[1] [2] [3] But now the time being come for this determi|ned execution, the earle of Morton, that still accom|panied the English generall, offered himselfe as an intercessor to intreat and sue for a pardon,The earle of Morton, an [...]tercessor for [...] towne of [...] bringing afore the generall a multitude of wailing people, whose mournfull and most pitious cries were lamen|table and verie importunat. The generall hearing their requests, made answer, that for manie causes the towne ought to be destroied, considering how diuerse enimies (whose insolent practises were not to be suffered) had alwaies there a common resort to conferre of their wicked deuises: and further (quoth he) the courtesie that is shewed to such places of re|paire, hath imboldened the rest of Scotland to vse o|pen violence and secret villanies, to the preiudice of Gods glorie, hinderance of the weale publike, and breach of good lawes and policies: and therefore it was fit and most méet for a warning to thousands in that case of extremitie, to rase out such monuments of mischiefe. But at length, notwithstanding these heauie words vttered by sir William Drurie, the people of all sorts so preassed about him, & made such pitifull cries and sorowfull noise, with children suc|king of their mothers breasts, that he taking ruth of their miserable estates, at this their lamentable sute, and speciallie at the great instance of the earle of Morton, who came bareheaded to speake for them, the generall was contented to saue the towne and people therein:Lithquo spa| [...]ed from de|serued de|struction taking good band and assurance of the prouost and chiefest of the towne, that they should follow the campe, and at all times appeare when they were called for at Berwike, and there to submit themselues, their towne and goods, to the clemen|cie of the quéens highnesse; and to such order as the earle of Sussex hir maiesties generall lieutenant should by consent thinke necessarie:The prouost [...] other en| [...] [...]ands. to which band & conditions they of Lithquo agréed. And for that their regent was slaine, & none since instituted to whome they had giuen faith of allegiance; they confessed, that none might command them anie waie without licence of him, to whome they had made this band, sith to him both their promise and obligation was passed. And in this sort they continued bound to him for their good behauiors.