The Feast of Spurs

"Haste, ho! my dame, what cheer the night?
"I look to see your table dight,
"For I ha'e been up since peep o' light,
"Driving the dun deer merrilie.

"Wow! but the bonnie harts and raes
Are fleet o' foot on Ettricke braes;
My gude dogs ne'er, in a' their days,
Forfoughten were sae wearilie.

"Frae Shaws to Rankelburn we ran
A score, that neither stint nor blan;
And now ahint the breckans stan',
And laugh at a' our company.

"We've passed through monie a tangled cleugh,
We've rade fu' fast o'er haugh and heugh;
I trust ye've got gude cheer eneugh
To feast us a' right lustilie."--

"Are ye sae keen-set, Wat? 'tis weel;
Ye winna find a dainty meal;
It's a' o' the gude Rippon steel,
Ye maun digest it manfullie.

"Nae ky are left in Harden Glen;
Ye maun be stirring wi' your men;
Gin ye soud bring me less than ten,
I winna roose your braverie."--

"Are ye sae modest ten to name?
"Syne, an I bring na twenty hame,
"I'll freely gi'e ye leave to blame
"Baith me, and a' my chyvalrie.

"I coud ha'e relished better cheer,
"After the chace o' sic-like deer;
"But, trust me, rowth o' Southern gear
"Shall deck your lard'ner speedilie.

"When Stanegirthside I last came by,
"A bassened bull allured mine eye,
"Feeding amang a herd o' kye;
"O gin I looked na wistfullie!

"To horse! young Jock shall lead the way;
"And soud the warden tak the fray
"To mar our riding, I winna say,
"But he mote be in jeopardie.

"The siller moon now glimmers pale;
"But ere we've crossed fair Liddesdale,
"She'll shine as brightlie as the bale
"That warns the water hastilie.

"O leeze me on her bonnie light!
"There's nought sae dear to Harden's sight,
"Troth, gin she shone but ilka night,
"Our clan might live right royallie.

"Haste, bring your nagies frae the sta',
"And lightlie louping, ane and a',
"Intull your saddles, scour awa',
"And ranshakle the Southronie.

"Let ilka ane his knapscap lace;
"Let ilka ane his steil-jack brace;
"And deil bless him that sall disgrace
"Walter o' Harden's liverie!"--