nient for that purpose." He feared nott to affirme,
"That he knew more of her mynd then all the Frenche or Scottis that war
in Scotland, yea more then her awin brethren that war in France." He
travailled with the Erle of Glencarne, the Lordis Uchiltrie and Boid,
with the Larde of Dun, and with the Preacheouris, to whome he had
certane secreat letteris, which he wald not deliver, onless that thei
wald maik a faithfull promeise, that thei should never reveill the thing
conteaned in the same. To the whiche it was answered, "That in no wyise
thei could maik suche a promeise, be reassone that thei war sworne one
to another, and altogetther in one body, that thei should have no
secreat intelligence nor dress with the Quene Regent, bot that thei
should communicat with the Great Counsall whatsoever sche proponed unto
thame, or thei did answer unto her." As by this Answer, written by Johne
Knox to the Quene Regent, may be understand,[984] the tennour whairof
followis:--

"[MADAME,][985]

"My dewitie moist humilie premissed: Your Grace's servand, Maister
Robert Lockard, maist instantlie hes requyred me and otheris, to
whome your Graceis letteris, as he alledged, war directed, to
receave the same in secreat maner, and to geve to him answer
accordinglie. Bot becaus some of the nomber that he required war
and ar upoun the Great Counsall of this realme, and thairfoir ar
solempnedlie sworne to have nothing to do in secreate maner,
neather with your Grace, neather yitt with any that cumis fra yow,
or fra your Counsall; and swa thei could not receave your Grace
letteris with sick conditionis as the said Maister Robert required;
and thairfoir thocht he good to bring to your Grace agane the said
letteris close. And yitt becaus, as he reportis, he hes maid to
your Grace some promeise in my name; att his requeist, I am content
to testifie by my letter and subscriptioun, the sume of that quhilk
I did communicat with him. In Dondie, after many wourdis betuix him
and me, I said, that albeit diverse sinister reportis had bene maid
of me, yitt did I never declair any evident tockin of haiterent nor
inmitie against your Grace. For yf it be the office of a verray
freind to geve trew and faythfull counsall to thame whome he seis
ryn to destructioun for lack of the same, I could nott be provin
ennemye to your Grace, bot rather a freind un