“The ballad is remarkable,” observes Sir Walter Scott, “as containing probably the very latest allusion to the institution of brotherhood in arms.” And he goes on to say: “The quarrel of the two old chieftains over their wine is highly in character. Two generations have not elapsed [1803] since the custom of drinking deep and taking deadly revenge for slight offences produced very tragical events on the border; to which the custom of going armed to festive meetings contributed not a little.” Scott’s later edition is translated by Loève-Veimars, p. 323; by Rosa Warrens, Schottische Volkslieder der Vorzeit, p. 99, No 22. * * * * * 1 Old Grahame [he] is to Carlisle gone, Where Sir Rob_ert_ Bewick there met he; In arms to the wine they are gone, And drank till they were both merry. 2 Old Grahame he took up the cup, And said, ‘Brother Bewick, here’s to thee; And here’s to our two sons at home, For they live best in our country.’ 3 ‘Nay, were thy son as good as mine, And of some books he could but read, With sword and buckler by his side, To see how he could save his head, 4 ‘They might have been calld two bold brethren Where ever they did go or ride; They might [have] been calld two bold brethren, They might have crackd the Border-side. 5 ‘Thy son is bad, and is but a lad, And bully to my son cannot be; For my son Bewick can both write and read, And sure I am that cannot he.’ 6 ‘I put him to school, but he would not learn, I bought him books, but he would not read; But my blessing he’s never have Till I see how his hand can save his head.’ 7 Old Grahame called for an account, And he askd what was for to pay; There he paid a crown, so it went round, Which was all for good wine and hay. 8 Old Grahame is into the stable gone, Where stood thirty good steeds and three; He’s taken his own steed by the head, And home rode he right wantonly. 9 When he came home, there did he espy, A loving sight to spy or see, There did he espy his own three sons, Young Christy Grahame, the foremost was he. 10 There did he espy his own three sons, Young Christy Grahame, the foremost was he: ‘Where have you been all day, father, That no counsel you would take by me?’ 11 ‘Nay, I have been in Carlisle town, Where Sir Robert Bewick there met me; He said thou was bad, and calld thee a lad, And a baffled man by thou I be. 12 ‘He said thou was bad, and calld thee a lad, And bully to his son cannot be; For his son Bewick can both write and read, And sure I am that cannot thee. 13 ‘I put thee to school, but thou would not learn. I bought thee books, but thou would not read; But my blessing thou’s never have Till I see with Bewick thou can save thy head.’