Scotland/Scots > Works of William Dunbar, including his life, 1465-1536

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LIFE AND POEMS OF
received 10 crowns, of wecht £() ” for dancing
“ ane morris to the king.”
His majesty was not unfrequently entertained
with theatrical performances, at least what were
called plays, especially in the earlier portion of his
reign. “ Patrick Johnston, and the playaris of
Lythguou that playt to the king ” occur repeatedly
from 1488 to 1493.
Such were the pastimes and pastime-makers of
the court of James IV., the patron of Dunbar.
And in this motley throng it was the fortune of
the poet to mix as one of the royal contributors of
amusement, though in a higher capacity. That he
wore the king’s livery is apparent from more than
one entry in the Treasurer’s books:—“37th Jan.
1506-7: Item, to Maister William Dunbar, be
the Kingis command, for caus he wantit his goun
at Yule, vli.” Again, “Jan. 33, 1511-13: Item,
to Maister William Dunbar, for his yule leveray,
vj elnis ane quartar Parise blak to be hyme ane
gowne, price eln xU. summa xij tt. xs.” “ Item,
allowit to the said Maister William, attour his
leveray was tane at yule in anno v°xj. [1511,] v.
quartaris scarlete, price iijH. ijs. vjd.” Thus we
have a pretty accurate idea of the position and
atmosphere in which moved one of the greatest
poets of his day. He was an ecclesiastic besides,
and had said his first mass before the king on the
17th March 1503-4, for which he had a gratuity
of seven French, crowns, or <^4, 18s. Scots. Un-