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.