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140 THE DEATH OF PAKCT REED. |
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In pursuance of this design, they requested Reed to join them on a hunting party. Their invitation was unsuspiciously accepted, and after a day of sport the company retired to a solitary hut in the lonely glen of Batinghope. Here Reed was attacked in the evening by the Crosiers, and as the Halls not only refused their assistance, but had treacherously deprived him of the means of defence by rendering his sword and gun unserviceable, he fell an easy victim to his savage foes.
It is probable that we cannot assign to the event on which this piece is founded, a date later than the sixteenth century.
The story of Parcy Reed is alluded to in Rokeby, canto first, xx.; Sir Walter Scott has also taken the death of his dog Keeldar as the subject of a poem contributed to Hood's annual, The Gem, for 1829.
God send the land deliverance
Frae every reaving, riding Scot; We'll sune hae neither cow nor ewe,
We'll sune hae neither staig nor stot.
The outlaws come frae Liddesdale, »
They herry Eedesdale far and near;
The rich man's gelding it maun gang, They canna pass the puir man's mear.
Sure it were weel, had ilka thief
Around his neck a halter Strang; 10
And curses heavy may they light
On traitors vile oursels amang. |
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