Somer. (R. C.). He speaks
Angrily !

Kil. I would rather see him angry
Than knitting his thick brow, and saying nothing
A dog can't bite while it is barking.

Usher. [To Kilmaurs.) Sir,
A man is at the door, and claims admittance.

Kil. What man ?-the king is busy. Tell the man
To come another time.

Somer. Who is it, Usher ?
Usher. A common man, I'm told.

Kil. Tell him to go
To the devil. What business bave these common fellows
With courts at all ?

Usher. He insists on coming in!
Kil. Tell them to flog him up the Canongate.
James. What's that ?-you seem in trouble, Lord Kil-

maurs.

Kıl. Why, 'tis some clownish clodpole tries to force
His way to see your highness.

James. Ope the doors !
Let him come in. God's mercy, good my lords !
Why stand we here, and wear upon our brows
The Scottish crown, if lives the Scottish man
That may not claim our help? Let him come in.

[Exit Usher, c. Maxwell. (To Somerville.] I hate this constant courting

of the commons, It bodes no good to the nobility.

Somer. I trust this expedition to the borders Will teach him better.

Max. He'll be a luckier man Than

any of his fathers, if he lives To boast that he can trample on his peers. Enter Usher und Buckie, with a wolf's jaws on his head, c.

James. How now ? Who are you in such masquerade ? Good Usher, who is this?

Mun. (Coming forward.] It's Buckie, Sire,
The robber of Drumshorlan.

James. Guard the door!
What brings you here? By'r lady, 'tis too much

To beard us on our throne! Let him not stir.

Buc. My liege, the palace gate shall open wide
To let me go, when I but say the word,

James. It shall be opened when I say the word,
To take your felon body up the street
To the Tolbooth.

Buc. I shall be free as air !
You will not say that word.

James. What warrant, knave, Have you

for boast so idle ?
Buc. James's word
I need no other safeguard.

James. What's your quest ?
Buc. Justice!

James. Dog! is’t to mock us you are come
To talk of justice in a court ? My lords !
Where should we be if every man had justice ?
Where should we be, Kilmaurs-Grey-Somerville ?

Somer. I like not this beginning. Who is this?
Kil. I know not ; but the king seems hot in wrath.
Max. [To them.] He's a known robber!

Somer. He'll be in a string,
Dancing at the Tolbooth in half an hour.

Kil. That's where he means we all should be.

James. A bold knave, Seton! he braves it well. (To Buckie.] What are you, cai

tiff? Buc. Some six years since, I would have said a man, But now I know not what to call myself. An outcast ! a poor Scottish Ishmaelite, My hand against all men, and all men's hands 'Gainst me.

James. And now you make a claim on us
For justice ? Against whom ?

Buc. Against a man
Here in this presence; rich in the world's respect,
Wise, honoured-

James. And his name?
Buc. Sir Adam Weir !

James. How ļ now be careful! He's a man esteemed,
Nobly befriended, truthful, honourable;
My lords ! he must be known to some of you,

Why bear you not your

witness for

your

friend?

[To Seton, aside. See how their conscience keeps them silent, Seton !

Sir A. My liege, I know not what this ruffian means,
Or wherefore he pollutes your Grace's ear
With accusations unsustained by proof;
But let him speak-I need have little fear
Of such accuser.

James. No! Go on, Sir Knave.
Buc. I do impeach this man, Sir Adam Weir,
That he, of wisful and deliberate choice,
Did make his kinsman, George_his brother's son-
A rubber !

Sir A. It is false! the boy is dead.
Buc. He stript him of his substance, taught his heart
To be a glowing furnace of fierce thoughts,
And to forget all blissful lenity-
All tenderness, all hope, all trust, all pity :
He made him be an outcast, till his soul
Grew hard and rugged as the desolate moors
Where his grim trade was plied. He changed his nature
Into a wolf's—his sleep into a hell,
Filled with dark fiends, that pointed to the Past !-
And of these crimes do I accuse this man.

James. What say you to these plaints, Sir Adam Weir ?

Sir A. That they are false ; fit for the felon's heart
They come from! If my nephew were alive
He would disprove these baseless calumnies.

My liege, 'tis no light thing to load with sham
“ The hoary head of an old man. My name
“Can stand a greater shock than the attack
“Of robbers, such as this. I wronged him not-
“ Not of the value of the smallest coin"
I loved him, I was kind and good to him
Ever; from boyhood up. Nay, had he lived,
He would be equal sharer of my wealth
With my poor child, my grandchild, at my side.

Buc. But he does live-to meet you front to frontHere! (Throws back the wolf's head.] I am he. What !

not a word to me, Kind uncle ?

James. [Aside.] O ho! is it so, my friend ?

Laird. The king has sent for us : for

you
and

me,
And Mungo, and good Widow Barton, here.
Gadso, he deigns to give the bride away
With his own hand; so says the messenger!

Mun. Father, when we arrive at Holyrood,
Don't say a word about the tournament.

Laird. No ? Does the King not like it ? few folks do, To be reminded of discomfitures. I knew a captain of—but never mind, He ran away from Flodden. Gadso, Sir! If you said anything that began with F,Physic, philosophy, no matter whatGadso, he flew in such a passion, Sir.

Sir A. I'll not to court: I'm old ; I am not well.

Offi. I must require you to make no delay; We must reach Holyrood ere vesper

chime. Sir A. [Aside.] Is it, then, true, this fool is loved by

James ?
Why, then, so much the better. (Aloud.] If the king
Commands, we must obey.

Widow. What, I? Sir Adam !
My silk is at the dyer's, the old puce ;
It's to be black; I wish it had come home,
How can I look upon a king, dressed thus ?
Oh! it will be high treason, Where's my cousin ?
I'll borrow her green satin. Madeleine !
Where is she gone to ? Cousin Madeleine ! [Exit, L.

Mun. Father, you'll not speak any nonsense, now, About my breaking in King James's horse ?

Laird. Why not? It was a goodly piece of service;
I wish you had done the same to my old mare;
She laid me in a ditch.

Mun. I wish the King
Would leave folks to get married for themselves.

Ofi. I must remind you

Sir A. You had best make haste
To obey the summons. I am quite prepared.

Laird. The King is very kind-exceeding good.
Come, Mungo, we'll go on; the bride will follow.
Gadso! I'm thankful to the King. Come, boy!

(Exeunt omnes, Ro

END OF ACT IV.

ACT V.

Scene I.--The Audience Chamber in Holyrood; folding

doors at the back; a side-door, R.; throne, L. C. " James seated apart. The Courtiers in groups. The

* LORDS observing him. " Somer. (To Kil.] His grace is heavier than his wont.

• Kil. He looks “ All round, first upon one, then on another, " As he would dive into their hearts.

“ Somer. See, now!
“How he is gazing on Lord Seton's face.

“ James. Seton !
" Seton. Your Majesty!

“ James. Come near me, Seton !
“What is’t detains the Cardinal so long ?
“ 'Tis no such mighty work; a ready pen
“ And a good will should make it minutes' business.

“ Seton. I'll seek his grace.
“James. Bid him despatch.

(Exit Seton, R. (To Hume.] A word— “ The escort is returned from Laichmont ?

“ Hume. Yes. • James. With the whole household of Sir Adam Weir ? “ Hume. They wait your summons in the ante-chamber. James. Well, let them wait awhile; we've other mat

“ ters " That need our ordering first. I'll call them soon. “ Kil. (To Somerville.] A smile—the first I've seen on

him to-day. “ Somer. I trust he has no doubt.

“ Kil. His looks are sad, “ Not doubtful. He is of a trusting nature. “Somer. When comes the messenger from Dacre's

camp ? “ Max. I trust, ere long; I like quick settlements. “ And, by the Lord ! if Dacre plays us false, “ And sends not the instalment due this week, I'll join the King! " Kil. Oh! he will send the coin.