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THE DUEL OF WHARTON AND STUART. 259 |
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THE DUEL OP WHARTON AND STUART.
Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, iii. 17.
The unhappy event upon which the following ballad is founded took place under the reign of James the VI.
" The sufferers in this melancholy affair were both men of high birth, the heirs-apparent of two noble families, and youths of the most promising expectation. Sir James Stuart was a knight of the Bath, and eldest son of Walter, first Lord Blantyre, by Nicholas, daughter of Sir James Somerville of Cambusnethan. Sir George Wharton was also a knight of the Bath, and eldest son of Philip, Lord Wharton, by Frances, daughter of Henry Clifford, Earl of Cumberland. He married Anne, daughter of the Earl of Rutland, but left no issue." Scott.
This ballad was printed in the first edition of RhV son's Ancient Songs, p. 199, from a black-letter copy in Major Pearson's collection, (afterwards part of the Roxburghe.) Scott's version appears to have been obtained from James Hogg. " Two verses have been added," says Sir Walter, " and one considerably improved, from Mr. Ritson's edition. These three stanzas are the fifth and ninth of Part First, and the penult verse of Part Second. I am thus particular, that the reader may be able, if he pleases, to compare the traditional ballad with the original edition. It furnishes striking evidence, that ' without characters, fame lives long.' The difference chiefly to be, re- |
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