Royal MS 18 B XVI

METRICAL VERSIONS of Psalms, &c., by King James VI, as follows:-

1. Psalms i-vii ix-xxi xxix, xlvii, c, civ, cxxv, cxxviii, cxxxi (two versions), cxxxiii, cxliii, cl. Autograph. Some are signed 'J. D. R. S.', 'D. R. S.', or 'D. J. R. S.' (sc. Jacobus Dominus Rex Scotorum). After Ps. i, ii, iv are fair copies in a second hand, the two latter having re-corrections by the King, and after Ps. xii, cxlviii fair copies in a third hand. In both hands are notes stating that certain of the Psalms have been inserted 'in the blew bulk' (ff. 9, 18, 35, 38). They bear scarcely any resemblance to The Psalmes of King David. Translated by King James, as first published in 1631 by order of Charles I, which are now generally considered to be the work of William Alexander of Menstrie, Earl of Stirling (cf. Letters and Journals of R. Baillie, ed. D. Laing, 1842, iii, p. 530). The present version was doubtless that referred to by the King in his Preface to His Maiesities Poeticall Exercises at vacant houres, 1591 where he says that their favourable reception will 'move' him to present his 'Apocalyps (see 18 B. XIV) and also such nomber of the Psalmes' as he has 'perfited' and will encourage him 'to the ending out of the rest'. Cf also Reasons against the reception of King James's Metaphrase of the Psalms, MDCXXXI, in the Bannatyne Miscellany, 1827, i, p. 227. Beg. 'That. mortall man most happie is and blest'. f. 1.

2. 'Ecclesiastes, cap. xii', in the above-mentioned third hand. Endorsed 'be the Kingis Matie'. Beg. 'Be glad, o yong man, in thy youthfull dayes'. f. 43.

3. 'The lordis prayer' in 12 lines. Autogr. Followed (f. 45) by a fair copy in the above-mentioned second hand, re-corrected by the King. Beg. 'Ô (corr. in fair copy Oure) michtie father that in heauin remainis'. f. 44.

4. The Song of Moses from Deut. xxxii. Autogr. Wrongly bound, as f. 49 (containing vv. 13-22) should precede f. 47. Followed (f. 50) by a fair copy in the third hand. Beg. 'Ye gloriouse heauinnis giue eir and I sall speik'. f. 46.

Paper; ff. 51. Folio. 11 to 113/4 in. x 8 in. Late XVI cent. For part of f. 28 see pl. 105 c. Not in the old catalogues.