* * * * *
It's most clear a freebooter doth live in hazard's train;
A freebooter's a cavalier that ventures life for gain:
But, since King James the Sixth to England went,
Ther has been no cause of grief;
And he that hath transgress'd since then,
Is no _Freebooter_, but a _Thief_.
_History of the name of Scott_.
The inhabitants of the inland counties did not understand these subtle
distinctions. Sir David Lindsay, in the curious drama, published by
Mr Pinkerton, introduces, as one of his _dramatis personae, Common
Thift_, a borderer, who is supposed to come to Fife to steal the Earl
of Rothes' best hackney, and Lord Lindsay's brown jennet. _Oppression_
also (another personage there introduced), seems to be connected with
the borders; for, finding himself in danger, he exclaims,--
War God that I were sound and haill,
Now liftit into Liddesdail;
The Mers sowld fynd me beiff and caill,
What rack of breid?
War I thair lyftit with my lyfe,
The devill sowld styk me with a knyffe,
An' ever I cum agane in Fyfe,
Till I were deid.--
_Pinkerton's Scotish Poems_, Vol. II p. 180.
Again, when _Common Thift_ is brought to condign punishment, he
remembers his border friends in his dying speech:
The widdefow wardanis tuik my geir,
And left me nowthir horse nor meir,
Nor erdly gud that me belangit;
Now, walloway! I mon be hangit.
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