XVI.-KING OF SCOTS AND ANDREW BROWNE.*

THIS ballad is a proof of the little intercourse that subsisted between the Scots and English, before the accession of James to the crown of England. The tale which is here so circumstantially related does not appear to have had the least foundation in history, but was probably built upon some confused hearsay report of the tumults in Scotland during the minority of that prince, and of the conspiracies formed by different factions to get possession of his person. It should seem from ver. 97 to have been written during the regency, or at least before the death of the Earl of Morton, who was condemned and executed June 2, 1581, when James was in his fifteenth year.

The author, W. Elderton, who had been originally an attorney in the Sheriffs Courts of London, and afterwards (if we may believe Oldys) a comedian, was a facetious companion, whose tippling and rhymes rendered him famous among his contemporaries. He was author of many popular songs and ballads, and is believed to have fallen a victim to his bottle before the year 1592.

XVII. THE BONNY EARL OF MURRAY.

A SCOTTISH SONG.

IN December 1591, Francis Stewart, Earl of Bothwell, had made an attempt to seize on the person of his sovereign James VI., but being disappointed, had retired towards the north. The king unadvisedly gave a commission to George Gordon, Earl of Huntley, to pursue Bothwell and his followers with fire and sword. Huntley, under cover of executing that commission, took occasion to revenge a private quarrel he had against James Stewart, Earl of Murray, a relation of Bothwell's. In the night of Feb. 7, 1592, he beset Murray's house, burnt it to the ground, and slew Murray himself, a young nobleman of the most promising virtues, and the very darling of the people. See Robertson's History.

YE highlands, and ye lawlands,
Oh! quhair ha ye been?

They hae slaine the Earl of Murray,
And hae laid him on the green.

Now wae be to thee, Huntley!
And quhairfore did you sae!
I bade you bring him wi' you,
But forbade you him to slay.

He was a braw gallant,

And he rid at the ring;
And the bonny Earl of Murray,
Oh! he might hae been a king.

He was a braw gallant,

And he playd at the ba';
And the bonny Earl of Murray

Was the flower among them a'.

He was a braw gallant,

And he playd at the gluve;
And the bonny Earl of Murray,
Oh! he was the Queenes luve.
Oh! lang will his lady

Luke owre the castle Doune,*
Ere she see the Earl of Murray
Cum sounding throw the toune.

XVIII.-YOUNG WATERS.

A SCOTTISH BALLAD.

It has been suggested to the Editor, that this ballad covertly alludes to the indiscreet partiality which Queen Anne of Denmark is said to have shown for the bonny Earl of Murray, and which is supposed to have influenced the fate of that unhappy nobleman.

ABOUT Zule, quhen the wind blew cule,

And the round tables began,
A'! there is cum to our kings court

Mony a well-favourd man.

The queen luikt owre the castle wa,

Beheld baith dale and down, And then she saw zoung Waters Cum riding to the town.

His footmen they did rin before,

His horsemen rade behind,
Ane mantel of the burning gowd
Did keip him frae the wind.

Castle Doune here has been thought to mean the Castle of Doune, a seat belonging to the Earls of Murray or Moray.