^^fe
SELECT
SCOTISH BALLADS.
VOLUME L
CONTAINING?
BALLADS
IN THE
TRAGIC STYLE.
THE SECOND EDITION,
CORRECTED AND ENLARGED.
SELECT
SCOTISH BALLADS.
VOLUME I.
LONDON,
PRINTED BY AND FOR J. NICHOLS.
MDCCLXXXIII.
103880
,
vHARDYKNUTE,
j
AN HEROIC BALLAD,
NOW FIRST PUBLISHED COMPLETE;
WITH THE OTHER MORE APPROVED
r^.
^
SCOTISH BALLADS,
5V*
AND SOME NOT HITHERTO MADE PtTBLIC,
\
; " IN THE TRAGIC STYLE.
RY.
o
TO WHICH ARE PREFIXED
TWO DISSERTATIONS,
I. ON THE ORAL TRADITION OF POETRY.
"- IT. ON THE TRAGIC BALLAD.
JAM<y;i tACKVM tEKIRH VA9XM VINEIBTVR At
T O
HIS GRACE
THE
Duke of BUCCLEUGH.
MY LORD,
IT is with much pleafure I embrace this
opportunity of teflifying my fincerc refped:
for YOUR GRACE'S exalted character, as the
friend and as the ornament of your coun-
try, by addrefling thefe volumes to a name
fo much revered and beloved by the nation
a 4 \vhofe
whofe poetry they are intended to preferve
and to illuftrate.
The chief compositions in this volume,
MY LORD, will be found to breathe the living
fpir.it of the Scotifh people, a race of men
who have left monuments of their martial
glory in every country. YOUR GRACE, it
is hoped, will with pleaftire here recognife
the noble ardour your example lately tended
to revive, by railing and commanding in
pcrfen a military force in defence of your
country, at a period when her natives had
not difcernment to perceive, nor fpirit to
affurne, the privileges of Britifh fubjects.
The fecond volume, MY LORD, contains
chiefly pieces defcriptive of rxiral merriment,
and of love and domeftic happinefs. Even
thefe, it is humbly believed, YOUR GRACE
will not difdain ; for it is well known that
the felicity of the poor in general, and of
>oui numerous tenants and dependants in
particular,
particular, is regarded by YOUR GRACE as
cffential to your own. In reward, YOUR
GRACE enjoys a domeflic felicity now fel-
dom or never known to the great, who are
generally obliged to exchange the free en-
joyment of true pleafure for the gaudy (la-
very of oftentation*
At a period when many of the British
nobility are wafting their patrimonial eftates
in profligate diffipstion ; men trained to arms
in defence of their rights and liberties, vil-
lages beautified and rendered falubrious, and
their inhabitants rendered happy, have been
the monuments of expence of the DUKE OF
BuCCLfiUQH.
The filent gratitude of the poor will ever
fpeak YOUR GRACE'S praifes with an ex-
prcflion unknown to the mod exalted elocu-
tion ; and it were furely abfurd for any wri-
ter to enlarge on what is the common fubjcft
of
C
of converfation, and known to all; I fhall
not therefore any longer intrude on YOUR.
GRACE'S patience.
That SCOTLAND may long confider YOUR
GRACE as one of the belt guardians of her
liberty, and the living aflertor of her an-
cient fpirit, is the earneft wilh of,
MY LORD,
YOUR GRACE'S
Moil obedient Servant^
JOHN PINKERTON,
t " 3
CONTENTS.
DISSERTATION I. Page tfr
DISSERTATION II. xxviii
/I . Hardyknute, Part I.
Part II. x6
/2. Child Maurice, a>
3 . A Jam o Gordon.
4. Tht Child cfElle. 5 ,
/$. Gildery. 62
. . " 7*^ Gypfies came to our good Lord's gate. 67
7. 72v Cruel Knight. 69
8. Young Waters. yj
yQ. &'r Hugb t or the Jew's Daughter. j?
xio. Flodden Field, or the Flown of the FtreJI. 78
1 1 . Edward, go
j 2. Sir Patrick Spenct. 83
/1 3. Lady Bath-well's Lament. 86
, 14. Earl of Murray. 88
1 4. &V 7 /Af /?/?. 90
16. Laird
xii CONTENTS,
1 6. Laird 'f WoodhouJclH. 94.
17. Lord Lt-vingjtoit. 98
18. Binnorie. 101
19. Death of Mentiitb, 105
20. Lard Atrttfs Complaint. 107
2.1 . * * / <wfo 1 were wibtrt Htlen fyft." 109
Fragments* in
G/ofary. -156
DIS-
DISSERTATIONS
ON T HE
ORAL TRADITION OF POETRY,
AN D O N
THE TRAGIC BALLAD.
DISSERTATION I.
ON THE ORAL TRADITION
OF POETRY.
IT has long been a.fuljecl: of regret, that the inven-
tors of the fine Arts have by oblivion been dep; ived
of the reputation due to their memory. Of the many,
realms which lay claim to their birth, Fgypt ieems to
pofleis the preference. Yet, like the Nile, which ani-
mates that country, while they have diftulcd plealu:e
and utility over kingdoms, their origin remains hid in
the rnoft profound obfcurity.
That poetry holds a diilinguifliedfuperiority over ali
thcfe Iciences is allowed ; yet the fii it pracliler of this
enchanting art has loft the renown it was dcli^i-d ro
confer. We mud either allow the contefted ci.iim of
the Ofifis of the Egyptians, jnd Apollo of the C,in k?,
or be content to withhold from any, the fame which
indeed fecms due to as many inventors as there arc till-
tinct nations in the world. For poetry appeal s not to
5 require
xvi DISSERTATION I.
require the labour of difquifition, or aid of chance, to
invent ; but is rather the original language of men in
an infant fiate of fociety in all countries. It is the
effufion of fancy actuated by the paffions : and that
thefe are always ftrongeft when uncontroulcd by cuftom,
and the manners which in an advanced community are
termed polite, is evident. But the peculiar advantages,
which a certain fituation of extrinfic objects confers on
this art, have already been fo well illuftrated by emi-
nent critics *, that it is unneceflary here to remember
them. I have beiides noted a few fuch as immediately
concern the compofitions now under view in the fub-
fequent DifTertation ; and only propofe here to give a
brief account of the utility of the Oral Tradition of
Poetry, in that barbarous ftate of feeiety which necef-
farily precedes the invention of letters ; and of the cir-
eumftances that confpired to render it eafy and^fafe.
Among the Egyptians, probably the rnoft ancient
authors of the elegant, as well as ufeful feiences, we
find that verfes were originally xifed folely to preferve
the laws of their princes, and fayings of their wile men
from oblivion f . Thefe were fometimes infcribed in
their temples in their hieroglyphic character, but more
* Particularly Dr. Blackwell, in his Enquiry into the Life aod
Writings of Homer 5 and Dr. Blair, in hij elegant Diffenauon on
riie Poems of Offian.
f Keroda. Diodor. Sieul. ke*
i frequently
DISSERTATION I. xvii
frequently only committed to the memory of the ex-
pounders of their Law, or difciples of their iages.
Pythagoras, who was initiated in their fecret fcience,
conveyed in like manner his dictates to his diicijjles, as
appears from the moral verfes which pafs under his
name at this day. And though the authenticity of thefe
may be questioned, yet that he follo-.ved this mode of
bequeathing his knowledge to his followers, is proved
from the confent of all antiquity *. Nay before him,
Thale? compofed in like manner his Syflem of Natural
Philofophy. And even (o late ns the time of Ariftotle,
the Laws of the Agathyrfi, a nation in Sannatia, were
all delivered in verfe. Not to mention the known laws
of the Twelve Tables, which, from the fragments ftiil
remaining of them, appear to have confifted of fliort
rythmic fentenccs.
From laws and religion poetry made tin eafy progrefi
to the celebration of the Gods and Heroes, who were
their founders. Verfes in their pralfe weie fung en.
folcinn occalions lv t.;c compofers, o: bards themfelves.
We meet with many before Homer, who didi-nguiflied
themfelves by fuch productions. F..br!ci:is f has enu-
meiated near f evenly whofe names have readied our
times. That immortal author had the advantage of
* JannbHchos dc rita Pythag. fajjim; aud particularly i.k.l.
t*p. 15. and 25.
f In Biblioikeca Crxca, torn. I.
VOL. I. b hearing
xviii DISSERTATION I,
hearing their poems repeated ; and was certainly hi-
dcbted to his predeceflors for many beauties which we
admire as original. That he was himfelf an AOIAOS,
or Minftrel, and fung his own verfes to the lyre, is
fliown by the admirable author of the Enquiry into his
Life and Writings *. Nor were his poems refcued from
the uncertain fame of tradition,- and committed to wri-
ting till ibme time after his death f.
Such was the utility of the poetic tradition among
the more polifhed nations of antiquity: and with thole
they denominated Barbarians we find'itno lefs praclifed |.
The Perfians had their Magi, who prefer ved, as woui'd
feem in this way, the remarkable events of former times',
and in war went before the army Tinging the praifes of
their illuftrious men, whom the extraordinary gratitude
and admiration of their countrymen had exalted into
Deities. If they gained the victory, the Song of Triumph
recorded the deeds of thofe who had fallen, and by their
praifes animated the ambition of thofe who enjoyed the
'conqueft to farther acts of valour. The latter cuilovn
* Scfl. VIII.
f .Elian. Var'. Hift. lib. xiii. c. 14.
J The reader, who would defire more intelligence- on this fieai?,
may coafult a curious D>JJertati',n en the Monuments ivbicb JttpfEed
the Deftfi cf Writing aming the firjl Il'ijloriatn, by the Abbe Anfelm,
in Les Memoirca de 1' Academic des lufcrirtions, &c.
DISSERTATION!. xix
fc-as in xife flill more anciently among the Jews, as
appears from the fongs of Mofes * and Deborah f
prclerved in Sacred Writ.
The Druids of Gaul and Britain afford a noted in-
ftance j. Such firm hold did their traditions take of
the memory, that fome of them are retained in the
minds of their countrymen to this very day . The
* Exod XV. f Judges V.
* Et Bardi quidem fortia virorutn illuftrinm fafta heroicis com-
pofita verlibus, cum dalcibus lyrae modulis camitarunt. Ammian.
Marcell. lib. xvi.
Atque horum (Bardorum fen Druidarum) cantiones, aut ad
fitnilitudincm potiua earundem f.clx etiamnum aliquae extant die
I'angc, fed recentiores plerzque, nee vel quingentos annos
excedentts. JSeJJel. in natlt ad Eglnbart. Trajeft. 1711, p. 130.
Nonnulli eruditi rirt obfervarunt veterem ilhm Gallorum confue-
tudinem {fill, vifci facrum ufum apud druidas) etiam nunc multis
Gallix locis retineri, cum anni initio clamitar.r, Au guy fan ntuf.
I. c. Ad vifcum ; annus novus. Hctoman. miCtf. I. 6. Druydcs
vero Heduorum, qui tune habitabant in quodam loco, hodiernis
temnoribus Mons druidum diftus, diflans a nol>r-> civitate Heduenfi
per cnum milliare ubi adhuc reftant vedigia loci habttationis
eorum, utebantur pro eorum armis anguibas in campo azureo; ha-
bebant ctiam in parte fuperiore ratniim vifci quercinei (ung ramet-l
de gwg d; cb.ifnc) ct in parte infcriore unum cumulum parvorurn
ar.guiucn feu krpcniium argcntcotum qu*li tune nafcentium, qui
vulgo dicitur, coul><.e de ftrftm d' argent. Cba/tntuK Catalog! Gloriae
munJi, 15:9, fvilo ver/o 26.
b a Germans,
xx DISSERTATION L
Germans, as we learn from Tacitus, had no other mode-
of commemorating the tranfaftions of paft times than
by verfe. The brave aclions of their anceftors were
always fung as an incentive to their imitation before
they entered into combat. The like we read of the
anqient Goths *, thofe deftroyers of all literature, who
yet poflefled greater fkill in the fine arts than is com-
monly afcribed to them. From them this cuftom pafled
to their defcendants the inhabitants of the Northern
regions, many animated fpecimens of whofe traditio-
nal poetry have been preferved to our times f and
quoted by their modern hiftorians as uncontroulable
vouchers ; as the Arabian hiftorians refer for the truth
of many events to the Spanifh romanzes, faved in like
manner by tradition tor many ages, many of which are
of very remote antiquity, and abound with the higher
beauties of poetry j. Traditional verles are to this day
a favourite Umufemeiit of the Mahometan nations;
though, inilead of recording the illuftrious aclions of
their real heroes, they chaunt the fabled exploits of
* Jornand. See Warton't Hifi. ofEngli/b Poetry,
f See the Hiftones of Saxo Giammat. Jo Magnus, Torfseus, &c.
pafjim; and Dr. Percy's Five Pieces of Runic Poetry.
J Hi/t. de lot guerras civi/es de Granada. A moft beautiful imi-
tation of their manner may be found among the Poems of Voiture.
The Spaniih word Rmarxt feems now applied to auy fhort lyric
tale on whatever fubjedt. We find in Gongora, their moft emi-
nent poet, Rcmancet /Imeroftt, y Bvrlefc^t.
Buhalul
DISSERTATION I. xxi
Buhalul their Orlando*, or the yet more ridiculous
ones of their Prophet f . From them it would appear
that rime, that great help to the remembrance of tra-
ditional poetry, pafled to the Troubadours of Provence;
who from them feem alfo to have received the fpirit and
character of their effufions. Like them, they compofed
amorous verfes with delicacy and nature; but when
they attempted the fublimer walk of the Heroic Song,
their imagination was often bewildered, :>nd they wandered
into the contiguous regions of the incredible and abfurdf.
In proportion as Literature advanced in the world,
Onl Tradition difappeared. The venerable Britifh
Bards were in time fucceeded by the VVelfh Beirdh,
* Huct, Lcttrc a Monfieur Segrais, fur 1'origine des Romans,
p. LXVII. edit. d'Amft. 1715.
f Hiftoriale defcrption de 1'Afrique, cfcritc de notre temps par
Jean Leon, African, premierement en langue Arabefque, puis n
Tofcane, et a prefent mife en FrancoisEn Anveri, 1556. Ib III.
?.I75-
A curious fpecinren of the Eaftern religious poetry may be fecn in
^ir John Chardin's Voyage to Perfia, TO!. I.
J Huet, ubi fupra, p. LXX. Ermengardc vicotntefTe de Nar
bonne L'accueil favorable qu'ellc fit aux Poetes Provenceaux, a
fait croire qu'ellc tcnoit cour (Tamtur dans fon Palais, moorot 1 104.
Almanach Hiflonque dc Languedoc, a Touloufe, 1752, p. 277.
See Hirt. Liter, dcs Troub. Parity 1774. Tranllations of Prorenzal
Sirventcs, and an imitation of the Provenzal Heroic Romanz- , rr.ay
be found in a volume lately publilbed by Mr. Diliy, intituled,
RIMES. Odes, Book II. Odes, 8, 9, 10, n, u, 13. 16.
Hiflory of Wales, by Caradoc of Lhar.carvan, &c. 1701. p. 159
b 3
xxii D I S S E p. T A T I O N I.
whofe principal occupation feems to have been to pre-
ferve the genealogy of their patrons, or at times to
amufe them with feme fabulous flory of their predecef-
fors fung to the harp or crowd *, an Snftrument which
Griffith ap Conan, King of Wales, is faid to have
brought from Ireland, about the beginning of the
twelfth century.
In like manner, among the Caledonians, as an inge-
nious writer } acquaints us, " Every chief in proeefs
** of time had a bard in his family, and the office be-
" came hereditary. By the fucceffion of thefe bards the
*' poems concerning the ancestors of the family were
*' handed down from generation to generation ; they
*' were repeated to the whole clan on folemn occa-
* c fions, and always alluded to in the new compofi-
" tions of the bards." The fuccelTors of Oflian
were at length employed chiefly in the mean office of
preferving fabulous genealogies, and flattering the pride
of their chieftains at the expence of truth, without
* This is the inftrument meant in the following verfes of Ven,
1'ortunatus, lib. vii.
Romanufque lyra plaudat tibi, barbarus harpa,
Grsecus Achilliaca, Crotta Britanna canat.
See more of the Harp in War. Antic}. Hibern. cap. 22. And
&Ir. Evans, Differ:, de Bardis, p. 80.
f Mr. Macpherfon, in his Diflertation on the Era of Ofiian,
p. aS, ed, 1773.'
evca
DISSERTATION I. xxiii
even fancy fufficient to render their inventions cither
pJeafing or plaufible. That order of men, I believe,
is now altogether extinct ; yet tney have left a Ipirit
of poetry in the country where they flourifhed * ; :;nd
Offian's harp ftill yields a dying found among the wilds
ofMorven.'
Having thus given a faint view of the progrefs of
the Oral Tradition of Poetry to thefe times f, I proceed
to (hew what arts the cyjcient bards employed to make
their vcrfes take fuch hold of the memory of iheir
countrymen, as to be traniinitted fafe and entire
without the aid of writing for many ages. r i hefe may
be confidered as affecting the paffions and the ear.
Their mode of expreffion was fimjple and genuine.
They of confequence touched the pajfions truly and
effectively. And when the paffions are engaged, we
liften with avidity to the tale that fo agreeably affects
them ; and remember it again- with the moft prompt
facility. This ma) be obferved in children, who will
forget no circumftance of an interefling ftory, more
efpecially if finking or dreadful to the fancy ; when
they cannot remember a jhort maxim which only oc-
cupies the judgement. The paffions of men have been
and will be the fame through all ages. Poetry is the
ibvereign of the paffions, and will reign whi'e they
* Sec Martin's, and other Dcfcripiions of the Weftcrn Iflcs,
pilTim.
f For an account of the more modern minftrcls fee Dr.
. Diffcrtation^ which i* fo complete that it leaics nothing
lo add/
b 4 exiil.
*xiv DISSERTATION I.
exift. We may laugh at Sir Ifaac Newton, as we have
at Defcartes ; but we fhall always admire a Homer, an
Offian, or a Shakfpere.
As the fubjects of thefe genuine painters of nature
deeply interefted the heart, and by that means were
fo agreeable and affefting, that every hearer wifhed to
remember them ; fo their mode of conftru&ing their
verfe was fuch, that the remembrance was eafy and
expeditious. A few of their many arts to aid the me-
mory I mail here enumerate.
I. Moft of thefe Oral poems were fet to mufic, as
would appear, by the original authors themfelves.
That this was the cuilom fo early as the days of
Homer, may be feen in the excellent author formerly
adduced *. How fhould we have been affected by
hearing a compofition of Homer or Offian fung and
played by thefe immortal matters themfelves ! With the
poem the air feems to have pafffd from one age to
anorher ; but as no muficril compofitions of the Greeks
exifr, we are quite in the dark as to the nature of thefe.
I iuppofe thatCflian's poetry is ftiil recited to its ori-
ginal cadence and to appropriated tunes. We find, in
an excellent modern writer f, that this mode of fmging
poetry to the harp was reckoned an accomplifhment fo
late as among the Saxon Eccleliailics. The ancient
# Enquiry, &c. Seft. VIII.
f Mr. Warion, la his Hiflory of Euglilh Poetry.
mufic
DISSERTATION I. *
rnufic was confefledly infinitely fuperior to our in the
command of the paffions. Nay, the mufic of the moft
barbarous countries has had effects that not all the
fublime pathos of Corelli, or animated flrains of
Handel, could produce. Have not the Welfli, Irifii,
and Scotifli tunes, greater influence over the moft in-
formed mind at this day than the bell Italian concerto ?
What Modern refined mufic could have the powers of
the Ranee a* 7aches * of the Swiis, or the melancholy
found of the Indian Banfha -j- ? Is not the war-muiic of
the rudeft inhabitants of the wilds of America or Scot-
land more terrible to the ear than that of the beft band
in the Britifh army ? Or, what is Hill more furprizing,
will not the fofter puflions be more inflamed by a
* See Roufl~.au, Dift. de Mufique, fur rttte article. Though the
Swifs are brave nation, yet their danre, which correfponds to the
Ranee dtt P"a.bei, is, like their others, rather exprcflive of an effemi-
nate fpirir. ' Les dances des Suilies confiilent cu un continue!
' trainement de Jambe, ces pas repondoicut mal au courage ferme
4 decette nation. Coquilltrt en fon Blazon des armes, et dts damei.'
* Les Efcoffoys font les repliques,
* Prar;oii ct Bretons briton.ians,
* Les Suilfes dancent leurs Mor.-fques,
' A touts leurs tabourins foiinans.'
Monf. L. D. Notes a Rabtlaif, Tom. IV. p. 164. 1725.
f See Granger's Profo-poetic Account of the Culture of the
Sugar-cane, Book IV.
TurltiQi
xxv! DISSERTATION!.
Txrrkifh air than by the mo ft exquifite dFort of a
polite cor> pofer ? as we learn from an elegant wri-
ter*, whom concurring circumftances rendered the
beft judge that could be imagined of that fubjecl. The
bar my therefore of the old traditional fongs poffeffing
filch influence over the ptiffions, at the fame time that
it rendered every expreffion rreceffary to the ear, rmift
have greatly recommended them to the remembrance.
II. Befides mufical cadence, many arts were ufed in
the verification to facilitate the rehearfal. Such were :
i. The frequent returns of the fame fentences and
defcriptions exprelled in the very fame words. As for
inftance, the delivery of meflages, the description of
battles, &c. of which we meet wkh infinite examples
in Homer, and fome, if I miitake not, in Olfian.
Good ones may be found in Hardjknute, i'artl. v. 123,
Sec. compared with part II. v. 107, &c. and in Child
INjaurice, v. 31., with v. 67; and innumerable fuch in
the a... rional Poetry of all nations. Thefe
feyved as krxl marks, in tb-: view of which the memory
travelled fee. .re over the intervening fpaces. On this
head falls likevriie to be mentioned what we call The
Burden, that is, the un'.aried repetition or one or more
I : .nes fixing the tone of the poem throughout the whole.
That this' is very ancient among the barbaric nations,
eaay be gathered from the known Song of Regner
* Leiten of La<?r M. \V. Montague, XXXIII. '
Lodbrog,
DISSERTATION I. xxvii
Lodbrog, to be found in Olaus Wormius *; every
fianza of which begins with one and the fame line.
So many of our ballads, both ancient and modern,
have this aid to the memory, that it is unneceflary to
condefcend on any in particular.
2. Alliteration was before the invention of rime
greatly ulcd, chiefly by the nations of Northern origi-
nal, to aflift the remembrance of their traditional poe-
try. Moftofthe Runic methods of verification con-
fifted in this practice. It was the only one among the
Saxon poets, from whom it parted to the Englifli and
Scotiflif. When rime became common, this which
was
* Rcgncr Lodbrog, King of Denmark, fiourlfhed in the Ninth
Century.
f Sec Hickes, Lin*. Vet. Sif>t. TbeJ. c. 23. From the Saxons he
obferves, that the author of Pierce Phiunton drew this praiftice,
c. 21. This poem was written about 1350. There is a remarkable
fimilarity in its ftyle and manner with thofe very curious pieces of
ancient Scotilh poetry, ftyle'S The Prophecies of Thoma- Ryrr.cr,
Marvellous Merling, Beid, Berlington, Waldhavc, Eltraine, Ba-
nifter, and Sybilla, printed at Edinburgh in 1615, and reprinted
from that edition, 1741, 8vo. It is very furprifiug that the re-
fpetfablc editor of Ancunt Stettijb Psenu, fram iht MS. tf Gtorgt
Bannaryne, 1568. EJin. 1770, fecms to regard thefc as not more
ancient than the time of Q^een Mary. His rrafons are only
founded on the modern appearance of fomc particular pal-.i MS.
That thi-y have been modernized and corruptcj, I will readily
xxviii DISSERTATION I.
was before thought to conftitute the fole difference
between profe and verfe, was flill regarded as an accef-
iary
allow; but tttst they are on the main nearly as ancient as Rymer's
time, who died aboot the beginning of the j^th Century, I believe
the learned mnft confefs from intrinfic evidence, in fuch cafes the
fnreftof all. Not to mention that Sir David Lindfay, who wrote
in tbe reign of James V. is an undoubted witnefs that they muft
be more ancient than this eminent Antiquary would infer. For in
enumerating the methods he took to divert that prince while under
bs care in his infancy, after condtfcending on fome rifible cir-
cnmftances, as
Whan thou waft young I bare thee in my arm
Foil tenderly till thou began to gang;
And in thy bed oft happed thce full warm,
With lute in hand than fweetly to thee fang,
Sometime in dancing fiercefuily I fling,
And fometimes playing fairfes on the flurc,
And fometimes of mine ofoce taking cure.
And fometimes like a feind transfigurate,
And fometimes like a greefy ghoft of gay,
10 divers forms oft times dishgur&ie, &c.
He ad^s,
The Prophefif s f Ryoifr, JBtJe, and Meilin,
And many other pleafant hiftory
Of tbe reJ Erin, and Gyre Carlin,
Comforting thee when that I faw thre fory.
Efljlli ti tbe Kng, prefixed to 'tis Dream*
They
DISSERTATION I. xxix
fary grace, and was carried to a ludicrous length by
fome poets of no mean rank in both nations. So
late
They begin thus:
Merling fays in his book, who will read right,
Althouch hi} fayings be uncouth, they Ihall be tree found,
In the feventh chapter read who fo will,
One thoufand and more after Chrilt's birth.
Then the Chalnalider of Cornwall is called,
And the wolf out of Wales is vanquilhed for aye,
Then many ferlies Ihall fall, and many folk ihall die.
This exordium is evidently retouched by a modern kind. Bat
very many of the psflages feem to ftand in their orig ; nal form,
as the following lines, which are all in the Saxon macner, will
tefiify :
And derfly dung down without any doome
A proud prince in the preis lordly Ihall light.
With bold Barons in bulhment to bat tie (hall wend.
There (hall a galyart goat with a golden horn.
And many fimilar. That prophecy which bears the name of
Thoma* Rymer is not defliiute of poetic graces. It opens wkh the
following lines :
Still on my v;ays as I went
Out throuch a land befide a Ice,
I met a bairn upon the bent *,
Mcihought him fecmly for 10 fee,
iktgk *g ul *fl tbt rim.
ixx DISSERTATION, t
late as the reign of Queen Elizabeth we find the fefc
lowing lines in a court poet :
Princes puff'd; barons bluftered; lords began lowr,
Knights ftorm'd ; fquires ftartled, like fteeds in a itowr 5
Pages and yeomen yelled out in the hall*.
And William Dunbar, the chief of the old Scotifh
poets, begins a copy of verfes to the King thus,
San<5t Salvator fend filver forrow f .
I afked him wholly his intent j
Good Sir, if four will be,
Since that ye bide upon the bent,
Some uncouth tidings tell you me :
When fliall all thefe wars be gone ?
That leil men may live in ke ;
Of when (ball Fafehude go from homej
And La\vtie blow his horn on hie *
I looked from me not a mile,
And faw twa knights upon a lee, &c<
T imagine, however, they are all the compofures of one hand;
and, if I may ufe a conjecture, were written immediately after the
rifons of Pierce Plowman, every Englifh poem of note in thofe
days being foon futceeded by an imitation in Scotland.
' i:\ng fyetcc's Cbollcnge, in the Rtliques of Ancient Eiiglifb
Postrv. Vol. III. /. 27.
{ Bannatyns's Scottifli Focms^ p. 6?.
IB.
DISSERTATION I. xxxi
HI. But the grcateft affiftance that could be found to
ihe tradition of poetry was derived from the invention
of rime ; which is far more ancient than is commonly
believed. One of the moil learned men this age has
produced *, has ihewn that it is common in Scripture.
All the Pfalms conliir of riming veiles, and many other
paflages which he names. They were uied among the
Greeks ib early as the time of Gorgias the Sicilian,
who taught the Athenians this practice. And though
the fpirit of the Greek and Latin languages did not
always admit of them in poetry, yet they were ufed as
occaficnal beauties by their moft celebrated writers.
Homer, Heiiod, and Virgil, have a few r though ap-
parently more from chance than dellgn. The ancient
Saturnine verles were all rimes, as an old commentator f
informs us. And it is more than probable they were
fo conftrucled merely that the memory might the more
eaGly preferve them, their licence forbidding their
being committed to writing. Thofe who would wifli to
know more particularly the univerfality of this mode
of verifying" among, the other ancient nations, may
confult the Huctlana of the moft learned and refpecl-
able Bifhop of Avranchcs ;. The Eaftern poetry con-
fills altogether, if I mitfake not, of riming lines, as
iay be obierved in the Ipccinieus of Hafiz their raoil
* LcClcrc, Biblloth. Unlvcrfc-lle, torn. IX.
f Scrvius ad Georg. II. vcr. 356.
J Sea. 78.
. flluflriou*
DISSERTATION. I.
ill uftrious writer, lately publiflied *. It appears, how-
ever, that alliteration fupplied the place of rime with
the Northern nations till within a recent period f .
Offian's poetry, I fuppofe, is in ftanzas fomething like
our ballad meafure 5 though it were to be \vifhed the
tranflator had favoured us with fome information
on this head evidenced by fpecimens of the original.
He indeed acquaints us that " Each verfe was fo con-
" nefted with thole which preceded, or followed it,
* that if one line had been remembered in a ftanza, it
" was almoft impoffible to forget the reft j :" but this
flands greatly in need of explanation.
The common ballad ftanza is fo fimple, that it has
been ufed by moft nations as the firft mode of con-
ftrufting rimes. The Spanifh romanzes bear a great
refemblance in this, as in ether refped~h, to the Scotiih
Ballads. In both, every alternate line ends with fimilar
vowels, though the confonants are not fo ftriclly at-
tended to. As for inflance, in the former we have
lana, efpada; mala, falakra; i>ega, citcva; rcn:pan t vof-
car.oi; for rimes : and in the later, midJli, girdle', kccp^
Heed', Buleighan, tal- him ; &c. The Englifli, even in
the ruder pieces of their firlt minftrels, leem to have
* Jones, Comment. PoefeoS Aliaticae Richardfon's Specimen of
Perfian Poetry.
f Ol. Worm. Lit. Run. p. 165 & 176.
% Diflcrt. on the Era of Offian, p. 228, ed. 1773.
j paid
DISSERTATION I. xxxiii
paid more attention to the correfpondence of their con-
ionants, as may be obferved in the curious Collection
publiflied by Dr. Percy.
As the fimplicity of this ftanza rendered it eafy to
the compofer, and likewife more natural to exprels the
paflions, fo it added to the facility of recollection. It's
tone is fedate and flow. The rimes occur feldom, an<!
at equal diftances : though when a more violent paffion
is to be painted, by doubling the rimes, they at once
txpreflcd the mind better, and diverfified the harmony.
Of this the reader will obferve many inftances in this
collection, as, Here maun I lie, here maun 1 die: Like
beacon bricbt at deid of nicbt : Na river beir^ my dame \
deir: &c. and, to give a very folemh movement to the
cadence, they fometimes tripled the rime, an inftance
of which may be obferved in the firft ftanza of Child
Maurice.
When all the circum fiances here hinted at are confl-
dered, we fliall be lefs apt to wonder, that, by the
concurrence of mufical air, retentive arts in the com-
pofition, and chiefly of rime, the moft noble produc-
tions of former periods have been preferred in the me-
mory of a fucceflion of admirers, and have had the
good fortune to arrive at our times' pure and un* >r-
rupted.
VOL. I. c D I S-
xxxiv J
DISSERTATION IL
ON THE TRAGIC BALLAD.
THAT fpecies or" poetry which we denominate
Ballad, is peculiar to a barbarous period. In
an advanced ftate of arts, the Comic Ballad afTumes the
form of the Song or Sonnet, and the Tragic or Heroic
Ballad that of the higher Ode.
The caufe of our pleafure in feeing a mournful event
reprefented, or hearing it defcribed, has been attempted
to be explained by many 'Critics *. It feems to arife
from the mingled paffions of Admiration of the art of
the author, Curioiity to attend the termination, De-
light ariiing from a reflection on our ov, n fecurity, and
the Sympathetic Spirit.
* Ariftotle, Scaliger, Dubos, Trapp In his Praeleflions, Hurte,
Iffay on Tragedy ; but, above all; Mr* Burke in his Enquiry intt
tfa Sublimt and Beautiful.
b
DISSERTATION II. xxxv
In giving this pleafure, perhaps the Tragic Ballad
yields to no effort of human genius. When we perufe
* poliflied Tragedy or Ode, we admire the art of the
author, and are led to praife the invention ; but when
we read an unartful defcription of a melancholy event,
our paffions are more intenfely moved. The laboured
productions of the informed compofer refemble a Greek
or Roman temple; when we enter it, we admire the
art of the builder. The rude effufions of the Gothic
Mule are like the monuments of their Architecture.
We are filled with a religious reverence, and, forgetting
our praife of the contriver, adore the prefent deity.
I believe no Tragic Ballad of renowned Antiquity
has reached our times, if we deny the beautiful and
pathetic CARMEK DE AfY in Catullus a title to this
clafs; which, as a modern critic of note has obferved *,
feems a tranflation from fome Greek Dittyrambic f ,
far more ancient than the times of that poet. His
tranllation of Sappho's Ode might (hew that he took a
delight in the ancient Greek compolitions, from which
indeed he feems to have derived in a great meaiurc his
peculiarly delicate veim
* Eflay on the writings and genius of Pope, f. 514. -$d tL
f The Drtbjranbifj were Heroic Songs, written with the higheft
jlow of poetic fancy in honour of the ancient deities. Anftotle
informs ut, tht the Greek Tragedy originated frwn them ; as
then Comedy did from their Paftoral Love Song!.
c z But
xxxvi DISSERTATION II.
But it was with the nations in a ftate of barbarity
that this effufion of the heart flouriflied as in it's pro-
per foil; their focieties, rude and irregular, were full of
. viciffitudes, and every hour fubjeft to the mofl dreadful
accidents. The Minftrels, who only knew, and were
infpired by thq prefent manners, caught the tale of
mortality, and recorded it for the inftruclion and en-
tertainment of others. It pleafed by moving the pal-
fions, and, at the fame time, afforded caution to their
auditors to guard againft fimilar Biif-adventures.
It is amufing to obferve how expreffive the poetry of
every country is of its real manners. That of the
Northern nations is ferocious to the higheft degree.
Nor need we wonder that thofe, whole laws obliged
them to decide the moil trilling debate with the
iword *, delighted in a vein of poetry, which only
painted deeds of blood, and objects horrible to the
imagination. The ballad poetry of the Spaniards is
tinged with the romantic gallantry of the nation. The
hero is all complaifance ; and takes off his helmet in
the heat of combat, when he thinks on his miftrefs.
That of the Englifli is generous and brave. In their
mod noble ballad, Percy laments over the death of hit
*' Frothoetiam III. Danorum rex, quemadmodum Saxo, lib. V.
refert, de qualibct controverfia ferre decerni fanxit: fpeciofius vi-
ribus quam verbis, confligendum exiftimans. Scbsdiui de di'u Ger.
mortal
DISSERTATION II. xxxvii
mortal foe. That of the Scots is perhaps, like the face
of their country, more various than the reft. We find
in it the bravery of the Englifh, the gallantry of the
Spanifh, and I am afraid in fome inftances the ferocity
of the Northern.
A late writer * has remarked, that, " the Scottifli
" tunes, whether melancholy or gay, whether amorous,
*' martial, or paftoral, are in a ftyle highly original,
" and moil feelingly expreffive of all the paffions from
" the fweeteft to the moft terrible." He proceeds,
*' Who was it that threw out thofe dreadful wild ex-
" preffions of diftraclion and melancholy in Lady Cul-
" rofi'i Dnam? an old compofition, now I am afraid
" loft, perhaps becaufe it was almoil too terrible for
the ear."
This compofition is neither loft, nor is it too terri-
ble for the ear. On the contrary, a child might hear
it repeated in a winter night without the fmalleft emo-
tion. A copy f of it now lies before me, and as fome
curiofity
Mifccllanics by John Armflrong, M.D. vol. II. p. 254.
f It is intituled, " A Godly Dream compiled by Elizabeth
" Melvil, Lidy Culrofs younger, at the requeft of a friend."
Edinburgh, 1737, iimo. p. 20. It is either reprinted from fome
former edition, or from a MS. It was written, I conjeaure, about
the end of the Sixteenth Century ; but in this edition I fufpeft feve-
ral exprertions re modernized and altered to accommodate it to the
ommon capacity.
c 3 Th
xxxviii DISSERTATION II.
curiofity may have been raifed by the above remark, I
fhall -here give an account of it. The dreadful and
melancholy of this production are folely of the religious
kind, and may have been deeply affecting to the enthu-
fiaftic at the period in which it was written : It begins
thus ;
Upon a day as I did mourn full fore,
For fundry things wherewith my foul was grieved,
My grief increafed, and grew more and more,
I comfort fled, and could not be relieved ;
With heaviness my heart was fore mifchieved,
I loathed my life, I could not eat nor drink,
1 might not fpeak, nor look to none that lived,
But mufed alone, and diverfe things did think.
This wretched world did fo moleft my mind,
I thought upon this falfe and iron age,
And how our hearts arefo to vice inclined,
That Satan feems molt fearfully to rage,
Nothing on earth my forrow could afwage,
I felt my fin fo ftrongly to increafe ;
1 grieved the fpirit was wont to be my pledge ;
My foul was plunged into molt deep diftrefs.
The lady Culrofs here meant was Elizabeth daughter of Sir
James Melvil of Halhill, and wife of Jehn Colvil Commendator of
Culrofs. She is believed to have been the mother of Samuel
Colvil the fatyrical poet, author of the Scow Hadibras, Sec.
Her
DISSERTATION II. xxxbc
Her Saviour is then fuppofed to appear in a dream,
and lead her through many hair-breadth fcapes into
Heaven:
Through dreadful dens, which made my heart aghafl f
He bare me up vyhen I began to tire j
Sometimes we clamb oer cragie mountains high ;
And fometimes flayed on ugly braes of fand,
They were fo flay that wonder was to fee ;
But when I feared, he held me by the hand.
Through great deferts we wandered on our way.
Forward we pafl on n.irrow bridge of tree,
Ger waters great which hideoufly did roar, &.
The moft terrible paflage to a fuperftitious ear, is
that in which flie fuppofes herfelf fufpendcd over the
Gulph of Perdition :
Ere I was ware, one gripped me at laft,
And held me high above a flaming fire.
The fire was great, the heat did pierce me fore,
My faith grew weak, my grip was very fmall.
I trembled faft, my fear grew more and more.
My hands did (hake that I held him withall,
At length they loofed, then I began to fall, &c.
st D I S S R T A T I O N II.
At length flie arrives in view pf the Heavenly man-
fions in a ftanza, which, to alter a little her own ex-
jn'elilon, ' Glitters with tinfctt
I looked up unto that caflle fair
Glittering with gold ; and filming filver bright
The ftately towers did mount above the airj
They blinded me they caft fo great a light,
My heart was glad to fee that joyful fight,
My voyage then I thought it not in vain,
I him befought to guide me there aright,
With many vows never to tire again.
And the whole concludes with an exhortation to a
pious life.
But what has the Chriftian religion to do with poetry?
In the true poetic terrible, I believe, fome paflages in
Hardyknute yield to no attempt of a ftrong and dark
fancy. The Ballad %}pd Edward may, I fear, be ra-
ther adduced as an evidence that this difpleafes, when
it rifes tp a degree of the horrible, which that iingular
piece certainly partakes of.
The Pathetic is the other principal walk of the
Tragic M,u.fe : and in this the Scotifii Ballads yield
to no compositions whatever. What can be imagined
more moving than the cataitrophes of Offian's Dar-
thula, the moil pathetic of all poems ? or of Hardyk*
3 rmte,
DISSERTATION H. xl!
nute, Child Maurice, and indeed moft of the piecei
now collected? Were ever the feelings of a fond mother
exprefled in a language equal in fimplicity and pathos to
that of lady Bothwell? This leads me to remark, that
the dialed in which the Scotifli Ballads are written
gives them a great advantage in point of touching the
paffions. Their language is rough and tinpolilhed, and
feems to flow immediately from the heart *. We meet
with no concettos or far-fetched thoughts in them.
They poifcfs the pathetic power in the higheft degree,
becaufe they do not affect it ; and are ftriking, becauic
they do not meditate to ftrike.
Moft of the compofitions now offered to the public,
have already received approbation. The mutilated
Fragment of Hardyknute formerly in print, was ad-
mired and celebrated by the bed critics. As it is now,
I am inclined to think, given in it's original perfection,
it is certainly the moft noble production in this ft vie
that ever appeared in the world. The manners and
characters are ftrongly marked, and well preferred ;
the incidents deeply intereiling; and the cataftrophe
new and affecting. I am indebted for moft of the
ftanzas, now recovered, to the memory of a lady in
Lanarkfhire.
Dionyi. Hal.
*!ii DISSERTATION II,
A modern lyric poet of the firft clafs * has pro-
nounced Child Maurice a Divine Ballad. " Ariftotle's
*.* beft rules," fays he, " are obferved in it in a man-
<' oer that fhevvs the author had never read Ariftotle.'*
Indeed if any one will perufe Ariftotle's Art of Poetry
with Dacier's Elucidations, and afterwards compare
their moft approved rules with this fimple Ballad, he
will find that they are better illuftrated by this rude
effort of the Gothic Mufe, than by the moft exquifite
Tragedy of ancient or modern times. The Oedipus
Tyrannus of Sophocles, the Athalie of Racine, the
RIerope of Maffei, and even the very excellent Drama,
which feems immediately founded on it, not excepted ;
there being many delicate ftrokes in this original, which
the plot adopted by that author forbade his making
proper ufe of. This does honour at once to the un-
known compofer of this Ballad, and to the firft of cri-
tics* In the former the reader will admire a genius,
that, probably untracked by erudition, could produce
z ftory correfponding to the intricate though natura}
rules of the Greek author. To the latter will be
readily confirmed the applaufe of an ancient -J-, that,
ke was the fecretary of Nature, and his pen was ever
dipped in good ienfe.
Mr. Gray. See his Betters pttWUhed by Mr, Mfbn. Sc^UV.
Lee. XXV.
-j- Apud Suidam.
Thefe,
DISSERTATION II. xlui
Thefe, and the other monuments of ancient Scotifti
Foetry, which have already appeared, are in this edi-
tion given much more correct; and a few are now firft
publi flied from tradition. The Editor imagined they
poflefled fome final 1 beauties, elfe they would not have
been added to this Selection. Their ieeming antiquity
was only regarded as it enhanced their real graces.
MDCCJLXXVI *.
* Thcfe DiftVrtations, &c. were written of this date, but flight
additions have been made to them from time to time ; as the reader
will obitrve from references to books publilhed ince that period.
HAVESfQ
HAVING in the Fii it of the foregoing Diflertationt
mentioned with applaufe the Spanilh Ballads,
or Romanzes, contained in the HISTORIA DE LAI
GUERRAS CIVILES DE GRANADA, and that book
being feldom to be met with, and written in a language
of no wide ftudy, the Editor has been induced to give
a few tranflations from that work ; the two which Dr.
Percy has publifhed having rather excited than gra*
lifted curiolity.
Before producing thefe tranflations, it may be pro*
per to give Ibme fhort account of the work whence
they are taken. The Hiftory of the Civil Wars of
Granada is a well-written narration of thofe difientions
which tore that kingdom in pieces, for fome years be-
fore the period that Ferdinand and Ifabella, king and
queen of Chriftian Spain, conquered it, down to the
time of conqueft. The chief fources of thofe diflen-
lions were the two great Vandot. or factions, of the
Zegris and the Abencerrages ; whole exploits and ad-
Tentures, with thofe of their adherents, are here dif-
played with a minute detail that favours very ftrongly
of romance, though the great outlines of the work are
evidently founded on luiioi ical truth ; which, if the
reader
( xivi )
itader pleifes, is indeed only another name For a cer-
tain fpccies of romance.
This Hiftory, as we learn from the work itfelf to-
wards the clofe, is a tranflation from the Arabic of an
imonymous Moor, who fled to Africa with many of his
countrymen, when Granada was yielded to the arms of
Ferdinand. His grandibn, byname Argutaafa, found this
work among his grandfather's papers, and prefented it to
a Jew, called Rabbi Santo, who tranflated it into He-
brew ; and gave the Arabic Original to Don Rddrigo
Ponce de Leon, Conde de Baylen. That lord being
interefted by it, as his anceftors had been concerned
in the wars there relatedj ordered the Jew to translate
k into Caftillan Spanifh ; and afterwards gave the
tranflation to the Spanifli editor, whole name from the
firil edition, Barcelona printed by Seb. Matevad, i6iOj
appears to be Ginez Perez.
On almoft every occafion the author produces fomi
tomanze, as the voucher of his incidents, tranflations
f a few of which fhall now be produced. It rmift,
however, be premifed, that the firft tranfiation is
merely meant to convey to the reader an idea of the
verfe in which moil of the originals are written ; for
tvhich purpofe one of the feebleft was chofen; as, had
ftrength of thought or incident been attempted in this
Way, the Ipirit would have totally evaporated in the
midft of attention to the double rimes, of which the
Engliih language is remarkably penurious;
ROMANZE
xlvii 3
ROMANZE L
! i.
AT the pleafant dawn of morning,
Moorifh knights in numbers fall/
To maintain a folemn turney
In Granada's verdant valley.
n
Jufting they wheel their fleet horles ;
On his lance each warrior fteady
Bears a rich and beauteous penon,
Wrought with art by his fair lady. ;
III.
The bright fun they dazzle, (hewing
Jupes of filk and golden tifliie :
Each young hero hopes to foften
His proud dame by that day's iflue.
IV.
From the towers of proud Alhambra*
Moorifh hdies view the trial ;
And among them two the fr.irefl
Of the court without denial,
*tte eeltbrattd palace oftke Moorijl kingt of Granada.
4 V. Fati:
ROMANZE I.
V.
Fatima they and Xarifa
Love on both has play'd his ^quiver j
Thee, Xarifa, O that Alia
Would from jealoufy deliver !
VI.
Tho friends they, for this has filencc '
O'er them fpread his fullen pinion.
Fatima the heart ha ftolen
OfXarifa'sfaithlefs minion.
VII.
Abendarrez call the rover ;
Guiltlefs me of his defe&ion ;
For of Fatima's firm paffion
Abenamar was th' cleftion.
VIII.
Spoke at length the wrong'd Xarifa,
As with fcorn her rage to cover ;
For flie thought her friend with favour
Heard the fuit of her falfe lover.
IX.
e Love cannot be hid, my lifter,
' But himfelf he ftill difclofes ;
* Of thy tongue where is the prattle ?
* Of thy checks where arc the rofes ?
X. *Thou
ROMANZEI. xlix
X.
* Thou art not in love, I know it !
* See the caufe of thy condition ;
* Thy knight, Abendarrez, tilting,
* Hopes the prize with fond ambition.
XL
Beauteous Fatima her filencd
In wife anfwer thus has broken :
' Never yet did Love, Xarifa,
' Of my heart receive a token.
XII.
* If my fpeech and colour leave me
* It is not without a reafon ;
Short time fince my gracious father
* Died by Alabez's treafon.
XIII.
* And if ever Love, my fitter,
* To his law could bring me over,
' Abendarrez fliould not win me,
* From thy charms a cruel rover.'
XIV.
Thus the Moorifli dames have fpoken ;
Then in filence clos'd their prattle,
To remark each gallant chieftain
Who maintain'd the feeming battle.
d ROMAN ZE
t 1
R O M A N Z E IL
WHEN valiant Ferdinand beheld
Granada to his prowefs yield j
And o'er A'hambra's higheft tower
The banner fly of ChrifHan power ;
II.
Thus to the flower of Spaniih ground,
His peers and loyal leaders round,
The mandates of his mighty breafr,
The monarch in his pride addreis'd.
III.
' Who when the morning fpr'ngs, will go
' Our chief againft the mountain foe ;
* And fpread our princely enfign tall
' O'er Alpuxarra's rebel wall * ?
* When Ferdinand *was occupied <witb the acqu':fitian gf
Granada, Alpuxarra, and fame other Moorijb towns ne-wlj
conquered, took the opportunity to revolt.
IV. la
ft O M A N Z E It.
I\ r .
In filence every troubled peer
Read in each other's face his feart
The journey full of perils great
They knew, and doubiful the retreat*
V.
Each tremulous beard in terror (hook,
Till from his feat, with frowning look,
Alonfo de Aguilar fprung
And thus belpoke with fearlefs tongue.
VI.
O king, for me is this emprizre,
* And fhame or praife that thence may rife;
' The queen her fovereign promife gave
* No other the bright claim ftiould have.'
VII.
With joy the king the valiant heard*
Soon as the morrow's dawn appear'd,
Alonfo with his eager van
To climb Nevada's heights begatt.
vrn.
Five hundred horfe to battle bred,
A thouland infantry he led ;
The Moors in filent ambufli lay.
In cro.vds to^ uird the rocky way.
d z I;;. Amid
lii R O M A N Z E II.
IX.
Amid the pathlefs cliffs the cry
Of conflict echoes to the iky :
The cavalry no footing gain,
But fall by ilony fragments flain.
X.
Alonfo, and the foot-array,
Sore leflen'd by the bloody fray,
At length attain an upland dale,
Where countlefs Moors their ranks aflail.
XT.
Tho bleed around whole bands of foes,
Yet who iuch numbers may oppofe ?
The chief at length beheld his hoft,
In one unbounded ilaughter loft.
xir.
Tho left alone, the lion-knight
Declines not the unequal fight ;
Where'er he turns his eyes of fire,
As ftruck by lightning crowds expire.
XIII.
Frefli Moors poflefs the bloody field ;
No longer ftrong his fword to wield,
The victim of a thoufand wounds,
The fliade of death the chief furrounds.
XIV.
R O M A N Z B II. liii
XIV.
Tho bravely dead, each coward Moor
With caitiff 'ance his body tore ;
Then to Ogixar they h brought;
Where all to fee the warrior fought.
XV,
E ach Moor and Moorifli dame with joy
Saw him, who wont their hopes deilroy,
No more exert his matchlels force,
But harmlefs ly a bleeding corle.
XVI.
A Chriftian captive of the crowd
Yet mov'd their tears with outcry loud:
For (he had nurs'd him at her breaft,
And in the cradle iboth'd his reft.
XVII,
* Alonfo, Oh Alonfo brave !
' May heaven thy generous fpirit have !
* The Moors of Alpuxara flew
The braveft knight that fame e'er knew.'
ROMANZE
ROMANCE III,
EIGHT to eight, and ten to ten,
Knighrs of valour and renown,
Turney in 1 oledo fair
The glad day of peace, to crown.
II.
An high feflival the king
Gives his pleafure to evince ;
Concord reigns between his brother
And Granada's warlike prince*
III,
Others fay the feaft is given
Ze'nndaxa bright to pieafe ;
Mifirefs of the king's affection,
She ordains him pain or eafe.
IV.
The Zarnzirts and Aliatores,
There in gallant union ride ;
The-Alarifc* and Azarques
1 hem oppoie with equal pride.
V. The
ROMA N Z E III. 4
V.
The Zarrazms, a noble band,
On forrel horfes there were feen ;
Their mantles and their jupes diilinguifh'd
By the orange hue and greeo.
VL
On their fliields a cimiter,
Bent as Cupid's bow, they wore ;
And the words FUEGO Y SANGJR.E*,
As the chofen motto bore.
VII.
Equals in the gallant fhow
Next the Aliatorcs fhone ;
Jn carnation garbs array'd
With white foliages beftrown.
VII.
For device, upon the ftrength
Of Atlas flood a liable heaven ;
TENDRELO HAST A O^JE CANSEf
For the motto there was given.
* Fire and blood.
f He luillfuppwt it till In is weary.
d 4 IX. Them
ivi R O M A N Z E in.
IX.
Them enfued the Alarifes
In moft coftly manner clad ;
Their fleeves right curioufly were purfled
On the yellow cloth and red.
X.
A naked Hercules they gave.
Who a favage monfter tore ;
And above FUERCAS VALEN *
As the valiant word they wore.
XI.
Them the eight Azarques follow'd,
And in pride exceeded all ;
Straw's pale dye and brownifh gray
Were their hues of feftival.
XII.
On each chieftain's verdant fhield
Held two daring hands a fphere ;
EN LO VERDE TODO CABE f
As the words of honour were.
* Strength is powerful.
f In the green every thing is comprehended.
XIII. Among
R O M A N Z E III. Mi
XIII.
Among this band the king beheld
The rival of his lady's love,
And jealoufy his cruel heart
To thoughts of utmoft fury drove.
XIV.
To Selin thus, high conftable,
The fovereign fpoke in frantic mood :
* The fun that dazzles now mine eyes,
* Ere long I truft (hall fet in blood.'
XV.
The graceful knight fo ftrongly threw *
His rods, they vanifli'd in the air;
Nor could the power of keened eye ,
Their progrefs or their fall declare.
XVI.
Each lady, from the windows high,
Or fcaffolds, that enjoy'd the fight,
With anxious looks of fond defire
Bent forwards to behold the knight.
* // *was ancitntly the cuflom for the Spanijb gentry to amufe
tbemfehti while on bo'feback with throwing fma.ll roth, or
canes, into the air; on darting of 'which ivitb fucb force and
/kill at to delude the eye, they much valued t be mf elves.
7 XVII. As
Iviii R O M A N Z E III.
XVII.
As he advances or retires,
' May heaven thee iave!' the vulgar cry :
While, burnt with jealoufy's fierce flames,
The king full anivvers, * Let him die 1*
XVIII.
Bold Zelindaxa, fovereign fair,
As near the royal tower he drew,
Tho * Hold 1 hold !' cried the angry king,
Sprinkled the chief with fragrant dew.
XIX.
The turney ftopp'd : in filence deep,
And expectation,. Hood the ring ;
While, giving reafon's tein to rage,
' Arreil the traitor !' cried the king.
XX.
The two firft troops their lances feize
The princely mandate to fulfill.
Alas ! what barrier can be fet
Againil an amorous monarch's will !
XXI.
The other two defence prepar'd,
Had not the Azarqv.e to them faid,
* Friends, tho Ue king's love has no laws,
* Remember laws for your's were made.
XXII. ' Lower
R O M. A N Z E HI. Ibc
XXII.
* I/vver y^r" far ". tho my foes
* Ye eager fee iny u.ood ro (pill.
Al-s, what barrier can be fet
' Agaiml ana.noious monarch's will !
XXIII.
They took the noble Moor. His friends
Drop'd tears of rage his fate to fee.
In wild diiordcr rufh'd the croud,
By force the captive knight to free.
XXIV.
They had no chief to guide their ire,
And fled before fupeiior fldil.
Alas, what barrier can be let,
Againft an amorous monarch's will !
XXV.
Fair Zelindaxa cried aloud,
* Refcue, ye Moors, your warrior brave !'
And rofe as if flie meant to leap
From the high tower her knight to fave.
XXVI.
Her mother her embrac'd, and cried,
* Ah, are you mad yourfelf to kill !
' Alas, what barrier can be fet
' Againil an anicrous monarch's will 1*
XXVII. The
Is R O M A N Z E IU,
XXVII.
The furions king a meflage fent
The mournful damfel to convey
T<> a lone manfion of her friends,
In lafting durance there to ftay.
XXVIII.
' Tell him,' fhe faid, 4 where'er I go,
* My firm love ftiall attend me fUH.
c Alas, what barrier can be fet
* Againft an amorous monarch's will ! ?
ROMANZE
R O M A N Z E IV*.
i.
ALON T G San Lucar's ample fqiure
See gallant Gazul ride ;
In fnowey hue anray'd, and green,
And purple's radiant pride.
To Gelves he dcfigns to go,
His valiant /kill to try ;
In turaament with many a knight
Of high renown to vie.
II.
The chief a noble dame adores ;
Of her farewell to take,
A thoufand anxious turns before
Yon manfion fee him make.
Lo, from the balcony at length,
The lovely maid inclines,
As o'er a diitant hill the morn,
In rofy radiance fhines.
This ballad ;'/ cwfcfeJ of three Jiferext ones on tie famt
f*bjti ; tbefrj) beginning, Por la ph^a dc San Lucar j let
fecond, Sale h dJiLJla UcA'caus; aid tls :b;rjl, Nodcttl
b:areza Uciio. .
Ill
Ixii R O M A N Z E IV*
III.
Swift from his fteed the warrior lights,
And kneels upon the ground,
As ftruck with awe : fuch power has love
The valiant to confound.
* O fair,' he cries with trembling voice,
' This day mutt fame be mine :
* What chance can hurt me now that I
* Have Jeen thy charm-s divine ?
IV.
* Yet of thy favour I befeech
' Some badge to bear along*;
* That, with it grac'd, my haughty lance
* May as my love be ftrong.*
In jealous rage the maid replied,
For then full well fhe knew
That Zaida, his firft defire,
An elder duty drew.
V.
' If in the combat thy fuccefs
' My heart's defire may crown;
* No more, falfe knight, lhalt thou return,
* But life lofe, and renown.
* // was the cuftom for ladies to prefent their lovers <witb
the penon orfireamer they were to wear on their lance in com-
bat or turney. The penon ivas commonly richly inwoven
'with tht lafys cypher. See Stanza XIII.
ROMANZE IV. Ixiii
To God I fpeak my eager wifti,
Sincere as thou doit lye,
That in the fight by fecret foes
Ignobly thou naayft die.
VI.
' O may thy enemies be flrong!
'Thy friends all daitards prove !
O be thou dead, as is thy fame,
* And not even pity move !'
The leader thinks flic fpeaks in jeft,
And thus in hafle replies ;
The Moor who would us let at ilrife,
' Believe me, lady, lies.
VII.
' May all thy curies on him light !
* My foul muft now abhor
That Zaida ; tho wont, I own,
Her beauty to adore.
After long years of fervice, flic
* For a bale Moor me left '
The fair retired, nor more would hear r
Of patience quite bereft.
VIII. A
ixiv R O M A N Z E IV;
VIII.
A page appear'd, and gallant fteeds
Him brought in rich array :
4 Return,' the frantic warrior cried,
' We try no arms this day.'
In frenzy then againft the wall
That hid his fair from view,
So fierce he tilted, that his fpear
In thoufand fplinters flew.
IX.
In anguifh now he paus'd a while,-
Now rode in furious mood,
Till madnefs fired his inmoft foul*
And prompted deeds of blood.
His wandering way to Xerez far
Along the fhore he held ;
Where with her fire his former love,
Falfc Zaida, now dwell'd.
X.
The ftar of eve with golden light
Illumed the weftern wave,
When near to Xerez Gazul drew,
As Rodamonte brave.
Not
R O M A N Z E IV. IXT
Not he, that king of Argel high,
When for his fair he ftrove
With Mandricardo, flood hi praife
Young Gazul's name above.
XI.
Now near her manfion, with frefli rage
His dauntiefs bofom burn'd ;
And thus he fpoke, while plaintive wave
And rocks the found return'd.
* O Zaida, more faithlefs far
' Than that inconftant fea ;
* Not half fo iavage are thefe rocks,
Not half fo hard as thee !
XII.
* How can'ft thou give thy youthful hand
' To him thy fuitor old ;
* And leave the riches of the mind
* For fordid wealth of gold ?
1 Oh, may ev'n he, thy fuitor old,
Thy falfhood learn to fcorn !
* May never love thy anxious nights,
' Nor joy thy days adorn.
e XIII. 'At
Ixvi R O M A N Z A IV,
XIII.
* At zambra*, nor atfeftival,
' May never knight appear,
* Thy cypher on embroider'd fleeve,
* Or filken badge to bear.
* May jealoufy ev'n of his age
* Thy peace flill violate.
* May he live long ! Thy fierceft foe
Can wifli no worfe a fate.'
XIV.
Thus as he fpoke the gradual night
Defcended all around ;
And, as he near the manfion drew,
Of mirth he heard the found.
Sudden before a rufliing croud
The doors were pen thrown ;
And thro' the gloom in bright array
A thoufand torches fhone.
XV.
In midft the futurd'hufband held
Young Zaida's fa'fe hand.
To church they went, where flood the prieft
To fix the facred band.
* A tnorefque dance.
This
ROMANZEIV. Uvi
This cniel fight when Gazul faw,
His madnels found new flame ;
A while he refted, till at hand
The brilliant troop now came.
XVI.
Then fpurr'd his fteed into the midft,
And thus his lady's choice
Addrefs'd, while all in fuddcn fear
Stood trembling at his voice.
* Hope not, bafe traitor, to enjoy
' This lady, once my love j
Defend thyfeif if e'er thy arm
' Could fldll or valour prove.
xvn.
He fpoke. They fought. The aged Moor
Lay dead upon the ground.
Swift to revenge his wretched fall,
His numerous friends drew round.
Againft their force the warrior itood
With more than mortal might :
Then, flow retreating, refuge found
Amid the fliades of night.
HAR-
LA PLUPART DE CES CHANSONS SONT DE VIEILLES
ROMANCES DONT LES AIRS NE SONT PAS PIQUANS J
MAIS ILS ONT JE NE SAIS OJJOI D*ANTIQUE ET DE
OUX Q.UI TOUCHE A LA JLONGUE.
ROUSSEAU,
t X ]
HARDYKNUTE.
A tf HEROIC BALLAD,
PART I.
STATELY ftept he eaft the ha,
And ftately ftept he weft ;
Full feventy yeirs he now had fene,
With fcerce fevin yeirs of reft.
He livit whan Britons breach of faith 5
Wrocht Scotland raeikle wae,
And ay his fvvord tauld to their coft
He was their deidly fae.
Hie on a hill his caftle ftude,
With halls and touris a hicht, 10
And gudely chambers fair to fee,
Whar he lodgit mony a knicht.
His dame fa peirles anes, and fair,
For chafte, and bewtie, fene,
Na marrow had in a the land, j ^
Save Emergard the queue.
B f|;
2 S C O T I S R
Full thirtein fons to him flie bare,
All men of valour ftout,
In bluidy ficht, with fword in hand,
Nyne loft their lives hot doaibt ; 20
Four yit remaind ; lang mote they live
To ftand by liege and land :
Hie was their fame, hie was their micht,
And hie was their command.
Greit luve they bare to Fairly fair, 25
Their fifter faft and deir,
Her girdle ihawd her middle jimp,
And gowdin glift her hair.
What waefou wae her bewtie bred !
Waefou to young and auld, 30
Waefou I trow to kyth and kin,
As ftory ever tauld.
The king of Norfe, in fummer tide,
Puft up with pouir and micht,
Landed in fair Scotland the yle, 35:
Wi mony a hardie knicht.
The tidings to our gude Scots king
Came as he fat at dyne
With noble chiefs in braive aray,
Drinking the bluid red wyne. 40
" To
TRAGIC BALLADS. 5
" To horfe, to horfe, my royal liege!
** Your faes ftand on the ftrand ;
'* Full twenty thoufand glittering fpeirs
'* The cheifs of Norfe command.
" Bring me my fteid Mage dapple gray." 45
Our gude king raife and cryd :
A truftier beifl in all the land,
A Scots king nevir feyd.
" Gae, little page, tell Hardyknute,
" Wha lives on hill fa hie, ^ 50
" To draw his fword, the dreid of faes,
And hafle and follow me."
The little page flew fwift as dart,
Flung by his matter's arm ;
' Cum down, cum down, lord Hardyknute, 55
* And red your king frae harm.'
Then reid, reid grew his dark-brown cheiks
Sae did his dark-brown brow ;
His luiics grew kene, as they were wpnt
In danger grit to do. 60
He has tane a horn as grene as gfafs,
And gien five founds fa flirill,
That tries in grene \vode fliuke thereat,
Sae loud rang ilka hill.
B a His
4 S C O T I S H
His fons in manly fport and glie 65
Had paft the fummer's morn ;
Whan lo ! down in a grafly dale,
They heard their father's horn.
' That horn, quoth they, neir founds in peace,
* We have other fport to bide ;' 70
And fune they hied them up the hill,
And fune were at his fide.
'* Late, late yeftrene, I weind in peace (
* To end my lengthend lyfe ;
'* My age micht well excufe my arm 75
" Frae manly feats of ftryfe :
** But now that Norfe does proudly boaft
" Fair Scotland to enthral,
'* It's neir be faid of Hardyknute,
" He feird to fecht or fall. 80
" Robin of Rothfay bend thy bow,
' Thy arrows Ihute fa leil,
** That mony a comely countenance
" They've turn'd to deidly pale.
" Braive Thomas taike ye but your lance, 85
'* Ye neid na weapons mair ;
** Gif ye fecht wi't, as ye did anes,
" Gainft Weftmoreland's ferce heir.
"And
TRAGIC BALLADS. 5
" And Malcolm, licht of fute as flag
" That runs in foreft wilde, 90
*' Get me my thoufands thrie of men
" Weil bred to fword and fliield :
'* Bring me my horfe and harnifine,
" My blade of metal clere."
If faes but kend the hand it bare, 95
They fune had fled for feir.
ct Farewil my dame fae peirlefs gude,"
And tuke her by the hand,
" Fairer to me in age you feim
** Than maids for bewtie famd : 100
" My youngeft fon fall here remain,
" To guard thefe ftately touirs,
" And fliute the filver bolt that keips
" Sae faft your painted bowers."
And firft me wet her comely cheiks, 105
And then her boddice grene ;
The filken cords of twirtle twift
Were plet with filver Ihene ;
And apron fet with mony a dyce
Of neidle-wark fae rare, 1 10
Wove by nae hand, as ye may guefs,
Save that of Fairly fair.
B 3' And
6 SCOTISH
And he has ridden our muir and mofs,
Our hills and mony a glen,
When he cam to a wounded knicht, 1 i<j
Making a heavy mane :
* Here maun I lye, here matin I dye
* By treacheries faufe gyles ;
' Witlefs I was that eir gave faith
* To wicked woman's fmyles.' 120
" Sir knichf , gin ye were in my bouir,
" To lean on filken feat,
" My lady's kindlie care you'd pruve
" Wha neir kend deidly hate ; 12^;
' Hirfell wald watch ye all the day,
** Hir maids at deid of nicht ;
" And Fairly fair your heart would cheir,
" As me Hands in your ficht.
"'Arife young knicht, and mount your fleid,
*' Bricht lows the fhynand day ; 130
" Chufe frae my menie wham ye pleife,
" To leid ye on the way."
Wi fmylefs luik, and vifage \van
The wounded knicht replyd,
* Kind chieftain your intent purfue, 135
e For heir I maun abide.
To
TRAGIC BALLADS. 7
To me nae after day nor nicht
* Can eir be fweit or fair ;
* But fune benethe fum draping trie,
* Cauld dethe fall end my care.' 140
Still him to win ftrave Hardyknute,
Nor ftrave he lang in vain ;
Short pleiding eithly micht prevale,
Him to his lure to gain.
" I will return wi fpeid to bide, 1 4S
" Your plaint and mend your vvae :
" But private grudge maun neir be quelled,
*' Before our countries fae.
" Mordac, thy eild may beft be fpaird
" The fields of ftryfe fraemang ;
*' Convey Sir knicht to my abode,
" And meife his egre pang."
Syne he has gane far hynd, outo\vr
Lord Chattan's land fae wyde ;
That lord a worthy wicht was ay, 15;
Whan faes his courage feyd :
Of PicTifh race, by mother's fide :
Whan Rids ruled Caledon,
Lord Chattan claim'd the princely maid
When he fav'd Pictifh crown . 1 60
84
S C T I S H
Now with his ferce and flalwart train
He recht a rifing hicht,
Whar brad encampit on the dale,
Norfe army lay in ficht ;
'* Yonder my valiant fons, full fercc 165
"Our raging rievers wait,
" On the unconquerit Scottifh fwaird
" To try with us their fate.
** Mak orifons to him that fav'd
* Our fauls upon the rude ; 1 70
" Syne braively (haw your veins are filld
' Wi Caledonian bluid."
Then furth he drew his truflie glaive,
While thousands all around,
Drawn frae their fheiths glanc'd in the fun, 175
And loud the bugils found.
To join his king, adown the hill
In hafte his march he made,
While playand pibrochs minftrals meit
Afore him ftately (trade. 180
Thrife welcum, valiant ftoup of weir,
* Thy nation's fheild and pride,
* Thy king na reafoun has to feir,
* Whan thou art by his fide.
Whan
TRAGIC BALLADS. 9
Whan bows' were bent, and darts were thrawn, 180
For thrang fcerce cold they flie,
The darts clave arrows as they met,
Eir faes their dint mote drie.
Lang did they rage, and fecht full ferce,
Wi little Ikaith to man ; t8ij
But bluidy, bluidy was the feild
Or that lang day was done !
The king of Scots that flndle bruik'd
The war that luik'd like play,
Drew his braid fword, and brake his bow, 195
Sen bows feim'd but delay.
Quoth noble Rothfay, * Mine I'll keep,
4 I wate it's bleid a fcore.'
* Hafte up my merrie men," cry'd the king,
As he rade on before. 200
The king of Norfe he focht to find,
Wi him to menfe the faucht ;
But on his forehead there did licht
A fharp unfonlle (haft :
As he his hand pat up to feil 20$
The wound, an arrow kein,
O waefu chance! there pind his hand
In midit atwcenc his eyne.
' Revenge !
i S C O T I H
* Revenge ! revenge !' cryd Rothfay's heir,
' Your mail-coat fall nocht bide 210
' The ftrenth and fharpnefs of my dart,'
Whilk fhared the reiver's fide.
Anither arrow weil he mark'd
It perc'd his neck in twa ;
His hands then quat the filver reins, 21$
He law as card did fa,
* Sair bleids my liege ! Sair, fair he bleids !
Again with micht he drew,
And geilure dreid his Iturdy bow j
Faft the braid arrow flew : 229
Wa to the knicht he ettled at ;
Lament now quene Elgreid ;
Hire dan.es to wail your darling's fall,
His youth, and comely meid.
Tak aff, tak affhis cofllyjupe,' 225
(Of gold well was it twin'd,
Knit like the fowler's net, throuch whilk
His fteilyharnes fhynd.)
* Beir Norfe that gift frae me, and bid
* Him venge the bluid it weirs ; 230
f Say if he face my bended bow
* He fare nae weapon feirs.'
Proud
TRAGIC BALLADS. it
Proud Norfe with giant body tall,
Braid flioulder, and arms ftrong ;
Cryd, Whar is Hardyknute fae famd, 235
4 And feird at Britain's throne ?
* Tho Britons tremble at his name,
* I fune fall mak him wail,
f That eir my fword was mnde fae fliarp,
Sae laft his coat of mail. 240
That brag his flout heart could na bide,
It lent him youthfu micht :
*' I'm Hardyknute. This day," he cryed,
" To Scotland's king I hicht
^To lay thee law as horfe's hufe ; 34$
" My word I mean to keip :"
Syne with the firft dint eir he ftrake
He gar'd his body bleid.
Norfe ene like grey gofehauk ftaird wilde,
He fich'd wi fhame and fpyte; 259
* Difgrac'd is now my far famd arm
* That left thee poui^to ihyke.'
Syne gied his helm a blow fae fell,
It made him down to iloup,
Sae law as he to ladies usM, 7 -r
In courtly gj-fe to lout.
Full
it SCOTISH
Full fune he rais'd his bent body ;
His bou he marveld fair,
Sen blaws till than on him but dar'd
As t ;u:h of Fairly fair. 260
Norfe ferlied too as fair as he,
To fee ins ftately luik ;
Sae fune as eir he drake a fae,
Sae fune his lyfe he tuke.
Whar, like a fyre to hether fet, 26$
Bauld Thomas did advance,
A fturdy fae, with luik enrag'd,
Up towards him did prance.
He fpurd his fteid throuch thickeft ranks
The hardy youth to quell ; 270
\Vha ftude unmuvit at his approach
His furie to repell.
' That fhort brown fliaft, fae meinly trimd,
c Lukes like poor Scotland's geir ;
' But dreadfu feims the rutty point !' 275
And loud he leuch in jeir.
*' Aft Britons blude has dim'd its fhyne
*' It's point cut fhort their vaunt."
Syne perc'd the better's bairded cheik
Nae time he tuke to taunt. 280
Short
TRAGIC BALLADS. 13
Short while he in his fadil fvvang ;
His ftirrip was nae fray,
But feible hang his unbent knie,
Sair taken he was, fey !
Swyth on the harclen'd clay he fell, 28$
Richt far was heard the thud ;
But Thomas luk'd not as he lay
All waltering in his blude.
Wi careles gefhire, mind unmuv'd,
On rade he north the plain 190
His feim in peace, or fercefl ftryfe,
Ay recklefs, and the fame.
Nor yit his heart dames' dimpeld chcik
Cold meife fa ft luve to bruik ;
Till vengefu Ann returnd his fcorn, 295
Then languid grew his luke.
In thrauis of dethe, wi wallow'd cheik,
All panting on the plain,
The bleiding corps of warriours lay,
Neir to arife again : 300
Neir to return to native land ;
Na mair wi blythfum founds
To boaft the glories of that day,
And fliaw their fliynand wounds.
There
14 S C O T I S H
There on a lee, whar ftands a crofs 305
Set up for monument,
Thoufands fu ferce, that fummer's day,
Fill'd kene wars black intent.
Let Scots while Scots praife Hardyknute
Let Norfe the name aye dreid ; 310
Ay how he faucht, aft how he Ipaird,
Sail lateft ages reid.
On Norway's coaft the widow'd dame
May warn the rocks wi teirs,
May lang luke owr the fhiples feas 315
Before her mate appeirs.
Ceife, Emma, ceife to hope in vain,
Thy lord lyes in the clay ;
The valiant Scots na rievers thole
To carry lyfe away. 329
Loud and chill blew the weftlin wind,
Sair beat the heavy fliouir,
Mirk grew the nichr ere Hardyknute
Wan neir his ftately touir :
His touir that us'd wi torches bleife 3*5
To fhyne fae far at nicht
Seim'd now as black as mourning weid :
Na marvel fair he fich'd.
There'*
TRAGIC BALLADS. 1$
" There's na licht in my lady's bouir,
" There's na licht in my ha; 330
** Na blynk fliynes round my Fairly fair,
*' Na ward ftands on my wa.
" What bodes it ? Robert, Thomas, fay."
Na anfvver fits their dreid.
" Stand back my fons I'll be your gyde." 33$
But by they paft vvi fpeid.
" As faft I ha fped owr Scotland's faes "
There ceis'd his brag of weir,
Sair fhamd to mind ocht but his dame,
And maiden Fairly fair. 340
Black feir he felt, but what to feir
. He wift nae yit wi dreid :
Sair fliuke his body, fair his limbs
And a the warriour flied*
PART
16 SCOTISH
PART II.
ETURN, return, ye men of bluid,
" And bring me back my chylde !'*
A dolefu voice frae mid the ha
Reculd, wi echoes wylde.
Beftraught wi dule and dreid, na pouir
Had Hardyknute at a j
Full thrife he raught his ported fpeir,
And thrife he let it fa.
* O haly God, for his deir fake,
** Wha favd us on the rude 10
He tint his praier, and drew his glaive,
Yet reid wi Norland bluid.
" Brayd on, brayd on, my ftalwart fons,
" Grit caufe we ha to feir;
*' But ay the canny ferce contemn 15
*' The hap they canna veir."
* Return, return, ye men of bluid,
* And bring me back my chylde !'
The dolefu voice frae mid the ha
Reculd, wi echoes wylde. 20
The ftorm grew rife, throuch a the lift
The rattling thunder rang,
The black rain fliour'd, and lichtning glent
Their harnifme alang.
What
TRAGIC BALLADS. 17
What feir pofleft their boding breefts 2 $
Whan, by the gloomy glour,
The cattle ditch vvi deed bodies
They faw was filled out owr!
Quoth Hardyknute " I wold to Chryftc
*' The Norle had wan the day, 30
** Sae 1 had keipt at hame but anes,
" Thiik bluidy feats to ftay."
Wi fpeed they paft, and fyne they recht
The bafe-courts founding bound,
Deip groans fith heard, and throuch the mirk 35
Lukd wiftfully around.
The moon, frae hind a fable cloud,
Wi fudden twinkle fliane,
Whan, on the cauldrif card, they fand
The gude Sir Mordac layn. 40
Befprent wi gore, fra helm to fpur,
Was the trew-heartit knicht;
Swith frae his fteid fprang Hardyknute
Muv'd wi the heavy ficht.
" O fay thy matter's fliield in weir, 45
" His fawman in the ha,
*' What hatefu chance cold ha the pouir
To lay thy eild fae law ?"
C To
i8 SCOTISH
To his complaint the bleiding knicht 50
Returnd a piteous mane,
And recht his hand, whilk Hardyknute
Claucht ftreitly in his ain :
' Gin eir ye fee lord Hardyknute,
* Frae Mordac ye maun fay,
' Lord DrafFan's treafoun to confute <; 5
' He ufd his fteddiefl fay.'
He micht na mair, for cruel dethe
Forbad him to proceid ;
" I vow to God, I winna fleip
Till I fee Draffan bleid. 60
11 My fons your fifter was ovvr fair :
' But bruik he fall na lang
" His gude betide; my laft forbode
" He'll trow belyve na fang.
<c Bown ye my eydent friends to kyth 65
" To me your luve fae deir ;
" The Norfe' defeat mote weil perfuadc
" Nae riever ye neid feir."
The fpeirmen wi a michty fliout,
Cryd ' Save our mailer deir ! 70
* While he dovv beir the ftvay bot, care
* Nae reiver we fall feir.'
4 Return,
TRAGIC BALLADS. 19.
' Return, return, ye men of bluid
* And bring me back my chylde !'
The dolefii voice frae mid the ha J J
Kcculd wi echoes wylde.
** I am to wyte my valiant friends :"
And to the ha they ran,
The ftately dore full ftreitly fteiked
Wi iron boltis thrie they fand. 80
The ftately dore, thouch ftreitly jfteiked
Wi waddin iron boltis thrie,
Richt fune his micht can cithly gar
Frae aft* it's hinges flie.
" Whar ha ye tane my dochter deir ? $
' Mair wold I fee her deid
" Than fee her in your bridal bed
" For a your portly meid.
' * What thouch ray gude and valiant Jord
" Lye ftrecht on the cauld day ? 90
" My fons the dethe may ablins fpair
* To wreak their fitters wae."
Sae did (he crune wi heavy cheir,
Hyt luiks, and bleirit eyne ;
Then teirs firft wet his manly chejk 95
And fnawy baird bedeene.
C 2 Na
20 S C O T I S H
* Na riever here, my dame fae dcir,
* But your leil lord you fee ;
' May hieft harm betide his life
' Wha brocht fie harm to thee f xoo
' Gin anes ye may beleive my word,
' Nor am I ufd to lie,
* By day-prime he or Hardyknute
* The bluidy dethe mail die.'
The ha, whar late the linkis bricht ior
Sae gladfum fliind at een,
Whar penants glcit a gowden bleife
Our knichts and ladys fliene,
Was now fae mirk, that, throuch the bound,
Nocht mote they wein to fee, I i o
Alle throuch the fouthern port the moon
Let fa a blinkand glie.
" Are ye in firith iny deir luvd lord r"
Nae mair flie doucht to fay,
But fwounit on his harneft neck 1 1 5
Wi joy and tender fay.
To fee her in fie balefu fort
Revived his felcouth feirs ;
But fune fhe raifd her comely link,
And faw his faing teirs. 120
" Ye
TRAGIC BALLADS. 21
" Ye are nae wont to greit wi wreuch,
" Grit caufe ye ha I dreid ;
" Hae a our fons their lives redemd
" Frae furth the dowie feid ?"
* Saif are our valiant fons, ye fee, 125
* But lack their fifter deir ;
* When flic's avva, hot any doubt,
' We ha grit caufe to feir.'
" Of a our wrangs, and her depart,
" Whan ye the fuith fall heir, ijo
'* Na marvel that ye ha mair caufe,
" Than ye yit weit, to feir.
" O vvharefore heir yon fcignand knicht
" Wi Mordac did ye fend ?
" Ye funer wald ha perced his heart 135
** Had ye his ettling kend."
' What may ye mein my peirles drme ?
* That knicht did muve my ruthc
' We balefu mane ; I did na clout
* His curtefie and truthe. 140
' He maun ha tint wi fma renown
' His life in this fell rief ;
' Richt fair it grieves me that he heir
Met fie an ill relief".'
C 3 Qaotfe
2z s 6 T i $ H
Quoth fbe, wi telrs that down her cheiks 145
Ran like a filver fhouir,
*' May ill befa the tide that brocht
" That faufe knicht to our touir :
" Ken'd ye na Draffan's lord'y port,
" Thouch cled in knichtly graith ? 150
*' The hidden was his hautie luik
" The vifor black benethe ?"
* Now, as I am a knicht of weir,
* I thocht his feeming trew ;
'But, that he fae deceived my ruthe, 155
'Full fairly he fall rue.'
*' Sir Mordac to the founding ha
" Came wi his cative fere ;"
* My lire has fent this wounded knicht
* To pruve your kyndlie care. 160
' Your fell maun watch him a the day,
* Your maids at deid of nicht ;
* And Fairly fair his heart maun cheir
' As fhe flands in his ficht.' 165
** Nae funer was Sir Mordac gane,
" Than up the featour fprang ;"
* The luve alfe o your dochter deif
4 1 feil na ither pang.
4. 'Tho
TRAGIC BALLADS. 53
Tho Hardyknute lord Draffan's fuit 1 70
Refus'd wi mickle pryde ;
* By his gude dame and Fairly fair
* Let him not be deny'd.'
* Nocht muvit wi the cative's fpeech,
" Nor wi his flern command ; $7$
<{ I treafoun! cryd, and Kenneth's blade
" Was glifterand in his hand.
" My fon lord Draffan heir you fee,
*' Wha means your fitter's fay
<c To win by guile, when Hardyknute 180
** Strives in the irie fray."
* Turn thee ! thou riever Baron, turn!'
" Bauld Kenneth cryd aloud ;
" But, fune as Draffan fpent his glaive,
* My fon lay in his bluid." 1 85
* I did nocht grein that bluming face
* That dethe fae fune fold pale ;
' Far lefs that my trew luve, throuch me,
* Her brither's dethe fold wail.
' But fyne ye fey our force to prive, 190
* Our force we fall you ihaw !'
*' Syne the fhrill-lbunding horn bedeen
*' He tuik frae down the wa.
C 4 Ere
24 S C Q T I S #
" Ere the portculie could be flung,
'* His kyth the bafe-court fand ; 195
" Wheu fcantly o their count a teind
** Their entrie micht gainftand.
" Richt fune the raging rievers ftude
*' At their faufe matter's fyde,
*' Wha, by the haly maiden, fware 200
" Na harm fold us betide.
" What fyne befell ye weil may guefs,
" Reft o our cilds delicht,"
* We fall na lang be reft, by morne
' Sail Fairly glad your licht. 20$
* Let us be gane,, my fons, or now
* Our meny chide our flay ;
* Fareweil my dame ; your dochter's luve
* Will fune cheir your .effray.'
Then pale pale grew her teirfu cheik ; 210
" Let ane o my fons thrie
* Alane gyde this emprize, your eild
*' May ill fie travel drie.
<{ O whar were I, were my deir lord,
*' And a my fons, to bleid ! 21$
* Better to bruik the wrang than fae
'* To wreak the hie miidede."
Ti.e
TRAGIC BALLADS. 25
The gallant Rothfay rofe bedeen
His richt of age to pleid ;
And Thomas fliawd his urentby fpeir; 2:0
And Malcolm mein'd his Ipeid.
* My Ions your ftryfe I gladly fee,
* But it fall neir be fayne,
* That Hardyknutc fat in his ha,
' And heird his ion was flayne.
* My lady deir, ye neid na feir; 215.
4 The richt is on our fyde :'
Syne riling with richt frawart hafle
Nae parly vvald he byde.
The lady fat in heavy mude, ,
Their tunefu inarch to heir, ^ 33
While, far ayont her ken, the found
Na mair mote roiin her eir.
O ha ye fein fum glitterand touir,
Wi mirrie archers crownd,
Wha vaunt to Ice their trembling fae 2 _; j .
Keipt frae their countrie's bound ?
Sic aufum iirenth fliawd llardyknute;
Sic leimd his ftately meid ;
Sic pryde he to his meny bald,
Sic feir his faes he gitd. ^40
Wi
2 6 S C O T I S H
Wi glie they pait our mountains rude,
Ovvr muirs and modes weit ;
Surie as they faw the rifmg fun,
On Draffan's touirs it gleit.
O Fairly bricht I marvel fair 245
That featour eer ye lued,
Whafe treafoun wrocht your father's bale,
And flied your brither's blude !
The ward ran to his youthfu lord,
Wha fleipd his bouir intill : 2$*
* Nae time for fleuth, your raging faes
' Fare doun the weftlin hill.
' And, by the libbard's gowden low
' In his blue banner braid,
6 That Hardyknute his dochtir feiks, 255
' And Draffa/is dethe, I rede.'
* Say to my bands of matchlefs micht,
" Wha camp law in the dale,
" To bufk their arrows for the fecht,
" And ftrekly gird their mail. 260
" Syne meit me here, and wein to find
" Nae juft or turney play;
" Whan Hardj'knute braids to the field,
" War bruiks na lang delay."
Hit
TRAGIC BALLADS. 27
His halbrik bricht he brac'd bedecn ; 265
Fra ilka fkaith and harm
Secunc by a vvarloc auld,
Wi monv a fairy charm,
A feimly knicht cam to the ha :
' Lord Drafian I thee braive, 270
' Frae Hardyknute my worthy lord,
* To fecht wi fpeir or glaive.'
" Your hautie lord me braives in vain
" Alane his micht to prive,
'* For wha, in {ingle feat of weir, 275
" Wi Hardyknute may ftrive?
" But fith he ineins our flrenth to fey,
" On cafe he fune will find,
" That thouch his bands leave mine in ire,
" In force they're far behind. 280
" Yet cold I wete that he wald yield
" To what bruiks nae remeid,
" I for his dochter wald nae hain
" To ae half o my fleid."
Sad Hardyknute apart frae a ^85
Leand on his birnift ipeir;
And, whan he on his Fairly deimd,
He fpar'd nae fich nor teir.
" What
2$ S C O T 1 S H
" What meins the felon cative vile?
" Bruiks this reif na remeid ? 209
" I fcorn his gylefu vows ein thouch
** They recht to a his fteid."
Bownd was lord Draffan for the fecht,
Whan lo ! his Fairly deir
Ran frae her hie bouir to the ha 2 q -
Wi a the fpeid of feir.
Ein as the rudie ftar of morne
Peirs throuch a cloud of dew,
Sae did ftie feim, as round his neck
Her fnawy arms (he threw. 300
* O why, O why, did Fairly wair
* On thee her thouchtlefs luve ?
' Whafe cruel heart can ettle aye
* Her father's dethe to pruve !'
And firft he kifsd her bluming cheik, 305
And fyne her bofom deir ;
Than fadly ftrade athwart the ha,
And drapd ae tenclir teir.
*' My meiny heid my words wi care,
" Gin ony weit to flay IO
'* Lord Hardyknute, by hevin I fwcir
"Wilyfehefaliuae.gae."
'My
TRAGIC BALLADS. 2 g
1 My maidens bring my bridal gowne,
* I little trewd yeftrene,
* To rile frae bonny DrafTan's bed, ji^
* His bluidy dethe to fene.'
Syne up to the hie baconie
She has gane wi a her train,
And fune (he faw her Hal wart lord
Attein the bleifing plain. 320
OUT Nethan's weily flreim he fared
Wi feeming ire and pryde ;
His blafon, glifterand owr his helm,
Bare Allan by his fyde.
Richt fune the bugils blew, and lang 32^
And bludy was the fray ;
Eir hour of nune, that elric tyde,
Had hundreds tint their day.
Like beacon bricht at deid of nicht,
The michty chief muvd on ; j?a
His bafnct, bleifing to the fun,
Wi deidly lichtning fhohe.
Draffan he focht, wi him at anes
To end the cruel ftryfe ;
But aye his fpeirmen thranging round -c
Forfend their leider's lyfe.
The
jo SCOTISH
The winding Clyde wi valiant bluid
Ran reiking mony a mile ;
Few ftude the faucht,. yet dethe alane
Cold end their irie toil. 340
Wha flie, I vow, fall frae my fpeir
4 Receive the dethe they dreid 1'
Cryd Draffan, as alang the plain
He fpurd his bluid-red fteid.
Up to him fune a knicht can prance, 345
A graith'd in lilver mail :
*' Lang have I focht thee throuch the field,
This lance will tell my tale."
Rude was the fray, till Draffan's Ikill
Oercame his youthful micht ; 35
Perc'd throuch the vifor to the eie
Was flayne the comly knicht,
The vifor on the fpeir was deft.
And Draffan Malcolm fpied ;
* Ye mould your vaunted fpeid this day, 3^
* And not your ftrenth, ha fey'd.'
" Cative, awa ye maun na flie,"
Stout Rothfay cry'd bedeen,
1 ' Till, frae my glaive, ye wi ye belr
"The wound ye fein'd yeiirene." 360
Mair
TRAGIC BALLADS. 31
' Mair o your kins bluid ha I fpnt
Than I docht evir grein ;
' See Rothfay whar your brither lyes
In dethe afore your eyne.'
Bold Rothfay cried wi lion's rage, 565
" O hatefu curfed deid!
'* Sae Draffan feiks our filler's luve,
" Nor feirs far ither meid !"
Svvith on the word an arrow cam
Frae ane o Rothfay's band, 370
And fmote on Draffan's lifted targe,
Syne Rothfays fplent it fand.
Perc'd throuch the knie to his fercc field,
Wha pranc'd wi egre pain,
The chief was forcd to quit the ftryfe, 375
And fcik the nether plain.
His minftrals there wi dolefu care
The bludy (haft withdrew ;
But that he fae was bar'd the fecht
Sair did the leider rue. 380
* Cheir ye my mirrie men,' Draffan cryd,
Wi meikle pryde and glie ;
' The prife is ours ; nae chieftan bides
4 Wi us to bate the grie/
That
jz S C O T I S H
That hautie boaft heard Hardyknute, 385
Whar he lein'd on his fpeir,
Sair vveiried vvi the mine-tide heat,
And toilfum deids of weir.
The firft iicht, when he paft the thrang,
Was Malcolm on the fwaird : 390
" Wold hevin that dethe my eiid had tane,
** And thy youtheid had fpard !
' Drafifan I ken thy ire, but now
**Thy micht I mein to fee."
Eut eir he ftrak the deiclly dint 39,-
The fyre was on his knie.
Lord Hardyknute ftryke gif ye may,
* I neir \vill ftryve wi thee;
* Forfend your dochter fee you flayne
* Frae whar flie fits on hie ! . 400
4 Yeftrene the prieft in lialy band
* Me join'd vvi Fairly deir;
For her fake let us part in peace,
4 And neir meet mair in weir.'
*' Oh king of hevin, what feimly fpeech 40^
* A featour's lips can fend !
" And art thou he \vha baith my fons
*' Brocht to a bluidy end?
TRAGIC BALLADS. 33
" Hade, mount thy fteid, or I fall licht
' And meit thec on the plain ; 4
For by ray forbere's faul we neir
" Sail part till ane be flayne."
* Now mind thy aith,' fyne Draffan ftout
To Allan loudly cryd,
Wha drew the fhynand blade bot dreid 415
And perc'd his matters fyde.
Law to the bleiding card he fell,
And dethe func clos'd his eyne.
*' DrafFan, till now I did na ken
44 Thy dethe cold muve my tein. 420
" I wold to Chryile thou valiant youth,
" Thou \vert in life again ;
" May ill bcfa my ruthlefs wrauth
** That brocht thee to fie pain !
" Fairly, anes a my joy and pryde, 42;
*' Now a my grief and bale,
*' Ye maun wi haly maidens byde
" Your deidly faut to wail.
" To Icolm beir ye Draftan's corfe,
" And dochter anes fae deir, 4j<
Whar fhe may pay his heidles luve
' Wi mony a rnournfu teir."
D II. CHILD
34 SCOTISH
II. CHILD MAURICE,
I.
CHILD M AU R I C E was an erle's fon,
His name it waxed wide ;
It was nae for his great riches,
Nor yit his meikle pride,
But it was for his mother gay 5
Wha livd on Carron fide,-
n.
* What fall I get a bonny boy,
* That will win hofe and fhoen,
4 That will gae to lord Barnard's ha,
* And bid his lady come ? 10
III.
* And ye maun rin errand Willie,
* And ye maun rin wi ipeid ;
* When ither boys gang on their feer
Ye fall ha prancing fteid.'
IV.
' Oh no ! oh no ! my matter delr ! rj
" I dar na for my life ;
" I'll no gae to the bauld barons,
" For to triefl furth his wife."
V. My
TRAGIC BALLADS. 35
V.
* My bird Willie, my boy Willie,
My deir Willie,' he faid, *o
' How can ye llrive againft the ftreim *
For I fall be obeyd.'
VI.
" But O my mailer deir !" he cryd,
' In grenewode ye're your lane ;
* * Gi owr fie thochts I wald ye red, 2$
" For feir ye fold be tane."
VII.
* Hafte, hafte, I fay, gae to the ha,
* Bid her come here wi fpeid ;
' If ye refule my hie command,
4 I'll gar your body bleid. 30
VIII.
* Gae bid her tak this gay mantel,
* Tis a gowd but the hem :
' Bid her come to the gude grenevvode 4
' Ein by herfel alane :
IX.
* Atad there it is, a filken farke, ^
* Her ain hand fewd the fleeve ;
* And bid her come to Child Maurice ;'
* Speir nae bauld baroa's leive.'
D * X. Ye
36 S C O T I S H
X.
'* Yes I will gae your black errand,
'* Thouch it be to your coil ; 49
' ' Sen ye will nae be warnd by me,
" In it ye fall find froft.
XL
** The baron he's a man o micht,
*' He neir cold bide to taunt :-
" And ye will fee before its nicht, 45
" Sma caufe ye ha to vaunt.
XII.
44 And fen I maun your errand rin,
" Sae fair againft my will,
" I'fe mak a vow, and keip it trow,
" It fall be done for ill."
xni.
Whan he cam to the broken brig,
He bent his bow and fwam ;
And whan he came to grafs growing,
Set down his feet and ran.
XIV.
And whan he cam to Barnards year, 5$
Wold neither chap nor ca,
But fet his bent bow to his breift,
And lichtly lap the wa,
XV. Ht
TRAGIC BALUADS. 37
XV.
lie v.-ald na tell the man his errand
Thoch he flude at the yeat ; 60
But ftreight into the ha he cam,
Whar they were fet at meat.
XVI.
* Hail ! hail! my gentltTire and dame!
* My meflagc winna wait,
* Dame ye maun to the grenewode gat, 65
' Afore that it be late.
XVII.
* YeVe bidden tak this gay mantel,
' Tis a gowd bot the hem :
* Ye maun hafte to the gude grenewode,
Ein by yourfell alane. 7*
XVIII.
' And thre it is, a filken fark,
* Your ain hand fewd the fleive ;
' Ye maun gae fpeik to Child Maurice ;
Speir na bauld baron's leive.'
XIX.
The lady ftamped wi her foot, 75
And winked wi her eie ;
But a that me cold fay or do,
Forbidden he wald nae be.
P 3 XX, " It'
3880
38 S C O T I S H
XX.
'* It's furely to my bower-woman,
** It neir cold be to me." go
4 1 brocht it to lord Barnard's lady,
4 L trow that ye be me.'
XXI.
Then up and fpak the wylie nurfe,
(The bairn upon her knie),
*' If it be come from Child Maurice 85
** It's deir welcum to me."
XXII.
* Ye lie, ye lie, ye filthy nurfe,
* Sae loud as I heir ye lie ^
* I brocht it to lord Barnard's lady
* I trow ye be nae fhee.' 90
XXIII.
Then up and fpake the bauld baron
An angry man was he :
He has tane the table wj his foot,
Sae has he wi his knie,
Till cryftal cup and ezar dim 95
In flinders he gard flie.
XXIV.
*' Gae bring a robe of your eliding,
*' Wi a the hafle ye can,
*' And I'll gae to the gucle grenewode,
41 And- fpeik wi your lemman." ice
XXV. O bide
TRAGIC BALLADS. J9
XXV.
' O bide at hame now lord Barnard !
* I ward ye bide at hame ;
' Neir wyte a man for violence,
* Wha neir wyte ye wi nane.*
XXVI.
Child Maurice fat in the grenevvode, ip$
He whittled and he fang :
" O what meins a the folk coming ?
' My mother tarries lang."
XXVII.
The baron to the grenewode cam,
Wi meikle dnle and care ; i :
And there he firft fpyd Child Mau^ce,
Kaming his yellow hair.
XXVIII.
Nae wonder, nae wonder, Child Maurice,
' My lady Iocs thee weil :
' The faireft part of my body 1 r /
* Is blacker than thy heil.
-XXIX.
t Yet neir the lefs now, Child Maurice,
4 For a thy great bewtie,
' Yc'ie rew the day ye eir wai born ;
4 That head fall gae wi me.' r?o
D 4 XXX. No t
4 S C O T I S H
XXX.
Now he has drawn his truity brand,
And flaided owr the ftrae ;
And throuch Child Maurice fair body
He gar'd the cauld iron gae.
XXXI.
And he has tane Child Maurice held, i z$
And fet it on a fpeir ;
The meineft man in a his train
Has gotten that heid to beir.
XXXII.
And he has tane Child Maurice up,
Laid him acrofs his fteid; 130
And brocht him to his painted bower
And laid him on a bed,
XXXIII.
The lady on the caftle \va
Beheld baith dale and down ;
And there fhe faw Child Maurice hei4 ij
Cum trailing to the toun.
XXXIV.
" Better I loe that bhiidy heid,
" Bot and that yellow hair,
" Than lord Barnard and a his lands
* As they lig here and there."
XXXV, And
TRAGIC BALLADS. 41
XXXV.
And fiie has tanc Child Maurice heid, 140
Am: kifled baith cheik and chin ;
" I was anes fow of Child Maurice.
44 AJ the hip is o the fiane.
XXXVI.
' I gat ye in my father's houie 14$
** Wi meikle tin and ihnme ;
'* I brocht ye up in the grenewode
** Ken'd to mylell alane :
XXXVII.
" Aft have I by thy craddle (itten,
*' And fondly iein thee fleip; 150
" But now I maun gae 'bout thy grave,
** A mother's tcirs to weip."
XXXVIII.
Again (he kifs'd his bluidy cheik,
Again his bluidy chin ;
* O better I Joed my fon Maurice,
' Than a my kyth and kin !''
XXXIX.
1 A\va, atva, ye ill woman,
1 An ill dethe may ye die !
' Cjin I h?.d kcn'd he was your ,M
H<- had neif been finyre by ti-.c.' i(^
XL. ' Obrnict
42 S C O T I S H
XL.
** Obrrtid me not, my lord Barnard !
*' Obraid me not for fhame !
" Wi that fam fpeir, O percc my heart,
44 And fave me frae iny paiu !
XLI.
" Since nothing but Child Maurice head 165
44 Thy jealous rage cold quell,
'* Let that fame hand now tak her lyfc,
44 That neir to thec did ill.
XLII.
*' To me nae after days nor nichts
** Will eir be fart or kind : 1 70
** I'll fill the air \vi heavy fichs,
** And greit till I be,blind."
XLIIf.
* Fnench of bluid by me's been fpilt,
* Seek not your dcthe frae n;e ;
* T'cf rather far it had been myfel, j 75
* Th::n cither him or thee.
XLIV.
* V: ::upc'efs \vae I hear your plaint,
4 S;iir, fiir, I rue the dcid.
* That -:r this curlVd ha ri ci ot'zr.inc
' Self! ynr his bot'.v bisid ! iSo
XLV. 4 Diy
TRAGIC BALLADS. 43
XLV.
* Dry up your teirs, my winfome dame,
* They neir can heal the wound ;
* Ye fee his held upon the fpeir,
* His heart's bhiid on the ground.
XLVI.
4 I curfe the hand that did the deid, ig^
* The heart that thocht the ill,
' The feet that bare me wi fie fpeid,
* The comlie youth to kill.
XLVII.
1 111 aye lament for Child Maurice
' As gin he war my ain ; xg$
I'll neir forget the dreiry day
* On which the youth was flam.*
III. A D A M
4* S C O T I S H
III. ADAM O GORDON.
I.
T T fell about the Martinmas,
Whan the wind ble\v fhrill and cauld :
Said Adam o Gordon to his men,
** We maun draw to a hauld.
II.
** And what a hauld fall we draw to, <;
** My mirrie men and me ?
" We will gae ftrait to Towie houfe
*' And fee that fair ladie."
III.
The I.idy on her caftle Ava
beheld baith dale and down, 10
When fhe was ware of a h-il of men
Riding toward the toun.
IV. 'O
TRAGIC BALLADS. 45
IV.
* O ice ye not, my mirry men a,
* O fee ye not what I fee ?
* Methinks I fee a hoft of men, i $
4 I marvel wha they be.'
V.
She wein' it had been her luvely lord,
As he came ryding name;
Jt was the traitor Adam o Gordon,
Wha reck'd nae fm or fliame. *o
VI.
She had nae funer bulked herfel.
And putten on her gown,
Than Adam o Gordon and his men
Were round about the toun.
vn.
The lady ran to hir touir held *
Sac faft as (lie cold drie,
To fee if by her fpeiches fair
She cold wi him agree.
VIII.
But whan he faw the lady fife,
And the yates a locked faft, y
He fell into a rage of wrauth,
And his heart was all aghafl.
LJL 'Co
46 S C O T I S K
IX.
*' Cum doun to me ye lady gay,
44 Cum doun, Cum doun to me:
" This nicht ye fall lye in my arms, 35
" The morrow my bride fall be."
X.
* I winna cum doun ye faufe Gordon,
* I winna cum doun to thee ;
' I winna forfake my ain deir lord,
* Thouch he is far frae me.' 40
XI.
" Give owr your houfe, ye lady fair,
44 Give owr your houfe to me ;
" Or I fall brin yourfel therein,
44 Bot and your babies thrie."
XII.
* I winna give owr, ye faufe Gordon, 45>
''To nae fie traitor as thee ;
* And if ye brin me and my babes',
* My lord fall mak ye dric.
XIII.
* But reach my piftol, Glaud my man,
' And charge ye weil my gun, $
For, bot if I perce that bhiidy butcher',
4 W a fall be undone.'
XIV. She
TRAGIC BALLADS. 47
XIV.
She ihide upon the caftle wa
And let twa bullets flic ;
She mill that bluidy butchers heart, 5:
And only razd his knie.
XV.
** Set fire to the houfe," cryd faufe Gordon,
A wood wi dule and ire;
*' Faufe lady ye fall rue this deid
" As ye brin in the fire." 60
XVI.
Wae worth, wae worth ye Jock my man,
* I paid ye weil your fee ;
' Why pow ye out the ground-wa ftane
Lets in the reik to me?
XVII.
And ein wae worth ye Jock my man 65
I paid ye weil your hire ;
Why pow ye out the ground \va ftane
' To me lets in the fire r '
XVIII.
" Ye paid me weil my hire, lady,
' Yt paid me weil my tee : 7?
*' But now I'm Adam o Gordon's man ;
44 And maun or doe or die."
XIX. O
4 S C O T I S H
XIX.
O than befpak her little fon
Frae aft" the nonrce's knie,
* Oh mither deir, gi owr this houfe, 75
4 For the reik it fmithers uie !'
XX.
" I wald gie a my gowd, my chyld,
** Sae wald I a my fee,
** For ae blaft o the weftlin wind, 8e>
4> To biavv the reik fi ae thee."
XXI.
O than befpak her dochter deir,
She was baith jimp and fma,
* O row me in a pair o fheits,
* And cow me owr the wa.' 85
XXII.
They rowd her in a pair o flieits,
And towd her our the wa,
But on the point o Gordon's fpeir,
She gat a deidly fa.
XXIII.
O bonnie bonnie was her mouth, 90
And chirry were her cheiks ;
And cleir clcir was her yellow hair,
Wharon the red bluid dreipsf
i XXIV. Than
TRAGIC BALLADS. 49
XXIV.
Than wi his fpeir he turnd her owr
O gin her face was wan! 9$
Quoth he, " Ye are the firft that eir
" I wiflid alive again."
XXV.
He turnd her our and our again
gin her (kin was white!
" I micht ha fpair'd that bonny face 100
" To hae been fum mans delyte.
XXVI.
** Bulk and bown, my mirry men a,
" For ill doom I do guefe :
" I canna luik on that bonnie face,
** As it lyes on the grals." 105
XXVII.
* Wha luik to freits, my mafter deir,
1 Freits will ay follow them :
' Let it neir be faid, Adam o Gordon
* Was daunted by a dame.'
XXVIII.
But whan the lady faw the fire no
Cum naming our her heid,
She weip'd, and kift her children twain;
" My bairns we been but deid."
Voi I- E XXIX. The
50 SCOTISH
XXIX.
The Gordon than his bugil blew,
And faid, ' Awa, awa : 115
' Sen Tovvie Houfe is a in a flame,
* I hauld it time to ga.'
XXX.
O than befpied her ain deir lord,
As he cam o\vr the lee ;
He faw his caftle in a blaze 1 20
Sae far as he cold fee.
XXXI.
Then fair, O fair, his mind mifgave,
And a his heart was wae ;
" Put on, put on, my vvichty men,
*' Sae faft as ye can gae. 12$
xxxir.
" Put on, put on, my wichty men,
** Sae faft as ye can drie.
" He that is hindmoft o the thrang
" Sail neir get gude o me."
xxxnr.
Than fum they rode, and fum they ran, 1 30
Fu faft outowr the bent,
But eir the formoft could win up
Baith lady and babes were brent.
XXXIV. He
TRAGIC BALLADS. 51
XXXIV.
He wrang his hands, he rent his hair,
And \veipt in teinfu rtiude : j 35
** Ah traitors, for this cruel deid
" Ye fall weip teirs o bluid !"
XXXV.
And after the Gordon he. has gane,
Sae faft as he micht drie :
And fune in his foul hartis bluid 140
He has wreken his deir ladie,
E a IV. The
S C O T I S H
IV. The CHILD of ELLE*
i.
ON yonder hill a caftle ftande?,
With walles and towres bedight ;
And' yonder lives the Child of Elle,
A younge and comely knighte.
II.
The Child of Elle to his garden wente, |
And flood at his garden pale,
Whan, lo, he beheld fair Emmeline's page
Come tripping doune the dale.
HI.
The Child of Elle he hyed him thence,
Y-wis he floode not ftille, 10
And loone he mette fai e Emmeline's page
Come climbing up the hille,
IV.
Now Chrifte thee fave thou little foot page,
Notf Chrifte thee fave and fee,
Oh telle me how does thy ladye gaye, 15
And what may thy tydinges be ?
V. My
TRAGIC BALLADS. 53
V.
My lady fhe is all woe- begone,
And the teares they fall from her eyne ;
And aye fhe laments the deadly feude
Betweene her houfe and thine. 20
VI.
And here fhee fends thee a filken fcarfe,
Bedewde with many a teare ;
And biddes thee fometimes think on her
Who loved thee fo deare.
VII.
And here fliee fends thee a ring of gold, 25
The lail boon thou mayfl have ;
And biddes thee weare it for her fake
Whan fhe is laid in grave.
vnr.
For ah ! her gentle heart is broke,
And in grave foone muft flice bee, 30
Sith her father hath chofe her a new love,
And forbidde her to think of thee.
IX.
Her father hath brought her a carlifh knight,
Sir John of the north countraye,
And within three daycs (he muft him wedde, 35
Or he vowes he will her flaye.
E 3 X. Now
r 4 S C O T I S II
X.
Now hye thee backe, thou little foot page,
And greet thy ladye from mee.
And telle her that I, her Owne true love,
Will dye or fette her free. 43
XI.
JCow hye thee backe, thou little foot page,
And let thy fair ladye know
This flight will I be at her bowxe-windowe,
Betide me weale or woe.
XII.
The boye he tripped, the boye he ranne, 45
He neither flint na fiayd,
Untill he came to fair Emmeline's bowre,
Whan kneeling downe he fayd ;
XIII.
O, ladye, I've been with thy own true love,
. And he greets thee well by mee ; 50
This night will he bee at thy bowre windowe,
And die or fett thee free.
XIV.
Now day was gone and night was come,
And all were fa ft aileepe :
All fave the lady Ernmeline, 55
y/ho ia:e in her bowre to weepe.
XV. And
TRAGIC BALLADS. 55
XV.
And fune fhe heard her true love's voice,
Lowe whifpering at the walle ;
Awake, awake, my dear ladye,
'Tis I thy true love call. 60
XVI.
Awake, awake my ladye deare,
Come mount this fair palfraye ;
This ladder of ropes will lette thee downe,
lie carrye thee hence awaye.
XVII.
Nqw naye, now naye, thou gentle knight, 65
Now naye this may not bee ;
For aye fhould I tine my maiden fame,
If alone I fhould wend with thee.
XVIII.
O ladye thou with a knight fo true
Mayft fafelye wend alone, 70
To my lady mother I will thee bring,
Where marriage fliall make us one.
XIX.
" My father he is a baron bolde,
" Of lynage proud and hye,
" And what would he faye if his daughter ;$
" Awaye with a knight flioxild fly?
4 XX. " Ah
56 SCOTISH
XX.
" Ah well I wot he never would reft,
" Nor his meate fliould do him no goode,
" Till he had flayne thee, Child of Elle,
" And feene thy deare heart's bloode." 80
XXL
O, lady, wert thou in thy Caddie fet,
And a little fpace him fro,
I would not care for thy cruel father,
Nor the worft that he could doe.
XXII.
O, lady, wert thou in thy faddle fette, 85
And once without this walle,
I would not care for thy cruel father,
Nor the worft that might befalle.
XXIII.
Fair Emmeline figh'd, fair Emmeline wept,
And aye her heart was tvoe, 90
At lengthe he feizde her lilly-white hand,
And doune the ladder he drewe.
XXIV.
And thrice he clafpde her to his brefte,
And kift her tenderlie ;
The tears that fell from her fair eyes 95
Ranne like the fountayne free,
XXV. He
TRAGIC BALLADS. 57
XX\ r .
He mounted himfelfe on his fteede fo talle,
And her on a fair paUVaye,
And Hung his bugle about his necke,
And roundiye they rode awaye. 100
XXVI.
All this beheard her own damielle,
In her bed whereas (he lay.
Quoth fliee, My lord fliall knowe of this
So I fliall have golde and fee.
XXVIT.
Awake, awake, thou baron bold ! 105
Awake, my noble dame !
Your daughter is fledde with the Child of Ellc,
To doe the deede of fliame.
xxvm.
The baron he woke, the baron he rofe,
And callde his merry men all ; I i O
And co.ne thou forth, Sir John the knighte,
44 The ladye is carried to thrall."
XXJX.
Fair Emmeline fcant had ridden a mile,
A mite forth of the towne,
When (lie was aware of her father's men irj
Come galloping over the ckwnc.
XXX. And
58 S C O T I S H
XXX.
And foremoft came the carlifh knight,-
Sir John of the north countraye,
*' Nowe flop, novve flop, thou falfe traitour,
*' Nor carry that lady awaye. 120
XXXI.
" For (he is come of hye lynage,
" And was of a lady borne ;
" And ill it befeems thee a falfe churles's fonne,
" To carry her hence tofcorne."
XXXII.
Now loud thou lyeft, Sir John the knight, 125
Nowe thou doeft lye of inee ;
A knight me gott, and a ladye me bore,
Soe never did none by thee.
XXXIII.
But light nowe doune, my lady faire,
Light down and hold my fleed, 130
While I and this difcourteous knighte
Do try this arduous deede.
XXXIV.
Fair Emmeline fighd, fair Emmeline weept,
And aye her heart was woe;
While twixt her love and the carlilh knight, 135
Paft many a baleful blow.
XXXV. The
TRAGIC BALLADS. 59
XXXV.
The Child of Elle he fought foe well,
As his weapon he \vavde amainc,
That foone he had flaine the carlifh knight,
And layd him upon the playne. i^
XXXVI.
And now the baron and all his men
Full faft approached nye,
Ah what mayc laclye Emmelinc. doe?
'Tvvere now no boote to flye.
XXXVII.
Her lover he put his horn to his mouth, j^j
And blew both loud, and flirill,
And foone he fawe his owne merry men
Come ryding over the hill.
XXXVIII.
Now hold thy hand thou bold baron,
I pray thee hold thy hand ; i^ o
Nor ruthlefs rend two gentle hearts
Fail knit in true love's band.
XXXIX.
Thy daughter I have dearly lovde,
Full long and many a d iv,
JJut with fuch love as holy kirks ' t ^
Hath freelye faid wee rr,ay.
XI,. O give
60 S C O T I S H
XL.
O give confent me may be mine,
And blefie a faithful paire ;
My lands and livings are not fmall,
My houfe and lynage faire. 160
XLT.
My mother me was an erle's daughter,
And a noble knight my fire
The baron he frownde, and turn'd away,
With mickle dole and ire.
XLII.
Fair Ernmeline figh'd, fair Emmeline wept, 165
And did all trembling ftand ;
At lengthe me fprang upon her knee,
And held his lifted hand.
XLIII.
Pardon, my lord and father deare,
This faire yong knight and mee, 170
Truft me, but for the carlifh knight,
I never had fled from thee.
XLIV.
Oft have you calld your Emmaline,
Your darling and your joye ;
O let not then your harm refolves 175
Your Emmaline deftroye.
XLV. The
TRAGIC BALLADS. 6t
XLV.
The baron he ftroakd his dark broun cheeke,
And turnd his heade afyde,
To wipe awaye the ilarting tcare
He proudly ftrave to hyde. 180
XLvr.
In deep revolving thought he itoode,
And mus'd a little fpace ;
Then rais'd fair Emmeline from the grounde,
With many a fond embrace.
XL VII.
Here take her, Child of Elle, hefayd; 185
And gave her lillye hand :
Here take my deare and only child,
And with her half my land.
XLVIII.
Thy father once mine honour vvrong'd,
In dayes of youthful pride, 190
Do thou the injury repayfe
In fondnefs for thy britje.
XLIX.
And as thou love her, and hold her dcare,
Heaven profper thee and thine ;
And now my bletfing wend wi' thee 195
My lovelye Emu.eline.
V. GlLDEROy.
S C O T I S H
V. G I L D E R O Y.
GI L D E R O Y was a bonny boy,
Had rofes till his Ihoon ;
His ftockings were of filken fby,
Wi garters hanging doun.
It was, I ween, a comelie fight f
To fee fae trim a boy :
He was my joy, and heart's delight,
My handfome Gilderoy.
II.
O fie twa charming een he had !
Breath fweet as ony rofe: IQ
He never ware a highland plaid,
But coftly filken clothes.
He gain'd the luve of ladies gay,
Nane eer to him was coy :
Ah wae is me, I mourn the day 15
For my dear Gilderey.
III. My
TRAGIC BALLADS. 63
III.
My G ilderoy and I were bora
Baith in ae toun together ;
We leant were feven years beforn
We gan to luve ilk ither : 20
Our dadies and our mamies thay
Were fill'd wi mikle joy,
To think upon the bridal day
Of me and Gilderoy.
IV.
For Gilderoy, that luve of mine 25
Gude faith, I freely bought
A wedding fark of Holland fine,
Wi dainty ruffles wrought j
And he gied me a wedding ring
Which I receiv'd wi joy : 30
Nae lad nor laflie eer could fing
Like me and Gilderoy.
V.
Wi mickle joy we fpent our prime
Till we were baith fixteen,
And aft we pafl the langfame tims 35
Amang the leaves fae green:
Aft on the banks we'd (it us thair,
And fwectly kits and toy ;
While he wi garlands deck'd my hair,
My handfoaic Gildcxoy. 40
3 VL Oh
4 S C O T I 3 H
VT.
Oh that he i'till had been content
Wi me to lead his life I
But, ah, his manfu heart was bent
To ftir in fears of ftrife.
And he in many a venturous deed 4$
His courage bauld wad try ;
And now this gars my heart to bleed
For my dear Gilderoy.
VJL
And when of me his leave he tuik,
The tears they wat mine ee : 56
I gied him fie a parting luik !
1 My benifon gang wi thee !
* God (peed thee wei! mine am dear heart,
. * For ganq is all my joy ;
* My heart is rent, fith we maun part, 5$
* My handfome Gilderoy.'
VIIT.
My Gilderoy, baith far and near
Was fcar'd in every toun ;
And baxildly bare awa the geir,
Of mony a lawland loun. 6d
For man to man dur$ meet him nane,
He was fae brave a boy j
At length wi numbers he was tane,
My winiome Gilderoy.
7 IX. Wae
TRAGIC BALLADS. 6j
IX.
Wae worth the louns that made the laws 65
To hang a man for gear ;
To reave of life for tic a cauje
As Healing horfe or mare !
Had not their laws been made fae flrick
I neer had loft my joy ; 70
\Vi forrow neer had wat my cheek
For my dear Gilderoy.
X.
Gif Gilderoy had done amifs,
He moughthae baniflit been;
Ah what fair cruelty is this, 7
To hang fie handfome men !
To hang the flower o Scotifli land,
Sae fweet and fair a boy :
Nae lady had fae white a hand
As thee, my Gilderoy. 86
XI.
Of Gilderoy fae fearM they \vere,
Wi irons his limbs they ftrung;
To Edinborow led him thair,
And on a gallows hung.
They hung him high aboon the reft, 85
He was fae bauld a boy ;
Thair dyed the youth wham I lued beft,
My handfome Gilderoy.
VOL. I. F XII. Sune
66 SCOTISH
XII.
Sune as he yielded up his breath
I bare his corfe away,
Wi tears, that trickled for his death,
I wafli'd his comelie clay ;
And fiker in a grave right deep
I laid the dear lued boy :
And now for ever I maun weep,
My winiome Gilderoy.
VI.
TRAGIC BALLADS. 67
VI.
I.
TH E gypfies came to our good lord's gate ;
And vow but they fang fvveetly !
Our lady came doun the mufic to hear,
They fang fae very completely.
II.
And me came tripping down the flair, $
And a her maids before her ;
As foon as theyfaw her weil-fared face,
They cooft the glamer our her.
III.
Gae tak frae me this gay mantile,
And bring to me a plaidie ; 19
For, if kith and kin and a had fvvoa'n,
I'll follow the gypfie laddie.
IV.
Yeftreen I lay in a weel-made bed,
And my good lord befide me ; ij
This night I'll ly in a tenant's barn,
Whatever fliall betide me.
Fa Oh
61 SCOTISH
V.
Oh come to your bed, fays Johnie Fa,
Oh come to your bed my dearie ;
For I vow and fwear by the hilt of my fword,
Your lordlhall nae mair come near ye. 20
VI.
I'll go to bed to my Johnie Fa,
I'll go to bed to my dearie ;
For I vow and fwear by what paft yeftreen,
My lord lhall nae mair come near me.
VII.
And when our lord came hame at een 2$
And fpeird for his fair lady,
The tane ihe cry'd, and the ither reply 'd,
She's awa wi the gypfie laddie.
VIII.
Gae faddle to' me the black black fleed,
Gae faddle and mak him ready ; 3,0
Before that I either eat or fleep
I'll gae and feek my fair lady.
IX.
And we were fifteen well-made men,
Of courage ftout and fteady ;
And we were a put doun, but ane, 35
For a fair young wanton lady.
VII. THE
TRAGIC BALLADS.
VII. THE CRUEL KNIGHT.
i.
THE knight ftands in the (table door
As he was bownd to ride ;
Whan out thair comes his fair lady,
And him defires to bide.
II.
" How can I bide, how dare I bide, 5
" How can I bide wi thee ?
" Have I not kill'd thy ae brother ?
" Thou hadit nae mair but he."
III.
If thou haft kill'd my ae brother,
' Alas and wae is me ! tp
' But if I fave thee from the paine,
My luve's the mair to thee.'
IV.
She has taen him to her fecret bower,
Steik'd wi a filler-pin ;
And fhe's up to the higheft tower, 15
To watch that nane come in.
F 3 V. SI*
;o SCOTISH
V.
She had nae weil gane up the flair,
And entered in the tower,
When four and twenty armed knights
Came riding to the door. 20
VI.
* Now God you fave, my fair lady,
1 Declare to me I pray,
* Did you not fee a wounded knight
* Come riding by this way ?
vir.
ft Yes bloody bloody was his fword, i$
" And bloody were his hands ;
" But, if the fleed he rides be good,
" He's paft fair Scotland's ftrands."
VIII.
Then file's gane to her darkfome bower,
Her hufband dear to meet ; 50
He deem'd he heard his angry faes,
And wounded her fou deep.
IX.
* What harm my lord provokes thine ire,
* To wreak itfelf on me ?
* Have I not fav'd thy life frae faes, 35
Andfav'dfor fie a fee I 1
X. " Now
TRAGIC BALLADS.
X.
Now live, now live, my fair lady,
O live but half an hour ;
i There's neer a leech in all Scotland
But ftiall be at thy bower."
XI.
How can I live, how fhall I live,
How can I live for thee ?
While running faft oer a the floor,
My heart's blood thou may'ft fee !'
p 4 VIII. YOUNG
72 S C O T I S H
VIII. YOUNG WATERS,
i.
ABOUT yule, cruhen the wind blew eule,
And the round tables began,
There came to wait on our king's eourt,
Mony a well-favour' d man.
II.
The Quein luik'd owr the caftle-wa, 5'
Beheld baith dale and doun,
And then me faw young Waters
Cum riding to the town.
III.
His footmen they did rin before,
His horfemen rade behind: 10
Ane mantel of the burning gowcj.
Did keip him frae the wind.
IV.
Gpwden-graith'd his horfe before,
And filler-mod behind ;
The horfe young Waters rode upon 15
^Vas fleeter than the wind.
y. up.
TRAGIC BALLADS. 73
V.
Up then fpak a vvylie lord,
And to the Queen faid he,
Tell me quha is the faireft face
Rides in the comj'anie ? zo
VI.
I've fen lords, and I've feen lairds,
And knichts of high degree,
But a fairer face than young Waters
Mine een did never fee.
VII.
Out then fpak the jealous king, 2 -
(An angry man was he,)
" And if he had been twice as fair,
" You might have excepted me."
VIII.
You're neither lord, nor laird, flie fays,
Bot the king that wears the crown ; -f
There's not a knicht in fair Scotland,
Bot to thce maun bow down.
IX.
For a that (he could fay or do,
Appeas'd he wad nae be ;
Bot for the words that flie had faid, 3;
ypung Waters he maun die.
X. Suns
74 S C O T I S H
X.
Sune they hac taen young Waters,
Put fetters on his feet ;
Sune they hae taen young Waters,
And thrown in dungeon deep. 40
XI.
They hae taen to the heiding-hill,
That knicht fae fair to fee ;
And for the words the queen had fpak
Young Waters he did die.
IX. S I R
TRAGIC BALLADS. 75
IX. S I R H U G H;
OR, THE JEW'S DAUGHTER.
I.
TH E bonnie boys o merry Lincoln
War playin at the ba ;
And wi them (hide the fweet Sir Hugh,
The flower amang them a.
II.
He kepped the ba there wi his foot,
And catchd it wi his knie,
Till in at the cruel Jew's window
Wi fpeid he gard it flic.
III.
* Caft out the ba to me, fair maid,
* Caft out the ba to me :' 10
*' Ye neir fall hae't my bonnie Sir Hugh,
' Till ye come up to me.
IV.
" Cum up fweet Hugh, cum up dear Hugh
" Cum up and get the ba ;"
* I winna cum up, I winna cum up ir
' Without my play feres a.'
4 V. And
;6 S C O T I S H
V.
And flic has gane to her father's garden
Sae faft as flie cold rin ;
And powd an apple red and white
To wyle the young thing in. 20
VI.
She wyld him fune throuch ae chamber,
And wyld him fune throuch twa ;
And neift they cam to her ain chamber,
The faireft o them a.
VII.
She has laid him on a dreffin board, a$
Whar fhe was usd to dine ;
And ftack a penknife to his heart,
And drefs'd him like a fwine.
VIII.
She roxv'd him in a cake o lead,
And bade him lye and fleip j jo
Syne threw him in the Jew's draw-well,
Fu fifty fathom deip.
IX.
Whan bells were rung, and mals \vas fung,
And ilka lady gaed hame ;
Than ilka lady had her young fon, 35
But lady Helen had nane,
3 X. She
TRAGIC BALLADS. 77
X.
She row'd her mantel her about,
And fair fair can fhe weip ;
She ran wi fpeid to the Jew's caflel,
When a war faft afleip. 40
XL
My bonnie Sir Hugh, your mither callt r
* I pray thee to her fpeik :*
" O lady rin to the deip draw-well
" Gin ye your fon wad feik."
XII.
Lady Helen ran to the deip draw-well, 4
And kneel'd upon her knie ;
* My bonnie Sir Hugh gin ye be here,
* I pray yc fpeik to me ;'
XIII.
" The lead is wondrous heavy mither,
44 The well is wondrous deip; r+
" A kene penknife flicks in my heart,
* A word I dounae fpeik.
XIV.
" Gae hame, gae hame, my mither dcir,
" Fetch me my winding flieet ;
* For again in merry Lincoln toun e t
" We tw fall never meit."
X, FLOD-
78 S C O T I S H
X. FLODDEN FIELD;
OR, THE FLOWERS OF THE FOREST.
I.
I Have heard o lilting at the ewes milking,
Laffes a lilting eir the break o day ;
But now I hear moaning on ilka green loaning,
Sen our bra forefters are a wed away.
II.
At bouchts in the morning nae blyth lads are fcorning,
The lafles are lonely, dowie, and wae ;
Mac daffin, nae gabbing, but ilching and Tabbing ;
Ilk ane lifts her leglen and hies her away.
III.
At een in the gloming nae fwankies are roaming,
'Mang Hacks wi the lafles at bogle to play ;
For ilk ane fits dreary, lamenting her deary ;
The Flowers o the Foreft, wha're a wed away.
IV.
In harft at the fheiring na yonkers are jeiring ;
The banfters are lyart, runkled, and gray ;
At fairs nor at preaching, nae wooing nae Seeching,
Sen our bra foreiters are a wed away.
V. O
TRAGIC BALLADS. 79
V.
O dule for the order fent our lads to the border !
The Englilh for anes by gyle wan the day.
The Flowers o the Foreft, wha ay ftione the foremoil,
The prime o the land lye cauld in the clay !
XI. EDWARD
8o S C O T I S H
XI. E D W A R D.
I.
WH Y does your brand fae drap \vi blnid,
Edward, Edward?
"Why does your brand fae drap with bluid,
And why fae fad gang ye O !
O I hae killd my hauk fae gude, 5
Mither, mither :
I hae killd my hauk fae gude ;
And I had nae mair but he, O !
II.
Your haukis bluid was nevir fae reid,
Edward, Edward. 10"
Your haukis bluid was nevir fae reid,
My deir fon I tell thee O !
1 hae killd my reid roan fteid,
Mither, mither:
O 1 hae killd my reid roan fteid 1 5
That erft was fair and frie O !
III.
Your iteid was auld, and ye hae mair,
Edward, Edward :
Your fteid was auld, and ye hae mair,
Sum ither duie ye drie, O ! 20
O I hae killd my fadir deir,
Mither, mither:
O I hae killd my fadir deir,
Alas I and was is Hie O !
IV. What
T R A (5 I C BALLAI> S. 8i
IV.
What penance will ye drie for that, 25
Edward, Edward?
What penance will ye drie for that,
My deir fon, now tell me O !
I'll fet my feet in yonder boat ;
Mither, mither: 30
I'll fet my feet in yonder boat ;
And I'le fare owr the fea, O !
V.
What will ye do wi touirs and ha,
Edward, Edward ?
What will ye do wi touirs and ha, 35
That were fae fair to fee, O !
Tie let them fland till they doun fa,
Mither, mither:
I'le let them fland till they doun fa,
For heir I maunae be O ! 40
VL
What will ye leive to bairns and wife,
Edward, Edward?
What will ye leive to bairns and wife,
When ye gang owr the fea O !
The warld's room to beg throuch life, 45
Mither, mither:
The warld's room to beg throuch life,
For them I neir maun ice, O !
VOL. III. O VH. What
I S H
VII.
What will ye leive to your mithe-r deir, 5
Edward, Edward ?
What will ye leive to your mither deir,
My deir fon, now tell me O !
The curfe of hell frae me fall ye beir,
Mither, mither:
The curfe of hell frae me fall ye beir, 5 5
Sic counfeils ye gied me, O!
VII. SJR
TRAGIC BALLADS. & 3
XII. SIR PATRICK SPENCE.
I.
TH E King fits in Dunfe,rmlin toun,
Drinking the bluid-red wine :
' Whar fall I get a gude failor,
" To fail this fliip o mine ?"
II*
Than up and fpak an eldern knicht,
Wha fat at his richt knie ;
' Sir Patrick Spence is the beft failor,
' That fails upon the fea.*
III.
The king has written a braid letter,
And fignd it wi his hand ; ic
And fent it to Sir Patrick Spence,
Wha walked on the fand.
IV.
The firfl line that Sir Patrick red,
A lend lauch lauched he ;
The ncift line that Sir Patrick red 15
The teir blinded his eie.
G 2 V. " O
8 4 S C O T I S H
V.
" O wha can he be that has don
" This deid o ill to me,
* To fend me at this time o yeir
** To fail upo the fea ? 2*
VI.
*' Mak hafte, mak hafte, my mirry men a
* Our gude fhip fails the morne."
* O fay na fae, my matter deir,
' For I feir deidly ftorm.
VII.
* I faw the new moon late yeftrene, 25
* Wi the auld moon in her arm ;
' And I fear, I fear, my matter deir,
' That we will cum to harm.'
vin.
Our Scottifli nobles were richt laith
To weit their fhyning Ihoen ; 30
But lang or a the play was owr,
They wat their heids aboon.
IX.
O lang lang may their ladies fit
And luik outowr the fand,
Or eir they fee the bonnie fhip 35
Cum failing to the land!
X. Mair
TRAGIC BALLADS. 85
X.
Mair than haf owr to Aberdour
It's fifty fathom deip
Lyes gude Sir Patrick Spence for aye
Wi the Scots lords at his feit. 40
3 . XIII.
86 S C O T I S H
XIII. LADY BOTH WELL's
LAMENT.
I.
BA L O W, my babe, lye ftill and fleip,
It grieves me fair to fee thee weip ;
If thou'lt be filent I'll be glad,
Thy maining maks my keart full fad ;
Balow my boy, thy mither's joy ; 5
Thy father breids me great annoy.
II.
Whan he began to feik my luve,
And wi his fucred words to muve ;
His feining faufe, and flattering cheir,
To me that time did nocht appeirj 19
But now I fee that cruel he
Cares neither for my babe nor me.
III.
Lye ftill, my darling, fleip a while,
And whan thou wakeft fweitly fmile ;
But fmile nae as thy father did 1 5
To cozen maids : nay, God forbid,
What yet I feir, that thou fold leir
phy father's heart and face to beir !
4. - JV. Be
TRAGIC BALLADS. 87
IV.
Be Hill, my fad one : fpare thofe teirs,
To weip whan thou haft wit and yeirs ; 20
Thy griefs are gathering to a fum,
God grant thee patience when they cum ;
Born to proclaim a mother's fhame,
A father's fall, a baftard's name.
G 4 XIV, THE
88 SCOTISH
XIV. THE EARL OF MURRAY,
I.
YE Hielands and ye Lawlands
O whar hae ye been ?
They have flam the Earl of Murray
And laid him on the green !
II.
r* Now vvae be to you Huntly !
O wharfore did ye fae ?
1 I bad you bring him wi you ;
* But forbad you him to flay.'
III.
He was a bra galant,
And he rid at the ring ; I.O
The bonnie Earl of Murray
He micht ha been a king.
IV.
He was a bra galant,
And he playd at the ba ;
The bonnie Earl of Murray t^
Was the flower amang them a.
TRAGIC BALLADS. 89
V.
He was a bra galant,
And he playd at the gluve ;
The bonnie Earl of Murray
He was the queen's luve. 2
VI.
O lang will his lady
Look owr the caftle downe,
Ere (lie fee the Earl of Murray
Cum founding throuch the toun !
XV. SIR
go S C O T I S H
XV. SIR JAMES THE ROSE.
I.
O Heard ye o Sir James the Rofc,
The young heir o Buleighan ?
For he has kill'd a gallant iquire,
Whafe friends are out to tak him.
II.
Now he has gane to the houfe o Mar, 5
Whar nane might feik to find him ;
To fee his dear he did repair,
Weining fhe wold befreind him.
III.
Whar are ye gaing, Sir James,' fhe faid,
* O whar awa are ye riding ?'
" I maun be bound to a foreign land, 10
" And now I'm under hiding."!
IV.
" Whar fall I gae, whar fall I rin,
Whar fall I rin to lay me ?
" For I ha kill'd a gallant fquire, 15
" And his friends fcik to flay me."
V. 'O
TRAGIC BALLADS. 91
V.
' O gae ye doun to yon laigh houfe,
I fall pay there your lavving ;
* And as I am your leman trevv,
" I'll meet ye at the dawing. 20
VI.
He turnd him richt and round about
And rowd him in his brechan :
And laid him doun to tak a ileip,
In the lawlands o Buleighan.
VII.
He was nae wcil gane out o ficht, 25
Nor was he pail Mililrethen,
Whan four and twenty belted knichts
Cam riding owr the Leathen.
VIII.
' O ha ye feen Sir James the Rofe,
* The young heir o Kuleighan ? 30
For he has kili'd a gallant fquire,
* And we are lent to tak him.'
IX.
*' Yea, I ha feen Sir James,' (lie faid,
'* He paft by here on Monday ;
' Gin the deed be i'wift than he rides on, 3;
> He's paft the Hichts of Lundie."
X. But
9 i S C O T I S H
X.
But as wi fpeid they rade awa,
She loudly cryd behind them ;
" Gin ye'll gie me a worthy meid,
" I'll tell ye whar to find him." 40
XL
* O tell fair maid, and, on our band,
* Ye'fe get his purfe and brechan.'
et He's in the bank aboon the mill,
*' In the lawlands o Buleighan."
XII.
Than out and fpak Sir John the Graham, 4$
Wha had the charge a keiping,
' It's neer be faid, my flalwart feres,
" We killd him whan a fleiping."
XI! [.
They feized his braid fword and his targe,
And clofely him furrounded : r
" O pardon ! mercy 1 gentlemen,"
He then fou loudly founded.
XIV.
' Sic as ye gae lie ye fall hae
* Nae grace we. (haw to thee can.'
" Donald my man, wait till I fa, 55
" And ye fall hae my brechan ;
*' Ye'll get rr.y purfe thouch fou o gowd
"To tak me to Loch Lagan.."
3 XV. Syne
TRAGIC BALLADS. 9 3
XV.
Syne they tuke out his bleiding heart,
And fet it on a fpeir ; 60
Then tuke it to the houfe o Mar,
And fhawd it to his deir.
XVI.
* We cold nae gie Sir James's purfe
* We cold nae gie his brechan,
* But ye fall ha his bleeding heart 6$
* Bot and his bleeding tartan.*
XVII.
" Sir James the Rofe, O for thy fake
** My heart is now a breaking,
! Curs'd be the day, I wrocht thy wae,
*' Thou brave heir of Buleighan I" 70
XVIII.
Then up (he raife, and furth ike gaes ;
And, in that hour o tein,
She wanderd to the dowie glen,
And nevir mair was fein.
XVI. THE
94. SCOTISH
XVI. THE LAIRD OF WOODHOUSELIE,
From TRADITION.
I.
SH Y N I N G was the painted ha
Wi gladfum torches bricht ;
Full twenty gowden dames fat there^
And ilkane by a knicht :
Wi mufic cheir, 3
To pleafe the eir,
Whan bewtie pleafd the ficht.
II.
Wi cunning fkill his gentle meid
To chant, or warlike fame,
Ilk damfel to the minftrels gied 10
Some favorit chieftan's name :
" Sing Salton's praife,"
The lady fays
In fuith fhe was to blame.
III.
* By my renown ye wrang me fair,* . t$
Quoth hautie Woodhoufelie,
' To praife that youth o fma report,
' And never cieim on me :
* Whan ilka dame
* Her fere cold name, 20*
. * In a this companie.'
IV. Th^
TRAGIC BALLADS. 95
IV.
The morn (lie to her nourice yeed ;
" O meikle do I feir,
*' My lord will flay me, fin yeftrene
I prais'dmy Salton deir ! 25
" I'll hae nae eafe,
" Till Hevin it pleafe,
' That I lye on my beir."
V.
* Mair wold I lay him on his beir,'
The craftie nourice faid ;
* My faw gin ye will heid but anes
* That fall nae be delaid.'
" O nourice fay,
" And, by my fay,
" Ye fall be weil appaid." 35
VI.
* Take ye this drap o deidly drug
' And put it in his cup,
* When ye gang ot the gladfum ha,
* And fit ye doun to fup :
* Whan he has gicd 40
* To bed bot dreid,
He'll never mair rife up.'
VI T. And
9 6 S C O T I S H
VIL
And fhe has tane the deidly drag
And pat it in his cup,
Whan they gaed to the gladfum ha, 45
And fat them doun to fup :
And wi ill fpeid
To bed he gied,
And never mair raife up.
VIII.
The word came to his father auld $o
Neift day by hour of dyne,
That Woodhoufelie had died yeftrene,
And his dame had held the wyne.
Quoth he " I row
By Mary now, J$
* She fall meit fure propine."
IX.
Syne he has flown to our gude king.
And at his feet him layne ;
* O Juftice ! Juftice ! royal liege,
* My worthy fon is flayne. 6e
' His lady's feid
* Has wrocht the deid,
* Let her receive the paine.'
X. Sair
TRAGIC BALLADS. 9;'
X.
Sair muvit wa our worthy king,
And an angry man was he ; 65
' Gar bind her to the deidly ftakf,
And birn her on the lie :
That after her
Na bluidy fere
* Her recklefs lord. may flee.' ;:>
XI.
* c O wae be to ye, nourice,
" An ill dethe may ye drie !
" For ye prepar'd the deidly drug
That gard my deiry die :
*' May a the paine 75
That I darraine
' In ill time, licht on thee !
XII
" O bring to me my goun o black,
" My mantel, and my pall;
" And gie five merks to the friars gray 80
** To pray .lor my poor faul :
" And ilka dame,
" O gentle name,
*' Bevvar o my fair fall.'*
VOL. I. H XVII. Lord
S C O T I S H
XVJI. LORD r LIVINGSTON.
FromTRADmotf.
I.
RAITH my fwifteft fteid,' faid LivingftoM*
1 But nane of ye gae wi me ;
* For I maun awa by myfel alane
* To the foot of the grenewode tree.
II.
Up Jpak his dame wi meikle fpeid. $
"My lord I red ye bide;
** Idreimd a dreiry dreim laft nieht:
' Nae gude fall you betide."
III.
* What freit is this, my lady deir,
' That wald my will gainftand?' i
** I dreimd that I gaed to my bouir dore<
'* And a deid man tuke my hand."
IV.
Suith dreims are fcant,' faid the proud baron,
And leuch wi jearing glie ;
* But for this fweit kifs my winfum dame i
' Neift time dreim better o me.*
V. 'For
TRAGIC BALLADS. 95,
V.
* For I hecht to meit with lord Rothmar,
4 To chafe the fallow deer ;
* And fpeid we weil, by the our o nune,
' We fall return hot feir.' jMt
VI.
Frae his fair lady's ficht he ftrave
His ettling iae to hide ;
But frae the grenewode he came nac back,
Sin eir that deidly tide.
VIL
For Rothmar met him there bot fail, 35
And bluidy was the flrife ;
Lang eir the nunetide mefs was rung,
They baith war twin'd o life.
VIII.
' Forgie, forgie me, Livingfton !
* That I lichtly fet by your dame ; 39
' For furely in a the warld lives not
4 A lady mair free frae blame.
IX.
' Accurfed be my lawles luve
* That wrocht us baith fie tein !*
'* As J forgie my freind anes deir f 3$
" Sae may I be forgien.
Hi X. Thouch
,0* 5 C O T I S H
X.
" Thouch ye my counfeil fold ha tane
' The gait of gyle to efchevv ;
4< Yet may my faul receive fie grace 46
** As I now gie to you."
XL
The lady in her mournfu bouir
Sat wi richt heavy cheir,
In ilka fough ; hat the laigh wind gied
She weind her deir lord to heir.
XII.
Whan the fun gaed down, and mirk nicht came, 4$
O teirfu were her eyne !
* I feir, I feir, it was na for nocht
* My dreims were fae dowie yeftrene !'
xni.
Lang was the nicht, but whan the morn cam,
She faid to her menie ilk ane ; r*
* Hafte, faddle your fteids, and feik the gerenewode,
* For 1 feir my deir lord is flain.'
XIV
Richt fune they fand their lord and Rothmar
Deid in ilk ither's arm :
* I guefs my deir lord that luve of my name ^j
* Alane brocht thee 19 fie harm.
XV. <Neif
TRAGIC BALLAD 3. ii
XV.
* Ncir will 1 forget thy feimly meid,
* Nor vet thy gentle luve ;
' For fevin lanp yeirs my weids of black
That I luvd thce as wcii fall pruvc.' *o
H 3 XVIII. BIN-
'Vbi 5 C O T I S H
XVIII. B I N N O R I E.
From TRADITION.
To preffrvt tht font as iuett ai the fenfe of this "BaHal, tht
lurden Jhould be repeated through the whole, though it i$
here omitted 'fir the fake of cone ijime/s.
npHERE were twa fitters liv'd in a bouir ;
* Binnoric, O Binnoric !
Their father was a baron of pouir,
By the bonnie mildams of Binnorie.
The youngeft was meek, and fair as the May,
Whan fhe fprings in the ea.ft wi the gowden day :
The eldeft auftern as the winter cauld,
Ferce washer faul, and her feiming was bauld.
A gallant fquire cam fweet Ifabel to wooe ;
Her filter had naething to luve I trow ; JQ
But filld was fhe wi dolour and ire,
To fee that to her the comlie fquire
Preferd the debonair Ifabel :
Their hevin of luve of fpyte was her hell.
Till ae ein fhe to her fitter can fay 15
*' Sweit fitter cum let us wauk and play."
They wauked up, and they wauked down,
Sweit fang the bijdis in the vallie loun !
Whan
TRAGIC BALLADS. a*j
Whan they cam to the roaring lin,
She drave unweiting Uabel in, ad
* O filter ! fitter ! tak my hand,
'.And ye fall hae my fiiver fan ;
O fifter ! filler! tak my middle,
* And ye fall hae my gowden girdle.*
Surnames me fank, fumtimes flic fvvam, 35
Till (he cam to the miller's dam :
The miller's dochter was out that em
And faw her rowing down the ftreim.
" O father deir ! in your mill dam
* There is either a lad,y pr a milk white fwan I". 3^
Twa days were gane whan to her deif
Her wraith at deid of nicht cold apeir :
* My luve, my deir, how can ye fleip,
' Whan your Ifabel lyes in the deep ?
' My deir, how can ye fleip hot pain, 35
Whan Ihe by her cruel lifter is flain, ?
Up raife he fune in frichtfu mude,
* Bulk ye my tneiny and feik the flude.'
They ibcht her up and they fo^ht her doun.
And fpyd at laft her gliflerin gown : 40
They raib'd her wi richt meikle care ;
Pale was her cheik, and grein was her hair !
* Gae, faddle to me my fwifteft fteid,
Her fere, by my fae, for her dethe faU bleid,*
A page cam riiming out owr the lie, , 45
" O havie tiding I bring!" quoth he,
H 4 My
164 ' S C O T I S H
" My luvely lady is fiar awa gane,
** We weit the fairy hae her tan? ;
*' Her lifter gaed wood wi dule and rage, '
" Nocht cold we do her mind to fua^" 0'
" O Ifabel ! my fifter !" (he wold" cry,
' For thee will I weip, for thee will I die 1"
*' Till late yeflreerie in an elric hour
" She lap frae aft the hieheft rouir"
' Now fleip fhe in peace!' quoth the gallant Squire, 55
Her dethe was the maift that I cold require :
* But I'll main for the my Ifabel deir,
' Binnorie, O Binnorie !
' Full mony a dreiry dyy, hot weir,
' By the boruiie mildams of Binnorie.' 60
XIX. THE
TRAGIC BALLADS. TO$
XIX. THE DEATH OF MENTEITH*.
From TR A DITION*
I.
SHRILLY fhriek'd the raging wincf,
And rudelie blew the blaft ;
Wi awfum blink, thfouch the dark hi,
The fpeidy lichtning pa ft.
II. 5
* O hear ye nae, frae mid the loch,
* Arife a dcidly grane ?
' Sae evir d'. es the fpirit warn,
* Whan we lum dethc maun mane,
i
m.
I feir, I feir n.e, gude Sir John,
* Ye are nac fafe wi me : i
What \vac vvald sili ;:jy heart gin ye
* Sold ia my caltic drie !'
IV.
" Ye neid nae feir, my leman deir,
" *' I'm ay fafc when wi tlicc ;
'* And gin I maun na'. wi theelive, jp
" I here wad wifh to die."
V. Hu
w6 S C O T I S H
V,
His roan cam mining to the ha
Wi wallow cheik belyve :
Sir John Menteith, yottrraes are neir,
* An<I ye maun flie or itrive f 2Q
VI.
* What count fyne leads the cruel fcnicht ? u
* Thrie fpeirmen to your ane :
' I red ye flie, my mailer deir,
* Wi fpeid, or yell be flain,'
VII.
Tak ye this gown, my deir Sir John, >$
" To hide your Ihynmg mail :
' A boat waits at the hinder port
" Owr the braid loqh to iail.'*
VIIL
* O whatten a piteous fliriek was yon
fhat fough'd upo my eir?" ^
'Nae jMteoui fi-rifj, I trow, ladie,
* Bot the rouch blaft ye heir.*
IX.
They focht the caftle, till the morn,
Whar. they were bovvn'd to gae,
They law the boat turn'd on the loch, j $
Sir John's corle on the brae.
6 XX. LORD
T , A G I C BALLADS. i
XX. LORD AIRTH's COMPLAINT,
From a MANUSCRIPT.
I.
IF thefe fad thoughts could be exprefs'd,
Wharwkh my mind is now poflefs'd,
My paffion micht, difclos'd, have reft,
My griefs reveal'd micht flic;
But ftil! that mind which dothe forbere 5
To yield a groan, a iich, or teire,
May by its prudence, much I fear,
Encreafc it's miferie.
II,
My heart which ceafes now to plaine,
To fpeke it's griefs in mournful llraine, !
And by fad. accents eafe my paine,
Is ftupeficd with woe.
For lefler cares doc murne and crie,
While greater cares are mute and die ;
As iflues run a fountain drie, 15
Which flop'd wold overflow.
til. My
roa S C O T I S
III.
My fichs are fled ; no teirs now rin,
But fwell to whelm my foul within,
Hw pitieful the cafe I'm in,
Admire but doe not trie,
My erotics I micht juftly pruve,
Are common forrows far abuve'j
My griefs ay in a circle muve,
And will doe till I die.
XXI,
TRA6ICBALLADS.
xxr.
From TRADITION.
1
I WISH I were where Helen liesl
Night and day on me flic cries
To bear her company.
would that in her darkibme bed
My weary frame to reft were laid
From love and anguifh free 1
II.
1 hear, I hear the Welcome found
Break (lowly from the trembling mound
That ever calls on me :
Oh blefled virgin ! could my power
Vye with my wifh, this very hour
I'd deep death's fleep with thee.
III.
A lover's figh, a lover's tear,
Attended on thy timelefs bier:
What more can fate require?
I hear, I hear the welcome (ound *
Yes, I will feek the iacred ground,
And on thy grave expire-
IV.
no S C O T I S H
IV.
The worm now taftes that rofy mouth,
Where glowed^ foort time, the fmiles of youth;
And in my heart's dear home*
Her fnowcy bofdm, loves to lye.
I hear, I hear the welcome cry !
I come, my love ! I come*
V.
life begone ! thy irkfomc fccnc
Can bring no comfort to my pain :
Thy fcenes my pain recall ! ,$
My joy is grief, my life is dead,
Since (he for whom I lived is fled ;
My love, my hope, my all.
VI*
Take, take me to thy lovely fide*,
Of my loft youth thou only bride !
take me to thy tomb !
1 hear, I hear the welcome found !
Yes life can fly at forrow't wound*
1 come, I come, I come.
FRAG-
t "I 1
FRAGMENTS.
EARL Douglas then wham nevir knichf
Had valour mair nae courtdie,
Is now fair blam'd by a the land
For lichtlving o his gay ladie.
4 Gae little page, and tell my lord,
' Gin he will cum and dyne wi roe,
I'll fee him on a feat o gowd,
' And ferve him on my bended knie.'
Now wae betide ye blact Faftnefs,
' Bot and an ill deid may ye die !
Ye was the firlt and formoft man
Wha pairted my true lord and me.'
II. She
FRAGMENTS.
II.
She has called to her her bouir maidens,
She has called them ane by ane :
*' There lyes a deid man in my bouir,
" I wiih that he war gane."
They ha booted him and fpurred him,
As he was wont to ryde,
A hunting horn ty'd round his waift,
A fharp fword by his fyde.
Then up and fpak a bonnie bird,
That fat upo the trie ;
What hae ye done wi Earl Richard,
* Ye was his gay ladie ?'
=*' Cum doun, cum doun, my bonnie bird,
" And licht upo my hand ;
44 And ye (hall hae a cage o gowd,
*' Whar ye hae but the wand."
Awa, awa, ye ill woman !
* Nae cage o gowd for me ;
As ye hae done to Earl Richard,
* Sae wad ye doe to me.'
******
III. See
FRAGMENTS. 113
III.
See ye the caftle'6 lonelie wa,
That rifes in yon yle?
There Angus mourns that eir he did
His fovereign's luve begyle.
' O will ye gae wi me fair maid ?
* O will ye gae wi me ?
' I'll fet you in a bouir o gowd
* Nae haly cell ye'fe drie.'
" O meikle lever wald I gang
" To bide for ay wi thee,
" Then heid the king ray father*! will,
' The haly cell to drie.
44 Sin I maun nevir fee nor fpeke
Wi him I luve fae deir,
" Ye are the firft man in the land
" I wald cheis for my fere."
VOL. I. I IV.
,, 4 FRAGMENTS.
IV.
Whar yon cleir burn frae down the loch,
Rins faftlie to the fea,
There latelie bath'd in hete o nune
A fquire of valour hie.
He kend nae that the faufe mermaid
There us'd to beik and play,
Or he had neir gane to the bathe,
I trow, that dreirie day.
Nae funer had he deft his claiths,
Nae funer gan to fwim,
Than up fhe rais'cl her bonnie face
Aboon the glittering ftreim.
' O comelie youth, gin ye will cum
* And be my leman deir,
Ye fall ha pleafance o ilk fort,
* Bot any end or feir.
< I'll tak ye to my emraud ha
Wi perles lichted rouud ;
Whar ye fall live wi luve and me,
* And neir by bale be found.
NOTES.
NOTES.
HAR DYKNUTE.
PART I.
HARDYKNUTE.] This name is of Danijb
extract, and fignifics Canute the Jlrong. Hardy
in the original implies ftrong, not valiant ; and though
ufed in the latter fenfe by the Englifh, yet the Scots
(till take it in its firft acceptation. " The names in
" Cunningham," fays Sir David Dalrymple, " are all
" Saxon, as is the name of the country itfdf." An-
nals of Scotland, an. 1160, note. The Danjb and
Saxin are both derived from the old Gothic, and
were fo fimilar, that a pcrfon of the one nation
might underftand one of the other fpeaking in his
proper tongue. From the names and whole tenor of
I 2 tills
ii6 NOTES.
this poem, I am inclined to think the chief fcene is
laid in Cunninghamfliire ; where Hkewiie the lattle cf
Largs, fuppofed to be that fo nobly defcribed in the
firllpart, was fought.
Ver. 5. Briton.] This was the common name
which the Scots gave the Englifh anciently, as may be
obferved in their old poets; and particularly Blind
Harry, whofe teftimony indeed can only be relied on,
as to the common language and manners of his time ;
his Life of Wallace being a tifiue of the moft abfurd fa-
bles ever mingled.
V. 9. Hie on a bill y &c.") This neceflary caution
in thofe times, when ftrength was the only protection
from violence, is well painted by a contemporary French
bard:
Un chafteau fcay fur roche efpouvantable,
En lieu venteux, la rive perilleufe,
La vy tyrant feant a haute table,
En grand palais, en fal plantureufe, &c.
If Miac t Evtque de Cambray.
V* 12. Knleht."] Thefe knights were only military
officers attending the e'".r's, barons, &c. as appears
from the hiftories of the middle ages. See Selden,
Tit. Hon. P. II. c. 5. The name is of Saxon origin,
and of remote antiquity, as is proved by the following
fragment of a poem on the Spanifli expedition of
Charles the Great, written at that period :
8*
NOTES. 117
&e xejlugen rts untie mam
Mit ire fcarfen fpiezin ;
Tbit gate mo/en an theme plott binntn ulitztM :
Tbcrjtte was tender gate n LneghtCD,
Sic kundtn <wolt vocbum.
i. e.
Occiderunt equos et viros
Acutis fuis ha 11 is ;
Deos opportuit fanguine fluere :
Hie mos erat inter nobiles milites,
Poterant optime pugnare.
MS. dt EtUo Car. M. Hift. apud Kyjler di/. d*
Cultu Solis, Frtji, te Otbini ', Halz, 1738.
The oath which the ancient knights of Scotland gave
at their inveftiture is preserved in a letter of Dmmmond
of Hawthornden to Ben Jonfon, and is as follows :
IJhall fortifit and defend the true belj Catholiqut and
Cbriflian Religion, prtfcntly profejjed, at all my fewer.
J Jball bt loyal and true to my Sovereign Lord tbi King bit
Majefty ; and do honour and reverence tt all ordtn of che-
va/rie, and to the nolle office of arms.
1 Jball fortifie and defend jujiict to tht mttirmofl of mj
ffwer t but fiidr favour.
I Jball never flit from the King's Majefly my Lor J and
Mafter, or bit lieutenant t in timt f batttl tr mtdly with
iiS NOTES.
IJJjall defend my native country from all aliens and Jlr angers
at all my power.
I /hall maintain and defend the honeft adots and quarrels nf
all ladies nf honour^ luitloius, orphans, and maids ofgtcdfamt.
Jjball do diligence, nuhereiier I hear tell there are any
traitors, murtherers, r fevers, and majlerful t beeves and out-
laws, ihatfupprefe the poor, to bring them to ths laiu at all
my po'i'er.
Ijhall maintain acd defend the noble and gallant fiate of
chcvalrie with horfes, harnefes, and other knichtly apparel to
try power.
1 Jhall be diligent to enquire, and feek to have the kno*iv~
ledge of all points and articles, touching or concerning my duty t
contained in the book of chivalry.
All and fundy the prem!fes I oblige me to keep andf*lfll.
So help me God by my own hand, and by God him/elf.
A curious account of the rife and progrefs of knight-
hood, and its influence on fociety, may be found in a
learned and ingenious work lately publifhed by Dr.
Stuart, in titled, AviewofSocittyinlLurope, or Enquiries
concerning the Hijiory pf Law, Govtrnmcnt, and Manner i.
V. 16. Emergard.~\ In the common copies it is
Elerior, and indeed in all the recitals 1 have heard ; but
in a late edition published with other Scotifh fongs at
Jtdinburgh, 1776, it is rightly read as here. F.mergard,
or E>rmengarde^ was daughter of the Vifcount of Beau-
mont,
NOTES. 119
mont, and wife of William the Lyon. She died in 1 233
As the name was uncommon, and of difficult pronun-
ciation, the rehearfers feem to have altered it to Elenor y
which has none of thefe defeds.
The battle of Largs, fuppofed to be that meant in
this poem, was fought on the firlt of Auguft 1263, fo
that queen Emergard was dead thirty years before ;
yet this can amount to no error in chronology, as the
verfes evidently imply that the lady of Hardyknute bad
no equal in the kingdom for beauty fave the queen in
the prime of the youth and beauty of both, which
might well be forty years, or more, before the period of
a&ion in the poem.
V. 25. Fairly. ~\ This name feems likewife of Saxon
origin. There is a fmall ifland and a rivulet in Cun-
ningham ftill called Fairly ijle and Fairly Burn.
V. 43. Ti verity tboufand glittering fptirs^ &c.] This
agrees with Buchanan's account, Acbo viginti millia
miliium exprfuit. lib. 7. Torfzus aflerts this number of
the Norwegians was left dead on the field ; but upon
what authority I know not, as the ancient relations of
the battle of Largs fupport not his teflimony. See
Johnfionft Tranjlation of Haco's Expedition to Scotland
in the year 1 263, from the Plateyan and Frijtan MSS.
printed at Copenhagen 1782.
V. 49. Pagt\ The Pages in the periods of chi-
valry were of honourable account. The young war-
1 4 ricrs
lio NOTES.
riors were firfl denominated pages, then valets, or damoi-
Jeaux, from which degree they reached that of ecuyer, or
f quire, and from this that of knight. See Du Cangi,
voc. Faltti, & Donticcttus. St. Palaye, Mem. fur 1'anc.
Cheval. P. I.
V. 6 1. /& has tone a horn ; &c.] The born, or %/7,
was anciently ufed by the Scots inftead of the trumpet.
They were fometimes richly ornamented, as appears
from Lindfay's defcription of that of Sir Robert Coch-
ran. * The horn he wore was adorned with jewels
" and precious Hones, and tipped with fine gold at
both ends." Hifl. of Scotland, J. III.
V. 88. Weftmoreland's/rrc heir."] Heir, in the old
Scotifh acceptation, feems derived from the Latin be-
rus, and fignifies not apparent j'ucceflbr, but frefeat lord*
As in the following lines of Blind Hany:
Of Southampton he hecht baith heir and lord.
B. 7. c. i.
Of Glocefter the huge lord and heir.
B. 12. C. I.
And in this of Dunlar,
Befoir Maboun the heir of hell.
V. 107 112.3 This minute defcription might lead
xis to fufpecl, that a female hand had fame part in this
compoiition. But, before our minllrel, Homer has (hewn
himlelf
NOTES. ui
himfelf an adept in the lady's drefs. To the curioui
remarks on the variation of the Britifh habit, given us by
Mj. Wai pole, in his Anecdotes of Painting, and Mr. Granger,
in his Biographical Hiflory, might be added the follow-
ing notice from a reverend minifter of the church of
Scotland. ** About 1698 the women got a cuflome of
*' wearing few garments : I myfelfe have leen the young
" briflc ladies walking on the flreets with maflcs on their
" faces, and with one onlie thin petticoat and their
" fmoak ; Ib thin that one would make a conference of
" fvveiring they were not naked." Mifcellanies, ly Mr.
John cll t minifltr at Gladjmuir, MS. pen. Edit, titlt
Apparel.
V. 112. Save that of "Fairly fair.] Working at the
needle, &c. was reckoned an honourable employment
by the greateft ladies of thofe times. Margaret, the
queen of Malcolm III. as we learn from her life written
by Turgot her confeffor, employed the leifure hours of
her ladies in this manner. See Lord Hales' Annalt of
Scotland, an. 1093.
V. 121. Sir Knicbt.'} " The addition Sir to the
" names of knights was in ufe before the age of Ed-
*' ward I. and is from Sire, which in old French fignifiei
*' Stignieur or Lord. Though applicable to all knights
" it ferved properly to diftinguifh thole of the order
" who were not barons." Dr. Stuart, ^iftv of Socidj,
&c. Notes on fed. 4. chap, ii, p. 269.
V. 123
ZZ2
NOTES.
V. 123 128. The cuftom of the ladies tending
the wounded knights was common in thofe romantic
ages. Lydgate^ whofe ftory is ancient, but whofe man-
ners are thofe of his own times, has an inftance in The
Story of Thebes, part ii. Speaking of the daughter of Ly*
curgus and Tideus ;
To a chamber me led him up aloft.
Full well befeine, there in a bed right foft,
Richly abouten apparrailed
With clothe of gold, all the floure irailed
Of the fame both in length and brede :
And firft this lady, of her womanhede,
Her women did bid, as goodly as they can,
To be attendant unto this wounded man :
And when he was unarmed to his fliert,
She made firft warn his woundis fmert,
And ferch hem well with divers inftruments,
And made fet fundrie ointments, &c.
And in an excellent piece of old Englifh poetry, ftyled
Sir Cauline, publifhed by Dr. Percy in the firft volume
of his Reliqucs, when the king is informed that knight
is fick, he fays,
Fetche me down my daughter deere,
She is a leeche fulle fine. v. 29, 30.
i V. 145
NOTES. ,23
V. 14; 152.] This ftanza is now firft printed.
It is furprifing it's o million was not marked in the frag-
ment formerly publifhed, as without it the circum-
flance of the knight's complaint is altogether foreign
and vague. The lofs was attempted to be glofled over
by many variations of the preceding four lines, but the
defect was palpable to the mofl inattentive perufer.
V. 154. Lord Chattan.'] This is a very ancient
and honourable Scottifh furname. Some genealogifla
derive them from the Chatti, an ancient German tribe ;
but others, with more probability, from the Gilcbattan
of Ireland. St. Cbattan was one of the firft Scotifli
confeflbrs, to whom was dedicated the priory of Ard-
cbattan in Lorn, founded in 1230, and fome others
through the kingdom. The chief of the clan Cbattan
dying in the reign of David I. without male iffue, the
clan affumed the anceftor of the M'Pberfons for fu-
perior, by which mcan3 the name appears to have
been loft in that of M'Pherfon. See Buchanan's Britf
Enquiry into the Genealogy and Prrfent State of Ancient
Scottif}} Surnames. Glafgow, 1723,410,^.67.
We however find the Clan Chattan mentioned as late
as 1590 in The Hi/toy of the Feuds and Conflict i of the
Clans, publfitd from a MS. of the reign of James PL
Glafgow, 1764; where a Macintofli is called their
chief.
V. i-
U4 NOTES.
V. 159*] Though we learn from Buchanan's Equiry,
&c. that the clan Cbattaa are faid to have come into
Scotland long before the expulfion of the Fids, yet I
do not find this pretty anecdote, which is much in the
fpirit of Homer, has any foundation in hiftory.
The empire of the Fids was demolifhed by Kenneth
about four centuries before the apparent date of the
events narrated in this poem.
V. 169. Mak orifoiH, &c.] This is perfectly in the
ftyle of knighthood. Before they entered into com-
bat they folemly invoked the aid of God, their Saviour,
or their miftrefs : religion and gallantry being the
prime motives of all their adventures. Let prtmicrti
if font qu'on leur donnoit reganloient prindpalement F amour
de Dieu et des James, c'eft a dire la religion tt la galanterie.
St. Palaye, tome i. p. 7. The poets of thefe times be-
gan, in like manner, the defcription of a favage con-
flift, or of their lady's graces, with religious invocation.
Many examples of which appear in the Bijloirt dei Trou-
badours of L'Abbe Milot, and the Specimens of Wtljb
Poetry publiflied by Mr. Evans. So blind is the untu-
tored mind to the proper difcrS ruination of it's ideas !
V. 179. Pl&yand Piboc&s.] Of the pibroch I can-
not give a better account than in the words of an ex-
cellent author. * A pibroch is a fpecies of tune pe-
* culiar, 1 think, to the Highlands and Weftern Ifles of
* Scotland. It is performed on a bagpipe, and diners
* totally from all other rmific. Its rythm is fo irregu-
Mar,
NOTES. n$
* lar, and its notes, efpecially in the quick movement,
* fo mixed and huddled together, that a ftranger finds
' it almoll impoffible to reconcile his ear to it, fo as to
' perceive its modulation. Some of thefepi&rocbj, being
* intended to reprefent a battle, begin with a grave mo-
' tion refembling a march, then gradually quicken into
* the onfet ; run off with noiiy confufion, and turbu-
' lent rapidity, to imitate the conflict and purfuit ;
' then fwell into a few flouriflies of triumphant joy ;
* and perhaps clofe with the wild and flow wailings of
* a funeral proceffion.' Ej/ays ij Dr. Beattie, 8vo. ed.
p. 422. note.
V. 1 88. Eirfaet their dint mote Jrie.} This is fubili-
tuted in place of a line of confummate nonfenle, which
has ftaincd all the former editions. Many fuch are cor-
rected in this impreffion from comparing different re-
hearfals, and ftill more from conjecture. When an ig-
norant perfon is defired to repeat a ballad, and is at a
lois for the original expreflion, he naturally fupplks it
with whatever abfurdity firft occurs to him, that will
form a rime. Thefe the Editor made not the fmaLeit
fcruple to correct, as he always imagined that common
fenfe might hate its ufe even in emcndatory criticilm.
V. 203. But on bii forehtad, &c.J The circumftances
in this description feem borrowed from thole of ditfercdt
battles betwixt the Kings of Scotland and Norway. I
find in no liiilorian that Alexander was wounded in the
battle of Largs ; on the contrary, U it even doubted
v.-hcthcr
n6 NOTES.
whether he was prefent ; but in that near Nairn Mal-
colm II. was wounded on the head. Rex, atcepto in
capite vulnere, vix afuis in propinquum nemus a&fatus, etc ibi
equo pofitttSj mortem evafit. Buchan. lib. VI.
V. 223. Hire da ties to wail your darlings fall."] This
cuftom of employing women to mourn for the warriors
who fell in battle, may be traced to the moft diftant
antiquity. Lucilius, one of the earlieft Roman poets,
in a couplet preferved by Nonius, mentions this prac-
tice ;
Merctde quee conducive flcnt alicno in funcre prttfices
Multts & capillos fcindunt, fe 3 clamant magis.
Among the Northern nations it partook of their bar-
barity. * Inter eas autem ceremonias a barbara gente
* acceptas fuifle et has, ut genas roderunt mulierculs,
* hoc eft unguibus faciem dUaniarent et lejjum facerent,
id eft fanguinem e venis mitterent, doloris teftandi
* ergo; id quod German! patria voce dicunt, JEia lajju
* than oder baben* Elias Schedius de Diis Germ. Syng. II.
c. 51. A fimilar mode of teftifying their grief for the
death of their chiefs, rtill obtains in the -Highlands, as
we are informed by Mr. Pennant in his amufing Tour in
Scotland.
V. 225. Coflly Jupe."\ This was the Sa?um t or mili-
tary veft of the Gauls and Germans. Dr. Stuart has
with curious ingenuity derived the fcience of Blazonry
from the ornaments which were in time added to them.
Ubifupra, p. 286, 287.
Virgil
NOTES. I27
Virgil has a paflage remarkably fimflar to this, in
defcribing the habit of the Gauls, I think in jEneidVIII.
Aurea csefaries illis, atque aurea veflis
Virgatis lucet fagulis.
V. 229. Stir Norfe that gift ^ &c.] This has been
generally mifunderftood : the meaning is, Bear that gift
to the King of Norway, and bid, &c.
V. 239. 245.] Thefe vaunts are much in Homer's
manner, and are finely characterise. The obfcure
metaphor which conveys them illuftrates a beautiful re-
mark of an ancient critic, That allegory has a fublime
effect when applied to threatning. MiyaXir & ri i,i
Demet. Phal. de
Eloc. c. 99.
V. 265. Wbarlykeafyretobetberfet.] This appofite
fimile alludes to an ancient practice of the Scots, termed
Mure burning. The progrefs of the flame was fo quick,
that many laws appear in their A&s of Parliament, pro-
hibiting its being ufed when any corn was Handing on-
ground adjacent to the heath intended to be burnt,
though at a confiderable diftance from the fpot where
the flame was kindled.
V. 285. Sore taken he <uw, fy !] Fey here fignifiei
only indeed, in fay, or, in faith : it is commonly uied
by the old Scotifh poets in a iarcaftic or ironical
feme.
V. 305.
1*8 NOTES.
V. 305. On. Norway's coaft^ &c.] Thefe verfes are in
the fined ityle of Ballad poetry. They have been well
imitated by a modern writer, who feems indebted, for
the beft flrokes of his firil production, to a tafte for
ouch compofitions :
Ye dames of Denmark ! even for you I feel,
Who, fadly fitting on the fea-beat fhore,
Long look for Lords that never fhall return,
Dwglas, Aaill.
I cannot conclude my obfervations upon the defcrip-
tion here given of the battle, without adding, that
though perhaps not the moil fublime, it is the mod
animated and interelling to be found in any poet. It
yields not to any in Offian for lively painting, nor to
any in Homer for thofe little anecdotes and ftrokes of
nature, which are fo defervedly admired in that maf-
ter. * Poetry and Rhetoric,' fays the author of an En-
quiry into the origin of our Ideas of the Sublime and
Beautiful, * do not fucceed in exact defcription fo well
* as Painting does ; their bufrneis is to affect rather by
* fympathy than imitation j to difplay rather the effect
' pf things on the mind of the fpeaker, or of others,
* than to prefent a clear idea of the things themfelves.
* This is their moft extenfive province, and that in
* which they fucceed the beft.' Will he forgiv me if I
offer this rude Scotifh Poem as an example fufficiently
iHuftratire of this line remark ?
V. ,,,.
NOTES. 129
V. 3*1. Loud and dull blew the Wejllin wind, &c.]
This florfn is artfully raii'ed by the magic of Poetry to
heighten the terrible, which is foon carried to a degree
riot furpaffed in any production ancient or modern. It
will recall to the reader the like artifice employed in
the moft fublime paflage of 71^5'j Gitrr.falenime^ end of
Canto 7. ; and of Homer's Iliad, VIII. ver. 161. of Mr.
Pope's Tranflation.
V. 527. Seimtl now as black a! moruning TW/V.} It \vas
anciently the cuftom on any mournful event to hang
the caftle gates with black cloth. This is alluded to
here, and more particularly mentioned in an excellent
modern Ballad, entitled The Birth of St. George, which
difplays no mean knowledge of the manners of chivalry :
Em when he reached his callle gate
His gate was hung v. ith black.
Relives, Vol. III. p. ^^^.
VOL. I. K HA E-
NOTES.
HARDYKNUTE. Part II.
IH A V E given the ftanzas now added the title of
a Second Part, though I had no authority from the
recital. The break formerly made here by accident
feemed to call for this paufe to the reader.
V. 115. Penants.] Thefe were fmall banners charged
with the arms of the owner, and fometimes borne over
the helm of the ancient knight by his fquire, and, as
would feem, even that of the prince, Earl, or Chief
Baron, by his Baneret. See ver. 3 ji. The Engliih word
is penon:
And by his banner borne is his feon,
Of gold full rich ; in which there was ybete-
The minotaure that he wan in Crete,
Says Chaucer fpeaking of Thefeus in The Knigbt'i Tale,
V. 252. Drajfan'f touirs,] The ruins of Draffan-
caftle are in Lanarkfliire. They ftand upon a vaft
rock hanging over the Netban (fee v. 329.) which a
little below runs into the Clyde. From this a houfe
fituated very nigh the ruins is called Craignetban. This
caftle is fo ancient, that the country people there lay it
was built by the Pecbts^ which is their common way of
exprelfing the Pifis.
V. 273.
NOTES. 131
V. 273. His balbrik.'] This term for a coat of mail
occurs in Blind Harry. It was properly ufed for one
compoled of fmall rings of Heel which yielded to every
motion of the warrior, and was the fame with the
lorica bamatn of the Romans, fo piclurefquely defcribed
by Claudian :
Conjuncta per artem
Flexilis induftis hamatur lamina membris,
Horribilis vifu, credas fmuilacra moveri
Ferrea, cognatoque viros fpirare metallo.
In Ritfin. Lib. IF.
V. 275. Securit by a tuarloc auld, &c.] The belief
that certain charms might fecure the pofleflbr from
danger in combat was common in dark ages. * I know
' a fong, by which I foften and enchant the arms of my
* enemies, and render their weapons of no affert,' lays
Odin in his Magic. Northern Antiq. Vol. II. p. 217.
Among the Longobards they were forbidden by a pofi-
tive Law. * Nullus Campio advedus altcrum pugna-
* turus audeat fuper fe haberc berbas nee res ad malt field
' fertinentts, nifi tantum corona fua, qure conveniunt.
Et fi fufpicio fuerit quod eas occulte habeat, inquira-
* tur per Judicem, et fi inventac fuerunt, rejiciantur.
4 Poft quam inquifitionem, extendct manum fuam ipfe
' in manu Patrini at Colliberti fui, ante judicem,
* dicens, fe nullam rem talem fuper fe habere, deinde ad
' ceftamen prodeat* LL. Longob. apml L.Grrm. J. Ba/il.
HeroM. A fimilar notion obtained even in England,
K 2 M
13* NOTES.
as appears from the oath taken in the Judicial Combat.
* A. de B. ye mall fwere that ye have nojione of virtue,
' nor bcarb of virtue, nor cbarme, nor experiment , nor none
* otblr encbauntment by you nor for you, whereby ye truft
* the better to overcome C. de D. your ad-verfarie, that fliall
* come agens you within thefe lifts in his defence, nor
* that ye truft in none othir thynge propirly hot in
* God, and your body, and your brave quarel. So God
you help and all halowes, and the holy gofpells.' dpud
Dugdale, Orig. Juridic. & Mifcell* Aulica^ Land. 1702.
/. 1 66. And we find in a moft acute and ingenious
treatife on the point of honour, written in the middle of
the fixteenth century, that this precaution was efteemed
neceffary fo late as that period. // DuiUo del Mutio Juf-
tinopotitanO) In Vineg. 1566. lib. II. C. 9. De i malrficii
et incante. * Et non fenza ragione i moderni Padrini
' fanno fpogliare i cavallieri, che hanno da entrare in
* battaglia, et ifcuotere, et diligentemente eflaminare
i loro panni, &c,' Many inftances occur in the ac-
counts of the civil wars of France, and of the Nether-
lands : and more particularly in the very curious ftory
of Gvivrie's Con/piracy^ publiflied by James VI. at Ed'm-
'burgb, 1600, 410. ' His IVInjefty having before his
* parting out of that towne, caufed to fearch the fayde
' Earle of Cowries pockets, in cafe any letters that
might further the difcovery of that confpiracie might
* be founde therein. But nothing was found in them,
* but a little clofe parchment bag full of magical
' characters,
NOT
'33
' characters, and vvordes of enchantment, wherein it
' feemed that hee had put his confidence, thinking him-
' felf never fafe without them, and therefore ever car-
* ried them about with him ; being alfo obferved, that
* while they were upon him, his wound, whereof he
died, bled not ; but incontinent, after the taking of
* them away, the blood gufhed out in great abundance,
* to the great admiration of all the beholders.' See
likewife Memoirs of the Affairs of Scotland, ly David
Mcyfes, Edin. 1755. where this piece is reprinted ver-
batim. MaiflerWilliamRynd, afervant of Lord Cowrie's,
depofition in the fame volume, p. 297, has fingular
anecdotes with regard to thefe characters.
V. 276. Fairy charm.] The word fairy feemes to have
been accepted by the ancient Englifh and Scotifli poets
for fuptrnatural, or enchanted. So Chaucer fpeaking of
Camlufcans horfe,
It was of fairie, as the peple femed.
Squires Tale, p. f.
V. 362.] It was the priviledge of the knights to hide
their faces with armour, fo that it was impoflible to
diftinguifli any one from another, except by his bla-zon,
which fcems at firft to have been difplayed over them,
but came at length to be painted on their fhields,
whence Coals of Arms. A villein was obliged to have his
countenance uncovered in battle. This circumftance
attended to will fave our wonder at Hardyknute's not
K 3 knowing
i 3 4 NOTES.
knowing Draffan in the Firil Part, and Draffan's not
perceiving Malcolm here till his fpcar tore off his vifor:
though Rothfay knows Draffan either from his wearing
a blazon on his armour, or from his face being uncovered
in order to breathe from the combat.
V. 389. Cheir ye my mirrie men, &c-3 It flioxild have
been remarked on the firft appearance of this word,
P. I. v. 199, that mirrie was anciently ufed in a very
different fenle from its prefent. It fignified boneft, truc t
faitkful t but no where jovial. King James VI. in his
Damonologie MS. pen. Edit. ' Surelie the difference vul-
' gaire put betwixt thame is verrie mirrie t and in a man-
ner trciv.' p. 10. And again in p. 18. ' Many honcji
* and mirrie men.' In like manner Merlin's Prophecies are
fly led ' Mirrie <u.wv&,' in that of Beid. Prepb. of Rymcr, &c,
V, 413. Oh King ofHet'infj This is a common ap-
pellation of the Deity with the more ancient Scottif'u
Poets. By Hevins King, is the familiar oath of Blind
}Iarrie's heroes.
V. 419. By my Forlere's faul,~\ Swearing by the fouls
of their anceflors was another ufed mode in thofe times.
The greateft thought this oath moft ftrong and honour-
able ; probably becaufe it implied the fouls of their
forefathers were in heaven, and, as was then believed,
might lend them a fupernatural aid, if the intention of
their oath was juft and unblameable.
V. 421. * Ntnv mind your tilth] &c.] This paflage
is obfcure : the meaning I apprehend is, that Draffan
had,
NOTES. 135
had, before the combat, exacted an oath of Allan his
baneret, that he wauld flay him, fliould the neceflity of
his affairs demand this facrifice. More willing to lofe
his own life than poflibly to take that of his great anta-
gonift, he commands Allan to fulfil his engagement,
which, with all the heroic faith of thofe times, he does
without a paufe. The particular expreffion T/^fhynand
' blade* might lead us to imagine, that it was thought
impoflible to pierce the fuppoied enchanted armour,
but with one particular weapon, likeways perhaps
(harmed.
V. 437. Icoim.] The Nunnery at Icolm, or Icolm-
kill, was one of the moft noted in Scotland. The
Nuns were of the order of Auguftinf y and wore a white
gown, and above it a rocket of fine linen. Spotifuoood 1 s
Account of the Religious Hovfes in Scotland, p. 509. The
ruins of this nunnery are ftill to be feen, with many
torr.bs of the Pi incefles ; one of which bears the year
1000. Martini Weflern IJlands, p. 262.
I cannot conclude my remarks on this Poem without
wafting one on the ftory of Mrs. Wardlaw. That this
lady may have indeed received a MS. of it as mentioned
in Dr. Percy's introductory note, is highly probable.
Many valuable MSS. prepared for the prefs, have had
a worfe fate. But that (lie was the author of this
capital competition, Ib fraught with fcience of ancient
manners as the above notes teftify, I will no more
credit, than thac the common people in Lanarkfliire,
K 4 who
136 NOTES.
who can repeat fcr.ips of both the parts, are rh
suthcrs of thepaflages they rehearfe. That {he did not
refuie the name of being the original compofer is a
Grange argument : would not the firil poet in Europe
think it added to his reputation ? If conjecture may be
allowed where proof mult ever be wanting, I fuipect,
if we affign the end of the fifteenth century as the date
of the antique parts of this noble production, we {hall
not greatly err ; though at the fame time the language
mult convince us that many ftrokes have been bellowed,
by modern hands.
Since the firlt publication of this volume, Sir DaVid
Dalrymple, Lord Hales, whofe abilities have been fo
often, and fo fucceisfully, exerted in illuitrating the
antiquities of his country, to the law and the literature
of which he is fo great an ornament, has communi-
cated, to the Editor fome notices with regard to this
poem of Hardyknute, which {hall here be laid before
{he reader, almoft in his own words.
The following are extracts of a letter written by Sir
John Bruce pf Kinrofs, to Lord Binning, about the
year 1719.
* To perform my promiie, I fend you a true copy of
* the manuscript 1 found, fome weeks ago, in a vault
* at Dumferline. It is written on vellum in a fair
f Gothic character ; but fo much defaced by time, as
t you'll find that the tenth part is riot legible.'
feir
NOTES, 137
Sir John tranfcribcs fome ftanzas, which he calls
futrftt. After 1. 112, P. I. he fays, * here are four
* verfes defaced,' and then he tranfcribes 1. 113.
At 1. 128 he adds, hiatus in MS. and then he tran-
fcribes 1. 153. At 1. 320 he fays, * Here are ten verfes
' (ftanzas) fo fpoilt that I can only guefs by the many
* proper names, that they contain the order of battle
* of the Scots army, as they flood ranged uuder their
* different chieftains.'
In conclufion Sir John fays, ' there's a vaft deal more
* of it, but all defaced.'
The reader is left to judge whether this flory of the
manufcript on vellum, &c. has moft the appearance of
a true narrative, or of ajeu d' efprit addrefied to a fami-
liar friend.
Lord Hales has a copy of the original edition of Har-
dy knute, with MS. alterations, in the hand writing of
Dr. John Clerk, Phyfician in Edinburgh. At 1. 8$,
it has * brade Thomas;' Sir John Bruce has * /WMal-
' colm.' At 1. 98, Sir John Bruce's MS. has Walter'
inilead of * Malcolm.' At 1. 103, * brazen* for
* filver;' and at 1. 104, 'iron doors,' for 'painted
* bowers.'
In Dr. Clerk's MS. lines, 176 180 run thusj
To join his king adovvn the hill,
In halt his flrides he bent ;
\Yhile minftrels playand pibrochs fine,
Afore him finely went.
In
138 NOTES.
In Dr. Clerk's MS. the ftanza On Nonoaji eoaft, &c.
comes in after the ftanza There on a lee with much pro-
priety : that reading is therefore followed in this edi-
tion.
At 1. 337. for owr' the MS. has * oy'.
The laft line is the MS. was originally,
He feared a coud be feared ;
but has been changed into that which occurs in later
editions*
CHILD MAURICE.
is undoubtedly the true title of this incom-
parable Ballad, though corrupted into Gil Mor-
rice by the nuries and old women, from whofe mouths
it was originally publilhed. C/&/feems to have been of
equal importance with Damoifeau (See note on P. I.
v. 49. of Hardyknute) and applicable to a young noblc-
-roan when about the age of fifteen. It occurs in Shak-
fpeare's Lear, in the following line, probably borrowed
from fome old romance or ballad,
Child Roland to the dark tower came.
Aft III. S. 7.
And
NOTES. i&
And in Chaucer's Rime of Sir fofas, CiiM is evidently
ufed to denote a young and noble knight. Many in-
itances might likewife be brought from Spenler for this
lignification.
Gil Morrice is only the northern pronunciation of
the true name of this ballad : Gil about Aberdeen, &c.
ft ill iignifies Child, as it does in Galic ; witnels the name
Gilcbrijl, the child of Chrift, &c.
V. 53. He tent his &ra.] Archery was enjoined the
Scotiih warrior at a very early age, as appears from
many fpecial laws to that effect, and particularly the
following one of James I. * Item, That all men bulk
' them to be Archeres fra they be twelfe yeir of agc t
* and that in ilk ten pundis vvorthe of lande their be
* maid bownmkis, and fpeciallie neir toParoche kirkis,
' quhairin upon haly daics men may cum, and at the
' leift fchutte thrife about, and have ufage of archerie :
* and <jul.a la ulis not the faid archerie, the Laird of
* the lande fall raiie of him a weddcr; and giflf the
4 T.;iird raifes not the faicl payne, the King's ichirefte or
' his minifters, Ihall railc it to the King.' PM-I. I.
18.
V, 9^. czar,"] This word is perhaps the fame with
panzer, as uled by the KngHfh poets,
A mighty ina^cr bowl of wine was fet.
Spenler, F.Q^II. 12.49.
A
HO NOTES.
A mazer ywrought of the maple ware,
Spenfer's Calendar, Auguft.
So golden mazer wont fufpicion breed
Of deadly hemlocks poifon'd potion :
fays Hall in the prologue to his admirable Satires. Ezar
cup will then mean a large bowl of any material.
V. 107, 8. O ivbat means a the folk coming? My mother
tarries lang.~\ This flroke of nature is delicate. It
paints the very thought of youth and innocence. In
iuch happy tenuity of phrafe, this exquifite compofl-
tion is only rivalled by the Merope of Mafei, the moft
fmifhed Tragedy in the world. Some lines fancifully
interpolated by a modern and very inferior hand are
here omitted.
V. 122. Andjlaidcd owr the Jlrae,~\ The meaning is,
He went baftily over the rank grafs.
V. 144. As tie hip is o tbejlean.~\ This would appear
the corruption of fome nurfe ; but taking it as it
fhnds, the fimile, though none of the moft delicate,
has a parallel in the Father of Englifli Poetry :
But he was chaite and no lechoure
And fweet as is the bramble floure
That bearethe the red hip.
Chaucer, Sir Topas.
ADAM
ADAM O GORDON.
THE genuine fubject of this Ballad has long re-
mained in obfcurity, though it muft have been,
acted to every perufer of Crniford's M/mo:'rs.
* But to return to Gordon,' (viz. Sir Adam Gordon
of Auchindovvn, brother to the Earl of Huntly) * as
* thefc two aftions againft Forbes, or, to fpeak more
* properly, againft the rebels, gained him a vaft repu-
* tation his next exploit was attended with an equal
* portion of infamy ; and he was as much decryed for
* this unlucky action (though at the fame time he had
* no immediate hand in the matter) as for his former
ones he had been applauded. He had fent one Captain
* Ker with a party of foot to fummon the Cattle of
* Tovjie in the Queen's name. The owner Alexander
* Forbes was not then at home, and his lady confiding
* too much in her fex, not only refufed to furrender,
* but gave Ker very injurious language j upon which,
* unreafonably tranfported with fury, he ordered his
* men to fire the caftle, and barbaroufly burnt the
' unfortunate gentlewoman with her whole family,
* amounting to thirty-ieven perlbns. Nor was he ever
* fo much as cafliiered for this inhuman aftion, which
* made Gordon (hare both in the {caudal aad the guilt.'
y/. 15/1. />. 240. edit, 1706.
In
142
NOTES.
In this narrative is immediately perceived every lead-
ing circumftance in the Ballad. The Captain Car, by
which natne it was diftinguifhed in Dr. Percy's Manu-
fcript, is evidently the Ker of Crawford. The Houfe of
RoJcs I have corrected, according to the truth of ftory,
Tnvie. Of which name, I find in Gordon of Stralocb's
map of Aberdeenfhire, there were two gentlemen's
feats, or caftles, in his time, one upon the Don, and
another upon the Ttban. The neareft feat to the latter
is that of Rotly, which from wrong information may
have originally flood in the Ballad, the miflakc riling
naturally from the vicinity of their fituation, and from
this have been corrupted to Rodes. The courage of this
lady, as reprefented in the Ballad, was equalled by that
of the famous Countefs of Salifbury, at the fiege of
Roxborough; and of Ladies Arundel and Banks, in the
laft civil wars of England. See particularly the Mercu-
riuf Rnjiicus, &c. Lond. 1647. Sections V. and XI.
V. 129. Fre'its.] This word fignifies /'// omem ; and
fometimes as here Accidents J'upernaturally unlucky. King
James VI. in his Damonologie, MS. pen. Edit. B. I.
cb. IIII. p. 13. ' But 1 pray you forget not likeways
to tell what are the Devill's rudimentis. E. His ru-
* dimentis I call firft in generall all that quhilk is called
* vulgairelie the vertu of woode, herbe, and flaine ;
* quhilk is ufed by unlawfull charmis without naturall
caufis. As lykeways all kynd of prattiques, fm'tis, or
* utker
NOTES. 143
' utber lyk txtraordinair aflions, qubilk cannot abjde tie frew
* tiviche t>f natural! raifon* It occurs again in the fame
fenfe in p. 14. marg. note\ and in /. 41. ipeaking of
Sorcerers. * And in generall that naime was gevin
* thaime for ufmg of fie chairmis and frcitis, as tkat
' craft teachis thame.'
THE CHILD OF E L L E.
THIS ballad is admitted into this collection, at
being fuppofed, from many minute jnarks, to
be a Scotifti ballad in an Engltth drefs. Whan forw^w,
kirk for church^ &c. are fome of thefe marks.
Though it is publimed by Dr. Percy, and of confe-
quence in evtry body's hands ; yet it was neceflary to
give it here, elle this digeft of iuch Scotifli tragic bal-
lads as deferve prefervation could not have been called
complete.
VI.
John Faw was king of the gypCes in Scotland in the
reign of James IV. who, about the year 1495, iflued a
proclamation, rdaining all flieriffs, &c. to afliil John
Faw in feizing and fecuriug fugitive gypiles ; and that
they ftiould lend him their prilons, liucks, tetters, &c.
for that purpofe : charging the lieges, that none of
them moleft, vex, unquiet, or trouble the faid Faw
and
*44 NOTES.
and his company in doing their lav.ful bitjtnefs withirt
the realm ; and in their paffing, remaining, or going
forth of the fame, under penalty: and charging fkip-
pers, matters of fhips, and mariners, within the realm,
at all ports and havens, to receive faid John and his
company, upon their expences, for furthering them
furth of the realm to parts beyond fea. See Mr. Mac-
jaurzn's Remarkable Ca/es, &c. p. 774.
V. 8. Glamour.'] The glamour was believed to be a
kind of magical mift raifed by forccrers, which deluded
their fpe&ators with vifions of things which had no real
existence, altered the appearance of thefe which really
did exift, &c. The Eaftern nation* have a fimilaf
fuperfHtion, as we may learn from Mr. Galland's Mi lie
et un nuit) and other tranflations of works of Oriental
fidion.
SIR HUGH, OR THE JEW's DAUGHTER,
is compofed of two copies, one publifhed by Dr. Percy,
the other in a collection of Scotilh Songs, &c. Edin.
1776. The Mirryland toun of the former, and Mirrjf
Linkln of the latter, evidently flievv that the noted ftory
of Hugh of Lincoln is here exprcfled.
F L O D D E N
NOTES. 4S
FLODDEN FIELD.
TH ii ftanzas here given form a complete copy of
this exquilite Dirge. The iuimi table beauty of
the original induced a variety of verfifiers to mingle
ftanzas of their own compofure. But it is the painful,
though molt neceflary duty of an Editor, by the touch-
ftone of truth, to difcriminate fuck drois from the gold
of antiquity.
SIR PATRICK SPENCE
is given from Dr. Percy's Edition, which indeed agrees
with the i:.vi copies, and the common recitals. I have,
however, lent it a few corrections, where palpable ab-
furuity feemed to require them. The phrafe in v. 25.
of leeing the old moon in the arms of the new is ilill fa-
miliar in Scotland. It means that the opaque part of the
moon's diik calls a glimmering light, while the illumi-
nated part is waxing ; and is to this hour euetmcci t;
.prognolticate a ftorm.
VOL. I. L LADY
NOTES.
LADY BOTHWELL's LAMENT.
THESE four ftanzas appeared to the Editor to
be all that are genuine in this elegy. Many additional
ones are to be found in the common copies, which are
reje&ed as of meaner execution. In a quarto manu-
fcript in the Editor's pofleffion, containing a collection
of Poems by different hands from the rei'gn of Queen
Elizabeth to the middle of the lait century, when it was
apparently written (pp. 132.) there are two Balowes as
they are there ftyled, the firft The JBa/ow, Allan, the fe-
cond Palmer's Balow j this laft is that commonly called
Lady Bothwell's Lament, and the three firft flanzas
in this edition are taken from it, as is the laft from
Allan s Balixv. They are injudicioufly mingled in Ram-
fay's Edition, and fcveral ftanzfis of his own added j
a liberty he ufed much too ofteifl in printing ancient
Scoiifh poems.
EARL OF MURRAY.
V. laft. Toun.'] This word is often- ufed in Scotland
to denote only, perhaps, a farm-houfe ap4 office-houfes,
cr a number of hovels fcattered here and there ; and on
which the Englifh would not beftow the name of a
village.
5 A very
NOTES. 147
A very eminent Scotifli antiqiiary informs me, that
in Saxon tan fignifies an habitation : and that caftle davme
in the laft flanza of this ballad might to be read Co/lie
Po*:'ne t the feat of Lord Murray in his own right.
SIR JAMESTHE ROSE
.3 given from a modern edition in one flieet 12 mo. after
jthe old copy. A renoyation of this Ballad, compofed of
new and improbable ciraumftances, decked out with
Scraps of tragedies, may be found in the Annual Re-
gilter for ^774, and other col'eftions. Rofc is an an-
cient and honourable name in Scotland : Johanna tit
Reft is a \\itnefs to the famous Charter of Robtrt II.
teftif) ing his marriage with Elizabeth More y as appears
in the rare edition of it printed at Paris, 1695, 4 to.
/. 15.
V. 37. BclttJ Knicbts.] The hit was one of the
chief marks which diflinguiflied the ancient knight.
To be girt -with the bflt ef knighthood often implied the
whole attending ceremonies which conftituted that
crder. That of the common knight was of white
leather.
L* LAIRD
i4* NOTES.
LAIRD OF WOODHOUSELIE.
T H I S Ballad is now firft published. Whether it
has any real foundation, the Ediror cannot be poiuive,
though it is very likely. There is a Wwdbonfelie nigh
Edinburgh, which may poffibly be that here meant.
LORD LIVINGSTON
Was probably an anceftor of Livingfton Earl of Linlith-
gow, attainted in J7i>. This ajfe&ing piece likewife,
with the four following, now appcass for the firit time.
V. i 3. Su.ib dn:.n> art fcant j This items a prover-
bial (..xpreflion. : King James in his Datmonologie, ' That
' is aj.i.tb dream (as they fay) ience thay fee it walking,'
.': /'. ICO.
B I N N O R I E.
V. 52. Her wraith.] * And what meanis then thefe
4 kyndis of fpreitis when they appeare in the fliaddow
* of a perfonne newlie dead, or to die, to his friend ?
* E. When thay appeare upon that occalion, they are
' called utraitbis in our langage.' _Ib. p, 81.
The following larger extract relating to the Fairies,
another ci cation of fuperflition, is given by way of
i^tcirr.en of this fingular MS. Book III. Ch. 5.
A R G u-
NOTES. 149
ARGUMENT.
* The defcription of the fourth kynde of Spreitis.
called the !' a,le. Vv hat is poffihie tha.r'n, and
* is but illutions. Whow far this dialogxie entreatts of
* all thir thingis : and to wnat ende.'
* P Nciw I pray you conn- on to thit fourt k'ynd of
* fpreitt, . E. i'hat rimrt kynde of Spreitis, quhilk be
* the gtn'iles v.n.s called Dif.na anti her wandring romr,
* and amongs us was called the Pkarlc (as \ tolde yoii)
* or our guid neighbouris' (the King h:is addtd on the
margin * or filiie wightis') ' wi.-; ane of the lortis of .
* alhilions thir was ryfeit in tyme of Papilirie; for all-
* though it '.vas hold:n nthous to pr'ophelie be thedevill,
' yet whome thefe kynd cf i'preittis caried a.-ay, and
* intornied. tluy wer the u^h: to be fnnaeir,- and of
4 beft ]. fe. To fpeak 01 the ivnnic \;une tratli* iViirdic
' upon that illulion;.how thair .'.";;; ane king add queine
' of Pbarie, of lie a jolie C(-4irt and traine :is thay hail ;
' how thay .iad a teind and :\ cie.vtic, as :t '.vcr. rf all
* guidis: how thay naturallie raid and yeid, eat ant!
* drank. an?l did ail othor atfions lyke naturall men
' and -Aeiiicn ; I think it is l\ker A'iigilis Campi Rlnei,
* nor any thing that aught to be beieived be Chrif-
1
Thin Mamifcript is written in a beautiful Italic hand,
fo nearly refcmbling copper-plate engraving, a? to :
b'jcn taken tor luch even afcer accurate examination.
It is bound in gilded vellum, ftamped wirh the Kind's
ry^ her bcne.uh the crour; and is in all probability the
L 3 or;
i$o NOTES.
original copy of this royal monument of fuperftitiori*
Many additions are inferted on the margin, as would
feem , of the hand-writing of James VI. and ibme notes
for his own private ufe. As for inftance on B. II. cb. i.
fpeaking of the Magicians of his time, over againft the
words * Thay are fume of thame riche and worldlie
wyfe," he has noted F. M. * fum of tham fat or cor-
' pulent iu their bodies,' R. G. ' and maift pairt of
* thame altogethir gevin oucr to the plealburs of the
flefche,' B. N.
We need not wonder at the feverity with which the
imaginary crime of withcraft was punifhed in his reign,
when we remark his ientiment exprefled on- this head,
in B. III. cb. 6. of this fingular trad. * P. Then
* to make ane ende of our conference fence I fee it
* drawis leatt, what forme of punifhment think ye
' merites thir Magic-lens and Witches ? For I fee that
* ye account thame to be ail alyke giltie. E. (T'bc King,)
* Thay augbt to be put to deaths^ according to the law of
' God, the civill and imperiall law, and the municipal
Maw of all Chriftiane nations. P. But what kynde of
' death I pray you ? E. It is commonly uled be fyre ?
' but that is ane indifferent thing to be ufed in every
* countrey according to the law or cuftume thairof. P.
* But augbt no fexe, aage y nor rank) to le tximtct ? E,
' JIONE AT ALL.*
The
ff 6 T E S. ,5,
The language of this pedantic Monarch is particular ;
it is that of a Scotifh fchool-boy beginning to read
Englim.
In the printed copies the ftyle is much altered
and improved. It was printed at Edinburgh, and re-
printed at London in the fame year, 1603, 4 to
LORD AIRTITs COMPLAINT.
' THESE verfes, though fomevvhat uncouth, are
moving, as they feem to flow from the heart. They
are now firft publiflied from the Editor's quarto Manu-
fcript, p. 1 6. corrected in Ibme lines, which appeared
too inaccurate for the publick eye. Two entire flanzas
are rejected from the fume caufe. I know nothing of
the hob'leman to whom they are afcribed.
In the fame Manufcript (p. 17. and it 6) are to be
found the two following Poems, which I believe have
never been in print. They are here added, with a few
corrections. They were both written by Sir Robert
Aytoun, who bore fome office under government in
the reign of James VI. if I miftake not. His Latiu
poems arc in the Delitise Poetarum Scotorum.
L 4 SONNET.
1^2 NOTES.
SONNET.
WILT thou, remorfelefs fair, ftill laugh while I
lament ?
Shall ftill thy chief contentment be to fee me malcontent?
Shall I, Narciflus like, a fl ; ing ihadow chafe?
Or, like Pygmalion, love a itone crown'd with a winning
face ?
No, Vnow my blind Love now (hall follow Reafon's eyes ;
And as thy rairnels made me fond, thy temper make me
wife.
My loyalty difdains to love a lovelefs dame,
The fpirit ftill of Cupid's fire contifb in mutual flame.
Hi.dft thou but given one look, orhadft thou given one
fmile,
Or hadft thou lent but one poor gh my forrows to beguile,
My captive Thoughts perchance had been redeem d from
Pain,
And thefe my mutinous Difcontents made friends with
Hope a^in.
But thou I know at length art carelefs of my good ;
And wouldft ambitiously embrew thy beauty in my blood :
A great dif^c? to thee, to me a monftrous wrong,
Which time nsay teach thee to repent ere haply it be
long:"
But to prevent thy fhame, and to abridge my woe,
Eecaufe thou canft not love thy friend, I'll ceafe to love
r..y foe.
SONG.
NOTES. 153
SONG.
WHAT means this 'Ir.iri^rieTs now of late,
Since Time muft Truth approve ?
This diftance mav confitt with itate,
It cannot fland w.th love.
*Tis either cunning or diftruft
That may hich ways . How:
The firlt is b.;fe, the hit unjuft;
Let neither blemifli you.
For if you mean to draw me on,
There needs not half this art :
And if you mean to have me gone,
You over-act your part
If kindnefs crofs your wifli'd content,
Difmifs me 'vith a frown ;
I'll give you all the love that's fpent,
The reft fiiall be my own.
FRAGMENTS.
The* two firft of thefe are given from a Collection,
Edinburgh, 1776, but polifhed by the prefent Editor;
the two others from recital.
G L O S-
t '54 ]
GLOSSARY.
Ablins, perhaps.
Aboon, above.
Ae, ane, one.
Aff, off.
Af>, oft.
Aith, oath.
Ain, oian.
Alfe, except.
Ancs, orr.
Auld, &.
Aufterne, fiern.
Ayont, beyond*
B
Ba, laS 9 tennis.
Baird, &W.
Baith, A?A.
Bairn, c^7</.
Bale, ml/cry.
Balow, fo^k
Band, />/> oath.
the lower court of a ccftlt.
Bafnet, helmet.
Begyle, beguile.
Bcftraught" <Kftr*acJi
Banflers, ttujtcren*
Bcik, bfljk.
Belyve, immediately.
Bdprent, covered.
Betide, n. fortune.
Bedeen, prcjently^
Bleife, blaze.
Bleirit, dim with tears.
Blink, gtimpft of light.
Blinking, twinkling^
Blude, blood.
Blythfum, fprigMy.
B oughts, Jbeepfoldi.
Boi, boa/I.
Bom>y, pretty.
Botand, . /ikeways.
Bown, make ready.
Bogle, hobgoblin.
Bot, without.
Bouir, a room arched in the
Gothic manner,
fiouir woman, chamber-maiA
Eta, bravely drc/ed.
$rae, fide cfa hill.
B^aid, broad.
Brand, Id. afvjord.
Brawe, brave.
Brayd, baflen.
Brink, enjoy.
Brin, buin.
Brig,
GLOSSARY.
Brig, bridge.
Bxilk, f.-Cfnre.
Bfechtn, plaid; clokeftripcd
with various coleun.
Emrdud, Emerald*
Ettle, aim.
Cauldy cold.
Cauldrif, chill, da>r'p.
Canny, priidcut.
Cheis, cht'f:
Claught, grafted.
Gliding, nuardrobt.
Daffin,
Dar'd, lighted, hit.
Darrnin, fujfer, encounter.
Deft, taken off baftily.
Dint, US-M, jlrcke.
Dawning, da<wn of day.
Bought, could.
Doughty, valiant, Jlrong.
Dowie, dreadful, melancholy,
Dric, fujfti\ injure.
Dule, griefl
Eard, earth.
Eild, eld, oil aye.
Eine, eyes.
Eithly, eajify.
tyderif, ttyding,
tlrie, <i,fmal.
i.ldcrn, ancient, venerablt.
<-igrr, keen,
e ''*
Fae, fie.
Fay, faith, Jiacerity.
Fere, companion.
Ferly, 'wonder.
Fcicl, enmity.
Fey, injboth.
Flinders, J^'/uters.
Fleeching', flattering,
Forbere, forefather, anceftor,
Forbode, denial.
FfHCj fro, from.
Fran-art, frmuard.
Ga, gae, gang, go.
Gabbing, prattle.
Gait, tuny, path.
Gar, e
Gie, give.
Gin, git, if.
Glaive, /:r >.*//.
(.'Icit, glittered.
Glic, mirth.' In H. P. If.
120. it J'ccmt to fi^nlfy a
Ugh:.
Cilcnt, glanced.
Giiit, fffifd.
Gloiuing, .
Glo\vr, glare, diftnal light.
Grcin, dejlre.
Greit,
Grairh,
15.6
G L O S S A R Y.
Gr'.ith. (i efs, v and ;i.
Goufty, ,//;,,.
Grie, p"-'z,f, Lid.ny.
Gurlv, >>-ffer, eld; applied
Gyle, fttl if.
G)fe, manner, fajbion.
H
Harft, barvtft.
Hauld, bola, aboae.
Haiti 'pare, Jave.
F ?P c*i* .
H-cht, pronifed.
tiip, the b?-r>y of the I'.'-.U
H*- A- -,>:*
\ L, p jnrtc.
Kyna, ^.
Jimp, delicate, Jlender.
Ilk, -.Ik a; f.^.
Irie, terrible.
Kaming, combing.
K : 'i k-ndrcd.
Kyth, v. to Jbsva or make
appear.
Kyth, n. acquaintance,
friends, companion^.
Laigh, lo'M.
Lane, uione.
\ ,ap '-akert.
Law, , ;v .
Lave, th? '"./?.
Leil. P-/,,, ^/A/i/.
Leir.
Leglen, i:7. ; Mj.. /a/7.
Leman, /<>{*-, my. -, .fs,
Leng'i /Wfc t ''> -/.
L; ig, r*'}r/^,
Lever, *vW> .
Leech, p-^juum.
Lift, </v ^;-w -/w?/.
Li tin- 1 , /./crrv making v.ith
Lin, <7 / n or \vater.
Lin', ;, <ri/wj 0r 6,'/i>: art'fi-
Loaning, <7 common green near
a vi/uT^c,
Loch, /tf/k.
Low, v. a^.-y p. j!a*ne.
Low n, Jbtltere^, calm.
Lout, to btnv.
Lue, A;z;?.
Liire, cunning device, fnare.
Lyart, bcary.
M
M?k!efs, tnati bl"fs.
Maun, rr.ujl.
Mair, .//.>-,", f. rather.
Maho-un, Mabciret, and ly
a ! '-u e. 'be devil.
Ma DC, moan t lament.
&leik!e, much.
Mciny,
6
GLOSSARY. 157
Meiny, train, crn-y Pr'' e, pmve, prove.
Menic 1 , /<>, to trj. Picptne, reiuui'd.
M. . , f.'.'.i
]Vleid, f-rfj appearance. Q_
AJeiie, V/rv, mMify. Qu, /? ///*/ </ /-.v' 5r/ >//&
Mirk. ./Li/-.,'. .// ' /; >r W. . Quhat, .
J\'l<"nv, many, Wi;ai, &C.
Mote, wi^/. Quat, ^///^
Quell, fubdue.
N
Na, nae, , none. R
N , <AV Raught, rech., reached.
Noi way,yo France -s cfitn Rede,
a/<r^ Av SL> ' ff-e for tbt h'e iking, fnuking,
king of that country. Riff, robbery.
Riever, robber ',
O Reid, m/.
On cafe, pei-baps. Roun, found fofily^ tuljifptr.
Ony, a'/v- Rue, repent.
Or, f. m>, ^r/, f. elfe. Ruth, //(y.
Owi, Owr. Rude, croft.
Outowr, Over above. R tinkled, wrinkled.
Oriibn, Fr. prayer.
S
P Sark, J&irf.
Pall, role ofjlate. Saw, a wife faying.
Payne, penalty. Sawman, counjtllor.
Perle, /cW. Sabbing, Jobbing.
PK ifance, pleafure. Scant, yj-artr.
Poii, ^//. Scorning ( -FW. v. $.) jefting
Pratique, experiment. iron
. to prcfi, to p of i with Sey, rffy % try.
*ltv. Seen, mjit.
PriflBC of day, /Az;u. Seim, appearance.
Selcouth,
158 G L O S
S A R Y,
Selcouth, uncommon as a pro-
Tide, tlme t feafott.
digy*
Tint, loft.
Share, to clt&ye, fierce*
Trieit, make an ajjignation. '
Sic, fucb.
Sindle, feldsm.
Twin'd, partftl, feparated.
Skaith, hurt.
V TJ
Slaid, 'to move fpeedily.
Slee, v./^y.
Veir , avoid, or perhaps alter.
'Lnmufit, 'without wonder ;
Sen, feeing.
to mufe often means to
Sin, fith, Jt/ice.
Soncie, lucky.
wonder in Shakfperc.
Unfonlie, unlucky.
Stalwarth, Jloul, valiant.
Stcik, to fa at.
W
Sleuth, Jlotb.
Waddin, ft rang, firm.
Strecht, Jlr etched.
Wad, wald, wold ; cwa//
Swankies, merry fellovys.
Warloc, <w.~.ird.
Svvaird, tarf, grafly ground*
V/allow, withered, and fig.
Swith, quickly'.
pale.
Steid, ejlatc.
Ward, featlncl.
Spent, drevj.
Wate, wafrXiuf.
Splent, armour for tie thighs
Wax, to fpreaa'y to become
and legs.
famous.
Speir, ajk.
Wee, little.
Stoup, pillar.
Weit, *wet, rain*
Sucred, fugarcd.
V\''ete, hope.
Syre, lord.
Weftlin, wcftera*
Wae worth ye, woe befall
T
Tane, taken.
Targe, JbieH.
Tein, forroiv,
Teind, tytb, tintb part.
Thilk, thir, tbefc.
Thole, fuffer, permit.
Thud, Juddi.
War, aware.
Wiii!!-, wA/VJ.
\Vighty, >o;;^-. _
Wicht, _/> Wiga &KT. e
hero i or great man.
Winfum, agreeable, winning.
Whvle. until.
Weir.
GLOSSARY, ijj
Weir, war. Wreuch, griif, m'fery.
\Vcily, jull of whirlpool* ;
a veil //// /k/ yir < Y
whirlpool in the weft of Yeftreen, the evening of
Scotland. yefter.iay.
Wraith, afpirit or gboft. Yet, gate,
Wyte, blame. Yied, went.
Wreak, revenge. Youthheid, JZait of youth,
Wrekcn,
THE END.
I
This hook is DUE on the last date stamped below
fiyfc*;
m-
f