# Prophecies of Thomas the Rhymer (4)/Chapter 2

the
PROPHECIES
of
THOMAS RYMER.
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, Sheriff-muir, where he says,
That three Ships and a Shield, That day shall keep the field; And be the Antelope'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 46. When pointing at it, he says
A Chieftain unchosen, Shall choose forth himself, And rule 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 Preston-pans, in the year 1745, he names the very two neighbouring villages to the spot of ground whereon it was fought, viz. Goyleford-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 taking 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 to what is yet to come, there is some remark will get happen, when the time draws nigh: Such as, When Tarbet's Craigs are tumbled into 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 roy​al 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 Tyed unto 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 Lyne. 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.
P A R T II.
When Hempe is come and also gone, Scotland and England shall be one.
HEMPE.
Praised be God alone, For Hempe is come and gone,
And left us old Albion, By peace join'd in one.
The explication of the foregoing prophecy concerning Hempe being come and also gone and leaving Scotland and England joined in one is fulfilled 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. First, by the marvellous Merling, who is said to be got by a devil, who ravished a young woman, his mother, in a wood near Coldstream, in the south of Scotland. Afterwards, to the same purpose, these and many more strange things were foretold by Thomas Lermont, vulgarly called Thomas Rymer, 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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