The summonses were directed against the Massmongers with expedition, and in the straitest form. The nineteenth day of May was appointed, a day only before the Parliament. Of the Pope's knights there compeared the Archbishop of St. Andrews, the Prior of Whithorn, the Parson of Sanquhar, William Hamilton of Cammiskeyth, John Gordon of Barskeocht, with divers others. The Protestants convened to crave for justice. The Queen asked counsel of the Bishop of Ross, and of the old Laird of Lethington (for the younger was absent, and so the Protestants had the fewer unfriends), and they affirmed that she must see her laws kept, or else she would get no obedience. So preparation was made for their accusations. The Archbishop, with his band of the exempted sort, made it nice[209] to enter before the Earl of Argyll, who sat in judgment; but at last he was compelled to enter within the bar. A merry man who now sleeps in the Lord, Robert Norwell, instead of the Bishop's cross, bare before him a steel hammer. The Archbishop and his band were not a little offended at this, because the bishops' privileges were not then current in Scotland, which day God grant our posterity may see of longer continuance than we possessed it. The Archbishop and his fellows, after much ado, and long drift of time, came within the Queen's will, and were committed to ward, some to one place, some to another. The Lady Erskine, a sweet morsel for the Devil's mouth, got the bishops for her part. [209] Made scruple. [Sidenote: Parliament of May 1563.] All this was done in a most deep craft, to abuse the simplicity of the Protestants, so that they should not press the Queen with any other thing concerning matter of religion at that Parliament, which began within two days thereafter. She obtained of the Protestants whatsoever she desired; for thus reasoned many, "We see what the Queen has done; the like of this was never heard of within the realm: we will bear with the Queen; we doubt not but all shall be well." Others were of a contrary judgment, and forespake things as they afterwards came to pass. They said that nothing was meant but deceit; and that the Queen, as soon as ever Parliament was past, would set the Papists at freedom. They therefore urged the Nobility not to be abused. But because many had their private commodity to be handled at that Parliament, the common cause was the less regarded. [Sidenote: Queen Mary's Influence: "Vox Dianae."] Such stinking pride of women as was seen at that Parliament was never seen before in Scotland. Three sundry days the Queen rode to the Tolbooth. On the first day she made a painted oration; and there might have been heard among her flatterers, "_Vox Dianae!_ the voice of a goddess, and not of a woman! God save that sweet face! Was there ever orator that spake so properly and so sweetly!" [Sidenote: Reformation is hindered by personal Interests.]