Minstrelsy of the Scottish border - National Library of Scotland

THE SCOTTISH BORDEll. 189
Barbour, by Wintoun, and by Henry the Minstrel, or
Blind Harry, as he is usually termed. None of these
authors, however, give the words ofany of the Rhymer's
vaticinations, but merely narrate, historically, his ha-
ving predicted the events of which they speak. The
earliest of the prophecies ascribed to him, which is now
extant, is quoted by Mr Pinkerton from a MS. It is
supposed to be a response from Thomas of Ercildoune
to a question from the heroic Countess of March, re-
nowned for the defence of the castle of Dunbar against
the English, and termed, in the familiar dialect of her
time. Black Agnes of Dunbar. This prophecy is remark-
able, in so far as it bears very little resemblance to any
verses published in the printed copy of the Rhymer's
supposed prophecies. The verses are as follows
" La Countesse de Donhar demande a Thomas de Esse-
" doune quant la guerre d'Escoce prendreitfyn. E yl I'a
" rcpoundy et dyt.
" When man is mad a kyng of a capped man ;
" When man is lever other mones thyng than is owen ;
" When londe thouys forest, ant forest is felde
" When hares kendles o' the her'ston ;
" When Wyt and Wille weres togedere
" When mon makes stables of kyrkes ; and steles castels with stye
" When Rokesboroughe nys no burgh ant market is at Forwyleye ;
" When Bambourne is donged with dede men ;
" When men ledes men in ropes to buyen and to sellen
•• When a quarter of whaty whete is chaunged for a colt often markes ;
" When prude (pride) prikes and pees is leyd in prisoun ;
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