Page:Witty and entertaining exploits of George Buchanan (11).pdf/6



6

had two votes, the Queen would have one, and would needs be a Parliamenter, or no peace without preferment. This matter was committed to George by the King. So it was agreed in Parliament that the Queen should be admitted for a day. Accordingly she came, and was received with all the honor and congratulations that was due and becoming her high station: but before any matter of consequence was brought to the board, George seated himself hard by the Queen’s seat: all being silent, he rose up very quickly, lifted one of his legs, and let a loud fart, which set the whole house a-laughing; whereat, the Queen was greatly offended, and said, Go, take the rogue and hang him. To which, George answered, A fine Parliainenter indeed! to hang a man for a sinless infirmity, and that’s a fart. The Queen enrag’d at the affront put on her first appearance in Parliament, went oft' in a passion, and would never countenance them more. But yet, to be revenged on George she would never give the King rest till he delivered George into her hands, that he might be punished at her pleasure; which the King accordingly commanded to be done, knowing that George would rescue himself by some intrigue or Other. No sooner was he delivered into her hands, but she and her maids of honor pronounced his doom, which was as follows: 'As he had affronted the 'Queen among so great an equipage, who ought to be honored in chief above all women in the nation, that he should be stoned to death by the hands of women.' Now, the time being come that he was to die, according to their appointment, he was taken into a park, where a great number of women was waiting for him, with their aprons full of stones, to fall upon him, and put him to death, according to the Queen’s appointment,