23.1. The replie of sir George Careie vpon the lord Flemings answer.

The replie of sir George Careie vpon the lord Flemings answer.

[1] _LOrd Fleming, often the Flemings after noone answer smelleth more of wine than wit. But as to that common crime, the custome of their countrie yeeldeth them part of pardon; so your common acquaintance with the same condition, knowne to be verie great, shall to me somewhat excuse your witlesse writing, wherein first you disalow my right recitall of your traitorous dealing, by tearming it false and vntrue. For answer, know this, the truth my pen hath writ|ten, by the witnesse of a number;Sir George Carie voweth to mainteine no lesse than he hath written. and my hand I vow shall mainteine the same before the world at all times. But you in denieng it, haue both falslie and vniustlie lied in your throte, and dare neither defend nor disproue that in deeds, which in words you haue doone. Whereas you write, that our generall passed Dunglas, by your appointment which you suffered, therein you doo manifestlie saie vnhonorablie and vntrulie; for that you had no knowledge of our first comming, but saluted vs with your shot: and we likewise skirmished with your men euen at their owne strength, vntill we viewed the ground about at out pleasure. And touching the appointment of six of either part, easilie that maie be knowne to be a plaine lie: séeing we had neither parlée nor confe|rence with you before, to appoint place or méeting. But whereas you saie,The lord Fle|ming in sée|king to excuse accuseth him|selfe the more manifestlie. you could doo no lesse but present vs with such as you had, therein you confesse and acknowledge the dishonour and treason that I charged you withall, taking vpon your selfe that fault, which I supposed to haue bin of your seruants, for our generall retired his companie farre from him. And his trumpet being with you, approched him|selfe alone to haue parled, when vnder trust you dis|charged two harquebusses against him: an act rather séemelie for a cowardlie traitor, than one that profes|seth to be a souldier.

[1] Finallie, whereas you let me wit, that you haue gentlemen of honour, seruant souldiers vnto you, that maie be my fellowes, which should defend the [page 1219] chalenge that toucheth so néere your selfe, as with honor you should not haue refused it. First I thinke scorne to be anie waies inferior to you, though but a souldier, too honourable a name for you, being bet|ter in birth, and vnsteined with reproch as you haue béene. Secondlie, I haue more, and as good gentle|men vnder my conduct,Sir George Careie his answer to the lord Flemings brag of his gentrie. as your selfe haue vnder your charge, which shall answer as many as you can bring, if with number ye meane to combat, and will put them to that which you dare not doo your selfe. But assure you, my quarell shall remaine euerla|sting, except the proofe of your owne person against mine maie end it: and when you shall dare come out of your crowes nest, I will be readie to ride an hundred Scotish miles,Oh valiant heart! to méet with you in anie in|different place. And vntill that time, I shall account you deuoid of honestie & honor, vnworthie to march vpon ground, or keepe companie with men. From Hamilton, the 29 of Maie 1570.

Subscribed George Careie.