THE

EVE OF SAINT JOHN.

SMAYLHO'ME, or Smallholm tower, the scene of the following ballad, is situated on the northern boundary of Roxburgshire, among a cluster of wild rocks, called Sandiknowcrags, the property of Hugh Scott, Esq., of Harden. The tower is a high square building, surrounded by an outer wall, now ruinous. The circuit of the outer court, being defended, on three sides, by a precipice and morass, is accessible only from the west, by a steep and rocky path. The apartments, as is usual in a border-keep, or fortress, are placed one above another, and communicate by a narrow stair; on the roof are two bartizans, or platforms, for defence or pleasure. The inner door of the tower is wood, the outer, an iron grate: the distance between them being nine feet, the thickness, namely, of the wall. From the elevated situation of Smaylho'me Tower, it is seen many miles in every direction. Among the crags, by which it is surrounded, one, more eminent, is called, The Watchfold; and is said to have been the station of a beacon, in the times of war with England. Without the towercourt is a ruined chapel. Brotherstone is a heath, in the neighbourhood of Smaylho'me Tower.

This ancient fortress and its vicinity formed the scene of the author's infancy, and seemed to claim from him this attempt to celebrate them in a border tale. The catastrophe of the tale is founded upon a well known Irish tradition.

THE

EVE OF SAINT JOHN.

THE Baron of Smaylho'me rose with day,
He spurred his courser on,

Without stop or stay, down the rocky way,
That leads to Brotherstone.

He went not with the bold Buccleuch,
His banner broad to rear;

He went not 'gainst the English yew,

To lift the Scottish spear.

Yet his plate-jack* was braced, and his helmet was laced,

And his vaunt-brace of proof he wore;

At his saddle-gerthe was a good steel sperthe,
Full ten pound weight and more.

The Baron returned in three days' space,

And his looks were sad and sour;

And weary was his courser's pace,

As he reached his rocky tower.

* The plate-jack is coat armour; the vaunt-brace, or wambrace, armour for the body; the sperthe, a battle ax.

He came not from where Ancram Moor*

Ran red with English blood;

Where the Douglas true, and the bold Buccleuch, 'Gainst keen lord Evers stood.

Yet was his helmet hacked and hewed,
His acton pierced and tore;

His ax and his dagger with blood embrued,
But it was not English gore.

He lighted at the Chapellage,

He held him close and still;

And he whistled thrice for his little foot page,
His name was English Will.

"Come thou hither, my little foot page;

Come hither to my knee;

Though thou art young, and tender of age,
I think thou art true to me.

"Come, tell me all that thou hast seen, And look thou tell me true!

Since I from Smaylho'me have been,

What did thy lady do?"

"My lady, each night, sought the lonely light, That burns on the wild Watchfold;

* See an account of the battle of Ancram Moor, subjoined to the ballad.