176NORTHUMBERLAND BETRAYED BY DOUGLAS

‘Northumberland betrayd by Dowglas,’ Percy MS., p. 259; Hales and Furnivall, II, 217.

Printed in Percy’s Reliques, 1765, I, 257, “from two copies [which contained great variations, 1794, I, 297], one of them in the Editor’s folio MS.” In this manuscript Percy makes these notes. “N. B. My other copy is more correct than this, and contains much which is omitted here. N. B. The other copy begins with lines the same as that in page 112 [that is, the ‘Earl of Westmoreland’]. The minstrels often made such changes.”

See the preface to the foregoing ballad as to the probable character of the copy, which “contains much that is omitted here.”

The Earl of Sussex writes on December 22d that, the next morning after Northumberland and Westmorland took refuge in Liddesdale, Martin Eliot and others of the principal men of the dale raised a force against the earls, Black Ormiston, and the rest of their company, and offered fight; but in the end, Eliot, wishing to avoid a feud, said to Ormiston that “he would charge him and the rest before the Regent for keeping of the rebels of England, if he did not put them out of the country, and that if they [the earls] were in the country after the next day, he would do his worst against them and all that maintained them.” Whereupon the earls were driven to quit Liddesdale and to fly to one of the Armstrongs in the Debateable Land, leaving the Countess of Northumberland “at John of the Sydes house, a cottage not to be compared to any dog-kennel in England.” Three days later Sussex and Sadler write that “the Earl of Northumberland was yesterday [the 24th], at one in the afternoon, delivered by one Hector, of Harlaw wood, of the surname of the Armstrongs, to Alexander Hume, to be carried to the Regent.”[261]The Regent took Northumberland to Edinburgh, and on the second of January, 1570, committed him to the castle of Lochleven, attended by two servants.[262]

The sentiment of Scotsmen, and especially of borderers, was outraged by this proceeding: “for generally, all sorts, both men and women, cry out for the liberty of their country; which is, to succor banisht men, as themselves have been received in England not long since, and is the freedom of all countries, as they allege.”[263]

Northumberland remained in confinement at Lochleven until June, 1572. Meanwhile the Countess of Northumberland, who had escaped to Flanders, had been begging money to buy her husband of the Scots, and had been negotiating with Douglas of Lochleven to that effect. She was ready to give the sum demanded, which seems to have been two thousand pounds, as soon as sufficient assurance could be had that her husband would be liberated upon payment of the money. Lord Hunsdon discussed the surrender of Northumberland with the Earl of Morton and the Commendator of Dunfermling, on the occasion of their coming to Berwick to treat about the pacification of the troubles in Scotland. “They made recital of the charges that the lord of Lochleven hath been at with the said earl, and how the earl hath offered the lord of Lochleven four thousand marks sterling, to be paid presently to him in hand, to let him go. Notwithstanding, both he and the rest shall be delivered to her Majesty upon reasonable consideration of their charges.” (November 22, 1571.) Political considerations turned the scale, and on the seventh of June Lord Hunsdon paid the two thousand pounds which the countess had offered, and Northumberland was put into his hands. Hunsdon had the earl in custody at Berwick until the following August. He was then made over to Sir John Forster, Warden of the Middle Marches, taken to York and there beheaded (August 27th, 1572).[264]

The ballad-minstrel acquaints us with circumstances concerning the surrender of Northumberland which are not known to any of the historians. One night, when many gentlemen are supping at Lochleven Castle, William Douglas, the laird of the castle, rallies the earl on account of his sadness; there is to be a shooting in the north of Scotland the next day, and to this Douglas has engaged his word that Percy shall go. Percy is ready to ride to the world’s end in Douglas’s company. Mary Douglas, William’s sister, interposes: her brother is a traitor, and has taken money from the Earl [Morton?] to deliver Percy to England. Northumberland will not believe this; the surrender of a banisht man would break friendship forever between England and Scotland. Mary Douglas persists; he had best let her brother ride his own way, and he can tell the English lords that he cannot be of the party because he is in an isle of the sea (an obstacle which must appear to us not greater for one than for the other); and while her brother is away she will carry Percy to Edinburgh Castle, and deliver him to Lord Hume, who has already suffered loss in his behalf. But if he will not give credence to her, let him come on her right hand, and she will shew him something. Percy never loved witchcraft, but permits his chamberlain to go with the lady. Mary Douglas’s mother was a witch-woman, and had taught her daughter something of her art. She shows the chamberlain through the belly of a ring many Englishmen who are on the await for his master, among them Lord Hunsdon, Sir William Drury, and Sir John Forster, though at that moment they are thrice fifty mile distant. The chamberlain goes back to his lord weeping, but the relation of what he has seen produces no effect. Percy says he has been in Lochleven almost three years and has never had an ‘outrake’ (outing); he will not hear a word to hinder him from going to the shooting. He twists from his finger a gold ring—left him when he was in Harlaw wood—and gives it to Mary Douglas, with an assurance that, though he may drink, he will never eat, till he is in Lochleven again. Mary faints when she sees him in the boat, and Percy once and again proposes to go back to see how she fares; but William Douglas treats the fainting very lightly; his sister is crafty enough to beguile thousands like them. When they have sailed the first fifty mile (it will be borne in mind that the Douglas castle is described as being on an isle of the sea), James Swynard, the chamberlain,[265]asks how far it is to the shooting, and gets an alarming answer: fair words make fools fain; whenever they come to the shooting, they will think they have come soon enough! Jamie carries this answer to his master, who finds nothing discouraging in it; it was meant only to try his mettle. But after sailing fifty miles more, Percy himself calls to Douglas and asks what his purpose is. “Look that your bridle be strong and your spurs be sharp,” says Douglas (but 491is probably corrupted). “This is mere flouting,” replies Percy; “one Armstrong has my horse, another my spurs and all my gear.” Fifty miles more of the sea, and they land Lord Percy at Berwick, a deported, “extradited” man!

14. The Countess of Northumberland was sheltered for some time at Hume Castle (Sir C. Sharp’s Memorials, pp. 143, 146, 150, 344, ff). The castle was invested, and by direction of Lord Hume, then absent in Edinburgh, was surrendered without resistance, in the course of Sussex’s destructive raid in April, 1570. Cabala, ed. 1663, p. 175. See also Diurnal of Occurrents, p. 170.

19. Witchcraft was rife at the epoch of this ballad, nor was the imputation of it confined to hags of humble life. The Lady Buccleuch, the Countess of Athole, and the Lady Foullis were all accused of practising the black art. Nothing in that way was charged upon LadyDouglas of Lochleven, the mother of William Douglas and of the Regent Murray; but Lady Janet Douglas, sister of the Earl of Angus, had been burnt in 1537 for meditating the death of James V by poison or witchcraft, and it is possible, as Percy has suggested, that this occurrence may have led to the attribution of sorcery to Lady Douglas of Lochleven.[266]

Mary Douglas shows Northumberland’s chamberlain, through the hollow of her ring, the English lords who are waiting for his master “thrice fifty mile” distant, at Berwick. In a Swiss popular song the infidelity of a lover is revealed by a look through a finger-ring. People on the Odenberg hear a drum-beat, but see nothing. A wizard makes one after another look through a ring made by bowing the arm against the side; they see armed men going into and coming out of the hill. So Biarco is enabled to see Odin on his white horse by looking through Ruta’s bent arm.[267]

32, 33. The day after Northumberland was put into his hands, Hunsdon writes to Burghley: “For the earl, I have had no great talk with him; but truly he seems to follow his old humours, readier to talk of hawks and hounds than anything else.” (Sharp, p. 330.)

51. It was their old manner, as Robin Hood says, to leave but little behind; but what is recorded is that, when “the earls were driven to leave Liddesdale and to fly to one of the Armstrongs upon the Bateable, ... the Liddesdale men stole my lady of Northumberland’s horse, and her two women’s horses, and ten other horses.” Sussex to Cecil, Sharp, p. 114 f.

52. Percy “left Lochleven with joy, under the assurance that he should be conveyed in a Scottish vessel to Antwerp. To his surprise and dismay he found himself, after a short voyage, at Coldingham.” Lingard’s History, VI, 137, London, 1854.

The copy in the Reliques is translated by Doenniges, p. 111.

1Now list and lithe, you gentlemen,And I’st tell you the veretye,How they haue dealt with a banished man,Driuen out of his countrye.2When as hee came on Scottish ground,As woe and wonder be them amonge!Ffull much was there traitoryeThe wrought the Erle of Northumberland.3When they were att the suppersett,Beffore many goodly gentlemen,The ffell a fflouting and mocking both,And said to the Erle of Northumberland:4‘What makes you be soe sad, my lord,And in your mind soe sorrowffullye?In the north of Scottland to-morrow there’s a shooting,And thither thou’st goe, my LordPercye.5‘The buttes are sett, and the shooting is made,And there is like to be great royaltye,And I am sworne into my billThither to bring my Lord Pearcy.’6‘I’le giue thee my hand, Douglas,’ he sayes,‘And be the faith in my bodye,Ifthat thou wilt ryde to the worlds end,I’le ryde in thy companye.’7And then bespake the good ladye,Marry a Douglas was her name:‘You shall byde here, good English lord;My brother is a traiterous man.8‘He is a traitor stout and stronge,As I’st tell you the veretye;For he hath tane liuerance of the Erle,And into England he will liuor thee.’9‘Now hold thy tounge, thou goodlye ladye,And let all this talking bee;Ffor all the goldthat’s in Loug Leuen,William wold not liuor mee.10‘It wold breake truce betweene England and Scottland,And freinds againe they wold neuerbee,If he shold liuor a bani[s]ht erle,Was driuen out of his owne countrye.’11‘Hold your tounge, my lord,’ shee sayes,‘There is much ffalsehood them amonge;When you are dead, then they are done,Soone they will part them freinds againe.12‘If you will giue me any trust, my lord,I’le tell you how you best may bee;You’st lett my brother ryde his wayes,And tell those English lords, trulye,13‘Howthat you cannot with them ryde,Because you are in an ile of the sea;Then, ere my brother come againe,To Edenborrow castle I’le carry thee.14‘I’le liuor you vnto the LordHume,And you know a trew Scothe lordis hee,For he hath lost both land and goodsIn ayding of your good bodye,’15‘Marry, I am woe, woman,’ he sayes,‘That any freind fares worse for mee;For where one saith it is a true tale,Then two will say it is a lye.16‘When I was att home in my [realme],Amonge my tennants all trulye,In my time of losse, wherin my need stoode,They came to ayd me honestlye.17‘Therfore I left a many a child ffatherlese,And many a widdow to looke wanne;And therfore blame nothing, ladye,But the woeffull warres which I began.’18‘If you will giue me noe trust, my lord,Nor noe credence you will give mee,And you’le come hither to my right hand,Indeed, my lorid, I’le lett you see.’19Saies, I neuer loued noe witchcraft,Nor neuerdealt with treacherye,But euermore held the hye way;Alas,that may be seene by mee!20‘If you will not come your selfe, my lord,You’le lett your chamberlaine goe with mee,Three wordsthat I may to him speake,And soone he shall come againe to thee.’21When Iames Swynard camethat lady before,Shee let him see thorrow the weme of her ringHow many there was of English lordsTo wayte there for his masterand him.22‘But who beene yonder, my good ladye,That walkes soe royallye on yonder greene?’‘Yonder is LordHunsden, Iamye,’ she saye[d],‘Alas, hee’le doe you both tree and teene!’23‘And who beene yonder, thou gay ladye,That walkes soe royallye him beside?’‘Yond is Sir William Drurye, Iamy,’ shee sayd,‘And a keene captainhee is, and tryde.’24‘How many miles is itt, thou good ladye,Betwixt yond English lord and mee?’‘Marry, thrise fifty mile, Iamy,’ shee sayd,‘And euen to seale and by the sea.25‘I neuerwas on English ground,Nor neuersee itt with mine eye,But as my witt and wisedome serues,And as [the] booke it telleth mee.26‘My mother, shee was a witch woman,And part of itt shee learned mee;Shee wold let me see out of Lough LeuenWhat they dyd in London cytye.’27‘But who is yonde, thou good laydye,That comes yonder with an osterne fface?’‘Yond’s Sir Iohn Forster, Iamye,’ shee sayd;‘Methinkes thou sholdest better know him then I.’‘Euen soe I doe, my goodlye ladye,And eueralas, soe woe am I!’28He pulled his hatt ouer his eyes,And, Lord, he wept soe tenderlye!He is gone to his masteragaine,And euen to tell him the veretye.29‘Now hast thou beene with Marry, Iamy,’ he sayd,‘Euen as thy tounge will tell to mee;But if thou trust in any womans words,Thou must refraine good companye.’30‘It is noe words, my lord,’ he sayes;‘Yonder the men shee letts me see,How many English lords there isIs wayting there for you and mee.31‘Yonder I see the LordHunsden,And hee and you is of the third degree;A greater enemye, indeed, my Lord,In England none haue yee.’32‘And I haue beene in Lough LevenThe most part of these yeeres three:Yett had I neuer noe out-rake,Nor good gamesthat I cold see.33‘And I am thus bidden to yonder shootingBy William Douglas all trulye;Therfore speake neuera word out of thy mouthThat thou thinkes will hinder mee.’34Then he writhe the gold ring of his ffingarAnd gaue itt tothat ladye gay;Sayes,That was a legacye left vnto meeIn Harley woods where I cold bee.35‘Then ffarewell hart, and farewell hand,And ffarwell all good companye!That woman shall neuer beare a sonneShall know soe much of your priuitye.’36‘Now hold thy tounge, ladye,’ hee sayde,‘And make not all this dole for mee,For I may well drinke, but I’st neuereate,Till againe in Lough Leuen I bee.’37He tooke his boate att the Lough Leuen,For to sayle now ouerthe sea,And he hath cast vpp a siluer wand,Saies, Fare thou well, my good ladye!The ladye looked ouer her left sholder;In a dead swoone there fell shee.38‘Goe backe againe, Douglas!’ he sayd,‘And I will goe in thy companye,For sudden sicknesse yonder lady has tane,And euer, alas, shee will but dye!39‘If ought come to yonder ladye but good,Then blamed sorethat I shall bee,Because a banished man I am,And driuen out of my owne countrye.’40‘Come on, come on, my lord,’ he sayes,‘And lett all such talking bee;There’s ladyes enow in Lough LeuenAnd for to cheere yonder gay ladye.’41‘And you will not goe your selfe, my lord,You will lett my chamberlaine go with mee;Wee shall now take our boate againe,And soone wee shall ouertake thee.’42‘Come on, come on, my lord,’ he sayes,‘And lett now all this talking bee;Ffor my sister is craftye enougheFor to beguile thousands such as you and mee.’43When they had sayled fifty myle,Now fifty mile vpon the sea,Hee had fforgotten a messagethat heeShold doe in Lough Leuen trulye:Hee asked, how ffarr it was tothat shootingThat William Douglas promised mee.44‘Now faire words makes fooles faine,Andthat may be seene by thy masterand thee;Ffor you may happen think itt soone enougheWhen-eueryouthat shooting see.’45Iamye pulled his hatt now ouerhis browe,I wott the teares fell in his eye;And he is to his masteragaine,And ffor to tell him the veretye.46‘He sayes fayre words makes fooles faine,Andthat may be seene by you and mee,Ffor wee may happen thinke itt soone enougheWhen-euerweethat shooting see.47‘Hold vpp thy head, Iamye,’ the erle sayd,‘And neuerlett thy hart fayle thee;He did itt but to proue thee with,And see how thow wold take with death trulye.’48When they had sayled other fifty mile,Other fifty mile vpon the sea,LordPeercy called to him, himselfe,And sayd, Douglas, what wilt thou doe with mee?49‘Lookethat your brydle be wight, my lord,That you may goe as a shipp att sea;Lookethat your spurres be bright and sharpe,That you may pricke her while shee’le awaye.’50‘What needeth this, Douglas,’ he sayth,‘That thou needest to ffloute mee?For I was counted a horsseman goodBeforethat euerI mett with thee.51‘A ffalse Hector hath my horsse,And eueran euill death may hee dye!And Willye Armestronge hath my spurresAnd all the geere belongs to mee.’52When the had sayled other fifty mile,Other fifty mile vpon the sea,The landed low by Barwicke-side;A deputed lord landed LordPercye.

1Now list and lithe, you gentlemen,And I’st tell you the veretye,How they haue dealt with a banished man,Driuen out of his countrye.

Now list and lithe, you gentlemen,

And I’st tell you the veretye,

How they haue dealt with a banished man,

Driuen out of his countrye.

2When as hee came on Scottish ground,As woe and wonder be them amonge!Ffull much was there traitoryeThe wrought the Erle of Northumberland.

When as hee came on Scottish ground,

As woe and wonder be them amonge!

Ffull much was there traitorye

The wrought the Erle of Northumberland.

3When they were att the suppersett,Beffore many goodly gentlemen,The ffell a fflouting and mocking both,And said to the Erle of Northumberland:

When they were att the suppersett,

Beffore many goodly gentlemen,

The ffell a fflouting and mocking both,

And said to the Erle of Northumberland:

4‘What makes you be soe sad, my lord,And in your mind soe sorrowffullye?In the north of Scottland to-morrow there’s a shooting,And thither thou’st goe, my LordPercye.

‘What makes you be soe sad, my lord,

And in your mind soe sorrowffullye?

In the north of Scottland to-morrow there’s a shooting,

And thither thou’st goe, my LordPercye.

5‘The buttes are sett, and the shooting is made,And there is like to be great royaltye,And I am sworne into my billThither to bring my Lord Pearcy.’

‘The buttes are sett, and the shooting is made,

And there is like to be great royaltye,

And I am sworne into my bill

Thither to bring my Lord Pearcy.’

6‘I’le giue thee my hand, Douglas,’ he sayes,‘And be the faith in my bodye,Ifthat thou wilt ryde to the worlds end,I’le ryde in thy companye.’

‘I’le giue thee my hand, Douglas,’ he sayes,

‘And be the faith in my bodye,

Ifthat thou wilt ryde to the worlds end,

I’le ryde in thy companye.’

7And then bespake the good ladye,Marry a Douglas was her name:‘You shall byde here, good English lord;My brother is a traiterous man.

And then bespake the good ladye,

Marry a Douglas was her name:

‘You shall byde here, good English lord;

My brother is a traiterous man.

8‘He is a traitor stout and stronge,As I’st tell you the veretye;For he hath tane liuerance of the Erle,And into England he will liuor thee.’

‘He is a traitor stout and stronge,

As I’st tell you the veretye;

For he hath tane liuerance of the Erle,

And into England he will liuor thee.’

9‘Now hold thy tounge, thou goodlye ladye,And let all this talking bee;Ffor all the goldthat’s in Loug Leuen,William wold not liuor mee.

‘Now hold thy tounge, thou goodlye ladye,

And let all this talking bee;

Ffor all the goldthat’s in Loug Leuen,

William wold not liuor mee.

10‘It wold breake truce betweene England and Scottland,And freinds againe they wold neuerbee,If he shold liuor a bani[s]ht erle,Was driuen out of his owne countrye.’

‘It wold breake truce betweene England and Scottland,

And freinds againe they wold neuerbee,

If he shold liuor a bani[s]ht erle,

Was driuen out of his owne countrye.’

11‘Hold your tounge, my lord,’ shee sayes,‘There is much ffalsehood them amonge;When you are dead, then they are done,Soone they will part them freinds againe.

‘Hold your tounge, my lord,’ shee sayes,

‘There is much ffalsehood them amonge;

When you are dead, then they are done,

Soone they will part them freinds againe.

12‘If you will giue me any trust, my lord,I’le tell you how you best may bee;You’st lett my brother ryde his wayes,And tell those English lords, trulye,

‘If you will giue me any trust, my lord,

I’le tell you how you best may bee;

You’st lett my brother ryde his wayes,

And tell those English lords, trulye,

13‘Howthat you cannot with them ryde,Because you are in an ile of the sea;Then, ere my brother come againe,To Edenborrow castle I’le carry thee.

‘Howthat you cannot with them ryde,

Because you are in an ile of the sea;

Then, ere my brother come againe,

To Edenborrow castle I’le carry thee.

14‘I’le liuor you vnto the LordHume,And you know a trew Scothe lordis hee,For he hath lost both land and goodsIn ayding of your good bodye,’

‘I’le liuor you vnto the LordHume,

And you know a trew Scothe lordis hee,

For he hath lost both land and goods

In ayding of your good bodye,’

15‘Marry, I am woe, woman,’ he sayes,‘That any freind fares worse for mee;For where one saith it is a true tale,Then two will say it is a lye.

‘Marry, I am woe, woman,’ he sayes,

‘That any freind fares worse for mee;

For where one saith it is a true tale,

Then two will say it is a lye.

16‘When I was att home in my [realme],Amonge my tennants all trulye,In my time of losse, wherin my need stoode,They came to ayd me honestlye.

‘When I was att home in my [realme],

Amonge my tennants all trulye,

In my time of losse, wherin my need stoode,

They came to ayd me honestlye.

17‘Therfore I left a many a child ffatherlese,And many a widdow to looke wanne;And therfore blame nothing, ladye,But the woeffull warres which I began.’

‘Therfore I left a many a child ffatherlese,

And many a widdow to looke wanne;

And therfore blame nothing, ladye,

But the woeffull warres which I began.’

18‘If you will giue me noe trust, my lord,Nor noe credence you will give mee,And you’le come hither to my right hand,Indeed, my lorid, I’le lett you see.’

‘If you will giue me noe trust, my lord,

Nor noe credence you will give mee,

And you’le come hither to my right hand,

Indeed, my lorid, I’le lett you see.’

19Saies, I neuer loued noe witchcraft,Nor neuerdealt with treacherye,But euermore held the hye way;Alas,that may be seene by mee!

Saies, I neuer loued noe witchcraft,

Nor neuerdealt with treacherye,

But euermore held the hye way;

Alas,that may be seene by mee!

20‘If you will not come your selfe, my lord,You’le lett your chamberlaine goe with mee,Three wordsthat I may to him speake,And soone he shall come againe to thee.’

‘If you will not come your selfe, my lord,

You’le lett your chamberlaine goe with mee,

Three wordsthat I may to him speake,

And soone he shall come againe to thee.’

21When Iames Swynard camethat lady before,Shee let him see thorrow the weme of her ringHow many there was of English lordsTo wayte there for his masterand him.

When Iames Swynard camethat lady before,

Shee let him see thorrow the weme of her ring

How many there was of English lords

To wayte there for his masterand him.

22‘But who beene yonder, my good ladye,That walkes soe royallye on yonder greene?’‘Yonder is LordHunsden, Iamye,’ she saye[d],‘Alas, hee’le doe you both tree and teene!’

‘But who beene yonder, my good ladye,

That walkes soe royallye on yonder greene?’

‘Yonder is LordHunsden, Iamye,’ she saye[d],

‘Alas, hee’le doe you both tree and teene!’

23‘And who beene yonder, thou gay ladye,That walkes soe royallye him beside?’‘Yond is Sir William Drurye, Iamy,’ shee sayd,‘And a keene captainhee is, and tryde.’

‘And who beene yonder, thou gay ladye,

That walkes soe royallye him beside?’

‘Yond is Sir William Drurye, Iamy,’ shee sayd,

‘And a keene captainhee is, and tryde.’

24‘How many miles is itt, thou good ladye,Betwixt yond English lord and mee?’‘Marry, thrise fifty mile, Iamy,’ shee sayd,‘And euen to seale and by the sea.

‘How many miles is itt, thou good ladye,

Betwixt yond English lord and mee?’

‘Marry, thrise fifty mile, Iamy,’ shee sayd,

‘And euen to seale and by the sea.

25‘I neuerwas on English ground,Nor neuersee itt with mine eye,But as my witt and wisedome serues,And as [the] booke it telleth mee.

‘I neuerwas on English ground,

Nor neuersee itt with mine eye,

But as my witt and wisedome serues,

And as [the] booke it telleth mee.

26‘My mother, shee was a witch woman,And part of itt shee learned mee;Shee wold let me see out of Lough LeuenWhat they dyd in London cytye.’

‘My mother, shee was a witch woman,

And part of itt shee learned mee;

Shee wold let me see out of Lough Leuen

What they dyd in London cytye.’

27‘But who is yonde, thou good laydye,That comes yonder with an osterne fface?’‘Yond’s Sir Iohn Forster, Iamye,’ shee sayd;‘Methinkes thou sholdest better know him then I.’‘Euen soe I doe, my goodlye ladye,And eueralas, soe woe am I!’

‘But who is yonde, thou good laydye,

That comes yonder with an osterne fface?’

‘Yond’s Sir Iohn Forster, Iamye,’ shee sayd;

‘Methinkes thou sholdest better know him then I.’

‘Euen soe I doe, my goodlye ladye,

And eueralas, soe woe am I!’

28He pulled his hatt ouer his eyes,And, Lord, he wept soe tenderlye!He is gone to his masteragaine,And euen to tell him the veretye.

He pulled his hatt ouer his eyes,

And, Lord, he wept soe tenderlye!

He is gone to his masteragaine,

And euen to tell him the veretye.

29‘Now hast thou beene with Marry, Iamy,’ he sayd,‘Euen as thy tounge will tell to mee;But if thou trust in any womans words,Thou must refraine good companye.’

‘Now hast thou beene with Marry, Iamy,’ he sayd,

‘Euen as thy tounge will tell to mee;

But if thou trust in any womans words,

Thou must refraine good companye.’

30‘It is noe words, my lord,’ he sayes;‘Yonder the men shee letts me see,How many English lords there isIs wayting there for you and mee.

‘It is noe words, my lord,’ he sayes;

‘Yonder the men shee letts me see,

How many English lords there is

Is wayting there for you and mee.

31‘Yonder I see the LordHunsden,And hee and you is of the third degree;A greater enemye, indeed, my Lord,In England none haue yee.’

‘Yonder I see the LordHunsden,

And hee and you is of the third degree;

A greater enemye, indeed, my Lord,

In England none haue yee.’

32‘And I haue beene in Lough LevenThe most part of these yeeres three:Yett had I neuer noe out-rake,Nor good gamesthat I cold see.

‘And I haue beene in Lough Leven

The most part of these yeeres three:

Yett had I neuer noe out-rake,

Nor good gamesthat I cold see.

33‘And I am thus bidden to yonder shootingBy William Douglas all trulye;Therfore speake neuera word out of thy mouthThat thou thinkes will hinder mee.’

‘And I am thus bidden to yonder shooting

By William Douglas all trulye;

Therfore speake neuera word out of thy mouth

That thou thinkes will hinder mee.’

34Then he writhe the gold ring of his ffingarAnd gaue itt tothat ladye gay;Sayes,That was a legacye left vnto meeIn Harley woods where I cold bee.

Then he writhe the gold ring of his ffingar

And gaue itt tothat ladye gay;

Sayes,That was a legacye left vnto mee

In Harley woods where I cold bee.

35‘Then ffarewell hart, and farewell hand,And ffarwell all good companye!That woman shall neuer beare a sonneShall know soe much of your priuitye.’

‘Then ffarewell hart, and farewell hand,

And ffarwell all good companye!

That woman shall neuer beare a sonne

Shall know soe much of your priuitye.’

36‘Now hold thy tounge, ladye,’ hee sayde,‘And make not all this dole for mee,For I may well drinke, but I’st neuereate,Till againe in Lough Leuen I bee.’

‘Now hold thy tounge, ladye,’ hee sayde,

‘And make not all this dole for mee,

For I may well drinke, but I’st neuereate,

Till againe in Lough Leuen I bee.’

37He tooke his boate att the Lough Leuen,For to sayle now ouerthe sea,And he hath cast vpp a siluer wand,Saies, Fare thou well, my good ladye!The ladye looked ouer her left sholder;In a dead swoone there fell shee.

He tooke his boate att the Lough Leuen,

For to sayle now ouerthe sea,

And he hath cast vpp a siluer wand,

Saies, Fare thou well, my good ladye!

The ladye looked ouer her left sholder;

In a dead swoone there fell shee.

38‘Goe backe againe, Douglas!’ he sayd,‘And I will goe in thy companye,For sudden sicknesse yonder lady has tane,And euer, alas, shee will but dye!

‘Goe backe againe, Douglas!’ he sayd,

‘And I will goe in thy companye,

For sudden sicknesse yonder lady has tane,

And euer, alas, shee will but dye!

39‘If ought come to yonder ladye but good,Then blamed sorethat I shall bee,Because a banished man I am,And driuen out of my owne countrye.’

‘If ought come to yonder ladye but good,

Then blamed sorethat I shall bee,

Because a banished man I am,

And driuen out of my owne countrye.’

40‘Come on, come on, my lord,’ he sayes,‘And lett all such talking bee;There’s ladyes enow in Lough LeuenAnd for to cheere yonder gay ladye.’

‘Come on, come on, my lord,’ he sayes,

‘And lett all such talking bee;

There’s ladyes enow in Lough Leuen

And for to cheere yonder gay ladye.’

41‘And you will not goe your selfe, my lord,You will lett my chamberlaine go with mee;Wee shall now take our boate againe,And soone wee shall ouertake thee.’

‘And you will not goe your selfe, my lord,

You will lett my chamberlaine go with mee;

Wee shall now take our boate againe,

And soone wee shall ouertake thee.’

42‘Come on, come on, my lord,’ he sayes,‘And lett now all this talking bee;Ffor my sister is craftye enougheFor to beguile thousands such as you and mee.’

‘Come on, come on, my lord,’ he sayes,

‘And lett now all this talking bee;

Ffor my sister is craftye enoughe

For to beguile thousands such as you and mee.’

43When they had sayled fifty myle,Now fifty mile vpon the sea,Hee had fforgotten a messagethat heeShold doe in Lough Leuen trulye:Hee asked, how ffarr it was tothat shootingThat William Douglas promised mee.

When they had sayled fifty myle,

Now fifty mile vpon the sea,

Hee had fforgotten a messagethat hee

Shold doe in Lough Leuen trulye:

Hee asked, how ffarr it was tothat shooting

That William Douglas promised mee.

44‘Now faire words makes fooles faine,Andthat may be seene by thy masterand thee;Ffor you may happen think itt soone enougheWhen-eueryouthat shooting see.’

‘Now faire words makes fooles faine,

Andthat may be seene by thy masterand thee;

Ffor you may happen think itt soone enoughe

When-eueryouthat shooting see.’

45Iamye pulled his hatt now ouerhis browe,I wott the teares fell in his eye;And he is to his masteragaine,And ffor to tell him the veretye.

Iamye pulled his hatt now ouerhis browe,

I wott the teares fell in his eye;

And he is to his masteragaine,

And ffor to tell him the veretye.

46‘He sayes fayre words makes fooles faine,Andthat may be seene by you and mee,Ffor wee may happen thinke itt soone enougheWhen-euerweethat shooting see.

‘He sayes fayre words makes fooles faine,

Andthat may be seene by you and mee,

Ffor wee may happen thinke itt soone enoughe

When-euerweethat shooting see.

47‘Hold vpp thy head, Iamye,’ the erle sayd,‘And neuerlett thy hart fayle thee;He did itt but to proue thee with,And see how thow wold take with death trulye.’

‘Hold vpp thy head, Iamye,’ the erle sayd,

‘And neuerlett thy hart fayle thee;

He did itt but to proue thee with,

And see how thow wold take with death trulye.’

48When they had sayled other fifty mile,Other fifty mile vpon the sea,LordPeercy called to him, himselfe,And sayd, Douglas, what wilt thou doe with mee?

When they had sayled other fifty mile,

Other fifty mile vpon the sea,

LordPeercy called to him, himselfe,

And sayd, Douglas, what wilt thou doe with mee?

49‘Lookethat your brydle be wight, my lord,That you may goe as a shipp att sea;Lookethat your spurres be bright and sharpe,That you may pricke her while shee’le awaye.’

‘Lookethat your brydle be wight, my lord,

That you may goe as a shipp att sea;

Lookethat your spurres be bright and sharpe,

That you may pricke her while shee’le awaye.’

50‘What needeth this, Douglas,’ he sayth,‘That thou needest to ffloute mee?For I was counted a horsseman goodBeforethat euerI mett with thee.

‘What needeth this, Douglas,’ he sayth,

‘That thou needest to ffloute mee?

For I was counted a horsseman good

Beforethat euerI mett with thee.

51‘A ffalse Hector hath my horsse,And eueran euill death may hee dye!And Willye Armestronge hath my spurresAnd all the geere belongs to mee.’

‘A ffalse Hector hath my horsse,

And eueran euill death may hee dye!

And Willye Armestronge hath my spurres

And all the geere belongs to mee.’

52When the had sayled other fifty mile,Other fifty mile vpon the sea,The landed low by Barwicke-side;A deputed lord landed LordPercye.

When the had sayled other fifty mile,

Other fifty mile vpon the sea,

The landed low by Barwicke-side;

A deputed lord landed LordPercye.

61. my Land.

154. 2.

161.This line is partly pared away. Furnivall.

184. Lorid,orLouerd;orLord,with one stroke too many.Furnivall.

203. 3.

221. nyformy.

243. 3se50.

312. 3d.

322. 3.

334.Partly cut away by the binder. Furnivall.

431,2, 481,2, 521,2. 50.

524. landforlord.

Andfor&throughout.

Variations ofPercy’s Reliques, 1765, I, 258.

1–3.Cf. the next ballad, 1–3.How long shall fortune faile me nowe,And harrowe me with fear and dread?How long shall I in bale abide,In misery my life to lead?To fall from my bliss, alas the while!It was my sore and heavye lott;And I must leave my native land,And I must live a man forgot.One gentle Armstrong I doe ken,A Scot he is much bound to mee;He dwelleth on the border-side,To him I’ll goe right privilie.Thus did the noble Percy ‘plaine,With a heavy heart and wel-away,When he with all his gallant menOn Bramham moor had lost the day.But when he to the Armstrongs came,They dealt with him all treacherouslye;For they did strip that noble earle,And ever an ill death may they dye!False Hector to Earl Murray sent,To shew him where his guest did hide,Who sent him to the Lough-levèn,With William Douglas to abide.And when he to the Douglas came,He halched him right courteouslie;Sayd, Welcome, welcome, noble earle,Here thou shalt safelye bide with mee.When he had in Lough-leven beenMany a month and many a day,To the regent the lord-warden sent,That bannisht earle for to betray.He offered him great store of gold,And wrote a letter fair to see,Saying, Good my lord, grant me my boon,And yield that banisht man to mee.Earle Percy at the supper sate,With many a goodly gentleman;The wylie Douglas then bespake,And thus to flyte with him began.43 4.To-morrow a shootinge will bee heldAmong the lords of the North countrye.

1–3.Cf. the next ballad, 1–3.How long shall fortune faile me nowe,And harrowe me with fear and dread?How long shall I in bale abide,In misery my life to lead?

1–3.Cf. the next ballad, 1–3.

How long shall fortune faile me nowe,

And harrowe me with fear and dread?

How long shall I in bale abide,

In misery my life to lead?

To fall from my bliss, alas the while!It was my sore and heavye lott;And I must leave my native land,And I must live a man forgot.

To fall from my bliss, alas the while!

It was my sore and heavye lott;

And I must leave my native land,

And I must live a man forgot.

One gentle Armstrong I doe ken,A Scot he is much bound to mee;He dwelleth on the border-side,To him I’ll goe right privilie.

One gentle Armstrong I doe ken,

A Scot he is much bound to mee;

He dwelleth on the border-side,

To him I’ll goe right privilie.

Thus did the noble Percy ‘plaine,With a heavy heart and wel-away,When he with all his gallant menOn Bramham moor had lost the day.

Thus did the noble Percy ‘plaine,

With a heavy heart and wel-away,

When he with all his gallant men

On Bramham moor had lost the day.

But when he to the Armstrongs came,They dealt with him all treacherouslye;For they did strip that noble earle,And ever an ill death may they dye!

But when he to the Armstrongs came,

They dealt with him all treacherouslye;

For they did strip that noble earle,

And ever an ill death may they dye!

False Hector to Earl Murray sent,To shew him where his guest did hide,Who sent him to the Lough-levèn,With William Douglas to abide.

False Hector to Earl Murray sent,

To shew him where his guest did hide,

Who sent him to the Lough-levèn,

With William Douglas to abide.

And when he to the Douglas came,He halched him right courteouslie;Sayd, Welcome, welcome, noble earle,Here thou shalt safelye bide with mee.

And when he to the Douglas came,

He halched him right courteouslie;

Sayd, Welcome, welcome, noble earle,

Here thou shalt safelye bide with mee.

When he had in Lough-leven beenMany a month and many a day,To the regent the lord-warden sent,That bannisht earle for to betray.

When he had in Lough-leven been

Many a month and many a day,

To the regent the lord-warden sent,

That bannisht earle for to betray.

He offered him great store of gold,And wrote a letter fair to see,Saying, Good my lord, grant me my boon,And yield that banisht man to mee.

He offered him great store of gold,

And wrote a letter fair to see,

Saying, Good my lord, grant me my boon,

And yield that banisht man to mee.

Earle Percy at the supper sate,With many a goodly gentleman;The wylie Douglas then bespake,And thus to flyte with him began.

Earle Percy at the supper sate,

With many a goodly gentleman;

The wylie Douglas then bespake,

And thus to flyte with him began.

43 4.To-morrow a shootinge will bee heldAmong the lords of the North countrye.

43 4.

To-morrow a shootinge will bee held

Among the lords of the North countrye.

51. sett, the shooting’s.

52. there will be.

61. hand, thou gentle Douglas: he sayeswanting.

62. And here by my true faith, quoth hee.

63. If thou: worldes.

64. I will.

71. bespake a lady faire.

82. As I tell you in privitie.

83. he has. hath, 1794.

84. Into England nowe to ‘liver.

9.Now nay, now nay, thou goodly lady,The regent is a noble lord;Ne for the gold in all EnglàndThe Douglas wold not break his word.When the regent was a banisht man,With me he did faire welcome find;And whether weal or woe betide,I still shall find him true and kind.

9.Now nay, now nay, thou goodly lady,The regent is a noble lord;Ne for the gold in all EnglàndThe Douglas wold not break his word.

Now nay, now nay, thou goodly lady,

The regent is a noble lord;

Ne for the gold in all Englànd

The Douglas wold not break his word.

When the regent was a banisht man,With me he did faire welcome find;And whether weal or woe betide,I still shall find him true and kind.

When the regent was a banisht man,

With me he did faire welcome find;

And whether weal or woe betide,

I still shall find him true and kind.

101. Tween England and Scotland ‘twold break truce. Betweene: it, 1794.

103. If they.

11, 12.Alas! alas! my lord, she sayes,Nowe mickle is their traitorìe;Then let my brother ride his ways,And tell those English lords from thee.

11, 12.

Alas! alas! my lord, she sayes,

Nowe mickle is their traitorìe;

Then let my brother ride his ways,

And tell those English lords from thee.

131. with him.

14–17.‘To the Lord Hume I will thee bring;He is well knowne a true Scots lord,And he will lose both land and lifeEre he with thee will break his word.’‘Much is my woe,’ Lord Percy sayd,‘When I thinke on my own countrìe;When I thinke on the heavye happeMy friends have suffered there for mee.‘Much is my woe,’ Lord Percy sayd,‘And sore those wars my minde distresse;Where many a widow lost her mate,And many a child was fatherlesse.‘And now that I, a banisht man,Shold bring such evil happe with mee,To cause my faire and noble friendsTo be suspect of treacherie,‘This rives my heart with double woe;And lever had I dye this dayThen thinke a Douglas can be false,Or ever will his guest betray.’ he will, 1794.18.‘If you’ll give me no trust, my lord,Nor unto mee no credence yield,Yet step one moment here aside,Ile showe you all your foes in field.’191,2.Lady, I never loved witchcraft,Never dealt in privy wyle.

14–17.‘To the Lord Hume I will thee bring;He is well knowne a true Scots lord,And he will lose both land and lifeEre he with thee will break his word.’

14–17.

‘To the Lord Hume I will thee bring;

He is well knowne a true Scots lord,

And he will lose both land and life

Ere he with thee will break his word.’

‘Much is my woe,’ Lord Percy sayd,‘When I thinke on my own countrìe;When I thinke on the heavye happeMy friends have suffered there for mee.

‘Much is my woe,’ Lord Percy sayd,

‘When I thinke on my own countrìe;

When I thinke on the heavye happe

My friends have suffered there for mee.

‘Much is my woe,’ Lord Percy sayd,‘And sore those wars my minde distresse;Where many a widow lost her mate,And many a child was fatherlesse.

‘Much is my woe,’ Lord Percy sayd,

‘And sore those wars my minde distresse;

Where many a widow lost her mate,

And many a child was fatherlesse.

‘And now that I, a banisht man,Shold bring such evil happe with mee,To cause my faire and noble friendsTo be suspect of treacherie,

‘And now that I, a banisht man,

Shold bring such evil happe with mee,

To cause my faire and noble friends

To be suspect of treacherie,

‘This rives my heart with double woe;And lever had I dye this dayThen thinke a Douglas can be false,Or ever will his guest betray.’ he will, 1794.

‘This rives my heart with double woe;

And lever had I dye this day

Then thinke a Douglas can be false,

Or ever will his guest betray.’ he will, 1794.

18.‘If you’ll give me no trust, my lord,Nor unto mee no credence yield,Yet step one moment here aside,Ile showe you all your foes in field.’

18.

‘If you’ll give me no trust, my lord,

Nor unto mee no credence yield,

Yet step one moment here aside,

Ile showe you all your foes in field.’

191,2.Lady, I never loved witchcraft,Never dealt in privy wyle.

191,2.

Lady, I never loved witchcraft,

Never dealt in privy wyle.

194. Of truth and honoure, free from guile.

201. If you’ll.

202. Yet send your chamberlaine with.

203. Let me but speak three words with him.

204. And he.

211. James Swynard with that lady went.

213. She showed him through.

213. many English lords there were.

214. Waiting for.

221. And who walkes yonder.

222. That walkeswanting.

223. O yonder is the lord Hunsdèn.

224. you drie and teene.

231. who beth.

232. so proudly.

233. That is: Iamywanting.

234. Andwanting.

241. itt, madàme.

242. lords.

243,4.Marry, it is thrice fifty miles,To sayl to them upon the sea.

243,4.

Marry, it is thrice fifty miles,

To sayl to them upon the sea.

252. Ne never sawe.

253,4.But as my book it sheweth mee,And through my ring I may descrye.

253,4.

But as my book it sheweth mee,

And through my ring I may descrye.

261. witch ladye.

262. And of her skille she.

271. thou lady faire.

272. That looketh with sic an.

273,4.Yonder is Sir John Foster, quoth shee,Alas! he’ll do ye sore disgrace.

273,4.

Yonder is Sir John Foster, quoth shee,

Alas! he’ll do ye sore disgrace.

275,6wanting.

281. downe over his browe.

282. And in his heart he was full woe. He wept; his heart he was full of woe, 1794.

283,4.And he is gone to his noble lord,Those sorrowfull tidings him to show.29.Now nay, now nay, good James Swynàrd,I may not believe that witch ladìe;The Douglasses were ever true,And they can neer prove false to mee.

283,4.And he is gone to his noble lord,Those sorrowfull tidings him to show.

283,4.

And he is gone to his noble lord,

Those sorrowfull tidings him to show.

29.Now nay, now nay, good James Swynàrd,I may not believe that witch ladìe;The Douglasses were ever true,And they can neer prove false to mee.

29.

Now nay, now nay, good James Swynàrd,

I may not believe that witch ladìe;

The Douglasses were ever true,

And they can neer prove false to mee.

30, 31wanting.

321. I have now in Lough-leven been.

323. And I have never had. Yett have I never had, 1794.

324. Ne no good.

33.Therefore I’ll to yond shooting wend,As to the Douglas I have hight;Betide me weale, betide me woe,He neer shall find my promise light.

33.

Therefore I’ll to yond shooting wend,

As to the Douglas I have hight;

Betide me weale, betide me woe,

He neer shall find my promise light.

341. He writhe a gold ring from.

342. that faire ladìe. that gay ladìe, 1794.

343. Sayes, It was all that I cold save.

35.And wilt thou goe, thou noble lord?Then farewell truth and honestìe!And farewell heart, and farewell hand!For never more I shall thee see.

35.

And wilt thou goe, thou noble lord?

Then farewell truth and honestìe!

And farewell heart, and farewell hand!

For never more I shall thee see.

36wanting.

371,2.The wind was faire, the boatmen calld,And all the saylors were on borde;Then William Douglas took to his boat,And with him went that noble lord.373–6.Then he cast up a silver wand,Says, Gentle lady, fare thee well!The lady fett a sigh soe deepe,And in a dead swoone down shee fell.38, 39.Now let us goe back, Douglas, he sayd,A sickness hath taken yond faire ladìe;If ought befall yond lady but good,Then blamed for ever I shall bee.

371,2.The wind was faire, the boatmen calld,And all the saylors were on borde;Then William Douglas took to his boat,And with him went that noble lord.

371,2.

The wind was faire, the boatmen calld,

And all the saylors were on borde;

Then William Douglas took to his boat,

And with him went that noble lord.

373–6.Then he cast up a silver wand,Says, Gentle lady, fare thee well!The lady fett a sigh soe deepe,And in a dead swoone down shee fell.

373–6.

Then he cast up a silver wand,

Says, Gentle lady, fare thee well!

The lady fett a sigh soe deepe,

And in a dead swoone down shee fell.

38, 39.Now let us goe back, Douglas, he sayd,A sickness hath taken yond faire ladìe;If ought befall yond lady but good,Then blamed for ever I shall bee.

38, 39.

Now let us goe back, Douglas, he sayd,

A sickness hath taken yond faire ladìe;

If ought befall yond lady but good,

Then blamed for ever I shall bee.

402. Come on, come on, and let her bee.

404. For to: that gay.

41.‘If you’ll not turne yourself, my lord,Let me goe with my chamberlaine;We will but comfort that faire lady,And wee will return to you againe.422–4.‘Come on, come on, and let her bee;My sister is crafty, and wold beguileA thousand such as you and mee.

41.‘If you’ll not turne yourself, my lord,Let me goe with my chamberlaine;We will but comfort that faire lady,And wee will return to you againe.

41.

‘If you’ll not turne yourself, my lord,

Let me goe with my chamberlaine;

We will but comfort that faire lady,

And wee will return to you againe.

422–4.‘Come on, come on, and let her bee;My sister is crafty, and wold beguileA thousand such as you and mee.

422–4.

‘Come on, come on, and let her bee;

My sister is crafty, and wold beguile

A thousand such as you and mee.

432. Nowwanting:restored, 1794.

433,4wanting.

435–6.Hee sent his man to ask the DouglasWhen they shold that shooting see.

435–6.

Hee sent his man to ask the Douglas

When they shold that shooting see.

441. Faire words, quoth he, they make.

442. And that by thee and thy lord is seen.

443. You may hap to.

444. Ere you that shooting reach, I ween.

451. his hatt pulled over.

452–4.He thought his lord then was betrayd;And he is to Earle Percy againe,To tell him what the Douglas sayd.

452–4.

He thought his lord then was betrayd;

And he is to Earle Percy againe,

To tell him what the Douglas sayd.

46wanting.

471. head, man, quoth his lord,

472–4.Nor therfore let thy courage fail;He did it but to prove thy heart,To see if he cold make it quail.

472–4.

Nor therfore let thy courage fail;

He did it but to prove thy heart,

To see if he cold make it quail.

481. had other fifty sayld.

483. calld to the Douglas himselfe. to D., 1794.

484. Sayd, What wilt thou nowe doe.

492. And your horse goe swift as ship.

501. sayd. sayth, 1794.

502. What needest thou to flyte with mee.

511. he hath. hath, 1794.

512. Who dealt with mee so treacherouslìe.

513. A false Armstrong he hath. hath, 1794.

514. geere that. geere, 1794.

523. landed him at Berwick towne.MS. reading restored, 1794.

524. The Douglas landed Lord Percie.

MS. reading restored with‘laird’forland.

Then he at Yorke was doomde to dye,It was, alas! a sorrowful sight;Thus they betrayed that noble earle,Who ever was a gallant wight.

Then he at Yorke was doomde to dye,

It was, alas! a sorrowful sight;

Thus they betrayed that noble earle,

Who ever was a gallant wight.

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