Scottish Text Society publications > Old series > Treatise callit The court of Venus

XXVI
INTRODUCTION.
Desperance has to be summoned, and Nemesis, the “schiref
sic Actis to fulfill,” is sent to the “ waryit wicht ” with the
summons:—
“ Ane vther Nimph, the quhilk Nemesis hecht,
Without tarie sone scho did call hir till :
Quhilk was schiref sic Actis to fulfill.
Bad hir beliue pas to Jone waryit wicht
Hecht Desperance, and for thegreit vnricht
First done to me with peruerst mind and will
Secundlie done to Esperance, my Knicht:
And to my sisteris, and Ladyis curiall,
With certane vther actionis criminall:
Charge him compeir befoir my Maiestie,
[I]n hour of caus sittand in Tribunall :
Or my deputis quhat thay be greit or small.
[To] heir him self accusit of crueltie.
[Vndjer all pane that layit thairon may be:
[With] exceptionis, and causis defensall.
(Gif he sic hes) that may himself supple.”1
Nemesis obeys, and carries the summons to the accused
(i. 11. 811-874). He undertakes to appear:—
“ jit nocht the les I sail compeir, said he.”2
Venus then appoints Rhamnusia as judge, because she is
“ partie ”:—
“ Quhairfoir I Nill my self personalie
In lugement sit: bot my power vnite
Salbe to 30W as depute requisite.
For I suppone he will me hald partie.
Thairfoir present thir witnes standand by,
I creat 30W to condampne or to quite,
My luge deput with power haillelie.”3
Desperance then sets out to find an advocate to plead his
cause:—
1 ‘ Court of Venus,’ i. 11. 786 801. 2 Ibid. i. 11. 901- 3 Ibid. i. 11. 922‘92^-