 

And  to  the  erth  fchortly  returne  we  fall, 

Nocht  knawing  quhen  nor  quhair,  be  day  or  nicht.  25 

Sen  all  that  leivis  ar  fynnaris  in  thy  ficht, 


O  CREATURIS  GREAT  OF  ME. 

Oure  confort,  joy,  and  our  felicitie 
Confiftis  only  in  thy  grit  marcye. 

Body  and  fawill  I  humly  recommend 

Into  the  handis  of  the,  my  God,  allone.  30 

As  thow  hes  evir  done  in  tymes  bygone,  Fol.  41.  b, 

Harkin  vnto  my  petoufs  plaint  and  mone, 

And  gif  me  patiens  to  abyd  thy  will, 

With  perfyt  hairt  to  gif  the  prayiffis  ftill. 

Finis. 


XL. 

[  O  Creaturis  creat  of  me  your  Creator.  ] 

O   CREATURIS  creat  of  me  your  Creator! 
To^  my  liknes  wrocht  be  my  providence, 
Quhy  felyie  faith?-  Quhy  falF  ye  in  error 
Evir  quhair  ye  fyn  throw  follyth"*  negligence? 
Sen  I  proffer  ay  to  be  your  deffence,  5 

Ye  mankynd,  quhy  tak  ye  not  now  na  heid?^ 
My  will  war,  thocht  thow  did  offence, 
Thow  fowld  me  not^  miftreft  for  thy  mifdeid. 

Thow  fleipis  in  fyn  fra''  yeir  to  yeir; 

Fro  day  to  day  thow  will  not  ryifs ;  10 

Bot  quhen  thow  feilis  the  deth  is  neir. 

Than  begynnis  thow  for^  till  aggryifs; 

Than  fayis  thow,  "  Mercy  will  not  fuffyifs ; 

Thocht  I  it  afk,  it  will  nocht  fpeid." 

Thow  wreche,  quhy  will  the'*  me  difpryifs?  ^5 

Miftreft  me  nevir  for  thy  mifdeid. 

iDupl.  Text— F«/(7.       ^Ih.—yeyoiir/aitk.       '^Ih.—fele.      \lh.—folie. 

^Ib. — nocht  nakeid.  ^  lh.—/uld Jiochi.         '^Ih.—/>v. 

8  Dupl.  Text  omits  /or.         »  Dupl.  Text—iAozt/. 


O  CREATURIS  GREAT  OF  ME.  113 

Gif  thow  fallis  throw  thy  brukilnes, 

Call:  vp  thy  heid,  behald  the  hevin, 

Think  on  the  pane^  and  grit  diftrefs 

I  fufiferit  for  the ;  in  myld  ftevin  20 

Call  vpoun  me,  baith  morne  and  evin, 

And  thow  fall  find  me  reddy  at  neid. 

Half  cheretie,  and  luve  thy  nychtbouris  evin, 

And  nocht  miftreft^  for  thy  mifdeid. 

Do  this,  and  trefl  thy  fynnis  be  forgeif;  25 

For  treft  fall  caufs  redemptioun. 

Difpair  thow  not,  how^  evir  thow  leif, 

Marcy*  is  in  my  Faderis  poffeffioun. 

Cleme  it  for  heretage,  that  is  reffoun, 

And  thow  fall  haif  it  to  thy  neid  30 

Aganis  the  devillis  ftrang  temptatioun : 

Miftreft  me  nevir  for  thy  mifdeid. 

I  bid  the  afk,  for  grant  I  wald ;  Fol.  42.  a. 

I  bid  the  ferche  among  the  laif;^ 

I  bid  the  treft,  to  mak  the  bald :  35 

Afk  of  thy  bruthir,  and  thow  fall  haif. 

Vnkynd  thow  art,  me  to  diffaif  :^ 

Denny  I  will  not  the,  albeid 

That  thow  a  fute  war  neir^  the  graif; 

Yit  nocht  miftreft^  for  thy  mifdeid.  40 

I  am  thy  bruthir,  and  fittis  in  trone; 

Thow  leidis  thy  lyfe  vndir  my  feit, 

Wappit  in  mifdeidis  mony  one. 

I  mycht  fmot  oft,  quhair^  I  the  treit, 

Bot  I  thold  fic  panis^'^  greit  45 

^  Dupl.  Text — panis.  ^  lb. — And  mijlrejl  me  nocht.  '  Vo.—f<nv. 

*  lb. — Sic  mar cy.         ^Ih.— fori ■zvald/aif.         ^Ib. — difprais. 

''lb. — in.         ^Ib. — mijlrejl  7tocht.         ^Ib. — quhen. 

^^  lb. — Bot  I  that  withjicpennance. 

P 


114  O  CREATURIS  GREAT  OF  ME. 

To  faif  thy  fawll^  wald  thow  tvik  held. 
Behold  my  woundis,  of  rewth  repleit, 
And  nevlr  miftreft^  for  thy  mifdeid. 

I  wald  nocht  force  to  die  agane, 

And  ane  drop  mercy  war  fundin  dry.  50 

It  is  full  fweit  to  fuffer  pane 

To  faive  ane  fawill  eternaly.^ 

And  I  haif  micht,  will,  and  maiftry ; 

Ane  kingis  word  fall  ftand  in  fheid. 

Quhy  fleis  thow  than  for  thy  folly.?  55 

Miftreft  me  nocht  for  thy  mifdeid. 

It  grevit  me  moir  that  Caen  miftreft 

The  keling  of  Abell,  that  was  fo  gude, 

And  moir  difpleifd^  me  that  Judas  left 

No  mercy  craif,  me  felling  to  the  rude.  60 

To  Pylat  and  Herod,  that  war  fo  wude, 

My  mercy  wald  I  nevir  forbeid. 

Than  withftand  not^  as  thay  withftude: 

Man  miftreft  nevir  for  thy  mifdeid, 

,   Cum  to  my  croce,  and  fie  ane*'  theif,  65 

For  onis  his'^  afking,  gat  him  grace. 

Se  Pawle,  that  did  me  mekle^  greif,  Fol.  42.  b. 

How  wirthy  appoftiU^  he  eftir  wafs. 
Se  Mary  Magdalene,  for  hir  trefpafs ; 
And  Petir  forfuk  me  thryifs  for  dreid ;  70 

Now  be  thay  worthy  in  hevins^*'  place: 
Than  miftreft"  nocht  for  thy  mifdeid. 

My  moder  knelit  vnto  me, 

And  mvrnit^^  for  me  that  was  in  cair; 

^  Dupl.  Text— iv)r  petie  to /pair  the.         -  lb.  — mijlrejl  neuir. 

^Vo.—Tofaif....cvirleJlandly.     '^Vo.—difplefd.     ^Ih.— it  nocht. 

*Ib. — a.  5"  lb.  omits /^/j.  ^Vo.—grete.  Hh.~aappoJiilL 

^°  Ih.—full  zvirthy  in  my.      ^^  lb. — me  nocht.       ^^  lb. — cryit. 


O  CREA  TURIS  CREA  T  OF  ME.  1 1 5 

And  to  my  Fader  I  knelit^  for  the,  75 

And  fchew  my  body  and  woundis  bair. 

Than  quho  may  flop  my  mercy ^  thair? 

Gif  deth  war  neidfull,  yit^  fowld  thow  fpeid. 

In*  Weill  or  wo,  quhair  evir  thow  fair, 

Miftreft  me  not^  for  thy  mifdeid.  80 

Quhat  neid  the  now  for  to  difpair. 

And  hes  fic  freindis  for  the  to  fpeik  ? 

My  Fader  is  thyne;  thow  art  his  air; 

I  am  thy  broder;  quho  can  it  breik? 

My  modir  is  thyne,  that  is  fo  meik.^  85 

I  will  the  help,  quhen  thow  hes  neid. 

Thy  luve  fra  me  quhy  wald  thow  fteik  ?  ^ 

Miftreft  thow  nevir  for  thi  mifdeid. 

Quhat  lyikis  the  now.?     Quhat  will  thow  moir? 

Gif  thow  hes  neid,  heir  is  fuccour;  90 

Gife  thow  be  neidles,  tell  me  befoir; 

I  fee  thy  governance  in  every  hour. 

Thow  dwellis  in  prefone,  heir  is  thy  boure : 

Cum  hame  agane,  tak  thair  thy  meid, 

Celeftiall  blifs  of  hie  honour;  95 

And  miftreft  not  for  thy  mifdeid. 

Fmis  quod  Ledgait,  monk  of  Bery.^ 


^  Dupl.  Text — And  I  to  my  Fader  knelit. 

^Ib. — 77tayivarn  mercy.    ^Ib. — by  it.    ^Ib. — For  in.    ^Ib. — Mijlreji  neuir. 

^  lb.  —fcho  can  ncav  reik.     ^Ib.  —  Thy  will  fra  jue  will  tkaiu  vpjleik. 

^Ib. — Berry. 


ii6 


HEIR  ENDIS  THE  FIRST  PAIRT  OF   THIS  BUKE,  Fol.  43.  a. 

CONTENAND  BALLATTIS  OF  THEOLIGIE. 


117 


FOLLOWIS  THE   SECOUND  PAIRT  FoI.  43.  b, 

OF   THIS    BUK,  CONTENEAND   VERRY 
SINGULAR  BALLATIS,  FULL  OF  WISDOME 
AND   MORALITIE,   ETC. 


XLI. 

Tu  viuendo  bonos,  fcribendo  fcquare  peritos. 
Wit. 

THE  gritteft  trefour,  withowt  comparifon, 
For  mans  felicitie  heir  in  this  lyfe, 
Aboif  gold  and  filuer,  is  wit  and  difcretion, 
To  tempir  the  joyfull  and  confort  the  penfyfe, 
Or  vthir  wayis  to  inftru6l  man  in  peice  or  ftryif. 
Wit  alfa  is  increffit  be  wyifs  workis  reiding, 
And  lyk  the  fru6lles  tre  is  wit  but  gud  doing. 

etc. 


1 1 8  FURTH  THRO  W  ANE  FORREST. 

XLII. 

[Fitrtk  tJirozv  anc  Fo7'reJl  as  I  furei\ 

FURTH  throw  ane  forreft  as  I  fure/  Fol.  44.  a. 

Attour  ane  rever  cowth  I  ryd, 
All  kynd  of  birdis  that  body  bure^ 
Vpoun  tha  brenchis  could  abyd. 

Than  fpak  ane  bird,  hard  me  befj/d,  5 

"For  ony  thing  that  evir  may  be, 
Thir  wirdis  in  hairt  fe  that  thow  hyd : 
In  alkyn  mater  mefure  the." 

"Firft,  luve  thy  God  attour  all  thing, 

That  maid  the  lyk  to^  his  image,  10 

And  fyne  the  ordand  in  hevin  to  ring, 
But  end  to^  haif  that  heretage. 
Till  Adame,  throw  his  grit  outtrage, 
Maid  ws  to  licht,  (this  is  no  le,) 

Law  in  to  hell  in  grit  thirlelege :  15 

In  alkyn  mater'*  mefur  the." 

"Sen  God  lies  ranfonit  all  at  richt 
Out  of  the  feindis  handis  of  hell, 
Chryft  wes  born  of  the  virgyn  bricht ; 
So  faid  San6l  Johine  in  his  wangell;  20 

Syne  deid,^  and  raifs,  and  herreit  hell, 
And  fred  mankynd,  and  maid  him  fre. 
Sen  it  is  trew  that  I  the  tell, 
In  alkyn  mater*  mefur  the." 

"Yit  fall  he  cum  on  domifday,  25 

And  deme  our  deidis,  dout  ye  nocht, 

^  Dupl.  Text^yfe«>.     -  lb.— betiir.      ^Ih. — ////.     ^Ih.—maieris. 
^  lb.— delt. 


FUR  TH  THR  O  W  ANE  FORREST.  1 1 9 

Sum  to  pane,  and  fum  to  pley, 

Eftir  the  werkis  that  we  haif  wrocht. 

Fra  baill  to  blifs  fen  he  hes^  bocht, 

And  denyeit  him  felf  for  ws  to  de,  30 

We  lufe  him  baith  in  deid  and  thocht : 

In  alkyn  mater  mefur  the." 

"Mefure  is  ane  inftrument 
Decernis  thingis  that  is  in  weir. 

Quha  that  to  mefure  takkis  tent,  35 

To  tell  his  tretifs  wer  full  teir. 
Leit  at  my  lair,  gif  thow  wilP  leir 
The  gait  quhair  glaidnes  is  and  gle ; 
Sen  he  may  help  baith  thair  and  heir, 
In  alkyn  mater  mefur  the,"  4° 

"Be  nocht  ourlkerfs,  nor  yit  our  lerge,^ 
Gif  thow  will  leir^  fone  at  my  lair; 
For  thow  hes  a^  full  havy  chairge; 
Bot  gif  thow  wyfly  fpend  and  fpair, 

Tak  mefur  with  the  evir  main  45  Fol.  44.  b. 

Se  thow  na  wreche  nor  waifbour  be, 
Sen  heir  is  nocht  bot  fenyeit  fair: 
In  alkyn  materis  mefur  the." 

"Be  nocht  our  mad  attour  mefure. 
Nor  yit  our  meik  in  thy  moving;  50 

Be  nocht  our  rad,  for  no  dreddure, 
Nor  yit  our  derf*^  in  thy  doing. 
As  Cato  fayis  in  his  teiching. 
In  al  thingis  knaw  the  quantetie, 

As  all  tyme  afkis  of  eveiy  thing :  55 

In  alkyn  materis  mefur  the." 

*  Dupl.  Text— 7i/^  ar^.     ^Th.—tciiU.      ^  jb_ — /airge.      ^Ih.—lerne. 
5  Ih.—ane.        « Ih.—darf. 


FURTH  THROW  ANE  FORREST. 

"Do  for  thy  freind  as  it  effeiris; 
Chaiftyn  thy  fenvand  with  mefure; 
Reward  thow  as  the  caufs  requyris; 

Thy  maifter  wirfchep,  and  honour.  60 

To  pure  and  feik  gif  thow  fuccour; 
Thy  nychtbour  lufe  in  cheretie; 
Thy  weddit  wyf  lufe^  peramour: 
In  alkyn  materis  mefur  the." 

"With  mefure  fuld  we  walk  and  fleip;  65 

With  mefure  fuld  we  fpend  and  fpair ; 
With  mefur  fuld  we  gaddir  and  keip; 
With  mefur  fuld  thow  leif  evirmair; 
With  mefur  fuld  we  lufe  and  fair;^ 

With  mefur  fuld  we  ferch^  and  fle.  7° 

Sen  mefur  is  moft  fmgulair, 
In  alkyn  materis  mefur  the." 

"Thocht  a  man  be  keip  in  prefone, 
Be  nocht  our  perte*  him  to  fuppryfs; 

Oft  tymis  thow  may  fe  be  reffone,  75 

A  man  may  fall  and  rycht  vpryfs. 
Thow  art  nocht  ficker  on  na  kin  waifs,^ 
The  ficlyk  caifs  thy  awin  may  be; 
That  fample  may  be  fene  oft  fyifs : 
In  alkyn  materis  mefur  the."  80 

"Mefure  ftanchis  fburtis  and  ftryvis; 
It  is  a  rewll  of  grit  wyfnefs; 
It  garris  reffoun  ring  and  ryfs, 
And  exylis  wrang^  and  wicket  diflrefs. 
Quhair  men  dreldis,  it  is  doutlefs  85 

The  futhfaftnefs  it  garris  thame  fe, 

'  Dupl.  Text— /?//^  hit.  2  Vo.~hife  alqtihair.  ^  lb.  —fecht. 

^  lb. — ouirperte,       °  lb. — in  no  kin  wyifs.       ^  lb. — wrangis. 


FURTH  THROW  ANE  FORREST.  121 

Sen  it  is  grund  till  all  glaidnefs : 
In  alkyn  materis  mefur  the." 

"Mefure  is  a  ticht  caftell, 

Ane  hailly  caufs  of  repentance;  9° 

Be  war  for  war,  ffor  wit  ye  weill, 
Off  evill  tungis  cumis  ignorance. 
Be  nocht  our  dum  for  no  diftance, 
Nor  our  mirthfull  for^  maieftie; 

Caft  baill  and  blifs  in  a  ballance:  95 

In  alkyn  materis  mefur  the." 

"Fra  pryd  and  cuvatice  the^  keip, 

Fra  wicket  yre,  and  fra  invy;  Fol.  45.  a. 

In  deidly  fyn  fe  thow  nocht  fleip, 

In  lichery,  nor  glottony,  100 

Nor^  in  fweirnes ;  for  wat  *  thow  quhy } 
Thir  ar  the  fevin  grathis  the  to  die, 
And  flay  is  thy  fawll  eternaly:^ 
In  alkin  mater  mefur  the." 

"Aganis  pryd  tak  thow*^  lawlines,  105 

And  cheretie  aganis  invy; 
Aganis  yre  alfo'^  tak  meiknefs, 
And  cheftetie  for^  lichory. 
For  fweirnes  and  for  gluttony 

Tak  abftinens,  and  vertewis  be;  ixo 

For  covetyce  gife  liberally :° 
In  alkin  materis  mefur  the." 

I  prayit  that  bird  of  patience 

Quhat  that^°  fcho  was,  or  of  quhat  kynd. 

^  Dupl.Text — of.       ^Ih.— /on  t/ie.        ^  Dupl.  Text  omits  iVi^n 

^  Dupl.  Text — wait.        ^  lb.  —fra  God  deidly.        ^  Dupl.  Text  omits  thow. 

^  Dupl. Text  omits  alfo.      ^  Dupl.  Text — aganis.      ^  lb.  — lairgely. 

1"  Dupl.  Text  omits  that. 

Q 


PROLLOG  OF  THE  NYNT  BUK  OF  VIRGELL. 

Scho  faid  to  me,  "Dame  Confcience,  "5 

That  oft  remmemberis  manis  mynd. 

Sen  Chr^-fh  the  coft,  be  to  him  kynd, 

That  maid  this  warld  verralie. 

Thow  clenge  the  clene,  or  thow  hyne  wend : 

In  alkin  materis  mefur  the."  20 

Fijiis. 


XLIII. 

The  Prollog  of  the  Nynt  Buk  of  Virgell.    In 
Covivicndatiowi  of  Vertew. 

THIR  lufty  verfis  of  he  nobihte 
Agilite  did  wryt  of  lufty  clerkis, 
And  thairon  markis  wifdome,  vtihte, 
Na  vilite,  no  fic  vnworthy  werkis : 

ScurriUte  is  bot  for  doggis  that  barkis;  5 

Quhay  thairto  harkis  falHs  in  fragihte, 

Honeftie  is  the  way  to  wirthinefs,  Fol.  45.  b. 

Vertew,  dowtles,  the  perfyt  gait  to  bhfs ; 

Thow  do  no  mifs,  and  efchew  ydilnes ; 

Perfew  proves,  hold  no  thing  that  is  his ;  10 

Be  not  rakles  to  fay  fone,  I  wifs, 

And  of  this  the  contrair  wirk  exprefs. 

Do  to  ilk  wicht  as  done  to  thow  wold  be; 

Be  nevir  fie  and  dowble,  nor  yit  ouir  licht ; 

Vfe  not  thy  micht  aboif  thyne  awin  degre ;  15 

Clym  not  ouir  hie,  nor  yit  ouir  law  to  licht; 


<2  UHYL  OME  IN  GRE  CE.  123 

Wirk  no  mawgre,  thocht  thow  be  nevir  fo  licht  ;^ 
Hold  with  the  richt,  and  preifs  the  nevir  to  lie. 

Ez?ns  quod  Gawyn  Dowglafs. 


XLIV. 

\Q11hyl07ne  in  Grcce,  that  iiobill  regiou)i?\ 

UHYLOME  in  Grece,  that  nobill  regioun, 
?^^lt?^!!!!]  ?      ?^  Thair  dwelt  awcht  clerkis  of  grit  fcience, 


0(flavus  quis? 


Philofophouris  of  nobill  difcretioun. 

At  thame  was  afkit,  to  preif  thair  prowdence, 

Aucht  queftionis  of  mirk  intelligence;  5 

The  quhilk^  they  anfwerit,  eftir  thair  intent, 

In  ficlyk  wayis  as  heir  is  fubfequent. 

The  firft  quefbioun  was,  "  Quhat  erdly  thing- 
Is  befb  to  God  and  maift  commendable?" 
The  firft  clerk  anfwerit  withowttin  tareing,  10 

"A  manis  fawill  evir  firme  and  ftabill 
In  richt,  fra  trewith  nathing  vareable. 
Bot  now,  allace,  fair  may  we  weip, 
For  cuvatice  lies  brocht  trewth  on  fleip." 

The  fecound  was,  "  Quhat  is  maift  odious?"  iS 

"A  dowble  man,"  faid  the  philofophour, 
"With  virgin  face  and  tailP  vennemous, 

With  ane  fair  wow  and  ane  fals  perfour, 

Ane  ftinkand  carioun  in  ane  goldin  coffour.  Fol.  46.  a. 

*  ?  wicht.  ^  Dupl.  Text — qiihilkis.  ^Ib. — a  iaill. 


124  QUHYLOME  IN  GRECE. 

It  is  ane  monftour  in  natoris  lenage,  20 

A  man  to  haif  ane  dowbill  vifage." 

The  thrid  thing  was,  "  Quhilk  is  the  befl  doar 

That  may  be  till  a  wyfe  appropriat?" 
"A  clene  lyfe,"  was  the  clerkis  anfwer, 
"Vnreprovit,  chefl,  and  immaculat,  25 

Withowt  figne,  takin,  or  fpeiche  inordinat, 

Or  evill  countenance,  quhilk  is  to  difpyfe : 

No  fyre  mak,  and  no  fmuke  will  ryfe." 

The  ferd  queftioun  is,  "  Quhat  maidin  may 

Be  callit  clene  and  full  of  cheftitie?"  3° 

The  clerk  anfwerit  and  faid,  "  Off  hir  alway 

All  creaturis  reportis  grit  honeftie, 

Quhairof  all  folk  efchamit  is  to  lie ; 

And  thairfoir  madynis  keip  your  gud  name  furth, 

And  remmember  your  gud  name  is  gold  wurth."  35 

The  fyift  queftioun,  "  Quha  is  riche  but  frawd?"^ 
"The  man  quho  can  of^  his  gud  him^  fuffyifs; 
Quhat  evir  he  haif*  he  gevis  God  the  lawd ; 
He  covettis  nothing^  in  vngodlie  wyifs; 
His  hairt  devoyid  is  of  all  covetyifs;  4° 

His  body  heir,  his  fpreit  is  all  abuve: 
This  man  is  riche,  for  God  dois  him  Iwe." 

The  fext  is,*^  "  Quha  is  ane  peur  man  evir  in  wo?" 
*A  covettoufs  man  withowt  difcretioun, 
That  in  his  hairt  nevir  can  haif  ho ;  45 

The  moir  gude,  the  lefs  diftributioun ; 
The  richer,  ay  the  warfs  of  conditioun : 
Men  commonly  callis  him  ane  nigart, 
Sir  Gy  Brybour  is  his  cheif  ftewart." 

*Dupl.  Text — Quhilk  is  a  riche  manwithout fraud e.     -  lb.  — that  can  to. 

^Dupl.  Text  omits  him.      ^Dupl.  Text — Quhat/o he  hes.      'lb. — 7wcht. 

^Dupl.  Text  omits  is. 


ALL  ONE  AS  I  WENT  VP  AND  DO  UN.  125 

"Quhilk  is  ane  wyifman?"  is  the  fevint  quefkioun.  50 

"He  that  will  nocht,  and  may  do  mekle  noyance;  Fol,  46.  b. 

Quha  that  may  pvneifs,  and  levis  punitioun, 

A  menfurable  man,  and  withowt  vengeance ; 

Ane^  wyifman  put  this  in  remmembrance, 

Sayand,  '  Had  I  vengit  all  my  harme,  55 

My  cloik  had  nocht  me  furrit  half  fo  warme.' " 

"Ouhilk  is  ane  fule?"  that  is  the  laft  demand. 
"He  that  wald  hurt,  and  hes  no  power; 

Had  he  grit  micht,  he  wold  mekle  command ; 

In  malice  grit,  his  micht  not  worth  a  peir;  60 

He  thriftis  faft,  hot  littill  may  he  deir; 

He  thinkis  not  how  wyfmen  faid  beforne, 
'God  fendis  a  thrawart  cow  a  fchort  home.' " 

Fifiis  quod  Chawfeir. 


XLV. 

\_Allone  as  I  ivent  vp  and  douni] 

ALLONE  as  I  went  vp  and  doun 
In  ane  abbay  was  fair  to  fe, 
Thinkand  quhat  confolatioun 
Was  beft  in  to  adwerfitie ; 
On  caifs  I  keft  on  fyd  myne  e, 
And  faw  this  writtin  vpoun  a  wall ; 
"Of  quhat  eftait,-  man,  that  thow^  be. 
Obey  and  thank  thy  God  of  all." 

1  Dupl.  TtxX—A.         2  Yo^—jiait.         3  Vo.—that  evir  thow. 


1*6  ALLONE  AS  I  WENT  VP  AND  DO  UN 

Thy  kindome  and  thy  grit  empyre, 

Thy^  ryaltie  nor^  riche  array  lo 

Sail  nocht  endeur  at  thy  defyre, 

Bot  as  the  wind  will  wend  away. 

Thy  gold  and  all  thy  gudis  gay, 

Quhen  fortoun  lift,  will  fra  the  fall; 

Sen  thow  fic  fampillis^  feis  ilk  day,  ,  15 

Obey  and  thank  thy  God  of  all. 

Job  wes  maift  riche,  in  writ  we  find,  Fol.  47.  a. 

Thobe  maift  full  of  cheritie ; 

Job  woux  pure,  and  Thobe  blynd, 

Bath  tempit  with  aduerfitie.  20 

Sen  blindnes  wes  infirmitie, 

And  pouerty  wes  naturall ; 

Thairfoir  rycht  patiently^  bath  he  and  he 

Obeyid  and  thankit  God  of  all. 

Thocht  thow  be  blind,  or  haif  ane  halt,  25 

Or  in  thy  face  deformit  ill, 

Sa  it  cum  nocht  throw  thy  defalt, 

Na  man  fuld  the  repreif  by  fkill. 

Blame  nocht  thy  Lord,  fa  is  his  will ; 

Spurn^  nocht  thy  fute  aganis  the  wall ;  3° 

Bot,  with  meik  hairt  and  prayer  ftill. 

Obey  and  thank  thy  God  of  all. 

God  of  his  iuftice  mon  correct. 

And  of  his  mercy  petie  haif; 

He  is  ane  juge  to  nane  fufpeft,  35 

To  puneifs  fynfull  man  and  faif. 

Thocht  thow  be  lord  attour  the  laif, 

And  eftinvart  maid  bound  and  thrall, 

»  Dupl.  Text— /«.  Hh.— florin.  Hh.—examJ>lis. 

^  lb. — Thairfoir  in  patience.       ^  lb.  — Spur. 


MEMENTO,  HOMO,  QUOD  CINIS  ESf  127 

Ane  pure  begger  with  fkrip  and  ftaif, 

Obey  and  thank  thy  God  of  all.  4© 

This  changeing  and  grit  variance 

Off  erdly  ftaitis  vp  and  doun 

Is  nocht  bot  caufualitie  and  chance, 

As  fum  men  fayis  without  reffoun; 

Bot  be  the  grit  prouifioun  45 

Of  God  aboif  that  rewll  the  fall; 

Thairfoir  evir  thow  mak  the  boun 

To  obey  and  thank  thy  God  of  all. 

In  welth  be  meik,  heich  nocht  thy  felf, 

Be  glaid  in  wilfuU  pouertie ;  5° 

Thy  power  and  thy  warldis  pelf 

Is  nocht  bot  verry  vanitie. 

Remember  him  that  deit  on  tre, 

For  thy  faik  taiftit  the  bittir  gall; 

Quha  heis  law  hairtis  and  lawis  he^  55 

Obey  and  thank  thy  God  of  all. 

Finis  qtiod  Mr  Ro'  Henryfone. 


XLVI. 

\_Meinento,  Homo,  quod  Cinis  es  !\ 

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  fa  fall  thow  pafs, 

'Dupl.  Text — Qitha  hyis  law  and  lawis  he. 


128  MEMENTO,  HOMO,  QUOD  CINIS  ES! 

Lyk  as  ane  fchaddow  in  ane  glafs ;  5 

Hyne  glydis  all  thy  tyme  that  heir  is.  ^°^-  47-  b. 

Think,  thocht  thy  bodye  ware  of  brafs, 
Quod  tu  in  cinerem  reuerteris. 

Worthy e  He6lor  and  Hercules, 

Forcye  Achill  and  ftrong  Sampfone,  lo 

Alexander  of  grit  nobilnes, 

Meik  Dauid  and  fair  Abfolone 

Hes  playit  thair  pairtis,  and  all  are  gone 

At  will  of  God  that  all  thing  fteiris : 

Think,  man,  exceptioun  thair  is  none,  ^5 

Sed  tu  in  cinerem  reuerteris. 

Thocht  now  thow  be  maift  glaid  of  cheir, 

Faireft  and  plefandeft  of  port; 

Yit  may  thow  be,  Avithin  ane  yeir, 

Ane  vgfum,  vglye  tramort;  20 

And  fen  thow  knawis  thy  tyme  is  fchort, 

And  in  all  houre  thy  lyfe  in  weir  is, 

Think,  man,  amang  all  vthir  fport, 

Quod  tu  in  cinerem  reuerteris. 

Thy  luftye  bewte  and  thy  youth  25 

Sail  feid  as  dois  the  fomer  flouris; 

Syne  fall  the  fwallow  with  his  mouth 

The  dragone  Death  [that  all  devouris.ji 

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  reuerteris. 

Thocht  all  this  Avarld  thow  did  poffeid, 

Nocht  eftir  death  thow  fall  poffefs. 

Nor  with  the  tak,  bot  thy  guid  deid,  35 

^  In  a  different  hand. 


O  MORTALL  MAN!  REMEMBER.  129 

Quhen  thow  dols  fro  this  warld  the  dres. 

So  fpeid  the,  man,  and  the  confes, 

With  humill  hart  and  fobir  teiris, 

And  fadlye  in  thy  hart  inpres 

Quod  tu  in  cinerem  reuerteris.  40 

Thocht  thow  be  takht  nevir  fo  fure 

Thow  fall  in  deathis  port  arryve, 

Quhair  nocht  for  tempeft  may  indure, 

Bot  ferflye  all  to  fpeiris  [dryve^]. 

Thy  Ranfonner,  with  woundis  fyve,  45 

Mak  thy  plycht  anker  and  thy  fteiris, 

To  hald  thy  faule  with  him  on  lyve, 

Cum  tu  in  cinerem  reuerteris. 

Finis  quod  Dumbar. 


XLVII. 

[(9  mortall  Man!  remembir.l 

O  MORTALL  man!  remembir  nycht  and  day  Fol. 48.  a. 

How  fchort  the  tyme  is  that  thow  hes  heir  to  fpend ; 
Remember  eik  thy  pompeoufs  he  array. 
How  fuddanly  it  fall  tak  ane  fynall  end. 
Caft  the  thairfoir  mifpendit  tyme  to  mend,  5 

Quhill  thow  hes  fpace  thow  of  thy  foly  cefs ; 
Leif  thy  trefpafs,  thy  God  dreid  till  offend : 
Memento,  homo,  quod  cinis  es! 

Remembir,  man,  how  noble  thow  art  wrocht 

Vnto  the  fimilitud  of  Godis  image;  10 

1  Not  in  the  MS. 

R 


130  O  MORTALL  MAN  I  REMEMBER. 

Remembir  als  how  deir  he  hes  the  bocht 

With  his  hairt  bkide,  and  with  non  vder  wage. 

Remembir  als  the  ftrang  and  he  vaflage 

He  did  for  the  to  bring  thy  faule  to  peifs. 

For  fchame  thairfoir  ftynt  of  thy  foly  rege :  15 

Memento,  homo,  quod  cinis  es! 

Gife  thow  with  fyn  hes  done  thy  faule  forfair, 

Behald  thy  confciens  with  thy  fprituall  e ; 

And  gif  thow  fyndis  it  hurt  and  woundit  fair, 

Caft  for  remeid,  or  dowtlefs  it  will  de.  20 

Thairfoir  in  tyme  ceifs  fenfualite; 

Call  on  thy  Lord,  moft  peirlefs  of  provefs, 

Off  micht  and  power,  mercy  and  pece: 

Memento,  homo,  quod  cinis  es! 

Thy  licherows  lyf  both  and  thy  wantounefs,  25 

Bot  gif  tho  mend  quhill  thow  hes  tyme  and  fpace, 

Sail  turne  in  eternall  bittirnefs, 

Fra  Deid  cum  to  and  lay  on  the  his  mace; 

Eftir  that  reft  thair  is  no  reft,  allace! 

Tak  heid  in  tyme,  this  reffoun  is  no  lefs;  30 

Thairfoir,  but  latt  I  pray  the  purchefs  grace: 

Memento,  homo,  quod  cinis  es! 

Gife  thow^  mifpendit  hes  thy  tyme  bipaft 

Throw  yewthis  rege,  with  frufter  vane  plefans, 

Return  agane,  haif  houp,  be  nocht  agaft  35 

Quhen  every  man  of  Chryftis  allegance 

Forthinkis  thair  fyn,  and  takis  thame  to  pennans; 

To  be  of  mairperfe6lioun  suld  thay  prefs; 

Repent  thairfoir  with  haill  deliuerans : 

Memento,  homo,  quod  cinis  es!  4° 


OFF  LENTREN  IN  THE  FIRST  MORNYNG.  131 

Confefs  thy  fynnis  with  hairt  and  mynd  contreit, 

Compleit  thy  pennans  gevin  by  the  prechour; 

Than  dowt  thow  nocht  the  diuillis  dynt  a  myte; 

Thow  art  the  fone  than  of  our  Saluiour, 

Quhilk  fched  his  precius  bkid  for  the  in  ftour.  45 

Thus  may  thow  nocht  hot  gif  thow  wilt  perreifs, 

He  is  fa  gracius  evir  aboif  mefour: 

Memento,  homo,  quod  cinis  es! 

Qiiod  Lichtoun,  monicus. 


XLVIII. 
\Ojf  Lentren  in  the  firjl  viornyng.'\ 

OFF  Lentren  in  the  firft  mornyng,  Fol.  48.  b. 

Airly  as  did  the  day  vpfpring, 
Thus  fang  ane  bird  with  voce  vpplane, 
"All  erdly  joy  returnis  in  pane." 

"O  man!  haif  mynd  that  thow  mon  pafs;  5 

Remembir  that  thow  art  bot  afs, 
And  fall  in  afs  return  agane: 
All  erdly  joy  returnis  in  pane." 

"Haif  mynd  that  eild  ay  followis  yowth; 
Deth  followis  lyfe  with  gaipand  mowth,  10 

Devoring  fru6l  and  flowring^  grane : 
All  erdly  joy  returnis  in  pane." 

"Welth,  wardly  gloir,  and  riche  array 
Ar  all  bot  thornis  laid  in  thy  way, 

Ourcowerd  with  flouris  laid  in  ane  trane :  15 

All  erdly  joy  returnis  in  pane." 

1  This  reading  is  doubtful ;  the  word  may  perhaps  alfo  be  rez.dykcnuring. 


132  OFF  LENTREN  IN  THE  FIRST  MORNYNG. 

"Come  nevir  yit  May  fo  frefche  and  grene, 
Bot  Januar  come  als  wod  and  kene ; 
Wes  nevir  fic  drowth  bot  anis  come  rane : 
All  erdly  joy  returnis  in  pane."  20 

"Evirmair  vnto  this  warldis  joy 
As  nerreft  air  fucceidis  noy; 
Thairfoir,  quhen  joy  ma  nocht  remane, 
His  verry  air  fucceidis  pane." 

"Heir  helth  returnis  in  feiknefs  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  in  to  vyce, 
And  honour  in  to  avaryce; 

With  cuvatyce  is  confciens  flane :  35 

All  erdly  joy  returnis  in  pane." 

"Sen  erdly  joy  abydis  nevir, 
Wirk  for  the  joy  that  leftis  evir; 
For  vder  joy  is  all  bot  vane: 
All  erdly  joy  returnis  in  pane."  40 

Quod  Durabar. 


no  UN  BY  ANE  RE  VER  AS  I  RED.  133 

XLIX. 

\_D02m  by  ane  Rever  as  I  red.] 

DO  UN  by  ane  rever  as  I  red 
Outthrow  a  forreft  that  wes  fair, 
Thynkand  ho:    that  this  warld  wes  maid; 
Sa  fuddanly  away  we  fair, 

That  kingis  and  lordis  fall  haif  no  mair  5 

Fra  tyme  that  thay^  be  bund  on  beir, 
Thus  fpak  a  fowll,  I  yow  declair: 
"Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir." 

I  marvellit  quhat  that  bird  fowld  be,  foI,  49.  a. 

That  wes  fo  fair  with  fedderis  gent ;  10 

Scho  bowind^  hir  nocht  to  fle  fra  me, 
Bot  fatt  and  tald  me  hir  intent. 
"Off  thy  mifdeidis  thow  the  repent. 
And  of  thy  fynnys  confefs  the  cleir; 

For  Deid  he^  hes  his  bow  ay  bent :  15 

Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir." 

"Fra  he  begyn  to  fchute  his  fchot 
Thow  wat  nocht  quhen  that  it  will  licht ; 
He  fpairis  the  nocht,  in  fchip,  nor  bot, 
In  coive,^  nor  craig,  na^  caflell  wicht.  20 

Bot  as  the  fone  that  fchynis  bricht 
Owtthrwch  the  glafs,  that  is  fo  cleir, 
To  lenth  thy  lyfe  thow  hes  no  micht : 
Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir." 

1  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  has  Ae.      ^  Dupl.  Text— Ixnanif.      '  lh,—(^a(. 
*  lb. — co/e.  lb. — nor. 


134  DO  UN  B  Y  ANE  RE  VER  AS  I  RED. 

"Gif^  ony  man  his  lyfe  micht  lenth,  25 

I  wat  it  had  bene  Salamone: 
Of  all  vvifdome  he  had  the  ftrenth, 
He  knew  the  vertew  of  erb  and  ftone; 
He  cowld  nocht  for  him  felf  difpone 

Attoure  his  dait  to  leif  a^  year;  30 

Ane  wyfar  wicht  was  never  none : 
Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir." 

"Quhairto  fowld  I  thir  fampillis  fay; 
Thow  hes  fene  mo  than  I  can  tell 

Off  lordis  in  to  this  land  perfay,  35 

Sum  Avyfe,  fum  wicht,  fum  forfs,  fum  fell. 
Thay  dowttit  nowthir  hevin  nor  hell, 
Thay  wer  fo  wicht  withowttin  weir; 
Now  with  thair  fawle  we  will  nocht  mell : 
Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir."  40 

"And  gif  thow  beis  ane^  marchand  man, 
And  wynnis  thy  living  be  the  fee. 

Spend  pairt  of  the  gude  thow^  wan,  Fol.  49.  b. 

And  keip  the  ay  with  honeftie. 

Fra  thow  be  gane,  I  tak  on  me,  45 

Thy  wyfe  will  half  ane  vthir  feir; 
Thy  dalie  fample  thow  may  fe : 
Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir." 

"Or  gif  thow  hes  a  benefice, 

Preifs  nevir  to  hurde  the  kirkis  gude;  5° 

Do  almoufs  deidis  to  peure  alwayfs 
In  to  this  warld ;  to  win  the  rude 
Thow  mon  be  bwreit^  in  thy  hude; 
Thy  windene  fcheit  is  nocht  in  weir, 

iprom  Dupl.Text— MS.  has  Give. 
•Dupl.Text— a«^.       '^Vo—a.       ^Yo.— that  thow.       '^Vo.—bureid. 


DO  UN  BY  ANE  RE  VER  AS  I  RED.  135 

Thy  airis  ar  of  eild  to  dwid  :^  jc 

Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir." 

"I  fay  this  be  a  preift  of  pryd, 
That  wes  full  wanton  of  his  will; 
Gold  and  filuer  lay  him  befyd, 

The  fremmit  thairof  thair  baggis  can  fill.  60 

All  that  thay  prayit  for  him  Aves  ill, 
For  now  thay  drink  and  makis  gud  cheir; 
Wyifmen  faid  he  did  nane^  fkill: 
Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir." 

"And  of  this  preift  I  will  fpeik  mair,  g^ 

That  had  fa  mekle  of  warldis  wrack ; 
Off  all  his  freindis  lefs  and  mair 
He  wald  nocht  mend  thame  worth  ane^  plack: 
Quhill  Deid  he  hint  him  be  the  back, 
That  he  micht  nowdir  ftand  nor  fteir,  7° 

And  lute  him  nocht  his  teftment  mack : 
Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir." 

"Sen  for  no  wifdome,  nor  no  ftrenth, 
Nor  for  no  richefs  in  this  erd. 

That  ony  man  his  lyf  may  lenth,  75 

Naythir  for  freyndfchip'*  agane  wanewerd, 

I  tak  on  hand  fra  thow  be  berd  Fol.  50.  a. 

Thy  feclouris  fpendis  thy  gudis  cleir; 
Thow  may  fay  that  a  fowle  the  lerd : 
Do  for  thy  felf  quhill  thow  art  heir."  80 

Finis. 


1  Dupl.Text— a'(^?^fl'.  «  Tb.—na.  »  lb.— a. 

■*  lb. — Nor  for  nojlrtnth. 


136  CONSIDDER,  MAN,  ALL  LS  BOT  VANITIE! 


[Co7iJidder,  Man,  all  is  hot  Vanitie!'] 

CONSIDDER,  man,  all  is  bot  vanitie! 
That  we  heir  half  in  to  this  warld  within ; 
For,  fra  the  tyme  of  our  natiuitie, 
Fafl  vnto  deid  a  reftles  rink  we  rin : 

Thairfoir  is  beft  that  we  ammend  our  fyn  5 

And  God  befeik  of  mercy  or  we  dee. 
To  leir  this  leffone  latt  ws  now  begyn : 
Confidder,  man,  all  is  bot  vanitie! 

Will  we  nocht  prent  in  to  oure  mynd  and  penfs 

That  it  is  bot  richt  fchort  tyme  we  haif  heir,  10 

As  we  may  weill  fe  be  experience ; 

The  quhilk  fowld  put  ws  all  quyt  owt  of  weir: 

For  thay,  that  war  baith  wardly  wyifs  and  deir, 

Ar  went  away  and  vaneift  as  we  fee ; 

And  fa  mon  we  quhat  tyme  that  Deid  will  fpeir:  15 

Confidder,  man,  all  is  bot  vanitie ! 

The  fynfull  flefche,  that  heir  was  cumly  cled. 

Sail  foddanly  be  clofit  in  to  clay. 

And  with  the  famyne  the  wormis  falbe  fed. 

The  quhilk  befoir  in  fyn  was  nureift  ay.  20 

The  filly  fawill  fall  pafs  a  wilfome  way, 

Trymland  for  dreid,^  as  dois  the  leif  on  trie; 

Quhat  fall  oure  wantoness  awaill  that  day: 

Confidder,  man,  all  is  bot  vanitie ! 

All  cunnyng,  craft,  knawlege,  or  yit  kin,  25 

May  nocht  ane  houre  prolong  the  terme  of  deid, 

^  Dupl.Text— ^r  dreidour. 


CONSIDDER,  MAN,  ALL  IS  BOT  VANITIE !  137 

Nor  gold,  nor^  gud,  that  in  the  warld  we  win;^ 

Aganis  this  fentence  thair  is  no  remeid. 

Land,  nor  yit^  rent,  fall  ftand  ws  in  no  fteid ; 

Bot,  ill  we  will  we,  dowtles  we  mone  die ;  30 

Aganis  this  fentence  thair  is  na  remeid : 

Confidder,  man,  all  is  bot  vanitie! 

Thus  deid  is  ficker  but  exceptioun,  Fol.  50.  b. 

Fra  quhilk^  we  can  ws  nocht  defend 

Be  no  maner  of  proteftioun ;  35 

Bot  of  this  warld  we^  mon  wend, 

The  tyme  and  place  to  ws^  vnkend; 

We  knaw  nocht^  quhen  nor  quhair  to  die: 

Thus,  fen  vncertane  is  oure  end,^ 

Confidder,  man,  all  is  bot  vanitie!  40 

Yit,  neuirthelefs,  the  tyme  that  we  half  tynt 

May  be  redemit  be  help  of  Godis  grace, 

Sa  we  repent  befoir  the  fuddane  dynt 

Off  the  vncertane  deid,  quhill  we  half  fpace; 

Eftir  the  quhilk  thair  is  na  help,  allace !  45 

Bot  gif  that  we  get  mercy  or  we  die. 

We  ar  bot  tynt ;  this  is  ane  havy  cace : 

Confidder,  man,  all  is  bot  vanitie! 

Lo!  we  may  fie  the  lyf  that  we  ar  in 

Is  grantit  to^  ws  to  win  the  eternall  blifs;  50 

And  gif  perchance  we  fall  in  deidly  fyn, 

Yit  we  may  ryifs  agane  and  mend  our  mifs. 

Thairfoir,  in  fchort,  my  counfall  it  is  this, 

That  we  fett  ws  all  vycis  for  to  fie, 

And  thocht  we  faill  our  mendis  acceptit  is:^*'  55 

Confidder,  man,  all  is  bot  vanitie! 

*Dupl.  Text — na.  ^Ib. — we  may-win.  ^Dupl.  Text  omits  _j//V. 

■*  Dupl.  Text — the  quhilk.    ^  lb.  — weirle/s  we.    ^  lb.  — bayth  ar  to  ws. 

7  lb.  — For  we  wat  nowthir.    ^  lb.  — is  our  lyvis  end.    '  Dupl.  Text  omits  to. 

1"  Dupl.  Text — And  gif  we  felye  to  mend  is  bettir  I  wifs. 

s 


138  LETTRES  OF  GOLD   WRITTIN  I  FAND. 

Bot  it  is  grit  perell  for  to  delay 

Our  demereittis  and  mifdeidis  to  mend, 

Differrand  thame  vnto  the  latter  day, 

The  quhilk  vnficker  is  and  als  vnkend.  60 

Thairfoir  is  befl  provyd  afoir^  the  end, 

Cheifand  the  ficker,  lattand  the  vnfeur^  be, 

And  grace  at  God  afk  ay  as  we  offend ; 

For  in  this  warld  is  nocht  bot  vanitie. 

Finis. 


L 


LI. 

{^Lettres  of  Gold  writtin  I  fa7td?[ 


ETTRES  of  gold  writtin  I  fand 


'Intill  a  buike  was  fair  to  reid, 
The  fentence  plane  till  vndirfland ; 
Thairfoir  till  it  I  tuik  gude  heid. 

With  havy  hairt  and  mekle  dreid  5 

I  red  the  fcriptour  verement,  Fol,  51.  a. 

The  quhilk  faid  thus  trew  as  the  creid, 
"Ryifs,  deid  folk,  and  cum  to  jugement." 

"Ryifs,  deid  folk,  ryifs,"  forfuth  it  faid, 
Cum  on,  belyve  ye  mon  compeir,  10 

That  law  doun  on  the  erth  ar  laid ; 
Get  vp  gud  fpeid  and  be  nocht  fweir. 
Mak  compt  how  ye  half  levit  heir 
In  to  this  wretchit  warld  prefent ; 

^Dupl.  Text — befoir.  ^Ib. — vnficker. 


LETTRES  OF  GOLD  WRITTIN  I  FAND.  139 

Your  confcience  tellis  your  deidis  cleir  15 

Befoir  the  Juge  in  jugement. 

Fra  hevin  to  hell,  throw  erd  and  air, 

That  hiddoufs  trump  fa  lowid  fall  found, 

That  throw  the  blaft,  I  yow  declair, 

The  ftanis  fall  cleive,  erd  falP  redound;  20 

Sail  no  man  refpeft  get  that  ftound 

For  gold,  for  riches,  or  for  rent; 

For  all  mon  cum  ouir  fee  and  found 

And  prefent  thame  to  jugement. 

In  flefche  and  bane  as  ye  war  heir,  25 

Thocht  ye  wer  brint  in  powder^  all, 

Befoir  the  Juge  ye  mon  compeir 

To  mak  your  compt,  baith  grit  and  fmall. 

Nane  adwocat  for  ocht  fall  fall ; 

Bot  your  awin  confcience  innocent  30 

Sail  fpeik  for  yow,  quhen  ye  ar  call' 

Befoir  the  Juge  in  jugement. 

May  nocht  be  hid,  I  yow  declair. 

That  evir  ye  did  in  deid  or  thocht ; 

Sail  nocht  be  cullerit,  all  beis  bair  35 

How  prevelly  that  evir  ye  wrocht. 

The  twynkling  of  your  ene  beis'^  focht, 

Quhen  fynnaris  fchamefully  ar  fchent; 

Thairfoir  be  war  or  ye  be  brocht 

Our  foddanly  to  jugement.  40 

Paip  or  prelattis  preciffit^  of  wit,  Foi,  51.  b. 

In  to  this  warld  that  clymmis  fo^  hie 

1  Dupl.  Text  omits/a//.  ^  Q^pi^  Text— /«««-. 

^  lb, — quhen  thaycnu  call.  *  lb. — be.  ^  Tb.— prices. 

^  Dupl.  Text  omitsyi?. 


140  LETTRES  OF  GOLD   WRITTIN  I  FAND, 

To  win  the  fowll  vane  gloir  of  it, 

Be  war  ye  fall  accufit  be; 

The  folk  ye  tuke  to  keip  lat  fe  45 

The  faith  to  teiche  as  ye  wer  fent 

Hirdis  to  be  and  tuke  your  fee; 

Cum  anfwer  now  in  jugement. 

Ye  kingis  he  of  ftait  and  micht, 

That  warldly  conqueifs  and  vane  gloir  50 

Defyrit  ay^  baith  day  and  nicht, 

And  all  your  lawbor  fet  thairfoir: 

Quhat  helpis  than  your  micht,  your  ftoir, 

Ouhen  warldis  welth  away  is  went? 

May  nane  yow  hyd  in  hoill,  nor  boir;  55 

For  all  mon  ryfs  to  jugement. 

Gif  ye  haif  kepit  juft^  and  richt 

The  law  ellyk  to  riche  and  peure, 

With  blyth  hairt  in  the  Jugeis  ficht 

Ye  may  appeir,  I  yow  affure.  ^° 

Haif  ye  mifgorvernit  ocht  your  cure, 

Sair  may  ye  dreid  the  hard  torment 

Off  hellis  fyre,  that  fall  indure 

Perpetuall  eftir  jugement. 

O  crewall  knychtis  and^  men  of  pryd!  65 

That  evir,  in  armes  and  chevelrye, 

Hes  focht  oure  all  this  warld  fo  wyd 

Yow  till  avance  with  vi6lory, 

Ay  blud  to  fched  fa  crewaly ; 

Gud  tyme  wer  heir  for  to  repent,  7° 

Or  ye  be  fchot  doun  foddanly, 

And  brocht  on  forfs  to  jugement. 

1  Dupl.  Text— //^j  ay.        ^  lb.  —iujlice.        ^  Dupl.  Text  omits  and. 


LETTRES  OF  GOLD   WRITTIN  I  FAND.  141 

For  that  day  is  no  grace  to  gett, 

Nor  that  day  fall  na  mercy  be, 

Fra  that  the  Juge  in  fait  be  fett.  75 

Half  thow  done  weill ;  full  weill  is  the, 

That  awfull  Juge  quhen  thow  fall  fe,  Fol.  52.  a. 

Sa  full  of  yre  in  face  fervent 

To  fynneris  for  iniquitie, 

That  mon  vpryifs  to  jugement.  80 

Ye  men  of  kirk,  that  cure  lies  tane 

Of  fawlis  for  to  wetfche^  and  keip, 

Ye  will 2  be  tynt,  and  ye  tyne  ane, 

In  your  defalt,  of  Goddis  fcheip. 

Be  walkand  ay  that  ye  nocht  fleip;  gc 

Luke  that  your  bow  be  reddy  bent ; 

The  wolf  abowt  your  flok  will  creip ; 

Ye  mon  mak  compt  at  jugement. 

Be  gude  of  lyfe,  and  biffie  ay 

Gud  examplis  for  to  fchaw;  90 

Stark  in  the  faith,  and  luke  allwey 

That  na  man  cry  me  vnto^  you  knaw. 

Lat  ay  your  deid  follow  your  faw, 

And  to  this  taill  ye  tak  gud  tent, 

Say  Weill  but  doweill  is  nocht  worth  a  ftraw*  95 

For  yow  to  fchaw  in  jugement. 

And  warldly  wemen  be^  ye  war; 

Your  wit  is  walk,  leir  to  be  wyfs : 

Grit  cawfs  of  fyn  forfuth  ye  ar, 

Throw  your  fowll  pryd  and  claithis  of  pryifs.  100 

Ay  prowd  in  bufl^ing  and^  garmond  nyif*^, 

Inflammand  lychman,'^  of  intent 

^  Dupl.  Text — ye/iie.      ^  lb. — mon.     ^Ib, — into.     *Va. — ane  haw. 
'lb. — now  be.         ®  lb.  — and  in.         ^  lb.  — lycht  men. 


142  LETTRES  OF  GOLD   WRITTIN  I  FAND. 

To  lichery  thame  for  to  tyifs ; 
Ye  mon  mak  compt  in  jugement. 

Ye  merchantis,  that  the  gold  fa  reid  io5 

Vpbrace  in  to  your  boxis^  bad, 

Quhat  may  it  help,  quhen  ye  ar  deid, 

The  gadderit  riches  that  ye  had? 

Be  all  Weill  win,^  ye  may  be  glad 

Befoir  the  Prince  maift  prepotent;  i^o 

Be  it  nocht  fo,  ye  may  be  fad, 

Ouhen  that  ye  cum  to  jugement. 

Leill  labowraris,  that  nicht  and  day  Fol.  52.  b. 

Dois  that  thay  may  for  to  vphald 

This  wretfchit  lyfe,  full  blyth  may  thay  "5 

Cum  to  thair  compt  quhen  thay  ar  cald. 

Weill  may  thay  byd  with  hairtis  bald ; 

To  no  man  did  thay  detriment, 

Bot  pure  lyfe  led  heir  as  God  wald; 

Yit  thay  fall  cum  to  jugement.  120 

Thairfoir  me  think,  for  to  conclude. 

Grit  rent  nor  riches  proffeitis  nocht ; 

For  grit  aboundance  heir  of  gude 

Dois  men  grit  truble  in  thair  thocht, 

Weill  fall  thay  worth,^  that  fa  hes  wrocht  ^25 

Off  fufficence  can  be  content; 

Thair  can  no  fickerer  way  be  wrocht^ 

To  help  thame ^  at  jugement. 

All  is  bot  vane  and  vanitie. 

Into  this  warld  that  we  haif  heir;  **  130 

Grit  riches  and  profperitie 

^Dupl.Text — baggis.     ^Ib. — wynnyn.     ^ib. — We  fall  thame  worth. 
*  Vo.—focht.         5  lb. — To  help  a  jnan. 


AT  MA TYNE  HO URE.  1 43 

Vpfofteris  vyce,  that  is  na  weir; 

Makis  men  to  fall  in  fynnis  feir, 

Mifknaw^  thair  God,  fyne  confequent 

To  Godis  feruice  makis  thame  maift^  fweir;  135 

Ryifs,  deid  folk,  cum  to  jugement. 

Finis  quod  Wa[lter]^  Broun. 


LII. 

\^At  Maty}ie  Hom'e  in  Midis  of  the  Nicht-I 

AT  matyne  lioure  in  midis  of  the  nicht, 
Walknit  of  fleip,  I  faw  befyd  me  fone 
Ane  aigit  man,  femit  fextie  yeiris  of  ficht, 
This  fentence  fett,  and  fong*  it  in  gud  tune! 
"Omnipotent  and  eterne  God  in  trone!  5 

To  be  content  and  lufe  the*"  I  haif  caufs 
That  my  licht  yowtheid  is  oppreft  and  done; 
Honor  with  aige  to  every  vertew  drawis." 

"Grene  yowth!  to  aige  thow  mon  obey  and  bow; 
Thy  foly  luftis  leflis  fl<ant  ane*^  May;  10 

That  than  wes  witt  is  naturall  foly  now. 
As  warldly  witt,'''  honor,  richefs,  or  frefche  array. 
Deffy  the  devill,  dreid  God  and  domifday; 
For  all  falbe  accufit  as  thow  knawis.  Fol.  53. 

Bliffit  be  God  my  yutheid  is  away:  15 

Honor  with  aige  to  every  vertew  drawis." 

"  O  bittir  yowith,  that  femis  delitious ! 
O  haly  aige,  that  fumtyme  femit  foure! 

1  Dupl.Text— ^^{/Zv«.         *  Dupl.  Text  omit-^  maijl. 

3 Dupl. Text— ^-c/wr  Wa[lterl      ^Ih.—fatig.       ^Ih.—ihai.        ^Ih.—a. 

"^  Dupl.  Text  omits  as  and  witt. 


144  AT  MA TYNE  HO URE. 

O  reftles  yowth,  hie,  hait,  and  vicious ! 

O  honeft  aige,  fulfillit  with  honoure!  20 

O  frawart  yowth,  frutles  and  fedand  flour! 

Contrail'  to  confcience  baith  to  God  and  lawis. 

Off  all  vanegloir  the  lamp  and  the  mirroure ; 

Honor  with  aige  till  every  vertew  drawis." 

"This  warld  is  fett  for  to  diffaive  ws  evin;  ^5 

Pryd  is  the  nett,  and  covece^  is  the  trane: 
For  na  reward,  except  the  joy  of  hevin, 
Wald  I  be  yung  in  to  this  warld  agane. 
The  fchip  of  faith  tempeftous  wind  and  rane 
Dryvis-  in  the  fee  of  Lollerdry  that^  blawis.  30 

My  yowth  is  gane,  and  I  am  glaid  and  fane : 
Honor  with  aige  till  every  vertew  drawis." 

"Law,  luve,  and  lawtie,  gravin"*  law  thay  ly; 
Diffimvlance  hes  borrowit  confcience  clayis;'^ 
Aithis,  writ,  walx,*^  nor  feilis  ar  not  fet  by ;  35 

Flattery  is  fofterit  baith  with  freindis  and  fayis. 
The  fone,  to  bruike  it  that  his  fader  hais, 
Wald  fe  him  deid;  Sathanas  fic  feid  fawis. 
Yowtheid,  adew!  ane  of  my  mortall  fais: 
Honor  with  aige  with  every  vertew  drawis."  40 

Fmis  quod  Kennedy. 


1  Dupl.  Text— (r«c'^//<r^.         "^Vo.—Driffis.         ^\\>.~and. 
*  lb.  —zraffin.  ^  lb.  — claithis.  ^  lb.  — wax. 


WALKING  ALLONE  AMANG  THJR  LEVIS  GRENE.  145 

LIII. 

[  Walking  allone  amang  tJiir  Levis  grene.] 

WALKING  allone  amang  thir  levis  grene, 
Into  ane  femely  forreft  fair  and  fre, 
Ouhair  I  was  cled  with  bewis  bricht  and  fchene, 
I  did  me  lene  vntill  ane  athorne  tre, 

Quhair  birdis  fang  with  curage  wounder  hie,  5  rol.53.  b. 

Reherfand  ay  this  verfs  in  to  my  eir, 
"Man!  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus^  geir." 

I  marvellit  gritly  quhat  this  fong  fowld  mene, 
And  it  imprentit  fadly  in  my  thocht. 
Than  fang  ane  bird  with  curage  fra  the  fplene,  10 

"O  man!  revolue  and  think  how  thow  art  bocht, 
Ouhairvvith,  quhomefra,  quhairto,  and  quha  the  coft 
Fra  the  fowill  feyind  and  all  his  felloun  feirr 
Man!  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus^  geir." 

I  fludeit  than  of  this  birdis  indyte,  15 

And  did  revolve  rycht  oft  in  myne  entent 
Gif  I  fic  fentence  had  hard  in  to  wryte. 
This  bird  than  fang  agane  incontinent, 
"O  fuliche  man!  dreid  thow  thy  jugement, 
Or  throw  thy  hert  the  Deth  do  dryve  his  fpeir:  20 

Man !  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir." 

Proceiding  furth  fo  in  hir  fermond  feir, 

With  cowrious  not  and  wordis  fcherp  and  kene, 

Hir  girfly  text  did  perfs  myne  hert  weill  neir, 

As  throw  the  quhilk  away  I  wald  haif  bene.  25 

^  Dupl.Text — ly/e  rejloir  all  wrangtis. 
2  lb.  — Fra  ruffe  ragment  and  is  felloun  feir. 

T 


146  WALKING  ALLONE  AMANG  THIR  LEVIS  GRENE. 

For  quhy?     I  micht  not  hairtly  do  fuftene 
So  fcherp  ane  fermone  blawing^  in  myne  eir: 
"Man!  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir." 

My  ftormy  face  fchew  weill  than  myne  entent 
Vnto  this  bird,  and  fcho  fang  fuddanly,  3° 

"Quhat,  man,  availis-  all  this  warldis  rent, 
Thy  felf  in  hell,  thair  to  dwell^  fynaly  ? 
Thairfoir,  in  tyme,  I  reid  the  afk  mercy, 
And  for  thy  fyn  daly  mvrne  mony  a  teir: 
Man!  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir."  35 

"Thocht  thow  in  dignitie  be  conftitute, 
Or  yit  of  landis  thow  half  grit  heretage; 
On*  thy  fubiecl  gif  thow  makis  wrang  perfute, 
Dowtles  thy  fawill  fall  ftand  for  that  in  plege 
On  dumifday,  quhen  thow  fowld  tak  curage  4°  Fol.S4.a. 

The  to  defend  befoir  the  Juge  aufteir: 
Man !  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir." 

"Thocht  thow  be  yung  in  to  thy  yeiris  grene, 
Beleving^  that  thy  lyfe  fall  long  endeure. 
My  counfale  is  thy^  foly  thow  refrene;  45 

Or  dowt  the  theif  cum  brek  thy  fawlis  dure, 
Ouhen  thow  wait  not,  in  to  the  mirk  obfcure. 
Thair  is  no  tyme  I  tell  the  now  but  weir: 
Man!  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir." 

I  anfwerit  than  this  bird  in  crabitnes,  5° 

"I  wait  I  am  in  to  my  flowris  grene, 
And  als  my  corps  is  haill  withowt  feiknes; 
Thairfoir,  I  wait,  I  may  richt  weill  fuftene 
Thir  mony  yeiris,  my  curage  is  fo  clene. 

^Dupl.  Text — blaivand,         ^  lb. — Quhat  awailis  the  man. 
^Ih.— to  dwell  thair.      ^Ih.—Off.      ^Ih.—Entrejiand.     ^Ih.—ihyn. 


WALKING  ALLONE  AMANG  THIR  LEVIS  GRENE.  147 

Ouhairfoir  fowld  I  fa  fone  this  leffone  leir,  55 

To  mend  my  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir?" 

"God  fayis  his  felfe  in  facreit  wangell, 
Till  him  quha  cumis  in  the  thrid  vigill 
Sail  nevir  haif  pairte  of  no  kin  pane  of  hell, 
So  he  will  than  amend  his  \'ycis  ill.^  60 

For  thy  quhairfoir  fowld  I  my  yowtheid  fpill, 
Pynnand  my  felf,  doand  away  plefeir, 
To  mend  my  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir?" 

"Thairfoir  in  to  my  yeiris  grene  and  ying 
I  will  to^  craif  and  tak  that  I  may  gett;  65 

For  wyfemen  fayis,  Ouha  dois  in  yowith  inbring, 
In  aige  he  fall  grit  ftormes  do  ourefett. 
Ouhairfoir  grene  yowth  I  will  not  do  foryett, 
For  no  fic  fong  that  bird  may  fmg  on  breir, 
To  mend  my  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir."  70 

"Weill,"  qoud  the  bird,  "thy  curage  is  richt  hie, 
Havand  hie  knawlege  of  thy  mortall  ftait, 
Thinkand  perchance  ay  in  this  lyfe  to  be. 

Na!  na!  in  faith,  with  Deth  thow  mon  debait;  pol.  54.  b. 

Quhair,^  as  I  trow,  thou  than^  fall  haif  chekmait,  75 

Ouhen  thow  wald  beg  ane  houre  owt  of  a°  yeir 
To  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir." 

Hir  crewall  dyte  than  maid  me  moir*^  agaft. 

And  als  hir  fong  richt  foir  efifrayit  me ; 

Luking''  quhen  Deth  his  fpeir  fowld  at  me  caft,  80 

My  curage  fell  befoir  was  wounder  hie ; 

Not  yit  for  that^  my  fenfuality 

1  Dupl.  Text — vycis  evill.         "  lb.  — do.         ^  lb.  — And. 

*  lb.  —than  thazv.  ^  lb.  —ane.  « lb.  —fore.  ''Ih.  —  Thinkand. 

nh.—thy. 


148  WALKING  ALLONE  AMANG  THIR  LEVIS  GRENE. 

Vnto  my  reffone  wold  aggreit  neir 

To  mend  my  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir. 

Incontinent  this  bird  perfavit  weill  85 

How  at  hir  fermond  bait  my  confcience. 

Scho  fayd,  "Twa  contrar  wayis^  I  feill: 

The  ane^  is  gud,  the  vthir  is  offence, 

Thairfoir  the  rewill  with  reffone  and  prudence, 

That  fra  contraryis  thow  art  purgeit  cleir:  90 

Man!  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir," 

I  faid  annone,  "  Ouhat  kind  of  bird  art  thow, 

That  tareis  me  all  day  with  tyrfum^  taill?" 

Scho  anfwerit  foneand  faid,  "  I  tell  the  now, 

Synderifis  my  name  is  but  ony'^  faill,  95 

Ouhilk  the  fall  dryve  to  the  fyre  infernaill, 

Bot  gif  thow  wirk,  as  I  do  the^  requeir, 

To  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir," 

"Now  to  conclude  and  end  this  breif  fermond ; 
Ouhairevir  thow  fair,  entreft  thow  fickerly,  100 

Myne  endyting  in  to  thin  eiris  fall  found, 
And  perce  thy  confcience  continwaly. 
Quhairfoir,  gif  thow  willis  leif*^  eternaly, 
Perfew  vertew,  and  vycis  do  forbeir: 
Man !  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir."  105 

Scho  braidit  furth  with  that  and  twik  the  flicht. 

And  I  vprais  and  hamewart  fchup  to  fair: 

Be  than  fair  Phebus,  with  his  bemis  bricht,  Fol.  55.  a. 

Had  purgit  clene  and  pvrefeit  the  air. 

My  reffone  fone'^  vnto  me  did  repair,  no 

^Dupl.  Text — ivayis  in  the.  -  lb. — iane.         ^  lb. — inithfic  ane. 

4  lb.  —it  is  but.  5  ib_  _i/te  do.  ^  lb.  —lyfe. 

7  lb. -A 


THE  RESSONING  BETUIX  AIGE  AND   YOWTH.  149 

And  counfallit  me  this  leffone  for  to  leir, 
Man!  mende  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir. 

Richt  Weill  I  knew^  than  in  this  fchort  leffone 
The  verry  wey  vnto^  faluatioun: 

Be  grace  devyne  than  opnit  my  reffone  115 

Till  vndirftand  this^  proclamatioun, 
The  quhilk,  with  grit  mvltiplicatioun, 
This  bird  fo  fweitly  fvng  on*  breir; 
"Man!  mend  thy  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir." 

Thus  I  come  hame  within  my  covertour,  120 

Reiofit  gritly  of  this  vifioun, 
Quhilk  I  had  fene  in  this  grit^  vardour; 
And  on  my  kneis  I  faid  this  orifioun,*^ 
"O  eternalF  God!  trenefald  in  vnioun, 
Grant  ws  mercy  and  grace,  quhill  we  ar  heir,  ,23 

To  mend  our  lyfe  and  reftoir  wrangus  geir." 

Fi7iis. 


LIV. 

The  Reffoning  beiidx  Aige  and  Yowth. 

Yoivth. 

QUHEN  fair  Flora,  the  godes  of  the  flowris, 
Baith  firth  and  feildis  frefchely  had  ourfret, 
And  perly  droppis  of  the  balmy  fchowris 
Thir  widdis  grene  had  with  thair  water  wet, 

^Dupl.  Text — kna7u.         "lb. — wey  wes  to.         ^Ib. — the. 

4  lb — 071  the.  ^  lb. — in  to  this  grene.  ^  Tb. — oratioun. 

''  lb. — eterne. 


ISO  THE  RESSONING  BETUIX  AIGE  AND   YOWTH. 

Movand  allone,  in  mornyng  myld,  I  met 
A  mirry  man,  that  all  of  mirth  cowth  mene, 
Singand  the  fang  that  richt^  fweitly  was  fett : 
"O  yowth,  be  glaid  in  to  thy  flowris  grene!" 


Aige. 

I  lukit  furth  a  litill  mc^  befoir, 

And  faw  a  cative  on  ane  club  cumand,  lo 

With  cheikis  clene,^^  and  lyart  lokis  hoir: 

His  ene  was  how,  his  voce  was  hefs  hoftand,  Fol.  55.  b. 

Wallowit  richt*  wan,  and  walk  as  ony  wand: 
Ane  bill  he  beure  vpoun  his  breift  abone, 
In  letteris  leill  but  lyis,^  Avith  this  legand,  15 

"O  yowth,  thy  flowris  fedis  fellone  fone!" 

Yowth. 

This  yungman  lap  vpoun  the  land  full  licht. 
And  mervellit  mekle  of  his  makdome  maid. 
''Waddin*^  I  am,"  quo  he,  "and  woundir  wicht. 
With  bran  as  bair,  and  breift  burly  and  braid:  20 

Na  growme  on  ground  my  gairdone  may  degraid, 
Nor  of  my  pith  may  pair  of '^  wirth  a  prene. 
My  face  is  fair,  my  fegour  will  not  faid : 
O  yowith,  be  glaid  in  to  thy  flowris  grene!" 


Aige. 

This  fenyeour  fang,  bot  with  a  fobir  ftevin.  25 

Schakand  his  herd,  he  faid,  "  My  bairne,  lat  be: 

1  Dupl.  Text  omits  rkht.         -  Dupl.  Text— wj-.         ^  Vo.—lefie. 
^Vo.—and.         ^\h.—les.         ^Vo.—waldm.         "^  Vo.—half. 


THE  RESSONING  BETUIX  AIGE  AND   YOWTH.  151 

I  was,  within  thir  fextie  yeiris  and  fevin, 

Ane  freik  on  fold,  als  forfs  and  als^  fre, 

Als  glaid,  als  gay,  als  ying,  als  yaip  as  yie; 

Bot  now  tha  dayis  ourdrevin  ar^  and  done.  3° 

Luke  thow  my  laikly  luking'  gif  I  lie: 

O  yowth,  thy  flowris  fadis  fellone  fone!" 

Yozvth. 

Ane  vthir  verfs  yit  this  yungman  cowth  fing; 
"At  luvis  law  a  quhyle  I  think  to  leit, 
In  court  to  cramp  clenely  in  my  clething,  35 

And  luke  amangis  thir  lufty  ladeis  fweit; 
Of  mariage  to  mell  with  mowthis  meit 
In  fecreit  place,  quhair  we  ma  not*  be  fene ; 
And  fo  with  birdis  bly thly  my  bailis  beit : 
O  yowth,  be  glaid  in  to  thy  flowris  grene!"  4° 


Aige. 

This  awfbrene  greif  anfwerit  angirly, 
"For  thy  cramping  thow  fait  baith  cruke  and  cowre; 
Thy5  flefchely  luft  thow  fait  alfo^  defy,  yo\.  56.  a. 

And  pane  the  fall  put  fra  paramour. 
Than  will  no  bird  be  blyth  of  the  in  bouir;  45 

Quhen  thy  manheid  fall  wendin'^  as  the  mone, 
Thow  fall  affay  gif  that  my  fong  be  four : 
O  yowth,  thy  flowris  fedis  fellone  fone!" 

Yowith. 

This  mirry  man  of  mirth  yit  movit  moir; 
"  My  corps  is  dene  withowt  corrvptioun ;  50 

^  Dupl.  Text  omits  rt/j-.  -Dupl.  Text — is.         ^Ib. — lykyne. 

*  lb. — lnfeci-eit)ies  qji/iair  may  iiocht.         ^  lb. — And  thy. 

^  Dupl.  Text  omits  alfo.         "^  Dupl.  Text — tnove. 


152  THE  RESSONJNG  BETUIX  AIGE  AND   YOWTH. 

My  fclf  is  found,  but  feiknes  or  but  foir; 

My  wittis  fyve  in  dew  proportioun ; 

My  curage  is  of  dene  complexioun; 

My  hairt  is  haill,  my  levar  and  my  fplene; 

Thairfoir  to  reid  this  roU^  I  haif  no  reffoun:  5S 

O  yowth,  be  glaid  in  to  thy  fiowris  grene!" 


Aige. 

The  bevar  hoir  faid  to  this  berly  berne, 
'This  breif  thow  fall  obey  fone,  be  thow  bald. 
Thy  ftait,  thy  flrenth,  thocht  it  be  ftark  and  fterne, 
The  feveris  fell,  and  eild  fall  gar  the  fald ;  60 

Thy  corps  fall  clyng,  thy  curage  fall  wax  cald ; 
Thy  helth^  fall  hynk,  and  tak  a  hurt  but  hone;^ 
Thy  wittis  fyve  fall  vaneis,  thocht  thow  not  wald : 
O  yowth,  thy  flowris  faidis  fellone  fone!" 

This  go  wand  grathit  with  fic  grit  greif,*  65 

He  on  his  wayis  wrechly  went^  but  wene; 

This  lene  awld*^  man  luche  not,  bot''  tuk  his  leif, 

And  P  abaid  vnder  the  levis  grene. 

Of  the  fedullis  the  futhe  quhen^  I  had  fene, 

OP°  trewth,  methocht,  thay  trivmphit^^  in  thair  tone.     70 

O  yowth,  be  glaid  in  to  thy  flowris  grene! 

O  yowth  thy  flowris  faidis  fellone  fone ! 

Finis  quod  Mr  Robert  Henderfone.'^ 


^Dupl.  Text — rcnull.         ^Ib. — heill.         ^  lb. — hwn. 
■*  lb.  — grathit  began  to  greif.       ^  lb.  — And  on  his  ivayis  wrechitly  he ivent. 

^  Dupl.  Text  omits  awld.         ''  Dupl.  Text — na  thing  bat. 

^  Dupl. Text  omits /.       ^  Dupl. Text  omits  ^z<//if7;.       ^*  Dupl.  Text — on. 

^^  lb. — tremefit  or  tremefit.         ^*  lb. — Henry/one. 


THE  RESSONING  BETUIX  DETH  AND  MAN.  153 

LV. 

The  Reffoning  betuix  DetJi  ajid  Man. 
Deth} 

OMORTALL  man,  behold,  tak  tent  to  me! 
Ouhilk  fowld^  thy  mirrour  be  baith  day  and  nicht.       Fol.  56.  b. 
All  erdly  thing  that  evir  tuik  lyfe  mon  die ; 
Paip,  emprlour,  king,  barroun  and  knycht, 
Thocht  thay  be  in  thair  roall  ftait^  and  hicht,  5 

May  not  ganeftand  quhen  I  pleifs  fchute  the*  derte; 
Waltownis,  caftelHs,  and^  towris  nevir  fo  Avicht, 
May  nocht  rifift  quhill  it  be  at  his  herte. 

The  Man."^ 

Now  quhat  art  thow  that  biddis  me  thus  tak  tent. 

And  mak  ane  mirrour  day  and  nicht  of  the,  10 

Or  with  thy  dert  I  fowld  richt  foir  repent? 

I  treft  trewly  off  that  thow^  fall  fone  lie. 

Quhat  freik  on  fold  fa  bald  dar  manifs  me, 

Or  with  me  fecht,  o wthir  on  fute  or  horfs  ? 

Is  non  fo  wicht  or®  ftark  in  this  cuntre  15 

Bot°  I  fall  gar  him  bow  to  me  on  forfs. 


Deth} 

My  name,  forfwth,^''  fen  that  thow  fpeiris, 
Thay  call  me  Deid,  futhly  I  the  declair, 

1  Dupl.  Text— i1/£7;-j.  2  ib_  —fall,         3  ib_  —ryell  ejlait. 

^  Yb.—this.  5  Dupi_  xext  omits  and.  «  Dupl.  T&yX—Homo. 

TVo.— of  that  that  ihow.     ^Vo.—fo.     ^Vo.—Nor.     ^'^Ih.—atmeforfvt/i. 

V 


154  THE  RESSONING  BETUIX  DETH  AND  MAN, 

Calland  all  man  and  woman  to  thair  beirls 

Ouhen  evir  I  pleifs,  quhat  tyme,  quhat  place,  or  quhair,    20 

Is  nane  fa  ftowt,  fa  frefche,  nor  yit  fa  fair, 

Sa  yung,  fa  aid,  fa  riche,  nor  yit  fa  peur, 

Quhair  evir  I  pafs,  owthir  lait^  or  air, 

Mon  put  thame  haill  on  forfs  vndir  my  cure. 


Man? 

Sen  it  is  fo  that  nature  can  fo  wirk  25 

That  yung  and  awld,  with^  riche  and  peure,  mon  die; 

In  my  yowtheid,  allace!  I  wes  full  irk, 

Cowld  not  tak  tent  to  gyd  and  governe  me 

Ay  gude  to  do,  fra  evill  deidis  to  fie ; 

Trefland  ay  yowtheid  wold  with  me  abyde  f  3° 

Fulfilland  evir  my  fenfualitie, 

In  deidly  fyn  and  fpecialy  in  pryd. 


Deth? 

Thairfoir  repent  and  remord  thy  confcience; 

Think  on  thir  wordis  I  now  vpoun  the  cry:  Fol.  57.  a. 

O  wrechit  man!  O  full  of^  ignorance!  35 

All  thy  plefance  thow  fall  richt^  deir  aby. 

Difpone  thy  felf,  and  cum  with  me  in  hy,^ 

Edderis,  aflcis,  and^  wormis  meit  for^^  to  be : 

Cum  quhen  I  call,  thow  ma  me  not  denny, 

Thocht  thow  war  paip,  empriour,  and  king,  all  thre.      40 

^Dupl.  Text— fezV/azV.     ^Ib. — Homo.     3  Dupl.  Text  omits  wzV/z. 

•^Dupl.  Text — Trejland yoivthdd  loold  with  me  ay  abyde. 

5  \\,.—Mors.         8  lb.— (9  woftdl.         ^  Dupi.  Text  omits  richt. 

8  Dupl.  Text — Difpone  for  the,  and  cum  with  me  and  try. 

8  Dupl.  Text  omits  and.         ^^  Dupl.  Text  omitsT^^r. 


WITHIN  ANE  GARTH,    VNDIR  A  REID  ROSEIR.  155 

Man} 

Sen  it  is  fwa  fra  the  I  may  not  chaip, 

This  wrechit  warld  for  me  heir  I  defy; 

And  to  the  Deid,  to  lurk^  vnder  thy  caip, 

I  offer  me,  with  hairt  richt  humly 

Befeiking  God,  the  diuill  myne  ennemy  45 

No  power  haif  my  fawill  till  affay. 

Jefus,  on  the,  with  peteous  voce,  I  cry 

Mercy  on  me  to  haif  on  domifday. 

Einis  quod  Henderfone. 


LVI 

[  Within  aiie  Garth,  vndir  a  reid  RofeirP\ 

WITHIN  ane  garth,  vndir  a  reid  rofeir, 
Ane  awld  man,  and  decripit,  hard  I  fmg; 
Gay  was  the  not,  fweit  was  the  voce  and  cleir: 
It  was  grit  joy  to  heir  of  fic  a  thing. 
And  as  me  thocht,^  he  faid  in  his  dyting, 
"For  to  be  yung  I  wald  not  for  my  wifs 
Of  all  this  Avarld  to  mak  me  lord  and  king: 
The  moir  of  aige  the  nerrer  hevynis  blifs." 

Fals  is  this  warld  and  full  of  variance, 
Befocht  with  fyn  and  vthir  flichtis  mo; 
Trewth  is  all  tynt,  gyle  lies  the'^  govirnance, 
Wrechitnes  hes  wrocht  all  weill  to  wo ; 

1  Dupl.  Teyit— Homo.         «  Tb.—Afid  to  Deid  to  luke. 
^  lb. — Attd  to  my  dottie.  *  lb. — hes  wrocht  the. 


156  WITHIN  ANE  GARTH,   VNDIR  A  REID  ROSEIR. 

Fredome  is  tynt,  and  flemit^  the  lordis  fro, 

And  covettyce  is  all  the  caufs  of  this ; 

I  am  content  that  yowtheid  is  ago :  15 

The  moir  of  aige  the  nerrer  hevynis  blifs. 

The  ftait  of  yowth  I  repute  for  no  gude, 

For  in  that  ftait  fic  parrell  now  I  fee ;  Fol.  57.  b. 

But  fpeciall  grace,  the  regeing  of  his  blude 

Can  none  ganeftand,  quhill  that  he  aigit  be.  20 

Syne  of  the  thing  befoir  that^  joyit  he, 

Nothing  remanis  now  to  be  callit  his; 

For  quhy  it  was  bot  verry  vanitie : 

The  moir  of  aige  the  nerer  hevinis  blifs. 

Sowld  no  man  truft  this  wretchit  world;  for  quhy  25 

Of  erdly  joy  ay  forrow  is  the  end: 

The  ftait  of  it  can  no  man  certify; 

This  day  a  king,  to  morne  haif  not^  to  fpend. 

Quhat  haif  we  heir  bot  grace  ws  to  defend  ? 

The  quhilk  God  grant  ws  till^  amend  our  mifs,  30 

That  to  his  gloir  he  ma  our  fawlis  fend : 

The  moir  of  aige  the  nerrer  hevins  blifs. 

Finis  quod  Henderfone.'^ 


1  Dupl.  Ttxi—fremmit.  ^  Dupl.  Text  omits  that. 

'  Dupl.  Text — 710  gud,     *  lb.  — wsfor  to.     ^  lb.  — quod  Mr  R.  Henri/one. 


THE  THRE  DEID  POLLIS.  157 

LVII. 

Followis  the  tJive  deid  Poll  is. 

OSINFULL  man!  in  to  this  mortall  fe, 
Ouhilk  is  the  vaill  of  mvrnyng  and  of  cair, 
With  gaiftly  ficht  behold  oure  heidis  thre, 
Oure  holkit  ene,  oure  peiHt  pollis  bair. 
As  ye  ar  now,  in  to  this  warld  we  wair,  5 

Als  frefche,  als  fair,  als  lufty  to  behald : 
Quhan  thow  lukis  on  tliis  fwth  examplair, 
Off  thy  felf,  man,  thow  may  be  richt  vnbald. 

For  futh  it  is  that  every  man  mortall 

Mon  fuffer  deid  and  de,  that  lyfe  hes  tane :  10 

Na  erdly  ftait  aganis  deid  ma  prevaill; 

The  hour  of  deth  and  place  is  vncertane, 

Quhilk  is  referrit  to  the  hie  God  allane. 

Heirfoir  haif  mynd  of  deth  that  thow  m.on  dy:  Fol.  58.  a. 

This  fair  exampill  to  fe  quotidiane  15 

Sowld  caufs  all  men  fra  v/icket  vycis  fle. 

O  wantone  yowth!  als  frefche  as  lufly  may, 

Farefb  of  flowris,  renewit  quhyt  and  reid, 

Behald  our  heidis.     O  lufty  gallandis  gay! 

Full  laichly  thus  fall  ly  thy  lufty  heid,  20 

Holkit,  and  how,  and  wallowit  as  the  weid. 

Thy  crampand  hair,  and  eik  thy  criftall  ene, 

Full  cairfully  conclud  fall  dulefuU  deid: 

Thy  example  heir  be  ws  it  may  be  fene. 

O  ladeis  quhyt!  in  claithis  corrufcant,  25 

Poleift  with  perle  and  mony  pretius  ftane, 


158 


THE  THRE  DEID  POLLIS. 

With  palpis  quhyt,  and  hals  elegant, 

Sirculit  with  gold  and  fapheris  mony  ane; 

Your  finyearis  fmall,  quhyt  as  quhailis  bane, 

Arrayit  with  ringis  and  mony  rubeis  reid:  3° 

As  we  ly  thus,  fo  fall  ye  ly  ilk  ane 

With  peilit  pollis,  and  holkit  thus  your  held. 

O  wofull  pryd !  the  rute  of  all  diftres, 

With  humill  hairt  vpoun  our  pollis  penfs : 

Man,  for  thy  mifs,  afk  mercy  with  meiknefs;  35 

Aganis  deid  na  man  may  mak  defenfs. 

The  empriour  for  all  his  excellenfs. 

King  and  quene,  and  eik  all  erdly  ftait, 

Peure  and  riche,  falbe  but  differenfs 

Turnit  in  afs,  and  thus  in  erd  tranflait.  40 

This  queftioun  quha  can  obfolue,  lat  fee, 

Quhat  phifnamour,  or  perfyt  palmefter: 

Ouha  was  fareft,  or  fowleft,  of  ws  thre, 

Or  quhilk  of  ws  of  kin  was  gentillar, 

Or  maift  excellent  in  fclence,  or  in  lare,  45 

In  art,  mvfik,  or  in  aftronomye? 

Heir  fowld  be  your  ftudy  and  repair; 

And  think  as  thus  all  your  heidis  mon  be.  Fol.  58.  b. 

O  febill  aige!  drawand  neir  the  dait 

Of  dully  deid,  and  hes  thy  dayis  compleit,  5° 

Behald  our  heidis  with  mvrning  and  regrait : 

Fall  on  thy  kneis,  aflc  grace  at  God  greit, 

With  orifionis  and  haly  falmes  fweit, 

Befeikand  him  on  the  to  half  mercy; 

Now  of  our  fawlis  bydand  the  decreit  55 

Of  his  Godheid,  quhen  he  fall  call  and  cry. 

Als  we  exhort  that  every  man  mortall, 
For  his  faik  that  maid  of  nocht  all  thing, 


SEN  THR  O  W  VERTE  W  INCRESSIS  DIGNITIE.  1 5  9 

For  our  fawlis  to  pray  in  generall 

To  Jefus  Chryft,  of  hevin  and  erd  the  King,  60 

That,  throwch  his  blude,  we  may  ay  leif  and  ring 

With  the  hie  Fader  be  eternitie, 

The  Sone,  alfwa  the  Haly  Gaift  conding, 

Thre  knit  in  ane  be  perfyt  vnitie. 

Finis  quod  Patrick  Johnifloun. 


LVIII. 

\Sen  throw  Vertezv  increjfis  Dignitie.'] 

SEN  tlirow  vertew  increffis  dignitie, 
And  vertew  is  floure  and  rute  of  nobill  ray, 
Off  ony  vertewis  eftait-^  that  evir  thow  be, 
His  fleppis  perfew  and  dreid  the  non  effray. 
Exyle  all  vyce  and  follow  trewith  alway;  5 

Luve  moft  thy  God  that  firft  thy  luve  began, 
And  for  ilk  inche  he  will  the  quyt  a  fpan. 

Be  not  our  prowde  of  thy  profperitie, 

For  as  it  cumis,  fo  will  it  pafs  away; 

Thy  tyme  to  compt  is  fchort  thow  ma  weill  fe,  10 

For  of  grene  grefs  fone  cumis  wallowit  hay. 

Labor  in  trewth,  quhill  licht  is  of  the  day ; 

Truft  moft  in  God,  for  he  beft  help  the  can. 

And  for  ilk  inche  he  will  the  quyt  a  fpan. 

Sen  wordis  ar  thrall,  and  thocht  is  only  fre,  15  Fol.  59.  a. 

Thow  dant  thy  tung  that  power  hes  and  may; 

1-  Dupl.  Text— ^ait. 


i6o  ANE  MVRLANDIS  MAN  OF  VPLANDIS  MAK. 

Thow  fteik  thyne  ene  fra  warldis  vanitie ; 

Refrene  thy  luft;  harkin  quhat  I  fay; 

Graip  or  thow  flyd,  and  creip  furth  on  the  way, 

And  keip  thy  faith  thow  aw  to  God  and  man,  ao 

And  for  ilk  inche  he  will  the  quyt  a  fpan. 

Finis. 


Followis  ccrtane  Ballattis  agane  the  Vyce 
in  SeJJioim  Court  and  all  EJlaitis. 

LIX. 
[Ane  mvrlandis  Man  of  vplandis  Mak.] 

ANE  mvrlandis  man  of  vplandis  mak 
At  hame  thus  to  his  nychtbour  fpak, 
"Quhat  tydingis  goffep,  peax  or  weir?" 

The  tother  rownit  in  heir, 
"I  tell  yow  this  vndir  confeffioun,  5 

Bot  laitly  lichtit  of  my  meir, 
I  come  of  Edinburch  fra  the  Seffioun." 

"Quhat  tythingis  hard  ye  thair,  I  pray  yow?" 
The  tother  anfwerit,  "  I  fall  fay  yow, 
Keip  this  all  fecreit,  gentill  brother;  lo 

Is  na  man  thair  that  treftis  ane  vther: 
Ane  commoun  doar  of  tranfgreffioun 
Of  innocent  folkis  prevenis  a  father : 
Sic  tydingis  hard  I  at  the  Seffioun." 


ANE  MVRLANDIS  MAN  OF  VFLANDIS  AIAK.  i6i 

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  hes  his  mynd  all  on  oppreffioun; 

Sum  beckis  full  law  and  fchawis  bair  heidis,  20 

Wald  hike  full  heich  war  not  the  Seffioun. 

Sum  bydand  the  law  layis  land  in  wed; 

Sum  fuper  expendit  gois  to  his  bed; 

Sum  fpeidis,  for  he  in  court  hes  menis;  FoI.  59.  b. 

Sum  of  parcialitie  complenis,  25 

How  feid  and  favour  flemis  difcretioun; 

Sum  fpeiks  full  fair,  and  fafly  fenis: 

Sic  tythings  hard  I  at  the  Seffioun. 

Sum  caftis  fummondis,  and  fum  exceptis; 

Sum  ftandis  befyd  and  fkaild  law  keppis  ;  30 

Sum  is  continwit,  fum  wynnis,  fum  tynis; 

Sum  makis  him  mirry  at  the  \\ynis; 

Sum  is  put  owt  of  his  poffeffioun; 

Sum  herreit,  and  on  creddens  dynis: 

Sic  tydingis  hard  I  at  the  Seffioun.  35 

Sum  fweiris,  and  forfaikis  God; 

Sum  in  ane  lambfkin  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  Sait,  and  fum  thame  curfis^: 

Sic  tydings  hard  I  at  the  Seffioun. 

Religious  men  of  diuerfs  placis 
Cumis  thair  to  wow  and  fe  fair  facis; 

Baith  Carmeleitis  and  Cordilleris  45 

W 


1 62  DE  VORIT  WITH  DREME. 

Cumis  thair  to  genner  and  get  ma  freiris, 
And  ar  vnmyndfull  of  thair  profeflioun; 
The  yungar  at  the  eldar  leiris : 
Sic  tydingis  hard  I  at  the  Seffioun. 

Thair  cumis  yung  monkis  of  he  complexioun,  50 

Of  devoit  mynd,  luve,  and  affe6lioun ; 

And  in  the  courte  thair  hait  flefche  dantis, 

Full  faderlyk,  with  pechis  and  pantis; 

Thay  ar  fo  humill  of  interceffioun 

All  mercyfull  wemen  thair  eirandis  grantis :  55 

Sic  tydings  hard  I  at  the  Seffioun. 

Finis  quod  Dumbar. 


LX. 

[Dcvorit  ivitJi  Dreme,  devyjing  in  my  Shimmer?^ 

DEVORIT  with  dreme,  devyfmg  in  my  flummer,         Fol.  60.  a. 
How  that  this  realme,  with  nobillis  owt  of  nummer, 
Gydit,  provydit  fa  mony  yeiris  lies  bene; 
And  now  fic  hunger,  fic  cowartis,  and  fic  cummer 
Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  5 

Sic  pryd  with  prellattis,  fo  few  tilP  preiche  and  pray; 
Sic  hant  of  harlettis  with  thame  bayth  nicht  and  day, 
That  fowld  half  ay  thair  God  afoir^  thair  ene ; 
So  nyce  array,  fo  ftrange  to  thair  abbay, 
Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene. 

1  Dupl .  Text— /c7.  =  lb.  —befoir. 


DE  VORIT  WITH  DREME.  1 63 

So  mony  preiftis  cled  vp  in  fecular  weid, 

With  blafing  breiftis  cafting  thair  clathis^  on  breid, 

(It  is  no  neid  to  tell  of  quhome  I  mene) ; 

So  quhene  the  Pfalme-  and  Teftament  to^  reid 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  15 

So  mony  maifteris,  fo  mony  guckit  clerkis, 

So  mony  weftaris  to  God  and  all  his  warkis, 

So  fyry  fparkis  of  difpyt  fro  the  fplene, 

Sic  lofm  farkis,  fo  mony  glengoir  markis 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  ^° 

Sa  mony  lordis,  fo  mony  naturall  fulis, 

That  better  accordis  to  play  thame  at  the  trulis, 

Nor  feifs  the  dulis  that  commonis  dois  fuftene; 

New  tane  fra  fculis,  fa  mony  anis  and  mvlis 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  25 

Sa  mekle  treffone,  fa  mony  partiall  fawis, 

Sa  littill  reffone  to  help  the  commoun  cawis, 

That  all  the  lawis  ar  not  fett  by  ane  bene;"^ 

Sic  fenyeit  flawis,  fa  mony  waiftit  wawis 

Within  this  warld^  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  3° 

Sa  mony  theivis  and  mvrdereris^  weill  kend, 

Sa  grit  relevis  of  lordis  thame  to  defend, 

Becawis  the'^  fpend  the  pelf  thame  betwene; 

So  few  till  wend  this  mifchief  till^  amend  Fol.  60.  b. 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  35 

This  to  corre6l  thay  fchoir  with  mony  crakkis, 
Bot  littill  effe6l  of  fpeir  or  battar^  ax, 

1  Dupl.  Text— r/aw.         -lb. — Pfahnes.         "^Va.—for to. 

4 lb. — preiie.        "lb. — land.       ^ From  Dupl.  Text — 'M.?>.\\'3smvrderis. 

''Dupl.  Text— //ia.-.  ^Yo.—to.         ^Vo.—battell. 


i64  DEVORIT  WITH  DREME. 

Quhen  curagc  lakkis  the  corfs  that  fowld  mak  kene; 

Sa  mony  jakkis  and  brattis  on  beggaris  bakkis 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  40 

Sic  vant  of  woftouris^  with  hairtis  in  fnifull  flaturis, 

Sic  brallaris  and  bofteris  degenerat  fra^  thair  naturis, 

And  fic  regratouris  the  peure  men  to  prevene; 

Sa  mony  tratouris,  fa  mony  rubeatouris 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  45 

Sa  mony  jugeis  and  lordis  now  maid^  of  lait, 

Sa  fmall  refugeis*  the  peur  man  to  debait, 

Sa  mony  eftait  for  commoun  weill  fa  quhene; 

Ouir  all  the  gait  fa  mony  thevis  fa  tait 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  5° 

Sa  mony  ane  fentence  retreitit  for  to  win 

Geir  and^  acquentance,  or  kyndnes  of  thair  kin, 

They  think  no  fm,  quhair  proffeit  cumis  betwene; 

Sa  mony  ane  gin  to  haift  thame  to  the  pin 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  55 

Sic  knavis  and  crakkaris  to  play  at  cartis  and  dyce, 

Sic  halland^  fchekkaris,  quhilk  at  Cowkelbyis  gryce 

Ar  haldin  of  pryce,  quhen  lymmaris  dois  convene ; 

Sic  ftoir  of  vyce,  fa  mony  wittis  vnwyce 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  60 

Sa  mony  merchandis,  fa  mony  ar  menfworne, 

Sa  peur  tennandis,  fic  curfmg  evin  and  morne, 

Quhilk  flayis  the  corne  and  fru6l  that  growis  grene; 

Sic  fkaith  and  fcorne,  fo  mony  paitlattis  worne 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  6S 

1  Dupl.  'Yt.yX—veJlouris.  ^  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  has  degeratfrat. 

3Dupl.  "Y^yX— maid  now.         ^Vo.—refiige.         ^Ih.— or. 

8  From  Dupl.  Text— MS.  has  he/and. 


OFF  E  VER  V  ASKING  POLL  O  WIS  NO CHT  RE  WAIRD.         1 65 

Sa  mony  rakkettis,  fa  mony  ketche  pillaris, 

Sic  ballis,  fic  nackettis,  and  fic  tutivillaris, 

And  fic  evill  willaris  to  fpeik  of  king  and  quene ; 

Sic  pudding  fillaris,  difcending  down  fromc  millaris,  Fol.  61.  a. 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  70 

Sic  fartingaillis  on^  flaggis  als  fatt  as  quhailis, 
Facit  lyk  fulis  with  hattis  that  httill  avaiUis, 
And  fic  fowill  tailis,  to  fweip  the  calfay  clene, 
The  duft  vpfl^aillis;  fo^  mony  fillok  with  fuck  failis 
Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  75 

Sa  mony  ane  kittie  dreft  vp  with  goldin  chenye, 

So  few  witty  that  weill  can  fabillis  fenye, 

With  apill  renye  ay  fchawand  hir  goldin^  chene; 

Off*  Sathanis  fenyie  fyne  fic  ane  vnfall^  menyie 

Within  this  land  was  nevir  hard  nor  fene.  80 

Finis  quod  Dumbar. 


LXI. 

\Off  every  AJking  follozvis  nocJit  Rezvaird.'] 

OFF  every  aflcing  followis  nocht 
Rewaird,  bot  gif  fum  caus  war  wrocht ; 
And  quhair  caufs  is  men  weill  ^  ma  fie, 
And  quhair  nane  is  it  wilbe  thocht : 
In  afking  fov/ld  difcretioun  be. 

^Dupl.  Text — wiih.         "From  Dupl.  Text — MS.  omitsy^. 

3Dupl.  Texi—femble.        ^h.—As.       ^Ib.—wm/all. 

®  Dupl.  Text  omits  weill. 


i66  OFF  E  VER  Y  ASKING  FOLLO  WIS  NOCHT  RE  WAIRD. 

Anc  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  afl-iing  fowld  difcretioun  be.  lo 

Sum  afkis  mair  than  he  defervis;^ 

Sum  aflvis  far  les^  than  he  fervis; 

Sum  fchames  to  afk  as^  braidis  of  me, 

And  all  withowt  reward  he^  ftervis: 

In  afking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  ^5 

To  aflc  but  feruice  hurtis  gud  fame; 

To  afk  for  feruice  is  not  to  blame; 

To  ferve  and  leif  in  beggartie 

To  man  and  maiftir  is  baith  fchame :  Fol.  6i.  b. 

In  afking  fowld  difcretion  be.  20 

He  that  dois  all  his  beft  fervyifs 

May  fpill  it  all  with  crakkis  and  cryis 

Be  fowll  inoportunitie ; 

Few  wordis  may  ferve''  the  wyis: 

In  afking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  25 

Nocht  neidfull  is  men  fowld  be  dum ; 

Na  thing  is  gottin^  but  wordis  fum; 

Nocht  fped  but  diligence  we  fe ; 

For  nathing  it  allane  will  cum : 

In  afking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  3° 

Afking  wald  haif  convenient  place, 
Convenient  tyme,  lafar,  and  fpace, 
But  haift  or°  preifs  of  grit  menyie, 

•^  Dupl.  Text — ane  drane.  ^  lb.- — as  ane.  ^  lb. — defyris. 

*  lb. — a/kis  le/s.  ^  lb.  — and.  ^  lb.  — without  gwerdoun. 

^  lb.  — mayfuffice  to.         ^  lb.  — ^vone.         ^  lb. — but. 


DISCRETIO  UN  OF  GE  VING.  1 6 7 

But  hairt  abafit,  but  touiig  reklefs: 

In  afking  fowld  difcretion  be.  35 

Sum  micht  haif  ye,  with  littill  cure, 

That  hes  oft  nay  with  grit  labour; 

All  for  that^  tyme  not  byd  can  he, 

He  tynis  baith  eirand  and  honour: 

In  afking  fowld  difcretion  be.  4° 

Suppois  the  fervand  be  lang  vnquit, 

The  lord  fumtyme  rewaird  will  it;^ 

Gife  he  dois  not,  quhat  remedy.'* 

To  fecht  with  fortoun  is  no  wit: 

In  afking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  45 

Finis  of  Ajking? 


LXII. 

Followis  Difcretioun  of  Geving. 

TO  fpeik  of  gift  or  almoufs  deidis; 
Sum  gevis  for  mereit  and  for  meidis; 
Sum  warldly  honour  to  vphie 
Gevis  to  thame  that  nothing  neidis: 
In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  5  Fol.  62. a. 

Sum  gevis  for  pryd  and  glory  vane ; 
Sum  gevis  with  grugeing*  and  with  pane; 
Sum  gevis  in^  pra6lik  for  fupple; 

^  Dupl.  Text — his.         ^  lb. — reioardis  it. 
'  lb. — Endis  Di/cretioun  in  Ajking.     ^  lb, — grunching.     ^  lb. — on. 


1 68  DISCRETIOUN  OF  GEVING. 

Sum  gevis  for  twyifs  als  gud^  agane: 

In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  lo 

Sum  gevis  for  thank,  fum  chereit;^ 

Sum  gevis  money,  and^  fum  gevis  meit; 

Sum  gevis  wordis  fair  and  fie; 

Giftis  fra  fum  ma  na  man  treit : 

In  giving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  ^5 

Sum  is  for  gift  fa  lang  requyrd, 

Quhill  that^  the  crevar  be  fo  tyrd 

That,  or  the  gift  deliuerit  be, 

The  thank  is  fruftrat  and  expyrd : 

In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  *° 

Sum  gevis  to  littill  fulF  wretchitly, 

That  his  giftis  ar  not  fet  by. 

And  for  a  huidpyk^  haldin  is  hie, 

That  all  the  warld  cryis  on  him  fy : 

In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  25 

Sum  in  his  geving  is  fo  large 

That^  all  ourlaidin  is  his  berge; 

Than  vyce  and  prodigahtc 

Thairof  his  honour  dois^  difchairge: 

In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  30 

Sum  to  the  riche  gevis  geir,^ 

That  micht  his  giftis  weill  forbeir; 

And  thocht  the  peur  for  fait  fowld  de, 

Is  cry  nocht  enteris  in  his  eir: 

In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  35 

^  Dupl.  Text — als  mekle.  ^  lb. — and  fum  for  cherite. 

3  Dupl.  Text  omits  and.  *  Dupl.  Text  omits  that. 

5  Dupl.  lexi—aftd  full.         «  lb.  —forfc  hudipyk.         ^  lb.  —Quhill. 

^Dupl.  Text  omits  dois.        ^  Dupl.  Text — his  geir. 


DISCRETIO  UN  OF  GE  VING.  1 69 

Sum  givis  to  ftrangeris  with  face  new, 

That  yifterday  fra  Flanderis  flew;  Fol.  62.  b. 

And  to  awld  ferwandis  hft  not  fe, 

War  thay  nevir  of  fa  grit  vertew : 

In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  40 

Sum  gevis  to  thame  can  afk  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 

Sum  gettis  giftis  and  riche  arrayis, 

To  fweir  all  that  his  maifter  fayis, 

Thocht  all  the  contrair  weill  knawis  hie; 

Ar  mony  fic  now  in  thir  dayis : 

In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  50 

Sum  gevis  gudmen  for  thair  gud  kewis; 

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.  ee 

Sum  givis  parrochynnis  full  wyd, 

Kirkis  of  San6l  Barnard  and  San6l  Bryd, 

To  teiche,  to  rewill  and  to  ouirfie, 

That  he  na  wit  hes  thame  to  gyd: 

In  geving  fowld  difcretioun  be.  60 

Finis  of  Difcretioun  of  Geving. 


X 


1 70  DISCRETIO  UN  IN  TAKING. 

LXIII. 

Followis  Difcrciioun  in  Taking. 

EFTIR  geving  I  fpeik  of  taking, 
Bot  littill  of  ony  gud  forfaiking : 
Sum  takkis  our  littill  awtoritie, 
And  fum  our  mekle,  and  that  is  glaiking: 
In  taking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  5 

The  clerk  is  takis  beneficis  with  brawHs, 

Sum  of  Sand  Petir,  and  fum  of  Sanft  Pawlis; 

Tak  he  the  rentis,  no  cair  hes  he 

Suppois  the  diuill  tak  all  thair  fawlis :  Fol.  63.  a. 

In  taking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  lo 

Barronis  takis  fra  the  tennentis  peure 

All  fruct  that  growls  on  the  feure, 

In  mailis  and  gerfomes  rafit  ouir  hie, 

And  garris  thame  beg  fra  dur  to  dure : 

In  taking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  15 

Sum  takis  vthir  menis  takkis, 

And  on  the  peure  oppreffioun  makkis, 

And  nevir  remembris  that  he  mon  die, 

Quhill^  that  the  gallowis  gar  him  rax : 

In  taking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  20 

Sum  takis  be  fie  and  be  land. 

And  nevir  fra  taking  can  hald  thair  hand, 

Quhill  he  be  tit  vp  to  ane  tre; 

And  fyne  thay  gar  him  vndirftand 

In  taking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  25 

1  MS.  has  Quhilk. 


MUSING  ALLONE  THIS  HINDER  NICHT.  iji 

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.  30 

Sum  wald  tak  all  this  warldis  breid. 

And  yit  not  fatisfeit  of  thair  neid, 

Throw  hairt  vnfatiable  and  gredie ; 

Sum  wald  tak  littill  and  can  not  fpeid : 

In  taking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  35 

Grit  men  for  taking  and  oppreffioun 

Ar^  fett  full  famous  at  the  Seflioun 

And  peur  takaris  ar  hangit  hie, 

Schamit  for  evir  and  thair  fucceffioun : 

In  taking  fowld  difcretioun  be.  40 

Einis  qiiod  Dumbar. 


LXIV. 

\_Mufing  allone  this  hifider  Nicht.\ 

MUSING  allone  this  hinder  nicht  Fol.  63.  b. 

Of  mirry  day  quhen  gone  was  licht, 
Within  ane  garth  vndir  a  tre, 
I  hard  ane  voce  that  faid  on  hicht, 
May  na  man  now  vndemit  be.  5 

For  thocht  I  be  ane  crownit  king, 
Yit  fall  I  not  efchew  deming; 
Sum  callis  me  guid,  fum  fayis  I  lie, 

1  MS.  has  At. 


172  MUSING  ALLONE  THIS  HINDER  NICHT. 

Sum  cravis  of  God  to  end  my  ring; 

So  fall  I  not  vndemit  be.  ^° 

Be  I  anc  lord,  and  not  lord  lyk, 

Than  every  pelour  and  purfpyk 

Sayis,  Land  war  bettir  warit  on  me; 

Thocht  he  dow  not  to  leid  a  tyk, 

Yit  can  he  not  lat  deming  be.  '5 

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  not  vndemit  be.  20 

Be  [I]  ane  courtman  or  ane  knycht, 

Honeflly  cled  that  cumis  me  richt, 

Ane  prydfuU  man  than  call  thay  me; 

Bot  God  fend  thame  a  widdy  wicht, 

That  can  not  lat  fic  demyng  be.  25 

Be  I  bot  littill  of  ftature, 

Thay  call  me  catyve  createure; 

And  be  I  grit  of  quantetie, 

Thay  call  me  monftrowis  of  nature ; 

Thus  can  I  not  vndemit  be.  3° 

And  be  I  ornat  in  my  fpeiche, 

Than  Towfy  fayis,  I  am  fa  fcreiche, 

I  fpeik  not  lyk  thair  houfs  menyie. 

Suppois  hir  mouth  mifteris  a  leiche, 

Yit  can  I  not  vndemit  be.  35 

Bot  wift  thir  folkis  that  vthir  demifs,  Fol.  64,  a. 

How  that  thair  fa  wis  to  vthir  femifs, 
Thair  vicious  wordis  and  vanitie, 


SONS  HES  BENE  A  Y  EXILIT  O  WT  OE  SIGHT.  173 

Thair  tratling  tungis  that  all  furth  temifs, 

Sum  wald  lat  thair  demyng  be.  40 

Gude  James  the  Ferd,  our  nobill  king, 
Quhen  that  he  was  of  yeiris  ying, 
In  fentens  faid  full  fubtillie, 
"Do  Weill,  and  fett  not  by  demying, 
For  no  man  fall  vndemit  be."  45 

And  fo  I  fall,  with  Goddis  grace, 

Keip  his  command  in  to  that  cace; 

Befeiking  ay  the  Trinitie, 

In  hevin  that  I  may  half  ane  place, 

For  thair  fall  no  man  demit  be.  50 

Finis  quod  Dumbar. 


LXV. 
\So7ts  hes  bene  ay  exllit  owt  of  Sickt^ 

SONS  hes  bene  ay  exilit  owt  of  ficht. 
Sen  every  knaif  wes  cled  in  filkin  weid; 
Weilfair  and  welth  ar  went  withowt  gud  nicht, 
And  in  thair  rowmis  remanis  derth  and  neid ; 
Pryd  is  amangis  ws  enterit  but  God  fpeid, 
And  lerd  our  Lordis  to  go  lefs  and  mair 
With  filkin  gownis,  and  fellaris  tome  and  bair. 

Now  ane  fmall  barronis  riche  abelyement, 
In  filk,  in  furreingis,  chenyeis  and  vthir  geir, 
Micht  furneis  fourty  in  to  jak  and  fplent, 
Weill  bodin  at  his  bak  with  bow  and  fpeir. 


174  SONS  HES  BENE  A  Y  EXILIT  O  WT  OF  SIGHT. 

It  war  full  meit,  gif  it  happinis  be  weir, 
That  all  this  pryd  of  filk  war  quyt  laid  doun, 
And  chengit  in  jak,  knapfl^a  and  abirgoun, 

Wald  all  the  lordis  lay  vp  thair  riche  arrayis,  15 

And  gar  vnfulyeit  keip  thame  clene  and  fair, 

And  weir  thame  bot  on  hie  trivmphand  dayis. 

And  quhen  ftrangeris  dois  in  this  realnie  repair,  Fol.  64.  b. 

Thay  neidit  not  for  to  by  filkis  mair 

Thir  twenty  yeir,  for  thame  and  thair  fucceffioun,  20 

Gif  finfuU  pryd  nocht  blindit  thair  difcretioun. 

Thair  men  alfo  mon  be  but  fmyt  or  fmoit, 

Fra  his  caproufy  be  with  ribbanis  left, 

With  welwet  bordour  abowt  his  threidbair  coit, 

On  womanwayis  weill  toyit  abowt  his  weft ;  25 

His  hat  on  fyd  fet  vp  for  ony  heft ; 

For  hichtines  the  culroun  dois  mifken 

His  awin  maifter,  als  weill  as  vthir  men. 

Ouha  fynnis  in  pryd  dois  firft  to  God  grevance, 

Quhilk  owt  of  hevin  to  hell  gaif  it  ane  fall ;  30 

Syne  of  him  felf  he  weftis  his  fubftance 

Sa  lerge,  that  it  ourpaffis  his  rentall; 

His  peur  tennentis  he  dois  opprefs  with  all; 

His  coiftly  goun,  with  taill  fo  wyd  owtfpred, 

His  naikit  fermouris  garris  hungry  go  to  bed.  35 

Fi7iis. 


FREDOME,  HONOUR  AND  NOBILNES.  175 

LXVI. 
\Fredome,  Honour  and  Nobilnes\ 

FREDOME,  honour  and  nobilnes, 
Meid,  manheid,  mirth  and  gentilnes 
Ar  now  in  cowrt  reput  as  vyce ; 
And  all  for  caufs  of  cuvetice. 

All  weilfair,  welth  and  wantones  5 

Ar  chengit  in  to  wretchitnes, 
And  play  is  fett  at  littill  price; 
And  all  for  caufs  of  covetyce. 

Halking,  hunting  and  fwift  horfs  rynning 

Ar  chengit  all  in  wrangus  wynnyng ;  10 

Thair  is  no  play  bot  cartis  and  dyce; 

And  all  for  caufs  of  covetyce. 

Honorable  houflialdis  ar  all  laid  doun; 

Ane  laird  hes  with  him  bot  a  loun, 

That  leidis  him  eftir  his  devyce;  15 

And  all  for  caufs  of  covetyce. 

In  burghis,  to  landwart  and  to  fie,  Fol.  65.  a. 

Ouhair  was  plefour  and  grit  plentie, 

Vennefoun,  wyld  fowill,  wyne  and  fpyce, 

Ar  now  decayid  thruch  covetyce.  20 

Hufbandis  that  grangis  had  full  grete, 
Cattell  and  corne  to  fell  and  ete, 
Hes  now  no  beift  bot  cattis  and  myce; 
And  all  thruch  caus  of  covettyce. 


176  MY  MYND  QUHEN  I  COMPAS  AND  CAST. 

Honeft  yemen  in  every  toun  25 

War  wont  to  weir  baith  reid  and  broun, 
Ar  now  arrayit  in  raggis  with  lyce ; 
And  all  tliruch  caus  of  covetyce. 

And  lairdis  in  filk  harlis  to  the  eill, 

For  quhilk  thair  tennentis  fald  fomer  meill,  30 

And  leivis  on  rutis  vndir  the  ryce ; 

And  all  thruch  caus  of  covetyce. 

Quha  that  dois  deidis  of  petie, 

And  leivis  in  pece  and  cheretie, 

Is  haldin  a  fule,  and  that  full  nyce;  35 

And  all  thruch  caus  of  covetyce. 

And  quha  can  reive  vthir  menis  rowmis, 

And  vpoun  peur  men  gadderis  fowmis. 

Is  now  ane  a6live  man  and  wyice; 

And  all  thruch  caus  of  covetyce.  4° 

Man,  pleifs  thy  Makar  and  be  mirry, 
And  fett  not  by  this  warld  a  chirry; 
Wirk  for  the  place  of  paradyce, 
For  thairin  ringis  na  covettyce. 

Finis. 


LXVII. 

\My  Mynd  qiihen  I  conipas  and  cajl\ 

MY  mynd  quhen  I  compas  and  cafl, 
Me  think  this  warld  chengis  faft ; 
Ouhen  God  thinkis  tyme  he  may  it  mend: 


MY  MYND  QUHEN  I  CO  MP  AS  AND  CAST.  777 

Lawty  will  leif  ws  at  the  laft ; 

Ar  few  for  falfett  may  now  fend.  5 

Tliift  and  treffoun  now  is  chereift; 

Law  and  lawtie  is  difherreift,  Foi.  65.  b 

And  quyt  owt  of  this  regioun  fend; 

Thift  and  treffoun  now  is  cherreift; 

Ar  few  for  falfett  now  may  fend.  10 

War  all  this  realme  in  two  devyddit, 

Lat  lawty  fyne  and  falfet  gyddit; 

Quhome  on  will  monieft  depend, 

Quha  wyfeft  is  can  not  diffydit ; 

Ar  few  for  falfet  now  may  fend.  15 

No  man  is  countit  worth  a  peir, 

Bot  he  that  hes  gud  horfs  and  geir, 

And  gold  in  to  his  purfs  to  fpend. 

The  peur  for  this  is  fpulyeit  neir; 

Ar  few  for  falfet  now  may  fend.  20 

Haif  ane  peur  woman  ane  cow  or  twa, 

Glaidly  fcho  wald  gif  ane  of  tha 

To  haif  the  tother  at  the  yeiris  end ; 

Scho  may  thank  God  and  fcho  chaip  fa; 

Ar  few  for  falfet  now  may  fend.  25 

Peur  hufband  men  leivis  on  thair  plwch, 

Thay  think  that  thay  ar  riche  annewch; 

Away  with  it  the  theivis  dois  wend, 

And  lei'vis  thame  bair  as  ony  bewch:^ 

Ar  few  for  falfett  now  may  fend.  -o 

The  rankeft  theif  of  this  regioun 
Dar  pertly  compeir  in-  Seffioun, 

*  Dupl.  Text — tkatue  als  bair  as  the  bnuch.         ^  Ih.—peir  vnto  the. 

Y 


178  HOW  SO  Win  I  RE  WILL  ME. 

And  to  the  tolbuth  fone  afcend, 

Syne  with^  the  lordis  to  raik^  and  roun : 

Ar  few  for  falfet  now  may  fend.  35 

[The  bifchopis,  abbotis  of  clergy, 

Off  the  purefolkis  ye  haif  no  pety ; 

Ye  haif  moir  mynd  of  ane  commend; 

The  riches  of  this  realme  haif  ye : 

Ar  few  for  falfet  now  may  fend.]^  4° 

The  regentis  that  this  realme  fowld  gyd, 

For  fchame  ye  may  your  facis  hyd ; 

To  quhat  effe6l  fowld  ye  pretend 

So  flewthfully  to  latt  ouirflyd 

Sic  falfett  now  as  ws  offend.'^  45 

Finis. 


LXVIII. 

\Hoiv  fowld  I  rewill  me,  or  quhat  wj/i/s.] 

HOW  fowld  I  rewill  me,  or  quhat  wyifs, 
I  wald  fum  wyifman  wald  dewyifs ;  Fol.  66.  a. 

I  can  not  leif  in  no  degre, 
Bot  fum  will  my  maneris  difpyifs. 
Lord  God,  how  fall  I  governe  me.^*  5 

Gif  I  be  galland,  lufty  and  blyth. 
Than  will  thay  fay  on  me  full  fwyth, 

1  Dupl.Text— /«?.        ^  lb. — roztk.        ^  This  verfe  is  from  the  Dupl.  Text. 
*Dupl.  Text — Ar  few  for  falfett  may  nozo  fend. 


HO  W  SO  WLD  I  RE  WILL  ME.  1 7  9 

That  owt  of  mynd  yone  man  is  hie, 

Or  fum  hes  done  him  confort  kyth. 

Lord  God,  how  fall  I  governe  me?  ^° 

Gife  I  be  forrowfull  and  fad. 

Than  will  thay  fay  that  I  am  mad; 

I  do  hot  drowp  as  I  wald  die, 

Thus  will  thay  fay,  baith  man  and  lad. 

Lord  God,  how  fall  I  governe  me?  15 

Gife  I  be  lufty  in  array, 

Than  luve  I  parramouris  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?  20 

Gif  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?  25 

Gif  I  be  fene  in  court  ouir  lang, 

Than  will  thay  mvrmour  thame  amang, 

My  freyndis  ar  not  worth  a  fle. 

That  I  fa  lang  but  reward  gang. 

Lord  God,  how  fall  I  governe  me?  30 

In  court  rewaird  than  purchefs  I, 

Than  haif  thay  malyce  and  invy, 

And  fecreitly  thay  on  me  lie. 

And  dois  me  hinder  prevely. 

Lord  God,  how  fall  I  governe  me?  35 

I  wald  ni)^  gyding  war  diwyfit; 

Gif  I  fpend  littill  I  am  defpyfit;  Yo\.  66.  b. 


,8o  FOURE  MENER  OF  MEN  AR  EVILL  TO  KEN. 

Gif  I  be  nobill,  gentill  and  fre, 

A  prodigall  man  I  am  fo  pryfit. 

Lord  God,  how  fall  I  governe  me?  4° 

Now  juge  thay  me  baith  guid  and  ill, 

And  I  may  no  mans  tung  hald  ftill; 

To  do  the  beft  my  mynd  falbe, 

Latt  every  man  fay  quhat  he  will. 

The  gratious  God  mot  governe  me.  45 

Finis  quod  Dumbar. 


LXIX. 

[Foure  Mener  of  Mm  ar  evill  to  ken.] 

FOURE  mener  of  men  ar  evill  to  ken. 
Ane  is  that  riches  hes  and  eifs, 
Gold,  filuer,  corne,  cattell  and  ky. 
And  wald  half  pairt  fra  vthiris  by. 

Ane  vthir  is  of  land  and  rent  5 

So  grit  a  lord  and  fo  potent. 
That  he  may  not  it  rewill  nor  gy, 
And  yit  wald  haif  fra  vthiris  by. 

The  thrid  dois  eik^  fo  dourly  drink, 

And  aill  and  wyne  within  him  fmk,  lo 

Quhill  in  his  wame  no  rowm  be  dry, 

And  yit  wald  haif  fra  vthiris ^  by. 

The  laft  that  hes,  of  nobill  blude, 
Ane  lufty  lady  fair  and  gude, 

-  Dupl.  Text  omits  eiL         "  Dupl.  Text— aw^  v(Air. 


SUMTYME  THIS  WARLD  SO  STEIDFAS2  WAS.  18 1 

Boith  vertewis,  wyifs  and  womanly,  15 

Bot  yit  wald  haif  ane  vthir  by. 

In  erd  no  wicht  I  can  perfaif 

Of  gude  fo  grit  aboundancc  haif, 

Nor  in  this  warld  fo  welthfull  wy, 

Bot  yit  he  Avald  haif  vthir  by.  20 

Bot  yit  of  all  this  gold  and  gud, 
Or  vthir  conyie,  to  conclude, 
Quha  evir  it  haif,  it  is  not  I ; 
It  gois  fra  me  to  vthiris  by. 

Finis. 


LXX. 

\Sun1ty7ne  this  Warld  fo  Jleidfaji  was.] 

SUMTYME  this  warld  fo  fteidfafl  was  and  ftabill,         Fd.  67.  a. 
That  manis  word  was  obligatioun; 
And  now  it  is  fa  fals  and  diffavable, 
That  word  and  deid  difcordis  in  conclufioiin. 
Ar  no  thing  lyk  bot  turnit  vp  and  doun;  5 

Is  all  this  warld  for  greid  and  wilfulnes, 
That  air  is  loift  for  laik  of  fteidfaftnes. 

Trewith  is  put  doun,  reffoun  is  haldin  fabill, 

Vertew  hes  nane  at  hir  devotioun, 

Petie  exylit,  and  na  man  meretabill,  10 

Throw  cuvettyce  blind  is  difcretioun. 

The  warld  hes  maid  ane  permvtatioun 

Fra  richt  to  wrang,  fra  reffone  to  wilfulnes, 

That  all  is  loift  for  lak  of  fteidfaftnes. 


i82  FALS  TITLARIS  NOW  GROWIS  VP  FULL  RANK. 

Quhat  makis  this  warld  to  be  fo  variable  ^S 

Bot  lull:,  quhilk  folk  lies  but  difcretioun? 

Among  ws  now  ane  man  is  haldin  vnhable, 

Bot  gif  he  can,  be  fum  collufioun, 

Doing  his  nychtbour  wrang  or  oppreflioun. 

Quhat  makis  this  bot  wofuU  wretchitnes,  20 

That  all  is  loift  for  lak  of  fteidfaftnefs? 

Fahheid  that  fowld  bene  abhominable. 

Now  is  regeing  but  reformatioun : 

Quha  now  gifis  lergly  ar  maift  diffavable, 

For  vycis  ar  the  grund  of  fuftentatioun :  25 

All  wit  is  turnit  to  cavillatioun, 

Lawtie  expellit  and  all  gentilnes, 

That  all  is  loift  for  lak  of  fteidfaftnefs. 

O  prince !  defyre  for  to  be  honorable, 

Chereifs  thy  folk  and  hait  extortioun ;  3° 

Suffer  nothing  that  bene  reprovable; 

Schaw  furth  thy  fwerd  of  caftigatioun. 

That  vertew  may  rigne  within  thy  regioun; 

Dreid  God,  do  law,  luve  trewith  and  richtoufnes. 

And  bring  thy  folk  agane  to  fteidfaftnes.  35 

Finis. 


F 


LXXI. 

\Fals  Titlaris  now  growis  vp  full  rank.] 

ALS  titlaris  now  growis  vp  full  rank,  Fol.  67.  b. 

Nocht  ympit  in  the  ftok  of  cheretie, 


FALS  TITLARIS  NOW  GROWIS  VP  FULL  RANK.  183 

Howping  at  thair  lord  to  gett  grit  thank, 

Thay  haif  no  dreid  on  thair  nybouris  to  lie : 

Than  fowld  ane  lord  awyfe  him  weill  I  fe,  5 

Ouhen  ony  taill  is  brocht  to  his  prefence, 

Gif  it  be  groundit  in  to  veretie, 

Or  he  thairto  gif  haiftely  creddence. 

Ane  worthy  lord  fowld  wey  ane  taill  wyflie, 

The  tailltellar,  and  quhome  of  it  is  tald,  10 

Gif  it  be  faid  for  luve  or  for  invy, 

And  gif  the  tailifman  abyd  at  it  he  wald : 

Than  eftirwart  the  pairteis  fowld  be  cald 

For  thair  excufe  to  mak  lawfull  defence; 

Than  fowld  ane  lord  the  ballance  evinly  hald,  ^5 

And  gif  not  at  the  firft  haiflie  creddence. 

It  is  no  wirfchep  for  ane  nobill  lord 

For  the  fals  tailis  to  put  ane  trew  man  doun, 

And  gevand  creddence  to  the  firft  recoird, 

He  will  not  heir  his  excufatioun :  20 

The  tittillaris  fo  in  his  heir  can  roun, 

The  innocent  may  get  no  awdience; 

Ryme  as  it  may,  thair  is  na  reffoun 

To  gif  till  taillis  heftely  creddence. 

Thir  teltellaris  oft  tymes  dois  grit  fkaith,  ^5 

And  raiffis  mortall  feid  and  difcrepance, 

And  makis  lordis  with  thair  ferwandis  wreith, 

And  baneift  be,  withowt  cryme  perchance. 

It  is  the  grund  of  ftryfe  and  all  diftance, 

Moir  perrellus  than  ony  peftillence,  30 

Ane  lord  in  flatterreris  to  haif  plefance, 

Or  to  gif  lyaris  heftely  creddence. 

O  thow  wyfe  lord!  quhen  cumis  a  flatterrer 

The  for  to  pleifs,  and  hurt  the  innocent,  Foi.  68.  a. 


1 84  TO  DWELL  IN  COURT,  MY  PRE  I ND. 

Will  tell  ane  taill  of  thy  familiar;  35 

Thow  fowld  the  pairteis  call  incontinent, 

And  fitt  doun  fadly  in  to  jugement, 

And  ferche  the  caufs  weill  or  thow  gif  fentence; 

Or  ellis,  heireftir,  incais  thow  may  repent, 

That  thow  to  tailis  gaif  fo  grit  creddence.  4° 

0  wicket  tung!  fawand  diffentioun, 
Of  fals  taillis  to  tell  that  will  not  tyre, 
Moir  perrellus  than  ony  fell  pufoun, 

The  pane  of  hell  thow  fall  half  to  thi  hyre. 

Richt  fwa  thay  fall,  that  hes  joy  or  defyre  45 

To  gife  his  eir  to  heird  with  patience; 

For  of  difcord  it  kendillis  mony  fyre, 

Throwch  geving  talis  heflely  creddence. 

Bakbyttaris  to  heir  it  is  no  bowrd, 

For  thay  ar  excommvnicat  in  all  place;  5© 

Thre  perfonis  feverall  he  flayis  with  ane  wowrd, 

Him  felf,  the  heirar,  and  the  man  faiklace : 

Within  ane  hude  he  hes  ane  dowbill  face, 

Ane  bludy  tung  vndir  a  fair  pretence. 

1  fay  no  moir,  bot  God  grant  lordis  grace  55 
To  gife  to  taillis  nocht  heftely  creddence. 

Finis  quod  Mr.  Robert  Henderfone. 


LXXII. 

\To  dwell  ifi  Court,  my  Fremd.'\ 

TO  dwell  in  court,  my  freind,  gife  that  thow  lift, 
For  gift  of  fortoun,  invy  thow  no  degre; 


TO  DWELL  LN  COURT,  MY  FRELND.  185 

Behold  and  heir,  and  lat  thy  tung  tak  reft, 

In  mekle  fpeice  is  pairt  of  vanitie; 

And  for  no  malyce  preifs  the  nevir  to  lie ;  5 

Als  trubill  nevir  thy  felf,  fone,  be  no  tyd, 

Vthiris  to  reiwll,  that  will  not  rewlit  be : 

He  rewlis  weill  that  weill  him  felf  can  gyd. 

Bewar  quhome  to  thy  counfale  thow  difcure,  FoI.  68.  b. 

For  trewth  dwellis  nocht  ay  for  that  trewth  appeiris :       10 

Put  not  thyne  honour  into  aventeure; 

Ane  freind  may  be  thy  fo  as  fortoun  fteiris : 

In  cumpany  cheifs  honorable  feiris. 

And  fra  vyle  folkis  draw  the  far  on  fyd ; 

The  Pfalme  fayis,  Cum  fan6lo  fan6lus  eiris :  15 

He  rewlis  weill  that  weill  him  felf  can  gyd. 

Half  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, 

Quha  can  refift  the  ferpent  of  difpyt: 

He  rewlis  weill  that  weill  him  felf  can  gyd. 

Fie  frome  the  fallowfchip  of  fic  as  ar  defamit,  25 

And  fra  all  fals  tungis  fulfild  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  wilfull  men,  fon,  argown  thow  no  tyd,  30 

Quhome  no  reffone  may  feifs  nor  pacify: 

He  rewlis  weill  that  weill  him  felf  can  gyd. 

And  be  thow  not  ane  roundar  in  the  nwke, 
For,  gif  thow  be,  men  will  hald  the  fufpe6l ; 

Z 


1 86  IN  TO  THIS  WARLD   WE  SE  SIC  VARIANCE. 

Be  nocht  in  countenance  ane  fkornar,  nor  by  luke ;  35 

Bot  dowt  ficlyk  fall  ftryk  the  in  the  neck : 

Be  war  alfo  to  counfall  or  coreck 

Him  that  extold  hes  far  him  felf  in  pryd: 

Quhair  parrell  is  but  proffeit  or  effe6l, 

He  rewlis  weill  that  weill  him  felf  can  gyd.  40 

And  fen  thow  feyis  mony  thingis  variand,  FoI.  69.  a. 

With  all  thy  hart  treit  biffmes  and  cure; 

Hald  God  thy  freind,  evir  ftabill  be  him  ftand, 

He  will  the  confort  in  all  mifaventeur; 

And  be  no  wayis  difpytfull  to  the  peure,  45 

Nor  to  no  man  to  wrang  at  ony  tyd : 

Quho  fo  dois  this,  ficker  I  yow  affeure, 

He  rewlis  weill  that  fa  weill  him  can  gyd. 

Finis  quod  Dumbar. 


LXXHI. 

[In  to  this  Warld  zve  fe  fic  Variance?^ 

IN  to  this  warld  we  fe  fic  variance, 
So  fuddanly  dame  Fortoun  turnis  hir  quheill, 
In  it  no  man  may  haif  perfyte  plefance, 
Bot  now  in  wo,  in  perrellis  now,  wounder  weill : 
Thairfoir,  quhen  Fortoun  your  freind  ye  feill, 
Beir  welth  wyfly  in  grit  profperetie, 
For  dreid  that  ye  fall  in  adwerfitie. 

Bettir  ye  knaw  na  thing  nor  ye  mon  de, 
Bot  quhen  or  quhair  it  is  richt  incertane; 


IN  TO  THIS  WARLD   WE  SE  SIC  VARIANCE.  187 

Thairfoir,  quhen  ye  ar  in  felicitie,  10 

Help  mifterfull,  haif  petie  on  thair  pane, 

With  your  piffance,  your  flrenth  and  all  your  mane : 

Beir  welth  wyfly  in  grit  profperitie, 

For  feir  ye  fall  fone  in  adwerfitie. 

Sweirnes  and  pryd  fe  alwyis  that  ye  fle ;  15 

On  covettyce  fett  ye  nowayis  your  ceure; 

Luk  avarice  fra  yow  far  baneifl  be. 

Quhat  avails  plenty  and  grit  treffeure 

Till  him  that  will  in  poverty  indeure? 

Beir  welth  wyfly  in  grit  profperitie,  20 

Foir  feir  ye  fall  fone  in  adwerfitie. 

Ire  and  invy  I  counfale  yow  reffufe, 

For  with  thame  thair  remanis  no  vertew;  Pol.  69.  b. 

And  gluttony,  alwy  for  till  abvfe, 

With  lichery  preifs  nane  to  perfew;  25 

The  brainchis  of  all  thir  fee  ye  efchew: 

Beir  welth  wyfly  in  grit  profperitie, 

For  dreid  ye  fall  fone  in  adwerfitie. 

Be  a6lyve,  wyfe,  trew,  conftant,  glaid  and  fre; 

Tak  no  fuppryifs  that  may  your  honour  pair;  3° 

Keip  yow  fra  thift,  fee  that  ye  nevir  lee ; 

Oure  haiftelly  fe  ye  fpeik  not  ammang  repair; 

For  to  diffend  your  manheid  fee  ye  not  fpair: 

Beir  welth  wyfly  in  grit  profperitie, 

For  dreid  ye  fall  fone  in  adAverfitie.  35 

The  deiddis  of  mercy  preifs  ay  to  fulfill. 

And  daylie  your  trefpas  for  till  amend; 

Ay  be  content,  quhat  evir  God  fendis  yow  till; 

And  ye  do  this,  treft  weill  God  will  you  fend^ 

Riches  ennwche,  and  hevin  als  to  your  end :  40 

1  MS.  has/^woT. 


i88  MAN  OF  MA  1ST  FRAGILITIE. 

Beir  welth  wyflie  in  grit  profperitie, 
For  dreid  ye  fall  fone  in  aduerfitie. 

Finis. 


LXXIV. 

\Man  of  maijl  Fragilities 


MAN  of  maifl  fragilitie, 
Full  of  wo  and  miferie, 
Sen,  but  dowt,  thow  mon  die, 

For  Deth  the  addrefs. 
Suche  exampill  thow  ma  fie  5 

Off  every  ftait  and  degre; 
This  warld  diffaitfull  and  fle 
Hes  no  fickernes. 

To  erdly  ftait  or  thow  haif  ee, 

To  ferve  thy  Makar  luke  thow  fee,  i© 

And,  or  thow  wend  to  vanitie, 

In  thy  mynd  him  inprefs. 
Gife  thow  will  leif  in  cheretie,  FoI.  70.  a. 

Ay  frawart  cumpany  flee; 
With  fulis  and  thow  fellow  the,  15 

Thy  fame  fall  decrefs. 

Be  not  pert  in  prevetie 

To  vyce  or  iniquitie; 

For  he  that  thy  Juge  falbe 

Seis  thy  deidis  exprefs.  30 


MAN  OF  MAIST  FRAGILITIE.  189 

Fra  wrangus  guid  abfent  the; 
Be  not  lefull  to  lie, 
For,  at  the  laft,  verretie 

Is  knawin  moir  and  lefs. 

In  heill  or  infirmitie,  25 

Gife  thow  in  deidly  fyn  be, 

And  wat  not  how  fone  thow  fall  die, 

Mend  the  in  this  caifs. 
Quhen  thow  hes  niceffitie, 

Call  of  Chryft  mercie  30 

For  to  deliuer  the 

Off  every  diftrefs. 

Be  patient  in  povertie. 

And,  in  thy  maift  profperitie, 

Half  ay  God  befoir  thyne  ee,  35 

And  no  man  opprefs. 
And  thow  half  awtoritie, 
To  nane  do  thow  crewaltie; 
The  grit  God  that  fittis  hie 

Will  it  anis  redrefs.  40 

Remember^  in  thy  memorie 
That  the  deth  thow  mon  de, 
And  waits  not  quhen  verrelie, 

Or  how  it  fall  increfs. 
Nor  quhair,  but  fedder,  for  to  fle  45 

In  ane  ftrange  far  cuntre, 
But  fude,  cleth,  or  conyie, 

Kin,  or  richefs. 

Finis. 


^MS.  has  rememeher. 


196  IN  BITTIRNES  OF  SA  WILL  CALL   VNTO  MYND. 

LXXV. 

\In  Bittirnes  of  Sawill  call  vnto  Afynd.] 

IN  bittirnes  of  fawill  call  vnto  mynd  Fol.  70.  b. 

Thy  yeiris  all,  and  how  thow  hes  thame  fpend ; 
Thow  knawis  to  Chryift  thow  hes  bene  richt  vnkynd, 
And  wilfully  thow  hes  his  grace  offend. 
With  all  thy  hart  enforce  the  to  amend;  5 

Miftruft  him  not,  bot  with  howp  to  him  call, 
For  his  mercy  exceidis  his  workis  all. 

Thy  fmfull  lyf  with  lang  continwance, 

He  knawis  it  weill,  thow  neidis  it  not  report; 

Miftruft  him  nocht,  put  in  him  efifiance;  10 

Vnto  his  paffioun  latt  evir  thy  mynd  refort : 

His  awin  promeifs  falbe  ouir  cheif  confort: 

He  biddis  ws  afk,  and  haif  of  him  we  fall. 

For  his  mercy  exceiddis  his  workis  all. 

Quhen  Adame,  be  fuggeftioun  of  his  wyfe,  15 

Diffauit  be  the  diuillis  fubtilitie, 

Had  eit  the  apill  of  the  tre  of  lyfe, 

And  ws  fecludit  frome  the  profperitie 

Of  paradyce,  our  fre  felicitie ; 

Yit  Godis  awin  Sone  come  to  reftoir  the  fall,  20 

Ouhairthrow  mercy  exceiddis  his  workis  all. 

Dauid  did  mans  flawchter  and  adultre, 

Nowmerit  the  pepill ;  Salamone  his  fone, 

Als  for  ane  wenchis  faik,  did  ydolatrie ; 

Pawle  perfewid  Chryift,  and  Magdalene  was  wantone :    25 

Thay  afkit  grace,  and  thay  gat  it  annone, 

And  ar  wit  God  in  favour  fpeciall, 

Sa  thus  his  mercy  exceidis  his  workis  all. 


MOVING  IN  MYND  OF  MONY  DIUERSS  THING.  191 

Gif  that  thy  fynnis  war  ane  thowfand  tymis  moir, 

As  gerfs  on  grund,  or  fternis  in  the  fky,  30 

So  grit,  fo  horribill,  and  long  continwit  befoir,  ^°1-  7^-  ^• 

That  nowthir  toung  nor  pen  cowld  fpecifie; 

Haif  ay  gud  howp,  afk  and  haif  thow  mercy, 

For  all  gettis  mercy  that  for  mercy  fall  call, 

Sen  his  mercy  exceiddis  his  Avorkis  all.  35 

Finis. 


LXXVI. 

\_Moving  in  Mynd  of  mony  diiierfs  ThingI] 

MOVING  in  mynd  of  mony  diuerfs  thing, 
Occurrit  to  my  dull  remembrance 
The  alteratioun  and  ferlefull  changeing 
Off  manis  eftait,  quhilk  fum  folk  callis  chance, 
Quhilk  is  not  ellis  bot  Godis  awin  ordinance,  5 

Meting  all  tyme  to  our  lyfe  lefs  and  mair: 
Quhairfoir  mak  this  our  daly  govirnance. 
To  fle  all  vyce  and  follow  vertew  fair. 

Sevin  vertewis  ar  aganis  vycis  fevin: 

Aganis  he  pryd  profound  humilitie;  jo 

Pryd  did  deleft  fair  Lucifar  fra  hevin, 

Meiknes  exaltit  our  bliffit  Ladie  hie; 

Aganis  flefchely  luft  is  chefletie; 

Aganis  avarice  is  to  be  liberall, 

Quhilk  caufis  ws  with  God  and  man  to  be  15 

Louvit,  the  tother  had  in  difpyt  with  all. 

Aganis  invy  is  fervent  cheretie; 
Aganis  gluttony  is  to  keip  abftinance; 


192  TAK  HEW  AND  HARKIN  TO  MY  TAILL. 

Aganis  fweirncs  ay  biffy  for  to  be; 

Aganis  yre  to  keip  patience : 

Thus  fall  we  do  to  grit  God  none  offence, 

Nor  to  our  nychtbour,  kepand  thir  vertewis  fevin; 

Syne  fall  reffaif  in  our  end  recompence, 

Eternall  lyfe,  the  endles  joy  of  hevin. 

Finis. 


LXXVII. 

Certane  Preceptis  of  giid  Coimfale.  Fol.  71.  b. 

TAK  heid  and  harkin  to  my  taill, 
Ye  gentill  men,  fo  is  my  counfale. 
Firft,  in  the  mornyng,  get  vp  with  gud  intent"; 
To  do  your  God  feruice  be  ye  diligent; 
To  go  to  preiching  ye  do  your  biffy  ceure,  5 

Syne  to  your  fport  ye  pafs  with  aventeur; 
Bot  yit  it  femis  ye  weill  provydit  be, 
Eftir  the  force  of  your  facultie. 
Haif  in  your  mynd  the  vaill  of  your  expenfs; 
Treft  not  in  all,  to  leill  men  gif  creddens;  10 

Proceid  in  tyme,  for  tyme  fchort  terme  concludis; 
In  fynall  rent  conforme  yow  to  your  guidis. 
Exclud  furfatt  and  fpend  with  difcretioun. 
And  luve  your  fervand  of  gud  conditioun ; 
Lak  not  your  kin,  fuppois  thair  wit  be  rude,  15 

Bot  help  your  freind  in  to  his  quarrell  guid, 
And  to  your  freind  in  every  neid  be  kynd; 
Bot  fchaw  not  all  the  fecreit  of  your  mynd. 
In  luve  and  aw  ye  chirreifs  weill  your  wyfe; 


QUHA    WALD  THAIR  BODY  IS  HALD  IN  HE  ILL.  193 

Quhen  fcho  is  trew,  luve  ye  hir  as  your  lyfe :  20 

Teiche  weill  your  fone,  and  gif  him  your  counfale; 

Bot  hald  your  dochtir  ay  in  ftret  benfale. 

Pay  the  fervvand  his  fee  for  his  labour, 

And  mak  ane  leill  man  your  executeur. 

Haif  gud  confort  in  grit  aduerfitie;  25 

Keip  patience,  and  byd  till  bettir  be, 

For  God  remeid  may  in  a  litill  fpace; 

Thairfoir  exampill  tak  of  Schir  Ewftace. 

Ye  lufty  lady  that  lykis  to  be  leill, 

Keip  Weill  your  band,  and  luke  with  quhome  ye  deill ;    50 

Extoll  yow  not  in  to  your  febill  wit, 

Nor  be  nocht  tyftit  with  ane  licht  promit ; 

Nor  be  not  ydill,  bot  athir  wirk  or  pra. 

And  haif  in  mynd  ane  leill  Theofica. 

Evir  to  ferv^c  your  lord  in  luve  and  dreid,  35 

Aboif  all  thing  keip  weill  your  womanheid ;  p^i  -2  a 

Grit  honour  it  is  to  be  weill  nemmit, 

Ye  ar  forfarne  and  anis  ye  be  defamit. 

And  to  your  lord  your  luveis  till  allow, 

Quhome  to  allone  at  buird  and  bed  ye  bow.  40 

Finis. 


Follow  Preceptis  of  Medecyne. 
LXXVIII. 

{QiiJia  luald  tJiair  Bodyis  Jiald  in  Heill?[ 

UHA  wald  thair  bodyis  hald  in  heill, 
Sowld  with  thir  thingis  thre  thame  deill : 

2  A 


^94  Q.UHA   WALD  THAIR  BODYIS  HALD  IN  HEILL. 

Aboif  all  thing  firft  to  be  blyith, 

And  lat  no  dolour  in  yow  kyith ; 

Vfe  mefurable  reft  with  fobir  eiting ;  5 

Vfe  biffines  but  fair  fweiting; 

Be  nevir  crabbit  for  nokin  thing, 

For  that  will  fiefche  and  blwid  boith  myng; 

For  yre  is  harme  to  manis  heill, 

Baith  fawill  and  lyfe  it  fettis  in  perreill.  lo 

All  excefs  is  fa  to  manis  fale, 

Woundis  heill  and  fchortis  dayis  withall ; 

Als  eftir  meit  to  ftand  thow  leir, 

And  dowit  drink  alwey  forbeir; 

Hald  not  thy  fcaling  ouir^  appetyte,  15 

Nor  preifs  not  to  degeft  ouir  tyte. 

Syne  to  forbeir  thow  tak  gud  keip 

On  eftirnonis  for  to  fleip, 

For  heidvvark,  feveris,  or  frawartnes, 

Of  nownis  fleip  cumis  grit  fweirnes.  20 

Be  war,  for  ony  thing  ma  be, 

Vpoun  thy  bak  for  to  lay  the ; 

It  gadderis  feiknes  in  hairt  and  heid, 

And  haiftis  the  till  ane  fuddane  deid. 

Fowr  thingis  ar  generit  of  the  wind  25  Fol.  72,  b. 

In  man  body  haldin  withind: 

The  cramp,  hydropica  and  the  colica, 

The  magrame  it  is  ane  of  tha. 

Ouha  wald  tak  reft  vpoun  the  nicht, 

The  fupper  fowld  be  fchort  and  licht ;  3° 

The  ftommok  hes  ane  full  grit  pane, 

Ouhen  at  the  fupper  mekle  is  tane. 

Quhairfoir,  gif  thow  wald  hald  thy  heill. 

With  fobirnes  luk  that  thow  deill; 

Nor  eit  not  till  thow  wit,  but  weir,  35 

That  thy  ftommok  be  claingit  cleir; 

iThis  word  is  not  di(lin6l  in  the  MS. 


QUHA   WALD  THAIR  BODYIS  HALD  IN  HEILL.  195 

Vnto  the  tyme  that  all  befoir 

Be  Weill  degeft,  thow  tak  no  moir: 

For  furfett  puttis  fer  ma  to  deid 

Nor  fwerd  or  knyf  withowt  remeid.  40 

In  yowtheid  vfe  the  to  temprance, 

And  fo  begin  the  with  vfance; 

For  confwetude  lies  full  grit  ftrenth, 

And  haldis  the  lyf  full  on  lenth ; 

And  chaingeing  of  meittis  but  difcretioun  45 

Raifis  feiknes  in  to  all  feffoun; 

And  fuddane  changis  mifteris  grit  ceur, 

As  vfe  is  haldin  ane  vthir  nateur. 

Thair  it  mon  be  courfably 

And  drawin  with  lift  richt  fobirly,  50 

Syne  biffines,  with  manis  hele, 

Is  beft  with  mefeur  for  to  dele, 

For  that  haldis  all  kyndly  hete 

And  femdill  mifteris  till  haif  belt. 

Diuerfs  meitis  togidder  brocht  55 

To  ws  att  anis  accordis  nocht; 

For  ane  man  lies  bot  ane  nature, 

And  fmdry  meitis  ar  not  feure: 

Bulyeit  nieit  fofteris  weill, 

And  fryit  meit  every  deill;  60 

Roftit  meit  dryis  the  blude; 

Salt  meit  warft  of  ony  fude ; 

Fat  meit  is  flewmous  and  flowand; 

Soure  meitis  ar  not  nvriffand. 

It  nvreiffis  beft  that  guftis  beft,  65 

And  naturall  fleip  makis  gud  degeft.  Fol.  73.  a. 

Raw  fru6l  thay  ar  verry  noyus, 

Bot  hervift  fru6l  is  mofl  dengerus; 

In  ver  and  fomer  ye  littill  eit, 

And  wintir  wald  haif  lerger  meit.  70 


196  FOR  HELTH  OF  BODY  COUER   WEILL  TIL Y  HELD. 

In  ver  and  fomer  beft  is  to  lat  blud; 

On  thy  lycht  arme  dois  moft  gud; 

At  morrowing  vfe  to  came  thy  heid, 

Bot  at  evin  I  the  forbeid; 

And  oppin  thy  crop  at  morrowing,  75 

Caft  out  flowme,  mak  vomating; 

Thy  puncis  wirking  fchawis,  but  weir, 

In  quhat  kin  ftait  thow  art  heir. 

Preifs  oure  all  thing  that  thow  may 

Fra  all  excefs  to  keip  the  ay;  80 

Sua  may  thow  weill  thyn  awin  lech  be, 

And  neuir  gar  vthir  be  focht  to  the ; 

Quhair  thyn  aAvin  gouernance  may  hald  thyn  hele, 

Preifs  neuir  with  medicinaris  for  to  dele. 

Finis. 


LXXIX. 

\For  Helth  of  Body  coiier  weill  thy  Heid?\ 

FOR  helth  of  body  couer  weill  thy  heid; 
Eit  nocht  raw  meit,  thow  tak  gud  tent  thairto; 
Drink  helfum  wyne,  feid  the  with  licht  breid; 
With  appetyt  ryfe  fra  thi  meit  alfo; 
With  aigit  wemen  flefchlie  haif  nocht  ado; 
Vpoun  thy  fleip  thow  drink  nocht  of  thy  cowp; 
Ga  glaid  to  thy  bed  and  morrow  both  two, 
And  vfe  thow  neuir  our  lait  for  to  foup. 

And  fo  befall  that  lechis  done  the  faill, 
Thow  tak  gud  tent  till  vfe  thir  thingis  thre ; 


FOR  HELTH  OF  BODY  COUER   WEILL  THY  HELD.  197 

Moderall  dyct  and  temperat  travaill; 

Be  nocht  malitius  for  non  aduerfite; 

Meik  in  truble,  glaid  in  pouerte; 

Riche  with  littill,  content  with  fufficance; 

Be  ay  neir  lyk  to  thyne  awin  degre;  15 

Gif  phefick  laikis,  mak  this  thy  gouernance. 

To  euery  taill  gife  thow  nocht  fone  creddence; 

Be  nocht  to  haifte  nor  yit  vengeble; 

To  poure  folk  fe  that  thow  do  no  violence; 

Courtafs  of  langage,  in  feding  meforable;  20 

Off  findre  meitis  nocht  gredy  at  the  table; 

Gentill  of  langage  in  prudent  dalayance; 

To  fay  the  beft  fett  all  way  thy  plefance. 

Haif  into  hait  mouthis  that  bene  double; 

Thoill  at  thy  table  no  detraclioun;  25  Fol.  73.  b. 

Efchew  as  thow  may  for  to  be  in  truble; 

Haif  fals  rownaris  at  elatioun ; 

Suffer  in  to  thy  houfs  no  diuifioun, 

Quhilk  in  thy  houfs  may  caufs  gret  decres 

Off  all  weilfair,  profperite  and  fufioun,  30 

With  thy  nychtbour  to  leif  in  reft  and  peax. 

Be  clenely  cled  according  for  thyn  eftait; 

Pafs  nocht  thy  boundis,  keip  thy  promeifs  belyfe; 

With  thre  folkis  be  neuir  in  debait; 

Firft,  with  thy  bettir  bewar  that  thow  nocht  ftryfe;  35 

Aganis  thy  phallow  no  querrell  to  contryfe; 

With  thy  fubic6l  to  ftryve  it  wer  grit  fchame :  \ 

Ouhairfor  I  counfale  the,  in  all  thy  lyfe, 

To  leif  in  peax,  and  win  the  ane  gud  name. 

Haif  fyre  at  morrow,  and  cowrd  bed  at  eve,  40 

Aganis  miftis  blak  and  air  of  peftilence; 


198  FOR  HELTH  OF  BODY  COUER  WEILL  THY  HELD. 

Be  tynie  at  prayeris  thow  fall  the  bettir  fcheve; 

At  thy  firft  ryfmg  do  thy  God  reuerence ; 

Wcfy  the  pure  with  inteir  deligence; 

Off  all  mifterfull  haif  grit  compaffioun,  45 

And  God  fall  fend  the  grace  and  influence 

The  till  incres  and  thy  poffeffioun. 

Eftir  meit  mak  nocht  lang  ane  fleip; 

Heid,  fute,  ftomok  preferue  ay  fra  cald; 

Be  nocht  penfywe,  off  thocht  thow  tak  nocht  keip ;  50 

Eftir  thy  rent  mantene  thy  houfhald ; 

Suffer  in  wrang,  and  in  thy  rycht  be  bald; 

Sueir  no  aithis  no  man  for  to  begyle; 

In  youth  be  lufty,  and  fad  quhen  thow  art  auld, 

For  warldly  joy  leftis  bot  ane  quhyle.  55 

Dyne  nocht  at  morrow  befoir  thyn  appetyte, 

Cleir  air  and  walking  makis  gud  degeftioun; 

Betuix  meitis  drink  nocht  for  fervent  delyte, 

Bot  thrift  or  travell  gif  the  occafioun ; 

Our  fait  meit  dois  grit  oppreffioun  60 

To  feble  fhomokis  that  can  nocht  refrane; 

For  thingis  contrair  to  thyne  complexioun 

Off  gredy  throttis  the  ftomokis  lies  grit  pane. 

Suffir  no  furfattis  in  thy  houfs  be  nycht; 

Be  war  of  rere  fupparis  and  gret  excefs,  65 

Off  nodding  heidis  and  of  candill  licht, 

To  fleip  at  morrow  in  flummering  ydilnefs, 

Ouhilk  of  all  vicis  is  the  cheif  portarefs; 

Woyd  all  drinking  with  lymmaris  and  lechouris, 

And  this  I  fay  in  terminablis,  I  gefs,  70  Fol.  74.  a. 

Off  dyce  playeris  and  commoun  hafardouris. 

Thus,  in  two  thingis,  ftandis  all  the  welth 
Of  faule  and  body,  quho  that  it  lift  to  infew; 


IN  GRIT  TRIBULATIOUN. 


199 


Moderat  fud,  quhilk  to  thi  faule  is  helth, 
And  all  foirfaid  dois  for  him  renew, 
And  cherete  in  to  thi  faule  is  dew. 
Thair  is  no  rafeth  cumis  of  pottingary, 
Off  maiftir  Antone  nor  of  maifter  Hew, 
Till  all  neidrent  richeft  detray  the. 

Fuiis. 


75 


LXXX. 


Documenta. 


IN  grit  tribulatioun, 
Half  fobir  inclinatioun, 
Be  pacient  in  perfone, 
Thow  think  on  the  Paffioun, 

Be  meik  but  derifioun, 
Thow  rewll  the  with  reffoun, 
Fra  cankerit  corruptioun, 
Thy  brukle  affe6lioun 

Thow  mak  thy  confeffioun 
To  be  thi  prote6lioun, 
Syne  mak  fatisfa6lioun, 
To  be  thi  remiffioun. 


And  mekle  vexatioun, 
And  that  fall  the  mend. 
With  humill  deuotioun 
Ouhat  kyndnes  wes  kend. 

With  faythfull  effeftioun 
With  mefure  thow  fpend. 
And  wicket  temptatioun, 
Thow  dayly  defend. 

To  Chryft  with  deuotioun 
And  fuccour  the  fend : 
With  verrie  difcretioun, 
Quhen  thow  fall  hyne  wend. 


Thow  Chryft,  for  thy  Paffioun,  Grant  vs  redemptioun, 
Quhilk  may  be  our  faluatioun    At  our  laft  end. 
Thow  mak  fupplicatioun  To  win  the  he  pardoun, 

And  this  my  conclufioun  I  bring  to  ane  end. 


15 


Finis. 


SERVE  THY  GOD  MEIKLY. 


Serue  thy  God  meikly, 
Eit  thy  meit  merrely, 
Gif  he  fendis  the  pouerty, 


And  the  warld  befely; 
And  fo  thow  may  leif. 
Thank  thow  him  richly, 


Forhemay  mend^thefuddanly,  And  no  man  to  greif. 


Finis. 


Grund  the  in  patience, 
Do  thy  God  reuerence, 
Drcfs  the  with  diligence 
Coifs  the  with  fufficence, 


Blind  nocht  thy  confcience; 
Thankand  him  ay. 
To  put  away  negligence; 
This  warld  will  away. 

Finis. 


Meiknes  and  mefure, 
Bringis  the  to  honour, 
Gif  tho  thinkis  to  indur 
And  as  thy  felf  thi  nychtbur, 
The  ftait  and  the  ordour 
Preifs  nocht  till  injure 
Confidderin  thy  felf  fur 
Ar  all  of  ane  natur 
Think  Deid  ay  at  thy  dure. 
Thy  pryd  and  thy  portratour 
Ouhen  faid  fall  thy  fegur, 
Ane  narow  vyle  fepulture 


Lav/te  and  lawbur  25 

Hald  the  thairin. 

Lufe  beft  thi  Creatur, 

And  ceifs  of  thy  fyn. 

Of  haly  kirk  haif  in  cure; 

For  ony  vrang  win ;  30 

Bayth  the  riche  and  the  pure 

Off  Adamis  kin. 

Thy  day  is  ar  dreid  and  dolour,  Fo1_  ^^^  ^ 

Proffittis  nocht  a  pin. 

And  clay  falbe  thy  clofure,      35 

Full  of  armyn. 

Finis. 


^  This  word  is  not  diflindl  in  the  MS. 


IN  WARLD  IS  NOCHT  BE  NATUR   WROCHT. 

In  warld  is  nocht  be  natur  wrocht  that  ay  mon  left, 
Bot,  as  the  mone,  all  chengis  fone  this  God  hes  dreft. 
Sen  nobilnes  nor  grit  riches  may  nocht  tak  reft, 
Small  thing  with  eifs,  ay  God  to  pleifs,  methink  it  beft.    40 

Finis. 


Remembir,  man!  on  endles  hellis  vexatioun; 

Fie  fra  temptatioun  thow  brukle  flefche  as  glafs; 

Thow  art  bot  afs  for  all  thy  dominatioun. 

Leif  fornicatioun  and  mend  thy  vyle  trefpafs; 

Think  thow  mon  pafs  to  thy  lang  habitatioun ;  45 

Wirk  for  faluatioun,  fen  borne  thairto  thow  wafs. 

Fi7iis. 


Remembir,  man!  that  thow  hes  no  thing  heir, 

Bot  for  a  tyme,  quhilk  fuddanly  ourflydis ; 

Dreid  God,  be  biyth,  with  mefur  mak  gud  cheir; 

Full  mony  chance  in  to  this  warld  betydis :  50 

This  warld  is  fals  and  euir  wilbe  fo; 

Treft  nocht  thairin,  thow  mon  departe  thairfro. 

Finis. 


Thy  begynnyng  is  bair  and  bittirnes; 
With  wrechitnes  wofull  away  thow  wendis; 
The  deid  certane,  the  hour  vnfickirnes. 
The  tyme  fa  fchort,  approcheing  euir  the  endis 
Quho  hieft  clymmis  moft  fuddanly  difcendis; 
Quhat  is  heirof  bot  caft  on  Chryft  thy  cure. 
And  ftand  content  of  euery  aventur. 


55 


Finis. 
2B 


THIS  WARLDIS  JO  V  IS  ONL  Y  BOT  FANTES  Y. 

This  warldis  joy  is  only  bot  fantefy,  60 

Off  quhilk  non  erdly  wicht  can  be  content ; 

Ouho  moft  lies  witt  leift  fuld  in  it  efify; 

Quho  moift  it  taiftis  n.oft  fall  him  repent. 

Quhat  vailis  all  this  riches  and  this  rent, 

Sen  no  man  watt  quho  fall  his  trefour  haue:  65 

Prefome  nocht  gevin,  that  God  hes  done  bot  lent, 

Within  fchort  tyme  the  quhilk  he  thinkis  to  craue. 

Fijiis. 


Diffait  diffauis  and  falbe  diffauit; 

Ouha  with  diffait  is  diffauable, 

Thocht  his  diffait  be  nocht  all  out  perfauit,  70 

To  the  diffatour  diffait  is  ay  returnable. 

Frawd  quyt  with  frawd  is  guerdoun  conveniable; 

And  quha  with  frawd  is  frawdfully  ay  fund, 

To  the  defraudour  defraud  fall  ay  redound. 

Finis. 


Quho  wald  do  weill,  he  mon  begin  at  weill  75  Fol.  75.  a. 

For  to  do  weill,  and  nocht  at  wantour  will; 

Withouttin  weill  thow  may  nocht  cum  to  weill, 

For,  wit  thow  weill,  all  warldly  weill  gois  will: 

Dreid  God,  do  weill;  thow  may  weill  and  thow  will; 

Seik  weill  at  weill,  and  vyifs  the  voundir  weil;  %q 

Conclud  with  weill,  and  thow  fall  fair  full  weill. 

Finis. 


Ouho  will  be  gud  he  may  be  gud,  and  gud  is  gud  to  hald ; 
Quha  hes  nocht  gud  he  can  no  gud,  ane  gud  man  thus  me  tald. 


BEFOIR  THE  TYME  IS  WISDOME  TO  PROWYD.  203 

It  is  nocht  gud,  for  ony  gud,  off  gud  to  be  our  bald ; 

Bot  richtous  gud,  quhair  grund  is  gud,  that  gud  will  neuir  fald.    85 

Throw  gud  cumis  mekle  gud,  vngud  and  gud  fall  fair, 

Bot  richteous  gud,  quhair  grund  is  gud,  leftis  for  euir  main 

Finis. 


Befoir  the  tyme  is  wifdome  to  prowyd. 

And  luk  in  tyme  be  nocht  to  feik  nor  borrow; 

Ouha  takis  nocht  tyme,  bot  lattis  ay  ouirflyd  90 

Tyme,  fall  cum  to  turn  his  joy  in  forrow; 

Tyme  tint  this  day  cumis  nocht  agane  the  morrow. 

Spend  Weill  thy  tyme  quhill  thow  arte  levand  heir; 

All  tyme  is  tint  fra  thow  be  brocht  on  bier. 

Tyme  is  rycht  fchorte  and  leftis  bot  a  fpace,  95 

Mofb  lyk  the  tyme  that  fpreidis  into  May ; 

Wirk  Weill  in  tyme  to  get  the  tyme  of  grace, 

To  mak  thy  tyme  fruclfull  vnto  thy  pay. 

Tyne  thow  thy  tyme,  thow  fall  half  tene  and  tray; 

Tyme  fall  the  tyne,  and  kaft  the  in  to  cair,  100 

With  tyme  endles,  in  forrow  lait  and  air. 

Finis. 


Remembir  riches,  remembir  pouirte. 

Remember  deid,  remembir  profperite ; 

Remember  fm,  and  eik  the  panis  inferne, 

Remembir  patience  in  maift  aduerfite.  105 

Remembir  thy  Makar  deuotly  on  thy  kne, 

Remembir  his  Sone,  our  gratius  fterne; 

Remembir  thingis  dois  maift  our  fauU  conferne ; 

Remembir  this  warldis  fals  fragilite, 

Remembir  the  joy  that  leftis  ay  eterne.  no 

Finis. 


204  LEIF  L  UVE,  MY  L  UVE,  NO  LANGAR  IT  L  YK. 

Leif  luve,  my  luve,  no  langar  it  lyk ; 

Alter  our  amouris  in  to  obferuance : 

Efchew  the  fuerd  of  vengence  or  it  ftryk ; 

Our  luft  and  plefance  turne  we  in  pennance. 

Off  myfdeid  mend,  of  ki fling  mak  confcience;  ^^ 

Repent  ws  clene  and  Sathanas  ouerfett; 

Pvnyfs  Weill  the  flefch  for  the  awin  offence ; 

Haif  e  to  God  and  brek  the  diuillis  nett. 

Finis. 


Voluptoufs  lyfe  quhy  thinkis  thow  fo  fueit,  Fol.  75.  b. 

Knawing  the  deid  that  no  man  may  ewaid,  ,20 

Syne  perfeueris  in  flefchly  luft  and  heit? 

No  fawis  may  the  fro  thy  fynnys  perfuaid ; 

Contempning  God,  of  nocht  that  the  hes  maid, 

Trefting  in  to  this  brukle  lyfe  and  vane; 

Repent  in  tyme,  devoyd  the  of  this  laid,  125 

And  knaw  in  hell  thair  is  eternall  pane. 

Finis. 


Quhat  is  this  lyfe?  ane  draucht  way  to  the  deid, 

Quhilk  hes  tyme  to  pas  and  nane  to  dwell; 

Ane  flyding  quheill  ws  lent  to  win  remeid; 

Ane  fre  choifs  gevin  to  parradice  or  hell;  x^o 

Ane  pray  to  deid  quhome  vane  is  to  repell ; 

Ane  fchort  torment  for  infinit  glaidnes, 

Als  fchort  ane  joy  for  leftand  hevines. 

Finis. 


Rycht  as  pouerte  cauffis  fobirnes, 

And  febilnes  anfweris  countenance,  135 


NOW  QUHEN  ANE   WRECHE  IS  SETT  TO  HE  ESTAJT       205 

Ewin  fo  profperite  and  riches 

The  muder  is  of  vyce  and  negligence; 

And  power  alfo  cauffis  infolence, 

And  honour  oft  fyis  chengeis  hewis : 

Thair  is  no  moir  perrellus  peftilence  140 

Nor  he  eftait  gevin  vnto  fchrewis. 

Finis. 


Now  quhen  ane  wreche  is  fett  to  he  eftait, 

Or  ane  begger  brocht  to  dignite, 

Thair  is  non  fo  prowd,  pompoufs  and  elait, 

Non  fo  vengeble  and  full  of  crewelte,  145 

Woyd  of  difcretioun,  mercy  and  pete; 

For  churliche  blud  feindill  dois  recure 

To  be  gentill  be  way  of  nature. 

Einis. 


Bettir  it  is  to  fufifer  fortoun  and  abyd, 

Than  haiftely  to  clym  and  fuddanly  to  flyd.  150 

Ay  the  hier  that  thow  art, 

The  lawer  beir  thy  hart ; 

In  welth,  or  yit  profperite, 

Think  ay  on  deid,  I  confall  the; 

And  of  the  pure  thow  haif  pete,  155 

And  leif  in  luve  and  cherite. 

He  that  in  welth  will  tak  no  heid. 

He  fall  haif  fait  in  tyme  of  neid ; 

A  fouerane  bewty  our  all  the  laif 

A  Weill  brydillit  tung  to  haif.  i6o 

Finis. 


2o6  DREID  NOCHT  THAT  IS  NOCHT. 

Dreid  nocht  thcit  is  noclit;  compell  nocht  that  wald  nocht; 

For,  and  thow  vther  do, 

Sum  thing  wilbe  of  nocht :  bettir  nocht  wer  nocht. 

Nor  to  mak  the  toun  a  do. 

Finis. 


Knychtis  full  of  hardines,  clerkis  full  of  fcience,  105 

Relegius  men  full  of  patience,  fuld  be  of  gud  zcill. 
Ane  knycht  to  fay,  I  dar  nocht  do  it ;  ane  clerk  to  fay,  I  can  nocht  do  it ; 
Ane  kirman  to  fay,  I  will  nocht  do  it,  foundis  nocht  half  fo  weill. 

Finis. 


Call  nocht  the  man  fals  and  vnkynd,  Fol.  76.  a. 

Nor  hald  him  nocht  for  thy  vnfrynd,  170 

That  will  nocht  gife  the  all  thy  will, 

Bot  gife  it  reffoun  be  and  fkill:  ' 

Bot  hald  him  ane  of  thy  felloun  fayis, 

That  flattens  and  fueris  all  that  thow  fayis; 

He  dois  that  bot  for  his  awin  zeill,  i^r 

To  gar  the  trow  he  luvis  the  weill ; 

Ane  grittar  fa  thair  can  non  be, 

Nor  he  that  flatteris  ay  with  the ; 

He  is  thy  freind  that  fayis  the  fkill. 

And  is  thy  fay  that  feruis  thy  will.  180 

Finis. 


He  that  thy  freind  hes  bene  rycht  lang, 
Suppoifs  fum  tyme  he  do  the  wrang, 
Condampt  him  nocht,  bot  alwayis  mene, 
For  kyndnes  that  befoir  hes  bene. 

Finis. 


BE  KYND  TO  THAME  THAT  LUVAND  IS  TO  THE.  207 

Be  kynd  to  thame  that  luvand  is  to  the ;  185 

Be  bone  and  boufum  quhair  that  thow  may  gett  bute; 
Sett  nocht  thy  hairt  bot  quhair  thy  felf  ma  be ; 
Bend  nocht  thy  bow  bot  quhair  that  thow  may  fchute ; 
Deill  nocht  with  dice,  with  drinking,  nor  with  diet; 
Preifs  nocht  to  pryd,  for  that  will  perifch  all;  190 

Be  knawin  clene  ay  quhen  the  Lord  will  call. 


Finis. 


Me  think  thair  fuld  no  taill  be  trowit, 
Except  the  tellar  wald  awowit ; 
For  ane  tratlar  I  vndirftand, 
Fra  he  of  ane  man  gett  a  band, 
That  he  fall  nocht  difcouerit  be, 
Than  hes  he  lyking  for  to  le; 
Deme  beft  thairfoir  in  euery  dovvt, 
Ouhill  that  the  trewth  be  tryit  out 


195 


200 


Eijiis. 


Bruther!  be  wyfe  in  to  your  gouernance, 

Gif  ye  till  honour  will  haif  the  reddy  way; 

Faill  nocht  to  honour  be  wilfull  ignorance, 

Bot  luffe  with  dreid,  and  ferue  him  nycht  and  day 

Be  perfytc  fayth,  houp  and  cherite. 

Or  ye  fall  murn  quhen  no  mendis  mak  may  ye ;  205 

He  is  bot  deid  but  fayth,  I  dar  weill  fay; 

Ouha  failis  fayth  withouttin  end  fall  de. 

Fifiis. 


Juftice  wald  haif  ane  godly  prefedent, 
Ane  auditor  of  the  complaintis  of  the  pure, 


2o8  GRIT  FULE  IS  HE  THAT  PUTTIS  IN  DENGER. 

Quhilk  daylie  fuld  minifter  jugement 
To  pure  folk  cryand  at  the  dure, 
Spendand  moir  than  thair  geir  is  of  valour, 
And  put  abak  quhill  grit  caufs  be  decydit, 
Syne  levand  all,  for  pouerty  may  nocht  bydit. 

Finis. 


Grit  fule  is  he  that  puttis  in  denger  215  Fol.ye.b. 

His  lyfe,  his  honour,  for  ane  thing  of  nocht; 

Grit  fule  is  he  that  will  nocht  glaidlie  heir 

Counfale  in  tymc,  quhill  it  availis  ocht; 

Grit  fule  is  he  that  no  thing  hes  in  thocht, 

Bot  tyme  prefent,  nor  eftir  quhat  may  fall,  220 

Nor  of  the  deid  hes  no  memoriall. 

Finis. 


Sen  that  reuolt  rynnis  vpoun  rege, 

Latt  rege  be  rewlit  with  gud  rewll  and  rycht; 

Latt  rj'cht  and  reffone  rancour  fa  affuage ; 

Affuege  with  fcience  all  diffait  and  flycht;  225 

Lat  flycht  ourflip ;  fleme  falfett  to  the  flicht ; 

Latt  fle  firft  faltis ;  place  nobilnes  betuene, 

That  nobilnes  may,  with  honour  he  on  hicht. 

Honour  the  rofs  and  royell  thriffiU  kene. 

Finis. 


Quha  wilbe  riche  haif  e  to  honour  ay,  230 

For  riches  followis  honour  evir  mair: 
To  honour  wifdome  is  the  nerreft  way, 
And  wifdome  to  vertew  is  the  verry  air, 
And  vertew  cumis  of  fcience  and  of  lair; 


O   WRECHIT  MAN!  FULL  OF  LNI QUITE.  209 

And  fcience  cumis  only  of  God  and  grace ;  235 

Conqueft  throw  gud  lyfe,  travell  and  bufinece. 

Fifiis. 


LXXXI. 

\0  wrechit  Man  !  full  of  Iniquite?^ 

O  WRECHIT  man!  full  of  iniquite, 
Of  prowdence  voyd,  and  to  vycis  naturall, 
To  rycht,  nor  reffoun,  thow  lies  bot  littill  e; 
Nor  eftir  thy  lyfe,  quhen  wend  thow  fall, 
Bot  thow  be  war,  futhly  thow  will  fall,  5 

As  Lucifer,  be  errogance  of  pryd, 
Quha  owt  of  hevin  to  hell  law  cowth  glyd. 

Be  war  with  pryd,  be  war  with  lichery, 

Be  war  with  ire,  be  war  with  cuvatyce, 

Be  war  with  fueirnes,  be  war  als  with  invy;  10 

Be  war  with  thir,  O  man!  gife  thow  be  wyfe: 

Be  war  alfwa  that  thow  no  gluttony  vfe; 

Keip  the  fra  fynis  that  may  thy  faule  offend ; 

Prent  in  thy  hairt  quhiddir  thow  fall  wend. 

O  man!  behald  that  na  tyme  thow  fall  left,  15 

Thy  dayis  ar  fchort,  thy  lyfe  rycht  fone  is  gone ; 
Thairfoir,  as  now,  me  think  it  to  the  beft 
To  half  in  mynd  thy  ending  euir  in  one, 

Quhen  thow  fall  wend,  and  quhair  that  thow  fall  won,         Fol.  77.  a. 
And  quhat  thow  art,  and  quhairof  thow  art  maid ;  20 

Sua  onto  hevin  thow  hald  the  hieft  tred. 

2  C 


O   WRECHIT  MAN!  FULL  OF  LNLQUITE. 

Thy  pelf,  thy  prow,  thy  gold,  thy  riche  array, 

Thy  gud,  thy  geir,  thy  claithis,  nor  thy  fee 

Spreidis  nocht  of  the  in  Appryll,  nor  in  May; 

Bot  ofi  thi  God,  hieft  in  all  degre,  25 

Quhill  thow  art  heir  puttis  thame  in  thy  powfte, 

Spend  thow  thame  weill,  thow  fall  haif  hevin  to  meid. 

Hot  do  thow  nocht,  thow  fall  haif  pane  but  dreid. 

Gud  is  bot  lent  anc  quhyle  quhill  thow  art  heir, 

It  gois  away  as  calf  dois  with  the  wind;  30 

This  day  ane  lord,  the  morne  ane  pure  begeir, 

Haittit  and  hairtles,  and  bair  as  leife  on  lind. 

Job  wes  moft  riche,  in  haly  writ  we  find, 

Yit,  or  he  deit,  of  riches  he  had  fmall, 

Bot  neuirtheles  he  thankit  God  of  all.  35 

O  wrechit  man!  think  on  now  how  Deid 

Strenyeis  mankynd,  and  garris  him  law  doun  bow; 

In  warld  is  none  bot  he  mon  thoill  his  feid; 

Aganis  his  dynt  thow  may  nocht  ftand  ane  pow; 

Quhen  euir  he  lift,  futhle  he  will  ye  fchow  40 

Vnto  the  grund,  thow  watt  nocht  quhen,  nor  quhair; 

To  mak  debait  thow  fall  haif  no  power. 

Thocht  thow  this  day  be  profperus,  haill  and  feir, 

Perchance  the  morne  Deid  fall  the  feche  away; 

Sen  thow  mon  turne  in  erd  on  this  maneir,  45 

No  mervell  thocht  thow  grit  murnyng  may, 

Quhen  thow  mon  lig  in  gravell,  erd  and  clay; 

All  joy  in  erd  thow  fall  nocht  compt  ane  peifs, 

Quhen  that  the  ruiftre  lyis  vpoun  thy  neifs. 

O  wrechit  man !  of  deid  quhen  thow  hes  mynd,  50 

That  thow  art  blyth  grit  mervell  haif  I  me, 
And  thow  wait  nocht  quhat  way  away  to  wend, 


O   WRE  CHIT  MAN/  FULL  OF  INI  QUITE.  211 

Ouhen,  nor  quhair,  nor  pafs  to  quhat  cuntre ; 
Sen  that  thow  knawis  fro  deid  thow  may  nocht  fle, 
Thow  Chryft  befeik,  that  maid  both  fone  and  mone,        55 
That  thow  may  cum  and  fit  in  hevnis  trone. 

Thow  joyis  no  thing  of  this  warldis  vane  gloir, 

Ouhilk  leftis  nocht;  it  is  bot  fenyeit  thing; 

Ouha  treftis  in  it  fall  rew  rycht  wondir  foir 

Ane  vthir  day,  and  fair  his  handis  wring;  60 

It  is  bruklar  than  glafs,  or  y\\.  mefling; 

It  wefchis  away,  as  fnaw  dois  with  the  rane; 

The  for  to  help  it  cumis  neuir  agane. 

Trow  thow  moir  in  lettres  drawin  with  the  yfe, 

That  thay  fall  left  and  euir  moir  be  new,  65  Fol.  77.  b. 

Than  this  fals  warld,  full  of  diffaitis  nyce, 

Felyeand  away,  quhilk  neuir  wes  fundin  trew; 

Fra  thow  be  deid  in  erd,  all  myrthis  adew; 

Thocht  thow  wer  wyifs  as  euir  wes  Salomon, 

Thair  is  no  moir  of  the  fra  thow  be  gone.  70 

Thocht  thow  be  wicht,  as  was  Sampfone  the  force, 

Battell  to  failye,  ather  in  pece  or  weir; 

Or  fair  as  Abfolon,  in  vifage,  or  in  cors, 

Quhilk  in  this  warld  had  nowther  maik  nor  peir; 

Or  wyis  as  Arifbotill  in  fmdrye  fciences  fere ;  75 

Or  Alexander,  ane  nobill  clerk  of  on ; 

Thair  is  no  moir  of  the  fra  thow  be  gone. 

Nowthir  king,  nor  quene,  it  fpairis  nocht  in  deid, 

Bifchop,  nor  empriour,  nor  man  that  lyfe  lies  tane: 

The  joy  of  erd  beiris  nowthir  fru61:,  nor  feid;  80 

It  wefchis  away,  all  fchaddoAv  it  allane ; 

It  cumis  and  gangis,  and  makis  fuilis  fane, 

Quilk  treftis  weill  that  it  fall  leif  for  euir, 

Bot,  or  thay  wit,  deid  garris  thame  diffeuir. 


O   WRECHIT  MAN!  FULL  OF  LNI QUITE. 

Fra  thow  be  gane,  quhat  arte  thow  thane  latt  fe,  85 

Bot  wirmes  meit  to  lig  with  thame  amang; 

Fra  thow  be  doun  and  gane  of  this  cuntre, 

Quhat  fall  awaill  vane  meffis,  and  evin  fang, 

To  help  thy  faule  out  of  thir  panis  ftrang? 

Be  godly,  and  juft  thairfoir,  quhill  thow  art  heir;  90 

Gif  to  the  pure  to  win  thair  daylie  prayeir. 

For  thow  rycht  nocht  fall  haif  away  with  the 

Gold,  nor  filuer,  nor  thing  that  heir  is  wrocht, 

Bot  ane  thin  fcheitt  that  day  that  thow  fait  de; 

For  thow  no  thing  in  to  this  warld  hes  brocht;  95 

Thow  cumis  pure,  with  the  away  hes  nocht, 

Bot  as  thow  heir  dois  nowther  lefs  nor  mair, 

And  almoufs  deid  to  keip  thy  faule  fro  cair. 

Do  thow  gud  deid,  thow  findis  it  the  befoir 

In  almous,  prayer,  fafting,  or  ocht  ellis;  100 

Do  thow  nocht  heir,  thow  gettis  rycht  nocht  thair; 

Gif  it  be  trew  Chryft  in  the  ewangell  tellis, 

Thy  merreitis  all  thow  mon  win  in  thir  fellis, 

Both  lefs  and  mair,  afe  this  warld  or  yow  gone; 

Fro  thow  be  deid,  gudis  deidis  may  thow  do  none.  105 

Sen  it  is  fwa,  ilk  day  quhill  thow  art  heir, 

God  thow  befeik,  that  deit  on  the  tre, 

The  to  forgife  of  all  thy  fynnys  feir; 

Off  his  grit  grace  to  haif  mercy  on  the, 

With  humill  hairt  thow  bow  to  him  on  kne,  no  Fol.  78.  a. 

Procuring  of  him  to  be  thy  fcheild  and  fpeir. 

Thy  faule  to  keip  that  Sathan  nocht  it  deir. 

Finis. 


ME  MERVELLIS  OF  THIS  GRIT  CONFUSIOUN.  213 

LXXXII. 

\Me  mervcllis  of  this  grit  Confufiouu^ 

ME  mervellis  of  this  grit  confufioun; 
I  wald  fum  cunnand  clerk  of  clergy  wald  declar'd 
Quhat  garris  this  warld  be  turnit  vpfyd  doun, 
Thair  is  nocht  faithfulnes  fundin  in  to  this  erd ; 
Now  is  nocht  thre  may  treftly  trow  in  the  ferd ;  5 

Welth  is  away,  wit  is  now  wrochtin  to  wrinkis; 
No  feill  is  fover  now,  this  is  a  wofuU  werd; 
The  want  of  wyfemen  garris  fulis  fit  on  binkis. 

As  bukis  beiris  witnes,  quhen  levit  king  Saturnus, 
For  gudly  gouernance  the  warld  was  galdin  cald ;  10 

Non  ellis  we  wat,  forfuth,  quhithir  it  turnis, 
The  quhilk  06lauiane  the  man  riche  culd  hald; 
Our  all  wes  peax  als  weill  fett  as  menis  hairtis  wald, 
Thair  ringnit  gud  rewll,  and  reafone  held  thair  rinkis ; 
Non  lykis  nobilite,  prudens  now  is  thrald,  15 

And  want  of  wyfmen  garis  fulis  fit  on  binkis. 

Ariftotill  for  all  his  grit  moralite, 

Auguftyne  or  Ambrofs  for  all  thair  devyne  fcripture, 

Quha  can  placebo  and  nocht  to  haif  derige, 

With  pe6lik  for  to  pyk,  and  peill  full  bair  the  pure,  20 

He  fall  cum  in  fone,  quhen  that  thay  ftand  at  the  dure, 

For  wardly  wonyng  fic  walkis  quhen  wyfar  winkis; 

Wit  takis  na  wirfchip,  fa  is  now  the  aventure, 

That  want  of  wyfemen  garris  fulis  fit  on  binkis. 

Lord!  quhiddir  ar  exylit  all  noble  curagis,  25 

Lawty,  luve,  with  kyndnes  and  liberalitie. 
No  thing  is  fundin  now  ftable  in  no  ftagis; 
Na  degeft  counfale  availis  with  moralite; 


214  ME  MERVELLIS  OF  THIS  GRIT  CONFUSIOUN. 

Pcax  is  away,  flemit  is  all  proplexite ; 

Prudens  and  wifdomc  ar  baneift  our  all  brinkis ;  30 

The  warldis  war  may  weill  feyme  weill  callit  to  be, 
Sen  want  of  wyfe  men  makis  fulis  fit  on  binkis. 

Weir  but  defenfs,  rycht  lyis  all  defolat ; 

Rycht  and  reffone  vndir  no  rufe  hafs  ony  reft ; 

Yowth  is  but  reddour,  and  ege  is  obftinat;  35 

Mycht,  but  mercy,  the  pure  folkis  ar  all  ourpreft : 

Lernit  men  fuld  teche  the  peple  of  the  beft ; 

Thocht  lair  be  littill,  yit  ferles  in  thame  fmkis ; 

It  may  nocht  be  this  warld  fall  euir  thus  left, 

That  want  of  wyfemen  makis  fulis  fit  on  binkis.  40 

Quhair  is  the  balme  of  juftice,  evin  equite? 

No  mirreit  is  prefent,  nor  pvneift  is  trefpafs; 

All  leidis  now  levis  lawles  at  liberte ; 

Non  rewlis  by  reffone  no  moir  nor  ane  afs ; 

Gud  fayth  is  flemit,  worthin  frewollar  than  glafs ;  45 

Trew  luve  is  loft,  and  la^vty  haldis  no  linkis ; 

Our  gouernante  nocht  keipis  gud  rewll  nor  compafs, 

For  want  of  wyfmen  makis  fulis  fit  on  binkis. 

Now  wrang  hes  warrane,  and  law  is  bot  wilfulnefs ;  Fol.  78.  b. 

Quha  hes  the  war  is  worthin  on  him  all  the  wyte,  5° 

For  trewlh  is  treffoun,  and  faith  is  fals  fekilnefs ; 

Gyll  is  now  gyd,  and  vane  luft  is  alfo  delyte; 

Kirk  is  contempnit,  thay  compt  nocht  curfing  a  myte ; 

Grit  God  is  grevit,  that  me  rycht  foir  forthinkis ; 

The  caufs  of  this  ony  man  may  fone  wit,  55 

That  want  of  wyfmen  garris  fulis  fit  on  binkis. 

Luve  hes  tane  leif,  and  wirfchip  hes  no  vdir  wane ; 

With  paffing  pouerty  pryd  is  importable ; 

Vyce  is  bot  vertew,  wit  is  with  will  foir  ourgane. 

As  lairdis,  fo  laddis,  daly  chengeable,  60 


W£  LORD  IS  HES  CHOSIN  A  CHIFTANE  MERVELLUS.       215 

But  ryme  or  reffone  all  is  bot  heble  liable; 
Sic  flurtfull  ftering  in  to  Godis  neifs  it  ftinkis ; 
Bot  he  haif  rew  all  is  vnremedable, 
For  want  of  wyfemen  makis  fulis  fit  on  binkis. 

O  Lord  of  lordis !  grit  gyd  and  als  gouirnour,  (.r 

Makar  and  movar  bayth  of  mair  and  alfo  lefs, 

Quhais  power,  wifdome,  gudnes  and  he  honour 

Is  infinit  now,  falbe,  and  evir  wefs, 

As  thy  evangell  planely  dois  exprefs; 

All  thir  faid  faltis  reforme,  as  thow  beft  thinkis,  70 

As  it  is  deformit  for  pure  pety  to  redrefs, 

That  without  fulis  may  wyfemen  fit  on  binkis. 

Finis. 


LXXXIII. 

\\Ve  Lordis  hes  chofui  a  CJiiftane  mervelliisi] 

WE  lordis  hes  chofm  a  chiftane  mervellus, 
That  left  hes  ws  in  grit  perplexite, 
And  him  abfentis,  with  wylis  cautelus, 
Yeiris  and  dayis  mo  than  two  or  thre, 
And  nocht  intendis  the  land  nor  peple  fe, 
Faltis  to  corre6l,  nor  vicis  for  to  chace. 
Our  lord  gouernour,  this  fedull  fend  we  the: 
In  lak  of  iuftice  this  realme  is  fchent  allace! 

Is  nane  of  ws  ane  vddir  fettis  by, 
Bot  laubouris  ay  for  vthiris  diftru6lioun ; 
Ouhilk  is  grit  pleffour  to  our  auld  innamy, 
And  daly  cauffis  grit  diffentioun 


2i6        W£  LORDIS  HES  CHOSIN  A  CHIFTANE  MERVELLUS. 

Amang  ws  now  and  als  diuifioun, 

Quhilk  to  heir  is  ane  drery  cace 

To  the,  our  lord  and  gyd  vnder  the  croun :  15 

In  lak  of  iuftice  this  reahne  is  fchent  allace! 

Thy  prudent  wit  we  think  thow  hes  abufit, 

Abfentand  the  for  ony  warldly  geir; 

We  yarnc  thy  prefens,  hot  oft  thow  hes  refufit 

Till  cum  ws  till,  or  yit  till  merk  ws  neir,  20 

Quhilk  is  the  caufs  of  thift,  flawchter  and  weir. 

Approch  in  tyme  our'freindfchip  to  purchace; 

Thy  leiges  leill  thy  byding  byis  full  deir: 

In  lak  of  iuftice  this  realme  is  fchent  allace! 

Couatyce  ringis  into  the  fpirituall  ftate,  25 

Yarnand  banifice  the  quhilk  ar  now  vacand ; 

That,  but  thy  prefens,  will  caufs  rycht  grit  debait,  Fol.  79.  a. 

And  contrauerfy  to  ryfs  in  to  this  land ; 

And  thy  bidding  we  treft  thay  fall  ganeftand, 

Without  thow  cum  and  prefent  thame  thy  face.  30 

Addrefs  the  fone,  fulfill  thy  will  and  band : 

In  lak  of  iuftice  this  realme  is  fchent  allace ! 

Grit  wer  and  wandrecht  hes  bene  ws  amang, 

Sen  thy  depairting,  and  yit  approchis  mair; 

Thy  tardatioun  cauffis  ws  to  think  lang,  35 

For  of  thi  cuming  we  haif  rycht  grit  difpair. 

Off  gyd  and  gouirnance  we  ar  all  folitair, 

Dependand  ay  vpoun  thy  ftait  and  grace ; 

Speid  the  thairfoir,  in  dreid  we  all  forfair: 

In  lak  of  iuftice  this  realme  is  fchent  allace!  40 

Finis. 


THING  IS  IN  K  YND  DBS  YE  IS  THING  IS  L  YKE.  2 1 7 

LXXXIV. 

\Thingis  in  kynd  defyris  Thingis  lyke?[ 

T HINGIS  in  kynd  defyris  thingis  lyke, 
Bot  difcontrair  haitis  every  thing ; 
Saif  only  mankynd  can  nevir  weill  lyke, 
Bot  gif  he  haif  a  licentious  leving; 

Flefchly  defyre  and  geftly  nvriffing  5 

In  till  a  perfone  all  femyne  to  be  wrocht, 
Watter  and  fyre  togidder  in  kendling, 
It  may  weill  ryme,  bot  it  accordis  nocht. 

A  man  at  anis  for  to  ferue  lordis  tuane, 

The  quhilk  be  baith  contrair  in  opinioun,  10 

To  pleifs  thame  bath  and  purches  nocht  difdane, 

Talk  with  the  ane  and  with  the  vthir  roun, 

Be  trew  to  both  without  tuich  of  treffoun, 

Tell  him  of  him  the  thing  that  neuir  wes  wrocht; 

To  bring  all  this  to  gud  conclufioun,  j^ 

It  may  weill  ryme,  bot  it  accordis  nocht. 

To  haif  a  gall  clippit  a  gentill  dow, 

To  be  my  freind  and  gevis  me  fals  counfale, 

To  brek  my  held  and  fyne  put  on  myn  how. 

To  be  religioufs  and  formeft  in  to  battell,  20 

To  ly  in  bed  and  {q^q  ane  ftrang  caftell, 

To  be  ane  merchand  quhair  na  gud  may  be  bocht, 

To  haif  a  trew  wyfe  with  a  wantoun  taill, 

It  may  weill  ryme,  bot  it  accordis  nocht. 

To  be  of  na  cunnyng  and  knaw  the  herbis,  25 

To  karp  langage  that  nane  may  vndirftand, 
A  fule  to  haif  every  yr^io:  proverbis, 
A  fair  borne  bairne  of  hir  that  is  barrand, 

2  D 


2i8  THINGIS  IN  KYND  DESYRIS  THINGIS  LYKE. 

Vnpoffiblc  thingis  to  tak  vpoun  hand, 

To  big  a  caftell  or  the  grund  be  wrocht,  3° 

To  gife  a  dome  be  law  that  may  nocht  ftand,  ^'ol.  79.  b. 

It  may  weill  ryme,  bot  it  accordis  nocht. 

A  wrech  to  weir  a  noble  skarlet  goun, 

A  bag  lyne  furring  purfilht  weill  with  fable, 

A  gud  huffy  wyfe  trubland  ay  the  toun,  35 

A  chyld  to  thryfe  quhilk  is  vncheftable, 

To  be  content  and  lichtly  chengeable, 

To  haif  in  drynk  thing  that  neuir  docht, 

A  Rome  raker  without  lefmg  or  fable, 

It  may  weill  ryme,  bot  it  accordis  nocht.  40 

A  michty  king  in  to  a  pure  regioun, 

Ane  haifty  wit  and  he  thingis  to  devyfe, 

Mekle  almoufsdeid  and  fals  detra6lioun, 

Knychtlie  manheid  and  fchamefuU  cowardyfe, 

Ane  hevinly  hell,  ane  panefull  paradyfe,  45 

Ane  haly  do6lour  with  ane  lecheroufs  thocht, 

To  wirk  on  held,  fyne  eftir  tak  avyfe, 

It  may  weill  ryme,  bot  it  accordis  nocht. 

A  gilty  toung  cuUorit  with  eloquens, 

A  fals  intent  within  and  diffavable,  50 

A  blyth  wifage  with  freindly  apperens, 

A  crewall  hairt,  invyoufs  and  vengeable, 

A  gentill  horfs  within  a  nakit  ftable, 

A  mirry  fang  with  forrow  focht ; 

To  jone  thir  all  and  mak  thame  agreable,  55 

It  may  weill  ryme,  bot  it  accordis  nocht. 

Frely  to  fpend  and  full  of  cuvatyfe, 

To  feik  burgeonis  out  of  ane  auld  dry  ftok, 

Ane  gay  temple  without  devyne  feruyfe, 

A  birdlies  cage,  ane  key  without  a  lok,  60 


ALL  RYCHTOUSS  TLLLNG.  219 

A  tome  fchip  ay  rydancl  on  a  rok, 
A  mychty  bifchop  in  ane  realme  of  nocht, 
A  wantoun  hird  and  a  weill  rewlit  flok, 
It  may  weill  ryme,  bot  it  accordis  nocht. 

Finis. 


LXXXV. 

[All  rychtoufs  Tiling  the  quhilk  dots  noiv  proceid?^ 

ALL  rychtoufs  thing  the  quhilk  dois  now  proceid 
Is  crownit  lyk  vnto  an  emperefs; 
Law  lies  defyit  guerdoun,  and  his  meid 
Settis  hir  trewth  on  hicht  as  goddefs; 
Gud  faith  hes  flyttin  with  fraud  and  dowbilnefs,  5 

And  prvdence  feis  all  thingis  that  cumis  beforne ; 
Following  the  trace  of  perfyte  ftabilnefs, 
Als  evin  be  lyne  rycht  as  a  rammis  home. 

Princis  of  cuftome  mantenis  rycht  in  deid, 

And  prelettis  levis  in  clyne  perfytnefs;  10 

Knychtis  luvis,  God  wat,  bot  littill  falfheid,  FoI.  80.  a. 

And  preiftis  hes  refifufit  all  riches; 

All  religioun  levis  in  holinefs, 

Thay  bene  in  vertew  and  full  fair  vpborne; 

Invy  in  court  can  no  man  fe  increfs,  15 

Als  leill  by  lyne  rycht  as  a  ramis  home. 

Marchandis  of  louker  takis  bot  littill  hede, 

Thair  vfury  is  fetterit  with  diflrefs;^ 

And  for  to  fpeik  alfo  of  womanhede, 

Baneifl  frome  thame  is  all  new  fangilnes,  20 

1  This  word  may  alio  be  read  difcrefs,  as  Lord  Hailes  has  it. 


ALL  RYCHTOUSS  THING. 

Thay  half  left  pryd  and  takin  meiknes, 
Quhois  pacience  is  bot  newly  watt  and  fchorne; 
Thair  tongis  lies  no  tuiching  of  fcherpnes ; 
Als  leill  by  lyne  rycht  as  a  rammis  home. 

Pure  men  complenis  now,  bot  for  no  neid ;  25 

The  riche  gevis  ay  feik  almoufs,  as  I  gefs, 

With  plenty  ay  the  hungry  thay  do  feid, 

Clethis  the  nakit  in  thair  wrechitnes, 

And  cherite  is  now  a  cheif  maiftres ; 

Sklander  fra  hir  toung  hes  pullit  out  the  thorne;  30 

Difcretioun  dois  all  hir  lawis  exprefs, 

Als  leill  by  lyne  rycht  as  a  rammis  home. 

Out  of  this  land,  or  ellis  God  forbede, 

Baneift  is  fraud,  falfheid  and  fekilnefs; 

Flattery  is  fled,  and  that  for  verry  drede ;  35 

Both  riche  and  pure  hes  takin  thame  to  fadnefs; 

Lauboraris  wirkis  with  all  thair  beffinefs; 

Day  nor  nycht,  nor  hour,  can  be  forborne, 

Bot  fwynk  and  fueit  to  voyd  all  ydilnefs, 

Als  leill  by  lyne  rycht  as  a  rammis  home.  ^o 

Princis  rememberis,  and  proudently  takis  hede 

How  vertew  is  of  vyce  a  he  goddefs ; 

Our  faith  nocht  haltis,  we  leif  evin  as  our  crede 

In  wird  and  dede  as  wark  beiris  witnefs; 

All  ipocritis  hes  left  thair  frawardnefs;  45 

Thus  weidit  is  the  poppill  fra  the  corne, 

And  every  ftait  is  gouernit,  as  I  gefs, 

Als  leill  by  lyne  rycht  as  a  rammis  home. 

Finis. 


0F2  TYMES  IS  BETTIR  HALD  NOR  LEN.  221 

LXXXVI. 

\Pft  iymes  is  bettir  hald  7ior  len?\ 

OFT  tymes  is  bettir  hald  nor  len, 
And  this  is  my  Ikill  and  reffone  quhy: 
Full  evill  to  knaw  ar  mony  men, 
And  to  be  cravit  fettis  littili  by; 

Thay  hald  the  for  his  innemy  5 

To  craif  the  thing  that  thow  hes  lent; 
Thairfoir,  I  rid  the  verrely, 
Quhome  to  thow  lennis  tak  rycht  gud  tent. 

To  mony  men  it  dois  grit  hurt, 

And  oft  of  freindis  it  makis  fais,  10  Fol.  So.  b. 

And  baith  the  pairteis  haldis  in  fturt, 

Quhen  that  the  ane  the  vthir  crauis. 

So  wrechitnes  a  man  diffauis, 

With  him  felf  he  thinkis  a  pane 

Off  thing  that  he  poffeffioun  havis,  15 

For  to  reftore  or  gif  agane. 

Thairfoir  is  bettir  hald  nor  draw; 

Gar  nocht  thy  awin  geir  ftryve  with  the, 

The  perfone  bot  thow  rycht  weill  knaw, 

That  he  rycht  treft  and  ficker  be;  20 

For  thow  may  oft  tymes  heir  and  fe 

That  mony  menis  awin  thing  lennis, 

Ouhairthrow  he  wynnis  grit  mawgre 

Off  thankles  men  that  it  mifkennis. 

Thairfoir,  me  think,  is  bettir  than  25 

To  hald  in  thy  poffeffioun. 
Nor  crave  it  fra  ane  vthir  man, 
That  is  of  evill  conditioun, 


THIS  WARLD  IS  ALL  BOT  FEN  YE  IT  FAIR. 

Quha  keipis  na  promiffioun; 

Ouhat  dois  thow  than  bot  flyttis  and  fechtis,  30 

Or  thow  may  gett  reftitutioun 

Off  him  that  keipis  nocht  his  hechtis. 

It  war  moir  treft  in  to  thi  purfs, 

Na  puttit  in  to  rakles  handis, 

To  gar  the  wary  ban  and  curfs,  35 

Seikand  thy  dettouris  in  fnidry  landis. 

Be  war  and  keip  the  fra  fic  bandis, 

My  counfale  is,  gud  freind  and  bruder; 

This  fals  -warld  now  fa  it  ftandis, 

That  rycht  few  ar  treftis  in  a  nvdder.  40 

Gife  ony  man  hes  the  at  feid, 

For  thy  awin  gud  I  confale  the, 

Ay  with  full  hand  fe  that  thow  pleid ; 

Sua,  gife  it  may  no  bettir  be, 

Thy  geir  to  want  and  win  maugre,  45 

To  the  it  is  bot  dowble  fl<ath; 

Man!  for  the  mair  fecurite, 

Off  ane  be  ficker  and  tyne  nocht  bath. 

Finis. 


LXXXVII. 

\T/ns  Warld  is  all  bot  feiiyeit  fair?^ 

THIS  warld  is  all  bot  fenyeit  fair, 
And  als  vnftable  as  the  wind ; 
Gud  faith  is  flemit,  I  wat  nocht  quhair, 
Treft  fallowfchip  is  evill  to  find ; 


THIS   WARLD  IS  ALL  BOT  FENYEIT  FAIR.  223 

Gud  confcience  is  all  maid  blind,  5 

And  cheritie  is  nane  to  gett ; 
Leill  loif  and  lawte  lyis  behind, 
And  auld  kyndnes  is  quyt  foryett. 

Quhill  I  had  ony  thing  to  fpend, 

And  ftuffit  Weill  with  waiidis  wrak,  10  Fol.  81.  a. 

Amang  my  freindis  I  v.'es  weill  kend: 

Quhen  I  wes  prowd  and  had  a  pak, 

Thay  wald  me  be  the  oxftar  tak, 

And  at  the  he  burd  I  wes  fet; 

Bot  now  thay  latt  me  ftand  abak,  15 

Sen  auld  kyndnes  is  quyt  foryet. 

Now  I  find  bot  freindis  few, 

Sen  I  wes  pryfit  to  be  pure ; 

Thay  hald  me  now  bot  for  a  fchrew, 

To  me  thay  tak  bot  littill  cure;  20 

All  that  I  do  is  bot  iniure: 

Thocht  I  am  bair  I  am  nocht  bctt; 

Thay  latt  me  ftand  bot  on  the  flure. 

Sen  auld  kyndnes  is  quyt  foryet. 

Suppoifs  I  mene  I  am  nocht  mendit,  25 

Sen  I  held  pairt  with  pouerte; 

Away  fen  that  my  pak  wes  fpendit, 

Adew  all  liberalite. 

The  prowerb  now  is  trew  I  fe, 

Ouha  may  nocht  gife  will  littill  gett;  30 

Thairfoir,  to  fay  the  varite, 

Now  auld  kyndnes  is  quyt  foryet. 

Thay  wald  me  hals  with  hudc  and  hatt, 

Quhill  I  wes  riche  and  had  anewch; 

About  me  freindis  anew  I  gatt,  35 

Rycht  blythlie  on  me  thay  lewch : 


224  THIS  WARLD  IS  ALL  BOT  FENYEIl  FAIR. 

Bot  now  thay  mak  it  wondir  tewch, 
And  lattis  me  ftand  befoir  the  yett; 
Thairfoir  this  warld  is  verry  frewch, 
And  auld  kyndnes  is  quyt  foryett.  4° 

Als  lang  as  my  cop  ftud  evin, 

I  yeid  bot  feindill  myn  allane; 

I  fquyrit  was  with  fex  or  feven, 

Ay  quhill  I  gaif  thame  twa  for  ane : 

Bot  fuddanly  fifra  that  wes  gane,  45 

Thay  paffit  by  with  handis  plett ; 

With  purtye  fra  I  wes  ourtane, 

Than  auld  kyndnes  wes  quyt  foryett. 

In  to  this  warld  fuld  na  man  trow, 

Thow  may  weill  fe  the  reffoun  quhy ;  50 

For  evir,  bot  gif  thy  hand  be  fow, 

Thow  arte  bot  littill  fettin  by; 

Thow  art  nocht  tane  in  cumpany, 

Bot  thair  be  fum  fifch  in  thy  nett; 

Thairfoir  foir  this  fals  warld  I  defy,  55 

Sen  auld  kyndnes  is  quyt  foryet. 

Sen  that  na  kyndnes  kepit  is 

In  to  this  warld  that  is  prefent, 

Gife  thow  wald  cum  to  hevynnis  blifs, 

Thy  felf  appleifs  with  fobir  rent;  60  Fol.Si.b. 

Leife  godly,  and  gife  with  gud  intent 

To  every  man  his  proper  dett ; 

Quhat  evir  God  fend  hald  the  content, 

Sen  auld  kyndnes  is  quyt  foryet. 

Finis. 


I  SAW  ANE  ROB  RICHE  OF  HEW. 

LXXXVIII. 

\I  faw  ane  Rob  richc  of  Heiv?[ 

I    SAW  ane  rob  riclie  of  hew, 
With  pretius  ftanis  peirles  picht, 
With  rubeis  reid  and  faphiris  blew 
And  dyamantis  rycht  derly  dicht. 

The  grund  was  birnift  goldin  brycht,  5 

With  feHdone  fett  on  every  fyd ; 
Thairin  wes  writtin  this  reffone  richt, 
"Bad  man!  for  the  bettir  abyd." 

For  the  bettir,  man,  thow  abyd, 

And  for  the  bettir  thy  fpech  thow  fpend;  lo 

To  day  gife  thow  wantis  in  tyd, 

To  morne  Chryft  may  the  weill  amend : 

Quhat  evir  it  be  Chryft  to  the  fend, 

Welth  or  weilfair,  pouirty  or  pryd, 

Grunch  nocht,  and  neuir  thy  God  offend,  15 

Bot  ay,  man,  for  the  bettir  abyd. 

I  hard  a  man  fing  till  ane  harp, 

Ane  hefty  man  wantit  nevir  wo ; 

He  that  can  nocht  fufifir  fchouris  fcharp, 

Nor  yit  knaw  his  freind  by  his  fo ;  20 

The  wyfemen  fayis,  fene  it  is  fo, 

He  that  can  fuffir  in  hairt  and  hyd 

Sail  half  his  afldng  but  moir  uo. 

That  for  the  bettir  can  abyd. 

A  man  that  can  nocht  dout  no  fchame,  25 

He  is  nocht  wirthy  to  cum  in  a  gud  place ; 
Lat  nevir  thy  tung  diflionour  thy  name; 
Be  trew  and  fteidfaft  in  every  cace; 

2  E 


226  /  SAV/  ANE  ROB  RICHE  OF  HEW. 

Befeik  thow  Jefu  of  his  grace, 

In  all  this  warld  that  is  fo  wyd,  3° 

That  all  wicket  heftinco  fra  the  pafs, 

That  thow  may  for  the  bettir  abyd. 

Gif  ane  evill  turne  be  to  the  hecht, 

Keip  it  in  mynd  and  hald  the  ftill; 

Ane  fulis  bolt  is  fone  on  flicht;  35 

He  that  fpeikis  mekle  fum  pairte  men  fpill: 

Keip  Weill  thy  tung  and  fay  non  ill, 

And  in  gud  cumpany  luk  thow  the  gyd; 

Lat  nevir  our  mony  wit  thy  will, 

Bot  ay,  man,  for  the  bettir  abyd.  4° 

A  man  that  will  his  awin  counfale  difcure. 

How  fuld  ane  vthir  man  it  keip? 

Cafl  the  to  trewth,  in  peax  indure : 

Fra  all  evill  fallowfchip  I  bid  the  creip. 

Thocht  thow  be  fair  fe  nocht  tho  weip ;  45 

Tak  folace  in  hairt,  lat  forrow  flyd ; 

Ane  hefty  man  falbe  drownit  in  deip, 

Ouhen  he  that  fuffaris  fall  weill  leif  and  abyd. 

I  wift  a  man  in  prefone  kafb,  Fol.  82.  a. 

And  ley  thairin  fex  yeiris  or  fevin,  5° 

Yit  he  wone  furth  at  the  lafr, 

Mony  man  meitis  at  vnfet  ftevin : 

Freindis  and  fais,  Chryfl  mak  yow  evin, 

And  he  that  fufferit  wondis  wyd 

To  bring  ws  to  the  blifs  of  he  hevin,  55 

Quhair  we  mot  for  now  and  evir  abyd. 

Finis. 


O  GOD!  THAT  IN  TYME  ALL  THINGIS  DID  BEGIN.  227 

LXXXIX. 

\0  God!  that  in  Tymc  all  TJiingis  did  begin?^ 

OGOD!  that  in  tyme  all  thingis  did  begin, 
In  tyme  thow  maid  hevin  and  erd  of  nocht ; 
In  tyme  thow  bocht  man  and  redemit  fra  fm ; 
In  tyme  fall  thow  vnmak  that  thow  hes  wrocht; 
In  tyme  ar  faif  all  that  thy  blud  hes  bocht:  5 

In  tyme,  goud  Lord,  gife  ws  grace  that  we  may 
In  tyme  repent  for  every  deid  and  thocht, 
And  tak  tyme  in  tyme,  for  tyme  will  awa)^ 

Our  tyme  fall  away,  and  that  in  fchort  fpace : 

Tyme  beiris  witnefs  my  faying  is  trew;  10 

Our  foirfaderis  had  tyme  heir  in  lyk  cace. 

And  tyme  paffit  with  thame  as  dois  with  ws  now; 

No  tyme  tareid  thame,  for  thair  tyme  away  drew, 

Bot  thay  tareit  tyme,  as  we  do  every  day; 

And  tyme  fall  pafs  fra  v/s,  God  Almichty  knawith  how:  '5 

Tak  tyme  quhill  tyme  is,  for  tyme  will  away. 

How  to  tak  tyme,  and  how  tyme  aucht  to  be  fpent : 
Tyme  is  nocht  to  be  comptit  that  wit  dois  exercyfs ; 
In  tyme  fall  God  be  his  rychtouffnes  gif  his  jugement, 
Thairfoir  fpend  your  tyme  in  vertew  and  lerne  to  be  wyfs ;      20 
Tyme  tareis  no  man ;  tyme  goith  as  a  gyfs ; 
Tyme  fleilith  frome  v/s  and  will  byd  at  no  ftey; 
Bewar  with  tyme,  prolong  nocht,  I  tald  yow  twyfs : 
Tak  tyme  in  tyme,  for  tyme  will  away. 

In  tyme  our  grit  grandfchiris  our  faderis  gatt:  25 

Ane  tyme  thay  had  and  fone  thair  tyme  wes  paft; 
Ane  tyme  had  our  foirfaderis,  mark  weill  that! 
Ane  tyme  fall  we  haif  and  depairt  at  laft: 


228  O  GOD!  THAT  IN  TYME  ALL  THINGIS  DID  BEGIN. 

Thus  tyme  pcrtith  from  tyme  and  tyme  makith  haift; 
Tyme  will  nocht  byd,  we  can  nocht  tyme  delay;  30 

Tyme  is  incertane  quhan  deth  will  ws  agaft : 
Tak  tyme  quhill  tyme  is,  for  tyme  will  away. 

In  tyme  afk  God  grace,  in  tyme  tak  compaffione; 

In  tyme  of  welth  remembir  the  tyme  of  wrechit  neid; 

In  tyme  gife  lawd  to  God;  in  tyme  mak  God  oblafione;  35 

In  tyme  faft  and  pray,  in  tyme  gife  almoufs  deid; 

In  tyme  offir  thy  harte,  for  tyme  dois  ftill  proceid ; 

Gif  tyme  treft  to  tyme,  tyme  fall  the  betray ; 

In  tyme  luk  thow  fpeik,  that  in  tyme  thow  may  fpeid;  Fol.  82.  b. 

And  tak  tyme  quhill  tyme  is,  for  tyme  fall  away.  40 

This  tyme  is  ane  tyme  that  nane  can  refift: 
Tyme  is  tranfetorious  and  alfo  irrevocable : 
Say  quhat  ye  will,  tyme  paffith  as  him  lift : 
Tyme  moft  be  tane  in  tyme  conveniable: 

All  thing  had  tyme,  my  faying  is  nocht  reprovable,  45 

For,  quhen  the  tyme  cummith,  the  tyme  we  moft  obey; 
■  Byd  tyme  quho  will,  the  tyme  is  verry  vnftable : 
Tak  tyme  quhill  tyme  is,  for  tyme  will  away. 

Tak  the  tyme  of  glaidnes,  forfake  the  tyme  of  forrow; 

Latt  thyne  tyme  pas  in  gudnes,  do  nocht  frome  it  diffevir;      50 

Vfe  thy  tyme  the  day,  as  thow  fuld  end  the  morrow, 

And  tak  tyme,  gif  thow  may,  as  tyme  fuld  left  evir: 

I  mene,  in  tyme  of  vertew,  thow  fuld  thy  felf  endeveir, 

As  the  tyme  of  deth  wald  cum  thy  body  till  effray, 

So  vfe  thy  felf  in  befmes,  as  thow  fuld  de  nevir;  55 

And  tak  tyme  quhill  tyme  is,  for  tyme  will  away. 

Half  thow,  in  all  warldly  thingis,  tyme  in  vfage, 
For  ane  thing  done  out  of  tyme  is  nocht  to  be  commendit ; 
Quhair  tyme  is  nocht  tane,  thrifs  perfonis  dois  vtrage; 
Wordis  out  of  tyme  makis  mony  men  offendit :  60 


O  GOD!  THAT  IN  TYME  ALL  THINGIS  DID  BEGIN.         229 

Without  tyme  may  no  thing  be  comprehendit; 
Ouhair  tyme  is  myfvfit  the  peple  dois  decay; 
Gife  tyme  be  nocht  tane,  quhill  tyme  be  extendit, 
Tyme  is  vntrufty  and  dois  fkaill  frome  the  away, 

Tyme  to  be  fad,  tyme  to  plefour  and  fport,  65 

Tyme  of  fludy,  tyme  of  gud  recreatioun, 

Tyme  to  be  hevy,  and  tyme  to  vfe  confort, 

Tyme  of  difplefour,  and  tyme  of  confolatioun : 

Thus  tyme  hes  his  tyme  of  diuerfs  maner  faffioun; 

Tyme  to  eit  and  drink,  and  tyme  of  paftyme  and  play,  70 

Tyme  to  be  leberall,  and  tyme  of  dele6latioun : 

Tak  tyme  quhill  tyme  is,  for  tyme  will  away. 

Tyme  to  travell,  and  tyme  to  tak  your  reft, 

Tyme  to  fpeik,  and  tyme  to  hald  your  pefe ; 

Tyme  wald  be  vfit,  quhen  that  tyme  is  beft;  75 

Thair  is  ane^  tyme  to  bring,  and  ane  tym.e  for  to  cefe; 

Tyme  quhen  it  is  meit  put  thy  felf  in  prefe; 

Tyme  to  go  or  tary,  for  tyme  we  can  nocht  ftay ; 

The  man  that  fpendis  tyme  weill,  God  fall  him  increfs: 

Tak  tyme  quhen  tyme  is,  for  tyme  is  away.  80 

The  fru6lis  takis  thair  fchape  alfo  in  the  tyme  of  ver; 

In  tyme  of  fymmer  the  flouris  be  frefch  and  grene ; 

In  the  tyme  of  hervift,  quhen  thay  thair  corne  dois  fchere; 

In  the  tyme  of  wintir  the  north  wind  waxis  kene, 

Sa  bittir  bytting  that  tymeflouris  be  nocht  fene ;  85     ol.  83.  a. 

The  callenderis  of  tyme  do  tary  quhill  froftis  thame  flay; 

That  tyme  forfaikis  na  tyme,  quhen  dame  Flora  is  quene : 

Tak  ten  quhill  tyme  is,  for  tyme  will  away. 

Tyme  cauffis  natur  to  increfs  and  multiply, 

And  tyme  dois  decres  in  the  beft  tyme  of  all;  90 

Tyme  bringis  ane  man  to  grit  joy  and  felicity, 

And  tyme  turnis  the  warld  fuddanly  as  ane  ball  : 

^MS.  has  na. 


230         SAY  WEILL  IS  TREWLY  ANE   WIRTHY  GUD  THING. 

Tyme  from  yowth  to  aige  dois  ws  alfo  call ; 

Tymc  dryvis  our  lyfe  to  deth ;  of  fuch  I  fay 

Tyme  confomis  erth  with  erth  full  naturall:  95 

Tak  tyme  quhcn  tyme  is,  for  tyme  will  away. 

Now  tyme  drawis  in,  and  tyme  gois  apace; 

Treft  nocht  to  tyme,  left  tyme  the  affaill ; 

Now  is  the  tyme  of  mercy  and  of  grace, 

The  tyme  of  repentance,  this  tyme  thow  fall  bewaill ;  100 

This  tyme  thow  fall  obtene,  that  tyme  thow  fall  nocht  prevaill; 

This  is  the  tyme  of  mefour,  this  is  the  tym.e  of  joy. 

This  tyme  fall  haif  ane  end,  that  tyme  fall  nevir  faill ; 

Bot  lofs  lyfe  fra  tyme  that  tyme  cum  lifting  all  away. 

Finis. 


XC. 

\Soy  zveill  is  trezvly  ane  wirthy  gud  Thitig?^ 

AY  Weill  is  trewly  ane  wirthy  gud  thing; 

Off  fay  Weill  grit  vertew  dois  out  fpring; 
Say  Weill  frome  do  weill  defferis  in  lettir; 
Say  weill  is  gud,  bot  do  weill  is  bettir; 
Say  weill  is  rutit  be  man  fum  deill, 
Bot  do  weill  only  to  God  dois  appeill; 
Say  weill  fayis  gudly  and  dois  mony  pleifs, 
Bot  do  weill  dois  godly  and  dois  the  warld  eifs; 
Say  weill  mony  vnto  Godis  word  clevis, 
Bot  for  lak  of  do  weill  thay  it  quyckly  levis ; 
Bot  gif  fay  weill  and  do  \veill  wer  jonit  in  ane  frame 
All  that  wer  vngottin^  wer  gottin  with  game; 
Say  weill  in  denger  of  deth  is  cawld, 

^  MS.  may  be  read  begoitin. 


SAV  WEILL  IS  TREWLY  ANE   WIRTHY  GUD  THING.        231 

Do  Weill  is  harnafit  and  winderous  bald ; 
Quhen  fay  weill  for  feir  dois  trymniill  and  quaik,  15 

Do  Weill  falbe  jocound  and  merry  maik; 
Say  Weill  is  flippir  and  makis  mony  wylis, 
Do  Weill  is  femely  without  ony  gylis; 
Quhan  fay  weill  at  fumtyme  falbe  brocht  baifs, 
Do  weill  dois  trivmph  in  every  plaifs ;  20 

Say  weill  to  fylence  fumtyme  is  bound, 
Do  weill  is  fre  in  every  ground; 
Say  weill  lies  freindis  bot  heir  and  thair, 
Bot  do  weill  is  welcum  every  quhair; 
Say  weill  in  hand  mony  thing  dois  tak,  25 

Bot  do  weill  ane  end  of  thame  dois  mak ; 

Quhen  fay  weill  with  money  quyt  doun  is  kaft,  foI.  83.  fa- 

Do  weill  is  trefty  and  dois  ftand  faft ; 
Say  weill  him  felf  will  fumtyme  adwance, 
Bot  do  weill  dois  nowdir  jake  nor  prance, 
And  doweill  dois  profeit  your  warld  moir, 
Than  fayweill  dois  ane  hundreth  fcoir; 
Say  weill  in  wordis  is  wonderus  trick, 
Bot  doweill  in  deid  is  nymmill  and  quyck. 
Lord!  quyke  and  trik  togiddir  knet, 
And  fo  fall  thay  pyp  ane  merry  confet. 
Say  weill  mony  wilbe  thay  be  fo  kynd, 
Bot  do  weill  it^  will  weill  vnto  thair  freind; 
Mo  fayweill  than  doweill  fay  yov/  in  deid, 
Bot  doweill  is  moir  honeft  in  tyme  of  neid; 
Say  weill  and  doweill  ar  thingis  twane, 
Thryfs  happy  is  he  quhome  in  thay  do  remane. 

Finis. 


30 


35 


40 


^  MS.  may  be  read  is. 


232  TO  GYD  THY  TUNG  IMPRENT  THIR  THRE. 

XCI. 

[ To  gyd  thy  Tung  iinprcnt  tJiir  thre'\ 

TO  gyd  thy  tung 
Imprent  thir  thre  in  thy  remmenbrance; 
For  lyk  as  the  mone  chaingis  befoir  the  pryme, 
Sa  farith  this  warld  repleit  with  ^variance : 
Off  diffolut  langage  cum  mycht  grit  diftance; 
Quhairfoir,  fais  Catone  to  auld  and  to  yung, 
The  firft  of  all  vertewis  is  to  keip  weill  your  tung. 

Yit  in  aventur,  gife  it  fo  requyre, 

That  ye  fall  fpeik  as  ye  moft  neidis  perkece, 

Wyflie  obferue  fex  thingis  followand  heir: 

Remembir  quhat  ye  fay,  and  in  quhat  place, 

Of  quhome,  and  to  quhome,  and  in  your  mynd  compace 

How  ye  fall  fpeik,  and  quhen,  taking  in  gud  heid ; 

For  this  the  wyfeman  counfalis  yow  in  deid. 

Finis. 


XCII. 

\SiiJle7ie,  abjlene,  keip  weill  in  your  Mynd.] 

SUSTENE,  abftene,  keip  weill  in  your  mynd, 
Beir  and  forbeir,  haif  evir  in  remenbrance, 
For  ye  fall  thairby  grit  quyetnes  fynd. 
In  all  thy  lyfe  quhat  foeuer  dois  chance. 
It  is  the  only  thing  that  may  the  adwance, 
And  mak  yow  to  be  eftemit  verrely; 
Amang  all  vdir  falbe  the  moft  happy. 


SUSTENE,  ABSTENE,  KEIF  WEILL  IN  YOUR  AIYND.         233 

Beir  truble  and  pane,  beir  (Inlander  and  blame, 

Beir  wordis  difplefand  be  thai  nevir  fo  four, 

Forbeir  in  ony  ways  to  vthir  do  the  fame ;  jq 

Forbeir  to  revenge,  thocht  it  be  in  your  powir, 

Lat  neuir  your  angir  remane  with  yow  an  hour; 

Forbere  your  awin  plefour,  beir  your  nychtbouris  mifery; 

And  ye  of  all  vdir  falbe  the  moft  happy. 

Gife  ye  be  ganefaid  fforbeir  for  ane  feffone;  15 

Forbeir  to  refifb  quhen  ye  think  to  offend ; 

Beir  vderis  ignorance,  forbeir  your  awin  reffone, 

Till  occafioun  be  gevin  thame  yow  to  amend, 

Than  vttir  your  wifdome  as  God  fall  it  fend;  FoI.  84.  a. 

Obferue  your  tymes,  and  forbeir  difcreitly ;  20 

And  ye  fall  of  all  vthiris  be  the  moft  happy. 

Beir  Chryftis  croce  quhen  it  is  laid  on  your  bak. 

That  is  to  fay,  all  maner  of  aduerfate, 

Ouhilk,  quhen  ye  in  your  awin  perfone  dois  laik, 

Help  vthir  to  beir  that  ourladin  be;  25 

Sa  fall  this  warld  be  warifid^  accordinle; 

And  ye  of  all  vthir  fall  be  moft  happy, 

Forbeir  rafch  jugement  quhill  the  trewth  be  tryid, 
Forbeir  all  haiftines,  fpeik  wordis  of  cherite ; 
Forbeir  extreme  pvnifment  thocht  thow  falbe  fpyid,        30 
To  much  in  all  thingis  comptit  is  iniquite; 
Tempir  your  a6tis  with  fuftene  and  abftene ; 
Beir  and  forbeir,  and  than  fall  ye  trewlie 
Off  all  leving  creaturis  be  moft  happie. 
etc. 


^  This  word  may  be  read  ivarifid. 
2    F 


234 


QUBOME  TO  SALL  I  COMPLENE  MY  WO. 

XCIIL 

[Quhome  to  fall  I  complene  my  IVo.] 

QUHOME  to  fall  I  complene  my  wo, 
And  kyth  my  kairis  on  or  mo? 
I  knaw  nocht,  amang  riclie  nor  pure, 
Ouha  is  my  freynd,  quha  is  my  fo ; 
For  in  this  warld  may  non  affure.  5 

Lord  how  fall  I  my  dayis  difpone  ? 

For  lang  feruice  rewarde  is  none, 

And  fchort  my  lyfe  may  heir  indure. 

And  loffit  is  my  tyme  bygone : 

Into  this  warld  ma  none  affure.  ^° 

Oft  falfett  rydis  with  ane  rowt, 

Ouhen  trewth  gois  on  his  fute  abowt. 

And  lak  of  fpending  dois  him  fpur; 

Thus  quhat  to  do  I  am  in  dowt : 

In  to  this  warld  ma  none  affure.  15 

Nane  heir  hot  riche  men  lies  renoun, 

And  bot  pure  men  ar  pluckit  doun, 

And  nane  bot  juft  men  tholis  iniure; 

Sa  wit  is  blindit  and  reffoun : 

In  to  this  warld  ma  none  affure.  20 

Vertew  the  court  lies  done  difpyifs; 

Ane  rebald  to  renoun  dois  ryifs. 

And  cairlis  of  nobillis  hes  the  cure, 

And  bumbardis  brukis  the  benifyifs: 

Into  this  warld  may  none  affure.  25 

All  gentrice  and  nobiltie 
Ar  paffit  out  of  he  degre; 


QUHOME  TO  SALL  I  COMPLENE  MY  WO.  235 

On  fredome  is  laid  foirfaltour; 

In  princis  is  thair  no  pety; 

For  in  this  warld  may  none  affure.  30 

Is  non  fo  armit  in  to  plait 

That  can  fra  truble  him  debait ;  Fol.  84.  b. 

May  no  man  lang  in  welth  indure, 

For  wo  that  evir  lyis  at  the  wait : 

Into  this  warld  may  none  affure.  35 

Flattry  weiris  ane  furrit  goun, 

And  falfett  with  the  lord  dois  roun, 

And  trewth  ftandis  barrit  at  the  dure, 

And  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  everylk  e  gois  luke  demure, 

Bot  fra  the  handis  gois  few  gud  deidis: 

Into  this  warld  may  none  affure.  45 

Toungis  now  are  maid  of  quhyte  quhaill  bone, 

And  hairtis  ar  maid  of  hard  flynt  ftone, 

And  ene  of  amiable  blyth  affure, 

And  handis  of  adamant  laith  to  difpone : 

Into  this  warld  may  none  affure.  5° 

Yit  hairt  with  hand  and  body,  all 

Mon  anfwer  Deth,  quhen  he  dois  call 

To  compt  befoir  the  iuge  future : 

Sen  all  ar  deid,  or  than  de  fall, 

Quha  fuld  in  to  this  warld  affure?  55 

No  thing  bot  Deth  this  fchortly  cravis, 
Ouhair  fortoun  evir,  as  fo,  diffavis 


236  QUHOME  TO  SALL  I  COMPLENE  M\   WO. 

With  freyndly  fmylingis  of  ane  hure, 

Ouhais  fals  behechtis  as  wind  hyne  wavis : 

Into  this  warld  may  none  affure.  60 

O !  quha  fall  weild  the  wrang  poffeffioun, 

Or  the  gold  gatherit  with  oppreffioun, 

Quhen  the  angell  blawis  his  bugill  fture, 

Ouhilk  vnreftorit  helpis  no  confeffioun? 

Into  this  warld  may  nane  affure.  65 

Ouhat  help  is  thair  in  lordfchippis  fevin, 

Ouhen  na  houfs  is  bot  hell  and  hevin, 

Palice  of  licht,  or  pitt  obfcure, 

Ouhair  youlis  ar  hard  with  horreble  ftevin : 

In  to  this  warld  may  nane  affure.  7° 

Vbi  ardentes  anime, 

Semper  dicentes  Ve!  Ve! 

Sail  cry  Allace!  that  wemen  thame  bure, 

O  quante  funt  ifte  tenebre! 

In  to  this  warld  may  nane  affure.  75 

Than  quho  fall  wirk  for  warldis  wrak, 

Ouhen  flude  and  fyre  fall  our  it  frak, 

And  frely  frufter  feild  and  fure, 

With  tempeft  kene  and  hiddoufs  crak.-* 

In  to  this  warld  may  nane  affure.  80 

Lord!  fen  in  tyme  fa  fone  to  cum  yo\.  85.  a. 

De  terra  furre6lourus  fum, 

Reward  me  with  non  erdly  cure, 

Tu  regni  da  imperium: 

In  to  this  warld  may  non  affure.  85 

Fiiiis  quod  Dumbar. 


CERTANE   WYISS  SENTENCES.  237 


XCIV. 

Certaiie  wyifs  Sentences  drazoin  fnrth  of  the  Biiik 
callit  "  Moi'all  Philofafie!' 

Off  Verteiv. 

\/'ERTEW  in  all  workis  is  gritly  to  be  prayfed, 
As  the  held  fontane  and  jo  wall  moift  precious; 
By  vertew  ffreindfchip  and  luve  is  purchafed ; 
Vertew  is  a  garment  moift  cumly  and  curious; 
To  obtene  vertew  thairfoir  be  ftudious;  5 

For  he  that  luvis  vyce  and  dois  vertew  deteft 
May  Weill  be  compared  to  a  brutell  beft. 

Wifdome. 

Wifdome  is  the  moift  hiche  and  devyne  eftait, 

The  rate  of  all  nobill  and  lawdable  thingis, 

The  grit  gift  of  God  moft  fweit  and  dilicait,  10 

The  tre  of  all  plefour  that  in  the  hairt  fpringis, 

Quhois  deir  and  denty  fru6l  the  tung  furth  bringis, 

And  thay  that  to  wifdome  thame  felvis  wald  apply 

Moift  diligently  hant  wyifs  cumpany. 

Pacienc. 

Patience  is  a  vertew  baith  nobill  and  neceffarie,  15 

Appertenyng  to  the  inward  and  exterior  govirnance; 

Patience  is  a  vincquifar  of  approved  iniurie, 

A  feure  rolk  of  defence  aganis  all  difturbance ; 

This  vertew,  thairfoir,  to  obtene,  gife  diligent  attendance : 

Be  twa  thingis  thow  fait  lerne  it  to  thi  comfort  in  diftres,    20 

Ane  vpricht  confcience  and  conftant  eftemyng  of  gudnes. 


238  CERTANE  SA  YINGIS  OF  WYISS  PHILOSAPHERIS. 

Liber aliiie. 

Libcralitie  is  a  certane  mefure 

That  fpringeth  of  favour,  freindfchip  and  amitie, 

In  geving  or  refeving  landis  or  trefure,  Fol.  85.  b. 

Eftir  a  manis  fubftance  or  habilitie ;  25 

Bot  cheifly  in  conforting  the  peur  nydy ; 

For  that  is  liberaHtie  in  veny  deid, 

To  help  the  peur  miferable  in  tyme  of  neid. 


xcv. 

Certane  Sayingis  of  ivyifs  Philofapheris. 
Miifonitis. 

GIFE  that  in  vertew  thow  tak  ony  pane, 
The  pane  departith  bot  the  vertew  remane ; 
Bot,  gif  thow  haif  plefur  to  do  that  is  ill, 
The  plefour  decayis,  bot  ill  tareis  ftill. 

Plato. 

It  is  the  parte  of  him  that  is  wyifs 
Thingis  to  foirfie  with  diligent  awyifs; 
Bot,  quhen  as  thingis  vnluckely  dois  frame. 
It  becumis  the  velyeunt  to  fuffer  the  fame. 

Plato. 

To  fenye,  to  flatter,  to  glofe  and  to  lie 
Requyre  cullouris  and  wordis  fair  and  flie; 


CERTANE  SAYING  IS  OF  WYISS  PHILOSAPHERIS.  239 

Bot  vtterance  of  trewth  is  fo  fympill  and  plane, 
That  it  needis  na  ftudy  to  forge  nor  to  fane. 


Solon. 

To  fhryk  ane  vthir  gife  that  thow  pretend, 
Think  gif  he  ftryk  the  thow  wald  the  defend. 

Socrates. 

The  freindis  quhome  proffeit  or  kicre  encrefs,  15 

Ouhen  fubftance  faihs  thair  freindfchip  cefs; 
Bot  freindis  that  ar  cuphd  with  hairt  and  with  luve, 
Nowthir  feir  nor  fortoun  nor  force  may  rem[u]ve. 

Socrates. 

Almes  deliuerit  to  the  indigent 

Is  lyk  a  medecyne  gevin  to  the  impotent;  20 

Bot  to  the  vnnedy  a  man  to  mak  his  dele 

Is  lyk  the  miniftering  of  plaifters  to  the  hele. 

Plato. 

That  thing  in  a  realme  is  wirdy  renoun, 
Ouhilk  ryfis  vp  richt  and  wrong  dingis  doun. 

Pitagoras. 

Bettir  it  is  for  a  man  to  be  mvte,  25 

Than  v/ith  the  ignorant  mvche  to  difpute ; 
And  bettir  it  is  to  leive  folitary, 
Than  to  enhant  mekle  cumpany. 

Finis. 


240 


BE  GRATIOUS  GROUND  AND  GATE  TO  SAPIENCE. 

XCVI. 

[Be  gratious  Ground  and  Gate  to  Sapience?^ 

BE  gratious  ground  and  gate  to  fapience,  FoI. 86. a. 

As  fayis  San6t  Dauid  in  his  prophecye : 
Off  God  is  dredour  and  intelligence, 
Ane  verrye  way  to  lyfe  eternallie, 

Quhilk  all  of  nocht  hes  maid  ws  marvelouflie  5 

To  his  ymage  and  hevinlye  portratour, 
Geving  ws  reafoun,  fre  will  and  libertic 
To  regne  abone  all  carnall  creatour. 

All  thing  in  erd  to  mannis  nurifing, 

Fyre,  the  watter,  the  tre,  the  beftiall,  1° 

The  fifche  in  flude,  the  foull  in  air  fleing, 

Is  ordanit  be  the  Lord  celeftiall; 

Syne  finallie,  his  gloir  perpetuall, 

Off  quhilk  the  man  fall  haif  fruitioun, 

Clerelye  feand,  be  his  eyne  fpirituall,  *S 

His  God  by  fru6luall  contemplatioun. 

Sen  God  maid  man,  and  hes  him  gevin  his  grace, 

Hes  ordanit  all  to  his  felicitie, 

Ouhy  fuld  that  man,  blunderit  in  wardlynes, 

Miflven  his  God  throw  vaine  profperitie?  20 

Blyndit  be  fortoun,  fuliche  felicitie. 

Men  trowis  thair  lyfe  falbe  perpetuall ; 

Throw  wardlye  gloir  to  God  thay  haif  nana  e, 

Bound  in  boundage  of  bailfuU  Baliall. 

Sen  gratious  God  is  ground  of  all  guidnes,  25 

Thow  michtie,  hie,  excellent  prince  preclare! 
And  king  of  kingis,  lord  of  all  but  les, 
And  hes  the  figurate  to  his  ymage  fare, 


BE  GRATIOUS  GROUND  AND  GATE  TO  SAPIENCE.         241 

Peirles  in  pryce,  in  pulchritude  preclare, 

Crownit  the  king  owir  all  this  realme  to  ring,  30 

The  to  obey  hes  ordanit  les  and  mair; 

Thow  fuld  him  loue  abone  all  vthir  thing. 

In  God  thre  thingis  fcripture  dois  declare, 

Hie  power,  fapience  and  hie  bonyte, 

Quhilk  thing  to  everye  king  ar  neceffare;  35 

Quho  luiffis  God,  iuftice  and  equite: 

Swerd  of  honour  power  did  fignifie, 

The  fceptour  fapience,  crown  hie  on  thi  heid, 

Abone  all  vthir  takynnis,  bonyte, 

In  thy  realme  quhair  thow  fuld  iuftice  leid.  4° 

The  royall  rob,  fo  riche  of  purpure  blew, 

Schawls  the  ane  king  of  iuftice  inftrument, 

Quhilk  amang  colouris  is  maift  hevinlye  hew, 

In  figne  thow  fuld  be  godlye  in  entent; 

The  lynning  quhyte  prefentis  the  innocent,  45 

And  fignefeis  of  confcience  clarite ; 

He  that  thir  wantis  is  infufficient. 

And  rycht  vnworthie  royall  king  to  be. 

The  fchyre  of  ftait  betakynnis  in  deid 

The  trune  triumphall  of  the  trinytie;  50 

Thy  riall  lordis  richelye  cled  in  weid, 

Off  hevin  minifteris  dois  heir  fignifie, 

Quhilkis  fuld  do  iuftice  refpondent  to  the; 

And  thow  to  God  fall  anfwer  for  thame  all, 

Becaus  he  is  the  king  of  hevin  fo  hie,  55  FoI.86.b. 

And  in  this  realme  thow  king  is  terrenall. 

Quhat  is  the  caus  fic  truble,  fie  debait, 
Sic  rugrie  reif  ryngis  in  this  regioun.-* 
The  lordis  in  youth  to  leir  folye  ar  fett, 
Swa  wantis  vertew  and  eruditioun;  60 

2  G 


242  BE  GRATJOUS  GROUND  AND  GATE  TO  SAPIENCE. 

The  pure  than  tholis  grit  oppreffioun; 
The  lord  for  vcrtew  takis  volupte, 
No  difference  puttis  betuix  reif  and  reafoun ; 
How  fould  ane  blind  man  colouris  eftemie? 

Quhat  is  the  cans  of  the  abhominable  ftate  65 

Off  kirkmen,  and  the  bitter  abufioun? 

The  nobilles  vertew  hes  intoxicate, 

And  vitious  fulis  puttis  to  promotioun; 

Sum  man  fervis  ane  blynd  effe6lioun, 

Benefices  gevis  quhair  evir  thay  vacand  be;  70 

It  war  far  beft  that  fculis  war  cryit  doun, 

And  vertew  rebell  exilit  the  cuntre. 

Sen  vertew  is  the  pretious  propyne 

And  hevinlye  gift  of  grite  God  eternall, 

Licht  of  the  faule  be  purveyaunce  devyne,  75 

Cheif  capitane  in  battall  fpirituall, 

Be  quhilk  men  dififerris  fra  brute  beftiall, 

Caufs  vertew  rewll  thi  ryall  regioun, 

luftice  triumphe  in  pece  continuall, 

Or  thy  realme  thole  defolatioun.  80 

Walk  now  in  tyme  and  but  delay  addrefs; 

Haue  fum  feir  of  infernall  affliftioun; 

Tak  pairt  of  pane  trefpaffouris  to  reprefs ; 

Lat  nocht  thy  realme  go  to  perditioun; 

With  vertewous  vyfement  counfall  gude  reafoun;  85 

Caufs  profound  men  of  fcience  and  prudence ; 

luftice  put  charp  to  executioun; 

Off  pure  ay  haifand  reuthfull  remembrance. 

Knaw  thow  the  fubie6l  to  the  King  of  glore, 
Ane  fubiefl  ay  fuld  do  commandement;  90 

Quhilk  do  thow  nocht,  thow  fall  refpond  thairfore, 
Vpoun  the  day  of  ferefull  iuft  iugement, 


BE  R  YCHTUUS  REGENT.  243 

Quhair  everye  mannis  werkis  and  intent 

Sail  cleirlie  kervit  be  befoir  his  e ; 

For  word,  for  werk,  for  deid  and  als  confent,  95 

Befoir  grit  God  thow  fall  accufit  be. 

Dreid  God,  be  iuft,  beifllye  blindnes  affuage; 

King  is  bot  man  and  man  is  ay  mortall; 

Conftant,  faythfuU,  bening  without  outrage ; 

Brydill  broukilnes ;  glaid  of  guid  counfall ;  \oo 

Ryn  nocht  but  reafoun ;  hate  wordis  criminall ; 

Rewle  thow  by  rycht  thy  regalle  maieftie. 

Thy  realme  beis  riche  and  iuftice  triumphale. 

And  eterne  God  fall  evir  thy  rewlar  be. 

Finis. 


XCVII. 

\Be  rychtuiis  Regent  and  ivele  exerce  thy  C?ire.] 

E  rychtuus  regent  and  wele  exerce  thy  cure, 

'  Be  Chrift  committit  vnto  thy  regiment ; 
Be  thy  defalt  thow  lat  na  vyce  indure; 

Be  to  thy  folk  defence  ay  vigilent ;  Fol.  87.  a. 

Be  war  for  tinfale ;  to  keip  be  diligent ;  5 

Be  rekning  rycht  thow  man  gif  compt  of  all ; 
Be  vertewus  and  vfe  this  document; 
Be  reddye  ay  quhen  evir  the  iuge  will  call. 

Aganis  Pryde. 

Be  nocht  gevin  to  wardlie  vane  plefance 

Be  pryid  blyndit,  thow  fall  repent  it  foir ;  10 


244  BE  RYCHTUUS  REGENT. 

Be  verrie  Ticker  it  is  bot  variance, 

Begyland  man  and  lies  done  euir  moir; 

Be  humyll  in  hart,  gif  thow  will  grace  implore; 

Be  nevir  our  hie,  for  dreid  thow  eftir  fall ; 

Be  reddye  ay  quhen  e\  ir  the  iuge  will  call.  15 

Aganis  Invye. 

Be  leill  to  God  and  to  thy  freind  be  kynde; 

Be  perfyte  lyfe,  heir  is  no  refting  place ; 

Be  blyith  in  hart,  na  haitrent  hald  in  mynde ; 

Be  clene  confcience  detra6lion  fra  the  chace; 

Be  guid  cxemple  als  lang  as  thow  hes  fpace;  20 

Be  mirrour  heir  fen  thow  art  principall; 

Be  cheretabill  and  abill  thy  felf  to  grace ; 

Be  reddye  ay  quhen  evir  the  iuge  will  call. 

Aganis  Ire. 

Be  pacient  quhen  thow  art  movit  to  ire; 

Be  reafoun  wirk  that  wit  ourfett  thy  will ;  25 

Be  nocht  malicious,  nor  crewell  of  defyre; 

Be  no  occafioun  of  mannis  blude  to  fpill ; 

Be  fufferance  thy  purpois  thow  fulfill ; 

Be  wyis  counfall  tak  ay  thy  gouernall; 

Be  red  for  blame  with  fchame  to  hald  the  ftill;  3° 

Be  reddye  ay  quhen  evir  the  iuge  will  call. 

Aganis  Sueirnes. 

Be  war  with  deid,  defer  nocht  to  the  end ; 

Be  Weill  occupyit,  leif  no  guid  werk  vndone; 

Be  nocht  fleuthfull,  bot  weill  thi  tyme  expend; 

Be  ay  devote  to  him  that  fittis  abone ;  35 


BE  RYCHTUUS  REGENT.  245 

Be  reddye  ay  to  win  the  hevinlye  throne, 
Be  Adam  forfalt  by  fyn  originall, 
Be  him  offendit,  amend  it  I  rede  fone; 
Be  reddye  ay  quhen  evir  the  iuge  will  call. 


Aganis  Auarice. 

Be  nevir  inclynit  to  wretchit  awarice,  4° 

Be  foull  defyre  the  pepill  to  oppres; 

Be  liberall;  ay  abhore  with  everye  vyce; 

Be  iuft  to  pure,  thy  fame  fail  weill  incres; 

Be  reuthfull  ay  quhair  thow  feis  grit  diftres; 

Be  lytill  proude  of  guidis  temporall ;  45 

Be  all  guid  deid  proceid  and  nocht  decres; 

Be  reddye  ay  quhen  evir  the  iuge  will  call. 


Agaitis  Licherye. 

Be  nocht  inclynd  to  flefchlie  foull  delyte, 

Be  fenfuall  Iuft  thi  filly  faule  to  fla ; 

Be  temperans  refrane  thy  appetyte;  50 

Be  chafte  of  lyfe,  our  fett  thy  mortall  fa ; 

Bethink  the  als  of  dreidfuU  domifda, 

Befoir  the  warld  quhair  fuffer  fchame  thay  fall, 

Be  moment  fyn  to  win  eternall  wa; 

Be  reddye  ay  quhen  evir  the  iuge  will  call.  55 

Aganis  Gluttonye.  Foi_  §7.  b. 

Be  mefoure  ay  thy  daylie  fude  thow  tak, 
Be  honeft  dyett  thy  croce  to  modefye; 
Be  countenance  thy  cuftum  vfe  to  mak 
Be  clene  fude  leif,  exerce  no  gluttonye; 


246  BE  GOUERNOUR  BAITH  GUID  AND  GRATIOUS. 

Be  rewlit  thus,  heir  is  bot  fantafye ;  60 

Be  ferme  to  him  and  conftant  as  ane  wall; 
Be  thow  be  deid,  but  pleid  may  magnefye 
Thy  faull  in  blis  quhen  evir  he  lift  to  call. 

Finis.     Contra  feptem  Peccata  mortalia. 


XCVIII. 

\Bc  Goiicrnoitr  baitli  guid  and  gratio2csi\ 

BE  gouernour  baith  guid  and  gratious ; 
Be  leill  and  luifand  to  thy  liegis  all ; 
Be  large  of  fredome  and  no  thing  defyrous; 
Be  iuft  to  pure  for  on}-  thing  may  fall; 
Be  ferme  of  faith  and  conftant  as  ane  wall ;  5 

Be  reddye  evir  to  ftanche  evill  and  difcord; 
Be  cheretabill  and  fickerlye  thow  fall 
Be  bowfum  ay  to  knaw  thy  God  and  Lord. 

Be  nocht  to  proud  of  wardlie  guidis  heir, 

Be  Weill  be  thocht  thai  will  reman e  na  tyde;  10 

Be  ficker  als  that  thow  man  die  but  weir; 

Be  war  thairwith  the  tyme  will  no  man  byde; 

Be  vertewus  and  fett  all  vyce  on  fyde; 

Be  patient,  lawlie  and  mifericord; 

Be  rewlit  fo  quhair  evir  thow  go  or  byde;  15 

Be  bowfum  ay  to  knaw  thy  God  and  Lord. 

Be  Weill  awyfit  of  quhome  thow  counfale  tais ; 

Be  fever  of  thame  that  thai  be  leill  and  trew; 

Be  think  the  als  quhidder  thai  be  freindis  or  fais 

Be  to  thy  faull,  thair  fa  wis  or  thow  perfew;  20 


THIS  HINDIR  NYCHT.  247 

Be  nevir  our  haiftye  to  wirk  and  fyne  to  rew ; 
Be  nocht  thair  freiiid  that  makis  the  fals  record ; 
Be  reddye  evir  all  guid  workis  to  renew ; 
Be  bowfum  ay  to  knaw  thy  God  and  Lord. 

Be  traift  and  conquefe  thy  awin  heretage,  25 

Be  ennemyes  of  auld  now  occupyit 

Be  flrenth  and  force;  thow  fobir  thai  man  fwage 

Be  law  of  God,  thair  may  no  man  deny  id ; 

Be  nocht  as  lantern  in  mirknes  vnfpyit; 

Be  thow  in  rycht  thi  landis  fuld  be  reftord ;  30 

Be  wirfchop  fo  thy  name  beis  magnefeit ; 

Be  bowfum  ay  to  knaw  thy  God  and  Lord. 

Be  to  rebellis  ftrong  as  lyoun  eik ; 

Be  ferce  to  follow  thame  quhair  evir  thai  [are]  found ; 

Be  to  thy  liege  men  bayth  foft  and  meik,  35 

Be  thair  fuccour  and  help  thame  haill  and  found; 

Be  knaw  thy  cure  and  caus  quhy  thow  was  cround ; 

Be  befye  evir  that  iuftice  be  nocht  fmord ; 

Be  blyith  in  hart ;  thir  wordis  oft  expound, 

Be  bowfum  ay  to  knaw  thy  God  and  Lord.  40 

Finis.      Quod  Henrye  Stewart. 


XCIX. 

[  This  Jiindir  Nycht,  neir  by  the  Hour  of  Nyjici] 

THIS  hindir  nycht,  neir  by  the  hour  of  nyne. 
To  bed  I  went  as  is  my  confuetud; 
I  fanyt  me  and  fone  I  flepit  fyne, 
And,  as  I  thocht,  ane  lady  be  my  ftud,  FoI.  88.  a. 


2  48  THIS  HINDIR  NYCHT. 

Plefand,  but  peir  of  port  and  pulcritud,  5 

With  criftall  corpis  tranflucent  as  a  glafs, 
Of  alkin  clcthing  nakit  and  denud, 
Bair,  vnabulyeit,  as  fcho  borne  wafs. 

Hir  body  bair  wes  bricht  as  beriall, 

And  thruch  the  famyn,  as  femit  to  my  ficht,  10 

I  mycht  Weill  reffones  on  the  wall, 

Als  Weill  as  mony  lampis  had  bene  licht. 

I  faw  fcho  wes  fo  wondirfuU  a  wicht, 

I  afkit  of  hir  name  for  cherite ; 

Debonerly  fcho  anfwerit  me  that  bricht,  15 

And  faid,  "  Thay  call  me  lady  Varite, 

"Quhilk  fra  thir  bowndis  lang  hes  beneift  bene, 
Nor  heir  mycht  haif  no  reft  nor  refidence; 
Ouhairthrow  my  freindis  ar  confundit  clene 
Off  the  fell  falfheid  throw  thy  offence.  20 

Thy  felf  is  ane  that  oft  in  myne  abfence 
Hes  tholit  pane,  becaus  thow  tuk  my  pairte; 
Bot  I  fall  mak  the  rychtoufs  recompence, 
Quhen  fals  folk  fall  forthink  it  at  thair  hairte." 

And  quhen  that  I  perfauit  in  to  plane  25 

Dame  Verite  my  prefens  appeir, 

I  faluft  hir  as  lady  fouerane, 

And  hir  befocht,  in  maift  hummill  maneir, 

This  caus  obfcure  to  mak  vnto  me  cleir; 

Quhen  fall  the  kyth  the  cuntre  of  Scotland,  30 

In  peax  and  reft  and  plenty  perfeueir. 

With  fic  ordour  as  vfis  in  vthir  land  ? 

Than  faid  this  bird  of  beuty  maift  benigne, 
"Sone,  thow  fall  haif  folutioun  fufficient, 
Quhen  thir  bairnis  ar  baneift  fra  your  king,  35 

Fro  counfale,  feffioun  and  parliament, 


THIS  HINDIR  NYCHT.  249 

Off  quhome  the  names  fchortly  fubfequent 

I  fall  declair  dewly  with  diligence, 

Or  I  departe  furth  of  this  place  prefent, 

And  thow  thairto  gife  thy  audience.  40 

Firft  wilfull  wrang  in  ane  widdy  mon  waif, 

And  hid  hatreit  be  hangeit  by  the  held. 

And  yung  counfale  that  dois  yow  all  diffaif, 

And  fmgular  proffeit  ftolling  of  the  fteid ; 

Diffimvlance  that  dois  your  lawis  leid ;  45 

Flattery  and  falfheid  that  your  fame  hes  fylit, 

And  ignorance  be  put  to  beg  thair  breid, 

And  all  thair  kin  furth  of  the  court  exylit. 

Than  treffone  mon  be  tronit  to  ane  tre, 

And  murthour  merkit  for  his  grit  mifcheif,  50 

And  the  foull  feid  that  ye  call  fymone 

Mon  planely  be  depryvit  without  repreif; 

Quhill  this  be  done  ye  fall  haif  no  releif, 

Bot  fchamefuU  flawtir,  derth  and  indigens;  Fol.  88.  b. 

And  tak  this  for  thy  anfwer  in  to  breif,  55 

Quhilk,  I  the  pray,  prefent  vnto  thy  prence. 

For  all  this  fort  with  fchame  mon  be  exylit, 

Or  than  demanit  as  I  haif  deuyfit, 

And  vthir  perfonis  in  to  thair  placis  ftylit. 

The  quhilk,  fen  Flowdoun  feild,  hes  bene  difpyfit  60 

In  this  cuntre  and  in  all  vthiris  pryfit; 

Quhois  names  I  fall  caufs  the  for  to  knaw, 

That  thow  may  fleip  thairwith  and  be  awyfit, 

Syne  bayth  the  fortis  to  thy  fouerane  fchaw. 

Firft  iuftice,  prudens,  forfs  and  temperans,  65 

With  commounweill  and  auld  experience, 
Concord,  corre6lioun,  cunnyng  and  conftans, 
Lufe,  lawty,  fcience  and  obedience, 

2  H 


250  PRE  CELLEND  PRINCE !  HA  VAND  PRER  0  GA  TYUE. 

Gud  confcience,  trewth  and  intelligence, 

Mercy,  mefour,  fayth,  houp  and  cherite,  70 

Thir  in  his  court  mon  mak  refidence. 

Or  ye  gett  plenty  and  profperite. 

This  being  faid,  this  lady  lumynofs 

Fra  my  prefens  hir  perfoun  did  depairt, 

And  I  awaikit  and  fuddanly  vproifs,  75 

Syne  tuk  my  pen  and  put  all  in  report, 

As  ye  half  hard ;  thairfoir,  I  yow  exhort. 

My  fouerane  lord,  vnto  this  taile  attend, 

And  yow  to  ferue  feik  fuddanly  this  fort, 

Sen  verite  this  counfale  to  yow  fend.  80 

And  lat  thir  falty  folk  that  fcho  refufit 

Be  flemit  fra  thair  infilicite. 

For  ye  with  thame  to  lang  lies  bene  abufit, 

And  your  peple  put  to  penurite. 

Schaip  fum  remeid  for  Godis  deite,  85 

And  lat  no  moir  the  weid  ourga  the  corne; 

Do  ye  nocht  fa,  ye  fall  accufit  be 

Afoir  the  King  that  wore  the  croun  of  thorne. 

Finis. 


C. 

{Precellend  Prince!  havand  Prerogatyue^ 

PRECELLEND  prince!  havand  prerogatyue 
As  rowy  royall  in  this  regioun  to  ring, 
I  the  befeik  aganis  thy  lufl:  to  ftryue, 
And  loufe  thy  God  aboif  all  maner  of  thing; 


15 


PRECELLEND  PRINCE!  HAVAND  PREROGATYUE.  251 

And  him  imploir,  now  in  thy  yeiris  ying,  c 

To  grant  the  grace  thy  folk  to  defend, 
Quhilk  he  hes  gevin  the  in  gouerning, 
In  peax  and  honour  to  thy  lyvis  end. 

And  fen  tho  ftandis  in  fo  tendir  aige, 

That  natur  to  the  yit  wofdome  denyis,  10 

Thairfoir  fubmit  the  to  thy  counfale  feige, 

And  in  all  wayfs  wirk  as  thay  devyifs :  Fol.  89.  a. 

Bot  ovir  all  thing  keip  the  fra  cuvatyifs, 

To  princely  honour  gife  thow  wald  pretend ; 

Be  liberall,  than  fall  thy  fame  vpryifs, 

And  wyn  the  honour  to  thy  lyvis  end. 

It  that  thow  gevis  deliuer  quhen  thow  hechtis, 

And  fuffir  nocht  thy  hand  thy  hecht  delay, 

For  than  thy  hecht  and  thy  deliuerance  fechtis; 

Far  bettir  war  thy  hecht  had  biddin  away.  20 

He  aw  me  nocht  that  fayis  me  fchortly  nay, 

Bot  he  that  hechtis  and  cauffis  me  attend. 

Syne  gevis  me  nocht,  I  may  him  repute  ay 

Ane  vntrew  dettour  to  my  lyvis  end. 

Bettir  is  gut  in  feit  nor  cramp  in  handis :  25 

The  fait  of  feit  with  horfs  thow  may  fupport; 

Bot,  quhen  thyn  handis  ar  bundin  in  with  bandis, 

Na  furrigiane  may  cure  thame  nor  confort; 

Bot  thow  thame  oppin,  payntit  as  a  port, 

And  frely  gife  fic  gudis  as  God  the  fend;  30 

Than  may  thay  mend  within  ane  feffone  fchort, 

And  win  the  honour  to  thi  lyvis  end. 

Gif  every  man  eftir  his  faculty, 

And  with  difcretioun  thow  difpone  thy  geir ; 

Gife  nocht  to  fulis  and  cunnyng  men  ourfe,  35 

Thocht  fulis  roun  and  flatter  in  thyne  eir; 


252  SUPFOISS  I  WAR  IN  COURT  MOST  HE. 

Gife  noclit  to  thame  that  dois  thy  fa  wis  fueir; 

Gife  to  thame  that  ar  trew  and  conftant  kend, 

Than  our  all  quhair  thay  fall  thy  fame  furth  beir, 

And  win  the  honour  to  thy  lyvis  end.  4° 

Sen  thow  art  heid,  thy  leges  memberis  all, 

Gevin  be  God  to  thy  governance, 

Luke  that  thow  rewll  the  rute  original!, 

Thatt  in  thy  fait  no  member  mak  vtheris  grevance. 

For  quha  can  nocht  him  felf  gyd  nor  awance,  45 

Quhy  fuld  ane  provynce  do  on  him  depend, 

To  gyd  him  felf  that  hes  na  purveance. 

With  peax  and  honour  to  thy  lyvis  end? 

Dreid  God;  do  counfale;  off  thy  leiges  leill 

Rewaird  gud  deid;  puneifs  all  wrang  and  vice;  50 

Se^  that  thy  faw  be  ficker  as  thy  feill; 

Fleme  frawd  and  be  defender  of  juftyce; 

Honour  all  tyme  thy  noble  genetryce; 

Obey  the  kirk;  gif  thow  dois  mifs  amend; 

Sa  fall  thow  win  ane  place  in  paradyce,  55 

And  mak  in  erd  ane  honourable  end. 

Finis  quod  W.  Stewart. 


CI. 

[Stippoifs  I  zvar  in  Court  moji  he'\ 

SUPPOISS  I  war  in  court  moft  he, 
Trefting  my  ftait  wer  evir  fure, 
Trefting  my  felicite 
Mycht  wex  and  wrang  all  creature, 

^  MS.  has  The. 


SUFFOISS  I  WAR  IN  COURT  MOST  HE.  253 

Trefting  in  my  nobilite,  5  Fol.  89.  b. 

Trefting  my  will  fuld  evir  indure, 

Syne  lukis  nocht  to  equite, 

Bot  thame  defend  that  dois  iniure; 

Than  war  my  wit  blind  and  obfcure, 

To  haif  fa  prydfull  ane  confate ;  10 

Althocht  I  had  the  realme  in  cure, 

I  mycht  haif  truble  in  myne  eftate. 

In  witneffing  of  lordis  befoir, 

Than  quhen  in  court  thair  fortoun  rang, 

Thame  felf  to  landis  thay  wald  refboir,  15 

Offices,  takkis  and  caftellis  flrang; 

Ilk  man  obeyand  thair  vane  gloir, 

Be  ftark  manrent  with  thame  to  gang; 

Trefting  to  ftand  for  evirmoir, 

Thay  dreid  nocht  God  for  to  do  wrang;  20 

Sum  burn,  fum  held,  fum  hang. 

Sum  to  deid  put  with  fals  diffait; 

And  all  this  yit  induris  nocht  lang, 

Bot  thai  wer  wext  in  thair  eftait. 

God  grant  your  myndis  to  be  fet,  25 

Ye  lordis  that  lies  the  king  in  fteir! 

That  pure  and  riche  may  iuftice  get, 

And  quha  ar  vext  that  ye  thame  heir; 

Bot,  and  with  wrang  ye  intromet, 

Chryft  is  of  mycht  als  mekle  this  yeir,  30 

As  he  befoir,  pryd  to  ourfet ; 

For  he  is  Lord  haif  ye  no  weir. 

Thairfoir  do  ryclit  and  perfeueir, 

For  vthir  hes  bene  als  fortunate 

As  ye,  and  ftud  with  kingis  als  neir,  35 

Yit  tint  thair  landis  for  falfate. 

Finis. 


254 


Q  UHENDOCTO  URIS  FRECHIT. 

CII. 

[Qtihen  Do6loiiris  prechit  to  win  the  Joy  eternall.'\ 

QUHEN  doclouris  prechit  to  win  the  joy  eternall 
Vnto  the  hevin,  eftir  our  Lordis  affenfe, 
Thay  caufit  iuflice,  but  bud  or  fauour  carnall; 
Thay  caufit  be  pvnift  flefchly  vyle  offenfe; 
Gaif  banyfice  to  clerkis  of  confcience  ;^  5 

And  fa  the  feind  had  fic  invy  thairon, 
Gart  fkraip  away  of  confcience  the  con, 
And  fa  behind  wes  levit  bot  fcience. 

Than  wer  all  clerkis  for  fcience-  proniovit, 

And  thay  that  wald  to  ftudy  maift  apply;  lo 

Bot  yit  the  feind  at  fcience  wes  commovit, 

Gart  fkraip  away  of  fcience^  the  fci, 

And  fa  levit  ens  be  his  fals  fle  invy; 

Ouhilk  fuld  be  for  gold  or  geir  exponit, 

Quhairby  benifice  ar  now  of  dayis  difponit,  15 

But  fcience  or  confcience  for  to  fell  and  by. 

O  fouerane  lord  and  moft  excellynt  king!  Fol.  90.  a. 

Gar  put  the  con  and  fci  agane  till  ens, 

And  rewll  thy  realme  with  iuftice  in  thy  ring; 

Gife  benifice  to  clerkis  of  confciens,  20 

Off  wifdome  and  honour  to  ftand  at  thy  defens ; 

Se  in  thy  court  that  confcience  ay  be  clene, 

For  corruptioun  befoir  thy  deyis  lies  bene 

Aganis  jufbice,  with  vthir  grit  offens. 

Finis. 


1  On  the  margin  is  written  co7ifciens.         ^  Vo.—fciens.        ^  lb. — ens. 


ANE  NEW  YEIR  GIFT  TO  THE  QUENE  MARY.  255 


cm. 

A  lie  Nezv  Yeir  Gift  to  the  Queue  Mary,  qiiheu 
fcho  come  firjl  Hame,  1562. 

WELCUM,  illuflrat  ladye  and  oure  quene! 
Welcum,  oure  lyone  with  the  floure  delyce! 
Welcum,  oure  thriffill  with  the  Lorane  grene! 
Welcum,  our  rubent  rois  vpoun  the  ryce! 
Welcum,  oure  jem  and  joyfull  genetryce!  5 

Welcum,  oure  beill  of  Albion  to  beir! 
Welcum,  oure  plefand  princes  maift  of  pryce ! 
God  gif  the  grace  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

This  guid  new  yeir  we  hoip,  with  grace  of  God, 

Salbe  of  peax,  tranquillitie  and  reft;  10 

This  yeir  fall  rycht  and  reffone  rewle  the  rod, 

Quhilk  fa  lang  feafoun  hes  bene  foir  fuppreft; 

This  yeir  ferme  fayth  fall  frelie  be  confeft, 

And  all  erronius  queftionis  put  areir; 

To  lauboure  that  this  lyfe  amang  ws  left,  15 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

Heirfore  addres  the  dewlie  to  decoir 

And  rewle  thy  regne  with  hie  magnificence; 

Begin  at  God  to  gar  fett  furth  his  gloir. 

And  of  his  gofpell  gett  experience;  20 

Cans  his  trew  kirk  be  had  in  reuerence, 

So  fall  thy  name  and  fame  fpred  far  and  neir; 

Now,  this  thy  dett  to  do  with  diligence 

God  gif  the  grace  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

Found  on  the  firft  four  vertewus  cardinall,  25 

On  wifdome,  iuftice,  force  and  temperans; 
Applaud  to  prudent  men,  and  principall 
Off  virtewus  lyfe,  thy  wirfchep  till  avance; 


256  ANE  NEW  YEIR  GIFT  TO  THE  QUENE  MARY. 

Waye  iuftice,  equale  without  difcrepance; 

Strenth  thy  eftait  with  fteidfaftnes  to  fteir;  3° 

To  temper  tyme  with  trew  continuance 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

Caft  thy  confate,  be  counfale  of  the  fage, 

And  cleif  to  Chrift  hes  kepit  the  in  cure, 

Attingent  now  to  twentye  yeir  of  aige,  35 

Prefervand  the  fra  all  mifaventure. 

Wald  thow  be  fervit,  and  thy  cuntre  fure, 

Still  on  the  commoun  weill  haif  e  and  eir ; 

Preis  ay  to  be  prote6lrix  of  the  pure, 

So  God  fall  gyde  thy  grace  this  gude  new  yeir.  40 

Gar  ftanche  all  ftryifif  and  fbabill  thy  eftaitis 

In  conftance,  concord,  cherite  and  lufe; 

Be  biffie  now  to  banifch  all  debatis 

Betuix  kirkmen  and  temporall  men  dois  mufe ;  ^°^-  9°-  b. 

The  pulling  doun  of  policie  reprufe,  45 

And  lat  perverfit  prelettis  leif  perqueir ; 

To  do  the  beft  befekand  God  above 

To  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

Att  croce  gar  cry,  be  oppin  proclamatioun, 

Vndir  grit  panis,  that  nothir  he  nor  fcho  5° 

Off  halye  writ  haif  ony  difputatioun, 

Bot  letterit  men  or  lernit  clerkis  thairto; 

For  lymmer  lawdis  and  litle  laffis  lo 

Will  argunn  bayth  with  bifchop,  preift  and  freir; 

To  dantoun  this  thow  hes  aneuch  to  do,  55 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

Bot  wyte  the  wickit  paftouris  wald  nocht  mend 

Thair  vitious  leving  all  the  warld  prefcryvis ; 

Thai  tuke  na  tent  thair  traik  fould  turne  till  end. 

Thai  wer  fa  proud  in  thair  prerogatyvis ;  60 


ANE  NEW  YEIR  GIFT  TO  THE  'QUENE  MARY.  257 

For  wantonnes  thay  wald  nocht  wed  na  wyvis, 
Nor  yit  leif  chafte,  bot  chop  and  change  thair  cheir; 
Now,  to  reforme  thair  fylthy  Hcherous  lyvis, 
God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

Thai  brocht  thair  baftardis,  with  tlie  fkrufe  thai  fkraip,    65 

To  blande  thair  blude  with  barrownis  be  ambitioun; 

Thai  purcheft  pithles  pardonis  fra  the  Paip, 

To  caus  fond  foHs  confyde  he  hes  fruitioun, 

As  God,  to  gif  for  fynnis  full  remiffioun. 

And  faulis  to  faif  frome  fuffering  forowis  feir ;  70 

To  fett  afyde  fic  fortis  of  fuperfkitioun 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

Thai  loft  baith  benefice  and  pentioun  that  mareit, 

And  quha  eit  flefch  on  Frydayis  was  fyrefangit; 

It  maid  na  mis  quhat  madinnis  thai  mifcareit  75 

On  fafting  dayis,  thai  wer  nocht  brint  nor  hangit ; 

Licence  for  luchrie  fra  thair  lord  belangit 

To  gif  indulgence  as  the  devill  did  leir; 

To  mend  that  e  menye  hes  famonye  mangit 

God  gif  the  grace  aganis  this  guide  new  yeir.  80 

Thai  lute  thy  liegis  pray  to  ftokkis  and  ftanes 

And  paintit  paiparis,  wattis  nocht  quhat  thai  meine; 

Thai  bad  thame  bek  and  bynge  at  deid  mennis  banes. 

Offer  on  kneis  to  kis,  fyne  faif  thair  kin ; 

Pilgrimes  and  palmaris  paft  with  thame  betuene  85 

San6l  Blais,  San6l  Boit,  blait  bodeis  ein  to  bleir; 

Now,  to  forbid  this  grit  abufe  hes  bene, 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

Thai  tyrit  God  with  tryfillis,  tvme  trentalis. 
And  daifit  him  with  daylie  dargeis,  90 

With  owklie  abitis  to  augment  thair  rentalis, 
Mantand  mort  mvmlingis,  mixt  with  monye  leis : 

2  I 


J58  ANE  NEW  YEIR  GIFT  TO  THE  QUENE  MARY. 

Sic  fan6litude  was  Sathanis  forcereis, 

Chriftis  fillie  fcheip  and  fobir  flok  to  fmeir; 

To  ceis  all  find  rye  fe6lis  of  herefeis  95 

God  gif  the  grace  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

With  mes  nor  matynes  no  wayis  will  I  mell,  Fol.gi.a. 

To  iuge  thame  iuftlie  paflis  my  ingyne ; 

Thai  gyde  nocht  ill  that  governis  weill  thame  fell, 

And  lelalie  on  lawtie  layis  thair  lyne;  100 

Dowtis  to  difcus  for  do6louris  ar  devyne, 

Cunnyng  in  clergie  to  declair  thame  cleir; 

To  ordour  this  the  office  now  is  thyne, 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

As  beis  takkis  walx  and  honye  of  the  floure,  105 

So  dols  the  faythfuU  of  Goddis  word  tak  frute; 

As  wafpis  reffauis  of  the  fame  hot  foure, 

So  reprobatis  Chriftis  buke  dois  rebute; 

Wordis  without  werkis  availyeis  nocht  a  cute; 

To  feis  thy  fubieftis  fo  in  lufe  and  feir,  no 

That  rycht  and  reafoun  in  thy  realme  may  rute, 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

The  epiftollis  and  evangelis  now  ar  prechit, 

But  fophiftrie  or  ceremoneis  vane ; 

Thy  pepill,  maift  pairt,  trewlie  now  ar  techit  115 

To  put  away  idolatrie  prophaine : 

Bot  in  fum  hartis  is  gravit  new  agane 

Ane  image  callit  cuvatyce  of  geir; 

Now,  to  expell  that  idoll  ftandis  vp  plane, 

God  gif  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir.  120 

For  fum  ar  fene  at  fermonis  feme  fa  halye, 
Singand  San6l  Dauidis  pfalter  on  thair  bukis, 
And  ar  bot  bibliftis  fairfing  full  thair  bellie, 
Bakbytand  nychtbouris,  noyand  thame  in  nwikis, 


ANE  NEW  YE  IE  GIFT  TO  THE  QUENE  MARY.  259 

Ruging  and  raifand  vp  kirk  rentis  lyke  ruikis;  125 

As  werrie  wafpis  aganis  Goddis  word  makis  weir; 
Sic  Chriftianis  to  kis  with  Chauceris  kuikis 
God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

Dewtie  and  dettis  ar  drevin  be  dowbilnes; 

Auld  folkis  ar  flemit  fra  yung  fayth  profeffouris ;  130 

The  gritteft  ay  the  grediar,  I  ges, 

To  plant  quhair  preiftis  and  perfonis  wer  poffeffouris ; 

Teindis  ar  vptane  be  teftament  tranfgreflburis; 

Credence  is  paft,  off  promeis  thocht  thai  fweir; 

To  punifch  papiftis  and  reproche  oppreffouris  i35 

God  gif  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

Pure  folk  ar  famift  with  thir  faffionis  new, 

Thai  faill  for  fait  that  had  befoir  at  fouth; 

Leill  labouraris  lamentis,  and  tennentis  trew, 

That  thai  ar  hurt  and  hareit  north  and  fouth;  140 

The  heidifmen  hes  cor  mundum  in  thair  mouth, 

Bot  nevir  with  mynd  to  gif  the  man  his  meir; 

To  quenche  thir  quent  calamiteis  fo  cowth 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

Proteftandis  takis  the  freiris  auld  antetewme,  145 

Reddie  reffauaris,  bot  to  rander  nocht; 

So  lairdis  vpliftis  mennis  leifing  ouir  thy  rewme. 

And  ar  rycht  crabit  quhen  thai  crave  thame  ocht ; 

Be  thai  vnpayit,  thy  purfevandis  ar  focht  Fol.gi.b. 

To  pund  pure  communis  corne  and  cattell  keir;  150 

To  wify  all  thir  wrangus  workis  ar  wrocht 

God  gife  the  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

Paull  biddis  nocht  deill  with  thingis  idolatheit, 

Nor  quhair  hypocrafie  hes  bene  committit ; 

Bot  kirk  mennis  curfit  fubftance  femis  fweit  155 

Till  laud  men,  with  that  leud  burd  lyme  ar  byttit^; 

1  Lord  Hailes  and  Dr.  David  Laing  read  kyttit. 


26o  ANE  NEW  YEIR  GIFT  TO  THE  QUENE  MARY. 

Giff  thow  perfave  fum  fenyeour  it  lies  fmittit, 

Solift  thame  foftlie  nocht  to  perfeveir; 

Hurt  nocht  thair  honour,  thocht  thy  hienes  wittit, 

Bot  gratiouflie  forgife  thame  this  gude  yeir.  i6o 

Foirgifanis  grant  with  glaidnes  and  gude  will 

Gratis  till  all  into  your  parliament ; 

Syne  ftabill  ftatutis,  fteidfaft  to  Hand  ftill, 

That  barrone,  clerk  and  burges  be  content : 

Thy  nobillis,  erlis  and  lordis  confequent,  165 

Treit  tendir,  to  obtene  thair  hartis  inteir, 

That  thai  may  ferve  and  be  obedient 

Vnto  thy  grace  aganis  this  gude  new  yeir. 

Sen  fo  thow  fittis  in  faitt  fuperlatywe, 

Caus  everye  ftait  to  thair  vocatioun  go,  170 

Scolaflik  men  the  fcriptouris  to  defcrywe. 

And  maieftratis  to  vfe  the  fwerd  alfo, 

Merchandis  to  trafique  and  travell  to  and  fro, 

Mechanikis  wirk,  hufbandis  to  faw  and  fcheir; 

So  falbe  welth  and  weilfaire  without  wo,  175 

Be  grace  of  God,  aganis  this  guid  new  yeir. 

Latt  all  thy  realme  be  now  in  reddines 

With  coiftlie  clething  to  decoir  thy  cors ; 

Yung  gentilmen  for  danfmg  thame  addres, 

With  courtlie  ladyes  cuplit  in  confors;  180 

Frak  ferce  gallandis  for  feild  gemmis  enfors, 

Enarmit  knychtis  at  liftis  with  fcheild  and  fpeir 

To  fecht  in  barrowis  bayth  on  fute  and  hors, 

Agane  thy  grace  gett  ane  guid  man  this  yeir. 

This  yeir  falbe  imbaffattis  heir  belyfife,  185 

For  mariage,  frome  princes,  dukis  and  kingis; 
This  yeir,  within  thy  regioun,  fall  aryfe 
Rowtis  of  the  rankefh  that  in  Europ  ringis ; 


ANE  NEW  YEIR  GIFT  TO  THE  QUENE  MARY.  261 

This  yeir  bayth  blythnes  and  abundance  bringis, 
Naveis  of  fchippis  outthrocht  the  fea  to  fneir  190 

With  riches,  raymentis  and  all  royall  thingis, 
Agane  thy  grace  get  ane  gude  man  this  ycir. 

Gifife  fawis  be  futh  to  fchaw  thy  celfitude, 

Quhat  berne  fould  bruke  all  Bretane  be  the  fee? 

The  prophecie  expreflie  dois  conclude  195 

The  Frenfch  wyfe  of  the  Brucis  blude  fuld  be; 

Thow  art  be  lyne  fra  him  the  nynte  degree, 

And  wes  king  Frances  pairty  maik  and  peir; 

So,  be  difcence,  the  fame  fowld  fpring  of  the, 

By  grace  of  God,  agane  this  gude  new  yeir.  200 

Schortlie  to  concluid,  on  Chrift  caft  thy  confort, 

And  chereis  thame  that  thow  hes  vnder  charge; 

Suppone  maift  fure  he  fall  the  fend  fupport,  Fol.  92.  a. 

And  len  the  luftie  liberos  at  large; 

Beleif  that  Lord  may  harbary  fo  thy  bairge  205 

To  mak  braid  Britane  blyth  as  bird  on  breir, 

And  the  extoll,  with  his  triumphand  targe, 

Wi6loriuflie  agane  this  guid  new  yeir. 


U  envoy. 

Prudent,  maift  gent,  tak  tent,  and  prent  the  wordis 
Intill  this  bill;  with  will,  thame  ftill  to  face, 
Quhilkis  ar  nocht  fkar  to  bar  on  far  fra  bawrdis, 
Bot  leale,  but  feale,  may  haell,  avaell  thy  grace ; 
Sen  lo!  thow  fcho  this  to  now  do  hes  place, 
Refaif,  fwaif  and  half,  ingraif  it  heir ; 
This  now,  for  prow;  that  yow,  fweit  dow,  may  brace 
Lang  fpace  with  grace,  folace  and  peace,  this  yeir. 


262  THE  RIGHT  FONTANE  OF  HAILFULL  SAPIENCE. 


Le6lori. 

Frefch,  fulgent,  flurift,  fragrant  flour  formois, 

Lantern  to  lufe  of  ladeis  lamp  and  lot, 

Cherie  maift  chaift,  cheif  charbucle  and  chois, 

Smaill  fweit  fmaragde,  fmelling  bot  fmit  of  fmot,  220 

Nobleft  natour,  nurice  to  nurtour  not, 

This  dull  indyte,  dulce,  dowble,  dafy  deir; 

Send  be  thy  fempill  fervand  Sanderris  Scott,^ 

Greting  grit  God  to  grant  thy  grace  gude  yeir. 

Finis. 


CIV. 

\Thc  richt  Fontane  of  hailfull  Sapience?^ 

THE  richt  fontane  of  hailfull  fapience 
Wyfe  Salamone  in  his  prowerbis  previs ; 
Ane  potent  prince  of  fuperne  excellence. 
Off  iuftice  homege  is  quhair  euir  he  beis; 
In  the  quhilk  homoge  ilk  man  hes  maner  feis, 
Conformyng  thame  vnto  his  gyding  all; 
Is  faid  in  ftoreis  of  antiquiteis 
The  heid  the  membiris  foUowis  grit  and  fmall. 

Be  he  of  vertew  and  eruditioun. 

Full  of  prudens  and  magnanimitie, 

Inclynit  haill  to  iuftice  and  reffoun, 

Ilk  man  will  preifs  quha  can  moft  vertewis  be ; 

1  On  the  margin,  in  another  hand,  Alexr.  Scot. 


THE  RIGHT  FONTANE  OF  HAILFULL  SAPIENCE.  263 

Be  he  effeminat,  gevin  to  volupte, 

Quhilk  is  a  peftilens  rycht  contagious 

In  to  a  prince  of  grit  nobilite,  15 

His  fubie6lis  all  beis  wyle  and  vicius. 

Sen  fa  it  is,  rycht  potent  prince  preclair, 

Of  this  haill  realme  the  weilfair  is  in  the; 

Thow  art  fo  neidfull  and  fo  neceffair 

That  it  out  the  can  nocht  rewlit  be;  20 

Arme  the  with  vertew,  proudens  and  reffone  all  thre, 

Defend  thy  realme,  be  reddy  at  all  houris 

To  ryd,  to  rin,  that  wickit  men  puneift  be. 

As  befoir  did  thi  noble  progenitouris. 

Luve  thy  God  attour  all  erdly  thing,  25  Fol  92  b 

Ouhilk  hes  the  maid  a  plefand  creature; 

Abuf  all  vthiris  hes  ordanit  the  to  ring- 

In  to  this  realme,  as  king  of  grit  honour; 

Nothing  defalkis  thow  fuld  haif  be  natour; 

Pleifs  thow  him  nocht,  quhilk  putis  the  in  fait  fo  he        30 

As  equall  iuge  both  to  rich  and  pure, 

Befoir  grit  God  thow  fall  accufid  be. 

All  morall  vertew  ar  neidfull  in  to  a  king ; 

Fortitud  but  prudens  is  verry  tirrany; 

Prudens  but  iuftice  is  reput  for  no  thing;  35 

Juftice  but  temperance  is  bot  crudelite; 

Temperans  is  nocht  bot  liberalite. 

Amang  all  vertew  iuftice  is  lawreat. 

And  prince  of  iuftice  the  verry  image  fuld  be. 

The  quhilk  but  vertew  is  blind  and  obfecat.  40 

Ane  ryell  prince,  that  all  hes  vndir  cure, 
Firft  fuld  confiddir  quhay  iuft  is  and  prudent; 
Ouha  of  ingyne,  quha  can  him  do  plefure; 
Quhay  of  knawlege,  and  quhay  is  ignorant; 


264  THE  RIGHT  FONTANE  OF  HAILFULL  SAPIENCE. 

Quhay  fcharp  in  word  and  in  deid  negligent;  45 

Quha  mail-  to  geir  nor  till  his  honour  hes  e; 
Quha  can  fpeik  fair  and  hes  a  fals  intent; 
Quha  fenyeit  flechouris  of  iniquite. 

Quhen  thow  ingyne,  maner  and  conditioun 

Off  euery  man  hes  tane  experiance,  50 

Than  of  law  the  adminiftratioun 

To  prudent  men  committ  in  gouernance, 

Quhilkis  ar  kend  and  knawin  of  confcience, 

And  with  budis  will  nocht  corruptit  be; 

For  Plato  fayis,  ane  perrelus  peftilens  ^^ 

Ane  fowkand  iuge,  off  vthir  menis  geir  grede. 

Thow  feis  ane  fuerd  in  ane  wod  mans  hand, 

Quhilk  for  the  tyme  wantis  vfage  and  reffoun, 

Nowdir  gud  nor  evill  fpairis  but  demand, 

Juft  and  iniuft  putis  to  confufioun ;  60 

So  is  ane  iuge  withowt  intelle6lioun, 

Quhilk  in  his  hand  beiris  the  fuerd  of  iuftice, 

Quhen  he  fuld  ftrek  hes  no  cognitioun, 

Bot  as  ane  blind  man  wauerand  on  the  yfe, 

Nobillis  of  vertew  and  eruditioun  65 

Ane  ryell  prince  fuld  ay  maift  magnife, 

Nocht  be  affe6luall  cognitioun 

Owdir  be  blud  or  confanguinite, 

Bot  quhonie  he  knawis  of  wifdome  and  bonte; 

For  ane  noble  of  blud  that  hes  no  vertoufnes,  70 

Drownand  in  vice  and  perniciofite. 

Is  evin  bot  as  a  fchaddow  in  a  glafs. 

Thy  paftyme  fuld  oft  be  in  commonyng 

With  profound  clerkis  of  fcience  and  prudens ; 

For  cunnyng  termes  afferis  in  a  king,  75  Fol.  93. 

Quhilk  fuld  be  polyt  and  of  eloquence. 


JESU  CHRYST  THAT  DEIT  ON  TRE!  265 

In  hering  wyfmen  men  gettis  fapience, 

Without  the  quhilk  is  no  ftabilite, 

Thairfoir  in  tyme  thow  get  intelligence, 

Or  ellis  thy  wifdome  fall  in  feiking  be.  80 

Eftir  thi  meit,  of  inftrumentis  muificall 

Thow  fuld  be  fed  with  plefand  armony, 

Quhilk  is  exercitioun  moft  regall; 

Lichtis  the  mynd  plefand  to  heir  and  fe 

Attour  all  thing  in  mufik  cunnand  be;  85 

Quhilk  ornat  Homeir,  decoir  of  difcepling, 

Ane  kendill  of  curage,  off  rankour  inneme, 

Mufik  callit  wirthy  for  ony  king, 

Dreid  God;  be  iuft  and  ferme  in  cherite; 

Vile  Iuft  refrene ;  conftant  but  variance ;  90 

Faythfull  but  fiftioun;  full  of  benignite; 

Plane  in  thy  wordis ;  vfe  no  diffimulance ; 

Patient;  prudent;  vfe  all  magnificence; 

Gyd  thow  with  counfale  thy  ryall  maiefte; 

Off  warldly  gudis  fall  thow  half  haboundance,  95 

And  gratius  God  fall  ay  thy  gyder  be. 

Finis  quod  Mr.  Alexr.  Kid. 


CV. 

\Jefu  Chvyji  that  deit  on  Tre/] 

JESU  Chryft  that  deit  on  tre! 
Send  ws  thy  grace  doun  frome  the  hevin ; 
As  thow  was  borne  of  a  virgin  fre, 
Keip  ws  fra  deidly  fynnis  fevin. 

2  K 


,66  JESU  CHRYST  THAT  DEIT  ON  TRE! 

We  ar  ay  wauerand  od  and  evin ;  5 

Suddanly  flane  Avith  fpeir  and  fcheild, 
Wc  half  no  man  the  law  to  nevin; 
Allace!  our  king  is  nocht  of  eild. 

Lord  God  eternall  and  fader  moft  deir! 

That  maid  this  warld  and  ws  of  nocht,  lo 

Ye  heir  the  prayer  of  the  pure, 

That  fittis  and  fichis  with  forrow  focht. 

The  leill  men,  that  for  thair  levingis  wrocht, 

Ar  ranfonit  rudly  eueiy  deill, 

Tane  and  prefonit,  flane  and  brocht,  15 

For  faik  our  king  is  nocht  of  eild. 

We  haif  no  man  to  plenye  to  hot  yow, 

For  it  wes  thow  that  coft  ws  deir; 

Thay  leif  ws  nowdir  cow  nor  yow, 

Stirk  nor  ftaig,  horfs  nor  meir.  20 

The  lordis  will  nocht  our  complaint  heir; 

Our  barnis  lyis  nakit  on  the  feild ; 

The  commonis  makis  ane  hiddous  beir, 

Becaus  our  king  is  nocht  of  eild. 

I  call  that  counfall  nocht  worth  a  prene,  25 

That  to  thair  kinryk  makis  no  corre6lioun ; 

Thocht  we  ws  help,  it  is  no  wene, 

Thay  will  nocht  fit  to  heir  our  a6lioun; 

Saifgaird  nor  thair  grit  proteftioun 

To  ws  is  nowdir  help  nor  beild;  30 

Trew  men  can  gett  no  fatisfa6lioun, 

Becaus  our  king  is  nocht  of  eild. 

Thocht  we  haif  regentis  in  this  realme,  Fol.  93.  b. 

Ane  or  ma  and  fmdre  diuers. 

We  wait  nocht  quhome  to  we  fall  complene,  35 

Ouhen  thevis  and  reveris  ws  difpryfis. 


JESU  CHRYST  THAT  BEIT  ON  TRE!  267 

The  leill  men  all  in  fic  perrell  lyis, 

That  thay  ar  lofit  and  chefit  our  feild, 

Gart  thig  thair  meit  bayth  barnis  and  wyffis, 

For  faik  our  king  is  nocht  of  eild.  40 

This  kinryk  wantis  hot  a  man, 
That  held  ws  ay  in  refl  and  pefe; 
That  wareit  feild  we  may  fair  ban, 
Ouhair  did  our  wirthy  prince  decefe. 
The  lordis  all  ar  full  of  cuvatyfe, 
That  cauffis  ws  for  to  be  keild, 
Thocht  thay  anuch  of  riches  hefs, 
Allace!  our  king  is  nocht  of  eild. 


The  chancellar  and  the  chalmirlane, 
The  regent  and  the  proteclouris, 
The  mekle  deill  be  of  thame  fane, 
That  gifhs  fic  licens  to  delatouris, 
To  theif  and  revir  to  be  vi6louris, 
With  in  this  realme  for  to  ring  in  beild, 
And  leill  men  to  be  fefit  as  tratouris, 
Becaus  our  king  is  nocht  of  eild. 


45 


50 


55 


I  byd  to  mak  no  langar  procefs; 

Bot  herkin  to  the  indirend : 

Ouha  coppeis  this  with  fmdre  vocifs 

And  makis  this  wret  for  to  be  kend,  60 

Quha  takis  budis  thame  to  defend 

And  cauffis  falflieid  to  be  heild, 

Thay  fall  murne  quhen  thay  ma  nocht  mend, 

Quhen  evir  God  fendis  our  king  to  eild. 

Finis. 


268  ^OW  IS  OUR  KING  IN  TENDIR  AIGE. 

CVI. 

\_Now  is  our  King  in  tendir  Aige?[ 

NOW  is  our  king  in  tendir  aige ; 
Chryft  conferf  him  in  his  eild 
To  do  iuftice,  bath  to  man  and  pege, 
That  garris  our  land  ly  lang  onteild, 

Thocht  we  do  dowble  pay  thair  wege.  5 

Pur  commonis  prefently  now  ar  peild; 
'    Thay  ryd  about  in  fic  a  rege, 
Be  firth,  forrefl  and  feild, 
With  bow,  buklar  and  brand. 

Lo!  quhair  thay  ryd  in  till  our  ry,  lo 

The  diuill  mot  fane  yone  company, 
I  pray  fro  may  hairt  trewly: 
Thus  faid  Jok  vpalland. 

He  that  wes  wont  to  beir  the  barrowis, 

Betuix  the  baikhoufs  and  the  brewhoufs,  15 

On  twenty  fchilling  now  he  tarrowis, 

To  ryd  the  he  gait  by  the  plewis ; 

Bot  wer  I  king,  bvnd  half  gud  fallowis, 

In  Norroway  thay  fuld  heir  of  newis ;  ^°^-  94.  a- 

I  fuld  him  tak  and  all  his  marrowis  2° 

And  hing  thame  heich  vpoun  yone  hewis, 

And  tharto  plichtis  my  hand ; 

Thir  lordis  and  barronis  grit 

Vpoun  ane  gallowis  fuld  I  knit, 

That  thus  doun  treddit  lies  our  quhit :  25 

This  faid  Johnne  vponland. 

Wald  the  lordis  the  lawis  that  leidis 
To  hufbandis  do  gud  reffone  and  fkill, 
To  chaftanis  thir  chiftanis  be  the  heidis 


ROLLING  IN  MY  REMEMBRANCE.  269 

And  hing  thame  heich  vpoun  ane  hill;  30 

Than  micht  hufbandis  lawbor  thair  fteidis, 

And  preiftis  mycht  pattir  and  pray  thair  fill ; 

For  hufbandis  fuld  nocht  haif  fie  pleidis ; 

Bayth  fcheip  and  nolt  mycht  ly  full  fi:ill, 

And  ftakis  ftill  mycht  ftand ;  35 

For  fen  thay  red  amang  our  durris, 

With  fplent  on  fpald  and  roufty  fpurris, 

Thair  grew  no  fru6l  in  till  our  furris: 

Thus  faid  Johnne  vp  on  land. 

Tak  a  pure  man  a  fcheip  or  two,  40 

For  hungir  or  for  fait  of  fude, 

To  fyve  or  fex  bairnis  or  mo, 

Thay  will  him  hing  with  raipis  rud ; 

Bot  and  he  tak  a  flok  or  two, 

A  bow  of  ky,  and  lat  thame  blud,  45 

Full  falfly  may  he  ryd  or  go. 

I  wait  nocht  gif  thir  lawis  be  gud, 

I  fchrew  thame  firft  thame  fand. 

Jefu!  for  thy  holy  paffioun, 

Thow  grant  him  grace  that  weiris  the  croun  50 

To  ding  thir  mony  kingis  doun : 

Thus  faid  Johnne  vponland. 

Finis. 


R 


CVII. 

{Rolling  in  my  Reinenibvance'\ 

OLLING  in  my  remembrance 
Of  court  the  daylie  variance, 


2/0 


ROLLING  IN  MY  REMEMBRANCE. 

Mc  think  he  fuld  be  call  it  wife 
That  firft  maid  this  allegence : 
Bettir  hap  to  court  nor  gud  feruifs.  5 

For  fum  man  to  the  court  pretendis, 

And  that  his  freindis  wan  he  fpendis, 

Howping  in  honour  to  vprifs, 

Syne  wrechitly  but  guerdoun  wendis: 

Bettir  hap  to  court  nor  gud  feruifs.  ^o 

And  fum  dois  to  the  court  repair, 

With  empty  purfs  and  clethis  full  bair; 

Yit  he  in  riches  multeplifs, 

That  he  levis  thowfandis  to  his  air : 

Bettir  hap  to  court  nor  gud  feruifs.  ^S 

Sum  feruis  weill  and  haldis  him  ftill,  Fol.  94-  b. 

Putting  all  in  his  maifberis  will ; 

Bot  fic  vnferuit  ar  oft  fyifs, 

Ouhen  grokaris  gettis  that  thay  ferue  ill, 

Throw  hap,  and  for  no  gud  feruifs.  20 

Sum  takis  reward  at  thair  awin  handis 

Off  king  and  quenis  proper  landis; 

Bot  faft  for  thame  the  galloufs  cryifs, 

That  our  lang  foliter  it  ftandis, 

But  thame  that  dois  fic  feruifs.  25 

Sum  gettis  giftis  and  guerdoun  greit, 

That  nevir  did  for  gud  feruice  fueit ; 

Sum  gettis  buddis;  fum  benifyifs; 

And  fum  dois  foly  conterfeit, 

And  wynnis  mare  nor  gud  feruifs.  30 

Sum  gettis  at  Yule;  fum  gettis  at  Pefs; 
Sum  tynis  fyifs  and  wynnis  bot  efs; 


SCHIjR,    YIT  REMEMBIR  as  of  BEFOIR.  271 

Sum  to  the  diuill  givis  the  dyifs, 
That  he  can  nevir  win  na  grace, 
Nowdir  throw  hap  nor  gud  feruifs.  35 

Rewaird  in  court  is  delt  fo  evin, 

Sum  gettis  that  micht  fuffeifs  fevin ; 

And  vthir  fum  in  langour  lyifs, 

Makand  ane  murniour  to  the  hevin, 

That  thay  get  nocht  for  gud  feruyifs.  40 

The  nycht  the  court  fum  gydis  clene, 

Thairin  the  morne  dar  nocht  be  fene, 

Mair  than  the  deuill  in  paradyifs; 

Nor  fpeik  ane  word  with  king  nor  quene, 

Thocht  he  maid  nevir  fo  gud  feruyifs.  45 

Chryft!  bring  our  king  to  perfyt  ege, 

With  wit,  fra  yowthis  fellon  rege. 

To  help  thame  that  in  him  affyifs, 

And  pay  ilk  man  thair  conding  wege, 

According  to  thair  gud  feruyifs.  50 

Finis. 


CVIII. 

\^ScJiir,  yit  renicvibir  as  of  bcfoir?[ 

SCHIR,  yit  remembir  as  of  befoir, 
How  that  my  yowth  I  done  forloir 
In  your  feruice,  with  pane  and  greif ; 
Gud  confciens  cryis  reward  thairfoir; 
Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif 


272 


SCHIR,   YIT  REMEMBIR  AS  OF  BEFOIR. 

Your  clerkis  ar  feruit  all  about, 

And  I  do  lyk  ane  reid  halk  fchout, 

To  cum  to  lure  that  lies  no  leif, 

Ouhair  my  plummyis  begynis  to  brek  out : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif.  ^° 

Forfett  is  ay  the  falconis  kynd,  Fol.  95-  a. 

Bot  euir  the  mittane  is  hard  in  mynd, 

Of  quhome  the  gled  dois  pre6likis  preif ; 

The  gentill  goifhalk  gois^  vnkynd : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  ^5 

The  pyet  with  hir  pretty  cot 

Fenyeis  to  fmg  the  nychtingalis  not ; 

Bot  fcho  can  nevir  the  corchat  cleif, 

For  harfknes  of  hir  carlich  throt : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif.  ^o 

Ay  farell  faderis  hes  farreft  fowlis ; 

Suppois  thay  half  no  fang  bot  youlis, 

In  filuer  caigis  thai  fit  at  cheif; 

Kynd  natyve  neft  dois  clek  bot  owlis : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  ^S 

O  gentill  egill!  how  may  this  be? 

That  of  all  fowlis  dois  heefb  fle, 

Your  legis  quhy  will  ye  nocht  releif, 

And  chereifs  eftir  thair  degre? 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif.  3° 

Ouhen  feruit  is  all  vdir  man, 

Gentill  and  femple  of  euery  clan, 

Kyne  of  Rauf  Colyard  and  Johnne  the  Reif, 

Na  thing  I  get  na  conqueft  chan : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif.  35 

1  The  firft  two  letters  oigois  feem  as  if  intended  to  be  deleted. 


SCHIR,    YIT  REMEMBIR  AS  OF  BEFOIR.  275 

Thocht  I  in  court  be  maid  refufs, 

And  half  few  vertewis  for  to  rufs, 

Yit  am  I  cumin  of  Adame  and  Eif, 

And  fane  wald  leif  as  vderis  doifs: 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  40 

Or  I  fuld  leif  in  fic  mifchance, 

Gife  it  to  God  war  no  grevance, 

To  be  a  pykthank  I  wald  preif, 

For  thay  in  warld  wantis  no  plefans : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  45 

In  fum  parte  on  my  felf  I  plenye, 

Quhen  vdir  folkis  dois  flattir  and  fenye; 

Allace!  I  can  bot  ballattis  breif, 

Sic  bairneheid  biddis  my  brj^dill  renye: 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  50 

I  grant  my  feruice  is  bot  licht ; 

Thairfoir  of  mercy,  and  nocht  of  richt, 

I  afk  yow,  fchir,  no  man  to  greif, 

Sum  medecyne  gife  that  ye  micht : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  mc  mifcheif.  55 

May  nane  remeid  my  melady 

Sa  Weill  as  ye,  fchir,  veraly; 

For  with  a  benifice  ye  may  preif, 

And  gif  I  mend  nocht  heftely : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  60 

I  wes  in  yowth  on  nureifs  kne, 

Dandely,  bifchop,  dandely,  FoI.QS.b. 

And  quhen  that  ege  now  dois  me  greif, 
Ane  femple  vicar  I  can  nocht  be: 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  6- 

2  L 


274  FIRST  LERGES  THE  KING  MY  CHEIFE. 

J  ok,  that  wes  wont  to  keip  the  ftirkis, 

Can  now  draw  him  ane  cleik  of  kirkis, 

With  ane  fals  cairt  in  to  his  fleif, 

Worth  all  my  ballattis  vndir  the  birkis: 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  70 

Twa  curis  or  thre  hes  vpolandis  Michell, 

With  difpenfationis  bund  in  a  knitchell, 

Thocht  he  fra  nolt  had  new  tane  leif ; 

He  playis  with  totum  and  I  with  nichell: 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  75 

How  fuld  I  leif  that  is  nocht  landit, 

Nor  yit  with  benifice  am  I  blandit? 

I  fay  nocht,  fchir,  yow  to  repreif ; 

Bot  doutles  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, 

Seand  my  felf  I  half  beleif 

In  houp,  fchir,  of  your  adiutory : 

Excefs  of  thocht  dois  me  mifcheif  85 

Finis  quod  Dumbar. 


CIX. 

\FirJi  Lerges  the  King  my  C/icife^ 

Lerges,  lerges,  lerges,  ay; 
Lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday. 

FIRST  lerges  the  king  my  cheife, 
Quhilk  come  als  quiet  as  a  theif, 


FIRST  LERGES  THE  KING  MY  CHEIFE.  275 

And  in  my  hand  fled  fchillingis  tway, 

To  put  his  lergnes  to  preif, 

For  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday.  5 

Syne  lerges  of  my  lord  chancellar, 

Quhen  I  to  him  ane  ballat  bare, 

He  fonyeit  nocht  nor  faid  me  nay, 

Bot  gaif  me,  quhill  I  wad  had  mair, 

For  lergenes  of  this  New  Yeirday.  10 

Off  Galloway  the  bifchop  new 

Furth  of  my  hand  ane  ballat  drew, 

And  me  deliuerit  with  delay 

Ane  fair  haiknay  but  hyd  or  hew, 

For  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday.  15 

Off  [Haly]  croce  the  abbot  ying, 

I  did  to  him  ane  ballat  bring; 

Bot  or  I  paft  far  him  fray, 

I  gat  na  les,  nor  deill  a  thing, 

For  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday.  20 

The  fecretar,  bayth  war  and  wyfe,  Fol.  96.  a. 

Hecht  me  ane  kaft  of  his  offyfe; 

And  for  to  reid  my  bill  alfway, 

He  faid  for  him  that  micht  fuffyfe 

For  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday.  25 

The  thefaur  [ar]  and  compttrollar, 

Thay  bad  me  cum,  I  wait  nocht  quhair. 

And  thay  fuld  gar,  I  wait  nocht  quhay, 

Gif  me  I  wat  nocht  quhat,  full  fair. 

For  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday.  30 

Now  lerges  of  my  lordis  all, 
Bayth  temporall  ftait  and  fpirituall, 


376  SCHIR,  SEN  OF  MEN  AR  DIUERSS  SORTIS. 

My  felf  fall  euir  fing  and  fay 
I  haif  thame  found  fo  liberall 
O  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday!  35 

Fowl!  fall  this  froft  that  is  fo  fell, 

It  hes  the  wyt,  the  trewth  to  tell, 

Baith  handis  and  purfs  it  bindis  fway, 

Thay  may  gife  ne  thing  by  thame  fell 

For  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday.  40 

Now  lerges  of  my  lord  Bothwell, 

The  quhilk  in  fredome  dois  excell ; 

He  gaif  to  me  ane  curfour  gray, 

Worth  all  this  fort  that  I  with  mell. 

For  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday.  45 

Grit  God  releif  Margaret  our  quene, 

For,  and  fcho  war  as  fcho  hes  bene, 

Scho  wald  be  lerger  of  lufray 

Than  all  the  laif  that  I  of  mene, 

For  lerges  of  this  New  Yeirday.  5° 

Quod  Stewart. 


ex. 

\^Schir,  fen  of  Men  ar  diuerfs  Soriis^ 

SCHIR,  fen  of  men  ar  diuerfs  fortis. 
And  diuerfs  paftymes  and  difportis 
According  ar  for  ilk  degre; 
All  thy  trew  lieges  the  exortis 
To  knaw  thy  ryall  maieftie. 


SCmJi,  SEN  OF  MEN  AR  DIUERSS  SORTIS.  277 

And  mark  in  thy  memoriall 

Thy  predeceffouris  parentall, 

Ouhais  fru6loufs  fatis  and  deidis  he 

Makis  thair  fame  perpetuall, 

Throw  potent,  princely  maieftie.  10 

Sen  throw  the  erd,  in  lenth  and  breid, 

Thow  art  the  moft  ilkiftir  leid, 

And  moft  preclair  of  progenie; 

Think  thairvpoun,  and  caufs  thy  deid 

Appreif  thy  princely  maieftie.  15 

And  play  nocht  bot  at  honeft  playis, 

As  princis  vfit  afoir  thy  dayis, 

Halking,  hunting  and  archery, 

Jufting,  and  cheifs,  that  none  gane  fayis 

Vnto  thi  princely  maieftie,  20 

To  play  with  dyce  nor  cairtis  accordis  Fol.  96.  b. 

To  the,  bot  with  thy  noble  lordis. 

Or  with  the  quene  thy  moder  fre; 

To  play  with  pure  men  difaccordis 

And  maris  thy  ryall  maieftie.  25 

Bot  gif  thow  think,  quhen  tho[w]  begynnis, 

To  gif  agane  all  that  thow  wynnis 

To  thame  abowt  that  ferwis  the, 

To  hald  fic  wynning  fchame  and  fyn  is. 

And  far  fra  princely  maieftie.  30 

Ane  prudent  prince  eik  fuld  be  war, 

And  for  no  play  the  tyme  dififar, 

Ouhen  he  fuld  Godis  ferwice  fe; 

And,  gif  he  dois,  weill  fay  I  dar, 

He  hurtis  his  ryall  maieftie.  3c 


2  7S  SCHIR,  SEN  OF  MEN  AR  DTUERSS  SORTIS. 

To  princis  eik  it  is  ane  vice 

Till  vfe  playing  for  cuvatyce ; 

To  ryd  or  rin  our  rekleflie, 

Or  flyd  with  ladis  vpoun  the  yce, 

Accordis  nocht  for  thair  maieftie.  40 

Think  that  thair  is  ane  King  of  kingis, 

Our  heving,  erd  and  hell  that  ringis; 

Quhilk,  with  the  twynkling  of  ane  e, 

Ma  do  and  vndo  all  kyn  thingis ; 

So  mervellus  is  his  maieftie.  45 

Se  thow  pray  to  that  famyne  King, 

Going  to  bed  and  vpryfing, 

Thy  gyd  and  gouernour  ay  to  be ; 

Quha  grant  the  grace  to  ryfs  and  ring, 

With  micht  to  ryall  maieftie.  50 

Einis  quod  Stewart  to  the  Kingis  Grace. 


HEIR  ENDIS  TPIE  SECOND  PARTE  OF  THIS  BUKE.  Fol.  97.  a. 


279 


HEIR  BEGYNNYS  THE  THRID  PAIRT 

OF  THIS  BUIK,  CONTENAND  BALLETTIS 

MIRRY,  AND  VTHER  SOLATIUS 

CONSAITTIS,  SET  FURTH  BE  DIUERS 

ANCIENT  POYETTIS.      1568.^ 


CXI. 
Hermes  the  Philofopher.  Fol.  gy.b. 

Be  mirry  and  glaid,  honeft  and  vertewous, 
For  that  fuffifis  to  anger  the  invyous. 

BE  mirry,  man!  and  tak  nocht  far  in  mynd  FoI.  98. a. 

The  wawering  of  this  wrechit  warld  of  forrow ; 
To  God  be  hvmill,  and  to  thy  freynd  be  kynd, 
And  with  thy  nychtbouris  glaidly  len  and  borrow: 
His  chance  to  nycht  it  may  be  thyne  to  morrow.  5 

Be  blyth  in  hairt  for  ony  aventure, 
For  oft  with  Avyfmen  it  hes  bene  faid,  a  forrow 
Without  glaidnes  awaiHs  no  treffour. 

Mak  the  gud  cheir  of  it  that  God  the  fendis, 
For  warldis  wrak  but  weilfair  nocht  awaiHs;  10 

Na  gude  is  thyne  faif  only  bot  thow  fpendis 
Remenant  all  thow  brukis  bot  with  bailis; 

^  On  the  page  containing  this  title  a  Scotifh  paraphrafe  of  George 
Wither's  well-known  fong,  Shall  I wajimg  m  difpair?  has  been  written 
by  a  later  hand — three  flanzas  above,  and  two  below  the  title.  It  will 
be  found  in  the  Appendix. 


aSo  BE  MIRRY,  MAN! 

Scik  to  folacc  quhen  fadnes  the  affailis, 

In  dolour  lang  thy  lyfe  ma  nocht  indure ; 

Ouhairfoir  of  confort  fet  vp  all  thy  failis :  15 

Without  glaidncs  availis  no  trefour. 

Follow  on  petic,  fle  truble  and  debait ; 

With  famows  folkis  hald  thy  cumpany; 

Be  charitabill  and  humyll  in  thyne  eftait, 

For  warldly  honour  leftis  bot  a  cry;  20 

For  truble  in  erd  tak  no  mallancoly; 

Be  riche  in  patience,  gif  thow  in  gudis  be  pure; 

Ouho  levis  mirry,  he  levis  michtely: 

Without  glaidnes  availis  no  trefour. 

Thow  feis  thir  wrechis  fett  with  forrow  and  cair,  25 

To  gaddir  gudis  in  all  thair  lyvis  fpace, 

And  quhen  thair  baggis  ar  full  thair  felfis  ar  bair, 

And  of  thair  richefs  bot  the  keping  hefs; 

Ouhill  vthiris  cum  to  fpend  it  that  lies  grace, 

Ouhilk  of  thy  wynning  no  labour  had  nor  cure ;  30 

Tak  thow  example  and  fpend  with  mirrinefs: 

Without  glaidnes  availis  no  trefour. 

Thocht  all  the  werk  that  evir  had  levand  wicht 

Wer  only  thyne  no  moir  thy  pairt  dois  fall, 

Bot  meit,  diynk,  clais,  and  of  the  laif  a  ficht,  35 

Yit  to  the  iuge  thow  fall  gif  compt  of  all ; 

Ane  raknyng  rycht  cumis  of  ane  ragment  fmall ; 

Be  jufl  and  joyws  and  do  to  non  ingure, 

And  trewth  fall  mak  the  ftrang  as  ony  wall :  Fol.  98.  b. 

Without  glaidnefs  availis  no  trefure.  40 

Quod  Dumbar. 


FULL  OFT  L  MVSS  AND  HES  LN  THOCHT. 


281 


F 


CXII. 

[Full  oft  I  nivfs  and  hcs  in  Thocht] 
ULL  oft  I  mvfs  and  lies  in  thocht 


How  this  fals  warld  is  ay  on  flocht, 
Ouhair  no  thing  ferme  is  nor  degeft; 
And  quhen  I  haif  my  mynd  all  focht, 
For  to  be  blyth  me  think  it  beft.  5 

This  warld  evir  dois  flicht  and  wary, 

Fortoun  fa  faft  hir  quheill  dois  cary ; 

Na  tyme  bot  turne  can  tak  reft ; 

For  quhois  fals  change  fuld  none  be  fary; 

For  to  blyth  me  think  it  beft.  10 

Wald  men  confiddir  in  mynd  richt  weill, 

Or  fortoun  on  him  turn  hir  quheill, 

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  warld  dois  warfill  and  ftryfe, 

And  dois  his  dayis  in  dolour  dryfe, 

Thocht  he  in  lordfchip  be  poffeft. 

He  levis  bot  ane  wrechit  lyfe; 

For  to  be  blyth  me  think  it  beft.  20 

Off  warldis  gud  and  grit  richefs, 

Quhat  fru6l  hes  man  but  mirinefs.? 

Thocht  he  this  warld  had  eift  and  weft. 

All  wer  pouertie  but  glaidnefs ; 

For  to  be  blyth  me  think  it  beft.  25 

Quho  fuld  for  tynfall  drowp  or  de 
For  thyng  that  is  bot  vanitie, 

2  M 


282 


JVAS  NEVJR  IN  SCOTLAND  HARD  NOR  SENE. 

Sen  to  the  lyfe  that  evir  dois  left 
Heir  is  bot  twynklyng  of  ane  ee; 
For  to  be  blyth  me  think  it  beft.  3o 

Had  I  for  warldis  vnkyndnefs 

In  hairt  tane  ony  havinefs, 

Or  fro  my  plefans  bene  oppreft, 

I  had  bene  deid  langfyne  dowtlefs; 

For  to  be  blyth  me  think  it  beft.  35 

How  evir  this  warld  do  change  and  vary, 

Lat  ws  in  hairt  nevir  moir  be  faiy, 

Bot  evir  be  reddy  and  addreft 

To  pafs  out  of  this  frawfull  fary ; 

For  to  be  blyth  me  think  it  beft.  4o 

Etc.     Quod  Dunbar. 


CXIII. 

[  Was  nevir  in  Scotland  hard  nor  Jcne?\ 

WAS  nevir  in  Scotland  hard  nor  fene  Fol. 99- a. 

Sic  danfing  nor  deray, 
Nowthir  at  Falkland  on  the  grene, 
Nor  Peblis  at  the  play, 

As  wes  of  wowaris,  as  I  wene,  5 

At  Chryft  kirk  on  ane  day: 
Thair  come  our  kitteis  wefchin  clene^ 
In  thair  new  kirtillis  of  gray,  full  gay. 
At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

To  dans  thir  damyfellis  thame  dicht,  10 

Thir  laffis  licht  of  laitis, 


IVAS  NEVIR  IN  SCOTLAND  HARD  NOR  SENE.  283 

Thair  gluvis  wes  of  the  raffell  rycht, 

Thair  fchone  wes  of  the  ftraitis, 

Thair  kirtillis  wer  of  lynkome  Hcht, 

Weill  preft  with  mony  plaitis:  15 

Thay  wer  fo  nyfs  quhen  men  thame  nicht, 

Thay  fqueilit  lyk  ony  gaitis,  fo  lowd, 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene  that  day. 

Off  all  thir  madynis  myld  as  meid 

Wes  nane  fo  gympt  as  Gillie,  20 

As  ony  rofs  hir  rude  wes  reid, 

Hir  lyre  wes  lyk  the  lillie: 

Fow  yellow  yellow  wes  hir  held, 

Bot  fcho  of  lufe  wes  fillie ; 

Thocht  all  hir  kin  had  fworn  hir  deid,  25 

Scho  wald  haif  bot  fweit  Willie,  allone, 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

Scho  fkornit  Jok  and  fkraipit  at  him. 

And  mvrionit  him  with  mokkis ; 

He  wald  haif  luvit,  fcho  wald  nocht  lat  him,  30 

For  all  his  yalow  loikkis : 

He  chereift  hir,  fcho  bad  ga  chat  him, 

Scho  compt  him  nocht  twa  clokkis ; 

So  fchamefully  his  fchort  goun  fet  him, 

His  lymmis  wes  lyk  twa  rokkis,  fcho  faid,  35 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

Thome  Lular  wes  thair  menftrall  meit, 

O  Lord !  as  he  cowd  lanfs ; 

He  playit  fo  fchill  and  fang  fo  fweit, 

Ouhill  Towfy  tuke  a  tranfs :  40 

Auld  Lychtfute  thair  he  did  forleit, 

And  counterfutit  Franfs; 

He  vfe  him  felf  as  man  difcreit, 


284  ^^^  NEVIR  IN  SCOTLAND  HARD  NOR  SENE. 

And  vp  tuk  morcifs  danfs,  full  lowd, 

At  Chryflis  kirk  of  the  grenc.  45 

Than  Stevin  come  ftoppand  in  with  rtendis,  Fol.  99.  b. 

No  rynk  mycht  him  arreift ; 
Platfute  he  bobbit  vp  with  bendis, 
For  Maid  he  maid  requeift: 

He  lap  quhill  he  lay  on  his  lendis,  50 

Bot  lyfand  he  wes  preift, 
Quhill  that  he  oiftit  at  bath  the  endis, 
,  For  honour  of  the  feift,  that  day, 
At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

Syne  Robene  Roy  begowth  to  revell,  55 

And  Dwny  till  him  druggit; 
"Lat  be,"  quo  J  ok,  and  cawd  him  javell, 
And  be  the  taill  him  tuggit : 
The  kenfy  cleikit  to  the  cavell, 

Bot  Lord !  than  gif  thay  luggit,  60 

Thay  pairtit  hir  manly  with  a  nevell, 
God  wait  gif  hair  wes  ruggit,  betuix  thame, 
At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

Ane  bent  a  bow  fic  fturt  cowd  fleir  him, 

Grit  fkayth  wefd  to  haif  fkard  him,  65 

He  chefit  a  flane  as  did  affeir  him, 

The  toder  faid  "  Dirdum  dardum:" 

Throwch  baith  the  cheikis  he  thocht  to  cheir  him, 

Or  throw  the  erfs  haif  chard  him, 

Bot  be  ane  akerbraid  it  come  nocht  neir  him,  70 

I  can  nocht  tell  quhat  mard  him,  thair. 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

With  that  a  freynd  of  his  cryd  P^y! 
And  vp  ane  arrow  drew ; 


WAS  NEVIR  IN  SCOTLAND  HARD  NOR  SENE.  285 

He  forgit  it  fo  fowrioufly,  7^ 

The  bow  in  flenderis  flew; 

Sa  wes  the  will  of  God,  trow  I, 

For  had  the  tre  bene  trew, 

Men  faid  that  kend  his  archery, 

That  he  had  flane  anew,  that  day,  80 

At  Chryftis  kirk  on  the  grene. 

Ane  haifty  henfure  callit  Hary, 

Ouha  wes  ane  archer  heynd. 

Tilt  vp  a  taiklc  withowttin  tary. 

That  torment  fo  him  teynd ;  85 

I  wait  nocht  quhiddir  his  hand  cowd  waiy, 

Or  the  man  wes  his  freynd. 

For  he  efchaipit  throw  michtis  of  Mary, 

As  man  that  no  ill  meynd,  bot  gud. 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene.  go 

Than  Lowry  as  ane  lyon  lap, 

And  fone  a  flane  cowd  fcdder; 

He  hecht  to  perfs  him  at  the  pap,  Fol.ioo.a. 

Thair  on  to  wed  a  weddir; 

He  hit  him  on  the  wame  a  wap,  95 

It  buft  lyk  ony  bledder, 

Bot  fwa  his  fortoun  wes  and  hap, 

His  dowblet  wes  maid  of  ledder,  and  faift  him, 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

A  yaip  yung  man,  that  ftude  him  neift,  100 

Lowfd  of  a  fchot  with  yre, 

He  ettlit  the  bern  in  at  the  breift, 

The  bolt  flew  our  the  byre: 

Ane  cry  it  Fy!  he  had  flane  a  preift, 

A  myll  beyond  ane  myre,  105 

Than  bow  and  bag  fra  him  he  keift, 


286  IVAS  NEVIR  IN  SCOTLAND  HARD  NOR  SENE. 

And  fled  als  ferfs  as  fyre,  of  flynt, 
At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

With  forkis  and  flailis  thay  lait  grit  flappis, 
And  flang  togiddir  lyk  friggis;  no 

With  bowgaris  of  barnis  thay  beft  blew  kappis, 
Quhill  thay  of  bernis  maid  briggis : 
The  reird  raifs  rudly  with  the  rappis, 
Ouhen  rungis  wes  layd  on  riggis, 

Thy  wyffis  come  furth  with  cryis  and  clappis,  115 

"Lo!  quhair  my  lyking  liggis?"  quo  thay, 
At  Chryft  kirk  of  the  grene. 

Thay  girnit  and  lait  gird  with  granis, 

Ilk  goffep  vder  grevit ; 

Sum  ftraik  with  ftingis,  fum  gaderit  ftanis,  120 

Sum  fled  and  evill  mifchevit: 

The  menftrall  wan  within  twa  wanis, 

That  day  full  weill  he  previt, 

For  he  come  hame  with  vnbirfd  banis, 

Quhair  fechtaris  wer  mifchevit,  for  evir,  125 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

Heich  Hucheoun,  with  a  hiffill  ryfs, 

To  red  can  throw  thame  rummill ; 

He  mudlet  thame  doun  lyk  ony  myfs, 

He  wes  no  barty  bummill :  130 

Thocht  he  wes  wicht  he  wes  nocht  wyfs, 

With  fic  jangleris  to  jummill. 

For  fra  his  thowme  thay  dang  a  fklyfs, 

Quhill  he  cryd  "  Barla  fummyll!  I  am  flane," 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene.  135 

Quhen  that  he  faw  his  blude  fo  reid, 
To  fle  micht  no  man  lat  him ; 


WAS  NEVIR  IN  SCOTLAND  HARD  NOR  SENE.  287 

He  wend  it  bene  for  auld  done  feid,  Fol.ioo.b. 

The  far  farar  it  fet  him. 

He  gart  his  feit  defend  his  held,  140 

He  thocht  ane  cryd  haif  at  him, 

Quhill  he  weft  paft  out  of  all  pleid, 

He  fuld  bene  fwift  that  gat  him,  throw  fpeid, 

At  Chryfl  kirk  of  the  grene. 

The  toun  fowtar  in  greif  wes  bowdin,  145 

His  wyfe  hang  in  his  waift; 

His  body  wes  with  blud  all  browdin, 

He  granit  lyk  ony  gaift. 

Hir  glitterand  hair  that  wes  full  goldin, 

So  hard  in  lufe  him  left, 

That  for  hir  faik  he  wes  nocht  yoldin, 

Sevin  myll  quhill  he  wes  cheft,  and  mair. 

At  Chriftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 


150 


15s 


The  miliar  wes  of  manly  mak, 

To  meit  him  wes  na  mowis, 

Thair  durft  nocht  ten  cum  him  to  tak. 

So  nowit  he  thair  nowis. 

The  bufchment  haill  about  him  brak, 

And  bikkerit  him  with  bowis, 

Syne  tratourly  behind  his  bak,  160 

Thay  hewit  him  on  the  howifs,  behind, 

At  Chriftis  kirk  of  the  grene. 

Twa  that  wes  heidmen  of  the  heird, 

Ran  vpoun  vtheris  lyk  ram  mis, 

Than  followit  feymen  rycht  on  affeird,  165 

Bet  on  with  barrow  trammis; 

Bot  quhair  thair  gobbis  wes  vngeird, 

Thay  gat  vpoun  the  gammis; 

Quhill  bludy  berkit  wes  thair  beird 


288  JVAS  NEVIR  IN  SCOTLAND  HARD  NOR  SENE. 

As  thay  had  wirreit  lammis,  maifl  lyk,  ^7° 

At  Chryft  kirk  of  the  grene  that  day. 

The  wyvis  keft  vp  ane  hiddoufs  yell, 

Quhen  all  thir  yunkeris  yokkit, 

Als  ferfs  as  ony  fyr  flawcht  fell, 

Freikis  to  the  feild  thay  flokkit.  ^75 

Tha  cairlis  with  clubbis  cowd  vder  quell, 

Ouhill  blud  at  breiftis  out  bokkit; 

So  rudly  rang  the  commoun  bell, 

Ouhill  all  the  ftepill  rokkit,  for  reid, 

At  Chryftis  kirk  of  the  grene.  i8o 

Quhen  thay  had  berit  lyk  baitit  bulls, 

And  branewod  brynt  in  bailis, 

Thay  wer  als  meik  as  ony  mvlis, 

That  mangit  wer  with  mailis.  Fol.ioi.a. 

For  fantness  tha  forfochin  fuHs  185 

Fell  doun  lyk  flawchtir  failis, 

And  frefchmen  come  in  and  held  thair  dulis, 

And  dang  thame  doun  in  dailis,  be  dene. 

At  Chryft  kirk  on  the  grene. 

Quhen  all  wes  done,  Dik  with  ane  aix  190 

Come  furth  to  fell  a  fidder. 

Quod  he  "  Quhair  ar  yone  hangit  fmaix 

Rycht  noAv  wald  flane  my  bruder.?" 

His  wyfe  bad  him  ga  hame  Gub  Glaikis 

And  fa  did  Meg  his  muder:  i9S 

He  turnd  and  gaif  thame  bayth  thair  paikis, 

For  he  durft  ding  nane  vdir,  for  feir, 

At  Chryft  kirk  of  the  grene  that  day. 

Finis  quod  King  James  the  fiifl. 


QUHA  DOUTTIS  DREMIS  IS  BOT  PHANTASYE?  289 

CXIV. 

[Quka  donttis  Dranis  is  hot  Phantajj'e?'] 

QUHA  douttis  dremis  is  bot  phantafye? 
My  fpreit  was  reft  and  had  in  extafye, 
My  heid  lay  laich  into  this  dreme  but  dout; 
At  my  foirtop  my  fyve  wittis  flew  out, 
I  murnit  and  I  maid  ane  fclloun  mane.  c 

Me  thocht  the  King  of  Farye  had  me  tanc, 
And  band  me  in  anc  prefoun,  fute  and  hand, 
Withoutin  reuth  in  ane  lang  raip  of  fand. 
To  pers  the  prefoun  wall  it  wes  nocht  eith 
For  it  wes  mingit  and  maid  with  muffill  teith,  ,0 

And  in  the  middis  of  it  ane  myir  of  flynt : 
I  fank  thairin  quhill  I  was  neir  hand  tynt, 
And  quhen  I  faw  thair  was  none  vthir  remeid, 
I  flychterit  vp  with  ane  feddrene^  of  leid. 
For  that^  I  thocht  me^  ferye  of  my  youth.  15 

I  tukc  my  lytill  tae  into  my  mouth, 
And  keft  my  felf  rycht  with  ane  mychtie  bend 
Outthruch  the  volt  and  percit  nocht  the  pend. 
And  thus  I  thocht  into  my  dullie  dreme, 
I  brak  my  heid  vpoun  ane  know  of  reme.  20 

That  I  fuld  hurt  my  felf  I  had  difpyte. 
And  in  all  tene  I  tumit  vp*  full  tyte, 
Drank  of  ane  well  that  wes  gane  dryc  fevin  yeir, 
Syne  loop^  thre  lowpis  and  I  was  haill  and  feir. 
Syne  efter  that*^  I  had  efchapit  this  cace. 
Me  thocht  I  Aves  in  monye  diuers  place, 
Ouhilk  wer  to  lang  to  have  in  perfyte  mynd, 
In  Egipt,  Ireland,  Arragone  and  Ynd,  Foi.ioi.b. 

^  'Pex\\Cir>s  feJdrem.     "  That  inferted  after  the  line  was  written. 

■''  Ale  do.     *The  words  in  dyte  have  been  erafed  here.     ^  Poffibly  lap. 

^  That  inferted  afterwards. 

2  N 


25 


290  QUHA  DOUTTIS  DREMIS  IS  BOT  PHANTASYE? 

In  Burgonye,  Burdeaux  and  in  Bethleem, 
In  Juiye  land  and  in  Jerufalem,  30 

In  France,  in  Freifland  and  in  Cowpland  fellis, 
Ouhair  clokkis  clekkis  crawburdis  in  cokkill  fchellis, 
In  Poill,  Pertik,  Peblis  and^  Portiafe, 
And  thair  I  fchippit  into  ane  barge  of  drafe; 
We  pullit  vp  failis  and'^  culd  our  ankeris  wey,  35 

And  fuddanelye  out  thruch  the  throfm  fey, 
We  failit  in  ftorme,  but  fleir,  gyde  or  glas, 
To  Paradice  the  place  quhair  Adame  was. 
'  Be  we  approchit  into  that  port  in  hye, 
We  ware  weill  ware  of  Enoch  and  Elye,  40 

Sittand  on  Yule  evin  in  ane  frefch  grene  fchaw, 
Roftand  flraberries  at  ane  fyre  of  fnaw. 
I  thocht  I  wald  nocht  fl<ar  thame  in  that  place, 
Ouhill  thaj  had  drawin  the  burd  and  faid  the  grace; 
Than  fuddanelie  I  wolk  out  throw  the  plane 
To  fee  mae  farleis  that  I  mycht  tell  agane. 
Me  thocht  that^  I  happinnit  on  ane  montane  fone, 
I  wanderit  vp  and  was  wer  of  the  mone, 
And  had  nocht  bene  I  lowtit  in  the  fteid, 
I  had  ftrukkin  ane  lump  out  of  my  heid. 
Ouhen  I  was  weill  me  thocht  I  culd  nocht  leif, 
Bot  than  I  tuke  the  fone  beme  in  my  neif, 
And  wald  haif  chimin  bot  it  was  in  ane  clips. 
Schortlie  I  flaid  and  fell  upoun  my  hips, 
Doun  in  ane  midow  befyde  ane  bufk  of  mynt ;  55 

I  focht  my  felf  and  I  was  fevin  yeir  tynt; 
Yit  in  ane  mift  I  fand  me  on  the  morne. 
I  hard  ane  pundler  blaw  ane  elrich  home, 
And  fyne  befyde  me,  in  ane*  medow  grene, 
I  faw  thre  quhyte  quhailis  femelie  to  be  fene,  60 

Thair  tedderis  wes  of  grene  gerfliopperis  hair, 

1  Partiafe  has  been  deleted  here.     -  Ptdlit  deleted  here. 
3  That  is  perhaps  deleted.      ^  p^jy  j^^g  -^^^^^  deleted  here. 


45 


50 


QUHA  DOUTTIS  DREMIS  IS  BOT  PHANTASYE?  291 

Off  mige  fchankis  baith  clene,  quhyte  and  fair, 

Thair  tedderis  wer  maid  weill  grit  to  graip, 

With  filkin  fchakillis  and  fowlis  of  quhyte  faip. 

This  pundler  ran  fafi,  faynand^  for  to  find  65 

Thir  quhailis  thre  vpoun  his  gers  to  pind ; 

He  had  ane  cloik  wcill  maid  and  wounder  meit, 

Off  ganand  graith  of  gude  gray  girdill  feit, 

Ane  cleirly  coit  maid  in  courtly  wyifs  Pol  102  a 

Of  emmot  fkynis  with  mony  fketh  and  plyifs,  -o 

Ane  pair  of  hoifs  maid  of  ane  auld  myll  hopper, 

Ane  pair  of  courtly  fchone  of  gude  reid  copper, 

Ane  heklit  hud  maid  of  the  wyld  wode  fege 

Treft  Aveill  this  pundlar  thocht  him  no  manis  pege. 

He  bure  ane  club,  maid  mony  ane  carle  coy,  75 

Maid  of  ane  auld  burd  of  the  ark  of  Noy. 

He  draif  thir  thre  quhailis  vnto  ane  lie, 

Ane  him  fwelleit  and  bair  him  to  the  fie, 

And  thair  he  levit  on  lempettis  in  hir  wame, 

Quhill  harvift  tyme  that  hirdis  draif  thame  hame;  so 

Be  this  wes  done  the  toder  twa  returnit 

To  fuallow  me,  grit  dule  I  maid  and  murnit. 

Me  thocht  I  fled  and  throcht  a  park  cowd  pafs. 

And  walknit  fyne.     Ouhair,  trow  ye,  that  I  wafs? 

Doun  in  ane  henflaik  and  gat  ane  fellon  fall,  S5 

And  lay  betuix  ane  picher  and  the  wall. 

As  wyfiis  commandis,  this  dreme  I  will  conclude; 

God  and  the  rude  mot  turn  it  all  to  gud; 

Gar  fill  the  cop  for  thir  auld  carlingis  clames;"^ 

That  gentill  aill  is  oft  the  caufs  of  dremes.  90 

Explit  quod  Lichtoun  monicus. 


Yame  deleted.     -  Clames  very  indiflincl — poffibly  ivames. 


292  IV£  THAT  AR  HEIR  IN  HEVINS  GLORY. 

CXV. 

[  We  that  ar  heir  in  Hevins  glory ?^ 

The  Dregy  of  Dunbar  maid  to   King 
James  the  Fyift  being  in  Striuilling- 

WE  that  ar  heir  in  hevins  glory, 
To  yow  that  ar  in  purgatory, 
Commendis  ws  on  our  hairtly  wyifs; 
I  mene  we  folk  in  parradyis, 

In  Edinburcht  with  all  mirrinefs,  5 

To  yow  of  Striuilling  in  diftrefs, 
Ouhair  nowdir  plefance  nor  delyt  is, 
For  pety  thus  ane  Apoftill  wrytis. 
O !  ye  heremeitis  and  hankerfaidilis, 

That  takis  your  pennance  at  your  tablis,  lo 

And  eitis  nocht  meit  reftoratiue. 
Nor  drynkis  no  wyn  comfortatiue, 

Bot  aill  and  that  is  thyn  and  fmall ; 
With  few  courfis  into  your  hall, 

But  cumpany  of  lord  is  and  knychtis,  15 

Or  ony  vder  gudly  wichtis, 

Solitar  walkand  your  allone, 

Seing  no  thing  bot  ftok  and  ftone ; 

Out  of  your  panefull  purgatory. 

To  bring  yow  to  the  blifs  of  glory,  20 

Off  Edinburgh  the  mirry  toun  Fol.  102.  b. 

We  fall  begyn  ane  cairfuU  foun ; 

Ane  dergy  devoit  and  meik. 

The  Lord  of  blifs  doing  befeik 

Yow  to  delyuer  out  of  your  nowy,  25 

And  bring  yow  fone  to  Edinburgh  joy, 

For  to  be  mirry  amang  ws ; 

And  fa  the  dergy  begynis  thufs. 


IV£  THAT  AR  HEIR  IN  HE VI NS  GLORY.  293 


Le6lio  prima. 

The  Fader,  the  Sone  and  Haly  Gaift, 

The  mirthfull  Mary  virgene  chaift,  30 

Of  angeUis  all  the  ordouris  nyne, 

And  all  the  hevinly  court  devyne, 

Sone  bring-  yow  fra  the  pyne  and  wo 

Of  Striuilling,  every  court  manis  fo, 

Agane  to  Edinburghis  joy  and  blifs,  35 

Ouhair  wirfchep,  welth  and  weilfar  is, 

Pley,  plefance  and  eik  honefty: 

Say  ye  amen,  for  cheritie. 

Refpoiifio  til  autein  Doinine. 


40 


Tak  confolatioun  in  your  pane. 
In  tribulatioun  tak  confolatioun, 
Out  of  vexatioun  cum  hame  agane, 
Tak  confolatioun  in  your  pane. 

Jiibe  Doinine  benedicite. 

Oute  of  diftrefs  of  Strivilling  toun 

To  Edinburcht  blifs,  God  mak  yow  boun. 

Le£lio  fccunda. 

Patriarchis,  profeitis  and  appoftillis  deir,  45 

Confeffouris,  virgynis  and  marteris  cleir. 

And  all  the  faitt  celeftiall, 

Devotely  we  vpoun  thame  call. 

That  fone  out  of  your  panis  fell. 

Ye  may  in  hevin  heir  with  ws  dwell,  50 

To  eit  fwan,  cran,  pertrik  and  plever. 


294 


WE  THAT  AR  HEIR  IN  HEVINS  GLORY. 

And  every  fifche  that  fwymis  in  rever; 

To  drynk  with  ws  the  new  frefche  wyne, 

That  grew  upoun  the  rever  of  Ryne, 

Frefche  fragrant  clairettis  out  of  France,  55 

Of  Angerfs  and  of  OrHance, 

With  mony  ane  courfs  of  grit  dyntie: 

Say  ye  amen,  for  cheritie. 

Refponforiuin  tu  autem  Domine. 

God  and  San6l  Jeill  heir  yow  convoy  Fol.ios.a. 

Baith  fone  and  weill,  God  and  Sanft  Jeill  ^° 

To  fonce  and  feill,  folace  and  joy, 

God  and  San6l  Geill  heir  yow  convoy. 

Out  of  ^  StriuiUing  panis  fell. 

In  Edinburght  joy  fone  mot  ye  dwell. 

Lectio  tertia. 

We  pray  to  all  the  Sanctis  of  hevin,  65 

That  ar  aboif  the  fterris  fevin, 

Yow  to  deliuer  out  of  your  pennance, 

That  ye  may  fone  play,  fing  and  dance 

Heir  in  to  Edinburcht  and  mak  gud  cheir, 

Ouhair  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  Sancl  Gabriell 

Dois  go  betwene  fra  hevinis  glory  75 

To  thame  that  ar  in  purgatory, 

And  in  thair  tribulatioun 

To  gif  thame  confolatioun, 

And  fchaw  thame  quhen  thair  panis  ar  paft, 

^  Edinburgh  deleted  here. 


go 


IV£  THAT  AR  HEIR  IN  HEVINS  GLORY.  29; 

Thay  fall  till  hevin  cum  at  laft ;  '  80 

And  how  nane  fervis  to  haif  fweitnefs 

That  nevir  taiftit  bittirnefs. 

And  thairfoir  how  fuld  ye  confiddir  . 

Of  Edinburcht  blifs,  quhen  ye  cum  hiddir, 

Bot  gif  ye  taiftit  had  befoir  85 

Of  Striuilling  toun  the  panis  foir; 

And  thairfoir  tak  in  patience 

Your  pennance  and  your  abfhinence, 

And  ye  fall  cum,  or  Yule  begyn, 

Into  the  blifs  that  we  ar  in; 

Ouhilk  grant  the  glorius  Trinitie! 

Say  ye  amen,  for  cheritie. 

Re/poiiforinm. 

Cum  hame  and  dwell  no  moir  in  Striuilling; 

Frome  hiddoufs  hell  cum  hame  and  dwell, 

Ouhair  fifche  to  fell  is  non  bot  fpirling;  95 

Cum  hame  and  dwell  no  moir  in  Striuilling. 

Et  ne  nos  inducas  in  temptationem  de  Striuilling; 

Sed  libera  nos  a  malo  illius.  Fol.  io\b 

Requiam  Edinburgi  dona  eijs,  Domine, 

Et  lux  ipfius  luceat  eijs. 

A  porta  trifticie  de  Striuilling, 

Orna,  Domine,  animas  eorum. 

Credo  guftare  ffcatim  vinum  Edinburgi, 

In  villa  viuentium.^ 

Requiefcant  Edinburgi,  amen.  j^^ 

Deus  qui  iuftos  et  corde  humiles 
Ex  omni  eorum  tribulatione  liberare  dignatus  es, 
Libera  famulos  tuos  apud  villam  de  Stirling  verfantes 
A  penis  et  triftitijs  eiufdem, 

^  May  be  read  vinentiiim. 


100 


296  IN  SECREIT  PLACE  THIS  IIINDIR  NYCHT. 

Et  ad  Edinburgi  gaudia  eos  perducas, 
Vt  requiefcat  Striuilling,  amen. 

Heir  endis  Dunbaris  Dergy  to  the  King, 
bydand  to  laiig  in  Stiriing. 


CXVI. 

[/;/  fccrcit  Place  this  hindir  NycJit?^ 

IN  fccrcit  place  this  hindir  nycht, 
I  hard  ane  bern  fay  till  a  bricht, 
My  hunny.  my  houp,  my  hairt,  my  heill, 
I  haif  bene  lang  your  lufar  kill, 

And  can  of  yow  gett  confort  nane;  5 

How  lang  will  ye  with  denger  deill? 
Ye  brek  my  hart,  my  bony  ane! 

His  bony  berd  wes  kemd  and  croppit, 

Bot  all  with  kaill  it  wes  bedroppit; 

And  he  wes  to  mich  fulich  and  gukkit ;  10 

He  clappit  faft,  he  kift,  he  chukkit, 

As  with  the  glaikkis  he  wer  ourgane ; 

Yit  be  his  feiris  he  wald  haif  fukkit ; 

Ye  brek  my  hairt,  my  bony  ane ! 

Ood  he.  My  hairt,  fweit  as  the  hunny,  15 

Sen  that  I  born  wes  of  my  mynny, 

I  wowit  nevir  ane  vder  bot  yow ; 

My  wame  is  of  your  lufe  fo  fow, 

That  as  ane  gaift  I  glour  and  grane, 

I  trymmill  fa,  ye  will  not  trow;  20 

Ye  brek  my  hairt,  my  bony  ane! 


IN  SECREIT  PLACE  THIS  HINDIR  NYCHT.  297 

To  hie!  quod  fcho,  and  gaif  ane  gawf, 

Be  ftill  my  cowffyne  and  my  cawf, 

My  new  fpaind  howphyn  fra  the  fovvk, 

And  all  the  blythnes  of  my  bowk;  25  Fol.  104.3. 

My  fweit  fwanky,  faif  yow  allane, 

Na  leid  I  luvit  all  this  owk; 

Fow  leifs  me  that  graceles  gane. 

Oo'  he,  My  claver,  my  curledoddy, 

My  hony  foppis,  my  fweit  poffoddy,  30 

Be  nocht  our  buftious  to  your  billie, 

Be  warme  hartit  and  nocht  illwillie ; 

Your  halfs,  quhyt  as  quhalis  bane, 

Garfs  ryfs  on  loft  my  quhillylillie; 

Ye  brek  my  hairt,  my  bony  ane !  35 

Qo'  fcho.  My  clip,  my  vnfpaynd  jyane. 

With  mvderis  milk  yit  in  your  michane, 

My  belly  huddroun,  my  fweit  hurle  bawfy. 

My  honygukkis,  my  flafy  gawfy ; 

Your  mvfmg  wald  perfs  ane  hairt  of  flane,  40 

Sa  tak  gud  confort,  my  gritheidit  gawfy; 

Fow  leis  me  that  grades  gane. 

Qo'  he,  My  kid,  my  capircalyeane. 

My  bony  bab  with  the  ruch  brilyeane, 

My  tendir  girdill,  my  wally  gowdy,  45 

My  tirly  mirly,  my  towdy  mowdy ; 

Quhen  that  our  mowthis  dois  meit  at  ane, 

My  ftang  dois  torkin  with  your  towdy; 

Ye  brek  my  hairt,  my  bony  ane. 

Qo^  fcho,  Tak  me  by  the  hand,  50 

Wylcum !  my  golk  of  maryland, 
My  chirry  and  my  maikles  mynyeoun, 

2O 


2gS  THE  CURSING  OF  S^  JOHINE  ROWLIS. 

My  fucker  fvveit  as  ony  vnyeoun, 

My  ftrummill  ftirk,  yit  new  to  fpane, 

I  am  applyid  to  your  opinyoun;  55 

¥o\\  leis  me  that  graceles  ganc. 

He  gaif  till  hir  ane  appill  ruby; 

Gramcrcy!  quod  fcho,  my  fweit  cowhuby. 

Syne  tha  twa  till  ane  play  began, 

Ouhilk  that  thay  call  the  dirrydan ;  60 

Ouhill  bayth  thair  bewis  did  meit  in  ane. 

Fow  wo!  quod  fcho,  quhair  will  ye,  man? 

Full  leis  me  that  graceles  gane. 

Fviis  etc.  (juod  Clerk. ^ 


CXVII. 

Heir  followis  the  Curfnig  of  S''  JoJiine  Roiolis  Fol.  io4.b. 

vpouii  the  Stcilaris  of  his  Fowlis. 

DEVYNE  power  of  michtis  maift; 
Of  Fadir,  Sone  and  Haly  Ghaift ; 
Jefu  Chryft  and  his  appoftillis; 
Petir,  Paule,  and  his  difcipillis; 

And  all  the  power  vndir  God ;  5 

And  now  of  Rome  that  beiris  the  rod, 
Vndir  the  hevin  to  lowfe  and  bind, 
Paip  Alexander  that  we  do  fynd, 
With  that  power  that  Petir  gaif ; 

Godis  braid  malefone  mot  thay  haif,  10 

And  all  the  blude  about  thair  hairt 
Blak  be  thair  hour,  blak  be  thair  pairt; 

>  Quod  Clerk  is  written  by  a  different  hand. 


15 


THE  CURSING  OF  S^^  yOHINE  ROWLIS.  2^^ 

For  {yv^  fat  geifs  of  S'  Johine  Rowlis, 

With  caponis,  hem's  and  vthir  fowlis; 

Baith  the  halderis  and  conceilaris, 

Reffettaris  and  the  preve  fteilaris; 

And  he  that  fauHs  faifis  and  dammis 

Beceich^  the  devill  thair  guttis  and  gammis, 

Thair  toung,  thair  teith,  thair  handis,  thair  feit, 

And  all  thair  body  haill  compleit ;  20 

That  brak  his  yaird  and  fball  his  frutt, 

And  raif  his  erbis  vp  be  the  rute, 

His  quheit,  his  aitis,  his  peifs,  his  beir, 

In  ftowk,  or  ftak,  to  do  him  deir; 

In  barnc,  in  houfs,  in  kill,  or  mill,  25 

Except  it  had  bene  his  awin  will; 

His  wow,  his  lamb,  his  cheis,  his  ftirk, 

Or  ony  teyndis  of  haly  kirk ; 

And  all  that  lattis  vnkend  or  knawin. 

The  vicar  to  difpone  his  awin,  30 

Kirland  hay,  or  gerfs  to  awaill 

Be  thair  fupport,  bed,  or  counfall. 

Now  curfit  and  wareit  be  thair  werd, 

Ouhill  thay  be  levand  on  this  erd ; 

Hungir,  fturt  and  tribulatioun,  35 

And  nevir  to  be  without  vexatioun, 

Of  vengance,  forrow,  fturt  and'^  cair; 

Gracelefs,  thriftles  and  threid  bair; 

All  tymes  in  thair  legafie, 

Fyre,  fword,  watter  and  woddie,  40 

Or  ane  of  thir  infirmeteis; 

Off  warldly  fcherp  aduerfeteis,  Fol.  105.  a. 

Pouertie,  peftilence  or  poplecy, 

Dum  deif  or  edropofy, 

Maigram,  madnefs  or  miffilr}-,  45 

Appoftrum  or  the  perlocy, 

Fluxis,  hyvis  or  huttit  ill, 

1  May  be  read  beteich.      -  i/rj/deleted  here. 


300  THE  CURSING  OF  S^  JOHINE  RO  WLIS. 

Hoift,  heidwark  or  fawin  ill, 

Kald  kanker,  feiftir  or  feveris, 

Brukis,  bylis,  blobbis  and  bleiftiris,  50 

Emeroidefe  or  the  fair  halfs, 

The  pokkis,  the  fpaving  in  the  halfs, 

The  panefull  gravell  and  the  gutt, 

The  gulfoch  that  thay  nevir  be  but 

Seattica  and  arrattica,  55 

The  cruke,  the  cramp,  the  colica, 

The  worme,  the  wareit  wedonynpha,^ 

Rumburfin,  rippllis  or  bellythra, 

The  choikis  that  haldis  the  chaftis  fra  chowing, 

Golkgaliter  at  the  hairt  growing,  60 

The  ftane  wring,  ftane  and  ftane  blind. 

The  bernebed  and  morbehind, 

The  ftranyelour  and  grit  glengoir. 

The  harchatt  in  the  lippis  befoir, 

The  mowlis  and  thair  fleip  the  mair,  65 

The  kanker  and  the  kattair 

Mott  fall  vpoun  thair  kankart  corfs, 

With  all  the  evill  that  evir  had  horfs, 

Fifche,  fowll,  beift  or  man. 

In  erd  fen  nrft  the  warld  began,  70 

Till  thay  remember  or  thay  de, 

Repentand  thair  iniquitie. 

And  draw  thair  inclinatioun 

Fra  ftowth  to  contemplatioun, 

Fra  feyndis  fell  fubieftioun  75 

To  haly  kirkis  corre6lioun. 

Sua  thay  mak  plane  confeffioun 

Thair  gud  will  and  contritioun, 

Confeffand  thame  to  thair  curatt, 

That  in  thair  hairtis  is  evill  indurat.  80 

Na  vthir  preift  hes  power,  nor  freir, 

And  thay  that  daly  will  perfeveir, 

^  Or  xuedonympha. 


THE  CURSING  OF  S^  JOHINE  ROWLIS.  301 

Nocht  dreidand  God  in  work  nor  word, 

Nor  yit  of  haly  kirk  the  fuord ; 

Bot  in  thair  curfit  and  fnifull  wayis,  85 

Levand  and  dryvand  our  thair  dayis, 

Nor  afk  God  mercy  nor  repent, 

Than  this  falbe  thair  facrament.  Fol.ios.b. 

Fra  God,  our  Lady  and  all  thair  hallowis 

To  the  feynd  thair  faulis,  thair  craig  the  galiowis  90 

I  gif,  and  Cerberus  thair  banis  fall  knaw, 

For  thair  difpyt  of  the  kirkis  law. 

Gog  and  Magog,  and  grym  Garog, 

The  devill  of  hell  the  theif  Harog, 

Sym  Skynnar  and  S''  Garnega,  95 

Julius  appoftata, 
Prince  Pluto  and  Quene  Cokatrice, 
Devetinus  the  devill  that  maid  the  dyce, 
Cokadame  and  Semiamis, 

Fyremouth  and  Tutivillus,  100 

And  Browny  als  that  can  play  kow 
Behind  the  claith,  with  mony  mow. 
All  thir  about  the  beir  falbe, 
Singand  ane  dolorus  dergie, 

And  vthiris  devillis  thair  falbe  fene,  105 

Als  thik  as  mot  in  fonis  heme. 
Thair  fall  thay  kary  in  thair  clukis, 
Sum  libberlais  and  fum  hell  crukis. 
Sum  with  kamis  and  fum  with  kardis, 
Sum  with  quhippis  of  leddrin  tardis,  no 

Sum  with  clubbis  and  mellis  of  leid. 
Sum  with  brandrathis  birnand  reid. 
Sum  with  rumpillis  lyk  a  fkait, 
And  geifs  and  caponis  roflit  hait, 

That  falbe  lafchit  on  thair  lippis.  115 

Cum  thay  within  the  devillis  grippis. 
With  fkulyeoun  clowttis  and  dreffmg  knyvis, 


302  THE  CURSING  OF  S^  JOHINE  ROWLIS. 

Piatt  for  plat  on  thair  gyngyvis. 
Sayis  richt  thus  "  Of  RowHs  geifs 

Thame  chaftis  thame  chowit  every  peifs;  120 

For  thow  art  he  and  thow  art  fcho 
That  Rowlis  blak  Robene  put  in  bro, 
And  thow  art  fcho  that  ftall  the  hen, 
And  put  hir  in  the  pot  thair  ben. 

Lo!  this  is  he  that  with  his  hairt  125 

Wald  nevir  gif  the  vicar  his  pairt, 
Bot  ay  abowt  for  to  diffaif 
.    The  haly  kirk  that  it  fowld  haif." 
Than  rufty  Tafker  with  his  flail! 

Sail  beit  thame  all  fra  top  to  taill;  130 

And  ruffy  Ragmen  with  his  taggis 
Sail  ryfe  thair  fmfuU  faule  in  raggis ; 
And  quhen  the  devillis  hes  thame  tirvit, 
All  thair  faulis  falbe  transformit ; 

Sum  in  bichis  and  fum  in  beiris,  135 

Sum  in  mvlis  and  fum  in  meiris, 
Aganis  the  fcalour  that  thay  wer  in, 
For  vengence  of  thair  deidly  fin, 
To  ryd  and  tak  poffeffioun, 

Throw  all  hell  vp  and  doun,  140 

And  with  grit  din  and  deray 

Compeir  fall  Sathan  but  delay,  F0I.106.  a. 

Sayand  richt  thus  with  fentence  he, 
"Vpoun  the  day  that  thow  fall  de, 

I  devill  of  deillis,  I  yow  condamc  145 

For  geis,  for  yowis,  for  woll,  for  lame. 
Thairfoir  hy  yow  to  the  pott  of  hell, 
With  Sathan  our  Abirone  to  dwell ; 
As  feyndis  fpreitis  perpetualy, 

For  to  remane  in  mefary.  150 

Deip  Acheron  your  faulis  invaid, 
Als  blak,  as  ruch  as  ony  taid : 


THE  CURSING  OF  S^^  yOHINE  ROWLIS.  303 

Swaikis,  ferpentis  and  edderis 

Mott  ftuf  your  bellyis  and  your  bledderis, 

In  hellis  hoill  quhair  nevir  is  Hcht,  155 

Nor  nevir  is  day  bot  evir  nicht; 

Quhair  nevir  is  joy  evin  and  morrow, 

Bot  endles  pane,  dule  and  forrow; 

Quhair  nevir  is  petie  nor  concord, 

Nor  amitie  bot  difcord,  160 

Malice,  rancour  and  invy, 

With  magry  and  malancoly." 

Than  fra  the  fentence  be  on  thame  faid, 

Grit  Baliall  fall  gif  a  braid, 

And  bakwart  leip  vpoun  a  beir,  165 

Sum  on  ane  mvle,  fum  on  a  meir. 

Sum  on  wolffis  and  fum  on  wichis, 

Sum  on  brodfowis,  fum  on  bichis. 

Than  is  thair  nocht  bot  fadill  and  brydill, 

Thir  outtit  meiris  hes  lang  gane  ydill;  170 

Bot  fic  ane  clawing  with  thair  clukis. 

And  fic  ane  reirding  with  thair  rukis; 

Rampand  with  ane  hiddowis  beir, 

Cryand  "  All  is  ouris  that  is  heir." 

The  memberis  of  tha  wickit  men,  175 

That  ftaw  the  gufe,  the  cok,  the  hen, 

Thay  falbe  revin  be  the  throttis. 

For  cutting  of  tha  fowlis  croppis ; 

Syne  led  in  towis  and  in  lang  tedderis. 

And  daly  etin  with  taidis  and  edderis,  jSq 

That  all  the  court  of  hevin  may  knaw 

Thay  Avar  the  thevis  that  Rowlis  geifs  ftaw. 

For  quhy!  grit  God,  our  hieft  juge. 

He  gaif  decreit  but  refuge. 

That  all  pykaris  of  pultre  ,85 

Gais  nocht  to  hevin  bot  thay  fall  fle 

To  hell  without  redemptioun, 


304  THE  CURSING  OF  S^  JOHINE  ROWLIS. 

Quhair  is  no  remiffioun. 

The  forme  of  thir  vgly  devil  lis, 

Thay  hafc  lang  tailis  on  thair  heilis,  190 

And  runipillis  hingand  on  thair  taiUs/ 

Dragoun  heidis  and  warwolf  nahs, 

With  glowrane  evne  as  glitterand  glafs, 

With  bowgiUis  and  hornis  maid  of  brafs, 

And  dyverfs  facis  repleit  with  yre  195 

Spowand  vemmen  and  fparkis  of  fyre; 

And  fum  with  teith  and  tegir  tungis,  Fol.io6.b. 

Attour  thair  chin  with  bhidy  dungis,^ 

Spottit  and  fprinkHt  vp  and  doun, 

Reid  attry  lyk  a  fcorpioun.  200 

And  fum  ar  fmeith  and  fum  ar  ruch, 

And  fum  ar  lyk  ane  ferpentis  fluch, 

With  prik  mule  eiris  fum  ar  lyk 

Thair  eiris  neifs  ar  lyk  ane  midding  tyk, 

With  gaipand  mowth  richt  yaip  to  fwelly  205 

The  mair  the  lefs  devill  in  his  belly. 

Of  thair  fowle  fegouris  na  man  can  tell, 

Thocht  thay  wer  fevin  yeiris  in  hell, 

To  leir  to  paynt  portour  or  blafoun, 

Thair  forme  and  thayr  feyndly  faffoun  210 

Thair  vgfum  horribiliteis ; 

Nor  yit  na  that  fchaipis  with  fcheiris 

Thocht  infineit  he  be  of  yeiris 

Maift  principaly  to  fchaip  thair  graith 

In  hell  for  fteiling  heir  of  claith  215 

Can  conterfit  nor  mak  it  meit 

Ane  gabart  for  a  deill  compleit, 

And  yit  in  hell  ar  mony  ane 

That  faid  thai  war  als  trew  as  ftane. 

Gif  thair  be  ony  in  this  houfs,  220 

That  beiris  the  nedill  gorrit  the  lowfs, 

I  thame  befeik  thay  be  nocht  wraith 

1  Tailis  and  nailis  have  been  written  in  reveife  order,  and  afterwards 
deleted.     "  May  be  read  daiigis. 


THE  CURSING  OF  S^  yOHINE  ROWLIS .  305 

Suppois  they  clyit  haif  parte  of  claith; 

Bot  feik  the  caiifs  and  leif  the  deid, 

And  blame  the  fcheiris  that  raif  the  fkreid ;  225 

And  quha  that  fteilis  and  on  ftowth  levis, 

Curfit  mot  thay  be  amang  thir  thevis. 

Now  to  the  efifeft  ga  will  I, 

And  fpeik  of  feyndis  phantefy, 

In  court  nocht  with  the  Quene  of  Fary,  230 

But  heltaris,  heidtailis,  fonkis  or  fadillis, 

But  butis  or  fpurris,  crukis^  or  ladillis, 

With  full  berdis  blafand  in  the  wind, 

And  hett  fpeitis  in  thair  taill  behind. 

Than  inflar  Tafy  with  his  jaggis,  235 

And  belly  Baffy  with  his  baggis, 

At  hellis  yettis  fall  mak  fic  reirding 

On  thir  fteilaris  of  geifs  fall  ding, 

That  it  beis  hard  in  middilerd 

Tha  grit  flappis  with  fic  faird.  240 

Thunder  blaftis  and  fyre  fall  blaw, 

That  na  devill  may  ane  vthir  knaw 

For  reik  ftynk  and  bryntflane  birnand, 

Devillis  yelpand,  gaipand  and  girnand ; 

Than  fall  bla  Baliall  gif  ane  brattill,  245 

And  all  the  thevis  in  Hell  fall  ftattill.-  Foi.  107.3. 

Lyk  to  ane  gaid  of  yrne  or  fteill. 

That  doun  war  fmkand  in  ane  weell, 

Sa  fall  thay  ga  to  endles  pane, 

And  nevir  to  cum  hame  agane.  250 

Now,  Jefu!  for  thy  paffioun, 

That  deit  for  our  redemptioun. 

Of  mankynd  haif  mercy  fone. 

Latt  nevir  this  fentence  fall  thame  vpone, 

Bot  grant  thame  grace  ay  till  forbeir  255 

Reffett  or  ftowth  of  vthir  menis  geir ; 

And  als  agane  the  geir  reftoir 

IMS.  repeats  rrw^/j.         "VoiiikAy Jlariill. 
2  P 


3o6  QUHY  SOWLD  NOCHT  ALLANE  HONORIT  BE? 

Till  Rowle,  as  I  hafe  faid  befoir; 

And  to  repent  thay  may  in  tyme, 

Pray  we  to  God.     Thus  endis  the  ryme.  260 

This  tragedy  is  callit,  but  dreid, 

Rowlis  curfing,  quha  will  it  reid? 

Finis  quod  RowU. 


CXVIII. 

Quhy  fozvld  noclit  Allane  honor  it  be? 

QUHEN  he  wes  yung,  and  cled  in  grene, 
Haifand  his  air  abowt  his  ene, 
Baith  men  and  wemen  did  him  mene, 
Quhen  he  grew  on  yon  hillis  he : 
Quhy  fowld  nocht  Allane  honorit  be  ?  5 

His  foftir  faider  fure  of  the  toun, 

To  viffy  Allane  he  maid  him  boun ; 

He  faw  him  lyane,  allace!  in  fwoun, 

For  fait  of  help,  and  lyk  to  de : 

Quhy  fowld  nocht  Allane  honorit  be  ?  10 

Thay  faw  his  held  begin  to  ryfe, 

Syne  for  ane  nvreifs  thay  fend  belyfe, 

Quha  brocht  with  hir  fyfty  and  fyve 

Of  men  of  war  full  prevely: 

Quhy  fowld  nocht  Allane  honorit  be?  15 

Thay  rufchit  furth  lyk  hellis  rukis, 
And  every  ane  of  thame  had  hukis; 
Thay  cawcht  him  fchortly  in  thair  clukis, 


Q UHY  SO  WLD  NOCHT  ALLANE  HONORIT  BE?  307 

Syne  band  him  in  ane  creddill  of  tre:  Fol.  loy.b 

Ouhy  fowld  nocht  Allane  honorit  be?  20 

Thay  brocht  him  invart  in  the  land, 

Syne  every  freynd  maid  him  his  band, 

Quhiil  thay  micht  owdir  gang  or  ftand, 

Nevir  ane  fute  fra  him  to  fle: 

Quhy  fowld  nocht  Allane  honorit  be?  25 

The  gritteft  cowart  in  this  land, 

Fra  he  with  Allane  entir  in  band, 

Thocht  he  may  nowdir  gang  nor  ftand, 

Yit  fowrty  fall  nocht  gar  him  fle: 

Ouhy  fowld  nocht  Allane  honorit  be  ?  ^^ 

Schir  Allanis  hewmond  is  ane  cop, 

With  ane  fege  feddir  in  his  top ; 

Fra  hand  till  hand  fo  dois  he  hop, 

Quhiil  fum  may  nowdir  fpeik  nor  fe: 

Ouhy  fold  nocht  Allane  honorit  be?  35 

In  Yule,  quhen  ilk  man  fmgis  his  carrell, 

Gud  Allane  lyis  in  to  ane  barrell ; 

Ouhen  he  is  thair,  he  dowtis  no  parrell 

To  cum  on  him  be  land  or  fe: 

Quhy  fowld  nocht  Allane  honorit  be?  40 

Yit  wes  thair  nevir  fa  gay  a  gallane, 

Fra  he  meit  with  our  maiftir  Schir  Allane, 

Bot  gif  he  hald  him  by  the  hallane, 

Bak  wart  on  the  flure  fallis  he: 

Quhy  fowld  nocht  Allane  honorit  be?  45 

My  maiftir  Allane  grew  fo  ftark, 
Quhiil  he  maid  mony  cunning  clerk, 
Vpoun  thair  faifs  he  fettis  his  mark, 


;o8  /,  THAT  IN  HEILL   WES  AND  GLAIDNESS. 

A  blud  reid  noifs  befyd  thair  e: 

Ouhy  fowld  nocht  AUane  honorit  be?  So 

My  maiftir  AUane  I  may  fair  curfs, 

He  levis  no  mony  in  my  purfs, 

At  his  command  I  mon  deburfs 

Moir  nor  the  twa  pairt  of  my  fe : 

Ouhy  fowld  nocht  AUane  honorit  be?  55 

And  laft,  of  AUane  to  conclude, 
He  is  bening,  courtafs  and  gude, 
'   And  fervis  ws  of  our  daly  fvde, 
And  that  with  liberalitie : 
Quhy  fowld  nocht  AUane  honorit  be?  60 

Finis  quod  Allane  Matfonis  fuddartis. 


[A  folio  of  the  MS.,  108,  feems  to  be  miffing  here.] 

CXIX. 

[/,  that  in  Heill  wcs  and  Glaidtiefs.] 

I    THAT  in  heill  wes  and  glaidnefs,  Fol.iog.a. 

5  Am  trublit  now  with  grit  feiknefs, 
And  feblit  with  infirmitie : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

Our  plefans  heir  is  all  vane  glory,  5 

This  fals  warld  is  bot  tranfitory, 

The  flefchc  is  brukle,  the  Feynd^  is  fle: 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

The  ftait  of  man  dois  chainge  and  vary, 

Now  found,  now  feik,  now  blyth,  now  fary,  lo 

^  MS.  has  FeyinJ. 


/,   THAT  IN  HEILL   WES  AND  GLAIDNESS.  309 

Now  danfand  mirry,  now  lyk  to  die : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

No  ftait  in  Erd  heir  ftandis  ficker; 

As  with  the  wind  wavis  the  wicker, 

So  wannis  this  warldis  vanitie:  15 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

Vnto  the  Deth  gois  all  eftaitis, 

Princis,  prelattis  and  poteflaitis, 

Bayth  riche  and  pure  of  all  degre; 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me,  20 

He  taikis  the  knychtis  in  to  the  feild, 
Enarmit  vndir  helme  and  fcheild ; 
Vi6lor  he  is  at  all  mellie : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

That  ftrang,  vnvynfable  tirrand  25 

Takis  on  the  muderis  breifh  fowkand 
The  bab,  full  of  benignitie : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 


He  taikis  the  campioun  in  the  ftour, 
The  captane  clofit  in  the  tour, 
The  lady  in  hour  full  of  bewtie : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

He  fpairis  no  lord  for  his  pifcens, 
Nor  clerk  for  his  intelligens ; 
His  awfull  ftraik  may  no  man  fle: 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

Art,  magicianis  and  aftrologis, 
Rethoris,  logicianis  and  theologis, 
Thame  helpis  no  conclufionis  fle : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 


30 


35 


40 


3IO 


/,  THAT  IN  HEILL   WES  AND  GLAIDNESS. 

In  madecyne  the  moft  praflitianis, 
Leichis,  furrigianis  and  pheficianis, 
Thame  felf  fra  Dcth  ma  nocht  fupple ; 
T>moi-  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

I  fe  the  makkaris  amangis  the  laif  45 

Playis  heir  thair  padyanis,  fyne  gois  to  graif ; 
Sparit  is  nocht  thair  facultie:  Fol.iog.b. 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

He  hes  done  petouflie  devoir 

The  noble  Chawfer  of  makaris  flour,  50 

The  Munk  of  Berry,  and  Gowyir,  all  thre : 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

The  gud  Schir  Hew  of  Eglingtoun, 

Ettrik,  Heriot,  and  Wintoun, 

He  hes  tane  out  of  this  cuntre:  h^ 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

That  flcorpioun  fell  hes  done  infek 

Maifter  Johine  Clerk  and  James  Afflek, 

Fra  ballat  makking  and  tragedy : 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me.  60 

Holland  and  Barbour  he  hes  berevit ; 
AUace !  that  he  nocht  with  ws  levit 
Schir  Mungo  Lokkart  of  the  Lie : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

Clerk  of  Tranent  eik  he  hes  tane,  65 

That  maid  the  awnteris  of  Schir  Gawane ; 
Schir  Gilbert  Gray  endit  hes  hie : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

He  hes  Blind  Hary  and  Sandy  Traill 

Slane  with  his  fchot  of  mortall  haill,  70 


/,   THAT  IN  HEILL    WES  AND  GLAIDNESS.  311 

Ouhilk  Patrik  Johinfloun  mycht  nocht  fle: 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

He  hes  reft  Merfar  his  indyte, 

That  did  In  luve  fo  lyfly  wryte, 

So  fchort,  fo  quick,  of  fen  tens  hie:  75 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

He  hes  tane  Rowll  of  Abirdene, 

And  gentill  Rowll  of  Corftorphyne; 

Two  bettir  fallowis  did  no  man  fie : 

Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me.  80 

In  Dumfarmeling  he  hes  tane  Broun, 
With  gud  Maiftir  Robert  Henryfoun ; 
Schir  Johine  the  Rofs  imbraift  hes  hie  : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

And  he  hes  now  tane,  laft  of  aw,  g^ 

Gud  gentill  Stobo  and  Quintene  Schaw, 
Of  quhome  all  wichtis  hes  pitie: 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

And  Maiftir  Walter  Kennedy 
In  poyntt  of  deth  lyis  verely, 
Grit  rewth  it  wer  that  fo  fuld  be: 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

Sen  he  hes  all  my  brether  tane. 
He  will  nocht  lat  me  leif  allane, 
On  forfs  I  mon  his  nixt  pray  be : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

Sen  for  the  Deth  remeid  is  non, 
Beft  is  that  we  for  deth  difpone, 
Eftir  our  deth  that  leif  may  we : 
Tymor  Mortis  conturbat  me. 

Qiiod  Dumbar. 


90 


95FoI.iio.a. 


312 


THE  DANCE. 

cxx. 

TJie  Dance. 

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  thocht,  amangis  the  feyndis  fell,  5 

Mahoun  gart  cry  ane  dance 
Off  fchrewis  that  wer  nevir  fchrevin, 
Aganifs  the  feifl  of  Fafternis  evin, 
To  mak  thair  obfervance; 

He  bad  gallandis  ga  graith  a  g>'-ifs,  10 

And  kafl  vp  gamountis  in  the  flcyifs, 
That  lafl  came  out  of  France. 

Lat  fe,  quod  he,  Now  quha  begynnis; 
With  that  the  fowll  Savin  Deidly  Synnis 
Begowth  to  leip  at  anis.  15 

Piyd.  And  firft  of  all  in  dance  wes  Pryd, 

With  bair  wyld  bak  and  bonet  on  fyd, 

Lyk  to  mak  vaiftie  wanis ; 

And  round  abowt  him,  as  a  quheill, 

Hang  all  in  rumpillis  to  the  heill  20 

His  kethat  for  the  nanis: 

Mony  prowd  trumpour  with  him  trippit 

Throw  Ikaldand  fyre,  ay  as  thay  fkippit 

Thay  gyrnd  with  hiddoufs  granis. 

Heilie  harlottis  on  hawtane  wyifs  25 

Come  in  with  mony  fmdrie  gyifs, 

Bot  yit  luche  nevir  Mahoun ; 

Quhill  preiftis  come  in  with  bair  fchevin  nekkis, 


THE  DANCE.  313 

Than  all  the  feyndis  lewche,  and  maid  gekkis, 

Blak  Belly  and  Bawfy  Brown.  30 

Yre.  Than  Yre  come  in  with  fturt  and  ftryfe ; 
His  hand  wes  ay  vpoun  his  knyfe, 
He  brandeift  lyk  a  beir: 
Boftaris,  braggaris,  and  barganeris, 

Eftir  him  paffit  in  to  pairis,  35 

All  bodin  in  feir  of  weir ; 
In  jakkis,  and  fciyppis^  and  bonettis  of  iT:eill, 
Thair  leggis  Aver  chenyeit  to  the  heill, 

Frawart  wes  thair  afifeir:  Fol.  iio.b. 

Sum  vpoun  vdir  with  brandis  beft,  40 

Sum  jaggit  vthiris  to  the  heft, 
With  knyvis  that  fcherp  cowd  fcheir. 

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

Hid  malyce  and  difpyte;  45 

For  pryvie  hatrent  that  tratour  trymlit. 
Him  followit  mony  freik  diffymlit, 
With  fenyeit  wirdis  quhyte; 
And  flattereris  in  to  menis  facis; 

And  bakbyttaris  of  fmdry  racis,  50 

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

Auaryce.  Nixt  him  in  dans  come  Cuvatyce,  55 

Rute  of  all  evill  and  grund  of  vyce, 
That  nevir  cowd  be  content; 
Catyvis,  wrechis  and  olkeraris, 
Hud  pykis,  hurdaris  and  gadderaris, 
All  with  that  warlo  went :  60 

^  May  be  xzz.^Jhyppis. 
2Q 


314  THE  DANCE. 

Out  of  thair  throttis  thay  fchot  on  vdder 

Hett  moltin  gold,  me  thocht  a  fudder, 

As  fyreflawcht  maift  fervent; 

Ay  as  thay  tomit  thame  of  fchot, 

Feyndis  fild  thame  new  vp  to  the  thrott  65 

With  gold  of  allkin  prent. 

Sueimes.  Syne  Sweirnes,  at  the  fecound  bidding. 
Come  lyk  a  fow  out  of  a  midding, 
Full  flepy  wes  his  grunyie : 

Mony  fweir  bumbard  belly  huddroun.  70 

Mony  flute  daw  and  flepy  duddroun, 
Him  fcrwit  ay  with  founyie; 
He  drew  thame  furth  in  till  a  chenyie. 
And  Belliall,  with  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  thame  quicker  of  counyie. 

Licheiy.  Than  Lichery,  that  lathly  corfs, 

Berand  lyk  a  bagit  horfs,  80 

And  Ydilnefs  did  him  leid ; 

Thair  wes  with  him  ane  vgly  fort, 

And  mony  ftynkand  fowll  tramort, 

That  had  in  fyn  bene  deid. 

Quhen  thay  wer  entrit  in  the  dance,  SsFol.m.a. 

Thay  wer  full  ftrenge  of  countenance, 

Lyk  turkafs  birnand  reid ; 

All  led  thay  vthir  by  the  terfis, 

Suppoifs  thay  fycket  with  thair  erfis, 

It  mycht^  be  na  remeid.  90 

Gluttony.  Than  the  fowll  monftir  Glutteny, 
Off  wame  vnfafiable  and  gredy, 

^  MS.  has  miycht. 


THE  DANCE.  315 

To  dance  he  did  him  drefs : 

Him  followit  mony  fowll  drunckart, 

With  can  and  collep,  cop  and  quart,  95 

In  furffet  and  excefs; 

Full  mony  a  waiftlefs  wallydrag, 

With  wamifs  vnweildable,  did  furth  wag, 

In  creifche  that  did  increfs: 

Drynk!  ay  thay  cryit,  with  mony  a  gaip,  100 

The  feyndis  gaif  thame  hait  leid  to  laip, 

Thair  lovery  wes  na  lefs. 

Na  menftrallis  playit  to  thame  but  dowt, 

For  glemen  thair  wer  haldin  owt, 

Be  day,  and  eik  by  nycht;  105 

Except  a  menftrall  that  flew  a  man, 

Swa  till  his  heretage  he  wan, 

And  entirt  be  breif  of  richt. 

Than  cryd  Mahoun  for  a  Heleand  padyane; 

Syne  ran  a  feynd  to  feche  Makfadyane,  no 

Far  north  wart  in  a  nuke ; 

Be  he  the  correnoch  had  done  fch5ut, 

Erfchemen  fo  gadderit  him  abowt, 

In  Hell  grit  rowme  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  fmvke.  ,,r> 


2j5  the  turnament. 

CXXI. 

The  Turnament. 

NIXT  that  a  turnament  wes  tryid, 
That  lang  befoir  in  Hell  wes  cryid, 
In  prefens  of  Mahoun; 
Betuix  a  telyour  and  ane  fowtar, 

A  prickloufs  and  ane  hobbell  clowttar,  5 

The  barrefs  wes  maid  boun. 
The  tailyeour,  baith  with  fpeir  and  fcheild, 
Convoyit  wes  vnto  the  feild, 
With  mony  lymmar  loun, 

Off  feme  byttaris  and  beift  knapparis,  loFol.in.b. 

Off  ftomok  fteillaris  and  cla3^th  takkaris, 
A  gracelefs  garifoun. 

His  baner  born  wes  him  befoir, 

Ouhairin  wes  clowttis  ane  hundreth  fcoir, 

Ilk  ane  of  diuerfs  hew;  15 

And  all  ftowin  out  of  fmdry  webbis, 

For,  quhill  the  Greik  fie  flowis  and  ebbis, 

Telyouris  will  nevir  be  trew. 

The  tailyour  on  the  barrowis  blent, 

Allaifs !  he  tynt  all  hardyment,  20 

For  feir  he  chaingit  hew : 

Mahoun  come  furth  and  maid  him  knycht, 

Na  ferly  thocht  his  hart  wes  licht, 

That  to  fic  honor  grew. 

The  tailyeour  hecht  hely  befoir  Mahoun,  25 

That  he  fuld  ding  the  fowtar  doun, 

Thocht  he  wer  ftrang  as  maft ; 

Bot  quhen  he  on  the  barrowis  blenkit, 

The  telyouris  hairt  a  littill  fchrcnkit, 


THE  TURNAMENT.  317 


30 


35 


40 


45 


His  hairt  did  all  ourcaft. 

Ouhen  to  the  fowtar  he  did  cum, 

Off  all  fic  wirdis  he  wes  full  dum, 

So  foir  he  wes  agaft ; 

In  harte  he  tuke  yit  fic  ane  fcunnir, 

Ane  rak  of  fartis  lyk  ony  thunner, 

Went  fra  him,  blaft  for  blaft. 

The  fowtar  to  the  feild  him  dreft, 
He  wes  convoyid  out  of  the  weft, 
As  ane  defender  ftout: 
Suppoifs  he  had  na  lufty  varlot, 
He  had  full  mony  lowfy  harlott, 
Round  rynnand  him  aboute. 
His  baner  wes  of  barkit  hyd, 
Ouhairin  San6l  Girnega  did  glyd, 
Befoir  that  rebald  rowt : 
Full  fowttarlyk  he  wes  of  laitis, 
For  ay  betuix  the  harnefs  plaitis 
The  vly  birftit  out. 

Quhen  on  the  telyour  he  did  luke, 

His  hairt  a  littill  dwamyng  tuke,  50 

He  mycht  nocht  rycht  vpfitt; 

In  to  his  ftommok  wes  fic  ane  fteir, 

Off  all  his  dennar  quhilk  he  coft  deir  Fol.ua.a. 

His  breifl  held  deill  a  bitt. 

To  comfort  him,  or  he  raid  forder, 

The  Devill  off  knychtheid  gaif  him  order; 

For  fair  fyne  he  did  fpitt ; 

And  he  about  the  Devillis  nek 

Did  fpew  agane  ane  quart  of  blek, 

Thufs  knychtly  he  him  quitt.  60 

Than  fourty  tymis  the  Feynd  cryd,  Fy! 
The  fowtar  rycht  effeiritly 


55 


3i8 


THE  TURNAMENT. 

Vnto  the  feild  he  focht : 

Ouhen  thay  wer  ferwit  of  thair  fpeiris, 

Folk  had  anc  feill  be  thair  effeiris,  65 

Thair  hairtis  wer  baith  on  flocht. 

Thay  fpurrit  thair  horfs  on  adir  fyd, 

Sync  thay  attour  the  grund  cowd  glyd, 

Than  thame  togidder  brocht ; 

The  tailyeour  that  wes  nocht  Aveill  fittin,  70 

He  left  his  fadill  all  befchittin, 

And  to  the  grund  he  focht. 

His  harnafs  brak  and  maid  ane  brattill, 

The  fowtaris  horfs  fcart  with  the  rattill, 

And  round  about  cowd  reili ;  75 

The  beift  that  frayit  wes  rycht  evill, 

Ran  with  the  fowtar  to  the  Devill, 

And  he  rewardit  him  weill. 

Sum  thing  frome  him  the  Feynd  efchewit, 

He  went  agane  to  bene  befpewit,  80 

So  ftern  he  wes  in  fteill: 

He  thocht  he  wald  agane  debait  him, 

He  turnd  his  erfs  and  all  bedret  him, 

Evin  quyte  from  nek  till  heill. 

He  lowfit  it  of  with  fic  a  reird,  85 

Baith  horfs  and  man  he  ftraik  till  eird, 
He  fartit  with  fic  ane  feir; 
"Now  half  I  quittit  the,"  quod  Mahoun; 
Thir  new  maid  knychtis  lay  bayth  in  fwoun, 
And  did  all  amies  menfweir.  90 

The  Devill  gart  thame  to  dungeoun  dryve. 
And  thame  of  knychtheid  cold  depryve, 
Difchairgeing  thame  of  weir; 
And  maid  thame  harlottis  bayth  for  evir, 
Quhilk  ftill  to  keip  thay  had  ferlevir,  95 

Nor  ony  armes  beir. 


AMENDIS  MAID  TO  THE  TELYOURIS  AND  SOWTARIS.      319 

I  had  mail'  of  thair  werkis  writtin,  Foi.ii2.b. 

Had  nocht  the  fowtar  bene  befchittin, 

With  Belliallis  erfs  vnblift ; 

Bot  that  fa  gud  ane  bourd  me  thocht,  100 

Sic  folace  to  my  hairt  it  rocht, 

For  lawchtir  neir  I  brift ; 

Ouhairthrow  I  walknit  of  my  trance. 

To  put  this  in  rememberance, 

Mycht  no  man  me  refift,  105 

For  this  faid  juffcing  it  befell 

Befoir  Mahoun,  the  air  of  hell: 

Now  trow  thifs  gif  ye  lift. 

Heir  endis  the^  fowtar  and  tailyouris  war, 
Maid  be  the  nobill  poyet  Mr.  William  Dumbar. 


CXXII. 

Follozvis  the  A  mendis  maid  be  Jihn  to  the  Telyouris 
and  Sozvtaris,  for  the  Turnavient  maid  on  tJiavie. 


B 


ETUIX  twell  houris  and  ellevin, 
I  dremed  ane  angell  came  fra  Hevin, 


With  plefand  ftevin  fayand  on  hie, 
Telyouris  and  Sowtaris,  blifl  be  ye. 

In  Hevin  hie  ordand  is  your  place, 
Aboif  all  fanclis  in  grit  folace, 
Nixt  God,  gritteft  in  dignitie : 
Tailyouris  and  Sowtaris,  blift  be  ye. 

The  caufs  to  yow  is  nocht  vnkend. 
That  God  mifmakkis  ye  do  amend, 

^  The  words  iujling  and  the  zvar  deleted  in  MS. 


320      AMEND  IS  MAID  TO  THE  TELYOURIS  AND  SOWTARIS. 

Be  craft  and  grit  agilitie : 
TailyoLiris  and  Sowtaris,  blifl;  be  ye. 

Sowtaris,  with  fchonc  weill  maid  and  meit, 

Yc  mend  the  faltis  of  ilhnaid  feit, 

Ouhairfoir  to  Hcvin  your  faulis  will  fle ;  »S 

Telyouris  and  Sowtaris,  blift  be  ye. 

Is  nocht  in  all  this  fair  a  flyrok, 

That  lies  vpoun  his  feit  a  wyrok, 

Knowll  tais,  nor  mowlis  in  no  degrie, 

Bot  ye  can  hyd  thame:  blifb  be  ye.  20 

And  ye  tailyouris,  with  weillmaid  clais 
Can  mend  the  werft  maid  man  that  gaifs, 
And  mak  him  femely  for  to  fe: 
Telyouris  and  Sowtaris,  blift  be  ye. 

Thocht  God  mak  ane  misfaffonit  man,  25 

Ye  can  him  all  fchaip  new  agane, 
And  faffoun  him  bettir  be  fic  thre: 
Telyouris  and  Sowtaris,  blift  be  ye. 

Thocht  a  man  haif  a  brokin  bak,  Fol.ii3.a. 

Haif  he  a  gude  crafty  telyour,  quhattrak,  30 

That  can  it  cuver  with  craftis  flie : 
Telyouris  and  Sowtaris,  blift  be  ye. 

Off  God  grit  kyndnefs  may  ye  clame, 

That  helpis  his  peple  fra  cruke  and  lame, 

Supportand  faltis  wuth  your  fupple:  35 

Tailyouris  and  Sowtaris,  blift  be  ye. 

In  Erd  ye  kyth  fic  mirakillis  heir, 
In  Hevin  ye  falbe  fan6lis  full  cleir, 


/  MAK  IT  KEND,  HE  THAT  WILL  SPEND.  321 

Thocht  ye  be  knavis  in  this  cuntre : 

Telyouris  and  Sowtaris,  blift  be  ye.  40 

Quod  Dumbar. 


CXXIII. 

[/  mak  it  kend,  he  that  ivill  fpeHd?\ 

I  MAK  it  kend,  he  that  will  fpend, 
And  luve  God  lait  and  air, 
God  will  him  mend  and  grace  him  fend, 
Ouhen  catyvis  fall  haif  cair; 

Thairfoir  pretend  weill  for  to  fpend  5 

Off  geir,  and  nocht  till  fpair. 
I  knaw  the  end  that  all  mon  wend, 
A  way  nakit  and  bair: 

With  ane  O,  and  ane  I,  ane  wreche  fall  haif  no  mair, 
Bot  ane  fchort  fcheit  at  heid  and  feit,  10 

For  all  his  wrek  and  wair. 

For  all  the  wrak  a  wreche  can  pak, 
And  in  his  baggis  imbrace, 
Yit  Deid  fall  tak  him  be  the  bak. 

And  gar  him  cry,  Allace!  15 

Than  fall  he  frak  away  with  lak, 
And  wait  nocht  to  quhat  place ; 
Than  will  thay  mak  at  him  a  knak, 
That  maift  of  his  gud  haifs : 

With  ane  O,  and  ane  I,  quhill  we  haif  tyme  and  fpace,    20 
Mak  we  gud  cheir  quhill  we  art  heir, 
And  thank  God  of  his  grace. 

2  R 


3  2  2  SANCT  SAL  UA  TO  UR  !  SEND  SIL  UER  SORR  O IV. 

Wer  thair  ane  king  to  rax  and  ring, 

Amang  gude  fallowis  cround, 

Wrechis  wald  wring  and  mak  mvrnyng,  25 

For  dule  thay  fuld  be  dround ; 

Ouha  findis  anc  dring,  owdir  auld  or  ying, 

Gar  hoy  him  owt  and  hound. 

Now  lat  ws  fing  with  Chryftis  bhffing, 

Be  glaid  and  mak  gude  found :  30 

With  ane  O,  and  ane  I,  now  or  we  forder  found,  Fol.  iis.b. 

Drink  thow  to  me,  and  I  to  the, 

And  lat  the  cop  go  round. 

Quha  vndirftude  fuld  haif  his  gude, 

Or  he  wer  clofd  in  clay ;  35 

Sum  in  thair  mude  thay  wald  go  wid, 

And  de  lang  or  thair  day; 

Nocht  wirth  ane  hude,  or  ane  auld  fnvd, 

Thow  fall  beir  hyne  away; 

Wreche !  be  the  Rude,  for  to  conclude,  40 

Full  few  will  for  the  pray : 

With  ane  O,  and  ane  I,  gud  fallowis  quhill  we  may, 

Be  mirry  and  fre,  fyne  blyth  we  be, 

And  fmg  on  twa  and  tway. 

Quod  Johne  Blyth. 


CXXIV. 

\San6l  Saluatonr !  fetid  ftluev  Sorrow^ 

OANCT  Saluatour!  fend  filuer  forrow; 
^It  grevis  me  both  evin  and  morrow, 
Chafing  fra  me  all  cheritie; 


SANCT  SALUATOUR!  SEND  SILUER  SORROW,  323 

It  makis  me  all  blythnefs  to  borrow; 

My  panefull  purfs  fo  priclifs  me.  5 

Quhen  I  wald  blythlie  ballattis  breif, 

Langour  thairto  givis  me  no  leif ; 

War  nocht  gud  howp  my  hart  vphie, 

My  verry  corpis  for  cair  wald  cleif ; 

My  panefull  purfs  fo  prikilHs  me.  i 

Quhen  I  fett  me  to  fmg  or  dance, 

Or  go  to  plefand  paftance, 

Than  panfmg  of  penuritie 

Revis  that  fra  my  remembrance; 

My  panefull  purfs  fo  prikilHs  me.  15 

Quhen  men  that  hes  purffis  in  tone, 

Paffis  to  drynk  or  to  difione, 

Than  mon  I  keip  ane  grauetie, 

And  fay,  that  I  will  faft  quhill  none; 

My  panefull  purfs  fo  priclifs  me.  20 

My  purfs  is  maid  of  fic  ane  fkyn, 

Thair  will  na  corfs  byd  it  within ; 

Fra  it  as  fra  the  Feynd  thay  fle, 

Quha  evir  tyne,  quha  evir  win ; 

My  panefull  purfs  fo  priclifs  me.  25 

Had  I  ane  man  of  ony  natioun 

Culd  mak  on  it  ane  coniuratioun, 

To  gar  filuer  ay  in  it  be, 

The  Devill  fuld  half  no  dominatioun,  Fol.  114.3. 

With  pyne  to  gar  it  prickill  me.  30 

I  half  inquyrit  in  mony  a  place, 
For  help  and  confort  in  this  cace, 
And  all  men  fayis.  My  Lord,  that  ye 


324  LISTIS  LORDIS,  I  SALL    YOW  TELL. 

Can  befl:  remeid  for  this  malice, 

That  with  fic  panis  prickillis  me.  35 

Qiiod  Dumbar  to  the  King. 


cxxv. 

\LiJlis  Lordis,  I  fall  yow  tell^ 

LISTIS  lordis,  I  fall  yow  tell 
Off  ane  verry  grit  mervell, 
Off  Lord  Fergufs  gaift. 
How  mekle  Schir  Andro  it  cheft 

Vnto  Beittokis  hour,  5 

The  filly  fawle  to  fuccour: 
And  he  hes  writtin  vnto  me, 
Auld  ftoreifs  for  to  fe, 
Gif  it  appinis  him  to  meit. 

How  he  fall  coniure  the  fpreit :  10 

And  I  half  red  mony  quarfs, 
Bath  the  Donet,  and  Dominus  que  parfs ; 
Ryme  maid,  and  als  reiddin, 
Baith  Inglis  and  Latene: 

And  ane  ftory  haif  I  to  reid  15 

Paffis  Bonitatem  in  the  creid. 
To  coniure  the  littill  gaift  ye  mon  haif 
Off  tod  tailis  ten  thraif. 
And  kaft  the  grit  haly  watter, 

With  pater  nofter,  patter  patter;  20 

And  ye  man  fitt  in  ane  compafs, 
And  cry,  Harbert  tuthlefs. 
Drug  thow  and  thifs  draw, 


LISTIS  LORD  IS,  I  SALL    YOW  TELL.  325 

And  fitt  thair  quhill  cok  craw. 

The  compafs  mon  hallowit  be  25 

With  Afpergis  me  Domine; 

The  haly  writt  fchawis  als 

Thair  man  be  hung  abowt  your  hals, 

Pricket  in  ane  woll  poik, 

Off  neifs  powder  ane  grit  loik.  30 

Thir  thingis  mon  ye  beir, 

Brynt  in  ane  doggis  eir, 

Ane  pluche,  ane  paiddill,  and  ane  pahiie  corfs, 

Thre  tufkis  of  ane  awld  deid  horfs, 

And  of  ane  yallow  wob  the  warp,  35 

The  boddome  of  ane  awld  herp,  Fol.ii4.b. 

The  heid  of  ane  cuttit  reill, 

The  band  of  ane  awld  quheill, 

The  taill  of  ane  yeild  fow, 

And  ane  bait  of  blew  wow,  40 

Ane  botene,  and  ane  brechame. 

And  ane  quhorle  maid  of  lame. 

To  luke  owt  at  the  littill  boir, 

And  cry,  Chryftis  crofs!  yow  befoir. 

And  quhen  ye  fe  the  littill  gaift  45 

Cumand  to  yow  in  all  haift. 

Cry  lowd,  Chryfte  eleifone! 

And  fpeir  quhat  law  it  levis  on? 

And  gif  it  fayis  on  Godis  ley. 

Than  to  the  littill  gaift  ye  fay,  50 

With  brede  benedicitie; 

Littill  gaift,  I  coniure  the. 

With  lierie  and  larie, 

Bayth  fra  God,  and  San6l  Marie, 

Firft  with  ane  fiffchis  mowth,  55 

And  fyne  with  ane  fowlis  tovth, 

With  ten  pertane  tais. 

And  nyne  knokis  of  windil  ftrais. 


326  L/STIS  LORDIS,  I  SALL    YO  W  TELL. 

With  thre  heidis  of  curie  doddy; 

And  bid  the  gaift  turn  in  a  boddy.  60 

Than  eftir  this  coniuratioun, 

The  littill  gaift  will  fall  in  foun, 

And  thaireftir  doun  ly, 

Cryand  mercy  petoufly; 

Than  with  your  left  heill  it  fane,  65 

And  it  will  nevir  cum  agane. 

Als  mekle  as  ane  mige  amaift, 

He  had  ane  littill  rod  leg, 

And  it  wes  cant  as  ony  cleg, 

It  wes  wynd  in  ane  wyndinfcheit,  70 

Baythe  the  handis  and  the  feit. 

Suppois  this  gaift  wes  littill 

Yit  it  ftall  Godis  quhittill; 

It  ftall  fra  peteoufs  Abrahame, 

Ane  quhorle  and  ane  quhum  quhame ;  75 

It  ftall  fra  the  carle  of  the  mone 

Ane  pair  of  auld  yrn  fchone ; 

It  ran  to  Pencaitlane, 

And  wirreit  ane  auld  chaplane. 

This  littill  gafte  did  na  mair  ill,  80 

Bot  clok  lyk  a  corne  myll; 

And  it  wald  play  and  hop  Fol,  115.3. 

Abowt  the  held  ane  ftre  ftrop; 

And  it  wald  fmg  and  it  wald  dance 

Oure  fute,  and  Orliance.  g- 

Quha  coniurit  the  littill  gafte,  fa  ye? 

Nane  bot  the  littill  Spenyie  fle, 

That  with  hir  wit  and  ingyne, 

Gart  the  gaift  leif  agane ; 

And  fyne  mareid  the  gaift  the  fle. 

And  cround  him  kyng  of  Kandelie; 

And  thay  gat  thame  betwene, 

Orpheus  king  and  Elpha  qucne. 


90 


HOW  DUMBAR   WES  DESYRD  TO  BE  ANE  PRE  JR.  327 

To  reid  quha  will  this  gentill  geift, 

Ye  hard  it  nocht  at  Cokilbys  feift.  95 

Explicitus. 


CXXVI. 

Folloivis  hoiv  Dumbar  zves  defyrd  to  be 
ane  Freir. 

THIS  nycht  befoir  the  dawing  cleir, 
Me  thocht  San6l  Francis  did  to  me  appeir. 
With  ane  religioufs  abbeit  in  his  hand, 
And  faid.  In  thifs  go  cleith  the  my  ferwand ; 
Reffufs  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, 

Bot  on  the  flure  delyuerly  and  fone 

I  lap  thairfra,  and  nevir  wald  cum  nar  it.  10 

Quoth  he,  Quhy  fkarris  thow  with  this  holy  weid  '^. 

Cleith  the  thairin,  for  weir  it  thow  moft  neid ; 

Thow,  that  hes  lang  done  Venus  lawis  teiche, 

Sail  now  be  freir,  and  in  this  abbeit  preiche ; 

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

Quod  I,  San6l  Francis,  loving  be  the  till, 

And  thankit  mot  thow  be  of  thy  gude  will 

To  me,  that  of  thy  clayis  ar  fo  kynd ; 

Bot  thame  to  weir  it  nevir  come  in  my  mynd : 

Sweit  Confeffour,  thow  tak  it  nocht  in  ill.  20 


328  HOir  DUMBAR   WES  DESYRD  TO  BE  ANE  FREIR. 

In  Iialy  Icgendis  half  I  hard  allevin, 

Ma  fanftis  of  bifchoppis,  nor  freiris,  be  fic  fevin; 

Off  full  few  freiris  that  lies  bene  fanftis  I  reid; 

Ouhairfoir  ga  bring  to  me  ane  bifchopis  weid,  Fol.us.b. 

Gife  evir  thow  ^vald  my  fawle  gaid  vnto  Hevin.  25 

My  brethir  oft  hes  maid  the  fupplicationis, 

Be  epiftillis.  fermonis,  and  relationis, 

To  tak  the  abyte,  bot  thow  did  poftpone ; 

But  ony  procefs,  cum  on  thairfoir  annone, 

All  fircumftance  put  by  and  excufationis.  30 

Gif  evir  my  fortoun  wes  to  be  a  freir, 

The  dait  thairof  is  paft  full  mony  a  yeir ; 

For  into  every  lufly  toun  and  place 

Off  all  Yngland,  frome  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  gon  and  preichit 

In  Derntoun  kirk,  and  eik  in  Canterberry ; 

In  it  I  paft  at  Dover  our  the  ferry 

Throw  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  falfet  with  every  wicht  to  flatter, 

Ouhilk  mycht  be  flemit  with  na  hal}^  watter; 

I  ^ves  ay  reddy  all  men  to  begyle.  45 

This  freir  that  did  San6l  Francis  thair  appeir, 

Ane  fieind  he  wes  in  liknes  of  ane  freir; 

He  vaneift  away  with  ftynk  and  fyrie  fmowk; 

With  him  me  thocht  all  the  houfhend  he  towk. 

And  I  awoik  as  wy  that  wes  in  weir.  50 

Quod  Dumbar. 


FULL  OFT  /  MUSE,  AND  HES  LN  THOCHT.  329 

CXXVII. 

\Full  oft  I  mu/e,  and  hes  in  t/iocht.] 

FULL  oft  I  mufe,  and  hes  in  thocht, 
How  this  fals  warld  is  ay  on  flocht, 
Quhair  na  thing  ferme  is  nor  degeft; 
And  quhen  I  half  my  mynd  all  focht, 
For  to  be  blyth  me  think  it  beft.  5 

This  warld  dois  evir  fleit  and  vary, 
Fortoun  fa  faft  hir  quheill  dois  kary ; 
Na  tyme  bot  turne  can  tak  reft, 
For  quhais  fals  change  ^ 


CXXVIII. 

[He  that  hes  Gold  and  grit  Riche/s^ 

HE  that  hes  gold  and  grit  richefs, 
And  may  be  into  mirrynefs, 
And  dois  glaidnefs  fra  him  expell, 

And  levis  in  to  wrechitnefs,  p^j  jjg  ^ 

He  wirkis  forrow  to  him  fell.  5 

He  that  may  be  but  fturt  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.  j^ 

1  This  piece  is  fcored  out  in  the  MS.,  being  a  repetition  of  No,  CXII. 

2  S 


330  THE  WOWING  OF  THE  KING  IN  DUMFERMEIING. 

He  tliat  hcs  for  his  awin  genyie 

Anc  plcfand  prop,  but  mank  or  menyie, 

And  fchuttis  fyne  at  ane  vncow  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  vder  flewth, 

Dois  evir  mair  with  ane  maifter  dwell, 

That  neuir  of  him  will  half  no  rewth, 

He  wirkis  forrow  to  him  fell.  20 

Now  all  this  tyme  lat  ws  be  mirry, 

And  fett  nocht  by  this  warld  a  chirry : 

Now  quhill  thair  is  gude  wyne  to  fell, 

He  that  dois  on  dry  breid  virry, 

I  gif  him  to  the  Devill  of  Hell.  25 

Qiiod  Dumbar. 


CXXIX. 

Followis  the  Woivitig  of  the  King  qiihai  he  ives  in 
Dumfermeling. 

THIS  hindirnycht  in  Dumfermeling, 
To  me  wes  tawld  ane  windir  thing; 
That  lait  ane  tod  wes  with  ane  lame, 
And  with  hir  playit,  and  maid  gud  game, 
Syne  till  his  breifh  did  hir  imbrace. 
And  wald  haif  riddin  hir  lyk  ane  rame: 
And  that  me  thocht  ane  ferly  cace. 


THE   WOWING  OF  THE  KING  IN  DUMFERMELING.         331 

He  braifit  hir  bony  body  fweit, 

And  halfit  hir  with  fordir  feit ; 

Syne  fchuk  his  taill,  with  quhinge  and  yelp,  10 

And  todlit  with  hir  lyk  ane  quhelp ; 

Syne  lowrit  on  growfe  and  afl^it  grace ; 

And  ay  the  lame  cryd,  Lady,  help ! 

And  that  me  thocht  ane  ferly  cace. 

The  tod  wes  nowder  lene  nor  flcowry,  15 

He  wes  ane  lufty  reid  haird  lowry, 

Ane  lang  taild  beift  and  grit  with  all; 

The  filly  lame  wes  all  to  fmall 

To  fic  ane  tribbill  to  hald  ane  bace: 

Scho  fled  him  nocht;  fair  mot  hir  fall!  20 

And  that  me  thocht  ane  ferly  cace. 

The  tod  wes  reid,  the  lame  wes  quhyte,  Fol.ii6,b. 

Scho  wes  ane  morfall  of  delyte; 

He  lovat  na  yowis  auld,  twch  and  fklender: 

Becaus  this  lame  wes  yung  and  tender,  25 

He  ran  vpoun  hir  with  a  race, 

And  fcho  fchup  nevir  for  till  defend  hir: 

And  thifs  me  thocht  ane  ferly  cace. 


He  grippit  hir  abowt  the  weft. 
And  handlit  hir  as  he  had  heft; 
This  innocent  that  nevir  trefpaft, 
Tuke  hert  that  fcho  wes  handlit  faft, 
And  lute  him  kifs  hir  lufty  face; 
His  girnand  gamis  hir  nocht  agalt: 
And  that  me  thocht  ane  ferly  cace. 

He  held  him  till  hir  be  the  hals, 
And  fpak  full  fair  thocht  he  wes  falfs ; 


30 


35 


332  THE  WOWING  OF  THE  KING  IN  DUMFERMELING. 

Syne  faid  and  fwoir  to  hir  be  God, 

That  he  fuld  nocht  twich  hir  prenecod ; 

The  filly  thing  trowd  him,  allace!  40 

The  lame  gaif  creddence  to  the  tod : 

And  that  me  thocht  ane  ferly  cace. 

I  will  no  lefingis  put  in  verfs, 

Lyk  as  thir  jangleris  dois  reherfs, 

Bot  be  quhat  maner  thay  war  mard,  45 

Ouhen  licht  wes  owt  and  durris  wes  bard ; 

I  wait  nocht  gif  he  gaif  hir  grace, 

Bot  all  the  hoUis  wes  ftoppit  hard : 

And  that  me  thocht  ane  ferly  cace. 

Quhen  men  dois  fleit  in  joy  maift  far,  ^o 

Sone  cumis  wo  or  thay  be  w^ar; 

Quhen  carpand  wer  thir  two  moft  crowfs. 

The  wolf  he  ombefett  the  houfs, 

Vpoun  the  tod  to  mak  ane  chace; 

The  lamb  than  cheipit  lyk  a  mowfs :  ,. 

And  that  me  thocht  ane  ferly  cace. 

Throw  hiddowis  yowling  of  the  wowf. 

This  ^vyHe  tod  plat  doun  on  growf, 

And  in  the  filly  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  fleip ;  65 

And  quhill  the  tod  had  ftrikkin  ten. 

The  wowf  hes  dreft  him  to  his  den, 

Protefland  for  the  fecound  place : 


ANE  BALL  AT  OF  THE  FENYELT  FREIR  OF  TUN  GLAND.     2>12, 

And  this  report  I  with  my  pen, 

How  at  Dumfermling  fell  the  cace.  7° 

Quod  Dumbar. 


cxxx. 

Ane  Ballat  of  the  fenyeit  Frcir  of  Ttmgla^td,  hoiu  he        Foi.iiy.a. 
fell  in  the  Myre  fleand  to  Turkiland. 

AS  yung  Awrora,  with  criftall  haile, 
In  orient  fchew  hir  vifage  paile, 
A  fwenyng  fwyth  did  me  affaile, 

Off  fonis  of  Sathanis  feid ; 
Me  thocht  a  Turk  of  Tartary  5 

Come  throw  the  boundis  of  Barbary, 
And  lay  forloppin  in  Lumbardy, 

Full  lang  in  waithman  weid. 

Fra  baptafmg  for  to  efchew, 

Thair  a  religious  man  he  flew,  lo 

And  cled  him  in  his  abeit  new, 

For  he  cowth  wryte  and  reid. 
Quhen  kend  was  his  diffimvlance, 
And  all  his  curfit  govirnance, 
For  feir  he  fled  and  come  in  France,  15 

With  littill  of  Lumbard  leid. 

To  be  a  leiche  he  fenyt  him  thair, 
Quhilk  mony  a  man  micht  rew  evirmair; 
For  he  left  nowthir  feik  nor  fair 

Vnflane,  or  he  hyne  yeid.  20 


334     ANE  BALLAT  OF  THE  FENYEIT  FREIR  OF  TUNGLAND. 

Vane  organis  he  full  clenely  carvit, 
Ouhen  of  his  fbraik  fo  mony  ftarvit, 
Dreid  he  had  gottin  that  he  defarvit, 
He  fled  away  gud  fpeid. 

In  Scotland  than,  the  narreft  way  25 

He  come,  his  cunnyng  till  affay ; 
To  fum  man  thair  it  was  no  play 

The  preving  of  his  fciens. 
In  pottingry  he  wrocht  grit  pyne, 

He  murdreift  mony  in  medecyne;  30 

The  jow  was  of  a  grit  engyne, 

And  generit  was  of  gyans. 

In  leichecraft  he  was  homecyd. 

He  wald  haif,  for  a  nicht  to  byd, 

A  haiknay  and  the  hurtmanis  hyd,  35 

So  meikle  he  was  of  myance. 
His  yrnis  was  rude  as  ony  rawchtir,  rol.ii7.b. 

Ouhair  he  leit  blude  it  was  no  lawchtir, 
Full  mony  inftrument  for  flawchtir 

Was  in  his  gardevyance.  40 

He  cowth  gif  cure  for  laxatyve; 
To  gar  a  wicht  horfs  want  his  lyve, 
Quha  evir  affay  wald,  man  or  wyve, 

Thair  hippis  yeid  hiddy  giddy. 
His  pra6likis  nevir  war  put  to  preif,  45 

Bot  fuddane  deid,  or  grit  mifcheif ; 
He  had  purgatioun  to  mak  a  theif 

To  dee  withowt  a  widdy. 

Vnto  no  mefs  preffit  this  prelat. 

For  found  of  facring  bell  nor  fkellat;  50 

As  blakfmyth  bruikit  was  his  pallatt, 
For  battering  at  the  ftudy. 


ANE  BALLAT  OF  THE  FENYEIT  FREIR  OF  TUNGLAND.     335 

Thocht  he  come  hame  a  new  maid  channoun, 
He  had  difpenfit  with  matynnis  channoun, 
On  him  come  nowthir  ftole  nor  fannoun,  55 

For  fmowking  of  the  fmydy. 

Me  thocht  feir  faffonis  he  affailyeit, 
To  mak  the  quinteffance,  and  failyeit; 
And  quhen  he  faw  that  nocht  availyeit, 

A  fedrem  on  he  tuke,  60 

And  fchupe  in  Turky  for  to  fle; 
And  quhen  that  he  did  mont  on  he, 
All  fowill  ferleit  quhat  he  fowld  be, 

That  evir  did  on  him  luke. 

Sum  held  he  had  bene  Dedalus,  65 

Sum  the  Menatair  marvelus, 
Sum  Mactis  fmyth  Wlcanus, 

And  fum  Saturnus  kuke. 
And  evir  the  cufchettis  at  him  tuggit, 
The  rukis  him  rent,  the  ravynis  him  druggit,  70 

The  hudit  crawis  his  hair  furth  ruggit, 

The  Hevin  he  micht  not  bruke. 

The  myttane,  and  San6l  Martynis  fowle, 

Wend  he  had  bene  the  hornit  howle, 

Thay  fet  avpone  him  with  a  yowle,  75Fol.ii8.a. 

And  gaif  him  dynt  for  dynt. 
The  golk,  the  gormaw,  and  the  gled, 
Beft  him  with  buffettis  quhill  he  bled; 
The  fparhalk  to  the  fpring  him  fped, 

Als  fors  as  fyre  of  flynt.  80 

The  tarfall  gaif  him  tug  for  tug, 
A  ftanchell  hang  in  ilka  lug, 
The  pyot  furth  his  pennis  did  rug, 

The  flork  ftraik  ay  but  ftynt. 


336     ANE  BALLAT  OF  THE  FENYEIT  FREIR  OF  TUNGLAND. 

The  biffart,  biffy  but  rebuik,  85 

Scho  was  fo  cleverus  of  hir  clvik, 
His  bawis  he  micht  not  langer  bruik, 

Scho  held  thame  at  ane  hint. 

Thik  was  the  clud  of  kayis  and  crawis, 

Of  marleyonis,  mittanis,  and  of  mawis,  9° 

That  bikkrit  at  his  herd  with  blawis 

In  battill  him  abowt. 
Thay  nybbillit  him  with  noyis  and  cry, 
The  rerd  of  thame  raifs  to  the  fky, 
And  cvir  he  cryit  on  Fortoun,  Fy!  95 

His  lyfe  was  in  to  dowt. 

The  ja  him  fkrippit  with  a  fkryke, 
And  fkornit  him  as  it  was  lyk ; 
The  egill  fbrong  at  him  did  fbryke, 

And  rawcht  him  mony  a  rowt.  100 

For  feir  vncunnandly  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  feddreme  that  was  fchene,  105 

And  flippit  owt  of  it  full  clene, 
And  in  a  myre,  vp  to  the  ene, 

Amang  the  glar  did  glyd. 
The  fowlis  all  at  the  fedrem  dang, 

As  at  a  monfter  thame  amang,  110 

Quhill  all  the  pennis  of  it  owfprang 

In  till  the  air  full  wyde. 

And  he  lay  at  the  plunge  evirmair, 
Sa  lang  as  any  ravin  did  rair; 

The  crawis  him  focht  with  cryis  of  cair  115 

In  every  fchaw  befyde. 


ANE  LITTILL  INTERLUD.  337 

Had  he  reveild  bene  to  the  rwikis,  Fol.nS.b. 

Thay  had  him  revin  all  Avith  thair  clwikis : 
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  fl<ryking,  fkrymming  and  with  fcowlis, 

To  tak  him  in  the  tyde. 
I  Avalknit  with  the  noyis  and  fchowte,  125 

So  hiddowis  beir  was  me  abowte; 
Senfyne  I  curfs  that  cankerit  rowte 

Ouhair  evir  I  go  or  lyde. 

Finis  quod  Dumbar. 


CXXXI. 

Anc  Httill  Intcrhid  of  the  Droichis  Part  of  the 
[Play^l 

HIRY,  hary,  hubbilfchow! 
Se  ye  not  quha  is  cum  now, 
Bot  yit  wait  I  nevir  how, 

With  the  quhirle  wind  ? 
A  fargeand  out  of  Sowdoun  land, 
A  gyane  flrang  for  to  ftand, 
That  with  the  ftrenth  of  my  hand 
Beiris  may  bind. 

Bot  yit  I  trow  that  I  vary, 
I  am  bot  ane  Blynd  Hary, 

^  Cut  away  in  the  inlaying  of  the  MS. 
2T 


338  ANE  LITTILL  INTERLUD. 

That  lang-  lies  bene  with  the  fary 

P^arlyis  to  fyiid; 
And  yit  gif  this  be  not  I, 
I  wait  it  is  the  fpreit  of  Gy, 
Or  elHs  fie  be  the  fky,  iS 

And  lycht  as  the  lynd. 

Ouha  is  cum  heir  bot  I, 
A  bawld,  bufteous  bellomy, 
Amang  yow  all  to  cry  a  cry, 

With  ane  michty  foun?  20 

That  generit  am  of  gyanis  kynd, 
Fra  the  ftrong  Hercules  be  ftrynd, 
Off  all  the  Occident  and  Ynd, 

My  elderis  woir  the  croun. 

My  foir  grandfchir,  hecht  Fyn  Mackcowll,  ssFol.iig.a. 

That  dang  the  Devill  and  gart  him  yowll, 
The  fkyis  raind  quhen  he  wald  yowll, 

He  trublit  all  the  air: 
He  gat  my  gudfchir  Gog  Magog; 

He,  quhen  he  danfit,  the  warld  wald  fchog;  30 

Ten  thowfand  ellis  yeid  in  his  frog 

Off  Heland  plaidis  and  mair. 

And  yit  he  wes  of  tendir  yowth; 

Bot  eftir  he  grew  mekle  at  fowth, 

Ellevin  myle  wyd  mett  was  his  mowth,  35 

His  teith  wes  ten  myle  fquair. 
He  wald  vpoun  his  tais  vp  ftand, 
And  tak  the  ftarnis  doun  with  his  hand, 
And  fett  thame  in  a  gold  garland 

Aboif  his  wyvis  hair.  40 

He  had  a  wyf  was  mekle  of  clift, 
Hir  heid  wan  heichar  nor  the  lift ; 


ANE  LITTILL  INTERLUD. 


339 


The  Hevin  reirdit  quhen  fcho  wald  rift; 

The  lafs  was  na  thing  fklendir : 
Scho  fpatt  Lochlomound  with  hir  lippis;  45 

Thundir  and  fyreflawcht  flaw  fra  hir  hippis ; 
Quhen  fcho  was  crabbit  the  fone  thold  cHppis ; 

The  Feynd  durft  nocht  offend  hir. 

For  cawld  fcho  tuke  the  fevir  tartane,^ 

For  all  the  claith  in  France  and  Bartane,  50 

Wald  not  be  to  hir  leg  a  gartane, 

Thocht  fcho  was  young  and  tendir; 
Vpoun  a  nicht  heir  in  the  north, 
Scho  tuke  the  gravall  and  ftaild  Craig  Gorth, 
And  pifchit  the  grit  watter  of  Forth,  55 

Sic  tyd  ran  eftir  hend  hir. 

Yit  ane  thing  writtin  of  hir  I  fynd, 
In  Yrland  quhen  fcho  blew  behind. 
At  Norway  coift  fcho  raifit  the  Avynd, 

And  grit  fchippis  drownit  thair.  60 

Scho  fifchit  all  the  Spanyie  feyis. 
With  hir  fark  lap  betuix  hir  theyis; 
Thre  dayis  faling  betuix  hir  kneyis 

It  was  eftemid  and  mair. 

The  hingand  brayis  on  adir  fyde  65Fol.n9.b. 

Scho  powtterit  with  hir  lymmis  Avyde; 
Laffis  micht  leir  at  hir  to  flryde, 

Wald  ga  to  luvaris  lair. 
Scho  markit  to  the  land  with  mirth ; 

Scho  pifchit  fyve  quhailis  in  the  Firth,  70 

That  croppin  war  in  hir  geig  for  girth, 

Walterand  amang  the  wair. 

My  fader,  mekle  Gow  M^Morne, 

Owt  of  his  moderis  wame  was  fchorne; 

^  May  be  read  cartane. 


340  ANE  LITTILL  INTERL  UD. 

Vox  littilncs  fcho  was  forlorne,  75 

Siche  ane  kemp  to  beir : 
Or  he  of  aige  was  yeiris  thre, 
He  wald  ftep  over  the  occiane  fie; 
Tlic  mono  fprang  ncvir  abone  his  kne, 

The  hevins  had  of  him  feir.  80 

Ane  thowfand  yeir  is  pafb  fra  mynd, 
Sen  I  was  generid  of  his  kynd, 
Far  furth  in  the  defertis  of  Ynd, 

Amang  lyoun  and  beir: 
Worthie  King  Arthour  and  Gawane,  85 

And  mony  a  bawld  berne  of  Bartane, 
Ar  deid  and  in  the  weiris  ar  flane, 

Sen  I  cowld  weild  a  fpeir. 

Sophie  and  the  Sowdoun  ftrang, 

With  weiris  that  hes  leftit  lang,  90 

Owt  of  thair  boundis  hes  maid  me  gang, 

And  turne  to  Turky  tyte. 
The  King  of  Francis  grit  army 
Hes  brocht  in  derth  in  Lumbardy, 
That  in  the  cuntre  he  and  I  95 

Can  nocht  dwell  baith  perfyte. 

Swadrik,  Denmark,  and  Norraway, 
Nor  in  the  Steiddis  I  dar  nocht  ga; 
Thair  is  nocht  thair  bot^  and  flae, 

Cutthroppillis  and  mak  quyte.  100 

Yrland  for  evir  I  half  reffufit, 
All  wyifmen  will  hald  me  excufit, 
For  nevir  in  land  quhair  Eriche  was  vfit, 

To  dwell  had  I  dellyte. 

I  haif  bene  formeft  evir  in  feild,  losFol.iao.a. 

And  now  fa  lang  I  haif  borne  fcheild, 

1  A  word  is  evidently  omitted  here;  AOoan  MS.  lias  tak  andjlac. 


ANE  LITTILL  INTERLUD.  341 

That  I  am  ciynit  in  for  eild 

This  littill,  as  ye  may  fie. 
I  haif  bene  baneft  vnclir  the  lynd 

This  lang  tyme,  that  nane  cowld  me  fynd,  no 

Ouhill  now  with  this  laft  eiftin  wynd, 

I  am  cum  heir  perdie. 

My  name  is  Welth,  thairfoir  be  blyth, 

I  am  cum  confort  yow  to  kyth; 

Suppois  wrechis  will  waill  and  wryth,  115 

All  darth  I  fall  gar  die ; 
For  certanelie,  the  trewth  to  tell, 
I  cum  amang  yow  for  to  dwell, 
Far  fra  the  found  of  curphour  bell 

To  dwell  thinkis  nevir  me.  120 

Now  fen  I  am  fuche  quantetie 
Off  gyanis  cum,  as  ye  may  fie, 
Ouhair  wilbe  gottin  a  wyfe  to  me 

Off  ficlyk  breid  and  hicht?  ^ 
In  all  this  boure  is  nocht  a  bryde  125 

Ane  houre  I  wait  dar  me  abyde, 
Yit  trow  ye  ony  heir  befyde, 

Micht  fuffir  me  all  nicht. 

Adow,  fair  v/eill !  for  now  I  go, 

Bot  I  will  nocht  lang  byd  yow  fro ;  130 

Chryfl  yow  conferve  fra  every  wo, 

Baith  madin,  wyf  and  man ; 
God  blifs  thame,  and  the  Haly  Rude, 
Givis  me  a  drink  fa  it  be  gude; 
And  quha  trowis  befb  that  I  do  ludC;  135 

Skynk  firft  to  me  the  can. 

Finis  off  the  Droichis  Pairt  of  the  Play. 
^  The  next  line  Yit  quha  ivat  gif  ony  heir  be/yd  has  been  deleted. 


342  THE   WYF  OF  AUCHTIRMWCH2Y. 

CXXXII. 

The  Wyf  of  AiicJitinnzvchty.  Fol.i2o.b. 

IN  Awchtirmwchty  thair  dwelt  ane  man, 
Ane  hufband,  as  I  hard  it  tawld, 
Quha  Weill  cowld  tippill  owt  a  can, 
And  nathir  luvit  hungir  nor  cawld. 

Ouhill  anis  it  fell  vpoun  a  day,  5 

He  }'okkit  his  plwch  vpoun  the  plane; 
Gif  it  be  trew  as  I  hard  fay. 
The  day  was  fowll  for  wind  and  rane. 

He  lowfit  the  pluche  at  the  landis  end. 
And  draif  his  oxin  hame  at  evin ;  lo 

When  he  come  in  he  lukit  bend. 
And  faw  the  wyf  baith  dry  and  clene. 
And  fittand  at  ane  fyre  beikand  bawld, 
With  ane  fat  fowp  as  I  hard  fay: 
,    The  man  being  verry  weit  and  cawld,  15 

Betwene  thay  twa  it  was  na  play. 

Quhoth  he,  Quhair  is  my  horffis  corne? 

My  ox  hes  nathir  hay  nor  ftray ; 

Dame,  ye  mon  to  the  pluch  to  morne, 

I  falbe  huffy,  gif  I  may.  20 

Hufband,  quod  fcho,  Content  am  I 

To  tak  the  pluche  my  day  abowt, 

Sa  ye  will  rowU  baith  kavis  and  ky. 

And  all  the  houfs  baith  in  and  owt. 


Bot  fen  that  ye  will  hufy  fkep  ken, 
Firft  ye  fall  fift,  and  fyne  fall  kned; 
And  ay  as  ye  gang  but  and  ben, 
Luk  that  the  bairnis  dryt  not  the  bed. 


25 


THE   WYF  OF  AUCHTIRMWCHTY.  343 

Yeis  lay  ane  foft  wifp  to  the  kill, 

We  haif  ane  deir  ferme  on  our  held ;  30 

And  ay  as  ye  gang  furth  and  in, 

Keip  Weill  the  gaiflingis  fra  the  gled. 

The  wyf  was  vp  richt  lait  at  evin, 

I  pray  God  gif  hir  evill  to  fair, 

Scho  kyrnd  the  kyrne,  and  fkwmd  it  clene,  35 

And  left  the  gudman  bot  the  bledoch  bair. 

Than  in  the  mornyng  vp  fcho  gatt, 

And  on  hir  hairt  laid  hir  difiwne, 

Scho  put  alfmekle  in  hir  lap, 

As  micht  haif  ferd  thame  baith  at  nwne.  40 

Sayis,  Jok,  Will  thow  be  maiftir  of  wark, 

And  thow  fall  had  and  I  fall  kail; 

Ife  promeifs  the  ane  gud  new  fark,  Fol.i2i.a. 

Athir  of  round  claith  or  of  fmall. 

Scho  lowfit  oxin  aucht  or  nyne,  45 

And  hynt  ane  gadftafif  in  hir  hand; 

And  the  gudman  raifs  eftir  fyne, 

And  faw  the  wyf  had  done  command. 

And  cavd  the  gaiflingis  fwrth  to  feid, 

Thair  was  bot  fevinfum  of  thame  all,  50 

And  by  thair  cumis  the  gredy  gled. 

And  likkit  vp  fyve,  left  him  bot  twa. 

Than  owt  he  ran  in  all  his  mane. 

How  fone  he  hard  the  gaiflingis  cry; 

Bot  than  or  he  come  in  agane,  55 

The  calfis  brak  lowfs  and  fowkit  the  ky. 

The  calvis  and  ky  being  met  in  the  lone, 

The  man  ran  with  ane  rung  to  red; 

Than  by  thair  cumis  ane  ill  willy  cow, 

And  brodit  his  buttok  quhill  that  it  bled.  60 


344  THE   WYF  OF  A  UCHTIRAIWCHTY. 

Than  hamc  he  ran  to  ane  rok  of  tow, 
And  he  fatt  doun  to  fay  the  fpynning; 
I  trow  he  lowtit  our  neir  the  low, 
Ouod  he,  this  wark  hes  ill  begynning. 

Than  to  the  kyrn  that  he  did  ftoure,  65 

And  jwmlit  at  it  quhill  he  fwatt, 

Ouhen  he  had  jwmlit  a  full  lang  houre, 

The  forow  crap  of  butter  he  gatt. 

Albeit  na  butter  he  cowld  gett, 

Yit  he  wes  cummerit  with  the  kyrne,  7° 

And  fyne  he  het  the  milk  our  hett, 

And  forrow  fpark  of  it  wald  yyrne. 

Than  ben  thair  come  ane  gredy  fow, 

I  trow  he  cund  hir  littill  thank, 

And  in  fcho  fchot  hir  mekle  mow,  75 

And  ay  fcho  winkit  and  fcho  drank. 

He  cleikit  vp  ane  crukit  club, 

And  thocht  to  hitt  the  fow  ane  rowt, 

The  twa  gaiflingis  the  gled  had  left, 

That  ftraik  dang  baith  thair  harnis  owt.  80 

Than  he  beur  kendling  to  the  kill, 

Bot  fcho  ftart  all  vp  in  ane  low, 

Ouhat  evir  he  hard,  quhat  evir  he  faw, 

That  day  he  had  na  will  to  mow. 

Than  he  yeid  to  tak  vp  the  bairnis,  .  SsFol.iai.b. 

Thocht  to  haif  fund  thame  fair  and  clene ; 

The  firft  that  he  gat  in  his  armis 

Was  all  bedirtin  to  the  ene. 

The  firfl  that  he  gat  in  his  armis, 

It  was  all  dirt  vp  to  the  eine;  90 

The  Diuill  cutt  of  thair  handis,  quod  he, 

That  fild  yow  all  fa  fow  this  ftrene. 


THE   WYF  OF  AUCHTIRMWCHTY.  345 

He  trailit  the  fowll  fcheitis  doun  the  gait, 

Thocht  to  half  wechfl  thame  on  ane  ftane ; 

The  burne  wes  riflin  grit  of  fpait,  95 

Away  fra  him  the  fcheitis  hes  tane. 

Than  vp  he  gat  on  ane  know  heid, 

On  hir  to  cray,  on  hir  to  fchoAvt, 

Scho  hard  him,  and  fcho  hard  him  not, 

Bot  ftowtly  fteird  the  ftottis  abowt.  100 

Scho  draif  the  day  vnto  the  nicht, 

Scho  lowifit  the  phvch  and  fyne  come  hame; 

Scho  fand  all  wrang  that  fowld  bene  richt, 

I  trow  the  man  thocht  richt  grit  fchame. 

Quod  he,  My  office  I  forfaik  105 

For  all  the  dayis  of  my  lyf, 

For  I  wald  put  ane  howfs  to  wraik. 

Had  I  bene  twenty  dayis  gudwyf 

Quod  fcho,  Weill  mot  ye  bruke  the  place, 

For  trewlie  I  will  nevir  excep  it;  no 

Quod  he,  Feind  fall  the  lyaris  face, 

Bot  yit  ye  may  be  blyth  to  get  it. 

Than  vp  fcho  gat  ane  mekle  rung, 

And  the  gudman  maid  to  the  dur; 

Quod  he,  Deme,  I  fall  hald  my  tung,  115 

For  and  we  fecht  I  ill  gett  the  woir. 

Quod  he,  Quhen  I  forfuk  my  plwche, 

I  trow  I  bot  forfuk  my  feill. 

And  I  will  to  my  plwch  agane. 

For  I  and  this  howfs  will  nevir  do  weill.  120 

Finis  quod  Mofat.^ 


^  Quod  Mofat\%  written  in  a  difterent  hand. 
2  U 


346  A    YUNGMAN  CHIFTANE   WITLES. 

CXXXIII. 

\A   Yungman  Chiftane  zvit/es.] 

AYUNGMANchiftane,\vitles,anepeuremanfpen[dar,gettles/]  Fol.i22.a. 
Aneauldman  trichour,  trewthles,a  woman  lowper,land[lefs;] 
Apperandlie,  be  San6l  Jeill,  fall  nevir  ane  of  thir  d[o  weill;] 
Tak  tymeintymc,andnotyniediiifar,quhentymeispaftye . . .  war. 
All  michtyGod,  grant  to  our  King,  fic  grace  that  he  invertew  ring,     5 
Sa  that  this  realme  ay  gydit  be,  with  juftice,  pece  and  equitie. 
Bettir  is  to  fuffer  and  fortoun  abyd, 
Than  haiftely  to  clym  and  fuddenlie  to  flyd, 

Quod  quho  to  quhome. 
Quha  in  wclth  takis  no  heid,  he  fall  hafe  fait  in  tyme  of  neid ;      10 
Quhen  I  len  I  am  ane  freind,  and  quhen  I  craif  I  am  vnkynd ; 
Thufs  of  my  freind  I  mak  my  fo, 
I  fchrew  me  and  I  moir  do  fo. 


CXXXIV. 

The  JlicJit  Remeid  of  Luve. 


LUVARIS,  lat  be  the  frenneffy  of  luve, 
And  mvfe  nor  mvrne  no  moir  in  till  your  mynd, 
Bot  follace  feik,  and  forrow  ay  remove. 
Caft  yow  to  conqueifs  luve  ane  vthir  kynd ; 
For  knew  ye  wemenis  natur  courfe  and  ftrynd, 
Ye  wald  nocht  be  fo  trew  to  thair  vntrewth, 
Ouhilkis  hes  no  petie  thocht  your  hairtis  be  pynd, 
Nor  of  your  reftlefs  womenting  no  rewth. 

1  MS.  is  here  imperfect.     The  words  in  brackets  are  from  Ramfay's 
"  Evergreen." 


THE  SLIGHT  REMEID  OF  L  UVE.  347 

Bot  wald  ye  rewill  yow,  keip  this  regiment ; 

Be  fubteill,  fecreit,  fobir  in  thair  ficht,  xo 

FacoLind  of  wordis,  bot  feckill  of  intent, 

And  nevir  lat  your  mowth  and  mynd  go  richt; 

Swey  as  thay  fwey,  be  blytli  qulien  thay  ar  licht, 

And  preifs  yow  ay  in  prefenfs  to  repair; 

Forvey  no  tyme,  be  reddy  day  and  nicht  15 

Vpoun  your  kneis  to  ferve  tliame  foletare. 

Be  prevy,  part,  in  prefenfs  play  with  fynis; 

Be  ficht  or  fmyle,  lat  non  knaw  your  intentis, 

Be  verry  war  or  that  thay  wit  your  myndis; 

Be  clenely  cled  in  your  abilyementis.  2oFol.i22.b. 

Reufe  nocht  your  felf,  latt  vthiris  preifs  your  rentis, 

Bot  offir  thame  your  daly  obfervance 

Be  tung,  thocht  nathir  hairt  nor  mynd  confentis 

Body  and  gudis  to  haif  in  govirnance. 

Abufe  bot  brief,  howbeid  ye  be  faid  nay,  25 

And  reckles  nocht  your  eirand  for  the  rane; 

Bot  caft  yow  for  to  cum  ane  vthir  day. 

And  petoully  complene  your  woles  pane, 

Saying  ye  ar  both  fecreit,  trew  and  plane. 

With  this  pairt  wreth  and  fremmit  to  but  faid,  30   " 

For  cum  the  freindfchip  of  thair  fyd  agane, 

I  mak  yow  feur  ye  fall  nocht  mifs  remeid. 

Hald  thame  in  hand  quhilkis  may  yow  help  at  neid, 

And  hecht  thame  giftis  howbeid  ye  gif  thame  nocht, 

For  thair  gud  word  fall  racheft^  caufe  yow  fpeid,  35 

And  thrwth  thair  creddence  to  your  purpoifs  brocht. 

Speik  fair  till  ye  haif  gottin  that  ye  focht ; 

Be  wyifs  and  war  and  watt  thame  ay  with  wylis, 

For  be  the  wy  that  all  the  warld  wrocht, 

Maift  witt  lies  hie  that  monieft  owrfylis.  4° 

1  May  be  read  rathejl. 


348  THE  BALL  AT  VPOUN  MARGRET  FLEMING. 

Meikly  foHft  to  meit  in  fecreit  place, 

Syne  mak  your  mane  quhen  it  may  maift  avelyie; 

Be  richt  demvre  and  graif  quhen  ye  aflv  grace, 

Bot  be  ye  rank  quhen  thay  begin  to  relyie. 

Fleiche  with  fyiftene  for  feir  fumpairt  ye  felyie,  45 

And  fwa  but  pane  ye  may  kife  parramowris; 

Be  foft  of  fpeiche,  bot  fpair  nocht  till  affelyie, 

Wyn  anis  the  entrefs  and  the  houfs  is  yowris. 

Bot  yit  ye  may  mifliaif  yow  in  fum  caice, 

And  ye  defend  nocht  damiffellis  defame,  50 

For  practik  is  to  play,  fyne  hald  your  peice, 

And  counfale  keip  for  hurting  of  thair  name. 

Richfwa  forbeir  a  manis  wyfe  for  blame, 

And  hald  yow  koy  in  quiet  quhill  ye  get  hir; 

As  for  a  weddow  wirk  weill  on  hir  wame,  55 

I  knaw  no  craft  fall  caufe  hir  lufe  yow  bettir. 

Finis  quod  Alexander  Scott. 


CXXXV. 

Folloivis  the  Ballat  maid  vpoim  Margret  Fleming,  p^i.  123.3. 

callit  the  FleinyiLg  Bark  in  Edinburcht. 

IHAIF  a  littill  Fleming  berge 
Off  clenkett  work,  bot  fcho  is  wicht. 
Quhat  pylett  takis  my  fchip  in  chairge 
Mon  hald  hir  clynlie,  trym  and  ticht ; 
Se  that  hir  hatchis  be  handlit  richt,  3 

With  fteirburd,  baburd,  luf  and  He; 
Scho  will  fale  all  the  wintir  nicht, 
And  nevir  tak  a  telyevie. 


THE  BALLAT  VPOUN  MARGRET  FLEMING.  349 

With  cvin  keill  befoir  the  wind 

Scho  is  richt  fairdy  with  a  faill,  10 

Bot  at  ane  lufe  fcho  lyis  behind ; 

Gar  heifs  hir  quhill  hir  howbandis  fl<aill. 

Draw  Weill  the  takill  to  hir  taill, 

Scho  will  nocht  mifs  to  lay  your  maft ; 

To  pomp  als  oft  as  ye  may  haill  15 

Yeill  nevir  hald  hir  watterfaft. 

To  calP  hir  oft  can  do  non  ill, 

And  talloun  quhair  the  flud  mark  flowis; 

Bot  gif  fcho  lekkis  gett  men  of  fkill 

To  ftop  hir  hoilis  laich  in  the  howifs.  20 

For  fait  of  hemp  tak  hary  towis, 

With  ftane  balleft  withowttin  vder ; 

In  monelefs  nichtis  it  is  na  mowis, 

Except  ane  ftowt  man  fteir  hir  ruder. 

A  fair  veffchell  abone  the  watter,  25 

And  is  bot  laitly  reikit  to, 

Quhairto  till  deif  yow  with  tome  clatter, 

Ar  nane  fic  in  the  floit  as  fcho. 

Plvm  Weill  the  grund  quhat  evir  ye  doo,  Fol.i23.b. 

Haillon  the  fukfcheit  and  the  blind;  3° 

Scho  will  tak  in  at  cap  and  koo, 

Withowt  fcho  ballaft  be  behind. 

Na  pedderis  pak  fcho  will  reffaif, 

Althocht  hir  travell  fcho  fowld  tyne; 

Na  coukcald  karle  nor  carllingis  pet  35 

That  dois  thair  corne  and  caitell  cryne.- 

Bot  quhair  fcho  findis  a  fallow  fyne 

He  wilbe  frawcht  fre  for  a  foufs; 

Scho  kareis  nocht ^  bot  men  and  wyne 

And  bulyoun  to  the  counye  houfs.  40 

^  Altered  by  another  hand  to  calfet.     ^  May  be  read  try}t€. 
^  flans'  is  here  deleted. 


.S50  THE  BALLAT  VPOUN  MARGRET  FLEMING. 

For  merchandmen  I  may  haif  mony, 

Bot  nane  fic  as  I  wald  defyre, 

And  I  am  laith  to  mell  with  ony, 

To  leif  my  mater  in  the  myre. 

That  man  that  wirkis  beft  for  his  hyre,  45 

Syne- he  falbe  my  mariner, 

Bot  nycht  and  day  mon  he  nocht  tyre, 

That  faih's  my  bony  balh'nger. 

For  ankerhald  nane  can  be  fund, 

I  pray  yow  caft  the  leidl3me  owt,  50 

And  gif  ye  can  nocht  get  the  grund 

Steir  be  the  compas  and  keip  hir  rowt. 

Syne  treveifs  ftill  and  lay  a  bowt, 

And  gar  hir  top  twiche  wind  and  waw ; 

Quhair  anker  dryvis  thair  is  na  dowt  55 

Thir  tripand  tyddis  may  tyne  ws  aw. 

Now  is  m}-  pretty  pynnege  reddy, 

Abydand  on  fum  merchand  blok, 

Bot  be  fcho  emptie,  be  our  Leddy. 

Scho  will  be  kittill  of  hir  dok.  60 

Scho  will  reffaif  na  landwart  Jok,  Fol.i24.a. 

Thocht  he  Avald  frawcht  hir  for  a  croun ; 

Thus  fair  ye  weill  fayis  gud  Johine  Cok, 

Ane  nobill  telyeour  in  this  toun. 

Fitiis  quod  Sempill. 


THE  DEFENCE  OF  CRISSELL  SANDELAISIDIS.  351 


CXXXVI. 

Heir  follozi'is  the  Defence  of  Criffell  Sandelandis, 
For  %fing  hirfelf  contrair  the  Ten  Commandis ; 
Being  in  %vard  for  playing  of  the  loun 
With  every  ane  lift  geif  hir  half  a  crotin. 
etc. 

PERNITIOUS  peple,  parciall  in  defpyte, 
Sufanis  judges,  faweris  of  feditioun. 
Your  cankert  counfale  is  the  caufs  and  wyte, 
Bowftert  with  pryd  and  blindit  with  ambitioun, 
Fyndand  na  cryme  nor  havand  na  commiffioun  5 

To  hurt  Dame  Venus  virgenis  as  ye  do ; 
Gif  ye  fa  rafchh'e  rin  vpoun  fufpitioun, 
Ye  may  put  vthiris  on  the  pannell  to. 

To  Sandelandis  ye  wer  our  fair  to  fchame  hir, 

Sen  ye  with  counfale  mycht  quyetlie  command  hir;         10 

Grit  foulis  ye  wer  with  fallowis  to  defeme  hir, 

Havand  na  caufs  bot  commoun  voce  and  (Inlander; 

Syne  findand  no  man  in  the  houfs  neir  hand  hir, 

Except  ane  clerk  of  godly  converfatioun;^ 

Ouhat  gif  befyd  Johine  Dureis  felf  ye  fand  hir,  15 

Dar  ye  fufpe6t  the  holy  congregatioun? 

Your  fleflie  confcience  garris  yow  tak  this  feir; 

Beleif  ye  virgynis  wilbe  win  fo  fone? 

Na,  God  forbid!  bot  men  may  bourd  als  neir, 

And  wemen  nocht  the  wor  quhen  that  is  done.  20 

Had  fcho  bene  vndir  and  he  hobland  abone. 

That  war  a  perrellous  play  for  to  fufpecl  thame; 

Bot  laddis  and  laffis  will  meit  eftirnone 

Ouhair  Dick  and  Dvrie  dow  nocht  bayth  corre6l  thame. 

1 A  marginal  note,  in  another  hand,  has  The  minijiir  Betoitn. 


352  THE  DEFENCE  OF  CRISSELL  SANDELANDIS. 

Sen  drunkardis,  gluttonis  and  contentious  men,  2SFol.i24.b. 

Schcddcris  of  blude  and  fubieftis  gevin  to  greid, 

Ma\-  nocht  poflefs  the  hevinly  gloir,  ye  ken, 

As  in  the  bybill  dalie  do  wc  reid; 

Lat  thir  be  wyit  allyk  till  every  leid, 

Syne  fornicatioun  plafit  amangis  the  laif ;  30 

Exemp  your  felf  throw  all  the  toun  in  deid, 

Than  luke  how  mony  ye  onmerkit  haif 

Gif  ye  beleif  nocht  Betoun  be  his  word, 

In  hir  dcfcnfs  it  can  nocht  be  reffufit; 

Latt  him  that  followis  fecht  it  with  the  fAVord,  35 

Ane  ancient  law  quhen  ladeis  ar  accufit. 

Is  minifteris  fic  men  to  be  abufit, 

That  knawis  the  Scripteur  and  the  Ten  Commandis? 

Albeit  he  and  fcho  wor  in  ane  houfs  inclufit, 

He  few  na  feid  in  to  hir  Sandelandis.  4o 

As  for  the  reft  I  knaw  nocht  thair  vocatioun, 

Thair  lyfe,  thair  maneris,  bot  I  heir  mony  mene  thame; 

Catholik  vargenis  of  the  holy  congregatioun, 

Syn  wer  to  tyne  thamc  gif  ye  cowld  obtene  thame. 

Quhat  can  ye  fay  except  that  ye  had  fene  thame  45 

With  rem  in  ra  all  nakkit  but  adherance? 

Than  tak  a  bowftring  and  draw  it  doun  betwene  thame, 

And  gif  it  ftickis  it  lies  ane  evill  apperance. 

Catitois  clerkis  quhois  college  ye  frequentit, 

Quhen  ye  wor  wanfleris  of  hir  wantoun  band,  5° 

Now  ye  ar  lamit  fra  labour  I  lamentit, 

Your  piftolis  twinit^  and  bakfprent  lyk  a  wand. 

Snapwark,  adew,  fra  dagmen  dow  nocht  ftand, 

And  worfs  than  that  yc  want  your  morfing  powder; 

Than  cumis  confcience  with  crukit  ftaf  in  hand,  55 

Greitand  for  byganis,  bowand  bak  and  fchowder. 

^  May  be  read  hvmit. 


THE  DEFENCE  OF  CRISSELL  SANDELANDIS.  353 

Remembir  firft  your  former  qualitie, 

And  wrak  na  virgenis  with  your  wilfull  weir; 

Gif  ye  will  nocht,  than  our  regalitie 

Hes  power  planely  to  replege  thame  heir.  60 

Mycht  thay  win  to  the  girth  I  tak  no  feir,  Fol.i25.a. 

Down  by  the  Cannocroce,  I  pray  yow,  fend  thame, 

Quhair  Patrik  Bannatyne  hes  promeift  to  compeir, 

With  lawfull  reffonis  reddy  to  defend  thame. 

On  caufs  thair  is  thay  can  nocht  be  convi(5l,  65 

Ye  had  na  power  fra  the  fone  wes  fett ; 

The  Proveft  gaif  na  power  to  Gilbert  Dick, 

The  fpeciall  thing  that  fowld  nocht  bene  foryett. 

Thay  war  nocht  theivis  nor  yit  condempt  in  dett, 

Nor  ridhand  tane,  quhilk  was  na  caufs  ye  knaw;  7° 

Bot  ye  latt  rukis  and  ravynis  rin  throw  the  nett, 

And  faikles  dowis  makis  fubie6l  to  the  law. 

Your  parciall  juge  we  may  declyne  him  to, 

Bot  fett  me  doun  the  perfone  Pennycuke, 

Or  Sanderis  Guthrie,  lat  fee  quhat  he  can  do,  75 

He  kennis  the  caice  and  keipis  your  awin  court  buke. 

For  men  of  law  I  wat  nocht  quhome  to  luke, 

Auld  James  Bannatyne  wes  anis  a  man  of  fl^ill, 

And  gif  he  cumis  nocht  thair  I  wald  we  tuke 

To  keip  oure  dyet  Maifter  Dauid  Makgill.  80 

Quhat  cummer  caftis  the  formeft  ftane  lat  fee 
At  tha  peure  winfchis  ye  wranguflie  fufpecl 
For  fklenting  bowttis ;  now  better  war  lat  bee 
Nor  to  begin  to  gett  your  felffis  ane  geek. 
The  gritteft  fait  I  find  in  this  effeft,  85 

Ye  baith  tuke  money  and  put  thame  felffis  to  fchame, 
Bot  quhen  the  court  cumis  to  the  toun,  quhat  reck, 
We  fall  reftoir  thame  to  thair  ftok  agane. 

2  X 


354  THE  DEFENCE  OF  CRISSELL  SANDELANDIS. 

In  your  tolbuth  fic  prefouneris  to  plant 

Wilbe  reffauit  weill,  ye  may  confidder:  go 

Gud  Captane  Adamfone  will  nocht  lat  thame  want 

Bedding,  howbeit  thay  fowld  lig  all  togidder. 

As  for  his  wyf  I  wald  ye  fowld  forbid  hir, 

Hir  eyndling  toyis  I  trow  thair  be  no  denger, 

Becaufs  his  lome  is  larbour  groun  and  lidder,  95 

But  vndirfbanding  now  to  treit  ane  ftrenger. 

The  gritteft  greif  I  find,  ye  haif  defamett  Fol.ias.b. 

Thir  leill  trew  luvaris,  and  done  thair  freindis  bot  lack ; 

Becaufs  thair  bandis  wer  reddy  to  be  proclamit, 

The  pairteis  mett  and  maid  a  fair  contrack,  100 

Bot  now,  allace!  the  men  ar  loppin  aback, 

For  oppin  fklander  callit  ane  fpeikand  devill ; 

In  grit  effairis  ye  had  nocht  bene  fa  frack, 

Concernyng  the  rewling  of  your  commoun  weill. 

To  pvneifs  pairt  is  parcialitie,  105 

To  pvneifs  all  is  hard  to  do  in  deid ; 

Bot  fend  thame  heir  to  oure  regalitie, 

And  we  fall  fee  gif  we  can  ferve  thair  neid. 

This  rurall  ryme,  quha  fa  lyk  for  to  reid, 

To  Di6l  and  Dury  is  dire6lit  plane;  no 

Ouhair  I  offend  thame  in  my  landwart  leid, 

I  falbe  reddy  to  reforme  agane. 

Fhiis  quod  Sample. 


BALLAT  MAID  BE  ROBERT  SEMPLE.  355 


CXXXVII. 

Followis  the  Ballat  viaid  be  Robert  Setup le  of  Jonet 
Reid,  [aue^]  Violet  and  [atie^]  Quhyt;  bemg  Jlicht 
Wemen  of  Lyfe  and  Converfatiotcn,  [and  Taver- 
iiarisy\ 

OFF  cullouris  cleir  quha  lykis  to  weir, 
Ar  findry  fortis  in  to  this  toun, 
Grene,  yellow,  blew  and  mony  hew, 
Bayth  Pareifs  blak  and  Inglis  broun; 
Lundoun  fky,  quha  lykis  to  by,  5 

Bot  cuUour  derroy  is  dene  laid  doun, 
Dundy  gray  this  mony  a  day 
Is  lychleit  bayth  with  laid  and  loun, 

Stanche  my  fyking  and  ftryd  my  lyking 

Ar  femely  hewis  for  fommer  play,  10 

Dundippit  in  yello  for  mony  gud  fallo,  Fol.i26.a. 

As  Will  of  Quhithawch  bad  me  fay; 

I  will  nocht  dennyit  till  nana  that  will  by  it, 

For  filver  nane  falbe  faid  nay; 

Yee  nocht  to  plenyie  my  clayth  will  nocht  ftenyie,  15 

Suppois  ye  weit  it  nycht  and  day. 

Quhyt.  And  I  haif  Quhyt  off  grit  delyt, 
Violet.  And  Violett  quha  lykis  to  weir, 
Reid.  Weill  werand  Reid  quhill  ye  be  deid ; 

Quhilk  fall  nocht  failyie  tak  ye  no  feir.  20 

The  Quhyt  is  gude  and  richt  weill  Iwid, 

Bot  yit  the  Reid  is  twyifs  als  deir; 

The  Violet  fyne,  bayth  frefche  and  fine. 

Sail  ferve  yow  hofmg  for  a  yeir. 

1  The  words  in  brackets  have  been  written  in  by  a  different  hand. 


356  BALLAT  MAID  BE  ROBERT  SEMPLE. 

The  Quhyt  is  twiche  and  frefche  ennewche,  25 

Soft  as  the  filk  as  all  men  feis ; 

The  Reid  is  bony  and  focht  of  mony, 

Thay  hyve  abowt  the  houfs  lyk  beis. 

With  Violet  to,  gif  ye  haif  ado, 

It  meitis  lyk  ftemmyne  to  your  theis ;  30 

Sen  re  be  my  witting  not  brunt  in  the  bitting, 

Suppois  baith  laidis  and  lymmeris  leis. 

Off  all  thir  thre  hewis  I  haif  left  clewis 

To  be  oure  courtmen  wintter  weid, 

Twynit  and  fmall,  the  beft  of  thame  all  35 

May  weir  the  claith  for  woU  and  threid. 

Bot  in  the  walkmill  the  wedder  is  ill, 

Thir  ar  nocht  drying  dayis  in  deid, 

And  gif  it  be  watt,  I  hecht  for  that. 

It  tuggis  in  hoilis  and  gais  abbreid.  4° 

Yit  it  is  Weill  walkit,  cairdit  and  calkit, 

Als  warme  a  weid  as  weir  the  deule; 

Weill  wrocht  in  the  Iwmis  with  wobfter  gwmis,  Fol.  i26.b. 

Bayth  thik  and  nymmill  gais  the  fpwle ; 

Cottond  and  fchorne  the  mair  it  be  worne,  45 

Ye  find  your  felf  the  grittar  fule ; 

Bot  bony  forfuth  cum  byit  in  my  bwth, 

To  mak  yow  garmentis  agane  Yule. 

Bot  mixt  thir  togidder  your  felf  may  confidder 

Quhat  fyner  cullour  can  be  fund,  50 

And  namely  of  breikis,  gif  ony  man  feikis, 

Sail  haif  the  pair  ay  for  a  pund. 

Howbeid  it  be  fkant  na  wowaris  fall  want, 

That  to  my  bidding  wilbe  bund ; 

Weill  may  thay  brukit  thay  neid  nocht  to  lukit,  55 

Bot  graip  it  marklynis  be  the  grund. 


BALLAT  MAID  BE  ROBERT  SEMPLE.  357 

Your  courtmen  heir  hes  maid  my  claith  deir, 

And  raifd  it  twell  pennis  of  the  ell; 

Yit  is  my  claith  feuver  for  fadillis  to  ceuver, 

Suppois  the  feffioun  raid  thame  fell.  60 

The  Violet  certane  wes  maid  Dumbartane, 

The  Reid  wes  walkit  in  Dumkell; 

The  Quhyt  hes  bene  dicht  in  mony  mirk  nicht, 

Bot  tyme  and  place  I  can  not  tell. 

Now  gif  ye  wirk  wyiflie  and  fchaip  it  precyflie,  65 

The  elwand  wald  be  grit  and  lang; 

Gif  the  byefs  be  wyd  gar  lay  it  on  fyd, 

And  fa  ye  can  nocht  weill  ga  wrang. 

And  for  the  lang  left  it  wald  be  fchewid  faft, 

And  cair  nocht  by  how  deip  ye  gang ;  7° 

Bot  want  ye  Quhyt  threid  ye  can  nocht  cum  fpeid, 

Blak  walloway  mon  be  your  fang. 

Bot  thocht  it  be  awld  and  twenty  tymis  fawld, 

Yit  will  the  freprie  mak  yow  fane, 

With  vlis  to  rennew  it  and  mak  it  weill  hewit,  7SFol.i27.a. 

And  gar  it  glanfs  lyk  Dummy  grane. 

Syne  with  the  fleik  ftanis  that  fervis  for  the  nanis, 

Thay  raifs  the  pyle  I  mak  yow  plane ; 

With  mony  grit  aith  thay  fell  this  fame  claith 

To  gar  the  byeris  cum  agane.  80 

Now  is  my  wob  wrocht  and  arlit  to  be  bocht, 

Cum  lay  the  payment  in  my  hand ; 

And  gif  my  claith  felyie  ye  pay  nocht  a  melyie, 

The  wobb  falbe  at  your  command. 

The  merkit  is  thrang  and  will  nocht  left  lang,  85 

Thay  by  faft  in  the  Bordour  land ; 

Albeid  I  haif  tynfell  yet  mon  I  tak  hanfell, 

To  pay  my  buthmaill  and  my  ftand. 


358  OF  A    WENCHE   WITH  CHYLD. 

My  claith  wald  be  iwd  with  grit  men  of  gwd, 

Gif  lawdis  and  lownis  wald  latt  me  be ;  90 

Yit  mon  I  excufs  thame,  how  can  I  reffufs  thame, 

Sen  all  menis  penny  makis  him  free. 

The  beft  and  the  gay  of  it  myfelf  tuk  afay  of  it, 

A  wylie  coit  I  will  nocht  lee, 

Ouhilk  did  me  no  harme  bot  held  my  coft  werme,  95 

A  fymple  merchante  ye  may  fee. 

This  far  to  releif  me  that  na  man  repreif  me, 

In  Jedburgh  at  the  Juflice  air; 

This  fang  of  thre  laffis  was  maid  abone  glaffis, 

That  tyme  that  thay  wer  tapftaris  thair.  100 

The  firft  wes  ane  Quhyt  a  lafs  of  delyt, 

The  Violett  bayth  gud  and  fair, 

Keip  the  Reid  fra  fkaith  fcho  is  worth  thame  baith; 

Sa  to  be  fchort  I  fay  no  mair. 

Finis  quod  R.  Sample. 


CXXXVIII. 

Followis  of  a   We^iche  with  Chyld. 

BE  chance  bot  evin  this  vthir  day, 
As  I  did  walk  allone, 
I  hard  a  maid  in  grit  effray, 
Makand  a  rewthfull  mon,  Fol.iay.b. 

Quhat  greif  On  hir  did  linger.  5 

Off  greif  and  pane  fcho  did  complane, 
For  fcho  certane  cryid  and  maid  mane, 
O  Lord,  my  littill  finger! 


OF  A    WENCHE   WITH  CHYLD.  359 

Heiring  this  maid  fo  lowd  to  cry 

In  this  hir  wofuU  plicht,  10 

I  drew  me  neir  for  till  efpy 

Quhat  hurt  hir  body  micht ; 

Scho  had  met  with  fum  ftinger. 
It  micht  fo  be  I  fay  to  the, 

For  I  micht  fe  how  fwllin  wes  fche,  15 

Within  hir  littill  finger. 

The  angweifs  of  hir  body  ran 

In  to  all  pairtis  allyk, 
For  all  hir  body  fwellid  than 

Als  big  as  ony  pyk ;  20 

Me  thocht  it  wes  fum  engir. 
For  fo  I  gefs  now  till  exprefs, 
Scho  cryid  dowtlefs  in  hir  diftrefs, 

O  Lord,  my  littill  finger! 

I  afkid,  as  fcho  mone  did  mak,  25 

Quhat  wes  caufe  of  hir  wo, 
And  fcho  than  curfit  the  mandrak, 
Quhilk  had  hir  bittin  fo ; 

The  mandrak  wes  a  ftringer. 
AUaik!  the  maid  wes  foir  arraid,  3° 

Still  in  hir  braid  fcho  cryid  and  faid, 
O  Lord,  my  littill  finger! 

The  mandrak  had  hir  bittin  fo  foir. 

In  this  his  vennemous  rege, 
Scho  fwellit  daylie  moir  and  moir,  35 

That  nothing  cowld  hir  fwege; 

This  ferpent  fo  did  thing  her. 
Allake!  the  maid  wes  foir  affraid. 
For  ftill  fcho  cryid  allace  and  fayid, 

The  pane  within  my  finger!  4° 


36o  OF  A   WENCHE   WITH  CHYLD. 

For  medecynis  fcho  had  furth  focht,  Fol.izS.a. 

As  thay  thairby  me  tawld ; 
Thocht  thay  nevir  fo  deir  war  bocht, 
Haif  thame  (thay  fay)  fcho  wawld; 

Quhat  than  brocht  thay  that  wringer?  45 

Sic  as  thay  gat  I  knaw  nocht  quhat, 
Sum  this  fum  that,  bot  to  be  flat, 

Scho  cryd  flill,  O  my  finger! 

Sum  bad  hir  tak  erb  pilliall, 

And  fum  ftalk  ftand  allone,  50 

Sum  bad  hir  tak  blaid  ryfs  and  fall, 
And  fum  confervis  of  flone. 

Sum  bad  Baldary  bring  her 
Long  pepper  chyce  with  nettill  nyce ; 
Yit  ruttit  ryce  wes  hir  cheif  fpyce,  55 

To  metegat  hir  finger. 

The  moir  ftill  that  hir  weft  did  fwell. 

The  lenar  wox  hir  cheikis, 
With  quhiche  diffeifs  fcho  fo  did  dwell 

The  fpace  of  fourtie  weikis.  60 

Quhill  fcho  cowld  beirit  no  lenger, 
A  littill  boy  come  furth  with  toy, 
Quhilk  till  hir  ioy  did  henfs  convoy 

The  angweifs  of  hir  finger. 

Than  wes  it  knawin  to  awld  and  yung,  65 

Quhen  this  come  owt  to  pafs, 
Ouhairof  the  deidly  angweifs  fprong. 
Within  hir  finger  wafs. 

Scho  than  become  ane  finger, 
And  fo  trewly  left  hir  awld  cry,  70 

And  with  nottis  hye  feng  Lula  ly, 
Weill  eifit  is  my  finger! 


TO  THE  DERISIOUN  OF  WANTOUN  WE  MEN.  361 

Ye  maidis  that  with  the  ferfs  mandrak 

Dois  chance  bittin  to  be, 
Your  Httill  finger  thus  to  aik  75 

It  will  caufs  long  ye  fe. 

Treft  nocht  the  knippill  ringer; 
Let  thois  be  war,  trew  maidis  that  ar, 
And  with  dew  fair  frome  mandraikis  fnair, 

Keip  Weill  thair  littill  finger.  80 

Finis  quod  ane  Inglifman. 


CXXXIX. 

Ane  Ballat  maid  to  the  Derijioun  mid  Scorne  of  Fol.i28.b. 

waiitoun   Wemen. 

YE  lufty  ladyis!  luke 
The  rakles  lyfe  ye  leid ; 
Hant  nocht  in  hoile  or  nuke 
To  hurt  your  Avomanheid. 

I  reid  for  beft  remeid,  5 

Forbeir  all  place  prophane; 
Gife  this  be  caus  of  feid, 
I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

Quhat  is  fie  luve  bot  luft, 

A  lytill  for  delyte ;  10 

To  hant  that  game  robuft 

And  beiftly  appetyte? 

I  nowdir  fleifche  nor  flyte 

To  tell  the  trewith  certane ; 

Talk  ye  this  in  defpyte,  15 

I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

2  Y 


362  TO  THE  DERISIOUN  OF  WANTOUN  WEMEN. 

Tlic  wyfeft  fcho  may  fone 

Sedufit  be  and  fchent, 

Syne  fra  the  deid  be  done 

Perchance  fall  foir  repent.  20 

Ouirlait  is  till  lament 

Fra  belly  dow  not  lane ; 

To  cry  in  tyme  take  tent, 

I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

Lycht  wynchis  luve  will  fawin,  25 

Evin  lyk  ane  fpanyeollis  lawchter; 

To  lat  hir  wamb  be  clawin 

Be  thamc  lift  geir  betawcht  hir. 

For  conyie  ye  may  chawcht  hir 

To  fched  hir  fchankis  in  twane,  30 

And  nevir  fpeir  quhais  awcht  hir: 

I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

Thocht  bruckill  wemen  hantis 

\\\  luft  to  leid  thair  lyvis,  Fol.  129.3. 

And  wedow  men  that  wantis  35 

To  fleili  a  pair  of  fwy  vis ; 

Bot  quhair  that  mareit  wyvis 

Gois  by  thair  hufbandis  bane, 

That  houfhald  nevir  thryvis: 

I  fall  not  faid  asrane. 


40 


It  fettis  not  madynis  als 
To  latt  men  lowis  thair  laice. 
No  clym  abowt  menis  halfs, 
To  clap,  to  kifs,  nor  braice, 
Nor  round  in  fecreit  place. 
Sic  treitment  is  a  trane 
To  cleive  thair  quaver  caice: 
I  fall  not  faid  agane. 


45 


TO  THE  DERISIOUN  OF  WANTOUN  WE  MEN.  36^. 

Fairweill  with  chefletie 

Fra  wenchis  fall  to  chucking,  5° 

Thair  followis  thingis  thre 

To  gar  thame  ga  in  gucking, 

Brafing,  graping,  and  plucking; 

Thir  foure  the  futh  to  fane 

Enforfis  thame  to  fucking:  55 

I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

Sum  luvis  new  cum  to  toun 

With  jeigis  to  mak  thame  joly ; 

Sum  luvis  dance  vp  and  doun 

To  meifs  thair  malancoly;  60 

Sum  luvis  lang  trollie  lolly, 

And  fum  of  frigging  fane, 

Lykfillokkis  full  of  folly: 

I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

Sum  monebrunt  madynis  myld,  65 

At  nonetyd  of  the  nicht, 

Ar  chappit  vp  with  chyld, 

But  coile  or  candill  licht; 

Sua  fum  faid  maidis  hes  flicht  Fol.  129.1). 

To  play  and  tak  no  pane,  70 

Syne  chift  thair  feid  fra  ficht : 

I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

Sum  thinkis  na  fchamc  to  clap 

And  kifs  in  opin  wyifs ; 

Sum  can  nocht  keip  hir  gap  75 

Fra  lanfing  as  fcho  lyifs; 

Sum  gois  fo  gymp  in  gyifs, 

Or  fcho  war  kiffit  plane, 

Scho  leir  be  japit  thryifs : 

I  fall  not  faid  agane.  80 


364  TO  THE  DERISIOUN  OF  WANTOUN  WEMEN. 

Moir  gentricc  is  to  jott 

Vndir  ane  filkin  goun, 

Nor  ane  quhyt  pittecott, 

And  reddyar  ay  boun; 

The  denkeft  founeft  doun,  85 

The  farefl  but  refrane, 

The  gaycft  gritteft  loun : 

I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

The  moir  degeft  and  grave, 

The  grydiar  to  grip  it;  50 

The  nyccft  to  reffave 

Vpoun  the  nynnis  will  nip  it; 

The  quhytieft^  will  quhip  it, 

And  uocht  hir  hurdeis  hane; 

The  lefs  the  lerger  hippit:  ge 

I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

Loe,  ladeis !  gif  this  bie, 
,  Ane  gud  counfale  I  geif  yow, 
To  faive  your  honeftie, 

Fra  fl<lander  to  releif  yow;  100 

Bot  ballattis  ma  to  breif  yow, 
I  will  nocht  brek  my  brane ; 
Suppois  ye  fowld  mifcheif  yow, 
I  fall  not  faid  agane. 

Finis  quod  Scott. 


'  This  word  has  been  written  quhyliejl,  but  the  /  feems  to  be  deleted. 


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