606. Glozing. That glosses over the truth, not plain and outspoken.
Sometimes it means to flatter, or deceive with smooth words; as in
Spenser, F. Q. iii. 8. 14:
"For he could well his glozing speeches frame
To such vaine uses that him best became;"
Smith, Sermons (A. D. 1609): "Every smooth tale is not to be believed;
and every glosing tongue is not to be trusted;" Milton, P. L. iii. 93:
"his glozing lies;" Id. ix. 549: "So glozed the Tempter;" Comus, 161:
"well-placed words of glozing courtesy," etc.
615. The King's vindictive pride, etc. Scott says here: "In 1529, James
made a convention at Edinburgh, for the purpose of considering the best
mode of quelling the Border robbers, who, during the license of
his minority, and the troubles which followed, had committed many
exorbitances. Accordingly he assembled a flying army of ten thousand
men, consisting of his principal nobility and their followers, who were
directed to bring their hawks and dogs with them, that the monarch might
refresh himself with sport during the intervals of military execution.
With this array he swept through Ettrick Forest, where he hanged
over the gate of his own castle Piers Cockburn of Henderland, who had
prepared, according to tradition, a feast for his reception. He caused
Adam Scott of Tushiclaw also to be executed, who was distinguished by
the title of King of the Border. But the most noted victim of justice
during that expedition was John Armstrong of Gilnockie, famous in
Scottish song, who, confiding in his own supposed innocence, met the
King, with a retinue of thirty-six persons, all of whom were hanged at
Carlenrig, near the source of the Teviot. The effect of this severity
was such, that, as the vulgar expressed it, 'the rush-bush kept the
cow,' and 'thereafter was great peace and rest a long time, wherethrough
the King had great profit; for he had ten thousand sheep going in the
Ettrick Forest in keeping by Andrew Bell, who made the king as good
count of them as they had gone in the bounds of Fife' (Pitscottie's
History, p. 153)."
623. Meggat's mead. The Meggat, or Megget, is a mountain stream flowing
into the Yarrow, a branch of the Etrrick, which is itself a branch of
the Tweed. The Teviot is also a branch of the Tweed.
627. The dales, etc. The MS. has "The dales where clans were wont to
bide."
634. By fate of Border chivalry. Scott says: "James was, in fact,
equally attentive to restrain rapine and feudal oppression in every part
of his dominions. 'The King past to the isles, and there held justice
courts, and punished both thief and traitor according to their demerit.
And also he caused great men to show their holdings, wherethrough he
found many of the said lands in non-entry; the which he confiscate and
brought home to his own use, and afterwards annexed them to the crown,
as ye shall hear. Syne brought many of the great men of the isles
captive with him, such as Mudyart, M'Connel, M'Loyd of the Lewes,
M'Neil, M'Lane, M'Intosh, John Mudyart, M'Kay, M'Kenzie, with many other
that I cannot rehearse at this time. Some of them he put in ward and
some in court, and some he took pledges for good rule in time coming.
So he brought the isles, both north and south, in good rule and peace;
wherefore he had great profit, service, and obedience of people a
long time hereafter; and as long as he had the heads of the country
in subjection, they lived in great peace and rest, and there was great
riches and policy by the King's justice' (Pitscottie, p. 152)."