Malcolm, free of all danger and need for fighting enemies in all parts, set his energies to govern his realm in justice. And because he had two sisters ready for marriage, named Margaret and Ada, he married the first to the Duke of Brittany, and the other to the Earl of Holland. Such things done, he held a council at Scone for certain matters concerning the common good. The nobles being assembled, a man of singular prudence, named Arnold, Bishop of Saint Andrew's, arose up, and said: "There is a thing, most noble prince, that I would say for the common good, praying, therefore, your Highness to give ears thereto; for it shall pertain no less to your personal honour than the common good. Not long ago you decided to pass your time without fruit of marriage. And since you took this purpose in your tender youth, although it was by zeal of virtue, yet, if you give ears to me, who never exhorted you to vain purpose, you will change your mind, as unprofitable to the governance of your realm; for what thing may be more honourable than marriage, which was not instituted by Minos, King of Crete; nor Ligurgus, King of Lacedemon; nor Solon of Athens: although they were most civil and prudent men in their constitutions: but only by God, as most honourable and profitable to the nature of man. And if that wise and prudent beginner of the world had found any other thing more profitable than marriage, he would have commanded it for the welfare of man. Also, what is more profitable than it, that brings all living creatures in the world? What is then more natural than conjunction of male and female? And though you would allege, Christ and many of his Saints lived chaste; I say, such life is not ordained for public persons, nor yet for every state, but only for religious men, and preachers of the laws: but you are chosen to another office; that is to say, to govern your people in justice, and to leave heirs of your body, that may profit the common good after your death. What thing may be more pleasing or profitable to you, than to have a lady as your fellow, who may give you consolation in every sorrow or adversity that may fall; to do you pleasure in your health; to calm you when you are angry; to cure your body, and refresh your spirit, when you are weary? And do not despair, for some lady can be found very agreeable to your conditions. Other private persons might have solicitude or great distress in essaying such things, but you should have no fear thereof. Finally, what thing is more sweet and pleasing to kings and princes, than to have children of their bodies? Who are most necessary to them in war and peace: in peace, that the common good may by governed most faithfully by them: in time of war, that they may be their lieutanants and invincible champions; and bear such responsibilities, that they shall be no less a terror to your foes, than a weapon for to your people. Therefore, said the prudent and wise philosophers, men are not come into this world only for their own welfare, but partly for the welfare of their friends and their children, and partly for the welfare of their realm and country; especially those that are made public persons by God and nature. Therefore, since nothing is so commendable, so honourable, nor yet so profitable to them that have the public governance, as to leave heirs behind them, for the common good; trust finally, you shall not do a thing more displeasing to God, than to defraud your realm of heirs."

            When Bishop Arnold had argued with these and many other reasons to persuade the king to marriage, the king was more repugnant to it than before; for he was instituted so in his youth, that he dedicated his virginity to Christ. Nonetheless, God provided that the realm should not want heirs to govern the same in justice. Not long after, King Malcolm fell into a serious illness; and because of this, he was constrained to make peace with his neighbours. And, in the meantime, he founded the abbey of Saint Regulus, now called Saint Andrew's, which is built, as we see, with great magnificence. But he endowed it with small rents, sufficient enough to sustain divine service; and, therefore, the Canons of the said abbey lived then in most fervent devotion and service of God, because they had no temptation to lusts by superfluous rents; not given to avarice and pleasure, but to their devotions. He founded also, the abbey of Cupar, for the Cistercians, and endowed it in the honour of the blessed Virgin Mary, with many lands and possessions. At this time, Thomas of Canterbury, a man of singular life and devotion, was exiled out of England. King Malcolm, finally, vexed with long infirmity, died at Jedburgh, the 12th year of his reign. A comet shone fourteen days together before his death, with long and terrible beams. His body was buried in Dunfermline; from the Incarnation, 1165 years.

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