The Ballad of Meikle-Mouthed Meg
Bold Willie Scott
The moonbeam glints on tower and hill,
It’s hey! for the bonny moonlight!
“Go saddle my steed, I’ll ride betimes,
The English Border to-night.”
“Take tent, good lad, the Warder’s men
Are riding over the land.”
“Tuts! six Scotts lads will keep two score
Of such feckless loons at a stand!”
Oh! they were twenty stout and bold,
Mounted on active naigs;
Some armed wi’ guns and Jeddart staves,
Wi’ iron round their craigs.
Young Scott o’ Harden, led them on
To the lands o’ Elibank;
“Good faith, I wat Sir Gideon
Will no his kindness thank.”
He left his towers by Ettrick’s stream,
His minnie’s proverb scorning;
When Scotts set foot in the stirrup-ring,
The blood will flow ere morning.
Sir Gideon and young Willie Scott
Were ever deadly foes;
Ere they shall clasp each other’s hand,
The Gowan shall grow on the Rose.