Page:The Lady of the Lake - Scott (1810).djvu/416

 the matter much mended under government of the Earl of Angus; for though he caused the king to ride through all Scotland, "under pretence and colour of justice, to punish thief and traitor, none were found greater than were in their own company. And none at that time durst strive with a Douglas, nor yet with a Douglas's man, for if they did, they got the worse. Therefore, none durst plainzie of no extortion, theft, reiff, nor slaughter done to them by the Douglasses, or their men; in that cause they were not heard, so long as the Douglasses had the court in guiding."—Ibid. p. 133.

The ancient Highlanders verified in their practice the lines of Gray:—

So far, indeed, was a Creagh, or foray, from being held dis-