EBBA 34262
National Library of Scotland - Rosebery
Ballad XSLT Template
AN
[AC]COUNT of the Life and tragical End of Alaster Mackalaster,
[w]ho was hanged at Aberdeen the 31st of May, 1723.
To the Tune of, Captain Johnstons's Lament.
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INTO a Place in Argile shire
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called Cambeltoun by Name,
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One Alaster Mackalaster
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Who once lived in the same.
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2 A Merchant as himself did say,
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But others said not so;
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Yet afterwards as ye shall hear,
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He wrought himself much Woe.
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3 He being then reduc'd to Straits
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Not knowing how to shift
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He choos'd a Foreigner for to be:
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Or else to live by Theft.
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4 For as he past from place to place,
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As many did confess;
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He forced ay some Charity,
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From some more, from some less.
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5 If I have not forgot the Time
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It was in the Month of June.
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As he behav'd where he had past,
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So did in Aberdeen.
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6 He terrified some Families.
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Especially their Wives
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Made them cry out, finding themselves
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In hazard of their Lives.
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7 How soon the Magiestrat's did hear
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That he behaved so.
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Some Serjants of the Town were sent
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In search of him to go.
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8 Who being apprehended there,
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Was into Prison cast.
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And when enquir'd could give no count.
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How's former Life he'd past,
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9 They asked at him who was his Wife
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He told a publick Ly,
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As afterwards it prov'd sore:
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When they the Truth did try.
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10 But now my Heart begins to quake,
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This Story to rehearse.
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Unless acted be savage Men,
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The like's not found in Verse.
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11 The Wretch was kept into a Room,
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And Locks made fast thereon
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Who then out of the Prison Floor
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Did dig up many a Stone.
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12 Yet though by those unhappy works
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Could do himself no good.
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As afterwards it did appear:
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But only thirst for Blood.
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13 The Keeper's Servant he came up
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To give him in some Food.
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At whom he threw one of those Stones
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Which struck him in the Head.
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14 Being thrown with such Violence,
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It struck down to his Brains.
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The Prisoners when they heard that
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Cry'd out and made Alarms.
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15 The Keeper's Servant was brought home:
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And in his Bed was laid,
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And within two Days after that
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By that same Stroke he dy'd.
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16 That Wretch was now made fast in Iron,
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Who studied all his will;
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And sharpned the Ends of them
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Some others for to kill.
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17 But the good hand of Providence
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his cruelty did prevent.
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Although that he was bent on Blood,
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He got not his Intent.
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18 And being brought before that Lord;
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That was his Judge to be;
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He speechless stood as all beheld,
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So self-condem'd was he.
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19 His Lordship then at him did ask,
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If he had any to plead;
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Desiring him for to confess
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His cruel Bloody deed.
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20 Upon the thirty first of May
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This sentence was laid on:
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For to be hung up by the Neck
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Betwixt the Cross and Trone.
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21 A Death too good for Bloody Men.
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Who of GOD have no fear;
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Which doth conclude a Story sad,
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As on cane wish to hear.
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22 Let every one who read these Lines
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Seek Grace their Lives to spend;
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If Sin be Loved be thee or me,
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You see where it may end.
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The Keeper's Name was Alexander Leonard.
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