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diff --git a/38416.txt b/38416.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..d81ecfe --- /dev/null +++ b/38416.txt @@ -0,0 +1,10941 @@ +Project Gutenberg's English and Scottish Ballads, Volume IV, by Various + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: English and Scottish Ballads, Volume IV + +Author: Various + +Editor: Francis James Child + +Release Date: December 26, 2011 [EBook #38416] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: ASCII + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENGLISH, SCOTTISH BALLADS, VOL IV *** + + + + +Produced by Simon Gardner, Dianna Adair, Louise Davies and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by the Digital & Multimedia +Center, Michigan State University Libraries.) + + + + + +Transcriber's Notes + +Archaic, dialect and inconsistent spellings have been retained as they +appear in the original. With the exception of minor changes to format or +punctuation, any changes to the text have been listed at the end of the +book. + +In this Plain Text version of the e-book, symbols from the ASCII +character set only are used. The following substitutions are made for +other symbols, accents and diacritics in the text: + + [ae] = ae-ligature + [:a] = a-umlaut + ['e] = e-acute + [a'], [e'] = a-grave, e-grave + [OE] and [oe] = oe-ligature (upper and lower case). + [hand] = a right pointing hand symbol. + +Other conventions used to represent the original text are as follows: + + Italic typeface is indicated by _underscores_. + Small caps typeface is represented by UPPER CASE. + +Footnotes are numbered in sequence throughout the book and presented at +the end of the section or ballad in which the footnote anchor appears. +Notes with reference to ballad line numbers are presented at the end of +each ballad and are indicated in the form [Lnn] at line number nn. + + * * * * * + + + ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH + BALLADS. + + EDITED BY + FRANCIS JAMES CHILD. + + VOLUME IV. + + BOSTON: + LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY. + M.DCCC.LX. + + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1857 by LITTLE, +BROWN AND COMPANY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of +Massachusetts. + + RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: + STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY + H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY. + + + + +BOOK IV. + +CONTINUED. + + +CONTENTS OF VOLUME FOURTH. + + BOOK IV. (continued.) + Page + + 9 a. Young Beichan and Susie Pye 1 + 9 b. Young Bekie 10 + 10 a. Hynd Horn, [Motherwell] 17 + 10 b. Hynd Horn, [Buchan] 25 + 11 a. Katharine Janfarie 29 + 11 b. Catherine Johnstone 34 + 12. Bonny Baby Livingston 38 + 13. The Broom of Cowdenknows 45 + 14. Johnie Scot 50 + 15. Brown Adam 60 + 16 a. Lizie Lindsay, [Jamieson] 63 + 16 b. Lizzie Lindsay, [Whitelaw] 68 + 17. Lizae Baillie 73 + 18. Glasgow Peggy 76 + 19. Glenlogie 80 + 20. John O'Hazelgreen 83 + 21. The Fause Lover 89 + 22. The Gardener 92 + 23. The Duke of Athol 94 + 24. The Rantin' Laddie 97 + 25. The Duke of Gordon's Daughter 102 + 26. The Laird o'Logie 109 + 27. The Gypsie Laddie 114 + 28. Laird of Drum 118 + 29 a. Lady Anne Bothwell's Lament, [Ramsay] 123 + 29 b. Lady Anne Bothwell's Lament, [Percy] 129 + 30 a. Waly, waly, but Love be bonny 132 + 30 b. Lord Jamie Douglas 135 + 31. The Nutbrowne Maide 143 + 32. The Bailiff's Daughter of Islington 158 + 33. The Blind Beggar's Daughter of Bednall Green 161 + 34. The Famous Flower of Serving Men 174 + 35. The Fair Flower of Northumberland 180 + 36. Gentle Herdsman, Tell to me 187 + 37. As I came from Walsingham 191 + 38. King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid 195 + 39. The Spanish Lady's Love 201 + 40. Patient Grissel 207 + 41. The King of France's Daughter 216 + 42. Constance of Cleveland 225 + 43. Willow, Willow, Willow 234 + 44. Greensleeves 240 + 45. Robene and Makyne 245 + + + APPENDIX. + + Lord Beichan and Susie Pye 253 + Sweet William 261 + Young Child Dyring 265 + Barbara Livingston 270 + Lang Johnny Moir 272 + Lizie Baillie 280 + Johnnie Faa and the Countess o'Cassilis 283 + Jamie Douglas 287 + Laird of Blackwood 290 + The Provost's Dochter 292 + Blancheflour and Jellyflorice 295 + Chil Ether 299 + Young Bearwell 302 + Lord Thomas of Winesberry and the King's Daughter 305 + Lady Elspat 308 + The Lovers Quarrel 311 + The Merchant's Daughter of Bristow 328 + + GLOSSARY 339 + + + + +YOUNG BEICHAN AND SUSIE PYE. + + +An inspection of the first hundred lines of Robert of Gloucester's +_Life and Martyrdom of Thomas Beket_, (edited for the Percy Society by +W. H. Black, vol. xix,) will leave no doubt that the hero of this +ancient and beautiful tale is veritably Gilbert Becket, father of the +renowned Saint Thomas of Canterbury. Robert of Gloucester's story +coincides in all essential particulars with the traditionary legend, +but Susie Pye is, unfortunately, spoken of in the chronicle by no +other name than the daughter of the Saracen Prince Admiraud. + +We have thought it well to present the three best versions of so +popular and interesting a ballad. The two which are given in the body +of this work are Jamieson's, from _Popular Ballads_, ii. 117, and ii. +127. In the Appendix is Kinloch's, from _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. +260. Other printed copies are _Lord Beichan_, in Richardson's +_Borderer's Table Book_, vii. 20, communicated by J. H. Dixon, who has +inserted the same in _Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs_, Percy +Society, vol. xvii. p. 85; _Lord Bateman_, the common English +broadside (at p. 95 of the collection just cited); and _Young +Bondwell_, published from Buchan's MS. in _Scottish Traditionary +Versions of Ancient Ballads_, p. 1, (Percy Soc. vol. xvii.) identical, +we suppose, with the copy referred to by Motherwell in _Scarce Ancient +Ballads_, Peterhead, 1819. There is a well-known burlesque of the +ordinary English ballad, called _The Loving Ballad of Lord Bateman_, +with comical illustrations by Cruikshank. On this was founded a +burlesque drama, produced some years ago at the Strand Theatre, +London, with great applause. + +"This ballad, and that which succeeds it in this collection, (both on +the same subject,) are given from copies taken from Mrs. Brown's +recitation, collated with two other copies procured from Scotland, one +in MS., another very good one printed for the stalls; a third, in the +possession of the late Reverend Jonathan Boucher of Epsom, taken from +recitation in the North of England; and a fourth, about one third as +long as the others, which the Editor picked off an old wall in +Piccadilly." + +Jamieson's interpolations have been omitted. + + In London was young Beichan born, + He longed strange countries for to see; + But he was taen by a savage moor, + Who handled him right cruellie; + + For he viewed the fashions of that land; 5 + Their way of worship viewed he; + But to Mahound, or Termagant, + Would Beichan never bend a knee. + + So in every shoulder they've putten a bore; + In every bore they've putten a tree; 10 + And they have made him trail the wine + And spices on his fair bodie. + + They've casten him in a dungeon deep, + Where he could neither hear nor see; + For seven years they kept him there, 15 + Till he for hunger's like to die. + + This Moor he had but ae daughter, + Her name was called Susie Pye; + And every day as she took the air, + Near Beichan's prison she passed by. 20 + + O so it fell, upon a day + She heard young Beichan sadly sing; + "My hounds they all go masterless; + My hawks they flee from tree to tree; + My younger brother will heir my land; 25 + Fair England again I'll never see!" + + All night long no rest she got, + Young Beichan's song for thinking on; + She's stown the keys from her father's head, + And to the prison strong is gone. 30 + + And she has open'd the prison doors, + I wot she open'd two or three, + Ere she could come young Beichan at, + He was locked up so curiouslie. + + But when she came young Beichan before, 35 + Sore wonder'd he that may to see; + He took her for some fair captive;-- + "Fair Lady, I pray, of what countrie?" + + "O have ye any lands," she said, + "Or castles in your own countrie, 40 + That ye could give to a lady fair, + From prison strong to set you free?" + + "Near London town I have a hall, + With other castles two or three; + I'll give them all to the lady fair 45 + That out of prison will set me free." + + "Give me the truth of your right hand, + The truth of it give unto me, + That for seven years ye'll no lady wed, + Unless it be along with me." 50 + + "I'll give thee the truth of my right hand, + The truth of it I'll freely gie, + That for seven years I'll stay unwed, + For the kindness thou dost show to me." + + And she has brib'd the proud warder 55 + Wi' mickle gold and white monie; + She's gotten the keys of the prison strong, + And she has set young Beichan free. + + She's gi'en him to eat the good spice-cake, + She's gi'en him to drink the blood-red wine; + She's bidden him sometimes think on her, 60 + That sae kindly freed him out of pine. + + She's broken a ring from her finger, + And to Beichan half of it gave she: + "Keep it, to mind you of that love 65 + The lady bore that set you free. + + "And set your foot on good ship-board, + And haste ye back to your own countrie; + And before that seven years have an end, + Come back again, love, and marry me." 70 + + But long ere seven years had an end, + She long'd full sore her love to see; + For ever a voice within her breast + Said, "Beichan has broke his vow to thee." + So she's set her foot on good ship-board, 75 + And turn'd her back on her own countrie. + + She sailed east, she sailed west, + Till to fair England's shore she came; + Where a bonny shepherd she espied, + Feeding his sheep upon the plain. 80 + + "What news, what news, thou bonny shepherd? + What news hast thou to tell to me?" + "Such news I hear, ladie," he says, + "The like was never in this countrie. + + "There is a wedding in yonder hall, 85 + Has lasted these thirty days and three; + Young Beichan will not bed with his bride, + For love of one that's yond the sea." + + She's put her hand in her pocket, + Gi'en him the gold and white monie; 90 + "Hae, take ye that, my bonny boy, + For the good news thou tell'st to me." + + When she came to young Beichan's gate, + She tirled softly at the pin; + So ready was the proud porter 95 + To open and let this lady in. + + "Is this young Beichan's hall," she said, + "Or is that noble lord within?" + "Yea, he's in the hall among them all, + And this is the day o' his weddin." 100 + + "And has he wed anither love? + And has he clean forgotten me?" + And, sighin', said that gay ladie, + "I wish I were in my own conntrie." + + And she has taen her gay gold ring, 105 + That with her love she brake so free; + Says, "Gie him that, ye proud porter, + And bid the bridegroom speak to me." + + When the porter came his lord before,[L109] + He kneeled down low on his knee---- 110 + "What aileth thee, my proud porter, + Thou art so full of courtesie?" + + "I've been porter at your gates, + It's thirty long years now and three; + But there stands a lady at them now, 115 + The like o' her did I never see; + + "For on every finger she has a ring, + And on her mid finger she has three; + And as meickle gold aboon her brow + As would buy an earldom to me." 120 + + Its out then spak the bride's mother, + Aye and an angry woman was shee; + "Ye might have excepted our bonny bride, + And twa or three of our companie." + + "O hold your tongue, thou bride's mother; 125 + Of all your folly let me be; + She's ten times fairer nor the bride, + And all that's in your companie. + + "She begs one sheave of your white bread, + But and a cup of your red wine; 130 + And to remember the lady's love, + That last reliev'd you out of pine." + + "O well-a-day!" said Beichan then, + "That I so soon have married thee! + For it can be none but Susie Pye, 135 + That sailed the sea for love of me." + + And quickly hied he down the stair; + Of fifteen steps he made but three; + He's ta'en his bonny love in his arms, + And kist, and kist her tenderlie. 140 + + "O hae ye ta'en anither bride? + And hae ye quite forgotten me? + And hae ye quite forgotten her, + That gave you life and libertie?" + + She looked o'er her left shoulder, 145 + To hide the tears stood in her e'e: + "Now fare thee well, young Beichan," she says, + "I'll try to think no more on thee." + + "O never, never, Susie Pye, + For surely this can never be; 150 + Nor ever shall I wed but her + That's done and dree'd so much for me." + + Then out and spak the forenoon bride,-- + "My lord, your love it changeth soon; + This morning I was made your bride, 155 + And another chose ere it be noon." + + "O hold thy tongue, thou forenoon bride; + Ye're ne'er a whit the worse for me; + And whan ye return to your own countrie, + A double dower I'll send with thee." 160 + + He's taen Susie Pye by the white hand, + And gently led her up and down; + And ay as he kist her red rosy lips, + "Ye're welcome, jewel, to your own." + + He's taen her by the milk-white hand, 165 + And led her to yon fountain stane; + He's changed her name from Susie Pye, + And he's call'd her his bonny love, Lady Jane. + +109-112. + + But when he came Lord Jockey before, + He kneeled lowly on his knee: + "What news, what news, thou Tommy Pots, + Thou art so full of courtesie?" + + _The Lovers' Quarrel_, v. 133-136. + + + + +YOUNG BEKIE. + + + Young Bekie was as brave a knight + As ever sail'd the sea; + And he's doen him to the court o' France,[L3] + To serve for meat and fee. + + He hadna been in the court o' France 5 + A twelvemonth nor sae lang, + Till he fell in love wi' the king's daughter, + And was thrown in prison strang. + + The king he had but ae daughter, + Burd Isbel was her name; 10 + And she has to the prison gane, + To hear the prisoner's mane. + + "O gin a lady wad borrow me, + At her stirrup I wad rin; + Or gin a widow wad borrow me, 15 + I wad swear to be her son. + + "Or gin a virgin wad borrow me, + I wad wed her wi' a ring; + I'd gi'e her ha's, I'd gi'e her bowers, + The bonny towers o' Linne." 20 + + O barefoot barefoot gaed she but, + And barefoot cam she ben; + It wasna for want o' hose and shoon, + Nor time to put them on; + + But a' for fear that her father 25 + Had heard her makin' din; + For she's stown the keys of the prison, + And gane the dungeon within. + + And when she saw him, young Bekie, + Wow, but her heart was sair! 30 + For the mice, but and the bald rattons, + Had eaten his yellow hair. + + She's gotten him a shaver for his beard, + A comber till his hair; + Five hundred pound in his pocket, 35 + To spend, and nae to spare. + + She's gi'en him a steed was good in need, + And a saddle o' royal bane; + A leash o' hounds o' ae litter, + And Hector called ane. 40 + + Atween thir twa a vow was made, + 'Twas made full solemnlie, + That or three years were come and gane, + Weel married they should be. + + He hadna been in's ain countrie 45 + A twelvemonth till an end, + Till he's forced to marry a duke's daughter, + Or than lose a' his land. + + "Ochon, alas!" says young Bekie, + "I kenna what to dee; 50 + For I canna win to Burd Isbel, + And she canna come to me." + + O it fell out upon a day + Burd Isbel fell asleep, + And up it starts the Billy Blin, 55 + And stood at her bed feet. + + "O waken, waken, Burd Isbel; + How can ye sleep so soun'; + When this is Bekie's wedding day, + And the marriage gaing on? 60 + + "Ye do ye till your mither's bower, + As fast as ye can gang; + And ye tak three o' your mother's marys, + To haud ye unthocht lang. + + "Ye dress yoursel i' the red scarlet, 65 + And your marys in dainty green; + And ye put girdles about your middle + Wad buy an earldome. + + "Syne ye gang down by yon sea-side, + And down by yon sea-strand; 70 + And bonny will the Hollans boats + Come rowin' till your hand. + + "Ye set your milk-white foot on board, + Cry, 'Hail ye, Domine!' + And I will be the steerer o't, 75 + To row you o'er the sea." + + She's ta'en her till her mither's bower, + As fast as she could gang; + And she's ta'en twa o' her mither's marys, + To haud her unthocht lang. 80 + + She's drest hersel i' the red scarlet, + Her marys i' the dainty green; + And they've put girdles about their middle + Would buy an earldome. + + And they gaed down by yon sea-side, 85 + And down by yon sea-strand; + And sae bonny as the Hollans boats + Come rowin' till their hand. + + She set her milk-white foot on board, + Cried, "Hail ye, Domine!" 90 + And the Billy Blin was the steerer o't, + To row her o'er the sea. + + Whan she cam to young Bekie's gate, + She heard the music play; + And her mind misgae by a' she heard, 95 + That 'twas his wedding day. + + She's pitten her hand in her pocket, + Gi'en the porter markis three; + "Hae, take ye that, ye proud porter, + Bid your master speake to me." 100 + + O whan that he cam up the stair, + He fell low down on his knee: + He hail'd the king, and he hail'd the queen, + And he hail'd him, young Bekie. + + "O I have been porter at your gates 105 + This thirty years and three; + But there are three ladies at them now, + Their like I did never see. + + "There's ane o' them drest in red scarlet, + And twa in dainty green; 110 + And they hae girdles about their middles + Would buy an earldome." + + Then out and spak the bierdly bride, + "Was a' goud to the chin; + "Gin she be fine without," she says, 115 + "We's be as fine within." + + Then up it starts him, young Bekie, + And the tear was in his e'e: + "I'll lay my life it's Burd Isbel, + Come o'er the sea to me." 120 + + O quickly ran he down the stair; + And whan he saw 'twas she, + He kindly took her in his arms, + And kist her tenderlie. + + "O hae ye forgotten now, young Bekie, 125 + The vow ye made to me, + When I took you out of prison strang, + When ye was condemned to die? + + "I gae you a steed was good in need, + And a saddle o' royal bane; 130 + A leash o' hounds o' ae litter; + And Hector called ane." + + It was weel kent what the lady said, + That it was nae a lie; + For at the first word the lady spak, 135 + The hound fell at her knee. + + "Tak hame, tak hame your daughter dear; + A blessing gang her wi'; + For I maun marry my Burd Isbel, + That's come o'er the sea to me." 140 + + "Is this the custome o' your house, + Or the fashion o' your land, + To marry a maid in a May morning, + Send her back a maid at e'en?" + +3. _Court o' France._ "And first, here to omit the programe of him and +his mother, named Rose, whom Polyd. Virgilius falsely nameth to be a +Saracen, when indeed she came out of the parts bordering neere to +_Normandy_." Fox, _Acts and Monuments_, cited by Motherwell, p. xvi. + + + + +HYND HORN. + + +Those metrical romances, which in the chivalrous ages, constituted the +most refined pastime of a rude nobility, are known in many cases to +have been adapted for the entertainment of humbler hearers, by +abridgment in the form of ballads. Such was the case with the ancient +_gest_ of _King Horn_. Preserved in several MSS., both French and +English, in something of its original proportions, an epitome of it +has also descended to us through the mouths of the people. + +An imperfect copy of the following piece was inserted by Cromek in his +_Select Scottish Songs_, (London, 1810, vol. ii. p. 204-210.) Better +editions have since been furnished by Kinloch, _Ancient Scottish +Ballads_, p. 138; Motherwell, _Minstrelsy_, p. 95; and Buchan, +_Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 268. Of these, we reprint the +last two. + +All the poems relating to Horn, in French and English, including the +Scottish ballads above mentioned, are collected by Michel in a +beautiful volume of the Bannatyne Club, _Horn et Rimenhild_, Paris, +1845. + + +From Motherwell's _Minstrelsy_, p. 35. + + Near Edinburgh was a young child born, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And his name it was called Young Hynd Horn, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + Seven lang years he served the King, 5 + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And it's a' for the sake of his dochter Jean, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + The King an angry man was he, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; 10 + He sent young Hynd Horn to the sea, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "O I never saw my love before, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + Till I saw her thro' an augre bore, 15 + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "And she gave to me a gay gold ring, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + With three shining diamonds set therein, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. 20 + + "And I gave to her a silver wand, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + With three singing laverocks set thereon, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "What if those diamonds lose their hue, 25 + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + Just when my love begins for to rew, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_?" + + "For when your ring turns pale and wan, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; 30 + Then I'm in love with another man, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." + + He's left the land, and he's gone to the sea, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And he's stayed there seven years and a day, 35 + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + Seven lang years he has been on the sea, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And Hynd Horn has looked how his ring may be, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. 40 + + But when he looked this ring upon, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + The shining diamonds were both pale and wan, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + O the ring it was both black and blue, 45 + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And she's either dead, or she's married, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + He's left the seas, and he's come to the land, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; 50 + And the first he met was an auld beggar man, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "What news, what news, my silly auld man? + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + For it's seven years since I have seen land, 55 + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "What news, what news, thou auld beggar man? + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + What news, what news, by sea or land? + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." 60 + + "No news at all," said the auld beggar man, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + "But there is a wedding in the King's hall, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "There is a King's dochter in the West, 65 + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And she has been married thir nine nights past, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "Into the bride-bed she winna gang, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; 70 + Till she hears tell of her ain Hynd Horn, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." + + "Wilt thou give to me thy begging coat? + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And I'll give to thee my scarlet cloak, 75 + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "Wilt thou give to me thy begging staff? + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And I'll give to thee my good gray steed, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." 80 + + The auld beggar man cast off his coat, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And he's ta'en up the scarlet cloak, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + The auld beggar man threw down his staff, 85 + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And he has mounted the good gray steed, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + The auld beggar man was bound for the mill, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; 90 + But young Hynd Horn for the King's hall, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + The auld beggar man was bound for to ride, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + But young Hynd Horn was bound for the bride, 95 + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + When he came to the King's gate, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + He asked a drink for young Hynd Horn's sake, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. 100 + + These news unto the bonnie bride came, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + That at the yett there stands an auld man, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "There stands an auld man at the King's gate, 105 + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + He asketh a drink for young Hynd Horn's sake, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "I'll go through nine fires so hot, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; 110 + But I'll give him a drink for young Hynd Horn's sake, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." + + She went to the gate where the auld man did stand, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And she gave him a drink out of her own hand, 115 + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + She gave him a cup out of her own hand, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + He drunk out the drink, and dropt in the ring, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. 120 + + "Got thou it by sea, or got thou it by land? + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + Or got thou it off a dead man's hand? + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." + + "I got it not by sea, but I got it by land, 125 + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + For I got it out of thine own hand, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." + + "I'll cast off my gowns of brown, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; 130 + And I'll follow thee from town to town, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + "I'll cast off my gowns of red, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + And along with thee I'll beg my bread, 135 + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." + + "Thou need not cast off thy gowns of brown, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + For I can make thee lady of many a town, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. 140 + + "Thou need not cast off thy gowns of red, + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + For I can maintain thee with both wine and bread, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_." + + The bridegroom thought he had the bonnie bride wed, 145 + _With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan_; + But young Hynd Horn took the bride to the bed, + _And the birk and the brume blooms bonnie_. + + + + +HYND HORN. + +From Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, ii. 268. + + + "Hynd Horn fair, and Hynd Horn free, + O where were you born, in what countrie?" + "In gude greenwood, there I was born, + And all my forbears me beforn. + + "O seven years I served the king, 5 + And as for wages, I never gat nane; + But ae sight o' his ae daughter, + And that was thro' an augre bore. + + "My love gae me a siller wand, + 'Twas to rule ower a' Scotland; 10 + And she gae me a gay gowd ring, + The virtue o't was above a' thing." + + "As lang's this ring it keeps the hue, + Ye'll know I am a lover true; + But when the ring turns pale and wan, 15 + Ye'll know I love another man." + + He hoist up sails, and awa' sail'd he, + And sail'd into a far countrie; + And when he look'd upon his ring, + He knew she loved another man. 20 + + He hoist up sails and home came he, + Home unto his ain countrie; + The first he met on his own land, + It chanc'd to be a beggar man. + + "What news, what news, my gude auld man? 25 + What news, what news, hae ye to me?" + "Nae news, nae news," said the auld man, + "The morn's our queen's wedding day." + + "Will ye lend me your begging weed, + And I'll lend you my riding steed?" 30 + "My begging weed will ill suit thee, + And your riding steed will ill suit me." + + But part be right, and part be wrang, + Frae the beggar man the cloak he wan; + "Auld man, come tell to me your leed, 35 + What news ye gie when ye beg your bread." + + "As ye walk up unto the hill, + Your pike staff ye lend ye till; + But whan ye come near by the yett, + Straight to them ye will upstep. 40 + + "Take nane frae Peter, nor frae Paul, + Nane frae high or low o' them all; + And frae them all ye will take nane, + Until it comes frae the bride's ain hand." + + He took nane frae Peter, nor frae Paul, 45 + Nane frae the high nor low o' them all; + And frae them all he would take nane, + Until it came frae the bride's ain hand. + + The bride came tripping down the stair, + The combs o' red gowd in her hair; 50 + A cup o' red wine in her hand, + And that she gae to the beggar man. + + Out o' the cup he drank the wine, + And into the cup he dropt the ring; + "O got ye't by sea, or got ye't by land, 55 + Or got ye't on a drown'd man's hand?" + + "I got it not by sea, nor got it by land, + Nor got I it on a drown'd man's hand; + But I got it at my wooing gay, + And I'll gie't you on your wedding day." 60 + + "I'll take the red gowd frae my head, + And follow you, and beg my bread; + I'll take the red gowd frae my hair, + And follow you for evermair." + + Atween the kitchen and the ha', 65 + He loot his cloutie cloak down fa'; + And wi' red gowd shone ower them a', + And frae the bridegroom the bride he sta'. + + + + +KATHARINE JANFARIE. + + +A story similar to this occurs in various forms both in Scotland and +the Scandinavian kingdoms. Scott inserted the ballad in his first +edition under the title of _The Laird of Laminton_; the present copy +is an improved one obtained by him from several recitations. +(_Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, iii. 122.) Other versions are +Motherwell's, printed with this, Maidment's, in his _North Countrie +Garland_, p. 34, (_Catharine Jaffery_), and Buchan's, in his +_Gleanings_, p. 74, (_Loch-in-var._) _Sweet William_, in Motherwell's +collection, (see Appendix,) is still another variety. + +Jamieson has translated a Danish ballad which, though not cognate with +these, exhibits nearly the same incidents, and we have inserted it in +the Appendix. + +It need hardly be remarked that the spirited ballad of _Lochinvar_ in +_Marmion_ is founded on this ancient legend. + + + There was a may, and a weel-far'd may, + Lived high up in yon glen: + Her name was Katharine Janfarie, + She was courted by mony men. + + Up then came Lord Lauderdale, 5 + Up frae the Lawland Border; + And he has come to court this may, + A' mounted in good order. + + He told na her father, he told na her mother, + And he told na ane o' her kin; 10 + But he whisper'd the bonnie lassie hersell, + And has her favour won. + + But out then cam Lord Lochinvar, + Out frae the English Border, + All for to court this bonny may, 15 + Weel mounted, and in order. + + He told her father, he told her mother, + And a' the lave o' her kin; + But he told na the bonnie may hersell, + Till on her wedding e'en. 20 + + She sent to the Lord o' Lauderdale, + Gin he wad come and see; + And he has sent word back again, + Weel answer'd she suld be. + + And he has sent a messenger, 25 + Right quickly through the land, + And raised mony an armed man + To be at his command. + + The bride looked out at a high window, + Beheld baith dale and down, 30 + And she was aware of her first true love, + With riders mony a one. + + She scoffed him, and scorned him, + Upon her wedding day; + And said--it was the fairy court, 35 + To see him in array! + + "O come ye here to fight, young lord, + Or come ye here to play, + Or come ye here to drink good wine + Upon the wedding day?" 40 + + "I come na here to fight," he said, + "I come na here to play; + I'll but lead a dance wi' the bonny bride, + And mount, and go my way." + + It is a glass of the blood-red wine 45 + Was filled up them between, + And aye she drank to Lauderdale, + Wha her true love had been. + + He's ta'en her by the milk-white hand, + And by the grass-green sleeve; 50 + He's mounted her hie behind himsell, + At her kinsmen speir'd na leave. + + "Now take your bride, Lord Lochinvar, + Now take her, if you may! + But if you take your bride again, 55 + We'll call it but foul play." + + There were four-and-twenty bonnie boys, + A' clad in the Johnstone grey; + They said they would take the bride again, + By the strong hand, if they may. 60 + + Some o' them were right willing men, + But they were na willing a'; + And four-and-twenty Leader lads + Bid them mount and ride awa'. + + Then whingers flew frae gentles' sides, 65 + And swords flew frae the shea's, + And red and rosy was the blood + Ran down the lily braes. + + The blood ran down by Caddon bank, + And down by Caddon brae; 70 + And, sighing, said the bonnie bride, + "O wae's me for foul play!" + + My blessing on your heart, sweet thing, + Wae to your wilfu' will! + There's mony a gallant gentleman 75 + Whae's bluid ye have garr'd to spill. + + Now a' you lords of fair England, + And that dwell by the English Border, + Come never here to seek a wife, + For fear of sic disorder. 80 + + They'll haik ye up, and settle ye bye, + Till on your wedding day, + Then gie ye frogs instead of fish, + And play ye foul foul play. + + + + +CATHERINE JOHNSTONE. + + +Obtained from recitation, in the West of Scotland. Motherwell's +_Minstrelsy_, p. 225. + + There was a lass, as I heard say, + Liv'd low doun in a glen; + Her name was Catherine Johnstone, + Weel known to many men. + + Doun came the laird o' Lamington, 5 + Doun from the South Countrie; + And he is for this bonnie lass, + Her bridegroom for to be. + + He's ask'd her father and mother, + The chief of a' her kin; 10 + And then he ask'd the bonnie lass, + And did her favour win. + + Doun came an English gentleman, + Doun from the English border; + He is for this bonnie lass, 15 + To keep his house in order. + + He ask'd her father and mother, + As I do hear them say; + But he never ask'd the lass hersell, + Till on her wedding day. 20 + + But she has wrote a long letter, + And sealed it with her hand; + And sent it to Lord Lamington, + To let him understand. + + The first line o' the letter he read, 25 + He was baith glad and fain; + But or he read the letter o'er, + He was baith pale and wan. + + Then he has sent a messenger, + And out through all his land; 30 + And four-and-twenty armed men + Was all at his command. + + But he has left his merry men all, + Left them on the lee; + And he's awa to the wedding house, 35 + To see what he could see. + + But when he came to the wedding house, + As I do understand, + There were four-and-twenty belted knights + Sat at a table round. 40 + + They rose all to honour him, + For he was of high renown; + They rose all for to welcome him, + And bade him to sit down. + + O meikle was the good red wine 45 + In silver cups did flow; + But aye she drank to Lamington, + For with him would she go. + + O meikle was the good red wine + In silver cups gaed round; 50 + At length they began to whisper words, + None could them understand. + + "O came ye here for sport, young man, + Or came ye here for play? + Or came ye for our bonnie bride, 55 + On this her wedding day?" + + "I came not here for sport," he said, + "Neither did I for play; + But for one word o' your bonnie bride, + I'll mount and go away." 60 + + They set her maids behind her, + To hear what they would say; + But the first question he ask'd at her + Was always answered nay; + The next question he ask'd at her 65 + Was, "Mount and come away?" + + It's up the Couden bank, + And doun the Couden brae; + And aye she made the trumpet sound, + It's a weel won play. 70 + + O meikle was the blood was shed + Upon the Couden brae; + And aye she made the trumpet sound, + It's a' fair play. + + Come, a' ye English gentlemen, 75 + That is of England born, + Come na doun to Scotland, + For fear ye get the scorn. + + They'll feed ye up wi' flattering words, + And that's foul play; 80 + And they'll dress you frogs instead of fish, + Just on your wedding day. + + + + +BONNY BABY LIVINGSTON. + +Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_, ii. 135, from Mrs. Brown's recitation. +_Barbara Livingston_, a shorter piece, with a different catastrophe, +is given in the Appendix, from Motherwell's collection. + + O bonny Baby Livingstone + Gaed out to view the hay; + And by it cam him Glenlyon, + Staw bonny Baby away. + + And first he's taen her silken coat, 5 + And neist her satten gown; + Syne row'd her in his tartan plaid, + And happ'd her round and roun'. + + He's mounted her upon a steed, + And roundly rade away; 10 + And ne'er loot her look back again + The lee-lang simmer day. + + He's carried her o'er yon hich hich hill, + Intill a Highland glen, + And there he met his brother John 15 + Wi' twenty armed men. + + And there were cows, and there were ewes, + And there were kids sae fair; + But sad and wae was bonny Baby, + Her heart was fu' o' care. 20 + + He's taen her in his arms twa, + And kist her cheek and chin; + "I wad gi'e a' my flocks and herds, + Ae smile frae thee to win." + + "A smile frae me ye'se never win; 25 + I'll ne'er look kind on thee; + Ye've stown me awa frae a' my kin, + Frae a' that's dear to me. + + "Dundee, kind sir, Dundee, kind sir, + Tak me to bonny Dundee; 30 + For ye sall ne'er my favour win + Till it ance mair I see." + + "Dundee, Baby! Dundee, Baby! + Dundee ye ne'er shall see; + But I will carry you to Glenlyon, 35 + Where you my bride shall be. + + "Or will ye stay at Achingour, + And eat sweet milk and cheese; + Or gang wi' me to Glenlyon, + And there we'll live at our ease?" 40 + + "I winna stay at Achingour; + I care neither for milk nor cheese; + Nor gang wi' thee to Glenlyon; + For there I'll ne'er find ease." + + Then out it spak his brother John; 45 + "If I were in your place, + I'd send that lady hame again, + For a' her bonny face. + + "Commend me to the lass that's kind, + Though nae sae gently born; 50 + And, gin her heart I coudna win, + To take her hand I'd scorn." + + "O haud your tongue, my brother John; + Ye wisna what ye say; + For I hae lued that bonny face 55 + This mony a year and day. + + "I've lued her lang, and lued her weel, + But her love I ne'er could win; + And what I canna fairly gain, + To steal I think nae sin." 60 + + Whan they cam to Glenlyon castle, + They lighted at the yett; + And out they cam, his three sisters, + Their brother for to greet. + + And they have taen her, bonny Baby, 65 + And led her o'er the green; + And ilka lady spak a word, + But bonny Baby spake nane. + + Then out it spak her, bonny Jane, + The youngest o' the three: 70 + "O lady, why look ye sae sad? + Come tell your grief to me." + + "O wharefore should I tell my grief, + Since lax I canna find? + I'm far frae a' my kin and friends, 75 + And my love I left behind. + + "But had I paper, pen, and ink, + Afore that it were day, + I yet might get a letter wrate, + And sent to Johnie Hay. 80 + + "And gin I had a bonny boy, + To help me in my need, + That he might rin to bonny Dundee, + And come again wi' speed!" + + And they hae gotten a bonny boy 85 + Their errand for to gang; + And bade him run to Bonny Dundee, + And nae to tarry lang. + + The boy he ran o'er muir and dale, + As fast as he could flee; 90 + And e'er the sun was twa hours hight, + The boy was at Dundee. + + Whan Johnie lookit the letter on, + A hearty laugh leuch he; + But ere he read it till an end, 95 + The tear blinded his e'e. + + "O wha is this, or wha is that, + Has stown my love frae me? + Although he were my ae brither, + An ill dead sall he die. 100 + + "Gae, saddle to me the black," he says; + "Gae, saddle to me the brown; + Gae, saddle to me the swiftest steed, + That ever rade frae the town." + + He's call'd upon his merry men a', 105 + To follow him to the glen; + And he's vow'd he'd neither eat nor sleep + Till he got his love again. + + He's mounted him on a milk-white steed, + And fast he rade away; 110 + And he's come to Glenlyon's yett, + About the close o' day. + + As Baby at her window stood, + And the west-wind saft did blaw, + She heard her Johnie's well-kent voice 115 + Aneath the castle wa'. + + "O Baby, haste, the window loup; + I'll kep you in my arm; + My merry men a' are at the yett + To rescue you frae harm." 120 + + She to the window fix'd her sheets, + And slipped safely down; + And Johnie catched her in his arms, + Ne'er loot her touch the groun'. + + Glenlyon and his brother John 125 + Were birling in the ha', + When they heard Johnie's bridle ring + As fast he rade awa'. + + "Rise, Jock; gang out and meet the priest; + I hear his bridle ring; 130 + My Baby now shall be my wife, + Before the laverock sing." + + "O brother, this is nae the priest; + I fear he'll come o'er late; + For armed men wi' shining brands 135 + Stand at the castle yett." + + "Haste, Donald, Duncan, Dugald, Hugh, + Haste, tak your sword and spear; + We'll gar these traytors rue the hour + That e'er they ventured here." 140 + + The Highlandmen drew their claymores, + And gae a warlike shout; + But Johnie's merry men kept the yett, + Nae ane durst venture out. + + The lovers rade the lee-lang night, 145 + And safe got on their way; + And Bonny Baby Livingstone + Has gotten Johny Hay. + + "Awa, Glenlyon! fy for shame! + Gae hide you in some den; 150 + You've latten your bride be stown frae you, + For a' your armed men." + + + +THE BROOM OF COWDENKNOWS. + +_Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, iii. 37. For other versions, see +_Bonny May_, Herd's _Scottish Songs_, i. 159, and Johnson's _Museum_, +p. 113; _Broom o' the Cowdenknowes_, Buchan, i. 172; _Laird of +Ochiltree_, Kinloch, 160; _Laird of Lochnie_, Kinloch, 167. + + O the broom, and the bonny bonny broom, + And the broom of the Cowdenknows! + And aye sae sweet as the lassie sang, + I' the bought, milking the ewes. + + The hills were high on ilka side, 5 + An' the bought i' the lirk o' the hill, + And aye, as she sang, her voice it rang, + Out o'er the head o' yon hill. + + There was a troup o' gentlemen + Came riding merrilie by, 10 + And one of them has rode out o' the way, + To the bought to the bonny may. + + "Weel may ye save an' see, bonny lass, + An' weel may ye save an' see."-- + "An' sae wi' you, ye weel-bred knight, 15 + And what's your will wi' me?"-- + + "The night is misty and mirk, fair may, + And I have ridden astray, + And will you be so kind, fair may, + As come out and point my way?"-- 20 + + "Ride out, ride out, ye ramp rider! + Your steed's baith stout and strang; + For out of the bought I dare na come, + For fear 'at ye do me wrang."-- + + "O winna ye pity me, bonny lass, 25 + O winna ye pity me? + An' winna ye pity my poor steed, + Stands trembling at yon tree?"-- + + "I wadna pity your poor steed, + Though it were tied to a thorn; 30 + For if ye wad gain my love the night, + Ye wad slight me ere the morn. + + "For I ken you by your weel-busket hat, + And your merrie twinkling ee, + That ye're the Laird o' the Oakland hills, 35 + An' ye may weel seem for to be."-- + + "But I am not the Laird o' the Oakland hills, + Ye're far mista'en o' me; + But I'm ane o' the men about his house, + An' right aft in his companie."-- 40 + + He's ta'en her by the middle jimp, + And by the grass-green sleeve; + He's lifted her over the fauld-dyke, + And speer'd at her sma' leave. + + O he's ta'en out a purse o' gowd, 45 + And streek'd her yellow hair; + "Now, take ye that, my bonny may, + Of me till you hear mair."-- + + O he's leapt on his berry-brown steed, + An' soon he's o'erta'en his men; 50 + And ane and a' cried out to him, + "O master, ye've tarry'd lang!"-- + + "O I hae been east, and I hae been west, + An' I hae been far o'er the knowes, + But the bonniest lass that ever I saw 55 + Is i' the bought, milking the ewes."-- + + She set the cog upon her head, + An' she's gane singing hame; + "O where hae ye been, my ae daughter? + Ye hae na been your lane."-- 60 + + "O naebody was wi' me, father, + O naebody has been wi' me; + The night is misty and mirk, father, + Yee may gang to the door and see. + + "But wae be to your ewe-herd, father, 65 + And an ill deed may he die; + He bug the bought at the back o' the knowe, + And a tod has frighted me. + + "There came a tod to the bought door, + The like I never saw; 70 + And ere he had ta'en the lamb he did, + I had lourd he had ta'en them a'."-- + + O whan fifteen weeks was come and gane, + Fifteen weeks and three, + That lassie began to look thin and pale, 75 + An' to long for his merry-twinkling ee. + + It fell on a day, on a het simmer day, + She was ca'ing out her father's kye, + Bye came a troop o' gentlemen, + A' merrilie riding bye. 80 + + "Weel may ye save an' see, bonny may, + Weel may ye save and see! + Weel I wat, ye be a very bonny may, + But whae's aught that babe ye are wi'?"-- + + Never a word could that lassie say, 85 + For never a ane could she blame, + An' never a word could the lassie say, + But "I have a gudeman at hame."-- + + "Ye lied, ye lied, my very bonny may, + Sae loud as I hear you lie; 90 + For dinna ye mind that misty night + I was i' the bought wi' thee? + + "I ken you by your middle sae jimp, + An' your merry-twinkling ee, + That ye're the bonny lass i' the Cowdenknow, 95 + An' ye may weel seem for to be."-- + + Then he's leapt off his berry-brown steed, + An' he's set that fair may on-- + "Ca' out your kye, gude father, yoursell, + For she's never ca' them out again. 100 + + "I am the Laird of the Oakland hills, + I hae thirty plows and three; + An' I hae gotten the bonniest lass + That's in a' the south countrie." + + + + +JOHNIE SCOT. + +The edition of this ballad here printed was prepared by Motherwell +from three copies obtained from recitation, (_Minstrelsy_, p. 204.) +Other versions have been published in Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish +Ballads_, p. 78, Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, i. 248, +and his _Gleanings_, p. 122. The proper names which occur in the +course of the piece vary considerably in the different copies. In two +of Motherwell's, the hero's designation was Johnie Scot, in a third, +Johnie M'Nauchton. In one of Buchan's he is styled Love John, in the +other, Lang Johnny Moir. In Kinloch's copy, "Buneftan is his name," +and he is also called "Jack that little Scot," which seems to have +been the title of the ballad in an unpublished collection quoted by +Ritson in his _Dissertation on Scottish Song_, p. lxxxi. In like +manner, for the King of Aulsberry, (v. 111,) we have the various +readings, Duke of Marlborough, Duke of Mulberry, Duke of York, and +Duke of Winesberrie, and in the following verse, James the Scottish +King, for the King of Spain. + +The following passage, illustrative of the feat of arms accomplished +by Johnie Scot, was pointed out to Motherwell by Mr. Sharpe:--James +Macgill, of Lindores, having killed Sir Robert Balfour, of Denmiln, in +a duel, "immediately went up to London in order to procure his pardon, +which, it seems, the King (Charles the Second) offered to grant him, +upon condition of his fighting an Italian gladiator, or bravo, or, as +he was called, a bully, which, it is said, none could be found to do. +Accordingly, a large stage was erected for the exhibition before the +King and court. Sir James, it is said, stood on the defensive till the +bully had spent himself a little; being a taller man than Sir James, +in his mighty gasconading and bravadoing, he actually leapt over the +knight as if he would swallow him alive; but, in attempting to do this +a second time, Sir James ran his sword up through him, and then called +out, 'I have spitted him, let them roast him who will.' This not only +procured his pardon, but he was also knighted on the spot."--Small's +_Account of Roman Antiquities recently discovered in Fife_, p. 217. + +From Buchan's _Lang Johnny Moir_, printed in the Appendix, it will be +seen that the title of Little Scot is not to be taken literally, but +that the doughty champion was a man of huge stature. + + O Johnie Scot 's to the hunting gane, + Unto the woods sae wild; + And Earl Percy's ae daughter + To him goes big wi' child. + + O word is to the kitchen gane, 5 + And word is to the ha', + And word is to the highest towers, + Among the nobles a'. + + "If she be wi' child," her father said, + "As woe forbid it be! 10 + I'll put her into a prison strang, + And try the veritie." + + "But if she be wi' child," her mother said, + "As woe forbid it be! + I'll put her intill a dungeon dark, 15 + And hunger her till she die." + + O Johnie 's called his waiting man, + His name was Germanie: + "It 's thou must to fair England gae, + Bring me that gay ladie. 20 + + "And here it is a silken sark, + Her ain hand sewed the sleeve; + Bid her come to the merry green wood, + To Johnie her true love." + + He rode till he came to Earl Percy's gate, 25 + He tirled at the pin: + "O wha is there?" said the proud porter; + "But I daurna let thee in." + + It's he rode up, and he rode down, + He rode the castle about, 30 + Until he spied a fair ladie + At a window looking out. + + "Here is a silken sark," he said, + "Thy ain hand sewed the sleeve; + And ye must gae to the merry green woods, 35 + To Johnie Scot thy love." + + "The castle it is high, my boy, + And walled round about; + My feet are in the fetters strong, + And how can I get out? 40 + + "My garters are o' the gude black iron, + And O but they be cold; + My breast-plate's o' the sturdy steel, + Instead of beaten gold. + + "But had I paper, pen, and ink, 45 + Wi' candle at my command, + It's I would write a lang letter + To John in fair Scotland." + + Then she has written a braid letter, + And sealed it wi' her hand, 50 + And sent it to the merry green wood, + Wi' her own boy at command. + + The first line of the letter Johnie read, + A loud, loud lauch leuch he; + But he had not read ae line but twa, 55 + Till the saut tears did blind his ee. + + "O I must up to England go, + Whatever me betide, + For to relieve mine own fair ladie, + That lay last by my side." 60 + + Then up and spak Johnie's auld mither, + A weel spoke woman was she: + "If you do go to England, Johnie, + I may take fareweel o' thee." + + And out and spak his father then, 65 + And he spak well in time: + "If thou unto fair England go, + I fear ye'll ne'er come hame." + + But out and spak his uncle then, + And he spak bitterlie: 70 + "Five hundred of my good life-guards + Shall bear him companie." + + When they were all on saddle set, + They were comely to behold; + The hair that hung owre Johnie's neck shined 75 + Like the links o' yellow gold. + + When they were all marching away, + Most pleasant for to see, + There was not so much as a married man + In Johnie's companie. 80 + + Johnie Scot himsell was the foremost man + In the company that did ride; + His uncle was the second man, + Wi' his rapier by his side. + + The first gude town that Johnie came to, 85 + He made the bells be rung; + And when he rode the town all owre, + He made the psalms be sung. + + The next gude town that Johnie came to, + He made the drums beat round; 90 + And the third gude town that he came to, + He made the trumpets sound, + Till King Henry and all his merry men + A-marvelled at the sound. + + And when they came to Earl Percy's yates, 95 + They rode them round about; + And who saw he but his own true love + At a window looking out? + + "O the doors are bolted with iron and steel, + So are the windows about; 100 + And my feet they are in fetters strong; + And how can I get out? + + "My garters they are of the lead, + And O but they be cold; + My breast-plate's of the hard, hard steel, 105 + Instead of beaten gold." + + But when they came to Earl Percy's yett, + They tirled at the pin; + None was so ready as Earl Percy himsell + To open and let them in. 110 + + "Art thou the King of Aulsberry, + Or art thou the King of Spain? + Or art thou one of our gay Scots lords, + M'Nachton be thy name?" + + "I'm not the King of Aulsberry, 115 + Nor yet the King of Spain; + But am one of our gay Scots lords, + Johnie Scot I am called by name." + + When Johnie came before the king, + He fell low down on his knee: 120 + "If Johnie Scot be thy name," he said, + "As I trew weel it be, + Then the brawest lady in a' my court + Gaes big wi' child to thee." + + "If she be with child," fair Johnie said, 125 + "As I trew weel she be, + I'll make it heir owre a' my land, + And her my gay ladie." + + "But if she be wi' child," her father said, + "As I trew weel she be, 130 + To-morrow again eight o'clock, + High hanged thou shalt be." + + Out and spoke Johnie's uncle then, + And he spak bitterlie: + "Before that we see fair Johnie hanged, 135 + We'll a' fight till we die." + + "But is there ever an Italian about your court,[L137] + That will fight duels three? + For before that I be hanged," Johnie said, + "On the Italian's sword I'll die." 140 + + "Say on, say on," said then the king, + "It is weel spoken of thee; + For there is an Italian in my court + Shall fight you three by three." + + O some is to the good green wood, 145 + And some is to the plain, + The queen with all her ladies fair, + The king with his merry men, + Either to see fair Johnie flee, + Or else to see him slain. 150 + + They fought on, and Johnie fought on, + Wi' swords o' temper'd steel, + Until the draps o' red, red blood + Ran trinkling down the field. + + They fought on, and Johnie fought on, 155 + They fought right manfullie; + Till they left not alive, in a' the king's court, + A man only but three. + + And they begoud at eight of the morn, + And they fought on till three; 160 + When the Italian, like a swallow swift,[L161] + Owre Johnie's head did flee: + + But Johnie being a clever young boy, + He wheeled him round about; + And on the point of Johnie's broad-sword, 165 + The Italian he slew out. + + "A priest, a priest," fair Johnie cried, + "To wed my love and me;" + "A clerk, a clerk," her father cried, + "To sum her tocher free." 170 + + "I'll hae none of your gold," fair Johnie cried, + "Nor none of your other gear; + But I will have my own fair bride, + For this day I've won her dear." + + He's ta'en his true love by the hand, 175 + He led her up the plain: + "Have you any more of your English dogs + You want for to have slain?" + + He put a little horn to his mouth, + He blew 't baith loud and shill; 180 + And honour is into Scotland gone, + In spite of England's skill. + + He put his little horn to his mouth, + He blew it owre again; + And aye the sound the horn cryed 185 + Was "Johnie and his men!" + +137, 140, 143, Taillant. + +161, 166 Taillant. + + + + +BROWN ADAM. + + +_Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, iii. 159. + + "There is a copy of this ballad in Mrs. Brown's collection. The + editor has seen one, printed on a single sheet. The epithet, + "Smith," implies, probably, the sirname, not the profession, of + the hero, who seems to have been an outlaw. There is, however, in + Mrs. Brown's copy, a verse of little merit, here omitted, alluding + to the implements of that occupation." + + SCOTT. + + + O wha wad wish the wind to blaw, + Or the green leaves fa' therewith? + Or wha wad wish a lealer love + Than Brown Adam the Smith? + + But they hae banished him, Brown Adam, 5 + Frae father and frae mother; + And they hae banish'd him, Brown Adam, + Frae sister and frae brother. + + And they hae banish'd him, Brown Adam, + The flower o' a' his kin; 10 + And he's bigged a bour in gude green-wood + Atween his ladye and him. + + It fell upon a summer's day, + Brown Adam he thought lang; + And, for to hunt some venison, 15 + To green-wood he wald gang. + + He has ta'en his bow his arm o'er, + His bolts and arrows lang; + And he is to the gude green-wood + As fast as he could gang. 20 + + O he's shot up, and he's shot down, + The bird upon the brier; + And he sent it hame to his ladye, + Bade her be of gude cheir. + + O he's shot up, and he's shot down, 25 + The bird upon the thorn; + And sent it hame to his ladye, + Said he'd be hame the morn. + + When he cam to his lady's bour door + He stude a little forbye, 30 + And there he heard a fou fause knight + Tempting his gay ladye. + + For he's ta'en out a gay goud ring, + Had cost him many a poun', + "O grant me love for love, ladye, 35 + And this sall be thy own."-- + + "I lo'e Brown Adam weel," she said; + "I trew sae does he me; + I wadna gie Brown Adam's love + For nae fause knight I see."-- 40 + + Out has he ta'en a purse o' gowd, + Was a' fou to the string, + "O grant me love for love, ladye, + And a' this sall be thine."-- + + "I lo'e Brown Adam weel," she says; 45 + "I wot sae does he me: + I wadna be your light leman, + For mair than ye could gie."-- + + Then out he drew his lang bright brand, + And flash'd it in her een; 50 + "Now grant me love for love, ladye, + Or thro' ye this sall gang!"-- + Then, sighing, says that ladye fair, + "Brown Adam tarries lang!"-- + + Then in and starts him Brown Adam, 55 + Says--"I'm just at your hand."-- + He's gar'd him leave his bonny bow, + He's gar'd him leave his brand, + He's gar'd him leave a dearer pledge-- + Four fingers o' his right hand. 60 + + + + +LIZIE LINDSAY. + + +Complete copies of this pretty ballad are given in Buchan's _Ballads +of the North of Scotland_, ii. 102, and in Whitelaw's _Book of +Scottish Ballads_, p. 51. The latter we have printed with the present +version, which, though lacking a stanza or two, is better in some +respects than either of the others.--Robert Allan has made a song out +of this ballad, Smith's _Scottish Minstrel_, ii. 100. + +"Transmitted to the Editor by Professor SCOTT of Aberdeen, as it was +taken down from the recitation of an old woman. It is very popular in +the north-east of Scotland, and was familiar to the editor in his +early youth; and from the imperfect recollection which he still +retains of it, he has corrected the text in two or three unimportant +passages." JAMIESON'S _Popular Ballads_, ii. 149. + + "Will ye go to the Highlands, Lizie Lindsay, + Will ye go to the Highlands wi' me? + Will ye go to the Highlands, Lizie Lindsay, + And dine on fresh cruds and green whey?" + + Then out spak Lizie's mother, 5 + A good old lady was she, + "Gin ye say sic a word to my daughter, + I'll gar ye be hanged high." + + "Keep weel your daughter frae me, madam; + Keep weel your daughter frae me; 10 + I care as little for your daughter, + As ye can care for me." + + Then out spak Lizie's ain maiden, + A bonny young lassie was she; + Says,--"were I the heir to a kingdom, 15 + Awa' wi' young Donald I'd be." + + "O say you sae to me, Nelly? + And does my Nelly say sae? + Maun I leave my father and mother, + Awa' wi' young Donald to gae?" 20 + + And Lizie's ta'en till her her stockings, + And Lizie's ta'en till her her shoen; + And kilted up her green claithing, + And awa' wi' young Donald she's gane. + + The road it was lang and weary; 25 + The braes they were ill to climb; + Bonny Lizie was weary wi' travelling, + And a fit furder coudna win. + + And sair, O sair did she sigh, + And the saut tear blin'd her e'e; 30 + "Gin this be the pleasures o' looing, + They never will do wi' me!" + + "Now, haud your tongue, bonny Lizie; + Ye never shall rue for me; + Gi'e me but your love for my love, 35 + It is a' that your tocher will be. + + "And haud your tongue, bonny Lizie; + Altho' that the gait seem lang, + And you's ha'e the wale o' good living + Whan to Kincawsen we gang. 40 + + "There my father he is an auld cobler, + My mother she is an auld dey; + And we'll sleep on a bed o' green rashes, + And dine on fresh cruds and green whey." + + "You're welcome hame, Sir Donald, 45 + You're welcome hame to me." + + "O ca' me nae mair Sir Donald; + There's a bonny young lady to come; + Sae ca' me nae mair Sir Donald, + But ae spring Donald your son." 50 + + "Ye're welcome hame, young Donald; + Ye're welcome hame to me; + Ye're welcome hame, young Donald, + And your bonny young lady wi' ye." + + She's made them a bed of green rashes, 55 + Weel cover'd wi' hooding o' grey; + Bonny Lizie was weary wi' travelling, + And lay till 'twas lang o' the day. + + "The sun looks in o'er the hill-head, + And the laverock is liltin' gay; 60 + Get up, get up, bonny Lizie, + You've lain till its lang o' the day. + + "You might ha'e been out at the shealin, + Instead o' sae lang to lye, + And up and helping my mother 65 + To milk baith her gaits and kye." + + Then out spak Lizie Lindsay, + The tear blindit her eye; + "The ladies o' Edinburgh city + They neither milk gaits nor kye." 70 + + Then up spak young Sir Donald, + * * * * * * + * * * * * * + * * * * * * + + "For I am the laird o' Kincawsyn, + And you are the lady free; + And * * * * * + * * * * * * + + + + +LIZZIE LINDSAY. + +"This version of _Lizzie Lindsay_ is given from the recitation of a +lady in Glasgow, and is a faithful transcript of the ballad as it used +to be sung in the West of Scotland." WHITELAW'S _Book of Scottish +Ballads_, p. 51.--A very good copy, from Mr. Kinloch's MS., is printed +in Aytoun's _Ballads of Scotland_, i. 269, (_Donald of the Isles_.) + + + There was a braw ball in Edinburgh + And mony braw ladies were there, + But nae ane at a' the assembly + Could wi' Lizzie Lindsay compare. + + In cam' the young laird o' Kincassie, 5 + An' a bonnie young laddie was he-- + "Will ye lea' yere ain kintra, Lizzie, + An' gang to the Hielands wi' me?" + + She turned her roun' on her heel, + An' a very loud laughter gaed she-- 10 + "I wad like to ken whar I was ganging, + And wha I was gaun to gang wi'." + + "My name is young Donald M'Donald, + My name I will never deny; + My father he is an auld shepherd, 15 + Sae weel as he can herd the kye! + + "My father he is an auld shepherd, + My mother she is an auld dame; + If ye'll gang to the Hielands, bonnie Lizzie, + Ye's neither want curds nor cream." 20 + + "If ye'll call at the Canongate port, + At the Canongate port call on me, + I'll give you a bottle o' sherry, + And bear you companie." + + He ca'd at the Canongate port, 25 + At the Canongate port called he; + She drank wi' him a bottle o' sherry, + And bore him guid companie. + + "Will ye go to the Hielands, bonnie Lizzie, + Will ye go to the Hielands wi' me? 30 + If ye'll go to the Hielands, bonnie Lizzie, + Ye shall not want curds nor green whey." + + In there cam' her auld mither, + A jolly auld lady was she-- + "I wad like to ken whar she was ganging, 35 + And wha she was gaun to gang wi'." + + "My name is young Donald M'Donald, + My name I will never deny, + My father he is an auld shepherd, + Sae weel as he can herd the kye! 40 + + "O but I would give you ten guineas, + To have her one hour in a room, + To get her fair body a picture + To keep me from thinking long." + + "O I value not your ten guineas, 45 + As little as you value mine; + But if that you covet my daughter, + Take her with you, if you do incline." + + "Pack up my silks and my satins, + And pack up my hose and my shoon, 50 + And likewise my clothes in small bundles, + And away wi' young Donald I'll gang." + + They pack'd up her silks and her satins, + They pack'd up her hose and her shoon, + And likewise her clothes in small bundles, 55 + And away with young Donald she's gane. + + When that they cam' to the Hielands, + The braes they were baith lang and stey; + Bonnie Lizzie was wearied wi' ganging-- + She had travell'd a lang summer day. 60 + + "O are we near hame, Sir Donald, + O are we near hame, I pray?" + "We're no near hame, bonnie Lizzie, + Nor yet the half o' the way." + + They cam' to a homely poor cottage, 65 + An auld man was standing by; + "Ye're welcome hame, Sir Donald, + Ye've been sae lang away." + + "O call me no more Sir Donald, + But call me young Donald your son; 70 + For I have a bonnie young lady + Behind me for to come in." + + "Come in, come in, bonnie Lizzie, + Come in, come in," said he, + "Although that our cottage be little, 75 + Perhaps the better we'll 'gree. + + "O make us a supper, dear mother, + And make it of curds an' green whey; + And make us a bed o' green rushes, + And cover it o'er wi' green hay." 80 + + "Rise up, rise up, bonnie Lizzie, + Why lie ye so long in the day; + Ye might ha'e been helping my mother + To make the curds and green whey." + + "O haud your tongue, Sir Donald, 85 + O haud your tongue I pray; + I wish I had ne'er left my mother, + I can neither make curds nor whey." + + "Rise up, rise up, bonnie Lizzie, + And put on your satins so fine; 90 + For we maun to be at Kincassie + Before that the clock strikes nine." + + But when they came to Kincassie + The porter was standing by;-- + "Ye're welcome home, Sir Donald, 95 + Ye've been so long away." + + It's down then came his auld mither, + With all the keys in her hand, + Saying, "Take you these, bonnie Lizzie, + All under them's at your command." + + + + +LIZAE BAILLIE. + + +From Herd's _Scottish Songs_, ii. 50. A longer version, from Buchan's +larger collection, is in the Appendix. Mr. Chambers, assuming that the +foregoing ballad of _Lizie Lindsay_ was originally the same as _Lizie +Baillie_, has made out of various copies of both one story in two +parts: _The Scottish Ballads_, p. 158. Smith has somewhat altered the +language of this ballad: _Scottish Minstrel_, iv. 90. + + Lizae Baillie's to Gartartan gane, + To see her sister Jean; + And there she's met wi' Duncan Gr[ae]me, + And he's convoy'd her hame. + + "My bonny Lizae Baillie, 5 + I'll row ye in my plaidie, + And ye maun gang alang wi' me, + And be a Highland lady." + + "I'm sure they wadna ca' me wise, + Gin I wad gang wi' you, Sir; 10 + For I can neither card nor spin, + Nor yet milk ewe or cow, Sir." + + "My bonny Lizae Baillie, + Let nane o' these things daunt ye; + Ye'll hae nae need to card or spin, 15 + Your mither weel can want ye." + + Now she's cast aff her bonny shoen, + Made o' the gilded leather, + And she's put on her highland brogues, + To skip amang the heather: 20 + + And she's cast aff her bonny gown, + Made o' the silk and sattin, + And she's put on a tartan plaid, + To row amang the braken. + + She wadna hae a Lawland laird, 25 + Nor be an English lady; + But she wad gang wi' Duncan Gr[ae]me, + And row her in his plaidie. + + She was nae ten miles frae the town, + When she began to weary; 30 + She aften looked back, and said, + "Farewell to Castlecarry. + + "The first place I saw my Duncan Gr[ae]me, + Was near yon holland bush; + My father took frae me my rings, 35 + My rings but and my purse. + + "But I wadna gie my Duncan Gr[ae]me + For a' my father's land, + Though it were ten times ten times mair, + And a' at my command." 40 + + * * * * * * * * * + + Now wae be to you, loggerheads, + That dwell near Castlecarry, + To let awa' sic a bonny lass, + A Highlandman to marry. 45 + + + + +GLASGOW PEGGY. + + +From recitation, in Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 174. +Other copies are printed in Buchan's _Ballads of the North of +Scotland_, ii. 155, (_Donald of the Isles_,) Sharpe's _Ballad Book_, +p. 40, (and Chambers's _Popular Rhymes_, p. 27,) Smith's _Scottish +Minstrel_, iv. 78. + + The Lawland lads think they are fine, + But the hieland lads are brisk and gaucy; + And they are awa near Glasgow toun, + To steal awa a bonnie lassie. + + "I wad gie my gude brown steed, 5 + And sae wad I my gude grey naigie, + That I war fifty miles frae the toun, + And nane wi' me but my bonnie Peggy." + + But up then spak the auld gudman, + And vow but he spak wondrous saucie;-- 10 + "Ye may steal awa our cows and ewes, + But ye sanna get our bonnie lassie." + + "I have got cows and ewes anew, + I've got gowd and gear already; + Sae I dinna want your cows nor ewes, 15 + But I will hae your bonnie Peggy." + + "I'll follow you oure moss and muir, + I'll follow you oure mountains many, + I'll follow you through frost and snaw, + I'll stay na langer wi' my daddie." 20 + + He set her on a gude brown steed, + Himself upon a gude grey naigie; + They're oure hills, and oure dales, + And he's awa wi' his bonnie Peggy. + + As they rade out by Glasgow toun, 25 + And doun by the hills o' Achildounie, + There they met the Earl of Hume, + And his auld son, riding bonnie. + + Out bespak the Earl of Hume, + And O but he spak wondrous sorry,-- 30 + "The bonniest lass about a' Glasgow toun, + This day is awa wi' a hieland laddie." + + As they rade bye auld Drymen toun, + The lassies leuch and lookit saucy, + That the bonniest lass they ever saw, 35 + Sud be riding awa wi' a hieland laddie. + + They rode on through moss and muir, + And so did they owre mountains many, + Until they cam to yonder glen, + And she's lain doun wi' her hieland laddie. 40 + + Gude green hay was Peggy's bed, + And brakens war her blankets bonnie; + Wi' his tartan plaid aneath her head, + And she's lain doun wi' her hieland laddie. + + "There's beds and bowsters in my father's house, 45 + There's sheets and blankets, and a' thing ready, + And wadna they be angry wi' me, + To see me lie sae wi' a hieland laddie." + + "Tho' there's beds and beddin in your father's house, + Sheets and blankets and a' made ready, 50 + Yet why sud they be angry wi' thee, + Though I be but a hieland laddie? + + "It's I hae fifty acres of land, + It's a' plow'd and sawn already; + I am Donald the Lord of Skye, 55 + And why sud na Peggy be call'd a lady? + + "I hae fifty gude milk kye, + A' tied to the staws already; + I am Donald the Lord of Skye, + And why sud na Peggy be call'd a lady! 60 + + "See ye no a' yon castles and tow'rs? + The sun sheens owre them a sae bonnie; + I am Donald the Lord of Skye, + I think I'll mak ye as blythe as onie. + + "A' that Peggy left behind 65 + Was a cot-house and a wee kail-yardie; + Now I think she is better by far, + Than tho' she had got a lawland lairdie." + + + + +GLENLOGIE. + + +First published in the fourth volume of Smith's _Scottish Minstrel_. +Great liberties, says Motherwell, have been taken with the songs in +that work. Other versions are given in Sharpe's _Ballad Book_, and in +Buchan's larger collection, i. 188, (_Jean o' Bethelnie's Love for Sir +G. Gordon._) + + Three score o' nobles rade up the king's ha', + But bonnie Glenlogie's the flower o' them a'; + Wi' his milk-white steed and his bonnie black e'e, + "Glenlogie, dear mither, Glenlogie for me!" + + "O haud your tongue, dochter, ye'll get better than he;" 5 + "O say nae sae, mither, for that canna be; + Though Drumlie is richer, and greater than he, + Yet if I maun tak him, I'll certainly dee. + + "Where will I get a bonnie boy, to win hose and shoon, + Will gae to Glenlogie, and cum again shun?"[L10] 10 + "O here am I, a bonnie boy, to win hose and shoon, + Will gae to Glenlogie, and cum again shun." + + When he gaed to Glenlogie, 'twas "wash and go dine;" + 'Twas "wash ye, my pretty boy, wash and go dine;" + "O 'twas ne'er my father's fashion, and it ne'er shall be mine, 15 + To gar a lady's hasty errand wait till I dine. + + "But there is, Glenlogie, a letter for thee;" + The first line that he read, a low smile ga'e he, + The next line that he read, the tear blindit his e'e; + But the last line that he read, he gart the table flee. 20 + + "Gar saddle the black horse, gar saddle the brown; + Gar saddle the swiftest steed e'er rade frae a town;" + But lang ere the horse was drawn and brought to the green, + O bonnie Glenlogie was twa mile his lane. + + "When he cam' to Glenfeldy's door, little mirth was there; 25 + Bonnie Jean's mother was tearing her hair; + "Ye're welcome, Glenlogie, ye're welcome," said she, + "Ye're welcome, Glenlogie, your Jeanie to see." + + Pale and wan was she, when Glenlogie gaed ben, + But red and rosy grew she whene'er he sat down; 30 + She turned awa' her head, but the smile was in her e'e, + "O binna feared, mither, I'll maybe no dee." + +10, 12 shun again. + + + + +JOHN O' HAZELGREEN. + + +Neither the present version of this ballad, (taken from Buchan's +_Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 253,) nor that furnished by +Kinloch, (_Jock o' Hazelgreen_, p. 206,) is at all satisfactory. +Another, much superior in point of taste, but made up from four +different copies, is given in Chambers's _Scottish Ballads_, p. 319. + +Sir W. Scott's song of _Jock o' Hazeldean_ was suggested by a single +stanza of this ballad, which he had heard as a fragment, thus: + + "'Why weep ye by the tide ladye, + Why weep ye by the tide? + I'll wed ye to my youngest son, + And ye shall be his bride; + And ye shall be his bride, ladye, + Sae comely to be seen:' + But aye she loot the tears down fa' + For Jock o' Hazeldean." + + As I went forth to take the air + Intill an evening clear, + And there I spied a lady fair + Making a heavy bier. + Making a heavy bier, I say, 5 + But and a piteous meen; + And aye she sigh'd, and said, alas! + For John o' Hazelgreen. + + The sun was sinking in the west, + The stars were shining clear; 10 + When thro' the thickets o' the wood, + A gentleman did appear. + Says, "who has done you the wrong, fair maid, + And left you here alane; + Or who has kiss'd your lovely lips, 15 + That ye ca' Hazelgreen?" + + "Hold your tongue, kind sir," she said, + "And do not banter so; + How will ye add affliction + Unto a lover's woe? 20 + For none's done me the wrong," she said, + "Nor left me here alane; + Nor none has kiss'd my lovely lips, + That I ca' Hazelgreen." + + "Why weep ye by the tide, lady? 25 + Why weep ye by the tide? + How blythe and happy might he be + Gets you to be his bride! + Gets you to be his bride, fair maid, + And him I'll no bemean; 30 + But when I take my words again, + Whom call ye Hazelgreen? + + "What like a man was Hazelgreen? + Will ye show him to me?" + "He is a comely proper youth, 35 + I in my sleep did see; + Wi' arms tall, and fingers small,-- + He's comely to be seen;" + And aye she loot the tears down fall + For John o' Hazelgreen. 40 + + "If ye'll forsake young Hazelgreen, + And go along with me, + I'll wed you to my eldest son, + Make you a lady free." + "It's for to wed your eldest son 45 + I am a maid o'er mean; + I'll rather stay at home," she says, + "And die for Hazelgreen." + + "If ye'll forsake young Hazelgreen, + And go along with me, 50 + I'll wed you to my second son, + And your weight o' gowd I'll gie." + "It's for to wed your second son + I am a maid o'er mean; + I'll rather stay at home," she says, 55 + "And die for Hazelgreen." + + Then he's taen out a siller comb, + Comb'd down her yellow hair; + And looked in a diamond bright, + To see if she were fair. 60 + "My girl, ye do all maids surpass + That ever I have seen; + Cheer up your heart, my lovely lass, + And hate young Hazelgreen." + + "Young Hazelgreen he is my love, 65 + And ever mair shall be; + I'll nae forsake young Hazelgreen + For a' the gowd ye'll gie." + But aye she sigh'd, and said, alas! + And made a piteous meen; 70 + And aye she loot the tears down fa', + For John o' Hazelgreen. + + He looked high, and lighted low, + Set her upon his horse; + And they rode on to Edinburgh, 75 + To Edinburgh's own cross. + And when she in that city was, + She look'd like ony queen; + "'Tis a pity such a lovely lass + Shou'd love young Hazelgreen." 80 + + "Young Hazelgreen, he is my love, + And ever mair shall be; + I'll nae forsake young Hazelgreen + For a' the gowd ye'll gie." + And aye she sigh'd, and said, alas! 85 + And made a piteous meen; + And aye she loot the tears down fa', + For John o' Hazelgreen. + + "Now hold your tongue, my well-far'd maid, + Lat a' your mourning be, 90 + And a' endeavours I shall try, + To bring that youth to thee; + If ye'll tell me where your love stays, + His stile and proper name." + "He's laird o' Taperbank," she says, 95 + "His stile, Young Hazelgreen." + + Then he has coft for that lady + A fine silk riding gown; + Likewise he coft for that lady + A steed, and set her on; 100 + Wi' menji feathers in her hat, + Silk stockings and siller sheen; + And they are on to Taperbank, + Seeking young Hazelgreen. + + They nimbly rode along the way, 105 + And gently spurr'd their horse, + Till they rode on to Hazelgreen, + To Hazelgreen's own close. + Then forth he came, young Hazelgreen, + To welcome his father free; 110 + "You're welcome here, my father dear, + And a' your companie." + + But when he look'd o'er his shoulder, + A light laugh then gae he; + Says, "If I getna this lady, 115 + It's for her I must die; + I must confess this is the maid + I ance saw in a dream, + A walking thro' a pleasant shade, + As fair's a cypress queen." 120 + + "Now hold your tongue, young Hazelgreen, + Lat a' your folly be; + If ye be wae for that lady, + She's thrice as wae for thee. + She's thrice as wae for thee, my son; 125 + As bitter doth complain; + Well is she worthy o' the rigs + That lie on Hazelgreen." + + He's taen her in his arms twa, + Led her thro' bower and ha'; 130 + "Cheer up your heart, my dearest dear, + Ye're flower out o'er them a'. + This night shall be our wedding e'en, + The morn we'll say, Amen; + Ye'se never mair hae cause to mourn,-- 135 + Ye're lady o' Hazelgreen." + + + + +THE FAUSE LOVER. + + +From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, i. 268. The fourth +and fifth stanzas are found as a fragment in Herd's _Scottish Songs_, +ii. 6, (ed. 1776,) thus: + + "False luve, and hae ze played me this, + In the simmer, mid the flowers? + I sall repay ze back again, + In the winter mid the showers. + + "Bot again, dear luve, and again, dear luve, + Will ze not turn again? + As ze look to ither women + Shall I to ither men." + +Sir Walter Scott, also, as Chambers has pointed out, has, in +_Waverley_, put two similar stanzas into the mouth of Davie Gellatley. + + "False love, and hast thou played me this, + In summer, among the flowers? + I will repay thee back again, + In winter, amid the showers. + + "Unless again, again, my love, + Unless ye turn again, + As you with other maidens rove, + I'll smile on other men." + + A fair maid sat in her bower door, + Wringing her lily hands; + And by it came a sprightly youth, + Fast tripping o'er the strands. + + "Where gang ye, young John," she says, 5 + "Sae early in the day? + It gars me think, by your fast trip, + Your journey's far away." + + He turn'd about wi' surly look, + And said, "What's that to thee? 10 + I'm gaen to see a lovely maid, + Mair fairer far than ye." + + "Now hae ye play'd me this, fause love, + In simmer, 'mid the flowers? + I sall repay ye back again, 15 + In winter, 'mid the showers. + + "But again, dear love, and again, dear love, + Will ye not turn again? + For as ye look to ither women, + Shall I to ither men." 20 + + "Make your choose o' whom you please, + For I my choice will have; + I've chosen a maid mair fair than thee, + I never will deceive." + + But she's kilt up her claithing fine, 25 + And after him gaed she; + But aye he said, "ye'll turn back, + Nae farder gang wi' me." + + "But again, dear love, and again, dear love, + Will ye never love me again? 30 + Alas! for loving you sae well, + And you nae me again." + + The first an' town that they came till, + He bought her brooch and ring; + But aye he bade her turn again, 35 + And gang nae farder wi' him. + + "But again, dear love, and again, dear love, + Will ye never love me again? + Alas! for loving you sae well, + And you nae me again." 40 + + The niest an' town that they came till, + His heart it grew mair fain; + And he was deep in love wi' her, + As she was ower again. + + The niest an' town that they came till, 45 + He bought her wedding gown; + And made her lady o' ha's and bowers, + In bonny Berwick town. + + + + +THE GARDENER. + + +From Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 74. The last stanza but +one is found in the preceding ballad. Another copy is given by Buchan, +_Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 187. + + The gard'ner stands in his bouer door, + Wi' a primrose in his hand, + And bye there cam a leal maiden, + As jimp as a willow wand; + And bye there cam a leal maiden, + As jimp as a willow wand. + + "O ladie can ye fancy me, 5 + For to be my bride; + Ye'se get a' the flowers in my garden, + To be to you a weed. + + "The lily white sall be your smock; + It becomes your body best; 10 + Your head sall be buskt wi' gelly-flower, + Wi' the primrose in your breist. + + "Your goun sall be the Sweet William; + Your coat the camovine; + Your apron o' the sallads neat, 15 + That taste baith sweet and fine. + + "Your hose sall be the brade kail-blade, + That is baith brade and lang; + Narrow, narrow, at the cute, + And brade, brade at the brawn. 20 + + "Your gloves sall be the marigold, + All glittering to your hand, + Weel spread owre wi' the blue blaewort, + That grows amang corn-land." + + "O fare ye weil, young man," she says, 25 + "Fareweil, and I bid adieu; + Sin ye've provided a weed for me + Amang the simmer flowers, + It's I'se provide anither for you, + Amang the winter-showers: 30 + + "The new fawn snaw to be your smock; + It becomes your bodie best; + Your head sall be wrapt wi' the eastern wind, + And the cauld rain on your breist." + + + + +THE DUKE OF ATHOL. + + +"Taken down from the recitation of an idiot boy in Wishaw." Kinloch's +_Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 170. + + + "I am gaing awa, Jeanie, + I am gaing awa, + I am gaing ayont the saut seas, + I'm gaing sae far awa." + + "What will ye buy to me, Jamie, 5 + What will ye buy to me?" + "I'll buy to you a silken plaid, + And send it wi' vanitie." + + "That's na love at a', Jamie, + That's na love at a'; 10 + All I want is love for love, + And that's the best ava. + + "Whan will ye marry me, Jamie, + Whan will ye marry me? + Will ye tak me to your countrie,-- 15 + Or will ye marry me?" + + "How can I marry thee, Jeanie, + How can I marry thee? + Whan I've a wife and bairns three,-- + Twa wad na weill agree." 20 + + "Wae be to your fause tongue, Jamie, + Wae be to your fause tongue; + Ye promised for to marry me, + And has a wife at hame! + + "But if your wife wad dee, Jamie, 25 + And sae your bairns three, + Wad ye tak me to your countrie,-- + Or wad ye marry me? + + "But sin they're all alive, Jamie, + But sin they're all alive, 30 + We'll tak a glass in ilka hand, + And drink, 'Weill may they thrive.'" + + "If my wife wad dee, Jeanie, + And sae my bairns three, + I wad tak ye to my ain countrie, 35 + And married we wad be." + + "O an your head war sair, Jamie, + O an your head war sair, + I'd tak the napkin frae my neck, + And tie doun your yellow hair." 40 + + "I hae na wife at a', Jeanie, + I hae na wife at a', + I hae neither wife nor bairns three; + I said it to try thee." + + "Licht are ye to loup, Jamie, 45 + Licht are ye to loup, + Licht are ye to loup the dyke, + Whan I maun wale a slap." + + "Licht am I to loup, Jeanie, + Licht am I to loup; 50 + But the hiest dyke that we come to, + I'll turn and tak you up. + + "Blair in Athol is mine, Jeanie, + Blair in Athol is mine; + Bonnie Dunkel is whare I dwell, 55 + And the boats o' Garry's mine. + + "Huntingtower is mine, Jeanie, + Huntingtower is mine, + Huntingtower, and bonnie Belford, + And a' Balquhither's mine." 60 + + + + +THE RANTIN' LADDIE. + + +An imperfect copy of this ballad was printed in Johnson's _Museum_, +(p. 474,) contributed, Mr. Stenhouse informs us, by Burns. The present +copy is from the _Thistle of Scotland_, p. 7. Another, shorter than +either, is given in Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. +66, _Lord Aboyne_. (Also in Smith's _Scottish Minstrel_, iv. 6.) + + "Aft hae I playd at cards and dice + For the love o' a bonny rantin' laddie, + But now I maun sit i' my father's kitchen nook, + And sing, 'Hush, balow, my baby.' + + "If I had been wise, and had ta'en advice, 5 + And dane as my bonny love bade me, + I would hae been married at Martinmas, + And been wi' my rantin' laddie. + + "But I was na wise, I took nae advice, + Did not as my bonny love bade me, 10 + And now I maun sit by mysel' i' the nook, + And rock my bastard baby. + + "If I had horse at my command, + As often I had many, + I would ride on to the Castle o' Aboyne, 15 + Wi' a letter to my rantin' laddie." + + Down the stair her father came, + And looked proud and saucy; + "Who is the man, and what is his name, + That ye ca' your rantin' laddie? 20 + + "Is he a lord, or is he a laird, + Or is he but a caddie? + Or is it the young Earl o' Aboyne, + That ye ca' your rantin' laddie?" + + "He is a young and noble lord, 25 + He never was a caddie; + It is the noble Earl o' Aboyne + That I ca' my rantin' laddie." + + "Ye shall hae a horse at your command, + As ye had often many, 30 + To go to the Castle o' Aboyne, + Wi' a letter to your rantin' laddie." + + "Where will I get a little page, + Where will I get a caddie, + That will run quick to bonny Aboyne, 35 + Wi' this letter to my rantin' laddie?" + + Then out spoke the young scullion boy, + Said, "Here am I, a caddie; + I will run on to bonny Aboyne + Wi' the letter to your rantin' laddie." 40 + + "Now when ye come to bonny Deeside, + Where woods are green and bonny, + Then will ye see the Earl o' Aboyne, + Among the bushes mony. + + "And when ye come to the lands o' Aboyne, 45 + Where all around is bonny, + Ye'll take your hat into your hand, + Gie this letter to my rantin' laddie." + + When he came near the banks of Dee, + The birks were blooming bonny, 50 + And there he saw the Earl o' Aboyne + Among the bushes mony. + + "Where are ye going, my bonny boy, + Where are ye going, my caddie?" + "I am going to the Castle o' Aboyne 55 + Wi' a letter to the rantin' laddie." + + "See yonder is the castle there, + My young and handsome caddie, + And I myself am the Earl o' Aboyne, + Tho they ca' me the rantin' laddie." 60 + + "O pardon, my lord, if I've done wrong; + Forgive a simple caddie; + O pardon, pardon, Earl o' Aboyne, + I said but what she bade me." + + "Ye've done no wrong, my bonny boy, 65 + Ye've done no wrong, my caddie;" + Wi' hat in hand he bowed low, + Gave the letter to the rantin' laddie. + + When young Aboyne looked the letter on, + O but he blinkit bonny; 70 + But ere he read four lines on end, + The tears came trickling mony. + + "My father will no pity shew, + My mother still does slight me, + And a' my friends have turned from me, 75 + And servants disrespect me." + + "Who are they dare be so bold + To cruelly use my lassie? + But I'll take her to bonny Aboyne, + Where oft she did caress me. 80 + + "Go raise to me five hundred men, + Be quick and make them ready; + Each on a steed, to haste their speed, + To carry home my lady." + + As they rode on thro' Buchanshire, 85 + The company were many, + Wi' a good claymore in every hand, + That glanced wondrous bonny. + + When he came to her father's gate + He called for his lady; 90 + "Come down, come down, my bonny maid, + And speak wi' your rantin' laddie." + + When she was set on high horseback, + Row'd in the highland plaidie, + The bird i' the bush sung not so sweet, 95 + As sung this bonny lady. + + As they rode on thro' Buchanshire, + He cried, "Each lowland lassie, + Lay your love on some lowland lown, + And soon will he prove fause t' ye. 100 + + "But take my advice, and make your choice + Of some young highland laddie, + Wi' bonnet and plaid, whose heart is staid, + And he will not beguile ye." + + As they rode on thro' Garioch land, 105 + He rode up in a fury, + And cried, "Fall back each saucy dame, + Let the Countess of Aboyne before ye." + + + + +THE DUKE OF GORDON'S DAUGHTER. + +Ritson's _Scottish Songs_, ii. 169. + + +"Alexander, third Earl of Huntly, was succeeded, in 1523, by his +grandson Alexander, Lord Gordon, who actually had three daughters. I. +Lady Elizabeth, the eldest, married to John, Earl of Athol. II. Lady +Margaret, married to John, Lord Forbes. III. Lady Jean, the youngest, +married _first_, to James, Earl of Bothwell, from whom she was +divorced in 1568; she married, _secondly_, Alexander, Earl of +Southerland, who died in 1594; and surviving him, she married, +_thirdly_, Captain Alexander Ogilvie, son and successor of Sir Walter +Ogilvie of Boym, who died in 1606 without issue." STENHOUSE, _Musical +Museum_, iv. 378. + +The dukedom of Gordon was not created until 1684, and therefore the +first line should probably run as quoted by Burns,-- + + "The _Lord_ of Gordon had three daughters." + + The duke of Gordon has three daughters, + Elizabeth, Margaret, and Jean; + They would not stay in bonny Castle-Gordon, + But they would go to bonny Aberdeen. + + They had not been in Aberdeen 5 + A twelvemonth and a day, + Till Lady Jean fell in love with Captain Ogilvie, + And away with him she would gae. + + Word came to the duke of Gordon, + In the chamber where he lay, 10 + Lady Jean has fell in love with Captain Ogilvie, + And away with him she would gae. + + "Go saddle me the black horse, + And you'll ride on the grey; + And I will ride to bonny Aberdeen, 15 + Where I have been many a day." + + They were not a mile from Aberdeen, + A mile but only three, + Till he met with his two daughters walking, + But away was Lady Jean. 20 + + "Where is your sister, maidens? + Where is your sister, now? + Where is your sister, maidens, + That she is not walking with you?" + + "O pardon us, honoured father, 25 + O pardon us," they did say; + "Lady Jean is with Captain Ogilvie, + And away with him she will gae." + + When he came to Aberdeen, + And down upon the green, 30 + There did he see Captain Ogilvie, + Training up his men. + + "O wo to you, Captain Ogilvie, + And an ill death thou shalt die; + For taking to my daughter, 35 + Hanged thou shalt be." + + Duke Gordon has wrote a broad letter, + And sent it to the king, + To cause hang Captain Ogilvie, + If ever he hanged a man. 40 + + "I will not hang Captain Ogilvie, + For no lord that I see; + But I'll cause him to put off the lace and scarlet, + And put on the single livery." + + Word came to Captain Ogilvie, 45 + In the chamber where he lay, + To cast off the gold lace and scarlet, + And put on the single livery. + + "If this be for bonny Jeany Gordon, + This pennance I'll take wi'; 50 + If this be bonny Jeany Gordon, + All this I will dree." + + Lady Jean had not been married, + Not a year but three, + Till she had a babe in every arm, 55 + Another upon her knee. + + "O but I'm weary of wandering! + O but my fortune is bad! + It sets not the duke of Gordon's daughter + To follow a soldier lad. 60 + + "O but I'm weary of wandering! + O but I think lang! + It sets not the duke of Gordon's daughter, + To follow a single man." + + When they came to the Highland hills, 65 + Cold was the frost and snow; + Lady Jean's shoes they were all torn, + No farther could she go. + + "O wo to the hills and the mountains! + Wo to the wind and the rain! 70 + My feet is sore with going barefoot, + No further am I able to gang. + + "Wo to the hills and the mountains! + Wo to the frost and the snow! + My feet is sore with going barefoot, 75 + No farther am I able for to go. + + "O! if I were at the glens of Foudlen, + Where hunting I have been, + I would find the way to bonny Castle-Gordon, + Without either stockings or shoon." 80 + + When she came to Castle-Gordon, + And down upon the green, + The porter gave out a loud shout, + "O yonder comes Lady Jean." + + "O you are welcome, bonny Jeany Gordon, 85 + You are dear welcome to me; + You are welcome, dear Jeany Gordon, + But away with your Captain Ogilvie." + + Now over seas went the captain, + As a soldier under command; 90 + A message soon followed after, + To come and heir his brother's land. + + "Come home, you pretty Captain Ogilvie, + And heir your brother's land; + Come home, ye pretty Captain Ogilvie, 95 + Be earl of Northumberland." + + "O what does this mean?" says the captain; + "Where's my brother's children three?" + "They are dead and buried, + And the lands they are ready for thee." 100 + + "Then hoist up your sails, brave captain, + Let's be jovial and free; + I'll to Northumberland, and heir my estate, + Then my dear Jeany I'll see." + + He soon came to Castle-Gordon, 105 + And down upon the green; + The porter gave out with a loud shout, + "Here comes Captain Ogilvie." + + "You're welcome, pretty Captain Ogilvie, + Your fortune's advanced I hear; 110 + No stranger can come unto my gates, + That I do love so dear." + + "Sir, the last time I was at your gates, + You would not let me in; + I'm come for my wife and children, 115 + No friendship else I claim." + + "Come in, pretty Captain Ogilvie, + And drink of the beer and the wine; + And thou shalt have gold and silver, + To count till the clock strike nine." 120 + + "I'll have none of your gold and silver, + Nor none of your white money; + But I'll have bonny Jeany Gordon; + And she shall go now with me." + + Then she came tripping down the stair, 125 + With the tear into her eye; + One babe was at her foot, + Another upon her knee. + + "You're welcome, bonny Jeany Gordon, + With my young family; 130 + Mount and go to Northumberland, + There a countess thou shalt be." + + + + +THE LAIRD O'LOGIE. + +_Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, iii. 131. + + +An edition of this ballad was published in Herd's _Scottish Songs_, +(i. 54,) and there is styled _The Young Laird of Ochiltrie_. Scott +recovered the following copy from recitation, which is to be preferred +to the other, as agreeing more closely with the real fact, both in the +name and the circumstances. + +The incident here celebrated occurred in the year 1592. Francis, Earl +Bothwell, being then engaged in a wild conspiracy against James VI., +succeeded in obtaining some followers even among the king's personal +attendants. Among these was a gentleman named Weymis of Logie. Accused +of treasonable converse with Bothwell, he confessed to the charge, and +was, of course, in danger of expiating his crime by death. But he was +rescued through the address and courage of Margaret Twynstoun, a lady +of the court, to whom he was attached. It being her duty to wait on +the queen the night of Logie's accusation, she left the royal chamber +while the king and queen were asleep, passed to the room where he was +kept in custody, and ordered the guard to bring the prisoner into the +presence of their majesties. She received her lover at the chamber +door, commanding the guard to wait there, and conveyed him to a +window, from which he escaped by a long cord. This is the story as +related in _The Historie of King James the Sext_, quoted by Scott. + + I will sing, if ye will hearken, + If ye will hearken unto me; + The king has ta'en a poor prisoner, + The wanton laird o' young Logie. + + Young Logie's laid in Edinburgh chapel, 5 + Carmichael's the keeper o' the key; + And May Margaret's lamenting sair, + A' for the love of young Logie. + + May Margaret sits in the queen's bouir,[L9] + Knicking her fingers ane by ane, 10 + Cursing the day that she e'er was born, + Or that she e'er heard o' Logie's name. + + "Lament, lament na, May Margaret, + And of your weeping let me be; + For ye maun to the king himsell, 15 + To seek the life o' young Logie." + + May Margaret has kilted her green cleiding, + And she has curl'd back her yellow hair,-- + "If I canna get young Logie's life, + Farewell to Scotland for evermair." 20 + + When she came before the king, + She knelit lowly on her knee. + "O what's the matter, May Margaret? + And what need's a' this courtesie?" + + "A boon, a boon, my noble liege, 25 + A boon, a boon, I beg o' thee! + And the first boon that I come to crave + Is to grant me the life o' young Logie." + + "O na, O na, May Margaret, + Forsooth, and so it mauna be; 30 + For a' the gowd o' fair Scotland + Shall not save the life o' young Logie." + + But she has stown the king's redding kaim, + Likewise the queen her wedding knife; + And sent the tokens to Carmichael, 35 + To cause young Logie get his life. + + She sent him a purse o' the red gowd, + Another o' the white monie; + She sent him a pistol for each hand, + And bade him shoot when he gat free. 40 + + When he came to the Tolbooth stair, + There he let his volley flee; + It made the king in his chamber start, + E'en in the bed where he might be. + + "Gae out, gae out, my merrymen a', 45 + And bid Carmichael come speak to me; + For I'll lay my life the pledge o' that, + That yon's the shot o' young Logie." + + When Carmichael came before the king, + He fell low down upon his knee; 50 + The very first word that the king spake + Was,--"Where's the laird of young Logie?" + + Carmichael turn'd him round about, + (I wot the tear blinded his e'e,)-- + "There came a token frae your grace 55 + Has ta'en away the laird frae me." + + "Hast thou play'd me that, Carmichael? + And hast thou play'd me that?" quoth he; + "The morn the Justice Court's to stand, + And Logie's place ye maun supplie." 60 + + Carmichael's awa to Margaret's bower, + Even as fast as he may drie,-- + "O if young Logie be within, + Tell him to come and speak with me!" + + May Margaret turn'd her round about, 65 + (I wot a loud laugh laughed she,)-- + "The egg is chipp'd, the bird is flown, + Ye'll see nae mair of young Logie." + + The tane is shipped at the pier of Leith, + The tother at the Queen's Ferrie; 70 + And she's gotten a father to her bairn, + The wanton laird of young Logie. + +v. 9-12. This stanza was obtained by Motherwell from recitation. + + + + +THE GYPSIE LADDIE. + + +This ballad first appeared in print in the _Tea-Table Miscellany_, +(ii. 282,) from which it was adopted into Herd's and Pinkerton's +collections, Johnson's _Museum_, and Ritson's _Scottish Songs_. The +version here selected, that of Finlay, (_Scottish Ballads_, ii. 39,) +is nearly the same, but has two more stanzas, the third and the +fourth. Different copies are given in Motherwell's _Minstrelsy_, p. +360, Smith's _Scottish Minstrel_, iii. 90, _The Songs of England and +Scotland_, (by Peter Cunningham,) ii. 346, and Sheldon's _Minstrelsy +of the English Border_, p. 329, (see our Appendix;) others, which we +have not seen, in Mactaggart's _Gallovidian Dictionary_, Chambers's +_Scottish Gypsies_, and _The Scot's Magazine_ for November, 1817. + +There is a popular tradition, possessing, we believe, no foundation in +fact, that the incidents of this ballad belong to the history of the +noble family of Cassilis. The Lady Jean Hamilton, daughter of the Earl +of Waddington, is said to have been constrained to marry a grim +Covenanter, John, Earl of Cassilis, though her affections were already +engaged to Sir John Faa of Dunbar. In 1643, several years after their +union, when the Countess had given birth to two or three children, her +husband being absent from home on a mission to the Assembly of Divines +at Westminster, Sir John presented himself at Cassilis Castle, +attended by a small band of gypsies, and himself disguised as one. The +recollection of her early passion proved stronger than the marriage +vow, and the lady eloped with her former lover. But before she had got +far from home, the Earl happened to return. Learning what had +occurred, he set out in pursuit with a considerable body of followers, +and, arresting the fugitives, brought them back to his castle, where +he hanged Sir John and his companions on a great tree before the gate. +The Countess was obliged to witness the execution from a chamber +window, and after a short confinement in the castle, was shut up for +the rest of her life in a house at Maybole, four miles distant, which +had been fitted up for her, with a staircase on which were carved a +set of heads representing her lover and his troop. + +Unfortunately for the truth of the story, letters are in existence, +written by the Earl of Cassilis to the Lady Jean after the date of +these events, which prove the subsistence of a high degree of mutual +affection and confidence; and Finlay assures us that after a diligent +search, he had been able to discern nothing that in the slightest +confirmed the popular tale. The whole story is perhaps the malicious +invention of an enemy of the house of Cassilis, and as such would not +be unparalleled in the history of ballad poetry. See Dauney's _Ancient +Scottish Melodies_, p. 269, and Chambers's _Scottish Ballads_, p. +143. + + The gypsies came to our good lord's gate, + And wow but they sang sweetly; + They sang sae sweet and sae very complete, + That down came the fair lady. + + And she came tripping doun the stair, 5 + And a' her maids before her; + As soon as they saw her weel-far'd face, + They coost the glamer o'er her. + + "O come with me," says Johnie Faw, + "O come with me, my dearie; 10 + For I vow and I swear by the hilt of my sword, + That your lord shall nae mair come near ye." + + Then she gied them the beer and the wine, + And they gied her the ginger; + But she gied them a far better thing, 15 + The goud ring aff her finger. + + "Gae tak frae me this gay mantle, + And bring to me a plaidie; + For if kith and kin and a' had sworn, + I'll follow the gypsie laddie. 20 + + "Yestreen I lay in a weel-made bed, + Wi' my good lord beside me; + But this night I'll lye in a tennant's barn, + Whatever shall betide me." + + "Come to your bed," says Johnie Faw, 25 + "O come to your bed, my dearie; + For I vow and swear by the hilt of my sword, + That your lord shall nae mair come near ye." + + "I'll go to bed to my Johnie Faw, + I'll go to bed to my dearie; 30 + For I vow and I swear by the fan in my hand, + That my lord shall nae mair come near me. + + "I'll mak a hap to my Johnie Faw, + I'll mak a hap to my dearie; + And he's get a' the coat gaes round, 35 + And my lord shall nae mair come near me." + + And when our lord came hame at e'en, + And spier'd for his fair lady, + The tane she cry'd, and the other replied, + "She's away wi' the gypsie laddie." 40 + + "Gae saddle to me the black black steed, + Gae saddle and make him ready; + Before that I either eat or sleep, + I'll gae seek my fair lady." + + And we were fifteen weel-made men, 45 + Altho' we were na bonny; + And we were a' put down but ane, + For a fair young wanton lady. + + + + +LAIRD OF DRUM. + + +From Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 200, obtained from +recitation. Another copy is furnished by Buchan, _Ballads of the North +of Scotland_, ii. 194, which, with some variations, is printed again +in _Scottish Traditional Versions of Ancient Ballads_, Percy Society, +vol. xvii. p. 53. + +"This ballad," says Kinloch, was composed on the marriage of Alexander +Irvine of Drum to his second wife, Margaret Coutts, a woman of +inferior birth and manners, which step gave great offence to his +relations. He had previously, in 1643, married Mary, fourth daughter +of George, second Marquis of Huntly. + + The Laird o' Drum is a wooing gane, + It was on a morning early, + And he has fawn in wi' a bonnie may + A-shearing at her barley. + + "My bonnie may, my weel-faur'd may, 5 + O will ye fancy me, O; + And gae and be the lady o' Drum, + And lat your shearing abee, O?" + + "It's I canna fancy thee, kind sir, + I winna fancy thee, O, 10 + I winna gae and be Lady o' Drum, + And lat my shearing abee, O. + + "But set your love on anither, kind sir, + Set it not on me, O, + For I am not fit to be your bride, 15 + And your hure I'll never be, O. + + "My father he is a shepherd mean, + Keeps sheep on yonder hill, O, + And ye may gae and speir at him, + For I am at his will, O." 20 + + Drum is to her father gane, + Keeping his sheep on yon hill, O; + And he has gotten his consent + That the may was at his will, O. + + "But my dochter can neither read nor write, 25 + She was ne'er brought up at scheel, O; + But weel can she milk cow and ewe, + And mak a kebbuck weel, O. + + "She'll win in your barn at bear-seed time, + Cast out your muck at Yule, O, 30 + She'll saddle your steed in time o' need, + And draw aff your boots hersell, O." + + "Have not I no clergymen? + Pay I no clergy fee, O? + I'll scheel her as I think fit, 35 + And as I think weel to be, O. + + "I'll learn your lassie to read and write, + And I'll put her to the scheel, O; + She'll neither need to saddle my steed, + Nor draw aff my boots hersell, O. 40 + + "But wha will bake my bridal bread, + Or brew my bridal ale, O; + And wha will welcome my bonnie bride, + Is mair than I can tell, O." + + Drum is to the hielands gane, 45 + For to mak a' ready, + And a' the gentry round about, + Cried, "Yonder's Drum and his lady! + + "Peggy Coutts is a very bonnie bride, + And Drum is a wealthy laddie, 50 + But he micht hae chosen a hier match, + Than onie shepherd's lassie." + + Then up bespak his brither John, + Says, "Ye've deen us meikle wrang, O; + Ye've married een below our degree, 55 + A lake to a' our kin, O." + + "Hold your tongue, my brither John, + I have deen you na wrang, O; + For I've married een to wirk and win, + And ye've married een to spend, O. 60 + + "The first time that I had a wife, + She was far abeen my degree, O; + I durst na come in her presence, + But wi' my hat upo' my knee, O. + + "The first wife that I did wed, 65 + She was far abeen my degree, O; + She wadna hae walk'd to the yetts o' Drum, + But the pearls abeen her bree, O. + + "But an she was ador'd for as much gold, + As Peggy's for beautie, O, 70 + She micht walk to the yetts o' Drum, + Amang gueed companie, O." + + There war four and twenty gentlemen + Stood at the yetts o' Drum, O; + There was na ane amang them a' 75 + That welcom'd his lady in, O. + + He has tane her by the milk-white hand, + And led her in himsel, O, + And in thro' ha's, and in thro' bouers,-- + "And ye're welcome, Lady o' Drum, O." 80 + + Thrice he kissed her cherry cheek, + And thrice her cherry chin, O; + And twenty times her comely mou',-- + "And ye're welcome, Lady o' Drum, O. + + "Ye sall be cook in my kitchen, 85 + Butler in my ha', O; + Ye sall be lady in my command, + Whan I ride far awa, O."-- + + "But I told ye afore we war wed, + I was owre low for thee, O; 90 + But now we are wed, and in ae bed laid, + And ye maun be content wi' me, O. + + "For an I war dead, and ye war dead, + And baith in ae grave laid, O, + And ye and I war tane up again, 95 + Wha could distan your mouls frae mine, O?" + + + + +LADY ANNE BOTHWELL'S LAMENT. + + +The unhappy lady into whose mouth some unknown poet has put this +lament, is now ascertained to have been Anne, daughter to Bothwell, +Bishop of Orkney. Her faithless lover was her cousin, Alexander +Erskine, son to the Earl of Mar. Lady Anne is said to have possessed +great beauty, and Sir Alexander was reputed the handsomest man of his +age. He was first a colonel in the French army, but afterwards engaged +in the service of the Covenanters, and came to his death by being +blown up, with many other persons of rank, in Douglass Castle, on the +30th of August, 1640. The events which occasioned the ballad seem to +have taken place early in the seventeenth century. Of the fate of the +lady subsequent to this period nothing is known. See Chambers, +_Scottish Ballads_, p. 150, and _The Scots Musical Museum_, (1853,) +iv. 203*. + +In Brome's comedy of _The Northern Lass, or the Nest of Fools_, +acted in 1632, occur the two following stanzas. They are, perhaps, a +part of the original Lament, which certainly has undergone great +alterations in its progress down to our times. + + "Peace, wayward barne! Oh cease thy moan! + Thy farre more wayward daddy's gone, + And never will recalled be, + By cryes of either thee or me: + For should wee cry + Until we dye, + Wee could not scant his cruelty. + _Ballow, ballow, &c._ + + "He needs might in himselfe foresee + What thou successively might'st be; + And could hee then (though me foregoe) + His infant leave, ere hee did know + How like the dad + Would be the lad, + In time to make fond maydens glad? + _Ballow, ballow, &c._" + +The first professed edition of this piece is in the Third Part of +Watson's _Collection of Comic and Serious Scots Poems_, p. 79; the +next in the _Tea-Table Miscellany_, i. 161. Both of these copies have +been modernized, but Ramsay's is the better of the two, and equally +authentic. We therefore select Ramsay's, and add to it Percy's, which +contains three stanzas not found in the others, and preserves somewhat +more of the air of antiquity. There is a version extending to fifteen +stanzas, arranged in a very different order, in Evans's _Old Ballads_, +i. 259. Herd, Ritson, &c., have followed Ramsay. + + Balow, my boy, ly still and sleep, + It grieves me sore to hear thee weep: + If thou'lt be silent, I'll be glad, + Thy mourning makes my heart full sad. + Balow, my boy, thy mother's joy, 5 + Thy father bred me great annoy. + _Balow, my boy, ly still and sleep_, + _It grieves me sore to hear thee weep_. + + Balow, my darling, sleep a while, + And when thou wak'st, then sweetly smile; 10 + But smile not as thy father did, + To cozen maids, nay, God forbid; + For in thine eye his look I see, + The tempting look that ruin'd me, + _Balow, my boy, &c._ 15 + + When he began to court my love, + And with his sugar'd words to move, + His tempting face, and flatt'ring chear + In time to me did not appear; + But now I see that cruel he 20 + Cares neither for his babe nor me. + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + Fareweel, fareweel, thou falsest youth + That ever kist a woman's mouth; + Let never any after me 25 + Submit unto thy courtesy! + For, if they do, O! cruel thou + Wilt her abuse, and care not how. + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + I was too cred'lous at the first, 30 + To yield thee all a maiden durst; + Thou swore for ever true to prove, + Thy faith unchang'd, unchang'd thy love; + But quick as thought the change is wrought, + Thy love's no mair, thy promise nought. 35 + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + I wish I were a maid again! + From young men's flatt'ry I'd refrain; + For now unto my grief I find + They all are perjur'd and unkind; 40 + Bewitching charms bred all my harms;-- + Witness my babe lies in my arms. + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + I take my fate from bad to worse, + That I must needs be now a nurse, 45 + And lull my young son on my lap: + From me, sweet orphan, take the pap. + Balow, my child, thy mother mild + Shall wail as from all bliss exil'd. + _Balow, my boy, &c._ 50 + + Balow, my boy, weep not for me, + Whose greatest grief's for wronging thee; + Nor pity her deserved smart, + Who can blame none but her fond heart; + For, too soon trusting latest finds 55 + With fairest tongues are falsest minds. + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + Balow, my boy, thy father's fled, + When he the thriftless son has played; + Of vows and oaths forgetful, he 60 + Preferr'd the wars to thee and me. + But now, perhaps, thy curse and mine + Make him eat acorns with the swine. + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + But curse not him; perhaps now he, 65 + Stung with remorse, is blessing thee: + Perhaps at death; for who can tell, + Whether the judge of heaven or hell, + By some proud foe has struck the blow, + And laid the dear deceiver low? 70 + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + I wish I were into the bounds + Where he lies smother'd in his wounds, + Repeating, as he pants for air, + My name, whom once he call'd his fair; 75 + No woman's yet so fiercely set, + But she'll forgive, though not forget. + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + If linen lacks, for my love's sake, + Then quickly to him would I make 80 + My smock, once for his body meet, + And wrap him in that winding-sheet + Ah me! how happy had I been, + If he had ne'er been wrapt therein. + _Balow, my boy, &c._ + + Balow, my boy, I'll weep for thee: 85 + Too soon, alake, thou'lt weep for me: + Thy griefs are growing to a sum, + God grant thee patience when they come; + Born to sustain thy mother's shame, + A hapless fate, a bastard's name. 90 + _Balow, my boy, ly still and sleep_, + _It grieves me sore to hear thee weep_. + + + + +LADY ANNE BOTHWELL'S LAMENT. + +From Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 207. + + +"From a copy in the Editor's folio MS., corrected by another in Allan +Ramsay's _Miscellany_." + + Balow, my babe, lye still and sleipe! + It grieves me sair to see thee weipe: + If thoust be silent, Ise be glad, + Thy maining maks my heart ful sad. + Balow, my boy, thy mothers joy, 5 + Thy father breides me great annoy. + _Balow, my babe, ly stil and sleipe_, + _It grieves me sair to see thee weepe_. + + Whan he began to court my luve, + And with his sugred wordes to muve, 10 + His faynings fals and flattering cheire + To me that time did not appeire: + But now I see, most cruell hee + Cares neither for my babe nor mee. + _Balow, &c._ 15 + + Lye still, my darling, sleipe a while, + And when thou wakest, sweitly smile: + But smile not, as thy father did, + To cozen maids; nay, God forbid! + But yett I feire, thou wilt gae neire 20 + Thy fatheris hart and face to beire. + _Balow, &c._ + + I cannae chuse, but ever will + Be luving to thy father still: + Whaireir he gae, whaireir he ryde, 25 + My luve with him doth still abyde: + In weil or wae, whaireir he gae, + Mine hart can neire depart him frae. + _Balow, &c._ + + But doe not, doe not, pretty mine, 30 + To faynings fals thine hart incline; + Be loyal to thy luver trew, + And nevir change her for a new: + If gude or faire, of hir have care, + For womens banning 's wonderous sair. 35 + _Balow, &c._ + + Bairne, sin thy cruel father is gane, + Thy winsome smiles maun eise my paine; + My babe and I'll together live, + He'll comfort me when cares doe grieve: + My babe and I right saft will ly, 40 + And quite forgeit man's cruelty. + _Balow, &c._ + + Fareweil, fareweil, thou falsest youth, + That evir kist a womans mouth! 45 + I wish all maides be warned by mee + Nevir to trust mans curtesy; + For if we doe bot chance to bow, + They'll use us then they care not how. + _Balow, my babe, ly stil and sleipe_, + _It grieves me sair to see thee weipe_. 50 + + + + +WALY, WALY, BUT LOVE BE BONNY. + + +These beautiful verses are thought to be only a part of _Lord Jamie +Douglas_, (see the next piece,) in one copy or another of which, +according to Motherwell, nearly all of them are to be found. They were +first published in the _Tea-Table Miscellany_, (i. 231,) and are here +given as they there appear, separate from an explicit story. Although +in this condition they must be looked upon as a fragment, still, they +are too awkwardly introduced in the ballad above mentioned, and too +superior to the rest of the composition, to allow of our believing +that they have as yet found their proper connection. + +In Johnson's _Museum_, (i. 166,) besides several trifling variations +from Ramsay's copy, the fourth is replaced by the following: + + When cockle shells turn siller bells, + And mussels grow on every tree, + When frost and snaw shall warm us a', + Then shall my love prove true to me. + +The third stanza stands thus in a Christmas medley, quoted by Leyden +from a "MS. Cantus of the latter part of the 17th century:" + + Hey troly loly, love is joly, + A whyle whill it is new; + When it is old, it grows full cold,-- + Woe worth the love untrue! + + _Complaynt of Scotland_, i. 278. + + O waly, waly up the bank, + And waly, waly down the brae, + And waly, waly yon burn side, + Where I and my love wont to gae. + + I lean'd my back unto an aik, 5 + I thought it was a trusty tree; + But first it bow'd, and syne it brak, + Sae my true love did lightly me! + + O waly, waly, but love be bonny, + A little time while it is new; 10 + But when 'tis auld, it waxeth cauld, + And fades away like the morning dew. + + O wherefore should I busk my head? + Or wherfore should I kame my hair? + For my true love has me forsook, 15 + And says he'll never love me mair. + + Now Arthur-Seat shall be my bed, + The sheets shall ne'er be fyl'd by me: + Saint Anton's well shall be my drink, + Since my true love has forsaken me. 20 + + Martinmas wind, when wilt thou blaw, + And shake the green leaves off the tree? + O gentle death, when wilt thou come? + For of my life I'm weary. + + 'Tis not the frost that freezes fell, 25 + Nor blawing snaw's inclemency; + 'Tis not sic cauld that makes me cry, + But my love's heart grown cauld to me. + + When we came in by Glasgow town, + We were a comely sight to see; 30 + My love was clad in the black velvet, + And I my sell in cramasie. + + But had I wist, before I kiss'd, + That love had been sae ill to win, + I'd lock'd my heart in a case of gold, 35 + And pin'd it with a silver pin. + + Oh, oh, if my young babe were born, + And set upon the nurse's knee, + And I my sell were dead and gane! + For a maid again I'll never be. 40 + + + + +LORD JAMIE DOUGLAS. + + +From the appendix to Motherwell's _Minstrelsy_, p. v. An imperfect +copy of this ballad was printed in Finlay's collection, vol. ii. p. 4; +another, called the _Laird of Blackwood_, in Kinloch's, p. 60. Both of +them may be seen at the end of this volume. Chambers has compiled a +ballad in four parts from these three versions, another in manuscript, +furnished by Kinloch, and the verses just given from Ramsay's +_Miscellany_; and Aytoun, more recently, has made up a ballad from two +copies obtained from recitation by Kinloch, and called it _The +Marchioness of Douglas. Ballads of Scotland_, 2d ed. i. 135. + +The circumstances which gave rise to the ballad are thus stated by +Chambers: "James, second Marquis of Douglas, when aged twenty-four, +married at Edinburgh, on the 7th of September, 1670, Lady Barbara +Erskine, eldest daughter of John, ninth Earl of Mar. This lady is said +to have been previously wooed, without success, by a gentleman of the +name of Lowrie, who on account of his afterwards marrying Mariotte +Weir, heiress of Blackwood, in Lanarkshire, was commonly called, +according to the custom of Scotland, the Tutor, and sometimes the +Laird, of Blackwood. Lowrie, who seems to have been considerably +advanced in life at the time, was chamberlain or factor to the Marquis +of Douglas; a circumstance which gave him peculiar facilities for +executing an atrocious scheme of vengeance he had projected against +the lady. By a train of proceedings somewhat similar to those of +Iago, and in particular, by pretending to have discovered a pair of +men's shoes underneath the Marchioness's bed, he completely succeeded +in breaking up the affection of the unfortunate couple. Lord Douglas, +who, though a man of profligate conduct, had hitherto treated his wife +with some degree of politeness, now rendered her life so miserable, +that she was obliged to seek refuge with her father. The earl came +with a large retinue to carry her off, when, according to the ballad, +as well as the tradition of the country, a most affecting scene took +place. The Marquis himself was so much overcome by the parting of his +wife and child--for she had now borne a son--that he expressed, even +in that last hour, a desire of being reconciled to her. But the +traitorous Lowrie succeeded in preventing him from doing so, by a +well-aimed sarcasm at his weakness.... Regarding the ultimate fate of +the Marchioness I am altogether ignorant. It is, however, very +improbable that any reconciliation ever took place between her and her +husband, such as is related in the ballad." _Scottish Ballads_, p. +150. + + O waly, waly up the bank, + And waly, waly down the brae, + And waly, waly by yon burn side, + Where me and my lord was wont to gae. + + Hey nonny nonnie, but love is bonnie, 5 + A little while when it is new; + But when love grows auld it grows mair cauld, + And fades away like the morning dew. + + I lean'd my back against an aik, + I thocht it was a trustie tree; 10 + But first it bowed, and syne it break, + And sae did my fause luve to me. + + My mother tauld me when I was young, + That young man's love was ill to trow; + But untill her I would give nae ear, 15 + And alace my ain wand dings me now! + + O wherefore need I busk my head? + O wherefore should I kaim my hair? + For my good lord has me forsook, + And says he'll never love me mair. 20 + + Gin I had wist or I had kisst + That young man's love was sae ill to win, + I would hae lockt my hert wi' a key o' gowd, + And pinn'd it wi' a siller pin. + + An I had kent what I ken now, 25 + I'd never crosst the water Tay, + But stayed still at Athole's gates;-- + He would have made me his lady gay. + + When lords and lairds cam to this toun, + And gentlemen o' a high degree, 30 + I took my auld son in my arms, + And went to my chamber pleasantlie. + + But when lords and lairds come through this toun,[L33] + And gentlemen o' a high degree, + I must sit alane intill the dark, 35 + And the babie on the nurse's knee. + + I had a nurse, and she was fair; + She was a dearly nurse to me; + She took my gay lord frae my side, + And used him in her companie. 40 + + Awa, awa, thou fause Blackwood, + Aye, and an ill death may thou die! + Thou wert the first and occasion last + Of parting my gay lord and me. + + When I lay sick, and very sick, 45 + Sick I was and like to die, + A gentleman, a friend of mine, + He came on purpose to visit me; + But Blackwood whisper'd in my lord's ear + He was ower lang in chamber with me. 50 + + When I was sick, and very sick, + Sick I was and like to die, + I drew me near to my stairhead, + And I heard my ain lord lichtly me. + + "Come down, come down, O Jamie Douglas, 55 + And drink the orange wine with me; + I'll set thee on a chair of gold, + And daut thee kindly on my knee." + + "When sea and sand turn far inland, + And mussels grow on ilka tree, 60 + When cockle shells turn siller bells, + I'll drink the orange wine wi' thee." + + "What ails you at our youngest son, + That sits upon the nurse's knee? + I'm sure he's never done any harm, 65 + An it's not to his ain nurse and me." + + If I had kent what I ken now, + That love it was sae ill to win, + I should ne'er hae wet my cherry cheek + For onie man or woman's son. 70 + + When my father came to hear + That my gay lord had forsaken me, + He sent five score of his soldiers bright + To take me safe to my ain countrie. + + Up in the mornin' when I arose, 75 + My bonnie palace for to lea', + I whispered in at my lord's window, + But the never a word he would answer me. + + "Fare ye weel, then, Jamie Douglas, + I need care as little as ye care for me; 80 + The Earl of Mar is my father dear, + And I soon will see my ain countrie. + + "Ye thought that I was like yoursell, + And loving ilk ane I did see; + But here I swear by the heavens clear, 85 + I never loved a man but thee." + + Slowly, slowly rose I up, + And slowly, slowly I cam down; + And when he saw me sit in my coach, + He made his drums and trumpets sound. 90 + + When I into my coach was set, + My tenants all were with me tane; + They set them down upon their knees, + And they begg'd me to come back again. + + It's "fare ye weel, my bonnie palace; 95 + And fare ye weel, my children three: + God grant your father may get mair grace, + And love thee better than he has done me." + + It's "fare ye weel, my servants all; + And you, my bonnie children three: 100 + God grant your father grace to be kind + Till I see you safe in my ain countrie. + + "But wae be to you, fause Blackwood, + Aye, and ill death may you die! + Ye are the first, and I hope the last, 105 + That put strife between my good lord and me." + + When I came in through Edinburgh town, + My loving father came to meet me, + With trumpets sounding on every side; + But it was no comfort at all to me: 110 + For no mirth nor music sounds in my ear, + Since the Earl of March has forsaken me. + + "Hold your tongue, my daughter dear, + And of your weeping pray let abee; + For I'll send to him a bill of divorce, 115 + And I'll get as good a lord to thee." + + "Hold your tongue, my father dear, + And of your scoffing pray let abee; + I would rather hae a kiss of my ain lord's mouth + As all the lords in the north countrie." 120 + + When she came to her father's land, + The tenants a' cam her to see; + Never a word she could speak to them, + But the buttons aff her clothes did flee.[L124] + + "The linnet is a bonnie bird, 125 + And aften flees far frae its nest; + So all the world may plainly see + They 're far awa that I love best!" + + She looked out at her father's window, + To take a view of the countrie; 130 + Who did she see but Jamie Douglas, + And along with him her children three. + + There came a soldier to the gate, + And he did knock right hastilie: + "If Lady Douglas be within, 135 + Bid her come down and speak to me." + + "O come away, my lady fair, + Come away, now, alang with me: + For I have hanged fause Blackwood + At the very place where he told the lie." 140 + +33, cam. + +124. See _Andrew Lammie_, vol. ii. 191. + + + + +THE NUTBROWNE MAIDE. + + +We owe the preservation of this beautiful old ballad to _Arnold's +Chronicle_, of which the earliest edition is thought to have been +printed in 1502. In Laneham's account of Elizabeth's visit to +Kenilworth, the _Nut-brown Maid_ is mentioned as a book by itself, and +there is said to be at Oxford a list of books offered for sale at that +place in 1520, among which is the _Not-Broon Mayd_, price one penny; +still, the ballad is not known to exist at present in any other +ancient form than that of the Chronicle. We have no means of +determining the date of the composition, but Percy has justly remarked +that it is not probable that an antiquary would have inserted a piece +in his historical collections which he knew to be modern. The language +is that of the time at which it was printed. + +The ballad seems to have been long forgotten, when it was revived in +_The Muse's Mercury_ for June, 1707, (Percy.) There Prior met with it, +and, charmed with its merit, he took the story for the foundation of +his _Henry and Emma_. Capel, in 1760, published a collated text from +two different editions of the Chronicle,--we suppose that of 1502, and +the second, which was printed in 1521, and exhibits some differences. +Percy adopted Capel's text with a few alterations, (_Reliques_, ii. +30.) The text of the edition of 1502 has been twice reprinted since +Percy's time: in the _Censura Literaria_, vol. i. p. 15, and by Mr. +Wright, in a little black-letter volume, London, 1836. We have adopted +Mr. Wright's text, not neglecting to compare it with that of Sir +Egerton Brydges. + +It will be interesting to compare with this matchless poem a ballad in +other languages, which has the same drift;--_Die Lind im Thale_, or +_Liebesprobe_, Erk, _Deutscher Liederhort_, p. 1, 3; Uhland, No. 116; +Hoffmann, _Schlesische_ V. L., No. 22, _Niederl[:a]ndische V. L._, No. +26; Haupt and Schmaler, _V. L. der Wenden_, i. 72 (Hoffmann). + +In the sixteenth century a ridiculous attempt was made to supplant the +popular ballads in the mouths and affections of the people by turning +them into pious parodies. _The Nut-Brown Maid_ was treated in this +way, and the result may be seen in _The New Not-borune Mayd_, printed +by the Roxburghe Club, and by the Percy Society, vol. vi. + + "Be it right or wrong, these men among + On women do complaine, + Affermyng this, how that it is + A labour spent in vaine + To love them wele, for never a dele 5 + They love a man agayne: + For lete a man do what he can + Ther favour to attayne, + Yet yf a newe do them pursue,[L9] + Ther furst trew lover than 10 + Laboureth for nought, and from her thought + He is a bannished man." + + "I say not nay, but that all day + It is bothe writ and sayde, + That womans fayth is, as who sayth, 15 + All utterly decayed: + But nevertheles, right good witnes + In this case might be layde, + That they love trewe, and contynew,-- + Recorde THE NUTBROWNE MAIDE; 20 + Whiche from her love, whan her to prove + He cam to make his mone, + Wolde not departe, for in her herte + She lovyd but hym allone." + + "Than betwene us lete us discusse 25 + What was all the man['e]r + Betwene them too; we wyl also + Telle all the peyne and fere[L28] + That she was in; nowe I begynne, + See that ye me answ['e]re:[L30] 30 + Wherfore [all] ye that present be, + I pray you geve an eare. + I am the knyght, I cum be nyght, + As secret as I can, + Sayng 'Alas! thus stondyth the case,[L35] 35 + I am a bannisshed man!'" + + "And I your wylle for to fulfylle + In this wyl not refuse, + Trusting to shewe, in wordis fewe, + That men have an ille use, 40 + To ther owne shame, wymen to blame, + And causeles them accuse: + Therfore to you I answere now, + Alle wymen to excuse, + 'Myn owne hert dere, with you what chiere? 45 + I prey you telle anoon: + For in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you allon.'" + + "It stondith so: a deed is do + Wherof moche harme shal growe.[L50] 50 + My desteny is for to dey + A shamful dethe, I trowe, + Or ellis to flee,--the ton must be: + None other wey I knowe, + But to withdrawe as an outlaw, 55 + And take me to my bowe. + Wherfore, adew, my owne hert trewe, + None other red I can; + For I muste to the grene wode goo, + Alone, a bannysshed man." 60 + + "O Lorde, what is this worldis blisse + That chaungeth as the mone! + My somers day in lusty May + Is derked before the none. + I here you saye Farwel: nay, nay, 65 + We departe not soo sone. + Why say ye so? Wheder wyl ye goo? + Alas, what have ye done? + Alle my welfare to sorow and care + Shulde chaunge, yf ye were gon: 70 + For in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you alone." + + "I can beleve it shal you greve, + And somewhat you distrayne; + But aftyrwarde your paynes harde, 75 + Within a day or tweyne, + Shal sone aslake, and ye shal take + Confort to you agayne. + Why shuld ye nought? for, to make thought + Your labur were in vayne: 80 + And thus I do, and pray you, too, + As hertely as I can: + For I muste too the grene wode goo, + Alone, a banysshed man." + + "Now syth that ye have shewed to me 85 + The secret of your mynde, + I shal be playne to you agayne, + Lyke as ye shal me fynde: + Syth it is so that ye wyll goo, + I wol not leve behynde; 90 + Shal never be sayd the Nutbrowne Mayd + Was to her love unkind. + Make you redy, for soo am I, + All though it were anoon; + For in my mynde, of all mankynde 95 + I love but you alone." + + "Yet I you rede to take good hede + What men wyl thinke and sey;[L98] + Of yonge and olde it shal be told, + That ye be gone away 100 + Your wanton wylle for to fulfylle, + In grene wood you to play; + And that ye myght from your delyte + Noo lenger make delay. + Rather than ye shuld thus for me 105 + Be called an ylle woman, + Yet wolde I to the grene wodde goo + Alone, a banysshed man." + + "Though it be songe of olde and yonge + That I shuld be to blame, 110 + Theirs be the charge that speke so large + In hurting of my name. + For I wyl prove that feythful love + It is devoyd of shame, + In your distresse and hevynesse, 115 + To parte wyth you the same; + And sure all thoo that doo not so, + Trewe lovers ar they noon; + But in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you alone." 120 + + "I counsel yow remembre how + It is noo maydens lawe, + Nothing to dought, but to renne out + To wod with an outlawe. + For ye must there in your hande bere 125 + A bowe to bere and drawe, + And as a theef thus must ye lyeve, + Ever in drede and awe; + By whiche to yow gret harme myght grow;-- + Yet had I lever than 130 + That I had too the grenewod goo + Alone, a banysshyd man." + + "I thinke not nay; but, as ye saye, + It is noo maydens lore; + But love may make me for your sake, 135 + As ye have said before, + To com on fote, to hunte and shote + To gete us mete and store; + For soo that I your company + May have, I aske noo more; 140 + From whiche to parte, it makith myn herte + As colde as ony ston: + For in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you alone." + + "For an outlawe this is the lawe, 145 + That men hym take and binde, + Without pytee hanged to bee, + And waver with the wynde. + Yf I had neede, as God forbede, + What rescous coude ye finde? 150 + For sothe, I trowe, you and your bowe + Shuld drawe for fere behynde:[L152] + And noo merveyle; for lytel avayle + Were in your councel than; + Wherfore I too the woode wyl goo 155 + Alone, a banysshed man." + + "Ful wel knowe ye that wymen bee + Ful febyl for to fyght; + Noo womanhed is it indeede, + To bee bolde as a knight. 160 + Yet in suche fere yf that ye were, + Amonge enemys day and nyght, + I wolde wythstonde, with bowe in hande, + To greeve them as I myght, + And you to save, as wymen have, 165 + From deth many one: + For in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you alone." + + "Yet take good hede; for ever I drede + That ye coude not sustein 170 + The thorney wayes, the depe valeis, + The snowe, the frost, the reyn, + The colde, the hete; for, drye or wete, + We must lodge on the playn; + And us aboove noon other rove 175 + But a brake bussh or twayne; + Whiche sone shulde greve you, I beleve, + And ye wolde gladly than + That I had too the grenewode goo + Alone, a banysshyd man." 180 + + "Syth I have here been partynere + With you of joy and blysse, + I must also parte of your woo + Endure, as reason is; + Yet am I sure of oo plesure, 185 + And shortly, it is this; + That where ye bee, mesemeth, perd['e], + I coude not fare amysse. + Wythout more speche, I you beseche + That we were soon agone; 190 + For in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you alone." + + "Yf ye goo thedyr, ye must consider, + Whan ye have lust to dyne, + Ther shel no mete be fore to gete, 195 + Nor drinke, bere, ale, ne wine; + Ne shetis clene to lye betwene, + Made of thred and twyne: + Noon other house but levys and bowes + To kever your hed[200] and myn.[L200] 200 + Loo, myn herte swete, this ylle dyet + Shuld make you pale and wan: + Wherfore I to the wood wyl goo + Alone, a banysshid man." + + "Amonge the wylde dere suche an archier 205 + As men say that ye bee + Ne may not fayle of good vitayle, + Where is so grete plente; + And watir cleere of the ryvere + Shal be ful swete to me, 210 + Wyth whiche in hele I shal right wele + Endure, as ye shall see: + And er we go, a bed or too + I can provide anoon; + For in my mynde, of all mankynde 215 + I love but you alone." + + "Loo, yet before, ye must doo more, + Yf ye wyl goo with me, + As cutte your here up by your ere, + Your kirtel by the knee; 220 + Wyth bowe in hande, for to withstonde + Your enmys, yf nede bee; + And this same nyght, before daylight, + To woodward wyl I flee; + And [if] ye wyl all this fulfylle, 225 + Doo it shortely as ye can: + Ellis wil I to the grene wode goo + Alone, a banysshyd man." + + "I shal as now do more for you + Than longeth to womanhede,[L230] 230 + To short my here, a bowe to bere, + To shote in tyme of nede: + O my swete moder, before all other, + For you have I most drede! + But now, adiew! I must ensue 235 + Wher fortune duth me leede. + All this make ye; now lete us flee; + The day cums fast upon;[L238] + For in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you alone." 240 + + "Nay, nay, not soo; ye shal not goo; + And I shal telle you why; + Your appetyte is to be lyght + Of love, I wele aspie: + For right as ye have sayd to me, 245 + In lyke wyse, hardely, + Ye wolde answere, who so ever it were, + In way of company. + It is sayd of olde, sone hote, sone colde, + And so is a woman; 250 + Wherfore I too the woode wyl goo + Alone, a banysshid man." + + "Yef ye take hede, yt is noo nede[L253] + Suche wordis to say bee me; + For ofte ye preyd, and longe assayed, 255 + Or I you lovid, perd['e]. + And though that I of auncestry + A barons doughter bee, + Yet have you proved how I you loved, + A squyer of lowe degree; 260 + And ever shal, what so befalle, + To dey therfore anoon; + For in my mynde, of al mankynde + I love but you alone." + + "A barons childe to be begyled, 265 + It were a curssed dede! + To be felow with an outlawe, + Almyghty God forbede! + Yet bettyr were the power squyer + Alone to forest yede, 270 + Than ye shal saye another day, + That be [my] wyked dede + Ye were betrayed; wherfore, good maide, + The best red that I can + Is that I too the greene wode goo 275 + Alone, a banysshed man." + + "Whatsoever befalle, I never shal + Of this thing you upbraid; + But yf ye goo, and leve me soo, + Than have ye me betraied. 280 + Remembre you wele, how that ye dele, + For yf ye, as ye sayde, + Be so unkynde to leve behynd + Your love, the Notbrowne Maide, + Trust me truly, that I shal dey, 285 + Sone after ye be gone; + For in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you alone." + + "Yef that ye went, ye shulde repent, + For in the forest now 290 + I have purveid me of a maide, + Whom I love more than you: + Another fayrer than ever ye were, + I dare it wel avowe; + And of you bothe eche shulde be wrothe 295 + With other, as I trowe. + It were myn ease to lyve in pease; + So wyl I, yf I can; + Wherfore I to the wode wyl goo + Alone, a banysshid man." 300 + + "Though in the wood I undirstode + Ye had a paramour, + All this may nought remeve my thought, + But that I wil be your; + And she shal fynde me softe and kynde, 305 + And curteis every our, + Glad to fulfylle all that she wylle + Commaunde me, to my power; + For had ye, loo, an hundred moo, + Yet wolde I be that one.[L310] 310 + For in my mynde, of all mankynde + I love but you alone." + + "Myn oune dere love, I see the prove + That ye be kynde and trewe; + Of mayde and wyf, in all my lyf, 315 + The best that ever I knewe. + Be mery and glad, be no more sad, + The case is chaunged newe; + For it were ruthe that for your trouth + You shuld have cause to rewe. 320 + Be not dismayed: whatsoever I sayd + To you whan I began, + I wyl not too the grene wod goo; + I am noo banysshyd man." + + "Theis tidingis be more glad to me 325 + Than to be made a quene, + Yf I were sure they shuld endure; + But it is often seen, + When men wyl breke promyse, they speke + The wordis on the splene. 330 + Ye shape some wyle me to begyle, + And stele fro me, I wene; + Then were the case wurs than it was, + And I more woo-begone; + For in my mynde, of all mankynde 335 + I love but you alone." + + "Ye shal not nede further to drede: + I wyl not disparage + You, God defende! sith you descende + Of so grete a lynage. 340 + Nou understonde, to Westmerlande, + Which is my herytage, + I wyl you bringe, and wyth a rynge, + Be wey of maryage, + I wyl you take, and lady make, 345 + As shortly as I can: + Thus have ye wone an erles son, + And not a banysshyd man." + + Here may ye see, that wymen be + In love meke, kinde, and stable: 350 + Late never man repreve them than, + Or calle them variable; + But rather prey God that we may + To them be comfortable, + Whiche somtyme provyth suche as loveth, 355 + Yf they be charitable. + For sith men wolde that wymen sholde + Be meke to them echeon, + Moche more ought they to God obey, + And serve but hym alone. 360 + +9, to. + +28, they. + +30, Soe. + +35, cause. + +50. Wherfore. + +v. 98, Whan. + +v. 152, Shul. + +200, bed, Wright. + +v. 230, That, womanhod. + +238, cum. + +v. 253, yet is. + +v. 310, Of them I wolde be one. Percy MS. + + + + +THE BAILIFF'S DAUGHTER OF ISLINGTON. + + +From _Reliques of Ancient English Poetry_, iii. 177. Another copy is +in Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 134. + +"From an ancient black-letter copy in the Pepys collection, with some +improvements communicated by a lady as she had heard the same recited +in her youth. The full title is, _True love requited: Or, the +Bailiff's daughter of Islington_."--PERCY. + + There was a youthe, and a well-beloved youthe, + And he was a squires son: + He loved the bayliffes daughter deare, + That lived in Islington. + + Yet she was coye, and would not believe 5 + That he did love her soe, + Noe nor at any time would she + Any countenance to him showe. + + But when his friendes did understand + His fond and foolish minde, 10 + They sent him up to faire London, + An apprentice for to binde. + + And when he had been seven long yeares, + And never his love could see,-- + "Many a teare have I shed for her sake, 15 + When she little thought of mee." + + Then all the maids of Islington + Went forth to sport and playe, + All but the bayliffes daughter deare; + She secretly stole awaye. 20 + + She pulled off her gowne of greene, + And put on ragged attire, + And to faire London she would go, + Her true love to enquire. + + And as she went along the high road, 25 + The weather being hot and drye, + She sat her downe upon a green bank, + And her true love came riding bye. + + She started up, with a colour soe redd, + Catching hold of his bridle-reine; 30 + "One penny, one penny, kind sir," she sayd, + "Will ease me of much paine." + + "Before I give you one penny, sweet-heart, + Praye tell me where you were borne." + "At Islington, kind sir," sayd shee, 35 + "Where I have had many a scorne." + + "I prythee, sweet-heart, then tell to mee, + O tell me, whether you knowe + The bayliffes daughter of Islington." + "She is dead, sir, long agoe." 40 + + "If she be dead, then take my horse, + My saddle and bridle also; + For I will into some farr countrye, + Where noe man shall me knowe." + + "O staye, O staye, thou goodlye youthe, 45 + She standeth by thy side; + She is here alive, she is not dead, + And readye to be thy bride." + + "O farewell griefe, and welcome joye, + Ten thousand times therefore; 50 + For nowe I have founde mine owne true love, + Whom I thought I should never see more." + + + + +THE BLIND BEGGAR'S DAUGHTER OF BEDNALL GREEN. + + +The copy here given of this favorite popular ballad is derived from +_Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England_, Percy +Society, xvii. 60. It is there printed from a modern broadside, +"carefully collated" with a copy in the Bagford collection. In Percy's +edition, (_Reliques_, ii. 171,) besides many trivial emendations, +eight modern stanzas (said to be the work of Robert Dodsley) are +substituted for the first five of the Beggar's second song, "to remove +absurdities and inconsistencies," and to reconcile the story to +probability and true history! The copy in _A Collection of Old +Ballads_, ii. 202, is not very different from the present, and the few +changes that have been made in the text selected, unless otherwise +accounted for, are adopted from that. + +"Pepys, in his diary, 25th June, 1663, speaks of going with Sir +William and Lady Batten, and Sir J. Minnes, to Sir W. Rider's at +Bednall Green, to dinner, 'a fine place;' and adds, 'This very house +was built by the Blind Beggar of Bednall Green, so much talked of and +sung in ballads; but they say it was only some outhouses of it.'" +CHAPPELL, _Popular Musk of the Olden Time_, p. 159. + + This song's of a beggar who long lost his sight, + And had a fair daughter, most pleasant and bright; + And many a gallant brave suitor had she, + And none was so comely as pretty Bessee. + + And though she was of complexion most fair, 5 + Yet seeing she was but a beggar his heir,[L6] + Of ancient housekeepers despised was she, + Whose sons came as suitors to pretty Bessee. + + Wherefore in great sorrow fair Bessee did say, + "Good father and mother, let me now go away, 10 + To seek out my fortune, whatever it be;" + This suit then was granted to pretty Bessee. + + This Bessee, that was of a beauty most bright, + They clad in gray russet, and late in the night + From father and mother alone parted she, 15 + Who sighed and sobbed for pretty Bessee. + + She went till she came to Stratford-at-Bow, + Then she knew not whither or which way to go; + With tears she lamented her sad destiny, + So sad and so heavy was pretty Bessee. 20 + + She kept on her journey until it was day, + And went unto Rumford along the highway; + And at the King's Arms entertained was she, + So fair and well-favoured was pretty Bessee. + + She had not been there one month at an end, 25 + But master and mistress and all was her friend; + And every brave gallant that once did her see + Was straightway in love with pretty Bessee. + + Great gifts they did send her of silver and gold, + And in their songs daily her love they extoll'd; 30 + Her beauty was blazed in every degree, + So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee. + + The young men of Rumford in her had their joy; + She shewed herself courteous, but never too coy, + And at their commandment still she would be, 35 + So fair and so comely was pretty Bessee. + + Four suitors at once unto her did go, + They craved her favour, but still she said no; + "I would not have gentlemen marry with me,"-- + Yet ever they honoured pretty Bessee. 40 + + Now one of them was a gallant young knight, + And he came unto her disguised in the night; + The second, a gentleman of high degree, + Who wooed and sued for pretty Bessee. + + A merchant of London, whose wealth was not small, 45 + Was then the third suitor, and proper withal; + Her master's own son the fourth man must be, + Who swore he would die for pretty Bessee. + + "If that thou wilt marry with me," quoth the knight, + "I'll make thee a lady with joy and delight; 50 + My heart is enthralled in thy fair beauty, + Then grant me thy favour, my pretty Bessee." + + The gentleman said, "Come marry with me, + In silks and in velvets my Bessee shall be; + My heart lies distracted, oh hear me!" quoth he, 55 + "And grant me thy love, my dear pretty Bessee." + + "Let me be thy husband," the merchant did say, + "Thou shalt live in London most gallant and gay; + My ships shall bring home rich jewels for thee, + And I will for ever love pretty Bessee." 60 + + Then Bessee she sighed, and thus she did say; + "My father and mother I mean to obey; + First get their goodwill, and be faithful to me, + And you shall enjoy your dear pretty Bessee." + + To every one of them that answer she made; 65 + Therefore unto her they joyfully said, + "This thing to fulfill we all now agree; + But where dwells thy father, my pretty Bessee?" + + "My father," quoth she, "is soon to be seen; + The silly blind beggar of Bednall Green, 70 + That daily sits begging for charity, + He is the kind father of pretty Bessee. + + "His marks and his token are knowen full well; + He always is led by a dog and a bell; + A poor silly old man, God knoweth, is he, 75 + Yet he is the true father of pretty Bessee." + + "Nay, nay," quoth the merchant, "thou art not for me;" + "She," quoth the innholder, "my wife shall not be;" + "I loathe," said the gentleman, "a beggars degree, + Therefore, now farewell, my pretty Bessee." 80 + + "Why then," quoth the knight, "happ better or worse, + I weigh not true love by the weight of the purse, + And beauty is beauty in every degree; + Then welcome to me, my dear pretty Bessee. + + "With thee to thy father forthwith I will go." 85 + "Nay, forbear," quoth his kinsman, "it must not be so: + A poor beggars daughter a lady sha'nt be; + Then take thy adieu of thy pretty Bessee." + + As soon then as it was break of the day, + The knight had from Rumford stole Bessee away; 90 + The young men of Rumford, so sick as may be,[L91] + Rode after to fetch again pretty Bessee. + + As swift as the wind to ride they were seen, + Until they came near unto Bednall Green, + And as the knight lighted most courteously, 95 + They fought against him for pretty Bessee. + + But rescue came presently over the plain, + Or else the knight there for his love had been slain; + The fray being ended, they straightway did see + His kinsman come railing at pretty Bessee. 100 + + Then bespoke the Blind Beggar, "Altho' I be poor, + Rail not against my child at my own door; + Though she be not decked in velvet and pearl, + Yet I will drop angels with thee for my girl; + + "And then if my gold should better her birth, 105 + And equal the gold you lay on the earth, + Then neither rail you, nor grudge you to see + The Blind Beggars daughter a lady to be. + + "But first, I will hear, and have it well known, + The gold that you drop it shall be all you own;" 110 + "With that," they replied, "contented we be;" + "Then heres," quoth the beggar, "for pretty Bessee." + + With that an angel he dropped on the ground, + And dropped, in angels, full three thousand pound; + And oftentimes it proved most plain, 115 + For the gentlemans one, the beggar dropped twain. + + So that the whole place wherein they did sit + With gold was covered every whit; + The gentleman having dropt all his store, + Said, "Beggar, your hand hold, for I have no more. 120 + + "Thou hast fulfilled thy promise aright;" + "Then marry my girl," quoth he to the knight; + "And then," quoth he, "I will throw you down, + An hundred pound more to buy her a gown." + + The gentlemen all, who his treasure had seen, 125 + Admired the Beggar of Bednall Green. + And those that had been her suitors before, + Their tender flesh for anger they tore. + + Thus was the fair Bessee matched to a knight, + And made a lady in others despite: 130 + A fairer lady there never was seen + Than the Blind Beggars daughter of Bednall Green. + + But of her sumptuous marriage and feast, + And what fine lords and ladies there prest, + The second part shall set forth to your sight, 135 + With marvellous pleasure, and wished for delight. + +6. And seeing. + +91. Percy has _thicke_. + + +PART II. + + Of a blind beggars daughter so bright,[L1] + That late was betrothed to a young knight, + All the whole discourse therof you did see, + But now comes the wedding of pretty Bessee. + + It was in a gallant palace most brave, 5 + Adorned with all the cost they could have, + This wedding it was kept most sumptuously, + And all for the love of pretty Bessee. + + And all kind of dainties and delicates sweet + Was brought to their banquet, as it was thought meet; 10 + Partridge, and plover, and venison most free, + Against the brave wedding of pretty Bessee. + + The wedding thro' England was spread by report, + So that a great number thereto did resort, + Of nobles and gentles of every degree, 15 + And all for the fame of pretty Bessee. + + To church then away went this gallant young knight, + His bride followed after, an angel most bright, + With troops of ladies, the like was ne'er seen, + As went with sweet Bessee of Bednall Green. 20 + + This wedding being solemnized then, + With music performed by skilfullest men, + The nobles and gentles sat down at that tide,[L23] + Each one beholding the beautiful bride. + + But after the sumptuous dinner was done, 25 + To talk and to reason a number begun, + And of the Blind Beggars daughter most bright, + And what with his daughter he gave to the knight. + + Then spoke the nobles, "Much marvel have we + This jolly blind beggar we cannot yet see!" 30 + "My lords," quoth the bride, "my father so base + Is loathe with his presence these states to disgrace." + + "The praise of a woman in question to bring, + Before her own face, is a flattering thing; + But we think thy fathers baseness," quoth they, 35 + "Might by thy beauty be clean put away." + + They no sooner this pleasant word spoke, + But in comes the beggar in a silken cloak, + A velvet cap and a feather had he, + And now a musician, forsooth, he would be. 40 + + And being led in, from catching of harm, + He had a dainty lute under his arm; + Said, "Please you to hear any music of me, + A song I will give you of pretty Bessee." + + With that his lute he twanged straightway, 45 + And thereon began most sweetly to play, + And after a lesson was played two or three, + He strained out this song most delicately:-- + + _"A beggars daughter did dwell on a green, + Who for her beauty might well be a queen,[L50] 50 + A blythe bonny lass, and dainty was she, + And many one called her pretty Bessee._ + + _"Her father he had no goods nor no lands, + But begged for a penny all day with his hands, + And yet for her marriage gave thousands three, 55 + Yet still he hath somewhat for pretty Bessee._ + + _"And here if any one do her disdain, + Her father is ready with might and with main, + To prove she is come of noble degree, + Therefore let none flout at my pretty Bessee."_ 60 + + With that the lords and the company round + With a hearty laughter were ready to swound; + At last said the lords, "Full well we may see, + The bride and the bridegroom's beholden to thee." + + With that the fair bride all blushing did rise, 65 + With chrystal water all in her bright eyes; + "Pardon my father, brave nobles," quoth she, + "That through blind affection thus doats upon me." + + "If this be thy father," the nobles did say, + "Well may he be proud of this happy day, 70 + Yet by his countenance well may we see, + His birth with his fortune could never agree. + + "And therefore, blind beggar, we pray thee bewray, + And look that the truth to us thou dost say,[L74] + Thy birth and thy parentage what it may be, 75 + E'en for the love thou bearest to pretty Bessee." + + "Then give me leave, ye gentles each one, + A song more to sing and then I'll begone; + And if that I do not win good report, + Then do not give me one groat for my sport:-- 80 + + _"When first our king his fame did advance, + And sought his title in delicate France, + In many places great perils past he, + But then was not born my pretty Bessee._ + + _"And at those wars went over to fight, 85 + Many a brave duke, a lord, and a knight, + And with them young Monford of courage so free, + But then was not born my pretty Bessee._ + + _"And there did young Monford with a blow on the face + Lose both his eyes in a very short space; 90 + His life had been gone away with his sight, + Had not a young woman gone forth in the night._ + + _"Among the slain men, her fancy did move[L93] + To search and to seek for her own true love, + Who seeing young Monford there gasping to die, 95 + She saved his life through her charity._ + + _"And then all our victuals in beggars attire, + At the hands of good people we then did require; + At last into England, as now it is seen, + We came, and remained in Bednall Green._ 100 + + _"And thus we have lived in Fortune's despyght, + Though poor, yet contented, with humble delight, + And in my old years, a comfort to me, + God sent me a daughter, called pretty Bessee._ + + _"And thus, ye nobles, my song I do end, 105 + Hoping by the same no man to offend; + Full forty long winters thus I have been, + A silly blind beggar of Bednall Green."_ + + Now when the company every one + Did hear the strange tale he told in his song, 110 + They were amazed, as well as they might be, + Both at the blind beggar and pretty Bessee. + + With that the fair bride they all bid embrace, + Saying, "You are come of an honourable race; + Thy father likewise is of high degree, 115 + And thou art right worthy a lady to be." + + Thus was the feast ended with joy and delight; + A happy bridegroom was made the young knight, + Who lived in great joy and felicity, + With his fair lady, dear pretty Bessee. 120 + +1-4. This stanza is wrongly placed at the end of the First Part in the +copy from which we reprint. In ed. 1723 it does not occur. v. 3. +therof you did, Percy, for, _therefore you may_. + +23. gentlemen down at the side. + +50. may. + +74. look to us then the truth. + +93. said men. + + + + +THE FAMOUS FLOWER OF SERVING-MEN + +OR, + +THE LADY TURNED SERVING-MAN. + + +From _A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. 216. Percy's edition, (iii. +126,) was from a written copy, "containing some improvements, (perhaps +modern ones.") Mr. Kinloch has printed a fragment of this piece in its +Scottish dress, as taken down from the recitation of an old woman in +Lanark,--_Sweet Willie_, p. 96. Several of the verses in the following +are found also in _The Lament of the Border Widow_; see _ante_, iii. +86. + +A similar story is found in Swedish and Danish: _Liten Kerstin_, or +_Stolts Botelid, Stalldr[:a]ng, Svenska Folk-Visor_, ii. 15, 20, +Arwidsson, ii. 179: _Stolt Ingeborgs Forkl[ae]dning, Danske Viser_, No. +184. + + You beauteous ladies, great and small, + I write unto you one and all, + Whereby that you may understand + What I have suffer'd in this land. + + I was by birth a lady fair, 5 + My father's chief and only heir, + But when my good old father died, + Then I was made a young knight's bride. + + And then my love built me a bower, + Bedeck'd with many a fragrant flower; 10 + A braver bower you ne'er did see, + Than my true love did build for me. + + But there came thieves late in the night, + They robb'd my bower, and slew my knight, + And after that my knight was slain, 15 + I could no longer there remain. + + My servants all from me did fly, + In the midst of my extremity, + And left me by myself alone, + With a heart more cold than any stone. 20 + + Yet, though my heart was full of care, + Heaven would not suffer me to despair; + Wherefore in haste I chang'd my name + From Fair Elise to Sweet William. + + And therewithall I cut my hair, 25 + And dress'd myself in man's attire, + My doublet, hose, and beaver hat, + And a golden band about my neck. + + With a silver rapier by my side, + So like a gallant I did ride; 30 + The thing that I delighted on, + It was to be a serving-man. + + Thus in my sumptuous man's array + I bravely rode along the way; + And at the last it chanced so, 35 + That I to the king's court did go. + + Then to the king I bow'd full low, + My love and duty for to show; + And so much favour I did crave, + That I a serving-man's place might have. 40 + + "Stand up, brave youth," the king replied, + "Thy service shall not be denied; + But tell me first what thou canst do; + Thou shalt be fitted thereunto. + + "Wilt thou be usher of my hall, 45 + To wait upon my nobles all? + Or wilt thou be taster of my wine, + To wait on me when I do dine? + + "Or wilt thou be my chamberlain, + To make my bed both soft and fine? 50 + Or wilt thou be one of my guard? + And I will give thee thy reward." + + Sweet William, with a smiling face, + Said to the king, "If't please your grace + To show such favour unto me, 55 + Your chamberlain I fain would be." + + The king then did the nobles call, + To ask the counsel of them all; + Who gave consent Sweet William he + The king's own chamberlain should be. 60 + + Now mark what strange thing came to pass: + As the king one day a hunting was, + With all his lords and noble train, + Sweet William did at home remain. + + Sweet William had no company then 65 + With him at home, but an old man; + And when he saw the house was clear, + He took a lute which he had there: + + Upon the lute Sweet William play'd, + And to the same he sung and said, 70 + With a sweet and noble voice, + Which made the old man to rejoice: + + "My father was as brave a lord + As ever Europe did afford, + My mother was a lady bright, 75 + My husband was a valiant knight: + + "And I myself a lady gay, + Bedeck'd with gorgeous rich array; + The bravest lady in the land + Had not more pleasure at command. 80 + + "I had my music every day, + Harmonious lessons for to play; + I had my virgins fair and free, + Continually to wait on me. + + "But now, alas! my husband's dead, 85 + And all my friends are from me fled; + My former joys are pass'd and gone, + For I am now a serving-man." + + At last the king from hunting came, + And presently, upon the same, 90 + He called for this good old man, + And thus to speak the king began: + + "What news, what news, old man?" quoth he; + "What news hast thou to tell to me?" + "Brave news," the old man he did say, 95 + "Sweet William is a lady gay." + + "If this be true thou tell'st to me + I'll make thee lord of high degree; + But if thy words do prove a lie, + Thou shall be hang'd up presently." 100 + + But when the king the truth had found, + His joys did more and more abound: + According as the old man did say, + Sweet William was a lady gay. + + Therefore the king without delay 105 + Put on her glorious rich array, + And upon her head a crown of gold, + Which was most famous to behold. + + And then, for fear of further strife, + He took Sweet William for his wife: 110 + The like before was never seen,-- + A serving-man to be a queen. + + + + +THE FAIR FLOWER OF NORTHUMBERLAND. + +_Ritson's Ancient Songs and Ballads_, ii. 75. + + +Preserved in Thomas Deloney's _History of Jack of Newbery_, whence it +was extracted by Ritson. In that extraordinary book, _The Minstrelsy +of the English Border_, (p. 201,) Ritson's copy is inserted without +acknowledgment, and with a few alterations for the worse. Scottish +versions of this ballad are given by Kinloch, (_The Provost's +Dochter_, p. 131,) and by Buchan, (_The Betrayed Lady_, ii. 208.) The +former of these is printed in our Appendix. + + It was a Knight in Scotland born, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + Was taken prisoner, and left forlorn, + Even by the good Earl of Northumberland. + + Then was he cast in prison strong, 5 + _Follow, my love, 'come' over the strand_, + Where he could not walk nor lye along, + Even by the good Earl of Northumberland. + + And as in sorrow thus he lay, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, 10 + The Earl [s] sweet daughter walks that way, + And she is the fair Flower of Northumberland. + + And passing by like an angel bright, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + The prisoner had of her a sight, 15 + And she the fair Flower of Northumberland. + + And aloud to her this knight did cry, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + The salt tears standing in his eye, + And she the fair Flower of Northumberland. + + "Fair lady," he said, "take pity on me, 21 + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + And let me not in prison die, + And you the fair Flower of Northumberland." + + "Fair Sir, how should I take pity on thee, 25 + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + Thou being a foe to our country, + And I the fair Flower of Northumberland." + + "Fair lady, I am no foe," he said, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, 30 + "Through thy sweet love here was I stay'd, + For thee, the fair Flower of Northumberland." + + "Why shouldst thou come here for love of me, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + Having wife and children in thy country, 35 + And I the fair Flower of Northumberland." + + "I swear by the blessed Trinity, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + I have no wife nor children, I, + Nor dwelling at home in merry Scotland. 40 + + "If courteously thou wilt set me free, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + I vow that I will marry thee, + So soon as I come in fair Scotland. + + "Thou shalt be a lady of castles and towers, 45 + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + And sit like a queen in princely bowers, + Were I at home in fair Scotland." + + Then parted hence this lady gay, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, 50 + And got her fathers ring away, + To help this knight into fair Scotland. + + Likewise much gold she got by sleight, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + And all to help this forlorn knight, 55 + To wend from her father to fair Scotland. + + Two gallant steeds, both good and able, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + She likewise took out of the stable, + To ride with the knight into fair Scotland. 60 + + And to the jaylor she sent this ring, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + The knight from prison forth 'to' bring, + To wend with her into fair Scotland. + + This token set the prisoner free, 65 + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + Who straight went to this fair lady, + To wend with her into fair Scotland. + + A gallant steed he did bestride, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, 70 + And with the lady away did ride, + And she the fair Flower of Northumberland. + + They rode till they came to a water clear, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + "Good Sir, how should I follow you here, 75 + And I the fair Flower of Northumberland? + + "The water is rough and wonderful deep, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + And on my saddle I shall not keep, + And I the fair Flower of Northumberland." 80 + + "Fear not the foard, fair lady," quoth he, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + "For long I cannot stay for thee, + And thou the fair Flower of Northumberland." + + The lady prickt her wanton steed, 85 + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + And over the river swom with speed, + And she the fair Flower of Northumberland. + + From top to toe all wet was she, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_; 90 + "Thus have I done for love of thee, + And I the fair Flower of Northumberland." + + Thus rode she all one winters night, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + Till Edenborough they saw in sight, 95 + The fairest town in all Scotland. + + "Now chuse," quoth he, "thou wanton flower, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + 'Whether' thou wilt be my paramour, + Or get thee home to Northumberland. 100 + + "For I have wife, and children five, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_; + In Edenborough they be alive, + Then get thee home to fair England. + + "This favour thou shalt have to boot, 105 + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_; + I'le have 'thy' horse, go thou on foot, + Go, get thee home to Northumberland." + + "O false and faithless knight," quoth she, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, 110 + "And canst thou deal so bad with me, + And I the fair Flower of Northumberland? + + "Dishonour not a ladies name, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + But draw thy sword and end my shame, 115 + And I the fair Flower of Northumberland." + + He took her from her stately steed, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + And left her there in extream need, + And she the fair Flower of Northumberland. 120 + + Then sat she down full heavily, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_; + At length two knights came riding by, + Two gallant knights of fair England. + + She fell down humbly on her knee, 125 + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + Saying, "Courteous 'knights,' take pity on me, + And I the fair Flower of Northumberland. + + "I have offended my father dear, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, 130 + And by a false knight, who brought me here + From the good Earl of Northumberland." + + They took her up behind them then + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + And brought her to her father again, 135 + And he the good Earl of Northumberland. + + All you fair maidens be warned by me, + _Follow, my love, come over the strand_, + Scots never were true, nor never will be, + To lord, nor lady, nor fair England. 140 + + + + +GENTLE HERDSMAN, TELL TO ME. + +From _Reliques of Ancient English Poetry_, ii. 82. + + +"The scene of this beautiful old ballad is laid near Walsingham, in +Norfolk, where was anciently an image of the Virgin Mary, famous over +all Europe for the numerous pilgrimages made to it, and the great +riches it possessed. Erasmus has given a very exact and humorous +description of the superstitions practised there in his time. See his +account of the Virgo Parathalassia, in his colloquy entitled, +_Peregrinatio Religionis Ergo_. He tells us, the rich offerings in +silver, gold, and precious stones that were there shown him were +incredible, there being scarce a person of any note in England, but +what some time or other paid a visit or sent a present to Our Lady of +Walsingham. At the dissolution of the monasteries in 1538, this +splendid image, with another from Ipswich, was carried to Chelsea, and +there burnt in the presence of commissioners; who, we trust, did not +burn the jewels and the finery. + +"This poem is printed from a copy in the Editor's folio MS. which had +greatly suffered by the hand of time; but vestiges of several of the +lines remaining, some conjectural supplements have been attempted, +which, for greater exactness, are in this one ballad distinguished by +italics." PERCY. + + Gentle heardsman, tell to me, + Of curtesy I thee pray, + Unto the towne of Walsingham + Which is the right and ready way. + + "Unto the towne of Walsingham 5 + The way is hard for to be gon; + And verry crooked are those pathes + For you to find out all alone." + + Weere the miles doubled thrise, + And the way never soe ill, 10 + Itt were not enough for mine offence, + Itt is soe grievous and soe ill. + + "Thy yeeares are young, thy face is faire, + Thy witts are weake, thy thoughts are greene; + Time hath not given thee leave, as yett, 15 + For to committ so great a sinne." + + Yes, heardsman, yes, soe woldest thou say, + If thou knewest soe much as I; + My witts, and thoughts, and all the rest, + Have well deserved for to dye. 20 + + I am not what I seeme to bee, + My clothes and sexe doe differ farr: + I am a woman, woe is me! + _Born_ to greeffe and irksome care. + + _For_ my beloved, and well-beloved, 25 + _My wayward cruelty could kill: + And though my teares will nought avail, + Most dearely I bewail him_ still. + + _He was the flower of n_oble wights, + _None ever more sincere colde_ bee; 30 + _Of comely mien and shape_ hee was, + _And tenderlye he_e loved mee. + + _When thus I saw he lo_ved me well, + _I grewe so proud his pa_ine to see, + _That I, who did not_ know myselfe, 35 + _Thought scorne_ of _such a youth_ as hee. + + And grew soe coy and nice to please, + As women's lookes are often soe, + He might not kisse, nor hand forsooth, + Unlesse I willed him soe to doe. 40 + + Thus being wearyed with delayes[L41] + To see I pittyed not his greeffe, + He gott him to a secrett place, + And there he dyed without releeffe. + + And for his sake these weeds I weare, 45 + And sacriffice my tender age; + And every day Ile begg my bread, + To undergoe this pilgrimage. + + Thus every day I fast and pray, + And ever will doe till I dye; 50 + And gett me to some secrett place, + For soe did hee, and soe will I. + + Now, gentle heardsman, aske no more, + But keepe my secretts I thee pray: + Unto the towne of Walsingham 55 + Show me the right and readye way. + + "Now goe thy wayes, and God before! + For he must ever guide thee still: + Turne downe that dale, the right hand path, + And soe, faire pilgrim, fare thee well!" 60 + +41-52. Stanzas 11, 12, 13, have been paraphrased by Goldsmith in his +ballad of _Edwin and Emma_. + + + + +AS I CAME FROM WALSINGHAM. + + +From _The Garland of Good Will_, as reprinted by the Percy Society, +vol. XXX. p. 111. Percy's copy was communicated to him by Shenstone, +and was retouched by that poet. + +"The pilgrimage to Walsingham," remarks the Bishop, "suggested the +plan of many popular pieces. In the Pepys collection, vol. i. p. 226, +is a kind of interlude in the old ballad style, of which the first +stanza alone is worth reprinting. + + As I went to Walsingham, + To the shrine with speede, + Met I with a jolly palmer + In a pilgrimes weede. + 'Now God you save, you jolly palmer!' + 'Welcome, lady gay! + Oft have I sued to thee for love.' + 'Oft have I said you nay.' + +The pilgrimages undertaken on pretence of religion were often +productive of affairs of gallantry, and led the votaries to no other +shrine than that of Venus.[1]" + +"The following ballad was once very popular; it is quoted in +Fletcher's '_Knight of the Burning Pestle_,' Act ii. sc. ult., and in +another old play, called "_Hans Beer-pot, his invisible Comedy_, &c. +4to 1618, Act i." + +"_As I went to Walsingham_ is quoted in Nashe's _Have with you to +Saffron-Walden_, 1596, sign. L." + + CHAPPELL. + +[1] + + 'Hermets on a heape, with hoked staves, + Wenten to Walsingham, and her wenches after.' + + _Visions of Pierce Plowman_, fo. i. + + + + "As you came from the holy-land + Of Walsingham, + Met you not with my true love + By the way as you came?" + + "How should I know your true love, 5 + That have met many a one, + As I came from the holy-land, + That have come, that have gone?" + + "She is neither white nor brown, + But as the heavens fair; 10 + There is none hath a form so divine, + On the earth, in the air." + + "Such a one did I meet, good sir, + With angellike face, + Who like a queen did appear 15 + In her gait, in her grace." + + "She hath left me here all alone, + All alone and unknown, + Who sometime lov'd me as her life, + And call'd me her own." 20 + + "What's the cause she hath left thee alone, + And a new way doth take, + That sometime did love thee as her life, + And her joy did thee make?" + + "I loved her all my youth, 25 + But now am old, as you see; + Love liketh not the fallen fruit, + Nor the withered tree. + + "For love is a careless child, + And forgets promise past; 30 + He is blind, he is deaf, when he list, + And in faith never fast. + + "For love is a great delight, + And yet a trustless joy; + He is won with a word of despair, 35 + And is lost with a toy. + + "Such is the love of womankind, + Or the word abus'd, + Under which many childish desires + And conceits are excus'd. 40 + + "But love is a durable fire, + In the mind ever burning; + Never sick, never dead, never cold, + From itself never turning." + + + + +KING COPHETUA AND THE BEGGAR-MAID. + + +From Richard Johnson's _Crowne-Garland of Goulden Roses_, (1612,) as +reprinted by the Percy Society, vi. 45. It is there simply entitled _A +Song of a Beggar and a King_. Given in Percy's _Reliques_, i. 202, +"corrected by another copy." + +This story, and it would appear this very ballad, is alluded to by +Shakespeare and others of the dramatists. + +Thus, the 13th verse is partly quoted in _Romeo and Juliet_, A. ii. +sc. 1: + + "Young Adam Cupid, he that shot so trim, + When King Cophetua loved the beggar-maid." + +Again in _Love's Labour's Lost_, (printed in 1598,) A. i. sc. 2. + + _Arm._ Is there not a ballad, boy, of the King and the + Beggar? + + _Moth._ The world was very guilty of such a ballad some + three ages since, but, I think, now 'tis not to be found. + +See also _Henry Fourth_, P. ii. A. v. sc. 3, _Richard Second_, A. v. +sc. 3, and Ben Jonson's _Every Man in his Humour_, A. iii. sc. 4,--all +these cited by Percy. + +In _A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. 138, is a _rifacimento_ of this +piece, in a different stanza, but following the story closely and +preserving much of the diction. It is also printed in Evans's _Old +Ballads_, ii. 361. + + I read that once in Affrica + A prince that there did raine, + Who had to name Cophetua, + As poets they did faine. + From natures workes he did incline, 5 + For sure he was not of my minde, + He cared not for women-kind, + But did them all disdain. + But marke what happen'd by the way; + As he out of his window lay, 10 + He saw a beggar all in grey, + Which did increase his paine. + + The blinded boy that shootes so trim + From heaven downe so high, + He drew a dart and shot at him, 15 + In place where he did lye: + Which soone did pierce him to the quick, + For when he felt the arrow prick, + Which in his tender heart did stick, + He looketh as he would dye. 20 + "What sudden change is this," quoth he, + "That I to love must subject be, + Which never thereto would agree, + But still did it defie?" + + Then from his window he did come, 25 + And laid him on his bed; + A thousand heapes of care did runne + Within his troubled head. + For now he means to crave her love, + And now he seeks which way to proove 30 + How he his fancie might remove, + And not this beggar wed. + But Cupid had him so in snare, + That this poore beggar must prepare + A salve to cure him of his care, 35 + Or els he would be dead. + + And as he musing thus did lie, + He thought for to devise + How he might have her company, + That so did maze his eyes. 40 + "In thee," quoth he, "doth rest my life; + For surely thou shalt be my wife, + Or else this hand with bloody knife, + The gods shall sure suffice." + Then from his bed he 'soon' arose, 45 + And to his pallace gate he goes; + Full little then this beggar knowes + When she the king espies[L48]. + + "The gods preserve your majesty," + The beggars all gan cry; 50 + "Vouchsafe to give your charity, + Our childrens food to buy!" + The king to them his purse did cast, + And they to part it made great haste; + This silly woman was the last 55 + That after them did hye. + The king he cal'd her back again, + And unto her he gave his chaine; + And said, "With us you shall remain + Till such time as we dye. 60 + + "For thou," quoth he, "shalt be my wife, + And honoured like the queene; + With thee I meane to lead my life, + As shortly shall be seene: + Our wedding day shall appointed be, 65 + And every thing in their degree; + Come on," quoth he, "and follow me, + Thou shalt go shift thee cleane. + What is thy name?--go on," quoth he. + "Penelophon, O King!" quoth she; 70 + With that she made a lowe courtsey; + A trim one as I weene. + + Thus hand in hand along they walke + Unto the kings palace: + The king with courteous, comly talke 75 + This beggar doth embrace. + The beggar blusheth scarlet read, + And straight againe as pale as lead, + But not a word at all she said, + She was in such amaze. 80 + At last she spake with trembling voyce, + And said, "O King, I do rejoyce + That you will take me for your choice, + And my degree so base!" + + And when the wedding day was come, 85 + The king commanded straight + The noblemen, both all and some, + Upon the queene to waight. + And she behavd herself that day + As if she had never walkt the way; 90 + She had forgot her gowne of gray, + Which she did wear of late. + The proverb old is come to passe, + The priest, when he begins the masse, + Forgets that ever clarke he was; 95 + He knowth not his estate. + + Here you may read Cophetua, + Through fancie long time fed, + Compelled by the blinded boy + The beggar for to wed: 100 + He that did lovers lookes disdaine, + To do the same was glad and fain, + Or else he would himself have slaine, + In stories as we read. + Disdaine no whit, O lady deere, 105 + But pitty now thy servant heere, + Lest that it hap to thee this yeare, + As to the king it did. + + And thus they lead a quiet life + During their princely raigne, 110 + And in a tombe were buried both, + As writers shew us plaine. + The lords they tooke it grievously, + The ladies tooke it heavily, + The commons cryed pittiously, 115 + Their death to them was pain. + Their fame did sound so passingly, + That it did pierce the starry sky, + And throughout all the world did flye + To every princes realme. 120 + +48, espied. + + + + +THE SPANISH LADY'S LOVE. + + +From _The Garland of Good-Will_, as reprinted by the Percy Society, +xxx. 125. Other copies, slightly different, in _A Collection of Old +Ballads_, ii. 191, and in Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 246. + +Percy conjectures that this ballad "took its rise from one of those +descents made on the Spanish coasts in the time of Queen Elizabeth." +The weight of tradition is decidedly, perhaps entirely, in favor of +the hero's having been one of Essex's comrades in the Cadiz +expedition, but _which_ of his gallant captains achieved the double +conquest of the Spanish Lady is by no means satisfactorily determined. +Among the candidates put forth are Sir Richard Levison of Trentham, +Staffordshire, Sir John Popham of Littlecot, Wilts, Sir Urias Legh of +Adlington, Cheshire, and Sir John Bolle of Thorpe Hall, Lincolnshire. +The right of the last to this distinction has been recently warmly +contended for, and, as is usual in similar cases, strong +circumstantial evidence is urged in his favor. The reader will judge +for himself of its probable authenticity. + +"On Sir John Bolle's departure from Cadiz," it is said, "the Spanish +Lady sent as presents to his wife a profusion of jewels and other +valuables, among which was her portrait drawn in green; plate, money, +and other treasures." Some of these articles are maintained to be +still in possession of the family, and also a portrait of Sir John, +drawn in 1596, at the age of thirty-six, in which he wears the gold +chain given him by his enamored prisoner. See _The Times_ newspaper of +April 30 and May 1, 1846, (the latter article cited in _Notes and +Queries_, ix. 573,) and the _Quarterly Review_, Sept. 1846, Art. III. +The literary merits of the ballad are also considered in the +_Edinburgh Review_, of April, 1846. + +Shenstone has essayed in his _Moral Tale of Love and Honour_ to bring +out "the Spanish Ladye and her Knight in less grovelling accents than +the simple guise of ancient record," while Wordsworth, in a more +reverential spirit, has taken this noble old romance as the model of +his _Armenian Lady's Love_. + + Will you hear a Spanish lady, + How she woo'd an English man? + Garments gay as rich as may be, + Decked with jewels, had she on; + Of a comely countenance and grace was she, 5 + And by birth and parentage of high degree. + + As his prisoner there he kept her, + In his hands her life did lie; + Cupid's bands did tie her faster, + By the liking of an eye; 10 + In his courteous company was all her joy, + To favour him in any thing she was not coy. + + At the last there came commandment + For to set the ladies free, + With their jewels still adorned, 15 + None to do them injury: + "Alas," then said this lady gay, "full woe is me; + O let me still sustain this kind captivity! + + "O gallant captain, shew some pity + To a lady in distress; 20 + Leave me not within the city, + For to die in heaviness; + Thou hast set this present day my body free, + But my heart in prison strong remains with thee." + + "How should'st thou, fair lady, love me, 25 + Whom thou know'st thy country's foe? + Thy fair words make me suspect thee; + Serpents are where flowers grow." + "All the evil I think to thee, most gracious knight, + God grant unto myself the same may fully light! 30 + + "Blessed be the time and season, + That you came on Spanish ground; + If you may our foes be termed, + Gentle foes we have you found. + With our city, you have won our hearts each one; 35 + Then to your country bear away that is your own." + + "Rest you still, most gallant lady, + Rest you still, and weep no more; + Of fair lovers there are plenty; + Spain doth yield a wondrous store." 40 + "Spaniards fraught with jealousie we often find; + But English men throughout the world are counted kind. + + "Leave me not unto a Spaniard; + You alone enjoy my heart; + I am lovely, young, and tender, 45 + And so love is my desert. + Still to serve thee day and night my mind is prest; + The wife of every English man is counted blest." + + "It would be a shame, fair lady, + For to bear a woman hence; 50 + English soldiers never carry + Any such without offence." + "I will quickly change myself, if it be so, + And like a page I'll follow thee, where'er thou go." + + "I have neither gold nor silver 55 + To maintain thee in this case, + And to travel, 'tis great charges, + As you know, in every place." + "My chains and jewels every one shall be thine own, + And eke ten thousand pounds in gold that lies unknown." 60 + + "On the seas are many dangers; + Many storms do there arise, + Which will be to ladies dreadful, + And force tears from wat'ry eyes." + "Well in worth I could endure extremity, 65 + For I could find in heart to lose my life for thee." + + "Courteous lady, be contented; + Here comes all that breeds the strife; + I in England have already + A sweet woman to my wife: 70 + I will not falsifie my vow for gold or gain, + Nor yet for all the fairest dames that live in Spain." + + "Oh how happy is that woman + That enjoys so true a friend! + Many days of joy God send you! 75 + Of my suit I'll make an end: + On my knees I pardon crave for this offence, + Which love and true affection did first commence. + + "Commend me to thy loving lady; + Bear to her this chain of gold, 80 + And these bracelets for a token; + Grieving that I was so bold. + All my jewels in like sort bear thou with thee, + For these are fitting for thy wife, and not for me. + + "I will spend my days in prayer, 85 + Love and all her laws defie; + In a nunnery will I shroud me, + Far from other company: + But ere my prayers have end, be sure of this, + [To pray] for thee and for thy love I will not miss. 90 + + "Thus farewell, most gentle captain, + And farewell my heart's content! + Count not Spanish ladies wanton, + Though to thee my love was bent: + Joy and true prosperity goe still with thee!" 95 + "The like fall ever to thy share, most fair lady." + + + + +PATIENT GRISSEL. + + +The story of Griselda was first told in the _Decameron_. Boccaccio +derived the incidents from Petrarch, and Petrarch seems to have +communicated them also to Chaucer, who (in his _Clerk of Oxenford's +Tale_) first made known the tale to English readers. The theme was +subsequently treated in a great variety of ways.[2] Two plays upon the +subject are known to have been written, one of which (by Dekker, +Chettle and Haughton) has been printed by the Shakespeare Society, +while the other, an older production of the close of Henry VIII.'s +reign, is lost. About the middle of the sixteenth century, (1565,) a +_Song of Patient Grissell_ is entered in the Stationers' Registers, +and a prose history the same year. The earliest edition of the popular +prose history as yet recovered, dated 1619, has been reprinted in the +third volume of the Percy Society's Publications. + +The ballad here given is taken from Thomas Deloney's _Garland of Good +Will_, a collection which was printed some time before 1596. It was +circulated after that time, and probably even before the compilation +of the Garland, as a broadside, in black-letter, and also, with the +addition of a prose introduction and conclusion, as a tract or +chap-book. In this last form it is printed in the above-mentioned +volume of the Percy Society. The ballad in its proper simplicity is +inserted in _A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. 252. + +Percy's _Patient Countess_ (_Reliques_, i. 310) is extracted from +_Albion's England_. + +The title in _The Garland of Good Will_ is, _Of Patient Grissel and a +Noble Marquess_. _To the tune of the Bride's Good Morrow._ Percy +Society, vol. XXX. p. 82. + +[2] For the bibliography see Gr[:a]sse's _Sagenkreise_, p. 282. The +story is also found, says some one, in the Swedish saga of _Hakon +Borkenbart_. + + A noble marquess, as he did ride a-hunting, + Hard by a river side, + A proper maiden, as she did sit a-spinning, + His gentle eye espy'd: + Most fair and lovely, and of comely grace was she, 5 + Although in simple attire; + She sang most sweetly, with pleasant voice melodiously, + Which set the lord's heart on fire. + The more he lookt, the more he might; + Beauty bred his hearts delight, 10 + And to this damsel he went. + "God speed," quoth he, "thou famous flower, + Fair mistress of this homely bower, + Where love and vertue live with sweet content." + + With comely gesture and modest mild behaviour 15 + She bad him welcome then; + She entertain'd him in a friendly manner, + And all his gentlemen. + The noble marquess in his heart felt such flame + Which set his senses all at strife; 20 + Quoth he, "Fair maiden, shew soon what is thy name: + I mean to take thee to my wife." + "Grissel is my name," quoth she, + "Far unfit for your degree; + A silly maiden, and of parents poor." 25 + "Nay, Grissel, thou art rich," he said, + "A vertuous, fair, and comely maid; + Grant me thy love, and I will ask no more." + + At length she consented, and being both contented, + They married were with speed; 30 + Her country russet was turn'd to silk and velvet, + As to her state agreed: + And when that she was trimly attired in the same, + Her beauty shin'd most bright, + Far staining every other brave and comely dame 35 + That did appear in sight.[L36] + Many envied her therefore, + Because she was of parents poor, + And twixt her lord and her great strife did raise: + Some said this, and some said that, 40 + Some did call her beggar's brat, + And to her lord they would her oft dispraise. + + "O noble marquess," quoth they, "why do you wrong us, + Thus basely for to wed, + That might have got an honourable lady 45 + Into your princely bed? + Who will not now your noble issue still deride, + Which shall be hereafter born, + That are of blood so base by the mother's side, + The which will bring them to scorn? 50 + Put her, therefore, quite away; + Take to you a lady gay, + Whereby your lineage may renown[e']d be." + Thus every day they seem'd to prate + At malic'd Grissel's good estate, 55 + Who took all this most mild and patiently. + + When that the marquess did see that they were bent thus + Against his faithful wife, + Whom most dearly, tenderly, and intirely + He loved as his life; 60 + Minding in secret for to prove her patient heart, + Thereby her foes to disgrace; + Thinking to play a hard discourteous part, + That men might pity her case,-- + Great with child this lady was, 65 + And at length it came to pass, + Two lovely children at one birth she had; + A son and daughter God had sent, + Which did their father well content, + And which did make their mothers heart full glad. 70 + + Great royal feasting was at the childrens christ'ning, + And princely triumph made; + Six weeks together, all nobles that came thither + Were entertain'd and staid. + And when that these pleasant sportings quite were done, 75 + The marquess a messenger sent + For his young daughter and his pretty smiling son, + Declaring his full intent, + How that the babes must murthered be, + For so the marquess did decree. 80 + "Come, let me have the children," he said: + With that fair Grissel wept full sore, + She wrung her hands, and said no more; + "My gracious lord must have his will obey'd." + + She took the babies from the nursing-ladies, 85 + Between her tender arms; + She often wishes, with many sorrowful kisses, + That she might help their harms. + "Farewel," quoth she, "my children dear; + Never shall I see you again; 90 + 'Tis long of me, your sad and woful mother dear, + For whose sake you must be slain. + Had I been born of royal race, + You might have liv'd in happy case; + But now you must die for my unworthiness. 95 + "Come, messenger of death," quoth she, + "Take my despised babes to thee, + And to their father my complaints express." + + He took the children, and to his noble master + He brought them forth with speed; 100 + Who secretly sent them unto a noble lady, + To be nurst up indeed. + Then to fair Grissel with a heavy heart he goes, + Where she sat mildly all alone; + A pleasant gesture and a lovely look she shows, 105 + As if grief she had never known. + Quoth he, "My children now are slain; + What thinks fair Grissel of the same? + Sweet Grissel, now declare thy mind to me." + "Since you, my lord, are pleas'd with it, 110 + Poor Grissel thinks the action fit; + Both I and mine at your command will be." + + "The nobles murmur, fair Grissel, at thine honour, + And I no joy can have + Till thou be banisht from my court and presence, 115 + As they unjustly crave. + Thou must be stript out of thy stately garments; + And as thou camest to me, + In homely gray, instead of silk and purest pall, + Now all thy cloathing must be. 120 + My lady thou must be no more, + Nor I thy lord, which grieves me sore; + The poorest life must now content thy mind: + A groat to thee I may not give, + Thee to maintain, while I do live; 125 + 'Gainst my Grissel such great foes I find." + + When gentle Grissel heard these woful tidings, + The tears stood in her eyes; + She nothing said, no words of discontentment + Did from her lips arise. 130 + Her velvet gown most patiently she stript off, + Her girdle of silk with the same; + Her russet gown was brought again with many a scoff; + To bear them all, herself [she] did frame. + When she was drest in this array, 135 + And ready was to part away, + "God send long life unto my lord," quoth she; + "Let no offence be found in this, + To give my lord a parting kiss." + With wat'ry eyes, "Farewel, my dear!" quoth he. 140 + + From stately palace, unto her father's cottage, + Poor Grissel now is gone; + Full fifteen winters she lived there contented, + No wrong she thought upon; + And at that time thro' all the land the speeches went, 145 + The marquess should married be + Unto a noble lady of high descent, + And to the same all parties did agree. + The marquess sent for Grissel fair + The bride's bed-chamber to prepare, 150 + That nothing should therein be found awry; + The bride was with her brother come, + Which was great joy to all and some; + And Grissel took all this most patiently. + + And in the morning when that they should be wedded, 155 + Her patience now was try'd; + Grissel was charged in princely manner + For to attire the bride. + Most willingly she gave consent unto the same; + The bride in her bravery was drest, 160 + And presently the noble marquess thither came, + With all the ladies at his request. + "Oh Grissel, I would ask of thee + If to this match thou wouldst agree? + Methinks thy looks are waxed wondrous coy." 165 + With that they all began to smile, + And Grissel she replies the while, + "God send lord marquess many years of joy!" + + The marquis was mov[e']d to see his best belov[e']d + Thus patient in distress; 170 + He stept unto her, and by the hand he took her; + These words he did express: + "Thou art the bride, and all the brides I mean to have; + These two thy own children be." + The youthful lady on her knees did blessing crave, 175 + The brother as willing as she. + "And you that envy her estate, + Whom I have made my loving mate, + Now blush for shame, and honour vertuous life; + The chronicles of lasting fame 180 + Shall evermore extol the name + Of patient Grissel, my most constant wife." + +36, G. G. W., in her sight. + + + + +THE KING OF FRANCE'S DAUGHTER. + + +From Thomas Deloney's _Garland of Good Will_, as reprinted by the +Percy Society, vol. xxx. p. 52. Other copies are in _Old Ballads_, +(1723,) i. 181, Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 136, and Percy's +_Reliques_, iii. 207,--the last altered by the editor. + + In the days of old, + When fair France did flourish, + Stories plainly told + Lovers felt annoy. + The king a daughter had, 5 + Beauteous, fair, and lovely, + Which made her father glad, + She was his only joy. + A prince of England came, + Whose deeds did merit fame, 10 + He woo'd her long, and lo, at last, + Look, what he did require,[L12] + She granted his desire, + Their hearts in one were linked fast. + Which when her father proved, 15 + Lord, how he was moved + And tormented in his mind; + He sought for to prevent them, + And to discontent them,-- + Fortune crosses lovers kind. 20 + + Whenas these princely twain + Were thus debarr'd of pleasure, + Through the king's disdain, + Which their joys withstood, + The lady lockt up close 25 + Her jewels and her treasure, + Having no remorse + Of state or royal blood. + In homely poor array, + She went from court away,[L30] 30 + To meet her love and heart's delight; + Who in a forest great, + Had taken up his seat, + To wait her coming in the night. + But lo, what sudden danger, 35 + To this princely stranger, + Chanc[e']d as he sat alone, + By outlaws he was robbed, + And with poinard stabbed, + Uttering many a dying groan. 40 + + The princess, armed by him, + And by true desire, + Wandering all that night, + Without dread at all, + Still unknown, she past 45 + In her strange attire, + Coming at the last + Within echo's call. + "You fair woods," quoth she, + "Honoured may you be, 50 + Harbouring my heart's delight, + Which doth encompass here, + My joy and only dear, + My trusty friend, and comely knight. + Sweet, I come unto thee, 55 + Sweet, I come to wooe thee, + That thou may'st not angry be; + For my long delaying, + And thy courteous staying, + Amends for all I make to thee." 60 + + Passing thus alone + Through the silent forest, + Many a grievous groan + Sounded in her ear; + Where she heard a man 65 + To lament the sorest + Chance that ever came, + Forc'd by deadly fear. + "Farewel, my dear!" quoth he, + "Whom I shall never see, 70 + For why, my life is at an end; + For thy sweet sake I die, + Through villain's cruelty, + To shew I am a faithful friend. + Here lie I a-bleeding, 75 + While my thoughts are feeding + On the rarest beauty found; + O hard hap that may be, + Little knows my lady + My heart-blood lies on the ground!" 80 + + With that he gave a groan + That did break asunder + All the tender strings + Of his gentle heart: + She, who knew his voice, 85 + At his tale did wonder; + All her former joys + Did to grief convert. + Straight she ran to see + Who this man should be, 90 + That so like her love did speak; + And found, whenas she came, + Her lovely lord lay slain, + Smeer'd in blood which life did break. + Which when that she espied, 95 + Lord, how sore she cried! + Her sorrows could not counted be; + Her eyes like fountains running, + While she cryed out, "My darling, + Would God that I had dy'd for thee!" 100 + + His pale lips, alas! + Twenty times she kiss['e]d, + And his face did wash + With her brinish tears; + Every bleeding wound 105 + Her fair face bedewed, + Wiping off the blood + With her golden hairs. + ["Speak, my love," quoth she,][L109] + "Speak, fair prince, to me; 110 + One sweet word of comfort give; + Lift up thy fair eyes, + Listen to my cries, + Think in what great grief I live." + All in vain she sued, 115 + All in vain she wooed, + The prince's life was fled and gone; + There stood she still mourning + 'Till the sun's returning, + And bright day was coming on. 120 + + In this great distress + Quoth this royal lady, + "Who can now express + What will become of me? + To my father's court 125 + Never will I wander, + But some service seek + Where I may placed be." + Whilst she thus made her moan, + Weeping all alone, 130 + In this deep and deadly fear, + A forester all in green, + Most comely to be seen, + Ranging the wood did find her there, + Round beset with sorrow. 135 + "Maid," quoth he, "good morrow. + What hard hap hath brought you here?" + "Harder hap did never + Chance to a maiden ever; + Here lies slain my brother dear. 140 + + "Where might I be plac'd, + Gentle forester tell me; + Where might I procure + A service in my need? + Pains I will not spare, 145 + But will do my duty; + Ease me of my care, + Help my extream need." + The forester all amazed + On her beauty gazed, 150 + 'Till his heart was set on fire: + "If, fair maid," quoth he, + "You will go with me, + You shall have your heart's desire." + He brought her to his mother, 155 + And above all other + He set forth this maiden's praise: + Long was his heart inflamed, + At length her love he gained, + So fortune did his glory raise. 160 + + Thus unknown he matcht + With the king's fair daughter; + Children seven he had, + Ere she to him was known. + But when he understood 165 + She was a royal princess, + By this means at last + He shew[e']d forth her fame: + He cloath'd his children then[L169] + Not like other men, 170 + In party colours strange to see; + The right side cloth of gold, + The left side to behold + Of woollen cloth still fram[e']d he. + Men thereat did wonder, 175 + Golden fame did thunder + This strange deed in every place; + The king of France came thither[L178] + Being pleasant weather, + In the woods the hart to chase. 180 + + The children there did stand, + As their mother will[e']d, + Where the royal king + Must of force come by; + Their mother richly clad 185 + In fair crimson velvet, + Their father all in gray, + Most comely to the eye. + When this famous king, + Noting every thing, 190 + Did ask him how he durst be so bold, + To let his wife to wear, + And deck his children there, + In costly robes of pearl and gold,-- + The forester bold repli[e']d, 195 + And the cause descri[e']d, + And to the king he thus did say: + "Well may they by their mother + Wear rich gold like other, + Being by birth a princess gay." 200 + + The king upon these words + More heedfully beheld them, + Till a crimson blush + His conceit did cross. + "The more I look," quoth he, 205 + "Upon thy wife and children, + The more I call to mind + My daughter whom I lost." + "I am that Child," quoth she, + Falling on her knee; 210 + "Pardon me my soveraign liege!" + The king perceiving this + His daughter dear did kiss, + Till joyful tears did stop his speech. + With his train he turn[e']d, 215 + And with her sojourn[e']d; + Straight he dubb'd her husband knight; + He made him Earl of Flanders, + One of his chief commanders;-- + Thus was their sorrow put to flight. 220 + +12, Took. + +30, to court. + +109, from _Old Ballads_, 1723. + +169-174. "This will remind the reader of the livery and device of +Charles Brandon, a private gentleman, who married the Queen Dowager of +France, sister of Henry VIII. At a tournament which he held at his +wedding, the trappings of his horse were half cloth of gold, and half +frieze, with the following motto: + + 'Cloth of Gold, do not despise, + Tho' thou art matcht with Cloth of Frize; + Cloth of Frize, be not too bold, + Tho' thou art matcht with Cloth of Gold.' + +See Sir W. Temple's Misc. vol. iii. p. 356." PERCY. + +178, king he coming. + + + + +CONSTANCE OF CLEVELAND. + +From Collier's _Book of Roxburghe Ballads_, p. 163. + + +"This romantic ballad, in a somewhat plain and unpretending style, +relates incidents that may remind the reader of the old story of Titus +and Gisippus, which was told in English verse by Edw. Lewicke, as +early as 1562: the ballad is not so ancient by, perhaps, thirty or +forty years; and the printed copy that has come down to our day is at +least fifty years more recent than the date when we believe the ballad +to have been first published. The title the broadside ('Printed for F. +Coles, J. W., T. Vere, W. Gilbertson,') bears is, '_Constance of +Cleveland: A very excellent Sonnet of the most fair Lady Constance of +Cleveland, and her disloyal Knight_.' We conclude that the incidents +are mere invention, but _Constance of Rome_ is the name of a play, by +Drayton, Munday and Hathway, mentioned in Henslowe's Diary under the +year 1600, (p. 171.) The tune of _Crimson Velvet_ was highly popular +in the reigns of Elizabeth and her successor." + +To the Tune of _Crimson Velvet_. + + It was a youthfull knight + Lov'd a gallant lady; + Fair she was and bright, + And of vertues rare: + Herself she did behave 5 + So courteously as may be; + Wedded they were brave; + Joy without compare. + Here began the grief, + Pain without relief: 10 + Her husband soon her love forsook, + To women lewd of mind, + Being bad inclin'd, + He only lent a pleasant look. + The lady she sate weeping, 15 + While that he was keeping + Company with others moe: + Her words, "My love, beleeve not, + Come to me, and grieve not; + Wantons will thee overthrow." 20 + + His fair Ladie's words + Nothing he regarded; + Wantonnesse affords + Such delightfull sport. + While they dance and sing, 25 + With great mirth prepared, + She her hands did wring + In most grievous sort. + "O what hap had I + Thus to wail and cry, 30 + Unrespected every day, + Living in disdain, + While that others gain + All the right I should enjoy! + I am left forsaken, 35 + Others they are taken: + Ah my love! why dost thou so? + Her flatteries beleeve not, + Come to me, and grieve not; + Wantons will thee overthrow." 40 + + The Knight with his fair peece + At length the Lady spied, + Who did him daily fleece + Of his wealth and store: + Secretly she stood, 45 + While she her fashions tryed, + With a patient mind, + While deep the strumpet swore. + "O Sir Knight, O Sir Knight," quoth she, + "So dearly I love thee, 50 + My life doth rest at thy dispose: + By day, and eke by night, + For thy sweet delight, + Thou shalt me in thy arms inclose. + I am thine for ever; 55 + Still I will persever + True to thee, where ere I go." + "Her flatteries believe not, + Come to me, and grieve not; + Wantons will thee overthrow." 60 + + The vertuous Lady mild + Enters then among them, + Being big with child + As ever she might be: + With distilling tears 65 + She looked then upon them; + Filled full of fears, + Thus replyed she: + "Ah, my love and dear! + Wherefore stay you here, 70 + Refusing me, your loving wife, + For an harlot's sake, + Which each one will take; + Whose vile deeds provoke much strife? + Many can accuse her: 75 + O my love, O my love, refuse her! + With thy lady home return. + Her flatteries beleeve not, + Come to me, and grieve not; + Wantons will thee overthrow." 80 + + All in a fury then + The angry Knight up started, + Very furious when + He heard his Ladie's speech. + With many bitter terms 85 + His wife he ever thwarted, + Using hard extreams, + While she did him beseech. + From her neck so white + He took away in spite 90 + Her curious chain of purest gold, + Her jewels and her rings, + And all such costly things + As he about her did behold. + The harlot in her presence 95 + He did gently reverence, + And to her he gave them all: + He sent away his Lady, + Full of wo as may be, + Who in a swound with grief did fall. 100 + + At the Ladie's wrong + The harlot fleer'd and laughed; + Enticements are so strong, + They overcome the wise. + The Knight nothing regarded 105 + To see the Lady scoffed: + Thus was she rewarded + For her enterprise. + The harlot, all this space, + Did him oft embrace; 110 + She flatters him, and thus doth say: + "For thee Ile dye and live, + For thee my faith Ile give, + No wo shall work my love's decay; + Thou shalt be my treasure, 115 + Thou shalt be my pleasure, + Thou shalt be my heart's delight: + I will be thy darling, + I will be thy worldling, + In despight of fortune's spight." 120 + + Thus he did remain + In wastfull great expences, + Till it bred his pain, + And consumed him quite. + When his lands were spent, 125 + Troubled in his sences, + Then he did repent + Of his late lewd life. + For relief he hies, + For relief he flyes 130 + To them on whom he spent his gold: + They do him deny, + They do him defie; + They will not once his face behold. + Being thus distressed, 135 + Being thus oppressed, + In the fields that night he lay; + Which the harlot knowing, + Through her malice growing, + Sought to take his life away. 140 + + A young and proper lad + They had slain in secret + For the gold he had, + Whom they did convey + By a ruffian lewd 145 + To that place directly, + Where the youthful Knight + Fast a sleeping lay. + The bloody dagger than, + Wherewith they kill'd the man, 150 + Hard by the Knight he likewise laid, + Sprinkling him with blood, + As he thought it good, + And then no longer there he stayd. + The Knight, being so abused, 155 + Was forthwith accused + For this murder which was done; + And he was condemned + That had not offended; + Shamefull death he might not shun. 160 + + When the Lady bright + Understood the matter, + That her wedded Knight + Was condemn'd to dye, + To the King she went 165 + With all the speed that might be, + Where she did lament + Her hard destiny. + "Noble King!" quoth she, + "Pitty take on me, 170 + And pardon my poor husbands life; + Else I am undone, + With my little son: + Let mercy mitigate this grief." + "Lady fair, content thee; 175 + Soon thou wouldst repent thee, + If he should be saved so: + Sore he hath abus'd thee, + Sore he hath misus'd thee; + Therefore, Lady, let him go." 180 + + "O my liege!" quoth she, + "Grant your gracious favour: + Dear he is to me, + Though he did me wrong." + The King reply'd again, 185 + With a stern behaviour, + "A subject he hath slain, + Dye he shall ere long: + Except thou canst find + Any one so kind, 190 + That will dye and set him free." + "Noble King!" she said, + "Glad am I apaid; + That same person will I be. + I will suffer duly, 195 + I will suffer truly, + For my love and husbands sake." + The King thereat amazed, + Though he her beauty praised, + He bad from thence they should her take. + + It was the King's command, 201 + On the morrow after + She should out of hand + To the scaffold go: + Her husband was 205 + To bear the sword before her; + He must eke, alas! + Give the deadly blow. + He refus'd the deed; + She bid him to proceed, 210 + With a thousand kisses sweet. + In this wofull case + They did both imbrace, + Which mov'd the ruffians in that place + Straight for to discover 215 + This concealed murder; + Whereby the lady saved was. + The harlot then was hanged, + As she well deserved: + This did vertue bring to passe. 220 + + + + +WILLOW, WILLOW, WILLOW. + +From Percy's _Reliques_, i. 210. + + +This is the "song of willow" from which Desdemona sings snatches in +the Fourth Act of _Othello_, (Sc. 3.) The portions which occur in +Shakespeare are the first stanza, and fragments of the fifth, sixth, +and seventh; he also introduces a couplet which does not belong to the +ballad as here given. + +The Second Part is very likely a separate composition. Songs upon this +model or with the same burden were not infrequent. See one in Park's +_Heliconia_, Part i. 132, and another in _The Moral Play of Wit and +Science_, (Shakespeare Society,) p. 86. + +Percy gave this song from a black-letter copy in the Pepys collection, +entitled _A Lover's Complaint, being forsaken of his Love_. Another +version, differing principally in arrangement, is printed in the above +cited publication of the Shakespeare Society, p. 126, from a MS. in +the British Museum, "written about the year 1633." + + A poore soule sat sighing under a sicamore tree; + _O willow, willow, willow!_ + With his hand on his bosom, his head on his knee. + _O willow, willow, willow!_ + _O willow, willow, willow!_ 5 + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland._ + + He sigh'd in his singing, and after each grone, + _Come willow, &c._ + "I am dead to all pleasure, my true-love is gone. + _O willow, &c._ 10 + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland._ + + "My love she is turned; untrue she doth prove; + _O willow, &c._ + She renders me nothing but hate for my love. + _O willow, &c._ 15 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "O pitty me," cried he, "ye lovers, each one; + _O willow, &c._ + Her heart's hard as marble; she rues not my mone. + _O willow, &c._ 20 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c."_ + + The cold streams ran by him, his eyes wept apace; + _O willow, &c._ + The salt tears fell from him, which drowned his face. + _O willow, &c._ 25 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + The mute birds sate by him, made tame by his mones; + _O willow, &c._ + The salt tears fell from him, which softened the stones. + _O willow, &c._ 30 + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland._ + + "Let nobody blame me, her scornes I do prove; + _O willow, &c._ + She was borne to be faire; I, to die for her love. + _O willow, &c._ 35 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "O that beauty should harbour a heart that's so hard! + _Sing willow, &c._ + My true love rejecting without all regard. + _O willow, &c._ 40 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "Let love no more boast him in palace or bower; + _O willow, &c._ + For women are trothles, and flote in an houre. + _O willow, &c._ 45 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "But what helps complaining? In vaine I complaine: + _O willow, &c._ + I must patiently suffer her scorne and disdaine. + _O willow, &c._ 50 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "Come, all you forsaken, and sit down by me, + _O willow, &c._ + He that 'plaines of his false love, mine's falser than she. + _O willow, &c._ 55 + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland._ + + "The willow wreath weare I, since my love did fleet; + _O willow, &c._ + A garland for lovers forsaken most meete. + _O willow, &c._ 60 + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland!_" + + +PART THE SECOND. + + "Lowe lay'd by my sorrow, begot by disdaine, + _O willow, willow, willow!_ + Against her too cruell, still, still I complaine. + _O willow, willow, willow!_ + _O willow, willow, willow!_ 5 + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland!_ + + "O love too injurious, to wound my poore heart, + _O willow, &c._ + To suffer the triumph, and joy in my smart! + _O willow, &c._ 10 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "O willow, willow, willow! the willow garl[a']nd, + _O willow, &c._ + A sign of her falsenesse before me doth stand. + _O willow, &c._ 15 + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland._ + + "As here it doth bid to despair and to dye, + _O willow, &c._ + So hang it, friends, ore me in grave where I lye. + _O willow, &c._ 20 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "In grave where I rest mee, hang this to the view, + _O willow, &c._ + Of all that doe knowe her, to blaze her untrue. + _O willow, &c._ 25 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "With these words engraven, as epitaph meet, + _O willow, &c._ + 'Here lyes one, drank poyson for potion most sweet.' + _O willow, &c._ 30 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "Though she thus unkindly hath scorned my love, + _O willow, &c._ + And carelesly smiles at the sorrowes I prove; + _O willow, &c._ 35 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "I cannot against her unkindly exclaim, + _O willow, &c._ + Cause once well I loved her, and honoured her name. + _O willow, &c._ 40 + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland._ + + "The name of her sounded so sweete in mine eare, + _O willow, &c._ + It rays'd my heart lightly, the name of my deare; + _O willow, &c._ 45 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "As then 'twas my comfort, it now is my griefe; + _O willow, &c._ + It now brings me anguish; then brought me reliefe. + _O willow, &c._ 50 + _Sing, O the greene willow, &c._ + + "Farewell, faire false hearted, plaints end with my breath! + _O willow, willow, willow!_ + Thou dost loath me, I love thee, though cause of my death. + _O willow, willow, willow!_ 55 + _O willow, willow, willow!_ + _Sing, O the greene willow shall be my garland._" + + + + +GREENSLEEVES. + + +From _A Handefull of Pleasant Delites_, &c., London, 1584, as +reprinted in Park's _Heliconia_, vol. ii. p. 23. It is there entitled +_A New Courtly Sonet of the Lady Greensleeves. To the new Tune of +Greensleeves_. + +"The earliest mention of the ballad of _Green Sleeves_, in the +Registers of the Stationers' Company, is in September, 1580, when +Richard Jones had licensed to him _A New Northern Dittye of the Lady +Green Sleeves_." + +"_Green Sleeves_, or _Which nobody can deny_, has been a favorite tune +from the time of Elizabeth to the present day, and is still frequently +to be heard in the streets of London to songs with the old burden, +_Which nobody can deny_. It will also be recognized as the air of +_Christmas comes but once a year_, and many another merry ditty." +CHAPPELL'S _Popular Music of the Olden Time_, p. 227. + +_Greensleeves_ is twice alluded to by Shakespeare in _The Merry Wives +of Windsor_; Act ii. Sc. 1; Act v. Sc. 5. + + + Alas, my love, ye do me wrong + To cast me oft discurteously, + And I have loved you so long, + Delighting in your companie. + _Greensleeves was all my joy_, + _Greensleeves was my delight_, + _Greensleeves was my heart of gold_, + _And who but Ladie Greensleeves_. + + I have been readie at your hand 5 + To grant what ever you would crave; + I have both waged life and land, + Your love and good will for to have. + _Greensleeves was all my joy, &c._ + + I bought thee kerchers to thy head + That were wrought fine and gallantly; 10 + I kept thee both at boord and bed, + Which cost my purse well favouredly. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + I bought thee peticotes of the best, + The cloth so fine as fine might be; + I gave thee jewels for thy chest, 15 + And all this cost I spent on thee. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + Thy smock of silke, both faire and white, + With gold embrodered gorgeously, + Thy peticote of sendall right, + And this I bought thee gladly.[L20] 20 + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + Thy girdle of gold so red, + With pearles bedecked sumtuously,-- + The like no other lasses had,-- + And yet thou wouldest not love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + Thy purse, and eke thy gay guilt knives, 25 + Thy pincase, gallant to the eie,-- + No better wore the burgesse wives,-- + And yet thou wouldst not love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joy, &c._ + + Thy crimson stockings, all of silk, + With golde all wrought above the knee; 30 + Thy pumps, as white as was the milk, + And yet thou wouldst not love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + Thy gown was of the grassie green, + Thy sleeves of satten hanging by, + Which made thee be our harvest queen, 35 + And yet thou wouldst not love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + Thy garters fringed with the golde, + And silver aglets hanging by, + Which made thee blithe for to beholde,-- + And yet thou wouldst not love me. 40 + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + My gayest gelding I thee gave, + To ride where ever liked thee, + No ladie ever was so brave, + And yet thou wouldst not love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + My men were clothed all in green, 45 + And they did ever wait on thee; + All this was gallant to be seen, + And yet thou wouldst not love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + They set thee up, they took thee downe, + They served thee with humilitie; 50 + Thy foote might not once touch the ground, + And yet thou wouldst not love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + For everie morning, when thou rose, + I sent thee dainties, orderly, + To cheare thy stomack from all woes, 55 + And yet thou wouldst not love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + Thou couldst desire no earthly thing + But stil thou hadst it readily; + Thy musicke still to play and sing, + And yet thou wouldst not love me. 60 + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + And who did pay for all this geare, + That thou didst spend when pleased thee? + Even I that am rejected here, + And thou disdainst to love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + Wel, I wil pray to God on hie 65 + That thou my constancie maist see, + And that yet once before I die + Thou will vouchsafe to love me. + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + + Greensleeves, now farewel, adue! + God I pray to prosper thee, 70 + For I am stil thy lover true; + Come once againe, and love me! + _Greensleeves was all my joie, &c._ + +20, And thus. + + + + +ROBENE AND MAKYNE. + + +This exceedingly pretty pastoral, the earliest poem of the kind in the +Scottish language, is ascribed in the Bannatyne MS., where it is +preserved, to Robert Henryson, who appears to have written in the +latter half of the fifteenth century. All that is certainly known of +the author is that he was chief schoolmaster of Dunfermline. + +_Robene and Makyne_ was first printed by Ramsay in his _Evergreen_, +(i. 56,) and afterwards by Lord Hailes, in _Ancient Scottish Poems +published from the MS. of George Bannatyne_, (p. 98.) Some freedoms +were taken with the text by Ramsay, and one line was altered by Lord +Hailes. Our copy is given from Sibbald's _Chronicle of Scottish +Poetry_, (i. 115,) where the manuscript is faithfully adhered to. + + Robene sat on gud grene hill, + Keipand a flok of fie: + Mirry Makyne said him till, + "Robene, thow rew on me; + I haif th['e] luvit, lowd and still, 5 + Thir yeiris two or thr['e]; + My dule in dern bot gif thow dill, + Doutles bot dreid I d['e]." + + Robene answerit, "Be the rude, + Na thing of lufe I knaw, 10 + Bot keipis my scheip undir yone wud; + Lo quhair thay raik on raw. + Quhat hes marrit th['e] in thy mude, + Makyne, to me thow schaw; + Or quhat is love, or to be lude? 15 + Faine wald I leir that law." + + "At luvis lair gife thow will leir, + Tak thair ane A, B, C; + Be kynd, courtas, and fair of feir, + Wyse, hardy, and fr['e]. 20 + S['e] that no denger do th['e] deir, + Quhat dule in dern thow dr['e]; + Preiss th['e] with pane at all poweir, + Be patient and previe." + + Robene answerit her agane: 25 + "I wait nocht quhat is luve, + Bot I haif mervell in certaine, + Quhat makis th['e] this wanrufe; + The weddir is fair, and I am fane, + My scheip gois haill aboif, 30 + And we wald play us in this plane, + They wald us bayth reproif." + + "Robene, tak tent unto my taill, + And wirk all as I reid, + And thow sall haif my hairt all haill, 35 + Eik and my madinheid. + Sen God sendis bute for baill, + And for murning remeid, + I dern with th['e] bot gif I daill, + Dowbtles I am bot deid." 40 + + "Makyne, to morne this ilka tyde, + And ye will meit me heir; + Perventure my scheip ma gang besyd, + Quhyll we haif liggit full neir: + Bot maugre haif I, and I byd, 45 + Fra they begin to steir; + Quhat lyis on hairt I will nocht hyd; + Makyne, than mak gud cheir." + + "Robene, thou reivis me roiss and rest; + I luve bot th['e] allone." 50 + "Makyne, adew, the sone gois west, + The day is neirhand gone." + "Robene, in dule I am so drest, + That lufe will be my bone." + "Ga lufe, Makyne, quhair evir thou list, 55 + For leman I lue none." + + "Robene, I stand in sic a style, + I sicht, and that full sair." + "Makyne, I haif bene heir this quyle: + At hame God gif I wair!" 60 + "My hinny, Robene, talk ane quhyle, + Gif thou wilt do na mair." + "Makyne, sum uthir man begyle, + For hamewart I will fair." + + Robene on his wayis went, 65 + As licht as leif of tr['e]; + Makyne murnit in her intent, + And trowd him nevir to s['e]. + Robene brayd attour the bent; + Than Makyne cryit on hie, 70 + "Now ma thow sing, for I am schent! + Quhat alis lufe with me?" + + Makyne went hame withouttin faill, + Full werry eftir cowth weip: + Than Robene in a ful fair daill 75 + Assemblit all his scheip. + Be that sum parte of Makyne's ail + Out throw his hairt cowd creip; + He followit hir fast thair till assail, + And till her tuke gude keep. 80 + + "Abyd, abyd, thou fair Makyne, + A word for ony thing; + For all my luve it sall be thyne, + Withouttin departing. + All haill! thy harte for till haif myne, 85 + Is all my cuvating; + My scheip to morn, quhill houris nyne, + Will neid of no keping." + + "Robene, thou hes hard soung and say, + In gestis and storeis auld, 90 + _The man that will not quhen he may, + Sall haif nocht quhen he wald._ + I pray to Jesu every day, + Mot eik thair cairis cauld, + That first preissis with th['e] to play, 95 + Be firth, forrest, or fawld." + + "Makyne, the nicht is soft and dry, + The wedder is warme and fair, + And the grene woud rycht neir us by + To walk attour all quhair: 100 + Thair ma na janglour us espy, + That is to lufe contrair; + Thairin, Makyne, bath ye and I, + Unsene we ma repair." + + "Robene, that warld is all away, 105 + And quyt brocht till ane end, + And nevir again thereto, perfay, + Sall it be as thou wend; + For of my pane thou maide it play, + And all in vane I spend: 110 + As thou hes done, sa sall I say, + Murne on, I think to mend." + + "Makyne, the howp of all my heill, + My hairt on th['e] is sett, + And evir mair to th['e] be leill, 115 + Quhile I may leif but lett; + Nevir to faill, as utheris faill, + Quhat grace that evir I gett." + "Robene, with th['e] I will not deill; + Adew, for thus we mett." 120 + + Makyne went hame blyth anewche, + Attoure the holtis hair; + Robene murnit, and Makyne lewche; + Scho sang, he sichit sair: + And so left him, bayth wo and wreuch, 125 + In dolour and in cair, + Kepand his hird under a huche, + Amang the holtis hair. + + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + + +LORD BEICHAN AND SUSIE PYE. See p. 1. + +_From Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 260. + + + Young Beichan was in London born, + He was a man of hie degree; + He past thro' monie kingdoms great, + Until he cam unto Grand Turkie. + + He view'd the fashions of that land, 5 + Their way of worship viewed he; + But unto onie of their stocks + He wadna sae much as bow a knee: + + Which made him to be taken straight, + And brought afore their hie jurie; 10 + The savage Moor did speak upricht, + And made him meikle ill to dree. + + In ilka shoulder they've bor'd a hole, + And in ilka hole they've put a tree; + They've made him to draw carts and wains, 15 + Till he was sick and like to dee. + + But young Beichan was a Christian born, + And still a Christian was he; + Which made them put him in prison strang, + And cauld and hunger sair to dree; 20 + And fed on nocht but bread and water, + Until the day that he mot dee. + + In this prison there grew a tree, + And it was unco stout and strang; + Where he was chained by the middle, 25 + Until his life was almaist gane. + + The savage Moor had but ae dochter, + And her name it was Susie Pye; + And ilka day as she took the air, + The prison door she passed bye. 30 + + But it fell ance upon a day, + As she was walking, she heard him sing; + She listen'd to his tale of woe, + A happy day for young Beichan! + + "My hounds they all go masterless, 35 + My hawks they flee frae tree to tree, + My youngest brother will heir my lands, + My native land I'll never see." + + "O were I but the prison-keeper, + As I'm a ladie o' hie degree, 40 + I soon wad set this youth at large, + And send him to his ain countrie." + + She went away into her chamber, + All nicht she never clos'd her ee; + And when the morning begoud to dawn, 45 + At the prison door alane was she. + + She gied the keeper a piece of gowd, + And monie pieces o' white monie, + To tak her thro' the bolts and bars; + The lord frae Scotland she lang'd to see;-- 50 + She saw young Beichan at the stake, + Which made her weep maist bitterlie. + + "O hae ye got onie lands," she says, + "Or castles in your ain countrie? + It's what wad ye gie to the ladie fair 55 + Wha out o' prison wad set you free?" + + "It's I hae houses, and I hae lands, + Wi' monie castles fair to see, + And I wad gie a' to that ladie gay, + Wha out o' prison wad set me free." 60 + + The keeper syne brak aff his chains, + And set Lord Beichan at libertie:-- + She fill'd his pockets baith wi' gowd, + To tak him till his ain countrie. + + She took him frae her father's prison, 65 + And gied to him the best o' wine; + And a brave health she drank to him; + "I wish, Lord Beichan, ye were mine! + + "It's seven lang years I'll mak a vow, + And seven lang years I'll keep it true; 70 + If ye'll wed wi' na ither woman, + It's I will wed na man but you." + + She's tane him to her father's port, + And gien to him a ship o' fame:-- + "Farewell, farewell, my Scottish lord, 75 + I fear I'll ne'er see you again." + + Lord Beichan turn'd him round about, + And lowly, lowly, loutit he:-- + "Ere seven lang years come to an end, + I'll tak you to mine ain countrie." 80 + + * * * * + + Then when he cam to Glasgow town, + A happy, happy man was he; + The ladies a' around him thrang'd, + To see him come frae slaverie. + + His mother she had died o' sorrow, 85 + And a' his brothers were dead but he; + His lands they a' were lying waste, + In ruins were his castles free. + + Na porter there stood at his yett + Na human creature he could see, 90 + Except the screeching owls and bats, + Had he to bear him companie. + + But gowd will gar the castles grow, + And he had gowd and jewels free; + And soon the pages around him thrang'd, 95 + To serve him on their bended knee. + + His hall was hung wi' silk and satin, + His table rung wi' mirth and glee; + He soon forgot the lady fair, + That lows'd him out o' slaverie. 100 + + Lord Beichan courted a lady gay, + To heir wi' him his lands sae free, + Ne'er thinking that a lady fair + Was on her way frae Grand Turkie. + + For Susie Pye could get na rest, 105 + Nor day nor nicht could happy be, + Still thinking on the Scottish Lord, + Till she was sick and like to dee. + + But she has builded a bonnie ship, + Weel mann'd wi' seamen o' hie degree; 110 + And secretly she stept on board, + And bid adieu to her ain countrie. + + But whan she cam to the Scottish shore, + The bells were ringing sae merrilie; + It was Lord Beichan's wedding day, 115 + Wi' a lady fair o' hie degree. + + But sic a vessel was never seen; + The very masts were tapp'd wi' gold; + Her sails were made o' the satin fine, + Maist beautiful for to behold. 120 + + But whan the lady cam on shore, + Attended wi' her pages three, + Her shoon were of the beaten gowd, + And she a lady of great beautie. + + Then to the skipper she did say, 125 + "Can ye this answer gie to me-- + Where are Lord Beichan's lands sae braid? + He surely lives in this countrie." + + Then up bespak the skipper bold,-- + For he could speak the Turkish tongue,-- 130 + "Lord Beichan lives not far away; + This is the day of his wedding." + + "If ye will guide me to Beichan's yetts, + I will ye well reward," said she,-- + Then she and all her pages went, 135 + A very gallant companie. + + When she cam to Lord Beichan's yetts, + She tirl'd gently at the pin; + Sae ready was the proud porter + To let the wedding guests come in. 140 + + "Is this Lord Beichan's house," she says, + "Or is that noble lord within?" + "Yes, he is gane into the hall, + With his brave bride and monie ane." + + "Ye'll bid him send me a piece of bread, 145 + Bot and a cup of his best wine; + And bid him mind the lady's love + That ance did lowse him out o' pyne." + + Then in and cam the porter bold,-- + I wat he gae three shouts and three,-- 150 + "The fairest lady stands at your yetts + That ever my twa een did see." + + Then up bespak the bride's mither,-- + I wat an angry woman was she,-- + "You micht hae excepted our bonnie bride, 155 + Tho' she'd been three times as fair as she." + + "My dame, your daughter's fair enough, + And aye the fairer mot she be! + But the fairest time that e'er she was, + She'll na compare wi' this ladie. 160 + + "She has a gowd ring on ilka finger, + And on her mid-finger she has three; + She has as meikle gowd upon her head, + As wad buy an earldom o' land to thee. + + "My lord, she begs some o' your bread, 165 + Bot and a cup o' your best wine, + And bids you mind the lady's love + That ance did lowse ye out o' pyne." + + Then up and started Lord Beichan,-- + I wat he made the table flee,-- 170 + "I wad gie a' my yearlie rent + 'Twere Susie Pye come owre the sea." + + Syne up bespak the bride's mother,-- + She was never heard to speak sae free,-- + "Ye'll no forsake my ae dochter, 175 + Tho' Susie Pye has cross'd the sea?" + + "Tak hame, tak hame, your dochter, madam, + For she is ne'er the waur o' me; + She cam to me on horseback riding, + And she sall gang hame in chariot free." 180 + + He's tane Susie Pye by the milk-white hand, + And led her thro' his halls sae hie: + "Ye're now Lord Beichan's lawful wife, + And thrice ye're welcome unto me." + + Lord Beichan prepar'd for another wedding, 185 + Wi' baith their hearts sae fu' o' glee;-- + Says, "I'll range na mair in foreign lands, + Sin Susie Pye has cross'd the sea. + + "Fy! gar a' our cooks mak ready; + And fy! gar a' our pipers play; 190 + And fy! gar trumpets gae thro' the toun, + That Lord Beichan's wedded twice in a day!" + + + + +SWEET WILLIAM. See p. 29. + + +"Given from the chanting of an old woman. It has never been before +printed." Motherwell's _Minstrelsy_, p. 307. + +Other versions may be seen in that careless publication of the Percy +Society, _Scottish Traditional Versions of Ancient Ballads_, vol. +xvii. p. 57, _Lord William_, and in Buchan's _Ballads of the North of +Scotland_, ii. 57, _Lord Lundy_. + + Sweet William's gane over seas, + Some unco lair to learn, + And our gude Bailie's ae dochter + Is awa to learn the same. + + In ae braid buik they learned baith, 5 + In ae braid bed they lay; + But when her father cam to know, + He gart her come away. + + "It's you must marry that Southland lord, + His lady for to be; 10 + It's ye maun marry that Southland lord, + Or nocht ye'll get frae me." + + "I must marry that Southland lord, + Father, an it be your will; + But I'd rather it were my burial day, 15 + My grave for to fill." + + She walked up, she walked down, + Had nane to mak her moan, + Nothing but the pretty bird + Sat on the causey stone. 20 + + "If thou could speak, wee bird," she says, + "As weel as thou can flee, + I would write a lang letter + To Will ayont the sea." + + "What thou wants wi' Will," it says, 25 + "Thou'll seal it wi' thy ring; + Tak a thread o' silk, and anither o' twine, + And about my neck it hing." + + What she wanted wi' Willie + She sealed it wi' a ring; 30 + Took a thread o' silk, anither of twine, + About its neck did hing. + + This bird flew high, this bird flew low, + This bird flew owre the sea, + Until it entered the same chamber 35 + Wherein was sweet Willie. + + This bird flew high, this bird flew low,-- + Poor bird, it was mista'en,-- + It loot the letter fa' on Baldie's breast, + Instead of sweet William. 40 + + "Here's a letter, William," he says, + "I'm sure it's not to me; + And gin the morn gin twelve o'clock + Your love shall married be." + + "Come saddle to me my horse," he said, 45 + "The brown and a' that's speedie, + And I'll awa' to Old England, + To bring hame my ladie." + + Awa he gade, awa he rade, + Awa wi' meikle speed; 50 + He lichtit at every twa miles' end, + Lichtit and changed his steed. + + When she entered the church style, + The tear was in her e'e; + But when she entered the church door, 55 + A blythe sight did she see. + + "O hold your hand, you minister, + Hold it a little wee, + Till I speak wi' the bonnie bride, + For she's a friend to me. 60 + + "Stand off, stand off, you braw bridegroom, + Stand off a little wee; + Stand off, stand off, you braw bridegroom, + For the bride shall join wi' me." + + Up and spak the bride's father, 65 + And an angry man was he,-- + "If I had pistol, powther and lead, + And all at my command, + It's I would shoot thee stiff and dead, + In the place where thou dost stand." 70 + + Up and spoke then sweet William, + And a blithe blink from his e'e: + "If ye ne'er be shot till I shoot you, + Ye'se ne'er be shot for me. + + "Come out, come out, my foremost man, 75 + And lift my lady on; + Commend me all to my goodmother, + At night when you gang home." + + + + +YOUNG CHILD DYRING. See p. 29. + +Translated from the _Kj[oe]mpeviser_, in _Illustrations of Northern +Antiquities_, p. 335. + + + It was the young Child Dyring, + Wi' his mither rede did he: + "I will me out ride + Sir Magnus's bride to see." + _His leave the page takes to-day from his master._ + + "Will thou thee out ride, 5 + Sir Magnus's bride to see? + Sae beg I thee by Almighty God + Thou speed thee home to me." + _His leave, &c._ + + Syne answer'd young Child Dyr[e']; + He rode the bride to meet; 10 + The silk but and the black sendell + Hang down to his horse feet. + _His leave, &c._ + + All rode they there, the bride-folk, + On row sae fair to see, + Excepting Sir Svend Dyr[e'], 15 + And far about rode he. + _His leave, &c._ + + It was the young Child Dyr[e'] rode + Alone along the strand; + The bridle was of the red gold + That glitter'd in his hand. 20 + _His leave, &c._ + + 'Twas then proud Lady Ellensborg, + And under weed smil'd she; + "And who is he, that noble child + That rides sae bold and free?" + _His leave, &c._ + + Syne up and spak the maiden fair 25 + Was next unto the bride; + "It is the young Child Dyr[e'] + That stately steed does ride." + _His leave, &c._ + + "And is't the young Child Dyr[e'] + That rides sae bold and free? 30 + God wot, he's dearer that rides that steed + Nor a' the lave to me!" + _His leave, &c._ + + All rode they there, the bridal train, + Each rode his steed to stall; + All but Child Dyr[e'], that look'd whare he 35 + Should find his seat in the hall. + _His leave, &c._ + + "Sit whare ye list, my lordings; + For me, whate'er betide, + Here I shall sickerly sit the day, + To hald the sun frae the bride." 40 + _His leave, &c._ + + Then up spak the bride's father, + And an angry man was he; + "Whaever sits by my dochter the day, + Ye better awa' wad be." + _His leave, &c._ + + "It's I have intill Paris been, 45 + And well my drift can spell; + And ay, whatever I have to say, + I tell it best my sell." + _His leave, &c._ + + "Sooth thou hast intill Paris lear'd + A worthless drift to spell, 50 + And ay, whatever thou hast to say, + A rogue's tale thou must tell." + _His leave, &c._ + + Ben stept he, young Child Dyr[e'], + Nor reck'd he wha might chide; + And he has ta'en a chair in hand, 55 + And set him by the bride. + _His leave, &c._ + + 'Twas lang i' the night; the bride-folk + Ilk ane look'd for his bed; + And young Child Dyr[e'] amang the lave + Speer'd whare he should be laid. 60 + _His leave, &c._ + + "Without, afore the stair steps, + Or laigh on the cawsway stane, + And there may lye Sir Dyr[e'], + For ither bed we've nane." + _His leave, &c._ + + 'Twas ate intill the evening; 65 + The bride to bed maun ga; + And out went he, Child Dyring, + To rouse his menyie a'. + _His leave, &c._ + + "Now busk and d'on your harnass, + But and your brynies blae, 70 + And boldly to the bride-bower + Full merrily we'll gae." + _His leave, &c._ + + Sae follow'd they to the bride-bower + That bride sae young and bright, + And forward stept Child Dyr[e'], 75 + And quenched the marriage light. + _His leave, &c._ + + The cresset they've lit up again, + But and the taper clear, + And followed to the bride-bower + That bride without a peer. 80 + _His leave, &c._ + + * * * * * * + + And up Child Dyr[e'] snatch'd the bride, + All in his mantle blae, + And swung her all so lightly + Upon his ambler gray. + _His leave, &c._ + + They lock'd the bower, they lit the torch, 85 + 'Twas hurry-scurry a', + While merrily ay the lovers gay + Rode roundly to the shaw. + _His leave, &c._ + + In Rosen-wood they turn'd about + To pray their bridal prayer; 90 + "Good night and joy, Sir Magnus! + For us ye'll see nae mair." + _His leave, &c._ + + Sae rode he to the green wood, + And o'er the meadow green, + Till he came to his mither's bower, 95 + Ere folks to bed were gane. + _His leave, &c._ + + Out came proud Lady Metelild, + In menevair sae free; + She welcom'd him, Child Dyring, + And his young bride him wi'. 100 + _His leave, &c._ + + Now joys attend Child Dyring, + Sae leal but and sae bold; + He's ta'en her to his ain castell, + His bride-ale there to hold. + _His leave the page takes to-day frae his master._ + + + + +BARBARA LIVINGSTON. See p. 38. + +Motherwell's _Minstrelsy_, p. 304, from recitation. + + + Four-and-twenty ladies fair + Were playing at the ba', + And out cam Barbara Livingston, + The flower amang them a'. + + Out cam Barbara Livingston, 5 + The flower amang them a';-- + The lusty Laird of Linlyon[L7] + Has stoun her clean awa'. + + "The hielands is no for me, kind sir, + The hielands is no for me; 10 + But if you would my favour win, + Ye 'll tak me to Dundee." + + "The hielands 'll be for thee, my dear, + The hielands will be for thee; + To the lusty Laird o' Linlyon 15 + A-married ye shall be." + + When they cam to Linlyon's yetts, + And lichtit on the green, + Every ane spak Earse to her,-- + The tears cam trickling down. 20 + + When they went to bed at nicht, + To Linlyon she did say, + "Och and alace! a weary nicht, + Oh! but it's lang till day." + + "Your father's steed 's in my stable, 25 + He 's eating corn and hay, + And you 're lying in my twa arms; + What need you lang for day?" + + "If I had paper, pen, and ink, + And candle for to see, 30 + I would write a lang letter + To my love in Dundee." + + They brocht her paper, pen, and ink, + And candle for to see, + And she did write a lang letter 35 + To her love in Dundee. + + When he cam to Linlyon's yetts, + And lichtit on the green; + But lang or he wan up the stair + His love was dead and gane. 40 + + Woe be to thee, Linlyon, + An ill death may thou die! + Thou might hae ta'en anither woman, + And let my lady be. + +7. Mr. Jamieson has "Glenlyon," which is probably the right name. M. + + + + +LANG JOHNNY MOIR. See p. 50. + +From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, i. 248. + + + There lives a man in Rynie's land, + Anither in Auchindore; + The bravest lad amo' them a', + Was lang Johnny Moir. + + Young Johnny was an airy blade, 5 + Fu' sturdy, stout, and strang; + The sword that hang by Johnny's side, + Was just full ten feet lang. + + Young Johnny was a clever youth, + Fu' sturdy, stout, and wight; 10 + Just full three yards around the waist, + And fourteen feet in hight. + + But if a' be true they tell me now, + And a' be true I hear, + Young Johnny's on to Lundan gane, 15 + The king's banner to bear. + + He hadna been in fair Lundan + But twalmonths twa or three, + Till the fairest lady in a' Lundan + Fell in love wi' young Johnny. 20 + + This news did sound thro' Lundan town, + Till it came to the king, + That the muckle Scot had fa'in in love + Wi' his daughter, Lady Jean. + + When the king got word o' that, 25 + A solemn oath sware he; + "This weighty Scott sall strait a rope, + And hanged he shall be." + + When Johnny heard the sentence past, + A light laugh then gae he; 30 + "While I hae strength to yield my blade, + Ye darena a' hang me." + + The English dogs were cunning rogues; + About him they did creep, + And ga'e him draps o' lodomy 35 + That laid him fast asleep. + + Whan Johnny waken'd frae his sleep, + A sorry heart had he; + His jaws and hands in iron bands, + His feet in fetters three. 40 + + "O whar will I get a little wee boy + Will work for meat and fee, + That will rin on to my uncle, + At the foot of Benachie?" + + "Here am I, a little wee boy, 45 + Will work for meat and fee, + That will rin on to your uncle, + At the foot of Benachie." + + "Whan ye come whar grass grows green, + Slack your shoes and rin; 50 + And whan ye come whar water's strong, + Ye'll bend your bow and swim. + + "And whan ye come to Benachie, + Ye'll neither chap nor ca'; + Sae well's ye'll ken auld Johnny there, 55 + Three feet abeen them a'. + + "Ye'll gie to him this braid letter, + Seal'd wi' my faith and troth; + And ye'll bid him bring alang wi' him + The body, Jock o' Noth." 60 + + "Whan he came whar grass grew green, + He slack't his shoes and ran; + And whan he came whar water's strong, + He bent his bow and swam. + + And whan he came to Benachie, 65 + Did neither chap nor ca'; + Sae well's he kent auld Johnny there, + Three feet abeen them a'. + + "What news, what news, my little wee boy? + Ye never were here before;" 70 + "Nae news, nae news, but a letter from + Your nephew, Johnny Moir. + + "Ye'll take here this braid letter, + Seal'd wi' his faith and troth; + And ye're bidden bring alang wi' you 75 + The body, Jock o' Noth." + + Benachie lyes very low, + The tap o' Noth lyes high; + For a' the distance that's between, + He heard auld Johnny cry. 80 + + Whan on the plain these champions met, + Twa grizly ghosts to see, + There were three feet between her brows, + And shoulders were yards three. + + These men they ran ower hills and dales, 85 + And ower mountains high; + Till they came on to Lundan town, + At the dawn o' the third day. + + And whan they came to Lundan town, + The yetts were lockit wi' bands; 90 + And wha were there but a trumpeter, + Wi' trumpet in his hands. + + "What is the matter, ye keepers all, + Or what's the matter within, + That the drums do beat, and bells do ring, 95 + And make sic dolefu' din?" + + "There's naething the matter," the keeper said, + "There's naething the matter to thee; + But a weighty Scot to strait the rope, + And the morn he maun die." 100 + + "O open the yetts, ye proud keepers, + Ye'll open without delay;" + The trembling keeper smiling said, + "O I hae not the key." + + "Ye'll open the yetts, ye proud keepers, 105 + Ye'll open without delay; + Or here is a body at my back + Frae Scotland hae brought the key." + + "Ye'll open the yetts," says Jock o' Noth, + "Ye'll open them at my call;" 110 + Then wi' his foot he has drove in + Three yards braid o' the wall. + + As they gaed in by Drury-lane, + And down by the town's hall; + And there they saw young Johnny Moir, 115 + Stand on their English wall. + + "Ye're welcome here, my uncle dear, + Ye're welcome unto me; + Ye'll loose the knot, and slack the rope, + And set me frae the tree." 120 + + "Is it for murder, or for theft? + Or is it for robberie? + If it is for ony heinous crime, + There's nae remeid for thee." + + "It's nae for murder, nor for theft, 125 + Nor yet for robberie; + A' is for the loving a gay lady, + They're gaun to gar me die." + + "O whar's thy sword," says Jock o' Noth, + "Ye brought frae Scotland wi' thee? 130 + I never saw a Scotsman yet, + But coud wield a sword or tree." + + "A pox upo' their lodomy + On me had sic a sway; + Four o' their men, the bravest four, 135 + They bore my blade away." + + "Bring back his blade," says Jock o' Noth, + "And freely to him it gie; + Or I hae sworn a black Scot's oath, + I'll gar five million die." 140 + + "Now whar's the lady?" says Jock o' Noth, + "Sae fain I would her see;" + "She's lock'd up in her ain chamber, + The king he keeps the key." + + So they hae gane before the king, 145 + With courage bauld and free; + Their armour bright cast sic a light, + That almost dim'd his e'e. + + "O whar's the lady," says Jock o' Noth, + "Sae fain as I wou'd her see; 150 + For we are come to her wedding, + Frae the foot o' Benachie." + + "O take the lady," said the king, + "Ye welcome are for me; + I never thought to see sic men 155 + Frae the foot o' Benachie." + + "If I had ken'd," said Jock o' Noth, + "Ye'd wonder'd sae muckle at me, + I wou'd hae brought ane larger far + By sizes three times three." 160 + + "Likewise if I had thought I'd been + Sic a great fright to thee, + I'd brought Sir John o' Erskine park; + He's thretty feet and three." + + "Wae to the little boy," said the King, 165 + "Brought tidings unto thee; + Let all England say what they will, + High hanged shall he be." + + "O if ye hang the little wee boy + Brought tidings unto me, 170 + We shall attend his burial, + And rewarded ye shall be." + + "O take the lady," said the king, + "And the boy shall be free:" + "A priest, a priest," then Johnny cried, 175 + "To join my love and me." + + "A clerk, a clerk," the king replied, + "To seal her tocher wi' thee." + Out it speaks auld Johnny then, + These words pronounced he: 180 + + "I wantnae lands and rents at hame, + I'll ask nae gowd frae thee; + I am possess'd o' riches great, + Hae fifty ploughs and three; + Likewise fa's heir to ane estate 185 + At the foot o' Benachie. + + "Hae ye ony masons in this place, + Or ony at your call, + That ye may now send some of them, + To build your broken wall?" 190 + + "Yes, there are masons in this place, + And plenty at my call; + But ye may gang frae whence ye came, + Never mind my broken wall." + + They've ta'en the lady by the hand, 195 + And set her prison free; + Wi' drums beating, and fifes playing, + They spent the night wi' glee. + + Now auld Johnny Moir, and young Johnny Moir, + And Jock o' Noth, a' three, 200 + The English lady, and little wee boy, + Went a' to Benachie. + + + + +LIZIE BAILLIE. See p. 73. + +From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 173. + + + It fell about the Lammas time, + When flowers were fresh and green, + Lizie Baillie to Gartartan went, + To see her sister Jean. + + She meant to go unto that place, 5 + To stay a little while; + But mark what fortune her befell, + When she went to the isle.[L8] + + It fell out upon a day, + Sheep-shearing at an end, 10 + Lizie Baillie she walk'd out, + To see a distant friend. + + But going down in a low glen, + She met wi' Duncan Gr[ae]me, + Who courted her along the way, 15 + Likewise convoyed her hame. + + "My bonny Lizie Baillie, + I'll row you in my plaidie, + If ye'll gang ower the hills wi' me, + And be a Highland ladie." 20 + + "I winna gang alang wi' you; + Indeed I maun confess, + I can neither milk cow nor ewe, + Nor yet can I speak Earse." + + "O never fear, Lizie," he said, 25 + "If ye will gang wi' me, + All that is into my place, + Can speak as gude Scotch as thee. + + "But for a time we now maun part; + I hinna time to tarry; 30 + Next when we twa meet again, + Will be in Castlecarry." + + When Lizie tarried out her time, + Unto her father's came, + The very first night she arrived, 35 + Wha comes but Duncan Gr[ae]me. + + Says, "Bonny Lizie Baillie, + A gude deed mat ye die; + Altho' to me ye brake your tryst, + Now I am come for thee." 40 + + "O stay at hame," her father said, + "Your mither cannot want thee; + And gin ye gang awa' this night, + We'll hae a Killycrankie." + + "My bonny Lizie Baillie, 45 + O come to me without delay; + O wou'd ye hae sae little wit, + As mind what odd folks wad say?" + + She wou'dna hae the Lowlandman, + That wears the coat sae blue; 50 + But she wou'd hae the Highlandman, + That wears the plaid and trews. + + Out it spake her mother then, + A sorry heart had she; + Says, "Wae be to his Highland face, 55 + That's taen my lass frae me!" + +8. The island of Inchmahome, in the Lake of Menteith. + + + + +THE RARE BALLAD OF JOHNNIE FAA AND THE COUNTESS O'CASSILIS. See p. +114. + + +From Sheldon's _Minstrelsy of the English Border_, p. 329. The editor +(or author, as he styles himself, indifferently) of that audacious +work, asserts that he has "heard this ballad sung repeatedly by Willie +Faa," and has "endeavored to preserve as much of his version as +recollection would allow." + + There were seven Gipsies in a gang, + They were both brisk and bonny O, + They rode till they came to the Earl of Castle's house, + And there they sung so sweetly O. + + The Earl of Castle's lady came down, 5 + With her waiting maid beside her O; + As soon as her handsome face they saw, + They cast the glamour o'er her O. + + They gave to her a nutmeg brown, + Which was of the belinger O; 10 + She gave to them a far better thing, + The ring from off her finger O. + + The Earl he flang his purse to them, + For wow! but they sung bonny O; + Gied them red wine and manchet cake, 15 + And all for the Gipsy laddie O. + + The Earl wad gae hunt in Maybole woods, + For blythsome was the morning O, + To hunt the deer wi' the yelping curs, + Wi' the huntsman bugle sounding O. 20 + + The Countess went doun to the ha', + To hae a crack at them fairly O; + "And och," she cried, "I wad follow thee, + To the end o' the world or nearly O." + + He kist the Countess lips sae red, 25 + And her jimp white waist he cuddled O; + She smoothed his beard wi' her luvely hand, + And a' for her Gipsy laddie O. + + "And och," she cried, "that I should love thee, + And ever wrong my Earlie O; 30 + I ken there's glamour in mine e'ee, + To follow a Gipsy laddie O." + + Quo he, "Thou art ane Earl's ladye, + And that is kent fu' fairly O; + But if thou comest awa wi' me, 35 + Thou'lt be a queen so rarely O. + + "I'm Johnny Faa o' Yetholm town,[L37] + There dwall my min and daddie O; + And sweet Countess, I'm nothing less + Than King o' the Gipsy laddies O." 40 + + She pull'd off her high heel'd shoes,-- + They were made of Spanish leather O,-- + She put on her Highland brogues, + To follow the Gipsy laddie O. + + At night, when my lord came riding home, 45 + Enquiring for his lady O, + The waiting maid made this reply-- + "She's following the Gipsy laddie O." + + "O now then," quo' the bonny Earl, + "That ever siccan a thing suld be; 50 + All ye that love, oh never build + Your nest upon the topmost tree. + + "For oh the green leaves they will fall, + And roots and branches wither O; + But the virtue o' a leal woman, 55 + I trow wad never swither O. + + "Go saddle me my mylk white steed, + Go saddle it so sadly O, + And I will ride out oure the lea, + To follow her Gipsy laddie O. 60 + + "Go saddle me my bonny black, + And eke my gray cowt quickly O; + Gin I hae not Johnny Faa his head, + The de'il may claw me tightly O. + + "Have you been east, or have you been west, 65 + Or have you been brisk and bonny O, + Or have you seen a gay lady + Following a Gipsy laddie O?" + + He rode all the summer's night, + And part of the next morning O; 70 + At length he espied his own wedded wife, + She was cold, wet, and weary O. + + The leddy sabbed, the leddy cried, + And wrung her hands sae sadly O; + And aye her moan was to the Earl, 75 + To spare her Gipsy laddie O. + + "Why did you leave your houses and lands, + Or why did you leave your money O, + Or why did you leave your own wedded lord, + To follow the Gipsy laddie O?" 80 + + "O what care I for houses and lands, + Or what care I for money O? + So as I have brew'd, so I will drink, + So fare you well, my honey O." + + They marched them to the gallows tree, 85 + Whilst the Earl stood at the window O; + And aye the smile was on his lip, + As he thocht on the Gipsy laddie O. + + There were seven Gipsies in a gang, + They were so brisk and bonny O, 90 + And they're to be hang'd all in a row, + For the Earl o' Castle's leddy O. + +37. "Yetholm, on the borders of Northumberland, situated among the +recesses of the Cheviots, has ever been the headquarters of the Gipsy +tribes. The Faas, (a corruption of Fall, their original designation,) +the Youngs, Armstrongs, and Gordons still look up to this straggling +village as their city of refuge." SHELDON. + + + + +JAMIE DOUGLAS. See p. 135. + +From Finlay's _Scottish Ballads_, ii. 4. + + + When I fell sick, an' very sick, + An' very sick, just like to die, + A gentleman of good account + He cam on purpose to visit me; + But his blackie whispered in my lord's ear, 5 + He was owre lang in the room wi' me. + + "Gae little page, an' tell your lord, + Gin he will come and dine wi' me, + I'll set him on a chair of gold, + And serve him on my bended knee." 10 + + The little page gaed up the stair,-- + "Lord Douglass, dine wi' your ladie: + She'll set ye on a chair of gold, + And serve you on her bended knee." + + "When cockle shells turn silver bells, 15 + When wine drieps red frae ilka tree, + When frost and snaw will warm us a', + Then I'll cum down an' dine wi' thee." + + But whan my father gat word o' this, + O what an angry man was he! 20 + He sent fourscore o' his archers bauld + To bring me safe to his countrie. + + When I rose up then in the morn, + My goodly palace for to lea', + I knocked at my lord's chamber door, 25 + But ne'er a word wad he speak to me. + + But slowly, slowly, rose he up, + And slowly, slowly, cam he down, + And when he saw me set on my horse, + He caused his drums and trumpets soun. 30 + + "Now fare ye weel my goodly palace, + And fare ye weel, my children three; + God grant your father grace to love you, + Far more than ever he loved me." + + He thocht that I was like himsel, 35 + That had a woman in every hall; + But I could swear by the heavens clear, + I never loved man but himsel. + + As on to Embro' town we cam, + My guid father he welcomed me; 40 + He caused his minstrels meet to sound,-- + It was nae music at a' to me. + + "Now haud your tongue, my daughter dear, + Leave off your weeping, let it be; + For Jamie's divorcement I'll send over; 45 + Far better lord I'll provide for thee." + + "O haud your tongue, my father dear, + And of such talking let me be; + For never a man shall come to my arms, + Since my lord has sae slighted me." 50 + + O an' I had ne'er crossed the Tweed, + Nor yet been owre the river Dee, + I might hae staid at Lord Orgul's gate, + Where I wad hae been a gay ladie. + + The ladies they will cum to town, 55 + And they will cum and visit me; + But I'll set me down now in the dark, + For ochanie! who'll comfort me? + + An' wae betide ye, black fastness,[L59] + Ay, and an ill deid may ye die! 60 + Ye was the first and foremost man + Wha parted my true lord and me. + +59: fastness, printed Fastness by Finlay, is, says Motherwell, merely +falsetness, falseness. + + + + +LAIRD OF BLACKWOOD. See p. 135. + +Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 60. + + + "I lay sick, and very sick, + And I was bad, and like to die, + A friend o' mine cam to visit me;-- + And Blackwood whisper'd in my lord's ear, + That he was owre lang in chamber wi' me. 5 + + "O what need I dress up my head, + Nor what need I kaim doun my hair, + Whan my gude lord has forsaken me, + And says he will na love me mair! + + "But O! an my young babe was born, 10 + And set upon some nourice knee, + And I mysel war dead and gane,-- + For a maid again I'll never be."-- + + "Na mair o' this, my dochter dear, + And of your mourning let abee; 15 + For a bill of divorce I'll gar write for him, + A mair better lord I'll get for thee." + + "Na mair o' this, my father dear, + And of your folly let abee; + For I wad na gie ae look o' my lord's face, 20 + For a' the lords in the haill countrie. + + "But I'll cast off my robes o' red, + And I'll put on my robes o' blue; + And I will travel to some other land, + To see gin my love will on me rue. 25 + + "There sall na wash come on my face, + There sall na kaim come on my hair; + There sall neither coal nor candle licht + Be seen intil my bouer na mair. + + "O! wae be to thee Blackwood, 30 + And an ill death may ye die, + For ye've been the haill occasion + Of parting my lord and me." + + + + +THE PROVOST'S DOCHTER. See p. 180. + +Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 131. + + + The Provost's dochter went out a walking, + _A may's love whiles is easie won_; + She heard a puir prisoner making his meane, + And she was the fair flow'r o' Northumberland. + + "Gif onie ladie wad borrow me 5 + Out into this prison strang, + I wad make her a ladie o' hie degree, + For I am a gret lard in fair Scotland." + + She has dune her to her father's bed-stock, + _A may's love whiles is easie won_! 10 + She has stown the keys o' monie braw lock, + And she has lows'd him out o' prison strang. + + She has dune her to her father's stable, + _A may's love whiles is easie won_! + She has tane out a steed, baith swift and able, 15 + To carry them baith to fair Scotland. + + Whan they cam to the Scottish corss, + _A may's love whiles is easie won_! + "Ye brazen-faced hure, licht aff o' my horse, + And go, get ye back to Northumberland." 20 + + Whan they cam to the Scottish muir, + _A may's love whiles is easie won_! + "Get aff o' my horse, ye brazen-fac'd hure, + So, go, get ye back to Northumberland." + + "O pity on me! O pity!" said she, 25 + "O that my love was so easie won! + Have pity on me, as I had upon thee, + Whan I lows'd ye out o' prison strang." + + "O how can I hae pity on thee? + O why was your love sae easie won? 30 + Whan I hae a wife and children three, + Mair worthy than a' in Northumberland." + + "Cook in your kitchen I will be,-- + O that my love was sae easie won! + And serve your lady maist reverentlie, 35 + For I darna gang back to Northumberland." + + "Cook in my kitchen, ye sall not be,-- + Why was your love so easie won? + For I will hae na sic servants as thee, + So, get ye back to Northumberland. 40 + + But laith was he the lassie to tyne, + _A may's love whiles is easie won_! + He hired an auld horse, and fee'd an auld man, + To carry her back to Northumberland. + + Whan she cam her father afore, 45 + _A may's love whiles is easie won_! + She fell at his feet on her knees sae low,-- + She was the fair flow'r o' Northumberland. + + "O dochter, dochter, why was ye bauld, + O why was your love sae easie won! 50 + To be a Scot's hure in your fifteen year auld, + And ye the fair flow'r o' Northumberland!" + + Her mother on her sae gentlie smil'd,-- + "O that her love was sae easie won! + She's na the first that the Scots hae beguil'd, 55 + And she's still the fair flow'r o' Northumberland. + + "She shanna want gowd, she shanna want fee, + Although her love was easie won; + She shanna want gowd to gain a man wi', + And she'll still be the fair flow'r o' Northumberland." 60 + + + + +BLANCHEFLOUR, AND JELLYFLORICE. + +From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, i. 125. + + +A fragment of the ancient English romance of _Florice and +Blancheflour_ is printed in Hartshorne's _Metrical Tales_, p. 81. For +the complete story (hardly a trace of which is retained in the +following ballad) see Ellis's _Early English Metrical Romances_. + + There was a maid, richly array'd, + In robes were rare to see; + For seven years and something mair, + She serv'd a gay ladie. + + But being fond o' a higher place, 5 + In service she thought lang; + She took her mantle her about, + Her coffer by the band. + + And as she walk'd by the shore side, + As blythe's a bird on tree, 10 + Yet still she gaz'd her round about, + To see what she could see. + + At last she spied a little castle, + That stood near by the sea; + She spied it far, and drew it near, 15 + To that castle went she. + + And when she came to that castle, + She tirled at the pin; + And ready stood a little wee boy + To lat this fair maid in. 20 + + "O who's the owner of this place, + O porter boy, tell me?" + "This place belongs unto a queen + O' birth and high degree." + + She put her hand in her pocket, 25 + And ga'e him shillings three; + "O porter bear my message well, + Unto the queen frae me." + + The porter's gane before the queen, + Fell low down on his knee; 30 + "Win up, win up, my porter boy, + What makes this courtesie?" + + "I ha'e been porter at your yetts, + My dame, these years full three, + But see a ladie at your yetts, 35 + The fairest my eyes did see." + + "Cast up my yetts baith wide and braid, + Lat her come in to me; + And I'll know by her courtesie, + Lord's daughter if she be." 40 + + When she came in before the queen, + Fell low down on her knee; + "Service frae you, my dame, the queen, + I pray you grant it me." + + "If that service ye now do want, 45 + What station will ye be? + Can ye card wool, or spin, fair maid, + Or milk the cows to me?" + + "No, I can neither card nor spin, + Nor cows I canno' milk; 50 + But sit into a lady's bower, + And sew the seams o' silk." + + "What is your name, ye comely dame? + Pray tell this unto me: + "O Blancheflour, that is my name, 55 + Born in a strange countrie." + + "O keep ye well frae Jellyflorice; + My ain dear son is he; + When other ladies get a gift, + O' that ye shall get three." 60 + + It wasna tald into the bower, + Till it went thro' the ha', + That Jellyflorice and Blancheflour + Were grown ower great witha'. + + When the queen's maids their visits paid, 65 + Upo' the gude Yule day, + When other ladies got horse to ride, + She boud take foot and gae. + + The queen she call'd her stable groom, + To come to her right seen; 70 + Says, "Ye'll take out yon wild waith steed, + And bring him to the green. + + "Ye'll take the bridle frae his head, + The lighters frae his e'en; + Ere she ride three times roun' the cross, 75 + Her weel days will be dune." + + Jellyflorice his true love spy'd, + As she rade roun' the cross; + And thrice he kiss'd her lovely lips, + And took her frae her horse. 80 + + "Gang to your bower, my lily flower, + For a' my mother's spite; + There's nae other amang her maids, + In whom I take delight. + + "Ye are my jewel, and only ane, 85 + Nane's do you injury; + For ere this-day-month come and gang, + My wedded wife ye'se be." + + + + +CHIL ETHER. + +From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 228. + + + Chil Ether and Lady Maisry + Were baith born at ae birth; + They lov'd each other tenderlie, + Boon every thing on earth. + + "They ley likes na the summer shower, 5 + Nor girse the mornin' dew, + Better, dear Lady Maisry, + Than Chil Ether loves you." + + "The bonny doo likes na its mate, + Nor babe at breast its mither, 10 + Better, my dearest Chil Ether, + Than Maisry loves her brither." + + But he needs gae to gain renown, + Into some far countrie; + And Chil Ether has gaen abroad, 15 + To fight in Paynimie. + + And he has been in Paynimie + A twalvemonth and a day; + But never nae tidings did there come, + Of his welfare to say. 20 + + Then she's ta'en ship, awa' to sail, + Out ower the roaring faem; + A' for to find him, Chil Ether, + And for to bring him hame. + + She hadna sail'd the sea a month, 25 + A month but barely three, + Until she landit on Ciper's shore, + By the meen-licht sae lie. + + Lady Maisry did on her green mantle, + Took her purse in her hand, 30 + And call'd to her her mariners, + Syne walk'd up thro' the land. + + She walked up, sae did she down, + Till she came till castell high; + There she sat down on the door stane, 35 + And weepit bitterlie. + + Then out it spake a sweet, sweet voice, + Out ower the castell wa', + "Now isna that Lady Maisry + That makes sic a dolefu' fa'? 40 + + "But gin that be Lady Maisry, + Lat her make mirth and glee; + For I'm her brother, Chil Ether, + That loves her tenderlie. + + "But gin that be Lady Maisry, 45 + Lat her take purse in hand; + And gang to yonder castell wa',-- + They call it Gorinand. + + "Spier for the lord o' that castell, + Gie'm dollars thirty-three; 50 + Tell him to ransom Chil Ether, + That loves you tenderlie." + + She's done her up to that castell, + Paid down her gude monie; + And sae she's ransom'd Chil Ether, 55 + And brought him hame her wi'. + + + + +YOUNG BEARWELL. + + +"A fragment, and now printed in the hope that the remainder of it may +hereafter be recovered. From circumstances, one would almost be +inclined to trace it to a Danish source; or it may be an episode of +some forgotten Metrical Romance: but this cannot satisfactorily be +ascertained, from its catastrophe being unfortunately wanting." +_Motherwell's Minstrelsy_, p. 345. + +The same is in Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 75. + + When two lovers love each other weel, + Great sin it were them to twinn; + And this I speak from young Bearwell; + He loved a lady ying, + The Mayor's daughter of Birktoun-brae, 5 + That lovely leesome thing. + + One day when she was looking out, + When washing her milk-white hands, + Then she beheld him young Bearwell,[L9] + As he came in the sands. 10 + + Says,--"Wae 's me for you, young Bearwell, + Such tales of you are tauld; + They 'll cause you sail the salt sea so far + As beyond Yorkisfauld." + + "O shall I bide in good green wood, 15 + Or stay in bower with thee?" + * * * * * * + * * * * * * + + "The leaves are thick in good green wood, + Would hold you from the rain; + And if you stay in bower with me, + You will be taken and slain. 20 + + "But I caused build a ship for you, + Upon Saint Innocent's day; + I 'll bid Saint Innocent be your guide, + And Our Lady, that meikle may. + You are a lady's first true love; 25 + God carry you weel away!" + + Then he sailed east and he sailed west, + By many a comely strand; + At length a puff of northern wind + Did blow him to the land. 30 + + When he did see the king and court, + Were playing at the ba'; + Gave him a harp into his hand, + Says,--"Stay, Bearwell, and play." + + He had not been in the king's court 35 + A twelvemonth and a day, + Till there came lairds and lords enew, + To court that lady gay. + + They wooed her with broach and ring, + They nothing could keep back; 40 + The very charters of their lands + Into her hands they pat. + + She 's done her down to Heyvalin, + With the light of the mune: + Says,--"Will ye do this deed for me, 45 + And will ye do it sune? + + "Will ye go seek him young Bearwell, + On seas wherever he be? + And if I live and bruik my life, + Rewarded ye shall be." 50 + + "Alas, I am too young a skipper, + So far to sail the faem; + But if I live and bruik my life, + I 'll strive to bring him hame." + + So he has sail'd east and then sail'd west, 55 + By many a comely strand; + Till there came a blast of northern wind, + And blew him to the land. + + And there the king and all his court + Were playing at the ba'; 60 + Gave him a harp into his hand, + Says,--"Stay, Heyvalin, and play." + + He has tane up the harp in hand, + And unto play went he; + And young Bearwell was the first man 65 + In all that companie. + +9, That. + + + + +LORD THOMAS OF WINESBERRY AND THE KING'S DAUGHTER. + + +From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 212. Another +version is given in Buchan's _Gleanings_, p. 127, and a third by +Kinloch, p. 93. Kinloch considers that the ballad may relate to the +secret expedition of James V. to France, in 1536, in search of a wife. +In the last verse of his copy of the ballad, Lord Thomas turns out to +be no less a man than the King of Scotland. + + Seven years the king he staid + Into the land of Spain, + And seven years true Thomas was + His daughter's chamberlain. + + But it fell ance upon a day 5 + The king he did come home; + She beked and she benjed ben, + And did him there welcome. + + "What aileth you, my daughter, Janet, + You look sae pale and wan? 10 + There is a dreder in your heart, + Or else ye love a man." + + "There is no dreder in my heart, + Nor do I love a man; + But it is for your long byding 15 + Into the land of Spain." + + "Ye'll cast aff your bonny brown gown, + And lay it on a stane; + And I'll tell you, my jelly Janet, + If ever ye loved a man." 20 + + She's cast off her bonny brown gown, + And laid it on a stane; + Her belly was big, her twa sides high, + Her colour it was quite gane. + + "O is it to a man o' might, Janet? 25 + Or is it till a man that's mean? + Or is it to one of my poor soldiers, + That I've brought hame frae Spain?" + + "It's not till a man o' might," she says, + "Nor yet to a man that's mean; 30 + But it is to Thomas o' Winesberry, + That cannot langer len'." + + "O where are all my wall-wight men, + That I pay meat and fee; + That will gae for him, true Thomas, 35 + And bring him here to me? + For the morn, ere I eat or drink, + High hanged shall he be." + + She's turn'd her right and round about, + The tear blindet her e'e; 40 + "If ye do any ill to true Thomas, + Ye'se never get guid o' me." + + When Thomas came before the king, + He glanced like the fire; + His hair was like the threads o' gowd, 45 + His eyes like crystal clear. + + "It was nae wonder, my daughter, Janet, + Altho' ye loved this man; + If he were a woman, as he is a man, + My bed-fellow he would been. 50 + + "O will ye marry my daughter Janet? + The truth's in your right hand; + Ye'se hae some o' my gowd, and some o' my gear, + And the twalt part o' my land." + + "It's I will marry your daughter Janet; 55 + The truth's in my right hand; + I'll hae nane o' your gowd, nor nane o' your gear, + I've enough in my own land. + + "But I will marry your daughter Janet, + With thirty ploughs and three, 60 + And four an' twenty bonny breast-mills, + All on the water of Dee. + + + + +LADY ELSPAT. + +Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_, ii. 191. From the recitation of Mrs. +Brown. + + + "How brent's your brow, my Lady Elspat? + How gouden yellow is your hair? + O' a' the maids o' fair Scotland, + There's nane like Lady Elspat fair." + + "Perform your vows, sweet William," she says, 5 + "The vows which ye ha' made to me; + And at the back o' my mither's castell, + This night I'll surely meet wi' thee." + + But wae be to her brother's page, + That heard the words thir twa did say; 10 + He's tald them to her lady mither, + Wha wrought sweet William mickle wae. + + For she has ta'en him, sweet William, + And she's gar'd bind him wi' his bow string, + Till the red bluid o' his fair body 15 + Frae ilka nail o' his hand did spring. + + O it fell ance upon a time + That the Lord-justice came to town; + Out has she ta'en him, sweet William, + Brought him before the Lord-justice boun'. 20 + + "And what is the crime, now, lady," he says, + "That has by this young man been dane?" + "O he has broken my bonny castell, + That was weel biggit wi' lime and stane. + + "And he has broken my bonny coffers, 25 + That was weel bandit wi' aiken ban; + And he has stown my rich jewels; + I wot he has stown them every ane." + + Then out it spak her Lady Elspat, + As she sat by Lord-justice' knee; 30 + "Now ye hae told your tale, mither, + I pray, Lord-justice, ye'll now hear me. + + "He hasna broken her bonny castell, + That was weel biggit wi' lime and stane; + Nor has he stown her rich jewels, 35 + For I wat she has them every ane. + + "But though he was my first true love, + And though I had sworn to be his bride, + 'Cause he hadna a great estate, + She would this way our loves divide." 40 + + Syne out and spak the Lord-justice, + I wat the tear was in his e'e; + "I see nae faut in this young man; + Sae loose his bands, and set him free. + + "And tak your love, now, Lady Elspat, 45 + And my best blessin' you baith upon; + For gin he be your first true love, + He is my eldest sister's son. + + "There stands a steed in my stable, + Cost me baith gold and white mony; 50 + Ye's get as mickle o' my free land + As he'll ride about in a summer's day." + + + + +THE LOVERS QUARREL; OR, CUPIDS TRIUMPH. + + +"This 'pleasant History,' which 'may be sung to the tune of Floras +Farewell,' is here republished from a copy printed at London for F. +Cotes and others, 1677, 12mo. bl. 1., preserved in the curious and +valuable collection of that excellent and most respected antiquary +Antony [a'] Wood, in the Ashmolean Museum; compared with another +impression, for the same partners, without date, in the editor's +possession. A different copy of the poem, more in the ballad form, was +published, and may be found among the king's pamphlets in the British +Museum. Both copies are conjectured to have been modernized, by +different persons, from some common original, which has hitherto +eluded the vigilance of collectors, but is strongly suspected to have +been the composition of an old North country minstrel. + +"The full title is, _The Lovers Quarrel: or Cupids Triumph: being the +pleasant history of Fair Rosamond of Scotland. Being daughter to the +Lord Arundel, whose love was obtained by the valour of Tommy Pots: who +conquered the Lord Phenix, and wounded him, and after obtained her to +be his wife. Being very delightful to read_." RITSON, _Pieces of +Ancient Popular Poetry_, p. 135. + + Of all the lords in Scotland fair, + And ladies that been so bright of blee, + There is a noble lady among them all, + And report of her you shall hear by me. + + For of her beauty she is bright, 5 + And of her colour very fair, + She's daughter to Lord Arundel, + Approv'd his parand and his heir. + + "Ile see this bride," Lord Phenix said, + "That lady of so bright a blee, 10 + And if I like her countenance well, + The heir of all my lands she'st be." + + But when he came the lady before, + Before this comely maid came he, + "O God thee save, thou lady sweet, 15 + My heir and parand thou shalt be." + + "Leave off your suit," the lady said, + "As you are a lord of high degree; + You may have ladies enough at home, + And I have a lord in mine own country: 20 + + "For I have a lover true of mine own, + A serving-man of low degree, + One Tommy Pots it is his name, + My first love, and last that ever shall be." + + "If that Tom Pots [it] is his name, 25 + I do ken him right verily; + I am able to spend fourty pounds a week, + Where he is not able to spend pounds three." + + "God give you good of your gold," she said, + "And ever God give you good of your fee, 30 + Tom Pots was the first love that ever I had, + And I do mean him the last to be." + + With that Lord Phenix soon was mov'd; + Towards the lady did he threat; + He told her father, and so it was prov'd, 35 + How his [fair] daughters mind was set. + + "O daughter dear, thou art my own, + The heir of all my lands to be; + Thou shalt be bride to the Lord Phenix, + If that thou mean to be heir to me." 40 + + "O father dear, I am your own, + And at your command I needs must be, + But bind my body to whom you please, + My heart, Tom Pots, shall go with thee." + + Alas! the lady her fondness must leave, 45 + And all her foolish wooing lay aside; + The time is come her friends have appointed, + That she must be Lord Phenix bride. + + With that the lady began to weep; + She knew not well then what to say, 50 + How she might Lord Phenix deny, + And escape from marriage quite away. + + She call'd unto her little foot-page, + Saying, "I can trust none but thee; + Go carry Tom Pots this letter fair, 55 + And bid him on Guildford-green meet me: + + "For I must marry against my mind, + Or in faith well proved it shall be; + And tell to him I am loving and kind, + And wishes him this wedding to see. 60 + + "But see that thou note his countenance well, + And his colour, and shew it to me; + And go thy way and hie thee again,[L63] + And forty shillings I will give thee. + + "For if he smile now with his lips, 65 + His stomach will give him to laugh at the heart; + Then may I seek another true love, + For of Tom Pots small is my part. + + "But if he blush now in his face, + Then in his heart he will sorry be; 70 + Then to his vow he hath some grace, + And false to him I'le never be." + + Away this lacky-boy he ran, + And a full speed forsooth went he, + Till he came to Strawberry-castle, 75 + And there Tom Pots came he to see. + + He gave him the letter in his hand; + Before that he began to read, + He told him plainly by word of mouth, + His love was forc'd to be Lord Phenix bride. 80 + + When he look'd on the letter fair, + The salt tears blemished his eye; + Says, "I cannot read this letter fair, + Nor never a word to see or spy. + + "My little boy, be to me true, 85 + Here is five marks I will give thee; + And all these words I must peruse; + And tell my lady this from me: + + "By faith and troth she is my own, + By some part of promise, so it's to be found; 90 + Lord Phenix shall not have her night nor day, + Except he can win her with his own hand. + + "On Guildford-green I will her meet; + Say that I wish her for me to pray, + For there I'le lose my life so sweet, 95 + Or else the wedding I mean to stay." + + Away this lackey-boy he ran, + Then as fast as he could hie; + The lady she met him two miles of the way; + Says, "Why hast thou staid so long, my boy? 100 + + "My little boy, thou art but young, + It gives me at heart thou'l mock and scorn; + Ile not believe thee by word of mouth, + Unless on this book thou wilt be sworn." + + "Now by this book," the boy did say, 105 + "And Jesus Christ be as true to me, + Tom Pots could not read the letter fair, + Nor never a word to spy or see. + + "He says, by faith and troth you are his own, + By some part of promise, so it's to be found; 110 + Lord Phenix shall not have you night nor day, + Except he win you with his own hand. + + "On Guildford-green he will you meet; + He wishes you for him to pray, + For there he'l lose his life so sweet, 115 + Or else the wedding he means to stay." + + "If this be true, my little boy, + These tidings which thou tellest to me, + Forty shillings I did thee promise, + Here is ten pounds I will give thee. 120 + + "My maidens all," the lady said, + "That ever wish me well to prove, + Now let us all kneel down and pray, + That Tommy Pots may win his love. + + "If it be his fortune the better to win, 125 + As I pray to Christ in trinity, + Ile make him the flower of all his kin, + For the young Lord Arundel he shall be." + +63, high. + + +THE SECOND PART. + + Let's leave talking of this lady fair, + In prayers full good where she may be; 130 + Now let us talk of Tommy Pots; + To his lord and master for aid went he. + + But when he came Lord Jockey before, + He kneeled lowly on his knee; + "What news, what news, thou Tommy Pots, 135 + Thou art so full of courtesie? + + "What tydings, what tydings, thou Tommy Pots, + Thou art so full of courtesie? + Thou hast slain some of thy fellows fair, + Or wrought to me some villany." 140 + + "I have slain none of my fellows fair, + Nor wrought to you no villany, + But I have a love in Scotland fair, + And I fear I shall lose her with poverty. + + "If you'l not believe me by word of mouth, 145 + But read this letter, and you shall see, + Here by all these suspitious words + That she her own self hath sent to me." + + But when he had read the letter fair, + Of all the suspitious words in it might be, 150 + "O Tommy Pots, take thou no care, + Thou'st never lose her with poverty. + + "For thou'st have forty pounds a week, + In gold and silver thou shalt row, + And Harvy town I will give thee, 155 + As long as thou intend'st to wooe. + + "Thou'st have forty of thy fellows fair, + And forty horses to go with thee, + Forty of the best spears I have, + And I myself in thy company." 160 + + "I thank you, master," said Tommy Pots, + "That proffer is too good for me; + But, if Jesus Christ stand on my side, + My own hands shall set her free. + + "God be with you, master," said Tommy Pots, 165 + "Now Jesus Christ you save and see; + If ever I come alive again, + Staid the wedding it shall be." + + "O God be your speed, thou Tommy Pots, + Thou art well proved for a man; 170 + See never a drop of blood thou spil, + Nor yonder gentleman confound. + + "See that some truce with him thou take, + And appoint a place of liberty; + Let him provide him as well as he can, 175 + As well provided thou shalt be." + + But when he came to Guildford-green, + And there had walkt a little aside, + There he was ware of Lord Phenix come, + And Lady Rosamond his bride. 180 + + Away by the bride then Tommy Pots went, + But never a word to her he did say, + Till he the Lord Phenix came before; + He gave him the right time of the day. + + "O welcome, welcome, thou Tommy Pots, 185 + Thou serving-man of low degree; + How doth thy lord and master at home, + And all the ladies in that country?" + + "My lord and master is in good health, + I trust since that I did him see; 190 + Will you walk with me to an out-side, + Two or three words to talk with me? + + "You are a noble man," said Tom, + "And born a lord in Scotland free; + You may have ladies enough at home, 195 + And never take my love from me." + + "Away, away, thou Tommy Pots; + Thou serving-man, stand thou aside; + It is not a serving-man this day, + That can hinder me of my bride." 200 + + "If I be a serving-man," said Tom, + "And you a lord of high degree, + A spear or two with you I'le run, + Before I'le lose her cowardly. + + "Appoint a place, I will thee meet, 205 + Appoint a place of liberty; + For there I'le lose my life so sweet, + Or else my lady I'le set free." + + "On Guildford-green I will thee meet; + No man nor boy shall come with me." 210 + "As I am a man," said Tommy Pots, + "I'le have as few in my company." + + And thus staid the marriage was, + The bride unmarried went home again; + Then to her maids fast did she laugh, 215 + And in her heart she was full fain. + + "My maidens all," the lady said, + "That ever wait on me this day, + Now let us all kneel [lowly] down, + And for Tommy Pots let us all pray. 220 + + "If it be his fortune the better to win, + As I trust to God in trinity, + Ile make him the flower of all his kin, + For the young Lord Arundel he shall be." + + +THE THIRD PART. + + When Tom Pots came home again, 225 + To try for his love he had but a week; + For sorrow, God wot, he need not care, + For four days that he fel sick. + + With that his master to him came, + Says, "Pray thee, Tom Pots, tell me if thou doubt + Whether thou hast gotten thy gay lady, 231 + Or thou must go thy love without." + + "O master, yet it is unknown; + Within these two days well try'd it must be; + He is a lord, I am but a serving-man, 235 + I fear I shall lose her with poverty." + + "I prethee, Tom Pots, get thee on thy feet, + My former promises kept shall be; + As I am a lord in Scotland fair, + Thou'st never lose her with poverty. 240 + + "For thou'st have the half of my lands a year, + And that will raise thee many a pound; + Before thou shalt out-braved be, + Thou shalt drop angels with him on the ground." + + "I thank you, master," said Tommy Pots, 245 + "Yet there is one thing of you I would fain; + If that I lose my lady sweet, + How I'st restore your goods again?" + + "If that thou win the lady sweet, + Thou mayst well forth thou shalt pay me: 250 + If thou losest thy lady, thou losest enough; + Thou shalt not pay me one penny." + + "You have thirty horses in one close, + You keep them all both frank and free; + Amongst them all there's an old white horse 255 + This day would set my lady free. + + "That is an old horse with a cut tail, + Full sixteen years of age is he; + If thou wilt lend me that old horse, + Then could I win her easily." 260 + + "That's a foolish opinion," his master said, + "And a foolish opinion thou tak'st to thee; + Thou'st have a better then ever he was, + Though forty pounds more it should cost me." + + "O your choice horses are wild and tough, 265 + And little they can skill of their train; + If I be out of my saddle cast, + They are so wild they'l ne'r be tain." + + "Thou'st have that horse," his master said, + "If that one thing thou wilt tell me;[L270] 270 + Why that horse is better than any other, + I pray thee, Tom Pots, shew thou to me." + + "That horse is old, of stomach bold, + And well can he skill of his train; + If I be out of my saddle cast, 275 + He'l either stand still, or turn again." + + "Thou'st have the horse with all my heart, + And my plate coat of silver free; + An hundred men to stand at thy back, + To fight if he thy master be." 280 + + "I thank you master," said Tommy Pots, + "That proffer is too good for me; + I would not for ten thousand pounds, + Have man or boy in my company. + + "God be with you, master," said Tommy Pots, 285 + "Now, as you are a man of law, + One thing let me crave at your hand; + Let never a one of my fellows know. + + "For if that my fellows they did wot, + Or ken of my extremity, 290 + Except you keep them under a lock, + Behind me I'm sure they would not be." + + But when he came to Guildford-green, + He waited hours two or three; + There he was ware of Lord Phenix come, 295 + And four men in his company. + + "You have broken your vow," said Tommy Pots, + "The vow which you did make to me; + You said you would bring neither man nor boy, + And now has brought more than two or three." 300 + + "These are my men," Lord Phenix said, + "Which every day do wait on me; + If any of them dare proffer to strike, + I'le run my spear through his body." + + "I'le run no race now," said Tommy Pots, 305 + "Except now this may be; + If either of us be slain this day, + The other shall forgiven be." + + "I'le make that vow with all my heart, + My men shall bear witness with me; 310 + And if thou slay me here this day, + In Scotland worse belov'd thou never shalt be." + + They turn'd their horses thrice about, + To run the race so eagerly; + Lord Phenix he was fierce and stout, 315 + And ran Tom Pots through the thick o' th' thigh. + + He bor'd him out of the saddle fair, + Down to the ground so sorrowfully: + "For the loss of my life I do not care, + But for the loss of my fair lady. 320 + + "Now for the loss of my lady sweet, + Which once I thought to have been my wife, + I pray thee, Lord Phenix, ride not away, + For with thee I would end my life." + + Tom Pots was but a serving-man, 325 + But yet he was a doctor good; + He bound his handkerchief on his wound, + And with some kind of words he stancht his blood.[L329] + + He leapt into his saddle again, + The blood in his body began to warm; 330 + He mist Lord Phenix body fair, + And ran him through the brawn of the arm. + + He bor'd him out of his saddle fair, + Down to the ground most sorrowfully; + Says, "Prethee, Lord Phenix, rise up and fight, 335 + Or yield my lady unto me." + + "Now for to fight I cannot tell, + And for to fight I am not sure; + Thou hast run me throw the brawn o' the arm, + That with a spear I may not endure. 340 + + "Thou'st have the lady with all my heart; + It was never likely better to prove + With me, or any nobleman else, + That would hinder a poor man of his love." + + "Seeing you say so much," said Tommy Pots, 345 + I will not seem your butcher to be; + But I will come and stanch your blood, + If any thing you will give me." + + As he did stanch Lord Phenix blood, + Lord! in his heart he did rejoice; 350 + "I'le not take the lady from you thus, + But of her you'st have another choice. + + "Here is a lane of two miles long; + At either end we set will be; + The lady shall stand us among, 355 + Her own choice shall set her free." + + "If thou'l do so," Lord Phenix said, + "To lose her by her own choice it's honesty; + Chuse whether I get her, or go her without, + Forty pounds I will give thee." 360 + + But when they in that lane was set, + The wit of a woman for to prove, + "By the faith of my body," the lady said, + "Then Tom Pots must needs have his love." + + Towards Tom Pots the lady did hie, 365 + To get behind him hastily; + "Nay stay, nay stay," Lord Phenix said, + "Better proved it shall be. + + "Stay you with your maidens here, + In number fair they are but three; 370 + Tom Pots and I will go behind yonder wall, + That one of us two be proved to dye." + + But when they came behind the wall, + The one came not the other nigh; + For the Lord Phenix had made a vow, 375 + That with Tom Pots he would never fight. + + "O give me this choice," Lord Phenix said, + "To prove whether true or false she be, + And I will go to the lady fair, + And tell her Tom Pots slain is he." 380 + + When he came from behind the wall, + With his face all bloody as it might be, + "O lady sweet, thou art my own, + For Tom Pots slain is he. + + "Now have I slain him, Tommy Pots, 385 + And given him deaths wounds two or three; + O lady sweet, thou art my own; + Of all loves, wilt thou live with me?" + + "If thou hast slain him, Tommy Pots, + And given him deaths wounds two or three, 390 + I'le sell the state of my fathers lands, + But hanged shall Lord Phenix be." + + With that the lady fell in a swound, + For a grieved woman, God wot, was she; + Lord Phenix he was ready then, 395 + To take her up so hastily. + + "O lady sweet, stand thou on thy feet, + Tom Pots alive this day may be; + I'le send for thy father, Lord Arundel, 400 + And he and I the wedding will see. + + "I'le send for thy father, Lord Arundel, + And he and I the wedding will see; + If he will not maintain you well, + Both lands and livings you'st have of me." + + "I'le see this wedding," Lord Arundel said, 405 + "Of my daughters luck that is so fair; + Seeing the matter will be no better, + Of all my lands Tom Pots shall be the heir." + + With that the lady began for to smile, + For a glad woman, God wot, was she; 410 + "Now all my maids," the lady said, + "Example you may take by me. + + "But all the ladies of Scotland fair, + And lasses of England that well would prove, + Neither marry for gold nor goods, 415 + Nor marry for nothing but only love. + + "For I had a lover true of my own, + A serving-man of low degree; + Now from Tom Pots I'le change his name, + For the young Lord Arundel he shall be." 420 + +v. 270, me tell. + +329, _i. e._ he made use of a charm for that purpose. + + + + +THE MERCHANT'S DAUGHTER OF BRISTOW. + +From Collier's _Book of Roxburghe Ballads_, p. 104. + + +"This narrative ballad, which is full of graceful but unadorned +simplicity, is mentioned in Fletcher's _Monsieur Thomas_, (Act iii. +Sc. 3,) by the name of _Maudlin the Merchant's Daughter_. Two early +editions of it are known: one without printer's name, (clearly much +older than the other,) is that which we have used; we may conclude +that it was written considerably before James I. came to the throne. +It was last reprinted in 1738, but in that impression it was much +modernized and corrupted." + + Behold the touchstone of true love, + Maudlin the Merchant's Daughter of Bristow towne, + Whose firme affection nothing could move; + This favour beares the lovely browne. + + A gallant youth was dwelling by, 5 + Which many yeares had borne this lady great good will; + Shee loved him so faithfully, + But all her friends withstood it still. + + The young man now, perceiving well + He could not get nor win the favour of her friends, 10 + The force of sorrow to expell + To view strange countreys hee intends. + + And now, to take his last farewell + Of his true love, his faire and constant Maudlen, + With musicke sweete that did excell 15 + Hee plaies under her window then. + + "Farewell," quoth he, "mine owne true love, + Farewell, my deare, and chiefest treasure of my heart! + Through fortune's spight, that false did prove, + I am inforc'd from thee to part, 20 + + "Into the land of Italy: + There wil I waile, and weary out my dayes in wo; + Seeing my true love is kept from mee, + I hold my life a mortal fo. + + "Faire Bristow towne, therefore, adieu, 25 + For Padua shall bee my habitation now; + Although my love doth lodge in thee, + To whom alone my heart I vow." + + With trickling teares this hee did sing, + With sighs and sobs descending from his heart full sore: + Hee said, when he his hands did wring, 31 + "Farewell, sweet love, for evermore!" + + Fair Maudlin, from a window high + Beholding her true love with musicke where hee stood, + But not a word she durst reply, 35 + Fearing her parents angry mood. + + In teares she spent this dolefull night, + Wishing (though naked) with her faithfull friend: + She blames her friends, and fortune's spight, + That wrought their loves such lucklesse end. 40 + + And in her heart shee made a vow + Cleane to forsake her country and her kinsfolkes all, + And for to follow her true love, + To bide all chance that might befall. + + The night is gone, and the day is come, 45 + And in the morning very early shee did rise: + She gets her downe in a lower roome, + Where sundrie seamen she espies. + + A gallant master amongst them all, + (The master of a faire and goodlie ship was he) 50 + Who there stood waiting in the hall, + To speake with her father, if it might be. + + She kindly takes him by the hand: + "Good sir," said shee, "would you speake with any heere?" + Quoth he, "Faire maid, therefore I stand:" 55 + "Then, gentle sir, I pray you draw neere." + + Into a pleasant parlour by, + With hand in hand she brings the seaman all alone; + Sighing to him most piteously, + She thus to him did make her moane. 60 + + Shee falls upon her tender knee: + "Good sir," she said, "now pittie you a woman's woe, + And prove a faithfull friend to me, + That I my griefe to you may shew." + + "Sith you repose your trust," he said, 65 + "To me that am unknowne, and eke a stranger heere, + Be you assur'd, most proper maid, + Most faithfull still I will appeare." + + "I have a brother, then," quoth shee, + "Whom as my life I love and favour tenderlie: 70 + In Padua, alas! is he, + Full sicke, God wot, and like to die. + + "And faine I would my brother see, + But that my father will not yeeld to let me goe; + Wherefore, good sir, be good to mee, 75 + And unto me this favour shew. + + "Some ship-boye's garment bring to mee, + That I disguis'd may goe away from hence unknowne; + And unto sea Ile goe with thee, + If thus much favour may be showne." 80 + + "Faire maid," quoth he, "take heere my hand: + I will fulfill each thing that you desire, + And set you safe in that same land, + And in that place that you require." + + She gave him then a tender kisse, 85 + And saith, "Your servant, gallant master, will I be, + And prove your faithfull friend for this: + Sweet master, then, forget not me." + + This done, as they had both decreed, + Soone after (early) before the breake of day, 90 + He brings her garments then with speed, + Wherein she doth her selfe array: + + And ere her father did arise, + Shee meets her master as he walkes in the hall: + Shee did attend on him likewise, 95 + Even till her father did him call. + + But ere the Merchant made an end + Of all the matters to the master he could say, + His wife came weeping in with speed, + Saying, "Our daughter is gone away!" 100 + + The Merchant, thus amaz'd in mind, + "Yonder vile wretch intic'd away my child," quoth he; + "But, well I wot, I shall him find + At Padua, in Italy." + + With that bespake the master brave: 105 + "Worshipfull master, thither goes this pretty youth, + And any thing that you would have, + He will performe it, and write the truth." + + "Sweet youth," quoth hee, "if it be so, + Beare me a letter to the English merchants there, 110 + And gold on thee I will bestow: + My daughter's welfare I do feare." + + Her mother takes her by the hand; + "Faire youth," qd she, "if there thou dost my daughter see, + Let me thereof soone understand, 115 + And there is twenty crownes for thee." + + Thus, through the daughter's strange disguise, + The mother knew not when shee spake unto her child; + And after her master straightway shee hies, + Taking her leave with countenance milde. 120 + + Thus to the sea faire Maudlin is gone + With her gentle master; God send them a merry wind; + Where wee a while must let them alone, + Till you the second part doe find. + + +THE SECOND PART. + + "Welcome, sweete Maudlin, from the sea, 125 + Where bitter stormes and tempests doe arise: + The plesant bankes of Italy + Wee may behold with mortal eyes." + + "Thankes, gentle master," then quoth shee; + "A faithfull friend in sorrow hast thou beene; 130 + If fortune once doth smile on mee, + My thankfull heart shall well bee seene. + + "Blest be the land that feedes my love! + Blest be the place where as his person doth abide! + No triall will I sticke to prove, 135 + Whereby my true love may be tride. + + "Nowe will I walke with joyful heart, + To viewe the towne where as my darlinge doth remaine, + And seeke him out in every part, + Untill I doe his sight attaine." 140 + + "And I," quoth he, "will not forsake + Sweete Maudlin in her sorrow up and downe: + In wealth and woe thy part Ile take, + And bring thee safe to Padua towne." + + And after many wearie steps 145 + In Padua they safely doe arrive at last: + For very joy her heart it leapes; + She thinkes not of her sorrowes past. + + Condemned to dye hee was, alas! + Except he would from his religion turne; 150 + But rather then hee would to masse, + In fiery flames he vow'd to burne. + + Now doth Maudlin weepe and waile: + Her joy is chang'd to weeping, sorrow, griefe and care; + But nothing could her plaints prevaile, 155 + For death alone must be his share. + + Shee walkes under the prison walls, + Where her true love doth lye and languish in distresse; + Most wofully for foode he calls, + When hunger did his heart oppresse. 160 + + He sighs and sobs and makes great moane: + "Farewell," hee said, "sweete England, now for evermore, + And all my friends that have me knowne + In Bristow towne with wealth and store. + + "But most of all farewell," quoth hee, 165 + "My owne true love, sweet Maudlin, whom I left behind; + For never more shall I see thee. + Woe to thy father most unkind! + + "How well were I, if thou wert here, + With thy faire hands to close these wretched eyes: 170 + My torments easie would appeare; + My soule with joy shall scale the skies." + + When Maudlin heard her lover's moane, + Her eyes with teares, her heart with sorrow filled was: + To speake with him no meanes is knowne, 175 + Such grievous doome on him did passe. + + Then she cast off her lad's attire; + A maiden's weede upon her back she seemely set; + To the judge's house shee did enquire, + And there shee did a service get. 180 + + Shee did her duty there so well, + And eke so prudently she did her selfe behave, + With her in love her master fell; + His servant's favour hee doth crave. + + "Maudlin," quoth hee, "my heart's delight, 185 + To whom my heart is in affection tied, + Breed not my death through thy despight; + A faithfull friend I will be tryed. + + "Grant me thy love, faire maid," quoth hee, + "And at my hands require what thou canst devise, 190 + And I will grant it unto thee, + Whereby thy credit may arise." + + "I have a brother, sir," she said, + "For his religion is now condemned to dye: + In loathsome prison hee is layd, 195 + Opprest with griefe and misery. + + "Grant me my brother's life," shee said, + "And to you my love and liking I will give." + "That may not be," quoth hee, "faire maid; + Except he turne, he cannot live." 200 + + "An English Frier there is," shee said, + "Of learning great and passing pure of life, + Let him to my brother be sent, + And he will finish soone the strife." + + Her master hearing this request, 205 + The marriner in frier's weed she did array, + And to her love, that lay distrest, + Shee did a letter straight convey. + + When hee had read these gentle lines, + His heart was ravished with sudden joy; 210 + Where now shee was full well hee knew: + The frier likewise was not coy; + + But did declare to him at large + The enterprise for him his love had taken in hand. + The young man did the frier charge, 215 + His love should straight depart the land. + + "Here is no place for her," hee said, + "But woefull death and danger of her harmlesse life: + Professing truth I was betraid, + And fearfull flames must end my strife. 220 + + "For, ere I will my faith deny, + And sweare my selfe to follow damned Antichrist, + Ile yeeld my body for to die, + To live in heaven with the highest." + + "O sir!" the gentle frier said, 225 + "For your sweet love recant, and save your wished life. + A wofull match," quoth hee, "is made + Where Christ is lost to win a wife." + + When she had wrought all meanes that might + To save her friend, and that she saw it would not bee, + Then of the judge shee claimed her right, 231 + To die the death as well as hee. + + When no perswasion could prevaile, + Nor change her mind in any thing that shee had said, + She was with him condemned to die, 235 + And for them both one fire was made. + + And arme in arme most joyfully + These lovers twaine unto the fire they did goe: + The marriner most faithfully + Was likewise partner of their woe. 240 + + But when the judges understood + The faithfull friendship did in them remaine, + They saved their lives; and afterward + To England sent them home againe. + + Now was their sorrow turned to joy, 245 + And faithfull lovers had now their heart's desire: + Their paines so well they did imploy, + God granted that they did require. + + And when they were to England come, + And in merry Bristow arrived at the last, 250 + Great joy there was to all and some + That heard the dangers they had past. + + Her gentle master shee desired + To be her father, and at the church to give her then: + It was fulfilled as shee required, 255 + Unto the joy of all good men. + + + + +GLOSSARY. + +[hand] Figures placed after words denote the pages in which they occur. + + + a', _all_. + + abee, _be_. + + abeen, aboif, _above_. + + ae, _one_. + + aglets, _tags to laces_. + + airy, ery, _fearful_, _inspiring dread_. + + among, 144, _from time to time_. + + and, _if_. + + anew, _enough_. + + anewche, _enough_. + + angel, _a gold coin, varying in value from about six shillings and + eight pence to ten shillings_.--Halliwell's _Dict._ + + apaid, _satisfied_. + + as who sayeth, _so to speak_. + + at, _that_. + + attour, _over_, _across_. + + auld son, _a relative term for a boy older than the youngest_. + + ava, _of all_. + + ayont, _beyond_. + + + baill, _sorrow_. + + balow, _a word used in lulling children_. + + ban, _band_. + + banning, _cursing_. + + bed-stock, _the side of the bed further from the wall_. + + begoud, _began_. + + beked, 305, _made warm_? + + belinger, 283 ? + + bemean, 86, _disparage_. + + ben, _in_. + + benjed, 305, _received hospitably_, _made preparations for his + comfort_? + + besyd, 247, _astray_. + + be that, _by that_. + + bewray, _discord_. + + bier, _cry_. + + bierdly, _stately_. + + bigged, biggit, _built_. + + Billy Blin, _a benignant household fairy, like the Lubber Fiend_. + + binna, _be not_. + + birk, _birch_. + + birling, _drinking_. + + blae, _blue_. + + blaewort, _blue bottle_, _witch bells_. + + blee, _complexion_. + + blin'd, _blinded_. + + bone, 247, _bane_. + + boon, _above_. + + borrow, _ransom_, _rescue_. + + bot dreid, 246, _without doubt_. + + boud, 297 ? + + bought, _a pen in the corner of a fold, into which the ewes are driven + to be milked_. + + bower, _chamber_, _dwelling_. + + brae, _hill-side_. + + braken, _female fern_. + + braw, _brave_, _fine_, _handsome_. + + brawn, 93, _calf of the leg_. + + brayd attour the bent, 248, _strode across the grass or field_. + + brent, 308, _high_, _straight_. + + bride-ale, _a wedding festival so called from the brides selling ale + on the wedding day, in return for which she received a large price + by way of present_. + + bruik, _enjoy_. + + brynies, _cuirasses_. + + bug, _built_. + + burd, _lady_. + + burn, _brook_. + + busk, _dress_, _adorn_, _make ready_. + + but, _out_. + + but and, _but also_. + + bute [boot], _help_. + + + ca', _called_. + + caddie, _errand-boy_. + + cairis, _cares_. + + camovine, _camomile_. + + can, _know_. + + chap, _rap_. + + certaine, in, _certainly_. + + close, _enclosure_, _an enclosed field_. + + coffer, _coif_, _a woman's head-dress_? + + coft, _bought_. + + cog, _milking-pail_. + + confound, _destroy_. + + corss, _cross_. + + cowt, _colt_. + + cowth, cowd, 248, _could_, _used as an auxiliary to form the preterit + tense_. + + crack, _merry talk_. + + cramasie, _crimson_. + + cruds, _curds_. + + cute, _ancle_. + + cuvating, _coveting_. + + + daurna, _dare not_. + + daut, _fondle_. + + dead, _death_. + + dearly, _dear_. + + dee, _die_. + + dee, _do_. + + deed, _death_. + + deill, 250, _deal_; + 247, _dally_? + + deir, 246, _frighten_. + + dele, 144, _particle_, _bit_. + + departe, 147, _separate_; + departing, 249, _dividing_. + + dern, _secret_. + + dey, _dairy woman_. + + dill, _assuage_, _soothe_. + + dings, _beats_. + + disparage, 157, _cause to match unequally_. + + distan, _distinguish_. + + distrayne, _distress_. + + d'on, _do on_, _don_. + + dought, _dread_. + + dre, _suffer_. + + dreder, _dread_. + + dreed, _suffered_. + + drest, 247, _placed_; + in dule I am so drest, _I am so plunged in sorrow_. + + drie, _bear_, _endure_. + + dule, _sorrow_. + + dyke, _wall_. + + + echeon, _each one_. + + een, _eyes_. + + een, _one_. + + enew, _enough_. + + eik, _increase_. + + + fa', 300 ? + + fair, _go_. + + fa's [fa as], _I have my lot as_. + + fauld-dyke, _wall of the fold_. + + fawn, _fallen_. + + fee, _money_, _possessions_. + + feir, 246, _appearance_, _demeanor_. + + fie, _cattle of any kind_, _sheep_. + + firth, _an enclosed wood_, _a field within a wood_. + + fit, _foot_. + + forbears, _ancestors_. + + forbye, _on one side_. + + fou, _full_. + + fra, 247, _from the time that_. + + fre, free, _noble_. + + fy, 260, _haste_! + + + gait, _way_. + + gaits, _goats_. + + gar, _cause_, _make_. + + gare, below her, _below the gore in the edge of her skirt? or below + her dress merely?_ + + gaucy, 76, _burly_, _strong_. + + gear, _goods_. + + girse, _grass_. + + glamer, glamour, _a charm exercised on the eye_. + + God before, _God guide you_! + + + haill, _healthy_; + 247, _whole_. + + haik up, 83, _carry off by force_, Jamieson. (?) + + hald, _hold_, _heep_. + + hap, _covering_; + happed, _covered_. + + hard, _heard_. + + hardely, _assuredly_. + + haud, _hold_; + haud unthocht lang, _keep from growing weary_. + + her, _their_. + + heill, hele, _health_. + + hes, _hast_. + + het, _hot_. + + hich, _high_. + + hie, on, _aloud_. + + hinna, _have not_. + + hinny, _darling_. + + his alane, _alone by himself_. + + Hollans boats, 13. Qy. _holly-boats_? + + holland, _holly_. + + hooding o' grey, 66, _hodden-grey_, _cloth with the natural color of + the wool_. + + holtis hair, 250, _uplands bleak_. + + howp, _hope_. + + huche, _crag_, _steep bank_. + + + I dern with the bot gif I daill, 247; + _unless I secretly dally with thee_? + + I'st, _I shall_. + + ilke, _each_; + this ilka, _this same_. + + intill, 83, _upon_. + + intent, 248, _thought_, _mind_. + + in worth, 205, _gladly_, _contentedly_. + + + janglour, _prater_. + + jimp, _slender_. + + + kail-blade, _leaf of colewort_. + + kail-yardie, _kitchen garden_. + + kebbuck, _cheese_. + + keep, _heed_. + + keipand, _keeping_. + + kenna, _know not_. + + kep, _catch_. + + kilt, kilted, _tucked up_. + + kintra, _country_. + + knicking, 110, _wringing_, _so as to make snap_. + + knowe, _knoll_. + + kye, _cows_. + + + laigh, _low_. + + lair, lore, _doctrine_. + + lake, 120, _reproach_. + + lauch, _laugh_. + + lave, _rest_. + + laverock, _lark_. + + lawe, 149, _custom_. + + lax, _relief_, _release_. + + lea', _leave_. + + leal, _true_. + + lear'd, _learned_. + + lee-lang, _live-long_. + + leed, _language_. + + leesome, _pleasant_, _amiable_. + + leif, 250, _live_. + + leir, _learn_. + + lend ye till, 26, _lean upon_. + + len, 308, _lie concealed_. + + leuch, _laughed_. + + leve, 147, _remain_. + + lewche, _laughed_. + + ley, _lea_. + + lichtit, _lighted_. + + lichtly, _undervalue_. + + lie, _lonely_, _sad_. + + liggit, _lain_. + + lighters, _blinders_. + + liltin, _singing_. + + lirk, _hollow_ (_of a hill_). + + lodomy, _laudanum_. + + long of, 211, _on account of_. + + looing, _loving_. + + loot, _let_. + + lore, 149, _doctrine_. + + loup, _leap_. + + lourd, _liefer_, _rather_. + + loutit, _bowed_. + + lown, _loon_, _worthless fellow_. + + lowse, _loose_. + + lue, _love_; + lude, 246, _loved_. + + + maining, _moaning_, _crying_. + + manchet, _the finest kind of white bread_. + + mane, _moan_. + + marrit, 246, _marred_, _disordered_. + + marys, _maids_. + + maugre, 247, _ill-will_, _blame_. + + maun, _must_. + + may, _maid_. + + meen, _moon_; + meen-licht, _moon-light_. + + menji, 81, _many_; + menyie, _company of followers_. + + min, _mother_. + + mot, _may_, _might_. + + mouls, _dust of the dead_. + + muckle, _big_, _much_. + + mude, _mood_, _mind_. + + murnit, _mourned_. + + + nae, _not_. + + neirhand, _nearly_. + + niest, _next_. + + nocht, _nought_. + + + och, ochanie, _interjections of grief_. + + odd, 281, _old_. + + oo, _one_. + + ower great, _too familiar_. + + + pall, _rich cloth_. + + parand; + heir and parand, _heir apparent_. + + pat, _put_. + + perde, _par dieu_. + + perfay, _par foi_. + + pine, _pain_, _grief_. + + pitten, _put_. + + plow, _as much land as can properly be tilled by one plough in a day_. + + prest, 204, _ready_. + + previe, _secret_. + + put down, 117, _hung_. + + pyne, _pain_. + + + quhair, &c., _where, &c._; + all quhair, _every where_. + + quhill, 249, _until_. + + + raik on raw, 246, _range or extend themselves in a row_. + + ramp, _rude_, _wild_, _violent_. + + rantin', _boisterously gay_, _rollicking_. + + rattons, _rats_. + + recorde, _witness_. + + red, _advice_, _plan_. + + redding-comb, _comb for redding_, _or combing out, the hair_. + + rede, reid, _advise_. + + reivis, _deprivest of_. + + remeve, 155, _remove or trouble_. + + repreve, _reprove_. + + rescous, _rescue_. + + rew, _take pity_. + + rigs, _ridges_. + + roiss, _rest_. + + rove, _roof_. + + row, _roll_; + row'd, _rolled_. + + royal bane, 12, _the same as_ ruel bone, _an unknown material often + mentioned in romances_. + + rude, _rood_, _cross_. + + rue, _take pity_; + ruthe, _pity_. + + + sanna, _shall not_. + + sark, _shirt_. + + scant, _lessen_. + + scheel, _school_. + + schent, _shamed_, _disgraced_. + + see, _protect_. + + sen, _since_. + + sendall, _a rich thin silk_. + + sets, 105, _sits_, _fits_. + + shaw, _thicket_, _wood_. + + shealin, 66, _shed for sheep_. + + she'as, _sheaths_. + + sheave, _slice_. + + sheens, _shines_. + + she'st, _she shall_. + + shill, 59, _shrill_. + + shun, _soon_. + + sic, siccan, _such_. + + sicht, _sigh_; + sichit, _sighed_. + + sickerly, _certainly_. + + silly, _simple_. + + sith, _since_. + + skill of their train, _understand their training_. + + slap, 96, _a breach in a wall or hedge_. + + speer'd, speir'd, _asked_. + + spell; + drift can spell, 267, _tell my meaning or story_. + + splene, on the, 156? + + spring, 65, _youth_, _young_. + + sta', _stole_. + + states, 169, _people of high rank_. + + staw, _stole_. + + staws, _stalls_. + + steir, _stir_. + + stey, _steep_. + + stown, _stolen_. + + streek'd, _stroaked_. + + suspitious, "_significant_."--Ritson. + + swither, _waver_. + + syne, _then_. + + + tane, _taken_. + + tapp'd, _topped_. + + tent, _heed_. + + Termagant, _an imaginary false god of the heathen_. + + thair, _there_. + + than, _then_. + + thinking long, see _thought lang_. + + thir, _these_. + + this, _thus_. + + thoo, _those_. + + thought, 147, _trouble_. + + thought lang, _felt the time hang heavily_, _felt ennui_. + + thoust, _thou wilt_. + + till, _to_, _for_; + 245, _to_; + till assail 248, _to assail_; + till haif, 249, _to have_. + + tirled at the pin, _trilled_, or _rattled, at the door-pin, or latch, + to obtain entrance_. + + tocher, _dowry_. + + tod, _fox_. + + tomorne, _to-morrow_. + + ton, _one_ (_after the_). + + tree, 3, 253, _stick_, _pole_, or perhaps, _whipple-tree_; + 276, _staff_. + + trew, _trow_. + + trinkling, _trickling_. + + trow, _believe_. + + twalt, _twelfth_. + + twinn, _part_. + + tyne, _lose_. + + + unco, _strange_, _foreign_. + + upricht, 253, _straightway_? + + + wae, _sad_. + + waged, _staked_. + + wait, _wot_, _know_. + + waith, _wandering_. + + wald, _would_. + + wale, _choice_. + + wall-wight, 306, _picked_ (waled) _strong men_, or _warriors_. + + waly, _an interjection of lamentation_. + + wanrufe, 246, _disquietude_. + + wan up, _got up_. + + wat, _wot_, _know_. + + waur, _worse_. + + wee, 269, _short time_. + + weed, _clothes_. + + weel, _well_. + + weel-busket, _well trimmed_. + + weel-far'd, weel-faurd, _well-favored_. + + wend, 280, _weened_. + + werry, 248, _weary_, _sorrowful_. + + whae's aught, _who is it owns_. + + whingers, "_a short hanger, used as a knife at meals and as a sword in + broils_." + + wight, _strong or nimble_. + + win, _get_, _go_; + win to, _attain or get to_; + win up, _get up_. + + win, _to make the harvest_. + + winna, _will not_. + + winsome, _pleasant_. + + wisna, _know not_. + + worldling, 230, _pet_? + + wow, _exclamation of admiration, or surprise_. + + wreuch, _wretched_. + + + yede, _went_. + + yef, _if_. + + ye'se, _ye shall_. + + yestreen, _yesterday_. + + yett, _gate_. + + ying, _young_. + + your lane, _alone by yourself_. + + + ze, _ye_. + + * * * * * + + +Transcriber's Notes + +Page 90, line 14: added missing apostrophe (In simmer, 'mid the +flowers?) + +Page 93, line 34: added missing end quotation mark (And the cauld rain +on your breist.") + +Page 177, line 26: added missing open quotation mark ("O come to your +bed, my dearie; ...) + +Page 120, line 41: added missing open quotation mark ("But wha will bake +my bridal bread, ...) + +Page 160, line 40: added missing (or uninked) comma ("She is dead, sir, +long agoe.") + +Page 168, line 12: changed period to comma (Against the brave wedding of +pretty Bessee.) + +Page 191, final paragraph: added closing quotation mark ( ... to no +other shrine than that of Venus.[A]") + +Page 192, second paragraph: open quotation mark moved to start of +paragraph ("_As I went to Walsingham_ is quoted in Nashe's _Have with +you to Saffron-Walden_, ...) + +Note that the corrections to punctuation on pages 191 and 192 are +consistent with interpreting the three paragraphs as attributed to +"CHAPPELL". + +Page 224, line 206: added missing open quotation mark ("Upon thy wife +and children,) + +Page 227, line 145: deleted erroneous opening quotation mark (So they +hae gane before the king,) + +Page 278, line 178: added missing period ("To seal her tocher wi' +thee.") + +Page 316, line 128: changed "be" to "he" (For the young Lord Arundel he +shall be.") + +Page 332, line 110: changed "merehants" to "merchants" (Beare me a +letter to the English merchants there,) + + + + + +End of Project Gutenberg's English and Scottish Ballads, Volume IV, by Various + +*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ENGLISH, SCOTTISH BALLADS, VOL IV *** + +***** This file should be named 38416.txt or 38416.zip ***** +This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: + https://www.gutenberg.org/3/8/4/1/38416/ + +Produced by Simon Gardner, Dianna Adair, Louise Davies and +the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at +https://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images +generously made available by the Digital & Multimedia +Center, Michigan State University Libraries.) + + +Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions +will be renamed. + +Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no +one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation +(and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without +permission and without paying copyright royalties. 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