SIXTEENTH CENTURY.
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committed to memorv, and could be communi- cated without the loteTTention of the press, which at that time was under the control of the bishops. Dramatic compositions of a similar tendracy were repeatedly acted in the presence of the royal family, the nobility, and rast assem- blies of the people. In vain did the bishops repeatedly procure the enactment of laws against the circulation of seditious rhymes, and blas- phemous ballads; the people still read with aridity the metrical epistles, moralities, and pealins composed in their native lang^uage. Kennedy and Kyllor, the former a young gen- tleman, the latter a friar, both of whom were nvelly burnt in 1538, distinguished themselves by their satirical dramas. The latter of these composed a scripture tragedy on the CrucifixioK of C^ritt, in which he satjrrised the clergy.
Another poet of a similar genius was James Wedderbnm, son of a merchant of Dundee, and his two brothers John and Robert, who composed a metrical version of a number of the •mAiu which were afterwards commonly sung m the assembly of the protestants, until super- ceded by the version of Stemhold and Hopluns. They were also the chief authors of Gude and GcJbf ballata, e/umged out of profaae tongi, far anyding of tin and hertotric, Ife, But Uie poet who had the greatest influence in promot- mg the reformation was sir David Lyndsay,* of " die Mount," Lyon king at arms, who enjoyed the fitvonr both of James IV. and his son. His poems were so- universally popular, that it is said they were read by every " man, wonutn, and child:" and there was a proverbial expression for a long time in common use, on hearmg any exiiaordinary word, " there's no sic word in a' Davie Lyndsay." Previously to the appearance of Ramsey and Bums, the poetical effusions of no writer whatever had been so popular, as those of Sir David Lyndsay, or " Davie Lyndsay" as he was called. His principal defence of the translation of the scriptures mto the vernacular tongne is contained in the fint book of the Mo- nanUe, which is his greatest and navest work, in which a personage termed "Experience," reviews for him in high and lofty verse and tone, the history of all the mighty byegone kingdoms of old. A few stanzas from this poem are here given to show his style: —
Pmdent Saint Panl doth make namtioii,
TDachins the diverse Leedes of every buid,
Sariof there have been mere edification
In five words, that folk do understand, -
nen to pronounce of words ten thousand.
In stnnge langoace, and knows not what It meaiu:
I think mch prattling U not worth two piaens.
• Ete was the son of a gentleman of noble descent in the coonty at PUe, but the date of Us birth is onltnown. Be Ibst appeared In pabHc life as aserrant of James IV, at wtfeose side he was standing in Linlithgow chnrch. in tlw sanuner ot 1913, when the supposed apparition came befive him, to warn him against the expedition which ended in his defeat and death at Flodden, wtilch took plaee on the gth. of September, ISIS. Lrndsay is sup- posed to have died in the year 15fi7. Both the name and WDiks of Lyndsay have gone entirely out of notice, dbHeHy in consequence of the qoalntness of the language of his poems, and the byegone character of his snljects.
I would that Prelates and Doetcnof the Law, With Laicke people were not discontent, nioagh we into our vulgar tongue did luiaw. Of Christ Jesus the Law and Testament. And how that we should keep commandement. But in our language let us pray and read. Our Pater noster, Are, and our Creed.
I would some Prince of great discretion.
In vulgar language pUlnly canade translate
The needflil Lawea of this JLefism:
Then would there not be lialfe so great debate
Among OS people of the low estate.
If every man the verity did luiaw,
We needed not to treat these men of Law.
To do onr neitthbonr wrong, we wonU beware, If we did fear the Lawea punislmient: There would not be such brawling at the Bar, Nor men of Law clime to such Royal rent. To keep the Law: if all men were contend And each man do, as he would tie done to. The Judges would get little thing adoe.
Unlearned people on the holy day, Bolemnedly they hear the Evangell snug. Not knowing what the priest doth sing or say. But as a Bell when that they hear it rung. Yet would the Priests in their mother tongne. Passe to the Fulpet and that doctrine declare, To Laicke people, it were more neccasare.
The prophet David King of Israel, Compylde the pleasant Psalmes of the Psalter, In his own proper tongue, as I here tell: And Boiomon which was ills 8<m and Haire, Did make his Book into his tongne vulgar: Why should not their sayings lie to us shown In our language, I would the cause were Itnowo.
Let Doctots write their curious question*, And arguments sown fall of sophistrie: nielr Logick, and their high opinions. Their dark Judgements of Astronomie, Their Medicine, and ttieir Philosophic^ Let Poets shew their glorious engine^ A* ever they please, in Greek or in Latlne.
But let us have the books necessare^ To Common- wealth, and our Salvation: Justly translated in onr tongne vulgare. And eke 1 make you supplication, O gentle Reader, have none Indignation, TtunlUng to meddle with so high matter. Now to my purpose forward will I tat.*
The endeavouis of the Scottish reformers to disseminate the truth, and render the scriptures more generally known and understood, met with the most determined opposition; and persecution exercised its fatal cruelties upon the reformers themselves. Patrick Hamilton, an amiable youth of royal descent, and considerable leam- mg and eloquence, was the first who fell a sacrifice in Scotland. He was burnt at the stake, at Glasgow, with circumstances of pecu- liar barbaric, A.D. 1627. In 1630, Henry Forrest, another young man of learning, suffered at St. Andrews, for possessing a copy of the iV«io Testament, and affirming that Patrick Hamilton was a true martyr. And beside many others. Sir John Borthwick was accused of en- tertaining and propagating heretical opinions, and dispersing heretical tracks, among which,
- lA»im)'t MonareMe, B. i. The copy from which this
Is extracted is a small 8vo., printed in the Gothic letter. It is not folioed ) and having lost the title-page^ it cannot be ascertained where the work was printed, nor the date; but it appears to have been printed in England, both from the form of the type, and the anglicitcd orthography.
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