THE MERRY MONARCH AND "BLIHE COCKPEN."

Te Aroha News, Volume I, Issue 36, 9 February 1884, Page 5

THE MERRY MONARCH AND "BLIHE COCKPEN."

While Charles IT. wus sojourning in Scotland, belore the battle of Worcester, his chief confidant and associate was the Laird of Cockpen, called, by the nicknaming fashion of the time*., •' Blithe Cockpen.'' He followed Charles to the 1 1 a,s; up, and by his skill in playing Scotch tunes, and his sagacity and wit, much delimited the merry monarch. Charles' favourite air was " Bro.se and Butter ;" it wa> played to him when he went to bed, and lie was awakened by it. At the Restoration, howe\er, Blithe shared the fate of many others of the royal adherent* ; lie was forgotten, and wandeicd upon the lauds lie owned in Scotland, poor and unfriended. His letters to the court were nnpresented or disregarded, till, wearied and incensed, he travelled to London ; but his mean garb not suiting the rich doublets oi • Court, lie was not allowed to approach the royal presence. At length he ingratiated himself with the king's organist, who was so enraptured with Cockpen's wit and powers ol music that he requested him to play before (he king at divine service. His exquisite skill did not attract his Majesty's notice till, at the clobe of the bei \ ice, instead of the usual tune, ho struck up " Brose ami Butter," with all its energetic merriment. In a moment the royal organist was ordered to appear in the king's presence. " % liege, it was not I ! it was not 1 !" he cried, and dropped upon his knees. " You !" cried Ids majesty, in rapture ; "you could not play it in youi life — where's the man / Let me' see him." Cockpen presented himself on his knee. " Ah, Cockpen 1 is that you ? Why, man, 1 was like to dance coming out of church/ " 1 once danced, too," said Cockpen ; " but t'iat was when i had land ot my own to dance on." "' Couiewith me/s aid Chailes, taking him b\ the hand ; ''\ou shall dance to • BroM> and Butter " on your own lands, again to the nineteenth geneiation ;'' and, as far a-, he could, the king kept iii^ promi.se. — Blue BelK