t
be made of the lads--let them study the distinctions which we have drawn
above, and cultivate energy and simplicity as the cardinal virtues of
composition. Also let them study, but not copy, the ancient ballad-book:
for it is a domain which we have long preserved from poachers, and if we
catch any of them appropriating, remodelling, or transferring from it,
we shall beg an afternoon's loan of THE CRUTCH, and lay the delinquent
as low as Sheldon. It may be that some do not know what is in that
ballad-book: if so--let them read the Death of the Douglas at
Otterbourne, and then, if they dare, indulge us with the catastrophe of
Harry Hotspur.

"And then he called his little foot-page,
And said, 'Run speedilie,
And fetch my ae dear sister's son,
Sir Hugh Montgomerie.'

'My nephew gude,' the Douglas said,
'What recks the death o' ane!
Last nicht I dreimed a drearie dreim,
And I ken the day's thy ain.

'My wound is deep, I fain wad sleep;
Tak thou the vanguard o' the three,
And bury me by the braken-bush
That grows on yonder lily-lee.

O bury me by the braken-bush
Beneath the bluming brier;
Let never living mortal ken
That a kindly Scot lies here!'

He lifted up that noble lord,
Wi' the saut tear in his e'e;
He laid him in the braken-bush,
That his merrie-men might not see.

The moon was clear, the day drew near,
The spears in flinders flew;
And mony a gallant Englishman
Ere day the Scotsmen slew.

The Gordons gude in English blude
They steep'd their hose and shoon;
The Lindsays flew like fire about
Till a' the fray was dune.

The Percy and Montgomery met,
That either of other were fain;
They swappet swords, and they twa swat,
Till the blude ran down like rain.

'Now yield thee, yield thee, Percy,' he said,
'Or else I shall lay thee low.'
'To whom shall I yield?' Earl Percy said,
'Sin' I see it maun be so.'

Thou shalt not yield to lord nor loun,
Nor yet shalt thou yield to me;
But yield thee to the braken-bush
That grows on yon lily-lee.'

This deed was dune at the Otterbourne
About the breaking o' the day.
Earl Douglas was buriet at the braken-bush,
And Percy led captive away."

So died in his harness the doughty Earl of Douglas, and never was the
fall of a warrior more greatl