FOOTBALL AND ITS TRADITIONS 305 



the occasion. " The Lifting of the Banner " was Scott's 

 contribution, from which I quote the following spirited 

 stanzas : — 



" From the brown crest of Newark its summons extending, 

 Our signal is waving in smoke and in flame ; 

 And each forester bhthe from his mountain descending 

 Bounds hght o'er the heather to join in the game. 



Then up with the Banner, let forest winds fan her. 

 She has blazed over Ettrick eight ages and more ; 



In sport well attend her, in battle defend her, 

 With heart and with hand, like our fathers before. 



A stripling's weak hand to our revel has borne her, 



No mail-glove has grasp'd her, no spearmen surround ; 



But ere a bold foeman should scathe or should scorn her, 

 A thousand true hearts would be cold on the ground. 



Then strip, lads, and to it, though sharp be the weather. 

 And if, by mischance, you should happen to fall. 



There are worse things in life than a tumble on heather, 

 And life is itself but a game at football. 



And when it is over, we'll drink a blithe measure 



To each Laird and each Lady that witness'd our fun, 



And to every blithe heart that took part in our pleasure, 

 To the lads that have lost and the lads that have won. 



Then up with the Banner, let forest winds fan her. 

 She has blazed over Ettrick eight ages and more ; 



In sport we'll attend her, in battle defend her. 

 With heart and with hand, like our fathers before." 



James Hogg's contribution was what Lockhart calls that 

 excellent ditty entitled " The Ettrick Garland to the Ancient 

 Banner of the House of Buccleuch " : — 



" And hast thou here, like hermit grey. 

 Thy mystic character unrolled. 

 O'er peaceful revelles to play. 

 Thou emblem of the days of old? 



All hail ! memorial of the brave. 



The liegeman's pride, the Border's awe; 



May thy grey pennon never wave 

 O'er sterner field than Carterhaugh ! " 



Cricket has found its vates sacer in Mr Norman Gale, who 

 has dedicated a pretty little volume of songs to the game; 

 but the only bard who has ever made reference to football 

 is he who brought such a storm of execration on his head 

 by writing of " flannelled fools and muddied oafs." And 



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