452 Notes on Branxholme. By W. Eliott Lockhart. 



Previous to his going abroad, Buccleuch had been appointed 

 Keeper of Liddisdale. On his return he was re-appointed in 

 1 594 ; and on the 4th Oct. proclamation was ordered to be made 

 at the market crosses of Duns, Kelso, Jedburgh, Hawick, and 

 Selkirk, charging the wardens of the East and Middle Marches, 

 and lieges, to give him every assistance. 1 



The duties appertaining to the office were very arduous and 

 important, and of the same character as those of Warden. Buc- 

 cleuch's readiness to perform them and to " rise to the fraye," is 

 illustrated in the ballad of " Jamie Telfer of the Fair Dodhead." 



" The Captain of Bewcastle hath bound him to ryde, 

 And he's ower to Tividale to drive a prey. 



And whan they cam to the fair Dodhead, 



Eight hastily they clam the peel ; 

 They loosed the kye out, ane and a' 



And ranshackled the house right weel. 

 Now Jamie Telfer' s heart was sair, 



The tear aye rowing in his e'e." 



And after running ten miles afoot, he received but a cold welcome at 

 Stob's Ha' from Auld Gibbie Elliot, who bade him 



" Gae seek your succour at Branksome Ha', 

 For succour ye'se get nane frae me ! 

 Gae seek your succour where ye paid black mail, 

 For, man! ye ne'er paid money to me." 

 He was better treated at Coultart Clench by Jock Grieve, who set him 

 on his " bonny black," and again at Catslock hill by William's Wat, for 

 " He's set his twa sons on coal black steeds, 

 Himsel' upon a freckled gray, 

 And they are on wi' Jamie Telfer, 



To Branksome Ha' to tak the fray. 

 And when they cam to Branksome Ha,' 



They shouted a' baith loud and hie, ' 

 Till up and spak him auld Buccleuch, 



Said, — " Whae's this brings the fraye to me ?" 



" Gar warn the water, braid and wide, 

 Gar warn it sune and hastilie, 

 They that winna ride for Telfer' s kye, 

 Let them never look in the face o' me!" 



The Scots they rade, the Scots they ran, 



Sae starkly and sae steadilie ! 

 And aye the ower-word o' the thrang, 



Was — " Rise for Branksome readilie ! " 



1 Scotts of Buccleuch, I., p. 178. Register Privy Council, vol. v., p. 178. 



