The History of a Noble Squire
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THE HISTORIE OF ANE NOBIL AND WAILZE▪ and Squire, William Meldrum, vmwhyle Laird of Cleische and Bynnis. Compylit be Sir David Lyndesay of the Mont, alias, Lyoun, King of Arms.
H( C( THE (☜) Testament of the said WILLIAME MELDRVM Squire. Compylit alswa be Sir David Lyndesay, &c.
Cicero Philip. 14.
Proprium sapientis est, grata corum virtutem memoria prosequi, qui pro Patria vitam profuderunt.
Ovid. 2. Fast.
Ex memorem famam, qui been gessit habet.
Imprentit at Edinburgh be HENRIE CHARTERIS.
ANNO M. D. XCIIII.
Cum Priuilegio Regali.
THE HISTORIE OF ANE NOBIL AND WAILZE▪ and Squire, William Meldrum, vmwhyle Laird of Cleische and Bynnis. Compylit be Sir David Lyndesay of the Mont, alias, Lyoun, King of Arms.
H( C(
QUho that Antique Stories reidis,
Considder may the famous deidis,
Of our Nobill Progenitouris:
Quhilk suld to us be richt mirrouris.
Thair verteous deidis to ensew:
And vicious leuing to eschew.
Sic Meu been put in memory
That death suld not confound their glory.
Howbeit their body been absent,
Thair verieous deidis been present.
Pottis their honor to auance,
Hes put thame in remembrance.
Sum wrpt of preclait Conqueroutis,
And sum of vailyeand Empriouris:
And sum of Nobill Michtie Kingis,
That Royallie did reull their Kingis.
And sum of Campiounis, and of kuichtis
That bauldlie did defend their richtis.
Quhilk hauye and he did stand in stour,
For the defense of their honor.
And sum of Squretis douch
•
le deidis,
That wounders wrocht in weitlie weidis.
Snm wryt of deidis amorous.
As Chauceir wrait of Croilus:
How that he luiffit Cression,
Of Ias
•
n and of Medea:
With help of Cleo I intend,
Sa Minerue wald me Sapienc
•
send:
Ane Nobill Squyet to discryf
•
,
Quhais douchtines during his Lyfe,
I knaw myself, thairof I write,
And all his deidis I dar indyte:
And secreitis that I did not knaw,
That Nobill Squire did me show.
Sa I intend the best I can,
Descryue the deidis and the Man:
Quhais youth did occupy in lufe,
Full plesantlie without reprufe.
Quhilk did as monie douchtie deldis,
As monie ane, that men of reidis,
Quhilkis Poetis puttis in Memory,
For the
•
xalting of their glory:
Quhair
•
oir I think sa God me saif,
He suld have place amangis the laif.
That his hie honor suld not smure,
Considering what he did endure.
Oft times for his Ladeis sake:
I wait Sir Lancelote du lake,
When he did lufe King Arthuris wife.
Faucht never better with sword nor kny
•
For his Lady in no ba
•
tell,
Nor had not half so just querrell.
The verity wha list declare,
His Lufe was ane Adulterai
•
.
And durst not cum into hir sicht,
Bot like ane Houlet on the nicht:
With this Squire it stude not so,
His Lady lui
•
it him and no mo:
Husband, nor Lemman had scho none,
And so he had hir lufe alone.
I think it is no happy life,
Ane Man to jaip his Maisteris wife:
As did Lancelote, this I conclude,
Of sic amour culled cum na gude.
Now to my purpois will I pas,
And shaw yow how the Squire was:
Ane gentilman of Scotland borne,
So was his Father him beforne:
Of Nobilnes lineallie discendit,
Quhilks their gude fame hes ever defendit
Gude Williame Meldrum he was namit
Quhilk in his honor was never defamit:
Stalwart and stout in every strife,
And borne within the Schyre of Fife.
To C
•
eische and Bynnis richt Heritour,
Quhilk stude for Lufe in monie stour.
He was bot twenty yeiris of age,
When he began his Uassalage:
Proportionat well of mid stature.
Fe
•
rie and wicht and micht endure.
Ouirset with travel both nicht and day,
Richt hardie baith in ernist and play:
Blyith in countenance, richt fair of face,
And stude well ay in his Ladies grace:
For he was wounder amiabill,
And in all deidis honorabill.
And ay his honor did auance,
In Ingland first, and syne in France.
And their his manheid did assaill,
Under the Kingis greit Admiral.
When the greit Nauie of Scotland,
Pa
•
it to the sey aganis Ingland.
And as they passit be Ireland
•
oist,
The Admiral gart land his Oist:
And set Craigfergus into Fire,
And saifit nouther Barn nor Byre:
It was greit piety for to heir,
Of the pepill the bailfull cheir
And how the Land folk wer spuilyeit,
Fair w
•
men under fute wer fuilyeit:
Bot this young Squire bauld and wi
•
h:
Sauit all women where he mi
•
ht:
All Priest is and Freiris he did save,
Till at the last he did persaue:
Behind ane Garding amiabill,
Ane womanis voice richt lamentabill▪
And on that voice he followit fast,
Till he did see hir at the last:
Spuilyeit, naikit as scho was borne,
Twa men of weir wer hir beforne:
Quhilk wer richt cruel men and ken
•
,
Part and the spuilyie thame between:
Ane fairer woman nor schowes,
He had not seen in onie place:
Befoir him on hir kneis scho fell,
Sayand for him that heryit Hell,
Help me sweet Sir, I am ane Mayd,
Chan softlie to the men he said:
I pray yow give again hir sark.
And take to yow all other wark.
Hir Kirtill was of Scarlot reid,
Of gold ane garland of hir heid:
Decorit with Enamelyne,
Belt and Brochis of silver fine.
Of yallow Taftais wey hir sark,
Begaryit all with browderit wark:
Riche craftelie with gold and silk.
Than said the Lady white as milk,
Except my sark nothing I crave,
Let thame go hence with all the laue.
Quod they to hir be Sand Fillane,
Of this yeget nothing again:
Than said the Squire courteslie.
Gud
•
Freindis I pray yow hartfullie:
Gifye be worthy Men of Weir,
Restoir to hir again hir Geir.
Or be greit God that all h
•
s wrocht,
That spuilyie shall be full deir bocht.
Quod they to him we the defy,
And drew their swordis haistely:
And straik at him with sa g
•
eight Ire,
That from his Harues flew the fire.
W
•
h duntis sa darflie on him dang,
That he was never in sit a
•
e thrang:
Bor he him manfullie defendit,
And with ane bolt on thame he bendif,
And har the ane upon the heid,
That to the ground he fell down deed:
For to the teith he did him c
•
e
•
f,
Lat him lie their with ane mischief.
Than with the other hand for hand,
He beit him with his birneist brand:
The other was baith stout and strang,
And on the Squire darflie dang.
And than the Squire wrotht greit wonder
Ay till his sword did shaik in sunder:
Than drew he forth ane sharp dagair,
And did him cleik be the Collair,
And turn in at the colle
•
bane,
At the first
•
raik he
•
ey him slare:
He found
•
rit fordward to the ground,
Zit was the Squire haill and scund▪
For why he was sa well enarmit,
He did escaip fra thame vnharmit:
And when he saw they wer baith slar
•
He so that Lady past again:
Quhair scho stude nakit on the bent,
And said take your abulyement:
And scho him thankit full humillie,
And put hir claithis on spedilie:
Than kissit he that Lady fair,
And tuik his leif at hir but mair:
Be that the Taburne and Trumpef blew
And every man to shipburd drew.
That Lady was dolent in heart,
From time scho saw he wald depart:
That hir releuit from hir harms,
And hint the Squire in hir arms:
And said, will ye bide in this Land,
I sall yow take to my Husband:
Thocht I be cassin now in eair,
I am (quod scho my Fathrris Air,
The whilk may spend of pennies round,
Of yeirlie Kent ane thousand Pound:
With that hartlie sch
•
did him kis,
Ar ye (quod scho) content of this?
Of that (quod he (I wald be fane,
Gif I micht in this Realm remane.
Bot I mon first pas into France.
Sa when I cum again perchance:
And e
••
er that the Peice be maid,
To marie yow, I will be glaid.
Fair well, I may no langer tarie,
I pray God keep yow, & sweet sanct Marie:
Than gaif scho him ane Luse taking,
Ane riche Rubie set in ane Ring.
I am (quod scho at your command,
Wi
•
h yow to pas into Scotland:
I thank yow hartiullie (quod he)
Ze ar
••
ir young to saill the See.
And sreciallie with Men of weir,
Of that (quod scho) take ye na feir:
I sall me cleith in mennis clais,
And ga with yow where euir ye pleis:
Suld I not lufe him Paramour,
That saifit my Lyfe and my honor▪
Lady I say yow in certain,
Ze sall have lufe for lufe again.
Trewlie unto my Lyfis end.
Fairweill, to God I yow commend.
With that into his Boit he past,
And to the ship he rowit fast,
Thay weyit their ankeris, and maid saill,
This Nauie with the Admiral,
And landit in bauld Brytane,
This Admiral was Earl of Arrane,
Quhilk was baith wise and vailyeand,
Of the blood Royal of Scotland:
Accompany it with monie ane Knicht.
Quhilk wer richt worthy men and wicht.
Amang the laif, this young Squyar,
Was with him richt familiar:
And throw his vertrous diligence,
Of that Lord he gat sic credence:
That when he did his courage ken,
Gaif him cure of five hundredth men:
Quhilkis wer to him obedient,
Keddie at his commandment:
It wer to lang for to declare,
The douchtie deidis that he did their:
Beraus he was sa courageous,
Ladies of him wes amorous.
He was ane Munyecun for ane Dame,
Meik in Chalmer lyk ane lame.
Bot in the field ane Campioun,
•
ainpand like ane wyld Lyoun:
Weill pra
•
ikit with Speit and Scheil
•
And with the formest in the Feild:
No Chistane was amangis thame all,
In expensis mair liberal.
In euerilk play he wan the pryse,
With that he was verteous and wise,
And so because he was well pruift,
With every man he was well luifit.
(
HARY
the aucht King of Ingland,
That time at Caleis wes lyand:
With his triumphant ordinance,
Makand weit on the Realm of France.
The King of France his greit army,
Lay neit hand by in Picatdie.
Quhait aither other did assaill,
Howbeit thait was na set battaill.
Bot their wes daily skirmshing,
Quhair men of armis brak mouie sting
When to the Squire Meldrum
•
er tauld thir Nouellis all and sum:
He thocht he wald besie the weiris,
And waillit forth ane hundredth Speiris:
And futemen whilk wer bauld & stout,
The mayest worthy of all his rout.
When he come to the King of France,
He wes sone put in ordinance:
Richt so was all his company,
That on him wait it continually.
Thair was into the Inglis Dist,
•
ne Campioun that blew gre
•
t boist:
He was an
•
stout Man and ane strang,
Qubilk Dist wald with his conduct gang,
Outthrow the greit Army of France,
His valiantness for to auance:
And Master Calbart was his name,
Of Scottis & French whilk spak disdan
•
And on his Bonnet vsit to beir,
Of Silver fine, takinnis of weir.
And Proclamatiounis he cart mak,
That he wald for his Ladies saik,
With any gentilman of France,
Co fecht with him with Speit or Lance:
Bot no French man in all that La
•
d,
With him durst battle hand for hand.
Than like ane Weiriour vailyeand,
He enterit in the Scottis band:
And when the Squire M
•
ldrum,
Hard tell, this Campioun wes cuin.
Richt haistelie he past him till,
Demanding him what was his will:
Forsuith I can find none (quod he)
On hors, nor fute dar fecht with me:
Than said he, it wer greit schame,
Without battle ye suld pas hame.
Therefore to God I mak ane vow,
The morne myself sall fecht with yow.
Outher on Horsbak or on fuie,
Zour crakkis I count thame not are cute
I sall ve fund into the Feild,
Armit on Hors with speir and Scheild.
Master Talbart said, my gude Chyld,
It wer mayest lyk that thow wer wyld:
Thow at to young and hes no micht,
To fecht with me that is so wicht.
To speak to me thow suld have fei
•
,
For I have sic practik in weir:
That I wald not
••
feirit be,
To mak debait aganis si
•
three.
For I have stand in mon
•
e stout,
And ay defendit my honor.
Therefore my barn I counsel the,
Sic interprysis to let be:
Than said this Squire to the Knicht,
I grant ye at baith greit and wicht:
Zoung David was far les than I,
When he with Golias manfullie,
Withouttin outher Speir or
•
cheild.
He faucht and slew him in the Feild.
I traist that God shall be my Gyde,
And give me grace to stanche thy pride:
Chocht thow be greit like Gowmakinorn
•
Craist well I sall yow meit the morne:
Beside Montruill upon the grene,
Befoir ten houris I shall be seen.
And gif ye wyn me in the Feild,
Baith hors & Geir I sall yow yield:
Sa that siclyke ye do to me,
That I sall do be God (quod he)
And thairto I give the my hand,
And swa between thame maid an Band:
That they suld meit upon the morne,
Bot Calbart maid at him bot Scorn.
Lychtlyand him with words of pride,
Syne hamewart to his Oist culled ride.
And show the Brethren of his Land,
How ane young Scot had tane on hand,
To fecht with him beside Montruill.
Bot I traist he sall prufe the fuill.
Quod they the morne that sall we ken,
The Scottis ar haldin hardie men.
Quod he I compt thame not ane cute,
He sall return upon his fute:
And leif with me his armor bricht,
For well I wait he hes no micht:
On hors nor fute to fecht with me.
Quod they, the morne that sall we se.
Quhan to Monsour de Ob
•••
e
Reportit was the verity,
How that the Squire had fane on hand,
To fecht with Talbart hand for hand.
His greit courage he did commend,
Sine haistelie did for him send.
And when he come before the Lord,
The verity he did record.
How for the honor of Sco
•
land,
That Battle he had tane on hand,
And ten it giuis me in my heart,
Get I ane hors to take my part,
My traist is sa in Goddis grace,
To leif kim lyand in the pla
•
e.
Howbeit he stalwart be and stout,
My Lord of him I have no dout.
Than send the Lord out throw the Land,
And gat ane hundredth hors fra hand:
To his presence he brecht in haist,
And bad the Squire cheis him the best.
Of that the Squire was rejoisit,
And cheisit the best as he suppoisit:
And lap on him delyuerlie,
Was never hors ran mair plesantlie.
With Speir and sword at his command,
And was the best of ail the Land:
He tuik his leif and went to rest,
Syne airlie in the morne him dressed.
Wantonlie in his weirlyke weid,
All well enarmit saif the heid:
He lap upon his Cursour wicht,
And straucht him in his stirroppis rich
•
,
His speir and scheild & helm wes borne
With Squyeris that raid him beforne:
Ane veluot Cap on heid he bair,
Ane quais of gold to heild his hair.
This Lord of him tuik sa greit Joy,
That he himself wald him conuoy:
With him ane hundredth men of Arms,
That their suld no man do him harms.
The Squire buir into his scheild,
Ane Otter in aue silver Feild.
His hors was bairdit full richelie,
Couerit with Satyne Cramesie.
Than fordward raid this Campioun,
With sound of Trumpet and Clarioun.
And spedilie spurtit ouir the bent,
Lyke
Mars
the God Armipotent.
Thus leif we tydand our Squyar,
And speak of Master Talbart mair:
Quhilk gat up airlie in the morrow,
And no manner of geir to borrow:
Hors, Harnes, Speir nor Scheild,
Bot was ay reddie for the Feild:
And had si
•
practik into weir,
Of our Squire he tuik na feir:
And said unto his companyeoun,
Or he come forth of his Pau
•
lyeoun.
This nicht I saw into my dream,
Quhilk to reheits I think greit shame:
Me thocht I saw cum fra the See,
Ane greit Otter rydand to me:
The qubilk was blak, with ane lang faill
And cruelly did me assaill.
And
•
ait me till he gart me bleid,
And drew me backwart fra my steid:
What this suld men
•
I cannot say,
Bot I was never in sic ane fray:
His fellow said, think ye not schame,
For to gif credence till ane dream.
Ze knaw it is aganis our Faith,
Therefore go dres yow in your graith,
And think well throw your hie courage,
This day ye sall wyn vassalage.
Than dressed he him into his geir,
Wantounlie like ane Man of weir,
Quhilk had baith hardines and fors,
And lichtlie lap upon his hors.
His hors was bairdit full brauclie
And couerit wes richt courtfullie:
With browderit wark, and veluot grieve,
Sanct Georges Cross their micht be seen
On Hors, Harnes, and all his geir,
Than raid he forth withoutt in weir:
Conuoyit with his Capitane
And with monie ane Inglisman:
Arrayit all with Arms bricht,
Micht no man see ane fairer sicht.
Than clariounis and trumpettis blew
And we iriouris monie hither drew:
On every side come monie Man,
To behald wha the Battle wan.
The field wes in the Medow grene,
Quhair every man micht well be seen:
The Heraldis put thame sa in order
That no man passit within the bordour:
Nor preissit to cum within the grene,
Bot Heraldis and the Campiounis kene.
The order and the circumstance,
•
er lang to put in remembrance:
When thir twa nobill Men of weir,
•
er w
•
ill accownterit in their geir.
And in their handis strang burdounis,
Than Crumpotis blew & Clariounis:
And Heraldis cryit hie on hicht,
Now let thame go God shaw the richte
Than spedilie they spur
•
it their hors,
And ran to vtherwith sic fors,
That baith their speiris in sindrie flaw,
Than said they all that stude on raw:
Ane better cours than they twa ran:
Was not seen sen the world began.
Than baith the parties wer rejoisit,
The Campiounis ane while repoisit:
Till they had gottin speiris new,
Than with triumph the trumpettis blew:
And they with all the force they ran,
Wounder rudelie at aither ran:
And straik at other with sa greit Ire,
That
•
ra their Harnes flew the Fire.
Thair Speiris warsa teuch & strang,
That aither other to Eirth down dang.
Baith hors & man with Speir and scheild
Than flatlingis lay into the field.
Than Master Talbart was eschamit,
Forsuith forever I am defamit:
And said this, I had rather die,
Without that I reuengit be.
Our young Squire sit was his hap.
Was first on f
•
te, and on he lap:
Upon his hors without support,
Of that the S
•
ottis tuke gude comfort,
When they saw him sa feirelie
L
•
up on hois Hors sa galyeardlie:
The Squire lift it his Uisair,
Ane lytill space to take the Air.
Thay had him wyne, and he it drank,
And humillie he did thame thank:
Be that Talbart on Hors mountif,
And of our Squire lytill countit.
And
•
ryit gif he durst vndertak,
To ryn anis for his Ladies saik.
The Squire answerit hi
•
on hicht,
That sall I do be Marie bricht:
I am content all day to ryn,
Till ane of us the honor wyn:
Of that Talbart was well content,
And ane greit Speir in hand he hent.
The Squire in his hand he
•
hrang,
His Speir whilk was baith greit & lang:
With ane warp heid of gtund in steill,
Of whilk he was appleisit well.
That plesand Feild was lang and braid,
Quhair gay order and towme was maid:
And eu
•
rie man micht have gude sicht,
And their was monie weirlyke Knicht▪
Sum man of every Natioun,
Was in that Congregatioun.
Than Trumpettis blew triumphantlie,
And they twa Campiounis egeirlie:
Thay spurrit yair hors wish speir on brei
•
Pertlie to preif their
•
ith they priest:
That round rinkroume wes at vtt
•
rance
Bot Talbartis Hors with ane mischance,
He outterit, and to ryn was laith,
Quhair of Talbart was wonder wraith.
The Squire forth his rink he ran,
Commendit well with every man.
And him discharg
•
t of his speir,
Honestlie like ane Man of Weir.
Becaus that rink they ran in vane,
Than Talbart wald not ryn again
Till he had gottin ane better steid,
Quhilk was brocht to him with gude speid
Quhairon he lap, and tuik his speir,
As brym as he had been ane Beir.
And bowtit fordwart with art bend,
And ran on to the Rinkis end:
And saw his hors was at command,
Than wes he blyith, I understand.
Traistand na mair to ryn in vane,
Than all the Trumpettis blew again.
Be that with all the force they can,
Thay richt rudelie at other ran.
Of that meiting ilk man thocht wounder,
Quhilk soundit like ane crak of thunder.
And nane of thame their marrow mist,
Sir Talbartis speir in sunder brist.
Bot the Squire with his burdoun.
Sir Talbart to the eirth dang down.
That straik was with sic micht and fors,
That on the ground lay man and hors.
And throw the brydell hand him bair,
And in the breist ane span and mair.
Throw carras and throw gluifis of plait,
That Talbart micht mak na debait.
The treneheour of the Squyeris speir,
Stak still into Sir Talbartis Gei
•
.
Than every man into that steid,
Did all believe that he was deed.
The Squire lapricht haistelie,
From his Cursour deliuerlie,
And to Sir Talbart maid support,
And humi
•
lie did him comfort.
When Talbart saw into his Scheild,
Ane Otter in ane silver Feild.
This race (said he) I may sairrew,
For Ises well my dream wes true.
Me thocht yone Otte
•
•
art me bleid,
And buir me backwart from my steid.
Bot heir I vow to God Souerane,
That I sall never Just again.
And sweitlie to the Squire said,
Thow knawis the tunning that we maid
Quhilk of us twa suld tyne the Feild,
He suld baith Hors and Armor yield.
Till him that wan, whairfoir I will,
My Hors and Harnes give the till.
Than said the Squire Courteouslie.
Brother I thank yow hartfullie.
Of yow forsuith nothing I crave,
For I have gottin that I wald have.
With every man he was commendit,
Sa vailyeandlie he him defendi
•
.
The Capitane of the Inglis band,
Tuke the young Squire be the hand.
And led him to the Pailyeoun,
And gart him mak Collatioun.
Quhē Talbartis wound is wes būd vpfast
The Inglis Capitane to him past.
And prudentlie did him comfort,
Syne said, Brother I yow exhort,
To take the Squire be the hand,
And sa he did at his command.
And said this been bot thance of Arms,
With that he braisit him in his arms.
Sayand hartlie I yow forgive,
And than the Squyertuik his
•
eve.
Commendit well with every man,
Than wichtlie on his hors he wan:
With monie ane Nobill man conuoy it:
Leue we their Talbart sair annoyit.
Sum says of that discomfitour,
H
•
hocht sic schame and dishonor:
That he departit of that Land,
And never wes seen into Ingland.
Bot our Squire did still remane
Efter the Weir, whill Peice was fane.
All Capitanes of the Kingis Gairdis,
Gaif to the Squire riche rewairdis:
Becaus he had sa well debaitit,
With every Nobill he wes well traifit.
Efter the Weir he tuke license,
Syne did return with diligence:
From Pycardie to Normandy,
And their ane space remanit he.
Becaus the Nauie of Scotland,
Wes still upon the Coist lyand.
When he ane while had sojornit,
He to the Court of France returnit:
For to decore his vassalege,
From Bartanye tuke his veyage:
With aucht scoir in his company.
Of waillit wicht men and hardie:
Enarmit well like men of We
•
r,
With Hakbut. Culuering, Pik and Speir.
And passit up throw Normandy,
Till Ambiance in Pycardie:
Quhair Nobill Lowes the King of France
Wes lyand with his Ordinance:
With monie ane Prince and worthy man
And in the Court of France wes than:
Ane meruellous Congregatioun,
Of monie ane diverse Natioun,
Of Ingland monie ane prudent Lord,
Efter the Weir makand record,
Thair wes than ane Ambassador,
Ane Lord ane man of greit honor:
With him was monie Nobill Kni
•
ht,
Of Scotland to defend their richt:
Quhilk guy dit thame sa honestlie,
Inglismen had thame at inuie.
And purposit to mak thame rumm
•
r,
Becaus they wer of greiter number.
And sa whaireuer they with thame met▪
Upon the Scottis they maid onset.
And like wyld Lyounis furious,
Thay laid ane seige about the house.
Thame to destroy, sa they in
•
endit,
Our worthy Scottis thame well desendi
•
The Sutheroun wes ay sywe for ane,
Sa on ilk side their wes men slane.
Th
•
Inglismen grew in greit Ire,
And cryit swyith set the house infyre.
Be that the Squire Meldrum.
Into the Market streit wes cum:
With his folkis in gude array.
And saw the town w
•
s in ane
•
ray:
He did inquyre the occasio
•
n,
(Quod they) the Scottis at all puf dou
••
Be Inglismen into their Innis.
(Quod he) I wald gif all the Bynnis,
That I micht cum or they departit,
With that he grew sa cruel har
•
it,
That he was like ane wyld Lyoun,
And rudelie ran out throw the town:
With all his company well arrayif,
And with Baner full braid displayit.
And whe
•
they saw the Inglis rouf,
Thay set upon thame with ane schout:
With reird sa rudelte
•
n thame rus
•
hie,
That fifty to the
•
irth they duschit.
Thair was nocht ellis bot take and slay,
This Squire wounder did that day.
And stoutlie
•
oppit in the stout,
And dang on thame with dintis dout.
Wes never man buit better vand,
Thair micht na Buckler by de his brand.
For it was we ill seuin quarter lang,
With that sa ders
•
ie on thame dang,
That like ane worthy Campioun,
•
y at ane straik he dang ane down.
Sum wes evil hurt, and sum wes slane
Sum sell, whilk rais not yet again.
Nuhen that the Sutheroun saw his micht
Effray it lie they tuke the flicht.
And wist not where to fly for haist,
Thus throw the town be hes thame chaist.
Wer not French men come to the redding.
Yair had been me kill mair b
•
ude shedding.
Of this journey I mak ane end,
Quhilk every Nobill did commend.
When to the king the care wes knawin,
And all the suith unto him shawin.
How this Squire sa manfullie,
On Sutberoun wan the victory.
He put▪ un into ordinance
And sa be did remane in france,
Ane ce
••
ane time for his p
•
esour,
Weill estemit in g
•
eight honor.
Quhair he did monie ane Nobill deed,
With that richt wantoun in his weid.
When Ladies knew his hie courage,
He was d
•
syrit in Marriage.
Be ane Lady of greit Rent,
Bot youth maid him sa insolent,
That he in France wald not remane.
Bot come to Scotland hame again.
Thocht French Ladies did for him mu
•
ne
The Scottis wer glaid of his return.
At every Lord he tuke his leave,
Bot his departing did thame grieve.
For he was luifit with all wichtis,
Quhilk had him seen defend his richtis.
Scottis Capitanes did him conuoy,
Thocht his departing did thame noy.
At Deip he maid him for the saill,
Quhair he furnischit ane gay vesehaill.
For his self and his Men of Weir
With Artailyie, Hakout, Bow and Sreir.
And furneist hir with gude virtuaill,
With the best wyne that he culled waill.
And whe
••
the Schip was reddie maid,
He lay bot ane day in the raid.
Quhill he g
•
t wind of the Southeist,
Than they their ankeris wey
•
t on haist.
And syne maid Saill, and fordwart past,
Ane day at morne, till at the last.
Of ane greit saill they gat ane sicht,
And
Phoebus
schew his bemis bricht,
Into the morning richt airlie.
Than past the Skipper richt spedelse,
Up to the top with richt greit feir,
And saw it wes ane Man of Weir.
And cryit, I see nocht ellis perdie,
Bot we mon outher fecht or flee.
The Squire wes in his bed lyand,
When he hatd tell this new tydand.
Be this the Inglis Artailye,
Lyke hailschot maid on thame assailze:
And sloppit throw their sechting saillis,
And diverse dang out ouir the waillis.
The S
•
ottis again with all their micht,
Of gunnis than they leit flee ane flicht:
That they micht well see where they ways
Heidis and arms flew in the Air.
The Scottis Schip schowes sa law,
That monie gunnis out ouir hir flaw.
Quhilk far beyond thame lichtit down,
Bot the Inglis greit Galyeoun,
Fornent thame stude like ane strang castle
Yat the Scottis gunnis micht na way faill
Bot hat hir ay on the richt side,
With monie aue slop for all hir pride,
That monie ane beft wer on their bakkis
Than rais the re
•
k with ugly crakkis.
Quhilk on the Sey maid sic ane sound,
That in the Air it did red
•
und.
That men micht well wit on the land,
That shippis wer on the Sey fechtan
•
.
Be this the Gyder straik the shippis,
And ather on other laid their clippis.
And than began the strang ba
•
tell,
I
•
k man his marrow did assaill.
Sa rudelie they did rushe togidder,
That nane micht hald their
•
eight for slidder.
Sum with halbert, and sum with speir,
Bot hak
•
uftis did the greitest deir.
Out of the top the grundin dartis,
D
•
d diverse peirs outthrow the harti
•
.
Every man did his diligence,
Upon his so to wirk vengeance.
Buschand on other routtis rude,
That ouir the waillis ran the
•
lud
•
▪
The Inglis Capitane cryit hie,
Swyith yield yow doggis or ye sall d
••
And do ye not, I mak ane vow.
That Scotland shall be quite of yow.
Than peirtlie answerit the Squy
•
r,
And said, O tratous Tauernar:
I lat the wit, thow hes na micht,
This day to put us to the st
••
ht.
Thay derflie ay at v
•
he
•
dang,
The Squire thrist it throw the thr
•
ng,
And in the Inglis schip he l
•
p.
And hat the Capitane sic ane slap
Upon his heid till he seil down,
Welterand intill ane deidlie swoun.
And when the Scottis saw the Squire,
Had strikk in down that rank Reve
•
:
They left their a win schip stand and waist
And in the Inglis schip in haist:
They follow it all their Capitane,
And sone wes all the Sutheroun slane.
Howbeit they wer of gre
•
ter number,
The Scottismen put thame in sic cumme
••
That they warfane to leif the Feild,
Cryand mercy, than did thame ye
•
ld.
Zit wes the Squire strai
•
and fast,
At the Capitane till at the last:
When be persauit no remeid,
Outher to yield, or to be deed:
He said, O gen
••
ll Capitane,
Thoill me not for to be slane.
My life to yow shall be mair pryse.
Nor sall my death ane thousand sy
••
.
For ye may get as I suppois,
Chri
•
thousand Nobillis of the Koi
•
▪
Of me,
•
nd of my company,
Therefore I cry yow loud mercy.
Except my life nothing I cr
•
if,
Tak yow the schip and all the lai
•
I yostd to yow haith sword and knyfe,
Therefore guds Master save my Lyfe.
The Squire tuik him be the hand,
And on his feit he gart him stand:
And tr
•
ittit him richt tenderly,
And syne unto his men did cry.
And gaif to thame richt strait command,
To straik no moir, bot
•
ald their hand.
Than baith the Capitanes tan and red,
And so their wes
••
mair blood shed.
Than all the laif they did thame; yield,
And to the Scottis gaif sword and shield▪
Ane
•
o
•
ill Leiche the Squire had,
Qubairof the Inglismen
•
es full glaid.
To whom the Squire gaif command
The woundit men to take ou hand.
And so he did with diligence,
Quhairof he gat gude recompense.
Than when the woundit men wer dressed,
And all the
•
eand men confessed.
And deed men cassin in the See,
Quhilk to behald wes greit piety.
Thair was slane of Inglis band,
Fyue scoi
•
of men I understand.
The whilk wer cruel men and ken
•
,
And of the Scottis wer slane fyftens.
And when the Inglis Capitane
Saw, how his men wer tane and slane:
And how the Scottis safew in number,
Had put thame in sa greit ane cummer.
He grew intill ane frenesy,
Sayand, falls Fortoun I the defy.
For I beleuit this day at morne,
That he was not in Scotland borne▪
That durst have met me hand for hand:
Within the boundis of my brand.
The Squire bad him mak gude their,
And said, it wes bot chance of Weir.
Greit Conquerouris I yow assure.
Hes hapnit siclike adventure.
Thairfort mak mirrie and go dyne,
And let us preif the michtie wyne.
Sum drank wyne, and sum drank Kill,
Syne put the Wippis under saill.
And waillit forth of the Inglis band,
Twa hundredth men, and put on land.
Quyetlie on the Coist of Kent,
The laif in Scotland with him went.
The Inglis Capitane as I ges,
He wairdit him in the Blaknes,
And triitit him richt honestlie,
Togithee with his company.
And held thame in that Garnisou
•
,
Till they had pay it their Kansoun.
Out throw the land than sprang the fame
That Squire Meidium wes cum ham
•
When they hard tell how he d
•
bai
•
if,
With every man le was sa treitit:
That when he trauellit throw the land,
Thay bankettit him fra hand to hand.
With greit solace, till at the last,
Out throw Straithe
•
ne the Squrer pas
•
And as it did approach the nicht,
Of a
•
e Castell he gat ane sicht,
B
•
si
•
e ane Montane in ane vaill,
And than after his greit trauaill,
He purpoisit him to repois,
Quhair
•
ls man did of him rejois.
Of this triumphant plesand place,
Ane lusty Lady wes Maistres.
Quhais Lord was deed schort time beso
•
e
Quhairthrow hir dolour wes the moir.
Bot yet scho tuke sum comforting,
To heir the pleasant dulce talking,
Or̄ this young Squire of his chance,
And how it forton
•
t him in France.
This Squire and the Lady gent,
Did mesche, and then to supper went.
During that nicht their was nocht ellis,
Bot
•
or to heir of his Nouellis.
Eneas when he
••
ed from Troy,
Did not Queen Dido greiter Joy:
When he in Carthage did arryue,
And did the seige of Croy discryu
•
.
The wonderis that he did reheirs,
Wer langsum for to put in ve
•
s.
Of whilk this Lady did rejois.
Thay drank, and syne went to
•
epois.
He fand his Chalmer well arrayit,
With dor
•
ik work on buird dispiayit.
Of Uenisoun he had his waill,
Gude Aquabite, Wyne and Aill.
With nobill Confeittis, Bran and Geill,
And swa the Squire fuir richt well.
Sa to heir mair of his narratioun,
This Lady come to his Collatioun.
•
ayand he was ti
•
ht welcum hame,
Grandmercie than (quod he) Madame,
Thay past the time with Ches and Tahiff,
For he to every game was abill.
Than unto bed drew every witht,
To Chalmer went this Lady bricht.
The whilk this Squire did conuoy,
Syne till his bed Le went with Joy:
That nicht he sleipit never ane wink.
Bot still did on the Lady think:
Cupido with his fiery dart,
Did peirs him so out throw the heart,
Sa all that nicht he did bot inurnit:
Sum time sat up, and sometime turnit:
Sichand with monie gant and grave.
To fair Venus makand his mane:
Sayand, Lady, what may this mene?
I was ane free man lait yistrene:
And now ane catiue bound and thrall,
For ane that I think Flour of all.
I pray God, sen scho knew my mind,
How for hirsaik I am sapynd.
Mald God I had been yet in France,
Or I had hapnit sic mischance:
To be subject or seruiture:
Till ane, whilk takis of me na cure.
This Lady ludgit neirhand by,
And hard the Squire privily:
With dre
•
dfull heart makand his mone,
With monie cairfull gant and groan:
Hir heart fulfillit with piety,
Thocht scho wald haif of him mercy:
And said howbeit I suld be slane,
He sall have lufe for lufe again.
Ma
•
d God I micht with my honor,
Have him to be my Paramour.
This was the mirrie time of May,
When this fair Lady fresh and gay,
Start up to take the hailsum Air,
With pantonis on hirfeit an
•
pair:
Airlie into ane cleir morning.
Befoir fair
Phoebus
vprysing:
Kirtill alone withouttin Clok,
And saw the Squyeris
•
ure vulok
•
Stho slippie in or ever he wist,
And fenyeitlie past till ane kist.
And with hir key is oppinnit the Lokkis
And maid hir to take forth ane Box.
Bot that was not hir erand their:
With that this lusty young Squyar,
Saw this Lady so plesantlie,
Cum to his Chalmer quyetlie.
In Kyrtill of fine Damais broun,
Hir goldin traissis hingand down:
•
ir Pappis wer hard, round and white,
Quhome to behald wes greit delight.
Lyke the white lyllie wes hir lyre,
Hir hair was like the reid gold wyre.
Hir schankis white withouttin hois,
Quhairat the Squire did rejois.
And said than now vailye quod vailye,
Upon the Lady thow mak ane sailye.
Hir Courlyke Kirtill was vnlaist,
And sone into his armis hir braist▪
And said to hir Madame gude-morne,
Help me your man, that is forlorn.
Without ye mak me sum remeid.
Withouttin dout, I am bot deed.
Quhairfoir ye mon relief my harms,
With that he hint hir in his arms
And talkit with hir on the flure,
Syne quyetlie did bar the dure.
Squire (quod scho) what is your will▪
Think ye my womanh
••
d to spill?
Na God forbid, it wer greit syn,
My Lord and ye wes neir of Kyn.
Quhairfoir I wak yow supplicatioun,
Pas and seek ane dispensatioun.
Chansall I wed yow with ane King,
Than may ye leif at your liking:
For ye ar young, lusty and fair.
And als ye ar your Fatheris Air.
Thair is na Lady in all this land,
May yow refuse to hir Husband,
Ane gif ye lufe me as ye say,
Haist to dispens the best ye may.
And their to yow I give my hand,
I fall yow take to my Husband.
(Quod he) whill that I may endure,
I vow to be your seruiture.
Bot I think greit veratioun▪
To tarie upon dispensatioun.
Than in his armis he did hir thrist,
And aither other sweitlie kis
•
▪
And wame for wame they other braissle,
With that hir
••
irtill wes vnlaissit:
Than Cupido with his fiery dartis.
Inflammit sa thir Luiferis hartis
Thay micht na manner of way disseuer.
Nor ane mic
•
t not part s
•
a ane other.
Bot like wodbind they wer baith wrappif▪
Thair tenderlie he hes hir happit.
Full softlie up intill his Bed,
Judge ye gif he hir schankis
••
ed.
Alas (quod scho) what may this mene▪
And with hir hairscho dicht hir En
•
.
I cannot tell how they did play,
Bot I believe scho said not nay.
He ple
•
sit hir sa, as I hard sane,
That he was welcum ay again.
Sctio rais and tendirlie him kist.
And on his hand ane King scho thrist.
And he gaif hir ane lufe dro
•
rie,
Ane King set with ane riche Rubie,
In takin that their Lufe forever,
Suid never from thir twa disseuer.
And than scho passit unto hir Chalmer,
And fand hir madinnis sweet as Lamm
•
t.
Sleipand full sound and nothing wist,
How that their Lady past to the Kist:
(Quod they) Madame where have ye ben
•
(Quod scho) into my Gardine grene.
To heir thir mirrie birdis sang,
I lat yow wit, I thocht not lang,
Thocht I had taryit their whill None.
(Quod ya
•
) where wes your hois & schone?
Quhy yeid ye with your belly bair?
(Quod scho) the morning wes sa fair.
For be him that deir Jesus sauld,
I felt na wayis ony manner of cauld.
(Quod they) Madame me think ye sweet:
(Quod scho) ye see I sufferit heit:
The dew did sa on flouris fleit,
That baith my Lymmis ar maid weit:
Therefore ane while I will heirly,
Till this dulce dew be
•
ra me dry.
Ryse and gar mak our denner reddie,
That shall be done (quod they) my Lady.
Efter that scho had tane hir rest,
Sho rais, and in hir Chalmer hir dressed:
And after Mes to denner went,
Than wes the Squire diligent:
To declare monie sindrie story.
Worthie to put in Memory.
What sall we of thir Luiferis say?
Bot all this time of lusty May:
They past the time with Joy and blis,
Full quyetlie with monie ane kis:
Thair was na Creature that knew.
Zit of thi
•
Luiferis Chalmer glew:
And sa he leuit plesandlie,
Ane certain time with his Lady.
Sum time with halking and hunting▪
Sum time with wantoun hors rinning.
And sum time like ane man of weir,
Full galyardlie wald tyn ane speir.
He wan the pryse abone thame all,
Baith at the Buttis and the Futeball.
Till every solace he was abill,
At cartis and dyce, at Ches and fabill
And gif ye list I sall yow tell,
How that he seigit ane Castell.
Ane Messinger come spedilie,
From the Lennox to that Lady.
And schew how that Maksagon,
And with him monie bauld Baron.
Hir Castell had tane perfors,
And nouther left hir kow nor hors.
And heryir all that land about,
Quhairof the Lady had greit dout.
Till hir Squire scho passit in haist,
And schew him how scho wes oppressed.
And how he waistit monie ane mile,
Betuix Dunbartane and Argyle.
And when the Squire Meldrum,
Had hard thir Nouellis all and sum;
Intill his heart their grew sic Ire,
That all his body bri
•
t in fire.
And swoir it suld be full deir sald,
Gif he micht find him in that hald▪
He and his men did them addres,
Richt haistelie in their Harnes.
Sum with bow, and sum with speir▪
And he like Mars the God of weir▪
Come to the Lady and tuke his less,
And scho gaif him hir richt hand gluis:
The whilk he on his basnet bure,
And said Madame I yow assure:
That worthy Lance
•
ot du laik,
Did never mair for his Ladies saik:
Nor I sall do, or ellis de,
Without that ye reuengit be.
Than in hir arms scho him braist,
And he his leif did take in haist:
And raid that day and all the nicht,
Till on the morne he gat anesicht
Of that Casteil baith fair and strang,
Than in the middis his men amang:
To michtie Mars his vow he maid,
That he suld never in heart be glaid:
Nor yet return forth of that land,
Quhill that strenth wer at his command.
All the Tennentis of that Lady,
Come to the Squire haistelie.
And maid aith of fidelity,
That they suld never fra him fly.
Qu
•
en to Makferland wicht and bauld,
The v
•
ritie all haill wes tauld.
How the young Squire Meldrum,
Wes now into the Cuntrie
•
um:
Purpoisand to seige that place,
Than vittaillit he that Fortres.
And swoir he suid that place defend▪
Bauldlie until his lyfisend.
Be this the Squire wes arrayit,
With his Bauer bricht displayit.
With euluering hakbut, bow, and spei
•
Of Makfarland he tuke na
•
cir.
And like an
•
Campioun courageous,
He cryit and said gif ouir the house:
The Capitane answerit heichly,
And said, tratour we the defy.
We sall remane this house within,
Into despyte of all thy kyn.
With that the Archeris bauld and wicht;
Of braid arrow is let flee ane flicht.
Amang the Squyeris company,
And they again richt manfullie:
With Hakbute, Bow, and Culueryne,
Qu
•
ilk put Makferlandis men to pyne.
And on their colleris laid full sikker,
And their began ane bailfull bikker.
Thair was bot schot and schot again;
Till on ilk side their wes men slane.
Than cryit the Squire courageous,
Swyith lay the ledderis to the house.
And sa they did, and clam belyse.
As busy Beis dost to their hyse.
Howbeit their wes slane monie man,
℥it wichtlie ouir the wallis they wa
•
The Squyertormest of them all,
Plantit the Baner ouir the wall:
And than began the mortal fray,
Thair wes not ellis bot take and slay.
Than Makferland that maid the praise,
From time he saw the Squyeris face:
Upon his kneis he did him yield,
Deliver and him baith speir and scheild.
The Squire hartlie him ressauit,
Commandand that he suld be sauit:
And sa did slaik that mortal feid,
Sa that na man wes put to deed.
In free waitd was Makferland seisit,
And leit the laif gang qu hair they pleisif.
And sa this Squire amorous,
Seigit, and wan the Ladies house.
And left thairin ane Capitane,
Syne to Stratherne returnit again:
Quhair that he with his fair Lady,
Ressauit wes full plesantlîe.
And to take rest did him conuoy,
Judge ye gif their wes mirth and Joy.
Howbeit the Chalmer dure wes cloisit,
They did bot kis, as I suppoisit.
Gifvt
•
er thing wes them between,
Let them discover that Luiferis be
•
e.
For I am not in Lufe expart,
And never studyit in that art.
Thus they remainit in merines,
Beleifand never to have distress.
In that meine time this Lady fair,
Ane douchter to the Squire bair:
Nane fund wes fairer of visage,
Than tuke the Squire sic courage:
Agane the mirrie time of May,
Threttie he put in his Luferay.
In Scarlot fine, and of hew grene,
Quhilk wes ane semelie sicht to seen.
The gentilmen in all that land,
Wer glaid with him to mak ane band:
And he wald plainly take their partis,
And not desyring bot their hartis.
Thus leuit the Squire plesandlie,
With Music and with Menstralie.
Of this Lady he wes sa glaid,
Thair micht na sorrow mak him sad,
I
•
k ane did other consolatioun,
Taryand upon dispensatioun.
Hadit cum hame, he had hir bruikit,
Bot or it come, it wes miscuikit:
And all this game he bocht full deit,
As ye at lenth sall ef
•
er heir.
Of warldlie Joy it wes well kend,
That sorrow be
•
e the fatal end:
For Jealousy and falz Inuie,
Did him per
••
w richt cruelly.
I meruell not thocht it be so,
For they wer ever Luiseris fo.
Quhait
•
hrow he stude in monie ane stour.
And ay defen
•
it his honor.
Ane cruel Knicht dw
•
lt neir hand by,
Quhilk at this Squire had Inuy:
Imaginand in
•
ill his heart,
How he thir Luiferis micht depart:
And wa
•
d have had hir maryand,
Ane gentilman within his land.
The whilk to him wes not in blood,
Bot fi
•
allir for to conclude,
Thairto scho wald never assent,
Quhairfoir the Knicht set his Inte
•
t▪
This nobill Squire for to destroy,
And swore,
•
e su
•
d never have Joy:
In till his ha
•
t without remeid,
Till a
•
e of thame wer left for de
•
d.
This vailyeand Squire mansully,
In ernist or play did him defy.
Offeran
•
himself for to essaill,
Body for body in battaill.
The Ku
•
cht thairto not condiscendi
•
,
Bot to betrais him ay intendit.
Sa it fell anis upon ane day,
In Edinburgh as I hard say:
This Squire and the Lady frew,
Was their just matter
•
s to persew:
That cruel Knicht full of Inuy,
Gart hald on them ane secreit Spy:
When thaj suld pas forth of the town,
For this Squyeris confusioun:
Quhilk traistit no man suld him grieve,
Nor of tressoun had no believe.
And tuik his license from his Oist,
And liberallie did pay his Coist.
And sa departit blyith and mirrie,
With purpois to pas ouir the Ferrie.
He wes bot aucht sum in his rout,
For of danger he had no dout.
The Spy come to the Knicht ano
•
e,
And him informit how they wer gone.
Than gadderit he his men in hy,
With thrie scoir in his company.
Accowterit well in feir of weir,
Sum with bow, and sum with speir.
And on the Squire followit fast,
Till they did see him at the last:
With all his men richt well arrayit,
With cruel men nothing effrayit.
And when the Lady saw the rout,
God wait gif scho stude in greit dout.
(Quod scho your enemeis I see,
Therefore sweet heart I reid yow fl
•
.
In the cuntrey I will be kend,
Ze ar na party to defend.
Ze knaw yone Knichtis cruelty,
That in his heart hes uo mercy.
It is bot ane that they wald have,
Therefore deir heart yourself ye save.
Howbeit they take me with this trane,
I shall be sone at yow again.
For ye war never sa hard staid,
Madame (quod he) be ye not raid:
For be the holy Trinity,
This day ane fute I will not flee.
And be he had endit this word.
He drew ane lang twa handit sword:
And put his aucht men in array,
And bad that they suld take na fray.
Than to the Squire cryit the Knicht,
And said, send me the Lady bricht:
Do ye not sa, be Goddis Corce,
I sall hir take away perforce.
The Squire said, be thow ane Knicht,
Cum forth to me and shaw the richt.
Bot hand for hand without redding,
That their be na mair blood shedding.
And gif thow winnis me in the field,
I sall my Lady to the yield.
The Knicht durst not for all his land▪
Fecht with this Squire hand for hand.
The Squire than saw no remeid,
Bot outher to fecht, or to be deed.
To heaven he liftit up his visage,
Cry and to God with hie courage:
To the my querrell I do commend,
Syne bowtit fordwart with ane bend:
With countenance baith bauld and stout,
He rudelie rushit in that rout.
With him his litill company,
Quhilk them defendit manfullie.
The Squire with his birneist brand,
Amang his famen maid sic hand:
That Gaudefer, as say is the Letter,
At Gadderis Ferrie faucht no better.
His sword he swappit sa about,
That he greit roum maid in the rout:
And like ane man that was dispairit,
His wapoun sa on thame he wairit:
Quhome ever he hit as I hard say,
Thay did him na mair deir that day▪
Quha ever come within his boundis,
He chaipit not but mortal woundis.
Sum mutilate wer, and sum wer slane,
Sum fled, and come not yet again.
He hat the Knicht abone the brris,
That he fell fordwart on his kneis.
Wer not Thome Giffard did him save,
The Knicht had sone been in his grave.
Bot than the Squire with his brand,
Hat Thomas Giffard on the hard:
From that time forth during his life,
He never weildit sword nor knyfe.
Than come ane sort as brim as beiris,
And in him fest
•
it fyfre
•
e speiris:
In purpois to have borne him down,
Bot he as forcie Campioun:
Amāg thai wicht men wrocht greit won̄der
For all thai speiris he schure in sunder.
Nane durst cum neir him hand for hand,
Within the boundis of his
•
rand.
This worthy Squy
•
r courageous,
Micht be compa
••••
to Tydeus:
Quh
•
lk fa
•
cht for to defend his Richtis,
And slew of Thebes fyf
•
ie Knichtis.
R
••
land with Brand well his bricht brand,
Faucht
•
e
•
er be
•
ter hand for hand,
Nor Gaw
••
aganis Gelibras,
Nor Ol
•
u
•
r with Pharambras.
I wait he faucht that day als well,
As did Sir Gry
•
ne a
•
anis Graysteill:
And I
••
r say, he was als abi
••
,
As on
•
e Knicht of the round Tabill:
And did his honor mair auance,
Nor onie of they Knichtis perchance:
The whi
•
k I offer me to preif
Gif that ye pleis Sirs with yourleif.
Amang they Knichts wes maid ane band,
That they suld fecht bot hand for hand:
Assurit that their suld cum no mo,
With this Squire it stude not so.
His stalwart stout wha wald discryfe,
Aganis ane man
•
hair come ay fyfe.
When that this cruel tyrane Knicht.
Saw the Squire sa wounder wicht.
And had no micht him to destroy,
Into his heart their grew sic noy:
That he was abill for to rage,
That no man micht his Ire asswage:
Fy on us said he to his men,
Ay aganis ane sen we arten.
Chaip he away, we ar eschamif,
Like cowartis we shall be defamit:
I had rather be in hellis pane,
Or he suld chaip fra us vnslane.
And ca
•
lit thrie of his company,
Said pas
•
ehind him quye
•••
e:
And sa they did r
•
ch
•
secreitlie,
And come behind him cowartlie
And hackit on his horhis and
•
heis,
Till that he fell upon his kneis:
Zit when his se
•
ankis wet schorne in sunder,
Upon his kneis be wrocht greit wounder.
Sweipa
•
d his sword round about,
Not haifand of the death na dout:
Durst nane approach within his boundis,
Till that his cruel mortal woundis,
Bled sa, that he did swap in swoun,
Perforce behuitit him than fall down.
And when he lay upon the ground,
They gaif him monie cruel wound:
That men on far micht heir the knokkis,
Like boucheouris hakkand on their stokks
And finally without remeid,
They left him lyand their for deed.
With ma woundis of sword and knyfe,
Nor ever had man that keipit life.
What suld I of thir tratouris say▪
When they had done they fled away.
Bot than this lusty lady fair,
With dolent heart scho maid sic cair:
Quhilk wes greit piety for to reheirs
And langsum for to put in verse.
With teiris scho wuische his bludie face,
Sichand with many loud all ace.
Alas quod scho that I was borne,
In my querrell thow art forlorn.
Sall never man after this hour,
Of my body have mair plesour.
For thow was gem of gentilnes,
And werie well of worthiness.
Than to the eirth scho rushit down,
And lay intill ane deidlie swoun.
Be that the Regent of the land,
Fra Edinburgh come fast rydand.
Sir Anthony Darsie wes his name,
Ane Knicht of France and man of fame.
Quhilk had the guiding haillilie,
Under Johne Duke of Albanie.
Quhilk wes to our young King Cutour,
And of all Scotland Governor.
Our King was bot five yeiris of age.
That time when done wes the outrage.
When this gude Knicht the Squire saw,
Thus lyand in till his deed thraw.
Woe is me (quod he to see this, sicht,
On the, quihi
•
k worthy wes and wicht.
Wald God that I had been with the,
As thow in France was a
•
is with me.
Into the land of Picardy,
Quhair Inglis men had greit Inuy:
To have me slane, sa they fatendit,
Bot manfullie thow me defendit:
And vailyeandlie did save my life,
Was never man with sword nor knyfe,
Nocht Hercules, I dar well say,
That ever faucht better for ane day.
Defendand me within ane stound,
Thew dang seir Sutheroun to the ground
I may the mak no help alas,
Bot I sall follow on the cha
•
e.
Richt spedilie baith day and nicht,
Till I may get that cruel Knicht.
I mak ane vow gif I may get him,
In till ane Presoun I sall set him.
And when I heir that thow beis dei
•
,
Than sall my handis straik of his heid.
With that he gave his hors the spurris,
And spedelie flaw ouir the furris.
He and his Gaird with all their micht,
They ran till thaj ouirtuik the Knicht.
When he approchit he lichtit down,
And like ane vailye and Campioun:
He tuik the Tyrane presonar,
And send him backward to Dumbar.
And their remainit in presoun,
Ane certain time in that Dungeoun▪
Let him lie their with me kill case,
And speak we of our heynd Squyar:
Of whom we cannot speak bot gude,
When he lay bath and in his blood.
His freindis and his Lady fair,
They maid for him sic dule and cair:
Quhilk wer greir piette to deploir,
Of that matter I speak no moir.
Thay seed for Leithes haistelie,
Spne buir his body tenderlie:
To ludge into ane fair ludgyne,
Quhair be ressauit medteyne.
The gre
•
test Leichis of the land,
Come all to him without command.
And all practihis on him prouit,
Becaus he was sa well belouit.
Thay tuik on hand his life to save,
And he thame gaif what they wald have?
Bot he sa lang lay into pane,
He turait to be a
•
e Chirurgiane:
And als be his natural ingyne,
He lernit the Art of Medicyne.
He saw thame on his body wrochf,
Quhairfoir the Science wes deir bocht.
Bot efterward when he was haill,
He spairit na coist nor yet trauaill.
To preif his practikis on the pure,
And on thame preuit monie ane sure:
On his expensis without rewaird,
Of Money he t
•
i
•
na regaird.
Zit sam thing will we common mair
Of this Lady qubilk maid greit cair.
Quhilk to the Squire wes mair pane,
Nor all his woundis in
•
crta
•
e.
And than hir freindis did conclude,
Becaus scho micht
•
o him
•
a gude.
That seho suld take hir leif and go.
Till hir cuntrie, and scho did so:
Bot thir luiferis met never again,
Quhilk wes to thame ane lestand pane.
For scho aganis hir will wes maryir,
Quhairthrow hir weird scho daily waryit
Howbeit hir body wes absent,
Hir tender heart wes ay present:
Baith nicht and day with hir Squyar,
Wes never Creature that maid sic cair.
Penelope for Ulisses,
I wait, had never mair distress.
Nor Cresseid for true Troylus,
Wes not tent part sa dolorous.
I wait is wes aganis hir heart,
That scho did from hit Lufe depart.
Helene had not sa mekill noy,
When scho perforce wes bro
•
ht to Troy.
I leif hir than with heart fullsore,
And speak now of this Squire more.
When this Squire wes haill & sound,
And softlie micht gang on the ground:
To the Regent he did complane,
Bot he alas wes richt soue slane.
Be David Hume of Wedderburne,
The whilk gart monie Frenchemen mur
••
For their was nane mair nobill Knicht,
Mair vailye and, mair wise, mair wi
•
ht,
And sone after that cruelty,
The Knicht was put to liberty:
The whilk the Squire had oppressed,
Sawes his matter left vndrest.
Becaus the King was young of age,
Than tyrannis rang into thai
•
rag
•
▪
Bot efterward, as I hard say,
On Striuiling brig upon ane day:
This knicht wes slane with cruelty,
And that day gat na mair mercy.
Nor he gaif to the young Squyar,
I say na mair, let him lie their,
For cruel men ye may well see,
They end ofttimes with cruelty.
For Christ to Peter said this word,
Quha ever straikis with ane sword:
That man shall be with ane sword slane,
That saw is suith, I tell yow plane.
He menis wha straikis cruelly,
Aganis the Law without mercy:
Bot this Squire to nane offendit,
Bot manfullie himself defendit.
Wes never man with sword nor knyfe,
Micht saif their honor and their life.
As did the Squire all his days,
With monie terribill affrayis.
Wald I at lenth his life declare,
I micht well writ ane other quair.
Bot at this time I may not mend it,
Bot shaw yow how the Squire endit.
Thair dwelt in Fife ane agit Lord.
That of this Squire hard record.
And did desire richt hartfullie,
To have him in his company,
And send for him with diligence,
And he come with obedience.
And lang time did with him remane,
Of whom this agit Lord was fane.
Wyse men desiris commounlie
Wyse men into their company.
For he had been in monie ane Land.
In Flanderis France and in Ingland:
Quhairfoir the Lord gaif him the cure,
Of his houshald I yow assure.
And in his Hall thief Merschall.
And auditor of his comptis all.
He was ane richt Courticiane,
And in the Law ane Practicia
•
e
Quhairfoir during this Lordis life,
Tchyref
•
e pute he wes in Fife.
To eueri
•
man ane equal Judge,
And of the pure he wes refuge.
And with Justice did thame support,
And curit their sairis with grief comfort.
For as I did reheirs before,
Of Medicine he tu
•
e the Lore,
When he saw the Chirurgience,
Upon him do their diligence.
Experience maid him perfect,
And of the Science tuke sic delyfe
That he did monie thrifty cure,
And specially upon the pure.
Without rewaird for his expensis,
Without regaitd or recompencis.
To gold, to silver, or to rent,
This Nobill Squire tuke lifill fent.
Of all this world na mair he craifit,
Sa that his honor micht be saifit.
And ilk y
•
ir for his Ladies saik,
Ane Banket Royal wald he maik.
And that he maid on the Sunday.
Precedand to Asch wednisday.
With wyld foul, vemsoun and wyne.
With tairf, and flam, and srutage fine:
Of Bran and Geill their wes na sk
•
n
•
,
And Ipocras he wald not want.
I have sent sittand at his Tabill,
Lordis and Lairdis honorabill.
With Knichtis & monie ane gay Squya
•
Quhilk wer to lang for to declare.
With mirth Music and menstrallie,
All this he did for his Lady.
And for hir saik during his life,
Wald never be weddit to ane wife.
And when he did declyne to age,
He faillit never of his courage.
Of ancient storyis for to tell,
Above all other he did
•
ell.
Sa that euerilk Creatu
••
,
To heir him speak they tuke pleasure.
Bot all his deidis honorabill,
For to descryue I am not abill.
Of every man he was commendit,
And as he leiuit, sa he endit.
Plesandlie till he micht endure,
Till dolent death come to his dure.
And cruelly with his mortal dart,
•
e straik the Squire throw the heart.
His soul with Joy Angelical,
Past to the
•
euin Imperiáll.
Thus at the Struther into Fife,
This nobill Squire loist his life.
I pray to Christ for to conuoy,
All sic true Luiferis to his Joy.
Say ye Amen for Cheritie,
Adew, ye sall get na mair of me.
✚
FINIS.
THE Testament of the nobill and vailyeand Squire Williame Meldrū of the Bynnis. Compylit be Sir David Lyndesay of the Mont. &c.
THe Holy man Job, ground of patience,
In his greit trubill trewlie did report,
Quhilk I persaue now be Experience,
That mennis life in
•
irth been wounder short.
My youth is gane and eild now dost resort:
My time is gan
•
I think it bot ane dream,
Zit after death remane sall my gude fame.
I persaue shortly, that I man pay my det,
To me in
•
irth no place been permanent:
My heart on it no mair now will I set,
Bot with the help of God omnipotent,
With resolute mind go mak my Testament:
And take my leif at cuntriemen, and kyn,
And all the world and thus I will begin.
Thrie Lordis to me shall be Executouris,
Lindesayis all thrit in surname of renoun:
Of my Testament they sall have hail the cure,
To put my mind till executioun.
That Surname failyeit never to the Croun,
Na m
•
ir will they to me I am richt sure,
Quhilk is the
•
aus that I give them the cure▪
First David Erll of Craufuird wise & wicht
And John Lord Lindesay my master sp
•
The thread shall be ane nobill trauellit Knicht,
Quhilk kn
•
wis the coistis of Feistis funeral:
The wise Sir Walter Lindesay they him cal.
Lord of S. John, and Knicht of Torfishane,
Be sey and land ane vailye and Capitane.
Thocht age hes maid my body impotent.
Zit in my heart hie courage doeth precell:
Quhairfoir I leif to God with gude intent,
My spreit, the whilk he hes maid immortal
In
••
l his Court perpetuallie to dwell:
And neuir moir to steir forth of that steid
Till Christ descend & judge baith quick & deed.
I yow beseik my Lordis Executouris,
My geir give till the next of my kynrent:
It is well kend, I never tuik na cures,
Of conquessing of riches nor of Rent:
Dispone as ye think mayest expedient:
I never tuik cure of gold more than of glas:
Without honor, fy ty upon Kiches.
I yow requeist my freindis ane and all,
And nobill men, of whom I am descendit:
Faill not to be at my feist funeral,
Quhilk
•
hrow the world I traist shall be cōmendit
Ze knaw how that my fame I have defendit
During my life unto this latter hour.
Quhilk s
•
ld to yow be infinite plesour.
First of my Bowellis clenge my body clean,
Within & out, syne wesche it well with wyne
Bot honesty see that nothing be seen,
Syne clois it in ane coistlie caruit schryne,
Of Ceder treis, or of Cyper fine:
Anoynt my corps with Balm delicious,
With Cynamome and Spycis precious.
In twa caissis of gold and precious stanis,
Inclois my heart and tongue richt craftelie;
My sepulture syne gar mak for my banis,
Into the Tempill of Mars triumphandlis,
Of marhill stanis caruit richt curiouslie:
Quhairin my Kist and banis ye sall clois
In that triumphand Tempill to repois.
Mars: Uenus and Mercurius all three,
Gaue me my natural in
•
linatiounis:
Quhilk rang the day of my nativity,
And sa their heuinlie constellatiounis,
Did me support in monie Natiounis,
Mars maid me hardie like ane feirs lyou
•
,
Quhairthrow I conqueist honor & renoun.
Quho list to knaw the a
•
is Bellical,
Let thame go reid the legend of my life:
Chair sall thai find the deidis martial
How I have stand in monie stalwart stri
•
e:
Uictoriouslie with speir, shield, sword & knife:
Quhairfoir to Mars the God Armipotent
My corps incloisit ye do till him present.
Mak offering of my soung Rhefortcall,
Till Mercurius whilk gaif me
•
loquence,
In his Tempill to hing perpetual,
I can mak him na better recompense.
For when I was brocht to the presence,
Of Kings in Scotland, Ingland & in France▪
My ornate tongue my honor did auance.
Cofresche Uenus my heart ye sall present,
Quhilk hes to me been ay comfortabill:
And in my face sic grace scho did
•
np
•
ent,
All creatures did think me amiabill,
Wemen to me scho maid sa fau
•
rabill:
Wes never Lady that luikit in my face,
Bot honestlie I did obtene hir grace!
My friend Sir David Lyndsay of ye Mon
•
Sail put in order my Processioun:
I will that their pas formest in the front
To beir my P
•
n
•
eil ane wicht Campioun,
With him ane band of Mars his Religioun
That is to say in steid of Monkis & Freiris
In gude order ane thousand hagbutteris.
Nixt them ane thousand futemen in ane ronf,
With speir & stetld, with buckler, bow & brand
In ane Luferay young stalwart men & stout,
Thridlie in order their sall cum ane band
Of nobill men, abill to wraik their Harmes:
Thair Capitane with my standart in his hand
On bairdit hors ane hundredth men of Arms.
Amang that band my baner shall be borne
Of s
•
iuer schene, thrie Ot
•
eris into sabill:
With tabroun, trumpet, clarioun, and horn,
For men of Arms very conuenabill,
Nixt after them ane Campioun honorabill:
Sall beir my bas
•
et with my funeral,
Syne after him in order triumphal:
My armig sword, my gluifis of plait, & shield
Borne be ane forcie Campioun or ane Knicht:
Quh
•••
did me serve in monie dangerous field
Nixt after him ane man in armor bricht,
Upon ane Ionet or ane cursour wicht:
The whilk shall be ane man of greit honor,
Upon ane speir to heir my coit armor.
Syne next my Beir sall cum my Corspresen
•
My bairdit hors, my harnes, and my speir▪
With sum greit man of my a win kynrent,
As I wes wont on my body to beir:
During my time when I went to the weir.
Quhilk shall be offerit with ane say garment,
To Mars his Priest at my Interrement.
Duill weidis I think hypoctisie & scorn,
With huidis heklit down ouirthort their ene:
With men of arms my body shall be borne,
Into that band see that no blak be seen
My Luferay shall be reid, blew, and grene,
The reid for Mars, the grene for fresh Uenus
The blew for lufe of God Mercurius.
About my beir sall ride ane multitude
All of ane Lutferay of my cullouris thrie.
Erles and Lordis, knichtis, and men of gude
Ilk Barroun beirand in his hand on hie,
Ane Lawrer branche in sign of victory,
Be aus I fled never out of she field,
Nor yet as presoner unto my fois me yield▪
Agane that day faill not to warn and call
All Men of Music, and of Menstrallie:
About my Beir with mirthis Musicall,
To dance and sing with Heuin
•
ie harmony,
Quhais pleasant sound redound sall in the say:
My spreit I wait shall be with mirth & Joy,
Quhairfoir with mirth my corps ye sal conuoy
This beand done and all thing reuli
•
•••
ht,
Than plesantlie mak your progressioun:
Quhilk I belief shall be ane pleasant sich
•
,
Se that ye thoill na Priest in my Prosessio
•
n,
Without he be of Uenus Professioun:
Quhairfoir gar warn all venus chapel clarks
Quhilk hes been most exercit in hir watkis.
With ane Bischop of that Religioun▪
Solemnitlie gar thame sing my soul mes,
With organe, Timpane, Trumpet & Clarion
To shaw their Music, dewlie them addres
I will that day be hard no heuines:
I will na service of the Requiem.
Bot Alleluya with melody and Game.
Efter the Evangel and the Offertour,
Throw all the Tempill gar proclaim silence:
Than to the Pulpet gar ane Orator,
Pas up and se haw in oppin audience,
Solempnitlie with ornate eloquence:
At greit laser the legend of my life,
How I have stand in monie stalwart strife.
When he hes red my buik fra end till end,
And of my life maid true narratioun:
All creature I wait will me commend,
And pray to God for my saluatioun:
Than after this Solempnizatioun:
Of service, and all brocht to end:
With gravity than with my body wend,
And clois it up into my Sepulture.
Thair to repois till the greit Judgment:
The whilk may not corrupt I yow assure,
Be virtue of the precious ointment,
Of Balm, and other Spyres redolent:
Let not be rung for me that day soul knellis
Bot greit Cannounis gar them crak for bellis
Ane thousand hakbuttis gar schute all at anis
With swesche. talburnis & truēpettis awfullie:
Lat never spair the poulder nor the stanis,
Quhais thūdring sound redound sall in the sky,
That mars may heir where he triumphādlie
Abone Phebus is situate full euin,
Mayest awful God under the sternie heui
•
.
And syne hing up above my sepulture,
My bricht harnes, my scheild & als my speir:
Togidder with my courtlie Eoit armor,
Quhilk I wes wont upon my body beir,
In France, in Ingland being at the weir:
My Baner, Basnet, with my Temperall,
As been the use of feistis funeral.
This bea
•
d done, I pray yow take the pa
•
e,
My Epitaphe to writ upon this wyis,
Above my grave in goldin letteris fine:
The mayest inuincibill weiriour heir lyis,
During his time, whilk wan sic laud & pryis,
That throw the heuinis sprāg his nobil fame:
Uictorious William Meldrum wes his name.
Adew my Lordis, I may na langer farie,
My Lord Lindesay, adew abore all other:
I pray to God, and to the Virgin Marie,
With your Lady to leif lang in the Struther,
Master Patrick with yosig Nor
•
n
•
o your brother▪
With my Ladies your sisteris all adew,
My departing I wait well ye will
••
w.
Bot mayest of all the fair Ladies of France,
When thai heir till but dout that I am deed:
Extreme dolour will change their countenance,
And for my saik will weir the murning weid:
When thir nouellis dost into Ingland spreide
Of Londoun than the lusty ladies cleir.
Will for my saik mak dule and drerie their.
Of Craigfergus my days darling adew,
In all Ireland of feminine the flour.
In your querrell twa men of weir I slew▪
Quhilk purposit to do yow dishonou
•
,
Ze su
••
have been my spous and paramour,
With Rent and riches for my recompense,
Quhilk I refusit throw youth and fusolence.
Fairweill ye Lemant Lampis of lustines
Of fair Scotland adew my Ladies all:
During my youth with ardent besines,
Ze knaw how I was in your service thrall.
Ten thousand times adew above thame all,
Sterne of Stratherne my Lady Souerane,
For qubom I sched my blood with mekill pane.
Zit wald my Lady luke at euin and morrow
On my Legend at lenth scho wald not mis,
How for bir saik I sufferit mekill sorrow,
Zit give I micht at this time get my wis,
Qf hir sweet mouth deir God I had ane kis:
I wis in vane, alas we will disseuer,
I say na mair, sweet heart adew forever.
Brether in Arms, adew in general,
For me I wait your hartis been full soir:
All true companyeounis into special.
I say to yow, a
•
ew for euermoir.
Till that we meit again with God in Gloir:
Sir Curat now gif me incontinent,
My Crysme with the holy Sacrament.
My Spreit hartlie I recommend,
In manus tuas Domine.
My hoip to the is till ascend,
Rex quia redemisti me,
Fra Syn
Resurrexisti me:
Drelfis my soul had been forlorn:
With Sapi
•
nce
docuisti me,
Bl
••
be the hour that thow wes borne,
FINIS.