form of the ballad, as
it forms a striking example of the impairment of a traditional ballad
when re-written for the broadside press. Doubtless it is the one known
and commented on by Addison in his famous papers (Nos. 70 and 74) in the
_Spectator_ (1711), but it is not the one referred to by Sir Philip
Sidney in his _Apologie_. Professor Child doubts if Sidney's ballad,
'being so evill apparelled in the dust and cobwebbes of that uncivill
age,' is the traditional one here printed, which is scarcely the product
of an uncivil age; more probably Sidney had heard it in a rough and
ancient form, 'sung,' as he says, 'but by some blind crouder, with no
rougher voyce than rude stile.' 'The Hunttis of the Chevet' is mentioned
as one of the 'sangis of natural music of the antiquite' sung by the
shepherds in _The Complaynt of Scotland_, a book assigned to 1549.

+The Story.+--The _Hunting of the Cheviot_ is a later version of the
_Battle of Otterburn_, and a less conscientious account thereof.
Attempts have been made to identify the _Hunting_ with the Battle of
Piperden (or Pepperden) fought in 1436 between a Percy and a Douglas.
But the present ballad is rather an unauthenticated account of an
historical event, which made a great impression on the public mind. Of
that, its unfailing popularity on both sides of the Border, its constant
appearance in broadside form, and its inclusion in every ballad-book,
give the best witness.

The notable deed of Witherington (stanza 54) has many parallels. All
will remember the warrior who

'... when his legs were smitten off
He fought upon his stumps.'

Tradition tells an identical story of 'fair maiden Lilliard' at the
Battle of Ancrum Muir in 1545. Seneca mentions the feat. It occurs in
the Percy Folio, Sir Graysteel (in _Eger and Grine_) fighting on one
leg. Johnie Armstrong and Sir Andrew Barton both retire to 'bleed
awhile' after being transfixed through the body. Finally, in an early
saga, King Starkathr (Starkad) fights on after his head is cut off.

THE HUNTING OF THE CHEVIOT

1.
The Perse owt off Northombarlonde,
and avowe to God mayd he
That he wold hunte in the mowntayns
off Chyviat within days thre,
In the magger of doughte Dogles,
and all that ever with him be.

2.
The fattiste hartes in all Cheviat
he sayd he wold kyll, and cary them away:
'Be my feth,' sayd the dougheti Doglas agayn,
'I wyll let that hontyng yf that I may.