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

LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. 295
Their crest, supporters, and hunting-horn,
Show their beginning from hunting came;
Their name, and style, the book doth say,
John gained them both into one day."
WATT'S Bellenden.
The Buccleuch arms have been altered, and now
allude less pointedly to this hunting, whether real or
fabulous. The family now bear Or, upon a bend azure,
a mullet betwixt two crescents of the field; in addition to which, they formerly bore in the field a hunting horn.' The supporters, now two ladies, were formerly a hound and buck, or, according to the old
terms, a hart of leash and a hart of Greece. The
family of Scott, of Howpasley and Thirlestaine, long
retained the bugle-horn; they also carried a bent bow
and arrow in the sinister cantle, perhaps as a difference. It is said the motto was, —Best riding by moonto another in ships, became theeves, and went abroad under
the conduct of their more puissant men, both to enrich themselves, and Jto fetch in maintenance for the weak; and falling
upon towns unfortified, or scatteringly inhabited, rifled them,
and made this the best means of thear living; being a matter at that time no where in disgrace, but rather carrying
with it something of glory. This is manifest by some that
dwell upon the continent, amongst whom, so it be performed
nobly, it is still esteemed as an ornament. The same is also
proved by somne of the ancient poets, who introduced men
questioning of such as sail by, on all coasts alike, whether
they be theeves or not; as a thyng neyther scorned by'such
as were asked, nor upbraided by those who were desirous to
know. They also robbed one another, within the main land;
and much of Greece useth that old custome, as the Locrians,
the Acarnanians, and those of the continent in that quarter,
unto this day. Moreover, the fashion of wearing iron remaineth vet with the people of that continent, from their old
trade of theeving." —HOBBES'S Thucydides, p. 4. Lond.