Archibald Douglas Ballad
Theodor Fontane wrote several ballads with a Scottish setting, and he
had a soft spot for the Douglas clan. Fontane's a bit free with the
history, but it's a good ballad.
The Archibald Douglas of the
ballad is the historical Archibald Douglas 6th Earl of Angus 1489-1557).
He was one of the tutors of King James V (called King Jakob in the
German version). Once James had enough of being tutored and escaped his
guardians, Archibald, his brother George Douglas of Pittendreich, his
uncle, and several other nobles had to flee into exile, and the king
took it out on the remaining Douglases (like Archibald's sister, Lady
Glamis). Earl Archibald did indeed try to return from exile, supported
by King Henry VIII of England, but - contrary to the ballad - he could
only do so afterr James' death in 1542.
For seven years I've borne it now.
And no
longer will I bear.
Wherever the world most beautiful,
To
me it was waste and bare.
I will thus stand before his
face
In this my humble guise.
He can't refuse the ardent
pleas
Of a man who has grown old.
And if he bears the
ancient grudge
Fresh like he first it felt,
Then come
whatever there shall be,
And come what is my fate.
Earl Douglas spoke, and on hard stone
He rested by the road.
He gazed towards the wood and fields
Until his eyes fell
shut.
He was garbed in a byrnie hard and worn,
Covered
by pilgrim's robe -
Lo! listen, from the woods a sound
Of
horns and hunting hounds.
In a whirl of dust and gravel
came
A-chasing harrier and men,
And ere the earl drew
himself up,
Mount and rider were upon.
King James sat
on his destrier proud;
Earl Douglas bent his knee.
The
king felt reddening his cheek,
When Douglas called aloud.
Sire, look at me with grace.
And listen with restraint.
Whatev'r my brothers did to you:
It never was my crime. |
Do not recall the Douglas-spite
So stubborn
in your heart.
Remenber but your childhood time,
When I
held you on my lap.
Oh, remember Stirling's castle yards,
Where I carved you toys to play
Where arrows I made, and
first you rode
Your father's dappled bay.
Oh, remember
the hall of Linlithgow,
The lake and the fowling place,
Where I taught you to hunt and fish and swim
And run with the
deer apace.
Oh, remember all that once has been
And
soften your stern mind.
I have atoned since severn years
That I'm of Douglas' kind.
I see you not, Earl Archbald,
I cannot hear your voice.
There is a rustling in the woods,
Whisp'ring of aulden time.
Sweet is the rustling to my
ears,
And listening I will;
But in between there is a cry:
He is a Douglas, still!
I do not see you, nor hear your
voice;
It's all that I can do.
A Douglas here in front of
me,
A lost man he would be. |
King James spurred his mount ahead,
Uphill
now led the way.
Earl Douglas took the bridle tight.
And
stayed by the royal side.
The path was steep and hot the
sun,
And heavy was his mail;
But though he almost broke to
ground,
He still ran alongside.
Kimg James, I was your
seneshall,
No longer will I be.
Grant me but to attend
your mount;
Myself I will him feed.
Myself I'll water
your destrier,
And make his bedding smooth.
But let me
breathe anew the air
Of my forefathers' home.
Or else,
my king, take courage then,
And I will thank it thee -
And
draw your sword and hit me well,
And let me perish here.
King James alighted from his horse -
A shine was on his
face -
The broad sword he unsheathed with ease,
But never
let it fall.
Take, it, my friend, bear it anew,
And
guard again my rest.
Who loves his home so ardently,
Is
true deep in his breast!
To horse, we'll ride to
Linlithgow;
Once more you'll ride by my side.
There we
will hunt and fisht with joy,
As in times gone by
|
See video:
http://douglashistory.ning.com/video/ferdinand-frantz-singt-archibald-douglas-teil-ii
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