The ballad of Dick o' the Cow was well known in England as early as 1596.
"An allusion to it likewise occurs in Parrot's Laquei Ridiculosi, or Springes for Woodcocks; London, 1613.
"Owenus wondreth since he came to Wales,
What the description of this isle should be,
That nere had seen but mountains, hills, and dales,
Yet would he boast, and stand on pedigree,
From Rice ap Richard, sprung from Dick a Cow,
Be cod, was right gud gentleman, look ye now!"
Epigr. 76.—Scott.
Now Liddisdale has lyan lang in,
There is nae riding there at a';
The horses are grown sae lidder fat,
They downa stur out o' the sta'.
Then Johnie Armstrong to Willie can say—5
"Billie, a riding then we'll gae;
England and us has been lang at a feid;
Ablins we'll hit on some bootie."
Then they're com'd on to Hutton Ha',
They rade the proper place about;10
But the laird he was the wiser man,
For he had left nae gear without.
Then he had left nae gear to steal,
Except sax sheep upon a lee:
Quo' Johnie—"I'd rather in England die,15
Ere thir sax sheep gae t' Liddisdale wi' me.