Inscription to the memory of the Regent Murray.—The regent’s monument is yet entire and in good order. It stands in that part of St Giles, now called the Old Church, (the former aisle having been taken into the body of the church when it was lately fitted up,) at the back of the pulpit, on the east side. At the top is the figure of an eagle, and below it “1570,” the date of the erection of the monument. In the middle is a brass plate, on which the following ornaments and inscriptions are engraved: The family arms, with the motto “Salus per Christum” (Salvation through Christ): On one side of the arms, a female figure with a cross and Bible, the word “Religio” above, and below “Pietas sine vindice luget” (Pietymourns without a defender); on the other side, another female figure, in a mourning posture, with the head reclining on the hand, the word “Justicia” above, and below “Jus exarmatum est” (Justice is disarmed.) Underneath is the following inscription, composed by Buchanan:
23 Janvarii 1569.
JACOBO · STOVARTO · MORAVIÆ · COMITI · SCOTIÆ ·
PROREGI · VIRO · ÆTATIS · SVÆ · LONGE · OPTIMO ·
AB · INIMICIS · OMNIS · MEMORIÆ · DETERRIMIS ·
EX · INSIDIIS · EXTINCTO · CEV · PATRI ·
COMMVNI · PATRIA · MOERENS · POSVIT ·
The verses in which Buchanan celebrated the regent are accessible to every scholar. The following lines are less known:
Jacobus Stuartus.
Moraviæ Comes, Prorex pro Jacobo vi. rem Scoticam feliciter gessit, puræ Religionis assertor acerrimus. Ab æmulis Limnuchi ex insidiis glande trajectus, magno omnium desiderio moritur ad d. xxiii. Januarii, Anno Christi 1570.
Ter tua dicturus cum dicere singula conor,
Ter numeri, et numeros destituere soni.