Collected works > Edinburgh edition, 1894-98 - Works of Robert Louis Stevenson > Volume 21, 1896 - Miscellanies, Volume IV

THE PENTLAND RISING
1 would save their life by taking the declaration and
renouncing the Covenant, though it was offered to
them. . . . But never men died in Scotland so much
lamented by the people, not only spectators, but
those in the country. When Knockbreck and his
brother were turned over, they clasped each other
in their armes, and so endured the pangs of death.
When Humphrey Colquhoun died, he spoke not
like an ordinary citizen, but like a heavenly minister,
relating his comfortable Christian experiences, and
called for his Bible, and laid it on his wounded arm,
and read John iii. 8, and spoke upon it to the admira-
tion of all. But most of all, when Mr. M'Kail died,
there was such a lamentation as was never known
in Scotland before ; not one dry cheek upon all
the street, or in all the numberless windows in the
mercate place.' 1
The following passage from this speech speaks for
itself and its author :
'Hereafter I will not talk with flesh and blood,
nor think on the world's consolations. Farewell to
all my friends, whose company hath been refreshful
to me in my pilgrimage. I have done with the
light of the sun and the moon ; welcome eternal
light, eternal life, everlasting love, everlasting praise,
everlasting glory. Praise to Him that sits upon
the throne, and to the Lamb for ever ! Bless the
Lord, O my soul, that hath pardoned all my
iniquities in the blood of His Son, and healed all
my diseases. Bless Him, O all ye His angels that
1 Kirkton, p. 249.