'Tis a sore pity
that the king cannot make up his mind to throw himself into the arms of
Douglas, and call upon the nobility to join in expelling Albany from
his councils; and to give the charge of affairs into the hands of
Rothesay, or even to bestow upon him the kingly dignity, while he
himself retires to the peaceful life he loves."
"That would have been better done," the other said, "before the young
duke married; for many of the nobles, who would have otherwise
supported him, would hold aloof, seeing that the accession of Rothesay
would be but handing over the real power of the state from Albany to
Douglas. Men say that the feud between March and Douglas grows hotter
and hotter, and that the boldness with which March upbraided the king,
for the breaking off by Rothesay of his marriage with Elizabeth of
Dunbar, has so angered him, Rothesay, and Albany, who had aided in
bringing about the match with Elizabeth Douglas, that 'tis like that
March will, ere long, be arraigned for his conduct, and the threats
that he uttered in his passion."
"Well, gossips, it matters little to us," an elderly man said. "Whether
king or prince or duke is master, we have to pay; and assuredly, were
Rothesay king, our taxes would not abate; seeing that he is extravagant
and reckless, though I say not that he has not many good qualities.
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