406 REIGN OF ELIZABETH. [CH. 44. and some others of the nobility to see the said David executed according to his demerits ; and after due de- liberation the said Lord Ruthven communicated this the King's mind to the Earl of Morton, with whom having deeply considered the justice of the King's desires in respect of the manifold misbehaviours and misdeeds of the said David Rizzio, tending so mani- festly to the great danger of the King's and Queen's Majesties and the whole estate of that realm and com- monweal he not ceasing to abuse daily his great estate and credit to the subversion of religion and the justice of the realm, as is notoriously known to all Scotland and more particularly to us we, upon the considera- tions aforesaid, found good to follow the King's deter- mination anent the foresaid execution ; and for divers considerations we were moved to haste the same, con- sidering the approaching Parliament, wherein deter- mination was taken to have ruined the whole nobility that then was banished ; whereupon we perceived to follow a subversion of religion within the realm, and consequently of the intelligence betwixt the two realms grounded upon 'the religion ; and to the execution of the said enterprise the most honest and the most worthy were easily induced to approve and fortify the King's deliberation. 'How be it in action and manner of execution, more was followed of the King's advice kindled by an extreme choler than we minded to have done. ' This is the truth, whatever the King say now, and we are ready to stand by it and prove it.'
