Page:Two old historical Scots poems, giving an account of the battles of Harlaw, and the Reid-squair.pdf/4

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4 BATTLE OF HARLAW.

       I met a man and bad him ſtay,
         requeiſting him to mak me quaint,
         of the beginning and the event,
       That happenit thair at the Harlaw;
         then he entreited me tak tent,
       And he the truth ſould to me ſchaw.
                            IV.
       Grit Donald of the Yles did claim,
         unto the lands of Roſs ſum richt,
       And to the * Governour he came,
         them for to haif gif that he micht:
         quha ſaw his intereſt was but ſlicht;
       And thairfore anſwerit with diſdain;
         he haſtit hame baith day and nicht,
       And ſent nae bodward back again,
                           V.
       But Donald richt impatient
         of that anſwer Duke Robert gaif,
       He vowd to GOD omnipotent,
         all the hale lands of Roſs to haif,
       Or ells be graithed in his graif.
         he wald not quat his richt for nocht,
       Nor be abuſit lyk a ſlaif,
         that bargin ſould be deirly bocht.
         * Governor, Robert Duke of Albany, Uncle to King
       James 1.