{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch202.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch202.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch202.htm","text":"202A.1 ON Philiphaugh a fray began,\nAt Hairheadwood it ended;\nThe Scots outoer the Gra+emes they ran,\nSae merrily they bended.\n202A.2 Sir David frae the Border came,\nWi heart an hand came he;\nWi him three thousand bonny Scots,\nTo bear him company.\n202A.3 Wi him three thousand valiant men,\nA noble sight to see!\nA cloud o mist them weel conceald,\nAs close as eer might be.\n202A.4 When they came to the Shaw burn,\nSaid he, Sae weel we frame,\nI think it is convenient\nThat we should sing a psalm.\n202A.5 When they came to the Lingly burn,\nAs daylight did appear,\nThey spy\u2019d an aged father,\nAnd he did draw them near.\n202A.6 \u2018Come hither, aged father,\u2019\nSir David he did cry,\n\u2018And tell me where Montrose lies,\nWith al his great army.\u2019\n202A.7 \u2018But first you must come tell to me,\nIf friends or foes you be;\nI fear you are Montrose\u2019s men,\nCome frae the north country.\u2019\n202A.8 \u2018No, we are nane o Montrose\u2019s men,\nNor eer intend to be;\nI am Sir David Lesly,\nThat\u2019s speaking unto thee.\u2019\n202A.9 \"[If you\u2019re Sir David Lesly,\nAs I think weel ye be,\nI am sorry ye hae brought so few\nInto your company.\n202A.10 \u2018There\u2019s fifteen thousand armed men\nEncamped on yon lee;\nYe\u2019ll never be a bite to them,\nFor aught that I can see.\n202A.11 \u2018But halve your men in equal parts,\nYour purpose to fulfill;\nLet ae half keep the water-side,\nThe rest gae round the hill.\n202A.12 \u2018Your nether party fire must,\nThen beat a flying drum;\nAnd then they\u2019ll think the day\u2019s their ain,\nAnd frae the trench they\u2019ll come.\n202A.13 \u2018Then, those that are behind them maun\nGie shot, baith grit and sma;\nAnd so, between your armies twa,\nYe may make them to fa.\u2019\n202A.14 \u2018O were ye ever a soldier?\u2019\nSir David Lesly said;\n\u2018O yes; I was at Solway Flow,\nWhere we were all betrayd.\n202A.15 \u2018Again I was at curst Dunbar,\nAnd was a prisner taen,\nAnd many weary night and day\nIn prison I hae lien.\u2019\n202A.16 \u2018If ye will lead these men aright,\nRewarded shal ye be;\nBut, if that ye a traitor prove,\nI\u2019ll hang thee on a tree.\u2019\n202A.17 \u2018Sir, I will not a traitor prove;\nMontrose has plunderd me;\nI\u2019ll do my best to banish him\nAway frae this country.\u2019\n202A.18 He halvd his men in equal parts,\nHis purpose to fulfill;\nThe one part kept the water-side,\nThe other gaed round the hill.\n202A.19 The nether party fired brisk,\nThen turnd and seemd to rin;\nAnd then they a\u2019 came frae the trench,\nAnd cry\u2019d The day\u2019s our ain!\n202A.20 The rest then ran into the trench,\nAnd loosd their cannons a\u2019:\nAnd thus, between his armies twa,\nHe made them fast to fa.\n202A.21 Now let us a\u2019 for Lesly pray\nAnd his brave company,\nFor they hae vanquishd great Montrose,\nOur cruel enemy.","title":"The Child Ballads: 202. The Battle of Philiphaugh","type":"page"}