The poetical works of Sir Walter Scott, with memoir of the author.

274 APPENDIX TO THE
feuds among them;) and therefore I resolved with
myself to give them a fair answer, but not to give them
their desire. So I told them, that if I were not there
myself, they might then do what they pleased themselves; but being present, if I should give them leave,
the blood that should be spilt that day would lie very
hard upon my conscience. And therefore, I desired
them, for my sake, to forbear; and, if the Scots did
not presently make away with all the speed they could,
upon my sending to them, they should then have their
wills to do what they pleased. They were ill satisfied
with my answer, but durst not disobey. I sent with
speed to the Scots, and bade them pack away with
all the speed they could; for, if they stayed the messenger's return, they should few of them return to
their own home. They made no stay; but they were
returned homewards before the messenger had made an
end of his message. Thus, by God's mercy, I escaped
a great danger; and, by my means, there were a great
many men's lives saved that day."
NOTE Y.
Show'd southern ravage was begun.-P. 120.
From the following fragment of a letter from the
Earl of Northumberland to King Henry VIII., preserved among the Cotton MSS. Calig. B. vii. 179,
the reader may estimate the nature of the dreadful
war which was occasionally waged upon the Borders,
sharpened by mutual cruelties, and the personal hatred
of the wardens, or leaders.