Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

120 MINSTRELSY OF
men of Selkirk. Thus every circumstance of the writ-
ten evidence, as far as it goes, tallies with the oral tradi-
tion of the inhabitants; and, therefore, though the latter
may be exaggerated, it surely cannot be dismissed as
entirely void of foundation. That William Brydone
actually enjoyed the honour of knighthood, is ascer-
tained by many of the deeds, in which his name appears
as a notary public. John Brydone, lineal descendant
of the gallant town-clerk, is still alive, and possessed of
the reliques mentioned by Mr Robertson, The old man,
though in an inferior station of life, receives considerable
attention from his fellow-citizens, and claims no small
merit to himself on account of his brave ancestor.*
Thus far concerning the tradition of the exploits of the
men of Selkirk, at Flodden field. Whether the following
verses do, or do not, bear any allusion to that event, is a
separate and less interesting question. The opinion of
Mr Robertson, referring them to a different origin, has
been already mentioned; but his authority, though high-
ly respectable, is not absolutely decisive of the question.
The late Mr Plummer, sheriff-depute of the county of
Selkirk, a filithful and accurate antiquary, entertained a
very opposite opinion. He has thus expressed himself
upon the subject, in the course of his literary corres-
pondence with Mr Herd :
" Of the souters of Selkirk, I never heard any words
but the following verse :
" This person is lately dead, but his son is in possession of the wea
pons in question.