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•116 THE FEAY OF SUPORT.
same time, in homely phrase, for their negligence and security. The Hot Trod was followed by the persons who had lost goods, with blood-hounds and horns, to raise the country to help. They also used to carry a burning wisp of straw at a spear head, and to raise a cry, similar to the Indian war-whoop. It appears, from articles made by the Wardens of the English Marches, September 12th, in 6th of Edward VI., that all, on this cry being raised, were obliged to follow the fray, or chase, under pain of death. With these explanations, the general purport of the ballad may be easily discovered, though particular passages have become inexplicable, probably through corruptions introduced by reciters. The present text is collected from four copies, which differed widely from each other."—S.
Sleep'ky Sim of the Lamb-hill,
And snoring Jock of Suport-mill,
Ye are baith right het and fou';
But my wae wakens na you.
Last night I saw a sorry sight— s
Nought left me o' four-and-twenty gude ousen and
My weel-ridden gelding, and a white quey, But a toom byre and a wide, And the twelve nogs on ilka side.
Fy, lads! shout a' a' a' a' a', 10
My gear's a' gane.
Weel may ye ken,
Last night I was right scarce o' men: |
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