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 Hist.
The present Lord Murray hath now in his possession a picture
of his ancestor naked and covered with wounds, which
had been carried about, according to the custom of that age,
in order to inflame the populace to revenge his death. If this
picture did not flatter, he well deserved the name of the
bonny Earl, for he is there represented as a tall and
comely personage. It is a tradition in the family, that Gordon
of Bucky gave him a wound in the face: Murray half
expiring, said, “You hae spilt a better face than your
awin.” Upon this, Bucky pointing his dagger at Huntley's
breast, swore, “You shall be as deep as I;” and forced
him to pierce the poor defenceless body.
K. James, who took no care to punish the murtherers, is
said by some to have privately countenanced and abetted
them, being stimulated by jealousy for some indiscreet praises
which his Queen had too lavishly bestowed on this unfortunate
youth.
See the preface to the next ballad. See also Mr.
Walpole's Catalogue of Royal Auth. vol. 1. p. 42.
Ye highlands, and ye lawlands,
Oh! whair hae ye been?
They hae slaine the Earl of Murray,
And hae laid him on the green.
Now wae be to thee, Huntley!
And whairfore 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 downe
,
Ere she see the Earl of Murray
Cum sounding throw the towne.
