_Martinmas_, the eleventh of November. _Hauld_, stronghold. _Toun_, enclosed place. _Buskit_, made ready. _Light_, alighted. _But and_, and also. _Dree_, suffer. _But an_, unless. _Wude_, mad. _Dule_, pain. _Reek_, smoke. _Nourice_, nurse. _Jimp_, slender. _Row_, roll. _Tow_, throw. _Busk and boun_, up and away. _Freits_, ill omens. _Lowe_, blaze. _Wichty_, sturdy. _Bent_, field. _Teenfu'_, sorrowful. _Wroken_, avenged. KINMONT WILLIE. After Scott. This dashing ballad appeared for the first time in the Border Minstrelsy, having been "preserved by tradition," says Scott, "on the West Borders, but much mangled by reciters, so that some conjectural emendations have been absolutely necessary to render it intelligible." The facts in the case seem to be that in 1596 Salkeld, deputy of Lord Scroope, English Warden of the West Marches, and Robert Scott, for the Laird of Buccleuch, Keeper of Liddesdale, met on the border line for conference in the interest of the public weal. The truce, that on such occasions extended from the day of the meeting to the next day at sunset, was this time violated by a party of English soldiers, who seized upon William Armstrong of Kinmonth, a notorious freebooter, as he, attended by but three or four men, was returning from the conference; and lodged him in Carlisle Castle. The Laird of Buccleuch, after treating in vain for his release, raised two hundred horse, surprised the castle and carried off the prisoner without further ceremony. This exploit the haughty Queen of England "esteemed a great affront" and "stormed not a little" against the "bauld Buccleuch." _Haribee_, the place of execution at Carlisle. _Liddel-rack_, a ford on the Liddel. _Reiver_, robber. _Hostelrie_, inn. _Lawing_, reckoning. _Garr'd_, made. _Basnet_, helmet. _Curch_, cap. _Lightly_, set light by. _Low_, blaze. _Splent on spauld_, armor on shoulder. _Woodhouselee_, a house belonging to Buccleuch, on the Border. _Herry_, harry, spoil. _Corbie_, crow. _Wons_, dwells. _Lear_, lore. _Row-footed_, rough-footed(?). _Spait_, flood. _Garr'd_, made. _Stear_, stir. _Coulters_, ploughshares. _Forehammers_, the large hammers that strike before the small, sledgehammers. _Fley'd_, frightened. _Spier_, inquire. _Hente_, caught. _Maill_, rent. _Airns_, irons. _Wood_, mad. _Furs_, furrows. _Trew_, trust. KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT OF CANTERBURY. After Percy, who printed from an ancient black-letter copy. There are three other broadside versions of this popular ballad extant, and at least one older version has been lost. Similar riddle-stories are to be found in almost all European literatures. There is nothing in this ballad save the name of King John, with his reputation for unjust and high-handed dealing, that can be called traditional. _Deere_, harm. _Stead_, place. _St. Bittel_, St. Botolph(?).