"
But no other interpolations by another hand WERE inserted! Some
verbal emendations were made by Scott, but he never put in a stanza
or two lines of his own.
Colonel Elliot provides us with six pages of the Higher Criticism.
He knows how to distinguish between verses by Hogg, and verses by
Scott! {32a} But, save when Scott puts one line, a ballad formula,
where Hogg has another line, Scott makes no interpolations, and the
ballad formula he probably took, with other things of no more
importance, from Mrs. Hogg's recitation. Oh, Higher Criticism!
I now print the ballad as Hogg sent it to Laidlaw, between August
1801 and March 1802, in all probability.
[Back of Hogg's MS.: Mr. William Laidlaw, Blackhouse.]
OLD MAITLAND
A VERY ANTIENT SONG
There lived a king in southern land
King Edward hecht his name
Unwordily he wore the crown
Till fifty years was gane.
He had a sister's son o's ain
Was large o' blood and bane
And afterwards when he came up,
Young Edward hecht his name.
One day he came before the king,
And kneeld low on his knee
A boon a boon my good uncle,
I crave to ask of thee
"At our lang wars i' fair Scotland
I lang hae lang'd to be
If fifteen hunder wale wight men
You'll grant to ride wi' me.
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