M e l r o s .
lafes was often an over-match for the regal. Such was the cfe
prefent; James therefore was obliged to apply to Bualewh, a pf
borderer, to attempt his deliverance. That lord, in order to i
his majefty within the limits of his eftate, encouraged all kinf
excefies among his people. This brought the king, attendel
Angus, to fupprefs their depredations. Buccleugh appeared 1
his powers: a ikirmiih begun, the Scots were defeated I
James was for a time obliged to fubmit to the tyranny o l
keeper.
At a fmall diftance lie the elegant remains of the' abbi
Melros, founded in 1136, by David I. as thefe jingling jj
import
Anno milleno centeno, ter quoque den a,.
Et fexto C h r i s t i , Melrofe, fu n d a ta fu if ti.
David peopled it with Cifiertians, brought from Rivale al|
in. Yorkjhirc, and dedicated it to the virgin Mary. At the!
formation, James Douglas was appointed commendator, who tol
down much of the building in order to ufe the materials in builjdil
a large houfe for himfelf, wh^ch is Hill Handing, and dal
15.90. Nothing is left of the abby, excepting a part o i l
cloiiter walls, elegantly carved; but the ruins of the churcij ai
of moil uncommon beauty ; part is at prefent ufed for dijviij
iervice, the reft uncovered ; but every part does great ho niff
the architeft, whofe memory is preferved on. the walls in l!
uncouth lines :
John Mur do Turn tym callit was
And born in ParyJJe certainly;
And had in kepying all mafom werk*
O f Santandroys, the hye kirk