It has been suggested to the Editor, that this ballad covertly alludes to the indiscreet partiality which Queen Anne of Denmark is said to have shown for the bonny Earl of Murray; and which is supposed to have influenced the fate of that unhappy nobleman. Let the reader judge for himself.

The following account of the murder is given by a contemporary writer, and a person of credit.-Sir James Balfour, knight, Lyon King of Arms, whose MS. of the Annals of Scotland is in the Advocates' library at Edinburgh.

"The seventh of Febry, this zeire,' 1592, the Earle of Murray was cruelly murthered by the Earle of Huntley at his house in Dunibrissel in Fyffe-shyre, and with him Dunbar, sheriffe of Murray. It was given out and publickly talkt, that the Earle of Huntley was only the instrument of perpetrating this facte, to satisfie the King's jealousie of Murray, quhum the Queene, more rashely than wisely, some few days before had commendit in the King's hearing, with too many epithets of a proper and gallant man. The reasons of these surmises proceedit from a proclamatione of the Kings, the 13 of Marche following; inhibiteine the zoung Earle of Murray to persue the Earle of Huntley, for his father's slaughter, in respect he being wardeit [imprisoned] in the castell of Blacknesse for the same murther, was willing to abide a tryall, averring that he had done nothing but by the King's majesties commissione; and was neither airt nor part in the murther." The ballad is here given from a copy printed not long since at Glasgow, in one sheet, 8vo. The world was indebted for its publication to the Lady Jean Hume, sister to the Earle of Hume, who died at Gibraltar.

1 [Year.]

MARY AMBREE.

HEN captains courageous, whom death could not

daunt,

Did march to the siege of the city of Gaunt,1 They mustered their soldiers by two and by three, And the foremost in battle was Mary Ambree.

When brave Sir John Major was slain in her sight,
Who was her true lover, her joy, and delight,
Because he was slain most treacherouslee,
Then vowed to revenge him Mary Ambree.

She clothed herself from the top to the toe,
In buff of the bravest, most seemly to show ;
A faire shirt of mail then slipped on she:
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

A helmet of proof she straight did provide,
A strong arming-sword she girt by her side,
On her hand a goodly fair gauntlet put she:
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?
1 [Ghent.]

Then took she her sword and her target in hand,
Bidding all such, as would, be of her band;
To wait on her person came thousand and three :
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

"My soldiers," she saith, "so valiant and bold,
Now follow your captain, whom you do behold;
Still foremost in battle myself will I be :"
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

Then cried out her soldiers, and loud they did say,
"So well thou becomest this gallant array,
Thy heart and thy weapons so well do agree,
No maiden was ever like Mary Ambree."

She cheered her soldiers, that foughten for life,
With ancient and standard, with drum and with fife,
With brave clanging trumpets, that sounded so free ;
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

"Before I will see the worst of you all

To come into danger of death or of thrall,
This hand and this life I will venture so free :"
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree ?

She led up her soldiers in battle array,

'Gainst three times their number by break of the day;

Seven hours in skirmish continued she:

Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

She filled the skies with the smoke of her shot,
And her enemies' bodies with bullets so hot;
For one of her own men a score killed she:
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

And when her false gunner, to spoil her intent,
Away all her pellets and powder had sent,

Straight with her keen weapon she slashed him in three:
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

Being falsely betrayed for lucre of hire,

At length she was forced to make a retire;
Then her soldiers into a strong castle drew she:
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?

Her foes they beset her on every side,
As thinking close siege she could never abide;
To beat down the walls they all did decree:
But stoutly defied them brave Mary Ambree.

Then took she her sword and her target in hand,
And mounting the walls all undaunted did stand,
There daring their captains to match three:

any

O what a brave captain was Mary Ambree!