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

LAY OF THE LAST MINSTREL. 227
were thereto more encouraged for the better advancement of your highnes service, the said Lord of Buclough beyng always a mortall enemy to this your
Graces realme, and he dyd say, within xiii days before
he woulde see who durst lie near hym; wt many other
cruell words, the knowledge whereof was certainly
haid to my said servaunts, before theyre enterprice
maid vpon him; most humbly beseeching your majesty,
that youre highnes thanks may concur vnto theyme
whose names be here inclosed, and to have in your
most gracious memory, the paynfilll and diligent service of my pore servaunte Wharton, and thus, as I am
most bounden, shall dispose wt them that be under me
f.... annoysaunce of your highnes enemys."
In resentment of this foray, Buccleuch, with other
Border chiefs, assembled an army of 3000 riders, with
which they penetrated into Northumberland, and laid
waste the country as far as the banks of Bramish.
They baffled, or defeated, the English forces opposed
to them, and returned loaded with prey.-PINKERTON'S History, vol. ii. p. 318.
NOTE D.
Bards long shall tell,
How Lord Walter fell.-P. 47.
Sir Walter Scott of Buccleuch succeeded to his
grandfather, Sir David, in 1492. He was a brave and
powerful baron, and Warden of the West Marches of
Scotland. His death was the consequence of a feud
betwixt the Scotts and Kerrs, the history of which is
necessary to explain repeated allusions in the romance.