Edith of Glammis. By Cuthbert Clutterbuck of Kennaquhair, F.S.A. &c. &c. In three volumes.
Author Details
Surname:Hamilton,
First Names:Alexander
Gender:Male
Anonymous:No
Publication Details
Publisher:Smith, Elder & Co., 65 Cornhill
Place:London
Date:1836
Novel Details
Genre:Chivalric; courtship; Gothic; historical; inheritance/identity
Setting:Angus, Scotland
Period:1501-1650 (before the reformation)
Plot
In a nutshell: this historical novel focuses on Sir Percy Douglas and his love for Edith of Glammis and his relationship with King James V. There are lots of somewhat supernatural events and coincidences. Eventually everything comes good, and Edith is restored to her lands and marries Percy.
The novels opens with a lengthy and satirical introductory epistle by Cutherbert Cluttterbuck of the village of Kennaquhair, which is mainly about establishing his identity and legal position. Note that this places the novel firmly in the tradition of Sir Walter Scott. Clutterbuck claims that the manuscript came down to him from a descendant of the family and that he has edited it, but p. 37 'truly the emendations have been so numerous, as in a manner to have made the original manuscript the exception, and mine emendations the text.' Clutterbuck also notes that it has been polished by the local schoolmaster, so that all in all it is really not presented as an authentic text.
'Far in the north of Scotland': Glamis Castle does exist, and is located in Angus a little North of Dundee.
The novel is set in the context of enmity between James V and the Douglas family. An initial sketch of events is presented, which explains how Lady Glammis was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. Sir Percy Douglas comes to Glammis castle after Lady Glammis and her family have been taken away. He sees the girl who is supposedly the old porter's daughter and is enraptured by her. He also meets Aylmer who is planning to condemn Lady Glammis, so that he can inherit the lands and marry the daughter. Shortly afterwards Percy meets with the old Glammis bard, Ecgbert, who reveals that the supposed porter's daughter was really Edith of Glammis, Percy's old playmate, who has managed to escape the family imprisonment. Ecgbert is part of a plan to rescue the whole family, which also involves some friendly sailors/pirates.
Sir Percy goes to Edinburgh where he discovers for the first time that Lady Glammis is being tried for witchcraft. At trial Lady Glammis is brave and stands up to her accusers. Lord Glammis is tortured in front of her, and eventually Lady Glammis gives in and declares herself guilty. Sir Percy strikes down the courtman, and flees, hiding in the home of a wealthy burgher he met previously.
Lady Glammis is burned at the stake, Lord Glammis attempts to flee from captivity, assisted by Ecgbert, Sir Percy and the friendly sailors. However the rope he is using is too short and he falls to his death (a footnote assures us that this really happened). Sir Percy then encounters a stranger and argues with him about the relationship between the Douglases and their king. The stranger in due course proves to be James V. Sir Percy proves himself a loyal subject. Sir Percy is then briefly reunited with Edith who, now orphaned, has decided to become a nun.
The narrative then switches to following James V. Aymler is requesting the king to give him the lands in return for having alerted (i.e. made up) the charges against Lady Glammis. Having been prewarned against Aymler by Percy, the king denies Aymler's requests and Aymler decides to take Edith by force and marry her to gain her lands. Percy then visits the king, is assured that Edith is safe and swears into the service of the king. Before he undertakes this service he goes to the nunnery to see Edith one final time, but finds she has vanished. Percy is attacked, and only rescued by a dwarf (the dwarf of St. Orland). There is some misunderstanding around Margaret, a local girl whom the dwarf loves.
Sir Percy goes in search of Edith and has various adventures. At one point he has an interview with a lady who proves to be Catherine Howard (queen of England) and later Percy meets King Henry the Eighth. Meanwhile, Sir Aymler has Edith in captivity and attempts unsuccessfully to persuade her to marry him. She is rescued by the combined forces of Sir Percy, Lancy, and Jasper Jenkins. In fleeing, however, there is an accident and Percy believes Edith dead in the sea. Sir Percy goes on to great glories in battle and several years go by.
Percy meets the dwarf again, who is very embittered, and reveals that Edith did not die but was rescued by a passing boat. Sir Percy revisits Geordie Goldcraft, and it turns out that the girl Margaret is Geordie's sister.
Finally, there is an extended scene with a beggar and a woman with much carousing, before Sir Percy finally gets to Castle Glammis. There he finds that Geffrey Polwath has killed Verna, and the dwarf slays him and releases Edith. Finally it proves that Aylmer seduced Verna and the dwarf was the resulting child. On hearing this, the Dwarf runs mad and is never seen of again. The beggar reveals himself to be King James and Johnnie Mackilrie appears again. The king gives the hand of Edith to Sir Percy and all ends happily.
The novels opens with a lengthy and satirical introductory epistle by Cutherbert Cluttterbuck of the village of Kennaquhair, which is mainly about establishing his identity and legal position. Note that this places the novel firmly in the tradition of Sir Walter Scott. Clutterbuck claims that the manuscript came down to him from a descendant of the family and that he has edited it, but p. 37 'truly the emendations have been so numerous, as in a manner to have made the original manuscript the exception, and mine emendations the text.' Clutterbuck also notes that it has been polished by the local schoolmaster, so that all in all it is really not presented as an authentic text.
'Far in the north of Scotland': Glamis Castle does exist, and is located in Angus a little North of Dundee.
The novel is set in the context of enmity between James V and the Douglas family. An initial sketch of events is presented, which explains how Lady Glammis was accused of witchcraft and burned at the stake. Sir Percy Douglas comes to Glammis castle after Lady Glammis and her family have been taken away. He sees the girl who is supposedly the old porter's daughter and is enraptured by her. He also meets Aylmer who is planning to condemn Lady Glammis, so that he can inherit the lands and marry the daughter. Shortly afterwards Percy meets with the old Glammis bard, Ecgbert, who reveals that the supposed porter's daughter was really Edith of Glammis, Percy's old playmate, who has managed to escape the family imprisonment. Ecgbert is part of a plan to rescue the whole family, which also involves some friendly sailors/pirates.
Sir Percy goes to Edinburgh where he discovers for the first time that Lady Glammis is being tried for witchcraft. At trial Lady Glammis is brave and stands up to her accusers. Lord Glammis is tortured in front of her, and eventually Lady Glammis gives in and declares herself guilty. Sir Percy strikes down the courtman, and flees, hiding in the home of a wealthy burgher he met previously.
Lady Glammis is burned at the stake, Lord Glammis attempts to flee from captivity, assisted by Ecgbert, Sir Percy and the friendly sailors. However the rope he is using is too short and he falls to his death (a footnote assures us that this really happened). Sir Percy then encounters a stranger and argues with him about the relationship between the Douglases and their king. The stranger in due course proves to be James V. Sir Percy proves himself a loyal subject. Sir Percy is then briefly reunited with Edith who, now orphaned, has decided to become a nun.
The narrative then switches to following James V. Aymler is requesting the king to give him the lands in return for having alerted (i.e. made up) the charges against Lady Glammis. Having been prewarned against Aymler by Percy, the king denies Aymler's requests and Aymler decides to take Edith by force and marry her to gain her lands. Percy then visits the king, is assured that Edith is safe and swears into the service of the king. Before he undertakes this service he goes to the nunnery to see Edith one final time, but finds she has vanished. Percy is attacked, and only rescued by a dwarf (the dwarf of St. Orland). There is some misunderstanding around Margaret, a local girl whom the dwarf loves.
Sir Percy goes in search of Edith and has various adventures. At one point he has an interview with a lady who proves to be Catherine Howard (queen of England) and later Percy meets King Henry the Eighth. Meanwhile, Sir Aymler has Edith in captivity and attempts unsuccessfully to persuade her to marry him. She is rescued by the combined forces of Sir Percy, Lancy, and Jasper Jenkins. In fleeing, however, there is an accident and Percy believes Edith dead in the sea. Sir Percy goes on to great glories in battle and several years go by.
Percy meets the dwarf again, who is very embittered, and reveals that Edith did not die but was rescued by a passing boat. Sir Percy revisits Geordie Goldcraft, and it turns out that the girl Margaret is Geordie's sister.
Finally, there is an extended scene with a beggar and a woman with much carousing, before Sir Percy finally gets to Castle Glammis. There he finds that Geffrey Polwath has killed Verna, and the dwarf slays him and releases Edith. Finally it proves that Aylmer seduced Verna and the dwarf was the resulting child. On hearing this, the Dwarf runs mad and is never seen of again. The beggar reveals himself to be King James and Johnnie Mackilrie appears again. The king gives the hand of Edith to Sir Percy and all ends happily.
Overview of the Dialect
Most characters speak Standard English, but it is very noticeable that James V speaks extensively in Scots English, even when many of his knights and nobles do not. p. 179 explains 'James had been called to the throne at a very tender age, and his education had consequently been much neglected. His acquirements in general might therefore be looked upon more as those of a natural, than of an artificial kind.' There is an extended scene towards the end when James successfully disguises himself as a poor beggar. James shows some evidence of code-switching, speaking in a more elevated style when talking about his honour, and with more Scots English features when talking to the court jester.
Some other minor characters speak Scots English, but it is generally not marked in a great deal of detail. This is a historical novel and there is some archaic speech.
Speaker #1:Old beldam - Old beldam
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Old beldam
Gender:Female
Age:Adult - elderly
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Codeswitch, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Old beldam
Social Role Category:Respectable poor
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Kennaquhair
Place of Origin Category:Kennaquhair, South Scotland, Scotland
Extract #1 dialect features: Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , Old beldam
[...] if the truth must be told, dame Margery was indeed a comely dame, although dwelling in a rude and rather dusky habitation, and accustomed to live in the atmosphere of that odiferous turn smoke, which, we have been informed, is very prejudicial to the external appearance of the fair sex. As Sir Percy returned the half-emptied quaigh , she put it to her own lips, and wishing him a good journey, and " muckle luck through life," again leaned forward as he was departing, and laying her hand upon his horse's bridle, detained him for a single moment. She looked cautiously around to ascertain that she was unobserved, and, having, apparently, satisfied herself upon this point, in a low but impressive tone, whispered --
"Sir Percy, tak' tent to them ye met wi' here yestre'en . They are but unfriends to you. Dinna foregather wi' them if ye can help it."
(Vol. 1,p. 238-239)"Sir Percy, tak' tent to them ye met wi' here yestre'en . They are but unfriends to you. Dinna foregather wi' them if ye can help it."
Extract #2 dialect features: Codeswitch, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , Old beldam
"No, your honour," said the woman, somewhat subdued, when she saw the formidable appearance of Sir Percy's armed follower, and the graceful but athletic figure of the young man himself, but still speaking in a sulky and discontented voice; -- " no, ye'er honour -- but the shieling was bespoke; howsomever , I wash my hands o't , and, come what may, I shall neither mak' nor meddle i' the stoor ".
(Vol. 1,p. 137)Speaker #2:Man-at-arms - Man-at-arms
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Man-at-arms
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Man-at-arms
Social Role Category:Military
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Unspecified
Place of Origin Category:Unspecified
[an apparition appears to warn Sir Percy off] " 'Tis most strange!" exclaimed Sir Percy, as he returned from his fruitless search.
" Alle guter geisten !" exclaimed the man-at-arms, holding forth the cross of his sword to his master's face; " avaunt thee , Sathanus! avoid thee ! 'Tis a sprecht , as the German hath it -- a man of the mountains -- a duregar ! Aller guter ---" "Peace, blockhead!" said Sir Percy, "and put down thy sword." " Alle guter !" continued Jasper -- " Exorcizo te! -- Conjuro -- in te Domine speravi! Would that I were safe away. The renowned Francis, the flower --"
(Vol. 1,p. 226)" Alle guter geisten !" exclaimed the man-at-arms, holding forth the cross of his sword to his master's face; " avaunt thee , Sathanus! avoid thee ! 'Tis a sprecht , as the German hath it -- a man of the mountains -- a duregar ! Aller guter ---" "Peace, blockhead!" said Sir Percy, "and put down thy sword." " Alle guter !" continued Jasper -- " Exorcizo te! -- Conjuro -- in te Domine speravi! Would that I were safe away. The renowned Francis, the flower --"
Speaker #3:Boatman - Boatman
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Boatman
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - elderly
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Boatman
Social Role Category:Respectable poor
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Aberdeen
Place of Origin Category:Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire, Highlands, Scotland
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
" Fat's ta feel body praying about?" said the old weather-beaten boatman, with the true Aberdonian accent ; -- " fat for wull she think the saunts wull fash their theembs aboot her? "
[long speech by Jasper Jenkin in SE telling boatman to look at some ruins] " Feel body !" said the boatman, who understood not a single word save part of the concluding sentence of this harangue , " feel body ! -- fat's that? that's ta Castle o' Breeghty, man ; and as for weeter , there's twal' fadom o't a streetcher's length frae the shore."
"Breeghty!" repeated Lancy, seemingly involved in a deep consideration, " Breeghty! Broughty, I take it, in the vernacular of a Christian tongue; and if so, indubitably the Taodunum of the Romans . "
" Peer feel body !" said the boatman, half aloud, "it never belanged to ane o' the name."
"Humph!" said Lancy, with a look of great contempt, "a very ludicrous perversion. But can your wisdom yield information as the name of this estuary whereon we sail?"
" Aesteery !" exclaimed the boatman; "I kenna what ye mean. It's the Frith o' Tee."
"Just so," said Lancy, "The Tavus AEstuarium of the Romans, as indubitably as my nomen, cognomen, and addition, stands Jasper Jenkins of Erngray."
(Vol. 1,p. 242-244)[long speech by Jasper Jenkin in SE telling boatman to look at some ruins] " Feel body !" said the boatman, who understood not a single word save part of the concluding sentence of this harangue , " feel body ! -- fat's that? that's ta Castle o' Breeghty, man ; and as for weeter , there's twal' fadom o't a streetcher's length frae the shore."
"Breeghty!" repeated Lancy, seemingly involved in a deep consideration, " Breeghty! Broughty, I take it, in the vernacular of a Christian tongue; and if so, indubitably the Taodunum of the Romans . "
" Peer feel body !" said the boatman, half aloud, "it never belanged to ane o' the name."
"Humph!" said Lancy, with a look of great contempt, "a very ludicrous perversion. But can your wisdom yield information as the name of this estuary whereon we sail?"
" Aesteery !" exclaimed the boatman; "I kenna what ye mean. It's the Frith o' Tee."
"Just so," said Lancy, "The Tavus AEstuarium of the Romans, as indubitably as my nomen, cognomen, and addition, stands Jasper Jenkins of Erngray."
Speaker #4:Sailors/pirates - Sailors/ pirates
Individual or Group:Group
Primary Identity:Sailors/pirates
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Peripheral
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Sailors/ pirates
Social Role Category:Seafarer
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Unspecified
Place of Origin Category:Unspecified
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Idiom, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , Sailors/pirates
"What cheer, my hearties ?" a voice from within at length exclaimed -- "Have ye nabbed the lads?"
" Ay , ay ," answered one of the conductors. " Split me , Jack! -- may I never heave lead again, but they struck at once."
" D--- my eyes , Handie Dandie," said the other, "I thought they were men -- zounds! ye might ha' been at long bowls with them ."
" Yard to yard , by G-- , Jack! We hove up right in their wind; and, blast me , but we run them down , as the Smiling Nancy would ha' sent a black barge, with the white lead, to Davy Jones ."
"Ha! ha! well said, Dandie!" shouted the other. "But tow them into port here. Let's ha' a new light, as the chaplain of the ould hulk used to say."
" Ay , ay , Jack," responded Dandie -- " that's fair; and hark ye , lad, here's old Stinkpot has been laid on his beamends ; and, strike me , if the new lights han't been dancing afore his eyes."
(Vol. 1,p. 262)" Ay , ay ," answered one of the conductors. " Split me , Jack! -- may I never heave lead again, but they struck at once."
" D--- my eyes , Handie Dandie," said the other, "I thought they were men -- zounds! ye might ha' been at long bowls with them ."
" Yard to yard , by G-- , Jack! We hove up right in their wind; and, blast me , but we run them down , as the Smiling Nancy would ha' sent a black barge, with the white lead, to Davy Jones ."
"Ha! ha! well said, Dandie!" shouted the other. "But tow them into port here. Let's ha' a new light, as the chaplain of the ould hulk used to say."
" Ay , ay , Jack," responded Dandie -- " that's fair; and hark ye , lad, here's old Stinkpot has been laid on his beamends ; and, strike me , if the new lights han't been dancing afore his eyes."
Speaker #5:Geordie Goldcraft - Burgess
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:Geordie Goldcraft
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - middle aged
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Minor
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Burgess
Social Role Category:Yeoman
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Edinburgh
Place of Origin Category:Edinburgh, Scotland
Extract #1 dialect features: Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , Geordie Goldcraft
" Ay , that there is, Sir Knight; and whar' did ye ever see mischief without a woman at the bottom o't ? But sic a woman! nae living being e'er saw the like atween their e'en . Bonny , gentle, and sweet! Your heart would loup as fast as molten silver in a crucible, to see her; and the tears would rin down your cheeks like twa fountains o' water, to think that sic a being could sell her soul to the powers o' darkness. But the de'ils gude to his ain , and weel kens how he spoils his bairns , till he leads them on to their destruction."
(Vol. 2,p. 14)Extract #2 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"And there's like to be a foul affair this day," said the man, won by the frankness of his manner; "but I mauna bide clavering here, else the court-house will be filled."
"The court-house!" exclaimed Sir Percy; "stay ---"
" Ay , the court-house," said the man, in no hurry to depart, as he adjusted his cloak, and looking downwards, brought forward the hilt of his long and somewhat rusted rapier; "the court-house, to be sure. Ye'll doubtless ha' heard o' the great trial that's to depend afore the justice-general and his depute at the hour o' twal ."
(Vol. 2,p. 12)"The court-house!" exclaimed Sir Percy; "stay ---"
" Ay , the court-house," said the man, in no hurry to depart, as he adjusted his cloak, and looking downwards, brought forward the hilt of his long and somewhat rusted rapier; "the court-house, to be sure. Ye'll doubtless ha' heard o' the great trial that's to depend afore the justice-general and his depute at the hour o' twal ."
Speaker #6:King James V - King
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:King James V
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - middle aged
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Significant
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:King
Social Role Category:Royalty
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Scotland
Place of Origin Category:Scotland
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
" Hoot, toot , man," replied the other, " ye ken but little o' the matter. It's the great and blessed security that hath been preserved for years, that has rendered our burgess guard somewhat remiss and addle-headed in their duty. -- But, praise be to Him! this gear sall be amended, and the statute of our fourth James, caput thirty-one and thirty- twa , anent Weapons Schawings , sall be forthwith put in strict enforcement."
" Methinks ," said Sir Percy, smiling "it were well that it should be so, if the valuable lives of his Majesty's liege subjects are thus exposed, that these swinish burghers may indulge a few hours more of rest."
" Ye say weel , young man, vera weel ," answered the stranger. "But by my halidrome, if the burghers grunt in their straw, our worthy Flemings in the fortress keep their ward . Soul o' my ancestors!"
(Vol. 2,p. 133)" Methinks ," said Sir Percy, smiling "it were well that it should be so, if the valuable lives of his Majesty's liege subjects are thus exposed, that these swinish burghers may indulge a few hours more of rest."
" Ye say weel , young man, vera weel ," answered the stranger. "But by my halidrome, if the burghers grunt in their straw, our worthy Flemings in the fortress keep their ward . Soul o' my ancestors!"
Extract #2 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Metalanguage, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Speakers: All , King James V
" God's grace , man !" exclaimed the king, "we shall ne'er extend it to you -- to you, wha , under Providence, hae been the instrument o' communicating the foul conspiracy to our gracious self. Na , na , man ; that were but sma' thanks to return for the affection ye have shewn to our maist royal person, and the meikle mischief ye hae prevented by the timely disclosure o' the diabolical and maist unholy league."
The latter parts of this sentence were spoken in a tone which, though veiled by natural urbanity and politeness, implied, to the most attentive hearer, the existence of a deep and bitter feeling of sarcasm and contempt.
(Vol. 2,p. 186-187)The latter parts of this sentence were spoken in a tone which, though veiled by natural urbanity and politeness, implied, to the most attentive hearer, the existence of a deep and bitter feeling of sarcasm and contempt.
Extract #3 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
"English!" responded the beggar [this is really James V in disguise] -- " ay , ay , by my faith , but we are getting mair o' English gear into this land than there seems to be ony need o' ! I'se warrant me, that's an English suit o' mail that my friend ahint us got on, too?"
"English smithy ne'er forged such steel," said Lancy, who had overheard this last remark -- "bacinet, gorget, cuirass, brassarts, pouldrons, gauntlets, cuissarts, and greaves, are of Milan plate."
" An' ken ye nocht of the statute anent armour?" asked the beggar -- " ken ye nocht o' the statute that forbids any one to wear plate, unless they be worth the sum o' a hundred pounds yearly? and that, I'm thinking, is mair than the length o' your purse will go?"
(Vol. 3,p. 293-294)"English smithy ne'er forged such steel," said Lancy, who had overheard this last remark -- "bacinet, gorget, cuirass, brassarts, pouldrons, gauntlets, cuissarts, and greaves, are of Milan plate."
" An' ken ye nocht of the statute anent armour?" asked the beggar -- " ken ye nocht o' the statute that forbids any one to wear plate, unless they be worth the sum o' a hundred pounds yearly? and that, I'm thinking, is mair than the length o' your purse will go?"
Extract #4 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
He was about the middle size, and apparently under thirty years of age -- rather robust than otherwise, but of that elegant and graceful form, which at once bespeaks activity and strength. The contour of his face was of the most perfect oval, and shaded by an abundance of light-coloured hair, which hung down in glossy ringlets almost to his shoulders. His blue eyes were full, splendid, and piercing, and yet their billiancy at times softened into an expression of the most arch and open humour. Now and then, indeed, a slight shade of melancholy seemed to flit across his fine features -- but it was not of lasting duration, and disappeared sooner than the passing cloud, which for a moment dims the brightness of the summer sky.
These observations were rapidly made by Sir Percy as the stranger approached him. " Hark ye , friend," he exclaimed, as he quietly wiped his bright sword, and returned it to its scabbard, "saw ye the oak fructed, and penetrated transversely in its main stem, by a frame saw propre , in a ducal coronet, or , on the bearings of these rapscallions? I doubt me , the princely Hamilton hath had somewhat to do in this gear ."
"Indeed," said Sir Percy, "your assailants vanished so rapidly, that I had scarce time to observe what cognizance they bore; but methinks I did perceive something like a golden coronet glancing in the moon-beams."
" Ay , ay -- like enough, like enough," exclaimed the stranger. "But hark ye , younker -- I hope thou hast not met with aught of mischance in this affray? The redder at times gets the worst knock."
"No," answered Sir Percy; "and I trust, that in reply to the same question, you will be able to give a like assurance."
"What, man," exclaimed the stranger, " hast thou taken leave of thy wits, or thinkest thou the best master of fence within the four seas o' Scotland was to allow sic rapscallions tatterdemalions as these to come within his guard? No, no -- and yet, by my halidome , but for two helps -- our blessed lady and yourself -- I might have chanced second best in the bruilizie . They were stalwart chiels , i' faith -- and nae man can fight for ever. But this gear sall be looked to, and I'm mista'en if it be not amended before lang ."
(Vol. 2,p. 130-132)These observations were rapidly made by Sir Percy as the stranger approached him. " Hark ye , friend," he exclaimed, as he quietly wiped his bright sword, and returned it to its scabbard, "saw ye the oak fructed, and penetrated transversely in its main stem, by a frame saw propre , in a ducal coronet, or , on the bearings of these rapscallions? I doubt me , the princely Hamilton hath had somewhat to do in this gear ."
"Indeed," said Sir Percy, "your assailants vanished so rapidly, that I had scarce time to observe what cognizance they bore; but methinks I did perceive something like a golden coronet glancing in the moon-beams."
" Ay , ay -- like enough, like enough," exclaimed the stranger. "But hark ye , younker -- I hope thou hast not met with aught of mischance in this affray? The redder at times gets the worst knock."
"No," answered Sir Percy; "and I trust, that in reply to the same question, you will be able to give a like assurance."
"What, man," exclaimed the stranger, " hast thou taken leave of thy wits, or thinkest thou the best master of fence within the four seas o' Scotland was to allow sic rapscallions tatterdemalions as these to come within his guard? No, no -- and yet, by my halidome , but for two helps -- our blessed lady and yourself -- I might have chanced second best in the bruilizie . They were stalwart chiels , i' faith -- and nae man can fight for ever. But this gear sall be looked to, and I'm mista'en if it be not amended before lang ."
Extract #5 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
" By the mass! Cardinal," he at length exclaimed, when he had regained his voice -- " by the mass ! we hae scraped him till his hide is raw. Oliver, saw ye ever man get sic a dressing? By the bones o' my ancestors, but it's weel we had an inkling o' this affair, and were made maisters o' the truth before-hand, or the pawky loon , wi' his weel - faured tales, would surely hae ga'en awa' and left a flea in our most royal lug . Ha! ha! ha!"
"An I kenna ," exclaimed Johnny Mackilrie, "that a flea in your ain most royal lug would hae been waur than a flee or twa in your ain most royal mouth;" at the same time, suiting the action to the word, he approached his left hand close to the king's short and peaked beard, and allowed the whole fruits of his morning's labour, in the shape of a myriad of blue-bottle flies, to escape right into the king's face. This unexpected assault was so effectually made, that the king, in starting back to escape the infernal buzz that surrounded him, otherthrew his chair, and in a moment lay prostrate on the floor.
Johnny Mackilrie held his sides, and roared with laughter. "I hae heard o' a kingdom," he exclaimed, "being saved wi' the cackling o' a guse or twa ; but I hae seen a king dethroned by a handful o' blue-bottle flees ."
" An' what, in the deevil's name, sir," said James, as he scrambled to his legs, "what in the deevil's name, possessed you to let loose a legion o' blue-bottle flees in our annointed face? O'd , an I could but reach you ---"
" I'se warrant ," responded Johnny, opening the door of the apartment, to which he had prudently withdrawn to facilitate his retreat, " I'se warrant it was just the annointment o' your face that drew them there."
(Vol. 2,p. 208-209)"An I kenna ," exclaimed Johnny Mackilrie, "that a flea in your ain most royal lug would hae been waur than a flee or twa in your ain most royal mouth;" at the same time, suiting the action to the word, he approached his left hand close to the king's short and peaked beard, and allowed the whole fruits of his morning's labour, in the shape of a myriad of blue-bottle flies, to escape right into the king's face. This unexpected assault was so effectually made, that the king, in starting back to escape the infernal buzz that surrounded him, otherthrew his chair, and in a moment lay prostrate on the floor.
Johnny Mackilrie held his sides, and roared with laughter. "I hae heard o' a kingdom," he exclaimed, "being saved wi' the cackling o' a guse or twa ; but I hae seen a king dethroned by a handful o' blue-bottle flees ."
" An' what, in the deevil's name, sir," said James, as he scrambled to his legs, "what in the deevil's name, possessed you to let loose a legion o' blue-bottle flees in our annointed face? O'd , an I could but reach you ---"
" I'se warrant ," responded Johnny, opening the door of the apartment, to which he had prudently withdrawn to facilitate his retreat, " I'se warrant it was just the annointment o' your face that drew them there."
Extract #6 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
" In good sooth ," interposed John Mackilrie, who had for some time ceased the pursuit of his more important occupation, and gradually drawn nearer and nearer to the king's chair, till one arm rested on its back, " in good sooth , papa, the bonny doo maun hae been like Mrs. Thisbe, and seen her Pyramus through a hole in the wa' , or she would ne'er hae fa'en in love wi' the kestrel kite."
" Whisht , Johnny! whisht , sir!" said the king, turning around; "this is no a matter for you to mak nor meddle wi' . An' ye are weel avised of what ye say, Sir Aymler?"
(Vol. 2,p. 198-199)" Whisht , Johnny! whisht , sir!" said the king, turning around; "this is no a matter for you to mak nor meddle wi' . An' ye are weel avised of what ye say, Sir Aymler?"
Speaker #7:John Mackilrie - Jester
Individual or Group:Individual
Primary Identity:John Mackilrie
Gender:Male
Age:Adult - unspecified age
Narrative Voice:3rd person
Role:Minor
Dialect Features:Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
Social Role
Social Role Description:Jester
Social Role Category:Servant
Speaker's Origin
Place of Origin Description:Scotland
Place of Origin Category:Scotland
Extract #1 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
" By the mass! Cardinal," he at length exclaimed, when he had regained his voice -- " by the mass ! we hae scraped him till his hide is raw. Oliver, saw ye ever man get sic a dressing? By the bones o' my ancestors, but it's weel we had an inkling o' this affair, and were made maisters o' the truth before-hand, or the pawky loon , wi' his weel - faured tales, would surely hae ga'en awa' and left a flea in our most royal lug . Ha! ha! ha!"
"An I kenna ," exclaimed Johnny Mackilrie, "that a flea in your ain most royal lug would hae been waur than a flee or twa in your ain most royal mouth;" at the same time, suiting the action to the word, he approached his left hand close to the king's short and peaked beard, and allowed the whole fruits of his morning's labour, in the shape of a myriad of blue-bottle flies, to escape right into the king's face. This unexpected assault was so effectually made, that the king, in starting back to escape the infernal buzz that surrounded him, otherthrew his chair, and in a moment lay prostrate on the floor.
Johnny Mackilrie held his sides, and roared with laughter. "I hae heard o' a kingdom," he exclaimed, "being saved wi' the cackling o' a guse or twa ; but I hae seen a king dethroned by a handful o' blue-bottle flees ."
" An' what, in the deevil's name, sir," said James, as he scrambled to his legs, "what in the deevil's name, possessed you to let loose a legion o' blue-bottle flees in our annointed face? O'd , an I could but reach you ---"
" I'se warrant ," responded Johnny, opening the door of the apartment, to which he had prudently withdrawn to facilitate his retreat, " I'se warrant it was just the annointment o' your face that drew them there."
(Vol. 2,p. 208-209)"An I kenna ," exclaimed Johnny Mackilrie, "that a flea in your ain most royal lug would hae been waur than a flee or twa in your ain most royal mouth;" at the same time, suiting the action to the word, he approached his left hand close to the king's short and peaked beard, and allowed the whole fruits of his morning's labour, in the shape of a myriad of blue-bottle flies, to escape right into the king's face. This unexpected assault was so effectually made, that the king, in starting back to escape the infernal buzz that surrounded him, otherthrew his chair, and in a moment lay prostrate on the floor.
Johnny Mackilrie held his sides, and roared with laughter. "I hae heard o' a kingdom," he exclaimed, "being saved wi' the cackling o' a guse or twa ; but I hae seen a king dethroned by a handful o' blue-bottle flees ."
" An' what, in the deevil's name, sir," said James, as he scrambled to his legs, "what in the deevil's name, possessed you to let loose a legion o' blue-bottle flees in our annointed face? O'd , an I could but reach you ---"
" I'se warrant ," responded Johnny, opening the door of the apartment, to which he had prudently withdrawn to facilitate his retreat, " I'se warrant it was just the annointment o' your face that drew them there."
Extract #2 dialect features: Discourse Marker, Grammar, Orthographical Contraction, Orthographical Respelling, Vocabulary
" In good sooth ," interposed John Mackilrie, who had for some time ceased the pursuit of his more important occupation, and gradually drawn nearer and nearer to the king's chair, till one arm rested on its back, " in good sooth , papa, the bonny doo maun hae been like Mrs. Thisbe, and seen her Pyramus through a hole in the wa' , or she would ne'er hae fa'en in love wi' the kestrel kite."
" Whisht , Johnny! whisht , sir!" said the king, turning around; "this is no a matter for you to mak nor meddle wi' . An' ye are weel avised of what ye say, Sir Aymler?"
(Vol. 2,p. 198-199)" Whisht , Johnny! whisht , sir!" said the king, turning around; "this is no a matter for you to mak nor meddle wi' . An' ye are weel avised of what ye say, Sir Aymler?"