J. F. Campbell Collection > Popular rhymes of Scotland

RHYMES UPON FAMILIES OF DISTINCTION. 81
furnished with good clay, he believed he could make better
men himself. This remark was circulated among- the pea-
santry, and excited no small indignation. One of their
class soon after found an opportunity of revenging himself
and his neighbours upon the author, by a cut with his own
weapon. It so happened that the laird one day fell into a
quagmire, the material of which was of such a nature as to
hold him fast, and put extrication entirely out of his own
power. In his dilemma, observing a peasant approaching-,
he called out to him, and desired his assistance, in order
that he might get himself relieved from his unjDleasant con-
finement. The rustic, recognising him immediately, paid
no attention to his intreaties, but passed carelessly by ; only
giving him one knowing look, and saying, ' I see you're
making your men, laird ; I'll no disturb you ! '
PLACES IN THE STEWARTRY OF KIRKCUDBRIGHT.
Dusty pokes o' Crossmichael,
Eed shanks o' Parton,
Bodies o' Balmaghie,
Carles o' Kelton.
RHYMES UPON FAMILIES OF DISTINCTION.
HAIG OF BEMERSIDE.
Tide, tide, wliate'er betide,
There'll aye be Haigs in Bemerside.
* This family,' says Sir Robert Douglas,* ' is of great
antiquity in the south of Scotland ; and in our ancient
writings the name is written De Haga. Some authors are
of opinion that they are of Pictish extraction ; others think
that they are descended from the ancient Britons : but as
we cannot pretend, by good authority, to trace them from
their origin, we shall insist no further upon traditionary
history, and deduce their descent, by indisputable docu-
ments, from Petrus de Haga, who was undoubtedly pro-
prietor of the lands and barony of Bemerside, in Berwick-
shire, and lived in the reigns of King Malcolm IV. and
* Baronage.
VOL. VII. F