185DICK O THE COW

a.‘An excelent old song cald Dick of the Cow.’ Percy Papers, 1775.b.Caw’s Poetical Museum, p. 22, 1784.c.Campbell, Albyn’s Anthology, II, 31, 1818.

aseems to have been communicated to Percy by Roger Halt in 1775.bwas contributed to Caw’s Museum by John Elliot of Reidheugh, a gentleman, says Scott, well skilled in the antiquities of the western border.cwas taken down “from the singing and recitation of a Liddesdale-man, namely, Robert Shortreed, sheriff-substitute of Roxburghshire, in the autumn of 1816;” but it differs frombin no important respect except the omission of thirteen stanzas, 17, 18, 24, 32, 35–38, 51, 52, 56–58.

Scott’s copy, I, 137, 1802, II, 63, 1833, iscwith the deficient stanzas supplied fromb. A copy in the Campbell MSS, I, 204, isb.

Ritson pointed out to Scott a passage in Nashe’s Have with you to Saffren Walden which shows that this ballad was popular before the end of the sixteenth century: “Dick of the Cow, that mad demi-lance northren borderer, who plaied his prizes with the lord Jockey so bravely,” 1596, in Grosart’s Nashe, III, 6.

An allusion to it likewise occurs in Parrot’s Laquei Ridiculosi, or Springes for Woodcocks, London, 1613, Epigr. 76.

Owenus wondreth, since he came to Wales,What the description of this isle should be,That nere had seen but mountains, hills, and dales;Yet would he boast, and stand on pedigreeFrom Rice ap Richard, sprung from Dick a Cow;Be cod, was right gud gentleman, look ye now!Scott’s Minstrelsy, II, 62, 1833.

Owenus wondreth, since he came to Wales,

What the description of this isle should be,

That nere had seen but mountains, hills, and dales;

Yet would he boast, and stand on pedigree

From Rice ap Richard, sprung from Dick a Cow;

Be cod, was right gud gentleman, look ye now!

Scott’s Minstrelsy, II, 62, 1833.

In a list of books printed for and sold by P. Brooksby, 1688, occurs Dick-a-the-Cow, containing north-country songs: Ritson, in Scott’s Minstrelsy, I, 223, 1833.

Two stanzas are cited in Pennant’s Tour in Scotland and Voyage to the Hebrides in 1772, Part II, p. 276, ed. 1776.

Then Johnie Armstrong to Willie gan say,‘Billie, a riding then will we;England and us have been long at feud;Perhaps we may hit on some bootie.’Then they’re come on to Hutton-Ha;They rade that proper place about;But the laird he was the wiser man,For he had left na geir without.

Then Johnie Armstrong to Willie gan say,‘Billie, a riding then will we;England and us have been long at feud;Perhaps we may hit on some bootie.’

Then Johnie Armstrong to Willie gan say,

‘Billie, a riding then will we;

England and us have been long at feud;

Perhaps we may hit on some bootie.’

Then they’re come on to Hutton-Ha;They rade that proper place about;But the laird he was the wiser man,For he had left na geir without.

Then they’re come on to Hutton-Ha;

They rade that proper place about;

But the laird he was the wiser man,

For he had left na geir without.

Fair Johnie Armstrong[303]and Willie his brother, having lain long in, ride out on the chance of some booty. They come to Hutton Hall, but find no gear left without by the experienced laird, except six sheep, which they scorn to take. Johnie asks Willie who the man was that they last met, and learning that it was Dick o the Cow, a fool whom he knows to have three as good kine as are in Cumberland, says, These kine shall go with me to Liddesdale. They carry off Dick’s three kine, and also three coverlets from his wife’s bed. When daylight reveals the theft, Dick’s wife raises a wail; he bids her be still, he will bring her three cows for one. Dick goes to his master and makes his loss known, and asksleave to go to Liddesdale to steal; his troth is required that he will steal from none but those who have stolen from him. Dickie goes on to Puddingburn, where there are three and thirty Armstrongs, and complains to the Laird’s Jock of the wrong which Fair Johnie Armstrong and Willie have done him. Fair Johnie is for hanging Dick, Willie for slaying him, and another young man for tossing him in a sheet, beating him, and letting him go. The Laird’s Jock, who is a better fellow than the rest, tells Dick that if he will sit down he shall have a bit of his own cow. Dick observes that a key has been flung over the doorhead by lads who have come in late. With this key he opens the stable where are the Armstrongs’ three and thirty horses. He ties all but three with a triple knot,[304]leaps on one, takes another in his hand, and makes off. Fair Johnie discovers in the morning that his own horse and Willie’s have been stolen, borrows the Laird’s-Jock’s, which Dick (for improvement of the story) happens not to have tied, arms himself, and sets out in pursuit. Overtaking Dick on Canoby lee, Johnie sends a spear at him, which only pierces the innocent’s jerkin. Dick turns on Johnie, and has the good fortune to fell him with the pommel of his sword. He strips Johnie of armor and sword, takes the third horse, and goes home to his master, who threatens to hang him for his thieving. The fool plants himself upon the terms his master had made with him: he had stolen from none but those that had stolen from him. His having the Laird Jock’s horse requires explanation; but Dick is able to give such satisfaction on that point that his master offers twenty pound and one of his best milk-kye for the horse. Dick exacts and gets thirty, and makes the same bargain with his master’s brother for Fair Johnie Armstrong’s horse. So he goes back to his wife, and gives her threescore pound for her three coverlets, two kye as good as her three, and has the third horse over and above. But Dick sees that he cannot safely remain on the border after this reprisal upon the Armstrongs, and removes to Burgh (Brough) under Stainmoor, in the extreme south of Cumberland.[305]

Henry Lord Scroop of Bolton was warden of the West Marches for thirty years from 1563, and his son Thomas for the next ten years, down to the union of the crowns. Which of the two is intended in this ballad might be settled beyond question by identifying my lord’s brother, Ralph Scroop, Bailif Glazenberrie, or Glozenburrie, st. 54 f.; but the former is altogether more probable.

The Laird’s Jock, in the opinion of Mr R. B. Armstrong, was a son of Thomas of Mangerton, the elder brother of Gilnockie. There are notices of him from 1569 to 1599. In 1569 Archibald Armstrong of Mangerton declined to be pledge for John Armstrong, called the Lardis Jok, Reg. P. Council; in 1599 he and other principal Armstrongs executed a bond,[306]and he is mentioned (in what fashion will presently appear) at various intermediate dates.

Jock, the Laird’s son, an Armstrong of Liddesdale, had a brother called John,[307]MS. General Register House, 1569. (He is not called Fair John in any document besides the ballad.) In a later MS. there is an entry of the marriage of John Armstrong, called the Lord’s John. John Armstrong, son to the laird of Mangerton, is witness to two bonds in which John of the Syde is a party, in 1562, 1563: R. B. Armstrong, History of Liddesdale,etc., Appendix, pp. ciii, civ. In a London MS. the Lord’s John is said to have been executed.

The Laird’s Jock, his father the laird of Mangerton, Sim’s Thom, and their accomplices, are complained of in November, 1582, by Sir Simon Musgrave for burning of his barns, wheat, etc., worth £1,000 sterling: Nicolson and Burn, History of Westmoreland and Cumberland, I, xxxi. The commendation of the Laird’s Jock’s honesty in st. 47, as Scott says, seems but indifferently founded; “for in July, 1586, a bill was fouled against him, Dick of Dryup, and others, by the deputy of Bewcastle, at a warden-meeting, for four hundred head of cattle taken in open foray from the Drysike in Bewcastle; and in September, 1587, another complaint appears, at the instance of one Andrew Rutledge of the Nook, against the Laird’s Jock and his accomplices, for fifty kine and oxen, besides furniture to the amount of one hundred merks sterling:” Nicolson and Burn, as above. To be sure, we find the laird of Mangerton, on the next page, making complaints of the same kind against various persons, but it is to be feared that the Laird’s Jock, at least, did not keep to the innocent’s golden rule, ‘to steal frae nane but them that sta from thee.’ Sir Richard Maitland gives him his character:

Thay spuilye puire men of thair pakis,Thay leife tham nocht on bed nor bakis;Baith henne and cok,With reill and rok,The Lairdis Jok all with him takis. (MS.)

Thay spuilye puire men of thair pakis,

Thay leife tham nocht on bed nor bakis;

Baith henne and cok,

With reill and rok,

The Lairdis Jok all with him takis. (MS.)

Hutton Hall, 3, being more than twenty miles from the border, seems remote for the Armstrongs’ firstreconnaissance, and it is no wonder that Fair Johnie stickled at driving six sheep to such a distance. We might ask how Dick, who evidently lives near Carlisle (for, besides other reasons, he is intimately acquainted with the Armstrongs), should have been met so far from home.

Harribie, 14, mentioned also in ‘Kinmont Willie,’ was the place of execution at Carlisle.

Puddingburn House, 16, according to Chambers, Scottish Ballads, p. 48, was a strong place on the side of the Tinnis Hill, about three miles westward from the Syde (and therefore a very little further from the house of Mangerton), of which the ruins now serve for a sheepfold. A MS. cited by Mr R. B. Armstrong says: “Joke Armestronge, called the Lord’s Joke, dwelleth under Denys Hill besides Kyrsoppe in Tenisborne;” and in another MS. the Lord Jock of Tennesborne is stated to have lived a mile west from Kersopp-foote. The name Puddingburn has not been found on any map.[308]

Cannobei, 34, is on the east of the Esk, just above its juncture with the Liddel. Mattan, 52, 58 (Morton inb), is perhaps the small town a few miles east of Whitehaven. There were cattle-fairs at Arlochden, which is very nigh, in the early part of this century: Lysons, Cumberland, p. 10.

The Cow in Dick’s name can have no reference to his cattle, for then his style would have been Dick o the Kye. Cow may possibly denote the hut in which he lived; or bush, or broom.

Translated by Knortz, Schottische Balladen, No 15, p. 42.

1Now Liddisdale has lain long in,Fa laThere is no rideing there a ta;Fa laTheir horse is growing so lidder and fattThat are lazie in the sta.Fa la la didle2Then Johnë Armstrang to Willie can say,Billie, a rideing then will we;England and us has been long at a feed;Perhaps we may hitt of some bootie.3Then they’r comd on to Hutton Hall,They rade that proper place about;But the laird he was the wiser man,For he had left nae gear without.4Then he had left nae gear to steal,Except six sheep upon a lee;Says Johnie, I’de rather in England dieBefore their six sheep good to Liddisdale with me.5‘But how cald they the man we last withmett,Billie, as we came over the know?’‘That same he is an innocent fool,And some men calls him Dick o the Cow.’6‘That fool has three as good kyne of his ownAs is in a’ Cumberland, billíe,’ quoth he:‘Betide my life, betide my death,These three kyne shal go to Liddisdaile with me.’7Then they’re comd on to the poor fool’s house,And they have broken his wals so wide;They have loosd out Dick o the Cow’s kyne three,And tane three coerlets off his wife’s bed.8Then on the morn, when the day grew light,The shouts and crys rose loud and high:‘Hold thy tongue, my wife,’ he says,‘And of thy crying let me bee.9‘Hald thy tongue, my wife,’ he says,‘And of thy crying let me bee,And ay that where thou wants a kow,Good sooth that I shal bring the three.’10Then Dick’s comd on to lord and master,And I wate a drerie fool [was] he:‘Hald thy tongue, my fool,’ he says,‘For I may not stand to jest with thee.’11‘Shame speed a your jesting, my lord,’ quo Dickie,‘For nae such jesting grees with me;Liddesdaile has been in my house this last night,And they have tane my three kyne from me.12‘But I may nae langer in Cumberland dwel,To be your poor fool and your leel,Unless ye give me leave, my lord,To go to Liddisdale and steal.’13‘To give thee leave, my fool,’ he says,‘Thou speaks against mine honour and me;Unless thou give me thy trouth and thy right handThou’l steal frae nane but them that sta from thee.’14‘There is my trouth and my right hand;My head shal hing on Hairibie,I’le never crose Carlele sands again,If I steal frae a man but them that sta frae me.’15Dickie has tane leave at lord and master,And I wate a merrie fool was he;He has bought a bridle and a pair of new spurs,And has packed them up in his breek-thigh.16Then Dickie’s come on for Puddinburn,Even as fast as he may drie;Dickie’s come on for Puddinburn,Where there was thirty Armstrongs and three.17‘What’s this comd on me!’ quo Dickë,‘What meakle wae’s this happend on me,’ quo he,‘Where here is but ae innocent fool,And there is thirty Armstrongs and three!’18Yet he’s comd up to the hall among them all;So wel he became his courtisie:‘Well may ye be, my good Laird’s Jock!But the deil bless all your companie.19‘I’m come to plain of your man Fair Johnie Armstrong,And syne his billie Willie,’ quo he;‘How they have been in my house this last night,And they have tane my three ky frae me.’20Quo Johnie Armstrong, We’ll him hang;‘Nay,’ thain quo Willie, ‘we’ll him slae;’But up bespake another young man, We’le nit him in a four-nooked sheet,Give him his burden of batts, and lett him gae.21Then up bespake the good Laird’s Jock,The best falla in the companie:Fitt thy way down a little while, Dickë,And a peice of thine own cow’s hough I’l give to thee.22But Dicki’s heart it grew so greatThat never a bitt of it he dought to eat;But Dickie was warr of ane auld peat-house,Where there al the night he thought for to sleep.23Then Dickie was warr of that auld peat-house,Where there al the night he thought for to ly;And a’the prayers the poor fool prayd was,‘I wish I had a mense for my own three kye!’24Then it was the use of Puddinburn,And the house of Mangertoun, all haile!These that came not at the first callThey gott no more meat till the next meall.25The lads, that hungry and aevery was,Above the door-head they flang the key;Dickie took good notice to that;Says, There’s a bootie younder for me.26Then Dickie’s gane into the stable,Where there stood thirty horse and three;He has ty’d them a’with St Mary knot,All these horse but barely three.27He has ty’d them a’with St Mary knott,All these horse but barely three;He has loupen on one, taken another in his hand,And out at the door and gane is Dickie.28Then on the morn, when the day grew light,The shouts and cryes rose loud and high;‘What’s that theife?’ quo the good Laird’s Jock;‘Tel me the truth and the verity.29‘What’s that theife?’ quo the good Laird’s Jock;‘See unto me ye do not lie:’‘Dick o the Cow has been in the stable this last night,And has my brother’s horse and mine frae me.’30‘Ye wad never be teld it,’ quo the Laird’s Jock;‘Have ye not found my tales fu leel?Ye wade never out of England bide,Till crooked and blind and a’wad steal.’31‘But will thou lend me thy bay?’ Fair Johnë Armstrong can say,‘There’s nae mae horse loose in the stable but he;And I’le either bring ye Dick o the Kow again,Or the day is come that he must die.’32‘To lend thee my bay,’ the Laird’s Jock can say,‘He’s both worth gold and good monie;Dick o the Kow has away twa horse,I wish no thou should no make him three.’33He has tane the Laird’s jack on his back,The twa-handed sword that hang lieugh by his thigh;He has tane the steel cap on his head,And on is he to follow Dickie.34Then Dickie was not a mile off the town,I wate a mile but barely three,Till John Armstrang has oertane Dick o the Kow,Hand for hand on Cannobei lee.35‘Abide th[e], bide now, Dickie than,The day is come that thow must die;’Dickie looked oer his left shoulder;‘Johnie, has thow any mo in thy company?36‘There is a preacher in owr chapell,And a’the lee-lang day teaches he;When day is gane, and night is come,There’s never a word I mark but three.37‘The first and second’s Faith and Conscience;The third is, Johnie, Take head of thee;But what faith and conscience had thow, traitor,When thou took my three kye frae me?38‘And when thou had tane my three kye,Thou thought in thy heart thou was no wel sped;But thou sent thi billie Willie oer the know,And he took three coerlets of my wife’s bed.’39Then Johne lett a spear fa leaugh by his thigh,Thought well to run the innocent through;But the powers above was more than his,He ran but the poor fool’s jerkin through.40Together they ran or ever they blan—This was Dickie, the fool, and hee—Dickie could not win to him withthe blade of the sword,But he feld [him] with the plummet under the eye.41Now Dickie has [feld] Fair Johnë Armstrong,The prettiest man in the south countrey;‘Gramercie,’ then can Dickie say,‘I had twa horse, thou has made me three.’42He has tane the laird’s jack off his back,The twa-handed sword that hang leiugh by his thigh;He has tane the steel cape off his head:‘Johnie, I’le tel my master I met with thee.’43When Johnë wakend out of his dream,I wate a dreiry man was he:‘Is thou gane now, Dickie, than?The shame gae in thy company!44‘Is thou gane now, Dickie, than?The shame go in thy companie!For if I should live this hundred year,I shal never fight with a fool after thee.’45Then Dickie comed home to lord and master,Even as fast as he may driee:‘Now Dickie, I shal neither eat meat nor drinkTill high hanged that thou shall be!’46‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dickie,‘That was no the promise ye made to me;For I’d never gane to Liddesdale to stealTill that I sought my leave at thee.’47‘But what gart thow steal the Laird’s-Jock’s horse?And, limmer, what gart thou steal him?’ quo he;‘For lang might thow in Cumberland dweltOr the Laird’s Jock had stoln ought frae thee.’48‘Indeed I wate ye leed, my lord,And even so loud as I hear ye lie;I wan him frae his man, Fair Johnë Armstrong,Hand for hand on Cannobie lee.49‘There’s the jack was on his back,The twa-handed sword that hung lewgh by his thigh;There’s the steel cap was on his head;I have a’these takens to lett you see.’50‘If that be true thou to me tels—I trow thou dare not tel a lie—I’le give thee twenty pound for the good horse,Wel teld in thy cloke-lap shall be.51‘And I’le give thee one of my best milk-kye,To maintain thy wife and children three;[And that may be as good, I think,As ony twa o thine might be.’]52‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dicke,‘Trow ye ay to make a fool of me?I’le either have thirty pound for the good horse,Or els he’s gae to Mattan fair wi me:’53Then he has given him thirty pound for the good horse,All in gold and good monie;He has given him one of his best milk-kye,To maintain his wife and children three.54Then Dickie’s come down through Carlile town,Even as fast as he may drie:The first of men that he with mettWas my lord’s brother, Bailife Glazenberrie.55‘Well may ye be, my good Ralph Scrupe!’‘Welcome, my brother’s fool!’ quo he;‘Where did thou gett Fair Johnie Armstrong’s horse?’‘Where did I get him but steall him,’ quo he.56‘But will thou sell me Fair Johnie Armstrongś horse?And, billie, will thou sel him to me?’ quo he:‘Ay, and tel me the monie on my cloke-lap,For there’s not one fathing I’le trust thee.’57‘I’le give thee fifteen pound for the good horse,Wel teld on thy cloke-lap shal be;And I’le give [thee] one of my best milk-kye,To maintain thy wife and thy children three.’58‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dickë,‘Trow ye ay to make a fool of me?’ quo he:‘I’le either have thirty pound for the good horse,Or else he’s to Mattan Fair with me.’59He has given him thirty pound for the good horse,All in gold and good monie;He has given him one of his best milk-kye,To maintain his wife and children three.60Then Dickie lap a loup on high,And I wate a loud laughter leugh he:‘I wish the neck of the third horse were browken,For I have a better of my own, and onie better can be.’61Then Dickie comd hame to his wife again;Judge ye how the poor fool he sped;He has given her three score of English poundsFor the three auld coerlets was tane of her bed.62‘Hae, take thee there twa as good kye,I trow, as al thy three might be;And yet here is a white-footed naigg;I think he’le carry booth thee and me.63‘But I may no langer in Cumberland dwell;The Armstrongs the’le hang me high:’But Dickie has tane leave at lord and master,And Burgh under Stanemuir there dwels Dickie.

1Now Liddisdale has lain long in,Fa laThere is no rideing there a ta;Fa laTheir horse is growing so lidder and fattThat are lazie in the sta.Fa la la didle

Now Liddisdale has lain long in,

Fa la

There is no rideing there a ta;

Fa la

Their horse is growing so lidder and fatt

That are lazie in the sta.

Fa la la didle

2Then Johnë Armstrang to Willie can say,Billie, a rideing then will we;England and us has been long at a feed;Perhaps we may hitt of some bootie.

Then Johnë Armstrang to Willie can say,

Billie, a rideing then will we;

England and us has been long at a feed;

Perhaps we may hitt of some bootie.

3Then they’r comd on to Hutton Hall,They rade that proper place about;But the laird he was the wiser man,For he had left nae gear without.

Then they’r comd on to Hutton Hall,

They rade that proper place about;

But the laird he was the wiser man,

For he had left nae gear without.

4Then he had left nae gear to steal,Except six sheep upon a lee;Says Johnie, I’de rather in England dieBefore their six sheep good to Liddisdale with me.

Then he had left nae gear to steal,

Except six sheep upon a lee;

Says Johnie, I’de rather in England die

Before their six sheep good to Liddisdale with me.

5‘But how cald they the man we last withmett,Billie, as we came over the know?’‘That same he is an innocent fool,And some men calls him Dick o the Cow.’

‘But how cald they the man we last withmett,

Billie, as we came over the know?’

‘That same he is an innocent fool,

And some men calls him Dick o the Cow.’

6‘That fool has three as good kyne of his ownAs is in a’ Cumberland, billíe,’ quoth he:‘Betide my life, betide my death,These three kyne shal go to Liddisdaile with me.’

‘That fool has three as good kyne of his own

As is in a’ Cumberland, billíe,’ quoth he:

‘Betide my life, betide my death,

These three kyne shal go to Liddisdaile with me.’

7Then they’re comd on to the poor fool’s house,And they have broken his wals so wide;They have loosd out Dick o the Cow’s kyne three,And tane three coerlets off his wife’s bed.

Then they’re comd on to the poor fool’s house,

And they have broken his wals so wide;

They have loosd out Dick o the Cow’s kyne three,

And tane three coerlets off his wife’s bed.

8Then on the morn, when the day grew light,The shouts and crys rose loud and high:‘Hold thy tongue, my wife,’ he says,‘And of thy crying let me bee.

Then on the morn, when the day grew light,

The shouts and crys rose loud and high:

‘Hold thy tongue, my wife,’ he says,

‘And of thy crying let me bee.

9‘Hald thy tongue, my wife,’ he says,‘And of thy crying let me bee,And ay that where thou wants a kow,Good sooth that I shal bring the three.’

‘Hald thy tongue, my wife,’ he says,

‘And of thy crying let me bee,

And ay that where thou wants a kow,

Good sooth that I shal bring the three.’

10Then Dick’s comd on to lord and master,And I wate a drerie fool [was] he:‘Hald thy tongue, my fool,’ he says,‘For I may not stand to jest with thee.’

Then Dick’s comd on to lord and master,

And I wate a drerie fool [was] he:

‘Hald thy tongue, my fool,’ he says,

‘For I may not stand to jest with thee.’

11‘Shame speed a your jesting, my lord,’ quo Dickie,‘For nae such jesting grees with me;Liddesdaile has been in my house this last night,And they have tane my three kyne from me.

‘Shame speed a your jesting, my lord,’ quo Dickie,

‘For nae such jesting grees with me;

Liddesdaile has been in my house this last night,

And they have tane my three kyne from me.

12‘But I may nae langer in Cumberland dwel,To be your poor fool and your leel,Unless ye give me leave, my lord,To go to Liddisdale and steal.’

‘But I may nae langer in Cumberland dwel,

To be your poor fool and your leel,

Unless ye give me leave, my lord,

To go to Liddisdale and steal.’

13‘To give thee leave, my fool,’ he says,‘Thou speaks against mine honour and me;Unless thou give me thy trouth and thy right handThou’l steal frae nane but them that sta from thee.’

‘To give thee leave, my fool,’ he says,

‘Thou speaks against mine honour and me;

Unless thou give me thy trouth and thy right hand

Thou’l steal frae nane but them that sta from thee.’

14‘There is my trouth and my right hand;My head shal hing on Hairibie,I’le never crose Carlele sands again,If I steal frae a man but them that sta frae me.’

‘There is my trouth and my right hand;

My head shal hing on Hairibie,

I’le never crose Carlele sands again,

If I steal frae a man but them that sta frae me.’

15Dickie has tane leave at lord and master,And I wate a merrie fool was he;He has bought a bridle and a pair of new spurs,And has packed them up in his breek-thigh.

Dickie has tane leave at lord and master,

And I wate a merrie fool was he;

He has bought a bridle and a pair of new spurs,

And has packed them up in his breek-thigh.

16Then Dickie’s come on for Puddinburn,Even as fast as he may drie;Dickie’s come on for Puddinburn,Where there was thirty Armstrongs and three.

Then Dickie’s come on for Puddinburn,

Even as fast as he may drie;

Dickie’s come on for Puddinburn,

Where there was thirty Armstrongs and three.

17‘What’s this comd on me!’ quo Dickë,‘What meakle wae’s this happend on me,’ quo he,‘Where here is but ae innocent fool,And there is thirty Armstrongs and three!’

‘What’s this comd on me!’ quo Dickë,

‘What meakle wae’s this happend on me,’ quo he,

‘Where here is but ae innocent fool,

And there is thirty Armstrongs and three!’

18Yet he’s comd up to the hall among them all;So wel he became his courtisie:‘Well may ye be, my good Laird’s Jock!But the deil bless all your companie.

Yet he’s comd up to the hall among them all;

So wel he became his courtisie:

‘Well may ye be, my good Laird’s Jock!

But the deil bless all your companie.

19‘I’m come to plain of your man Fair Johnie Armstrong,And syne his billie Willie,’ quo he;‘How they have been in my house this last night,And they have tane my three ky frae me.’

‘I’m come to plain of your man Fair Johnie Armstrong,

And syne his billie Willie,’ quo he;

‘How they have been in my house this last night,

And they have tane my three ky frae me.’

20Quo Johnie Armstrong, We’ll him hang;‘Nay,’ thain quo Willie, ‘we’ll him slae;’But up bespake another young man, We’le nit him in a four-nooked sheet,Give him his burden of batts, and lett him gae.

Quo Johnie Armstrong, We’ll him hang;

‘Nay,’ thain quo Willie, ‘we’ll him slae;’

But up bespake another young man, We’le nit him in a four-nooked sheet,

Give him his burden of batts, and lett him gae.

21Then up bespake the good Laird’s Jock,The best falla in the companie:Fitt thy way down a little while, Dickë,And a peice of thine own cow’s hough I’l give to thee.

Then up bespake the good Laird’s Jock,

The best falla in the companie:

Fitt thy way down a little while, Dickë,

And a peice of thine own cow’s hough I’l give to thee.

22But Dicki’s heart it grew so greatThat never a bitt of it he dought to eat;But Dickie was warr of ane auld peat-house,Where there al the night he thought for to sleep.

But Dicki’s heart it grew so great

That never a bitt of it he dought to eat;

But Dickie was warr of ane auld peat-house,

Where there al the night he thought for to sleep.

23Then Dickie was warr of that auld peat-house,Where there al the night he thought for to ly;And a’the prayers the poor fool prayd was,‘I wish I had a mense for my own three kye!’

Then Dickie was warr of that auld peat-house,

Where there al the night he thought for to ly;

And a’the prayers the poor fool prayd was,

‘I wish I had a mense for my own three kye!’

24Then it was the use of Puddinburn,And the house of Mangertoun, all haile!These that came not at the first callThey gott no more meat till the next meall.

Then it was the use of Puddinburn,

And the house of Mangertoun, all haile!

These that came not at the first call

They gott no more meat till the next meall.

25The lads, that hungry and aevery was,Above the door-head they flang the key;Dickie took good notice to that;Says, There’s a bootie younder for me.

The lads, that hungry and aevery was,

Above the door-head they flang the key;

Dickie took good notice to that;

Says, There’s a bootie younder for me.

26Then Dickie’s gane into the stable,Where there stood thirty horse and three;He has ty’d them a’with St Mary knot,All these horse but barely three.

Then Dickie’s gane into the stable,

Where there stood thirty horse and three;

He has ty’d them a’with St Mary knot,

All these horse but barely three.

27He has ty’d them a’with St Mary knott,All these horse but barely three;He has loupen on one, taken another in his hand,And out at the door and gane is Dickie.

He has ty’d them a’with St Mary knott,

All these horse but barely three;

He has loupen on one, taken another in his hand,

And out at the door and gane is Dickie.

28Then on the morn, when the day grew light,The shouts and cryes rose loud and high;‘What’s that theife?’ quo the good Laird’s Jock;‘Tel me the truth and the verity.

Then on the morn, when the day grew light,

The shouts and cryes rose loud and high;

‘What’s that theife?’ quo the good Laird’s Jock;

‘Tel me the truth and the verity.

29‘What’s that theife?’ quo the good Laird’s Jock;‘See unto me ye do not lie:’‘Dick o the Cow has been in the stable this last night,And has my brother’s horse and mine frae me.’

‘What’s that theife?’ quo the good Laird’s Jock;

‘See unto me ye do not lie:’

‘Dick o the Cow has been in the stable this last night,

And has my brother’s horse and mine frae me.’

30‘Ye wad never be teld it,’ quo the Laird’s Jock;‘Have ye not found my tales fu leel?Ye wade never out of England bide,Till crooked and blind and a’wad steal.’

‘Ye wad never be teld it,’ quo the Laird’s Jock;

‘Have ye not found my tales fu leel?

Ye wade never out of England bide,

Till crooked and blind and a’wad steal.’

31‘But will thou lend me thy bay?’ Fair Johnë Armstrong can say,‘There’s nae mae horse loose in the stable but he;And I’le either bring ye Dick o the Kow again,Or the day is come that he must die.’

‘But will thou lend me thy bay?’ Fair Johnë Armstrong can say,

‘There’s nae mae horse loose in the stable but he;

And I’le either bring ye Dick o the Kow again,

Or the day is come that he must die.’

32‘To lend thee my bay,’ the Laird’s Jock can say,‘He’s both worth gold and good monie;Dick o the Kow has away twa horse,I wish no thou should no make him three.’

‘To lend thee my bay,’ the Laird’s Jock can say,

‘He’s both worth gold and good monie;

Dick o the Kow has away twa horse,

I wish no thou should no make him three.’

33He has tane the Laird’s jack on his back,The twa-handed sword that hang lieugh by his thigh;He has tane the steel cap on his head,And on is he to follow Dickie.

He has tane the Laird’s jack on his back,

The twa-handed sword that hang lieugh by his thigh;

He has tane the steel cap on his head,

And on is he to follow Dickie.

34Then Dickie was not a mile off the town,I wate a mile but barely three,Till John Armstrang has oertane Dick o the Kow,Hand for hand on Cannobei lee.

Then Dickie was not a mile off the town,

I wate a mile but barely three,

Till John Armstrang has oertane Dick o the Kow,

Hand for hand on Cannobei lee.

35‘Abide th[e], bide now, Dickie than,The day is come that thow must die;’Dickie looked oer his left shoulder;‘Johnie, has thow any mo in thy company?

‘Abide th[e], bide now, Dickie than,

The day is come that thow must die;’

Dickie looked oer his left shoulder;

‘Johnie, has thow any mo in thy company?

36‘There is a preacher in owr chapell,And a’the lee-lang day teaches he;When day is gane, and night is come,There’s never a word I mark but three.

‘There is a preacher in owr chapell,

And a’the lee-lang day teaches he;

When day is gane, and night is come,

There’s never a word I mark but three.

37‘The first and second’s Faith and Conscience;The third is, Johnie, Take head of thee;But what faith and conscience had thow, traitor,When thou took my three kye frae me?

‘The first and second’s Faith and Conscience;

The third is, Johnie, Take head of thee;

But what faith and conscience had thow, traitor,

When thou took my three kye frae me?

38‘And when thou had tane my three kye,Thou thought in thy heart thou was no wel sped;But thou sent thi billie Willie oer the know,And he took three coerlets of my wife’s bed.’

‘And when thou had tane my three kye,

Thou thought in thy heart thou was no wel sped;

But thou sent thi billie Willie oer the know,

And he took three coerlets of my wife’s bed.’

39Then Johne lett a spear fa leaugh by his thigh,Thought well to run the innocent through;But the powers above was more than his,He ran but the poor fool’s jerkin through.

Then Johne lett a spear fa leaugh by his thigh,

Thought well to run the innocent through;

But the powers above was more than his,

He ran but the poor fool’s jerkin through.

40Together they ran or ever they blan—This was Dickie, the fool, and hee—Dickie could not win to him withthe blade of the sword,But he feld [him] with the plummet under the eye.

Together they ran or ever they blan—

This was Dickie, the fool, and hee—

Dickie could not win to him withthe blade of the sword,

But he feld [him] with the plummet under the eye.

41Now Dickie has [feld] Fair Johnë Armstrong,The prettiest man in the south countrey;‘Gramercie,’ then can Dickie say,‘I had twa horse, thou has made me three.’

Now Dickie has [feld] Fair Johnë Armstrong,

The prettiest man in the south countrey;

‘Gramercie,’ then can Dickie say,

‘I had twa horse, thou has made me three.’

42He has tane the laird’s jack off his back,The twa-handed sword that hang leiugh by his thigh;He has tane the steel cape off his head:‘Johnie, I’le tel my master I met with thee.’

He has tane the laird’s jack off his back,

The twa-handed sword that hang leiugh by his thigh;

He has tane the steel cape off his head:

‘Johnie, I’le tel my master I met with thee.’

43When Johnë wakend out of his dream,I wate a dreiry man was he:‘Is thou gane now, Dickie, than?The shame gae in thy company!

When Johnë wakend out of his dream,

I wate a dreiry man was he:

‘Is thou gane now, Dickie, than?

The shame gae in thy company!

44‘Is thou gane now, Dickie, than?The shame go in thy companie!For if I should live this hundred year,I shal never fight with a fool after thee.’

‘Is thou gane now, Dickie, than?

The shame go in thy companie!

For if I should live this hundred year,

I shal never fight with a fool after thee.’

45Then Dickie comed home to lord and master,Even as fast as he may driee:‘Now Dickie, I shal neither eat meat nor drinkTill high hanged that thou shall be!’

Then Dickie comed home to lord and master,

Even as fast as he may driee:

‘Now Dickie, I shal neither eat meat nor drink

Till high hanged that thou shall be!’

46‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dickie,‘That was no the promise ye made to me;For I’d never gane to Liddesdale to stealTill that I sought my leave at thee.’

‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dickie,

‘That was no the promise ye made to me;

For I’d never gane to Liddesdale to steal

Till that I sought my leave at thee.’

47‘But what gart thow steal the Laird’s-Jock’s horse?And, limmer, what gart thou steal him?’ quo he;‘For lang might thow in Cumberland dweltOr the Laird’s Jock had stoln ought frae thee.’

‘But what gart thow steal the Laird’s-Jock’s horse?

And, limmer, what gart thou steal him?’ quo he;

‘For lang might thow in Cumberland dwelt

Or the Laird’s Jock had stoln ought frae thee.’

48‘Indeed I wate ye leed, my lord,And even so loud as I hear ye lie;I wan him frae his man, Fair Johnë Armstrong,Hand for hand on Cannobie lee.

‘Indeed I wate ye leed, my lord,

And even so loud as I hear ye lie;

I wan him frae his man, Fair Johnë Armstrong,

Hand for hand on Cannobie lee.

49‘There’s the jack was on his back,The twa-handed sword that hung lewgh by his thigh;There’s the steel cap was on his head;I have a’these takens to lett you see.’

‘There’s the jack was on his back,

The twa-handed sword that hung lewgh by his thigh;

There’s the steel cap was on his head;

I have a’these takens to lett you see.’

50‘If that be true thou to me tels—I trow thou dare not tel a lie—I’le give thee twenty pound for the good horse,Wel teld in thy cloke-lap shall be.

‘If that be true thou to me tels—

I trow thou dare not tel a lie—

I’le give thee twenty pound for the good horse,

Wel teld in thy cloke-lap shall be.

51‘And I’le give thee one of my best milk-kye,To maintain thy wife and children three;[And that may be as good, I think,As ony twa o thine might be.’]

‘And I’le give thee one of my best milk-kye,

To maintain thy wife and children three;

[And that may be as good, I think,

As ony twa o thine might be.’]

52‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dicke,‘Trow ye ay to make a fool of me?I’le either have thirty pound for the good horse,Or els he’s gae to Mattan fair wi me:’

‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dicke,

‘Trow ye ay to make a fool of me?

I’le either have thirty pound for the good horse,

Or els he’s gae to Mattan fair wi me:’

53Then he has given him thirty pound for the good horse,All in gold and good monie;He has given him one of his best milk-kye,To maintain his wife and children three.

Then he has given him thirty pound for the good horse,

All in gold and good monie;

He has given him one of his best milk-kye,

To maintain his wife and children three.

54Then Dickie’s come down through Carlile town,Even as fast as he may drie:The first of men that he with mettWas my lord’s brother, Bailife Glazenberrie.

Then Dickie’s come down through Carlile town,

Even as fast as he may drie:

The first of men that he with mett

Was my lord’s brother, Bailife Glazenberrie.

55‘Well may ye be, my good Ralph Scrupe!’‘Welcome, my brother’s fool!’ quo he;‘Where did thou gett Fair Johnie Armstrong’s horse?’‘Where did I get him but steall him,’ quo he.

‘Well may ye be, my good Ralph Scrupe!’

‘Welcome, my brother’s fool!’ quo he;

‘Where did thou gett Fair Johnie Armstrong’s horse?’

‘Where did I get him but steall him,’ quo he.

56‘But will thou sell me Fair Johnie Armstrongś horse?And, billie, will thou sel him to me?’ quo he:‘Ay, and tel me the monie on my cloke-lap,For there’s not one fathing I’le trust thee.’

‘But will thou sell me Fair Johnie Armstrongś horse?

And, billie, will thou sel him to me?’ quo he:

‘Ay, and tel me the monie on my cloke-lap,

For there’s not one fathing I’le trust thee.’

57‘I’le give thee fifteen pound for the good horse,Wel teld on thy cloke-lap shal be;And I’le give [thee] one of my best milk-kye,To maintain thy wife and thy children three.’

‘I’le give thee fifteen pound for the good horse,

Wel teld on thy cloke-lap shal be;

And I’le give [thee] one of my best milk-kye,

To maintain thy wife and thy children three.’

58‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dickë,‘Trow ye ay to make a fool of me?’ quo he:‘I’le either have thirty pound for the good horse,Or else he’s to Mattan Fair with me.’

‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo Dickë,

‘Trow ye ay to make a fool of me?’ quo he:

‘I’le either have thirty pound for the good horse,

Or else he’s to Mattan Fair with me.’

59He has given him thirty pound for the good horse,All in gold and good monie;He has given him one of his best milk-kye,To maintain his wife and children three.

He has given him thirty pound for the good horse,

All in gold and good monie;

He has given him one of his best milk-kye,

To maintain his wife and children three.

60Then Dickie lap a loup on high,And I wate a loud laughter leugh he:‘I wish the neck of the third horse were browken,For I have a better of my own, and onie better can be.’

Then Dickie lap a loup on high,

And I wate a loud laughter leugh he:

‘I wish the neck of the third horse were browken,

For I have a better of my own, and onie better can be.’

61Then Dickie comd hame to his wife again;Judge ye how the poor fool he sped;He has given her three score of English poundsFor the three auld coerlets was tane of her bed.

Then Dickie comd hame to his wife again;

Judge ye how the poor fool he sped;

He has given her three score of English pounds

For the three auld coerlets was tane of her bed.

62‘Hae, take thee there twa as good kye,I trow, as al thy three might be;And yet here is a white-footed naigg;I think he’le carry booth thee and me.

‘Hae, take thee there twa as good kye,

I trow, as al thy three might be;

And yet here is a white-footed naigg;

I think he’le carry booth thee and me.

63‘But I may no langer in Cumberland dwell;The Armstrongs the’le hang me high:’But Dickie has tane leave at lord and master,And Burgh under Stanemuir there dwels Dickie.

‘But I may no langer in Cumberland dwell;

The Armstrongs the’le hang me high:’

But Dickie has tane leave at lord and master,

And Burgh under Stanemuir there dwels Dickie.

44.Overgoodis writtenwent.

102. I wats:cf.152, 342, 432.

213. Fitt:Caw, Sit.I takefittin the sense offettle.

234. a mense.

383. Sent ye.

472. steal the Laird Jock horseerroneously repeated from the line above: corrected from Caw.

513,4wanting: supplied fromb.

551. Srcupe.

622.forthy, thyee,corrected fromthree.

Burden, after the first and fourth line, Fala, fala, fala, faliddle.

13. horses are grown sae lidder fat.

14. They downa stur out o the sta.

22. then we’ll gae.

24. Ablins we’ll hit on.

32. rade the.

43. Quo J.

44. Ere thir: gae.

51. withwanting.

54. men ca.

61,4, 114, 194. ky.

62. As there’s.

63. meformy,twice.

73. three ky.

81. day was.

83, 91. O had.

94. In good sooth I’ll.

101. on for ’s.

102. was he.

103. Now had.

113. thiswanting.

131. I gi.

132. speakest: my.

133. rightwanting.

134. but wha sta frae.

142. hang.

144. but wha sta.

162. might.

163. Now Dickie’s.

164. were.

171. O what’s this comd o me now.

182. Sae weil’s.

192. o his.

193. the last.

203, 211. up and.

203. We’ll nit him in a four-nooked sheetwanting.

204. We’ll gie im his batts.

212. in a’the.

213. Sit thy ways: Dickie.

214. thy: gi thee.

223. Then Dickie.

224, 232. therewanting.

231. o an auld.

233. waswanting.

234. a mense.

243. came na.

244. t’the.

251. wearyforaevery: were.

252. Aboon: hangforflang.

253. Dickie he.

261. Then D. into the stable is gane.

262, 272. horses.

263, 271. Mary’s.

273. tane: hiswanting.

283, 291. O where’s.

292. dinna.

293. Dickie’s been: thiswanting.

301. itwanting.

311. But lend me thy bay, Johnie.

312. maewanting.

313. yewanting.

314. he shall.

322. worth baith.

324. na thou may make.

332. lieughwanting.

334. he gane.

341. was na.

343. Till he’s oertane by Johnie A.

351. Abide, abide.

352. maun die.

353. Thenwanting.

354. thywanting.

364. neer ae.

372. third, neer let a traitor free.

373. But Johnie: hadst: traitorwanting.

381. tane away.

383. But sent thy.

392. to hae slain the innocent, I trow.

393. were mair than he.

394. For he.

404. But feld ’im.

411. has feld.

422. leiughwanting.

431. Johnie.

433, 441. And is.

443. years.

444. I neer shall.

451. come.

453. I’ll neither eat nor.

454. hanged thou shalt.

464. Till I had got my.

472. gard thou steal him, quo he.

474. Ere: stawn frae.

483. Johnie.

493. And there’s.

494. let thee.

502. dare na.

503, 523, 531, 571, 583, 591. punds.

513,4. And that may be as good, I think, As ony twa o thine might be.

524. elswanting: Mortan.

531. He’s gien.

541. Dickie came.

542. he might.

543. met with.

544. Glozenburrie.

561,2. wilt.

564. no ae fardin.

573. gi thee.

574. thywanting.

584. Or he’s gae: Mortan.

601. fu hie.

602. laugh laughed.

604. if better can be.

611. Dickie’s.

612. fool sped.

621. theseforthere.

623. aaccidentally wanting: nagie.

631. bidefordwell.

634. dwells he.

Simple Scotticisms and ordinary contractions have generally not been noted.

Reading ofbare not repeated.

Burden: after the first and the second verse, Lal de ral,thrice, la lal de;at the end of the stanza:Lal lal de ridle la di, fal lal de ridle la di,Fal lal di lal la, fal lal di ridle la.

Burden: after the first and the second verse, Lal de ral,thrice, la lal de;at the end of the stanza:

Lal lal de ridle la di, fal lal de ridle la di,

Fal lal di lal la, fal lal di ridle la.

21. Fair Johnie.

22. riding we will.

23. have been: at feid.

24. we’ll light.

31. they are come.

32. that proper,asa.

41. For he.

51. ca.

54. And men they call.

62. there are.

71. they have come.

74. frae his.

82. rase.

92. ay where thou hast lost ae.

94. suith I shall.

101. Now Dickie’s gane to the gude Lord Scroop.

111. Shame fa your.

114. hae awa.

123. you.

134. Thou’lt.

151. leave o.

152. Andwanting.

161. on to Pudding-burn house.

163. Then: on to.

17, 18wanting.

193. house last.

201. Ha quo fair.

202. thenwanting.

203. Then up and spak: young Armstrang.

211. But up and spak.

213. down thy ways.

214. gie ye.

222. the neer.

223. Then was he aware.

234. Were I: amends: my gude.

24wanting.

252. they threw.

253. o that.

254. There will be a bootie for.

261. has into the stable gane.

274. And away as fast as he can hie.

281. But.

282. raise.

283. Ah, whae has done this.

291. Whae has done this deed.

292. See that to me.

294. has taen.

311. But lend me thy bay, Fair Johnie can say.

312. save he.

313. either fetch.

32wanting.

332. A: to hang by.

333. aforthe.

334. And galloped on to.

341. Thenwanting: frae aff.

343. When he was: Fair J. A.

35–38wanting.

391. fuforfa:misprint?

403. at him.

411. Thus.

414. hast.

421. the steil-jack aff Johnie’s back.

422. hang low.

434. The shame and dule is left wi me.

442. The deil.

443. these h. years.

451. hame to the good Lord Scroop.

452. he might hie.

464. Had I not got my leave frae.

471. garrd thee.

472. garrd ye.

473. thou mightst.

483. wan the horse frae Fair.

484. Hand to.

492. This: sword hang.

494. brought a’.

502. And I think thou dares.

503. fifteen pounds for the horse.

504. on thy.

51, 52wanting.

531. twenty pounds.

542. could drie.

551. Well be ye met.

553. didst.

56, 57, 58wanting.

591. twenty punds.

592. Baith in.

604. If ony of the twa were better than he.

611. Dickie’s come.

612. had sped.

613. twa score.

614. waswanting.

621. And tak.

632. they would.

633. So D.

634. And at.

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