Note 49 — V. SONGS AND BALLADS.
Reading edition
“Scots Wha Hae” in one chapbook version began as follows:—
“Near Bannockburn King Edward lay, The Scots they were not far away; Each eye bent on the break of day, Glimm’ring frae the east. “At last the sun shone o’er the heath, Which lighted up the field of death, While Bruce, with soul-inspiring breath, His heroes thus addressed.”
Then followed the version, according to Burns, to which these stanzas were added by way of finish:—
“Now fury kindled every eye, ‘Forward! forward!’ was the cry; ‘Forward, Scotland, do or die!’ And where’s the knave shall turn? “At last they all run to the fray, Which gave to Scotland liberty; And long did Edward rue the day He came to Bannockburn.”
Thomson’s monstrous interpolations are kindly, compared with these verses.