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About Google Book Search Google's mission is to organize the world's information and to make it universally accessible and useful. Google Book Search helps readers discover the world's books while helping authors and publishers reach new audiences. You can search through the full text of this book on the web at |http : //books . google . com/ HARVARD COLLEGE LIBRARY FROM THE LIBRARY OF HERBERT EVELETH GREENE CUn of z88x Professor of English in the Johns Hopkins University 1893-1925 GIVEN IN HIS MEMORY BY HIS FAMILY SCOTT'S POETICAL WORKS. Digitized by VjOOQIC The stately Ladye's silken rein. Did noble Howard hold. Canto v., Stanza 16. Digitized by VjOOQIC THE LAY OF THE LAST MINSTEEL. BY SIR WALTER SCOTT, Bart. WITH ALL THE COPYRIGHT INTRODUCTIONS AND NOTES. East Window, Melrose Abbey. EDINBURGH: ADAM AND CHARLES BLACK. MDCCCLXXIV. Digitized by VjOOQIC f,'d .^ ^'V. A^ARVARD^ UNIVERSITY) WJBRARVy Digitized by VjOOQIC ADVERTISEMENT. The Introduction to the Lay of the Last Minstrel, written in April 1830, was revised hy the author in the autumn of 1831, when he also made some corrections in the text of the poem, and seyenJ additions to the notes. The work is now printed from his interleaved copy >d by Google >d by Google INTRODUCTION LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. A POKM of nearly thirty years' standing may be suppose*! hardly to need an Introduction, since, without one, it has been able to keep itself afloat through the best part of a generation. Nevertheless, as, in the edition of the Waverley Novels now in course of publication, I have imposed on myself the task of saying something con- cerning the purpose and history of each, in their turn, I am desirous that the Poems for which I first received some marks of public favour, should also be accompanied with such scraps of their literary history as may be sup- posed to carry interest along with them. Even if I should be mistaken in thinking that the secret history of what was once so popular, may still attract public atten- tion and curiosity, it seems to me not without its use to record the manner and circumstances under which the present, and other Poems on the same plan, attained for a season an extensive reputation. Digitized by VjOOQIC •i INTKODOCTION TO THB I must resume the story of my literary labours at the period at which I broke off in the Essay on the Imita- tion of Topular Poetry, [see Poetical Works^ vol. iv. p. 78.] when I had enjoyed the first gleam of public favour, by the success of the first edition of the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border. The second edition of that work, published in 1803, proved, in the language of the trade, rather a heavy concern.' The demand in Scotland had been supplied by the first edition, and the curiosity of the English was not much awakened by poems in the rude garb of antiquity, accompanied with notes referring to the obscure feuds of barbarous clans, of whose very names civilised history was ignorant It was, on the whole, one of those books which are more praised than they are read. • At this time I stood personally in a different position from that which I occupied when I first dipt my de^* perate pen in ink for other purposes than those of my profession. In 1796, when I first published the trans- lations from Biirger, I was an insulated individual, with only my own wants to provide for, and having, in a great measure, my own inclinations alone to consult In 1803, when the second edition of the Minstrelsy appeared, I had arrived at a period of life when men, however thoughtless, encounter duties and circumstances which press consideration and plans of life upon the most careless minds. I had been for some time married — was the father of a rising family, and, though fully enabled to meet the consequent demands upon me, it was my duty and desire to place myself in a situation which would enable me to make honourable provision against the various contingencies of life. • [" The * Lay/ is the best of all powible eommenU on th6 Border MinMrelsv.*'-.BrteigA Critic, August 1U06.1 Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THR LAKT MINSTRBL. 3 It may be readily supposed that the attempts which I had made in literature had been unfavourable to my success at the bar. The goddess Themis is, at Edin- burgh, and I suppose everywhere else, of a peculiarly jealous disposition. She will not readily consent to share her authority, and sternly demands from her votaries, not only that real duty be carefully attended to and discharged, but that a certain air of business shall be observed even in the midst of total idleness. It is prudent, if not absolutely necessary, in a young barrister, to appear completely engrossed by his profession ; how- ever destitute of employment he may in reality be, he ought to preserve, if possible, the appearance of full occupation. He should, therefore, seem perpetually engaged among his law-papers, dusting them, as it were ; and, as Ovid advises the fair, " Si nuUus erit palTis, tamen ezcate nullum.*'! Perhaps such extremity of attention is more especially required, considering the great mmiber of counsellors who are called to the bar, and how very small a propor- tion of them are finally disposed, or find encouragement, to follow the law as a profession. Hence the number of deserters is so great, that the least lingering look be- hind occasions a young novice to be set down as one of the intending fugitives. Certain it is, that the Scottish Themis was at this time peculiarly jealous of any flirta- tion with the Muses, on the part of those who had ranged themselves under her banners. This was probably owing to her consciousness of the superior attractions of her TiYa]fi. Of late, however, she has relaxed in some in- stances in this particular, an eminent example of which > flf dust be none, yet brush that none away.] Digitized by VjOOQIC 4 INTRODUCTION TO THE nas been shown in the case of my friend, Mr. .leffrey, who, after long conducting one of the most influential literary periodicals of the age, with unquestionable abi- lity, has been, by the general consent of his brethren, recently elected to be their Dean of Faculty, or Presi- dent, — ^being the highest acknowledgment of his profes- sional talents which they had it in their power to offer.* But this is an incident much beyond the ideas of a period of thirty years' distance, when a barrister who really possessed any turn for lighter literature, was at as much pains to conceal it, as if it had in reality been something to be ashamed of; and I could mention more than one instance in which literature and society have suffered much loss, that jurisprudence might be enriched. Such, however, was not my case ; for the reader will not wonder that my open interference with matters of light literature diminished my employment in the weightier matters of the law. Nor did the solicitors, upon whose choice the counsel takes rank in his profes- sion, do me less than justice, by regarding others among my contemporaries as fitter to discharge the duty due to their clients, than a young man who was taken up with running after ballads, whether Teutonic or national. My profession and I, therefore, came to stand nearly upon the footing which honest Slender consoled himself on having established with Mistress Anne Page ; " There was no great love between us at the beginning, and if pleased Heaven to decrease it on farther acquaintance.'' I became sensible that the time was come when I must either buckle myself resolutely to the *' toil by day, the lamp by night," renouncing all the Delilah s of my 1 [Mr. Jeffrey, after conducting the Edinburgh Review for twenty-Reren years, withdrew from that office in 1829, on being elected Dean of the Facalty of Advocate*. — Ed.1 Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THB LAST MINSTRKL. S -imagination, or bid adieu to the profession of the law and hold another course* I confess my own inclination revolted firom the more severe choice, which might have been deemed by many the wiser alternative. As my transgressions had been numerous, my repentance must have been signalized by unusual sacrifices. I ought to have mentioned, that since my fourteenth or fifteenth year, my health, origi- nally delicate, had become extremely robust From infiincy I had laboured under the infirmity of a severe lameness, but, as I believe is usually the case with men of spirit who suffer under personal inconveniences of this nature, I had, since the improvement of my health, in defiance of this incapacitating circumstance, distinguished myself by the endurance of toil on foot or horseback, having often walked thirty miles a-day, and rode upwards of a hundred, without resting. In this manner I made many pleasant journeys through parts of the country then not very accessible, gaining more amusement and instruction than I have been able to acquire since I have travelled in a more commodious manner. I practised most silvan sports also, with some success, and with great delight But these pleasures must have been all resigned, or used with great moderation, had I determined to re- gain my station at the bar. It was even doubtful whe- ther I could, with perfect character as a jurisconsult, retain a situation in a volunteer corps of cavalry, which I then held. The threats of invasion were at this time instant and menacing ; the call by Britain on her child- ren was universal, and was answered by some, who, like myself, consulted rather their desire than their ability to bear arms. My services, however, were found useful in assisting to maintain the discipline of the corps, being the point on which their constitution rendered them Digitized by VjOOQIC 6 INTRODUCTION TO THE most amenable to military criticism. In other respects, the squadron was a fine one, consisting chiefly of hand- some men, well ioiounted and armed at their own ex- pense. My attention to the corps took up a good deal of time ; and, while it occupied many of the happiest hours of my life, it furnished an additional reason for my reluctance again to encounter the seyere course of study indispensable to success in the juridical profession. On the other hand, my &ther, whose feeliogs might have been hurt by my quitting the bar, had been for two or three years dead, so that I had no control to thwart my own inclination : and my income being equal to all the comforts, and some of the elegances, of life, t was not pressed to an irksome labour by necessity, that most powerful of motives ; consequently, I was the more easily seduced to choose the employment which was the most agreeable to me. This was yet the easier, that in 1800 I had obtained the preferment of Sheriff of Selkirkshire, about £300 a-year in value, and which was the more agreeable to me, as in that county I had several friends and relations. But I did not abandon the profession to ^ which I had been educated, without certain prudential resolutions, which, at the risk of some egotism, I will here mention ; not without the hope that they may be useful to young persons who may stand in circumstances similar to those in which I then stood. In the first place, upon considering the lives and for- tunes of persons who had given themselves up to lite- rature, or the task of pleasing the public^ it seemed to me, that the circumstances which chiefly aflected their happiness and character, were those from which Horace has bestowed upon authors the epithet of the Irritable Race. It requires no depth of philosophic reflection to perceive that the i^etty war&re of Pope with the Dunces Digitized by VjOOQ IC LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. 7 of his period could not have been carried on without liis suffering the most acute torture, such as a man must endure from mosquitoes, by whose stings he suffers agopy, although he could crush them in his grasp by myriads. Nor is it necessary to call to memory the many humiliating instances in which men of the great- est genius have, to avenge some pitiful quarrel, made themselves ridiculous during their lives, to become the still more degraded objects of pity to future times. Upon ih« whole, as I had no pretension to the genius of the distinguished persons who had fidlen into such errors, I concluded there could be no occasion for imi tating them in their mistakes, or what I considered as such ; and, in adopting literary pursuits as the principal »ccupation of my future life, I resolved, if possible, to jivoid those weaknesses of temper which seemed to have most easily beset my more celebrated predecessors. With this view, it was my first resolution to keep as far as was in my power abreast of society, continuing to maintain my place in general company, without yield- ing to the very natural temptation of narrowing myself to what is caUed literary society. By doing so, I ima- gined I should escape the besetting sin of listening to language, which, from one motive or other, is apt to ascribe a very undue degree of consequence to literary pursuits, as if they were, indeed, the business, rather than the amusement, of life. The opposite course can only be compared to the injudicious conduct of one who pampers himself with cordial and luscious draughts, until he is unable to endure wholesome bitters. Like Gil Bias, therefore, I resolved to stick by the society of my eommis, instead of seeking that of a more literary cast, and to maintain my general interest in what was going Digitized by VjOOQIC 8 INTRODUCTION TO TH« on around me, reserving the man of letters for the desk and the library. My second resolution was a corollary from the first. 1 determined that, without shutting nty ears to the voice of true criticism, I would pay no regard to that which assumes the form of satire. I therefore resolved to arm myself with that triple brass of Horace, of which those of my profession are seldom held deficient, against all the roving warfare of satire, parody, and sarcasm ; to laugh if the jest was a good one, or, if otherwise, to let it hum and buzz itself to sleep. It is to the o]}servance of these rules, (according to my best belief,) that, after a life of thirty years engaged in literary labours of various kinds, I ^ attribute my never having been entangled in any literary quarre. or contro- versy ; and, which is still a more pleasing result, that I have. been distinguished by the personal friendship of my most approved contemporaries of all parties. I adopted, at the same time, another resolution, on which it may doubtless be remarked, that it was well for me that I had it in my power to do so, and that, there- fore, it is a line of conduct which, depending upon acci- dent, can be less generally applicable in other cases. Yet I fail not to record this part of my plan, convinced that, though it ihay not be in every one*s power to adopt exactly the saihe resolution, he may nevertheless, by his own exertions, in some shape or other, attain the object on which it was foimded, namely, to secure the means of subsistence, without relying exclusively on literary ta- lents. In th^ respect, I determined that literature should be my staff, but not my crutch, and that the pro- fits of my literary labour, however convenient otherwise, should not, if I could help it, become necessary to my Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THE LAST MINSTRKL. 9 ordinary ^penses. With this purpose I resolved, if the interest of my friends could so far favour me, to retire upon any of the respectable offices of the law, in which persons of that profession are glad to take re^ge, when they feel themselves, or are judged by others, incompe- tent to aspire to its higher honours. Upon such a post an author might hope to retreat, without any perceptible alteration of circumstances, whenever the time should arrive that the public grew weary of his endeavours tc please, or he himself should tire of the pen. At this period of my life, I possessed so many friends capable of assisting me in this object of ambition, that I could hsirdly over-rate my own prospects of obtaining the preferment to which I limited my wishes ; and, in fact, I obtained in no long period the reversion of a situatioa which com- pletely met them. Thus fSar all was well, and the Author had been guiiiy, perhaps, of no great imprudence, when he relinquished his forensic practice with the hope of making some figure in the field of literature. But an established character with the public, in my new capacity, still remained t tion to the Poem of Marmion. Abbotsford, AprU^ 1830. » CMr. Owen Rees.— EdO Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC «o ma AIOHT HONOUBABLB CHARLES, EARL OF DALKEIia THM FOBM IS IMSOBIBED AT THE AUTHOB. Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC Tke Poem^ now ojertd to the Public^ is intended to tZ^M- irate the customs and mcmmersy whkh andenUy prevailed on the Borders of England and Scotland. The inhabitants^ living in a state partly pastoral, and partly voarUke, and combining habits of constant depredation with the inflvieneeof a rude spirit ofdiivalry, were often engaged insoenes^highly susceptible of poetical ornament. As the description of scenery and manners was mere the object of the Author than B combined and regular narrative^ the plan of the Ancient Metrical Romance was adopted, which allows greater lati- tude, in this respect, than would he consistent with the dig- nity of a regular Poem, The same model offered other facilities, as it permits an occasional alteration of measure, which, in some degree, authorises the change of rhythm in the text. The machinery also, adopted from, popular belief, would have seemed puerile in a Poem, which did not partake of the rudeness of the old Ballad, or Metrical Romance, For these reasons, the Poemwasput into the mouth of an andent Minstrel, the last of tie race, who, as he is supposed to have survived the Revotuiiott, might have caught somewhat of the refimment of modem poetry, without loshg the simpli- dtyofits original modeL The date of the Tale itself is about the middle of the sixteenth century, fxihen most of the personages actually flourished. The time occupied by the motion is Three Nights and Three Days, Digitized by VjOOQIC >d by Google THS LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. A POEM. IN SIX 0ANTO& Dwm reUgo, icripnaiepudet; quia phurima ceroUy Me quogue, qui fwU jttdiee, digna Uni, Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC r 25 1 LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. CANTO FIRST. INTRODUCTION. Thb way was long, the wind was cold. The Minstrel was infirm and old ; His withered cheek, and tresses gray. Seemed to have known a better day x The harp, his sole remaining joy, Was carried by an orphan boy. The last of all the Bards was he. Who sung of Border chivalry ; For, welladay ! their date was fled. His timeAil brethren all were dead ; And he, neglected, and oppressed, WishM to be with them, and at rest. No more on prancing }>al£rey borne. He caroll'd, light as lark at mom ; No longer courted and caress'd. High placed in hall, a welcome guest. Digitized by VjOOQIC 26 LAY OP THE LAST MINSTRBL. He pour'd, to lord and lady gay, The unpremeditated lay : Old times were changed, old manners gone ; A stranger fill*d the Stuarts^ throne ; The bigots of the iron time Had called his harmless art a crime. A wandering Harper, scomM and poor. He begged his bread from door to door, And tuned, to please a peasant's ear. The harp a king had loved to hear. He passed where NewarkV stately tower Looks out from Yarrow's birchen bower : The Minstrel gazed with wishful eye- No humbler resting-place was nigh. With hesitating step at last. The embattled portal arch he passed. Whose ponderous grate and massy bar Had oft rolled back the tide of war. But never closed the iron door Against the desolate -and poor. The Duchess^ marked his weaiy pace. His timid mien, and reverend &ce. And bade her page the menials tell That they should tend the old man well : For she had known adversity, Though bom in such a high degree ; In pride of power, in beauty's bloom. Had wept o'er Monmouth's bloody tomb ! 1 See Appendix, Note A. > Anne, Duchess of Buocleuca and Monmouth, representative flf the ancient Lords of Bucdeuch, and widow of the unfortunate Jamet, Duke of Monmouth, who was beheaded tn 1685. Digitized by VjOOQIC INTRODUCTION. 27 When kindness had his wants supplied. And the old man was gratified, Began to rise his minstrel pride : And he began to talk anon. Of good Earl Francis,* dead and gone, And of Earl Walter,' rest him God! A braver ne'er to battle rode ; And how full many a tale he knew. Of the old warriors of Bucdeuch : And, would the noble Duchess deign To listen to an old man's strain. Though stiff his hand, his voice though weak. He thought even yet, the dooth to speak, ' That, if she loved the harp to hear, He could make music to her ear. The humble boon was soon obtainM The Aged Minstrel audience gained. But, when he reached the room of state. Where she, with all her ladies, sate. Perchance he wished his boon denied : For, when to tune his harp he tried. His trembling hand had lost the ease. Which marks security to please : And scenes, long }>ast, of joy and pain. Came wildering o'er his aged brain — He tried to tune his harp in vain I The pitying Duchess praised its chime, And gave him heart, and gave him time, Till every string's according glee Was blended into harmony. 1 Frands Soott, Earl of Buodeuch, &ther of the Duchew. B Walter, Earl of Buccleuch, grandfotber of the Duche«a, and a celebrated warrior. Digitized by VjOOQIC 28 LAY OF THB LAST MIN8TRKL. And then, he said, he would full tain He could recall an ancient strain He never thought to sing again. It was not framed for Tillage churls. But for high dames and mighty earls ; He had play'd it to King Charles the Good, When he kept court in Holyrood ; And much he wished, yet feared, to try The long-forgotten melody. Amid the strings his fingers strayM, And an uncertain warbling made. And oft he shook his hoary head. But when he caught the measure wil 1, The old man raised his face, and smiled ; And lightened up his faded eye. With an a poet's ecstacy ! In varying cadence, soft or strong. He swept the sounding chords along : The present scene, the future lot. His toils, his wants, were all foigot : Cold diffidence, and age's frost. In the full tide of song were lost ; Each blank, in faithless memory void. The poet's glowing thought supplied ; And, while his harp responsive rung, Twas thus the Latest Minstrel sun^. Digitized by VjOOQIC I » J ► THK LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. CANTO FIRST. L Thb feast wb» over in Branksome tower/ And the Ladje had gone to her seeret bower ; Her bower that was guarded by word and by spell. Deadly to hear, and deadly to tell — Jesu Maria, shield us well ! No living wight, save the Ladye alone. Had dared to cross, the threshold stone. IL The tables were drawn, it was idlesse all ; Knight, and page, and household squire^ Loiter'd through the lofty hall. Or crowded round the ample fire : The stag-hounds, weary with the chase. Lay stretch'd upon ihe rushy floor. And uiged, in dreams, the forest race. From Teviot-stone to Eskdale-moor. 1 See Appendix. Note a Digitized by VjOOQIC so THE LAY oy Canto I III. Nine-and-twentj knights of fame Hung their shields in Branksome-Hall ; * Kine-and-twenty squires of name Brought them their steeds to bower from stall- Nine-and-twenty yeomen tall Waited, duteous, on them aU : They were all knights of mettle true. Kinsmen to the bold Buccleuch. IV. Ten of them were sheathed in steel. With belted sword, and spur on heel . They quitted not their harness bright. Neither by day, nor yet by night : They lay down to rest, With corslet laced, PillowM on buckler cold and hard ; They carved at the meal With gloves of steel. And they drank the red wine through the helmet barred. V. Ten squires, ten yeomen, mail-clad men. Waited the beck of the warders ten : Thirty steeds, both fleet and wight. Stood saddled in stable day and night. Barbed with frontlet of steel, I trow. And with Jedwood-axe at saddlebow *,* * See Appendix, Note C. « " Of a truth," says Froiaaart, " the Scottish cannot beast great •kill ^th the bow. but rather bear axes, with which, in time of need, they give heavy strokes.** The Jedwood-axe was a sort of. Digitized by Google Canto I. THB LAST MINbTRBL. 31 A bundled more fed free in stall : — Such was the custom of Branksome-Hall. VI. Why do these steeds stand ready dight ? Wliy watch these warriora, arm*d, by night ? — They watch, to hear the blood-hound baying : They watch, to hear the war-bom braying ; To see St. George's red cross streaming. To see the midnight beacon gleaming : They watch, against Southern force and guile. Lest Scroop, or Howard, or Percy's powers, Threaten Branksome's lordly towers, From Warkworth, or Naworth, or merry Carlisle.' VII, Such is the custom of Branksome-Hall — Many a valiant knight is here ; But he, the chieftain of them all. His sword hangs rusting on the wall. Beside his broken spear. partisan, used by horsemen, as appears from the arms of Jedbnrgb, which bear a caralier mounted, and armed 'with this weapon. U it also called a Jedwood or Jeddart stafil i [See Appendix, Note D., and compare these stanzas with the description of Jamie Telfer^s appearance at Branksom»-HaIU (Border Minstrelsy, toL iL p. 5,) to claim the protection of " Aiild Bnodench'*— and the ensuing scene, (page 9,) — ** The Scotts they rade, the Scotts they ran, Sae starkly and sae steadilie. And aye the ower-word o' the thrang Was—' Rise for Branksome readilie,' *' &C. Compare also the Ballad of *' Kinmont Willie," (toL iL p. fia *' Now word is gane to the bauld keeper. In Branksome ha' where that he lay," &c.— Eo.l gtzed by Google S2 THE LAY OP Canto I, Bards long shall tell. How Lord Walter fell!* When startled burghers fled, afar. The furies of the Border war ; When the streets of high Dunedin* Saw lances gleam, and falchions redden. And heard the slogan's^ deadly yell — Then the Chief of Branksome fell. VIII. Can piety the discord heal. Or stanch the death-feud's enmity ? Can Christian lore, can patriot zeal. Can love of blemed charity ? No I vainly to each holy slirine, In mutual pilgrimage, they drew ; Implored, in vain, the grace divine For chiefs, their own red fiilchions slew : While Cessford owns the rule of Carr, While Ettrick boasts the line of Scott, The slaughtered chiefs, the mortal jar. The havoc of the feudal war. Shall never, never be forgot !* IX. In sorrow o'er Lord Walter's bier The warlike foresters had bent ; And many a flower, and many a tear. Old Teviot's maids and matrons lent: 1 Sm Appendix, Note E. > Edinboigh. > The var cry, or f;atheziiig word, of a Border clan « See Appendix, Note P. Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto L thb last minstrel. 8.1 But o'er her warrior's bloody bier The Ladye dropp'd nor flower nor tear !* Vengeance, deep-brooding o'er the slain. Had lock'd the soorce of softer woe ; And burning pride, and high disdain. Forbade the rising tear to flow ; Until, amid his sorrowing clan. Her son lisp'd from the nurse's knee — " And if I live to be a man, My father's death revenged shall be ! ^— Then fast the mother's tears did seek To dew the in&nt's kindling cheek. X. All loose her negb'gent attire, All loose her golden hair. Hung Maigaret o'er her slaughter'd sire. And wept in wild despair. But not alone the bitter tear Had filial grief supplied ; For hopeless love, and anxious fear, Had lent their mingled tide : Nor in her mother's alter'd eye Dared she to look for sympathy. Her lover, 'gainst her father's clan, With Carr in arms had stood,* - When Hathouse-bum to Melrose ran. All purple with their blood ; And well she knew, her mother dread. Before Lord Cranstoun she should wed. Would see her on her dying bed. ' lOrfff. (lit Edition.) " The Ladye dropp'd nor sigh noi te%r. > See Ai>pendiz, Note Q. Digitized by VjOOQIC S4 THE LAY OP OcudO f . XL Of noble race the Ladye came. Her father was a clerk of feme, Of Bethune's line of Picardie :* He learned the art that none may name, In Padua, far beyond the sea.' Men said, he changed his mortal frame By feat of magic mystery ; For when, in studioos mood, he paced St Andrew's cloistered hall,' His form no darkening shadow traced Upon the sunny wall I * XIL And of his skill, as bards avow, He taught that Ladye fiur. Till to her bidding she could bow The viewless forms of air.* And now she sits in secret bower. In old Lord David's western tower. And listens to a heavy sound. That moans the mossy turrets round. > See Appendix. Note H. > Padua was long supposed, by the Scottish peasants, to be th« principal school of necromancy. The Earl of Go-wrie, slain at Perth, in 1600, pretended, during his studies in Italy, to have ac- quired some knowledge of the cabala, by which, he said, he could charm snakes, and work other miracles ; and, in particidar, could produce children without the intercourse of the sexes.— See th» Examination of Wemyss of Bogie before the Privy Council, con. oeming Gowrie's Conspiracy. » [First Edition—" SL KeniigenCt hall.**— St Mungo, or Ken- tigem, is the patron saint of Giasgaw.'] 4 See Appendix, Note I. • Sm Appendix, Note K. Digitized by VjOOQIC CkitUo /. TUB LAST mNSTREL. 35 Is it the roar of Teviot^s tide. That chafes against the scaur V red side ? Is it the wind, that swings the oaks ? Is it the echo from the rocks ? What may it be, the heavy sound. That moans old Branksome^s turrets round ? XIII. At the sullen, moaning sound. The ban-dogs bay and howl ; And, from the turrets round. Loud whoops the startled owL In the hail, both squire and knight Swore that a storm was near. And looked forth to view the night ; But the night was still and clear ! ^ XIV. From the sound of Teviot's tide. Chafing with the mountain's side, From the groan of the wind-swimg oak. From the sullen echo of the rock. From the voice of the coming storm. The Ladye knew it well ! It was the Spirit of the Flood that spoke^ And he call'd on the Spirit of the FelL XV. RIVBR SPIRIT. " Sleep'st thou, brother .»"— MOUNTAIN SPIRIT. — ^ Brother, nay — On my hills the moon-beams play. 1 Scaur, a predpitou* bank of earth. Digitized by VjOOQIC S6 THE lAY OP Canto I From Craik-cro88 to Skelfhill pen. By every rill, in every glen, Merry elves their morris pacing, To aerial minstrelsy, Emerald rings on brown heath tracing. Trip it deft and merrily. Up, and mark their nimble feet ! Up, and list their music sweet I" — XVI. RIVBR SPIRIT. •* Tears of an imprison'd maiden Mix with my polluted stream -, Margaret of Branksome, sorrow-laden. Mourns beneath the moon's pale beam. » Tell me, thou, who view'st the stars. When shall cease these feudal jars ? What shall be the maiden's fete? Who shall be the maiden's mate ?"— XVII. MOUNTAIN SPIRIT. «* Arthur's slow wain his course doth roll. In utter darkness round the pole ; The Northern Bear lowers black and grim : Orion's studded belt is dim ; Twmkling feint, and distant far. Shimmers through mist each planet star ; 111 may I read their high decree I But no kind influence deign they shower On Teviot's tide, and Branksome's tower. Till pride be quell'd, and love be free.*' Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto /• THB LAST MINHTRSL. 97 XVIII. The unearthly voices ceast. And the heavy sound was still ; It died on the river's breast, It died on the side of the hill. But round Lord David's tower The sound still floated near ; For it rung in the Ladye's bower, And it rung in the Ladye's ear. She raised her stately head. And her heart throbbed high with pride v« *^ Your mountains shall bend. And your streams ascend, £ie Margaret be our foeman's bride !** XIX. The Ladye sought the lofty hall. Where many a bold retainer lay. And, with jocund din, among them all. Her son pursued his infimt play. A fancied moss-trooper,^ the boy The truncheon of a spear bestrode. And round the hall, right merrily. In mimic foray* rode. Even bearded knights, in arms grown old. Share in his &olic gambols bore. Albeit their hearts of rugged mould. Were stubborn as the steel they wore. For the grey warriors prophesied, How the brave bOy, in future war, 1 See Appendix, Note L. 3 Foratft a predatory inroad. Digitized by VjOOQ IC 98 THE LAY o» Caido i Should tame the Unicom^i pride,' Exalt the Crescent and the Star.* XX. The Ladje forgot her purpoBe high. One moment, and no more ; One moment gazed with a mother^s eje, As she paused at the arched door : Then from amid the armed train. She call'd to her William of Deloraine.' XXI. A stark moss-trooping Scott was he. As e*er couchM Border lance b j knee : Through Solway sands, through Tarras moss. Blindfold he knew the paths to cross ; B7 wily turns, hy desperate bounds, Had baffled Percy's best blood-hounds \* In Eske, or Liddel, fords were none. But he would ride them, one by one ; Alike to him was time or tide, December's snow, or Julyli pride ; Alike to him was tide or time. Moonless midnight, or matin prime : 1 {,This line, of which the metre appears defective, would have iti full complement of feet according to the pronuiciation of the poet hinuelf— Halidon was an ancient seat of the Kerrt of Cessford, now d«»- muliahed. About a quarter of a mile to the northward lay the field of battle betwixt Bucdeuch and Angus, which is called to this dAT the Sldnnish Field.— Sec Appendix, Note D* >d by Google Canto /. THE LAST MINSTREL. 43 Of that unhallowed mom ai»se, When first the Scott and Carr were foes ; When royal James beheld the fray. Prize to the victor of the day ; When Home and Douglas, in the van. Bore down Buccleuch^s retiiing clan. Till gallant Cessford^s heart-blood dear Reeked on dark Elliot's Border spear. XXXI. In bitter mood he spurred &st, And soon the hated heath was past ; And &r beneath, in lustre wan. Old Melros' rose, and feir Tweed ran : Like some tall rock with lichens gray, SeemM dimly huge, the dark Abbaye. When Hawick he passed, had curfew rung. Now midnight lauds^ were in Melrose sung. The sound, upon the fitful gale. In solemn wise did rise and fidl. Like that wild harp, whose magic tone Is wakened by the winds alone. But when Melrose he reached, Hwas silence all He meetly stabled his steed in stall. And sought the convents lonely walL* Herb paused the harp ; and with its sweU The Master's fire and courage fell : Dejectedly, and low, he bow'd. And, gazing timid on the crowd, 1 Lauds, the midnight service of the Catholic chimslL * bee Appendix, Note Q. Digitized by VjOOQIC 44 LAY OF THB LAST MINSTREL. Coflto /. He seemed to seek^ every eye. If they approved his mmstrelsy ; And, diffident of present praise. Somewhat he spoke of former days, And how old age, and wandering long. Had done his hand and harp some wrong, The Duchess, and her daughters fair. And every gentle lady there. Each after each, in due degree. Gave praises to his melody ; His hand was true, his voice was cl^ar. And much they long'd the rest to bear: Encouraged thus, the Aged Man, After meet rest, again began. Digitized by VjOOQIC 1 ^ ) LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL CANTO SECOND. L If thou would^st view fair Melrose aright, Go visit it by the pale moonlight ; For the gaj beams of lightsome day Gild, but to flout, the ruins grey. When the broken arches are black in night, And each shafted oriel glimmers white ; When the cold light^s uncertain shower Streams on the ruined central tower ; When buttress and buttress, alternately. Seem framed of ebon and ivory ; When silver edges the imagery. And the scrolls that teach thee to live and die *,' When distant Tweed is heard to rave. And the owlet to hoot o*er the dead man*s grave, 1 The buttresses, ranged along the sides of the mhu of Melroas Abbey, are, according to the Gothic style, richly carred and fret> ted, containing niches for the statues of saints, and labelled irith scrolls^ bearing appropriate texts of Scripture. Most of these *t*- htcs hare been demoliriied. >d by Google 46 THE LAY OP Canto It Then go — ^but go alone the while — Then view St David*8 ruinM pile ;* And, home returning, soothly swear. Was never scene so sad and £ur I II. Short halt did Deloraine make there ; Little reckM he of the scene so &ir : With dagger^s hilt, on the wicket strong. He struck full loud, and struck fiill long. The porter hurried to the gate — *• Who knocks so loud, and knocks so late ?**— ** From Branksome I," the warrior cried ; And straight the wicket opened wide : For Brank8ome*s Chiefb had in battle stood. To fence the rights of fiur Melrose ; And lands and livings, many a rood. Had gifted the shrine for their souls* repose. III. Bold Deloraine his errand said ; The porter bent his humble head ; With torch in hand, and feet unshod. And noiseless step, the path he trod : The arched cloister, &r and wide. Rang to the warrior^s clanking stride, 1 DaTid I. of Scotland, purchased the reputation of sanctity, by fonnding, and liberally endowing, not only the monastery of Mel- rose, but those of Kelso, Jedburgh, and many others ; which led to the well-known observation of his successor, that he was a ton saintfor the crown. ' The Buocleuch flaniily were great benefiBctors to the Abbey The cloisters were frequently used as places of sepulture. An instance occurs in Diybuigh Abbey, where the cloister has an fo- scription. bearing, HicJacdJraUr Archibaldus, Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto [I. THB LAST MINSTRBL. 49 And red and bright the streamers light Were dancing in the glowing north. So had he seen, in fair' Castile, The youth in glittering squadrons start ; Sudden the flying jennet wheel, And hurl the unexpected dart He knew, by the streamers that shot so bright. That spirits were tiding the northern light IX. By a steel-clenched postern door, They enter'd now the chaneel tall ; Phe darkenM roof rose high aloof On pillars lolly and light and small : The key-stone, that locked each ribbed ^le. Was a fleur-de-lys, or a quatre-feuiUe ; The corbells' were carved grotesque and grim ; And the pillars, with clustered shafts so trim. With base and with capital flourished around,^ Seem'd bundles of lances which garlands had bound. X. Full many a scutcheon and banner riven. Shook to the cold night wind of heaven, Aroimd the screened altar's pale ; And there the dying lamps did bum. Before thy low and lonely urn, O gallant Chief of Otterburne ! * And thine, dark Knight of Liddesdale !^ ' See Appendix, Note S. 8 Corbdls, the projecUoiw from which the arches spring, usually cut in a fantastic face, or mask. a [" With plinOi and with capital flourish'd around." . « A ^- XT » m ^^^'^ Kditunu] • See Appendix, Note T. ft See Appendix, Note U Digitized by VjOOQIC 50 THE LAY OP Oudo 77. O fiaiding honours of the dead 1 O high ambition« lowly laid ! XI. The moon on the east oriel shone' Through slender shafts of shapely stone. By foliaged traceiy combined ; Thou wouldst have tiiought some fiuiy^ hand Twixt poplars straight the ozier wand. In many a freakish knot, had twined ; Then framed a spell, when the work was done. And changed the willow-wreaths to stone. The silver light, so pale and fidnt, ShewM many a prophet, and many a saint. Whose image on the glass was dyed ; Full in the midst, his Cross of Red Triumphant Michael brandished, And trampled the Apostate*s pride. The moon-beam kissM the holy pane. And threw on the parement a bloody stain. - XII. They sate them down on a marble stone.* — (A Scottish monarch slept below ;) Thus spoke the Monk, in solemn tone %— *^ I was not always a man of woe ; For Paynim countries I have trod. And fought beneath the Cross of God : 1 See Appendix, Note V. s A lai^e marble stone, in the cbanoel of Melrofcc, is pointed out as the monument of Alexander II.,.one of the greatest of oar early kings ; others say, it is the resting-place of Waldeve, one of th** varlr abbots, who died in the odour of sanctity. Digitized by VjOOQIC CkltUo IL TUB LAST MINbTRKL. 51 Now, Strange to my eyes thine anns appear. And iheir iron clang sounds strange to my ear. XIII. ** In these &r climes it was my lot To meet the wondrous Michael Scott ;* A wizard, of such dreaded &me, That when, in Salamanca^s cave,* Him listed his magic wand to wave. The hells would ring in Notre Dame !^ Some of his skill he taught to me ; And, Warrior, I could say to thee The words that cleft Eildon hills in three,* And hridled the Tweed with a curb of stone : But to speak them were a deadly sin ; And for having but thought them my heart within^ A treble penance must be done. XIV. •• When Michael lay on his dying bed, Uis conscience was awakened : He bethought him of his sinful deed. And he gave me a sign to oome with speed : I was in Spain when the morning rose. But I stood by his bed ere evening close. The words may not again be said. That he spoke to me, on death-bed laid ; They would rend this Abbaye's massy nave. And pile it in heaps above his grave. XV. ** I swore to bury his Mighty Book, That never mortal might therein look ; > See Appendix, Note W.—« Ibid. Note X 3 Ibid. Note Y -♦ Ibid. Note Z. gitized by Google 62 THE LAY OP Canio // And never to tell where it was hid. Save at his chief of Branksome^s need : And when that need was past and o^er. Again the Tolume to restore. I huried him on St. MichaePs night. When the bell toU'd one, and the moon was bright And I dug his chamber among the dead. When the floor of the chancel was stained red. That his patron^s cross might over him wave. And scare the fiends from the Wizard's grave. XVI, •* It was a night of woe and dread. When Michael in the tomb I laid ! Strange sounds along the chancel pass'd. The banners waved without a blast'* — .—Still spoke the Monk, when the bell toU'd one I-. I tell you, that a braver man Than William of Deloraine, good at need. Against a foe ne'er spurr'd a steed ; Yet somewhat was he chill'd with dread, . And his hair did bristle upon his head. XVII. ** Lo, Warrior ! now, the Cross of Red Points to the grave of the mighty dead ; Within it bums a wondrous light. To chase the spirits that love the night That lamp shall bum imquenchably. Until the eternal doom shall be." — ^ Slow moved the Monk to the broad flag-stone. Which the bloody Cross was traced upon : 1 See Appendix, Note 9. A Digitized by VjOOQIC CofStO If THB LAST MINSTRRL. 53 He pointed to a secret nook ; An iron bar the Warrior took ;^ And the Monk made a sign with his wither'*d hand, The gravels huge portal to expand. XVIII. With beating heart to the task he went ; His sinewy frame o^er the grave-stone bent ; With bar of iron heav'd amain. Till the toil-drops feU from his brows, like rain. It was bj dint of pasing strength. That he moved the massy stone at length. I would you had been there, to see How the light broke forth so gloriously. Streamed upward to the chancel roof. And through the galleries far aloof! Ko earthly flame blazed e^er so bright : It shone like heaven^ own blessed light. And, issuing from the tomb, Showed the Menkes cowl, and visage pale. Danced on the dark-brow'd WarriorTs mail, And kissed his waving plume. XIX. Before their eyes the Wizard lay. As if he had not been dead a day His hoaiy beard in silver rolled. He seemed some seventy winters old ; A palmer^s amice wrapped him round. With a wrought Spanish baldric bound. Like a pilgrim from beyond the sea : His left hand held his Book of Might ; ' [Orii^.— A harfnm thence tbe warrior took.} Digitized by VjOOQIC 54 TUB LAY OP Cauto li, A silver cross was in his right ; The lamp was placed beside his kneo : High and majestic was his look. At which the fellest fiends had shook. And all unruffled was his face : Thejr trusted his soul had gotten grace. XX. Often had William of Delozaine Bode through the battlers bloody plain. And trampled down the warriors slain. And neither known remorse nor awe ; Yet now remorse and awe he own^d ; His breath came thick, his head swam round. When this strange scene of death he saw. Bewildered and unnerved he stood. And the priest pray'd fervently and loud : With eyes averted prayed he ; He might not endure the sight to see. Of the man he had loved so brotherly. XXI. And when the priest his death-piayer had prayM, Thus unto Deloraine he said : — ^ Now, speed thee what thou hast to do. Or, Warrior, we may dearly rue ; For those, thou may*st not look upon. Are gathering fast round the yawning stone 1^ Then Deloraine, in terror, took From the cold hand the Mighty Book, With iron clasp'd, and with iron bound : He thought, as he took it, the dead man frownM \ > S«te Appendix, Note 2 B. Digitized by VjOOQIC ikmio IL THB LAST MINSTHBL. 56 But the glare of the sepulchial light, Peichance, had dazzled the warrior^s sight XXII. Wlien the huge stone sunk o^ei the tomb. The night returned in double gloom ; --.^^^^ Foi themoon had gonedown, and the stars were few ; And, as the Knight and Priest withdrew. With wavering steps and dizzy brain. They hardly might the postern gain. *TiB said, as through the aisles they passed. They heard strange noises on the blast ; And through the cloister-galleries small. Which at mid-height thread the chancel wall, Loud sobs, and laughter louder, ran. And voices unlike the voice of man ; As if the fiends kept holiday, Becaise these spells were brought to day. I cannot tell how the truth may be ; I say the tale as *twas said to me. XXIII. ^ Now, hie thee hence,*^ the Father said, ** And when we are on death-bed laid, O may our dear Ladye, and sweet St John, Foxgive our souls for the deed we have done !^*— i The monk returned him to his cell. And many a prayer and penance sped ; When the convent met at the noontide bell — The Monk of St Mary*s aisle was dead ! Beiore the cross was the body laid. With hands clasp'd &st, as if still he pra} U Digitized by VjOOQIC 66 THE LAY OP Canto II, XXIV. The Knight breathed free in the morning wind. And strove his hardihood to find : He was glad when he passed the tombstones grey Which girdle romid the fair Abbaye ; For the mystic Book, to his bosom prest. Felt like a load upon his breast ; And his joints, with nerves of iron twined. Shook, like the aspen leaves in wind. Full fiun was he when the dawn of day Began to brighten Cheviot grey ; He joy'd to see the cheerful light. And he said Ave Mary, as well as he might. XXV. The sun had brightened Cheviot grey. The sun had brighten^ the CarterV side ; And soon beneath the rising day . * Smiled Branksome Towers and Tevioi*8 tide. The wild birds told their warbling tale And waken'd every flower that blows ; And peeped forth the violet pale. And spread her breast the moimtain rose ; And lovelier than the rose so red. Yet paler than the violet pale, She early left her sleepless bed. The fiiirest maid of Teviotdale. XXVI. Why does fair Margaret so early awake. And don her kirtle so hastilie ; And the silkenknot8,whichin hurry she would make. Why tremble her slender fingers to tie ; 1 A mountain on the Border of England, above Jedburgh. Digitized by VjOOQIC IJanio II, THB LA»r minrtrbl. 57 Why does she stop, and look often around. As she glides down the secret stair ; And why does she pat the shaggy blood-hound. As he rouses him up from his lair ; And, though she passes the postern alone. Why is not the watchman's bugle blown ? XXVII. rhe ladye steps in doubt and dread. Lest her watchful mother hear her tread ; The ladye caresses the rough blood-hound. Lest his voice should waken the castle round ; The watchman's bugle is not blown. For he was her foster-father's son ; And she glides through the greenwood at dawn of light. To meet Baron Henry, her own true knight. XXVIII. The Knight and ladye fair are met. And under the hawthorn's boughs are set A fairer pair were never seen To meet beneath the hawthorn green. He was stately, and young, and tall ; Dreaded in battle, and loved in hall : And she, when love, scarce told, scarce hid. Lent to her cheek a livelier red ; When the half sigh her' swelling breast Agidnst the silken ribbon prest ; When her blue eyes their secret told. Though shaded by her locks of gold — Where would you find the peerless fair. With Margaret of Branksome might compare 1 Digitized by VjOOQIC 68 ruK LAY OF CouUo II XXIX. And now, fedr dames, methinke I see You listen to my minstrelsy ; Your waving locks ye backward throw. And sidelong bend your necks of snow : Ye ween to hear a melting tale. Of two true lovers in a dale ; And how the Knight, with tender fire. To paint his faithful passion strove ; Swore he might at her feet expire. But never, never cease to love ; And how she blush'd, and how she sighed. And, half consenting, half denied. And said that she would die a maid ; — Yet, might the bloody feud be stayed, Henry of Cranstoun, and only he, Maigaret of Branksome^s choice should he, XXX. Alas ! fair dames, your hopes are vain I My harp has lost the enchanting strain ; Its lightness would my age reprove : My hairs are grey, my limbs are old. My heart is dead, my veins are cold : I may not, must not, sing of love. XXXI. Beneath an oak, mossed o^er by eld. The Baron's Dwarf his courser held,^ And held his crested helm and spear : Ihat Dwarf was scarce an earthly man. If the tales were true that of him ran Through all the Border, fax and near, i See Appendix. Note 2 C. Digitized by VjOOQIC CatOo II. THE LAST MIN8TRBL. 59 ^was said, when the Baron arhnnting rode Through Reedsdale^s glens, but rarely trod, He heard a voice cry, ** Lost ! lost ! lost I" And, like tennis-ball by racket toas'd, A leap, of thirty feet and three, Made from the gorse this elfin shape. Distorted like some dwarfish ape. And lighted at Lord Cranstoun^s knee. Lord Cranstoun was some whit dismayed ; ' *Ti8 said that five good miles he rade. To rid him of his company ; But where he rode one mile, tiie Dwarf ran foui^ And the Dwarf was first at the castle door . xxxn. Use lessens marvel, it is said : This elvish Dwarf with the Baron staid \ Little he ate, and less he spoke. Nor mingled with the menial flock : And oft apart his arms he tossed. And often mutter'd »• Lost ! lost I lost !** He was waspish, arch, and litherlie. But well Lord Cranstoun served he : And he of his service was full fain ; For once he had been ta*en or slain. An it had not been for his ministry. All between Home and Hermitage, Talk'd of Lord Cranstoun's Goblin-Pagn. XXXIIL For the Baron went on pilgrimage. And took with hrni this elvish Page, To Maiy's Chapel of the Lowes : Digitized by VjOOQIC RO THB LAY OP Canto II For there, beside Our Ladye's lake, An offering he had sworn to make, And he would pay his vows. But the Ladye of Branksome gathered a band Of the best that would ride at her command :' The trysting place was Newark Lee. Wat of Harden came thither amain. And thither came John of Thirlestane, And thither came William of Deloraine ; They were three hundred spears and three. Through Douglas-bum, up Yarrow stream,* ITieir horses prance, their lances gleam. They came to St. Mary's lake ere day ; But the chapel was void, and the Baron away. They bum'd the chapel for v^y rage. And cursed Lord Oranstoun^ Goblin-Page. XXXIV. And now, in Branksome's good green wood. As under the aged oak he stood. The Baron's courser pricks his ears, As if a distant noise he hears. The Dwarf waves his long lean arm on high. And signs to the lovers to part and fly ; No time was then to vow or sigh. Fair Margaret, through the hazel grove. Flew like the startled cushat-dove :* The Dwarf the stirrup held and rein Vaulted the Knight on his steed amain, 1 See Appendix, Note 2 D. t See notes on Tfte DougUu Tragedy in the Minttreliy,yoI. a. p. 3.— Ed. a Wood-piceon. >d by Google C(Mto II. THB Last minstrel. 01 And, pondering deep that morning^ scene, Uode eastwaid through the hawthorns green. While thus he pour'd the lengthened tale, The Minstrers voice began to fail : FuU slyly smiled the observant page, And gave the withered hand of age A goblet, crown'd with mighty wine. The blood of Y elez* scorched vine. He raised the silver cup on high. And, while the big drop fiU'd his eye, Pray'd God to bless the Duchess long. And all who cheer 'd a son of song. The attending maidens smiled to see How long, how deep, how zealously. The precious juice tiie Minstrel quafF'd ; And he, emboldened by the draught, Look'd gaily back to them, and laughed. ITie cordial nectar of the bowl SwellM his old veins, and cheerM hii soul : A lighter, livelier prelude ran. Ere thus his tale aoain began. Digitized by VjOOQIC >d by Google [ 63 ] LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. CANTO THIRD. I. And said I that my limbs were old. And said I that my blood was cold. And that my kindly fire was fled, And my poor withered heart was dead. And that I might not sing of love ? How cojild I to the dearest theme. That ever warm'd a minstrePs dream. So foul, so &lse a recreant prove ! How could I name lovers very name. Nor wake my heart to notes of flame ! II. In peace. Love tunes the shepherd^s reed ; In war, he mounts the warrior's steed ; In halls, in gay attire is seen ; In hamlets, dances on the green. Love rules the court, the camp, the grove, s Digitized by VjOOQIC fJ4 THl LAY OP ■ OMnto /// And men below, and saints above ; For love is heaven, and heaven is love. III. So thought Lord Cranstoun, as I ween. While, pondering deep the tender scene, He rode through Branksome^s hawthorn green. But the page shouted wild and shrill. And scarce his helmet could he don. When downward from the shady hill A stately knight came pricking on. That warrior's steed, so dapple-gray. Was dark with sweat, and splashed with clay ; His armour red with many a stain : He seem'd in such a weary plight. As if he had ridden the live-long night ; For it was William of Deloraine. IV. But no whit weaiy did he seem. When, dancing in the sunny beam. He marked the crane on the Baron's crest ;> For his ready spear was in his rest Few were the words, and stem and high. That marked the foemen's feudal hate ; For question fierce, and proud reply. Gave signal soon of dire debate. Their very coursers seem'd to know That each was other's mortal foe. And snorted fire, when wheel'd around. To give each knight his vantage-groimd. 1 Thecrart of the Cranitoims, in allnaion to their name^ la a enuM donnant, holding a stone in hia foo^ nith an emphatic Boidar ^Huito. Thtm^uiUtMmtmreluxmL Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto I if, THB LAST MINSTREL. 64 V. In rapid round the Baron bent ; He sighed a sigh, and pray*d a prayer ; The prayer was to his patron saint. The sigh was to his ladye fiedr. Stout Deloraine nor sighed nor pray*d. Nor saint nor ladye oallM to aid ; But he stooped his head, and couched his spwt Ajid spurred his steed to full career. The meeting of these champions proud SeemM like the bursting, thunder-cloud. VI. Stem was the dint the Borderer lent I The stately Baron backwards bent ; Bent backwards to his horse^s tail. And his plumes went scattering on the gale ; The tough ash spear, so stout and true. Into a thousand flinders flew. But Cranstoun^s lance, of more ayail. Pierced through, like silk, the Borderer's mail ; Through shield, and jack, and acton, past. Deep in his bosom broke at last Still sate the warrior saddle-fast. Till, stumbling in the mortal shock, Down went the steed, the girthing broke, HurPd on a heap lay man and horse. The Baron onward passed his course ; Nor knew — so giddy rolled his brain — His foe lay stretch''d upon the plain. VII. But when he reinM his courser round, And saw his foeman on the ground gtzed by Google 66 THR LAY or CantG III, liie senseless as the bloody claf , He bade his page to stanch the wound. And there beside the warrior stay. And tend him in his doubtful state. And lead him to Branksome castle-gate : His noble mind was inly moved For the kinsman of the maid he loved. ^* This shalt thou do without delay : No longer here myself may stay ; Unless the swifter I speed away. Short shrift will be at my dying day." VIII. Away in speed Lord Cranstoun rode ; The Goblin-Page behind abode ; His lord^s command he ne^er withstood. Though small hia pleasure to do good. As the corslet off he took. The Dwarf espied the Mighty Book ! Much he marvell'd a knight of pride. Like a book-bosom^d priest should ride -} He thought not to search or stanch the wound. Until the secret he had found. IX. IX. The iron band, the iron clasp, Besisted long the elfin grasp : * At Unthank, two miles N.E. from the church (of Ewes) there are the ruins of a chapel for ditine service, in thne of Popery. There is a tradition, that friars were wont to come from Melrose, or Jedbui;gh, to baptise and marry in this parish ; and from being in use to carry the mass-book in their bosoms, they were called, by the inhabitants, BooK^k-botomes. There is a man yet alive, who knew old men who had been baptised by these Book-a-bosomes. and who says one of them, called Hair, used this parish for a very n» MaxB."— AecomU qf Parish ofBwes, apud MaqfarUxn^M 9rs& >d by Google Canto Hi, THB LAST MINSTREL. 67 Foi when the first he had undone, It closed as he the next begun. Those iron clasps, that iron band, Would not yield to unchristian'd hand, Till he smeared the cover o'er With the Borderer's curdled gore ; A moment then the volume spread, * And one short spell therein he read. It had much of glamour^ might, Could make aladye seem a knight ; The cobwebs on a dungeon wall Seem tapestry in lordly hall ; A nut-shell seem a gilded barge, A sheeling* seem a palace large, And youth seem age, and age seem youth- All was delusion, nought was truth.^ X. He had not read another spell. When on his cheek a buffet fell. So fierce, it stretched him on the plain. Beside the woimded Deloraine. From the ground he rose dismayed. And shook his huge and matted head ; One word he muttered, and no more, — ^ Man of age, thou smitest sore !'' — No more the Elfin Page durst try Into the wondrous Book to pry ; The clasps, though smear'd with Christian gore^ Shut fiister than they were before. He hid it underneath his cloak Now, if you ask who gave the stroke, 1 Maj;;ical delusion. > A shepherd's hut. 3 S«e App«udiz. Note 2D* Digitized by VjOOQIC 68 THB LAY OP CdtUo lit I cannot tell, so mot I thrive ; It was not given by man alive. > XI. Unwillingly himself he addressed, To do his master*s high behest : He lifted up the living cone. And laid it on the weaiy hone \ He led him into Branksome Hall, Before the beards of the warden all ; And each did after swear and say. There only passed a wain of hay. He took him to Lord David's tower. Even to the Ladye's secret bower ; And, but that stronger spells were spread. And the door might not be opened. He had laid him on her very bed. Whate'er he did of gramarye,* Was always done maliciously ; He flung the warrior on the ground. And the blood well'd freshly from the wound. XII. As he repassed the outer court. He spied the fiur young child at sport : He thought to tmin him to the wood ; For, at a word, be it understood. He was always for ill, and never for good. Seem*d to the boy, some comrade gay Led him forth to the woods to play ; On the drawbridge the warden stout Saw a terrier and lurcher passing out J See Appendix. Note 2 E « Mj gic. Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto J J I, THE I.A8T IIIN8TRKI . S9 XIII, He led the boy o*er bank and fell. Until thej came to a woodland brook ; The running stream dissolved the spell,' And his own elvish shape he took. Could he have had his pleasure vilde, He had crippled the joints of the noble child ; Or, with his fingers long and lean. Had strangled him in fiendish spleen : But his awftil mother he had in dread. And also his power was limited ; So he but scowPd on the startled child. And darted through the forest wild ; The woodland brook he bounding cross*dv Andlaugh'd, and shouted, "« Lost ! lost I lost *'' - XIV. Full sore amazed at the wondrous change, And frightened as a child might be. At the wild yell and visage strange. And the dark words of gramarye, The child, amidst the forest bower, Stood rooted like a lily flower ; And when at length, with trembling pnce, He sought to find where Branksome 1ay« He feared to see that grisly foce Glare from some thicket on his way. Thus, startlmg oft, he journey 'd on. And deeper in the wood is gone, — For aye the more he sought his way, The forther still he went astray, — Until he heard the mountains round Ring to the baying of a hound. 1 See Appenlix. NoU 2 P. Digitized by VjOOQIC 70 THK LAY OK Conio Ith XV. And hark ! and hark ! the deep-mouth*d bark. Comes nigher still, and nigher : Bursts on the path a dark blood-hound. His tawny muzzle tracked the ground. And his red eye shot fire. Soon as the wilder'd child saw he. He flew at him right furiouslie. I ween you would have seen with joy The bearing of the gallant boy. When, worthy of his noble sire. His wet cheek glow'd twixt fear and ire ! He faced the blood-hound manfully. And held his little bat on high ; So fierce he struck, the dog, afhud. At cautious distance hoarsely bay'd. But still in act to spring ; When dash'd an archer through the glade. And when he saw the hound was stayed. He drew his tcmgh bow-string ; But a rough voice cried, " Shoot not, hoy I Ho I shoot not, Edward—Tis a boy !" XVI. The speaker issued from the wood. And check'd his fellow's surly mooii. And quell'd the ban-dog's ire : He was an English yeoman good. And bom in Lancashire. Well could he hit a fallow-deer Five hundred feet him fro ; With hand more true, and eye jsasn clear. No archer bended bow. Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto J Jr. THl LAST MIN8TRBL. 71 His coal-black hair, shorn round and clom?>. Set off his gim-bum^d &ce : Old England's sign, St. G^eorge's cross. His barret-cap did grace ; His bugle-horn hung by his side. All in a wolf-skin baldric tied ; And his short fidchion, sharp and clear. Had pierced the throat of many a deer. XVII. His kirtle, made of forest green. Reached scantly to his knee ; And, at his belt, of arrows keen A furbished sheaf bore he ; His buckler scarce in breadth a span. No larger fence had he ; He never counted him a man. Would strike below the knee : * His slackened bow was in his hand. And the leash, that was his blood-hound*s hand XVIII. He would not jlo the &ir child harm. But held him with his powerful arm. That he might neither fight nor flee ; For when the Red-Cross spied he. The boy strove long and violently, " Now, by St. George," the archer crie*, ^ Eklward, methinks we have a prize ! This boy^s &ur face, and courage free. Show he is come of high degree.'*'* — 1 Sfte Appendix, Note 2 O Digitized by VjOOQIC 72 THE LAY OP Omto //A XIX. •* Yes ! I am come of high degree. For I am the heir of hold Buccleuch ; And, if thou dost not set me free. False Southron, thou shalt dearly rue ! For Walter of Harden shall come with speed. And William of Deloraine, good at need. And every Scott, from Esk to Tweed ; And, if thou dost not let me go. Despite thy arrows, and thy how, I'll have thee hang'd to feed the crow !" — XX. •* Gramercy, for thy good-will, feir boy I My mind was never set so hig^ ; But if thou art chief of such a clan. And art the son of such a man. And ever comest to thy command. Our wardens had need to keep good onfei My how of yew to a hazel wand. Though make them work upon the Border Meantime, be pleased to come with me. For good Lord Dacre shalt thou see ; I think our work is well begun. When we have taken thy &ther*s son." XXI. Although the child was led away. In Branksome still he seemed to stay. For so the Dwarf his part did play ; And, in the shape of that young boy. He wrought the castle much annoy. The comrades of the young Buccleuch He pinched, and beat, and overthrew ; Nay, some of them he wellnigh slew. Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto Hi, THB /.AST MIN8TRBL. 73 He tore Dame Maudlin^s silken tire. And, as Sym Hall stood by the fire. He lighted the match of his bandelier,* And wofUlly scorch 'd the hackbuteer.' It may be hardly thought or said. The mischief that the urchin made. Till many of the castle guessed. That the young Baron was possessed 1 XXII. Well I ween the charm he held The noble Ladye had soon dispellM ; But she was deeply busied then To tend the wounded Delorame. Much she wondered to find him lie. On the stone threshold stretchM along ; She thought some spirit of the sky Had done the bold moss-trooper wrong ; • Because, despite her precept dread. Perchance he in the Book had read ; But the broken lance in his bosom stood. And it was earthly steel and wood. XXIII. She drew the splinter from the wound. And with a charm she stanchM the blood ; ' 1 BanddiaTt belt for carrying ammuiiiti(m. * Hackbuteer, musketeer. A See sereral charms for tbis purpose in Reginald Scott's Daoc- very qf fFUchcrafty p. 273. " Tom Potts was but n serving man. But jet he was a doctor good ; He bound his handkerchief on the wound, And with some kinds of words he stanched the blood.* Pieces ofAncusiu Papular Pat'trp, Lond. I7U1, p. 131. >d by Google 74 THK LAY OF Catito IH She bade the gash be cleanBed and bound : No longer by his couch she stood ; But she has ta^en the broken lance, And wash'd it from the clotteu gore. And salyed the splinter o^er and o^er ' William of Deloraine, in trance. Whene'er she tum'd it round and round. Twisted as if she gall'd his wound. Then to her maidens she did say. That he should be whole man and sound. Within the course of a night and day. Full long she toil'd ; for she did rue Mishap to friend so stout and true. XXIV. So paasM the day — ^the evening fell, Twas near the time of curfew bell ; The air was mild, the wind was calm. The stream was smooth, the dew was balm E'en the rude watchman, on the tower. Enjoy 'd and bless'd the lovely hour. Far more fair Margaret loved and bless'd The hour of silence and of rest On the high turret sitting lone. She waked at times the lute's soft tone ; Touch'd a wild note, and all between Thought of the bower of hawthorns green. Her golden hair streamed free from band. Her faxt cheek rested on her hand. Her blue eyes sought the west a&r. For lovers love the western star. 1 See Appendix. Note 2 H. Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto in THE LAST MINSTREL. * XXV. Is yon the star, o'er Penchryst Pen, That rises slowly to her ken. And, spreading broad its wavering light. Shakes its loose tresses on the nignt .** Is yon red glare the western star ? — O, tis the beacon-blaze of war ! Scarce could she draw her tightened breath. For well she knew the fire of death I XXVI. The Warder view'd it blazing strong. And blew his wai^note loud and long. Till, at the high and haughty sound. Rode, wood, and river, rung around. The blast alarm'd the' festal hall. And startled forth the warriors all ; Far downward, in the castle-yard. Full many a torch and cresset glared z And helms and plumes, confusedly toss'd. Were in the blaze half-seen, half-lost ; And spears in wild disorder shook. Like reeds beside a frozen brook. XXVII. The Seneschal, whose silver hair Was reddened by the torches' glare. Stood in the midst, with gesture proud, And issued forth his mandates loud : — " On Penchryst glows a bale* of fire. And three are kindling on Priesthaughswire ; Ride out, ride out. The foe to scout I < See Appendix, Note 2 L Digitized by VjOOQIC 76 ^ TIfR LAY OP Omtu Hi, Mount, mount for Branksome,* every man ! Thou, Todrig, warn the Johnstone clan. That ever are true and stout — Ye need not send to Liddesdale ; For when they see the blazing bale, Elliots and Armstrongs never fail. — Ride, Alton, ride, for death and life ! And warn the Warder of the strife. Young Gilbert, let our beacon blaze. Our kin, and clan, and friends, to luisc.** * XXVIIL Fair Margaret, from the turret head. Heard, far below, the coursers^ tread. While loud the harness rung. As to their seats, with clamour dread, Tlie ready horsemen sprung : And trampb'ng hoofs, and iron ooats. And leaders* voices, mingled notes. And out ! and out ! In hasty route. The horsemen gallopM forth ; Dispersing to the south to scout. And east, and west, and north. To view their coming enemies, And warn their vassals and allies. XXIX. The ready page, with hurried hand, Awaked the need-fireV slumbering brand, And ruddy blush'd the heaven : * Mount far Branksome was the gatharing word of the Soottt ' See Appendix, Note 2 K. • Nfied-fire, beacon >d by Google Canto Iff. THE LAST MinSTREL. • 77 For a sheet of flame, from the turret high. Waved like a blood-flag on the sky, All flaring and uneven ; And soon a score of fires, I ween. From height, and hill, and clifl; were seen ; Each with warlike tidings fraught ; Each from each the signal caught ; Each after each they glanced to sight. As stars arise upon the night. They gleam*d on many a dusky tarn,* Haunted by the lonely earn ;• On many a caimV grey pyramid, Where urns of m^hty chiefs lie hid ; Till high Dunedin the blazes saw. From Soltra and Dumpender Law ; And Lothian heard the Regents order. That all should bowne^ them for the Border. XXX. The livelong night in Branksome rang The ceaseless sound of steel ; The castle-bell, with backward clang. Sent forth the larum peal : Was frequent heard the heavy jar. Where massy stone and iron bar Were piled on echoing keep and tower. To whelm the foe with deadly shower ; Was frequent heard the changing guard. And wateh-word from the sleepless ward ^ 1 Tom, a moiintafai lake. > Earn, a Scottiih eagle. < See Appendix, Note 2 L. * Bowne, make ready. >d by Google . 78 • THB LAY OP Outdo If J. While, wearied by the endless din. Blood-hound and ban-dog yelled within. XXXI. The noble Dame, amid the broil. Shared the grey Seneschars high toil. And spoke of danger with a smile ; Cheered the young knights, and council sage Held with the chiefs of riper age. No tidings of the foe were brought. Nor of his numbers knew they aught. Nor what in time of truce he sought. Some said, that there were thousands ten ; And others weened that it was nought But Leven .Clans, or Tynedale men. Who oame to gather in black-mail ;* And Liddesdale, with small avail. Might drive them lightly back agen. So passed the anxious night away. And welcome was the peep of day.* Cbased the high sound — the listening throng Applaud the Master of the Song ; And marvel much, in helpless age. So hard should be his pilgrimage. Had he no friend — ^no daughter dear. His wandering toil to share and cheer ; No son to be his father^s stay, And guide him on the rugged way ? « Protection-money exacted by fireebootert Digitized by VjOOQIC CuniO fill THE LAST MINSTREL. 79 ** Ay, once he had — ^but he was dead !" — Upon the harp he stoopM his head. And busied himself the strings withal, To hide the tear, that &in would fall. In solemn measure, soft and slow, Ajt>se a father B notes of woe. >d by Google Digitized by VjOOQIC [ 81 1 LA.Y OP THE LAST MINSTREL. CANTO FOURTH. I. SwBET Teviot ! on thy silver tide The glaring bale-fires blaze no more ; No longer -steel-clad warriors ride Along thy wild and wiUowM slftire ; Where'er thou wind*st, by dale or hill. All, all is peaceful, all is still. As if thy waves, since time was bom. Since first they rolled upon the Tweed,* Had only heard the shepherd's reed. Nor startled at the bugle-horn. II. Unlike the tide of human time. Which, though it change in ceaseless flow. Retains each grief, retains each crime,. Its earliest course was doomed to know ; I i OriQ " Since first they rolled tJidr way to Tweed. "H . Digitized by VjOOQIC 82 THE LAY OP Canto IP And, darker, as it downward bears. Is stain'd with past and present tears. Low as that tide has ebb'd with me. It still reflects to Memory'-s eye The hour my brave, my only boy. Fell by the side of great Dundee.' Why, when the volleying musket play'd Against the bloody Highland blade. Why was not I beside him laid I — Enough.-he died the death of fame ; Enough he died with conquering Graeme. III. Now over Border dale and fell. Full wide and fax was terror spread ; For pathless marsh, and mountain cell. The peasant left his lowly shed.* The frighten'd flocks and herds were pent Beneath the peePs rude battlement ; And maids abd matrons dropped the tear. While ready warriors seized the spear. From Branksome's towers, the watchman's ey« Dun wreaths of distant smoke can spy, Which, curling in the rising sun, Show'd southern ravage was begun." IV. Now loud the heedful gate-ward cried — Prepare ye all for blows and blood i Watt Tinlinn,* from the Liddel-side, Comes wading through the flood. » The Viscount of Dundee, tlain in the battle of K ilUcrankie s See Appendix, Note 2 M. « See Appendix, Note 2 N. * See Appendix. Note 2 U. „^,,,,,,GoOgle Canto IV. THE LAST MINSTREL. 83 Full oft the Tynedale snatchers knock At his lone gate, and prove the lock ; It was but last St. Barnabright They seized him a whole summer night But fled at morning ; well they knew. In vain he never twangM the yew. Right sharp has been the evening showet That drove him from his Liddel tower ; ** And, by my feith," the gate-ward said, »* I think twill prove a Warden-Raid.** > V. While thus he spoke, the bold yeoman Entered the echoing barbican. He led a small and shaggy nag. That through a bog, from hag to hag,' Could bound like any Billhope stag.' It bore his wife and children twain ; A half-clothed serf* was all their train : His wife, stout, ruddy, and dark-browM, Of silver brooch and bracelet proud,* Laughed to her friends among the crowd. ' An inroad commanded by the Warden in person. > The broken ground in a bog. * There is an old rhyme, which thus celebrates the places m Liddesdale remarkable fpr game : *' Billhope braes for bucks and raes. And Carit hangh for swine^ And Tarras for the good bull trout. If he be ta'en in time." The bucks and roes, as well as the old swine, are now extinct ; but the good bull-trout is still famous. ^ Bondsman. A As the Borderers were indifferent about the furniture of their habitations, so much exposed to be burned and plundered, thw were proportionally anxious to display splendour in decorating and ornamenting their females.— See Leblbv de Moribus Llmitamo rum. Digitized by VjOOQIC 84 THKLAYOP CkuOO IV He was of stature passing tall. But sparely formed, and lean withal ; A battered morion on his brow ; A leathern jack, as fence enow, On his broad shoulders loosely hung ; A Border axe behind was slung ; His spear, six Scottish ells in length, Seem'd newly dyed with gore : His shafts and bow, of wondrous strength. His hardy partner bore. VI. Thus to the Ladye did Tinlinn show The tidings of the English foe: — *' Belted Will Howard* is marching hens. And hot Lord Dacre,* with many a speur. And all tiie German hackbut-men,' Who have long lain at Askerten : They crossed the Liddel at curfew hour. And bum'd my little lonely tower : The fiend receive their soijs therefor ! It had not been burnt this year and more. Barn-yard and dwelling, blazing bright. Served to guide me on my flight ; But I was chased tiie livelong night. Black John of Akeshaw, and Fergus Graemoj Fast upon my traces came. Until I tum'd at Priesthaugh Scrogg, And shot their horses in the bog. Slew Fergus with my lance outright — I had him long at high despite : He drove my cows last Fastem's night" ' See Appendix, Note 2 P. « See Appendix, Note 2 Q s Muiketeen. See Appendix* Note S R Digitized by VjOOQIC Cantb IV. tmb last hfflNSTKKL. 8& VII. Now weary scouts from Liddesdale, Fast huirying in, confirmed the tale ; As ^ as they could judge by ken. Three hours would bring to Teviot'd strand Three thousand armed Englishmen — Meanwhile, full many a warlike band. From Teviot, Aill, and Ettrick shade. Came in, their Chiers defence to aid. There was saddling and mounting in haste. There was pricking o'er moor and lea ; He that was last at the trysting-place Was but lightly held of his gay ladye.* VIII. From fair St. Mary's silver wave, From dreary Gamescleuch's dusky height. His ready lances Thirlestane brave Array'd beneatii a banner bright. The tressured fleur-de-luce he claims To wreathe his shield, since royal James, Encamp'd by Fala's mossy wave, fhe proud distinction grateful gave. For faith 'mid feudal jars ; What time, save Thirlestane alone. Of Scotland's stubborn barons none Would march to southern wars ; And hence, in fair remembrance worn. Yon sheaf of spears his crest has borne ; Hence his high motto shines reveal'd — . " Ready, aye ready," for the field.* 1 [The four last lines ot stanza rii. are not in the ffnt ^cU' tion.— Ed.") 2 See Appendix Note 2 S. Digitized by VjOOQIC 86 THK LAY OR Cauto I r". IX. An aged Knight, to danger steePd, "With many a moss-trooper, came on ; And azure in a golden field, The stars and crescent graced his shield. Without the hend of Murdieston.* Wide lay his lands round Oakwood towei. And wide round haunted Castle-Ower ; High over Berth wick^s mountain flood. His wood-embosom'd mansion stood ; In the dark glen, so deep below ; The herds of plundered England low ; His bold retainers* daily food. And bought with danger, blows, and bloods Marauding chief ! his sole delight The moonh'ght raid, the morning fight ; Not even the flower of Yarrow's charms. In youth, might tame his rage for arms , And still, in age, he spumed at rest. And still his brows the helmet presaM, Albeit tlie blanched locks below Were white as Dinlay's spotless snow ; Five stately warriors drew the sword Before their &ther*8 band ; A braver knight than Harden's lord Ne'er belted on a brand.* 1 8ee Appendix, Note 2 S. > [See, besides the note on this stanza, one in the Border Min- ■trelsj, ToL iL p. 10, respecting Wat of Harden, the Authors ancestor. A satirical piece, entitled *' The Town Eclogue," which made much noise in Edinburgh shortly after the appearance of the 3/iii Urdtif, has these lines :— '* A modem author spends a hundred leaves. To proTe his ancestors notorious thicrce."— Eo."* Digitized by VjOOQIC CwUo IV. THE LAST MINSTRHt 87 x.» Scotts of Eskdale, a stalwart band,' Came trooping down the Todahawhill \ By the sword they won their land. And by the sword they hold it still. Hearken, Ladye, to the t^le. How tiiy sires won fair Eskdale. — Earl Morton was lord of that Talley fair, The Beattisons were his vassals there. The Earl was gentle, and mild of mood. The vassals were warlike, and fierce, and nide ; High of heart, and haughty of word. Little they wrecks of a tame liege lord. The Earl into fiur Eskdale cam^. Homage and seignory to claim : Of Gilbert the Gkilliard a heriot' he sought. Saying, ^ Give thy best steed, as a vassal ought. *^ — ^** Dear to me is my bonny white steed. Oft has he helped me at pinch of need ; Lord and Earl though thou be, I trow, I can rein Bucksfoot better than thou." — Word on word gave fuel to fire. Till so high blazed the Beattison*s ire. But that the Earl the flight had ta'en, llie vassals there their lord had slam. * Sore he plied both whip and spur. As he uiged his steed through Eskdale muir ; And it fell down a weary weight. Just on the threshold of Branksome gate. 1 [Stanzas x. zL xiL were not in the first editU>n.'] > See Appendix, Note 2 U. A The feudal superior, in certain cases, wa» entitled Iv tK« best horse of the vassal, in name of Heriot or Hereseld. Digitized by VjOOQIC 86 TUB LAY OP CcMiO IV XI. The Earl was a wrathful man to see. Full fiun ayenged would he be. Id haste to Branksome^s Lord he spoke. Saying, — **- Take these traitors to thy yoke ; For a cast of hawks, and a purse of gold. All Eskdale I'll sell tiiee, to have and hold : fieshrew thy. heart, of the Beattisons* clan If thou leayest on Eske a landed man ; But spare Woodkerrick's lands alone. For he lent me his horse to escape upoo.** A glad man then was Bfankscnne bold, Down he flung him the purse of gold ; To Eskdale soon he spurred amain. And with him five hundred rid^v has ta*en. He left his merrymen in the mist of the hill. And bade them hold them close and still ; And alone he wended to the plain. To meet with the Gralliard and all his train. To Gilbert the Gkdliard thus he said : — ** Know thou me for thy liege-lord and head ; Deal not with me as, with Morton tame. For Scotts play best at the roughest game. Give- me in peace my heriot due. Thy bonny white steed, or thou shalt rue. If my horn I three times wind, Eskdale shall long have the soimd in mind/'-. XII. Loudly the Beattison laughed in scorn ; " Little care we for thy winded horn. Ne^er shall it be the Galliard*s lot. To yield^his steed to a haughty Scott. Wend thou to Branksome back on foot. With rusty spur and mirv boot"— gitized by Google Oxnto IV. THB LAST MINSTRKU 89 He blew fais bugle so loud and hoarse. That the dun deer startled at fiiir Craikcroas ; He blew again so loud and clear. Through the gray mountain-mist there did lances appear; And the third blast rang with su<^ a d|n. That the echoes answered from Pentoun linn. And all his riders came lightly in. Then had you seen a gallant shock. When saddles were emptied, and lances broke ! For each scornful word the ChiUiard had said, A Beattison on the held was laid. His own good sword the chieftain drew. And he bore the Gklliard through and through : Where the Beattisons* blood mix'd with the rill. The Galliard^s Haugh men call it stilL The Scotts have scattered the Beattison clan. In Eskdale they left but one landed man. The valley of Eske, from the mouth to tlie Bource, Was lost and won for that bonny white horse. XIII. Whitslade the Hawk, and Headshaw came. And warriors more than I may name ; From Yarrow-cleugh to Hindhaugh-swair, From Woodhouselie to Chester-glen, Trooped man and horse, and bow and spear ; Their gathering word was Bellenden.* ^ LThis and the three following lines are not in the first ediUuti -Ed.} s Bellenden ia litiiated near the head of Berth wick water, and being in the centre of the possessions of the Scotts, was frequently used as their place if rendezvous and gathering word,— 5urt«y qV Selkirkshiret in 3facfhrlan^s 3ISS., Advocates' Library. Hcnre iiatchells calls one part of his genealogical account uf the familiMs of that clan, his Bellenden. Digitized by VjOOQ IC M THR LAY OP Canto fV And better hearts o''er Border sod To siege or rescue never rode. The Ladye mark'd the aids come in. And high her heart of pride arose : She bade her youthful son attend. That he might know his father's friend. And learn to face his foes. " The boy is ripe to look on war •, I saw him draw a cross-bow stiff, And 1^8 true arrow struck afar The raven's nest upon the cliff; The red cross, on a southern breast, Is broader than the raven's nest : Thou, Whitslade, shall teach him his weapon to wield. And o'er him hold his father's shield." — XIV. Well may you think, the wily page Cared not to face the Ladye sage. He counterfeited childish fear. And shrieked, and shed full many a teai. And moan'd, and plain'd in manner wild. The attendants to the Ladye told. Some feiry, sure, had changed the child. That wont to be so free and bold. Then wrathful was the noble dame ; She blush'd blood-red for very shame .— " Hence ! ere the clan his faintness view ; Hence with the weakling to Buccleuch ! — Watt Tinlinn, thou shalt be his guide To Ranglebum's lonely side . Sure some fell fiend has cursed our line. That coward should e'er be son of mine !"—. Digitized by VjOOQIC Ointo IV. THB LAST MINSTRKL. 91 XV. A heavy task Wat Tinlinn had. To guide the counterfeited lad. Soon as the palfrey felt the weight. Of that ai-omen*d elfish freight. He bolted, sprung, and rear'd amain. Nor heeded bit, nor curb, nor rein. It cost Watt Tinlinn mickle toil To drive, him but a Scottish mile ; But as a shallow biook they crossed. The elf, amid the miming stream. His figure changed, like form in dream, And fled, and shouted, " Lost ! lost ! lort V Full fast the urchin ran and laughed. But faster still a cloth-yard shaft Whistled from startled Tinlinn's yew. And pierced his shoulder through and through. Although the imp might not be slain. And though the wound soon healed again. Yet, as he ran, he yell*d f©r pain ; And Watt of Tinlinn, much aghast. Rode back to Branksome fiery fast XVI. Soon on the hill^s steep verge he stood. That looks o''er Branksome*s towers and wood t And martial murmurs, from below. Proclaimed the approaching southern foe. Through the dark wood in mingled tone Were Border pipee and bugles blown ; The coursers* neighing he could ken, A measured tread of marching men ; While broke at times the solemn hum. The A Imayn's sullen kettle-drum Digitized by VjOOQIC W THB LAY OP Canto /r. And banners tall, of crimson sheen. Above the copse appear ; And, glistening through the hawthorns green. Shine helm, and shield, and spear. XVII. Light forayers, first, to view the ground. Spurred their fleet coursers loosely round ; Behind, in close array, and fert. The Kendal archers, all in green. Obedient to the bugle blast. Advancing from the wood were seen. To back and guard tiie archer band. Lord Dacre*s bill-men were at hand : A hardy race, on Irthing bred. With kirtles white, and crosses red, Array'd beneath the banner tall. That streamed o^er Acre^s conquered wall ; And minstrels, as they marched in order, Play'd, " Noble Lord Dacre, he dwells on the Border * XVIII. Behind the English bill and bow. The mercenaries, firm and slow, Moved on to fight in dark array. By Coniad led of Wolfenstein, Who brought the band from distant Rhine» And sold their blood for foreign pay. The camp their home, their law the sword. They knew no country own'd no lord : ' They were not arm*d like England's sons. But bore the levin-darting guns ; • See ADOcndix, Note 2 V Digitized by VjOOQIC fkmto JV. THE LAST AflNSTRKJi. 93 Buff coats, all frounced and 'broider'd o'ci. And morsing-homs' and scarfs they wore ; 'EjiUih better knee was bared, to aid The warriors in the escalade ; All, as they maichM, in rugged tongue^ Songs of Teutonic feuds they sung. XIX. But louder still ihe clamour grew. And louder still the minstrels blew, ' \Vhen, firom beneath the greenwood Iree, Rode forth Lord Howard's chivalry ; His men-at-arms, with glaive and spear. Brought up the battle's glittering rear. There many a youthful knight, full keen To gain his spurs, in arms was seen ; With favour in his crest, or glove. Memorial of his ladye-love. So rode they forth in fair array. Till full their lengthened lines display ; ^ Tlien called a halt, and made a stand. And cried, " St George, for merry England f XX. Now every English eye, intent On Branksome's armed towers was bent ; So near they were, that they might know The straining harsh of each cross-bow *, On battlement and bartizan Gleam'd axe, and spear, and partisan ; Falcon and culver,* on each tower, Stood prompt their deadly hail to shower; > Powder-flasks. * Ancieut pieces of artaUcnr. Digitized by VjOOQIC 54 THB LAY OP CanCo IV And flashing annour frequent broke From eddying whirls of sable smoke. Where upon tower and turret head. The seething pitch and molten lead Reek'd, like a witch's cauldron red. While yet they gaze, the bridges fall. The wicket opes, and from the wall Rides forth the hoary Seneschal XXI. Armed he rode, all save the head. His white beard o'er his breast-plate spread ; Unbroke by age, erect his seat. He ruled his eager courser's gait ; Forced him, with chasten'd fire, to prance. And, high curvetting, slow advance : In sign of truce, his better hand Display 'd a peeled willow wand ; His squire, attending in the rear. Bore high a gauntlet on a spear.' When they espied him riding out, Lord Howard and Lord Dacre stout Sped to the front of their array. To hear what this old knight should sav. XXII. ** Ye English warden lords, of you Demands the Ladye of Buccleuch, Why, 'gainst the truce of Border tide. In hostile guise ye dare to ride, 1 A glove upon a lance was the emblem of faith among the an cient Borderers, who were wont, when any one broke hia word, to expose this emblem, and proclaim him a faithless rilliun at the first Border meeting. This ceremony waa much dreaded* Se« Lrslky. Digitized by VjOOQIC C(MliO IV. THE LAST MINSTREL. 95 With Kendal bow, and Gilsland brand. And all yon mercenary band. Upon the bounds of fair Scotland ? My Ladye reads you swith return ; And, if but one poor straw you burn. Or do our towers so much molest. As scare one swallow from her nest, St. Mary I but well light a brand Shall warm your hearths in Cumberland.*'— XXIII. A wrathful man was Dacre's lord. But calmer Howard took the word : ^ Mayt please thy Dame, Sir Seneschal, To seek the castle's outward wall. Our pursuivant-at-arms shall show Both why we came, and when we go."— . The message sped, the noble Dame To the wall's outward circle came ; Each chief around lean'd on his spear, I'o see the pursuivant appear. All in Lord Howard's livery dress'd. The lion argent deck'd his breast ; He led a boy of blooming hue — O sight to meet a mother's view ! It was the heir of great Buccleuch Obeisance meet the herald mjide. And thus his master's will he said. XXIV. *' It irks, high Dame, my noble Lords,, 'Gainst ladye fair to draw their swords ; But yet they "may^not tamely see. All through Uie Western Wardenry, a Digitized by VjOOQIC 9b THE LAY OP O/wto IV. Your law-contemning kinsmen ride. And bum and spoil the Border-side ; And ill beseems your rank and birth To make your towers a flemens-firth.' We claim from thee William of Deloraine, That he may suffer march-treason' pain. It was but last St. Cuthbert^s even He pricked to Stapleton on Leven, Harried' the lands of Richard Musgrave, And slew his brother by dint of glaive. Then, since a lone and widowM Dame These restless riders may not tame. Either receive within thy towers Two hmidred of my master*? powers, Or straight they sound their warrison,^ And storm and spoil thy garrison : . And tills fiiir boy to London led. Shall good King Edward'k page be bred.*' XXV. He ceased — and loud the boy did ciy. And stretched his little arms on high ; Implored for aid each well-known fibce. And strove to seek the Darnels embrace. A moment changed that Ladye^ cheer. Gushed to her eye the unbidden tear ; She gazed upon the leaden round. And dark and sad each warrior frowned ; Then, deep within her sobbing breast She locked the struggling sigh to rest ; 1 An asylum for outlaws. , * See Appendix, Note 2 W. s Plundered. « Note or assault. Digitized by VjOOQ IC CaniO IV THB LAST MINSTRBLv 97 UnalterM and collected stood, . And thus replied, in dauntless mood : — XXVI. •* Say to youp Lords of high emprize,' Who war on women and on boys, That either William of Deloraine Will cleanse him, by oath, of march-treason staiiu' Or else he will the combat take ^Gainst Musgrave, for his honour^ sake. No knight in Cumberland so good. But William may count with him kin and blood. Knighthood he took of Douglas* sword,' When English blood swelled Ancram's ford ;^ And but Lord Dacre^s steed was wight. And bare him ably in the flight. Himself had seen him dubb*d a knight For the yoimg heir of Branksome^s line, Crod be his aid, and €rod be mine ; Through me no friend shall meet his doom ; Here, while I live, no foe finds room. Then, if thy Lords their purpose urge^ Take our defiance loud and high ; Our slogan is their lyke-wake^ diige. Our moat the grave where they shall lie.** * \J>na. " Say to thp Lords of high emprize.'*^ s SeeTAppendix, Note 2 X. 3 See Appendix, Note 2 Y. 4 The battle of Ancram Moor, or Penielheuch, 'was fought A. D. 1545. The English, commanded by Sir Ralph Erers, and Sir Brian L.atonn, were totally routed, and both their leaders slain in the action. The Scottish army was commanded by Archibald Douglasi Earl of Angus, assisted by the Laird of Buccleuch and Norman Lesley. A LjfkMeake, the watching a corpse previous to mterment Digitized by VjOOQIC 98 THE LAY 01- Canto I V XXVII. Proud she looked round, applause to claim — Then lightened Thirlstane^s eye of flanie ; His bugle Wat of Harden blew ; Pensils and pennons wide wete flung, To heaven the Border slogan rung, " St. Mary for the young Buccleuch !" The English war-cry answer'd wide. And forward bent each southern spear ; Each Kendal archer made a stride, And drew the bowstring to his ear ; Each minstrePs war-note loud was blown v— But, ere a gray-goose shaft had flown, A horseman gallopM from the rear. XXVIIl. ** Ah ! noble Lords !** he breathless said, »* What treason has your march betray 'd » What make you here from aid so far. Before yon walls, around you wai ? Your foemen triumph in the thought. That in the toOs the lion*s caught Already on dark Buberslaw The Douglas holds his weapon-schaw ;> The lances, waving in his train. Clothe the dun heath like autumn grain ; And on the LiddePs northern strand, • To bar retreat to Cumberland, Lord Maxwell ranks his merry-men good, Beneath the eagle and the rood ; ( lyeapon'SChaWt the iniJitarv array of a county. Digitized by VjOOQIC CkmtO tV. THB LAST MINSTRBL. 99 And Jedwood, Eake, and Teviotdaie, Have to proud Angus come ; And all the Mene and Lauderdale Have risen with haughty Home. An exile from Northumberland* In Liddeedale I Ve wandered long ; But still my heart was with merry England, And cannot brook my country*s wrong \ And hard IVe spurred all night to show The mustering of the coming foe." — XXIX. •* And let them come I " fierce Daore cried ; ** For soon yon crest, my fether's pride. That swept the shores of Judah's sea, And waved in gales of Ghdilee, Irom Branksome^s highest towers displayed, Shall mock the rescuers lingering aid 1 — Level each harquebuss on row ; Draw, merry archers, draw the bow ; Up, bill-men, to the walls, and cry Dacre for England, win or die ! *^ — XXX. ^ •* JTet hear," quoth Howard, " cahnly hoar, Nor deem my words the words of fear : For who, in field or foray slack. Saw the blanche lion e'er fall back ? ' But thus to risk our Border flower In strife against a kingdom's power. Ten thousand Soots 'gainst thousands three, Certes, were desperate policy. * Se« Appendix, Note 2 Z. Digitized by VjOOQIC loo THB LAY OP CWo IV 'Nbj, take the terms the.Ladye made. Ere conscious of the advancing aid : Let Musgrave meet fierce Deloraiue ' In single fight, and, if he gain. He gains for us ; but if he^s cros8\i, *Tis but a single warrior lost : The rest, retreating as they came. Avoid defeat, and death, and shame/* XXXL 111 could the haughty Dacre brook His brother Warden^s sage rebuke ; And yet his forward step he staid. And slow and sullenly obeyed. But ne^er again the Border side Did these two lords in friendship ride ; And this slight discontent, men sa^, Cost blood upon another day. ' XXXIL The pursuivant-at-arms again Before the castle took his stand ; His trumpet called, with parle3ring strain. The leaders of the Scottish band ; And Ije defied, in Musgrave^ right. Stout Deloraine to single fight ; A gauntlet at thdr feet he laid, And thus the terms of fight he said :— ** If in the lists good Mu8grave''s sword Vanquish the Knight of Deloraine, Your youthful chieftain, Branksome's LcjtcL, Shall hostage for his clan remain : • 8.M! Appendix. Note 3 A Digitized by VjOOQIC OuntO If . THB LAST MINSTRBL. 101 If Deloiaine foil good Muagrave, The boy his liberty shall have. However it falls, the English band. Unbanning Scots, by Scots unharmed. In peaceful march, like men unarmed, Shall straight retreat to Cumberland.** XXXIII. Unconscious of the near relief, The proffer pleased each Scottish chief. Though much the Ladye sage gainsay *d ; For though their hearts were brave and true, From Jedwood^s recent sack they knew. How tardy was the Regent^s aid : And you may guess the noble Dame Durst not the secret prescience own. Sprung firom the art she might not name. By which the coming help was known. Closed was the compact, and agreed That lists should be enclosed with speed Beneath the castle, on a lawn : They fix^d the morrow for the strife. On foot, with Scottish axe and knife. At the fourth hour from peep of dawn ; When Deloraine, from sickness fireed. Or else a champion in his stead. Should for himself and chieftain stand. Against stout Muagrave, hand to hand. XXXIV. I know right well, that, in their lay. Full many minstrels sing and say. Such combat should be made on horse. Digitized by VjOOQIC ID2 THB LAY o^ Canto i V On foaming steed, in full career, With brand to aid, when as the qiear Should shiver in the course : But he, the jovial Harper,^ taught Me, yet a youth, how it was fought. In guise which now I say ; He knew each ordinance and clause Of Black Lord Archibald's battle-laws,' In the old Douglas' day. He brooked not, he, that scoffing tongue Should tax his minstrelsy with wrong. Or call his song untrue : For this, when they the goblet plied. And such rude taunt had chafed his pride. The Bard of Reull he slew. On Teviofs side, in fight they stood. And tuneful hands were stain'd with blood ; Where still the thom''s white branches wave. Memorial o*er his rival^s grave. XXXV. Why should I tell the rigid doom. That dragged my master to his tomb ; How Ousenam*s maidens tore their hair, Wept till their eyes were dead and dim, And wrung their hands for love of him. Who died at Jedwood Air ? He died ! — ^his scholars, one by one. To the cold silent grave are gone ; And I, alas ! survive alone. To muse o'er rivalries of yore. 1 See Appendix, Note 3 B. < See Appendix. Note 3 C. >d by Google Vanto IF, thk la«t mtnstrvl. 103 And grieve that I shall hear no more The strains, with envy heard before ; For, with my minstrel brethren fled. My jealousy of song is dead. Hb paused : the listening dames again Applaud the hoary Minstrers strain. With many a word of kindly cheer, — In pity hal^ and half sincere, — Marvelled the Duchess how so well His legendaiy song could telU- Of ancient deeds, so long foigot ; Of feuds^ whose memory was not ; Of forests, now laid waste and bare ; Of towers, which harbour now the hare ; Of manners, long since changed and gone ; Of chiefs, who under their gray stone So long had slept, that fickle Fame Had blotted from her rolls their name. And twined round some new minion*s head The &ding wreath for which they bled ; In sooth, Hwas strange, this old man's verse Could call them from their marble hearse. The Harper smiled, well-pleased ; for ne'er Was flattery lost on poet^ ear : A simple race ! they waste their toil For the vain tribute of a smile ; E^en when in age their flame expires. Her dulcet br^th can ian its fires : Digitized by VjOOQIC 104 LAY OF THB LAST MIN8TBBL. CondO 1 V Thee drooping fencj wakes at pndfe, And striyes to trim the ahort-lived blaza Smiled then, weD-pleaaed, the Aged Man. And thuf hif tsie rontlUiued nui< Digitized by VjOOQIC f 105 ] LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL, CANTO FIFTH. I. Call it uot vain : — ^they do not err, Who Bay, that when the Poet diet, Mute Nature moums her worshipper. And celebrates his obsequies : Who say, tall cliff, and cavern lone. For the departed Bard make moan : That mountains weep in crystal rill ; That flowers in tears of balm distil ; Through his loved groves that breezes sigh. And oalu, in deeper groan, reply ; And rivers teach their rushing wave To murmur dirges round his grave, TI. Not that, in sooth, o^er mortal urn Those things inanimate can mouni ; But that the stream, the wood, the gale. Is vocal with the plaintive wail Digitized by VjOOQIC 106 THBLAYOP G««to r. Of those, who, else forgotten long. Lived in the poet^s feithful song. And, with the poet's parting breath. Whose memory feels a second death. The Maid^ pale shade, who wails her l On many a courteous message went ; To every chief and lord they paid Meet thanks for prompt and powerful aid ; And told thenir-Jiow a truce was made. And how a day of fight was ta^en Twixt Musgraye and stout Deloraine ; And how the Ladye pray'd them dear. That all would stay the fight to see. And deign, in love and courtesy, To taste of Branksome cheer. Nor, while they bade to feast each Scot, Were England^s noble Lords foigot Himself, the hoary Seneschal Rode forth, in seemly terms to call Those gallant foes to Branksome Hall. Accepted Howard, than whom knight Was never dubbM, more bold in fight ; Koi^ when from war and armour free, More fruned for stately courtesy : But angry Dacre rather chose In his pavilion to repose. ^ See Appendix. Note3 l> Digitized by VjOOQIC C€Uao V. THE LAST IflNSTRBL. 109 VI. Now, noble Dame, perchance ^u aak. How these two hostile annies met ? Deeming it were no easy task To keep the truce which here was set ; Where martial spirits, ail on tire. Breathed only blood and mortal ire.-. By mutual inroads, mutual blows, By habit, and by nation, foes. They met on Teviot^s strand ; They met and sate them mingled down, WiUiout a threat, without a frown. As brothers meet in foreign land : The hands the spear that lately grasped. Still in the mailed gauntlet clasped. Were interchanged in greeting dear ; Visors were raised, and &ces shown. And many a friend, to friend made known Partook of social cheer. Some drove the jolly bowl about ; With dioe and draught some chased the day ; And some, with many a meny shout. In riot, revelry, and rout. Pursued the foot-baU play.^ VII. Yet, be it known, had bugles blown. Or sign of war been seen. Those bands, so fiiir together ranged. Those hands, so frankly interchanged. Had dyed with gore the green : > 8m Appendix, Note .1 B. Digitized by VjOOQIC 1 10 THB LAY OP Cemio F, Themeny shout by TeTiot-nde Had sunk in #ar-cries wild and wide. And in the groan of death ; And whingers,^ now in friendship bare. The social meal to part and share. Had found a bloody sheath. Twixt truce and war, such sudden change Was not infrequent, nor held strange. In the old Border^day :* But yet on Bnmksome^s towers and town. In peaceful merriment, sunk down The sun^s declining ray. VIII. The blithesome signs of wassel gay Decayed not with the dying day ; Soon through the latticed windows tall Of lofty Branksome^s lordly hall. Divided square by shafts of stone, Huge flakes of ruddy histre shone ; Nor less the gilded rafters rang With merry harp and beakers' clang : Aitd fr^uent, on the darkening plain, Loud hollo, whoop, or whistle ran. As bands, their stragglers to regain, Give the shrill watchward of their cliin And revellers, o'er their bowls, proclaim Dcuglas or IHicre's conquering name. 1 A sort of knife, or polnwd. s See Appendiz* Note 3 F. * See Appendix, Nole 3 O. Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto P: THE LAST MIN8TRKL. Ill IX. Leas firequent heard, and fainter still. At length the various clamours died : And you might hear, firom Branksome hill^ No sound but Teviot's rushing tide ; Save when the changing sentinel The challenge of his watch could tell ; And save, where, through the dark profound, The clanging axe and hammer *s sound Bung from the nether lawn ; For many a busy hand toil'd there. Strong pales to shape, and beams to square,' The lists* dread barriers to prepare Against the morrow^s dawn. X. Margaret from hall did soon retreat. Despite the Dame*s reproving eye ; Nor markM she, as she left her seat. Full many a stifled sigh ; For many a noble warrior strove To win the Flower of Teviot's love. And many a bold ally. — With throbbing head and anxious heart. All in her lonely bower apart. In broken sleep she lay : By times, from silken couch she rose ; While yet the banner^ hosts repose. She view'd the dawning day : Of all the hundreds sunk to rest. First woke the loveliest and the best ' rThis line is not in the fintt edition ) U Digitized by VjOOQIC ) 12 THS LAY OF Cb»ft> F* XI. She gazed upon the inner court, Which in the tower's tall shadow lay ; Where coursers' clang, and stamp, and SDori, Had rung the livelong yesterday : Now still as death ; till stalking slow^— The jingling spurs announced his tread, — A stately warrior pass'd below ; But when he raised his plumed head — BlessedMary! can it be?— Secure, as if m Ousenam bowers, He walks through Branksome's hostile towers, With fearless step and free. She dared not sign, she dared not speak-^ Oh ! if one page's slumbers break. His blood the price must pay ! Not all the pearls Queen Mary wears. Not Maigaret's yet more precious tears, Shall buy lus life a day. XII. Yet was his hazard small ; for well You may bethink you of the spell Of that sly urchin page ; This to his lord he did impart. And made him seem, by glamour art, Aknight from Hermitage. Unchallenged thus, the warder's post, . ITie court, unchallenged, thus he cro«'d. For all the vassalage: But O ! what magic's quaint disguise Could blind fisdr Margaret's azure eyes I She started from her scat ; While with surprise and fear she strove. Digitized by VjOOQIC CkUltO r. TH3 LAST MINtfTREL. 113 And both could scarcely master love — Lord Henry^B at her feet. XIII. Oft haye I miised, what purpose bod That foul malicious urchin had To bring this meeting round ; For happy love's a heavenly sight. And by a vile malignant sprite In such no joy is found ; And oft I've deem'd, perchance he thou^t Their erring passion might have wrought Sorrow, and sin, and shame ; And death to Cranstoun's gallant Knight, And to the gentle ladye bright, Di:?grace and loss of fiune. But earthly spirit could not tell fhe heart of them that lov'd so well. True love's the gift which God has given To man alone beneath the heaven It is not fantasy's hot fire. Whose wishes, soon as granted, f\y ; It liveth not in fierce desire. With dead desire it doth not die ; It is the secret S3rmpathy, The rilver link,^ the silken tie. Which heart to heart, an4 mind to mind, In body and in soul can bind. — ' \ln the first edition, " the sliver cord ;"— ** Yes, lore, indeed, is light from heaven t A spark of that immortal fire With angels shared, hy Alia given. To lift from earth our low desire," Ac Digitized by VjOOQIC 114 THE LAY OP Canto V Now leaye we Margaret and her Knight, To tell 70U of the approaching fight XIV. Their warning hlasts the bugles blew. The pipers shrill poit^ aroused each clan ; In haste the deadly strife to view. The trooping warriors eager ran : Thick round the lists their lances stood. Like blasted pines in Ettrick wood ; To Branksome many a look they threw. The combatants' approach to view, And bandied many a word of boast. About the knight each &yourM most XV. Meantime fiill anxious was the Dame \ For now arose disputed claim. Of who should fight for Deloraine, Twixt Harden and twixt Thirlestaine :* They 'gan to reckon kin and rent. And frowning brow on brow was bent ; But yet not long the strife — for, lo ! Himself the Knight of Deloraine, Strong, as it seemed, and fr«e from pain. In armour sheathed from top to toe. Appeared, and craved the combat due. I A martial piece of music, adapted to the bagpipes. * [It may be noticed that the late Lord Napier, the representa- tive of the Sootts of Thirlestane, was Lord Lieutenant of Selkirk- shire (of wliich the author was sheriff-depute) at the time when the poem was written ; the competitor for the honour )f sopplyinr Deloraine's place was the poet's own ancestor — Ed.1 Digitized by VjOOQIC CdtOO V . FHB LAST MIN8TRBL. [}t The Dame her charm succemfu] knew,* And the fierce chiefs their claims withdrew. XVI. When for the lists they sought the plain. The stately Ladye^s silken rein Did noble Howard hold ; Unarmed by her side he walk'd. And much, in courteous phrase, they talkM Of feats of arms of old. Crostly his garb — his Flemish ruff Fell o*er his doublet, shaped of buff. With satin slashed and lined ; Tawny his boot, and gold his spur. His cloak was all of Poland fur. His hose with silver twined ; His Bilboa blade, by Marchmen felt. Hung in a broad and studded belt ; Hence, in rude phrase, the Borderers still CaU'd noble Howard, Belted WilL XVII. Behind Lord Howard and the Dame, Fair Margaret on her palfirey came. Whose foot-cloth swept the ground ; White was her wimple, and her veil. And her loose locks a chaplet pale Of whitest roses bound ; The lordly Angus, by her side. In courtesy to cheer her tried ; Without his aid, her hand in vain Had strove to guide her broiderM rein. 1 See Canto iU. Stanza sxiU. gitized by Google 116 TUKLATOF CkuUu F He deemed, she shuddered at the sight Of warrion met for mortal fight ; But cause of terror, all unguessM, Was fluttering in her gentle breast, When, in their chairs of crimson placed. The Dame and she the barriers graced. XVIII. Prize of the field, the young Buccleuch, An English knight led forth to yiew ; Scarce rued the boy his present plight. So much he long'd to see the fight Within the lists, in knightly pride. High Home and haughty Dacre ride ; Their leading stafik of steel they wield. As marshals of the mortal field ; While to each knight their care asngnM Like Yantage of the sun and wind.^ Then heralds hoarse did loud proclium. Id King and Queen, and Warden^s naaie^. That none, while lasts the strife. Should dare, by look, or sign, or word* Aid to a champion to afford. On peril of his life ; And not a breath the silence broke, Till thus the alternate Heralds spdLO i — XIX. ENGLISH HBRALD. Here standeth Richard of Mu^grave, Good knight and true, and freely bom, Amends from Deloraine to crave. For foul despiteous scathe and scorn. I jThis couplet was added in the 2d edition. ' gtzed by Google Outlio F, THB LAST MINSTREL. 117 He sayeth, that William of Deloraine Ib traitor Mae by Border laws ; This with his sword he will maintain, So help him Qod, and his good cause t** XX. SCOTTISH HBRALD. *^ Here standeth William of Delonune, Qood knight and true, of noble strain. Who sajeth, that foul treason^s stain. Since he bore arms, ne^er soiled his coat ; And that, so help him God above I He will on Musgrave's body prove. He lies most foully in his throat.** — LORD DACRB. ** Forward, brave champions, to the fight F Sound trumpets P*— - LORD HOME. ^" God defend the right t *•— ' rhen, Teviot ! how thine echoes rang. When bugle-sound and trumpet-clang Let loose the martial foes. And in mid list, with shield poised high* And measured step and wary eye. The combatants did dose. XXI, HI would it suit your gentle ear. Ye lovely listeners, to hear > LAfter this, in the ftnt edition, we read only, " At the last words, with deadly blows, The ready warriors fiercely close."— Ed. Digitized by VjOOQIC 118 THB LAY OP Canlo V How to the axe the helms did sound, And blood pourM down from many a wound; For desperate was the strife and long, And either warrior fierce and strong. But, were each dame a listening knight, I well could tell how warriors fight ! For I have seen war^s lightning flashing. Seen the claymore with bayonet clashing. Seen through red blood the war-horse dashing. And scorned, amid the reeling strife. To yield a step for death or life. XXII. *Ti8 done, ^s done ! that fetal blow Has stretched him on the bloody plain ; He strives to rise — Brave Muqgrave, no ! Thence never shalt thou rise again ! He chokes in blood — some friendly hand Undo the visoi^s barred bond. Unfix the goiget's iron clasp, And give him room for life to gasp ! — O, bootless aid I — Chaste, holy Friar,' Haste, ere the sinner shall expire ! Of all his guilt let him be shriven. And smooth his path from earth to heaven ! XXIII. In haste the holy Friar sped ; — His naked foot was dyed with red. As through the lists he ran ; Unmindful of the shouts on high. That hailed the conqueror^s victory. He raised the dying man ; CFirat edition, ** In vaxn—tn. vaxn I luuite, hof; Fnar.**) Digitized by VjOOQIC CUffto V, TUB LAST MIN8TR£i> U9 Loose wayed his silver beard and hair. As o*er him he kneePd down in prayer ; And still the crucifix on high He holds before his darkening eye ; And still he bends an anxious ear, His faltering penitence to hear ; Still props him from the bloody sod. Still, even when soul and body part. Pours ghostly comfort on his heart. And bids him trust in God ! Unheard he prays y — ^the death-pang^s o er ! * Richard of Mu%;nve breathes no more. XXIV. As if exhausted in the fight. Or musing o*er the piteous sight. The silent victor stands ; His beaver he did not unclasp. Harked not the shouts, felt not the grasp Of gratulating hands. When lo t strange cries of wild surprise, Mingled with seeming terror, rise Among the Scottish bands ; And all, amid the throng'd array. In panic haste gave open way To a half-naked ghastly man. Who downward from ^e castle ran : He crossed the barriers at a bound. And wild and haggard look'd around. As dizzy, and in pain ; And all, upon the armed ground. Knew William of Deloraine ! ' iOrtff.—" Unheard he prays ;— 'ttf c^er, 'Us oer r\ Digitized by VjOOQIC 180 THB LAY OF Canto V Each ladye sprung from seat with speed ; Vaulted each marshal from ])is steed ; " And who art thou," they cried, ** Who hast this battle fought and won ? ** His plumed helm was soon undone — ** Cranstoun of Teviot side I For this &ir prize iVe fought and won,**.- And to the Ladye led her son. XXV. Full oft the rescued boy she kiss^d^ And often pressed him to her breast ; For, under all her dauntless show. Her heart had throbbed at every blow ; Yet not Lord Cranstoun deignM she greet. Though low he kneeled at her feet. Me lists not tell what words were made. What Douglas, Home, and Howard, said — — ^For Howard was a generous foe — And how the clan united prayed The Ladye would the feud forego, And deign to bless the nuptial hour Of CranBtoun^ Lord and Teyiot's Flower. XXVI. She look'd to river, look'd to hiU, Thought on the Spirit's pirophecy. Then broke her silence stem and still, — ** Not you, but Fate, has vanqmsh^d me ; Their influence kindly stars may shower On Teviot^ tide and Branksome^ tower. For pride is quell'd, and love is free." She took fair Margaret by the hand. Who, breathless, trembling, scarce might stand ; Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto V. THE LAST MINSTREL. 12^ That naiid to Cranstoun's lord gave she : — ^ As I am trae to thee and thine. Do thou he true to me and mine ! This clasp of love our hond shall he ; For this is your hetrothing day. And all these nohle lords shaU stay. To grace it with their company."— XXVII. All AS they left the listed plain. Much of the story she did gain ; How Cranstoim fought with Deloraine. And of his page, and of the Book Which from the wounded knight he took \ And how he sought her castle high. That mom, hy help of gramarve ; How, in Sir William's armour dight. Stolen hy his page, while slept the knight. He took on him the single fight. But half his tale he left unsaid. And linger''d till he joinM the maid — • Cared not the Ladye to hetray Her mystic arts in view of day ; But well she thought, ere midnight came. Of that strange page the pride to tame. From his foul hands the Book to save. And send it hack to MichaePs grave. — Needs not to tell each tender word Twixt Margaret and 'twixt Cranstoun's lord ; Nor how she told of former woes. And how her bosom fell and rose. While he and Musgrave himdied blows — Needs not these lover's joys to tell : One day, fair maids, you'U know them welL Digitized by VjOOQIC fB2 THKLAYOP Canto V, XXVIII. William of Deloraine some chance Had wakenM from his deathlike trance And taught that, in the listed plain. Another, in his arms and shield. Against fierce Musgrave axe did wield. Under the name of Deloraine. Hence, to the field, miarm^d, he ran. And hence his presence scared the clan. Who held him for some fleeting wraith,* And not a man of blood and breath. Not much this new ally he loved. Yet, when he saw what hap had proved. He greeted him right heartilie : He would not waken old debate. For he was void of rancorous hate. Though rude, and scant of courteBy ; In raids he spilt but seldom blood, Unlesi when men-at-anns withstood. Or, as was meet, for deadly feud. He ne*er bore grudge for stalwart blow, ra*en in £ur fight from gallant foe : And so twas seen of him, e^en now. When on dead Mu^giave he lookM down ; Grief darkened on his rugged brow. Though half disguised with a frown ; And thus, while sorrow bent his head. His foeman*s epitaph he made. XXIX. ** Now, Richard Musgrave, liest thou here I ween, my deadly enemy ; ' The spectral apparition of a living perton Digitized by VjOOQIC Cdnto F. THE LAST MINSTREL. 128 Foi, if I slew thy brother dear. Thou slew^st a sister^s son to me ; And when I lay in dungeon dark, Of Naworth Castle, long months three. Till ransomed for a thousand mark. Dark Mu^grave, it was long of thee. And, Musgiaye, could our fig^t be tried. And thou wert now alive, as I, No mortal man should us divide. Till one, or both of us, did die : Yet rest thee God I for well I know I ne'er shall find a nobler foe. * In all the northern counties here. Whose word is Snaffle, spur, and spear,^ Thou wert the best to follow gear I Twas pleasure, as we lookM behind. To see how thou the chase could'st wind. Cheer the dark blood-hound on his way. And with the bugle rouse the fray !* I'd give the lands of Deloraine, Dark Musgrave were alive again.'' — XXX. So moum'd he, till Lord Dacre's band Were bowning back to Cumberland. They raised brave Musgrave from the field. And laid him on his bloody shield ; On levell'd lances, four and four. By turns, the noble burden bore. " The lands, that oyer Ouse to Berwick forth do bear, HaTe for their blazon had, the inafile, spur, and tpeai. Poly-AMon, Song Id. s See Appendix. Note .3 H. >d by Google 124 THE LA7 OF Conlo V. Before, at times, upon the gale, Waa heard the MiustrePs plaintiYe waU ; Behind, four priests, in sable stole. Sung requiem for the warrior^ soul : Around, the horsemen slowly rode ; With trailing pikes the spearmen trode ; And thus the gallant knight they bore. Through Liddesdale to Leven's shore ; rhence to Holme Coltrame^s lofty nave. And laid him in his flEither's grave. Thb harp^s wild notes, though hushM the song, The mimic march of death prolong ; Now seems it &r, and now a-near. Now meets, abd now eludes the ear ; Now seems some mountain side to sweep. Now faintly dies in valley deep ; Seems now as if the Minstrers wail. Now the sad requiem, loads the gale ; Last, o'er the warrior's closing grave. Rung the full choir in choral stave. After due pause, they bade him tell. Why he, who touch'd the harp so well. Should thus, with ill-rewarded toil. Wander a poor and thankless soil. When the more generous Southern Liind Would well requite his skilful hand. The Aged Harper, howsoever His only friend, his harp, was dear. Digitized by VjOOQIC CkuOO V, THB LAST MINSTRBU 125 Liked not to hear it ranked so high Above his flowing poes j : Less liked he still, that scornful jeer Misprised the land he loved so dear ; . High was the sound, as thus again The Bard reEumed his minstrel itnun. Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by LjOOQ IC r 127 J LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL CANTO SIXTH. I. Brbatubs there the nian, with soul so dead« Who never to himself hath said. This is my own, my native land ! Whose heart hath ne^er within him hum*d« As home his footsteps he hath turned. From wandering on a foreign strand ! If such there breathe, go, mark him well ; For him no Minstrel raptures swell ; High though his titles, proud his name. Boundless his wealth as wish can claim ; Despite those titles, power, and pelf. The wretch, concentred all in self. Living, shall forfeit fair renown. And, doubly dying, shall go down To the vile dust, from whence he sprung. Unwept, unhonour^d, and unsung. T Digitized by VjOOQIC 128 THE LAY OF CatUO VI. II. O Caledonia! stem and wild. Meet nurse for a poetic child I Land of brown heath and shaggy wood, . ^ Land of the mountain and the flood. Land of my sires ! what mortal hand. Can e*er imtie the filial band. That knits me to thy rugged strand ! Still, as I view each well-known scene. Think what is now, and what hath been. Seems as, to me, of all bereft. Sole friends thy woods and streams were left ; And thus I love them better still. Even in extremity of ilL By Yarrow^s streams still let me stray. Though none should guide my feeble way I Still feel the breeze down Ettrick break. Although it chill my wither^ cheek ; Still lay my head by Teviot Stone,> Though there, forgotten and alone. The Bard may draw his parting groan. IIL Kot scomM like me ! to Branksome HaU The Minstrels came, at fest^re call ; Trooping they came, from near and fiir. The jovial priests of mirth and war ; Alike for feast and fight prepared. Battle and banquet both they shared. Of late, before each martial clan They blew their death-note in the van. > [The line " Stm lap my head,*' ^cc. was not ia Um flnt edition.— £o.) Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto VI. THE LAST MIN8TKBL. 129 But now, for every merry mate. Rose the portcullis^ iron grate ; They sound the pipe, they strike the string. They dance, they revel, and they sing. Till the rude turrets shake and ring. IV. Me lists not at this tide declare The splendour of the spousal rite, How muster'd in the chapel fair Both maid and matron, squire and knight ; Me lists not tell of owches rare. Of mantles green, and braided hair. And kirtles fiirr'd with miniver ; What plumage waved the altar round. How spurs and ringing chainlets sound : And hard it were for bard to speak The changeful hue of Maigaret^ cheek ; That lovely hue which comes and flies, As awe and shame alternate rise I V. Some bards have sung, the Ladye high Chapel or altar came not nigh ; Nor durst the rights of spousal grace, So much she fear'd each holy place. False slanders these : — I trust right well She wrought not by flnrbidden spell ;* For mighty words and signs have power 0*er sprites in planetary hour : Yet scarce I praise their venturous port. Who tamper with such dangerous art. ) S«e Appendix, Note d i. Digitized by VjOOQIC 130 THE LAY OP CafUo VI, But this for feithful truth I sav. The Ladye by the altar stood. Of sable velvet her array. And on her head a crimson hood. With pearls embroider^ and entwineil, Guarded with gold, with ermine lined ; A merlin sat upon her wrist,* Held by a leash of silken twist. VI. The spousal rites were ended soon : Twas now the merry hour of noon. And in the lofty arched hall Was spread the goigeous festival. Steward and squire, with heedftil haste, Marshaird the rank of every guest ; Pages, with ready blade, were there. The mighty meal to carve and share : O^er capon, heron-shew, and crane. And princely peacock^s gilded train. And o*er the boar-head, garnish 'd brave,* And cygnet from St. Mary's wave ;• O^er ptarmigan and venison. The priest had spoke his benison. Then rose the riot and the din. Above, beneath, without, within ! For, from the lofty balcony, Rv^lg trumpet, shalm, and psaltery : 1 See Appendix, Note 3 K. * See Appendix, Note 3 L. s There are often flight! of wild iwans upon St Mary's Lake, at the head of the rirer Yarrow. [See Wordaworth't Varrott ** The Swan on itill St. Marj'i Lake Vloats double. Swa:: and shadow.**— Kii. i Digitized by VjOOQIC OaulO VI, THI LAST MINirrRBL. 131 Their clanging bowls old warriors quafTd^ Loudly they spoke, and loudly laughM ; Whisper'd young knights, in tone more mild. To ladies fjedr, and ladies smiled. The hooded hawks, high perchM on beam. The clamour join'd with whistling scream. And flapped their wings, and shook their bells. In concert with the stag-hounds' yells. Round go the flasks of ruddy wine. From Bourdeaux, Orleans, or tlie Rhine ; Their tasks the busy sewers ply. And all is mirth and revelry. VII. The Goblin-Page, omitting still No opportunity of ill. Strove now, while blood ran hot and high. To rouse debate and jealousy ; Till Conrad, Lord of Wolfenstein, By nature fierce, and warm with wine. And now in humour highly crossed. About some steeds his band had lost. High words to words succeeding still. Smote, with his gauntlet, stout Hunthill ;' A hot and hardy Rutherford, Whom men called Dickon Draw-th&-sword. He took it on the pagers saye, Hunthill had driven these steeds away. Then Howard, Home, and Douglas rose. The kmdling discord to compose : Stem Rutherford right little said. But bit his glove,* and shook his head.-— > 1 See Appendix, Note 3 M. • See Appendix. Note 3 N. >d by Google 182 THB LAY OP Ckmio VI, A fortnight thence, in Inglewood^ « Stout Conrade, cold, and drench^ in blood. His bosom gored with many a wound. Was by a woodman^s lyme-dog found ; Unknown the manner of his death. Gone was his brand, both sword and sheatb ; . But ever from that time, *twas said. That Dickon wore a Cologne blade. VIII. The dwarf, who feax^d his master^s eye Might his foul treachery espie, Now sought the castle buttery. Where many a yeoman, bold and free, Revell'(l as merrily and well As those that sat in lordly selle. Watt Tinlinn, there, did frankly raiiie The pledge to Arthur Fire-the-Braes ;' And he, as by his breeding bound. To Howard^s merry-men sent it round. To quit them, on the English side. Red Roland Forster loudly cried, •* A deep carouse to yon feir bride !'' — At every pledge, from vat and pail, Foam'd forth in floods the nut-brown aia ; While shout the riders every one ; Such day of mirth ne^er cheer*d their clan. Since old Buccleuch the name did gain. When in the cleuch the buck was ta^en.* 1 The person bearing this redoubtable nom de guerre was an fU* liot, and resided at Thorleshope, in Liddesdale He occurs in X\%m list of Border riders, in 1597. « [See Appendix, Note 3 01 >d by Google Ckmio VI, VHB last minstrel 133 IX. I1ie wily page, witii Tengeful thought. Remembered him of Tinlirai's yew. And swore, it should be dearly bought That ever he the arrow drew. First, he the yeoman did molest. With bitter gibe and taunting jest ; Told, how he fled at Solway strife. And how Hob Armstrong cheerM his wife ; Then, shunning still his powerful arm. At unawares he wrought him harm ; From trencher st Thk burden ia adopted, with ■orae alteration, from an old Boottiah wng, beginning thna :— " She lean'd her back against a thorn. The ran ahines faSx on Carlisle wa' : And there she has her young babe bom. And the Iron shall be lord of a'" Digitized by Google OintO VI, THE LAST MINSPREL- 135 XII. That wiije she had not tasted well, (The sun shines fair on Carlisle wall,) When dead, in her true love's arms, she fell. For Love was still the lord of all ! He pierced her brother to the heart. Where the sun shine« fair on Carlisle wall :-^ So perish all would true love part. That Love may still be lord of all ! And then he took the cross divine, (Where the sun shmes fiur on Carlisle wall,) And died for her sake in Palestine, So Love was still the lord of all. Now all ye lovers, that faithful prove, (The sun shines feir on Carlisle wall,) Pray for their souls who died for love. For Love shall still be lord of all I XIII. As ended Albert^s simple lay. Arose a bard of loftier port ; For sonnet, rhyme, and roundelay. Renowned in haughty Henry's court fhere rung thy harp, uniivall'd long, Fitztraver of the silver song ! The gentle Surrey loved his lyro — Who has not heard of Surrey's fitme I* ' His was the hero's soul of fire. And his the bard's immortal name. *■ Sft« Appendix, Note 3 Q. Digitized by VjOOQIC 136 THE LAY or tkmio F/. And his was lore, exalted high. By all the glow of chivalry. XIV. They sought, together, climes afiir. And oft, within some olive grove. When even came with twinkling star. They sung of Surrey's absent love. His step the Italian peasant stay'd^ And deemM, that spirits from on high. Round where some hermit saint whs laid. Were breathing heavenly melody : So sweet did harp and voice combine,' To praise the name of Geraldine. XV. Fitztraver ! O what tongue may say nrhe pangs thy faithful bosom knew. When Surrey, of the deathless lay, UngratefiU Tudor's sentence slew ? Regardless of the tyrant's frown. His harp call'd wrath and vengeance down. He left, for Naworth's iron towers, Windsor's green glades, and courtly bowers, And faithful to his patron's name. With Howard still Fitztraver came ; Lord William's foremost £eivourite he, And chief of all his minstreUy. XVI. FITZTRAVER. Twas All-soul's eve, and Surrey's heart beat high He heard the midnight bell with anxious start, » {Firtt Bdit.^** So iweet their harp and voices foin.**! ■gitized by Google CarUo VI. the last minstrel. 137 Which told the mystic hour, approaching nigh. When wise Cornelius promised, by his art, To show to him the ladye of his heart. Albeit betMrixt them roar'd the ocean grmi ; Yet so the sage had hight to play his part. That he should see her form in life and limb. And mark, if still she loved, and still she thought of him. XVII. Dark was the vaulted room of gramarye. To which the wizard led the gallant Knight, Save that before a mirror, huge and high, A hallowM taper shed a glimmering light On mystic implements of magic might, On cross, and character, and talisman. And almagest, and altar, nothing bright : For fitful was the lustre, pale and wan. As watchlight by the bed of some departing man. XVIII. But soon, within that mirror huge and high. Was seen a self-emitted light to gleam ; And forms upon its breast the Earl *gan spy. Cloudy and indistinct, as feverisli dream ; Till, slow arranging, and defined, they seem To form a lordly and a lofty room. Part lighted by a lamp with silver beam. Placed by a couch ofAgra^s silken loom, And part by moonshine pale, and part was hid in gloom XIX. Fair all the pageant — ^but how passing fair The slender form, which lay on couch of Ind * Digitized by VjOOQIC l38 THE LAY OF CaHtO Vi O'er her white bosom stray 'd her hazel hair. Pale her dear cheek, as if for love she pined ; All in her night-robe loose she lay reclined, And pensive read from tablet ebumine. Some strain that seem'd her inmost soul to find :.. That fevour'd strain was Surrey's raptured lir:e. That fair and lovely form, the Lady Geraldine. XX. Slow roird the clouds upon the lovely form. And swept the goodly vision all away — So royal envy roll*d the murky storm O'er my beloved Master's glorious day. Thou jealous, ruthless tyrant I Heaven repay On thee, and on thy children's latest line. The wild caprice of thy despotic sway, The gory bridal bed, the plunder'd shrine. The murder'd Surrey's blood, the tears of Geraldine. XXI. Both Scots, and Southern chiefs, prolong Applauses of Fitztraver's song ; These hated Henry's name as death. And those still held the ancient faith. — Then, from his seat, with lofty air. Rose Harold, bard of brave St. Clair ; St. Clair, who, feasting high at Home, Had with that lord to battle come. Harold was boni where restless seas Howl round the storm-swept Orcades ;* Where erst St. Clairs held princely sway O'er isle and islet, strait and bay ; > 8ee Appendix. Note 3 B. Digitized byCjOOQlC Otnto VJ. THE LAST MINSTRXL. 1 39 Still nods their palace to its fall. Thy pride and sorrow, feir Kirkwall ! — ' Thence oft he mark'd fierce Pentland rave, As if grim Odin rode her wave ; And watch'd, the whilst, with visage pale. And throbbing heart, the struggling sail ; For all of wonderful and wild Had rapture for the lonely child. XXII. And nuich of wild and wonderful In these rude isles might &ncy cull ; For thither came, in times afar. Stem Lochlin*s sons of roving war. The Norsemen, trained to spoil and blood, Skiird to prepare the raven's food ; Kings of the main their leaders brave, Their barks the dragons of the wave,^ And there, in many a stormy vale. The Scald had told his wondrous tale ; And many a Runic column high Had witnessed grim idolatoiy. And thus had Harold, in his youth, • Leam'd many a Saga's rhyme uncouth,— Of that Sea-Snake, tremendous curPd, Whose monstrous circle girds the world ; Of those dread Maids, whose hideous yell Maddens the battle's bloody swell ; Of Chiefs, who, guided through the gloom By the pile death-lights of the tomb, 1 See Aiipendix, Note 3 S. ' The chiefs of the Vakingr, or Scandinavian jiirates, aKamad the title of Scekofnungrt or Sea-kings. Ships, in the inflated Ian- Kuage of the S^ds. are often termed the serpents of the ocean. Digitized by VjOOQIC 140 THE LAV OP Camio VJ Ransacked the graves of warriors old, Xheir falchions wrench'd from corpses' hold,* Waked the deaf tomb with war's alarms. And bade the dead arise to arms ! With war and wonder aU on flame^ To Roslin's bowers young Harold came. Where, by sweet glen and greenwood tree. He leam'd a milder minstrelsy ; Yet something of the Northern spell Mix'd with the softer numbers welL XXIII. HAROLD. O listen, listen, ladies gay ! No haughty feat of arms I tell ; Soft is the note, and sad the lay. That mourns the lovely Rosabelle.* — *« Moor, moor the barge, ye gallant crew ! And, gentle ladye, deign to stay ! Rest thee in Castle Ravensheuch,* Nor tempt the stormy firth to-day. " The blackening wave is edged with white ; To inch* and rock the searmews fly ; 1 See Appendix, Note 3 T. • This was a family name in the honse of St Clair. Henry 8t. Clair, the second of the line, married Bosabclle, fourth daughter ol theEarlofStratheme. _ in i. 3 A large and strong castle, now ruinous, situated betwixt Kirk- Rldy and Dysart, on a steep crag, washed by the Foth of Forth. It was conferred on Sir WUliam St. Clair, as a slight compensation for the earldom of Orkney, by a charter of King James 111., dated hi 1471, and is now the property of Sir James St. Clair Erskine, (now Earl of Rosslyn,) representative of the family. It was long a prte^ tlpal residence of the Barons of Roslin. I fnck. Isle. Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto VI. THE LAST MINOTREI.. 141 The fishers have heard the Water-Sprite, Whose screams forbode that wreck is nigh. ** Last night the gifted Seer did view A wet shroud swathed ^ round ladye gay ; Then stay thee, Fair, in Ravensheuch : Why cross the gloomy firth to-day ?'* ** Tis not because Lord Lindesay^ heir To-night at Boslin leads the ball. But that my ladye-mother there .Sits lonely in her castle-hall. " Tis not because the ring they ride, And Lindesay at the ring rides well. But that my sire the wine will chide,. If tis not fiU'd by RoeabeUe."— O^er Roslin all that dreary night, A wondrous blaze was seen to gleam ; Twas broader than the watch-fires light. And redder than the bright moon-beom. It glared on Roslin's castled rock. It ruddied^ aU the copse-wood glen ; Twas seen from Dryden's groves of oak. And seen from cavemM Hawthomden. SeemM all on fire that chapel proud. Where Roslin's chieft uncofifin'd lie, Each Baron, for a sable shroud. Sheathed in his iron panoply. • iFirii Edit. "A wet shroud rolTd.'*^ •iPirstBdU. " li reddened," Scc^ Digitized by VjOOQIC 142 THVLATOP Canto VL SeemM all on fire within, around. Deep aacristy^ and altar^s pale ; Shone every pillar foliage-bound. And glunmer^d all the dead men's mail.' Blazed battlement and pinnet high. Blazed every rose-carved buttress fair — So still they blaze, when &te is nigh The lordly line of high St Clair. There are twenty of Roslin^s barons bold Lie buried within that proud chapelie ; Each one the holy vault doth hold-- But the sea holds lovely Rosabelle ! And each St. Clair was buried there. With candle, with book, and with knell ; But the searcaves rung, and the wild winds Hung,' The diige of lovely Rosabelle. XXIV. So sweet was Harold's piteous lay, Scarce marked the guests the darkened hall. Though, long before the sinking day, A wondrous fehade involved them all : It was not eddying mist or fog. Drained by the sun from fen or bog ; Of no eclipse had sages told ; And yet, as it came on apace. Each one could scarce his neighbour's face, Could scarce his own stretch'd hand behold. ^iFirstEdtt *• Both yaulted crypC *c.J « See Appendix, Note 3 U. s Ftrtt hkilt. " But the Kelpie ninfi aiid the Mermaids tuns.* ", Digitized by VjOOQIC Citnto Vt. THE LAST MINRTRBf.. I43 A secret horror checked the feast. And chilled the soul of every guest ; Even the high Dame stood half aghast, She knew some evil on the blast ; The elvish page fell to the ground. And, shuddering, mutter'd, " Found I found !" XXV. Then sudden, through the darkened air A flash of lightning came ; So broad, so bright, so red the glare. The castle seem*d on flame. Glanced every rafter of the hall. Glanced every shield upon the wall ; Each trophied beam, each sculptured stone. Were instant seen, and instant gone ; Full through the guests* bedazzled band Resistless flashed the levin-brand. And filled the hall with smouldering smoke> As on the elvish page it broke. It broke, with thunder long and loud. Dismayed the brave, appaird the proua,-. From sea to sea the larum rung ; On Berwick wall, and at Carlisle withal. To arms the startled warders sprung. When ended was the dreadful roar, The elvish dwarf was seen no more ! XXVI. Some heard a voice in Branksome Hall, Some saw a sight, not seen by all ; That dreadful voice was heard by some. Cry, with loud summons, " Gvlbin, comb *" K Digitized by VjOOQIC 144 THS LAY OF Conto VI And on the spot where bunt the bnmd. Just where the page had flung him down. Some saw an aim, and some a hand. And some the waving of a gown, rhe guests in silence prayM and shook. And terror dimmed each lofty look. But none of all the astonished train Was so dismayed as Deloraine ; His blood did freeze, his brain did bum, *Twas fearM his mind would ne*er return ; For he was speechless, ghastly, wan. Like him of whom the story ran. Who spoke the spectre-hound in Man.^ At length, by fits, he darkly told. With broken hint and shuddering cold... That he had seen, right certainly, A shape toith amioe wrapped arouTtd, With a tDTOught Spaniah baldric bound, Ldhe pilffHm/ram beyond the tea; And knew — ^but how it mattered noU^ It was the wizard, Michael Scott XXVII; The anxious crowd, with horror pale. All trembling heard the wondrous tale ; No sound ^os made, no word was spoke. Till noble Angus silence broke ; And he a solemn sacred plight Did to St. Bride of Douglas make,' That he a pilgrimage would take To Melrobe Abbey, for the sake Of MichaePs restless sprite. > See Appendix, Note 3 X. « See Appendix. Note 3 Y Digitized by VjOOQIC CaidO VI. THE LAST MIN8TRBL. l45 fhen each, to each his troubled breast. To some blessM saint his prayers addressM : Some to St. Modan made their vows. Some to St. Mary of the Lowes, Some to the Holy Rood of Lisle, Some to our Ladye of the Isle ; Each did his patron witness make. That he such pilgrimage would take. And Monks should sing, and bells should toll. All for the weal of MichaePs soul. While vows were ta'en, and prayers were prav'd^ Tis said the noble dame, di^ay^d. Renounced, for aye, dark magic*s aid* XXVIIl. Nought of the bridal will I tell. Which after in short space befell ; Nor how brave sons and daughters &ir BlessM Teviot's Flower and Cranstoun^s heir : After such dreadful scene, twere vain To wake the note of mirth again. More meet it were to mark the day Of penitence and prayer divine. When pilgrim-chiefs, in sad army. Sought Melrose* holy shrine. • XXIX. With naked foot, and sackcloth vest. And arms enfolded on his breast. Did every pilgrim go ; The standers-by might hear uneath. Footstep, oir voice, or high-drawn breathy Through all the lengthen^ row : Digitized by VjOOQIC 146 THB LAY OP Canto Vt, No lordly look, nor martial stride, Gone was their glory, sunk their pride. Forgotten their renown ; Silent and slow, like ghosts they glide To the high altar's hallow'd side. And there they knelt them down : Above the suppliant chieftains wave The banners of departed brave ; Beneath the lettered stones were laid The ashes of their fathers dead ; From many a garnish 'd niche around. Stem saints and tortured martyrs frownM. XXX. And slow up the dim aisle aiar. With sable cowl and scapular. And snow-white stoles, in order due. The holy Fathers, two and two. In long procession came ; Taper, and host, and book they bare, And holy banner, flourish'd fair With the Redeemer's name. Above the prostrate pilgrim band The mitred Abbot streteh'd his hand. And bless'd them as they kneeVd ; With holy cross he sign'd them all. And pray'd they might be sage in hall. And fortunate in field. Then mass was sung, and prayers were aaid« And solemn requiem for the dead ; And bells tolPd out their mighty peal. For the departed spirit's weal ; And ever in the office close T^e hvmn of intercession rose ; ^ Digitized by VjOOQ IC (^nto y/, THE LAST MINKTRBL. 1 47 And far the echoing aisles prolong The awfiil burthen of the song, Dibs ira, dibs illa, solvbt s^clum in pa villa ; While the pealing organ rung ; Were it meet with sacred strain To close my lay, so light and vain. Thus the holy Fathers sung. XXXI. HTMN FOR THB OBAO. That day of wrath, that dreadful day. When heaven and earth shall pass away. What power shall he the sinner's stay ? How shall he meet that dreadful day ? When, shrivelling like a parched scroll. The flaming heavens together roll ; When louder yet, and yet more dread. Swells the high trump that wakes the dead i Oh ! on that day, that wrathftil day. When man to judgment wakes from clay. Be Thou the trembling sinner's stay. Though heaven and earth shall pass away \ Hush'o is the harp — the Minstrel gone And did he wander forth alone ? Alone, in indigence and age. To linger out his pilgrimag« ? >d by Google 14B THE -LAY OP Cantn VI No: — close beneath proud Newark's to\ver»* Arose the MinstrePs lowly bower ; A simple hut ; but there was seen The little garden hedged with green. The cheerful hearth, and lattice clean. There shelter'd wanderers, by the blaz*» Oft heard the tale of other days ; For much he loved to ope his door. And give the aid he begg''d^)efore. So passed the winter's day ; but still, AVhen summer smiled on sweet Bowhill,^ And July's eve, with balmy breath. Waved the blue bells on Newark heath ; Wlien throstles sung in Harehead-shaw, And com was green on Carterhaugh,' And flourish'd, broad, Blackandro's oak. The aged Harper's soul awoke ! - L*" the Tale unfolds Rich groves of lofty stature, With Yarrow winding through the pomp Of cultivated nature ; And, rising from those lofty groves, Behold a ruin hoary. The shattered front of Newark's towers. Renown'd in Border story. '* Fair scenes for chilhood's opening gloom^ For sportive youth to stray in ;- For manhood to enjoy his strength And age to wear away in," &c. WoRDStvoRTH's Yarvow VisilodA s [Bowhill is now, as has been mentioned already, a sent of the Duke of Buccleuch. It stands immediately below Newark Hili, and above the Junction of the Yarrow and the Ettrick. For ^he other places jiamed in the text, the reader is referred to various ootes on the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border.— Ed.] ' <}riff. — " And grain uxxvedffreen on CnrteThauah."1 Digitized by VjOOQIC Canto VI. THK L^ST MlNKl'KKL. U^ Then would he sing achievements high, And circumstance of chivalry. Till the rapt traveller would stay, Foigetful of the closing day; And noble youths, the strain to heai. Forsook the hunting of the deer ; And Yarrow, as he rolled along. Bore burden to the Minstrers scug. Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC I 1»» 1 APPJiNDIX. Note A. Newark's stateip tower.— P. 26. i'* Thb is a maasire square tower, now unroofed and rulncuTs mnrouiided by an outward wall, defended by round flanking tur- rets. It is most beautiftilly situated, about three miles from Sel- kirk, upon the hanks of the Yarrow, a fierce and precipitous stream, which unites with the Ettrick about a mile beneath the castle. 1 "Newark Castle was built by James II. The rpyal arms, with the nnicom, are engraved on a stone in the western side of the tower. There was a much more ancient castle in its immediate ▼idnity, called Auldwark, founded, it is said, by Alexander III. Both jren designed for the royal residence when tiie King was dis- posed to take his pleasure in the extensive forest of Ettrick. Various grants occur in the records of the Privy Seal, bestowing the keeping of the Castle of Newark upon different barons. There is a popular tradition, that it was once seized, and held out by the outlaw Murray, a notra character in song, who only surrendered Newark upon condition of being made hereditary sheriff of the forest. ▲ long ballad, containing an account of this transac- 1 [The Vignette which embellishes this volume gives Newark as «ketched in 1831, by Mr. Tiimer.l >d by Google 152 APPBNDIX T«) THB Ikm, is preserTed in the 'Border Minstrelsy,' (rol. i. p. d6P. ) Upon the marriage of James IV. with Mai^garet, sister of Henry VIII., the Castle of Newark, with the whole Forest of Ettricl^ was assigned to her as a part of her jointure lands. But of this she could make little adrantage ; for, after the death of her husband, she is found complaining heavily, that Bucdeuch had seized upon these lands. Indeed, the office of keeper was latterly held by the family of Buccleuch, and with so firm a grasp, that when the Forest of Ettrick was disparked, they obtained a grant of the Castle of Newark in proper^. It was within the court-yard of this Castle that General Lesly did military execution upon the prisoners whom he had taken at the battle of Philiphaugh. The castle continued to be an occasional seat of the Buccleuch family for more than a century ; and here, it is said, the Duchess of Monmouth and Buc- cleuch was brought up. For this reason, probably, Mr. Scott has chosen to make it the scene in which the ' Lay of the Last Min< •trel* is recited in her presence, and for her amusement.**— ScHKTKY*8 Illustrations qfthe Lay qfOie Last MinstreL It mar be added, that Bowhill was the favourite re&idenoe of Lord and Lady Dalkeith, (afterwards Duke and Duchess of Buc- cleuch,) at the time when the poem was composed ; the ruins of Newark are all but included in the park attached to that modem seat of the funily ; and Sir Walter Scott, no doubt, was influenceo in his choice of the locality, by the predilection of the charming lady who su^;ested the subject of his *' Lay" for the sooiery of tlie Yarrow— a beautiful walk on whose banks, leading from the houM to the old castle, is called, in memory of her, the DudUs^ tVaXk. — Ed.1 NotkB. The feast was ever in Bran/csome tower.^P. 29l In the reign of James I., Sir William Scott of Buccleuch, ehlet of the clan bearing that name, exchanged, with Sir Thomas Ingiis of Manor, the estate of Murdiestone, in Lanarkshire, fbr one-half of the barony of Branksome, or Brankholm,!. lying upon the Teviot, about three miles above Hawick. «He was probably in- duced to this transaction from the vicinity of Branksome to th« 1 Branxholm is the proper name of the barony ; but Bxtmksome has been adopted, as suitable to the pronunciation, and more pro ner for poetry. Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THI LAST MINSTREL. 153 exteDRive domain which he poneswd in Ettrick Forert aad in Teviotdale. In the former district he held hj occnpancy the estate of Bncclench,! and much of the forest land on the rirer Ettrick. In Teviotdale, he enjoyed the barony of Eckford, by a irrantfrom Robert II. to his ancestdr. Walter Scott of Kirkurd. for the apprehending of Gilbert Ridderford, confirmed by Robert III., 3d May, 1424. Tradition imputes the exchange betwixt Scott and Inglis to a couTersation, in which the latter, a man, it would appear, of a mild and forbearing nature, complained much of the injuries which he was exposed to fh)m the English Bor- derers, who frequently plundered his lands of Branksome. Sir William Scott instantly offered him the estate of Murdiestone, in exchange for that which was subject to such egregious inconTo- nience. When the baigain was completed, he dryly remarked, that the cattle in Cumberland were as good as those of Teviotdale ; and proceeded to commence a system of reprisals upon the Eng. lish, which was regulariy pursued by his successors. In the next reign, James II. granted to Sir Walter Scott of Branksome, and tny of Branksome^ to be held in blanche for the payment of a red rose. The cause assigned for the grant is, their brave and faithftil exertions in favour of the King against the house of Douglas, with whom James had been recently tugging for the throne of Scotland. This charter is dated the 2d February, 1443; and, in the same month, part of the barony of Langholm, and many lands in Lanarkshhre, were conferred upon Sir Walter and his son by the same monarch. After the period of the exchange with Sir Thomas Inglis, Brank- some became the principal seat of the Bucdeuch family. The castle was enlarged and strengthened by Sir David Scott, the grandscm of Sir William, its first possessor. But, in 157(K1, the vengeance of Elizabeth, provoked by the inroads of Bucdeuch, and his attachment to the cause of Queen Mary, destroyed the castle, and laid waste the lands of Branksome. In the same year the castle was repaired and enlarged by Sir Walter Scott, its brave possessor ; but the work was not completed until after his death, in 1674, when the widow finished the building. This appears from 1 There are no vestiges of any building at Bucdeuch, except the site of a chapel, where, according to a tradition current in the time of Scott of Satchells, many of the ancient barons of Bucdeuch lie buried. There is also said to have been a mill near this solitary spot ; an extraordinary drcumstance, as little or no com grows within several miles of Bucdeuch. Satchells says it was- used to Rrind com for the hounds of the chieftain. Digitized by VjOOQIC t54 APPENDIX T«» THE Ihe fbllowing iiiKriptionfl. Around a stone, bearing the amis ol Scott of Buccleuch, appears the foUowing legend:—** ^(T tKK. ^C0tt 0f 33ran>i)cim Itngt at at ^iv WHUiam S^catt af latriturlr langt htsfoi ^t taavk itpoti jie 24 atMavt^t 1571 |to qu|)a tr^artit at ^atf^i fiUliaUt ^t 17 ^jrCI 1574," On a similar copartment are sculptured the arms of Douglas, with this inscription, " Dam b Maroarbt Douglas his spouh coMPLiTrrTHB porsaio wohk IN OcTOBBR 1576." Over an arched door is inscribed the following moral Terse :— J«. bavOs. to. n0ct)t nature. Serf. i>r0uja[5t jat rfal. lerft. aj;. C^are£are. itvht. ^alr. Itetp. tiea. |?e. ta'ti. tt^tn* fame. rfal. nac|)t. \stkay. iix WiKlXtt S^ti of SSranp^Qlm HmjgiSt. iWat' garet iBaujilarf. 1571. Branksome Castle continued to be the principal seat of tlie Bu.v deuch family, while security was any object in their choice of a mansion. It has since been the residence of the Commissioners, or Chamberlains, of the family. From the various alterations which the building has undergone, it is not only greatly restricted in it^i dimensions, but retains little oi the castellated form, if we except one square tower of massy thickness, the only part of the original building which now remains. The whole forms a handsome mo- dem residence, lately inhabited by my deceased friend, Adam Ogilvy, Esq., of Hartwoodmyres. Commissioner of his Grace the Duke of Bucdeuch. The extent of the ancient edifice can still be traced by some Testiges of its foundation, and its strength is obvious from ihe situation, on a deep bank surrounded by the Teviot, and flanked by a deep ravine, formed by a precipitous brook. It was ancient- ly surrounded by wood, as appears from the survey of Roxburgh- shire, made for Font's Atlas, and preserved in the Advocate** Library. This wood was cut about fifty years ago, but is now replaced by the thriving plantations, which have been formed by the noble proprietor, for miles around the ancient mansion of his tbre&thert. Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THK last MINSTREL. 156 Note G. Mine-ana4teent!/ knights of fame Hung thetr shields in Branksome-Baa.—P. 30 riie ancient Barons of Bncclench, both from feudal splendour and from their frontier situation, retained in their household, at Hranksome, a number of gentlemen of their own name, who held lands from their chiefs for the military service of watching and warding his castle. Satchells tells us, in his doggrel poetry. " No baron was better served in Britain ; The Barons of Buckleugh they kept their call. Four and twenty gentlemen in their hall. All being of his name and kin ; Each two had a servant to wait upon them ; Before supper and dinner, most renowned. The bells rung and the trumpets sowned ; And more than that, I do confess. They kept four and twenty pensioners. Think not 1 lie, nor do me blame. For the pensioners I can all name : There's men alive, elder than 1, They know if 1 speak truth, or lie. Every pensioner a room i did gain. For service done and to be done : This l£t the reader understtuid. The name both of the men and land. Which they possessed, it is of troth. Both from the Lairds and Lords of Bucklengn Accordingly, dismounting from his Pegasus, Satchells gives us, in prose, the names of twenty^four genxiemen, younger brothers ol ancient families, who were pensioners to the house of Bucdench, and describes the lands which each possessed for his Border service. I n time of war with England, the garrison was doubtless augmented. Satchells adds, " These twenty-three pensioners, all of his own name of Scott, and Walter Gladstanes of Whitelaw, a near cousin of my lord's as aforesaid, were ready on all occasions, when his ho- nour pleasod cause to advertise them. It is known to many of the Ritom, p(>rtionofland. Digitized by VjOOQIC Mn APPENDIX TO lUJi country better than it u to me, that the rente of these lands, which the Lairda and Lords of Buocleuch did freely bestow upon their friends, will amount to above tweWe or fourteen thousand merkt aryear. "—History of the Name of Scott, p. 45. An immense sum is those times. Noted. Tftep toatch, against SotUhem/bree and guile. Lest Scroop, or Howard, or Percy* s powers. Threaten Branksome's lordly lowers. From fJTarkworth, or Naworth, or merry Carlisle.— P. 31. Branksome Castle was continually exposed to the attacks of the English, both from its situation and the restless military disposition of its inhabitants, who were seldom on good terms with their neigh- bours. The following letter from the Earl of Northumberland to Henry VIII. in 1533, gives an account of a successful inroad of the Knglbli, in which the country was plundered up to the gates of the castle, although the invaders failed in their principal object, which ras to kill, or make prisoner, the Laird of Buccleuch. It occurs in (lie Cotton MS. COlig. B. VIII. f. 222. " Pleaseth yt your most gracious highness to be aduertised, that my comptroller, with Raynald Camaby, desyred licence of me to invade the realme of Scotland, for the annoysaunce of your high- nes enemys, where they thought best exploit by theyme might be done, and to haue to concur withe theyme the inhabitants of Northumberland, suche as was towards me according to they re assembly, and as by theyre discretions vpone the same they shulde thinke most convenient ; and soo they dyde meet vvpon Monday, before night, being the iii day of this instant monethe, at Wawhope, npon Northo Tyne water, above Tyndaill, where they were to the number of XV c men, and soo invadet Scotland at the hour of viii of the clok at nyght, at a place called Whelc Causay ; and before xl of the clok dyd send forth a forrey of Tyndaill and Ryddisdail. and laide all the resydewe in a bushment, and actyvely did set vpon a towne called Branxholm, where the Lord of Buclough dwellythe, and purpesod theymeselves with a trayne for hym lyke to his accustomed manner, in rysynge to all frayes ; albeit, that knyght he was not at home, and so they brynt the said Branx- holm, and other townes, as to say Whichestie, Winchestre- helme, and Whelley, and haid ordered thcymeself soo that sundry of the said Lord Buclough'.s servants, who dyd issue fourthe ol his gates, was takyn prisoners. They dyd not leve one houHe. <>n« Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THK LAST MIN6TRXL. 157 •tak of oorae, nor one shjef, without the gate of the Mid Lord Buclongh mbrynt ; and thus scrjmaged and frayed, supposing the Lord of Bnclough to be irithin iii oriiii mylos to hare trajned him to the boshment ; and soo in the breyldng of the day dyd the forrey and the buthment mete, and reculed homeward, making theyre way westward fit>m theyre invasion to be over LyddersdaiU, as intendtag yf the fray frome theyre fiirst entry by the Scotts waiches, or otherwyae by wamying, sholde hane gyven to Ged- worth and the conntrey of Scotland theyreabonts of theyre. inva- sion ; wliiche Oedworth is from the Wholes Cansay vl myles, that thereby the Scotts shnlde have comen further vnto theyme, and more out of ordre ; and soo upon sundry good considerations, before they entered LyddersdaiU, as well acoompting the inhabi- tants of the same to be towards your highness, and to enforce theyme the more thereby, as alsoo to put an occasion of suspect to the Kinge of Scotta, and his counsaill, to be taken anenst theyme, amonges theymeselves, made proolamadons, commanding, vpon payne of dethe, assurance to be for the said inhabitants of Lydders- daiU, without any prejudice or hurt to be done by any Inglyvnan vnto theyme, and soo in good ordre abowte the howre of ten of the clok before none, vppone Tewisday, dyd pass through the said Lyddersdail, when dyd come diverse of the said inhabitants there to my aervauntes, under the said assurance, offerring theymselTs with any service they couthe make ; and thus, thanks be to Godde, your highnes' subjects, about the howre of xii of the clok at none tlie same daye, came into this your highnes realme, bringing wt theyme about xl Scottsmen prisoners, one of theyme named ^t, of the surname and kyn of the said Lord of Budough, and of his huwsehold ; they brought also ccc nowte, and above Ix horse and mares, keplng in savetie frome losse or hurte aU your said highnes subjects. There was also a towne, called Newbyggins, by diverse fotmen of TyndaiU and ByddesdaiU, taken vp of the night, and spoyled, when was slayne ii Scottsmen of the said towne, and many Sootts there hurte ; your highnes subjects was xiii myles within the grounde of Scotlande, and is from my house at Werkworthe, above Ix miles of the most evil passage, where great snawes doth lye ; heretofore the same townes now brynt haith not at any tyme in the mynd of man in any warrs been enteri»ri8cd unto nowe ; your subjects were thereto more encouraged for the better advancement of your highnes service, the said Lord of Bnclough beyng always a mortoU enemy to this your Graces realme, and he dyd say, within xiii days before, he woulde see who durst lye near hym ; wt many other cruell wordik, the knowledge whereof was certainly haid to my said servaunts, before theyre enterprice maid t p4>n him ; most humblv beseeching vour majesty, that yuure hish- Digitized by VjOOQIC 158 APPENDIX TO THB lies thanks may concur mto tbeyme, vhoae names be here inclose^ and to hare in jonr most gracious memory, the paynfnll and dili- gent service of mj pore servaunte Wharton, and thus, as I am most bounden, shall dispose wt them that be under me f .... annoysance of jour highnes enemys." In resentment of this foray, Buocleuch, with other Border chieft, assembled an army of £3M$ riders, with which they penetrated ioto Northumberland, and laid waste the country as far as the banks of Bramish. They baifled, or defeated the English forces opposed to them, and returned loaded with prey.— Pinkbrton's JSTinory, toL IL p. 318 Bardt Umg shall tdl. How Lard JFalUr jm.—V 32. Sir Walter Scott of Bucdeuch succeeded to his grand&ther. Sir DaTid, in 1482. He was a biare and powerful baron, and Wardes of the West Marches of Scotland. His death was the consequence of a feud betwixt the Scotts and Kerrs, the history of which is necessary to explain repeated alluiions in the romance. In the year 1526, in the words of Pitscottie, ** the £ari of Angus^ and the rest of the Douglasses, ruled all which they liked, and no man durst say the contrary ; wherefore the King (James V. then a minor) was hearily displeased, and would fain have been out of their hands, if he might by any way : And, to that effect, wrote a quiet and secret letter wi^ his own hand, and sent it to iht Laird of Buccleuch, beseeching him that he would come with his kin and friends, and all the force that he might be, and meet him at MeJ- ross, at his home-passing, and there to take him out of the Doug- lasses hands, and to put him to liberty, to use himself among the lave (rut) of his lords, as he thinks expedient " This letter was quietly directed, and sent by one of the Kin^s own secret servants, which was received very thankfully by the Laird of Buccleuch, who was very glad thereof, to be put to such charges and familiarity with his piince, and did great diligence to perform the King's writing, and to bring the matter to pass as the King desired : And, to that effect, convened all his Idn and friends, and all that would do for him, to ride with him to Melross, when he knew of the King's homecoming. And so he brought with him six hundred spears, of Liddesdale, and Annandale, and country- men, and dtitns thereabout, and held themselves quiet while that the King returned out of Jedbuixh, and came to Melross, to rv- Diain there all that night. Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THB LASr MINSTRRL. 159 ** fint when the Lord Hume, CeBsfoord, and Fernyherat, (the chiefs of the clan of Kerr,) took their leave of the King, and re- turned home, then appeared the Lord of Buccleuch in sight, and his company with him, in an arrayed battle, intending to have fill- filled the King's petition, and therefore came stoutly forward on the back side of Halidon hilL By that the Earl of Angus, with George Douglas, hii brother, and sundry other of his friends, seeihg this army coming, they marrelled what the matter meant ; while at the last they knew the Laird of Buccleuch, with a certain com* panyof thethioTesof Annandale. With him they were less afTcared, hnd made them manfully to the field contrary them, and said to the King in this manner, * Sir, yon is Buccleuch, and thieves of Annandale with him, to unbeset your Grace from the gate* {i. e. interrupt your passage.) ' 1 vow to God they shall either fight oi flee ; and ye shall tiunry here on this know, and my brother Geoigc with you, with any other company yon please ; and I shall pass, and put yon thieves off the ground, and rid the gate unto yooi Grace, or else die for it' The King tarried still, as was devised : and Geoige Douglas with him, and sundry other lords, such as the Karl of Lennox, and the Lord Ersldne, and some of the King's own servants ; but edl the lave (reti) past with the Earl of Angus to the field against the Laird of Buccleuch, who Joyned and countered cruelly both the said jMtrtiet in the field of Damelinver, > either against other, with uncertain victory. But at the last, the Lord iiume, hearing word of that matter how it stood, returned agais to the King in all possible haste, with him the Lairds of Cessfoord and Femyhirst, to the number of fourscore spears, and set freshly on the lap and wing of the Laird of Bnccleuch's field, and shortly bare them backward to the ground ; which caused the Laird of Buccleuch, and the rest of his friends, to go back and flee, whom they followed and chased ; and especially the Lairds of Cessfoord and Femyhirst followed furiouslie, till at the foot of a path the Laird of Ceesfoord was slain by the stroke of a spear by an Elliot, who was then servant to the Laird of Buccleuch. But when the Laird of Cessfoord was slain, the chase ceased. The Earl of Ai^:us re- turned again with great merriness and victory, and thanked God that he saved him from that chance, and passed with the King to >f elross, where they remained all that night. On the mom they 1 Damwick, near Melrose. The place ot conflict is still called Skinner's Field, from a corruption of Skirmish Field. [See the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, vols. L and ii, for farther particulars concerning these places, of all which the author of the l^y was ultimately proprietor. — Ed.^ Digitized by Google 160 APPENDIX TO THB past to £dinbiu]gh with the King, who was very sad and dolorous of the slaughter of the Laird of Cessfoor^ and many other gentle men and yeomen slain by the Laird of Bnccleuch,- containing the number of fourscore and fifteen, which died in defence of the King, and at the command of his writing.** I am not the first who has attempted to celebrate in reirse tht renown of this ancient baron, and his hasardons attempt to procure his sorereign's freedom. In a Scottish Latin poet we find the fol- lowing verses : — Valtbrius Sootus Balcldchius, £gr^;io suscepto fodnore, libertate R^;is, ac aliis rebus gestis dams, sub Jacobo V. A^ Christie 1526. " Intentata aliis, nullique audita priorum A udet, neC pandum morsve, metusre quatit, Libertatem alUs soliti transcribere Regis : Subreptam banc Regi restituisse paras ; Si Tinds, quanta 6 succedunt prmnia deztre ! Sin Tictus, folsas spes jace, pone animam. Hostica yis nocuit r stant alte robora mentis Atque decus. Vinoet, B^;e probante, fidea. Insita quies animis virtus, quosque acrior ardor Obddet, obscuris noz premat an toiebris ? ** Heroes ex omni Historia Scotica lectissimi, Anctore Johan. Jo»- Ktonio Abredonense Scoto, 1603. In consequence of the battle of Melrose, there ensued a deadly feud betwixt the names of Scott and Kerr, which, in spite of all means used to bring about an agreement, raged for many yean upon the Borders. Buccleuch was imprisoned, and his estates for- feited, in the year 1535, for levying war against the Kerrs, and re- stored by Kct of Parliament, dated 15th Mardi, 1542, during the regency of Mary of Lorraine. But the most signal act of violence, to which this quarrel gave rise, was the murder of Sir Walter him- self, who was slain by the Kerrs in the streets of Edinbui;^ in 1552. This is the event alluded to in stanza viL ; and the poem is supposed to open shortly after it nad taken place. The feud between these two fomilies was not reconciled in 1596, when both chieftains paraded the streets of Edinbuigh with their followers, and it was expected their first meeting vrould dedde their quarrel. But, on July 14th of the same year, Ck>lvil, in a let- ter to Mr. Bacon, informs him, " that there was great trouble noon the Borders, which.would continue till order should be taken by the Queen of EngUmd and the King^ by reason of the two yount Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. 16> Scots chieftains, Cesford and Baclngh, and of the present necesfdty and scarcity of corn amongst the Scots Borderers and riders. That there had been a prirate quarrel betwixt those two lairds on the Borders, which was like to hare turned to blood ; but the fear oi the general trouble had reconciled them, and the injuries which they thought to have committed against each other, were now transferred upon England : not unlike that emulation in France between the Baron de Biron and Mons. Jeverie, who, being both ambitious of honour undertook more hazardous enterprise against the enemj, than they would have done if they had been at concord together.**— Birch's MemoriaU, roL ii p. 67. NotkF. tVhUe Ceitford ovmt Ou ruk ofCarr, The havoc qfthe feudal wart Shan never^ never befbrgot.—V. 32. Among other expedients resorted to Ibr stanching the feud be- twixt the Scotts and the Kerrs, there y^fx a bond executed in ISSQ, between the heads of each clan, binding themselves to i>erfonn re- ciprocally the four pilgrimages of Scotland, for the benefit of the •ouls of those of the opposite name who had fallen in the quarreL This indenture is printed in the Sfinstrelsp of the Scottish Border, rol. i But either it never took effect, or c Ise the feud was renewed shortly afterwards. Such pactions - were not uncommon in feudal times; and, as might be expected, they were often, as in the present case, void of the effect desired. When Sir Walter Mauny, the renowned fol- lower of Edward III., had taken the town of Ryol in Oascony, he remembered to have heard that his father lay there buried, and offered a hundred crowns to any who could show him his grave. A very old man appeared before Sir Walter, and informed liim of the manner of his father's death, and the place of his sepulture. It seems the Lord of Mauny had, at a great tournament, unhorsed, and wounded to the death, a Gascon knight, of the house of Mire- poix, whose kinsman was Bishop of Cambray. For this deed he was held at feud by the relations of the knight, until he agreed to undertake a pilgrimage to the shrine of St. James of Compostella, for the benefit of the soul of the deceased. But as he returned . through the town of Byol, after accomplishment of his vow, he was beset and treacherously slant, by the kindred of the knJght whom he had killed. Sir Walter, guided by the old man, visited Digitized by VjOOQIC 162 APt'SNDIA TO TUK the lowly tomb of his father; and haring read the iiucriptiOD, which was in Latin, he caused the body ta be raised, and trans- ported to his native city of Valenciennes, where massec were, in the days of Froissart, duly said for the soul of the unfortunate pQ- grim.— CAnmycfe ^Froissart. vol. i p. 123. Note G. ttUitt Carr in arms had stood.— F. 33. The family of Ker, Kerr, or Carr,i was very powerful on the Border. Fynes Morrison remarks, in his Traveis, that their in- fluence extended from the village of Preston-Grange in Lothian, to the hmits of England. Cessford Castle, the ancient baronial residence of the &mily, is situated near the village of Morebattle, within two or three mUes of the Cheviot Hills. It has been a place of great strength and consequence, but ii now roinoos. Tradition affirms, that it was founded by Halbert, or Habby Kerr, a gigantic warrior, concerning whom many stories are current in Bozburgh shire. The Duke of Boxburghe represents Kerr of Cessford. A dbtinct and powerful branch of the same name own the Marqnii of Lothian as their chief. Uenoe the distinction betwixt Kerrs of Cessford and Faimihirat. The Cranstouns, Lord Cranstoun, are ai. ancient Border family, whose chief seat was at Crailing, in Teviotdale. They weteat this time at feud with the clan of Scott ; for it appears that tne Lady of buocleuch, in 1557, beset the Laird of Cranstoun, seeking his life. Nevertheless, the same Cranstoun, or perhaps his son, war manied to a daughter of the same ladv. NOTB TI. Of Dethune*s line of PiMrdte.—P. 34 The Bethunes were of French origin, and derived their naai« from a small town in Artois. There were several distinguished families of the Bethunes in the neighbouring province of Picaixly ; 1 The name is spelt differently by the various families who bear it Carr ii selected, not ss the most correct, but as the most pocti Digitized by VjOOQIC L4Y OP THE LAST MINSTRKI^ 163 tbey numbered among their descendants the celebrated Due de Sullj; and the nam^ was accounted among the most noble in France, while aught noble remained m that country.! The family of Bethune, or Beatoun, in Fife, produced three learned and dig- nified prelates ; namely, Cardinal Beaton, and two successive Arch- bishops of Glasgow, all of whom flourished about the date of the romance. Of this family was descended Dame Janet Beaton, Lady Buccleuch, widow of Sir Walter Scott of Branksome. She was a woman of masculine spirit, as appeared from her riding at the head of her son's clan, after her husband's murder. She also possessed the hereditary abilities of her family in such a degree, that the superstition of the rulgar imputed them to supernatural know- ledge. With this was mingled, by foction, the foul accusation, of her having influenced Queen Mary to the murder of her husband. One of the placards, preserved in Buchanan's Detection, accuses of Damley s murder " the Erie of Bothwell, Mr. James Balfour, the persoun of Fliske, Mr. David Chalmers, black Mr. John Spens, who was principal deviser of the murder ; and the Quene, assent- ing thairto, throw the persuasion of the Erie Bothwell, and the ufUchcntfl qf Lady Buddeuch. Note I. Hlsfonn no darkening shadow traced Upon the sunny wall /—P. 34. The shadow of a necromancer is independent of the sun. Olycao mforms us, that Simon Magus caused his shadow to go before him, making people believe it was an attendant spirit. — Hbywooo's Hierarchies p. 475- The vulgar conceive, that when a class ot Btuaents have made a certain progress in their mystic studies, they are obliged to run through a subterraneous hall, where the devil literally catches the hindmost in the race, unless lie crosses the hull so speedily, that the aich-enemy can only apprehend his shadow. In the latter case, the person of the sage never after throws any sh^e ; and those, who have thus lost their shadow, always prova the best magicians. 1 This expression and sentiment were dictated by the situntiou of France, in the year ltiU% when the poem was originally v/ritten. 1H3I. Digitized by VjOOQIC 164 appendix to the Note K. The viewlett forms of air.— P. 34. rhe Scottish Tnlgar, without haring any rerj defined notion of their attributes, beliere in the existence of an intermediate claM of spirits, residing in the air, or in the waters ; to whose agency they ascribe floods, storms, and all such phenomena as their own philosophy cannot readily explain. They axe supposed to interfere in the affairs of mortals, sometimes with amalerolent purpose, and sometimes with milder views. It is said, for example, that a gal- lant baron, having returned from the Holy Land to his castle of Drummelzair, found his fiiir lady nursing a healthy diild, whose birth did not by any means correspond to the date of his departura Such an occurrence, to the credit of the dames of the Crusaders be It spoken, was so rare, that it required a miraculous solution. Tb» lady, therefore, was believed, when she averred confidentljv that the Spirit of the Tweed had issued from the river while Ae was walking upon its bank, and compelled her to submit to his em braces : and the name of Tweedie was bestowed ux>on the child, who afterwards became Baron of Drummelzair, and chief of a powerful dan. To thbse spirits were also ascribed, in Scotland^ the -x" Airy tongues, that syllable men's names. On sands, and shores, and desert wildernesses." When the workmen were engaged in erecting the ancient church of Old Deer, in Aberdeenshire, upon a small hill called Bissau, they were surprised to find that the work was impeded by super natural obstacles. At length the Spirit of the River was heard to •ar* " It is not here, it is not here. That ye shall build the church of Deer : But on Tai)tillery, Where many a corpse shall lie." The site of this edifice was accordmgly transferred to Taptilleiy, an eminence at some distance from the place where the building had been commenced. — Macparlanb's MSS. I mention these po- pular fables, becaude the introduction of the River and Mountain Spirits may not, at first sight, seem to accord with the general U>n« of the romance, and the superstitions of the country where the s U laid. Digitized by VjOOQIC LAT OF THB LAirr IIIN8TKSL. 16A Note L. AfoMOitA mot34rooper, ^-c— P. 37- Thii was th« usual appellatkni of the marauders upon the Bon ders; a profiessioii diligently pursued bj the inhabitants on both sides, and by none more actirely and successfully than by Buo- clench's dan. Long after the union of the crowns, the mose troopers, although simk in reputation, and no longer enjoying th« pretext of national hostility, continued to pursue their calling. Fuller includes^ among the wonders of Cumberland, " The moss- troopers : so strange in Uie condition of their liring, if considered In their Orighnai, Inerea$e, Height, Decay y and Buine. ** 1. OriginaL I oonoeire them the same called Borderers in Mr Camden; and characterised by him to be a wild and warlike oeople. They are caUed mot»4roapert, because dwelling In the mosses, and riding in troops together. They dwell in the bounds, )r meeting, of the two Idngdoms, but obey the laws of neither. Ihey come to church as seldom as the 29th of February comes into the kalendar. « 9. Increase* When England and Scotland were united in (Ireat Britain, they that formerly Ured by hostile incursions, be- took themselres to the robbing of their neighbours. Their sons •lie free of Ihe trade by their &thers' copy. They are like to Job, not in piety and patience, but in sudden plenty and porerty ; some- times haTing flodcs and herds in the morning, none at night, and iwrchance many again next day. They may giro for their motto, vtvitur ex rapto, stealing from their honest neighbours what they sometimes require. They are a nest of hornets ; strike one, and stir all of them about your ears. Indeed, if they promise safely to conduct a traveller, they will perform it with the fidelity of a Turk- ish Janixary ; otherwise, woe be to him that fidleth into their quarters I ** 3. Height Amounting, forty years since, to some thousands. These compelled the vicinage to purchase their security, by paying a constant rent to them. When in their greatest height, they had two great enemies,— M« Laws of the Land, and the Lord fFtlKam Howard qfNaworih, He sent many of them to Carlisle, to that place where the officer doth always his work by daylight. Yet these otoss-troopers, if possibly they could procure the pardon for a con- demned person of their company, would adYonce great sums out of iheir common stock, who, in sudi a case, cast in their lots amonffst Owmdves, and all have onepuru. Digitized by VjOOQ IC 16ft APPXKDIX TO THB '* 4. Decajf. Canted b; the wisdom, Talour, aiul dnigenoe of tli« Right Honourable Charles Lord Howard, Earl of Carlmie, wtio routed these English Tories with his r^ment. His aeTerity unto them will not only be excused, but commended, by the jadictoos, who consider how our great lawyer doth describe such persons, who are solemnly outlawed. Bracton, lib. viiL trac. 2. cap. 11 — ' Ex tunc gerunt caput lupinum, ita quod sine judickUi inguifj- hone rite pereant, et tecum tuum Judicium portent t et meritosine lege pereunt, qui secundiam legem vivere recusdrunL'—' Thence- forwam (after that they are outlawed) they wear a wolf's head, so that they lawfully may be destroyed, without any Judicial inquisi- tion, as who carry their own condemnation about them, and deser- vedly die without law, because they refused to lire aooording to law. " 5. Ruine. Such was the success of this worthy lord's soTerity, Ihat he made a thorough reformation among, them ; and the ring- leaders being destroyed the rest are reduced to l^al obedience, and so, I trust, will continae.**— Fuller's fFortkies of England, p. 216 The last publis mentipn of moss-troopors occurs during the cItI) wars of the 17th century, when many ordinances of Parliament were directed agamst them. NuTK M. ff'iUiam ofDeloraine.—?. 38. The lands of Deloraine are joined to those of Buccleudi in Rttrick Forest. They were immcmorially possessed by the Buc- cleuch family, under the strong title of occupancy, although no charter was obtained frvm the crown until 1545. Like other pos- sessions, the lands of Deloraine were occasionally granted by them to vassals, or kinsmen, for Border service. SatclicUs mentions, among the twenty-four gentlemen-pensioners of the family," Wil- liam Scott, commonly oUled Cut-at-the-Black^ who hiid the lands of Nether Deloraine, for his service." And again, " This Wil- liam of Deloraine, commonly called Cut-ai-the-Ulack, was a bro- ther of the ancient house of Haining, which house oi Haining is descended from the ancient house of Hassendean." The lands of Deloraine now give an earl's title to the descendant of Henry, the second surviving son of tho Duchess of Buodeuch and Mon- mouth. 1 have endeavoured to give William of Deloraine the attributes which characterised tho Bordorers of his day ; for which Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THB LAST MINSTRKL 167 I can only plead Proiasart't apology, that, "it behoreth, in a lynage, some of the fblyriie and outrageous, to maynteyne and ■iiBtayue the peasable.** As a contrast to my Marchman, I beg leare to transcribe, from the same author, the speech of Amergot Marcell, a captain of the Adventurous C!ompanions, a robber, and a pillager of the country of Aureigne, who had beeta bribed to itell his strongholds, and to assume a more honourable military life under the banners of the Earl of Armagnac. But " when he re- membered alle this, he was sorrowful ; his tresour he thought he wolde not mynysshe: he was wonte dayly to serche for uewe pyllages, wherbye encresed his profyte, and then he sawe that alle was closed fro' hym. Then he sayde and imagyned, that to pyll and to robbe (all thynge considered) was a good lyfe, and so re- pented hym of his good going. On a tyme, he said to his old com- panyons, ' Sirs, there is no sport nor glory in this worlde amonge men of warre, but to use suche Ijrfe as we have done in tyme past. 'AThat a Joy was it to us when we rode forth an adventure, and somtyme found by the way a riche priour or merchaunt, or a route of mulettes of Mountpellyer, of Narbonne, of Lymens, of Fongans, of Besyers, of Tholoos, or of Oarcasonne, laden with cloth ol Brussels, or peltre ware comynge fro the fayros, or ladea with spy eery fro Bruges, fro Damas, or fro Alysaundre ; whatsoever we met, all was ours, or els ransoumed at our pleasures ; dayly we gete new money, and the vyllaynes of Auvergne and of Lymosyn dayly pro- ryded and brought to our castell whete mele, good wynes, bcffes. and fatte mottons, puilayne, and wild foule : We were ever fur- uyshed as tho we had been kings. When we rode forthe, all the countrey trymbled for feare : all was ours goyng and comynge. How tok we Carlast, I and the Bouige of C!ompayne, and I and Perot of Bemoys took Caluset ; how dyd we scale, with lytell ayde, the strong castell of Marquell, pcrtayning to the Erl Dolphyn : I kept it not past fyve days, but 1 receyved for it, on a feyre table, fjrve thousande f rankes, and forgave one thousande for the love of the Erl of Dolphyn's children. By my fayth, this was a iiayre and a good lyfe ! wherefore 1 repute myselfe sore deceyved, in that I have rendered up the fortress of Aloys; for it wolde have kept fro alle the worlde, aud the daye that I gave it up, it was foumyshed with vytaylles, to have been kept seven yere without anv re-vytayl- linge. This Erl of Armynake hath deceyved me : Oiyve Barbe, and Perot le Bemoys, shewed me how I shulde repente myselfe : certayne I sore repento myselfe of what I have done.' " FaorsaAar. 'ol. ii. p. 195 Digitized by VjOOQIC )68 APPBNMZ TO TBI NotbN. Bpwtfytums, bpdaperatebatmdi. Had baffled Ptrcjt* tut blootUlomd»,^P. SB. The kingi and heroes of Scotland, aa weD as the Border-riders, were sometimes obliged to study how to evade the pursnit of blood- bounds. Barbour informs n% that Bobert Bmoe was repestedlj tracked by sleuth-dogs. On one occarinn, he escaped by wading a bow-ehot down a brook, and ascending into a tree by a branch which orerhung the water; thus, learing no trace on land of hi* footsteps, he baffled the scent. The porsners came up " Bychtto thebum thai passyt ware, Bot the sleuth-hund made stinting thar. And waneryt lang tyme ta and fra. That he na certain gate couth ga; Tin at the last that John of Lome PerseuTit the hund the sleuth had lomc.** 7^ Bruce, Book viL A sure way of stopping the dog was to spill blood upon the track, which destroyed the discriminating fineness of his scent. A captlre was sometimes sacrificed on such occasions. Henry the Minstnl tells a romantic story of Wallace, founded on this droumstance :— The heroe's little band had been joined by an Irishman, named Fawdoun, or Fadzean, a dark, sarage, and su^Bidous character. After a sharp skirmish at Black-Erne Side, WaUace was forced to retreat with only sixteen followers. The English pursued with a Border tktth-brcUdif or blood-hound. ** In Oelderland there was that bratchet bred, SUker of scent, to follow them that fled ; So was he used in Eske and LiddesdaH, While (Le. titt) she gat blood^o fleeing might aTail ** In the letreat, Fawdoun, tired, or afiecting to be so, would go no farther. Wallace, having in rain argued with him, in hasty angei struck off his head, and continued the retreat When the BngUsk came up, their hound stayed upon the dead body : — " The sleuth stopped at Pawdon, still she stood. Nor farther would fra time she ftind the blood ** Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THK LAST MINSTREL. 1C& The story concludes wltb a fine Gothic scene of terror. Wallact took refuge in the solitary tower of Gask. Here he was disturbed at midnight bj the blast of a horn. He sent out his attendants bj two and two, but no one returned with tidings. At length, when he was left iJone, the sound was heard still louder. The champion descended, sword in hand ; and, at the gate of the tower, was en- countered by the headless spectre of Fawdoun, whom he had slain so rashly. Wallace, in great terror, fled up into the tower, tore open the boards of a window, leapt down fifteen feet in height, and continued his fiight up the river. Looking back to Gask, he dis- covered the tower on fire, and the form of Fawdoun upon the battlements, dilated to an immense size, and holding in his hand a blazing rafter. The Minstrel concludes, " Trust ryght wele, that all this be sooth indeed. Supposing it be no point of the creed." The JFaVUuXy Book v. Mr. Ellis has extracted this tale as a sample of Henry's poetry. '^Specinteng qf English Poetry^ toI. L p. 351. NotbO. On MUUo-crags (he moon4)eamg glint.— V. 41. A romantic assemblage of cliffs, which rise suddenly above the vale of Teviot, in the immediate vicinity of the family-seat, from which Lord Minto takes his title. A small platform, on a project- ing crag, commanding a most beautiful prospect, is termed Bam- hm^ Bed. Tliis Bamhills is said to have been a robber, or outlaw. There are remains of a strong tower beneath the rocks, where he ii supposed tu have dwelt, and from which he derived his name. On the summit of the crags are the fragments of another ancient lower, in a picturesque situation.' Among the houses cast down by the Earl of Hartforde, in 1545, occur the towers of Easter Baru' hills, and of Minto-crag, with Minto town and place. Sir Gilbert Elliot, father to the present Lord Minto, ^ was the author of a beau- tiful pastoral song, of which the following is a more correct copy than is usually published. The poetical mantle of Sir Gilbert El- liot has descended to his family. > Grandfather to the present Earl. 1819. Digitized by VjOOQIC 170 APPENDIX TO TIIK •* My sheep I neglected, I broke my shcep-hooH And all the gay haunts of my youth 1 forsoox ; No more for Amynta fresh garlands I wove ; Ambition, I said, would soon cure me of love But what had my youth with ambition to dol Why left I Amynta I why broke I my vow! •' Through regions remote in vain do 1 rove. And bid the wide world secure me from love. Ah, fool, to imagine, that aught could subdue A love so well founded, a passion so true ! Ah, give me my sheep, and my sheep-hook restore i And 1*11 wander from love and Amynta no more 1 •' Alas ! 'tis too late at thy fate to repine I Poor shepherd, Amynta no more can be thine I Thy tears are all fruitless, thy wishes are vain. The moments neglected return not again. Ah \ what had my youth with ambition to do > Why left I Amynta ! why broke I my vowT NoTB P. Ancient Ridddtsfair domain.^V. 42 The family of Kiddell have been very long in possession of th« barony called Riddell, or Ryedale, part of which still bears the latter name. Tradition carries their antiquity to a iraint extremely remote ; and is, in some degree, sanctioned by the discovery of two stone coffins, one containing an earthen pot filled with ashes and arms, bearing a legible date, A.D. 727 : the other dated f)36, and filled with the bones of a man of gigantic size. These cofiins were discovered in the foundations of what was, but has long ceased to be, the chapel of Biddell ; and, as it was ai^ed, with plausibility, that they contained the remains of some ancestors of the family, they were deposited in the modem place of sepulture, compara- tively so termed, though built in 1110. But the following curious and authentic documents warrant most conclusively the epithet of "ancient Rlddcll :" Ist. A charter by David 1. to Walter Ry- dale. Sheriff of Roxburgh, confirming all the estates of LiliescUve, &c., of which his father. Gcrvasius de Rydale, died possessed.— Sdly, A bull of Pope Adrian IV., confirming the will of Walter de Ridale, knight, in favour of his brother Anschittil de Ridale, dated 8th April, 1155. 3dly, A bull of Pope Alexander III., confirming the said will of Walter de Ridule, bequeathing to his brother A u- Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THE LAST MINSTREL. I7l Mchittil the lands of LiliescliTe, Whettunes, &c., and ratifying the Imrgain betwizt Anschittil and HnctreduB, concerning the church of LiliescliTe, in consequence of the mediation of Malcolm II.« and confirmed by a charter from that monarch. This bull ia dated 17th June, 11(K). 4thlj, A bull of the same Pope, confirming the will of Sir Anschittil de Ridale, in favour of his son Walter, con- reying the said lands of Liliesclive and others, dated 10th March, 1120. It is remarkable, that Liliesclive, otherwise Rydale, or Rid^ dell, and the Whittunes, have descended, through a long train ol ancestors, without erer passing into a collateral line, to the person of air John Buchanan Riddell, Bart, of Riddell, the lineal descend- ant and representative of Sir Ansc>tittil.— These dicumstances ap- peared worthy of notice in a Border work.^ Note Q. Sough- *he convents londy waU.^9 A3, The ancient and heautifol monastery of Melrose was founded by King David I. Its ruins afford the finest specimen of Gothic architecture and Gothic sculpture which Scotland can boast The stone of which it is built, though it has resisted the weather for so many ages, retains perfect sharpness, so that even the most minute 4Dmaments seem as entire as when newly wrought. In some of the cloisters, as is hinted in the next Canto, there are representations of fiowers, vegetables, &c. carved iu stone, with accuracy and pre- cision so delicate, that we almost distrust our senses, when we con- sider the difficulty of subjecting so hard a substance to such intri* cate and exquisite modulation. The superb convent was dedicated to St. Mary, and the monks were of the Cistertian order. At the time of the Reformation, they shared in the general reproach of sensuality and irr^^larity, thrown upon the Roman churchmen. The old words of Gakuhidt, a favourite Scottish air, ran thus :— O the monks of Melrose made gudo kale> On Fridays when they fasted : They wanted neither beef nor ale. As long as thuir neighbours' lasted. * 1 [Since the above note was written, the ancient family of Rid- dell have parted with all their Scotch estates.— Eo.l > Kale, Broth. Digitized by VjOOQIC 172 AfPENDIZ TO THS NoteR. Prayer know Ikardlycne: Saveto paUer an Ave Jtfarp, fFhen I ride on a Border'foraif.'-'V. AB. The Borderers were, as may be supposed, rerj ignorant about leligiotts matters. Colville, in his Paranesis, or Admonition, states, that the reformed divines were so far from undertaking distant lonmeys to convert the Heathen, " as I wold wis at God that ye wold pnly go bot to the Hielands and Borders of our own realm, to gain our awin countreymen, who, for lack of preching and mi- nistration of the sacraments, must, with tyme, becum either infi dells, or athei&ts." But we learn, from Lesley, that, however dew ficient in real religion, they r^;ularly told their beads, and never with more seal thju». when going on a plundering expedition. Norsa So had he seen, tnfair OasUle, The youth in glittering squadrons start , Sudden the/lying Jennet wheel. And hurl the unexpected dart— -P. 49. " By my feith," said the Duke of Lancaster, (to a Portuguese squire,) "of all the feates of armesthat the Castellyans, and they of your countrey doth use, the castynge of their dertes best pleaseth me, and gladly I wolde se it : for, as I hear say, if they strike one aryghte, without he be well armed, the dart will pierce him thnighe."— " By my fayth, sir," sayd the squyer, " ye say tipnth ; for I have seen many a grete stroke given with them, which at one time cost us derely, and was to us great displeasure ; for, at the said skyrmishe, Sir John Laurence of Coygne was striken with a dart in such wise, that the head perced all the plates of his cote of mayle, and a sacke stopped with sylke, and passed thmghe his body, no that he fell down dead."— Froisbart, vol. ii. ch. 44.— This mode of fighting with darts was imitated in the military game called Jeugo de la* canas, wliich the Spaniards borrowed firom their Moorish invaders. A Saracen champion is thus clescribed by Frois- sart— " Among the Sarazyns, there was a yonge knight called Agadinger Dolyfeme ; he was always wel mounted on aredy and a lyght horse : it seemed, when the t^rse ranne, that be did fly Ir Digitized by VjOOQIC LA\ OF TUB LAST MINSTREL. f /9 the ayT«. The knlghte wemed to be a good man of annea by his dedes ; he bare always of usage three fethered dartes, and rychte well he could handle them ; and, according to their custome, he was dene armed, with a long white towell about his head. His apparell was blacke, and his own colour browne, and a good horse- man. The Crytten men say, they thoughte he dyd sudi deeds of armes for the lore of some yonge ladye of his countrey. And true it was, that he loved entirely the King of Thune's daughter, named the Lady Asda ; she was ixJierytour to the realme of Thune, after the discease of the kyng, her &ther. This Agadinger was sone to the Duke of Olyfeme. I can nat telle if they were married together after or nat ; but it was shewed me, that this knyght, for lore of the sayd ladye, during the siege, did many feates of armes. The knyghtes of Prance wold fayne hare taken hym ; but they oold noTor attrape nor inclose him ; his horse was so swyft, and so redy to his hand, that alwaies he escaped."— VoL iL ch. 71. NoteT. Thplowand lonAjf urn, gallant chitfqfOtterlmme/'-V. 4a The fiunous and desperate battle of Otterbnme was foag^i I5t» August, 1388, betwixt Henry Percy, called Hotspur, and James. Earl of Douglas. Both these renowned champions were at the head of a chosen body of troops, and they were rirals in military fiune ; so that Froiseart afBrms, " Of all thebattaylesand encoun- teryngs that I hare made mendon of here before in all this hys tory, great or smalle, this battayle that I treat of nowe was one a( the sorest and best foughten, without cowardes or faynte hertes : for there was neyther knyghte nor squyer but that dyde his doToyre, and foughte hande to hande. This battayle was lyke the batayle of Bedierell, the which was raliauntly fought and endured.' ' The issue of the conflict is well known : Percy was made prisoner, and the Scots won the day, dearly purchased by the death of their gallant general, the Earl of Douglas, who was slain in the action. He was buried at Melrose, beneath the high altar. *' His obsequye was done rererently, and on his bodye layde a tombe of stone, and Us baaer hangyng orer hym."— Froissart, toL iL p 165. Digitized by VjOOQIC 174 APPENDIX lt> THB NoteU. Dark Knight qf Liddeadalc^P. 49. Wflliam Douglas, called the Knight of Liddeadale, fiouiidied during the reign of David II., and was bo distinguished bj his rar i4*ar, that he was called the Flower of Chiralrj. Nevertheless, he tarnished his renown by the cruel murder of Sir Alexander Ham- say of Dalhousie, originally his friend and brother in arms. The King had conferred upon Bamsay the sheriffdom of Teviotdale, to which Douglas pretended some claim. In revenge of this prefe^ ence, the Khig^t of Liddesdale came down upon Ramsay, while he was administering justice at Hawick, seized and carried him off to his remote and inaccessible castle of Hermitage, where he threw his unfortunate prisoner, horse and man, into a dungeon, and left him to perish of hunger. It is said, the miserable captive prolonged his existence for several days by the com which fell from a granary above the vault in which he was confined, i So weak was the royal authority, that David, although highly incensed at this atrodout murder, found himself obliged to appoint the Knight of LiddesdaU iuco?.s8or to his victim, as Sheriff of Teviotdale. But he was soon after slain, while hunting in Ettrick Forest, by his own godson and chieftain, William, Earl of Douglas, in revenge, aocordhig to some 1 There is something affecting in the manner in which the old Prior of Lochleven turns from describing the death of the gadlani Ramsay, to the general sorrow which it excled >- " To tell you there of the manere. It is hot sorrow for til here ; He wes the grettast menyd man That ony cowth have thowcht of than. Of his state, or of mare be fare ; All menyt him, bath bettyr and war ; The ryche and pure him menyde hath, For of his dede was mekil skath." Some years ago, a person digging for stones, about the o!d castis of Hermitage, broke into a vault, containing a quantity of chafl; some bones, uA pieces of iron ; amongst others, the curb of an aa- dent bridle, whidi the author has since given to the Earl of Dal- hoiude, under the impression that it possibly may be a relic of his brave ancestor. The worthy deigymaii of the parish has meDtioned tuis discovery in his Statistical Aooount of Castletown. ' . Digitized by VjOOQIC l.Ar OP THE LAST MINSTEEL. 175 authon» of Ramsay's murder; althou^ a popular tradition, pre- ■onred in a ballad quoted by Godscroft, and some parts of which are still preserred, ascribes the resentment of the Earl to jealousr. The place where the Knight of Liddesdale was killed, is called, from his name, William-Cross, upon the ridge of a hill called Wil- liam-hope, betwixt Tweed and Yarrow. His body, according to Godscroft, was carried to Lindean church the first night after his death, and thence to Melrose, where he was interred with great pomp, and where his tomb is still shown. Note V. The moon on the eait ond shotie.'-V. Sfk It is impossible to oonceire a more beautiful specimen of the Ughtness and elegance of Gothic architecture, when in its purity, than the eastern window of Melrose Abbey. Sir James Hall of Dunglas, Bart, has, with great ingenuity and plausibility, traced the Gothic order through its various forms and seemingly eccentric ornaments, to an architectural imitation of wicker work ; of which. Bs we learn from some of the legends, the earliest Christian churches were constructed. In such an edifice, the original of the clustered pillars is traced to a set of round posts, begirt with slender rods of willow, whose loose summits were brought to meet fVom all quar- ters, and bound together artificially, so as. to produce the frame- work of the roof: and the tracery of our Gothic windows is dis- played in the meeting and interlacing of rods and hoops, affordmg an inexhaustible variety of beautiful forms of open work. This ingenious system is alluded to in the romance, ^ir James Hall's Essay on Gothic Architecture is published in The Kdintmrf^ Phi losophiccU Transactions. l^OTE W. The vomh-ous Miclutd Scott.— P. bu Sir Michael Scott of Balwvarie fiourished during the lilth ccn* tury, and was one of the ambassadors sent to bring the Maid of Norway to Scotland upon the death of Alexander 111. By a poeti- cal anachronism, he is here placed in a later era. He was a man uf much learning, chiefiy acquired in foreign countries. He vrrote a commentary upon Aristotle, printed at Venice in 14!^ ; and se- veral treatises upon natural philosophy, from which he appears to havp been addicted to tl»e abstruse studies of judicial astrology, M Digitized by VjOOQIC 1 76 APFKNDIX TO TM» slchTm J, physiognomy, and chiromancy, fieno^ he yaacd amoqg hw oontemponutet for a skilftal magician. Dempster informs n% that he rememhers to hare heard in his youth, that the magic hook* of Michael Scott were still in existence, bat could not be opened without danger, on account of the malignant fiends who were there- by invoked. Dempsteri Hittoria BcduiatUea, 1627* lib. ziL p. tf6. Lesly characterises Michael Scott as " tiKffvlarie phUotophkB, 0$- fronomuKt ae medidna Uxude pretUaut dUxbatur penititsimm Mogia recessui indagdiw,** Dante also mentions him as a renowned winrd^- ** Quell' altro che ne* fianchi b cort pooo. Mkhele Scotto fu, che reramente Delle magiche frode seppe il giuooo.** IitfemOf Canto zxmo. A personage, thus spoken of by biographers and historians, loesa little of his mystical fome in rulgar tradition. Accordingly, the •oemory of Sir Michael Scott survires in many a legend ; and in the south of Scotland, any work of great labour and antiquity, is ascribed, either to the agency of jiidd Mickad, of Sir William Wallace, or of the devlL Tradition raries concerning the place of his biuial ; some contend for Home Coltrame, in Cumberland ; others for Melrose Abbey. But aU agree, that his books of magir were interred in his grave, or preserved in the convent where he died. Satchells, wishing to give some authority for his account 01 the origin of the name of Scott, pretends, that, in 1689, he chancer to be at Burgh under Bowncss, in Cumberland, where a person named Lancelot Scott, showed him an extract from MichMi Scott's works, containing that story :— " He said the book which he gave me Was of Sir Michael Scott's historic ; Which historic was never yet read through. Nor never will, for no man dare it do. Young scholars havepick'd out something From the contents, that daro not read within He carried me along the castle then, And shew'd his written book hanging on an iron pin. His writing pen did seem to me to be Of hardened metal, like steel, or accumie i The volume of it did seem so large to me. As the Book of Martyrs and Turks historie. Then in the churoh he let me see A. stone whero Mr. Michaal Scott did lie ; Digitized by VjOOQIC TAY OK THB I AST MINSTREL. 177 1 asked at him how that could appear, Mr. Michael had been dead above five hundred year f He shew'd me none durst burj under that stone. More than he had been dead a few years agone ; For Mr Michael's name does terrific each one." HiMtory qfthe lUght HonouroMe Name of Sam. NotbX. SalamanccCieave.—V 51. :$pain, from the relics, doubtless, of Arabian learning and super- Mition, was accounted a fovourite residence of magicians. Pope Sylrester, who actually imported from Spain the use of the Ara- bian numerals, was supposed to hare learned there the magic, for which he was st>gmati2ed by the ignorance of his age.— William of MaXm^jury, lib. ii. cap. 10. There were public schools, where magic, or rather the sciences supposed to involve its mysteries, were regularly taught, at Toledo, SevUle, and Salamanca. In the latter city, they were held in a deep cavern ; the mouth of which was walled up by Queen Isabella, wife of King Ferdinand.— D*Ai>- TON on Learned Incredulity, p. 45. These Spanish schools of magic are celebrated also by the Italian poets of romance :- • " Questo citta di Tolleto solea Tenere studio di negromanzia, Quivi dimagica arte si leggca Pubblicamente, e di peromaiisia ; £ molti geomanti sempre avea, Esperimenti assai d' idromamda K d* altre false opinion* di sdochi Come e fatture, o spesso batter gli occbi." II Morgante Sfagffiore, Canto xxv. St. 259. The celebrated magician Maugis, cousin to Rinaldo of Montal« ban, called, by Ariosto, Malagigi, studied the black art at Toledo, as we learn from L'HUtoire de Maugit ly Aygremont. He even held a professor's chair in the necromantic imivcrsity ; for so 1 interpret the passage, *'c barrel under the lampo that nyghtc and day the fat therein may droppe and leake ; and yt shall ix daycs long, ones iu the day, fyll tlie lampe, and fayle nat And when this is all done, then shall 1 be renucd, and made yongt agcii.' ** At this extraordinary proposal, the confidant was' sore abashed, and made some semide of obeyiug his master's com- mands. At length, however, he complied, and ViiYPl was slain, pickled, and barrelled up, in all respects according^ to his own direction. Tlie servant then left tlie tower, taking care to put the copper thrashers in motion at hitt departure. He ooMtiuued daily to visit the tower with tlie same precaution. Meanwhile, the emperor, with whom Virgil was a great favourite, missed him from the court, and demanded of his servant where he was. Tlte do* mestic pretended ignorance, till the emperor threatened liim with death, when at length he couvcyod him to the enchanted tower. The same threat extorted a discovery of the mode of stopping the statues from wielding their flails. " And then the emperour enter- ed mto the castle with all his folke, and sought all alMute in every ootner after Virgilius ; and at the laste they soughte so longcs, that 'they came into tlie seller, where they sawe tlie lampe hang ovei the barrell, where Virgilius lay iu deed. Then aslu^ the empe- rour the man, who had made hym so lierdy to put his mayster Vir- gilius so to dethe ; and the man answered no worde to Uie em)>e- rour. And then the emi>erour, with great anger, drewe out his sworde, and slewe he tlicre Viiigilius* man. And wlven all thui wa« dorin Homer, who api>eared, and made some stay, at a farm-house among the Border-mountains. A gentleman of that country has noted down the following jMurticulars conccmuig his appearance : — " The only certain, at least most probable account, that ever I heard of Gilpin Homer, was from an old man, of the name of Anderson, who was bom, and lived all his life, at Todshaw-hill, in Eskedale-muir, the place where Gilpm appeared and staid for some time. He said there were two men, late in the evening, when it was growing dark, employed in fastening the horses ujwn the uttermost part of their ground, (that is, tytog their fore feet together, to hinder them from travelling far in the night,) when they heard a voice, at some distance, crying, • Tint! tint I tintP^ i)neof the men, named Moffat, called out, 'What deil has tint you ? Come here.' Immediately a creature, of something like a liuman form, apiieared. It was surprisingly little, distorted in features, and misshajien in limbs. As soon as the two men could see it plainly, they ran home in a great fright, imagining they had met with some goblin. By the way Moffat fell, and it ran over him, and was home at the house as sotm as either of them, and I Tm/ signifies tort. Digitized by VjOOQIC 184 APPRNDIX TO THK itaid there a long time ; but I cannot say how long. It was real fleah and blood, and ate and drank, was fond of cream, and, when tt conld get at it, would destroy a great deaL It seemed a mis- chievous creature ; and any of the ^ildren whom it could master, it would beat and scratch without mercy. It was once abusing a child belonging to the same MoffiU, who had been so frightened by its first appearance ; and he in a passion struck it so violent a blow upon the side of the head, that it tumbled upon the ground : but it was npt stunned ; for it set up its head Erectly, and ex- claimed, 'Ah hah. Will o' Mofiat, you strike sairf (viz. tare.) After it had staid there long, one evening, when the women were milking the cows in the loan, it was playing among the children near by them, when suddenly they he«rd a loud s^l voice cry, three times, * Gilpin Homer/' It started, and said, * Thatisme, I must atottjf,* and instantly disappeared, and was never heard of more. Old Anderson did not remember it, but said, he had often heard his father, and other old men in the place, who were there at the time, speak about it ; and in my younger years I have often heard it mentioned, and never met with any who had the remotest doubt as to the truth of the story ; although, I must own, I cannot help thinking there must be some misrepresentation in it**— To this account, I have to add the following particulars firom the most respectable authority. Besides constantly repeating the word tint ! tint/ Gilpin Homer was often heard to call upon Peter Bertram, or Be-te-ram, as he pronounced the word ; uid when the shrill voice called Gilpin Homer, he immediately acknowledged it was the snnunons of the said Peter Bertram : who seems therefore to have been the devil who had tint, or lost, the little imp. As mndi has been objected to Gilpin Homer on account of his being sup- posed rather a device of the author than a popular superstition, I can only say, that no legend which I ever heard seemed to be mora universally credited, and that many persons of very good rank and considerable information are well known to repose absolute &itb fai the tradition. Note 2 D. But the Ladye of Branktome gaiher'd a band 0/the best that would ride at her eontmatuL—V. 60. " Upon 2Sth June, 1557, Dame Janet Beatoune Lady Buc- cleuch, and a great numberof the name of Scott, delaitit (accused) for coming to the kirk of St Mary of the Lowes, to the number of two hundred persons bodin in feire of weire, (arrayed in armour, I Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THE LAST MINSTHKL. 185 and breaking open the door of the said Idrk, in order to apprehend the Laird of Cranstoun for his deetmction." On the 20th Jnlj, a warrant from the Queen is presented, discharging the justice to proceed against the Ladj Bucdeuch while new caUing. — Abridge- ment 0/ Books qf Ac^oumal, in Advocated L&>rarjf.—The follow- ing proceedings upon this case appear on the record of the Court of Justiciary: On the 25th of June, 1567> Robert Scott, in Bowhill parish, priest of the kirk of St. Mary's, accused of the conrocation of the Queen's li^es, to the number of 200 persons, in warlike array, with Jacks, helmets, and other weapons, and marching to the ehapel of St Mary of the Lowes, for the slaughter of Sir Peter Cranstoun, out of ancient feud and malice prepense, and of break- ing the doors of the said kirk, is repledged by the Archbishop oi Glasgow. The bail given by Robert Scott of AUanhaugh, Adam Scott of Bumfute, Robert Scott in Uowfurde, Walter Scott in Todshawhaugh. Walter Scott younger of Synton, Thomas Scott of Hayning, Robert Scott, WiUiam Scott, and James Scott, bro thers of ihe said Walter Scott, Walter Scott in the Well, and Walter Scott, son of William Scott of Harden, and James Wemyss in Eckford, all accused of the same crime, is declared to be for- feited. On the same day, Walter Scott of Synton, and Walter Chisholme of Chisholme, and William Scott of Harden, became bound. Jointly and sererally, that Sir Peter Cranstoun, and \m kindrcMi and senrants, should receive no injury from them in future. At the same time, Patrick Murray of Fallohill, Alexander Stuart, uncle to the Laird of Trakwhare, John Murray of Ncwhall, John Fairlye, residing in Selkirk, George Tait, younger of Pirn, John Pennycuke of Pennycuke, James Ramsay of Cokpen, the Laird of Faasyde, and the Laird of Henderstoune, were all severally fined for not attending as Jurors ; being probably either in alliance with the accused parties, or dreading their vengeance. Upon the 20th of July following, Scott of Synton, Chisholme of Chisholme, Scott of Harden, Scott of Howpaslie, Scott of Bumfute, with many others, are ordered to appear at next calling, under the pains of treason. But no &rther procedure seems to have taken place. It is said, that, upon this rising, the Idrk of St Mary was burnt by the Stetta. NOTB 2 D.» All vaa» delusion, nought ujos truth.— V. 07. Gflamotir, in the l^ends of Scottish superstition, means the magic power of imposing on the eyesight of the spectators, so that thr >d by Google 136 AFPENDIJI 'JO appearance of an object shall be totally different from the reality The transformation of Michael Scott by the \ntch of Falsehope, already mentioned, was a genuine operation of glamour. To a similar charm the ballad of Johnny Fa' imputes the fascination of the lovely Countess, who eloped with that gipsy leader :— • " Sae soon as they saw her weel-far'd fieioe. They cast the glamour o'er her." It was formerly used even in war. In 1381, when the Duke of Anjou lay before a strong castle, upon the coast of Naples, a necr»* mancer offered to " make the ayre so thycke, that they within shall thynke that there is a great bridge on the see (by which the castle was surrounded) for ten men to go a front ; and whan they within the castle se the bridge, they will be so afrayde, that they shall velde them to your mercy. The Duke demanded, — * Fayre Mas- ter, on this bridge that ye speke of, may our people assuredly go thereon to the castell to assayle it ?'— ' Syr,* quod the enchantour, ' I dare not assure you that ; for if any that passeth on the bridge make the signe of the crosse on hym, all shall go to noughte, and they that be on the bridge shall fall into the see.' Then the Duke began to laugh ; and a certain of young knightes, that were there present, said, ' Syr, for godsake, let the master assey his cunning : we shal leve making of any signe of the crosse on us for that tyme.* *' The Earl of Savoy, shortly after, entered the tent, and recognised in the enchanter the same person who had put the castle into the power of Sir Charles de la Payx, who then held it, by persuading the garrison of the Queen of Naples, through magical deception, that the sea was coming over the walls. The sage avowed the feat, and added, that he was the man in the world most dreaded by Sir Charles de la Payx. " « By my fayth,' quod the Earl of Savoy, * ye say well ; and I will that Syr Charles de la Payx shall know that he hath gret wronge to fear you. But I shall assure hym of you; for ye shall never do enchantment to deceyve hym, nor yet none other. I wolde nat that in tyme to come we shuld be re- proached that in so high an enterprise as we be in, wherein there be so many noble knyghtes and squyres assembled, that we shulde do any thyng be enchantment, nor that we shulde wyn our ei^mys be suche crafte.' Then he called to him a servaunt, and said ' Go and get a hangman, and let him stryke of this mayster's heed with- out delay;' and as soon as the Erie had commanded it, inconty nent It was done, for his heed was stryken of before Uie Erie's tent."— Froissart, vol. i. ch. 391, 3^)2. The art of glamour, or other fascination, vras anciently a prin- cipal part of the skill of the wnrjleur, or juggler, whose tricks formed much of the amusement of a Gothic castle. Some instance Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP TUB LAST MlNiiTBBL. 187 of this art may be found in the MinHreUy qf (he Scottish Border, T<)1. iv. p. 106. In a strange allegorical poem, called the flonlat, written by a dependent of the house of Douglas, about l4A2-d, the )ay, in an assembly of birds, plays the part of the Juggler. Uii feats of glamour are thus described :— " He gart them see, as it semyt in samyn houre Hunting at herdis in holtis so hair ; Some sailand on the see schippis of tonre, Bemis battalland on burd brim as a bare ; He conlde carye the coup of the kingis des, Syne leve in the stede, Bot a black bnnwede ; He could of a Lenis hede Make a man mes. He gart the Empronre trow, ana ttewlye behald. That the comcraiky the pundare at hand. Had poyndit all his pris hors in a poynd fold. Because thai ete of the com in the kirkland. He could wirk windaris, quhat way that he wald, Mak a gray gus a gold garland, A lang spere of a bittile, for a heme bald, Nobillis of nutschelles, and sUver of sand. Thus Joakit with juxters the Jang) vie ja. Fair ladyes in ringis, Knychtis in caralyngis, Bayth dansis and singis. It semyt as sa." Note 2 E. Now, if you — ' Ens is nothing till sense finds out : Sense ends in nothing, so nausht goes about Digitized by VjOOQIC 188 4PPKNDIX TO TH» Which rhyme of his was so raptarous to himself, that, on the re- citing of the second verse, the old man turned himself about upon liis toe as nimbly as one may observe a dry leaf whisked round the comer of an orchard-walk by some little whirlwind. With this philosopher I have had many discourses concening the immortality of the soul and its distinction ; when I have run himquite down by reason, he would but laugh at me, and say, this is logic, H. (calling me by my Christian name ;) to which I replyed, this is reason, father L. (for so I used and some others to call him ;) but it seenu you are for the new lights, and immediate inspiration, which I con- fess he was as little for as for the other ; but I said so only in the way of drollery to him in those times, but truth is, nothing but palpable experience would move him ; and being a bold man, and fearing nothing, he told me he had used all the magical ceremonies of c->n- juration he could, to raise the deril or a spirit, and had a must tamest desire to meet with one, but neyer could do it. But this be told me, when he did not so much as think of it, while his ser ▼ant was pulling off his boots in the hall, some invisible hand gave him such a dapupon the back, that it made all ring again ; ' so.* thought he now, * I am invited to the converse of my spirit,* and therefore, so soon as his boots were off, and his shoe^ on, out he goes into the yard and next field, to find out the spirit that had given him this familiar clap on the back, but found none neither In the yard nor field next to it " But though he did not feel this stroke, albeit he thought it afterwards (finding nothing came of it) a mere delusion ; yet not long before Ids death, it h&i more force with him than all the phi- losophical arguments I could use to him, though I could wind him and nonplus him as I pleased ; but yet aU my arguments, how solid soever, made no impression upon him ; wherefore, after several reasonings of this nature, whereby I would prove to him the soul's distinction from the body, and its immortality, when nothing of such subtile consideration did any more execution on Us mind than some lightning is 'said to do, though it melts the sword, on the fuzzy consbtency of the scabbard,—' Well,' said I, • father L. , though none of these things move you, I have something still behind, and what yourself has acknowledged to be true, that may do the businesH :— Do you remember the clap on your back when your servant was pulling off your boots in the hall ? Assure your- self,' says I, ' father L., that goblin will be the first to bid you welcome into the other world.* Upon that his countenance changed most sensibly, and he was more confounded with this rubbing up his memory, than with all the rational or philosophical argumentations that I could proance." Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THB LAST MmSTRIU 189 Note 2 F. The running stream dissolved the spitL—V. OOi It V 8 finn article of popular faith, that no enchantment can •ttbffist in a liTing stream. Nay, if you can interpose a brook betwixt you and witches, spectre* or eren fiends, yon are in per- fect safety. Bums's inimitable Tam (f Shanter turns entirely upon such a drcumstanoe. The belief seems to be of antiquity. Brompton informs us, that certain Irish wizards could, by spells, conrert earthen clods, or stones, into fat pigs, which they sold in the market ; but whidi always resumed their proper form, when driren by the deceived purchaser across a running stream. But Brompton b serere on the Irish for a rery good reason. " Gen- ista spurdssima non solmnt dedmas,**— Cftrmtcon Johanni* ^omjaon apud decern Seriptores, p. 1076. Notb2G. He never counted Mm a man^ Would strike below (he ibue.~P. 71. fmitated from Drayton's account of Bobin Hood and his fo) uwers >— " A hundred raliant men had this brare Bobin Hood. Still ready at his call, that bowmen were right good : All clad in Lincoln green, with caps of red and blue. His fellow's winded horn not one of them but knew. When setting to their lips their bugles shrill. The warbling echoes waJced from every dale and hill ; Their bauldrics set with studs athwart their shoulders cast. To which under their arms their sheafs were buckled fast, A short sword at their belt, a buckler scarce a span, Who struck below the knee not counted then a man. All made of Spanish yew, their bows were wondrous strong. They not an arrow drew but was a clothyard long. Of archery they had the very perfect craft. With broad arrow, or but, or prick, or roving shaft." , Poly-AUAon^ Song 2fL To wound an antagonist in the thigh, or leg, was reckoned coti- fenunr to the law of arms, in a tilt betwixt Gawain Michael lut Digitized by VjOOQIC 190 AFPftNDlX ro THE Knglish squire, and Joachim Catliore, a Frenchman, "they met at the speare pojntcs rudely : the French squyer justed right plea- santly ; the Englishman ran too lowe, for he strak the Frenchman depe into the thigh. Wherewith the Erie of Buckingham was right sore displeased, and so were all the other lords, and sayde how it was shamefully done." Fkoissart, toL L chap. 366.— Upon a similar occasion, " the two knyghts came a fote eche against othei rudely, with their speares low couched, to stryke eche other within the foure quarters. Johan of Castell-Morant strake the English squyer on the brest in such wyse, that Syr Wyllyam Ferme- tone stombled and bowed, for his fote a lyttel fayled him. He helde his speare lowe with both his handes, and coude nat amende it, and strake Syr Johan of the Castell-Morant in the thighe, so that the speare went clone throughe, that the heed was sene a hand- full on the other syde. And Syr Johan with the stroke reled, but he fell nat Than the Englyshe knyghtes and squyres were ryghte sore displeased, and sayde how it was a foule stroke. Syr Wyllyam Permetone excused himselfe, and sayde how he was sorieofthat adventure, and howe that yf he had knowen that it shulde have bene so, he wolde never have b^on it ; sayenge how he could nat amende it, by cause of glaunsing of his foto by constraynt of the great stroke that Syr Johan of the Castell-Morant had given him." — Froissart, voL i. chap. 373. NOTK -2 rl. But the has ta*en the broken lancet And wash*d ilfrvm the dotted gore. And teUved the tplirUer o'er and o'er.— P. 74. Sir Kcnelm Digby, in a discourse upon the cure by sympatliy, pronounced at Montpelier before an assembly of nobles and learned men, translated into English by R. White, gentleman, and pub- lished in 1668, gives us the following curious surgical case :— " Mr James Howel (well known in France for his public works, and particularly for his DendroUjgie, translated into French by Mons. fiaudonin) coming by chance, as two of his best friends were fighting in duel, he did his endeavour to part them ; and, putting himselfe between them, seized, with his left hand, upon the hilt of the sword of one of the combatants, while, with his right hand, he laid hold of the blade of the other. They, being transported with fury one against the other, struggled to rid themselves of the hin- deranc^ their friend made, that they should not kill one another ; and one of them rouKlily drawing the blade of his sword, cats tn the )y Google hW OP THB LASl MfrvSTRBL. 191 f erj bone the nerveit and muscles of Mr. Howel's hand ; and then the other disengaged his hilts, and gave a crosse blow on his adversarie's head, which glanced towards his friend, who heavinx up his sore hand to save the blow, he was wounded on the back oi 6is hand as he had been before within. It seems some strange con- stellation reigned then against him, that he should lose so much bloud by parting two such dear friends, who, had they been then^ selves, would have hazarded both their lives to have preserved his; but this involuntary effusion of bloud by them, prevented that which they sholde have drawn one fh>m the other. For they, see- mg Mr. Howel's face besmeared with bloud, by heaving up his wounded hand, they both ran to embrace him ; and, having search* ed his hurts, they bound np his hand with one of his garters, to close the veins which were cut, and bled abundantly. They brought him home, and sent for a sui^geon. But this being heard at court, the King sent one of his own surgeons ; for his Majesty much af fected the said Mr. HoweL " It was my chance to be lodged hard by him ; and four or five days after, as I was making myself ready, he came to my house, and prayed me to view his wounds ; ' for I understand,' said he ' that- you have extraordinary remedies on such occasions, and my surgeons apprehend some fear that it may grow to a gangrene, and so the hand must be cut o£f.' In effect, his countenance discover* ed that he was in much pain, which he said was insupportable, in regard of the extreme inflammation. I told him I would willingly serve him ; but if haply he knew the manner how I would cure him, without touching or seeing him, it may be he would not expose himself to my manner of curing, because he would think it, perad- venture, either ineffectual or superstitious, fie replied, ' the won* derlul things which many have related unto me of your way of medicament, makes me nothing doubt at all of its efficacy ; and al2 that I have to say unto you is comprehended in the Spanish pro- verb, Hagase d mUagro y hagaio Mahoma—Let the miracle be done, though Mahomet do it' " I asked him then for any thing that had the blood upon it ; so be presently sent for his garter, wherewith his hand was first bound ; and as I called for a bason of water, as if I would wash my hands, I took a handful of powder of vitriol, which I had in my study, and presently dissolved it. As soon as the bloudy garter was brought me, I put it within the bason, observing, in the interim, what Mr. Howel did, who stood talking with a gentleman in a compr of my chamber, not regarding at all what I was doing ; but he started suddenly, as if he had found some strange alteration in himself. 1 asked him what he ailed ? ' I know not what ailes me ; but I finda that I feel no more pain. Methmks that a pleasing kind of fresu' II Digitized by VjOOQIC 192 APPSWmX fO TfTB neMe, m it were ft wet ooldn^kiii, dMqnead over my hand, wtuai bath taken away the inflwmmatlrw tiiat tonnoited me befbre.*— I replied, < ffinoe then tbatyoa feel already so good eflbct of my medi- cament, I adviie yon to castaway aU yonrplayBten; only keep tbe wound dean, and fn a modeimte temper betwixt heat and ookL This was pretently reported to the Diike of BncMngham, and a little after to the Kii^ who were both Tory cnnona to know tiw firpftfT*«iffl«U1* ftf *1m» h nmiP— « , wMA w— , that aftar Xamiw I tonir the garter oat of the water, and pat it to dry before a great fire. It was icarce dry, bat Mr. HoweTa lerrant came running, that his master felt as much burning as ever he liad dotte, if not more; for th^ heat was such as if lus hand were *twizt eiAem of fire. I an- •wered, although tiiat had h ap p en ed at present, yet he should find ease in a short time ; for I knew tlie reason of this new accident, and would proride accordingly; for his master should be fireefiNmi that inflammation, it may be before he could posriUy return to him ; but in case he found no ease, I wished him tocome presently back again ; if not, he mig^t forbear coming. There u pon he went ; and at the instant I did put again the garter into the water, there- upon he found his master without any pain at alL To be brieC there was no sense of pain afterward ; but within fire or six dayes the wounds were ck^trized, and entirely healed.'*~Page 6. The King (James VI.) obtained from Sir Kenelm the diseorery of his secret, which he pretended had been taught him by a Car- melite friar, who had learned it in Armenia or Persia. Let not the age of animal magnetism and metallic tractors smile at the sym- pathetic powder .of Sir Kenelm Digby. Reginald Scott mentiona the same mode of cure in these terms :— '' And that which is bkh^ strange they can remedieanie stranger with that Terie sword wherewith they are wounded. Yea, and that whkh is be- yond all admiratk>n, if they stroke the sword upward with their fingers, the partie shall feele no pain ; whereas, if they draw their fingers downwards, thereupon the partie woundedshall feele intole- rable pain." I presume that the success ascribed to the sympa- thetic mode of treatment might arise from the pains bestowed in washing the wound, and excluding the air, thus bringing on a curs by the first intention. It is introduced by Dryden in the BruMnted Nland, a (very unnecessary) alteratk>n of tbe Tempetl .— " Ariel, Anoint tbe sword which pierced him with tbit V^eapon-salve, and wrap it close from air. Till I have time to visit him again.**— ^ef t. $e. 8. Again, in scene 4th, Miranda enters with HippkUto*s sword wrapt up:— ** Hip. O my wound pains me 1 Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP TIf& LAST MINSTRBL. 193 Mir, 1 am come to eaae you. [,She. unwraps the Swora. Hip. Alai, I feel the cold air come to me ; My wound shoou worse than trer. Mir. Does it still griere you? iShe wipet and anainttOe Sword. Hip. Now, methinks, there's something laid just upon it. Mir. Do you find no ease? Hip. Yes, yes ; upon the sudden all this pam Is learing me. Sweet heaven, how 1 am eased I** Note 2 I. On Penckryst gHowt a bale qf^e.-^P. 75. fiofe, beacon fagot The Border beacons, irom their number and position, formed a sort of telegraphic communication with Edin- burgh.— The act of Parliament 1455, c. 48, directs that una bale or fiftf^t shall be warning of the approach of the English in uny man- ner ; two bales that they are coming indeed ; four bales, blazing beside each other, that the enemy are in great force. " The same taikeningfl to be watched and maid at Eggerhope (Eggerstand) Ca» tell, fra they se the fire of Hume, that they fire right swa. And iu like manner on Sowtra Edge, sail se the fire of Eggerhope Castell. and mak taikcning in like manner : And then may all Loutlmint be warned, and in special the Castell of Edinburgh ; and their four fires to be made in like manner, that thcv {n Fife, and fra Strive- ling east, and the east part of Louthaine, and to Dunbar, all may se them, and come to die defence of the realme." These beacons - ' Upon the death of the old Lord Scroop, the Queen gave the Digitized by VjOOQIC 1^4 APPENDIX TO THK weft wardenrj to his son, tliat had married my rister. He haring reoeired that office, came to me with great eamestnesa, and de- sired me to he his depot j, offering me tiiat I should live with him in hi* house ; that he would allow me lialf a dozen men, and as many horses, to be kept at his charge ; and his fee being one thou- sand merks yearly ; he woula part it with me, and I should have the half. This his noble offer I accepted of. and went with him to Carlisle ; where I was no sooner come, but I entered into my office. We had a stirring time of it ; and few days jMissed over my head but I was on horseback, either to prevent mischief, or take malefactors, and to bring the Border in bener quiet than it had been in times past One memorable thing of God's mercy showed unto me, was such as I have good cause still to remember it " I had private intelligence given me, that there were two Soot- tishmen that had killed a churchman in Scotland, and were by one of the Onemes relieved. This Oneme dwelt within five miles of Carlisle. He had a pretty house, and close by it a strong tower, for his own defence in time of need.— About two o'clock in th<> morning, 1 took horse in Carlisle, and not above twenty-five in my company, thinking to surprise the house on a sudden. Before 1 could surround the house, the two Scotte were gotten in the stronf tower, and I could see a boy riding from the house as fiMt as his horse could carry him ; I little suspecting what it meant But Thomas Carleton came to me presently, and told me, that if I did not presently prevent it, both myself and all my company would be either slain or taken prisoners. It was strange to me to hear this language. He then said to me, ' Do yon see that boy that ridetb away so fiast ? He will be in Scotland within this half hour ; and he is gone to let them know, that you are here, and to what end you are come, and the small number you have with vou ; and that if they will make haste, on a sudden they may surprise us, and do with us what they please.' Hereupon we took advice what was best to be done. We sent«iotice presently to all parts to raise the country, and to come to us with all the speed they could ; and withal we sent to Carlisle to raise the townsmen ; for without foot we could do no good against the tower. There we staid some hours, exjtecting more company ; and within short time after the country came in on all sides, so that we were quickly between three and four hundred horse ; and, after some longer stay, the foot of Car- lisle came to us, to the number of three or four hundred men ; whom we presently set to work, to get to the top of the tower, and to uccovor the roof; and then some twenty of them to fall dovm together, and by that means to win the tower.— The Scots, seeing their present danger, offered to parley, and yielded themselves to «iy mercy. They had no sooner opened the iron gate, and yielded Digitized by VjOOQIC LA.\ OF TfiB LAST MINSTREL. 195 themtelTM my priaonen, but we might see four hundred horM within a quarter of a mile coming to their rescue, and to surprise me and my small company ; but of a sudden they stayed, and stood at gaze. Then had I more to do than ever ; for ail our Bor derers came crying, with full mouths, ' Sir, give us leare to sec upon them ; for these are thoT that have killed our fathers, our brothers, and uncles, and our cousins ; and they are coming, think- ing to surprise you, upon weak grass nags, such as they could get on a sudden; and Ood hath put them into your hands, that we may take revenge of them for much blood that they have spilt of ours.' I desired they would be patient a while, and bethought myself, if I should give them their will, there would be few or none of the Scots that would escape unkilled ; (there was so many deadly feuda among them ;) and therefore I resolved with myself to give them a fair answer, but not to give them their desire. So 1 told them, that if I were not there myself, they might then do what they pleased themselves ; but being present, if I should give them leave, the blood that should be spilt that day would lie very hard upon my conscience. And therefore I desired them, for my sake, to forbear ; and, if the Scots did not presently make away with all the speed - they could, upon my sending to them, they should then have their wills to do what they pleased. They were ill satisfied with my answer, but durst not disobey. I sent with speed to the Scots^ and baide them pack away with all the speed they could ; for if Ihey stayed the messenger's return, they should few of them return to their own home. They made no stay ; but they were returned homewards before the messenger had made an end of his message. Thus, by God's mercy, I escaped a gxcat danger ; and. Iff my means, there wore a great many men's lives saved that day.*' Note 2 L. On manp a cairn' t grey pyramid^ nnure unis (if mighty chiefi lie Aid.— r. 77. The cairns, or piles of loose stones, which crown the summit of most of our Scottish hills, and are found in other remarkable situa- tionb, seem usually, though not universally, to have been sepul- chral monuments. Six flat stones are commonly found in the centre, forming a cavity of greater or smaller dimensions, in which an urn is often placed. The author is possessed of one, discovered be- neath an immense cairn at Boughlee, in Liddesdale. It is of the most barbarous construction ; the middle of the substance alone having been subjected to the fire, over which, when hardened, the artiiit Digitized by VjOOQIC \^^* WW W i jmK' I I I , . I I \ 11 ■^^si^ m U a ^ • V V ., ^ \ ^ V \ A ' \ , iv y y ■■■■ \ V w \ ^^ Digitized by VjOOQIC 198 APPENDIX TO TUB bnrne the Raid town of Coldingham, with all the come fhereunto belonging, which b esteemed warthe di marke sterling ; but alsoo burned twa townes nye. adjoining thereunto, called Branerdeigeat and the Black Hill, and toke zxiii persons, Ix horse, with cc he£ of cataill, which, nowe as I am informed, hathe not only been a staye of the said Erie of Mnrreis not coming to the Bordnre as yet, but alsoo, that none inlande man will adventure theyr self uppon the Marches. And as for the tax that shulde have been grauntyd for finding of the said iii hundred men, is utterly denyed. Upon which the King of Scotland departed from Edynbuigh to StirUng, and as yet there doth remayn. And also J, by the adrice of my brother Clyfforth, havedevysed, that within this iii nyghts, Gtodde willing, Kelsey, in like case, shall be brent, with all the com in the said town ; and then they shall have noo place to lye any gary- Hon in nygh unto the Borders. And as I shall atteigne farther knowledge, I shall not £eu11 to satisfye your highnes, according to my most bounden dutie. And for this bumyng of Kelsey is de- rysed to be done secretly, by Tyndaill and Ryddisdale. And thus the holy Trynitie and * * * your most royal estate, with long lyf, and as much increase of honour as your most noble heart can do- sire. MfFerktoorth the xxM day qf October," (1522.) Note 2 O. mat Tinlinn.—T. 82. This person was, in my younger days, the theme of many a flre> ride tale. He was a retainer of the Buccleuch fomily, and held for his Border service a small tower on the frontiers of Liddesdale. Watt was, by profession, a sutoTf but, by inclination and practice, an archer and warrior. Upon one occasion, the captain of Bew- castle, military governor of that wild district of Cumberland, is said to have made an incursion into Scotland, in which he was defeated, and forced to fly. Watt Tinlinn pursued him closely through a dangerous morass ; the captain, however, gained the firm ground ; and seeing Tinlinn dismounted, and floundering in the b^, used these words of insult : — " Sutor Watt, ye cannot sew your boots; the heels rifp, and the seams rive."! — " If I cannot sew,** retorted Tinlinn, dischaiging a shaft, which nailed the captain's thigh to his saddle,—" If I cannot sew, I can yerk."^ i Rispt creak.— JWw, tear. s yerk, to twitch, as shoemakers do, in securing the stitches of their work >d by Google Lir or ruB last umsTBsu 199 Notb 2 P. Baud frm Howard.— T. 81 Lord William Howard, third ton of Thomas, Dnko of Norfollc, • Mocteded to Naworth Castle, and a large domain annexed to it, in right of his wife Elisabeth, sister of George Lord Dacre, who died without heirs male, in the llth of Queen Elizabeth. By a poetical anachronism, he is introduced into the romance a few years earlier than he actually flourished. He was warden of the Western Marches : and, from the rigour with which he repressed the Border excesses, the name of Belted Will Howard is still famous in our traditions. In the castle of Naworth, his apartments, containing a bedroom, oratory, and library, are still shown. They impress us with an unpleasing idea of the life of a lord warden of the Marches. Xhree or four strong doors, separating these rooms from the rest «f the castle, indicate the apprehensions of treachery from his garrison ; and the secret windbtg passages, through which he could privately descend' into the guardroom, or even into the dungeons. Imply the necessity of no small degree of secret superintendence on the part of the governor. As the ancient books and furniture have remained undisturbed, the venerable appearance of these apart- ments, and the armour scattered around &e chamber, almost lead OS to expect the arrival of the warden in person. Naworth Castle is situated near Brampton, in Cumberland. Lord William Howard k ancestor of the Earls of Carlisle. Notb2Q. Loni Dacre.— P. 84. The well-known name of Dacre is derived from the exploits of •Be of their ancestors at the siege of Acre, or Ptolemais, under Richard Coeur de Lion. There were two powerful branches of that aame. The first family, called Lord Dacres of the South, held the castle of the same name, and are ancestors to the present Lord Oacre. The other family, descended firom the same stock, were •miled Lord Dacres of the North, and were Barons of Oilsland and Oraystock. A chieftain of the latter branch was warden of the West Marches dunng the reign of Edward VI. He was a man of a hot and obstinate character, as appears from some particulars of Lord Surrey's letter to Henry VI 11., giving an account of his Digitized by VjOOQIC ?00 APPENDIX TO THB bebaTionr ftt the tiegB and storm of Jedbni^li It n printed in rhe Minttrdsjf qf the Scottish Border, Appendix to the Intro- duction. Notb2R. The German hacktnt^men.'-K 84. In the wars with Scotland, RenrjVIII. and hli mcceieorB em- ployed numerous bands of mercenary troops. At the battle of Pinky, there were in the English army six hundred hackbntters on foot, and two hundred on horseback, composed chiefly of foreigners. On the 27th of September, 1549, the Duke of Somerset, Lord Pro- tector, writes to the Lord Dacre, warden of the West Marches: " The Almains, in number two thousand, rery raliant soldiers, ^ shall be sent to you shortly from Newcastle, together with Sir Thomas Holcroft, and with the force of your wardenry, (which we would were advanced to the most strength of horsemen that might be,) shall make the attempt to Loughmaben, being of no such strength but that it may be skailed with ladders, whereof, before- hand, we would you caused secretly some number to be provided ; or else undermined with the pyke^xe, and so taken : either to be kept for the King's Majesty, or otherwise to be defaced, and taken from the profits of the enemy. And in like manner the house oi Carlaverock to be used.** Repeated mention occurs of the Almains, in the subsequent correspondence ; and the enterprise seems flnally to have been abandoned, from tiie difficulty of providing these strangers with the necessary " victuals and carriages in so poor a tountry as DumMes-shire. **— J7t«tory ^{TumA^rtond, vol. L Introd. p. IxL From the battle-pieces of the ancient Flemish painters, we learn, that the Low Country and German soldiers marched to an assault with theii right knees bared. And we may also observe, in such pictures, the extravagance to which they carried the fashion of ornamenting their dress with knots of ribbon. This custom of the Germans b alluded to in the Mirrcurfor Jfagistralett p. 121. " Their pleited garments therewith well accord. All agde and frounst, with divers oolonrs deckt* Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THI LAST MIN8TRKL. 201 Nr the quhilk cause, it is our will, and we doe straitlie command and chaig our lion herauld and his deputies for the time beand, to giro and to graunt to the said John Scott, ane Border of ffleure de lises about Ids coatte of armes, sik as is on our royal banner, and alsua ane bundell of launces above his helmet, with thir words, Readdy, ay Readdy, that he and all his aftercummers may bruik the samme as a pledge and taiken of our guid will and kyndnes for his true worthines ; and thir our letters seen ye nae wayes failzie to doe. Given at F&lla Muire, under our hand and privy cashet, the xxvii day of July, m c and zzzii zeires. By the King's graces speciall •rdmance. "Ja Amkinc.'* 1 Sicinomi. Digitized by VjOOQ IC 102 APPENDIX TO THB On the back of the charter Is written, ** Edin. 14 January, 1713. B-egistered, conform to the act bridge carried to the assistance of the King of Portugal against the Spaniards, mutinied for want of regular pay. At an assembly of their leaders. Sir John Soltier, a natural son of Edward the Black Prince, thus addressed them : *' * I oounsayle, let us be alle of one alliance, and of one accorde, and let us among ourselves reyse up the baner of St. George, and let us be frendes to God, and enemyes to alle the worlde ; for without we make ourselfe to be £Mured, we gette nothynge.' *' 'By my fayth,' quod Sir William Helmon, 'ye saye right well, and so let us do.' They all agreed with one voyce, and so regarded among them who shnlde be their capltayne. Then they advjsed in the case how they ooude nat have a better capltayne than Sir John Soltier : For they tulde tuan have good leysei to do y vel, aud Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF TH B LAST MINBTRBL. 2( 6 they thought he waa more metelyer thereto than any other. Then they raised up the penon of St. George, and cried, ' A Soltier! a Soltier ! the ralyaunt bastarde ! frendes to God, and enemiei to all tho worlde ** **— Froi88Art toL I ch. 303. Note 2 W. fFi daimJHm thu fFiUkm qfDdorame, That he maif iuffer martMrttuon paift.-^F» 96L ijereral spedea of offences, peculiar to the Border, cona ti tu ie d what was called march-treason. Among others, was the crime of riding, or causing to ride, against the opposite country during tlM time of truce. Thus, in an indenture made at the water of Eske, iMside Salom, on the 25th day of March, 1334, betwixt noble lords and mighty. Sirs Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and Archibald Douglas, Lord of Gidloway, a truce is agreed upon until the 1st day of July ; and it ia expressly accorded, ** Gif ony stellis Attthir on the ta part, or on the tothyr, that he shall be hanget or beofdit ; and gif ony company stellis any gudes within the trieux beforesayd, ane of that company sail be hanget or beofdit, and the remanant sail restore the gudys stolen in the d^ubbJa.*— ififto»y oj JVestmoreland and Cumberland^ Introd. p. xxxix. Notb2X. WtU deanse Mm by oath qftnarch-treaton etabu-^'P, 97. In dubious cases, the innocence of Border criminals was ooc»> rionally referred to their own oath. The form of excusing bills, or indictments, by fiorder-oeth, ran thus r " Yen shall swear by hearen above you, hell beneath you, by your part of Paradise, by all that God made in six days and seren nights, and by God liim- sel( you are whart out sackless of art, part, way, witting, ridd, kenning having, or recetting of any of the goods and cattels named in this biU. So help you Qoi."—HiiUnv if CunOerktnd, latvod. p. xxw. Digitized by VjOOQIC 206 APPENDIX TO Tllie Note 2 Y. Knighthood he took of DougUu' iU)ord.^V. 97* The dignity of knighthood, according to the original institution, had this peculiarity, that it did not flow from ^e monarch, hut could he conferred by one who himself possessed it, upon any squire who, after due probation, was found to merit the honour of cbii^dry. Latterly, this power was confined to generals, who were wont to create knights bannerets after or before an engagement. Eren so late as the reign of Queen Elizabeth, Essex highly offended his jealous sovereign by the indiscriminate exertion of this privilege. Among others, he Imighted the witty Sir John Harrington, whose favour at court was by no means enhancod by his new honours.— See the NugcB Antiqua^ edited by Mr. Park. But probably the latest instance of knighthood, conferred by a subject, was in the case qC. Thomas Ker, knighted by the Earl of Huntley, after the defeat of the Earl of Argyle in the battle of Belrinnes. The fact is attested, both by a poetical and prose account of the engagement, contained in an ancient MS. in the Advocates* Library, and edited by Mr- Dalyell, in Qodly Sangiand BaOeU, Edin. 1802. Note 2 Z. Tht blanche lion.—T. SSL This was the cognisance of the noble house of Howard in all its branches. The crest, or bearing, of a warrior, was often used as a nommede guerre. Thus Richard III. acquired his well-known epithet,- The Boar of York. In the violent satire on Cardinal Wolsey, written by Boy, commonly, but erroneously, imputed to Dr. BuU, the Duke of Buckingham is called the Beautifui Stoan, and the Duke of Norfolk, or Earl of Surrey, the fFhite Liou, As the book is extremely rare, and the whole passage relates to the emblematical interpretation of heraldry, it shall be here given at length. ** The Detcripibm qfthe Armee. ** Of the proud Cardinal this is the shelde. Borne up between two auRels of Sathan ; The six bloudy axes in a bare felde, Sheweth the cruelte of the red man, Whkh hath devoured the Beautiful Swan. Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THB LAST IflNSTRBT.. 207 Mortal enemy onto the Whyt^ Lion, (/arter o? Yorke, the vyle batcher's iionne. The six bnlles heddes in a felde blacke, Betokeneth his stordy fuiionsness, Wherefore, the godly lyght to put abacke. He bryngeth in his dyvlish darcuess ; The bandog in the middes doth ozpresse The mastiff cnrre bred in Yps'^ch towne, Onawynge with his teth a kinges crowne. The cloubbe signifleth playne his tiranny, Corered orer with a Cardinal's hatt. Wherein shall be fulfilled the prophecy, Aryse up, Jacke, and pnt on thy salatt. For the tyme in come of bagge and walatt. The temporal! chevalry thus thrown donne, Wherefor, preet, take hede, and beware thy crowne. There were two Copies of this rery scarce satire in the library of the late John, Duke of Roxburghe. See an account of it also ta Sir £gerton Brydges* curious miscellany, the Centura lAUraria. NoTB 3 A. Let Mtugraiie men fierce Ddoraine, Insingtefi(^ P. 100. It may easUy be supposed, that trial by single combat, so pecu- liar to the feudal system, was common on the Borders. In 155^ the well-known Kirkaldy of Orange fought a duel with Ralph Eyre, brother to the then Lord Erre, in consequence of a dispute about a prisoner said to have been ill treated by the Lord Erre. Pitscottie giTes the following account of the afialr:— *' The Lord of Irers his brother provoked William Kirkaldy of Grange to fight with him, in singular combat, on horseback, with spears; who, keeping the appointment, accompanied with Monsieur d'Ossel, lieutenant to the French King, and the garrison of Haymouth, and Mr. Ivers, accompanied with the goremor and garrison of Berwick, it was discharged, under the pain of treason^ that any man should come near the champions within a fiight-shot, except one man for either of them, to bear their spears, two trumpets, and two lords to be judges. When they were in readiness, the trumpets sounded, the heraulds cried, and the judges let them go. They then en* tountered very fiercely; -but Granite struck his spear through his O Digitized by VjOOQIC 208 APPENDIX TO TH« adTenary's shoulder, smd bare him off his hone, being sore wounded : But whether he died, or not. it is uncertain."— P. 202. The following indenture will show at how late a period the trial by combat was resorted to on the Border, as a proof of guilt or in- nocence :— " It is agreed between Thomas Musgrare and Lancelot Carleton, f(/r the true trial of such controrersies as are betwixt them, to have it openly tried by way of combat, before Ood and the fiswe of the world, to try it in Canonbyholme, before England and Scotland, upon Thursday in Easter-week, being the eighth day of April next ensuing, a.d. 1602, betwixt nine of the clock, and one of the same day, to fight on foot, to be armed with jack, steel cap, plaite sleeres^ plaite breaches, plaite sockes, two basleard swords, the blades to be one yard and half a quarter in length, two Scotch daggers, or dorks, at their girdles, and either of them to proTide armour and weapons for themselres, according to this indenture. Two gentle- men to be appointed, on the field, to view both the parties, to see that they both be equal in arms and weapons, according to this indenture ; and being so viewed by the gentlemen, the gentlemen to ride to the rest of the company, and to leave tnem but two boys, riewed by the gentlemen, to be under sixteen years of age, to hold their horses. In testimony of this our agreement, we have both set our hands to this indenture, of intent all matters shall be made 90 plain, as there shall be no question to stick upon that day. Which indenture, as a witness, shall be delivered to two gentle- men. And for that it is convenient the world should be privy to every particular of the grounds of the quarrel, we have agreed to set it down in this indenture betwixt us, that, knowing the quarrel, their eyes may be witness of the triaL THB GROUNDS OF THC QVARRCL. *' 1. Lancelot Carleton did charge Thomas Musgrave before the Lords of her Majesty's Privy Council, that Lancelot Carleton was told by a gentleman, one of her Majesty's sworn servants, that Thomas Musgrave had offered to deliver her Majesty's Castle of Bewcastle to the King of Scots ; and to witness the same, Lancelot Carleton had a letter under the gentleman's own hand for his dis- charge. " 2. He chargeth him, that whereas her Majesty doth yearlv bestow a great fee upon him, as captain of Bewcastle, to aid and defend her Majesty's subjects therein: Thomas Uasgrave hath neglected his duty, for that her Majesty's Castle of Bewcastle was by him made a den of thieves, and a harbour and receipt for mur- derers, felons, and all sorts of misdemeanours. The precedent was Quintin Whitehead and Bunion Blackbume. Digitized by VjOOQ IC LAY OP THB LAST MIN8TRRL. 209 ** 3. He chargeth him, that his office of Bewcattle it open for the Scotch to ride in and through, and small resistance made hj him to the contrary. " Thomas Musgrare doth deny ail this charge ; and saith, that he will prove that Lancelot Carleton doth faLely bely him, and will proTe the same by way of combat, according to this indenture. Lancelot Carleton hath entertained the challenge ; and so, by Ood's permission, will prore it tme as before, and hath set his hand to the same. (Signed) *' Thomab MtTSORAVs. ** Lamcslot Caklbton " NOTB 3 B. H€t theJovtalharper.-^P. IQS. Th^ person here alluded to, is one of our ancient Border mln< «Crela, called Battling Roaring Willie. This soubriquet was pro- bably derired from his bullying disposition ; being, it would seem, ■uch a roaring boy, as in frequently mentioned in old plays. While drinking at Newmill, upon Teviot, about fire miles above Hawick, Willie chanced to quarrel with one of his own profession, who was usually distinguished by the odd name of Sweet Milk, from a place on Rule Water so called. They retired to a meadow on the op- posite side of the Teviot, to decide the contest with their swords, and Sweet Milk was killed on the spot. A thorn tree marks the scene of the murder, which is still called Sweet Milk Thorn. Willie was taken and executed at Jedburgh, bequeathing his name to the beautiful Scotch air, called ** Rattling Roaring Willie." Ramsay, who set no value on traditionary lore, published a few verses of this song in the Teortable Miscdkmy, carefully suppressing all which bad any connexion with the history of the author and origin of the piece. In this case, however, honest Allan is in some degree ju*> titled, by the extreme worthlessness of the poetry. A verse or two may be taken, as illustrative of the history of Roaring Willie, al- luded to in the text :~ ** Now Willie's gane to Jeddart, And he's for the rood-day ,• i But Stobs and young Falnash> They folio w'd him a' the way ; 1 The day of the Rood-foir at Jedl^urgh. ' Kir Gilbert Elliot of Stobs, and Scott of Falnash. >d by Google 210 APPENDIX TO THE They follow'd him a* the way. They sought him up and doMrv. In the links of Ousenam water. They fand him sleeping sound. " Stobs light aff his horse. And never a word he spak, TiU he tied WilUe's hands Fu* fast behind his back ; Fn* fast behind his back. And down beneath his knee. And drink will be dear to Willie, When sweet milk ^ gars him dlau " Ah wae light on ye, Stobs ! An ill death mot ye die ; Ye're the first and foremost man That e'er laid hands on me ; That e'er laid hands on me, And took my mare me frae : Wae to you, Sir Gilbert Elliot ; Ye are my mortal fiae I " The lasses of Ousenam water Are rugging and riving their hair. And a' for the sake of W^illie. His beauty was so fair : His beauty was so fair. And comely for to see. And drink will be dear to Willie. When sweet milk gars him die. " Note 3 C. Bladi Lord ArchibaldCs batUe-tawt, In the old Daugla/ dap.— P. »I2. The title to the most ancient collection of Border regulations mns thus :—'* Be it remembered, that, on tne IRth day of Decem- ber, 1468, Earl William Douglas assembled the whole lords, free- holders, and eldest Borderers, that best knowledge had, at Um * A wretched pun on his «ntagonbt*s i Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THB LAST MINSTREL. 21 1 college of LtndoHden i and there he canted theae lords and Bor- derers to be bodily sworn, the Holy Gospel touched, that they justly and truly, after their cunning, should decrete, decern, de- liver, and put in order and writing, the statutes, ordinances, and uses of the marche, that were ordained in Black Archibald qf Doug- lot's days, and Archibald his son's days, in time of warfare ; and they came again to him advisedly with these statutes and ordinances, which were in time of warfare before. The said Earl fFiUiam, see- ing the statutes in writing decreed and delivered by the said lords and Borderers, thought them right rpeedful an^ profitable to the Borders ; the which statutes, ordinances, and points of warfare, he took, and the whole lords and Borderers he caused bodily to be •worn, that they should maintain and supply him at their goodly |M>wer, to do the law upon those that should break the statutes underwritten. Also, the said Earl fFiUiain, and lords, and eldest Borderers, made certain points to be treason in time of warfiue to be used, which were no treason before his tlpie, but to be treason Ui his time, and in all time coming.** Note 3 D. Shouting still, " A Home/ a Homei"'^V. loa The Earls of Home, as descendants of the Dunbars, ancient Carls of March, carried a lion rampant, argent ; but, as a differ- ence, changed the colour of the shield from gules to vert, in alln- idon to Greenlaw, their ancient possession. The slc^;an, or war- cry, of this powerful family, was, " A Home! a Home!" It was anciently placed in an escrol above the crest. The helmet is armed with a lion's head erased gules, with a cap of state gules, turned up ermine. The Hepbums, a powerful family in East Lothian, were usually in close alliance with the Homes. The chief of this clan was Hep- bum. Lord of Hailes ; a family which terminated in the too famous Earl of BothwelL Note 3 E. Pursued the foot-baU plap.— P. 109. The foot-ball was anciently a very fiBivourite sport all through 8(«iland. but esiiedally upon the Borders. Sir John Carmichael of Carmichael, Warden of the Middle Marches, was killed in IfJUO Digitized by VjOOQIC 212 APPENDIX TO THB by a band of the Armstrongs, returning from a foot-ball match. Sir Robert Carey, in his Memoirs, mentions a great meeting, appointed by the Scotch riders to be held at Kelso for the purpose of playing at foot-ball, but which terminated in an incursion upon England* At present, the foot-ball is often played by the inhabitants of adja- cent parishes, or of the opposite banks of a stream. The rictory is contested with the utmost fary, and very serious accidents haT« sometimes taken place in the struggle. Note 3 F. 'Twkct truce and tear, such ntdden change fyas not infrequent^ nor Jield strange. In the old Border-dap.— T. 110. Notwithstanding the constant wars upon the Borders, and the occasional cruelties which marked the mutual inroads, the inha- bitants on either side do not appear to have regarded each other with that Aiolent and personal animosity, which might have been expected. On the contrary, like the outposts of hostile armies, they often carried on something resembling ftiendly intercourse, even in the middle of hostilities ; and it is evident, from various ordinances against trade and intermarriages, between English and Scottish Borderers, th&t the governments of both countries were jealous of their cherishing too intimate a connexion. Froissart says of both nations, that " Englyshmen on the one party, and Scottea on the other party, are good men of warre ; for when they meet, there is a harde fight without sparynge. There is no hoo itruce'i between them, as long as spears, swords, axes, or daggers; will endure, but laj on echeuponuther ; and whan they be well beaten, and that the one party hath obtained the victory, they then glory- fye so in theyre dedes of armies, and are so joyfiill, that such as be taken they shall be ransomed, or that they go out of the felde ; so that shortly eche of them is so content with other, that, at their departynge, curtyslye they vdllsay, God thank you."— Bsrners's Froissart, rol. ii. p. 153. The Border meetings of truce, which, although places of merchandise and merriment, often witnessed the most bloody scenes, may serve to illustrate the description m the text They are vividly pourtrayed in the old ballad of the Reid- squair. [See Minstrelsy, vol. it p. 15.] Both parties came armed to a meeting of the wardens, yet they intermixed fearlessly and peaceably with each other in mutual sports and familiar inter course, until a casual frav arose :— Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THB LAST MINSTREL. 21S ** Then was there nought bnt bow and spear. And eTery man pulled out a brand." f n the 29th stanza of this canto, there is an attempt to express Kime of the mixed feelings, with which the Borderers on each side were led to regard their neighbours. Note 3 G.. Ai handty their stragglers to regain. Give the shrill %oalchword qf their dan.—P 1 10. Patten remarks, with bitter censure, the disorderly conduct oi the English Borderers, who attended the Protector Somerset on his expedition against Scotland, *' As we wea^ then a setling, and the tents a setting up, among all things els commendable in our hole journey, one thin^ seemed to me an intollerable disordei and abuse : that whereas always, both in all tonnes of war, and in all campes of armies, quietness and stilnes, without nois, is, prin- cipally in the night, after the watch is set observed, (I nede not reason why, ) our northern prikers, the Borderers, notwithstandyng with great enormitie, (as thought me,) and not unlike (to be playn) unto a masteries hounde howlying in a hie way when he hath lost him he waited upon, sum hoopynge, sura whistlyng, and most with crying, A Berwyke, a Berwyke ! A Fenwyke, a Fenwyke! A Bulmer, a Bulmer I or so ootherwise as theyr captains names wear, never lin'de these troublous and dangerous noyses all the nyghte lenge. They said, they did it to find their captain and fellows ; bat if the souldiers of our oother countreys and sheres had used the same maner, in that case we should have oft tymes had the state of our campe more like the outrage of a dissolute hunt3rng, than the quiet of a well ordered armye. It is a feat of war, in mine opinion, that might right well be left. I could reherse causes (but yf I take it, they are better unspoken than uttred, unless the faut wear sure to be amended) that might shew thei move alweis more peral to our armie, but in their one nyght's so doynge, than they shew good service (as some sey) in a hoole vrage.**— 4pt<<( Dai.cill'8 Fragments, p. 79* Digitized by VjOOQIC 214 APPENDIX TO THS Note 3 H. Cheer the dark blood-hound on his trajf. And with the bugle rouse the fray.— V. 123. The pursuit of Border marauders was followed by the injured party and his friends with blood-hounds and bugle-horn, and was called the hotrtrod. He was entitled, if his dog could trace the Kent, to follow the invaders into the opposite kingdom ; a privilege which often occasioned bloodshed. In addition to what has been said of the blood-hound, I may add, that the breed was kept up by the Buccleuch family on their Border estates till within the 18tli century. A person was alive in the memory of man, who remem- bered a blood-hound beini; kept at £ldinhoi>e, in Ettrick Forest, tor whose maintenance the tenant had an allowance of meal. At that time the sheep were always watched at night. Upon one oc- casion, when the duty had fallen on the narrator, then a lad, he became exhausted with fatigue, and fell asleep upon a bank, near •un-rising. Suddenly he was awakened by the tread of horses, and •aw five men, well mounted and armed, ride briskly over the edge of the hill. They stopped and looked at the fiock ; but the day was too far broken to admit the chance of their carrying any of them off. One of them, in spite, leaped from his horse, and coming lo the shepherd, seized him by the belt he wore round his wai^t ; and, setting his foot upon his body, pulled it till it broke, and «airried it away with him. They rode off at the gallop ; and, the shepherd giving the alarm, the blood-hound was turned loose, and the people in the neighbourhood alarmed. The marauders, how- ever, escaped, notwithstanding a sharp pursuit. This circumstance erves to show how very long the license of the Borderers continued in aome degree to manifest itself. NOTK 3 I. She wrought not byforbtdden spdl.—?. 129. Popular belief, though contrary to the doctrines of the Church, made a favourable distinction betwixt magicians, and necroman- Mrs, or wizards ; the former were supposed to command the evil spirits, and the latter to serve, or at least to be in league and com- pact with, those enemies of mankind. The arts of subjecting the demons were manifold ; sometimes the fiends were actually swin- died by the magicians, as hi the case of the bargain betwixt one of Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THB LAST MINSTRBL. 215 4 iheir nnmber and the poet Vii^gil. The classical reader will doubt- less be curious to peruse this anecdote : — " Virgilius was at scole at Tolenton, where he stodyed dylygentlj, tor he was of great understandynge. Upon a tyme, the scolers had iycense to go to play and sporte them in the fyldes, after the usance of the old tyme. And there was also Virgilius therbye, also walkynge among the hylles alle about. It fortuned he spyed a great hole in the syde of a great hylle, wherein he went so depe, thsU he culd not see no more lyght ; and then ho went a lytell farther therein, and than he saw some lyght agayne, and than he went fourth streyghte, and within a lytell wyle after he harde a royce that m the statutes of the order Du Saint Esprit au droit desir, mstituted in 1352. A chapter of the knights is appointed to b« held annually at the Castle of the Enchuited Egg, near the grotto of Virgil.— MoNTFAUOON, ToL iL p. 339. Note 3 K. A merUn tat upon her tprist,—P. 130. A merlin, or sparrow-hawk, was actually carried by ladies of rank, as a falcon was, in time of peace, the constant attendant of a knight or baron. See Latham on Falconri/.—QodBcroft relates, that when Mary of Lorraine was regent, she pressed the Earl of Angus to admit a royal garrison into his castle of Tantallon. To this he returned no direct answer ; but, as if apostrophizing a goss-hawk, which sat on his wrist, and which he was feeding during the Queen's speech, he exclaimed, " The deril's in this greedy glede, she will nerer be full."— Hum b^s History qf the House of Douglas, 1743, toL iL p. 131. Barclay complains of the common and indecent practice of bringing hawks and hounds into churches. Digitized by VjOOQ IC LAY OF THB LAST MINSTRKL. 217 Note 3 L. And princdy ptacwXt gOdad train. And o'er the boar-head^ gamUhed brave.— P. 19U. The peacock, H is weU known, was conridered, during the times of chivalrj, not merel j at an exquisite delicacy, but as a dish of peculiar solemnity. Aftei being roasted, it was af^n decorated with its plumage, and a sponge, dipped in lighted spirits of wine^ was placed in its bill. When it was introduced on days of grand festiral, it was the signal for the adventurous knights to take upon them TOWS to do some deed of chiTalry, " before the peacock and the ladies.** The boar's head was also a usual dish of feudal splen- dour. In Scotland it was sometimes surrounded with little ban- ners, displaying the colours and achievements of the baron at whose board it was served.— Piniucrton*s Hiitorjft roL i. p. 432. N0TB3M. Smote With hitgaunUet, stout BunthUl^P. 131. The Rutherfords of Hunthill were an ancient race of Bordei Lairds, whose names occur in history, sometimes as defending ths frontier against the English, sometimes as disturbing the peace of their own country. Dickon Draw-the«word was son to the ancient warriorr called in tradition the Cock of Hunthill, remarkable for leading into battle nine sons, gallant warriors, all sons of the aged champion, liir. Rutherford, late of New York, in a letter to the editor, soon after these songs were first published, quoted, when upwards of eighty years old, a ballad apparently tne same with the Raid of the Reidsquare, but which apparently is losti except the following lines :— " Bauld Rutherfurd he was ta* stout. With all his nine sons him about. He brought the lads to Jedbrught out, And bauldly fought that day.**] NotbSN. But bit hie glove.— P. 131. To Ute the thumb, or the glove, seems not to have been cop Digitized by VjOOQIC 218 APPENDIX TO THB ridered, upon the Border, as a gesture of contempt, thoagh so ' used by Shakspeare, but as a pledge of mortal revenge, it is vat remembered, that a young gentleman of Teviotdale, on the mom* ing after a hard drinking-bout, observed that he had bitten his glore. He instantly demanded of his companion, with whom he had quarreUed ? and learning that he had had words with one uf the party, insisted on instant satisfaction, asserting, that though he remembered nothing of the dispute, yet he was sure he never would have bit his glove unless he had received some unpardon- able insult. He fell in the duel,' which was fought near Selkirk, in 1721. Note 3 0. Since old Bucdeueh the name did ffain, frhen in the deuch the Imck wcu tcten.—P. 132. A tradition preserved by Scott of Satcheils, who published, in iGSS, A true HisUny qf the Right Honourable Name of Scott, gives the following romantic origin of that name. Two brethren, natives of Galloway, having been banbhed from that country for a riot, or insurrection, came to Ranklebum, in Ettrick Forest, where the keeper, whose name was Brydone, received them Joyfully, on ac- count of their skill in winding the horn, and in the other mys- teries of the chase. Kenneth MacAIpin, then King of Scotland, came soon after to hunt in the royal forest, and pursued a buck trom £ttrick-heuch to the glen now called Buckdeuch, about two miles above the junction of Ranklebum with the river Ettrick. Here the stag stood at bay ; and the King and his attendants, who followed on horseback, were thrown )ut by the steepness of the hill and the morass. John, one of the brethren from Galloway, had foUowed the chase on foot ; and now coming in, seised the buck by the horns, and, being a man of great strength and nctirity, threw him on his back, and ran with his burden about a mile up the steep hill, to a place called Cracra-Cross, where Kenneth had halted, and laid the buck at the sovereign's feet.^ • Froissart relates, that a knight of the household of the Comte de Foix exhibited a similar feat of strength. The hall-fire had waxed low, and wood was wanted to mend it. The knight went down to the court-yard, where stood an ass laden with fagots, seized on the animal and burden, and, carrying him up to the hall on his shoulders, tumbled him into the chimney with his heels uppermost ; a humane pleasantry, much applauded by the Count mnd all the spectators Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THK LA8T MINSTRBL. 919 " The deer being curce'd in that places At his Majesty's demand. Then John of Galloway ran apace. And fetched water to his hand. The King did wash into a dish. And Galloway John he wot ; He said, * Thy name now after this Shall erer be called John Scott. *' * The finest and the deer therein. We commit to thy hand ; For thou shalt snre the ranger be, if thou obey command ; And for the buck thou stoutly brought To us up that steep heuch. Thy designation ever shall Be John Scott in Bucksdeugh.' ** In Scotland no Bnckcleuch was then, Before the buck in the cleuch was slain ; Night's men < at first they did appear. Because moon and stars to their arms they bear. 1 '* Minions of the moon," as Falstaff would hare said. Th4 vocation pursued by our ancient Borderers may be Justified on the authority of the most polished of the ancient nations :— " For the Grecians in old time, and such barbarians as in the continent lived neere unto the sea, or else inhabited the islands, after once they b^an to crosse over one to another in ships, became theeves, and went abroad under the conduct of their most pmssant men, both to enrich themselres, and to fetch in maintenance for the weak ; and falling upon towns unfortified, or scatteringly inhabited, rifled them, and made this the best means of thear living ; being a mat- ter at that time no where in disgrace, but rather carrying with it something of glory. This is manifest by some that dwell upon the continent, amongst whom, so it be performed nobly, it is still esteemed as an ornament The same is also proved by some of the ancient poets, who introduced men questioning ot such as sail by, on all coasts alike, whether they be theeves or not ; as a thyng nejther scorned by such as were asked, nor upbraided by those that were desirous to know. They also robbed one another, within the main land ; and much of Greece oseth tluit olde custome, as Digitized by VjOOQIC 220 APPENDIX TO THE ThrfrcTCit, inpporters, and hunting-horn^ Show their beginning from hunting came ; Their name, arid style, the book doth say, John gain'd them both into one day.** Watt's Bdlenden. The Buccleuch arms have been altered, and -now allude less pointedly to this hunting, whether real or fabulous. The family now bear Or, upon a bend azure, a mullet betwixt two crescents of the field ; in addition to which, they formerly bore in the field a hunting-horn. The supporters, now two ladies, were formerly a hound and buck, or, according to the old terms, a hart oflecuh and a hart ofgreece. The family of Scott of Howpasley and Thirlestaine long retained the buglehom ; they also carried a bent bow and arrow in the sinister cantle, perhaps as a difference. It is said the motto was,— JBfeff riding by moonligJO, in allusion to the crescents en the shield, and perhaps to the habits of those who bore it The motto now given is Amo, applying to the female supporters. Note 3 P. — — (Xd Albert Orame.—P. 133. *' John Grahame, second son of SfaJice, Earl of Montdth^ com- monly simamed John unth (he Bright Sword, upon some displear sure risen against him at court, retired with many of his clan and kindred into the English borders, in the reign of King Henry the Fourth, where they seated themselves ; and many of their posterity hare continued there ever since. Mr. Sandford, speaking of them, says, (which indeed was applicable to most of the Borderers on both sides,) 'They were all stark moss-troopers, and arrant theeves: Both to England and Scotland outlawed ; yet sometimes connived at, because they gave intelligence forth of Scotland, and would raise 400 horse at any time upon a raid of the English into Scot- land. A saying is recorded of a mother to her son, (which is now become proverbial.) Ride, Rowley, hough' t f the pot : that is, the last piece of beef was in the pot, and therefore it was high time for the Locrtant, the Acamanians, and those of the continent in that quarter, unto this day. Moreover, the fashion of wearing iron re* maineth yet with the people of that continent, from their old trade oftbeeving."— HoBBBs' TAucj/J/Vto, p. 4. Lond. Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THB LAST MIN8TRBL. 221 oim to go and fetch more.* '— Introduction to the HUtorjf of Cum- berland. The rendence of the Orannes being chiefly in the Debateabl* Land, so called because it was claimed by both kingdoms, their de- predations extended both to England and Scotland, with impunity ; for as both wardens accounted them the proper subjects of their own prince, neither inclined to demand reparation for their excesses from the opposite officers, which would have been an acknowledg- ment of his jurisdiction orer them. — See a long correspondence on this subject betwixt Lord Dacre and the English Priry Coundl, in Introduction to History qf Cumberland. Tlie Debateable Land was finally divided betwixt England and Scotland, by commissioners appointed by both nations. ^ NotbS Q. nnto hat noi heard qfSurrej^sJbme f— P. 185. The gallant and unfortunate Henry Howard, Earl of Surrey, was unquestionably the most accomplished caralier of his time ; and his sonnets display beauties which would do honour to a more polished age. He was beheaded on Tower-Hill in 1546; a victhn to the mean jealousy of Henry VIII., who could not bear so bril« liant a character near his throne. The song of the supposed bard is founded on an incident said to have happened to the Earl in his travels. Cornelius Agrippa, the celebrated alchemist, showed him, in a looking-glass, the lovely Geraldine, to whose service he had devoted his pen and his sword. The virion represented her as indisposed, and reclining upon • oouch» reading her lover's verses by the light of a waxen taper. NoTB 3 B. • ThettormrSwesAOreadeti iVhere erst SL Clairs heldprincdy sway.— P. 138. The St Clairs are of Norman extraction, being descended from William de St Clair, second son of Walderne Compte de St CUdr, and Margaret, daughter to Richard Duke of Normandy. He was called, for his fair deportment, the Seemly St Clair ; and, settling I fSee various notes in the Minstrelsy. 1 Digitized by VjOOQIC 222 AFPRNDIX TO TH» In Scotland during the reign of Malcolm Caenmore, obtained laigc grants of land in Mid-Lothian.— These domains were increased b^ the liberality of succeeding monarchs to the descendants of the fiimilj, and comprehended the baronies of Rosline, Pentland, Cows- land, Cardaine, and sereral others. It is said a large addition was obtained from Robert Bruce, on the following occasion : The King, in following the chase upon Pentland-hills, had often started a " white faimch deer," which had always escaped from his hounds ; and he asked the nobles, who were assembled around him, whether any of them had dogs, which they thought might be more success- ful. No courtier would affirm that his hounds were fleeter than those of the king, until Sir William St. Clair of Bosline uncere- moniously said, he would wager his head that his two favourite dogs, Hdp and Holdy would kill the deer before she could cross the March-bum. The king instantly caught at his unwary offer, and betted the forest of Pentland-moor against the life of Sir William St. Clair. All the hounds were tied up, except a few ratches, or slow-hounds, to put up the deer ; while Sir Williau' St. Clair, posting himself in the best situation for slipping his doga prayed devoutly to Christ, the blessed Virgin, and St. Katherine The deer was diortly after roused, and the hounds slipped ; Sir William following on a gallant steed, to cheer his dogs. The hind, ■ however, reached the middle of the brook, upon which the huntei threw himself from his horse in despair. At this critical momenti however. Hold stopped her in the brook ; and Help, coming up, turned her ba«k, and killed her on Sir William's side. The King descended from the hill, embraced Sir William, and bestowed on him the lands of Kirkton, Logan-house, Eamcraig, 6cc in the free forgstrie. Sir William, in acknowledgment of St. Katherine's intercession, built the diapel of St. Katherine, in the Hopes, the churchyard of which is still to be seen. The hill, from which Robert Bruce beheld this memorable chase, is still called the King's Hill ; and the place where Sir William hunted, is called the Knight's Field. 1—3/& History of the FamUy qf St. Clair, bp Rich- ard AuousTiN Hay, Canon of St Genevieve, 1 The tomb of Sir William St. Clair, on which he appears sculp* tured in armour, with a greyhound at his feet, is still to be seen in Hoslin chapel. The person who shows it always tells the story of his huntmg match, with some addition to Mr. Hav's account ; as that the Knight of Rosline's fright made him poetical, and that in the last emergency, he shouted, " Help, Hand, an ye may , Or R38UU wiu lose his head this dav. Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OP THK LAST M1N8TREL. 223 This adrenturoii* huntsman married Elizabeth, daughter of Malice Spar, Earl of Orkney and Stratheme, in whose right their ■on Henry was, in 1379, created Earl of Orkney, by Haco, king ol Norway. His title was recognised by the kings of Scotland, and remained with lus successors until it was annexed to the crown, in 1471, by act of Parliament. In exchange for this earldom, the castle and domains of Rarenscraig, or Rarensheuch, were confer- red on William Saintdair, Earl of Caithness. Note 3 S. Stai nods their palace to ittfaa. Thy pride and corrow,/air KirkwaU.—F. 139. The Castle of Kirkwall was built by the St. Clairs, while Earl* of Orkney. It was dismantled by the Earl of Caithness about 1615, haying been garrisoned against the government by Robert Stewart, natural son to the Earl of Orkney. Its ruins aiforded a sad subject of contemplation to John, Master of St. Clair, who, flying from his native country, on account of his share in the insurrection 1715, made some stay at KirkwaU. " I had occasion to entertain myself at Kirkwall with the me- iancholie prospect of the ruins of an old castle, the seat of the old Earls of Orkney, my ancestors ; and of a more melancholy refleO' tion, of so great and noble an estate as the Orkney and Shetland Isles being taken from one of them by James the Third, for faultrie, after his brother, Alexander, Duke of Albany, had married a daugh- ter of my family, and for protecting and defending the said Alex- ander against the King, who wished to kill him, as he had done his youngest brother, the Earl of Mar ; and for which, after the forfaultrie, he graiefuUy divorced my forfaulted ancestoi's sister ; though I cannot persuade myself that he had any misalliance to plead against a familie in whose veins the blood of Robert Bruce ran as fresh as in his own ; for their title to the crowne was by a daughter of David Bruce, son to Robert ; and our alliance was by marrying a grandchild of the same Robert Bruce, and daughter to the sister of the same David, out of the tamilie of Douglass, which at that time did not much sullie the blood, more than my ances- ir this couplet does him no great honour as a poet, the condusioi} of the story does him still less credit He set his foot on the dog. •ays the narrator, and killed him on the spot, saying, he would never again put his neck in such a risk. As Mr. Hay does not mention this circumstance, I hope it is only founded on the couch- ant posture of the hound on the monument* p gitized by Google 224 APPENDIX TO THE tor's havinR not long before had the honour of marrying a daagh- ter of the King of Denmark's, who was named Florentine, and has left in the town of Kirkwall a noble monument of the grandeur of the times, the finest church ever I saw entire in Scotland. I then had no small reason to think, in that unhappy state, on the many not inconsiderable services rendered since to the royal feunilie, for these many years bygone, on all occasions, when they stood most in need of friends, which they have thought themselves very often obliged to acknowledge by letters yet extant, and in a style more like friends than souveraigns; our attachment to them, without any other thanks, having brought upon us considerable losses, and among others, that of our all in Cromwell's time ; and left in that condition without the least relief except what we found in our own virtue. My father was the only man of the Scots nation who had courage enough to protest in Parliament against King William's title to the throne, which was lost, Ood knows how : and this at a time when the losses In the cause of the royall fiunilie, and their usual gratitude, had scarce left him bread to maintain a numerous familie of eleven children, who had soon after sprung up on him, in spite of all which, he had honourably persisted in his principle. ( say, these things considered, and after being treated as I was, and in that unluckie state, when objects appear to men in their true (ight, as at the hour of death, could I be blamed for making some bitter reflections to myself, end laughing at the extravagance and unaccountable humour of men, and the singularitie of my own case, (an exile for the cause of the Stuart family,) when I ought to have known, that the greatest crime I, or my family, could have com- mitted, was persevering, to my own destruction, in serving the royal family faithfully though obstinately, after so great a share of depression, and after they had been pleased to doom me and my familie to starve.— JIfS. M&noirt of John, Matter qf&. Ciaxr. Note 3 T. Of thai Sea-Snake, ^c BansatXd the graves of warriors old, TheirfalchioM torench*djrom corpsef hold.— P. 140. The Jormungandr, or Snake of the Ocean, whose folds surround the earth, is one of the wildest fictions of the Edda. It was very nearly caught by the god Thor, who went to fish for it with a hook baited with a bull's head^ In the battle betwixt the evil demons and the divinities of Odin, which is to precede the Baffnarodar, or Twilight of the Gods this Snake is to «ct a conspicuous part >d by Google LAY OP THE LAST MINSTREL. 225 Dread Mttidt.—TheBe were the Vakyriur, or Selectors of the Slain, despatched by Odin from Valhalla, to chooee those who were to die, and to distribute the contest. They are well known to the English reader, as Oray's Fatal Sisters. QfCh^, i^c. — The northern warriors were osually entombed with their arms, and their other treasures. Thus Angantyr, before commencing the duel in which he was slain, stipulated, that if he fell, hit sword Tyrfing should be buried with him. His daughter, llerror, afterwards took it from his tomb. The dialogue which passed betwixt her and Angantyr's spirit on this occasion has been often translated. The whole history may be found in the Hervarar- Saga. Indeed, the ghosts of the northern warriors were not wont tamely to suffer their tombs to be plundered ; and hence the mortal heroes had an additional temptation to attempt such adrentures ; for they held nothing more worthy of their valour than to encoun- ter supernatural beings.— BARTHOLmua De cauHt eontempUea Danii mortis, Ub. i cap. 2, 9. 10, la Note 3 U. -That auipd proud. Where Roslin's chitfi uncqffin'd Uc—P. 142. The beautiful diapel of Roslin is stUl in tolerable preserralioh It was founded in 1446, by William St Clair, Prince of Orkney, Duke of Oldenburgh, Earl of Caithness and Stratheme, Lord St. Clair, Lord Niddesdale, Lord Admiral of the Scottish Seas, Lord Chief Justice of Scotland, Lord Warden of the three Marches, fiaron of Roslin, Pentland, Pentland-moor, &e. Knight of the Cockle, and of the Oarter, (as is affirmed,) High ChanceUor, Chamberlain, and Lieutenant of Scotland. This lofty person, whose titles, says Godscroft, might weary a Spaniard, built the eastle of Roslin, where he resided In princely splendour, and founded the chapel, which is in the most rich and florid style ot Gothio architecture. Among the profuse carving on the pillars and buttresses, the rose is frequently introduced, in allusion to tht name, with which, however, the flower has. do connexion; the etymology being Rosslinnhe, the promontory of the linn, or water- fall. The chapel is said to appear on fire previous to the death of any of his descendants. This superstition, noticed by Slezer in hi« Theatrum Scotia, and alluded to in the text, is probably of Nor- wegian derivation, and may have been imported by the Earls of Orkney into their Lothian dominions. The tomb-fires of the north KTO mentioned in most of the Sagas. Digitized by VjOOQIC 2*26 APPENDIX TO FHR The Barons of Boslin were buried in a vault beneath the chapel floor. The manner of their interment is thus deecribed by Father flay, in the MS. history already quoted. " Sir William Sinclair, the father, was a lewd man. He kept a miller's daughter, with whom, it is alledged, he went to Ireland ; yet I think the cause of his retreat was rather occasioned by the Presbyterians, who vexed him sadly, because of his religion being Boman Catholic. His son, Sir William, died during the troubles, and was interred in the chapel of Boslin the very same day that the battle of Dunbar was fought. When my good-father was buried, his (i. e. Sir William's) corpse seemed to be entire at the opening of the cave ; but when they came to touch his body, it fell into dust. He was laying in his armour, with a red velvet cap on his head, on a flat stone ; nothing was spoiled except a piece of the white furring that went round the cap, and answered to the hinder part of the head. All his preaecessors were buried after the same manner, in their armour : late Kosline, my good-father, was the first that was buried in a cofiin, against the sentiments of King James the Seventh, who was then in Scotland, and several other persons well versed in antiquity, to whom my mother would not hearken, thinking it beggarly to be buried after that manner. The great expenses she was at in burying her husband, occasioned the sumptuary acts which were made in the following Parliament ** Note 3 X. Like him of whom the story ran, fFko spoke the spectre^ound in Man.— P. 144. The ancient castle of Peel-town in the Isle of Man, is surrounded by four churches, now ruinous. Through one of these chapels there was formerly a passage from the guard-room of the garrison. This was closed, it is said, upon the following occasion : ** They say, that an apparition, called, m the Mankish language, the Mauthe Doog, in the shape of a large black spaniel, with curled shaggy hair, was used to haunt Peel-castle : and has been frequently seen in every room, but particularly in the guard-chamber, where, as soon as candles ^ere lighted, it came and lay down before the fire, in pre- sence of all the soldiers, who, at length, by being so much accus- tomed to the sight of it, lost great part of the terror they were seized with at its first appearance. They still, however, retained a certain awe, as believing it was an evil spirit, whieh only waited permission to do them hurt ; and, for that reason, forebore swear- ing, and all profane discourse, while in its company. But though Digitized by VjOOQIC LAY OF THB LAST MIN8TR£L. 227 they endured the shock of mich a guest when altogether in a body, none cared to be left alone with it. It being the custom, therefore, for one of the soldiers to lock the gates of the castle at a certain nonr, and carry the keys to the captain, to whose apartment, as I said before, the way led through the church, they agreed among themselves, that whoever was to succeed the ensuing night his fel. low in this errand, should accompany him that went first, and by this means no man would be exposed singly to the danger ; for I forgot to mention, that the MatUhe Doog was always seen to come out from that passage at the close of the day, and return to it again as soon as the morning dawned ; which made them look on this place as its peculiar rraidence. *' One night a fellow being drunk, and by the strength of his Uquor rendered more daring than ordinary, laughed at the sim- nlicity of his companions ; and, though it was not his turn to go with the keys, would needs take that office upon him, to testify hii courage. All the soldiers endeavoured to dissuade him ; but the more they said, the more resolute he seemed, and swore that he desired nothing more than that the Afauthe Doog would follow him, as it had done the others ; for he would try if it were dog or devil Afiter having talked in a very reprobate manner for some time, he snatched up the keys, and went out of the guard-room. In some time after his departure, a great noise was heard, but no* body had the boldness to see what occasioned it, till, the adventurer fetuming, they demanded the knowledge of him ; but as loud an& noisy as he had been at leaving them, he was now become sober and silent enough ; for he was never heard to speak more ; and though all the time he lived, which was three days, he was en- treated by all who came near him, either to speak, or, if he could not do that, to make some signs by which they might understand what had happened to him, yet nothing intelUgible could be got from him, only that, by the distortion of his limbs and features, it might be guessed that he died in agonies more than is common in a natural death. *• The Mauthe Doog was, however, never after seen in the castle, nor would any one attempt to go through that passage ; for which reason it was closed up, and another way made. This accident happened about three score years since ; and I heard it attested by several, but especially by an old soldier, who assured me he had seen it oftener than ha had then hairs on his head."— Waldron's Iktcription oftht Isle i^f Man, p. 1«7. Digitized by VjOOQIC 028 APPENDIX TO LAY OP THB LAST MINSTRKw Note 3 Y. St Bride of Douglat.-V. 144. This was a favourite saint of the house of Douglas, and ot the £arl of Angus in particular ; as we learn from the following pas- sage : " The Queen-regent had proposed to raise a rival noble to the ducal dignity ; and discoursing of her purpose with Angus, he answered, ' Why not, madam ? we are happy that have such a princess, that can know and will acknowledge men's services, and is willing to recompense it ; but, by the might of God,* (this was hit oath when he was serious and in anger ; at other times, it was by St. Bryde of Douglas,) ' if he be a Duke, I will be a Drake.'— So ■he dedsted ftom. prosecuting of that purpose."— OoDScitOFT. vo\, tt. p. 131. EMJ> on MOTB) TO LAY Ot TUA LAST MINSTREL. Digitized by VjOOQIC Digitized by VjOOQIC i J Digitized by Google ^ f J by Google ^H