Mr. J. Tait on Earlstoun. 265 



and the spelling also is modernised. The right of sepulture 

 is still claimed there by persons named Learmont, an indi- 

 cation that if Thomas did not bear that surname it was adopted 

 by his descendants. 



But the fame of Thomas with the multitude has arisen 

 chiefly from his character as a prophet. In this character 

 alone is he mentioned by such ancient writers as Fordhun, 

 Barbour, Wintoun, and Blind Harry. Robert de Brunne 

 alone mentions him as a poet. One recorded instance of his 

 vaticinations being immediately verified was on the death of 

 Alexander HI., of which Boece, translated by Bellenden, 

 gives the following account: — "It is said, the day afore the 

 kingis deith, the Erie of Merche demandit ane propheit, namit 

 Thomas Rimour, otherwayis namit Ersiltoun, quhat wedder 

 suld be on the morrow. To quhome answerit this Thomas, 

 that on the morrow afore noun, sail blaw the gretest wynd 

 that ever was hard afore in Scotland. On the morrow, quhen 

 it was neir noun, the lift appering loune, but ony din or tem- 

 pest, the Erie sent for this propheit, and reprevit hym that he 

 prognosticat sic wynd to be, and na appearance thairof. This 

 Thomas maid litil answer, but said, noun is not yet gane. 

 And incontinent ane man came to the yet schawing that 

 the King was slane. Than said the propheit, youe is the 

 wynd that sail blaw to the gret calamity and truble of all 

 Scotland. This Thomas wes ane man of gret admiration to 

 the people, and schaw sundry thingis as they fell ; howbeit 

 they were ay hid under obscure wordis." The concluding 

 clause of this passage indicates the real source of the Rhymer's 

 reputation. He was obviously a man of great sagacity, who 

 could note coming events, and he was a man of much wit, 

 who could, like the ancient oracles, utter sentiments ambigu- 

 ously expressed that could be interpreted in more than one 

 way. The alleged prediction of the king's death was prob- 

 ably meant as only a weather prognostication, but as it proved 

 incorrect, and as the tidings came very opportunely that the 

 king had been killed, not that day be it remarked, but a 

 night or two before, it established his character as a prognos- 

 ticator of coming events. The poet was thenceforth regarded 

 as having communication with supernatural visitants, and 

 the legend relating to his intercourse with Fairyland is still 

 well known on the Borders. 



Reclining one day on Huntlie bank, on the slope of the 

 Eildons, Thomas spied a "ladye bright 



Come riding down by the Eildon Tree. 



2m 



