By a rapid series of extraordinary victories, (see _The Haws of Cromdale_, and _The Battle of Alford_ in the Appendix,) Montrose had subdued Scotland to the royal arms, from the Grampians to Edinburgh. After taking possession of the capital, he marched forward to the frontiers, with the intention of completing the subjugation of the southern provinces, and even of leading his wild array into England to the support of King Charles. Having traversed the Border, and strengthened his army (greatly diminished by the departure of the Irish and many of the Highlanders) with some small reinforcements, Montrose encamped on the 12th of September, 1645, at Philiphaugh, a large plain, separated by the river Ettrick from the town of Selkirk, and extending in an easterly direction from a wooded hill, called the Harehead-wood, to a high ground which forms the banks of the river Tweed. Here the infantry were very conveniently disposed, while the general took up his quarters with all his cavalry at Selkirk, thus interposing a river between his horse and foot. This extraordinary error, whether rashness or oversight, was destined to be severely expiated. The very next morning, the Covenanters, under General David Lesly, recalled from England by the danger threatened their cause by the victories of Montrose, crossed the Ettrick and fell on the encampment of the infantry, unperceived by a single scout. A hopeless discomfiture was the natural consequence. Montrose, roused by the firing, arrived with a few of his cavalry too late to redeem the day, and beheld his army slaughtered, or scattered in a retreat in which he was himself fain to join. The fruit of all his victories was lost in this defeat, and he was never again able to make head in Scotland against the Covenanters. The following ballad was first printed by Sir Walter Scott, with prefatory remarks which we have here abridged. It is preserved by tradition in Selkirkshire, and coincides closely with historical fact. On Philiphaugh a fray began, At Hairhead-wood it ended; The Scots out o'er the Græmes they ran, Sae merrily they bended. Sir David frae the Border came, 5 Wi' heart an' hand came he; Wi' him three thousand bonny Scots, To bear him company. Wi' him three thousand valiant men, A noble sight to see! 10 A cloud o' mist them weel conceal'd, As close as e'er might be. When they came to the Shaw burn,[L13] Said he, "Sae weel we frame, I think it is convenient 15 That we should sing a psalm."[L16] When they came to the Lingly burn,[L17] As daylight did appear, They spy'd an aged father, And he did draw them near. 20