Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (11).pdf/5



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visual, in his palmer coat and old boots, they began to make their game of him; then George turning about suddenly clapped his hands with a loud laughter, the King asked him what made him laugh so? Laugh, says George, how can I but laugh when horses cannot hold their peace? O my sovereign, says he, don't you see how your horses have rent their chafts laughing at my old boots! Then every man looking at his horses chafts, they were all in a rage against George. The King caused George to dismount directly, and charged him never to let him see his face on English ground. Now, George knowing that nothing could reconcile King at this time, he came away to Scotland, and caused make him a pair of great boots, and put a quantity of Scotch earth in each of them, and away he goes for London, to see the King once more. He hearing the King and his court were to pass through a country village, George places himself in an old window, and sets up his bare a--e to the King and his court as they passed. The King being greatly amazed to see such an unusual honor done to him, was curious to know the performer: So he called unto him, desiring him to come down; and finding it to be George, Sir, says the King, did I not charge you never to let me see your face again? True, my sovereign, says George, for which cause I let you see my arse. But, says the King, you was never to come on English ground again. Neither I did, says George, pulling off his boots before the King, behold, my sovereign, its all Scotch earth I stand upon. The King and his court being greatly diverted with this merry joke, George was again admitted to the King's favor.

After this, there arose a debate betwixt the King and the Queen about votes in Parliament; as the King