INTO BALLAD-LAND. 93 



Apart from association, much of the Tweed's beauty among 

 rivers is due to its curving, well-wooded banks much more, 

 perhaps, to its shallowness in proportion to its width, which 

 lends it an irresistibly seductive summer-murmur. In autumn 

 the russet woods which overhang it form a veritable golden gate 

 to the rich feast of beauty which the pilgrim of song has before 

 him. Beyond the modern and melancholy Twizell Castle the 

 Till is crossed, deep and sullen-looking, with a trout leaping here 

 and there, but not unsuited in character to the slaughter which 

 took place on the neighbouring Flodden. Well may the 

 Scottish lassie here take up her lament, 



" Oh, the haymaking's pleasant in bright, sunny June, 

 The hay-time is cheery when hearts are in tune ; 

 But while others are joking and laughing sae free, 

 There's a pang at my heart and a tear i' my e'e. 



At e'en i' the gloaming adoun by the burn, 

 Fu' dowie and wae, aft I daunder and mourn ; 

 Amang the lang broom I sit greeting alane, 

 And sigh for my dear and the days that are gane." 



And still more plaintively in the well-known " Flowers of the 

 Forest," 



" Dool and wae for the order sent our lads to the Border ! 



The English, for ance, by guile won the day. 

 The flowers o' the forest, that fought aye the foremost, 

 The praise o' our land, are cauld in the clay. 



We'll hear nae mair lilting at the ewe-milking, 



Women and bairns are heartless and wae, 

 Sighing and moaning on ilka green loaning ; 



The flowers o' the forest are a' wede awae." 



" Norham's castled steep " comes speedily into view, stand- 

 ing grim and gaunt and massive against the sky. Though 

 reputed " the dangerust place in England," it was taken by the 

 Scots just before Flodden. The feudal spirit still lingers in the 

 peasantry of this district ; one told us with much scorn, speak- 



