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him twice or thrice through with a stag-sword: and so he fell, never word heard out of his mouth, but, I am a priest, fie, fie, all is gone.

While they were thus busied with the cardinal, the fray rose in the town; the provost assembles the commonalty, and comes to the house-side, crying, What have ye done with my lord cardinal? where is my lord cardinal? have ye slain my lord cardinal! They that were within answered gently, Best it were for you to return to your own houses, for the man ye call the cardinal hath received his reward, and in his own person will trouble the world no more. But then more enragedly they cry, We shall never depart till that we see him. And so was he brought to the east

the faithless multitude, which would not believe before they saw, and so they departed without Requiem æternam, et requiescat in pace, sung for his soul. These things we write merrily, but we would that the reader should observe God's just judgments, and how that he can deprehend the worldly-wise in their own wisdom, make their table to be a snare to trap their own feet, and their own purposed strength to be their own destruction. These are the works of our God, whereby he would admonish the tyrants of this earth, that in the end he will be revenged of their cruelty, what strength soever they make in the contrary.

DAVID CALDERWOOD-SIR JAMES MELVIL.

In the reign of James VI., a work similar to that of Knox, but on a much more extensive scale, more minute, and involving many public documents, was written by DAVID CALDERWOOD, another zealous Presbyterian divine. An abridgment of this work has been printed under the title of The True History of the Church of Scotland: the original, in six folio volumes of manuscript, reposes in the library of the university of Glasgow. For his resolute opposition to Episcopacy, Calderwood was imprisoned in 1617, and afterwards banished from Scotland. On his return, he became minister of Pencaitland, in Haddingtonshire. The style of his work deserves little commendation; but though tinged with partyfeeling, it has always been valued as a repertory of historical facts.

First, the gates being open, and the drawbridge letten down, for receiving of lime and stones, and other things necessary for building (for Babylon was almost finished), first, we say, essayed William Kirkcaldy of Grange, younger, and with him six persons, and getting entry, held purpose with the porter, If my lord was waking? who answered, No. While the said William and the porter talketh, and his servants made them to look at the work and workmen, approached Norman Lesley with his company; and because they were in great number, they easily gat entry. They address to the midst of the court; and immediately came John Lesley, somewhat rudely, and four persons with him. The porter fearing, would have drawn the bridge; but the said John, being en-block-house head, and showed dead over the wall to tered thereon, stayed it, and leaped in; and while the porter made him for defence, his head was broken, the keys taken from him, and he cast into the ditch, and so the place was seized. The shout ariseth; the workmen, to the number of more than a hundred, ran off the walls, and were without hurt put forth at the wicket gate. The first thing that ever was done, William Kirkcaldy took the guard of the privy postern, fearing lest the fox should have escaped. Then go the rest to the gentlemen's chambers, and without violence done to any man, they put more than fifty persons to the gate the number that enterprised and did this, was but sixteen persons. The cardinal, wakened with the shouts, asked from his window, What meant that noise? It was answered, that Norman Lesley had taken his castle: which understood, he ran to the postern, but perceiving the passage to be kept without, he returned quickly to his chamber, took his twohanded sword, and caused his chamberlain to cast chests and other impediments to the door. In this meantime came John Lesley unto it, and bids open. The cardinal asking, Who calls? he answered, My name is Lesley. He demanded, Is that Norman The other saith, Nay, my name is John. I will have Norman, saith the cardinal, for he is my friend. Content yourself with such as are here, for other you shall have none. There were with the said John, James Melvin, a man familiarly acquainted with Master George Wishart, and Peter Carmichael, a stout gentleman. In this meantime, while they force at the door, the cardinal hides a box of gold under coals that were laid in a secret corner. At length he asketh, Will ye save my life? The said John answered, It may be that we will. Nay, saith the cardinal, swear unto me by God's wounds, and I will open to you. Then answered the said John, It that was said is unsaid; and so cried, Fire, fire (for the door was very strong), and so was brought a chimleyfull of burning coals; which perceived, the cardinal or his chamberlain (it is uncertain) opened the door, and the cardinal sat down in a chair, and cried, I am a priest, I am a priest; ye will not slay me. The said John Lesley (according to his former vows) struck him first once or twice, and so did the said Peter. But James Melvin (a man of nature most gentle and most modest), perceiving them both in choler, withdrew them, and said, This work and judgment of God (although it be secret) ought to be done with greater gravity. And presenting unto him the point of the sword, said, Repent thee of thy former wicked life, but especially of the shedding of the blood of that notable instrument of God, Master George Wishart, which albeit the flame of fire consumed before men, yet cries it for vengeance upon thee, and we from God are sent to revenge it. For here, before my God, I protest, that neither the hatred of thy person, the love of thy riches, nor the fear of any trouble thou couldst have done to me in particular, moved or moveth me to strike thee; but only because thou hast been, and remainest, an obstinate enemy agains! Christ Jesus and his holy gospel. And so he struck

SIR JAMES MELVIL, privy councillor and gentleman of the bed-chamber to Mary Queen of Scots, was born at Hall-hill, in Fifeshire, in the year 1530, and died in 1606. He left in manuscript a historical work, which for a considerable time lay unknown in the castle of Edinburgh, but having at length been discovered, was published in 1683, under the title of Memoirs of Sir James Melvil of Hall-hill, containing an Impartial Account of the Most Remarkable Affairs of State during the Last Age, not mentioned by other Historians; more particularly Relating to the Kingdoms of England and Scotland, under the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth, Mary Queen of Scots, and King James. In all which Transactions the Author was Personally and Publicly Concerned. This work is esteemed for the simplicity of its style, and as the sole authority for the history of many important events.

JOHN LESLEY.

JOHN LESLEY, bishop of Ross, was a zealous partisan of Queen Mary, whom he accompanied on her return from France to Scotland in 1561, and in whose behalf he actively exerted himself during her imprisonment in England. Forced by Elizabeth to withdraw to the continent on account of the conspiracies against her in which he engaged, he was appointed bishop of Constance in 1593, and in that situation employed his wealth and influence in founding three colleges for the in

struction of his countrymen, at Rome, Paris, and Douay. Being now, however, advanced in years, he shortly afterwards resigned the mitre, and retired to a monastery in the Netherlands, where he died in 1596. His chief publications are, a treatise in defence of Queen Mary and her title to the English crown; a Description of Scotland and the Scottish Isles; and a work on the Origin, Manners, and Exploits of the Scotch. All these are in Latin; the last two forming a volume which he published at Rome in 1578. He wrote in the Scottish language a History of Scotland from 1436 to 1561, of which only a Latin translation (contained in the volume just mentioned) was published by himself; the original, however, was printed by the Bannatyne Club in 1830. In 1842 appeared a work entitled Vestiarium Scoticum, the body of which consisted of a catalogue of the tartans peculiar to Scottish families, composed by Bishop Lesley in the Scottish language, and which had long been preserved in manuscript in the college of Douay.

[Character of James V.]

[From Lesley's History of Scotland.']

[Original Spelling.-Thier wes gryt dule and meane maid for him throw all the partis of his realme, because he was a nobill prince, and travaillet mekill all his dayis for maintening of his subjectis in peace, justice, and quietnes. He was a man, &c.] There was great dole and moan made for him through all the parts of his realm, because he was a noble prince, and travailed mickle all his days for maintaining of his subjects in peace, justice, and quietness. He was a man of personage and stature convenient, albeit mighty and strong therewith, of countenance amiable and lovely, specially in his communication; his eyes gray and sharp of sight, that whomsoever he did once see and mark, he would perfectly know in all times thereafter; of wit in all things quick and prompt; of a princely stomach and high courage in great perils, doubtful affairs, and matters of weighty importance: he had, in a manner, a divine foresight, for in such things as he went about to do, he did them advisedly and with great deliberation, to the intent that amongst all men his wit and prudence might be noted and regarded, and as far excel and pass all others in estate and dignity. Besides this, he was sober, moderate, honest, affable, courteous, and so far abhorred pride and arrogance, that he was ever sharp and quick to them which were spotted or noted with that crime. He was also a good and sure justiciar, by the which one thing he allured to him the hearts of all the people, because they lived quietly and in rest, out of all oppression and molestation of the nobility and rich persons; and to this severity of his was joined and annexed a certain merciful pity, which he did ofttimes show to such as had offended, taking rather compositions of money nor2 men's lives; which was a plain argument that he did use his rigour only (as he said himself) to bow and abate the high and wrongous hearts of the people, specially Irishmen3 and borderers, and others, nursed and brought up in seditious factions and civil rebellions; and not for greedy desire of riches or hunger of money, although such as were afflicted would cry out; and surely this good and modest prince did not devour and consume the riches of his country; for he by his high policy marvellously riched his realm and himself, both with gold and silver, all kind of rich substance, whereof he left great store and quantity in all his palaces at his departing. And so this king, living all his time in the favour of fortune, in high honour, riches, and glory, and, for his noble acts and prudent policies, worthy *Edited by John Sobieski Stuart. 4to. Tait: Edinburgh. 2 Than. 3 Ersemen, or Highlanders. 1 Criminal judge.

to be registered in the book of fame, gave up and rendered his spirit into the hands of Almighty God, where I doubt not but he has sure fruition of the joy that is prepared for these as shall sit on the right hand of our Saviour.

[Burning of Edinburgh and Leith by the English in 1544.]

Now will I return to the earnest ambition of King Henry of England, who ceased not to search by all means possible to attain to his desire, and therefore sent a great army by sea into Scotland, with the Earl of Hertford, his lieutenant, and the Viscount Lisle, his admiral, with two hundred great ships, besides boats and crears that carried their victuals, whereof there firth fornent2 Leith the third day of May, and landed was great number; and the whole fleet arrived in the at the New Haven about xx thousand men, with great artillery and all kind of munition, the fourth of May. In the meantime, the Governor being in the town of Edinburgh, hearing of their sudden arrival, departed forth of the town toward Leith, accompanied with the Cardinal, Earls of Huntly, Argyll, Bothwell, and others, with their own household men only, purposing to stop the landing of the enemy; but fraes they were surely advertised of the great number of their enemies, wherethrough they were not able to withstand their forces, they returned to Edinburgh, and sent Sir Adam Otterburne, provost of the town, and two of the bailies, to the said Earl Hertford, lieutenant, desiring to know for what cause he was come with such an army to invade, considering there was no war proclaimed betwixt the two realms; and if there was any injuries or wrongs done whereupon the King of England was offended, they would appoint commissioners to treat with them thereupon, and to that effect thankfully would receive them within the town of Edinburgh. The said Earl of Hertford answered, that he had no commission to treat upon any matters, but only to receive the Queen of Scotland, to be convoyed in England to be married with Prince Edward; and if they would deliver her, he would abstain from all pursuit, otherwise he would burn and destroy the towns of Edinburgh, Leith, and all others where he might be master within the realm of Scotland, and desired therefore the haill men, wives, bairns, and others, being within the town of Edinburgh, to come forth of the same, and present them before him as lieutenant, and offer them into the king's will, or else he would proceed as he had spoken. To the which the provost, by the command of the Governor and council, answered, that they would abide all extremity rather or they fulfilled his desires; and so the Governor caused furnish the castle of Edinburgh with all kind of necessary furniture, and departed to Striveling.6 In the meantime, the English army lodged that night in Leith. Upon the morn, being the fifth of May, they marched forward toward Edinburgh by the Canongate, and or their entering therein, there came to them six thousand horsemen of English men from Berwick by land, who joined with them, and passed up the Canongate, of purpose to enter at the Nether Bow; where some resistance was made unto them by certain Scottish men, and divers of the English men were slain, and some also of the Scottish side, and so held them that day occupied skirmishing, till the night came, which compelled them to return unto their camp. And on the next day, being the sixth of May, the great army came forward with the haill ordinances,7 and assailed the town, which they found void of all resistance, saving the ports of the town were closed, which they

To enforce a marriage between his son and the infant Queen Mary of Scotland. 2 Opposite. 3 When, from the time when. 4 Whole. 5 Ere. • Stirling.

7 Whole ordnance.

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broke up with great artillery, and entered thereat, carrying carted ordinances before them till they came in sight of the castle, where they placed them, purposing to siege the castle. But the laird of Stanehouse, captain thereof, caused shoot at them in so great abundance, and with so good measure, that they slew a great number of English men, amongst whom there was some principal captains and gentlemen; and one of the greatest pieces of the English ordinances was broken; wherethrough they were constrained to raise the siege shortly and retire them.

The same day the English men set fire in divers places of the town, but was not suffered to maintain it, through continual shooting of ordinance forth of the castle, wherewith they were so sore troubled, that they were constrained to return to their camp at Leith. But the next day they returned again, and did that they could to consume all the town with fires. So likewise they continued some days after, so that the most part of the town was burnt in cruel manner; during the which time their horsemen did great hurt in the country, spoiling and burning sundry places thereabout, and in special all the castle and place of Craigmillar, where the most part of the whole riches of Edinburgh was put by the merchants of the town in keeping, which not without fraud of the keepers, as was reported, was betrayed to the English men for a part of the booty and spoil thereof.

When the English men of war was thus occupied in burning and spoiling, the Governor sent and relieved the Earl of Angus, Lord Maxwell, master of Glencairn, and Sir George Douglas, forth of ward, and put them to liberty; and made such speedy preparation as he could to set forward an army for expelling the English men forth of the realm; who hearing thereof, upon the xiiij day of May, they broke down the pier of Leith haven, burned and destroyed the same; and

shipping their great artillery, they sent their ships away homeward, laden with the spoil of Edinburgh and Leith, taking with them certain Scottish ships which was in the haven, amongst the which the ships England. Upon the xv day of May their army and their fleet departed from Leith at one time, the town of Leith being set in fire the same morning; and their said army that night lodged at Seaton, the next night beside Dunbar, the third night at Renton in the Merse, and the 18 day of May they entered in Berwick. In all this time, the borderers and certain others Scottish men, albeit they were not of sufficient number to give battle, yet they held them busy with daily skirmishing, that sundry of their men and horse were taken, and therefore none of them durst in any wise stir from the great army in all their passage from Edinburgh to Berwick.*

called Salamander and the Unicorn were carried in

* As some of our readers may be pleased to see Bishop Lesley's Latin version of this atrocious narrative, we here transcribe the greater part of it from his volume printed at Rome in 1578. It will be observed that the style is much more concise than in the original :

'Anglorum copia Leythi pernoctant. Postero autem die Edinburgum versus per vicum qui à canonicis nomen habet progredientes, sex millibus equitum, qui terrestri itinere Bervico venerant, se conjungunt. Ad inferiorem urbis portam Angli tota die levibus præliis à Scotis lacessiti sistere coguntur. Repulsi, nocte appetente, se in castra recipiunt; sequenti die ad oppidum jam desertum ab omnibus oppugnandum universi prodeunt. Portis igitur, quæ clausæ erant, diruptis, in urbem irruunt, ac tormentis, quá ex arce prospici potest, dispositis, obsidionem parant. Interea D. Stanhousius arcis præfectus magna vi tormenta bellica displodens, rupta ingenti hostium machina, Anglos circiter quingentos transverberat. Quam ob rem soluta obsidione, Angli eadem die in varias oppidi partes ignes injecerunt. Verum illud incendium latius spargere non poterant; quod propter assiduam castri ejaculationem ita fuerant disturbati, ut coacti pedem in castra retulerint. Postero tamen die oppidum summa hostium diligentia inflammatum

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popular commotions had obliged him to retire. wrote, at the command of James, a History of the Church of Scotland, from A.D. 203 to 1625. When the king, on expressing his wish for the composition of that work, was told that some passages in it might possibly bear too hard upon the memory of his mother, he desired Spotiswood to write and spare not;' and yet, says Bishop Nicolson, the historian ventured not so far with a commission as Buchanan did without one.' The history was published in London in 1655, and is considered to be, on the whole, a faithful and impartial narrative.

[Destruction of Religious Edifices in 1559.]

from Geneva into Scotland, and, joining with the conWhilst these things passed, John Knox returned gregation, did preach to them at Perth. In his sermon, he took casion to speak against the adoration of images, showed that the same tended to God's dishonour, and that such idols and monuments of superper quatuor dies miserabili incendio conflagravit. Foris ab equite, aliisque militibus tam Anglis quam Scotis, tanquam à furiis omnia vastata et diruta fuerunt. Gubernator hoe tempore Comitem Angusium, D. Maxuellum, ac Georgium Douglasium educi ex custodiis jubet; exercitum quam accuratissimè cogit, ut Anglos regno ejiciat. Quod cum illi cognovissent, pridie Id. Maii castra movent; aggerem portus Leythi diruunt, et alios in adverso littore portus, oppidaque incendio consumunt, ac naves spoliis onustas in Angliam traducunt. Quasdam etiam Scoticas naves, inter quas duæ præcipuæ et insignes erant, Salamander et Unicornis dictæ, secum auferunt. Id. Mali solvunt. Exercitus, qui terra ducebatur, prima nocte, Setonii castra locat, secunda Dumbarri: tertia Rentoni in Merchis; quarta ad xv Kal. Junii Bervicum pervenit. Scoti hostes insequi, infestare, aliquos etiam capere, illos denique ita agitare, ut toto itineris hujus spatio vix quisquam segregare se à toto agmine auderet.'

* Nicolson's Scottish Historical Library, 1736, p. 68.

temple; and applying the corruption which was at that time in Jerusalem to the present estate in the church, and declaring what was the duty of those to whom God had given authority and power, he did so incite the auditors, as, the sermon being ended, they went all and made spoil of the churches, rasing the monasteries of the Black and Gray Friars to the ground.

[James VI. and a Refractory Preacher.]

stition as were erected in churches ought to be pulled down, as being offensive to good and godly people. The sermon ended, and the better sort gone to dinner, a priest, rather to try men's affections than out of any devotion, prepared to say mass, opening a great case, wherein was the history of divers saints exquisitely carved. A young boy that stood by, saying that such boldness was unsufferable, the priest gave him a blow. The boy, in an anger, casting a stone at the priest, happened to break one of the pictures, whereupon stir was presently raised, some of the common sort falling upon the priest, others running to the altar and breaking the images, so as in a moment all was pulled down in the church that carried any mark of idolatry. The people, upon the noise thereof, assembled in great numbers, and, invading the cloisters, made spoil of all they found therein. The Franciscans had store of provision, both of victuals and household stuff; amongst the Dominicans the like wealth was not found, yet so much there was as might show the profession they made of poverty to be feigned and counterfeit. The Carthusians, who passed both these in wealth, were used in like manner; yet was the prior permitted to take with him what he might carry of gold and silver plate. All the spoil was given to the poor, the rich sort forbearing to meddle with any part thereof. But that which was most admired was the speed they made in demolishing these edifices. For the Charterhouse (a building of exceeding cost and largeness) was not only ruined, but the stones and timber so quickly taken away, as, in less than two days' space, a vestige thereof was scarce remaining to be seen. They of Cupar in Fife, hearing what was done at Perth, went in like manner to their church, and defaced all the images, altars, and other instruments of idolatry; which the curate took so heavily, as the night follow-called to him from his seat, and said, ' Mr John, that ing he put violent hands on himself.

*

The king perceiving by all these letters that the death of his mother was determined, called back his ambassadors, and at home gave order to the ministers to remember her in their public prayers: which they denied to do, though the form prescribed was most Christian and lawful; which was, That it might please God to illuminate her with the light of his truth, and save her from the apparent danger wherein she was cast. Upon their denial, charges were directed to command all bishops, ministers, and other office-bearers in the church, to make mention of her distress in their public prayers, and commend her to God in the form appointed. But of all the number, Mr David Lindsay at Leith, and the king's own ministers, gave obedience. At Edinburgh, where the disobedience was most public, the king, purposing to have their fault amended, did appoint the 3d of February for solemn prayers to be made in her behalf, commanding the bishop of St Andrews to prepare himself for that day; which when the ministers understood, they stirred up Mr John Cowper, a young man not entered as yet in the function, to take the pulpit before the time, and exclude the bishop. The king coming at the hour appointed, and seeing him in the place,

place was destinate for another; yet, since you are The noblemen remained at that time in St Andrews; there, if you will obey the charge that is given, and and because they foresaw this their answer would not remember my mother in your prayers, you shall go be well accepted, and feared some sudden attempt on.' He replying, he would do as the Spirit of God (for the queen with her Frenchmen lay then at Falk- should direct him,' was commanded to leave the land), they sent to the lords of Dun and Pittarrow, place. And making as though he would stay, the and others that favoured religion in the countries of captain of the guard went to pull him out; whereAngus and Mearns, and requested them to meet at upon he burst forth in these speeches, 'This day shall St Andrews the 4th day of June. Meanwhile, they be a witness against the king in the great day of the themselves went to the town of Crail, whither all Lord' and then denouncing a woe to the inhabitants that had warning came, showing great forwardness of Edinburgh, he went down, and the bishop of St and resolutions; and were not a little encouraged by Andrews entering the pulpit, did perform the duty John Knox, who, in a sermon made unto them at the required. The noise was great for a while amongst same time, put them in mind of that he foretold at the people; but after they were quieted, and had Perth, how there was no sincerity in the Queen Re- heard the bishop (as he was a most powerful preacher) gent's dealing, and that conditions would not be kept, out of that text to Timothy, discourse of the duty of as they had found. Therefore did he exhort them not Christians in praying for all men,' they grieved sore to be any longer deluded with fair promises, seeing to see their teachers so far overtaken, and condemned In the afternoon, there was no peace to be hoped for at their hands, who their obstinacy in that point. took no regard of contracts and covenants solemnly Cowper was called before the council, where Mr WalAnd because there would be no quietness till ter Balcanquel and Mr William Watson, ministers, one of the parties were masters, and strangers expulsed accompanying him, for some idle speeches that esout of the kingdom, he wished them to prepare them-caped them, were both discharged from preaching in selves either to die as men, or to live victorious. Edinburgh during his majesty's pleasure, and Cowper sent prisoner to Blackness.

sworn.

By this exhortation the hearers were so moved, as they fell immediately to the pulling down of altars and images, and destroyed all the monuments which were abused to idolatry in the town. The like they did the next day in Anstruther, and from thence came directly to St Andrews. The bishop hearing what they had done in the coast-towns, and suspecting they would attempt the same reformation in the city, came to it well accompanied, of purpose to withstand them; but after he had tried the affections of the townsmen, and found them all inclining to the congregation, he went away early the next morning towards Falkland to the queen.

That day being Sunday, John Knox preached in the parish church, taking for his theme the history of the Gospel touching our Saviour's purging of the

GEORGE BUCHANAN.

GEORGE BUCHANAN is more distinguished as a writer of classical Latinity than for his productions in the English tongue. He was born in Dumbartonshire in 1506, studied at Paris and St Andrews, and afterwards acted as tutor to the Earl of Murray. While so employed, he gave offence to the clergy by a satirical poem, and was obliged to take refuge on the continent, from which he did not return to Scotland till 1560. Though he had embraced the Protestant doctrines, his reception at the court of Mary was favourable: he assisted her in her studies, was employed to regulate the uni

versities, and became principal of St Leonard's college in the university of St Andrews. He joined, however, the Earl of Murray's party against the queen, and was appointed tutor to James VI., whose pedantry was probably in some degree the result of his instructions, and on whom he is said to have occasionally bestowed a hearty whipping. In 1571 he violently attacked the conduct and character of the queen, in a Latin work entitled Detectio Maria Reginæ. After the assassination of his patron, Regent Murray, he still continued to enjoy the favour of the dominant party, whose opinion that the people are entitled to judge of and control the conduct of their governors, he maintained with great spirit and ability in a treatise De Jure Regni, published in 1579. Having by this book offended his royal pupil, he spent in retirement the last few years of his life, during which he composed in Latin his well-known "History of Scotland,' published in Edinburgh in 1582, under the title of Rerum Scoticarum Historia.

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He died in the same year, so poor, that his funeral took place at the public expense. Buchanan's reputation as a writer of Latin stands very high; the general excellence of his poetical compositions in this language has been already adverted to. As a historian, his style is held to unite the excellences of Livy and Sallust. Like the former, however, he is sometimes too declamatory, and largely embellishes his narrative with fable. If his accuracy and impartiality,' says Dr Robertson, had been in any degree equal to the elegance of his taste, and to the purity and vigour of his style, his history might be placed on a level with the most admired compositions of the ancients. But, instead of rejecting the improbable tales of chronicle writers, he was at the utmost pains to adorn them; and hath clothed with all the beauties and graces of fiction, those legends which formerly had only its wildness and extravagance.'

In those who are accustomed to peruse the elegant Latin compositions of Buchanan, a specimen of his vernacular prose is calculated to excite great surprise. One exists in a tract called the Chamaleon, which he designed as a satire upon the slippery statesman, Secretary Maitland, of Lethington, whose final desertion to the queen's party he could never forgive. A glance at this work, or even at the brief extract from it here subjoined, will suffice to extinguish all lamentation for the fact of his other writings being in a dead language. Yet this ungainly strain must have been that of the familiar daily speech of this rival of Horace and of Virgil.

[The Chamaleon.]

Thair is a certane kynd of Beist callit Chameleon, engenderit in sic Countreis as the Sone hes mair Strenth in than in this Yle of Brettane, the quhilk! albeit it be small of Corporance, noghttheless it is of ane strange Nature, the quhilk makis it to be na less celebrat and spoken of than sum Beast is of greittar Quantitie. The Proprieties2 is marvalous, for quat Thing evir it be applicat to, it semis to be of the samyn3 Cullour, and imitatis all Hewis, excepte onelie the Quhyte and Reid; and for this caus anciene Writtaris commonlie comparis it to ane Flatterare, quhilk imitatis all the haill Maneris of quhome he fenzeist him self to be Freind to, except Quhyte, quhilk is taken to be the Symboll and Tokin gevin commonlie in Devise of Colouris to signifie Sempilnes and Loyaltie, and Reid signifying Manliness and heroyicall Courage. This Applicatioun being so usit, Zits peradventure mony that hes nowther sene6 the

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said Beist, nor na perfyte Portraict of it, wald beleif sick thing not to be trew. I will thairfore set furth schortlie the Descriptioun of sic an Monsture not lang ago engendrit in Scotland in the Cuntre of Lowthiane, not far from Hadingtoun, to that effect that the forme knawin, the moist pestiferus Nature of the said Monsture may be moir easelie evited :2 For this Monsture being under coverture of a Manis Figure, may easeliar endommage 3 and wers be eschapit than gif it wer moir deforme and strange of Face, Behaviour, Schap, and Membris. Praying the Reidar to apardoun the Febilnes of my waike Spreit and Engyne,5 gif it can not expreme perfytelie ane strange Creature, maid by Nature, other willing to schaw hir greit Strenth,6 or be sum accident turnit be Force frome the common Trade and Course.

WILLIAM DRUMMOND.

WILLIAM DRUMMOND of Hawthornden, who has already been introduced as an eminent Scottish poet, wrote several pieces in prose, the chief of which are, The History of the Five Jameses, and A Cypress Grove, or Philosophical Reflections against the Fear of Death. In the former, which has very little merit as a historical production, he inculcates to the fullest extent the absolute supremacy of kings, and the duty of passive obedience of subjects. The Cypress Grove' is written in a pleasing and solemn strain, and contains much striking imagery; but the author's reflections are frequently trite, and his positions inconsistent. He thus argues

[Against Repining at Death.]

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If on the great theatre of this earth, amongst the numberless number of men, to die were only proper to thee and thine, then, undoubtedly, thou hadst reason to repine at so severe and partial a law: but since it is a necessity, from which never any age bypast hath been exempted, and unto which they which be, and so many as are to come, are thralled (no consequent of life being more common and familiar), why shouldst thou, with unprofitable and noughtavailing stubbornness, oppose so inevitable and necessary a condition? This is the high way of mortality, and our general home: behold what millions have trode it before thee! what multitudes shall after thee, with them which at that same instant run! In so universal a calamity (if death be one), private complaints cannot be heard: with so many royal palaces, it is no loss to see thy poor cabin burn. Shall the heavens stay their ever-rolling wheels (for what is the motion of them but the motion of a swift and ever-whirling wheel, which twineth forth, and again uprolleth our life), and hold still time to prolong thy miserable days, as if the highest of their working were to do homage unto thee. Thy death is a pace of the order of this all, a part of the life of this world; for while the world is the world, some creatures must die, and others take life. Eternal things are raised far above this sphere of generation and corruption, where the first matter, like an ever-flowing and ebbing sea, with divers waves, but the same water, keepeth a restless and never tiring current; what is below, in the universality of the kind, not in itself doth abide: man a long line of years hath continued, this man every hundred is swept away.

* * This earth is as a table-book, and men are the notes; the first are washen out, that new may be written in. They who fore-went us did leave a room for us; and should we grieve to do the same to those who should come after us? Who, being suffered to see the exquisite rarities

2 More easily avoided.

1 Such. 3 Damage. 4 Worse be escaped. 5 Weak spirit and ingine. 6 Either willing to show her great strength.

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