The warkis of the famous and vorthie knicht Schir Dauid Lyndesay of the Mont, alias, Lyoun King of Armes. Newly correctit, and vindicate from the former errouris quhairwith thay war befoir corruptit: and augmentit with sindrie warkis quhilk was not befoir imprentit. The contentis of the buke, and quhat warkis ar augmentit, the nixt syde sall schaw Works Lindsay, David, Sir, fl. 1490-1555. 1568 Approx. 542 KB of XML-encoded text transcribed from 196 1-bit group-IV TIFF page images. Text Creation Partnership, Ann Arbor, MI ; Oxford (UK) : 2011-04 (EEBO-TCP Phase 2). A05537 STC 15658 ESTC S109439 99845086 99845086 9963

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 Early English books online. (EEBO-TCP ; phase 2, no. A05537) Transcribed from: (Early English Books Online ; image set 9963) Images scanned from microfilm: (Early English books, 1475-1640 ; 263:08) The warkis of the famous and vorthie knicht Schir Dauid Lyndesay of the Mont, alias, Lyoun King of Armes. Newly correctit, and vindicate from the former errouris quhairwith thay war befoir corruptit: and augmentit with sindrie warkis quhilk was not befoir imprentit. The contentis of the buke, and quhat warkis ar augmentit, the nixt syde sall schaw Works Lindsay, David, Sir, fl. 1490-1555. [392] p. Newlie imprentit be Iohne Scot, at the expensis of Henrie Charteris: and ar to be sauld in his buith, on the north syde of the gait, abone the Throne. Cum priuilegio Regali, [Edinburgh] : Anno. Do. M.D.LXVIII. [1568] In Scots verse. Signatures: [cross]⁴ A-B⁴ C-F G⁴ H-Q R² (-R2); A-B C⁶ D-F G⁴ H² (-H2) I-L. "The testament and complaynt of our souerane Lordis papyngo, King Iames the fift" has separate divisional title and register. Reproduction of the original in the Henry E. Huntington Library and Art Gallery.

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¶The warkis of the famous and vorthie Knicht Schir Dauid Lyndeſay of the Mont, Alias, Lyoun King of Armes. Newly correctit, and vindicate from the former errouris quhairwith thay war befoir corruptit: and augmentit with ſindrie warkis quhilk was not befoir Imprentit.

¶The contentis of the buke, and quhat warkis ar augmentit, the nixt ſyde ſall ſchaw.

¶Viuet etiam poſt funera virtus.

 ❧IOB. VII.

¶Militia eſt vita hominis ſuper terram.

¶Newlie Imprentit be IOHNE SCOT, at the expenſis of Henrie Charteris: and ar to be ſauld in his Buith, on the north ſyde of the gait, aboue the Throne.

❧CVM PRIVILEGIO REGALI. ANNO. DO. M.D.LXVIII.

❧THE CONTENTIS OF THIS BVKE FOLLOWING. ❧ (✿) ❧

¶Ane Dialog betuix Father Experience and ane Courteour, of the Miſerabill eſtait of the warld: deuydir in four bukis, or in four Monarcheis.

¶The Teſtament and Complaynt of our Souerane Lordis Papingo, King Iames the Fyft.

¶The dreme, direct to our ſaid Souerane Lord, quhairin ar contenit,

¶The diuiſioun of the eirth.

¶The deſcriptioun of Paradice.

¶The deſcriptioun of the Realme of Scotland.

¶And the complaint of the Commoun weill of Scotland.

¶Ane exhortatioun to the Kingis grace.

¶The Complaint vnto the Kingis grace, omittit in the Imprentingis of Rowen and Londoun.

¶The Tragedie of Dauid Betoun Cardinall, and Archebiſchop of Sanctandrois.

¶The deploratioun of the deith of Quene Magdalene.

¶Ane anſwer to the Kingis flyting, neuer befoir Imprentit.

¶The Complaynt and Confeſſioun, of Bagſche, ye Kingis auld hoūd, direct to Bawtie, and his Companȝeonis.

¶Ane ſupplicatioun to the Kingis grace, in contemptioun of ſyde taillis, and miſſellit facis.

¶Kitteis Confeſſioun.

¶The Iuſting betuix Iames watſone, and Iohne Barbour, familiar ſeruitouris to King Iames the Fyft.

❧VNTO THE GODLIE AND CHRIſtiane Reidar, Henrie Charteris, wiſchis grace, and peice from Ieſus Chriſt our Saluiour. with the perpetuall aſſiſtence of his halic Spirite.

IT is the commoun and accuſtomit maner (gentill reidar) of all thame quhilk dois prohemiate vpon ony vther manis wark, cheiflie to trauel about twa pointis. The ane is, to declair the properteis of ye Authour, nocht onlie externall, as his originall, birth, vocatioun, eſtait, ſtrenth, giftis of the bodie, ſubſtance, & maner of leuing: bot alſwa internall: as the qualiteis, habites, & diſpoſitiones of the mynde, his ingyne, knawlege, wiſdome, giftis of the Spirit, and all vther verre wis quhilk culd iuſtlie be knawin to haue bene in him. Bot ſeing it is nocht monie ȝeiris paſt, ſen it hes pleiſit the eternall God, to call our Authour, out of the miſerabill and trubilſum calamiteis of this tranſiteric lyfe, vntil his celeſtiall ioy, and heuinlie habitatioun, ſwa that the memorie of him is bot as ȝit recent, & not out of the hartis of mony ȝit leuand, to quhome his haill maner of lyfe was better knawin than vnto me, I think it not greitlie neidfull to tary the thairon, bot will remit the to lerne it at yair mouthis. The vther is, to declair his maner of wryting, the vtili • ie of his warkis, & quhat frute, profite, and commoditie may enſew and follow to the diligent reidar and reuoluar of the ſamin. Nouther in this is it greitly neidfull to me to trauell, ſeing the ſamin may be maiſt eſilie & perfytelie knawin be his awin pen. For beſydis the pleſand and delectabill verſiz, beſy • i • the craftie and ingenious poeticall inuentionis, beſydis the frutefull and cōmodious Hiſtoryis, ba • th humane and diuine: baith recent and ancient: beſydis the hailſum and notal • i • l counſellis & admonitionis to Princis, to Prelates, & to all eſtatis, quhat vice or iniquitie rang in his dayis, quhilk he did not cel • u • e? not onlie of the ſpirituall, bot alſwa of the temporall eſtait? quhat verteous or cōmend a bill fact, hes he not praiſit, and deſyrit to be had in the dew honour, and honorabill eſtimatioun. Bot gif we fall conſider and wey the tyme, quhen he did wryte the maiſt pairt of thir warkis, being ane tyme of ſa greit & blind ignorance, of manifeſt and horribill abhominationis and abuſis: it is to be meruell it how he durſt ſa planelie inuey ag • nis the wycis of all men: bot cheiflie of the ſpirituall eſtait, being ſa bludie, & cruell boucheouris. He neuer ceiſſit baith in his graue and merie materis, in cruiſ • & in bourdis: in wryting, and in wordis to challenge and carp thame. It cūmis to my memorie ane prettie trik, quhilk ſumtyme I haue hard reportit of him. The Kingis grace, Iames the Fyft, beand on ane certane tyme accumpany it with ane greit nowmer of his Nobillis, & ane greit menȝe of Biſchoppis, Abbottis and Prelatis ſtanding about he quiklie & prettilie inuentit ane prettie trik to teine yame. He cūmis to the King, and efter greit dewgard & ſalutationis, he makis him, as thocht he war to requyre ſum wechtie thing of the Kingis grace. The King perſauād, demandis quhat he wald haue? he anſweris: Schir, I haue ſeruit ȝour grace lang, & lukis to be rewardit as vtheris ar. And now ȝour maiſter Tailȝeour at the pleaſure of God is departit, quhairfoir I wald deſyre of ȝour grace, to beſtow this lytil benefite vpon me, as ane part of reward of my lang ſeruice, to mak me ȝour maiſter tailȝeour. The King belenand in deid his tailȝeour to be departit, ſayis to him. Quhairto wald thow be my tailȝeour? thow can nouther ſchaip nor few? he anſweris. Schir, that makis na mater: for ȝe haue geuin Biſchoprikis and benefices to mony ſtanding heir about ȝow: and ȝit can thay nouther teiche, nor preiche. And quhy may I not than aſweill be ȝour tailȝeour, thocht I can nouther ſchaip nor ſew: ſeing teiching and preiching is na les requiſite to thair vocatioū, than ſch • iping & ſewing is to ane tailȝeouris. The King incontinent perſauit his conſait, and leuch merilie thairat: bot the Biſchoppis at ſic bourding leuch neuer ane quhit. Na les erniſt and vehement was he aganis thame, in his fairſis and publict playis, quhairin he was verray craftie & excellent. Sic ane ſpring he gaif yame in the play, playit beſyde Edinburgh, in preſence of the Quene Regent, and ane greit part of the Nobilitie, with ane exceding greit nowmer of pepill, leſt and fra. ix. houris afoir none, till .vj. houris at euin, quhair amangis mony baith graue materis, and merie trikkis he brocht in ane Biſchop, ane Perſone, ane Freir, and ane Nun. deckit vp in thair papiſticall ornamētis, and maner of rayment. And thairefter brocht in King correctioun, quha reformand ſindrie deformiteis in his Realme, paſſit to the tryall of his Clergie. And find and thame to be altogidder Idiotis, vnworthie of ony functioun eccleſiaſticall, decernit thame to be degradit of thair digniteis, and ſpulȝeit of thair officis: quhilk beand executit, & thay denudit of thair vpmaiſt garmentis, thay war fund bot verray fulis, hypocrites, flatteraris, & nouchtie perſones. Quhairby he ſignifyit to the pepill, that howſaeuer thay war eſtemit of the warld, thay had nathing quhairin thay micht iuſtlie glorie to be paſtouris of Chriſtis Kirk, and feidaris of his flock, bot onlie thair outward ornamentis, and triumphant tytillis. Bot beand inwardlie conſiderit, thay wald be fund bot verray hyrelingis, enemeis to Chriſt, & deuoraris of his flock. This play did enter with ſic greif in thair hartis, that thay ſtudyit be all menis to be auengit thairof. Thay conuenit thair prouinciall counſellis, thay conſultit how thay ſuld beſt ſuſtene thait kingdome inclynand to ruyne, quhilk lairlie had gottin ſa publict ane wound: thay ȝeid about to haue his haill warkis condempnit, for hereticall, and ceſſit not in Kirk and market, publictlie and priuelie, to rage and rayll aganis him, as ane Heretike. Bot to returne to our purpoſe. Nochtwithſtanding the birnand fyre borne aganis him in thair breiſtis, the hatreut cōſauit in thair hartis, thair puiſſance and power euin in that tyme, quhen thay had the ball at thair fute, quhen nouther Prince, nor vther was abil to withſtād thame, ȝit culd thay neuer get power ouer this ſempil man, nor haif ya •• harus ſatiat of him. Thay had thair Canoun Lawis: thay had the Municipal Lawis of the Realme, and actis of Parliament haldin be yat ſamin King, quhame he ſeruit, with quhon c • rom his ȝouth vp he cōuerſit, that na man ſuld reſſoun or call in dout the authoritie of thair ſpirituall Father: that Imagis ſuld be honourit: that the libertie of hali • Kirk (as thay namit it) ſuld be mantenit, and defendit. And gif ony war ſuſpectit in ony hereticall point, aganis the cōmandementis of this yair Kirk, incontinent thay war cytit, thay war apprehendit, and incarcerat in ſtrang preſoun: & finallie thay war cōpellit outher to abiure (quhairthrow thay remamt infamit all thair dayis, nouther micht enioy honouris, nor digniteis for thair tyme) or ellis thay behourt maiſt cruellie ſuffer the fyre. How cūmis it than, that this our Authour being ſa plane aganis thame, and as it war profeſſit enemie to thame, culd eſchaip thair ſnairis, quhen vtheris in doing les hes cruellie periſchit? Sum will think, becauſe his wryting was cōmounlie mixit with mowis, and collourit with craftie conſaitis (as Chaucer and vtheris had done befoir) the mater was the mair mitigatt. Bot this can not ſatiſfie: for na mowis in ſic materis culd mitigate thair bludie breiſtis. Sum will think becauſe he was continuallie in Court, and ſeruit the King, he was eſilie ouerſene. Bot in my iugement, that is the greiter cauſe of offence: namelie to haif thair vaniteis and wickitnes publiſchit in Court, and ſicht of Princis Nouther culd this be ſaiftie to vtheris. M. Patrik Hammilto • Abbot of Feirn, being of the blude Royall, being ane man of greit literature, and of ſic lyfe, that the verray enemeis thame ſellis war enforcit to commend and allow him. Ȝit did he nocht eſchaip thair malice, bot ſufferit cruell deith be fyre. Robert Foreſter alſwa gentilman on the ſamin maner was tormentit. And howbeit thir did cruellie periſche, ȝit in all agis, and in all nationes, it hes pleſit God, of his greit mercy, to rais and ſteir vp his Prophetis and ſeruandis, quhame he hes michtilie preſeruit, to repreif the generationis preſent of thair vnrichteouſnes: to vtter and oppin to the pepill the corruptioun than regnand: and as it was aganis the Deuill, and the warld to teſtifie his treuth: to walkin thame out of thair Ignorance. He ſteirit vp the auld and ancient Doctouris, to impugne and ſtranglie confute all hereſyis ſpringand and ryſand. Bo • thame at this preſent I will omit for breuitie, & will ſpeik rather ſumquhat ſen corruptioun and ſuperſtitioun enterit amangis thame, quhilk war rewlaris and Paſtouris of the Kirk of God: ſen thay begouth to leif preiching of pure Chriſt, and to ſet vp thame ſelfis: to conquers Realmis, prouincis, and cuntreis: to ſubdew Princis and Poteſtates: and finallie to exalt thame ſelfis aboue all that is callit God. In quhilk dayis war mony leirnit men, & godlie Biſchoppis in this cuntrir: as Seruanus, Columba, Aidanus, Finnanus, Colmannus, Leuinus, Bailus, and mony ma, quha baith in this Realme, and in Ingland, did lang debell, and hald out the Romiſche ſuperſtitionis, and ceremoneis, as is at lenth contenit in the auld Hiſtoryis of Beda, and vtheris. He raſit vp alſwa in the dayis of Carolus Magnus, twa of our cuntrie men, baith of greit eruditioun and leirning, the ane callit Iohne, ſurnamit Mailroſius: the vther Claudius Clemens. Thir twa paſſand out of Scotlād, at cōmand of King Achaius (as Boethius wrytis) to ye partis of France, come to Paris, and war the occaſioun of the fundatioun of ye Vniuerſitie of the ſamin, & ſindrie vtheris, and war the firſt profeſſouris of liberall ſciencis in thame. Nouther ceiſſit thay with ane Adelbertus ane Frencheman, and Bertramus, to inwey on ye ſtait of ye Kirk, than tendand and declynand faſt to corruptioun, vntill Claudius, & Adelbertus war clappit in clois preſoun, and Iohne departit the cuntrie, & come in Ingland: quhair (as ſum wrytis) at the perſwaſioun of certane Monkis, he was ſlaine, be certane his awin diſcipulis, impaciēt of his admonitiones and correctionis. Efter thir quhen the ſindrie • ectis of Freiris began to ſpring vp, he raiſit in France Builielmus de. S. Amore: Nigellus: Nicolaus, and Arnoldus de villa noua: in Italie ye Abbot Ioachimus Calaber: in Germanie, Hildegardis ye Prophetes with ſindrie vtheris, quhilk ſtranglie wrait aganis the ſuperſtitionis and Idilteth of the begging Freiris, and vther abuſis of the Clergie. And howbeit yair admonitiones culd not be hard, nor th •• r wryting tane in gude part, bot vtterlie reiectit and deſpyſit, ȝit war thay not cūmit to that furie & rage, as to bruyle and ſcald quha ſa euer ſuld ſpeik aganis thame, bot cōtentit thame ſelus with preſoun, or baniſchement of ſic perſones, as war contrarious to thame, degraiding thame of thair digniteis and offices: and excōmunicating thame out of thair Kirkis. Bot quhen thair iniquiteis was cūmin to maturitie, God raiſit vp in Ingland, Iohne Vicleif, quha ſcand the haill eccleſiaſticall eſtait, to be altogidder corrupt: the word of God, to be cūmit to neglect, and contempt: and mēnis traditionis aboue it to be extollit: did maiſt erniſtlie teiche, and wryte ane huge nowmer of volumis and bukis aganis thame. Than was the beiſt vnquyetit of his reſting ſa • t, and began to rage and fret, to ſeik the deith and deſtructioun of this pure mā. Bot all for nocht. The Lord did potentlie preſerue him from yair ſnairis and girnis: and nothwithſtanding all thair furie, departit in the Lord in peice. And howbeit efter deith Rancour cōmounlie reiſſis, ȝit .xlj. ȝeiris efter his with, ya • tuke vp his banis and brint yame. Perſewand alſwa with maiſt extremitie all that adheirit to him, or did allow his doctrine. Thay brint the Lord Cobham, Schir Roger Actoū Knicht, Williame Thorpe, Williame Tayleir, Richard Howedē, Iohne Clerdoun. Thay baniſchit Elenor Cobhame: thay murderit in preſoun Iohne Aſtoun, Reginald Pecock Biſchop of Chicheſter, with ane infinite noumber ma. Thair was na end in thair furie. Quhill thay war thus buſie in Ingland, began Iohne Hus, and Hierome of Braga to preiche in Boheme, men of ſic leirning, and lyfe, that thay war in admiratioun euin to the verray aduerſaris thame ſelfis, quhairof remanis ȝit ſufficient teſtimoneis writtin be Poggius, and vtheris of the Antichriſtiane menȝe. Thay beand cytit to the counſall of Conſtance, come vpon ane ſaifconduct of Sigiſmundus the Empriour, than king of Boheme, preſent at the counſall: and thair gaif ane reſoun & declaratioun of thair faith, and doctrine: fra the conſtant profeſſioun quhairof, quhen yai culd nocht be diſſwadit: thay contrair the ſaifconduct, contrair all promiſes, cruellie brint thame. Satiſfyand the Empriour, with this godlie Law, of thair awin forgeing, Quod nulla fides ſit hereticis ſeruanda: Thair is na promis to be keipit to heretikes. Quhat frute this gudelie Law hes wrocht, the battell betuix the Turk, and Lowes king of Vngarie, and Boheme, & the occaſioun thairof quhair the ſaid Lowes periſchit, to the greit hurt of all Chriſtianitie, will declair: and mony vther hiſtories alſwa, quhilkis for ſchortnes I omit. Now our Prelates laith to ly behind, willing to ſchaw yair gude ſeruice to ye halie Sait, apprehēdit heir in Scotland, Paull Craw, teiching the doctrine, quhilk Vicleif & Hus had teichit, & maid ane Sacrifice of him in Sanctandrois. And findand the ſawour of this Sacrifice fragrant and ſmelland thay tuke the Vicar of Dolour, Freir Kelour, Symſone, Bawerage, kennedie, Stratoun, Bourlay, and mony ma, quha becauſe yai culd not allow yair vaine ſuperſtitiones and Idolatries, expres aganis the cōmandemēt of ye Lord thair God war cuttit of be the fyre. Thay had now lernit to diſpute with fyre & faggot, for our auld Biſchoppis & Paſtouris war decayit, quhilkꝭ war wōt to be lampis, and as it war leidſternis, to all nationis adiacēt: from quhome paſſit furth mony lernit men to all cuncreis, to Ingland, France, Germanie, Sa • one, Pruſe, and vther partis, as thair Chronikillis teſtifyis, plantand and teichand the Chriſtiane faith, & all godlie ſciencis. Bot now dull Aſynis had aſcendit to thair rowmis, beand maryit with dame propertie, and riches, and fair lady Senſualitie: and ſwa efter ye rait of vther Realmis, war becūmit Idil bellyis, Ignorāt blokkis, and dum doggis. Nouther war thay Idill in Italie: thair cruellie ſufferit Thomas Rhedonenſis the Carmelite. And in Florence the godlie blak Freir, Hieronymus Sauoronola. Thus cōtinewand yair rage in all Realmes, euin to the vttermaiſt of yair power, it pleiſit ye mercyfull God, of his greit mercy, & fauourabill lufe towartis man, quhairby he wald not haif man vtterlie to periſche, to gif (as it war) lycht to the warld: and that be reueilling of his word and Euangel, be the mouthis of his ſeruandis Luther, Bucer, Zuinglius, Oecolampadius, Caluine, & mony vtheris: be quhome he hes diſcouerit yair cankerit corruptioun, & auld feſtur in ſic ſort, yat na mā (except he wilbe wilfullie blind) may not perſaif ye vennome & fylth thairof. And ȝit hes ye maiſt part of yir (how ſaeuer ye poweris of ye warld hes bene cōtrarious to yame) departie in ye Lord, in quietnes. Now ſum wil ſay, thir war preicheouris, & Miniſteris of the word, and had bene ſumtyme auoyntit ſchauelingis, mar • it with the beiſtis mark, and had maid defectioun from thame, quhairfoir thay perſewir thame the mair ſcharplie and cruellie. Bot the Lord Cobhame, Robert Foreſter, Straitoun, wer nouther ſchauelingis nor preicheouris. Richard Mekinnis ane boy of .xvij. ȝeiris of age, brint in Lō doun, was na preicheour. The lyke Iugement ſufferit Maiſtres An Aſkew, with mony wemen, quhilk ȝit war na preicheouris. Ȝit forther ſum will obiect the equitie of the tyme, quhairin our Authour leuit: that the power of the aduerſaries was reſtraynit, that thay culd not rage and rin at ryot at thair libertie, and pleſour, as thay war wont. And ȝit ane lytill befoir his deith thay brint. M. George Viſchart, and Adam Wallace Mariner. And ſchortlie efter our Authouris deith, thay tuke the auld mā Walter Mill, and cruellie brint him: althocht fra that fyre rais ſic ane ſtew, quhilk ſtruke ſic ſturt to thair ſtomokis, that thay rewit it euer efter. Than hes it not bene ſeriouſnes intermixit with iocunditie: it hes nocht bene continuall abyding nor ſeruing in court, it hes nocht bene blude royall, nor fauour of Princes: nouther teiching nor preiching: nor equitie of tyme, culd be protectioun to ony aganis ſa cruell and feirs aduerſaries, of equall will, rage, and furie indifferentlie aganis all. It is rather the prouydence, the Iugement, the power, and the inmenſibill fauour, and mercy of God towartis his ſanctis and elect: quhilk vpō ye ane part, of his lufe towardis his choſin, to ſatiſfie thair thriſt, & deſyre, quhilk thay had to be diſſoluit, and to be with Chriſt, yat yai ſuld not be langer enforcit to behald ye wickit vaniteis of yis warld: Partlie of his iuſt Iugement, becauſe the warld was not worthie of thame, for it hes lufit mirknes rather yan licht, and delytit mair in leis yan in ye treuth. And partlie to manifeſt to all pepill ye cruell, bludie, & inſatiabil hartis of ye memberis of Antichriſt, ye pilleris of the malignant Kirk, he did (as it wer) gif ouir into yair handis, ye lyfis, ye poſſeſſionis, gudis, and quhatſumeuer externall thing yai had, to be maid mokking ſtokkis, & to be diſponit at thair libertie, and pleſour. On the vther pairt, to declair his michtie prouidēce, and power, quhairby he wil not ſuffer ane hair of the heidis of his choſin to periſche, but his permiſſioun: and to encorage his elect, ſeing yat nouther gude nor euill can fall vnto yame, by ye will of yair Father: he hes maiſt michtilie manteynit yame, amāgis ye middis of yis malignant generatioun. This Iugement man we lykewiſe haif of our Dauid Lyndeſay: to quhome we will returne, omittand the ſpecial abuſis of the Clergie, for eſchewing of prolixitie, & tediouſnes, to be ſocht out of his awin warkis be ye diligent reidar. Now as he hes bene ſcharp and vigilant in marking ye enormities of the ſpiritualitie, ſwa hes he not bene negligent, nor ſleuthfull in rebuking ye defaltis of ye temporalitie, and all eſtatis yairof. He hes not ſpairit King, Court, Counſalouris, Nobilitie, nor vtheris of inferiour eſtait. And howbeit yai war not altogidder cūmit to ſic corruptioun and furie, yat yai micht not beir mair equallie, with generall admonitionis and reprochis, yan the ſpiritualitie. Ȝit als lytill amendement followit in the ane ſtait, a • in the vther. Quhat laubouris tuke he, that the landis of this cuntre • micht be ſet out in Fewis, efter ye faſſioun of ſindrie vther Realmes, for the incres of policie, and riches? Bot quhat hes he profitit? Quhen ane pure man with his haill raice and ofſpring hes laubourit out yair lyfis, on ane lytill peice of ground, and brocht it to ſum point and perfectioū: thā muſt the Lairdis brother, kiniſman, or ſurname haif it: and ye pure man, with his wyfe, & babeis, for all yair trauellis, ſchot out to beg yair meit. He yat tuke lytill laubouris on it, man enioy ye frutes, and cōmoditeis of it: he man eit vp the ſweit & laubouris of ye pure mānis browis. Thus the pure dar mak na policie, nor bigging, in cace yai big yame ſelfis out. Bot althocht men wink at yis, and ouirluke it, ȝit he ſitts aboue yat ſeis it, and ſal Iuge it. He yat heiris ye ſichis & complaintis of ye pure oppreſſit, ſall not for euer ſuffer it vnpuniſchit. Quhat hes he alſwa writtin aganis yis Heriald hors, deuyſit for mony pure mannis hurt? Bot quha hes dimittit it? finallie, quhat oppreſſioun or vice hes he not repreuit? Bot yir ſall ſuffice for exempill. And gif he had leifit in yir lait dayis, quhat had he ſaid, of ye vnnatural murtheris: ye cruel ſlauchteris: ye manifeſt reiffis: ye continuall heirſchippis: ye plane oppreſſionis: ye lytill regard of all perſones to ye cōmoun weilth: ye mantening of derth, to the vniuerſall hurt of the pure in tranſporting of victuallis furth of ye Realme, cōtrarie to ye ſtatutis yairof, for ye particular weill of few, & hurt of mony: the Importing of greit quantiteis of fals cunȝe, ſklenderlie ſerchit, and lychtliar puniſchit: The multitude of Kirkis deſtitute of Miniſteris throw the hail cūtrie: The ſlaw adminiſtratioun of Iuſtice, and fer les executioun: with all kynde of impieteis (as it wer) publictlie, and frelie Regnād. Ȝit nochtyeles we luke for redres and reformatioun of all ſic horribil deformiteis, at ye handis of ſic rewlaris, as God hes, and ſall ſtrenthin with his Spirit, lychtin with ye pure word of his Euangel, endew with his feir (quhilk is ye beginning of all wiſdome) with ſic knawlege, ſic Iugement, and ȝeill, yat yai ſall to yair vttermaiſt endeuour, auance, and ſet fordwart all Iuſtice, and equitie, and ſuppres all vice and iniquitie: to ye glorie of God: to ye auancement of his word: to ye edificatioun of his Kirk, and to ye confort, and quietnes of yis trubillit, and afflictit commoun weilth. Quhilk God of his greit mercie, grant that we may ſchortlie ſe. Amen.

I haue alreddie paſſit ye boundis of ane preface: ȝit ane thing reſtis to admoniſche ye (gentill reidar) of yir warkis following. The mait part of yame hes bene ſindrie tymes in ſindrie places imprentit: as heir in Scotland, quhilk ȝit war not ſa correct, as neid requyrit. Thay haif bene Imprentit in Rowen, bot altogidder ſa corrupt and fals, that na man can be abill, to atteyne to the Authoris mynde be yame. For beſydis the wrang Ortographie, and fals ſpelling, the tranſpoſitiones of wordis, & lynis: yair is alſwa ſic defectiones, yat ſumtymes wil want twa, or thre lynis in ane ſentence: ſumtymes als mony abound, and be doublit.

Quhairthrow the myndis of honeſt men ar alienatit from reiding of ſa frutefull warkis: ȝouth is abuſit and corruptit: the Authour, and his warkis ſchamefullie blottit, and barbulȝeit: the cūtrie infamit: & ſic perſonis as laubouris for iuſt correctioun vtterly diſcuragit, ſcand thair lauboures, and trauellis ſa haiſtelie yairefter to be corruptit, at the priuate appetite and gred • nes of certane godles Ignorantis: quhilk in reſpect of yir greit hartis, deſeruis na ſmall puniſchement. Thay ar lykewiſe laitlie Imprentit in Londoun, with lytill better ſucces than ye vther. For yai haif gaue about to bring th • me to ye ſoutherne language, alterand ye vers and collouris yairof, in ſic placis, as yai culd admit na alteratioun: quhairfoir ye natiue grace, and firſt mynd of ye wryter, is oftentymes peruertit And for ye Ortographie, tranſpoſitiones, and defectiones, thay ar almaiſt commoun with the vther.

Thus ſeing this famous Authour, and his notabill warkis to be ſa velanouſlie handillit, and ſa miſerabillie, and malitiouſ • ie mankit, and alterat: we haif gane about, and takin ſum trauellis, to vindicate yame from yir blottis, & corruptiones: and to reduce, and bring thame to the natiue integritie, and firſt mening of ye wryter. Quhilk ſalbe eſilie perſauit in ye reiding: bot maiſt eſilie, gif ony wil confer this editioun with yame yat hes pre ceidit: quhairin quhat difference is betuix rycht & wrāg wryting, betuix correct, and vncorrect Imprenting ſalbe cleirlie ſene.

Mair we haif cikit ſindrie warkis of ye ſamin Authour, quhilkis hes not bene befoir Imprentit: to ye intent, that na thing of ſa Nobill ane wryter ſuld periſche, throw negligence or ſieuthfulnes of this preſent age, bot ſuld be reſeruit to ye frute of all poſteriteis following. And forther intendis (be ye help of God) to vſe ye lyke diligence, in all warkis of yis wryter, quhilkis fall heirefter, be ony menis, cum to our handis.

I will deteyne the na langer (gude Re • dar) from the warkis thame ſelfis: bot will commit the to the protectioun of ye Almychtie our God: erniſtlie deſyrand ye to call vpō him: yat he will rais and ſteir vp mony Dauid Lyndeſayis: yat will continuallie admoniſche baith Prince, and pepill of yair dewtie, and vocatioun, quhairunto ye Lord yair God hes callit yame: yat will rebuke, and repreif all ſic defaltis, as ſalbe fund in yame: yat will cōmit to letteris, and wryte, ye honour, ye gloir, ye fame, and ſucces of verrew, and inbraceris yairol: The diſhonour, ye ſchame, ye defame, and miſcheif of vyce, and impietie, and enhanteris thairof.

To be notifyit, and maid knawin to all agis to cum: that it may be ane prik and ſpur to ye verteous and godlie, to ga fordwart in all richteouſnes, and equitie: that it may be ane ſtay, and brydill to reteyne, & hald bak ye wickit and vngodlie from all wickitnes, and iniquitie. To the intent: yat God may be glorifyit: his Kirk edifyit: and this commoun • eilth confortit, and quietit.

¶Ane adhortatioun of all eſtatis, to the reiding of thir preſent warkis. ☞ (✚) ☜ SEN that it is maiſt worthie for to be Lamentit, of euerilk warldlie wicht: * To ſe the warkis of pleſand Poetrie, To ly ſa hid, and fylit from the ſicht Of thoſe in hart, quha dois reiois aricht In Vulgar toung for to behald and heir Vertew and vyce diſcloſit, and brocht to licht, In thair richt collouris planelie to appeir. ❧Thairfoir (gude Reidar) haif I trauell tane, Intill ane volume now breiflie for to bring Of Dauid Lyndeſay, the haill warkis ilk ane, Knicht of the Mont, Lyoun, of Amis King. Quha in our dayis now did laitlie King Quhais pregnant practick, and quhais ornate ſtyle To be commendit be me, neidis na thing: Lat warkis beir witnes, quhilkis he hes done compyle. ¶Thocht Gawine Dowglas Biſchop of Dunkell In ornate meter ſurmount did euerilk man: Thocht Bennedie, and Dunbar bure the bell For the large cace of Rethorik thay ran. Ȝit neuer Poeit of our Scottiſche clan, Sa cleirlie ſchew that Monſtour with his markis, The Romane God, in quhome all gyle began: As dois gude Dauid Lyndeſay in his warkis. ❧Quhairin na ſtait he ſpairit, bot ſtoutlie ſchew thame, How thay haith God and man had ſore offendit: With fleſchehukis of flatterie be neuer clew thame, Of quhar degre ſa euer thay diſcendit, Thair auld miſde • d he prayit thame ay to mend it Empriour, nor King, Duke, •• rle, Prince, nor Paip, Gif thay to queil Chriſtis flock ȝit ſtill precendit: Goddis Iuſt Iugementis na way ſuld thay eſchaip. ¶With prettie problemis, and ſentences maiſt ſage, With pleſand prouerbis in his warkis all quhair, With ſtaitlie ſtoryis aggreing to our age, With ſimilitudis ſenielie he dois declair, With weill waillit wordis, wyſe, and familiar, Of queynt conuoy, this ioyous gem Iocound, In till his bukis to ſpeik he did nocht ſpair Aganis all vyte, ay quhair it did abound. ❧Princes approche, cum Rewlaris in ane Randoun: Reid heir ȝe Lordis of the meyner menȝe, The end of hicht, ȝour pryde lerne to abandoun. Cum ſchameles ſchauelingis of Sathanis ſenȝe, Rynnand in vyce, ay ſtill with oppin renȝe, Of proud Prelatis reid heir the ſuddane fall: Quha for to ſtoup ȝit did neuer denȝe, Vnder the ȝock of him that creat all. ¶Cum teynefull tyrānis trimmilling with ȝour trayne: Cam nouchtie Newtrallis with ȝour bailfull band: Ȝe haif ane cloik now reddy for the rayne: For fair wether, ane vther ay at hand. Idol ateris draw neir to Burgh and land, Reid heir ȝour lyfe at large, baith mair and min, With Hypocrites ay ſlyding as the ſand. As humloik how of wit, and vertew thin. ❧Oppreſſouris of the pure, cum in till pairis: Flatte raeis flok fordwart, for I hard tell, Ȝe had ane ſaw richt ſicker for all ſairis. Lawieris, and Scrybis, quha hes ȝour ſaulis to ſell: Craftiſmen, and Merchandis, gif ȝe do mell With fraud or falſet, than I ȝow deſyre, Reid in this buke, the ſpeiche gif ȝe can ſpell, Quhat Iuſt reward ȝe ſall haif for ȝour hyre. ¶Amang the reſt, now Courteouris cum hidder, Thocht ȝe be ſkeich, and ſkip aboue the ſkyis, Ȝit conſtantlie I pray ȝow to conſidder, In to this ſcrow, quhar Lyndeſay to ȝow cryis. Cum all degreis, in Lurdanerie quha lyis, And fane wald ſe of ſin the feirfull fyne: And lerne in vertew how for to vpryis Reid heir this buke, and ȝe ſall find it ſyne. ❧With Scripture, and with ſtoryis naturall, Richelie repleniſchit from end till end. In till this buke, quha liſt to reid, thay ſall Find mony leſſoun largelie to commend The braid difference quhairm weill may be kend Betwene verteous and vicious leuing. Lat vs thairfoir our lyfe in vertew ſpend, Sen vyce of mankynd is the haill miſcheuing. ❧Lat Lyndeſay now as he war ȝit on lyif, Pas furth to lycht, with all his ſentence hie: Vnto all men thair dewtie to deſcryue Quhairin thay may ane lyuelie Image ſe, Of his expreſſit mynd in Poetrie, Prentit, as he it publiſchit with his pen. That him ſelf ſpeik, I think it beſt for me. Gif gloir to God, quhilk gaif ſic Giftis to men. ¶FINIS.
✿ The Epiſtil Nū cupatorie of Schir Dauid Lyndeſay of the Mont Knicht, on his Dialog of the Miſerabill eſtait of the warld. THow lytill quair, of mater Miſerabill, Weill aucht thow, couerit for to be with ſabill Renunceand grene, the purpur, reid, and quhyte To delicat men thow art not delectabill, Nor ȝit till amorous folkis amyabill, To reid on the thay will haif na delyte. Warldlie pepill, will haif at the diſpyte, Quhilk fixit hes thair hart, and haill intentis On ſenſuall luſt, on dignitie, and Rentis. ¶We haif na King, the to preſent allace, Quhilk to this countrie bene ane cairfull cace. And als our Quene of Scotland heritour, Scho dwellis in France, I pray God ſaif hir grace, It war to lang, for the to rin that race. And far langer, or that ȝoung tender flour, Bring hame till vs ane King and Gouernour. Allace thairfoir, we may with ſorrow ſing, Quhilk muſt ſa lang remane, without ane King. ☞I not quhome to thy ſimpilnes to ſend, With cunning men from tyme that thow be kend, Thy vaniteis na way thay will auance, Thinkand the proud ſic thingis to pretend. Nochtwithſtanding, the ſtraucht way ſall thow wend, To thame quhilk hes the Realme in gouernance. Declair thy mynd to thame with circumſtance. Ga firſt till Iames, our Prince, and Protectour, And his brother, our ſpirituall Gouernour, ¶And Prince of Preiſtis in this natioun, Efter Reuerend Recommendatioun Vnder thair feit, thow lawlie the ſubmit, And mak thame humill ſupplicatioun, Gif thay in the find wrang narratioun, That thay wald pleis, thy faltis to remit. And of thair grace, gif thay do the admit, Than ga thy way, quhair euer thow pleiſis beſt. Be thay content, mak reuerence to the reſt. ¶To faithfull prudent Paſtouris ſpirituall, To Nobill Erlis, and Lordis temporall, Obedientlie, till thame thow the addres, Declairing thame this ſchort memoriall, How mankynd bene to miſerie maid thrall. At lenth to thame the cauſe planelie confes. Beſeikand thame all lawis to ſuppres, Inuentit be mennis traditioun, Contrair to Chriſtis Inſtitutioun. ¶And cauſe thame cleirlie for till vnderſtand, That for the breking of the Lordis command, His thrinfald wand of Flageliatioun, Hes ſcurgit, this pure Realme of Scotland, Be mortall weiris, baith be ſey and land, With mony terribill tribulatioun. 2. Re. 24 1. Cor. 2.Thairfoir mak to thame trew narratioun, That all thir weiris, this derth, hunger, and peſt, Was nocht, bot for our Sinnis manifeſt. ¶Declair to thame, how in the tyme of Noy,Gen. 7. Alluterlie, God did the warld diſtroy.Gen. 19. As haly Scripture makis mentioun, Sodom, Gomor, with thair Regioun and Roy, God ſpairit nouther man, woman, nor boy,Mat. 23. Luc. 13. Bot all war brint for thair offenſioun. Ieruſalem, that maiſt tryumphand town Deſtroyit was, for thair Iniquitie. As in the Scripture planelie thay may ſe. ¶Declair to thame this mortall Miſerie,Iere. 15. Be ſword and fyre, derth, peſt, and pouertie, Proceidis of Syn, geue I can richt deſcryue, For laik of Faith, and for Idolatrie, For Fornicatioun, and for Adulterie Of Princes, Prelatis, with mony ane man and wyue. Expell the cauſe, than the effect belyue Sall ceis quhen that the pepill dois repent, Than God fall flak his bow, quhilk ȝit is bent. ¶Mak thame requeiſt, quhilk hes the gouernance, The Sinceir word of God for till auance, Conforme to Chriſtis Inſtitutioun, Without Hypocriſie or diſſimulance, Cauſing Iuſtice hald euinlie the Ballance, On Publicanis making punitioun. Commending thame of gude conditioun. That being done, I dout not bot the Lord, Sall of this cuntrie haif Miſericord. ¶Thocht God with mony terribill effrayis, Hes done this cuntrie ſcurge, be diuers wayis, Be Iuſt Iugement for our greuous offence, Declair to thame, thay ſall haif mery dayis Efter this trubill, as the Propheit ſayis. Quhen God ſall ſe our humill repentence, Till ſtrange pepill, thocht he hes geuin licence, To be our ſcurge, Induring his deſyre, Will quhen he liſt, that ſcurge caſt in the fyre. ¶Pray thame,Pſal. 118 that thay put not thair eſperance In mortall men, onlie thame till aduance, Bot principallie in God Omnipotent. Than neid thay not, to charge the Realme of France, With gunnis, galayis, nor vther ordinance. Sa that thay be to God obedient. In thir premiſſis, be thay nocht negligent, Diſplay and Chriſtis Baner, hie on hicht, Thair enemyis of thame ſall haif na micht. ¶Ga hence pure buke, quhilk I haif done Indyte In rurall ryme, in maner of diſpyte, Contrare the warldis variatioun. Of Rethorik heir I proclame the quyte. Idolatouris, I feir, fall with the flyte, Becauſe of thame thow makis narratioun. Bot cure thow nocht the Indignatioun Ot Hypocritis, and fals Phariſience, Howbeit on the, thay cry ane loud vengeance. ¶Requeiſt the gentill Reidar, that the reidis, Thocht ornate termes into thy Park not ſpreidis. As thay in the may haif experience. Thocht barrane feildis, beiris nocht bot weidis, Ȝit brutall beiſtis ſweitlie on thame feidis. Deſyre of thame nane vther recompence, Bot that thay wald reid the with pacience. And gif thay be in ony way offendit, Declair to thame, it ſalbe weill amendit. ☞FINIS.
The Prolog of the Miſcrabill Eſtait of the warld. Betuit Experience, and ane Courteour. (✚) MVSING and meruelling on ye miſerie Frome day to day in erth quhilk dots incres And of ilk ſtart ye inſtabilitie Proceding of the reſtles beſynes Quhat ō ye moſt part dois thair mynd addres Inordinatlie, on boung • e Couetyce Vaine glore, diſſait, and vther ſenſuall vyce. Bot tumbling in my bed, I mycht nocht ly Quharetor I •• ir furth, in a •• May mornīg Confort to get of my melancholie Sumquhat afore fr • ſche Phebus vpryſing Qu • are I micht heir, ye birdis ſweitly ſing, In tyll an • Park I paſt for my pleſure Decorit w •• l, be craft of dame Nature. Quhow I reſauit confort Naturall For tyl diſcriue at lenth it war to lang Smelling the holſum herbis medicinall Quhate on the dulce, & balmy dew doun dāg Lyke Ortent perlis on the twiſtis hang Or quhow that the Aromatik odouris Did proceid frō the tender fragrant flouris. Or quhow Phebus that king Etheriall Swyftly ſprang vp in to the Orient Aſcending in his throne Imperiall Quhoſe bricht and buriall bemis reſplendent Iullminat all vnto the Occident Confortand euery corporall Creature Quhilk formit war, in erth, be dame Nature. Quhoſe donk impurpurit veſtimēt nocturnal, With his embrowderit mantill matutyne He left in tyll his regioun aur • rall Quhilk on hym waitit quhen he did declyne Towart his occident palice Veſpertyne And roſe in habite gay and glorious Brichter nor gold, or ſtonis precious. ¶Bot Cynthia the hornit nychtis quene Scho loſt hir licht, and led ane lawer ſaill Frō tyme hir ſouerane lord that ſcho had ſene And in his preſence waxit dick and paill And ouer hir viſage, keſt ane miſlie vaill. So did Venus, the goddes amorous With Iuppiter Mars, and Mercurius. Richtſo the auld Intoxicat Saturne. Perſauing Phebus, powre his bemis bricht, Abuſe the erth, than maid he no ſudgcourne Bot ſuddandlie did loſe his borrowit licht Quhilk he durſt neuer ſchaw bot on the nicht The Pole artick, Vrſis, and ſterris all Quhilk ſituat ar in the Septenttionall. Tyl errand ſchippis quhilkis ar ye ſouer gyde Conuoyand thame vpon the ſtormie nicht Within thare froſtie circle did thame hyde Howbeit that ſterris haue none vther licht Bot the reflex of Phebus bemis bricht That day durſt none in to the heuin appeir Tyll he had circuite all our Hemiſpheir. ❧Me thocht it was ane ſicht celeſtiall To ſene Phebus ſo Angellyke aſcend In tyll his fyrie chariot tryumphall Quhoſe bewte bricht, I culd not cōprehend All warldy cure an one did fro me wend Quhen freſche flora ſpred furth hir tapeſtrie Wrocht be dame nature queynt & curiouſlie. Depaynt wt mony hundreth heuiulie he wis, Glaid of the ryſing of thare Royall Roy With blomes brek and on the tender bewis Quhilk did prouok myne hart to natural ioy Neptune that day, and Eoll, held thame coy That men on far micht heir the birdis ſound Quhoſe noyis did to ye ſterrie heuin redound. The pleſād powne, prunȝeād his fedrem fair The mirthful Maueis maid greit melodie, The luſtie Lark aſcending in the air Numerand hir naturall notis craftelie, The gay Goldſpink, ye Merll richt merilie The noyis of the nobill Nythtingailis Redoundit throw ye mōtanis, meidis & vailis Contempling this melodious harmonie Quhow euerilk bird, dreſt thame for tyll aduance To ſalute Nature wt thare melodie That I ſtude gaiſing halflingꝭ in ane trance To heir thame mak thare natural obſeruāce So royallie, that all the roches rang Throuch repercuſſioun of yair ſuggutit ſang ☞ I loſe my tyme, allace for to rehers Sic vnfrutteful and vaine Deſcriptioun Or wryt in to my raggit rurall vers Mater without Edificatioun Conſidering quhow that myne intentioun Bene tyll deplore the mortall miſereis With continuall cairfull Calamiteis. Conſiſting in this wrechit vaill of ſorrow. Bot ſad Sentence, ſuld haue ane ſad indyte So termes bricht, I liſt not for to borrow Of murning mater men bes no delyte With rouſtie termes tharefor wyll I wryte With ſorrowful ſichis aſcending frō ye ſplene And bitter teiris diſtelling frome myne ene. ¶ Without ony vane Inuocatioun To Minerua, or to Melpomine Nor ȝit wyll I mak ſupplicatioun For help to Cleo, nor Calliope Sic marrit Muſis may mak me no ſupple Proſerpine I refuſe and Appollo And rychtſo Euterpe, Iuppiter, and Iuno. Quhilkꝭ bene to pleſand Poetis conforting. Quharefore, becauſe I am nocht one of tho I do deſyre of thame no ſupporting, For I did neuer ſtrip ou Peruaſo As did the Poetis of lang tyme ago, And ſpeciallie the ornate Ennius Nor drank I neuer with Heſiodus. Of Grece, the perfyte Poeit Souerane Of Helicon the Sors of Eloquence Of that mellifluous famous freſche fontane Quhairfore I aw to thame no reuerence I purpoſe nocht to mak obedience To ſic miſcheant Muſis no Mahumetrie Afore tyme vſit in to Poetrie. Rauand Rhamnuſia, goddes of deſpyte Micht be to me ane Muſe richt conuenable Geue I deſirit ſic help for tyll indyte This murning mater, mad, and miſerable I mon go ſeik ane Muſe more confortable And ſic vane ſuperſtitioun to refuſe Beſeikand the greit God to be my Muſe. Be quhoſe wyſedome al maner of thing bene wrochtGene. 1. the hie heuīnis, wt al yair ornamētis And without mater maid all thing of nocht Hell, in myd Center of the Elementis That heuinlie Muſe to ſeik my hole intent is The quhilk gaif ſapience to king Salomon Pſalme. lxxxix. Iuges. xiii. Mat. iiii Actis. ix.To Dauid grace, ſtrenth to ye ſtrong Sampſon. And of pure Peter, maid ane prudent Preichour And be the power of his deite Of cruel Paule he maid ane cūning teichour I mon beſeik rycht lawly on my kne His hich ſuperexcellent Maieſtie That with his heuinly ſpreit he me inſpyre To wryte no thing, contrarie his deſyre. Luc. i.Beſeikand als, his ſouerane Sone Ieſu Quhilk was conſauit be the holy ſpreit Incarnate of the purifyit Virgen treu Mathew xxvii. Luc. xxiiii. Iho. xix.And in quhom the Prophecie was compleit That prince of pecr, moſt humil & manſweit Quhilk vnder Pylate ſufferit paſſioun Vpon the Croce, for our Saluatioun. And be that cruell deth, intolerabill Lowſit we war frome bandis of Beliall And mairatouer, it was ſo proffitabill That to this hour, come neuer man nor ſall To the tryumphant Ioy Imperiall Heb, ix.Of lyfe, howbeit that thay war nev er ſo gude Bot be the vertew of that precious blude. Quharefor in ſteid, of the mont Pernaſo Swiftlie, I fall go ſeik my Souerane To m • nt Caſuarte ye ſtraucht way mon I go To get ane taiſt, of ye moſt freſche fontane That ſors to ſeik my hart may nocht refrane Of Helicon, quhilk wes boith drip and wyde That Longinus did graue in tyll his ſyde.Iho. xix. Frō ye freſche fontane, ſprang ane famꝰ flude Quhilk redolet riuer, throw ye warld rynnis As chriſtall cleir, and myxit bene with blude, Quhoſe ſound abuſe ye hieſt heuinnis dinnis Al faithful peple, purgyng frō thate ſinnis. Quharefor • I ſall beſeik his Excellence To grant me grace, wiſedome, & Eloquence. And bath me wt thoſe dulce & balmy ſtrandis Quhilk on the Croce, did ſpedilie out ſpring Frō his moſt tender feit, and heuinlie handis And grāt me grace, to wryte nor dyte no thing Bot tyll his hich honour, and loud louing but quhoſe ſupport yair may na gude be wrocht til his pleſur gude workꝭword nor thocht Tharefor O Lord,Ihon. il. I pray thy Maieſte As thow did ſchaw thy hich power deuyne Firſt planelie, in the Cane of Galile Quhar thow conuertit cald watter in wyne Conuoy my mater till ane fructuous fyne And ſaue my ſayingꝭ, baith frō ſchame & ſyn Tak tent, for now I purpoſe to begyn.
Ane Dialog of the Miſerabill Eſtait of this warld, betuir Experience, and the Courteous &c. ☞✚☜ ❧ IN TO that Pack I ſaw appeir One agit man quhilk drew me nei • Quhoſe berd wes weil thre quarter lāg his hair dōn ouer his ſchulders hang The quhilk as ony ſnaw wes quhyte Quhome to behald I thocht delyte His habit Angellyk of hew Of colour lyke the Sapheir blew Onder ane Holyne he repoſit Of quhoſe preſence, I was reioſit I did hym ſalute reuerentlie So did he me richt courteſlie To ſit doun be requeiſtit me Onder the ſchaddow of that tre To ſaif me frome the Sonnis heit Amangis the floutis ſoft and ſweit For I wes weirie for walking Than we began to fall in talking Courteo.I ſpeirit his name with reuerence? I am (ſaid he) Experience. Experien.Than Schir (ſaid I) ȝe can nocht faill To geue ane deſolate man counſall Ȝe do appeir one man of fame And ſen Experience bene ȝour name I pray ȝow Father Venerabill Geue me ſum counſale confortabill? ¶Quhat bene (quod he)Courteo. thy vocatioun Makand ſic ſupplicatioun? I haue (quod I) bene to this hour Sen I could ryde ane Courteour Bot now Father I think it beſt With ȝour counſall to leif in reſt And frome thyne furth to tak myne eis And quyetlie my God to pleis And renunce Curioſite Leuyng the Court, and lerne to de. Oft haue I ſalit ouer the ſtrandis And trauellit throuch diuers landis Boith ſouth, and north, and eiſt and weſt Ȝit can I neuer find quhar reſt Doith mak his habitatioun Without ȝour ſupportatioun, Quhen I beleue to be beſt eiſit Moſt ſuddandlie, I am diſpleiſit Frome troubill quhen I faſteſt fle Than find I moſt aduerſite Schaw me I pray ȝow hartfullie Quhow I may leue moſt pleſandlie To ſerue my God, of king is king Sen I am tyrit for trauelling And lerne me for to be content Of quyet lyfe and ſober rent That I may thank the king of glore As thocht I had ane Millioun more Sen euerilk Court bene variant Full of Inuy and inconſtant Mycht I but troubill leif in reſt Now in my age, I thynk it beſt ¶Thow art ane greit fule Sone (ſaid he) Experien.Thing to deſyre, quhilk may noiht be Ȝarning to haue prerogatyue Aboue all Creature on lyue Sen Father Adam creat bene In to the Camp of Damaſcene Mycht no man ſay vnto this hour That euer he fand perfite pleſour Nor neuer ſall till that he ſe God in his Deuyne Maieſte Iob. vii.Quharefor prepair the for trauell Sen mennis lyfe bene bot battell All men begynnis for tyll de The day of thare Natiuitie And Iournelly thay do proceid Tyll Atropos cut the fatall threid And in the breue tyme that thay haue Betuix thare birth vnto thare graue Thow ſeis quhat mutabiliteis Quhat miſerabill Calamiteis Quhat troubill trauell and debait Seis thow in euery mortall ſtait Begyn at pure law Creaturis Aſcending ſyne to Senatouris To greit Princis and poteſtatis Thow ſall nocht fynd in none eſtatis Sen the begynning generallie Nor in our tyme, now ſpeciallie Bot tedious reſtles beſynes But ony mamer of ſikkernes.Courteo. Prudent Father (quod I) allace Ȝe tell to me one cairfull cace Ȝe ſay that no man to this hour Hes found in erth, perfyte pleſour Without infortunate variance Sen we bene thrall to ſic miſchance Quhy do we ſet ſo our Intentis On Ryches, Dignite, and Rentis Sen in the erth, bene no man ſure One day but troubill tyll Indure? And werſt of all, quhen we leiſt wene The cruell deith, we mon ſuſtene Geue I ȝour Fatherhede durſt demand The cauſe I wald fane vnderſtand? And als Father I ȝow Implore Schaw me ſum troubill gone afore That hering vtheris Indigence I may the more haue pacience Marrowis in tribulatioun Bene wrechis conſolatioun. Quod he,Experien efter my ſmall cunnyng To the I ſall mak anſweryng. Bot Ordourlie for to begyn This Miſerie proceidis of Syn Bot it war lang to be defynit Quhow all men ar to Syn Inclynit Quhen Syn aboundantlie doith ring Iuſtlie God makith puniſching. Quharefore greit God in to his handis To dant the warld, hes diuers wandis Efter our euill conditioun He makis on vs punitioun With hounger, derth and Indigence Sum tyme greit plaigis, and peſtilence, And ſum tyme with his bludy wand Throw cruell weir be ſey and land Concluding all our miſerie Proceidis of Syn, alluterlie. Courteo.☞Father (quod I) declare to me The cauſe of this Fragillite That we bene all to Syn inclynd In werk in word, and in our mynd I wald the verite wer ſchawin Quho hes this ſeid amang vs ſawin And quhy we ar condampnit to dede And quhow that we may get remede. Experien.(Quod he) the Scripture hes concludit Men frome felicite wer denudit Gene. iii▪ Be Adam our Progenitour Vmquhyle of Paradyſe poſſeſſour Be quhoſe moſt wylfull arrogance Wes Mankynd brocht to this miſchance Quhen he wes Inobedient In breking Goddis Commandement Roma. v.Be ſoliſtatioun of his wyfe He loſt that heuinlie pleſand lyfe Eiting of the forbiddin tre Thare began all our miſerie. So Adam wes cauſe Radicall That we bene fragill Synnaris all. Adam brocht in this Nattoun Sya, Deith, and als Dampnatioun Quho wyll ſay, he is no Synner Chriſt ſayis, he is ane greit lear Mankynd ſprang furth of Adamis loynis And tuk of hym, fleſche, blude,i. Iho. i. and bonis And ſo efter his qualite All ar Inclynit Synnaris to be. Bot ȝit my Sonne, diſpare thow nocht For God that all the warld hes wrocht Hes maid ane Souerane remede To ſaif vs boith frome Syn and dede And frome Eterne dampnatioun. Tharefore tak conſolatioun For God as Scripture doith recorde Hauyng of Man Miſericorde Send doun his onely Sone Ieſu Quhilk lichtit in ane Virgin treu And cled his hich Diuinite With our pure vy • e Humanite Syne frome our ſynnis to concludeApoca ii. He weſche vs with his precious blude. Quhowbeit throw Adam, we mon de,Roma v. Hebre. • Throuch that Lord we ſall raiſit be And euerilk man he ſall releue Quhilk in his blude do • th firme beleue. And bring vs all vnto his glore The quhilk throw Adam bene forlore. Without that we throw lark of faith Of his Godheid incur the wraith Iho. iii.Bot quho in Chriſte, firmely beleuis Salbe releuit frome all miſcheuus. Courteo.Quhat faith is that, that ȝe call ferme Schir gar me vnderſtand that terme • Experien. Hebre. xi Courteo. Experien.Faith without Hope, and Cherite Auailit nocht, my Sone (ſaid he) Quhat Cherite bene, that wald I knaw? Quod he, my Sone that fall I ſchaw i. Cor, xiiiFirſt lufe thy God, aboue all thing And thy Nichtbour, but fenȝeing Do none Iniure, nor velanie Iacob. iiBot as thow wald war done to the Quick faith, but cheritable werkis Can neuer be, as wryttis Clerkis More than the fyre, in til his micht Can be but heit, nor Sone but licht Geue Cherite in to the failis Thy faith, nor hope, no thing auailis. The Deuill hes faith, & trimmillis for dreid Bot he wantis hope, and lufe in deid. Do all the gude, that may be wrocht But Cherite all auailis nocht Quharefor pray to the Trinite For tyll ſuport thy Cherite. Now haue I ſchawin the as I can Quhow Father Adam the firſt man Brocht in the warld, boith Syn and Dede And quhow Chriſt Ieſu maid remede Quhilk on the day of Iugement Sall vs delyuer from torment And bring vs to his lefting glore Quhilk ſall indure for euer more. Bot in this warld thow gettis no reſt I mak it to the manifeſt. Tharefore my Sone be diligent And lerne for to be pacient And in to God, ſet all thy traiſt All thing ſall than cum for the beſt. Father I thank ȝow hartfullie Of ȝour confort,Courteo. and cumpanie And heuinlie conſolatioun Makand ȝow ſupplicatioun Geue I durſt put ȝow to ſic pyne That ȝe wald pleis for to defyne And gar me cleirlie vnderſtand Quhow Adam brak the Lordis command And quhow throw his tranſgreſſioun Wer puniſt his Succeſſioun My Sone (quod he)Experien. wald thow tak cure To luke on the Diuyne Scripture In to the buke of GeneſisGene. lii That Hiſtorie thare thow ſall nocht mis And alſwa ſindrie cunnyng Clerkis Hes done rehers in to thare werkis Of Adamis fall full Ornatly Ane thouſand tymes better nor I Can wryte of that vnhappy man, Bot I ſall do the beſt I can Schortlie to ſchaw that cairful cace With the ſupport of Goddis grace.
Ane exclamation to The Redar, Twiching the writting of Vulgar, and Maternall Language. ☞(✚)☜ GENTIL Redar, half at me nō diſpyte Thinkand yt I preſūpteouſly pretend In vulgar tōng, ſo hie mater to wryte Bot quhair I mys. I pray the, tyl amēd Til vnlernit, I wald ye cauſe wer kend Of our moſt miſerabill trauell and torment And quhow in erth, no place bene permanent Quhowbeit ye diuers deuot cūnyng Clerkis In Latyne toung hes writtin ſyndrie bukis Our vnlernit knawis lytle of thare werkis More than thay do the rauing of the rukis Quharefor to Colȝearis, Carteris & to cukis To Iok and Thome, my ryme ſal be directit With cūnyng men, quhowbeit it wilbe lactit. Thocht euery cōmoun may not be one Clerk, Nor hes no Leid, except thare tōng maternal Quhy ſuld of god, ye maruelloꝰ heuinlie werk Be hid frō thame, I think it nocht fraternall The father of heuin, quhilk wes, & is eternal Exod. xx.To Moiſes gaue, the Law on mont Sinay. Nocht in to Greik, nor Latyne, I heir ſay. He wrait the Law, in Tablis hard of ſtone In thare a win vulgare language of Hebrew That all the Barnis of Iſraell euery one Mycht knaw the law, and ſo ye ſame enſew Had he done wryt, in Latyne or in Grew It had to thame bene bot ane ſauirles Ieſt Ȝe may weill wit, God wrocht all for the beſt. ¶Ariſtotell, nor Plato, I heir ſane Wrait nocht thare hic Philoſophie naturall In Duche, nor Dence, nor toung Italiane Bot in thare moſt ornat toung maternall Quhoſe fame, and name dois regne ꝑpetuall Famous Virgill, the Prince of Poetrie Nor Cicero, the flour of Oratrie. Wrait not in Caldie language nor in Grew Nor ȝit in to the language Saracene Nor in the naturall language of Hebrew Bot in the Romane toung as may be ſeue Quhilk wes thare ꝓper language as I wene Quhē Romanis rang Dominatorꝭ in deid The Ornate Latyne wes thare proper leid. I • the mein tyme, quhē yt thir bald Romance Ouer all the warld had the Dominioun Maid Latyne ſculis, thare glore for til auāce That thair lāguage micht be ouer al cōmoun To that intent, be my Opinioun Traiſting that thair Impyre ſuld ay indure Bot of fortune, alway thay wer nocht ſure. Of Languagis,Gene. xi. the firſt Diuerſitie Was maid be Goddis Maledictioun Quhen Babilon was beildit in Caldee Thoſe beildaris gat none vther afflictioun Afore the tyme of that punitioun Wes bot ane tōng, quhilk Adā ſpak him ſelf Quhare now of toungis, thair bene thre ſcore and twelf, Nochtwithſtanding, I think it greit pleſour Quhare cunnyng men, hes languagis anew That in thare ȝouth, be diligent laubour Hes lernit Latyne Greik, and auld Hebrew That I am nocht of that ſort ſore I rew Quharefore I wald all bukis neceſſare For our faith, wer in tyll our toung vulgare Actis. ii.Chriſt efter his glorious Aſcentioun Till his Diſcipulis ſend the holy Spreit In toungis of fyre, to that intentioun Thay beand of all languagis repleit Throuch all the warld wt wordis fair & ſweit Tyl euery mā the faith, thay ſuld furth ſchaw In thare a win leid, delyuerand thame ye law, Tharefore I think one greit deriſioun To heir thir Nunnis, & ſiſteris nicht and day Syngand and ſay and pſalmes and Oriſoun Not vnderſtāding quhat thay ſing nor ſay Bot lyke ane ſtirling or ane Popingay Quhilk lernit ar, to ſpeik be lang vſage Thame I compair, to birdis in ane cage. Rycht ſo Chyldren, and Ladyis of honouris, Prayis in Latyne, to thame ane vncouch leid Mumlād thair matynis, euinſāg & yair houris Thare Pater noster, Aue, and thair Creid. It wer als pleſand to thare ſpreit in deid God haue mercy on me, for to ſay thus, As to ſay, Miſerere mei Deus. Sanct Ierome in his proper toung Romane The law of God, he trewly did tranſlait Out of Hebrew, and Greik in Latyne plane quhilk hes bene hid frō vs lāg time god wait Vnto this tyme, bot efter myne conſait Had ſanct Ierome bene borne in tyll Argyle In to Iriſche tōng, his bukꝭ had done cōpyle. Prudent ſanct Paull doith mak narratioun Twiching the diuers leid of euery land Sayand thair bene more Edificatioun In fyue wordis that folk doith vnderſtand Nor to pronunce of wordis ten thouſand in ſtrāge lāgage ſyne wait not quhat it menis I think ſic pattring is not worth twa prenis.Cor. xiiii ¶Vnlernit peple on the holy day. Solemnitlie thay heir the Euangell ſoung Not knawin quhat ye preiſt dois ſing nor ſay, Bot as ane bell, quhē that thay heir it roung Ȝit wald the preiſtis in thair mother toung Pas to the Pulpite, & that Doctrine declare Tyll lawid peple, it wer more neceſſare. I wald prelatis and Doctouris of the Law With vs lauid peple, wer nocht diſcontent Thocht we in our vulgare toung did knaw Of Chriſt Ieſu, the lyfe and Teſtament And quhow that we ſuld keip commandemēt Bot in our language, lat vs pray and reid Our Pater noſter, Aue, and our Creid. I wald ſum Prince, of greit Diſcretioun In vulgar language, planely gart tranſlait The neidfull lawis, of this Regioun Than wald thare not be half ſo greit debait Amang vs peple of the lawe Eſtait Geue euery man, the verite did knaw We neidit nocht, to treit thir men of law. Tyl do our nychtbour wrāg, we wald be war Geue we did feit, the lawis puniſchement Thare wald not be, ſic brawlyng at the bar Nor men of law, lop to ſic Royall rent To keip the law, geue all men wer content And ilk man do, as he wald be done to The Iugis wald get lytle thing ado. The Propheit Dauid King of Iſraell Compyld ye pleſand Pſalmes of the Pſaltair In his awin proper toung as I heir tell And Salomon, quhilk wes his ſone and air Did mak his buke, in tyl his toung vulgair Quhy ſuld not thair ſaying, be til vs ſchawin In our lāguage, I wald ye cauſe wer knawin Lat Doctouris wryte thare curioꝰ queſtionis And argumentis, ſawin full of Sophiſtrie Thare Logick, and thare hich Opinionis Thare dirk Iugementis, of Aſtronomie Thare Medecine, and thare Philoſophie Lat Poetis ſchaw, thare glorious ingyne As euer thay pleis, in Greik or in Latyne. Bot lat vs haue the Bukis neceſſare To commoun weill, and our Saluatioun Iuſtlie tranſlatit, in our toung Vulgare And als I mak the Supplicatiou • O gentill Redar, haue none Indignatioun Thinkand I mell me with ſo hie matair Now to my purpoſe fordwart wyll I fair.
The Creatioun of Adam and Eue. ☞(✚)☜ QVhē God had maid ye heuinnis bricht The Sone, & Mone, for to gyf licht The ſterry heuin,Geneſ. i. and Chriſtalline And be his Sapience Diuine The Planeitis in thare circles round Quhirlyng about with merie ſound Of quhome Phebus was principall Iuſt in his Lyne Eclipticall And gaue be Diuyne Sapience Tyll euery Ster thare Influence With motioun continuall Quhilk doith indure perpetuall And farreſt frome the heuin Empyre The erth, the water, air, and fyre. He cled the erth, with herbis and treis All kynd of fiſchis in the ſeis All kynd of beſt, he did prepair With foulis fleing in the air. Thus be his word, all thing was wrocht Without materiall maid of nocht So be his wyſedome Infinyte All wes maid pleſand and perfyte. Quhen heuin, and erth & thare contentis Wet endit with thare Ornamentis Than laſt of all, the Lord began Of moſte vyle erth, to mak the man, Nocht of the Lillie nor of the Roſe Nor Cyper tree, as I ſuppoſe, Nother of gold, nor precious ſtonis Of erth he maid fleſche, blude and bonis To that intent, God maid hym thus That man ſuld nocht be glorious Nor in hym ſelf, no thing ſulde ſe Bot mater of humylite. Quhen man wes maid, as I haue tauld Gene. ii.God in his face, did hym behauld Bre • thand in hym, ane lyflie ſpreit Quhen all thir werkis wer compleit He maid man to his ſimilitude Precelland in to pulchritude Dotit with giftis of Nature Aboue all erdlie Creature Syne pleſandlie did hym conuoy To ane Regioun repleit with Ioy Of all pleſour, quhilk bair the pryce And callit erthlie Paradyce And brocht be Diuyne prouience All beiſtis, and birdis, tyll his preſence Adam did craftelie Impone Ane ſpeciall name tyll euery one And to all thyngis materiall He namit thame in ſpeciall Quhow he thame namit, ȝit bene kend And ſalbe to the warldis end. In to that gardyng of pleſance Two treis grew, moſt till auance Aboue all vther, quhilk bair the pryce In middis of that Paradyce. The one wes callit the tre of lyfe The vther tre, began our ſtryfe, The tre to knaw botth gude and euill Quhilk he perſwaſioun of the Deuill Began our miſerie and wo, Bot lat vs to our purpoſe go. Quhow God gaue Adam ſtrait cōmand That tre to twiche nocht with his hand All vther fructis of Paradyce He bad hym eit at his deuyce. Sayand, gyf thow eit of this tre With dowbill deith, than ſall thow de Tharefore I the command be war And frome this tre, thow ſtand a far. Ȝit Father Adam wes allone But companie of ony one Than thocht the Lord it neceſſar Tyll hym to create ane helpar. ☞God pat in Adam ſic Sapour That for to ſleip, he tuke pleſour, And laid hym doun vpon the ground And quhen Adam wes ſleipand ſound He tuke ane Rib, furth of his ſyde Syne fillit vp, with fleſche and hyde And maid ane Woman of that bone Fairar of forme, wes neuer none. Than tyll Adam Incontinent That fair Lady, he did preſent. Quhilk ſchortlie ſaid, for to conclude Thow art my fleſche, my bonis, and blude. And Virago, he callit hir than Quhilk is Interpreit, maid of man. Quhilk Eua, efterwart was Namit Quhen for hir falt, ſcho wes defamit Than did the Lord thame Sanctifie Saying Incres, and Multiplie Be this, men ſuld leif all thare kyn And with thare wyffis mak dwellyn And for thare ſaik leif Father and Mother And lufe thame beſt, aboue all vther For God hes ordanit thame trewlie To be two Saulis, in one bodie My wit is walk for tyll Indyte Thare heuinlie pleſouris Infinyte Wes neuer none erthlie Creature Sen ſyne had ſic perfyte pleſure. Thay had puiſſance Imperiall Aboue all thing materiall. Als cunnyng Clerkis dois conclude Adam precellit in pulchritude Moſt Naturall, and the faireſt man That euer wes ſen the warld began Except Chriſt Ieſu, Goddis Sone To q • thome wes no compariſone And Eua, the faireſt Creature That euer wes formit be Nature Thocht thay war naikit as thay wer maid No ſchame ather of vther haid. Quhat pleſour mycht ane man haue more Nor haue his lady hym before So luſtie, pleſand, and perfyte Reddy to ſerue his appetyte. Thay had none vther cure I wis Bot paſt thare tyme, with Ioy and blis Wyld Bet •• s did to thame repair, So did the Fowlis of the air With noyis moſt Angelicall Makand thame mirthis Muſicall. The fiſchis ſwemand in the ſtrandis Wet holelie at thare commandis. All Creaturis with ane accord Obeyit hym, as thare ſouerane Lord. Thay ſufferit nother heit nor cald With euery pleſour that thay wald. Als to the deith thay wer nocht thrall And rychtſo ſuld we haue bene all For he and all his ſucceſſouris Suld haue poſſedit thoſe pleſouris, Syne frome that Ioy materiall Gone to the glore Imperiall. Thay had geue I can richt diſcryue Greit Ioy in all thare wyttis fyue In heiring, ſeing, guſting, ſmelling Induring thare delyteſum dwelling Heiring the birdis harmoneis Taiſting the fruetis of diuers treis Smelling the balmy dulce odouris Quhilk did proceid frome fragrant flouris. Seing ſo mony heuinlie hewis Of blomes breking on the bewis Of twicheing als thay had delyte Of vtheris bodyis ſoft and quhyte, But dout, Induring that pleſour Thay luffit vther Paramour No maruell bene thocht ſwa ſuld be Conſidering thare greit bewte Als God gaue thame command expres To multiplie, and tyll incres That thare ſeid, and ſucceſſioun Mycht pleneis euery Natioun. I liſt nocht tatie till declair All properteis of that place preclair Quhow herbis, and treis, grew ay grene, Nor of the temperat air ſerene Quhow fructis Indeficient Ay alyke rype and redolent, Nor of the Fontane, nor the fludis, Nor of the flouris pulchritudis. That mater Clerkis dois declair Quharefor, I ſpeik of thame na mair. The Scripture makis no mentioun Quhow lang thay rang in that Regioun, Bot I beleue, the tyme wes ſchort As diuers Doctouris dois report.
Of the Miſerabill Tranſgreſſioun of Adam. FATHER? Courteo. How happinit that miſchāce (Quod I) ſchaw me the circumſtance Declare me that cairfull cace How Adam loſt that pleſand place Frome hym, and his Succeſſioun Quhow did proceid that tranſgreſſioun▪ (Quod he)Experien. efter my rude Ingyne I ſall rehers the that rewyne Quhen God the Plaſmatour of all In to the heuin Emperiall Did Creat all the Angellis bricht He maid one Angell moſt of micht To quhome he gaue preeminence Aboue thame all in Sapience Becauſe all vther he did prefer Namit he wes bricht Lucifer He wes ſo pleſand and ſo fair He thocht him ſelf without compair, And grew ſo gay and glorious He gan to be preſumpteous, And thocht that he wald ſet his ſait In to the north, and mak debait Agane the Maieſte Deuyne Quhilk wes the cauſe of his rewyne, For he incurrit Goddis Ire And banyſt frome the heuin Empyre With Angellis mony one Legioun Quhilkis wer of his opinioun. Innumerabill with him thare fell. Sum lichtit in the laweſt hell, Sum in theſe did mak repair, Sum in the erth, ſum in the air That moſt vnhappie cumpany • At Father Adam had Inuye Perſauing Adam and his ſeid Gene, iii.In to rhair placis to ſucceid. The Serpent wes the ſubtelleſt Aboue all beiſtis and craftieſt Than Sathan, with ane fals intent Did enter in to that Serpent Imaginyng ſum craftie wyle Quhow he micht Adam beſt begyle And gar hym brek commandement, Bot to the woman firſt be went, Traiſting the better to preuaill Full ſubtellie did hir aſſaill With facund wordis, fals and fair He grew with hir familiar That he his purpoſe micht auance Beleuand in hir Inconſtance. Quhat is the cauſe, Madame (ſaid he) That ȝe forbeir ȝone pleſand tre, Quhilk bene but peir moſt precious Quhoſe fruct bene moſt delycious? I Nyll (quod ſche) thate to accord We ar forbiddin be the Lord The quhilk hes geuin vs lyberte Tyll eit of euery fruct and tre Quhilk growis in to Paradyſe, Brek we command, we ar nocht wyſe. He gaue tyll vs ane ſtrait command That tre to twiche nocht with our hand Eit we of it, without remede He ſaid but dout, we ſuld be dede. Beleue nocht that (ſaid the Serpent) Eit ȝe of it Incontinent, Repleit ȝe ſall be with Science And haue perfyte Intelligence Lyke God hymſelf, of euill and gude. Than haiſtelie for to conclude Heiring of this prerogatyue Scho pullit doun the fruct belyue, Throuch counſall of this fals Serpent And eit of it to that intent, And pat hir huſband in beleue That pleſand fructe giue he wald preue That he ſuld be als Sapient As the greit God Omnipotent. Think ȝe nocht that ane pleſand thing That we lyke God ſuld euer ring. He heir and this Narratioun And be hir ſoliſtatioun 〈◊〉 Mouit be prydefull ambitioun He eit on that conditioun The principall poyntis of this offence War pryde, and Inobedience Deſyring for to be Equall To God, the Creatour of all. Allace Adam, quhy did thow ſo Quhy cauſit thow this mortall wo? Had thow bene conſtant ferme and ſtabill Thy glore had bene Incomparabill Quhare wes thy conſideratioun Quhilk had the Dominatioun Of euery leuand Creature That God had formit be Nature Tyll vſe thame at thy awin deuyſe Wes thow nocht prince of Paradyſe? Wes neuer man ſen ſyne on lyue That God gaue ſic Prerogatyue He gaue the ſtrenth aboue Sampſon, And ſapience more than Salomon, Ȝoung Abſolon in his tyme moſt fair To thy bewtie wes no compair, Ariſtotell thow did precell In to Philoſophie naturall, Virgill in tyll his Poetrie, Nor Cicero in till Oratrie, War neuer half ſo Eloquent Quhy brak thow Goddis Commandement Quhare wes thy wit, that wald nocht fle Far frome the preſence of that tre? Gaue nocht thy Maker the fre will To tak the gude, and leif the euill? Quhow micht thy forfalt be excuſit That Goddis commandement refuſit Throuch thy wyffis perſwaſioun Quhilk hes bene the occaſioun Sen ſyne, that mony nobill men Be the euill counſale of wemen Alluterlie deſiroyit bene As in the hiſtoryis may be ſene. Quhilk now we neid nocht till declair Bot fordwart till our purpoſe fair. Quhen thay had eitin of the frute, Of Ioy than war thay deſtitute Than gan thay boith, for to think ſchame And to be naikit thocht defame And maid thame Breikis of leuis grene, That thare ſecreitis ſuld nocht be ſene. Bot in the ſtait of Innocence Thay had none ſic experience Bot quhen thay war to Syn ſubiectit To ſchame and dreid thay war coactit And in ane buſk thay hid thame cloce Eſchamit of the Lordis voce, Quhilk callit Adam be his Name (Quod he) my Lord, I think greit ſchame Naik it to cum to thy preſence. Thow had none ſic Experience (Quod God) quhen thow wes Innocent Quhy brak thow my commandement. Allace (quod Adam) to the Lord The verite I ſall record. This woman that thow gaue to me Gart me eit of ȝone pleſand tre. Rychtſo the woman hir excuſit And ſaid, the Serpent me abuſit. Than to the Serpent, God ſaid thus, O thow Deſauer venemous, Becauſe the woman thow begylit Frome thyne furth ſall thow be exilit. Curſt and varyit ſall thou be, So ſall thy ſeid be efter the. Cauld erth ſalbe thy fude alſo And creipand on thy breiſt ſall go Als I ſall put Enemite Betuix the woman euer and the Betuix thy ſeid, and womannis ſeid Salbe continuall mortall feid. Quhowbeit thow hes wrocht thir myſcheuis It ſall nocht be as thow beleuis Sic ſeid ſalbe in woman ſawin That thy power ſalbe doun thrawin, Tredding thy heid that thow may feill And thow ſall tred hym on the heill. This was his promis, and mening That the Immaculate Virging Suld beir the Prince Omnipotent Quhilk ſuld tred doun that fals Serpent Sathan and all his companie And thame confound alluterlie. (Quod I)Courteo. geue Sathan prince of hell Spak in the Serpent as ȝe tell And beiſtis can no way ſyn at all Quhy wes the Serpent maid ſo thrall? I heir men ſay afore that hour The Serpent had ane fair figour And ȝeid ſtraucht vp vpon his feit And had his memberis all compleit As vtheris beiſtis vpon the bent. Experien.(Quod he) for he wes Inſtrument To Sathan, in this Miſerie Puniſt he wes, as ȝe may ſe. As be experience thow may knaw Expres in to the Commoun law Ane man conuiteit for Bugre The beiſt is brint, als weill as he Howbeit the beiſt be Innocent. And ſo befell of the Serpent It was the Feynd full of deſpyte Of Adamis fall quhilk had the wyte, As he hes had of mony mo Bot tyll our purpoſe lat vs go. Than to the woman for hir offence God did pronunce, this ſore ſentence. All pleſou • that thow had a ſorrow Sall changit be in leſting ſorrow. Quhare that thow ſuld with mirth and Ioy Haue borne thy birth but pane or noy Now all thy barnis ſall thow bair With dolour and continuall cair, And thow ſalbe for oucht thow can Euer ſubiectit to the Man. Be this ſentence, God did conclude Wemen frome libertie denude. Quhilk be experience ȝe may ſe Quhow Quenis of moſt hie degre Ir vnder moſt ſubiectioun And ſufferis moſt correctioun. For thay lyke birdis in tyll ane cage Ar keipit ay vnder thirlage. So all wemen in thare degre Suld to thare men ſubiectit be. Quhowbeit ſum ȝit wyll ſtryue for ſtait And for the maiſtrie mak debait, Quhilk gif thay want, boith euin & morrow Thare men wyll ſuffer mekle ſorrow Of Eue, thay tak that qualite To deſyre Soueranite. And than till Adam, ſaid the Lord Becauſe that thow hes done accord Thy wyll, and harknit to thy wyfe Now ſall thow loſe this pleſand lyfe, Thow wes tyll hir obedient Bot thow brak my Commandement Curſit and baren the erth ſall be Quhare euer thow gois till that thow de. But laubour, it ſall beir no corne Bot Thriſſil, Nettill, Breir, and Thorne, For fude thow gettis none vther beild Bot eit the herbis vpon the feild, Sore laubouring tyll thy browis ſweit Frome thyne furth ſall thow wyn thy meit I maid the of the erth certane And thow in erth ſall turne agane. Than maid he thame Abilȝement Of ſkynnis ane raggit Rayment. Thame to preſerue frome heit and cauld Than grew thare dolour mony fauld. Now Adam ar ȝe lyke tyll vs With ȝour gay garment glorious? To thame thir wordis, ſaid the Lord Than cryit thay boith Miſericord Quhen frome that gairth with hartis ſore Baniſchit thay wer for euer more, In to this wrechit vaill of ſorrow With daylie laubour ewin and morrow Efter quhoſe dolorous departing, The Lord gaue Paradyſe in keping Tyll ane Angell of Cherubin That none ſulde haue entres tharein. At the quhilk entres he did ſtand, With flammand fyrie ſword in hand, To keip that Adam, and his wyfe Sulde nocht taiſt of the tre of lyfe, For geue thay of that tre had preuit Perpetuallie thay micht hauelleuit. So Adam, and his Succeſſioun Of Paradyſe tynt poſſeſſioun, And be this Syn Originall War men to Miſerie maid thrall. My Sone now may thow cleirly ſe This warld began with miſerie With miſerie it doith proceid Courteo.Quhoſe fyne ſall dolour be and dreid. Father (quod I) quhat kynd of lyfe Led Adam with his luſtie wyfe Efter thait baillfull baniſing? (Quod he)Experien. continuall womenting My hart hes ȝit compaſſioun Quhow thay went wandring vp and doun Weiping with mony lowd allace That thay had loſt that pleſand place In wildernes to be exyld Quhare thay fand nocht bot beiſtis wyld Manneſſing thame for tyll deuore Quhilkis all obedient war afore. Father (quod I)Courteo. in quhat countre Did leif Adam, efter that he Was baniſchit frome that delyte? Clerkis (quod he)Experien. hes put in wryte Quhow Adam dwelt with mekle baill In Mambet, in that luſtie vaill, Quhilk efter was, the Iowis land Quhare ȝit his Sepulture dois ſtandGen. iiii. I l • ſt nocht tary till diſcryue The wo of Adam nor his wyne Nor tell quhen thay had Sonnis two Cayn, and Abell, and no mo. Nor quhow curſt Cayn, for Inuy Did ſlay his brother cruelly Nor of thait murning, nor of thare mone Quhen thay but Sonnis wer left allone. Abell lay ſlane vpon the ground Curſt Cayn fleinit, and Vacabound Nor quhow God of his ſpeciall grace Send thame the thrid Sone fair of face Moſt lyke Adam, of fleſche and blude, Seth was his Name, gracious and gude Nor quhow blind Lameth, rakleſlie Did ſlay Cayn vnhappelie. Adam as Clerkis dois diſcryue Begat with Eue his wofull wyue, Of Men Children, threttie and two And of Dochteris alyke alſo. Be this thow may weill vnderſtand That Adam ſaw mony ane thouſand, That of his body did diſcend Or he out of the warld did wend. Gene. • .Adam leuit in erth but weir Compleit, nyne houndreth and thretty ȝeir And all his dayis war bot ſorrow Remembring boith euin and morrow Of Paradyre the proſperitie And ſyne of his greit Miſerie. His hart micht neuer be reioſit Remembring quhow the heuin wes cloſit Frome hym, and his ſucceſſioun, And that be his tranſgreſſioun. Efter his deith, as I heir tell His Saule diſcendit to the hell And thare remanit preſoneir In that Dungeoun, thre thouſand ȝeir And more, ſo did boith euill and gude Till Chriſt for thame had ſched his blude, Than be that moſt precious Ranſoun Thay wer delyuerit of preſoun I haue declarit now as I can The Miſerie of the firſt man.
❧Quhow God Deſtroyit all Leuand Creaturis in erth for Syn, And Drownit thame be ane Terrible Flude, in the tyme of Noe. &c. ☞✚☜ PRVDENT Father Experience Declare to me,Courteo. or ȝe go hence Quhat was the cauſe God did diſtroy All Creature in the tyme of Noe? (Quhod he) I trimmyll for to tell That Infortune,Experien. quhow it befell The cauſe bene ſo abhominabill And the mater ſo miſerabill. Bot for to ſchaw the Circumſtance Manifeſtlie of that miſchance. Firſt I mon gar the vnſtderſtand Quhow Adam gaif expres commandGene. vi. That thoſe quhilkis come of Sethis blude Becauſe thay wer gratious and gude Suld nocht contract with Caynis kyn Quhilkis wer Inclynit all to Syn. Tyll obſerue that commandement Cayn paſt in to the Orient With his wyfe, callit Calmana Quhilk was his awin Syſter alſwa. Quhare his ofſpring did lang remane Beſyde the montane of Tatbane. And Seth did lang tyme lede his lyfe With Delbora, his prudent wyfe Quhilk wes his Siſter gude and fair In Damaſcene maid thair repair. In that countre of Sethis clan Diſcendit mony holy man So lang as Adam wes leuand The peple did obſerue command Quhen he wes dede, and laid in ground And peple greitly did abound And Cayn ſlane, as I haue ſchawin, And Sethis dayis, all ouer blawin Gene. vi.The Sonnis than of Sethis blude Seand the pleſand pulchritude Of the Ladyis of Caynis kyn Quhowbeit thay knew weill it wes Syn Oppreſt with ſenſuall luſtis rage Dip tak thame in to Mariage. And ſo corruptit wes that blude The gude with euill, and euill with gude. Than as the peple did incres Thay did abound in wickitnes As holy Scripture dois rehers Quhilk I abhor, to put in vers, Or tell with toung, I am nocht a bill The ſuthe bene ſo abhominabill. Quhow men, and wemen, ſchamefullie Abuſit thame ſelfis vnaturallie, Quhoſe foull abhominatioun And vncouth fornicatioun I think greit ſchame to put in wryte, All that Paull Oroſe doith indyte. Quhilk giue I wald at lenth declair It wer yneuch to fyle the air. Greit Clerkis of Antiquiteis Hes wryttin mony trew ſtorels Quhilkis as worthy to be commendit Quhowbeit thay be nocht comprehendit At lenth in the Diuyne Scripture Bot I ſall do my beſie cure To tak the beſt (as I ſuppoſe) That maiſt pertenis to my purpoſe, And with ſupport of Chriſt our king I purpoſe to confirme no thing Of the auld Hyſtoricience Contrarious tyll his Excellence. Quhowbeit that ſum mennis Traditionis Be contrair Chriſtis Inſtitutionis Of thame thocht ſum thing I declair, Now lat vs proceid forthermair, And with ane Language lamentabill Declare this mater miſerabill. Courteo.Father the cauſis wald I knaw Quhy thay of Nature brak the law? Experien.I traiſt (quod he) that wickitnes Generit throw ſleuthfull Idilnes The Deuill with all the craft he can Quhen he perſauis ane Idill man Or woman geuin tyll Idilnes He gettis eſilie entres. And ſo be this occaſioun And be the Feindis perſwaſioun The hole warld vniuerſallie Corruptit was alluterlie. Courteo.Quhat wes the cauſe, thay Idle wair That cace (quod I) to me declair? Experien.(Quod he) be my Imaginatioun For laik of vertuous Occupatioun. For of Craftis, thay had ſmall vſage Of Marchandyce, nor lauborage, The erth than wes ſo plentuous Of fruce, and Spyce delicious, The herbis wer ſo comfortabill Delyteſum and Medicinabill, The Fontanis freſche and redolent To laubouring thay tuke lytle teut. All maner of beiſtis at thare pleſour Did multiplie without laubour. The tyme betuix Adam and Noe To ſe the erth, it wes greit Ioy Plantit with precious treis of pryce. Four famous Fludis of Paradyce Ran throuch the erth in ſyndrie partis Spreiding thare branchis, in all airtis, The watter was ſo ſtrang and fyne Thay wald nocht laubour to mak wyne. The fruct, and herbis, wer ſo gude Thay maid no cair for vther fude. And ſo the peple tuke no cure Bot paſt thare tyme at thare pleſour, Ay findand new Inuentionis To fulfyll thare Intentionis, So that the Lord Omnipotent That he maid man did him repent. And ſchew vntill his ſeruand Noe That he wald all the warld diſtroy Except hymſelf, and his Meinȝe. Allace (quod Noe) quhen ſall that be? Than ſaid the Lord, ſen thow ſo ſpeiris I ſall prolong ſax ſcore of ȝeiris Tarying vpon thare repentance Or I fulfyll my Iuſt Sentence. In the meine tyme, fall thow to wark Incontinent, and beild ane Ark. Quhilk Noe began Obedientlie And wrocht on it Continuallie. And to the peple daylie preichrit To cry for grace, he to thame techeit. And to thame planelie did declair, That God his wand no more wald ſpair, Bot on thame he wald wirk vengeance. To Noe ȝit gaue thay no credence And ſo thay wer Incounſolabill Vſing thare luſt abhominabill And tuke his precheing in deſpyte Ay following thare foull delyte More and more, till that dulefull day Quhilk all the warld put in effray. Courteo.Father ȝe gart me vnderſtand Quhen Adam brak the Lordis cōmand Tyl agment his afflictioun God gaue his Maledictioun Vnto the erth, quhilk wes ſo fair That it ſuld barren be and bair And without laubour beir no corne Nor fruct, bot thriſſill, breir, and thorne. Now ſay ȝe, in the tyme of Noe To ſe the erth, it wes greit Ioy, Plantit with fourtis gude and fair The ſuthe of this, to me declair. Thir ſaying is two, gar me conſidder Quhow ȝe mak thame agre to gidder. God maid that promis ſickerlie Experien.Quhowbeit it come nocht Inſtantlie (Quod he) as Clerkis dois conclude. Bot efter quhen the furious Finde Diſtroyit the erth, alluterlie Than come that promis ſickerlie. Eum ſiclyke as God gaue command Adam to twiche nocht with his hand Nor eit of the forbiddin tre, Geue he did ſo, that he ſuld de. Quhowbeit he deit nocht but weir Efter that day nyne hundreth ȝeir. Rychrſo the Propheit Eſayas Spetkand of Chriſt, the greit Meſſias,Eſay. ix. Say and the Barne, is till vs borne To ſaif mankynd quhilk is forlorne, As he had bene borne Inſtantlie Ȝit wes he nocht borne verilie Efter that ſaying mony one ȝeir As in the Scripture, thow may heir, Ane thouſand ȝeir,ii. • e. iii. quho reknith riche Is bot one hour, in Goddis ſicht Exemplis mony, I micht tell Wer it nocht tedious for to dwell, Tyll our purpoſe, lat vs proceid Schawand the hicht, the lenth and breid And qualite of Noyis Ark Quhilk wes ane richt excellent wark. Of Pyne tre maid bound weill about Laid ouer with pik, within and out Iunit full cloce, with naillis ſtrong And wes thre houndreth Cubitis long, Fyftie in breid, thretty in hicht, Thre Chalmeris Iunit weill and wicht, And euerilk loft, aboue ane vther Withoutin Anker, Air, or Ruther, Ane richt Cubit, as I heir tell Of meſour now micht bene ane ell In the mid ſyde, ane dur thare wes For Beiſtis ane eſie entres. This Ack quhilk was boith lang and large Maid in the boddum, lyke ane Barge Couerit with burdis weill abufe Moſt lyke ane houſe, with ſet on rufe, Quhoſe riggin wes, ane Cubit braid, Quhatein thare wes, ane wyndo maid Sum ſayis, weil be cloſit with Chriſt all cleir Quharethrow the day lycht micht weil appeir This worke the more was to be pryſit Becauſe be God, it wes deuyſit. Gen. vii.The making of this Ark but weir Indurit weill ane houndreth ȝeir. Quhē Noe had done compleit this wark God did hym cloſe, within the Ark, With him his wyfe, and Sonnis thre, With thare thre wyfis, but mo menȝe. And of all foulis of the air Of euerilk kynd enterit ane pair. Rychtſo two Beiſtis of euerilk kynd For quhy, it wes the Lordis mynd That Generatioun ſuld nocht faill, Quharefore of Femell, and of Maill Of euerilk kynd wer keipit two. Bot to rehers, myne hart is wo The dolent Lamentatioun That tyme of euerilk Natioun, Say and allace ane thouſand ſyis Quhen wynd, and rane, began to ryis. The Roikis with reird, began to ryue Quhen vglie cluddis did ouerdryue And dirkynnit ſo, the Heuinuis bricht, That Sone, nor Mone, micht ſchaw no licht The terribill trimling of erth quaik Gart Biggingis bow, and Citeis ſckaik, The thounder raif the cluddis ſobill With horrible ſound, Eſpouentabilli The fyreflauchtis flew ouerthort the fellis Thā wes thare nocht, bot ȝowtis and ȝellis. Quben thay perſauit, without remede, All Creature, to ſuffer dede, All Fontaris frome the erth vpſprang And frome the heuin, the rane doun dang Fourty dayis, and fourty nichtis Than ran the Peple to the hichtis, Sum clam in craigis, ſum in treis, And ſum to the hicheſt montanis fleis With more terrour, nor I can tell Bot all for nocht, the fludis fell And wynd did rowt, with ſic ane reird That euerilk wicht, waryit his weird. Cryand allace, that thay wer borne In to that Flude, to be forlorne. Men micht no help mak to thare wyifts Nor ȝit ſupport thare barnis lyifis. The fludis rofe, with ſo greit michtis That thay ouer couerit all the hichtis. Thay micht no more thare lyuis lenth Bot ſwame ſo lang, as thay had ſtrenth, And ſo with cryis Lamentabill Endit thare lyuis Miſerabill. Aboue montanis, that war moſt hie Fyftie Cubitis roſe the ſee. Men may Imagyne in thare mynd All Creature in to thare kynd. Boith Beiſtis, and foulis in the air In thare maneir, maid mekle cair, The fiſchis thocht thame euill begyld Quhē thay ſwame throuch the woddis wyld Quhailis tumland amang the treis, Wyld beiſtis ſwomand in the ſen • Bi • dis with mony pietuous pew Efferitlie in the air thay flew, So lang as thay had ſtrenth to flee Syne ſwattetit doun in to the ſee. No thyng on erth, wes left on lyue Beiſtis, nor foulis, Man, nor wyue. God holelie did thame diſtroy Except thame in the Ark with Noe, The quhilk lay fictand on the flude Welterand amang the ſtremis woo With mony terribill effrayis Remanit ane hundreth and fiftie days, In greit lang our, and heuines Or wynd, or rane, began to ceis. Sumtyme effectuouſlie pray and, Sumtyme the Beiſtis veſiand For be the Lordis commadement He maid prouiſioun ſufficient. For Noe dwelt in that Ark but dout Ane ȝeir compleit,Gen. viii or be come out Quhow at more lenth, in holy wryte This dulefull hiſtorie bene Indyte, And quhow that Noe, gan to teioſe Quhen Conductis of the heuin did cloſe, So that the Rane, no more diſcendit, Nor the flude no more aſcendit. Quhen be perſauit the heuinnis cleir Haſend furth Corbie Meſfingeir In to the air, for to eſpy Geue he ſaw ony montanis dry. Sum ſayis the Rauin, did furth remane And come norht to the Ark agane. Furth flew the Dow, at Noes command, And quben ſcho did perſaue dry land Of ane Olyue, ſcho brak ane branche, That Noe mycht knaw the watter ſtanche, And thare no more, ſcho did ſudiorne, Bot with the branche ſcho did returne, That Noe micht cleirly vnderſtand That fellown Flude, was decreſſand. And ſo it did, tyll at the laſt The Ark vpon the ground ſtak faſt On the top of ane Montane hie In to the land of Armenie. And quhen that Noe had done eſpy, Quhow that the erth began to dry, Than dang he doun the durtis all, And louſit thame, the quhilk wes thrall. The foulis flew furth in the air, And all the beiſtis pair and pair, Paſt furth to ſeik thare Paſtorages. Thare wes than bot aucht Perſonages Noe, his thre Sonnis, and thare wynis On erth, that left was with thare lyuis, Gene. ix.Quhome God did blis, and Sanctifie, Say and incres, and multiplie. God wat geue Noe, wes blyith and glaid Quhen of that preſone he wes fraid. Quhen Noe had maid his Sacrifice, Thank and God of his Benefice, He ſtandyng on mont Armenie Quhare he the countrie micht eſpie Ȝe may beleue, his hart was ſore Seing the erth, quhilk wes afore The Flude, ſo pleſand and perfyte Quhilk to behald, wes greit delyte That now was barren maid and bair Afore, quhilk fructuous was and fair. The pleſand treis, beityng fructis Wer ly and rewin vp be the rutis, The holſum herbis, and fragrant flouris Had tynt boith vertew, and colouris The feildis grene, and fluriſt meidis Wer ſpulȝeit of thare pleſand weidis, The erth quhilk firſt wes ſo fair formit Wes be that furious flude deformit, Quhare vmquhyle wer, the pleſand planis Wer holkit Glennis, and hie montanis Frome clattring craigis, greit and gray The erth was weſchin quyte away. Bot Noe had greiteſt diſpleſuris Behaldand, the dede Creaturis, Quhilk wes ane ſicht richt Lamentabill Men, wemen, Beiſtis, Innumerabill Seyng thame ly, vpon the landis, And ſum wer fleting on the ſtrandis Quhaillis, and Monſtouris of the ſeis Stickit on ſtobbis, amang the treis. And quhen the Flude was decreſſand Thay wer left weltering on the land. Afore the flude, during that ſpace, The ſey wes all in to ane place. Rychtſo the erth, as bene decydit In ſyndrie partis, wes nocht deuydit, As bene Europe, and Aſia Deuydit ar, frome Africa. Ȝe ſe now diuers Famous Ilis Stand frome the main land mony mylis. All thir greit Ilis, I vnderſtand War than equall, with the ferme land. Thare wes none ſey Mediterrane, Bot onely the greit Occeane, Quhilk did not ſpreid ſic bullering ſtrandis As it dois now, ouirthort the landis. Than be the raging of that flude The erth of bertew wes denude, The quhilk afore wes to be pryſit Quhoſe bewte than wer diſagyſit. Than wes the Maledictioun knawin Quhilk wes be God, till Adam ſchawin. I reid quhow Clerkis dois conclude Induring that moſt furious flude With quhilk the erth wes ſo ſuppreſt, The wynd blew furth of the ſouthweſt As may be ſene be experience. Quhow throw the watteris violence The hich montanis in euery art, Ar bair forgane the ſouthweſt part. As the montanis, of Pyreneis The Alpes, and Rochis in the ſeis. Rycht ſo the Rochis greit and gray Quhilk ſtandis into Norroway. The hicheſt Hillis in euery art And in Scotland, for the moſt part, Throuch weltering of that furious flude, The Cragis of erth warmaid denude. Trauelling men, may conſidder beſt The Montanis bair nyxt the ſouthweſt. ¶Declare (quod I) or ȝe concludeCourteo. Quhow lang leuit Noe, efter the flude. (Quod he) in Geneſis, thow may heir Quhow that Noe, wes ſex houndreth ȝeir,Experien. The tyme of his greit puniſchement And ay to God obedientGene. ix. And wes the beſt of Sethis blude. And als he leuit efter the Flude Thre hundreth and fyftie ȝeiris As the ſamyn Scripture wytnes beiris. And wes or he Randerit the ſpreit Nyne hundreth and fyftie ȝeiris compleit. To ſchaw this hiſtorie Miſerabill At lenth my wittis ar nocht abil. And als my Sone, as I ſuppoſe It langis nocht till our purpoſe, To ſchaw quhow Noyis Sonnis thre Gan to incres and multiplie. Nor quhow that Noe, plantit the wyne And drank tyll he wes drounkin ſyne, And ſleipit with his Membris bair, And quhow Cham, maid for hym no cair Bot leuch, to ſe his Father ſo Quhowbeit his Brether wer richt wo. Nor quhow Noe, but Reſtrictoun Gaue Cham his Maledictioun And put hym vnder Seruitude To Sem, and Iaphet, that war gude. Nor quhow God maid ane conuenent With Noe, to mak no puniſchement, Nor be no Flude the peple droun, In ſigne of that Conditioun His Raine Bow ſet in to the air, Of diuers Heuinlie colouris fair, For to be ane perpetuall ſing Be Flude, to mak no puniſſing This Hiſtorie geue thow liſt to knaw At lenth the Bibill ſall the ſchaw.
The Secund buke Contening the Building of Babilon be Nimrod. And quhow King Ninus began the firſt Monarchie, of thare Idolatrie. And quhow Semiramis Gouernit the Impyre, Efter hir Huſband King Ninus. ❧ FATHER I pray ȝow to me tell. The Firſt Infortune that befellCourteo. Immediatlie efter the flude And quho did firſt ſched ſaikles blude And quho Idolarrie began? (Quod he) I ſall do as I can. Efter the Flude, I find no hiſtorieExperien Worthy to put in memorie Tyll Nimrod began to King, Aboue the peple as ane King,Gene. x. Quhilk wes the principall man of one That beildar wes of Babilone. That hiſtorie Maiſter wald I knaw (Quod I) geue ȝe the ſuthe wald ſchaw, Quhy, and for quhat occaſiounCourteou Thay beildit ſic one ſtrang Doungeoun? Than ſaid to me Experience I ſall declare with diligenceExperien Thoſe Queſtionis, at thy command. Bot firſt Sone, thow mon vnderſtand Of Nimrod, the Genealogie, His ſtrenth curage, and Quantite. Quhowbeit Moyſes in his firſt Buke, That hiſtorie lichtlie did ouer luke, Of hym no more, he doith declare Except he was ane ſtrang Huntare Bot vtheris Clerkis curious As Oroſe doith, and Ioſephus, Diſcryuis Nimrod at more lenth, Boith of his ſtature, and his ſtrenth, This Nimrod was the fourt perſoun Frome Noe belyne diſcending doun. Noe generit Cham, Cham generit Chus, And Chus Nimrod, the ſuthe bene thus. This Nimrod grew ane man of micht, That tyme in erth, wes none ſo wicht. He wes ane Gyant, ſtout and ſtrang Pet force wyld beiſtis he doun thrang, The peple of that hole Regioun Come vnder his Dominioun. No man thare wes in all that land His ſtalwartnes that durſt ganeſtand. No maruell wes thocht he wes wicht, Ten Cubitis large, he wes of wicht. Proportionat in lenth and breid, Efferand to his hicht we reid. He grew ſo greit and glorious, So prydefull, and preſumptuous, That he come Inobedient To the greit God Omnipotent. This Nimrod was the principall man That firſt Idolatrie began. Than gart he all the peple call Gene. xi.To his preſence boith greit and ſmall, And in that greit Conuentioun Did propone his Intentioun. My freindis (ſaid he) I mak it knawin The greit vengeance that God hes ſchawin, In tyme of our fore Father Noe Quhen he did all the warld diſtroy. And dround thame in ane furious flude, Quharefore, I think we ſuld conclude Quhow we may mak one ſtrang defence Aganis ſic watteris violence For to teſiſt his furious Ire Contrair boith to flude and fyre. L • t vs go ſpy ſum pleſand feild Quhare one ſtrang bigging we may beild, One Cietie, with ane ſtrang Dungeoun That none Ingyne may ding it doun, So hich, ſo thik, ſo large, and lang That God till vs ſall do na wrang. It ſall ſurmont the planetis ſemn. That we frome God may wyn the heuin. Thoſe peple with one ferme intent All tyll his counſell did conſent And did eſpy ane pleſand plais Hard on the flude of Euphrates, The peple thare did thame repair In to the plaine feilde of Sinear, Quhilk now of Chaldie beris the name Quhilk did lang tyme flureis in fame. Thare greit Fortres, thā did thay found And kaiſt tyll thay gat ſouer ground. All fell to work, baith man and Chylde Sum holkit clay, ſum brint the tyld. Nimrod, that curious Campioun Deuyſar wes of that Dungeoun. Na thing thay ſpairit thare laubouris Lyke beſy beis vpon the flouris, Or Emmettis trauelling in to Iune Sum vnder wrocht, and ſum aboue, With ſtrang Ingenious Maſonerie Vpwart thare work did fortifie, With brynt tyld ſtonis, large and wicht That Tour thay raiſit to ſic hicht Abufe the airis Regioun, And Iunit of ſo ſtrong faſſioun With Syment maid of pick and ter Thay vſit none vther morter. Thocht fyre or watter it aſſailit Contrair that Dungeoun nocht auailir. The land about wes fair and plane. And it rais lyke ane hich montane. Thoſe fuliſche peple did intend That to the Heuin it ſuld aſcend So greit one ſtrenth wes neuer ſene In to the warld with mannis ene. The wallis of that work thay maid Two and fiftie faldome braid. One faldome than, as ſum men ſayis Mycht bene twa faldome in our dayis. One man wes than of more ſtature Nor two be now, thareof be ſure. ¶ Ioſephus baldis opinioun Say and the hicht of this Dungeoun Of large paſis of meſure bene Fyue thouſand, aucht ſcore, and fourtene. Be this rakning, it is full richt Fyue mylis, and ane half in hicht. Ane thouſand pais, tak for ane myle And thow ſall find it neir that ſtyle This toure in compas round about Wer mylis ten, withouttin dout, About the Cetie of Staidis Foure houndreth, and four ſcore I wis. And be this noumer in compas About thre ſcore of mylis it was, And as Oroſius reportis Thare wes fyue ſcore of braſin portis. The Tranſlatour of Oroſius In tyll his Cronicle wryttis thus, That quhen the Sonne is at the hicht At none, quhen it dois ſchyne maiſt bricht The ſchaddow of that hiduous ſtrenth Ser myle and more, it is of lenth. Thus may ȝe Iuge in to ȝour thocht Geue Babilon be hich or nocht.
❧ How God maid the Diuerſite of Languagis, and maid Impediment to the Buildaris of Babilon. THAN the greit God Omnipotent To quhome all thingis bene preſent That wes, and is, and euer ſalbe Ar preſent tyl his Maieſte, The hid ſecretis of mannis hart Frome his preſens may nocht depart He ſeand the Ambitioun And the prydefull Preſumptioun Quhow thir proude peple did pretend Vp throuch the heuinnis till aſcend Quhilk wes greit folie tyll deuyſe Sick one preſumptuous interpryſe. For quhen thay wer moſt diligent God maid thame ſick impediment Thay wer conſtraynit with hartis ſore Frome thyne depart and beild no more: Sick Languagis on thame he laid That none will quhat ane vther ſaid. Quhare wes bat ane Language afore God ſend thame languagis threſcore. At that tyme all ſpak Hebrew, Than ſum began for to ſpeik Grew, Sum Duche, ſum language Sarazyne And ſum beget to we •• Latyne. The Maiſter men, ga •• to go wyld. Cry and for treis, thay brocht thame tyld, Sum ſaid bryng mortar heir atonis Than brocht thay to th • me ſtokis ād ſtonis. And Nimrod thare greit Campioun Ran rage and lyke ane wyld Lyoun Manaſſing thame with wordis rude Bot neuer one worde thay vnderſtude, Afore thay fand hym gude and kynd Bot than thay thocht hym by his mynd, Quhen he ſo furiouſlie did flyte Than turmit his pryde in to diſpyte. So dirk Gelipſit wes his glore Quben thay wald wirk for hym no more. Behald quhow God wes ſo gracious. To thame quhilk wer ſo outragious. He nother braik thare leggis nor armes, Nor ȝit did thame none vther harmes, Except of toungis diuiſioun And for fynall concluſioun Conſtraynit thay wer for tyll depart Ilk cumpanie in one ſyndrie art. Sum paſt in to the Orient, And ſum in to the Occident, Sum ſouth, ſum north, as thay thocht be •• And ſo thare policie left waiſt. Bot quhow that Ciete was repairit Heir efter it ſalbe declairit.
Of the firſt inuention of Idolatrie. Quhow Nimrod compellit the Peple tyll adorne the Fyre in Chaldea: Courteou. NOVV Schir (ſaid I) ſchaw me the mā Quhilk firſt Idolatrie began? Experien.¶ That ſall I do, with all my hart My Sone (ſaid he) or we depart. Quhen Nimrod ſaw his purpoſe failit And his greit laubour nocht auailit, In maner of Contemptioun Departit furth of that Regioun, And as Oroſius doith reherſe He paſt in to the land of Perſe. And mony one ȝeir, did thare remane And ſyne to Babilon come agane And fand huge peple of Chaldie Remanand in that greit Citie That wer glaid of his returning And did obey hym as thare king. Nimrod his Name for tyll auance Amang thame maid new ordinance: Say and I think ȝe ar nocht wyis That to none God makis Sacrifyis. Than to fulfill his fals deſyre, He gart be maid ane flammand fyre, And naid it of ſic breid and hicht He gart it birn botth day and nicht Than all the pepill of that land Adorit the fyre, at his command, Proſte thit on kneis and facis Beſeik and thare new God of gracis, To geue thame more occaſioun He maid thame greit perſwaſioun, This God (ſaid he) is maiſt of micht Schaw and his bemison the nicht. Quhen Sonne, and Mone, at baith obſcure His heuinly brichtnes dots indure. Quhen mennis memberis ſufferis cald Fyre warmis thame euin as thay wald. Than cryit the Peple at his deſyre Thare is no God except the fyre. Or thare was ony Imagerie Began this firſt Idolatrie. At that tyme, thare wes none vſage To • arue, nor for to paynt Image. Than maid he Proclamatioun Quho maid nocht adoratioun To that new God, without remede In to that fyre ſuld ſuffer dede. I finde no man in to that land His tyrannie that durſt ganeſtand Bot Abraham, and Aram, his brother That diſobeyit, I find none vther Quhilk dwell and war, in that countrie With thare Father calit Thare. Thir brether Nimrod did repreue, Sayand tyll hym, Lord with ȝour leue, This fyre is bot ane Element, Pray ȝe to God Omnipotent Quhilk maid the Heuinnis be his micht, Sonne, Mone, and ſterris, to geue licht. He maid the fiſchis in the ſeis The erth, with beiſtis, herbis, and treis, And laſt of all, for to conclude He maid man to his ſimilitude. To that greit God geue pryſe and glore Quhoſe Ring induris euermore. Than Nimrod in his furious Ire. Thir brether boith keſt in the fyre, Abraham be God he wes preſeruit, Bot Aram in the fyre he ſteruit. Quhen Thare, hard his Sone wes dede He did depart out of that ſtede, With Abraham, Nachor, and thare wyuis, As the Scripture at lenth diſcryuis. And left the land of Chaldea And paſt to Meſopotamia, And dwelt in Tharan all his dayis And deit thare, as the ſtory ſayis The lyfe of Abraham I ſuppoſe No thing langis tyll our purpoſe. In to the Bibill thow may reid His verteous lyfe, in word and deid. Now to the, I haue ſchawin the man That firſt Idolatrie began.
Of the greit Miſerie And ſcathis that cummis of Weiris: And quhow king Ninus began the firſt weiris, and ſtraik the firſt Battell. FATHER I pray ȝow with my hartCourteou. Declare to me or we depart Quho firſt began thir mortall weiris Quhilk euerilk faithful hart effeiris And euery policie doun thrawis Expres agane the Lordis lawis? Sen Chriſt our King Omnipotent Left Pece in tyll his Teſtament, Quhow dois proceid this cruelte Aganis Iuſtice, and Equire? In land qubar ony weiris bene Greit Miſerie thare may be ſene. All thing on erth, that God hes wrocht Weir, dois diſtroy, and puttis at nocht, Citeis, with mony ſtrang Doungeoun Ar brint, and to the erthboung doun. Virginis, and Matronis ar deflorit Templis, that rychelie bene decorit Ar brint and all thare Preiſtis ſpulȝeit, Pure Orphelenis vnder feit ar fulȝeit, Mony auld men maid Childerles And mony Childer fatherles, Of famous Sculis the Doctryne Baith Naturall Science, and Deuyne, And euery vertew trampit doun No Reuerence done to Religioun. Strenthis deſtroyit alluterlie, Fair Ladyis forſit ſchamefullie. Ȝoung Wedowis ſpulȝeit of thare Spouſis Pure Lauboraris houndit frō thare houſis, Thare dar no Merchand tak on hand To trauell nother be ſey nor land, For boucheourꝭ quhilk dois thame cōfound. Sum murdreiſt bene, & ſum ar dround. Craftiſmen of curious Ingyne Alluterlie put to rewyne, The Beſtiall reft, the Commonnis ſlane The land but laubouring dois remane. Of Policie the perfyte warkis Beildingis, Gardingis, pleſand parkis, Aliuterlie diſtroyit bene, Greit Grangis brynt thare may be ſene. Ryches bene turnit to pouerte Plente in tyll penurite. Deith, Hounger, Derth, it is weill kend Of weir, this is the fatall end. Iuſtice turnit in tyrrannie All pleſour in aduerſitie. The Weir allutetlie doun thrawis Baith the Ciuill, and Cannoun lawis Weir, generis Murthour, and miſcheif, Sore lamenting without releif. Weir doith diſtroy Realmes and Kingis, Greit Princis weir to preſoun bringis. Weir, ſcheddis mekle ſaikles blude. Sen I can ſay of Weir na gude, ¶ Declare to me Schir geue ȝe can Quho firſt this Miſerie began?
Ane ſchort Deſcriptioun of the Four Monarcheis. And quhow King Ninus began the firſt Monarchie. ☜✚☜ OF Weiris (ſaid he) the greit outrage Began in to the ſecund age,Exp • Be ciuell, prydeful couetous kingi • Reuaris but richt of vtheris ringis. Quhowbeit Cayn afore the flude Wes firſt ſchedder of ſaikles blude, Ninus wes firſt and principall man Quhilk wrangous conqueſſing began. And was the man withoutein faill In erch, that ſtraik the firſt battaill, And firſt Inuentit Imagerie Quhate throuch came greit Idolatrif. ☞We moſt knaw, or we forther wend Of quhome king Ninus did diſcend. Ninus geue I can rycht defyne He wes frome Noe, the fyft belyne. Noe generit Cham, Cham generit Chus, And Chus Nimrod, Nimrod Belus, And Belus Ninus but leſing Of Aſſyria the ſecund king. And beildar of that greit Cite The quhilk was callit Ninius And wes the firſt and principall man Quhilk the firſt Monarchie began. Courteou.☞ Father (quod I) declare to me Quhat ſignifyis ane Monarchie? Experien.The ſuith (ſaid he) Sone geue thow knew, Monarchie, bene ane terme of Grew As quhen ane Prouince principall Had hole power Imperiall Duryng thare Dominationis Abufe all kingis and Nattonis One Monarchie, that men dois call. Of quhome I find four principall Quhilk hes roung ſen the warld began. Courteo.Than (ſaid I) Father geue ȝe can, Quhilk four bene thay, ſchaw me I pray ȝow Experien.My Sone (ſaid he) that ſall I ſay ȝow ¶Firſt rang the Kingis of Aſſyrianis: Secundlie rang the Perſianis: The Greikis thridlie, with ſwerd and fyre Perforce obtenit the thrid Impyre. The fourt Monarchie, as I heir The Romanis brukit mony ane ȝeir. Lat vs firſt ſpeik of Ninus king, Quhow he began his Conqueſſing. ☞The auld Greik Hiſtoriciane Diodorus, he wryttis plane At richt greit lenth, of Ninus king, Of his Impyre, and Conqueiſſing, And of Semitamis his wyfe That tyme the luſtieſt on lyfe. It wer to lang to put in wryte Quhilk Diodore hes done indyte, Bot I ſall ſchaw as I ſuppoſe Quhilk maiſt belangis thy purpoſe. Quhen Nimrod, Prince of Babilone Out of this wrechit warld wes gone And his Sone Belus deid alſwa, The firſt King of Aſſyria, This Ninus quhilk wes ſecund king Tryumphantlie began to ring, And wes nocht ſatifyit, nor content Of his a win Regioun, nor his rent, Thynk and his glore for till aduance Be his greit peple and puiſſance, Throuch Pryde, Couetyce, and vane glore Did hym prepare to conqueis more. And gatherit furth ane greit Armie Contrate Babilon, and Chaldie, Quhare of he had ardent deſyre Tyll Iune that land till his Impyre, Quhowbeit he had thareto no richt Bot by his tyranie and micht, Without in feir of God or man His Conqueſſing thus he began. ☞His peple beand in array To Chaldea tuke the reddy way Quhen that the Babilonianis To gether with the Chaldeanis, 〈1 page duplicate〉 〈1 page duplicate〉 Hard tell King Ninus wes cummand Maid proclamationis throuch the land, That ilk man efter thare degre Suld cum and ſaif thare awin countre. Quhowbeit thay had no vſe of weir Thay paſt fordwart withouttin feir, And put thame ſelfis in gude ordour, To meit king Ninus on the bordour, In that tyme ȝe ſall vnderſtand Thare wes no harnes in the land For tyll defend, nor tyll Inuaid, Quharethrow more ſlauchter thair wes maid Thay faucht throw ſtrenth of thate bodeis With gaddis of Irne, with ſtonis and treis. With ſound of horne, & hidduous cry Thay ruſchit to gither ticht rudely, With hardy harte, and ſtrenth of handis Tyll thouſandis dede lay on the landis. Quhare men in battell naikit bene Greit ſlauchter ſone thare may be ſene. Thay faucht ſo lang and cruellie And with vncertane victorie, No man mycht Iuge that ſtude on far Quho gat the better, nor the war. Bot quhen it did approche the nicht The Chaldeanis thay tuke the flicht. Than the king and his companie Wer richt glaid of that victorie, Becauſe he wan the firſt battell That ſtrikkin wes in erth but faill. And peceable of that Regioun Did take the hole Dominioun. Than wes he King of Chal • ea A • ſwe • ll as of Iſſyria. As for the King of Arabi • . I • his conqueſt maid hym ſupplie ¶ Of this ȝit wes he nocht content Bot to the Realme of Mede he went. Quhare Farnus king of that countre Did meit hym with ane greit Armie. Bot King Ninus the Battell wan, Quhare ſlane wer mony nobyll man. And to that king wald geue no grace Bot planelie in one publict place With his ſeuin Sonnes, and his Ladie, Cruellie did thame Crucifie. Of that tryumphe he did Reiois, Syne fordwart to the feild he gois Than conqueiſt he Armenia, Perſe, Egypt, and Pamphylia, Cappadoce, Lide, and Mauritane, Caſpta, Phrigia, and Hyrcane, All Africa, and Aſia, Except greit Inde, and Bactria, Quhilk he did conques efterwart As ȝe ſall heir or we depart. Now wald I or we forther wend That his Idolatrie wer kend. Syue efter that without ſudiorne, Tyll our purpoſe we ſall returne.
Quhow king Ninus Inuentit the firſt Idolatrie of Imagis. NINVS one Image he gart maik, For king Belus his Fatheris ſaik, Maiſt lyke his father of ſigour Of quantite and portratour. Of fyne Gold, wes that figour maid Ane craftie Croun apon his heid, With precious ſtonis in tokning His father Belus wes ane King. In Babilon he ane tempyll maid Of craftie work, baith hich and braid, Quharein that Image gloriouſlie Wes thronit vp tryumphantlie. Than Ninus gaif ane ſtrait command Tyll all the peple of that land Alſweill in till Aſſyria As in Sinear, and Chaldia, Vnder his Dominatioun Thay ſulde make Adoratioun Apon thare kneis to that figour, Vnder the pane of forfaltour. Thare wes na Lord in all that land His ſoummonding that durſt ganeſiand Than ȝoung and auld, baith greit and ſmall Till that Image thay prayit all And changit his Name as I heir tell From Belus, to thare gret God Bell In that tempill he did deuiſe Preiſtis for til mak Sacrifice, Be conſuetude, than come ane law None vther God that thay wald knaw And als he gaif to that Image Of Sanctuarie the Priuilege For quhat ſum euer tragreſſour Ane Homicide, or Oppreſſour Seand that Image in the face Of thare gilt gat the kyngis grace. ¶ Declare to me,Courteo. ſweit ſchir (ſaid I) Wes thare no more Idolatry? Efter that this fals Idole Bell Wes thronit vp, as ȝe me tell. ¶ My Sonne (ſaid he)Experien. incontinent The nouellis throuch the warld thay went Quhow kyng Ninus, as I haue ſaid Ane curious Image he had maid To the quhilk all his Natioun Maid deuote adoratioun Than euery Countre tuke conſait Thay wald kyng Ninus conterfait Quhen ony famous man wes deid Sett vp one Image in his ſteid Quhilk thay did honour frome the ſplene As it Immortall God had bene Imagis ſum maid for the nonis Of fyne gold, ſum of ſtokis and ſtonis Of ſyluer ſum, and Euer bone With diuers names till eueryone For ſum thay callit Saturnus Sum Iuppiter, ſum Neptunus And ſum thay callit Cupido Thare God of lufe, and ſum Pluto Thay callit ſum Mercurius And ſum the wyndie Eolus Sum Mars maid lyke ane man of weir Enarmit weill with ſworde and ſpeir Sum Bacchus, and ſum Apollo Of names thay had ane houndreth mo. ❧Quhen one Lady of greit fame Wes dede, for till exalt hir name Ane Image of hir portratour Walde ſett vp in ane Oratour The quhilk thay callit thare goddes As Venus, Iuno, and Pallas, Sum Cleo, ſum Proſerpina Sum Ceres, Veſta, and Diana, And ſum the greit goddes Mynerue With curious colouris thay wald carue Amang the Poetis, thou may ſee Of fals goddis, the genealogie. ☞ So thir abhominationis Did ſpreid ouerthort al Nationis Except gude Abraham, as we reid Quhilk honourit God, in worde and deid For Abraham had his beginning In to the tyme of Ninus king Ninus begane with tirrannie And Abraham with humilitie Ninus began the firſt Impyre, Abraham, of weir, had no deſyre Ninus began Idolatrie Abraham in ſpreit and veritie He prayit to the Lorde alone Fals Imagerie, he wald haue none Of him diſcendit, I heir tell The twelf Tribis of Iſraell Thir pepill maid adoratioun With humyll ſupplicatioun Tyll him quhilk wes of king is king That heuin and erth, maid of na thing Dede Imagis, thay held at nocht That wer with mennis handis wrocht Bot the almychtie God of lyfe, My Sone now haue I done diſcryfe Thir queſtionis at thy commande. The quhilkis thow did at me demande.Courteo. Quhat wes the cauſe (ſchir mak me ſure) Idolatrie did ſo lang indure Outthrouch the warlde ſo generallie And with the Gentilis ſpecialle?Experien▪ (Quod he) ſum cauſis principall I fynde in my memoriall Firſt wes through Princis commandement Quhilk did Idolatrie inuent Syne ſingular profite of the Preiſtis Payntourꝭ, Goldſmythis, Maſonis, wrichtis Thir men of craft, full curiouſlie Maid Imagis ſo pleſandlie And ſauld thame for ane ſumptuous pryce So be thare crafty Merchandyce Thay wer maid riche abone meſure, As for the Preiſtis, I the aſſure Large profite gat ouerthort all landis Throuch Sacrifice, and offerandis And be thare fayned ſanctitude Abuſit mony one man of gude, Daniell, iii.As in the tyme of Daniell The Preiſtis of this Idoll Bell Quhen Nabuchodonoſor King In Babilon royallie did ring Thir preiſtis the king gart vnderſtand That Image maid be mennis hand He wes ane glorious God of lyfe And had ſic ane prerogatyfe That be his greit power deuyne Wald eit Beif, Muttoun, Breid, and wyne And ſo the king gart euery day Afore Bell on his aulter lay Fourty freſche vedderis fat and fyne And ſax greit Rowbouris of wicht wyne Twelf greit Louis, of bowtit flour Quhilk wes all eittin in one hour Nocht he that Image deif and dum Bot be the Preiſtis all and ſum As in the Bibill thow may ken Quhoſe noummer wer three ſcore and ten, Thay, and thare wyfis euerilk daye Eit all that on the Aulter laye Than Daniell in concluſioun Schew the King thare abuſioun And of thare ſubteltie, maid him ſure Quhow vnderneth the tempill flure Throuch ane paſſage thay come be nicht And eit that meit with candill licht. ¶ The King quhen he the mater knew Thir preiſtis, with al thare wyffis he ſlew Thus ſubtellie the kyng was ſylit And all the peple wer begylit My Sone (ſaid he) now may thou ken Quhow be the Preiſtis, and craftiſmen And be thare craftines and cure Idolatrie, did ſo lang indure. ☞Behauld quhow Ihone Boccatius Hes wryttin workis wounderous Off Gentilis ſupperſtioun And of thare greit abuſioun As in his greit Buke thow may ſee Of fals Goddis, the Genealogie Of Demogorgon, in ſpeciall Fore Grandſchir, tyll the Goddis all Honourit amang Archadianis And of the fals Philiſtianis With thare greit deuylliſche god Dagon With vtheris Idolis mony one Bot I abhor the treuth to tell Of the Princis of Iſraell Choſin be God Omnipotent iii. Reg. xi.Quhow thay brak his Commandement, King Salomon, as the Scripture ſayis He dotit in his lattrer dayis His wantoun wyffis to compleis He curit nocht God till diſpleis And did commit Idolatrie Worſchipping caruit Imagerie As Moloch god of Ammonites And Chamos, god of Moabites Aſtaroth, god of Sydoniens So for his inodediens And fowll abhominatioun Wer puniſt his ſucceſſioun His ſonne Roboam, I heir tell Tint the ten Trybis of Iſraell For his Fatheris Idolatrie As in the Scripture thou may ſee. FINIS.
❧ Of Imagis vſit Amang Chriſtin Men. FATHER ȝit ane thing I wald ſpeir?Courteo. Behalde in euery kirk and Queir Throuch Chriſtindome in Burgh and land Imagis maid, with mannis hand To quhome bene geuin, diuers names Sum Peter, & Paule, ſum Ihone, & Iames Sanct Peter caruit with his keyis, Sanct Michael with his wyngꝭ and weyis, Sanct Katherine, with hir ſworde & quheill. Ane Hynd ſett vp beſyde ſanct Geill It war to lang, for till diſcryue Sanct Francis with his woundis fyue, Sanct Tredwall als thare may be ſene Quhilk on ane preik hes baich hir ene, Sanct Paul weill payntit with ane ſworde As he wald fecht at the firſt worde, Sanct Apolline on alter ſtandis, With all hir teith, in tyll hir handis, Sanct Roche weill ſeiſit men may ſee Ane byill new brokin on his thee, Sanct Eloy he dois ſtaitly ſtand Ane new horſe ſcho in till his hand Sanct Niniane of ane rottin ſtok Sanct Doutho borrit out of ane blok, Sanct Androw with his Croce in hand, Sanct George vpon ane horſe rydand, Sanct Anthonie ſett vp with ane ſow, Sanct Bryde weill caruit with ane kow, With coiſtlie colouris fyne and fair Ane thouſande mo, I mycht declare As ſanct Coſme and Damiane, The Sowtaris ſanct Criſpiniane, All thir on altare ſtaitly ſtandis Preiſtis cryand for thare offerandis, To quhome we Commonnis on our kneis Dois worſchip all thir Imagereis, In Kirk, in Queir, and in the cloſter Prayand to thame our Pater noſter, In Pilgramage frome town to town With offerand, and with oriſoun To thame ay babland on our beidis That thay may help vs in our neidis Quhat differis this declare to me Frome the Gentilis Idolatrie? Experien.¶Gyff that be trew that thou reportis It gois richt neir thir ſamyn ſortis Bot we be counſall of Clargie Hes lycence to mak Imagerie Quhilk of vnlernit bene the bukis For quhen lauit folk vpon thame lukis It bringis to rememberance Of Sanctis lyuis the circumſtance, Quhow the faith for to fortifie Thay ſufferit paine richt pacientlie, Seand the Image of the Rude Men ſulde remember on the Blude Quhilk Chriſt in till his Paſſioun Did ſched for our Saluatioun, Or quhen thou ſeis ane portrature Of blyſſit Marie Virgine pure One bony Babe vpon hir knee Than in thy mynde remember thee The wordis quhilkꝭ the Propheit ſaid, Quhow ſcho ſulde be baith Mother & maid. Bot quho that ſittis doun on thair kneis Pray and tyll ony Imagereis With Oriſone or offerand Kneland with cap in to thare hand No difference bene I ſay to thee Frome the Gentiles Idolatrie. ¶Rycht ſo of diuers Nationis I reid the abhominationis Quhow Grekis maid thair deuotioun haill To Mars to ſaif thame in battaill Till Iuppiter, ſum tuke thare vayage To ſaue thame frome the ſtormis rage Sum prayit to Venus, frome the ſplene That thay thare luffis micht obtene And ſum to Iuno, for ryches Thare pilgramage thay wald addres. ¶So dois our coummoun populare Quhilk war to lang for till declare Thare ſuperſtitious pilgramagis To mony diuers Imagis Sum to ſanct Roche with diligence To ſaif thame frome the peſtilence For thare teith to ſanct Apolline, To ſanct Tred well, to mend thare ene, Sum makis offer and to ſanct Eloy That he thare horſe may weill conuoy, Thay ryn, quhen thay haue Iowellis tin • To ſeik ſanct Syith or euer thay ſtint, And to ſanct Germane to get remeid For Maladeis in to thare heid, Thay bryng mad men on fute and hors And byndis thame to ſanct Mongois cros. To ſanct Barbara thay cry full faſt To ſaif thame frome the thonder blaſt For gude Nouellis as I heir tell Sum takis thare gait to Gabriell. Sum wyffis ſanct Margaret dois exhort In to thare byrth thame to ſupport To ſanct Anthony to ſaif the ſow, To ſanct Bryde to keip Calf and kow, To ſanct Sebaſtiane, thay ryn and ryde That frome the ſchot he ſaif thare ſyde And ſum in hope to get thare haill Rynnis to the auld Rude of Kerraill. Quhowbeit thir ſimple pepill rude, Thynk thare intentioun be bot gude, Wo be to Preiſtis I ſay for me. Quhilk ſuld ſchaw thame the veritie. Prelatis quhilkis hes of thame the cure Sall mak anſweir thairof be ſure On the greit day of Iudgement Quhen no tyme beis for to repent Quhare manyfeſt Idolatrie Sall puniſt be perpetuallie.
Ane exclamatioun Aganis Idolatrie. IMPRVDENT Peple, Ignorant & blind Be quhat reaſone, Law,Experien. or auctoritie Or quhat autentick Scripture can ȝe find Leſum for till commit Idolatrie Quhilk bene to bow ȝour body or ȝour kne With deuote humyll adoratioun Till ony Idoll maid of ſtone or tre Geuand to thame offer and or oblatioun. Quhy do ȝe giue the honour laude and glore, Pertenyng God, quhilk maid al thing of not, Quhilk wes, and is, and ſalbe euer more, Tyll Imagis be mennis handis wrocht O fulyſche folk, quhy haue ȝe ſuccour ſocht Of thame quhilk can not help ȝow in diſtres Ȝit reaſonably reuolf in to ȝour thocht In ſtok, nor ſtone, can be none holynes. In the deſert the peple of Iſraell Moyſes remanyng in the mount Synay Thay maid ane moltin Calf of fyne mettell,Exodi. .xxxii. Quhilk thay did honour as thare god verray Bot quhen Moyſes deſceudit I heir ſay And did conſider thare Idolatrie Of that peple, three thouſand gart he ſlay As the Scripture at lenth dois teſtifie. Daniell. xiiii.¶Becauſe the holy Propheit Daniell, In Babilon Idolatrie repreuit And wald not worſchip thare fals idoll Bell, The hole peple at him wer ſo aggreuit To that effect, that he ſuld be miſcheuit Delyuerit him to rampand Lyonis ſeuin, Bot of that dangerous den, he wes releuit Throuch mirakle of the greit God of heuin. ¶Behauld quhow Nabuchodonoſor king, In to the vaill of Duran, did prepare One Image of fyne gold, one m̄ualloꝰ thing Dani. iii.Thre ſcore of cubitis hich, and ſax in ſquare As more cleirlie, the Scripture dois declare To quhome all peple be proclamatioun With bodyis bowit, and on thare kneis bare Rycht humillie thay maid adoratioun. ¶Ane greit wounder, that day wes ſene alſo Quhow Nabuchodonoſor, in his Ire Tuke Sidrach, Miſach, and Abednago Quhilk wald not bow thare kne at his deſyre Tyll that Idoll, gart caſt thame in the fyre For to be brynt, or he ſterit of that ſtede Quhen he beleuit, that wet brynt bone & lyre, Wes not cōſumit ane ſmall hair of thair hede ☞The Angel of the Lord wes wt thame ſene In that hate furneis paſſing vp and doun In tyll ane roſie Gatth, as thay had bene None ſpot of fyre, diſtayning cot nor goun, Nf victorie thay did obtene the croun And wer to thame, that maid adoratioun To that Idoll, or bowit thare body doun Ane witneſſing of thare Dampnatioun. Quhat wes the cauſe at me thou may demād That Salomon vſit none Imagerie In his triumphat Temple for till ſtand? Of Abraham, Yſac, Iacob, nor Ieſſe, Nor of Moyſes, thare ſauegard throuch ye ſee Nor Ioſue, thare vailȝeand Campioun?G • od 〈◊〉 Dea ••• Becauſe God did command the contrarie Thay ſulde not vſe ſic ſuperſtitioun. ¶Behald quhow the greit God omnipotent To preſerue Iſraell frome Idolatrie Directit thame ane ſtrait commandement Thay ſuld nocht mak, none caruit Imagerie Nother of gold, of ſiluer, ſtone, nor tre Nor giue worſchip till ony ſimilitude, Beand in heuin, in erth, nor in the ſee Bot onelie till his Souerane celſitude. The Propheit Dauid, planely did repreue. Idolatrie to thair confuſioun In grauit ſtok, or ſtone, that did beleue, Declaryng thame thare greit abuſioun Spekand in maner of deriſioun. Quhow dede Idolis be mēnis hādis wrocht Quham thay honourit, with humill oriſoun Wer in the merket daylie ſauld and bocht. ¶ The Deuillis feand the cuyll conditioun. Of the Gentilis, and thare vnfaithfulnes For tyll agment, thare ſuperſtitioun In thoſe Idolis, thay maid thare entres, And in thame ſpak, as ſtoryis dois expres Than men beleuit of thame to get releif Aſkand thame help, in all thare beſynes Bot finallie that turnit to thair miſcheif. ☞ Traiſt weill in thame, is none Diuinitie. Quhē reik & rouſt, thair fair colour dois faid Thocht thay haue feit one fute thay cā not fle Quhowbit ye tempil birn aboue thare heid In thame is nother freindſchip nor remeid In ſic figuris quhat fauour can ȝe find? With mouth & citis, & ene thocht thay be maid All men may ſee, thay at dum, deif, & blind. Quhowbeit yai fal doun flatlingis on ye flure Thay haue no ſtrenth thare ſelf to rais agane Thocht rattonis ouir yam rin yai tak no cure Howbeit thay brek yair nek yai fell no paine Quhy ſuld mē Pſalmis to thame ſing or ſane Sen growand treis, that ȝeirly beris frute Ar more to praiſe, I make it to the plane Nor cuttit ſtockis wanting baith crop & rute. ☞ Of Edinburgh, the greit Idolatrie, And manifeſt abhominatioun, On thare feiſt day, all Creature may ſee Thay beir ane alo ſtok Image throw ye toui • With talbrone, trumpet, ſchalme, & clarioun Quhilk hes bene vſit, mony one ȝeir bigone With preiſtis, and freris, in to proceſſioun Siclyke as Bel wes borne throuch Babilon. Eſchame ȝe nocht ȝe ſeculare preiſtis & freris Till ſo greit ſuperſtitioun to conſent? Idolateris ȝe haue bene mony ȝeris Expres agane the Lordis commādement. Quharefor brether I counſale ȝow repent Giue no honour, to caruit ſtok, nor ſtone Giue laude and glore, to God Omnipotent Allanerlie, as wyſelie wryttis Ihone. Fy on ȝow Freiris, that vſis for to preche. And dois affect to ſick Idolatrie Quhy do ȝe nocht the Ignorant peple teche Quhow ane dede Image caruit of one tre As it wer holy ſuld nocht honourit be? Nor borne on Burges backis vp and doun. Bot ȝe ſchaw planelie ȝour Hypocriſie Qhen ȝe pas formeſt in proceſſioun. ☞Fy on ȝow foſteraris of Idolatrie, That till ane dede ſtok dois ſick reuerence In preſens of the peple, publikelie. Feir ȝe nocht God, to commit ſic offence? I counſale ȝow, do ȝit ȝour diligence To gar ſuppreſſe ſic greit abuſioun Do ȝe nacht ſo, I dreid ȝour recompence Salbe nocht ellis bot clene confuſioun. Had ſanct Frāces, bene borne out throw ye tōn Or ſanct Dominis, thocht ȝe had not refuſit With thame, till haue pa •• in proceſſioun In tyll that caſe, ſinn wald haue ȝow excuſit. Now mē may ſee, quhow that ȝe haue abuſit That nohill toun, throuch ȝour Hypocriſie, The peple crowis ye thay may richt weill vſit Quhen ȝe pas with thame in to companie. Sum of ȝow hes bene quiet counſallouris, Prouokand Princis, to ſched ſaikles blude Quhilk neuer did ȝour prudēt predeceſſouris Bot 〈◊〉 lyke furious Phariſeis denude Of cheritie, quhilk rent Chriſt on the rude For Chriſtis flok, without malice or Ire. Conuertit fragill faltouris I conclude Be Goddis worlde, without ſwerd or fyre. Mathew xviii.Reid ȝe not quhow, ye Chriſt hes geui cōmād, Giue thy brother doſth oucht the till offend, Than ſecreitlie correct him hand for hand In freindlie maner, or thou forther wend. Giue he wil nocht heir the, than mak it kend Tyll one or two, be trew narratioun. Gyf he for thame, will not his mys amend Declare him to the Congregatioun. ¶ And giue he ȝit remanis obſtinate And to the holy kirk Incounſalabill Than like ane Turk hald him excōmunicate And with all faithfull folk abhominabill, Baniſing him, that he be no more abill To dwell amang the faithfull cumpanie Quhen he repentis, be nocht vnmerciabill Bot him reſaue againe richt tenderlie. Bot our dum Doctours of Diunitie, And ȝe of the laſte fonde Religioun, Of pure Tranſgreſſouris, ȝe haue no pitie Bot cryis to put thame to confuſioun, As cryit the Iowis, for the effuſioun Of Chriſtis blude in to thair hiruand Ire Crucifige, ſo ȝe with one vnioun Cryis fy, gar caſt that faltour in the fyre. Vnmercifull memberis of the Antichriſt.Mathew xv. Ephi. vi. Extolland ȝour humane traditioun Contrar the Inſtitutioun of Chriſt Effeit ȝe nocht Diuine punitioun Thocht ſum of ȝow be guds of conditioun Reddy for to reſaue new recent wyne I ſpeik to ȝow auld Boiſis of perditioun, Returne in tyme, or ȝe tyn to rewyne. iii. Reg. xviii.As ran the peruerſt Prophetis of Baall, Quhilkis did conſent, to the Idolatrie Of wickit Achab, king of Iſraell Quhoſe noumer wer four hundreth & fyftie, Quhilkis honourit that Idoll oppinlie Bot quhen Elias, did preue thare abuſioun He gart the peple ſlay thame cruellie So at one hour come thare confuſioun. ❧ I praye ȝow prent in ȝour remembrence. Quhow the reid Freiris, for thare Idolatrie In Scotlād, Inglād, Spaine, Italy, & Frāce Vpō one day, wer puniſſit pietouſlie. Behald quhow ȝour awin brether now laitly In Duchelād, Inglād, Dēmark, & Noroway Ar trampit doun, with thare Hypocriſie, And as the ſnaw ar meltit clene away. I meruell yt our Biſchoppꝭ thinkꝭ no ſchame To giue ȝow freiris ſick preeminence, Till vſe thare office, to thare greit defame Preching for thame, in oppin audience. Bot michtane biſchop eik til his awin expens For ilk Sermon ten Ducatis in his hand, He wald or he did want that recompens Go preiche him ſelf, baith in to burgh & land. ••• ain to ſee gude Reformatioun, From tyme we get ane faithful prudent king Quhilk knawis ye trueth, and his vocatioun All Publicanis, I traiſt he will doun thring And wyll nocht ſuffer in his realme to ring Corruptit Scrybis, nor fals Phariſience, Agane ye trueth, quhilk planely dois maling Till that king cum, we man tak pacience. Now fairwell freindis, becauſe I cā not flyte Quhowbeit I culd ȝe man hald me excuſit Thocht I againe Idolatrie Indyte, Or thame diſpyte that will nocht ȝit refuſit, I pray to God, that it be no more vſit Amang the rewlaris of this Regioun. That commoun peple be no more abuſit Bot gif him glore, that bair the cruell croun. Quhilk teichit vs, be his diuine Scripture Tyll richt prayer, the perfyte reddy way As wryttis Mathew, in his ſext Chepture In quhat maner, and to quhō we ſuld pray, Ane ſchort compendious oriſone euerilk day, Moſt proffitabill, for baith body and ſaull, The quhilk is nocht directit I heir ſay To Ihon, nor Iames, to Peter, nor to Paul. ¶Nor to none vther of the Apoſtlis twelf Nor to no Sanct, nor Angell in the Heuin, Bot onelie tyll our Father God him ſelf Quhilk Oriſone it doith contene full euin Moſt proffitabill for vs petetionis ſeuin. Quhilk we lawid folk, the Pater Noster call. Thocht we ſay pſalmes, nyne, ten or ellewin, Of all prayer this bene the principall. Be reſoun of the maker, quhilk it maid, Quhilk wes the Sone of God, our ſaluiour Be reſoun als, to quhome it ſulde be faid, Till the Father of heuin, our Creatour, Quhilk dwellis nocht in tempill nor in tour. He cleirlie ſeis our thocht, will, and intent Quhat nedis vs, at vtheris ſeik ſuccour Quhen in all place, his power bene preſent. Ȝe Princis of the preiſtis, that ſulde preche Quhy ſuffer ȝe ſo greit abuſioun Quhy do ȝe nocht the ſempill peple teche Quhow, & to quhome, to dres thair oriſoun Quhy thole ȝe thame, to ryn frō toun to toun In pilgramage, till ony Imagereis Hopand to get thare ſum Saluatioun Prayand to thame, deuotlie on thare kneis. This wes the practik of ſum Pilgramage. Ouhen Fillokis in to Fyfe, began to fon With Ioke, & Thome, thā tuke yai thair vayage In Angus, to the feild chapel of dron Than Kittok thare als cadye as ane Con Without regard other to Syn or ſchame Gaue Lowrte leif, at laſer to loup on Far better had bene, till haue biddin at hame. ☞ I haue ſene pas, one merualloꝰ multitude Ȝoung men & wemen, flyngand on thair feit Vnder the forme, of fenȝeit ſanctitude For till adorne, ane Image in Loreit, Mony come with thare marrowis for to meit Committand thare foull Fornicatioun Sum kiſſit the claggit taill of the Armeit, Quhy thole ȝe this abhominatioun? ❧ Of Fornicatioun and Idolatrie Apperandlie ȝe take bot litill cure, Seand the maruellous Infelicitie Quhilk hes ſo lang done in this land indure In ȝour defalt, quhilk hes the charge & cure This bene of treuth, my Lordis wt ȝour leue Sic pilgramage hes maid mony ane hure Quhilk gyf I pleſit, planelie I mcht preue, ☞ Quhy mak ȝe nocht, the ſcripture manifeſt To pure pepill, twiching Idolatrie? In ȝour preching, quhy haue ȝe nocht expreſt Quhow many Kingis of Iſraell cruellie Wer puneiſſit be God, ſo rigorouſlie? As Ieroboam, and mony mo but dout For worſchipping of caruit Imagerieiii. 〈◊〉 xii. War frome thare Realmes rudlie rutit out. ¶ Quhy thole ȝe vnder ȝour Dominioun, Ane craftie Preiſt, or fenȝeit fals Armeit Abuſe the peple of this Regioun Onelie for thare particular profeit? And ſpeciallie that Armeit of Laureit He pat the Commoun pepill in beleue That blind gat ſicht, & crukit gat thare feit The quhilk that Palȝard no way cā appreue Ȝe maryit mē that hes trim wantoun wyffis And luſty douchteris of ȝoung & tender age, Quhois honeſtie ȝe ſuldel lufe as ȝour lyfis Permit thame nocht to pas in pilgramage To ſeik ſupport at ony ſtok Image, For I haue wittin, gude wemē pas fra hame Quhilk hes bene trappit with ſic luſtis rage, Hes done returne baith wt gret ſyn & ſchame. Get vp, thow ſlepis all to lang, O Lord. And mak ane haiſtie Reformatioun On thame quhilk dois tramp dōn thy gratious word And hes ane deidly indignatioun At thame quhilk makis trew narratioun Of thy Goſpell, ſchawing the veritie. O Lorde I mak thee ſupplicatioun Support our faith, our hope, and Cheritie. FINIS.
How king Ninus Beildit the gret Citie of Niniue. And quhow he Vincuſt Zoroaſtes the King of Bactria. THIS Ninus of Aſſyria King Quhen he had maid his Conqueſing To Beild ane Citie, he him dreſt Chuſing the place, quhare he thocht beſt Quhare he had firſt Dominioun In Aſſyria his awin Regioun Thocht Aſſur as the Scripture ſayis Quhilk come afore King Ninus dayisGene. x. And foundit that famous Citie The quhilk was callit Niuiue Bot as reherſis Diodore Ninus that Citie did decore So maruellous Triumphantlie As ȝe ſall heir Immediatlie Vpon the flude of Euphrates Quhilk to behauld, greit wounder wes. Ane houndreth and fyftie ſtagis That Citie wes of lenth I wis. The wallis ane houndreth fute of hicht No wounder was thocht thay wer wicht, Sic breid abufe the wallis thare was Thre cartis mycht ſydlingis on thame pas, Four hundreth ſtagis, and four ſcore In circute but myn or more Of towris about thoſe wallis I wene Ane thouſand, and fyue houndreth bene. Of hicht two houndreth fute and more As wryttis, famous Diadore. ☞ The Scripture makis mentioun Quhen God ſend Ionas to that toun ••• a iiiTo ſchaw thame of his puniſchement Outthrouch the Citie quhen he went Thre dayis Iornay, till him it wes The Bibyli ſayis, it wes no les. Experien.My Sone, now haue I ſchawin to thee Of the buildyng of Niniue For the agmenting of his fame Ninus gart call it efter his name. Quhen he that greit Citie had endi • To conques more ȝit he intendit, And did depart frome Niniue And raſit vp ane greit Armie Of the maiſt ſtalwart men and ſtout Of all his Regionis round about, In greit ordour tuke thare Iornay Towart the Realme of Bactria. Of wicht fute men, I vnderſtand He had ſeuintene hundreth thouſand Without horſmen, and weirlyke cartis Quhome he ordourit in ſindry partis Quhilk till diſcryue I am nocht abill Quhoſe noumer bene ſo vntrowabill. Zoroaſtes, that nobill King Quhilk Bactria, had in gouerning, That prudent Prince, as I heir tell Did in Aſtronomie precell And fande the Art of Magica With Naturall Science mony ma Seand king Ninus on the feild Fordwarte he come, with ſpeir and ſcheild. Four houndreth thouſand men he wes In his Armie thare wes no les. And met king Ninus on the bordour Rycht vailȝeantlie, and in gude ordour. On the Vangarde of his Armie On thame he ruſchit rycht rudelie. And of thame ſlew as I heir ſay Ane houndreth thouſand men that day. The reſt that chapit war vnſlane To Ninus greit oiſt fled againe. Of that king Ninus wes ſo noyit, He reſtit neuer tyll he diſtroyit All hole that Regioun vp and doun And frome the king did reif the croun, And maid the Realme of Bactria Subiectit tyll Aſſiria. And in that ſamyn land I wis He tuke to Wyfe Semiramis. Quha (as myne Auctour dois diſcryue) Was than the luſtieſt on lyue. That beand done without ſudgeorne Tyll Niniue he did returne With greit tryumphe of victorie As myne auctour dois ſpecifie Boith Occident and Orient War all till him obedient. It wald abhor the till heir red The ſaikles blude that he did ſched. Quhen he had roung as thou may heir The ſpace of thre and fourty ȝeir Be and in his excellent glore The dolent deith did him deuore. In quhat ſorte I am nocht certane Sum Auctor ſayis that he wes ſlane And left tyll bruke his Heritage One lytle Babe of tender age Ȝoung Ninus wes the Chyldis name Quhilk efter fluriſchit in greit fame. Sum ſayis that be his wyffis treaſoun King Ninus deit in preſoun, As I ſall ſchaw, or I hyne fair Quhow Diodore hes done declair.
Of the wounderful Deidis of the Quene Semiramis. NINVS luffit ſo ardentlie, Semiramis his fair Ladie Thare wes no thing ſcho wald command Bot all obeyit wes fra hand Scho ſeand him ſo Amorous, Scho grew proude and preſumptuous, And at the king ſcho did deſyre Fyue dayis to gouerne his Impyre. And he of his beneuolence Did grant hir that preeminence With Sceptour, Crown, and Rob Royall And hole power Imperiall, Tyll fyue dayis wet cum and gone That ſcho as king ſuld regne alone. Than all the Princis of the land Duryng that tyme maid hir ane band With bankat Royall merilie Scho treatit thame triumphantlie So the firſt day the peple all Come tyll hir ſeruyce bound and thrall Bot or the ſecund day wes gone Scho tuke ſick glore to regne allone Be one decreit maid thame amang The king ſcho put in preſone ſtrang I reid weill of his preſonyng Bot nocht of his deliueryng Quhow euer it wes in tyll his flouris He did of deth ſuffer the ſchouris And mycht nocht lenth his lyfe one hour Thocht he wes the firſt Conquerour. Quhoſe Conqueſſing for to conclude Wes nocht but greit ſcheddyng of blude Now haue ȝe hard of Ninus King Quhow he began, and his ending Quhowbeit myne auctor Diodore Of him haith wryttin mekle more. Princis for w • angous conqueſſing Doith mak oft tymes ane euyll ending. Thocht he had lang proſperitie He endit with greit miſerie.
Of king Ninus Sepulture. THE Quene ane Sepulture ſcho maid Quhare ſcho king Ninus bodie laid, Of curious crafty wark and wicht, The quhilk had ſtaidis nyne of hicht And ten ſtaidis of breid it wes Diodore ſayis it wes no les. For aucht ſtaidis one myle thow tak And thare efter thy noummer mak. So be this compt, it wes full richt One myle, and als ane ſtaid of hicht Except the tour of Babilone So hich one werk, I reid of none. Semiramis this luſty Quene Conſidering quhat danger bene To haue ane king of tender age Quhilk micht nocht vſe no Vaſſalage. Scho tuke one curageous conſait Think and that ſcho wald mak debait Geue ony maid Rebellioun Contrar hir Sone, or his Regioun, Quhome ſcho did foſter tenderlie And kepit hym full quietlie Scho laid apart hir a win cleithing And tuke the Rayment of ane King. Quhen ſcho wes in till armour dicht Micht no man knaw hir be one knicht, Scho vailȝeantlye went to the weir And to geue Battell tuke no feir Dantyng all Realmes round about That all the warld of hir had dout More fortunate in hir conqueſſing Nor wes hir Huſband Ninus king. ❧ Babilon ſcho did fortifie, Templis and towris triumphandlie So pleſandlie did thame prepair Quhilk in the erth had no compair Quhowbeid Nimrod, of quhome I ſpak The hydduous doungeoun he gart mak And of the Citie the foundement To quhome God maid Impediment. Quhare Nimrod left thare ſcho began And put to wark mony one man. Of all the Realmes round about Of moſte Ingyne ſcho ſocht thame out Scho had wirkand with tre and ſtonis Twelf houndreth thouſand men at onis Go reid the buke of Diodore And thow fall find the noumer more. On euerilk ſyde of Euphrates That nobill Citie beildit wes And ſo that ryuer of renown Ran throuch the midpart of the toun. Ouerthort that tlude ſcho briggis maid Of maruellous ſtrenth boith lang and braid. Thay wer fyue ſtaidis large of lenth On euerilk Brig ſcho maid one ſtrenth. The circuite as I ſaid afore Four houndreth ſtaidis, and foure ſcore. The wallis hicht quha wald diſcryue Thre houndreth fute, thre ſcore and fyue. Sax Cartis micht pas rycht eſalie Abufe the wallis of that Citie, Sydlingis without Impediment. Conſydder be ȝour Iugement Geue thoſe wallis wer hich or nocht And alſo curiouſlie wer wrocht As Diodore hes done defyne Quhilk doith tranſcend my rude Ingyne. Of Babilon the magnificence To quhome ȝe walde geue no credence Geue I at lenth wald put in wryte Quhilk Diodore hes done indyte. Compare of Citeis fynde I none Tyll Niniue, and Babilone. Frome Niniue, in Aſſyria Tyll Babilon in Chaldea. Be Briggis pleſandlie ȝe may pas Vpon the flude of Euphrates Amang the fludis of Paradyce This Euphrates may beir the pryce. All warkis quhilkis the Quene began Tranſcendit the ingyne of man. The proude Quene Pentheſilea The Princeſſe of Amazona With hir Ladyis tryumphandlie At Troy, quhilk faucht ſo vailȝeandlie Nor ȝit the fair Madin of France Danter of Inglis Ordinance, To Semiramis in hir dayis Wer no compare as bukis ſayis. Except triumphand Iulius, Strong Hanniball, or Pompeius, Or Alexander the Conquerour I find no greter weriour. Wald I rehers as wryttis Clerkis Hir wounderfull and vailȝand werkis, It wer to me one greit laubour And tedious to the Auditour. Quhat ſcho did in Ethiopia. And in the land of Media Beildand Citeis, Caſtellis, and Towris, Parkes, and Gardingis of pleſouris, For the exalting of hir Name And Immortall to mak hir fame Of Iarcius, the hich Montanis Scho gart ryue down, & mak thame planis, Gret Orontes that Montane wicht Twenty and fyue ſtaidis of hicht Tyll hir Palice to draw ane Loch By fors of men, ſcho raue it throuch. ¶Had ſcho kepit hir Chaſtitie Scho mirht haue bene one A. per ſe. Quhen ſcho had ordourit hir Impyre Of Venus wark ſcho tuke deſyre One ſecreit Manſioun ſcho gart mak Quhare ſcho pleſandlie mycht tak Ȝoung gentill men for hir pleſour The quhilk ſcho vſit aboue meſour. One man allone, micht nocht be abill. To ſtanche hir luſt inſaciabill. Quhen ſcho wes ſatiſfyit of one Scho gart ane vther cum anone The luſtieſt of all the land Come quietlye at hir command Quhen thay at lenth had lyin hir by Scho ſlew thame all richt cruelly. Quhen hir Sone come tyll age perfyte Of hym ſcho tuke ſo greit delyte Scho cauſit hym with hir to lye Amang the reſt richt quietlye. Sum ſayis throuch ſenſuall luſtis rage Scho band hym in to Mariage And held hym vnder tutorie To vphald hir auctoritie.
❧How the Quene Semiramis with ane greit Armie, paſt to Inde, and Faucht with the king Staurobates. And of hir Miſerabill end. ☞(*)☜ QVHEN ſcho had lang tyme leuit in reſt To conques more ſcho hir addreſtExperien. Becauſe of diuers ſcho hard tell How that the Inde Orientell Precellit in greit commoditeis As beiſtiall, cornis, and frutfull treis. All kynd of Spyce delitious, Gold, Syluer, ſtonis Precious And quhow that plenteous land did beir Corne, Frute, and Wyne, twyſe in the ȝeir. With Oliphantis Innumerabill In Battell wounder terribill. Scho heirand this, and mekle more Beleuand tyll agment hir glore Gart mak ſtrait Proclamationis In all, and ſindrie Nationis. Schawand quhow it wes hir deſyre All Princis vnder hir Impyre In Egipt, and Arabia, In Pers, in Mede, and Chaldea. In Grece in Caſpia, and Hyrcane In Capadoce, Lidia, and Mauritane. In Armenie, and Phrigia, In Pamphilie, and Aſſyria, That ilk Land efter thair degre Sulde bring till hir ane greit Armie In all the gudelie haiſt thay may And melt hir in tyll Bactria Declaring thame that hir intent Was tyll pas to the Orient, And make weir on the king of Inde. From tyme thay knew quhat wes hir mynde Than be thare ſelfis ilk Regioun Come fordwart with thare Garniſoun Tryumphandlie, in gude array Tyll Bactria tuke the reddy way And maid thare Muſtouris to the Quene Bot ſic one ſycht was neuer ſent, In Battell ray ſo mony one man Atonis, ſen God the warld began. Bot Spanȝe, France, Scotland, Ingland, Ducheland, Denmark, nor ȝit Ireland, Wer nocht Inhabite in thoſe dayis, Nor lang efter, myne Author ſayis. ¶Etheſias, he dois ſpecifie The noumber of this greit Armie, Say and thare come at hir command Fute men, threttie houndreth thouſand, Of hors men montit galȝeardlie Fyue houndreth thouſand veralie. Ane houndreth thouſand Cametlis wicht On euerilk Cameill, raid ane knicht, Prepairit till pas in to all partis Thare wes ane hundreth thouſand Cartis. Two thouſand bottis with hir ſcho caryis On Hors, Camelis, and Dromodaryis. Briggis for to mak ſcho did conclude Ouerthort Indus, that furious flude, Quhilk bene of Inde, the outmaiſt bordour, On the quhilk flude, with richt gude ordour Of hir Bairgis, ſcho briggis maid Quhareon hir greit Oiſt ſaiflie raid. ❧Father I wald men vnderſtudeCorteou▪ Quhow ſic ane maruellous multitude Mycht be atonis, brocht to the feild Reddy to fecht, with ſpeit and ſcheid. Sum men wyll Iuge, this bene ane fabill The mater bene ſo vntrowabil? ☞It may weill be my Sone (ſaid he) As be exempill we may ſee,Experien. Quhow Dauid king of Iſraellii. San •• xxiiii. His peple gart noumer and tell Be Ioab, his cheif Capitane As holy Scripture ſchawis plane Of fecht and men, in to that land He fand threttene houndreth thouſand. Sen Dauid, in that ſmall countre Mycht haue raſit ſic one Armie. To this Lady, it was no wounder The quhilk had greter Realmes ane hunder Nor Dauidis litle Regioun Thocht ſcho had mony ane Legioun Off men mo nor I tauld afore. Tharefor my Sone, maruell no more ☞Staurobates, the king of Inde Greitlie perturbit in his mynde Heiring of ſick ane multitude To make defence he did conclude. And ſend ane Meſſage to the Quene Pray and hir Maieſtie ſerene, That ſcho wald of hir ſpeciall grace Geue hym Licence to leue in peace Failȝe and of that thocht he ſuld des That he ſulde gar hir fecht or flee. And tyll his God ane vow he maid Geue no peace micht of hir be had, And geue he wan the victorie That he the Quene ſulde Crucifie. At this boſting the Quene maid bourdis Say and it ſall nocht be no wourdis, Sall gar me pas, fra my purpoſe Bot michtie ſtraikis as I ſuppoſe. The Meſſinger ſchew to the King Of hir preſumptuous anſwering Than Staurobates wyſe and wicht Come fordwart lyke anenobill knicht With mony one thouſand ſpeir and ſcheild Arrayit Royallie on the feild, Think and he wald his land defend Or in the Battell mak ane end. ☞ The Quene vpon the vther ſyde Full of preſumptioun and of pryde Hir Baneris pleſandlie diſplayit With hardy hart, and vneffrayit, Apon Indus, that famous flude, Thay met, quhare ſched wes mekle blude, In Bote, in Balingar, and Bargis, The twa Armeis on vtheris chargis. Semiramis the Battell wan Quhare drowait and ſlane wer mony one mā So that the water of the flude Ran reid myxit with mannis blude The king of Inde, with all his micht Frome Indus flude he tuke the flicht Till his cheif Citie, he reteirit, Quhare in his preſens thare appeirit In Battell raye ane new Armie Of richt Inuincible Cheualrie With Elephantes, ane hiddous noumer Quhilk efterwart maid mekle cummer. Semiramis and hir cumpanie In the meane tyme full cruellie Diſtroyit the Bordouris of that land, Tuke preſonaris, ma than ten thouſand. Scho tuke ane curageous conſait. Greit Elephantis to contrefait. Scho had ten thouſand Oxin hydis Weill ſe wit to gidder bak and ſydis With mouth and noſe, teith, eiris and eine, Quick Elephantis as thay had bene. Rycht weill ſtuffit, full of ſtray and hay, Quhare of the Indianis tuke affray. Apon Camelis, and Dromodareis. Thoſe fals figuris with hir ſcho careis, Sere Indianis, quhen thay ſaw that ſicht Efferitlie thay tuke the flicht. For ſic one ſitht wes neuer ſene Geue naturall beiſtis thay had bene. The King himſelf, wes richt affeirit Tyll he the veritie had ſpeirit, And knew be his Exploratouris Thay war bot fenȝeit fals figouris. Than manfullie lyke men of weir Fordwart thay come withouttin feir. Richt ſo Semiramis the Quene Qubilk for one man wes ay fyftene. Thir two Armyis full cruellie Thay ruſchit to gidder ſo rudelie With hydduous cry, and trumpettis ſound Till thouſandis dede lay on the ground. Semiramis had ſic one noummer. Tyll ordour thame it wes greit cummer. Than the greit Elephantis of Iude Richt ſtrang and hardy of thare kynde Ford wart thay come, and wald nocht ceis Ty • l throuch the middis of the preis Of the greit Oiſt, thay rudclie ruſchit That men and hors till erd thay duſchit. Thoſe fenȝeit beiſtis withouttin ſpreit Wer fruſchit and fuilȝeit vnder feit. The king of Iude with curage kene Met with Semiramis the Quene, He rydand on ane Elephand, Bot ſcho with him faucht hand for hand, And gaue the King ſo greit aſſay That he wes neuer in ſic affray To ſtraik at him ſcho tuke no feir So weill ſcho vſit wes in weir. His ſtrakis ſcho had bot lytle comptit Wer nocht the king wes ſo weill montit Ather at vther ſtraik ſo faſt Tyll thay wer tyrit at the laſt. The King he thocht him ſelf eſchamit. With one woman to be befamit, And wes determit nocht to flee Thocht in that Battell he ſuld dee, As man the quhilk diſparit bene He rudely ran vpon the Quene, And throuch the arme gaif hir ane wound Quhilk till hir hart gaue ſic one ſtound That ſcho conſtranit wes to flee Than all the reſt of hir Armie Quhen thay perſauit that ſcho wes gone, Tyll Indus flude thay fled ilk one. The Quene ouerthort the flude ſcho raid On briggis quhilks wer of botis maid, With hir ane ſober cumpanie Quhilk with hir fled affrayitlie. The Indianis followit on the chais Than on the Briggis come ſic one preis Of fleand folkis, quhilk wes greit wounder So that the Bargis brak in ſchonder. Sum ſank, ſum doun the ryuer ran, Than drownit thare, mony ane nobill man, Quhilk wes greit pitie till deplore, As wryttis famous Diodore. And finallie for to conclude Wes neuer ſched ſo mekle blude At one tyme, ſen the warld began Nor ſlane ſo mony one ſaikles man, And all throuch the occaſioun And the prydefull perſwaſioun Of this ambitious wickit Quene Sick one wes neuer hard nor ſene. Staurobates the king of Inde, Gretlye reioyſit in his mynde Of this tryumphe and victorie Semiramis with hart full ſorie Seand ſa mony tane and ſlane Tyll hir countrie returnit agane, Lamentand fortunis variance Quhilk brocht hir to ſo greit miſchance Afore quhilk wes ſo fortunate And than of conforte deſolate. Hir Sone ane man of perfectioun Conſiderand his ſubiectioun, His libertie he did deſyre That he micht gouerne his Impyre, Seand his Mother vitious And with that ſo ambitious As myne Auctor dois ſpecifie He ſlew his Mother cruellie Quhat vther cauſe, or Intentioun I fynd no ſpeciall mentioun. Sum ſayis to be at Libertie Sum ſayis, for hir Adulterie, None vther cauſe I can defyne Except Punitioun deuyne. ☞Of this fair Lady corageous Behald the endyng dolorous Quhilk wes bot twenty ȝeris of age Quhen ſcho began hir Vaſſalage, And rang tryumphandlie but weir The ſpace of two and fourtie ȝeir Quhen ſcho wes ſlane, ſcho wes thre ſcore With ȝeris two, ſcho wes no more. As Diodore, wrytis in his buke His Cronicle, quho liſt to luke. ¶Of this Lady I mak ane end, Thynkand no way, I can commend Wemen for till be to manlie Nor men for till be womenlie. For quhy, it bene the Lordis mynd All Creature tyll vſe thare kynd. Men for tyll haue preeminence, And wemen vnder obedience. Thocht all wemen inclynit be Tyll haue the Soueranetie. As this Lady, quhilk wald nocht reſt Till ſcho hir Huſband had ſuppreſt Till that intent that ſcho micht ring Allone to haue the gouerning. ¶ Ladyis no way I can comend Preſumptuouſlie quhilk dois pretend Till vſe the office of ane king Or Realmes tak in gouerning. Quhowbeit thay vailȝeant be and wicht Going in Battell lyke ane knicht As did proude Pentheſilea The Princes of Amazona, In mennis habite aganis reſoun. Siclyke I thynk deriſioun One Prince to be effeminate Of knichtlie corage deſolate, Neglect and his auctoritie, Throuch beiſtlie ſenſualitie, Accompanyit baith day and nichtis With wemen more than vailȝeant knichtis Sic kingis I diſcommend at all, Exempill of Sardanapall. Courteo. ❧ Father (ſaid I) ſchaw me how lang The ſucceſſioun of Ninus rang? Experien.That ſall I do with diligence My Sone (ſaid he) or I go hence. Sell I haue ſchawin at thy deſyre Quhat man began the firſt Impyre, Now wald I it wer to the kend Of that Impyre the fatall end.
Howking Sardanapalus for his Vitious lyfe, maid ane Miſeravill end. BETVIX this Conquerour Ninus, And ſenſuall Sadanapalus, I can nocht find no ſpeciall ſtorie Worthy to put in memorie, Except quhilk I haue done diſcryfe, Of Semirame, king Ninus wyfe. Bot I can find no gude at all To wryt of king Sadanapall, Quhilk wes the ſext and threttie king Belyne frome Ninus diſcending, At lenth his lyfe for to declare I thynke it is nocht neceſſare, Becauſe that mony cunnyng clerkis Hes hym diſcryuit in thare werkis Quhow he wes laſt of Aſſirianis Quhilk had the hole preeminans, That tyme of the firſt Monarchie In Cronicles as thow may ſee. The laſt, and the moſt vitious king Quhilk in that Monarchie did ring. That Prince wes ſo effeminate With ſenſuall luſt intoxicate, He did abhor the cumpanie Of his maiſt nobill Cheualrie, That he mycht haue the more delyte Till vſe his beiſtlie appetyte Conuerſit with wemen nicht and day And clothit hym in thare array So that na man that hym had ſene Culd Iuge ane man that he had bene. So in Huredome and harlatrie Did keip hym ſelf ſo quietlie, The Prencis of Aſſiriens Of hym thay could get no preſens. Thus leuit he continuallie Agane Nature Inordinatlie. ¶ Quhen to the Perſis and the Medis Reportit wer his vitious dedis With the Rewlaris of Babilone Thay did conclude all in tyll one Thay wald nocht ſuffer for til ting Abufe thame ſic ane vitious king Bot Arbaces, ane Duke of Mede He darflie tuke on hand that dede. ¶ Bot firſt he come to Niniue To ſee the king is Maieſtie And tyll one of the kingis gard He gaif ane ſecreit riche reward Tyll put hym in ane quiet place Quhare he mycht ſee the kingis grace And be vnſene with ony wicht Bot he ſaw nother king nor knycht In tyll his Maiſteris cumpanie Except wemen allanerlie. And as ane woman he wes cled With wemen counſalit and led And ſchamefullie he wes ſittand With ſpindle, and with Rock ſpinnand. Quhen Arbaces that ſycht had ſene His curage rais vp frome the ſplene And thocht it ſmall difficultie For tyll depryue his Maieſtie. ☞ Than raſit he the Perſianis With Medis and Babilonianis Ennarmit weill with ſpeir and ſcheildis Tryumphandlie thay tuke the feildis ¶ The King raſit Aſſirianis To gyther with the Caldeanis And thame reſyſtit as thay micht Bot fynallie he tuke the flicht To ſaif hym ſelf in Niniue, Than Segit thay that greit Citie Continuallie two ȝeir and more As wryttis famous Diodore Tyll that the flude of Euphrates Arais with ſic one furiouſnes Quhare throuch ane grett part of the tonn Be violence wes doungin doun. Than quhen the king ſaw no remede Bot to be takin or to be dede As man diſparit full of Ire Gart mak ane furious flammand fyre And tuke his gold and Iowellis all With Scepture, Croun, and Rob Royal, With all his tender Seruituris That of his Corps had greiteſt curis To gidder with his luſtie Quenis And all his wantoun Concubenis, And in that fyre he did thame caſt Syne lap hym ſelf in at the laſt Quhare al wer brynt in poulder ſmall. Thus endit king Sadanapall Withouttin ony repentance As may be ſene be this ſentence Heir followyng, quhilk he did indyte Afore his deith, in greit deſpyte Quhilk is ane rycht vngodly thing As ȝe may ſee, be his dyting.
Epitaphium Sardanapali. ❧ CVM te mortalem noris, preſentibus exple Delitijs animum, poſt mortem nulla voluptas, Et venere, & caenis, & plumis Sardanapali.
☞Now haue I ſchawin with diligens The Monarchie of Aſſiriens The quhilk at king Ninus began And endit at this my ſcheant man And did indure withouttin weir, Ane thouſand, twa hundreth and fourty ȝeir As dois indyte Euſebius. Reid him, and thow ſall find it thus.
❧The thrid buke Makand Narratioun of the Miſerabill Deſtruction of the Fyue Citets, callit Sodome, Gomorre, Seboim, Segor, and Adama, with thair hole Regioun, and ane ſchort Deſcriptioun of the Secund, Thrid, and Ferd Monarcheis. With the Miſerabill Deſtructioun of Ieruſalem. And laſt of the Spirituall Monarchie. ☞(*)☜ ❧ FATHER I pray ȝow to me tell.Courteo. Quhat notabil thingis yat befel During the regne of Aſſiriens Quhilk had ſo lang preeminens I mene of vther Nationis Vnder thair Dominationis? ¶That may be done in termis ſchortExperien. (Said he) as ſtoryis dois report Induring this firſt Monarchie Become that wofull miſerieGen. xix. Of Sodome, Gomorre, and thair Regioun As Scripture makis mentioun. Quhoſe peple wer ſo ſenſuall In fylthie Synnis vnnaturall The quhilk in to my vulgar vers My toung abhorris to rehers Lyke brutell beiſtis, by thair myndis Vnnaturally abuſe thair kyndis Be fylthie ſtink and Lecherie And moſt abominabill Sodomie, As holy Scripture dois diſcryue In that countrie wer Citeis fyue Quhilk wer Sodome, and Gomorra Seboim, Segor and Adama. Amang thame all, fund wes thare none Vndefylit, bot Loth allone. ¶Holy Abraham dwelt neir hand by Quhilk prayit for Loth effectuouſlie, For God maid hym aduertyſment That he wald mak ſic puniſchement To Loth two Angellis God did ſend Hym frome that furie tyll defend. Quhen the peple of that Regioun Saw the Angellis cum to the toun Tranſformit in to fair ȝoung men Thay purpoſit thame for to ken And abuſe thame vnnaturallie With thare foule ſtink and Sodomie. Of that gude Loth wes wounder wo And offerit thame his Douchteris two Thame at thare pleſour for tyll vſe Bot thay his Douchteris did refuſe. And than the Angellis be thare micht Thoſe men depryuit of thare ſicht And ſo perforce leit thame allone. To Lothis lugeing quhen thay wer gone Thay hym commandit haiſteilie For tyll depart of that Citie. That foule vnnaturall Lecherie Ane vengeance to the heuin did crye The quhilk did moue God till ſic Ire That frome the heuin Bryntſtone and fyre With aufull thounding ranit doun And did conſume that hole regioun Of all that land chapit no mo Except Loth, and his Douchteris two. His wyfe wes turnit in ane ſtone So wyfeles wes he left allone. For ſcho wes Inobedient And kepit no Commandement Quhen the Angell gaif thame command Sone till depart out of that land He moniſchit thame vnder greit paine Neuer to luke bakwart againe. Quhen Lothis wyfe hard the thoundring Off flammand fyre, and lichtning The vgly cryis lamentabill Of peple moſte Eſpouentabill For none of thame had force to flee Scho ȝarnit that ſorrowfull ſicht to ſee And as ſcho turnit hir anone Scho wes tranſformit in ane ſtone. Quhare ſcho remanis ſtill this day Off hir I haue no more to ſay. To ſchaw at lenth, I am nocht abill That pietuous proces lamentabill Quhow Citeis, Caſtellis, Townis, & towris, Villagis, Baſtailȝeis, and Bowris, Thay wet all in to poulder dreuin, Forreſtis, be the rutis vpreuin. Thare king, thare Quene, and peple all Ȝoung and auld, brynt in poulder ſmall No Creature wes left on lyfe Foulis, Beiſtis, Man, nor Wyfe The erth, the Corne, herb, frute and tree, The Babbis, vpon the Nutiſe knee, Rycht ſuddandlie in one Inſtent Vnwarly come thare Iugement As it come in the tyme of Noy Quhen God did all the warld diſtroy For that ſelf Syn of Sodomie And moſt abhominabill Bowgrie That vyce at lenth for to declare I think it is nocht neceſſare. Quhen al wes brint, fleſche, blude & bonis Hillis, valleyis, ſtockis, & ſtonis, The countre ſank for to conclude Quhare now ſtandis ane vglie flude, The quhilk is callit the dede ſee, Nixt to the countre of Iudee. Quhois ſtinkand ſtrandis blak as tar The fleuour of it, men felith on far In tyll Oroatius thow may reid Of that countre the lenth and breid Of lenth fiftie mylis and two And fourtene myle in breid alſo. ¶ Loth of his wyfe was ſo agaſt That he tyll ane wilde montane paſt Of companie he had no mo Except his luſtie Douchteris two, And be thare prouocatioun As Moyſes maketh narratiounGen. xix. Allone in to that montane wilde His Douchteris boith he gat with childe For thay beleuit in thare thocht That all the warld wes gone to nocht As it become of that Natioun Thynkand that Generatioun Wald faill, without thay craftelie Gar thate Father with thame to lye And ſo thay fand ane crafty wyle Quhow thay thare Father micht begyle, And cauſit hym to drink wicht wyne Quhilk men to Lycherie dois Inclyne Quhen he wes full, and fallin on ſleip His Douchteris quietlie did creip In tyll his bed, full ſecreitlie Prouokand hym, with thame to lye. And knew nocht quhow he wes begyld Tyll boith his Douchteris wer with chyld. And bure two Sonnis in certane Thay beand in that wild Montane, Of quhome two Nationis did proceid As in the Scripture thow may reid. In the quhilk ſcripture thow may ſee At lenth this wofull miſerie. ☞This miſerie become but weir Frome Noyis flude, thre houndreth ȝeir, To gyther with four ſcore and ellewin As comptit Carion full ewin. And efter Noyis deith I ges Ane and fourtie ȝeir thare wes Quhen Abraham was of age I wene Four ſcore of ȝeris, and nynetene Quhen this foule Syn of Sodomie Was puniſit ſo rigorouſlie. Greit God preſerue vs in our tyme That we commit nocht ſic ane cryme. Tedious it wer for me to tell This Monarchie during quhat befell. And wounderis that in erth wer wrocht Quhilk to thy purpoſe langis nocht. As quhow the peple of Iſraell Exodi. i.Did lang tyme in to Egipt dwell, And of •• are greit punitioun Throuch Pharaois perſecutioun. Exodi. xiiii.And quhow Moyſes did thame conuoy Throuch the reid ſey, with mekle Ioy Quhare king Pharao, richt miſerablie Wes drownit with all his huge armie. Exod. xx.And quhow that peple wanderand wes Fourtie ȝeris in wyldernes. Moyſes that tyme as I heir ſay Reſauit the Lawe on Mont Sinay. That tyme Ioſue throuch IordanIoſue. iii Led thoſe peple to Canaan. Quhare Saull Dauid, and Salomone With Hebrew Kingis mony one Did richely regne in that countrie Induring this firſt Monarchie. ¶ The Sege of Thebes miſerabill Quhare blude wes ſched Incomparabill Of nobill men, in to thoſe dayis With vtheris terribill affrayis. As quhow the Grekis wrocht vengeans Apon the nobill Troians Becauſe that Paris did conuoy Perforce fair Helena to Troy Quhilk wes king Menelaus wyfe Quhare mony one thouſand loſt thare lyfe. That tyme the vailȝant Hercules Outthrouch the warld did hym addres, Quhare he did mony ane douchtie deid As in his ſtorye thow may reid, And quhow throuch Deianeir his wyfe That Campion did loſe his lyfe In flammand fyre full furiouſlie The deith he ſufferit cruellie. That tyme Remus, and Romulus Did found that Citie maiſt famous Off Rome ſtanding in Italie As in thare ſtorye thow may ſee Wald thow reid Titus Liuius Thow ſuld find warkis wounderous. Quhoſe doucthie deidis ar weill kend And ſalbe to the warldis end Thocht thay began with crueltie And endit with greit miſerie, As bene the maner to conclude Of all ſcheddaris of ſaikles blude. ¶In Grece the ornate Poetrie Medicine, Muſike, Aſtronomie Dutyng this firſt Monarchie began Be Homerus, that famous man, To gidder with Heſiodus As diuers Auctouris ſchawis vs. It wer to lang to put in ryme The bukis that thay wrait in thare tyme. Gen. xviiThir war the Actis principell That Monarchie during quhilk befell As for gude Abraham, and his ſeid In to the Bibill thow may reid Quhow in this tyme, as I heir tell Began the kingdome Spirituell As I haue ſchawin to the afore Quharefor I ſpeik of thame no more.
Ane ſchort Deſcription of the ſecund, thrid, and ferd Monarchie ❧ FATHER (ſaid I)Courteo. quhilk wes ye mā That the nyxt Monarchie began? ¶Cyrus (ſaid he) the king of Perſe,Experien. As Cronicles hes done reherſe. Prudent and full of Policie Began the ſecund Monarchie. For he wes the moſt godly king That euer in Perſe or Mede did ring, For he of his benignitie.i. Ba • a. xxxvi. Delyuerit frome Captiuitie The hole peple of Iſraell In to the tyme of Daniell. The quhilkis had bene preſoneris In Babilon ſewin ſcore of ȝeris, Tharefor God of his grace bening Gaue hym ane Diuine knawleging, During his tyme as I heir tell He vſit counſale of Daniell. Carion at lenth doith ſpecifie Of his maruellous Natiuitie And of his vertuus vpbringing And quhow he vincuſt Creſus king With mony vther vailȝeand deid As in to Carion thow may reid. Quhoſe Succeſſioun did indure Tyll the tent king, thareof be ſure. ¶Bot efter his greit conqueſſing Richt miſerabili wes his ending As Herodotus, doith diſcryue In Scithia he loſt his lyfe Quhare the vndantit Scithianis Vincuſt thoſe nobyll Perſianis And efter that Cirus wes deid Quene Tomyre hakkit of his heid Quhilk wes the quene of Scythianis In the diſpyte of Perſianis. Scho keſt his heid, for to conclude, In tyll ane veſſell full of blude, And ſaid, thir wordis cruellie Drynk now thy fyll, gyf thow be drie Forthow did aye blude ſchedding thriſt Now drynk at layſer gyf thow liſt. ¶Efter that Cyrus ſucceſſoun Of all the warld had poſſeſſioun Tyll Alexander with ſworde and fyre Obtenit perforce the third Impyre, Quhilk wes the king of Macedone With vailȝeand Grekis mony one In battell fell and furious Vincuſt the mychtie Darius, Quhilk wes the tent, and the laſt king Quhilk did efter king Cyrus ring, As for this potent Empriour Alexander the Conquerour Geue thow at lenth, wald reid his ring And of his cruell Conqueſſing In Inglis toung, in his greit buke At l • nth his lyfe, thare thow may luke, Quhow Alexander that potent king Wes twef ȝeris in his Conqueſſing. And quhow for all his greit conqueſt He leuit bot ane ȝeir in reſt Quhen be his Seruand ſecreitlie He poyſonit wes full pieteouſlie. ¶ Lucane doith Alexander compair Tyll thounder, or fyreflaucht, in the air Ane cruell Planeit, ane mortall weird, Doun thryngand peple with his ſweird. Ganges that maiſt famous flude. He myx • t with the Indianis blude. And Euphrates, with the blude of Pers Quhoſe crueltie for to rehers And ſaikles blude, quhilk he did ſched War richt abhominabill to be red. Efter his ſchort proſperitie He deit with greit miſerie. ¶It wer to lang for to decyde it, Quhow all his realmes wer deuyde it, Ay quhill that Ceſar Iulius Quhen he had vincuſt Pompeius Wes choſin Empriour and king Abufe the Romanis for tyll ring. That potent Prince, wes the firſt man Quhilk the ferd Monarchie began And had the hole Dominioun Of euerik land and Regioun Quhoſe ſucceſſouris, did regne but weir Ouer the warld mony ane houndreth ȝeir. Bot gentill Iulius allace Rang Empriour, bot lytle ſpace. Quhilk I think petie tyll deplore In fyue Moneth, and lytill more Be fals exorbitant treſoun That prudent Prince wes trampit doun, And murdreſt in his counſall hous Be cruell Brutus, and Caſſius. ¶Efter that Iulius wes ſlane Did regne the greit Octauiane. Of Empriouris one of the beſt Duryng his tyme, wes peace, and reſt Ouer all the warld, in ilk Regioun As ſtoryis makis mentioun. And als I mak it to the plane Duryng the tyme of Octauiane The Sone of God, our Lord Ieſu Tuke mankynd of the Virgin treu. And wes that tyme in Bethleem borne Math. ii.To ſaif mankynde, quhilk wes forlorne. As Scripture makis narratioun Of his bliſſit Incarnatioun. ¶Now haue I tald the as I can. Quhow the four Monarcheis began. Bot in thy mynde thow may conſidder Quhow warldlie power bene bot ſlidder. For all thir greit Impyris ar gone Thow ſeis thare is no Prince allone Quhilk hes the hole Dominiun This tyme of euery Regioun. Father quhat reaſoun,Courteo. had thoſe kingis Reuaris to be of vtheris ringis But ony rycht, or Iuſte querrell Quhairthrouch that thay micht mak battell And commoun peple to dounthring To this (ſaid I) mak anſwering? ☞My Sone (ſaid he)Experien. that ſall be done As I beſt can, and that richt ſone Thir monarcheis, I vnderſtand Preordinat wer be the command Of God, the Plaſmatour of all For to doun thring,Dan. vii. and to mak thrall Vndantit peple vitious. And als for to be gratious To thame quhilk vertuous wer and gude As Daniell hes done conclude At lenth in tyll his Propheceis. Quhow thare ſuld be four Monarcheis. His ſecunde Chepture, thow may ſee Quhow efter the firſt Monarchie Quhen Nabuchodonoſor King Ane Image ſaw in his ſleiping With auſteir luke, in hicht and breid, And of fyne pure Gold wes his heid, His breiſt and armes of ſiluer bricht His wame of Copper, hard and wicht, His loynis, and lymmis, of Irne riche ſtrang His feit of clay, Irne myxt amang. Frome ane montane thare come alone But haud of man, ane mekle ſtone Quhilk on that Figours feit did fall And dang all down in poulder ſmall. ❧ Of quhois Interpretatioun Doctouris doith mak Narratioun The heid of gold, did ſignifie Firſt of Aſſirianis Monarchie. The ſiluer breiſt, thay did apply To Perſianis, quhilk rang ſecundly. The wame of Copper, or of Bras Thridly to Grekis, compairit was. His loynis, and lymmis, of Irne and ſteill Clerkis hes thame compairit weill To Romanis, throuch thare diligence To haue the ferd preeminence Abufe all vther Natioun Be this Interpretatioun The myxit feit, with Irne and clay Did ſignifie the letter day Quhen that the warld, ſuld be deuydit As efterwart ſalbe decydit So Chriſt is ſignifyit the ſtone Quhoſe Monarchie ſall neuer be gone, For vnder his Dominioun All Princis ſall be ſtrampit doun Quhen that greit King Omnipotent Cummis to his generall Iugement. His Monarchie than ſalbe knawin As efter ſalbe to the ſchawin. ¶ And als the Scripture ſall the tell Quhow in the aucht of Daniell, He ſaw in to his viſioun Be ane plane expoſitioun, Quhow that ye Grekis, ſuld wirk vengeans Vpon the Medis, and Perſiens. Comparand Greikis, tyll ane Gait With ane horne, fers, furious, and, hait Quhilk ſlew the Ram, with hornis two Comparit tyll Perſe, and Mede alſo And ſo be Daniellꝭ Propheceis All thir greit mychtie Monarcheis The quhilkis all vther realmes ſuppryſit Be the greit God, thay wer deuyſit As he of Titus the Romane Sone and air to Veſpaſiane Maid him ane furious Inſtrument To put the Iowis to greit torment. Quhilk I purpoſe or I hyne fair. Schortlie that proces tyll declair.
Of the moſt Miſerabill, And moſt terribill Deſtructioun of Ieruſalem. Courteo. ❧FAther (ſaid I) declare to me Induryng this Ferd Monarchie The maiſt Infortune that befell? Experien.My Sone (ſaid he) that ſal I tel The moſt and manifeſt miſerie Become vpon the greit Citie Ieruſalem, quhen it wes ſuppreſt As ſtoryis makis manifeſt. Bot as the Scripture doith deuyſe Baru. vi.Ieruſalem wes diſtroyit twyſe. Firſt for the greit Idolatrie Quhilk thay committit in Iowrie, The honour aucht to God allone Thay gaue to Figuris of ſtock and ſtone. Afore Chriſtis Incarnatioun Come this firſt deſolatioun Fyue houndreth ȝeiris, four ſcore and ten In Cronicles, as thow may ken, Quhow Nabuchodonoſor king That famous Citie did doun thring Thare King, with peple mony one Brocht thame all bound to Babilone, Quhare thay remanit preſoneris The ſpace of thre ſcore and ten ȝeris. And that firſt deſolatioun Wes callit the Tranſmigratioun. Wes no man left in all thare landis Bot Purellis laborand with thare handis Till michtie Cyrus, king of Perſe As Daniell hes done reherſe, Wes mouit be God, for tyll reſtore The Iowis, quhare that thay wer afore. Geue I neglect, I wer to blame The laſt Sege of Ieruſalem, Quhoſe rewyne wes moſt miſerabill And for to tell rycht terribill. Wes neuer in erth, Citie nor toun Gat ſic extreme deſtructioun. The townis of Tyre, Thebes, nor Troy, Thay ſufferit neuer half ſic noy. The Empriour Veſpaſiane He did deuyſe that Sege certane. ☞Thare wer the Prophecie compleit 〈…〉 Quhilk Chriſt ſpake on mont Olyueit Quhen he Ieruſalem beheld The teris frome his eine diſteld, Seand be deuyne preſcience The greit deſtructioun and vengence Quhilk wes to cum on that Citie His hart wes perſit with pietie Sayand Ieruſalem, and thow knew Thy greit rewyne, ſore wald thow rew For no thing I can to the ſchaw The veritie thow wyll nocht knaw, Nor hes in conſideratioun Thy holy viſitatioun, Thy peple wyll no way conſidderMathew xxiiii. Quham gatherit I wald haue to gidder As errand ſcheip, bene with thare hirdis Or as the Hen, gadderis hir birdis Vnder hir wyngis tenderlie Quhilk thay refuſit diſpitfullie, Quharefor ſall cum that dulefull day That no remeidie mak thow may. Thy Doungeounis ſal be doung in ſchonder So that the warld ſall on the wounder. Thy tempill now moſt triumphand Mathew xxiiii.Sall be tred doun amang the ſand. And as he ſaid, ſo it befell, As heir efter I ſall the tell. Courteo. ❧Schaw me (ſaid I) with circumſtance. The ſpeciall cauſe of that myſchance? Experien.(Quod he) as Scripture doith conclude For ſchedding of the ſaikles blude Of Prophetis quhilkis God to thame ſend And als becauſe that thay miſkend Ieſu the Sone of God Souerane Quhen he amang thame did remane. For all the myraklis that he ſchew Maliciouſlie thay hym miſknew, Thocht be his greit power deuine Iho. ii.The water cleir he turnit in wyne. And be that ſelf power and micht To the blynd borne he gaue the ſicht, And gaue the crukit men thare feit Ihon. xi.And maid the lipper haill compleit He healit all, and raiſit the dede Ȝit held thay hym at mortall fede Becauſe he ſchew the veritieMath. xi. Thay did conclude that he ſulde de. ☞The Byſchoppis,Mathew xxvii. princis of the preiſtis Thay grew ſo boldin in thare breiſtis, The Scrybis, and Doctouris of the law Of God nor man, quhilk ſtude none aw. On Chriſt Ieſu to wyrk vengeans. Rycht ſo the fals Phariſeans Ane Sect of fenȝeit Religioun Deuyſit his confuſioun And ſend thare ſeruandis at the laſt, And with ſtrang cordis thay band him faſt, Syne ſcurgit hym,Iho. xx. baith back and ſyde That none for blude mycht ſe his hyde Thare wes nocht left ane penny breid Vnwoundit frome his feit tyll heid In maner of Deriſioun Thay plet for him ane cruell Croun Of prunȝeand thornis ſcharpe and lang, Quhilk on his heuinlie hede thay thrang. Syne gart him for the greiter lack Beir his awin Gallous on his back Tyll the vyle place of Caluarie Quhare mony ane thouſand man mycht ſee. ☞That Innocent thay tuke perforce And plat hym backwart to the Croce Throuch feit & hādis greit naillis thay thriſt Tyll blude aboundantlie out briſt Without grunſching, cl •• our, or crye That pane he ſufferit pacientlye. And for augmenting of his greuis Thay hangit him beiuix two theuis Quhare men micht ſe the bludie ſtrandis Quhilkis ſprang furth of his feit and handis Frome thornis thriſtit on his heid Ran doun bullering ſtremis reid In the preſens of mony one man That blude Royall on roches ran. Schortlie to ſay, that heuinlie King In extrme dolour, thare did hing Till he ſaid, Conſummatum est, With ane loude cry, he gaif the gaiſt. Quhen he wes dede, thay tuke one dart And perſit that Prince, outthrouch the hart, Fra quhame thare ran, water and blude The erth than trymlit to conclude. Phebus did hyde his bemis bricht That throuch ye warld thare wes no licht The greit Veill of the tempill raue; The dede men rais out of thare graue, And in the Citie did appeir As in the Scripture thow may heir Than Ioſeph of Arimathie Did bury him, rycht honeſtlie. Iho. xx.Bot ȝit he roſe full gloriouſlie On the thrid day tryumphandlie With his Deſcipulis in certane Fourty dayis he did remane.Actis. i. Efter that to the heuin aſcendit Thir Iowis no thing thare lyfe amendit, Nor gaif no credence tyll his ſawis As at more lenth, the ſtorie ſchawis Bot cruellie thay did oppres All m • n, that Chriſtis Name did profes And perſecutit mony one Thay preſonit haith Peter and Ihone,Actis. v. Actis, vii And Steuin thay ſtonit to the deid. Frome Iames the les thay ſtraik the heid. This wes the cauſe in concluſion Of thare cruell confuſioun The prudent Iow Ioſephus ſayis That he mes preſent in thoſe dayis, And in his buke makis mentioun, Quhow efter Chriſtis Aſcenſioun The ſpace of twa and fourty ȝeris Began thoſe cruell mortall weris, The ſecund ȝeir of Veſpaſiane Quhare mony, takin wer and ſlane. Ioſephus planely doith conclude Wes neuer ſene ſic one multytude Afore that tyme in to the toun Quhilk come for thare confuſioun Thare greit Infortune ſo befell That all the Princis of Iſraell Conuenit agane the tyme of Pace, Bot tyll returne thay had no grace, The bauld Romanis with thare Chiftane Titus the Sone of Veſpaſiane Thare Army ouer Iudea ſpred. Than all men to the Citie fled Beleuand thare to get releif Bot all that turnit to thare myſcheif. ¶ The Romanis lappit thame about That be no way thay mycht wyn out Sax Monethis did that Sege indure Quhare loſt wer mony one creature Quhilk thare in miſerie did remane Tyll thay wer takin all and ſlane. Duryng the tyme of this aſſailȝe Thare meit, and drynk, and all did failȝe, For thare wes ſic ane multytude That thouſandis deit for falt of fude Neceſſitie gart thame eit perfors Dog, Cat, and Ratton, Aſſe, and Hors. Riche men behuffit to eit thare gold Syne deit of hunger mony fold. Sic hunger wes without remeid The quick behuffit to eit the deid. The filth of Cloſetis mony eit To lenth thare lyfe thay thocht it ſweit. The famous Ladyis of the toun For fait of fude thay fell in ſwoun. Quhen thay micht get none vther meit Thay ſlew thare proper Barnis to eit Bot all for nocht diſpytfullie Thair a win ſowldiouris full gredilie Reft thame that fleſche moſt miſerabill And thay with murning lamentabill For extreme houunger ȝeild the ſpreitLuc. xxiiii Thair wes the Prophecie compleit As Chriſt afore maid narratioun The day of his grym Paſſioun Quhen that the Ladyis for hym murnit Full pieteuſlie he to thame turnit, And ſaid, Douchteris murne nocht for me Murne on ȝour awin Poſteritie, Within ſchort tyme ſall cum the day That men of this Cietie ſal ſay, Quhen thay ar trappit in the ſnare Blyſt be the wame that neuer bare. The baren papis, than thay ſall blis That dulefull day ȝe ſall nocht mis. This Prophecie it come to pas That day, with mony lowd allas Sic ſorrowfull lamentatioun Wes neuer hard in that Natioun Seand thoſe luſtie Ladyis ſweit Deand for hounger in the ſtreit, Thare huſbandis, nor thair childring Mycht geue to thame no conforting Nor ȝit releue thame of thare harmis Bot atheris deand in vtheris armis. Efter this wofull Indigence Amang thame roſe ſic Peſtilence Quhare in thare deit mony hounder Quhilk tyll declare, it wer greit wounder. ¶And for finall concluſioun Thoſe weirlyke wallis thay dang doun Prince Titus, with his Cheualrie With ſound of troumpe Tryumphandlie He enterit in that greit Citie. Bot tyll declare I thynk pitie The panefull clamour horribill Of woundit folk moſt miſerabill Thare wes nocht ellis, bot tak and ſlay For thare mycht no man wyn away. The ſtrandis of blude, ran throuch the ſtreit Of dede folk trampit vnder feit Auld Wedowis in the preis wer ſmorit Ȝoung Virginis ſchamefullie deflorit. The greit Tempill of Salamone With mony ane curious caruit ſtone With perfyte pinnakles on hicht Quhilkis wer richt bewtifull and wicht Quhare in riche Iowellis did abound Thay ruſcheit rudelie to the ground And ſet in tyll thare furious Ire Sancta Sanctorum in to fyre. And with extreme confuſioun All thare greit Dungeonis thay dang doun. ¶ Thare burſin wer the boldin breiſtis Of Biſchoppis, Princis of the preiſtis, Thare takin wes the greit vengeans On fals Scrybis, and Phariſeans. All thare payncit Ipocriſie That tyme micht mak thame no ſupplie That day thay dulefullie repentit That to the deith of Chriſt conſentit Thocht it wes out Saluatioun It wes to thare Dampnatioun. The vengeance of the blude ſaikles Frome Abell,Mathew xxiii. till Zacharies That day vpon Ieruſalem fell. Bot tedious it wer to tell The greit extreme confuſioun And of blude ſic effuſioun Wes neuer ſlane ſo mony ane man At one tyme ſen the warld began. The Iowis that day gat thare deſyre Quhilk thay did aſk in to thare Ire As bene in Scripture ſpecifyit The day quhen Chriſt wes CrucifyitMathew xxvii. Quhen Ponce Pilat the Preſident Said to thame, I am Innocent Of the Iuſte blude of Chriſt Ieſus Thay cryit, his Blude licht vpon ws And on our Generatioun. Thay gat thare Supplicatioun That day, with mony cairfull crye Thare blude wes ſched aboundantlye. ¶Ioſephus wryttis in his buke His Cronicle quho lift to luke During that cruell Sege certane Wer ellewin houndreth thouſand ſlane Of preſonaris, weill tauld and ſene Foureſcore of thouſandis, and ſewintene. Out of the land thay did expell All the peple of Iſraell And for thare greit Ingratytude Thay leue ȝit vnder Seruytude. Thare is na Iow, in no countrie Quhilk hes one fute of propertie Nor neuer had withouttin weir Sen this day fyuetene hundreth ȝeir. Nor neuer ſall, I to the ſchaw Tyll that thay turne to Chriſtis law. ¶Sum ſayis, that Iowis mony fald Wer thretty for ane penny ſald, As Iudas ſaid the King of glore For thretty pennyis, and no more. ☞Efter that mony wer myſcheuit Quhē nouellꝭ paſt, quhow lāg thay leuit Apon thare Gold withouttin dout Thay ſlit thair bellyis to ſerche it out. The reſt in Egipt, thay did ſend Preſonaris to thare lyues end. Titus tuke in his cumpanie Greit noumer of the moſt worthie With hym to Rome he led thame bound Syne cruellie did thame confound His victorie for till decore And for Agmenting of his glore Gart put thame in to publict places Quhare all folk, mycht behauld thare faces Syne with wylde Lyonis cruellie He gart deuore thame dulefullie. ❧ This hie Tryumphand mychtie toun At Paſche, wes put to confuſioun Becauſe that in the tyme of pace Thay Crucifyit the King of grace. Sum hes this mater done indyte More Ornatlie than I can wryte Quharefor I ſpeik of it no more Onely to God be laude and glore.
Of the Miſerabill end of Certane tirrannous Princis. And ſpeciallie the Begynnaris of the Four Monarcheis. ☜(✚)☞ NOVV haue I done declare at thy deſyris As thow demandit in to termis ſchort And quha began, the principall Impyris As Cronicle and Scripture dois report Quharefor my Sone, I hartlie the exhort Perfytlie prent in thy remembrance Of this Inconſtant warld the variance The Princis of thir four greit Monarcheis In thare moſt hieſt pomp, Imperialis Traiſtyng to be moſt ſure ſet in thare ſeis The fraudful warld gaif to yaim mortal fal • is For thare reward, bot dirk memoriallis. Thocht ouir ye warld, thay had preeminence Of it thay gat none vther recompence. For ſiclyke as the ſnaw dois melt in May. Throuch the reflex of Phebus bemis bricht Thir greit Impyris, rycht ſo ar went away Gone bene thair glore, thair power and thare micht Becauſe yai wer reuarꝭ wtout in richt And blude ſcheddaris, full cruell to conclude Richt cruellie tharefor, wes ſched thair blude. Behald quhow God, ay ſen the warld began, Hes maid of tyrrane Kingis Inſtrumentis To ſcurge peple, and to keill mony one man Quhilkꝭ to his law wer Inobedientis Quhē thay had done perfurneis his ententis In dantyng wrangous peple ſchamefullie He ſufferit thame be ſcurgit cruellie. Euin as ye ſcule maiſter dois mak ane wand To dant and ding ſcolaris of rude ingyne The quhilkis wyl nocht ſtudy at his cōmand He ſcurgis thame, and onely to that fyne That thay ſuld to his trew counſale inclyne Quhen thay obey, and meiſit bene his Ire He takis the wand, and caſtis in to the fyre. God of king Pharao, maid one Inſtrument Quhilk wes the greit king of Egiptiens His awin peculier peple to torment. That beand done,Exo. vii. he wrocht on hym vengēs And leit hym fal, throuch Inobediens.Exo. xiii. And finallie, he with his greit Armie In the reid ſey, thame drownit dulefullie. ☞Rycht ſo, of Nabuchodonoſor king. God maid of hym ane furious Inſtrument Ieruſalem and the Iowis, to doun thring Quhen thay to God wer Inobedient,Dan. ii •• . Syne reft hym frome his riches and his rent And hym tranſformit in ane beiſt bru • ell Seuin ȝeris and more, as wryttis Daniell Alexander throuch prydefull tirrannie In ȝeris twelf did mak his greit conqueſt Ay ſcheddand ſaikles blude full cruellie Tyll he wes king of kingis he tuke no reſt, In all the warld, quhen he wes full poſſeſt In Babilon thronit triumphandlie Throuch poyſoun ſtrang, deceſit dulefullie Duke Hanniball the ſtrang Chartagiane The danter of the Romanis pomp and glore Be his power wer mony one thouſand ſlane As may be red at lenth in tyll his ſtorie At Cannas quhar he wan the victorie On Romanis hādis ye dede lay on ye ground Thre heipit Buſchellis wer of ringis found. ☞ Into that mortall battell, I heir ſane Of the Romanis, moſt worthy weriouris By preſonaris, wer fourty thouſand ſlane Of quhō thare wes thretty wyſe ſenatouris And xx. Lordis, ye quhilkꝭ had dene Pretourꝭ That deit to in defence of thare cuntrie And for tyll hald thare land at libertie. Quhat reward gat this cruell Campioun Quhen he had ſlane ſo greit one multytude And quhen the glas of his glorie wes run? Ane ſchamefull deith, & ſchortlie to conclude This bene reward of all ſcheddaris of blude For he gad ſic extreme confuſioun He ſlew him ſelf in drinking ſtrang poyſoun. Behald the two moſt famous Campiounis (That is to ſay) Iulius, and Pompey Quhilkis did conqueis all erdlie Regionis Alſweill maine land, as Ilis in the ſey. And to the toun of Rome gart thame obey For Pompeius ſubde wit the Orient, And Iulius Ceſar all the Occident. ☞Bot finallie thir two did ſtryue for ſtait Quhare throw thre hūdreth .M. mē wer ſlane Bot Pompeius efter that greit debait He murdreiſit wes, the ſtorie tellis plane. Than Iulius wes prince and Souerane Abufe the hole warld, Empriour and king Bot in to reſt, ſchort tyme indurit his ring. ❧For within fyue monethis, & lytle more Amyd his Lordis in the counſale hous He murdreſit wes, quhat nedis proces more? As I haue ſaid, be Brute, and Caſſius. Gyf thou wald knaw, thare dethis dolorous Thou moſt at lenth, go reid ye Romane ſtorie Quhilk hes this mater put in memorie. Gone is the goldin warld, of Aſſirianis. Of quhom king Ninus, wes firſt & principal Gone is the ſyluer warld of Perſianis, The Copper warld of Grekis now is thrall The warld of Irne, quhilk wes the laſt of al, Comparit to the Romanis in thare glore, Ar gone rychtſo, I heir of thame no more. Now is the warld of Irne myxit with clay, As Daniell at lenth, hes done indyte. The greit Impyris ar melted clene away. Now is the warld of dolour and deſpyte I ſe nocht ellis, bot troubill infinyte Quharefor my Sone, I mak it to the kend This warld I wat is drawand to ane end Tokningꝭ of derth, hounger, and peſtilence, With cruell weris, baith be ſey and land Realme aganis realme, with mortal violence Quhilk ſignifyis, ye laſt day ewin at hand. Quharefor my Sone be in thy faith conſtand Raiſing thy hart to God and crye for grace And mend thy lyfe, quhil yu hes tyme & ſpace.
The fift Spirituall And Papall Monarchie. Courteo.FAther Is thare no Prince regnand Quhilk hes the warld now at cōmand, As had the Kingis of Aſſirianis The Perſis, Grekis, or the Romanis Quho hes now maiſt Dominioun Of euerilk land and Regioun? Experen.Thare is no Prince, my Sone (ſaid he) That hes the principall Monarchie Abuſe the warld vniuerſall With hole power Imperiall As Alexander, or Darius Or as had Ceſar Iulius For Orient and Occident To thame wer all obedient. Nochtwithſtanding, I find one King Quhilk in tyll Europe doith ring, That is the potent Pope of Rome Impyrand ouer all Chriſtindome. To quhome no prince may be compair As Cannon lawis can declair. All Princis of the Occident Ar tyll his grace obedient. For he hes hole power compleit Boith of the body and the ſpreit Quhilk neuer had no Prince afore Except the michtie king of glore. To Chriſt he is greit Lewtennand In holy Peteris Sait ſittand. So he is of all kingis king Quhilkis in to Europe now doith ring. ☞And as the Romane Empriouris Hauing the warld vnder thare curis Had Princis Knichtis, and Campionis Rewlaris in tyll all Regionis Vphalding thare Authoritie Vſing Iuſtice and policie, Rycht ſo this potent Pope of Rome The Souerane king of Chriſtindome He hes in tyll ilk countrie His Princis of greit grauitie In ſum countreis his Cardinalis In thare moſt precious apparaillis Archtbiſchoppis, Biſchoppis thow may ſe Defending his auctoritie. With vther potent Patriarkis, Collegis full of cunnyng Clerkis. Abbottis, and Priouris, as ȝe ken Miſrewlaris of Religious men. Officialis, with thare Procuratouris Quhoſe langſum law, ſpulȝeis the puris. Archedenis, and Denis, of dignitie Greit Doctouris of Diuinitie. Thare Chantouris, and thare Sacriſtanis Thare Treſoureris, and thare Subdenis, Legionis of Preiſtis Seculeris Perſonis, Vicaris, Monkis, and Freitis, Of diuers Ordouris mony one Quhilk langſum wer for tyll expone, In ſyndrie habitis as ȝe ken Different frome vther Chriſtin men. Fair Ladyis of Religioun Profeſſit in euery Regioun. Fals Heremitis, faſſionit lyke the freiris Proude pariſche Clerkis, and Pardoneris, Thare Gryntaris, and thare Chamberlanis With thare temporall Courtiſſanis Thus all the warld be land and ſey His Sanctitude thay do obey Nocht onely his ſpirituall Kingdome Bot the greit Empriour of Rome And kingis of euerilk Regioun That day quhen thay reſaue thare crown Thay mak aith of fidelitie Tyll defende his auctoritie. Moreouer, with humyll reuerence Thay mak tyll hym obedience Be thare ſelfis, or Ambaſſadouris Or vtheris Ornate Oratouris. Quho doith gant ſtand his Maieſtie His Lawis or his Libertie Or haldis ony Opinioun Contrair his greit Dominioun Other be way of deid or wordis Ar put to deith, be fyre or ſwordis, Sanct Peter ſtylit wes, Sanctus, Bot he is callit, Sanctiſsimus. His ſtyle at lenth, geue thow wald knaw Thow moſt go luke the Cannon Law Boith in the ſixt and Clementene His ſtaitly ſtyle thare may be ſene. Thare ſall thow find, reid giue thow can Quhow he is nother God nor man. Quhat is he than, be ȝour Iudgement Quod I,Courteo. me thynk hym different Far frome our Souerane Lord Ieſus And tyll his kynd contratious. For Chriſt wes God,Ihon. i. and naturall man Geue he be nother, quhat is he than? ¶ The Cannon law,Expere •• my Sone (ſaid he) That queſtioun wyll declare to the. It dois tranſcend my rude Ingyne His Sanctitude for tyll defyne Or to ſchaw the auctoritie Pertening to his Maieſtie So greit one Prince, quhare ſall thow find That Spirituallie may lous and bind. Nor be quhame ſynnis ar forgeuin Be thay with his Diſciplis ſchreuin Quhame euer he bindis be his micht Thay boundin ar in Goddis ſicht, Quhame euer he louſis in erth heir doun Ar louſit be God in his Regioun. Als he is Prince of Purgatorie Delyuering ſaulis frome pane to glorie, Of that dirk Dungeoun but dout Quhame euer he pleſis, he takis thame out Our ſecreit Synnis euery ȝeir We mon ſchaw to ſum preiſt or freir And tak thare Abſolutioun Or ellis we get no remiſſioun. So be this way, thay cleirlie ken The ſecretis of all ſecular men. Thare ſecretis we knaw nocht at all Thus ar we to thame bound and thrall. Quhat euer thare Miniſteris commandis Moſt be obey it without demandis. Quharefor my Sone, I ſay to thee, This is ane meruelous Monarchie Quhilk hes power Imperiall Boith of the body and the Saull. ¶Father (quod I) declare to me Quho did begin this Monarchie? (Quod he)Ex •••••• Chriſt Ieſus God and man That Impyre gratiouſlie began Nocht be the fyre, nor be the ſword Bot be the vertew of his word.E • h • 〈◊〉 Lu • 〈◊〉 And left in tyll his Teſtament Mony one deuote Document With his Succeſſouris to be vſit Thocht mony of thame be now abuſit For Peter and Paule, with all the reſt Of thare Brethren maid manifeſt The law of God with trew intent Precheing the auld and New Teſtament. Thay led thare lyfe in pouertie Deuotioun and Humylitie As did thare Maiſter Chriſt Ieſus. And war nocht half ſo glorious As thare Succeſſour now in Rome Impyrand ouer all Chriſtindome. ☞Efter the deith of Peter and Paull And Chriſtis trew Diſcpulisall Thare Succeſſouris within few • erris As at more lenth, chare ſtorie betis Full craftelie clam to the hicht Frome Spirituall lyfe, to temporal micht. Father or we pas forther moreCourteo. Quhen did begyn thare temporall glore? Sone (ſaid he)Experie •• thow ſall vnderſtand Or euer ane Paip gat ony land Twa and thretty gude Paipis in Rome Reſſauit the Crown of Martirdome, Bot nocht the Thrinfald Diadame To weir thre crounis thay thocht gret ſchame Tyll Silueſter the Confeſſour Frome Conſtantine the Empriour Reſſauit the realme of Italie Rychtſo of Rome the greit Citie. That wes the rute of thare riches Than ſprang the well of welthines. Quhen that the Paip wes maid ane king All Princis howit at his bidding. This Act wes done withouttin weir Frome Chriſtis deith, thre hundreth ȝeir ¶Than Lady Senſualitie Tuke Lug • ing in that greit Citie, Quhare ſchoſenſyne hes done remane As thare awin lady Souerane. Than Kingis in tyll all Nationis Maid Preiſtis greit foundationis Thay thocht greit merite and honour To conterfait the Empriour As did Dauid of Scotland King The quhilk did found, duryng his ring, Fyftene Abbayis, with temporall landis Withouttin teindis, and offerandis Be quhoſe holy ſimplicitie He left the Crown in pouertie Now haue I ſchawin the as I can Quhow thare temporall Impyre began Aſcending vp ay gre by gre Abufe the Empriouris Maieſtie So quhen thay gat amang thare handis Of Italie, all the Empriouris landis, Efter that in ilk countrie Sprang vp thare temporalitie With ſo greit riches and ſic rent That thay gan to be negligent In making Miniſtratioun To Chriſtis trew Congregatioun, And tuke no more pane in thare preching And far les trauell in thare teching Changeing thare Spiritualitie In temporall Senſualitie. ¶Father thynk ȝe that thay ar ſureCourteo. That thare Impyre ſall lang indure? Apperandlie,Experien. it may be kend (Quod he) thare glore ſall haue ane end. I mene thare temporall Monarchie Sall turne in tyll humilitie Throuch Goddis word without debait Thay ſall turne to thare firſt eſtait. As Danſelis Prophecie apperis Thareto ſall nocht be mony ȝeris Quhowbeit Chrſtis faith, ſall neuer faill Bot more and more, it ſall preuaill. Thocht Chrſtis trew Congregatioun Suffer greit tribulatioun. Courteo.Father (ſaid I) be quhat reſoun Thynk ȝe thare Impyre may cum doun Experien.Conſidering thare preeminence? (Quod he) for Inobedience Abuſing the Commandement Mathew xv.Quhilk Chriſt left in his Teſtament, Vſing thare awin Traditioun More than his Inſtitutioun. For Chriſt in his laſt conuentioun Mathew xxviii. Iob. xv. • er. i.The day of his Aſcenſioun Tyll his Diſcipulis gaue command That thay ſulde pas in euery land To teche and preche, with trew intens His law, and his commandement. None vther office, he to thame gaue He did nocht bid thame ſeik nor craue Cors preſentis, nor offerandis Nor get Lordſhippis of temporall landis. Bot now it may be hard and ſene Baith with thyne eris, and thyne eine, Quhow Prelatis now, in euery land Takis lytle cure of Chriſtis command Nother in to thare dedis nor ſawis Neglecting thare awin Cannon lawis Vſing thame ſelfis contrarious For the maiſt part to Chriſt Ieſus. Mat. iiiiChriſt thocht na ſchame to be ane precheour And tyl all peple, of treuth ane techeour Ane Pope, Biſchop, nor Cardidall To teche nor preche, wyll nocht be thrall. Thay ſend furth freitis, to preche for thame Quhilk garris ye peple, mok yame wt ſchame. Chriſt wald nocht be ane temporall kingIhon. vi. Richely in to no realme to ring Bot fled temporall auctoritie As in the Scripture thow may ſee All men may knaw, quhow Popis ringis In Dignitie abufe all kingis, Als weill in temporalitie As in to Spiritualitie Thow may ſee be experience The Popis princely preeminence. In Cronicles geue thow liſt to luke Quhow Carion wryttis in his buke Ane Notabill Narratioun The ȝeir of our Saluatioun Ellewin houndreth, and ſex and fyftie Pope Alexander preſumptuouſlie, Quhilk wes the thrid Pope of that name, To Friderik Empriour did defame, In Veneis that triumphand town That nobill Empriour gart ly down Apon his wame, with ſchame and lack Syne tred his feit vpon his back In taikin of Obedience. Thare he ſchew his preeminence And Cauſit his Clergie for to ſing Thir wordis eftter following. ¶ SVPER Aſpidem & baſiliſcum ambulabir: Pſalme. lxxxxi. Et conculcabis leonem & drachonem. That is, thou ſal gang vpō the edder & the Coketrice. And thow ſall tred down the Lioun & the Dragoun. ¶ Than ſaid this humill Empriour I do to Peter, this honour The Pope anſwerit with wordis wroith Thow ſall me honour and Peter boith. Chriſt for to ſchaw his humill ſpreit Did waſche his pure Diſcipulis feit. The Popis holynes I wys Wyll ſuffer Kingis his feit to kys Luc. ix.Birdis had thare neſtis, & Toddis thare den Bot Chriſt Ieſus, Saiffer of men In erth had nochtane penny breid Quhare on he mycht repoſe his heid. ¶Quhowbeit the Popis excellence Hes Caſtellis of Magnificence. Abbottis, Biſchoppis, and Cardinalis Hes pleſand palices royallis Lyke Paradyſe, ar thoſe prelatis places Act • . iiiiWanting no pleſour of fair faces Ihone, Androw, Iames, Peter nor Paull Had few houſes amang thame all Frome tyme thay knew the veritie Thay did contempne all propertie And wer richt hartfully content Of meit drynk, and Abuilȝement. ☞ To ſaif Mankynd that wes forlorneIho. xix. Chriſt bure ane cruell crown of thorne The Pope thre Crownis for the no • is Of gold, poulderit with precious ſtonis. Of gold and ſyluer, I am ſure. ¶ Chriſt Ieſus tuke bot lytle cure And left nocht quhen he ȝeild the ſpreit To by hym ſelf, ane wynding ſchei • . Bot his Succeſſour gude Pope • hone Quhen he deceiſit in Auinione He left behynd hym one treſour Of gold and ſyluer by meſour Be one Iuſte computatioun Weill fyue and twentye Myllioun As doith Indyte Palmerius Reid hym and thow ſall fynd it thus. ¶ Chriſtis Diſciplis wer weill knowin Throuch vertew, quhilk wes be thame ſchawin In ſpeciall feruent cheritie Greit pacience, and humylitie, The Popis floke in all regionis Ar knawin beſt be thare clippit crounis. ❧Chriſt he did honour MatrimonieIhon. ii. In to the Cane of Galilie Quhare he be his power Diuyne Did turne the water in to wyne. And als cheiſit ſum Maryit men To be his ſeruandis as ȝe ken And Peter duryng all his lyfe He thocht no Syn, to haue ane wyfe. Ȝe ſall nocht fynd in no paſſage Quhare Chriſt forbiddith Mariage Bot leifſum tyll ilk man to Marie Quhilk wantis the gift of Chaiſtitie. ☞The Pope hes maid the contrar lawis In his kyngdome, as all men knawis None of his preiſtis dat marie wyfis Vnder no les paine nor thair ly • is Thocht thay haue Concubynis fyftene In to that cace, thay ar ouerſene Quhat chaiſtitie, thay keip in Rome Is weill kend ouer all Chriſtindome. Mathew xvii.Chriſt did ſchaw his obedience Onto the Empriouris excellence And Cauſit Peter for to pay Tribute to Ceſar, for thame tway. Paule biddis vs be obedient To kyngis as the moſt excellent. ☞The contrar did Pope Seleſtene Quhen that his Sanctitude ſerene Did crown Henry the Emprioure I thynk he did hym ſmall honoure For with his feit he did hym crown Syne with his fute, the croun dang doun Sayand, I haue Authoritie Men tyll exalt to dignitie And to mak Emprioutis and kingis And Syne depryue thame of thare ringis. Peter be my Opinioun Did neuer vſe ſic Dominioun. Apperandlie be my Iugement That Pope red neuer the New Teſtament Geue he had lernit at that lore He had refuſit ſic vane glore. As Barnabas Peter and Paull And rytht ſo Chriſtis Diſcipulis all. The Capitane CorneliusActis. x. Quhen Sanct Peter come tyll his hous Tyll worſchip hym fell at his feit, Bot Sanct Peter with humyll ſpreit D •• rais hym vp with diligence And did refuſe ſic Reuerence. Rycht ſo Sanct Ihone the Euangeliſt,Apoca. xix. • .xii. The Angellis feit he wald haue kiſt Bot 〈◊〉 • ic honour, Say me I am bot ſeruitour Rycht ſo thy fallow, and thy brother Geue glore to God, and to none vther. And lyikwyſe Barnabas and PaullAct. xiiii. Sic honour did refuſe at all In Liſtra, quhare thay wrocht greit workis The preiſt of Iuppiter, with his clerkis And all the peple with thare auyce Wald haue maid to thame Sacrifyce Of quhilk thay wer ſo diſcontent That thay thare clothyng raue and rent And Paule amang thame rudely ran Sayand, I am ane mortall man Geue glore to God, of king is king That maid heuin, erth, and euery thing: Sen Peter and Paule vane glore refuſit With Popis quhy ſulde ſic glore be vſit. Peter, Androw, Ihone, Iames, and Paull, And Chriſtis trew Diſcipulis all Be Goddis word thare faith defendit, To birn, and ſkald, thay neuer pretendit The Pope defendis his traditioun Be flammand fyre, without remiſſioun, Quhowbeit men brek the law Diuyne Thay ar nocht put to ſo greit pyne For huredome, nor Idolatrie For Inceſt, nor Adulterie, Or quhen ȝoung Virginis ar deflorit For ſic thing men ar nocht abhorit. Bot quho that eitis fleſche in to lent Ar terriblie put to torment And geue ane preiſt happynnis to marie Thay do hym baneis, curs, and warie Thocht it be nocht aganis the law Of God, as men may cleirly knaw Betuix thir two, quhat difference bene Be faithfull folk it may be ſene Sic Antitheſes mony mo I mycht declare quhilkis I lat go And may nocht tary to compyle Of lik ordout, the ſtaitlie ſtyle. The ſillie Nun wyll think greit ſchame Without ſcho callit be Madame. The pure Preiſt think's he gettis no richt Be he nocht ſtylit lyke ane knicht, And callit Schir, afore his name, As ſchir Thomas, and ſchir Williame All Monkis ȝe may heir and ſe Ar callit Denis, for Dignitie Quhowbeit his mother milk the kow He man be callit Dene Androw Dene Peter, dene Paull, and dene Robart With Chriſt thay tak ane painfull part With dow • yll clethyng frome the cald Eirand and drinkand quhen thay wald With curious Countryng in the queir God wat gyf thay by heuin full deir. My lorde Abbot, richt venerabill Ay marſchellit vpmoſt at the tabill My lord Biſchop, moſt reuerent Set abufe Erlis in Parliament And Cardinalis duryng thare ringis Fallowis to Princis, and to Kingis. The Pope exaltit in honour Abufe the potent Empriour. The proude Perſone I think trewlie Heleidis his lyfe rycht luſtelie, For quhy, he hes none vther pyne Bot tak his teind, and ſpend it ſyne Bot he is obliſſit be reſoun To preiche vntill his Patichioun Thocht thay want preiching ſewintene ȝeir He wyll nocht want ane boll of beir. Sum Perſonis hes at his command The wantoun Wenchis of the land, Als chay haue gret prerogatyuis That may depart ay with thare wyuis Without Diuorce, or ſummonding Syne tak ane vther but wedding. Sum man wald think ane luſtie lyfe Ay quhen he liſt, to change his wyte And tak ane vther of more bewtie. Bot Secularis wantis that libertie The quhilk ar bound in mariage Bot thay lyke Rammis in to thare rage Vnpiſſilit rynnis amang the ȝowis So lang as Nature in thame growis. ¶And als the Vicar, as I trow He wyll nocht faill to tak ane kow And vpmaiſt claith (thocht babis thame ban) Frome ane pure ſelie houſband man Quhen that he lyis for tyll de Hauyng ſmall barnis two or thre And his thre ky withouttin mo The Vicar moſte haue one of tho With the gray cloke, that happis the bed Howbeit that he be puirlie cled. And gif the wyfe de on the morne Thocht all the babis lulde be forlorne The vther kow he cleikis away With hir pure coit of roploch gray And gif within twa dayis or thre The eldeſt Chyld hapnis to de Of the thrid kow, he wyll be ſure. Quhen he hes all than vnder his cure And Father, and Mother boith ar dede Beg mon the babis, without remede. Thay hald the Corps at the kirk ſtyle And thare it moſt remane ane quhyle Tyll thay get ſufficient ſouertie For thare kirk richt and dewitie Than cummis the landis Lord perfors And cleikis tyll hym ane herield hors. Pure laubouraris, waid that law wer doun Quhilk neuer wes foundit be reſoun I hard thame ſay vnder confeſſioun That law is brother till Oppreſſioun. My Sone I haue ſchawin as I can Quhow this fyft Monarchie began. Quhoſe gret Impyre for to report At lenth, the tyme bene all to ſchort.
Ane deſcriptioun of The Court of Rome. ☞*☜ Courteo.FAther (ſaid I) quhat reul keip thay ī rome Quhilk hes the Spirituall dominioun, And Monarchie, abufe all Chriſtindome Schaw me I make ȝow ſupplicatioun? ExperienMy Sone, wald I mak trew narratioun (Said he) to Peter, & Paul, thocht yai ſucceid I think thay preue nocht that in to thair deid. For Peter Androw & Ihon wer fiſchearꝭ fyne Of men and wemen, to the Chriſtin faith Bot thai haif ſpred thare Nec wt huik & lyne On tentis riche, on gold, and vther graith Sic fiſching to neglect, thay wyll be laith For quhy, yai haif fiſchit in ouerthort ye ſtrandis Ane gret part treuly of al tēporallandis. With that the tent part of all gude mouabil. For the vphalding of thare Digniteis. So bene thare fiſching wounder proffitabill On the dry land, als weill as on the ſeis Thare hery water, thay ſpred in all countreis And wt thair hois net, daylie drawis to Rome The moſt fyne gold, that is in Chriſtindome. I dar weill ſay, within this fiftie ȝeir Rome hes reſauit furth of this Regioun For Bullis & benefice (qubilk yai by ful deir) Quhilk myt ful weil haif payit ane kingꝭ ranſōn Bot war I worthie for to weir ane croun Preiſtis ſuld no more out ſubſtance ſo cōſume Sending ȝeirlie ſo gret ryches to Rome. In to thare tramalt net, thai fangit ane fiſche More nor ane quhaill worthie of memorie Of quhome yai haif had mony daintie diſche Be quhome thay ar exaltit to greit glorie That marueloꝰ monſtour, callit Purgatorie Howbeit tyll vs, it is nocht amiabill It hes to thame, bene veray profitabill. Lat thay yat fructeful fiſche eſchaip thair net Be quhome thay haue ſo gret commoditeis Ane more fat fiſche, I traiſt thay ſall not get Thocht thay wald ſerche ouerthort ye occeane ſeis Adew the daylie dolorous Dirigeis Selie pure preiſtis, may ſing wt hart ful ſorie Want thay that painful palice Purgatorie. Fair weil Monkrie, wt Chanoun Nun & freir Allace thay wyll be lichtleit in all landis Cowlis wil no more be kend in kirk nor queir Lat thai ye frutful fiſche eſchaip thare handis I counſall thame to bind hym faſt in bandis For Peter, Androw, nor Ihon, culd neuer get So proffitable ane fiſche, in to thair net. Thare Merchandice, in tyll all Nationis As prentit leid, thare walx, and parchem ent Thare pardonis and thare Diſpenſationis Thay do exceid ſum temporall princis rent As for thare Monkis thair chanounis & yale Freiris And luſtie Ladyis of Religioun I knaw nocht quhar to thare office effeiris Bot men may ſe thare greit abuſioun Thay ar nocht lyke, in to concluſioun Nother in to thair wordis, nor thare workis To the Apoſtilis, Prophetꝭ nor Patriarkis. Gif preſentlie thir Prelatis can not preiche Than lat ilk Byſchop haue ane Suffragane Or ſucceſſour, quhilk can the peple teiche On thare expenſis ȝeirlie to remane To cauſe the peple frome thare vyce refrane. And quhen ane prelate, hapnith to deceace Than put ane perfite preichour in his place. Do thay nocht ſo, on thame ſall ly the tharge Geuand vnable men Authoritie As quho wald mak ane ſteirmā til ane barge Of ane blind borne, quhilk can no dainger ſo Geue that ſchip droun, forſuth I ſay for me Quho gaif that ſteirman ſic commuſſioun Suld of the ſchip mak reſtitutioun. The humane Lawis, that ar contrarious And nocht conforming to the Law diuyne Thay ſulde expell, and hald thame odious Quhē thai perſaue, thame cū to no gude fyne Inuentit bot be ſenſuall mennis Ingyne As that law quhilk forbiddis Mariage Cauſing ȝoung Clerkes birn in luſtis rage. ¶Difficill is Chaiſtitie tyll obſerueRom. vii. But ſpeciall grace, laubour, and abſtinence In tyll our fleſche ay regnis tyll we ſterue. That firſt Originall ſyn, Concupiſcence, Quhilk we throuch Adamis Inobedience Hes done Incur, and ſall indure foreuer Quhill that our ſaull and body deith diſſeuer. Tharefor God maid of Mariage the bandGene. ii. In Paradyce (as Scripture doith recorde) In Galilie, rycht ſo I vnderſtand Wes Mariage honourit be Chriſt our Lord,Ihon. ii. Auld Law, & New, thare to thay do concorde I think for me, better that thay had ſlepit Nor tyll haue maid ane law, and neuer kepit. Tuke nocht Chriſt Ieſus his HumanitieMath. i. Of ane Virgine, in Mariage contractitLuc. i. And of hir fleſche, cled his Diuinitie, Quhy half thay done ye bliſful band deiectit In thare kingdome, wald god it wer co • rectit That ȝōng prelatis, micht marie luſtie wyfis And noche in ſenſuall luſt, to leid thare lyfis. Did nocht Chriſt theis of honeſt maryit men Aiſweill as thay that kepit Chaiſtitie For to be his Diſcipulis as ȝe ken As in the Scripture cleirlie thow may ſee Thay keipit ſtyll thare wyfis with honeſtie As Peter, and his ſpouſit brethren all Obſeruit Chaiſtitie Matrimoniall. i Tim. iiiiBot now apperis the Prophecie of Paull Quhow ſum ſuld ryis in to the latter age That frō the trew faith ſuld depart and fall And ſuld forbid the band of Mariage Als thow ſall find, in to that ſam paſſage Thay ſuld cōmand from meitis till abſtene Quhilk God creat his peple to ſuſtene Bot ſen ye Pope our ſpiritual prince & king He dois ouerſe ſic vyces manifeſt And in his kingdome, ſufferith for to ring The men be quhome the veritie bene ſuppreſt I excuſe nocht hym ſelf, more than the reſt Allace how ſuld we membris be weill vſit Quhen ſo our ſpirituall heidis bene abuſit. ☞The famous ancient Doctor Auicene Sayis quhē euil rewme diſcendis frō ye heid In to the membris, generith mekle pane Without thare be maid haiſtelie remeid Quhē that cald humour dōnwart dois ꝓceid, In Sennounis it cauſis Arthetica, Rychtſo in the handis cramp Chiragra. Of Maledyis it generis mony mo Bot geue men get ſum Souerane preſerue As in the theis Scyathica Paſſio, And in the breiſt, ſumtyme ye ſtrang Caterue Quhilk cauſis men richt haiſtelie to ſterue, And Podagra, difficill for to cure In mēnis feit, quhilk lang tyme dois indure. So to this moſt triumphand court of Rome, This ſymilitude, full weill I may compair Quhilk hes bene herſchip of al Chriſtindome And to the warld ane euyll exemplair That vmquhyle was Lod ſterre, & luminair And the moſt ſapient Sait of Sanctitude Bot now allace bair of Beatitude. Thare kyngdome may be callit BabiloneApo. xvii Quhilk vmquhyle wes ane bricht Ieruſalē As planelie menis the Apoſtill Ihone Thare moſt famous Citie, hes tint the fame, Inhabiteris thairof thare nobyll Name: For quhy, thay haue of Sanctis Habitakle To Symon Magus maid ane Tabernakle, And horribill vaill of euerilk kynd of vyce Ane laithlie Loch of ſtinkand Licherie, Ane curſſit Coue corrupt with Couatyce, Bordourit about with pryde and Symonie Sum ſayis ane Ciſterne full of Sodomie Quhoſe vyce in ſpeciall, gif I wald declair It war yneuch, for tyll perturb the air. Of treuth the hole Chriſtin Religioun Throuch thame ar ſcandalizat and offendit, It can nocht faill, bot thare abuſioun Afore the Throne of God it is aſcen • it Luc. xiii. Apo. xviiI dreid but dout, without that thay amend it The plaigis of Ihonis Reuelatioun Sal fall vpon thare Generatioun. O Lord quhilk hes the hartis of euerilkking In to thy hand, I mak the Suplicatioun Cōuert that court, that of thare grace bening Thay wald mak generall reformatioun Amang thame ſelfis, in euerilk Natioun That thay may be ane holy exemplare Tyll vs, thy pure lawit commoun populare. Houngerit allace, for falt of Spirituall fude Becauſe frome vs bene hid the veritie O prince, quhilk ſched for vs thy p̄cius blude Kendle in vs, the fyre of Cheritie And ſaif vs frome Eternall miſerie Now laubouryng in to thy kirk Militant That we may all cū to thy kirk triumphant.
The fourt buke makand mētioun of the deith, Of the Antichriſt, Of the Generall Ingement, of Certane pleſouris of the Glorifeit Bodyis, And quhow euery Creature deſiris to ſe the laſt day. With ane Exhortatioun be Experience to the Courteour. &c. PRVDENT Father Experience.Courteo. Sen ȝe of ȝour beneuolence Hes cauſit me for to conſidder Quhow warldlie Pomp, & glore bene ſlidder Be diuers ſtoryis miſerabill Quhilkis to rehers bene Lamentabill Ȝit or we pas furth of this vaill I pray ȝow geue me ȝour counſaill Quhat I ſall do in tyme cumming To haif the glore Euerlaſting? ❧My Sone (ſaid he)Experien. ſet thy intent To keip the Lordis Commandement And preis the nocht to clym ouer hie To no warldlie Authoritie Quho in the warld doith moſt reiois Ar farreſt ay frome thare purpois Wald thow leue warldlie vaniteis And thynk on four extremiteis Quhilkis ar to cum, and that ſchortlie Thow wald neuer ſyn wylfullie, Prent thir four, in thy memorie The Deith, the Hell, and Heuinnis glorie And extreme Iugement generall Quhare thow mon rander compt of all Thow ſall nocht faill to be content Of quiet lyfe, and ſober rent. Conſidering no man can be ſure In erth one hour for tyll indure So all warldlie proſperitie Is myxit with greit miſerie. ¶ Wer thow Empriour of Aſia Kink of Europe, and Aphrica, Greit Dominator of the ſey And thocht the Heuinnis did the obey All fyſchis ſweming in the ſtrand All beiſt and foull at thy command Concluding thow wer king ouer all Vnder the heuin Imperiall In that moſt hich Authoritie Thow ſuld fynd leiſt tranquillitie ii. Pax. ixExempill of king Salomone More proſperous lyfe had neuer none Sic ryches, with ſo greit pleſour Had neuer king nor Empriour With moſt profound Intelligence And ſuper excellent Sapience His pleſand Habitationis Precellit all vther Nationis Gardingis and parkis, for hartis and hyndis Stankis with fiſche of diuers kyndis Moſt profound maiſteris of Muſike That in the warld wes none thame lyke. Sic treſour of gold, and precious ſtonis In erth, had neuer no king at onis. He had ſeuin hundreth luſtie Quenisiii. Reg. xi. And thre hundreth fair Concubenis In erth, thare wes no thing pleſand Contrarious tyll his command. Ȝit all this gret proſperitieEccle. i. He thocht it vane, and vanitie And mycht neuer find repoſe compleit Without afflictioun of the ſpreit. ¶ Father (quod I)Courteo. it maruellis me He hauand ſic proſperite With ſo gret riches by meſour Nor he had infinite pleſour? ¶ My ſone the ſuith gif thow wald knaw The veritie I ſall the ſchawExperien. Thare is no warldlie thyng at all May ſatyfie ane mannis Saull For it is ſo Inſatiabill That heuin and erth, may nocht be abill One Saull allone to mak content Tyll it ſe God Omnipotent Wes neuer none, nor neuer ſalbe Satiate, that ſycht tyll that he ſe. Quharefore my Sone, ſet nocht thy cure Math. vi. Luc. xii.In erth, quhare no thing may be ſure Except the deith allanerlie Quhilk followis man continuallie Tharefor my Sone, rrmember the Within ſchort tyme that thow man de Nocht knawing quhē, quhow in quhat place Bot as it pleſith the King of grace.
❧ Of the Deith, OF Miſerie moſte Miſerabill Is Deith, and moſte abhominabill That dreidful Dragone wt his dartis Ay reddy for to pers the hartis Of euerilk Creature on lyue Contrar quhoſe ſtrenth may no man ſtryue. ¶ Of dolent Deith, this ſore ſentence Wes geuin throw Inobedience Of our Parentis, allace tharefore, As I haue done declare afore Quhow thay, and thare Poſteritie Wer all condampnit for to de 〈◊〉 • o what the fleſche to deith be thrall 〈…〉 the Sa ••• 〈◊〉 Immortall, And ſo of his benignitie Hes myxit his Iuſtice with Mercie Tharefor call to remembrance Of this fals warld the variance Quhow we lyke Pylgramꝭ ewin & morrow Ay trauelling throuch this vaill of ſorrow Sum tyme in vane proſperitie Sum tyme in greit miſerie Sum tyme in blis, ſum tyme in baill Sum tyme richt ſeik, and ſum tyme haill Sum tyme full riche, and ſum tyme pure Quharefore my Sone, tak lytle cure Nother of greit proſperitie Nor ȝit of greit Miſerie Bot pleſand lyfe, and hard miſchance Ponder thame boith in one ballance Conſidering none authorite Ryches, wyſedome, nor dignite Empyre of Realmes, bewtie, nor ſtrenth May nocht one day, our lyuis lenth Sen we ar ſure, that we moſte de Fair weill all vane felicite. ¶ Greitlie it doith perturbe my mynd Of dolent deith, the diuers kynd Thocht deith till euery man reſortis Ȝit ſtrykith he in ſyndrie ſortis Sum be hait Feueris violence Sum be contagious Peſtilence Sum be Iuſtice executioun Bene put to deith, without Remiſſioun Sum hangit, ſum doith loſe thare heidis Sum brynt, ſum ſoddin in to leidis And ſum for thare vnleifſum artis Ar rent and rewin vpon the ractis Sum ar diſſoluit be poyſoun Sum on the nycht ar murdreiſt doun Sum fallis in to freneſie Sum deis in Hydropiſie And vtheris ſtrange Infirmiteis Quharem mony ane thouſand deis Quhilk humane Nature dois abhor As in the Gutt, grauell, and gor Sum in the flux, and feuer quarrane Bot ay the hour of deith vncertane Sum ar diſſoluit ſuddandlie Be Catharre, or be Apoplexie. Sum doith diſtroy thame ſelf alſo As Hanniball, and wyſe Cato. Be thounder deith ſum dois conſume As he did the thrid king of Rome Callit Tullus Hoſtilius, As wryttis greit Valerius For he and his houſhald atonis Wer brynt be thounder fleſche and bonis. Sum deis be extreme exces Of Ioy, as Valerie doith expres Sum be extreme Melancholie Wyll de but vther Maladie. In Cronicles thow may weill ken Quhow mony houndreth thouſand men Ar ſlane, ſen firſt the warld began In battell, and quhow mony one man Vpon the ſee doith loſe thare lyues Quhen ſchippis vpon roches ryues, Thocht ſum dee Naturallie throuch age. Far ma deis rauand in one rage, Happy is he, the quhilk hes ſpace At his laſt hour, to cry for grace. Quhowbeit deith be abhominabill I thynk it ſuld be confortabil Tyll all thame of the faithfull noumer For thay depart frome cair and coumer Frome troubyll, trauell, ſturt, and ſtryfe Tyll Ioy and euerleſtand lyfe. Poli • orus Virgilius To that effect, he writtis thus In Thrace, quhen ony Chylde be borne Thare kyn, & freindis, cūmis thame beforne With dolent Lamentatioun For the greit tribulatioun Calamite cummer and cure That thay in erth ar to indure. Bot at thare deith and burying Thay mak greit Ioy and Banketting That thay haue paſt frome miſerie To reſt and greit felicitie. ¶Sen deith bene finall concluſioun Quhat vailis warldlie prouiſioun Quhan wyſedome may nocht contramand. Nor ſtrenth that flour may nocht ganeſtand. Ten thouſand Mylȝeoun of treſour May nocht prolong thy lyfe one hour Efter quhoſe dolent departing Thy ſpreit ſall pas but tarying Straucht way tyll Ioy Ineſtimabill Or to ſtrang pane Intolerabill. Thy vyle corruppit carioun Sall turne in Putrefactioun And ſo remane in poulder ſmall Vnto the Iugement Generall.
Ane ſchort Deſcriptioun of the Antechriſt. Courteo. QVOD I) Father I heir mē ſay That thair ſal ryſe afore yt day Quhilk ȝe cal general iugemēt One wickit mā frō ſathan ſent And cōtrar to ye law of Chriſt Callit the cruell Antechriſt And ſum ſayis that myſcheuous man Diſcend ſall of the Trybe of Dan And ſulde be borne in Babilone The quhilk diſſaue ſall mony one. Infidelis ſall of euery art With that fals Propheit tak one part. And quhow Enoch, and Elias Sall preche contrair that fais Meſſias Bot finallie his fals Doctrine And he ſall be put to rewine Bot nother be the fyre nor ſword Bot be the vertew of Chriſtis word, And gyf this be of verite The ſuith I pray ȝow ſchaw to me? My Sone (ſaid he)Experien as wryttis Ihone Thare ſall nocht be one man allone Hauing that name in ſpeciall Bot Antechriſtis in generalli Ihon • Hes bene, and now ar mony one And rycht ſo in the tyme of Ihone Wer Antechriſtis, as him ſelf ſayis And preſentlie now in thir dayis Ar rycht mony withouttin dout Wer thair fals lawis weill ſoucht out▪ Quha wes one greiter Antechriſt And more contrarious to Chriſt Nor the fals Propheit Machomeit Quhilk his curſt Lawis maid ſo ſweit In Turkie ȝit thay ar obſeruit Quhare throuch the hell he hes deſeruit. All Turkis, Sarazenis, and Iowis That in the Sone of God nocht trowisii. I • Ar Antechriſtis I the declare Becauſe to Chriſt thay ar contrare Dan. viii☞ Daniell ſayis in in his Propheceis That efter the greit Monarcheis Sall ryſe ane maruellous potent king Quhilk with ane ſchameles face ſall ring Mychtie and wyſe in dirk ſpeikingis And proſper in all pleſand thingis Throuch his falſhed and craftines He ſall flow in to welthines The Godly peple he ſall noy By cruell deith, and thame diſtroy, The king of kingis he ſall ganeſtand ii Theſ. iiSyne be diſtroyit withouttin hand. Paule ſayis afore the Lordis cumming That thare ſalbe one departing And that man of Iniquitie Tyll all men he ſall oppynuit be Quhilk ſall ſit in the holy ſait Contrary God, to mak debait. Bot that Sone of Perditioun Salbe put to confuſioun Be power of the holy Spreit Quhen he his tyme hes done compleit ¶ Beleue nocht that in tyme cumming. One greiter Antechriſt to ring Nor thare hes bene, and preſentlie Ar now, as Clerkis can eſpie Tharefore my wyll is that thow knaw Qu •• r euer thay be, that makis one Law Thocht thay be callit Chriſtin men By naturall reſſoun thow may ken Be thay neuer of ſo greit valour Pape, Cardinall, King, or Empriour Extolland thare Traditionis Abufe Chriſtis Inſtitutionis Makand Lawis contrar to Chriſt He is ane verray Antechriſt And quho doith fortifie or defend Sic law, I mak it to the kend Be it Pape, Empriour King or Quene Greit ſorrow ſall be on thame Sene At Chriſtis extreme Iugement Without that thay in tyme repent,
❧ Ane ſchorte Remembrance of the moſt Terribill Day of the Extreme Iugement. ☞ * ☜ FATHER (ſaid I)Courteo. with ȝour Licence Sen ȝe haue ſic Experience Ȝit one thing at ȝow wald I ſpeir Quhen ſall that dreidfull Day appeir Quhilk ȝe call Iugement Generall Quhat thyngis afore that day ſall fall Quhar ſall appeir that dreifull Iuge Or quhow may faltouris get refuge? (Quod he)Experien. as to thy firſt queſtioun I can mak no ſolutioun Quharefor perturb nocht thyne intent To knaw day, hour, or moment To God allone, the day bene knawin Quhilk neuer wes to none Angell ſchawin Howbeit be diners coniectouris And principall Expoſitouris Of Daniell, and his Prophecie And be the ſentence of Elie Quhilkis hes declarit as thay can How lang it is ſen the warld began And for to ſchaw, hes done thare cure How lang thay traiſt it ſall indure And als quhow mony agis bene As in thare warkis may be ſene. ❧ Bot till declare thir queſtionis Thare bene diuers opinionis Sum wryttaris, hes the warld deuydit In ſex ages (as bene decydit In to Faſciculus Temporum And Crenica Cronicarum, Bot be the ſentence of Elie The warld deuyditis in thre As cunning Maiſter Carioun Hes maid plaine expoſitioun Quhow Elie ſayis withouttin weir The warld ſall ſtand ſex thouſand ȝeir Of quhome I follow the ſentence And lattis the vther Bukis go hence Frome the Creatioun of Adam Two thouſand ȝeir till Abraham Frome Abraham, be this narratioun To Chriſtis Incarnatioun, Rychtſo hes bene two thouſand ȝeris. And be thir Prophecyis apperis Frome Chriſt, as thay mak tyll vs kend Two thouſand tyll the warldis end. Of quhilkis ar by gone ſickerlie Fyue thouſand, fyue hundreth, thre & fiftie. And ſo remanis to cum but weir Four hundreth, with ſewin and fourtie ȝeir. And than the Lord Omnipotent Suld cum tyll his greit Iugement Chriſt ſayis the tyme ſalbe maid ſchortMathew xxiiii. As Mathew planelie doith report That for the warldis Iniquitie The latter tyme ſall ſchortnit be For pleſour of the choſin nummer That thay may pas frome cair and cummer. So be this compt it may be kend The warld is draw and neir ane end. For Legionis ar cum but dout Of Antichriſtis wer thay ſoucht out And mony toknis doith appeir As efter ſchortlie thow ſall heir Quhow that ſanct Iherome doith indyte That he hes red in Hebrew wryte Of fyftene ſignis in ſpeciall Afore that Iugement Generall, Of ſum of thame, I tak no cure Quhilk I find nocht in the Scripture, One part of thame thocht I declair Firſt wyll I to the Scripture fair. Mar xiii Mathew .xxiiii.☞Chriſt ſayis, afore that day be done Thare ſalbe ſignis, in Sone and Moue, The Sone ſall hyde his bemis bricht So that the Mone ſall geue no licht Sterris be mennis Iugement Sall fall furth of the Firmament ☞Of thir ſignis or we forther gone Sum morall ſence we wyll expone As cunning Clerkis hes declairit And hes the Sone and Mone compairit The Sonne, to the ſtait ſpirituall The Mone to Princis temporall Rychtſo the ſterris thay do compare To the lawit commoun populare The Mone and ſterris, hes no licht Bot be reflex of Phebus bricht So quhen the Sonne of lycht is dirk The Mone and ſterris, mon be mirk Rychtſo quhen Paſtouris ſpiritualis Popis Biſchopis, and Cardinalis In thair beginning, ſchew greit licht The temporall ſtait, wes rewlit richt. Bot now allace, it is nocht ſo Thoſe ſchynand Lampis bene ago Thare Radious bemis ar turnit in reik For now in erth, no thing thay ſeik Except riches, and Dignitie Following thare Senſualitie Mony Prelatis ar now regnand The quhilkis no more dois vnderſtand Quhat dois pertene to thare office Nor thow can kendle fyre with Ice. Wo to Popis I ſay for me Quhilk ſufferis ſic Enormitie That Ignorant warldlie Creaturis Suld in the kirk haue ony curis. No maruell thocht the peple ſlyde Quhen thay haue blind men to thare gyde. For ane Prelate, that can nocht preiche Nor Goddis law, to the peple teiche,Eſay. lvi Eſay comparith hym in his wark Tyll ane dum Dog, that can nocht bark. And Chriſt hym callis in his greifIhne. x. Moſt lyk ane murtherer or ane theif The cunning Doctor Auguſtine Wolfis, and Deuillis, doith thame de fyne. The Canon law doith hym defame That of ane Prelate beris the name And wyll nocht preiche the Diuyne Lawis As the Decreis planely ſchawis. Bot thoſe that hes authoritie To prouyde ſpirituall Dignitie Mycht geue thay pleſit to tak pane Gar thame licht all thare Lampis agane. Bot euer allace, that is nocht done So derknit bene boith Sonne and Mone. War kingis lyuis weill declarit The quhilkis ar to the Mone comparit Men micht conſidder thare eſtait Frome Charitie degenerat I thynk thay ſuld think mekle ſchame Of Chriſt for to tak thare Surname Syne leif nocht lyke to Chriſtianis Bot more lyk Turkis, and to Paganis Turk contrar Turk makis lytle weir, Bot Chriſtiane Princis takis no feir Quhilkis ſuld agre as brother to brother Bot now ilk ane dyngis doun ane vther I knaw no reſſonabyll cauſe quharefore Except Pryde, Couetyce and vaine glore The Empriour mouis his Ordinance Contrair the potent king of France. And France richtſo with greit rigour Contrair his freind the Empriour And richt ſwa France agane Ingland Ingland alſo aganis Scotland, And als the Scottis with all thare micht Doith f • cht for tyll defend thare richt Betuix thir Realmes of Albione Quhare Battellis hes bene mony one Can be maid none Affinitie Nor ȝit no Conſaugunitie Nor be no way, thay can conſidder That thay may haue lang Peice to gidder I dreid that weir makis none ending Tyll thay be baith vnder ane king Thocht Chriſt the ſouerane king of grace Left in his Taſtament lufe and peace, Our kingis frome weir wyll nocht refrane Tyll thair be mony ane thouſand ſlane Greit heirſchippis maid be ſee and land As all the warld may vnderſtand. Father I thynk that temporall kingis.Courteo. May fecht for tyll defend thare ringis For I haif ſene the ſpirituall ſtait Mak weir thare richtis tyll deba • t. I ſaw Pape Iulius manfullie Pas to the feild tryumphantlie With ane rycht aufull Ordinance Contrair Lowes, the king of France And for to do hym more deſpyte He did his Regioun interdyte. My Sone (ſaid he)Experien. as I ſuppoſe That langis weill tyll our purpoſe How Sone and Mone, ar boith denude Of lycht, as Clerkis doith conclude Comparing thame, as ȝe hard tell To ſpirituall ſtait, and temporell And comoun peple half deſpairit Quhilk to the ſterris bene compairit Lawit peple follow ay thair heidis And ſpeciallie in to thare deidis The moſt part of Religioun Bene turnit in abuſioun. Quhat doith auaill religious weidis Quhen thay ar contrar in thare deidis Quhat holynes is thare within Ane wolf cled in ane wedder ſkin So be thir takinnis dois appeir The day of Iugement drawis neir. Now lat vs leif this morall ſence Proceiding tyll our purpoſe hence And of this mater ſpeik no more Beginnyng quhare we left afore. Mathew xxiiii Mar xiii Luk. xxiThe Scripture ſayis, efter thir ſignis Salbe ſene mony maruellous thingis Than ſall ryſe tribulationis In erth, and greit mutationis Als weill heir vnder as aboue Quhen vertewis of the heuin ſall moue Sic cruell weir ſalbe or than Wes neuer ſene ſen the warld began The quhilk ſall cauſe greit Indigence As derth, hounger, and peſtilence The horribill ſoundis of the ſee The peple ſall perturb and flee Ierome ſayis, it ſall ryſe on hicht Aboue montanis be mennis ſicht Bot it ſall nocht ſpred ouer the land Bot lyke ane wall euin ſtraucht vpſtand Syne ſattil doun agane ſo law That no man ſall the watter knaw. Greit Quhalis ſall rummeis rout and rair Quhoſe ſound redound ſall in the air. All fiſche and Monſtouris maruellous Sall cry with ſoundis odious That men ſall widder on the erd And weping wary ſall thare weird With lowd allace, and well away That euer thay baid to ſe that day And ſpeciallie thoſe that dwelland be Apon the coſtis of the ſee. Rychtſo as ſanct Ierome concludis Sall be ſene ferleis in the fludis The ſee with mouing maruellous Sall birn with flammis furious Rychtſo ſall birn fontane and flude All herb and tree ſall ſweit lyke blude Fowlis ſall fal furth of the air Wyld beiſtis to the plane repair And in thare maner mak greit mone Gowland with mony griſlie grone. The bodeis of dede CreaturisEzechel. xxxvii. Appeir ſall on thare Sepulturis Than ſall boith men, wemen and barnis Cum crepand furth of how Cauernis Quhare thay for dreid wer hid afore With ſich and ſab and hartis ſore Wandring about as thay war wode Effamiſchit for falt of fude None may mak vtheris conforting Bot dule for dule and Lamenting Quhat may thay do, bot weip and wounder Quhen thay ſe roches ſchaik in ſchounder Throw trimblyng of the erth, and quaiking, Of ſorrow than ſall be no ſlaiking Quho that bene leuaud in thoſe dayis May tell of terribill affrayis, Thare riches, rentis, nor treſſour That tyme ſall do thame ſmall pleſour Bot quhen ſic wounderis dois appeir Men may be ſure, the day drawis neir That Iuſt men pas ſall to the glore Dan. xiii Courteo. Iniuſt to paine for euer more. Father (ſaid I) we daylie reid One Artikle in to our Creid Say and that Chriſt Omnipotent In to that generall Iugement Sall Iuge boith dede and quck alſo Quharefore declare me or ȝe go Geue thare ſal ony man or wyfe Experien.That day be foundin vpon lyfe? (Quod he) as to that queſtioun I ſall mak ſone ſolutioun Mathew xxiiii.The Scripture planely doith expone Quhen all takynnis, bene cum and gone Ȝit mony one hundreth thouſand That ſamyn day, ſalbe leuand Howbeit thare ſall no Creature Nother of day nor hour be ſure. For Chriſt ſall cum ſo ſuddandlie That no man ſall the tyme eſpye As it wes in the tyme of Noy Quhen God did all the warld diſtroy. Sum on the feild ſalbe lauborand, Sum in the tempillis Mariand, Sum afore Iugis makand pley And ſum men ſailland on the ſey. Thoſe that be on the feild going Sall nocht returne to thare luging. Quho bene apon his hous abufe Sall haue no laſer to remufe. Two ſalbe in the Myll grinding Quhilk ſalbe takin but warning The one tyll euerlaſting glore The vther loſt for euer more. Two ſalbe lying in one bed The one to pleſour ſalbe led The vther ſalbe left allone Greit and with mony griſlie grone And ſo my Sone thow may weill trow The warld ſalbe as it is now The peple vſing thare beſines As holy Scripture doith expres. Sen no man knawis the hour nor day The Scripture biddis vs walk and pray And for our Syn be penitent As Chriſt wald cum Incontinent.
The maner quhow Chriſt ſall cum to his Iugement. ☞ (*) ☜ QUhē al taknis benebrocht till end thā ſal ye ſōe of god diſcēd Experien.as fireflaucht haſtely glāſing Diſcēd ſal ye moſt heuinly kīg As Phebus in the Orient Heb. xii.Lichtnis in haiſt to Occident So pleſand • te, he ſall appeir Luc. xxi.Amang the heuinlie cluddis cleir With greit power and Maieſtie Aboue the countre of Iudee As Clerkis doith concluding haill Direct aboue the luſtie Vaill Actis. i.Of Ioſaphat, and Mont Oliueit All Propheſie thare ſalbe compleit. Mat. xxvThe Angellis, of the ordouris Nyne Inueroun ſall that Throne Diuyne With heuinlie conſolatioun Makand hym Miniſtratioun In his preſence thare ſalbe borne The ſignis of Cros, and Croun of thorne Pillar, Naillis, Scurgis and Speir With euerilk thing that did hym deir The tyme of his grym Paſſioun And for our conſolatioun Appeir ſall in his handis and feit And in his ſyde, the prent compleit Of his fyue woundis Precious Schynand lyke Rubeis Radious, To Reprobat confuſioun, And for finall concluſioun He ſittand in his Tribunall With greit power Imperiall Thare ſall ane Angell blaw ane blaſti. Cor. xv. Mathew .xxiiii. Quhilk ſall mak all the warld agaſt With hydduous voce, and vehement Ryſe dede folk, cum to Iugement. With that, all reſonabill Creature That euer wes formit be Nature Sall ſuddantlie ſtart vp attonis Cōionit wt ſaul, fleſche, blude, and bonis. That terribill Trumpet I heir tell Beis hard in Heuin, in erth,Apoc. xx. and hell Thoſe that wer drownit in the ſey That bouſteous blaſt thay ſall obey Quhare euer the body buryit was All ſalbe foundin in that plas. Angellis ſall pas in the four artisMar. xiii Of erth, and bring thame frome all partis And with one inſtant diligence Preſent thame to his excellence. ☞Sanct Ierome thocht continuallie On this Iugement ſo ardentlie He ſaid, quhidder I eit or drink Or walk, or ſleip, forſuth me think That terribill Trumpet lyke ane bell So quiklie in myne eir doith knell As Inſtantlie it wer preſent Ryſe dede folk, cum to Iugement Geue Sanct Ierome tuke ſic ane fray Allace quhat ſall we Synnaris ſay. All thoſe, quhilk fundin bene on lyfe Salbe Immortall maid belyfe i. • e. iiii. i. Cor. xv.And in the twinkling of one Ee With fyre thay ſall tranſlatit be And neuer for to dee agane As Diuyne ſcripture ſchawis plane Als reddy boith for pane and glore As thay quhilk deit lang tyme afore. The Scripture ſayis, thay ſall appeir In age the thre and thretty ȝeir Quhidder thay deit ȝoung or auld Quhoſe greit noumer may nocht be tauld Mathew xxvi..That day ſall nocht be miſſit one man Quhilk borne wes ſen the warld began. The Angell ſall thame ſeparait As Hird the ſcheip doith frome the Gait, And thoſe quhilk bene of Belialis band Trymling apon the erth ſall ſtand On the left hand, of that greit Iuge But eſperance to get refuge. i. Teſ. iiiiBot thoſe quhilk bene predeſtinat Sall frome the erth be Eleuat And that moſt happy cumpanie Sall ordourit be triumphantlie At the rycht hand of Chriſt our King Hich in the air, with loud louing. Full Gloriouſlie thare ſall compeir More bricht than Phebus in his ſpheir The Virgine Marie, Quene of Quenis With mony ane thouſand bricht Virgenis The Fatheris of the auld Teſtament Quhilk wer to God obedient Father Adam ſall thame conuoy With Abell, Seth, Enoch, and Noy, Abraham with his faithful warkis With all the prudent Patriarkis Ihone the Baptiſt thare ſall compeir The Principall, and laſt Meſſingeir Quhilk come bot half ane ȝeir afore The cummyng of that King of glore Moyſes, Eſayas, honourabill With all trew Prophetis Venerabill. Dauid, with all the faithfull kingis Quhilk verteouſlie did rewll thair ringis, The nobyll Chiftane Ioſue With gentill Iudas Machabe, With mony one nobill Campioun Quhilk in thare tyme with greit renoun Manfully till thare lyuis end The Law of God thay did defend. With Eue, that day ſalbe preſent The Ladyis of the auld Teſtament Debora, Adamis Douchter deir With thē four luſty Ladyis cleir Quhilk kepit wer, in the Ark with Noy Sara, and Cethura with Ioy The quhilkis to Abraham wyffis bene With gude Rebecca thare ſalbe ſene The prudent wyfis of Iſraell Gude Lya, and the fair Rachell With Iudith, Heſter, and Suſanna And the richt ſapient Quene Saba. ❧Thare ſall compeir Peter and Paull With Chriſtis trew Diſcipulis all Lawrence and Stewin, wt thare blyſt band Of Martyris mo, than ten thouſand Gregore, Ambroſe, and Auguſtyne With confeſſouris, ane tryumphand tryne With Sanct Frances, and Dominick Sanct Bernard, and ſanct Benedick With ſmall noumer, of Monkis and Freiris Of Carmelites, and Cordelleiris, That for the ſufe of Chriſt onelie Renuncit the warld vnfenȝeitlie. With Elizabeth and Anna All gude wyffis ſall compeir that day The blyſt and holy Magdalene That day afore hir Souerane Rycht pleſandlie ſcho ſall preſent All Synnaris that wer penitent Quhilk of thare gilt heir aſkit grace In heuin with hir, ſall haue ane place. ¶Bot wo beis to that bailfull band Quhilk ſall ſtand law at his left hand. Wo than to Kyngis, and Empriouris Quhilkis wer vnrichteous Conquerouris For thare glore, and particular gude Gart ſched ſo mekle ſaikles blude. But Sceptour, Crown, and Rob Royall That day thay ſall mak compt of all And for thare cruell tirranuie Sall punyſt be perpetuallie. Ȝe Lordis, and Barronis, more and les That ȝour pure Tennantis dois oppres Be gret Gerſome, and dowbill maill More than ȝour landis bene auaill With ſore exorbitant cariage With mercheitis of thare mariage Tormentit boith in peace and weir With burdinnis more than thay may beir Be thay haue payit, to ȝow thare maill And to the Preiſt thare teindis haill And quhen the land agane is ſawin Quhat reſtis behynd, I wald wer knawin I traiſt thay and thare pure houſhauld May tell of bounger, and of cauld Without ȝe half of thame piete I dreid ȝe ſall get no Merce That day, quhen Chriſt Omnipotent Cummis to generall Iugement. Wo beis to publict Oppreſſouris To tirrannis, and to Tranſgreſſouris To Murderaris, and commoun theifis Quhilk neuer did mend thare gret miſcheifis Fornicatouris, and Ockeraris Commoun publict Adulteraris All pertinat wylfull Heretikes All fals deſaitfull Schiſmatikes All ſalbe preſent in that place With mony Lamentabill allace. The curſit Cayn, that neuer wes gude With all ſcheddaris of ſaikles blude Nemrod, foundar of Babilone With fals Idolateris mony one. Ninus the King of Aſſiria With gret dule ſall compeir that day Quhilk firſt Inuentit Imagerie Quharethrouch come greit Idolatrie For makyng of the Image Bell That day his hyre ſalbe in hell. The greit Oppreſſour king Pharoo, The tyrrane Empriour Nero Sall with thame curſit king Herode bring With mony vther cairfull king The cruell king Antiochus With the moſt furious Olofernes Gret Oppreſſouris of Iſraell That day thare hyre ſall be in hell. With Iudas ſall compeir one clan Of fals Tratouris to God and man. Thare ſall compeir of euery land With Ponce Pylat one bailfull band Of temporall and ſpirituall ſtatis Fals Iugis, with thare Aduocatis. Thare ſall our Senȝeouris of the Seſſioun. Of all thare faltis mak cleir confeſſioun Thare ſall be ſene, the fraudfull failȝeis Of Schireffis, Proueſtis, and of Bailȝeis Officialis, with thare Conſiſtorie Clerkis Sall mak compt of thare wrangous werkis, Thay and thare peruerſt Procuratouris Oppreſſouris boith of riche and puris Throuch Delatouris full of deſait Quhilk mony one gart beg thair meit Greit dule that day to Iugis bene That cūmis nocht with thare cōſcience clene That day ſall pas be Peremptouris Without Cautele, or Dilatouris No Duplicandum, nor Triplicandum Bot ſhortly pas to Sentenciandum Without Continuationis Or ony Appellationis That ſentence, ſall nocht be retraitit Nor with no man of Law debaitit. Ȝe Laubouraris be ſee and landis Perfite Craftiſmen, and riche Merchandis Leue ȝour deſait and craftie wylis Quhilk ſillie ſimpyll folk begylis Mak recompence heir, as ȝe may Remembring on this dreidfull day. With Machomeit ſall compeit but dout Of Antechriſtis one hydduous rout Biſchop Annas and Caiphas With hym in companie ſall pas With Scrybis, and fals Phariſience Quhilk wrocht on Chriſt greit violence With mony one Turk, and Sarracene With greit ſorrowe thare ſalbe ſene, Paipis for thare traditionis Contrair Chriſtis Inſtitutionis With mony one cowll, and clippit crown Quhilk Chriſtis lawis ſtrampit down And wald nocht ſuffer for to preiche The verite, nor the peple teiche, But lawit men put to greit torment Quhilk vſit Chriſtis Teſtament. All kingis and Quenis thare ſalbe kend The quhilk ſic lawis did defend In that court ſall cum mony one Of the blak byik of Babilone. The Innocent blude that day ſall cry One loud vengeance full petuouſly On thoſe cruell bludie boucheouris Martyris of Prophetis, and Precheouris, Sum with the fyre, ſum with the ſword Quhilk planely preichit Goddis word That day thay ſall rewardit be Conforme to thare Iniquitie The Sodomitis, and Gomoreance On quhom God wrocht ſo gret vengeance With Core, Dathan, and Abyrone With thare aſſiſtance mony one, The holy Scripture wyll the tell Quhow thay ſank all doun to the hell With Symon Magus ſall reſort Of proude Preiſtis, ane ſchamefull ſort. ¶That ſamyn day, thare ſalbe ſene Mony one cruell cairfull Quene Quene Semirame king Ninus wyfe Ane Tyger full of ſturt and ſtryfe. To gydder with Quene Iezabell Quhilk wes couetous and cruell The fals deſaitfuil Dalida The cruell Quene Clytemneſtra The quhilk did murdreis on the nicht Agamemnon, boith wyſe and wyche The quhilk wes hir a win ſouerane Lord As Greikis ſtoryis doith record With cruell Quenis mony one Quhilk langſum wer for till expone. Ȝe wantoun Ladyis and burges wyfis That now for ſydeſt taillis ſtryfis Flappand the filth, amang ȝour feit Raſing the duſt in to the ſtreit That day for all ȝour pomp and pryde Ȝour taillis ſall nocht ȝour hippis hyde Thir vaniteis, ȝe ſall repent Without that ȝe be penitent. With Phitoniſſa, I heir tell Quhilk raiſit the Spirtit of Samuell That day with hir thare ſall reſorte Of rank Wychis ane ſorrowfull ſorte Brocht frome all partes mony one myle Frome Sauoy, Athole, and Argyle And frome the ryndis of Galloway With mony wofull wallaway. Ȝe Brether of Religioun In tyme leif ȝour abuſioun With quhilk ȝe haue the warld abuſit Or ȝe that day ſalbe refuſit I ſpeik to ȝow all generallie Nocht tyll ane Ordour ſpeciallie. That day all Creature ſall ken Geue ȝe wer Sanctis or warldlie men. Or geue ȝe tuke the Skapellarie That ȝe mycht leif more pleſandlie And get ane gude gros Portioun Or for Godlie Deuotioun That day ȝour fenȝeit Sanctitudis Sall nocht be knawin be ȝour hudis Ȝour Superſtitious Ceremoneis Participant till Idolatreis Cord, cuttit ſchone, nor clippit heid That day, fall ſtand ȝow in no ſleid. For Cowllis blak, gray, nor begaird Ȝe ſall that day get no rewaird Ȝour Polite payntit flattrie Ȝour Diſſimulate Hipocriſie That day thay ſalbe cleirlie knawin Quhen ȝe ſall ſcheir, as ȝe haue ſawin. Tharefore in tyme, be penitent Or ellis that day ȝe wyll be ſchent. ¶I pray ȝow hartlie as I may Remember on that dreidfull day Ȝe Abbot, Pryor, and Pryores Conſiddder quhat ȝe did profes And quhow that ȝour promotioun Wes no thing for Deuotioun Bot tyll obtene the Abbacie Ȝe maid ȝour Vow of Chaſtitie Of Pouertie, and obedience, Tharefore remord ȝour conſcience Quhow thir thre vowis bene obſeruit And quhat reward ȝe haue deſeruit Quharefore repent, quhill ȝe haue ſpace Sen God is liberall of his grace ☞Father (quod I)Courteo. declare to me Quhare ſall our Prelatis ordourit be Quhilk now bene in the warld leuand With quhome ſal cum that Spirituall band? (Quod he)Experien. as ſanct Barnard diſcryuis Without that thay amend thare lyuis And leif thare wantoun vicious warkis Nocht with Prophetis nor Patriarkis Nocht with Martyris, nor Confeſſouris The quhilkꝭ to Chriſt, wer trew preichouris. Thare Predeceſſouris, Peter and Paull That day wyll thame miſken at all So ſall thay nocht, I ſay for me With the Apoſtillis ordourit be I traiſt thay ſall dwell on the bordour Of hell, quhare thare ſalbe none ordour Endlang the Flude of Phlegeton Or on the brayis of Acheron Cryand on Charon, I conclude To ferrie thame ouer that furious flude Tyll Eternall confuſioun Without thay leif thare abuſioun I traiſt thoſe Prelatis, more and les Sall mak cleir compt of thare ryches That dreidfull day, with hartis ſore And quhat ſeruice, thay did thairfore The Princely pompe, nor apparrall Of Pope, Biſchop, nor Cardinall Thare Royall rentis, nor dignite That day ſall nocht regardit be Thare ſall no taillis, as I heir ſay Of Biſchopis, be borne vp that day Cum thay nocht with thair conſcience clene On thame gret ſorrow ſalbe ſene Without that thay thare lyfe amend In tymt, and ſo I mak ane end.
The maner quhow Chriſt ſall geue his Sentence. QVhen all thir CōgregationisExperien. beis brocht furth frō al natiōs Quhilk ſalbe wtout lāg ꝓces Thocht I haif maid ſū lāg digres For ī ye twinklīg of a Ge All mankynd ſall preſentit be Afore that Kyngis Excellence.Mat. xxv Than ſchortlie ſall he geue ſentence Firſt ſayand to that bliſſit band Quhilk beis ordourit, at his richt hand Cum with my Fatheris Beniſoun And reſaue ȝour poſſeſſioun Quhilk bene for ȝow preordinate Afore the warld wes firſt create Q • hen I wes hungre, ȝe me fed Quhen I wes naikit, ȝe me cled Oftymes ȝe gaue me herbery And gaue me drink, quhen I wes dry And veſyit me, with myndis meik Quhen I wes preſonar and ſeik In all ſic tribulatioun Ȝe gaue me conſolatioun. ☞Than ſall thay ſay, O Potent King Quhen ſaw we the deſyre ſic thing We neuer ſaw thyne Excellence Subdewit to ſic Indigence? Ȝis (ſall he ſay) I ȝow aſſure Quhen euer ȝe did reſſaue the pure And for my ſaik, maid thame ſupple That gift but dout, ȝe gaif to me Tharefore ſall now begin ȝour glore Quhilk ſall indure for euer more. ☞Than ſall he luke on his left hand And ſay vnto that bailfull band Pas with my Maledictioun Till Eternall Afflictioun In company with feindis fell In euerlaſting fyre of hell Quhen I ſtude naikit at ȝour ȝet Hungrie, thriſtie, cauld and wet Rycht febill, ſeik, and lyke to de I neuer gat of ȝow ſupple And quhen I lay in preſoun ſtrang For ȝow I mycht haue lyin full lang Without ȝour Conſolatioun Or ony ſupportatioun. ¶Trymling for dreid than ſall thay ſay With mony hydduous harmiſay Allace gude Lorde, quhen ſaw we the Subiect to ſic neceſſite? Quhen ſaw we thee, cum to our dure Hungrie, thriſtie, naikit, pure? Quhen ſaw we the in preſounly Or the refuſit herbery? ☞ Than ſall that moſt precellent king Tyll thoſe wrechis mak anſwering That tyme, quhen ȝe refuſit the puris Quhilkis neidfull cryit at ȝour duris And of ȝour ſuperfluite For my ſaik maid thame no ſupple Refuſand thame, ȝe me refuſit With wretchitnes ſo ȝe wer abuſit: Tharefor ȝe ſall haue to ȝour hyre The eurelaſting birnand fyre. But grace, but pece, or conforting Than ſall thay cry, full fore w • iping That we wer maid, allace gude Lord Allace, is thare none Miſericord But thus, withouttin hope of grace Tyne preſence of thy pleſand face. Allace for vs, it had bene gude We had bene ſmorit in our cude. ¶Than with one rair, the erth ſall ryif And ſwollie thame boith man and wyif. Than ſall thoſe Creaturis forlorne Warie the hour, that thay wer borne, With, mony ȝamet, ȝewt and ȝell Frome tyme thay feill the flammis fell Apon thare tender bodyis byte Quhoſe tormēt ſalbe Infinyte. The erth ſall cloſe, and frome thare ſicht Sall takin be, all kynd of licht Thare ſalbe gowling, and grewing But hope of ony conforting In that Ineſtimabill pane Eternallie thay ſall remane Birnand in furious flammis reid Euer deand, bot neuer be deid That the ſmall Minute of one hour To thame ſalbe, ſo greit dolour Thay ſall think thay haue done remane Ane thouſand ȝeir in to that pane Allace I trimmill to heir teil The terribill tormenting of hall That painfull pit, quho can deplore Quhilk mon indure for euer more? Than ſall thoſe glorifyit Creaturis With mirth and infinite pleſuris Conuoyit with Ioy Angelicall Pas to the heuin Imperiall With Chriſt Ieſu, our Souerane King In glore Eternallie to ring Of man quhilk paſſis the Ingyne The thouſand part, for tyll defyne i Pet. iii.Allanerlie of the leiſt pleſure Preordinat for one Creature. Than ſall one fyro, as C • erkis ſane Mak all the hillis, and valleyis plane Frome erth, vp to the Heuin Empyre All beis renewit be that fyre Purging all thing materiall Vnder the heuin Imperiall. Boith erth, and water, fyre, and air Salbe more perfyte maid and fair The quhilkis afore had mixit bene Sall than be purifyit and maid clene The erth lyke Chriſtall ſalbe cleir And euerilk Planeit in his ſpheir Sall reſt withouttin more mouing Boith ſterny heuin, and Chriſtalling The firſt and hieſt heuin mouabill Sall ſtand but turning firme and ſtabill The Sonne in to the Orient Sall ſtand, and in the Occident Reſt ſall the Mone, and be more cleir Nor now bene Phebus in his ſpheir. And als that Lantern of the heuin Sall geue more licht, be greis ſeuin Nor it gaue ſen the warld began. The Heuin renewit ſalbe than, Rychtſo the erth, with ſic deuyſe Compair tyll heuinlie Paradyſe.Apo. xxi, So heuin and erth, ſalbe all one As menith the Apoſtill Ihone The greit ſee ſall no more appeiri. Cor. ii. Bot lyke the Chriſtall pure and cleir Paſſing Imaginatioun Of Man, to mak narratioun Of glore, quhilk God, haith done prepair Tyll euery one that cummis thair The quhilk with c • ris, nor with ene Of man may nocht be hard norſene With hart it is vnthinkadill And with toungis Inpronunciabill Quhoſe pleſouris ſalbe ſo perfyte Hauing in God, ſo greit delyte The ſpace now of ane thouſand ȝeir i Pet. iii.That tyme ſall nocht, ane hour appeir Quhilk can nocht comprehendit be Till we that pleſand ſicht ſall ſe. i Cor. xii.Quhē Paule wes reuiſchit in the ſpreit Tyll the thrid Heuin, of glore repleit He ſaith, the Secreitis quhilk he ſaw Thay wer nocht leifſum for to ſchaw To no man on the erth leuand Quharefor preis nocht till vnderſtand Quhowbeit thare to thow haue deſyre The Secretis of the Heum Empyre The more men lukis on Phebus bricht The more febill, ſalbe thare ſicht Rychtſo lat no man ſet thare cure To ſerche the hich Deuyne Nature. The more men ſtudie, I ſuppoſe Salbe the more frome thare purpoſe To knaw, quhareto ſulde men Intend Quhilk Angellis can nocht comprehend Bot efter this greit Iugement All thing till vs ſalbe patent. Lat vs with Paule, our mynd addres He beand full of Heuinlines Full hunilie, he teichit vs Nocht for to be to curious Quhoweit men be of greit Ingyne To ſeik the hich Secretis Deuyne Quhoſe Iugement ar vnſerchebill His wayis ſtrange and InueſtigabilRom. xi. (That is to ſay) paſt out finding Of quhome no man may find ending. It ſufficis vs for tyll Implore Greit God, to bring vs to his glore.
Of certane pleſuris Of the glorifyit Bodyis. SEn thare is nōe in erth,Experie • may cōprehēd The heuinlie glore, & pleſourꝭ infinyte Quharfor my ſone, I pray ye not p̄tend Ouer far to ſeik, that mater of delyte Quhilk paſſit Naturall reſoun till Indyte That God afore that he the warld creat Prepairit to thame, quhilk ar predeſtinat. All mortall men, ſalbe maid Immortall (That is to ſay) neuer to de agane Impaſſibil, and ſo Celeſtiall That fyre nor ſword, may do to yaim no pane Nor heit, nor cald, nor froſt, nor wind, nor rane Thocht ſic thing wer, may do to yaim no deir Thoſe Creaturis, richt ſo ſalbe als cleir. As flammand Phebus, in his Manſioun Conſidder than, giue thare ſalbe greit licht Quhen euery one, in to that Regioun Sall ſchyne lyke to ye ſone, and be als bricht, Lat vs with Paull deſyre to ſee that ſicht Philip. i.To be diſſoluit, Paull had ane gret deſyre With Chriſt, to be in tyll the heuin Empyre. And moreatour, as Clerkis can diſcryue, Thare marueilous mirthis, beis incōparabil Amang the reſt, in all thare wyttis fyue Thay ſall haue ſenſuall pleſouris delectabeil The heuinly ſōnd, quhilk ſalbe Inenarrabill In thare eitis, continuallie ſall ring And als the ſicht of Chriſt Ieſus our King, In his triumphant Throne Imperiall With his mother, ye Virgen quene of Quenis Thare ſalbe ſene, the Court Celeſtiall Apoſtolis Martyris, Confefforis, & Virgenis Brichter thā Phebus, in his ſpheir ye ſchynis The Patriarkis, and Prophetis, Venerabil Thare ſalbe ſene, with glore Ineſtimabill. And with thare Spirituall Eis ſalbe ſene That ſicht, quhilk bene moſt ſuperexcelland God as he is, and euermore hes bene Continuallie that ſicht contempland. Auguſtine ſayis, he had leuer tak on hand To be in Hell, he ſeing the eſſence Of God, nor be in Heuin, but his preſence. ☞Quho ſeis God, in his Diuinitie He ſeis in hym, all vther pleſand thingis The quhilk with toung, can not pronuncit be Quhat pleſour bene, to ſe that king of kingis The greteſt pane, ye damnit folk doun thringꝭ And to the Deuillis, the moſt punitioun It is of God, to want fruitioun. And mairattouer, thay ſall feill ſic ane ſmell. Surmonting far, ye flewour of erdly flouris And in thare mouth, ane tatſt as I heir tell Of ſweit, and Supernatural Sapouris Als thay ſall ſe, the heuinlie bricht colouris Schyning amang thoſe Creaturis Diuyne Quhilk til diſcryue, trāſcendis mānis ingyne ❧And als thay ſall haue ſic Agilite. In one Inſtant, to pas for thare pleſour Ten thouſand mylis, in twinkling of ane Ee So thare Ioyis, ſalbe without meſour Thay ſall Reioyis, to ſe the greit dolour Of dampnit folk in hell, and thare torment Becauſe of God, it is the Iuſte Iugement. Subtilite thay ſall haue maruellouſlie Supponing that thare wer one wal of bras One glorifyit body, may rycht haiſtelie Out throw that wal, without impedimēt pas Siclyke as dois the ſone beme throw ye glas As Chriſt till his Diſcipulis did appeir Ihon. xxAll entres clos, and none of thame did ſteir. Quhowbeit in heuin, thocht euerilk creature i. Cor, xv.Haue nocht alyke felicite nor glore Ȝit euerilk one ſall haue ſo greit pleſure And ſo content, thay ſall deſyre no more To haue more Ioy, thay ſal no way implore Bot thay ſalbe all ſatiſfyit and content Lyke to this rude exempill ſubſequent. Take ane crowat, ane pynt ſtop, & ane quart One galoun pitchair, ane punſion & ane tun, Of wyne, or balme, gif euerilk one thair part And fill thame full, til that thay be ouer run The litle crowat in compariſoun Salbe ſo full, that it may hald no more Of ſic meſuris thocht thair be twenty ſcore. In to the Tun, or in the Punſioun So all thoſe veſchellis, in one qualite May hald no more, without thay be ouer run Ȝit haue thay nocht alyke in quantite So be this rude exempill thow may ſe Thocht euerilk one, be nocht alike in glore Ar ſatiſfyit ſo, that thay deſyre no more. Thocht preſenlie be Goddis purwiance Beiſtis, foulis, and fiſchis in the ſeis Ar neceſſar now, for mannis ſuſtinance With cornis, herbis, flouris, & fruetful treis, Than ſall thare be none ſic commoditeis The erth ſall beir no plant, nor beiſt brutall Bot as the Heuinnis bricht lyke burall. Suppone ſū be on erth, walkand heir doun. Or hich abone, quhare euer thay pleis to go Of God, thay haue ay cleir fruitioun Boith eſt or weſt, vp doun, or to or fro Clerkis declaris pleſouris mony mo Quhilk dois trāſcend al mortal mānis īgyne The thouſand part of thoſe pleſouris diuyne In to the Heuin, thay ſall perfytlie knaw Thare tēder freindis yair fader & yair moder Thare predeceſſouris, quhilkꝭ thay nev er ſaw Thare ſpouſis, barnis, ſiſter, & thair brother And euerilk one, ſall haue ſic lufe till vther Of vtheris glore, and Ioy, thay ſall reioſe As of thare a win, as Clerkis doith ſuppoſe. Than ſalbe ſene, that bricht Ieruſalem.Apoc. xxi Quhilk Ihone ſaw, in his Reuelatioun Eſa. lxviWe mortall men, allare ar far to blame That will nocht haue conſideratioun And ane continuall contemplatioun With hote deſyre, to cum vnto that glore Quhilk pleſour ſall indure for euer more. Ro. viii.O Lord our God, and king Omnipotent Quhilk knew or yt the heuin, and erth, create Quho wald to the be inobedient And ſo deſerue, for to be reprobate Thow knew the noumer of predeſtinate Quhō thou did call, and hes thame Iuſtifyi • And ſall in heuin with the be glorifyit. Grant vs to be Lord, of that choſin ſort Quhame of thy Mercy Superexcellent Did purifie, as Scripture doith report With the blude of that holy Innocent Ieſu, quhilk maid hym ſelf Obedient Vnto the deith, and ſteruit on the Rude Lat vs O Lord, be purgit with that blude. Ro. viii.All Creature, that euer God Create As wryttis Paull, thay wis to ſe that day i Cor. xv.Quhen the Children of God predeſtinate Sall do appeir in thare new freſche array Quhē corruptioun heis clengit clene away And changit beis, thare mortall qualite In the greit glore, of Immortalite. And moreattour, all dede thyngis corporall. Vnder the Concaue, of the Heuin Empyre That now to laubour, ſubiect ar and thrall Sone, mone, & ſterris, erth, water, air, & fyre. In one maner, thay haue ane hote deſyre Wiſſing that day, that thay may be at reſt As Eraſmus, exponeth Manifeſt. We ſe the gret Globe of the Firmament Continuallie, in mouing maruellous The ſewin Planetis, contrary thare intent Ar reft about, with cours, contrarious The wynd, and ſey, with ſtormes furious The trou • lit air, wt froſtis, ſnaw, and rane, Onto that day, thay trauell euer in pane. And all the Angellis, of the Ordouris nyne Hauand compaſſioun of our Miſereis Thay wis efter that day, and to that fyne To ſe vs fred, frome our Infirmiteis And clengit frome thir greit Calamiteis And troublous lyfe, quhilk neuer ſal haif end Vnto that day, I mak it to the kend.
Ane Exhortatioun Geuin be Father Experience, vnto his Sone, the Courteour. Experien.My ſone now mark weil ī thy memorie Of yis fals warld ye trublꝰ trāſitorie quhoſe dreidfull dayis drawis neir a end Tharefore call God to be thy adiutorie And euery day my Sone, Memento mori. And wat not quhē, nor quhare yt thou ſal wēd Heir to remane, I pray the nocht pretend And ſen thow knawis the tyme is very ſchort In Chriſtis blude, ſet all thy hole confort Mat. vi.Be not to muche ſolyſt in temporall thyngis Sen yu perſauis Pape Empriour nor kyngis In to the erth, haith no place parmanent Thou ſeis ye deth, yaim dulfully dōn thringis And rauis yaim frō yair rent, riches & ringis Thairfor on Chriſt confirme thyne hole ītent And of thy callyng, be richt weill content Than God, that fedis the foulis of the air All neidfull thyng for thee, he ſall prepair. Ioh. xiiiiConſydder in thy contemplatioun Ay ſen the warldis firſt Creatioun Mankynd hes tholit this miſery mortall Ay tormentit with tribulatioun With • olour, dreid, and defolatioun Gentiles, and Choſin peple of Iſraell To this vnhape, all ſubiect ar and thrall Quhilk Miſery but dout ſall euer indure Tyl the laſt day, my Sone thareof be ſure. That day, as I haue maid Narratioun, Salbe the day of Conſolatioun Tyll all the Children of the choſin noumer, Thare endit beis thare deſolatioun. And als I mak the ſupplicatioun In erthlie materis, tak the no more cummer. Dreid not to de, for deith is bot ane ſlummer. Leue ane Iuſt lyfe, and wt ane Ioyous hart, And of thy gudis tak pleſandlie thy part. Of our talking, now lat vs mak ane end, Behald quhow Phebus, dounwart dois diſcend Cowart his Palice, in the Occident. Dame Cynthia I ſe ſcho dois pretend, In tyll hir wattrie Regioun tyll aſcend, With viſſage paill, vp from the Orient. The dew now donkis the Roſis redolent. The Mariguldis, that all day wer reioiſie Of Phebus heit, now craftily ar cloſit. The blyſfull Birdis bownis to the treis, And ceiſſis of thare heuinlie harmoneis. The Cornecraik in the croft, I heir hir cry, The Bak, the Howlat, febyll of thare eis, For thare paſtyme, now in the euinning fleis. The Nichtingaill with myrthfull melody, Hir naturall notis, peirſit throuch the ſky, Tyll Cynthia, makand hir obſeruance, Quhilk on the nycht dois tak hir dalyance. I ſe Poleartick in the north appeir, And Venus ryſing with bemis cleir. Quharefor my Sone, I hald it tyme to go. Wald God (ſaid I) ȝe did remane all ȝeir, That I mycht of ȝour heuinlie Leſſonis leir. Of ȝour departing, I am wounder wo. Tak pacience (ſaid he) it mon be ſo. Perchance I ſall returne with diligence Thus I departit frome Experience. And ſped me home, with hart ſiching full ſore, And enterit in my quyet Oritore. I tuke paper, and thare began to wryte This Miſerie, as ȝe haue hard afore. All gentyll Redaris, hartlie I Implore For tyll excuſe my rurall rude Indyte. Thocht Phariſeis wyl haue at me deſpyte, Quhilkꝭ wald not that thair craftines wer kend. Lat God be Iuge, and ſo I mak ane end.

☞FINIS.☜ QVOD LYNDESAY. .1568.
The teſtament and Complaynt of our Souerane Lordis Papyngo, King Iames the Fift. Lyand ſore woundit, and may nocht de, tyll euery man haue hard quhat ſcho ſayis. Quharfor gentyl redaris haiſt ȝow that ſcho wer out of paine.

¶Compylit be Schir Dauid Lyndeſay of the Mont Knicht, Alias, Lyoun King of Armes.

Liuor post fata quieſcit.

depiction of two birds

THE PROLOG So thocht I had ingyne, as I haue none, I wat nocht quhat to wryt be ſweit ſanct Ihone (For quhy) in all the garth of Eloquence Is no thing left, bot barrane ſtok and ſtone. The Polite termes ar pullit euerilk one, Be thir forenamit Poeitis of prudence And ſen I find, none vther new ſentence, I ſall declair, or I depart ȝow fro, The Complaynt of ane woundit Papingo. ¶ Quharefor, becauſe myne mater bene ſo rude, Of ſentence, and of Rethorike denude, To rurall folk, myne dy • ing bene directit, Far flemit frome the ſicht of men of gude. For cunning men, I knaw wyll ſone conclude, It dow no thing, bot for to be deiectit. And quhen I heir myne mater bene detrectit, Than ſall I ſweir, I maid it bot in mowis To landwart laſſis, quhilkꝭ kepith ky & ȝowis.
The complaint of the Papingo. QVho clymmis to hich, ꝑforce his feit mon faill Expreme I ſall that be Experience, Geue that ȝow pleis, to heir one pieteous taill, How one fair Bird be fatall violence Deuorit wes, and micht mak no d • fence Contrair the deith, ſo failȝeit Naturall ſtrenth, As efter I ſall ſchaw ȝow at more lenth. ¶ One Papyngo richt pleſand and perfyte, Preſentit was tyll our moſt nobill King Of quhom his grace one lang tyme had delyte, More fair of forme, I wat flew neuer on wing. This proper bird he gaue in gouerning To me quhilk wes his ſimpyll ſeruiture, On quhome I nid my diligence and cure. ☞ To lerne hir language Artificiall To play platfute, and quhiſſill fute before, Bot of hir Inclynatioun Naturall Scho countrafaitit all fowlis les and more Of hir curage, ſcho wald without my lore, Sing lyke the Merle, and craw lyke to the cok, Pew lyke the Gled, and chant lyke the Lauerok. ¶Bark lyke ane Dog, and kekill lyke ane ka, Blait lyke ane Hog, and buller lyke ane bull, Gaill lyke ane goik, and greit quhē ſcho wes wa • Clym on ane cord, ſyne lauch, and play the fule, Scho micht haue bene ane menſtrall agane ȝule, This blyſſit bird wes to me ſo pleſand Quhare euer I fure, I bure hir on my hand, And ſo befell, in tyll ane mirthfull morrow, In to my garth, I paſt me to repoſe, This bird and I, as we wer wount aforrow, Amang the flowris freſche, fragrant, & formoſe. My vitall ſpreitis dewlie did reioſe Quhen Phebus roſe, and raue the cloudis ſabill Throuch brichtnes of his bemis amyabill. Without vapour was weill purificate The temperate air, ſoft, ſober, and ſerene. The erth, be Nature ſo edificate With holſum herbis, blew, quhyte, reid, & grene, Quhilk eleuate my ſpreitis frome the ſplene That day Saturne, nor Mars, durſt not appeir, Nor Eole, of his Coue he durſt nocht ſteir. That day perforce behuffit to be fair, Be influence, and cours celeſtiall. No Planeit preiſit for to perturb the air, For Mercurius, be mouyng naturall Exaltit wes, in to the throne tryumphall Of his Manſioun, vnto the fyftene gre In his awin ſouerane ſigne of Virgine. That day did Phebus pleſandlie depart, Frome Gemini, and enterit in Cancer. That day Cupido, did extend his dart, Venus that day coniunit with Iuppiter. That day Neptunus, hid hym lyke one ſker, That day dame Nature, with greit beſines Fortherit Flora, to kith hir craftines. And retrograde wes Mars, in Capricorne, And Cynthia, in Sagittar aſſeiſit, That day dame Ceres, goddes of the corne Full Ioyfullie Iohne Vponland appleſit. The bad eſpect of Saturne wes appeiſit, That day be Iuno, of Iuppiter the Ioy Pertuband ſpreitis cauſing to hald coy, The ſound of birdis, ſurmontit all the ſkyis, With melodie of notis Muſicall, The balmy droppis of dew Titan vpdryis Hingand vpon the tender twiſtis ſmall. The heuinlie hew, and ſound Angelicall, Sic perfyte pleſour, printit in myne hart That wt greit pyne, from thyne I micht depart. So ſtill amang thoſe herbis amiabill I did remane one ſpace, for my paſtance. Bot warldlie pleſour, bene ſo variabill, Myxit with ſorrow, dreid, and Inconſtance, That thare in tyll is no contynuance. So micht I ſay, my ſchort ſolace allace, Was dreuin in dolour, in one lytle ſpace For in that garth, amang thoſe fragrand flouris Walkyng allone, none bot my bird and I. Vnto the tyme, that I had ſaid myne houris, This Bird I ſet vpon one branche me by. Bot ſcho began to ſpeill richt ſpedilie, And in that tre ſcho did ſo hich aſcend, That be no way I micht hir apprehend. Sweit bird (ſaid I) be war mont nocht ouer hie, Returne in tyme, perchance thy feit may failȝe, Thow art richt fat, and nocht weill vſit to fle, The gredie gled, I dreid ſcho the aſſailȝe. I wyll ſaid ſcho aſcend, vailȝe quod vailȝe, It is my kynd, to clym ay to the hicht Of fether and bone, I wat weill I am wicht. ¶ So on the hicheſt lytle tender twiſt With wyng diſplayit, ſcho ſat full wantounlie. Bot Boreas blew one blaſt, or euer ſcho wiſt, Quhilk brak the branche ād blew hir ſuddandlie Doun to the ground, with mony cairfull crie Vpon ane ſto • , ſcho lichtit on hir breiſt, The blude ruſchit out, and ſcho cryit for a preiſt. God wat gyf than my hart wes wo begone, To ſe that fowl flychter amang the flouris, Quhilk wt greit murning, gan to mak hir mone: Now cummin ar (ſaid ſcho) the fatall houris Of bitter deith, now mon I thole the ſchouris. O dame Nature, I pray the of thy grace, Len me laiſer to ſpeik one lytle ſpace, For to complene my fate Infortunate, And to diſpone my geir or I depart, Sen of all confort I am deſolate Allone, except the deith heir with his dart, With aufull cheir, reddy to pers myne hart And with that word, ſcho tuke one paſſioun, Syne flatlingis fell, and ſwappit in to ſwoun. With ſory hart, perſit with compaſſioun, And ſalt teiris, diſtillyng frome myne Ene, To heir that birdis lamentatioun, I did approche, vnder ane Hauthorne grene Quhare I micht heir, and ſe, and be vnſene And quhen this bird had ſwounit twyſe or thryſe Scho gan to ſpeik, ſaying on this wyſe. O fals Fortune, quhy hes thou me begylit? This day at morne quho knew this cairfull cace? Vane hope in the my reſoun haith exylit, Hauyng ſic traiſt in to thy fenȝeit face, That euer I wes brocht in to the court allace: Had I in forreſt flowin amang my feiris, I mycht full weill haue leuit mony ȝeiris. ¶ Prudent counſell, allace I did refuſe, Agane reſoun, vſing myne appetyte. Ambitioun did ſo myne hart abuſe, That Eolus, had me in greit diſpyte. Poeitis, of me haith mater to indyte, Quhilk clam ſo hich, and wo is me tharefore, Nocht douting, that the deith durſt me deuore, This day at morne, my forme and feddrem fair, Abufe the proude Pacok war precelland And now one catyue carioun full of tair Bathand in blude, doun from my hart diſtelland And in myne eir, the bell of deith bene knelland. O fals warld, fy on thy felicite Thy Pryde, Auarice, and Immundicite. In the I ſe no thing bene permanent, Of thy ſchort ſolace, ſorrow is the end, Thy fals Infortunate giftis bene bot lent, This day ful proude, the morne no thing to ſpēd, O ȝe that doith pretend ay tyll aſcend, My fatall end, haue in rememberance, And ȝow defend, frome ſic vnhappy chance. Quhydder that I wes ſtrickin in extaſie, Or throuch one ſtark Imaginatioun, Bot it appeirit in myne Fantaſie, I hard this dolent lamentatioun. Thus dullit in to deſolatioun, Me thocht this bird, did breue in hir maneir Hir counſall to the King, as ȝe ſall heir.
The firſt Epyſtill of the Papyngo, Directit to king Iames the Fyft. PRepotent Prence, peirles of pulchritude Glore, honour, laud, tryumphe and victorie, Be to thy hich excellent Celſitude With Martiall deidis, digne of memorie, Sen Atropos conſumit haith my glorie And dolent deith allace mon vs depart I leif to the my trew vnfenȝeit hart, To gidder, with this Cedull ſubſequent, With moiſt reuerent Reconmendatioun. I grant thy grace, gettis mony one document Be famous Fatheris predicatioun, With mony notabill Naratioun, Be pleſande Poeitis in ſtyle Heroicall Quhow thow ſulde gyde thy Sait Imperiall, Sum doith deplore the greit Calamiteis, Of diuers Realmes Tranſmutatioun. Sum pieteouſlie doith treit of Tragedeis, All for thy graces Informatioun. So I intend, but adulatioun In to my barbour ruſticall indyte, Amang the reſt, ſchir, ſum thing for to wryte. Souerane conſaue this ſimpyll ſimilitude, Of officiaris, ſeruing thy Senȝeorie. Quho gydis thame weil gettis of thy grace greit gude. Quho bene Iniuſt, degradit ar of glorie And Cancellat out of thy memorie, Prouiding ſyne more pleſand in thare place. Beleue rycht ſo, ſall God do with thy grace. Conſidder weill, thow bene bot officiare, And Waſſall, to that king Imcomparabill. Preis thow to pleis that puiſſant prince preclare, Thy riche reward ſalbe Ineſtimabill, Exaltit hich in glore Interminabill Aboue Archāgellis, Virtues, Poteſtatis, Pleſandlie placit amang the Principatis. Of thy vertew, Poeitis perpetuallie, Sall mak mentioun, vnto the warld be endit, So thou excers thyne office prudentlie, In heuin, and erth, thy grace ſalbe commendit. Quharefor effeir, that he be nocht offendit, Quhilk hes exaltit the to ſic honour Of his peple to be one gouernour. And in the erth, haith maid ſic Ordinance, Vnder thy feit, all thing terreſtriall Ar ſubiect to thy pleſour and paſtance, Boith fowll and fiſche, and beiſtis paſtorall, Men to thy ſeruice, and wemē, thay bene thrall, Halking, hunting, armes, and leiffull amour, Preordinat ar be God, for thy pleſour. Maiſteris of Muſike, to recreate thy ſpreit, With dantit voce and pleſand Inſtrument. Thus thou may be of all pleſouris repleit, So in thyne office thow be deligent, Bot be thow found ſleuthfull, or negligent, Or Iniuſt, in thyne Executioun, Thow ſall nocht faill Deuine punitioun. Quharefor, ſen thow hes ſic Capacite To lerne to play ſo pleſandlie, and ſing, Ryde hors, ryn ſpeiris, with greit audacite Schut with hand bow croſbow and culuering, Amang the reſt (Schir) lerne to be ane king. Kyith on that craft, thy pregnant freſche ingyne Grantit to the, be Influence Deuyne. ¶ And ſen the Definitioun of ane king, Is for to haue, of peple gouernance, Addres the firſt, abufe all vther thing, Tyll put thy body, tyll ſic Ordinance, That thyne vertew, thyn chonour may auance. For quhow ſuld Princis gouerne greit regionis That can not dewly gyde thare awin perſonis? And geue thy grace wald leif rycht pleſandlie, Call thy counſall, and caſt on thame the cure. Thare Iuſt Decreitis defend, and fortifie, But gude counſall, may no Prince lang indure, Wyrk with counſall, than ſall thy work be ſure. Cheis thy counſale, of the moſt Sapient, Without regard, to blude, riches, or rent. Amang all vther paſtyme and pleſour, Now in thy Adoleſcent ȝeiris ȝing Wald thow ilk day, ſtudie bot half one hour, The Regiment of Princelie gouerning, To thy peple it war ane pleſand thing Thare mycht thou fynd thyne awin vocatioun, Quhow yu ſuld vſe thy ſceptour, ſwerd & croun. ❧ The Cronikillis to knaw I the Exhort, Quhilk may be Mirrour to thy Maieſte. Thare ſall thow fynd, boith gude & euill report Of euerilk Prince, efter his qualite. Thocht thay be dede, thare deidis ſall nocht de, Traiſt weill thow ſalbe ſtylit in that ſtorie As thow deſeruis, put in memorie. Requeiſt that Roy, quhilk rent wes on the rude, The to defend frome deidis of defame, That no Poeit report of the bot gude, For Princes dayis Induris bot ane drame. Sen firſt king Fergus bure ane Dyadame, Thow art the laſt king, of fyue ſcore and fyue, And all ar dede, and none bot thow on lyue. Of quhoſe number, fiftie and fyue bene ſlane, And moiſt part in thare awin miſgouernance. Quharfor, I the beſeik my Souerane, Conſidder of thare lyuis the Circumſtance. And quhē thow knawis ye cauſe of thare miſchāce Of vertew than, exalt thy ſaillis on hie, Traiſting to chaip that fatall deſtenie. Treit ilk trew Barroun, as he war thy brother, Quhilk mon at neid, the and thy Realme defend. Quhen ſuddandlie one doith oppres one vther, Lat Iuſtice myxit with mercy thame amend. Haue thou thair hartis, thou hes yneuch to ſpēd. And be the contrair, thow art bot king of bone, Frō tyme thine heiris hartis bene from the gone. I haue no laſer, for to wryte at lenth. Myne hole intent, vntyll thyne Excellence, Decreſſit ſo I am in wit, and ſtrenth, My mortall wound doith me ſic violence, Peple of me may haue Experience. Becauſe allace, I wes Incounſolabill, Now mon I de ane Catyue Miſerabill. ☞ ✚ ☜
The Secund Epiſtill of the Papyngo, directit to hir Brether of Court. BBETHER of court, with mynd precordiall To the greit God, hartlie I cōmend ȝow, Imprent my fall, in ȝour memoriall, To gidder with this E • dull that I ſend ȝow. To preis ouer hich, I pray ȝow not pretend ȝow, The vane aſcens of court, quho wyll conſidder, Quho ſittith moſt hie, ſal • ind ye ſait moſt ſlidder. So ȝe that now, be lanſing vp the ledder, Tak tent in tyme, feſt •• ning ȝour ſingaris faſt. Quho climmis moſt hich, moſt dint hes of ye wedder And leiſt defence aganis the bitter blaſt, Of fals fortune▪ quhilk takith neuer reſt, Bot moſt redoutit daylie ſcho doun thringis, Not ſparing Paipis, Conquerouris, nor Kingis. Thocht ȝe be montit vp aboue the ſkyis, And hes boith King, and court in gouernance, Sū was als hich, quhilk now richt lawly lyis, Complanyng ſore the courtis variance. Thare pret • rite tyme, may be experience, Quhilk throw vane hope of court did clym ſo hie, Syne wātit wingis, quhē thay wend beſt to fle. Sen ilk court bene vntraiſt and tranſitorie, Changing als oft, as weddercok in wind, Sum mak and glaid and vther ſum richt ſorie, Formaiſt this day, the morne may go behind, Lat not vane hope of court ȝour reſone blind. Traiſt weill ſum mē, wyl gif ȝow laud as lordis, Quhilk wald be glaid, to ſe ȝow hang in cordis, ¶I durſt declair the myſerabilite, Of diuers courtis, war not my tyme bene ſchort The dreidfull change, vane glore, and vilite The painfull pleſour, as Poeitis doith report Sum tyme in hope, ſum tyme in diſconfort, And how ſū mē dois ſpend thair ȝoutheid haill In Court, ſyne endis in the hoſpytaill. Quhow ſum in court bene quiet counſalouris, Without regard to commoun weill or kingis, Caſting thare cure for to be Conquerouris. And quhen thay bene hich raiſit in thare ringis. How change of court yam dulfully doun thringꝭ, And quhen thay bene frome thair eſtait depoſit Quhow mony of thare fall bene richt reioſit. And quhow fond fenȝeit fulis and flatteraris For ſmall ſeruice obtenis greit rewardis. Pandaris, pykthankis cuſtrouis, ād clatteraris, Loupis vp frō laddis, ſyne lichtis amang lardis, Blaſphemarouris, beggaris, & cōmoun bairdis, Sum tyme in Court hes more auctorite, Nor deuote Doctouris in Diuinite. Quhow in ſum chuntre bene barnis of Beliall. Full of diſſimulit payntit flatterie, Prouocand be Intoxicat counſall Princis till huredome, and till haſardrie, Quho dois in Princis prent ſic harlotrie I ſay for me ſic pert prouocatouris Suld puniſchet be abufe all ſtrang tratouris. Quhat trauers, troubill and Calamite? Haith bene in court, within thir houndreth ȝeiris Quhat mortal changis, and quhat miſerie? Quhat nobil men, bene brocht vpon thair heiris, Traiſt weill my freindis, follow ȝe mō ȝour feiris So ſen in Court bene uo tranquillite Set nocht on it ȝour hole felicite, The court changis ſumtyme with ſic outrage, That few or none, may makin refiſtence And ſpairis not the Prince, more than the page, As weill apperith be Experience: The Duke of Rotheſay, micht mak no defence, Quhilk wes pertenand Roy of this regioun Bot dulefully deuorit in preſoun. Quhat dreid quhat dolour, had that nobil king Robert the thrid, from tyme he knew the cace Of his two Sonnis dolent departing? Prince Dauid deid, and Iames captyne allace, Till trew Scottis mē quhilk wes a cairful cace. Thus may ȝe knaw, the court bene variand, Quhē blude royal, the change may not ganeſtād. Quho rang in court, more hie and tryumphand, Nor Duke Murdok, quhil that his day • ourit? Was he nocht greit Protectour of Scotland? Ȝit of the court, he was nocht weil aſſurit. It changit ſo, his lang ſeruice was ſmurit, He and his Sone, fair Walter but remeid Forfaltit war, and put to dulefull deid. King Iames the firſt, the patroun of prudence, Gem of Ingyne, and perll of policie Well of Iuſtice, and flude of Eloquence Quhoſe vertew doith tranſcend my fantaſie, For tyll diſcryue, ȝit quhen he ſtude moſt hie, Be fals Exorbitant conſpiratioun That prudent Prince, wes pieteouſlie put doun. Als Iames the ſecund, Roy of greit renonn, Beand in his ſuperexcellent glore Throuch rakles ſchuting of ane greit cannoun The dolent deith, allace did hym deuore. One thing thare bene, of quhilk I meruell more. That Fortune had, at hym ſic mortall feid Throuch fiftie thouſand, to wail hym be the heid. My hart is perſt with panis for to pance, Or wryte that Courtis variatioun Of Iames the thrid, quhen he had gouernance, The dolour, dreid, and deſolatioun, The change of Court, and conſpiratioun, And quhow that Cochrane with his companie, That tyme in Court clam ſo preſumpteouſlie. It had bene gude, thai bernes had bene vnborne Be quhome that nobill Prince wes ſo abuſit. Thay grew as did the weid abufe the corne, That prudent Lordis counſall wes refuſit, And held hym quiet, as he had bene incluſit. Allace that Prince, be thare abuſioun Was finallie brocht to confuſioun. Thay clam ſo hich, and gat ſic audience, And with thare Prince, grew ſo familiar, His Germane brother, micht get no preſence, The Duke of Albanie, nor the Erle of Mar, Lyke baneiſt men, was haldin at the bar, Tyll in the King, thare grew ſic mortall feid, He flemit the Duke, and pat the Erle to deid. Thus Cochrane, with his catyue companie Forſit thame to fle, bot ȝit thay wantit fedderis Abuſe the hich Cederis of Libanie, Thay clam ſo hie, til thay lap ouir thair ledderis, On Lawder brig, ſyne kaippit wer in tedderis, Stranglit to deith, thay gat none vther grace, Thair king captiue, quhilk wes ane cairful cace, Tyll put in forme, that fait Infortunate, And mortall change, perturbith myne ingyne. My wit bene waik, my fyngeris fatigate, To dyte, or wryte, the rancour and rewyne The Ciuill weir, the battell Inteſtyne, How that the Sone, with baner braid diſplayit Agane the Father, in Battell cum arrayit. Wald God ye prince had bene that day confortit With Sapience of the prudent Salomon, And wt ye ſtrenth of ſtrang Sampſon ſupportit. With the bauld Oiſt of greit Agamemnon. Quhat ſuld I wis, remedie wes thare none At morne ane king, wt ſceptour ſwerd and croun. At ewin, ane deid deformit carioun. Allace quhare bene, that richt redoutit Roy, That potent prince, gentill king Iames ye feird I pray to Chriſt, his Saule for to conuey, Ane greiter nobill, tang nocht in to the end. O Atropus, warie we may thy weird For he wes Mirrour of humilite Lode ſterne, and lamp of liberalitie. During his tyme, ſo Iuſtice did preuaill, The Sauage Iles, trymblit for terrour. Eſkdale, Euiſdale, Liddiſſdaill, and Anuandaill Durſt nocht rebell, douting his dyntis dour, And of his Lordis, had ſic perfyte fauour So for to ſchaw, that he effe • it no fene Out throuch his realme, he wald tyde him alone. And of his court, throuch Europe ſprāg ye fame. Of luſtie Lordis, and lufeſum Ladyis ȝing, Tryumphand tornayis iuſting & knichtly game, With all paſtyme, according for ane king. He wes the glore, of Princelie gouerning Quhilk throuch the ardent lufe he had to France Agane Ingland, did moue his Ordinance. Of Floddoun feild, the rewyne to reuolue, Or that moſt dolent day for tyll deplore, I nyll for dreid, that dolour ȝow diſſolue, Schaw how that prince in his tryumphād glore Deſtroyit was, quhat nedith proces more, Nocht be the vertew of Inglis ordinance, Bot be his a win wilfull miſgouernance. Allace that day, had he bene counſalabill He had obtenit laud, glore, and victorie. Quhoſe picreous proces, bene ſo lamentabill, I nyll at lenth, it put in memorie. I neuer red, in Tragedie nor ſtorie, At one Iornay, ſo mony Nobillis ſlane For the defence, and lufe of thare Souerane. Now brether mark, in ȝour remembrance, Ane Mirrour of thoſe mutabiliteis. So may ȝe knaw, the Courtis inconſtance, Quhen princis bene thus pullit frome thare ſeis. Efter quhoſe deith, quhat ſtrange aduerſiteis, Quhat greit miſrewll, in to this Regioun rang Quhē our ȝong prince could nother ſpek nor gāg During his tender ȝouth, & innocence, Quhat ſtouth, quhat reif, quhat murthur & miſchāce? Thair wes not ellis bot wraking of vengeance, In to that Court thare rang ſic variance. Diuers rewlaris, maid diuers ordināce. Sum tyme our Qeuene, rang in auctoritie, Sum tyme the prudent Duke of Albanie. Sum tyme the realme, was reulit be Regentis, Sum tyme Lufetenentis, le. daris of the law. Than rang ſo mony Iobedientis, That few or none, ſtude of ane vther aw Oppreſſioun did ſo lowd his Bugill blaw, That none durſt ryde, bot in to feir of weir, Iok vp onland, that tyme did mys his meir. Quho was more hich, in honour eleuate, Nor was Margarete, our hich & michtie princes? Sic power, was to hic appropriate Of king, and realme ſcho wes gouernores. Ȝit come one change, within ane ſchort proces, That perle preclare, that luſty pleſand quene, Lang tyme durſt nocht in to the court be ſene. The Archebiſchop of ſāctādres Iames Betoun, Chancellare, and prima ein po • et Paſtorall Clam nyxt the king, moſt hich in this regioun, The ledder ſchuke, he lap and gat one fall, Auctorite, nor power ſpirituall, Riches, freindſchip, micht not that tyme preuail, Quhen dame Curia began to ſteir hir taill. His hich prudence aualit hym nocht ane myte, That tyme the court bair hym ſic mortall feid, As preſoneir, thay keipt hym in deſpyte, And ſum tyme wiſt not, quhare to hyde his heid. Bot diſagyſit, lyke Ihone the raif he ȝeid. Had nocht bene hope bair hym ſic companie, He had bene ſtranglit, be melancholie. Quhat cummer & cair, wes in the court of france, Quhen king Francis, was takin preſoneir? The Duke of Burboun, amyd his Ordinance Deid at ane ſtraik, rycht bailfull brocht on beir? The court of Rome, that tyme ran all areir, Quhē Pape Clement, was put in ſtrang preſoun The nobill Citie, put to confuſioun. In Ingland, quho had greiter gouernance, Nor thare tryumphand courtly Cardinall, The commoun weill, ſum ſayis he did auance Be Equall Iuſtice, boith to greit and ſmall, Thare wes no Prelate, to hym peregall. Ingliſmen ſayis, had he roung langer ſpace, He had depoſit Sanct Peter of his place. ¶His princely pompe, nor Papale grauite, His palice royall, riche, and radious, Nor ȝit the flude of Superfluite Of his riches, nor trauell tedious, Frome tyme dame Curia, held hym odious Aualit hym nocht, nor prudence moſt profound, The ledder brak, and he fell to the ground. Quhare bene the douchtie Erlis of Dowglas Quhilkis royallie, in to this regioun rang? Forfalt and ſlane, quhat nedith more proces? The erle of Marche, wes merſchellit yaim amāg, Dame Curia thame dulfullie doun thrang. And now of lait, quho clam more hich amang vs Nor did Archebald vmquyle the Erle of Angus. Quho with his Prince wes more familiar, Nor of his grace, had more auctorite? Was he nocht greit Wardane, and Chancellar? Ȝit quhen he ſtude vpon the hicheſt gre Traiſting no thing, dot perpetuite, Was ſuddanlie depoſit frome his place, Forfalt and flemit, he gat none vther grace. Quharefor traiſt nocht in tyll auctorite My deir brether I pray ȝow hartfullie, Preſume uocht in ȝour vane proſperite, Conforme ȝour traiſt, in God alluterlie, Sync ſerue ȝour Prince, with enteir hart trewlie. And quhen ȝe ſe the Court, bene at the beſt, I counſall ȝow, than draw ȝow to ȝour reſt. Quhare bene, the hich tryūphant court of Troy? Or Alexander, with his twelf prudent peiris, Or Iulius, that richt redoutit Roy? Agamemnon, moſt worthy in his weiris? To ſchaw thare fyne, my frayit hart affeiris: Sum murdreſt war, ſum poyſouit preteouſlie Thare cairfull courtis diſperſit dulefullie. Traiſt weill thare is no conſtant court bot one, Quhare Chriſt bene king, quhoſe tyme īterminabill And hich triūphant glore beis nev er gone. That quiet court mirthfull and Immutabill, But variance ſtandith ay ferme and ſtabill. Diſſimulance, flatirie, nor fals report, In to that Court, ſall neuer get reſort. Traiſt weill my freindis, this is no fenȝeit fair, For quho that bene, in the extreme of deid The verite but dout, thay ſuld declair, Without regarde, to fauour or to feid, Quhill ȝe haue tyme, deir brether mak remeid, Adew for euer, of me ȝe get no more, Beſeikand God, to bring ȝow to his glore. Adew Edinburgh, thow hich tryūphant toun Withī quhoſe boundis, richt blythful haif I bene Of trew Merchandis, the rute of this regioun, Moſt reddy to reſaue, court, King and Quene, Thy policie, and Iuſtice, may be ſene, War deuotioun, wyſedome, and honeſte, And credence tynt, thay mycht be found in the, Adew fair Snawdoun, with thy touris hie Thy Chapell royall, Park, and tabill round, May, Iune, and Iuly, wald I dwell in the, War I one man, to heir the birdis ſound, Quhilk doith agane, thy royall roche redound. • ew Lythquo, quhoſe palice of pleſance, Mycht be one patrone, in Portugall or France. ☞ Fair weill Falkland, the Fortres of Fyfe, Thy polite Park, vnder the lowmound law, Sum tyme in the, I led ane luſtie lyfe, The fallow Deir, to ſe thame raik on raw, Court men to cum to the, thay ſtand greit aw, Sayand thy burgh, bene of all burrowis vaill, Becauſe in the, thay neuer gat gude aill.
The Commouning betuix the Papingo, And hir holy Executouris. THE Pye perſauit the Papingo in pane, He lichtit doun and fenȝeit him to greit. Siſter (ſaid he) alace quho hes ȝou ſlane, I pray ȝow mak ꝓuiſioun for ȝour ſpreit Diſpone ȝour geir, and ȝow confes compleit, I haue power be ȝour contritioun, Of all ȝour mys, to geue ȝow full remiſſioun. I am (ſaid he) one Channoun regulair, And of my brether Pryour principall. My quhyte Rocket, my clene lyfe doith declair, The blak bene of the deith memoriall. Quharefor, I think ȝour • uddis naturall, Sulde be ſubmittit hole in to my cure. Ȝe knaw I am ane holy Creature. The Rauin come rolpand, quhē he hard the rair, So did the Gled, with mony pieteous pew, And fenȝeitlie thay contrafait greit cair. Siſter (ſaid thay) ȝour rakleſnes we rew, Now beſt it is, our Iuſt counſall enſew, Sen wo pretend to hich promotioun, Religious men, of greit deuotioun. I am ane blak Monk, ſaid the ruttilland rauin, So ſaid the gled, I am ane holy freir, And hes power to bring ȝow quick to heuin, It is weill knawin, my conſcience bene ful cleir, The blak Bybill, pronunce I ſall perqueir So tyll our brether, ȝe wyll geue ſum gude, God wat geue we haif neid of lyues fude. The Papingo ſaid, father be the rude, Howbeit ȝour rayment be religious lyke, Ȝour conſcience, I ſuſpect be nocht gude, I did perſaue, quhen priuelie ȝe did pyke Ane chekin frome ane hen, vnder ane dyke I grant (ſaid he) that hen was my gude freind, And I that chekin tuke, bot for my teind, Ȝe knaw the faith be vs mon be ſuſteind, So be the Pope, it is preordinate, That ſpirituall mē, ſuld leue vpon thare teind, Bot weill wat I, ȝe bene predeſtinate In ȝour extremis to be ſo fortunate, To haue ſic holy conſultatioun, Quharefore, we mak ȝow exhortatioun, Sen dame Nature hes grantit ȝow ſic grace, Laiſer to mak confeſſioun generall, Schaw furth ȝour ſyn ī haiſt, quhill ȝe haif ſpace Syne of ȝour geir, mak one memoriall. We thre ſall mak ȝour feiſtis funerall, And with greit blis, burie we ſall ȝour bonis, Syne Trentalis twentie, trattill all at onis, The rukkis ſall rair, that mē ſall on thame rew, And cry, Commemoratio Animarum. We ſall gar chekinnis cheip, and gaiſlingis pew Suppoſe the geis and hennis, ſuld cry alarum, And we ſall ſerue, Secundum Vſum Sarum. And mak ȝow ſaif, we find ſanct Blaſe to broch, Cry and for ȝow, the cairfull corrinoch. And we ſall ſing, about ȝour Sepulture, Sanct Mongois matynis, and the mekle Creid, And ſyne deuotelie ſay, I ȝow aſſure, The auld Placebo bakwart, and the beid, And we ſall weir for ȝow the murnyng weid, And thocht ȝour ſpreit, with Pluto war profeſt, Deuotelie ſall ȝour Dirige be dreſt. Father (ſaid ſcho) ȝour facund wordis fair, Full ſore I dreid, be contrair to ȝour deidis. The wyffis of the village, cryis with cair, Quhē yat ꝑſaue ȝou maw ouirthort thare medis. Ȝour fals conſait, boith duke & draik ſore dredis, I maruell ſuithlie, ȝe de nocht eſchamit For ȝour defaltis, beyng ſo defamit. It dois abhor, my pure perturbit ſpreit Tyll mak to ȝow ony confeſſioun. I heir men ſay, ȝe bene one Hypocreit, Exemptit frome the ſenȝe and ſeſſioun. To put my geir in ȝour poſſeſſioun, That wyll I nocht, ſo help me dame Nature, Nor of my corps, I wyll ȝow geue no cure. Bot had I heir, the nobill Nichtingall, The gentyll Ia, the Merle, and Turtur trew. My Obſequies, and feiftis funerall Ordour thay wald, with notis of the new The pleſand pown, moſt angellyk of hew, Wald God I war, this day with hym confeſt And my deuyſe, dewlie be hym addreſt, The mirthfull Maueis, wt the gay Goldſpink, The luſtie larke, wald God thay war preſent, My Infortune, forſuith thay wald forthink, And conforte me, that bene ſo Impotent. The ſwift Swallow, in practik moſt prudent, I wat ſcho wald, my bleiding ſtem belyue, With hir moſt verteous ſtone reſtringityue. Compt me the cace, vnder confeſſioun, The Gled ſaid, proudlie to the Papingo, And we ſall ſweir be our profeſſioun Counſall to keip, and ſchaw it to no mo. We the beſeik, or thow depart vs fro Declare to vs, ſum cauſis reſonabill, Quhy, we bene haldin ſo abhominabill. ☞Be thy trauell, thow hes Experience. Firſt beand bred, in to the Orient, Syne be thy gude ſeruice, and diligence, To Princis maid, heir in the Occident. Thow knawis the vulgar pepillis Iugement, Quhare thow tranſcurrit the hote Meridional Syne nixt the Poill, the plaig Septentrionall. So be thyne hich ingyne ſuperlatyue, Of all countreis, thow knawis the qualiteis. Quharefore, I the conture be God of lyue, The veritie declare withouttin leis, Quhat thow hes hard, belandis or be ſeis, Of vs kirkman, boith gude and euill report, And quhow thay Iuge, ſchaw vs we the exhort. Father (ſaid ſcho) I Catyue Creature, Dar nocht preſume, with ſic mater to mell, Of ȝour cares, ȝe knaw I haue no cure, Demand thame quhilk in prudence doith precell, I may nocht pew, my panes bene ſo fell. And als perchance, ȝe will nocht ſtand content, To knaw, the vulgare pepillis Iugement Ȝit will the deith, alyte withdraw his dart, All thay lyis in my memoriall I ſall declare, with trew vnfenȝeit hart. And firſt I ſay, to ȝow in generall, The commoun peple ſayith, ȝe bene all Degenerit frome ȝour holy Primityuis, As teſtifyis the proces of ȝour lyuis. Of ȝour peirles prudent predeceſſouris, The beginnyng, I grant wes verray gude. Apoſtolis, Martyris, Virginis, Confeſſouris, The ſound of thare excellent Sanctitude Was hard ouer all the warld be land and flude, Planting the faith, be Predicatioun. As Chriſt had maid to thame Narratioun, To fortifie the faith thay tuke no feir, Afore Princis, precheing full prudentlie, Of dolorous deith, thay doutit nocht the deir, The veritie declaring feruentlie, And Martyrdome thay ſufferit pacientlie. Thay tuke no cure of land, riches nor rent, Doctryne and deid, war boith equiualent. To ſchaw at lenth, thair workis wer greit wounder, Thare myracklis, thay wer ſo manifeſt. In name of Chriſt, thay haillit mony hounder, Raſing the deid, and purging the poſſeſt With peruerſt ſpreitis, quhilkꝭ had bene oppreſt The crukit ran, the blind men gat thare Ene. The deif men hard, the lipper war maid clene. ¶The Prelatis ſpouſit wer, with pouerte, Thoſe dayis, quhen ſo thay fluriſchit in fame, And with hir, generit Lady Chaiſtite. And dame Deuotioun, notable of Name. Humill thay war, ſimple, and full of ſchame. Thus Chaiſtite, and dame Deuotioun War principall cauſe, of thare promotioun. Thus thay contynewit, in this lyfe deuyne, Ay tyll thare rang, in Romes greit Ciete, Ane potent Prince, was namit Conſtantyne, Perſauit the Kirk, had ſpouſit pouerte, With gude intent, and mouit of piete, Cauſe of Diuorce, he fand betuix thame two, And partit thame, withouttin wordis mo. Syne ſchortlie with ane greit ſolemynite, Withouttin ony Deſpenſatioun, The kirk he ſpouſit, with dame Properte, Quhilk haiſtelie be proclamatioun, To pouerte gart mak Narratioun, Vnder the pane of perſing hir ene, That with the kirk, ſcho ſuld no more be ſene. Sanct Silueſter, that tyme rang Pope in Rome Quhilk firſt conſent to the Mariage Of properte, the quhilk began to blome Taking on hir, the cure with hich curage. Deuotioun drew hir till one Heremitage, Quhen ſcho conſiderit lady Properte So hich exaltit in to Dignite. O Sylueſter, quhare was thy diſcretioun, Quhilk Peter did renunce, thow did reſaue? Androw, and Ihone, did leif thare poſſeſſioun, Thair ſchippis, & nettis, lynis, and al the iaue, Of tēporall ſubſtance, no thing wald thay haue, Contrarious to thare contemplatioun Bot ſoberlie thare ſuſtentatioun. Ihone the Baptiſt, went to the wildernes, Lazarus, Martha, and marie Magdalane Left veritage, and gudis more and les. Prudent ſanct Paule, thocht properte prophane, From toun, to toun, he ran in wynd and rane, Vpon his feit, teching the word of grace, And neuer was ſubiectit to riches. The gled ſaid, ȝit I heir no thing bot gude, Proceid ſchortlie, and thy mater auance. The Papyngo ſaid, father be the rude, It wer to lang, to ſchaw the circumſtance, Quhow properte, with hir new alliance, Grew greit with child, as trew men to me tald, And bure two dochteris gudlie to behald, The eldeſt douchter, named was riches, The ſecund Siſter, Senſualite, Quhilkꝭ did incres, within one ſchort proces, Prepleſand to the Spiritualite, In greit ſubſtance, and excellent bewte. Thir Ladyis two, grew ſo within few ȝeris, That in the warld, war nō micht be thare peris. This royall Riches, and Ladie Senſuall, From that tyme furth, tuke hole the gouernance Of the moſt part, of the ſtait ſpirituall. And thay agane, with humill obſeruance, Amorouſlie thare wittis did auance, As trew luffaris, thare Ladyis for to pleis, God wat geue than, thare hartis war at Eis. Sone thay forȝet, to ſtudie pray and preiche, Thay grew ſo ſubiect, to dame Senſuall, And thocht bot pane, pure peple for to teiche, Ȝit thay decretit, in thare greit counſall, Thay wald no more, to Mariage be thrall, Traiſting ſurely, till obſerue Chaiſtite, And all begylit, quod Senſualite. Apperandlie, thay did expell thare Wyffis, That thay mycht leif at large, without thirlage, At libertie to leid thare luſtie lyffis, Thinkand men thrall, that bene in mariage For new faicis, prouokis new curage. Thus Chaiſtite thay turne in to delyte, Wantyng of Wyffis, bene cauſe of appetyte, Dame Chaiſtite did ſteill away for ſchame Frome tyme ſcho did perſaue thare prouiance, Dame Senſuall, one letter gart proclame And hir exylit Italie, and France. In Ingland, couth ſcho get none Ordinance Than to the King, and Court of Scotland Scho markit hir, withouttin more demand. Traiſting in to that court to get confort. Scho maid hir humill ſupplicatioun. Schortlie thay ſaid, ſcho ſuld get na ſupport, Bot boſtit hir with blaſphematioun, To Preiſtis go mak ȝour proteſtatioun. It is ſaid thay, mony one houndreth ȝeir Sen Chaiſtite, had ony entres heir. Tyrit for trauell, ſcho to the preiſtis paſt, And to the rewlaris of Religioun. Of hir preſence, ſchortlie thay war agaſt, Sayand thay thocht, it bot abuſioun Hir to reſaue, ſo with concluſioun, With one auyce, decretit and gaue dome, Thay wald reſſet no Rebell out of Rome. Suld we reſaue, that Romanis hes refuſit And baniſt Ingland, Italie, and France, For ȝour flattrie, than wer we weill abuſit Pas hyne ſaid thay and faſt ȝour way auance, Amang the Nonnis, go ſeik ȝour ordinance, For we haue maid aith of fidelite To dame Riches, and Senſualite. Than pacientlie, ſcho maid progreſſioun, Toward the Nonnis, with hart ſiching ful ſo • e. Thay gaue hir preſence, with proceſſioun, Reſauand hir, with honour, laud, and glore, Purpoſing, to preſerue hir euer more. Of that nouellis come to dame Properte, To Ryches, and to Senſualite. Quhilkis ſped thame at the poſt richt ſpedilie, And ſet ane ſege, proudlie about the place. The ſillie Nonnis, did ȝeild thame haiſtelie, And humillie of that gilt aſkit grace, Syne gaue thare bandis of perpetuall pace. Reſauand thame, thay keſt vp wykketꝭ wyde, Than Chaiſtite, thare no langer wald abyde. So for refuge, faſt to the freiris ſcho fled, Quhilkis ſaid, thay wald of ladyis tak no cure. Quhar bene ſcho now, than ſaid the gredie gled? Nocht amang ȝow, ſaid ſcho I ȝow aſſure. I traiſt ſcho bene, vpon the borrow mure, Beſouth Edinbugh, and that richt mony menis Prof eſtamang the Siſteris of the Senis. Thair hes ſcho fund hir mother Pouerte, And Deuotioun, hir a win ſiſter carnall. Thair hes ſcho fund, faith, hope and cherite, Togidder with the vertues Cardinall. Thair hes ſcho fund, ane Conuent ȝit vnthrall To dame Senſuall, nor with riches abuſit. So quietlie, thoſe ladyis bene Incluſit. The Pyot ſaid, I dreid be thay aſſailȝeit, Thay rander thame, as did the holy Nonnis. Dout nocht (ſaid ſcho) for thay bene ſo artailȝeit, Thay purpoſe to defend thame wt thair gunnis, Reddy to ſchute, thay haue ſex greit Cannonnis, Perſeuerance, Conſtance, and Conſcience, Auſterite, Laubour, and Abſtinence. ¶ To reſiſt ſubtell Senſualite, Strongly thay bene, enarmit feit and handis, Be abſtinence, and keipit pouerte, Contrair ryches, and all hir fals ſeruandis. Thay haue ane Bumbard, braiſſit vp in bandis, To keip thair port, in iniddis of thare clois, Quhilk is callit, Domine custodi nos. Within quhoſe ſchot thair dar no Enemeis Approche thare place, for dreid of dyntis dour, Boich nicht and day, thay wirk lyke beſie beis, For thare defence, reddie to ſtand in ſtour, And hes ſic watchis, on thare vtter tour, That dame Senſuall, with ſeige dar not aſſailȝe Nor cum within, the ſchot of thare artailȝe. The Pyot ſaid, quhareto ſulde thay preſume. For to reſyſte, ſweit Senſualite, Or dame riches, quhilkꝭ reularis bene in Rome, Ar thay more conſtant, in thare qualite, Nor the princis of Spiritualite, Quhilkis pleſandlie withouttin obſtaikle Haith thame reſauit, in thare habitakle. Quhow lang traiſt ȝe, thoſe ladyis ſall remane So ſolytar, in ſic perfectioun? The Papingo ſaid, brother in certane So lang as thay obey correctioun, Cheiſing thare heidis be electioun, Vnthrall to riches, or to pouerte, Bot as requyrith thare neceſſite. O prudent prelatis, quhare was ȝour preſcience, That tuke on hand, tyll obſerue Chaſtitie, But auſteir lyfe, laubour, and abſtinence? 〈◊〉 ȝe nocht, the greit proſperite App •• ndlie, to cum of properte. Ȝe knaw greit cheir, greit eis and Idilnes, To Lecherie, was mother and maiſties. Thow rauis vnrockit, the rauin ſaid be the rude So to reproue, riches, or properte. Abraham, and Iſaac, war riche and veray gude Iacob, and Ioſeph, had proſperite. The Papingo ſaid, that is verite. Riches I grant, is nocht to be refuſit, Prouiding alwayis, that it be nocht abuſit. Than ſaid the Rauin, one replicatioun, Syne ſaid thy reſon is nocht worth ane myte. As I ſall preue, with proteſtatioun That no man tak, my wordis in deſpyte, I ſay, the temporall Princis hes the wy • e That in the kirk, ſic Paſtouris dois prouyde, To gouerne ſaulis, yu not thame ſelfis can gyde. Lang tyme efter the kirk tuke properte The Prelatis leuit in greit perfectioun, Vnthrall to riches, or Senſualite Vnder the holy Spreitis protectioun, Orderlie choſin be electioun. As Gregore, Ierome, Ambroſe, and Auguſtyne, Benedict, Bernard, Clement, Cleit, and Lyne. Sic pacient Prelatis, enterit be the port Pleſand the peple be predicatioun. Now dyke lowparis, dois in the kirk reſort Be Symonie, and ſupplicatioun Of Princis be thare preſentatioun. So ſillie Saulis, that bene Chriſtis ſcheip Ar geuin to hungrie gormand wolfis to keip. No maruell is, thocht we Religious men Degenerit be, and in our lyfe confuſit. Bot ſing, and drink, none vther craft we ken, Our ſpirituall Fatheris, hes vs ſo abuſit Agane our wyll, thoſe trukouris bene intruſit. Lawit men hes now, religious men in curis Profeſt Virginis, in keiping of ſtrong huris. Princis, princis quhair bene ȝour hich prudens, In diſpoſitioun of ȝour Beneficeis? The guerdonyng of ȝour Courticiens, Is ſum cauſe of thir greit Enormiteis, Thare is one ſort, waitand lyke hungrie fleis. For ſpirituall cure, thocht thay be no thing abill, Quhoſe gredie thriſtis bene Inſatiabill. Princis, I pray ȝow be no more abuſit, To verteous men hauyng ſo ſmall regard? Quhy ſulde vertew, throuch flatterie be refuſit That men for couunyng, can get no reward? Allace that euer one bragger, or ane baird, Ane hure maiſter, or commoun haſarture, Suld in the kirk, get ony kynd of cure. War I one man, worthy to weir ane croun, Ay quhen thare vaikit ony beneficeis, I ſuld gar call, ane Congregatioun The principall, of all the Prelaceis, Moſt cunnyng Clerkis of Vniuerſiteis, Moſt famous Fatheris of religioun, With thare aduyſe mak diſpoſitioun. ❧ I ſulde diſpone, all offices Paſtorallis, Tyll Doctours of Diuinite, or Iure. And cauſe dame Vertew, pull vp all hir ſaillis, Quhen cunnyng men had in the kirk moſt cure. Gar Lordis ſend thare Sonnis I ȝow aſſure To ſeik ſcience, and famous ſculis frequent Syne thame promoue, that war moſt ſapient. Greit pleſour war to heir ane Biſchop preiche, One Dane, or Doctour in Diuinite, One Abhor, quhilk could weil his Cōuent teiche, One Perſoun, flowing in Philoſophie. I tyne my tyme, to wis quhilk wy • l nocht be. War not the preicheing, of the begging freiris, Tynt war the faith amang the Seculeris. As for thare precheing, quod the Papingo I thame excuſe, for quhy, thay bene ſo thrall To properte, and hir ding Dochteris two, Dame Riches, and fair lady Senſuall, Thay may nocht vſe no paſtyme ſpirituall. And in thare habitis, thay tak ſic delyte, Thay haue renuncit ruſſet, and roploch quhyte Cleikand to thame ſkarlot, and Cramoſie, With Meneuer, martrik, Grice, & ryche armyne Thare lawe hartis, exalti • ar ſo hie To ſe thare Papale pompe it is ane pyne. More riche array is now with frenȝeis fyne, Vpon the barding of ane Biſchopis Mule, Nor euer had Paule or Peter agane ȝule. Syne fair ladyis, thare Chene may not eſchaip, Dame Senſuall ſo, ſic ſeid hes in thame ſawin. Les ſkaith it war with licence of the Paip, That ilk Prelate one Wyfe had of his awin, Nor ſe thare baſtardꝭ ouirthort ye cuntre blawin. For now be thay, be weil cūmin from the ſculis, Thay fal to work, as thay war commoun bullis. PEw quod the gled, thow preichis all in vane. Ȝe Secular folkis, hes of our cace no curis. I grant ſaid ſcho, ȝit men wyll ſpeik agane, Quhow ȝe haif maid a hundreth thouſand huris Quhilkꝭ neuer had bene, war not ȝour lecherus luris And geue I lee, hartlie I me repent, Was neuer Bird I wat more penitent. Than ſcho hir ſch • aue wt deuote countenance, To that fals gled, quhilk fenȝeit hym one freir. And quhen ſcho had fulfyllit hir pennance Full ſubtellie at hir he gan inqueir: Cheis ȝow (ſaid he) quhilk of vs brether heir Sall haue of all ȝour naturall geir the curis, Ȝe knaw none bene, more holy creaturis. I am content (quod the pure Papingo) That ȝe freir Gled, and corbie monk ȝour brother Haue cure of all my gudis, and no mo. Sen at this tyme, freindſchip I find none vther. We ſalbe to ȝow trew as tyll our Mother (Quod thay) and ſweir tyll fulfyll hir intent. Of that (ſaid ſcho) I tak ane Inſtrument. The Pyot ſaid, quhat ſall myne office be? Ouerman ſaid ſcho, vnto the vther two, The rowpand Rauin, ſaid ſweit ſiſter lat ſe Ȝour holy intent for it is tyme to go. The gredie gled ſaid, brother do nocht ſo We wyll remane, and haldin vp hir heid, And neuer depart frome hir, tyll ſcho be deid. The Papingo, thame thankit tenderlie, And ſaid, ſen ȝe haue tane on ȝow this cure, Depart myne naturall gudis equallie, That euer I had, or hes of dame Nature. Firſt to the Howlet, Indigent and pure Quhilk on the day for ſchame dar nocht be ſene, Tyll hir I leif, my gay galbert of grene. My bricht depurit Ene, as chriſtall cleir, On to the Bak, ȝe ſall thame boith preſent. In Phebus preſeuce, quhilk dar nocht appeir. Of naturall ſicht, ſcho bene ſo Impotent, My birneiſt beik, I leif with gude entent Onto to the gentill, pieteous Pellicane, To helpe to pers, hir tender hart in twane. I leif the Goik, quhilk hes no ſang bot one, My muſike, with my voce Angelicall. And to the Guſe, ȝe geue quhen I am gone, My Eloquence, anb toung Rethori • a •• . And tak and dry, my bonis greit and ſmall Syne clois thame in one cais of Ebure fyne, And thame preſent, vnto the Phenix ſyne. To birne with hir, quhen ſcho hir lyfe renewis, In Arabie, ȝe ſall hir find but weir, And ſall knaw hir, be hir moſt heuinlie hewis, Gold, Aſure, Gowles, Purpour, and Synopeie, Hir dait is for to leif fyue houndreth ȝeir. Mak to that bird my commendatioun. And als I mak ȝow ſupplicatioun, Sen of my corps, I haue ȝow geuin the cure. Ȝe ſpeid ȝow to the court but tarying, And tak my hart of perfyte portrature, And it preſent vnto my Souerane King. I wat he wyll it clois it to one ring, Commend me to his grace, I ȝow exhort, And of my paſſioun mak hym trew report. Ȝe thre my tryppis ſall haue for ȝour trauell, With luffer and lowng, to part equall amāg ȝow Pray and Pluto, the potent prince of hell Geue ȝe failȝe, that in his feit he fang ȝow, Be to me trew, thocht I no thing belang ȝow, Sore I ſuſpect, ȝour conſcience be to large. Dout nocht ſaid thay, we tak it with the charge. Adew brether, quod the pure Papingo, To talkin more, I haue no tyme to tarie. Bot ſen my ſpreit, mon fra my body go, I recommend it to the quene of Farie Eternallie, in tyll hir court to tarie In wyldernes, among the holtis hore. Than ſcho inclynit hir heid, and ſpak no more. Plungit in tyll hir mortall paſſioun, Full greuouſlie, ſcho grippit to the ground. It war to lang to mak narratioun Of ſichis ſore, with mony ſtang and ſtound, Out of hir wound, the blude did ſo abound, One coumpas round, was wt hir blude maid reid Without remeid, thare was no thing bot deid. ¶ And be ſcho had, In Mauus tuas ſaid, Extinctit wer hir naturall wittis fyue. Hir heid full ſoftlie on hir ſchulder laid Syne ȝeild the ſpreit, with panis pungityue. The Rauin began, rudely to rug and ryue, Full gormoundlyke, his emptie throt to feid, Eit ſoftlie brother ſaid the gredie gled. Quhil ſcho is hote, depart hir ewin amang vs. Tak thow one half, and reik to me ane vther, In tyll our richt, I wat no wicht dar wrang vs, The Pyot ſaid, the feind reſaue the fother, Quhy mak ȝe me ſtepbarne, and I ȝour brother? Ȝe do me wrang ſchir gled, I ſchrew ȝour hart Tak thare (ſaid he) the puddingis for thy part. Than wit ȝe weill, my hart wes wounder ſair For to behald, that dolent departing. Hir Angell fedderis, fleing in the air, Except the hart, was left of hir no thing. The Pyot ſaid, this pertenith to the king. Quhilk tyll his grace, I purpoſe to preſent, Thow (quod the gled) ſall faill of thyne intent. The Rauin ſaid, God nor I rax in ane raip. And thow get this, tyll other King or Duke. The Pyote ſaid, plene I nocht to the Pape Than in ane ſmedie, I be ſmorit with ſmuke, With that the Gled, the pece claucht in his cluke, And fled his way, the laue with all thare micht To chace the gled, flew all out of my ſicht. Now haue ȝe hard, this lytle Tragedie. The ſore complaynt, the teſtament & miſchance Of this pure Bird, quhilk did aſcend ſo hie. Beſeikand ȝow, excuſe myne Ignorance, And rude indyte, quhilk is nocht tyll auance. And to the quair, I geue commandement Mak no repair, quhare Poetis bene preſent. Becauſe thow bene, but Rethorike ſo rude, Be neuer ſene, beſyde none vther buke, With King nor Quene, wt Lord nor man of gude With coit vnclene, clame kintent to ſum cuke. Steill in ane nuke, quhen thay liſt on the luke. For ſmell of ſmuke, men wyll abhor to beir the. Heir I maneſweir the, quharefor to lurk go leir the.
☞ FINIS. ☜
The Dreme of Schir Dauid Lyndeſay of the mont Knicht. Familiar Seruitour, to our Souerane Lord, King Iames the Fyft. &c. THE EPISTIL TO THE KINGIS GRACE. RIcht Potent Prince, of hie imperial blude, Vnto thy grace, I traiſt it be weil knawen My ſeruice done vnto thy Celſ • tude, Quhilk nedis nocht, at lenth for to be ſchawin And thocht my ȝouthed now be neir ouer blaw • n. Exercit in ſeruice of thyne Excellence, Hope hes me hecht ane gudlie recompence. Quhen thou wes ȝoung, I bure yt in myne arme Full tenderlie, till thow begouth to gang, And in thy bed, oft happit the full warme With lute in hand, ſyne ſweitlie to the ſang. Sumtyme in danſing, feirelie I flang. And ſumtyme playand fairſis on the flure, And ſumtyme on myne office takand cure. And ſumtyme lyke ane feind tranſfigurate, And ſumtyme lyke the greiſlie gaiſt of Gy, In diuers formis, oftymes diſfigurate, And ſumtyme diſſagyiſt full pleſandlie. So ſen thy birth, I haue continuallie Bene occupyit, and ay to thy pleſour, And ſumtyme Sewat, Coppat and Caruour. Thy purs maiſter, and ſecreit Theſaurar. Thy Iſchar ay ſen thy Natyuite, And of thy chalmer cheif Cubicular, Quhilk to this hour, hes kepit my lawte, Louyng be to the blyſſit Trinite, That ſic ane wrechit worme hes maid ſo able, Tyll ſic ane Prince to be ſo agreable. Bot now thow art be Influence naturall Hie of Ingyne, and richt Inquiſityue Of antique ſtoreis, and dedis martiall More pleſandlie, the tyme for tyll ouer dryue I haue at lenth, the ſtoreis done diſcryue, Of Hector, Arthur, and gentill Iulius, Of Alexander, and worthy Pompeius. Of Iaſon, and Medea, all at lenth. Or Hercules, the actis honorable, And of Sampſon, the ſupernaturall ſtrenth, And of • eil Luffaris floreis amiable. And oftymes haue I feinȝeit mony fable, Of Troylus, the ſorrow and the Ioy, And Seigis all, of Tire, Thebes, and Troy. The Prophecyis of Rymour, Beid & Marling, And of mony vther pleſand hiſtorie, Of the reid Etin, and the gyir carling Confortand the, quhen that I ſaw the ſorie, Now with the ſupport of the king of glorie I ſall the ſchaw ane ſtorie of the new The quhilk afore, I neuer to the ſchew. Bot humilie I beſeik thyne Excellence. With ornate termes, thocht I can nocht expres This ſempyll mater, for laik of Eloquence, Ȝit nocht withſtanding, all my beſines. With hart and hand my mynd I ſall addres, As I beſt can, and moſt compendious. Now I begyn, the mater hapnit thus.
☞ THE PROLOG. IN the Calendis of Ianuarie, Quhen freſche Phebus be mouyng circulai • Frome Capricorne, wes enterit in Aquarie, With blaſtis that the branchis maid full bair. The ſnaw, and ſleit, pertubit all the air, And flemit Flora, frome euery bank and bus Throuch ſupport of the auſteir Eolus. Efter that I the lang wynteris nicht. Had lyne walking, in my bed allone, Throuch heuy thocht, that no way ſleip I micht, Remembryng of diuers thyngis goue. So vp I roſe, and cleithit me anone. Be this fair Titan, with his lemis licht Ouer all the land, had ſpred his baner bricht. With clok and hude, I dreſſit me belyue With dowbyl ſchone, & myttanis on my handis, Howbeit the air, wes rycht penettraryue, Ȝit fure I furth, lanſing ouirthort the landis, Towart the ſee, to ſchort me on the ſandis Becauſe vnblomit was baith bank and bray. And ſo as I was paſſing be the way, I met dame Flora, in dule weid diſſagyſit. Quhilk in to May, wes dulce and delectabill With ſtalwart ſtormis, hir ſweitnes wes ſuppriſit Hir heuinlie hewis, war turait in to ſabill, Quhilkꝭ vinquhyle war to Luffaris amiabill, Fled frome the froſt, the tender flouris I ſaw, Vnder dame Naturis mantill lurking law. The ſmall fowlis, in flokkis ſaw I fle, To Nature makand greit lamentatioun. Thay lychtit doun, beſyde me on ane tre, Of thare complaynt, I had compaſſioun, And with ane pieteous exclamatioun, Thay ſaid bliſſit be Somer, with his flouris, And waryit be thow wynter, with thy ſchouris. Allace Aurora, the ſyllie Lark can cry, Quhare hes thou left, thy balmy liquour ſweit That vs reioſit, we mounting in the ſky? Thy ſyluer droppis, ar turnit in to ſleir. O fair Phebus, quhare is thy holſum hei •• Quhy tholis thow, thy heuinlie pleland face With myſtie vapours to be obſcurit allace? Quhar art thou May, wt Iune, thy ſiſter ſchene, Weill bordourit with daſyis of delyte? And gentill Iulie, with thy mantill grene Enamilit with Roſis, reid and quhyte? Now auld and cauld Ianuar in deſpyte, Reiffis frome vs, all paſtyme and pleſure. Allace quhat gentil hart may this Indure? Ouerſylit ar with cloudis odious The goldin ſkyis of the Orient. Chāging in ſorrow, our ſang melodious, Quhilk we had wount to ſing with gude intent, Reſoundand to the heuinnis firmament. Bot now our day, is changit in to nicht With that thay rais, & flew furth of my ſicht. ❧Penſyue in hart, paſſing full ſoberly Vnto the ſee, fordwart I fure anone. The ſee was furth, the ſand wes ſmoith & dry Than vp and doun, I muſit myne alone Tyll that I ſpyit, ane lytle Caue of ſtone Hich in ane craig, vpwart I did approche But carying and clam vp in the Roche. And purpoſit, for paſſing of the tyme, Me to defend frome Ocioſite, With pen and paper to Regiſter in ryme Sum mery mater of Antiquite. Bot Idelnes, ground of iniquite Scho maid ſo dull my ſpreitis me within, That I wiſt nocht, at quhat end to begin. Bot ſal ſtyll in that coue, quhare I mycht ſe The weltering of the wallis vp and doun, And this fals warldis Inſtabilite Vnto that ſe, makand compariſoun, And of this warldis wrechit variatioun To thame that fixis, all thare hole intent Conſidering quho moſt had, ſuld moſt repent. So with my hude, my heid I happit warme, And in my cloke, I fauldit beit • my feir. I thocht my corps, with cauld ſuld tak no harme My mittanis held my handis weill in heit. The ſkowland craig, me couerit frome the ſleit. Thare ſtyll I ſat, my bonis for to reſt Tyll Morpheus with ſleip my ſpreit oppreſt. So throw the bouſteous blaſtis of Eolus, And throw my walking, on the nicht before, And throuch the ſeyis mouyng maruellous Be Neptunus, with mony rout and rore. Conſtraynit I was to ſleip withouttin more. And quhat I dremit in concluſioun, I ſall ȝow tell ane meruellous viſioun,
THE DREME OF SCHIR DAVID LYNDESAY. ME thocht ane lady of portratour perfyte Did ſalus me, wt benyng countenance, And I quhilk of hir preſens had delyte Tyll hir agane maid humyll reuerence, And hir demandit, ſauing hir pleſance, Quhat wes hir name? ſcho anſwerit courteſly, Dame Remembrance (ſcho ſaid) callit am I. Quhilk cummin is for paſtyme and pleſour Of the, and for to beir the companie, Becauſe I ſe thy ſpreit without meſour So ſore perturbit be melancholie, Cauſing thy corps, to vaxin cauld and dry. Tharefor get vp, and gang anone with me. So war we boith, in twinkling of ane Ee, Doun throw the eird, in middis of the Center, Or euer I wiſt, in to the laweſt hell, In to that cairfull Coue, quhen we did enter Ȝowting and ȝowling, we hard with mony ȝell. In flam of fyre, rycht furious and fell Was cry and mony cairfull Creature Blaſphemand God, and warland Nature. Thare ſawe we diuers Paipis and Empriouris, Without recouer mony cairfull kingis. Thare ſawe we mony wrangous Cōquerouris, Withouttin richt, reiffaris of vtheris ringis, The men of kirk, lay boundin in to bingis, Thare ſaw we mony cairfull Cardinall, And Archebiſchopis in thare pontificall. Proud and peruerſt Prelattꝭ, out of nummer, Priouris, Abbottis, and fals flatterand freiris. To ſpecifie thame all, it wer ane cummer, Regulare chānonis, churle monkꝭ, & chartereris, Curious Clerkis, and preiſtis ſeculeris. Thare was ſum part, of ilk Religioun In haiy kirk, quhilk did abuſioun. Than I demand it dame Remembrance, The cauſe of thir Prelattis punitioun. Scho ſaid the cauſe, of thare vnhappy chance. Was Couetyce, Luſt, and ambteioun, The quhilk now garris thame want fruitioun Of God, and heir eternallie man dwell In to this painful poyſonit pit of hell. Als thay did nocht inſtruct the Ignorent. Prouocand thame to penitence be preiching, Bot ſeruit warldlie Princis inſolent, And war promouit, be thare fenȝen fleiching. Nocht for thare ſcience, wiſdome nor teicheing. Be Symonie, was thare promotioun, More for deneiris, nor for deuotioun. ☞ Ane vther cauſe of the punitioun, Of thir vnhappy prelattis Imprudent, Thay maid nocht equale diſtributioun Of haly kickis Patrimonie and rent, Bot temporallie, thay haue it all miſpent. Quhilkis ſuld haue bene trypartit in to thre, Firſt to vphauld the kick in honeſte. The ſecund part, to ſuſtene thare eſtaitis. The thrid part, to be geuin to the puris. Bot thay diſpone that geir all vther gaitis, On cartis, and dyce, an harlotrie, and huris. Thir caryuis tuke no compt of thare a win curi • Thare kirkis reuin, thare l • oris clenely cled And richelie rewlit • oi •• at bu •• and bed. Thare baſtard barnis, proudely thay prouydit. The kirk geir largelie, thay did on tha ••• ſpend In thare defaltis, thare ſub •• tis wee miſgydit, And comptit nocht thare God, for tyll offend, Quhilk gart thaim want grace at t ••• r letter end Rewland that rout I ſaw to Ca • p • s of Bras, Symon Magus, and Biſchop Cayphas. Biſchop Annas, and the tratour Iudas, Machomete, that Propheit poyſonabill, Chore Dathan, and A • iron thare was, Heretykis we ſaw vnnume • abill. It was ane ſicht, richt wounderous • amin • abill Quhow that thay lay, in to thay 〈◊〉 Neiting, With cairfull cryis, grening and greiting. Religious men wer puniſchit pa • efullit, For vaine glorie als for Inobedience, Brekand thare conſtitutionis wylfullie Nocht hauand thare Ouermen in reuerence, To knaw thare rewll thay maid no diligence, Vnleifſumlie, thay vſit properte, Paſſing the boundis of wilfull pouerte. Full ſore weping, with vocis lament • bill, Thay cryit lawd, O Empriour Conſtantyne We may wyt thy poſſeſſioun perſonabill Of all our greit pame ••• 〈◊〉 . Quhow •• t thy purpoſe was, till ane • udefyne, Th • w baneift frome vs, 〈◊〉 deuotioun, Haiffand ſic Ee tyll our promo • ioun. Than we beheld ane den full dolorous, Quhare that Princis and Lordis temporall War Cruciate with panis rigorous. Bot to expreme thare panis in ſpeciall. It dois exceid all my memoriall. Importabill pane thay had but conforting. Thare blude royall, maid thame no ſupporting. Sum catyue kingis, for cruell oppreſſioun. And vther ſum, for thare wrangous conqueſt War condampnit, thay and thare Succeſſioun, Sum for publict adulterie, and inceſt. Sum leit thare peple neuer leif in reſt, Delyting ſo in pleſour ſenſuall, Quhare for thare pane, was thare perpetuall Thare was the curſit Empriour Nero, Of euerilk vice the horribill veſchell. Thare was Pharao, with diuers Princis mo, Oppreſſouris of the barnis of Iſrael. Herod, and mony mo, than I can tell. Ponce Pylat was thare hangit be the hals, With vniuſt Iugis, for thare ſentence fals. Dukis, Marqueſſis, Erlis, Barronis, knichtis, With thay Princis, wer puniſt panefully. Participant thay wer of thare vnrichtis. Fordwart we went, and leit thir Lordis ly, And ſaw quhare Ladyis lamentabilly, Lyke wod Lyonis wer cairfullie cryand, In flam of fyre, richt furiouſlie fryand. Emprices, Quenis, and ladyis of honouris, Mony Duches, and Comptes, full of cair. Thay perſit myne hart, thay tender Creaturis So pynit in that pit full of diſpair Plungit in pane, with mony reuthfull rair. Sum for thare pryde, ſum for Adulterie, Sum for thare tyiſting men to Lecherie, Sum had bene cruell and malicious, Sum for making of wrangous heritouris. For to rehers thare lyffis vitious It wer bot tarie to the auditouris, Of Letherie, thay wer the verray • uris With thare prouocatyue Impudictte Brocht mony ane man to Infelicite. Sum wemen for thare puſillanimiteQuhat ho • ribill torment of conſcience wes this anticulate cō feſſioun. Ouerſet wt ſchame, thay did thame nev er ſchryue Of ſecreit Synnis, done in quiete And ſum repentit neuer in thare lyue. Quharefor but reuth thai ruffeis did yaim ryue Rigorouſlie without compaſſioun, Greit was thare dule, and lamentatioun. That we wer maid, thay cryit oft allace, Thus Tormentit with panis Intollerabill We mendit nocht, quhē we had tyme and ſpace, Bot tuke in ei • d our luſtis delectabill. Quharefor with feindis vgly and hortibill We ar condampnit, for euer more allace, Eternallie, withouttin hope of grace. Quhare is the meit, and drink delicious, With quhilk we fed, our cairfull carionis? Gold, ſyluer, ſylk, with perlis precious, Our ryches, rentis and our poſſeſſionis? Withouttin hope of our remiſſionis, Allace our panis ar Inſufferabill, And our tormentis to compt Innumerabill. Than we beheld, quhare mony ane thouſand. Commoun peple lay flichterand in the fyre, Of euerilk ſtait, thare was ane bailfull band. Thare mycht be ſene, mony ſorrowful Syre. Sum for Inuy ſufferit, and ſum for Ire, And ſum for laik of reſtitutioun, Of wrangous geir without remiſſioun. Maneſworne m̄chandꝭ, for yair wrangous winning, Hurdaris of gold, & cōmoun Okkararis Fals men of Law, in Cautelis rycht cunning, Theiffis, reuaris, and publict oppreſſaris. Sum part thare was of vnleill Lauboraris Craftiſmen thare ſaw we out of nummer, Of ilk ſtait to declair, it wer ane cummer. And als langſum to me, for tyll Indyte, Of this preſoun, the pams in ſpeciall. The heir, the cauld, the dolour and diſpyte, Quharefor I ſpeik of thame in generall, That dully den, that furneis Infernall, Quhoſe reward is, rew without remeid, Euer deand, and neuer to be deid, Hounger and thriſt, in ſteid of meit and drink. And for thace clethyng, ta • dis and Scorpionis. That mirk Manſioun, is tapeſſit with ſtink Thay ſe na thing, bot horribill viſionis Thay heir bot ſcorne, and deriſionis Of foule feindis, and blaſphemationis. Thare feilling is Importabill paſſionis. For melodie, miſerable murning. Thare is na ſolace, bet dolour Infinyte In bailfull beddis, bitterlie burning. With ſobbing, ſiching, ſorrow and with ſyte Thare conſcience, thare hattis ſo did byte, To heir thame flyte, it was ane cace of cair, So in diſpyte plungit in to deſpair. A lytle aboue, that dolorous doungeoun.He ſemis earn ••• •• clude thā allo •• Purgatorie. We enterit in, ane countre full of cait. Quhate that we ſaw, mony ane legioun Grerand and gowland, with mony re ••• full rair. Quhat place is this (quod I) of blis ſo bait, Scho anſwerit (and ſaid) Purgatorie Quhilk purgis Saulis, or thay cum to glorie. ¶ I ſe no pleſour heir bot mekle paine. Quharefor (ſaid I) leif we this ſort in thrall. I purpoſe neuer, to cum beie againe. Bot ȝit I do beleue, and euer ſall That the trew kirk, can no way erre at all, Sic thing to be, greit Clerkis dois conclude. Quhoweit my hope, ſtādis moſt in Chriſtis blud. Abufe that, in the thrid preſoun anone. We enterit in ane place of perditioun, Quhare mony babbis war makand drery mone, Becauſe thay wantit the fruitioun • ic wes ye ignorāce of yaida • is, ye mē ewin of ſcharpeſt iugemēr, culd not eſpy all abuſis.Of God, quhilk was ane greit punitioun Of Baptiſme, thay wantit the Anſenȝe. Vp wart we went, and left that mirthles menȝe. In tyll ane Volt, aboue that place of pane. Vnto the quhilk, but ſudgeorne we aſcendit, That was the Lymb, in the quhilk did remane Our forefatheris, becauſe Adam offendit Eiland the fruct, the quhilk was defendit Mony ane ȝeir, thay dwelt in that Doungeoun In mirknes, and in delolatioun. Than throuch the erth, of nature cauld and dry. Glaid to eſchaip, thoſe places perrilous, We haiſtit vs, rycht wounder ſpedily. Ȝit we beheld, the Secretis maruellous The Mynis of gold, and ſtonis precious Of ſyluer, and of euerilk fyne mettell, Quhilk to declare, it wer ouer lang to dwell. Vp throuch the watter, ſchortlie we Intendi • Quhilk enuironis the erth, withouttin dout. Syne throw the air, ſchortlie we aſcendit, His Regionis throuch, behalding in and out Quhilk erth, and watter, cloſis round about. Syne ſchortlie vpwart, throw the fyre we went, Quhilk wes the hieſt, and hoteſt Element. Quhen we had all, thir Elementis ouer paſ • . That is to ſay, erth, watter, air, and fyre, Vp wart we went, withouttin ony reſt To ſe the Heuinnis, was out maiſt deſyre. Bot or we mycht wyn, to the heuin Empyre It behuffit vs to pas, the way full ewin, Vp throuch the ſpheiris, of the Planeris ſewin. Firſt to the Mone, and veſyit all hir ſpheir. Quene of the ſee, and bewtie of the nycht, Of nature wak, and cauld, and no thyng cleir, For of hir ſelf, ſcho hes none vther lycht Bot the reflex, of Phebus bemis brycht. The twelf ſignis, ſcho paſſis round about, In aucht and twenty dayes withouttin dout. Than we aſcendit to Mercurious. Quhilk Poetis callis god of Eloquence, Rycht Doctourlyke, with termes delicious, In art expert, and full of Sapience. It wes pleſour to pans on his prudence. Payntouris, Poeitis ar ſubiect to his cure, And hote, and dry, he is of his Nature. And als as cunning Aſtrologis ſayis, He dois compleit his cours Naturallie, In thre houndreth, and aucht and thretty dayis. Syne vpwart we aſcendit haiſtelie To fair Venus, quhare ſcho richt luſtelie, Wes ſet in to ane ſait, of ſyluer ſchene, That freſche Goddes, that luſtie luffis quene. Thy perſit myne hart, hir blenkis amorous Quhowbeit that ſumtyme ſcho is chengeable, With countenance and cheir full dolorous Quhylūmis richt pleſand, glaid and delectable, Sumtyme conſtant, and ſumtyme variable. Ȝit hir bewtie, reſplendent as the fyre, Swagis the wraith of Mars, that god of Ire. This pleſand Planeit, geue I can richt diſcriue, Scho is baith hote, and wak, of hir nature That is the cauſe, ſcho is prouocatiue Tyll all thame that ar ſubiectit to hir cure, To Venus werkis, tyll that thay may indure. Als ſcho completis, hir courſis natural, In twelf Monethis, withouttin ony fall. Than paſt we to the ſpheir of Phebus bricht, That luſty lamp, and lanterne of the heuin, And glaider of the ſterris with his licht And principall of all the planeitis ſewin, And ſat in myddis of thame all full ewin, As Roy royal, rolling in his ſpheir, Full pleſandlie in to his goldin Chair. Quhoſe Influence and vertew excellent, Geuis the lyfe tyll euerilk erthlie thing. That Prince of euerilk planeit precellent Dois foſter flouris, and garris herbis ſpring, Throuch the cauld eirth, and cauſis birdis ſing. And als his regular mouyng in the heuin. Is Iuſt vnder the Zodiack full ewin. ☞ For to diſcryue his Diademe Royall, Bordourit about with ſtonis ſchyning bricht His goldin Cart, or throne Imperiall, The foure ſtedis, that drawis it full richt I leif to Poeitis, becauſe I haue no ſlicht. Bot of his nature he is hote and dry, Compleitand in ane ȝeir, his cours trewly. Than vp to Mars, in by we haiſtit vs, Wounder hote, and dryer than the tounder, His face flam •• and, as ſyre richt furious, His hoſt & brag, more aufull than the thounder, Maid all ye heuin, moſt lyke to ſchaik in ſchouder Quha wald behald his countenance and feir, Mycht cail hym weill, the god of men of weir. With colour reid, and luke malicious, Rycht colerick of his complexioun. Auſteir, angrie, ſweir, and ſeditious, Principall cauſe of the deſtructioun Of mony gude and • obill Regioun. War nocht Venus, his Ire dois mitigate, This warld of pece wald be full deſolate. This god of greif withouttin ſudgeorning In ȝeris twa, his cours he doith compleit, Than paſt we vp, quhar Iuppiter the king Sat in his ſpheir, richt amiabill and ſweit, Complexionat with waknes, and with heit. That pleſand Prince, tair, dulce, and delicate Prouokis pece, and baniſſis debait. The auld Poeitis, be ſuperſtitioun. Held Iuppiter, the Father principall Of all thare goddis in concluſioun, For his prerogatyuis in ſpeciall Als be his vertew in to generall To auld Saturne, he makis reſiſtance Quhen in his malice he wald wirk vengeance. This Iuppiter withouttin ſudgeorning Paſſis throw all the twelf planeitis full euin, In ȝeris twelf, and than but carying We paſt vnto the hieſt of the ſeuin, Tyll Saturnus, quhilk trublis all the heuin With heuy cheir, and collour paill as leid, In hym we ſaw bot dolour to the deid. And cauld, and dry, he is of his nature, Foule lyke ane Oule, of euill conditioun. Rycht vnpleſand he is of portrature. His Intoxicate diſpoſitioun It puttis all thing to perditioun Ground of ſeiknes, and melancholious. Peruerſt and pure, baith fals and Inuyous. His qualite, I can nocht loue bot lack, As for his mouyng naturallie but weir, About the ſignis of the Zodiack, He dois compleit his cours, in thretty ȝeir. And ſo we left hym in his froſty ſpheir, Vp wart we did aſcend Incontinent But • eſt, tyll we come to the Firmament, The quhilk was fixit ful of ſterris bricht Of figour round, richt pleſand and perfyte Quhoſe influence, and richt excellent licht, And quhoſe nummer, may nocht be put in wryte. Ȝit cunnyng Clerkis, dois naturallie indyte, How that he dois, compleit his cours but weir, In ſpace of ſeuin and thretty thouſand ȝeir. Than the nynt Spheir, and mouair principall Of all the laif, we weſy it all that heuin, Quhoſe daylie motioun is continuall, Baith firmament, and all the plancitis ſeuin, Frome eiſt, to weſt, garris thame full euin In to the ſpace of four and twenty ȝeris Ȝit be the myndis of the Aſtronomeris, The ſeuin Planeitis, in to thare proper ſpheiris, Frome weſt to eiſt, thay moue naturallie. Sum ſwyft, ſum ſlaw, as to thare kynd effeiris As I haue ſchawin afore ſpeciallie Quhoſe motioun cauſis continuallie Rycht melodious, harmonie and ſound, And al throw mouyng of thoſe Planeitis round. Than moutit we, with richt feruent deſyre Vpthrow the heuin, callit Chriſtallyne And ſo we enterit in the heuin Empyre, Quhilk to diſcryue, it paſſis myne Iagyne. Quhat God in to his holy throne druyne Regnis in to his glore Ineſtimabill With Angellis citir, quhilkis ar Innumerabill. In Ordeuris nyne, thir ſpreitis glorious Ar deuydit, the quhilkis excellentlie Makis louyng, with ſound melodious, Singand Sanctus, tycht wounder feruentlie, Thir ordeuris nyne, thay at full pleſandlie Deuydit in to Hierarchies thre, And thre Ordouris in euerilk Hierarchie. The laweſt Ordour, is of Angellis bricht, As Meſſingeris ſend to this law Regioun. The ſecund ordour, Archangellis full of micht. Virtues, Poteſtatis Principatis of renoun. The ſext is callit Dominatioun. The ſeuint Thronus, the auchtin Cherubin. The nynt and hieſt, callit Seraphin. ☞ And nixt vnto the bliſſit Trinite, In his Tryumphant throne Imperiall, Thre in tyll one, and one ſubſtance in tyre, Quhoſe indiuiſibill eſſence eternall, The rude Ingyne, of mankynd is to ſmall Tyll comprehend, quhoſe power Infinyte, And deuyne nature, no Creature can wryte. So myne Ingyne, is nocht ſufficient For to treit, of his hich Diuinite. All mortall men at Inſufficient Tyll conſidder thay thre in vnite, Sic ſubtell mater I man on neid lat be To ſtudy on my Creid, it wat full fair, And lat Doctouris of ſic hic materis declair. Than we beheld the bliſſit Humanite Of Chriſt, ſittand in to his Sege Royall At the rycht hand of the Diuinite With ane excelland court Celeſtiall, Quhoſe exercitioun continuall Was in louyng thair Prince, with reuerence, And on this wyſe thay kepit ordinance. Nixt to the Throne, we ſaw ye Quene of quenis Weil cumpanyit, with Ladyis of delyte Sweit was the ſang, of thoſe bliſſit Virginnis, No mortall man, thare ſolace may indyte. The Angellis bricht, in nummer infinyte, G • erilk Ordour in thare awin degre War officiaris vnto the deite. Patriarkis, and Propheitis honorabill, Coilaterall counſalouris in his conſiſtorie, Euangeliſtis, Apoſtolis venerabill War Capitanis vnto the King of Glorie, Quhilk Chi • tanely • e had wyn the Victorie, Of that tryumphand Court celeſtiall Sanct Peter was Lufetenand generall. The Martyris war, as nobyll ſtalwart Knichtis Diſcoafitouris of cruell Battellis thre The fleſche, the warld, the feind & al his michtis Confeſſouris, Doctouris in Diuinite As Chapell Clerkis vnto his deite. And laſt we ſaw infinyte multitude Makand ſeruice vnto his Celſitude. Quhilkis be the hie Deuyne permiſſioun, Felicite thay had Inuariable, And of his Godheid, cleir cognitioun, And compleit peice thay had Interminable. Thare glore, and honour, was Inſeparable. That pleſand place repleit of pulchritude Vnmeſurable it was of magnitude. Thare is plentie of all pleſouris perfyte, Euydent brichtnes, but obſcurite. Withouttin dolour, dulcore, and delyte. Withouttin rancour, perfyte Cherite. Withouttin hounger, Satiabilite. O happy ar the Saulis predeſtinate, Quhen Saule and body ſalbe glorificate. Thir maruellous mirthis for to declair, Be Arithmetik, thay at Innumerable. The portratour of that place preclair, By Geometrie, it is Inmeſurable, By Rethorik als Inpronunciable. Thare is none eiris may heir, nor Eine my ſe, Nor hart may thynk this thare felicite. Quhare to ſulde I preſume for tyll indyte, The quhilk Sanct Paule, that Doctour ſapient Can nocht expres nor in to paper wryte The hie excellent work Indeficient, And perfyte pleſour euer permanent, In preſence of that mychtie King of glore, Quhilk was, and is, and ſall be euer more. At Remembrance, humillie I did inquyre Geue I mycht in that pleſour ſtyll remane. (Scho ſaid) aganis reſoun is thy deſyre M • h • refore my freind, thou mon returne agane I • to the warld, quhair thow ſall ſuffer pane, •• d thole the dede with cruell panis ſore, Or thow be digne, to regne with hym in glore. Than we returnit ſore aganis my wyll, Doun throw ſpheiris of the heuinnis cleir. Hir commandement behuſtit I fulfyll With ſorte hart, wit ȝe withouttin weir. I wald full faine haif taryit thare all ȝeir Bot ſcho ſaid to me, thare is no remeid, Or thow remane heir, firſt thow mon be deid. Quod I, I pray ȝow hartfullie madame, Sen we haue had ſic Contemplatioun Of heuinlie pleſouris, ȝit or we pas hame Lat vs haue ſum conſideratioun Of eirth, and of his Situatioun. Scho anſwerit and ſaid, that ſall be done. So wer we botth, brocht in the air full ſone. Quhare we mycht ſe the Erth all at one ſicht, Bot lyke one moit, as it apperit to me, In the reſpect of the heuinnis bricht. I haue maruell (quod I) quhow this may be, The erth ſemis of ſo ſmall quantite The leiſt ſterne fixit in the Firmament Is more than all the erth, be my Iugement. Scho ſayis Sone, thow hes ſchawin ye verite, The ſmalleſt ſterne fixit in the firmament, In deid it is of greiter quantite Than all the eirth, efter the intent Of wyſe, and cunning Clerkis ſapient. Quhat quantite is than the eirth (quod I) That ſall I ſchaw (quod ſcho) to the ſchortly. Efter the myndis of the Aſtronomouris, And ſpeciallie, the Auctour of the Spheir, And vther diuers greit Philoſophouris, The quantite of the erth Circuleir, Is fiftie thouſand liggis, withouttin weir, Seuin houndreth, and fiftie, and no •• o, Deuiding ay ane lig, in mylis two. And euerilk myle, in aucht flaidis deuyde. Ilk ſtaid, ane houndreth pais, twenty and fyue. Ane pais fyue fute, quha wald than rycht decyde, Ane fute four palmes, giue I can rycht deſcryue, Ane palme four Inche, and quba • a wald belyue The circuite of the eirth, pas round about, Man be conſidderit on this wyſe but dout. Suppone, that thare warmone Impediment, Bot that the eirth but perrell wer and plane, Syne that the perſoun wer rycht diligent, And ȝeid ilk day, ten liggis in certane. He mycht pas round about, and cum agane In four ȝeiris, ſextene oulkis, and dayis two. Go reid the Auctour, and thow ſall fynd it ſo.
The diuiſioun of the Eirth. THen certanlie ſcho tuke me be the hand, And ſaid my ſone cū on thy wayis wt me And ſo ſcho gart me cleirly vnderſtand How that the erth, tripartit wes in thre: In Aphrik, Europe, and Aſie. Efter the myndis of the Coſmographouris That is to ſay, the warldis Deſcriptouris. Firſt Aſia, contenit is in the Orient, And is weill more, than baith the vther twane, Aphrik, and Europe, in the Occident, And ar deuydit be ane ſey certane, And that is callit, the ſee Mediterrane, Quhilk at the ſtrait of Marrok hes entre, That is betuix Spanȝe, and Barbarie. Towart the ſouthweſt lyis Aphrica, And in the northweſt, Europa doith ſtand. And all the eiſt, contenis Aſia. On this wyſe, is deuydit the ſerme land It war mekle to me to tak on hand Thir Regionis, to declair in ſpeciall, Ȝit ſall I ſchaw thair Names in generall. In mony diuers famous Regionis, Is deuydit this part Aſia. Weill pleniſchit, with Citteis, towris, & townis, The greit Inde, and Meſopotamia, Penthapolis, Egypt, and Syria, Cappadocia, Seres, and Armenie, Babilon, Chaldea, Parth, and Arabie. Sidon, Iudea, and Paleſtina, Vpper Scithia, Tire, and Galilie, Hiberia, Bactria, and Phileſtina, Hircania, Compagena, and Samarie. In litle Aſia, ſtandis Galathie, Pamphilia, Iſauria, and Leid, Rhegia, Arethuſa, Aſſyria, and Meid. ☞Secundlie, we conſidderit Africa, With mony fructfull famous regioun As Ethiopie, and Tripolitana, Zewges, quhare ſtandis the triumphant toun Of nobyll Carthage, that Ciete of renoun. Garamantes, Nadabar, Libia, Getulia, and Mauritania. Fezenſis, Numidie, and Thingitane, Of Affrick, thir ar the principall. Than Europe, we conſidderit in certane, Quhoſe Regionis, ſchortlie rehers I ſall. Four principallis, I find aboue thame all Quhilkꝭ ar Spanȝe, Italie, and France, Quhoſe Subregionis, wer mekle tyll auance. Nether Scithia, Thrace, and Carmanie Thuſia, Diſtria, and Pannonia Denmark, Gotland, Grundland, and Almanie, Pole, Hungarie, Boeme, Norica, Rethia, Trutonia and mony diuers ma. And was in four deuydit Italie Tuſcane, Hethruria, Naplis, and Champanie. And ſubdeuydit ſindry vther wayis, As Lumbardie, Veneis, and vther ma, Calaber, Romanie, and Genowayis. In Grece, Epyrus, and Dalmatia, Theſſalie, Attica, and Illyria, Achaya, Beotia, and Macedone, Archadie, Pierie, and Lacedemone. And France we ſawe deuydit in to thre. Belgica, Celtica, and Aquitane. And ſubdeuydit in Flanderis, Picardie, Normandie, Gaſconȝe, Burgunȝe, & Britane, And vtheris diuers Duchereis in certane, The quhilkꝭ wer to lang for to declair, Quharefor of thame as now I ſpeik na mair. In Spanȝe, lyis Caſtillie and Arragone. Nauarne, Galice, Portugall, and Granate, Than ſaw we famous Ilis mony one Quhilkis in the Occeane ſey, was ſituate. Thame to diſcryue, my wyt wes deſolate. Of Coſmographie I am nocht expare, For I did neuer ſtudy in that art. Ȝit I ſall ſum of thare names declare, As Madagaſcar, Gades, and Taprobane, And vther diuers Ilis gude and fair Situate in to the ſcy Mediterrane, As Cyper, Candie, Corſica, and Sardane. Crete, Abidos, Thoes Sicilia, Tapſus, Eolie, and mony vther ma. Quho wald at lenth, heir the Deſcriptioun Of euerilk Ile, als weill as the ferme land, And properteis, of euerilk Regioun, To ſtudy and to reid man tak on hand And the attentike werkis vnderſtand Of Plinius, and worthy Ptholomie, Quhilaꝭ war expert in to Coſmographie. Thare ſall thay fynd, the namis and properteis Of euery Ile, and of ilk Regioun. Than I inquirit of erthly Paradeis, Of the quhilk Adam, tynt Poſſeſſioun. Than ſchew ſcho me the Situatioun Of that precelland place of delyte, Quhoſe properteis wer lang for to Indyte.
☞ OF PARADICE. THis Paradice, of all pleſouris reple •• , Situate I ſaw in to the Orient. That glorioꝰ gairth of euery flouris did fleit The luſty lillyis, the roſis redolēt Freſche holeſum fructis Indeficient, Baith herbe, and tre, thare growis euer grene, Throw vertew of the temperat air ſerene. The ſweit holeſum aromatike odouris, Proceiding frome the herbis Medicinall The heuinlie hewis of the fragrant flouris, It was ane ſicht wounder celeſtiall. The perfectioun to ſchaw in ſpeciall, And Ioyis of that Regioun deuyne Of mankynd, it exceidis the Ingyne. ❧And als ſo hie in Situatioun, Surmounting the myd Regioun of the air, Quhare no maner of perturbatioun Of wedder may aſcend ſo hie as thair. Four fludis flowing frome ane Fontane fair As Tigris, Ganges, Euphrates, and Nyle, Quhilk in the eiſt, Tranſcurtis mony ane myle. The countre cloſit is about full richt, With wallis hie, of hote and birnyng fyre, And ſtraitly keipit be ane Angell bricht Sen the departyng of Adam, our Grand ſchyre, Quhilk throw his cryme Incurrit Goddis 〈◊〉 , And of that place tint the Poſſeſſioun, Baith frome hym ſelf, and his Succeſſioun. Quhen this lufeſum lady Remembrance All this foreſaid had gart me vnderſtand, I prayit hir of hir beneuolence To ſchaw to me, the countre of Scotland. Well ſone (ſcho ſaid) that ſal I tak on hand, So ſuddandlie, ſcho brocht me in certane, Euin Iuſt abone the braid Ile of Britane. Quhilk ſtandis northweſt in the Occeane ſee, And deuydit in famous Regionis two. The ſouth part Ingland, ane full richt countre, Scotland be north, with mony Ilis mo. Be weſt Ingland, Ireland doith ſtand alſo. Quhoſe properteis, I wyll nocht tak on hand To ſchaw at lenth, bot onely of Scotland.
OF THE REALME OF SCOTLAND. QUhilk efter my ſempyll Intendement, And as Remembrance did to me report, I fall declare the ſuith, and verrayment As I beſt can, and in to termes ſchort. Quhairfor effecteo uſlie, I ȝow exhort, Quhowbeit my wrytting be nocht tyll auance, Ȝit quhare I faill, excuſe myne Ignorance. Quhen that I had ouerſene this Regioun, The quhilk of nature is boith gude and fair, I did propone, ane litle queſtioun Beſeikand hir, the ſame for to declair. Quhat is the cauſe, our boundis bene • o bair, (Quod I) or quhat dois moue our Miſe • i • , Or quhareof dois proceid our pouertie? For throw the ſupport of ȝour hir prudence Of Scotland, I perſaue the properteis. And als conſidderis be experience Of this countre the greit commoditeis. Firſt the aboundance of fiſchis in our ſeis, And fructuall montanis for our beſtiall, And for our cornis, mony luſty vaill. The riche Ryueris pleſand and proffitabill, The luſtie loichis, with fiſche of ſindry kyndis, Hounting, halking, for nobillis conuenabill, Forreſtis full of Da, Ra, Hartis, and Hyndis, The freſche fontanis, quhoſe holeſū criſtal ſtrandis Refreſchis ſo, the fluriſchit grene meidis. So laik we no thing that to nature neidis. Of euerilk mettell, we haue the riche Mynis, Baith Gold, Syluer, and ſtonis precious. Howbeit we want the Spycis and the wynis. Or vther ſtrange fructis delicious, We haue als gude, and more neidfull for vs, Meit, drink, fyre, claithis yar in ye be gart abound. Quhilkꝭ ellis is nocht in all the Mapamound • More faiter peple, nor of greiter ingyne Nor of more ſtrenth, greit deidis tyll indure. Quharefor I pray ȝow, that ȝe wald detyne The principall cauſe, quharefor we at ſo pure, For I maruell greitlie, I ȝow aſſure, Conſidderand the peple, and the ground, That Riches ſuld nocht in this realme redound. My Sone (ſcho ſaid) be my diſcretioun, I ſall mak anſweir, as I vnderſtand. I ſay to the vnder confeſſioun, The falt is nocht, I dat weill tak on hand, Nother in to the peple nor the land. As for the land, it laikis na vther thing, Bot laubour, and the pepillis gouerning. Than quharein lyis our Inproſperite (Quod I) I pray ȝow hartfullie Madame Ȝe wald declair to me the verite. Or quho ſall beir of our barrat the blame? For be my treuth to ſe, I think greit ſchame So pleſand peple, and ſo fait ane land, And ſo few verteous deidis tane on hand. Quod ſcho, I ſall efter my Iugement, Declair ſum cauſis, in to generall, And in to termes ſchort ſchaw myne intent, And ſyne tranſcend in to more ſpeciall. So this is myne concluſioun finall. Wanting of Iuſtice, policie, and peace, At cauſe, of thir vnhappines allace. ☞It is difficill Riches tyll incres, Quhare Polycie makith no reſidence. And Policie may neuer haue entres, Bot quhare that Iuſtice dois diligence To puneis quhare thare may be found offence. Iuſtice may nocht haue Dominatioun, Bot quhare Pece makis habitatioun. Quhat is the cauſe, that wald I vnderſtand. That we ſuld want Iuſtice, and policie, More than deis France, Italie, or Ingland Madame (quod I) ſchaw me the verite? Sen we haue lawis in this countre, Quhy want we lawis exercitioun Quho ſuld put Iuſtice tyll executioun. Quhare in dois ſtand our principall remeid, Or quha may mak a mendis of this miſcheif? (Quod ſcho) I find the falt in to the heid, For thay in quhome dois ly our hole releif, I finde thame rute, and ground of all our greif. For quhen the heidis ar nocht diligent, The membris man on neid be negligent. So I conclude, the cauſis principall Of all the trubill of this Natioun, Ar into Princis in to ſpeciall, The quhilkis hes the Gubernatioun, And of the peple Dominatioun. Quhoſe contynewall exercitioun Sulde be in Iuſtice Executioun. For quhen the ſleuthfull hird, dois ſloug & ſleip, Taking no cure, in keping of his flok Quho wyll go ſerche amang ſic hirdis ſcheip, May able fynd mony pure ſcabbit crok, And goyng wyld at large withouttin lok. Than Lupus tūmis, and Lowrence in ane ling And dois but reuth, the ſely ſcheip dounthring. Bot the gude hird, walkryfe and diligent Doith ſo, that all his flockis ar rewlit richt. To quhoſe quhiſſill all ar obedient And geue the wolfis cummis day or nicht Thame to deuore, than ar thay put to flicht, Houndit and ſlane, be thare weill dantit doggis, So ar thay ſure, baith ȝowis, lambis, & hoggis. So I conclude, that throw the negligence Of our infatuate heidis Inſolent, Is cauſe of all this realmes indigence, Quhilkꝭ in Iuſtice, hes nocht bene diligent, Bot to gude counſall inobedient, Hauand ſmall E • , vnto the commoun weill Bot to thare ſingulare profite euerilk deill. For quhen thir Wolfis be oppreſſioun The pure peple but piete doith oppres, Than ſuld the princis mak punitioun, And cauſe thay Rebaldis for to mak redres, That ryches micht be, and Policie incres. Bot richt difficill it is to mak remeid Quh • n that the falt is ſo in to the heid.
THE COMPLAYNT OF THE Comoun weill of Scotland. ANd thus as we wer talking to and fro, We ſaw a buſtedꝰ berne cū ouir ye bent, But hors on fute, als faſt as he micht go Quhoſe rayment wes all raggit rewin & vent With viſage leyne, as he had faſtit lent. And fordwart faſt his wayis he did aduance, With ane richt melancholious countenance. With ſcrip on hip, and pyikſtaff in his hand, As he had bene purpoſit, to pas ſra hame. Quod I gude man, I wald faine vnderſtand, Geue that ȝe pleiſ • t to wit quhat wer ȝour name. Quod he my ſone, of that I think greit ſchame. Bot ſen thow wald of my name haue ane feill, Forſuith thay call me Ihone the comoun weill. Schir Commoun weil, quho hes ȝow ſo diſgyſit (Quod I) or quhat makis ȝow ſo miſerabill, I haue maruell, to ſe ȝow ſo ſuppryſit, The quhilk that I haue ſene ſo honorabill, To all the warld, ȝe haue bene proffitabill, And weill honorit in euerilk Natioun. How happinnis now ȝour tribulatioun? Allace (quod he) thow ſeis how it dois ſtand With me, and quhow I am diſheritſit Of all my grace, and inon pas of Scotland. And go afore, quhare I was cheriſet. Remane I heir, I am bor periſit, For thare is few to me, that takis tent, That garris me go, ſo raggit, rewin, and rent. My tender feeindis ar all put to the flicht For Policie is fled agane in France, My Syſter Iuſtice, almaiſt haith tynt hir ſicht, That ſcho can nocht hald ewinly hir ballance. Plane wrang, is plane capitane of Ordinance, The quhilk debarres Laute, and reſoun, And ſmall remeid is found for oppin treſoun. In to the ſouth allace I was neir ſlane. Ouer al the land I culd find no releif. Almoiſt betuix the Mers, and Lotchmabane, I culd no • ht knaw ane leill man be ane theif. To ſchaw thare reif, thift, murthour, & miſcheif, And vicious workis it wald infect the air, And als langſum, to me for tyll declair. In to the hieland, I could find no remeid, Bot ſuddandlie, I wes put to exile, Thai ſweir ſwyngeourꝭ thay tuke of me nō heid, Nor amengis thame, lat me remane ane quhyle. Als in the out Ilis, and in Argyle, Vnthrift, ſweirnes, falſet, pouerte, and ſtryfe, Pat Policie in danger of hir lyfe. In the law land, I come to ſeik refuge. And purpoſit thare to mak my reſidence. Bot ſingulare proffect, gart me ſone diſluge, And did me greit Iniuris, and offence. And ſaid to me, ſwyith harlote hy the hence, And in this countre ſe thow tak no curis, So lang as my authorite induris. And now I may mak no langer debait, Nor I wat nocht, quhome to I ſuld me mene, For I haue ſocht throw all the Spirituall ſtait, Quhilkꝭ tuke na compt for to heir me complene, Thare officiaris thay held me at diſdane, For Symonie, he rewlis vp all that rout. And Couetice that Carl gart bar me out. Pryde haith chaiſt frome thame humilite, Deuotioun is fled vnto the freiris. Senſuall pleſour hes baneiſt Chaiſtite, Lordis of Religioun, thay go lyke Seculeris, Taking more compt in telling thare deneris, Nor thay do of thare conſtitutioun. Thus ar thay blindit be ambitioun. Our gentill men ar all degenerate. Liberalite, and Lawte, boith ar loſt. And Cowardice with Lordis is laureate, And knychtlie curage turnit in brag and boiſt. The Ciuill weir miſgydis euerilk oiſt. Thare is nocht ellis, bot ilk man for hym ſelf, That garris me go, thus baneiſt lyke ane elf. Tharefor adew, I may no langer tarie. Fair weil (quod I) ād wt ſanct Iohne to borrow. Bot wit ȝe weill, my hart was woundit ſarie Quhen comoun weill ſo ſopit was in ſorrow, Ȝit efter the nicht, cūmis the glaid morrow. Quharefore I pray ȝow ſchaw me in certane, Quhen that ȝe purpoſe for to cum agane. That queſtioun it ſall be ſone decydit, (Quod he) thare ſall na Scot haue conforting Of me, till that I ſee the countre gydit Be wyſedome, of ane gude auld prudent king, Quhilk ſall delyte hym maiſt aboue all thing, To put Iuſtice tyll executioun, And on ſtrang tratouris mak punitioun. Als ȝit to the I ſay ane vther thing, I ſe rycht weill that prouerb is full trew, Wo to the realme, that hes ouir ȝoung ane king. With that he turnit his bak, and ſaid ad • w. Ouer firth and fell, richt taſt fra me he flew. Quhoſe departing to me was diſpleſand. With that Remembrance tuk me be the hand. And ſone me thocht ſcho brocht me to the roche, And to the Coue, quhare I began to ſleip. With that one ſchip did ſpedilie approche, Full pleſandlie ſailling vpon the deip, And ſyne did ſlak hir ſaillis, and gan to creip Towart the land, anent quhare that I lay. Bot wit ȝe weill, I gat ane fellown fray. All hir Cannounis, ſche leit crak attonis, Doun ſchuke the ſtremaris, frome ye topcaſtell. Thay ſpairit nocht the poulder nor the ſtonis, Thai ſchot thair boutis, & doun yair ankers fell, The Marinaris, thay did ſo ȝout and ȝell, That haiſtelie I ſteit out of my dreme, Half in ane fray, and ſpedilie paſt hame. And lychtlie dynit, with liſt and appetyte. Syne efter paſt in tyll ane Oritore, And tuke my pen, and thare began to wryte All the viſioun, that I haue ſchawin afore. Schir of my dreme, as now thow gettis no more, Bot I beſeik God, for to ſend the grace, To rewle thy Realme in vnite, and peace.
THE EXHORTATIOVN TO THE KINGIS GRACE. SChir ſen that God of his preordinance, Haith grantit the, to haue the gouernance Of his peple, and create the one King, Faill nocht to prent in thy Remembrance That he wyll nocht excuſe thyne Ignorance, Geue thow be rekles in thy gouerning. Quharefor dres the aboue all vther thing, Of his lawis to ke • p the obſeruance, And thow ſchaip lang in Royaltie to ring. Thank hym, that hes commandit dame Nature, To prent the of ſo pleſand portrature. Hir gyftis may be cleirly on the knawin. Tyll dame Fortune, thow neidis no procurature, For ſcho hes largelie, kyith on the hir cure. Hir gratitude ſcho hes vnto the ſchawin. And ſen that thow mā ſcheir, as thow hes ſawin, Haue all thy hope in God thy Creatour, And aſk hym grace, that thow may be his awin. And ſyne conſidder thy vocatioun, That for to haue the gubernatioun Of this kynrik, thow art predeſtinate, Thow may weill wit be trew narratioun, Quhat ſorrow, and quhat tribulatioun Haith bene in this pure realme infortunate. Now conforte thame that hes bene deſolate, And of thy peple haue compaſſioun, Sen thow be God, art ſo preordinate. Tak manlie curage, and leif thyne Inſolence, And vſe counſall of nobyll dame Prudence. Founde the fermelie on faith and fortitude, Draw to thy court, Iuſtice, and temperance. And to the Commoun weill haue attendance. And alſo I beſeik thy Celſitude, Hait vicious men, and lufe thame that ar gude. And ilk flatterer thow fleme frome thy preſence, And fals report out of thy court exclude. Do equall Iuſtice, boith to greit and ſmall, And be exempill to thy peple all, Exercing verteous deidis honorabill. Be nocht ane wreche, for oucht that may befall, To that vnhappy vice and thow be thrall. Tyll all men thow ſall be abhominabill. Kingis • ar knichtis, ar neuer cōuanabill To rewle peple, be thay nocht liberall, Was neuer ȝit na wreche to honoure abill. And tak exemple of the wrechit ending Quhilk maid Mydas, of Thrace ye mychtie king, That to his Goddis maid Inuocatioun, Throw gredines that all ſubſtancial thing That euer he twichit, ſuld turne but tarying In to fyne gold, he gat his ſupplicatioun, All that he twichit but dilatioun Turnit in gold, boith meit, drink, and clething, And deit for hounger but recreatioun. Als I beſeik thy Maieſte ſerene, Frome Lecherie, thow keip thy body clene Taiſt neuer that Intoxicate poyſoun Frome that vnhappy ſenſuall Syn abſtene, Tyll that thow get ane luſty pleſand Quene, Than tak thy pleſour with my beniſoun. Tak tent how prydful Tarquyne tynt his croun, For the deforſing of Lucrece the ſchene. And was depryuit, and baniſt Romes toun. And in deſpyit of his Lecherous leuing, The Romanis wald be ſubiect to no king. Mony lang ȝeir, as ſtoryis doith record, Tyll Iulius, throw verteous gouerning, And Princelie curage, gan on thame to ring, And choſin of Romanis, Empriour, and lord. Quharfor my Souerane in to thy mynd remord, That vicious lyfe, makis oft ane euill ending, Without it be throw ſpeciall grace reſtord. And geue thow wald thy fame and honour grew, Vſe counſall of thy prudent Lordis trew, And ſe thow nocht preſumpteouſlie pretend, Thy a win particular weill for tyll Enſew. Wirk with counſall, ſo ſall thow neuer rew. Remember of thy Freindis the fatall end, Quhilkis to gude counſall wald not condiſcend. Tyll bitter deith (allace) did thame perſew. Frome ſic vnhap I pray God the defend. And finallie, remember thow mon de • And ſuddanlie pas of this mortall ſee, And art nocht ſicker of thy lyfe two houris. Sen thare is none frome that ſentence may flee. King, Quene, nor Knicht, of law eſtait nor hie, Bot all mon thole of deith, the bitter ſchouris. Quhar bene thay gone, thir papis & empriouris? Bene thay nocht dede, ſo ſall it fair on the. Is no remeid, ſtrenth, riches, nor honouris. And ſo for concluſioun, Mak our Prouiſioun To get the infuſioun Of his hie grace Quhilk bled with effuſioun With ſcorne and deriſioun. And deit with confuſioun, Confirmand our peace. AMEN.
FINIS.
The Complaint of Schir Dauid Lindeſay, of the Mont Knicht, direct to the Kingis Grace. ☞ * ☜ SChir I beſeik thyne Excellence, Heir my complaynt with pacience, My dolent hart dois me conſtrayne, Of my Infortune to complayne. Quhowbeit I ſtand in greit doutance, Quhome I ſall wyte of my miſchance. Quhidder Saturnis crucite Regnand in my Natiuite • e bad aſpect, quhilk wirkis vengeanre, Or vtheris heuinlie influence. Or geue I be predeſtinate In court to be Infortunate, Quhilk hes ſo lang in ſeruice bene Continuallie with king and quene. And enterit to thy Maieſte The day of thy Natiu •• e, Quharethrow my freindis bene eſchamit, And with my fais I am defamit, Seand that I am nocht regardit Nor with my brether in Court rewardit, Blamand my ſle • thfull negligence That ſeikis nocht ſum recompence. Quhen diuers men dois me demand Quhy gettis thow nocht ſunt pece of land, Als weill as vther men hes gottin. Than wis I to be deid and rottin, With ſic extreme diſcomforting That I can mak no anſwering. I wald ſum wyſe man did me teiche, Quhidder that I ſuld flatter or fleiche I wyll nocht flyte, that I conclude For crabing of thy Celſitude. And to flatter, I am defamit. Want I reward, than am I ſchamit. Bot I hope thow ſall do als weill As did the Father of Fameill, Of quhome Chriſt makis mentioun Quhilk for ane certane penſioun Feit men to wirk in his wyne ȝaird. Bot quho come laſt, gat firſt rewaird. Quharethrow the firſt men wer diſpleiſit. Bot he thame prudentlie ameiſit. For thocht the laſt men, firſt wer ſeruit, Ȝit gat the firſt that day deſeruit. So am I ſure thy maieſte, Sall anis reward me or I de, And rub the rouſt of my ingyne Quhilk bene for langour lyke to tyne. Althocht I beit nocht lyke ane baird Lang ſeruice ȝarnis ay rewaird. I can nocht blame thyne excellence, That I ſo lang want recompence. Had I ſoliſtit lyke the laue My reward had nocht bene to craue Bot now I may weill vnderſtand, Ane dum man ȝit wan neuer land. And in the court men gettis na thing Without inopportune aſking. Allace my ſleuth and ſchamefulnes Debarrit frame all gredines. Gredie men that ar diligent Rycht oft obtenis thare intent, And failȝeis nocht to conqueis landis, And namelie at ȝoung Princis handis. Bot I tuke neuer none vther cure. In ſpeciall, bot for thy pleſure. Bot now I am na mair diſpaird, Bot I ſall get Princelie rewaird, The quhilk to me ſal be mair glore Nor thame thow did reward afore. Quhen men dois aſke ocht at ane king, Sulde aſk his grace ane nobill thing, To his Excellence honorabill, And to the aſker proffitabill. Thocht I be in my aſking lidder, I pray thy grace for to conſidder. Thow hes maid baith lordis and lairdis, And hes gewin mony riche rewairdis To thame that was full far to ſeik, Quhen I lay nychtlie be thy cheik. ¶I tak the Quenis grace thy mother. My lord Chancellar, and mony vther, Thy Nuris, and thy auld Maiſtres, I tak thame all to beir witnes. Auld Willie Dillie wer he on lyue, My lyfe full weill he could diſcryue. Quhow as ane Chapman betis his pak. I bure thy grace vpon my bak. And ſumtymes ſtridlingis on my nek, Danſand with mony bend and bek. The firſt ſillabis that thow did mute Was pa, da lyn, vpon the lute. Than playit I twentie ſpringis perqueir, Quhilk wes greit piete for to heir, Fra play thow leit me neuer reſt, Bot gynkertoun thow lufit ay beſt. And ay quhen thow come frome the ſcule Than I behufit to play the fule. As I at lenth in to my Dreme, My ſindry ſeruice did expreme. Thocht it bene better (as ſayis the wyſe) Hap to the court, nor gude ſeruice. I wat thow luffit me better than, Nor now ſum wyfe dois hir gude man. Than men tyll vther did record, Said Lyndeſay, wald be maid ane Lord. Thow hes maid lordis (Schir) be ſanct Geill. Of ſum that hes nacht ſeruit ſo weill. ☞To ȝow my Lordis that ſtandis by, I ſall ȝow ſchaw the cauſis quhy, Geue ȝe lyſt tary I ſall tell, Quhow my Infortune firſt befell. I prayit daylie on my kne, My ȝoung maiſter that I micht ſe, Of eild in his Eſtait Royall, Hauand power Imperiall. Than traiſtit I without demand, To be promouit to ſum land. Bot my aſking I gat ouer ſone, Becauſe ane Clips fell in the Mone, The quhilk all Scotland maid on ſ • el • Than did my purpoſe ryn arreis. The quhilk war langſum to declair, And als my hart is wounder fair, Quhen I haue in remembrance, The ſuddand change to my myſchance. The King was bot twelf ȝeris of age, Quhen new rewlaris come in thare rage, For commoun weill makand no cair, Bot for thare profeit ſingulair. ☞Imprudentlie, lyke witles fulis, Thay tuke that ȝoung Prince from the ſculis, Quhare he vnder Obedience, Was lern and vertew and ſcience. And haiſtelie plat in his hand The gouernance of all Scotland. As quho wald in ane ſtormie blaſt, Quhen Matinaris bene al agaſt Throw danger of the ſeis rage, Wald tak ane Chyld of tender age, Quhilk neuer had bene vpon the ſey, And to his bidding al obey, Geuyng hym haill the gouernall Of ſchip, Merchand, and Marinall. For breid of rockis and foreland, To put the Ruther in his hand. Without Godds grace is no refuge. Geue thare be danger, ȝe may Iuge. I geue thame to the deuill of hell Quhilk firſt deuyſit that counſell. I wyll nocht ſay that it was treſoun, Bot I der ſweir, it was no reſoun. I pray God, lat me neuer ſe ring In to this realme, ſo ȝoung ane King. ☞I may nocht tary to decydit, Quhow than the • su • t ane quhyle was gydit, Be thame that pertlie luke on hand To gyde the king and all Scotland. And als langſum for to declair, Thare facund flattering wordis fair. Schir, ſum wald ſay ȝour Maieſte Shall now go to ȝour liberte. Ȝe ſall to no man be coactit, Nor to the ſcule no more ſubiectit. We think thame verray naturall fulis, That lernis ouer mekle at the ſculis. Schir, ȝe mon lerne to ryn ane ſpeir, And gyde ȝow lyke ane man of weir, For we ſall put ſic men about ȝow. That all warld and mo ſall dout ȝow. Than to his grace thay put ane gaird, Quhilk haiſtelie gat thare rewaird Ilk man efter thare qualite Thay did ſ • li •• his Maieſtie. Sum gart hym raueli at the rakket, Sum harlie hym to the hurly hakket. And ſum to ſcha • thare courtlie corſis, Wald ryed to leith, and ryn there hoiſſis, And wichtlie wallop • uir the ſandis. Ȝe nowther ſpairit ſp • rris nor wandis, Caſtand galmoundꝭ wt bendis and beckis, For wantones, ſum brab thare neckis. Thare was no play bot cartis and dyce, And ay ſchir flatterie bure the pryce. Roundand and rowkand ane tyll ane vther Tak thow my part (quod he) my bruther, And mak betuix vs ſicker bandis, Quhen ocht ſall vaik amangis our handis, That ilk man ſtand to help his fallow. I hald thareto man be alhallow, Swa thow fiſche nocht within my boundis, That ſall I nocht be goddis woundis, (Quod he) bot eirar tak thy part. Swa ſall I thyne, be goddis hart. And geue the Theſaurer be our freind, Than ſall we get baith tak and teind. Tak he our part, than quha dar wrang vs? Bot we ſail part the pelf amang vs. Bot haiſt vs quhill the king is ȝoung, And lat ilk man, keip weill ane toung And in ilk quarter haue ane ſpy Ws tyll aduertis haiſtely Quhen ony caſualiteis Sall happin in tyll our countreis. Lat vs mak ſure prouiſioun Or he cum to diſcretioun. No more he wait nor dois ane ſanct. Quhat thing it bene to haue or want. So or he be of perfyte age We ſall be ſicker of our wage, And ſyne lat ilk ane carll crane vther. That mouth ſpeik mair (quod he) my brother. For God nor I tar in ane raip, Thow micht geue counſall to the Paip, Thus lauborit thay within few ȝeiris, That thay become no paigis peicis. S • a haiſtelie thay maid ane hand. Sum gadderit gold, ſum conqueiſt land. (Schir) ſum wald ſay, be ſanct Dionis, Geue me ſum fat Benefyis, And all the proffect ȝe ſall haue. Geue me the name, tak ȝow the laue. Bot be his bowis war weill cummit hame, To mak ſeruice he wald think ſchame. Syne ſlip away withouttin more, Qu • en he had gottin, that he ſang fore. Me ch •• ht it was ane preteous thing, To ſe that fair ȝoung tender king, Of quhome thir gallandis ſtude none aw. To play with hym, pluk at the craw. Thay become riche, I ȝow aſſure, Bot ay the Prince remanit pute. Thare wes few of that garniſoun, That lernit hym ane gude leſſoun. Bot ſum to crak, and ſum to clatter. Sum maid the f • le, and ſum did flatter. (Quod ane) the Deuill ſtik me with ane knyfe, Bot ſchir, I knaw ane maid in Fyft, Ane of the luſtieſt wantoun laſſis, Quhar to ſchir, be goddis blude ſcho paſſis, Hald thy toung brother (quod ane vther) I knaw ane faire • be fyftene futher. (Schir) quhen ȝe pleis to Linlithquo pas, Thare ſall ȝe ſe ane luſtie las. Now trutill trattil trow low, (Quod the thrid man) thow dois bot mow, Quhen his grace cummis to fair Stirling, Thare ſall he ſe, ane dayis darling. Schir quod the fourt, tak my counſell, And go all to the hie bordell, Thare may we lowp at liberte Withouttin ony grauite. Thus euery man ſaid for hym ſelf, And did amang thame part the pelf. Bot I (allace) or euer I wyſt, Was trampit doun in to the duſt, With heuy charge withouttin more. Bot I wyſt neuer ȝit quharfore. And haiſtelie before my face, Ane vther ſlippit in my place, Quhilk richelie gat his rewaird. And ſtylit was the Ancient laird. That tyme I mycht mak no defence, Bot tuke perforce in pacience. Prayand to ſend thame ane miſchance, That had the Court in gouernance, The quhilkis aganis me did maling, Contrair the pleſour of the king. For weill I knew his gracis mynd Was euer to me trew and kynd, And contrair thare Intentioun Gart pay me weill my penſioun. Thocht I ane quhyle wantit preſence, He leit me haue no Indigence. Quhen I durſt nother peip nor luke Ȝit wald I hyde me in ane nuke To ſe thoſe vncouth vaniteis. Quhow thay lyke ony beſie beis Did occupy thare goldin houris With help of thare new gouernouris. Bot my complaynt for to compleit, I gat the ſour, and thay the ſweit. Als Ihone Makrery the kingis fule Gat dowvyll garmountis agane the ȝule. Ȝit in his maiſt triumphant glore, For his reward gat the grand glore. Now in the Court ſendill he gois In dreid men ſtramp vpon his tois. As I that tyme durſt nocht be ſene In oppin Court, for baith my Eine. ☞ Allace I haue no tyme to tarie To ſchaw ȝow all the ferie farie. Quhow thoſe that had the gouernance. Amangis thame ſelfis raiſit variance. And quho maiſt to my ſkaith conſentit, Within few ȝeiris ful ſore repentit, Quhen thay could mak me no remeid, For thay war harlit out be the heid, And vtheris tuke the gouerning, Weil wors than thay in alkin thing. Thay Lordis tuke no more regaird, Bot quho mycht purches beſt rewaird. Sum to thare freindis gat beneficeis, And vther ſum gat Biſchopreis. For euery lord, as he thocht beſt, Brocht in ane bird to fill the neſt, To be ane wacheman to his marrow. Thay gan to draw ai the cat harrow. The proudeſt Prelatis of the kirk, Was faine to hyde thame in the mirk That tyme, ſo failȝeit wes thareſicht. Sen ſyne thay may nocht thoſe the licht Of Chriſtis trew Goſpell to be ſene, So blyndit is thair corporall Ene With warldlie luſtis ſenſuall, Taking in realmes the gouernall, Baith gyding court and ſeſſioun. Contrair to thare profeſſioun. Quhare of I think, thay ſuld haue ſchame Of ſpirituall preiſtis to tak the name. For Eſayas, in to his wark, Callis thame lyke Doggis, that can nocht bark, That callit ar preiſtis, and can nocht preiche, Nor Chriſtis law to the peple reiche. Geue for to preiche, bene thare profeſſioun, Quhy ſuld thay mell, with court or Seſſioun? Except it war in ſpirituall thingis. Referring vnto lordis and kingis Temporall cauſis to be decydit. Geue thay thare ſpirituall office gydit, Ilk man mycht ſay, thay did thare partis Bot geue thay can play at the cairtis, And mollet moylie on ane Mule, Thocht thay had neuer ſeue the ſcule, Ȝit at this day, als weill as than Wyll be maid ſic ane ſpirituall man. Princis that ſic prelatis promouis Accompt thareof to geue behouis, Quhilk ſall nocht pas but puniſchement, Without thay mend, and ſore repent, And with dew miniſtratioun Wyrk efter thare vocatioun, I wys that thing quhilk wyll nocht be Thir peruerſt Prelatis ar ſo hic. Frome tyme that thay bene callit lordis, Thay ar occaſioun of diſcordis, And largelie wyll propynis hecht, To gar ilk Lord with vther fecht, Geue for thare part it may auaill. Swa to the purpoſe of my taill, That tyme in Court rais greit debait, And euerilk lord did ſtryue for ſtait, That all the realme micht mak no redding, Quhill on ilk ſyde thare was blude ſchedding. And feildit vther in land and burgh At Linlithgow, Melros, and Edinburgh. Bot to deplore, I think greit pane Of nobyll men, that thare was ſlane. And als langſum to be reportit Of thame quhilk to the Court reſortit. As tyrrannis, tratouris and tranſgreſſouris, And commoun publict plane oppreſſouris. Men murdreiſaris, and commoun theiffis, In to that Court gat all releiffis. Thare was few lordis in all thir landis, Bot tyll new Regentis maid thare bandis Than rais ane reik or euer I wiſt, The quhilk gart all thare bandis briſt. Than thay allone, quhilk had the gyding Thay could nocht keip thare feit frome ſlyding, Bot of thare lyffis thay had ſic dreid, That thay war faine tyll trot ouer Tweid. ☞⚜☜ NOw Potent Prince I ſay to the, I thank the haly Trinite, That I haue leuit to ſe this day, That all that warld is went away, And thow to no man art ſubiectit, Nor to ſic counſalouris coactit. The four greit vertues Cardinallis I ſe thame with the principallis. For Iuſtice haldis hir ſwerd on hie, With hir ballance of Equite. And in this realme has maid ſic ordour, Baith throw the hieland, and the bordour, That Oppreſſioun, and all his fallowis, Ar hang it hich vpon the gallowis. Dame Prudence hes the be the heid And temporance dois thy brydill leid. I ſe Dame Force mak aſſiſtance, Beirand thy Targe of aſſurance, And luſty Lady Chaiſtite Hes baniſchit Senſualite Dame Ryches takis on the ſic cure, I pray God, that ſcho lang indure, That Pouerte dar nocht be ſene In to thy hous, for baith hir Ene, Bot fra thy grace fled mony mylis, Amangis the Hountaris in the Ilis. Diſſimulance dar nocht ſchaw hir face, Quhilk wount was to begyle thy grace. Foly is fled out of the toun, Quhilk ay was contrair to reſſoun. Policie and Peice begynnis to plant, That verieous men can no thing want. And as for ſleuthfull Idle lownis. Sall fetterit be in the Gailȝeownis. Ihone Vponland bene full blyith I trow. Becauſe the ryſche bus, keipis his kow. Swa is thare nocht I vnderſtand, Without gude ordour in this land, Except the ſpiritualite, Pray and thy grace, thareto haue Ee, Cauſe thame mak miniſtratioun Conforme to thare vocatioun. To Precht, with vnfenȝeit intentis. And trewly vſe the Sacramentis Efter Chriſtis Inſtitutionis. Leuing thare vane traditionis, Quhilkis dois the ſillie ſcheip Illude. Quhame for Chriſt Ieſus ſched his blude. As ſuperſtitious pilgramagis, Prayand to grawin Imagis, Expres aganis the Lordis command. I do thy grace tyll vnderſtand, Geue thow to mennis lawis aſſent Aganis the Lordis Commandement, As Ieroboam, and mony mo Princis of Iſraell alſo Aſſentaris to Idolatrie, Quhilkis puniſt war rycht pieteouſlie, And frome thare realmes wer rutit out. So ſall thow be withouttin dout, Baith heir and hyne withouttin more, And want the euerleſting glore. Bot geue thow wyll thyne hart inclyne, And keip his blyſſit law deuyne, As did the faithfull Patriarkis, Boith in thare wordis, and in thare warkis, And as did mony faithfull kingis Of Iſraell during thare ringis, As king Dauid, and Salomone Quha Imagis wald ſuffer none, In thare riche Tempillis for to ſtand, Becauſe it was nocht Goddis command, Bot deſtroy it all Idolatrie As in the Scripture, thow may ſee. Quhoſe riche reward was heuinly blis, Quhilk ſall be thyne, thow do and this. ¶Sen thow hes choſin ſic ane gaird, Now am I ſure, to get rewaird. And ſen thow art the richeſt king, That euer in this realme did ring, Of gold and ſtonis precious, Maiſt prudent and Ingenious. And hes thy honour done auance In Scotland, Ingland, and in France, Be Martiall deidis honorabill, And art tyll euery vertewabill. I wat thy grace nocht miſken me, Bot thow wyll other geue, or len me. ☞Wald thy grace, len me to ane day Of gold, ane thouſand pound, or tway, And I ſall fir with gude intent, Thy grace ane day of payment, With Seillit Obligatioun, Vnder this proteſtatioun, Quhen the Bas, and the Ile of May, Beis ſet vpon the mont Sinay: Quhen the Lowmound beſyde Falkland, Beis liftit to Northumberland: Quhen Kirkmen ȝairnis no dignite, Nor Wyffis no Soueranite: Wynter but froſt, ſnaw, wynd, or rane, Than ſall I geue thy gold agane, Or I ſall mak the payment Efter the day of Iugement, Within ane moneth at the leiſt, Quhen Sanct Peter ſall mak ane feiſt To all the Fiſcharis of Aberladie, Swa thou haue myne Acquittance reddie. Failȝeand thareof, be ſanct Phillane, Thy grace gettis neuer ane grote agane. ¶Giue thow be nocht content of this, I man requeiſt the King of blis, That he to me haue ſum regaird, And cauſe thy grace me to rewaird. For Dauid King of Iſraell, Quhilk was the greit Propheit Royall. Sayis, God hes haill at his command The hartis of Princis in his hand. Ewin as he liſt thame for to turne, That man thay do without ſudgeorne. Sum tyll exalt to dignite. And ſum to depryue in pouerte. Sum tyme of layit men, to mak lordis, And ſum tyme lordis to bind in cordis, And thame alutterlie diſtroy, As pleſis God, that royall Roy. For thow art bot ane Inſtrument To that greit King Omnipotent. So, quhen it pleſis his excellence, Thy grace ſall mak me recompence. Or he ſall cauſe me ſtand content, Of quiet lyfe, and ſober rent. And tak me in my letter age Vnto my ſempyll Hermitage, And ſpend that my Eldaris wun, As did Diogenes in his twn. Of this complaynt with mynd full meik, Thy gracis anſweir (Schir) I beſeik. FINIS. Quod Lyndeſay to the King.
The tragedie of the Vmquhyle maiſt Reuerend Father Dauid be the Mercy of God, Cardinall, and Archebiſchop of Sanctandr • is. &c. Compylit be Schir Dauid Lyndeſay of the mont Knicht, Alias, Lyoun, King of Armes. Mortales Cum Natiſitis, ne ſupra Deum Vos Erexeritis.
☞THE PROLOG. NOCHT Lang ago efter the hour of prime. Secreitly ſitting in myne Oratorie. I tuke ane Buke till occupie the tyme, Quhare I fand mony Tragedie and ſtorie, Quhilk Ihone Boccace, had put in memorie. Quhow mony Princis, Conquerourꝭ ād Kingis War dulefullie depoſit, frome thare ringis. Quhow Alexander, the potent Conquerour In Babilon was poyſonit pieteouſlie. And Iulius, the michtie Emperour Murdreiſt at Rome, cauſles and cruellie. Prudent Pompey, in Egypt ſchamefullie, He murdreiſt was, quhat nedith proces more? Quhoſe Tragedyis, war pietie till deplore. ¶ I ſitting ſo, vpon my Buke reding, Rycht ſuddantlie, a fore me did appeir Ane woundit man, aboundantlie bleiding, With viſage paill, and with ane deidlie their. Semand ane man of two and fiftie ȝeit, In Rayment reid, clothit full curiouſlie, Of weluoit and of Satyn Crammoſie. With febill voce, as man oppreſt with pane, Softlie he maid me ſupplicatioun. Sayand, my freind, go reid, and reid agane, Geue thow can find, be trew Narratioun Of ony pane lyke to my paſſioun. Richt ſure I an ••• at Ihone Boceace on lyue, My Tragedie at lenth he wald deſcryue. Sen he is gone, I pray the tyll indyte Of my Infortune ſum Remembrance. Or at the leiſt, my Tragedie to wryt, As I to the ſall ſchaw the Circumſtance, In termis breue of my vnhappy chance, Sen my beginnyng, tyll my fatall end. Quhilk I wald till all creature wer kend. ¶ I not ſaid I, mak ſic memoriall But of thy name I had Intelligence. I am Dauid, that cairfull Cardinall Quhilk doith appeir (ſaid he) to thy preſence. That vmquhyle had ſo greit preeminence. Than he began, his deidis tyll indyte As ȝe ſall heir, and I began to wryte. ❧ I Dauid Betoun Vmquhyle Cardinall, Of nobill blude, be lyne I did diſcend, During my tyme I had no peregall. Bot now is cum, allace my fatall end. Ay gre, be gre vpwart I did aſcend Swa that in to this realme did neuer ring So greit one man as I, vnder ane king Quhen I was ane ȝoung Ioly gentill man, Princis to ſerue, I ſet my hole intent. Firſt tyll aſcend, at Arbroith I began Ane Abbacie, of greit riches and rent. Of that eſtait, ȝit was I nocht content, To get more ryches, dignite, and glore, My hart was ſet, allace, allace, tharefore. I maid ſic ſeruice tyll our Souerane king, He did Promoue me tyll more hie eſtate. One Prince abufe al preiſtis for til ring, Archebiſchop of Sanctandrois conſecrate. Tyll that honour quhen I was Eleuate, My prydefull hart was nocht content at all, Tyll that I create wes ane Cardinall. Ȝit preiſſit I tyll haue more authorite. And finallie, was choſin Chancellair. And for vphalding of my dignite, Was maid Legate than had I no compair. I purcheſt for my proffect ſingulair, My Boris, and my Threſure tyll auance. The Biſchoprik of Mecepois in France. Of all Scotland, I had the Gouernall, But my a wyfe concludit wes no thing Abbot, Biſchop, Archebiſchop, Cardinall, In to this Realme no hieat culd I ting, Bot I had bene Pape, Empriour, or King. For ſchortnes of the tyme, I am nocht abill At lenth to ſchaw, my actis honorabill. ¶For my moſt Princelie Prodigalite, Amang Prelatis in France I bure the pryſe. I ſchew my Lordlie Liberalite, In Banketting, playing, at cartis and Dyſe. In to ſic wyſedome, I was haldin wyſe. And ſparit nocht to play with king, nor knicht Thre thouſand crownis of gold vpon ane nicht. In France, I maid ſeir honeſt Voyagis, Quhare I did Actis digne of Remembrance. Throuch me war maid Tryūphant Mariagis, Tyll our Souerane boith proffet and pleſance. Quene Magdalene, the firſt Dochter of France, With greit ryches was in to Scotland brocht. That mariage throch my wiſedom it was wrocht Efter quhoſe deith, in France I paſt agane, The ſecunde Quene, homewart I did conuoy. That luſtie Princes, Marie de Lorane, Quhilk wes reſauit with greit triumphe & Ioy. So ſeruit I our richt Redoutit Roy. Sone efter that, Harie of Ingland king Of our Souerane, deſirit ane commoning. Of that meting, our king wes weill content, So that in Ȝork, was ſet boith tyme and place. Bot our Prelatis, nor I, wald neuer conſent, That he ſuld ſe, King Harie in the face, Bot we wer weill content, quhowbeit his grace Had ſaillit the ſey, to ſpeik with ony vther, Except yat king, quhilk was his mother brother. Quhait throch yar roſe, greit weir & mortal ſtryfe Greit heirſchipꝭ, hunger, derth, and deſolatioun. On ather ſyde, did mony loſe thare lyfe, Geue I wald mak ane trew Narratioun, I cauſit all that tribulatioun. For tyll tak peace, I neuer wald conſent, With our the king of france had bene content. Duryng this weir, wartaking preſoneiris, Of nobyll men, fechting full furiouſlie Mony one Lord, Barroun, and Bacheleiris, Quhar throuch our king tuk ſic melancholie, Quhilk draue hym to the deid richt dulcfullie. Extreme Dolour ouirſet did ſo his hart, That frome this lyfe, allace, he did depart. Bot efter that boith ſtrenth & ſpeiche wes leiſit, Ane paper blank, his grace I gart ſubſcryue, In to the quhilk, I wrait all that I pleiſit, Efter his deith, quhilk lang war tyll deſcryue Throuch that writting, I purpoſit belyue, With ſupport of ſum Lordis beneuolence, In this Regioun till haue Preeminence. As for my Lord, our richteous Gouernour, Geue I wald ſchortlie ſchaw the veritie, Till hym I had no maner of fauour, During that tyme, I purpoſit that he Suld neuer cum to none Auctorite. For his ſupport tharefor he brocht amang vs, Furth of Ingland, the nobyll Erle of Angus. Than was I put abak frome my purpoſe, And ſuddandlie caſt in Captiuite, My prydefull hatt to dant, as I ſuppoſe Deuyſit be the hich Diuinite. Ȝit in my hart, ſprang no humylite, Bot now the word of God full weill I knaw, Quho dois exalt hym ſelf, God ſall hym law. In the meine tyme, quhen I was ſo ſubiectit, Ambaſſadouris war ſent in to Ingland. Quhare thay boith peice, and mariage cōtractit. And more ſurelie, for tyll obſerue that band, War promiſt diuers plegis of Scotland. Of that contract, I wes no way content, Nor neuer wald thare to geue my conſent. Tyll Capitanis, that keipit me in waird, Giftis of gold, I gaue thame greit plente Rewlatis of court, I richelie did reward, Quhare throuch I chaipit frome Captiuite. Bot quhen I was fre, at my liberte, Than lyke ane Lyon, lowſit of his Cage. Out throuch this realme, I gan to reil and rage. Contrar the Gouernour, and his companie, Oft tymes maid I inſurrectioun. Purpoſing for till haue hym haiſtelie. Subdewit vnto my correctioun. Or put hym tyll extreme ſubiectioun. Duryng this tyme, geue it war weill decydit, This realme be me was vtterlie deuydit. The Gouernour purpoſing to ſubdew, I raſit ane oiſt of mony bald Barroun, And maid ane raid, quhilk Lithgow ȝit may rew, For we deſtroyit ane myle about the town. For that I gat mony blak maliſoun. Ȝit contrair the Gouernouris intent. With our ȝōng Princes, we to Striuiling went. For hich contemptioun of the Gouernour, I brocht the Erle of Lennox, furth of France. That luſtie Lord, leuand in greit pleſour, Did loſe that land and honeſt Ordinance. Bot he and I, fell ſone at variance. And throch my counſall, was within ſchort ſpace, For faltit and flemit, he gat none vther grace. Than throuch my prudence, practik and ingyne, Our Gouernour I cauſit to conſent Full quyetlie, to my counſall inclyne. Quhare of his Nobilis, war nocht weil content. For quhy, I gurt diſſolue in plane Parliament, The band of peite, contractit with Ingland. Quharthroch c •• e harme, & heirſchip to ſcotlād. That pece brokin, arois new mortall weiris, Be ſey, and land, ſic reif, without releif, Quhilk to report, my frayit hart effeiris, The verite to ſchaw in termis breif, I was the rute, of all that greit miſcheif. The ſouth countre may ſay, it had bene gude, That my Nurice, had ſmorit me in my cude. I wes the cauſe of mekle more miſchance For vphald, of my glore, and dignite, And pleſour of the potent King of france, With Ingland wald I haue no vnite, Bot quho conſidder wald the verite, We micht full weill haue leuit in peice and reſt, Nyne or ten ȝeitis, and than playit louſe or faſt. Had we with Ingland keipit our contrackis, Our nobyll men, had leuit in peice and reſt. Our Merchādis had nocht loſt ſo mony packis, Our commoun peple had nocht bene oppreſt. On ather ſyde, all wrangis had bene redreſt. Bot Edinburgh ſen ſyne, Leith and Kingorne, The day, and hour, may ban that I was borne, Our Gouernour, to mak hym to me ſure, With ſweit, and ſubtell wordis, I did hym ſyle, Tyll I his Sone, and Air, gat in my cure. To that effect I fand that crafty wyle, That he no maner of way • ycht me begyle Than leuch I quhen his liegis did allege, How I his Sone had gottin in to plege. The Erle of Angus, and his Germane brother. I purpoſit, to gar thame loſe thare lyfe. Rycht ſo tyll haue deſtroyit mony vthtr, Sum with the fyre, ſū with the ſword and knyfe. In ſpeciall, mony gentyll men of fyfe. And purpoſit tyll put to greit Torment All fauoreris of the auld, and new Teſtament. Than euery man, thay tuke of me ſic feir, That tyme, quhen I had ſo greit gouernance. Greit Lordis dreiding, I ſuld do thame deir, Thay durſt nocht cum tyll court but aſſurance Sen ſyne thair hes nocht bene ſic variance. Now tyll our Prince Barronis obedientlie, But aſſurance, thay cum full courteſlie. My hope was moſt in to the king of France, To gidder with the Popis holynes. More than in God, my worſchip tyll auance. I traiſtit ſo in to thare gentilnes, That no man durſt preſume me tyll oppres. Bot quhen the day come of my fatall hour, Far was frome me, thare ſupport and ſuccour. Than to preſerue my ryches, and my lyfe, I maid one ſtrenth of wallis hich and braid. Sic ane Fortres wes neuer found in fyfe. Beleuand thare, durſt no man me inuaid. Now fynd I trew the ſaw quhilk Dauid ſaid: Without God of ane hous be maiſter of wark, He wirkis in vane, thocht it be neuer ſo ſtark. For I was throuch the hi • power Deuine, Rycht dulefullie doung doun amang the as, Quhilk culd not be throch mortal mānis ingyne, Bot as Dauid did ſlay the greit Golias, Or Holopherne, be Iudith keillit was In myd amang his triumphant Armie, So was I ſlane in to my cheif Ciete. Quhen I had greiteſt Dominatioun, As Lucifer had in the heuin Empyre, Came ſuddandlie my Depriuatioun. Be thame quhilk did my dolent deith conſpyre. So cruell was thare furious birnand Ire, I gat no tyme, layſer, nor liberte To ſay, ☞ In Manus tuas Domine. ☞BEhald my Fatall Infelicite, I beand in my ſtrenth, Incomparabill, That dreidfull Dungeoun maid me no ſupple, My greit ryches, nor tentis proffitabill, My Syluer work, Iowellis ineſtimabill, My Papall pompe, of gold my ryche threſour, My lyfe and all, I loſt in half ane hour. To the peple wes maid ane Spectakle, Of my deid, and deformit Carioun. Sum ſaid it was ane manifeſt Myrakle. Sum ſaid it was Diuine Punitioun So to be ſlane, in to my ſtrang Doungeoun. Quhen euery man had Iugit as hym liſt, Thay Saltit me, ſyne cloſit me in ane kiſt. I lay vnburyit ſewin monethis and more, Or I was borne, to cloſter, kirk, or queir, In ane midding, quhilk pane bene tyll deplore, Without ſuffrage, of Chanoun, Monk, or freir. All proude Prelatis at me may Leſſonis leir, Quhilk rang ſo lang, and ſo triumphantlie, Syne in the duct doung doun ſo dulefullie.
☞TO THE PRELATIS. O ȝe My Brether Princis of the Preiſtis, I mak ȝow hartly Supplicatioun, Boith nyckt and day reuolue in to ȝour breiſtis The Proces of my Depriuatioun. Conſidder quhat bene ȝour Vocatioun. To follow me, I pray ȝow nocht pretend ȝow, Bot reid at lenth, this Cedull that I ſend ȝow. Ȝe knaw quhow Ieſus his Diſcipulis ſent, Ambaſſadouris till euery Natioun, To ſchaw his law, and his commandement To all peple, by Predicatioun. Tharefor, I mak to ȝow Narratioun, Sen ȝe to thame ar verray Succeſſouris, Ȝe aucht tyll do as did ȝour Predeceſſouris. Quhow dar ȝe be ſo bauld tyll tak on hand, For to be Herraldis to ſo greit ane King, To beir his Meſſage, boith to burgh and land, Ȝe beand dum, and can pronunce no thing. Lyke Menſtralis, that can nocht play nor ſing. Or quhy ſuld men geue to ſic Hirdis hyre, Quhilk can not gyde thare ſcheip about ye myre. Eſchame ȝe nocht to be Chriſtis ſeruitouris, And for ȝour fee, hes greit temporall landis? Syne of ȝour office, can nocht tak the curis, As Cannone Law, & Scripture ȝow cōmandis. Ȝe wyll nocht want, teind ſcheif, nor offerandis, Teynd woll, teind lamb, teind Calf, teind gryce and guſe, To mak ſeruice ȝe ar al out of vſe. My deir brether do nocht as ȝe war wount, Amend ȝour lyfe now, quhill ȝour day Induris. Traiſt weill ȝe ſall, be callit to ȝour count Of euerilk thyng, belanging to ȝour curis. Leif haſartrie, ȝour harlottie, and huris, Remembring on my vnprouiſit deid. For efter deith, may no man mak remeid. Ȝe Prelatꝭ quhilkꝭ hes thouſandis for to ſpend, Ȝe ſend ane ſempyll freir, for ȝow to preiche, It is ȝour craft, I mak it to ȝow kend. Ȝour ſelfis, in ȝour Templis for to preiche, Bot ferlie nocht, thocht ſyllie freiris fleiche, For and thay planelie, ſchaw the verite, Than wyll thay want the Biſchopis cherite. Quharefor bene gewin ȝow ſic Royall rent? Bot for tyll fynd the peple Spirituall fude, Preichand to thame, the auld & new Teſtament, The law of God, doith planelie ſo conclude, Put nocht ȝour hope in to no warldlie gude, As I haue done, behauld my greit threſour, Maid me no help at my vnhappie hour. That day quhen I was Biſchop conſecrait, The greit Byble, wes bound vpon my bak. Quhat wes tharein, lytle I knew God wait, More than ane beiſt, berand ane precious pak. Bot haiſtelie, my conuenant I brak For I wes obliſſit with my awin conſent. The law of God to preiche with gude intent. ¶Brether richt ſo quhen ȝe wer conſecrait Ȝe obliſſit ȝow all on the ſamyn wyſe Ȝe may be callit Biſchoppis countrefait, As Gallandis buſkit for to mak ane gyſe. Now think I Prineis, ar no thing to pryſe, Tyll geue ane famous office tyll ane fule, As quho wald put ane Myter on ane Mule. Allace, and ȝe that ſorrowfull ſicht had ſene, Quhow I lay bullerand, bathit in my blude, To mend ȝour lyfe, it had occaſioun bene And leif ȝour auld, corruptit conſwetude. Failȝeing thare of, than ſchortlie I conclude, Without ȝe frome ȝour ribaldrie aryſe, Ȝe ſall be ſeruit, on the ſamyn wyſe.
❧TO THE PRINCIS. ¶Imprudent Princis but diſcretioun Hauyng in eirth power Imperiall, Ȝe bene the cauſe of this Tranſgreſſioun. I ſpeik to ȝow all in to generall, Quhilk doith diſpone all office ſpirituall, Geuand the ſaulis, quhilkꝭ bene Chriſtis ſcheip, To blind Paſtouris but conſcience to keip. Quhen ȝe Princis doith laik ane officiar, Ane Baxter, Browſter, or ane maiſter Cuke, Ane trym Tailȝeour, ane cunnyng Cordynar, Ouir all the land, at lenth ȝe wyll gar luke, Moſt abill men, ſic officis tyll bruke. Ane Browſter, quhilk can brew moſt hoilſū aill, Ane cūnyng Cuke, quhilk beſt can ſeſſoun caill. Ane Tailȝeour quhilk hes foſterit bene in frāce, That can mak garmentis on the gayeſt gyſe. Ȝe Princis bene the cauſe of this miſchance, That quhen thare doith vaik ony benefyſe, Ȝe aucht tyll do vpon the ſamyn wyſe. Ga • ſerche, and ſeik, baith in to burgh and land, The law of God quho beſt can vnderſtand. Mak hym Biſchop that prudentlie can preiche, A • dois pertene tyll his vocatioun. Ane ••• ione, quhilk his Pariſchoun can teiche. Ga • V • caris mak dew Miniſtratioun. And als I mak ȝow ſupplicatioun, Mak ȝour Abbottis of richt Religious men, Quhilk to the peple Chriſtis law can ken. Bot not to rebaldis, new cum frome the roſt. Nor of ane ſtuffat, ſtollin out of ane ſtabill, The quhilk in to the ſcule maid neuer na coſt, Nor neuer was tyll Spirituall ſcience abill, Except the cartis, the dyce, the ches, and tabill, Of Rome raikeris, nor of rude Ruffianis, Of calſay Paikeris, nor of Publicanis. Nor of Fantaſtike▪ fenȝeit flatteraris, Moſt meit to gather muſſillis in to May. Of Cowhubeis, nor ȝit of clatteraris, That in the kirk, can nother ſing nor ſay Thocht thay be clokit vp i • Clerkis array, Lyke doitit Doctoris new cum out of Athenis. And mūmyll ouer ane pair of maig • t matenis. Nocht qualifyit, to bruke ane Benefyis, Bot throuch ſchir Symonis ſoliſtatioun. I was promouit on the ſamyn wyis, Allace throuch Princis ſupplicatioun. And maid at Rome throuch fals Narratioun, Biſchop, Abbot, bot no Religious man. Quho me promouit, I now thare banis 〈◊〉 Quhowbeit I was Legate, and Cardinall, Lytle I knew, tharein quhat ſuld be done I vnderſtude no ſcience ſpirituall, No more than did blind Alane of the mone. I dreid the king that ſittith hich aboue, On ȝow Princis ſall mak ſore puniſchement, Rycht ſo on vs throuch richteous Iugement. On ȝow Princis for vndiſcreit geuing, Tyll Ignorantis, ſic officis tyll vſe. And we, for our Inoportune aſking, Quhilk ſuld haue done ſic dignite refuſe. Our Ignorance, hes done the warld abuſe Throuch Couetice of riches, and of rent. That euer I was ane Prelate I repent. O Kingis mak ȝe no cair to geue in cure, Virginis profeſt in to Religioun, In tyll the keiping of ane commoun hure? To mak think ȝe nocht greit deriſioun, Ane woman Perſone of ane Pariſoun? Quhare thare bene two thouſand ſaulis to gyde, That frome harlottis can not hir hippis hyde. Quhat and king Dauid leuit in thir dayis, Or out of heuin quhat and he lukit down, The quhilk did found ſo mony fair Abbayis? Seand the greit Abhominatioun In mony abbayis, of this Natioun, He wald repent that Narrowit ſo his boundis, Of ȝeirly rent, thre ſcore of thouſand poundis. Quharfore I counſall euerilk Chriſtiane king, Within his realme mak Reformatioun And ſuffer no mo Rebaldis, for to ring, Abufe Chriſtis trew Congregatioun. Failȝeing thareof I mak Narratioun, That ȝe Princis, and Prelatis all at onis, Sall bureit be in hell, Saule, blude, and bonis. ¶That euer I brukit Benefice I rew, Or to ſic hicht ſo proudely did pretend. I man depart, tharefor my freindis adew, Quhare euer it pleſith God, now man I wend. I pray the till my freindis me Recommend, And failȝe nocht at lenth, to put in wryte My Tragedie, as I haue done Indyte.
FINIS.
The deploratioun of The Deith of Quene Magdalene. ☞ ✚ ☜ O Cruell Deith, to greit is thy puiſſance Deuorar of all erthlie leuyng thingis Adam, we may the wyit of this miſchāce In thy default, this cruell tyrane ringis And ſpairis nother Empryour nor Kingis. And now allace hes reft furth of this land The flour of France, and confort of Scotland. ¶Father Adam allace that thow abuſit Thy fre wyll, being Inobedient, Thow cheſit Deith, and leſting lyfe refuſit, Thy Succeſſioun allace, that may repent That thow hes maid mankynd ſo Impotent, That it may mak to Deith, no reſiſtance. Exemple of our Quene, the flour of France. O dreidfull Dragoun, with thy dulefull dart, Quhilk did nocht ſpair, of Feminine the flour, Bot cruellie did pers hir throuch the hart, And wald nocht giue hir reſpite for ane hour, To remane with hir Prince, and Paramour, That ſcho at laiſer, mycht haue tane licence, Scotland on the, may cry ane loud vengeance. Thow leit Mathuſalem, leif nine houndreth ȝeir Thre ſcore and nyne, bot in thy furious rage. Thow did deuore, this ȝoung Princes but peir, Or ſcho was compleit, ſeuintene ȝeir of age, Gredie gorman, quhy did thow nocht aſſwage, Thy furious rage, contrair that luſtie Quene, Tyll we ſum fruct, had of hir bodie ſene. O Dame Nature, thow did no diligence, Contrair this theif quhilk al ye warld cōfoundis. Had thow with naturall targis maid defence, That brybour had nocht cūmit wtin hir boundis, And had bene ſauit frome ſic mortall ſtoundis, This mony ane ȝeir bot quhair was thy diſcretion That leit hir pas, til we had ſene ſucceſſion. ☞ O Venus, with thy blynd ſone Cupido, Fy on ȝow baith, that maid no reſiſtance, In to ȝour Court, ȝe neuer had ſic two. So leill Luffaris without diſſimulance. As Iames the Fift, and Magdalene of France, Diſcending boith of blude Imperiall, To quhome in lufe, I find no perigall. ☞For as Leander ſwame outthrow the flude, To his fair Lady Hero, mony nichtis, So did this prince, throw bulryng ſtremis wode With Erlis, baronis, ſquyaris, & with knichtis, Contrair Neptune, and Gol and thare michtis, And left his Realme in greit diſeſperance, To ſeik his Lufe, the firſt Dochter of France. And ſcho lyke prudent Quene Penelope, Ful cōſtantlie wald change hym for none vther, And for his pleſour, left hir awin countre, Without regard, to Father or to Mother, Takyng no cure of Siſter, nor of Brother, Bot ſchortlie tuke hir leif, and left thame all, For lufe of hym, to quhome lufe maid hir thrall. O dame Fortune quhare was thy greit confort, Till hir to quhome thow was ſo fauorable, Thy ſlyding gyftis, maid hir no ſupport, Hir hie ſynage, nor Riches intellible, I ſe thy puiſſance bene bot variable, Quhen hir father the moſt hie criſtinit King, Till his deir Chyld, mycht mak no ſupporting. The potent Prince, hir luſtie lufe and knicht, With his moſt hardie Noblis of Scotland, Contrair that bailfull bribour had no micht, Thocht all the men had bene at his command, Of France, Flanderis, Italie, and Ingland, With fiftie thouſand Millioun of treſour, Mycht nocht prolong that Ladyis lyfe ane hour. O Paris of all Citeis principall, Quhilk did reſaue our Prince with laud & glorie Solempnitlie throw Arkis triumphall Quhilk day bene digne to put in memorie. For as Pompey efter his Victorie, Was in to Rome, reſauit with greit Ioy, So thow reſauit, our richt redoutit Roy. Bot at his Mariage maid vpon the morne, Sic ſolace, and Solempnizatioun, Was neuer ſene afore, ſen Chriſt was borne, Nor to Scotland ſic conſolatioun, Thare ſelit was, the confirmatioun, Of the weill keipit ancient alliance, Maid betuix Scotlād, and the realme of france, I neuer did ſe, one day more glorious So mony in ſo riche abilȝementis, Of Silk and gold, with ſtonis precious, Sic Banketting, ſic ſound of Inſtrumentis, With ſang, and dance, & Martiall tornamentis, Bot lyke ane ſtorme, efter ane pleſand morrow, Sone was our ſolace, changit in to ſorrow. O traytour deith, quhom none may contramand, Thow mycht haue ſene, the preparatioun, Maid be the thre Eſtaitis of Scotland, With greit confort, and conſolatioun In euerilk Ciete, Caſtell, Toure, and Town, And how ilk Nobill, ſet his hole intent To be excellent in Habilȝement. Theif, ſaw thow nocht, the greit preparatiuis, Of Edinburgh, the Nobill famous toun, Thow ſaw the peple, labouring for thare lyuis, To mak triumphe, with trump and Clarioun, Sic pleſour was neuer in to this Regioun As ſuld haue bene, the day of hir entrace, With greit propynis, geuin till hir grace. Thow ſaw makand rycht coſtlie ſcaffalding, Depayntit weill, with Gold and aſure fyne, Reddie preparit, for the vpſetting, With Fontanis flowing, watter cleir and wyne, Diſagyſit folkis, lyke Creaturis deuyne, On ilk ſcaffold, to play ane ſyndrie ſtorie, Bot all in greiting, turnit thow that glorie. Thow ſaw mony ane luſtie freſche galland, Weill ordourit for reſauing of thair Quene, Ilk Craftiſman with bent bow in his hand, Full galȝeartlie in ſchort clething of grene, The honeſt Burges, cled thow ſuld haue ſene, Sum in ſcarlot, and ſum in claith of grane, For till haue met thare Lady Souerane. Proueſt, Baillies, and lordis of the toun, The Senatouris in ordour conſequent, Cled in to Silk of Purpure blak and brown, Syne the greit Lordis of the Parliament, With mony knychtlie Barroun, and baurent, In Silk and Gold, in colouris conſortable, Bot thow allace, all turnit in to ſable. Syne all the Lordis of Religioun, And Princes of the preiſtis venerable, Full pleſandlie in thare Proceſſioun, With all the cunnyng Clerkis honorable, Bot thiftuouſlie thow Tyrane treſonable, All thare greit ſolace, and Solempniteis, Thow turnit in till dulefull Dirigeis. Syne nixt in Ordour paſſing throw the toun, Thow ſuld haue hard the din of Inſtrumentis, Of Tabrone, Trumpet, Schalme, & Clarioun, With reird redoundand throw the Elementis, The Herauldis, with thare awfull Veſtimentis, With Maſeris, vpon ather of thare handis, To rewle the preis, with burneiſt ſiluer wandis. Syne laſt of all in Ordour triumphall, That moſt Iliuſter Princes honorable, With hir the luſtie Ladyis of Scotland, Quhilk ſuld haue bene, anie ſycht moſt delectable Hir rayment to rehers, I am nocht able, Of Gold and perle, and precious ſtonis brycht Twynkling lyke ſterris in ane froſtie nycht. Vnder ane Pale of gold, ſcho ſuld haue paſt, Be Burgeſſis borne, clothie in ſilkis fyne, The greit Maiſter of houſhold all thare laſt. With hym in ordour all the Kingis tryne, Quhais ordinance, war langſum to defyne. On this maner, ſcho paſſing throw the toun. Suld haue reſauit mony beniſoun, Of Virginis, and of luſtie burges wylffis, Quhilk ſuld haue bene, ane ſycht celeſtiall. Viue la Royne, cryand for thare lyiffis, With ane Harmonious ſound Angelicall, In euerilk corner, myrthis Muſicall, Bot thow tyrane, in quhome is found no grace, Our Alleluya, hes turnit in allace. Thow ſuld haue hard, the ornate Oratouris, Makand hir hienes Salutatioun, Boith of the Clergy, toun and counſalouris, With mony Notable Narratioun, Thow ſuld haue ſene hir Coronatioun, In the fair Abbay of the Holy rude, In preſence of ane myrthfull multitude. Sic Banketing, ſic aufull Tornamentis, On hors & fute, that tyme quhilk ſuld haue bene, Sic Chappell Royall, with ſic Inſtrumentis, And craftie Muſick, ſinging frome the ſplene, In this countre, was neuer hard nor ſene, Bot all this greit ſolempnite and gam, Turnit thow hes, In Requiem aeternam. Inconſtant warld, thy freindſchip I defy; Sen ſtrenth, nor wiſdome riches nor honour Vertew nor bewtie, none may certefy, Within thy boundis, for to remane ane hour, Quhat valith to the king or Empryour, Sen pryncely puiſſance, may nocht be exemit, Frō Deith, quhoſe dolour can nocht be expremit. Sen man in erth, hes na place permanent. Bot all mon paſſe, be that horrible port, Lat vs pray to the Lord Omnipotent, That dulefull day, to be our greit comfort, That in his Realme, we may with hym reſort, Quhilkꝭ from ye hell, wt his blude ranſonit bene, With Magdalene, vmquhyle of ſcotlād Quene. O Deith, thocht thow the bodie may deuore Of euery man, ȝit hes thow no puiſſance, Of thare vertew, for to conſume the glore, As ſalbe ſene, of Magdalene of France, Vmquhyle our quene, quhom Poetis ſal auance And put hir in perpetuall memorie, So ſail hir fame, of the haue Victorie. Thocht thou hes ſlane ye heuinly flour of France Quhilk Impit was, in to the Chriſſill kene, Quharein all Scotland ſaw thair hail pleſance, And maid the Lyoun reioyſit frome the ſplene, Thocht rute be pullit frome the leuis grent, The ſmell of it, ſall in diſpyte of the, Keip ay twa Realmes, in Peice and Amite. Quod Lindeſay.
The Anſwer quhilk ſchir Dauid Lindeſay maid to ye Kingis Flyting. ☞✚☜ REdoutit Roy, ȝour ragment I haue red, Quhilk dois perturb my dull Intendemēt. From ȝour flyting, wald God, yt I wer fred. Or ellis ſum Tygerris toung wer to me lent. Schir, pardone me, thocht I be Impacient, Quhilk bene ſo wt ȝour prunȝeand pen detractit, And rude report, frome Venus Court deiectit. Luſtie Ladyis, that ȝour Libellis lukis My cumpanie, dois hald abhominable, Commandand me beir cumpanie to the Cukis, Moiſt lyke ane Deuill, thay hald me deteſtable. Thay banis me ſayand, I am nocht able Thame to compleis, or preis to thare preſence. Apon ȝour pen, I cry ane loud vengeance, Wer I ane Poeit, I ſuld preis with my pen To wreik me on ȝour wennemous wryting. Bot I man do, as dog dois in his den, Fald baith my feit, or fle faſt frome ȝour flyting. The mekle Deuil may nocht indure ȝour dyting. Quhare for, Cor mundum crea in me, I cry, Proclamand ȝow, the Prince of Poetry. Schir with my Prince, pertenit me nocht to pley. Bot ſen ȝour grace, hes geuin me ſic command, To mak anſwer, it muſt neidis me obey, Thocht ȝe be now ſtrang lyke ane Elephand, And in till Venus werkis maiſt vailȝeand, The day wyll cum, and that within few ȝeiris, That ȝe wyll draw at laiſer with ȝour ferris. Quhat can ȝe ſay forther, bot I am tailȝeit In Venus werkis, I grant ſchir, that is trew. The tyme hes bene, I wes better artailȝeit, Nor I am now, bot ȝit full fair I rew, That euer I did Mouth thankles ſo perſew. Quhare for tak tent, and ȝour fyne powder ſpair. And waiſt it nocht, bot gyf ȝe wit weill quhair. Thocht ȝe rin rudelie, lyke ane reſtles Ram, Schutand ȝour bolt, at mony ſindrie ſchellis, Beleif richt weill, it is ane bydand gam. Quharefore bewar, with dowbling of the bellis, For mony ane dois haiſt thair awin ſaule knellis. And ſpeciallie, quhen that the well gois dry, Syne can nocht get agane, ſic ſtufe to by. I giue ȝour counſale, to the feynd of hell, That wald nocht of ane Princes ȝow prouide. Tholand ȝow rin ſchutand frome ſchell to ſchell, Waiſtand ȝour corps, leitand the tyme ouerſlyde For lyke ane boiſteous Bull, ȝe rin and ryde Royatouſlie lyke ane rude Rubeatour, Ay fukkand lyke ane furious Fornicatour. On Ladronis for to loip, ȝe wyll nocht lat, Howbeit the Caribaldis cry, the corinoch. Remember how beſyde the maſking fat, Ȝe caiſt ane quene, ov er thort ane ſtinking troch That feynd with fuffilling of hir roiſtit hoch, Caiſt doun the fat, quharthrow drink draf & iuggis Come rudely rinnād dōn about ȝour luggis. Wald God the Lady that luffit ȝow beſt Had ſene ȝow thair ly ſwetterand lyke twa ſwyne. Bot to indyte how that duddroun wes dreſt, Drowkit wt dreggꝭ, quhimpecād wt mony quhryne, That proces to report, it wer ane pyne. On ȝour behalf, I thank God tymes ten ſco • e, That ȝow preſeruit, frō gut, & frome grandgore. Now ſchir fairweill, becauſe I can nocht flyte. And thocht I could, I wer nocht tyll auance, Aganis ȝour ornate Meter to indyte. Bot ȝit be war, with lawbouring of ȝour lance. Sū ſayis thare cūmis ane bukler furth of france. Quhilk wyll indure ȝour dintis, thocht thay be dour Fairweill of flowand Rethorik ye flour. Quod Lindeſay in his flyting Aganis the Kingis dyting.
The Complaint and Publiet Confeſſioun of the Kingis auld Hound, callit Bagſche, directit to Bawte, the Kingis beſt belouit Dog, and his Companȝeonis. Maid at Command of King Iames the Fyft, be Schit Dauid Lindeſay of the Mont Knycht, Alias, Lyoun king of Armes. &c. ALlace, quhome to ſuld I complayne In my extreme Neceſſitie. Or quhameto ſall I mak my maine, In Court na Dog wyll do for me. Beſeikand ſum for Cherite To beir my Supplicatioun, To Scudlar, Luffra, and Bawte. Now or the King pas of the toun. I haue followit the Court ſo lang, Quhill in gude faith I may no mair. The Countre knawis I may nocht gang, I am ſo crukit, auld, and ſair, That I wait nocht quhare to repair. For quhen I had authorite, I thocht me ſo familiar, I neuer dred neceſſite. I rew the race that Geordie Steill Brocht Bawte to the kingis preſence. I pray God lat hym neuer do weill, Sen ſyne I gat na audience. For Bawte now gettis ſic credence, That he lyis on the Kingis nycht goun. Quhare I perforce for my offence, Man in the clois ly lyke ane loun. For I haif bene ay to this hour, Ane witrear of lamb and hog, Ane tyrrane, and ane Tulȝeour, Ane murdreiſſar of mony ane dog. Fyue foullis I chaiſt outthroch ane ſcrog, Quharefor thare motheris did me warie. For thay war drownit all in ane bog. Speir at Ihone Gordoun of Pittarie. Quhilk in his hous did bryng me vp, And vſit me to ſlay the deir. Sweit milk and meill he gart me ſup, That craft I leirnit ſone perqueir. All vther vertew ran arreir, Quhen I began to bark and flyte. For thare was nother Monk nor freir, Nor wyfe nor barne, bot I wald byte. Quhen to the King the care was knawin Of my vnhappy hardines, And all the ſuth vnto hym ſchawin How euerilk dog, I did oppres, Than gaue his grace command expres, I ſuld be brocht to his preſence. Nochtwithſtanding my wickitnes, In Court I gat greit audience. ☞ I ſchew my greit Ingratitude To the Capitane of Badzeno, Quhilk in his hous did find me fude Two ȝeir with vther houndis mo. Bot quhen I ſaw that it was ſo, That I grew hich into the Court, For his reward I wrocht hym wo And cruellie I did hym hurt. So thay that gaue me to the King, I was thare mortall Enemie. I tuke cure of na kynd of thing Bot pleis the Kingis Maieſtie. Bot quhen he knew my crueltie, My falſet and my plane oppreſſioun, He gaue command that I ſuld be Hangit without confeſſioun. And ȝit becauſe that I was auld, His grace thocht petie for to hang me, Bot leit me wander quhare I wald, Than ſet my fais for to fang me. And euery bouchour dog doun dang me. Quhen I trowit beſt to be ane laird, Than in the court ilk wicht did wrang me. And this I gat for my rewaird. I had wirreit blak Makeſoun, Wer nocht that rebaldis come and red. Bot he was flemit of the toun, Frome tyme the King ſaw how I bled. He gart lay me vpon ane bed, For with ane knife I was miſcheuit. This Makeſoun for feir he fled Ane lang tyme or he was releuit. And Patrik Striuiling in Ergyle, I bure hym bakwart to the ground. And had hym ſlane within ane quhyle, Wat nocht the helping of ane hound. Ȝit gat he mony bludie wound, As ȝit his ſkyn wyll ſchaw the markis, Find me ane Dog, quhate euer ȝe found Hes maid ſa mony bludie ſarkis. Gude brother Lanceman, Lyndeſayis dog, Quhilk ay hes keipit thy laute, And neuer wirryit lamb nor hog, Pray Luffra, Scudlar, and Baute, Of me Bagſche, to haue pitie, And prouide me ane portioun In Dumfermeling, quhare I may dre Pennance for my extortioun. Get be thare Soliſtatioun Ane letter frome the kingis grace, • hat I may haue Collatioun, With fyre and Candil in the place. Bot I wyll leif ſchort tyme, allace, Want I gude freſche fleſche for my gammis, Betuix Aſwedniſday and Paice, I man haue leue to wirrie Lamhis. Baute conſidder weill this bill, And reid this Cedul • that I ſend ȝow. And euerilk poynt thareof fulfill, And now in tyme of mys amend ȝow. I pray ȝow that ȝe nocht pretend ȝow To clym ouer hie, nor do na wrang. Bot frome ȝour fais, with richt defend ȝow, And tak exemple quhow I gang. I was that na man durſt cum neir me, Nor put me furth of my lugeing. Na dog duiſt fra my Denner ſker me, Quhen I was tender with the king. Now euerilk tyke dois me doun thring, The quhilk before, be me war wrangit, And ſweris I ſerue na vther thing, Bot in ane helter to be hangit. Thocht ȝe b • hamelie with the King, Ȝe Luffra, Scudlar, and Bawte, Be wat that ȝe do nocht doun thring Ȝour nychtbouris throw authorite. And ȝour exemple mak be me, And beleif weill ȝe at bot doggis. Thocht ȝe ſtand in the hieſt gre, Se ȝe byte nother lambs nor hoggis. Thocht ȝe haue now greit audience, Se that be ȝow, be nane oppreſt. Ȝe • ylbe puniſchit for ȝour offence, Frome tyme the king be weill confeſt, Thare is na dog that hes tranſgreſt Throw cruelte, and he may fang hym, His Maieſte wyll tak no reſt, Tyll on ane gallous he gat hang hym. I was anis als far ben as ȝe ar And had in Court als greit credence, And ay pretendit to be hiear. Bot quhen the Kingis excellence, Did knaw my falſer and offence, And my prydefull preſumptioun, I gat none vther recompence, Bot hoyit, and houndit of the toun. Wes neuer ſa vnkynd ane corce As quhen I had authorite. Of my freindis I tuke na force, The quhilkis afore had done for me, This Prouerb, it is of verite, Quhilk I hard red in tyll ane letter, Hieſt in Court, nixt the weddie, Without he gyde hym all the better. I tuke na mair compt of ane Lord, Nor I did of ane keiching knaif. Thocht euerilk day I maid diſcord, I was ſet vp abone the laif. The gentill hound was to me ſlaif. And with the Kingis a win fingeris fed. The ſillie raichis wald I raif, Thus for my euill deidis wes I dred. Tharefor Bawte luke beſt about, Quhen thow art hieſt with the King. For than thow ſtandis in greiteſt dout, Be thow nocht gude of gouerning. Put na pure tyke frome his ſteiding, Nor ȝit na ſillie Ratchis raif. He ſittis aboue that ſeis all thing, And of ane knicht can mak ane knaif. Quhen I come ſteppand ben the flure, All Rachis greit roume to me red. I of na creature tuke cure, Bot lap vpon the kingis bev, With claith of gold, thocht it wer ſpred, For feir ilk freik wald ſtand on far. With euerilk Dog, I was ſo dred Thay trimblit quhen thay hard me nar. Gude brother Bawte beir the euin, Thocht with thy Prince, thow be potent. It cryis ane vengeance frome the heuin, For till oppres ane Innocent. In welth be than moſt vigilent, And do na wrang to dog nor beiche, As I haue, quhilk I now repent. Na Meſſane reif, to mak the riche. Nor for augmenting of thy boundis Aſk no reward, ſchit at the king. Quhilk may do hurt to vther houndis, Expres aganis Goddis bidding. Chais na pure tyke frome his midding, Throw caſt of Court, or kingis requeiſt. And of thy ſelf, preſume no thing, Except thow art ane brutall beiſt. Traiſt weill thare is none oppreſſour, Nor boucheour dog drawer of blude, Ane Tyrrane, nor ane tranſgreſſour, That ſall now of the King get gude, Frome tyme furth, that his Celſitude Dois cleirlie knaw the verite, Bot he is flemit for to conclude, Or hangit hich vpon ane tre. Thocht ȝe be cuplit all to gidder With ſilk, and ſwoulis of ſyluer fyne. Ane Dog may cum furth of Balquhidder, And gar ȝow leid ane l • wer tryne. Than ſal ȝour pleſour, turne in pyne, Quhen ane ſtrange hounter blawis his horne. And all ȝour treddingis gar ȝow tyne, Than ſall ȝour laubour be forlorne. I ſay no more gude freindis, adew, In dreid we neuer meit agane. That euer I kend the Court, I rew. Wes neuer wycht ſo will of wane. Lat no Dog now ſerue our Souerane, Without he be of gude conditioun. Be he peruerſt, I tell ȝow plane, He hes neid of ane gude Remiſſioun. That I am on this way miſcheuit, The Erle of Hountlie I may warie. He wend I had bene weill releuit, Quhen to the Court, he gart me carie. Wald God I wa • now in Pittarie, Becauſe I haue bene ſo euill dedie, Adew, I dar no langer tarie. In dreid, I waif in till ane wyddie. FINIS.
Ane Suplication directit frome Schir Dauid Lyndeſay Knicht, to the Kingis grace, in Contemptioun of ſyde Taillis. SChir, thocht ȝour grace hes put gret ordour Baith in the Hieland and the Bordour, Ȝit mak I Supplicatioun, Tyll haue ſum Reformatioun, Of ane ſmall fa • t, quhilk is nocht Treſſoun. Thocht it be contrarie to Reſſoun. Becauſe the Water bene ſo vyle, It may nocht haue ane Oruate • yle. Quharefor I pray ȝour Excellence, To heir me with greit Pacience, Of ſtink and weidis maculate No man may mak ane Rois Chaiplat. Souerane, I mene of thir ſyde taillis, Qu • ilk throw the duſt and dubbis traillis, Th • e quarteris lang behind thare heillis, Expres agane all Comoun weillis. Thocht Biſchoppis in thare pontificallis, Haue men for to bei • vp thare taillis, For dignite of thare office. Rychtſo ane Quene, or ane Emprice, Howbeit thay vſe ſic grauite, Comformand to thare Maieſte. Thocht thare Rob Royallis be vpborne, I think it is ane verray ſcorne, That euery Lady of the land, Suld haue hir taill ſo ſyde trailland, Howbeit thay bene of hie eſtait, The Quene thay ſuld nocht counterfait. Quhare euer thay go, it may be ſene, How kirk, and calſay thay ſoup clene. The Imagis in to the kirk, May think of thare ſyde tailis Irk, For quhen the wedder bene moſt fair, The duſt fleis hieſt in the air, And all thare facis dois begarie. Giue thay culd ſpeik, thay wald thame warie. To ſe I think ane pleſand ſicht, Of Italie the Ladyis bricht, In thare clething moſt triumphand, Aboue all vther chriſtin land. Ȝit quhen thay trauell throw the townis, Men ſeis thare feit beneth thare gownis, Four Inche abone thare proper heillis Circulat about als round as quheillis. Quhare throw thare dois na poulder ryis, Thare fait quhyte lymmis to ſuppryis. Bot I think maiſt abuſioun, To ſe men of Religioun, Gar beir thare taillis throw the ſtreit, That folkis may behald thare feit. I trow ſanct Bernard, nor ſanct Blais, Gart neuer man beir vp thare clais. Peter, nor Paule, nor ſanct Androw, Gart neuer beir vp thare taillis I trow, Bot I lauch beſt to ſe ane Nwn, Gar beit hir taill abone hir bwn, For no thing ellis as I ſuppois, Bot for to ſchaw hir lillie quhyte hois. In all thare Rewlis, thay will nocht find, Quha ſuld beir vp thair taillis behind. Bot I haue maiſt in to deſpyte, Pure Claggokis cled in roiploch quhyte, Quhilk hes ſkant twa markis for thare feis, Wyll haue twa ellis beneth thare kneis. Kit, tok that clekkit wis ȝiſtrene, The morne wyll counterfute the Quene. Ane murcland Meg that mylkit the ȝowis, Claggit with clay abone the howis, In barn, nor byit, ſcho wyll nocht byde, Without hir kirtyll taill be ſyde, In Burtowis wantoun burges wyiffis, Quha may haue ſydeſt taillis ſtryiffis, Weill bordourit with Veluoit fyne, Bot following thame it is ane pyne. In Somer quhen the ſtreitis dryis, Thay rais the duſt abone the ſkyis. None may go neir thame at thare eis, Without thay couer mouth and neis, Frome the powder, to keip thare ene. Conſider giue thare Cloiffis be clene. Betuixt thare cleuing, and thare kneis, Quha mycht behald thare ſweitie theis, Begairit all with dirt, and duſt, That wer a • euch to ſtanche the luſt Of ony man that ſaw thame naikit. I think ſic giglottis ar bot glaikit, Without profite to haue ſic pryde, Harland thare claggit taillis ſo ſyde. I wald thay borrowſtounis barnis had breikkis To keip ſic miſt fra Malkinnis cheikkis. I dreid rouch Malkin de for drouth, Quhen ſic dry duſt blawis in hir mouth. I think maiſt pane, efter ane rane, To ſe thame towkit vp agane. Than quhen thay ſtep furth throw the ſtreit. Thare faldingis flappis about thair feit. Thare laithlie lyning furthwart flypit, Quhilk hes the muk, and midding wypit. Thay waiſt more claith within few ȝeitis. Nor wald cleith fyftie ſcore of freitis. Quhen Marioun frome the midding gois, Frome hir morne turne, ſcho ſtrypit the nois. And all the day quhare euer ſcho go, Sic liquour ſcho likkith vp alſo. The Turcumis of hir taill I trow. Mycht be ane ſupper till ane ſow. I ken ane man, quhilk ſwoir greit aithis. How he did lift ane Kittokis claithis, And wald haue done, I wait nocht quhat. Bot ſone remeid of lufe he gat. He thocht na ſchame to mak it wittin, How hir ſyde taill was all beſchittin, Of filth ſic flewer ſtraik till his hart, That he behouit for till depart. (Quod ſcho) ſweit ſchir, me think ȝe rew, (Quod he) ȝour taill makis ſic ane ſlew, That be ſanct Brybe, I may nocht byde it, Ȝe war nocht wyſe, that wald nocht hyde it, Of Caillis I wyll no more Indyte, For dreid ſum Duddroun me deſpyte. Nocht withſtanding, I wyll conclude, That of ſyde Taillis can cum na gude. Syder nor may thare hanclethis hyde, The remanent, proceidis of pryde. And Pryde proceidis of the Deuill. Thus alway thay proceid of euill. ☞Ane vther fault Schir, may be ſene, Thay hyde thare face all bot the ene. Quhen gentill men biddis thame gude day, Without Reuerence thay ſlyde away. That none may knaw, I ȝow aſſure, Ane honeſt woman be ane hure. Without thare naikit face I ſe, Thay get no mo gude dayis of me Hails ane Frence Lady quhen ȝe pleis, Scho wyll diſcouer mouth, and neis. And with ane humill countenance, With Viſage bair mak reuerence. Quhen our Ladyis dois ryde in rane, Suld no man haue thame at diſdane, Thocht thay be couerit mouth and neis. In that cace thay wyll nane diſpleis. Nor quhen thay go to quiet places, I thame excuſe to hyde thare facis, Quhen thay wald mak Collatioun, With any luſtie Companȝeoun, Thocht thay be hid than to the ene, Ȝe may conſidder quhat I mene. Bot in the kirk, and market placis, I think thay ſuld nocht hide thare facis. Without thir faltis be ſone amendit, My flyting, ſchir, ſall neuer be endit. Bot wald ȝour grace my counſall tak, Ane Proclamatioun ȝe ſuld mak, Baith throw the land and Borrowſtounis, To ſchaw thare face, and cut thare gownis, Nan • ſuld fra that Exemptit be, Except the Quenis Maieſte, Becauſe this mater is nocht fair, Of Rethorik it man be bair. Wemen wyll ſay this is no bourdis, To wryte ſic vyle and filthy wordis. Bot wald thay clenge thare filthy taillis, Quhilk ouir the myris and middingis traillis, Than ſuld my wrytting clengit be. None vther mendis thay get of me. The ſuith ſuld nocht be haldin clos, Veritas non querit Angulos. I wait gude wemen that bene wyſe, This rurall Ryme wyll nocht diſpryſe. None wyll me blame, I ȝow aſſure, Except ane wantoun glorious hure, Quhais flyting I feir nocht ane fle. Fair weill, ȝe get no more of me. Quod Lindeſay in cōtempt of the ſyde taillis, That duddrounis & duntibouris throu ye dubbis it ailli • .
Kitteis confeſſioun, Compylit (as is beleuit) be Schir Dauid Lindeſay of the Mont Knicht. &c. The Curate, and Kitte. THe Curate Kitte culd Confeſſe, And ſcho tald on baith mair and leſſe. Quhen ſcho wes telland as ſcho wiſt, The Curate Kitte wald haue kiſt. Bot ȝit ane countenance he bute, Degeiſt, deuote, daine, and demure. And ſyne began hir to exempne, He wes beſt at the efter game. (Quod he) haue ȝe na wrangous geir? (Quod ſcho) I ſtaw ane Pek of veir. (Quod he) that ſuld reſtorit be, Tharefore delyuer it to me. Tibbe and Peter bad me ſpeir, Be my conſcience thay ſall it heir. (Quod he) leue ȝe in lecherie? (Quod ſcho) Wyll Leno mowit me. (Quod he) his wyfe that ſall I tell, To mak hir acquentance with my ſell. (Quod he) ken ȝe na Hereſie? I wait nocht quhat that is (quod ſcho) (Quod he) hard ȝe na Inglis Bukis? (Quod ſcho) my Maiſter on thame lukis. (Quod he) the Biſchop that ſall knaw, For I am ſworne that for to ſchaw. (Quod he) quhat ſaid he of the King? (Quod ſcho) of gude he ſpak na thing. (Quod he) his grace of that ſall wit, And he ſall loſe his lyfe for it. Quhen ſcho in mynd did mair reuolue, (Quod he) I can nocht ȝow abſolue, Bot to my Chalmer cum at euin, Abſoluit for to be and ſchreuin. (Quod ſcho) I wyll pas tyll ane vther. And I met with ſchir Andro my brother. And he full clenelie did me ſchryue, Bot he wes ſumthing talkatyue. He ſpeirit mony ſtrange cace, Quhow that my lufe did me Inbrace. Quhat day, how oft, quhat ſcort, and quhare? (Quod he) I wald I had bene thare. He me abſoluit for ane plak, Thocht he na pryce with me wald mak. And mekle Latyne he did mummill. I hard na thing bot hummill bummill. He ſchew me nocht of Goddis word, Quhilk ſcharper is than ony ſword, And deip in tyll our hart dois prent, Our Syn, quhairthrow we do repent. He pat me na thing in to feir, Quharethrow I ſuld my ſyn forbeir. He ſchew me nocht the Maledictioun Of God for Syn, nor the afflictioun. And in this lyfe, the greit miſcheif, Ordanit to puniſche hure, and theif. Nor ſchew he me of hellis pane, That I mycht feir, and vice refrane. He counſalit me nocht till abſtene, And leid ane holy lyfe and clene. Of Chriſtis blude, na thing he knew, Nor of his promiſſes full trew, That ſaifis all that wyll beleue, That Sathan ſall vs neuer greue. He techit me nocht for tyll traiſt, The confort of the haly Gaiſt, He bad me nocht to Chriſt be kynd, To keip his law, with hart and mynd, And loue and thank his greit mercie. Fra Syn, and hell, that ſauit me. And lufe my Nichtbour as my ſell. Of this na thing he could me tell. Bot gaue me pennance ilk ane day, Ane Aue Marie for to ſay. And Frydayis fyue, na fiſche to eit. Bot butter and eggis ar better meit. And with ane plak to by ane Meſſe, Fra drounkin ſchir Iohne latyneleſſe. (Quod he) ane plak I wyll gar Sande Giue the agane with hande dande. Syne in to Pilgramage to pas, The verray way to wantounes. Of all his pennance I was glaid, I had thame all parqueir, I ſaid. To mow and ſteill, I ken the pryce. I ſall it ſet on Cincq and Syee. Bot he my counſale culd nocht keip. He maid hym be the fyre to ſleip. Syne cryit, Colleris, be if, and Coillis: Hois, and ſchone, with do • bill ſ • ill • s. Caikis, and Candill C • eiſche, and 〈◊〉 Curnis of meill, and luffillis 〈…〉 Wollin, and linning, werp, and woft, Dame keip the keis of ȝour woll loft. Throw drink and ſleip maid him to raif, And ſwa with vs thay play the knaif. Freiris ſweiris be thare profeſſioun, Nane can be ſaif, but this Confeſſioun, And gartis all men vnderſtand, That it is Goddis awin command. Ȝit is it nocht bot mennis drame, The peple to confound and ſchame. It is nocht ellis bot mennis law, Maid mennis myndis for to knaw. Quharethrow thay ſyle thame as thay will, And makis thare law conforme thare till, Sittand in mennis conſcience, Aboue Goddis Magnificence. And dois the peple teiche and tyſte, To ſerue the Paip the Antechriſte. To the greit God Omnipotent Confes thy Syn, and ſore repent. And traiſt in Chriſt, as wrytis Paule, Quhilk ſched his blude to ſaif thy Saule. For nane can the abſolue bot he, Nor tak away thy ſyn frome the. Giue of gude counſall thow hes neid, Or hes nocht lernit weill thy Creid, Or wickit vicis regne in the, The quhilk thow can nocht mortifie. Or be in Deſperatioun, And wald haue Conſolatioun, Than till ane preichour trew thow pas, And ſchaw thy Syn, and thy treſpas. Thow nedis nocht to ſchaw hym all, Nor tell thy Syn baith greit and ſmall, Quhilk is vnpoſſible to be. Bot ſchaw the vice that troubillis the. And he ſall of thy ſaule haue reuth, And the Inſtruct in to the treuth, And with the word of verite, Sall confort, and ſall counſall the. The Sacramentis ſchaw the at lenth, Thy lytle faith to ſtark and ſtrenth. And how thow ſuld thame richtlie vſe, And all Hypocriſie refuſe. Confeſſioun firſt wes ordanit fre, In this ſort, in the Kirk to be. Swa to confes as I deſcryue, Wes in the gude Kirk Primityue. Swa wes Confeſſioun ordanit firſt, Thocht Codrus kyte ſuld cleue and birſt. Finis.
The Iuſting betuix Iames Watſoun, and Ibone Barbour, Seruitoutis to King Iames the Fyft. Compylit be Schir Dauid Lindeſay of the Mont Knicht. &c. IN Sanctandrois on Witſoun Monnunday, Twa Campionis thare manheid did aſſay, Paſt to the Barres Enar •• t heid and handis, Wes neuer ſene ſic Iuſting in no landis, In preſence of the Kingis grace and Quene, Quhare mony luſtie Lady mycht be ſene. Mony ane Knicht, Burroun, and bautent, Come for to ſe that aufull Tornament. The ane of thame was gentill Iames Watſoun, And Iohne Barbour the vther Campioun, Vnto the King thay war familiaris, And of his Chalmer boith Cubicularis. Iames was ane man of greit Intelligence, Ane Medtcinar, ful of Experience. And Iohne Barbour, he was ane nobill Leche. Crukit Carlingis be wald gar thame get ſpeche. Frome tyme thay enterit war in to the feild. Full womanlie thay weildit ſpeir and ſcheild, And wichtlie waiffit in the wynd thare heillis, Ho • land lyke • a • geris rydand on thare creillis. Bot ather can • t vther with ſic haiſt, That thay could neuer thair ſpeir get in the reiſt. Quhē gentil Iames trowit beſt wt Iohne to meit His ſpeir did fald amang his horſſis feit. I am rycht ſure gude Iames had bene vndone, War not that Iohne his mark tuke be the mone. (Quod Iohne) howbeit yu thinkis my leggis lyke rokkis. My ſpeit is gude, now keip ye fra my knokkis. Tary (quod Iames) ane quhyle for be my thrift, The feind ane thing I can ſe bot the liſt. For more can I (quod Iohne) be goddis breid, I ſe no thing except the ſteip ill heid, Ȝit thocht thy braunis be lyk • wa barrow frāmis Defend the man. Than ran thay to lyk rāmis, At that rude riuk Iames had bene ſtrykin doun, Wer not that Iohne for feirſnes fell in ſwoun. And tycht ſo Iames to Iohne had dane gret deir. Wer not amangis his hors feit he brak his ſpeir. (Quod Iames) to Iohne ȝit for our ladyis ſaikis Lat vs to gidder ſtraik thre ma • ket ſtraikis, I had (quod Iohne) that ſall on the be wrokin, Bot or he ſpurrit his hors, his 〈…〉 brokin. Frō tyme • o ſpeiris none could 〈◊〉 • rom meit, Iames drew ane ſweird wane rycht • uful ſpreit. And ran til Iohne, til haif raucht him ane rout, Iohnis ſweth was 〈…〉 wald no way 〈◊〉 Thā Iames leſt dryfe at Iohne wt doith his •• ſtis. He miſt ſi man, & dang vpon the lyſtis. And wt that ſ • raik he trowit that Iohn was flane His ſ • erd ſtak faſt, and gat it neuer agane. Be this gude Iohne had gottin furth his ſwerd, And ran to Iames with mony aufull word. My furiouſnes for 〈◊〉 now ſall thow find Straikand at Iames, his ſwerd f • ew in ye wind. Thā gentill Iames began to crak greit wordis, Allace (quod he) thee day for falt of ſwordis. Than ather ran at vther with new raicis, With gluifis of plait thay dung at vtheris facis, Quha wan this feild, no e • cature could hen, Till at the laſt, Iohne crytify, red the men. Ȝe red (quod Iames) for that is my deſyre, It is ane hour, ſen I began to tyre. Sone be thay had cudit that royall rink, In to the feild, mycht no man ſtand for ſtink, Than euery man that ſtude on far cryit fy, Sayand adew, for dirt partis cumpany. Thare hors, barnes, and all geir was ſo gude. Louyng to God, that day was ſched no blude. FINIS. Quod Lindeſay, at command of King Iames the Fyft. (✚)

Newlie and correctlie Imprentit at Edinburgh, be Iohne Scot. At the Expenſis of Henrie Charteris. And at to be ſauld in the ſaid Henries Buith, on the north fyde of the gait, aboue the Throne.

☞The ȝeir of God. 1568. Ȝeitis.