able to matche all his
ennemies. And to wryte the trewth, the most parte of the Nobilitie of
Scotland had ether gevin unto him thare bandis of manrent, or ellis war
in confideracye, and promessed amitie with him. He onlye feared thame in
whose handis God did deliver him, and for thame had he laid his neattis
so secreatlie, (as that he maid a full compt,) that thare feit could not
eschap, as we shall after heare; and something of his formare practises
we man reacompt.

After the Pasche he came to Edinburgh, to hold the seinze,[436] (as the
Papistes terme thare unhappy assemblie of Baallis schaven sorte.) It was
bruyted that something was purposed against him, at that tyme, by the
Erle of Anguss and his freindis, whome he mortally hated, and whose
destructioun he sought. But it failled, and so returned he to his
strenth; yea, to his God and only conforte, asweill in heavin as in
earth. And thare he remaned without all fear of death, promissing unto
him self no less pleasur, nor did the riche man, of whome mentioun is
maid by our Maister in the Evangell; for he did nott onlie rejois and
say, "Eitt and be glade, my saule, for thow hast great riches laid up in
store for many dayis;" [SN: THE BRAGGYN OF THE CARDINALL A LITLE BEFOIR
HIS DEATH.] bot also he said, "Tush, a feg for the fead, and a buttoun
for the braggyne of all the heretikis and thare assistance in Scotland.
Is nott my Lord Governour myne? Witness his eldast sone[437] thare
pledge at my table? Have I not the Quene at my awin devotioun? (He ment
of the mother to Mary that now myschevouslie regnes.) Is not France my
freind, and I freind to France? What danger should I fear?" And thus, in
vanitie, the carnall Cardinall delyted him self a lytill befoir his
death. But yit he had devised to have cutt of such as he thought mycht
cummer him; for he had appointed the haill gentilmen of Fyff to have
mett him at Falkland, the Mononday after that he was slane upoun the
Setterday. [SN: THE TREASOUN OF THE CARDINALL.] His treasonable purpoise
was nott understand but by his secreat counsall; and it was this: That
Normond Leslie, Schireff of Fyff,[438] and appearing air to his father,
the Erle of Rothess; the said Johnne Leslye, father-brother to Normound;
the Lardis of Grange, eldar and youngar; Schir James Lermound of
Darsye,[439] and Provest of Sanctandrose; and the faythfull Lard of
Raith;[440] should eyther have bene slane, or ellis tane, and after to
have bene used at hi