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mutilate by attempting to repeat it. It was my fortune, upon one occasion, to hear a horse, in a moment of agony, utter a thrilling scream, which I still consider the most melancholy sound I ever heard.

22.

Lord of the Isles, my trust in thee
Is firm as Ailsa-rock;

Rush on with highland sword and targe;

Although the success of this manœuvre was evident, it is very remarkable that the Scottish generals do not appear to have profited by the lesson. Almost every subsequent battle which they lost against England was decided by the archers, to whom the close and compact array of the Scottish phalanx afforded an exposed and unresisting mark. The bloody battle of Halidon-hill, fought scarce I, with my Carrick spearmen, charge.-P. 283. twenty years afterward, was so completely gained by the archers, that the English are said to have When the engagement between the main bodies lost only one knight, one esquire, and a few foot- had lasted some time, Bruce made a decisive soldiers. At the battle of Neville's Cross, in 1346, movement, by bringing up the Scottish reserve. where David II was defeated and made prisoner, It is traditionally said, that at this crisis he adJohn de Graham, observing the loss which the dressed the lord of the Isles in a phrase used as a Scots sustained from the English bowmen, offered motto by some of his descendants, "My trust is to charge and disperse them, if a hundred men-at-constant in thee." Barbour intimates, that the arms were put under his command. "But, to con- reserve "assembled on one field," that is, in the fess the truth," says Fordun," he could not procure a single horseman for the service proposed." Of such little use is experience in war, where its results are opposed by habit or prejudice.

19. Each braggart churl could boast before,

Twelve Scottish lives his baldric bore!-P. 282.

Roger Ascham quotes a similar Scottish proverb, "whereby they give the whole praise of shooting honestly to Englishmen, saying thus, 'that every English archer beareth under his girdle twenty-four Scottes.' Indeed, Toxophilus says before, and truly of the Scottish nation, the Scottes surely be good men of warre in theyre owne feates as can be; but as for shootinge, they can neither use it to any profite, nor yet challenge it for any praise.' "-Works of Ascham, edited by 110. p.

Bennet, 4to.

It is said, I trust incorrectly, by an ancient English historian, that the "good lord James of Douglas" dreaded the superiority of the English archers so much, that when he made any of them prisoner, he gave him the option of losing the forefinger of his right hand, or his right eye, either species of mutilation rendering him incapable to use the bow. I have mislaid the reference to this singular passage.

20. Down! down! in headlong overthrow,

Horseman and horse, the foremost go.-P. 282.

same line with the Scottish forces already engaged, which leads Lord Hailes to conjecture, that the Scottish ranks must have been much thinned by slaughter, since, in that circumscribed ground, there was room for the reserve to fall into the line. But the advance of the Scottish cavalry must have contributed a good deal to form the vacancy occupied by the reserve.

23. To arms they flew,-axe, club, or spear,

And mimic ensigns high they rear.-P. 283.
The followers of the Scottish camp observed,
from the Gillies' hill in the rear, the impression
produced upon the English army by the bringing
up of the Scottish reserve, and, prompted by the
enthusiasm of the moment, or the desire of plun-
der, assumed, in a tumultuary manner, such arms
as they found nearest, fastened sheets to tent-poles,
and lances, and showed themselves like a new ar-
my advancing to battle.

Yeomen, and swanys, and pitaill,+
That in the park yemet victual, ̧
Were left; when they wist but lesings
That their lords with full fighting
On their foes assembled were;
One of their selwyn that were there
Captain of them all they made.
And sheets, that were somedale¶ braid,
They fastened instead of banners
Upon long trees and spears.

And said that they would see the fight,
And help their lords at their might.
When here-till all assented were,
In a rout assembled er,**

Fifteen thousand they were, or ma,
And than in great haste gan they go,
With their banners, all in a route,

As they had men been styvett and stout.
They came with all that assembly,
Right till they might the battle see;
Then all at once they gave a cry,
"Slay! Slay! Upon them hastily!"
Barbour's Bruce, vol. ii, Book xiii, pp. 153, 4.

It is generally alleged by historians, that the English men-at-arms fell into the hidden snare which Bruce had prepared for them. Barbour does not mention this circumstance. According to his account, Randolph, seeing the slaughter made by the cavalry on the right wing among the archers, advanced courageously against the main body of the English, and entered into close combat with them. Douglas and Stuart, who commanded the Scottish centre, led their division also to the charge, and the battle becoming general The unexpected apparition, of what seemed a along the whole line, was obstinately maintained new army, completed the confusion which already on both sides for a long space of time; the Scottish prevailed among the English, who fled in every archers doing great execution among the English direction, and were pursued with immense slaugh men-at-arms, after the bowmen of England were ter. The brook of Bannock, according to Barbour, dispersed. was so choked with the bodies of men and horses, that it might have been passed dry-shod. The folI have been told that this line requires an ex-lowers of the Scottish camp fell upon the disheartplanatory note; and, indeed, those who witness the ened fugitives, and added to the confusion and silent patience with which horses submit to the slaughter. Many were driven into the Forth, and most cruel usage may be permitted to doubt that, perished there, which, by the way, could hardly in moments of sudden or intolerable anguish, they have happened, had the armies been drawn up utter a most melancholy cry. Lord Erskine, in a east and west, since in that case, to get at the rivspeech made in the House of Lords, upon a bill er, the English fugitives must have fled through for enforcing humanity towards animals, noticed Swains, Rabble. Kept the provisions. Lying. Somewhat. Selves. Are. + Suff. this remarkable fact, in language which I will not'|

21. And steeds that shriek in agony.-P. 282.

the victorious army. About a short mile from the field de Cambuskyneth concordatum fuit finaliter judiof battle is a place called the Bloody Folds. Here catum [ac super] hoc statutum de consilio et asthe earl of Gloucester is said to have made a stand, sensu episcoporum et ceterorum prelatorum coand died gallantly at the head of his own military mitum baronum et aliorum nobilium regni Scocie tenauts and vassals. He was much regretted by nec non et tocius communitatis regni predicti quod both sides; and it is said the Scottish would glad- omnes qui contra fidem et pacem dicti domini rely have saved his life, but neglecting to wear his gis in bello sue alibi mortui sunt [vel qui dic] to surcoat with armorial bearings over his armour, die ad pacein ejus et fidem non venerant licet sehe fell unknown, after his horse had been stabbed pius vocati et legitime expectati fuissent de terris with spears. et tenementis et omni alio statu intra regnum ScoSir Marmaduke Twenge, an English knight,cie perpetuo sint exheredati et habeantur de cetecontrived to conceal himself during the fury of the ro tanquam inimici regis et regni ab omni venpursuit, and when it was somewhat slackened, ap-dicacione juris hereditarii vel juris alterius cujusproached king Robert. "Whose prisoner are cunque in posterum pro se et heredibus suis in you, sir Marmaduke?" said Bruce, to whom he perpetuum privati ad perpetuam igitur rei mewas personally known. "Yours, sir," answered moriam et evidentem probacionem hujus judicii the knight. "I receive you," answered the king; et statuti sigilla episcoporum et aliorum prelaand, treating him with the utmost courtesy, loaded torum nec non et comitum baronum ac ceteronum him with gifts, and dismissed him without ransom.nobilium dicti regni presenti ordinacioni judicio The other prisoners were well treated. There et statuto sunt appensa. might be policy in this, as Bruce would naturally wish to acquire the good opinion of the English barons, who were at this time at great variance with their king. But it also well accords with his high chivalrous character.

24. O! give their hapless prince his due.-P. 283. Edward II, according to the best authorities, showed, in the fatal field of Bannockburn, personal gallantry not unworthy of his great sire and greater son. He remained on the field till forced away by the earl of Pembroke, when all was lost. He then rode to the castle of Stirling, and demanded admittance; but the governor remonstrating upon the imprudence of shutting himself up in that fortress, which must so soon surrender, he assembled around his person five hundred men-atarms, and, avoiding the field of battle and the victorious army, fled towards Linlithgow, pursued by Douglas with about sixty horse. They were augmented by sir Lawrence Abernethy with twenty more, whom Douglas met in the Torwood, upon their way to join the English army, and whom he easily persuaded to desert the defeated monarch, and to assist in the pursuit. They hung upon Edward's flight as far as Dunbar, too few in number to assail him with effect, but enough to harass his retreat so constantly, that whoever fell an instant behind, was instantly slain, or made prisoner. Edward's ignominious flight terminated at Dunbar, where the earl of March, who still professed allegiance to him, "received him full gently." From thence, the monarch of so great an empire, and the late commander of so gallant and numerous an army, escaped to Bamborough in a fishing vessel.

Bruce, as will appear from the following document, lost no time in directing the thunders of parliamentary censure against such parts of his subjects as did not return to their natural allegiance, after the battle of Bannockburn.

APUD MONASTERIUM DE CAMBUSKENNETH,
XVI DIE NOVEMBRIS M.CCC. XIV.

Judicium redditum apud Kambuskinet contra
omnes illos qui tunc fuerunt contra fidem et pa-
cem Domini Regis.

Anno gracie millesimo tricentesimo quarto decimo sexto die Novembris tenente parliamentum suum excellentissimo principe domino Roberto Dei gracia Rege Scottorum Illustri in monasterio

Sigillum Domini Regis

Sigillum Willelmi Episcopi Sancti Andree
Sigillum Roberti Episcopi Glascuensis
Sigillum Willelmi Episcopi Dunkeldensis

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Episcopi
Episcopi
Episcopi

Sigillum Alani Episcopi Sodorensis
Sigillum Johannis Episcopi Brechynensis
Sigillum Andree Episcopi Ergadiensis
Sigillum Frechardi Episcopi Cathanensis
Sigillum Abbatis de Scona
Sigillum Abbatis de Calco
Sigillum Abbatis de Abirbrothok
Sigillum Abbatis de Sancta Cruce
Sigillum Abbatis de Londoris
Sigillum Abbatis de Newbotill
Sigillum Abbatis de Cupro
Sigillum Abbatis de Paslet
Sigillum Abbatis de Dumfermelyn
Sigillum Abbatis de Lincluden
Sigillum Abbatis de Insula Missarum
Sigillum Abbatis de Sancto Columba
Sigillum Abbatis de Deer

Sigillum Abbatis de Dulce Ccrde
Sigillum Prioris de Coldinghame
Sigillum Prioris de Rostynot
Sigillum Prioris Sancti Andree
Sigillum Prioris de Pettinwem

Sigillum Prioris de Insula de Lochlevin
Sigillum Senescalli Scocie
Sigillum Willelmi Comitis de Ros

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Sigillum Nigelli de Campo bello
Sigillum Morni de Musco Campo.

25. Nor for De Argentine alone,

Through Ninian's church these torches shone, And rose the death-prayer's awful tone.-P. 284. The remarkable circumstances attending the death of De Argentine have been already noticed, (p. 291.) Besides this renowned warrior, there fell many representatives of the noblest houses in England, which never sustained a more bloody and disastrous defeat. Barbour says that two hundred pairs of gilded spurs were taken from the field of battle; and that some were left the author can bear witness, who has in his possession a curious antique spur, dug up in the morass not long since.

"It was forsooth a great ferlie,
To see samyn sa fele dead lie.

Two hundred spurs that were reid†
Were taen of knights that were dead."

PRISONERS.

Barons and baronets.
Henry de Boun, earl of
Hereford,
Lord John Giffard,
William de Latimer,
Maurice de Berkley,
Marmaduke de Twenge,
Ingelram de Umfraville,
John de Wyletone,
Robert de Maulee,
Henry Fitz-Hugh,
Thomas de Gray,
Walter de Beauchamp,
Richard de Charon,

John de Wevelmton, Robert de Nevil, John de Segrave, Gilbert Peeche, John de Clavering, I am now to take my leave of Barbour, not Antony de Lucy, without a sincere wish that the public may encour- Radulph de Camys, age the undertaking of my friend, Dr. Jamieson, John de Evere, who has issued proposals for publishing an accu- Andrew de Abrembyn. rate edition of his poem, and of Blind Harry's Knights. Wallace. The only good edition of the Bruce was Thomas de Berkely, published by Mr. Pinkerton, in 3 vols., in 1790; The son of Roger Tyrrel, and the learned editor having had no personal Anselm de Mareschal, access to consult the manuscript, it is not without Giles de Beauchamp, errors; and it has besides become scarce. Of Wal-John Cyfrewast, face there is no tolerable edition; yet these two

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poems do no small honour to the early state of And in sum, there were there slain, along with the Scottish poetry, and the Bruce is justly regarded earl of Gloucester, forty-two barons and bannes containing authentic historical facts.

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rets. The number of earls, barons, and bannerets made captive, was twenty-two, and sixty-eight knights. Many clerks and esquires were also there slain or taken. Roger de Northburge, keeper of the king's signet, (custos targiæ domini regis,) was made prisoner with his two clerks, Roger de Wakenfelde and Thomas de Swinton, upon which the king caused a seal to be made, and entitled it his privy seal, to distinguish the same from the signet so lost. The earl of Hereford was exchanged against Bruce's queen, who had been detained in captivity ever since the year 1306. The targia, or signet, was restored to England through the intercession of Ralph de Monthermer, ancestor of lord Moira, who is said to have found favour in the eyes of the Scottish king."-Continuation of Trivet's Annals, Hall's edit. Oxford, 1712, vol. ii, P. 14.

Such were the immediate consequences of the field of Bannockburn. Its more remote effects, in completely establishing the national independence of Scotland, afford a boundless field for speculation.

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It cannot be doubted, that Thomas of Ercildoun was a remarkable and important person in his own time, since, very shortly after his death, we find him celebrated as a prophet, and as a poet. Whe ther he himself made any pretensions to the first of those characters, or whether it was gratuitously conferred upon him by the credulity of posterity, it seems difficult to decide. If we may believe Mackenzie, Learmont only versified the prophecies delivered by Eliza, an inspired nun, of a con vent at Haddington. But of this there seems not to be the most distant proof. On the contrary, all ancient authors, who quote the Rhymer's prophecies, uniformly suppose them to have been emitted by himself. Thus, in Winton's Chronicle,

difficult; but the curious may derive some satis- words) the uncertainty of antiquity, must have affaction from the particulars here brought together.ready involved his character and writings. In a It is agreed, on all hands, that the residence, charter of Peter de Haga de Bemersyde, which and probably the birth-place, of this ancient bard, unfortunately wants a date, the Rhymer, a near was Ercildoun, a village situated upon the Leader, neighbour, and, if we may trust tradition, a friend two miles above its junction with the Tweed. of the family, appears as a witness.-Chartulary of The ruins of an ancient tower are still pointed out Melrose. as the Rhymer's castle. The uniform tradition bears, that his surname was Lermont, or Learmont; and that the appellation of The Rhymer was conferred on him in consequence of his poetical compositions. There remains, nevertheless, some doubt upon this subject. In a charter, which is subjoined at length, the son of our poet designs himself, "Thomas of Ercildoun, son and heir of Thomas Rymour of Ercildoun," which seems to imply, that the father did not bear the hereditary name of Learmont; or, at least, was better known and distinguished by the epithet which he had acquired by his personal accomplishments. I must, however, remark, that, down to a very late period, the practice of distinguishing the parties, even in formal writings, by the epithets which had been bestowed on them from personal circumstances, instead of the proper surnames of their families, was common, and indeed necessary, among the border clans. So early as the end of the thirteenth Book viii, chap. 32. century, when surnames were hardly introduced There could have been no ferly, (marvel,) in Winin Scotland, this custom must have been universal. ton's eyes at least, how Thomas came by his There is, therefore, nothing inconsistent in sup-knowledge of future events, had he ever heard of posing our poet's name to have been actually Lear- the inspired nun of Haddington; which, it cannot mont, although, in this charter, he is distinguish-be doubted, would have been a solution of the ed by the popular appellation of The Rhymer. levin." mystery, much to the taste of the prior of Loch

Of this fycht quilum spak Thomas
Of Ersyĺdoune, that sayd in Derne,

Thare suld meit stalwarthly, starke, and sterne.
He sayd it in his prophecy;

But how he wist it was ferly.

We are better able to ascertain the period at which Thomas of Ercildoun lived; being the latter end of the thirteenth century. I am inclined to have, as to the source of the Rhymer's prophetic Whatever doubts, however, the learned might place his death a little farther back than Mr. Pin- skill, the vulgar had no hesitation to aser the kerton, who supposes that he was alive in 1300; whole to the intercourse between the bard and the (List of Scottish Poets:) which is hardly, I think, queen of Faery. The popular tale bears, that Thomas consistent with the charter already quoted, by was carried off, at an early age, to the Fairy Land, which his son, in 1299, for himself and his heirs, where he acquired all the knowledge which made conveys to the convent of the Trinity of Soltre, the him afterwards so famous. After seven years retenement which he possessed by inheritance (he-sidence he was permitted to return to the earth, reditarie) in Ercildoun, with all claim which he, to enlighten and astonish his countrymen by his or his predecessors, could pretend thereto. From prophetic powers; still, however, remaining bound this we may infer, that the Rhymer was now dead; to return to his royal mistress, when she should since we find his son disposing of the family pro-intimate her pleasure.† Accordingly, while Thoperty. Still, however, the argument of the learned historian will remain unimpeached, as to the tower of Ercildoun, a person came running in, and mas was making merry with his friends in the time of the poet's birth. For if, as we learn from told, with marks of fear and astonishment, that a Barbour,+ his prophecies were held in reputation hart and hind had left the neighbouring forest, and as early as 1306, when Bruce slew the Red Comyn, were composedly and slowly parading the street the sanctity, and (let me add to Mr. Pinkerton's of the village. The prophet instantly arose, left From the Chartulary of the Trinity House of Soltre, Advocates Library, W. 4. 14. ERSYLTON.

Omnibus has literas visuris vel audituris Thomas de Ercildoun filius et heres Thomæ Rymour de Ercildoun salutem in Domino. Noveritis me per fustem et baculum in pleno judicio resignasse ac per presentes quietem clamasse pro me et heredibus meis Magistro domus Sanctæ Trinitatis de Soltre et fratribus ejusdem domus totam terram meam cum omnibus pertinentibus suis quam in tenemento de Ercildoun hereditarie tenui renunciando de toto pro me et heredibus meis omni jure et clameo quæ ego seu antecessores mei in eadem terra alioque tempore de perpetuo habuimus sive de futuro habere possumus. In cujus rei testimonio presentibus his sigillum meum apposui data apud Ercildoun die Martis proximo post festum Sanctorum Apostolorum Symonis et Jude Anno Domini Millesimo cc Nonagesimo Nono.

The lines alluded to are these:
I hope that Tomas's prophesie,
Of Erceldoun shall truly be.
In him, &c.

his habitation, and followed the wonderful animals to the forest, whence he was never seen to return. According to the popular belief, he still "drees

history of Wallace, expresses the same doubt as to the Henry, the minstrel, who introduces Thomas into the source of his prophetic knowledge.

Thomas Rhymer into the faile was than With the minister, which was a worthy man. He used oft to that religious place; The people deemed of wit he meikle can, And so he told, though that they bless or ban, Which happened sooth in many divers case; I cannot say by wrong or righteousness. In rule of war whether they tint or wan: It may be deemed by division of grace, &c. History of Wallace, Book 1. +See a Dissertation on Fairies, prefixed to the ballad of TAMLANE, Minstrelsy of the Border, vol. ii, p. 237. There is a singular resemblance betwixt this tradition, and an incident occurring in the life of Merlin Caledovias, which the reader will find a few pages onward.

his weird” in Fairy Land, and is expected one day to revisit earth. In the mean while, his memory is held in the most profound respect. The Eildon tree, from beneath the shade of which he delivered his prophecies, now no longer exists; but the spot is marked by a large stone, called Eildon tree stone. A neighbouring rivulet takes the name of the Bogle Burn, Goblin Brook) from the Rhymer's supernatural visitants. The veneration paid to his dwelling-place even attached itself in some degree to a person, who, within the memory of man, chose to set up his residence in the ruins of Learmont's tower. The name of this man was Murray, a kind of herbalist; who, by dint of some knowledge in simples, the possession of a musical clock, an electrical machine, and a stuffed alligator, added to a supposed communication with Thomas the Rhymer, lived for many years in very good credit as a wizard.

"Now, ye maun go wi' me," she said;
"True Thomas, ye maun go wi' me;
And ye maun serve me seven years,
Through weal or wo as may chance to be."
She mounted on her milk-white steed;
She's ta'en true Thomas up behind;
And aye, whene'er her bridle rung,
The steed flew swifter than the wind.
O they rade on, and farther on;
The steed gaed swifter than the wind:
Until they reached a desert wide,
And living land was left behind.
"Light down, light down, now, true Thomas,
And lean your head upon my knee:
Abide, and rest a little space,
And I will show you ferlies three.
« O see ye not yon narrow road,

So thick beset with thorns and briers?

That is the path of righteousness,

Though after it but few inquires.
"And see not ye that braid, braid road,
That lies across that lily leven?
That is the path of wickedness,
Though some call it the road to heaven.
"And see not ye that bonny road,
That winds about the fernie brae?
That is the road to fair Elfland,
Where thou and I this night maun gae:
"But, Thomas, ye maun hold your tongue,
Whatever ye may hear or see:

It seemed to the author unpardonable to dismiss a person, so important in border tradition as the Rhymer, without some farther notice than a simple commentary upon the following ballad. It is given from a copy, obtained from a lady, residing not far from Ercildoun, corrected and enlarged by one in Mrs. Brown's MSS. The former copy, however, as might be expected, is far more minute as to local description." To this old tale the author has ventured to add a second part, consisting of a kind of cento, from the printed prophecies vulgarly ascribed to the Rhymer; and a third part, entirely modern, founded upon the tradition of his having returned with the hart and hind to the land of Faerie. To make his peace with the more severe antiquaries, the author has prefixed to the second part some remarks on Learmont's prophe-O cies.

PART I.-ANCIENT.

TRUE Thomas lay on Huntlie bank;
A ferlie he spied wi' his ee;
And there he saw a ladye bright,
Come riding down by the Eildon tree.
Her shirt was o' the grass-green silk,
Her mantle o' the velvet fyne;
At ilka tett of her horse's mane,
Hang fifty siller bells and nine.

True Thomas he pulled aff his cap,
And louted low down to his knee,
"All hail, thou mighty queen of heaven!
For thy peer on earth I never did see."

"O no, O no, Thomas," she said;

"That name does not belang to me; I am but the queen of fair Elfland,

That am hither come to visit thee. "Harp and carp, Thomas," she said; "Harp and carp along with me; And if ye dare to kiss my lips, Sure of your body I will be."

For, if you speak word in Elfyn land,
Ye'll ne'er get back to your ain countrie."
they rade on, and farther on,

And they waded through rivers aboon the knee, And they saw neither sun nor moon,

But they heard the roaring of the sea.

It was mirk, mirk night, and there was nae stern light,

And they waded through red blude to the knee, For a' the blude that's shed on earth,

Rins through the springs o' that countrie.

Syne they came on to a garden green,
And she pu'd an apple frae a tree;1

"Take this for thy wages, true Thomas;

It will give thee the tongue that can never lie." "My tongue is mine ain," true Thomas said; "A gudely gift ye wad gie to me!

1 neither dought to buy nor sell,

At fair or tryst, where I may be.
"I dought neither speak to prince or peer,
Nor ask of grace from fair ladye."
"Now hold thy peace!" the ladye said,
"For, as I say, so must it be."

He has gotten a coat of the even cloth,
And a pair of shoes of velvet green;
And, till seven years were gane and past,
True Thomas on earth was never seen.

"Betide me weal, betide me wo,

That weirdt shall never danton me.

Syne he has kissed her rosy lips,
All underneath the Eildon tree.

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The prophecies, ascribed to Thomas of Ereildoun, have been the principal means of securing to him remembrance" amongst the sons of his The author has been sace informed, by a most emi-people." The author of Sir Tristrem would long ment antiquary, that there is in existence a MS. copy of this baliad, of very considerable antiquity, of which he hopes to avail himself on some future occasion.

That weird, c. That destiny shall never frighten me.

go have joined, in the vale of oblivion, “ Clerk of Tranent, who wrote the adventures of Schir Gawain," if, by good hap, the same current of

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