Next in the dance followed Envy, Hid malice and despite; For privy hatred that traitor trembled; Him followed many a rogue dissembled And flatterers untó men's faces; 35 40 Next him in dance came Covetice, Root of all ill, and ground of vice, 55 That never could be content: Catiffs, wretches, and usurers, All with that warlook went: Out of their throats they shot on other Hot, molten gold, me thocht, a futher14 As fire-flaught15 maist fervent; Aye, as they emptied them of shot, Fiends filled them new up to the throat, With gold of all kind prent.16 . . . THE LAMENT FOR THE MAKERS1 WHEN HE WAS SICK I that in health was and gladnéss, Timor Mortis conturbat me. Our pleasunce here is all vain glory, 5 The state of man does change and vary, Timor Mortis conturbat me. No state on earth stands fast, I find; Timor Mortis conturbat me. Down unto death go all estates, Prelates, and kings, and potentates, Timor Mortis conturbat me. Death strikes the knichts upon the field, Timor Mortis conturbat me. That strong, unmerciful tyránd5 Taks, on the mother's breast sowkand, Timor Mortis conturbat me. 15 20 25 17 Breve of Recto, a writ which in feudal Scotland established a right to succession. 18 In Dunbar's time and for long after, the Highlanders were regarded with a feeling of mingled dread and contempt by the more settled and prosperous people of the South. Cf. the attitude of Baillie Nichol Jarvie in Scott's Rob Roy. 19 An opponent of Wallace, the Scotch patriot. After swearing allegiance to Edward Ist, Makfadyane fled to a cave, where he was surprised and killed. Hence the assertion that he was fetched from a "nook" in the "northwest." He taks the champion in the stour,' He spares no lord for his puissance, Masters of magic and astrology, In medecine the best practiciáns, I see that Makers, amang the lave," Timor Mortis conturbat me. He came most piteously to devour The gude Sir Hugh of Eglington, He hath ta'en out of this countree; He hath restrained (that scorpion dark) Timor Mortis conturbat me. Holland and Barbour he has bereft; Clerk of Tranent eke he has ta'en, Timor Mortis conturbat me. He has blind Harry and Sandy Traill He has reft" Merseir his endite," 12 Among the rest. 7 Storm, stir or tumult of battle. 8 Defend. 10 Among the twenty-four poets celebrated by Dunbar, Chaucer alone remains a living power in literature. Barbour, Gower, Lydgate and Henryson hold a secure and honorable place; while a few others, as Blind Harry and Walter Kennedy, although less known, are still nominally remembered. Some of the remainder are more or less securely established on the right side of oblivion, while others, in Sir T. Browne's phrase, "Subsist under naked nominations, without deserts and noble acts, which are the balsam of our memories." 13 High 11 Snatched. 12 Manuscript. (From the Prologue to the Eneid,1 Bk. XII) Welcome, the lord of licht, and lamp of day, Welcome, fost'rer of tender herbés green, Welcome, quick'ner of blooming blossoms sheen, Welcome, support of every root and vein, Welcome, comfort of all-kind fruit and grain, 5 15 1 The translation of the Eneid is generally acknowl edged to be Douglas's most important work. It is noteworthy as the earliest attempt to reproduce a great classical poem in English verse. The prologues prefaced to the various books, contain some vivid and forcible descriptions of Nature, and are intrinsically the most interesting parts of the work. 2 Nest. 3 Briar. i. e. the one who gives success to the farmer's labors. the source of his welfare. • Sentinel. 575 Writ not in Caldie language, nor in Grew; 1 The Monarchy, or Ane Dialog betwix Experience and ane Courteour, Lyndsay's last poem, is a lengthy survey of the history of the world, with a prophecy of the millenium, when all things shall be made new. 2 Lat. vulgaris, popular. 'Learned writers. Greek. • Dispraised. • Said. 1 Lat. ornatus, means here proper or fitting. * Original. Language. LEAVE ME NOT (Psalm XXVII, 9) Ah! my Lord, leave me not, With ane burden on my back With sins I am laden sair,1 I pray thee, Lord, therefore, 680 5 10 15 And hear thou my moan. For he is bound fast to a tree, And talk of Guy and Robin Hood In the greenwood where they be. 90 The second shot Sir Guy shot, "God's blessing on thy heart!" says Guy, "Tell me thy name, good fellow," quoth Guy, 'Under the leaves of lyne:" "Nay, by my faith," quoth good Robín, "Till thou have told me thine." 130 136 "I dwell by dale and down," quoth Guy, "And I have done many a curst turn; And he that calls me by my right name, Calls me Guy of good Gisborne." "My dwelling is in the wood," says Robin; "By thee I set right nought; My name is Robin Hood of Barnesdale, He that had neither been of kith nor kin To see how together these yeomen went, 140 145 150 110 They cut them down the summer shroggs18 115 And set them three score rods in twain, |