mained in England from October, 1597, till February, 1598.-JOHNSTONI Historia, p. 231.-SPOTTISWOODE, ut supra. According to ancient family tradition, Buccleuch was presented to Elizabeth, who, with her usual rough and peremptory address, demanded of him, "how "he dared to undertake an enterprize so desperate and " presumptuous." "What is it," answered the undaunted chieftain, "what is it that a man dares not "do?" Elizabeth, struck with the reply, turned to a lord in waiting; "With ten thousand such men," said Sir Robert Ker was soon afterwards committed to the custody of the Archbishop of York; for there is extant a letter from that prelate to the lord-treasurer, desiring instructions about the mode of keeping this noble hostage. "I understand," saith he, "that the gentleman ❝is wise and valiant, but somewhat haughty here, and resolute. I "would pray your lordship, that I may have directions whether he may not go with his keeper in my company, to sermons; and whe"ther he may not sometimes dine with the council, as the last host66 ages did; and, thirdly, whether he may sometimes be brought to "sitting to the common-hall, where he may see how careful her Ma"jesty is that the poorest subject in her kingdom may have their “right, and that her people seek remedy by law, and not by avenging "themselves. Perhaps it may do him good as long as he liveth.”— STRYPE'S Annals, ad annum, 1597. It would appear, from this letter, that the treatment of the hostages was liberal; though one can hardly suppress a smile at the zeal of the good bishop for the conver sion of the Scottish chieftain to a more christian mode of thinking than was common among the Borderers of that day. The date is February 25, 1597, which is somewhat difficult to reconcile with those given by the Scottish historians. Another letter follows, stating, that Sir Robert, having been used to open air, prayed for more liberty for his health's sake," offering his word, which it is said he doth chiefly "regard, that he would be true prisoner."-STRYPE, ibid. she, our brother of Scotland might shake the firmest "throne of Europe." Luckily, perhaps, for the murtheress of Queen Mary, James's talents did not lie that way. The articles, settled by the commissioners at Berwick, were highly favourable to the peace of the Border. They may be seen at large in the Border Laws, p. 103. By article sixth, all wardens and keepers are discharged from seeking reparation of injuries, in the ancient hostile mode of riding, or causing to ride, in warlike manner against the opposite March; and that under the highest penalty, unless authorized by a warrant under the hand of their Sovereign. The mention of the word keeper alludes obviously to the above-mentioned reprisals, made by Buccleuch, in the capacity of keeper of Liddesdale. This ballad is preserved, by tradition, on the West Borders, but much mangled by reciters; so that some conjectural emendations have been absolutely necessary to render it intelligible. In particular, the Eden has been substituted for the Eske, p. 205, the latter name being inconsistent with geography. KINMONT WILLIE. O HAVE ye na heard o' the fause Sakelde? Had Willie had but twenty men, But twenty men as stout as he, Wi' eight score in his cumpanie. They band his legs beneath the steed, They tied his hands behind his back; They guarded him, fivesome on each side, And they brought him ower the Liddel-rack. They led him thro' the Liddel-rack, And also thro' the Carlisle sands; 66 My hands are tied, but my tongue is free. "And whae will dare this deed avow? "Or answer by the Border law? "Or answer to the bauld Buccleuch !" free : "Now haud thy tongue, thou rank reiver! 66 Before "I trow ye shall take farewell o' me." "Fear na ye that, my lord," quo' Willie : 66 By the faith o' my body, Lord Scroope," he said, "I never yet lodged in a hostelrie,* "But I paid my lawing + before I gaed." Now word is gane to the bauld Keeper, • Hostelric--Inn. + Lawing--Reckoning. He has ta'en the table wi' his hand, He garr'd the red wine spring on hie"Now Christ's curse on my head," he said, "But avenged of Lord Scroope I'll be ! "O is my basnet * a widow's curch?† That an English lord should lightly‡ me! "And have they ta en hım, Kinmont Willie, Against the truce of Border tide? 66 "And forgotten that the bauld Buccleuch "Is Keeper here on the Scottish side? "And have they e'en ta'en him, Kinmont Willie, "Withouten either dread or fear? "And forgotten that the bauld Buccleuch "Can back a steed, or shake a spear ? "O were there war between the lands, Basnet-Helmet. + Curch-Coif. Lightly-Set light by. |