Buccleuch appears to have remained in England from October, 1597, till February, 1598.—­Johnstoni Historia, p. 231,—­Spottiswoode, ut supra.  According to ancient family tradition, Buccleuch was presented to Elizabeth, who, with her usual rough and peremptory address, demanded of him, “how he dared to undertake an enterprize so desperate and presumptuous.”  “What is it,” answered the undaunted chieftain, “What is it that a man dares not do!” Elizabeth, struck with the reply, turned to a lord in waiting; “With ten thousand such men,” said she, “our brother of Scotland might shake the firmest throne of Europe.”  Luckily, perhaps, for the murtheress of Queen Mary, James’s talents did not lie that way.

The articles, settled by the commissioners at Berwick, were highly favourable to the peace of the border.  They may be seen at large in the Border Laws, p. 103.  By article sixth, all wardens and keepers are discharged from seeking reparation of injuries, in the ancient hostile mode of riding, or causing to ride, in warlike manner, against the opposite march; and that under the highest penalty, unless authorized by a warrant under the hand of their sovereign.  The mention of the word keeper, alludes obviously to the above-mentioned reprisals, made by Buccleuch in the capacity of keeper of Liddesdale.

This ballad is preserved, by tradition, on the west borders, but much mangled by reciters; so that some conjectural emendations have been absolutely necessary to render it intelligible.  In particular, the Eden has been substituted for the Eske, p. 193, the latter name being inconsistent with geography.

KINMONT WILLIE.

* * * * *

  O have ye na heard o’ the fause Sakelde? 
  O have ye na heard o’ the keen Lord Scroop? 
  How they hae ta’en bauld Kinmont Willie,
  On Hairibee to hang him up?

  Had Willie had but twenty men,
  But twenty men as stout as he,
  Fause Sakelde had never the Kinmont ta’en,
  Wi’ eight score in his cumpanie.

  They band his legs beneath the steed,
  They tied his hands behind his back;
  They guarded him, fivesome on each side,
  And they brought him ower the Liddel-rack.

  They led him thro’ the Liddel-rack,
  And also thro’ the Carlisle sands;
  They brought him to Carlisle castell,
  To be at my Lord Scroop’s commands.

  “My hands are tied, but my tongue is free! 
  And whae will dare this deed avow? 
  Or answer by the border law? 
  Or answer to the bauld Buccleuch!”

  “Now haud thy tongue, thou rank reiver! 
  There’s never a Scot shall set ye free: 
  Before ye cross my castle yate,
  I trow ye shall take farewell o’ me.”

  “Fear na ye that, my lord,” quo’ Willie: 
  “By the faith o’ my body, Lord Scroop,” he said,
  “I never yet lodged in a hostelrie,[160]
  But I paid my lawing[161] before I gaed.”