Of this border laird, commonly called Auld Wat of Harden, tradition has preserved many anecdotes.  He was married to Mary Scott, celebrated in song by the title of the Flower of Yarrow.  By their marriage-contract, the father-in-law, Philip Scott of Dryhope, was to find Harden in horse meat, and man’s meat, at his tower of Dryhope, for a year and a day; but five barons pledge themselves, that, at the expiry of that period, the son-in-law should remove, without attempting to continue in possession by force!  A notary-public signed for all the parties to the deed, none of whom could write their names.  The original is still in the charter-room of the present Mr. Scott of Harden.  By the Flower of Yarrow the laird of Harden had six sons; five of whom survived him, and founded the families of Harden (now extinct), Highchesters (now representing Harden), Reaburn, Wool, and Synton.  The sixth son was slain at a fray, in a hunting-match, by the Scotts of Gilmanscleugh.  His brothers flew to arms; but the old laird secured them in the dungeon of his tower, hurried to Edinburgh, stated the crime, and obtained a gift of the lands of the offenders from the crown.  He returned to Harden with equal speed, released his sons, and shewed them the charter.  “To horse, lads!” cried the savage warrior, “and let us take possession! the lands of Gilmanscleuch are well worth a dead son.”  The property, thus obtained, continued in the family till the beginning of last century, when it was sold, by John Scott of Harden, to Anne, Duchess of Buccleuch.

  John o’ Brigham there was slane.—­P. 147. v. 3.

Perhaps one of the ancient family of Brougham, in Cumberland.  The editor has used some freedom with the original in the subsequent verse.  The account of the captain’s disaster (tests laeva vulnerata) is rather too naive for literal publication.

  Cried—­“On for his house in Stanegirthside.—­P. 148. v. 3.

A house belonging to the Foresters, situated on the English side of the Liddel.

An article in the list of attempts upon England, fouled by the commissioners ar Berwick, in the year 1587, may relate to the subject of the foregoing ballad.

    October, 1582.

    Thomas Musgrave, deputy {Walter Scott, laird } 200 kine and
    of Bewcastle, and {of Buckluth, and his} oxen,300 gait the
    tenants, against {complices; for } and sheep.

Introduction, to History of Westmoreland and Cumberland, p. 31.

THE RAID OF THE REIDSWIRE.

* * * * *

This poem is published from a copy in the Bannatyne MS. in the hand-writing of the Hon. Mr. Carmichael, advocate.  It first appeared in Allan Ramsay’s Evergreen, but some liberties have been taken by him in transcribing it; and, what is altogether unpardonable, the MS., which is itself rather inaccurate, has been interpolated to favour his readings; of which there remain obvious marks.