Series 1 > Miscellany of the Scottish History Society (Second volume)

276
A SCOTTISH JOURNIE
And that undoubtedly he was i’ th’ right.
For sure his Majesty lay there all night.
And thus agreed we went to see the hall.
Which had no tiles to cover it at all,
And stately buildings when they want repayre
Become poore sicophants to the foules o’ th’ ayre.
For times great harbinger as roofes consume
Billets the prateing dawes i’ th’ private roome.
Just as you see where Monarchies decay
The baser sorte creepe up and beare the sway.
Next the Chappell we visitt, where there stood
And Altar yet with stories carvd in wood.
And curiosity could not serve turne
To bayle it now, for ’tis condemnd to burne.
Saint George would faine have spoken for the saints.
But we no order had to heare complaints.
Our stomachs carry us to the inne to eate
Where we a piper found, good ale, and meate.
And when we had refresht our selves a while
We mount our steeds againe (as tis the stile
Of travailers), and in a litle space
We came to Fawkerke, saw the very place
Where that brave English Mars, Edward Longshankes,
Rowted the dareing Scots and broke their rankes,
Stuart of Bute, and Sir John Graham were slaine.
Whose monuments i’ th’ church yard yet remaine.
But Newborneford1 flowes o’re mine eyes and penne.
And bids me not relate what gallant men
Our predecessours were, but hide with shame
The English actions and the English name,
For honour’s lost, and sloathfull plenty breedes
Like standing waters, nought but mud and weedes.
Soe to divert these thoughts i’ th’ towne we finde
A lodging, and a lasse so calme, soe kind.
As when they kist and groapt her, she stood still
Betwixt predestination and free will.
Myne host like a grave senatour in black,
His understanding lined with ale and sacke.
His motto, 1 Downe with Bishops,’ and his wife
Would have them stand, soe here begins a strife.
1 The battle of Newburn, August 28, 1640.