J. F. Campbell Collection > Minstrelsy of the Scottish border > Volume 1

jG minstrelsy of
It grieved him sair that day, I trow,
Wi' Sir George Hearoune of Schipsydeliouse
Because we were not men enow,
They counted us not worth a louse.
Sir George was gentle, meek, and douse,
But he was hall and het as fire ;
And yet, for all his cracking crouse,*
He rewd the raid o' the Reidswire.
Ta deal with proud men is but pain ;
For either must ye fight or flee.
Or else no answer make again.
But play the best and let them be.
It was na wonder he was hie.
Had Tindaill, Reedsdaill, at his hand,
Wi' Cukdaill, Gladsdaill on the lee,
And Hebsrime, and Northumberland.
Yett was our meeting meek eneugh.
Begun wi'' merriment and mowes.
And at the brae, aboon the heugh.
The dark sat down to call the rowes.-f*
And some for kyne, and some for ewes,
Caird in of Dandrie, Hob, and Jock —
We saw, come marching ower the knows.
Five hundred Fennicks in a flock, —
♦ Cracking ciouxr— Talking big. + BoKe.i—'Ro\h.