While the King rode slowly back to the convent which he then occupied, Albany, with a discomposed aspect and faltering voice, asked the Earl of Douglas: "Will not your lordship, who saw this most melancholy scene at Falkland, communicate the tidings to my unhappy brother ?" "Not for broad Scotland," said the Douglas.

"I would sooner bare my breast, within flight shot, as a butt to an hundred Tynedale bowmen.

No, by St.Bride of Douglas! I could but say I saw the ill fated youth dead.
How he came by his death, your Grace can perhaps better explain.

Were it not for the rebellion of March and the English war, I would speak my own mind of it." So saying, and making his obeisance to the King, the Earl rode off to his own lodgings, leaving Albany to tell his tale as he best could.
"The rebellion and the English war!" said the Duke to himself.

"Ay, and thine own interest, haughty earl, which, imperious as thou art, thou darest not separate from mine.