Allan Boyd

“ This Thomas Lermont, or Rymer was born at Eislington, now called Heselingtown on Tweedside, above Kelso. He is reported by historians to be a quiet sober man given to no manner of vice, but prone to piety and devotion, a famous monthly prognosticator concerning the state of the weather, and government of the world, by studying the aspects of the planets. He being one day asked by a nobleman what sort of a day they should have to-morrow? To which he answered, That the morrow before high noon, a blast should blaw, that Scotland should not overcome the evil thereof for twenty years thereafter. ”

“ Bereft of Kings, falsely undone,
by thine unkindly host.
2Alas! the free is bound become,
and deceit is thy fall,
The falsehood of the British race,
has brought thee into thrall:
3The grave of the most noble Prince,
to all is great regret,
The subject to law, who doth leave,
the kingdom and estate. ”

“ The nobleman and many more being greatly amazed,and giving great attention, looking for the blast all the next day till towards evening, he sent for Thomas to rebuke him for the falshood of his Prophecy, and just as he began to upbraid him, he heard the sound of a post's horn, who came with the woeful news, how the king had been hunting, and had broke his neck over a craig the west side of the town of Kinghorn, from which accident the town derived its name. ”