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diff --git a/41044.txt b/41044.txt deleted file mode 100644 index 09f0f16..0000000 --- a/41044.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,11455 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume VII -(of 8), by Various - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with -almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or -re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included -with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org - - -Title: English and Scottish Ballads, Volume VII (of 8) - -Author: Various - -Editor: Francis James Child - -Release Date: October 13, 2012 [EBook #41044] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENGLISH, SCOTTISH BALLADS, VOL 7 *** - - - - -Produced by Simon Gardner, Dianna Adair, Louise Davies and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by the Digital & Multimedia -Center, Michigan State University Libraries.) - - - - - -Transcriber's Notes - -Archaic, dialect and inconsistent spellings and hyphenation have been -retained as in the original. Minor corrections to format and punctuation -together with regularisation of poetry line numbering have been made -without comment. Any other changes to the text have been listed at the -end of the book. - -In this Plain Text version of the e-book, symbols from the ASCII -character set only are used. Other characters and symbols are -substituted as follows: - - [ae] for ae-ligature - [a'], [e'], [i'] for a, e, i with grave accent - ['e] for e with acute accent - [:e], [:o] for e, o with dieresis - [OE], [oe] for upper and lower case oe-ligature respectively - [=u] for u with macron. - - Italic typeface is indicated by _underscores_. - Small caps typeface is represented by UPPER CASE. - A pointing hand symbol is represented as [right pointing hand]. - -Notes with reference to ballad line numbers are presented at the end of -each ballad. The presence of a note is indicated at the end of line -number ## by "[L##]". - - * * * * * - - - - - ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH BALLADS. - - EDITED BY - FRANCIS JAMES CHILD. - - VOLUME VII. - - BOSTON: - LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY. - M.DCCC.LX. - -Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by LITTLE, -BROWN AND COMPANY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the -District of Massachusetts. - - RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: - STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY - H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY. - - - - -CONTENTS OF VOLUME SEVENTH. - -BOOK VII. (Continued.) - - - Page - - 4 a. The Battle of Otterbourne [Percy] 3 - - 4 b. The Battle of Otterbourne [Scott] 19 - - 5 a. The Hunting of the Cheviot 25 - - 5 b. Chevy-Chace 43 - - 6. Sir Andrew Barton 55 - - 7. Flodden Field 71 - - 8 a. Queen Jeanie 74 - - 8 b. The Death of Queen Jane 77 - - 9. The Murder of the King of Scots 78 - - 10. The Rising in the North 82 - - 11. Northumberland betrayed by Douglas 92 - - 12. King of Scots and Andrew Browne 103 - - 13. Mary Ambree 108 - - 14. Brave Lord Willoughbey 114 - - 15 a. The Bonny Earl of Murray [Ramsay] 119 - - 15 b. The Bonnie Earl of Murray [Finlay] 121 - - 16. The Winning of Cales 123 - - 17. Sir John Suckling's Campaign 128 - - 18. The Battle of Philiphaugh 131 - - 19. The Gallant Grahams 137 - - 20. The Battle of Loudon Hill 144 - - 21. The Battle of Bothwell Bridge 148 - - 22. The Battle of Killiecrankie 152 - - 23. The Battle of Sheriff-Muir 156 - - 24. Lord Derwentwater 164 - - 25. The Battle of Tranent-Muir, or of Preston-Pans 167 - - - APPENDIX. - - The Battle of Otterburn 177 - - The Battle of Harlaw 180 - - King Henrie the Fifth's Conquest 190 - - Jane Shore 194 - - Sir Andrew Barton 201 - - The Battle of Corichie 210 - - The Battle of Balrinnes (or Glenlivet) 214 - - Bonny John Seton 230 - - The Haws of Cromdale 234 - - The Battle of Alford 238 - - The Battle of Pentland Hills 240 - - The Reading Skirmish 243 - - Undaunted Londonderry 247 - - Pr[oe]lium Gillicrankianum 251 - - The Boyne Water 253 - - The Woman Warrior 257 - - The Battle of Sheriff-Muir 260 - - Up and war them a', Willie 264 - - The Marquis of Huntley's Retreat 267 - - Johnie Cope 274 - - King Leir and his three Daughters 276 - - Fair Rosamond 283 - - Queen Eleanor's Fall 292 - - The Duchess of Suffolk's Calamity 299 - - The Life and Death of Thomas Stukely 306 - - Lord Delaware 314 - - The Battle of Harlaw (Traditional version) 317 - - - GLOSSARY 321 - - - - -BOOK VII. - -CONTINUED. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF OTTERBOURNE. - - -In the twelfth year of Richard II. (1388,) the Scots assembled an -extensive army, with the intention of invading England on a grand -scale, in revenge for a previous incursion made by that sovereign. But -information having been received that the Northumbrians were gathering -in considerable force for a counter-invasion, it was thought prudent -not to attempt to carry out the original enterprise. While, therefore, -the main body of the army, commanded by the Earl of Fife, the Scottish -king's second son, ravaged the western borders of England, a -detachment of three or four thousand chosen men, under the Earl of -Douglas, penetrated by a swift march into the Bishopric of Durham, and -laid waste the country with fire and sword. Returning in triumph from -this inroad, Douglas passed insultingly before the gates of Newcastle, -where Sir Harry Percy lay in garrison. This fiery warrior, though he -could not venture to cope with forces far superior to his own, sallied -out to break a lance with his hereditary foe. In a skirmish before the -town he lost his spear and pennon, which Douglas swore he would plant -as a trophy on the highest tower of his castle, unless it should be -that very night retaken by the owner. Hotspur was deterred from -accepting this challenge immediately, by the apprehension that Douglas -would be able to effect a union with the main body of the Scottish -army before he could be overtaken, but when he learned, the second -day, that the Earl was retreating with ostentatious slowness, he -hastily got together a company of eight or ten thousand men, and set -forth in pursuit. - -The English forces, under the command of Hotspur and his brother, Sir -Ralph Percy, came up with the Scots at Otterbourne, a small village -about thirty miles from Newcastle, on the evening of the 15th of -August. Their numbers were more than double the Scots, but they were -fatigued with a long march. Percy fell at once on the camp of Douglas, -and a desperate action ensued. The victory seemed to be inclining to -the English, when the Scottish leader, as the last means of -reanimating his followers, rushed on the advancing enemy with heroic -daring, and cleared a way with his battle-axe into the middle of their -ranks. All but alone and unsupported, Douglas was overpowered by -numbers, and sunk beneath three mortal wounds. The Scots, encouraged -by the furious charge of their chieftain, and ignorant of his fate, -renewed the struggle with vigor. Ralph Percy was made prisoner by the -Earl Mareschal, and soon after Hotspur himself by Lord Montgomery. -Many other Englishmen of rank had the same fate. After a long fight, -maintained with extraordinary bravery on both sides, the English -retired and left the Scots masters of the field. (See Sir W. Scott's -_History of Scotland_, i. 225.) - -The ballad which follows, printed from the fourth or revised edition -of Percy's _Reliques_ (vol. i. p. 21), was derived from a manuscript -in the Cotton library (Cleopatra, c. iv. fol. 64), thought to be -written about the middle of the sixteenth century. In the earlier -editions, a less perfect copy, from the Harleian collection, had been -used. Hume of Godscroft, speaking of the songs made on the battle of -Otterbourne, says, "the Scots song made of Otterbourne telleth the -time--about Lammas; and also the occasion--to take preys out of -England; also the dividing armies betwixt the Earls of Fife and -Douglas, and their several journeys, almost as in the authentic -history," and proceeds to quote the first stanza of the present -ballad. Again, it is said that at Lammas, when the Scotch husbandmen -are busy at getting in their hay, the season has been over for a month -in most parts of England. From these circumstances, and the occurrence -of certain Scottish words, the first part of _The Battle of -Otterbourne_ has been regarded as a Scottish composition, retouched by -an English hand. - -A somewhat mutilated version of this ballad was published in Herd's -_Scottish Songs_. This, though defective, well deserves a place in our -Appendix. Sir Walter Scott inserted in the _Minstrelsy_ another -edition made up by him from two copies obtained from the recitation of -old persons residing in Ettrick Forest, and it is here subjoined to -Percy's version. - -Genealogical notices of the personages mentioned in this and the -following ballad will be found in Percy's _Reliques_ and in Scott's -_Minstrelsy_. - - - Yt felle abowght the Lamasse tyde, - Whan husbonds wynn ther haye, - The dowghtye Dowglasse bowynd hym to ryde, - In Ynglond to take a praye. - - The yerlle of Fyffe, withowghten stryffe, 5 - He bowynd hym over Sulway:[L6] - The grete wolde ever together ryde; - That race they may rue for aye. - - Over Ottercap hyll they came in,[L9] - And so dowyn by Rodelyffe cragge, 10 - Upon Grene Leyton they lyghted dowyn, - Styrande many a stagge;[L12] - - And boldely brent Northomberlonde, - And haryed many a towyn; - They dyd owr Ynglyssh men grete wrange, 15 - To battell that were not bowyn. - - Than spake a berne upon the bent, - Of comforte that was not colde, - And sayd, "We have brent Northomberlond, - We have all welth in holde. 20 - - "Now we have haryed all Bamboroweshyre, - All the welth in the worlde have wee; - I rede we ryde to Newe Castell, - So styll and stalwurthlye." - - Uppon the morowe, when it was daye, 25 - The standards schone fulle bryght; - To the Newe Castelle the toke the waye, - And thether they cam fulle ryght. - - Sir Henry Percy laye at the Newe Castelle, - I telle yow withowtten drede; 30 - He had byn a march-man all hys dayes, - And kepte Barwyke upon Twede. - - To the Newe Castell when they cam, - The Skottes they cryde on hyght, - "Syr Harye Percy, and thow byste within, 35 - Com to the fylde, and fyght: - - "For we have brente Northomberlonde, - Thy eritage good and ryght; - And syne my logeyng I have take, - With my brande dubbyd many a knyght." 40 - - Sir Harry Percy cam to the walles, - The Skottyssh oste for to se; - "And thow hast brente Northomberlond, - Full sore it rewyth me. - - "Yf thou hast haryed all Bambarowe shyre, 45 - Thow hast done me grete envye; - For the trespasse thow hast me done, - The tone of us schall dye." - - "Where schall I byde the?" sayd the Dowglas, - "Or where wylte thow come to me?" 50 - "At Otterborne in the hygh way, - Ther maist thow well logeed be. - - "The roo full rekeles ther sche rinnes, - To make the game and glee; - The fawkon and the fesaunt both, 55 - Amonge the holtes on hye. - - "Ther maist thow have thy welth at wyll, - "Well looged ther maist be; - Yt schall not be long or I com the tyll," - Sayd Syr Harry Percye. 60 - - "Ther schall I byde the," sayd the Dowglas, - "By the fayth of my bodye:" - "Thether schall I com," sayd Syr Harry Percy - "My trowth I plyght to the." - - A pype of wyne he gave them over the walles, 65 - For soth, as I yow saye; - Ther he mayd the Douglas drynke, - And all hys oste that daye. - - The Dowglas turnyd hym homewarde agayne, - For soth withowghten naye; 70 - He tooke his logeyng at Oterborne - Uppon a Wedynsday. - - And there he pyght hys standerd dowyn, - Hys gettyng more and lesse, - And syne he warned hys men to goo 75 - To chose ther geldyngs gresse. - - A Skottysshe knyght hoved upon the bent,[L77] - A wache I dare well saye; - So was he ware on the noble Percy - In the dawnynge of the daye. 80 - - He prycked to his pavyleon dore, - As faste as he myght ronne; - "Awaken, Dowglas," cryed the knyght, - "For hys love, that syttes yn trone. - - "Awaken, Dowglas," cryed the knyght, 85 - "For thow maiste waken wyth wynne; - Yender have I spyed the prowde Percy, - And seven standardes wyth hym." - - "Nay by my trowth," the Douglas sayed, - "It ys but a fayned taylle; 90 - He durste not loke on my bred banner, - For all Ynglonde so haylle. - - "Was I not yesterdaye at the Newe Castell, - That stonds so fayre on Tyne? - For all the men the Percy hade, 95 - He cowde not garre me ones to dyne." - - He stepped owt at hys pavelyon dore, - To loke and it were lesse; - "Araye yow, lordyngs, one and all, - For here bygynnes no peysse. 100 - - "The yerle of Mentayne, thow art my eme,[L101] - The forwarde I gyve to the: - The yerlle of Huntlay cawte and kene,[L103] - He schall wyth the be. - - "The lorde of Bowghan, in armure bryght,[L105] 105 - On the other hand he schall be; - Lord Jhonstone and Lorde Maxwell, - They to schall be wyth me. - - "Swynton, fayre fylde upon your pryde! - To batell make yow bowen, 110 - Syr Davy Scotte, Syr Walter Stewarde, - Syr Jhon of Agurstone!" - -6. i. e. over Solway frith. This evidently refers to the other -division of the Scottish army, which came in by way of Carlisle. ---PERCY. - -9-11. sc. the Earl of Douglas and his party.--The several stations -here mentioned are well-known places in Northumberland. Ottercap-hill -is in the parish of Kirk-Whelpington, in Tynedale-ward. -Rodeliffe--(or, as it is more usually pronounced, Rodeley--) Cragge is -a noted cliff near Rodeley, a small village in the parish of Hartburn, -in Morpeth-ward. Green Leyton is another small village in the same -parish of Hartburn, and is southeast of Rodeley. Both the original -MSS. read here, corruptly, Hoppertop and Lynton.--P. - -12. Many a styrande stage, in both MSS. Motherwell would retain this -reading, because stagge signifies in Scotland a young stallion, and by -supplying "off" the line would make sense. It was one of the Border -laws, he remarks, that the Scottish array of battle should be on foot -(see v. 15 of the Second Part). Horses were used but for a retreat or -pursuit. - -77. the best bent, MS. - -101. The Earl of Menteith. At the time of the battle the earldom of -Menteith was possessed by Robert Earl of Fife, who was in command of -the main body of the army, and consequently not with Douglas. - -103. The reference is to Sir John Gordon. The use of this designation -shows, says Percy, that the ballad was not composed before 1449. In -that year the title of Earl of Huntly was first conferred on Alexander -Seaton, who married the grand-daughter of the Gordon of Otterbourne. - -105. The Earl of Buchan, fourth son of King Robert II. - - -A FYTTE. - -[THE SECOND PART.] - - The Perssy came byfore hys oste, - Wych was ever a gentyll knyght; - Upon the Dowglas lowde can he crye, - "I wyll holde that I have hyght. - - "For thow haste brente Northumberlonde, 5 - And done me grete envye; - For thys trespasse thou hast me done, - The tone of us schall dye." - - The Dowglas answerde hym agayne - With grete wurds up on hye, 10 - And sayd, "I have twenty agaynst the one, - Byholde, and thow maiste see." - - Wyth that the Percye was grevyd sore, - For sothe as I yow saye; - He lyghted dowyn upon his fote, 15 - And schoote his horsse clene away. - - Every man sawe that he dyd soo, - That ryall was ever in rowght; - Every man schoote hys horsse him froo, - And lyght hym rowynde abowght. 20 - - Thus Syr Hary Percye toke the fylde, - For soth, as I yow saye; - Jesu Cryste in hevyn on hyght - Dyd helpe hym well that daye. - - But nyne thowzand, ther was no moo, 25 - The cronykle wyll not layne; - Forty thowsande Skottes and fowre - That day fowght them agayne. - - But when the batell byganne to joyne, - In hast ther came a knyght; 30 - 'Then' letters fayre furth hath he tayne, - And thus he sayd full ryght: - - "My lorde, your father he gretes yow well, - Wyth many a noble knyght; - He desyres yow to byde 35 - That he may see thys fyght. - - "The Baron of Grastoke ys com owt of the west, - With him a noble companye; - All they loge at your fathers thys nyght, - And the battell fayne wold they see. 40 - - "For Jesus love," sayd Syr Harye Percy, - "That dyed for yow and me, - Wende to my lorde my father agayne, - And saye thou saw me not with yee. - - "My trowth ys plyght to yonne Skottysh knyght, 45 - It nedes me not to layne, - That I schulde byde hym upon thys bent, - And I have hys trowth agayne. - - "And if that I wende off thys grownde, - For soth, unfoughten awaye, 50 - He wolde me call but a kowarde knyght - In hys londe another daye. - - "Yet had I lever to be rynde and rente, - By Mary, that mykel maye, - Then ever my manhod schulde be reprovyd 55 - Wyth a Skotte another daye. - - "Wherefore schote, archars, for my sake, - And let scharpe arowes flee; - Mynstrells, play up for your waryson, - And well quyt it schall be. 60 - - "Every man thynke on hys trewe love, - And marke hym to the Trenite; - For to God I make myne avowe - Thys day wyll I not fle." - - The blodye harte in the Dowglas armes, 65 - Hys standerde stode on hye; - That every man myght full well knowe; - By syde stode starres thre. - - The whyte lyon on the Ynglysh parte, - Forsoth, as I yow sayne, 70 - The lucetts and the cressawnts both; - The Skotts faught them agayne. - - Uppon Sent Andrewe lowde cane they crye, - And thrysse they schowte on hyght, - And syne marked them one owr Ynglysshe men, 75 - As I have tolde yow ryght. - - Sent George the bryght, owr ladyes knyght, - To name they were full fayne; - Owr Ynglysshe men they cryde on hyght, - And thrysse the schowtte agayne. 80 - - Wyth that, scharpe arowes bygan to flee, - I tell yow in sertayne; - Men of armes byganne to joyne, - Many a dowghty man was ther slayne. - - The Percy and the Dowglas mette, 85 - That ether of other was fayne; - They schapped together, whyll that the swette, - With swords of fyne collayne; - - Tyll the bloode from ther bassonnetts ranne, - As the roke doth in the rayne; 90 - "Yelde the to me," sayd the Dowglas, - "Or ells thow schalt be slayne. - - "For I see by thy bryght bassonet, - Thow art sum man of myght; - And so I do by thy burnysshed brande; 95 - Thow art an yerle, or ells a knyght."[L96] - - "By my good faythe," sayd the noble Percy, - "Now haste thou rede full ryght; - Yet wyll I never yelde me to the, - Whyll I may stonde and fyght." 100 - - They swapped together, whyll that they swette, - Wyth swordes scharpe and long; - Ych on other so faste they beette, - Tyll ther helmes cam in peyses dowyn. - - The Percy was a man of strenghth, 105 - I tell yow in thys stounde; - He smote the Dowglas at the swordes length, - That he felle to the growynde. - - The sworde was scharpe, and sore can byte, - I tell yow in sertayne; 110 - To the harte he cowde hym smyte, - Thus was the Dowglas slayne. - - The stonderds stode styll on eke syde, - With many a grevous grone; - Ther the fowght the day, and all the nyght, 115 - And many a dowghty man was slayne. - - Ther was no freke that ther wolde flye, - But styffly in stowre can stond, - Ychone hewyng on other whyll they myght drye, - Wyth many a bayllefull bronde. 120 - - Ther was slayne upon the Skottes syde, - For soth and sertenly, - Syr James a Dowglas ther was slayne, - That daye that he cowde dye. - - The yerle of Mentaye he was slayne, 125 - Grysely groned uppon the growynd; - Syr Davy Scotte, Syr Walter Steward, - Syr John of Agurstonne.[L128] - - Syr Charlles Morrey in that place, - That never a fote wold flye; 130 - Sir Hughe Maxwelle, a lorde he was, - With the Dowglas dyd he dye. - - Ther was slayne upon the Skottes syde, - For soth as I yow saye, - Of fowre and forty thowsande Scotts 135 - Went but eyghtene awaye. - - Ther was slayne upon the Ynglysshe syde, - For soth and sertenlye, - A gentell knyght, Sir John Fitz-hughe, - Yt was the more petye. 140 - - Syr James Harebotell ther was slayne, - For hym ther hartes were sore; - The gentyll Lovelle ther was slayne,[L143] - That the Percyes standerd bore. - - Ther was slayne uppon the Ynglyssh perte, 145 - For soth as I yow saye, - Of nyne thowsand Ynglyssh men - Fyve hondert cam awaye. - - The other were slayne in the fylde; - Cryste kepe their sowles from wo! 150 - Seying ther was so few fryndes - Agaynst so many a foo. - - Then one the morne they mayd them beeres - Of byrch, and haysell graye; - Many a wydowe with wepyng teyres 155 - Ther makes they fette awaye. - - Thys fraye bygan at Otterborne, - Bytwene the nyghte and the day: - Ther the Dowglas lost hys lyfe, - And the Percy was lede awaye. 160 - - Then was ther a Scottyshe prisoner tayne, - Syr Hughe Mongomery was hys name;[L162] - For soth as I yow saye, - He borowed the Percy home agayne. - - Now let us all for the Percy praye 165 - To Jesu most of myght, - To bryng hys sowle to the blysse of heven, - For he was a gentyll knyght. - -96. Being all in armour he could not know him.--P. - -128. Both the MSS. read here _Sir James_, but see above, Pt. I. ver. -112.--P. - -143. Covelle, MS. - -162. Supposed to be son of Lord John Montgomery, who took Hotspur -prisoner. In _The Hunting of the Cheviot_ this Sir Hugh is said to -have been slain with an arrow. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF OTTERBOURNE. - - -From _Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, i. 354. In the _Complaynt of -Scotland_ (1548), "The Persee and the Mongumrye met," (v. 117 of this -piece,) occurs as the title, or rather the catchword, of one of the -popular songs of the time. - - - It fell about the Lammas tide, - When the muir-men win their hay, - The doughty Douglas bound him to ride - Into England, to drive a prey. - - He chose the Gordons and the Gr[ae]mes, 5 - With them the Lindesays, light and gay;[L6] - But the Jardines wald not with him ride,[L7] - And they rue it to this day. - - And he has burn'd the dales of Tyne, - And part of Bambroughshire; 10 - And three good towers on Reidswire fells, - He left them all on fire. - - And he march'd up to Newcastle, - And rode it round about; - "O wha's the lord of this castle, 15 - Or wha's the lady o't?" - - But up spake proud Lord Percy then, - And O but he spake hie! - "I am the lord of this castle, - My wife's the lady gay." 20 - - "If thou'rt the lord of this castle, - Sae weel it pleases me! - For, ere I cross the Border fells, - The tane of us shall die." - - He took a lang spear in his hand, 25 - Shod with the metal free, - And for to meet the Douglas there, - He rode right furiouslie. - - But O how pale his lady look'd, - Frae aff the castle wa', 30 - When down before the Scottish spear - She saw proud Percy fa'. - - "Had we twa been upon the green, - And never an eye to see, - I wad hae had you, flesh and fell;[L35] 35 - But your sword sall gae wi' me." - - "But gae ye up to Otterbourne, - And wait there dayis three; - And if I come not ere three dayis end, - A fause knight ca' ye me." 40 - - "The Otterbourne's a bonnie burn; - 'Tis pleasant there to be; - But there is nought at Otterbourne, - To feed my men and me. - - "The deer rins wild on hill and dale, 45 - The birds fly wild from tree to tree; - But there is neither bread nor kale, - To fend my men and me. - - "Yet I will stay at Otterbourne, - Where you shall welcome be; 50 - And if ye come not at three dayis end, - A fause lord I'll ca' thee." - - "Thither will I come," proud Percy said, - "By the might of Our Ladye!" - "There will I bide thee," said the Douglas, 55 - "My troth I plight to thee." - - They lighted high on Otterbourne, - Upon the bent sae brown; - They lighted high on Otterbourne, - And threw their pallions down. 60 - - And he that had a bonnie boy, - Sent out his horse to grass; - And he that had not a bonnie boy, - His ain servant he was. - - But up then spake a little page, 65 - Before the peep of dawn-- - "O waken ye, waken ye, my good lord, - For Percy's hard at hand." - - "Ye lie, ye lie, ye liar loud! - Sae loud I hear ye lie: 70 - For Percy had not men yestreen - To dight my men and me. - - "But I have dream'd a dreary dream, - Beyond the Isle of Sky; - I saw a dead man win a fight, 75 - And I think that man was I." - - He belted on his guid braid sword, - And to the field he ran; - But he forgot the helmet good, - That should have kept his brain. 80 - - When Percy wi' the Douglas met, - I wat he was fu' fain; - They swakked their swords, till sair they swat, - And the blood ran down like rain. - - But Percy with his good broad sword, 85 - That could so sharply wound, - Has wounded Douglas on the brow, - Till he fell to the ground. - - Then he call'd on his little foot-page, - And said--"Run speedilie, 90 - And fetch my ain dear sister's son, - Sir Hugh Montgomery. - - "My nephew good," the Douglas said, - "What recks the death of ane! - Last night I dream'd a dreary dream, 95 - And I ken the day's thy ain. - - "My wound is deep; I fain would sleep; - Take thou the vanguard of the three, - And hide me by the braken bush, - That grows on yonder lilye lee. 100 - - "O bury me by the braken bush, - Beneath the blooming brier, - Let never living mortal ken - That ere a kindly Scot lies here." - - He lifted up that noble lord, 105 - Wi' the saut tear in his ee; - He hid him in the braken bush, - That his merrie-men might not see. - - The moon was clear, the day drew near, - The spears in flinders flew, 110 - But mony a gallant Englishman - Ere day the Scotsmen slew. - - The Gordons good, in English blood - They steep'd their hose and shoon; - The Lindsays flew like fire about, 115 - Till all the fray was done. - - The Percy and Montgomery met, - That either of other were fain; - They swapped swords, and they twa swat, - And aye the blood ran down between. 120 - - "Now yield thee, yield thee, Percy," he said, - "Or else I vow I'll lay thee low!" - "To whom must I yield," quoth Earl Percy, - "Now that I see it must be so?" - - "Thou shalt not yield to lord nor loun, 125 - Nor yet shalt thou yield to me; - But yield thee to the braken bush, - That grows upon yon lilye lee." - - "I will not yield to a braken bush, - Nor yet will I yield to a brier; 130 - But I would yield to Earl Douglas, - Or Sir Hugh the Montgomery, if he were here." - - As soon as he knew it was Montgomery, - He struck his sword's point in the gronde; - The Montgomery was a courteous knight, 135 - And quickly took him by the honde. - - This deed was done at the Otterbourne, - About the breaking of the day; - Earl Douglas was buried at the braken bush, - And the Percy led captive away.[L140] 140 - - * * * * * - -6. "Light" is the appropriated designation of the Lindsays, as "gay" -is that of the Gordons. - -7. The Jardines were a clan of hardy West-Border men. Their chief was -Jardine of Applegirth. Their refusal to ride with Douglas was, -probably, the result of one of those perpetual feuds, which usually -rent to pieces a Scottish army.--S. - -35. Douglas insinuates that Percy was rescued by his soldiers.--S. - -140. Douglas was really buried in Melrose Abbey, where his tomb is -still to be seen. - - - - -THE HUNTING OF THE CHEVIOT. - - -In _the Battle of Otterbourne_ the story is told with all the usual -accuracy of tradition, and the usual fairness of partizans. Not so -with the following ballad, which is founded on the same event. "That -which is commonly sung of the _Hunting of Cheviot_," says Hume of -Godscroft truly, "seemeth indeed poetical, and a mere fiction, -perhaps to stir up virtue; yet a fiction whereof there is no mention -either in the Scottish or English chronicle." When this ballad arose -we do not know, but we may suppose that a considerable time would -elapse before a minstrel would venture to treat an historical event -with so much freedom. - -We must, however, allow some force to these remarks of Percy: "With -regard to the subject of this ballad, although it has no countenance -from history, there is room to think it had originally some foundation -in fact. It was one of the laws of the Marches, frequently renewed -between the nations, that neither party should hunt in the other's -borders, without leave from the proprietors or their deputies. There -had long been a rivalship between the two martial families of Percy -and Douglas, which, heightened by the national quarrel, must have -produced frequent challenges and struggles for superiority, petty -invasions of their respective domains, and sharp contests for the -point of honour; which would not always be recorded in history. -Something of this kind, we may suppose, gave rise to the ancient -ballad of the _Hunting a' the Cheviat_. Percy Earl of Northumberland -had vowed to hunt for three days in the Scottish border, without -condescending to ask leave from Earl Douglas, who was either lord of -the soil, or lord warden of the Marches. Douglas would not fail to -resent the insult, and endeavour to repel the intruders by force: this -would naturally produce a sharp conflict between the two parties; -something of which, it is probable, did really happen, though not -attended with the tragical circumstances recorded in the ballad: for -these are evidently borrowed from the Battle of Otterbourn, a very -different event, but which aftertimes would easily confound with -it."[1] - -The ballad as here printed is of the same age as the preceding. It is -extracted from Hearne's Preface to the _History_ of Guilielmus -Neubrigensis, p. lxxxii. Hearne derived his copy from a manuscript in -the Ashmolean collection at Oxford, and printed the text in long -lines, which, according to custom, are now broken up into two. - -The manuscript copy is subscribed at the end "Expliceth quoth Rychard -Sheale." Richard Sheale (it has been shown by a writer in the _British -Bibliographer_, vol. iv. p. 97-105) was a minstrel by profession, and -several other pieces in the same MS. have a like signature with this. -On this ground it has been very strangely concluded that Sheale was -not, as Percy and Ritson supposed, the transcriber, but the actual -author of this noble ballad. The glaring objection of the antiquity of -the language has been met, first, by the supposition that the author -belonged to the north of England, and afterwards, when it appeared -that Sheale lived at Tamworth, about a hundred miles from London, by -the allegation that the language of a person in humble life in -Warwickshire or Staffordshire would be very far behind the current -speech of the metropolis. It happens, however, that the language of -the ballad is very much older than the other compositions of Sheale, -as a moment's inspection will show. Besides, Sheale's poetical -abilities were manifestly of the lowest order, and although he styles -himself "minstrel," we have no reason to think that he ever composed -ballads. He speaks of his memory being at one time so decayed that he -"could neither sing nor talk." Being a mere ballad-_singer_ and -story-teller, he would naturally be dependent on that faculty. The -fact is very obvious, that Richard Sheale was a mere reciter of songs -and tales; at any rate, that all we have to thank him for in the -matter of _Chevy Chase_ is for committing to paper the only old copy -that has come down to our times.[2] - -The _Hunting of the Cheviot_ is mentioned in the _Complaynt of -Scotland_ with other, very ancient, ballads. It was consequently -popular in Scotland in 1548, ten years before the time that we _know_ -Sheale to have written anything. The mention of James the Scottish -King forbids us to assign this piece an earlier date than the reign of -Henry VI. - -It has been customary to understand Sidney's saying of the "old song -of Percy and Douglas"--that it moved his heart more than a -trumpet--exclusively of _Chevy Chase_. There is no question which -ballad would stand higher in the estimation of the gentle knight, but -the terms by which the war-song he admired is described are of course -equally applicable to _The Battle of Otterbourne_. By the way we may -remark that if we do understand Sidney to have meant _Chevy Chase_, -then, whatever opinion writers of our day may have of its antiquity, -and however probable it may seem to them that _Chevy Chase_ was -written by a contemporary of Sir Philip, it appeared to the author of -the _Defence of Poetry_ to be "evil apparelled in the dust and cobweb -of an uncivil age"! - - * * * * * - -[1] The Editor of the _Reliques_ afterwards met with the following -passage in Collins's _Peerage_, which he thought might throw some -light on the question of the origin of the ballad. - -"In this ... year, 1436, according to Hector Boethius, was fought the -battle of Pepperden, not far from the Cheviot Hills, between the Earl -of Northumberland [IId Earl, son of Hotspur], and Earl William -Douglas, of Angus, with a small army of about four thousand men each, -in which the latter had the advantage. As this seems to have been a -private conflict between these two great Chieftains of the Borders, -rather than a national war, it has been thought to have given rise to -the celebrated old ballad of Chevy-Chase; which to render it more -pathetic and interesting, has been heightened with tragical incidents -wholly fictitious." - -[2] We regret that even Dr. Rimbault has hastily sanctioned this -ascription of _Chevy-Chase_ to the "sely" minstrel of Tamworth. - - - - -THE FIRST FIT. - - The Pers[e'] owt off Northombarlande, - And a vowe to God mayd he, - That he wold hunte in the mountayns - Off Chyviat within days thre, - In the mauger of dought[e'] Dogles,[L5] 5 - And all that ever with him be. - - The fattiste hartes in all Cheviat - He sayd he wold kill, and cary them away: - "Be my feth," sayd the dougheti Doglas agayn, - "I wyll let that hontyng yf that I may." 10 - - Then the Pers[e'] owt of Banborowe cam,[L11] - With him a myghtee meany; - With fifteen hondrith archares bold off blood and bone,[L13] - The wear chosen owt of shyars thre.[L14] - - This begane on a Monday at morn, 15 - In Cheviat the hillys so he; - The chyld may rue that ys un-born, - It was the mor pitt[e']. - - The dryvars throrowe the wood[e']s went, - For to reas the dear; 20 - Bomen byckarte uppone the bent - With ther browd aras cleare. - - Then the wyld thorowe the wood[e']s went, - On every syd[e'] shear; - Grea-hondes thorowe the grevis glent, 25 - For to kyll thear dear. - - The begane in Chyviat the hyls above, - Yerly on a Monnyn day; - Be that it drewe to the oware off none, - A hondrith fat hartes ded ther lay. 30 - - The blewe a mort uppone the bent,[L31] - The semblyd on sydis shear; - To the quyrry then the Pers[e'] went, - To se the bryttlynge off the deare. - - He sayd, "It was the Duglas promys 35 - This day to met me hear; - But I wyste he wold faylle, verament:" - A great oth the Pers[e'] swear. - - At the laste a squyar of Northombelonde - Lokyde at his hand full ny; 40 - He was war a' the doughetie Doglas comynge,[L41] - With him a myghtt[e'] meany; - - Both with spear, byll, and brande;[L43] - Yt was a myghti sight to se; - Hardyar men, both off hart nar hande, 45 - Wear not in Christiant[e']. - - The wear twenty hondrith spear-men good, - Withowt[e'] any feale; - The wear borne along be the watter a Twyde, - Yth' bowndes of Tividale. 50 - - "Leave of the brytlyng of the dear," he sayde, - "And to your bowys lock ye tayk good heed;[L52] - For never sithe ye wear on your mothars borne - Had ye never so mickle ned." - - The dougheti Dogglas on a stede 55 - He rode att his men beforne; - His armor glytteryde as dyd a glede; - A bolder barne was never born. - - "Tell me whos men ye ar," he says, - "Or whos men that ye be: 60 - Who gave youe leave to hunte in this Chyviat chays, - In the spyt of me?" - - The first mane that ever him an answear mayd, - Yt was the good lord Pers[e']: - "We wyll not tell the whoys men we ar," he says, 65 - "Nor whos men that we be; - But we wyll hount hear in this chays, - In the spyt of thyne and of the. - - "The fattiste hartes in all Chyviat - We have kyld, and cast to carry them a-way:" 70 - "Be my troth," sayd the dought[e'] Dogglas agayn,[L71] - "Ther-for the ton of us shall de this day." - - Then sayd the dought[e'] Doglas - Unto the lord Pers[e']: - "To kyll all thes giltles men, 75 - Alas, it wear great pitt[e']! - - "But, Pers[e'], thowe art a lord of lande, - I am a yerle callyd within my contr[e']; - Let all our men uppone a parti stande, - And do the battell off the and of me." 80 - - "Nowe Cristes cors on his crowne," sayd the lord Pers[e'],[L81] - "Whosoever ther-to says nay; - Be my troth, doughtt[e'] Doglas," he says, - "Thow shalt never se that day. - - "Nethar in Ynglonde, Skottlonde, nar France, 85 - Nor for no man of a woman born, - But, and fortune be my chance, - I dar met him, on man for on." - - Then bespayke a squyar off Northombarlonde, - Richard Wytharyngton was him nam; 90 - "It shall never be told in Sothe-Ynglonde," he says, - "To kyng Herry the fourth for sham. - - "I wat youe byn great lordes twaw, - I am a poor squyar of lande; - I wyll never se my captayne fyght on a fylde, 95 - And stande myselffe, and loocke on, - But whyll I may my weppone welde, - I wyll not [fayl] both hart and hande." - - That day, that day, that dredfull day![L99] - The first fit here I fynde; 100 - And youe wyll here any mor a' the hountyng a' the Chyviat, - Yet ys ther mor behynd. - -5. magger. - -11. The the. - -13. archardes. - -14. By these _shyars thre_ is probably meant three districts in -Northumberland, which still go by the name of _shires_, and are all in -the neighbourhood of Cheviot. These are _Islandshire_, being the -district so named from Holy-Island: _Norehamshire_, so called from the -town and castle of Noreham (or Norham): and _Bamboroughshire_, the -ward or hundred belonging to Bamborough-castle and town.--PERCY. - -31. blwe a mot. - -41. ath the. - -43. brylly. - -52. boys. - -71. agay. - -81. sayd the the. - -99. "That day, that day, that gentil day," is cited in _The Complaynt -of Scotland_, (ii. 101,) not, we imagine, as the _title_ of a ballad -(any more than "The Persee and the Mongumrye met," _ante_, p. 19,) but -as a line by which the song containing it might be recalled. - - -THE SECOND FIT. - - The Yngglyshe men hade ther bowys yebent,[L1] - Ther hartes were good yenoughe; - The first off arros that the shote off, - Seven skore spear-men the sloughe. - - Yet byddys the yerle Doglas uppon the bent, 5 - A captayne good yenoughe, - And that was sene verament, - For he wrought hom both woo and wouche. - - The Dogglas pertyd his ost or thre, - Lyk a cheffe cheften off pryde, 10 - With suar spears off myghtt[e'] tre, - The cum in on every syde: - - Thrughe our Yngglyshe archery - Gave many a wounde full wyde; - Many a doughete the garde to dy, 15 - Which ganyde them no pryde. - - The Ynglyshe men let thear bowys be,[L17] - And pulde owt brandes that wer bright;[L18] - It was a hevy syght to se - Bryght swordes on basnites lyght. 20 - - Throrowe ryche male and myneyeple, - Many sterne the stroke downe streght;[L22] - Many a freyke that was full fre, - Ther undar foot dyd lyght. - - At last the Duglas and the Pers[e'] met, 25 - Lyk to captayns of myght and of mayne;[L26] - The swapte togethar tyll the both swat, - With swordes that wear of fyn myll[a']n. - - Thes worth[e'] freckys for to fyght, - Ther-to the wear full fayne, 30 - Tyll the bloode owte off thear basnetes sprente, - As ever dyd heal or rayne.[L32] - - "Holde the, Pers[e']," sayde the Doglas,[L33] - "And i' feth I shall the brynge - Wher thowe shalte have a yerls wagis 35 - Of Jamy our Scottish kynge.[L36] - - "Thoue shalte have thy ransom fre, - I hight the hear this thinge, - For the manfullyste man yet art thowe, - That ever I conqueryd in filde fightyng." 40 - - "Nay," sayd the lord Pers[e'], - "I tolde it the beforne, - That I wolde never yeldyde be - To no man of a woman born." - - With that ther cam an arrowe hastely,[L45] 45 - Forthe off a myghtt[e'] wane; - Hit hathe strekene the yerle Duglas - In at the brest bane. - - Throroue lyvar and longs, bathe - The sharp arrowe ys gane, 50 - That never after in all his lyffe-days, - He spayke mo wordes but ane: - That was, "Fyghte ye, my myrry men, whyllys ye may, - For my lyff-days ben gan." - - The Pers[e'] leanyde on his brande, 55 - And sawe the Duglas de; - He tooke the dede mane be the hande, - And sayd, "Wo ys me for the! - - "To have savyde thy lyffe, I wolde have pertyde with - My landes for years thre, 60 - For a better man, of hart nare of hande, - Was not in all the north contr[e']." - - Off all that se a Skottishe knyght, - Was callyd Sir Hewe the Monggonbyrry; - He sawe the Duglas to the deth was dyght, 65 - He spendyd a spear, a trusti tre:-- - - He rod uppon a corsiare - Throughe a hondrith archery: - He never stynttyde, nar never blane, - Tyll he cam to the good lord Pers[e']. 70 - - He set uppone the lord Pers[e'] - A dynte that was full soare; - With a suar spear of a myghtt[e'] tre - Clean thorow the body he the Pers[e'] ber, - - A' the tothar syde that a man myght se 75 - A large cloth yard and mare: - Towe bettar captayns wear nat in Cristiant[e'], - Then that day slain wear ther. - - An archar off Northomberlonde - Say slean was the lord Pers[e']; 80 - He bar a bende-bowe in his hand, - Was made off trusti tre. - - An arow, that a cloth yarde was lang, - To th' harde stele haylde he; - A dynt that was both sad and soar, 85 - He sat on Sir Hewe the Monggonbyrry. - - The dynt yt was both sad and soar,[L87] - That he on Monggonberry sete;[L88] - The swane-fethars, that his arrowe bar, - With his hart-blood the wear wete. 90 - - Ther was never a freak wone foot wolde fle, - But still in stour dyd stand, - Heawyng on yche othar, whyll the myght dre, - With many a balfull brande. - - This battell begane in Chyviat 95 - An owar befor the none, - And when even-song bell was rang, - The battell was nat half done. - - The tooke on ethar hand[L99] - Be the lyght off the mone; 100 - Many hade no strength for to stande, - In Chyviat the hillys aboun.[L102] - - Of fifteen hondrith archars of Ynglonde - Went away but fifti and thre; - Of twenty hondrith spear-men of Skotlonde, 105 - But even five and fifti: - - But all wear slayne Cheviat within; - The hade no strenge to stand on hy; - The chylde may rue that ys unborne, - It was the mor pitt[e']. 110 - - Thear was slayne withe the lord Pers[e'], - Sir John of Agerstone, - Sir Rogar, the hinde Hartly, - Sir Wyllyam, the bolde Hearone. - - Sir Jorg, the worth[e'] Lovele,[L115] 115 - A knyght of great renowen, - Sir Raff, the ryche Rugb[e'], - With dyntes wear beaten dowene. - - For Wetharryngton my harte was wo, - That ever he slayne shulde be; 120 - For when both his leggis wear hewyne in to, - Yet he knyled and fought on hys kny. - - Ther was slayne with the dougheti Duglas, - Sir Hewe the Monggonbyrry, - Sir Davy Lwdale, that worth[e'] was,[L125] 125 - His sistars son was he: - - His Charls a Murr[e'] in that place, - That never a foot wolde fle; - Sir Hewe Maxwell, a lorde he was, - With the Doglas dyd he dey. 130 - - So on the morrowe the mayde them byears - Off birch and hasell so gray;[L132] - Many wedous with wepyng tears - Cam to fach ther makys away. - - Tivydale may carpe off care, 135 - Northombarlond may mayk grat mon, - For towe such captayns as slayne wear thear, - On the March-perti shall never be non. - - Word ys commen to Eddenburrowe, - To Jamy the Skottishe kyng, 140 - That dougheti Duglas, lyff-tenant of the Merches, - He lay slean Chyviot with-in. - - His handdes dyd he weal and wryng, - He sayd, "Alas, and woe ys me!" - Such an othar captayn Skotland within, 145 - He sayd, ye-feth shuld never be. - - Worde ys commyn to lovly Londone, - Till the fourth Harry our kyng, - That lord Pers[e'], leyff-tenante of the Merchis,[L149] - He lay slayne Chyviat within. 150 - - "God have merci on his soll," sayd kyng Harry, - "Good lord, yf thy will it be! - I have a hondrith captayns in Ynglonde," he sayd, - "As good as ever was he: - But Pers[e'], and I brook my lyffe, 155 - Thy deth well quyte shall be." - - As our noble kyng mayd his a-vowe, - Lyke a noble prince of renowen, - For the deth of the lord Pers[e'] - He dyde the battell of Hombyll-down: 160 - - Wher syx and thritt['e] Skottishe knyghtes - On a day wear beaten down: - Glendale glytteryde on ther armor bryght,[L163] - Over castill, towar, and town. - - This was the Hontynge off the Cheviat; 165 - That tear begane this spurn: - Old men that knowen the grownde well yenoughe, - Call it the Battell of Otterburn. - - At Otterburn began this spurne - Uppon a Monnyn day:[L170] 170 - Ther was the dougght[e'] Doglas slean, - The Pers[e'] never went away. - - Ther was never a tym on the March-partes - Sen the Doglas and the Pers[e'] met, - But yt was marvele, and the rede blude ronne not, 175 - As the reane doys in the stret. - - Jhesue Christ our ballys bete, - And to the blys us brynge! - Thus was the Hountynge of the Chivyat: - God send us all good endyng! 180 - -1-4. It is well known that the ancient English weapon was the -long-bow, and that this nation excelled all others in archery, while -the Scottish warriors chiefly depended on the use of the spear. This -characteristic difference never escapes our ancient bard.--PERCY. - -17. boys. - -18. briggt. - -22. done. - -26. to, i. e. tow. - -32. ran. - -33. helde. - -36. Scottih. - -45. a narrowe. So again in v. 83, and a nowar in v. 96. This -transference of final n to the succeeding word is of common occurrence -in old poetry. - -87. sar. - -88. of. - -99. a word has dropped out. - -102. abou. - -115. lo[=u]le. - -125. Lwdale, i. e. Liddel. - -132. gay. - -149. cheyff. - -163. Glendale is one of the seven wards of Northumberland. In this -district the village of Homildown is situated, about a mile from -Wooler. On the 14th of September, 1402, a battle was fought at this -place between the Percys and Archibald, Earl of Douglas, in which the -Scots were totally routed, and Douglas taken prisoner. - -170. Nonnyn. - - - - -CHEVY-CHACE. - - -The text of this later ballad of _Chevy-Chace_ is given as it appears -in _Old Ballads_ (1723), vol. i. p. 111, and in Durfey's _Pills to -Purge Melancholy_, vol. iv. p. 289, and differs very slightly from -that of the _Reliques_ (i. 265), where the ballad was printed from the -folio MS., compared with two other black-letter copies. - -The age of this version of the story is not known, but it is certainly -not later, says Dr. Rimbault, than the reign of Charles the Second. -Addison's papers in the _Spectator_ (Nos. 70 and 74) evince so true a -perception of the merits of this ballad, shorn as it is of the most -striking beauties of the grand original, that we cannot but deeply -regret his never having seen the ancient and genuine copy, which was -published by Hearne only a few days after Addison died. Well might the -Spectator dissent from the judgment of Sidney, if _this_ were the rude -and ill-apparelled song of a barbarous age. - - - God prosper long our noble king, - Our lives and safeties all; - A woful hunting once there did - In Chevy-Chace befall. - - To drive the deer with hound and horn, 5 - Erle Piercy took his way; - The child may rue that is unborn, - The hunting of that day. - - The stout Earl of Northumberland - A vow to God did make, 10 - His pleasure in the Scottish woods - Three summer's days to take; - - The chiefest harts in Chevy-Chace - To kill and bear away: - The tidings to Earl Douglas came, 15 - In Scotland where he lay. - - Who sent Earl Piercy present word, - He would prevent his sport; - The English earl not fearing this, - Did to the woods resort, 20 - - With fifteen hundred bow-men bold - All chosen men of might, - Who knew full well in time of need - To aim their shafts aright. - - The gallant greyhounds swiftly ran, 25 - To chase the fallow deer; - On Monday they began to hunt, - When day-light did appear. - - And long before high noon they had - An hundred fat bucks slain; 30 - Then having din'd, the drovers went - To rouze them up again. - - The bow-men muster'd on the hills, - Well able to endure; - Their backsides all, with special care, 35 - That day were guarded sure. - - The hounds ran swiftly thro' the woods, - The nimble deer to take, - And with their cries the hills and dales - An eccho shrill did make. 40 - - Lord Piercy to the quarry went, - To view the tender deere; - Quoth he, "Earl Douglas promised - This day to meet me heer. - - "If that I thought he would not come, 45 - No longer would I stay." - With that, a brave young gentleman - Thus to the Earl did say: - - "Lo, yonder doth Earl Douglas come, - His men in armour bright; 50 - Full twenty hundred Scottish spears, - All marching in our sight. - - "All men of pleasant Tividale, - Fast by the river Tweed:" - "Then cease your sport," Erle Piercy said, 55 - "And take your bows with speed. - - "And now with me, my countrymen, - Your courage forth advance; - For there was never champion yet - In Scotland or in France, 60 - - "That ever did on horseback come, - But, if my hap it were,[L62] - I durst encounter man for man, - With him to break a spear." - - Earl Douglas on his milk-white steed, 65 - Most like a baron bold, - Rode foremost of the company, - Whose armour shone like gold. - - "Show me," he said, "whose men you be, - That hunt so boldly here, 70 - That, without my consent, do chase - And kill my fallow-deer." - - The man that first did answer make - Was noble Piercy he; - Who said, "We list not to declare, 75 - Nor show whose men we be. - - "Yet we will spend our dearest blood, - Thy chiefest hart to slay;" - Then Douglas swore a solemn oath, - And thus in rage did say; 80 - - "Ere thus I will out-braved be, - One of us two shall dye: - I know thee well, an earl thou art; - Lord Piercy, so am I. - - "But trust me, Piercy, pity it were, 85 - And great offence, to kill - Any of these our harmless men, - For they have done no ill. - - "Let thou and I the battel try, - And set our men aside: 90 - "Accurs'd be he," Lord Piercy said, - "By whom this is deny'd." - - Then stept a gallant squire forth, - (Witherington was his name) - Who said, "I would not have it told 95 - To Henry our king for shame, - - "That ere my captaine fought on foot, - And I stood looking on: - You be two earls," said Witherington, - "And I a squire alone. 100 - - "I'll do the best that do I may, - While I have power to stand; - While I have power to wield my sword, - I'll fight with heart and hand." - - Our English archers bent their bows, 105 - Their hearts were good and true; - At the first flight of arrows sent, - Full three score Scots they slew. - - To drive the deer with hound and horn, - Earl Douglas had the bent; 110 - A captain mov'd with mickle pride - The spears to shivers sent. - - They clos'd full fast on every side, - No slacknes there was found; - And many a gallant gentleman 115 - Lay gasping on the ground. - - O Christ! it was a grief to see, - And likewise for to hear, - The cries of men lying in their gore, - And scatter'd here and there. 120 - - At last these two stout earls did meet, - Like captains of great might; - Like lions mov'd they laid on load,[L123] - And made a cruel fight. - - They fought until they both did sweat, 125 - With swords of temper'd steel; - Until the blood, like drops of rain, - They trickling down did feel. - - "Yield thee, Lord Piercy," Douglas said; - "In faith I will thee bring, 130 - Where thou shalt high advanced be - By James, our Scottish king. - - "Thy ransom I will freely give, - And thus report of thee, - Thou art the most couragious knight 135 - That ever I did see. - - "No, Douglas," quoth Earl Piercy then,[L137] - "Thy proffer I do scorn; - I will not yield to any Scot - That ever yet was born." 140 - - With that, there came an arrow keen - Out of an English bow, - Which struck Earl Douglas to the heart, - A deep and deadly blow: - - Who never spoke more words than these, 145 - "Fight on, my merry men all; - For why, my life is at an end, - Lord Piercy sees my fall." - - Then leaving life, Earl Piercy took - The dead man by the hand; 150 - And said, "Earl Douglas, for thy life - Would I had lost my land! - - "O Christ! my very heart doth bleed - With sorrow for thy sake; - For sure, a more renowned knight 155 - Mischance did never take." - - A knight amongst the Scots there was, - Which saw Earl Douglas dye, - Who straight in wrath did vow revenge - Upon the Earl Piercy. 160 - - Sir Hugh Montgomery was he call'd, - Who, with a spear most bright, - Well-mounted on a gallant steed, - Ran fiercely thro' the fight; - - And pass'd the English archers all, 165 - Without all dread or fear, - And through Earl Piercy's body then - He thrust his hateful spear. - - With such a veh'ment force and might - He did his body gore, 170 - The spear ran through the other side - A large cloth-yard, and more. - - So thus did both these nobles dye, - Whose courage none could stain; - An English archer then perceiv'd 175 - The noble earl was slain. - - He had a bow bent in his hand, - Made of a trusty tree; - An arrow of a cloth-yard long - Up to the head drew he. 180 - - Against Sir Hugh Montgomery - So right his shaft he set, - The grey goose-wing that was thereon - In his heart's blood was wet. - - This fight did last from break of day 185 - Till setting of the sun; - For when they rung the evening-bell,[L187] - The battel scarce was done. - - With the Earl Piercy, there was slain - Sir John of Ogerton, 190 - Sir Robert Ratcliff, and Sir John, - Sir James, that bold baron. - - And with Sir George and good Sir James, - Both knights of good account, - Good Sir Ralph Rabby there was slain, 195 - Whose prowess did surmount. - - For Witherington needs must I wail, - As one in doleful dumps;[L198] - For when his legs were smitten off, - He fought upon his stumps. 200 - - And with Earl Douglas, there was slain - Sir Hugh Montgomery, - Sir Charles Currel, that from the field - One foot would never fly. - - Sir Charles Murrel, of Ratcliff, too, 205 - His sister's son was he; - Sir David Lamb, so well esteem'd, - Yet saved could not bee. - - And the Lord Maxwell in like wise - Did with Earl Douglas dye; 210 - Of twenty hundred Scottish spears - Scarce fifty-five did fly. - - Of fifteen hundred Englishmen, - Went home but fifty-three; - The rest were slain in Chevy-Chace, 215 - Under the green-wood tree. - - Next day did many widows come, - Their husbands to bewail; - They wash'd their wounds in brinish tears, - But all would not prevail.[L220] 220 - - Their bodies, bath'd in purple blood, - They bore with them away: - They kiss'd them dead a thousand times, - When they were clad in clay. - - This news was brought to Edinburgh, 225 - Where Scotland's king did reign, - That brave Earl Douglas suddenly - Was with an arrow slain. - - "O heavy news," King James did say; - "Scotland can witness be, 230 - I have not any captain more - Of such account as he." - - Like tidings to King Henry came, - Within as short a space, - That Piercy of Northumberland 235 - Was slaine in Chevy-Chace. - - "Now God be with him," said our king, - "Sith 't will no better be; - I trust I have within my realm - Five hundred as good as he. 240 - - "Yet shall not Scot nor Scotland say, - But I will vengeance take, - And be revenged on them all, - For brave Earl Piercy's sake." - - This vow full well the king perform'd, 245 - After, on Humbledown; - In one day, fifty knights were slain, - With lords of great renown. - - And of the rest, of small account, - Did many thousands dye: 250 - Thus endeth the hunting of Chevy-Chace, - Made by the Earl Piercy. - - God save the king, and bless the land - In plenty, joy, and peace; - And grant henceforth, that foul debate 255 - 'Twixt noblemen may cease! - -62. since.--O. B. - -123. Percy has _lions wood_. - -137. To. - -187. Sc. the Curfew bell, usually rung at eight o'clock; to which the -modernizer apparently alludes, instead of the "Evensong bell," or bell -for vespers of the original author, before the Reformation.--PERCY. - -198. "I, as one in deep concern, must lament." The construction here -has generally been misunderstood.--P. - -This phrase may help us to determine the date of the authorship of the -ballad. "Doleful dumps" suggested nothing ludicrous to a writer of the -age of Elizabeth, but not long after became burlesque. The observation -is Percy's. - -220. They.--O. B. - - - - - -SIR ANDREW BARTON. - -From Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 193. - - -"The transactions which did the greatest honour to the Earl of Surrey -and his family at this time [A. D. 1511], was their behaviour in the -case of Barton, a Scotch sea-officer. This gentleman's father having -suffered by sea from the Portuguese, he had obtained letters of marque -for his two sons to make reprisals upon the subjects of Portugal. It -is extremely probable, that the court of Scotland granted these -letters with no very honest intention. The council-board of England, -at which the Earl of Surrey held the chief place, was daily pestered -with complaints from the sailors and merchants, that Barton, who was -called Sir Andrew Barton, under pretence of searching for Portuguese -goods, interrupted the English navigation. Henry's situation at that -time rendered him backward from breaking with Scotland, so that their -complaints were but coldly received. The Earl of Surrey, however, -could not smother his indignation, but gallantly declared at the -council-board, that while he had an estate that could furnish out a -ship, or a son that was capable of commanding one, the narrow seas -should not be infested. - -"Sir Andrew Barton, who commanded the two Scotch ships, had the -reputation of being one of the ablest sea officers of his time. By his -depredations, he had amassed great wealth, and his ships were very -richly laden. Henry, notwithstanding his situation, could not refuse -the generous offer made by the Earl of Surrey. Two ships were -immediately fitted out, and put to sea with letters of marque, under -his two sons, Sir Thomas and Sir Edward Howard. After encountering a -great deal of foul weather, Sir Thomas came up with the Lion, which -was commanded by Sir Andrew Barton in person; and Sir Edward came up -with the Union, Barton's other ship [called by Hall, the Bark of -Scotland]. The engagement which ensued was extremely obstinate on both -sides; but at last the fortune of the Howards prevailed. Sir Andrew -was killed, fighting bravely, and encouraging his men with his -whistle, to hold out to the last; and the two Scotch ships, with their -crews, were carried into the River Thames [Aug. 2, 1511]." (Guthrie's -_Peerage_, as quoted by Percy.) - -An old copy in the precious Manuscript furnished the foundation for -Percy's edition of this noble ballad. The editor states that the text -of the original was so incorrect as to require emendations from -black-letter copies and from conjecture. These emendations, where they -are noted, we have for the most part disregarded. We would fain -believe that nothing except a defect in the manuscript could have -reconciled the Bishop to adopting the four lines with which the ballad -now begins. - -The common, or black-letter copies, are somewhat abridged as well as -modernized. One of these is given in the Appendix. - - -THE FIRST PART. - - When Flora with her fragrant flowers[L1] - Bedeckt the earth so trim and gaye, - And Neptune with his daintye showers - Came to present the monthe of Maye, - King Henrye rode to take the ayre, 5 - Over the river of Thames past hee; - When eighty merchants of London came, - And downe they knelt upon their knee. - - "O yee are welcome, rich merch[a']nts, - Good saylors, welcome unto mee:" 10 - They swore by the rood, they were saylors good, - But rich merch[a']nts they cold not bee. - "To France nor Flanders dare we pass, - Nor Bordeaux voyage dare we fare; - And all for a robber that lyes on the seas, 15 - Who robbs us of our merchant ware." - - King Henrye frownd, and turned him rounde, - And swore by the Lord that was mickle of might, - "I thought he had not beene in the world, - Durst have wrought England such unright." 20 - The merchants sighed, and said, "Alas!" - And thus they did their answer frame; - "He is a proud Scott, that robbs on the seas, - And Sir Andrewe Barton is his name." - - The king lookt over his left shoulder, 25 - And an angrye look then looked hee; - "Have I never a lorde in all my realme, - Will feitch yond traytor unto mee?" - "Yea, that dare I," Lord Charles Howard sayes; - "Yea, that dare I, with heart and hand; 30 - If it please your grace to give me leave, - Myselfe will be the only man." - - "Thou art but yong," the kyng replyed, - "Yond Scott hath numbred manye a yeare:" - "Trust me, my liege, Ile make him quail, 35 - Or before my prince I will never appeare." - "Then bowemen and gunners thou shalt have, - And chuse them over my realme so free; - Besides good mariners, and shipp-boyes, - To guide the great shipp on the sea." 40 - - The first man that Lord Howard chose, - Was the ablest gunner in all the realm, - Thoughe he was threescore yeeres and ten; - Good Peter Simon was his name. - "Peter," sais hee, "I must to the sea, 45 - To bring home a traytor live or dead; - Before all others I have chosen thee, - Of a hundred gunners to be the head." - - "If you, my lord, have chosen mee - Of a hundred gunners to be the head, 50 - Then hang me up on your maine-mast tree, - If I misse my marke one shilling bread." - My lord then chose a boweman rare, - Whose active hands had gained fame;[L54] - In Yorkshire was this gentleman borne, 55 - And William Horseley was his name. - - "Horsley," sayd he, "I must with speede - Go seeke a traytor on the sea, - And now of a hundred bowemen brave - To be the head I have chosen thee." 60 - "If you," quoth hee, "have chosen mee - Of a hundred bowemen to be the head, - On your main-mast Ile hanged bee, - If I miss twelvescore one penny bread." - - With pikes, and gunnes, and bowemen bold, 65 - This noble Howard is gone to the sea; - With a valyant heart and a pleasant cheare, - Out at Thames mouth sayled he. - And days he scant had sayled three, - Upon the journey he tooke in hand, 70 - But there he mett with a noble shipp, - And stoutely made itt stay and stand. - - "Thou must tell me," Lord Howard said, - "Now who thou art, and what's thy name; - And shewe me where thy dwelling is, 75 - And whither bound, and whence thou came." - "My name is Henry Hunt," quoth hee, - With a heavye heart, and a carefull mind; - "I and my shipp doe both belong - To the Newcastle that stands upon Tyne." 80 - - "Hast thou not heard, nowe, Henrye Hunt, - As thou hast sayled by daye and by night, - Of a Scottish robber on the seas; - Men call him Sir Andrew Barton, knight?" - Then ever he sighed, and sayd "Alas!" 85 - With a grieved mind, and well-away, - "But over-well I knowe that wight; - I was his prisoner yesterday. - - "As I was sayling uppon the sea, - A Burdeaux voyage for to fare, 90 - To his hach-borde he clasped me,[L91] - And robd me of all my merchant ware. - And mickle debts, God wot, I owe, - And every man will have his owne, - And I am nowe to London bounde, 95 - Of our gracious king to beg a boone." - - "That shall not need," Lord Howard sais; - "Lett me but once that robber see, - For every penny tane thee froe - It shall be doubled shillings three." 100 - "Nowe Gode forefend," the merchant said, - "That you shold seek soe far amisse! - God keepe you out of that traitors hands! - Full litle ye wott what a man hee is. - - "Hee is brasse within, and steele without, 105 - With beames on his topcastle stronge; - And eighteen pieces of ordinance - He carries on each side along. - And he hath a pinnace deerlye dight, - St. Andrewes crosse, that is his guide; 110 - His pinnace beareth ninescore men, - And fifteen canons on each side. - - "Were ye twentye shippes, and he but one, - I sweare by kirke, and bower, and hall, - He wold overcome them everye one,[L115] 115 - If once his beames they doe downe fall." - "This is cold comfort," sais my lord, - "To wellcome a stranger thus to the sea: - Yet Ile bring him and his shipp to shore, - Or to Scotland hee shall carrye mee." 120 - - "Then a noble gunner you must have, - And he must aim well with his ee, - And sinke his pinnace into the sea, - Or else hee never orecome will bee. - And if you chance his shipp to borde, 125 - This counsel I must give withall, - Let no man to his topcastle goe - To strive to let his beams downe fall. - - "And seven pieces of ordinance, - I pray your honour lend to mee, 130 - On each side of my shipp along, - And I will lead you on the sea. - A glasse Ile sett, that may be seene, - Whether you sayle by day or night; - And to-morrowe, I sweare, by nine of the clocke, - You shall meet with Sir Andrewe Barton, knight." 135 - -1-4. from the printed copy. - -54. from the printed copy. - -91. The MS. has here archborde, but in Part II. v. 5, hachebord. - -115. It should seem from hence, that before our marine artillery was -brought to its present perfection, some naval commanders had recourse -to instruments or machines, similar in use, though perhaps unlike in -construction, to the heavy Dolphins made of lead or iron used by the -ancient Greeks; which they suspended from beams or yards fastened to -the mast, and which they precipitately let fall on the enemies' ships, -in order to sink them, by beating holes through the bottoms of their -undecked triremes, or otherwise damaging them.--PERCY. - - -THE SECOND PART. - - The merchant sett my lorde a glasse, - Soe well apparent in his sight, - And on the morrowe, by nine of the clocke, - He shewed him Sir Andrewe Barton, knight. - His hachebord it was hached with gold, 5 - Soe deerlye dight it dazzled the ee; - "Nowe by my faith," Lord Howarde sais, - "This is a gallant sight to see. - - "Take in your ancyents, standards eke, - So close that no man may them see; 10 - And put me forth a white willowe wand, - As merchants use to sayle the sea." - But they stirred neither top nor mast;[L13] - Stoutly they past Sir Andrew by; - "What English churles are yonder," he sayd, 15 - "That can soe litle curtesye? - - "Now by the roode, three yeares and more - I have been admirall over the sea, - And never an English nor Portingall - Without my leave can passe this way." 20 - Then called he forth his stout pinn[a']ce; - "Fetch backe yond pedlars nowe to mee: - I sweare by the masse, yon English churles - Shall all hang att my maine-mast tree." - - With that the pinnace itt shott off; 25 - Full well Lord Howard might it ken; - For itt stroke down my lord's fore-mast, - And killed fourteen of his men. - "Come hither, Simon," sayes my lord, - "Looke that thy word be true, thou said; 30 - For at my main-mast thou shalt hang, - If thou misse thy marke one shilling bread." - - Simon was old, but his heart itt was bold; - His ordinance he laid right lowe, - He put in chaine full nine yardes long, 35 - With other great shott, lesse and moe, - And he lette goe his great gunnes shott; - Soe well he settled itt with his ee, - The first sight that Sir Andrew sawe, - He see his pinnace sunke in the sea. 40 - - And when he saw his pinnace sunke, - Lord, how his heart with rage did swell! - "Nowe cutt my ropes, itt is time to be gon; - Ile fetch yond pedlars backe mysell." - When my lord sawe Sir Andrewe loose, 45 - Within his heart hee was full faine; - "Nowe spread your ancyents, strike up drummes, - Sound all your trumpetts out amaine." - - "Fight on, my men," Sir Andrewe sais, - "Weale, howsoever this geere will sway; 50 - Itt is my lord admirall of Engl[a']nd, - Is come to seeke mee on the sea." - Simon had a sonne, who shott right well, - That did Sir Andrewe mickle scare; - In att his decke he gave a shott, 55 - Killed threescore of his men of warre. - - Then Henrye Hunt, with rigour hott, - Came bravely on the other side; - Soone he drove downe his fore-mast tree, - And killed fourscore men beside. 60 - "Nowe, out alas!" Sir Andrewe cryed, - "What may a man now thinke or say? - Yonder merchant theefe, that pierceth mee, - He was my prisoner yesterday. - - "Come hither to me, thou Gordon good, 65 - That aye wast readye att my call; - I will give thee three hundred pounds, - If thou wilt let my beames downe fall." - Lord Howard hee then calld in haste, - "Horselye, see thou be true in stead; 70 - For thou shalt at the maine-mast hang, - If thou misse twelvescore one penny bread." - - Then Gordon swarved the maine-mast tree, - He swarved it with might and maine; - But Horseley with a bearing arrowe, 75 - Stroke the Gordon through the braine; - And he fell unto the haches again, - And sore his deadlye wounde did bleede: - Then word went through Sir Andrews men, - How that the Gordon hee was dead. 80 - - "Come hither to mee, James Hambilton, - Thou art my only sisters sonne; - If thou wilt let my beames downe fall, - Six hundred nobles thou hast wonne."[L84] - With that he swarved the main-mast tree, 85 - He swarved it with nimble art; - But Horseley with a broad arrowe - Pierced the Hambilton thorough the heart. - - And downe he fell upon the deck, - That with his blood did streame amaine: 90 - Then every Scott cryed, "Well-away! - Alas a comelye youth is slaine!" - All woe begone was Sir Andrew then, - With griefe and rage his heart did swell; - "Go fetch me forth my armour of proofe, 95 - For I will to the topcastle mysell. - - "Goe fetch me forth my armour of proofe, - That gilded is with gold soe cleare; - God be with my brother John of Barton! - Against the Portingalls hee it ware. 100 - And when he had on this armour of proofe, - He was a gallant sight to see; - Ah! nere didst thou meet with living wight, - My deere broth[e']r, could cope with thee." - - "Come hither, Horseley," sayes my lord, 105 - "And looke your shaft that itt goe right; - Shoot a good shoote in time of need, - And for it thou shalt be made a knight." - "Ile shoot my best," quoth Horseley then, - "Your honour shall see, with might and maine; 110 - But if I were hanged at your maine-mast, - I have now left but arrowes twaine." - - Sir Andrew he did swarve the tree, - With right good will he swarved then, - Upon his breast did Horseley hitt, 115 - But the arrow bounded back agen. - Then Horseley spyed a privye place, - With a perfect eye, in a secrette part; - Under the spole of his right arme - He smote Sir Andrew to the heart. 120 - - "Fight on, my men," Sir Andrew sayes,[L121] - "A little Ime hurt, but yett not slaine; - Ile but lye downe and bleede a while, - And then Ile rise and fight againe. - Fight on, my men," Sir Andrew sayes, 125 - "And never flinche before the foe; - And stand fast by St. Andrewes crosse, - Untill you heare my whistle blowe." - - They never heard his whistle blow, - Which made their hearts waxe sore adread: 130 - Then Horseley sayd, "Aboard, my lord, - For well I wott Sir Andrew's dead." - They boarded then his noble shipp, - They boarded it with might and maine; - Eighteen score Scots alive they found, 135 - The rest were either maimed or slaine. - - Lord Howard tooke a sword in hand, - And off he smote Sir Andrewes head; - "I must have left England many a daye, - If thou wert alive as thou art dead." 140 - He caused his body to be cast - Over the hatchbord into the sea, - And about his middle three hundred crownes: - "Wherever thou land, this will bury thee." - - Thus from the warres Lord Howard came, 145 - And backe he sayled ore the maine; - With mickle joy and triumph[i']ng - Into Thames mouth he came againe. - Lord Howard then a letter wrote, - And sealed it with seale and ring; 150 - "Such a noble prize have I brought to your grace - As never did subject to a king. - - "Sir Andrewes shipp I bring with mee, - A braver shipp was never none; - Nowe hath your grace two shipps of warr, 155 - Before in England was but one."[L156] - King Henryes grace with royall cheere - Welcomed the noble Howard home; - "And where," said he, "is this rover stout, - That I myselfe may give the doome?" 160 - - "The rover, he is safe, my leige, - Full many a fadom in the sea; - If he were alive as he is dead, - I must have left England many a day. - And your grace may thank four men i' the ship 165 - For the victory wee have wonne; - These are William Horseley, Henry Hunt, - And Peter Simon, and his sonne." - - "To Henry Hunt," the king then sayd, - "In lieu of what was from thee tane, 170 - A noble a day now thou shalt have, - Sir Andrewes jewels and his chayne. - And Horseley thou shalt be a knight, - And lands and livings shalt have store; - Howard shall be Erle Surrye hight,[L175] 175 - As Howards erst have beene before. - - "Nowe, Peter Simon, thou art old, - I will maintaine thee and thy sonne; - And the men shall have five hundred markes - For the good service they have done." 180 - Then in came the queene with ladyes fair, - To see Sir Andrewe Barton, knight; - They weend that hee were brought on shore, - And thought to have seen a gallant sight. - - But when they see his deadlye face, 185 - And eyes soe hollow in his head, - "I wold give," quoth the king, "a thousand markes, - This man were alive as hee is dead. - Yett for the manfull part hee playd, - Which fought soe well with heart and hand, 190 - His men shall have twelvepence a day, - Till they come to my brother kings high land." - -13. i.e. did not salute. - -84. pounds. MS. - -121-4. This stanza occurs also in _Johnie Armstrang_, vol. vi. p. 44. - -156. That is the Great Harry, built in 1504, at an expense of fourteen -thousand pounds. "She was," says Hume, "properly speaking, the first -ship in the English navy. Before this period, when the prince wanted a -fleet, he had no other expedient than hiring or pressing ships from -the merchants." - -175-6. ... Erle of Nottingham, And soe was never, &c. MS. - - - - -FLODDEN FIELD. - -From Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 70. - - -"The battle of Flodden, in Northumberland, was fought the 9th of -September, 1513, being the fifth year of King Henry the Eighth (who, -with a great army, was then before Terouen in France), between Thomas -Howard, Earl of Surrey, commander-in-chief of the English forces, and -James the Fourth, King of Scots, with an inferior army of 15,000 men, -who were entirely routed with great slaughter, their heroic sovereign -being left dead upon the field. - -"The following ballad may possibly be as ancient as any thing we have -on the subject. It is given from _The most pleasant and delectible -history of John Winchcomb, otherwise called Jack of Newberry_, written -by Thomas Deloney, who thus speaks of it: 'In disgrace of the Scots, -and in remembrance of the famous atchieved victory, the commons of -England made this song, which to this day is not forgotten of many.'" - -This ballad is very evidently not the work of Deloney, but derived by -him from tradition. - -There is a piece called _Flodden Field_ in Herd's _Scottish Songs_, i. -86. It is made up of certain ridiculous anonymous verses, and of the -stanzas written by Miss Jane Elliot and by Mrs. Cockburn to the old -air _The Flowers of the Forest_,--"I've heard them lilting," and "I've -seen the smiling." The first and last lines of the first stanza of -Miss Elliot's verses are from an ancient and now forgotten song. - - "I've heard them lilting at the ewes milking - ......... - ......... - The flowers of the forest are a' wede away." - -A lady repeated to Sir Walter Scott another fragment of the original -ballad. - - "I ride single on my saddle, - For the flowers of the forest are a' wede away." - - _Minstrelsy_, iii. 333. - - - King Jamie hath made a vow, - Keep it well if he may! - That he will be at lovely London - Upon Saint James his day. - - "Upon Saint James his day at noon, 5 - At fair London will I be, - And all the lords in merry Scotland, - They shall dine there with me." - - Then bespake good Queen Margaret, - The tears fell from her eye: 10 - "Leave off these wars, most noble king, - Keep your fidelity. - - "The water runs swift and wondrous deep - From bottom unto the brim; - My brother Henry hath men good enough, 15 - England is hard to win." - - "Away," quoth he, "with this silly fool! - In prison fast let her lye: - For she is come of the English blood, - And for these words she shall die." 20 - - With that bespake Lord Thomas Howard, - The Queens chamberlain that day; - "If that you put Queen Margaret to death, - Scotland shall rue it alway." - - Then in a rage King Jamie did say, 25 - "Away with this foolish mome! - He shall be hang'd, and the other burn'd, - So soon as I come home." - - At Flodden-field the Scots came in, - Which made our Englishmen fain; 30 - At Bramstone-green this battel was seen, - There was King Jamie slain. - - Then presently the Scots did fly, - Their cannons they left behind; - Their ensigns gay were won all away, 35 - Our souldiers did beat them blind. - - To tell you plain, twelve thousand were slain - That to the fight did stand, - And many a prisoner took that day, - The best in all Scotland. 40 - - That day made many a fatherless child,[L41] - And many a widow poor, - And many a Scottish gay lady - Sate weeping in her bower.[L44] - - Jack with a fether was lapt all in lether, 45 - His boastings were all in vain; - He had such a chance with [a] new morrice-dance, - He never went home again. - -41-44. This stanza is the sixth in Deloney's copy, and is there clearly -misplaced. - -44. sweeping. - - - - -QUEEN JEANIE. - - -Jane Seymour, queen of Henry VIII., died shortly after giving birth to -Prince Edward (Oct. 1537). There was a report that the C[ae]sarian -operation had been necessary to effect the delivery, and on this story -the present ballad is founded. - -There is a woful ditty on this subject in _The Crown Garland of Golden -Roses_, Percy Society, vol. vi. p. 29 (or _Collection of Old Ballads_, -ii. 115). The following piece is popular throughout Scotland. It is -taken from Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 116. A fragment -had been previously published in Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_, i. 182. -We have added another, but imperfect, version from a recent -publication. - - Queen Jeanie, Queen Jeanie, travel'd six weeks and more, - Till women and midwives had quite gi'en her o'er; - "O if ye were women as women should be, - Ye would send for a doctor, a doctor to me!" - - The doctor was called for and set by her bedside, 5 - "What aileth thee, my ladie, thine eyes seem so red?" - "O doctor, O doctor, will ye do this for me, - To rip up my two sides, and save my babie?" - - "Queen Jeanie, Queen Jeanie, that's the thing I'll ne'er do, - To rip up your two sides to save your babie:" 10 - Queen Jeanie, Queen Jeanie, travel'd six weeks and more, - Till midwives and doctors had quite gi'en her o'er. - - "O if ye were doctors as doctors should be, - Ye would send for King Henry, King Henry to me:" - King Henry was called for, and sat by her bedside, 15 - "What aileth thee, Jeanie, what aileth my bride?" - - "King Henry, King Henry, will ye do this for me, - To rip up my two sides, and save my babie?" - "Queen Jeanie, Queen Jeanie, that's what I'll never do, - To rip up your two sides to save your babie." 20 - - But with sighing and sobbing she's fallen in a swoon, - Her side it was ript up, and her babie was found; - At this bonie babie's christ'ning there was meikle joy and mirth, - But bonnie Queen Jeanie lies cold in the earth. - - Six and six coaches, and six and six more, 25 - And royal King Henry went mourning before; - O two and two gentlemen carried her away, - But royal King Henry went weeping away. - - O black were their stockings, and black were their bands, - And black were the weapons they held in their hands; 30 - O black were their mufflers, and black were their shoes, - And black were the cheverons they drew on their luves. - - They mourned in the kitchen, and they mourn'd in the ha', - But royal King Henry mourn'd langest of a'. - Farewell to fair England, farewell for evermore, 35 - For the fair flower of England will never shine more! - - - - -THE DEATH OF QUEEN JANE. - - -From _Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England_, -edited by Robert Bell, p. 113. Taken down from the singing of a young -gipsy girl. - - - Queen Jane was in travail for six weeks or more, - Till the women grew tired and fain would give o'er, - "O women, O women, good wives if ye be, - Go send for King Henrie, and bring him to me!" - - King Henrie was sent for, he came with all speed, 5 - In a gownd of green velvet from heel to the head; - "King Henrie, King Henrie, if kind Henrie you be, - Send for a surgeon, and bring him to me!" - - The surgeon was sent for, he came with all speed, - In a gownd of black velvet from heel to the head; 10 - He gave her rich caudle, but the death-sleep slept she, - Then her right side was opened, and the babe was set free. - - The babe it was christened, and put out and nursed, - While the royal Queen Jane she lay cold in the dust. - - * * * * * - - So black was the mourning, and white were the wands, 15 - Yellow, yellow the torches they bore in their hands; - The bells they were muffled, and mournful did play, - While the royal Queen Jane she lay cold in the clay. - - Six knights and six lords bore her corpse through the grounds, - Six dukes followed after, in black mourning gownds, 20 - The flower of Old England was laid in cold clay, - Whilst the royal King Henrie came weeping away. - - - - -THE MURDER OF THE KING OF SCOTS. - -_Reliques of Ancient English Poetry_, ii. 210. - - -"The catastrophe of Henry Stewart, Lord Darnley, the unfortunate -husband of Mary Queen of Scots, is the subject of this ballad. It is -here related in that partial imperfect manner, in which such an event -would naturally strike the subjects of another kingdom, of which he -was a native. Henry appears to have been a vain, capricious, worthless -young man, of weak understanding, and dissolute morals. But the -beauty of his person, and the inexperience of his youth, would dispose -mankind to treat him with an indulgence, which the cruelty of his -murder would afterwards convert into the most tender pity and regret: -and then imagination would not fail to adorn his memory with all those -virtues he ought to have possessed. - -"Darnley, who had been born and educated in England, was but in his -21st year when he was murdered, Feb. 9, 1567-8. This crime was -perpetrated by the Earl of Bothwell, not out of respect to the memory -of Riccio, but in order to pave the way for his own marriage with the -queen. - -"This ballad (printed, with a few corrections, from the Editor's folio -MS.) seems to have been written soon after Mary's escape into England -in 1568, see v. 65.--It will be remembered, at v. 5, that this -princess was Queen Dowager of France, having been first married to -Francis II., who died Dec. 4, 1560."--PERCY. - - - Woe worth, woe worth thee, false Scotl[a']nde! - For thou hast ever wrought by sleight; - The worthyest prince that ever was borne, - You hanged under a cloud by night. - - The Queene of France a letter wrote, 5 - And sealed itt with harte and ringe; - And bade him come Scotland within, - And shee wold marry and crowne him kinge. - - To be a king is a pleasant thing, - To bee a prince unto a peere: 10 - But you have heard, and soe have I too, - A man may well buy gold too deare. - - There was an Italyan in that place, - Was as well beloved as ever was hee, - Lord David [Rizzio] was his name, 15 - Chamberlaine to the queene was hee. - - If the king had risen forth of his place, - He wold have sate him downe in the cheare, - And tho itt beseemed him not so well, - Altho the kinge had beene present there. 20 - - Some lords in Scotlande waxed wrothe, - And quarrelled with him for the nonce; - I shall you tell how it befell, - Twelve daggers were in him att once. - - When the queene saw her chamberlaine was slaine, 25 - For him her faire cheeks shee did weete, - And made a vowe, for a yeare and a day - The king and shee wold not come in one sheete. - - Then some of the lords they waxed wrothe, - And made their vow all vehementlye, 30 - For the death of the queenes chamberlaine, - The king himselfe, how he shall dye. - - With gun-powder they strewed his roome, - And layd greene rushes in his way; - For the traitors thought that very night 35 - This worthye king for to betray. - - To bedd the king he made him bowne; - To take his rest was his desire; - He was noe sooner cast on sleepe, - But his chamber was on a blasing fire. 40 - - Up he lope, and the window brake, - And hee had thirtye foote to fall; - Lord Bodwell kept a privy watch, - Underneath his castle wall. - - "Who have wee here?" Lord Bodwell sayd; 45 - "Now answer me, that I may know." - "King Henry the eighth my uncle was; - For his sweete sake some pitty show." - - "Who have we here?" Lord Bodwell sayd; - "Now answer me when I doe speake." 50 - "Ah, Lord Bodwell, I know thee well; - Some pitty on me I pray thee take." - - "Ile pitty thee as much," he sayd, - "And as much favor show to thee, - As thou didst to the queenes chamberlaine, 55 - That day thou deemedst him to die." - - Through halls and towers the king they ledd, - Through towers and castles that were nye, - Through an arbor into an orch[a']rd, - There on a peare-tree hanged him hye. 60 - - When the governor of Scotland heard - How that the worthye king was slaine, - He persued the queen so bitterlye, - That in Scotland shee dare not remaine. - - But shee is fledd into merry England, 65 - And here her residence hath taine, - And through the Queene of Englands grace, - In England now shee doth remaine. - - - - -THE RISING IN THE NORTH. - -Percy's _Reliques_, i. 285. - - -The subject of this ballad is the insurrection of the Earls of -Northumberland and Westmoreland, in the twelfth year of Queen -Elizabeth, 1569. - -These two noblemen were the leaders of the Catholic party in the North -of England, and interested themselves warmly in various projects to -restore Mary Stuart to her liberty. When a marriage was proposed -between the Duke of Norfolk and the Scottish Queen, they, with many of -the first persons in the kingdom, entered zealously into the scheme, -having the ulterior view, according to Hume, of placing Mary on the -throne of England. Norfolk endeavored to conceal his plans from -Elizabeth, until he should form a combination powerful enough to -extort her consent, but the Queen received information betimes, and -committed the Duke to the Tower. Several of his abettors were also -taken into custody, and the two Northern Earls were summoned to appear -at court, to answer to the charge of an intended rebellion. They had -proceeded too far to trust themselves willingly in the hands of their -enraged sovereign, and the summons precipitated them into an -insurrection for which they were not prepared. They hastily gathered -their followers, and published a manifesto, in which they declared -that they maintained an unshaken allegiance to the Queen, and sought -only to re[:e]stablish the religion of their ancestors, and to restore -the Duke of Norfolk to liberty and to the Queen's favor. - -"Their common banner (on which was displayed the cross, together with -the five wounds of Christ,) was borne by an ancient gentleman, Richard -Norton, Esq., of Norton-Conyers: who with his sons (among whom, -Christopher, Marmaduke, and Thomas, are expressly named by Camden) -distinguished himself on this occasion. Having entered Durham, they -tore the Bible, &c, and caused mass to be said there: they then -marched on to Clifford Moor near Wetherbye, where they mustered their -men. Their intention was to have proceeded on to York; but, altering -their minds, they fell upon Barnard's castle, which Sir George Bowes -held out against them for eleven days."--PERCY. - -The insurgents' army amounted to about six thousand men. The Earl of -Sussex, supported by Lord Hunsdon and others, marched against them -with seven thousand, and the Earl of Warwick with still greater -forces. Before these superior numbers the rebels dispersed without -striking a blow. Northumberland fled to the Scots, by whom, as we -shall see in the next ballad, he was betrayed to Elizabeth. The Earl -of Westmoreland escaped to Flanders, and died there in penury. - -Another outbreak following close upon the above was suppressed by Lord -Hunsdon. Great cruelties were exercised by the victorious party, no -less than eight hundred having, it is said, suffered by the hands of -the executioner. - -The ballad was printed by Percy from two MS. copies, one of them in -the editor's folio collection. "They contained considerable -variations, out of which such readings were chosen as seemed most -poetical and consonant to history." - -"The Fate of the Nortons," we need hardly say, forms the subject of -Wordsworth's _White Doe of Rylstone_. - - - Listen, lively lordlings all, - Lithe and listen unto mee, - And I will sing of a noble earle, - The noblest earle in the north countr[i']e. - - Earle Percy is into his garden gone, 5 - And after him walkes his faire lad[i']e: - "I heard a bird sing in mine eare, - That I must either fight or flee." - - "Now heaven forefend, my dearest lord, - That ever such harm should hap to thee; 10 - But goe to London to the court, - And faire fall truth and honest[i']e." - - "Now nay, now nay, my ladye gay, - Alas! thy counsell suits not mee; - Mine enemies prevail so fast, 15 - That at the court I may not bee." - - "O goe to the court yet, good my lord, - And take thy gallant men with thee; - If any dare to doe you wrong, - Then your warrant they may bee." 20 - - "Now nay, now nay, thou lady faire, - The court is full of subtiltie; - And if I goe to the court, lady, - Never more I may thee see." - - "Yet goe to the court, my lord," she sayes, 25 - "And I myselfe will ride wi' thee: - At court then for my dearest lord, - His faithfull borrowe I will bee." - - Now nay, now nay, my lady deare; - Far lever had I lose my life, 30 - Than leave among my cruell foes - My love in jeopardy and strife. - - "But come thou hither, my little foot-page, - Come thou hither unto mee; - To maister Norton thou must goe 35 - In all the haste that ever may bee. - - "Commend me to that gentleman, - And beare this letter here fro mee; - And say that earnestly I praye, - He will ryde in my companie." 40 - - One while the little foot-page went, - And another while he ran; - Untill he came to his journeys end - The little foot-page never blan. - - When to that gentleman he came, 45 - Down he kneeled on his knee, - And tooke the letter betwixt his hands, - And lett the gentleman it see. - - And when the letter it was redd - Affore that goodlye companye, 50 - I-wis, if you the truthe wold know, - There was many a weepynge eye. - - He sayd, "Come hither, Christopher Norton, - A gallant youth thou seemst to bee; - What doest thou counsell me, my sonne, - Now that good erle's in jeopardy?" 55 - - "Father, my counselle's fair and free; - That erle he is a noble lord, - And whatsoever to him you hight, - I wold not have you breake your word." 60 - - "Gramercy, Christopher, my sonne, - Thy counsell well it liketh mee, - And if we speed and scape with life, - Well advanced shalt thou bee." - - "Come you hither, mine nine good sonnes,[L65] 65 - Gallant men I trowe you bee: - How many of you, my children deare, - Will stand by that good erle and mee?" - - Eight of them did answer make, - Eight of them spake hastilie, 70 - "O father, till the daye we dye - We'll stand by that good erle and thee." - - "Gramercy now, my children deare, - You showe yourselves right bold and brave; - And whethersoe'er I live or dye, 75 - A fathers blessing you shal have." - - "But what sayst thou, O Francis Norton? - Thou art mine oldest sonn and heire; - Somewhat lyes brooding in thy breast; - Whatever it bee, to mee declare." 80 - - "Father, you are an aged man; - Your head is white, your bearde is gray; - It were a shame at these your yeares - For you to ryse in such a fray." - - "Now fye upon thee, coward Francis, 85 - Thou never learnedst this of mee; - When thou wert yong and tender of age, - Why did I make soe much of thee?" - - "But, father, I will wend with you, - Unarm'd and naked will I bee; 90 - And he that strikes against the crowne, - Ever an ill death may he dee." - - Then rose that reverend gentleman, - And with him came a goodlye band, - To join with the brave Erle Percy, 95 - And all the flower o' Northumberland. - - With them the noble Nevill came, - The erle of Westmorland was hee: - At Wetherbye they mustred their host, - Thirteen thousand faire to see. 100 - - Lord Westmorland his ancyent raisde, - The Dun Bull he rays'd on hye,[L102] - And three Dogs with golden collars - Were there sett out most royallye. - - Erie Percy there his ancyent spred, 105 - The Halfe-Moone shining all soe faire:[L106] - The Nortons ancyent had the crosse, - And the five wounds our Lord did beare. - - Then Sir George Bowes he straitwaye rose, - After them some spoyle to make; 110 - Those noble erles turn'd backe againe, - And aye they vowed that knight to take. - - That baron he to his castle fled - To Barnard castle then fled hee; - The uttermost walles were eathe to win, 115 - The earles have won them presentl[i']e. - - The uttermost walles were lime and bricke, - But thoughe they won them soon anone, - Long e'er they wan the innermost walles, - For they were cut in rocke of stone. 120 - - Then newes unto leeve London came, - In all the speede that ever might bee, - And word is brought to our royall queene - Of the rysing in the North countrie. - - Her grace she turned her round about, 125 - And like a royall queene shee swore, - "I will ordayne them such a breakfast, - As never was in the North before." - - Shee caus'd thirty thousand men be rays'd, - With horse and harneis faire to see; 130 - She caused thirty thousand men be raised, - To take the earles i' th' North countrie. - - Wi' them the false Erle Warwick went, - Th' Erle Sussex and the Lord Hunsden; - Untill they to Yorke castle came, - I-wiss they never stint ne blan. 135 - - Now spred thy ancyent, Westmorland, - Thy dun bull faine would we spye: - And thou, the Erle o' Northumberland, - Now rayse thy half moone up on hye. 140 - - But the dun bulle is fled and gone, - And the halfe moone vanished away: - The erles, though they were brave and bold, - Against soe many could not stay. - - Thee, Norton, wi' thine eight good sonnes, 145 - They doom'd to dye, alas for ruth! - Thy reverend lockes thee could not save, - Nor them their faire and blooming youthe. - - Wi' them full many a gallant wight - They cruellye bereav'd of life: 150 - And many a childe made fatherlesse, - And widowed many a tender wife. - -65. The Act of Attainder, 13th Elizabeth, only mentions Richard Norton, -the father, and _seven_ sons, and in "a list of the rebels in the late -Northern rebellion that are fled beyond seas," the same seven sons are -named. Richard Norton, the father, was living long after the rebellion -in Spanish Flanders. See Sharp's _Bishoprick Garland_, p. 10. - -102. The supporters of the Nevilles Earls of Westmoreland were two bulls -argent, ducally collar'd gold, armed or, &c. But I have not discovered -the device mentioned in the ballad, among the badges, &c., given by that -house. This however is certain, that, among those of the Nevilles, Lord -Abergavenny (who were of the same family), is a dun cow with a golden -collar; and the Nevilles of Chyte in Yorkshire (of the Westmoreland -branch), gave for their crest, in 1513, a dog's (greyhound's) head -erased.--So that it is not improbable but Charles Neville, the unhappy -Earl of Westmoreland here mentioned, might on this occasion give the -above device on his banner.--After all, our old minstrel's verses here -may have undergone some corruption; for, in another ballad in the same -folio MS., and apparently written by the same hand, containing the -sequel of this Lord Westmoreland's history, his banner is thus -described, more conformable to his known bearings: - - "_Sett me up my faire Dun Bull, - With Gilden Hornes, hee beares all soe hye_."--P. - -106. The Silver Crescent is a well-known crest or badge of the -Northumberland family. It was probably brought home from some of the -crusades against the Sarazens.--P. - - - - -NORTHUMBERLAND BETRAYED BY DOUGLAS. - -Percy's _Reliques_, i. 295. - - -The Earls of Northumberland and Westmoreland, after the dispersion of -their forces took refuge with the Scots on the Borders. The Elliots -drove them from Liddesdale, and they sought the protection of the -Armstrongs in the Debatable Land. Northumberland took up his residence -with a man of that tribe called Hector of Harlaw, relying on his -plighted faith and on his gratitude for many past favors. By this -miscreant the Earl was betrayed for money to the Regent Murray. He was -confined in Lochleven Castle until 1572, when he was handed over to -Lord Hunsden, and executed at York. - -We are assured that this Hector, who had been rich, fell into poverty -after his treachery, and became so infamous that "to take Hector's -cloak" was a proverb for a man who betrayed his friend. - -In Pinkerton's _Poems from the Maitland MS_. (pp. 219-234) are three -bitter invectives on this subject. In one of these we are told that -the traitor Eckie of Harlaw said he sold the Earl "to redeem his -pledge," that is, says Scott, the pledge which had been exacted from -him for his peaceable demeanor. - -"The interposal of the Witch-Lady (v. 53)" hath some countenance from -history; for, about twenty-five years before, the Lady Jane Douglas, -Lady Glamis, sister of the Earl of Angus, and nearly related to -Douglas of Lough-leven, had suffered death for the pretended crime of -witchcraft; who, it is presumed, is the witch-lady alluded to in verse -133. - -"The following is selected (like the former) from two copies, which -contained great variations; one of them in the Editor's folio MS. In -the other copy some of the stanzas at the beginning of this ballad are -nearly the same with what in that MS. are made to begin another ballad -on the escape of the Earl of Westmoreland, who got safe into Flanders, -and is feigned in the ballad to have undergone a great variety of -adventures."--PERCY. - - - "How long shall fortune faile me nowe, - And harrowe me with fear and dread? - How long shall I in bale abide, - In misery my life to lead? - - "To fall from my bliss, alas the while! 5 - It was my sore and heavye lott; - And I must leave my native land, - And I must live a man forgot. - - "One gentle Armstrong I doe ken, - A Scot he is, much bound to mee; 10 - He dwelleth on the Border side, - To him I'll goe right privilie." - - Thus did the noble Percy 'plaine, - With a heavy heart and wel-away, - When he with all his gallant men 15 - On Bramham moor had lost the day. - - But when he to the Armstrongs came, - They dealt with him all treacherouslye; - For they did strip that noble earle, - And ever an ill death may they dye! 20 - - False Hector to Earl Murray sent, - To shew him where his guest did hide, - Who sent him to the Lough-lev[e']n, - With William Douglas to abide. - - And when he to the Douglas came, 25 - He halched him right courteouslie; - Say'd, "Welcome, welcome, noble earle, - Here thou shalt safelye bide with mee." - - When he had in Lough-leven been - Many a month and many a day, 30 - To the regent the lord warden sent, - That bannisht earle for to betray. - - He offered him great store of gold, - And wrote a letter fair to see, - Saying, "Good my lord, grant me my boon, 35 - And yield that banisht man to mee." - - Earle Percy at the supper sate, - With many a goodly gentleman; - The wylie Douglas then bespake, - And thus to flyte with him began. 40 - - "What makes you be so sad, my lord, - And in your mind so sorrowfullye? - To-morrow a shootinge will bee held - Among the lords of the North countrye. - - "The butts are sett, the shooting's made, 45 - And there will be great royaltye; - And I am sworne into my bille, - Thither to bring my Lord Percye." - - "I'll give thee my hand, thou gentle Douglas, - And here by my true faith," quoth hee, 50 - "If thou wilt ryde to the worldes end - I will ryde in thy companye." - - And then bespake a lady faire, - Mary [a'] Douglas was her name; - "You shall byde here, good English lord, 55 - My brother is a traiterous man. - - "He is a traitor stout and stronge, - As I tell you in privitie; - For he hath tane liverance of the erle,[L59] - Into England nowe to 'liver thee." 60 - - "Now nay, now nay, thou goodly lady, - The regent is a noble lord: - Ne for the gold in all Engl[a']nd - The Douglas wold not break his word. - - "When the regent was a banisht man, 65 - With me he did faire welcome find; - And whether weal or woe betide, - I still shall find him true and kind. - - "Between England and Scotland it wold breake truce, - And friends againe they wold never bee, 70 - If they shold 'liver a banisht erle, - Was driven out of his own countrie." - - "Alas! alas! my lord," she sayes, - "Nowe mickle is their traitorie; - Then lett my brother ryde his wayes, 75 - And tell those English lords from thee, - - "How that you cannot with him ryde, - Because you are in an ile of the sea,[L78] - Then ere my brother come againe, - To Edenborow castle Ile carry thee. 80 - - "To the Lord Hume I will thee bring; - He is well knowne a true Scots lord, - And he will lose both land and life, - Ere he with thee will break his word." - - "Much is my woe," Lord Percy sayd, 85 - "When I thinke on my own countr[i']e, - When I thinke on the heavye happe - My friends have suffered there for mee. - - "Much is my woe," Lord Percy sayd, - "And sore those wars my minde distresse; 90 - Where many a widow lost her mate, - And many a child was fatherlesse. - - "And now that I a banisht man - Shold bring such evil happe with mee, - To cause my faire and noble friends 95 - To be suspect of treacherie, - - "This rives my heart with double woe; - And lever had I dye this day, - Than thinke a Douglas can be false, - Or ever he will his guest betray." 100 - - "If you'll give me no trust, my lord, - Nor unto mee no credence yield, - Yet step one moment here aside, - Ile showe you all your foes in field." - - "Lady, I never loved witchcraft, 105 - Never dealt in privy wyle; - But evermore held the high-waye - Of truth and honour, free from guile." - - "If you'll not come yourselfe, my lorde, - Yet send your chamberlaine with mee, 110 - Let me but speak three words with him, - And he shall come again to thee." - - James Swynard with that lady went, - She showed him through the weme of her ring - How many English lords there were 115 - Waiting for his master and him. - - "And who walkes yonder, my good lady, - So royallye on yonder greene?" - "O yonder is the Lord Hunsden:[L119] - Alas! he'll doe you drie and teene." 120 - - "And who beth yonder, thou gay ladye, - That walkes so proudly him beside?" - "That is Sir William Drury," shee sayd,[L123] - "A keene captaine hee is and tryde." - - "How many miles is itt, mad[a']me, 125 - Betwixt yond English lords and mee?" - "Marry, it is thrice fifty miles, - To saile to them upon the sea. - - "I never was on English ground, - Ne never sawe it with mine eye, 130 - But as my book it sheweth mee, - And through my ring I may descrye. - - "My mother shee was a witch ladye, - And of her skille she learned mee; - She wold let me see out of Lough-leven 135 - What they did in London cit[i']e." - - "But who is yond, thou lady faire, - That looketh with sic an austerne face?" - "Yonder is Sir John Foster," quoth shee,[L139] - "Alas! he'll do ye sore disgrace." 140 - - He pulled his hatt downe over his browe; - He wept, in his heart he was full of woe; - And he is gone to his noble lord, - Those sorrowful tidings him to show. - - "Now nay, now nay, good James Swyn[a']rd, 145 - I may not believe that witch lad[i']e; - The Douglasses were ever true, - And they can ne'er prove false to mee. - - "I have now in Lough-leven been - The most part of these years three, 150 - Yett have I never had noe outrake, - Ne no good games that I cold see. - - "Therefore I'll to yond shooting wend, - As to the Douglas I have hight: - Betide me weale, betide me woe, 155 - He ne'er shall find my promise light." - - He writhe a gold ring from his finger, - And gave itt to that gay lad[i']e: - Sayes, "It was all that I cold save, - In Harley woods where I cold bee." 160 - - "And wilt thou goe, thou noble lord? - Then farewell truth and honest[i']e, - And farewell heart, and farewell hand, - For never more I shall thee see." - - The wind was faire, the boatmen call'd, 165 - And all the saylors were on borde; - Then William Douglas took to his boat, - And with him went that noble lord. - - Then he cast up a silver wand, - Says, "Gentle lady, fare thee well!" 170 - The lady fett a sigh soe deep, - And in a dead swoone down shee fell. - - "Now let us goe back, Douglas," he sayd, - "A sickness hath taken yond faire lad[i']e; - If ought befall yond lady but good, 175 - Then blamed for ever I shall bee." - - "Come on, come on, my lord," he sayes, - "Come on, come on, and let her bee; - There's ladyes enow in Lough-leven - For to cheere that gay lad[i']e." 180 - - "If you'll not turne yourself, my lord, - Let me goe with my chamberlaine; - We will but comfort that faire lady, - And wee will return to you againe." - - "Come on, come on, my lord," he sayes, 185 - "Come on, come on, and let her bee; - My sister is craftye, and wold beguile - A thousand such as you and mee." - - "When they had sayled fifty myle, - Now fifty mile upon the sea, 190 - Hee sent his man to ask the Douglas, - When they shold that shooting see." - - "Faire words," quoth he, "they make fooles faine, - And that by thee and thy lord is seen; - You may hap to thinke itt soone enough, 195 - Ere you that shooting reach, I ween." - - Jamye his hatt pulled over his browe, - He thought his lord then was betray'd; - And he is to Erle Percy againe, - To tell him what the Douglas sayd. 200 - - "Hold upp thy head, man," quoth his lord, - "Nor therefore lett thy courage fayle; - He did it but to prove thy heart, - To see if he cold make it quail." - - When they had other fifty sayld, 205 - Other fifty mile upon the sea, - Lord Percy called to Douglas himselfe, - Sayd, "What wilt thou nowe doe with mee?" - - "Looke that your brydle be wight, my lord, - And your horse goe swift as shipp att sea; 210 - Looke that your spurres be bright and sharpe, - That you may pricke her while shee'll away." - - "What needeth this, Douglas?" he sayth; - "What needest thou to flyte with mee? - For I was counted a horseman good 215 - Before that ever I mett with thee. - - "A false Hector hath my horse, - Who dealt with mee so treacherousl[i']e; - A false Armstrong hath my spurres, - And all the geere belongs to mee." 220 - - When they had sayled other fifty mile, - Other fifty mile upon the sea, - They landed low by Berwicke side, - A deputed laird landed Lord Percye.[L224] - - Then he at Yorke was doomde to die, 225 - It was, alas! a sorrowful sight; - Thus they betrayed that noble earle, - Who ever was a gallant wight. - -59. Of the Earl of Morton, the Regent.--P. - -78. i. e. Lake of Leven, which hath communication with the sea. -Edinburgh was at that time in the hands of the opposite faction.--P. - -119. The Lord Warden of the East Marches.--P. - -123. Governor of Berwick.--P. - -139. Warden of the Middle-march.--P. - -224. fol. MS. reads _land_, and has not the following stanza. - - - - -KING OF SCOTS AND ANDREW BROWNE. - -From _Reliques of English Poetry_, ii. 217. - - -"This ballad is a proof of the little intercourse that subsisted -between the Scots and English, before the accession of James I. to the -crown of England. The tale which is here so circumstantially related, -does not appear to have had the least foundation in history, but was -probably built upon some confused hearsay report of the tumults in -Scotland during the minority of that prince, and of the conspiracies -formed by different factions to get possession of his person. It -should seem from ver. 97 to have been written during the regency, or -at least before the death, of the Earl of Morton, who was condemned -and executed June 2, 1581; when James was in his fifteenth year. - -"The original copy (preserved in the archives of the Antiquarian -Society, London,) is entitled, _A new ballad, declaring the great -treason conspired against the young king of Scots, and how one Andrew -Browne, an English-man, which was the king's chamberlaine, prevented -the same. To the tune of Milfield, or els to Green-sleeves_. At the -end is subjoined the name of the author, W. Elderton. 'Imprinted at -London for Yarathe James, dwelling in Newgate Market, over against Ch. -Church,' in black-letter folio."--PERCY. - -This ballad was licensed to James on the 30th of May, 1581. - - Out alas! what a griefe is this, - That princes subjects cannot be true, - But still the devill hath some of his, - Will play their parts whatsoever ensue; - Forgetting what a grievous thing 5 - It is to offend the anointed king! - Alas for woe, why should it be so? - This makes a sorrowful heigh ho. - - In Scotland is a bonnie kinge, - As proper a youth as neede to be, 10 - Well given to every happy thing, - That can be in a kinge to see: - Yet that unluckie country still, - Hath people given to craftie will. - Alas for woe, &c. 15 - - On Whitsun eve it so befell, - A posset was made to give the king, - Whereof his ladie nurse hard tell, - And that it was a poysoned thing: - She cryed, and called piteouslie, 20 - "Now help, or else the king shall die!" - Alas for woe, &c. - - One Browne, that was an English man, - And hard the ladies piteous crye, - Out with his sword, and bestir'd him than, 25 - Out of the doores in haste to flie; - But all the doores were made so fast, - Out of a window he got at last. - Alas for woe, &c. - - He met the bishop coming fast, 30 - Having the posset in his hande: - The sight of Browne made him aghast, - Who bad him stoutly staie and stand. - With him were two that ranne awa, - For feare that Browne would make a fray. 35 - Alas, for woe, &c. - - "Bishop," quoth Browne, "what hast thou there?" - "Nothing at all, my friend," sayde he, - "But a posset to make the king good cheere." - "Is it so?" sayd Browne, "that will I see. 40 - First I will have thyself begin, - Before thou go any further in; - Be it weale or woe, it shall be so. - This makes a sorrowful heigh ho." - - The bishop sayde, "Browne, I doo know, 45 - Thou art a young man poore and bare; - Livings on thee I will bestowe; - Let me go on, take thou no care." - "No, no," quoth Browne, "I will not be - A traitour for all Christiantie: 50 - Happe well or woe, it shall be so. - Drink now with a sorrowfull," &c. - - The bishop dranke, and by and by - His belly burst and he fell downe: - A just rewarde for his traitery! 55 - "This was a posset indeed," quoth Brown. - He serched the bishop, and found the keyes, - To come to the kinge when he did please. - Alas for woe, &c. - - As soon as the king got word of this, 60 - He humbly fell uppon his knee, - And praysed God that he did misse - To tast of that extremity: - For that he did perceive and know, - His clergie would betray him so: 65 - Alas for woe, &c. - - "Alas," he said, "unhappie realme, - My father, and grandfather slaine:[L68] - My mother banished, O extreame - Unhappy fate, and bitter bayne! 70 - And now like treason wrought for me-- - What more unhappie realme can be!" - Alas for woe, &c. - - The king did call his nurse to his grace, - And gave her twenty poundes a yeere; 75 - And trustie Browne too in like case, - He knighted him with gallant geere, - And gave him lands and livings great, - For dooing such a manly feat, - As he did showe, to the bishop's woe, 80 - Which made, &c. - - When all this treason done and past - Tooke not effect of traytery, - Another treason at the last, - They sought against his majestie; 85 - How they might make their kinge away - By a privie banket on a daye. - Alas for woe, &c. - - 'Another time' to sell the king - Beyonde the seas they had decreede: 90 - Three noble Earles heard of this thing, - And did prevent the same with speede. - For a letter came, with such a charme, - That they should doo their king no harme: - For further woe, if they did soe, 95 - Would make a sorrowful heigh hoe. - - The Earle Mourton told the Douglas then, - "Take heede you do not offend the king; - But shew yourselves like honest men - Obediently in every thing; 100 - For his godmother will not see[L101] - Her noble child misus'd to be - With any woe; for if it be so, - She will make," &c. - - God graunt all subjects may be true, 105 - In England, Scotland, every where, - That no such daunger may ensue, - To put the prince or state in feare: - That God, the highest king, may see - Obedience as it ought to be. 110 - In wealth or woe, God graunt it be so, - To avoide the sorrowful heigh ho. - -68. His father was Henry Lord Darnley. His grandfather, the old Earl of -Lenox, regent of Scotland, and father of Lord Darnley, was murdered at -Stirling, Sept. 5, 1571.--P. - -101. Queen Elizabeth. - - - - -MARY AMBREE. - -_Reliques of Ancient English Poetry_, ii. 230. - - -"In the year 1584, the Spaniards, under the command of Alexander -Farnese, Prince of Parma, began to gain great advantages in Flanders -and Brabant, by recovering many strongholds and cities from the -Hollanders, as Ghent (called then by the English Gaunt), Antwerp, -Mechlin, &c. See Stow's _Annals_, p. 711. Some attempt made with the -assistance of English volunteers to retrieve the former of those -places, probably gave occasion to this ballad. I can find no mention -of our heroine in history, but the following rhymes rendered her -famous among our poets. Ben Jonson often mentions her, and calls any -remarkable virago by her name. See his _Epic[oe]ne_, first acted in -1609, Act 4, sc. 2: his _Tale of a Tub_, Act 4, sc. 4: and his masque -entitled _The Fortunate Isles_, 1626, where he quotes the very words -of the ballad, - - ---- MARY AMBREE, - (Who marched so free - To the siege of Gaunt, - And death could not daunt, - As the ballad doth vaunt) - Were a braver wight, &c. - -She is also mentioned in Fletcher's _Scornful Lady_, Act 5, _sub -finem_. - -"This ballad is printed from a black-letter copy in the Pepys -Collection, improved from the Editor's folio MS., and by conjecture. -The full title is, "_The valourous acts performed at Gaunt by the -brave bonnie lass Mary Ambree, who, in revenge of her lovers death, -did play her part most gallantly_". _The tune is_, The blind beggar, -&c."--PERCY. - - - When captaines couragious, whom death cold not daunte, - Did march to the siege of the citty of Gaunt, - They mustred their souldiers by two and by three, - And the formost in battle was Mary Ambree. - - When [the] brave sergeant-major was slaine in her sight,[L5] 5 - Who was her true lover, her joy, and delight, - Because he was slaine most treacherousl[i']e, - Then vowd to revenge him Mary Ambree. - - She clothed herselfe from the top to the toe, - In buffe of the bravest, most seemelye to showe; 10 - A faire shirt of male then slipped on shee: - Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree? - - A helmett of proofe shee strait did provide, - A stronge arminge-sword shee girt by her side, - On her hand a goodly faire gauntlett put shee: 15 - Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree? - - Then tooke shee her sworde and her targett in hand, - Bidding all such, as wold, [to] bee of her band; - To wayte on her person came thousand and three: - Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree? 20 - - "My soldiers," she saith, "soe valliant and bold, - Nowe followe your captaine, whom you doe beholde; - Still formost in battell myselfe will I bee:" - Was not this a brave bonny lasse, Mary Ambree? - - Then cryed out her souldiers, and loude they did say, 25 - "Soe well thou becomest this gallant array, - Thy harte and thy weapons so well do agree, - Noe mayden was ever like Mary Ambree." - - Shee cheared her souldiers, that foughten for life, 30 - With ancyent and standard, with drum and with fife, - With brave clanging trumpetts, that sounded so free; - Was not this a brave bonny lasse, Mary Ambree? - - "Before I will see the worst of you all - To come into danger of death or of thrall, - This hand and this life I will venture so free:" 35 - Was not this a brave bonny lasse, Mary Ambree? - - Shee ledd upp her souldiers in battaile array, - Gainst three times theyr number by breake of the daye; - Seven howers in skirmish continued shee: - Was not this a brave bonny lasse, Mary Ambree? 40 - - She filled the skyes with the smoke of her shott, - And her enemyes bodyes with bullets so hott; - For one of her owne men a score killed shee: - Was not this a brave bonny lasse, Mary Ambree? - - And when her false gunner, to spoyle her intent, 45 - Away all her pellets and powder had sent, - Straight with her keen weapon shee slasht him in three: - Was not this a brave bonny lasse, Mary Ambree? - - Being falselye betrayed for lucre of hyre, - At length she was forced to make a retyre; 50 - Then her souldiers into a strong castle drew shee: - Was not this a brave bonny lassee, Mary Ambree? - - Her foes they besett her on everye side, - As thinking close siege shee cold never abide; - To beate down the walles they all did decree: 55 - But stoutlye deffyd them brave Mary Ambree. - - Then tooke shee her sword and her targett in hand, - And mounting the walls all undaunted did stand, - There daring their captaines to match any three: - O what a brave captaine was Mary Ambree! 60 - - "Now saye, English captaine, what woldest thou give - To ransome thy selfe, which else must not live? - Come yield thy selfe quicklye, or slaine thou must bee:" - Then smiled sweetlye brave Mary Ambree. - - "Ye captaines couragious, of valour so bold, 65 - Whom thinke you before you now you doe behold?" - "A knight, sir, of England, and captaine soe free, - Who shortleye with us a prisoner must bee." - - "No captaine of England; behold in your sight - Two brests in my bosome, and therfore no knight: 70 - Noe knight, sirs, of England, nor captaine you see, - But a poor simple mayden called Mary Ambree." - - "But art thou a woman, as thou dost declare, - Whose valor hath proved so undaunted in warre? - If England doth yield such brave mayden as thee, 75 - Full well may they conquer, faire Mary Ambree." - - The prince of Great Parma heard of her renowne - Who long had advanced for Englands faire crowne; - Hee wooed her and sued her his mistress to bee, - And offerd rich presents to Mary Ambree. 80 - - But this virtuous mayden despised them all: - "Ile nere sell my honour for purple nor pall; - A mayden of England, sir, never will bee - The whore of a monarcke," quoth Mary Ambree. - - Then to her owne country shee backe did returne, 85 - Still holding the foes of faire England in scorne; - Therfore English captaines of every degree - Sing forth the brave valours of Mary Ambree. - -5. So P. C. Sir John Major in MS. - - - - -BRAVE LORD WILLOUGHBEY. - -Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 235. - - -"Peregrine Bertie, Lord Willoughby of Eresby, had, in the year 1586, -distinguished himself at the siege of Zutphen, in the Low Countries. -He was the year after made general of the English forces in the United -Provinces, in room of the Earl of Leicester, who was recalled. This -gave him an opportunity of signalizing his courage and military skill -in several actions against the Spaniards. One of these, greatly -exaggerated by popular report, is probably the subject of this old -ballad, which, on account of its flattering encomiums on English -valour, hath always been a favourite with the people. - -"Lord Willoughbie died in 1601.--Both Norris and Turner were famous -among the military men of that age. - -"The subject of this ballad (which is printed from an old black-letter -copy, with some conjectural emendations) may possibly receive -illustration from what Chapman says in the dedication to his version -of Homer's _Frogs and Mice_, concerning the brave and memorable -retreat of Sir John Norris, with only 1000 men, through the whole -Spanish army, under the Duke of Parma, for three miles together." -PERCY. - -Lord Willoughby was son of that Duchess of Suffolk, whose -extraordinary adventures, while in exile on the continent during the -reign of Queen Mary, are the subject of an often-printed ballad called -the _Duchess of Suffolk's Calamity_. See _Strange Histories_, Percy -Society, iii. 17, and the Appendix to this volume. - - - The fifteenth day of July, - With glistering spear and shield, - A famous fight in Flanders - Was foughten in the field: - The most couragious officers 5 - Were English captains three; - But the bravest man in battel - Was brave Lord Willoughb[e']y. - - The next was Captain Norris, - A valiant man was hee; 10 - The other Captain Turner, - From field would never flee. - With fifteen hundred fighting men, - Alas! there were no more, - They fought with fourteen thousand then, 15 - Upon the bloody shore. - - "Stand to it, noble pikemen, - And look you round about: - And shoot you right, you bow-men, - And we will keep them out. 20 - You musquet and cal[i']ver men, - Do you prove true to me: - I'le be the formost man in fight," - Says brave Lord Willoughb[e']y. - - And then the bloody enemy 25 - They fiercely did assail, - And fought it out most furiously, - Not doubting to prevail. - The wounded men on both sides fell, - Most pitious for to see, 30 - Yet nothing could the courage quell - Of brave Lord Willoughb[e']y. - - For seven hours, to all mens view, - This fight endured sore, - Until our men so feeble grew 35 - That they could fight no more; - And then upon dead horses, - Full savourly they eat, - And drank the puddle water, - They could no better get. 40 - - When they had fed so freely, - They kneeled on the ground, - And praised God devoutly - For the favour they had found; - And beating up their colours, 45 - The fight they did renew, - And turning tow'rds the Spaniard, - A thousand more they slew. - - The sharp steel-pointed arrows, - And bullets thick did fly; 50 - Then did our valiant soldiers - Charge on most furiously: - Which made the Spaniards waver; - They thought it best to flee; - They fear'd the stout behaviour 55 - Of brave Lord Willoughb[e']y. - - Then quoth the Spanish general, - "Come, let us march away; - I fear we shall be spoiled all - If here we longer stay; 60 - For yonder comes Lord Willoughbey, - With courage fierce and fell; - He will not give one inch of way - For all the devils in hell." - - And then the fearful enemy 65 - Was quickly put to flight, - Our men persued couragiously, - And caught their forces quite; - But at [the] last they gave a shout, - Which ecchoed through the sky; 70 - "God and St. George for England!" - The conquerers did cry. - - This news was brought to England - With all the speed might be, - And soon our gracious queen was told 75 - Of this same victory. - "O this is brave Lord Willoughbey, - My love that ever won; - Of all the lords of honour, - 'Tis he great deeds hath done." 80 - - To the souldiers that were maimed - And wounded in the fray, - The queen allowed a pension - Of fifteen pence a day; - And from all costs and charges 85 - She quit and set them free: - And this she did all for the sake - Of brave Lord Willoughb[e']y. - - Then courage, noble Englishmen, - And never be dismaid; 90 - If that we be but one to ten, - We will not be afraid - To fight with foraign enemies, - And set our nation free: - And thus I end the bloody bout 95 - Of brave Lord Willoughb[e']y. - - - - -THE BONNY EARL OF MURRAY. - -From _The Tea-Table Miscellany_, ii. 188. - - -In consequence of a suspicion that the Earl of Murray had been party -to an attempt of his cousin, the notorious Bothwell, against the -person of the King (James VI.), a commission was issued for bringing -Murray before the sovereign for examination. The arrest was -inconsiderately entrusted to the Earl of Huntly, Murray's mortal -enemy. The young earl was at that time peacefully residing at -Dunnibirsel, the house of his mother, Lady Downe. Huntly surrounded -the place and summoned the inmates to surrender, and the demand not -being complied with, set fire to the mansion. Murray escaped from the -flames, but was overtaken by his foes and savagely slain. The event -took place on the night of the 7th of February, 1592. - -The youth, beauty, and accomplishments of the victim of this outrage -made him a favourite with the people, and there was a universal clamor -for revenge. On the 10th of the month, proclamation was made for all -noblemen and barons, in a great number of shires, to rise in arms, to -join the King for the pursuit of the Earl of Huntly, who, however, -surrendered himself, and was dismissed, on security for his appearance -to answer for the crime. The moderation of James gave rise to a -scandalous report, that the king countenanced the murderer, out of -jealousy for the favor with which the bonny earl was regarded by the -Queen. - -The ballad of _Young Waters_ (vol. iii. p. 89) has, without convincing -reasons, been supposed to be founded on the story of the Earl of -Murray. - -The first of the two pieces which follow is from Ramsay's _Tea-Table -Miscellany_. The second, which may perhaps be a part of the same -ballad, was first printed in Finlay's collection. - - - Ye Highlands, and ye Lawlands, - O where have you been? - They have slain the Earl of Murray, - And they laid him on the green. - - "Now wae be to thee, Huntly! 5 - And wherefore did you sae? - I bade you bring him wi' you, - But forbade you him to slay." - - He was a braw gallant, - And he rid at the ring; 10 - And the bonny Earl of Murray, - O he might hae been a king. - - He was a braw gallant, - And he play'd at the ba'; - And the bonny Earl of Murray 15 - Was the flower amang them a'. - - He was a braw gallant, - And he play'd at the glove; - And the bonny Earl of Murray, - O he was the Queen's love. 20 - - O lang will his lady - Look o'er the castle Down, - Ere she see the Earl of Murray - Come sounding thro' the town. - - - - -THE BONNIE EARL O' MURRAY. - -From Finlay's _Scottish Ballads_, ii. 21. - - - "Open the gates, - And let him come in; - He is my brother Huntly, - He'll do him nae harm." - - The gates they were opent, 5 - They let him come in; - But fause traitor Huntly, - He did him great harm. - - He's ben and ben, - And ben to his bed; 10 - And with a sharp rapier - He stabbed him dead. - - The lady came down the stair, - Wringing her hands; - "He has slain the Earl o' Murray, 15 - The flower o' Scotland." - - But Huntly lap on his horse, - Rade to the king: - "Ye're welcome hame, Huntly, - And whare hae ye been? 20 - - "Whare hae ye been? - And how hae ye sped?" - "I've killed the Earl o' Murray, - Dead in his bed." - - "Foul fa' you, Huntly! 25 - And why did ye so? - You might have ta'en the Earl o' Murray - And saved his life too." - - "Her bread it's to bake, - Her yill is to brew; 30 - My sister's a widow, - And sair do I rue. - - "Her corn grows ripe, - Her meadows grow green, - But in bonny Dinnibristle 35 - I darena be seen." - - - - -THE WINNING OF CALES. - - -This is one of many exulting effusions which were called forth by the -taking of Cadiz (vulgarly called Cales). The town was captured on the -21st of June, 1596, the Earl of Effingham being high-admiral of the -fleet, and Essex general of the land forces. Sir W. Raleigh, Lord -Thomas Howard, and other distinguished soldiers had commands in the -expedition. The praise here bestowed on Essex's humanity was richly -deserved, and the booty taken by the conquerors is not exaggerated. -The whole loss of the Spaniards, in their city and their fleet, was -estimated at twenty millions of ducats. - -We give this ballad from Deloney's _Garland of Good Will_, as -reprinted by the Percy Society, vol. xxx. p. 113. The copy in the -_Reliques_ (ii. 241), which was corrected by the editor, differs but -slightly from the present. - - - Long had the proud Spaniards - Advanc[e']d to conquer us, - Threatening our country - With fire and sword; - Often preparing 5 - Their navy most sumptuous, - With all the provision - That Spain could afford. - - Dub a-dub, dub, - Thus strike the drums, 10 - Tan-ta-ra, ta-ra-ra, - The Englishman comes. - - To the seas presently - Went our lord admiral, - With knights couragious, 15 - And captains full good; - The earl of Essex, - A prosperous general, - With him prepar[e']d - To pass the salt flood. 20 - Dub a-dub, &c. - - At Plymouth speedily, - Took they ships valiantly; - Braver ships never - Were seen under sail; - With their fair colours spread, 25 - And streamers o'er their head; - Now, bragging Spaniards, - Take heed of your tail. - Dub a-dub, &c. - - Unto Cales cunningly, - Came we most happily, 30 - Where the kings navy - Did secretly ride; - Being upon their backs, - Piercing their buts of sack, - Ere that the Spaniards 35 - Our coming descry'd. - Tan-ta-ra, ta-ra-ra, - The Englishman comes; - Bounce a-bounce, bounce a-bounce, - Off went the guns. 40 - - Great was the crying, - Running and riding, - Which at that season - Was made at that place; - Then beacons were fir[e']d, 45 - As need was requir[e']d; - To hide their great treasure, - They had little space: - "Alas!" they cry[e']d, - "English men comes." 50 - - There you might see the ships, - How they were fir[e']d fast, - And how the men drown'd - Themselves in the sea; - There you may hear them cry, 55 - Wail and weep piteously; - When as they saw no shift - To escape thence away. - Dub a-dub, &c. - - The great Saint Philip, - The pride of the Spaniards, 60 - Was burnt to the bottom, - And sunk in the sea; - But the Saint Andrew, - And eke the Saint Matthew, - We took in fight manfully, 65 - And brought them away. - Dub a-dub, &c. - - The earl of Essex, - Most valiant and hardy, - With horsemen and footmen - March'd towards the town; 70 - The enemies which saw them, - Full greatly affrighted, - Did fly for their safeguard, - And durst not come down. - Dub a-dub, &c. - - "Now," quoth the noble earl, 75 - "Courage, my soldiers all! - Fight, and be valiant, - And spoil you shall have; - And well rewarded all, - From the great to the small; 80 - But look that the women - And children you save." - Dub a-dub, &c. - - The Spaniards at that sight, - Saw 'twas in vain to fight, - Hung up their flags of truce, 85 - Yielding the town; - We march'd in presently, - Decking the walls on high - With our English colours, - Which purchas'd renown. 90 - Dub a-dub, &c. - - Ent'ring the houses then, - And of the richest men, - For gold and treasure - We search[e']d each day; - In some places we did find 95 - Pye baking in the oven, - Meat at the fire roasting, - And men run away. - Dub a-dub, &c. - - Full of rich merchandise, - Every shop we did see, 100 - Damask and sattins - And velvet full fair; - Which soldiers measure out - By the length of their swords; - Of all commodities, 105 - Each one hath share. - Dub a-dub, &c. - - Thus Cales was taken, - And our brave general - March'd to the market-place, - There he did stand; 110 - There many prisoners - Of good account were took; - Many crav'd mercy, - And mercy they found. - Dub a-dub, &c. - - When as our general 115 - Saw they delay[e']d time, - And would not ransom - The town as they said, - With their fair wainscots, - Their presses and bedsteads, 120 - Their joint-stools and tables, - A fire we made: - And when the town burnt in a flame, - With tan-ta-ra, tan-ta-ra-ra, - From thence we came. 125 - - - - -SIR JOHN SUCKLING'S CAMPAIGN. - - -"When the Scottish Covenanters rose up in arms, and advanced to the -English borders in 1639, many of the courtiers complimented the king -by raising forces at their own expense. Among these none were more -distinguished than the gallant Sir John Suckling, who raised a troop -of horse, so richly accoutred, that it cost him 12,000_l._ The like -expensive equipment of other parts of the army made the king remark, -that "the Scots would fight stoutly, if it were but for the -Englishmen's fine cloaths." When they came to action, the rugged Scots -proved more than a match for the fine showy English: many of whom -behaved remarkably ill, and among the rest this splendid troop of Sir -John Suckling's." PERCY. - -This scoffing ballad, sometimes attributed to Suckling himself, is -taken from the _Musarum Delici[ae]_ of Sir John Mennis and Dr. James -Smith (p. 81 of the reprint, _Upon Sir John Sucklings most warlike -preparations for the Scotish warre_). The former is said by Wood to -have been the author. Percy's copy (_Reliques_, ii. 341) has one or -two different readings.--The first stanza is a parody on _John Dory_. - - - Sir John got him an ambling nag, - To Scotland for to ride-a, - With a hundred horse more, all his own he swore, - To guard him on every side-a. - - No errant-knight ever went to fight 5 - With halfe so gay a bravado, - Had you seen but his look, you'ld have sworn on a book, - Hee'ld have conquer'd a whole armado. - - The ladies ran all to the windowes to see - So gallant and warlike a sight-a, 10 - And as he pass'd by, they began to cry, - "Sir John, why will you go fight-a?" - - But he, like a cruel knight, spurr'd on, - His heart did not relent-a; - For, till he came there, he shew'd no fear;[L15] 15 - Till then why should he repent-a? - - The king (God bless him!) had singular hopes - Of him and all his troop-a: - The borderers they, as they met him on the way, - For joy did hollow and whoop-a. 20 - - None lik'd him so well as his own colonel, - Who took him for John de Weart-a;[L22] - But when there were shows of gunning and blows, - My gallant was nothing so peart-a. - - For when the Scots army came within sight, 25 - And all men prepared to fight-a, - He ran to his tent; they ask'd what he meant; - He swore he must needs goe s----- a. - - The colonel sent for him back agen, - To quarter him in the van-a, 30 - But Sir John did swear, he came not there - To be kill'd the very first man-a. - - To cure his fear, he was sent to the rere, - Some ten miles back, and more-a; - Where he did play at tre trip for hay, 35 - And ne'er saw the enemy more-a. - - But now there is peace, he's returned to increase - His money, which lately he spent-a; - But his lost honor must still lye in the dust; - At Barwick away it went-a. 40 - -15. - - For till he came there, what had he to fear; - Or why should he repent-a? - - PERCY. - -22. John de Wert was a German general of reputation, and -the terror of the French in the reign of Louis XIII. Hence his name -became proverbial in France, where he was called De Vert. PERCY. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF PHILIPHAUGH. - -From _Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, ii. 177. - - -By a rapid series of extraordinary victories, (see _The Haws of -Cromdale_, and _The Battle of Alford_ in the Appendix,) Montrose had -subdued Scotland to the royal arms, from the Grampians to Edinburgh. -After taking possession of the capital, he marched forward to the -frontiers, with the intention of completing the subjugation of the -southern provinces, and even of leading his wild array into England to -the support of King Charles. Having traversed the Border, and -strengthened his army (greatly diminished by the departure of the -Irish and many of the Highlanders) with some small reinforcements, -Montrose encamped on the 12th of September, 1645, at Philiphaugh, a -large plain, separated by the river Ettrick from the town of Selkirk, -and extending in an easterly direction from a wooded hill, called the -Harehead-wood, to a high ground which forms the banks of the river -Tweed. Here the infantry were very conveniently disposed, while the -general took up his quarters with all his cavalry at Selkirk, thus -interposing a river between his horse and foot. This extraordinary -error, whether rashness or oversight, was destined to be severely -expiated. The very next morning, the Covenanters, under General David -Lesly, recalled from England by the danger threatened their cause by -the victories of Montrose, crossed the Ettrick and fell on the -encampment of the infantry, unperceived by a single scout. A hopeless -discomfiture was the natural consequence. Montrose, roused by the -firing, arrived with a few of his cavalry too late to redeem the day, -and beheld his army slaughtered, or scattered in a retreat in which he -was himself fain to join. The fruit of all his victories was lost in -this defeat, and he was never again able to make head in Scotland -against the Covenanters. - -The following ballad was first printed by Sir Walter Scott, with -prefatory remarks which we have here abridged. It is preserved by -tradition in Selkirkshire, and coincides closely with historical fact. - - - On Philiphaugh a fray began, - At Hairhead-wood it ended; - The Scots out o'er the Gr[ae]mes they ran, - Sae merrily they bended. - - Sir David frae the Border came, 5 - Wi' heart an' hand came he; - Wi' him three thousand bonny Scots, - To bear him company. - - Wi' him three thousand valiant men, - A noble sight to see! 10 - A cloud o' mist them weel conceal'd, - As close as e'er might be. - - When they came to the Shaw burn,[L13] - Said he, "Sae weel we frame, - I think it is convenient 15 - That we should sing a psalm."[L16] - - When they came to the Lingly burn,[L17] - As daylight did appear, - They spy'd an aged father, - And he did draw them near. 20 - - "Come hither, aged father!" - Sir David he did cry, - "And tell me where Montrose lies, - With all his great army." - - "But first you must come tell to me, 25 - If friends or foes you be; - I fear you are Montrose's men, - Come frae the north country." - - "No, we are nane o' Montrose's men, - Nor e'er intend to be; 30 - I am Sir David Lesly, - That's speaking unto thee." - - "If you're Sir David Lesly, - As I think weel ye be, - I am sorry ye hae brought so few 35 - Into your company. - - "There's fifteen thousand armed men[L37] - Encamped on yon lee; - Ye'll never be a bite to them, - For aught that I can see. 40 - - "But halve your men in equal parts, - Your purpose to fulfill; - Let ae half keep the water side, - The rest gae round the hill. - - "Your nether party fire must, 45 - Then beat a flying drum; - And then they'll think the day's their ain, - And frae the trench they'll come. - - "Then, those that are behind them, maun - Gie shot, baith grit and sma'; 50 - And so, between your armies twa, - Ye may make them to fa'." - - "O were ye ever a soldier?" - Sir David Lesly said; - "O yes; I was at Solway Flow,[L55] 55 - Where we were all betray'd. - - "Again I was at curst Dunbar, - And was a pris'ner ta'en; - And many weary night and day - In prison I hae lien." 60 - - "If ye will lead these men aright, - Rewarded shall ye be; - But, if that ye a traitor prove, - I'll hang thee on a tree." - - "Sir, I will not a traitor prove; 65 - Montrose has plunder'd me; - I'll do my best to banish him - Away frae this country." - - He halved his men in equal parts, - His purpose to fulfill; 70 - The one part kept the water side, - The other gaed round the hill. - - The nether party fired brisk, - Then turn'd and seem'd to rin; - And then they a' came frae the trench, 75 - And cry'd, "The day's our ain!" - - The rest then ran into the trench, - And loosed their cannons a': - And thus, between his armies twa, - He made them fast to fa'. 80 - - Now let us a' for Lesly pray, - And his brave company, - For they hae vanquish'd great Montrose, - Our cruel enemy. - -13. A small stream that joins the Ettrick near Selkirk, on the south -side of the river. S. - -16. Various reading: "That we should take a dram." S. - -17. A brook which falls into the Ettrick, from the north, a little above -the Shaw burn. S. - -37. Montrose's forces amounted to twelve or fifteen hundred foot, and -about a thousand cavalry. Lesly had five or six thousand men, mostly -horse. - -55. It is a strange anachronism, to make this aged father state himself -to have been at the battle of Solway Flow, which was fought a hundred -years before Philiphaugh; and a still stranger, to mention that of -Dunbar, which did not take place till five years after Montrose's -defeat. S. - - - - -THE GALLANT GRAHAMS. - -From _Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, ii. 187 - - -In this lament for the melancholy fate of Montrose and his heroic -companions, it was clearly the humble minstrel's aim to sketch the -chief incidents in the great Marquis's career as the champion and the -martyr of Royalty. The derangements and omissions which may be found -in the verses as they now stand are but the natural effects of time. -The ballad was first published in Scott's _Minstrelsy_, as obtained -from tradition, with enlargements and corrections from an old printed -copy (entitled _The Gallant Grahams of Scotland_) furnished by Ritson. - -The summer following the rout at Philiphaugh, King Charles committed -himself to the treacherous protection of the Presbyterians. They -required of him that his faithful lieutenant should at once disband -his forces and leave the country. During three years of exile, -Montrose resided at various foreign courts, either quite inactive, or -cultivating the friendship of the continental sovereigns, by whom he -was overwhelmed with attentions and honors. The execution of the King -drew from him a solemn oath "before God, angels, and men," that he -would devote the rest of his life to the avenging the death of his -master and re[:e]stablishing his son on the throne. He received from -Charles II. a renewal of his commission as Captain-General in -Scotland, and while Charles was treating with the Commissioners of the -Estates concerning his restoration (negotiations which Montrose -regarded with no favor), set out for the Orkneys with a few hundred -men, mostly Germans. His coming, even with this feeble band, struck a -great terror into the Estates, and Lesly was ordered to march against -him with four thousand men. Destitute of horse to bring him -intelligence, Montrose was surprised at Corbiesdale, on the confines -of Ross-shire, by a body of Covenanting cavalry under Colonel -Strachan, which had been sent forward to check his progress. The whole -of his little army was destroyed or made prisoners. Montrose escaped -from the field after a desperate resistance, and finally gave himself -up to Macleod of Assaint, who sold him to his enemies for four hundred -bolls of meal! - -"He was tried," says Scott, "for what was termed treason against the -Estates of the Kingdom; and, despite the commission of Charles for his -proceedings, he was condemned to die by a Parliament who acknowledged -Charles to be their king, and whom, on that account only, Montrose -acknowledged to be a Parliament." - -(See SCOTT'S _Minstrelsy_, HUME, ch. lx., and NAPIER'S _Montrose and -the Covenanters_.) - - - Now, fare thee well, sweet Ennerdale[L1] - Baith kith and countrie I bid adieu; - For I maun away, and I may not stay, - To some uncouth land which I never knew. - - To wear the blue I think it best,[L5] 5 - Of all the colours that I see; - And I'll wear it for the gallant Grahams, - That are banished from their countrie. - - I have no gold, I have no land, - I have no pearl nor precious stane; 10 - But I wald sell my silken snood, - To see the gallant Grahams come hame. - - In Wallace days, when they began, - Sir John the Graham did bear the gree[L14] - Through all the lands of Scotland wide: 15 - He was a lord of the south countrie. - - And so was seen full many a time; - For the summer flowers did never spring, - But every Graham, in armour bright, - Would then appear before the king. 20 - - They were all drest in armour sheen, - Upon the pleasant banks of Tay; - Before a king they might be seen, - These gallant Grahams in their array. - - At the Goukhead our camp we set, 25 - Our leaguer down there for to lay; - And, in the bonny summer light, - We rode our white horse and our gray. - - * * * * * - - Our false commander sold our king - Unto his deadly enemie, 30 - Who was the traitor, Cromwell, then; - So I care not what they do with me. - - They have betray'd our noble prince, - And banish'd him from his royal crown; - But the gallant Grahams have ta'en in hand 35 - For to command those traitors down. - - * * * * * - - In Glen-Prosen we rendezvous'd,[L37] - March'd to Glenshie by night and day, - And took the town of Aberdeen, - And met the Campbells in their array. 40 - - Five thousand men, in armour strong, - Did meet the gallant Grahams that day - At Inverlochie, where war began, - And scarce two thousand men were they. - - Gallant Montrose, that chieftain bold, 45 - Courageous in the best degree, - Did for the king fight well that day; - The Lord preserve his majestie! - - Nathaniel Gordon, stout and bold,[L49] - Did for King Charles wear the blue; 50 - But the cavaliers they all were sold, - And brave Harthill, a cavalier too.[L52] - - And Newton-Gordon, burd-alone,[L53] - And Dalgatie, both stout and keen,[L54] - And gallant Veitch upon the field,[L55] 55 - A braver face was never seen. - - Now, fare ye weel, Sweet Ennerdale! - Countrie and kin I quit ye free; - Cheer up your hearts, brave cavaliers, - For the Grahams are gone to High Germany. - - * * * * * - - Now brave Montrose he went to France, 61 - And to Germany, to gather fame; - And bold Aboyne is to the sea, - Young Huntly is his noble name.[L64] - - Montrose again, that chieftain bold, 65 - Back unto Scotland fair he came, - For to redeem fair Scotland's land, - The pleasant, gallant, worthy Graham! - - At the water of Carron he did begin, - And fought the battle to the end; 70 - Where there were kill'd, for our noble king, - Two thousand of our Danish men.[L72] - - Gilbert Menzies, of high degree,[L73] - By whom the king's banner was borne; - For a brave cavalier was he, 75 - But now to glory he is gone. - - Then woe to Strachan, and Hacket baith![L77] - And, Leslie, ill death may thou die! - For ye have betray'd the gallant Grahams, - Who aye were true to majestie. 80 - - And the Laird of Assaint has seized Montrose, - And had him into Edinburgh town; - And frae his body taken the head, - And quarter'd him upon a trone. - - And Huntly's gone the self-same way,[L85] 85 - And our noble king is also gone; - He suffer'd death for our nation, - Our mourning tears can ne'er be done. - - But our brave young king is now come home, - King Charles the Second in degree; 90 - The Lord send peace into his time, - And God preserve his majestie! - -1. A corruption of Endrickdale. The principal and most ancient -possessions of the Montrose family lie along the water of Endrick, in -Dumbartonshire. S. - -5. About the time when Montrose first occupied Aberdeen (1639) the -Covenanters began to wear a blue ribbon, first as a scarf, afterwards in -bunches in their caps. Hence the phrase of a true blue Whig. The blue -ribbon was one of "Montrose's whimsies," and seems to have been retained -by his followers (see v. 50) after he had left the Covenanters for the -king. - -14. The faithful friend and adherent of the immortal Wallace, slain at -the battle of Falkirk. S. - -37. Glen-Prosen is in Angus-shire. S. - -49. Of the family of Gicht in Aberdeenshire. He was taken at -Philiphaugh, and executed the 6th of January, 1646. - -52. Leith, of Harthill, was a determined loyalist, and hated the -Covenanters, by whom he had been severely treated. S. - -53. Newton, for obvious reasons, was a common appellation of an estate, -or barony, where a new edifice had been erected. Hence, for -distinction's sake, it was anciently compounded with the name of the -proprietor; as, Newton-Edmonstone, Newton-Don, Newton-Gordon, &c. Of -Newtown, I only observe, that he was, like all his clan, a steady -loyalist, and a follower of Montrose. S. - -54. Sir Francis Hay, of Dalgatie, a steady cavalier, and a gentleman of -great gallantry and accomplishments. He was a faithful follower of -Montrose, and was taken prisoner with him at his last fatal battle. He -was condemned to death with his illustrious general. S. - -55. I presume this gentleman to have been David Veitch, brother to -Veitch of Dawick, who, with many other of the Peebles-shire gentry, was -taken at Philiphaugh. S. - -64. James, Earl of Aboyne, who fled to France, and there died -heart-broken. It is said his death was accelerated by the news of King -Charles's execution. He became representative of the Gordon family (or -Young Huntly, as the ballad expresses it) in consequence of the death of -his elder brother, George, who fell in the battle of Alford. S. - -72. Montrose's foreign auxiliaries, who, by the way, did not exceed 600 -in all. S. - -73. Gilbert Menzies, younger of Pitfoddells, carried the royal banner in -Montrose's last battle. It bore the headless corpse of Charles I., with -this motto, "_Judge and revenge my cause, O Lord!_" Menzies proved -himself worthy of this noble trust, and, obstinately refusing quarter, -died in defence of his charge. MONTROSE's _Memoirs_. S. - -77. Sir Charles Hacket, an officer in the service of the Estates. S. - -85. George Gordon, second Marquis of Huntly, one of the very few nobles -in Scotland who had uniformly adhered to the King from the very -beginning of the troubles, was beheaded by the sentence of the -Parliament of Scotland (so calling themselves) upon the 22d March, 1649, -one month and twenty-two days after the martyrdom of his master. S. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF LOUDON HILL. - - -Graham of Claverhouse and Balfour of Kinloch, commonly called Burly, -the principal persons mentioned in this ballad, are characters well -known to the readers of _Old Mortality_, in the earlier chapters of -which the skirmish at Loudon Hill is described. - -A few weeks after the memorable assassination of Archbishop Sharpe, -Robert Hamilton, a fierce Cameronian, Burly, and a few others of the -proscribed "Westlan' men" resolved to take up arms against the -government. They began their demonstrations by entering the royal -burgh of Rutherglen, on the 29th of May, 1679 (which, as the -anniversary of the Restoration, was appointed by Parliament to be kept -as a holyday) extinguishing the bonfires made in honor of the -occasion, and burning at the cross certain acts in favor of Prelacy -and for the suppression of Conventicles. After this exploit, and -affixing to the cross a solemn protest against the obnoxious acts, -they encamped at Loudon Hill, being by this time increased to the -number of five or six hundred men. Claverhouse was in garrison at -Glasgow, and immediately marched against the insurgents, with about a -hundred and fifty cavalry. Hamilton, the commander of the Whigs, had -skilfully posted his men in a boggy strait with a broad ditch in -front, and the dragoons in attempting to charge were thrown into utter -disorder. At this critical moment they were vigorously attacked by the -rebels and easily routed. Claverhouse barely escaped being taken -prisoner, and lost some twenty of his troopers, among them his cornet, -Robert Graham, whose fate is alluded to in the ballad. Burly, though -not the captain, was a prominent leader in this action. See SCOTT's -_Minstrelsy_, vol. ii. 206, _et seq._ - - - You'l marvel when I tell ye o' - Our noble Burly and his train, - When last he march'd up through the land, - Wi' sax-and-twenty Westland men. - - Than they I ne'er o' braver heard, 5 - For they had a' baith wit and skill; - They proved right well, as I heard tell, - As they cam up o'er Loudon Hill. - - Weel prosper a' the gospel lads, - That are into the west countrie, 10 - Aye wicked Claver'se to demean, - And aye an ill deid may he die! - - For he's drawn up i' battle rank, - An' that baith soon an' hastilie; - But they wha live till simmer come, 15 - Some bludie days for this will see. - - But up spak cruel Claver'se, then, - Wi' hastie wit, an' wicked skill; - "Gae fire on yon Westlan' men; - I think it is my sov'reign's will." 20 - - But up bespake his Cornet, then, - "It's be wi' nae consent o' me! - I ken I'll ne'er come back again, - An' mony mae as weel as me. - - "There is not ane of a' yon men, 25 - But wha is worthy other three; - There is na ane amang them a', - That in his cause will stap to die. - - "An' as for Burly, him I knaw; - He's a man of honour, birth, and fame; 30 - Gie him a sword into his hand, - He'll fight thysell an' other ten." - - But up spake wicked Claver'se, then, - I wat his heart it raise fu' hie! - And he has cried that a' might hear, 35 - "Man, ye hae sair deceived me. - - "I never ken'd the like afore, - Na, never since I came frae hame, - That you sae cowardly here suld prove, - An' yet come of a noble Gr[ae]me." 40 - - But up bespake his Cornet then, - "Since that it is your honour's will, - Mysell shall be the foremost man - That shall gie fire on Loudon Hill. - - "At your command I'll lead them on, 45 - But yet wi' nae consent o' me; - For weel I ken I'll ne'er return, - And mony mae as weel as me." - - Then up he drew in battle rank; - I wat he had a bonny train! 50 - But the first time that bullets flew, - Aye he lost twenty o' his men. - - Then back he came the way he gaed, - I wat right soon and suddenly! - He gave command amang his men, 55 - And sent them back, and bade them flee. - - Then up came Burly, bauld an' stout, - Wi's little train o' Westland men, - Wha mair than either aince or twice - In Edinburgh confined had been. 60 - - They hae been up to London sent, - An' yet they're a' come safely down; - Sax troop o' horsemen they hae beat, - And chased them into Glasgow town. - - - - -THE BATTLE OE BOTHWELL BRIDGE. - -From _Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, ii. 237. - - -The success of the Cameronians at Loudon Hill induced a considerable -number of the moderate Presbyterians to join the army of the -insurgents. But though increased numbers gave the revolt a more -formidable appearance, they cannot be said to have added much to the -strength of the rebels, since there was no concert between the two -factions, each having its own set of officers, and issuing contrary -orders at the same time. An army of ten thousand men under the Duke of -Monmouth advanced from Edinburgh against these distracted allies, who, -in all not more than four thousand, were encamped near Hamilton, on -the western side of the Clyde, and had possession of the bridge -between that point and the village of Bothwell. While the Duke was -preparing to force a passage, the more moderate of the Whigs offered -terms, and while they were debating the Duke's reply, the Cameronians, -who bravely defended the bridge, were compelled to abandon their -post. The Duke's army then crossed the river without opposition, -because the rebels were at that juncture occupied with cashiering -their officers and electing new ones. The first discharge of -Monmouth's cannon caused the cavalry of the Covenanters to wheel -about, and their flight threw the foot into irrecoverable disorder. -Four hundred of the rebels were killed, and a body of twelve hundred -surrendered at discretion, and were preserved from death by the -clemency of the Duke. This action took place on the 22d of June, 1679. - -Scott informs us that there were two Gordons of Earlstoun engaged in -the rebellion, a father and son. The former was not in the battle, but -was met hastening to it by English dragoons, and was killed on his -refusing to surrender. The son, who is supposed to be the person -mentioned in the ballad, was of the milder Presbyterians, and fought -only for freedom of conscience and relief from the tyrannical laws -against non-conformists. He escaped from the battle, and after being -several times condemned to die, was finally set at liberty, and -restored to his forfeited estates. - -In this ballad Claverhouse's unsparing pursuit of the fugitives is -imputed to a desire to revenge the death of his kinsman at Loudon -Hill, and his anger at being thwarted is, with great simplicity, -asserted to have led to the execution of Monmouth. - -Scott's copy of this ballad was given from recitation. In the First -Series of Laing's _Fugitive Scottish Poetry_, there is an amusingly -prosaic Covenanting ditty upon this subject, called _Bothwell Lines_, -and in the Second Series, a Cavalier song, entitled The _Battell of -Bodwell Bridge, or The Kings Cavileers Triumph_. - - "O, billie, billie, bonny billie, - Will ye go to the wood wi' me? - We'll ca' our horse hame masterless, - An' gar them trow slain men are we." - - "O no, O no!" says Earlstoun, 5 - "For that's the thing that mauna be; - For I am sworn to Bothwell Hill, - Where I maun either gae or die." - - So Earlstoun rose in the morning, - An' mounted by the break o' day; 10 - An' he has joined our Scottish lads, - As they were marching out the way. - - "Now, farewell, father, and farewell, mother, - And fare ye weel, my sisters three; - An' fare ye weel, my Earlstoun, 15 - For thee again I'll never see!" - - So they're awa' to Bothwell Hill, - An' waly they rode bonnily! - When the Duke o' Monmouth saw them comin', - He went to view their company. 20 - - "Ye're welcome, lads," the Monmouth said, - "Ye're welcome, brave Scots lads, to me; - And sae are you, brave Earlstoun, - The foremost o' your company! - - "But yield your weapons ane an a', 25 - O yield your weapons, lads, to me; - For gin ye'll yield your weapons up, - Ye'se a' gae hame to your country." - - Out then spak a Lennox lad, - And waly but he spoke bonnily! 30 - "I winna yield my weapons up, - To you nor nae man that I see." - - Then he set up the flag o' red, - A' set about wi' bonny blue; - "Since ye'll no cease, and be at peace, 35 - See that ye stand by ither true." - - They stell'd their cannons on the height, - And showr'd their shot down in the howe; - An' beat our Scots lads even down, - Thick they lay slain on every knowe. 40 - - As e'er you saw the rain down fa', - Or yet the arrow frae the bow,-- - Sae our Scottish lads fell even down, - An' they lay slain on every knowe. - - "O hold your hand," then Monmouth cry'd, 45 - "Gie quarters to yon men for me!" - But wicked Claver'se swore an oath, - His Cornet's death revenged sud be. - - "O hold your hand," then Monmouth cry'd, - "If onything you'll do for me; 50 - Hold up your hand, you cursed Gr[ae]me, - Else a rebel to our king ye'll be." - - Then wicked Claver'se turn'd about, - I wot an angry man was he; - And he has lifted up his hat, 55 - And cry'd, "God bless his Majesty!" - - Than he's awa' to London town, - Aye e'en as fast as he can dree; - Fause witnesses he has wi' him ta'en, - And ta'en Monmouth's head frae his body. 60 - - Alang the brae, beyond the brig, - Mony brave man lies cauld and still; - But lang we'll mind, and sair we'll rue, - The bloody battle of Bothwell Hill. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF KILLIECRANKIE. - - -This battle was fought on the evening of the 27th of July, 1689, a -little to the north of the pass of Killiecrankie, in the Highlands of -Perthshire, between King William's army under General Mackay, and a -body of Highlanders under the renowned Claverhouse, the bravest and -most faithful adherent of the house of Stuart. Mackay's troops, which -were partly Dutch and partly English, amounted to 4,500 foot and two -companies of horse. The Highlanders were not much more than half as -numerous. They consisted of the followers of Maclean, Macdonald of -Sky, Clanronald, Sir Evan Cameron of Lochiel, and others, with a few -Irish. The left wing of Mackay's army was almost instantly routed by a -furious charge of the Macleans. The right wing stood their ground -manfully, and even repulsed the assault of the Macdonalds, but being -taken in flank by the Camerons and a part of the Macleans, they were -forced to retire and suffered great loss. While directing the oblique -movement of the Camerons, Claverhouse received a mortal wound under -the arm, and with him fell the cause of King James. - -This ballad, which is taken from Herd's _Scottish Songs_, i. 163, was -printed as a broadside near the time of the battle. The author is -unknown. There was an old song called _Killiecrankie_, which, with -some alterations, was inserted in Johnson's _Museum_ (p. 302). It is -also found in Hogg's _Jacobite Relics_, i. 32, with an additional -stanza. A contemporary Latin ballad on the same event by Herbert -Kennedy, a professor in the University of Edinburgh, is given in the -_Museum_, and may be seen in our Appendix. - - - Clavers and his Highlandmen - Came down upo' the raw, man, - Who being stout, gave mony a clout; - The lads began to claw then. - With sword and terge into their hand, 5 - Wi which they were nae slaw, man, - Wi mony a fearful heavy sigh, - The lads began to claw then. - - O'er bush, o'er bank, o'er ditch, o'er stank, - She flang amang them a', man; 10 - The butter-box got mony knocks, - Their riggings paid for a' then. - They got their paiks, wi sudden straiks, - Which to their grief they saw, man: - Wi clinkum clankum o'er their crowns, 15 - The lads began to fa' then. - - Hur skipt about, hur leapt about,[L17] - And flang amang them a', man; - The English blades got broken heads, - Their crowns were cleav'd in twa then. 20 - The durk and door made their last hour, - And prov'd their final fa', man; - They thought the devil had been there, - That play'd them sic a paw then. - - The Solemn League and Covenant 25 - Came whigging up the hills, man; - Thought Highland trews durst not refuse - For to subscribe their bills then. - In Willie's name, they thought nae ane - Durst stop their course at a', man, 30 - But hur-nane-sell, wi mony a knock, - Cry'd, "Furich-Whigs awa'," man. - - Sir Evan Du, and his men true, - Came linking up the brink, man; - The Hogan Dutch they feared such, 35 - They bred a horrid stink then. - The true Maclean and his fierce men - Came in amang them a' man; - Nane durst withstand his heavy hand, - All fled and ran awa' then. 40 - - _Oh' on a ri, Oh' on a ri,_ - Why should she lose King Shames, man? - _Oh' rig in di, Oh' rig in di,_ - She shall break a' her banes then; - With _furichinish_, an' stay a while, 45 - And speak a word or twa, man, - She's gi' a straike, out o'er the neck, - Before ye win awa' then. - - O fy for shame, ye're three for ane, - Hur-nane-sell's won the day, man; 50 - King Shames' red-coats should be hung up, - Because they ran awa' then. - Had bent their brows, like Highland trows, - And made as lang a stay, man, - They'd sav'd their king, that sacred thing, 55 - And Willie'd ran awa' then. - -17. The Highlanders have only one pronoun, and as it happens to resemble -the English _her_, it has caused the Lowlanders to have a general -impression that they mistake the feminine for the masculine gender. It -has even become a sort of nickname for them, as in the present case, and -in a subsequent verse, (31,) where it is extended to _her-nain-sell_. -CHAMBERS, _Scottish Songs_, p. 48. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF SHERIFF-MUIR. - - -Fought on the 13th of November, 1715, between the Duke of Argyle, -general of the forces of King George the First, and the Earl of Mar, -for the Chevalier de St. George. The right wing of both armies, led by -the respective commanders, was successful, and the left wing of both -was routed. Hence the victory was claimed by both sides. The -Chevalier's army was much the larger of the two, and all the -advantages of the contest remained with the other party. - -This ballad is printed in Herd's _Scottish Songs_, i. 170, and in many -subsequent collections. It is ascribed by Burns to the "Rev. Murdoch -M'Lellan, minister of Crathie, Dee-side." Our copy is taken from -Hogg's _Jacobite Relics_, ii. 1, where the stanzas in brackets appear -for the first time. The notes are from Chambers's _Scottish Songs_, p. -408. - -There are several other ballads upon this battle: _Up and war them a', -Willie_, Johnson's _Museum_, p. 195, and (different) Herd's _Scottish -Songs_, ii. 234: _From Bogie Side, or, The Marquis's Raide_, a false -and scurrilous party song, Hogg's _Jacobite Relics_, ii. 13: _A -Dialogue between Will Lick-Ladle and Tom Clean-Cogue_, &c., written by -the Rev. John Barclay of Edinburgh, many years after the event: and -_The Battle of Sherramoor_, altered and abridged by Burns from this -last, for Johnson's _Museum_, (p. 290.) See Appendix. - - There's some say that we wan, and some say that they wan, - And some say that nane wan at a', man; - But one thing I'm sure, that at Sherra-muir - A battle there was that I saw, man. - _And we ran, and they ran, and they ran, and we ran_, 5 - _But Florence ran fastest of a', man_.[L6] - - Argyle and Belhaven, not frighted like Leven,[L7] - Which Rothes and Haddington saw, man; - For they all, with Wightman, advanc'd on the right, man, - While others took flight, being raw, man. 10 - _And we ran, &c._ - - Lord Roxburgh was there, in order to share[L11] - With Douglas, who stood not in awe, man; - Volunteerly to ramble with Lord Loudon Campbell, - Brave Ilay did suffer for a', man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Sir John Schaw, that great knight, with broad sword most - bright,[L15] 15 - On horseback he briskly did charge, man; - A hero that's bold, none could him withhold,[L17] - He stoutly encounter'd the targemen. - _And we ran, &c._ - - For the cowardly Whittam, for fear they should cut him, - Seeing glittering broad swords with a pa', man, - And that in such thrang, made Baird edicang, 21 - And from the brave clans ran awa, man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - [The great Colonel Dow gade foremost, I trow, - When Whittam's dragoons ran awa, man; - Except Sandy Baird, and Naughtan the laird, 25 - Their horse shaw'd their heels to them a', man. - _And we ran, &c._] - - Brave Mar and Panmure were firm, I am sure:[L27] - The latter was kidnapt awa, man; - With brisk men about, brave Harry retook - His brother, and laugh'd at them a', man. 30 - _And we ran, &c._ - - Brave Marshall, and Lithgow, and Glengary's pith, too,[L31] - Assisted by brave Loggia, man, - And Gordons the bright, so boldly did fight, - That the redcoats took flight and awa, man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Strathmore and Clanronald cried still, "Advance, Donald,"[L35] 35 - Till both of these heroes did fa', man; - For there was such hashing, and broad swords a-clashing, - Brave Forfar himsel got a claw, man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Lord Perth stood the storm, Seaforth but lukewarm,[L39] - Kilsyth, and Strathallan not slaw, man; 40 - And Hamilton pled the men were not bred, - For he had no fancy to fa', man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Brave gen'rous Southesk, Tullibardin was brisk,[L43] - Whose father indeed would not draw, man, - Into the same yoke, which serv'd for a cloak, 45 - To keep the estate 'twixt them twa, man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Lord Rollo not fear'd, Kintore and his beard,[L47] - Pitsligo and Ogilvie, a', man, - And brothers Balflours they stood the first show'rs, - Clackmannan and Burleigh did claw, man. 50 - _And we ran, &c._ - - But Cleppan fought pretty, and Strowan the witty,[L51] - A poet that pleases us a', man; - For mine is but rhyme in respect of what's fine, - Or what he is able to draw, man. - _And we ran &c._ - - For Huntly and Sinclair, they both play'd the tinkler,[L55] 55 - With consciences black as a craw, man; - Some Angus and Fife men, they ran for their life, man, - And ne'er a Lot's wife there at a', man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Then Laurie the traitor, who betray'd his master,[L59] - His king, and his country, an' a', man, 60 - Pretending Mar might give orders to fight, - To the right of the army awa, man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Then Laurie, for fear of what he might hear, - Took Drummond's best horse, and awa, man: - 'Stead of going to Perth, he crossed the Firth, 65 - Alongst Stirling bridge, and awa, man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - To London he press'd, and there he profess'd - That he behav'd best o' them a', man, - And so, without strife, got settled for life, - A hundred a-year to his fa', man. 70 - _And we ran, &c._ - - In Borrowstounness he resides with disgrace, - Till his neck stand in need of a thraw, man; - And then in a tether he'll swing from a ladder, - And go off the stage with a pa', man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Rob Roy there stood watch on a hill, for to catch[L75] - The booty, for ought that I saw, man; 76 - For he ne'er advanc'd from the place he was stanc'd, - Till no more was to do there at a', man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - So we all took the flight, and Moubray the wright, - And Lethem the smith was a braw man, 80 - For he took a fit of the gout, which was wit, - By judging it time to withdraw, man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - And trumpet Maclean, whose breeks were not clean, - Through misfortune he happen'd to fa', man; - By saving his neck, his trumpet did break, 85 - And came off without music at a', man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - So there such a race was as ne'er in that place was, - And as little chace was at a', man; - From each other they run without touk of drum, - They did not make use of a paw, man. 90 - _And we ran, &c._ - - [Whether we ran, or they ran, or we wan, or they wan, - Or if there was winning at a', man, - There no man can tell, save our brave genarell,[L93] - Who first began running of a', man. - _And we ran, &c._ - - Wi' the Earl o' Seaforth, and the Cock o' the North;[L95] 95 - But Florence ran fastest of a', man, - Save the laird o' Phinaven, who sware to be even - W' any general or peer o' them a', man.] - _And we ran, &c._ - -6. Florence was the Marquis of Huntly's horse. HOGG. - -7-10. Lord Belhaven, the Earl of Leven, and the Earls of -Rothes and Haddington, who all bore arms as volunteers in the royal -army. Major-General Joseph Wightman, who commanded the centre of the -royal army. - -11-14. John, fifth Duke of Roxburgh, a loyal volunteer. -Archibald, Duke of Douglas, who commanded a body of his vassals in the -royal army. Hugh Campbell, third Earl of Loudoun, of the royal army. -The Earl of Ilay, brother to the Duke of Argyle. He came up to the -field only a few hours before the battle, and had the misfortune to be -wounded. - -15. Sir John Shaw of Greenock, an officer in the troop of -volunteers, noted for his keen Whiggish spirit. - -17. Major-General Whitham, who commanded the left wing of -the King's army. - -39-42. James, Lord Drummond, eldest son of the Earl of -Perth, was Lieutenant-general of horse under Mar, and behaved with -great gallantry. William Mackenzie, fifth Earl of Seaforth. The -Viscount Kilsyth. The Viscount Strathallan. Lieutenant-general George -Hamilton, commanding under the Earl of Mar. - -27-30. James, Earl of Panmure. The Honourable Harry Maule -of Kellie, brother to the foregoing, whom he recaptured after the -engagement. - -31-4. The Earls of Marischal and Linlithgow. The Chief of -Glengary. Thomas Drummond of Logie Almond. - -35-8. The Earl of Strathmore, killed in the battle. The -Chief of Clanranald. The Earl of Forfar--on the King's side--wounded -in the engagement. - -43. James, fifth Earl of Southesk. The Marquis of -Tullibardine, eldest son of the Duke of Athole. - -47-50. Lord Rollo. The Earl of Kintore. Lord Pitsligo. Lord -Ogilvie, son of the Earl of Airly. Bruce, Laird of Clackmannan--the -husband, I believe, of the old lady who knighted Robert Burns with the -sword of Bruce, at Clackmannan Tower. Lord Burleigh. - -51. Major William Clephane. Alexander Robertson of Struan, -chief of the Robertsons. - -55. Alexander, Marquis of Huntly, afterwards Duke of -Gordon. The Master of Sinclair. - -59-74. These four stanzas seem to refer to a circumstance -reported at the time; namely, that a person had left the Duke of -Argyle's army, and joined the Earl of Mar's, before the battle, -intending to act as a spy; and that, being employed by Mar to inform -the left wing that the right was victorious, he gave a contrary -statement, and, after seeing them retire accordingly, went back again -to the royal army. - -75. The celebrated Rob Roy. This redoubted hero was -prevented, by mixed motives, from joining either party. He could not -fight against the Earl of Mar, consistent with his conscience, nor -could he oppose the Duke of Argyle, without forfeiting the protection -of a powerful friend. - -93. This point is made at the expense of a contradiction. -See v. 27. - -95-7. _The Cock of the North_ is an honorary popular title -of the Duke of Gordon. Carnegy of Finhaven. - - - - -LORD DERWENTWATER. - - -James Radcliff, Earl of Derwentwater, fell into the hands of the Whigs -at the surrender of Preston, on the very day of the battle of -Sheriff-Muir, and suffered death in February, 1716, for his -participation in the rebellion. Smollet has described him as an -amiable youth,--brave, open, generous, hospitable, and humane. "His -fate drew tears from the spectators, and was a great misfortune to the -country in which he lived. He gave bread to multitudes of people whom -he employed on his estate;--the poor, the widow, and the orphan -rejoiced in his bounty." (_History of England_, quoted by Cromek.) We -are told that the _aurora borealis_ was remarkably vivid on the night -of the earl's execution, and that this phenomenon is consequently -still known in the north by the name of "Lord Derwentwater's Lights." - -Although this ballad is said to have been extremely popular in the -North of England for a long time after the event which gave rise to -it, no good copy has as yet been recovered. The following was obtained -by Motherwell (_Minstrelsy_, p. 349) from the recitation of an old -woman. Another copy, also from recitation but "restored to poetical -propriety," is given in the _Gentleman's Magazine_, for June, 1825 (p. -489), and fragments of a third in _Notes and Queries_, vol. xii. p. -492. Two spurious ballads on the death of Lord Derwentwater have been -sometimes received as genuine: one by Allan Cunningham, first -published in Cromek's _Nithsdale and Galloway Song_, p. 129, another -(_Lord Derwentwater's Goodnight_) by Surtees, printed in Hogg's -_Jacobite Relics_, ii. 31. Still another modern imitation is _Young -Ratcliffe_, in Sheldon's _Minstrelsy of the English Border_, p. 401. - -There is a ballad on the disgraceful capitulation of Preston in Hogg's -_Jacobite Relics_, ii. 102, also, _Northumberland Garland_, p. 85, -beginning "Mackintosh was a soldier brave." - - - Our King has wrote a long letter, - And sealed it ower with gold; - He sent it to my lord Dunwaters, - To read it if he could. - - He has not sent it with a boy, 5 - Nor with any Scots lord; - But he's sent it with the noblest knight - E'er Scotland could afford. - - The very first line that my lord did read, - He gave a smirkling smile; 10 - Before he had the half of it read, - The tears from his eyes did fall. - - "Come saddle to me my horse," he said, - "Come saddle to me with speed; - For I must away to fair London town, 15 - For to me there was ne'er more need." - - Out and spoke his lady gay, - In childbed where she lay: - "I would have you make your will, my lord Dunwaters, - Before you go away." 20 - - "I leave to you, my eldest son, - My houses and my land; - I leave to you, my youngest son, - Ten thousand pounds in hand. - - "I leave to you, my lady gay, -- 25 - You are my wedded wife, -- - I leave to you, the third of my estate, - That'll keep you in a lady's life." - - They had not rode a mile but one, - Till his horse fell owre a stane: 30 - "It's a warning good enough," my lord Dunwaters said, - "Alive I'll ne'er come hame." - - When they came to fair London town, - Into the courtiers' hall, - The lords and knights of fair London town 35 - Did him a traitor call. - - "A traitor! a traitor!" says my lord, - "A traitor! how can that be? - An it be nae for the keeping five thousand men, - To fight for King Jamie. 40 - - "O all you lords and knights in fair London town, - Come out and see me die; - O all you lords and knights in fair London town, - Be kind to my ladie. - - "There's fifty pounds in my right pocket, 45 - Divide it to the poor; - There's other fifty in my left pocket, - Divide it from door to door." - - - - -THE BATTLE OF TRANENT-MUIR, OR OF PRESTON-PANS - -Herd's _Scottish Songs_, i. 166: Ritson's _Scotish Songs_, ii. 76. - - -This ballad is the work of Adam Skirving, a clever and opulent farmer, -father of Archibald Skirving, the portrait painter. It was printed -shortly after the battle as a broadside, and next appeared in _The -Charmer_, vol. ii. p. 349, Edinb. 1751. Neither of those editions -contains the eleventh stanza. The foot-notes commonly attached to the -subsequent reprints are found in _The Charmer_. (Laing in Johnson's -_Museum_, iv. 189*.) - -To Skirving is also attributed with great probability the excellent -satirical song of _Johnnie Cope_, or _Cope are you waking yet_. The -original words are in Ritson, _Scotish Songs_, ii. 84: another set at -p. 82: a third, with alterations and additions by Burns, in Johnson's -_Museum_, p. 242. Allan Cunningham once heard a peasant boast that he -could sing _Johnnie Cope_ with all its _nineteen_ variations. See -Appendix. - -The battle took place on the 22d of September, 1745, between the -villages of Tranent and Prestonpans, a few miles from Edinburgh. The -king's lieutenant-general, Sir John Cope, was disgracefully defeated -by the Highlanders under Charles Edward, and nearly all his army -killed or taken. The details of the conflict are vividly described in -the 46th and 47th chapters of Waverley. - - - The Chevalier, being void of fear, - Did march up Birsle brae, man, - And thro' Tranent, e'er he did stent, - As fast as he could gae, man: - While General Cope did taunt and mock, 5 - Wi' mony a loud huzza, man; - But e'er next morn proclaim'd the cock, - We heard another craw, man. - - The brave Lochiel, as I heard tell, - Led Camerons on in clouds, man; 10 - The morning fair, and clear the air, - They loos'd with devilish thuds, man. - Down guns they threw, and swords they drew - And soon did chace them aff, man; - On Seaton-Crafts they buft their chafts, 15 - And gart them rin like daft, man. - - The bluff dragoons swore blood and 'oons, - They'd make the rebels run, man; - And yet they flee when them they see, - And winna fire a gun, man: 20 - They turn'd their back, the foot they brake, - Such terror seiz'd them a', man; - Some wet their cheeks, some fyl'd their breeks, - And some for fear did fa', man. - - The volunteers prick'd up their ears, 25 - And vow gin they were crouse, man; - But when the bairns saw't turn to earn'st, - They were not worth a louse man. - Maist feck gade hame; O fy for shame! - They'd better stay'd awa', man, 30 - Than wi' cockade to make parade, - And do nae good at a', man. - - Menteith the great, when hersell sh--,[L33] - Un'wares did ding him o'er man; - Yet wad nae stand to bear a hand, 35 - But aff fou fast did scour, man; - O'er Soutra hill, e'er he stood still, - Before he tasted meat, man: - Troth he may brag of his swift nag, - That bare him aff sae fleet, man. 40 - - And Simpson keen, to clear the een[L41] - Of rebels far in wrang, man, - Did never strive wi' pistols five, - But gallop'd with the thrang, man: - He turn'd his back, and in a crack 45 - Was cleanly out of sight man; - And thought it best; it was nae jest - W' Highlanders to fight, man. - - 'Mangst a' the gang nane bade the bang - But twa, and ane was tane, man; 50 - For Campbell rade, but Myrie staid,[L51] - And sair he paid the kain, man; - Fell skelps he got, was war than shot, - Frae the sharp-edg'd claymore, man; - Frae many a spout came running out 55 - His reeking-het red gore, man. - - But Gard'ner brave did still behave - Like to a hero bright, man; - His courage true, like him were few - That still despised flight, man; 60 - For king and laws, and country's cause, - In honour's bed he lay, man; - His life, but not his courage, fled, - While he had breath to draw, man. - - And Major Bowle, that worthy soul, 65 - Was brought down to the ground, man; - His horse being shot, it was his lot - For to get mony a wound, man: - Lieutenant Smith, of Irish birth,[L69] - Frae whom he call'd for aid, man, 70 - Being full of dread, lap o'er his head, - And wadna be gainsaid, man. - - He made sic haste, sae spur'd his beast, - 'Twas little there he saw, man; - To Berwick rade, and safely said, 75 - The Scots were rebels a', man. - But let that end, for well 'tis kend - His use and wont to lie, man; - The Teague is naught, he never faught, - When he had room to flee, man. 80 - - And Caddell drest, amang the rest, - With gun and good claymore, man, - On gelding grey he rode that way, - With pistols set before, man; - The cause was good, he'd spend his blood, 85 - Before that he would yield, man; - But the night before, he left the cor, - And never fac'd the field, man. - - But gallant Roger, like a soger, - Stood and bravely fought, man; 90 - I'm wae to tell, at last he fell, - But mae down wi' him brought, man: - At point of death, wi' his last breath, - (Some standing round in ring, man,) - On's back lying flat, he wav'd his hat, 95 - And cry'd, God save the King, man. - - Some Highland rogues, like hungry dogs, - Neglecting to pursue, man, - About they fac'd, and in great haste - Upon the booty flew, man; 100 - And they, as gain for all their pain, - Are deck'd wi' spoils of war, man; - Fu' bald can tell how hernainsell - Was ne'er sae pra before, man. - - At the thorn-tree, which you may see 105 - Bewest the meadow-mill, man, - There mony slain lay on the plain, - The clans pursuing still, man. - Sick unco' hacks, and deadly whacks, - I never saw the like, man; 110 - Lost hands and heads cost them their deads, - That fell near Preston-dyke, man. - - That afternoon, when a was done, - I gaed to see the fray, man; - But had I wist what after past, 115 - I'd better staid away, man: - On Seaton sands, wi' nimble hands, - They pick'd my pockets bare, man; - But I wish ne'er to drie sick fear, - For a' the sum and mair, man. 120 - -33. The minister of Longformacus, a volunteer; who, happening to come, -the night before the battle, upon a Highlander easing nature at Preston, -threw him over, and carried his gun as a trophy to Cope's camp. - -41. Another volunteer Presbyterian minister, who said he would convince -the rebels of their error by the dint of his pistols; having, for that -purpose, two in his pockets, two in his holsters, and one in his belt. - -51. Mr. Myrie was a student of physic, from Jamaica; he entered as a -volunteer in Cope's army, and was miserably mangled by the broad-swords. - -69. Lieutenant Smith, who left Major Bowle when lying on the field of -battle, and unable to move with his wound, was of Irish extraction. It -is reported that after the publication of the ballad, he sent Mr. -Skirving a challenge to meet him at Haddington, and answer for his -conduct in treating him with such opprobrium. "Gang awa back," said Mr. -Skirving to the messenger, "and tell Mr. Smith, I have nae leisure to -gae to Haddington, but if he likes to come here, I'll tak a look o' him, -and if I think I can fecht him, I'll fecht him, and if no--I'll just do -as he did at Preston--I'll rin awa'." STENHOUSE. - - - - -APPENDIX. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF OTTERBURN. See p. 5. - - -In the versions of this ballad given in the body of this work, the -Earl of Douglas is represented as falling by the hand of Harry Percy. -In the ballad which follows, taken from Herd's _Scottish Songs_, i. -211, his death is ascribed to the revenge of an offended servant. -Though there is not the slightest reason to give credence to this -story, it has a certain foundation in tradition. Hume of Godscroft -writes "there are that say, that he [Douglas] was not slain by the -enemy, but by one of his own men, a groom of his chamber, whom he had -struck the day before with a truncheon, in ordering of the battle, -because he saw him make somewhat slowly to. And they name this man -John Bickerton of Luffness, who left a part of his armour behind -unfastened, and when he was in the greatest conflict, this servant of -his came behind his back, and slew him thereat." Wintown says that the -Earl was so intent on marshalling his forces, and so eager to be at -the foe, that he neglected to arm himself carefully.--SCOTT's -_Minstrelsy_, i. 350. - - - It fell, and about the Lammas time, - When husbandmen do win their hay, - Earl Douglas is to the English woods, - And a' with him to fetch a prey. - - He has chosen the Lindsays light, 5 - With them the gallant Gordons gay, - And the Earl of Fyfe, withouten strife, - And Sir Hugh Montgomery upon a grey. - - They hae taken Northumberland, - And sae hae they the North-shire, 10 - And the Otter-dale, they burnt it hale, - And set it a' into the fire. - - Out then spack a bonny boy,[L13] - That serv'd ane o' Earl Douglas kin, - "Methinks I see an English host, 15 - A-coming branken us upon." - - "If this be true, my little boy, - An it be troth that thou tells me, - The brawest bower in Otterburn - This day shall be thy morning fee. 20 - - "But if it be false, my little boy, - But and a lie that thou tells me, - On the highest tree that's in Otterburn - With my awin hands I'll hing thee hie." - - The boy's taen out his little penknife, 25 - That hanget low down by his gare, - And he gae Earl Douglas a deadly wound, - Alas, a deep wound and a sare! - - Earl Douglas said to Sir Hugh Montgomery, - "Tack thou the vanguard o' the three, 30 - And bury me at yon bracken bush, - That stands upon yon lilly lee." - - Then Percy and Montgomery met, - And weel I wat they war na fain; - They swapped swords, and they twa swat, 35 - And ay the blood ran down between. - - "O yield thee, yield thee, Percy," he said, - "Or else I vow I'll lay thee low; - "Whom to shall I yield," said Earl Percy, - "Now that I see it maun be so?" 40 - - "O yield thee to yon braken bush, - That grows upon yon lilly lee; - For there lies aneth yon braken bush[L43] - What aft has conquer'd mae than thee." - - "I winna yield to a braken bush, 45 - Nor yet will I unto a brier; - But I wald yield to Earl Douglas, - Or Sir Hugh Montgomery, if he was here." - - As soon as he knew it was Montgomery, - He stuck his sword's point in the ground, 50 - And Sir Hugh Montgomery was a courteous knight. - And he quickly caught him by the hand. - - This deed was done at Otterburn, - About the breaking o' the day; - Earl Douglas was buried at the braken bush, 55 - And Percy led captive away. - -13. At this place a recited copy, quoted by Finlay (_Scottish Ballads_, -I. p. xviii.), has the following stanzas:-- - - Then out an spak a little wee boy, - And he was near o' Percy's kin, - "Methinks I see the English host, - A-coming branking us upon; - - Wi' nine waggons scaling wide, - And seven banners bearing high; - It wad do any living gude - To see their bonny colours fly. - -43, 44. Supplied by Motherwell from a recited copy. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF HARLAW. - -From Ramsay's _Evergreen_, i. 78. - - -This battle took place at Harlaw, near Aberdeen, on the 24th of July, -1411. The conflict was occasioned by a dispute concerning the -succession to the earldom of Ross, between Donald, Lord of the Isles, -and the son of the Regent, Robert, Duke of Albany, whose claim was -supported by Alexander Stewart, Earl of Mar. The consequences of this -battle were of the highest importance, inasmuch as the wild Celts of -the Highlands and Islands received such a check that they never again -combined for the conquest of the civilized parts of Scotland. - -The _Battle of Harlaw_ is one of the old ballads whose titles occur in -the _Complaynt of Scotland_ (1548). A bag-pipe tune of that name is -mentioned in Drummond of Hawthornden's mock-heroic poem, the _Polemo -Middinia_: - - "Interea ante alios dux Piper Laius heros, - Pr[ae]cedens, magnamque gerens cum burdine pypam - Incipit Harlai cunctis sonare Batellum." - -Mr. Laing, in his _Early Metrical Tales_ (p. xlv.) speaks of an -edition printed in the year 1668 as being "in the curious library of -old Robert Myln." No copy is now known to exist of a date anterior to -that which was published in Ramsay's _Evergreen_. Of the age of this -copy the most opposite opinions have been maintained, some regarding -the ballad as contemporary with the event, and others insinuating that -Ramsay, or one of his friends, is chargeable with the authorship. This -last notion has no other ground than the freedom which Ramsay -notoriously took with his texts, and that freedom has very likely been -exercised in the present case. We shall, perhaps, be going quite as -far as is prudent, if we acknowledge that this may be one of "the -Scots poems wrote by the ingenious before 1600." Most readers will -agree with Lord Hailes that the language is as recent as the days of -Queen Mary, or of James the Sixth. Sibbald, in his _Chronicle of -Scottish Poetry_, iii. 288, has stated other objections to receiving -this ballad for ancient, which seem, however, to be satisfactorily -answered by Finlay, _Scottish Ballads_, i. 160. - -The copy of this ballad in _The Thistle of Scotland_, p. 75, is only -Ramsay's, imperfectly remembered, or, what is quite as probable, here -and there altered according to the taste of the illiterate editor. At -page 92 of the same book, three stanzas are given of a burlesque song -on this battle. A traditional ballad, recently recovered, is inserted -at the end of this volume. - - - Frae Dunidier as I cam throuch, - Doun by the hill of Banochie, - Allangst the lands of Garioch, - Grit pitie was to heir and se - The noys and dulesum hermonie, 5 - That evir that dreiry day did daw, - Cryand the corynoch on hie, - Alas! alas! for the Harlaw. - - I marvlit quhat the matter meint, - All folks war in a fiery-fairy; 10 - I wist nocht quha was fae or freind, - Zit quietly I did me carrie. - But sen the days of auld King Hairy, - Sic slauchter was not hard nor sene, - And thair I had nae tyme to tairy, 15 - For bissiness in Aberdene. - - Thus as I walkit on the way, - To Inverury as I went, - I met a man and bad him stay, - Requeisting him to mak me quaint 20 - Of the beginning and the event, - That happenit thair at the Harlaw: - Then he entreited me tak tent, - And he the truth sould to me schaw. - - Grit Donald of the Yles did claim 25 - Unto the lands of Ross sum richt, - And to the governour he came, - Them for to haif, gif that he micht: - Quha saw his interest was but slicht, - And thairfore answerit with disdain; 30 - He hastit hame baith day and nicht, - And sent nae bodward back again. - - But Donald richt impatient - Of that answer Duke Robert gaif, - He vowed to God Omnipotent, 35 - All the hale lands of Ross to haif, - Or ells be graithed in his graif: - He wald not quat his richt for nocht, - Nor be abusit lyk a slaif; - That bargin sould be deirly bocht. 40 - - Then haistylie he did command, - That all his weir-men should convene, - Ilk an well harnisit frae hand, - To meit and heir quhat he did mein: - He waxit wrath, and vowit tein, 45 - Sweirand he wald surpryse the North, - Subdew the brugh of Aberdene, - Mearns, Angus, and all Fyfe to Forth. - - Thus with the weir-men of the Yles, - Quha war ay at his bidding bown, 50 - With money maid, with forss and wyls, - Richt far and neir, baith up and doun, - Throw mount and muir, frae town to town, - Allangst the lands of Ross he roars, - And all obey'd at his bandown, 55 - Evin frae the North to Suthren shoars. - - Then all the countrie men did zield; - For nae resistans durst they mak, - Nor offer battill in the feild, - Be forss of arms to beir him bak. 60 - Syne they resolvit all and spak, - That best it was for thair behoif, - They sould him for thair chiftain tak, - Believing weil he did them luve. - - Then he a proclamation maid, 65 - All men to meet at Inverness, - Throw Murray land to mak a raid, - Frae Arthursyre unto Spey-ness. - And further mair, he sent express, - To schaw his collours and ensenzie, 70 - To all and sindry, mair and less, - Throchout the bounds of Byne and Enzie. - - And then throw fair Straithbogie land - His purpose was for to pursew, - And quhasoevir durst gainstand, 75 - That race they should full sairly rew. - Then he bad all his men be trew, - And him defend by forss and slicht, - And promist them rewardis anew, - And mak them men of mekle micht. 80 - - Without resistans, as he said, - Throw all these parts he stoutly past, - Quhair sum war wae, and sum war glaid, - But Garioch was all agast. - Throw all these feilds he sped him fast, 85 - For sic a sicht was never sene; - And then, forsuith, he langd at last - To se the bruch of Aberdene. - - To hinder this prowd enterprise, - The stout and michty Erle of Marr 90 - With all his men in arms did ryse, - Even frae Curgarf to Craigyvar: - And down the syde of Don richt far, - Angus and Mearns did all convene - To fecht, or Donald came sae nar 95 - The ryall bruch of Aberdene. - - And thus the martial Erle of Marr - Marcht with his men in richt array; - Befoir the enemie was aware, - His banner bauldly did display. 100 - For weil enewch they kend the way, - And all their semblance weil they saw: - Without all dangir, or delay, - Come haistily to the Harlaw. - - With him the braif Lord Ogilvy, 105 - Of Angus sheriff principall, - The constabill of gude Dund[e'], - The vanguard led before them all. - Suppose in number they war small, - Thay first richt bauldlie did pursew, 110 - And maid thair faes befor them fall, - Quha then that race did sairly rew. - - And then the worthy Lord Salton, - The strong undoubted Laird of Drum, - The stalwart Laird of Lawristone, 115 - With ilk thair forces, all and sum. - Panmuir with all his men did cum, - The provost of braif Aberdene, - With trumpets and with tuick of drum, - Came schortly in thair armour schene. 120 - - These with the Earle of Marr came on, - In the reir-ward richt orderlie, - Thair enemies to sett upon; - In awfull manner hardily, - Togither vowit to live and die, 125 - Since they had marchit mony mylis, - For to suppress the tyrannie - Of douted Donald of the Yles. - - But he in number ten to ane, - Richt subtil[e'] alang did ryde, 130 - With Malcomtosch and fell Maclean, - With all thair power at thair syde; - Presumeand on thair strenth and pryde, - Without all feir or ony aw, - Richt bauldie battill did abyde, 135 - Hard by the town of fair Harlaw. - - The armies met, the trumpet sounds, - The dandring drums alloud did touk, - Baith armies byding on the bounds, - Till ane of them the feild sould bruik. 140 - Nae help was thairfor, nane wald jouk, - Ferss was the fecht on ilka syde, - And on the ground lay mony a bouk - Of them that thair did battill byd. - - With doutsum victorie they dealt, 145 - The bludy battil lastit lang; - Each man his nibours forss thair felt, - The weakest aft-tymes gat the wrang: - Thair was nae mowis thair them amang, - Naithing was hard but heavy knocks, 150 - That eccho mad a dulefull sang, - Thairto resounding frae the rocks. - - But Donalds men at last gaif back, - For they war all out of array: - The Earl of Marris men throw them brak, 155 - Pursewing shairply in thair way, - Thair enemys to tak or slay, - Be dynt of forss to gar them yield; - Quha war richt blyth to win away, - And sae for feirdness tint the feild. 160 - - Then Donald fled, and that full fast, - To mountains hich for all his micht; - For he and his war all agast, - And ran till they war out of sicht; - And sae of Ross he lost his richt, 165 - Thocht mony men with hem he brocht; - Towards the Yles fled day and nicht, - And all he wan was deirlie bocht. - - This is (quod he) the richt report - Of all that I did heir and knaw; 170 - Thocht my discourse be sumthing schort, - Tak this to be a richt suthe saw: - Contrairie God and the kings law, - Thair was spilt mekle Christian blude, - Into the battil of Harlaw: 175 - This is the sum, sae I conclude. - - But zit a bonny quhyle abyde, - And I sall mak thee cleirly ken - Quhat slauchter was on ilkay syde, - Of Lowland and of Highland men: 180 - Quha for thair awin haif evir bene; - These lazie lowns micht weil be spaird, - Chessit lyke deirs into their dens, - And gat thair waiges for reward. - - Malcomtosh, of the clan heid cheif, 185 - Macklean, with his grit hauchty heid, - With all thair succour and relief, - War dulefully dung to the deid: - And now we are freid of thair feid, - They will not lang to cum again; 190 - Thousands with them, without remeid, - On Donald's syd that day war slain. - - And on the uther syde war lost, - Into the feild that dismal day, - Chief men of worth, of mekle cost, 195 - To be lamentit sair for ay. - The Lord Saltoun of Rothemay, - A man of micht and mekle main; - Grit dolour was for his decay, - That sae unhappylie was slain. 200 - - Of the best men amang them was - The gracious gude Lord Ogilvy, - The sheriff principal of Angus, - Renownit for truth and equitie, - For faith and magnanimitie: 205 - He had few fallows in the field, - Zet fell by fatall destinie, - For he nae ways wad grant to zield. - - Sir James Scrimgeor of Duddap, knicht, - Grit constabill of fair Dund[e'], 210 - Unto the dulefull deith was dicht: - The kingis cheif banner man was he, - A valziant man of chevalrie, - Quhais predecessors wan that place - At Spey, with gude King William frie, 215 - Gainst Murray and Macduncans race. - - Gude Sir Allexander Irving, - The much renownit laird of Drum, - Nane in his days was bettir sene, - Quhen they war semblit all and sum. 220 - To praise him we sould not be dumm, - For valour, witt, and worthyness; - To end his days he ther did cum, - Quhois ransom is remeidyless. - - And thair the knicht of Lawriston 225 - Was slain into his armour schene, - And gude Sir Robert Davidson, - Quha provest was of Aberdene: - The knicht of Panmure, as was sene, - A mortall man in armour bricht, 230 - Sir Thomas Murray, stout and kene, - Left to the warld thair last gude nicht. - - Thair was not sen King Keneths days - Sic strange intestine crewel stryf - In Scotland sene, as ilk man says, 235 - Quhair mony liklie lost thair lyfe; - Quhilk maid divorce twene man and wyfe, - And mony childrene fatherless, - Quhilk in this realme has bene full ryfe: - Lord help these lands, our wrangs redress. 240 - - In July, on Saint James his even, - That four and twenty dismall day, - Twelve hundred, ten score and eleven - Of zeirs sen Chryst, the suthe to say, - Men will remember, as they may, 245 - Quhen thus the veritie they knaw, - And mony a ane may murn for ay, - The brim battil of the Harlaw. - - - - -KING HENRIE THE FIFTH'S CONQUEST. - -_Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England._ Percy -Society, vol. xvii. p. 52. - - -"From the singing of the late Francis King, of Skipton in Craven, an -eccentric character, who was well known in the western dales of -Yorkshire as 'the Skipton Minstrel.' King's version does not contain -the third verse, which is obtained, as is also the title, from a -modern broadside, from whence also one or two verbal corrections are -made, of too trifling a nature to particularize. The tune to which -King used to sing it, is the same as that of _The Bold Pedlar and -Robin Hood_." - -Another ballad, much inferior in spirit to this, on the Battle of -Agincourt, is to be found in _The Crown Garland of Golden Roses_ (ed. -1659), Percy Soc. vol. xv. p. 65. Percy inserted in the _Reliques_, -ii. 26, a song on this battle. Another, quoted in Heywood's _Edward -Fourth_, and therefore popular before 1600, is printed in Mr. -Collier's preface to Shakespeare's _Henry Fifth_ (new edition). - -The story of the tennis-balls is adopted from the chronicles by -Shakespeare. "It is reported by some historians," says Hume, "that the -Dauphin, in derision of Henry's claims and dissolute character, sent -him a box of tennis-balls, intimating that mere implements of play -were better adapted to him than the instruments of war. But this story -is by no means credible; the great offers made by the court of France -show that they had already entertained a just idea of Henry's -character, as well as of their own situation." _History of England_, -ch. xix. - - - As our king lay musing on his bed, - He bethought himself upon a time - Of a tribute that was due from France, - Had not been paid for so long a time. - _Down, a-down, a-down, a-down_, - _Down, a-down, a-down._ - - He call[e']d on his trusty page, 5 - His trusty page then call[e']d he, - "O you must go to the king of France, - O you must go right speedilie. - - "And tell him of my tribute due, - Ten ton of gold that's due to me, 10 - That he must send me my tribute home, - Or in French land he soon will me see." - - O then away went the trusty page, - Away, away, and away went he, - Until he came to the king of France; 15 - Lo! he fell down on his bended knee. - - "My master greets you, worthy Sire; - Ten ton of gold there is due, says he; - You must send him his tribute home, - Or in French land you will soon him see." 20 - - "Your master's young, and of tender years, - Not fit to come into my degree; - But I will send him three tennis balls, - That with them learn to play may he." - - O then away came the trusty page, 25 - Away, and away, and away came he, - Until he came to our gracious king; - Lo! he fell down on his bended knee. - - "What news, what news, my trusty page, - What news, what news, hast thou brought to me?" 30 - "I've brought such news from the king of France, - That you and he will ne'er agree. - - "He says you're young, and of tender years, - Not fit to come into his degree; - But he will send you three tennis balls, 35 - That with them you may learn to play." - - O then bespoke our noble king, - A solemn vow then vow[e']d he; - "I'll promise him such tennis balls, - As in French lands he ne'er did see. 40 - - "Go, call up Cheshire and Lancashire, - And Derby hills, that are so free; - Not a married man, nor a widow's son, - For the widow's cry shall not go with me." - - They called up Cheshire and Lancashire, 45 - And Derby lads that were so free; - Not a married man, nor a widow's son, - Yet they were a jovial bold companie. - - O then he sailed to fair French land, - With drums and trumpets so merrilie; 50 - O then bespoke the king of France, - "Yonder comes proud king Henrie." - - The first fire that the Frenchmen gave, - They killed our Englishmen so free; - We killed ten thousand of the French, 55 - And the rest of them they were forced to flee. - - And then we marched to Paris gates, - With drums and trumpets so merrilie; - O then bespoke the king of France, - "Lord have mercy on my poor men and me! 60 - - "Go! tell him I'll send home his tribute due, - Ten ton of gold that is due from me; - And the fairest flower that is in our French land - To the Rose of England it shall go free." - - - - -JANE SHORE. - - -The story and character of Jane Shore can best be read in a charmingly -written passage of Sir Thomas More's _History of Edward Fifth_, quoted -in Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 268. The ballad adheres to matter of fact -with a fidelity very uncommon. In Drayton's _England's Heroical -Epistles_ is one from Jane Shore to King Edward, and in the notes he -thus gives her portrait: "Her stature was meane, her haire of a dark -yellow, her face round and full, her eye gray, delicate harmony being -betwixt each part's proportion, and each proportion's colour, her body -fat, white, and smooth, her countenance cheerfull and like to her -condition." (Cited by Percy.) - -This ballad is taken from the Collection of 1723, vol. i. p. 145. The -full title is: _The Woeful Lamentation of Jane Shore, a Goldsmith's -Wife in London, sometime King Edward the Fourth's Concubine_. The same -version, with trifling variations, is found in Percy's _Reliques_, ii. -274, and Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 128. In the _Garland of Good -Will_ there is another piece on the same subject, (Percy Society, vol. -xxx. p. 9, _The Lamentation of Shore's Wife_,) and in the Collection -of 1723, a burlesque song, called _King Edward and Jane Shore_ (vol. -i. p. 153). - - - If Rosamond, that was so fair, - Had cause her sorrow to declare, - Then let Jane Shore with sorrow sing, - That was beloved of a king. - - Then, wanton wives, in time amend, - For love and beauty will have end. - - In maiden years my beauty bright 5 - Was loved dear by lord and knight; - But yet the love that they requir'd, - It was not as my friends desir'd. - - My parents they, for thirst of gain, - A husband for me did obtain; 10 - And I, their pleasure to fulfil, - Was forc'd to wed against my will. - - To Matthew Shore I was a wife, - Till lust brought ruin to my life; - And then my life I lewdly spent, 15 - Which makes my soul for to lament. - - In Lombard-street I once did dwell, - As London yet can witness well; - Where many gallants did behold - My beauty in a shop of gold. 20 - - I spread my plumes, as wantons do, - Some sweet and secret friende to wooe, - Because my love I did not find - Agreeing to my wanton mind. - - At last my name in court did ring 25 - Into the ears of England's king, - Who came and lik'd, and love requir'd, - But I made coy what he desir'd. - - Yet Mistress Blague, a neighbour near, - Whose friendship I esteemed dear, 30 - Did say, "It is a gallant thing - To be beloved of a king." - - By her perswasions I was led - For to defile my marriage-bed, - And wronge my wedded husband Shore, 35 - Whom I had lov'd ten years before. - - In heart and mind I did rejoyce, - That I had made so sweet a choice; - And therefore did my state resign, - To be King Edward's concubine. 40 - - From city then to court I went, - To reap the pleasures of content; - There had the joys that love could bring, - And knew the secrets of a king. - - When I was thus advanc'd on high, 45 - Commanding Edward with mine eye, - For Mistress Blague I in short space - Obtain'd a living from his Grace. - - No friend I had, but in short time - I made unto promotion climb; 50 - But yet for all this costly pride, - My husbande could not me abide. - - His bed, tho' wronged by a king, - His heart with deadly grief did sting; - From England then he goes away 55 - To end his life beyond the sea.[L56] - - He could not live to see his name - Impaired by my wanton shame; - Altho' a prince of peerless might - Did reap the pleasure of his right. 60 - - Long time I lived in the court, - With lords and ladies of great sort; - And when I smil'd, all men were glad, - But when I mourn'd, my prince grew sad. - - But yet an honest mind I bore 65 - To helpless people, that were poor; - I still redress'd the orphan's cry, - And sav'd their lives condemn'd to dye. - - I still had ruth on widows tears, - I succour'd babes of tender years; 70 - And never look'd for other gain - But love and thanks, for all my pain. - - At last my royal king did dye, - And then my days of woe grew nigh; - When crook-back'd Richard got the crown, 75 - King Edward's friends were soon put down. - - I then was punish'd for my sin, - That I so long had lived in; - Yea, every one that was his friend, - This tyrant brought to shameful end. 80 - - Then for my lewd and wanton life,[L81] - That made a strumpet of a wife, - I penance did in Lombard-street, - In shameful manner in a sheet: - - Where many thousands did me view, 85 - Who late in court my credit knew; - Which made the tears run down my face, - To think upon my foul disgrace. - - Not thus content, they took from mee - My goods, my livings, and my fee, 90 - And charg'd that none should me relieve, - Nor any succour to me give. - - Then unto Mistress Blague I went, - To whom my jewels I had sent, - In hope thereby to ease my want, 95 - When riches fail'd, and love grew scant. - - But she deny'd to me the same, - When in my need for them I came; - To recompence my former love, - Out of her doors she did me shove. 100 - - So love did vanish with my state, - Which now my soul repents too late; - Therefore example take by me, - For friendship parts in poverty. - - But yet one friend among the rest, 105 - Whom I before had seen distress'd, - And sav'd his life, condemn'd to dye, - Did give me food to succour me: - - For which, by law it was decreed - That he was hanged for that deed; 110 - His death did grieve me so much more, - Than had I dy'd myself therefore. - - Then those to whom I had done good - Durst not afford mee any food;[L114] - Whereby in vain I begg'd all day, 115 - And still in streets by night I lay. - - My gowns beset with pearl and gold, - Were turn'd to simple garments old; - My chains and jems and golden rings, - To filthy rags and loathsome things. 120 - - Thus was I scorn'd of maid and wife, - For leading such a wicked life; - Both sucking babes and children small, - Did make a pastime at my fall. - - I could not get one bit of bread, 125 - Whereby my hunger might be fed: - Nor drink, but such as channels yield, - Or stinking ditches in the field. - - Thus, weary of my life, at length - I yielded up my vital strength, 130 - Within a ditch of loathsome scent, - Where carrion dogs do much frequent: - - The which now since my dying day, - Is Shoreditch call'd, as writers say;[L134] - Which is a witness of my sin, 135 - For being concubine to a king. - - You wanton wives, that fall to lust, - Be you assur'd that God is just; - Whoredom shall not escape his hand, - Nor pride unpunish'd in this land. 140 - - If God to me such shame did bring, - That yielded only to a king, - How shall they scape that daily run - To practise sin with every man? - - You husbands, match not but for love, 145 - Lest some disliking after prove; - Women, be warn'd when you are wives, - What plagues are due to sinful lives: - Then, maids and wives, in time amend, - For love and beauty will have end. - -56. upon. - -81. rude. - -114. restore. - -134. But it had this name long before; being so called from its being a -common sewer (vulgarly shore) or drain.--PERCY. - - - - -A TRUE RELATION OE THE LIFE AND DEATH OF SIR ANDREW BARTON, A PYRATE -AND ROVER ON THE SEAS. - - -This copy of _Sir Andrew Barton_ is to be found in _Old Ballads_ -(1723) vol. i. 159, Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 204, Moore's -_Pictorial Book of Ancient Ballad Poetry_, p. 256, and _Early Naval -Ballads of England_, Percy Society, vol. ii. p. 4, with only -exceedingly trifling variations. We have followed the last, where the -ballad is given from a black-letter copy in the British Museum, -"printed by and for W. O., and sold by the booksellers." - - - When Flora with her fragrant flowers, - Bedeckt the earth so trim and gay, - And Neptune with his dainty showers, - Came to present the month of May, - King Henry would a-hunting ride; 5 - Over the river Thames passed he, - Unto a mountain-top also - Did walk, some pleasure for to see. - - Where forty merchants he espy'd, - With fifty sail came towards him, 10 - Who then no sooner were arriv'd, - But on their knees did thus complain; - "An't please your grace, we cannot sail - To France no voyage to be sure, - But Sir Andrew Barton makes us quail, 15 - And robs us of our marchant ware." - - Vext was the king, and turning him, - Said to the lords of high degree, - "Have I ne'er a lord within my realm, - Dare fetch that traytor unto me?" 20 - To him reply'd Charles Lord Howard, - "I will, my liege, with heart and hand; - If it will please you grant me leave," he said, - "I will perform what you command." - - To him then spoke King Henry, 25 - "I fear, my lord, you are too young." - "No whit at all, my liege," quoth he; - "I hope to prove in valour strong. - The Scotch knight I vow to seek, - In what place soever he be, 30 - And bring ashore with all his might, - Or into Scotland he shall carry me." - - "A hundred men," the king then said, - "Out of my realm shall chosen be, - Besides sailors and ship-boys, 35 - To guide a great ship on the sea. - Bowmen and gunners of good skill, - Shall for this service chosen be, - And they at thy command and will - In all affairs shall wait on thee." 40 - - Lord Howard call'd a gunner then, - Who was the best in all the realm, - His age was threescore years and ten, - And Peter Simon was his name. - My lord call'd then a bow-man rare, 45 - Whose active hands had gained fame - A gentleman born in Yorkshire, - And William Horsely was his name. - - "Horsely!" quoth he, "I must to sea, - To seek a traytor, with good speed: 50 - Of a hundred bow-men brave," quoth he, - "I have chosen thee to be the head." - "If you, my lord, have chosen me - Of a hundred men to be the head, - Upon the mainmast I'll hanged be, 55 - If twelve-score I miss one shilling's breadth." - - Lord Howard then of courage bold, - Went to the sea with pleasant cheer, - Not curbed with winter's piercing cold, - Tho' it was the stormy time of year. 60 - Not long had he been on sea, - More in days than number three, - But one Henry Hunt then he espy'd, - A merchant of Newcastle was he. - - To him Lord Howard call'd out amain, 65 - And strictly charged him to stand; - Demanding then from whence he came, - Or where he did intend to land. - The merchant then made answer soon, - With heavy heart and careful mind, 70 - "My lord, my ship it doth belong - Unto New-castle upon Tine." - - "Canst thou show me," the lord did say, - "As thou didst sail by day and night, - A Scottish rover on the sea, 75 - His name is Andrew Barton, knight?" - Then the merchant sighed and said, - With grieved mind and well-a-way, - "But over well I know that wight, - I was his prisoner yesterday. 80 - - "As I, my lord, did sail from France, - A Burdeaue voyage to take so far, - I met with Sir Andrew Barton thence, - Who robb'd me of my merchant ware. - And mickle debts God knows I owe, 85 - And every man doth crave his own; - And I am bound to London now, - Of our gracious king to beg a boon." - - "Show me him," said Lord Howard then, - "Let me once the villain see, 90 - And every penny he hath from thee ta'en, - I'll double the same with shillings three." - "Now, God forbid," the merchant said, - "I fear your aim that you will miss; - God bless you from his tyranny, 95 - For little you think what man he is. - - "He is brass within and steel without, - His ship most huge and mighty strong, - With eighteen pieces of ordinance, - He carrieth on each side along. 100 - With beams for his top-castle, - As also being huge and high, - That neither English nor Portugal - Can Sir Andrew Barton pass by." - - "Hard news thou shewst," then said the lord, 105 - "To welcome stranger to the sea; - But as I said, I'll bring him aboard, - Or into Scotland he shall carry me." - The merchant said, "If thou will do so, - Take councel, then, I pray withal: 110 - Let no man to his top-castle go, - Nor strive to let his beams downfall. - - "Lend me seven pieces of ordnance then, - Of each side of my ship," said he, - "And to-morrow, my Lord, 115 - Again I will your honour see. - A glass I set as may be seen, - Whether you sail by day or night; - And to-morrow, be sure before seven, - You shall see Sir Andrew Barton, knight." 120 - - The merchant set my lord a glass, - So well apparent in his sight, - That on the morrow, as his promise was, - He saw Sir Andrew Barton, knight: - The lord then swore a mighty oath, 125 - "Now by the heavens that be of might, - By faith, believe me, and my troth, - I think he is a worthy knight." - - "Fetch me my lyon out of hand,"[L129] - Saith the lord, "with rose and streamer high; 130 - Set up withal a willow-wand, - That merchant like, I may pass by:" - Thus bravely did Lord Howard pass, - And on anchor rise so high; - No top-sail at last he cast, 135 - But as a foe did him defie. - - Sir Andrew Barton seeing him - Thus scornfully to pass by, - As tho' he cared not a pin - For him and his company; 140 - Then called he his men amain, - "Fetch back yon pedlar now," quoth he, - "And ere this way he comes again, - I'll teach him well his courtesie." - - A piece of ordnance soon was shot 145 - By this proud pirate fiercely then, - Into Lord Howard's middle deck, - Which cruel shot killed fourteen men. - He called then Peter Simon, he: - "Look how thy word do stand instead, 150 - For thou shall be hanged on main-mast, - If thou miss twelve score one penny breadth." - - Then Peter Simon gave a shot, - Which did Sir Andrew mickle scare, - In at his deck it came so hot, 155 - Killed fifteen of his men of war. - "Alas," then said the pirate stout, - "I am in danger now I see; - This is some lord, I greatly fear, - That is set on to conquer me." 160 - - Then Henry Hunt, with rigour hot, - Came bravely on the other side, - Who likewise shot in at his deck, - And killed fifty of his men beside. - Then "Out alas," Sir Andrew cryd, 165 - "What may a man now think or say! - Yon merchant thief that pierceth me, - He was my prisoner yesterday." - - Then did he on Gordion call - Unto the top castle for to go, 170 - And bid his beams he should let fall, - For he greatly fear'd an overthrow. - The lord call'd Horsely now in haste: - "Look that thy word stand in stead, - For thou shall be hanged on main mast, 175 - If thou miss twelve score a shilling's breadth." - - Then up [the] mast tree swerved he, - This stout and mighty Gordion; - But Horsely he most happily - Shot him under his collar-bone: 180 - Then call'd he on his nephew then, - Said, "Sister's son, I have no mo, - Three hundred pound I will give thee, - If thou will to top-castle go." - - Then stoutly he began to climb, 185 - From off the mast scorn'd to depart; - But Horsely soon prevented him, - And deadly pierced him to the heart. - His men being slain, then up amain - Did this proud pirate climb with speed, 190 - For armour of proof he had on, - And did not dint of arrows dread. - - "Come hither, Horseley," said the lord, - "See thou thy arrows aim aright; - Great means to thee I will afford, 195 - And if thou speedst, I'll make thee knight." - Sir Andrew did climb up the tree, - With right good will and all his main; - Then upon the breast hit Horsley he, - Till the arrow did return again. 200 - - Then Horsley spied a private place, - With a perfect eye, in a secret part; - His arrow swiftly flew apace, - And smote Sir Andrew to the heart. - "Fight on, fight on, my merry men all, 205 - A little I am hurt, yet not slain; - I'll but lie down and bleed awhile, - And come and fight with you again. - - "And do not," said he, "fear English rogues, - And of your foes stand not in awe, 210 - But stand fast by St. Andrew's crosse, - Until you hear my whistle blow." - They never heard this whistle blow, - Which made them all full sore afraid. - Then Horsely said, "My Lord, aboard, 215 - For now Sir Andrew Barton's dead." - - Thus boarded they his gallant ship, - With right good will and all their main; - Eighteen score Scots alive in it, - Besides as many more was slain. 220 - The lord went where Sir Andrew lay, - And quickly thence cut off his head; - "I should forsake England many a day, - If thou wert alive as thou art dead." - - Thus from the wars Lord Howard came, 225 - With mickle joy and triumphing; - The pirate's head he brought along - For to present unto our king: - Who haply unto him did say, - Before he well knew what was done, 230 - "Where is the knight and pirate gay, - That I myself may give the doom?" - - "You may thank God," then said the lord, - "And four men in the ship," quoth he, - "That we are safely come ashore, 235 - Sith you never had such an enemy; - That is Henry Hunt, and Peter Simon, - William Horsely, and Peter's son;[L238] - Therefore reward them for their pains, - For they did service at their turn." 240 - - To the merchant therefore the King he said, - "In lieu of what he hath from thee tane, - I give thee a noble a-day, - Sir Andrew's whistle and his chain: - To Peter Simon a crown a-day, 245 - And half-a-crown a-day to Peter's son, - And that was for a shot so gay, - Which bravely brought Sir Andrew down. - - "Horsely, I will make thee a knight, - And in Yorkshire thou shalt dwell: 250 - Lord Howard shall Earl Bury hight, - For this act he deserveth well. - Ninety pound to our Englishmen, - Who in this fight did stoutly stand; - And twelve-pence a-day to the Scots, till they 255 - Come to my brother king's high land." - -129-136. In some copies this stanza is wrongly placed after the next. - -238. The services of Peter's son, not mentioned in this ballad, are duly -recorded in the older, unabridged copy. See v. 53-56, on p. 64. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF CORICHIE ON THE HILL OF FAIR, FOUGHT OCT. 28, 1562. - -From Evans's _Old Ballads_, iii. 132. - - -The favor shown by Queen Mary to her brother Lord James Stuart, on her -first coming to Scotland, excited a violent jealousy in Gordon, Earl -of Huntly, who, as a Catholic, and the head of a loyal and powerful -family in the North, expected no slight distinction from his -sovereign. This jealousy broke out into open hostility when the Queen, -in 1562, conferred on her brother the earldom of Murray, the honors -and revenues of which had been enjoyed by Huntly since 1548. Mary was -at this time on a progress in the northern part of her kingdom, -attended by the new earl and a small escort. Huntly collected his -vassals and posted himself at a place called the Fair Bank, or -Corichie, near Aberdeen. Murray having increased his forces by seven -or eight hundred of the Forbeses and Leslies, who, although attached -to the Huntly faction, dared not disobey the Queen's summons, marched -to the attack. As little confidence could be placed in the good faith -of the northern recruits, he ordered them to begin the battle. In -obedience to this command, they advanced against the enemy, but -instantly recoiled and retreated in a pretended panic on Murray's -reserve, followed by the Gordons in disorder. The Queen's party -received both the flying and the pursuers with an impenetrable front -of lances. Huntly was repulsed, and the other northern clans, seeing -how the victory was going, turned their swords upon their friends. -Many of the Gordons were slain, and the Earl, who was old and fat, -being thrown from his horse, was smothered in the retreat. His sons -John and Adam were taken prisoners, and the former was put to death at -Aberdeen the day after the battle. - -The following ballad, it will be perceived, is utterly at variance -with the facts of history. It was first printed in Evans's _Old -Ballads_, and is said to be the composition of one Forbes, -schoolmaster at Mary-Culter, on Dee-side. The dialect is broad -Aberdeen. - - - Murn ye heighlands, and murn ye leighlands, - I trow ye hae meikle need; - For thi bonny burn o' Corichie - His run this day wi' bleid. - - Thi hopefu' laird o' Finliter,[L5] 5 - Erle Huntly's gallant son, - For thi love hi bare our beauteous quine - His gar't fair Scotland mone. - - Hi his braken his ward in Aberdene, - Throu dreid o' thi fause Murry, 10 - And his gather't the gentle Gordone clan, - An' his father, auld Huntly. - - Fain wid he tak our bonny guide quine, - An' beare hir awa' wi' him; - But Murry's slee wyles spoil't a' thi sport, 15 - An' reft him o' lyfe and lim. - - Murry gar 't rayse thi tardy Merns men, - An' Angis, an' mony ane mair, - Erle Morton, and the Byres Lord Linsay, - An' campit at thi hill o' Fare. 20 - - Erle Huntlie came wi' Haddo Gordone, - An' countit ane thusan men; - But Murry had abien twal hunder, - Wi' sax score horsemen and ten. - - They soundit thi bougills an' the trumpits, 25 - An' marchit on in brave array, - Till the spiers an' the axis forgatherit, - An' than did begin thi fray. - - Thi Gordones sae fercelie did fecht it, - Withouten terrer or dreid, 30 - That mony o' Murry's men lay gaspin, - An' dyit thi grund wi theire bleid. - - Then fause Murry feingit to flee them, - An' they pursuit at his backe, - Whan thi haf o' thi Gordones desertit, 35 - An' turnit wi' Murray in a crack. - - Wi hether i' thir bonnits they turnit, - The traiter Haddo o' their heid, - An' slaid theire brithers an' their fatheris, - An' spoilit an' left them for deid. 40 - - Then Murry cried to tak thi auld Gordone, - An' mony ane ran wi' speid; - But Stuart o' Inchbraik had him stickit, - An' out gushit thi fat lurdane's bleid. - - Then they teuke his twa sones quick an' hale, 45 - An' bare them awa' to Aberdene; - But fair did our guide quine lament - Thi waeful chance that they were tane. - - Erle Murry lost mony a gallant stout man; - Thi hopefu' laird o' Thornitune, 50 - Pittera's sons, an Egli's far fearit laird, - An mair to mi unkend, fell doune. - - Erle Huntly mist ten score o' his bra' men, - Sum o' heigh an' sum o' leigh degree; - Skeenis youngest son, thi pryde o' a' the clan, - Was ther fun' dead, he widna flee. 55 - - This bloody fecht wis fercely faucht - Octobri's aught an' twinty day, - Crystis' fyfteen hundred thriscore yeir - An' twa will merk thi deidlie fray. 60 - - But now the day maist waefu' came, - That day the quine did grite her fill, - For Huntly's gallant stalwart son, - Wis heidit on thi heidin hill. - - Fyve noble Gordones wi' him hangit were 65 - Upon thi samen fatal playne; - Crule Murry gar't thi waefu' quine luke out, - And see hir lover an' liges slayne. - - I wis our quine had better frinds, - I wis our country better peice; 70 - I wis our lords wid na' discord, - I wis our weirs at hame may ceise. - -5. This. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF BALRINNES, - -(OTHERWISE CALLED THE BATTLE OF GLENLIVET.) - - -When Philip the Second was preparing his Armada for the conquest of -England, he spared no pains to induce James of Scotland to favor his -enterprise. Elizabeth, on her part, was not less active to secure the -friendship of a neighbor, who, by opening or closing his ports, might -do so much to assist or to counteract the projects of her enemy. James -had the wisdom to see that it was not for his interest to ally -himself with a power that sought the extinction of the faith which he -professed, and the subjugation of a kingdom to which he was the heir. -The Spanish overtures were rejected, and the great body of the people, -warmly applauding the king's decision, entered into a combination to -resist an attempt to land at any point on the Scottish coast. There -was, nevertheless, a small party in Scotland which favoured the -designs of Philip. At the head of this faction were the Catholic Earls -of Huntly, Errol, and Angus. Even after the dispersion of the Armada, -they kept up negotiations with the Prince of Parma and the King of -Spain, in the hope of restoring the ancient religion, or at least of -obtaining for themselves an equality of privileges with the -Protestants. More than once were the leaders of this party committed -to prison for overt acts of treason, and released by the clemency of -the sovereign, but suffering as the Romanists did under the oppression -of a fanatical majority, rebellion was their natural condition. - -After various acts of insubordination, continued for a series of -years, it was proved beyond question that the Catholic earls had -signed papers for an invasion of Britain by 30,000 foreigners. A -Convention of Estates, summoned to consider the affair, finally -determined that the three earls should be exempt from further inquiry -on account of this conspiracy, but that before the first day of -February, 1594, they should either renounce the errors of Popery, or -remove from the kingdom. The Catholic leaders, relying on the number -of their supporters, and not less on the inaccessible nature of the -country in which their estates lay, scornfully rejected the choice -proposed to them, renewed their connections with Spain, and were -accordingly declared guilty of high treason and subjected to the doom -of forfeiture. - -King James's exchequer was at this time so low that it was impossible -for him to undertake the enforcing of this sentence in person. He was -obliged to delegate the office to the young Earl of Argyle, who was -induced to accept the appointment by the promise of a portion of -Huntly's forfeited estates. The prospect of booty and the authority of -the chief of the Campbells drew together six or seven thousand -Highlanders, to whom were joined some hundreds of men from the Western -Islands, under the chief of Maclean. With this body, one fourth of -whom carried firelocks, while the rest were armed after the Gaelic -fashion, Argyle descended from the hills towards Huntly's castle of -Strathbogie. - -The chief of the Gordons, suddenly assailed, had no time to procure -assistance from Angus. He collected about a thousand gentlemen of his -own name, and Errol came to his aid with two or three hundred of the -Hays. All these were men of birth, well armed and mounted, and to this -small, but powerful, troop of cavalry, was added a train of six field -pieces (engines very terrible to Highlanders), under the management of -an excellent soldier, the very same Captain Ker, who has figured -already in the ballad of _Edom o' Gordon_. - -The armies encountered at a place called Belrinnes in a district -called Glenlivet. The Highlanders were posted on a mountain-side, so -steep that footmen could barely keep their hold. Notwithstanding this -obstacle, the Earls determined to attempt the ascent, and Errol, -supported by Sir Patrick Gordon, led the Hays up the hill in the very -face of the foe. While the vanguard was advancing, Ker brought some of -his artillery to bear on Argyle's front, which threw the Highlanders -into confusion, and caused some of them to fly. Errol's horsemen, -however, were soon forced by the steepness of the mountain to wheel -and move obliquely, and their flank being thus exposed, their horses -suffered considerable damage from a volley of bullets and arrows. Upon -this Huntly made a fierce attack upon Argyle's centre, and bore down -his banner, and his cavalry soon after attaining to more even ground, -where their horses could operate with efficiency, the Highlanders, who -were destitute of lances, and so unable to withstand the shock, were -driven down the other side of the hill, and put to utter rout. The -chief of Maclean alone withstood the assault of the horsemen, and -performed marvellous feats of bravery, but was at last forced off the -field by his own soldiers, and Argyle himself was compelled to fly, -weeping with anger. Of the Catholics, Sir Patrick Gordon, Huntley's -uncle, was slain, with only twelve others. The loss of the other party -was several hundred soldiers, besides some men of note, among them -Campbell of Lochinzell. - -This battle was fought on the third of October, 1594. The action is -called the Battle of Glenlivet, or of Balrinnes, and also of -Strath-aven.--See the 38th chapter of Sir W. Scott's _History of -Scotland_, and the contemporary narrative in Dalzell's _Scotish Poems -of the Sixteenth Century_, i. 136. - -The ballad which follows is taken from the publication of Dalzell -just mentioned, vol. ii. p. 347. There is a copy in the Pepys -Collection, and another in the Advocates' Library, printed at -Edinburgh in 1681. The ballad is also printed, undoubtedly from a -stall copy, in _Scarce Ancient Ballads_, p. 29. The first four stanzas -had previously been given in Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_, ii. 144. -The older version of Dalzell is somewhat defective, and abounds in -errors, which, as well as the vitiated orthography, are attributed to -the ignorance of an English transcriber. The omissions are here -supplied in the margin from the other copies. - - - Betuixt Dunother and Aberdein, - I rais and tuik the way, - Beleiuing weill it had not beine - Nought halff ane hour to day. - The lift was clad with cloudis gray, 5 - And owermaskit was the moone, - Quhilk me deceaued whair I lay, - And maid me ryss ouer soone. - - On Towie Mounth I mett a man, - Weill grathed in his gear: 10 - Quoth I, "Quhat neues?" then he begane - To tell a fitt of warre. - Quoth he, "Of lait I heir,[L13] - Ane bloodie broust there was brouine, - Zesterday, withouten moir, 15 - Upone ane hill at Strathdoune." - - * * * * * - - Then I, as any man wold be, 25 - Desyrous for to know - Mair of that taill he told to me, - The quhilk he said he sawe-- - Be then the day began to daw, - And back with him I red; 30 - Then he began the soothe to schaw, - And on this wayis he said. - - Macallenmore cam from the wast - With many a bow and brand; - To wast the Rinnes he thought best, 35 - The Earll of Huntlies land.[L36] - He swore that none should him gainestand, - Except that he war fay; - Bot all sould be at his comand - That dwelt be northen Tay. 40 - - Then Huntlie, for to prevent that perrill, - Directit hastilie - Unto the noble Erll of Erroll, - Besought him for supplie. - Quha said, "It is my deutie 45 - For to giue Huntlie support; - For if he lossis Strabolgie, - My Slaines will be ill hurt. - - "Thairfoir I hald the subject vaine, - Wold rave us of our right; 50 - First sall one of us be slaine, - The uther tak the flight. - Suppose Argyll be muche of might, - Be force of Heigheland men; - We's be a motte into his sight, 55 - Or he pas hame againe. - - "Be blaithe, my mirrie men, be blaithe, - Argyll sall have the worse, - Give he into this countrie kaithe, - I houpe in God[i]s cross." 60 - Then leap this lord upon his horss, - Ane warrlyk troupe at Torray; - To meit with Huntlie and his force, - They ryde to Elgine of Murray. - - The samen night thir lordis meit; 65 - For utheris, who thought long, - (To tell zow all, I haue forgot) - The mirthe was them amonge. - Then playeris played, and songsters song, - To gled the mirrie host, 70 - Quho feared not thair foes strong, - Nor zet Argylles boste. - - They for two dayes wold not remove, - Bot blaithlie dranck the wyne, - Some to his lass, some to his loue, 75 - Some to his ladeis fyne. - And he that thought not for to blyne, - His mistres tockin tackes; - They kist it first, and set it syne - Upone thair helmes and jackes. 80 - - They past thair tyme right wantonly, - Quhill word cam at ye last, - Argyll, with ane great armie, - Approached wondrous fast. - Then [out] of the toune thir barrones past, 85 - And Huntlie to them said, - "Good gentillmen, we will us cast - To Strathbolgie but bed."[L88] - - Quhen they unto Strathbolgie came,[L89] - To that castell but dreid, 90 - Then to forsee how thingis might frame,[L91] - For they had meikle neid, - They woned them unto the dead, - As kirkmen could devys; - Syne prayed to God that they might speed 95 - Off thair guid enterpryse. - - Then evirie man himself did arme, - To meit Mackallanmorne, - Unto Strathdoune quho did great harme - The Wednesday beforne. 100 - As lyounes does poore lambes devoure, - With bloodie teethe and naillis, - They burnt the biggingis, tuik the store, - Syne slewe the peopillis sellis. - - Besyd all this hie crueltie, 105 - He said, ere he should ceass, - The standing stonnes of Strathbolgie - Schould be his palione place. - Bot Huntlie said, "With Godis grace, - First we sall fight them ones; 110 - Perchance that they may tak the chess, - Ere they come to the stonnes." - - Thir lordis keipt on at afternoone, - With all thair warrmen wight; - Then sped up to Cabrach sone, 115 - Whair they bed all that night. - Upone the morne, quhen day was light, - They rose and maid them boune - Intill ane castell that stood on hight, - They call it Auchindoune. 120 - - Besyd that castell, on a croft, - They stended pallionis ther; - Then spak a man that had bein oft - In jeopardie of warr: - "My lord, zour foes they ar to fear, 125 - Thoughe we war neuir so stoute; - Thairfoir comand some man of warre - To watche the rest about." - - Be this was done, some gentillmen - Of noble kin and blood, 130 - To counsell with thir lordis begane, - Of matteris to concluide: - For weill aneughe they understood - The matter was of weght, - They had so manie men of good 135 - In battell for to fight. - - The firstin man in counsall spak, - Good Errol it was he; - Who sayis, "I will the vaneguard tack - And leiding upone me. 140 - My Lord Huntlie, come succour me, - When ze sie me opprest; - For fra the feild I will not flie - So long as I may last." - - Thair at some Gordones waxed wraithe, 145 - And said he did them wrong; - To lat this lord then they warre leath - First to [the] battell gange. - The meiting that was them amonge,[L149] - Was no man that it hard, 150 - Bot Huntlie, with ane troupe full stronge, - Bed into the reir guarde. - - Thir wer the number of thair force - Thir lordis to battell led: - Ane thousand gentillmen on horss, 155 - And some fotemen they had; - Thrie hundreth that schot arrowes bred, - Four scorr that hagbutis bore: - Thir war the number that they had - Of footmen with them suire. 160 - - This worthy chevalrie[L161] - All merchand to the field; - Argyll, with ane great armie, - Upone ane hill had tane beild, - Aboyding them [with] speare and scheild,[L165] 165 - With bullettis, dartis, and bowes; - The men could weill thair wapones weild;[L167] - To meit them was no mowes. - - When they so near uther war come, - That ilk man saw his foe, 170 - "Goe to, and assay the gaime," said some; - Bot Capitane Ker said, "No: - First lat the gunes befoir us goe, - That they may break the order": - Quoth both the lordis, "Lat it be so, 175 - Or euer we goe forder." - - Then Androw Gray, upone ane horss, - Betuixt the battillis red; - Makand the signe of holy cross, - _In manus tuas_ he said.[L180] 180 - He lighted thair [the] gunes to led, - Quhill they cam to the rest; - Then Capitane Ker unto him sped, - And bad him shuit in haist. - - "I will not [shuit]," quothe Androw Gray, 185 - "Quhill they cum over zonder hill; - We have an ower guid caus this dey,[L187] - Through misgydins to spill. - Goe back, and bid our men byd still, - Quhill they cum to the plaine; 190 - Then sall my shuitting doe them ill, - I will not shuit in vaine." - - "Shuit up, shuit up," quothe Capitane Ker, - "Shuit up, to our comfort!" - The firsten shot [it] was to neir, 195 - It lighted all to schort. - The nixtin shot thair foes hurt, - It lighted wounderous weill: - Quoth Androw Gray, "I sie ane sport, - Quhen they began to reill. 200 - - "Goe toe, good mattes, and say the game, - Zonder folkis ar in a fray; - Lat sie how we can well with them, - Into thair disaray. - Goe, goe, it is not tyme to stay, 205 - All for my bennisoune; - Saue non this day ze may gar dye, - Quhill ze the feild haue wonne."[L209] - - Then Errol haisted to the hight, - Whair he did battell byd; - With him went Auchindoune and Gight,[L219] - And Bonnitoune by his syd: 220 - Whair manie gentillman did with him byd, - Whos prais sould not be smored; - Bot Capitane Ker, that was thair gyde, - Red ay befoir my lord. - - They war not manie men of werre, 225 - Bot they war wonder trewe; - With hagbutis, pistolet, bowe, and speare, - They did thair foes persewe, - Quhair bullettis, dartis, and arrowes flew, - Als thick as haill or raine, 230 - Quhilk manie hurt, and some they slew, - Of horss and gentillmen. - - Huntlie maid haist to succour him, - And charged furiouslie, - Quhair manie menis sight grew dim, 235 - The shottis so thick did flie; - Quhilk gart right manie doghtie die, - Of some on euerie syd; - Argyll with his tald hoste did flie, - Bot Macklenne did abyd. 240 - - Macklene had one ane habershoune, - Ilk lord had one ane jack; - Togidder feirc[e]lie are they rune, - With manie a gunes crack. - The splenderis of thair spearis they break, 245 - Flewe up into the air, - Quhilk boore doune maney on thair back, - Againe ros neuer mair.[L249] - - "Alace, I sie ane sor['e] sight," 265 - Said the Laird of Macklenne; - "Our feible folkis is tenne the flight, - And left me myne allaine. - Now must I flie, or els be slaine, - Since they will not returne;" 270 - With that he ran ouer ane dyne, - Endlongis ane lytill burne. - - Then after great Argylles hoste - Some horssmen tuik the chess, - Quha turned their backes for all thair bost, 275 - Contrair the fooles say[s]. - They cried "oh," with manie "alace," - Bot neuir for mercie sought; - Thairfoir the Gordones gaue no grace, - Becaus they craved it nought. 280 - - Then some guidman perseiued sharpe,[L281] - With Erroll and Huntlie, - And thai with [a] capitane did carpe, - Quhais name was Ogilvie. - He sayis, "Gentillmen, lat see 285 - Who maniest slaine slaydis;[L286] - Save non this day ze may gar die, - For pleadis, nor ransome paynes."[L288] - - Lyk hartes, up howes and hillis thei ranne, - Quhair horsmen might not winn: 290 - "Reteir againe," quoth Huntlie then, - "Quhair we did first begin. - Heir lyes manie carved skinnes, - With manie ane bloodie beard, - For anie helpe, with litell dinne, 295 - Sall rotte aboue the eard." - - When they cam to the hill againe, - The sett doune one thair knees, - Syne thanked God that they had slaine - Soe manie enimies. 300 - They ros befor Argylles eyis, - Maid Capitane Ker ane knight; - Syne bed among the dead bodies, - Whill they war out of sight. - - [L305-12] - - [L313-20] - - This deid so doughtilie was done, - As I hard trewe men tell, - Upone ane Thursday afternoone, - St. Franecis ewill befell.[L324] - - Guid Auchindoune was slaine himself, 325 - With uther seven in batt['e]ll; - So was the Laird of Lochinzell, - Grate pitie was to tell. - -13-24. - - Saying, "The ministers, I fear, - A bloody browst have brown, - For yesterday, withouthen mair, 15 - On the hill at Stradown, - I saw three lords in battle fight - Right furiously awhile, - Huntlie and Errol, as they hight, - Were both against Argyle. 20 - Turn back with me and ride a mile, - And I shall make it kend, - How they began, the form and stile, - And of the battles end." - - JAMIESON. - -36. landis. - -88. beed. - -91. fraine. - -89-96. This stanza is unintelligible in Dalzell. It stands thus in -Laing's copy. - - When they unto Strathboggy came, - To council soon they geed, - For to see how things might frame, - For they had meikle need. - They voted then to do a deed - As kirkmen do devise, - And pray'd that they might find good speed - In that great interprise. - -149. This line seems to be corrupted. - -161. Some words are lost. - - Thus with their noble cavalry - They marched to the field. - - LAING. - -165. speares and scheildis. - -167. weild thair wapones weill. - -180. mannis. - -187. then ower. - -209-216. - - Then awful Erroll he can say - "Good fellows, follow me: 210 - I hope it shall be ours this day, - Or else therefore to die. - Tho they in number many be,[L213] - Set on, withoutten words; - Let ilk brave fellow brake his tree, 215 - And then pursue with swords." - -213. many were. - -219. within went. - -249-56. - - Then some men said, "We will be sure - And take Maclean by course; 250 - Go to, for we are men anew - To bear him down by force." - But noble Errol had remorse, - And said, "It is not best, - For tho Argyle has got the worst, 255 - Let him gang with the rest. - -257-64. - - "What greater honour could ye wish - In deeds of chivalry, - Or brave victory than this, - Where one has chac'd thrice three? 260 - Therefore, good fellows, let him be; - He'll die before he yield; - For he with his small company - Bade langest in the field." - -281. perceiued. - -286, 288. corrupted. - -305-12. - - Now I have you already tauld, 305 - Huntly and Errol's men - Could scarce be thirteen hundred called, - The truth if ye would ken.[L308] - And yet Argyle his thousands ten[L309] - Were they that took the race, 310 - And tho that they were nine to ane, - They caused [them] take the chace. - -308. he. - -309. has. - -313-20. - - Sae Argyle's boast it was in vain, - (He thought sure not to tyne) - That if he durst cum to the plain, 315 - He would gar every nine - Of his lay hold upon ilk man - Huntly and Errol had: - But yet for all his odds he ran[L319] - To tell how ill he sped. 320 - -319. fled. - -324. should be _eve_, or _vigil_. - - - - -BONNY JOHN SETON. - - -This ballad is taken from Maidment's _North Countrie Garland_, p. 15. -There is another version in Buchan's _Ballads of the North of -Scotland_, ii. 136 (_The Death of John Seton_). - -John Seton of Pitmedden, a young and brave cavalier, was shot through -the middle by a cannon ball, during the skirmish at the Bridge of Dee, -while engaged, under the Viscount of Aboyne, in resisting the advance -of Montrose upon the town of Aberdeen, in June, 1639. It was the hard -fate of Aberdeen to suffer from the arms of Montrose, first, when he -was general of the Covenanters, and again while he was lieutenant for -the King. The murder and pillage perpetrated in the town by the Irish -after the defeat of Lord Burleigh, in 1644, have been made the subject -of violent reproach by his enemies, but it may perhaps be said, that -for all that exceeded the usual horrors of war, the heroic commander -was not responsible. In Buchan's version of the present ballad, the -clemency shown by Montrose on taking possession of the city in 1639 is -commemorated in three stanzas worthy of preservation. The Covenanters -were "resolved to have sacked it orderly." - - Out it speeks the gallant Montrose, - (Grace on his fair body!) - "We winna burn the bonny burgh, - We'll even lat it be." - - Then out it speaks the gallant Montrose, - "Your purpose I will break; - We winna burn the bonny burgh, - We'll never build its make. - - "I see the women and their children - Climbing the craigs sae hie; - We'll sleep this night in the bonny burgh, - And even lat it be." - - * * * * * - - Upon the eighteenth day of June, - A dreary day to see, - The Southern lords did pitch their camp - Just at the bridge of Dee. - Bonny John Seton of Pitmeddin, 5 - A bold baron was he, - He made his testament ere he went out, - The wiser man was he. - - He left his land to his young son, - His lady her dowry, 10 - A thousand crowns to his daughter Jean, - Yet on the nurse's knee. - - Then out came his lady fair, - A tear into her e'e; - Says "Stay at home, my own good lord, 15 - O stay at home with me!" - - He looked over his left shoulder, - Cried, "Souldiers, follow me!" - O then she looked in his face, - An angry woman was she: 20 - "God send me back my steed again, - But ne'er let me see thee!" - - His name was Major Middleton - That manned the bridge of Dee; - His name was Colonel Henderson 25 - That let the cannons flee. - - His name was Major Middleton - That manned the bridge of Dee; - And his name was Colonel Henderson - That dung Pitmeddin in three. 30 - - Some rode on the black and gray, - And some rode on the brown, - But the bonny John Seton - Lay gasping on the ground. - - Then bye there comes a false Forbes, 35 - Was riding from Driminere; - Says "Here there lies a proud Seton, - This day they ride the rear." - - Cragievar said to his men,[L39] - "You may play on your shield; 40 - For the proudest Seton in all the lan' - This day lies on the field." - - "O spoil him, spoil him," cried Cragievar, - "Him spoiled let me see; - For on my word," said Cragievar, 45 - "He had no good will at me." - - They took from him his armour clear, - His sword, likewise his shield; - Yea they have left him naked there - Upon the open field. 50 - - The Highland men, they're clever men - At handling sword and shield, - But yet they are too naked men - To stay in battle field. - - The Highland men are clever men[L55] 55 - At handling sword or gun, - But yet they are too naked men - To bear the cannon's rung. - - For a cannon's roar in a summer night - Is like thunder in the air; 60 - There's not a man in Highland dress - Can face the cannon's fire. - -39. Sir William Forbes of Cragievar. - -55-62. The Highlanders were thrown into great consternation by cannon -shot, to which they were not accustomed. At the Raid of Stonehaven, just -previous to the affair of the Bridge of Dee, the first volley made them -wheel about and fly in disorder. They declared that they could not abide -"the musket's mother." - - - - -THE HAWS OF CROMDALE. - -Ritson's _Scottish Songs_, ii. 40. Johnson's _Museum_, p. 502. - - -This ballad, very popular in Scotland, was long sold on the stalls -before it was received into the collections. A glance will show that -it has at best been very imperfectly transmitted by oral tradition. In -fact, the Ettrick Shepherd seems to be right in maintaining that two -widely separated events are here jumbled together. The first five -stanzas apparently refer to an action in May, 1690, when Sir Thomas -Livingston surprised fifteen hundred Highlanders in their beds at -Cromdale, and the remainder to the lost battle of Auldern, where -Montrose, with far inferior forces, defeated Sir John Hurry with -prodigious slaughter, on the 4th of May, 1645. Mr. Stenhouse states, -indeed, that after that imprudent division of the army of the Covenant -which opened the way to the disaster at Auldern, Hurry surprised and -routed at Cromdale a body of Highlanders under the lion-hearted -Allaster Macdonald. But this check appears, by his own language, to -have been too slight an affair to call forth such verses as those with -which the ballad begins. See Hogg's _Jacobite Relics_, ii. 157, -Johnson's _Museum_ (1853), iv. 428. - - As I came in by Achendown, - A little wee bit frae the town, - When to the highlands I was bown, - To view the haws of Cromdale, - - I met a man in tartan trews, 5 - I spier'd at him what was the news: - Quoth he, "The highland army rues - That e'er we came to Cromdale." - - "We were in bed, sir, every man, - When the English host upon us came; 10 - A bloody battle then began - Upon the haws of Cromdale. - - "The English horse they were so rude, - They bath'd their hoofs in highland blood, - But our brave clans they boldly stood, 15 - Upon the haws of Cromdale. - - "But alas! we could no longer stay, - For o'er the hills we came away, - And sore we do lament the day - That e'er we came to Cromdale." 20 - - * * * * * - - Thus the great Montrose did say, - "Can you direct the nearest way? - For I will o'er the hills this day, - And view the haws of Cromdale." - - "Alas, my lord, you're not so strong; 25 - You scarcely have two thousand men, - And there's twenty thousand on the plain, - Stand rank and file on Cromdale." - - Thus the great Montrose did say, - "I say, direct the nearest way, 30 - For I will o'er the hills this day, - And see the haws of Cromdale." - - They were at dinner, every man, - When great Montrose upon them came; - A second battle then began 35 - Upon the haws of Cromdale. - - The Grants, Mackenzies, and M'Kys, - Soon as Montrose they did espy, - O then they fought most vehemently, - Upon the haws of Cromdale. 40 - - The M'Donalds, they return'd again, - The Camerons did their standard join, - M'Intosh play'd a bonny game, - Upon the haws of Cromdale. - - The M'Gregors fought like lyons bold, 45 - M'Phersons, none could them controul, - M'Lauchlins fought like loyal souls, - Upon the haws of Cromdale. - - [M'Leans, M'Dougals, and M'Neals, - So boldly as they took the field, 50 - And made their enemies to yield, - Upon the haws of Cromdale.] - - The Gordons boldly did advance, - The Fraziers [fought] with sword and lance, - The Grahams they made their heads to dance, 55 - Upon the haws of Cromdale. - - The loyal Stewarts, with Montrose, - So boldly set upon their foes, - And brought them down with highland blows, - Upon the haws of Cromdale 60 - - Of twenty thousand Cromwells men - Five hundred went to Aberdeen, - The rest of them lyes on the plain, - Upon the haws of Cromdale. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF ALFORD. - - -Two months after the defeat of Sir John Hurry at Auldern, Montrose -utterly destroyed the other division of the covenanting army, under -General Baillie, at Alford on the Don. On the 2d of July, the King's -forces marched from Drumminor, and crossed the Don to Alford, Montrose -and the Earl of Aboyne taking up their quarters in the castle of -Asloun. Baillie, who was now in pursuit of the royalists, moved -southward, and encamped on the day just mentioned, at Lesly. The next -morning he crossed the river (halting on the way near a farm called -Mill Hill), whereupon the battle took place. Montrose dearly purchased -this new victory by the loss of Lord George Gordon, who commanded the -_right_ wing, not the left. - -These fragmentary verses are from _The Thistle of Scotland_, p. 68. - - The Graham[s and] Gordons of Aboyne - Camp'd at Drumminor bog; - At the castle there they lay all night, - And left them scarce a hog. - - The black Baillie, that auld dog, 5 - Appeared on our right; - We quickly raise up frae the bog, - To Alford march'd that night. - - We lay at Lesly all night, - They camped at Asloun; 10 - And up we raise afore daylight, - To ding the beggars doun. - - Before we was in battle rank, - We was anent Mill Hill; - I wat full weel they gar'd us rue,[L15] 15 - We gat fighting our fill. - - They hunted us and dunted us, - They drave us here and there, - Untill three hundred of our men - Lay gasping in their lair. 20 - - The Earl of Mar the right wing guided, - The colours stood him by; - Lord George Gordon the left wing guided, - Who well the sword could ply. - - There came a ball shot frae the west 25 - That shot him through the back; - Although he was our enemy, - We grieved for his wreck. - - We cannot say 'twas his own men, - But yet it came that way; 30 - In Scotland there was not a match - To that man where he lay. - -15. fell. - - - - -THE BATTLE OF PENTLAND HILLS. - -_Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, ii. 203 - - -"The insurrection commemorated and magnified in the following ballad, -as indeed it has been in some histories, was, in itself, no very -important affair. It began in Dumfries-shire, where Sir James Turner, -a soldier of fortune, was employed to levy the arbitrary fines imposed -for not attending the Episcopal churches. The people rose, seized his -person, disarmed his soldiers, and, having continued together, -resolved to march towards Edinburgh, expecting to be joined by their -friends in that quarter. In this they were disappointed; and, being -now diminished to half their numbers, they drew up on the Pentland -Hills, at a place called Rullien Green. They were commanded by one -Wallace; and here they awaited the approach of General Dalziel, of -Binns; who, having marched to Calder, to meet them on the Lanark road, -and finding, that, by passing through Collington, they had got to the -other side of the hills, cut through the mountains and approached -them. Wallace showed both spirit and judgment: he drew up his men in a -very strong situation, and withstood two charges of Dalziel's cavalry; -but, upon the third shock, the insurgents were broken and utterly -dispersed. There was very little slaughter, as the cavalry of Dalziel -were chiefly gentlemen, who pitied their oppressed and misguided -countrymen. There were about fifty killed, and as many made prisoners. -The battle was fought on the 28th November, 1666; a day still -observed by the scattered remnant of the Cameronian sect, who -regularly hear a field-preaching upon the field of battle. - -"I am obliged for a copy of the ballad to Mr. Livingston of Airds, who -took it down from the recitation of an old woman residing on his -estate. - -"The gallant Grahams, mentioned in the text, are Graham of -Claverhouse's horse." SCOTT. - - The gallant Grahams cam from the west, - Wi' their horses black as ony craw; - The Lothian lads they marched fast, - To be at the Rhyns o' Gallowa. - - Betwixt Dumfries town and Argyle, 5 - The lads they marched mony a mile; - Souters and tailors unto them drew, - Their covenants for to renew. - - The Whigs, they, wi' their merry cracks, - Gar'd the poor pedlars lay down their packs; 10 - But aye sinsyne they do repent - The renewing o' their Covenant. - - At the Mauchline muir, where they were review'd, - Ten thousand men in armour show'd; - But, ere they came to the Brockie's burn, 15 - The half of them did back return. - - General Dalyell, as I hear tell, - Was our lieutenant-general; - And Captain Welsh, wi' his wit and skill, - Was to guide them on to the Pentland hill. 20 - - General Dalyell held to the hill, - Asking at them what was their will; - And who gave them this protestation, - To rise in arms against the nation? - - "Although we all in armour be, 25 - It's not against his majesty; - Nor yet to spill our neighbour's bluid, - But wi' the country we'll conclude." - - "Lay down your arms, in the King's name, - And ye shall a' gae safely hame;" 30 - But they a' cried out wi' ae consent, - "We'll fight for a broken Covenant." - - "O well," says he, "since it is so, - A wilfu' man never wanted woe:" - He then gave a sign unto his lads, 35 - And they drew up in their brigades. - - The trumpets blew, and the colours flew, - And every man to his armour drew; - The Whigs were never so much aghast, - As to see their saddles toom sae fast. 40 - - The cleverest men stood in the van, - The Whigs they took their heels and ran; - But such a raking was never seen, - As the raking o' the Rullien Green. - - - - -THE READING SKIRMISH. - - -Several companies, principally Irish, belonging to the army of King -James, and stationed at Reading, had quitted the town in consequence -of a report that the Prince of Orange was advancing in that direction -with the main body of his forces. On the departure of the garrison, -the people of Reading at once invited the Prince to take possession of -the place, and secure them against the Irish. But the King's troops, -having learned that it was only a small detachment of William's -soldiers, and not the main army, by whom they were threatened, -returned and reoccupied their post. Here they were attacked by two -hundred and fifty of the Dutch, and though numbering six hundred, were -soon put to flight, with the loss of their colors and of fifty men, -the assailants losing but five. This skirmish occurred on Sunday, the -9th of December, 1688. - -This piece is extracted from Croker's _Historical Songs of Ireland_, -p. 14, Percy Society, vol. i., and was there given from a collection -of printed ballads in the British Museum. The burden seems to be -derived from the following stanza of _Lilli burlero_: - - "Now, now de heretics all go down, - _Lilli, &c._ - By Chreist and St. Patrick de nation's our own, - _Lilli, &c._ - - - - -THE READING SKIRMISH; - -OR, THE BLOODY IRISH ROUTED BY THE VICTORIOUS DUTCH. - - - Five hundred papishes came there, - To make a final end - Of all the town, in time of prayer, - But God did them defend. - -To the tune of _Lilli borlero_. Licensed according to order. Printed -for J. D. in the year 1688. - - - We came into brave Reading by night, - Five hundred horsemen proper and tall; - Yet not resolved fairly to fight, - But for to cut the throats of them all. - Most of us was Irish Papists, 5 - Who vowed to kill, then plunder the town; - We this never doubted, but soon we were routed, - By Chreest and St. Patrick, we all go down. - - In Reading town we ne'er went to bed; - Every soul there mounted his horse, 10 - Hoping next day to fill them with dread; - Yet I swear by St. Patrick's cross, - We most shamefully was routed: - Fortune was pleased to give us a frown, - And blasted our glory: I'll tell you the story, 15 - By Chreest and St. Patrick we all go down. - - We thought to slay them all in their sleep, - But by my shoul, were never the near, - The hereticks their guard did so keep, - Which put us in a trembling fear. 20 - We concluded something further, - To seize the churches all in the town, - With killing and slaying, while they were a praying, - But we were routed, and soon run down. - - Nay, before noon, we vowed to despatch 25 - Every man, nay, woman and child; - This in our hearts we freely did hatch, - Vowing to make a prey of the spoil. - But we straightways was prevented, - When we did hope for fame and renown; 30 - In less than an hour we [are] forc['e]d to scoure; - By Chreest and St. Patrick, we are run down. - - We were resolved Reading to clear, - Having in hand the flourishing sword; - The bloody sceen was soon to appear, 35 - For we did then but wait for the word: - While the ministers were preaching, - We were resolved to have at their gown; - But straight was surrounded, and clearly confounded, - By Chreest and St. Patrick, we all go down. 40 - - Just as we all were fit to fall on, - In came the Dutch with fury and speed; - And amongst them there was not a man, - But what was rarely mounted indeed; - And rid up as fierce as tygers, 45 - Knitting their brows, they on us did frown; - Not one of them idle, their teeth held their bridle, - By Chreest and St. Patrick, we were run down. - - They never stood to use many words, - But in all haste up to us they flocked, 50 - In their right hands their flourishing swords, - And their left carbines ready cock'd. - We were forced to fly before them, - Thorow the lanes and streets of the town; - While they pursued after, and threaten'd a slaughter, 55 - By Chreest and St. Patrick, we were run down. - - Then being fairly put to the rout, - Hunted and drove before 'um like dogs, - Our captain bid us then face about, - But we wisht for our Irish bogs. 60 - Having no great mind for fighting, - The Dutch did drive us thorow the town; - Our foreheads we crossed, yet still was unhorsed, - By Chreest and St. Patrick, we're all run down. - - We threw away our swords and carbines, 65 - Pistols and cloaks lay strow'd on the lands; - Cutting off boots for running, uds-doyns, - One pair of heels was worth two pair of hands. - Then we called on sweet St. Coleman,[L69] - Hoping he might our victory crown; 70 - But Dutchmen pursuing poor Teagues to our ruin, - By Chreest and St. Patrick, we're all run down. - - Never was Teagues in so much distress, - As the whole world may well understand; - When we came here, we thought to possess 75 - Worthy estates of houses and land: - But we find 'tis all a story, - Fortune is pleased on us to frown: - Instead of our riches, we stink in our breeches, - By Chreest and St. Patrick, we're all run down. 80 - - They call a thing a three-legged mare, - Where they will fit each neck with a nooze, - Then with our beads to say our last prayer, - After all this to die in our shoes. - Thence we pack to purgatory; 85 - For us let all the Jesuits pray; - Farewell, Father Peters, here's some of your creatures - Would have you to follow the self-same way. - -69, Edward Coleman, hanged at Tyburn in 1678, for his participation in -the Popish Plot.--CROKER. - - - - -UNDAUNTED LONDONDERRY. - - -The story of the siege of Londonderry, "the most memorable in the -annals of the British isles," is eloquently told in the twelfth -chapter of Macaulay's _History of England_. It lasted one hundred and -five days, from the middle of April to the first of August (1689). -During that time the garrison had been reduced from about seven -thousand men to about three thousand. Famine and pestilence slew more -than the fire of the enemy. In the last month of the siege, there was -scarcely any thing left to eat in the city but salted hides and -tallow. The price of a dog's paw was five shillings and sixpence, and -rats that had fed on the bodies of the dead were eagerly hunted and -slain. The courage and self-devotion of the defenders, animated by a -lofty public spirit and sustained by religious zeal, were at last -rewarded by a glorious triumph, and will never cease to be celebrated -with pride and enthusiasm by the Protestants of Ireland. - -The ballad is here given as printed in Croker's _Historical Songs of -Ireland_, p. 46, from a black letter copy in the British Museum. The -whole title runs thus: _Undaunted Londonderry; or, the Victorious -Protestants' constant success against the proud French and Irish -Forces_. _To the Tune of Lilli Borlero._ - - Protestant boys, both valliant and stout, - Fear not the strength and frown of Rome, - Thousands of them are put to the rout, - Brave Londonderry tells 'um their doom. - For their cannons roar like thunder, 5 - Being resolved the town to maintain - For William and Mary, still brave Londonderry - Will give the proud French and Tories their bane. - - Time after time, with powder and balls, - Protestant souls they did 'um salute, 10 - That before Londonderry's stout walls - Many are slain and taken to boot. - Nay, their noble Duke of Berwick,[L13] - Many reports, is happily tane, - Where still they confine him, and will not resign him, - Till they have given the Tories their bane. 16 - - Into the town their bombs they did throw, - Being resolved to fire the same, - Hoping thereby to lay it all low, - Could they but raise it into a flame. 20 - But the polititious Walker,[L21] - By an intreague did quail them again, - And blasted the glory of French, Teague, and Tory; - By policy, boys, he gave them their bane. - - Thundering stones they laid on the wall, 25 - Ready against the enemy came, - With which they vow'd the Tories to mawl, - Whene'er they dare approach but the same. - And another sweet invention, - The which in brief I reckon to name; 30 - A sharp, bloody slaughter did soon follow after, - Among the proud French, and gave them their bane. - - Stubble and straw in parcels they laid, - The which they straightways kindled with speed; - By this intreague the French was betrayed, 35 - Thinking the town was fired indeed. - Then they placed their scaling ladders, - And o'er the walls did scour amain; - Yet strait, to their wonder, they were cut in sunder, - Thus Frenchmen and Tories met with their bane. 40 - - Suddenly then they opened their gate, - Sallying forth with vigor and might; - And, as the truth I here may relate, - Protestant boys did valliantly fight, - Taking many chief commanders, 45 - While the sharp fray they thus did maintain, - With vigorous courses, they routed their forces, - And many poor Teagues did meet with their bane. - - While with their blood the cause they have sealed, - Heaven upon their actions did frown; 50 - Protestants took the spoil of the field, - Cannons full five they brought to the town. - With a lusty, large, great mortar, - Thus they returned with honor and gain, - While Papists did scour from Protestant power, 55 - As fearing they all should suffer their bane. - - In a short time we hope to arrive - With a vast army to Ireland, - And the affairs so well we'll contrive - That they shall ne'er have power to stand 60 - Gainst King William and Queen Mary, - Who on the throne does flourish and reign; - We'll down with the faction that make the distraction, - And give the proud French and Tories their bane. - -13. In a sally which was made by the garrison towards the end of April, -the Duke of Berwick is said to have received a slight wound in the back. - -21. The Rev. George Walker, rector of the parish of Donaghmore, the -hero of the defence. His statue now stands on a lofty pillar, rising -from a bastion which for a long time sustained the heaviest fire of the -besiegers. - - - - -PR[OE]LIUM GILLICRANKIANUM. See p. 152. - -From Johnson's _Museum_, p. 105. - - - Grahamius notabilis coegerat montanos, - Qui clypeis et gladiis fugarunt Anglicanos; - Fugerant Vallicol[ae], atque Puritani, - Cacavere Batavi et Cameroniani. - Grahamius mirabilis, fortissimus Alcides, - Cujus regi fuerat intemerata fides, - Agiles monticolas marte inspiravit, - Et duplicatum numerum hostium profligavit. - - Nobilis apparuit Fermilodunensis, - Cujus in rebelles stringebatur ensis; - Nobilis et sanguine, nobilior virtute, - Regi devotissimus intus et in cute. - Pitcurius heroicus, Hector Scoticanus, - Cui mens fidelis fuerat et invicta manus, - Capita rebellium, is excerebravit, - Hostes unitissimos ille dimicavit. - - Glengarius magnanimus atque bellicosus, - Functus ut Eneas, pro rege animosus, - Fortis atque strenuus, hostes expugnavit, - Sanguine rebellium campos coloravit. - Surrexerat fideliter Donaldus Insulanus, - Pugnaverat viriliter, cum copiis Skyanis, - Pater atque filii non dissimularunt, - Sed pro rege proprio unanimes pugnarunt. - - Macleanius, circumdatus tribo martiali, - Semper, devinctissimus famili[ae] regali, - Fortiter pugnaverat, more atavorum, - Deinde dissipaverat turmas Batavorum. - Strenuus Lochielius, multo Camerone, - Hostes ense peremit, et abrio pugione; - Istos et intrepidos Orco dedicavit, - Impedimenta hostium Blaro reportavit. - - Macneillius de Bara, Glencous Kepochanus, - Ballechinus, cum fratre, Stuartus Apianus, - Pro Jacobo Septimo fortiter gessere, - Pugiles fortissimi, feliciter vicere. - Canonicus clarissimus Gallovidianus, - Acer et indomitus, consilioque sanus, - Ibi dux adfuerat, spectabilis persona, - Nam pro tuenda patria, hunc peperit Bellona. - - Ducalidoni dominum spreverat gradivus, - Nobilis et juvenis, fortis et activus: - Nam cum nativum principem exulem audiret, - Redit ex Hungaria ut regi inserviret. - Illic et adfuerat tutor Ranaldorum, - Qui strenue pugnaverat cum copiis virorum; - Et ipse Capetaneus, aetate puerili, - Intentus est ad pr[oe]lium, spiritu virili. - - Glenmoristonus junior, optimus bellator - Subito jam factus, hactenus venator, - Perduelles Whiggeos ut pecora prostravit, - Ense et fulmineo Mackaium fugavit. - Regibus et legibus, Scotici constantes, - Vos clypeis et gladiis pro principe pugnantes, - Vestra est victoria, vestra est et gloria, - In cantis et historia perpes est memoria! - - - - -THE BOYNE WATER. - - -This momentous battle was fought on the 1st of July, 1690. James had a -strong position and thirty thousand men, two thirds of whom were a -worthless rabble. William had thirty-six thousand splendid soldiers. -The loss on neither side was great. Of James's troops there fell -fifteen hundred, the flower of his army; of the conqueror's not more -than five, but with them the great Duke of Schomberg. The present -version of this ballad is from Croker's _Historical Songs of Ireland_, -p. 60, given from a MS. copy in the editor's possession. - - - July the first, in Oldbridge town,[L1] - There was a grievous battle, - Where many a man lay on the ground, - By the cannons that did rattle, - King James he pitched his tents between 5 - The lines for to retire; - But King William threw his bomb-balls in, - And set them all on fire. - - Thereat enraged, they vow'd revenge, - Upon King William's forces; 10 - And often did cry vehemently, - That they would stop their courses. - A bullet from the Irish came, - Which grazed King William's arm; - They thought his majesty was slain, 15 - Yet it did him little harm. - - Duke Schomberg then, in friendly care, - His king would often caution - To shun the spot where bullets hot - Retain'd their rapid motion. 20 - But William said--"He don't deserve - The name of Faith's defender, - That would not venture life and limb - To make a foe surrender." - - When we the Boyne began to cross, 25 - The enemy they descended; - But few of our brave men were lost, - So stoutly we defended. - The horse was the first that march['e]d o'er, - The foot soon followed a'ter, 30 - But brave Duke Schomberg was no more, - By venturing over the water. - - When valiant Schomberg he was slain, - King William thus accosted - His warlike men, for to march on, 35 - And he would be the foremost. - "Brave boys," he said, "be not dismayed - For the losing of one commander; - For God will be our king this day, - And I'll be general under." 40 - - Then stoutly we the Boyne did cross, - To give our enemies battle; - Our cannon, to our foes great cost, - Like thundering claps did rattle, - In majestic mien our prince rode o'er, 45 - His men soon followed a'ter; - With blows and shouts put our foes to the route, - The day we crossed the water. - - The Protestants of Drogheda - Have reasons to be thankful, 50 - That they were not to bondage brought, - They being but a handful. - First to the Tholsel they were brought, - And tied at Milmount a'ter,[L54] - But brave King William set them free, 55 - By venturing over the water. - - The cunning French, near to Duleek[L57] - Had taken up their quarters, - And fenced themselves on every side, - Still waiting for new orders. 60 - But in the dead time of the night, - They set the field on fire; - And long before the morning light, - To Dublin they did retire. - - Then said King William to his men, 65 - After the French departed, - "I'm glad," said he, "that none of ye - Seem['e]d to be faint-hearted. - So sheath your swords, and rest awhile, - In time we'll follow a'ter:" 70 - These words he uttered with a smile, - The day he crossed the water. - - Come, let us all, with heart and voice, - Applaud our lives' defender, - Who at the Boyne his valour shewed, 75 - And made his foes surrender, - To God above the praise we'll give, - Both now and ever a'ter, - And bless the glorious memory 79 - Of King William that crossed the Boyne water. - -1. The Dutch guards first entered the river Boyne at a ford opposite to -the little village of Oldbridge.--CROKER. - -54. "After the battle of the Boyne, the Popish garrison of Drogheda took -the Protestants out of prison, into which they had thrown them, and -carried them to the Mount; where they expected the cannon would play, if -King William's forces besieged the town. _They tied them together_, and -set them to receive the shot; but their hearts failed them who were to -defend the place, and so it pleased God to preserve the poor -Protestants."--_Memoirs of Ireland, &c._, cited by Croker. - -57. "When, in the course of the day, the battle approached James's -position on the hill of Donore, the warlike prince retired to a more -secure distance at Duleek, where he soon put himself at the head of his -French allies, and led the retreat; the King and the French coming off -without a scar."--O'Driscol, cited by Croker. - - - - -THE WOMAN WARRIOR, - - - Who liv'd in Cow-Cross, near West-Smithfield; who, changing her - apparel, entered herself on board in quality of a soldier, and - sailed to Ireland, where she valiantly behaved herself, - particularly at the siege of Cork, where she lost her toes, and - received a mortal wound in her body, of which she since died in - her return to London. - -From Durfey's _Pills to Purge Melancholy_, v. 8. - -Cork was taken September 27-29, 1690, by the Duke (then Earl) of -Marlborough, with the co[:o]peration of the Duke of Wirtemberg. The Duke -of Grafton, then serving as a volunteer, was mortally wounded while -advancing to the assault. Croker suggests that this lamentation for -the heroine of Cow-Cross, "the Mary Ambree of her age," was one of the -many indirect efforts made to bring the military skill of Marlborough -into popular notice. - - Let the females attend - To the lines which are penn'd, - For here I shall give a relation - Of a young marry'd wife, - Who did venture her life, 5 - For a soldier, a soldier she went from the nation. - - She her husband did leave, - And did likewise receive - Her arms, and on board she did enter, - And right valiantly went, 10 - With a resolution bent - To the ocean, the ocean, her life there to venture. - - Yet of all the ship's crew, - Not a seaman that knew - They then had a woman so near 'em; 15 - On the ocean so deep - She her council did keep, - Ay, and therefore, and therefore she never did fear 'em. - - She was valiant and bold, - And would not be controul'd 20 - By any that dare to offend her; - If a quarrel arose, - She would give him dry blows, - And the captain, the captain did highly commend her. - - For he took her to be 25 - Then of no mean degree, - A gentleman's son, or a squire; - With a hand white and fair, - There was none could compare, - Which the captain, the captain did often admire. - - On the Irish shore, 31 - Where the cannons did roar, - With many stout lads she was landed; - There her life to expose, - She lost two of her toes, 35 - And in battle, in battle was daily commended. - - Under Grafton she fought - Like a brave hero stout, - And made the proud Tories retire; - She in field did appear 40 - With a heart void of fear, - And she bravely, she bravely did charge and give fire. - - While the battering balls - Did assault the strong walls - Of Cork, and sweet trumpets sounded, 45 - She did bravely advance - Where by unhappy chance - This young female, young female, alas! she was wounded. - - At the end of the fray - Still she languishing lay, 50 - Then over the ocean they brought her, - To her own native shore: - Now they ne'er knew before - That a woman, a woman had been in that slaughter. - - What she long had conceal'd 55 - Now at length she reveal'd, - That she was a woman that ventur'd; - Then to London with care - She did straitways repair, - But she dy'd, oh she dy'd, e'er the city she enter'd. 60 - - When her parents beheld, - They with sorrow was fill'd, - For why, they did dearly adore her; - In her grave now she lies, - Tis not watery eyes, 65 - No, nor sighing, nor sighing that e'er can restore her. - - - - -A DIALOGUE - -BETWEEN WILL LICK-LADLE AND TOM CLEAN-COGUE, TWA SHEPHERDS, WHA WERE -FEEDING THEIR FLOCKS ON THE OCHIL-HILLS ON THE DAY THE BATTLE OF -SHERIFF-MOOR WAS FOUGHT. - - -(See p. 156. From Ritson's _Scottish Songs_, ii. 67.) - - _W._ Pray came you here the fight to shun, - Or keep the sheep with me, man? - Or was you at the Sheriff-moor, - And did the battle see, man? - Pray tell whilk of the parties won? 5 - For well I wat I saw them run, - Both south and north, when they begun, - To pell and mell, and kill and fell, - With muskets snell, and pistols knell, - And some to hell 10 - Did flee, man. - - _T._ But, my dear Will, I kenna still, - Whilk o' the twa did lose, man; - For well I wat they had good skill - To set upo' their foes, man: 15 - The red-coats they are train'd, you see, - The clans always disdain to flee, - Wha then should gain the victory? - But the Highland race, all in a brace, - With a swift pace, to the Whigs disgrace, 20 - Did put to chace - Their foes, man. - - _W._ Now how diel, Tam, can this be true? - I saw the chace gae north, man. - _T._ But well I wat they did pursue 25 - Them even unto Forth, man. - Frae Dumblain they ran in my own sight, - And got o'er the bridge with all their might, - And those at Stirling took their flight; - Gif only ye had been wi' me, 30 - You had seen them flee, of each degree, - For fear to die - Wi' sloth, man. - - _W._ My sister Kate came o'er the hill, - Wi' crowdie unto me, man; 35 - She swore she saw them running still - Frae Perth unto Dundee, man. - The left wing gen'ral had na skill, - The Angus lads had no good will - That day their neighbours blood to spill; 40 - For fear by foes that they should lose - Their cogues of brose, all crying woes-- - Yonder them goes, - D'ye see, man? - - _T._ I see but few like gentlemen 45 - Amang yon frighted crew, man; - I fear my Lord Panmure be slain, - Or that he's ta'en just now, man: - For tho' his officers obey, - His cowardly commons run away, 50 - For fear the red-coats them should slay; - The sodgers hail make their hearts fail; - See how they scale, and turn their tail, - And rin to flail - And plow, man. 55 - - _W._ But now brave Angus comes again - Into the second fight, man; - They swear they'll either dye or gain, - No foes shall them affright, man: - Argyle's best forces they'll withstand, 60 - And boldly fight them sword in hand, - Give them a general to command, - A man of might, that will but fight, - And take delight to lead them right, - And ne'er desire 65 - The flight, man. - - But Flandrekins they have no skill[L67] - To lead a Scotish force, man; - Their motions do our courage spill, - And put us to a loss, man. 70 - You'll hear of us far better news, - When we attack like Highland trews, - To hash, and slash, and smash and bruise, - Till the field, tho' braid, be all o'erspread, - But coat or plaid, wi' corpse that's dead 75 - In their cold bed, - That's moss, man. - - _T._ Twa gen'rals frae the field did run, - Lords Huntley and Seaforth, man; - They cry'd and run grim death to shun, 80 - Those heroes of the North, man; - They're fitter far for book or pen, - Than under Mars to lead on men; - Ere they came there they might well ken - That female hands could ne'er gain lands; 85 - 'Tis Highland brands that countermands - Argathlean bands - Frae Forth, man. - - _W._ The Camerons scow'r'd as they were mad, - Lifting their neighbours cows, man, 90 - M'Kenzie and the Stewart fled, - Without phil'beg or trews, man: - Had they behav'd like Donald's core, - And kill'd all those came them before, - Their king had gone to France no more: 95 - Then each Whig saint wad soon repent, - And strait recant his covenant, - And rent - It at the news, man. - - _T._ M'Gregors they far off did stand, 100 - Badenach and Athol too, man; - I hear they wanted the command, - For I believe them true, man. - Perth, Fife, and Angus, wi' their horse, - Stood motionless, and some did worse, 105 - For, tho' the red-coats went them cross, - They did conspire for to admire - Clans run and fire, left wings retire, - While rights intire - Pursue, man. 110 - - _W._ But Scotland has not much to say, - For such a fight as this is, - Where baith did fight, baith run away; - The devil take the miss is - That every officer was not slain 115 - That run that day, and was not ta'en, - Either flying from or to Dumblain; - When Whig and Tory, in their 'fury,' - Strove for glory, to our sorrow, - The sad story 120 - Hush is. - -67. By Flanderkins are meant Lieutenant-General Fanderbeck -and Colonels Rantzaw and Cromstrom.--HOGG. - - - - -UP AND WAR THEM A', WILLIE. See p. 156. - - -From Herd's _Scotish Songs_, ii. 234. The same in Ritson's _Scotish -Songs_, ii. 73. Burns furnished a somewhat different version to -Johnson's _Museum_ (p. 195, also in Cromek's _Select Scotish Songs_, -ii. 29), which he obtained from one Tom Neil, a carpenter in -Edinburgh, who was famous for his singing of Scottish songs. The title -and burden to this version is _Up and warn a', Willie_, an allusion, -says Burns, to the _crantara_, or warning of a Highland clan to arms, -which the Lowlanders, not understanding, have corrupted. There is -another copy in Hogg's _Jacobite Relics_, ii. 18, which is nearly the -same as the following. - -When the Earl of Mar first raised his standard, and proclaimed the -Chevalier, the ornamental ball on the top of the staff fell off, and -the superstitious Highlanders interpreted the circumstance as ominous -of ill for their cause. This is the incident referred to in the third -stanza. - - - When we went to the field of war, - And to the weapon-shaw, Willie, - With true design to stand our ground, - And chace our faes awa', Willie, - Lairds and lords came there bedeen, 5 - And vow gin they were pra', Willie: - _Up and war 'em a', Willie,_ - _War 'em, war 'em a', Willie._ - - And when our army was drawn up, - The bravest e'er I saw, Willie, 10 - We did not doubt to rax the rout, - And win the day and a', Willie; - Pipers play'd frae right to left, - "Fy, fourugh Whigs awa'," Willie. - _Up and war, &c._ 15 - - But when our standard was set up, - So fierce the wind did bla', Willie, - The golden knop down from the top - Unto ground did fa', Willie: - Then second-sighted Sandy said, 20 - "We'll do nae good at a', Willie." - _Up and war, &c._ - - When bra'ly they attack'd our left, - Our front, and flank, and a', Willie, - Our bald commander on the green, - Our faes their left did ca', Willie, 25 - And there the greatest slaughter made - That e'er poor Tonald saw, Willie. - _Up and war, &c._ - - First when they saw our Highland mob, - They swore they'd slay us a', Willie; - And yet ane fyl'd his breiks for fear, 30 - And so did rin awa', Willie: - We drave him back to Bonnybrigs, - Dragoons, and foot, and a', Willie. - _Up and war, &c._ - - But when their gen'ral view'd our lines, - And them in order saw, Willie, 35 - He straight did march into the town, - And back his left did draw, Willie: - Thus we taught them the better gate, - To get a better fa', Willie. - _Up and war, &c._ - - And then we rally'd on the hills, 40 - And bravely up did draw, Willie; - But gin ye spear wha wan the day, - I'll tell you what I saw, Willie: - We baith did fight, and baith were beat, - And baith did run awa', Willie. 45 - So there's my canty Highland sang - About the thing I saw, Willie. - - - - -THE MARQUIS OF HUNTLEY'S RETREAT FROM THE BATTLE OF SHERIFFMUIR. - -See p. 156. From _A New Book of Old Ballads_, p. 30. - - -Hogg inserted this ballad in the _Jacobite Relics_, ii. 13, using, -says Maidment, the editor of the publication cited above, a very -imperfect manuscript copy. The following version was taken from the -original broad-side, supposed to be unique. There are very -considerable variations in the language of the two copies, and the -order of the stanzas is quite different. This says Hogg, "is -exclusively a party song, made by some of the Grants, or their -adherents, in obloquy of their more potent neighbours, the Gordons. It -is in a great measure untrue; for, though the Marquis of Huntley was -on the left wing at the head of a body of horse, and among the -gentlemen that fled, yet two battalions of Gordons, or at least of -Gordon's vassals, perhaps mostly of the Clan Chattan, behaved -themselves as well as any on the field, and were particularly -instrumental in breaking the Whig cavalry, or the left wing of their -army, and driving them back among their foot. On this account, as well -as that of the bitter personalities that it contains, the "song is -only curious as an inveterate party song, and not as a genuine -humorous description of the fight that the Marquis and his friends -were in. The latter part of the [third] stanza seems to allude to an -engagement that took place at Dollar, on the 24th October, a fortnight -previous to the battle of Sheriffmuir. Mar had despatched a small body -of cavalry to force an assessment from the town of Dunfermline, of -which Argyle getting notice, sent out a stronger party, who surprised -them early in the morning before daylight, and arrested them, killing -some and taking seventeen prisoners, several of whom were Gordons. The -last stanza [but one] evidently alludes to the final submission of the -Marquis and the rest of the Gordons to King George's government, which -they did to the Grants and the Earl of Sutherland. The former had -previously taken possession of Castle Gordon; of course, the malicious -bard of the Grants, with his ill-scraped pen, was not to let that -instance of the humiliation of his illustrious neighbours pass -unnoticed.--JACOBITE RELICS, vol. ii. p. 255. - - - From Bogie side to Bogie Gight, - The Gordons all conveen'd, man, - With all their might, to battle wight,[L3] - Together close they join'd, man,[L4] - To set their king upon the throne, 5 - And to protect the church, man; - But fy for shame! they soon ran hame, - And left him in the lurch, man. - _Vow as the Marquis ran, - Coming from Dumblane, man! - Strabogie did b--t itself, - And Enzie was not clean, man._ - - Their chieftain was a man of fame, - And doughty deeds had wrought, man, 10 - Which future ages still shall name, - And tell how well he fought, man. - For when the battle did begin, - Immediately his Grace, man, - Put spurs to Florance, and so ran[L15] 15 - By all, and wan the race, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - The Marquis' horse was first sent forth, - Glenbucket's foot to back them, - To give a proof what they were worth, - If rebels durst attack them. 20 - With loud huzzas to Huntly's praise, - They near'd Dumfermling Green, man, - But fifty horse, and de'il ane mair, - Turn'd many a Highland clan, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - The second chieftain of that clan, 25 - For fear that he should die, man, - To gain the honour of his name, - Rais'd first the mutinie, man. - And then he wrote unto his Grace, - The great Duke of Argyle, man, 30 - And swore, if he would grant him peace, - The Tories he'd beguile, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - The Master with the bullie's face,[L33] - And with the coward's heart, man, - Who never fails, to his disgrace, 35 - To act a traitor's part, man, - He join'd Drumboig, the greatest knave - In all the shire of Fife, man. - He was the first the cause did leave, - By council of his wife, man. 40 - _Vow, &c._ - - A member of the tricking trade, - An Ogilvie by name, man, - Consulter of the grumbling club, - To his eternal shame, man, - Who would have thought, when he came out, 45 - That ever he would fail, man? - And like a fool, did eat the cow, - And worried on the tail, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - Meffan Smith, at Sheriff Muir,[L49] - Gart folk believe he fought, man; 50 - But well it's known, that all he did, - That day it serv'd for nought, man. - For towards night, when Mar march'd off, - Smith was put in the rere, man; - He curs'd, he swore, he baul[l[e']]d out, 55 - He would not stay for fear, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - But at the first he seem'd to be - A man of good renown, man; - But when the grumbling work began, - He prov'd an arrant lown, man. 60 - Against Mar, and a royal war, - A letter he did forge, man; - Against his Prince, he wrote nonsense, - And swore by Royal George, man.[L64] - _Vow, &c._ - - At Poineth boat, Mr. Francis Stewart,[L65] 65 - A valiant hero stood, man, - In acting of a royal part, - Cause of the royal blood, man. - But when at Sheriff Moor he found - That bolting would not do it, 70 - He, brother like, did quite his ground, - And ne're came back unto it. - _Vow, &c._ - - Brunstane said it was not fear - That made him stay behind, man; - But that he had resolv'd that day 75 - To sleep in a whole skin, man. - The gout, he said, made him take [bed], - When battle first began, man; - But when he heard his Marquis fled, - He took his heels and ran, man. 80 - _Vow, &c._ - - Sir James of Park, he left his horse - In the middle of a wall, man; - And durst not stay to take him out, - For fear a knight should fall, man; - And Maien he let such a crack, 85 - And shewed a pantick fear, man; - And Craigieheads swore he was shot, - And curs'd the chance of wear, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - When they march'd on the Sheriff Moor, - With courage stout and keen, man; 90 - Who would have thought the Gordons gay - That day should quite the green, man? - Auchleacher and Auchanachie, - And all the Gordon tribe, man, - Like their great Marquis, they could not 95 - The smell of powder bide, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - Glenbuicket cryed, "Plague on you all, - For Gordons do no good, man; - For all that fled this day, it is - Them of the Seaton blood, man." 100 - Clashtirim said it was not so, - And that he'd make appear, man; - For he, a Seaton, stood that day, - When Gordons ran for fear, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - The Gordons they are kittle flaws, 105 - They'll fight with heart and hand, man; - When they met in Strathbogie raws - On Thursday afternoon, man; - But when the Grants came doun the brae, - Their Enzie shook for fear, man; 110 - And all the lairds rode up themselves, - With horse and riding gear, man. - _Vow, &c._ - - Cluny plays his game of chess,[L113] - As sure as any thing, man; - And like the royal Gordons race, 115 - Gave check unto the king, man. - Without a queen, its clearly seen, - This game cannot recover; - I'd do my best, then in great haste - Play up the rook Hanover. 120 - _Vow, &c._ - -3. weight. - -4. closs. - -15. His horse, so called from having been a present from the Grand Duke -of Tuscany.--M. - -33. Master of Sinclair, whose Court-Martial has been printed with an -exceedingly interesting preface by Sir Walter Scott, as his contribution -to the Roxburgh Club. - -49. David Smith was then proprietor of Methven, an estate in Perthshire. -He died in 1735. Douglas, in his Baronage, terms him, "a man of good -parts, great sagacity, and economy."--M. - -64. Altered in MS. to "German George."--M. - -65. Brother to Charles, 5th Earl of Moray. Upon his brother's death, 7th -October, 1735, he became the 6th Earl. He died in the 66th year of his -age, on the 11th December, 1739.--M. - -113. This seems rather Gordon of Cluny than Cluny Macpherson. The -estate of Cluny has passed from the ancient race, though still possessed -by a Gordon.--M. - - - - -JOHNIE COPE. See p. 168. - -Johnson's _Museum_ (1853), vol. iv. p. 220, Ritson's _Scottish Songs_, -ii. 84. - - - Cope sent a challenge frae Dunbar, - "Charlie meet me, an ye daur, - And I'll learn you the airt of war, - If you'll meet wi' me in the morning." - _Hey, Johnie Cope! are ye waking yet? - Or are your drums a-beating yet? - If ye were waking, I would wait - To gang to the coals i' the morning._ - - When Charlie looked the letter upon, 5 - He drew his sword the scabbard from, - "Come, follow me, my merry men, - And we'll meet Johnie Cope i' the morning." - _Hey, Johnie Cope! &c._ - - "Now, Johnie, be as good as your word, - Come let us try baith fire and sword, 10 - And dinna flee like a frighted bird, - That's chased frae its nest i' the morning." - _Hey, Johnie Cope! &c._ - - When Johnie Cope he heard of this, - He thought it wadna be amiss - To hae a horse in readiness, 15 - To flee awa i' the morning. - _Hey, Johnie Cope! &c._ - - "Fye now, Johnie, get up and rin, - The Highland bagpipes mak a din; - It's best to sleep in a hale skin, - For 'twill be a bluddie morning." 20 - _Hey, Johnie Cope! &c._ - - When Johnie Cope to Dunbar came - They spear'd at him, "Where's a' your men?" - "The deil confound me gin I ken, - For I left them a' i' the morning." - _Hey, Johnie Cope! &c._ - - "Now Johnie, troth, ye were na blate 25 - To come wi' the news o' your ain defeat, - And leave your men in sic a strait, - So early in the morning." - _Hey, Johnie Cope! &c._ - - "In faith," quo Johnie, "I got sic flegs - Wi' their claymores and filabegs, 30 - If I face them [again], deil break my legs, - So I wish you a' good morning." - _Hey, Johnie Cope! &c._ - - - - -KING LEIR AND HIS THREE DAUGHTERS. - - -From _A Collection of Old Ballads_, ii. 8. The same, with one or two -trifling verbal differences, in Percy's _Reliques_, i. 246. - -This story was originally told by Geoffrey of Monmouth, _Historia -Britonum_, lib. ii. c. 2. It occurs in two forms in the _Gesta -Romanorum_: see Madden's _Old English Versions_, p. 44, p. 450. - -Shakespeare's _King Lear_ was first printed in 1608, and is supposed -to have been written between 1603 and 1605. Another drama on the -subject was printed in 1605, called _The true Chronicle History of -King Leir and his Three Daughters, Gonorill, Ragan, and Cordella_. -This was probably only a new impression of a piece entered in the -Stationers' Registers as early as 1594. The ballad which follows -agrees with Shakespeare's play in several particulars in which -Shakespeare varies from the older drama and from Holinshed, the -authority of both dramas. The name Cordelia is also found in place of -the Cordella of the _Chronicle History_; but, on the other hand, we -have Ragan instead of Shakespeare's Regan. In the absence of a date, -we are unable to determine whether the ballad was written prior to the -play of _King Lear_, or was founded upon it. - - King Leir once rul['e]d in this land - With princely power and peace, - And had all things, with hearts content, - That might his joys increase. - Amongst those things that nature gave, 5 - Three daughters fair had he, - So princely seeming beautiful, - As fairer could not be. - - So on a time it pleas'd the king - A question thus to move, 10 - Which of his daughters to his grace - Could shew the dearest love: - "For to my age you bring content," - Quoth he, "then let me hear, - Which of you three in plighted troth 15 - The kindest will appear." - - To whom the eldest thus began: - "Dear father, mind," quoth she, - "Before your face, to do you good, - My blood shall rendred be. 20 - And for your sake my bleeding heart - Shall here be cut in twain, - Ere that I see your reverend age - The smallest grief sustain." - - "And so will I," the second said; 25 - "Dear father, for your sake, - The worst of all extremities - I'll gently undertake: - And serve your highness night and day - With diligence and love; 30 - That sweet content and quietness - Discomforts may remove." - - "In doing so, you glad my soul," - The aged king reply'd; - "But what say'st thou, my youngest girl? 35 - How is thy love ally'd?" - "My love," quoth young Cordelia then, - "Which to your grace I owe, - Shall be the duty of a child, - And that is all I'll show." 40 - - "And wilt thou shew no more," quoth he, - "Than doth thy duty bind? - I well perceive thy love is small, - When as no more I find. - Henceforth I banish thee my court; 45 - Thou art no child of mine; - Nor any part of this my realm - By favour shall be thine. - - "Thy elder sisters' loves are more - Than well I can demand; 50 - To whom I equally bestow - My kingdom and my land, - My pompous state and all my goods, - That lovingly I may - With those thy sisters be maintain'd 55 - Until my dying day." - - Thus flattering speeches won renown, - By these two sisters here; - The third had causeless banishment, - Yet was her love more dear. 60 - For poor Cordelia patiently - Went wandring up and down, - Unhelp'd, unpitied, gentle maid, - Through many an English town. - - Until at last in famous France 65 - She gentler fortunes found; - Though poor and bare, yet she was deem'd - The fairest on the ground: - Where when the king her virtues heard, - And this fair lady seen, 70 - With full consent of all his court - He made his wife and queen. - - Her father, old King Leir, this while - With his two daughters staid; - Forgetful of their promis'd loves, 75 - Full soon the same decay'd;[L76] - And living in Queen Ragan's court, - The eldest of the twain, - She took from him his chiefest means, - And most of all his train. 80 - - For whereas twenty men were wont - To wait with bended knee, - She gave allowance but to ten, - And after scarce to three, - Nay, one she thought too much for him; 85 - So took she all away, - In hope that in her court, good king, - He would no longer stay. - - "Am I rewarded thus," quoth he, - "In giving all I have 90 - Unto my children, and to beg - For what I lately gave? - I'll go unto my Gonorel: - My second child, I know, - Will be more kind and pitiful, 95 - And will relieve my woe." - - Full fast he hies then to her court; - Where, when she hears his moan, - Return'd him answer, that she griev'd - That all his means were gone; 100 - But no way could relieve his wants; - Yet if that he would stay - Within her kitchen, he should have - What scullions gave away. - - When he had heard, with bitter tears, 105 - He made his answer then; - "In what I did, let me be made - Example to all men. - I will return again," quoth he, - "Unto my Ragan's court; 110 - She will not use me thus, I hope, - But in a kinder sort." - - Where when he came, she gave command - To drive him thence away: - When he was well within her court, 115 - She said, he would not stay. - Then back again to Gonorell - The woeful king did hie, - That in her kitchen he might have - What scullion boys set by. 120 - - But there of that he was deny'd - Which she had promis'd late: - For once refusing, he should not - Come after to her gate. - Thus twixt his daughters for relief 125 - He wandred up and down, - Being glad to feed on beggars food, - That lately wore a crown. - - And calling to remembrance then - His youngest daughter's words, 130 - That said, the duty of a child - Was all that love affords-- - But doubting to repair to her, - Whom he had banish'd so, - Grew frantick mad; for in his mind 135 - He bore the wounds of woe. - - Which made him rend his milk-white locks - And tresses from his head, - And all with blood bestain his cheeks, - With age and honour spread. 140 - To hills and woods and watry founts - He made his hourly moan, - Till hills and woods and senseless things - Did seem to sigh and groan. - - Ev'n thus posses'd with discontents, 145 - He passed o'er to France, - In hopes from fair Cordelia there - To find some gentler chance. - Most virtuous dame! which, when she heard - Of this her father's grief, 150 - As duty bound, she quickly sent - Him comfort and relief. - - And by a train of noble peers, - In brave and gallant sort, - She gave in charge he should be brought 155 - To Aganippus' court; - Whose royal king, with noble mind,[L157] - So freely gave consent - To muster up his knights at arms, - To fame and courage bent. 160 - - And so to England came with speed, - To repossess King Leir, - And drive his daughters from their thrones - By his Cordelia dear. - Where she, true-hearted, noble queen, 165 - Was in the battel slain; - Yet he, good king, in his old days, - Possess'd his crown again. - - But when he heard Cordelia's death, - Who died indeed for love 170 - Of her dear father, in whose cause - She did this battel move, - He swooning fell upon her breast, - From whence he never parted; - But on her bosom left his life 175 - That was so truly hearted. - - The lords and nobles, when they saw - The end of these events, - The other sisters unto death - They doomed by consents; 180 - And being dead, their crowns they left - Unto the next of kin: - Thus have you seen the fall of pride, - And disobedient sin. - -76 deny'd. - -157. whose noble. - - - - -FAIR ROSAMOND. - - -The celebrated mistress of Henry the Second was daughter to Walter -Clifford, a baron of Herefordshire. She bore the king two sons, one of -them while he was still Duke of Normandy. Before her death she retired -to the convent of Godstow, and there she was buried; but Hugh, Bishop -of Lincoln, not courtly enough to distinguish between royal and vulgar -immoralities, caused her body to be removed, and interred in the -common cemetery, "lest Christian religion should grow in contempt." - -The story of Queen Eleanor's poisoning her rival is not confirmed by -the old writers, though they mention the labyrinth. All the romance in -Rosamond's history appears to be the offspring of popular fancy. Percy -has collected the principal passages from the chronicles in his -preface to the ballad. - -_Fair Rosamond_ is the work of Thomas Deloney, a well-known -ballad-maker who died about 1600. Our copy is the earliest that is -known, and is taken from Deloney's _Strange Histories_, ed. of 1607, -as reprinted by the Percy Society, vol. iii. p. 54. The same is found -in the _Crown Garland of Golden Roses_, ed. 1659 (Per. Soc. vol. vi. -p. 12), and in the _Garland of Good Will_, ed. 1678 (Per. Soc. vol. -xxx. p. 1.): and besides, with trifling variations, in _A Collection -of Old Ballads_, i. 11, Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 151, and Ritson's -_Ancient Songs_, ii. 120, from black-letter copies. - -Another ballad with the title of the _Unfortunate Concubine, or, -Rosamond's Overthrow_, is given in the collection of 1723, vol. i. p. -1. The story is also treated in the forty-first chapter of Warner's -_Albion's England_. Warner has at least one good stanza,[1] which is -more than can be said of this wretched, but very popular, production. - -Some corrections have been adopted from the _Crown Garland of Golden -Roses_. - - When as King Henrie rul'd this land,[L1] - The second of that name, - Beside the Queene, he dearly loved - A faire and princely dame. - Most peerelesse was her beautie found, 5 - Her favour, and her face; - A sweeter creature in this world - Did never prince imbrace. - - Her crisped locks like threades of gold - Appeared to each mans sight; 10 - Her comely eyes, like orient pearles, - Did cast a heavenly light. - The blood within her cristall cheekes - Did such a cullour drive, - As though the lilly and the rose 15 - For maistership did strive. - - Yea Rosamond, fair Rosamond, - Her name was called so, - To whome dame Elinor, our queene, - Was knowne a cruell foe. 20 - The king therefore, for her defence - Against the furious queene, - At Woodstocke buylded such a bower, - The like was never seene. - - Most curiously that bower was buylt, 25 - Of stone and timber strong; - A hundred and fiftie doores - Did to that bower belong: - And they so cunningly contriv'd, - With turning round about, 30 - That none but by a clew of thread - Could enter in or out. - - And for his love and ladyes sake, - That was so fair and bright, - The keeping of this bower he gave 35 - Unto a valiant knight. - But fortune, that doth often frowne - Where she before did smile, - The kinges delight, the ladyes joy - Full soone she did beguile. 40 - - For why, the kings ungracious sonne, - Whom he did high advance, - Against his father raised warres - Within the realme of France. - But yet before our comely king 45 - The English land forsooke, - Of Rosamond, his ladye faire, - His farewell thus he tooke: - - "My Rosamond, my onely Rose, - That pleaseth best mine eye, 50 - The fairest Rose in all the world - To feed my fantasie,-- - "The flower of my affected heart, - Whose sweetness doth excell, - My royall Rose, a hundred times 55 - I bid thee now farewell! - - "For I must leave my fairest flower, - My sweetest Rose, a space, - And crosse the seas to famous France, - Proude rebels to abace. 60 - "But yet, my Rose, be sure thou shalt - My comming shortly see, - And in my heart, while hence I am, - Ile beare my Rose with mee." - - When Rosamond, that lady bright, 65 - Did heare the king say so, - The sorrow of her greeved heart - Her outward lookes did show. - And from her cleare and cristall eyes - The teares gusht out apace, 70 - Which, like the silver-pearled deaw, - Ran downe her comely face. - - Her lippes, like to a corrall red, - Did waxe both wan and pale, - And for the sorrow she conceived 75 - Her vitall spirits did fayle. - And falling downe all in a swound[L77] - Before King Henries face, - Full oft betweene his princely armes - Her corpes he did imbrace. 80 - - And twenty times, with waterie eyes, - He kist her tender cheeke, - Untill she had received againe[L83] - Her senses milde and meeke. - "Why grieves my Rose, my sweetest Rose?" 85 - The king did ever say: - "Because," quoth she, "to bloody warres - My lord must part away. - - "But sithe your Grace in forraine coastes, - Among your foes unkind, 90 - Must go to hazard life and limme, - Why should I stay behind? - "Nay, rather let me, like a page, - Your sword and target beare;[L94] - That on my breast the blow may light, 95 - Which should annoy you there. - - "O let me, in your royall tent, - Prepare your bed at night, - And with sweet baths refresh your grace, - At your returne from fight. 100 - "So I your presence may enjoy, - No toyle I will refuse;[L102] - But wanting you, my life is death: - Which doth true love abuse." - - "Content thy selfe, my dearest friend, 105 - Thy rest at home shall bee, - In England's sweete and pleasant soyle;[L107] - For travaile fits not thee. - "Faire ladyes brooke not bloody warres; - Sweete peace their pleasures breede, 110 - The nourisher of hearts content, - Which fancie first doth feede. - - "My Rose shall rest in Woodstocke bower, - With musickes sweete delight, - While I among the pierceing pikes 115 - Against my foes do fight. - "My Rose in robes of pearl and gold,[L117] - With diamonds richly dight, - Shall daunce the galliards of my love, - While I my foes do smite. 120 - - "And you, Sir Thomas, whom I trust - To be my loves defence,[L122] - Be carefull of my gallant Rose - When I am parted hence." - And therewithall he fetcht a sigh, 125 - As though his heart would breake: - And Rosamond, for inward griefe, - Not one plaine word could speake. - - And at their parting well they might - In heart be grieved sore: 130 - After that day, faire Rosamond - The King did see no more. - For when his Grace had past the seas, - And into France was gone, - Queene Elinor, with envious heart, 135 - To Woodstocke came anone. - - And foorth she cald this trusty knight - Which kept the curious bower, - Who, with his clew of twined threed, - Came from that famous flower. 140 - And when that they had wounded him, - The queene his threed did get, - And went where lady Rosamond - Was like an angell set. - - And when the queene with stedfast eye 145 - Beheld her heavenly face, - She was amazed in her minde - At her exceeding grace. - "Cast off from thee thy robes," she sayd, - "That rich and costly be; 150 - And drinke thou up this deadly draught, - Which I have brought for thee." - - But presently upon her knees - Sweet Rosamond did fall; - And pardon of the queene she crav'd 155 - For her offences all. - "Take pittie on my youthfull yeares," - Faire Rosamond did cry; - "And let me not with poyson strong - Inforc[e']d be to die. 160 - - "I will renounce this sinfull life, - And in a cloyster bide; - Or else be banisht, if you please, - To range the world so wide. - "And for the fault which I have done, 165 - Though I was forst thereto, - Preserve my life, and punish me - As you thinke good to do." - - And with these words, her lilly hands - She wrang full often there; 170 - And downe along her lovely cheekes - Proceeded many a teare. - But nothing could this furious queene - Therewith appeased bee; - The cup of deadly poyson filld, 175 - As she sat on her knee, - - She gave the comely dame to drinke; - Who tooke it in her hand, - And from her bended knee arose, - And on her feet did stand. 180 - And casting up her eyes to heaven, - She did for mercy call; - And drinking up the poyson then, - Her life she lost withall. - - And when that death through every lim 185 - Had done his greatest spite, - Her chiefest foes did plaine confesse - She was a glorious wight. - Her body then they did intombe, - When life was fled away, 190 - At Godstow, neere [to] Oxford towne, - As may be seene this day. - -1. - - With that she dasht her on the lips, - So dy[e']d double red; - Hard was the heart that gave the blow, - Soft were those lips that bled. - -77. sound. - -83. he had reviv'd.--_C. G._ - -94. shield: sword, _Garl. G. W._ - -102. must refuse. - -107. England. - -117. robes and pearls of gold. - -122. beare. - - - - -QUEEN ELEANOR'S FALL. - -_A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. 97. - - -"I never was more surprised," says the editor of the Collection of -1723, "than at the sight of the following ballad; little expecting to -see pride and wickedness laid to the charge of the most affable and -most virtuous of women: whose glorious actions are not recorded by -_our_ historians only; for no foreign writers, who have touched upon -those early times, have in silence passed over this illustrious -princess, and every nation rings with the praise of Eleonora Isabella -of Castile, King Edward's Queen. Father Le Monie, who (in his -_Gall['e]rie des Femmes Fortes_) has searched all Christendom round, from -its very infancy to the last age, for five heroines, very partially -bestows the first place upon one of his own country-women, but gives -the second, with a far superior character, to this queen." - -In this absurdly false and ignorant production, the well-beloved -Eleonora of Castile is no doubt confounded with her most unpopular -mother-in-law, Eleanor of Provence, the wife of Henry the Third, whose -luxurious habits, and quarrels with the city of London, might afford -some shadow of a basis for the impossible slanders of the -ballad-singer. Queenhithe was a quay, the tolls of which formed part -of the revenue of the Queen, and Eleanor of Provence rendered herself -extremely odious by compelling vessels, for the sake of her fees, to -unlade there. Charing-cross was one of thirteen monuments raised by -Edward the First at the stages, where his queen's body rested, on its -progress from the place of her decease to Westminster. In the -connection of both these places with the name of a Queen Eleanor may -be found (as Miss Strickland suggests in her _Lives of the Queens_) -the germ of the marvellous story of the disappearance at Charing-cross -and the resurrection at Queenhithe. - -That portion of the story which relates to the cruelty exercised by -the queen towards the Lord Mayor's wife is borrowed from the _Gesta -Romanorum_. See Madden's _Old English Versions_, &c. p. 226, _Olimpus -the Emperour_. Peele's _Chronicle History of Edward the First_ -exhibits the same misrepresentations of Eleanor of Castile. See what -is said of this play in connection with the ballad of _Queen Eleanor's -Confession_, vol. vi. p. 209. The whole title of the ballad is:-- - - -A Warning Piece to England against Pride and Wickedness: - - Being the Fall of Queen Eleanor, Wife to Edward the First, King of - England; who, for her pride, by God's Judgments, sunk into the - Ground at Charing-cross and rose at Queenhithe. - - When Edward was in England king, - The first of all that name, - Proud Ellinor he made his queen, - A stately Spanish dame: - Whose wicked life, and sinful pride, 5 - Thro' England did excel: - To dainty dames, and gallant maids, - This queen was known full well. - - She was the first that did invent - In coaches brave to ride; 10 - She was the first that brought this land - To deadly sin of pride. - No English taylor here could serve - To make her rich attire; - But sent for taylors into Spain, 15 - To feed her vain desire. - - They brought in fashions strange and new, - With golden garments bright; - The farthingale, and mighty ruff, - With gowns of rich delight: 20 - The London dames, in Spanish pride, - Did flourish every where; - Our English men, like women then, - Did wear long locks of hair. - - Both man and child, both maid and wife, 25 - Were drown'd in pride of Spain: - And thought the Spanish taylors then - Our English men did stain: - Whereat the queen did much despite, - To see our English men 30 - In vestures clad, as brave to see - As any Spaniard then. - - She crav'd the king, that ev'ry man - That wore long locks of hair, - Might then be cut and polled all, 35 - Or shaved very near. - Whereat the king did seem content, - And soon thereto agreed; - And first commanded, that his own - Should then be cut with speed: 40 - - And after that, to please his queen, - Proclaimed thro' the land, - That ev'ry man that wore long hair - Should poll him out of hand. - But yet this Spaniard, not content, 45 - To women bore a spite, - And then requested of the king, - Against all law and right, - - That ev'ry womankind should have - Their right breast cut away; 50 - And then with burning irons sear'd, - The blood to stanch and stay! - King Edward then, perceiving well - Her spite to womankind, - Devised soon by policy 55 - To turn her bloody mind. - - He sent for burning irons straight, - All sparkling hot to see; - And said, "O queen, come on thy way; - "I will begin with thee." 60 - Which words did much displease the queen, - That penance to begin; - But ask'd him pardon on her knees; - Who gave her grace therein. - - But afterwards she chanc'd to pass 65 - Along brave London streets, - Whereas the mayor of London's wife - In stately sort she meets; - With music, mirth, and melody, - Unto the church they went, 70 - To give God thanks, that to th' lord mayor - A noble son had sent. - - It grieved much this spiteful queen, - To see that any one - Should so exceed in mirth and joy, 75 - Except herself alone: - For which, she after did devise - Within her bloody mind, - And practis'd still more secretly, - To kill this lady kind. 80 - - Unto the mayor of London then - She sent her letters straight, - To send his lady to the court, - Upon her grace to wait. - But when the London lady came 85 - Before proud El'nor's face, - She stript her from her rich array, - And kept her vile and base. - - She sent her into Wales with speed, - And kept her secret there, 90 - And us'd her still more cruelly - Than ever man did hear. - She made her wash, she made her starch, - She made her drudge alway; - She made her nurse up children small, 95 - And labour night and day. - - But this contented not the queen, - But shew'd her most despite; - She bound this lady to a post, - At twelve a clock at night; 100 - And as, poor lady, she stood bound, - The queen, in angry mood, - Bid set two snakes unto her breast, - That suck'd away her blood. - - Thus died the mayor of London's wife, 105 - Most grievous for to hear; - Which made the Spaniard grow more proud, - As after shall appear. - The wheat that daily made her bread - Was bolted twenty times; 110 - The food that fed this stately dame, - Was boil'd in costly wines. - - The water that did spring from ground, - She would not touch at all; - But wash'd her hands with the dew of heav'n, 115 - That on sweet roses fall. - She bath'd her body many a time - In fountains fill'd with milk; - And ev'ry day did change attire, - In costly Median silk. 120 - - But coming then to London back, - Within her coach of gold, - A tempest strange within the skies - This queen did there behold: - Out of which storm she could not go, 125 - But there remain'd a space; - Four horses could not stir the coach - A foot out of the place. - - A judgment lately sent from heav'n, - For shedding guiltless blood, 130 - Upon this sinful queen, that slew - The London lady good! - King Edward then, as wisdom will'd, - Accus'd her of that deed; - But she denied, and wish'd that God 135 - Would send his wrath with speed,-- - - If that upon so vile a thing - Her heart did ever think, - She wish'd the ground might open wide, - And she therein might sink! 140 - With that, at Charing-cross she sunk - Into the ground alive, - And after rose with life again, - In London, at Queenhithe. - - When, after that, she languish'd sore 145 - Full twenty days in pain, - At last confess'd the lady's blood - Her guilty hand had slain: - And likewise, how that by a fryar - She had a base-born child; 150 - Whose sinful lusts and wickedness - Her marriage bed defil'd. - - Thus have you heard the fall of pride, - A just reward of sin; - For those who will forswear themselves, 155 - God's vengeance daily win. - Beware of pride, ye courtly dames, - Both wives and maidens all; - Bear this imprinted on your mind, - That pride must have a fall. 160 - - - - -THE DUCHESS OF SUFFOLK'S CALAMITY. - - -From _Strange Histories_, p. 17 (Percy Society, vol. iii). Other -copies, with variations, are in _The Crown-Garland of Golden Roses_, -Part II. p. 20 (Percy Society, vol. xv.), and _A Collection of Old -Ballads_, iii. 91. The editor of _Strange Histories_ informs us that a -play on the same subject as the ballad was written by Thomas Drew, or -Drue, early in the reign of James I., and printed in 1631, under the -title of _The Duchess of Suffolk, her Life_. He remarks further that -both play and ballad was founded upon the narrative of Fox, anno 1558 -[_Acts and Monuments_, iii. 926, ed. 1641]; but the differences -between Fox's account and the story which follows are altogether too -great for this supposition to be true. - -Katharine, daughter of Lord Willoughby of Eresby, was first married to -Charles Brandon, Duke of Suffolk, and after his death to Richard -Bertie, Esq., with whom she was forced to fly from persecution in -1553, taking refuge first in the Low Countries, and afterwards in -Poland. - - - When God had taken for our sinne - That prudent prince, King Edward, away, - Then bloudy Bonner did begin - His raging mallice to bewray; - All those that did the Gospell professe 5 - He persecuted more or lesse. - - Thus, when the Lord on us did lower, - Many in pryson did he throw, - Tormenting them in Lollards tower,[L9] - Whereby they might the trueth forgoe: 10 - Then Cranmer, Ridley, and the rest, - Were burnt in fire, that Christ profest. - - Smithfield was then with faggots fild, - And many places more beside; - At Coventry was Sanders kild, 15 - At Glocester eke good Hooper dyde; - And to escape this bloudy day, - Beyond-seas many fled away. - - Among the rest that sought reliefe - And for their faith in daunger stood, 20 - Lady Elizabeth was chiefe, - King Henries daughter of royall blood; - Which in the Tower prisoner did lie, - Looking each day when she should die. - - The Dutchesse of Suffolke, seeing this, 25 - Whose life likewise the tyrant sought, - Who in the hope of heavenly blisse - Within God's word her comfort wrought,[L28] - For feare of death was faine to flie, - And leave her house most secretly. 30 - - That for the love of Christ alone, - Her lands and goods she left behind, - Seeking still for that pretious stone, - The worde of trueth, so rare to find: - She with her nurse, her husband, and child, 35 - In poor array their sights beguild. - - Thus through London they passed along, - Each one did passe a severall streete; - Thus all unknowne, escaping wrong, - At Billings-gate they all did meete: 40 - Like people poore, in Gravesend barge, - They simply went with all their charge. - - And all along from Gravesend towne - With easie journeyes on foote they went; - Unto the sea-coast they came downe, 45 - To passe the seas was their intent; - And God provided so that day, - That they tooke shippe and sayld away. - - And with a prosperous gale of wind - In Flanders safe they did arive; 50 - This was to their great ease of minde, - Which from their hearts much woe did drive; - And so with thanks to God on hie, - They tooke their way to Germanie. - - Thus as they traveld, thus disguisde, 55 - Upon the high way sodainely - By cruell theeves they were surprisde, - Assaulting their small companie; - And all their treasure and their store - They tooke away, and beate them sore. 60 - - The nurse in middest of their fight - Laid downe the child upon the ground; - She ran away out of their sight, - And never after that was found: - Then did the Dutchesse make great mone 65 - With her good husband all alone. - - The theeves had there their horses kilde, - And all their money quite had tooke; - The pretty babie, almost spild, - Was by their nurse likewise forsooke, 70 - And they farre from their friends did stand, - All succourlesse in a strange land. - - The skies likewise began to scowle; - It hayld and raind in pittious sort; - The way was long and wonderous foule; 75 - Then may I now full well report - Their griefe and sorrow was not small, - When this unhappy chaunce did fall. - - Sometime the Dutchesse bore the child, - As wet as ever she could be, 80 - And when the lady kind and mild - Was wearie, then the child bore hee; - And thus they one another easde, - And with their fortunes were well pleasde. - - And after many wearied steppes, 85 - All wet-shod both in durt and myre, - After much griefe, their hearts yet leapes, - (For labour doth some rest require); - A towne before them they did see, - But lodgd therein they could not bee. 90 - - From house to house they both did goe, - Seeking where they that night might lie, - But want of money was their woe, - And still the babe with cold did crie; - With capp and knee they courtsey make, 95 - But none on them would pittie take. - - Loe here a princesse of great blood - Did pray a peasant for reliefe, - With tears bedewed as she stood! - Yet few or none regardes her griefe; 100 - Her speech they could not understand, - But gave her a pennie in her hand. - - When all in vaine the paines was spent, - And that they could not house-roome get, - Into a church-porch then they went, 105 - To stand out of the raine and wet: - Then said the Dutchesse to her deare, - "O that we had some fier heere!" - - Then did her husband so provide - That fire and coales he got with speede; 110 - She sate downe by the fiers side, - To dresse her daughter, that had neede; - And while she drest it in her lapp, - Her husband made the infant papp. - - Anone the sexton thither came, 115 - And finding them there by the fire, - The drunken knave, all voyde of shame, - To drive them out was his desire: - And spurning forth this noble dame, - Her husbands wrath it did inflame. 120 - - And all in furie as he stood, - He wroung the church-keies out of his hand, - And strooke him so, that all of blood - His head ran downe where he did stand; - Wherefor the sexton presently 125 - For helpe and ayde aloude did cry. - - Then came the officers in hast, - And tooke the Dutchesse and her child, - And with her husband thus they past, - Like lambes beset with tygers wild, 130 - And to the governour were they brought, - Who understood them not in ought. - - Then Maister Bartue, brave and bold, - In Latine made a gallant speech, - Which all their miserie did unfold, 135 - And their high favour did beseech: - With that, a doctor sitting by - Did know the Dutchesse presently. - - And thereupon arising straight, - With minde abashed at their sight, 140 - Unto them all that there did waight, - He thus brake forth, in wordes aright: - "Behold within your sight," quoth hee, - "A princesse of most high degree." - - With that the governour and the rest 145 - Were all amazde the same to heare, - And welcomm['e]d these new-come guestes - With reverence great and princely cheare; - And afterward conveyd they were - Unto their friend Prince Cassemere. 150 - - A sonne she had in Germanie, - Peregrine Bartue cald by name, - Surnamde The Good Lord Willobie, - Of courage great and worthie fame. - Her daughter young, which with her went, 155 - Was afterward Countesse of Kent. - - For when Queene Mary was deceast, - The Dutchesse home returnde againe, - Who was of sorrow quite releast - By Queene Elizabeth's happie raigne: 160 - For whose life and prosperitie - We may prayse God continually. - -9. There is said to be a place so called in the archiepiscopal palace at -Lambeth. - -28. _So_, C. G. G. R., for which in. - - - - -THE LIFE AND DEATH OF FAMOUS THO. STUKELY, AN ENGLISH GALLANT IN THE -TIME OF QUEENE ELIZABETH, WHO ENDED HIS DAYES IN A BATTAILE OF KINGS -IN BARBARIE. - - -Thomas Stuckley, says Fuller, "was a younger brother, of an ancient, -wealthy, and worshipful family, nigh Ilfracombe in this county -[Devon], being one of good parts; but valued the less by others, -because overprized by himself. Having prodigally mis-spent his -patrimony, he entered on several projects (the issue general of all -decayed estates); and first pitched on the peopling of Florida, then -newly found out, in the West Indies. So confident his ambition, that -he blushed not to tell Queen Elizabeth, 'that he preferred rather to -be sovereign of a mole-hill, than the highest subject to the greatest -king in Christendom;' adding, moreover, 'that he was assured he should -be a prince before his death.' 'I hope,' said Queen Elizabeth, 'I -shall hear from you, when you are stated in your principality.' 'I -will write unto you,' quoth Stuckley. 'In what language?' said the -Queen. He returned, 'In the style of princes: To our dear sister.' - -"His fair project of Florida being blasted for lack of money to pursue -it, he went over into Ireland, where he was frustrated of the -preferment he expected, and met such physic that turned his fever into -frenzy; for hereafter resolving treacherously to attempt what he -could not loyally achieve, he went over into Italy. - -"It is incredible how quickly he wrought himself through the notice -into the favour, through the court into the chamber, yea closet, yea -bosom of Pope Pius Quintus; so that some wise men thought his Holiness -did forfeit a parcel of his infallibility in giving credit to such a -_glorioso_, vaunting that with three thousand soldiers he would beat -all the English out of Ireland. - -"The Pope finding it cheaper to fill Stuckley's swelling sails with -airy titles than real gifts, created him Baron of Ross, Viscount -Murrough, Earl of Wexford, Marquis of Leinster; and then furnished -this title-top-heavy general with eight hundred soldiers, paid by the -King of Spain, for the Irish expedition. - -"In passage thereunto, Stuckley lands at Portugal, just when -Sebastian, the king thereof, with two Moorish kings, were undertaking -a voyage into Africa. Stuckley, scorning to attend, is persuaded to -accompany them. Some thought he wholly quitted his Irish design, -partly because loath to be pent up in an island (the continent of -Africa affording more elbow-room for his achievements); partly because -so mutable his mind, he ever loved the last project (as mothers the -youngest child) best. Others conceive he took this African in order to -his Irish design; such his confidence of conquest, that his breakfast -on the Turks would the better enable him to dine on the English in -Ireland. - -"Landing in Africa, Stuckley gave council which was safe, seasonable, -and necessary; namely, that for two or three days they should refresh -their land soldiers; whereof some were sick, and some were weak, by -reason of their tempestuous passage. This would not be heard; so -furious was Don Sebastian to engage; as if he would pluck up the bays -of victory out of the ground, before they were grown up; and so, in -the battle of Alcaser, their army was wholly defeated: where Stuckley -lost his life. - - 'A fatal fight, where in one day was slain, - Three kings that were, and one that would be fain!' - -"This battle was fought anno 1578, where Stuckley, with his eight -hundred men, behaved himself most valiantly, till overpowered with -multitude." _Worthies of England_, by Nuttall, i. 414. - -Mr. Dyce, in his prefatory note to Peele's _Battle of Alcazar_, having -cited the above extract with several poetical notices of Stukeley, -mentions another play founded on this adventurer's exploits (_The -Famous Historye of the Life and Death of Captaine Thomas Stukely_), -acted in 1596, and printed in 1605 (Peele's _Works_, ii. 85). - -The ballad is from _The Crown-Garland of Golden Roses_ (Percy Society, -vol. vi.) p. 33. There are some verses on Stukeley's projected voyage -to Florida in Mr. Collier's _Old Ballads_, in the first volume of the -Percy Society, p. 73. - - In the west of England - Borne there was, I understand, - A famous gallant in his dayes, - By birth a wealthy clothier's sonne; - Deeds of wonder he hath done, 5 - To purchase him a long and lasting praise. - - If I should tell his story, - Pride was all his glory, - And lusty Stukely he was call'd in court; - He serv'd a bishop of the west, 10 - And did accompany the best, - Maintaining still himselfe in gallant sort. - - Being thus esteemed, - And every where well deemed, - He gain'd the favour of a London dame, 15 - Daughter to an alderman, - Curtis he was called then, - To whom a sutor gallantly he came. - - When she his person spied, - He could not be denied, 20 - So brave a gentleman he was to see; - She was quickly made his wife, - In weale or woe to lead her life, - Her father willingly did so agree. - - Thus, in state and pleasure, 25 - Full many daies they measure; - Till cruell death, with his regardles spight, - Bore old Curtis to his grave, - A thing which Stukely wisht to have, - That he might revell all in gold so bright. 30 - - He was no sooner tombed, - But Stukely presumed - To spend a hundred pound that day in waste: - The bravest gallants of the land - Had Stukelies purse at their command; 35 - Thus merrily the time away he pass'd. - - Taverns and ordinaries - Were his cheefest braveries,[L38] - Goulden angells flew there up and downe; - Riots were his best delight,[L40] 40 - With stately feastings day and night; - In court and citty thus he won renowne. - - Thus wasting land and living - By this lawlesse giving, - At last he sold the pavements of his yard, 45 - Which covered were with blocks of tin; - Old Curtis left the same to him, - Which he consumed vainely, as you heard. - - Whereat his wife sore greeved, - Desir'd to be releeved; 50 - "Make much of me, dear husband," she did say: - "I'll make much more of thee," quoth he, - "Than any one shall, verily: - I'll sell thy clothes, and so will go away." - - Cruelly thus hearted, 55 - Away from her he parted, - And travelled into Italy with speed: - There he flourisht many a day - In his silkes and rich array, - And did the pleasures of a lady feed. 60 - - It was the ladies pleasure - To give him gold and treasure, - And to maintaine him in great pomp and fame; - At last came newes assuredly - Of a battaile fought in Barbary, 65 - And he would valiantly go see the same. - - Many a noble gallant - Sold both land and talent - To follow Stukely in this famous fight; - Whereas three kings in person would 70 - Adventurously, with courage bould, - Within the battaile shew themselves in sight.[L72] - - Stukely and his followers all, - Of the king of Portugall - Had entertainement like to gentlemen: 75 - The king affected Stukely so, - That he his secrets all did know, - And bore his royall standard now and then. - - Upon this day of honour - Each king did shew his banner; 80 - Morocco, and the King of Barbery, - Portugall, with all his train, - Bravely glister'd in the plain, - And gave the onset there most valiantly. - - The cannons they resounded, 85 - Thund'ring drums rebounded, - "Kill, kill!" as then was all the soldiers cry; - Mangled men lay on the ground, - And with blood the earth was dround, - The sun was likewise darken'd in the skye. 90 - - Heaven was sore displeased, - And would not be appeased, - But tokens of God's heavy wrath did show - That he was angry at this war; - He sent a fearfull blazing star, 95 - Whereby these kings might their misfortunes know. - - Bloody was this slaughter, - Or rather wilfull murther, - Where six score thousand fighting men were slain; - Three kings within this battaile died, 100 - With forty dukes and earles beside, - The like will never more be fought again. - - With woful armes enfoulding, - Stukely stood beholding - This bloody sacrifice of soules that day: 105 - He, sighing, said, "I, wofull wight, - Against my conscience heere did fight, - And brought my followers all unto decay." - - Being thus molested, - And with greefes oppressed, 110 - Those brave Italians that did sell their lands, - With Stukely thus to travel forth, - And venture life for little worth, - Upon him all did lay their murthering hands. - - Unto death thus wounded, 115 - His heart with sorrow swounded, - And to them all he made this heavy mone: - "Thus have I left my country deere, - To be so vilely murthered heere, - Even in this place whereas I am not known. 120 - - "My life I have much wronged; - Of what to her belonged - I vainely spent in idle course of life. - What I have done is past, I see, - And bringeth nought but greef to me, 125 - Therefore grant now thy pardon, gentle wife! - - "Life, I see, consumeth, - And death, I feel, presumeth - To change this life of mine into a new: - Yet this me greatest comfort brings, 130 - I liv'd and died in love of kings, - And so brave Stukely bids the world adew." - - Stukelys life thus ended, - Was after death befrended, - And like a soldier buried gallantly; 135 - Where now there stands upon his grave - A stately temple, builded brave, - With golden turrets piercing in the skye. - -38, 40 where. - -72. fight. - - - - -LORD DELAWARE. - - -No plausible foundation for this ballad has as yet been found in -history. It has been suggested that Delaware is a corruption of De la -Mare, a speaker of the House of Commons, and a great advocate of -popular rights, in the reign of Edward the Third! But there is no -accounting for the Dutch lord and the Welsh Duke of Devonshire on this -or any other supposition. - -The ballad is given from Lyle's _Ancient Ballads and Songs_, p. 135, -as "noted down from the singing of a gentleman," and then "remodelled -and smoothed down" by the editor. The same copy is printed in Dixon's -_Ancient Poems, Ballads and Songs_ (Percy Society, vol. xvii.), p. 80, -and in Bell's volume with the same title, p. 66. - - In the Parliament House, - A great rout has been there, - Betwixt our good king - And the Lord Delaware: - Says Lord Delaware 5 - To his Majesty full soon, - "Will it please you, my Liege, - To grant me a boon?" - - "What's your boon?" says the King, - "Now let me understand." 10 - "It's, give me all the poor men - We've starving in this land; - And without delay, I'll hie me - To Lincolnshire, - To sow hemp-seed and flax-seed, 15 - And hang them all there. - - "For with hempen cord it's better - To stop each poor man's breath, - Than with famine you should see - Your subjects starve to death." 20 - Up starts a Dutch lord, - Who to Delaware did say, - "Thou deservest to be stabb'd!" - Then he turned himself away: - - "Thou deservest to be stabb'd, 25 - And the dogs have thine ears, - For insulting our king - In this parliament of peers." - Up sprang a Welsh lord, - The brave Duke of Devonshire, 30 - "In young Delaware's defence, I'll fight - This Dutch lord, my Sire. - - "For he is in the right, - And I'll make it so appear: - Him I dare to single combat, 35 - For insulting Delaware." - A stage was soon erected, - And to combat they went, - For to kill, or to be kill'd, - It was either's full intent. 40 - - But the very first flourish, - When the heralds gave command, - The sword of brave Devonshire - Bent backward on his hand; - In suspense he paused awhile, 45 - Scann'd his foe before he strake, - Then against the king's armour, - His bent sword he brake. - - Then he sprang from the stage, - To a soldier in the ring, 50 - Saying, "Lend your sword, that to an end - This tragedy we bring: - Though he's fighting me in armour, - While I am fighting bare, - Even more than this I'd venture 55 - For young Lord Delaware." - - Leaping back on the stage, - Sword to buckler now resounds, - Till he left the Dutch lord - A bleeding in his wounds: 60 - This seeing, cries the King - To his guards without delay, - "Call Devonshire down,-- - Take the dead man away!" - - "No," says brave Devonshire, 65 - "I've fought him as a man; - Since he's dead, I will keep - The trophies I have won. - For he fought me in your armour, - While I fought him bare, 70 - And the same you must win back, my Liege, - If ever you them wear." - - God bless the Church of England, - May it prosper on each hand, - And also every poor man 75 - Now starving in this land; - And while I pray success may crown - Our king upon his throne, - I'll wish that every poor man - May long enjoy his own. 80 - - - - -THE BATTLE OF HARLAW. (See p. 180.) - -Traditionary Version, from Aytoun's _Scottish Ballads_, i. 75. - - -"I am indebted to the kindness of Lady John Scott for the following -extremely spirited ballad, which was taken down some years ago in -Aberdeenshire, where it is still very popular. It is sung to a -beautiful air, with the following refrain to each stanza:-- - - "_Wi' a drie, drie, dredidronilie drie._" - - As I cam in by Garioch land, - And doun by Netherha', - There was fifty thousand Hielandmen, - A' marching to Harlaw. - - As I cam on, and further on, 5 - And doun and by Balquhaim, - O there I met Sir James the Ross, - Wi' him Sir John the Gr[ae]me. - - "O cam ye frae the Highlands, man? - O cam ye a' the way? 10 - Saw ye Mac Donnell and his men, - As they cam frae the Skye?" - - "Yes, we cam frae the Highlands, man, - And we cam a' the way, - And we saw Mac Donnell and his men, 15 - As they cam in frae Skye." - - "O was ye near Mac Donnell's men? - Did ye their number see? - Come, tell to me, John Hielandman, - What might their numbers be?" 20 - - "Yes, we was near, and near eneugh, - And we their number saw; - There was fifty thousand Hielandmen, - A' marching to Harlaw." - - "Gin that be true," said James the Ross, 25 - "We'll no come meikle speed; - We'll cry upon our merry men, - And turn our horses' head." - - "O na, O na!" says John the Gr[ae]me, - "That thing maun never be; 30 - The gallant Gr[ae]mes were never beat, - We'll try what we can dee." - - As I cam on, and further on, - And doun and by Harlaw, - They fell fu' close on ilka side, 35 - Sic straiks ye never saw. - - They fell fu' close on ilka side, - Sic straiks ye never saw; - For ilka sword gaed clash for clash, - At the battle o' Harlaw. 40 - - The Hielandmen wi' their lang swords, - They laid on as fu' sair, - And they drave back our merry men, - Three acres breadth and mair. - - Brave Forb['e]s to his brother did say, 45 - "O brother, dinna ye see? - They beat us back on ilka side, - And we'll be forced to flee." - - "O na! O na! my brother dear, - O na! that mauna be! 50 - You'll tak your gude sword in your hand, - And ye'll gang in wi' me." - - Then back to back the brothers brave - Gaed in amang the thrang, - And they swept doun the Hielandmen, 55 - Wi' swords baith sharp and lang. - - The first ae straik that Forb['e]s strack, - He gar'd Mac Donnell reel; - And the neist ae straik that Forb['e]s strack, - The brave Mac Donnell fell. 60 - - And siccan a Pitlarichie - I'm sure ye never saw, - As was amang the Hielandmen, - When they saw Mac Donnell fa'. - - And when they saw that he was dead, 65 - They turn'd and ran awa', - And they buried him in Legate's Den, - A large mile frae Harlaw. - - Some rade, some ran, and some did gang, - They were o' sma' record, 70 - But Forb['e]s and his merry men - They slew them a' the road. - - On Mononday at morning, - The battle it began; - On Saturday at gloamin', 75 - Ye'd scarce ken'd wha had wan. - - And sic a weary buryin' - I'm sure ye never saw, - As was the Sunday after that, - On the muirs aneath Harlaw. 80 - - Gin onybody speer at ye - For them we took awa', - Ye may tell them plain, and very plain, - They're sleeping at Harlaw. - - - - -GLOSSARY. - -[right pointing hand]Figures placed after words denote the pages in -which they occur. - - - a, _of_. - - abien, aboun, _above_. - - aboyding, _abiding_. - - accompany, 308, _keep the company of_. - - ae, _one_. - - affected, _enamored_. - - all and sum, _all and several_, _one and all_. - - allangst, 182, _along_. - - ancyents, 63, _ensigns_. - - anent, _over against_. - - aneughe, _enough_. - - aras, _arrows_. - - arminge-sword, _a two-handed sword_. - - austerne, 99, _austere_. - - avowe, _vow_. - - awin, _own_. - - - bade, _abode_. - - bald, _bold_. - - bale, _sorrow_; - ballys bete, 42, _better_, _amend_, _our evils_. - - bandoun, _command_, _orders_. - - banket, _banquet_. - - barne, (A. Sax. _beorn_,) _chief_, _man_. - - basnites, bassonetts, _helmets_. - - battellis, 225, _divisions of the army_, or, _the armies_. - - be, _by_, _at_, _by the time that_. - - bearing arrow, 65, "an arrow that carries well:" Percy, who also suggests - birring, i.e. _whirring_, _whizzing_. - See Boucher's _Glossary_. - - bed, 224, 229, _abode_, _remained_. - - bedeen, 265, _in numbers_, _one after another_? - - beild, _shelter_; - 224, _position of safety_. - - ben, _in_. - - bende-bow, _bent bow_. - - bended, 182, _bounded_? - - bent, _coarse grass_, _ground on which this grass grows_, _field_. - - berne (A. Sax. _beorn_), _chief_, _man_. - - ber, _bare_. - - beth, 98, _is_. - - be-west, _to the west of_. - - biggingis, _buildings_. - - bille, see sworne. - - billie, _comrade_. - - bla', _blow_. - - blaithe, _blithe_. - - blan, blane, _ceased_, _stopped_. - - blate, _silly_, _stupid_. - - bleid, _blood_. - - bodward, 182, _message_. - - borrowe, _security_, _hostage_, _ransom_; - borowed, 18, _ransomed_. - - bouk, _body_, _carcase_. - - bowne, bowyn, _ready_, _prepared_; - 235, _going_; - bound, bowynd, 19, 5, 6, _made ready_, _went_. - - brace, 260, same as breeze, _hurry_? - - bracken, braken, _fern_. - - brae, _side of a hill_. - - braid, _broad_. - - bra'ly, _bravely_. - - branken, branking, _prancing_, _capering_. - - braveries, _displays_. - - braw, _brave_, _handsome_. - - bread, 59, _breadth_; - bred, _broad_. - - breeks, _breeches_. - - brent, _burned_. - - brim, _fierce_. - - bronde, _brand_, _sword_. - - brook, _enjoy_; - 186, _take_ (_possession of_). - - brose, 261, _pottage_. - - brouine, brown, _brewed_. - - broust, _brewage_. - - bruch, brugh, _burgh_, _city_. - - bryttlynge, _cutting up_ (_of game_.) - - buft, _buffeted_, _beat_. - - burd-alone, _alone_. - - burn, _brook_. - - but, _without_, 221; - but bed, _before we sleep_. - - butter-box, 154, "Dutchmen." Ritson. - - byckarte, 30, _moved quickly, rattling their weapons_. - - byddys, _abides_. - - byears, _biers_. - - byll, _halbert_, _battle-axe_. - - - ca', _call_; - 265, _drive_, _beat_. - - caliver, 116, _large pistol_, or _blunderbuss_. - - can, could, used as auxiliaries to form the past tenses. - - canty, _merry_. - - carefull, _anxious_. - - carpe, _tell_, _discourse_. - - cast, _propose_, _intend_. - - cawte, _cautious_. - - chafts, _chaps_. - - chess, _chace_. - - chessit, _chased_. - - cheverons, _gloves_. - - christiant[e'], _Christendom_. - - claw, _scratch_, _fight_. - - clinkum clankum, a phrase for _smart blows_. - - cogue, _wooden pail_. - - cold bee, 100, _was_; - see can. - - collayne, _Cologne_, i. e. _steel, or manufacture_: - see i. 357. - - cor, core, _corps_. - - corpes, 287, _living body_. - - cors, _curse_. - - corynoch, _lamentation for the dead_. - - cowde dye, 16, _did die_; - see can. - - crouse, 169, _brisk_, _brave_. - - crowdie, _gruel_, _porridge_. - - cryand, _crying_. - - - daft, _mad_. - - dandering, _an epithet expressing the noise of drums_, like tantara, - p. 124. - - de, _die_; - deid, dead, _death_. - - decay, _destruction_, _death_. - - dee, _do_. - - deemedst, _doomedst_. - - demean, _punish_, _put down_. - - deputed, 103, used of a fugitive _carried back for trial_. - - diel, _devil_. - - dight, dicht; - 61, _furnished_; - 37, 189, to deth, "_done_," _wounded_; - 22, _dispose of_, _handle_, _encounter_. - - ding, pr. dung, _strike_, _knock_, _beat_, _overcome_. - - dinne, _noise_. - - discord, _quarrel_. - - doghtie, _doughty_. - - door, 154? dorlach, which Jamieson says is a short-sword, means a - _wallet_. - - douted, _redoubtable_, _feared_. - - doutsum, _doubtful_. - - drede, _doubt_. - - dre, drye, _endure_, _bear_; - drie, 98, as noun, _suffering_. - - dulesum, _doleful_. - - dunted, _beat_. - - durk, _dirk_. - - dyne, garre, 10, _give one his fill of fighting_. - - dyne, 228, _valley_. - - dynte, _blow_, _stroke_. - - - eathe, _easy_. - - ee, _eye_. - - edicang, _aide-de-camp_. - - eme, _uncle_. - - endlongis, _along_. - - enewch, _enough_. - - ensenzie, enzie, _ensign_. - - envye (to do), _ill-will_, _injury_. - - ewill, 229; qy, eve, or vigil? - - - fa', _fall_; - 162, _share_, _portion_. - - fach, _fetch_. - - fallows, _fellows_, _equals_. - - fare, _go_. - - fay, 219, _on the verge of death_, _doomed_. - - fayne, _glad_. - - feale, _fail_. - - fearit, _feared_. - - fecht, _fight_. - - fee, _property_, _reward_. - - feck, maist, _greatest part_. - - feid, _feud_, _enmity_. - - feingit, _feigned_. - - feirdness, _cowardice_. - - fell, _hide_. - - fells, _hills_, also, _moors_. - - fend, _keep_, _support_. - - fett, _fetched_. - - fiery-fairy, _confusion and consternation_. - - filabeg, _kilt, or short petticoat, worn by Highlanders instead of - breeches_. - - firstin, _first_. - - fit, _song_, _division of a song_, _story_. - - flegs, _frights_. - - flinders, _fragments_. - - flyte, _scold_, _remonstrate_; - 95, _rally_. - - forder, _further_. - - forefend, _forbid_. - - forgatherit, _met together_. - - forwarde, _van_. - - fou, _full_. - - fourugh, see furich. - - frame, 133, _succeed_. - - freck, freke, freyke (A. S. _one who is bold_) _warrior_, _man_. - - fun', _found_. - - furich, furichinish, Gaelic; - fuirich means _wait_, _stop_; - fearach is an old Irish warcry. "Fy, furich, Whigs, awa'!" was a - Jacobite pipe air, says Chambers. - - free, frie, _noble_; - 20, of metal, _precious_ (?) - - - gade, _went_. - - galliards, _quick and lively dances_. - - gare, _gore_. - See Glossary to vol. 2. - - garre, _make_; - gart, _garde_, _made_. - - gate, _way_. - - geed, _went_. - - geere, 64, _business_, _affair_. - - gettyng, 9, _plunder_. - - gled, _gladden_. - - glede, _live coal_. - - glent, _glanced_, _passed swiftly_. - - gloamin', _dusk_, _night-fall_. - - glove, 121; to claim a glove worn as a lady's favor, was a form of - challenge,--which is perhaps the reference here. - - graif, _grave_. - - graithed, grathed, _prepared_, _dressed_, _armed_; - 183, _laid_, or _laid out_. - - gree, bear the, _bore the palm_. - - gresse, _grass_. - - grevis, _groves_, _bushes_. - - grite, _weep_. - - grysely, _dreadfully_. - - guide, _good_. - - - habershoune, _coat of mail_. - - hach-borde, 60, 63, 68, (MS. has in one place, "archborde,") seems to be - used for the _side of the ship_. - - hached, _inlaid_ or _gilded_. - - hagbutis, _a kind of muskets_. - - halched, _greeted_. - - hale, _whole_. - - hard, _heard_. - - harneis, _armor_. - - haryed, _plundered_. - - haws, _low grounds on the border of a river_. - - haylde, _hauled_. - - haylle, 10, _healthy_. - - he, _high_. - - heal, _hail_. - - heidit, _beheaded_. - - heidin, _beheading_. - - hernainsell, see note p. 154. - - hich, _high_. - - hight, _promise_, _be called_. - - hinde, _gentle_. - - hing, _hang_. - - his, _has_. - - Hogan Dutch, 155? - - holtes, 8, _woods_. - - hoved, 9, _hovered_, _hung about_, _tarried_. - - howe, _hollow_, _valley_. - - husbonds, _husbandmen_. - - hye, hyght, (on,) _on high_, _aloud_. - - hyght, _promised_. - - - ilk, ilkay, _each_. - - into, _in_. - - is, _has_. - - i-wis, _certainly_. - - - jack, _a coat of mail_, _a leather jacket_. - - jouk, _avoid a blow by bending the body forward_. - - - kain, 180, _rent paid in kind_; - here, paid the kain is _suffered sorely_. - - kaithe, _appear_, _come_. - - ken, _know_; - kenna, _know not_. - - kindly, 23, _native born_. - - kith, _acquaintance_. - - kittle flaws, _variable winds_, i.e. not to be depended on for courage. - - knop, _knob_. - - knowe, _knoll_. - - - lair, 239, _place where they were lying_. - - lang, _long_. - - lap, _leapt_. - - layne, _deceive_; - 13, _break word_. - - leaguer, _camp_. - - leath, _loath_. - - leeve, _dear_, _pleasant_; - lever, _rather_. - - lesse, 10, _lying_. - - let, _prevent_. - - lift, _air_. - - lifting, _stealing_. - - liges, _lieges_. - - liklie, _handsome_, _promising_. - - lilye, 23, lilly, 179, _covered with lilies_? - - lilting, _singing cheerfully_. - - linking, _walking quickly_. - - list, _please_. - - lithe, _list_. - - liverance, 95, "_money for delivering up._" Percy. - - logeying, _lodging_. - - lope, _leapt_. - - lucetts, 14, _luces_, _pikes_. - - lurdane, _a heavy, stupid fellow_. - - luves, _palms_, _hands_. - - - maker, makys, _mates_. - - march-man, _warden of the Marches_. - - march-perti, 40, _the Border parts or region_. - - marke hym to the Trenit['e], 13, _commit himself to God by making the - sign of the cross_? marked, 14, _fixed their eyes on_, _took aim at_? - - maugre, _spite_. - - may, _maid_. - - meany, _company_. - - merchand, _marching_. - - mickle, _great_. - - mind, _remember_. - - miss, 264, _evil_, _fault_, _trouble_. - - moe, moo, _more_, _greater_. - - mome, _fool_. - - mort, _death_ (_of the deer_.) - - mowes, mowis, (_mouths_,) _joke_. - - muir, _moor_. - - mykel, _great_. - - myll[a']n, 36, _Milan_, i. e. _steel or manufacture_. - - myne-allaine, _alone by myself_. - - myneyeple, 35, _maniple_ (i. e. _many folds_), _a name for a close dress - with sleeves worn under the armor_. - - - nare, _nor_. - - naye, _denial_. - - near, _nearer_. - - neist ae, _next_. - - nixtin, _next_. - - northen, be, _to the north of_. - - - oh'on a ri, Gaelic, _oh, my heart!_ oh' rig in di, 155? - - one, _on_. - - ones, _once_. - - outrake, 100, _riding out_, _excursion_. - - oware, _hour_. - - owermaskit, _overcast_. - - - paiks, 154, _drubbing_. - - palione, 222, pallion, _pavilion_, _tent_. - - pall, _a rich cloth_. - - parti, _part_. - - paw, pa', 158, _swift motion_; - one's _part_ in a performance, 154; - of the _contortions_ of a person hanged, 162; - of the _movement of weapons_, 163. - - peart, _pert_. - - perseiued, _pursued_. - - philibeg, _kilt, or short petticoat_, worn by Highlanders instead of - breeches. - - Pitlarichie, 319? - - pleadis, _prayers_. - - polititious, _politic_, _ingenious_. - - pompous, 278, _proud_, _magnificent_. - - pra, 173, _brave_, _fine_. - - presumand, _presuming_. - - prycked, _rode_. - - pyght, _pitched_. - - - quaint, _acquaint_. - - quat, _quit_. - - quhat, &c. _what_, _&c._ - - quhill, _while_, _until_. - - quhois, _whose_. - - quite, _quit_. - - quyrry, _quarry_, _slaughtered game_. - - quyt, _paid_, _repaid_. - - - race, 184, _course_. - - raid, _a predatory incursion_. - - rais, _rose_. - - raking, 242, _running_, _scouring along_. - - rave, _bereave_. - - raw, _row_, _rank_; - upo' the raw, _in rank of battle_. - - rax, _reach_, _stretch_; - 265, _beat_? - - rear, ride the, 233, _ride behind_, _have the worse_. - - recks, 23, _matters_. - - rede, _advise_; - 15, _guessed_. - - red, _rode_. - - Reidswire, see vol. vi. p. 131. - - remeid, _remedy_. - - rent, _rend_. - - rewyth, _regrets_. - - riggings, 154, _backs_? - - rinnes, _runs_. - - rise on anchor, 206? - - roke, _reek_, _steam_. - - rout, _company_, _crowd_. - - rowght, _rout_, _strife_. - - rowynde, _round_. - - rung, _cudgel_; - canon's, _figuratively_, _for shot_? - - ryall, _royal_. - - ryght, 7, _straight_. - - rynde, 13, _flayed_? rinde, _to destroy_, Halliwell's _Dict._ - - - saw, _saying_, _statement_. - - say, _saw_. - - say, _assay_. - - sayne, _say_. - - scale, 262, 178, _scatter_, _spread_. - - schapped, 15, apparently should be "swapped;" - see _post_. - - schoote, 12, _shot_, _let go_. - - sen, _since_. - - sene, 189, _skilled_, _experienced_. - - shear, 30, 31, _quickly_, _at once_. (?) Halliwell. - - she, used of _Highlanders in general_. - - siccan, _such_. - - sinsyne, _since_. - - sith, _since_. - - skelps, _blows_. - - silver wand, 100? - - slaydis, 228; - the passage is corrupt. - - slicht, _slight_. - - sloughe, _slew_. - - smirkling, _smirking_, _smiling_. - - smored, _smothered_. - - snell, 269, _sharp_, _loud_. - - snood, _a band with which a young woman ties up her hair_. - - sould, _should_. - - souters, _cobblers_. - - spear, speir, _ask_. - - spendyd, 96, probably the same as spanned, _grasped_. - - splenderis, _splinters_. - - spole, _shoulder_. - - spuente, 36, _spirited_, _sprung out_. - - spurne, _kick_; 42, _retaliation_? - - stain, _outdo_, _excel_. - - stalwurthlye, _stoutly_, _boldly_. - - stane'd, _stationed_. - - stank, 154, _pool_. - - stead, 65, _place_, _post_. - - stell'd, _placed_. - - stent, _stop_. - - stounde, _time_. - - stour, stowre, (_turmoil of_) _fight_. - - straiks, _strokes_. - - stynttyde, _stopped_. - - styrande, 6, see note: according to Percy's reading, _driving_ the deer - _from their retreats_; - but adopting Motherwell's, _prancing_, _spirited_. - - suar, 35, 38, _sure_, _trusty_. - - suthe, _true_. - - swakked, 23, swapped, swapte, 15, 24, 36, _struck_, _smote_. - - swat, _sweat_. - - sweirand, _swearing_. - - sworne into my bille, 95, "_I have delivered a promise in writing, - confirmed by an oath._" Percy. - - syne, _since_, _then_, _afterward_. - - - tackes, _takes_. - - tald, 227, _tall_? - - talent, 310, seems to be used for property in general. - - tear, 42, possibly the same as dere, _injury_. - - teene, tene, _injury_. - - tenne, _taken_. - - tent, _heed_. - - the, _thee_, _they_. - - thi, _the_. - - thir, _these_, _those_. - - thought long, _found the time drag_. - - thrang, _throng_. - - thraw, _twist_. - - thrysse, _thrice_. - - thuds, 169, sound of blows, _noises_, _strokes_. - - tinkler, played the, 161, _played the coward_. - - tint, _lost_. - - tockin, _token_. - - ton, tone, the, _the one_. - - tooke, 39; supply an omitted word, as "rest." - - toom, _empty_. - - top-castle, 62, _a kind of turret built round the mast-head_. - - topsail, to cast, _a kind of salute_. - - tre-trip for hay, 131; tray-trip was a _game at dice_. - - tree, 226, _spear-shaft_? _cudgel_? - - trews, 155, _Highland pantaloons_, consisting of breeches and stockings - in one piece; - here used for Highlanders. - - trone, 143, _pillory_. - - trows, 156, see trews. - - touk, tuick, _beat_. - - tyll, _to_. - - tyne, _lose_. - - - uds-doyns, an oath. - - uncouth, _unknown_. - - uttermost, _outmost_. - - - valziant, _valiant_. - - verament, _truly_. - - vow, 169, _exclamation of admiration or surprise_. - - vowit, _vowed_. - - - wae, _sad_, _sorry_. - - wald, _would_. - - waly, _interjection of lamentation_. - - wane, 36? - - war, _worse_; - verb, _to worst_, _overcome_. - - war, _aware_. - - ward, _word_. - - waryson, _reward_. - - wast, _west_. - - wat, _know_. - - weal, 41 (of hands), to _wring_? - - weale, 64, qy, _well_? or _good luck_! The word is probably corrupted. - - weapon-shaw, _inspection of arms_, _military review_. - - wed, _would_. - - wede, 72, _shorn_? - - weir, _war_. - - well, 226, qy. mell, _meddle or fight with_. - - weme, 98, _belly_, _hollow_. - - wend, _go_. - - whigging, _moving fast_, _marching briskly_. - - whilk, _which_. - - whyll, 15, _till_. - - wid, _would_. - - wight, 102, _strong_, _quick_. - - win, _go_, _get_. - - win (hay), _make_, _get in_. - - winna, _will not_. - - wis, 214, _wish_. - - woned unto the dead, 222, qy. vowed? _devoted themselves to death_? - - wood, _mad_, _furious_. - - worried, 270, _choked at_. - - worthe, woe, _woe be to_. - - wouche, _injury_. - - wraithe, _wroth_. - - writhe, _twisted_. - - wyld, 30, seems to be used absolutely for _deer_. - - wynn, (hay), _make_, _get in_. - - - ychone, _each one_. - - yebent, _bent_. - - yee, _eye_. - - ye-feth, _i-faith_. - - yender, _yonder_. - - yerlle, _earl_. - - yerly, _early_. - - ye'se, _ye shall_. - - yestreen, _yesterday_. - - yill, _ale_. - - yth' _in the_. - - - zield, _yield_. - - zit, _yet_. - - * * * * * - -Transcriber's Notes - -Page 39, line 101: changed "strenght" to "strength" (Many hade no -strength for to stande,) - -Page 108: line note anchor moved from line 67 to line 68. - -Page 157, line 11: changed "orher" to "order" (Lord Roxburgh was -there, in order to share) - -Page 191, line 9-12: changed indentation of this verse to be -consistent with the rest of the ballad. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of English and Scottish Ballads, Volume -VII (of 8), by Various - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENGLISH, SCOTTISH BALLADS, VOL 7 *** - -***** This file should be named 41044.txt or 41044.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/4/1/0/4/41044/ - -Produced by Simon Gardner, Dianna Adair, Louise Davies and -the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at -http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images -generously made available by the Digital & Multimedia -Center, Michigan State University Libraries.) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions -will be renamed. - -Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no -one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation -(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without -permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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