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c«*p. JEJ5L2.3L33 

Shelf «S b 



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6 '; 



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(?irf pif ainmpnf for f|p (Jupioug 

AT THE EDINBURGH 

"©Itie JSoofte Scfjoppe." 

CATALOGUE 

OF 

A FEW CHOICE "OUT-OF-THE WAY" BOOKS, 

WEILL WORTHY THE NOTICE OF COLLECTORS, 

Of which the Advertiser has the Entire Editions or Remainders. 



THOMAS GEORGE STEVENSON, 

Jlttttqttartait attb Historical bookseller, 
SOUTH FREDERICK STREET, EDINBURGH. 

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Robert (IDfjambeiVs Illustrations of tije ^lutfjor of Q^acerlerj. 



22 



THE LEGENDS AND COMMEMORATIVE CELEBRA- 
TIONS OF SAINT KENTIGERN, HIS FRIENDS AND 
DISCIPLES. Translated from the Aberdeen Brevi- 
ary and the Arbuthnott Missal. With an Illustra- 
tive Appendix consisting of Notices of the Lives of 
Saints Thenew, Kentigern, Servanus, Columba, 
Asaph, Baldred, Conw t all and Palladius. By William 
Stevenson, D.D., Professor of Divinity and Ecclesiastical 
History, University of Edinburgh. Royal 8vo, boards. 

1872 
\* This Volume was " Printed for Private Circulation," the Im- 
pression being Exceedingly Limited. 

ANCIENT SCOTISH BALLADS, Recovered from Tradi- 
tion, and never before published. Edited, with Notes 
Historical and Explanatory, by George Ritchie Kin- 
loch. Sm. 8vo, boards. 10s. 6d. 1827 

SURGUNDO : or, The Valiant Christian. A Metrical 
History of the Feuds and Conflicts of the Gordon 
Family. Edited from the Original Manuscript, with 
Illustrative Notes by Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe. 
4to, portraits and plates, boards, 10s. 6d. 1837 



ii Catalogue of a Um " €vLt=oUt\)tm&$" ftook*. 

KELLY (Thomas, Sixth Earl of) : MINUETS, SONGS, &c. 

Composed by, now for the first time published, with an 
Introductory Notice by Charles Kirk.atrick Sharpe. 
4to, portrait and plate,boards, 10s. 6d. 1839 

SCOTISH ELEGIAC VERSES on the Principal Nobility 
and Gentry of Scotland from 1629 to 1729. Edited, 
with Interesting Biographical Notices, Notes, and an 
Appendix of Illustrative Papers, by James Maidment. 
Sm. 8vo, boards, 10s. 6d. — large paper. 8vo, boards, 
18s. 6d. 1842 

AYRSHIRE POETS: The Ballads and Songs of Ayrshire, 
Illustrated with Sketches, Historical, Traditional, Narra- 
tive and Biographical, by James Paterson, and with 
Kemarks by Captain Charles Gray. 8vo, boards, 5s. 
6d. 1846-47 

DALYELL'S (Sir John Graham) MUSICAL MEMOIRS 
OF SCOTLAND. With Historical Annotations and 
Notes, Illustrative of the Manners and Customs of 
Scotland, &c, 4to, embellished with 45 fineplates, boards, 
42s. 1849 

RENFREWSHIRE POETS.— The Sempills of Beltrees : 
The Poems of the Sempills of Beltrees, viz. — A Pick- 
Tooth for the Pope ; or, The Packman's Paternoster. — 
II. The Life and Death of Habbie Simson, the Piper of 
Kilbarchan. — III. Epitaph on Sanny Briggs. — IV. The 
Banishment of Poverty. — V. A Discourse between Law 
and Conscience — VI. The Blythesome Wedding. — VII. 
She Eaise and Loot me in. — VIII. Maggie Lauder. 
Now first collected, with Notes, Biographical Notices of 
their Lives, and an Appendix of Illustrative Documents, 
by James Paterson. Sm. 8vo, boards, 10s. 6d. 1849 

SCOTISH POETRY.— The Braes of Yarrow, &c. :— The 
Poems and Songs of William Hamilton of Bangour. 
Collated with the MSS., and containing Several Songs 
hitherto unpublished; including the Original Prefaces 
by Dr Adam Smith and Lord Eskgrove ; with an In- 
troductory Notice, Illustrative Notes, arid an Account of 
the Life of the Author, by James Paterson. 1 2mo, 
portraits, boards, 5s. 1850 

SCOTISH BALLADS AND SONGS, not to be found in any 
other Collection. Edited, with an Introductory Notice 
and Notes, by James Maidment. 12mo, boards, 10s. 
6d. 1859 






Catalogue of a feto " 0nt=ot=t\)t=vo^ ,f fiooto. iii 

EARLY SCOTISH POETRY, 1618-1660 : The Poetical Re- 
mains of William Lithgow, "the Celebrated Traveller," 
viz. — I. The Pilgrimes Farewell to his Eatiue Countrey 
of Scotland, 1618. — II. Scotland's Teares in his Coun- 
treyes behalf, 1625. — III. Scotland's Welcome to her 
Native Sonne, and Soveraigne Lord, King Charles, 1633. 
—IV. The Gushing Tears of Godly Sorrow, 1640.— -V. 
A Briefe and Summarie Discourse upon that lamentable 
and dreadfull disaster at Dunglasse, 1640. — VI. Scot- 
land's Parsenesis to her dread Soveraign King Charles 
the Second, 1660. Now first Collected, and Edited, 
with Biographical Notices, by James Maidment. Small 
4to, boards, 30s. 1863 



Reprints of Pare, Curious, and Interesting Works, 
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&uto Ballatr ^oetrg* 

In Small 8vo, cloth boards, 31s. 6d. 

FOUR BOOKS OF CHOICE OLD SCOTISH BALLADS, viz. 

— I. A Ballad Book, 1823. — II. A North Countrie 
Garland, 1824.— III. The Ballad Book, 1826.— IV. 
A New Book of Old Ballads, 1844. Edited originally 
by Charles Kirkpatrick Sharpe, James Maidment, 
and George Ritchie Kinloch. Now first collected, ivith 
woodcut portraits of the celebrated antiquary, Charles 
Kirkpatrick Sharpe, and Charles Leslie, alias 
''Mussel Mou'd Charlie,'" the eccentric Ballad Singer in 
Aberdeen, Sfc. 1868 

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AND PRESBYTERY : Being the Substance of what 

past 'twixt him and Several other Poets : as also Several 

Poems and Merry Songs on other Subjects ; with some 

Funeral Elegies on several Noblemen and Gentlemen, 

never before published. By Eobert Smith, Schoolmaster 

at Glenshee, Perthshire. 1869 

4fr Reprinted from the Edition of 1714. — "The Impression Limiteb 
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iv Catalogue of a feto " ©ut=of-%-toag" ^ookjf. 

©emonologg an* BKitrfjcraft 

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SATANS INVISIBLE WORLD DISCOVERED : A Choice 
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his Sister. By George Sinclar, Professor of Philo- 
sophy in the College of Glasgoio. Reprinted from the 
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the Witches of Galloway, Renfrew, Pittenweem, 
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" the Tincklarian Doctor" Edinburgh. 1871 

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THE ASSEMBLY'S SHORTER CATECHISM IN METRE. 

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Schoolmaster at Glammis,Coupar-Angus,Forfarshire. 1872 

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THE SEMPILL BALLATES : A Series of Historical, Poli- 
tical, and Satirical Scotish Poems, ascribed to Robert 
Sempill, M.D.LXVIL-M.D.LXXXIIL Now first Col- 
lected with a Preface and an Appendix, consisting of 
Poems by Sir James Semple of Beltrees, 1598-1610, (now 
first printed ) and Allan Ramsay, 1724. 1872 

V* Only Three Hundred Copies of this Singularly Curious and 
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6fr jSmqitll ©aflates. I 

l567-t583. 






I 



Quhen frae the dumps ze wald zour mind discharge, 
Then tak the air in smiling Semplis Berge : 
Or heir him jyb the carlis did Grissy blame. 
Quhen eild and spyte takis place of zouthheids Flame. 

Allan Eamsay, 1724. 






THE 

Setnpill JSallate*, 

A SERIES OF 

HISTOEICAL, POLITICAL, AND SATIRICAL 
SCOTISH POEMS, 

ASCRIBED TO 

ROBERT SEMPILL. 

M. D. LXVII. — M. D. LXXXIII. 
TO WHICH ARE ADDED 

POEMS BY SIR JAMES SEMPLE OF BELTREES, 

M.D.XCVIII. M.DC.X. 

NOW FOR THE FIRST TIME PRINTED. 




EDINBURGH: 
THOMAS GEORGE STEVENSON. 

M.DCCC.LXXII. 









ol. 



IMPRESSION LIMITED TO THREE HUNDRED COPIES. 

TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY ON SMALL PAPER 

AND 

FORTY ON FINE LARGE PAPER. 



so 




preface. 



♦ 



HEN the First and only collected Edition of 
" The Poems of the Sempills of Beltrees " 
[Sir James, Kobert, and Francis], was published in 
the year 1849, it was remarked that " A Collection of the 
Poems of Kobert Sempill, — an author of so much ability 
and reputation, — is certainly a desideratum in Scotish Litera- 
ture, which the Publisher may at no distant period endeavour to 
supply." Since that time various matters occurred which 
prevented such an endeavour from being carried out. The chief 
cause was the rather sudden and unexpected death, on the 22nd 
April 1863, at the age of fifty-two years, in London, of my 
friend and well-wisher, William Barclay David Donald 
Turnbull, Esq., Advocate, who had undertaken for me the 
duty of Editor. Many of the " Ballates " were copied by 
Mr. Turnbull during his residence in London, and amid 
his engagements, either as a Barrister-at-Law of Lincoln's Inn 
or as a student of history at the State Paper Office. But 
there were several others of them which he found at that 
time difficult of access.* However, through the kind assist- 

* A very interesting Memoir of Mr. Turnbull, with Notices of the Sale of 
his highly valuable (Second) Library, and that of his various Bibliographical 
labours, from the pen of John Gough Nichols, Esq., appeared in " The 
Herald and Genealogist for January 1864." It was afterwards " Reprinted 
with some corrections," and circulated separately. His remains are interred 
in the grounds of the Episcopal Church at the Dean Bridge, Edinburgh. 

a 



VI PREFACE. 

ance of Joseph Walter King Etton, Esq. F.S.A. of Elsham 
Road, Kensington, London, and that of David Laing, Esq., 
LL.D., Librarian to the Society of Writers to the Signet, 
Edinburgh, copies of all these have since been obtained, and 
the other difficulties overcome. This Collection, or series of 
Historical, Political, and Satirical Poems, Ballads, and Pas- 
quinades, is of the highest interest and curiosity. The pieces 
of which it is composed were originally issued as Broadsides 
and Small Tracts, printed in Black-Letter, between the 
years 1567 and 1591, chiefly during the reign of the Earl of 
Murray as Eegent for Mary Queen of Scots and her son James 
the Sixth. They have now been here brought together and 
Reprinted in a uniform style, without the slightest alteration, 
and thereby made accessible to Antiquaries for the first time. 
No doubt these " Ballates " have been characterized as " gross, 
illiberal, and obscene f but they are not unworthy of preser- 
vation. Every writing coeval with the great and momentous 
occurrences of the Sixteenth Century must be regarded as 
interesting, more especially if in any instance historical reality 
can be contrasted with popular belief. Many of these Black- 
Letter Broadsides, describing the death of the King Henry 
Darnley, and the Assassination of the " Good Regent" 
Murray, &c, were scattered amongst the people, and the ex- 
asperation of the two parties in the state became daily more 
incurable. On the rarity of these Broadsides it is superfluous 
to enlarge. In many, if not in most, instances they are 
unique. Few or no Duplicates of them are to be met with in 
Public or Private Libraries ; a circumstance for which it is 
easy to account, if we reflect that they were seldom printed in 
a form calculated for preservation. Several of the Poems are 
Anonymous ; but they are not the less interesting and curious 



PREFACE. Vll 

as expressing the sentiments of contemporaries, and may thus 
be considered as contributions to the history rather than the 
poetry of the age. 

Of Robert Sempill, to whom the Authorship of the "Ballates 
illustrative of Public Affairs about the close of the Eegency of 
James Earl of Murray," has been attributed, little or nothing is 
known. He has been described as " a copious and voluminous 
versifier of wars," and also as being " one of the most perse- 
vering and most unsuccessful of the period." He is represented 
to have been " Eobert, Fourth Lord Sempill, a Scotish Peer ;" 
but his identity at this moment remains as doubtful as ever 
it did. Certain it seems, however, that- none of the Lords 
Sempill were poets ; and although it is altogether extraordin- 
ary that the identity of an author of so much ability and re- 
putation as Eobert Sempill should have been lost sight of, 
still it is nevertheless true that it has hitherto eluded all re- 
search. Lord Sempill professed the Eoman Catholic Eeligion, 
while the poems of Eobert Sempill contain the most unequivocal 
proofs of having been written by a Protestant and very zealous 
Presbyterian. There is some reason to believe that Eobert 
Sempill was a Captain in the Army ; he speaks of himself as 
being present at the " Sege of Edinburgh Castle." His poems 
are said to be " indecent and unpoetical," and his " Legend of 
the Bischop of St Androis Lyfe," is spoken of as " a compound 
of vulgarity, passion, and malevolence," and also "asa most 
persevering, gross, and illiberal attack on the character of 
Dr. Patrick Adamson, who was a scholar, a man of talents, 
and a prelate of ingenuity and of erudition, but was not free 
from the glaring errors into which churchmen are sometimes 
betrayed by the fatal allurements of ambition. He became" it 
is added, " successively Minister of Paisley, Chaplain to the 



V1U PREFACE. 

Regent, and Archbishop of St. Andrews. These honours were 
not obtained without loud impeachments of his consistency and 
sincerity. And when the Archbishop was rapidly sinking into 
poverty and contempt, Sempill employed himself in the compo- 
sition of this cruel invective." * On the other side, Thomas 
Dempster, in his " Historia Ecclesiastica Gentis Scotorum : 
sive, De Scriptoribus Scotis 1627," (page 602,) Edinburgh, 
(Bannatyne Club), 1829, represents Robert Sempill as exhibit- 
ing the combined excellencies of Propertius, Tibullus, Ovid, and 
Callimachus. His Panegyric is too remarkable to be omitted : — 

" Semple, claro nomine poeta, cui patrius sermo tantum 
debet, ut nulli plus debere eruditi fateantur : felix in eo calor, 
temperatum judicium, rara inventio, dictio pura ac Candida, 
quibus dotibus Eegi Jacobo carissimus fuit. Scripsit Rhythmos 
vernacule lib. 1 . Carmina amatoria, ut Propertii sanguinem, 
Tibulli lac, Ovidii mel, Callimachi sudorem, aequasse plerisque 
doctis videatur, lib 1." 

In " Robert Birrel's Diary 1532-1605," printed in the 
" Fragments of Scotish History," Edited by John Graham 
Daly ell, and published in 1798, it is recorded that there was 
in " 1568 The 17 of Januarii, a play made by Robert Semple, 
and played before the Lord Regent, and divers uthers of the 
aSTobilitie." There have been several conjectures as to this 
Play and its author, with little satisfactory result. It was 
probably a very simple representation of some historical scene 
or transaction, such as we can imagine the life of the execrable 
Bothwell to have gratefully furnished before such a company. 
However, it is generally supposed to have been " A verie ex- 
cellent and delectable Comedie, intituled Philotos." It was 

* "Lives of the Scotish Poets," 1810, and "The History of Scotish 
Poetry," 1861, by Dr. David Irving, passim. 



PREFACE. IX 

first printed at Edinburgh by Robert Charteris in 1603. 
Another Edition appeared in 1612; and a reprint of the 
First Edition, edited by Dr. Irving, was presented to the 
Members of the Bannatyne Club by John Whitefoord Mac- 
kenzie, Esq., Edinburgh, in 1835. 

John Knox, in a letter to Thomas Randolph, 3rd May 1564, 
remarks that— " Boht youris ar cumen to my handis with your 
bow, for the which I hartelie thank you. Rollettis tydingis 
are as yit buried in the breastis of two within this realme, butt 
Mad dye telleht ws many newes : ' The mess shall up, the 
Bischope of Glaskier and Abbot of Dunfermling come as Am- 
bassadouris from the General Counsall, my Lord Bothwell 
shall follow, with power to putt in execution whatsoever is de- 
manded, and our Soveraine will have done; and then shall Knox 
and his preaching be pulled by the earis, etc.' Thus with ws 
ravis Maddye* every day; but heirupon I greatlie pans not." 

Sempill appears to have been in such a rank of life as not 

to be above ordinary rewards for his services, as on the 12th 

of Feburary 1567-8 there is an entry in the Lord High 

Treasurer's Books of £66, 13s. 4d. " to Robert Semple." And 

Alexander Montgomery, (Author of " The Cherrie and the 

Slave"), in a sonnet addressed to Robert Hudson, specifies 

Sempill as not exempted from the too common misfortunes of 

poets : — 

" Ye knaw ill guyding genders mony gees, 
And specially in Poets : for example, 
Ye can pen out tua cuple and ye pleis, 
Yourself and I, old Scott and Robert Semple." 

* " Maddye," a name in common use at all time, and occurring in some of 
the Ballads of Eobert Sempill; one, for instance, ends — " Quod Maddie, 
Prioress of the kaill-market." Richard Bannatyne, in his Memorials, 1570, 
also speaks of " Madie in our fisch merkat," &c.—Jokn Knox's Works, 
Collected and Edited by David Laing. Vol. VI. p. 541. Letter lxxviii, 
Edinburgh, Thomas George Stevenson, 1864. 



X PREFACE. 

On the 19th April 1567, an Act was passed, " Anentis the 
Makaris and Vpsettaris of Plackardes and Billis," viz., — " For- 
samekle as be ane licentious abuse enterit laitlie and cum in 
practize within this Kealme, Thair hes bene placardes and 
billis and ticquettis of defamatioun sett vp vnder silence of 
nycht in diuerse publict places alswiell within Burgh as 
vtherwyse in the Kealme. To the sclander reproche and infamy e 
of the Quenis Maiestie and diuerse of the Nobilitie. Quhilk 
disordour gif it be suffereit langer to remaine vnpunist may 
redound nocht onlie to the gret hurt and detriment of all 
nobillemen in thair gud fame, privat calumpniatoris having be 
this means libertie to bakbyte thame. Bot als the commone 
may be inquietit and occasioun of querrell takin vpounis fals 
and vntrew sclander ffor remeid quhairof the Quenis Maiestie 
and thre estaitis of parliament statutis and ordainis that in 
tyme cuming quhair ony sic Bill or placard of Defamatioun 
beis fundin affixt or tint the persounis first seand or findand 
the samin salltak it and incontinent distroy it sua that no 
forder knawlege nor copy pas of the samin. And gif he 
failzeis thairin and that thairthrow owther the writting beis 
copyit or proceidis to forder knawlege amang the pepille. 
The first sear and finder thairof salbe punist in the samin 
maner as the first Inventar, writtar, tynar, and vpsettar of the 
samin gif he wer apprehendit. That is to say the defamearis 
of the Quene vnder the pane of Deid and to extend vpounn all 
vtheris to Imprisonment, at the Quenis grace plesour and for- 
der to be punist at hir hienes plesour according to the qualitie 
of the persoun is sua defamit." 

In the " Diurnal of Kemarkable Occurrents that have passed 
within Scotland, 1513-1575," published by the Bannatyne 
Club in 1833, it is recorded that " Vpoun the twantie nyne 



PREFACE. XI 

[nynetene ?] day of Apryle 1567, our souerane ladie com with 
the nobilitie to the parliament, and come to the tolbuith ; . . . . 

and certane Actis wes maid thairefter The third was 

twitching certane tickettis and wreittingis, put vp efter the 
slauchter of the King, defaming diuerse personis without assu- 
rance thairof, that nane suld set thame vp, write nor dyte thame, 
or gif thaj saw thame, thaj suld distroy thame, and na copyse 
to be tane thairof; with certificatioun gif thaj be fund in doand 
thesamin, thaj suld be pvneist as principall doaris thairof." . . . 

In " The Autobiography and Diary of Mr. James Melvill, 
Minister of Kilrenny, in Fife, 1556-1610," (Wodrow Society 
Edition, 1842), it is recorded that while he was at Montrose in 
the year 1570, " Ther was also ther a post, (a carrier or mes- 
senger, John Einheavin), that frequented Edinbruche, and 
brought ham Psalme Buikes and Ballates ; nam lie, of Bobert 
Sernple's making, wherin I tuik pleasour, and lernit sum 
thing bathe of the esteat of the countrey, and of the missours 
and cullors of Scottes ryme." 

David Calderwood, in his " History of the Kirk of Scot- 
land," records under date 1582, that " Bobert Sempill was 
takin out of his bed tyniouslie in the morning, upon Tuisday, 
the 5 th of June, by William Stewart, Arran's Brother, and 
was sent to Kinneill the nixt morning, because it was alledged 
he had receaved letters frome the Earle of Angus," And again, 
under date 1584, remarks that Bishop Adamsone's " Behavioiir 
in his journey to, at, and from Londoun, is sett doun in a cer- 
tan poem made by Bobert Sempell, a Scotish Poet, intituled, 
u The Legend of the Lymmar's Life." The summe is, he 
pretended he was to goe to the well of Spaw ; but his intent 
was no farther than England. As he went by Yorke, he 
caused Johne Harper, a Scotish tailyeour, tak off frome the 



Xll PREFACE. 

merchants a doublet and breaches of Turkie taffatie ; promised 
payment when he returned back, alledging that the Scotish 
merchants at Londoun would give him as muche money as he 
desired. But he returned another way, and so the tailyeour 
was disappointed of his seven pund sterline. After he gott 
presence, he stayed two months, but gott never presence 
again. He frequented the French ambassader's hous, where 
he gott his fill of good white wine. He would have borrowed 
frome the Frenche ambassader an hundreth pund ; but the am- 
bassader was advertised by one of his servants, that he had 
borrowed frome his mother in Parise fyfteene crownes, and 
frome other neighbours lesse or more, but never payed a groat 
again. Yitt the ambassader gave him ten punds sterline 
knitt in a napkin nuike, saying he might spaire no more for 
the present. He borrowed likewise from Scotish merchants 
at Londoun, and cousened them, speciallie Gilbert Donaldsone 
and Patrik White. He alledged that he had sent some 
letters of great importance with Patrik White. The said 
Patrik tooke oathe he saw no suche thing ; yitt he was forced to 
leave the land, and so was he paid for his 300 merk Another 
merchant gave him ten pund sterline, to purchase him licence 
to transport fortie last of English beare. He went to Secretar 
Walsinghame, and purchased a licence, alledging it was to 
serve his owne hous at home ; but he gave the licence to 
another man, frome whom he tooke twentie pund sterline. He 
borrowed frome the Bishop of Londoun a gowne to teache in. 
The bishop lent him a gown of grograne silk, weill lynned with 
costlie furrings ; but [Adamsone] restored it not againe. He 
begged hackney es, bookes, &c, from bishops, and payed them 
after the same maner. When he was to gett presence of the 
queene, this famous ambassader pissed at the palace wall. The 



PREFACE. xiii 

porter was so offended at his incivilitie, that he beate him with 
a battoun."* 

According to Dempster, Eobert Sempill died in 1595. 

In an "Essay on the Poets of Eenfrewshire," by William 
Motherwell, prefixed to " The Harp of Eenfrewshire," 
published in ]819,t we are informed that "The Poets of 
Eenfrewshire have neither been few in respect of numbers, 
nor contemptible in regard to merit. Although none of them 
have ever risen far above mediocrity, yet their performances 
have been such as to entitle their names to an honourable 
place amongst the minor bards of Scotland, and to preserve 
them from the death of total oblivion. As yet nothing like a 
compendious account, not even so much as a catalogue of these 
makers has been given, albeit the same is much wanted to fill 
up some little chasms in the history as well of our ancient, as 
our modern, stock of national biography and literature. . . . 
With regard to the older Poets of this county, little can be said, 
for the best of all possible reasons, because little is known. 
Those of what may be called the middle period, are scarcely 
known at all, except by name and the inimitable pieces they 
have bequeathed to a forgetful and ungrateful posterity. Of 
the late Poets this Shire has produced enough in all conscience 
has been written ; but whether much to the purpose or not, is 
a question easier propounded perhaps than conveniently 
answered Contemporaneous with Montgomerie (Author 

* Calderwood's History (Wodrow Society Edition), Vol. IV. p. 61. Edin- 
burgh, 1843. 

t " The Harp of Eenfrewshire: a Collection of Songs and other Poetical 
Pieces, (many of which are original), accompanied with Notes, Explanatory, 
Critical, and Biographical, and a Short Essay on the Poets of Renfrewshire. 
[Edited by William Motherwell.] 18mo, Paisley 1819. Reprinted, small 
8vo, Paisley, 1872." 



XIV PREFACE. 

of the Gherrie and the Slae) was his friend Eobert Sempill 
a more voluminous, but by no means so good or so popular a 
poet. It has been said elsewhere, that this Eobert Sempill 
was a titled personage ; but it is right to mention in this place, 
that Dr. Irving is decidedly hostile to such an opinion, and 
treats the whole matter as a mere figment of an idle imagina- 
tion. ' One of the most persevering and unsuccessful versifiers 
of this period,' says he, 'was Eobert Sempill, whom a late 
writer (Sibbald), who amuses himself with perpetual con- 
jectures, ridiculously supposes to have been a Scottish Peer. — 
The eulogium which Dempster has bestowed on Sempill's 
genius, is highly extravagant, and must have been conceived 
without any previous acquaintance with his writings ; he re- 
presents him as exhibiting the combined excellencies of Pro- 
pertius, Tibullus, Ovid, and Callimachus. Some pieces of this 
poetaster are to be found in the Evergreen ; and Mr. Daly ell 
has lately republished others from the original editions. They 
are equally indecent and unpoetical.' With every mark of 
deference to the opinions of a writer who seldom dogmatises 
rashly, and who has by his labours done so much for the 
memories of Scotland's poets, we at the same time are compelled 
to dissent as widely from him on this point, as he seems to do 
from Sibbald and Dempster. 

" It is to be observed, that albeit the Doctor contradicts 
Sibbald, he does not disprove his. position, nor even attempt 
to shake it by any investigation whatever which might throw 
more light on the subject matter of dispute. Mere assertions 
are to be received with extreme caution, when unaccompanied 
with their proofs. As for our simple selves, we see nothing 
ridiculous at all in Sibbald's supposition ; but on the contrary 
every reason to make us believe it perfectly correct. According 






PREFACE. XV 

to Douglas's Peerage and Crawfurd's History of Benfrewshire, 
Bobert, the fourth Lord Sempill, succeeded to his grandfather 
in 1571, and died at an advanced age in 1611. Sempill the 
poet wrote all his works between the years 1565 and 1573 : 
for in BirrelTs diary occurs the following notice : '1568 Jan. 
1 7. A play was made by Bobert Sempill, and performed before 
the Lord Begent and divers others of the nobility/ which 
play Sibbald imagines in all likelihood to be Philotus ; and in 
Ames' Typography of Great Britain, it appears that ' The Sege 
of the Castel of Edenburgh,' was ' imprintit be Bobert Le- 
preuick, anno 1573.' By Dempster, the death of Sempill is 
fixed in 1595, but this discrepancy is over-ruled by the fact that 
this author was at a distance from his native country when he 
wrote, and could not therefore be very conversant with, or 
correct in obituaries, and must of necessity have trusted greatly 
to vague and uncertain rumours regarding these particulars in 
the biographies of the celebrated men of his age. Here then 
we have two individuals bearing the same name, and living at 
the same period. That these two are one person, we have little 
hesitation to affirm ; and with the simple affirmation of this 
fact we might rest satisfied inasmuch as the Doctor is concerned, 
because one opinion is quite as good as another, when both 
happen to be unsupported by any evidence in their favour, and 
none of them are unplausible in themselves. It is admitted at 
once, that there is no direct mention made in any writer of 
Sempill the poet being Lord Sempill, or that that nobleman 
was the same person with the said poet : and the reason of 
this is obvious, because none of Sempill's contemporaries were 
his biographers, and the incidental notices, gleaned from various 
quarters respecting him, relate to his literary character, not to 
his lineage and family connections. Moreover, it never hath 



XVI PREFACE. 

been the custom to give poets any titles, save those which 
serve to mark their peculiar excellencies : all other trappings 
are derogatory to the might and majesty of the simple sirname. 
No one, even in our own days, when speaking in general terms 
of Byron as a great poet, thinks of saddling his discourse with 
the epithet Lord. The sirname is enough to let him who bears 
it be known without this puny prefixture of worldly rank. 
JSTow if it should so happen, that everything respecting the 
birth of this great man were lost, and all the Magazine histo- 
ries of him and other trash burned to a scroll, and nothing 
save fragments of his poems were extant, and a few remarks 
of some critics contemporary with him upon his genius were 
all that reached to distant posterity, it is very likely that a 
long-headed wiseacre of that generation, would split his lord- 
ship into two halves — one whereof, to be Lord Byron, son of 
such a one — and the other, Byron a poet, of whose birth no- 
thing was known. 

" Such a one might write a very plausible sentence or two, 
after this fashion : — ' One of the most celebrated poets of his 
day, was Byron. His works would appear to have been 
numerous and excellent, but of them few remnants now sur- 
vive, and such as I have seen, are so mutilated and imperfect, 
that it is impossible to say anything definitive upon their 
merits or defects. It has been alleged by some, but without 
any foundation in truth, that Byron was of noble extraction j 
and others have gone so far as to say, he really was titled, 
than which nothing can be more ridiculous. True, there was 
a Lord Byron coeval with him, but I find no clue whatever in 
the history of these times that can lead me to suppose they 
were one and the same person. Had they been so, such a 
circumstance would never have been overlooked by the historian, 



PREFACE. XV11 

I therefore hold those who cling to this opinion as fools.' And 
who would dare to beard or contradict so authoritative a wise 
one 1 ? 

" What is now assumed with regard to Byron, has happened 
to Sempill, Surely there is nothing ridiculous in supposing, 
that a Nobleman might write poems as well as a Squire of low 
degree. And yet it is with the ridiculousness of this supposi- 
tion Dr. Irving is at odds. He may know, or at least he 
ought to do, that with a very few exceptions, none save Noble- 
men, Courtiers, and Clerical dignitaries, were the poets, philo- 
sophers, historians, and literary factotums of that age. Edu- 
cation then was not, as is the case now, diffused through every 
rank and condition of society, but confined exclusively to the 
higher classes or professional orders. Without one having some 
real or pretended claim to genteel, if not noble birth, it is ques- 
tioned if they then would even have been admitted to any terms 
of familiarity with the great, whatever their talents were or 
labours had been. Feudalism, to be sure, was in that age 
shaken to its base, but its ramparts were not cast to the ground ; 
and where it appears in any formidable shape, a mortifying 
distance is always maintained between the magnates of the land 
and the other members of the body politic. 

" Although the poetry of Sempill cannot be eulogised to the 
extent which Dempster has done, neither can it be so far de- 
preciated as Irving has attempted to do. He wrote in the 
spirit of the times ; and it is unfair to measure him by the 
standard of taste established now. We much suspect that the 
Dr. has but sparingly looked into them, and been in the main 
as much at fault while speaking of them, as he supposes 
Dempster to have been on a like occasion. This far we can 
safely say, namely, that they will bear comparison with similar 



XV111 PREFACE. 

productions of the same period, and not be greatly the loser 
by the experiment. 

" The poetic vein that began in Lord Sempill, was continued 
in the person of his cousin-german, Sir James Sempill of Bell- 
trees, author of the ' Packman's Pater Noster ' and by him 
transmitted to Robert Sempill, the author of the celebrated 
' Epitaph on Habbie Simson,' Piper of Kilbarchan, until it 
terminated in the person of Francis Sempill, his son, author of 
these popular songs : ' Scho rase and loot me in ' — ' Maggy 
Lauder,' — ' The blythsum Bridal,' &c, &c, and of a poem, 
entitled ' The Banishment of Poverty,' &c. 

" Anything more than this catalogue of names our limits for- 
bid us to give. It is to be regretted, that the manuscripts of 
Francis Sempill are irretrievably lost. They fell into hands 
which knew not their value, and it is to be feared out of them 
they will never be recovered. Respecting the Sempills, con- 
siderable information will be found in two small periodical 
publications, entitled The Paisley Repository and Annual Re- 
creations, printed in 1812. 'Bating some inaccuracies in the 
matter, and sundry in elegancies of style, the information con- 
tained in them will be useful to those desirous of knowing 
more about this distinguished family, more especially in regard 
to Francis Sempill, of whom several anecdotes were related, 
and who appears to have been rather of a harum scarum dis- 
position." 

Notwithstanding Mr. Motherwell's very specious arguments, 
the great question still remains to be solved — Who was Robert 
Sempill, the Scotish Poet of 1567-1595? 

It has not been considered requisite to prefix to this Collec- 
tion any Disquisition as to the times and state of the parties, — 
Kingsmcn and Queensmen, — during the period embraced by 



PREFACE. XIX 

these " Ballates." ^Neither could it be expected that Biogra- 
phical notices should be given of the Lives and Characters 
of Mary Queen of Scots, King Henry Darnley, the Eegent 
Murray, Lord Methven, Sir William Kirkcaldy of Grange, or 
of the Archbishop of St. Andrews. All such are already well 
known to the most cursory reader of Scotish History. Mary 
Queen of Scots was married to Prince Henry, Duke of Albany, 
Lord Darnley, on Monday, the 29th of July 1565, in the 
Chapel of Holyrood. Henry Lord Darnley was murdered 
on Monday, the 8th of February 1566, at the Kirk of Field. 
James Stewart, (natural son of King James Y. by Margaret, 
daughter of John, Fifth Earl of Mar,) Earl of Murray or Moray, 
" the Good Eegent," was assassinated by James Hamilton of 
Bothwellhaugh on the 23rd of January 1569-70, at Linlithgow, 
in the thirty-seventh year of his age. " His funeral, which 
was a solemn spectacle, took place on the 14th of February, 
in the High Church of St. Giles, at Edinburgh, where he was 
buried in St. Anthony's aisle, ' his head placed south, con- 
trair to ordour usit ; the sepulchre laid with hewin wark 
maist curiously, and on the head ane plate of brass.' The 
body had been taken from Linlithgow to Stirling, and thence 
was transported by water to Leith, and carried to the palace of 
Holyrood. In the public procession to the church it was ac- 
companied by the magistrates and citizens of Edinburgh, who 
greatly lamented him. They were followed by the gentlemen 
of the country, and these by the nobility. The Earls of 
Morton, Mar, Glencairn, and Cassillis, with the Lords Glam- 
mis, Lindsay, Ochiltree, and Euthven carried the body ; be- 
fore it came the Lairds of Grange, and Colvil of Cleish ; 
Grange bearing his Banner, with the Eoyal Arms, and Cleish his 
coat armour. Both of them on horseback. The servants of 



XX PREFACE. 

his household followed, making great lamentation. On enter- 
ing the church the bier was placed before the pulpit, and John 
Knox preached the funeral sermon over the remains of his]friend, 
taking for his text, ' Blessed are the dead that die in the Lord,' 
which drew tears from the eyes of all present." * Henry 
Stewart, Second Lord Methven, was killed at Brochtoun 
(Broughton) by a shot from the Castle of Edinburgh on the 
3rd of March 1571-2. John Erskine, Earl of Mar, was 
chosen Begent of Scotland on the 6th of September 1571, and 
died at Stirling on the 28th of October 1572. Sir William 
Kirkcaldy of Grange surrendered the Castle of Edinburgh to 
the English on the 29th of May 1573. On the 3d of 
August following he was tried, and almost immediately after 
sentence, brought from Holyrood drawn in a cart back- 
ward as a spectacle to the people, and executed in the presence 
of an immense concourse of spectators at the market cross of 
Edinburgh. His body was quartered, and his head placed 
over the Castle gate. Patrick Cousteane, Coustane, Constance, 
or Constantine, afterwards Adamsone, Archbishop of St. 
Andrews, died on Saturday the 19th of February , 1592. 

Kobert Lekprevick, the Printer of the " Ballates" appears to 
have been in business at the Nether Bow, Edinburgh, during the 
years 1561 to 1570 ; in Stirling and St. Andrews from 1571 to 
1573, and again in Edinburgh from 1573 to 1581. In 1574, 
he " was summoned to underly the law for printing in the 
moneth of Januar last bypast, in the yeere of God, 1573 yeeres 
thereby, a little Booke, called, a ' Dialogue or mutual talking 
betwixt a Clerk and a Courteour,' compiled, made, and set furth 
by Mr. Johne Davidsone, regent for the time within Sanct 

* " Diurnal of Occurrents in Scotland, 1513-1575," and " Tytler's History 
of Scotland, &c, 1828-1843," passim. 



PREFACE. XXI 

Leonard's Colledge, in Sanct Andre wes,' * to the reproache 
and slaunder of our Soverane Lords Eegent and Secreit 

Counsell He compeered, was convict by an assise, and 

thereafter, committed to waird in the Castell of Edinburgh." 
Interesting notices of various works issued from his press are 
given in "Ames's Typographical Antiquities, by Herbert, 
1785-90." 

At the sale of the very fine Library of David Constable, 
Esq., Advocate, Edinburgh, on the 12th December 1828, there 
was knocked down, — as the phrase is, — for the sum of £2, 12s., 
a Large Paper Copy of the volume entitled, " Scotish Poems 
of the Sixteenth Century, (with the Cancels), 1801," having 
bound in at the beginning of it a Letter to Mr. Archibald 
Constable, the Publisher, from the celebrated Critic and An- 
tiquary, Mr. Joseph Ritson. This very fine — nay, unique — 
copy is now in the possession of John Whitefoord Mackenzie, 
Esq., Edinburgh. We subjoin the following extract from Mr. 
Ritson's letter, as affording a notable instance of how a 
writer may speak out when he is in earnest, and as showing 
that the bile, engendered in the heat and bitterness of contro- 
versy, is not at all allayed by " abstinence from animal food, "t 

" Gray's Inn, 1801. 

" I am sorry to say that i have looked over (for it is im- 
possible that any one should read) your publication of ' Scotish 
poems of the sixteenth century,' with astonishment and disgust. 

* The Poetical Eemains of the Eev. John Davidson, 1573-1595, were for the 
first time collected, and Forty Copies printed, with a Biographical Account 
of the Author, by James Maidment, Edinburgh, [John Stevenson], 182.9. 

f Poor Joseph very shortly afterwards met with more than his match in 
this way. It is pretty generally known that he wrote and published a volume 
recommending " abstinence from animal food," and the merciless castigation 
which he in consequence received from the pen of Mr. Brougham, in the 
second volume of the Edinburgh Review, was said to have hastened his death- 

b 



XX11 PREFACE. 

To rake up the false, scandalous, and despicable libels, against 
the most beautyful, amiable, and accomplished Princess that 
ever existed ; whose injurious treatment, misfortunes, persecu- 
tion, imprisonment, and barbarous murder, wil be a last- 
ing blot in the national character to the end of time, and 
which were, as they deserved, apparently devoted to everlasting- 
oblivion and contempt, to stuf almost an entire volume with 
the uninteresting lives of such scoundrels as regent Murray 
and the laird of Grange, to publish, in short such vile, 
stupid, and infamous stuf, which few can read, and none can 
approve, is a lamentable proof of a total want of taste or 
judgement, a disgrace to Scotish literature, degrades the repu- 
tation of the editor, and discredits your own. I must be free 
to tel you, that i wil not suffer such an infamous and detest- 
able heap of trash to pollute and infect my shelves : it is 
therefor under sentence of immediate transportation, though 
much more fit for some other situation than a gentleman's library, 
or even a bookseler's shop. I confess, at the same time, that 
the libel against the Tulchan bishop, though excessively scur- 
rilous, has much merit, and would have been admissible in 
any collection of a different description." 

In the sale of the Library of E. H. Bright, Esq., London, 
1845, Lot 296, "Ballads," which sold for £525, contained 
nine of " Sempill's Ballates," ranging from 1567 to 1570. 

As Supplemental to the " Sempill Ballates" I have given in 
an Appendix a few others which are believed to have been the 
production of one of the " Sempills of Beltrees." These were 
unknown to me when I published their Poems in 1849. I 
have also inserted a Poem by Allan Eamsay, winch he in- 
tended to have prefixed to " The Ever Green, being a Collec- 
tion of Scots Poems, wrote by the Ingenious before 1600," 



PREFACE. XX111 

published in 1724, as being worthy of preservation, not so much 
in regard to any merit the lines possess, but as expressing 
his sentiments respecting the merits of some of our " early 
makers," he having been the first to recommend them to public 
notice. It has not been included in any edition of his works. 

I hope the reader, when he dips into these " Ballates," will 
not be displeased with this reflection, " That he is stepping 
back into the times that are past and that exist no more." I do 
not expect that they will please everybody ; nay, the critical 
reader must needs find several faults, for I confess that there 
will be found among them two or three pieces whose antiquity 
is their greatest value ; still I am persuaded there are many 
others that merit more of approbation than of censure and blame. 

I cannot conclude without expressing in an especial manner 
my very grateful thanks to J. W. K. Eyton, Esq., E.S.A., 
Elsham Eoad, Kensington, London, for his exceeding kind- 
ness and liberality in furthering this publication, and for his 
cordial co-operation in procuring for me copies of many of the 
" Ballates." I also gratefully acknowledge the kind assistance 
rendered by David Laing, Esq., LL.D., Edinburgh, whose 
knowledge of Scotish antiquities is only equalled by the 
liberal zeal with which he communicates the results of much 
reading and research. His description of the various " Ballates," 
and his information as to where copies of them were to be 
found, were truly of great importance, and saved much time 
and expense. To my esteemed friend, Dr. William Steven- 
son, Professor of Divinity and Ecclesiastical History, Edin- 
burgh University, my thanks are equally due for his kind 
advice and suggestions during the progress of the " Ballates" 
through the press ; and to Mr. Alexander Gibb, for his 
careful compilation of the Glossary. 



XXIV PREFACE. 

To the Council of the Society of Antiquaries of London, I 
beg sincerely to tender my grateful thanks for the very kind 
and handsome manner in which they afforded me free access to 
theirvaluable collections, by which means I have been enabled, 
with the assistance of Mr. George Gatfield, MS. Department, 
British Museum, London, to revise and compare the proof 
sheets with the Original Black-Letter Broadsides, &c, in the 
possession of the Society, the State Paper Office, and that of the 
British Museum. To other friends and supporters who very 
readily assisted me in my editorial labours, I have to tender 
the assurance of my grateful remembrance. 

It is here proper to mention, that having considered that the 
printing of the present Collection of Ballates would be attended 
with considerable risk, emolument is not to be expected ; but 
I undoubtedly do not wish to make any pecuniary sacrifice. 
In limiting the number of copies, the object has been to secure 
for such persons as may be induced to become purchasers, the 
certainty of not seeing the work exposed at book-sales, or in- 
cluded in a list of " Eeally Cheap Books" at a third of its ori- 
ginal cost. It is not besides likely that any work, the publi- 
cation of which is simply to preserve literary or poetical re- 
mains of an antiquarian character, would become popular, or 
that its circulation would be extended beyond those indi- 
viduals who have a taste for such matters. To multiply copies, 
therefore, would produce no beneficial result. These are the 
reasons which have induced me to limit the Impression 
of this rather singular Collection strictly to Three Hundred 
Copies. — Two Hundred and Sixty on Small Paper, crown 
octavo, and Forty on fine Large Paper, demy octavo. 

S. <S. $>. 
Edinburgh, July 1872, 



In npmoriam. 




HAVE now the painful duty of recording, 
that since the preceding pages were printed, 
and which had been approved of by my 
esteemed and very kind friend, J. W. K. 
Eyton, Esq., he has gone to his rest, having died on 
Thursday, the 1st of August 1872, at his residence, 27 
Elsham Koad, Kensington, London, in the fifty-third 
year of his age, in the full enjoyment of the profound 
respect and admiration of his friends, and the affection- 
ate love of his family. 

The following admirable tributes to his memory, — 
by his old friends, Mr. Timms and Hr. W. J. Thoms, — 
I have deemed well worthy of being reprinted and re- 
corded here : — 



I. Extracted from the " Birmingham Daily Post," 

5th August, 1872. 

" The late Mr. J. W. K. Eyton.— Not only our Shrop- 
shire readers, but many of our older local readers too, will 



learn with deep regret that Mr. Joseph Walter King Eyton, 
F.S.A., died at his residence, Elsham Road, Kensington, on 
Thursday, August 1st, in the 53d year of his age. Mr. Eyton 
was a son of the late Eev. John Eyton, rector of Wellington 
(Salop), and was not only a member of the most ancient of the 
county families of Shropshire, and a worthy descendant of an 
honourable line resident in Shropshire from Norman days, but 
he had general as well as personal claims to the honour in 
which he was held by all who knew him. Although neither 
an author nor a public man, he exercised no small influence in 
many of the best works of his day. In the compilation of 
that unrivalled county history, entitled the ' History of Shrop- 
shire,' by his brother (the Eev. R. W. Eyton, M.A.), the late 
Mr. Eyton greatly assisted by his knowledge, and industry, 
and taste. In the book-world his name will ever be famous 
as the collector of the choicest and most perfect library ever 
formed by a private purchaser — every book being the best or 
rarest — procured with generous liberality, and chosen with 
consummate taste. The ' Eyton sale,' in fact, marks an era 
in bibliography, as the Roxburgh and Heber and Daniel sales 
have done, and the best books of all classes derive a special 
value from having passed through Mr. Eyton's hands. So 
large was his knowledge, and so perfect his taste in all matters 
of printing, paper, and bookbinding — of each of which he had 
the choicest and costliest examples — that he was chosen as 
one of the Council of the Society of Antiquaries, and as one 
of the Council of the Camden Society, and was ever one of the 
most generous patrons of the Archaeological Societies and 
Printing Clubs during the last thirty years. His munificence 
in presenting books to the Library of the Society of Anti- 
quaries, his taste and judgment in reprinting at his own cost, 
choice and curious works, his generous patronage of the best 
printers and bookbinders who really understood their * art,' 
made him ever popular among some of the most famous biblio- 
graphers and the most eminent literati of our day. His 
assistance was sought wherever real knowledge about books or 
printing or paper or binding was needed, and was always 
willingly at the service of strangers as well as friends. For 
some years Mr. Eyton lived in Birmingham and Leamington, 
where, although his manners were so modest, he made himself 



IN MEMORIAM. 



XXV11 



numerous friends. For Birmingham itself he ever had a 
special fondness, and our Reference Library and our Shakes- 
peare Library owe no small portion of their treasures to his 
knowledge and generosity and care. As a private friend Mr. 
Eyton was beyond all praise. His ample means were ever at 
the service of literature and art. He had no purpose in life 
except the gratification of his friends. His one thought every 
morning must have been whom to please and how to oblige. 
In all parts of England he had correspondents, many of whom 
he had never even seen, but to whom he constantly sent what- 
ever was likely to minister to their pleasures or to gratify their 
tastes. His matured judgment, his long experience, his know- 
ledge of literature, his friendships with famous men, were 
always at the command of his correspondents, and he would 
gladly search all over London to find a book which any friend 
might want. His generous and noble nature, his courteous 
and kindly manners, his unbounded yet modest munificence, 
his untiring devotion to the tastes and pleasures of his friends, 
his large store of literary knowledge, his intercourse with many 
famous men, made him always welcome wherever he appeared ; 
but those only who knew him most intimately can fully ap- 
preciate his manly modest virtues, or deplore too deeply the 
irreparable loss which his death has caused in a large circle of 
grateful friends." 



II. Extracted from "Notes and Queries," 10th 
August, 1872. 



" Death of J. Walter K. Eyton, Esq., F.S.A. — Those who 
shared with us the advantage of knowing Mr. Eyton, will share 
the deep regret with which we record his death. Mr. Eyton 
must have been known to all lovers of fine books by the re- 
markable library which he amassed, the dispersion of which 
some years ago by Messrs Sotheby created quite a sensation 
among bibliographers. But great as was Mr. Ey ton's knowledge 
of everything connected with bibliography, printing, binding, 
&c, he was more remarkable for his kindness and liberality, — 



XXV111 IN MEMORIAM. 



for his readiness, we should rather say his anxiety, to help his 
literary friends, and his liberal gifts to the Society of Anti- 
quaries and other kindred Societies ; and he has left a name 
which will be treasured with affectionate respect by all who 
knew him." 



The Sale of Mr. Eyton's Library, above-mentioned, 
commenced on the 15th May 1848, in London, and 
continued for eight days. The total produce was the 



sum of £2,693, 15s. 6d. 



<&. #. 



22 Frederick Street, 
Edinburgh, 16th August 1872. 



^able of Contents. 



PEEFACE, 

In Memoriam of JOSEPH WALTEE KING EYTON, Esq., 

I. Heir followis ane Ballat declaring the Nobill and Gude inclina- 
tioun of our King [1567], .... 

II. Heir followis the Testament and Tragedie of umquhile King 
Henrie Stewart of gude memorie, 1567, . 

III. The Complaynt of Scotland [1567], 

IV. Heir followis ane Exhortatioun to the Lordis, 1567, 

V. Ane Exhortatioun derect to my Lord Eegentand to theEestof 

the Lordis accomplisis, 1567, .... 

VI. Ane Declaratioun of the Lordis Just Quarrell, 1567, 

VII. Ane Ansr maid to ye Sklanderaris yt blasphemis ye Eegent and 
ye rest of ye Lordis [1567], .... 

VIII. The Kingis Complaint [1567], .... 

IX. A Eyme in defence of the Q. of Scotts against the Earle of 

Murray [1568], ...... 

X. Ane Tragedie, in forme of ane Diallog betwix Honour, Gude 

Fame, and the Authour heirof in ane trance, 1569-1570, . 

XL The Deploration of the Cruell Murther of James Erie of Murray, 
Vmquhile Eegent of Scotland, togidder with ane admoni- 
tioun to the Hammiltounis Committaris thairof, and to all 
thair Fortifearis, Mantenaris, or assistence, with ane Exhor- 
tioun to the Lordis and Nobilitie, keiparis and defendaris 
of our Kingis Grace Maiestie, 1570, 



Page 
v 



14 
18 



41 



50 



62 



XXX 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



Page 

XII. The Eegentis Tragedie ending with an exhortatioun, 1570, 70 

XIII. The Exhortatioun to all plesand thingis quhairin man can 
haifdelyte to withdraw thair plesure from mankynde, 
and to deploir the Oruell Murther of vmquhila my Lor.1 

Eegentis Grace, 1570, ..... 76" 

XIV. The Cruikit liedis the blinde, 1570, . . . 81 

XV. The Poysonit Schot, 1570 .... 84 

XVI. The Admonitioun to the Lordis, 1570, ... 90 

XVII. Maddeis Lamentatioun, 1570, .... 94 

XVIII. Maddeis Proclamatioun [1570], .... 98 

XTX. The Spur to the Lordis, 1570, .... 104 

XX. The Bird in the Cage, 1570, . . . .107 

XXI. The Hailsome Admonitioun, 1570, . . . Ill 

XXII. The Tressoun of Dunbartane, 1570, . . . 116 

XXIII. Ane Ballate of the Captane of the Castell [ 1570], . 119 

XXIV. The Exhortatioun to the Lordis, 1571, . . . 123 
XXV. Ane Admonitioun to my Lord Eegentis grace, 1571, . 129 

XXVI. The Bischoppis lyfe and testament, 1571, . ■ 133 

XXVII. A Lewd Ballat [1571], Taken wt ye L. Setons writings, 140 

XXVIII. My Lord Methwenis tragedie, 1572, . . . 142 

XXIX. Ane premonitioun to the barnis of Leith, 1572, • . 149 

XXX. The Lamentatio of the Comounis of Scotland, 1572, . 156 

XXXI. The Lamentatiou of Lady Scotland, compylit be hir self, 
speiking in maner of ane Epistle, in the Moneth of 
Marche, the zeir of God 1572, . . . .161 

XXXII. Ane new Ballet set out be ane fugitiue Scottisman that 

fled out of Paris at this lait Murther, 1572, . . 173 

XXXIII. The Sege of the Castel of Edinburgh, 1573, . . 177 

XXXIV. Ane Complaint vpon fortoun [1581], . . .189 

XXXV. Heir followis the Legend of the Bischop of St Androis 
Lyfe, callit Mr Patrick Adamsone, alias Cousteane, 

[1S8SJ, 196 



TABLE OF CONTENTS. 



SXX1 



XXXVI. Followis the Ballat maid vpoun Margret Fleming, callit 

the Flemyng bark in Edinburght [1568], . . 230 

XXXVTT. Heir followis the defence of Crissell Sandelandis for vsing 
hirself contrair the Ten Commandis ; Being in ward 
for playing of the loun with every ane list geif hir half 
a croun, etc. [1568] ..... 232 

XXXVIII. Followis the Ballat maid be Bobert Semple, of Jonet Beid. 
Ane Violet, and Ane Quhyt. Being slicht wemen of 
lyf and conversatioun, and tavernaris, [1568] . 236 



appmtrix. 



I. Poems assigned to SIB JAMES SEMPLE of Beltrees 
[1598-1610]. 

1. My Loue allaee is Loathsum wnto me, . . 241 

2. Quhen Diaphantus knew, .... 242 

3. Quhy did the Gods ordaine, . . . 245 

4. Let not the world beleive, .... 248 

5. Evin as the dying swayne, .... 250 

6. TVill thow remorsles fair, .... 253 

7. Let him whois hapeles state, . . . 253 

II. Poem on some of the Auld Makars of Ba li.ates, 
Sangis, and Tragedies, by ALLAN RAMSAY 
[1724] .255 

Glossary applicable to " The Sempill Ballatf.s," . 257 



15674583. 



I — l&etr follotois mt Ballat declaring tfje j&otull 
anli ffiuta mclinatioun of our l&tttg* 

[A Broadside, printed very closely in three columns, Black 
Letter. — State Paper Office. Scotish Series, Volume 
13, {May) Number 47.] 



O Edinburgh about vj, houris at morne, 
As I was passand pansand out the way 
Ane bony boy was soir makand his mone, 
His sory sang was oche and wallaway, 
That euer I sould byde to se that day, 

Ane King at euin withSceptur Sword and Crown 
At morne but ane deformit lumpe of clay, 

With tratouris Strang sa cruellie put downe. 
Than drew I neir sum tythingis for to speir, 

And said my freind quhat makis the sa way : 
Bludie bothwell hes brocht our King to beir, 

And natter and fraude with dowbill Dalyday ; 
I studeit still and nathing could I say, 
My minde was full of admiratioun, 




2 THE SEMPILX BALLATES. 

My bony boy tell me without delay, 

The Kingis maneris forme and fassioun. 
1T Narratioun shir gif I do tell, 

His cruell murther ze will call monsterous : 
For in meiknes he did all men excell, 

And vnto na man was he odious, 
To meit his marrow he was audatious, 

On sturdie steid with craftie feat of weir, 
Mars favourit him as fair Ascanius, 

iEneas Sone that weill ane steid could steir. 
In deidis he soulde haue bene lyke Deiphoebus- 

Had feinzeit Fortoun fauourit him to Ring : 
Or Theseus or gentill Julius, 

In gentill featis ferand for ane King. 
Dartis about him swyftlie could he fling, 

And rin ane rais and shortlie turne ane steid : 
Cunning of crosbow cutthrot and culuering, 

Ane flaine lat ne with bow in tyme of neid. 
In gamis glaid he was rycht weill asswetit, 

Rycht featlie on the fluire alswa could dance 
Bot Dalila vnto him was vanlatit, 

Quhilk causit him oft to be sad and pance. 
2it neuer did sho se his maik in France, 

Off royall bluid to fang to be hir feir : 
Not her fyrst spous for all his great puissance, 

In portratour and game mycht be hi& peir, 
1F Cunning of Clergy of musick meruelous, 

The louing leid of Latine could declair : 
Sangis set with diuers tunis expres, 

With Instrument maist sweit into the eir. 
With hundis hunt he could baith Da and Deir 

The faid also rycht feitlie could he set, 
. Ane gay gois Halk vpone his hand to beir, 

Ane Falcowne fle to se he thocht delyte. 
With Romaine hand he could weill leid ane pen. 

And story is wryte of auld antiquitie, 
Nobill himself, and Nobill of Ingyne, 

And louit weill concord and vnitie, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 3 

He swoumit in the fluidis of Poetrie, 

And did exerse the science liberaH : 
The facund Phrase did vse of oratrie, 

His gude Ingyne was rycht celestial! 
||§F In pulchritude to Paris perigall 

With browis brent and twinkland Cristell eine : 
Off face formois and vult heroycall, 

He mycht haue bene ane marrow to ane Quene, 
At ten houris on Sonday lait at euin, 

Quhen Dalila and Bothwell bad gudnycht : 
Off hir finger fals sho threw ane Ring, 

And said my Lord ane taikin I zow plycht. 
IT Scho did depairt than with ane vntrew traine, 

And than in haist ane culuering they leit crak : 
To teiche thair feiris to knaw the appoint tyme, 

About the Kingis lugeing for to clap. 
To dance that nycht they said sho sould not slak, 

With leggis lycht to hald the wedow walkane 
And baid fra bed vntill sho hard the crak, 

Quhilk was anesigne that hir gude Lord was slane. 
And Maddie meinis sho did in Setoun sing 

Full weill was her that day that sho was fre : 
And into joy and out of tray and tene, 

So frely fred from all aduersitie. 
O Stewartis stout ha benedicitie. 

War ze not Royis in this Regioun 
And ay did vse Justice and equitie, 

And now zour glas of honestie is run. 
Unles ze now sharplie shuit out zour handis 

And trewlie try the gyltie of this blude : 
Ze wilbe repuite Lowreis ouer all landis, 

And fais to Christ deit on the Rude. 
My Lordis thairfoir I think for zow gude, 

The tresoun try and puneis equallie : 
Lat not your landis defylit be with blude, 

And gif ze do God shaw his Maiestie. 
IT Quhen Davie deit our Quene rycht potentlie 

Into this Realme did rais ane ryall rout : 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Out of this Regioun Lordis gart sho fTie, 

Tresoun to try sho was that tyme maist stout. 
But sho is slak to try this tresoun out, 

And to him Dauy was na perigall : 
Dauy and his, thair state was wont shone clout, 

Our cumly King was of the blude royall. 
For dowbill Dauy sho did zow expell, 

Think on thairfoir quhill ze haue sic ane cryme, 
And ze defend the cruell Jesabell 

Than Baallis Priestis will cal zow verray kynde 
Now euerie Dowglas of ane hartsum mynde, 

Thinke on dame Margaret sumtyme in the towre, 
And of young Charles prudent of Ingyne. 

I pray God lat them se ane ioyfull houre. 
IF O ze that dois profes Godis worde deuyne, 

Se that ze sclander not his haly Name : 
Remember Jesus Judas put to pyne, 

For slak regaird of Godlynes and blame. 
God he is all that la}ds ane stumling stane, 

Quhilk may the cause be of our britheringis fall, 
Restoir againe zour foule polluted fame 

Gif ze fauoure Christ Jesus trew Gospell. 
The buik of Josua as I did reid, 

And thairin ane exampill did I find 
How Acan tuik the excommunicat guid 

All Israeli war threitnit for that sin. 
The fauour of God be na way could he win, 

Quhill trewlie tryit war faultouris of the faill : 
Quhome Josua in flambis fell did burne 

And then did ceis God's wrath celestiall. 
Gif God was wrath at ane small pegrall stouth. 

And for ainis fault ane multitude did shoir, 
Gif diligence to mak the giltie couth, 

Or he will do to zow as he befoir. 
Ze knaw zour cryme is wors ane greit daill moir, 

Nor hunders twa of sicklis silver fyne, 
To pull ane King fra his hie potent gloir 

Quhome God did place be ordinance dewyne. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. . 5 

ze that to our Kirk hes done subscriue 
Thir Ecanis try alsweill traist I may 

Gif ze do not the tyme will cum belive 
That God to zow will rais sum Josuay, 

Quhilk sail zour bairnies gar sing wallaway, 
And ze your selfis be put downe with shame : 

Remember on the ugsum latter day 

Quhen ze rewaird sail ressaif for zoure blame. 

1 ken rycht Weill ze knaw zour dewtie, 
Gif ze do not purge zow ane and all, 

Than sail I wryte in prettie poetrie 

In Latine leid in style Eethoricall. 
Quhilk throw all Europe sail ring lyke ane bell, 

In the contempt of zour malignitie, 
Fy fie fra Clitemnestra fell 

For sho was neuer lyke Penolopie. 
With Clitemnestra I do not fane to fletche, 

Quhilk slew hir spous the greit Agamemnon : 
Or with ony that Mynos wyfe dois matche, 

Semiramus quha brocht hir gude Lord downe. 
Quha dow abstene fra litigatioun, 

Or from his paper hald aback the pen : 
Except he hait our Scottis Natioun, 

Or than stand vp and traitouris deidis commend. 
IF Now all the wois that Ouid in Ibin 

Into his pretty lytill buik did wryte, 
And mony mo be to our Scottis Quene, 

For sho the cause is of my wofull dyte. 
Sa mot hir hart be fillit full of syte, 

As Herois was for Leanderis deth : 
Hirself to slay for wo quha thocht delyte, 

For Henryis saik to lyke, our Quene war laith. 
1" The doloure als that peirsit Diddis hart, 

Quhen King Enee from Carthage tuik the flycht. 
For the Quhilk cause vnto ane brand sho start 

And slew hirself quhilk was ane sory sycht. 
Sa mot sho die as did Creusa brycht, 

The worthie wyfe of dowchtie Duik Jason : 



6 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Quha brint was in ane garment wrocht be flycht 

Off Medea throw incantation. 
Hir lauchter lycht be lyke to trim Thysbie, 

Quhen Pyramus sha fand deid at the well : 
In langour lyke vnto Penolopie, 

For vlyssis quho lang at Troy did dwell : 
Hir duilsum deith be wars than Jesabell, 

Quhome throw ane windo suirlie men did thraw. 
Quhais blude did laip the cruell hundis fell, 

And doggis could hir wickit bainis gnaw. 
1F War I ane hund, o gif sho war ane hair, 

And I ane cat and sho ane lyttill moua 
And sho ane bairne and I ane wylde wod bair, 

I ane firrat and sho Cuniculous. 
To hir I sal be ay contrarius, 

Quhill to me Atropus cut the fatell threid : 
And feill deithis dartis dolorus, 

Than sail our Spiritis be at mortall feid. 
My Spirit hir Spirit sal douke in Phlegethon 

Into that painfull fylthie nude of hell : 
And thame in Styx and Lethee baith anone, 

And Cerberus that cruell hund sa fell. 
Sail gar hir cry with mony zout and zell, 

O wallaway that euer sho was borne 
Or with tresoun be ony maner mell, 

Quhilk from all blis sould cause hir be forlorne. 
11 War John Bochas on lyue as he is deid, 

Worthy workis wold wryte in hir contempt : 
Alsweill of tresoun as of womanheid, 

Thairto his pen wald euer mair be bent. 
Hir for till shame and bludie Bothweli shent, 

And wold the counsall craif his warysoun, 
The quhilk King James the fyrst in Parliament, 

Gaif to his Father for ane hie tresoun, 
Quha did forfault him of his land and rent, 

And his leuing annext to the Crown : 
And to hir shame, and to hir greit contempt, 

Quhen that he come vnto ane strange natioun. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 7 

Than sould he inak declaratioun, 

The causis all of his sory banishment, 
To be for trasoun done vnto the Crowne, 

Gif I do he reid the Act of Parliament. 
*~ My bony boy thy murning dois me harme, 

Bot thy sweit fignreit speiche dois me delyte 
In poetrie I traist zow be na barne, 

Quhilk dois reheirs the Poetis auld indyte. 
At thir traytouris I find thow hes dispyte, 

And I ane Menstrell is and can sing : 
Wald thow in Poetrie thy mater wryte 

In thair dispyte thy scellat sail I ring. 
^OT Albeit my hart be fillit full of syt-e, 

And mony troublis tumbland in my mynde, 
Zit vnder neth this hauthorne sal I wryt e 

Or my forwereit body preis to dyne 
In Poetrie narratioun of the cryme, 

Quhilk thow may sing except that thow be red, 
In Inglis toung quhan will gif place and tyme, 

And than in Latine leid I think to spred, 
IT My veii^sis prompt in style Rethoricall, 

Quhilk pass sail to the Tane of Tartarie 
And Peirs sail erthe and air Etheriall, 

The wickit works done in Britannie. 
My bony boy quod I fair mot the fa 

With that he rais and reikit me this bill : 
And tuik gude nycht and shuik our handis twa, 

Sa we departit soir against my wilL 



f Finis. 
j|{ Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekprevik. 




8 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

3BL— Jfeir follobrig tfre Cegtament atttr Cragetiie of 
bmquJjile Ithtg ^znxit Stefoart of guta 
memorte* 

[British Museum.— Cottonian MSS. Caligula, C. 1. f. 17. 
— Scotish Poems of the Sixteenth Century, collected by 
John Graham Daly ell, Edinburgh 1801.] 

Henry Stewart, vmquhile of Scotland King, 
Sumtyme in houpe, with reuerence to Ring : 
Within this Realme in dew obedience, 
| Traisting with ane attoure all eirdlie thing 

Quha was the mite quhair of I did spring, 

In honour to Hue, be kindelie allyance : 

Putand in hir sic faith and confidence, 

Ingland I left, seducit be ignorance ; 

Scotland I socht, in houpe for to get hir, 

Quhilk I may rew, as now is cum the chance, 

And vthers learne be me experience : 

In tyme be war, fra ainis the work missit her. 

Sumtyme sho thocht, I was sa amiabill, 

Sa perfyte, plesand, and sa dilectabill : 

Lancit with luif, sho luid me by all wycht, 

Sum tyme to shaw efFectioun fauorabill, 

Gratifeit me with giftis honorabill, 

Maid me ze knaw, baith Lord, Duik, Erie and Knycht: 

Sum tyme in mynde sho praisit me sa hycht, 

Leifand all vther, hir bedfellow brycht 

Chefit me to be, and maid me zour King : 

Than was I thocht happy into menis sycht, 

And puir anis did pryse thair maker of mycht 

That send thame ane Stewart sa kindelie to Ring. 

Thus quhen sho had auancit me in estate, 
Hir for to pleis I set my haill consait : 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Quhilk now is cause of my rakles ruyne, 
Hir licherous luife quhilk kindlit ouer hait, 
Cauld hes it cuild, and sylit me with dissait 
Plungeit my corps into this present pyne, 
Not onelie zow Lordis causand me to tyne, 
Bot als allace fra my trew God declyne, 
Quhome I imbrasit, for plesoure of hir Mes 
Justlie thairfoir, I haue deseruit this fyne, 
Quha for hir saik denyit the God deuine 
That did me bring fra plesoure to distres. 

Backwart fra God my Spirite fra sho wylit 
Daylie with darknes my sycht sho ouersylit, 
My Princelie pretence -began to decay, 
Vaine houpe in hir my ressoun exilit, 
My truethles toung my honoure defylit 
My doing in deid sho gart me deny, 
Fra credite I crakit, kyndnes brak ray, 
No man waid trow the worde I did say, 
My leigis me left, persauand hir Ire 
Ingland I left, and help was away 
God maid hir scurge to plaigue me for ay, 
Be war the scurge he cast not in the fyre 

Thus was I than to doloure destinat, 
Miserabill man and Prince infortunat, 
Quhomlit in sorow and plungeit in cair : 
Sum tyme in mynde with anger agitat, 
Sum tyme in Spirit pansiue and fatigat, 
Musand the meine mycht meis hir euer mair, 
Sum tyme with doloure drewin in dispair, 
Wariand the warld, welth and weilfair, 
Deid I desirid hir falset to fie, 
Sum tyme in mynd thinkand the contrare, 
Sum vncouthe vaiage I purpoisit prepare, 
Bot not sa vncouth as was prepairit for me. 

Into the tyme of this my extasie, 



10 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Quhen I was in this fearfull fantasie, 
With feinzeit fair, and wylie wordis discreit, 
Scho come to me with greit humilitie : 
Lamentand sair my greit calamitie, 
My langsum lyfe, and sair tormentit Spirite, 
Promittand with ane faithfull hart eontreit, 
In tyme to cum, with reuerence me treit 
To my degre, in honoure, luife and peace, 
Traistand into hir wylie wordis sweit, 
My hairt and lyfe into hir handis compleit, 
I put, and past vnto the Sacrifice. 

Quhat sail I wryte, how I was troublit thair, 

I wat it wald mak ony haill hairt sair. 

For to reuolue my tristsum tragidie, 

How that thay boucheouris blew me in the air, 

And stranglit me, I shame for to declair : 

Nouther to God, nor honoure hauand Ee, 

I houpit weill to haue na ennymie, 

Into this Realme fra my natiuitie, 

Thair was na man, quhome to I did offend, 

Dissauit far I fand the contrarie, 

Off Tygeris quholpis fosterit in tyrannie, 

Ane treuthles troup hes drewin me to this end 

O faithless flock, denuicle of godlyness, 

O Serpentis seid, nurisheit in wickitnes, 

Fosteraris of falset, huirdome and harlatrie, 

Mantenaris of murther, witchecraft expres, 

Tresoun amang zow dois day lie iDcres : 

Lawtie is banist, Justice and equitie. 

Quhat sail I wryte of zoure wyle vanitie : 

On falset is foundit zoure haill felicitie, 

Zour Castellis nor townis, sail not zow defend, 

God hes persauit zour infidelitie, 

And schortlie will plaigue zour crewell tyrannie, 

Off zour schort solace sorow salbe the end. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 11 

Quhat hairt so hard for petie will not bleid ! 
Quhat breist can beir bot man lament my deid ! 
Quhat toung sa thrall in silence suir can rest ! 
To se ane saule in sorow sowsit but feid, 
Ane saikles Lambe, ane innocent but dreid, 
Taine be consent of thame he luiffit best : 
Furth of his bed with doloure to be drest, 
By thrawart malice and murther manifest, 
Jugeit by Law, and hangit syne but dome, 
Sair it was to se zoure Prince with murther prest : 
Sairar I say him in his place possest, 
The deid that did, than Burrio, now Brydegrome. 

O wickit ivemen vennomus of natuire, 

Serpentis of kynde, thocht cumlie seme zour statuire 

Vnstabill ioy, full of aduersitie, 

In mynde malicious attoure all creatuire, 

Quhais malice taine, for euer dois induire : 

Teichit be experience, sa may I testifie, 

Zoure craffcie consaitis cloikit with flatterie, 

And. mylde meiknes sylifc with subtilitie 

Ar Medeais helters to bring vs in zour net, 

Gude deidis of auld gois furth of memorie, 

The ruite of euill remaines but remedie, 

Ay in zoure mynde sum vengance quhill ze get. 

For Dawyis deid in Maryis mynde sa prentit 
Consauit haitrent, day lie mair augmentit, 
Meik war his wordis, thocht greit was his greuance 
Oft at command, to mak hir weill contentit, 
In pouertie and paine my self fra court absentit 
Paine could not pleis hir, nor zit obedience, 
Persaue of lust the malice and mischance, 
Quhair Venus anis gettis in hir gouernance, 
Sic sylit subiectis feiterit in hir snair : 
Wisdome is exilit, and prudent puruoyance, 
Nobilnes and honour, defacit be ignorance, 
And vertew banist, fra shame pas shed of hair. 



12 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

This sentence trew we may persaue in deid, 
In sindrie authouris quha lykis for to reid, 
In luiffis raige, as storyis dois reheirs, 
The crewell work of wretheit womanheid, 
We may persaue in Scylla to succeid : 
For Minos luife, hir Father gaif na grace, 
Deianira hir husband Hercules, 
For Nessus saik, maist crewelhe allace 
Brocht to mischeif, for all his vassalage, 
And Clytemnestra for Egistus face, 
Agamemnon the mychtie King of Greice, 
Hir husband slew, so vyle was hir vsage. 

Off Ancus Martius we reid the greit mischance 
Quha rang in Rome in proude preheminance, 
Slaine be Lucinio at Tanaquillis procuire, 
Samson also for manheid and prudence, 
All Israeli that had in gouernance : 
Dalila desauit in vnder couertoure : 
Quhairfoir lat men be war and keip thame suire, 
Fra wemenis vennome, vnder faithles figure, 
And gif na wyfe thair counsall for to keip, 
For as the woirme that workis vnder cuire 
At lenth the tre cousumis that is duire, 
So wemen men, fra thay in credite creip. 

I speik not but pruise, quhilk I may sairlie rew, 
Quhat lyfe did thoill, my deid dois try it trew, 
My fragill fortowne, sa faithles hes bene heir, 
Wald God the day that I thee Scotland knew, 
Atropus the threid had cut, lachesis drew, 
So sould not felt the change of fortownes cheir, 
My Kingdome cair, my wealth was ay in weir, 
My state vnstabill, me drew fra God is feir, 
My plesosre prikis my paine ay to prouoke. 
My solace sorow sobbing to asteir, 
My ryches, powertie, power to empire, 
My wratchit wyfe hes now put out the smoke. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 13 

Quhat warldlie joy in earth may lang induire, 

Or quhat estate may heir him self assuire ? 

For to conse rue his lyfe in sicernes, 

Quha may sustene the perrillous auentuire ? 

Off fals fortowne inconstant and vnsuire : 

Or quhair sail men find steidfast stabilnes ? 

All warldlie blis is mixt with bitternes, 

Springand with ioy, endand with wretchitnes, 

As heir my end reheirsit dois record, 

Quhairfoir let Princes pryde thame not expres 

In warldlie welth in pomp nor worthy nes, 

Bot stablishe thair strenth, with Dauid on the Lord, 

In earth thairfoir sen nocht is parmanent, 
My soule to God I leif omnipotent, 
My Bab and Childe vnder the counsalhs cuire, 
To zow my Lordis of my deid Innocent, 
For to reuenge I leif in Testament, 
My saikles bluid, my murther and iniure, 
Thocht Princes wald be falset zow alluire, 
Hurt not zour honouris, the samin to smuire, 
First luik to God, syne to zour libertie, 
Think weill suppois my death ze wald induire, 
Gif Rubbers King na subiect salbe suire 
Mair nor the sheip in Foxes companie. 



11 Finis. 



jgj Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik, 
Anno Do. 1567. 

Note.— The words printed in Italics are crossed in the original. 




14 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



ffl — Cfje Complagnt of Scotland 

[In Major Pearson's Collection. Printed on one side, without 
date, place, or printer's name. Black Letter. Commu- 
nicated by Joseph Ritson to the Gentleman's Magazine, 
where it is reprinted, November 1791. — Scotish Ballads 
and Songs. Edited by James Maidment, Edinburgh, 
1859.] 

DEW all glaidnes, sport, and play, 

Adew fair weill, baith nycbt and day — 
All thingz that may mak mirrie cheir, 
Bot sich rycht soir in hart and say, 
Allace to Graif is gone my deir. 

1T My lothsum lyfe I may lament, 
With fixit face and mynde attent, 
In weiping wo to perseueir, 
And asking still for punischement, 

Of thame hes brocht to graif my deir, 

1F But lang allace I may complaine, 
Befoir I find my deir againe, 
To me was faithfull and Inteir, 
As Turtill trew on me tuke paine : 

Allace to graif is gone my deir. 

IT Sen nathing may my murning mend, 
On God maist hie I will depend 
My cairfull cause for to vpreir : 
For he support to me will send 

Althocht to graif is gone my deir. 

IT My hauie hap, and piteous plycht, 
Dois peirs my hart baith day and nycht, 
That lym nor lyth I may not steir, 
Till sum reuenge with force and mycht 

The Cruell murther of my deir. 



w 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. lo 

IF This cureles wound dois grief me soir, 
The lyke I neuer felt befoir 
Sen Fergus first of me tuke steir, 
For now allace decayis my gioir 

Throw cruell murther of my deir. 

IT wickit wretche infortunat, 
Sauage seid Insatiat, 
Mycht thow not frantik fule forbeir 
To sla with dart Intoxicat, 

And cruellie deuoir my deir. 

Wa worth the wretche, wa worth thy clan 
Wa worth the wit that first began 
This deir debait for to vpsteir, 
Contrare the Lawis of God and man, 

To murther cruellie my deir. 

IT Throw the now Lawles libertie 
Throw the mischeif and crueltie 
Throw the fals men thair heidis vpbeir 
Throw the is baneist equitie, 

Throw the to graif is gone my deir. 

Throw the ma Kingz than ane dois ring 
Throw the all tratourz blyithelie sing, 
Throw the is kendlit ciuill weir, 
Throw the murther wald beir the swing, 

Throw the to graif is gone my deir. 

1T Throw the is rasit sturtsum stryfe, 
Throw the, the vitall breith of lyfe 
Is him bereft, did with the beir : 
Quhen Gallow pin, or cutting knyfe 

Suld stranglet the, and saiffc my deir. 

IT Ungraitfull grome, sic recompence, 
Was not condigne to thyne offence, 



16 THE SEMPILL BALLATES 

With glowing gunne that man to teir, 
From doggis deith was thy defence : 
To the sic mercie schew my deir. 

11 O curssit Cain, hound of hell, 
O bludie bairne of Ishmaell, 
Gedaliah quhen thow did steir, 
To vicis all thow rang the bell, 
Throw cruell murther of my deir. 

U Allace my deir did not foirsie, 
Quhen he gaif pardone vnto the 
Maist wickit wretche, to men sinceir 
Quhat paine he brocht and miserie, 

With reuthfull mine to my deir. 

IT But trew it is, the godly men 
Quhilk think na harme nor falset ken, 
Nor haitrent dois to vtherz beir, 
Ar sonest brocht to deithis den : 

As may be sene be this my deir. 

IF Thairfoir to the I say no moir, 
But I traist to the King of Gloir, 
That thow and thyne sail zit reteir 
Zour Campz with murning mynde richt soir, 

For cruell murther of my deir. 

IF nobill Lordis of Kenoun, 
O Barronis bauld ze mak zow boun 
To fute the feild with fresche effeir, 
And dintis douse, the pryde ding doun 

Of thame that brocht to graif my deir. 

IF Reuenge his deith with ane assent, 
With ane hart, will, mynde, and Intent, 
In faithfull freindschip perseueir : 
God will zow fauour, and thame schent, 

Be work or word that slew my deir. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



17 



IT Be crous ze commouns in this cace, 
In auenture ze cry allace, 
Quhen murtherars the swinge sail beir, 
And from zour natiue land zow chace, 

Unles that ze reuenge my deir. 

IT Lat all that fische be trapt in net, 
Was counsall, art, part, or reset 
With thankfull mynde and hartie cheir 
Or zit with helping hand him met 

Quhen he to graif did bring my deir. 

11 Defend zour King and feir zour God, 
Pray to auoyde his feirfull rod, 
Lest in Ins angrie wraith austeir 
Ze puneist be baith euin and od, 

For not reuenging of my deir. 

IT And do not feir the number small, 
Thocht ze be few, on God ze call 
With faithfull hart, and mynde sinceir, 
He will be ay zour brasin wall, 

Gif ze with speid reuenge my deir. 

IT Remufe all sluggische slewth away, 
Lat lurking Inuy clene decay, 
Gar Commoun weill zour baner beir, 
And peace and concorde it display : 

Quhen ze pas to reuenge my deir. 

IT With sobbing sych I to zow send 
This my complaynt with dew commend 
Desiring zow all without feir, 
Me pure Scotland for to defend 

Sen now to graif is gone my deir. 



1 Finis. 




18 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



fiU*— ®etr follotots atte CFxIjortattoun to tfje ILortitSu 

[State Paper Office. — Scotish Series, Volume 13, [June) 
Number 62.] 

Y Lordis now gif ze be wyse, 

Knaw weil the grace j l God hes send zow 
Gif to that leuing Lord all pryse, 
Pray that from dainger he defend zow, 

And na way lat zoure fais offend zow 

But gif zow counsell and enrage, 

Banldlie togidder all to bend zow, 

That ze do nouther swerue nor swage. 

Think it is nouther strenth nor fors 
That hes set zow a fuite befoir, 
Think weill that nouther men nor hors 
Off sic ane act sould get the gloir : 
Bot he that ringis euer moir 
Hes luikit on zoure quarell rycht, 
Gif him all thankis now thairfoir, 
And pryse his name with all zour micht. 

I grant zour interpryse was gude, 
Zour purpose worthy till allow, 
Bot I considder how it stude 
And how the cais is cumin now 
Had they keipit thame self fra zow, 
And langer taryit in thair strenth, 
Thocht zour curage was gude I trow 
Ze had zit irkit at the lenth. 

Think weil thair wit was thame bereft 
Quhen fulishlie thay tuik the plane 
Think thay war to thair foly left, 
Quhen thay in feild come zow agane. 
Think weill ze aucht for to be faine, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 19 

But bluid to win the upperhand 
Quhair nouther man was hurt nor slane 
To get the Jewell in zour hand. 

Sen ze it haue thairof be suie, 
Or els ze ar rycht far to blame 
Gif ze hir till eschaip enduire, 
Think ze sail haue baith skaith and shame 
Quha babishlie bourdis with his dame 
It war weill wairit he gat his quhippz, 
Think neuer agane to dwell at hame, 
Gif ze lat ga that is in zour grippis. 

Gif sho had not cum in the feild, 

For to defend the tratoure kene, 

And not laubourit with speir and sheild 

His wickit quarrell to sustene, 

Ze had done wrang as sum men mene 

Hir to withald agane hir will, 

Bot now quhill trew tryell be sene 

Sho moste be keipit or all will spill. 

Pas fordwart in zour interpryse, 
Reuenge in haist the cruell act : 
Spair not to gif thame all ane syse 
Quhome ze beleif the King did sact. 
Be bauld and na way turne abak, 
Spair nouther midling greit nor small 
With wysdome syne gude tryall tak 
And cause sum ane confes thame all. 

Proclaime that all quha ocht dois knaw 
To mak probatioun euident, 
With diligence thay cum and shaw 
In oppin and in place patent. 
That sinners shortlie may be shent, 
And gude men fred from all defame : 
Sen God hes to zow power lent, 
Gif ye be lashe ye ar to blame. 



20 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

The heid traytoure quhair euer he be 
Gif ye haue fors se ye perse w, 
Thocht he fra hoill to hoill do fie 
At last he can not weill eschew. 
Lat him be slaine your King that slew, 
Bring ainis his fylthie lyfe till end : 
Quha wickitlie this beir did brew 
Wa worth the tyme that sho him kend. 

Syne on your self ye tak gude keip, 
And lat na ennimeis heir resort : 
Be walkryfe and fall not on sleip, 
Baith day and nycht gar walk your port, 
Lat gude quarrell your hartis comfort : 
The wark is greit ye haue in hand, 
Think weill it is not play nor sport 
Bot outher man ye die or stand. 

For Godis saik aboue all thing, 
Keep clene your handis fra wrangus geir 
Gif ye wald haue his trew blissing, 
Schaw first that ye the Lord do feir. 
Exerce your selfis in gentill weir, 
And fie from fylthie auarice, 
Quhilk is as I in Scriptuire leir 
The verray ruite of euerie vice. 

Zour brether of the Nobill race, 
With all meiknes desyre concur, 
And your querrell in this cace, 
Quhilk I dout not will be ane spur. 
So that your pride cause thame nor stur 
Bot your gude gyding thame alluire : 
To cause thame enter mak ane duire, 
Gif ye do swa ye may be suire. 

Tak Godis quarrell als in hand, 

And purge vs from Ipocrasie, 

And than ye sail haue in your band 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 21 

The townis and communitie. 
Prouyde als for the Ministerie, 
Reforme the Justice gif ye can, 
Than sail tryumph your memorie 
Above all sen this Realme began. 

Sen Fergus first come in this land, 
Sic gude beginning neuer was sene, 
That gentilnes at thair awin hand 
Sa just ane quarrell did sustene. 
Reuoltis hes bene ma nor fyftene, 
And Princes in Strang presoun set : 
Quhair all from bluid was keipit clene 
Skantlie can I exampill get. 

Think than ye wil preforme the work 
That now dois your beginning blis, 
And thocht your ennimies seme stark 
He will cause thame thair purpose mis 
That all war ane faine wald I wis, 
Bot zit thocht sum againis zow faill 
This actioun haill sa honest is, 
With Godis grace it sail preuaill. 

Lat na man throuch yow harmit be 
And than ye sail na hartis tyne, 
Gif euerie ane his awin degre 
Excluid na man out of his lyne. 
Set all at rest and efter syne 
With all the rest concur togidder, 
To mak ane ordour gude and fyne, 
As your wisdomis can best considder. 

Keip weil your Prince & for him pray 
That God indew him with his grace, 
That he incres may day be day : 
To be the best of all his race. 
The trew Religioun syne imbrace 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Fra vice to vertew tak the traine, 

His pepill weill in perfyte peace 

And lang in helth with thame remaine. 

All vitious wycht fra him exclude, 
Be walkryfe wyse and diligent : 
Gif ony be wald him na gude 
Lat thame na way bo thair present. 
To teich him vertew tak gude tent 
Lat not his zoutheid be infectit 
Greit is the gift God hes yow lent 
Sair sail ye rew hif ye neglect it. 

And thus yow sportlie till exhort, 
My Lordis all I thocht it gude : 
For men of-tyme of meinest sort 
That raknit war of ressoun rude. 
Seing the cais and how it stude, 
Hes geuin gude counsall to the wyse, 
Sa wald I now and to conclude 
God blis yow and your interpryse. 

Finis. 

Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno Do. 1567. 



U — 2fae CExljortattoun timet to mg Horti Begott 
atfo to tJje itot of tfje ILortrts accomplish 

[State Paper Office. — Scotish Series, Volume 14. (August) 
Number 72.] 

IAN with hir Court of Poyetis cleir, 

Qu § is land now plesandly dois sing 

In sin gis that plesoure is to heir 

For io nes our fair zoung tender King. 

§ Torn out in the original. 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 23 

Quho hes set aboue vs for to Ring 

Will § 1 quhat I am, hes tane on hand, 

Sa b ure, rashely in thair Court to thring 

By th comission, lyke Johne vpaland. 

T § aine thair plesand flowre of Poyetrie 
With rurall tennis and sentences denude 
Of trym figuris and painted oratrie 
From art poetick heir I it exclude. 
Desyrand zour Lordshippes to be sa gude 
To mark the sentence rather nor the style 
And take it in gude pairt thocht it be rude, 
Will God the nixt sail haue ane sharper fyle. 

To call to mynde I think not necessair, 

The warkes of God within this cuntrie shawin 

Within thir seuin zeiris or lytill mair 

Sen Christis trumphet throw this land was blawin. 

Unto baith pure and riche it is weill knawin, 

And als zour selfes my Lordis may cleirly se 

That God wil haue the pride of man doune thrawin 

Thocht he war neuer exalted so hie. 

Zit with myself considdering the estate 

Off zow my Lord Regent quhome God preserue 

And all the rest, I thocht gude to repeate 

Sum thingis that to zoure interprise mycht serue. 

Knawing that man is reddy for till swerue, 

Without continuall admonitionis be 

Man of his awin nature is so proterue 

Thairfoir I pray youre Lordeshippes beir with me. 

How potent was that horint byke of hell 
Into this land quhen God did zow vpsteir 
It is weill knawin, ze will confesse zour sell 
Zour strenth to thairis on na way mycht be peir. 
Zit God Almychtie did zour baner beir 

§ Torn out in the original- 



24 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

And all thair mycht and prydfull pomp ouerthrew 
Because the Lord of Hostis they did not f eir 
Thairis did decay, and ay zoure honour grew. 

Quhill that, allace, ze begouth to neglect 

The gloir of God and sa did seik zour sell, 

The maist pairt I mein, that did infect 

From feruencie within proces ze fell. 

Quhilk Godis seruandz from tyme to tyme did tel, 

And shew that God wald not sic thingis ouerse. 

Ze gaif deif earis, bot God did zow compell 

To find his worde effectuall to be. 

Ze knaw my minde I neid not be mair plane 
Ze se all warldly gloir for to be stidder, 
Quhen God is greuit than he spairis nane 
King Quene and Lord thay pas into ane fidder. 
Thairfoir I warne zow ane and all togidder 
To put zour stay vpone the leuing Lord, 
And all his warkis into this land considder 
Continuing in obeying of his word. 

Ze doing this ze neid not for till feir 
Deu. 28. The boisting of zour ennemeis without, 

The Lord will blis zow baith in peace and weir 
Levi. 26. And an zour enemeis rudely ruit out. 

Ze sail haue freindis of them that dwellis about, 
Jos. 24. J3°t gif that ze grow slak or negligent 

The clene contrare sail cum to pas but dout 

Thairfoir I pray zow to zour selfis tak tent. 

Sa lang as Juda in King Asais dayis, 
2 Chr. 15. Did seik the Lord with all thair hartis desyre 

Baith King and people prosperit in thair wayis 
2 Chr. 16. Bot ho § ne Asa Benhadad did hyre. 

That ho battell mycht with him conspyre 

And vsit meanis as God did not allow 

§ Torn out in the original. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 25 



The Propheit threitnit, during his impyre 
That war and battell sould his land pas throw. 



Als by King Saull I think ze may attend, 

Not for till spair quhome God commandis to slay 

Gif that ze do I say behauld the end 

1 Kin. 15. Reid quhat the bulk of Kingis of him dois say. 

Sielyke of Salamon behauld the way 
3 Kin 11, And als Jehu with mony vther ma 

That throuchly with the Lord walkit not ay 
i Kin. 10. Thocht thay begonth weill, luik ye do not sa. 

Fall to stoutly all fantnes set asyde 
And throw this land mak reformation, 
Remember thir exampllis tyme and tyde 
Quhilkis war amang the Jewis nation, 
os. 24. Quhairof partly is maid narration 

Dissave not vs pure people of this land 
Quha with ane gredie expectation 
Lukis for gude reformation at your hand. 

To heidis politick se ze geue na care 

2 Chr. 17. Into reforming of this pure cuntrie 
Bot Godis buik se that with zow ye beare, 
With godlie men of wit and feruencie. 
Abuif all thingis haue syc in cumpanie 

Jos. 34. Obeying thame quhen they command a rycht 
Without respect of blude or dignitie, 
Ze doing sa the Lord sail mak yow wycht. 



From offices se that ye first depois 
But feid or fauour of kinred or blude, 
All wickit papistis, proud and Christis fois 
And Jak on baith the sydis will neuer do gude. 
All ignorantis and sic men ye exclude, 
Syne plat me godly men into thair place 
2 Chr. 17. Quha equally can Judge the people rude, 

And rychtly reule ouer thame in euerie cace. 



26 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Let na Idolator your handis eschaip 
Deu. 7. Q r qqY^ fogfo ^ | s l^oiatrie mantene 

Leif nathing that belangis to the Paip 
Unrutit out as it had neuer bene. 
Jos. 23. Anis of thay Locustis mak this cuntrie clene 
Zour foulishe pietie did thame spair befoir, 
Thairfoir ye fand thame prick is vnto your ene 
And gif ye spair thame yit sail find thame moir. 

Deu. 15. Nixt principallie I pray yow set your cure 
For till relief the greit penuritie 
Off laubouraris and of your tennentis pure 
Quha sair opprest hes bene in this cuntrie. 
This mony zeir by the Nobilitie 
Let thame anis knaw the defference betwene 
Zow and the Papistis, by your charitie 
Quhilk heirtofoir amang yow was not sene. 

Thir thingis to do luik no way ye neglect 
Gif ye think lang in honour for till ring 
Bot principallie I pray yow to eiect 
Ane cursit byke that cheiflie dois maling. 
In Abirdene of Sophistis the welspring 
And in thair place put learnit men of God 
I pray God blis James Stewart our young King 
And mak him rychtly reule vs with his rod. 

To thee my Lord Regent I turne my sang 
I pray thee now for till be circumspect 
In thy default se that na thing be wrang, 
For Godis seruandis thair eyis to thee direct. 
Thinking on na wayis that thow will neglect 
The gloir of God in Scotland to vpreir 
Seing he hes the rasit for that effect, 
That the Lord Jesus baner thow should beir. 

To yow my Lordis als I direct my pen 
Proceid into your godlie interpryse, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 27 

As ye begouth curagiously lyke men 
For quhy greit help into your hand is lyis. 
Thairfoir stoutlie se ye assist and ryse 
Hauing Godis gloir alwayis befoir your eine 
Than sal ye be haldin hardie and wyse 
Sa lang as men sail on the earth be seine. 



Finis. 



HI — Itxe IBeclaratioutx of tfje Hortife Just ©uarrelL 

[British Museum.— Cottonian MSS.— Caligula C. 1. f. 10— 
State Paper Office. — Scotish Series, Vol. 14, (August,) 
Number 73. — Scotish Poems of the Sixteenth Century, 
collected by John Graham Dalyell, Edinburgh, 1801.] 

j|OT lang ago as I allone did walk, 

Intill ane place was plesand to behauld : 
|Twa leirnit men in priuie I hard talk, 

And eich of thame his taill in ordoure tauld 
I vnderstuid thair sentence quhat thay wald, 

And thocht it gude to put in memorie 
Thair Names als as efter ze sail se. 

The taine him self Philandrius did call, 
Quha in vertew and manheid tuik delyte : 

The tother feirfull semt to be at all, 
Erideilus he did his Name indyte 

Off mony thingis thay did togidder flyte, 
But I tuik tent aboue all vther thing 

Quhen they spak of this Realme and gouerning. 




28 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Erideilus sayis it dois merwell me, 

Quhat causit hes the Lordis of Scotland 

Tak on ane enterpryse of sic folie, 

Againe the Quene and againis hir husband : 

Mycht thay not weill ilk ane in his awin land 
In quyetnes leifit in peace and rest, 

Guyding his awin as him had lykit best. 

To quhome Philandrius did answer mak, 
And said that men war not deuyst onlie : 

Without all cair thair awin plesure to tak, 
Bot to foirse the weill of that countrie 

Reularis of quhilk, the Lord will that thay be, 

Quhilk charge (he sayis) thay can not weill refuse, 

Les schamefullie thair office thay abuse. 

Behalding than the actis execrabill, 

That in this countrie hes committit bene, 

The schame the lack the bruit abbominabill : 
That saikles men with sorow did sustene, 

Ane priuat hart it mycht prik vp with tene, 
To seik redres and mend that cairfull caice 

Far mair the nobillis of the Royall raice. 

To se the King fyrst lychtlit schamefully, 
And not chereist in chalmer nor in hall : 

Syne murdreist downe causeles and crewelly, 
Off that tresoun na tryall taine at all. 

Thay quhome the bruit did trewlie traytouris call, 
Greitest in Court and chereist all thair best, 

Quhat Lordis hart culd luik on this and lest. 

To se ane monstuire full of fylthynes, 

Aboue the rest heich mountit vp in gloir 

Baith Prince and Realme and all power posses. 
Ane gled ay gaipand guid men to cleuoir, 

Quhat hart sa harcl bot this sycht sould mak soir, 
Quha rychtly than dar thir men reprehend : 

Sic greit mischeif quha menis till amend, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 29 

To se the Quene furth rycland on the plaine, 
Reft lyke ane huire with ruffians shamefullie, 

And thocht that sum think that was hot ane train e, 
Hir awin wryting dois contrar testifie, 

In France Ingland and niony strange countrie : 
Pleinzeand that sho was rauyssit by hir will 

Quhat Nobill hart mycht se this and sit still. 

To reif, to murther and wyle licherie, 

The fourt forfault is eikit euin fra hand : 

To testifie that Law and honestie 

With sic ribaldis can not ring in ane land, 

The Quene is cuplit with ane wyffis husband 
And farther zit he quha the King did sack, 

But Law the Quene dar into mariage tak. 

Besyde all this thair durst na vertuous wycht, 
In presence of that proud tyran appeir : 

Bludy boucheouris and throtcutters on nycht, 
War only hard, and only had the steir. 

The Nobill men durst not the Court cum neir, 
The royall hous refuge to honest men 

Was maid ane bordell and ane theifis den. 

Our prettie Prince the peirle of all this land, 
With duilfull deid thay socht for to deuoir : 

That riche relick and thresour of Scotland, 
Destroy as thay his father did befoir. 

Quhat duilfull mynde mycht dewlie this deploir, 
In sic dainger to se that innocent 

For our releif quhome God had till vs sent, 

Quhat Nobill hart could langer this induire ? 

Quhat common breist did not for sorrow burst ? 
Quhat godly man of himself could be suire ? 

Quhat stranger thocht bot this countrie was curst ? 
Quhat preachour this repreif, I pray zow durst : 

Quhat chaist woman wyssit not to be deid, 
To se sic vice set vp in vertewis steid. 






SO THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Gif it was sa, than quha can worthylie 
Exalt and prais, and magnifie the Name 

Off thir Nobillis quha durst couragiouslie 
Haziard thame self to saif vs all fra shame, 

Thair laud, thair honour, and tryumphand fame, 
Salbe disperst in dispyte of Inuy, 

Quhen faceles fuillis sail not be settin by. 

Erideilus than answer maid againe, 

Thy talk he say is is treuth and veritie : 

Bot sit sum douts thair is of quhilk rycht faine, 
Gif laser lat I wald resoluit be, 

And fyrst tuiching the Queni's libertie : 

For mony thinkis thir Barronis ar to bauld. 

In strait keping a Princes for to hauld. 

Philandrius to answer than him sped, 

And this he said Eridielus vntill : 
Gif that a freind with fayis away war led 

Be wickit craft syne tystit war till ill. 
Thocht he couet in that stait to byde still, 

Zit in that caice his freindis of dewtie 
Sould wis his weill and seik his libertie. 

And gif his fantasie war sa far infectit, 

That to the treuth he could not bent his eir. 

He sould not be in foly zit neglectit 

Bot fairnes than sould mixit be with feir, 

And gif all this could him na wysedome leir 
Than acht he be of all puissance denude, 

To do na euill gif he could do na gude. 

Than sen that bowdin bludy beist Bothwell, 
Hes trayterously in myrk put downe our King 

His wyfe the Quene syne rauyssit to him sell, 
In fylthie lust throw cullour of wedding. 

Thocht sho be witcheit wald in ruttery ring, 
The Nobillis sould nether of thir enduire, 

That lowne to leif, nor hir to be his huire. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 31 

And gif the poysone in her hart be sonkin, 
That sho will not consent he puneist be : 

Gif with his fylthie lust sho be sa dronkin, 
That sho forzet office and honestie 

Than man her Nobillis of necessitie, 

Cut of hir force quhill tresoun be reuengeit, 

And this confusioun in ane ordour changeit. 

In priuat personnis sayis Eridielus, 

I vnder stand thy taill is trew in deid : 
Bot in Princes it is mair perrillous, 

And few examplis thairof can I reid. 
And in sic caice the subiectis all had neid, 

Haill to concur with ane authoritie 
Sic concurrence in Scotland nane I se. 

Philandrius sayis brother than considder, 

How fyrst began all dominatiounis : 
Quhen ruid pepill assemblit thame togidder. 

And maid thair Kingis be creatiounis. 
In votis than war variatiounis, 

I trow rycht few was chosin be the haill, 
Bot he was King quhais pairtie did preuail]. 

Rycht sa gif Princes sa thame self abuse, 

That of force subiectis man put to thair hand : 

Guid men sould not than to reforme refuse, 
Thocht all at ainis concur not on thair band. 

Naimly gif Justice on thair partie stand, 

And maist consent gif quha wald rackin rycht, 

Sen God hes gein to thame baith strenth and mycht, 

Zea thocht it war ane King for to depose, 

For certaine crymis I think the subiectis may, 

Or fylthy faultouris fast in prisone close, 
Rather than lat ane haill countrie decay. 

Thay sould not sturre thocht sum men wold say nay 
To ane purpose the haill will neuer conclude, 

Thay haue aneuch, hes force and quarrell gude. 



32 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

May thay not put ane ordoure to the heid : 
Quha in beginning did the heid vp mak 

May thay not set ane better in the steid, 
Gif it fra vice can not be callit bak. 

Les this be done Realmes will ga to wrak, 
Namely quhen that the cryme is sa patent 

That nouther misters Juge nor argument. 

As gif ane King his pepill wald betray, 

And him and thame bajth bring to seruitude : 

He sould in this reformit be I say, 

Naimly be Nobillis and be men of gude. 

The Baliols cause considder how it stude, 

Quhat rycht had Robert Bruice him to expell ? 

Because to Ingland he subiect him sell. 

And now gif I durst speik without respect, 
To huirmaisters, to murderers of Kingis : 

To throtcutters our Realme was made subiect, 
Quha in thair malice proudely zit malingis. 

Lat Nobill hartis considder all thir thingis, 
Thay sail weill find that this puire natioun, 

Greit mister had of reformatioun. 

Sic fylthie lust in Sardanapalus, 

Sic crueltie Nero did not ring : 
Sic brutishe lyfe in Heliogabalus 

Sic traytour mynde to slay his Lord and King, 
In feinzeit Phocas breist did neuer spring : 

Sic beistly bowgrie Sodome hes not sene 
As rang in him quha rewlit B-ealme and Quene. 

And sould the Nobill Barronis of this land 
In hoilis lurk and this mischief behauld, 

Quhair is the wittis wont to reule Scotland ? 
Go reid the buik, repeit the storyis auld, 

King Euenus was keipit in Strang hauld 
And deit thair Conarus was inclosit, 

Fist being dewlie for his fault deposit. 



THE SEMP1LL BALLATES. 33 

For wickit lyfe imprisont was Ferquhaird, 
Quha slew him self of proude melancolie, 

Donald the fyft he gat the same reuaird : 
And Ethus did in prisone priuate die. 

And gif ze list to go fra this countrie, 
In euerie land examplis dois abound 

Gif thay be socht thay may be eithlie found. 

For sic misordour proude Tarquinius 

Was the last King that euer did ring in Rome, 

For lyke crymes the tyran Claudius : 
Losit his stait and gat deid for his dome. 

To speik of Nero now I haue na tome, 
Off Commodus, Caius and Caracall, 

It war to lang for to discriue the fall. 

Quhat sorow into Naples than was sene, 

Quha knawis the story cleirly thair may reid, 

Quhen Charlis dochter Jeane that catiue Queue : 
Baith honestie forzet and womanheid. 

Hir husband and hir cousing put to deid, 

Syne with his Burrio band ane new mariage, 

Allace this sample seruis ouer weill our age. 

And zit the Lord he leit hir not eschaip, 
Bot of hir tuik ane punishement conding : 

Quha fyrst hir husband hangit in ane raip, 
The murtherer syne in his bed did bring. 

God maid hir paine aggre with hir guyding, 
As bedfoly to sic mischeif hir led 

Euin so sho endit smorit with a bed. 

Than to conclude thir Nobillis dois bot rycht, 
Gif thay the Quene keip still in sicker gaird, 

Untill that coward Kingslayar on nycht 
For his demeritis get ane iust rewaird. 

Than lat thame all concur baith Lord and Laird, 

3 



34 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Thair Realme and Quene with glide consall to guyde. 
Settand all priuate profit far a syde. 

Gif thay do this than dar I say ane thing, 

Thair laude and fame sail mont aboue the skyis, 

Thair heich renoune sail in all Regioun ring : 

Thair name sail gang quhair euer the Sone do ryse, 

Thay salbe repuite hardy wycht and wyse, 
In all storyis thay salbe cleirly kend, 

The Leuing Lord bring thame to this gude end. 

As this Philandrius did frely talk, 

The tother pairt Erideilus be name, 
Rais vp and quyetlie away did stalk, 

And as me thocht he waxit reid for schame, 
Quhilk when I saw I rais vp and come hame 

And put in wryt thair disputatioun, 
As ze haue hard be this narratioun. 

Finis. 

Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno Do. 1567. 



FH-— Sne 9tas r mafo to g E Sftlatfoerarto g* 
fclasptjemte s e Eegmt anti g e w*t of g e ILortfts. 

[State Paper Office. — Scotish Series, Volume 14. (August) 
Number 74.] 

EINGAT rapfow thocht yow raif 

Skorner of poitis and sklanderus knaif 
Quhat sayis thow bot we knaw o r sell 
In spyte of the and all y e laif 
The bastard bairne sail beir y e bell 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 35 

Outher thow art ane papist loun 
Hepburne or hoitbag Hammiltoun 
Gif thie be tha thow callis thi prince. 
War zour richt reknit to yi croun 
It myt be laid with litill menss. 

Blasphemus baird and beggeris get 
The regentis self hes nocht forzet 
How gude King Willm wes ane bastard 
And yow nocht bot ane carlengs pett 
Ane daft fule or ane drunken dastard. 

And forthermoir gif yow wald flyte 
Be weill avisit quhome yow bakbyte 
Recant and sweir yow said it nocht 
For he sail prosper in dispyte 
Off ye and yame yat wald it no*. 

Revoik ye wyndie words vane 
Ze knew id air quhen ye King wes slane 
Spit out and speik mair and ze pleis 
Wist I quhome w* to flyte agane 
The mater sould be war to meiss 

To flyte w fc ye and fyle my lippis 
The sone ye mone sould haif the clippis 
For all ye quentance with the quene 
Thay hound ye to ye hangmanis grippis 
Quhair mony better man hes bene 

Sweingeo r cum sweir ye saikles sone 
Deny ye evill yat yow hes done 
Againis ye man yat maid na fait 
Allege lunatyke to ye mone 
Or yan abone ane mask of malt 

Euir ye mair yow wald be trowit 
The les yi lounrie is allowit 



36 THE SEMPILL BALLATE& 

Returnand to ye turpitude 

Thow sould haif waige durst yow awow it 

The gallowis for ye gratitude 

Maist lyke sum myllare of ane myll 

Had maid ye mater of ye bill 

Outlier sum cuiks or keching clerks 

Be doand fule-face nite yi fill 

Men may nocht ding all doggs yat barks 



Pure commonn weill and knaifrie endit 
Than you my* writte in gennerall 
All detouris ar bot discommendit 
That speiks dispite in speciall 

Tn fechting man yow maid yi vant 
That yow sould sla ye Innocent 
But caus or cryme of ony querrell 
Bot knew I the yow sould recant 
Or yan thy pallat ly in parrell 

Luik ye first of everie verss 
Hangman gif yow can reherss 
Mark weill my name & set ane day 
In fechting war yow never so ferss 
Thow salbe marrowit and I may 

ffinis quod Maddie gar mak ye boun 
To all ye papistis of yis toun. 

[Robert Symple ys the dooer hereoff.] 

Note by Sir William Drury t 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 37 

UHh— % €ty Rtnsfe Complaint 

[British Museum. — Roxburghe Ballads. Volume 3.] 

ITH hauie hart on Snadoun hill, 

Ane zoung King I hard schoutand schill 
With reuthfull rair he did record : 
Prayand as I haif writ this bill 

Judge and Reuenge my cause Lord. 

Ipir He sayis this causles I not craif 
Nor he is now gone to his graif 
My commoun weill that maist decorde, 
Na merwell albeit my hart claif 

For sorrow of his deith Lord. 

1T Hard is my chance all tyme and houris 
And harder to my Gouernouris, 
Ze hardest (bot wo am I forde) 
To him hes felt of deith the schouris 

And only for thy cause O Lord. 



Quhen I was not zit ane zeir auld, 
Bothwell that bludy Bouchour bauld, 
My Father cruelly deuorde, 
He him betrayit and his blude sauld 
Judge and Reuenge my cause O Lord. 

IT Than Father slaine, Mother was schet 
My Gudschir flemit Incontinent, 
My self to poysoun it was schorde, 
Me to betray was summis Intent 

Judge and Reuenge my cause Lord. 



Than vp thow rasit to reule my Ring, 
In to my tender yeiris zing, 
My faithfull freind that maid him forde, 
James Regent my Uncle ding, 

Judge and Reuenge my cause O Lord. 



38 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

IF He was my buckler and my beild, 
He was my Targe, my speir and scheild, 
My stait maist hie for to restorde : 
He futtit euer mair the feild, 

Judge and Reuenge his cause Lord. 



For me he left Kin, Freind and wyfe, 
For me he sufferit dailie stryfe 
For me he was haill Indeuorde, 
For me now he hes loist his lyfe, 

Judge and Reuenge his cause O Lord. 

IT For me that Nobill of Renoun, 
With ane Tyke Tratour Hammiltoun, 
Was schot, and throw the body borde 
For the mantening of my Crown e 

Judge and Reuenge his cause O Lord. 



Peloure thow peirst him, gaif ye peace, 
Tratoure to him that gaif the grace, 
Behind his bak thy Gunne him gorde : 
Quhome thow nor nane of thyne dirst face, 
Judge and Reuenge his cause O Lord. 

IF Lord sen my gratious gyde is gone, 
And I am left as Byrd allone, 
This thing maist eirnistly I Implorde : 
That Instantly thow steir vp one 

For to Reuenge his cause O Lord. 



Sen for my saik now he is slane, 
Lord for thy grace grant me agane, 
That deith my lyfe neuer deuorde, 
Quhill that fals tressonabill trane 
Be with my hand Reuengd O Lord. 



Scotland thy Josias trew 
That first Idolatrie ouerthrew 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 39 

He was, and Christs trew Kirk restorde 
Throw him in ray Realme grace ay grew, 
Judge and Reuenge his cause Lord. 

If He Abrahamis Faith but feir profest 
He Dauidis mercy manifest 
With Salomonis wit he was decorde, 
Sampsonis strenth to him accrest 

Judge and Reuenge his cause Lord. 



Theif and Reuer he did dant, 
Justice and vertew he did plant, 
Quhair thair was mys he gar remorde, 
My faithfull seruand and thy Sanct, 
Judge and Reuenge his cause Lord. 

1T As his Renoun is all ouerblawin, 
And now his deith plainly furthschawin, 
Sa sail all blyithnes be abhorde 
Quhiil his Reuenge be als wa knawin, 

Throw thy help and support Lord. 



All ze my trew Nobilitie, 
That fauourit him, and seruit me, 
Lat not his duilfull deith be smorde, 
Bot it Reuenge maist cruellie 
For it is the will of the Lord. 

IT And quha his deith dois sair regaird 
And it to puneis will not spaird 
I wow to the in quhome he glorde 
Thay sail not mys ane riche rewaird 

For to Reuenge his cause O Lord. 



Now sail appeir in wark and nature, 
Quha is the trew man, quha is the trature 
Quha fittis the feild, quha cuiris not forde, 
The trew liege be the Rubiature 
In this cause salbe kend Lord. 



40 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

IT And think that thay that did this deid. 
With lyke effect dois seik my heid, 
For to be beatin downe and smorde 
All Faithfull hartis quyte thair meid, 

And thow Reuenge my cause Lord. 



For surely thair will and Intent 
That seikes of me the Gouernment, 
Be fraudfull factiounis, I stand forde, 
Wald me forfault in Parliament, 

Gif thow withstude thame not Lorde. 

My Coronatioun thay deny 
And dois maist spytefully defy 
All thame that faithfully restorde 
Me to my Crowne and Seignorie 

Thy michtie hand requyte thame Lord. 

Last Lord now him of me hes cvre 
And in quhais handis I think me sure, 
Thy puissant power I Implorde, 
That he with me lang dayis Indure 

For to Reuenge his cause Lord. 

With this the Babe he gifis ane rair 
Quhilk maid my hart to sich sa sair, 
That farther I culd not record e 
Bot with him sail cry euer mair, 

Judge and Reuenge his cause Lord. 

IF Finis. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 41 

J I — 3 ftjrate in defence of tije ©♦ of Scottsfegamgt 
tije €arle of JKurrag. 

[British Museum. — Cottonian MSS. Caligula C. 1. p. 274. — 
State Paper Office. Scotish Series, Volume 13, 
(xi. December 1568,) Number 67.] 

Tom Teoath to the enuious. 




[F Momus children seke to knowe my name and 
where I dwell, 
I am Tom Troath and my aboade I list not 
it to tell 
wise men loue not to enquyre, who where, but what 
is said 

And holde themselves therewith content till further 
proufe be made. 

The double dealinge of the Rebells m Scotland. 

If tongue could tell or pen could write, the craftie cloaked 

case 
Or yet the treasons to recyte of this newe Regents grace 
Then Tullies stile or Yergills vearse of God sure would 

I crave 
His shameles acts here to rehearse as he deserues to have 
But that were farre aboue my reach and more then well 

could be 
Sith he all others doeth excell in craft & crueltye. 
Yet can I not with silence passe his vices strainge & rare 
But that I must set furth the same the truthe least I 

should spare 
And nowe since that it is my luck vnfittest though I be 
This Caco's ofsprings to advaunce as semes to his decree 
I pray you take it in good parte whats'euer I shall saye 
In settinge furth his shameles acts whose shame shall 

not decaye. 
Yet can I not set furth the same nor in such wise expresse 



42 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

As fittest were for one past shame and past all godlines 
This trayto r tyraunt of our tyme This Sathans seed I 

meane 
This Rebell Regent that his prince to mate doeth not 

desdaine 
This perfect patterne of deceipt whose high andhawghtye 

minde 
Is paste so full of pride that hard it were the like to 

finde 
This sinfull seed of lothsome life this bastard past all 

grace. 
At Glocester that Trayto 1 " vile a perfect paterne chase. 
Who to obteyne that Kingly seate of this most woorthy 

land 
His brothers sonnes his Nephewes dere to guyde they 

toke in hand 
The lambes alas vnto the wolfe to guyde comitted were 
Who murdered them to haue their place as storyes well 

declare 
But shall I say this trayto 1 " no we at him didlearne his lore 
Who doeth surpasse his wilie wit a thowsand folde and 

more 
A scholier sure of pregnant wit and apt for such a place 
Who trayned vp was in the schole of lyeinge Sathans 

grace 
Where he hath learnd a finer feate then Richard earst 

did see 
To doe the deede and laye the blame on them that 

blameles be 
For he and his companions take agreeing all in one 
Did kill the Kinge and laye the blame the sakelesse 

Queene vpon. 
And that this deede to each mans sight might seme to 

be most plaine 
They drewe her from her spowse that night by craft & 

subtill trayne 
And feyned that her suckinge Sonne was in great daunger 

brought 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 43 

Wherfore with speed to visit him the messenger be 

sought 
With subtill shifte so feately wrought was cause men 

thought it trewe 
That she of purpose parted thence & of the murder knewe 
For if that boeth at once had bene ther murder at that 

tyme 
Then might each babe with half an eye haue spyed who 

did the cryme 
And this suspicion to increase they found a newe 

devise. 
That Bothwell chiefest murderer was tryed by asise 
And found not guilty by his peeres of whome the 

chiefest be 
Such as the Kings death did conspire and knewe as well 

as he. 
They cleared him eke by parliamente a traytour false 

& vile 
That they their good and vertuous Queene might soner 

so beguyle 
And when that he was cleared boeth by sise and parla- 

ment 
To marry then they went about to have her to consent 
They sayd that she the realme & they should so most 

safest be 
From daunger of all cevill strife & outward enemy. 
Alack good Q. what hap hadst thou so oft thy foes to 

trust 
Couldst thou not shun these bateinge beasts who then had 

tryed vniust 
But I who pray yo u was the man they willed her to 

take 
Forsooth the chiefest murderer whom they most clere 

did make 
And that their purpose once begun might come vnto 

an end 
They caused Trayto r Lidington on her still to attend 
That this false mache vilian attempt her euery waye 



, 



44 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Whose poysoned words so sugred were that she could 

not say Nay 
But did consent to ther request suspecting nothing les3e 
Then they such false deceipt to meane & vse such 

doables 
But when the wofull weding daye was finished & past 
Their boyleing malice that laye hid in rageing sort out 

brast 
For they that were of Counsell boeth to murdering of 

the Kinge 
And to the mariage gan to spread howe Bothwell did 

y e thinge 
And how he tooke away the Q. by force against her 

will 
And sought himselfe to raigne as Kinge and eke y e prince 

to spill 
But (bastard) nowe the truthe is knowne how y* thy 

self it was 
That sought to spill boeth prince and Q. and to possesse 

their place 
But when amongst the simple sort this rumo r once was 

brought 
It ran abrode from place to place more swift than can 

be tho* 
So they not privy to the sleight did think it for most 

sure 
That she to wed the murderer the murther did procure 
And thus this simple Q. each way was wrapt in wo & 

care 
For they that cannot skill of craft are sonest caught in 

snare 
And then the Traytor Lidington in treason neuer slack 
At hand ye pickpurse still before began to start now back 
And fled vnto her fruyteles foes her secrets to bewray 
Like will to like the proverb saith you know the old 

said sawe 
Then Murray y e of longe before this murder did devise 
Did voyd the land the rather so to blind the simples eyes 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 45 

And then his fellowe Traytors all the more their cause 

to clere 
Did rise in armes against their Q. as though she guilty 

were 
But she to save the sackles bloud not willing to offend 
Did leave her power and offred them all things amisse 

t'amend 
The traytors not therewith content did lead her thence 

away 
And chainged all her leave attyre into a frock of grey 
That done they lead her furth by night vnto Lochleuin 

hold 
And kept her there in prison close that no man se her 

could 
Then when they had this brought to passe their trayt r ous 

false desire 
They sent with speed to Bastard James & willd him to 

retyre 
Who comeinge home for loue he bare the prince as he 

did saye 
Did take in hand to rule the realme lest it fell in decay 
Howe well this Traytor lovs the Child comytted to his 

gward 
Is plaine in that the mother dere he kept in Crewell 

warde 
And causd her thereby forced fact y e present death to 

shunne 
Her Royall Crowne for to resigne vnto her tender sonne 
And make this mynyou Murray eake chiefe Regent of 

the land 
Vntill the prince of lawfull age the same shall take in 

hand 
W ch while he would as Richard did if he might haue 

his will 
His Nephewe younge his sisters sonne by secret meanes 

to spyll 
And then he would vsurpe the Crowne as next heire to 

the same 



46 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

W ch doeth appeare in that he doeth his father so defame 
And saith hi3 brother precontract was in most solomne 

wise 
Vnto the Kinge before that he was maried to the Guise 
Although that wisemen know the truthe this sorceress 

how she wrought 
By rings and wichcrafte from the Q. the Kings minde 

to haue brought 
And thus this trayto r doeth debase the Q. in all he can 
That from her grace withdrawe he might the hearts of 

euery man 
A Cowle a Cowle for such a greke were fitter for to weare 
Then this Apostat deacon should such princely Rule to 

beare 
But where is nowe true discipline dare no man take in 

hand 
To teach such false Apostate Monks their faults to 

vnderstand 
And neake this base borne Deacon come home to his 

former state 
From whence the Lither Lozell fled least he should live 

too straight 
But sure no marvell though Gods rodd hath plagued 

this noble dame 
That gaue to Monkes should serue in Churche such place 

of worldly fame 
Yet he not all vnmindfull of this Ladies gratefull deed 
Did purpose with a cruell death to quick her for her nede 
But God Almightie in whose hands the harts of princes be 
Preserue her from these false attempt & vile captivitye 
And when this Noble pray was past this brothers 

bloudy night 
He rages like a Tiger fell for sorowe and for spite 
So seing that he could not then his Noble Q. to spill 
Vpon her faithfull subiects he began to work his will 
For some he cast in prison depe no cause at all thereto 
And some he thrust out of the realme to work them 

great r woe 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 47 

And some he put to cruell death his rage for to fulfill 
No meanes he left there vnattempt her subiects lives to 

spill 
Yet not content in this great rage on men to play his parte 
In spight of God against his Christe he gan to shewe his 

art 
And pulled thence boeth bells & lead with iewells many 

one 
That he and his companions might more braver therein 

gone 
For sure I am that some of them amongst his Trayter- 

ous trayne 
Have on their back more lead at once then covereth 

Churches twayne 
So that no hardned hearte of brasse but would lament 

right sore 
To se prophaneing of each place as serueth God and yore 
And when he had this sacrelidge comitted euery where 
On loftye Towres & Castles stronge his rage did then 

appere 
On Dunbarre first he spued his spite a castle fayre and 

stronge 
And there he wrought boeth day and night till it was 

layd alonge 
Then uisteth furth and Loghinuar so semely to the 

shewe 
He spoyld them first & sackt them then who could more 

cruell doe 
The lord of Sterlinges howse likewise did fele y e form r 

chauce 
W ch trayterouslye he did deface his glorie to advaunce 
Then Roslin Bower of brave attyre w th Saintclere doth 

possesse 
Most shamefully he ransauckt so to work him more 

distresse 
Lord Harris lands that Baron bolde who let him of his will 
When he was gone throughout the same he did both 

robb k spill 






48 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

But what should I here longer staye eche place here to 

recyte 
Sith few there are but that his rage hath nowe defaced 

quite 
When he had wrought his wilfull witt & had his false 

intent 
To blinde the eyes of faithfull men he calld a parlament 
Where nockt his fellowe Traytors all both Moreton and 

Magill 
With Lindsay Marre and Ledington yea Balflour laye 

not still 
With other of this fruyteles flock and falsely did invent 
That all things there concluded were by full & whole 

consent 
Thus sinfull Sathan workt his will through these his 

children dere 
That falsehood raignes in steed of right as here it doeth 

appere 
Yet haue they not so slilye wrought though Sathan was 

their guide 
But that their treason euery deale at last as well espied 
For they to some were innocent of this most haynous 

deed 
Did catch 4 of the murderers arid put to death with 

speed 
Whereby they hope to make men think herein that they 

were clere 
Sith Justice they did execute on some that guylty were 
As Hepburne Daglace Penory too John Hey made vp 

the messe 
W ch 4 when they were put to death the treason did 

confesse 
And said that Murray Moreton to with others of their 

rowte 
Were guylty of the murder vile though nowe they loke 

full stowte 
Yet some perchaunce do think that I speake for affection 

here 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 49 

Though I would so 3000 can herein true witnes beare 
Who present were as well as I at the execution tyme 
And hard how these in conscience prickt confessed who 

did the cry me 
Wherefore all princes take good heed let this for warning 

stand 
And trye before yo u trust I warne lest check be nere at 

hand 
But though his check it semes so sure that mate is now 

at hand 
Yet may his Q. such gward procure as shall his force 

withstand 
And then she may as he began bid check & mate with 

thee 
And warne him since his force is done to yeld or els to 

flye 
To yeld I meane from false attempt & flye such vaine 

request 
And gward himself w th reasons rule and set his heart 

at rest 
And spend no more his tyme in vaine such false attempts 

to trye 
Least if they vse them over oft hele clime I feare to 

highe 
And thus I reaste & make an end and wish him to 

beware 
No more such checks & tawnes to give least he be caught 

in snare. 

Finis q d Tom Trowth. 




50 TIE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

£♦— 8fae Cragetrte, in forme of ane Utaltojj fcetbrix 
honour, ©ufce jFame, atttr tfje 3utfjour fjeirof 
in ane trance* 

[Scotish Poems of the Sixteenth Century, Collected by- 
John Graham Dalyell, Edinburgh 1801.] 

|N Januar the thre and twentie day, 
Befoir midnycht, in Lythquo as I lay, 
Tumbling sum tyme on bed abon the clais, 
Now heir, now thair, quhylis doun, quhylis 
up I rais ; 
Till at the last, in tuinkling of ane ee, 
Schir Morpheus the Mair assailzeit me, 
With all his sluggische suldarts out of number, 
Quhilks led me captiue vnto Maister Slumber, 
Quha softly said, Gar keip this pure catiue, 
And tak from him his speiche and wittis fiue. 
Than come Dame Dreming, all clad in blak sabill, 
With sweyning nymphis in cullouris variabill ; 
Amangis the quhilks, befoir me thair appeiris 
Ane woundit man, of audit and threttie zeiris, 
Paill of the face, baith blaiknit, blude and ble, 
Deid eyit, dram lyke, disfigurat was he, 
Nakit and bair, schot throw pudding and panche, 
Abone the nauil, and out abone the hanche. 
Na word he said, quhairthrow I did misknaw him, 
Because in sic ane stait I neuer saw him. 
I wes agast, and sa begouth to feir, 
Bot suddanly with him thair did appeir 
Twa graif lyke persounis, of greit maiestie. 
And with gude countenance thay said to me : 

We ar cum heir to the, wofull wycht, 
To cause the write that thing thow seis this nycht; 
For we are knit, in band maryit togidder, 
And to this woundit wycht father and mother ; 
We him begat within thir twentie zeiris, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 51 

Thocht deid lyke now he so to the appeiris ; 
We brocht him vp, as ovr deir sone and air, 
And he to serne vs na traueil did spair ; 
Thacht Atropus hes maid his corps decay, 
Zit immortall in heuin his sanle dois stay, 
And, als immurtall, he sail with vs rest, 
And we with him, sa lang as warld may lest. 

Glide Schir, (quod I), and ze also Madame, 
Be n»»t tiffendit that I speir zour name. 
How thay call zow, that talkis sa hamely with me, 
And quhafc is he that first appeirit vnto me. 
That woundit nian, quhome ze do call zour chylde, 
Quhat is zr,ur names, lat se how ar ze stylde ? 

Quod thay, My sone, of that we think na schame ; 
Honour I am, heir with my spous Gude Fame : 
This woundit chylde of ouris thow may lament, 
He was thy inaister ainis, and zour Regent. 

My Maister ainis ! (quod I) : zit is he so. 

Nay, nay, (quod thay), he is with vs ago ; 
We haif him taine out of that wickit lyfe, 
And red him of all miserie and stryfe ; 
Because ze wardlingis ar ane cursit clan, 
Ze war n< >t worthie of this godly man. 

Ailace, (quod I), deid lyke he dois appeir. 

Be still, (quod thay), and to our sayingis heir : 
Speid, speid, go to ; tak pen, ink, paper, and wryte 
As we, Honour and Gude Fame, sail indyte. 

First thow sail wit, he was sone natural 
To James the Fyffc, zour King and Prince Royal : 
Thocht, beand zoung, to kirkis he was promotit, 
Zit we his hart with martiall deidis dotit : 
For them the Lord sa blissit his affairis, 
That fur th of Fyfe he chaist his aduersairis, 
With help of gentill men and subiectis to him, 
The quhilkis war willing all seruice to do him : 
Thair we begat him, and maid him our awin, 
As he is, was, and sa sail euer be knawin. 
Syne, efter that, he passit into France, 



52 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Quhair he did vs, and we did him auance : 

Than hauing leirnit thair sum Frenche langage, 

He brocht agane with vs his pucelage. 

Now, to be schort, it war lang to discerne 

The godly giftis that this our sone did lerne ; 

For as in age he daily did incres, 

In vertew sa grew he, and lawlynes : 

First he did leirne to lufe God aboue all, 

And syne his nichtbour with lufe mutuall : 

Trew faith he leirnit of gude Abraham, 

With hoip and cheritie knit to the same : 

He leirnit als of Salomon the wisdome, 

How with the feir of God to reule ane kingdome : 

Of Strang Sampsone he had also the fors, 

For to resist Gods foes on fate and hors ; 

Thocht thir tratours, that drest him in this cace, 

Durst not present thair force befoir his face : 

He had lykewyse the justice of Jethro, 

And als the chastitie of Scipio : 

He had of Dauid the beningnitie, 

And of Titus the liberalitie. 

Quhat wald thow moir ? To tell of all his vertus, 

For commoun-welthis he did excell Camillus : 

Quhen pleisit God to send zow Scottis ye treuth, 

The same to further at Leith he was not sleuth ; 

Keforming first his awin with diligence, 

In euerie quarter quhair he had puissence ; 

Than was he stylit Lord James at that tyde, 

To quhome zour Lordis gaif sum reule and gyde. 

Sone efter that, zour Quene ane wedow was, 
The quhilk to bring in Scotland he did pas ; 
In France he went, and brocht that Lady hame, 
Quha efterwart agane changit his name ; 
Bot zit we maryit him, quhen we thocht gude, 
Unto ane Lady of hie kyn and blude : 
Than did zour Quene mak him baith Erie & Lord 
Of Murray land, to quhilk we did accord ; 
Sa condiscendit all zour Lordis togidder, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 53 

That, nixt zour Quene, he srild reule abone vther. 

Bot than, allace, he did sum thing without vs, 

Howbeit that all his lyfetyme he did dout vs : 

He did permit zour Quene to haif ane Mes, 

Throw quhilk at leth scho grew in greit proudnes; 

Sa did the Papistis all, athort this land, 

Aganis the Lord his will, law, and command, 

That ze almaist amang zow wer deuydit, 

Wer not be him all wes the better gydit. 

Sa lang in court as our sone had the steir, 

And that zour Quene wald his gude counsail heir, 

Sa lang all thing zeid weill, and wes weill drest. 

In quyetnes, peace, policie and rest : 

Nane durst rebell on either syde of Forth, 

Ouir all this cuntrie, eist, west, south, & north : 

The hiest of thame all he maid full law, 

That did rebell aganis justice and law. 

Than did zour Quene sum tyme with vs abyde ; 

In France, and Scotland baith, we did her gyde. 

Bot at the last, in hir tranquillitie, 

Scho did vs all abandoun wantounlie, 

And turnit day in nycht, and nycht in day, 

All the nycht lang, to sport, sing, dance and play ; 

Till at the last, baith Cupido and Venus, 

Furth of ye court, gart baneis, chais, and stane vs. 

Than come Dishonour and Infame, our fais, 

And brocht in ane to reule with raggit clais : 

Thocht he wes blak, and moriane or hew, 

In credite sone, and gorgius clais he grew : 

Thocht he wes forraine, and borne in Piemont, 

Zis did he Lords of ancient blude surmont : 

He wes to hir baith secreit, trew, and traist, 

With hir estemit mair nor all the raist. 

In yis mene tyme, cam hame yan my Lord Darlie, 

Of quhais rair bewtie scho did sumpart farlie, 

The fairest sycht, scho thocht, that euir scho saw ; 

Hir bewtie als did him in hir snair draw. 

For to be schort, thay lufit sa togidder, 



54 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

That thay culd not be hour of day but vther. 

At last scho said, and caist in to hir l^ynde, 

Quhat, quhat, sail I be thus with Cupide pynde ? 

That will I not, bot go to my purpois ; 

Zit first I will my myndc to sum disclois : 

Then with gucle vult, and visage meik and mylde, 

Brother, (quod scho), scho said vnto our chylde, 

Will nut ze weill that I marie ane man, 

Baith of our surname, kynreid, blude and clan ? 

Lo this is he standing befoir zour face, 

Lustie, gude lyke, and cum of Royall race ; 

Him will I marie, and nane vther wycht, 

Witnes heirof, to him my treuth I plyeht 

In your presence, desyring zow lykewyse 

That ze be witnes to this interpryse. 

Quhat wald fchow mair ? without all friends cosent, 

This Lord scho maryit quhen thay were absent, 

Quha was bot zoung, and culd not reule the ring, 

And thay disperst that suld haif done sic thing. 

Sa this stranger, and fallow of na kin, 

In Thuring borne, and wes ane menstrells sone, 

Begouth to reule, and callit Seinzeour Dauid, 

Be quhome zour King and Lords war all dissauid. 

It wald be lang on this mater to stand. 

Our sone thaj^ chaist syne efter in Ingland, 

With sindrie vther Lordis that went vnto him, 

The quhilkis wer all of ane opinioun with him. 

Be this Dauid zour Lordis did this sustene ; 

Be him zour King was lychtlyit with zour Quene : 

Be him all thing was reulit in the court ; 

For him cum all this cummer, stryfe, aud stourt ; 

Throw him, in him, be him, zour court was gydit, 

Quhill that zour Kind and Lordis culd not abyde it ; 

The quhilkis schortly in cousall did cofidder, 

And with ane mynde thay did consent togidder 

Dauid to slay, quhair euer thay mycht haif him. 

Concluding thus, on nycht thay did persaue him, 

At supper tyme, quhair he was in hir chalmer ; 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 55 

Than come zour King & sum Lords, with ane g lamer, 

And reft him from hir, in spyte of his nois, 

Syne schot him furth quicklie amang his fois, 

Quha stickit him, withouttin proces moir : 

Bot all his mischeif come sensyne thairfoir. 

Howbeit scho was sone closit vp beliue, 

Hir gairdis defendit, and hir self captiue ; 

Zit culd scho not in hart sic thing forzet, 

Bot baid hir tyme, quhill scho hir tyme mycht get. 

Than come thir Lords the nixt morne efter hame, 

And maist humblie our sone halsit that dame, 

Quha was with chylde, & neir sax monethis gone, 

And him forgaif, and maid to him hir mone : 

Say and, Brother, allace, had ze bene heir, 

I had not cum in this sturt and steir ; 

My secretar is slane in my presence, 

Oh, oh, brother, allace, quhat greit offence ! 

Madame (quod he) cair not, that is small tynsall ; 

tie wes our fo, and gaif zour Grace euill cousall. 

Weill, weill, (quod scho), at leist, brother, lat se 

Gif ze can set me at full libertie ; 

For I am keipit as in presoun heir, 

And na servand of myne dar cum me neir. 

With hir fair wordis, he sat hir clene at fredome, 

Be our aduyse, quhilk was bot lytill wysdome ; 

For to Dunbar that nycht scho raid in haist, 

Behind ane man in poist, as scho war chaist. 

Thair come till hir anew of men fra hand, 

Quhilks chaist zour Lords sone efter in Ingland, 

Quhair thay remanit baneist and absent, 

Quhill France and Ingland maid thappoyntment. 

This, quhen we thocht ilk thing wes weill aggreit, 

Zit wes zour Quenes hart na wayis satisfeit, 

Bot with Bothwell scho maid conspiracie, 

Seikand the way to cause hir husband die. 

Heir we lat pas greit tressounis thay committit, 

Quhilks, for schortnes of tyme, we naif omittit. 

Bot of zour King, schortly for to declair, 



56 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Bothwell with pulder blew him in the air, 

At hir requeist : quhilk is ane thing weill knawin, 

As sen syne tauld sum seruands of thair awin ; 

The quhilk Bothwell, for all his fylthie body, 

Maryit he was vnto ane nobill Lady ; 

Bot zit zour Quene, be wrang law falslie forsit, 

Maid him and hir from vther be deuorsit. 

Than went our sone schortly in France agane, 
Quhair we thre togidder did remane : 
Sa, in our absence, maryit scho Bothwell, 
Quha did hir husband kill, as thow hard tell. 
Of this zour nobills culd not be content ; 
With burghis and comounis forwardts furth thay wet, 
Quhair thay met vther vpon Carberrie hil ; 
Tuke hir ; he fled, and na blucle thay did spill. 
Than in Lochleuin scho wes put as in waird, 
Thocht efterwart scho had ane sleuthfull gaird. 
Zit did zour Lords auyse thame of ane thing, 
To crowne hir sone zour Prince, & mak him King : 
Quhilk act thay did, with his motheris consent, 
Confirmit be the Lords in Parliament ; 
And than, because he wes ouer zoung to gouerne, 
Amangis thame selfis wyslie thay did discerne 
For to elect our sone, in his absence, 
Regent to be vnto zour zoungly Prence : 
Than did zour Lords send for him to cum hame : 
With him come we, baith Honour and Gude Fame. 
All burghs and comounis, halelie did yai loif him ; 
Bot sindrie said, that thay wald haif nane of him : 
j3a gydit he, ane quhyle, with pacience, 
Quhill he mycht to his fais mak resistence. 
Bot at the last, zour Quene wes lattin furth, 
Conuoyit away be sum wes lytill gude worth ; 
And spedelie to Hammiltoun scho went, 
Quhair scho fand men anew incontinent, 
The quhilks dispysit vs, Honour and Fame, 
Thairfoir all turnit to thair vtter schame. 
Our sone and we wer than in Glasgow towne ; 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



57 



Te hald the airis in thay parts he wes bowne : 
Than come scho fordwart, with hir strenth & fors, 
Ma than .seuin thowsand, quhat on fute and hors ; 
Zea, twa for ane, we think thay wer agane vs : 
The towne to leaue, yai thocht than to costrane vs : 
Bot we the Langsyde hill befoir thame w T an, 
And be Gods grace, disconfeist yame : Ilk man 
We tnke and slew ; scho fled into Ingland, 
Quhair scho is zit, not at hir awin command. 
Ovr sone cryit out, Lat na mair blucle be sched, 
Bot tak and saif the rest that now be fled. 
In deid, yat day, yair wes slane in yat place, 
Ma Hammiltoimis nor ony vther race. 
Howbeit the rest of thame, maist grationslie, 
He did intreit with pardoun and mercie : 
Thay him rewardit with ingratitude, 
And traterously this nycht lies sched his blude. 

Efter this feild, our sone in Ingiand went; 
We left him not, bot wes with him present. 
Than did sum Lords lyft vp yair hornis on hie, 
Quhilks did withstand zour Kingis authoritie ; 
Bot he come hame agane, or euer thay wist, 
And zair rebellioun schortly did resist. 
Sone efter him, did cum hame my Lord Duke 
For ciuil weir : yan euerie man did hike. 
Bot God the Lord brocht all sa weill to pas, 
That without blude, all weill aggreit was ; 
Except my Lords the Duke and Hereis, baith 
Wer put in waird, yair wes na vther skaith ; 
Quhair thay ar zit, vnto yis tyme and tyde, 
And will be thair quhill sum men get ye gyde. 

Sone efter this, to Liddisdaill he went, 
Quhairof the theifls, and sic, war not content ; 
For to thair chyftanis he maid biggingis bair, 
As efterwart thay did repent full sair. 
Than come he north schortly, he tuke na rest. 
Till all that countrie had componit and drest. 
The hiest of thame all, that wald rebell, 



58 



THE SEMP1LL BALLATES. 



He maid him stoup, and als to knaw himsell. 

This being done, amang all vther thing, 

He maid thame all subscriue vnto the King, 

Baith far and neir, of hie and law degree, 

Acknawledgeing the Kingis authoritie. 

Except Lord Fleming, nanc war in this land, 

Eot to the Kingis grace had thay geuin thair hand, 

Sa hauing stablischt all thing in this sort, 
To Liddisdaill agane he did resort ; 
Throw Ewisdaill, Esdaill, and all the Daills raid he, 
And also lay thre nychtis in Cannabie, 
Quhair na Prince lay thir hundreth zeiris befoir ; . 
Na theif durst steir, thay did him feir so soir. 
And that thay suld na mair thair thift alledge, 
Thre scoir and twelf he brocht of thame in pledge, 
Syne wardit yam, quhilk maid ye rest keip ordour; 
Than mycht the Rasche bus keip ky on the bordour. 

Quhen he this thocht till haif bene at his eais, 
In come on him the Quene of Inglandis fais, 
The quhilks to seik he tuke purpois fra hand, 
Without delay he gat Northumberland ; 
He socht him so, and fand him at the last, 
And pat him in Lochleuin, quhair he is fast. 

Than went he sucldanly to Dunbartane, 
In snaw, sleit, drift, wind, froist, hailstanis & rane. 
In deid, lyke snaw, thair words wer soft and fair, 
Lyke sleit, quhylis scharp, with promysis maist bair 
Lyke dryft also, thay did driue of the tyme, 
Till ane fals tratour suld commit this cryme. 
Lyke as the froist dois freis vp all fresche watter, 
Thay freisit him in Stirling on this mater. 
Windie it was, and windie was the sessoun ; 
As is ye Freeh e prouerb, grand vant, grctd tressou. 
With scharp hailstanis thay schot him traterouslie, 
Lyke rane in greit wind, syne fled suddanlie : 
Sa may we weill the tyme to deid compair, 
For all wes trublit, baith se, land, and air. 

On Sonday than, the quhilk wes zisterday, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 59 

Vnto this towne he come, soupit and lay, 

Dynit this day, and at aleuin houris, 

Thair wes ane knaif uf his conspiratouris, 

Ane Hammiltuuii, within the bischoppis stair, 

Quhilk schot him, as thow seis, withouttin mair ; 

Syne at the bak zet suddanlie he fled ; 

Sum saw him weill, and followit his hors tred ; 

Quhilk hors was knawin belaging to Lord Johne, 

Quha with the rest this act maid to be done. 

But to our sone we keipit cumpanie, 

Quhilk in our armes within this hour did die. 

Than deit with him all vertus cardinal!, 
Than deit with him justice imperiall : 
For in his tyme Gods word was trewly preichit, 
And in his tyme collegis rychtlie teichit. 
Not only hint he vprychteousnes, 
Bot als he hatit vice and vitiousnes: 
Not only did he lufe G< »d, and him ken, 
Bot als he hatit all vngodly men. 
To sessioun als, ilk day he went to se 
Gif justice wes thair ministrate trewlie. 
The riche and pure, he did alyke regaird; 
Puneist the euill, and did the gude rewaird. 
He wald not lat the Papists cause ga bak, 
Gif it wer just, bot wald be for him frak : 
He wald not thoill the proud oppres the pure, 
Sa far as he had regiment and cure : 
He did disdane pryde and ambitioun : 
Pie lufit men meik of conditioun : 
He did disdane all foull and fylthie word, 
In ony sort, outher in eirnist or bourd : 
Maist diligent he wes to ryn athort, 
To gif the wedow and fatherles confort : 
Maist diligent to heir the pure manis bill, 
And gif answer according to Gods will. 
Sober he wes in meit, in drink, and claithis ; 
He wald not thoill blaspheming, nor na aithis. 
Reddy to heir, quhen ony man spak to him, 



60 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Mistraisting not yat ony wald vndo him. 
Peace and concord, ouer al] for to meintene, 
The pure durst leif yair bestiall on the grene. 
For slauchter, mercy wald he neuer grant; 
Baith murtheraris, theifis, and vitches he did dant. 
For to be tchort, lay all zour heidis togidder, 
Gif ze can find amang zow sic ane vther. 

Get vp ! (quod thay), it is almaist midnycht : 
With yat, all thre, thay went out of my sycht. 

Because ane man wes knoking at the zet 
Quhair I did ly, and had myself forzet ; 
Sa rais I vp, all clad in bute and spur : 
Quhais yat (quod I) yat knokis at the dur ? 
I, zour gude freind and nychtbour, answerit he ; 
Gar oppin the zet, gude brother, now lat se. 
Brother, (quod I), how dois my Lord, I pray zow ? 
Departit, oh ! (quod he), and deid, I say zow. 
Allace ! (quod I), I find my dreme ouer trew, 
And that, full sair, all Scotland sone will rew. 
Than to the palice went I, and zeid in ; 
Thair weiping vocis hard I making din. 
Within the chalmer I went quhair he departit, 
Quhilk sycht to se, God wait, maid me sair hartit. 
Than come I furth agane, and saw my Lady, 
Quhais horsis at the foir zet wer alreddy. 
To Edinburgh scho went, with hart full soir. 
Beuenge his deith, ze Lords ! I say na moir. 



EPITAPHE. 

Heir lyis the corps (gude pepill) of a Prince, 
Quhais saule in heuin with Ood is glorifeit : 
James Regent was murdreitt without offence, 
Be ane false tratour, sa kncavin and notifeit, 
Quha wes anis bound to haif bene justifeit. 
lie gaifhim grace, allace, aganis all ressouv. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 61 

Hammiltcun, it schawls weill thou ices felt 
Be all that Clan for to commit this tressoun. 

Quhat mouit :he to do yis insolence, 

Anal meih yat clan sec to be falsifeit, 

To quhoe, God Jcnaivis, he schew his greit elemtee, 

Thocht thou with tressoun lies him grcdifeit ? 

With all gucle vertevAs he ives amplifeit ; 

With all foull vice thou lies defylde yair maisoun. 

Resetting the, now half thay varefeit 

That thay bene weill contentit of this trasoun. 

Indeid, I grant that his greit patience 

Aganis him self this deiel hes testifeit ; 

For heid he put zoiu clou n with diligence, 

Zour tressoun had not this bene ratifeit. 

Ze wer anis edl in his will signifeit 

At the Langsyde, sensyne in euerie sessoun : 

Now with greit honour is he meignifeit, 

And with greit schame ze seill thoil for this tressou, 



OBIIT XXIII JANUARII, 
AXXO DO. M.D.LXIX. 



Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno Do. 1570. 



62 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

XI— Cfje ©eploratton of tfje Cruell JHurtljer of 
3ameg (Erie of iWurrag, Umqujjtle Regent of 
J^cotlantf, togititier fottfj arte atmtonittouu to 
tl)e Jjatmrnltounfe Committarfe tljatrof, anti to 
all tijair Jortifearte, JMantmarfe, or asstgtenee, 
toftfj ane ffixljortattotm to tlje ILortite antr 
Notrilitte, fetparts anD tiefentiarfe of our Stittjjte 
(Sraee JHatestte* 

[State Paper Office. — Scotish Series, Yolume 17, (February) 
Number 17. — Libf.ary of the Society of Antiquaries 
of London.] 

UHILE as with flesche, and blude we go about 
The wondrous warkis of God for to discriue 
Pans quhil we pleis, we sal not find yame out 
Bot sallJudge God, aganis all ressoun striue. 
Quhen as he tholis, proud e Pelours to depriue 
The lyuis from sic, as halelie wes his, 
Be Cruell murther, thame reuthles for to riue 
The flesche of man can neuer considder this. 

Bot quha that wald the mater vnderstand, 
He man luke lawer, and enter in the Spreit, 
And than he sail persaif, the cause fra hand, 
That God wirks na thing hot as a Judge discreit, 
Quhen as the pepill with sinnis ar repleit 
Without remors, as thay ar, at thir houris 
Than, to that end his plaiges he may compleit, 
He takis from thame thair Godly Gouernouris. 

IF And this he blis mony sindrie sortis, 

Sum tyme be seiknes, in to thair beddis to be, 

Sum slane be tratouris, bot not for thair comfortis, 

Bot to that end, thay suld distroyit be. 

And rutit furth clene out of memorie, 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 63 

He tholis sic wickit, proud e Conspiratouris, 

To execute thair lurking traytorie, 

And bring to deith thair godly Gouernouris. 

l Jo. 3. We se also the wickit of the warld, 

Still beir the godly, at deiclly Indignatioun, 
Sum tyme be tratouris, ar Innocentis overharld, 
And thocht trew men, haif heir bot tribulatioun. 
We suld not haif sic thingis in admiratioun 
As gif it wer, ane new thing chansit to man 
For sa it was, euin from the first Creatioun, 
And still hes bene, sen that this warld began. 

This mortall feid, this haitrent and Inuie, 
Did first begin, as Gods awin buke dois tell 
Gen. 4. As in' the Genesis we may plainly spie, 
Betuix twa brether, Cain and Abell. 
Cain aganis his brother did Rebell, 
And suffeit not, to sched his saithles blude 
And for this cause, I pray zow mark it well. 
His warkis war euill, and faithfull Abells gude. 

And of thir twa, this haill warld did descend, 
Quhilk neuer can, amangis thame selfis aggrie, 
Bot baith thair offspringis may be cleirly kend 
Curst Cains Clan, be thair Impietie. 
And Abells seid f >r richt and equitie, 
And thus all murtherars ar discendit doun 
Of Curst Cain, and his posteritie, 
As is the Tyrane and Tratour Hammiltoun. 

For luke how Justice was the verray cause 

To curst Gain, his brother for to kill, 

Sa is it zit, but dout, the only clause 

That moues the wickit, vnto thair Raging still. 

Thay gloir na thing, bot euer into 111, 

And makis thame euer, but mercy to maligne 

And quhen thay may, thair wickit wayis fulfill, 

Thay will not thole, ane godly man to Rigne. 






64 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

% Cije ^rotmtiomt Ijetrot 

To preif this part, I plainly mycht propone, 

Exemplis seir, maist Notabill and trew, 

Bot for thame all, I will bot vse heir one 

Of our deir Maister, aDd Sauiour Christ Jesew. 

In quhome na spot of sin, it neuer grew, 

Zit nocht theles, the bischoppis mycht not byde him, 

Quhill on a Croce, on lenth, and breid him drew, 

And hangit vp for spyte, twa theuis besyde him. 

For to mak mentioun of the marterdome 
Of Gods Prophets, it wer sum thing to lang, 
And for to reckin, the reuthles Rage of Rome 
Quhair sindrie godly, thay dulefully doun dang. 
It wer prolixt, thairfoir I let thir gang, 
And to my purpois, bot proces mair proceid 
How wickit men, delytis ay in to wrang, 
And may not suffer, to haif ane godly heid. 

Sen sa it was, that Christ baith God and man, 

With his Apostills, and Propheits gat na rest, 

Bot euer hatit be Cain, and his clan, 

As God's trew word, dois mak it manifest, 

We suld not grade, howbeit we be opprest, 

As was our Maister, and brethrene vs beforne 

Bot be assurit, it will cum for the best, 

And better to thame that thay had neuer bene borne. 

I mene not heir, that thay suld pas vnpunissit, 

For thair trespas, nor neuer sic thing thocht, 

For than suld Justice and Law be clene diminissit 

Gif thay war spairit, this wickit wark lies wrocht. 

That our gude gyde to bailfull beir hes brocht 

Lat vs assemble thairfoir with curage stout, 

And lat thay tratouris, out throw this land be socht, 

And neuer leif thame till thay be rutit out. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 65 

Sine Sfamontttoun to all tfje ©ammtltounts anb 
tjjatr asststarfe, coungallarte, anti pertalterts 
of tljfe maist Sule attti a&ijomina&ill iHurtfjer* 

O Teinfall tratouris, quhy did ze him deuoir ? 

Maist schamefullie, that puneist euerie vice, 

Quha wes the cheif mantenar of Gods gioir 

In to this Realme, and hint all Justice, 

Zour bailfull blude can nener pay the price 

Of his deir deith, wrocht be zour wickitnes. 

Wa worth zou Uillanis, that slew that Prince maist wise, 

For na cause ellis, bot for his rychteousnes. 

For sen ze first in to this Realme began, 

Ze wer ay callit for zour tyrannie 

Strypis of the Schyre, the maist vnworthie clan 

That euer wes bred, or sene in this countrie. 

As schawis weill be zour Genalogie, 

For thift and murther, reif and oppressiounis, 

With Guldis and Rukis, blasnit equallie 

Is the auld armes of the Hammiltounis. 

And quha wald seik, ane man but conscience. 

Ane Renegat for to deny his Creid, 

To tak ane pure man vnder his credence 

Syne cut his throt, and toung out of his heid. 

To put ane hundreth for to beg thair breid, 

And bring Just men vnto confusioun 

To do ane horrible, and ane vnworthie deid, 

Seik neuer farther than ane Hammiltoun. 

Ane midding tuilzour, but manheid at assay, 
Ane vailzeand tyrane, ane febill Campioun, 
Ane wyfe with Childe, that manfully can slay, 
Ane noysum nychtbour, proude in oppressioun. 
Ane tern full tratour of rycht Successioun, 
To Crucifie Christ, that compts not a feg, 

5 



66 THE SEMPILL BALLATES, 

I say to zow for schort conclusioun, 

Come neuer ane gude byrde of the Deuillis eg", 

How horriblie ze spuilzeit vnder nycht 

In his awin hous, maist schamefull for till heir. 

And Nobill Lord, James of Torphichen knycht^ 

He can declair, gif ony man list speir. 

Ze left him not, ane Maize nor Deneir, 

Syne vnder traste, neir schot him and his wyfe, 

And Tymothie wes in ane felloun feir 

Bot prasit be God, thay chaipit with thair lyfe. 

Our Kingis Grandschir, at Lithquo feild ze slew 
Baneist his gudschir, from his kynde heritage, 
His Fatheris murther also ze cleirly knew 
Myschantly hangit, ane wickit vassalage. 
Thir ar zour warks, euin fra zour first barnage, 
God wait gif ze be Jalps to hald in stoir 
Or bony byrdis, to keip into ane Cage, 
Christ keip our King out of zour handis heirfoir. 

Ze slew our Regent, because his warks wer gude. 
Quha was the Lampe of lycht in to this land, 
As houngrie tykis, ze thristit for his blude, 
Nu. 25. That sauit zow, quhen ze wer in his hand, 
Gal. 5. Quhen ze culd not resist his forcie wand, 
Joa. 3. Ane suithfast sentence, heirfoir I sail zow tell 
Gen. 9. Pronouncit be God, I lat zow vnderstand, 
Apo. 3. All Murtherars thay sail Inherit hell. 



% &nz atmtontttomt to tlje as&tstarfe, coungallart*, 
fog Igarte, ant» Bnogsarig in tijts maist 
fcetaefaWll murtfjer* 

Nocht only thay, bot all that sic asisstis 
Or fortefeis, or ony wayis mantenis, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 67 

Incurris his Curse, now hike Gods buke quha listis 
For it is not mans Judgement sa that deims, 
And quha that this soir sentence small esteims, 
The tyme sail cum, that he sail weip and murne, 
Quhen hiddeous Hell with greuous glowand gleims 
Baith body and saule for euer mair sail burne. 

Moirouer all thay of that Genalogie, 

And of that Surname, we mak thame Intimatioun, 

Thay salbe repute of this foule cryme gyltie 

Quha nocht compeiris to mak Purgatioun, 

Farther all thay, geuis consultatioun, 

Or thame assistis in to this fylthie fact 

And not compeiris to our Conuentioun 

Thay salbe halden pertakeris of this act. 

Be war heirfoir, and be effrayit of this, 

Lat sic tryit tratouris defend thair awin curst cause, 

Tyne not zour landis, and els the hevinis blis, 

Bot be obeysant to God, and mans Lawis, 

And be not flatterit with thair vaine wordis & sawis 

For thay can not of this foule fack be clengit, 

Thocht man wald wink, zit God yat all thing knawis 

He will not leif this vile wark vnreuengit. 



Ei}t exijortatiotm to tlje ILorlris anti $Lofttlttte per- 
gefoarte of tfjfe cruell JHurtijer, attti tfrfmtiarte 
of our Ittng* 

Psal. 5. God sayis my Lords, he wil be aduersair, 

To bludy boucheris, that stand of him na feir, 
My Lords, thir wordis suld carage zow far mair 
Nor the haill help of man baith far and neir. 
Fall to heirfoir with blyith and mirrie cheir, 
Wear anew, thairfoir heis vp zour hartis, 
And ford warts inarch e, sa sail we se and heir 
Quhat lurk and lubers will tak thir Lymmers parts. 



68 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Thay fylde the feilds befoir, quhen first yai fauchs 
Quhair tha for ane, wer aye number thre, 
We trowit from thence, thay suld haif sittin saucht, 
And suld haif tyrit of all thair tyrannic. 
Bot now allace, the contrare we may se, 
Our vaine pietie, hes maid vs this fals traine. 
Gods Curse thairfoir lycht on thame all for me, 
That euer hes pietie or reuth on thame againc 

Gif ze do nocht Reueuge this fylthie fact 
Ze will be schamit, ze may weill vnderstand, 
And will be namit, ane fals and febill pack 
That euer rang in ony Realme or land. 
With curage heirfoir, now be the baner standi 
And wyn for euer honour and Renoun, 
Do ze not this, ze ar ane bailfull band 
And seruis nocht ells, bot Goddis malesoun. 

For Gods Curse, his vengance and maledictioun 
Sail neuer from zow, nor fra zour seid depart, 
Ze sail sustene maist sorowfull afflictioun, 
That euer tholde men, in ony land or airt. 
Sic hauie harme sail happen to zour hart 
Gif this foule murther with silence be ouerpast r 
Thir same tratouris sail mak zour selfis to smart 
And salbe zour distructioun at the last. 

And gif sa hapnis, ze may rycht weill considder 

This plaigue maist Justly, of Gods hands ze craif, 

Far better it is thairfoir to ryse togidder 

For to reuenge the Murther with the laif. 

Nor Gods soir wraith abone zour heidis to haif, 

For the ouerseing of sic a fylthie cryme 

For Gods plaigues approchis I persaif, 

Gif ze prolong, schort quhyle and drift ouer tyme. 

Fall to thame fraklie, to fecht thay haif na faces, 
Persew thame peirtly, and ze sail se thame fie, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 69 

Rune is thair glas, and gone now is thair graces. 

In to respect of this foule tratorie, 

And quha supportis thame, or dois fortifie, 

I hope to God that is the heid of hallous 

To se thame hyntit in handis haistelie, 

Syne hangit hie, but grace vpon the Gallous. 



% Cfje mafearts (Exljortatotm to all mm in 
(BmtxdlL 



Amend zour lyues, and call on God for grace, 
Pray for zour King with hartie Exhortatioun, 
Repent our sinnis quhill we haif tyme and space 
Detest all vice, and foule abhominatioun. 
Than God sail gif vs confort and consolatioun, 
Pray for the Nobill Quene of Ingland 
Quha in our neid still sendis vs supportatioun, 
Hir grace, lang space, may in gude weilfair stand, 

1T So be it. 



IF Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno Do. 1570. 




70 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

!M— CJje Begentte Cragetfte erttrms fottfj ane 
exJjortatioutu 

[British Museum. — Roxburghe Ballads. Volume 3. — State 
Paper Office. Scotish Series, Volume 17. (February) 
Number 16. — Library of the Society of Antiquaries of 
London. — A few Copies Privately Printed by W.William- 
son, Esq., 23 Carlton Hill, St. John's Wood, London. 
May 1872, Sm. Quarto.] 

JAMES, Earle of Murray, Regent of Renoun, 
Now lyis deid, and dulefullie put doun, 
Murdreist but mercy, murnand for remeid, 
Quha lost his lyfe in Lithquo with ane loun, 
Giltles God wait betraist into that toun, 
Slane with ane schot, and saikless put to deid : 
Feit be our fais throw fellonie and feid ; 
Hangman to Hary, now Burrio to hir brother, 
Weill may this murther manifest the tother ! 

Quhat leid on lyfe wald nocht lament his lose ? 
Wais me to want him, is the commoun voce 
For sic ane Prince sail neuer pure man haif, 
Tint be ane Tratour, steilling vp ane close, 
Possest in purpois, lyfe for lyfe to cose, 
Bot na compair, ane Kings Sone to ane knaif, 
Sen he is gone agane my will to graif, 
Throw all this Realme I dar weill mak this ruse, 
Rang nocht his maik sen buryit was the Bruse. 

To keip gude reule, he raid and tuke na rest, 

Baith South and North, and sumtyme eist & west, 

All to decoir our commoun weill ze knaw, 

Be quhome lat se wes Pirats sa opprest ? 

Or zit the theiffis sa dantonit, dung, and drest ? 

Argyle and Huntlie hid thame baith for aw, 

And quhen he mycht, he myst nocht in the Law 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Twyse on the day, and sleipit nocht in sleuth, 
To se na buddis suld beir thame by the treuth. 

Of this foule fact suppois our fais be fane, 
Zit efter Moysis, Josua come agane, 
To gyde the pepill, geuand the gloir to God : 
Suld thay succeid that hes him saikles slane ? 
Be war with that, I wald ze war not vane, 
To haif zour walk anis wirryit with the tod, 
Think ze with ressoun thay suld reule the rod, 
With double murther maid vs all ado ? 
And with our King wald play Cowsauly to ? 

Pray gif ze pleis, I warne zow ze haif neid, 

To keip our King fra cankrit Kedzochis seid, 

That daylie wayis Inuentis to put him doun, 

His Grandschir slane at Lythquo gif I leid: 

His gudschir thryse hes left this land in deid, 

Hary at midnycht murdreist in this toun : 

His Cousing last, and zit thay clame the Crown, 

Blynd Jok may ges, gif tliir be godly deidis, 

Brunt be zone Bischop in quhome this barret breidis, 

Cut of that Papist Prothogall of partis, 

That with his lesingis all the laif peruertis, 

Syne Joyne zour forces to the feildis but feir, 

Because ze tak zour stoutnes all in startis : 

To Hammiltoun in haist quhill ze haif hartis, 

Deuyse sum way to pay zour men of weir, 

Fra he be o-ane ze neid nocht gather o*eir : 

Fecht weill, and war yame, and wyn the ryches yair 

And gif ze de, in deid ze neid na mair. 

Curst be ze baith, bischop and bothwell hauch, 
For this foule deid, zour seid man rak ane sauch, 
Oif ze twa want the widdie, now thay wrang zow: 
Lythquo lament, zour burges may luke bauch, 
In beir seid fcyme zour burrow rudis bv fauch. 



72 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Cause of this murther laitly maid amang zow, 
Or gif I trowit it helpit ocht to hang zow, 
Sa suld ze die : and syne zour towne in fyre, 
Sum part for sythment to asswage our Ire. 

Ouer thir twa housis, for thair deids inding, 
The hand of God dois ouer thair heidis hing 
Thame to distroy, I dout not in our dayis, 
Hepburnis will wraik, for wyrrying of the King, 
Bot Hammiltounis fy, this was ane foular thing : 
Is this zour ferme Religioun ? zais ? zais ? 
Sic tyme sail cum I trow as Thomas sayis : 
Hirdmen sail hunt zow vpthrow Garranis gyll 
Castand thair Paths and lat the pleuch stand still. 

Apperandly thir plaigis are powrit out, 
To wraik this warld, and wait ze quhair about ? 
Because we want na vice vnder the heuin : 
Sen double murther markis to reule the rout, 
With Niniueitis lat vs ga cry and schout, 
For to retreit zone sentence Justly geuin, 
Zit thow gude Lord that Judgis all thingis euin, 
Seand the perrell that ouer the pepill standis, 
Lat nocht thair blude be socht at saikles handis. 

Now Lord is & Lairdis assemblit in this place, 

Ouer lang we talk of Tragedeis allace, 

Away with cair, with confort now conclude : 

As gude in paper as speik it in zour face, 

Gif murtherars for geir get ony grace, 

Ze will be schent, think on I say for gude 

Sen art and part, ar gyltie of his blude ; 

Quhy suld ze feir, or fauour thame for fieiching ? 

Ze hard zour self, quhat Knox spak at the preiching. 

First on the feildis mak schortly to lat se, 
We want bot ane, and quhat the war ar we ? 
Sen God wes pleist to pas him out of pyne, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES 73 

All men on mold ar markit for to de, 

With tyme and place appointit, sa wes he : 

Lat nocht in cair zour curages declyne, 

For want of ane I wald nocht all suld tyne, 

Gar reid at Roxburgh quhen the King was slane, 

And zit ane woman wan the hous agane. 

Sen than be wemen douchtie deidis wer done, 
Barronis be blyith, and hald zour hartis abone, 
And lat vs heir quhairfoir ze hapnit hidder : 
Thay are na partie, and ze speid zow sone 
Albeit that boyd be daylie in Denone, 
Lang or Argyle be gadderit in togidder, 
Quhen all is done, the counsall may considder, 
Quhat is the maist zone murtheraris may do, 
Suppois that Huntlie wald cum help thame to. 

Had we ane heid wald stoutly vndertakit, 
The Barronis sayis thay suld be bauldly bakit, 
Mycht thay for tyritnes trauell of thir tounis : 
Quhy stand ze aw of Tratouriris twyse detractit ? 
Think ze not schame to heir zour Lordschipis lakit ? 
Sum feiris yair flesche, sum grenis to gadder cronnis, 
Sum happis thair heids, sum belttis yame vp in gounis, 
Luke gif zour partie prydis thame in thair spurring, 
Keipand the feildis and fryis not in thair furring. 

Wa worth the wyfls that fostred zow and fed, 

Ze dow not ly vnles ze haif ane bed, 

Keip zow fra cauld, haif claith within zour scho : 

I think greit ferly how ze can be red, 

Or fray at thame, that last befoir zow fled, 

Wantand thair Quene, syne God agane thame to 

Quhy ly ze heir with lytill thing ado ? 

The Barronis biddis zow schortly byde or gang, 

Curage decayis fra Scottis men tarie lacg. 

Haue Lyounnis lukis, and than mak me ane lear, 



74 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Be Hanniballis, and heis zour hartis sum hear, 
Bot keip not capua, quhil zone Knaifis incluse zow 
He neidis not work that hes ane gude ouersear, 
Nane neid ze fetch, swa that zour hartis war frear, 
Bot be my saule my self culd neuer ruse zow : 
I knaw weill for this cryme, Christ sail accuse zow, 
For spairing Agag, Saull was puneist sair : 
Swa sail he zow, I dar nocht say na mair. 

The Lord of Hostes that heuin & eirth commandis, 
To keip our King from all vnhappy handis, 
The Quene of Ingland and hir Counsall to : 
Ze feir the Frenchemen suld ouerlay thir landis, 
Bot I heir say be sum that vnderstandis, 
The Doctouris doutis bot thay haif mair ado : 
Our Quene is keipit straitly, thair stands scho : 
Ingland will help zow, and ze help zour sellis, 
And be the contrair, craif thame na thing ellis. 

This fair ze weill, I flait not to offend zow, 
In sempill veirs this Schedull that I send zow. 
Beseikand zow to schort it gif ze may. 
Steill ze away, the wyfis will vilipend zow 
And gif ze byde, the burrowis will commend zow 
Best wer I think mycht we preuene zone day 
Thair Semblie beis on Sonday I heir say 
In Glasgow towne, thinkand to fecht or fie : 
It lukis weill thair, ze get na mair of me. 

Finis. 



STfje &raptrets Hemtojh 

As men recordis, in dcid my Lordis, 
I schrink not for to schaw : 
Suppois ze crak, ze ly abak, 
And lybellis be the Law. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 75 

Ze mak not to, as men suld do, 
I trow ze stand sum aw : 
Suppois ze hecht, to se zow fecht, 
That day will neuer daw. 

Is na remeid, fra he be deid, 

Na man to seik ane mendis : 

Or quha is heir, dar brek ane speir, 

Upon zone lymmeris lendis ? 

Ze dar not mum, quhill Saidlar cum, 

To sa quhat Ingland sendis : 

Thinkand to sayit, and ay delayit, 

And swa the mater endis. 

With sychis and sobbis, and beltit robbis, 

Ze counterfite the dule : 

Quhat douchtie deidis, to weir sic weidis, 

Except it wer ane fule. 

Mak of the towne, and cow thame downe, 

Now or zour curage cule : 

For Maddie sayis, byde ze aucht dayis, 

Ze be not thair quhill Zule. 

Is this the thing, quha gydis the King ? 

Ze can not all aggre : 

Now fy for schame, feche Leuenox hame, 

Ze haif nane narer nor he. 

Gif he want grace, to gyde that place, 

Cheis outher twa or thre : 

Than war I fane, bot all in vane, 

To wis and will nocht be. 

And sum thair bene, waittis on the Quene, 

Bot gaip ay quhill thay get hir : 

And war scho heir, I tak na feir, 

The Feynd aby we set hir. 

For we are now, als stark I trow, 

As famzer quhen we met hir : 



76 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Quhen all is done, thay start ouer sone, 
To boist and not the better. 

1 think it best, ze tak na rest, 
Gif ze durst vndertak it 
And we be trew, we ar anew, 
Ze salbe bauldly bakit. 
Bot sen I se, it will not be, 
That meter will not mak it : 
The Feynd mak cair, I say na mair, 
I rew that euer I spak it. 

Finis. 

Quod Robert Sempill. 



Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno Do. 1570. 



SffiL— Wqz lExljortattoun to all plesantr tijtngts 
qttljairtn man can ijatf fcelgte to fottfjtrrafo tfjatr 
picture from manftjmtrc, antr to tieplotr tfje 
Cruelljlurtljer of famqufjilemg Hortr Eegentts 
©race. 

[State Paper Office. Scotish Series, Volume 17, (February) 
Number 18. — Library of the Society of Antiquaries of 
London.] 

E Montaines murne, ze valayis vepe, 

Ze clouds and Firmament, 
Ze fluids dry vp, ze seyis so depe 
Deploir our lait Regent. 
Ze greinis grow gray ze gowanis dune 
Ze hard rocks ryue for sorrow ; 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 77 

Ze Marisruildis forbid the sune 
To oppen zow euerie morrow. 

Thow Lauand lurk, thow time be tint 

Thow Margelene swaif, 
Thow Camomylde, ze balme and Mint 

Zour fragrant odouris laif. 
Ze Baselik and Jonet nouris, 

Ze Geroneis so sweit : 
And Violatis hap zow with schouris 

Of hailstaines snaw and sleit. 

Thow grene Roismary hyde thy heid, 

Schaw not thy fair blew bhimis : 
In syne of dule lat na grene blaid 

On Lawraine grow or broomis. 
Ze friutfull treis produce na frute : 

And ze fair Rois treis widder: 
In earth ze sweit nouris tak na rute 

But wallow altogidder. 

Cum Nettillis, thornie breiris & rew, 

With all foull fllthie weid, 
Now plant zow quhair thir sweit flouris grew, 

And place zow in thair steid, 
Ze plesant byrdis lat be zour sang 

Zour mirth in murning turne, 
And tak the Turtill zow amang 

To leirne zow how to murne. 

Thow luifsum Lark, & gay Goldspink 

Thow mirthfull Nychtingaill 
Lat be zour heuinly noitis and think 

Hes deith for to bewaill, 
Ze plesand Paun and Papingaw 

Cast of zour blyithlyke cullour, 
And tak the feddrum of the Craw 

In syne of wo and dolour, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Now burne thy self O Phenix fair 

Not to reuive againe, 
That we may him to the compair, 

Quhais lyke dois not remaine. 
Thow Pelican prepair thy beik 

And grind it scharpe and lang, 
To peirs our breistis that we may seik 

How to reuenge this wrang. 

All birdis and beistis, all hillis and holtis 

All greinis and plesand treis, 
All Lambis & Kiddis, all Caluis & Colts, 

Absent zow from mens eyis. 
Ze gleds and howlets, rauins and rukis 

Ze Crawis and Corbeis blak, 
Thair gutts mot be among zour cluikis 

That did this bludy fact. 

Ze Instruments of euerie sort, 

That gaif to mankynde plesure, 
Now turne zour melodie and sport 

In murning and displesure. 
Ye Sone and Mone, and Planetis seuin 

Ze glystryng starris bricht, 
All ze Celestiall hoste of heuin 

Absconce zow from mens sicht. 

Ye zeiris and monethis, dayis & houris, 

Zour naturall course withdraw 
In Somer tyme be wynter schouris, 

Sleit, hailstaines, frost and snaw. 
For why sum men dois trauell now, 

To turne all vpsyde downe, 
And als to seik the maner how 

To reif the King his Crowne. 

We had ane Prince of gude Renoun, 
That Justice did desyre, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Aganis quhorae the Hararniltoun 

Did traterously conspyre. 
Quha schot him of the Bischoppis stair 

In Lithgow thair Loudoun, 
To bruik this byworde euer mair 

Fy Tratour Hammiltoun. 

Sen Christ hes tane him to his fader, 

This is the best remeid, 
That ze trew Lordis togidder gadder 

For to reuenge his deid. 
Sen thay haue wrocht sic thing agane vs 

Traist weill thay cair not neist 
To kill the King, for quhy Cardanus 

The Feind pat in the Preist. 

France hes na rest, yat is na bourdis, 

Thocht sum seis not ane styme. 
How France dois feide thame with fair wordis 

For to dryue of the tyme. 
The Frenche men sayis adueis le fein, 

Quhilk is as muche to say 
Quhen euer thay bring hame the Quene, 

Thay sail repent that day. 

Ye Lords that now this draucht hes drawin 

Suppois ze haue left Rome, 
Zit wald ze that zour Names war knawin 

Athort all Cristindome, 
Sa Nero did, bot not for gude, 

Quha brunt Rome to considder 
Quhat fyre it was, syne sched the blude 

Of his Haister and mother. 

Sa was he spokin of for sic thing 

Me think as ze wald be, 
That sweir oft to manteine the King 

And his authoritie. 



80 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Ze did him also King proclame 
And haldis of him offices, 

Pensionis ze hald als in Name, 
With teinds and benifices, 

Now wald ze change and chaisson yat 

And bring on deidly feidis, 
Ze worke maist lyke ze wat not quhat 

With zour Politick heidis. 
Now wyselie wirke, be not dissauid, 

For and scho get hir will, 
Scho will Reuenge the deith of Dauid, 

Carbarrie and Langsyde hill 

Ze Lordis that now sa faine wald haif 

Up hir authoritie, 
Can not yow clenge mair nor the laif 

Of Sum pointis of thir thre. 
Heirfoir gif ye sa faine wald haue hir 

To fulfil zour affeckis, 
Gif ye may get hir than ressaif hir 

With raipis about your neckis. 

Byde ye in Burgh quhill Michaelmes 

Your money will growe skant, 
Heirfoir my counsell is expres 

That to your wyfis ye hant. 
For quhy it is ane wyfis quarrell 

Ye wald sa faine set furth, 
As now ye may heir Mad die tell 

It is bot lytil gude worth. 

As ye haif browne now drink ye that 

Ye se how all is cum. 
For had I witten that I wait 

Allace is Scotts wisdume. 
Now best it war to leif sic thing, 

Lest strangers cum and wrang vs, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 81 

Ane God, ane faith, ane Law, ane King, 
Let vs obserue amang vs. 

And to conclude I mak ane end 

Praying our God of micht, 
To saif our King and him defend 

In his vndoutit richt. 
With all trew Subiectis in thir partis 

Of his authoritie : 
Beseiking God to ioyne the heartis 

Of our Nobilitie. 

Finis. 

Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik 
Anno Do. 1570 



UU — % Cljc ffirtuftit Uetits tije ftlintre. 



[State Paper Office. Scotish Series, Volume 17 (Ajwil) 
Number 71. — British Museum. — Eoxburghe Ballads, 
Volume 3.] 

HIS warld it waggis I wat not how, 
And na man may ane vther trow : 
And euerie man dois pluke and pow, 

And that the pure may flnde, 
Our Court it is decayit now 

The cruikit leidis the blind e. 

Althocht the warldlie wise be cruikit, 
This commoun weill he hes miscuikit, 




82 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Our Lords ar blind e and dois ouerluikit 

He gydes thame as he list 
Tak thay not tent he will not huikit 

To gyde thame in the mist. 

He halds our Lords at variance, 
He garris the tane put esperance 
Thay will get daylie help of France, 

This he garris thame confide 
Sayis Ingland will bring mony Lance 

Unto the vther side. 

Our Lords ar now delt in twa sydis, 
And euerie faction in him confydis : 
Ze will heir tell how he thame gj r dis, 

And ze leit zeiris few 
Sen he hes maid sa mony slydis 

Trow ze he can be trew. 



Fra he in Court in credite grew, 
He did ay change the Court anew : 
The Quene his doingis sair did rew, 

And richt sa did hir Mother, 
The counsall kennis gif he was trew 

To him that was hir Brother. 

In Edinburgh quhen they conuene, 
Our Lords to him they gang bedene : 
As he war outher King or Quene, 

He hes thame at his bidding 
His craftie counsall will be sene, 

Quhen Doggs barkis on ye midding. 

Albeit he haif the Feuer quartane, 
He suld be made Knycht of the Gartane, 
He rewlis Edinburgh and Dumbartane, 
As Maddie dois me tell : 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Gif he war Pape I am richt certane 
He wald reule heuin and hell 

Gif he gar Atholl do sic schame, 
As to consent to bring hir hame : 
And gif the gyding to Madame, 

They will put downe the King 
The Crowne will alter fra that Name, 
Than murderars may sing. 

He hes gart Hume begin to tyre, 
Althocht that he gat his desyre : 
Bot he will leid him in the myre 

Thocht he hecht to defend him, 
And Ingland set his lands in fyre 

I wat not quha will mend him. 

Als he gat Setoun out of hands, 
From forfalting he sauit his lands : 
Thocht he be lyand vnder bands 

He will not knaw the King : 
Sen ze ken how the mater stands, 

Suld he half leif to flino- ? 



T3 



Our richt Kegent quha was our targe 
Laid sindrie things vnto his charge, 
The quhilk in deid war verray large 

As is kend with anew, 
Ze haif geuin him ane plane discharge 

And sayis it was not trew. 

I wat ze saw neuer ane styme, 
And wantit baith ressoun and ryme, 
Quhen ze forgaif him all his cryme : 

And maid his oddis euin, 
Thocht he be fristit at this tyme 

He will not be forgeuin 



84 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

I pray zow Lordis on ather syde, 
That ze his sawis do not confyde, 
For I will sweir zow be Sanct Bryde 

He susseis not thre strais, 
Quha suld be rewlar nor our gyde 

May he brake that he hais. 

All thir maters he dois bot mock, 
He hes deuysit mony sic block : 
He can begyle ane Landwart Jock, 

Except he ken him weill : 
Thay say he can baith quhissill and cloik ; 

And his mouth full of meill. 

My Lordis quhat is this that ze mene 
I thinke the holkis ouergangis zour ene, 
I wald sum man wald scheir zow clene 

That ze micht ze thir faultis, 
And be not blinde as ze haif bene 

Nor led with thame that haultis. 

Finis. 

Imprintit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno Do. 1570. 



ffl— % Cfje pogsonit Srfjot 

[British Museum. — Koxburghe Ballads. Volume 3. — Lib- 
rary of the Society op Antiquaries of London.] 

IF wicked vice first sen the warld began 
Had age be age, but punishment Increst ? 
In eirth lang syne y air had been nothing than, 
Saif only vice and malice manifest. 
Bot to thir dayis sic meanis God ay drest, 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Aganis vice that vertew ay hes streuin : 
Thoche ather uther be tyme hes [ ] opprest 
Last Justice Judge bure ay the ballance euin. 

IT Sa of hes plesure it plesit him prouyde 
Us to exerce as ship vnder the saill : 
Sum tyme in storme, sum tyme in temperate tyde 
To let vs knaw this warld is but fraill 
Betuix gude and euill markand our trauaill 
In euills nude not menand our nawfrage : 
Princes be Justice he ordanit in this vaill, 
Us to conduct as Pilats dois their Barge. 



And sa we se in Storeis as we reid, 
Ay to their dayis sum Magistrates did ring ; 
Sum gude some euill, be tyme as did succeid 
At quhais plesure vertew did fade or spring. 
The gude did vertew, the wicked vice vpbring 
Quhat plesis them the same the pepill suittis 
And sa we se the maners of the King 
Is ay the mark quhairat his subiectis shuittis 

1F This part to preif be yair particular liues 
It war to lang in vulgare veirs expres it, 
At lenth the same sen Cronickles discriues 
And als experience will cause vs to confesit. 
And last of all, how wicked vice Incres it 
Amang ourselues throw Mareis negligence, 
And how the same began to be suppressit ; 
Be Murrayis meane we haif experience. 

IF Quhat vice rais vp reuolue into zour minds 
Quhat sin, quhat shame, in hir last dayis did reil 
That prudent Prince gif yat he tuik sum pynis 
That mys to mend I hope ze haif ane feill. 
Gif ocht he socht except ane commoun weill, 
The gloir of God and Kingis obedience : 
And in that cause maid Justice ay his sheild, 
I seik na Judge bot zour awin conscience. 



86 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

fl^T His awin estate he cairit ay to knaw, 
For pompe nor pryde can na man say he preist, 
Societie he socht, and keipit curage law, 
Think and alwayis that mesure was ane feist. 
His peple luifit and cairit for the leist, 
For profite panst not, nor his commoditie ; 
In trouble trauellit : his eiimer neuer ceist 
Ay to his wraik, and our vtilitie. 

IT Thus be his prudence vertew was erectit 
In him the pure oppressed had releif ; 
Throw him Idolatrie and vice was eiectit, 
Throw him God's Kirk and peple fand releif. 
Throw him wes vinqueist the veildars of yis greif 
Throw him yis realme fand su. stabilitie 
Throw him was baneist thift, murther, & reif, 
Piracie puneist and deuillishe sorcerie, 

Sa vertew sprang and vice began to faide, 
Oppressioun fled, and Justice tuik the place, 
His godly lyfe all godly men may aide : 
Be his exemple vertew to imbrace. 
And als his lyfe may in ane other cace, 
All Princes warne heirefter to succeid : 
Thair foes to flatter that hes ane double face 
And to be war to clap ane traytours heid. 

Euen as the man the quhilk be musik playis 
Mistonit stringis castis not away we se, 
But peice and peice be sundrie wrestis & layis 
Ilk ane with vther be tyme causis agre. 
Euen so that Prince thocht be humilitie 
His peple wyn, and concord to contrake 
Bot as sum stringis will rather brek nor be, 
Euin so the wickit be mercy will not make. 



His mercy wan : bot mair his mercy tiut 
Not he, bot we, his mercy now may rew 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 87 

His mercy loist, we wan the swordis dint, 
His mercy saint be mnrther that him slew. 
Suppose his mercy this bergane to vs brew 
Zit mene I not bot men suld mercy vse 
To penitents, quha myndis not vice renew, 
Bot nane to sic continewis in abuse. 

IF His mercy saint, quha mercy not deseruit, 
His mercy did preserue the arrogant : 
His mercy sum amangis us hes preseruit, 
Thocht thay seme holy in deid yat ar na sanci 
His mercy saint, we wer the better want, 
Thair serpents seid to tyrans wald vs thral 
Because sic peple in tyme he did not dant, 
But warldly mercy Christ sufferit him to fall. 



For mortall nialice, and curst couetice, 
With wickit Inuy commonit all in Ire : 
And prydefull arrogance the mother of all vice 
Aganis that Prince did cruelly conspire, 
His fais hartis Inflamit all in fyre, 
His blude to seik Inuyfull of his gioir ; 
Saikles to shuit him aue harlet feit for hyre, 
Hangman to Hary, that traitouris wes befoir. 

IT bludy bouchour bastard of Balials blude 
Quha to this Reahne had nother lufe nor zeill 
O tressonable tratour be tresson yat thocht gude 
Murdreis the Prince preseruer of this weill. 
sorrowfull shot, thy poyuson did doun steill, 
Not only him, quhom wofully thow woundit : 
Bot pure & riche, thy vennoume hes gart feill, 
Of his deir deith the stoundis him confoundit. 



That shot allace yis realme hes shot in tway 
That shot to vice the portis hes oppinit plane, 
That shot hes Justice and vertew shot away, 
That shot Idolatrie is shuitand vp agane. 



88 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Sic shottis vnpuneist gif lag time yat remane 
Vice sail be vertew, and vertew sail be vice : 
Wrang sail be richt and richt salbe thocht vane 
Ilk ane vnpuneist sail pleis thair awin deuice. 

That shot hes sinderit quhilk was togidder knit 
That shot hes cuillit our curage as ye leid 
That shot hes feiblit our manly force and wit, 
That shot our sichts hes blindit all in deid. 
We se and spyis not our sorrowis to succeid, 
We meint & meinis not this wickitness correck 
We wald and will not hank yame be ye heid 
Quha hes preparit the swordis for our nek. 

IT Vagabounds we wander in miserie & wo 
As ship but Ruther, sa ga we now but gyde : 
Weskan we scatter we wait not quhair we go 
Spyis not the rock quhairo we rashe our syde 
We haif na grace nor power to prouyde, 
Aganis this rage and crueltie : remeid 
Bot willingly allace throw arrogance & pryde 
Offers this Realme as Sacrifice to deid. 

In place of peace now murther weir uprasis 
In place of lufe Inuy amangis vs springis 
In place of Faith his friend falset betrasis 
In place of rest Rebellioun with us raigis. 
In place of ane, we haue so mony Kingis 
The Crownit King gettis na obedience 
Su France for aide, and sum Ingland inbringis, 
The ane for wrak the tother for defence. 

And so this Realme quhilk enemeis oft sayit 
With cruell weir and sturdie stormis fell, 
Quhilk feirful force of Ingland neuer frayit, 
Of France the feir, nor Spaine in iust quarrel 
Quhilk to thir dayis vnuenqueist buir ye bell 
Sail now allace be fatell destinie : 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 89 

As Aiax wes, be vanquer of the sell 
On proper knyfe constraynit for to die. 

IT Quhat wald allace our Kings & elders say, 
Gif in thir dayis from heuin yat now discendit 
To se this Realme so dulefully decay, 
In quhats defence yair lusty lyuis thay endit. 
Thay wald I trust repent yair time sa spendit 
Thay wald I wait yair labouris loist forthink 
To se yair Babes ye blude quhilk yai defendit 
Aganis nature sa cruelly vpdrink. 

IT Justlie yis plague I dout not we deseruit 
Seikand the menis of our awin mischeif : 
Bakwart from God because we haif sueruit 
Thairfoir we taist his punischment in greif. 
Zit in his mercy haifand ay beleif 
Still sail I pray his deuine Maiestie 
Aganis this rage to send his releif, 
Our King to saif and his Nobilitie. 

Go bony bill deploir 

Of deith the dolent stound, 
Quhilk did our Prince deuoir 

James Regent of Renoun. 
I pray the go, declair the wo 

Sen syne that dois abound, 
I gif command, throw burgh and laud, 

The same zow gar resound. 

IF Our cair may moue the stonis 

And hauie rockis to rair : 
Swa mony stormes at onis, 

Struke neuer land sa sair. 
The cause of that, the heuins wat, 

Not I, I zow declair, 



90 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Except it be, to let vs se 
How kingdomes ar bot cair. 

^ Zit lat vs not dispair 

Into thir walis of wo, 
God may conuert our cair 

In plesure and in Jo. 
He may discord, turne in accord, 

And mak him freind was fo : 
He may I trest, set vs at rest, 

Thocht all the warld say no. 

IT It sulde releue our greif, 

To se our King bening : 
In him I hope releif 

Of zeiris thocht he be zing. 
His future age, sum great presage, 

Presentis vs in his King : 
Quha our defence, in his nascence, 

Tuik haill in gouerning. 

«^ FINIS. 

Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno Do. 1570. 



30JL— ^ CJje atimcmtttotm to tije borate* 

[British Museum — Roxburghe Ballads, Volume 3. — Library 
op the Society op Antiquaries of London.] 

OR lois thow Lythquo may miserably lamet 
Thy fait Infortunat, and duilfull destanie, 
That precious peirle James our Regent 
In the was slane, dissauit duilfullie. 
O cursit hour, o deid of fellonie 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 91 

waryit hand, o wappin violent, 
That spairit not his greit Nobilitie 
Sa vndeseruit suddandly to be schent. 

11 In wickit hour he saift the from the Gallous 
Or schew his grace to sic ane graceles grume, 
Had thow bene hangit Tratour and thy Fallowis 
This comoun weill had borne the Laurell blume 
Better Justice was not from hence to Rome, 
Mair quyet peace befoir neuer King heir held, 
Allace that sic ane Tratour suld consume 
His dayis before our King had bene of eild. 

IF Dowglas & Hume addres zow now anone, 
His tressonabill dolent deith for to Reuenge : 
With Atholl, Erskyn, and Stewartis everieone 
Grame, and Lyndsay remember on this change. 
Schaw now he lufit the manly Laird of Grange 
Glenkarne, and Sempil, conuene with ane accord 
Throw out this Realme lyke Ratches se ze range, 
And seik thair blude that hes his body borde. 

1T All vther Erlis and Barrounis of renoun, 
Conuene zour selfis with hart and haill Intent, 
All partakeris to put to confusioun : 
With him that slew that Abell Innocent. 
And in zour harts perfytlie do it prent, 
Gif one of zow siclyke had loist his breith 
How day and nycht he wald be diligent 
Zour cause and quarrell Reuenge vnto the deith, 

IF Edinburgh Dundie & vther Burrowtounis, 
Remember how the Regent lufit zow weill 
Heill nor conceill, reset nane of thay lownis, 
Nother art nor part, that did his body keill. 
Sen he was keipar of zour commoun weill, 
Cleik on his quarrell, and schortly zow dispone 
Lat neuer yat Ruffians within zour townis reill 
Bot kyith now kyndenes quhen that his grace is gone. 



92 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



Zoung tender King now behind dois abyde 
Thy seruand schot was only for thy saik, 
Had he not tane thy Gouernance and gyde 
Lang mycht he leuit with Lady An his maik, 
Na tratour Hamiltoun had geuin yat mortal straik 
War not in hope to mak thy Grace forlorne 
Thay thocht his deith wald mak thy power waik 
And than obtene thay socht sa lang beforne. 

H Bot God that hes thy Maiestie in cure, 
Will truster all thair fulische Interprysis 
As war thay Bouchers thy Father did combure 
Quha flemit at for thair deuillische deuysis. 
Thair fact and act, all Scotland now disprysis, 
Thair awin misdeidis hes sa vndone thair weill 
Thay dar neuer enter in Jugement nor assysis, 
Nor clame thair lands, that did thy Father keill. 

IF Quhat trow ze Tygers, that God omnipotet 
Will wynk unsene sic wickitnes and wrang 
Ze may be sure his bow is reddy bent 
Zow to rait out, luke ford and think not lang. 
Hammiltou and Hepburne ze will sing baith ane sang 
Shrewit is that seruice ze haif schawin to zour King, 
Wald poysonit him self, his Father wyrreit Strang, 
Now slane his Regent to mak your selfis to ring. 



Wo worth unlefull meinis manifest, 
That ze haif socht to bruik Authoritie. 
Zit vn obtenit, quhill that our King may lest 
Quhome Christ conserue in his Minoritie. 
That tender plant our Superioritie 
Suld haif, quha is our kyndely King of nature, 
The King of Kingis of his Maioritie, 
Mak neuer ane King ouer Scotland of a Tratoure. 

11 Wo to the scheddars of his saikles blude, 
Wo cause of wo, sa mony did commend 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 93 

Wo to thay Gylouris of godlynes denude, 
Wo to thay Pelouris, sic Interprysis pretend. 
Wo thame Inuolue, now quhen his wo lies end, 
Wo and eik wrak, mot fall that bludy band 
Wo will thay cry, and rew that they him kend, 
For wo quhen that thay lois baith lyfe and land. 



Schamt is that sort, with schameyey wilbe schet 
Schamt schameles, schame hes schawin vnto yis natiou 
Schamt ar yai tratouris, sic tressoun did inuet 
Schame sorrowles will be thair Castigatioun. 
For schame thay dar neuer clame now dominatioun, 
To purches place did sa his deith preuent, 
Place haif thay loist, and fund thair desolatioun, 
That socht sic place, till God had bene content. 

And God thair pryde will puneis presentlie, 
That dois pretend be murther manifest 
To Royall roume, and heich Authoritie, 
Huiking na harme sa thay may be possest. 
In warldlie welth quhilk wisdome suld detest, 
Quhen it proceidis of falset and Inuy : 
Vain gloir, dissait, or ocht that may molest 
Gude governance throw teinful Tratory. 

1F Wyse Nobill Lords my schedull now cosidder 
And gif the wysest Lord the Gouernance, 
Sinder not now that ar assemblit togidder 
Quhill ane be chosin the commoun weill to auance. 
Sic as will puneis this last vnhappy chance, 
And feiris God now sen the roume dois waik 
Chosin lyke the tother, ze myster not to pans, 
For in all Scotland he hes not left his maik. 



Now is he weill and ze in wo God wait, 
Zour wickitnes and warkis hes the wyte, 
Zour Inobedience hes purchessit Goddis hait : 
Zour gredynes to eik zour Rentis greit. 



94 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

In vaine ze reid the Scripture as ane ryte, 
And of the pure hes na Compassioun 
Thir ar the causis, that ze of him ar quyte 
That rewlit zow, and wald maid Reformatioun. 

IT FINIS. 



Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno. Do. LXX. 



®" )(*)( -» 




XUIL— ® Jfiattoeis ^ammtattoutu 

[British Museum. — Koxburghe Ballads. Volume 3.] 

jUHEN bludy Mars with his vndantit rage 
With Saturne maid yis cruel cospiratioun 
And curst Juno with birnand feirs curage 
Amangis Planettis had greitest dominatioun. 
I hard ane voice with drerie lamentatioun 
Sayand O Lord help now with thy rycht hand, 
Gone is the Joy, and gyde of this Natioun 
I mene be James Regent of Scotland. 

IF Quhen Lachesis hir threid had drawin to leth 
Prolonging furth this Princes lyfe in gloir, 
Than Atropus extending furth hir strenth, 
This fatell threid, allace for to deuoir, 
Now Justice (oh) quha sal thy sword decoir ? 
This comoun weil quhat wicht sal now warrad 
Sen he is gone, that Gouernd vs befoir 
That vpricht Prince James Regent of Scotlad 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 95 

His gude beginning quha yat culd richt report 
Quhen this Eegioun of reule was destitude, 
In plane Parliament our Nobillis did exhort, 
That Innocent to tak the fortitude. 
Of this fals He, of Justice than denude, 
And with thair aithis promysit with him to stad 
Justice to keip in mynde he did conclude, 
Sa lang as he was Regent in Scotland. 

1T Sen Fergus dayis, his lyke was neuer none, 
In equall Justice, and deidis Martiall, 
Thir Realmes twa he knat vp baith in one, 
Quhilk neuer Prince befoir culd do at all. 
The Souage daillis he dantonit and maid thrall 
To serue thair King, he gart thame gif thair bad 
With fyre and sword for grace he gart thame call 
That prudet Prince James Regent of Scotlad. 

iHF This commoun weill, he hint ouer all thing, 
In trew Religioun na Prince mycht be his peir 
Idolatrie but reuth he did doun thring, 
All sorsarars he puneist far and neir, 
Na homiceid, nor theif that durst appeir, 
Within his sycht for dreid of dint of brand, 
Just men he maid his fallow and his feir, 
This humane Prince James Reget of Scotlad. 

The devill seand this godly Prince sa bent, 
Throw auld malice he gaif to rage throw feid, 
His Spreit Inferne he send Incontinent, 
Amangis tratours for to conspire his deid. 
And cruelly but mercy or remeid, 
With schot of gunne yai murdreist him fra hand, 
Schort ouer twa yeiris quhe he had rung in deid 
This Innocent Prince James Regent of Scotland. 



. Ze vertuous men lament his cairfull chance, 
Sen he is gone that suid zow fortitie, 



90 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

All ze that wald the trew Gospell auance : 
Beuaill, beuaill, for that sweit Josue. 
Zour secund Moyses, that led zow throw ye se. 
Had he indurit zour Canane land had stand, 
Dispair not zit. Christ will zour Capitane be, 
Sen he is gone James Regent of Scotland. 

IT Ze pure comounis that lang hes bene opprest 
And ze Burrowis murne and Regrait his fall : 
Gif he had leifit, na man durst zow molest 
For quhy he was ane watcheman on zour wall 
Now sen na Prince may leif uprycht at all, 
In this fals Realme on slane in Burgh and land 
Adew now Mirrour of Justice Principall, 
Maist godly Prince James Regent of Scotland. 

IT This commoun weil he luifit sa tenderlie. 
Quhilk to mantene na thing maid him agast 
His lufe to it he schew maist faithfullie, 
And with his blude he seillit it up at last. 
Had he mantenit all Tratours tha/t trespast, 
His godly lyfe in Joyis zit had stand, 
That wald he not, and sa this Prince is past, 
That Innocent James Regent of Scotland. 

1T Now ze his followeris of his Interpryse, 
Think on the murther of that Innocent, 
Extend zour strenthis and all togidder ryse, 
Pasendlang Clyde but reuth incontinent 
Meg Lochis get, that did the mys Inuent 
That Apostat that Feyndis awin Seriand 
Seis not quhill he, and his curst Kin Repent, 
The slauchter of our Regent of Scotland. 

<%*g~ That infant Babe, that ze haif taine in cuir 
Saif him from skaith and stif togidder byde, 
Remember quhat ze haif in hand be sure, 
Zour fais will lauch quhen thay ze zow deuyde ; 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 97 

Lat na vaine gloir covetice, nor pryde. 
Expell freindschip to wrak zow and this land, 
Keip the last wordis of our Just Joy and gyde, 
Quhen he deceissit James Regent of Scotland. 

IT Hudge is zour fais within this fals Regioun 
With Ithand trystis cotractand vp new bandis 
To bring zow to schame and confusioun, 
Gaird zow zow lufe, sen ze wait how it standis. 
Zour Prince and strenth, keip weill in faithful hadis 
For gif zour fais tryuphis ouer zou to stad 
Schaip zow for deid, or dwell in vther landis, 
Sen he is gone James Regent of Scotland. 

Zour cause is Just, gif ze wald all persew 
Bot quhair deuisioun lurkis it is ane pyne ; 
Christ hes it sed, and doutles it is trew 
That Kingdome sail come to greit ruyne, 
Quhen that deuisioun hes his salt and tryne, 
Thairfoir be war, counsall is na command : 
For gif ze perische, zour cause & freindis sail tyne 
For now thay want James Regent of Scotland. 

IF Greit is the danger ze stand in now but dout. 
And ze haif schame fra zour purpois to ne, 
Spair not for geir, bot with bauld hartis be stout 
Mantene Gods cause, to commoun weill haif Es 
And he that is of maist Magnincie, 
Zour baner sail display with his awin hand, 
To the confusioun of zour Enemie 
Sen he is gone James Regent of Scotland. 

thow that art Omnipotent conding, 
Thre persounis Ringand in ane Trinitie, 
Help yis pure Realme, & preserue our zoung King, 
Fra Schame and deid, and feid of Enemie. 
Amangis our Nobillis plant peace & vnitie, 
Fra mercyles Strangers saif vs with thy rycht had 



98 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Our sinnis is greit, zit mercy restis with the, 
Adew for ay James Regent of Scotland. 

FINIS. 

Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik, 
Anno. Do. 1570. 




W$H— JHattoets proclamations 

[British Museum. — Roxburghe Ballads. Volume 3.] 

fN loftie veirs I did reheirs, 
My drerie lamentatioun 
And now allace, maist cairfull cace 
I mak my proclamatioun. 

Desyring all, baith greit and small, 

That heiris me be Narratioun, 

Not for to wyte my rude Indyte : 

Sen maid is Intimatioun. 

IT I do Intend, nane to offend, 
That feiris God arycht, 
Thocht murtherars, & blud scheddars, 
Wald haif me out of sycht. 
Thair malice vane, I do disdane, 
And curse thair subtell flycht. 
My name is knawin, yair bruit is blawin 
Abrode baith day and nycht. 



For I a wyfe with sempill lyfe, 
Dois wyn my meit ilk day, 
For small auaill, ay selling caill, 
The best fassoun I may. 
Besyde the Throne, I wait vpone, 
My mercat but delay : 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 99 

Gif men thair walk, I heir thair talk 
And beiris it weill away. 

^ In felloun feir, at me thay speir, 
Quhat tythands in this land ? 
Quhy sit I dum, and dar not mum ? 
Oft tymes thay do demand. 
To thame agane, I answer plane, 
Quhair thay beside me stand : 
Na thing is heir, bot mortall weir, 
Wrocht be ane bailful hand. 

lUT Awickit race of grumis but grace 
Of Kedzochis curst clan, 
Be tressoun vile, quha dois defyle, 
Thame self both wyfe and man. 
As lait is sene, with weiping Ene, 
Thairfoir I sail thame ban : 
Caus our Regent maist Innocent 
That cursit seid ouer ran. 

1T Quhat cruelteis thay Enemeis, 
Hes wrocht be tymes past, 
I lat ouer slyde, I may not byde, 
Sa fair I am agast 

Thair anterous actis, yair furious factis, 
Auld bukis quha will ouer cast, 
And men on liue, can zit descriue 
Thair doings first and last. 

Thairfoir my lords, as best accords 
Sen se are hapnit hidder, 
This I will say tuix sport and play 
My wordis weill considder. 
And poder yame for zour awin schame 
To mark thame be not lidder : 
Lat na mans feid, throw feirfull dreid, 
Zour hartis mak to swidder. 



100 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

IF For I heir say, thay will display 
Thair bkriers on the feild : 
Think and but dout, to ruit zow out, 

Or cause zow seik sum b \ ¥ 

At thame, rycht fane, or ... . ane, j 
That ganzell will thay zeild, 
Stand not abak (oh) febill pak, 
Bot swordis leir to weild. 

lUT Defend zour richt in Goddis sicht 
Quhome of do ze stand aw ? 
Rycht few I trow, will zow allow, 
Gif ze zour selfis misknaw. 
Stand to thairfoir, fyle not the scoir, 
But all togidder draw, 
Not in Cat harrowis, lyke cankrit marrowis 
For feir of efter flaw. 

IF Do ze not se that mad menez, 
How thay ar warin crous ? 
To wirk zow tene, yai mak ye Quene, 
Thair strenth and Strang blokhous. 
The murther fy, thay do deny, 
And countis zow not ane sous 
Thair proude pretence throw negligece 
Will be maist dangerous. 

To Lythquo toun, thay ar all boun 
Quhair thay the murther wrocht, 
And thinkis to de, or fortifie, 
Thair fellony forethocht, 
And trewlie I, can not espy 
Quhat vther thing thay socht, 
Bot King put doun, & clame the Croun 
Be bludy murther bocht. 

1F I pans and muse, how thay excuse 
This murther perpetrate, 

* Obliterated in the original, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 101 

Or with quhat grace haldis vp yair face 

Quhair it is nominate. 

Gif (as I trow) thay it allow, 

Like Wolfis Insatiate : 

Quha can repent, that thay be schent, 

With blude commaculate ? 

^T Fall to thairfoir I zow Imploir, 
My Lords with ane assent, 
And think it lang, ay quhil ze fang, 
The feiris that did Inuent 
This crueltie, be tyrannie, 
To sla our rycht Regent, 
For thay maist sure, dois still Indure 
With hartis Impenitent. 

H That man in deid, is worth su meid 
His fault that dois confes 
Bot quhat rewarde suld be preparde, 
For him that dois transgres. 
And will not graunt, bot rather vaunt 
In his unhappynes 

Maist sure the gallous, with all his fallous, 
For thair vnthankfulnes. 

For gif self lufe, was from abufe 
Deiectit out of heuin, 
Quhen Lucifer, wald be ane bar, 
To God and think him euin. 
Quhat sail we wene of tratours kene, 
That Ithandly lies streuin 
For to deface the Nobill race, 
Of Stewarts od and euin. 

IT Considder weill, thair cakrit zeill 
Hes thristit mony day, 
For to posses but godlynes, 
The Crowne withouttin stay. 



102 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

As now of lait, thair curst consait, 

With murther thay display : 

Quhen thay thocht gude, to drink this blude 

Be that vngodly way. 



Bot Sathan sure, dois thame allure 
With wordis fals and vane : 
Ay promysing, thame to be King, 
Quhairof thay ar full fane. 
In Paradice he did Intice, 
Be subtell craft and trane, 
The man first maid, sa God hes said 
In Sacrede Scripture plane. 

IF He said that he, suld equall be, 
To God Omnipotent, 
The Appill sweit, gif he wald eit, 
Quhairof was made restraint. 
With small defence, he gaif credence 
Bot did he not repent ? 
Quhen efterwart, he felt the smart, 
And God aganis him bent. 

t^gf Sa sail all thay, yat dois yis day 
With mischant mynde maling, 
Aganis the treuth but ony reuth 
And Crowning of our King. 
And this thay mufe for thair behufe, 
To place thair awin ofspring, 
But thay repent, thay will be schent, 
And hell at thair ending. 

1F Authoritie gif Just he be, 
Quhy do thay this 111 will him ? 
His graitfull gide, throw peuische pride 
Allace quhy did thay kill him ? 
Thair heid supreme in to this Realme 
Admit gif thay not will him 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 103 

Than ze my Lords, cut of with cords 
Thame will be troublous till him. 

1T Keuenge this wrang, lat tratourz hang 
Gods Lawis dois sa requyre, 
Lat Caleb eik, and Josue seik, 
The promysit Impyre. 
Thocht murmurars, and murtherars 
Wald all zour deith conspyre : 
In wyldernes with cursitnes, 
At lenth thay will all tyre. 

IF That Campion of Babilon, 
That bludy beildar vp ; 
With Mytrid heid, ane homyceid, 
That saikles blude dois sup. 
Oar cow his Crowne, or put him doun 
That he may taist the Cup 
Quhair with oft tymes, for saikles crymes 
Mennis lyues he Interup. 

$!F And se that neuer, ze do disseuer 
From first contractit band, 
Quhen ze our King of zeiris zing, 
Maid Rewlar of this land. 
Lat not Inuy, cause sum ly by, 
Bot all togidder stand : 
Than God the Lord, misericord, 
Will be zour sure warrand. 

IF From Cail mercat, quhair as I sat 
Thir wordis I did Indyte, 
The wyfis amag, that thocht greit lang 
To se my awin hand wryte. 
Gif ony be, that will judge me, 
To speik bot in dispyte, 
Gar mend the mis, committit is, 
And I na mair sail flyte. 

FINIS, QuodMaddi 




104 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



III.— && Clje £>pur to fyz Hortrfe* 

[Library of the Society op Antiquaries of London.] 

UHAT menis thir mischant murtherars ? 
In muifing mair mischeif, 
Thir Ruggars, Reifars, Romeraikars, 
Waitting of na releif. 

The mark that God gaif in his greif 

To Cains cursit Kin, 

Sail brod thir Burriois in the beif 

For thair maist schamefull Sin. 

IT Bot breiny for to breif in bill, 
Thay seme to be ouerluikit : 
Seing our Lordis sa lang ly still, 
Men meinis thay will miscuikit. 
Zour siluer beis na langer huikit 
Gar pay zour men of weir, 
Zone bludy Boucheours or thay bruikit, 
Ford wart zour selfis but feir. 



Thay Renigats, thay Rubiatouris 
Hes stollin our Regentis lyfe, 
Thay treuthles Tygars, thay trinfauld Tratours 
Hes steirit vp this stryfe. 
Of thame sail nouther man, bairne, nor wyfe 
Eschew mischeuous chance : 
Thay Ruffyis be thay neuer sa ryfe, 
Thay get na helpe of France. 

1T That dolorous deid had bene to done 
Had concord knit togidder, 
The Lordis and Counsall of this Rome, 
Of lait that war growin lidder, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 105 

That gart our Enemeis considder, 

His deith for to conspyre : 

Clyde banks thairfoir thay sail find slidder ; 

Quhen kindlit is Gods Ire. 

%M™ Fra he was gane, thay thocht that nane 
Thair fences micht ganestand, 
For why say thay thair is not ane 
Dar tak the deid on hand, 
That ar not knit all in a band, 
We may the Crowne attane, 
Zour Counsall we sail contramand, 
And Crowne zow Kingis of baine. 

IT Frome lyfe to deith, gif siclyke change, 
Had happinit ony of zow, 
And he zit leuing to Reuenge 
It had not bene till now. 
Reuenge ze not his deid I trow, 
Gods vengeance is decreittit: 
For giltles blude ze knaw not how 
Denuncit to retreittit. 

^!F Argyle and Boyde sail to zow cum 
To gar feche hame the Quene : 
My Lords I pray zow all and sum 
To mark weill quhat I mene. 
It suld zow mufe all to be tene 
Quhen ze the message heir, 
Sen hautie wordis bot spokin bene 
To gar zow tak sum feir. 

1F Ze haif deposit hir as in deid, 
Not worthie for to ring, 
God was zour ground, weill did ze speid 
And haif set vp the King. 
Gif ze depois him of his Ring, 
Ze grant the former wrang : 



106 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

And syne the Quene agane inbring, 
Na dout scho will zow hang. 

(^F Be war thairfoir or ze conclude, 
That scho in Scotland cum : 
For be my trouth gif that ze dude, 
It semis zour glas is rune. 
Better it war that ze war dum, 
Nor speik zour awin mischeif, 
And Kppin for na gude to cum 
Gif ze wirk hir releif. 

IT Argyle and Boyde befoir war with zow, 
And promysit to byde, 
And now thay tak on hand to gre zow 
With all the tother syde. 
Bot I pray God zour hartis to gyde, 
For quhen thay find zow rype : 
Thay sail not meiknes mix with pryde. 
And playis on Dysartis pype. 



Fordwart thairfoir with fyre and swords, 
For to reuenge this cryme, 
And lippin lytill in leing words : 
For thocht I speik in ryme. 
Treuth it was only to dryue tyme, 
That thay war hidder sent : 
And had thay force or it war pryme 
Ze wald se thair Intent. 

1T Zour Counsalls or thay be concludit, 
The Borderis will be brokin, 
Than will thay, gif ze vnderstuidit, 
On pure trew men be wrokin. 
With speiris (in sport) thocht it be spoken, 
This murther sone Beuenge : 
Thir haistie heitis sa sail ze slokin, 
Thocht it seme neuer sa strange. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 107 

IT Not on that reuthles rageing Rebell, 
And his vnhappy band, 
With creuell causers craifing hell, 
Gods bludy curs dois stand 
Bot on the countrie of Scotland, 
Till that misdeid be mend it : 
Thair is na mendis bot sweir in land, 
With speid till thay be spendit. 

IF This Rakles Robert did report, 
In raggit Runyis ryme 
Sen Sempill solace to this sort 
Auaillis maist in this tyme. 
With hardy hart, Reuenge this cryme, 
I say na mair Amen, 
Ga speik of Eger and Schir Gryme, 
And lat the Lordis alaine 

IT FINIS. 

Imprentit. Anno Do. 

1570. 



££♦— Cfje Birti in tije Case. 

[State Paper Office. — Scotish Series. Volume 17. {April) 
Number 72.] 

Bailfull bird that wantis wingis to fie, 
Nureistin a nest richt craftie wylis tohatche: 
For fault of feit borne in ane Ark of tre, 
In Craftines to Sinon worthie matche 

A gylefall grume all gude men to dispatche. 

And be a gyde to blind men in a rank : 

Zit for sic seruice seruis bot lytill thank. 




108 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

H A Scuruie Schollar of Machiauellus lair, 
Inuenting wylis anoyntit Kingis to thrall. 
To heis on hicht pure Pesantis full of cair 
From base estait, to Throne Imperiall. 
And mychtie men lyke wretchit Irus fall, 
And ly alaw lyke Loytring lubbers leud : 
For feir of storme fall fane thair saillis to schreud. 



And Doegis craft richt cunningly Imprent 
Quha can in hart pure Dauids Regne to stay : 
Achitophell misordour to Inuent. 
A proud Haman the faithfull to betray. 
Sobney the Scribe fals tressoun to display. 
Uproris to rais ane Atheist Abiron, 
To Stalwart Knichtis ane gylefull Ganzelon, 

H Ane flattring face, with outwart schaw serene 
Sour Aloes with bitter gall commixt, 
Ane luiring bait fond fischis to wirk tene, 
Not spying deith till thay on lyne be fixt : 
Quhan tyme is tynt, than find yai trew this text : 
Ouir lait it is the stabill dure to steik, 
Quhen sturdie steid is stollin and far to seik. 



To Ciuill weir, and Intestine discord, 
This bird can blaw the Trumpet craftelie, 
Quhais strenth and force consistis in pratting word 
With Serpentis sting, vnder simplicitie. 
A wylie wicht to practeis palzardrie. 
With warldly wit weill furnissit at will, 
Quhais Deuillische dryftis puttis all in poynt to spill, 

IT This birdis counsall confoundit hes yis land 
Turnd vp syde doun of richt and equitie : 
Displacit peace with discordis feirfull wand, 
That mouit hes thift, reif, and crueltie, 
Murther but mercy, bludie terrannie, 
Wandreth wanrest, feirfull ambitioun : 
Aspyring vp with pryde to heich renoun. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 109 

This bailfull bird richt beinly can vpbeild 
In Castellis Strang hir noysum nest to byde, 
The feildis plane can not fra schame hir scheild. 
Quha heichest clymmis the soner may thay slyde : 
In warldly wit (by God) quha dois confyde, 
Will be bet doun be duilfull destanie : 
And end thair lyfe with wretchet miserie. 

1 monstrous bird God nor ye gieddis ze get 
Or Rauinnis the rug with bludie beik in bittis, 
The Pyet pyke thy ene on gallons set, 
As Haman hangit hie on hicht with tittis. 
The forkit Clauer besyde the Croce that sittis, 
Mot be thy beir at thy last funerall, 
Quhen Dustifit to dance sail furth the call. 



I traist in God, that anis sail cum the day, 
Pluk at the Craw quhen barnis sail with yis bird : 
Or blind Hary with hir to sport and play, 
With fauldit neif and tak hir mony gird. 
Keip weill thy taill gude Phillip, I am hird 
The to award, from buffettis heir me by, 
The bony boy with sounding voice sail cry. 



Dirtin bedreidis the Prouerb sayis of auld, 
Ane scabbit hors will feill quhair he is sair : 
Quha giltie bene of vicis lastly tauld, 
Will deme of thame all men speikis lait and air : 
Quhairby thair lyfe is ay bot lasting cair, 
Fretting with feir in Inward conscience 
As hoiplost wichtis without all patience. 

IT Euin so sum man that menis not in his mynd 
Bot monstrously for to mantene misordour, 
Achitophellis air, ane Ganzelon of strynd : 
Falser than theuis that leuis on the bordour. 
Quha craftelie his awin affairis to furdour, 
Will think I speik of him in this my ryme 
Johne Gukstounis Eye to bleir quhen he thinkis tvme 



110 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



IF Jak in the bokis, for all thy mokis 

A vengeance mot the fall : 
Thy subteltie, and palzardrie 

Our fredome bringis in thrall. 
Thy fair fals toung, dois still Impung 

Our Crown Imperiall. 
Lyke wauering thane, thy proces vane, 

Will brew the bitter gall. 



Thy fed drum fair, will wirk the cair 

For all thy Syren sangis, 
Ane futles gyde, that mon abyde, 

To pay for all our wrangis. 
With walla way, thoull curs the day, 

Quhen Justice falset fangis, 
With helteris hie, to ty on tre 

Thy poysonit Edder stangis. 

Remord in mynd thy greit madnes, 
Recant thy cairfall cowardnes, 
Leid not our Lordis with wilfulnes, 

Lyke blind men in the myre. 
Sen thow hes wrocht sic wickitnes, 
Be thy auise and craftines, 
Or thow depart to hell furnes, 

Repent and haue thy hyre. 

1T This bill Maddie the sendis, 
And biddis to end it reid, 
It schawis hir dew commendis, 
But fauour or zit feid. 
God send thame euil to speid : 
Our King that vilipendis, 
Or zit dois seik thair deid, 
That dewly him defendis. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. Ill 

IT Amen say ane and all, 
Of faithfull in this land 
And for trew concord call : 
As God dois vs command. 
Strang is the Lordis hand, 
To keip all his from thrall : 
And with his threitning wand, 
Will mak his fais to fall. 

Finis. 

Quod Maddie Priores of the Caill mercat. 

1T Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno. Do. M. D. LXX. 




3E3EJ.— Cfje feilsome i&mtorottoutw 

[State Paper Office. — Scotish Series. Volume 17 (April) 
Number 73.] 

Lamp of licht, and peirles Peirll of pryse, 
O kenely Knicht in martiall deidis most ding 
O worthy wicht most vailzeant war & wyse, 
Capitane ay constant to the King. 
O Lustie Lord, that will na wayis maling, 
O Barroun bauld, of Cheualry the floure 
perfyte Prouest, but maik into this Ring 
O gudely Grange, but spot vnto this houre, 

1F I the beseik to call to memorie, 
The worthie deids done be that Prince sinceir 
King James the fyft, quha restis in heuin so hie, 
To the quha was his tender seruand deir. 
How in the day he vsit the as his peir, 
And luifit the so as man culd lufe ane vther 



112 THE SEMPILL EALLATES. 

At nicht in bed his fellow and his feir 
Esteming the as thow had bene his brother. 

IH1P And how his Sone our Regent of Renoun 
That restis with God, quha did thir thingis persaif, 
Thocht he be gone, and with his fais put doun 
Zit in his lyfe he luift the by the laif. 
Ay geuing the quhat thing that thow wald haif, 
Denying nocht that lay into his handis 
For thy seruice thy fie was not to craif, 
Bot recompancit with gold, with geir and landis. 

IT And quhen the Duke put the to banischment, 
And from the held thy landis mony zeir 
Thow knawis thy self gif he was'diligent 
To get thy pear, and slaik the of that weir. 
And to the get thy lands thy guds and geir, 
Thocht thair was sum that tuik thy rowmis in few 
Zit he to the gat thame as is maist cleir, 
To preif he was to the ane Maister trew. 

H Fra tyme the Lord did call him to that cure, 
Into this Realme that he suld ring allone 
He the estemit of steidfast faith most sure 
Thairfoir that hauld, and worthie hous of stone. 
He gaif to the with Jowallis mony one, 
As vnto him that he luiffit by the rest 
The quhilk in deid he wald haue done to none, 
Of all his brether that he luiffit best. 

I|1P Seytoun, Schir James, bot & the Schiref of Air 
Efter the feild he gaif thame in thy cure 
The Duke him self, and Hereis thow had thair, 
For in thy handis he thocht thame ay most sure. 
Sum said to him thairin he did Iniure 
To put sa mony greit men in thy band is 
His answer was, quhill that he micht Indure, 
His lyfe and all, he wald put in thy handis. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 113 

IF Hauing this hauld, as I haue done declair, 
In Counsall lious the Toun with ane consent 
Cheissit the to be thair Prouest and thair Mair 
As man thairto meit and conuenient, 
Quhilk office is, in deid richt ancient, 
Under the King this Burgh to reull and steir 
During thy office, culd thow stand content, 
Thow micht to Lordis be perigall and peir. 



Thir officis the farther did promote, 
It neidis na preif, thy self will testifie 
Amang the Lordis thow gat baith place and vote 
At Secreit Counsall in materis most hie 
Lyke as thame selfis sa thay estemit the, 
Into thair caus baith bent Just and vpricht 
Quhen tyme requyris, it suld Reuengit be, 
Think on his deith, that brocht the to sic hicht. 

1T In humbill wyse heirfoir I the Exhort, 
With tentyue eir vnto my taill attend 
I the desyre thre thingis in termis schort 
First in Gods caus be constant to the end. 
Syne nixt our King, with all thy micht defend 
Himself, his la wis, his libertie and Croun, 
Thirdly vnto the warld thow mak it kend 
He was thy Maister Bothwell hauch put doun. 

1T Into Religioun thow was richt feruent, 
God gif the grace thairin to perseueir 
That tyme at Leith thair was na man mair bent 
During that Seige I saw the prick fall neir. 
Of lyfe nor landis that tyme thow tuik na feir, 
Ay venturand quhair greitest war the dangeris 
For to set forth the word of God most cleir 
And for to freith thy Natiue Realme fra strangeris. 

lUP And now thow seis, how mony dois maling, 
Baith tyme and tyde schawand thair force & micht, 

8 



114 THE SEMPILL BALLATES, 

To that Intent that Jesabell sulk Ring 
Quha wald suppres the word of God most orient, 
And from our King (allace) wald reif his richt, 
Quhome to thay swore thay suld be alwayis trew 
Als dois defend with force baith day and nicht 
Thay Tratouris Strang, our Royall Regent slew, 

IF The word of God, for euer sail preuaill, 
And als his kirk sail haue the ouer hand 
Pharo and his, he brocht in mekill baill 
Quhen he led Israeli sail' throw se and sand. 
And als the Kingis Authoritie sail stand 
As Dauids did thocht Saull did him molest 
Sa sail our King at lenth posses this land 
As vtheris hes in quyetness and rest. 



This godly caus did euer prosper still 
Sen he was King, our Gouernour and gyde 
Baith at Carbarry and the Langsyde hill 
The michtie God was euer on his syde. 
Now in the North his fais thay durst nocht byde 
Quhair throw that pak did lois thair men of weir 
And quhen thay war the last tyme vpon Clyde 
Thair durst na fa into thair sicht appeir. 

IF Murther thow knawis will not vnpuneist be, 
Nor neuer was sen Cayn Abell slew 
The Scripture plane the same dois testifie 
That murtherars Gods wraith sail not eschew. 
Sail thay eschaip murdreist our Regent trew ? 
Of vertewis well, of euerie vice denude 
Thocht thair war nane his deith that wald persew 
The michtie God he wald Reuenge his blude. 

^glT Dois thow not se ye hand of God agane yame 
Wirking thair wrak, for breking his command 
Thocht Lethingtoun with tratling he do trane thame 
Garring thame trow the Frenche men is at hand. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 115 

And Duke De Alb ay reddy for to land 
With mony Hulk on hicht of Arthure sait 
Quhill that tyme cum we sail lay on the wand 
And gar our fais gif clene ouir all debait. 

IT Quhat neids ye skar, thocht Ingland do support vs, 
To puneis sic as proudly dois Rebel! 
That tyme at Leith thow knawis thay did comfort vs 
And maid vs fre quhen strangers did vs quell. 
And neuer socht na proffite to thame sell 
Thow neids not feir, that hous thay neuer craifit, 
The Regent sayis sa far as I heir tell 
Wald thow be trew, thair can na better haif it. 



Thocht at this tyme, thow haif that warlyke craig, 
And is in hart curagious and bald 
God will nocht mys to scurge the with a plaig 
Gif in his caus thow lat thy curage cald. 
As thow may se thick scurgis monyfald, 
Lich upon thame that proudly dois disdane 
Except the Lord be watche man of the hald 
Quha walkis the same, thair laubour is in vane. 

Thow hes bene ane, sen first this caus began, 
And als hes sene, how God gart it proceid 
Heirfoir I pray zit do the thing thow can 
Into Gods caus, and to Reuenge his deid. 
And gif thow swerue, richt sair in hart I dreid, 
That sindrie sail thy doingis discommend 
Anise heiron sen now is tyme of neid 
Mark weill I pray this Schedull that I send. 

1F Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno. Do. M. D. LXX. 




116 THE SEMPIL.L BALLATES. 



XXW— STfje Eressoim of ©unftartane* 

[State Paper Office. — Scotisli Series. Volume 18 (May) 
Numbers 23 and 24. — A Lennox Garland. Edited by 
Joseph Irving, Dumbarton I860.] 

N May is moneth mening na dispyte, 

Quhen luiffaris dois thair daylie obseruance 
To Venus Quene the Goddes of delyte, 
The fiftene day befell the samin chance. 
The Generall raid with mony Demylance, 
Downe to Dunbartaine doand na man 111, 
Quhair furious Fleming schot his Ordinance 
Willing to wraik him, wantit na gude will. 

Mair I lament the great Ingratitude 
Of cruell Catiues kankirt and vnkynde, 
Quhat gart zow schute to slay zone men of gude ? 
Lunatyke Monsters mad and by zour mynde. 
Degenerat Stewartis of ane Hieland strynde, 
As mix me balme and poysone put into it, 
Rycht as the tre is nureist be the rynde : 
Cardanus counsell causit the to do it. 

That Bastard Bischop bred ane greiter blok 
Laitly expremit, I neid not speik it heir, 
Thocht thow be cummin of ane Royall stok, 
The Kings hous and als his Consin£ deir. 
Gif naturall kyndness coulde in the appeir, 
Thow hes na cause to keip him in thy hous 
For airt and pairt ressetting him I feir, 
Of thy auld Lordschip beis not left ane sous. 

Mycht thow not licence Inglis men to ryde 
Throw all this Realme vpon thair awin expensis. 
Bot thow vaine bable bouistrit vp in pryde ; 
Crabit but cause, and caryit by thy sen sis. 



THE SEMTILL BALLATES. 117 

Throw Sorcerie and vther vain pretensis, 
Doist thow beleif the wichtnes of thy wawis 
May keip zone knaif that slew our saikles Prencis 
Na weill I wait God will reuenge that cause. 

Gif that was foule, now foular may be spokin 
Without respect to honour lyfe or landis, 
Bot not the first tyme that thy faith was brokin 
Thankit be God he chaipit of thy handis. 
Haifand thy traist as all men vnderstands ; 
Dissaitfully thow schot but ryme or ressoun 
Bot had not bene ane slack was in the sands 
Weill had he payit zow tratouris for zour tressoun, 

Ganzelons gettis relict of Synoins seid, 
Tratouris to God, and mainsworne to the King 
Deir sail ze by zone foule unduchtie deid, 
Betraissand strangers vnderstude na thing. 
I put na doubt, man for thy deidis Inding, 
To se vs shortly in thy place possest 
At euerie port a spald of the to hing 
As tratouris sould for schuittmo- vnder trest, 

o 

Makcloid, Makclaine, nor he that slew Oneill 
Or zit quhat micht Johne Moydirnoch do mair \ 
Ane Turk, ane Jow, or than the mekle Deill, 
To thy foule tressoun trewly na compair : 
Weill hes thow leird it at the Bischoppis lair, 
Becum his prentise broderit in his band 
Gif thow denyis, thair was ane dosane thair 
Better nor thow, dar fecht it hand for hand, 

Praise be to God he chaipit of that chance 
Ze plaid the knaiffis, and he the Nobill knicht 
I hope in God or ze get helpe of France 
Of better freinds to se ane blyither sicht. 
Our cause is Just, the King hes kyndly richt. 
Groundit on God and the foundatioun laid : 



118 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Thocht men throw murther mene to mount on hicht 
Law sail he lycht downe as the Lord hes said. 

Ze sawe zourselfis the Inglis men raid neir 
For all zour craking caigit within ane Cro, 
It is na Fables forth of France thay feir 
Cum fra the Paip and the grand Pryore to. 
Thay haif zour Queue in keping (quhair is scho ?) 
Lang may ze luke or sche releif zour weiris 
Ze will not wit quhat Inglismen can do, 
Quhill Drureis bells be roung about zour eiris. 

Than sail ze cry cor mundum on zour kneis, 
Murnand for mercy, and able for to mys it : 
Quhen ze luke downe to Wallace Toure and seis 
Sogeouris of Berwik brekand vp zour kist. 
Thair sail ze se zour bastard Bischop blist, 
Out of his hoill weill houndit lyke ane tod 
That bludy Bouchour euer deit of thrist 
Soukand the soules furth of the Sanctis of God. 

For saikles blude and murther maid sensyne, 
Gone is his grace, ze haif ane godly part of him 
Trewly my Lord, and I war in zour lyne 
The Deill a bit sulde byde within the zet of him. 
Wald ze ga seik ane Secreit place weil set of him 
Cardanus pyn weill closand in ane Spreit, 
Pull me out that, thair is na mair to get of him, 
Bot as ane bledder blawin fra heid to feit. 

In waryit tyme that Bischop hes bene borne 
Mars hes bene maister at that Balials byrth, 
Throw him his freinds ar houndit to the home 
Baneist and slaine, vncertane of ane gy rth 
Gone is thair game, and murning is thair myrth, 
Thair cattell caryit, thair Granges set in fyre, 
The worlde may se thair wisdom e was na worth 
Murther left ay his Maister in the myre. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 119 

Now fair weill Fleming, bot foule ar thy deids 
The Generall this Schedul at schort to the sends 
Thow sail heir ma nouells as farder proceids, 
Bot not to thy sythment as sum men Intends. 
The actioun is not honest thow defends, 
Gif thow be angrie with ocht that I reheirs 
The narrest gait thow can gang seik amends. 
Is mend thy maners, and I sail mend the veirs. 

Finis. 

Imprentit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno Do. M. D. LXX. 



*^mmmm* 



X30BBE — 3ne Vallate of tfje (faptaneoftfK CastelL 



[Richard Bannatyne's Memoriales of Transactions in 
Scotland 1569-1573. 4to, (Bannatyne Club) 1836.— 
Scotish Poems of the Sixteenth Century. Collected by 
John Graham Dalyell, Edinburgh, 1801.] 



T the castle of Edinburch, 

Vpoun the bank baith greine and rouch, 

As niyne alone I lay, 
With paper, pen, and inke in hand, 
Musing, as I could vnderstand, 

Off the suddan decay 
That vnto this puir natioune 

Apeirandly dois come : 
I fand our Congregatione 

Was caus of all, and some 
Whois aucthoris, instructors 
Hes blindit thame so long, 




120 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

That, blameles and schameles, 
Both riche and poure they wrong. 

These wicked, vaine veneniaris, 
Proud poysoned Pharisianes, 

With thair blind guydis but grace, 
Hes caused the puire cuntrie 
Assist vnto thair traitorie, 

Thair Prince for to displace : 
For teine I can not testifie 

How wrangouslie they wrocht, 
When thai thair Prince so pitiouslie 

In prisone strong had brocht ; 
Abused hir, accused hir, 
With serpent wordis fell, 
Of schavelis and rebellis, 
Lyk hiddeous houndis of hell. 

These dispaired birdis of Beliall, 
Thocht nocht but to advance thaim sell, 
Fra thai had hir down thro win ; 
With errore and hypocrisie, 
To committ open traitorie, 

As cleirlie now is knowin : 
But the grit God omnipotent, 

That secreitis thochtis dois serche 
Releivit hes that innocent 

Out of thair rage so fearce ; 
Provydet and guyded 
Hir to vncouth land, 
Whair wander and sclander 
With enemeis none sho fand ! 

Sen tyme of which ejectione, 
This cuntrie is come in subjectione 

And day lie seruitud. 
With men of weir in garisone, 
To the commones oppressione, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 121 

By slicht, and suddrone bloud ; 
"Whose craft, ingyne, and polycie 

Full reddy bent is euer, 
Be treasone vnder amitie 

Our nobles to disseaver : 
Some rubbing, some budding, 
Thair studie thai employ, 
That slichtlie, vnrichthe, 
They may this realme enjoy. 

This guyding gart grit greif aryse 
In me, wha nawayis culd devyis 

To mend this grit mischance ; 
And als I argoued all the cais, 
I hard ane say, within this place, 

" "With help of God and France 
I sail, within ane litill space, 

Thy dolouris all to drese ! 
With help of Christ thow sail, or Pasche, 

Thy kyndlie Prince posses ; 
Detrusaris, refuisaris, 
Of hir authoritie ; 
Nane cairand or spairand, 
Shall outlier die or flie. 

" Thought God, of his just jugment, 
Thole thaim to be ane punishment 
To hir, thair supreme heid ; 
Zit sen thay war participant 
W^ith hir, and sho now penitent, 

Rycht suirly they may dreid ; 
As wicked scourges hes bene seine 

Get for the scurgene hyre, 
When synneris repentis from the splene, 

The scourge cast in the fyre : 
Swa Mortone, be fortone, 
May get this same reward ; 
His boasting, nor posting, 
I doe it not resniard. 



122 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

" Bayth him and all thair cumpany, 
Thocht England wald thaim fortifie 

I cair thaim nocht a leike ; 
" For all thair grit munitione, 
I am in suire tuitione, 

This hauld it sail me keip. 
My realme and Princes libertie 

Thairin I sail defend, 
When traitouris salbe hangit hie, 

Or make some schamfull esnd. 
Assuire thame, I cuire them, 
Ewin as thei do deserve ; 
Thair tressone, this cessone, 
It sail not make me suerve : 

" For I haue men and meit aneugh, 
They know I am ane tuilzeour teoch, 
And wilbe rycht sone greved ; 
When thei haue tint als mony teith 
As thei did at the seige of Leith, 

They wilbe faine to leive it. 
Then quha, I pray you, salbe boun 

Thar tinsall to advance, 
Or gif sic composition e 

As thei gat then of France ? 
This sylit, begylit, 
They will bot get the glaikis ; 
Cum thai heir, thir tuo yeir, 
They sail not misse thair paikis. 

" As for my nychtbouris, Edinburch toun, 
What salbe thair part, vp or downe, 

I can not yit declair ; 
Bot one thing I make manifest, 
Gif thei me ony thing molest 

Thair buithis salbe made bair. 
Gif fyre may thair buildingis sacke, 
Or bullat beat thaim downe, 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 123 

They sail nocht faill that end to mak 

The staires made in this toun. 
Swa use thaim, and chuse thaim, 
What pairt thei will ensew ; 
Forsake me, or take me, 
They sail drink as thei brew !" 

He bade me rise arid muse na mair, 
But pray to God both lait and aire, 

To saue this noble ludge, 
Which is, in all prosperitie, 
And lykwayis in aduersitie, 

Our Princes plane refuge. 
Thairfoir, all trew men I exhort, 
That ze with me accord, 
That we all, baith in ernest and sport 
Aske at the leving Lord. 
That hanged, or manged, 
Mot ilk man mak his end, 
Wha dewlie and trewlie 
Wald nocht this house defend ! 

F i n i b. 



XXW— E\\t (Exfjortatioun to tty ILortits* 

[Library of the Society of Antiquaries of London.] 

LUSTY lords & barrounis yat bene bauld 
That for gude caus ar now asseblit heir 
Pluk up zour harts, lat not zour curage cauld 
And prise ye lord zour capitane in weir. 

Will ze him serue ze neid nocht for to feir, 

The craft, the wit, nor policie of man 




124 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

For quhy the Lord will zit zour Baner beir 
As he hes done sen first this caus began. 

tUF Haue ze forzet how that he did vs luif 
That time at leith quhe strangers did persew 
Our enemeis harts ze saw that he did muif 
To cum ouir Tweid vs to help and reskew, 
Quhair we and thay our enemeis ouirthrew 
Making vs fre that lang in thrall had bene 
Syne in this Realme plant . . his gospel trew 
but scheding blud, quhilk hes not oft bene sene 

Fra ze began from blude to purge this land 
Thay murtherars thay neuer durst zow bide 
He gaif hir anis, and put her in zour hand 
But ony blude, vpon Carbarrie syde. 
Syne efter that, quhen lymmers loust y r bryde 
He faucht for zow vpon the Langsyde hill 
Zour fais wist not in what hoil yame to hyde 
Su chaist, sum slane, sum tane into zour will. 

IF He send Moyses to gouerne zow and gyde 
Zour commoun weill to reule and als redres 
quhair throw yis realme but rest did rin & ryde 
To bring the same, to rest and quyetnes. 
His diligence my toung can not expres 
Planting Justice baith in Burgh and land 
Dating rebels, quhilk proudly did transgres 
His malk rag not, gif yat his dayis had stand. 

^iT Kicht prudently the Lord he did prouyde 
For zow from tyme, he saw yat he was slane, 
And wald not thoill, zow be without a gyde 
But efter Moyses he raist Josua agane. 
Zow to conduct to ye land of Canan 
Mair Fortunat nor Moyses was befoir 
In faitis of weir ane worthy Capitane 
The Gentiles lands to zow for to restoir 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 125 

Thair Parliament of Linlithgow he did stay 
Syne Breichen gat it, bade him not ane blast 
Down was geuin ouir, for feir of weir assay 
Paslay he wan, and now Dunbartane last 
His Capitanis maid all his fais agast 
Sum tane, sum slane, sum chaist into the se 
Thir deids suld not, with silence be ouir past, 
Bot worthie ar Eternall Memorie. 

Zour godly cans hes now tane gude succes 
In Ingland lait, I neid it not d eclair, 
Quhair my lord Chancelar tuik greit besines 
With your gude freind the Clerk of Registrair 
Thair trauell, wit, nor gudis yai did not spair 
For to vphald the Kings Authoritie, 
In presence of thay strangers that wer thair 
Working for him in Ms Minoritie. 

lUF Ze do tryumph, albeit that ze be few 
Zour enemeis thay dar zow not ganestand 
Quhat ye do schaip, ye Lord himself dois sew 
Quhat ye duyse, he wirkis it with his hand, 
Thairfoir mak haist, lat nane be in this land, 
To leif lyke Lords, syne proudly to rebell 
Gar thame baith sweit and subscriue ye band 
Or failzeand this, do with thair leuings mell, 

And gif ze dreid, yat sum will ait his ouirhaill, 
And will not keip, nor zit obserue thair bands 
For startling hald the kow fast be the taill 
Appoint nane sic but pledgis in zour hands, 
And keip thame sure, sen ze se as it stands 
For cum that tyme that all yat sort desyris, 
That wil but dout send zow in vncouth lads 
To seirche and seik, zour meit into the myris 

Sen thair Intent to zow was neuer gude 
As be thair deids richt cleirly may be sene 



126 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Gif thame na leif to play with yow buk heid, 
As thay haif done, ay waitand on yair quene. 
Bot puneis all the quhilk ye knaw vnclene 
Of outher blude, & quyte yame for yair meids 
And spair all sic will serue his grace serene, 
And had na wy te of nouther of thair deids. 

I wald ye did sum mair at this Canuentioun 
Nor did your fais at thairs thay held at Pace 
Quhat yai did yair, I neid not to mak metioun 
Bot weill I wait, su of yame rewis yat race. 
Zit top of wit was borne vp throw ye streit, 
This commoun weill had stand in better cace 
Had it fallin in his toung fell in his feit. 

Sen God hes put the sword into your hand 
Justice to do alyke to riche and pure. 
Tak heid yairfoir and na wise brek command 
Be circumspect of this your charge and cure 
Gif ye neglect, than God I yow assure 
Will fro yat rowme thoill you to be detrusit 
Planting vthers into that charge ye bure 
And gif yat sword to yame can rychtly vsit. 

Be bent yairfoir, and byde not this in bluder, 

Baith the word of God & comoun weil auace 

Ze neid na ma bot Gedronis thre hunder 

To quhip your fais or yai get help of France 

Mak to lyke me sen ye haif ordinance, 

Ding draffen dou yat hald quhairin yai pryde yame 

Bring in ye north with buvart bow & Lance, 

Gif thay rebell with fyre and sword ouir ryde yame 

How & what way ye suld appost your bordour 
Maddeis counsall is verray excellent 
Scho did prescriue ane gude & godly ordour 
That to perform e, had ye bene diligent : 
Hard ye the pure, I wait ye wald lament 
Sa cruelly thay Tyranis dois oppres thame, 



THE SEMP1LL BALLATES. 127 

Slaying yanie selfis, yair gudis reit and rent 
For feir of God, I pray yow to redres tliame. 

Quhat ma did hoip of grage now dois appeir 
His cloikit craft of malice dois outspring, 
As in his Proclamatiouns ye may heir 
He dois Rebell and will not serue the King, 
Traitours yai ar agane yow to maling, 
He being Crownit in lauchfull Parliament, 
Quha dances fastest with him into yat Ring, 
To his Crowning baith sweir & gaif consent. 

Quhen the Regent gaif him that haulcl ye saw 
He was the Kingis, & sweir theirfoir to stand, 
Albeit yat now, his grace he will nocht knaw, 
Nor zit Lennox for Regent of this land. 
Zit Robert Hepburne being in his hand 
And saifly enterit within that place, 
He said he was reset by his command 
And send Robert to my Lord Regents grace. 

Quhill yat he gat yat hauld and hous in hand, 
Into this caus he was baith bent and bauld 
Bot fra thyne furth than he gaif ouir yat band 
And in this caus he leit his curage cauld. 
This is the treuth as trew men to me tauld, 
That samin tyme his maister was on lyue 
He wald not lat him enter in that hanld 
With na seruands bot outher four or fyue. 



He lies not onlie sueruit fra our actioun 
Bot dowbill murther he d ois fortifie 
Desyring bargane of ony of our factioun 
Of his degre, estait, and qualitie. 
We haue nane sic, ye knaw in cumpanie, 
Hirn for to match quhilk playit ye dowbil knaif 
For first he slew ane Maister cruellie, 
And syne betraist the last ye may persaif. 

Bot zit I knaw yair is ane hundreth heir 



128 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Of gentill men, and cum of Royall Race 

On hors or fate, with quhinger sword or speir, 

Dar weill him matche, & meit him face for face 

And preif him fals and Tratour in this cace 

He dar not fecht for this is his refuge, 

He wald compeir at euery tyme and place 

Gif that he had ane unspectit Judge. 

IT And als ye se, he planely dois accuse, 
The Regents grace of cruell Tyrannie 
Aganis his fais quhilk he dois schaw ane vse 
In casting doun baith place and policie, 
Sen thay misknaw thair Just Authoritie, 
And will not serue, nor zit obey cpmmands 
Ze may be Law subuert thair places hie 
Syne tak fra thame yair lyuis geir and lands. 

I knaw thir letters ye fand into Dunbartane 
Quhilk dois declair his dowbil deids Inding 
Is only caus, I am baith sure and certane 
Quhilk garris him mak yis boist & manassing. 

%W Bot zit ye knaw it is ane commoun thing 
For weill I wait ye haue sene mony sic, 
Tuiche anis the gaw, & yan the hors wil fling. 
Fra tyme ye spur and hit him on the quik. 

IT It is your hous that maks him be sa bauld, 
Agane baith God and King for to disdane 
Except the Lord be watchman of the hauld, 
The Psalmist sayis thair watching is in vane 
As ye haue sene within thir monethis twane, 
Ane greiter strenth ye gat as I record, 
Swa will ye zone, to God gif ye be bane 
And swa commits your wisdomis to the Lord. 

IT FINIS. 

Imprentit at Striuiling be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno. Do. 1571. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 129 

XWE— 2fae atmmmttotm to mg lortr Eegentts 
grace, 

[State Paper Office. — Bedash Series, Volume 21 (November), 
Number 100. — It is there marked "1571, November. 
A ballad against the bringing in of English forces into 
Scotland." Another copy of the same is marked "Decem- 
ber," 103-1, and Indorsed by. Lord Burghley, " A ballet 
to y e Regent agaynst coming in of Englishmen." — Sir 
Richard Maitland of Lethingtoun'sManuscript Collection 
of Poems 1555-1586, in the Pepysian Library, Magdalene 
College, Cambridge. — Ancient Scotish Poems, never be- 
fore in print. But now published from the MS. Collections 
of Sir Richard Maitland. Edited [and mutilated] by 
John Pinkerton, London, 1786. — The Poems of Sir 
Richard Maitland, of Lethingtoun, Knight. With an 
Appendix of Selections from the Poems of Sir John 
Maitland Lord Thirlestane, and of Thomas Maitland. 
Edited from the Drummond MS. in the Library of the 
University of Edinburgh. 4to, (Maitland Club), Glasgow 
1830. — The Authorship of this Ballate is doubted, while 
not unlike those of Sempill, it is supposed to be by Lord 
Thirlestane. As it, however, evidently forms one of 
the series, it has been judged right to reprint it here.] 

AIST loyal lord, ay for yi lawtie lowitt, 
Now be not lakkit for deloyaltie ! 
Thocht to ye princis place thow be promowit, 
Be not abusit be authoritie. 
Bot schaw thi treuth, and thy integritie. 
Sene we sa far ourselfls hes submittit, 
And king and contray Lawes and libertie 
Unto thy cair, and cradit, haue committit 

Thy hous hes ay bene trustie, and inteir ; 
Defamit nocht with fraud, and fickilnes. 
Bot schaw thyself bayth scharp, sage, and sinceir ; 
Indewit with vertew, wit, and worthines, 
Ingyne, jugement, justice, and gentilnes ; 
Craft, conduct, cair, and knawlege to command : 

9 




130 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Heroik hart, honor, and hardines : 

Or in this storme thy stait will neuer stand. 

We haive the chosin to ye cheifest charge, 
Oure tossit galay to governe, and to gyde. 
Bewar with bobbis ! scho is a brukill barge, 
And may na bitter blastis weill abyde. 
Thow may hir tyne, in turning of a tyde, 
Cast weill thy conrs ; yow he& ane kittil cure. 
Off perrellis pance ; and for sum port provyde ; 
And anker sicker, quhar thow may be sure. 

All Boreas' bitter blastis ar nocht blawne : 
I feir sum boide, and bobbis be behinde. 
Be tyde and tempest thow may be ovirthrawne ; 
And mony fairlie fortouns thow may find : 
As channellis, cragis, bedds, and bankis blind ; 
Lekand wanluks, quhairby thow may be loist. 
Bewar, thairfoir, with weddir, waw, and wynd, 
With uncouth coursis, and unkawin coist. 

Be war w 1 strangears in thy sterne to steire 
Thocht on ane course we can nocht condescend . 
Suppois sum present perrell now appeir 
And sum hes wyritt and will no* with us wend 
Be meitar meanes thow mon that make mend 
Noe dangeris be ye double to divert 
Thairfor I pray the prudenthe spend 
And put nocht all in perrell for a pairt. 

Thow will put all intill appeirand perrell, 
Gif Inglis forcis in yis realme repair. 
Sic ar nocht meit for to decyde oure querrell ; 
Thocht farlandis fules seme to have fedderis fair. 
Be thay acquentit, thai will creip inner mair ; 
And wilbe noysum nychbours, and Enorme : 
And schortlie will sit till our sydes as sair, 
As now the rebells, quhome thay suld reforme. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 131 

That freindschip is ay fecfullest afar ; 
And langest will indure with lytle daile. 
I feir with ws and tyme it wirk to war, 
Fra thai aganes oure partie anes prevaile. 
Quha wait bot syne thai will ourselns assaill ; 
Auld fayis ar sindill faythful freindis found : 
First helpe the halfe, and syne o r harrill the haill, 
Wilbe a woful weilfair of oure wound. 

Oure brethren may remember zit in France 
The fay fc and freindschip yat thai w t thame fand 
And how thay did the word of God avance 
Fra the new heavin they gat into yair hand 
And how thay never pairtit w fc that pand 
Quhill bayth ye syddes yame forcit to reteir 
Even at Leith gif yat yow lat thame land 
The samyn practis plainlie will appeir. 

Be thair exempill learne experience, 
Ane foreyne mache, or maister, to admitt. 
Reid, fra the Saxons gat preeminence, 
How sone thai soeht as souueraignes to sitt. 
Reid quhuw thay forcit the Britoun folks to flitt; 
And zit posseids that peipils propertie. 
Bewar ! We may be weltred or we witt : 
And lykeways lose oure land, and liberty. 

Ane thousand sic exemples I could schaw ; 
And mony nobill natiouns may name, 
Quha lost at lenth thair libertie, and law, 
And sufferit lies great sorrow, sy* and schame ; 
That for to helpe thair hermes, and hurte at hame, 
Feycsit forayne forcis in to thair support, 
Quha fuilzeit syne thair fredome, force, and fame ; 
And thame subdewit in the samyn sort. 

Fleand Charibe bewar in styll to fall ; 
And sa eschew cruill dissentioun, 



132 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

That oure estait to strangers be not thrall, 

The canker of our auld contentioun 

Will keip na counand nor conventioun. 

Bot gif yow gif thame credit to correct us, 

Be craftie way, will, and conventioun, 

And subtell slycht, thai will seik to subject us. 

This realme w l eis the rebellis may repres 
We neid na forene forces for sa few 
Thair landis thay loup that reagne is les and les 
Sa suit not sic as seiks us to subdew 
Qlk gif tli ow do quhat euer may ensew 
• To fergus blude we rather will obey 
Nor in o r tyme be trators toyitt vntrew 
And gif o r realme to Ingland as a pray. 

Scotland came never zit in servitude, 
Sen Fergus first ; bot ever hes bene frie. 
And hes bene alwais bruikit be ane blude ; 
And kin of kings descendit gre be gre. 
Gif that it be in bondage brocht be the, 
Thay wareit weir thy weirdis and wanhaip ! 
Thairfoir thir forene fechis sa force, 
That catcheit we be nocht with ye eftir-claip. 

Markand mynt at the honour, laude, and prais, 
The vertew, worde, worschip, and vassallage, 
Off sic as doichtelie did in thair dayis 
To keip this realme from thraldome and bondage : 
Mark als the vyle vituper, and the wage 
Of untreuth, tresoune and of tyrannie : 
And how sum hes honour, and heretage, 
And Lyfes, losrt, for thair deloyaltie. 

Sa for thy factis thow may be suir to find 
The lyke rewaird of vertew or of vyce 
Thairfoir be not sylit as a bellie blind ; 
Nor lett thyself be led upone the yce, 
Nor, to content thy marrow's covatyce, 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 133 

Put not thyself in perrell for to perish. 

Nor beir the blame, quhair vthers takis the pryce. 

Nor beitt the buish, that vthers eit the bereis. 

The throne of tryall, and theatre trew, 
Is for to regne, and rewle above the rest. 
Who hes the woyne him all the world dois vew ; 
And magistrat the man dois manifest. 
Sen thow art in the princes place possest, 
Louk to be prasit as thow plays thi pairt. 
And, as thow levis, so luvit be and lest ; 
And always delt with eftir thi desert. 

Finis Amen. 

Supposit be Lord Thirlstane. 



IJFI— Efte Btsrfjoppts Igfe an* testament. 

[Library of the Society of Antiquaries of London.] 



ALLING to mynde the mutabiliteis 
Of this Inconstant warld sa variabill, 
Lyke to ane Schip that saillis on the seis 
Tost with winds & wallis Innauigabill. 
Bot sen I se na plesure permanabill 
Bot as the weid it widderis sone away, 
Lat vs go seik the gloir Inestimabill 
Quhair we man pas perpetually for ay. 




With spreit opprest this plungit in to cair, 
Remembring me quhat mater to compyle 
Endlang ane Park I past without repair , 



134 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Be Snawdoun syde the seuint day of Apryle, 
And as I walkit wandering not ane myle 
Ane pieteous spreit appeirit to my thocht, 
Sayand, allace, and waryit be the quhyle 
That I was borne, or in this warld upbrocht. 



Can I nocht tell gif be Illutioun 
Or gif be feir sic fantaseis we tak, 
Bot this be said in schort conclusioun 
Dep]orit ane plaint, and planelie to me spak 
Poetis of me hes mater for to mak 
In tragedie quhat tyme I heir remanit 
And with that word I went sum thing abak, 
And bad say on, and with God saif me sanit. 

1F I was (said he) ane Lord leuand on lyfe, 
Ane bastard barne that can I not deny 
My Father was ane Erie and had ane wyfe 
Thocht he abusit his body and lay by. 
In Goddis Ire begottin sa was I 
My mother was a Dame in Dundaf mure 
Bot quhidder it was in feild keipand the Ky 
Or fischand Lochis Lin I am not sure. 



As for my surname seik my mothers aith 
Quhylis Cuninghame yai callit me heir & yair 
bot gude John Cowane gaif me meit and claith 
Quhill I was seuin yeir auld and su thing mair 
the Prouest of Hammiltoun cumand by for cair 
Fand me with Ky ane kyndlie occupatioun, 
And Hammiltoun he me huif I sow declair 
Ane sorie Surname for my awin saluatioun. 

To preif my spreit and say my scha^ Ingyne 
With John of Cliddisdail yai . . usit* *aq to striue 
Be worsting first in faith the feild was myne, 
I brak his heid to haue prerogatiue. 

* Obliterated in the Original. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES 235 

Quhat sail I wryte zow in my wittis five ? 
I was coequall with Achitophall, 
Or subtill Sinone knaifrie to discriue 
And all my deidis mair Diabolical!. 



In leirning letters lang tyme at ye Scule 
My pregnant spreit snrpassit all the laif, 
Quhill I was cowit and cled up lyke ane Fule 
In Stemming Rokket riches to ressaif. 
Than, twa yeiris Noueis notit for ane knaif 
Zond in Kiluinning my prentischip I past 
Bella fortuna to me sic giftis gaif 
To want na graith and ay the Gallous last. 

IF Tha my Lord Arrane from Albany ye Duke, 
Obtenit the gift of Murray be ane myance 
Quhen Abbotschaw sic hauie haitrent tuik 
At the haill hous of Lennox and thair alliance. 
Quhaitfoir he coist and left thame at defyance, 
Than I fund Jok was into Paslay plaist 
Smart in my schuitting &; singular in my sciece 
And sum men sayis the bybill I Imbraist. 



For feir of that, thay gart me fie to France 
In waryit tyme I trow I went of towne, 
Quhair I begonth with guthorne for to dance, 
To loup on Lassis lait and play the Lowne. 
My Stemiug Sark, & Rokket was laid doun, 
Fra tyme that I hard tell the King was deid 
Than I began haill Tutour to the Orowne 
To steir my tyme the temporall la wis to leid 



The first that euer vaikit was Dunkell 
And I was gaipand lyke ane gredie gled, 
The Cardinall deit, and than Sanctandres fell 
My power haill unto the Paip I sped 
Quhen whan they had rypelie all my b . wes* red, 

* Obliterated in the Original. 



136 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Aganis thair Cannoun Law thay gaif decreit 
For I was bastard borne of vnlawfull bed 
Zit furtherit I becaus thay fand me meit. 



Without respect to God or feir of faith, 
Plumand but pietie I did oppres the pure 
Be fenzeit causis I confiscat graith 
Men criminall to accuse I tuke na cure, 
Quhen it was gottin I gaif it to my hure 
Quhome I possest in speciall Stanehous wyfe 
Of all the barnis my Lady Jeltoun bure 
Scho me constranit to mak Ilk ane a lyfe. 

Rowpand for riches quhill all my barnis wer staikit 
As houngrie Lyou lousit out of a band, 
Sum benefice I bocht or euer it vaikit 
And sum I wardit waitand on thair land. 
Kilburnie haldis Drumry behind the hand 
Raith and Bernbowgall & mony honest man 
Na wrangous conqueis Christ wil thoil to stad 
Euill was it wairit, and weill war I it wand 



Be iustice airis I pledgit all the pepill 
Than spairit nane, thocht thay wer Innocent, 
To Magnifie my name I maid ane Stepill 
Of euerie pleuch I tuik fyue pund of Stent, 
Swa of this lyfe the Lord was miscontent *j 
Seand my faith not foundit on ane Roik 
As babell fell sa Paslay may repent 
That I the maid of Malesounis of foik. 






Than was I Legat licent be the Paip, 
With dispensatiounis, sawis for euerie sair 
To eik my pois I leit thame pas gude chaip 
By quha sa wald, I wantit na sic wair. 
For holynee thay heipit on me mair 
Greit Metrapolitane of the Kirk of God, 
Quhen 1 was Hird the scheip was in anesnair 
Lyke till ane flok of hen n is befoir ane Tod 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 137 

11 Quha land it than, bot Lennox out of France 
To battel boun with him was bernis bauld, 
Sair I in dreid, quhill I deuysit that dance 
Of Glasgow Castell gat it bocht and sauld, 
Greit was the riches fund within that hauld, 

Plairrer .... or pois we neuer left plak* 

Coistlie apparell that can not weill be tauld 
We left him bair till all was on his bak. 



Efter the feild we folio wit him sa fast, 
Spuilzeit his places, & tuik baith gudis & geir, 
Quhill all the land he left us at the last 
Quhair Lawrence Neisbit chaipit verray neir. 
Contrair my conscience, and the actis of weir 
Murdreist his men that micht me nocht resist 
That saikles blude rang fer and twentie zeir, 
Quhill Palmsoneuin that same day I deceist. 



Bot to my taill heir I returne agane, 
Quhen ze began in goolynes to gloir 
I tuik my womit wickitlis in vane, 
Contrair my conscience I profest befoir 
My mynd was than the Messes to restoir, 
Bot now to lait, I lat that Law allane 
Had I fund graith my honour to decoir 
I caird not by, quhat way the warld had gane. 

f At Haryis Mariage I bure hid Inuy 
Feirand he procreat children with the Quene 
His putting doun I publictly deny, 
Zit botis & humis declairis zow quhat I mene 
And scho wer wrakit, all the warld may wene 
Than sould the Duke but dout ressaif ye croun 
This was my purpois planely to obtene 
Under sum craft to cow the Stewartis doun. 



Than was scho caryit captiue as tha-y tell 
And quha nor I was fainer of that fact ? 

* This Line is much obliterated in the Original. 



138 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Except the countrie come not with our sell 
Quhilk was the only caus we bure abak. 
For feir of Murray sic myance gart I mak 
Be fraud and gyle we gat hir of Lochleuin, 
Seikand our gloir we gat baith schame and lak 
Our fals intent was sa tryit out in heuin. 

IF Zit cuttit I away their wardly strenth 
James Erll of Murray Regent of Renoun, 
As I sail schaw zow schortly at mair lenth 
I being captiue tane to Striuiling Toun 
Dunbartane Castell Deuill mot ding the doun 
Quha wald beleif but thow was wicht aneuch 
Bot zit the Lord is Maister of Mahoun 
Inspyrit thair spreitis, &gartthame speill thatheuch 



Bot quha may leif , fra tyme his glas be run 
As I haue schawin heir schortly to conclude, 
Sone was I helterit fra the hous was wun 
To Snawdoun syne, accusit with men of gude, 
Of pointis four, bot stifiy I withstude, 
Except the Regentis deith I nocht denyit, 
I was the only man gart spill his blude 
And mekle mair gif all the treuth wer tryit. 

^gT Gude pepill heir to haue zow not abusit, 
Just orclour led I lat zow vnderstand 
In Parliament I was forfalt and accusit, 
Quhair I was baith connict of lyfe and land. 
Denuncit Rebell, and fugitiue fra hand 
Quhairfoir I knew my deid gif I wer gottin, 
Thay socht na Law, bot thay befoir yame fand 
And will be vsit quhill we be deid and rottin. 



And quhair ze speik of auld perticular 
Without auise of thair Nobilitie, 
The Erll of Angous and my Lord of Mar 
Glencarne, Ruthucn, Cathcart, and Duchiltrie 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 139 

Methuen, Lochleuin, with Lairds aboudantlie 
The Justice Clerk my dittay red perqueir 
Than fra I saw I was coudampnit to die 
This was my haill Confessioun ze sail heir. 

IT Sequttur (Cottfessto. 

►£< Gude pepill all, I pray zow to pray for me, 
Quhat may my rent of riches now decoir me ? 
This far I speik in presence of zow all 
Complenand heir with pietie I deploir me 
Quha is the Lord to lyfe may now restoir me 
Heirfoir go mark this in Memoriall 
Twyse being bischop with sic beriall, 
Hard to beleif sum tyme to se me hing 
Gif I had seruit my God, and syne my King. 

lUP Quhair ze accuse me of the Kingis v . . . * 
Gif I it knew, God nor I want my heid 
Exceptand quhen I hard the hous was fyrit 
I feirit myself and dred sum deidly feid. 
Than I persauit that he was past remeid 
I knew sum Tratouris had his deith conspyrit 
Thocht Johne my seruand said as he desyrit 
Under Confessioun speikand to ane Preist 
Mair beist was he that bure it not in his breist 

IIHF My former faith I can not weill Recant 
Nane I accuse I come not heir to Sant 
Gif to reueild, may help me heir I dout 
As to the Regentis deith in deid I grant, 
I weill awow it, becaus he leit me want, 
That ze may tell till all that standis about 
My voce is waik, I may not weill speik out, 
And of my Manus tuas I haue sic haist 
With ite missa est said I gaif the Gaist. 

IF This being said, the cludis obscurit the sky 
And I was feirit and hamewart did me hy, 

* Obliterated in the Original. 






140 



Maid to the Towne and steppit vp the streit 
And as I past the Potence I espy 
Quhair the annoyntit Bischop hang to dry. 
I was Sanct Thomas quhill I tuichit his feit 
On Palmsoneuin this paper I compleit, 
Euin word be word, as to the treuth belang 
And gif I lie, God nor the liers be hangit 

1T Finis. 

^F Quod Sempill. 

IF Imprinted at Striuiling be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno. Do. M.D. L.X.X.I. 




HUH —a letoft Ballet, 1571> 
Eafeen fo 1 ge H + Setotts toritmgs. 

[State Paper Office. — Scotish Series. Volume 21 (Decem- 
ber) Number 107.] 

IIKST quhen the newes begonthe to ryse gretly 
they maid me wondre. 
Quhow that so grett a gospellar so fellounly 
could fond re 
Bott seing quhow all erdly thingis wor subiect to imi- 

tatioun 
Than said I, it no grett mervall albeit the congregatioun 
Wor no les than ye puir Papist is Inclynit to fornicatioun. 

Now is the cours Platoman completit haillely ; 

The sone, the mone, and sevin sterris reuoluitt in ye sky, 

That makis the worlde tourne top o r taill, & will resson 

to ryde 
The plewche befoir the oxin go, the best the wan to gyde 
And all things to misrewlit be owte of all tyme and tyde. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 141 

The subiect now commandis the Prince, and Knox is 

grown a King 
Quhat he willis obeyit is, that maid the Bisshop hing 
The soutar is the grett prechor ; the gray freir moks ye 

shone 
Quhat mervall than thochte chaist forett prouosit be ye 

mone 
Hichit on ye hure so opinly, sen all is owtte of tone 

Quhat mervell thochte on ye fryday wy fc silks he did 

him dek 
And on sonday his garment wes of ane harne sek 
Quhat mervall tho* ye cerimony and claith of penitence 
Is vsit, and ye oy r clay* of diuine reuerence 
And ministration yat Aron woure is putt in negligence 

Zitt I beleifF els mony myndis thochte, haloury, ha, ha, 
Quhen Dauid vnder ye sek did loure, as toungs did coy 

or say 
Quhen ye puir preist to scaffald went ye auld bisshop 

befoir 
In Aronis weid, for quhay wald not lauche q 11 his hart 

grew soir 
To se forett ye holy frere his fakking so deploire 

Bott quhat, I think, thochte Dauid quhen he wes to 

lowpe the lowne 
Or quhow did he his conscience so sincere cloik or gowne ? 
Evin as meffan his scuill maistre, yai se, schew him ye 

way 
Quha ney r wy* oy r mannis wyffe nor maid, bot wyt his 

awin los lay 
Than lat us sing, O fakandflokzourdeid is notlyk zo r say. 

The preist, I grant, his concubine wald hyde in hall or 

boire 
And quhylis quhen he tyrit of ane, wold gett in oy r in 

stoire 



142 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

The Mimstre far todlyar * his hure in houshold chereis 
Bott quhen he listis he schaks hir of be diuorce, or hir 

wirreis. 
Sum for ye hure garris heid yameself, and is not y 1 a 

mareis ? 

Quhat mervall than tho 1 chaist forett monit be luyf & 
zeill r 

Qlk he beris so feruently vnto ye Common Weill 

That quhen he not promouis ye sonne he — il scantly 
dit ye day 

To stoir ye wordle lay on ye lass, sen it dois plainly say 

Cresite, my dowis, et multip litanniay. 

The Duvill, yatt man kynd he may trumpe, tokis forme 

of Angell bryte 
Bott at ye last ye grace of God his trumpry bringis to 

lyehte 
Sa, lolarts, yo r hypocrisy yat se fane ze wald hyde 
Ze se wyt tyme in spyte of zow dois peice & peice owt 

slyde 
Schawing quhow wolfs in lam skynis ye puire scheip 

ze misgyde. 



[Library of the Society of Antiquaries of London.] 

fHOW emptie pen pas but experience 
with dull indyre and do thy diligence 
This pure Coplaint with pietie to deploir 
Of Muses vane I ask na Eloquence 
Bot only God of his greit Excellence 
Him to ressaif in Euerlasting gloir 
Quhome dolent deith hes laitly done deuoir 

* " Todlyar may cum fra tod, asgodlyar fray God." — Note on the margin of 
the original. 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 143 

Unlukellie allace, gif man micht mend it 
Slane with ane schot, sa is the gude Lord endit. 

Methwen may murne, and all the bounds about 
For Hary Stewart, that was bauld and stout 
Constant and kynd with qualiteis conding 
In smallest danger nane beleuand dout 
Invyous Fortoun swa did waill him out 
Lyke as at Roxburgh raid scho slew our King 
Ane greit foirtakin of ane weill war thing 
To se the saikles puneist sa with roddis 
The scharper scurge is ciimand for the Toddis. 

Sic is thair craft in clymming to the Crowne 
The pure King Hary pieteously put downe 
Nocht be thair force, bot fyring of ane trane 
The Erie of Murray murdreist with ane lowne 
And Lennox, last ze saw in Striuiling Towne. 
Gude George Ruthuen with thay rebalds slane, 
Garleis, Dundas, quhilk wer baith trew & plane 
Dowglas of Lyntoun, & gude westiraw was last 
with lytill meaning fra the men be past. 

IT Bot to my taill and Tragedie returne 
The gude Lord Methuen makis me to murne 
That all my senses suddenly doun fais 
Quha hes the breist nor it in baill wald burne ? 
To se zone tratoures do sa foule ane turne, 
Gif that our Lords wald craib for ony cais 
wa worth the tyme he went about zone wais 
wa worth the Towne, the Castell and the craig 
Sic tyme sail cum, that God sail pour his plaig. 

wa worth his weirds (gif ony weirds can be) 
Parcas, Lacheses, Atrapus all thre 
Fy on the Fortoun with thy fenzeit smyle 
war deid substantiall maid of stane or tre 
I suld not rest bot me reuenge on the. 



144 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Micht tliow not spair yat Lord to Hue a quhyle 
Ane of the best was borne in all this He 
Gif it wald rute, to reckin out sic taillis 
Gude to be war, quhen wickitnes preuaillis. 



Of twentie zeiris, zing and sa discreit 
Meik of his maners, mansuetude and sweit, 
Lord lyke allace, he had ouir lytill feir 
Aganis his fais, ay formest on his feit 
With lamis vult, and witli ane Lyouns spreit 
Quha had mair grace to gouerne men of weir 
And gif I spak, of Culuering, bow, and speir 
He was not borne was better of sic playis 
(war he not Lord) nor lyke him of his dayis. 

1T Zing, lusty, lufesum, liberall and large 
Ane greit defender of our chosin Barge 
In trublous time yow micht haif steirt ye ruther 
Few better heir bene Chiftane to haue charge 
Aganis Lord Greid to beir the goldin Targe 
In all this land thow left not sic ane vther 
The sacts of God may say thay want ane brother 
Sic as at na tyme can thay get for graith 
Sa frak, sa ford wart to defend thair faith. 



In the was wit, wisdome, and worthynes, 
In the was grace, groundit with godlynes, 
In the was meiknes and humilitie, 
In the was fredome, force and ferynes, 
In the was manly mowis and marynes, 
with mercy, science, and ciuilitie 
To the Dame nature gaue abilitie 
Pringnant of wit, of policie but peir, 
Hype of ingyne, with iudgement perqueir. 

1T In honest pasty me was thy haill delyte 
Thow bure the toung that neuer spak dispyte 
Walkryse in weirs, and watcheman to the rest 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 145 

For na offence culd thow be forsit to flyte 
Aganis thy seruandis, thocht thay wer to wyte, 
But with thy wysdome weyit it at the best 
Thy houshald trim, and treit weill thay confest 
Quhairfoir thay mys the niair nor all the laif 
Quhen thay remember on the giftis thow gaif. 

Had Stewarts stoutnes, as the mater stands 
Thay wald not faill to fecht it with thair hands 
To se yame murdreist doun yat dois belag yame 
Bot sum ar feirit for fyring of thair lands 
And sum ar lyand obleist under bands 
That dar not steir, suppois the tother hang yame 
Blist be the barne yat is not borne amang thame 
Thay beand beistis, that hes bene men befoir 
Copairit with Gedds, that dois thair fry deuoir. 

^ Fy on the Atholl, quhat dois thow requyre ? 
May not thir murthers mufe thy hart to Ire 
Gif thow had mettall man to bring the to 
Thy dowbill faith may not abyde the fyre 
Swa misbeleif fall leif the in the myre. 
Or hes thy wyfe the wyte of it, quhair is scho ? 
Defend the caus man quhill the King cum to 
Gif naturall kyndnes kindillis vp thy breist 
We beand doun, na dout thow salbe neist. 

IF God saue King James, thow may say allace, 
Exceptand only God mon gyde thy grace 
For temporal! Lords thay leif the few on lyue, 
Thy Father murdreist in ane mischant place 
Syne baith thy Begents of ane Boyall race 
with sindrie vther Nobilis four or fyue 
And last of all, I laith wer to discryue 
The manly Methwen mischantly put downe 
Slane for thy saik, for sauing of thy Crowne. 

1T For the mantenance of thy lyfe and law 
I note bot few, or nane with sic ouirthraw 

10 



146 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

As only Ruthwen, this my ressoun quhy 
His Father first, gif I the suith suld schaw 
Deit in exyle for honest caus ze knaw 
His douchtie brothers deith can nane deny 
Now Methwen last, beleuand sorrow by, 
Quhilk hes mair barrat to his breist inbrocht 
Nor all the laif gif he culd leif his thocht. 



Thocht we be subiect to mortalitie 
Zit God Indewis vs with sic qualitie 
That natural kyndnes causis vs to cair 
Bot let na Carnall Corporalitie 
Conplane on Christ for partialitie 
To tak his awin men outher lait or air 
Lat deid to deid and die not in dispair 
Ryse and reuenge the Ruthwen on zone rout 
Quhat will it mend to murne thy senses out. 



As to the Lords that hes begun this actiou 
I feir thair tyme be turnand to detractioun 
Gif thay repent not this I spak befoir 
Exame thair conscience of particular pactioun 
Gif thay be fauourers of the tother factioun 
(And gif swa be) thair mys mon be the moir 
God will not be abusit with sic vane gloir, 
The storme approches quhen ye Poills ar fairest 
The langer spairit, the plaigue is ay the sairest 

II The day is neir, as I dar weill deplane zow 
The wraith of God is lyke to gang aganis zow, 
For spairing men of Macheuillis Scuillis 
How may ze saue zone smaiks yat wald haif slane zow 
And ze wer in yair hads yai wald not hane zow 
Thay play the men, & ze the febill fuillis 
Quhat is the caus, let se zour curage cuillis ? 
Particular proffeit durst I speik it out 
Zit thay ar day lie murdreist doun thay dout. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 147 

IT To mak sic change, ze wair zour wit in vane 
As thairs for ouris, and ouris for thairs agane 
Thair mo ze grant yair groiid als gude as zours 
Bot quliair ze gat thame, wald ze flour the grane 
That beand done, na dout thay wald be fane 
For to renounce thair Law and cum to ours, 
Do ze not sa, ze sail thoill scharper schours 
Sic vane excambion can I not considder 
As marrow tratours and the trew togidder. 

1F I dar be bauld to say sen this began 
Had we bot vsit the victorie we wan 
With gloir to God that gaif them in our hands 
we nedit not or now to want ane man. 
Bot quhen we tak thame solistatioun than 
Dois clap thair heid, the counsall sa commandis 
Quhairfoir I feir, that God sal burne ye wandis 
As for exempill I can let zow seit 
For spairing sinfull how the saikles deit 



As Quheit is strukin for the stra besyde 
And siluer fyne mon to the Furnes glyde 
To get the dros deuydit as we se 
Thocht King Josias did in Christ confyde 
Befoir the plaigue come God will sa prouyde, 
He will not thoill the just with thame to die 
Bot quhair he takis away sic men as he 
The riche, the wyse, the Capitane, or the gyde 
Thair sail the pepill punischment abyde. 

IF Quhat nedit Noy for sin to suffer wrak ? 
Nor faithfull Lot, bot for the wickits saik, 
Caleb and Josua in cuming to the land 
For Ophny and Phines that the Battell straik 
The Innocent Ely all his banis braik, 
The Ark of God was caryit of thair hand 
And zit thair fais micht better haue lattin it stand 
Suppois the saikles slane was for offences 
Zit did the Phelistims faill of thair pretences. 



148 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



And gredy Acan for the geir he hid 
Twa goldin braislettis lytill thing he did 
Zit was the pepill puneist for sic playis 
Haue we sic wrangous geir ? na God forbeid 
As Crowats, Sensours, or ane Challeis leid 
Quhilk will be found na fault now heir a dayis 
For spairing Agag as the Scripture sayis 
The hous of Saule was puneist and his seid 
Not spairing Jonathan for his douchtie deid. 

IF Siclyke King Dauid thoillit pane and greif 
His wickit barnetyme brocht him to mischeif 
His Capitane Joab Absolone forbure 
Bot far ma Joabs heir for thair releif 
with solistatioun quhen we tak ane theif 
Suppois ze wist he wrocht zour self iniure 
Swa sum beleuis haue baith the sydes sa sure 
And zit I hope thay sail not want thair hyre 
As Absolone set Joabs corne in fyre. 



The King Roboam raschely did ouirluik 
The auld wyse counsall, and the fulische tuik 
Quhairfoir he tynt his kyndlie Trybes ten 
And Jeroboam in that samin buik 
Set vp new Idols and his God forsuik, 
Quhill Abiah slew fyue hundreth thousand men 
Swa Bennadab was Captiue as ze ken, 
Bot quhair the iust dois ioyne thame with forsakin 
Be war thay get not wickit Acabs takin. 



Quhat dois it profFeit Poetrie prophane ? 
Sen trew Preicheours speikis it to zow plane 
Zit neuer mercy in zour mynd remordis 
As fruteles seid it neuer growis a grane 
Bot to my taill heir I returne agane 
This Tragedie may staik to tell the Lordis 
Ane thousand fyue hundreth Sempill sa recordis 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 149 

Thre scoir and twelf suppois the veirse be vane 
The thrid of marche was worthy Methwe slane. 

IF Finis with the Dytone 
Quod Sempill 



The Lord to delyuer the laif of this blude 
And send vs ane sythmet of yis suddane slauchter 
The King & his counsall inspyre yame with gude 
And mak vs not an futestuil to our fais lauchter. 

Imprentit at Sanctandrois be Robert Lekpreuik, 
Anno. Do. 1572. 



IIII. — 3txe premonttioun to tfje tattis of ILettfj, 

[Library of the Society of Antiquaries of London.] 

NE Cuning Clerk Experience 
And Maister of Intelligence, 
New landit in Inchekeith; 
This lytill Sedull schortly sends 

To all that the gude caus defends 

That is the barnis of Leith. 




Becaus I hard of ane Conuetion 
Now to be maid for this dissentioun 
That is into this land. 
That anis thair may be finall pace : 
How sone I vnderstude the cace, 
I maid me to frahand. 

IT To send this Sedull in a gayth 
That nane of zow kep ony skayth 



150 THE SEMP1LL BALLATES. 

For laik of Premonitioun : 
For ofttymes into treating trewis 
Cms tydingis yat richt mony rewis 
Be Tratorie and Seditioun. 



As for exempillis gif I list 
I haue anew wald I insist 
Baith Forane and at hame 
Bot to my purpois to proceid 
Of peace and concord thair is neid 
In pure Scotland be name. 

IT Quhilk neuer in sic perrill stude 
Sen that our Lord deit on the Rude 
Foull fall thame hes the wyte : 
For it is ouirgane with a nude,. 
Of murther and of saikles blude : 
Allace for leif to flyte. 

Scotland this blude hes first begun, 
And lang in bludschedding hes run, 
Ane Patrone of mischeif: 
The rest at it beginnis to leir 
Allace that pietie is to heir 
I pray God send releif 



For innocets ar murtherit downe 
without remors in land and towne, 
Quhat leid may leif on lyfe : 
And thay hald gait I trow frahand 
Sir murther salbe in all land 
Of Children man an wyfe. 

That seis als greit as Moyis stude 
Sail drowne ye warld of mais blude 
Quhat mischeif do thay mene : 
Zone cursit battell as I trow 
Quhilk thay at Trent did all auow 
Thay think now to sustene. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 151 

For murtherars dois all considder 
Thay and ye Papists rynis togidder 
Thay ar ane blyssit pak. 
And thair wer not a God abone 
I wald be fleit I tell zow, sone 
That all suld gang to wrak. 

Bot sa lang as our God dois Ring 
Quhilk salbe ay without ending 
We neid not for to feir. 
Thocht yai suld all rin by yair mynd 
Our God to vs salbe sa kynd 
Thay sail vs neuer deir. 

Bot zit sen baith in France and heir 
Thay haue one butt as dois appeir 
That is to cut all doun, 
That Justice lufis and haitis vice 
Thairfoir my ladds of Leith be wice 
Ze ken zour warisoun. 



I pray zow all be circumspect 
Zour enemeis dois not neglect 
Occasiounis to ouirsyle zow, 
And gif thay may, thay will not spair 
Outher be foull play or be fair, 
Agane zit to begyle zow. 

Ze haue mair neid thame now to feir 
Nor quhen thay come in feir of weir 
Downe to the Gallow Ley : 
For than ze knew thay wer zour fais 
Bot now tha} 7 cum in freinds clais 
Quhilk is ane sairer sey. 



I speik not this that ze suld stay 
From zour Couentiou and zour day 
Or ony wayis dissaue thame : 



152 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Bot that ze may prouyde befoir 
To haue ane pyn for euery boir, 
And to be richt war with thame. 



Ze knaw thair faith in tymes past 
Thairfoir luke that ze festin fast, 
And tak gude tent about zow : 
For trewly and ze be not wyse 
Ze sail not mys to se ane gyse 
That sail not weill content zow. 

And zit I rid yame leaue yair tressou. 

And euin be weill content of ressoun, 

Sen Fortoun with a Reill 

Hes wrocht thame ane vnabill charr 

And blawin thame blind or thay wer warr 

With turnin of hir Quheill. 



For quhy befoir thay did pretend, 
The Quenis authoritie to defend, 
To gar men trow thay ludehir : 
Howbeit yai wald haif wist hir swou mad 
Intil a bait vpo Lochlowmod 
But boddum air or Ruther. 

Thairfoir hir caus thay did procure 

Becaus yai thocht yat scho was sure 

And keipit to thair hand : 

Bot zit sic farleis hes bene sene 

That Frace wil haif hir brocht hame Quene 

And fred out of Ingland. 



And gif that be I wald thay wist, 
That su of thame mon flit thair Kist, 
For all this brawling beir : 
Bot sillie saulis thay ar sa daft 
Thay ken nathing 1 trow, bot craft : 
Thay ar bot zit to leir. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 153 

IT It wer ane pitie to begyle thame 
I wald blind Jamie wald gang wile thame 
The moyane for till find : 
How that yai micht eschew ye quene 
And that thay micht (the parrel sene) 
Go saill ane vther wynd. 

Zea thocht sum leuch and sum did dace, 

Quhen thir blak tydingis come fra France 

Blind Jamie tauld me ells. 

That quyetly yai news did fyk yame 

And sum of thame dois euin mislyke thame 

Als mekle as zoursells. 

Thairfoir I trow and thay be wyse, 
Thay sail leaue of thair Interpryse 
And rather gre with zow : 
Nor with the hous of Guyis to mell 
Quha is als godles as thair sell 
And kens thair gymps I trow. 

for get yat hous yair had abone yame 
I wed my heid yat yai sal tone yame 
And trym yame for thair triks : 
Ze thay can think on auld done deids 
For brint barne the fyre ay dreids, 
Thay will not thole sic prikis. 

I wald fane warne zow of al dagers 

I coiisal zow be war with strangers 

That halds zow baith in hand, 

I dreid ze ly lang be the eiris, 

Or thay think time to end the weiris 

And troubill in this land. 

IF It wer gude gif ze culd aggre 
Amang zour selfis and let thame be 
Ze may wit quhat I mene : 



154 THE SEMP1LL BALLATES. 

for quhe yat stragers reuls zour roist 
It wilbe sure on Scotlands coist 
As hes bene hard and sene. 

1T And wer ze weill aggreit I tell 
Than Scotland micht do for the sell, 
And set als lytill by thame 
As they do it for all thair power 
thay wald be fane to seik zour fauour 
And to zow als apply thame, 



Bot till aggre and ze delay 
Than Scotland will be bot ane pray 
As will be schortly sene : 
Till gredie gormondis waitand on 
Quhen thay may se occasion 
To rute zow all out clene. 

For sword and derth hes zow opprest 

And also ze haue felt the Pest 

Bot zit few dois amend : 

Than desolatioun is the last, 

Of Gods plagues quhe thir ar past, 

Quhilk doutles he will send. 

Zea I foirspeik ceis not thir weiris, 
The tyme sail cum within few zeiris 
That nane of Scottis blude : 
In Scotland dar him self auow, 
Mair nor in Jurie dois the Jow 
For feir of Natiounis rude. 



Thau sail zour pure posteritie 
In wandering wyde fra this coutrie 
Amang all vther Natiounis 
Cry out and murne with woful cheir 
That pitie salbe for till heir, 
Thir kynd of exclamatiounis. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 155 

^ Allace that euer thay wer borne, 
That dwelt in Scotland vs beforne 
And loist vs sic ane land, 
quhilk our forbears ans thocht ours 
with plesad castells townis & towrs 
And all things at command. 

Sum Lords sum Lairds su les degre 
Thair commoun welth and policie 
As ony Natioun had, 
And now na Scottisman dar be thair 
Allace quhat hart will not be sair 
To see Scottismen sa sad. 



Than sail thay warie curse & ban 
The murtherars yat yir weiris bega 
Quhen Chronickles thay reid, 
Tha Edinburgh that Castell Strang 
Sail wareit be that stude sa lang 
Sic murther for to feid. 

Thairfor yir plaigs wald yai eschew 
I counsall thame in tyme to rew 
And thair mischeif repent : 
Quhilk gif thay do ze may aggre 
Bot otherwise na pace salbe 
Thocht ze thairto consent. 

For thocht that Saul wil Agag spair 
Zit God will haue his will but mair 
Fulfillit or he sace : 
Gif this ze do not vnderstand 
Speir at John Durie or John Brad 
Thay will expone the place. 

thocht murtherars says yat yai thrist blude 
Zit let na nobill me of gude 
Be craft that was brocht on it 



156 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

And rewis yat yai haif tane sic part, 
Repenting trewly from thair hart 
Feir, thocht Johne Knox expone it 

Bot gif yat thay grow proud & heich. 
And skar at zow as thay wer skeich, 
And on na wayis will bow thame 
Let yame pas on to thair defensis 
It salbe on thair awin expensis 
Or all be done I vow thame 

Than quhidder ze conuene or nocht. 
Keip thir premissis in zour thocht 
Ze that of Leith ar barnis : 
The abstinence drawis neir ane end, 
Thairfoir I pray zow now attend, 
Think on Experience warnis, 

IT F I N I s. 



Imprentit at Sanctandrois be Robert Lekpreuik. 
1572. 



XXX.— EJje lamentatto of tljeffiomouttte of Scotland 

[Library of the Society of Antiquaries of London.] 

UHAT thift, quhat reif, quhat murther, and 
oppression ? 
Quhat saikless slauchter, quhat mortal me- 
serie ? 

Quhat pouertie, quhat derth and Tribulatioun ? 
Dois Ring be Grange all leidis on lyfe may se 
The schame is thyne, thocht we the sorrow drie 
Curst Nemrod richt of Babilone the cheif, 
We Commounis all lowd vengeance cryis on the 
Blaming thy tressoun the caus of all our greif. 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 157 

f We sillie pure anis quhair we wer wont to gang 
With Coillis and Cokillis with Fische and sicklyke wair, 
Upon our bakis als mekill as we mieht fang 
With mirrie sang all tripping into pairis. 
To wyn our leuing in mercat at sic Fairis 
Now we allace but reuth ar reft with theif, 
Haue we ane lyart na baid bot all is thairis 

Blaming thy tressoun the caus of all our reif. 

IF Na vther lyfe we pure men bade of better 
Nor with our Naiggis to gane to Edigburgh sone, 
With Peittis, with Curuis and mony turfe of Hedder. 
Ay gat gude saill syne lap quhen we had done. 
For mirrynes and with the licht of Mone 
We wald ga hame but outlier fray or chace 
Quhair now in sorrow fra dure to dure we clune, 

Blaming thy tressoun of all our cair allace. 

We Coilzearis, Cadgearis, and Carteris in ane rout 
Be bludie Wolfis that grange hes maid to steir, 
Our hors is reft, our selfis ar doung but dout 
Quhair we did trauell we dar not now appeir. 
Out of our Ludge we tak of thame sic feir 
Thocht it wald vs ten thousand Crownis auance 
With morning Prayer we curse thame maid this we . . 

Blaming thy tressoun the caus of our mischance. 

Allace we Chapmen may with Creilmen murne 
Thay sillie men that brocht thair butter and egges 
To Edinburgh Croce and did na vther turne, 
And we agane wald by ane Fraer of Fegges 
Baith prenis aud nedillis and sell to land wart megges 
Than micht we trauell quhair we dar not this day 
Bot lyis at hame, but meit, na drink bot dregges 

Blaming thy tressoun the caus of all our fray. 

11 Quhat wicht on lyfe will not vs pure pietie ? 
That wont to bring the woll, the skin, and hyde 



158 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

To Edinburgh Towne in peice and Cheritie, 
Fra Selkirk, Hawik, and the partis of Clyde. 
Quhair now allace in hoill and boir we byde 
As wratches werie the Corenothe we carpe 
Dar not keik out for Rebellis that dois ryde 

Blaming thy tressoun of this our sorrow scharpe. 

We Tinklaris, Tailzeouris, we craftismen out of nuber 
That be our craft had ay ane honest lyfe, 
We wait of nocht bot mekill cair and cummer 
Our Joy is turnit in wo and mortall stryfe. 
All our gay garmentis of sindrie fassounis ryfe 
We thame wedset our bodyis to sustene 
Na work ado bot beg baith barne and wyfe 

"Blaming thy tressoun that causis vs complene 

We Merchandis all that with our Merchand pakkis 
Did trauell ay, fra Towne to Towne, to Fairis 
Thow hes vs baneist. thow hes vs fleit fra crakkis 
We sit at hame na saill is to our wairis. 
Thocht we wald trauell thy reiffaris sa vs clairis 
With reif but reuth, but pietie with extortioun 
But mirth in meserie thay horribill houndis vs tairis 

Blaming thy tressoun the caus of our oppressioun. 

We commounis all with cair we may lament 
That had sic peice sic rest and vnitie 
And now allace ar rugit, reuin and rent 
Our steidis are flowne, our cattell reft trewlie 
With weiping wallaway nane may we wyte bot the 
Thow Feind Infernall thow garris vs walk our so 
Quhair we afoir did sleip richt quyetlie 

Blaming thy tressoun the caus of all our wo. 

Bot sen with sith ze Cammounis do complene 
With sob full sair richt trewly sail I tell 
I James Dalzell Indwellar in the Dene, 
Be Grange smaikis I wait send be himsell 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 15.9 

Hes schot my wyfe throw birsket lyre and fell 
Scho greit with barne syne gaif the gaist with plane 
Than cryit my bairnis with mony zout and zell 
Blaming thy tressoun that had thair Mother slane 

% Thay reuthles RufTeis but reuth with crueltie 
Did slay my husband but caus into my sicht 
Downie Ros be Name ane Cuitlar of craft trewlie 
With gunis him gord but mercy on the nicht 
I and my bairnis sail craif Goddis plaigues ful richt 
To fall the grange thow cruell Cokadraill 
With fourtie ma nor did on Pharo licht 

Blaming thy tressoun that causis vs bewaill 

Sen not but caus we wyte the of this wa 
With panefull pech, with mony grank and grane, 
The curse, the wareis, but blys fra top to ta 
Lat neuer thy freind se oucht of the bot schame. 
With cursit deith that mony man the blame 
Lucifer was heich, bot Lord thow threw him downe 
Sa will he the, thow graceles Grange be Name 

Blaming thy tressoun with sorrow but Renowne. 



O tenefull Tyrane, Gyant mekill but micht, 
Of vitious deidis thow art the only Fontane 
Quhairfra all vice but vertew springis full richt 
As dois the watter out of the Rok or Montane 
We pure sail cry with erie hartis fast dontane 
To the O God, to scurge this wickit wicht, 
In Just exempill to all the warld maist certane 
Blaming thy tressoun the caus of all our plicht. 



Had thow bene trew but tressoun to our Roy 
And to his Regent, gaif the that hauld to keip, 
As thow did sweir, we had not had this noy 
We micht had peice, quhair now in weir we weip, 
In wo but weill, but plesure in pane sa deip 
Be the Tratour, that Rebellis did ressaif 



160 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Into that hauld with the thairin to creip 

Ha tressoun vntrew will gar ane widdie waif. 

1F Now lat us all with hart and mynde vs dres 
Baith euin and morne, richt law downe on our kne, 
With hyddeous schout all we baith mair and les 
For vengeance Just, with tene to fall on the. 
O thow O Lord, and God in persoun thre 
Consume this wratche with Brintstane fyre and thuder 
That persecuitis thy Sanctis with crueltie 

Ha tressoun vntrew ane tow will schaik in schundcr. 

IF Preserue with micht fra slicht of fais defend 
Our King gude Lord, and als his Regent eik : 
Lat neuer thair micht, but richt, with hand ay bend 
Haue strenth or power thame for to hurt or wreik. 
We thy pure liegis sail pray and als beseik 
To send the grace, lang space in weilfair wend 
That we may se the puneis vice but meik 

Ind tressoun all sessoun with this we mak ane end. 

FINIS. 

IT Imprentit at Sanctandrois be Robert Lekpreuik. 
ANNO. DO. M.D. LXXII. 



^jt^Mjj 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 161 

XI J3L— Wit lamentation of latrg Scotland corn^ 
pgltt be fjtr self, speiftmg in matter of ane 
ISpistle, in tfje Jttonetfj of JHarejje, tire jeir of 
®otrl572* H^)(*)(^i 

[Library of the Faculty of Advocates, Edinburgh. — Scot- 
ish Poems of the Sixteenth Century, collected by John 
Graham Daly ell, Edinburgh 1801. — I now find that there 
is also in the Library of the Faculty of Advocates, Edin- 
burgh a copy of No. X. (page 50) " Ane Tragedie, in the 
forme of ane Diallog betuix Honour, Gude fame," &c] 

IT 2To tfc 3Ruf)t llonourabill antf go»Ip ICeimtt ©entilman, tfa ICatrtr of 3Bttne, 
(3of)n ferine,) Jfilmtster of SoMts SKHortf, antJ Superintendent of 
f)ts fcirfe, in ^Ingous, Jtflernts, fcc, ^. 3ft. f)(s fiumbill Seruant. S. 

f|0 quhome suld I my Rurall veirse direct> 
Bot vnto him that can thame weill correct 
Befoir quhome suld this mater ga to licht, 
Bot to ane faithfull Godly Christin Knicht 

To quhome can I this lytill throuch propyne, 

Bot vnto ane of Excellent Ingyne 

Not for the termes, nor for the worthynes 

Of ony thing that I do heir expres : 

Bot for becaus I aucht, of bound dewtie 

To dedicat to him sum Noueltie. 

Go, bill, than, to the Laird of Dune I send the ; 

Beseiking him to tak his pen and mend the. 

Mend the, (alaik) quhy suld he tak that pane ? 

To sicht the ones, it will bot vex his brane. 

For as, in sum Schyre, thair is bot ane myre, 

Quhilk is ouir all, that man and beist dois tyre ; 

Sa into the, he sail bot ane fault find, 

Quhilk is ouir all, befoir, and als behind. 

Zit not the les I knaw him sa discreit, 

Gif he mend not thy veirse and haulting feit, 

Zit at the leist sa surely he will byde the, 

That Poets nane sail se the to diryde the. 

11 





162 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Pas on, than, bauldly, and to him deploir 
This present stait fair weill : I say no moir. 

% E\}t Hamentatioun of Hatjg Scotland, See. 

|E vapnrs wak, and watters in the air 

Ze Seyis sa deid ze fludis and fontanis fair 
Heir my complaint ; to zow my cace I mene. 
That ze may wellis gif to my febill Ene, 
To testifie with teiris my wofull cace, 
And with zour murning weid absconse my face. 

IT My husband, deir gude Johne, the Comoun weill, 
To quhonie I did all my affairis reueill, 
As he to me did in our faithfull dayis, 
But fraude, or gyle, or tressoun ony wayis : 
Than, lusty, gay, and flurisching wer we, 
Trew faithfull Children he begat on me. 
Sic lufe and faith to vther thay did beir, 
That thay knew not quhat beist was Ciuile weir. 
My heid wald not disdane my leggis and feit, 
My Eine foirsaw all perrallis micht me meit. 
My hands and armes, ay reddy to defend me, 
To snib my children gif thay did offend me. 
My body was weill cled with Policie, 
My Hat was of Justice and Equitie. 
My Coller, of trew Mchtbour lufe it was, 
Weill prenit on with Kyndnes and solas. 
My Gluiffis wer of fre Liberalitie, 
My Sleiffis wer of to borrow and len glaidlie ; 
My Lais and Mailzeis of trew parmanence, 
My Stomak maid was of clene Conscience ; 
My waist was gyrdit with Sobrietie, 
My Leggs and feit schod with Simplicitie ; 
My hart was haill, my stomach weill disposit ; 
Of peice and rest my Bowellis wer composit. 
Quhat wald ze moir Schir commoun-weill and I 
Held hous lang tyme ; bot Sathan had Inuy 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 163 

To se vs so ; than callit he Seditioun, 

With piyde his Sone, to quhome he gaif comissioun, 

To tak with thame discord, and Nichtbour feid, 

(Efter, I mene, that our gude bairnis wer deid,) 

To poysoun me with thair Infectit cryme, 

With sum of my awin children of this tyme, 

Of quhilks I pray the Lord God mak me fre : 

Ambitioun will not lat thame aggre. 

Thir mony zeiris thay haue me disconfortit, 

I trauell zit as I had thame aduortit : 

The malice greit that ilk to vther beiris, 

Dois ryfe my bowells with thair Ciuile weiris : 

Sair boistit thay my husband commounweill, 

And maid thair vowis and aithis him for to Keill. 

In ony part quhair thay him with me fand : 

Quhairfoir, for feir, he fled from me Scotland. 

Away, sum sayis, to Yeneis is he gone, 

Or to the Swisches, as thay do suppone, 

Quhair he is saif from danger, hurt, or skaith : 

Heir wald he deit of cauld and hounger baith. 

Thus am I left as wedow in distres, 

For commounweill; my bairnis left Fatherles. 

1F Children I had, in all vertewis perfyte, 
To peice and Justice was thair haill delyte. 
Sum of displesure deit for wo, and cair ; 
Sum wyrreit was, and blawin in the air ; 
And sum in Stirling schot was to the deid, 
That mair was geuin to peice nor Ciuile feid. 
Bot ane was slane, vnto my skaith and schame, 
Becaus he socht to fetche my husband hame : 
He was my deir and best belouit Sone ; 
All that he did, for my weilfair was done. 
Lyke ane gude Medciner, or gude Syruge, 
Of euill humouris, he did my body purge. 
Quhat wald ze moir sen James in Falkland deit, 
Nane for my weill sa weill with me aggreit, 
Nor zit sa weill did lufe Schir Commounweill, 
Nor vnto me bure sic ane feruent zeill. 



164 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Murdreist he was in Lythgow tratrouslie ; 

The murtherars vnto my heid did fle, 

Quhair thay tuik hald, and zit dois hald thame fast, 

And ay sensyne my heid hes bene agast. 

For quhy throw falset and Subtillitie, 

Thay chaist away Justice, and Equitie ; 

For laik of quhilks, my heid dois wark and zaik, 

And all my body trymbill dois and schaik : 

For quhen the heid is seik, the Prouerb is, 

That all the members be the worse, I wis. 

H My claiths ar reuin, that pietie is to se ; 
Particular weill hes spuilzeit policie. 
My Co.ller rent is be Dame Fremitnes, 
The Prenis thairof ar reft be sad Nysenes ; 
Dame Nigartnes my Gluifis hes hint away, 
Tak for himself my Sleifis dois reist and stay. 
My Lace and Mailzeis tane be variance, 
My Stomak worne is be dissimulance ; 
My belt is cuttit of pure Gluttonie, 
My leggs and feit now schod with Pouertie ; 
My hart is seik, my stomach keipis na meit, 
My bo wells Rumbills, as thay wald vther eit. 
Now, for to couer all this vilannie, 
Ane Cloik thay gif me of authoritie. 
Author i tie (alaik) na les thay mene, 
For thay desyre neuer to se thair Quene ; 
Bot that thay may in hir Name bruik offices, 
With power to cleik vp the benefices. 
Nane I excuse on ather syde; for quhy 
Ilk ane his awin hous seikis to edify, 
And nane dois cair for Commounweill ane prene. 

1F I grant I had ane Douchter was ane Quene, 
Baith gude and fair, gentill and Liberall, 
Dotit with vertewis and wit Naturall ; 
Prignant in Spreit, in all things honourabill, 
Lusty, gude lyke, to all men fauourabill. 
Schamefull to euill, baith honest, meik, and law : 
Thir vertewis all, scho had quhyls scho stude aw 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 165 

Of God Eterne, as of hir Gouernour, 

And quhen scho did regaird hir hie Honour.' 

Bot at the last throw filthy speiche and counsell, 

That scho did heir of sum curst Kittie vnsell, 

Era scho gaif eir to sic vyle bawderie, 

God, Schame, and honour, scho forzet all thre. 

It wer to lang the vices to reheirse, 

Quhairin from thyne scho did hir self exerce. 

The Reider wald thame think maist Insolent, 

Bot I thame leif, becaus thay ar Recent : 

For quhilks scho was thocht vnworthy to Ring, 

Ane Crowne to bruik, or ony Royall thing. 

Sa all my Children, with hir awin consent, 

Deposit hir in oppin Parliament. 

Than wald scho that thay suld hir awin sone crowne, 

Quhilk thing thay did sa Syce vp and Sink downe : 

God saue his grace : for quhy the same is he 

In me that hes the trew authoritie. 

Praisit be God, I haue fre at command, 

That fair zoung Prince in Stirling, my richt hand. 

Wer not in hope I leif to se that day, 

That he sail purge thir foull humouris away, 

And me restoir agane vnto my helth, 

Zea, caus my Children fiuriscne in all welth. 

Wer not he is brocht vp in all gude thing 

Affeiring to ane Godly Prince and King, 

Be gude Lord Deddy my trew faithfull freind, 

Cum of ane race of men to me maist kynd. 

For Lady Minnie, I dar tak in hand, 

Happy is he hes sic ane Gouernand. 

Wer not thir things that maks me leif in hope 

At libertie to se this Lyoun scope 

One day to Rore, and Ramp vpon his ibis, 

To bring thame law, that now sa proudly gois ; 

Wer not thir thingis, I say, and vtheris mo, 

I wald dispair, and die for pane and wo. 

To zow Vapouris, and watters in the air, 

And seyis sa deip, I downe my plaint d eclair 



166 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Ze seyis, I say, gif passage, and ze can, 

Till sum feithfull to bring hame my gudeman. 

IT And ze, my Kirk, my Faithfull Mother deir, 
That purgit art of Channoun, Monk, and Freir, 
Of Papist Priest, Papist and Papistrie, 
Bot not, allace, clene of Hypocrasie, 
Of auarice, pryde, and ambitioun, 
Thocht ze haue left all Superstitioun. 
I grant the word of God is trewlie Preichit, 
And in the schuills Exercise trewlie teichit ; 
Zit, sayis the Commounis, ze do not zour office, 
For upaland thay hane not dew seruice. 
The rowmis appointit pepill to confidder 
To heir Gods word, quhair thay suld pray togidder, 
Ar now conuertit in scheip Coits and Fauldis, 
Or ells ar fallin, becaus nane thame vphauldis. 
The Parische Kirks, I mene, thay say misgyde, 
That nane for wynd and rane thairin may byde. 
Thairfoir na plesure tak thay of the tempill, 
Nor zit to cum, quhair nocht is to contempill, 
Bot Crawis and Dowis cry and and makand beir, 
That nane throuchly the Minister may heir : 
Baith Fedders, Fylth, and Doung, dois ly abrod, 
Quhair folk suld sit to heir the word of God ; 
Quhilk is occasioun to the aduersaryes, 
To mok and scorne sic things befoir zour eyes. 
Thus to disclane the hous of Orisoun, 
Dois mak folk cauld to thair Deuotioun; 
And als thay do disdane to heir Gods word, 
Thinking the same to be ane Jesting bourd, 
Thay go to labour, drinking, or to play, 
And not to zow vpon the Sabboth day : 
So thay prouoke the wraith of God, allace, 
Quhilk hes maid me to fall in this distres. 
Zit suld I not blame zow, that sic dois perische, 
Bot Lords and Lairds, & Comouns of ilk Parische, 
The quhilk wer wont for to caus euerie pleuch, 
In rphalding the Kirk, to pay aneuch. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 1G7 

To do the same, ze suld thame zit exhort, 
Togidder that thay suld the pure support. 
The Prouerb is, of Palice, Kirk, and brig, 
Better in tyme to beit, nor efter to big. 
Ze Collegis and Uniuersitie, 
That to all vthers suld exempill be, 
I se zour tempills cassin downe and reuin, 
The maist part are bot theikit with the heuin. 
This quhilk to zow I do sa planely wryte, 
The Commounis speiks of zow, and dois bakbyte. 
Amend sic things, I humblie zow beseik, 
And dit the mouths of thame that sa dois speik. 
Making zour lyfis and Conuersatiouns 
To preiche and teiche lyke vnto zour persouns. 
It suld be ze, Mother, suld me Instruct ; 
It suld be ze, to Christ suld me conduct. 
It suld be ze, suld schaw me the richt way, 
How I suld serue my God baith nicht and day ; 
It suld be ze, that suld do diligence 
For to aggre this Ciuile difference. 
It suld be ze, throw Preiching, suld me mufe 
To Cheritie and freindly Nichtbour lufe. 
It suld be ze, that suld gif gude exempill 
Of lyfe and warks to thame dois zow contempill. 
It suld be ze, that suld be at all tyme 
Clene without spot, and purgit of all cryme. 
It suld be ze, Mother, it suld be ze, 
To quhome the pepill suld giue eir and Ee ; 
It suld be ze, schortly, I say no moir, 
That to all vertewis suld zow Indeuoir. 
IF And ze, my Barrouns and Nobilitie, 
That dois oppres my pure Communitie, 
Quhair is zour wit, zour ressoun, sence, and feill, 
To ne away my husband Commounweill, 
Quhat haue ze wyn sensyne, lat se zour ganis : 
Gar pryse zour proffeit & esteme zour panis. 
The panis, I wait, the proffeit will surmont 
A greit daill moir nor ze can mak zour compt. 



168 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

I find, sensyne the Zow hes borne the bell, 

Wyfis Maisters bene in geuing haill Counsell. 

To Lords and Lairds ; I speik generallie, 

As may be sene, allace, ouir weill on me. 

Hwine, Huntly, Grange, and all ze of that syde, 

Behald now how ze do the mater gyde, 

To caus my Sisters France & Ingland scorne zow. 

That walterars of Courts ze lat suborne zow : 

Zit ze and thay did sweir with aithis conding, 

And did subscryue to be trew to the King. 

In takin quhairof with all ze did aggre, 

To Crowne and place him in authoritie. 

Gif ze wirk weill, zour deids ane day will schaw, 

For raising fyre aganis my actis and law, 

In halding towns and strenths zour King aganis, 

Putting the rest of zour brether to panis ; 

Quhome I excuse not, as I said befoir, 

For I persaif ambitioun and vane gloir, 

And gredynes to reule, dois blind zow baith, 

Quhilk dois redound to my greit hurt and skaith. 

Zour tennents plenzeis, that thay ar opprest 

Be zow and zours, that dois thame soir molest; 

Ze hicht yair maills, yair pleuchs ze dowbil on yame ; 

Thay tyne thair tyme at sic things to opone yame ; 

For na rest will ze get into zour raggs, 

Gif sum sect knaw that thay haue geir or baggs. 

Zour Nichtingaills will sing sa in zour eiris, 

That ze sail nichtly haue Domestik weiris. 

Zone carle, (quod scho), my Joy, dois beinly dwell, 

And all prouisioun hes within himsell, 

In barne or byre, in hall, Girnell and Seller ; 

His wyfe weiris weluot on hir Gowne and Coller; 

Thay ar sa riche, that thay do vs misknaw ; 

Than better sone to drug, nor lait to draw. 

Sone is his Gersum hichtit, and his Maillis ; 

Him self growis waik, his geir and houshald faillis : 

Quhair sic wer wont to haue Guse, Cok, and Hen, 

Breid, drink, and bedding, to treit honest men, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 169 

Now drink thay Mylk and Swaits in steid of Aill, 
And glaid to get Peis breid and watter Cai]l : 
Quhair sic wer wont to ride furth to the weir, 
With Jak and Sword, gude hors, Knapscall & speir : 
Quhair sic wer wont brauely to mak thame bowne, 
With Lord or Laird to ryde to Bnrrowis towne ; 
Quhair sic wer wont at all Games to be reddy, 
To schuit or loup, for to exerce thair body : 
Now mon thay wirk and labour, pech and pant, 
To pay thair Maisters Maillis exhorbitant. 
Ryue out the Mures, the bestialls gers intak ; 
Thay ar sa waik thay do w not beir a Jak, 
And gets waik bairns, euill nureist, in distres : 
Sa be sic wayis my Commouns dois dicres. 
My torment sair constrynis me this to speik ; 
Na inerwell quhy, for I am wondrous seik. 
Beseiking zow my seiknes to remeid, 
Quhilk may be done, ceissing zour Ciuile feid. 
To follow Christ and his Commandement, 
Quha said, befoir his last department, 
Ilk one lufe vther with sic freindly lufe, 
That ze may be the bairnis of God abufe, 
And cleith zow with fair Garments clene & quhyte, 
Without malice, coutentioun, or dispyte, 
Aganis my criming, quhilk trewly salbe, 
Quhen ze leist wene, in twinkling of an Ee. 
Thus said the Lord to zow, and to all men, 
That be thir marks thay sail Gods children ken. 
Heirfoir, my Nobills, seik peice, do that ze can 
To follow Christ, and chais away Sathan, 
With his Supposts, and all that taks in hand, 
For to diuorse me from my gude husband. 

IT Now ze, my Burges, Craftis, & Merchand men, 
And ze my Commounis, with my hynd zemen, 
To zow I haue sum purpois for to say, 
How, quhen, and quhy, my husband fled away. 
First thair come in lurkand vpon zour gait, 
Pryde and Inuy, with falset and dissait. 



170 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Thir four socht ludgeing all the towne about, 
Quhat sulci thay seik, lang tyme thay lay thairout. 
Till ane Zule euin, zour wyfes to counsall went ; 
Than spak ane Lawers wyfe, baith trym and gent : 
Cumers, (qood scho), it is pietie to se 
Folk in a towne for cauld and hounger die ; 
It is mair schame in Burgh for to se beggers, 
Nor is it skaith in Crawmont to want dreggers : 
Quhairof dois serue our greit cheir and fair bigging, 
Bot for to help the pure that gais a thigging ? 
Quhairof dois serue our husbands gold and rent, 
Bot to sustene the pure and Indigent ? 
Zit lat vs ludge zone twa that gais befoir, 
Pryde and Inuy, gif we will do no moir. 
And gif our husbands speirs quhy did. we so, 
Answer we may, we left them vther two. 
Now gif ze pleis Cummers, I sail begin 
This same cauld nicht to tak ane of thame in. 
We knaw thame not, (quod thay) ; bot tak ze ane, 
We must not leif the vther bird alane. 
Sa thay did skaill ; and scho tuke with hir Pryde ; 
And on the morne scho come furth lyke ane bryde, 
With hir new Gaist als proud as ane Paycok, 
And in hir hart scho did hir Cummers mok ; 
Quhilk quhen thay saw, with speid thay ran in hy, 
And for dispyte amangs thame ludgit Inuy, 
In counterfeiting hir in all kin things, 
Courche, Coller, Cloik, Belt, Braislets & Rings. 
Then wox the Lawers wyfe richt proude in hart; 
Bot zit hir Cummers callit scho apart, 
Saying, Cummers, quhat is the caus, and quhy, 
That, in dispyte of me, ze treit Inuy ? 
Becaus, (quod thay), that ze alone tuik Pryde, 
And thocht that we suld not marche zow besyde. 
Thairfoir we thocht in that point ze did wrang vs. : 
Aggre, (quod scho), and ludge thame baith amang vs. 
Quhilk thing thay did, and all did condiscend 
To treit and keip thame to the warlds end. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 171 

Thus hes zour wyfia thir twa tane to be thairs, 
And left the vther twa for zoivrs affairs. 
Quhilk seing ze and zour wairs gros and grof, 
And with zour wyfis thir two so muche maid of; 
Ze gros geir left, and went for wyne and spyces, 
Frenche claith and silks for to cleith vp thir vyces ; 
Quhilks for to out with dowbill met and mesure, 
The vther tway ze ludgeit at thair plesure. 
Quhat wald ze moir ze wait weill quhat I mene ; 
Disluge thame now, and chais thame from zow clene. 

H Ze Hammer men, ze that maks sehois & claith s, 
Ze treit thir twa with mony manesworne aiths ; 
And ze lykewise, all Crafts in Generall, 
Alaik, I feill zow to thame bound and thrall : 
Mairouir, zour drinking Extraordinair 
Maks of zour wyfis and biarns euill to fair : 
Quhen ze wald drink in hous, ze may be bauld 
To do the same at hame with zour houshauld. 
All byganis mend : in tyme to cum, luik ze 
Begyle na man, bot wirk zour wark trewlie. 

IT To yow, my Commouns, quhat mair can I say ? 
I pietie yow as far forth as I may ; 
Now pure ze ar, zit purer wald ze be 
For vsing proud pure Prodigalitie. 
Thair is na Lord nor Laird in all this land, 
Bot ze man counterfait in claiths fra hand, 
Fra top to ta, thocht ze suld beg and borrow. 
Johne, ga your way, for it will not be for zow ; 
Ze suld your ground grube with Simplicitie, 
And mak your claiths conforme to your degre. 
Bot ye, your wyfe and bairns, can tak na rest, 
Without ye counterfait the worthyest : 
Buft brawlit hois, Coit, Dowblet, sark and scho, 
Zour wyfe and bairns conforme mon be thairto. 
Leif of, and leirne your bairns to saw and teill ; 
Sic doings chaist away the Commounweill. 
All thir foirfalts that I haue done reheirs, 
That Lords, Lairds, Ladys k Lawers dois exerce, 



172 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Kirk, Burges, Merchand Comouns Crafts and all, 

Hes haill the wyte of this my wofull fall. 

Amend heirfoir, and call to God for Grace, 

Beseiking him to gif vs rest and peace 

In our lyfe tyme, that we may trewly knaw 

Ane God Eterne, ane Faith, ane King, ane Law ; 

And at the last to bring vs to his gloir, 

To King with him in blys for euer moir. Amen. 

Wtyz Cotxclustoun &e $♦ 3ft. to all anti gum. 

IT All that this reids, the mater sad will think ; 
Sum that this heiris, I wait, will discommend it ; 
Thocht all and sum heir at partly do schrink, 
Zit sory I that thay suld be ofFendit ; 
Heirfoir, I wald that this wer blythlie endit. 
For to mak all or sum lauch at the last, 
Than all and sum sail heir, in tyme bypast, 
Quhen Fornicatioun haldin was na cryme, 
How that sum Prelats did walk, pray and fast, 
And serue in Kirk according to that tyme. 

IF A Prelat ane day in his bed, to sport him, 
Did clap his lufe with kissis soft and sweit ; 
In this meane tyme, thair was, to recomfort him, 
Peirtryks and pleuers pyping on the speit. 
Than vp he rais, and maid him for thame meit, 
With gude quhyte wyne and all the partinence. 
Quhen he had tane this on his Conscience, 
He gaif ane greit pech, lyke ane weill fed stirk, 
Och Lord, (quod he), now gif me patience ; 
Quhat stres thoill we to serue thy haly Kirk ? 

FINIS. 

11 Imprentit at Sanctandrois Be Robert Lekpreuik, 
1572. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 173 

XXXM— &nz nefo Ballet get out he arte fugttiue 
Seottfeman tfjat fleti out of ^arts at ttjte lait 
J&urtljer* 

[Geoege Daniel's Collection, now in the possession of Henry 
Huth Esq., 30 Princes' Gate, London. — The Philo- 
biblon Society : — Ancient Ballads and Broadsides, pub- 
lished in England in the Sixteenth Century, chiefly in 
the earlier years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Ee- 
printed from the Unique Original Copies, mostly in 
Black-letter, preserved in the Library of Henry Huth, 
Esq., London. Printed by Whittingham and Wilkins 
1867. — A Collection of Seven ty-Nine Black-letter 
Ballads and Broadsides, printed in the Eeign of Queen 
Elizabeth, between the years 1559 and 1597. Published 
by Joseph Lilly, London 1867.] 

[OW Katherine de Medicis hes maid sic a gyis, 

To tary in Paris the papistes ar tykit, 
At Bastianesbrydell howbeit scho denyis, 
Giue Mary slew Hary, it was not vnlykit ; 
Zit a man is nane respectand this number, 
I dar not say wemen hes wyte of this cummer. 

Zone mask the Quene Mother hes maid thame in France, 
Was maikles and saikles, and schamfully slane, 

Bot Mary conuoyit and come with ane dance, 

Quhill princes in sences was fyrit with ane trane ; 

Baith tressonabill murtheris the ane and the vther, 

I go not in masking mair with the Quene Mother. 

1f Italianes ar tyranis, and tressonabill tratoris ; 

For gysours, deuysours, the Guysianis ar gude ; 
Bot Frenche men ar trew men, and not of thair natouris; 

Than, Charlie, I farlie thow drank thy awin blude, 
I wyte bot thy mother wit, wemen ar vane, 
I greis neir to Ganzelon, nor grit Charlie Mane. 




174 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



IF Thy style was Treschristien, maist Cristen King, 
Baith hiest and friest, and neist the impyre ; 

Bot now Prouest Marschell in playing this spring, 
And ressoun for tressoun prouokis God to ire ; 

Beleuis thow this trumprie sail stablische thy style ? 

Oar God is not deed, zit be doand an quhyle. 

IF Suppois that the Papistes denysit this at Trent, 
To ding vs and bring vs with mony lowd lauchter, 

With sic cruell murther is Christ sa content, 

To take the and make the ane Sanct for our slauchter ? 

Albeit he correct vs, and scurge vs in ire, 

Be war with the wand syne he wapis in the fyre. 

IT For better is pure men nor princes periurit, 

Baith schameles and fameles, we find thame sa fals ; 

With sangis lyke the seryne our lyfis thow allurit ; 
Ouirsylit vs, begylit vs, with baitis in our hals ; 

Or as the fals fowler, his fang for to get, 

Deuoiris the pure volatill he wylis to the net. 

IT In His nor in Orknay, in Ireland Oneill, 

Thay dar not, thay gar not thair lieges be stickit : 

Solyman, Tamerlan, nor yit the mekle Deill, 
Proud Pharao, nor Nero, was neuer sa wickit ; 

N outlier Turk nor Infidell vsis sic thing, 

As be their awin burreo, being ane king. 

IT Baith auld men and wemen, with babis on thair breist, 
Not luking nor huking, to hurll thame in Sane, 

All beand murdreist downe, quhat do ze neist ? 
Processioun, confession, and vp Mes agane ; 

Proud King Antiochus was sum tyme als haly, 

And yet our God guschit out the guttis of his belly. 

Thy syster thou maryit, thy saces was sour, 

Sic cuikrie for luikrie was euill interprisit ; 
Ze maid vs the Reid Freiris, and rais in an hour, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 175 

Abhorring na gorring that micht be deuisit ; 
Thou playit the fals hypocreit fenzeing the fray, 
But inwart ane rageing wolf waitand thy pray. 

That France was confidderat with Scotland I grant, 
Baith actit, contractit and keipit in deid ; 

The kyndnes of cutthrottis we cure not to want, 
Denyis thame, defyis thame, and al thair fals seid ; 

It was bot with honest men we maid the band, 

And thou lies left leifand bot few in that land. 

Our faith is not warldly, we feir not thy braulis, 

Thocht hangmen ouirgang men, for gaddaring ourgeir; 

Ze kill bot the carcase, ze get not our saulis, 

Not douting our shouting is hard in Goddis eir ; 

The same God from Pharo defendit his pepill, 

And not zone round Bobene that standis in zour stepill. 

IT Now, wyse Quene Elizabeth, luik to yourself, 

Dispite them, and wryte thame ane bill of defyance ; 

The Papistis and Spanzards hes partit zour pelf, 
As newly and trewly was tald me thir tythance ; 

Beleue thay to land heir, and get vs for nocht, 

Will ze do as we do, it sal be deir bocht. 

Giue pleis God we gre sa, and hald vs togidder, 

Baith surely and sturely, and stoutly gainstand thame; 

They culd not weill conqueis vs, culd ze considder, 
For ourmenare dour men, and likis weill to land thame; 

Quhen Cesar himself was chaist, haue ze forzet, 

And baith the realmes be aggreit, tak that thay get. 

If For better it is to fecht it, defendant our lyfis, 
With speir men and weir men, and ventour our sellis, 

Nor for to se Frenchemen deflorand our wyfis, 

Displace vs, and chace vs, as thay haue done ellis ; 

I meane quhen the Inglismen helpit at Leith, 

And gart thame gang hame agane spyte of thair teith. 



176 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

1F I cannot trow firmely that Frenchmen ar cummen, 
Persayfand thame haifand thamesehis into parrell ; 

The Lord sane Elizabeth, thair ane gude woman, 
That cauldly and bauldly debait will our quarrell 

With men and with money, baith armour and graith, 

As scho hes befoir tyme defendit this Faith. 

Thocht France for thair falset be drownit in dangeris, 
For causis and pausis thay plait into Pareis, 

Zit we ar in war estait, waitand on strangeris, 

Not gyding, deuyding our awin men from Mareis ; 

So weid the calf from the corn, calk me thair dures, 

And slay or ze be slane, gif sic thing occures. 

Bot how can ze traist thame that trumpit zow ellis, 
Decoir thame, do for thame, or foster thair seid ; 

And thay may anis se thair time, tent to zoursellis, 
Baith haitfull, dissaitfull, ze deill with in deid ; 

Anis wod and ay the war, wit quhat ze do, 

And mak thame fast in the ruit gif thay cum to. 

^ God blis zow, my br ether, and biddis zow gud nicht, 
Obey God, go say God, with prayer and fasting, 

Christ keip this pure ile of ouris in the auld richt, 
Defend vs and send vs the life euerlasting ; 

The Lord send vs quyetnes, and keip our zoung king, 

The Quene of Inglands Maiestie, and lang mot thai ring. 



f Finis, quod Simpell. 



f Imprintit at Sanctandrois, be Robert Lekpriuik. 
Anno Do. 1572. 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 177 

XXXIIff — % &fte g>t$t of tlje dastel of lEtutxtmrgt 

[British Museum, London. — A Facsimile Eeprint in Black 
Letter with a Prefatory Notice by David Constable, Ad- 
vocate, Edinburgh. Sm. 4to, (twenty-five copies printed), 
London, 1813. — Scotish Poems of the Sixteenth Century, 
Collected by John Graham Daly ell, Edinburgh, 1801.] 

jUSCHMET of Beruik mak zow for the gait 
To ring zour clrumis & rank zour me of weir 
Addres zour armour boud zow for debait 
With sound of trupet mak zour steids to steir 
Sen ze are freikes that weil dar fecht but feir. 
As for exampill we haue sene zow ellis, 
Lyk as the last tym that zour Camp come heir 
Lend vs ane bourroulg of zour auld blak bellis. 

Zour camp conuoyit but cumer throw the land 
In gude array and rewlit by thair rank. 
Reddie to pas as plesit us command, 
Throw all our bounds to the west sey bank. 
Thocht sum me say ze serue bot lytill thank 
Suppose occatioun cum first of thame sellis, 
As thay haue brouin y* bargane sa thay drank 
And re wis y e tyme y t euer thay saw zour bellis. 

I will repeit na poleceis put doun, 
Sen plesit God that we aggrie to giddir. 
Except thay crak thair credence to tho Crou. 
Than fair weil thay the find resseue the fldder 
God saue hir G. that will our cause considder 
And as I dout not will ourdryue thir dangeris 
As scho befoir tyme send hir forces hidder 
To keip yis coiitrie cline fra forrane strageris. 

To call to mynd hir mony fauld gude dedis, 

First scho reformit the fals Idolatrie, 

I am in dout in ony realme quha redis. 

Of sa lang tyme with sic tranquillitie, 

Sic faithful justice with ciuillitie. 

Sic frendschip keipit to hir fais sa lang. 

12 



178 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Scotland may say for oure utilitie. 

That neuer ane bettir prince in Inglad rang. 

That beand done scho did conferme a pace, 
And maid tha freindis yt lag tyme had bene fois 
With stancheig bludesched wes not eith to ceice 
That men may pas not sperand quhair he gois 
Syne at the sege of Leith scho sparit ane pois 
And dang the frenchme quhilk we docht not do 
Quhill hame thay past in spyt of all thair nois 
With lose of men and left munitioun to. 

Quhat toung hes langage to declair at lenth 
Thair greit artalzerie nor thair men of weir. 
France wes not able to withstand thair strenth 
For powder, and bullet, bowis, and uther geir 
Quhat chargis wes hir schipis at, may I speir, 
Surmonting fiftie hunder thowsand frankis, 
And zit for all the graith hir grace send heir, 
Ingraitfull people gaue hir lytill thankis. 

Our Regent slane syne as I said befoir 
Stryfe and contentioun rais in to the land. 
Treasoun, inuy, did uertue sa deuoir, 
Quhill all wes done as murthour did comand. 
Wes nan sa stout durst tak the steir on hand 
Sa has the cause bene quat wer not for shame. 
Quhil we sic frendschip furth of Ingland fand 
Thay send ane army heir with Leuenox hame. 

Conuoyt with Drurie duchtelie in deid. 
And as I hoip mair haist wes neuer done. 
To Glasg w past with mony trapit steid 
Thair skalit the sege releuit the castell sone. 
Doun to Dunbartane on the morne at none, 
He raid bot few not fering thame agane him. 
Zit of that parrell I prayse the Lord abone, 
He chapit weill fra uillanis wald hauc slane him. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 179 

That panefull progres I think ill to tell, 

Sen thay ar bo wit and bruderit in our band, 

Bot at this present tyme exem zour sell, 

Quhat comfort hes thair Quene send to this land. 

Is not the cannones cum at zour comand, 

Strecht to distroy the tratouris wald ouir gang us 

Commonis may crye lang mot that frendschip stand 

And blis hir banis sic blythnes broucht amang us. 

At Leith thay landit harmeles in the Heuin, 
With powder and bullet gunne and uther geir, 
Drest all thair platfurmes into dayis seuin, 
Not laiking na thing that belangit to weir. 
Sum workmen had we or the camp come heir, 
Jacques Gelliam gangand lyke ane besy be. 
The gabiounes makand haist the trinschis neir, 
Quha mycht do mair but ordinance nor we. 

The walis wes heith we culd not weil persew thame 
Bot quhen we gat thame doun full deir thay bocht it 
Be syde the woll at syndrie tymes we slew thame, 
That euer thay saw us some of thame forthocht it 
And poysonit woll to drink quhat docht it. 
Infekit watter sowlit thame cheik and chin, 
Persauing that sorrow mair thay socht it. 
Bot keppit standfulis at the sklatis thair in. 

The castell segit and all beset about, 
With sowseyis wyde inueronit be flycht. 
Montanis and myndis leit neuer man luik out, 
For ordinance thay dang at day and nycht. 
By weirlyk uolyis thocht the walis wes wycht, 
Zit dowbell battrie brak thame all in inschis, 
Of Daueis toure in all the toune menis sycht, 
Thay riggein stanes come tumland ouir the trinschis. 

The uehement schot zeid in at ather syde 
By threttie Cannonis plasit at partis seuin. 



180 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Quhill thay thair in mycht not thair heidis hyde, 
For Pot Gun pellettis falland from the heuin, 
The Bumbard stanis derecthe fell sa euin. 
That in to dykis by dint it deidly dang thame, 
Quhil all the houssis in the place was reuin. 
The bullatis brak sa in to bladis amaug them. 

Continewand this ane dosand of dayis or mair, 
Quhill tyme apointit neuer man durst steir. 
The larum rang the Regent self wes thair, 
My Lord Ambassat to stuid uerry neir. 
The manlie Generall lyke the god of weir, 
Not usit to sleip quhen sic thingis ar a do, 
Our Cronall als quha is ane freik bot feir, 
With all his Capitanes reddie to ga to. 

Schir Harie Leis wes present at that charge, 
My Lord Burlayis sone to stuid besyde. 
Cottoun and Dyar saw the sowt at large 
And Schir George Carie to the knauis he cryde, 
Zit Hume and Crafurde to the laue wes gyde, 
With certane Soiouris of the garysoun. 
Four Capitanis followit at thair bak to byde, 
Sempill and Hectour Ramsay and Robesoun. 

Bot Hume wes first that ouir the walis wan, 
As I heir say I wes not thair my sell. 
The Generall sayis he playit the uailzeant man, 
With prayssis mo nor I intend to tell. 
Thocht Crafurdis ledder wes to schort an ell, 
Zit ouir the walis he wan I wat not how. 
Dunbartan to quhen sic lyke fortoun fell, 
Thir wes the men that wan it I tell zow. 

The Generallis band come bauldlie at thair' bak, 
Schir Frances Russall with ane gudlie grace. 
Zarlie and Crintoun nather of thame wes slak, 
Twa uther Careis, Knowis, and Capitane Kace. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 181 

Than wes persewand at ane uther place, 
Breikwell, and Lammy, Mechell & Capitan Game, 
Bauld Capitane Reid, that enir held to his face. 
Pickman, and Wood, did uailzeantly the same. 

Spreill, Spadyn, Traill, Hutsoun, and all the laue, 
Bartoun and Stirlie, Capitan Duberie slane. 
Thoise at the bak wall wes the brasche thay gaue, 
For lake of lederis thair thay wrocht in uane. 
The men within maid sic defence agane 
Thay schot gude Manfrild in athort the throit. 
Quhill force did faill and than I saw thame fane. 
To cry Peccaui with the waithman noit. 

Halyburton Strauchan with thair standarts stuid 

Seirburne & Schaftoun hes followit on thame fast. 

Aueris and Barrat baith wer men of gude, 

Gresseone and Hanis wes laith for to be last, 

Crippis and Cantrell to the parrell past. 

Auld Capita Leirmount with ane luik to bang thame 

Gude M. Setoun maid thair grumis agast, 

He gart the Cannones ga sa thik amang thame. 

Out gais the Hergbut in the Cannon glydis, 

Brak al in bladdis thay docht not weil abyde thame. 

Trottar and fiftie fell and loste the bydis. 

The laue sa neit thay wist not quheir to byde thame 

Dismontit cannones slew the men besyde thame. 

The Suddartis swarfit and said thay wald not sar 

The house wes gude had thay had grace to gyde thame 

Quhen all wes done we had not bene the war 

Let na man lipin in to warldlie strenth, 
Bot Godlie ground thay may na thing induir. 
Tratouris and treasone sal be try it at lenth. 
Quhen men wald fanest all thair uices smuir 
Sa Grange beleuit the Madin Castelliuir. 
Haueand sic forssis to defend his touris. 



182 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Bot Mell with Madenis quhen thay play the huir, 
Win anis the entrie and than the house is zouris. 

The Madene Castell it wes callit long, 
With honour ay that nobill style it buir, 
With wemenis will ze do thame lytill wrong, 
To iaip thame sa I think it na iniuir, 
Na mair our Madene Castell play it the huir, 
Bot tuik appointmet quhen thair wes na parel 
Smaikis had the wyte I say the hous wes suir, 
Had thay bene gratious with ane Godlie quarel. 

Thay micht not byde it for the greit munitioun, 
Bot drew in factiones quhan the larum rang. 
Sum thocht it gude to cum and seik remissioun 
And sum said best the Secreter to hang. 
To his ilusiones we beleuit ouir lang. 
Ane cruikit Ethnik and ane crewall Tod, 
Inuentand wichecraft ay deuysand wrang. 
Lat nan geue credence to ane drytand God. 

Then Grang grew sleyit & wald na mair defed it 
For want of watter with ane poysonit well, 
His men wes slane and mekle powder spendit 
And wantit force to fill the wallis that fell 
Thair febill smaikrie I think ill to tell 
With luik lyke Lyounes and sa lytill done. 
Fy drukin dastartis ze haue schamit zoursell 
That said sa weill and syne gaue our sa sone. 

Durig this pointmet thair wes change of graith 
Su gat ane butiene for thair being thair 
Gien wes the credence giuen to suddartis faith 
Baith gold and siluer and of Marchand wair 
Ane tho .... tuik to ane . . . skaith* 
Be thair expenssis for thair cuming hidder. 

* This Line is much obliterated in the Original. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 183 

Than on the morns thay maid the pluk up late 
Baith Scottis & Inglis syne all zeid togidder. 

Upon that spuilze I will spend na tyme, 
Thay socht na tailezours for to bule thair breikis 
The suddartis luiffis wes sa ouirlaid w* lyme 
Sum gripit gold and gat the thing he seikis, 
Su stude beside and gat not worth twa leikis, 
As I heir say I wes not thair to se. 
Su gat thair handfull of thir halfmark steikis 
Will haue na mair within ane zeir nor we. 

Thay schot na keyis to brek the coffiris than, 
Ane day of blythnes for the men of weir. 
Sum stuid besyde ane wondderous forte man 
Ane duilfull day for thame that loist thair geir. 
First saw it tane and syne thay durst not steir : 
Thair wes compleit the prophecie of Knox, 
Doun fra that Crage Kircaldy sail reteir, 
With schame and sclader lyke ane hundit fox. 

With gild of pepile sa thay brocht thame doun, 
As birdis but plumis spulizeit of the nest. 
Part cryde quhair is he lat us se the loun, 
Go to and staen him lat him tak na rest. 
Quhe thay y* buir him saw thame selfis opprest, 
Thay cryit for succour for to saue thair lyuis 
The Generallis lugeing thair thay thocht it best 
Thay led him in thay war sa red for wyuis. 

The Regent then gart mak ane inhibitioun 
To leue the spuilze under pane of deid 
He carit for thing bot the Kingis munitioun. 
As for the leue thair wes bot lytill leid. 
To tak the hous thair wes na mair remeid, 
With all the faultis mycht follow he wes fane. 
Againis ane Haiknay I sail wed my heid 
Grange beis not Capitan of that Craig agane. 



184 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

With this the General! wes reterit a bak, 
Went donn to Leith quhair he had bene befoir, 
Speik as ze pleis it wes ane uailzeant ak, 
And Drurie deulie did his full deuoir. 
God gatand thakis the Quene suld haue y e gloir 
We thank hir Majeste as the mater standis 
God saue hir grace hes scho not gart restoir 
Zone captiue rebellis in the Regentis handis. 

By expectatioun of the commoun speiking, 
Wes it not thocht that Ingland suld begyle us 
And sum al legit it wes the Regents seiking 
To sell the King and sa thay wald ouirsyle us. 
Creip in our stronthis and suddanelie exyle us 
O Rural pepill rusticall and rude. 
We ar the men that all the warld dois style us, 
Remembring ill and gaue na thankis for gude. 

Ingratious pepill ignorant and uane, 

Quhy do ze noit zour nychtboris ay with ill. 

Wer thay not blyith for to get hame agane, 

Thocht sum beleuit thay wald haue tareit still 

To do zow plesclir thay haue schauin gude will 

Baith spent thair lyues & largelie of thair geir 

Alace my Joyis ze had bot lytill skill 

That trowit that Inglad wald haue tareit heir. 

Quhat danger wes to bring sa greit munitiouu, 
In forane landis with sic ane force indeid, 
The only caus wes to auoyid suspitioun, 
That men suld say thay come not heir for greid. 
Thocht sum thair be of cankreit Cain seid, 
Sawaris of discorde dois na uther thing. 
Speik as thay pleis schame fal thair lippis y* leid 
Thay mene na thing bot to mantane the king. 

Haif thay not thre tymes in this threttene zeir, 
Ay quhen we socht thae send thair forces hedder 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 185 

Baitht Schippis <fc Gunis & martial me of weir 
To win our kyndnes geue we culd. considdir. 
And now the last tyme quhen we send to bid her 
Hes scho not helpit to hoik out zone Tod, 
Lang moit thir oountreis leue in pace to gidder 
And grow in freindschip to the feir of God. 

W W$z fLemtog to tfje Regent. 

O richteous Regent of ane Royall race, 
Tratours may trimbill to behald thy face, 
Fering thy furie for thair foull offencis, 
Geue gloir to God that hes the geuen sic grace. 
Riches with reasoun for to reuill that place. 
Thow beand plantit in the sait of Prencis, 
Geue thow wald prosper in thy iust pretences, 
Beir equall ballancis baith to riche and puir 
That beand done lang mot thy dayis induir. 

Sen God hes wrocht it I am weill content 

To mak of the that onlie instrument. 

To caus this countrie for to knaw the king : 

It wes the leuing Lord Omnipotent, 

That maid the Barrones sa obedient, 

And not the force that thow to send may bring. 

Did neuer Regent in this Realme sic thing. 

Considdering alwayis as the mater stude, 

And maid sic greance with sa lytill blude. 

To speik of Regentis we haue had sic thre 
Sen God wes borne thair na bettir be. 
For wisdome, manheid, and for Godlynes, 
Quhairfore hes God now laid this charge on the 
Bot lat us ken that it is onlie he. 
That rewlis the Realme & not thy richteousnes 
Remember Ahab for his febilnes. 
Quha gart king Benhadab in scherat go, 
Quhilk wes his wrak be war ze do not so. 



186 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Quhairfor put God the powar in zour hand ? 
To puneis lounes that hes ourlaid this land. 
By murthour, treasoun, done fra zeir to zeir. 
Geue ze obey not brekand that command, 
I am in dout geue zour estait sail stand. 
But sone be rutit fra this Realme I feir, 
Spair neuer Agag for na brybe of geir. 
Quhat come of Saull with his face Ocin thair 
Ga reid the Bybill it will sone declair. 

To seik exempillis of that samin tone, 
My Lord of Murray wes degradit sone, 
For not fulfiling of the Lordis desyre. 
First God promouit him in the place abone 
Bot fra he saw that Justice wes not done. 
He leit the wickit cast the wand in fyre, 
Be war sic materis moue not God to yre. 
Geue ze be myndit on this mold remaine, 
And plesit God I wald not change agane. 



Harmon to tfje ®mb%ffitibz. 

My Lord Ambassade I haue lang forzet, 
Quhairfor indeid I haue not done my det. 
And be sa cairfull for oure countrie men, 
For wit and wisdome worthie to be tret. 
In baith the landis thair is bot few to get. 
That wrocht sa Godlie in this muse ze ken. 
My dull indyte can not direct my pen, 
And thocht I culd it wald contene ane buik, 
To put in paper all the panis he tuk. 

He is not borne of better qualytie, 
Of quiet speiche with greit moralytie. 
Swering nor bairdrie may he nan abyde 
Detestand pryde and prodigalitie. 
As equall Juge but persealytie. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 187 

For feid or fauour unto ather syde. 
Abone all uices subject leist to p'ryde, 
Ferme in his faith and full of Godlynes, 
With marciall hart myrrenes, 

Weill micht the counsals beir ane gude euend [comend ?] 

That sic Ambassade into Scotland send. 

To speik uprichtlie and the treuth declair, 

For na expensis did he spair to spend, 

Quhill pece wes brocht into ane finall end. 

Quhar as he fand us at the pluckup fair. 

With walkryfe labour and expensis sair, 

God knawis in Scotland quhat he had ado, 

With baith the sydis or he culd bring us to. 

In winter weddiris baith in wind and rane, 
Sum tynie with seiknes sa ourset with pane. 
He raid throw montanes many mose and myre 
In frost and snaw quhen all the folkis are fane, 
With double bonatris for to hap thair brane. 
Then wes he worssand our ane wondie swyre, 
Sum tymes at nycht syne not to se ane fyre 
Ar we addettil to sa trew ane strangear, 
That for our proffeit put him sell in danger. 

As Caleb send wes for to se the land, 
The gy dis that come gart Moyses understand 
The land wes feirfull and the pepill Strang, 
Because he knew it wes the Lordis comand. 
He wald not stay bot stoutlie tuik on hand, 
Richt unabasitlie all that gait to gang. 
Ourthrow thair castellis & thair gyantis dang, 
Brocht thae to miserie maid ane inynt to wrag us 
He wes y fc Caleb sen he come amang us. 

I dar be bald to say this hundreth zeir. 

He wes not stangear borne mair welcum heir 

Nor plesit the Preichours half se weill as he, 



188 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

On pure nor riche he neuer sparit his geir, 
And geue ane Suddart had bene schot in weir 
He somzeit not to ga him self and se. 
Quha with this countrie culd sa weill agrie. 
To play the wise ma quhen he wes with Lordis 
Syne help the puiranis as the cause recordis. 

Sou reasoun wald that ze returne a bak 
We thank zow hartlie of the Godlie ak. 
Ze wrocht amang vs for to saif our blude, 
I zow beseik thir sempill wersis tak. 
With als gude will as ony man can mak 
Because ze knaw my cunning is not gude. 
Ze man excuse my rurall rymis rude, 
God saif our King and send him lytill a do, 
The Quene of Ingland and hir Counsall to. 



FINIS. 

Quod Sempill. 

1T Imprintit at Edinburgh be Robert Lekpreuik. 
Anno. M.D.LXXIII. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 189 

JJHF — &xiz Complaint bpon jFortoun, 



[George Daniel's Collection, now in the possession of Henry 
Huth Esq., 30 Princes' Gate, London. — The Philo- 
biblon Society : — Ancient Ballads and Broadsides, pub- 
lished in England in the Sixteenth Century, chiefly in 
the earlier years of the reign of Queen Elizabeth. Ee- 
printed from the Unique Original Copies, mostly in 
Black-letter, preserved in the Library of Henry Huth, 
Esq., London. Printed by Whittingham and Wilkins 
1867. — A Collection op Seventy-Nine Black-letter 
Ballads and Broadsides, printed in the Eeign of Queen 
Elizabeth, between the years 1559 and 1597. Published 
by Joseph Lilly, London 1867.] 



[NCONSTANT warld, fragill and friuolus, 
With feinzeit Fortoun, quha confides in the 
Sail find his lyfe cairfull and cruellus, 
Led in this vale of wofull miserie ; 
Quhat potent princes in prosperitie, 

Hes sho deposd from their imperiall places ! 
Hir craft quotidian we may cleirly se, 

As men in mirrouris may behanld their faces. 

The worthie Bocas, in his morall buke, 

The Fall of Princes plainly dois compyle ; 
Amangs them all quha euer lykes to hike, 

Sail finde Dame Fortounis fauour for a quhyle; 
For with the one eye sho can lauch and smyle, 

And with the vther lurke and play the loun; 
Sum to promotioun, and some to plaine exile, 

Lyke draw-well bukkets dowkand vp and doun. 

IF That variable witch makis all the warld ado ! 

Quhat kingis and countreis hes sho brocht to end ! 
Assyrians, Persians, Grekes, and Romains to, 

The monarches foure micht not hir force defend. 



ire?" 



190 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Bulworkis nor battellis bydis her nocht a bend ; 

Quha may withstand her straik, quhan sho list 
stryke ? 
This nicht aneuch, the morne nathing to spend ! 

Imago in Luna, and sho lukis baith alyke. 

To pen the speciallis it passis mony a himder, 

And makis the tyme ouer tidious to declare ; 
Sum sho promouis and sum sho puttis to vnder, 

And sum rewardes with wandring heir and thair ; 
And sum incastrat captiues in the snair, 

And sum for rlatrie dois hir freindship find; 
To all estates vntruethfull, quhat sould mair, 

Turnand her volt lyke woddercok in wind ? 

To paint her out it passis mine ingyne, 

How wonderfully she wirkes in all thir thingis ! 
Sum fra thair birth brocht vp with doggis and swine, 

Tane fra the pleuch and placit in sait of kingis. 
The brutell beist ane barbour wolfe vpbringis 

The first borne Romain callit Romulus, 
Quhais blude as zit into that regioun ringis, 

By expectatioun of auld Amelius. 

Cyrus siclyke was be ane bitche vpbrocht, 

Cround as a king ane cruell man of weir. 
Pareis in Troy that all the toun forthocht, 

Preseruit from slauchter be souking of a beir. 
And swa was Thylaphus with ane hinde, I heir, 

Medas with imates and maid ane michtie prince ; 
Plato with beis quha did sic prudence leir, 

That all men meruelled of his eloquence. 

Without respect to blude royall or clan, 

Pureanis promouit that na man wald presume ; 

Torquinius Priscus, a baneist marchant man, 

Chaist out of Corinth and cround a king in Rome. 

Siclyke was Seruis from ane shipherd grome, 
And Tullus Hostilius fand her fauour neist ; 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 191 

Is, was, and salbe quhill the day of dome, 

Sic doubill dealing in Dame £ortounis breist ! 

Quha findis hir freindship of fauour lies anench, 

To warldly glore sho gydes them all the gait ; 
Tuke sho not Gordias from the spaid and pleuch, 

And quickly placit him in a princes sait ? 
How far may Darius bragge of her debait, 

Tane fra the stabil ouer Persia to ring ; 
Pure Agathocles from a law estait, 

Ane porteris boy to be ane potent King ? 

Of Justine the suinehird sho maid ane empriour, 

Ouer Constantinople ane king and cround liim thair ; 
Gyges tbe gait-hird ane michtie conquerour, 

To Lydia land she maid him lord and aire ; 
And Wallancianus from his landwart fair, 

Tane fra the pleuch to place imperiall ; 
Cambyses, Nero, be the contrair clair, 

Was thair awin burreois to thair buriall. 

Sa Fortoun mountit neuer man sa hie, 

Fostered with folie, suppose she make them faine ; 
Bot with ane tit sho turnis the quheill, ze sie, 

Doun gois their heid, vp gois their heillis againe ! 
Of Alexander to write I war bot vaine, 

Ouer fifty landis he lord was at the leist ; 
Zit threttie dayis lay efter he was slaine, 

Unbureit in Babell lyke a brutell beist. 

Xerxes, quhose armeis maid the riueris dry, 

And schippis subumbragit all the seyis on breid, 
Did sho not wait him with sic foule inuy, 

Pray to Pericles, that put him to his speid ? 
Of Julius Cesar gif thow lykes to reid, 

In his triumphant toun victorious, 
Slaine be his Senatis, schamefully in deid, 

By his awin kinsmen Brutus and Cassus 



192 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Sum auld exemples heir I man induce, 

To bring my purpose to more speciall ; 
Quha was mair worthie gif I wald make ruse, 

More stout, more trew, nor hardy Hanniball? 
Dauter of Romaines, to Carthage ane castell wall, 

The onely thing quhairin he maist reioysit ; 
Do quhar he docht in deidis marciall, 

By his awin pepill petiously deposed. 

Sicklyk was Sipio, saiklesly schot furth, 

That vinqueist Hanniball lyke a warriour wicht, 
His vailiant workes was weyit bot litils worth, 

Quhen he was baneist with a bair gude nicht ; 
Not lyke a captaine, nor a kindly knicht, 

Bot lyke ane beggar baneist in exile ; 
Sa Fortoun montit neuer man on hicht, 

Bot sho can law him within a litill quhyle. 

Alchebead of Athenis was Duke, 

Of princely parents and ane royall race, 
To keip his toun sic trauell undertuke, 

He maid his fo-men fie befoir his face ; 
To his rewarde he gat nane vther grace, 

Ingraitly baneist to their awin grit skaith : 
And Tymistocles in that samin place, 

By their awin burgessis thay wer baneist baith. 

Experience teiches me not to flyte with Fortoun, 

With auld examples that dois na thing belang vs ; 
Marke James of Dowglas present Erie of Morton, 

And of the best that euer was borne amang vs ; 
Danter of theuis that dayly dois ouer-gang vs, 

Key of this countrie that kepit vs from skaith ; 
I speik na farther in feir thay sould gar hang vs, 

Preichouris and poiettis are put to silence baith. 

Few things wer done bot Mortoun interprisit them, 
Dumbar and Brichane and mony vthair bloke ; 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 193 

Speik quhat thay pleis, he wrocht them and deuisit them; 

He and his freindis ay formest in the fiocke ; 
He faucht zour querrell as kein as ony cok, 

Keuengit zour murthers ma nor twa or thrie ; 
Ane nobillman and of ane ancient stoke, 

His valiant deidis demereitis not to die. 

If Ane of the speciallis did mentene zour croun, 

Zour ferme protectour in zour tender zeiris ; 
He maid zow vp and all zour fo-men doun, 

His marckll manheid did mentein zonr weiris ; 
Oif he did wrang, rewarde him as effeiris. 

Gif he did gucl, God wald he sould be tret ; 
Bot as the prouerbe speikis, it plaine appeiris, 

Auld men will die and barnes will sone forzei 

Was he not rewler ouer zour realme and rigioun 

Quhill all was pacifeit be his prudent wit? 
Stude he not stoutly be the true religioun, 

Ane of the first that maid the freiris to flit ? 
Franke on the feildis, and formest at the bit, 

Without respect to baggis or bodie to ; 
Zour faithfull subiect, and sua he sal be zit, 

To do gude seruice, as I haue seene him do. 

Than at Carbarrie hill he held a day, 

With litill bludeshed Both well was put a-bake, 
Quha slew zour father and fibilly fled away, 

Syne socht zourselfe to bring this realme to sake. 
How mony clawbackes than suppose thay crak, 

Conuenit with Mortoun quhan Bothwel tuk the 
chase ? 
Try or ze tine him and trow not all thay spak, 

Lat workes beir witnes, vaine wordes sould have 
na place. 

Sone efter that the Counsell crouned zoursell, 
Quhan godly Murray as a regent rang, 

13 



194 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Zit thair was some that bauldly did rebell, 

That to zour lawis wald nouther ryde nor gang. 

Quha thair conuenit for to reuenge zour wrang, 
Albeit zour action was thocht innocent ? 

It was the Dowglasses douchtaly them dang, 
And pleit zour proces in that parliament. 

Quha could declare our langsum lyfe in Leith, 

Fechtand all day and syne lay in our clais ? 
Gif Lindesay lykes, that Lord can tell zow eith, 

Quha was zour friendis or quha zour mortall fais, 
Or quha gaid formest breistand vp the braies. 

I dar not pen the speciallis, I do plaine zow ; 
Bot weill I wait, howeuer the warld now gais, 

Thai find maist freindship was fardest than again 
zow. 



Syne at Langsyde feild zour grace may ken, 

Mortoun was thair ane man amang the rest; 
In Striuiling toun, out of his dowie d en, 

Maist lyke a fox thay fyrit him in his nest. 
In Edinburgh Castell quhair thay war possest, 

He them desplaced that purposit to undo zow. 
Quhan ze grow auld, I wait ze will confest, 

Mortoun hes bene ane faithfull saruand to zow. 

Quhan Regentis deit and all the lytes inlaikit, 

The Counsell did conuene and set ane day ; 
Thay cheisit him Regent in that rowme that waikit, 

With sad adwise, for few or nane said nay ; 
Bot zit I think thay playit zour grace foule play, 

Gif he was knawin than of thir crymes conuict, 
Gif he be saikles, surely I dar say, 

Thay haue defamit him with ane fulich trick. 

To dant the theuis had he nocht mekill ado, 

Abandoned the borders that na man durst rebell ? 
The Armestrangis, Eluottis and the Johnestons to, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 195 

With twentie vther clans I can not tell, — 
During his dayis thai durst not ryde ane ell ; 

The hirdis and hinde men in their labeis lay ; 
Bot thair estait, as now ze sie zoursell, 

All nicht to walke and fane to wirk all day. 

Aganis grit lordis committing small offence, 

With iniust challenge thay aucht na man to chessoun ; 
Mortoun hes ay bene vpricht with his prince, 

But spot of cryme or ony point of tressoun. 
Albeit gude saruice be not tane in seasoun, 

His workes may witnes he neuer sparit for perrell ; 
Laitly accusit but outher ryme or ressoun, 

As sindrie schawis me for a saikles querrell. 

Daft fulis defyis him because thay finde him sage, 

And cowartis contrarious for his hardiment ; 
Young men for giaikrie can not agrie with age, 

And waisteris inuyis him for his gouernement. 
And sacreit counsell can not be content 

To suffer lordshippis in equalitie ; 
Zit I beseik zour grace of gude intent, 

To play the prince but parcialitie. 

Ad wise zow weill, sen he hes not offendit ; 

To keip sic senattis it sail decore zour land ; 
Of rasche detreitis cums rew and may not mend it, 

As Scottismens wisdome dois behinde the hand. 
Wyse lordis are ill ta make I vnderstand, 

And trewly in kingis is to abhorre ; 
This sempill counsall, syr, is na command, 

Bot wald to God that na man louit zow war. 

Finis, quod Sempill. 

Imprintit at Edinburgh, be Robert Lekprewicke, 
dwelling at the Netherbow. 



196 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

IM- J?etr fotlofote tfje Hegentr of tfje Btsrfjop 
of St ^ntirots ILgfe, calltt JKr ^atriclt gfoanv 
sone, a/ms Cousteane* 

[Scotish Poems of the Sixteenth Century. Collected by John 
Graham Dalyell, Edinburgh 1801. — Dr David Irving 
in his " History of Scotish Poetry, Edinburgh 1861 " re- 
marks that " This Poem of Semple is supposed to have 
been written so late as the year 1583," and " to have been 
printed from a Manuscript ; but where the Manuscript is 
to be found, the Editor has not thought proper to inform 
us."] 

&{je preface. 

jLL faytful brether that on the Lord dependis, 
Mark weill this schedule that I have send 

you heir, 
Pestiferus prelatis, that Papistrie pretendis, 
Sic deuils but dout sail in o r dayis appeir ; 
Yit God forwairnis you be the weidis they weir, 
To ken the lupus in a lamb skyn to appeir, 
Makand thair godis of warldlie gudis and geir, 
The flock new foundit, and thay in furringis happit. 

Veneriall pastoris, in vomiting thair fay 1 , 
Lyk to ane tyke returning to it agane, 
Filling thair purses with the spirituall grathe, 
Plucking the pellottis or ever the scheip be slane : 
Goddis true preceptis and prciching to prophane, 
Layand thair cuires in warldlie busines. 
Thir are the propheitis, I speik it to you plane, 
Coverit with coule of clockit holines. 

Lyk to the scrybes, closing the yeattis of heawin, 
Sayand the Pope sic power to thame gave ; 
Hyding the keyis was treuly to the gewin, 
Thinking y* Christianis shall na entres have, 
A scabbit scheip wald fane infect the lave, 







THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 197 

Causing sedition into the kirk to ryse. 
Heirfoir, bewar what sermond ye resave ; 
In rottin bosses no balme liquor lyes. 

To Bischop Balaam breaking the law of God, 
They may succeid weill as his sone and air ; 
Or Coran, Dathan, reving Aarons rod, 
With thair vsurpet priesthood playit no mair. 
To Amasias I may them weill copair, 
Sleayand the faytfull flock wtout offences ; 
Tane and incarcerat, keipit heir and there, 
Beggit and banist, bearing the wraith of princes. 

In Maccabeis, wha ever lykis to luike, 
By Alchimas and Jason they may leir, 
Mensuorne byschopis that Moses law forsuike, 
Benucing God for warldlie gudis and geir, 
With Kingis unchristned cuand to the weir, 
Contrair thair cosciece and their kyndlie friendis. 
What dois our bischopis now, may I no* speir, 
Servandis to Sathan for his takkis and teindis ? 

I may copair the to a plunted fyre, 
But heit to warme you in the winteris cauld ; 
Or to a visioun* cled with trym attyre, 
Covering a skyn vncomelie to behald. 
The pleasan plane-trie will the leavis vnfauld, 
With fairest schaddow to save the sone in symer. 
Be thir lait bischopis may this teall be tauld, . 
Bearand no fruite bot barren blockis of tymber. 

Vntruethfull teacheris, in thir tymes bypast, 
Some hes bene sene from yeir to yeir ; 
Bot in this latter aige they flock so fast, 
That I beleive in deid the day be neir. 
Judas Iscariot, for a gleib of geir, 
Betrayed his Maister lyk a trato r tod. 

* Or, visorne. 



198 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Annas and Caiphas, gif they both war heir, 
Culd do no mair to slea the Sanctis of God. 

Blind Baals bischopis, provocking God to yire, 
Your sinfull leaving lies the scheip ouersyled, 
Compared to swyne returcrig to the myre 
In thair awin filthes to get thair fames defyled. 
Albeit they be. now Tulchin bischopis sty lit, 
Having proude kingis and counsallis to decoir the, 
Auld God, is God, and will not be begylit, 
When Plutois palice beis provydit for them. 

May Scotland beir sic bischoppis for the gallons, 
St Androis, Glasgow, for y fc gait anes grantit, 
What have ye lost, forloppen, leying fellowes ? 
Fraudulent fellowes, that tuyse there fay 1 recited. 
The spreit of God was anes into the planted, 
Preiching his doctrine, as indeid they did, 
But fra they gat the drapping grise they wald [wanted] 
Thair docket knaverie culd na moir be hid. 

Vngratious guy d is, y* God has never anoynted, 
Lyk to our faytfull pastouris past befoir, 
But be the devile, I dout not, heir appoyntit, 
Godis holie scriptour for to cloik and smoir. 
For no rewarde they work but warldlie gloir, 
Plaing placebo into princes faces, 
With leyis and letteris doing thair devoir, 
Pynand true preichouris, for to possess there places. 

Voratious woulfis, I wish you to rewolk, 
Ere in the den of darknes ye most lye ; 
Of Godis true mercies, lyk to mercat focke, 
Selling for lucre, quha so lykis to by ; 
Libidinous druckardis they dowe not to denye ; 
May no man had the be thair yeis and nayis. 
Thir are the propheitis, planelie ze may espye, 
The Lord called lyers in the latter dayis. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 199 

Thair maister, Pluto, hes there spreitis posses, 
Who with his Lord in lyk contritione fell. 
Thinkand his wit and beautie by the rest, 
Against the word of God he wald rebell. 
Through his presuptous pryde he past to hell, 
Leaving the heavinlie harbrie whair he satt. 
Gif they repent no 1 sone, assure they sail 
Receave sie mercie as thair maister gat. 

This Adamsone may weill be borne of Eve, 
Takand his vices of his wicket mother ; 
Lykkest to father Adam, I beleive, 
Surpassing Cain cursed, or ony vther : 
For he slew nothing bot his onlie brother ; 
And this hes drowned hole dioceis, ye sie. 
Wanting the grace, when he shuld gyde the ruther, 
He lattis his scheip tak in at luife and lie. 

Reforme thair faythis, gif they be found astray 
From thair vocation e clean e degenerat; 
Preis not to enter be. the wrangous way, 
As bastard brethren, being reprobat ; 
With hert cotreit, and handis elevat, 
Seik thair salvatione of the samyn sort ; 
They will not find the father obstinat, 
When synnaris knoxis in casting vp the port. 

Heirfore, deir Bretherne, I wish you to bewar ; 
Sen ye are wairned, I wald not ye were blekkit; 
To thair deceatfull doctrine come not nar, 
Singand lyk syrens to deceave the elected ; 
Both art and part of Papistrie suspectit, 
As ye may see be thair workis inventit. 
To Edinburgh baillies my buike salbe directed, 
Desyrand lycence to get live to prent it. 

Ground you on God, the rocke and corner stane, 
As Paull dois speik to the Corrinthianis. 



200 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Swa live thir lyars, and thair lawis allane ; 

Packand thair penche lyk Epicurianis, 

Contrair to Christ, lyk Antichristianis, 

The plane polluters of his holie teple ; 

Lyk to Scrybes and fals Pharisianis, 

Bellie god bischopis : Qnoth your brother Semple. 

Now, papir, pass ; and gif they speir who send the, 
Tell thame, a true ma bay* to King and Croun. 
Curious poyetis, I knaw, will vilipend the, 
Saying, thou fares but of ane saucie lowne. 
Yet with the rascall people up and downe, 
Finding our friendis, cof ess to be myne, 
From the New Castle cuing to this towne : 
Concluding this, we toome a tas of wyne. 



Vtht ICcgenD or discourse of ti)e ICrjfe anB ©onbcrsatione anB ^ualitels of tfjf 
©ttlcfone IStscfape of SanctanBrots. Set furtf) btj 3R. S. 

[0 all and sundrie be it sene, 

Mark weill this mater quhat I meine, 
The legend of a lymmeris lyfe, 
Our Metropolitane of Fyffe ; 

Ane schismatyke, and gude swyne hogge, 

Come of the tryb Gog Magoge ; 

Ane elphe, ane elvasche incubus, 

Ane lewrand lawrie licherous ; 

Ane fals, forloppen, fenyeit freir, 

Ane raungard for greid of geir, 

Still daylie drinckand or he dyne, 

A wirriare of the gude sweit wyne ; 

Ane baxters sone, ane beggar borne, 

That twyse his surnaime hes mensuorne 

To be called Costene he tho* schame, 

He tuke vp Costantine to name. 







THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 201 

Some to the schoolis this knave covoyes ; 
Beggand his breid amonges the boyes, 
He come to letters at the lenth ; 
Then when he grew to witt and strenth, 
He tuike the ministrie on hand, 
And servit at Syres vp a land ; 
Bot through presfiptious height and pryde, 
He layed that office sone asyde ; 
Manna and quales he tho 1 no fade, 
The pottis of Egypt was tuyse as gude. 
Thinking that poore professione vaine, 
He changed his surname over agane ; 
Now Docto r Adamsone at last. 
Whairthrow he ower to Paris past, 
As pedagoge to young M'Gill, 
Imploying ay his spreit to ill. 
To lerne disceat and subtil sawis, 
He studeis long tyme in the lawis ; 
Ilk day devysing sindrie wyhs, 
Not ane nor tua that he beguyles : 
Thair was no Scotisma dwellane thair, 
Bot he deceaved them les or mair : 
Maitland, Melwill, and Matchevellous, 
Learnet never mair knaifrie in a scholehous ; 
Which tua resembles, as I suppone, 
Architojmell, and fals Triphone : 
Then finding out ane new fas cast, 
Amongis the prentaris is he past, 
And promeist to set foorth a buike. 
Grit sowmes of money from them he tuike ; 
Bot Bacchus, and the bordall toe, 
Maid him sic busines adoe, 
That he my* gett na buikis copyld ; 
And sua the prentaris were beguyld. 
Now Holyglass, returnig hame, 
To play the sophist, thought no schame : 
Through sindrie realmes tho* he had ranged, 
Yit nathing in his maneris changed. 



202 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Then, heiring tell how Lowrie landit, 
The c5gregatione him comandit 
To serve a kirk, and keip a cure ; 
Persaving thair professione pure, 
He tho* it but ane vaine vocatione. 
He thristed, ane easiare occupatione, 
Amonges the lawers for to lyve ; 
Bot fra that rang not in his sleyve, 
He wald with thame no mair remane, 
Bot maid him for the court agane. 
The erle of Lennox, levand then 
Our regent, and a worthie man, 
Vnto his brother him directed, 
With secreit earrandis vnsuspectit, 
For pois to pay his men of weir ; 
Bot how, alace, as ye shall heir. 
Betrayed thame bay* with a tryme covoy. 
Makaiid his bargand with a boy, 
Was ower to Flanders fled and ferreit, 
Cryand out, harmesay, he was herreat; 
Lameting sair his lose and skaith ; 
And this gait he beguylit thame bay 1 : 
Bot yit with tyme his trickis were tryed, 
He had nea toung for to denye it. 
Than, gif he had not fled for feir, 
Gude Matchewell had mist his meir. 
To tell how he bestowit his poise, 
The faice is weill sene on his noise : 
For be his craig ye may weill ken 
Gif he be ane of Bacchus men. 
Than, whan he had na vther vaine, 
He maid him for the kirk againe. 
Bot for to tell what test he tuke, 
Dysertis Duschet was the buike; 
And maid ane sermone, some confydis, 
To plesour fock on bayth the sydis. 
His mynd was mair on heich promtione, 
Groundit on geir, nor gude devotione , 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 203 

Without respect of true religion e, 

As we have manie in this regione. 

Yet in the pulpet we saw him greit, 

Playand the publict hypocreit. 

Then men, beholding his cotritione, 

Beleavand he had changit coditione. 

Then through to Paislay he was send, 

Lascivous maneris for to amend. 

What fruite come of his ganging thair ? 

Sic preist, sic pariche ; what suld mair ? 

For, neather with preiching nor w* reiding, 

Tuke he that faythless flock in feiding ; 

Bot meit in campo did comand them, 

And left the some war nor he fand them. 

To tell you quhat this capo meins, 

Thair daylie to the drinck coveins 

The obstinat papistis of the toun ; 

This pasto r with his scheip sat doun, 

Bot maid no work, I mak you plane, 

To bring the lost scheip bak agane. 

To copowt coplene there he calld thame, 

Bot never findis whair he forbade thame 

Thair vglie aithis abhominable. 

They finding him so favorable, 

They thankat God that they had fud him. 

Ecce qua bonu et qua jucundu 

Est habitare fratres in unu. 

Freir Johnstoun, and Maquhane about him, 

Tua pallartis that the Pope professis, 

Bysing at mydnycht to there messis ; 

Vidi, scivi, sed non audiebam, 

Potum merii cu fietu miscebam ; 

Carruse, and hald the canikin klynclene, 

Yit wha were there to sie thair drinking ? 

They hald it still vp for a mocke, 

How Maister Patrick fedd his flock ; 

Then to the Court this craftie lown, 

To be a bytescheip maid him boun ; 



204 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Becaus S fc Androis then dependit, 

To heich promo tione he pretendit. 

The kirk began to tak suspitione, 

Then knawing weill the knaifis coditione, 

They callit him into thair Assemblie, 

Bot not so welcome thair as hamelie. 

Greit oethes he sweiris, w* feinyeit face, 

That he suld never inioy that place ; 

And bad thame hald him vnsuspect, 

He was not gewin to that effect. 

Bot bettir packet aftemone, 

The foullest turne that ever was done, 

Ben ower the bar he gave a brocht, 

And laid among them sic a locket ; 

With eructavit cor meu, 

He hosted thair a hude full fra him ; 

For laike of rowme, that rubiature 

Bespewit vp the moderator ; 

While the Assemblie thocht grit schame, 

Saying he was seik, and send him hame, 

And laid him backwardis in a bed, 

But not so weill nurtorit as fed. 

Sone efter that, incontinet, 

Earle of Mortoun gat the regimet ; 

Then sett he to, with saill and ayre, 

To seik some lowiner harbore thayre, 

And caist his anckers on the raid, 

And long tyme with the Lord abaid. 

His towes, I find, hes bene so fyne, 

For all the stormes hes bene sensyne, 

His schip come never on the schalde, 

But stack still on the ancker halde. 

His office day lie was, indeid, 

The chapter to expone and reid. 

When he that sermone celebrat, 

He had a word accustomat ; 

The propheit meinis this, gif ye mark it, 

Auld Captane Kirkburne to him harkit; 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 205 

Perceaving weill S* Androis yaikit, 

And syne how sone the knave was staikit, 

To all men levand he compleinis, 

I watt now what the propheit menis. 

This foirsaid bischope beand deid, 

Maister Johne Wynrame was maid heid, 

For sowmes of silwer that he had lent the ; 

Bot he besoght thame to content the : 

He cravit na digniteis prophane, 

But his awin silver hame agane. 

Fra Holiglass sone hard this thing, 

He toned his dussie for a spring, 

And held the Regent so in hand, 

And maid him weill to vnderstand 

That he sonld pay the foir said sowme, 

Gif he were enterit in the rowme ; 

And mair, as he wald bid him doe, 

To give his servantis pensiones toe. 

Sua, "with his craft, this carlingis pett, 

Hes fangit ane grit fisch in his nett. 

Bot fra he was a byschope stylit, 

M r Johne Wyndrome was beguylit, 

Had he no* had a sure probatione, 

And cald him on his obligatione. 

Bot Docto 1 " Patrick still reply ed, 

With trickis and delatouris he denyed, 

And maid manifest to men of law, 

That he had his discharge to schaw. 

Bot how his discharge was gotten, 

When Holieglass is deid and rotten ; 

His smaikrie sail not be forgett, 

How Docto 1 * Patrick payit his debt. 

Ane new coceat this knaif hes tane ; 

To Willie Vylie he hes gane, 

The Regents awin cubicular, 

His servant and his secretare, 

And him besought to lat him see 

Of missive wrytingis tuo or thrie, 



206 THE SEMP1LL BALLATES. 

Fra Maister Jhone Wydrome to my Lord, 
And hecht him crownes for to accord. 
This simple boy, suspecting nocht, 
Thrie of the wrytingis to him brought. 
Ane of thame law subscryvit, ye ken, 
As custom is to noble men : 
He cuttit off the bill above [abone] 
And filled the blank with falset sone, 
Discharging him the foirsaid sowmes. 
It cuand in the Sessiones thowmes, 
To Maister Wyndrome they copleanet, 
Wha swair that he had nevir sene it, 
And tuike in hand for to impryve it. 
Thair Matchewell had bene mischevit, 
Were not his falsett was cofessit, 
And sic a moyen with him dressit, 
Five hudreth merkis he to him gave, 
And tuik in hand to pay the leave. 
At certane dayis, thair was na doubt, 
Bot fra he fand the tyme ryn out, 
He pat him off with mowis and mockis, 
And had no will to louse the boxe. 
The superintendent saw na better, 
Bot raid agane, and raisit a letter, 
And gat the harlat to the home. 
Bot Howliglass, lang or the morne, 
New falsat forged out for to defend him ; 
Ane fair suspentione he hes send him. 
The vther to the Sessione pleinyeit, 
And said it was both fals and feinyeit, 
And socht inspectione for impriving. 
The lymmer, feiring lyfe and levin^ 
He saw na bute, but bagis to louse, 
And swoir he maid it but in mowis : 
As Maister Andro Wilsoune wrocht it, 
And secreitlie said he forthoght it ; 
Beseikand him to keip it close, 
Or word ran to the comon woice. 



£• 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 207 

The vther wald na mair reprive, him, 
Bot all men he forbade beleive him, 
Or ever to trow ane word he spak, 
But Holiglass behind thair back. 
So in Sanctandrois happened then, 
Ane callit Scot, a mareit man, 
Nocht verie riche in woiidlie guddis : ' 
Save tua pure aikers of borrow ruddis ; 
Yit with the glaikis he was owergane, 
And in adulterie he was tane ; 
Maid to be punisit for his paik ; 
But he was stubburne in his talk ; 
Iniurit the elders, what suld mair ? 
This byschop, beand present thair, 
Desyrit him hame, and he suld seay 
Gif he culd lerne him to obey ; 
For all his crackis, doe what he can 
To knaw the law of God and man. 
Sua to his castell tuik him hame, 
This dubil drunckerd thought na schame ; 
Fuorth secreitlie he callis him syne, 
And fillit him fow with aill and wyne ; 
Persuading him to sell his land, 
And gat his letters in his hand. 
This beand done, as I have said, 
Vpon his duschet vpe he played, 
Gevand the man so mony terroris, 
That brocht him in a thousand erroris, 
That for his lyfe was no remeid, 
Gif he abaid the law but deid. 
The pure man, being fleid for feir, 
Gave him the land, and gat na geir ; 
Maid sayle syne to the Easter sees, 
And, lyk ane dy ver, thair he deis ; 
Whairto this bischop tuik reguard, 
And enterit sone to Nabothis yaird. 
The sillie wedo a quhyle defendit, 
But scho grew pure, and so scho endit, 



208 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

And left hir malisone, c5sider, 

To Lowrie, and the land together. 

Whether hir malisone tuike effect, 

Or gif it was the gude wyne sect, 

Or surfeating of snndrie spyces, 

Or than a scurge for clockit vyces ; 

Bot sic ane seiknes hes he tane, 

That all men trowit he had bene gane ; 

For leitches my* mak no renieid, 

Thair was na bute to him bot deid. 

He, seing weill he wald not mend, 

For Phetanissa hes he send, 

With sorcerie and incantationes, 

"Reising the devill with invocationes, 

With herbis, stanis, buikis, and bellis, 

Menis mGbers, and south runig wellis ; 

Palme croces, and knottis of strease, 

The paring of a preistis auld tees ; 

And, in principle*, sought out syne, 

That vnder ane alter of stane had lyne, 

Sanct Jhones nutt, and the for' e levit claver, 

With taill and mayn of a baxter aver. 

Had careit haiae heather to the oyne. 

Gutted off in the cruik of the moone ; 

Halie water, and the laber beidis, 

Hyntworthe, and fourtie vther weidis : 

Whairthrow the charmig tuik sic force, 

They laid it on his fatt whyte horse. 

As all men saw, he sone deceissit : 

Thair Saga slew ane saikles beast. 

This wald not serve ; he sought ane vther, 

Ane devill duelling in Anstruther, 

Exceading Circes in coceattis, 

For changene of Wlisses meatis : 

Medusa's craftis scho culd declair, 

In making eddars of her hair : 

Medea's practicques scho had plane, 

That could mak auld men young agane. 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 209 

By Achates, the witches god, > 

Mercurius, with his charmed rod, 

The aunciet king of Bactria, 

That first inventit magica, 

Could not so weill of stow en geir tell, 

As could this vglie hund of hell. 

With this, the word yead through the toun, 

How lurcan Lowrie played the lowne : 

Heiring how witches wrang abusit him, 

The kirkmen calld him and accused him, 

And scharplie of theis pointis reproved him, 

That he in sorcerie beleavit him, 

Whairthrough his saule my 1 come to skay*. 

The witche and he cofessing bayth, 

Scho tuike some part of white wyne dreggis, 

Wounded rayne, and blak hen eggis, 

And maid him droggis that did him gude. 

His ansr. being rashe and rude: 

Suppoise the devill maid that graith, 

The seiknes sua oversett my faith, 

At that tyme, to asswage my sair, 

I wald have tane it, 1 tauld thame thair. 

Then did the elders him desyre 

Vpon the morne to mak a fyre, 

To burne the witches both to deid : 

Bot or the morne he fand remeid. 

He dred sa sair they suld have schawin 

How his knaverie was to the vnknawin ; 

Laich in a lyncbus, whair thay lay, 

Then Lowrie lowsit the, long or day, 

And had no will they were corrected ; 

Yit with the people he was suspected, 

Trowing the teallis befoir was spocken, 

Becaus they saw no presone brocken. 

There was his pretticques weill espyed ; 

But with his ansr : he replyit, 

And said, na man, at his comand, 

Wald tak the presone hous in hand ; 

14 



210 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



Into that dugeon was sic din, 

As Beelzebub had bene therin ; 

That nevir a man durst stire qll: day : 

And sua he neckit thame with may, 

And brocht the teale bravelie about, 

How Pluto come and pullit the out. 

Yit few or nane this Lourie beleavit, 

Becaus they culd not get it previt : 

They prayit him to amend his lyfe, 

And trow na witchcraft in a wife. 

For oght the kirk culd him forbid, 

He sped him sone, and gat the thrid ; 

Ane carling of the Quene of Phareis, 

That ewill win geir to elphyne careis ; 

Through all Braid Abane scho hes bene, 

On horsbak on Hallow ewin ; 

And ay in seiking certayne nyghtis, 

As scho sayis, with sur sillie wychtis ; 

And names out ny^o^s sex or sewin, 

That we belevit had bene in heawin. 

Scho said scho saw thame weill aneugh, 

And speciallie gude auld Balcleuch 

The secretare, and sundrie vther ; 

Ane William Symsone, hir mother brother, 

Whom fra scho hes resavit a buike, 

For ony herb scho lykis to luike : 

It will instruct hir how to tak it ; 

In sawis and sillubs how to mak it; 

With stones that mekle mair can doe 

In leich craft, whair scho layis them toe. 

A thowsand maladeis scho hes medit. 

Now being tane and apprehendit, 

Scho being in the bischopis cure, 

And kepit in his castell sure, 

Without respect of warldlie glamer, 

He past into the witchis chalmer, 

Closing the dure behind his bak, 

And quyetlie to hir he spak. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 211 

And said, his work lome wasvuo 1 worthe, 

Lowsing his poyntis, he laid it furth. 

Scho sayned it with hir halie hand ; 

The pure pith of the pryo r is wand : 

To help that raipfull scho hes rest him, 

Whairfore, ye say, my ladie left him. 

For scho had sayned it tuyss or thrise, 

His rubigo began to ryiss 

Then said the bischop to Jhone Bell, 

Goe, tak the first seye of hir yor sell. 

The witche to him her weschell gave, 

The Bischops blessing to resave. 

What dayis of pardone then scho wan ! 

The relicqnes of that holie man 

Micht save her saule from purgatorie. 

His wyfe, coceiving jelowsie, 

Cryed out his deid, when it was done, 

Ran through the tovn, and tauld it sone. 

Ane syiss was socht sone to the wyfe. 

Whairas ane aunciet laird of Fyiffe, 

Of gude report, that may be trowit, 

Befoir this Bischope weill awowit, 

Eather at Semblie or at Sessione, 

As he wha hard the wyffis c5fessione, 

That this was suirlie thair proceiding. 

Whair sic men gettis a flock in feeding, 

The sillie scheip wilbe devorit, 

And Goddis true doctrine daylie smorit. 

This beand doue, he thought sic schame, 

He my 1 not tarie weill at hame, 

But ower to Edinburgh he hes past, 

Procured a licence, at the last, 

To ryde to Londoun with a letter, 

Becaus they culd not get a better. 

Wist he what his comissione bure, 

He my* weill serve for sic a cuire. 

Sic lipps, sic lattouce, lordis and lownes, 

Auld creased workis payit with crackit crownes. 

Bot heir I will no mair remane, 



212 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



Returnig to my text agane. 

It may no* be no more forborne, 

How he beguylit pure David Home, 

Ane honest man, ane messinger, 

And was S 1 Androis pensioner. 

To all the Bischopis thair befoir, 

He doing daylie his devoir, 

He gat allowance, being leill, 

Ane pensione of a chalder of meill. 

Our to this Bischop now is he gane ; 

His letter of tak hes with him tane ; 

Sayand, ye man be gude, my Lord, 

And to yo r man misericord. 

This angle noble in my neife 

Vnto yo r Lords chip I will gife, 

To cause you to renew my tackis. 

The vther little answer makkis. 

The Angle noble first he tuike, 

And syne the letters for to luike : 

With yt hes byknife furth hes tane, 

And maid him tuetie tackis of ane, 

In litle crownes began to cut them ; 

The vther gaid hame backwards but them, 

Sichand, and durst say no mair, 

And left his angle noble thair. 

With thir, and mony sic lyke trickis, 

The haill coiitrie this coiitrie covictis. 

The pure men plentis y fc duellis besyde him, 

How creipis in a hoill to hyde him, 

And barris them fast w t out the yettis, 

When they come there to crave there debtis ; 

For kaill, candle, and knocked beir, 

Herbis to the pot, and all sic geir, 

He never payis ane peny he takkis. 

To heir the mone the pure folk makkis, 

What malisones are to him gevin, 

Cryand a wengance from the hewin, 

Come doun on this deceatful Lowrie ; 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 213 

I wald not for the carse of Gowrie 

To be a bischop in his esteat. 

To heir, when he gangis throw the gait, 

How everie wyffe on vther puttis, 

Bidding the bischop pay for his guttis, 

And cryis, gar pay me for my eall, 

Ane vther for candle, the thrid for caill : 

The fourt cryis out for knocked beir, 

How dar this dastard hud our geir ? 

A vengeance fall his feinzit fay 1 , 

For poinding of the pure folkis graith. 

Efter my Lord this larwme ringis, 

For this and mony sic lyke thingis, 

Suppose it stude on all thair lyffis, 

He will not get amongis the wyffis 

Ane pynt of aill in all the tovne, 

Except the silver be laid down. 

Then gif ze knew his duble tackis 

Amonges the coutrie men he mackis; 

With feinyeit seillis and antideatis, 

And tuentie vther tryme coceatis, 

Setting the coutrie be the earis, 

And takis no tho* of ny fc bo r is weiris, 

Se he be sure to fill his hand, 

How meikle blood be in the land. 

Gif siclyk bischopis be admittit, 

Grit God and all the warld sail wit it ; 

This makis his trickis, his feinyeit toyes, 

What clocked knaverie he c5voyes. 

His wattir drincking, his seiknes feinyeit, 

Fearand the kirk shuld on him pleinyeid. 

It coes to licht now, at the last, 

Fra tyme the ministers are past, 

The trick of Guisians devysit, 

He hes bene ane to interpryse it ; 

Ane waikrife devill day lie to wirk, 

To saw seditione in the kirk, 

Learning a lessone at aid Frogmortene, 



214 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

As he cofessit at his departing. 

To conterfute that fals coceat, 

And speik the Quenis Grace be the gait, 

He fand his seikness was so sair, 

Throw all his bodie heir and thair, 

That nathing my 1 his panes repell, 

Except it were some sacred well 

In Lorane, or the well of Spaa : 

Bot his comissione na man saa : 

Which text cotenit na vther thing 

Bot comendationes fra our Kyng 

Vnto the Quene of Englandis Grace, 

Beseikand hir to help his case, 

And to send new support aganist him. 

Mortone, sayis he, the lawis hes slaine him, 

And Gowrie hes gottin a codigne syse, 

Conformig to his interpryse, 

With sindrie vtheris that loves thair factione, 

That daylie dois mentene y* actione : 

As Anguse, Mar, and Maister of Glames, 

Tak thir thrie for na saikles lambes, 

But proud e ambitious bangesters, 

With some seditious ministers, 

Cotempneris of our authoritie, 

Subscryvit aganist our Maiestie, 

For to destroy our realme and regione, 

Without respect of true religione ; 

Beleivand we should bring hame the mess ; 

Luke what religione ye profess ; 

I salbe biide therby to byde, 

Under grit God ye salbe guyde, 

My tutrix in my tendir yeiris, 

Sen none in earth to me so deir is 

As ye my kindlie cusines. 

Gif I had gritter bussines, 

I think ye audit for to defend me, 

With succo r and support to send me 

To bring this mater t<> ano end. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 216 

My sacred bischop I have sejid, 

As Semple sayis, ane subtile tod, 

To bring rne name the word of God 

From Italie and Almainie, 

In Geneva and Germanie, 

To seik the trew experiece, 

For libertie of coscience. 

Give ye think gud, I hald it best 

That bay* our realmes my fc live in rest. 

With this and vther siclyk wairis, 

Befoir the cousal he declairis 

A fals, deceafcfull, feinyeit taill, 

Bot alwayis for thair awin availl. 

Bot yit, or he bound to the read, 

How that his packmatie was mead, 

I thing it best for to declair. 

His blew clock beand worne so bair, 

He causit an talyeo r turne it and mak it 

Into wich maill ; a frind he packt it. 

His sarkis, his schone, his ganging gowne, 

Ane fitt case for a feinyeit lowne ; 

Na dentie geir this Doctor seikis; 

Of tottis russet his ryding breikis ; 

Ane hamelie hat, a cott of kelt, 

Weill beltit in ane lethrone belt ; 

A bair clock, and a bachlane naig, 

His ruffe curfufled about his craig ; 

The one end to his belt hang doun, 

The vther stude above his crovn. 

Thair was a brave embassado r 

Befoir so noble ane audito r , 

The Quene of Englandis Maiestie, 

Hir cousall and nobilitie. 

In hir triumphand palice placit, 

May sic fellowis be defacit. 

Allace, that Scotland had no schame, 

To send sic howfing carles from hame ! 

Now o r embassador is boune, 



216 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

With bag and bagag off the toun, 

All ny fc in Seytoun he remaned, 

Whair wyne and aill was nothing hayned ; 

And fra my Lord he gat a letter, 

To cause him to be treat the better, 

To Monsier, to mak him speid, 

The Frenche embassado 1 " indeid, 

That daylie yit in Londoun lyis, 

Wha can an evill turne weill devise ; 

And syne to Berwick on the morne, 

Whair all men leuch my Lord to scorne ; 

Na mulettis thair his cofferis caries, 

Bot lyk a court of auld cashmaries, 

Or cadyers ciiig to ane fair ; 

And yit some honest men gaid thair, 

For fewis and takkis y fc he sic sett thame, 

Beleivand in y fc towne to get thame, 

Bot may gaip lang or he get them ; 

As they have sped, ye may speir at them. 

Tuiching his awin tryne, ye shall heir, 

The vicar of on a meir, 

That wonder weill can turne a can, 

A ganeand maister for sic a man, 

With vthere fellowis tuo or thrie ; 

Gude Robert Melwene of Carnebie, 

I shuld not racken in with thea ; 

Of honest men he had na mea. 

But he may ruse him of his ryding, 

In Londoun for his longsome byding. 

Thair Holieglas begane his gaidis, 

As he was learned amangis the laidis. 

To Maist: Hanam sone he past, 

And sowmes of silver fra him him ast 

In borrowing while he come bak. 

The man beleivand it he spak, 

Vnto this sophist sone cosentit ; 

But he had efterward repentit, 

Were not a man amongis the sell, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 217 

Whose coscience causit him to tell, 
And quyetlie his cousall gave him, 
That Holieglas wald sone deceave him. 
The man perceaving it was sua, 
Gave him the gek, and lute him gea, 
Thankand his God, and gud men baith, 
For his delyvering of y* skeath. 

Holieglass ! thought thou no schame, 
And thou but laitlie come frome hame ? 
Vpon the secund day at morrow, 

Suld our embassado r gea borrow, 

And Want or ever he wyn ower Tweid ? 

Bot God be praisit he come no speid. 

To Londoun Lowrie tuke the geat, 

With traine my* staik for his estait, 

His wantone vicare on a meir, 

Twa vther fellowis to turse his geir ; 

Bot never ane honest man had he, 

Save Robert Melwene of Carnebie, 

That with that bischop went about, 

To sett his feinyeit falsett out ; 

Bot als gude he had sittin idle, 

As there ower land to leid his brydle, 

Considering what reward he gatt, 

Still on his owne cott taill he satt, 

As salbe tauld you or we tuyne, 

In loco quo it shall come in. 

To tell all ludgene whair he lay, 

And ay on be the brek of day, 

Wald be ower langsome to collect ; 

1 wilbe brief in that respect. 

Bot yit the menstrallis and the bairdis, 
Thair trowand to obtene rewardis, 
About his ludgene loudlie played ; 
Bot menstrallis, serving man, and maid, 
Gat Mitchell in an auld pocke nucke, 
Save dira adew his leive he tuik. 
He be the gait with murmo r passis, 



218 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Allace, I have forget the lasses ! 
Bot yit thay shall not want a plak ; 
Will God give I returne abak. 
This was to cloik his waine coceat, 
For he come home ane vther gait ; 
As Culen Kyngis that Christ adorned, 
Per aliam viam he returned. 
In Londone he ane ludgene tuike, 
A inkeiper, a comon cuike, 
Ane tapster bay* of aill and wyne, 
That weill my* staik for sic a tryne. 
Vnto the court the word is gane, 
That he had sic ane ludgene lane. 
Little they said, what evir they thought. 
Vnto. this bischop there was brought 
Ane new-maid coische for to decore him ; 
Ane serving gentlema send for him, 
That stude ane long ho r at his yeatt, 
Or he could ony entres geatt, 
While he was grathed into his geir, 
Siclyke as he was wont to weir, 
As I befoir have specifeit, 
And Maister Willie will verefeit. 
The man that was his messinger, 
The Querns Grace Latin secretare, 
Being eschamit fra ever he saw him, 
Said to himself, a vengeance faa him. 
To this our brave embassador 
Whome to we doe sic hono r , 
That I am send for to hir Grace, 
A cowe bust in a bischops place : 
Yit in the cosche he lap at last. 
Into the palice are they past, 
Which callit is the fair White hall, 
the palice wall 
and wald no* spair, 
Which is a thing inhibit thair. 
Ane porter sone did him persave, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 219 

And to the bischop his blissing gave 

Betuixt the schoulders a royall route, 

Turning him wodderschins about. 

To scape the fray he was so fane, 

He put vp club in scheath agane. 

Cuing to presence of the Quene, 

Becaus he had not sic thingis seine, 

He wist not weill how to behave him, 

Bot as some vthers counsall gave him ; 

And that was of a semple sort, 

As I can tell by true report 

Of gentlemen that stude besyde him, 

That he had na mair grace to guyde him 

Nor it had bene ane hieland quow, 

Lurcane and lo wring I wat not how. 

Then his comissione being red, 

Out of the palice he was sped, 

Then to the wall agane gois he, 

To part of honestie. 

The portars publictlie reprovit him, 

And doubtless they had thair mischevit him, 

Were not the gentle men excuset him, 

And thame forbade to stryke a stranger. 

He beand scapit of that danger, 

Hame through the past, and wald not spair ; 

Thay maid a mid wyfe of him thair ; 

They bring thame farre on abeling foiles, 

Bot send thame hame throw on thair soilles. 

Tuo moneth he tareit efter that, 

But never presence agane he gat. 

With bischops he began to fleich, 

Desyring licence for to preich. 

Of his auld sermon he had perquier, 

Bot they had never hard thame heir. 

Of omnigatherene now his glose, 

He maid it lyk a Wealchma hose ; 

Tempora mutantur, was his text. 

The bischops vicar being vext 



220 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

To ruse his maister, and set him out, 

Sayand to thame y* stude about, 

Gif ye his preiching could persave, 

My maister is a lerned knaif : 

Placebois part behind his bak, 

Vnto the people this he spak : 

The preiching done, the chapter red, 

They baith gaid fow aneuch to bed. 

This poysoned preicheo 1 " of Godis word 

Is not vnlyk a suple suord ; 

For in the fyire when ye have heat it, 

To ony syde you lyk to sett it, 

It will go worth and stand therto, 

So will this duble docto r doe. 

For greid of geir, and warldly graith, 

On baith the gaitis he griids his fayth. 

For daylie we may se his dress, 

When Monseir gaid vnto his mess, 

Into ane gallerie neir besyde ; 

Thair wald this halie bischope byde, 

Saying, forsuith, it was not smittel. 

I think he weyit the mater litle, 

How mony messis there was done, 

Sa he wer packed weill at none ; 

For daylie thair he gaid to dyne, 

To gett his fill of gude white wyne. 

The denner done, he wald not spair, 

Downe to a house, tuo myle and mair, 

To Lambeth, bischope of Canterberrie, 

Vpon his feit, but not to ferrie ; 

For archness to had in a grote, 

He had no will to fie a bote ; 

Bot or he come neir hand the yeatt, 

Vpon ane dyke doun was he sett 

Into a secreit out of sicht, 

And sat thair till his schone wes dicht. 

He gave thame leive to dicht his schone ; 

To sponge his cloak durst not be done. 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 221 

It hurt the woole, and wrought 'it bair ; 

Puld off the mottes, and did no mair ; 

He had na will to weir his cleathis ; 

Then to that bischop in he geas. 

With mony nattering taill and fals, 

He held that bischop in the hals, 

Seiking the secreit of his wittis, 

And ay besydis he fillis his guttis, 

Wachting the wyne, for it was wycht. 

Then, when this turn cott tuke gude ny 4 , 

Half way hameward vp the calsay, 

Said to his servandis for a quha say. 

Alace, the porter is foryett, 

But sorrow mair the men my* gett. 

Then to a sowters chope he past, 

And for a pair of schone he ast. 

Bot or he sperit the price to pay the, 

His thovmbis was on the soillis to say them ; 

Then with his knockles he on them knockit ; 

Eftir that he had long tyme blockit, 

With grit difficultie he tuik thame, 

And pat thame on ; ewill mocht he bruik them. 

With Monsier then he moyen maid, 

Lameting sair his lang abaid, 

Thinking to borrow a hundreth pundis, 

And oblist him for to be bund 

To pay or he past off the toun. 

The vther, na dowt, had laid it downe, 

Were not bechance he had a man, 

That with his maister roundit than : 

My Lord, I kend yone lowne in Parise, 

He weill betydis that sometymes careis; 

And codigne docto 1 " to all townes, 

My mother lent him fyftene crownes ; 

Besydes some vtheris nychbo r is thair, 

Some lent him less, some lent him mair. 

Work what we willit was in vaine, 

We uald nevir gett a grote agane. 






222 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

The vther said nothing for schame, 
But held his toung while he turned hame. 
Ten pundis slidling furth he tuike, 
And knit it in a neapkin nucke, 
Saying, forsuith, I have no mair 
Now at this present I may spair. 
But when he gettis y* geir agane, 
Thair will na river ryse for raine, 
And porter, porter of hellis yeattis, 
That day this docto r payis his debtis. 
This wald not serve his turne he tho fc ; 
Some vther moyen sone he socht. 
The Scottis merchandis were lyand thair ; 
I find he maid thair baggis all bair, 
And promised, vnder pane of schame, 
To pay so sone as he come hame. 
Bot as he payit, ye may speir, 
Gif Gilbert Donalds one were heir ; 
Or Patrick Quhyt, he weill can tell, 
Sayand, thair is no devill in hell 
Could find sic falset for to deceave him, 
As he, when ever he come to crave him. 
Ane vther London paik he playit, 
Sending some letters, as he said, 
With Patrick Quhyt, as he declairis, 
Bearing the wecht of grit affairis, 
To come in Scotland to the King. 
The man mensueris he saw sic thing. 
Suppose the teale be fals and feinyeit, 
Yit to the Kingis Grace he has pleinyeit. 
Havand the court at his comand, 
He gart the pure ma leave the land : 
For all the fyve bairnes and the wyffe, 
This Metropolitan e of Fyiffe 
Is enterit on his hous and geir ; 
But how this happened, ye sail heir, 
Thought it be tedious for to tell. 
The ma duellis in S* Androis sell, 






THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 223 

He lent this lowne thrie hundreth mek ; 
Bot when he craveth Cok his clerk, 
He culd not find ane vther gait, 
Bot fred him with this fals coceat. 
Gif this be weill, the warld shall ken 
To raise sic schiftis on saikles men. 
Than flobert Melwin hame to gang, 
On his awin charges lyand lang, 
Sayand this burgh I may not bruik, 
His precept of pensione furth he tuike, 
Biddand my Lord subscryve ane letter, 
And swa he did, but not the better. 
Hame to the prowest he was directit ; 
But ye shall heir whow he was geckit. 
Hame to the prowest when he past, 
It greived him, and he was agast ; 
Who tuke him by the lap, and lewch, 
Ye ken his knaverie weill aneuche. 
Of all his teyndis, both meill and beir, 
I have discharges for a yeir ; 
He gart me pay thame or I ledd thame : 
The vther tuke thame vp and redd thame. 
He sayned him, but he said no mair : 
Tak up his Londone wsayage thair. 
Ane burges man there beand bound, 
Having a trvme schop in the toun ; 
Vnto this Bischope sone he socht, 
To get a licence gif he mocht, 
For fortie last of Inglis beir : 
Said, ten pund Stirveling I have heir, 
And mair, when misteris you comand. 
The Bischop tuke it weill on hand : 
To Secretare Welschingame gois he, 
The pearle and flowre of courtasie ; 
With signato 1 " in neif alreddie, 
He send him to his Soverane Ladie 
For fourtie last of Englis beir. 
Bot what ane leesing made he heir ? 



224 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

He said, to serve his house at hame, 
But it was sauld in want of schame ; 
And not with him that he began, 
He happened on ane vther man, 
And tuentie pund Stirveling fra him tuke 
The first merchant he cleane forsuike ; 
Gave him the geek, and lat him gea ; 
Gud threttie pundis he coqueist sea. 
Amongis the Bischopis of the towne, 
He played the beggar vp and downe, 
Without respect of hones tie, 
Or office of embassadrie. 
Ane scaffmg warlot, wanting schame, 
Thrie of thair haikneis he tuik hame. 
He beggit buikis, he beggit bowis ; 
Tacking in earnest, asking in mowes; 
As Maister Jhone Dowglass weill can tell, 
How slealie he deceavit him sell ; 
Borrowing ane coffer to keip his claythis, 
Bot with this baggage hame he geas. 
This turn cott now returnig bak, 
Trowand some great reward to tak ; 
Bot Englis men are not so daft, 
Bot they perceaved his clocked craft. 
They knew him for a sembling baird, 
Whome to they wald give no rewarde ; 
Considering as he sett him furth, 
They gave him mair then he was worthe. 
Seing his copburde come to nocht, 
Tua leathering bosses he hes bought ; 
Thay will not brek, albeit they fall, 
Thir strapis of trie destroyis vs all, 
They brek so mony, I may no* byde it ; 
Heir all the inspraich he provydit. 
Returnig hame, as ye hard tell, 
He baid behind a day him sell, 
The simple servantis to beguyle, 
Sayand, he wald ryde furth a whyle, 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 225 

To seay a bow that was suthing wicht ; 

Syne come agane, and tak gud nycht ; 

Bot on lap he, and went to wair ; 

Fairweill ; adewe ; they gat na mair. 

Gif this be honest, ye may ken, 

And, namelie, to sic honest men, 

Our Legat Lord in primacie, 

Besydis his grit embassadrie, 

To vse swa in vncouth places; 

Litle merwell, in. teporall cases, 

He had na will to give reward, 

That to his saule had no regard. 

For, lying in periculo mortis, 

Tua of the Kirk to him resortes ; 

Balcanquhall, as ane Christiane brother, 

And Maister Andro Melwill was the other : 

Both being fay 1 full, fearing God. 

Went to persuade this subtile tod, 

Lascivous maneris to amend, 

Sen na man knawis the ho r nor end. 

This, at the lenth, he lent them eiris, 

And brusted out in a blus of tearis. 

Brother, he sayis, I schame to tell 

Sa oft as I misvsit my sell, 

In guyding of the giftis of grace ; 

Gif God wald lend me tyme and space, 

Tua ho r is in pulpit to dep&ir it, 

My synfull lyfe sail no 1 be smorit : 

With this agane began to greit. 

The bretherene, seing him cotreit, 

Gave thankis to God for his repentence : 

But now, for all his auld acquetance, 

He playit the turnecot for to deceave them, 

Deny and plane that ever he spak them. 

To George Durrie he played a juike, 

That will not be foryet this oulke : 

Foure hundreth merkis he gart him get him, 

For tackis of kirkis he hecht to set him, 

15 



226 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

And syne set vther men the teindis. 

The vther, having forse of freindis, 

Concludit schortlie for to slea him, 

For vyling of his syluer fra him : 

As they had done, no dout, in deid, 

Were not he sped him there with speid, 

And fand sic moyen for to meis them, 

Promissand profeit for to pleis them. 

Whairto it turnes I can no 1 tell : 

But sua the sophist savit him sell. 

To him I can find na copair ; 

Save anes in France, "when I was there, 

Gud Clemet Marit had a lowne, 

A knaif that cubart all the towne • 

With spreitis employed to everie vice, 

As whoredome, drincking, cartis and dyce ; 

To sweir, to ban, to steill and tak, 

Ane never my* trow a word he spak : 

In everie ludgene whair he wald licht, 

Taking his leive without gud nicht ; 

Garring the wyfis sing wallaway, 

Lyk to the Bischop of Galloway : 

But he was sum thing pure and needie ; 

And this is feinyet, fals and griedie. 

Galloway with no mater meld him, 

Except necessitie copeld him : 

Taking the warld as God wald send it, 

Having ane noble hart to spend it. 

Bot ay the mair this smatche'r gettis, 

The closser garris be keip the yettis ; 

Feiding his bellie and his bryde, 

Begging and borrowing ay besyde. 

Galloway was a man of gude, 

Discendit of a noble blude ; 

Franck with his freind, fordward and stout, 

Having gude maneris to set them out : 

And this is but ane cairle, ye sie, 

Ane baxteris son of bas degrie ; 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 22' 

Feable and field, and nothing worth, 
Wanting a face to set him furth. 
What suld 1 lyble of this lowne ? 
Not all the paper of this towne, 
And blek it baith vnder and abone, 
May had the half that he hes done. 
Wha could cleirlie descryve his cases 
In Parise, and in vther places, 
Gif men my fc tyme and laser get ? 
Some thingis, indeid, I have forget : 
Parceaving that he was scant of clathis, 
To Londone Bischop sone he geathis, 
Desyring the borrowing of a gowne, 
He said, to preich in through the towne. 
The Bischop, obeying the first comand, 
Send for his wardrop man fre hand. 
Tuiching that part I ma comend him ; 
Ane diligat gowne indeid he send him : 
Bot when that gowne comes hame agane, 
Winter salbe butt wind and raine. 
Albeit I was not there to see, 
He weiris it yit, to verefie ; 
Growgraine of silk, bot it is gray, 
When ever ye see it, siris, ye may say, 
He gat that gowne, with this ingyne, 
Weill lyned with costly furringis fyne. 
How he beguylit Jhone Harper of York, 
Ane Scottis tailyeo 1 *, lives on his work, 
Aff fra a merchant he gart him tak 
New brekis and dowblat, for to mak, 
Of Turkie taffatie, na war geir ; 
Bot as he payeth him, ye sail heir. 
This turne cott with his trickis begane, 
Growand familiar with the man, 
Sayand forsuith my silver is done ; 
But Londone will me releive sone : 
For in that toun I tak na cair ; 
The Scottis merchants will meit methair, 



228 THE SEMPILL BALLATES, 

With monie, als mekle as I will tak. 

Whairfore, to my returmg bak, 

Ye wald doe weillgif ye wald thrist me, 

And at this present not molest me. 

Ye salbe payit ; tak ye no thought : 

Your tristene sail not be for nought 

At our nixt meiting. What suld mair ? 

The vther saw him speik so fair ; 

To crave him forder he thoght schame. 

Bot turne cott, now returnig hame, 

Fand out some vther gait to gea : 

Sewin pund he payit this pure ma sea. 

Some sayes he played ane fouller thing, 

Bespewed the pulpit befoir the king ; 

Or ever the preiching was midpart done, 

He neither held vnder nor abone. 

Na ferlie ; his cotagious stomack 

Was sa owersett with Burdeous drumake ; 

And George Gipsones iskie bae 

Had all the wyte he womit sae. 

Sone after that, for sowmes of debt, 

A meas r vpon the gait him mett, 

Gewing him charges to obey, 

To enter in warde, or els to pay. 

This lowrie little ans r mackis, 

Bot on a gray bonnet he tackis ; 

A scheip hewit clock to cover his cleathis ; 

But lad or boy to Ley* he geathis ; 

Lapp in a bott, and maid him boun ; 

Sen syne he come not in the toun. 

Ane vther trick, as I remember ; 

The threttene day of this November, 

Vnto his bed he bownit so fow, 

Sleipping and snoring lyk a sow ; 

Dreamand some devill he had sene, 

Out of the bed he wald have bene ; 

But on the flure he gat a fall, 

While doun came Cannabie and all 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 22!) 

Vpon his bellie, with sic a brattle, 

The houshold, hearing sic a rattle, 

Mervelit mekle what it suld be ; 

Lychtit candles, and came to sie, 

And fand him lyand lyk a swyne, 

Bayth bak and syde bespewit with wyne. 

Seeing it rid, they waxt so red, 

Believing it had bene blood he bled ; 

Cryand out, harmesay, he was stickit ; 

While ane pat doun his hand and lickit. 

This is not blude, tho* it be hewit, 

But Burdeous wyne, that he has spewit, 

With schame and lack I will not lane, 

They laid him in his bed agane. 

Therefore I wald ye vnderstude, 

We have na tyme for to coclude : 

For ay the longare Lowrie leivis, 

As fassione is of feinyit theivis, 

The}^ wilbe daylie for doing ill. 

Ewin sa I will augment my bill, 

As I gett witt in mair and mair 

Of his proceidingis heir and thair. 

I sail leive blankis for to imbrew thame, 

That he a nosebitt my beleive thame, 

Whome to my buik salbe directit. 

Being in Paris lait suspected 

For art and part of rnubling messis, 

Thought he hypocrysie professis : 

Albeit this be not weill set furth, 

Becaus the mater was no 1 worth, 

Desyre the Bischope to be cotent, 

Becaus I am no fc eloquent. 

I have tane trawell for liis saik, 

And ryme may for a raipfull staik. 

Mind ye thir heidis that I rehers ; 

I sail not faill to mend my vers. 

Quod R S. 

FINIS. 



230 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

JIIF3L— JFollotofe tfje JSallat mat* bpounlHargret 
jHemtng, calltt tfje JBempg harft in lEtoitt 2 
burgijt 

[George Bannatyne's Manuscript Collection of Poems, 1568, 
No. 164, preserved in the Library of the Faculty of Ad- 
vocates, Edinburgh. — The Evergreen : Being a Collec- 
tion of Scots Poems, wrote by the Ingenious before 
1600. Published by Allan Ramsay, Edinburgh, 1724.— 
Chronicle of Scottish Poetry ; from the Thirteenth Cen- 
tury, to the Union of the Crowns. Edited by James 
Sibbald, Edinburgh, 1802.] 

HAIF a littill Fleming berge 
Off clenkett wark bot scho is wicht 
Quhat pylett takis my schip in chairge 
Mon hald hir clynlie trym and ticht 

iSe tnat bir hatchis be handlit richt 

With steirburd, baburd, luf and lie 

Scho will sale all the wintirnight 

And nevir tak a telzevie 

With evin keill befoir the wind 
Scho is richt fairdy with a saill 
Bot at ane lufe scho lyis behind 
Gar heise hir quhill hir howbands skaill 
Draw weill the takill to hir taill 
Scho will nocht miss to lay zour mast- 
To pomp als oft as ze may haill 
Zeill nevir hald her watter-fast. 

To calfet hir oft can do non ill 
And talloun quhair the flud-mark flowis 
But gif scho lekkis gett men of skill 
To stop hir hoilis laich in the howis 
For fait of hemp tak hary towis, 
With stane-ballest withowttin vder 










THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 231 

In moneless nichtis it is na mbwis, 
Except ane stowt man steir hir ruder 

A fair vesschell abone the watter 

And is hot laitly reiket to 

Quhairto till deif zow with tome clatter 

Ar nane sic in the floit as scho 

Plvm weill the grand, quhat evir ze doo 

Haill on the fick-sheit and the blind 

Scho will tak in at cap and koo 

Withowt scho ballast be behind 

Nae pedderis pak sho will ressaif 
Althocht hir travell scho sowld tyne 
Na coukcald karle nor carnlingis pet 
That dois thair come and caitell tryne 
Bot quhair scho findis a fallow fyne 
He wilbe frawcht fre for a souss 
Scho kareis nocht bot men and wyne 
And bulzoun to the counze-houss 

For merchandmen I may haif mony 

But nane sic as I wald desyre 

And I am layth to mell with ony 

To leis my mater in the myre 

That man that wirkes best for his hyre 

Syne he salbe my mariner 

Bot nycht and day mon he nocht tyre 

That sailis my bony ballinger 

For anker-hald nane can be fund 
I pray zow cast the leid-lyne owt 
And gif ze can nocht get the grand 
Steir be the compas and keip hir rowt 
Syne treveis still and lay abowt 
And gar her top twiche wind and waw 
Quhair anker dryvis thair is na dowt 
Thir tripand tyddis may tyne ws a 



232 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



Now is my pretty pynnege reddy 
Abydand on sum merchand blok 
Bot be scho emptie be our leddy 
Scho will be kittill of hir dok 
Scho will ressaif na landwart Jok 
Thocht he wald frawcht hir for a croun 
Thus fair ze weill, sayes gude Johne Cok 
Ane nobill telzeour in this toun. 



Finis Q. Sempill. 



XmTCI — »etr fbllotofe tfje Mmtt of ttximzll 

SanMantite Jor feing fjtrself contrair fyt Em 

(£ommantii£ ; Being in toarti for plaging of tije 

Iottti toiffj eberg ane list geif Jjir Ijalf a croun, 

etc* 

[Geoege Bannatyne's Manuscript Collection of Poems, 1568, 
No. 165, preserved ,in the Library of the Faculty of 
Advocates, Edinburgh. — The Evergreen : Being a Col- 
lection of Scots Poems, wrote by the Ingenious before 
1600. Published by Allan Eamsay, Edinburgh, 1724. — 
In this Expostulation with the Magistrates of Edinburgh 
on account of some harsh measures which they had 
adopted against Mrs. Crissel Sandelandis and her frail 
family, in whose company one of the Protestant Clergy 
had been discovered, Sempill introduces the names of 
some distinguished characters of the time.] 

ERNITIOUS peple perciall in despyte 
Susanis judges saweris of seditioun 
Zour cankert counsale is thecauss and wyte 
Bowstert with pryd and blindit with 
ambitioun 
Fyndand na cryme nor havand na commissioun 
To hurt Dame Venus Virsrenis as ze do 







THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 233 

Gif ze sa raschlie rin vpoun suspitioun 
Ze may put vthiris on the pannell to 

To Sandelandis ze wer our sair to schame hir 
Sen ze with counsale mycht quyetlie command hir 
Grit foulis ze wer with fallowis to defeme hir 
Havand na causs bot commoun voce and sklander 
Syne findand no man in the houss neir hand hir 
Except ane clerk of godly conversatioun* 
Quhat gif besyd Johne Dureis self ze fand hir 
Dar ze suspect the holy congregatioun 

Zour fleslie conscience garris zow tak this feir 

Beleif ze virgynis wilbe win so sone 

Na god forbid Bot men bourd als neir 

And wemen nocht the wor quhen that is done 

Had scho bene vndir and he hobland abone 

That war a perellous play for to suspect thame 

Bot laddis and lassis will meit eftirnone 

Quhair Dick and Dvrie dow nocht bay th correct thame 

Sen drunkardis giuttonis and contentious men 
Schedderis of blude and subiectis gevin to greid, f 
May nocht possess the hevinly gioir ze ken 
As in the bybill dalie do we reid 
Lat thir be wyit allyk till every leid 
Syne fornicatioun plasit amangis the laif 
Exemp zour self throw all the toun in deid 
Than luke how mony ze onmerkit haif 

Gif ze beleif nocht Betoun be his word 

In hir defenss it can nocht be reffusit 

Latt him that fallowis fecht it with ye sword 

Ane ancient law quhen ladeis ar accusit 

Is ministeris sic men to be abusit 

That knawis the scripteur and the ten commandis 

Albeit he and scho wor in ane houss inclusit 

He sew na seid in to hir Sandelandis 

* On, the margin — " The Minister Betoun. v t " Viz., Covetyce." 



234 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

As for the rest I knaw nocht thair vocatioun 

Thair lyfe thair maneris Bot I heir mony mene thame 

Catholik virgenis of the holy congregatioun 

Syn wer to tyne thame gif ze cowld obtene thame 

Quhat can ze say except that ze had sene thame 

With rein in ra all nakkit but adherance 

Than tak a bowstring and draw it doun betwene thame 

And gif it stickis it hes ane evill apperance 

Catitois clerkis quhois college ze frequentit 
Quhen ye wor wanneris of hir wantoun band 
Now ze ar lamit fra labour I lamentit 
Zour pistolis twinit and bak sprent lyk a wand 
Snapwark adew fra dagmen dow nocht stand 
And worss than that ze want zour morsing powder 
Than cumis conscience with crukit staf in hand 
Greitand for byganis bow and bak and schowder 

Remembir first zour former qualitie 

And wrak na virgenis with zour wilfull weir 

Gif ze will nocht Than our regalitie 

Hes power planely to replege thame heir 

Mycht thay win to the girth I tak no feir 

Doun by the Canno Croce I pray zow send thame 

Quhair Patrik Bannatyne hes promeist to compeir 

With lawfull ressonis reddy to defend thame 

On causs thair is thay can nocht be convict 
Ze had na power fra the sone wes sett 
The provest gaif na power to Gilbert Dick 
The speciall thing that sowld nocht bene forzett 
Thay war nocht theivis nor zit condempt in dett 
Nor ridhand tane quhilk was na causs ze knaw 
Bot ze latt rukis and ravynis rin throw the nett 
And saikles dowis makis subiect to ye law 

Zour perciall Juge we may decry ne hirn to 
Bot sett me doun the persone Permycuke 



THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 235 

Or Sanderis Guthrie lat see quhat lie can do 

He kermis the caice and keipis zour awin court buke 

For men of law I wat nocht quhome to luke 

Auld James Bannatyne wes anis a man of skill 

And gif he cumis nocht thair I wald we tuke 

To keip oure dyet Maister Dauid Makgill 

Quhat cummer castis the formest stane lat see 

At tha peure winchis ze wranguslie suspect 

For sklenting bowttis Now better war lat bee 

Nor to begin to gett zour selffis ane geek 

The grittest fait I find in this effect 

Ze baith tuke money and put thame selffis to schame 

Bot quhen the court cumis to the toun quhat reck 

We sail restoir thame to thair stok agane 

In zour tolbuth sic presouneris to plant 
Wilbe ressauit weill ze may considder 
Gud Captane Adamsone will nocht lat thame want 
Bedding howbeit thay sowld lig all togidder 
As for his wyf I wald ze sowld forbid hir 
Hir eyndling toyis I trow thair be no denger 
Becauss his lome is larbour groun and lidder 
But vndirstanding now to treit ane strenger 

The grittest greif I find ze haif defament 

Thir leill trew luvaris and done their freindis bot lack 

Becauss thair bandis wer reddy to be proclamit 

The pairteis mett and maid a fair contrack 

Bot now allace the men ar loppin aback 

For oppin sklander callit ane speikand devill 

In grit effairis ze had nocht bene sa frack 

Concernyng the rewling of zour commoun weill 

To pvneiss pairt is parcialitie 

To pvneiss all is hard to do in deid 

Bot send thame heir to oure regalitie 

And we sail see gif we can serve thair neid 



236 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

This rurall ryme quha sa lyk for to reid 
To Diet and Dury is directit plane 
Quhair I offend thame in my land wart leid 
I salbe reddy to reforme agane 

FINIS Q. SEMPLE. 



IIMII- tfolldbris tfje Ballat mat* be Eoliert 
Semple, of Sonet Eeto, Sine Fiolet, an* Sine 
©utjgi Being £liei)t toenten of Igf ant eonber= 
jsatioun, anti tabernarisL 

[Geoege Bannatyne's Manuscript Collection of Poems, 1568, 
No. 166, preserved in the Library of the Faculty of 
Advocates, Edinburgh. — The Evergreen : Being a Col- 
lection of Scots Poems, wrote by the Ingenious before 
1600. Published by Allan Eamsay, Edinburgh, 1724. — 
Chronicle of Scottish Poetry, from the Thirteenth Cen- 
tury, to the Union of the Crowns. Edited by James 
Sibbald, Edinburgh, 1802.] 

jFF cullouris cleir quha lykis to weir 
Ar sindry sortis in to this toun 
Grene zellow blew and mony hew 
Bayth Pareis blak and Inglis broun 

Lundoun sky quha lykis to by 

Bit Cullour de Hoy is clene laid down 

Dundy gray this mony a day 

Is lychleit bayth with laid and loun 

Stanche my fyking and stryd my lyking 
Ar semely hewis for sommer play ; 




THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 23' 

Dundippit in zello For mony gud fallo 

As Will of Quhit-hawch bad me say 

I will nocht dermyit till nane that will by it 

For silver nane salbe said nay 

Ze nocht to plenzie my clayth will nocht stenzie 

Suppois ze weit it nycht and day 

And I haif Quhyt off grit delyt 
And Yiolett cjuha lykis to weir 
Weill werand Reid qnhill ze be deid 
Quhilk sail nocht failzie tak ze no feir 
The Qnhyt is gude and richt weil lwid 
Bot zit the Reid is twyis als deir 
The Violet syne bayth fresche and fyne 
Sail serve zow hosyng for a zeir 



The Quhyt is twiche and fresche ennewche 

Soft as the silk as all men seis 

The Reid is bony and socht of mony 

They hyve abowt the house lyk beis. 

With Violet to gif ze haif ado 

It meitis lyk stemmyne to zour theis 

Seure be my witting not brunt in the lifting 

Suppois baith laidis and lymeris leis 

Off all thir thre he wis I haif left clewis 
To be oure court-men wintter weid 
Twynit and small, the best of thame all 
May weir the claith for woll and threid 
Bot in the walk-mill, the wedder is ill 
Thir ar nocht drying dayis indeid 
And gif it be watt I hecht for that 
It tuggis in hoilis, and gais abbreid 

Zit it is weill walkit cairdit and calkit 

Als warme a weid as weir-the-deule 

Weill wrocht in the lwmis, with wobster gwmis, 

Bayth thik and nymmill gais the spwle 



238 THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 

Cotfcond and schorne, the mair it be worne 
Ze find zoursel the grittar fule 
Bot bony forsuth cum byit in my bwth 
To mak zow garmentis agane zule 

Bot mixt thir togidder, zourself may considder 

Quhat fyner cullour can be fund 

And namely of breikis, gif ony man seikis 

Sail haif the pair ay for a pund 

Howbeid it be skant, na wowaris sail want 

That to my bidding wilbe bund 

Weill may thay bruikit thay neid nocht to lukit 

Bot graip it marklynis be the grand 

Zour court-men heir has maid my claith deir 

And raisd it twell-pennies of the ell 

Zit is my claith seuver, for sadills to ceuver 

Suppois the sessioun raid thamesell 

The Violet certane wes maid Dumbartane 

The Reid wes walkit in Dumkell 

The Quhyt hes bene dicht in mony mirk nicht, 

But tyme and place I cannot tell 

Now gif ze wirk wyislie and shaip it precyslie 

The elwand wald be grit and lang 

Gif the byess be wyd gar lay it on syd 

And sa ze cannocht weill ga wrang 

And for the lang lest it wald be schewid fast 

And cair nocht by how deip ze gang 

Bot want ze quyht threid ze can nocht cum speid 

Blak walloway mon be zour sang 

Bot thocht it be auld and twenty tymis sawld 

Zit will the freprie mak zow fane 

With vlis to renew it and mak it weill he wit 

And gar it glans lyk Dummygrane 

Syne with the sleik stanis that serveis for the nam's 

They raise the pyle I mak zow plane 



THE SEMPlLL BALLATES. 239 

With mony grit aith thay sell this' same claith 
To gar the byeris cum agane 

Now is my wob wrocht and arlit to be bocht 

Cum lay the payment in my hand 

And gif my claith felzie ze pay nocht a melzie 

The wob salbe at zour command 

The market is thrang, and will nocht lest lang 

Thay by fast in the b or dour land 

Albeid I haif tynsell zit mon I tak hansell 

To pay for buth-maill and my stand 

My claith wald be lwd with grit men of gud 

Gif lawdis and lownis wald latt me be 

Zit mon I excuse thame how can I reffuse thame 

Sen all menis penny makis him free ? 

The best and the gay of it myself tuk a fay of it 

A wylie-coit I will nocht lee 

Quhilk did me no harme bot held my cost werme 

A symple merchant ze may see 

This far to releif me that na man repreif me 

In Jedburgh at the Justice air 

This sang of thre lassis was maid abone glassis 

That tyme thot thay wer tapstaris thair 

The first wes ane Quhyt a lass of delyt 

The Violett bayth gud and fair 

Keip the Reid fra skaith scho is worth tham baith 

Sa to be schort I say na mair 

Finis Q. R. Semple. 



w 




8ppentif}\ 



I.— POEMS ASSIGNED TO SIR JAMES SEMPLE 

OF BELTREES. 

(Born 1566. Died February 1625.) 

[The following Poems, now for the first time printed, are 
preserved in a small Quarto Manuscript Volume, written 
before 1598 and 1610, in the Library of the Faculty of 
Advocates, Edinburgh. They dwell much on the beauty 
of his Mistress, with the constancy and fervour of his 
attachment, whilst he calls on all that " Heeris these 
Amorous Tragicke Playes " to condole with him on his 
want of fortune, since the Fates have, ordained that his love 
should go unrequited.] 



t— Hotter fLament 







restles I liue 



Y Loue allace is Loathsum wnto me 
in absence of my sweete 
The harde mishapis I have incurred latelye : hes 
with dispaire ourquhelm'd my 
weerie spreit : the Loyell saul is this the fates decreete : 

may I noucht haue your presens as befoir 
Adew contentment till thow me intreit, so sail be sene ay till 

thow me restoir 
Knew I allace the way I might deploir not to the world but 

to thy self my teers 
Onlie by the may cuirit be my soir, ten thousand heartes may 

not sustene sic weeres 
No worldlie pleesure can expell my paine ; but presence of my 
deerest deer agane. 

16 



242 POEMS ASSIGNED TO 

H — %m Upr* 

QUHEN Diaphantus knew, the destanyes decreete 
Quhenn he was forcet for to forgoe, his deere and Loving 
sweit 
Ouervoited with the vailles of balme-rehaiting trees 
Ourgazeinges grouflings on the gronde : with death prent in 

his eyes 
Oft precisit hee to speeke : Ohe quhile hee did assaye 
The agonizing dread of deathe : his wrastling voyce did stay 
At last as ane quho stryues : aganes both woe and shame 
Diere charridora can hee crye : myne ay adoirit dame 
mrst I attest thy name : syne nixt the godds aboue 
But cheefe of thes, that boy that beeris the staitely stile of Loue 
Let thoese recoirds with me, what was my constante pairt 
And giue I did noucht honour the ! with ane weell hallowit 

hairt 
To sacreefice to the : my secreete chaist desyres 
Vpoun thy bewties alter brunte ! with neuer quenching fyeris 
Ihow was that idole still : quhoes Image I adoirit 
The sanct to quhome I made my vowes : quhoes pities I 

imploirit 
The stare which saued my schipe • from tempest of dispair 
Quhen the horizoun of my hoipe ! ou'rcloudit was with cair 
Thow was that soueraigne balme * that sweet catholick saw 
Quhilk couerit me of all my ills • that did my heart ourthrow 
But now suche strange events : hes interveinit sensyne 
That I dare not avow to saye : nor think that thow art myne 
Quhilk makes me to insert : in thois my sorrowing songes 
The hist ories of my mishaps : my miseries and wronges 
Noucht that I can accuise : my charidora no 
I onlie execrate the wierds : cheefe workeris of my woe 
Sould schoe quhom I haue seruit : sua mony lothsum zeeris 
ffor quhom my dew distelling eyes hes sched suche storme of teirs 
Sould schoe I say be made : ane pray to suche a one 
Quho for her saike he never gave : not ane vntymely grone 
No suirelie swrelie no 1 the weirdes may doe me wrong 
And makher by there bade decreete : to quhom schoe suld belong 
Because the heavin dothe blenke on sum : moir blyther then on 

me 
And giue them giftes moir plawsible : to charme a churles eye 






SIK JAMES SEMPLE OF BELTREES. 243 

Zet dare I weell compair : yea peraduenture vaunte 

That schoe is myne by richt of loue : thoucht luck in loue I 

wante 
Albeit my horoscope • Invaide my worldlie thinges 
Zit into Loue it gaue me Hue : for to compair with kinges 
ffor giue I knew there were : beneathe the starrie skye 
That durst avow to loue my Love moir faithfullie then I 
I would ryue out this heart : which interleanes my breathe 
And cast it doune befoir her feete : and dye a schamefull breath 
But sen boith tyme and schoe : lies tryit me to be trew 
And hes founde such faithfullnes in me : as salbe founde in few 
I rest secuire in that : and care noucht wha pretend 
The mae presoome the mair my pairt proues perfit to the end 
And wtheris faithles faythe : in ballaunce put with myne 
Sail mak my treuth for to triumphe : andlyke a sunne to schyne 
There sail no change of tyme : of heavin of soile noir ayre 
Inforce me to forgett my vowes : maide to my fairest fair 
Quhilk now I heere renew : In solemne forme againe 
That to witnes as I beganne : so sail I suire remayne 
I sweere by thy tuo eyne : my onlie dearest deare 
And by thestageoun stankes of hell : by which the gods do siveir 
That thow arte onlie schoe : quhois countenance I crave • 
That I salbe in Lyfe and death : thy best affected slaue • 
That I sail neither sighe nor sobe : nor zit sail greit nor grone * 
ffor one that euer sail tak Lyfe : saif the evin the allone • 
That there sail no deceit of Lovelye Laughing ene 
Nor charmeing sounds of eyrion songes : nor fare fetchit sighes 

betuene 
Deface out of my mynde : whiche are so suire Imprest 
Thy wordes soe wyse, thy Luikes so grave : thy maneris so 

modest 
That day sail nevir daw : nor sunne sail never schyne 
Sail quarrell me for appostate : for nought remayneing thyne 
And that which heere I sweere : Least sylence suld it smoir 
The verie trees sail testiefie : quhilk onlie are befoir 
And cheefe and aboue all : this holeine sade and grene 
Into the quhilk thy name and myne : in graven may be sene 
happie happie tree : quhoes euer blessit barke 
Sail ludge the trophie of our loue for thy Immortall worke 
Quhilk hes the force to cans : the memorie remayne 
Sequestrate from the bastard soirt : of trees which are prophane 



244 POEMS ASSIGNED TO 

And quhenn the rest salbe : ouerpast with cairles eye 

Zet sail thow be adorit and kist : for charidorais trei 

Ze peraduenture to : ffor diaphantus saike 

Sum rectles bodie cuming by : will homage to the make 

Thus blisst sail thow remayne : quhenn I salbe agast 

Into quhat corner of the eirth : poore wretch I salbe cast 

Indeid all is in doubt : saue this we mone depairt 

The bo dye must in pilgrime be : and shee must haue the hart • 

The thoucht of quhilk exyle : and dolorous devoirce 

Breedes sorrow sorrow heer in me : this eloquence perforce 

ifor quhill I was resoluit : to thesaurize my greeife 

Becaus that it sould move in men : moir mervell nor beleef 

The never ceassing feide ■ of melancounterous faites 

Ouer haistnit this abortiue birth : of Importune regrates 

To witnes to the world : that my mishaps are suche 

That thoucht I murne lyke man half mad : I cannot murne 

too much 
ifor giue of all mishaps : this be the first of all 
To haue bene happie happie anes : and fra that hap to fall 
I wote I may weell say : that diaphantus name 
Is the sournyme of all mishaps : and signifies the same 
ffor giue there wer no hell : but out of heavin to bee 
Considder what her wante would worke : whois sight wes 

hevin to me 
I think all thois that speekes : of sorrow sould think schame 
Quhenn diaphantus salbe heard : for charidorais name 
Her bewtie was but bloote • her treuth wes vnreprovit 
The ane deseruit for to Hue, the vther for to be Lovit 
Zit hes this deuilishe dame : of destanies ordanit 
That he sail Lois baith Lyfe and Loue : and schee a faythfull 

frende 
Quherefoir all zee that heeris : these amorous tragicke playes 
Bestow on me ane world of plantes : on her a world of prais 

Semple 



SIR JAMES SEMPLE OF BELTBEES. 245 



HL — Cratps pas^tonatio: 

QUHY did the gods ordaine : ane michtie nionarchis mynde 
Within the presoun of my corps : to be inclo'ed and pynde 
Quhy did they predecree : suche intestine debate 
Suche euill weeris to be betuixe : my calling and conceite 
Giue as sum say there be : ane transfiguratioune thenn 
Evin at sum princes fall or death : my baleful birth began 
And as he dyit his saull and spirit : hes no win into me 
Quhilk maks my munting mynde so fare : aboue my fate to flee 
Zit doubt I giue or no : my predecessoures gone 
That vniquhile prince hes iuster cans : or I for to bemone 
Hee pleanes perhaps becaus : within a worlde so wylde 
His princelie and heroike thouchts suld daylie be defylde 
I murne againe becaus : my founde conceatie thoucht 
Doune weyit allace be my wnwoorthe: resolues and turns to 

noucht 
Giue ane or bathe be plagued : I cannoucht weell defyne 
The punishment may weell be his : but all the pane is myne 
Zit thinke secuirelie think ; tho thow be baslie borne 
Suppois the shell be cast away ; zet will the perle be worne 
But heere ane freesche alarum : my heart does now assaill 
To think and noucht reveele my thouchtis : me thinks cannot 

availl 
ffor quhereto can they serve : be they from her obscuired 
fTor quhom my present and my past ; displeasures I indured * 
Sen schee evin lyke the foule : quha liftes within her beake ■ 
The schellfische heiche into the air : that it may fall and breake 
Sen schee I say hes heysit : myne hearte aboue the skyes 
Sail schoe not knaw quhat's in my mynde : I murmure and 

devyis 
Zis suirelie zes but how : be word by wryte or baith 
Sail I reveell my hidin harmes : my long conceillit skayth 
By none of thois for quhy : my rivell for I see 
Hes made ane dullfull interdyte : betuix my dame and me 
O happie happie hee : to Hue in suche estaite 
He come in tyme curst be the tyme : allace I come to late 
Zet let him beere with this : sence fanncie maks me fonde 
He sail noucht Loue her him allone : and he hade sworne vpound 
My richt's salbe alsofoode as heeis : [ sweere by .low aboue 



246 POEMS ASSIGNED TO 

Althoucht hee war me fare in Lucke : he wares me noucht in 

Loue 
He Loues (allace) and findes : In Loue rewairde agane 
I wate I Loue alsweell as he : and finds no thing but pane 
I ade this meikle mair that breids my hart releif 
Quhen schoe her bewtie doeth behold : in glasses of my greif 
My Lynnes may schaw my Loue : my Loue may schow my pane 
And schoe within my panes may spye : her bewties force agane 
ffor giue I soucht rewairde : schee wold replye I knaw 
It wer ane great disgrace to her : for to descend sua law 
To Loue or reaffect ane wretche ane puissante power 
By birth and bloode Ignoble borne ; inglorious and obscuire 
Zet were it noucht eneuche : I sould Leive of to Loofe 
Ore from the worlds miracle : my mynde for to remove 
All thinges againe deformed ; In chaos masse shalbe 
Eefoir ane retrospiciante I : sail ceas from Loving the 
First let omeriane blacke • eternall mixt ourvaill 
The earthis circumference befoir my fixit faithe sail faill 
Thes monomathicke Jarris : betuix my selif and the 
Out of my mynde sail nawayes make my fixit Idea dee 
My Loue quhere it is laid : sail grow and floorishe greene 
And suche apostasie in me : at no tyme shalbe seene 
ffor how came I from Loue : or from my thoughts refraine 
And how cann I but Loue my thouchtes : and thinke on loue 

agane 
Tuyse am I now reduceit : to my j^retendit theame 
And giue my selffe my thouchtis or her I wate not quhat to 

blame 
Giue her I wer vnwise : or giue my thouchts or me 
thenn are na caus for a cans : but caus sould quarrellit be 
Bat ohe as sum alledge Loue harboures aye the heart 
There is na plague beneth the pole : of quhilk I haue na pairt 
And all the duillefull dintes that in despaire cann duell 
Conglomerat's in armes hudge : my pleesures to expell 
Zit giue as I haue saide : ane transfiguratioune be 
Quhy doe noucht these my raging thouchts : tak journe}^ now 

and flee 
And seek sum saifer schoire ; quherein at large to fleit 
ffor I have deyed ten thousand deids : sen they and I did meit 
Wald god I anes had dyed : thenn hade my fanncies flede 
But in suppoised death's Lyfe : by thoucht susteint and fede 



SIR JAMES SEMPLE OF BELTREES. 247 

Thenn sail I saye I Hue : or sail I saye I dee 

I am noucht dead and giue I sould alledge I line I lie 

The babell of my myncle : lies drevin me soe awaye 

That as I wate noucht qnhat I think : I wate not qnhat I saye 

Zit weell I wate I Lone : and zit shee wates noucht this 

Thus if wyteles of my woe : and still bereav's my bless 

Ane paradoxe I graunte : and zit ane theame must trew 

Quhois certane groundes breeds suirest greefes : quhilk I can- 

noucht eshew 
And zit giue trew Loue might : trew Loues rewarde obtene 
Thenn weell I wote my waiting on : wald not be wair't in vane 
But while my sanct espyis : in saddest songes my syte 
Sehee thinkes I haue na mynde of Loue : but wryt's becaus I 

wryte 
But zet while schee on me : for to conferre wald call 
Oft haue I sworne by heavin and eirthe : my mistres warrs 

them all 
And oft haue wee discouerit boith quhy quhairefoir and how 
I Lou'd my dame and oft wald schee : baith loue and all allow 
Zet durst I not behold : her to her self to schow 
But thesawriz'd my hiddin harmes : and ay conceallit woo 
And as the fearefull babe : quho knawes his task perqueir 
And sett's the buike asyde befoir : the appoynted hour draw neir 
And ou'r and ou'r againe : his Leassoune doeth repeate 
That hee may satisfie and pleis : the maister quhen they meit 
Zit quhen ane compt is tane : all fleis from out his thoucht 
And quhat he knew he quyte forezet's : feir setts his mynde 

arloucht 
Evin sua it faires with me : my harong clearlye cunde 
Hes presence lies obliterate : befoir I haue begunde 
And oft haue I determened : my passiones to display e 
And zit Imntediatelie : I weiping went awaye * 
O in my Loveing Lines : blind with brusit teares 
Hes schee espyit my passiones strong, my stryving hoips and 

feirs 
Oft hes schoe sweetlye said : thy mistres were to blame 
Gif cruell schee, to the that soe : her praises doeth proclame 
And ware thow myne said sehoe : I suirelie wald be loath 
Thy Loue thy hoip : thy faithe sould flnde ; or raip rewarde 

of wrath 
Thus cannoucht I but thinke : and half perswade my sell 



248 POEMS ASSIGNED TO 

Scliee knawes I Loue her best of all : suppois I dare not tell ■ 
Zit Leist my name sould be : transsumpt heir and theire 
Inrol'd with foolische soulls who feides : on apprehensions bair 
I shaipe with spidie haist : to sett asyde all shame 
And by sum meanes to manifest : my dule vnto my dame 
Quhois must renouned name : for me sail nevir be knowne 
But in my mynde sail still remayne : in bloodie figures drawne 
So sail my Loue to her : and with my Loue my paine 
May ather by my presence be : or poesie maid plaine 
I cease regraiting still : that wicked weirds hes wrocht 
Suche annalogicke descrepannce : betuix me and my thoucht 
Quhilk maks me thus allace : but pietie to be pyn'd 
Quhenn I beheld suche monsterous : greit greets within my 

mynd ■ 
And still sail I bewaill : till thouchts there actions breid 
Andmak ane ramigratione there : from quhence they did proceid 
And sua till vengit tyme : my wiste contentment bring 
I end and on the heichts of hoip : in hovering thouchtis sail hing 



Semple. 



$E. 



LET not the world beleive : the accuising of my fate 
It tendis to alluirit to condole with me my tragicke state 
N or that I haue sent furthe : these stormie teeris of rage 
So by disburding of my breast : my sorrowes to assuage 
No no that serues for noucht : I craue no suche releef 
Nor will I zeild that any sould : be partiners of my greef 
My fantassie to feid : I onlie spend thois teares 
My plaintes playes me no musick sound's : so sweetlie in my 

eares 
I wish that from my birth : I had acquanted beine 
Still with mishap's and never had : but noyes and honours seine 
'Dun ignoraunte of Joyes ! Lamenting as I doe 
As thinking all menu did the Lyke : I micht content me to 
But ohe n ly fate was worse : for it is in ane glas 
ttehow me throw Lytle blenks of bles : the state quherein T was 
Quhich wnperfyted Joyes : scairce constants for ane hour 
Was Lyke but to ane wateriesoonne : that schynes befoir a 

schour 



SIR JAMES SEMPLE OF BELTREES. 249 

ffor giue I euer tlioucht : or rather dreem'd of Joyes 

That Lytle Lichtning but foirshewde : a thunder of annoyes 

It was but Lyke the fruite : that tantalus tormentes 

Quhich whill hee sies and not attanes : his hunger but augments 

ffor sua the shaddow of : that but Imaginit mirth 

Cald all the crosses to recoirde ■ I suffered since my birth 

Quhich are to be bewaill'd : but hard to be redresst 

Quhois strange effect's may weill be felt : but cannot be exprest 

Judge what the feelling was : whenn thinking on thinges past 

I trimble at the torment zit : and stande ane tyme agast 

Zit doe I noucht repent : but will with patience pyne 

ffor thoucht I murne I munnure not : Lyke men that doe repyne 

I grante I waile my Lote : zit I approve her will 

Quhat my suill oracle thinkes gude : I never sail think ill 

Giue I had onlie sought : ane salue to ease my paines 

Long since I hade bewailledmy Lote : alongst the illisian planes 

Zit niynde I noucht in this : selff Louer Lyke to dyee 

As ane that cair't not for her Lois : so I my self wer free 

No may ten night's annoyes : mak her ane nicht secuire 

Ane day of dolour's vnto her : ane momentes mirth procure 

Ore may ane zeeres Lament's : rejoyce her half ane hour 

May seavin zeir's sorrow's mak her sade : I sail not think them 

sour 
And gif shee doeth delychte : to heere of my deseeis 
Thenn bleast I quho soe may haue : the occasioun her to pleas 
ffor now the caus I Hue : is noucht for lufe of Lyfe 
But onlie for to honour her : that holds me still in stryfe 
And ore these vowes I mak : doe vnperformit escaipt 
This world sail anes agane renverst : resoome her shaples shape 
But what : what haue I vowed my passiones wer too strong 
As giue the myldest of the world delighted to doe wrong 
As schee quhom I adoire : with so devoite ane mynde 
Could rest content to see me sterve : be glade to see my pynde 
No no schee wailles my state : and wald appays my caires 
Zet interdytit to the faites : confirmes her will to theris 
Thenn vnhappie man : whom evin thyne sanct wold saue 
And zit thy crewell destanie ; doeth damne the to thy grave 
This sentence thenn may serve : for to confound my fear's 
Quhy brust I not my breist with sighis : and droune my eyes 

with teirs 
Ohe I half murnit so muche : that I may murne no inoir 



250 POEMS ASSIGNED TO 

My miseries pas numbring now : plaintes perisch in their stoir 

The meanes to vnloade my breast : does quyte begin to faill 

ffor being drunk with too much doole : 1 wate not how to waill 

And sinco I wante ane way : my anguishe to reveell 

Of force contented with my faite : I'le suffer and conceell 

And for to wishe the world : evin as my Loue wish'd me 

I vse ane countenance Lyke to one, quhois mynde from greif 

wer free 
ffor quhenn shoe did disdaine : shee schew'd ane smylling face 
Evin quhen that schoe denunc'd my death : schee sem'd to 

promieis grace 
So sail I seeme in shaw : my thoughtes for to repois 
Zit in the centure of my saull : sail shrow'd a world of woes 
Thenn wofull breast and eyes : zour restles cours controule 
And withna outward signes betraye : the anguishe of my soule 
Eyes rayne zour shoures within : arrouze the eirth no moir 
Pas doune with a deludge of tear's : the breast ze burnd befoir 
Breast arme zour seelf with sigh's, giue ou'r waike to defend 
Then perishe by zour proper fyres : and mak ane honest end 

Ane dyok. 

F. 

EYIN as the dying swayne almost bereft of breath 
Soundes dulefull songes and dririe notes a presage of 
her death 
Sua since my date of lyfe almost expyr'd I find 
My obsequeis I sadlie sing as sorrow toonnes my mynd 
And as the rairest bird ane pyle of wood doeth frame 
Quhich being fyred by Phebus rayes scho falls into the flame 
So by tuo sunnye eyes I giue my fauncies fyre 
And burne my self with bewties rayes evin by my awin desyre 
Thus the angree gods at lenth begin for to relent 
And anes to end my dathefull lyfe for pietie are content 
Porgiue th'nfernall poweres the dampned saulls wold pyne 
Thenn let them send them to the light to leid a lyfe lyke myne 

giue I could receave the crosses and the cairs 

That from my cradle to my bears conduct me with despairs 
Then hungrie Tantalus pleas'd with his lote wald stand 

1 famishe for ane sweeter foode quhilk still restes in my hand 
Lyke Ixiones restles wheelle my fancies rule about 






SIR JAMES SEMPLE OF BELTREES. 251 

And lyke a gwest that stoue heavin's fyres they tare my bo wells 

out 
I worke ane endles task and lois my labour still 
Evin as the bloodye sisteris doe that emptie as they fill 
As Siciphus stone returnes his ghoist guiltie to appaill 
I euer rais my hoip sua heiche they bruse me with there fall 
And giue I could in sume my seuerall greefes relate 
All wold forget there proper harmes and onlye waill my state 
So greivous is my greef and paine so panefull is my greef 
That death whiche doeth the world affright wold zeild me to releef 
I haue mishaps sua lang as in ane habite hade 
I think I luik not lyke my self but whenn that I am sade 
As birds that flee but in the aire fishes in sea doe diue 
Sua sorrowis lyke as element by which I onlie liue 
Zit this may be admired as moir then strange in me 
Altho' in all my horoscope not one point cleir I see 
Aganest my knowledge zit I manye a tyme rebell 
And seek to gadder groundis of hoip ane hevin amids a hell 
O poysoune of the mynde that doeth the wittis bereave 
And shrew'd it with ane cloake of loue does all the world deceave 
Thow arte the rocke on which my comfoirts schip didst dashe 
It's thow that's daylie in my woundes thy hookit heids does 

washe 
Blinde tyrante is thow by whome my hoips lye deid 
That why lis thraws furth a dert of gold and whils a lump of leid 
Thus oft thow woundes to but in tuo differ ente states 
Quhich treuth a strange antipathie ye one loues and the vther 

heats 
but I ere I graunte I sould noucht the vpbraid 
It's I to passiones tyrannie that haue my self betrayed 
And zit this cannocht be my iudgement aymes amiss 
Ahe deere Aurora it is thow that ruyn'd hes my bliss 
Ane fault that by thy sex may pairtlie be excuised 
Quhich still does lois quhat profer'd is affects quhat is refuised 
Quhills my distracted thoughtes I stryu'd for to controill 
And with fain'd gestures did disguyis the anguishe of my soull 
Thenn with, inveiting lookes and accents stampt with loue 
The mask that was vpoun my inynde thow labourst to remove 
And whenn that once ensnair'd thow in thois nets me spy'de 
Thy smylles were shaddowit with disdaines thy bewties cloth 'd 

with pryde 



252 POEMS ASSIGNED TO 

To reateane thy grace I wate noueht how to goe 

Sail I once fall befoir thy feete to pleid for favour soe 

JSTo no I'le proudlie go my wraith for to asswage 

And liberallie at last enlardge ye raines vnto my rage 

I'le tell what wee were ones our chast zit fervent loue 

Quhill in effect thow seam'd to affect the which thow didst 

disprove 
Quhill once to ingrave thy name vpoun a rock I sate 
Thow vowed to wryte myne in a mynde more firnie by fare then 

that 
The marble stane then stampt reteanes that name of thyne 
But ah thy moir then marble mynde it did not sua with myne 
Swa that whiche thrawt me first sail set me free againe 
Thois flames to which thy loue gave lyfe sail die with thy 

disdane 
But ahe quhere am I now how is my iudgement lost 
I speik as it were in my power lyke ane that's free to boast 
Haue I evin sauld my self to be thy bewties slaue 
And quhen thow taks all hoip fra me thow taks but quhat yow 

gave 
That former loue of thyne did sua posses my mynde 
That for to harbour vther thouchts na roume remaynes behinde 
The onlie meanes by which I mind to avenge this wrong 
It is by making of thy prais the bourding of my song 
Thenn quhy sould thow suche spyte for my gude will returne 
Vas euer god as zit sua made to make his temple burne 
My breast the temple was quhence insens thow receaued 
And zit thow sets the same afyre which otheris wald haue saued 
But quhy sould thow accuis Aurora in this gyise 
Shee's als fateles as shoe is fair als innocent als wyse 
For it is but throuche my misluckt giue any fault ther be 
For shee who was of nature mylde was cruell made by me 
And since my fortoune is in woe to be bewrapptt 
I'le honour her as of befoir and hate my awin mishaptt 
Her rigourous cours sail serue my loyell pairt to prove 
And as ane tuichstane for to trye ye vertew of my love 
Quhich whenn her bewtie fades salbe als cleir as now 
My constancie it salbe knowne when wrinckled is her brow 
Sua that suche tua againe sail in no age be found 
Shee for her face I for my fayth baith worthie to be croun'd 

Semple 



SIR JAMES SEJIPEE OF BELTREES. 253 

m. ' 

WILL thow remorsles fair, still laughe whill I lament, 
Arid sail thy cheefe contentment be, to see me nialle- 
content 1 
Sail I Narcissus lyke, ane flying shade still chaise 
Or lyke Pigmaleon straine a stone, quhilk bare no sence of grace 
No ! no, my blind lone now, must burrow reassonnes eyes 
It was thy fairnes made me sounde, zour wrong name [now] niak 

me [wise] 
My just desert's disdaines to loue ane loveles dame, 
The lyfe of Cupidis fyre confides, Into ane mutuall flame 
[For] gaue thow but a looke, or gaue thow but a smyle 
Ore sent thow furth but ane sweit siche, my sorrow to begyle, 
My captiues thouchts perhaps myght be redeem'd from pane 
And thois my mutineris malecontents, mycht freinds with hoip 

agane 
But thow as it appears, still cairles of my gude 
And as it seem's wald eternize, thy bewtie with my bloode, 
Ane o-reat disgrace to the, to me ane monstrous wrono-, 
Quhilk tyme will teache the to repent, befoir that it be long, 
Then, to prevente thy schame, and to abraidge my woe, 
Becaus thow will noucht loue thy freinde I'le cease to lufe my 

foe. Semple. 

m 

LET him whois hapeles state : is as it aye hes beine 
And hes bene euer as it is : ane caue caires to conteine 
Still strampld doune with sturte : let him the weird's Imploir 
That they may till his dayes with zeir's : nor zeer's with days 

no moir 
I clame no right to Lyfe : tho' Lyfe acclame to me 
The comfoirt that my Lyfe impoirt's : Is that it Hue to dye 
Zit by constran'te of Loue ill : my pennance sail furth proue 
That tho' I doe not Loue to Hue : zit doe I Hue to Loue 
Her with whom I'is be ay : in absence present bee 
Quhois matchles nevir dying worth : I sail adoiring dye 
Goe then zee pliders power : of never purchast peace 
Resigne my Loue her awin disdaine : Hue me with my disgrace 
Tell to her secreete siaht : since better could noucht bee 



254 POEMS, ETC. 

Lang haue I foughtin with my fate : and now am foreit to flee 
Sail neuer Loue dissolue : the Lyfe that loue beganne 
How Lang sail Langour be the lord : the louer be the man 
The darkeest cloudes will cleir : ill storme will sunityme ceas 
And everie battell sumtyme hes : ane day perfixt for peace 
But where Loue Lyis intrinch't : within a breist of feares 
Xa kynde of comfoirt claer's there croce : nor joy dryis vp there 

teer's 
Reid thenn remorseles fair : quha knawes nor it may be 
That pittie pittieles befoir ■ prove pittiefull to me 
My tempted hee attempt's : slow soiring out of sight 
My mounting mynde clume did allace: but came not to the sicht 
Thy face the field wheerein : my Loue and thy disdaine 
Ynreconceild compeditouris : vowes euer to remayne 
Sen so it is allace : giue her gudenicht and goe 
Devoirc't from weell espousit to wrong : and interteinit with woe 
Hit nether contrair cace : nor prosperous event's 
Sail mak my pen Leive of to blote : the Lynnes of my Lament's 
And for thy worth I vow : In forrand lands to fair 
Thy [inter] dyti[d] pilgrime puire : for euer heir and thair 
And as thow was that one : to quhome I faith profest 
Looke in quhat corner of the eirth thy Loouer poore sail res[t] 
There be assuir't sweet saull: sum sonnet salbe sung 
And sowst with sorrow for thy saik : tald with a truthfull tung 
Hade I als manie hearts : as my harte thouchts commands 
And euerie harte of all these hearts : I sweere als manye hands 
Eache hand sould hold a pen : to wryte thy worthie rair 
As post's of thy eternal prais : to tell the world thour't fair 
Let it suffice the pen : puire saull her sicht to flee 
Since thow hes founde thy marterdome : remedyles to bee 
.Rest zee in thy vnrest : and murray be thow still 
The maike where meneles miseries directes there endles ill 
Giue her ane long gudenicht : and seeke vnto thy soir 
•Sum hermitadge where broken herts • are heipit in stoir 
And there releefles dead : vpgaue the ghoist and all 
That woorthie fame may fetche of thee, a fate memoriall 
That as thow Loueing Liued : her Louer poore and trew 
Sua at thy Letter dying breathe : thow bade her last adew 
Thus sail thy ending bee ■ begging vnto her prais 
Her prais whilk neuer sail haue end : sail end my wretchit dayes 

Semple. 
Finis Amen. 



POEM BY ALLAN RAMSAY. 255 



II.— POEM ON SOME OF THE AULD MAKARS 
OF BALLATES, SANGIS, AND TRAGEDIES, 
BY ALLAN RAMSAY [1724]. 

[Originally printed as a Broadside, in double columns, with- 
out date, and Reprinted in the " Memorials of George 
Bannatyne, 1545-1608." Edited by David Laing, Esq. 
for the Bannatyne Club, Edinburgh, 1829.] 

SOME FEW OF THE CONTENTS. 




EIR mighty James the First, the best of Kings, 
Imploys the merry Muse, and smyling sings. 
Grave Balantyne, in verse divinely wyse, 
Makis Yertew triumph owre fals fleechand Yyse. 

And heir Dunbar does with unbound ingyne, 
In satyre, joke, and in the serious schyne. 
He to best poets skairslie zields in ocht ; 
In language he may fail, but not in thocht. 

Blyth Kennedie, contesting for the bays, 
Attackis his freind Dunbar in comick layis, 
And seims the fittest hand (of ony then) 
Against sae fell a fae to draw his pen. 

Heir Lethington the Statisman courts the Nyne, 
Draps politicks a quhyle, and turns divyne ; 
Sings the Creation, and fair Eden tint, 
And promise made to man, man durst not hint 

To rouse couragious fyre behald the field, 

Quhair Hardyknute, with lanss, bow, sword and scheild, 

With his braif Sonis, dantit the King of Norss, 

And cleithed the plain with mony a saules cors. 

At Harlaw and Redsquire, the sonis may leir, 

How thair forbeirs were unacquaint with feir. 



256 POEM BY ALLAN RAMSAY. 

Quhen frae the dumps ze wald zour mind discharge, 
Then tak the air in smiling Semplis Berge : 
Or heir him jyb the carlis did Grissy blame, ' 
Quhen eild and spyte takis place of zouthheids Flame. 

Licht skirtit lasses, and the girnand wyfe, 

Fleming and Scot haif painted to the lyfe. 

Scot, sweit tungd Scot, quha sings the Welcum hame 

To Mary, our maist bony Soverane Dame ; 

How lynie he and amorous Stuart sing ! 

Quhen lufe and bewtie bid them spred the wing. 

To mend zour morals, with delyt attend, 
Quhyle Henryson dois guidness recommend ; 
Quhyle Truth throw his transport Fablis schynes, 
And all the mynd to quhat is just inclynes. 

Amangst these starnis of ane immortal bleis, 
Montgomery's quatorsimes sail evir pleis ; 
His eisy sangs, his Cherry and the Slae, 
Sail be esteimd quhyle sichs saft lufe betray. 

Lindsay the Lyon, hardly here is sene, 
But in the third Apartment of the Grene, * 
He sail appeir as on the verdant Stage ; 
He towind the vyces of a corrupt aige. 

Thair Warkis I've publisht, neat, correct, and fair, 
Frae antique manuscriptis, with utmost cair. 
Thus to their fame, a monument we raise, 
Quhilk sail endure quhyle Tymis telld out be days. 

* Ramsay announced his intention to publish a third and fourth volume 
of the Evergreen. 




Ifijs 






W^5 


^H^m^^^^m 



4Ho3sSarg 



APPLICABLE TO " THE SEMPILL BALLATES. 



[Note. — In the old spellings is often used for j; u for v ; v 
for u ; y for i ; ui for oo ; z for y ; y for th ; quy for wh. 
Is forms the termination of the plural ; and, of the pre- 
sent participle ; it, of the preterite tense.] 



A, page 231, all. 

Abaid, 207, abode. 

Abandoned, 194, brought un- 
der absolute subjection. 

Abbreid, 237, abroad, asunder 

Abon, 50, above. 

Absconse, 162, hide. 

Abufe, 101, above. 

Aby, 75, " Faynd aby we set 
her," devil a bit did we re- 
gard her, aby, for by. 

Acht, 30, ought. 

Acknawledgeing, 58, acknow- 
ledging. 

Actit, 175, acted, enacted. 

Admiratioun, 1, wonder. 

Adorned, 218, used for 
adored. 



Affeir, 1 6, warlike preparations. 

Affeiring, 165, belonging. 

Agane, 114, against. 

Agast, 50, aghast. 

Ainis, 51, once. 

Air, 109, early. 

Air, 239, eyre. 

Aire, 191, heir. 

Airt, 68, quarter. 

Airt and pairt, 116, art and 

part. 
Aithis, 125, oaths. 
Alaw, 108, low. 
Albeit, Albeid, 7, although. 
Aid, 213, old. 
Aleuin, 59, eleven. 
All and sum, 119, everything, 

everyone. 
Almaist, 53, almost. 
Als, 228, as. 

17 



258 



GLOSSARY. 



Alswa, 39, also. 

Alsweill, 5, as well. 

Althocht, 81, although. 

And, 4, if 

Ane, 1, a, one; war ane, 21, 

were united. 
Anes, 198, ones, 226, orcce. 
Aneuch, anew, 190, enough. 
Angle noble, 212, angel noble, 

a coin. 
Anker-hald, 231, anchorage. 
Ans, 155, once. 
Anterous, 99, adventurous. 
Apperandly, 72, apparently. 
Appost, 126, dispose, settle. 
Archness, 220, anxiety. 
Arlit, 239, earnest given. 
Asay, 239, trial. 
Assailzeit, 50, assailed. 
Asswetit, 2, accustomed. 
Ast, 216, ashed. 
Asteir, 12, rouse, excite. 
Ather, 164, either. 
Athort, 181, about, across ; 

far and wide. 
Attoure, 8, above. 
Aucht, 18, ought. 
Audit, 50, eight. 
Auentuire, 13, chance. 
Auld, 2, old. 
Aver, 208, cart-horse. 
Awin, 28, own. 
Ayre, air, 204, oar. 



Bable, 1 16, a bauble was a short 
stick, with a head carved at 
the end of it like a poupee 
or doll, carried by the fools 
or jesters of former times. 



Baburd, 231, the larboard, or 
left side of a ship. 

Bachlane, 215, shambling. 

Bade, 124, stayed, withstood. 

Baid, 157, help, remedy. 

Bailfull, 107, baneful, griev- 
ous. 

Baill, 143, sorrow. 

Baird, 224, railer, lampooner. 

Bairdrie, 186, baiodrie. 

Bait, 152, boat. 

Baith, 8, baitht, 185, both. 

Bald, 187, bold. 

Ballates, 1, ballads. 

Ballinger, 231, a kind of ship. 

Balme, 197, mild, sound. 

Ban, 226, curse. 

Bands, 83, bonds. 

Bane, 105, King of Bane, the 
same with King of the 
Bean. 

Bane, 128, ready, prepared. 

Baneis, 53, banish. 

Bangesters, 214, brawlers. 

Bargane, 127, combat, fight, 
contention. 

Barnage, 66, baronage. 

Barne, 145, child; barnis, 
lads, men. 

Barnetyme, 148, brood of chil- 
dren. 

Barret, 71, contention, grief, 
trouble. 

Bastknes brydell, 183, the 
marriage of Bastian, one of 
Queen Mary's attendants; 
to be present at which the 
Queen left Darnley on the 
night of his murder. 

Battellis, 190, battle array, 
division of an army. 



GLOSSARY. 



25!) 



Bauch, 71, abashed, out of 

countenance. 
Bauldlie, 180, boldly. 
Baxters, 200, bakers. 
Be, 55, by, against. 
Bedene, 82, forthwith. 
Bedreidis, 109, dreads. 
Beforne, 64, before. 
Begouth, 25, began. 
Behauld, 25, behold. 
Behufe, 102, behoof. 
Beild, 38, shelter. 
Beinly, 168, snugly. 
Beir, 152, noise, disturbance. 
Beir seid tyme, 71, time of 

sowing barley. 
Beis, 74, is. 
Beit, 167, to mend by making 

addition. 
Belive, 5, soon, quickly. 
Bellie Blind, 132, the person 

blindfolded in Blind Harie. 
Beltit, 75, girded. 
Ben, 204, toioards the inner 

apartment of a house. 
Bent, 126, earnest. 
Bent, 127, keen. 
Bergane, 87, strife, quarrel, 

fight 
Beriall, 139, burial, 
Beseik, 111, beseech. 
Bestiall, 60, cattle, horses, 



Besy, 179, busy. 
Bet, 109, struck. 
Betraissand, 117, betraying. 
Be war with, 174, beware of. 
Be witcheit, 30, bewitched. 
Bide, 124, wait, stay. 
Bigging, 170, building. 
Bill, 59, writing, complaint, 



Bird alane, 170, alone, the 

only one left of a family. 
Bittis, 109, rug in b., tear to 

pieces. 
Bladis, 180, pieces, fragments. 
Blaiknit, 50, blackened. 
Blasnit, 65, blazoned. 
Blawne, 130, blown. 
Ble, 50, black and blue, livid. 
Bleir, 109 obscure. 
Blek, 227, blacken. 
Blekkit, 199, deceived. 
Blockit, 221, bargained. 
Blok, 232, bargain, scheme. 
Blude, 50, bloody. 
Blumis, 77, blooms, flowers. 
Blus, 225, flood. 
Blyithlyke, 77, gay, gladsome. 
Bobbis, 130, gusts, blasts. 
Bocht, 175, bought. 
Boide, 130, a billow agitated 

by the wind. 
Boire, 141, perhaps for bower. 
Boistit, 163, bragged. 
Bonatris, 187, bonnets ; Dal- 

yell reads bonattis. 
Bony, 231, fair, beautiful. 
Bordall, 201, brothel. 
Borrowing, 177, loan. 
Bosses, 197, bottles. 
Bot, 74, but, that ; without. 
Botis and hummis, 137, huts 

and hums, 
Bouistrit, 116, bolstered. 
Boun, 228, ready, gone. 
Bourd, 233, jest. 
Bowdin, 30, swollen. 
Bowit, 179, enlisted. 
Bowstert, 232, bolstered, lifted 

up. 
Braies, 194, Iraes 



260 



GLOSSARY. 



Brak, 181, broken. 

Brasche, 181, an assault, an 
attach. 

Brast, 44, burst. 

Brattle, 229, clatter. 

Braulis, 175, brangles, menaces. 

Brawlit. 171, marbled, also ex- 
plained as fine. 

Breid, 64, breadth. 

Breif, 104, write. 

Breikis, 183, breeches. 

Breiris, 77, briars. 

Breistand, 194, springing up. 

Brent, 3, high, steep ; browis 
brent, high forehead. 

Brether, 168, brethren. 

Brig, 167, bridge. 

Brint, 153, burnt. 

Brintstane, 160, brimstone. 

Britheringis, 4, brethreris. 

Brod, 104, prick. 

Broderit, 117, fraternized. 

Brouin, 167, brewed. 

Browne, 80, brewed. 

Bruik, 164, enjoy. 

Brukill, 130, brittle. 

Brunt, 79, bu,rnt. 

Brusted, 225, bursted. 

Bryde, 226, damsel. 

Budding, 71, bribing. 

Buddis, 121, bribes, gifts. 

Buft, 179. stuffed. 

Buithis, 122, booths, shops. 

Buk heid, 126, a sort of game, 
perhaps Hide and Seek. 

" And for dreddour that he suld bene 

arreist 
He playit buk hude behind, fra beist 

to beist." — He?ir //son's Fables. 

Bule, 183, Daly ell reads bufe. 
Burrio, 11, a hangman, Fr. 
bourreau. 



Burrowis towne, 169, borough. 

Burrow rudis, 71, lands belong- 
ing to a borough. 

Bus, 58, bush. 

Buschment, 177, ambush. 

Bust, 218, apparently for 
busked, dressed. 

But, 102, unless; butt, 227, 
without. 

Bute, 206, help, remedy. 

Butiene, 182, booty. 

By, 29, against, beyond. 

By, 117, buy, pay for. 

Byde, 64, endure. 

Byde or gang, 64, go or stay. 

Bydis, {original,) 181, Daly ell 
reads hydis. 

Byganis, 284, bygones. 

Byke, 23, hive. 



C 



Cail, 103, cabbage. 

Caird not by, 137, recked 

nought. 
Cald, 115, cool. 
Calf, 176, chaff. 
Calfet, 230, to caulk, for cat- 

fider. 
Calk, 176, chalk. 
Calsay, 221, causeway. 
Campioun, 65, champion. 
Canker, 132, ill-humour ; can- 

kert, pee vish, cross. 
Cannabie, 228, cor. of canopy. 
Carle, 168, churl, countryman. 
Carling, 210, old woman, witch. 
Carpe, 158, sing. 
Cartes, 226, cards. 
Caryit by thy senses, 116, out 

of thy wits. 






GLOSSARY. 



261 



Caslimaries, 216, fish carriers. 

Cassin, 167, cast. 

Castelliuir, 181, Daly ell reads 
Castell suir. 

Cat harrows, draw the cat har- 
rows, 100, they thwart one 
another. 

Chaip, 136, cheap. 

Chaipit, 66, escaped. 

Chaisson, chessoun, 80, blame, 
accuse. 

Chapmen, 157, pedlars. 

Charr, 152. 

Cheis, 75, choose. 

Chereist, 28, cherished. 

Chesit, 8, chose. 

Chope, 221, shop. 

Claif, 37, clave. 

Clair, 191, clear. 

Clairis, 158, maltreat. 

Clais, 151, clothes. 

Claith, 237, cloth. 

Clap, 147, pat, fondle. 

Claver, 208, clover. 

Clawbackes, 193, supporters. 

Cleathis, 221, clothes. 

Cleik, 91, to catch as by a 
hook. 

Clengit, 67, cleanse, give proof 
of innocence. 

Clenkett, 230, hammered. 

Cline, 177, clean, 

Cloik, 84, cluck. 

Close, 70, passage, entry. 

Coische, eosche, 218, coach. 

Coist, 135, changed sides. 

Cokadraill, 159, crocodile. 

Combure, 92, burnt, blew up 
ivith gunpoivder. 

Come, 50, came. 

Commendis, 110, commenda- 
tion. 



Commouit, 87, moved. 

Compair, 116, comparison. 

Compeiris, 67, presents one's 
self in court in consequence 
of being summoned. 

Complene, 203, singing. 

Condescend, 130, agree, specify 

Conding, 33, severe, merited, 
proper. 

Confidder, 166, assemble, con- 
federate. 

Conqneist, 224, acquired. 

Consait, 8, conceit. 

Consanit, 11, conceived. 

Connene, 82, meet. 

Connict, 158, convict. 

Convoy, 202, a trick; con- 
voyit, conveyed, accom- 
panied. 

Copont, 203, " to play co- 
pout," to drink off all that 
is in a drinking cup> or 
drinking vessel. 

Corbeis, 78, ravens. 

Corenothe, 158, coronach. 

Cor mundum, to cry, 118, to 
confess a fault. 

Cose, 70, exchange. 

Cost, 239, the side. 

Counnand, 132, engagement, 
contract. 

Counze honss, 231, mint. 

Conrche, 170, a covering for 
a woman's head. 

Cousing, 116, cousin. 

Couth, 4, known. 

Cow, 75, to cut down, cut 
the heads off ; cowit, closely 
shorn. 

Cowe, 218, a scarecrow, hob- 
(joblin. 



262 



GLOSSARY. 



Cowsauly, 71. 
Crackis, 207, talk. 
Craig, 215, throat. 
Craw, 77, crow. 
Cro, 118, pigsty. 
Croce, 64, cross. 
Cronall, 180, colonel. 
Crounis, 73, crowns. 
Crous, 17, brisk. 
Cuire, 12, cover. 
Cumbart, 226, cumbered. 
Cumin, 18, come. 
Cummer, 235, gossip. 
Cunning, 188, skill. 
Curage, 67, courage. 
Curfufled, 215, discomposed. 
Cvre, 40, care. 

I) 

Da, 2, doe. 

Daft, 35, mad. 

Daly day, 1, Dalilah. 

Dang, 178, beat. 

Danter, 192, conqueror, sub- 
duer. 

Dantonit, 70, daunted. 

Daw, 75, dawn. 

Debait, 191, protection. 

Deceissit, 208, died. 

Decoir, 70, adorn. 

Decreittit, 105, decreed. 

Deddy, 165, dad, father. 

Defacit, 215, confounded, dis- 
graced. 

Defendit, 85, prohibited. 

Deflorand, 175, deflowring. 

Deid, 58, death. 

Deif, 231, deave. 

Deill, 117, diet, devil. 

Deir, 151, hurt, harm. 



Delatouris, 205, accusers. 

Deloyaltie, 129, disloyalty. 

Delt, 82, divided. 

Delyte, 116, delight. 

Demereitis, 193, merit. 

Demy lance, 116, a light lance, 
a short spear. 

Deneir, 66, a small Scots coin. 

Deplane, 1 46, plaine, show. 

Descriue, 99, describe. 

Det, 186, duty, 

Detreitis, 198, so in the origi- 
nal ; obviously intended for 
decreitis. 

Detrusaris, 121, a violent op- 
poser. 

Detrusit, 126, thrust out. 

Deuoir, 178, devour. 

Deuoir, 184, service. 

Deuyne, dewyne, 4, divine. 

Devoir, 198, duty. 

Dicht, 238, dressed, handled. 

Ding, 36, beat. 

Ding, 111, worthy. 

Ding doun, 16, overthrow. 

Dintis dowse, 16. 

Dirtin, 109, defiled. 

Dispaired, 120, desperate. 

Dispone, 91, dispose. 

Disprysis, 92, condemn. 

Dissait, 9, deceit. 

Dissaitfully, 117, deceitfully. 

Dissave, 151, deceive. 

Dit, 167, close up. 

Doables, 44, duplicity. 

Doand ane quhyle, 174, go 
on for a time. 

Docht, 178, could. 

Dolent, 142, mournful. 

Done, 113, used as an exple- 
tive. 



GLOSSARY. 



263 



Dontane, 159, throbbing. 
Dotit, 51, endowed. 
Douchtaly, 194, doughtily. 
Doughtie, 73, doughty. 
Douke, 6, bathe, dive. 
Dour, 175, stiff, hardy. 
Dout, 143, regard, fear. 
Dow, 5, is able to. 
Dowbill, 1, double. 
Dowie, 194, doleful. 
Do wis, 234, doves. 
Dowkand, 189, diving. 
Downe, 165, dare. 
Draffen, 126, the castle of 

Draffen. 
Dram, 50, sad, melancholy. 
Drapping, 198, dropping. 
Dred, 130, dreaded. 
Dreggers, 170, loiterers. 
Dres, 121, assuage ; 160, 

prepare. 
Drest, 53, treated, prepared,, 

chastised. 
Drie, 156, endure. 
Drug, 168, to pull roughly or 

forcibly ; Daly ell reads drag. 
Druken, 35, drunken. 
Drummake, 238, meal and 

water mixed in a raw state. 
Dryftis, 108, drifts, schemes. 
Dryue of the tyme, 79, put off. 
Dude, 106, do it. 
Duire, 12, hard. 
Dule, 75, grief. 
Dung, 78, overcome. 
Dussie, duschet, 205, a musi- 
cal instrument. 
Dustifit, 109 a pedlar, revelry; 

perhaps the name of a dance. 
Duvill, 132, for devil. 
Dykis, 180, stone walls. 



Dysartis duschet, 202. 
Dysartis pype, 106. 
Dytone, 149, motto. 
Dyver, 207, bankrupt. 



E 



Eall, 213, ale. 

Easter, 207, eastern. 

Edder, 110, adder. 

Ee, 10, eye. 

Effeiris, 193, is fit, is becom- 
ing. 

Effrayit, 67, affrighted. 

Efter syne, 21, afterwards. 

Efterwart, 102, afterward. 

Eftir-claip, 132, evil conse- 
quence. 

Eik, 136, augment; eikit, 
added. 

Eik, 160, also. 

Eild, 91, age. 

Eine, ene, 162, eyes. 

Eith, 194, easily. 

Ellis, 175, otherwise. 

Elphe, 208, elf. 

Elphyne, 210, elfland. 

Els, 67, also. 

Elvasche, 200, elfish. 

Endlang, 133, along. 

Ennewche, 237, enough. 

Enorme, 130, laicless. 

Entres, 196, entrance. 

Erie, 159, affected with fear. 

Ethnik, 1 82, heathen. 

Euend, 187, event. 

Evill win, 210, ill won. 

Exame, exeni, 146, examine. 

Excambion, 147, exchange. 

Exemp, 233, exempt. 



264 



GLOSSARY. 



Exerce, 20, exercise. 
Ey ndling, 215, jealous. 



Faa, fa, 218, befall, betide. 

Faceles, 30, frontless. 

Face ocin, (original) 186, 
Daly ell reads fatt oxin. 

Factis, 99, deeds. 

Faid, 2, a company of hunters. 

Faill, 4, fault. 

Failzie, 237, fail. 

Fair. 10, appearance. 

Fairdy, 230, swift, expeditious. 

Fais, 18, foes. 

Fais, 143, falls. 

Fallow, 5i,felloiv. 

Falset, 164, falsehood. 

Fait, 230, want. 

Fand, 226, found. 

Fane, 5, feign. 

Fang, 2, fo grasp, lay hold of. 

Farnzer, 75, last year. 

Fas cast, 201, scheme. 

Fassoun, 98, fashion. 

Faucht, 7 \, fallow. 

Faucht, 193, fought. 

Fauldit, 109, folded. 

Faulditneif, 109,^. 

Faultouris, 4, transgressors. 

Fecfullest, 131, most powerful. 

Feche, 105, fetch. 

Fecht, 75, fight. 

Feddrum, 77, wings. 

Fegges, 157, figs. 

Feid, 163, enmity. 

Feill, 85, understanding. 

Feinzeit, fenzeit, 2, feigned. 

Feinzeit fair, 10, feigned coun- 
tenance. 



Feir, 2, companion ; associate. 
Feirofweir, 151, a warlike 

expedition. 
Feirit, 145, afraid. 
Feirs, 94, fierce. 
Feit, 61, fee' d, hired. 
Fell, 159, the hide. 
Fellonn, 66, fierce, cruel. 
Fellounly, 140, cruelly. 
Felterit, 11, entangled. 
Ferand, 2, affeirand, becoming. 
Ferlie, 228, tuonder. 
Ferynes, 144, vigour, pith. 
Festin, 152, fasten. 
Feycsit, 131, fetched. 
Fidder, 24, lot, crowd. 
Find, 111, fiend. 
Firrat, 6, ferret. 
Fist, 32, first. 
Flaine, 2, arrow. 
Flait, 74, scolded. 
Flaw, 100, blast, storm of snow. 
Fie, 167, frighten. 
Fleich, 219, flatter. 
Fleid, 207, frightened. 
Fleid, 227, timid. 
Flemit, 92, banished. 
Fleslie, 233, fleshly. 
Fletche, 5, flatter. 
Fleyit, 180, afraid. 
Fling, 83, kick. 
Flit, 152, remove. 
Floit, 231, float, fleet. 
Flycht, (original) 17 9, Daly ell 

reads slycht. 
Flyte, 27, scold, wrangle. 
Fo, 55, foe. 
Focke, 198, folk. 
Foirspeik, 154, predict. 
Forbears, 155, forefathers. 
Forbure, 1 48, forbore. 



GLOSSARY. 



205 



Force, 1 32, for foirse, foresee. 
Forcie, 66, powerful. 
Forde, 37, for it. 
Forder, 228, further. 
Foretriocht, 100, forethought. 
Forfault, 40, forfeit. 
Forgaif, 55, forgave. 
Forloppen, 198, fugitives. 
Formois, 3, fair. 
Forsuik, 148, forsook. 
Forte, 183, forty, brave. 
Fortkink, 89, rue, repent of ; 

pret. forthoght. 
Forwereit, 7, ivearied. 
Forzet, 31, for get; for jet, forgot. 
Foul fall, 150, woe betide. 
Fow, 220, drunk. 
Fra, 3, from. 
Fra ainis, 8, from the time 

that. 
Fraer, 157, freare, a basket. 
Frahand, 150, presently. 
Frak, 59, ready, active. 
Fraklie, 68, hastily. 
Franke, 193, so in the original, 

but it may perhaps be an 

error for fracke, active. 
Fray, 73, be afraid. 
Frayit, 88, af righted. 
Frawcht, 232, freight. 
Frawcht fre, 231, freight free. 
Frear, 74, more free, more 

ready. 
Freik, 180, a stout fellow. 
Freiris, 193, friars. 
Freis, 58, freeze. 
Freith, 113, free, liberate. 
Fremitnes, 164, strangeness. 
Freprie, 238, frippery. 
Frere, 141, friar. 
Fristit, 83, delayed. 



Fruster, 9 2 , frustrate. 

Fuilzeit, 131, got the better of. 

Fules, 130, fowles. 

Full, 3, very. 

Furnissit, 108 , furnished. 

Furringis, 196, furs. 

Furthe, 11, out. 

Furtherit, 136, furthered, sped. 

Furthschawin, 39, shown forth. 

Fute, 16, foot ; 39, flttis ; fute 

the field, take the field. 
Fyk, 153, vex, perplex. 
Fyking, 236, such a degree of 

intimacy as suggests the 

idea of courtship. 
Fyle, 35, defile, sully. 
Fyue, 9, end. 



G 



Ga, 19, go. 

Gaid, 220, went. 

Gaidis, 216, tricks. 

Gaif, 6, gave. 

Gaip, 216, gape. 

Gaist, 139, guest. 

Gaist, 139, ghost. 

Gait, 23 4, way. 

Gallous, 69, gallows. 

Gan, 41, began. 

Gane, 71, gone, 

Ganeand, 216, suitable. 

Gauestand, 125, ivithstand. 

Gang, 1 46, go ; gangand, 215, 
going, walking. 

Ganzell, 100, recompence. 

Ganzelon, 173, Ganelon. the 
celebrated traitor of the Ro- 
mances of Cliarlemagne, the 
person that took a bribe to 
betray the French army to 
tlv Saracens. 



266 



GLOSSARY. 



Gar, 36, make. 

Garisone, 120, garrison. 

Gartane, 82, garter. 

Gat, 125, got 

Gaw, 128, the mark left on the 
skin by a stroke or pressure; 
a sore. 

Gayth, 149. 

Gea, 217, go. 

Geathis, 227, for geas. 

Geek, 235, mock, befool. 

Gedds, 145, pikes. 

Gein, 31, given. 

Geir, 20, wealth, substance. 

Gek, gave him the, 217, gave 
him the slip. 

Gent, 170, neat. 

Gers, 169, grass. 

Gersom, grassum, 168, pre- 
mium for a lease. 

Get, 35, brat. 

Geue, 186, if. 

Geuen, 185, given. 

Gien, 182, Daly ell reads greit. 

Gif, 4, give. 

Gif, 22, if. 

Gild, 183, clamour. 

Giltles, 70, guiltless. 

Gird, 109, stroke. 

Girnell, 160, a large chest for 
holding meal. 

Girth, 234, sanctuary. 

Giue, 173, if. 

Glaikis, get the, 122, be gulled. 

Glaikrie, 195, idle wantonness. 

Glamer, 35, noise. 

Gled, 135, kite. 

Gleib, 197, a piece or part of 
any tiling. 

Gleims, 67, flames. 

Gloir, 63, glory in. 



Glorde, 39, gloried. 

Glore, 191, glory. 

Gluifhs, 162, gloves. 

Glystryng, 78, glistering, glit- 
tering. 

Goishalk, 2, goshawk. 

Goldspink, 77, goldfinch. 

Gormondis, 154, gluttons. 

Gorring, 175, goring, killing. 

Gospellar, 140, gospeller. 

Gowanis, 76, daises. 

Graip, 238, grope. 

Graith, 135, apparatus of 
whatever kind, gear, money. 

Granges, 118, buildings be- 
longing to a corn-farm. 

Grank, 159, the groaning of a 
wounded hart. 

Grathed, 218, dressed. 

Gre, 132, step, 

Gre, 153, agree, reconcile. 

Greance, 185, agreement. 

Greinis, 78, greens. 

Greis, 173, in greis, degree. 

Greit, 225, cry. 

Grenis, 73, longs. 

Gripit, 183, gripped, seized. 

Grit, 173, great. 

Grof, 171, having harsh fea- 
tures, unpolished, vulgar. 

Grome, 15, man, bridegroom. 

Gros, 171, gross, course. 

Growgraine, 227, grogram, a 
sort of cloth. 

Gude, 136, good. 

Gude lyke, 164, good looking. 

Gudeman, 166, master of a 
family. 

Gude, men of, 32, men of pro- 
perty. 

Gudschir, 66, grandfathrr. 



GLOSSARY. 



267 



Guldis, 65, gules. 
Guse, 168, goose. 
Guthome, 135, a guitar. 
Guy cling, 33, conduct. 
Gwmis, 237, for gome, or 

guym, a man. 
Gyding, 83, rule. 
Gymps, 153, taunts. 
Gyrth, 118, sanctuary. 
Gyse, 152, a mask, a dance. 
Gysours,173, guisers, maskers. 



H 



160, 



Ha, 3, ha ! benedicite 
ha! treason. 

Had, 227, hold. 

Haif, 152, have. 

Haill, 8, ivhole, all. 

Haillely, 140, wholly. 

Hait, 9, hot. 

Haitrent, 11, hatred. 

Halden, 67, held. 

Hallous, 69, saints. 

Hals, 174, throat, neck. 

Halsit, 55, embraced, 

Haly, 4, holy. 

Hame, 52, home. 

Hamelie, 215, homely. 

Hane, 146. spare. 

Hank, 88, to tie tightly, so 
as to leave the mark of the 
cord. 

Hansell, 239, first money re- 
ceived in payment of goods. 

Happit, 196, covered. 

Harbrie, 199, harbour. 

Hardhnent, 195, hardihood. 

Harkit, 204, whispered. 

Harlat, 206, scoundrel. 

Harmesay, 229, alas. 



Harney 141, hardin, coarse. 

Hartlie, 188, heartily. 

Hartsum, 4, merry, courageous. 

Hauld, 112, hold. 

Hautie, 105, haughty. 

Hayned, 216, spared. 

Hear, 74, higher. 

Hecht, 75, promised, engaged. 

Heich, 28, 156, high. 

Heill, 91, cover. 

Heirfoir, 67, 192, herefor,for 
this. 

Heis, heise, 67, raise, lift. 

Heith, 179, for heich. 

Hele, 49, he'll. 

Helterit, 138, roped, pinioned. 

Herreat, 202, harried, plun- 
dered. 

Heuch, 138, crag. 

Hewit, 229, coloured. 

Hichit, 141, panted. 

Hicht, 168, heighten. 

Hie, 52, high. 

Hiest, 174, highest. 

Hing, 117, hang. 

Hint, 164, laid hold of '. 

Hoiplost, 109, hopeless. 

Hole, 199, whole. 

Holiglas, 205, a character in 
the old romances. Belg. 
Uylespegel, i.e., Oivlqlass. 

Hoik, 185, dig. 

Holkis, 84, a disease of the eye. 

Holtis, 7 8, forests, woods, high 
and barren ground. 

Hosted, 204, coughed. 

Hosyng, 237, hosen. 

Houshald, 168, household. 

Howbeid, 238, howbeit. 

Howfing, 215, spunging. 

Howis, 230, hollows. 



268 



GLOSSARY. 



Howlets, 78, owlets. 

Hud, 213, hoard. 

Hudefull, 204, full of a hud, 

the trough used by masons 

for carrying mortar. 
Hudge, 27, huge, great. 
Huif, 134, heaved or lifted at 

baptism, named. 

" Or gyf a man have hove a chylde, 
God hyt ever forbide and shykle." 
HaUiwdVs Did. 

Hulking, 93, regarding. 
Huirdome, 10, whoredom. 
Hunder, hundreth, 126, hun- 
dred. 
Hure, 141, whore. 
Hy, 170, haste. 
Hycht, 8, high, highly. 
Hynd, 169, hind, ploughman. 
Hyntit, 69, laid, hold of. 
Hyntwortke, 208, an herb. 



I & J 

Iaip, 182, mock. 
He, 144, isle. 
Ilk, 28, each. 
Imates, 190, emmets. 
Imbraist, 135, embraced. 
Imbrew, 229, engross. 
Irnplorde, 30, implore it. 
Imp riving, 206, disproving. 
Impung, 119, impugn. 
Impyre, 103, empire. 
In, 54, into. 
Inbringis, 88, brings in. 
Inbrocnt, 146, imported. 
Incastrat, 1 9 0, for incarcerat. 
Induse, 74, enclose. 
Incontinent, 204, immediately 



Indeuoir, 167, devote ; 38, 
indeuorde, devoted. 

Inding, 117, unworthy. 

Indyte, 103, write, capacity. 

Infame, 53, infamy. 

Infekit, 179, infected. 

Ingraitly, 192, ungratefully. 

Ingyne, 129, capacity, genius. 

Iniure, 112, injury. 

Inspraich, 224, furniture of 
a house. 

Intak, gers, 169, plow up the 
commons. 

Inteir, 129, entire, true. 

Interup, 103, interrupted. 

In till, 130, into. 

Intreit, 57, entreat, treat 

Inuyfull, 87, envious. 

Jonne Vpaland, 23, a name 
applied to a rustic. 

Jonet flouris, 77, marsh mari- 
gold. 

Iskie bae, 228, usquebaugh, 
whisky. 

Itliand, 97, busy. 

Ithandly, 101, busily. 

Juike, 225, trick. 

K 

Kankirt, 116, ill-natured. 
Karle, 231, fellow. 
Kedzochis seid, 71, Cadzow, 

the Hammiltounis. 
Keik, 158, peep>. 
Keill, 163, kill. 
Kelt, 215, cloth with the nap, 

generally of native black 

wool. 
Ken, \§,know,pret. hend. 
Kenely, 111, keen. 



GLOSSARY. 



269 



Kep, 149, receive in falling. 

Kinred, 25, kindred. 

Kist, 152, chest. 

Kittie vnsell, 165, a light 
wench. 

Kittil, 130. ticklish, 232, 
tickle. 

Klynclene, 203, clinking. 

Knaif, 205, knave. 

Knapscall, 169, a headpiece. 

Knat, 95, knit. 

Knaw, 152, know. 

Knocked beir, 212, a prepara- 
tion of barley. 

Knoxis, 199, knock. 

Kyith, 91, show. 



Labeis, 195, flap or skirt of 

a man's coat. 
Lack, lak, 28, reproach, blame. 
Laich, 230, low. 
Laidis, 216, either people, or 

languages ; 237, lads. 
Laif, 233, rest. 
Lair, 108, lore, learniny. 
Laird, 33, landholder. 
Lais, 162, lace. 
Lait and aire, 123, late and 

early. c 

Laitb, 5, loth. 
Lamber, 288, amber. 
Lane, 229, lie. 

Lang by, 135, by a concubine. 
Lang, thocht greit, 103, 

longed much. 
Langsum, 194, tedious. 
Langsyne, 84, long ago. 
Lap, 157, leapt. 



Larbour, 235, sluggish. 

Larwme, 213, larum. 

Laser, 227, leisure. 

Lashe, 19, remiss, faint. 

Lattin, 56, let. 

Lattouce, 211, lettuce. 

Lauche, 141, laugh. 

Lauchfull, 127, lawful. 

Law, 53, low. 

Law, 192, bring low. 

Lawers, 170, lawyers. 

Lawrie, lowrie, 200, the fox. 

Lawtie, 129, loyalty. 

Leave, 206, rest. 

Leesing, 223, lie. 

Leid, 2, language, a lay. 

Leid, 70, person. 

Leid, 71, for reid. 

Leill, 212, loyal, faithf id. 

Leir, 30, to teach, to learn ; 

leird, learned. 
Leit, 82, delay. 
Leitcbes, 208, physicians. 
Len, 162, lend. 
Lendis, 75, loins, buttocks. 
Les, 52, unless. 
Lesingis, 71, lies. 
Lest, 28, please, be pleased. 
Lest, 51, last. 
Letbrone, 215, leathern. 
Leucb, 216, laughed. 
Levit, fore, 208, four leaved. 
Lewrand, lo wring, 200, lurk- 

_ ing. 
Licb, for licbt, 115, light. 
Lidder, 235, sluggish. 
Lig, 235, lie. 
Limmer, 237, rogue. 
Lippin, 106, trust. 
List, 66, like to. 
Litber, 46, lazy. 



270 



GLOSSARY. 



Litils, 197, so in original, but 
probably a misprint for 
litill. 

Litting, 237, dyeing. 

Live, 199, 200, leave. 

Lochis Lin, 134, compare 
Meg Lochis get, p. 96. 

Locket, 204, what is belched. 

Lois, 90, loss. 

Loppin, 235, leapt. 

Lothsum, 14, loathsome, hateful 

Lounrie, 35, villainy. 

Loup, 132, flee the country 
for debt, fyc. 

Lowiner, 204, calmer. 

Lowitt, 129, loved. 

Lowne, 30, fellow. 

Lowreis, 3, see Lawrie. 

Lude hir, 152, loved her. 

Luf and lie, 230, a sea phrase ; 
both on the windward and 
on the lee side. 

Lufe, 230, luff, also love. 

Luid, lwid, 8, loved. 

Luiffis, 183, palms. 

Luifsum, 77, lovely. 

Lusty, 123, handsome, pleas- 
ant, agreeable. 

Lute, 217, let. 

Luyf, 142, love. 

Lwmis, 237, looms. 

Lyart, 157, the French coin 
called a Hard. 

Lychtit, 229, lighted. 

Lychtlit, 28, despised. 

Lymmeris, 75, scoundrels. 

Lyncbus, 209, a jail ; per- 
haps erratum for limbus, or 
Umbo. 

Lyre, 159, flesh. 

Lytli, 1 4, joint. 



M 



Ma, 50, more. 

Mache vilian, 43, Machiavel- 
lian. 
Maddie meinis, 3, harlot's 

lamentations. 
Magistrat, 133, magistracy. 
Mahoun, 138, Mahomet, the 

devil. 
Maik, 92, match, equal. 
Maikles, 173, matchless. 
Maills, 168 rents. 
Mailzeis, 162, plates or links 

of which a coat of mail is 

composed. 
Mainsworne, 117, mansworne, 

perjured. 
Mair, 50, more. 
Mair, 113, mayor. 
Mairouir, 171, moreover. 
Maisson, 60, house, family. 
Maist lyke, 80, most likely. 
Mak, 75, make ; mak to, set to ; 

mak cair, 76, for may cair. 
Makaris, 69, bards, poets. 
Maling, 26, malign. 
Malk, 124, see maik. 
Man, 20, must. 
Manassing, 128, menacing. 
Manesworne, 171, perjured. 
Manged, 41, confounded ; 123, 

maimed. 
Markis, 72, aims. 
Marklynis, 238, in the dark. 
Marrow, 2, mate, companion ; 

147, match. 
Mary nes, 144, merriness. 
Mea, 216, more. 
Measer, 226, maper 



GLOSSARY. 



271 



Meffan, 141, Paul Meffen 
(Methven). See Knox's His- 
torie, Lib. IV. p. 364. 

Meg Lochis get, 96, compare 
Lochis Lin, 134. 

Meiue, 9, method. 

Meinis, 104, complain. 

Meir, 202, mare. 

Meis, 9, mitigate. 

Mekill, 157, much. 

Mell. 125, meddle. 

Melzie, maize, 239, a coin of 
small value. 

Mendis, 75, amends, compen- 
sation. 

Mene, 19, lament, complain. 

Menez, 100, followers of a 
chieftain, crowd. 

Menss, 35, honour. 

Mensueris, 222, perjures him- 
self. 

Mesure, 86, moderation, 
measure. 

Met, 171, measure. 

Me think, 79, methinks. 

Midding, 65, midden. 

Midpart, 228, half. 

Minnie, 165, mother. 

Mirk, 238, dark. 

Mischant, 102, ivicked. 

Mischevit, 219, hurt, injured. 

Miscuikit, 104, miscook it. 

Misericord, 103, merciful. 

Misgyde, 166, abuse, spoil. 

Misknaw, 100, to beignorant of. 

Missit, 8, for mis-set, dis- 
pleased. 

Mist, 202, lost. 

Misteris, 223, there is need. 

Mistraisting, 60, mistrusting. 

Mo, 5, more. 



Mocht, 223, might. 

Mold, 73, mould, earth. 

Montanis, 179, bulwarks. 

Moriane, 53, swarthy. 

Morsing powder, 234, appar- 
ently powder used for prim- 
ing. 

Mot, moit, 5, may. 

Mowes, 224, jests. 

Moyane, moyen, myance, 153, 
means, interest, a fee. 

Mulettis, 216, great mules. 

Mum, 99, mutter. 

Murdreist, 28, murdered. 

Myndis, 87, intends. 

Myne alone, 119, alone. 

Mynt, 187, attempt 

Myrk, 30, darkness. 

Myrrenes, 187, Daly ell reads 
inclinit to meiknes. 

Mys, 85, fault, mischief; 115, 
miss. 

Myschantly, 66, wickedly. 

Myster, 93, need. 



N 



Nan, 178, none. 
Nane, 31, none. 
Nanis, 238, purpose. 
Nascence, 90, childhood. 
Necessair, 23, necessary. 
JSTeif, 223, fist, hand. 
ISTeist, 145, next. 
Nochttheles, 64, nevertheless. 
]S"ois, 55, nose. 
Nor, 146, than. 
Nosebitt, 229, anything that 
acts as a check or restraint. 
Nother, 91, neither. 
Nouells, 119, news. 



272 



GLOSSARY. 



Nouther, 18, neither. 
JNoy, 159, annoyance. 
JSToysum, 65, giving annoy- 
ance. 







Obeysant, 67, submissive. 

Oblist, 221, obliged. 

Oche, 1, oh! 

Ocht, 19, ought. 

Of tyme, 22, o/£ times. 

On, 234, owe. 

Ones, 161, once. 

Onmerkit, 233, unmarked. 

On slane, 96, unslain. 

Ony, 5, any. 

Opone, 168, oppose. 

Or euer, 57, ere. 

Ouer, 9, too. 

Ouerblawin, 39, overblown, 
gone. 

Ouer cast, 99, glance over. 

Ouer hand, 114, upper hand. 

Ouerharld, 63, oppressed. 

Ouerlay, 74, beat severely, op- 
press. 

Ouerluikit, 82, overlook it. 

Ouirgang, 175, overrun. 

Ouirhaill, 125, break through. 

Ouirsyle, 151, circumvent, 
covered. 

Ouirthraw, 145, overthrow. 

Oulke, 225, week. 

Our harrill, 131, oppress. 

Ourlaid, 186, beat severely. 

Ourset, 187, overcome. 

Ourthrow, 187, overthrow. 

Outlier, 59, either. 

Ovirthrawne, 130, overthrown. 

Owergane, 207, overrun. 



Owersett, 228, overcome. 
Oyne, 208, oven. 



Pace, 126, pasch, Easter. 

Packmantie, 215, portmanteau. 

Packt it, perhaps erratum for 
packit, 215, packed. 

Paik, 207, trick. 

Paikis, 122, a drubbing. 

Paine, 33, punishment. 

Pairt, Si, party. 

Pallartis, 203, rascals. 

Pallat, 36, crown of the head. 

Palmsoneuin, 137, Palm Sun- 
day even. 

Palyard, palzart, 36, rascal, 
lecher. 

Palzardrie, 108, whoredom. 

Pance, 86, muse ; panst, 86, 
was careful. 

Pand, 131, pledge. 

Pansand, 1, musing. 

Papingaw, 77, parrot, 

Pasche, 121, Easter. 

Pasendlang, 96, pass along. 

Pat, 58, put. 

Patlis, 72, patties, sticks with 
which the ploughman clears 
away the earth from the 
plough. 

Paun, 87, peacock. 

Pech, 159, pant. 

Pedderis, 231, pedlars. 

Pegrall, 4, paltry. 

Peirtly, 68, briskly, boldly. 

Peirtryks, 172, partridges. 

Pellettis, 180, bullets. 

Pellottis, pellets, 196, skin of 
a sheep without the wool. 



GLOSSARY. 



273 



Peloure, 38, thief. 

Perfyte, 8, perfect. 

Perigall, 3, quite equal. 

Perqueir, 144, accurate. 

Persaif, parsaue, 112, perceive. 

Pliareis, 210, fairies. 

Pieteous, 434, piteous. 

Pietie, 170, pity. 

Placebo, 220, a flatterer. 

Plaine, 194, show. 

Plat, 25, set, place. 

Pleinyeid, 213, complained. 

Pleit, 194, maintained in de- 
bate. 

Plexitis, 212, complaints. 

Plenzies, 168, complain. 

Plesoure, 1 2, pleasure. 

Plewche, 1 40, plough. 

Pluck up fair, 187, ready to 
pluck up everything by the 
roots At p. 183, line 1, 
Dalyell reads, maid them 
pluk up lair. 

Pluk at the Craw, 109, a hind 
of game. 

Plumis, 183, feathers. 

Plunted, 197, perhaps erra- 
tum for painted. 

Pocke nucke, 217, corner of a 
sack. 

Poinding, 213, distraining. 

Pois, 202, treasure. 

Porteris {original) 191, should 
be potteris. 

Potgun, cannon or musket. 

Pow, 81, pull. 

Practicques, pretticques, 208, 
209, practices. 

Praisit, 8, prized. 

Pref orme, 2 1 , perfo tm. 

Preif. 64, prove. 



Preist,' 86, exerted himself 

strenuously. 
Prenis, 157, pins. 
Prenit, 162, pinned. 
Prentise, 117, apprentice. 
Preuene, 7 '4, prevent. 
Pringnant, 144, pregnant. 
Prolong, 68, delay. 
Promouis, 142, promotes. 
Propone, 64, propose, set forth, 
Propyne, 161, present. 
Proterue, 23, froivard. 
Prothogall, 71, prodigal. 
Pruise, 12, Dalyell reads 

pruife, proof. 
Pryse, 8, praise. 
Pryse, 167, appraise. 
Puir anis, pureanis, 8, the poor \ 
Puneis, 3, punish. 
Puttis, on vther, 213, gives a 

gentle push, as a hint. 
Pvneiss, 225, punish. 
Pynand, 198, oppressing. 
Pyne, 72, agony, pain. 
Pyned, 54, pained, racked^ 



Q 



Quarrell, 20, quarrel, cause. 

Quat, 178, quit. 

Quentance, 35, acquaintance. 

Quha, 5, who. 

Quhairfoir, 12, ivherefore. 

Quhairfra, 159, wherefrom. 

Quhaitfoir, 1 35, for ivhich. 

Quha say, 221, sham, pretence. 

Quhat, 54, what. 

Quhat reck? 235, ivhat mat- 
ters, exclamation of indif- 
ference. 

Quheill, 152, wheel. 

18 



274 



GLOSSARY. 



Quheit, 147, wheat. 

Quhen, 5, when. 

Quhidder, 134, whether. 

Quhilk, 2, which. 

Quhinger, 128, a short hanger 
used as a knife at meals, 
and as a sword in brawls. 

Quhip, 126, whip. 

Quhissill, 84, whistle. 

Quhois, 234, whose. 

Quholpis, 10, whelps. 

Quhome, 23, whom. 

Quhonilit, 9, whelmed. 

Quhow, 131, how. 

Quhy, 146, why. 

Quhyle, 134, time. 

Quhylis, 134, whiles, some- 
times. 

Quhyte, 169, white. 

Quod, 51, quoth. 

Quow, 219, cow. 



E 



Raid, 143, road; 187, rode. 

Raid, 204, 'roadstead. 

Raip, 33, rope. 

Eais, 85, rose. 

Rak, 71, stretch. 

Rakles, 9, careless, rash. 

Rang, 68, reigned. 

Rank, 107, row. 

Rapfow, 34, ropeful, gallows- 
bird. 

Rasche bus, 58, bush of rushes. 

Rashe, 88, dash. 

Raungard, 200, renegade. 

Ray, 9, break ray, to go into 
disorder. 

Rayne, 219, perhaps roe or kid. 

Read, 215, road. 



Rebald, 143, a low worthless 
fellow. 

Red, rad, 73, afraid. 

Red forwyuis, 183, afraid of 
the vjomen. 

Reft, 211, bereft. 

Regiment, 204, government. 

Reheirs, 171, rehearse. 

Reif, 78, to rob ; 156, robbery. 

Reikit, 7, reached, handed. 

Reikit, 231, fitted out. 

Reil, 91, reel, swagger. 

Reill, 152, whirl. 

Reingat, (RenigaU) 34, for- 
sworn. 

Reist, 164, arrest. 

Remeid, 75, remedy. 

Remord, 110, feel remorse for. 

Renigats, 104, renegades. 

Replege, 234, replevin. 

Ressaif, 231, receive. 

Ressauit, 235, received. 

Rest, 211, perhaps erratum 
for reft. 

Restorde, 38, restore it. 

Reteir, 183, withdraw. 

Retreit, 72, repeal, reverse, re- 
tract. 

Retyre, 45, return. 

Reuer, 39, robber. 

Reuth, 157, ruth, pity. 

Reuthf ull, 1 6 , pitiful. 

Reving, 197, stealing. 

Rewolk, 198, revoke. 

Rid, 152, rede, counsel. 

Riggein stanes, 179, stones 
forming the ridge of a house. 

Ring, 34, prevail; 151, reign. 

Ring, 111, kingdom. 

Rokket, 135, rochet, a little 
blue cloth cloak. 



GLOSSARY. 



275 



Home, 104, kingdom. 

Rome-raikeris, 135, those who 
pretended to bring relics 
from Rome. 

Rouch, 119, rough. 

Roundit, 221, whispered. 

Roupand, 136, croaking. 

Rowme, 166, room, jiosses- 
sion, places. 

Roy, 159, king. 

Rubiatouris, \0i,robbers, rag- 
amuffins. 

Ruffyis, 104, ruffians. 

Ruffyis, raggit, 107, Dunbar 
has ruffy ragmen, seems a 
name for the devil. 

Rug, 109, pluck, pull about. 

Ruggars, 104, depredators. 

Ruse, 192, praise, a boast. 

Ruttery, 30, lechery. 

Rycht, 101, good, excellent. 



Sa, 1, so. 

Saa, 214, saw. 

Sace, 155, cease. 

Saces, 174, sauces. 

Sacke, sact, 122, destroy. 

Saikles, 11, guiltless. 

Sake, 193, sack, ruin. 

Salbe, 10, shall be. 

Sail, 145, shall. 

Sauiin, 186, same. 

Sangis, 2, songs. 

Sanit, 134, made the sign of 

the cross, blessed. 
Sar, 181, serve. 
Sark, 135, shirt, surplice. 
Sat, 55, set. 



Sauch', 71, sallow, willow ; 
rak aue sauch, crack hemp. 

Sauclit, 68, at ease. 

Saule, 51, soul. 

Saw, 171, sow. 

Say, 166, so. 

Say, 239, trial. 

Sayit, 75, assay it. 

Scaffing, 224, spunging. 

Scellat, 7, small bell. 

Schalde, 204, shallow. 

Schavellis, 120, schavellings, 
priests. 

Scka-wis, 61, shows. 

Schent, 91, confounded, to de- 
stroy. 

Scherat, 185, chariot. 

Schewed, 238, sewed. 

Scliill, 37, shrill. 

Schir, 162, sir. 

Scho, 73, shoe. 

Schorde, 37, threatened. 

Scliot, 183, pushed, shot. 

Schouris, 37, throes, pangs. 

Schowder, 234, shoulder. 

Schyre, 161, territory, shire. 

Sclander, 120, slander. 

Se, 99, for ze, ye. 

Sea, se, 228, so. 

Sect, wyne, 208, wine called 
sack. 

Sedull, 149, schedule. 

Seik, 169, sick. 

Seinzeour, 54, signor. 

Seir, 64, several. 

Seis, 96, for ceis, cease. 

Seller, 168, cellar 

Semblie, 211, assembly. 

Senibling, 224, deceitful. 

Sempill, 195, simple; com- 
monly a pun upon the 
author's name. 



27(5 



GLOSSARY. 



Sen, 65, since. 

Sensours, 148, censers. 

Sensyne, 55, since then. 

Seriand, 96, sergeant, servant. 

Semis, 107, deserves. 

Settin by, 30, esteemed. 

Sew, 233, saw, sowed. 

Sey, 151, assay, trial. 

Seyis, 165, seas. 

Shent, 19, confounded. 

Shoir, 4, threaten. 

Shone, 141, shoes or sandals. 

Shrewit, 92, accursed, wicked. 

Sic, 8, such. 

Sicernes, 13, security. 

Sich, 14, sigh. 

Siclit, 161, see. 

Sicker, 33,/^, sure. 

Siclyke, 105, such ; 148, so. 

Sillie, 211, weak, foolish. 

Sillubs, 210, potions. 

Sinderit, 88, sundered. 

Sindill, 131, seldom. 

Sindrie, 54, sundry. 

Sit, 30, for zit, yet. 

Sith, 48, since. 

Sith, 158, for site, grief; or 
sich, sigh. 

Skaill, 170, disperse. 

Skaith, 57, hurt. 

Skalit, 178, broke up. 

Skar, 115, take fright. 

Skeich, 156, apt to startle. 

Sklander, 235, slander. 

Sklenting, 235, oblique, de- 
noting immoral conduct. 

Sklenting bowtis, 235, mal- 
practices. 

Sla. slea, 15, slay. 

Slealy, 224, slyly. 

Sleuth, 52, slothful. 



Slidder, 24, unstable, slippery. 
Slokin, 106, quench. 
Slycht, 6, slight. 
Smaikrie, 205, roguery. 
Smaiks, 146, rogues. 
Smatcher, 226, a contemptu- 
ous term for a man. 
Smittel, 220, infectious. 
Smorit, 33, smothered. 
Smuire, 13, smother. 
Snadoun, 37, poetical name 

for Stirling. 
Snapwark, 234, a firelock. 
Snaw, 58, snow. 
Sogeouris, 118 ; Soiouris, 180, 

soldiers. 
Somzeit, 188, Dalyell reads 

soinzeit, cared. 
Sorrow mair, 221, not a whit 

more. 
Sou, 188, Dalyell reads sen. 
Soupit, 59, supped. 
Sous, souss, 100, a sou, 

French halfpenny. 
Soutar, 141, a shoemaker. 
Sow, 134, for zow. 
Sowld, 235, should. 
Sowseyis, 179, Dalyell reads 

fowseyis, fosses. 
Sowsit, 11, plunged. 
Sowt, 180, assault. 
Spaird, 39, spare it. 
Spald, 117, shoulder. 
Speciallis, 190, particulars. 
Speill, 138, climb. 
Sperand, 178, asking. 
Sperit, 221, asked. 
Spill, 44, kill. 
Splene, 121, heart. 
Sprent, bak, 243, bent back. 
Spring, 205, a quick and 

cheerful tune. 



GLOSSARY. 



277 



Spuilze, 183, spoil. 

Spwle, 237, weaver's shuttle. 

Stack, 204, stuck. 

Staik, 217, fit, suit. 

Staikit, 205, settled. 

Standfulis, 179, tubfuls. 

Stangear, 187, for strangear. 

Stangis, 110, stings. 

Stark, 21, strong. 

Steik, 108, shut. 

Steikis, 183, stitches. 

Steir, 16, to meddle ivith so 
as to injure. 

Steir, 55, disturbance,trouble ; 
178, rule. 

Steirburd, 230, starboard. 

Steir my tyrne, 135, lay hold 
on an opportunity. 

Stemmyne (or stenning) 233, 
aspeciesof fine woollen cloth 
anciently ivorn in Scotland. 

Stickit, 174, stabbed. 

Stirk, 172, bullock or heifer. 

Stoundis, 87, ache, keen shoot- 
ing pains. 

Stoup, 58, stoop, boiv. 

Stourt, 54, trouble. 

Stouth, 4, theft. 

Stowen, 209, stolen. 

Straik, 190, stroke. 

Strais, 84, straios. 

Strang, 92, by violence. 

Strease, 208, straws. 

Strukin, 147, struck. 

Strynd, 109, kindred. 

Stur, 20, see sturre. 

Sturdie, 88, sturdy, violent. 

Sturely, 175, strongly. 

Sturre, 31, be in ill humour 
with. 

Sturtsum, 15, cross. 



Styme', 79, the faintest form 
of any object. 

Sua, 193, so. 

Subscryue, 168, subscribe. 

Subumbragit, 191, over- 
shadowed. 

Suddartis, 181, soldiers. 

Suddrone, 121, southern. 

Suid, 95, should. 

Suire, 19, sure. 

Suld, 15, should. 

Suldarts, 50, soldiers. 

Suppone, 201, suppose. 

Supposts, 169, supporters. 

Sur, 210, an expletive or 
augmentative. 

Susseis, 84, scruples. 

Susseit, 63, hesitated. 

Swa, 20, so. 

Swaits, 169, new ale or wort. 

Swarfit, 181, fainted, swooned. 

Sweingeour, 85, sluggard. 

Sweir, 127, swore. 

Sweyning, 50, sleeping, dream- 
ing. 

Swidder, 99, swither, hesitate. 

Swinge, 15, 17, swing, sway. 

Swoumand, 152, swimming. 

Swoumit, 3, swam. 

Swyne, 229, sow. 

Swyre, 187, 2Jass of a moun- 
tain. 

Syc, 25, such. 

Syce, 165, raise. 

Syiss, syse, 211, assise. 

Sylit, 9, blindfolded, betrayed t 
covered. 

Syluer, 226, money. 

Syne, 73, then. 

Syte, 5, grief, disgrace. 

Sythment, 72, assythment, 
compensation. 



278 



GLOSSARY. 



Ta, 159, toe. 
Ta, 195, to. 

Tailzeouris, 158, tailors. 

Taine, 11, taken, conceived. 

Taine, 27, the one. 

Takin, 148, token. 

Talloun, 230, to cover with 
tallow or pitch, to caulk. 

Tane, 7, than. 

Tane, 197, taken. 

Tas, 200, cup. 

Tees, 208, toes. 

Teichit, 59, taught. 

Teill, 171, till. 

Teindis, 197, teinds, tithes. 

Teine, 120, sorrow. 

Teinfull, 65, wrathful. 

Telzeour, 232, tailor. 

Telzevie, 230, a perverse 
humour. 

Tene, 3, sorrow, vexation. 

Tene, 105, mad with rage. 

Tent, 22, heed. 

Tentyue, 113, attentive. 

Teoch, 10, tough. 

Tha, thay, thea, 68, they; 
235, those. 

Thairout, 170, in the open air. 

Thappoyntment, 55, the ap- 
pointment. 

Theikit, 167, thatched. 

Theis, 237, thighs. 

Thigging, 170, to beg in a 
genteel way. 

Tliir, 5, these. 

This, 102, thus. 

Thocht, 11, though. 

Thoill, 12, bear. 

Thoull, 110, thou wilt. 



Thovmbis, 221, thumbs. 

Thrall, 11, enslaved; 124, 
thraldom. 

Thrawart, 11, froward. 

Thre, 50, three. 

Threttene, 184, thirteen. 

Tkrettie, 50, thirty. 

Threw, 3, for drew. 

Thrid, 149, third. 

Thring, 23, to press, thrust. 
oneself forward. 

Thring doun, 95, thrust down. 

Thrist, 118, thirst. 

Thrist, 228, trust. 

Throne, 98, iron, instrument 
for weighing heavy ivares. 

Throuchly, 166. thoroughly. 

Thyne furth, 127, thenceforth. 

Till, 24, to. 

Tine, 193, lose. 

Tinklaris, 158, tinkers. 

Tint, 70, lost. 

Tit, 191, a quick pull, a jerk. 

To, 30, too. 

Tod, 71, fox. 

Todlyar, 142, more fox-like. 

Togidder, 175, together. 

Tokis, 142, for takis. 

Tome, 33, book. 

Tome, toome, 231, empty. 

Top ourtaill, 140, head o'er 
heels. 

Tother, 145, other. 

Tottis, 215, refuse of wood. 

Toung, 9, tongue. 

Tow, 160, rope. 

Traine, trane, 12, a road, path t 
29, a blind, a fetch, decep- 
tion, 173, train of gun- 
powder. 

Traist, 5, trust ; 53, trusty. 



GLOSSARY. 



279 



Trane, 114, draw, entice. 

Trapit, 178, caparisoned. 

Tratling, 114, tattling. 

Tratorie, 69, treason. 

Trauell, 78, labour. 

Tray, 3, trouble. 

Traytorie, 63, treason. 

Tred, 59, tread, track. 

Treit, tret, 145, treated. 

Trest, 90, trust. 

Treveis, 231, sail backwards 
and forwards. 

Trewis, 150, truce. 

Trinfauld, 104, threefold. 

Tristene, 228, trusting. 

Tristsum, 10, sad. 

Trowtli, 49, truth. 

Trumpe, 142, beguile, de- 
ceive. 

Tryne, 216, train, retinue. 

Trystis, 97, appointments to 
meet. 

Tuggis, 237, pulls by jerks. 

Tuilzeour, 122, one addicted 
to broils, a slight fighter. 

Tuix, 99, tivixt. 

Tulcliin, 198, a calf's skin 
stuffed with straw. 

Turse, 217, pack in a bundle. 

Tuyne, 217, part. 

Twa, 7, tway, 87, two. 

T well-pennies, 238, twelve- 
pence. 

Twiche, 237, tough. 

Tyde, 85, tide, season. 

Tyke, 38, dog, cur. 

Tykit, 173, tied, bound. 

Tyne, 9, lose. 

Tynsall, 55, loss. 

Tyritness, 73, tire. 

Tythance, 175, tidings. 



Uane, 181, vain. 
Ugsum, 5, frightful. 
Unduchtie, 117, undoughty. 
Unlefull, 92, unlawful. 



V 



Yagabounds, 88, ivanderers. 

Vaiage, 9, voyage. 

Vaikit, 135, became vacant. 

Yaill, 85, avail, end. 

Yanlatit, 2, unlatit, destitute 
of proper breeding, unkind. 

Yder, 230, other. 

Yeildaris, 86, iceilders, causers. 

Venenianis, 120, mercenaries. 

Yenerial, 196, mercenary. 

Yepe, 76, weep. 

Yinqueist, 86, vanquished. 

Yisioun, visorne, 197, mask, 
or visor. 

Ylis, 238, oils. 

Ymquhile, 8, the late, erewhile. 

Yncouth, 125, strange, foreign. 

Yndoutit, 81, undoubted. 
cowardly. 

Ynfauld, 197, unfold. 

Yoce, 70, voice. 

Yolatill, 174, wildfowl. 

Yolt, vult, 190, face, look. 

Ypaland, 23, in the country, 
rustic. 

Yprychteousnes, 59, upright- 
ness. 

Yp throw, 72, up through. 

Yther, 25, other ; niony vtlier 
ma, many others. 



280 



GLOSSARY. 



W 

Wa, 15, woe. 

Wa worth, 15, woe betide, 

beshrew. 
Wachting, 221, quaffing. 
Waif, 160, wave. 
Waik, 93, is vacant. 
Waill, 143, choose. 
Wair, 147, spend. 
Wair, went to, 225, meaning 

uncertain. 
Wairit, euill was it, 136, ill 

bestowed. 
Wais me, 70, woes me. 



Wait, 



wot, knows. 



Wait, 88, wot. 
Waithman, 181, hunter. . 
Wak, 162, moist. 
Wald, 54, would, wouldst. 
Walis, 180, walls. 
Walkane, 3, awake. 
Walkit, 2$1, fulled. 
Walk-mill, 237, fulling-mill. 
Walkryfe, 144, wakeful. 
Walkway, 1, well-a-day. 
Wallis, 133, waves. 
Wallow, 11, fade. 
Walterars, 168, overturners. 
Wan, 57, won, got to. 
Wander, 120, see wandrethe. 
Wandrethe, 108, misfortune. 
Wanhaip, 132, ill luck. 
Wanluks, 130, misfortunes. 
Wanrest, 108, unrest, disquiet. 
Wapis, 174, tosses. 
Wappin, 91, weapon. 
War, 71, outdo. 
War, 191, were. 
War, be war, 9, beware. 
War, wars, 176, worse. 



Wardlingis, 51, for world- 
lingis. 

Wardrop, 227, wardrobe. 

Wareis, 159, execrate. 

Warin, 100, growing. 

Warld, 9, world. 

Warr, 152, aware. 

Wary it, 134, cursed. 

Warysoun, 6, reward. 

Wat, 10, wot. 

Watt, 237, wet. 

Watter caill, 169, broth made 
without meat in it. 

Watter-fast, 230, watertight. 

Wauflers, 234, danglers. 

Waw, 130, wave. 

Wawis, 117, walls. 

Way, 1, wo, woful. 

Wear anew, 67, for we are 
enow. 

Wed, 153, pledge. 

Weddir, 130, weather. 

Wedset, 158, to alienate heri- 
table property under rever- 
sion. 

Weid, 133, herb. 

Weid, 237, weed, clothing. 

Weill war I, 136, happy was I. 

Weill was her, 3, happy was 
she. 

AVeir, 2, war, dispute. 

Weird, li?,, fate. 

Weirdis, the Fates. 

Weltred, 131, overturned. 

Weskan (orig.), 88, we skail t 

Weyit, 192, weighed. 

Wich, 215, which. 

Wicht, 230, stout, strong. 

Wichtnes, 117, strength. 

Widder, 77, ivither. 

Widdie, 71, a halter. 



ULOSSAKY. 



281 



Wirriare, 200, a swiller. 

Wiiryit, 71, worried, strangled. 

Without, 23, unless. 

Withouttin, 101, without. 

Witten, 80, known. 

For had I witten that I wait, 
Allace is Scotts wisdume. 

i.e., wise behind-hand. 

Witt in, wittin, 229, knowledge 

Wittis, 32, wits, wisdom, senses 

Wo, 92, wofid. 

Wob, 239, iceb. 

Wobster, 237, weaver. 

Wod, 6, mad. 

Wodderschins, 219, against, 
the course of the sun. 

Woll, 179, well. 

Wondie, 187, windy. 

Wont snone clout, 4. 

Wor, 140, were. 

Wor, 233, worse. 

Worssand, 187, Daly ell reads 
wor stand, scrambling. 

Wowaris, 238, wooers. 

Wox, 170, waxed. 

Wrang, 71, wrong. 

Wrangons, 136, wrongful. 

Wreik, 160, do vengeance on. 

Wrestis, 86, screws, twists. 

Wretheit, 12, wroth, angry. 

Wroken, 106, revenged. 

Wsayage ; 223, usage, practice. 

Wylie-coit, 239, under-petti- 
coat. 

Wylit, 9, enticed. 

Wyn, 157, gain. 

Wyritt, 130 wearied. 

Wyse, 113, manner. 

Wyssit, 29, wished. 

Wyte, 93, blame. 

Wyuis, 183, women. 



Y, used for the original letter 

for Th. 
Ya, 35, those. 
Yai, 56, they. 
Yair, there. 
Yame, 35, them. 
Yan, 35, than, then. 
Yat, 35, that. 
Ye, 35, thee. 
Yead, 209, went. 
Yeattis, 196, gates. 
Yire, 198, ire. 
Yis, 36, this. 

Z 

Z, used for the old form of Y. 

Zaik, 164, ache. 

Ze, 2, ye. 

Ze, 96, see. 

Zea, ze, 31, yea. 

Zeid, 53, went. 

Zeill, 230, yell. 

Zeir, 26, year. 

Zell, 6, yell. 

Zello, 237, yellow. 

Zeinari, 169, yeoman. 

Zet, 59, gate. 

Zing, 90, young. 

Zis, 53, for zit. 

Zisterday, 58, yesterday. 

Zit, 2, yet. 

Zone, zond, 71, yonder, that. 

Zoung, 22, young. 

Zour, zoure, 3, your. 

Zout, 6, cry, scream. 

Zoutheid, 22, youth. 

Zow, 3, you. 

Zow, 168, ewe. 

Zule, 238, yule. 

19 



Errata. 



[Note. — Notwithstanding an earnest desire to insure accuracy 
a few errors have been discovered, which are here corrected. 
In publications of this kind such will occur ; but it is hoped 
they will be considered of no material importance.] 



age 6, line 1, for 


flycht read slycht. 


... 8, . 


.. 27, ... 


chefit 


chesit. 


... 12, . 


.. 25, ... 


pruise 


pruife. 


... 12, . 


.. 33, ... 


plesosre 


plesoure. 


... 13, . 


.. 3, ... 


conse rue 


conserue. 


... 19, . 


.. 4, ... 


suie 


suire. 


... 22, . 


.. 12, ... 


sportlie 


shortlie. 


... 23, . 


.. 29, ... 


horint 


hornit. 


... 24, . 


.. 13, .. 


stidder 


slidder, 


... 25, . 


.. 10, .. 


begonth 


begouth. 


... 39, 


.. 17, .. 


als wa 


alswa. 


... 46, 


.. 19, .. 


neake 


make. 


... 63, 


.. 17, .. 


suffeit 


susseit. 


... 63, 


.. 17, .. 


saithles 


saikles. 


... 67, 


.. 28, .. 


carage 


curage. 


... 68, 


.. 1, .. 


. fauchs 


faucht. 


... 71, 


.. 2, .. 


. by 


iy- 


... 71, 


.. 15, .. 


. leid 


reid. 


... 73, 


... 2, .. 


. place 


place. 


... 73, 


... 21, .. 


. cronnis 


crounis. 


... 77, 


... 15, .. 


. friutfull 


fruitfull. 


... 87, 


... 16, .. 


. commonit 


commouit 


... 88, 


... 15, .. 


. weskan ((/rig.) 


we skail 1 


...108, 


... 7, .. 


. fall 


full. 


...114, 


... 1, .. 


. sulk 


suld. 


...115, 


... 18. .. 


. lich 


licht. 


...116. 


... 24, .. 


. consing 


cousing. 



age 125, line 23, ft 


... 127, . 


.. 32, . 


... 128, . 


.. 13, . 


... 132, . 


.. 30, . 


... 135, . 


.. 23, . 


... 138, . 


.. 26, . 


... 144, . 


.. 34, . 


... J45, . 


.. 20, . 


... 154, . 


.. 28, . 


... 158, . 


.. 26, . 


... 179, . 


.. 22, . 


... 182, . 


.. 19, . 


... 191, . 


.. 10, . 


... 192, . 


.. 5, . 


... 202, . 


.. 37, . 


... 215, . 


.. 16, . 


... 236, . 


.. 23, . 


... 239, . 


.. 15, . 


... 239, . 


.. 22, . 


... 241, . 


.. 19, . 


... 241, . 


.. 28, . 


... 242, . 


.. 8, . 


... 243, . 


.. 9, . 


... 243, . 


.. 21, . 


... 246, . 


.. 23, . 


... 247, . 


.. 6, . 


... 248, . 


.. 21, . 


... 249, . 


.. 14, . 


... 250, . 


.. 4, . 


... 250, . 


.. 11, . 


... 253, . 


.. 8, . 


... 253. . 


.. 11, . 


... 254, 


.. 11, . 


... 254, -. 


.. 12, . 



ERRATA. 




'or sweit rtaa 


I sweir. 


.. hirn 


him. 


.. cpmmands 
.. losrt 


commands, 
lost. 


.. begonth 


begouth. 


.. connict 


conuict. 


.. walkryse 
.. fall 


walkryfe. 
sail. 


.. than 


than. 


.. flowne 


stowne. 


.. sowlit 


fowlit. 


.. sleyit 

.. porteris {orig.) 

.. dauter 


fleyit. 
potteris 1 
danter. 


.. promtione 
.. thing 
.. bit 


promotione 

think. 

bot. 


.. fay 
.. thot 


say. 
that. 


.. O the 


Oche. 


. deer 


deere. 


.. precisit 

.. breath {orig.) 


preeisit. 
deathe. 


.. siveir 


sweir. 


.. came 


cann. 


.. if 


is. 


.. tendis 


endis. 


.. suill 


saull. 


... sinco 


since. 


.. promieis 
.. sounde 


promeis. 
founde. 


... confides 


consistis. 


... slow 


tiew. 


... sicht 


hicht. 



283 



R. SYME AND SON PRINTERS, EDINBURGH. 



DEC 18 1900 



Defied « 
Neutralizing agent. Magnesium 
Treatment Date: Feb. 2009 

Cranberry Township, PA 16066 
(724)T79-2111