# Prophecies of Thomas the Rhymer, the ancient Scotch prophet (1)/Chapter 2

THE
PROPHECIES
OF
Thomas the Rhymer.
As to his prophetical sayings, they are hard to be understood, because they are pointed out by the Coat of Arms which appertain to so many different kingdoms and persons. Yet we may observe how he has pointed out plainly, many things which have come to pass in our days; such as the extirpation of the noble race of the Stewarts, the Revolution of Sheriffmuir, where he says,
That three Ships and a Shield, That day shall keep the field; And be the Antelop's build.
These three ships and a shield, are in the Duke of Argyle's arms.
And even every particular of the rebellion in 1745 and 1746. When pointing at it, he says,
A Chieftain unchosen, Shall choose forth himself, And the realm as his own.
When speaking of King Charles, he calls him 'A sly Fox-bird who would turn to Christ with the wyles of tods and foxes,' meaning his swearing of the covenants.
When speaking of the battle of Prestonpans, in the year 1745, he names the very two neighbour​ing villages to the spot of ground whereon it was fought, viz, Coyleford-green, and Seton, saying. 'Between Seton and the sea, sorrow should be wrought by the light of the moon.—Which act really came to pass that morning the battle of Prestonpans was fought. But how the Lion was hurt at this time, and not perceived, is yet a mystery. Some are of opinion, that it was by taken away the power or superiority from the chiefs of the Highland Clans, so that they cannot raise men in such a short time as formerly.
These are a few observations on things already come to pass; and as what is yet to come, there is some remark will yet happen, when the time draws nigh; such as, 'When Tarbet's Craigs are tumbled unto the sea. And the next season or summer thereafter, great sorrow and bloodshed happen to this realm, the chief thereof especially, such as harling on sleds, and chopping off heads.' This Tarbet stands near the root of the river Clyde; but whether its being tumbled into the sea shall happen by an earthquake, thunder, or by the hands of men, is a mystery unknown.
There is also mention made of a Lord with a lucken or double hand, which certainly is of royal blood, and will breed great stir and confusion in Britain. This man is alive at this very present age, and of the Stewarts' race, now in Italy.
There is plainly pointed out, that in his time, a great battle should be seen in Fife,
Where saddled horses should be seen, Ty'd into the trees green.
Not only in Fife, but the four chief rivers of the realm, there should be a battle on each of them, that should make the rivers run with blood, viz:—Tweed, Clyde, Forth, and Tay.
​Last of all, a bloody desperate battle in Northumberland, on the river Tyne. Also great havock and slaughter about the broad walls of Berwick. All these things are yet to come to pass and when the first appears, the rest will soon follow after.
When Hemp is come, and also gone,
Scotland and England shall be one.
HEMP.
Praised be God alone,
For Hemp is come and gone,
And left us old Albion,
By peace join'd in one.
The explication of the foregoing prophecy concerning Hemp being came and also gone, leaving Scotland and England joined in one, is fulfiled in the late king William, who came out of Holland, which, in old times, was vulgarly called the land of Hemp, and the joining of the two nations together, signifies the union.
These things were foretold by the two Scots Prophets in the reign of King Arthur. Afterwards, to the same purpose, these, and many other strange things were foretold by Thomas Learmant, vulgarly called Thomas Rhymer, ​because he spoke all his prophetical sayings in rhyme and so darkly that they could not be understood until they came to pass.
But of all the prophets that ever were in Scotland, none of them attained to such credit, because many of his predictions referred to our own country, and were accomplished in the last and present century.
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