Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of Geo. Buchanan.pdf/16

14 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, sets himself down in the king’s chair, forthwith 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 silent in looking over the petition: George, standing by, asked the king what he was going to seal now. To which he answered, it is a remit for a man who had killed three men at sundry times, I gave him two remits before. Oh, says George, he has killed but one man. And who killed the other two? says the king. You did, says George, for if you had given him justice when he had killed the first, he had killed no more. When the king heard these words he threw down the pen, and declared that such an act to save a murderer, should be null ever after by him.

4. One day, George having no money, he goes away and gets a pick and a spade, and then falls a-digging at a corner of the king’s palace; which