ldiouris notwithstanding maligned, and continewing in thair
mysordour, thei boasted the Lard of Tullybarne[1016] and uther Noble
men, who cohorted thame to quyetness. [SN: THE QUEIN REGENTIS
PRACTISES.] All these trubles war practised by the Quene, and putt in
executioun by the tratouris amangis our selff; who, albeit they then
lurked, and yitt ar not manifestlie noted, yitt we dowbt not but God
shall utter thame to thair confusioun, and to the example of utheris. To
pacifie the men of warr, a collectioun was devised. But becaus some wer
poore, and some wer nigardis and avaritiouse, thair could no sufficient
sowme be obteined. [SN: THE FACT OF THE COUNSALL.] It was thocht
expedient that a cunze should be erected, that everie Noble man should
cunzie his silver work to supplie the present necessitie; and thairthrow
David Forress, Johne Harte,[1017] and utheris who befoir had charge of
the Cunzie-house,[1018] did promeise thair faythfull lawbouris. [SN: THE
TREASOUN OF JOHNE HEART.] Bot when the mater come to the verray point,
the said Johne Heart, and utheris of his factioun, stall away, and tuk
with thame the instrumentis apt for thair purpose. Whetther this was
done by the falsheid and feablenes of the said Johnne, or the practising
of otheris, is yitt uncertane. Rested then no hoip amangis our selfis
that any money could be furnessed; and thairfoir it was concluded, by a
few of those whom we judged most secreat, that Schir Raiff Saidlair, and
Schir James Croftis,[1019] then having charge at Berwik, should be
tempted, yf thei wald supporte us with any reassonable soume in that
urgent necessitie. And for that purpose, was the Lard of Ormestoun
directed unto thame in so secreat maner as we could devise. Bot yit our
counsall was disclosed to the Quene, who appointed the Lord Bothwell,
(as him selff confessed,) to wait upoun the returnyng of the said Lard,
as that he did with all diligence; and so being assuredlie informed by
what way he came, the said Erle Bothwell foirsett[1020] his way, and
cuming upoun him at unwares, did tack him, after that he was evill
wounded in the heid;[1021] for nether could he gett his led horse, nor
yitt his steall bonet. With him was tacken the sowme of four thowsand
crownis of the sone, whiche the forenammed Schir Raiff and Schir James
moist lovinglie had send for our supporte. The bruit heirof cuming to
our earis, oure dolour was dowbled; not so muche for the loss of the
money, as for the tyns