Chapter XXXVII: Letter I: Published Scots Translation

It apeiris, that with zour absence thair is alswa joynit forgetfulnes,
seand yat at zour departing ze promysit to mak me advertisement of
zour newis from tyme to tyme. The waitting upon yame zesterday causit
me to be almaist in sic joy as I will be at zour returning, quhilk ze
have delayit langer than zour promeis was.

As to me, howbeit I have na farther newis from zow, according to my
commissioun, I bring the Man with me to Craigmillar upon Monounday
quhair he will be all Wednisday; and I will gang to Edinburgh to draw
blude of me, gif in the meane tyme I get na newis in ye contrarie fra
zow.

He is mair gay than ever ze saw him; he puttis me in remembrance of
all thingis yat may mak me beleve he luifis me. Summa, ze will say yat
he makis lufe to me: of ye quhilk I tak sa greit plesure, yat I enter
never where he is, bot incontinent I tak ye seiknes of my sair syde, I
am sa troubillit with it. Gif Paris bringis me that quhilk I send him
for, I traist it sall amend me.

I pray zow, advertise me of zour newis at lenth, and quhat I sall do
in cace ze be returnit quhen I am cum thair; for, in cace ze wirk not
wysely, I se that the haill burding of this will fall upon my
schoulderis. Provide for all thing, and discourse upon it first with
zourself. I send this be Betoun, quha gais to ane Day of Law of the
Laird of Balfouris. I will say na further, saifing that I pray zow to
send me gude newis of zour voyage. From Glasgow this Setterday in the
morning.

ENGLISH TRANSLATION AT THE RECORD OFFICE

(State Papers relating to Mary Queen of Scots, vol. ii. No. 62)

It seemyth that with your absence forgetfulness is joynid consydering
that at your departure you promised me to send me newes from you.
Neuertheless I can learn none. And yet did I yesterday looke for that
that shuld make me meryer then I shall be. I think you doo the lyke
for your returne, prolonging it more than you have promised.

As for me, if I hear no other matter of you, according to my
Commission, I bring the man Monday to Cregmillar, where he shall be
vpon Wednisdaye. And I go to Edinboroughe to be lett blud, if I haue
no word to the contrary.

He is the meryest that euer you sawe, and doth remember vnto me all
that he can, to make me beleve that he louith me. To conclude, you
wold saye that he makith love to me, wherein I take so muche plesure,
that I never com in there, but the payne of my syde doth take me. I
have it sore to daye. Yf Paris doth bring back unto me that for which
I have sent, it suld muche amend me.

I pray you, send me word from you at large, and what I shall doo if
you be not returnid, when I shall be there. For if you be not wyse I
see assuredly all the wholle burden falling vpon my shoulders. Prouide
for all and consyder well first of all. I send this present to
Ledinton to be delivered to you by Beton, who goith to one Day a lau
of Lord Balfour. I will saye no more vnto you, but that I pray God
send me good newes of your voyage.

From Glasco this Saturday morning.