Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Scottish ballads

381
" Kind chieftain, your intent pursue,
For here I maun abyde.
To me nae after day nor nicht
Can eir be sweit or fair ;
But sune, beneth some drapping tree,
Cauld death sail end ray care."
With him nae pleiding micht prevail ;
Braif Hardyknute to gain,
With fairest words and reason Strang,
Straif courteously in vain.
Syne he has gane far hynd,* attoure
Lord Chattan's land sae wide ;
That lord a worth ie wicht was aye,
When faes his courage seyed :
Of Pictish race by mother's syde ;
When Picts ruled Caledon,
Lord Chattan claimed the princely maid,
When he saift Pictish croun.
Now, with his fers and stalwart train,
He reicht a rysing heicht,
W^here, braid encampit on the dale,
Norse menyie lay in sicht ;
" Yonder, my valiant sons, and feris,-}-
Our raging reivers wait.
On the unconquered Scottish swaird,
To try with us their fate !
Make orisons to him that saift
Our sauls upon the rude ; ij:
Syne braifly shaw your veins are filled
With Caledonian blude."
Then furth he drew his trusty glaive,
Whyle thousands, all around,
Far beyond, over the country. f Companions,
Cross.