320 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 44. Holyrood, Chatelherault, Murray, Glencairn, Rothes, Boyd, Kirkaldy, and a few more gentlemen, rode with their servants into the West Port, and sending a courier to Berwick with a pressing entreaty for help, they pre- pared to defend themselves. But the Calvinist shop- keepers who could be so brave against a miserable priest had no stomach for a fight with armed men. The Queen was coming fast behind them like an avenging fury ; and Erskine, who was inclining to the royal side, began to fire on the lords from the castle. ' In the town they could find neither help nor support from any one/ and the terrified inhabitants could only entreat and even insist that they should depart. A fortnight before, a little money and a few distinct words from England would have sufficed to save them. Mary Stuart's cour- age and Elizabeth's remissness had by this time so strengthened the party of the Queen that ' little good could now be done without greater support than could be in readiness in any short time/ The lords could only retire towards the Border and wait Elizabeth's pleasure. ' What was promised/ Randolph passionately wrote to Cecil, 'your honour knoweth. Oh that her Majesty's mind was known ! If the Earl of Bedford have only commission to act in this matter both Queens may be in one country before long. In the whole world if there be a more malicious heart towards the Queen my sovereign than hers that here now reigneth, let me be hanged at my home-coming or counted a villain for Randolph to Cecil, September 4 ; MS. Rolls Roust
