266 THE PORTRAITS OF JOHN KNOX. ' had to cover their lieads ; and when, that others ' were compelled to kiss a paynted brod ' (board, bit of icood) ' which they call Nostre Dame they were not ' pressed after once ; for this was the chance. Soon ' after the arrival at Nances ' {Nantes) * their great 'Sake was sung, and a glorious painted Lady was
- brought in to be kissed, and among others, was pre-
' sented to one of the Scottishmen then chained. He ' gently said, " Trouble me not, such ane idole is
- accursed ; and therefore I will not touch it." The
^ Patron and the Arguesyn ' {Argousin, Serjeant icho commands the forgats) *with two officers, having 'the chief charge of all such matters, said, "Thou
- shalt handle it " ; and so thej^ violently thrust it to
' his face, and put it betwixt his hands ; who seeing ' lAQ extremity, took the idol and advisedly looking ' about, cast it in the river, and said, " Let our Lady 'now saif herself; she is licht aneuch ; let her learn
- to swim." After that was no Scottish man urged
'with that idolatry.' * Within year and day the French galleys, — Knox still chained in them, — reappeared in St. Andrews
- Works of Knox, i. p. 227.
