THIS Ballad is founded on a legend appertaining to Thirlwall, whose proprietors in remote times were called Barons, and held under the Kings of Scotland as Lords of Tindale. The township and manor derives its name from the Roman thralling or barrier wall running through it. To "thirll," in the old Northumbrian dialect, means to bind or enthral. Thirlwall Castle stands on a rocky precipice above the river Tiffalt; there is no mention of it before 1369, in which year John de Thirlwall is called lord of it, and the manor of Thirlwall. *The following is the fragment given by Mr. Herd, "to the tune of Leaderhaughs and Yarrow:" "I dream'd a dreary dream last night; I dream'd I pu'd the birk sae green, "I'll read your dream, my sister dear, Have wrought me dule and sorrow The legend on which part of the Ballad is founded is as follows. One of the Barons of Thirlwall returned from the foreign wars, laden with abundance of treasure, amongst which was a table of solid gold; his wealth was much spoken of, and often excited the cupidity of the numerous band of freebooters with which the Border abounded; but the well known bravery of the Baron and the strength of his followers prevented them from making an open attack. The gold table, it was affirmed, was guarded day and night by a hideous dwarf; some said it was the foul fiend himself. In a predatory excursion, the Baron was pursued home by the incensed Warden of the March, who stormed his castle, and slew the Baron and most part of his retainers. The castle was ransacked for the treasure; but the gold table, dwarf, and money bags had disappeared. Dungeons and vaults were searched, but nothing could be found; and after setting fire to the castle, the victors retired. The dwarf (according to tradition) during the heat of the engagement, removed the treasure, and throwing it into a deep well jumped in after it, when by his infernal art he closed the well over himself and his charge: and it is said that he still remains under the influence of a spell, only to be broken by the virtuous son of a widow. About fifty years And swatchers mony ane, The boldest ane o' a' his men Was Jockey of the Sheugh; ago, a man who was ploughing in an adjoin- | But the Baron hath retainers bold, Naworth Castle, the abode of that famous warrior Belted Will, stood near Brampton in Cumberland. It was burnt down in 1844. Lord Morpeth is erecting a stately edifice on its ashes. For a description of this Border soldier and his dwelling, see Scott's notes to his Lay of the Last Minstrel. In the Memoirs of Sir Robert Carey, then deputy for his father, Lord Hunsden, Warden of the Eastern Marches (and afterwards Earl of Monmouth), a singular picture will be found of the rude and lawless state of society, at the period when the scene of the Ballad is laid. They went along a close passage, Discoveries made during the removal of the ruins, corroborate this and other allusions made in the Ballad. THE Baron of Thirlwall came from the wars, Among the which a fayre tabel, All of the beaten gold. Jock could warsle, run or lap But Thirlwall's Baron heeded not He can rule all the Border roun', Wi' a peeled willey wan; So fast come tidings of ravin wrong "But he is like a wily tod, That taketh to his hole, "He reaves and harries ilka ane, Ise lay a trap for him bedeen, Thirlwall's Baron heard his speech, 40 45 |