History of the house and race of Douglas and Angus

HOUSE OF DOUGLAS.
287
find him never charged with it as injustice. He had against
equity executed the Lord Harris, yet he had done it legally,
and by form and order of law; whereof the particulars not
being perfectly known, the judgement is difficult, yet it is not - ,
for any thing we see, any way to be excused. The execution
of the tutor of Bombie was very good justice andirreprovable,
though it bred him most hatred and ill-will at court. Other
particulars are not mentioned: only they say, that he bore with
thieves to have their assistance. An ill and unwise course,
and ever pernicious to the users of it, for harming of such as
they hate! A far worse and unworthy fact, unfit for a gener-
ous mind to companion itself with them whom he should
punish, and to participate of the guiltiness he should correct!
But how far he went in this point is not certain; at least is not
specially set down. And as for the speeches of his enemies,
reproaching them unto him in the hatefullest sort, all must
not be taken for truth they say.
All agree that he was a man of great power, great policy,
great performance and execution, and greater expectation; in
whom the name of Douglas rose to the greatest pitch of height,
and with whom it began to fall, which was afterwards accom-
plished ia his successor, as shall be said. He was slain the
1 3th of February 14-52, esteemed tohavebeen Fastings-Eve, (or
Shrove-Tuesday) after the Roman supputation; or in the year
14-51, as Ms»jor reckoneth it, according to the account of
Scotland. He was Earl the space of nine years, or thereabout,
but left no children behind him. Where he was buried, or
what was done with his body, there is no mention made in
history.
Me Ictho, ante diem, Crichtonus Rexque dedere;
Ille necis causam prcebuit, iste manum.
In English thus,
By Crichton and my King, too soon I die,
He jrave the blow, Crichton the plot did lay.