  (By E.W. August 5th, 1791.) The author of this suggested the idea from reading the verse of Chevy Chace:— “This vow full well the King perform’d After, on Humbledown, In one day fifty Knights were slain With Lords of great renown.” In the second volume of Guthrie’s History of Scotland, the battle is fully described. Sir Swinton was a doughty knight As ever Scotland bred; Than Gordon none more brave in fight, Did ever cross the Tweed. But deidly feuds subsisted long Between these valiant twain, They never met—but straight they fought With all their martial train. At last they hied with ilk his band To Brae of Humbledown, Where Douglas and his army lay Wi’ Knights of great renown. Now baith afore the Douglas stood, And glowr’d wi’ hatefu’ spite, And half unsheath’d their shining blades, And quak’d and burn’d to fight. Then mighty Douglas leap’d between To redd the foul debate, “O Sirs!” he cries, “thrust in your glaives And quell this rising state. “For, look you! where the English lies On yonder tented field, To morrow’s morn, if right I ween, We’ll need both sword and sheild. “Gin we to Scotland mean to go, Our road lies thro’ yon host; First spend your fury on the foe, Then fight—if fight ye must.” He spake—in sullens baith withdrew, Now all prepare for fight, And arms and armour clattering brake The silence of the night. In bluid red clouds the Sun arose, Which saw that fatal day, Where bretheless on the green hill side Fu’ many a bra’ Scot lay. For sair—the English bowmen gall’d The van—the ungear’d stood, Nae thirsty shaft e’er reach’d the earth Unstain’d wi’ Scottish bluid. Then Sir John Swinton loudly cries “Bra’ lads! gif we must die, Follow our cheif, and syne our foes Shall bear us companie.” These words when Adam Gordon heard, He hastens to the place, “When our dear country claims our aid Let all our quarrels cease. “For, mine are gone—most valiant Knight! And now a boon I crave— That frae thy noble arm—the meed Of Knighthood I must have.” “And mine for aye!”—replies Sir John, And to his breast him drew; Then dubb’d him Knight, while deidly flight Of arrows round them flew. Then wi’ their men, these valiant twain Rush’d down the green hill’s side, And ’mongst their foes, wi’ mortal blows Their hands in bluid they dy’d. Like two huge rocks on Bramor’s brow, When loossen’d fra’ their bed, That thunder down and overthrow The pines which crown the glade. Thus they, thro’ ranks, the Earl of March And the bold Percies fought, And bluid and carnage mark’d their path Where’er they step’d and fought. At length they’re wi’ their gallant train By numbers compass’d round, And fighting fall on heaps of slain, And stain with gore the ground. Thus did these valiant cheiftains fall Who liv’d in mortal strife, But lock’d in one another’s arms, Dear friendship clos’d their life. And now the Scottish lines were broke Wi’ rout and disarray, And many a man was lost in [Tweed] That strove to flee that day. The mighty Douglas too was ta’en For ne’er a foot he’d flee, But first five greevous wounds he got And also lost an eye. With Gordon and with Swinton fell Sir John of Callender, Sir Ramsay of Dalhousie too, And Sir Walter Sinclair. And Roger Gordon likewise died, Wi’ Walter Scot sae brave, And many more of note beside Whom valour cou’d not save. But past all count, the pris’ners were Wi’ doughty Douglas ta’en, Fife, Murray, Angus, Orkney Earls, Lord Graham and Erskine. With eighty Knights and many more Than can ee’ now be told, All captives led, for ransome sett By Harry Hotspur bold. Fra’ Forth to Tweed, a swankie blade Was then a sight to see, The co’uter left in half plough’d lidge Lay rusting in the lee. God prosper Scotland, let us say, And grant our wars be done, And may we ne’er see sic a day As that of Humbledown. |
|
