I have seen the backs of the proud Percy and George of Dunbar ere now, and I may see them again.

And, if it is the King's pleasure I should take measures against this probable conjunction of stranger and traitor, I admit that, rather than trust to an inferior or feebler hand the important task of settling the Highlands, I would be disposed to give my opinion in favour of the policy of my Lord of Albany, and suffer those savages to carve each other's limbs, without giving barons and knights the trouble of hunting them down." "My Lord of Douglas," said the Prince, who seemed determined to omit no opportunity to gall his haughty father in law, "does not choose to leave to us Lowlanders even the poor crumbs of honour which might be gathered at the expense of the Highland kerne, while he, with his Border chivalry, reaps the full harvest of victory over the English.

But Percy hath seen men's backs as well as Douglas; and I have known as great wonders as that he who goes forth to seek such wool should come back shorn." "A phrase," said Douglas, "well becoming a prince who speaks of honour with a wandering harlot's scrip in his bonnet, by way of favor." "Excuse it, my lord," said Rothsay: "men who have matched unfittingly become careless in the choice of those whom they love par amours.

The chained dog must snatch at the nearest bone." "Rothsay, my unhappy son!" exclaimed the King, "art thou mad?
or wouldst thou draw down on thee the full storm of a king and father's displeasure ?" "I am dumb," returned the Prince, "at your Grace's command." "Well, then, my Lord of Albany," said the King, "since such is your advice, and since Scottish blood must flow, how, I pray you, are we to prevail on these fierce men to refer their quarrel to such a combat as you propose ?" "That, my liege," said Albany, "must be the result of more mature deliberation.

But the task will not be difficult.