Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-05-16

yames 4. and 1smes vs-4ssS INV.
"stranrser - writes to the ScosfisA
xmsrieon Perhaps 1t will interest
vour readers to have short sketch Of
| ihs postic talent that has marked some
Of the Scottish monarchs, with Lists Of
what they wrote.
JAMES I.
James 7. f1394-1437) was born at
the Palace Dunfermline. In order
that he might be put beyond the reach
Of dangerous relatives his father, Ro-
bert ILL.,, resolved to send him to the
French court to complete his education.
In 1405 the young prince sailed under
the charge Of the Earl Of Orkney, but,
being captured by an English squadron
despite . treaty Of peace then existing
between Scotland and England, he was
carried to the Tower Of London. This
injustice killed the infirm King Robert.
James was kept prisoner for more
than eighteen years. After two years
confinement in the Tower he was re-
moved to Nottingham Castle, and in
l4I3 was taken back to the Tower, only
to be in the same year transferred to
Windsor Castle. In 14l4 Henry V. took
James with him on an expedition to
France, but on his return committed him
again to Windsor Castle, where he re-
manned till his final liberation. Though
closely confined, be was instructed in
all the accomplishments OF the age, and
became expert in athletic exercises.
During his confinement he wrote his
famous poem The Kings Quahair,"
and in some of its lines he describes
the daughter Of the Duke Of Somerset,
Lady Joanna Beaufort, whom he alter
wards married:
"Kest doun myn eye ageyne:
| Ouhere as saw wslkying under the Toure,
| Full secretly. new cumyn hlr 10 pleyne,
| The fairest or the freshest young iloure
! That ever 1 save, me THOUGHT, before that
| For auich sodayne abate. anon astert
| The blude of all my body TO my hert."
He returned to his kingdom IN his thir-
tieth year, and set himself vigorously
at work to curb his mobiles and better
bis country. In 1436 he renewed his |
allegiance with France, giving his |
daughter Margaret in marriage to the
Dauphin and in the following year
he was assassinated at Perth by band |
led by Sir Robert Graham. His " Kings |
Quahair" is pronounced by Pinkerton
TO equal anything Chaucer had writ
ten," but neither Chaucer nor any con-
temporary poet Of England or Scotland
had that delicacy which marks this pro-
duction Of King James. 1t was for
centuries lost. but the only MS. copy
in existence was discovered at the Bod
leian Library by Lord Woodhouselee,
who published it in 1888, with
notes and critical remarks. To King
James are ALTO ascribed Christis Kirk
on the Creme" and "Peblis to the
Play" descriptive Of rural pastimes
and manners. The old town of Leslie
is supposed to have been the scene of
the diversions celebrated in - Christis
Kirk" it being situated within six
miles Of Falkland Palace, favorte re-
sort of the King.
JAMES v.
James V. Q5l2-1542) was born at
Linlthgow Palace, and when his prede-
cessor, James w., died at Flodden
Field the infant prince was not year
and half old. His education was in
the hands of Sir David Lindsay, whose
works contain passages referring to the
formation of the young kings character,
and who is mentioned by Scott in
Marmion"-
Still is thy name In high account
And still Thy verse has charms,
Sir David Lindsay of the Mount,
Lord Lyon king at arms"
The Kings taste for literature, art,
poetry, and music is largely ascribed to
Sir David's influence. James assumed
the government in his twelfth year,
under four guardians, one Of whom, the
Earl of Angus, induced him in his
seventeenth year to make his escape
from Falkland Palace. where he was
kept in restraint, and 60 to Stirling Cas-
tie, his mothers residence. BY vigorous
measures the King now suppressed
disorders and punished crimes; he Wis.,
tied districts, executing thieves and
robbers, and caused general obsery-
ance Of law in all Scotland, one of the
victims Of these measures being the
noted Johnnie Armstrong. A rapture
with Henry VIII. led to the disastrous
battle Of Solway Moss, and when the
tidings of the defeat reached the King
he fastened to Edinburgh, thence
to Falkland, where he took
to his bed, and soon after
died. Five days before the death
of James, Mary Queen of Scots was
born, upon hearing of which he ox-
claimed: -" 1t came with lass and will
90 with LASS" thinking it misfor-
tune that it was not male heir. His
love of justice and his fondness for
mingling with them had endesred this
monarch to the people, and he was
styled the King of the Poor" lie
was the author Of two ballads--the
first, The Gaberlunzie-Man," he is
supposed to be the hero of himself.
The pawky aud earle came DER the lea.
Wi mOny guide Gems and days TO me,
Saying, gudewife, for your courtesie,
VIII you lodge silly, poor man?
The nickt was cauld, the earle was wat,
An doun ayont the ingle ne sat-
My dochters shouthers he gan to clap.
And cadgily ran ted and sang.
4" O WOW quo he, we're | as free
AS first when saw this countrie,
How blythe and merry wad be,
And wad never think langi
He grew canty, and she grew fam,
But little did her aud minnie ken
What thir slice twa thegithe or were sayin', |
When wooin' they were sac thrang.'
OF the other song, The jolly Beggsr,"
Sir Walter Scott says, =" 1t is, perhaps,
the best comic ballad in any language"
The chorus has very pleasing trip
There was jollie beggar.
And a-beggin he was bouu,
And he took up his quarters
Into a landwart toup.
CHoRUs-And Wen gang nae MAR a-rovin',
A-rovin' in the NIGHT;
Wen gang nae MAR a-rovin',
Let the moon shine e'er sac BRIGHT; |
And We'll gang nae MAR a.rogin
He wadna lie into the barn,
Nor wad he In the byre,
HNae NK.. t.t D. 49, a