The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

228 APPENDIX TO THE
In the year 1526, in the words of Pitscottie, "the
Earl of Angus, and the rest of' the Douglasses, ruled
all which they liked, and no man durst say the contrary; wherefore the King (James V. then a minor)
was heavily displeased, and would fain have been out
of their hands, if he might by any way: And, to that
effect, wrote a quiet and secret letter with his own
hand, and sent it to the Laird of Buccleuch, beseeching him that he would come with his kin and friends,
and all the force that he might be, and meet him at
Melross, at his home-passing, and there to take him
out of the Douglasses hands, and to put him to liberty,
to use himself among the lave (rest) of his lords, as he
thinks expedient.
" This letter was quietly directed, and sent by one
of the King's own secret servants, which was received
very thankfully by the Laird of Buccleuch, who was
very glad thereof, to be put to such charges and familiarity with his prince, and did great diligence to Ferform the King's writing, and to bring the matter to
pass as the King desired: And, to that effect, convened
all his kin an'd friends, and all that would do for him,
to ride with him to Melross, when he knew of the
King's home-coming. And so he brought with him six
hundred spears, of Liddesdale, and Annandale, and
countrymen, and clans thereabout, and held themselves
quiet while that the King returned out of Jedburgh,
and came to Melross, to remain there all that night.
" But when the Lord Hume, Cessfoord, and Fernyherst, (the chiefs of the clan of' Kerr,) took their leave
of the King, and returned home, then appeared the
Lord of Buccleuch in sight, and his company with him,
in an arrayed battle, intending to have fulfilled the