Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (11).pdf/13



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to be subscribed, which he actually did, and never looking 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 a great haste set himself down in the King's chair, forthwith, declaring himself to be king, saying, You who was king must be my fool, for I am now the wisest man. The king was greatly offended at this, until George shewed him the seal and subscription.--. But from that day forth, the king knew what he subscribed.

The next pardon that came to be sealed by the king, was to a gentleman who had killed two men before, and had gotten pardons for them by money. This being the third, the king was very silent in looking over it; George standing by, asked what he was going to seal now? To which he answered, it is a remit for a man who has killed three men at sundry times, I gave him two remits before. O! 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 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. One time George having no money, he goes away and gets a pick and spade, and then falls a-digging at a corner of the king's palace: which the king perceiving from his window, calls out what was he wanting there? Are you going to undermine my house and make it fall? No, my sovereign, said George; but it