Note 79 — Chapter V
Reading edition
Another instance of Maclean's momentary vogue is given by Cunningham. He is hitched into Gray's Long Story, which was written at the very time he was taken:
'A sudden fit of ague shook him, He stood as mute as poor Macleane.'
This couplet has been recently explained by Gray's latest editor, Dr. Bradshaw, to be a reference to Maclean's only observation when called to receive sentence. 'My Lord [he said], I cannot speak.'