Page:Witty & entertaining exploits of George Buchanan.pdf/14

14 says the bishop, and what is the difference between a Scot and a sot ? Nothing at present, says George, but the breadth of the table, there being a table betwixt the bishop and George. So the bishop went off in a high passion, while the whole multitude were like to split their jaws with laughter. 2. About this time there was an act of parliament for the benefit of murderers, that any person, who committed murder, if they forfeited five hundred marks, which went under the name of kin boot, because, so much of this went to the murdered per- son's nearest relations, as the price of blood, the murderer got a remit. Now, George knowing this to be contrary to Moses' laws, was very much grieved to see so many pardons sealed by the king's hand for murder, almost one every week; it being so usual for the king to subscribe them, that he would not read them, nor enquire what they were; for which cause, George writes a writ to the crown, and sent it to the king to be subscribed, which he actually did, and never looked what it was returned it to George. No sooner had he received it, but he goes to the king and told him it was not time for him to be sitting there, whereat the king greatly amazed, started up; then George in great haste nets himself down in the king's chair, forth with declaring himself king, saying, you who was king must be my fool, for I am now the wisest man. The king at this was greatly offended, until George showed him his seal and superscription. But from that day forth, the king knew what he subscribed. 3. The next pardon that came to be sealed by the king, was a gentleman who had killed two men before, and had got pardons for them by money. This being the third, the king was very silont in