/ 
 
 SCARCE 
 
 ANCIENT BALLADS, 
 
 MANY 
 
 NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED. 
 
 
 All hail thou fair Island, thou bulwark of truth, 
 
 Of genius unshackl'd and free, 
 The Muses have left every isle in the south, 
 
 My dear Caledonia for thee. 
 
 The sisters there flourish, and joyfully sing 
 Of thy sons, towering fcflls, and each stream 
 
 "Where Colin and Peggy watk forth in the spring, 
 And Scotland and freedom's their theme. 
 
 Thou dear native country admir'd, and esteemed 
 
 Supporter of youth and of age, 
 May the harp of thy bards for ages be fam'd, 
 
 And thy children adorn the page. 
 
 ABERDEEN: 
 PRINTED FOR AND SOLD BY ALEX. LAING. 
 
 1822. 
 
 PRICE SIXPENCE, 
 

 ■fcVTO' 
 
ANCIENT BALLADS, #tf 
 
 EARL RICHARD. 
 
 jLn truips of two", andtruips of teiiiie, 
 
 The ruthless rievers spredde, 
 
 And fro the noise in wyld aflraie, 
 
 The lawland chieftains fledde. 
 
 Tyll up and rose a bold Baronne, 
 
 The brave Earl Richard he, 
 
 Who fyr'd at riicht the beacon bricht, 
 
 And ravs'd the north countrie. 
 
 And cas'd in mayl fro helm to spur, 
 
 The bold Baronne march'd forthe, 
 
 And fro the Scotish swaird gar'd flee 
 
 The rievers of the Northe. 
 
 But whyles to worke his countrie's well, 
 
 He stuid in stalwart stowre, 
 
 And on the wyde heathe bare and bleik, 
 
 Reik'd not the wyld wind's power. 
 
 A wyly knicht whose faining fausse, 
 
 Of mickle dule and care, 
 
 Had freed his cowart heart free'mang 
 
4 
 
 The toilsom deeds of warre. 
 
 Aye in the painted bouir full fain, 
 
 With sacred words to muve, 
 
 And idlie loytering daie by daie, 
 
 Did winne his lady's luve. 
 
 And styll he strave her bonnie maiden v 
 
 To his foule lure to .gain, 
 
 And aye the lithereleman strave, 
 
 But a their toil was vain. 
 
 Earl Richard when the ficht was o'er, 
 
 Did mount his trustie steid y 
 
 And onward rade o'er muir and mosse,. 
 
 And rode wi spurs of speid. 
 
 Apparell'd all in courier's geir, 
 
 As he was wont to ryde, . 
 
 A huntin home tyed round his waist, 
 
 A sharpe sword by his syde. 
 
 And he rode Easte and he rode Weste^ 
 
 With mickle speid and pouir, 
 
 Untyll he came to the bredde stremjne* 
 
 That girt his stately touir. 
 
 Thou warde that on mie castel wa, 
 
 Dost keip the watche soe late, 
 
 Unlocke the massie halle that shuts 
 
 Soe faste mie ironne gate. 
 
 The warde that on the castel wa, 
 
 Did keip the watche soe late, 
 
 Unlock'd the massie halle that shut 
 
 Soe faste the ironne gate* 
 
5 
 
 With sacred words and luiks of luve, 
 
 Ah foule deceivours there, 
 
 His winsome dame sa faste approch'd, 
 
 Bedight in braive arraie. 
 
 Her lillie hand did beare a cuppe, 
 
 'Twas agowd but the stem, 
 
 Full fayre and wroughte the burnished sydes, 
 
 Studded wyth mony a gem. 
 
 But straunge to say a sicklie dew, 
 
 O'erspredde the gems so sheen, 
 
 And channg'd to pale the rubies red, 
 
 The emraud's vivid green. 
 
 She held it forthe to the bolde Baronne, 
 
 (Her ain hand drugg'd the cuppe) 
 
 He tuik the fraudfu gift and drunk, 
 
 The lethal bevrage up. 
 
 But lest the deidly draucht should fayle, 
 
 (Whiles lock'din sleip he laie) 
 
 Her ain hand gave the deip wyde wounds, 
 
 Whence welPd his lyfe awaie, 
 
 Swifte was the streme and deip that flow'dy 
 
 The castel wa besyde, 
 
 And ther they threw that EarPs bodie, 
 
 Deipe i the dashing tyde. 
 
 Rin ye, rin to the braid braid loch, 
 
 Soe faste as ye can drie, 
 
 And beir awa wi that grimme Baronne, 
 
 A pam and greafe frae me. 
 
 The river it rin to the braid braid loch, 
 
6 
 
 Sae fiiste as it could drie, 
 
 But did not beir wi that grimme Baronne* 
 
 A pain and greafe frae thee. 
 
 For scarse sevin daies were gone and a* 
 
 Werelock'd in sleip fu faste, 
 
 A tempest rose and the foule fiende, 
 
 Yrode the dreidfu blastc 
 
 And loud loud blew the westlin wind* 
 
 Sair shook the massie tpuir, 
 
 And the blue lightnings forky flashy 
 
 Was shynand i the bouir. 
 
 The ladie waked wi trembling dreid, 
 
 And op'd her een sae wyde, 
 
 And ther she saw the Earl's bodie, 
 
 Lay weltring by her syde. 
 
 She has called to her maidens, 
 
 She call'd them ane by ane, 
 
 There lyes a deid man i mi bouiiy 
 
 I wish that he was gane. 
 
 They ha booted him and spurred him, 
 
 As he was wont to ryde, 
 
 A huntin horn ty'd round his waste, 
 
 A sharpe sword by his syde. 
 
 Then up it spak a bomiie bird, 
 
 That sat upon a trie, 
 
 "What ha ye don wi Earl Richard, 
 
 Ye was his gaie ladie. 
 
 Cum doun, cum doun, mi bonniebird; 
 
 And Xicht upon my handL> 
 
7 
 And ye sail ha a age o gowd, 
 Wher ye ha but the wand. 
 Awa, awa, ye ill woman, 
 Kae cageo gowd for me, 
 As ye ha don to Earl Richard, 
 Sae wou'd ye doe to me. 
 She has calFd to her bonnie maidens, 
 She has calFd them ane by ane, 
 Ther lyes a deid man in mi bouir, 
 I wish that he was gane. 
 They ha booted him and spurred him, 
 As he was wont to ryde, 
 A huntin horn ty'd round his waste, 
 A sharpe sword by his syde. 
 And up and spak the bonnie woman, 
 And a wafu woman was she, 
 These swevoiis cum of Earl Richard, 
 Ye slue him thou fausse ladie. 
 Now say not soe thou bonnie woman, 
 I pray thee say not soe, 
 For thei the irefu kyth and kin, 
 Vould worck me meikle woe. 
 And I'll gie thee fee, and I'll gie the land, 
 And silver and gowden arraie, 
 And thou shak b£ a tall tall luve> 
 And be a ladie gaie. 
 
 I winna ha thte fee, and I whuia ha thieland, 
 Nor thie silver and gowdeh arraie, 
 Nor sha'ttheU gte me a tall tall hive, 
 
8 
 
 Nor mak me a ladie gale. 
 
 But I wi ca Earl Richard's frendys a r 
 
 And I'll ca the kyth and kin, 
 
 And I wi sound the grass green horn, 
 
 And lat a the merry men in. 
 
 And up and came that kyth and kin. 
 
 By ane, by twa, and by three, 
 
 And out alas ! and wae worth- thei cried. 
 
 Ye ha slain him thou fausse ladie. 
 
 And thei mounted the steid, nor blynn'd ther 
 
 speid, 
 O'er muir, mosse, dell, and doune, 
 Untyil thei came to the gude Scotch king., 
 As he sat in Edingburghe toune : 
 TJntyll thei cam to his castell so highe, 
 All as he sat at dyne, 
 With monie a knichtand bold Baronrie r 
 Drinking the bluid rede wyne. 
 Justice, O justice, gude mie liege, 
 Agaynst ane ill woman, * 
 
 Earl Richard's wyfe a fausse ladie is she, 
 For her ain trew Lord has she slaine. 
 Then up it spak our gude Scojs- kinge, 
 And ane angry man was he : 
 Now hye ye bak to Earl Richard's castell, ■ 
 And bren that fausse ladie. 
 And he has wrytten a braid letter, 
 And sygn'd it we his hand, 
 Now hye ye back to Earl Richard's castell^ 
 
9 
 
 And brcn that fausse leman. 
 
 And hame ward thei hy'd the kyth and kin, 
 
 Thei did nae stop nae stand, 
 
 And when thei cam to Earl Richard's castcll, 
 
 Thei brent that fausse leman. v 
 
 And then the mrjning for Earl Richard, 
 
 Scvin lang lang daies thei keipt, 
 
 And a the kyth and kin wer ther, 
 
 And a the lawlands weipt. 
 
 And out and cam the gude frier, 
 
 And a waefu man was he, 
 
 To our ladies kirke in Dunfernlyn tonne, 
 
 Thei bore this Earl's bodie. 
 
 And the death bell was rung, and masse was sung, 
 
 'Twas waefu wae to see ; 
 
 And ther lie lyes by the kirke wa, 
 
 A under the braid yew tree. 
 
 THE 
 
 BARONNE OF BRAIKLEY. 
 
 Inverey cam doun Deeside whistlin and playin* 
 He was at brave Braikley's yett ere it was dawin : 
 He rappit fu loudly an wi a great roar, 
 dried cum doun, cum doun Braikley, and open the door. 
 Are ye sleepin Baronne, or are ye wakin, 
 
10 * 
 
 Ther's sharpe swords at your yett will gar your blood ** 
 spin : % 
 
 Open the yett Braikley and lat us within, 
 Till we on the green turf gar your bluid riff. \ 
 
 Out spak the brave Baronne owre the castell wa, L 
 
 Are ye cum to spulzie and plunder mi ha ; 
 But gin ye be gentlmen liclit and cum in, I 
 
 Gin ye drink o my wine ye'll tiae gar my bluid spin, ^ 
 
 Gin ye be hir'd widifus ye may gang by, 
 Ye may gang to the lawlands and steal their fat ky, 
 Ther spulzie like rievers o wyld kettrin clan, 
 Who plunder unsparing baith houses and Ian. 
 Gin ye be gentlemen licht and cum, 
 Ther's meat and drink i mi ha for every man : 
 Gin ye be hir'd widifus ye may gang by, 
 Gang doun to the lawlands and steal horse and ky. 
 Up spake his ladie at his bak where she lay, 
 Get up, get up Braikley, and be not afraid, 
 Ther but young hir'd widifus we belted plaids : 
 Cum kiss me mi Peggy, I'll nae langer stay, 
 For I will go out and meet Inverey. 
 But haud your tongue Peggy, and mak nae sic din, 
 For yon same hir'd widifus will prove themselves men. 
 She calPd on her Marys, thei cam to her hand, 
 Cries bring me your rocks lassies we will them command, 
 Get up, get up Braikley, and turn bak your ky, 
 Or me and mi women will them defy. 
 Cum forth then mi maidens and show them some play, 
 We'll ficht them and shortly the cowards will fly> 
 
H 
 
 Gin I had a husband whereas I hae nane, 
 
 He wou'd nae ly i his bed and see his ky taen. 
 
 Ther's four and twenty milk whit calves, twal o them ky, 
 
 In the woods o, Glentanner its ther thei a ly : 
 
 Ther's goat i the Etnach, and sheep o the brae, 
 
 An a will be plunder'd by young Inverey. 
 
 Now haud your tongue Peggy and gie mi a gun, 
 
 Ye'll see me gae furth but I'll never cum in ; 
 
 Call mi brother William, mi unkl also, 
 
 Mi cousin, James Gordon, we'll mount and we'll go. 
 
 When Braikley w r as ready and stood i thee closs, 
 
 He was the bravest Baronne that e'er mounted horse; 
 
 When all w r er assembl'd o the castell green, * 
 
 No man like brave Braikley was ther to be seeru 
 
 Turn bak brp ther William, ye are a bridegroom, 
 
 We bonnie Jean Gordon the maid o the mill, 
 
 O-siehin and sobbin she'll soon get her fill : 
 
 I'm no coward, brother., 'tis kend I'm a man, 
 
 I'll ficht i your quarrel as lang's I can stand, 
 
 I'll ficht mi dear brother wi heart and gude will, 
 
 And so will young Harry that lives at the mill. 
 
 But turn mi dear brother and nae langer stay, 
 
 What'U cum o your ladie gin Braikley thei slay : 
 
 What'U cum o your ladie and bonnie young son, 
 
 what'll cum o them when Braikley is gone. 
 
 1 will never turn, do you think I will fly, 
 But here I will ficht, and here I will die : 
 Strik dogs, crys Inverey, and ficht till ye're slayn, 
 For we are four hundered ye are but four men, 
 
12 
 
 Strik, strik, ye proud boaster, your honour is gone, 
 Your lands we will plunder, your castell we'll burn. 
 At the head o the Etnach the battel began, 
 At Little Auchoikie thei kill'd the first man ; 
 First thei kill'd ane, and soon they kill'd twa, 
 Thei kill'd gallant Braikley, the flour o them a. 
 Thei kill'd William Gordon and James o the Knox, 
 And brave Alexander the flour o Glenmuick ; 
 What sichin and moaning was heard i the glen, 
 For the Baronne o Braikley who basely was slayn. 
 Cam ye bi the castell, and was ye in there, 
 Saw ye pretty Peggy tearing her hair ? 
 Yes, I cam by Braikley, and I gaed in there, 
 And there his ladie braiding her hair. 
 She was rantin, and dancin, and singin for joy, 
 And vowin that nicht she wou'd feest Inverey : 
 She eat we him, drank we him, welcom'd him in, 
 Was kind to the man that had slayn her Baronne. 
 Up spake the son on the nourice's knee, 
 Gin I live to be a man revenged I'll be, 
 Ther's dool i the kitchin and mirth i the ha, 
 The Baronne o Braikley is dead and awa. 
 
13 
 ADONIS' GARDEN. 
 
 Adonis' Garden was so fair, 
 So spacious and so wide, 
 Where various vanities appear, 
 Adorn'd in Flora's pride. 
 The lillies there, in colours fair, 
 Outshone the brightest gold, 
 I stepped in without much din, 
 And there I did behold, 
 Fair Venus and her urchin son, 
 Stand in the garden end, 
 With golden wings expanded wide, 
 And both their bows on bend ; 
 Boasting how m&ny they had slain, 
 And wounded hi an hour. 
 Then Venus smiling to me said, 
 Young man come pull a flower, 
 At first some coy, but yet with joy, 
 This offer I embrac'd, 
 And the pale rose it was my choice, 
 I pull'd it in great haste. 
 The knavish boy now to employ, 
 His skill he then began, 
 T* metamorphose, my lovely rose, 
 A gallant youth became. 
 This having done, the Queen of Love 
 B 
 
Sprang high up in the air, 
 
 And Cupid quickly following, 
 
 They flew I wist not where. 
 
 But misty vapours, wind, and rain, 
 
 Made us for shelter flee, 
 
 To rest beneath the spreading bough*. 
 
 Of a tall cedar tree. 
 
 The nightingale sung sweetly there, 
 
 In which we pleasure took, 
 
 Till at the garden gate we heard, 
 
 Some person loudly knock. 
 
 Which made us both to quake for fear, 
 
 And tremble where we stood ; 
 
 I cried, what bold attempt is this, 
 
 How dare ye rap so loud ? 
 
 But when unto the door I came, 
 
 A person there I saw, 
 
 The reason of his standing there, 
 
 To ask I stood in awe. 
 
 He held a mort scythe in his hand, 
 
 Likewise a bloody shield, 
 
 On his forehead engraven was, 
 
 Ye jnortals all must yield. 
 
 His visage, ghastly, pale, and wan, 
 
 Of a most deadly hue, 
 
 And thus he spake unto the man, 
 
 My errand is to you. 
 
 What is your name ? What is your will ? 
 
15 
 
 Or what is your intent ? 
 
 What is your business here with jne, 
 
 Or on what message sent ? 
 
 Your folly makes you question so, 
 
 The armour which I wear, 
 
 They plainly shew his name and power, 
 
 \Vhose message I do bear. 
 
 Your time is come, your glass is run, 
 
 Therefore make no delay. 
 
 My harbingers did you inform, 
 
 You was to come this way, 
 
 My running glass made me expect, 
 
 You would not call so soon. 
 
 Could ye cut down the flowers in May, 
 
 Or set the sun at noon ? 
 
 All flesh is grass before my face, 
 
 I'm master of the field, 
 
 Your first excuse will not prevail, 
 
 Nor I at once will yield. 
 
 Must I go to the silent shade, 
 
 Unto the grave below ? 
 
 Yes, you must wander there alone. 
 
 In paths that none doth know. 
 
 Is there no other way for me, 
 
 Some company I must have ? 
 
 For dark and dreary is the path* 
 
 That leads us through the grave 
 
 Why do ye trifle time away, 
 
16 
 
 Still thinking I'm in jest ? 
 
 Would ye refuse should I invite. 
 
 You to a marriage feast ? 
 
 My wedding garment is not on, 
 
 And I am sore afraid, 
 
 When the King comes to view the guest*, 
 
 Hell find me unarray'd. 
 
 Should I go in these filthy rays, 
 
 I would the court disgrace, 
 
 The shining glory would debar, 
 
 Me from his blessed face. 
 
 Then Faith stept in, and answer made ? 
 
 And thus did quickly say,. 
 
 See yonder is an open font, 
 
 That's flowing every day. 
 
 You may go on to yonder font, 
 
 And wash your garments clean, 
 
 The Lamb that died upon the cross, 
 
 Has ta'en away each stain. 
 
 Then he unto grim death can say, 
 
 I'm cleansed from ail errors, 
 
 The ve3 is rent, I'll hector thee, 
 
 Tho' thou art king of terrors. 
 
 I'll stare thee boldly in the face, 
 
 Since I made peace, with him, 
 
 Who by his garden agony, 
 
 Has wip'd out every stain. 
 
 Ye're but a servant and a slave. 
 
17 
 
 Although thou bearest sway, 
 
 But he that triumphed o'er the grave. 
 
 Shall conquer thee one day. 
 
 Ye're welcome for your Master's sake. 
 
 Glad tidings ye do bring, 
 
 This is my coronation day, 
 
 And I'll for ever reign. 
 
 "Where I'll my bless'd Redeemer see, 
 
 Who banishes all fears, 
 
 And sing his praise eternally, 
 
 Who wips away all tears. 
 
 The river that appeared deep 
 
 Is shallower than before, 
 
 And faith and hope shall be my guides, 
 
 To the Emmanuel shore. 
 
 My crimes are cleans'd, my stains are gone, 
 
 His blood wip'd them away, 
 
 And he that opened heaven's gate,, 
 
 Receive my soul this day. 
 
 THE HIREMAN CHIEL. 
 
 There was a knight, a barone bright 
 A bauld barone was he, 
 And ha had wily but one son, 
 
18 
 
 A comely youth to see* 
 
 He's brought him up at schools nine,. 
 
 So has he at schools ten, 
 
 But the boy learn'd to haud the plow* 
 
 Among his father's men. 
 
 But it fell ance upon a day, 
 
 The bauld baron did say, 
 
 My son you maun gae court a wife, 
 
 And ane o high degree* 
 
 Ye have lands, woods, rents, and bouirs* 
 
 Castels and touirs three, 
 
 Then go my son and seek some dame, 
 
 To share that gift wi thee. 
 
 Yes, I have lands and woods father, 
 
 Castels and touirs three, 
 
 But what if she like my lands and rents, 
 
 Far more than she loves me? 
 
 But I will go and seek a wife, 
 
 That weel can please mine ee, 
 
 And I sail fairly try her love, 
 
 Before she gang wi me. 
 
 He then took off the scarlet coat, 
 
 Bedeck'd wi shinin gold, 
 
 And has put on the hireman's coat, 
 
 To keip him frae the cold. 
 
 He then laid past the studded sword, 
 
 That he could bravely draw, 
 
 And he's gone skipping down the stair. 
 
19 
 
 Swift as the bird that flaw. 
 
 He took a stick into his hand, 
 
 Which he could bravely wiel, 
 
 And he's gane whistling o'er the lan> 
 
 Like a young hireman chiel. 
 
 As he gaed up yon high high hill. 
 
 And low down i the glen, 
 
 And there he saw a gay castell, 
 
 Wi turrets nine or ten. 
 
 And he h$s gone on, and farther on, 
 
 Till to the yett drew he, 
 
 And there he saw a lady fair, 
 
 That pleas'd the young man's ee. 
 
 He went streight to the Greave's chamber, 
 
 And with humilitie, 
 
 Said have ye any kind of work, 
 
 For a Hireijian Chiel like me. 
 
 What is the work that ye intend ? 
 
 Or how can we agree ? 
 
 Can ye plow, reap, and sow the corn, 
 
 And a' for meat and fee ? 
 
 Yes, I can plow, and reap, and mow, 
 
 And sow the corn too, 
 
 I can weel manage horse and cow, 
 
 And a' for meat and fee. 
 
 If ye can baud the plow right wee!, 
 
 And sow the corn too, 
 
 B 4 V faith and trotkmy Hiremaa Chiel, 
 
20 
 
 We shall not part for fee. 
 
 He put his hand in his pocket. 
 
 And taen out shillins nine, 
 
 Says, take ye that my Hireman Chiel* 
 
 And turn in here and dine. 
 
 He acted all he took in hand, 
 
 His master lov'd him weel, 
 
 And the young Lady of the land, 
 
 Fell in love wi the Hireman Chiel. 
 
 How aft she tried to drown theflame^ 
 
 And oft wept bitterlie, 
 
 But still she lov'd the Hireman Chie)^ 
 
 So well's he pleas'd her ee. 
 
 She has written a broad letter, 
 
 And seal'd it wi her hand, 
 
 And drop't it at the stable door, 
 
 Where the young man did stand. 
 
 I am in love my hireman ehiel, 
 
 I'm deip in love wi thee, 
 
 And if ye think me worth your love* 
 
 I' the garden green meet me. 
 
 When he had read the letter o'er, 
 
 A loud loud laugh gae he, 
 
 Said if I manage my business weel> 
 
 I'm sure to get my fee. 
 
 At night they met behind a tree, 
 
 Low in the garden green, 
 
 To tell their tale among the flowers. 
 
21 
 
 And view the e'ening scene. 
 
 Next morning by the rising sun, 
 
 £he with her Maries fair, 
 
 Walk'd to the fields to see the plow. 
 
 And meet the; hireman there. 
 
 Good morn, good m«orn, my lady ga y, 
 
 I wonder much at you, 
 
 To rise so early in the morn, 
 
 While fields are wet wi dew. 
 
 I love to walk in early morn. 
 
 While flowers are wet wi dew, 
 
 To hear the linnets on the thorn. 
 
 And see the plow boy plow. 
 
 But I wonder much at you young man> 
 
 I wonder much at you, 
 
 That ye no other station have, 
 
 Than hold my father's plow, 
 
 I love as weel to rise each morn, 
 
 As ye can your Maries fair, 
 
 I love as weel to hold the plow, 
 
 As I were your father's heir. 
 
 If ye love me as ye protest, 
 
 And I trust weel ye do, 
 
 The morn's night at eight o'clock. 
 
 In gude green wood meet me. 
 
 Yes, I love you my hireman chiel, 
 
 And that most tenderlie, 
 
 But when my virgin honor's gone* 
 

 22 
 
 I soon will slighted be. 
 
 Take ye no dread my lady gay, 
 
 Lat a your folly be, 
 
 If ye com a maiden to green wood, 
 
 You'll return the same for me. 
 
 The lady she went home again, 
 
 Wi a Mary on every hand, 
 
 She was so very sick in love, 
 
 She could not sit nor stand. 
 
 It was a dark and cloudy night, 
 
 No stars beam'd o'er the lea, 
 
 When the lady and the hireman met, 
 
 Beneath a spreading tree. 
 
 He took the lady in his arms, 
 
 Embraced her tenderlie, 
 
 And thrice he kiss'd her rosy lips, 
 
 Under the green wood tree. 
 
 Hold offyour hands, young man I pray, 
 
 I wonder much at thee, 
 
 The man that holds my father's plow, 
 
 To lay .his hands on me. 
 
 No harm I mean, my winsome dame # 
 
 No impudence at a', 
 
 I never laid a hand on you, 
 
 Till your libertie I saw. 
 
 It is a dark and dismal night, 
 
 The dew is falling down, 
 
 I will go home least I should spoil. 
 
23 
 
 My cap and satin gown. 
 
 If you are wearied sq soon, 
 
 Why did ye tryst me here, 
 
 I would not weary with you my dear, 
 
 Tho' this night were a year. 
 
 When morning beams began to peep, 
 
 Among the branches green, 
 
 The lovers rose and part to meet, 
 
 And tell their tale again. 
 
 Ye will go home unto the plow, 
 
 Where often ye hae been, 
 
 I'll tak my mantle folded up, 
 
 And walk i the garden green. 
 
 The Barone and my mother dear, 
 
 Will wonder what I mean, 
 
 They'll think I've been disturbed sair, 
 
 When I am up so soon. 
 
 But this pass'd on, and farther on, 
 
 For two months and a day, 
 
 Till word came to the bauld barone, 
 
 And an angry man was he. 
 
 The Barone swore a solemn oath, 
 
 An angry man was he, 
 
 The morn before I eat or drink, 
 
 High hanged shall he be. 
 
 Farewell, my lovely maiden fair, 
 
 A long adieu to thee, 
 
 Your father's sworn a solemn swear, 
 
24 
 
 That hanged I shall be, 
 
 O woe's me, the lady said. n 
 
 Yet do not troubled be, 
 
 If e'er they touch the hair on thy head. 
 
 They'll get no good of me. 
 
 He tum'd him right and round abouU 
 
 And a loud loud laugh gae he, 
 
 That man stood never in the Court, 
 
 That dare this day hang me. 
 
 The lady spake from her bouir door, 
 
 An angry woman was she, 
 
 What insolence in you to tryst, 
 
 Her to the green wood tree. 
 
 If she had not given her consent, 
 
 She had not gone wi' me, 
 
 If she came a maiden to green wood, 
 
 She return'd again for me. 
 
 He turn'd him right and round about, 
 
 And a loud loud laugh gae he, 
 
 Ye may wed your daughter whan ye will, 
 
 She's none the worse of me. 
 
 He has gone whistling o'er the knowe, 
 
 Swift as the bird that flaw, 
 
 The lady stood in her bouir door, 
 
 And lout the salt tears fa. 
 
 But this pass'd on, and further on, 
 
 A twelve month and a day, 
 
 Till there came a knight and a Barone bright, 
 
25 
 
 To woo this gay lady. 
 
 He soon gain'd the Baronne's will, 
 
 Likewise the mother gay, 
 
 He woo'd and won the lady's love, 
 
 But by a slow degree. 
 
 O weel be fa' you daughter dear, 
 
 And happy may ye be, 
 
 To lay your love on the grand knight, 
 
 And let the hireman be. 
 
 haud your tongue, my father dear, 
 And speak not so to me, 
 
 Far more I love the hireman chiel, 
 
 Than a* the knights I see. 
 
 The morn was come, and bells were rung. 
 
 And all to church repair, 
 
 But like the rose among the throng, 
 
 Was the lady and her Maries fair. 
 
 But as they walked o'er the field, 
 
 Among the flowers fair, 
 
 Beneath a tree stood on the plain. 
 
 The hireman chiel was there. 
 
 1 wish you joy my gay madam, 
 And ay well may ye be, 
 There is a ring a pledge of love, 
 That ance I got from thee. 
 
 O wae befa ye, you hireman chiel, 
 
 Some ill death may ye die, 
 
 Ye might hae tauld to me your name, 
 
26 
 
 Your hame, or what countrie. 
 
 If ye luve me my gay lady, 
 
 As ye protest ye do, 
 
 Then turn your love from this gay knight, 
 
 And reach your hand to me. 
 
 Then out spake the gay Baronne, 
 
 And an angry man was he, 
 
 If I had known she was belov'd, 
 
 She had never been lov'd by me. 
 
 When she was set on high horse back, 
 
 And riding thro' the glen, 
 
 They saw her father posting quick, 
 
 With fifty armed men. 
 
 Do for yourself my hireman lad, 
 
 And for your safty flee, 
 
 My father he will take me back, 
 
 But married I'll never be. 
 
 When they were up yon rising hill, 
 
 There low down i* the glen, 
 
 He saw his father's gilded coach, 
 
 Wi* five hundred gentlemen. 
 
 Come back, turn back, my hireman chiel, 
 
 Turn back and speak wi' me, 
 
 Ye've serv'd me lang for the lady's sake, 
 
 Come back and getryour fee. 
 
 Your blessing give us instantly, 
 
 Is all we crave o* thee, 
 
 These seven years I serv'd for her sake* 
 
 But now I'm paid my fee. 
 
27 
 THE BATTLE OF CORRICHIE, 
 
 OX THE HILL OF FARE, 
 Fought Oct. 28, 1562. 
 Murn ye heighlands, and murn ye leighlands 
 I trow ye hae meikle need ; 
 For the bonny burn of Corichie 
 His run this day wp bleed ? 
 Thi hopefu' Laird of Finleler, 
 Erie Huntly's gallant son, 
 For thi love hi bare our beauteous Quine, 
 His gart fair Scotland mone. 
 Hi has braken his ward in Aberdene, 
 Throu dreid o* the fausse Murry : 
 And his gather't the gentle Gordone clan, 
 And his father auld Huntly. 
 Fain wad hi tak our bonny guide Quine, 
 And beare hir awa wi' him : 
 But Murry' s slee wyles spoilt a' the sport, 
 And reft him o' lyfe and lym. 
 Murry gart rayse thi tardy Merns mefc, 
 And Angis, and mony ane mair ; 
 Erie Morton, and thi Byres Lord Lindsay, 
 And campit o' thi Hill o' Fare. 
 Erie Huntly cam wi' Haddo Gordone, 
 And countit ane thusan men ; 
 But Murry had abien twal hunder, 
 Wi saxscore horsemen and ten. 
 Thei soundit thi bougills and thi trumpits, 
 And marchit on in brave array ; 
 Till spiers an' thi axis forgatherit, 
 And than did begin thi fray. 
 The Gordones sae fercelie difl fecht it, 
 Wittouten terrer or dreid, 
 That mony o' Murry's men lay gaspin, 
 And dyit thi grund wi theire bleid. 
 Than fausse Murry feingit to flee them. 
 
2R 
 And they pursuit at his backe, 
 When thi haf o' thi Gordone ? s desertif,. 
 And tum'd wi Slurry in a cracke. 
 Wi' hether i' theire bonnits thei turnit, 
 Thi traiter Haddo o' theire heid, 
 And slaid theire brithers and theire fatheris, 
 And spulzit and left them for deid. 
 Then Murry cried tak the auld Gordorre, 
 And mony ane ran wi* speid ; 
 But Stuart o' Inchbraik had him stickit, 
 And out gushit this fat burdane's bleid. 
 Then thei tuke his twa sons quick and haje> 
 And bare them awa' to Aberdene : 
 But sair did our guide Quine lament-, 
 Thi wae fu chance that thei were tone. 
 Erie Murry lost mony a gallant stout man, 
 Thi hope fu' laird o' Thornitoune, 
 Pittera's sons and Egli's farfearit laird, 
 And mair to mi unkend, fell doune. 
 Erie Huntly mist ten score o' his braw men 
 Sum o' heigh, and sum o' leigh degree ; 
 Skeenis' youngest sone, the pride o' a' the clanc, 
 Wis there fan' deid, he widna flee. 
 This bloody fecht wis fiercely fought, 
 Octobris audit and twinty day, 
 Crystis' fyfteen hunder thriscore yeir 
 And twa, will mark thi deidlie fray. 
 But now thi day maist waefu' cam, 
 That day thi Quine did grite hir fill, 
 For Huntly's gallant stalwart son 
 Wis heidit on thi Heidin Hill. 
 Fyve noble Gordanes wi' him hangit were, 
 Upon thi samen fatal playne ; 
 Cruel Murry's gart thi waefu' Quine luke out, 
 And see hir lover an' liges slayne. 
 I wis our Quine had better frinds, 
 I wis our countrie better peice ; 
 
29 
 
 I wis oar lords wid no discord, 
 I wis our w^irs at hame may ceise* 
 
 THE BATTLE OF GLENLIVAT, 
 
 Taught by the Noble Earls of HuNTLY and ERROLt, 
 against Argtle, Oct. 5, 1594. 
 
 Frae Dunnideer to Aberdeen, 
 
 I raise and took my way, 
 
 Believing well it had not been, 
 
 Full hali an hour to day. 
 
 The lift was clad in clouds so grey, 
 
 And masked was the moon, 
 
 Which me deceived were I lay, 
 
 And made me rise so soon. 
 
 At Cowey Mouth I met a man, 
 
 Well graithed in his gear, 
 
 What news, quoth I ? then he began, 
 
 To tell a fit of weir, 
 
 Saying the ministers I fear, 
 
 A bloody browst hath brown, 
 
 For yesterday withoutten mair, 
 
 On a hill of Strathdown, 
 
 I saw three lords in battle fight, 
 
 Right furiously a while, 
 
 Huntly and Erroll as they hight, 
 
 Were both against Argyle, 
 
 Turn back with me and ride a mile, 
 
 And I shall make it kend, 
 
 How they began to form and stile, 
 
 And of the battle's end. 
 
 Then I as any man would be, 
 
 Right curious was to know, 
 
 ^lair of that tale he told to me, 
 
 The which he said he saw ^ 
 
30 
 
 But then the day began to draw, 
 
 And back with him I rode, ">■ 
 
 Then he began the sooth to shaw, 
 
 And on this way he said. 
 
 Mackallan Moir came from the west* 
 
 With many bow and brand, 
 
 To win or waste as he thought best* 
 
 The Earl of Huntly's land* 
 
 Who swore that none should him withstand 
 
 Except that they were fay, 
 
 But all should be at his command, 
 
 That dwe ♦ t by north side Tay. 
 
 Then Huntly to prevent this peril, 
 
 Directed hastily, 
 
 Unto the Noble Earl of Errol, 
 
 Besought him for supply.. 
 
 Who said it is my duty, 
 
 To give Huntly support, 
 
 For if he loses Strathboggy* 
 
 My Slains will be hurt* 
 
 Therefore I hold the subject vain* 
 
 Would reave us of our right, 
 
 First shall the one of us be slain, 
 
 The other put to flight. 
 
 Suppose Argyle has mikle might* 
 
 By force of Highlaudmen, 
 
 We's be a mote into his sight* 
 
 E'er he come home again. 
 
 Therefore my merry men be blyth* 
 
 Argyle shall have the worst, 
 
 If he into this country kyth, 
 
 J hope lrim sure to cross. 
 
 Then lap this lord upon his horse, 
 
 A weir like troop at Turreff, 
 
 To meet with Hmitly and his force* 
 
 He rode to Elgin in Murray. 
 
 This same night the lords met, 
 
 JFor others wh^ thought lang, 
 
31 
 
 To tell you all I have forgot, 
 
 What mirth was them among. 
 
 But players play'd, and singers sang, 
 
 To glad the merry host, 
 
 Wha' feared not his foes so strung, 
 
 Nor yet Argyle his boast 
 
 They for twa days would nor remove, 
 
 But blythly drank the wine, 
 
 And took their glass some to their love, . 
 
 Some to their lady fine. 
 
 And some that thought uot fair to tyne, 
 
 Their mistress' token takes* 
 
 They kiss it first and set it syne, 
 
 On the breast of their jakes. 
 
 They past the time right merrily, 
 
 While word came at the last, 
 
 That Argyle with a great army, 
 
 Approached wonderous fast* 
 
 Then frae the town these weir men past, 
 
 And Huntly to them said, 
 
 Good gentlemen we will us cast, 
 
 For Strathboggy to bed. 
 
 When they unto Strathboggy came, 
 
 To council soon they geed, 
 
 For to see how things might frame, 
 
 For they had meikle need. 
 
 They voted there to do a deed* 
 
 As kirkmen do devise, 
 
 And pray'd that they might find good speed, 
 
 In that great interprise. 
 
 Then every man himself can arm, 
 
 To meet Mackallan Moir, 
 
 Wha in Strathdown had done great harpi 3 
 
 The Wednesday before. 
 
 As lions do poor lambs devour, 
 
 With bloody teeth and nails, 
 
 They burnt the biggingtook the$tore> 
 
32 
 
 And slew the peoples selves:. 
 
 Besides all this his cruelty, 
 
 He said or he should cease, 
 
 The standing starves of Strathboggy, 
 
 Should be his halzeon place. 
 
 But Huntly says, when I him face, 
 
 First we shall fight him anes, 
 
 Perchance that he will take the chace, 
 
 E'er he come to the stanes. 
 
 Their lords lap on at afternoon, 
 
 Wi* a' their weir men wight, 
 
 And rode up to Cairnburrow soon, 
 
 Where that they bade all night. 
 
 Then on the morn when day was light. 
 
 They raise and made them bown, 
 
 IJnto a house that stands on height, 
 
 They call it Auchindown*, 
 
 Besides a castle on a craft, 
 
 They stented pafeeons there, 
 
 Then spake a man who had been aft, 
 
 In jeopardy of weir. 
 
 My Lord your foes they are to fear, 
 
 Tho' ye be ne'er so stout, 
 
 Therefore command some men of weir 3 
 
 To watch the rest about. 
 
 When this was done some gentlemen, 
 
 Of noble kind and blood, 
 
 To council with their lords are gone, 
 
 Of matters to conclude. 
 
 For well enough they understood, 
 
 The matters were of weight, 
 
 They had too many men and good, 
 
 In battle for to fight. 
 
 The first man that in council spake, 
 
 Good Errol it was he, 
 
 Wha says the vanguard I will take, 
 
 Aad leading upon me. 
 
 
33 
 
 My Lord Huntly come succour me, 
 
 When ye see me opprest, 
 
 Tor frae the field I'll never flee, 
 
 Sae lang as I may laste. 
 
 Thereat the Gordons waxed wroth, 
 
 And said he did them wrong, 
 
 To let this lord for they were laith, 
 
 First to the battle gang. 
 
 The meeting was them among, 
 
 Therefore was no more heard, 
 
 But Huntly and a troop more strange, 
 
 Staid into the rear guard. 
 
 This was the number of the force, 
 
 The lords to battle led, 
 
 A thousand gentlemen on horse, 
 
 And some footmen they had. 
 
 Three hundred that shot arrows braid, 
 
 Fourscore that hagbouts bear, 
 
 That was the number that they had, 
 
 Of footmen with them sure. 
 
 Thus with their noble cavalry, 
 
 They marched to the field, 
 
 Where Argyle with a great army, 
 
 Had on a hill ta'en bield. 
 
 Abiding them with speir and shield, 
 
 With hagbouts, darts, and bows, 
 
 And men that well could weapons wield, 
 
 To meet them was no mows, 
 
 When they so near other were come, 
 
 That ilk man saw his fae, 
 
 Go to and sey the game, said some* 
 
 But Captain Ker said nae. 
 
 First let the guns before us gae, 
 
 That they make break their order, 
 
 Qouth baith the lords lat it be sae 
 
 Or ever we gae forder. 
 
 Then Andrew Gray upon a horse; 
 

 3i 
 
 Betwixt the battles rade, 
 
 Making the sign of haly cross, 
 
 And so some words he said. 
 
 He lighted there the guns he laid, 
 
 While they came to a rest. 
 
 Then Captain Ker unto him gaed, 
 
 And bade him shoot on haste, 
 
 I will not shoot says Andrew Gray, 
 
 While they come o'er yon hill, 
 
 We have o'er good a cause the day, 
 
 Thro' misguiding to spill. 
 
 Ride back and bid our men be still, 
 
 While they come to yon plain, 
 
 Then shall my shooting do them ill, 
 
 I will not shoot in vain. 
 
 Shoot up, shoot up says Captain Ker, 
 
 Shoot up for our comfort, 
 
 The first that shot they were so far, 
 
 It lighted far too short. 
 
 The second shot their foes did hurt* 
 
 And lighted wonderous weel, 
 
 Quoth Andrew Gray I see a sport. 
 
 When they began to reel. 
 
 Go to, go to, and sey the game, 
 
 Yon folk are in a frey, 
 
 Let's see if we can mell them all, 
 
 Into the dissarray. 
 
 Go to, it is no time to stay, 
 
 And for my benneson, 
 
 Save never one that wi can slay, 
 
 While we the field have won. 
 
 Then awful Errol he can say, 
 
 Good fellows follow me, 
 
 I hope it shall be ours this day, 
 
 Or else therefore to die. 
 
 Tho* they in number many were, 
 
 Set on withoutten words, 
 
 Let ijk brave fellow brake his tree> ,. 
 
35 
 
 Aud then pursue with swords 
 
 Syne Errol hasted to the night, 
 
 Where he did baitle bide. 
 
 With him when Auchindoun and Gight, 
 
 And Bonny town by his side. 
 
 Mair gentlemen did with him ride. 
 
 Whose praise should not be smor'd, 
 
 But Captain Ker who was their guide, 
 
 Rade ay before his lord. 
 
 There were not many men of weir, 
 
 But they are wonderous true, 
 
 With sword and pistol and with spear, 
 
 They did their foes pursue. 
 
 Whole bullets, darts, anil arrows slew 
 
 Of horse and gentlemen, 
 
 Huntly made haste to succour him, 
 
 And, charged furiously. 
 
 Where many a man's sight grew dim. 
 
 The shots so thick did flee, 
 
 Whilk made right many doughty die, 
 
 Of some on either side. 
 
 Argyle with his whole host did flee, 
 
 But yet Maclean did bide, 
 
 Maclean had a habergeon. 
 
 Ilk lord had on a jack ; 
 
 Together they did fiercely run, 
 
 While many guns did crack. 
 
 The splinters of the spears that broke, 
 
 Flew high up in the air, 
 
 Whilk buir down man upon their back, 
 
 A^ain rose never mair. 
 
 Then some men said we will be sure, 
 
 And take Maclean by course, 
 
 Go to for we are men anew, 
 
 To bear him down by force. 
 
 'But noble Errol had remorse, 
 
 And said it is not best, 
 
 For tho' Argyle has got the worst, 
 
 Let him gang with the rest. 
 
 What greater honour could ye wish, 
 
 In deeds of chivalry, 
 
 Or braver victory than this, 
 
 Where one has chae'd thrice three. 
 
 Therefore good fellows let him be, 
 
 He'll die before he yield, 
 
 For he with his small company, 
 
 Bade langest in the field. 
 
 Alas I see a sorry sight, 
 
 Now saya tae lord Maclean, 
 
36 
 
 Our feeble folks has ta'en the flight, 
 
 And left me now alane. 
 
 Now maun I flee or else be ta'en, 
 
 Sen they will not return, 
 
 With that he lap and o'er a den, 
 
 Alang a little burn. 
 
 Syne after great Argyle his host, 
 
 Some horsemen took the chace, 
 
 Who turn'd his back for all his boast, 
 
 Before the foes his face. 
 
 His men cry'd oh ! with many alas ! 
 
 But never mercy sought, 
 
 Therefore the Gordons gave nae sae, 
 
 Because they crav'd it nought. 
 
 With some good men pursued sharp, 
 
 The hardy Earl of Huntly, 
 
 And on that Captain he did carp, 
 
 Whose name height Ogilvie. 
 
 Who said now gentlemen let see, 
 
 Wha manyest slaves slays, 
 
 Save nane this day we may gar die, 
 
 For plaids nae ransome pays, 
 
 JLike harts o'er bill and hops they ran, 
 
 Where horsemen might not win, 
 
 Retire again quoth Huntly then, 
 
 Where we did first begin. 
 
 Now here lies many a carved skin, 
 
 And many a bloody beard, 
 
 For any help of all their kin, 
 
 Will rot above the eard. 
 
 When thej came to the hill again, 
 They fell down on their knees, 
 And did give thanks that they had 
 So many enemies. (slain, 
 
 Syne raise before Ar^yle's eyes, 
 Made Captain Ker a knight, 
 And bade among the dead bodies, 
 While they were out of sight. 
 Now I have ycu already tauld, 
 Huntly and Eirol's men, 
 Could scarce be thirteen hundred 
 The truth if he would ken. (called. 
 And yet Argyle has thousands ten, 
 Were tbey that tock the race. 
 And the' that they were nine to ane f 
 They caused take the chace. 
 -Sae ArgyWc boast it was in vain, 
 
 He thought sure not to tyne, 
 That if he durst come to the plain, 
 He would gar every nine 
 Of his lay hold upon ilk man, 
 Huntly and Errol hade. 
 But yet for all his odds he fled, 
 To tell how ill be sped, 
 This deed right doughty was done, 
 As I heard true men tell, 
 Upon a Teusday afternoon, 
 St. Francis' even befel. 
 And Aucbindoun, in that battle, 
 With fourteen mair was slain, 
 So was the laird of Lochinell, 
 With fourteen hundred highland 
 men* 
 
 TJHE END. 
 
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