‘O mony a time,’ quo' Kinmont Willie, ‘I have ridden horse baith wild and wood; But a rougher beast than Red Rowan I ween my legs have ne'er bestrode.
And mony a time,’ quo' Kinmont Willie, ‘I've pricked a horse out oure the furs; But since the day I backed a steed, I never wore sic cumbrous spurs!’
We scarce had won the Staneshaw-Bank When a' the Carlisle bells were rung, And a thousand men on horse and foot Cam' wi' the keen Lord Scroope along.
Buccleuch has turned to Eden Water, Even where it flowed frae bank to brim, And he has plunged in wi' a' his band, And safely swam them through the stream.
He turned him on the other side, And at Lord Scroope his glove flung he: ‘If ye like na my visit in merrie England, In fair Scotland come visit me!’
All sore astonished stood Lord Scroope, He stood as still as rock of stane; He scarcely dared to trew his eyes, When through the water they had gane.
‘He is either himsell a devil frae hell, Or else his mother a witch maun be; I wadna have ridden that wan water For a' the gowd in Christentie.’
[XXX]
THE HONOUR OF BRISTOL
Attend you, and give ear awhile, And you shall understand Of a battle fought upon the seas By a ship of brave command. The fight it was so glorious Men's hearts it did ful-fill, And it made them cry, ‘To sea, to sea, With the Angel Gabriel!’
This lusty ship of Bristol Sailed out adventurously Against the foes of England, Her strength with them to try; Well victualled, rigged, and manned she was, With good provision still, Which made men cry, ‘To sea, to sea, With the Angel Gabriel!’