The day came on that was to do
   That dreadful tragedy;
  Sir Hugh le Blond was not come up
   To fight for our lady.

  “Put on the fire,” the monster said;
   “It is twelve on the bell!”
  “Tis scarcely ten, now,” said the king;
   “I heard the clock mysell.”

  Before the hour the queen is brought,
   The burning to proceed;
  In a black velvet chair she’s set,
   A token for the dead.

  She saw the flames ascending high,
   The tears blinded her e’e: 
  “Where is the worthy knight,” she said,
   “Who is to fight for me?”

  Then up and spake the king himsel,
   “My dearest, have no doubt,
  “For yonder comes the man himsel,
   “As bold as ere set out.”

  They then advanced to fight the duel
   With swords of temper’d steel,
  Till down the blood of Rodingham
   Came running to his heel.

  Sir Hugh took out a lusty sword,
   ’Twas of the metal clear;
  And he has pierced Rodingham
   Till’s heart-blood did appear.

  “Confess your treachery, now,” he said,
   “This day before you die!”
  “I do confess my treachery,
   “I shall no longer lye: 

  “I like to wicked Haman am,
   “This day I shall be slain.” 
  The queen was brought to her chamber
   A good woman again.

  The queen then said unto the king,
   “Arbattle’s near the sea;
  “Give it unto the northern knight,
   “That this day fought for me.”

  Then said the king, “Come here, sir knight,
   “And drink a glass of wine;
  “And, if Arbattle’s not enough,
   “To it we’ll Fordoun join.”

[Footnote A:  Plooky—­Pimpled.]

NOTES ON SIR HUGH LE BLOND.

  Until he met a leper-man. &c.—­P. 268. v. 4.

Filth, poorness of living, and the want of linen, made this horrible disease formerly very common in Scotland.  Robert Bruce died of the leprosy; and, through all Scotland, there were hospitals erected for the reception of lepers, to prevent their mingling with the rest of the community.

  "It is twelve on the bell!”
  “Tis scarcely ten, now,” said the king, &c.—­P. 272. v. 2.

In the romance of Doolin, called La Fleur des Battailles, a false accuser discovers a similar impatience to hurry over the execution, before the arrival of the lady’s champion:—­"Ainsi comme Herchambaut vouloit jetter la dame dedans le feu, Sanxes de Clervaut va a lui, si lui dict; ’Sire Herchambaut, vous estes trop a blasmer; car vous ne devez mener ceste chose que par droit ainsi qu’il est ordonne; je veux accorder que ceste dame ait un vassal qui la diffendra contre vous et Drouart, car elle n’a point de coulpe en ce que l’accusez; si la devez retarder jusque a midy, pour scavoir si un bon chevalier l’a viendra secourir centre vous et Drouart."—­Cap. 22.