6
THE
PROPHECIES
OF
THOMAS THE RYMER.
As to his prophetical sayings, they are hard to be understood, because they are pointed out by the Coats of Arms which appertain to so many different kingdoms and persons. Yet we may observe how he has pointed out plainly, many things which have come to pass in our days; such as the extirpation of the noble race of the Stewarts, the Revolution of Sheriffmuir, where he says,
That three Ships and a Shield,
That day shall keep the field;
And be the Antelop's build.
Those three ships and a shield, are in the Duke of Argyle's arms.
And even every particular of the rebellion in 1745 and 1746, when pointing at it ho says,
A Chieftain unchosen,
Shall choose forth himself,
And the realm as his own.
When speaking of King Charles, he calls him "A sly Fox-bird, who would turn to Christ with the wyles of tods and foxes," meaning his swearing of the covenants.
When speaking of the battle of Prestonpans, in the year 1745, He names the very two neighbour-
