The Life of James IV #266889

Bothwell, to prove fatal to his son and to his granddaughter. But it was, of course, to no such merely negative cause as this that he owed that immense popularity with his subjects, that love alike of noble and simple, which wrapped him round as with a truly royal robe. For it is scarcely too much to say that he shone in every kingly virtue and quality. High personal courage, perfect graciousness, a fine intelligence, associated with breadth of view and a due sense of the responsi bilities of his office: these were perhaps his most striking characteristics. Had they at all times worked together in perfect harmony, and in due subordination one to the other, his claim to be one of the very best kings the world had seen would have been incontestablel As it was, he succeeded in raising Scotland to a position of influence among the nations, of which she had so far scarcely dreamed.