They have the boldness to say that this dead fellow had been misused by Rothsay and his fellows, who were in the street in mask and revel, stopping men and women, compelling them to dance, or to drink huge quantities of wine, with other follies needless to recount; and they say that the whole party repaired in Sir John Ramorny's, and broke their way into the house in order to conclude their revel there, thus affording good reason to judge that the dismissal of Sir John from the Prince's service was but a feigned stratagem to deceive the public.

And hence they urge that, if ill were done that night by Sir John Ramorny or his followers, much it is to be thought that the Duke of Rothsay must have at least been privy to, if he did not authorise, it." "Albany, this is dreadful!" said the King.

"Would they make a murderer of my boy?
would they pretend my David would soil his hands in Scottish blood without having either provocation or purpose?
No--no, they will not invent calumnies so broad as these, for they are flagrant and incredible." "Pardon, my liege," answered the Duke of Albany; "they say the cause of quarrel which occasioned the riot in Curfew Street, and, its consequences, were more proper to the Prince than to Sir John, since none suspects, far less believes, that that hopeful enterprise was conducted for the gratification of the knight of Ramorny." "Thou drivest me mad, Robin!" said the King.
"I am dumb," answered his brother; "I did but speak my poor mind according to your royal order." "Thou meanest well, I know," said the King; "but, instead of tearing me to pieces with the display of inevitable calamities, were it not kinder, Robin, to point me out some mode to escape from them ?" "True, my liege; but as the only road of extrication is rough and difficult, it is necessary your Grace should be first possessed with the absolute necessity of using it, ere you hear it even described.

The chirurgeon must first convince his patient of the incurable condition of a shattered member, ere he venture to name amputation, though it be the only remedy." The King at these words was roused to a degree of alarm and indignation greater than his brother had deemed he could be awakened to.
"Shattered and mortified member, my Lord of Albany! amputation the only remedy! These are unintelligible words, my lord.

If thou appliest them to our son Rothsay, thou must make them good to the letter, else mayst thou have bitter cause to rue the consequence." "You construe me too literally, my royal liege," said Albany.