172 THE HospiTaL OF SANQUHAR. 
quhar, about a quarter of a mile south-east of the Royal Burgh. 
It stood on the little knoll known as the “King’s Scaur,’’ 
between the river Nith and the “ King’s Burn.’’ Standing on 
this eminence, it could easily be observed by anyone who needed 
its succour or shelter. This one owed its foundation to the 
Rosses of Sanquhar and Ryehill, and in all likelihood to that 
Sir Robert who, as is related in a curious old metrical romance 
—only a fragment of which is now extant—joined with other 
Nithsdale Barons in the crusade under Richard Coeur-de-Lion, 
which in 1190 set out to drive the infidel from the Holy Land. 
In the interesting old ballade we are told how 
“‘The stalwart Richard, England’s Gloire 
To Haly Eardt was bown; 
His brand he branglit sae brilzean, 
He dang the dour Mahoun. 
The stark and Hawtaue Maccusweel, 
Then of stranid sae grene, 
Had graithed him with the Holy Corse 
To fare with Englande’s Kynge. 
Sir Roger de Kilpatrick, 
Child of Killosburns towers, 
Had in his basnet heezed the corse 
Zeid frae his lady’s bowers. 
Sir Rab, the Ross o’ gentil Laits, 
Thane of Hie Sanchar’s Peel, 
On his caprousie heezed the Corse, 
He stalwart was and leel. 
Torthorwald’s stark and douchty wight, 
Zeid with the valiant throng, 
Myself graithed out in Abergown 
Went in the lave amang. 
In twa-score carvels frae Cockpool 
We brilzean London raucht 
A mighty meany valiant thrang 
Wha fremit ferlies saucht. 
Wi’ winsome fasche away we sailed 
Far ower the sea sae braid, 
At Scauderson we rowed tae swaird 
For Haly Eardt we gaed.”’’ 
There are in all fourteen verses left of the ballad, which is 
preserved in a manuscript of the late Dr Grierson, Thornhill. 
