THE POPULAR RIIYTIINES OF BERWICKSHIRE. 147 



phecy is supposed to refer to those agricultural improvements which have 

 in part resulted from the use of lime ; the " stane that came wi* Leader,' 

 which in many instances enriched those who were the first improvers, 

 but which also unfortunately engendered an expensive style of living in 

 their immediate successors, which led to their ultimate ruin. 



5. " Vengeance ! vengeance I when ? and where ? 



Upon the house o* Cowdenknowes, now and evermair." 



The proprietors of Cowdenknowes were in the days of the Covenan- 

 ters, of a persecuting disposition, and several traditional stories are re- 

 lated of their cruelty ; hence these lines are often in the mouths of the 

 common people to indicate that vengeance will yet come upon that 

 house, for the evils which it inflicted on the godly in former times. Cow- 

 denknowes, so celebrated in song for its " bonny broom," lies near the 

 village of Earlstoun, and is the property of Professor Home of Edin- 

 burgh. Part of the present mansion-house is very old, and in this part 

 of it the unfortunate Queen Mary lodged for a night or two. We observed 

 that this estate was lately advertised for sale. 



6. " Betide, betide, whate'er betide, 



There'll ay be a Haig in Bemerside." 



The ancient family of Haig have been in the possession of Bemerside 

 for many hundred years. " The grandfather of the present proprietor of 

 Bemerside had twelve daughters before his lady brought him a male heir. 

 The common people trembled for the credit of their favourite soothsayer. 

 The late Mr Haig was at length born, and their belief in the prophecy 

 confirmed beyond a shadow of doubt." * 



7. " At Threeburn Grange on an after day, 



There sail be a lang and bludy fray ; 



Where a three-thumbed wight by the reins sal hald 



Three kings horse baith stout and bauld, 



And the Three burns, three days will rin 



Wi' the blude o' the slain that fa' therein." 



Thirty years ago this rythme was very popular in the east end of Ber- 

 wickshire, and about the time of the French Revolution a person of the 

 name of Douglas was born in the parish of Coldingham, with an excres- 

 cence on one of his hands, which bore some resemblance to a third thumb. 

 Of course the superstitious believed that this was to be the identical 

 " three-thumbed wight" of the Rythmer, and nothing was looked for 

 but a fearful accomplishment of the prophecy. Threeburn Grange, or 

 Grains, is a place a little above the Press, where three small rills meet 

 and form the water of Ale. 



Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, vol. iv. p. 150. 



