Belted Will
The Robber Baron
The Baron of Thirlwall came from the wars,
Laden with treasure bold;
Among the which a fair table,
All of the beaten gold.
And men will speak of the Baron’s wealth,
Whatever he may say,
And how a grizzly Dwarf does guard
His treasure night and day.
Many a Border freebooter
Eyed Thirlwall’s good Castle,
Thinking to win the bags of gold,
And eke the fair table.
But the Baron hath retainers bold,
And swatchers many ane,
And the Castle walls are high to win,
Howe’er they fidge and fain.
The boldest one o’ a’ his men,
Was Jockey of the Sheugh;
The Baron loved him like a brother,
And that was fair enoo.
Jock could wrestle, run, or leap,
Wi’ ever a living man;
Never a wight in Cumbernauld
Could beat him at the span.
But Thirlwall’s Baron heeded not
The word o’ Belted Will,
Who dwells within the dark Naworth,
The Border March to still;
He can rule all the Border round,
Wi’ a peeled willow-wand;
But Thirlwall’s Baron gecks at him,
And all the laws o’ the land.
So fast come tidings of ravin wrong
To Belted Willy’s ear;
Quo’ he, “By my belt, I’ll trap this man,
If I catch him in effeir.
“But he is like a wily fox,
That taketh to his hole,
An I can catch him on the turn,
I’ll smoke him from his bole.
“He reaves and harrows every one,
Tho’ he has goups o’ gold;
I’ll lay a trap for him bedeen,
By which he shall be sold.”
Thirlwall’s Baron heard his speech,
Wi’ scorn almost he burst;
“His anger it is like a haggis,
That’s hottest at the first.”
Sore smiled the wily Belted Will,
But in so dark a way;
Better that smile were wanting there,
Than on his lip to lay.