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diff --git a/43825-0.txt b/43825-0.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..e30ad8c --- /dev/null +++ b/43825-0.txt @@ -0,0 +1,12175 @@ +*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43825 *** + +Transcriber's Notes + +In this plain text version of the e-book, symbols from the Latin-1 +character set are used. Italic typeface is represented by _underscores_; +small caps typeface by ALL CAPS. + + [Asterism] represents an asterism (three stars). + [gh] represents letter "yogh". + [Pointing hand] denotes the symbol of a right pointing hand. + +Notes on the ballads are presented at the end of each ballad. The +presence of a note is indicated byt a an anchor at the end of the line +(not in the original text), of the style [Lxx] where xx is the line +number. + +Minor changes to regularise ballad line numbering and indentation have +been made without comment. + +Any other changes to the text are listed at the end of the book. + + * * * * * + + + + + ENGLISH AND SCOTTISH + BALLADS. + + EDITED BY + FRANCIS JAMES CHILD. + + VOLUME VIII. + + BOSTON: + LITTLE, BROWN AND COMPANY. + M.DCCC.LX. + +Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1858, by LITTLE, BROWN +AND COMPANY, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the District +of Massachusetts. + + RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: + STEREOTYPED AND PRINTED BY + H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY. + + +CONTENTS OF VOLUME EIGHTH. + +BOOK VIII. + + Page + + 1. King John and the Abbot of Canterbury 3 + + 2. Captain Wedderburn's Courtship 11 + + 3. Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom 18 + + 4. King Edward Fourth and the Tanner of Tamworth 21 + + 5. The King and the Miller of Mansfield 32 + + 6. Gernutus, the Jew of Venice 45 + + 7. The Frolicksome Duke, or, The Tinker's Good Fortune 54 + + 8 a. The Heir of Linne. [Percy.] 60 + + 8 b. The Heir of Linne. [Traditional version] 70 + + 9. The Wandering Jew 76 + + 10. Proud Lady Margaret 83 + + 11. Reedisdale and Wise William 87 + + 12 a. Geordie. [Musical Museum.] 92 + + 12 b. Geordie. [Kinloch.] 96 + + 13. The Gaberlunzie Man 98 + + 14. The Turnament of Totenham 101 + + 15. The Wyf of Auchtirmuchty 116 + + 16. The Friar in the Well 122 + + 17. Get up and bar the Door 125 + + 18. The Dragon of Wantley 128 + + +APPENDIX. + + Kempy Kaye. [Sharpe.] 139 + + Kempy Kaye. [Kinloch.] 141 + + The Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove 144 + + The Bludy Serk 147 + + The Wanton Wife of Bath 152 + + The Gentleman in Thracia 158 + + Sir Richard Whittington's Advancement 165 + + Catskin's Garland, or, The Wandering young Gentlewoman 172 + + The Taming of a Shrew 182 + + Titus Andronicus's Complaint 188 + + John Dory 194 + + Sir Eglamore 196 + + Jephthah, Judge of Israel 198 + + Samson 201 + + Queen Dido, or, The Wandering Prince of Troy 207 + + George Barnwell 213 + + The Duke of Athol's Nurse. [Buchan.] 228 + + The Duke of Athol's Nourice. [Kinloch.] 231 + + The Hireman Chiel 233 + + Armstrong and Musgrave 243 + + Fair Margaret of Craignargat 249 + + Richie Storie 255 + + The Farmer's Old Wife 257 + + The Duel of Wharton and Stuart 259 + + Saddle to Rags 265 + + The Fause Knight upon the Road 269 + + Gifts from over Sea 271 + + The Courteous Knight 272 + + The Northern Lord and Cruel Jew 277 + + Gight's Lady 285 + + + GLOSSARY 293 + + + INDEX 303 + + + + +BOOK VIII. + + + + +KING JOHN AND THE ABBOT OF CANTERBURY. + + +Stories resembling that contained in the following ballad are to be met +with in the literature of most of the nations of Europe; for example, in +the _Gesta Romanorum_, (No. XIX. and [XXXV.] of Madden's _Old English +Versions_,) in the amusing German tale _Der Phaffe Amis_, 98-180, in +_Eulenspiegel_, (Marbach, p. 28,) and the English _Owlglass_ (31st +Adventure in the recent edition), in the Grimm's _Kinder-und-Haus-marchen_, +No. 152, in Sacchetti's _Novels_, No. 4, the_Patrañuelo_ of Juan +Timoneda, Alcala, 1576 (Ritson, _Anc. Songs_, ii. 183), the _Contes à +rire_, i. 182, (_Gent. Mag._ 65, i. 35,) etc., etc. _King John and the +Abbot_, says Grundtvig (ii. 650), is universally known in Denmark in the +form of a prose tale; and a copy is printed in _Gamle danske Minder_ +(1854) No. 111, _The King and the Miller_. + +Wynken de Worde, printed in 1511, a little collection of riddles, +translated from the French, like those propounded by King John to the +Abbot, with the title _Demaundes Joyous_. By this link the present +ballad is connected with a curious class of compositions, peculiar to +the Middle Ages--the Disputations, or Wit-Combats, of which the +dialogues of Salomon and Marcolf (existing in many languages) are the +most familiar, and those of Salomon and Saturn (in Anglo-Saxon) the +oldest preserved specimens. These dialogues, in their earlier shape +grave contests for superiority in knowledge and wisdom, underwent a +change about the twelfth century, by which they became essentially +comic. The serious element, represented by Salomon, was retained after +this, merely to afford material, or contrast, for the coarse humor of +Marcolf, whose part it is, under the character of a rude and clownish +person, "facie deformis et turpissimus," to turn the sententious +observations of the royal sage into ludicrous parodies.[1] + +The hint, and possibly a model, for these disputations may have been +found in Jewish tradition. We learn from Josephus, (_Antiquities_, Book +VIII. ch. v.) that Hiram of Tyre and Solomon sent one another +sophistical puzzles and enigmas to be solved, on condition of forfeiting +large sums of money in case of failure, and that Solomon's riddles were +all guessed by Abdæmon of Tyre, or by Abdimus, his son, for authorities +differ. This account coincides with what we read in _Chronicles_, (Book +II. ch. ii. 13, 14,) of the man sent by Hiram to Solomon, who, besides a +universal knowledge of the arts, was skilful "to find out every device +that might be put to him" by cunning men--that is, apparently, "hard +questions," such as the Queen of Sheba came to prove Solomon with, (1 +Kings, x. i.) some account of which is given in the _Talmud_.--See, on +the whole subject, Kemble's masterly essay on _Salomon and Saturn_, +printed by the Ælfric Society: also Grässe, _Sagenkreise des +Mittelalters_, p. 406-471; the Grimms' _Kinder-und-Hausmärchen_, vol. +iii. p. 236, ed. 1856; F. W. V. Schmidt, _Taschenbuch deutscher +Romanzen_, p. 82. + +Examples of the riddle-song pure and simple will be found under _Captain +Wedderburn's Courtship_. + +[1] Among those nations who originated and developed the character of +Marcolf (the German and the French) his fame has declined, but in Italy, +where the legend was first introduced towards the end of the sixteenth +century, his shrewd sayings, like the kindred jests of the +_Eulenspiegel_ in Germany, have an undiminished popularity, and his +story, both in the form of a chap-book and of a satirical epic, (the +_Bertoldo_,) is circulated throughout the length and breadth of the +country, whence it has also been transplanted into Greece. + +This ballad is taken from Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 329. The copy in +Durfey's _Pills to Purge Melancholy_, iv. 29, or _A Collection of Old +Ballads_, ii. 49, is vastly inferior to the present. + +"The common popular ballad of _King John and the Abbot_," says Percy, +"seems to have been abridged and modernized about the time of James I., +from one much older, entitled _King John and the Bishop of Canterbury_. +The Editor's folio MS. contains a copy of this last, but in too corrupt +a state to be reprinted; it however afforded many lines worth reviving, +which will be found inserted in the ensuing stanzas. + +"The archness of the following questions and answers hath been much +admired by our old ballad-makers; for besides the two copies above +mentioned, there is extant another ballad on the same subject, (but of +no great antiquity or merit,) entitled _King Olfrey and the Abbot_. +[_Old Ball._ ii. 55.] Lastly, about the time of the civil wars, when the +cry ran against the bishops, some puritan worked up the same story into +a very doleful ditty, to a solemn tune, concerning _King Henry and a +Bishop_; with this stinging moral: + + 'Unlearned men hard matters out can find, + When learned bishops princes eyes do blind.' + +"The following is chiefly printed from an ancient black-letter copy, to +the tune of _Derry-down_." + + An ancient story Ile tell you anon + Of a notable prince, that was called King John; + And he ruled England with maine and with might, + For he did great wrong, and maintein'd little right. + + And Ile tell you a story, a story so merrye, 5 + Concerning the Abbott of Canterbùrye; + How for his house-keeping and high renowne, + They rode poste for him to fair London towne. + + An hundred men, the king did heare say, + The abbot kept in his house every day; 10 + And fifty golde chaynes, without any doubt, + In velvet coates waited the abbot about. + + "How now, father abbot, I heare it of thee, + Thou keepest a farre better house than mee; + And for thy house-keeping and high renowne, 15 + I feare thou work'st treason against my crown." + + "My liege," quo' the abbot, "I would it were knowne + I never spend nothing, but what is my owne; + And I trust your grace will doe me no deere, + For spending of my owne true-gotten geere." 20 + + "Yes, yes, father abbot, thy fault it is highe, + And now for the same thou needest must dye; + For except thou canst answer me questions three, + Thy head shall be smitten from thy bodìe. + + "And first," quo' the king, "when I'm in this stead, 25 + With my crowne of golde so faire on my head, + Among all my liege-men so noble of birthe, + Thou must tell me to one penny what I am worthe. + + "Secondlye, tell me, without any doubt, + How soone I may ride the whole world about; 30 + And at the third question thou must not shrink, + But tell me here truly what I do think." + + "O these are hard questions for my shallow witt, + Nor I cannot answer your grace as yet: + But if you will give me but three weekes space, 35 + Ile do my endeavour to answer your grace." + + "Now three weeks space to thee will I give, + And that is the longest time thou hast to live; + For if thou dost not answer my questions three, + Thy lands and thy livings are forfeit to mee." 40 + + Away rode the abbot all sad at that word, + And he rode to Cambridge, and Oxenford; + But never a doctor there was so wise, + That could with his learning an answer devise. + + Then home rode the abbot of comfort so cold, 45 + And he mett his shepheard a going to fold: + "How now, my lord abbot, you are welcome home; + What newes do you bring us from good King John?" + + "Sad newes, sad newes, shepheard, I must give, + That I have but three days more to live; 50 + For if I do not answer him questions three, + My head will be smitten from my bodìe. + + "The first is to tell him there in that stead, + With his crowne of golde so fair on his head, + Among all his liege men so noble of birth, 55 + To within one penny of what he is worth. + + "The seconde, to tell him, without any doubt, + How soone he may ride this whole world about: + And at the third question I must not shrinke, + But tell him there truly what he does thinke." 60 + + "Now cheare up, sire abbot, did you never hear yet, + That a fool he may learne a wise man witt? + Lend me horse, and serving men, and your apparel, + And Ile ride to London to answere your quarrel. + + "Nay frowne not, if it hath bin told unto mee, 65 + I am like your lordship, as ever may bee; + And if you will but lend me your gowne, + There is none shall knowe us at fair London towne." + + "Now horses and serving-men thou shalt have, + With sumptuous array most gallant and brave, 70 + With crozier, and miter, and rochet, and cope, + Fit to appear 'fore our fader the pope." + + "Now, welcome, sire abbot," the king he did say, + "Tis well thou'rt come back to keepe thy day: + For and if thou canst answer my questions three, 75 + Thy life and thy living both saved shall bee. + + "And first, when thou seest me here in this stead, + With my crowne of golde so fair on my head, + Among all my liege-men so noble of birthe, + Tell me to one penny what I am worth." 80 + + "For thirty pence our Saviour was sold + Among the false Jewes, as I have bin told: + And twenty-nine is the worth of thee, + For I thinke thou art one penny worser than hee." + + The king he laughed, and swore by St. Bittel,[L85] 85 + "I did not think I had been worth so littel! + --Now secondly tell me, without any doubt, + How soone I may ride this whole world about." + + "You must rise with the sun, and ride with the same + Until the next morning he riseth againe; 90 + And then your grace need not make any doubt + But in twenty-four hours you'll ride it about." + + The king he laughed, and swore by St. Jone, + "I did not think it could be gone so soone! + --Now from the third question thou must not shrinke, 95 + But tell me here truly what I do thinke." + + "Yea, that shall I do, and make your grace merry; + You thinke I'm the abbot of Canterbury; + But I'm his poor shepheard, as plain you may see, + That am come to beg pardon for him and for mee." 100 + + The king he laughed, and swore by the masse, + "Ile make thee lord abbot this day in his place!" + "Now naye, my liege, be not in such speede, + For alacke I can neither write ne reade." + + "Four nobles a week, then I will give thee, 105 + For this merry jest thou hast showne unto mee; + And tell the old abbot when thou comest home, + Thou hast brought him a pardon from good King John." + +85, Meaning probably St. Botolph. + + + + +CAPTAIN WEDDERBURN'S COURTSHIP. + +The two following ballads, in connection with the foregoing, will serve +as specimens of the anciently highly-popular class of riddle songs. No +ballad, says Motherwell, is even now more frequently met with on the +stalls than _Captain Wedderburn's Courtship_. It was first published in +_The New British Songster_, Falkirk, 1785, and afterwards in Jamieson's +_Popular Ballads_, ii. 154, from which the present copy is taken. +Chambers gives a few different readings from a copy furnished by Mr. +Kinloch--_Scottish Ballads_, p. 331. + +A fragment of this piece is given in _Minstrelsy of the English Border_, +p. 230, under the title of _The Laird of Roslin's Daughter_. Riddles +like those in the following ballads are found in _Proud Lady Margaret_, +p. 83 of this volume, _The Courteous Knight_, in the Appendix, and _The +Bonny Hind Squire_, in _Scottish Traditional Versions of Ancient +Ballads_, p. 42, Percy Society, vol. xvii.--three varieties of one +original: and in _Gifts from over Sea_, Appendix, p. 290. Also, in +several of the ancient Norse poems; in the ancient Danish ballad _Svend +Vonved_, Grundtvig, No. 18; in _Sven Svanehvit, Svenska F. V._, No. 45; +Hammershaimb's _Færöiske Kvæder_, ii. No. 4; Landstad's _Norske +Folkeviser_, p. 369; Erk's _Liederhort_, No. 153; Uhland, No. 1, 2, 3; +Erlach, iii. 37; _Wunderhorn_, ii. 407; Tschischka and Schottky, +_Oesterreichische Volksl._ p. 28; Haupt and Schmaler, _Volksl. der +Wenden_, i. No. 150, ii. No. 74; Talvj, _Volksl. der Serben_, ii. 77; +Goetze, _Stimmen des russischen Volkes_, p. 163; etc., etc. See +especially Grundtvig, i. 237, ii. 648, from whom we have borrowed some +of these references. + +"The following copy was furnished from Mr. Herd's MS. by the editor of +the Border Minstrelsy, and the present writer has supplied a few +readings of small importance from his own recollection, as it was quite +familiar to him in his early youth." JAMIESON. + + The Lord of Roslin's daughter + Walk'd thro' the wood her lane, + And by came Captain Wedderburn, + A servant to the king. + He said unto his serving men, 5 + "Were't not against the law, + I would tak her to my ain bed, + And lay her neist the wa'." + + "I am walking here alone," she says, + "Amang my father's trees; 10 + And you must let me walk alane, + Kind sir, now, if you please; + The supper bell it will be rung, + And I'll be mist awa'; + Sae I winna lie in your bed, 15 + Either at stock or wa'." + + He says, "My pretty lady, + I pray lend me your hand, + And you shall hae drums and trumpets + Always at your command; 20 + And fifty men to guard you with, + That well their swords can draw; + Sae we'se baith lie in ae bed, + And ye'se lie neist the wa'." + + "Haud awa frae me," she said, 25 + "And pray lat gae my hand; + The supper bell it will be rung, + I can nae langer stand; + My father he will angry be, + Gin I be miss'd awa; 30 + Sae I'll nae lie in your bed, + Either at stock or wa'." + + Then said the pretty lady, + "I pray tell me your name:" + "My name is Captain Wedderburn, 35 + A servant to the king. + Tho' thy father and his men were here, + Of them I'd have nae awe; + But tak you to my ain bed, + And lay you neist the wa'." 40 + + He lighted aff his milk-white steed, + And set this lady on, + And held her by the milk-white hand, + Even as they rade along; + He held her by the middle jimp, 45 + For fear that she should fa', + To tak her to his ain bed, + And lay her neist the wa'. + + He took her to his lodging-house; + His landlady look'd ben; 50 + Says, "Mony a pretty lady + In Edenbruch I've seen, + But sic a lovely face as thine + In it I never saw; + Gae mak her down a down-bed, 55 + And lay her neist the wa'." + + "O haud awa' frae me," she says, + "I pray ye lat me be; + I winna gang into your bed, + Till ye dress me dishes three: 60 + Dishes three ye maun dress to me, + Gin I should eat them a', + Afore that I lie in your bed, + Either at stock or wa'. + + "Its ye maun get to my supper 65 + A cherry without a stane; + And ye maun get to my supper + A chicken without a bane; + And ye maun get to my supper + A bird without a ga'; 70 + Or I winna lie in your bed, + Either at stock or wa'." + + "Its whan the cherry is in the flirry, + I'm sure it has nae stane; + And whan the chicken's in the egg, 75 + I'm sure it has nae bane; + And sin the flood o' Noah, + The dow she had nae ga';[L78] + Sae we'll baith lie in ae bed, + And ye'se lie neist the wa'." 80 + + "O haud your tongue, young man," she says, + "Nor that gait me perplex; + For ye maun tell me questions yet, + And that is questions six: + Questions six ye tell to me, 85 + And that is three times twa, + Afore I lie in your bed, + Either at stock or wa'. + + "What's greener than the greenest grass? + What hicher than the trees? 90 + What's war nor an ill woman's wish? + What's deeper than the seas? + What bird sings first? and whareupon + The dew doth first down fa'? + Ye sall tell afore I lay me down 95 + Between you and the wa'." + + "Vergris is greener than the grass; + Heaven's hicher than the trees; + The deil's warse nor a woman's wish; + Hell's deeper than the seas; 100 + The cock craws first; on cedar top + The dew down first doth fa'; + And we'll lie baith in ae bed, + And ye'se lie neist the wa'." + + "O haud your tongue, young man," she says, 105 + "And gi'e your fleechin' o'er, + Unless you'll find me ferlies, + And that is ferlies four; + Ferlies four ye maun find me, + And that is twa and twa; 110 + Or I'll never lie in your bed, + Either at stock or wa'. + + "And ye maun get to me a plumb + That in December grew; + And get to me a silk mantel, 115 + That waft was ne'er ca'd thro'; + A sparrow's horn; a priest unborn, + This night to join us twa; + Or I'll nae lie in your bed, + Either at stock or wa'." 120 + + "My father he has winter fruit + That in December grew; + My mither has an Indian gown, + That waft was ne'er ca'd thro'; + A sparrow's horn is quickly found; 125 + There's ane on every claw; + There's ane upon the neb o' him; + Perhaps there may be twa. + + "The priest he's standing at the door, + Just ready to come in; 130 + Nae man can say that he was born, + To lie it were a sin; + A wild bore tore his mither's side, + He out o' it did fa'; + Then we'll baith lie in ae bed, 135 + And thou's lie neist the wa'." + + Little kend Girzy Sinclair + That morning whan she raise, + That this wad be the hindermaist + O' a' her maiden days; 140 + But now there's nae within the realm, + I think, a blyther twa; + And they baith lie in ae bed, + And she lies neist the wa'. + +78. The peasants in Scotland say that the dove that was sent out of the +Ark by Noah flew till she burst her gall, and that no dove since that +time ever had a gall. J. + + + + +LAY THE BENT TO THE BONNY BROOM. + + +From Durfey's _Pills to Purge Melancholy_, iv. 129, with the title _A +Riddle wittily expounded_. The same in Jamieson's _Popular Ballads_, ii. +155, and in The Borderer's Table Book, vii. 83. A fragment of this +ballad, called _The Three Sisters_, is printed in Gilbert's _Ancient +Christmas Carols_, (2d ed.) p. 65, and has a different burden. It begins + + There were three sisters fair and bright, + _Jennifer gentle and Rosemaree_, + And they three loved one valiant knight, + _As the dew flies over the mulberry tree_. + + * * * * * + + There was a lady in the North-country, + _Lay the bent to the bonny broom_, + And she had lovely daughters three, + _Fa, la la la, fa, la la la ra re_. + + There was a knight of noble worth, + Which also lived at the North. + + The knight, of courage stout and brave, 5 + A wife he did desire to have. + + He knocked at the lady's gate, + One evening when it was late. + + The eldest sister let him in,[L9] + And pinn'd the door with a silver pin. 10 + + The second sister, she made his bed, + And laid soft pillows under his head. + + The youngest [sister] that same night, + She went to bed to this young knight. + + And in the morning when it was day, 15 + These words unto him she did say. + + "Now you have had your will," quoth she, + "I pray, Sir Knight, you marry me." + + This young brave knight to her reply'd. + "Thy suit, fair maid, shall not be deny'd, 20 + + "If thou canst answer me questions three, + This very day will I marry thee." + + "Kind sir, in love, O then," quoth she, + "Tell me what your three questions be." + + "O what is longer than the way?[L25] 25 + Or what is deeper than the sea? + + "Or what is louder than a horn? + Or what is sharper than a thorn? + + "Or what is greener than the grass? + Or what is worse than a woman was?" 30 + + "O love is longer than the way, + And hell is deeper than the sea. + + "And thunder's louder than the horn, + And hunger's sharper than a thorn. + + "And poyson's greener than the grass,[L35] 35 + And the devil's worse than the woman was." + + When she these questions answered had, + The knight became exceeding glad. + + And having truly try'd her wit, + He much commended her for it. 40 + + And after, as 'tis verified, + He made of her his lovely bride. + + So now, fair maidens all, adieu; + This song I dedicate to you. + + I wish that you may constant prove 45 + Unto the man that you do love. + +9. youngest. + +25. i.e. the milky way. + +35. "_Vergris_ is greener than the grass." _C. W.'s Courtship_, v. 97. + + + + +KING EDWARD FOURTH AND THE TANNER OF TAMWORTH. + + +The next two ballads belong to a class of tales extremely numerous in +England, in which the sovereign is represented as conversing on terms of +good fellowship with one of his humbler subjects who is unacquainted +with the royal person. In several of the best of these stories, the +monarch is benighted in the forest, and obliged to demand hospitality of +the first man he meets. He is at first viewed with suspicion and treated +with rudeness, but soon wins favor by his affability and good humor, and +is invited to partake of a liberal supper, composed in part of his own +venison. In due time the king reveals his true character to his +astonished and mortified host, who looks to be punished alike for his +familiarity and for deer-stealing, but is pardoned for both, and even +handsomely rewarded for his entertainment. + +The earliest of these stories seems to be that of King Alfred and the +Neatherd, in which the herdsman's wife plays the offending part, and the +peasant himself is made Bishop of Winchester. Others of very +considerable antiquity are the tales of Henry II. and the Cistercian +Abbot in the _Speculum Ecclesiæ_ of Giraldus Cambrensis, (an. 1220,) +printed in _Reliquiæ Antiquæ_, i. 147; _King Edward and the Shepherd_, +and _The King_ [Edward] _and the Hermit_, in Hartshorne's _Metrical +Tales_, (p. 35, p. 293, the latter previously in _The British +Bibliographer_, iv. 81;) _Rauf Coilzear, how he harbreit King Charlis_, +in Laing's _Select Remains; John the Reeve_, an unprinted piece in the +Percy MS., founded on an adventure between King Edward I. and one of his +bailiffs, which is highly commended by Dr. Percy "for its genuine humor, +diverting incidents, and faithful picture of rustic manners;" and _The +King and the Barker_, the original of the present ballad. (See also the +seventh and eighth fits of the _Little Gest of Robin Hood_.) More recent +specimens are the two pieces here given, and others mentioned by Percy: +_King Henry and the Soldier_, _King Henry VIII. and the Cobbler_, _King +James I. and the Tinker_, _King William and the Forester, &c._ It is +obvious that a legend of immemorial antiquity has been transferred by +successive minstrels or story-tellers to the reigning monarch of their +own times. An anecdote of the same character is related by Mr. Wright of +Prince George of Denmark, and a poor artisan of Bristol, (_Essays_, ii. +172.) + +The meeting of King Richard with Friar Tuck in Ivanhoe, was suggested by +the tale of _King Edward and the Hermit_. "The general tone of the +story," says Scott, "belongs to all ranks and to all countries, which +emulate each other in describing the rambles of a disguised sovereign, +who, going in search of information or amusement into the lower ranks of +life, meets with adventures diverting to the reader or hearer, from the +contrast betwixt the monarch's outward appearance and his real +character. The Eastern tale-teller has for his theme the disguised +expeditions of Haroun Alraschid, with his faithful attendants Mesrour +and Giafar, through the midnight streets of Bagdad, and Scottish +tradition dwells upon the similar exploits of James V., distinguished +during such excursions by the travelling name of the Goodman of +Ballengeigh, as the Commander of the Faithful, when he desired to be +_incognito_, was known by that of Il Bondocani." + +_The King and the Barker_ is printed in Ritson's _Anc. Pop. Poetry_, p. +61; the modern ballad of _King Alfred and the Shepherd_, in _Old +Ballads_, i. 41; _King James and the Tinkler_, in Richardson's +_Borderer's Table Book_, vii. 8, and in the Percy Soc. Publications, +vol. xvii., _Ancient Poems, &c._ p. 109. + +"The following text is selected (with such other corrections as +occurred) from two copies in black letter. The one in the Bodleian +library, entitled _A merrie, pleasant, and delectable historie betweene +King Edward the Fourth, and a Tanner of Tamworth, &c._, printed at +London by John Danter, 1596. This copy, ancient as it now is, appears to +have been modernized and altered at the time it was published; and many +vestiges of the more ancient readings were recovered from another copy +(though more recently printed) in one sheet folio, without date, in the +Pepys collection." PERCY'S _Reliques_, ii. 87. + +The old copies, according to Ritson, contain a great many stanzas which +Percy "has not injudiciously suppressed." _King_ Henry _the Fourth and +the Tanner of Tamworth_ stands in the _Registers of the Stationers' +Company_, as licensed in 1564-5. The Tanner of Tamworth is introduced +into the First Part of Heywood's play of _Edward the Fourth_. + + In summer time, when leaves grow greene, + And blossoms bedecke the tree, + King Edward wolde a hunting ryde, + Some pastime for to see. + + With hawke and hounde he made him bowne, 5 + With horne, and eke with bowe; + To Drayton Basset he tooke his waye, + With all his lordes a rowe. + + And he had ridden ore dale and downe + By eight of clocke in the day, 10 + When he was ware of a bold tannèr, + Come ryding along the waye. + + A fayre russet coat the tanner had on, + Fast buttoned under his chin, + And under him a good cow-hide, 15 + And a mare of four shilling.[L16] + + "Nowe stande you still, my good lordes all, + Under the grene wood spraye; + And I will wend to yonder fellowe, + To weet what he will saye. 20 + + "God speede, God speede thee," sayd our king, + "Thou art welcome, sir," sayd hee; + "The readyest waye to Drayton Basset + I praye thee to shewe to mee." + + "To Drayton Basset woldst thou goe 25 + Fro the place where thou dost stand, + The next payre of gallowes thou comest unto, + Turne in upon thy right hand." + + "That is an unreadye waye," sayd our king, + "Thou doest but jest I see; 30 + Nowe shewe me out the nearest waye, + And I pray thee wend with mee." + + "Awaye with a vengeance!" quoth the tanner: + "I hold thee out of thy witt: + All daye have I rydden on Brocke my mare, 35 + And I am fasting yett." + + "Go with me downe to Drayton Basset, + No daynties we will spare; + All daye shalt thou eate and drinke of the best, + And I will paye thy fare." 40 + + "Gramercye for nothing," the tanner replyde, + "Thou payest no fare of mine: + I trowe I've more nobles in my purse, + Than thou hast pence in thine." + + "God give thee joy of them," sayd the king, 45 + "And send them well to priefe;" + The tanner wolde faine have beene away, + For he weende he had beene a thiefe. + + "What art thou," hee sayde, "thou fine fellòwe? + Of thee I am in great feare; 50 + For the cloathes thou wearest upon thy backe + Might beseeme a lord to weare." + + "I never stole them," quoth our king, + "I tell you, sir, by the roode;" + "Then thou playest, as many an unthrift doth, 55 + And standest in midds of thy goode."[L56] + + "What tydinges heare you," sayd the kynge, + "As you ryde farre and neare?" + "I heare no tydinges, sir, by the masse, + But that cowe-hides are deare." 60 + + "Cowe-hides! cowe-hides! what things are those? + I marvell what they bee?" + "What, art thou a foole?" the tanner reply'd; + "I carry one under mee." + + "What craftsman art thou?" sayd the king; 65 + "I praye thee tell me trowe:" + "l am a barker, sir, by my trade; + Nowe tell me what art thou?" + + "I am a poore courtier, sir," quoth he, + "That am forth of service worne; 70 + And faine I wolde thy prentise bee, + Thy cunninge for to learne." + + "Marrye heaven forfend," the tanner replyde, + "That thou my prentise were; + Thou woldst spend more good than I shold winne + By fortye shilling a yere." 76 + + "Yet one thinge wolde I," sayd our king, + "If thou wilt not seeme strange; + Thoughe my horse be better than thy mare, + Yet with thee I faine wold change." 80 + + "Why if with me thou faine wilt change, + As change full well maye wee, + By the faith of my bodye, thou proude fellòwe, + I will have some boot of thee." + + "That were against reason," sayd the king, 85 + "I sweare, so mote I thee; + My horse is better than thy mare, + And that thou well mayst see." + + "Yea, sir, but Brocke is gentle and mild, + And softly she will fare; 90 + Thy horse is unrulye and wild, i-wiss, + Aye skipping here and theare." + + "What boote wilt thou have?" our king reply'd; + "Now tell me in this stound;" + "Noe pence, nor half-pence, by my faye, 95 + But a noble in gold so round." + + "Here's twentye groates of white moneyè, + Sith thou wilt have it of mee;" + "I would have sworne now," quoth the tanner, + "Thou hadst not had one penniè. 100 + + "But since we two have made a change, + A change we must abide; + Although thou hast gotten Brocke my mare, + Thou gettest not my cowe-hide." + + "I will not have it," sayd the kynge, 105 + "I sweare, so mought I thee; + Thy foule cowe-hide I wolde not beare, + If thou woldst give it to mee." + + The tanner hee tooke his good cowe-hide, + That of the cow was hilt, 110 + And threwe it upon the king's sadèlle, + That was soe fayrelye gilte. + + "Now help me up, thou fine fellòwe, + 'Tis time that I were gone; + When I come home to Gyllian my wife, 115 + Sheel say I am a gentilmon." + + The king he tooke him up by the legge, + The tanner a f** lett fall; + "Nowe marrye, good fellowe," sayd the kyng, + "Thy courtesye is but small." 120 + + When the tanner he was in the kinges sadèlle, + And his foote in his stirrup was, + He marvelled greatlye in his minde, + Whether it were golde or brass. + + But when his steede saw the cows taile wagge, 125 + And eke the blacke cowe-horne, + He stamped, and stared, and awaye he ranne, + As the devill had him borne. + + The tanner he pulld, the tanner he sweat, + And held by the pummil fast; 130 + At length the tanner came tumbling downe, + His necke he had well-nye brast. + + "Take thy horse again with a vengeance," he sayd, + "With mee he shall not byde;" + "My horse wolde have borne thee well enoughe, 135 + But he knewe not of thy cowe-hide. + + "Yet if againe thou faine woldst change, + As change full well may wee, + By the faith of my bodye, thou jolly tannèr, + I will have some boote of thee." 140 + + "What boote wilt thou have?" the tanner replyd, + "Nowe tell me in this stounde; + "Noe pence nor half-pence, sir, by my faye, + But I will have twentye pound." + + "Here's twentye groates out of my purse, 145 + And twentye I have of thine; + And I have one more, which we will spend + Together at the wine." + + The king set a bugle horne to his mouthe, + And blewe both loude and shrille; 150 + And soone came lords, and soone came knights, + Fast ryding over the hille. + + "Nowe, out alas," the tanner he cryde, + "That ever I sawe this daye! + Thou art a strong thiefe; yon come thy fellowes 155 + Will beare my cowe-hide away." + + "They are no thieves," the king replyde, + "I sweare, soe mote I thee; + But they are lords of the north country, + Here come to hunt with mee." 160 + + And soone before our king they came, + And knelt downe on the grounde; + Then might the tanner have beene awaye, + He had lever than twentye pounde. + + "A coller, a coller, here," sayd the king, 165 + "A coller," he loud gan crye; + Then woulde he lever then twentye pound, + He had not beene so nighe. + + "A coller! a coller!" the tanner he sayd, + "I trowe it will breed sorrowe; 170 + After a coller commeth a halter; + I trow I shall be hang'd to-morrowe." + + "Be not afraid, tanner," said our king; + "I tell thee, so mought I thee, + Lo here I make thee the best esquire 175 + That is in the North countrie.[L176] + + "For Plumpton-parke I will give thee, + With tenements faire beside,-- + 'Tis worth three hundred markes by the yeare,-- + To maintaine thy good cow-hide." 180 + + "Gramercye, my liege," the tanner replyde; + "For the favour thou hast me showne, + If ever thou comest to merry Tamwòrth, + Neates leather shall clout thy shoen." + +16. In the reign of Edward IV. Dame Cecill, lady of Torboke, in her will +dated March 7, A.D. 1466, among many other bequests, has this: "Also I +will that my sonne Thomas of Torboke have 13_s._ 4_d._ to buy him an +horse." Vide Harleian Catalogue, 2176, 27.--Now if 13_s._ 4_d._ would +purchase a steed fit for a person of quality, a tanner's horse might +reasonably be valued at four or five shillings.--PERCY. + +56. i. e. hast no other wealth, but what thou carriest about +thee.--PERCY. + +176. This stanza is restored from a quotation of this ballad in Selden's +_Titles of Honour_, who produces it as a good authority to prove, that +one mode of creating Esquires at that time, was by the imposition of a +collar. His words are, "Nor is that old pamphlet of the Tanner of +Tamworth and King Edward the Fourth so contemptible, but that wee may +thence note also an observable passage, wherein the use of making +Esquires, by giving collars, is expressed." (Sub. Tit. Esquire; & vide +in Spelmanni _Glossar. Armiger._) This form of creating Esquires +actually exists at this day among the Sergeants at Arms, who are +invested with a collar (which they wear on Collar Days) by the King +himself. + +This information I owe to Samuel Pegge, Esq., to whom the public is +indebted for that curious work, the _Curialia_, 4to.--PERCY. + + + + +THE KING AND MILLER OF MANSFIELD. + + +"The following is printed, with corrections from the Editor's folio MS. +collated with an old black-letter copy in the Pepys collection, entitled +_A pleasant ballad of King Henry II. and the Miller of Mansfield, +&c._"--PERCY's _Reliques_, iii. 22. + +Other copies, slightly different, in _A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. +53, and Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 173. + + +PART THE FIRST. + + Henry, our royall king, would ride a hunting + To the greene forest so pleasant and faire; + To see the harts skipping, and dainty does tripping, + Unto merry Sherwood his nobles repaire: + Hawke and hound were unbound, all things prepar'd 5 + For the game, in the same, with good regard. + + All a long summers day rode the king pleasantlye, + With all his princes and nobles eche one; + Chasing the hart and hind, and the bucke gallantlye, + Till the dark evening forc'd all to turne home. 10 + Then at last, riding fast, he had lost quite + All his lords in the wood, late in the night. + + Wandering thus wearilye, all alone, up and downe, + With a rude miller he mett at the last; + Asking the ready way unto faire Nottingham, 15 + "Sir," quoth the miller, "I meane not to jest, + Yet I thinke, what I thinke, sooth for to say; + You doe not lightlye ride out of your way." + + "Why, what dost thou think of me," quoth our king merrily, + "Passing thy judgment upon me so briefe?" 20 + "Good faith," sayd the miller, "I mean not to flatter thee, + I guess thee to bee but some gentleman thiefe; + Stand thee backe, in the darke; light not adowne, + Lest that I presentlye crack thy knaves crowne." + + "Thou dost abuse me much," quoth the king, "saying thus; 25 + I am a gentleman; lodging I lacke." + "Thou hast not," quoth th' miller, "one groat in thy purse; + All thy inheritance hanges on thy backe." + "I have gold to discharge all that I call; + If it be forty pence, I will pay all." 30 + + "If thou beest a true man," then quoth the miller, + "I sweare by my toll-dish, I'll lodge thee all night." + "Here's my hand," quoth the king; "that was I ever." + "Nay, soft," quoth the miller, "thou may'st be a sprite. + Better I'll know thee, ere hands we will shake; 35 + With none but honest men hands will I take." + + Thus they went all along unto the millers house, + Where they were seething of puddings and souse; + The miller first enter'd in, after him went the king; + Never came hee in soe smoakye a house. 40 + "Now," quoth hee, "let me see here what you are:" + Quoth the king, "Looke your fill, and doe not spare." + + "I like well thy countenance, thou hast an honest face: + With my son Richard this night thou shalt lye." + Quoth his wife, "By my troth, it is a handsome youth, 45 + Yet it's best, husband, to deal warilye. + Art thou no run-away, prythee, youth, tell? + Shew me thy passport, and all shal be well." + + Then our king presentlye, making lowe courtesye, + With his hatt in his hand, thus he did say; 50 + "I have no passport, nor never was servitor, + But a poor courtyer, rode out of my way: + And for your kindness here offered to mee, + I will requite you in everye degree." + + Then to the miller his wife whisper'd secretlye, 55 + Saying, "It seemeth, this youth's of good kin, + Both by his apparel, and eke by his manners; + To turne him out, certainlye were a great sin." + "Yea," quoth hee, "you may see he hath some grace, + When he doth speake to his betters in place." 60 + + "Well," quo' the millers wife, "young man, ye're welcome here; + And, though I say it, well lodged shall be: + Fresh straw will I have laid on thy bed so brave, + And good brown hempen sheets likewise," quoth shee. + "Aye," quoth the good man; "and when that is done, 65 + Thou shalt lye with no worse than our own sonne." + + "Nay, first," quoth Richard, "good-fellowe, tell me true, + Hast thou noe creepers within thy gay hose? + Or art thou not troubled with the scabbado?" + "I pray," quoth the king, "what creatures are those?" 70 + "Art thou not lowsy nor scabby?" quoth he: + "If thou beest, surely thou lyest not with mee." + + This caus'd the king, suddenlye, to laugh most heartilye, + Till the teares trickled fast downe from his eyes. + Then to their supper were they set orderlye, 75 + With hot bag-puddings, and good apple-pyes; + Nappy ale, good and stale, in a browne bowle, + Which did about the board merrilye trowle. + + "Here," quoth the miller, "good fellowe, I drinke to thee, + And to all courtnalls that courteous be." 80 + "I pledge thee," quoth our king, "and thanke thee heartilye + For my good welcome in everye degree: + And here, in like manner, I drinke to thy sonne." + "Do then," quoth Richard, "and quicke let it come." + + "Wife," quoth the miller, "fetch me forth lightfoote, 85 + And of his sweetnesse a little we'll taste." + A fair ven'son pastye brought she out presentlye, + "Eate," quoth the miller, "but, sir, make no waste. + Here's dainty lightfoote!" "In faith," sayd the king, + "I never before eat so daintye a thing." 90 + + "I-wis," quoth Richard, "no daintye at all it is, + For we doe eate of it everye day." + "In what place," sayd our king, "may be bought like to this?" + "We never pay pennye for itt, by my fay: + From merry Sherwood we fetch it home here; 95 + Now and then we make bold with our kings deer." + + "Then I thinke," sayd our king, "that it is venison." + "Eche foole," quoth Richard, "full well may know that: + Never are wee without two or three in the roof, + Very well fleshed, and excellent fat: 100 + But, prythee, say nothing wherever thou goe; + We would not, for two pence, the king should it knowe." + + "Doubt not," then sayd the king, "my promist secresye; + The king shall never know more on't for mee:" + A cupp of lambs-wool they dranke unto him then, 105 + And to their bedds they past presentlie. + The nobles, next morning, went all up and down, + For to seeke out the king in everye towne. + + At last, at the millers 'cott,' soone they espy'd him out, + As he was mounting upon his faire steede; 110 + To whom they came presently, falling down on their knee; + Which made the millers heart wofully bleede; + Shaking and quaking, before him he stood, + Thinking he should have been hang'd, by the rood. + + The king perceiving him fearfully trembling, 115 + Drew forth his sword, but nothing he sed: + The miller downe did fall, crying before them all, + Doubting the king would have cut off his head. + But he his kind courtesye for to requite, + Gave him great living, and dubb'd him a knight. 120 + + +PART THE SECONDE. + + When as our royall king came home from Nottingham, + And with his nobles at Westminster lay, + Recounting the sports and pastimes they had taken, + In this late progress along on the way, + Of them all, great and small, he did protest, 5 + The miller of Mansfields sport liked him best. + + "And now, my lords," quoth the king, "I am determined + Against St. Georges next sumptuous feast, + That this old miller, our new confirm'd knight, + With his son Richard, shall here be my guest: 10 + For, in this merryment, 'tis my desire + To talke with the jolly knight, and the young squire." + + When as the noble lords saw the kinges pleasantness, + They were right joyfull and glad in their hearts: + A pursuivant there was sent straighte on the business, 15 + The which had often-times been in those parts. + When he came to the place where they did dwell, + His message orderlye then 'gan he tell. + + "God save your worshippe," then said the messenger, + "And grant your ladye her own hearts desire; 20 + And to your sonne Richard good fortune and happiness, + That sweet, gentle, and gallant young squire. + Our king greets you well, and thus he doth say, + You must come to the court on St. George's day. + + "Therefore, in any case, faile not to be in place." 25 + "I-wis," quoth the miller, "this is an odd jest: + What should we doe there? faith, I am halfe afraid." + "I doubt," quoth Richard, "to be hang'd at the least." + "Nay," quoth the messenger, "you doe mistake; + Our king he provides a great feast for your sake." 30 + + Then sayd the miller, "By my troth, messenger, + Thou hast contented my worshippe full well: + Hold, here are three farthings, to quite thy gentleness, + For these happy tydings which thou dost tell. + Let me see, hear thou mee; tell to our king, 35 + We'll wayt on his mastershipp in everye thing." + + The pursuivant smiled at their simplicitye, + And making many leggs, tooke their reward, + And his leave taking with great humilitye, + To the kings court againe he repair'd; 40 + Shewing unto his grace, merry and free, + The knightes most liberall gift and bountie. + + When he was gone away, thus gan the miller say: + "Here come expences and charges indeed; + Now must we needs be brave, tho' we spend all we have, 45 + For of new garments we have great need. + Of horses and serving-men we must have store, + With bridles and saddles, and twentye things more." + + "Tushe, Sir John," quoth his wife, "why should you frett or frowne? + You shall ne'er be att no charges for mee; 50 + For I will turne and trim up my old russet gowne, + With everye thing else as fine as may bee; + And on our mill-horses swift we will ride, + With pillowes and pannells, as we shall provide." + + In this most statelye sort, rode they unto the court; 55 + Their jolly sonne Richard rode foremost of all, + Who set up, for good hap, a cocks feather in his cap,[L57] + And so they jetted downe to the kings hall; + The merry old miller with hands on his side; + His wife like maid Marian did mince at that tide.[L60] 60 + + The king and his nobles, that heard of their coming, + Meeting this gallant knight with his brave traine, + "Welcome, sir knight," quoth he, "with your gay lady; + Good Sir John Cockle, once welcome againe; + And so is the squire of courage soe free." 65 + Quoth Dicke, "A bots on you! do you know mee?" + + Quoth our king gentlye, "How should I forget thee? + That wast my owne bed-fellowe, well it I wot." + "Yea, sir," quoth Richard, "and by the same token, + Thou with thy farting didst make the bed hot." 70 + "Thou whore-son unhappy knave," then quoth the knight, + "Speake cleanly to our king, or else go sh***." + + The king and his courtiers laugh at this heartily, + While the king taketh them both by the hand; + With the court-dames and maids, like to the queen of spades, 75 + The millers wife did soe orderly stand, + A milk-maids courtesye at every word; + And downe all the folkes were set to the board. + + There the king royally, in princelye majestye, + Sate at his dinner with joy and delight; 80 + When they had eaten well, then he to jesting fell, + And in a bowle of wine dranke to the knight: + "Here's to you both, in wine, ale, and beer; + Thanking you heartilye for my good cheer." + + Quoth Sir John Cockle, "I'll pledge you a pottle, 85 + Were it the best ale in Nottinghamshire:" + But then said our king, "Now I think of a thing; + Some of your lightfoote I would we had here." + "Ho! ho!" quoth Richard, "full well I may say it + 'Tis knavery to eate it, and then to betray it." 90 + + "Why art thou angry?" quoth our king merrilye; + "In faith, I take it now very unkind: + I thought thou wouldst pledge me in ale and wine heartily." + Quoth Dicke, "You are like to stay till I have din'd: + You feed us with twatling dishes soe small; 95 + Zounds, a blacke-pudding is better than all." + + "Aye, marry," quoth our king, "that were a daintye thing, + Could a man get but one here for to eate:" + With that Dicke straite arose, and pluckt one from his hose, + Which with heat of his breech gan to sweate. + The king made a proffer to snatch it away:-- 100 + "'Tis meat for your master: good sir, you must stay." + + Thus in great merriment was the time wholly spent, + And then the ladyes prepared to dance: + Old Sir John Cockle, and Richard, incontinent 105 + Unto their places the king did advance. + Here with the ladyes such sport they did make, + The nobles with laughing did make their sides ake. + + Many thankes for their paines did the king give them, + Asking young Richard then, if he would wed; 110 + "Among these ladyes free, tell me which liketh thee?" + Quoth he, "Jugg Grumball, Sir, with the red head, + She's my love, she's my life, her will I wed; + She hath sworn I shall have her maidenhead." + + Then Sir John Cockle the king call'd unto him, 115 + And of merry Sherwood made him o'erseer, + And gave him out of hand three hundred pound yearlye: + "Take heed now you steele no more of my deer; + And once a quarter let's here have your view; + And now, Sir John Cockle, I bid you adieu." 120 + +57. for good hap: i. e. for good luck; they were going on a hazardous +expedition. P. + +60. Maid Marian in the Morris dance, was represented by a man in woman's +clothes, who was to take short steps in order to sustain the female +character. P. + + + + +GERNUTUS THE JEW OF VENICE. + +Percy's _Reliques_, i. 224. + + +In Douce's _Illustrations of Shakespeare_, (i. 278,) and Malone's +_Shakespeare_, (v. 3, 154, ed. 1821,) we are referred to a great many +stories resembling that of the present ballad. Two or three of these are +found in the Persian, and there can be no doubt that the original tale +is of eastern invention. The oldest European forms of the story are in +the _Gesta Romanorum_, (Wright's _Latin Stories_, Percy Soc. viii. 114, +Madden's _Old English Versions_, p. 130,) the French romance of +_Dolopathos_ (v. 7096, _et seq._), and the _Pecorone_ of Ser Giovanni +Fiorentino, written in 1378, but not printed till 1558. + +Shakespeare's _Merchant of Venice_ is known to have been played before +1598, and there is some reason to believe that it was produced as early +as 1594. The resemblance in many particulars between the play and the +narrative in the _Pecorone_ is conclusive to the fact that Shakespeare +was acquainted with the Italian novel, directly or by a translation. In +Gosson's _School of Abuse_, (1579,) mention is made of a play called +_The Jew_, in which was represented "the greediness of worldly choosers, +and bloody minds of usurers." It is possible that Shakespeare may have +made use of the incidents of this forgotten piece in the construction of +his plot, but as our knowledge of the older play amounts literally to +the description of it given by Gosson, nothing positive is to be said on +that point. Silvayn's _Orator_, translated from the French by Anthony +Munday in 1596, affords the earliest discovered _printed_ notice, in +English, of the bond and forfeiture, in a "Declamation, Of a Jew, who +would for his debt have a pound of flesh of a Christian;" and a striking +coincidence between the Jew's plea for the execution of the contract, +and the reasoning of Shylock before the Senate, may be regarded by some +as of weight sufficient to offset the evidence presented to show that +the _Merchant of Venice_ was on the stage in 1594. + +No dated copy of the ballad of _Gernutus_ is known. It is on the whole +more likely that the ballad is older than Shakespeare's comedy, but it +_may_ have been called forth by the popularity of that very piece. To +judge by the first stanza alone, the writer had derived his materials +from an Italian novel. + +We give in the Appendix another ballad, presenting considerable +diversity in the incidents, which we presume to be the one mentioned by +Douce under the title of _The Cruel Jews Garland_. + +In 1664, we are informed by Mr. Collier, Thomas Jordan made a ballad out +of the story of the Merchant of Venice, in his _Royal Arbor of Loyal +Poesie_, taking some liberties with the original plot. + +The following was printed from an ancient black-letter copy in the Pepys +collection, (compared with the Ashmole copy,) entitled, + + "A new Song, shewing the crueltie of 'Gernutus, a Jewe,' who, lending + to a merchant an hundred crowns, would have a pound of his fleshe, + because he could not pay him at the time appointed. To the tune of + _Black and Yellow_." + + +THE FIRST PART. + + In Venice towne not long agoe + A cruel Jew did dwell, + Which lived all on usurie, + As Italian writers tell. + + Gernutus called was the Jew, 5 + Which never thought to dye, + Nor ever yet did any good + To them in streets that lie. + + His life was like a barrow hogge, + That liveth many a day, 10 + Yet never once doth any good, + Until men will him slay. + + Or like a filthy heap of dung, + That lyeth in a whoard; + Which never can do any good, 15 + Till it be spread abroad. + + So fares it with the usurer, + He cannot sleep in rest + For feare the thiefe will him pursue, + To plucke him from his nest. 20 + + His heart doth thinke on many a wile + How to deceive the poore; + His mouth is almost ful of mucke, + Yet still he gapes for more. + + His wife must lend a shilling, 25 + For every weeke a penny; + Yet bring a pledge that is double worth, + If that you will have any. + + And see, likewise, you keepe your day, + Or else you loose it all: 30 + This was the living of the wife, + Her cow she did it call. + + Within that citie dwelt that time + A marchant of great fame, + Which being distressed in his need, 35 + Unto Gernutus came: + + Desiring him to stand his friend + For twelvemonth and a day; + To lend to him an hundred crownes; + And he for it would pay 40 + + Whatsoever he would demand of him, + And pledges he should have: + "No," quoth the Jew, with flearing lookes, + "Sir, aske what you will have. + + "No penny for the loane of it 45 + For one year you shall pay; + You may doe me as good a turne, + Before my dying day. + + "But we will have a merry jeast, + For to be talked long: 50 + You shall make me a bond," quoth he, + "That shall be large and strong. + + "And this shall be the forfeyture,-- + Of your owne fleshe a pound: + If you agree, make you the bond, 55 + And here is a hundred crownes." + + "With right good will," the marchant he says, + And so the bond was made. + When twelve month and a day drew on, + That backe it should be payd, 60 + + The marchants ships were all at sea, + And money came not in; + Which way to take, or what to doe, + To thinke he doth begin. + + And to Gernutus strait he comes, 65 + With cap and bended knee; + And sayde to him, "Of curtesie, + I pray you beare with mee. + + "My day is come, and I have not + The money for to pay; 70 + And little good the forfeyture + Will doe you, I dare say." + + "With all my heart," Gernutus sayd, + "Commaund it to your minde: + In thinges of bigger waight then this 75 + You shall me ready finde." + + He goes his way; the day once past, + Gernutus doth not slacke + To get a sergiant presently, + And clapt him on the backe. 80 + + And layd him into prison strong, + And sued his bond withall; + And when the judgement day was come, + For judgement he did call. + + The marchants friends came thither fast, 85 + With many a weeping eye, + For other means they could not find, + But he that day must dye. + + +THE SECOND PART. + + Of the Jews crueltie; setting foorth the mercifulnesse of the Judge + towards the Marchant. To the tune of _Black and Yellow_. + + Some offered for his hundred crownes + Five hundred for to pay; + And some a thousand, two or three, + Yet still he did denay. + + And at the last ten thousand crownes 5 + They offered, him to save: + Gernutus sayd, "I will no gold, + My forfeite I will have. + + "A pound of fleshe is my demand, + And that shall be my hire." 10 + Then sayd the judge, "Yet, good my friend, + Let me of you desire + + "To take the fleshe from such a place, + As yet you let him live: + Do so, and lo! an hundred crownes 15 + To thee here will I give." + + "No, no," quoth he, "no, judgement here; + For this it shall be tride; + For I will have my pound of fleshe + From under his right side." 20 + + It grieved all the companie + His crueltie to see, + For neither friend nor foe could helpe + But he must spoyled bee. + + The bloudie Jew now ready is 25 + With whetted blade in hand, + To spoyle the bloud of innocent, + By forfeit of his bond. + + And as he was about to strike + In him the deadly blow, 30 + "Stay," quoth the judge, "thy crueltie; + I charge thee to do so. + + "Sith needs thou wilt thy forfeit have, + Which is of flesh a pound, + See that thou shed no drop of bloud, 35 + Nor yet the man confound. + + "For if thou doe, like murderer + Thou here shalt hanged be: + Likewise of flesh see that thou cut + No more than longes to thee. 40 + + "For if thou take either more or lesse, + To the value of a mite, + Thou shalt be hanged presently, + As is both law and right." + + Gernutus now waxt franticke mad, 45 + And wotes not what to say; + Quoth he at last, "Ten thousand crownes + I will that he shall pay; + + "And so I graunt to set him free." + The judge doth answere make; 50 + "You shall not have a penny given; + Your forfeyture now take." + + At the last he doth demaund + But for to have his owne: + "No," quoth the judge, "doe as you list, 55 + Thy judgement shall be showne. + + "Either take your pound of flesh," quoth he, + "Or cancell me your bond:" + "O cruell judge," then quoth the Jew, + "That doth against me stand!" 60 + + And so with griping grieved mind[L61] + He biddeth them fare-well: + Then all the people prays'd the Lord, + That ever this heard tell. + + Good people, that doe heare this song, 65 + For trueth I dare well say, + That many a wretch as ill as hee + Doth live now at this day; + + That seeketh nothing but the spoyle + Of many a wealthy man, 70 + And for to trap the innocent + Deviseth what they can. + + From whome the Lord deliver me, + And every Christian too, + And send to them like sentence eke 75 + That meaneth so to do. + +61. griped, Ashmole copy. + + + + +THE FROLICKSOME DUKE; OR THE TINKER'S GOOD FORTUNE. + + Percy's _Reliques_, i. 255. + + +The story of this ballad, like that of the preceding, was probably +derived from the east. It is the same as the tale of _The Sleeper +Awakened_ in the _Arabian Nights_, and a like incident is found also in +the tale of _Xailoun_ in the _Continuation of the Arabian Nights_. +Interpolations from European sources are said to have been made by the +translators both of the _Arabian Nights_ and of the _Continuation_, and +it has been suggested that _The Sleeper Awakened_ is one of these. +(_Gent. Mag._ 64, I. 527.) It is even true that this story does not +occur in the manuscript used by Galland. It _is_ found, however, in one +manuscript, and is accordingly admitted into the recent version.--Marco +Polo relates that Ala-eddin, "the Old Man of the Mountain," was +accustomed to employ a device resembling that of the ballad, to persuade +his youthful votaries of his power to transport them to Paradise. (Chap. +xxi. of Marsden's translation.) A similar anecdote is told as +historically true by the Arabic writer El-Is-hakee, who printed his work +in the early part of the 17th century (Lane's _Thousand and One +Nights_, ii. 376), while in Europe the story is related of Philip the +Good, Duke of Burgundy, by Heuterus, _Rerum Burgund._ lib. iv.; of the +Emperor Charles the Fifth, by Sir Richard Barckley, in _A Discourse on +the Felicitie of Man_, 1598; and of the Marquess of Worcester, in _The +Apothegms of King James, King Charles, the Marquess of Worcester, &c._ +1658. Warton had seen among Collins's books a collection of prose tales +in black-letter, dated 1570, among which was this story. It was until +lately, and no doubt is still, found in the stalls, under the title of +_The Frolicksome Courtier and the Jovial Tinker_. (See Douce's +_Illustrations_, and Malone's _Shakespeare_.) + +Which of the many forms of the story was known to the author of the old +play of _The Taming of a Shrew_, on which Shakespeare's comedy is +founded, it would be more difficult than important to determine. Mr. +Halliwell mentions a Dutch comedy, called _Dronkken Hansje_, (1657,) +having the plot of the Induction to these plays. + +This ballad was given from a black-letter copy in the Pepys collection. + + Now as fame does report, a young duke keeps a court, + One that pleases his fancy with frolicksome sport: + But amongst all the rest, here is one I protest, + Which will make you to smile when you hear the true jest: + A poor tinker he found, lying drunk on the ground, 5 + As secure in sleep as if laid in a swound. + + The duke said to his men, "William, Richard, and Ben, + Take him home to my palace, we'll sport with him then." + O'er a horse he was laid, and with care soon convey'd + To the palace, altho' he was poorly arrai'd: 10 + Then they stript off his cloaths, both his shirt, shoes, and hose, + And they put him to bed for to take his repose. + + Having pull'd off his shirt, which was all over durt, + They did give him clean holland, this was no great hurt: + On a bed of soft down, like a lord of renown, 15 + They did lay him to sleep the drink out of his crown. + In the morning, when day, then admiring he lay, + For to see the rich chamber, both gaudy and gay. + + Now he lay something late, in his rich bed of state, + Till at last knights and squires they on him did wait; 20 + And the chamberlain bare, then did likewise declare, + He desired to know what apparel he'd ware: + The poor tinker amaz'd, on the gentleman gaz'd, + And admired how he to this honour was rais'd. + + Tho' he seem'd something mute, yet he chose a rich suit, 25 + Which he straitways put on without longer dispute, + With a star on his side, which the tinker offt ey'd, + And it seem'd for to swell him 'no' little with pride; + For he said to himself, "Where is Joan my sweet wife? + Sure she never did see me so fine in her life." 30 + + From a convenient place, the right duke, his good grace, + Did observe his behaviour in every case. + To a garden of state, on the tinker they wait, + Trumpets sounding before him: thought he, this is great: + Where an hour or two, pleasant walks he did view, 35 + With commanders and squires in scarlet and blew. + + A fine dinner was drest, both for him and his guests; + He was plac'd at the table above all the rest, + In a rich chair 'or bed,' lin'd with fine crimson red, + With a rich golden canopy over his head: 40 + As he sat at his meat, the musick play'd sweet, + With the choicest of singing his joys to compleat. + + While the tinker did dine, he had plenty of wine, + Rich canary, with sherry and tent superfine. + Like a right honest soul, faith, he took off his bowl, 45 + Till at last he began for to tumble and roul + From his chair to the floor, where he sleeping did snore, + Being seven times drunker than ever before. + + Then the duke did ordain, they should strip him amain, + And restore him his old leather garments again: 50 + 'Twas a point next the worst, yet perform it they must, + And they carry'd him strait, where they found him at first, + Then he slept all the night, as indeed well he might; + But when he did waken, his joys took their flight. + + For his glory 'to him' so pleasant did seem, 55 + That he thought it to be but a meer golden dream; + Till at length he was brought to the duke, where he sought + For a pardon, as fearing he had set him at nought. + But his highness he said, "Thou'rt a jolly bold blade: + Such a frolick before I think never was plaid." 60 + + Then his highness bespoke him a new suit and cloak, + Which he gave for the sake of this frolicksome joak, + Nay, and five hundred pound, with ten acres of ground: + "Thou shalt never," said he, "range the counteries round, + Crying old brass to mend, for I'll be thy good friend, 65 + Nay, and Joan thy sweet wife shall my duchess attend." + + Then the tinker reply'd, "What! must Joan my sweet bride + Be a lady in chariots of pleasure to ride? + Must we have gold and land ev'ry day at command? + Then I shall be a squire, I well understand. 70 + Well I thank your good grace, and your love I embrace; + I was never before in so happy a case." + + + + +THE HEIR OF LINNE. + + Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 135. + + +"The original of this ballad," says Percy, "is found in the Editor's +folio MS., the breaches and defects in which, rendered the insertion of +supplemental stanzas necessary. These it is hoped the reader will +pardon, as indeed the completion of the story was suggested by a modern +ballad on a similar subject. From the Scottish phrases here and there +discernible in this poem, it would seem to have been originally composed +beyond the Tweed." + +The modern ballad here mentioned is probably _The Drunkards Legacy_, +printed from an old chap-book, in _Ancient Poems, Ballads_, and _Songs_, +p. 151, Percy Society, vol. xvii. The Scottish version of the _Heir of +Linne_ is annexed to the present in the only form in which it is now to +be obtained. + +The incident by which the hidden treasure is discovered in this ballad, +occurs (as observes a writer in the _British Bibliographer_, iv. 182) in +a story of Cinthio's, _Heccatomithi_, Dec. ix. nov. 8: but the argument +of that story is in other respects different, being in fact the +following epigram: + + [Greek: Chryson anêr heurôn elipe brochon; autar ho chryson, + hon lipen, ouch heurôn, êpsen hon eure brochon.] + + Brunck's _Anthologia_, vol. i. p. 106. + + +PART THE FIRST. + + Lithe and listen, gentlemen, + To sing a song I will beginne: + It is of a lord of faire Scotlànd, + Which was the unthrifty heire of Linne. + + His father was a right good lord, 5 + His mother a lady of high degree; + But they, alas! were dead him froe, + And he lov'd keeping companie. + + To spend the daye with merry cheare, + To drinke and revell every night, 10 + To card and dice from eve to morne, + It was, I ween, his hearts delighte. + + To ride, to runne, to rant, to roare, + To alwaye spend and never spare, + I wott, an' it were the king himselfe, 15 + Of gold and fee he mote be bare. + + Soe fares the unthrifty lord of Linne + Till all his gold is gone and spent; + And he maun sell his landes so broad, + His house, and landes, and all his rent. 20 + + His father had a keen stewàrde, + And John o' the Scales was called hee: + But John is become a gentel-man, + And John has gott both gold and fee. + + Sayes, "Welcome, welcome, Lord of Linne, 25 + Let nought disturb thy merry cheere; + Iff thou wilt sell thy landes soe broad, + Good store of gold Ile give thee heere." + + "My gold is gone, my money is spent; + My lande nowe take it unto thee: 30 + Give me the golde, good John o' the Scales, + And thine for aye my lande shall bee." + + Then John he did him to record draw, + And John he cast him a gods-pennie;[L34] + But for every pounde that John agreed, 35 + The lande, i-wis, was well worth three. + + He told him the gold upon the borde, + He was right glad his land to winne; + "The gold is thine, the land is mine, + And now Ile be the lord of Linne." 40 + + Thus he hath sold his land soe broad, + Both hill and holt, and moore and fenne, + All but a poore and lonesome lodge, + That stood far off in a lonely glenne. + + For soe he to his father hight. 45 + "My sonne, when I am gonne," sayd hee, + "Then thou wilt spend thy lande so broad, + And thou wilt spend thy gold so free. + + "But sweare me nowe upon the roode, + That lonesome lodge thou'lt never spend; 50 + For when all the world doth frown on thee, + Thou there shalt find a faithful friend." + + The heire of Linne is full of golde: + "And come with me, my friends," sayd hee, + "Let's drinke, and rant, and merry make, 55 + And he that spares, ne'er mote he thee." + + They ranted, drank, and merry made, + Till all his gold it waxed thinne; + And then his friendes they slunk away; + They left the unthrifty heire of Linne. 60 + + He had never a penny left in his purse, + Never a penny left but three, + And one was brass, another was lead, + And another it was white monèy. + + "Nowe well-aday," sayd the heire of Linne, 65 + "Nowe well-aday, and woe is mee, + For when I was the lord of Linne, + I never wanted gold nor fee. + + "But many a trustye friend have I, + And why shold I feel dole or care? 70 + Ile borrow of them all by turnes, + Soe need I not be never bare." + + But one, i-wis, was not at home; + Another had payd his gold away; + Another call'd him thriftless loone, 75 + And bade him sharpely wend his way. + + "Now well-aday," sayd the heire of Linne, + "Now well-aday, and woe is me; + For when I had my landes so broad, + On me they liv'd right merrilee. 80 + + "To beg my bread from door to door, + I-wis, it were a brenning shame; + To rob and steal it were a sinne; + To worke, my limbs I cannot frame. + + "Now Ile away to [the] lonesome lodge, 85 + For there my father bade me wend: + When all the world should frown on mee + I there shold find a trusty friend." + +34. i. e. earnest-money; from the French _denier à Dieu_. At this day, +when application is made to the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle to accept +an exchange of the tenant under one of their leases, a piece of silver +is presented, by the new tenant, which is still called a God's-penny. +PERCY. + + +PART THE SECOND. + + Away then hyed the heire of Linne, + Oer hill and holt, and moor and fenne, + Untill he came to [the] lonesome lodge, + That stood so lowe in a lonely glenne. + + He looked up, he looked downe, 5 + In hope some comfort for to winne; + But bare and lothly were the walles; + "Here's sorry cheare," quo' the heire of Linne. + + The little windowe, dim and darke, + Was hung with ivy, brere, and yewe; 10 + No shimmering sunn here ever shone, + No halesome breeze here ever blew. + + No chair, ne table he mote spye, + No chearful hearth, ne welcome bed, + Nought save a rope with renning noose, 15 + That dangling hung up o'er his head. + + And over it in broad lettèrs, + These words were written so plain to see: + "Ah! gracelesse wretch, hast spent thine all, + And brought thyselfe to penurie? 20 + + "All this my boding mind misgave, + I therefore left this trusty friend: + Let it now sheeld thy foule disgrace, + And all thy shame and sorrows end." + + Sorely shent wi' this rebuke, 25 + Sorely shent was the heire of Linne; + His heart, i-wis, was near to-brast + With guilt and sorrowe, shame and sinne. + + Never a word spake the heire of Linne, + Never a word he spake but three: 30 + "This is a trusty friend indeed, + And is right welcome unto mee." + + Then round his necke the corde he drewe, + And sprang aloft with his bodìe, + When lo! the ceiling burst in twaine, 35 + And to the ground come tumbling hee. + + Astonyed lay the heire of Linne, + Ne knewe if he were live or dead: + At length he looked, and sawe a bille, + And in it a key of gold so redd. 40 + + He took the bill, and lookt it on, + Strait good comfort found he there: + Itt told him of a hole in the wall, + In which there stood three chests in-fere. + + Two were full of the beaten golde, 45 + The third was full of white monèy; + And over them in broad lettèrs + These words were written so plaine to see. + + "Once more, my sonne, I sette thee clere; + Amend thy life and follies past; 50 + For but thou amend thee of thy life, + That rope must be thy end at last." + + "And let it bee," sayd the heire of Linne, + "And let it bee, but if I amend: + For here I will make mine avow, 55 + This reade shall guide me to the end." + + Away then went with a merry cheare, + Away then went the heire of Linne; + I-wis, he neither ceas'd ne blanne, + Till John o' the Scales house he did winne. 60 + + And when he came to John o' the Scales, + Upp at the speere then looked hee; + There sate three lords upon a rowe, + Were drinking of the wine so free. + + And John himselfe sate at the bord-head, 65 + Because now lord of Linne was hee; + "I pray thee," he said, "good John o' the Scales, + "One forty pence for to lend mee." + + "Away, away, thou thriftless loone; + Away, away, this may not bee: 70 + For Christs curse on my head," he sayd, + "If ever I trust thee one pennie." + + Then bespake the heire of Linne, + To John o' the Scales wife then spake he: + "Madame, some almes on me bestowe, 75 + I pray for sweet saint Charitie." + + "Away, away, thou thriftless loone, + I sweare thou gettest no almes of mee; + For if we should hang any losel heere, + The first we wold begin with thee." 80 + + Then bespake a good fellòwe, + Which sat at John o' the Scales his bord; + Sayd, "Turn againe, thou heir of Linne; + Some time thou wast a well good lord. + + "Some time a good fellow thou hast been, 85 + And sparedst not thy gold and fee; + Therefore Ile lend thee forty pence, + And other forty if need bee. + + "And ever I pray thee, John o' the Scales, + To let him sit in thy companie: 90 + For well I wot thou hadst his land, + And a good bargain it was to thee." + + Up then spake him John o' the Scales, + All wood he answer'd him againe: + "Now Christs curse on my head," he sayd, 95 + "But I did lose by that bargàine. + + "And here I proffer thee, heire of Linne, + Before these lords so faire and free, + Thou shalt have it backe again better cheape + By a hundred markes than I had it of thee." + + "I drawe you to record, lords," he said, 100 + With that he cast him a gods-pennie: + "Now by my fay," sayd the heire of Linne, + "And here, good John, is thy monèy." + + And he pull'd forth three bagges of gold, 105 + And layd them down upon the bord; + All woe begone was John o' the Scales, + Soe shent he cold say never a word. + + He told him forth the good red gold. + He told it forth [with] mickle dinne. 110 + "The gold is thine, the land is mine, + And now Ime againe the lord of Linne." + + Sayes, "Have thou here, thou good fellòwe, + Forty pence thou didst lend mee: + Now I am againe the lord of Linne, 115 + And forty pounds I will give thee. + + "Ile make thee keeper of my forrest, + Both of the wild deere and the tame; + For but I reward thy bounteous heart, + I-wis, good fellowe, I were to blame." 120 + + "Now welladay!" sayth Joan o' the Scales; + "Now welladay, and woe is my life! + Yesterday I was lady of Linne, + Now Ime but John o' the Scales his wife." + + "Now fare thee well," sayd the heire of Linne, 125 + "Farewell now, John o' the Scales," said hee: + "Christs curse light on mee, if ever again + I bring my lands in jeopardy." + + + + +THE HEIR OF LINNE. + + From _Scottish Traditional Versions of Ancient Ballads_, p. 30, + Percy Society, vol. xvii. + + + The bonny heir, and the weel-faur'd heir, + And the wearie heir o' Linne, + Yonder he stands at his father's yetts, + An naebody bids him come in. + + O see for he gangs, an' see for he stands, 5 + The wearie heir o' Linne; + O see for he stands on the cauld casey, + And nae an' bids him come in. + + But if he had been his father's heir, + Or yet the heir o' Linne, 10 + He wou'dna stand on the cauld casey, + Some an' wad taen him in. + + "Sing ower again that sang, nourice, + The sang ye sang just noo;" + "I never sang a sang i' my life, 15 + But I wad sing ower to you." + + O see for he gangs, an' see for he stands, + The wearie heir o' Linne; + O see for he stands on the cauld casey, + An' nae an' bids him come in. 20 + + But if he had been his father's heir, + Or yet the heir o' Linne, + He wadna stand on the cauld casye, + Some ane wad taen him in. + + When his father's lands a sellin' were, 25 + His claise lay weel in fauld, + But now he wanders on the shore, + Baith hungry, weet, and cauld. + + As Willie he gaed down the toun, + The gentlemen were drinkin'; 30 + Some bade gie Willie a glass, a glass, + And some bade him gae nane; + Some bade gie Willie a glass, a glass, + The weary heir o' Linne. + + As Willie he cam' up the toun, 35 + The fishers were a sittin'; + Some bade gie Willie a fish, a fish, + Some bade gie him a fin; + Some bade gie him a fish, a fish, + And lat the palmer gang. 40 + + He turned him richt and roun' about, + As will as a woman's son, + And taen his cane into his hand, + And on his way to Linne. + + His nourice at her window look'd, 45 + Beholding dale and doun, + And she beheld this distress'd young man + Come walkin' to the town. + + "Come here, come here, Willie," she said, + "And set yoursel' wi me; 50 + I hae seen you i' better days, + And in jovial companie." + + "Gie me a sheave o' your bread, nourice, + And a bottle o' your wine, + And I'll pay you it a' ower again, 55 + When I'm the laird o' Linne." + + "Ye'se got a sheave o' my bread, Willie, + "And a bottle o' my wine,[L58] + An' ye'll pay me when the seas gang dry, + But ye'll ne'er be heir o' Linne." 60 + + Then he turn'd him richt and roun' about, + As will as woman's son; + And aff he set, and bent his way, + And straightway came to Linne. + + But when he cam to that castle, 65 + They were set doun to dine; + A score o' nobles there he saw, + Sat drinkin' at the wine. + + Then some bad' gie him beef, the beef, + And some bad' gie him the bane; 70 + And some bad' gie him naething at a', + But lat the palmer gang. + + Then out it speaks the new come laird, + A saucie word spak' hee; + "Put roun' the cup, gie my rival a sup, 75 + Lat him fare on his way." + + Then out it speaks Sir Ned Magnew, + Ane o' young Willie's kin; + "This youth was ance a sprightlie boy + As ever lived in Linne." 80 + + He turned him richt and roun' about, + As will as woman's son; + Then minded him on a little wee key, + That his mither left to him. + + His mither left him this little wee key 85 + A little before she deed; + And bad him keep this little wee key + Till he was in maist need. + + Then forth he went, an' these nobles left, + A' drinkin' in the room; 90 + Wi' walkin' rod intill his hand, + He walked the castle roun'. + + There he found out a little door, + For there the wee key slippit in, + An' there he got as muckle red gowd 95 + As freed the lands o' Linne. + + Back through the nobles then he went, + A saucie man was then; + "I'll tak' the cup frae this new-come laird, + For he ne'er bad me sit doun." 100 + + Then out it speaks the new-come laird, + He spak' wi' mock an' jeer; + "I'd gie a seat to the laird o' Linne, + Sae be that he were here. + + "When the lands o' Linne a sellin' were, 105 + A' men said they were free; + This lad shall hae them frae me this day, + If he'll gie the third pennie." + + "I tak' ye witness, nobles a', + Gude witnesses ye'll be; 110 + I'm promis'd the lands o' Linne this day, + If I gie the third pennie." + + "Ye've taen us witnesses, Willie," they said, + "Gude witnesses we'll be; + Buy the lands o' Linne who likes, 115 + They'll ne'er be bought by thee." + + He's done him to a gamin' table, + For it stood fair and clean; + There he tauld doun as much rich gowd + As freed the lands o' Linne. 120 + + Thus having done, he turn'd about, + A saucie man was he; + "Tak' up your monie, my lad," he says, + "Tak' up your third pennie. + + "Aft hae I gane wi' barefeet cauld, 125 + Likewise wi' legs fu' bare, + And mony day walk'd at these yetts + Wi' muckle dool an' care. + + "But now my sorrow's past and gane, + And joy's returned to me; 130 + And here I've gowd enough forbye, + Ahin this third pennie." + + As Willie he gaed doun the toun, + There he craw'd wonderous crouse; + He ca'd the may afore them a', 135 + The nourice o' the house. + + "Come here, come here, my nurse," he says, + "I'll pay your bread and wine; + Seas ebb and flow as they wont to do, + Yet I'm the laird o' Linne." 140 + + An' he gaed up the Gallowgate port, + His hose aboon his shoon; + But lang ere he cam down again + Was convoyed by lords fifteen. + +58. your wine. + + + + +THE WANDERING JEW. + + +In the year 1228, we are informed by Matthew Paris, an Armenian +archbishop visited England, with letters from the Pope, to make the tour +of the holy places. During a sojourn at the monastery of St. Albans, he +was asked by one of the brethren if he knew anything of the famous +Joseph, so much spoken of, who had been present at the crucifixion, and +was still living as a witness to the truth of the Christian faith. The +archbishop responded that the fact was indeed as reported, and one of +his retinue added, that his master had personally known this +extraordinary character, and had admitted him to his table only a short +time before setting out for the West; that he had been porter to Pontius +Pilate, and was named Cartaphilus; that when the Jews were dragging +Christ from the judgment-hall, he had struck him in the back with his +fist, saying, "Go faster, Jesus: why dost thou tarry?"--whereupon Christ +turned to him and said, "I go, but thou shalt tarry till my coming." +After the death of Jesus, Cartaphilus had been converted, and baptized +by Ananias, under the name of Joseph. Still the sentence pronounced upon +him by the Saviour was not revoked, and he remained in the world, +awaiting the Lord's second advent, living in Armenia, or some other +country of the East. Whenever he reached the age of a hundred, he fell +into a trance, and when he revived, found himself again about thirty +years old, as he had been at the epoch of Christ's suffering. + +This story Matthew Paris heard at St. Albans, of which monastery he was +himself a brother, a few years after the memorable visit of the Armenian +prelate. His contemporary, Philippe Mouskes, Bishop of Tournay, has +incorporated the substance of his narrative into his rhymed chronicle, +edited by the Baron de Reiffenberg, v. 25524, et seq. We hear nothing +more of the Wandering Jew from this time until the middle of the 16th +century, when he presents himself at Hamburgh, (in 1547,) calling +himself Ahasuerus, who had been a shoemaker at Jerusalem. The ballad +which follows is founded upon some narrative of this event, many of +which were published. It will be noticed that in the second form of the +legend, the punishment of perpetual existence, which gives rise to the +old names, _Judæus non mortalis_, _Ewiger Jude_, is aggravated by a +condemnation to incessant change of place, which is indicated by a +corresponding name, _Wandering Jew_, _Juif Errant_, etc. + +It is unnecessary, and would be impossible, to specify the various times +and places at which the Wandering Jew has successively reappeared. The +legend being firmly believed by the vulgar throughout Christendom, an +opportunity for imposture was afforded which could not fail to be +improved. The last recorded apparition was at Brussels, in April, 1774, +and on this occasion the wanderer had again changed his name to Isaac +Laquedem. Of the origin of the tradition we know nothing. M. Lacroix has +suggested that it took its rise in a grand and beautiful allegory in +which the Hebrew race were personified under the figure of the +Everlasting Wanderer. See Calmet's _Bible Dictionary_, Grässe, _Die Sage +vom Ewigen Juden_, Dresden and Leipsic, 1844, Paul Lacroix's +Bibliographical Preface to Doré's Designs, _La Légende du Juif Errant, +etc._ Paris, 1856. + +This ballad is taken from Percy's _Reliques_, ii. 317, and was from a +black-letter copy in the Pepys collection. + + When as in faire Jerusalem + Our Saviour Christ did live, + And for the sins of all the worlde + His own deare life did give, + The wicked Jewes with scoffes and scornes 5 + Did dailye him molest, + That never till he left his life, + Our Saviour could not rest. + + When they had crown'd his head with thornes, + And scourg'd him to disgrace, 10 + In scornfull sort they led him forthe + Unto his dying place, + Where thousand thousands in the streete + Beheld him passe along, + Yet not one gentle heart was there, 15 + That pityed this his wrong. + + Both old and young reviled him, + As in the streete he wente, + And nought he found but churlish tauntes, + By every ones consente: 20 + His owne deare cross he bore himselfe, + A burthen far too great, + Which made him in the streete to fainte, + With blood and water sweat. + + Being weary thus, he sought for rest, 25 + To ease his burthened soule, + Upon a stone; the which a wretch + Did churlishly controule; + And sayd, "Awaye, thou King of Jewes, + Thou shalt not rest thee here; 30 + Pass on; thy execution place + Thou seest nowe draweth neare." + + And thereupon he thrust him thence; + At which our Saviour sayd, + "I sure will rest, but thou shalt walke, 35 + And have no journey stayed." + With that this cursed shoemaker, + For offering Christ this wrong, + Left wife and children, house and all, + And went from thence along. 40 + + Where after he had seene the bloude + Of Jesus Christ thus shed, + And to the crosse his bodye nail'd, + Awaye with speed he fled, + Without returning backe againe 45 + Unto his dwelling place, + And wandred up and downe the worlde, + A runnagate most base. + + No resting could he finde at all, + No ease, nor hearts content; 50 + No house, nor home, nor biding place; + But wandring forth he went + From towne to towne in foreigne landes, + With grieved conscience still, + Repenting for the heinous guilt 55 + Of his fore-passed ill. + + Thus after some fewe ages past + In wandring up and downe, + He much again desired to see + Jerusalems renowne. 60 + But finding it all quite destroyd, + He wandred thence with woe, + Our Saviours wordes, which he had spoke, + To verifie and showe. + + "I'll rest," sayd hee, "but thou shalt walke;" 65 + So doth this wandring Jew, + From place to place, but cannot rest + For seeing countries newe; + Declaring still the power of him, + Whereas he comes or goes; 70 + And of all things done in the east, + Since Christ his death, he showes. + + The world he hath still compast round + And seene those nations strange, + That hearing of the name of Christ, 75 + Their idol gods doe change: + To whom he hath told wondrous thinges + Of time forepast and gone, + And to the princes of the worlde + Declares his cause of moane: 80 + + Desiring still to be dissolv'd, + And yeild his mortal breath; + But, if the Lord hath thus decreed, + He shall not yet see death. + For neither lookes he old nor young, 85 + But as he did those times, + When Christ did suffer on the crosse + For mortall sinners crimes. + + He hath past through many a foreigne place, + Arabia, Egypt, Africa, 90 + Grecia, Syria, and great Thrace, + And throughout all Hungaria: + Where Paul and Peter preached Christ, + Those blest apostles deare, + There he hath told our Saviours wordes, 95 + In countries far and neare. + + And lately in Bohemia, + With many a German towne, + And now in Flanders, as 'tis thought, + He wandreth up and downe: 100 + Where learned men with him conferre + Of those his lingering dayes, + And wonder much to heare him tell + His journeyes and his wayes. + + If people give this Jew an almes, 105 + The most that he will take + Is not above a groat a time: + Which he, for Jesus' sake, + Will kindlye give unto the poore, + And thereof make no spare, 110 + Affirming still that Jesus Christ + Of him hath dailye care. + + He ne'er was seene to laugh nor smile, + But weepe and make great moane; + Lamenting still his miseries, 115 + And dayes forepast and gone. + If he heare any one blaspheme, + Or take God's name in vaine, + He telles them that they crucifie + Their Saviour Christe againe. 120 + + "If you had seene his death," saith he, + "As these mine eyes have done, + Ten thousand thousand times would yee + His torments think upon, + And suffer for his sake all paine 125 + Of torments, and all woes:" + These are his wordes, and eke his life, + Whereas he comes or goes. + + + + +PROUD LADY MARGARET. + + +From _Minstrelsy of the Scotish Border_, iii. 32. This copy of the +ballad is imperfect. A complete version is inserted in the Appendix from +Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, i. 91. There is another, +also defective, called _The Bonny Hind Squire_, in _Scottish Traditional +Versions of Ancient Ballads_, p. 42, Percy Soc. vol. xvii. + + 'Twas on a night, an evening bright, + When the dew began to fa', + Lady Margaret was walking up and down, + Looking o'er her castle wa'. + + She looked east, and she looked west, 5 + To see what she could spy, + When a gallant knight came in her sight, + And to the gate drew nigh. + + "You seem to be no gentleman, + You wear your boots so wide; 10 + But you seem to be some cunning hunter, + You wear the horn so syde." + + "I am no cunning hunter," he said, + "Nor ne'er intend to be; + But I am come to this castle 15 + To seek the love of thee; + And if you do not grant me love, + This night for thee I'll die." + + "If you should die for me, sir knight, + There's few for you will mane, 20 + For mony a better has died for me + Whose graves are growing green. + + "But ye maun read my riddle," she said, + "And answer me questions three; + And but ye read them right," she said, 25 + "Gae stretch ye out and die. + + "Now what is the flower, the ae first flower, + Springs either on moor or dale? + And what is the bird, the bonnie bonnie bird, + Sings on the evening gale?" 30 + + "The primrose is the ae first flower + Springs either on moor or dale; + And the thristlecock is the bonniest bird + Sings on the evening gale." + + "But what's the little coin," she said, 35 + "Wald buy my castle bound? + And what's the little boat," she said, + "Can sail the world all round?" + + "O hey, how mony small pennies + Make thrice three thousand pound? 40 + Or hey, how mony small fishes + Swim a' the salt sea round?" + + "I think ye maun be my match," she said, + "My match and something mair; + You are the first e'er got the grant 45 + Of love frae my father's heir. + + "My father was lord of nine castles, + My mother lady of three; + My father was lord of nine castles, + And there's nane to heir but me. 50 + + "And round about a' thae castles, + You may baith plow and saw, + And on the fifteenth day of May + The meadows they will maw." + + "O hald your tongue, Lady Margaret," he said, 55 + "For loud I hear you lie! + Your father was lord of nine castles, + Your mother was lady of three; + Your father was lord of nine castles, + But ye fa' heir to but three. 60 + + "And round about a' thae castles, + You may baith plow and saw, + But on the fifteenth day of May + The meadows will not maw. + + "I am your brother Willie," he said, 65 + "I trow ye ken na me; + I came to humble your haughty heart, + Has gar'd sae mony die." + + "If ye be my brother Willie," she said; + "As I trow weel ye be, 70 + This night I'll neither eat nor drink, + But gae alang wi' thee." + + "O hald your tongue, Lady Margaret," he said, + "Again I hear you lie; + For ye've unwashen hands, and ye've unwashen feet, 75 + To gae to clay wi' me.[L76] + + "For the wee worms are my bedfellows, + And cauld clay is my sheets, + And when the stormy winds do blow, + My body lies and sleeps." 80 + + + + +REEDISDALE AND WISE WILLIAM. + +MOTHERWELL's _Minstrelsy_, p. 298, and Buchan's _Ballads of the North of +Scotland_, ii. 70: from recitation. + + When Reedisdale and Wise William + Was drinking at the wine, + There fell a roosing them amang, + On one unruly time. + + For some of them has roosed their hawks, 5 + And other some their hounds; + And other some their ladies fair, + And their bow'rs whare they walk'd in. + + When out it spak him Reedisdale, + And a rash word spake he: 10 + Says, "There is not a lady fair, + In bower wherever she be, + But I could aye her favour win, + With one blink of my e'e." + + Then out it spak him Wise William, 15 + And a rash word spak he: + Says, "I have a sister of my own, + In bower wherever she be, + And ye will not her favour win, + With three blinks of your e'e." 20 + + "What will you wager, Wise William? + My lands I'll wad with thee:" + "I'll wad my head against your land, + Till I get more monie." + + Then Reedisdale took Wise William, 25 + Laid him in prison strang; + That he might neither gang nor ride, + Nor no word to her send. + + But he has written a braid letter, + Between the night and day, 30 + And sent it to his own sister, + By dun feather and gray. + + When she had read Wise William's letter, + She smiled and she leuch: + Said, "Very weel, my dear brother, 35 + Of this I have eneuch." + + She looked out at her west window, + To see what she could see, + And there she spied him Reedisdale, + Come riding o'er the lea. 40 + + Says, "Come to me, my maidens all, + Come hitherward to me; + For here it comes him Reedisdale, + Who comes a-courting me." + + "Come down, come down, my lady fair, 45 + A sight of you give me:" + "Go from my yetts now, Reedisdale, + For me you will not see." + + "Come down, come down, my lady fair, + A sight of you give me; 50 + And bonnie is the gowns of silk + That I will give to thee." + + "If you have bonnie gowns of silk, + O mine is bonnie tee; + Go from my yetts now, Reedisdale, 55 + For me you shall not see." + + "Come down, come down, my lady fair, + A sight of you I'll see; + And bonnie jewels, broaches, rings, + I will give unto thee." 60 + + "If you have bonnie broaches, rings, + O mine are bonnie tee; + Go from my yetts now, Reedisdale, + For me you shall not see." + + "Come down, come down, my lady fair, 65 + One sight of you I'll see; + And bonnie is the halls and bowers + That I will give to thee." + + "If you have bonnie halls and bowers, + O mine is bonnie tee; 70 + Go from my yetts now, Reedisdale, + For me you shall not see." + + "Come down, come down, my lady fair, + A sight of you I'll see; + And bonnie is my lands so broad 75 + That I will give to thee." + + "If you have bonnie lands so broad, + O mine is bonnie tee; + Go from my yetts now, Reedisdale, + For me you will not see." 80 + + "Come down, come down, my lady fair + A sight of you I'll see; + And bonnie is the bags of gold + That I will give to thee." + + "If you have bonnie bags of gold, 85 + I have bags of the same; + Go from my yetts now, Reedisdale, + For down I will not come." + + "Come down, come down, my lady fair, + One sight of you I'll see; 90 + Or else I'll set your house on fire, + If better cannot be." + + Then he has set the house on fire, + And all the rest it took; + He turned his wight horse head about, 95 + Said, "Alas! they'll ne'er get out." + + "Look out, look out, my maidens fair, + And see what I do see; + How Reedisdale has fired our house, + And now rides o'er the lea. 100 + + "Come hitherward, my maidens fair, + Come hither unto me; + For through this reek, and through this smeek, + O through it we must be." + + They took wet mantles them about, 105 + Their coffers by the band; + And through the reek, and through the flame, + Alive they all have wan. + + When they had got out through the fire, + And able all to stand, 110 + She sent a maid to Wise William, + To bruik Reedisdale's land. + + "Your lands is mine, now, Reedisdale, + For I have won them free:" + "If there is a good woman in the world, 115 + Your one sister is she." + +76. _Unwashen hands and unwashen feet._--Alluding to the custom of +washing and dressing dead bodies. S. + + + + +GEORDIE. + +From the _Musical Museum_, p. 357. + + +"Geordie, an old Ballad," was first printed in Johnson's _Museum_, from +a copy furnished by Burns. The occasion of the ballad has not been +satisfactorily determined. In the opinion of Mr. Kinloch, it is to be +found in the factions of the family of Huntly during the reign of Queen +Mary. George Gordon, Earl of Huntly, having been sent by the Queen to +apprehend a notorious robber, was thought not to have been faithful to +his trust. He returned without accomplishing the object of his +expedition, and was committed to prison because of his failure. Some of +the Queen's council were in favor of banishing him to France, others of +putting him to death, but he was released, on condition of paying a fine +and performing certain other stipulations. Motherwell states that there +is much variation in the recited copies of this piece, and mentions one +styled _Geordie Luklie_. Kinloch prints a version not materially +different from that of the _Museum_. Allan Cunningham has reprinted the +Museum copy with less change than is customary with him; _Songs of +Scotland_, ii. 186. We give in the Appendix a ballad from Buchan, called +_Gight's Lady_, which contains a story widely diverse from that which +follows. In Ritson's _Northumberland Garland_, p. 43, there is a +"lamentable ditty" on the death of one George Stoole, which appears to +be an imitation of the Scottish ballad. + + There was a battle in the north, + And nobles there was many, + And they hae kill'd Sir Charlie Hay, + And they laid the wyte on Geordie. + + O he has written a lang letter, 5 + He sent it to his lady; + "Ye maun cum up to Enbrugh town, + To see what word's o' Geordie." + + When first she look'd the letter on + She was baith red and rosy, 10 + But she had na read a word but twa, + Till she wallow't like a lily. + + "Gar get to me my gude grey steed, + My menzie a' gae wi' me, + For I shall neither eat nor drink, 15 + Till Enbrugh town shall see me." + + And she has mountit her gude grey steed + Her menzie a' gaed wi' her; + And she did neither eat nor drink, + Till Enbrugh town did see her.[L20] 20 + + And first appear'd the fatal block, + And syne the aix to head him, + And Geordie cumin down the stair, + And bands o' airn upon him. + + But tho' he was chain'd in fetters strang, 25 + O' airn and steel sae heavy, + There was na ane in a' the court, + Sae bra' a man as Geordie. + + O she's down on her bended knee, + I wat she's pale and weary,-- 30 + "O pardon, pardon, noble king, + And gie me back my dearie. + + "I hae born seven sons to my Geordie dear, + The seventh ne'er saw his daddie; + O pardon, pardon, noble king, 35 + Pity a waefu' lady!" + + "Gar bid the headin-man mak haste," + Our king reply'd fu' lordly;-- + "O noble king, tak a' that's mine, + But gie me back my Geordie." 40 + + The Gordons cam, and the Gordons ran, + And they were stark and steady; + And ay the word amang them a', + Was, "Gordons, keep you ready." + + An aged lord at the king's right hand, 45 + Says, "Noble king, but hear me; + Gar her tell down five thousand pound, + And gie her back her dearie." + + Some gae her marks, some gae her crowns, + Some gae her dollars many; 50 + And she's tell'd down five thousand pound, + And she's gotten again her dearie. + + She blinkit blythe in her Geordie's face, + Says, "Dear I've bought thee, Geordie; + But there sud been bluidy bouks on the green, 55 + Or I had tint my laddie." + + He claspit her by the middle sma', + And he kist her lips sae rosy; + "The fairest flower o' woman-kind, + Is my sweet, bonnie lady!" 60 + +20. Cunningham here inserts a stanza "from the recitation of Mrs. +Cunningham," which is not in the other printed copies: + + And soon she came to the water broad, + Nor boat nor barge was ready; + She turned her horse's head to the flood, + And swam through at Queensferry. + + + + +GEORDIE. + +Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 192. + + + There was a battle in the North, + And rebels there were monie; + And monie ane got broken heads, + And taken was my Geordie. + + _My Geordie O, my Geordie O,_ 5 + _O the love I bear to Geordie;_ + _For the very grund I walk upon,_ + _Bears witness I loe Geordie._ + + As she gaed up the tolbooth stair, + The cripples there stood monie; 10 + And she dealt the red gowd them among, + To pray for her love Geordie. + + And whan she cam into the hall, + The nobles there stood monie; + And ilka ane stood hat on head, 15 + But hat in hand stood Geordie. + + Up bespak a Norlan lord, + I wat he spak na bonnie,-- + "If ye'll stay here a little while, + Ye'll see Geordie hangit shortly." 20 + + Then up bespak a baron bold, + And O but he spak bonnie,-- + "If ye'll pay doun five hundred crowns, + Ye'se get your true-love Geordie." + + Some lent her guineas, some lent her crowns, 25 + Some lent her shillings monie; + And she's paid doun five hundred crowns, + And she's gotten her bonnie love Geordie. + + When she was mounted on her hie steed, + And on ahint her Geordie, 30 + Nae bird on the brier e'er sang sae clear, + As the young knight and his ladie. + + _"My Geordie O, my Geordie O,_ + _O the love I bear to Geordie;_ + _The very stars in the firmament_ 35 + _Bear tokens I loe Geordie."_ + + + + +THE GABERLUNZIE-MAN. + + Tea-Table Miscellany, i. 104; _Old Ballads_, iii. 259. + +It is tradition that King James the Fifth of Scotland was in the habit +of wandering about his dominions in disguise, and engaging in amours +with country girls. One of these is thought to be described in the witty +ballad of _The Jolly Beggar_, (Herd's _Scotish Songs_, ii. 164, Ritson's +_Scotish Songs_, i. 168,) and another in _The Gaberlunzie-Man_, both of +which are universally attributed (though without evidence) to James's +pen. The character of James V., it has been remarked (_Gent. Mag._ Oct. +1794, p. 913,) resembled both in licentiousness and genius, that of the +troubadour sovereign, William the Ninth, Count of Poitiers, who appears +to have had the same vagrant habits. + +With _The Jolly Beggar_ may be compared _Der Bettelmann_, in Hoffmann's +_Schlesische Volkslieder_, p. 45. + + The pawky auld carle came o'er the lee, + Wi' many goode'ens and days to me, + Saying, "Goodwife, for your courtesie, + "Will you lodge a silly poor man?" + The night was cauld, the carle was wat, 5 + And down ayont the ingle he sat; + My daughters shoulders he gan to clap, + And cadgily ranted and sang. + + "O wow!" quo' he, "were I as free, + As first when I saw this country, 10 + How blyth and merry wad I be, + And I wad never think lang." + He grew canty, and she grew fain, + But little did her auld minny ken, + What thir slee twa togither were say'ng, 15 + When wooing they were sae thrang. + + "And O!" quo' he, "ann ye were as black, + As e'er the crown of my dady's hat, + 'Tis I wad lay thee by my back, + And awa' wi' me thou shou'd gang." 20 + "And O!" quo' she, "ann I were as white, + As e'er the snaw lay on the dyke, + I'd clead me braw, and lady-like, + And awa with thee I'd gang." + + Between the twa was made a plot; 25 + They raise a wee before the cock, + And wilily they shot the lock, + And fast to the bent are they gane. + Up the morn the auld wife raise, + And at her leisure pat on her claise; 30 + Syne to the servant's bed she gaes, + To speer for the silly poor man. + + She gaed to the bed where the beggar lay, + The strae was cauld, he was away; + She clapt her hands, cry'd "Waladay! 35 + For some of our gear will be gane." + Some ran to coffers, and some to kists, + But nought was stown that cou'd be mist: + She danc'd her lane, cry'd, "Praise be blest! + I have lodg'd a leal poor man. 40 + + "Since nathing's awa', as we can learn, + The kirn's to kirn, and milk to earn; + Gae butt the house, lass, and waken my bairn, + And bid her come quickly ben." + The servant gade where the daughter lay, 45 + The sheets was cauld, she was away; + And fast to her goodwife can say, + "She's aff with the gaberlunzie-man." + + "O fy gar ride, and fy gar rin, + And haste ye, find these traytors again; 50 + For she's be burnt, and he's be slain, + The wearifu' gaberlunzie-man." + Some rade upo' horse, some ran a-fit, + The wife was wood, and out o' her wit; + She cou'd na gang, nor yet cou'd she sit, 55 + But ay she curs'd and she ban'd. + + Mean time far hind out o'er the lee, + Fu' snug in a glen, where nane cou'd see, + The twa, with kindly sport and glee, + Cut frae a new cheese a whang. 60 + The priving was good, it pleas'd them baith; + To lo'e her for aye he gae her his aith; + Quo' she, "To leave thee, I will be laith, + My winsome gaberlunzie-man. + + "O kend my minny I were wi' you, 65 + Illfardly wad she crook her mou; + Sic a poor man she'd never trow, + After the gaberlunzie-man." + "My dear," quo' he, "ye're yet o'er young, + And ha' na lear'd the beggars tongue, 70 + To follow me frae town to town, + And carry the gaberlunzie on. + + "Wi' cauk and keel, I'll win your bread, + And spindles and whorles for them wha need, + Whilk is a gentil trade indeed, 75 + To carry the gaberlunzie, O. + I'll bow my leg, and crook my knee, + And draw a black clout o'er my eye; + A cripple or blind they will ca' me, + While we shall be merry and sing." + + + + +THE TURNAMENT OF TOTENHAM. + + +_The Turnament of Totenham_ was first printed in the _History of +Totenham_, (1631,) by the Rev. Wilhelm Bedwell, rector of the parish, +who, says Percy, "so little entered into the spirit of the poem he was +publishing, that he contends for its being a serious narrative of a real +event, and thinks it must have been written before the time of Edward +III., because turnaments were prohibited in that reign." The simple +parson derived his copy from a manuscript lent him by George Withers. +In the first edition of the _Reliques_, Percy reprinted Bedwell's text, +with some conjectural emendations, but for the revised edition he +employed a manuscript in the Harleian collection (No. 5396), pointed out +to him by Tyrwhitt. This manuscript is thought to have been written in +the reign of Henry VI. Since the publication of the Harleian text, the +manuscript used by Bedwell has been found in the Public Library of the +University of Cambridge, (Ff. 5, 48,) and a correct copy published by +Mr. Wright in a miniature volume. We have given this last text, as on +the whole the best, though in places it requires emendation from the +Harleian copy. The Cambridge manuscript (the same as that which contains +the ballad of _Robin Hood and the Monk_,) Mr. Wright believes to have +been written as early as the reign of Edward II. In this MS. there is +subjoined to the _Turnament_ an extravagantly burlesque account of the +feast mentioned in the last stanzas. + +Percy's copy will be found in the _Reliques_, ii. 13. Ritson's (_Ancient +English Songs_, i. 85,) is nearly identical. + +This ballad, it has been observed, appears to be "a burlesque upon the +old feudal custom of marrying an heiress to the knight who should +vanquish all his opponents, at a solemn assembly holden for that +purpose." See the remarks in the _Gentleman's Magazine_ for July, 1794, +p. 613. + + Of alle these kene conqueroures to carpe is oure kynde; + Off fel feghtyng folke ferly we fynde; + The turnament of Totenham have I in mynde; + Hit were harme sich hardynesse were holdyn behynde, + In story as we rede 5 + Off Hawkyn, of Harry, + Off Tymkyn, of Tyrry, + Off thaym that were duzty + And hardy in dede. + + Hit befel in Totenham on a dere day, 10 + Ther was made a shurtyng be the hye way; + Thider come alle the men of that contray, + Off Hisselton, of Hygate, and of Hakenay, + And alle the swete swynkers: + Ther hoppyd Hawkyn, 15 + Ther dawnsid Dawkyn, + Ther trumpyd Tymkyn, + And [all] were true drynkers.[L18] + + Tille the day was gon and evesong paste, + That thai shulde reckyn thaire skot and thaire counts caste: 20 + Perkyn the potter in to the prees paste, + And seid, "Rondill the refe, a dozter thu haste, + Tibbe thi dere. + Therfor fayne wete wolde I,[L24-27] + Whether these felows or I, 25 + Or which of alle this bachelery, + Were the best worthy to wed hir to his fere." + + Upsterte the gadlyngs with thaire lang staves, + And seid, "Rondyll the refe, lo, this lad raves; + How prudly among us thy dozter he craves; 30 + And we ar richer men then he, and more gode haves, + Off catell and of corne." + Then seid Perkyn, "To Tibbe I have hyzt, + That I will be alle wey redy in my rizt, + With a fleyle for to fyght, this day seven nyzt,[L35-36] 35 + And thouz hit were to morne."[L36] + + Then seid Rondill the refe, "Ever be he waryd + That aboute this carpyng lenger wolde be taryd: + I wolde not my dozter that she were myskaryd, + But at hir moost worship I wolde she were maryd. 40 + [Ther]ffor the turnament shalle begynne[L41] + This day seven nyzt, + With a flayle for to fyzt: + And he that is moste of myzt + Shalle brok hir with wynne. 45 + + "He that berys hym best in the turnament, + Him shal be grauntid the gre be the comyn assent,[L47] + Ffor to wynne my dozter with duztynesse of dent, + And Coppull, my brode hen, that was brozt out of Kent, + And my donned cow. 50 + Ffor no spence will I spare, + Ffor no catell wille I care; + He shalle have my gray mare, + And my spottyd sowe." + + Ther was mony a bolde lad theire bodys to bede: 55 + Than thei toke theire leve and hamwarde thei zede, + And alle the weke afterward thei graythed her wede, + Tille hit come to the day that thei shulde do thaire dede. + Thei armyd theym in mattes, + Thei sett on theire nolles 60 + Gode blake bolles, + Ffor to kepe theire pollis + Ffor batteryng of battes. + + Thei sewed hem in schepe skynnes, for thei shuld not brest, + And everilkon of hem a blac hatte in stidde of a crest,[L65] 65 + A baskett or a panyer before on thaire brest, + And a flayle in theire honde; for to fyzt prest, + Forth con thei fare. + Ther was kid mycull fors, + Who shulde best fend his cors; 70 + He that hade no gode hors, + Borowyd hym a mare.[L72] + + Sich another clothyng have I not sene ofte,[L73] + When alle the gret cumpany come ridand to the crofte; + Tibbe on a gray mare was sett up on lofte; 75 + Upon a secke full of senvye, for she shuld sitt softe, + And ledde tille the gappe: + Fforther wold she not than,[L78-81] + For the luf of no man, + Tille Coppull, hir brode hen, 80 + Were brozt in to hir lappe. + + A gay gyrdull Tibbe hade [on], borowed for the nones,[L82] + And a garland on hir hed, full of ruell bones, + And a broch on hir brest, full of saphre stones, + The holy rode tokynyng was writon for the nones:[L85] 85 + For no spendyng they [had] spare[d].[L86] + When joly Jeynken wist hir thare, + He gurde so fast his gray mare, + That she lete a fowkyn fare + At the rerewarde. 90 + + "I make a vow," quod Tibbe, "Coppull is comyn of kynde;[L91-99] + I shalle falle fyve in the felde, and I my flayle fynde." + "I make a vow," quod Hudde, "I shalle not leve behynde; + May I mete with Lyarde, or Bayarde the blynde, + I wot I schalle theym greve." 95 + "I make a vow," quod Haukyn, + "May I mete with Daukyn, + Ffor alle his rich kyn, + His flayle I shalle hym reve." + + "I make a vow," quod Gregge, "Tib, [son] thu shal se 100 + Which of alle the bachelery grauntid is the gre. + I shalle skomfet hem alle, for the luf of thé, + In what place that I come, thei shall have dout of me. + Ffor I am armyd at the fole;[L104-108] + In myn armys I ber well 105 + A doz troz and a pele, + A sadull withowt panele, + With a flece of wole." + + "Now go down," quod Dudman, "and bere me bet abowte:[L109-117] + I make a vow thei shall abye that I fynde owte. 110 + Have I twyse or thrise riden thruz the rowte, + In what place that I come, of me thei shall ha[ve] doute. + Myn armys bene so clere: + I bar a ridell and a rake, + Poudurt with the brenyng drake, 115 + And thre cantels of a cake + In ilke a cornere." + + "I make a vow," quod Tirry, "and swere be my crede, + Saw thu never yong boy forther his body bede: + Ffor when thei fyzt fastest, and most er in drede, 120 + I shalle take Tib be the hond and away hir lede. + Then byn myn armys best:[L122-126] + I ber a pilch of ermyn, + Poudert with a catt skyn; + The chefe is of pechmyn, 125 + That stondis on the creste." + + "I make a vow," quod Dudman, "and swere be the stra, + Whils me ys left my mer, thu gets hir not swa.[L128] + For she is wel shapyn, as lizt as a ra; + Ther is no capull in this myle before her will ga. 130 + She wil me not begyle; + I dar sothely say,[L132-3] + She will be[re me] on Monday + Ffro Hissiltoun to Haknay, + Nozt other halfe myle." 135 + + "I make a vow," quod Perkyn, "thu carpis of cold rost. + I wil wyrke wiselier without any boost. + Ffyve of the best capuls that ar in this host, + I will hem lede away be another coost:" + And then lowz Tibbe. 140 + "Weloo, boyes, here is he[L141] + That will fyzt and not fle: + Ffor I am in my jolyté: + I go forth, Tibbe."[L144] + + When thai had thaire othes made, forth can thei hie,[L145] 145 + With flayles and harnys and trumpis made of tre. + Ther were all the bachilers of that contre: + Thei were dizt in aray, as thaim self wolde be. + Theire baner was ful bryzt, + Off an olde raton fell;[L150-151] 150 + The chefe was of a ploo-mell, + And the schadow of a bell, + Quarterd with the mone lizt.[L153] + + I wot it was no childer gamme when thei to geder mett, + When ilke a freke in the felde on his felow bette, 155 + And leid on stifly--for no thyng wold thei lett-- + And fozt ferly fast, til theyre hors swett. + And few wordis were spokyn. + Ther were flayles al to-flaterde,[L159-161] + Ther were scheldis al to-claterde, 160 + Bolles and disshis al to-baterde, + And mony hedis ther were brokyn. + + Ther was clenkyng of cart sadils, and clatering of cannes; + Off fel frekis in the feeld brokyn were thaire fannes; + Off sum were the hedis brokyn, of sum the brayn pannes, 165 + And evel were they besene er they went thannes, + With swippyng of swipylles. + The laddis were so wery forfozt, + That thai myzt fyzt no more on loft, + But creppid aboute in the crofte, 170 + As thei were crokid crypils. + + Perkyn was so wery that he began to lowte: + "Helpe, Hudde, I am ded in this ilke rowte; + An hors, for forty penys, a gode and a stoute, + That I may liztly cum of my [noye] owte.[L175] 175 + Ffor no cost wil I spare." + He stert up as a snayle, + And hent a capull be the tayle, + And rauzt of Daukyn his flayle, + And wan hym a mare. 180 + + "Perkyn wan fyve, and Hudde wan twa. + Glad and blith thai were that thei had don sa; + Thai wolde have thaim to Tibbe, and present hir with tha; + The capuls were so wery that thei myzt not ga, + But stille can thei stonde. 185 + "Alas!" quod Hud, "my joye I lese: + Me had lever then a ston of chese + That dere Tibbe had alle these, + And wist hit were my sonde." + + Perkyn turnyd hym aboute in that ilke throng; 190 + He fouzt fresshly, for he had rest hym long.[L191-194] + He was war of Tirry take Tib be the hond, + And wold have lad hir away with a luf-song; + And Perkyn after ran, + And of his capull he hym drowe, 195 + And gaf hym of his flayle inowe. + Then "Te he," quod Tib, and lowe: + "Ze ar a duzty man." + + Thus thai tuggat and thei ruggat, til hit was ny nyzt. + Alle the wyves of Totenham come to se that sizt, 200 + To fech home thaire husbondis that were thaym trouthe-plizt,[L201-207] + With wispys and kexis, that was a rich lizt, + Her husbondis home to fech. + And sum they had in armys, + That were febull wreches, 205 + And sum on whelebarowes, + And sum on criches. + + They gedurt Perkyn aboute on every side, + And graunt hym ther the gre, the more was his pride. + Tib and he with gret myrth hamward can ride, 210 + And were al nyzt togedur til the morow tide. + And to chirch thay went.[L212] + So wel his nedis he hase spedde, + That dere Tibbe he shall wedde; + The chefe men that hir thider ledde[L215] 215 + Were of the turnament. + + To that rich fest come mony for the nonys; + Sum come hiphalt, and sum trippande thither on the stonys; + Sum with a staffe in his honde, and sum too at onys; + Of sum were the hedis brokyn, of sum the schulder bonys. 220 + With sorow come they thidur. + Woo was Hawkyn, wo was Harry, + Woo was Tomkyn, woo was Tirry, + And so was al the company,[L224-225] + But zet thei come togeder. 225 + + At that fest were thei servyd in a rich aray:[L226] + Every fyve and fyve had a cokeney. + And so they sate in jolite al the long daye; + Tibbe at nyzt, I trow, hade a sympull aray.[L229] + Micull myrth was thaym among: 230 + In every corner of the howse + Was melodye deliciouse, + Ffor to here preciouse, + Off six mennys song. + +18. _sic_ MS. Harl. according to Percy. + +24-27. MS. Harl. + + Therfor faine wyt wold I, + Whych of all thys bachelery + Were best worthye + To wed hur to hys fere. + +v. 27 should be divided into two. + +35-36. MS. Harl. + + If that it schuld be thys day sevenyzt, + Or elles zet to morn. + +36. Wright. tomorowe. + +41. _sic_ MS. Harl. + +47. Wright, He. + +65. MS. Harl. Ilk on toke a blak hat. + +72. MS. Harl. He gat hym a mare. + +73. MS. Harl. gadryng. + +78-81. MS. Harl. + + For cryeng of the men, + Forther wold not Tyb then, + Tyl scho had hur brode hen, + Set in hur lap. + +82. on. MS. Harl. + +85. MS. Harl. With the holy, &c. wrotyn. + +86. Wolde they spare. Wright. + +v. 91-99. Stands thus in MS. Harl. + + "I wow to God," quoth Herry, "I schal not lefe behynde, + May I mete wyth Bernard on Bayard the blynde. + Ich man kepe hym out of my wynde, + For whatsoever that he be before me I fynde, + I wot I schall hym greve." + "Wele sayd," quoth Hawkyn, + "And I wow," quoth Dawkyn, + "May I mete wyth Tomkyn, + Hys flayle I schal hym reve." + +104-108. Here stand vs. 113-117 in MS. Harl. + +109-117. This stanza is written as follows in MS. Harl.: + + "I vow to God," quoth Hawkyn, "Yf he have the gowt, + Al that I fynde in the felde thrustand here aboute, + Have I twyes or thryes redyn thrugh the route, + In ych a stede ther thay me se, of me thay schal have doute. + When I begyn to play, + I make a vowe that I ne schall, + But yf Tybbe wyl me call, + Or I be thryes don fall, + Ryzt onys com away. + +122-126. Here stand v. 104-108 in MS. Harl. + +128. Whyls me ys left my merth. MS. Harl. Whil I am most mery. Wright. + +We must obviously read "mer," i. e. mare, with Percy and Ritson; +otherwise the rest of the stanza is nonsense. The _th_ which is added in +the MS. Harl., was caught from the _thou_ following. + +132-3. MS. Harl. + + Sche wyl me bere, I dar say, + On a lang-somerys day. + +141. MS. H. wele. + + 144. MS. H. Wyth so forth, Gybbe. + Wright. Joo forth. + + 145. hie, MS. Harl. + te, Wright. + +150-151. MS. H. + + Of an old rotten fell, + The cheveron of a plow-mell. + +153. MS. H. Poudred. + +159-161. MS. H. slatred--flatred--schatred. + + 175. my noye. MS. H. + myn one. Wright. + +191-194. MS. Harl. + + Among those wery boyes he wrest and he wrang, + He threw tham doun to the erth, and thrast them amang, + When he saw Tyrry away wyth Tyb fang, + And after hym ran. + +201-207. Here evidently corrupted. In MS. Harl. as follows: + + Wyth wyspes, and kexis, and ryschys there lyzt, + To fetch hom ther husbandes that were tham trouth-plyzt. + And sum brozt gret harwos + Ther husbandes hom to fetch, + Sum on dores, and sum on hech, + Sum on hyrdyllys, and sum on crech, + And sum on whele-barows. + +212. MS. H. And thay ifere assent. + +215. MS. H. The prayse-folk that hur led. + +224-5. MS. H. + + And so was all the bachelary, + When thay met togedyr. + +226. MS. H. with a ryche aray. + +229. MS. H. + + And at the last thay went to bed with ful gret deray. + +N. B. The letter z in our reprint of this poem often represents the old +character [gh], which has generally the force of gh (aspirated g), +sometimes of y. + + + + +THE WYF OF AUCHTIRMUCHTY. + + +This ballad has been handed down, through manuscript and oral tradition, +in several forms. The oldest copy is furnished by the Bannatyne MS., and +this has been often printed, with more or less correctness: as in +Ramsay's _Evergreen_, ii. 137; Lord Hailes's _Ancient Scotish Poems, +&c._ p. 215; Herd's _Scotish Songs_, ii. 237; Pinkerton's _Select +Scottish Ballads_, ii. 97. Our text is that of Laing, _Select Remains, +&c._, which professes to be carefully given from the manuscript. Mr. +Laing has added in the margin the most important variations of other +editions. Allan Ramsay altered several verses and added others. + +In the Bannatyne MS. this piece is subscribed with the name of "Mofat," +and on this ground the authorship has been attributed to Sir John +Moffat, who is supposed to have lived in the earlier part of the 16th +century. + +Ritson, who intended to insert the _Wife of Auchtermuchty_ in a +projected volume of _Select Scotish Poems_, says in a manuscript note, +"The subject of this poem seems to be borrowed from the first part of a +story in the _Silva Sermonum Jucundissimorum_, Basil. 1568, 8vo. p. 116, +though certainly from a more ancient authority." (Laing.) This story is +cited at the end of the volume from which we print. In Wright and +Halliwell's _Reliquiæ Antiquæ_, ii. 195, is the first _fit_ of an +English ballad on the same subject, "from a MS. on paper, of the reign +of Henry VII," (_Ballad of a Tyrannical Husband_.) _John Grumlie_ in +Cunningham's _Songs of Scotland_, ii. 123, is another variety. See also +_Nursery Rhymes of England_, p. 32, Per. Soc. vol. iv. In 1803, there +appeared at Edinburgh a translation of Ramsay's ballad into Latin rhyme. + + In Auchtirmuchty thair dwelt ane man, + An husband, as I hard it tauld, + Quha weill could tippill owt a can, + And naithir luvit hungir nor cauld. + Quhill anis it fell upoun a day, 5 + He yokkit his pluch upoun the plane; + Gif it be trew as I hard say, + The day was foull for wind and rane. + + He lowsit the pluche at the landis end, + And draif his oxin hame at evin; 10 + Quhen he come in he lukit bend, + And saw the wyf baith dry and clene, + And sittand at ane fyre, beik and bauld, + With ane fat soup, as I hard say; + The man being verry weit and cauld, 15 + Betwene thay twa it was na play. + + Quoth he, "Quhair is my horsis corne? + My ox hes naithir hay nor stray; + Dame, ye mon to the pluch to morne; + I salbe hussy, gif I may." 20 + "Husband," quoth scho, "content am I + To tak the pluche my day about, + Sa ye will reull baith kavis and ky, + And all the house baith in and owt. + + "But sen that ye will husyskep ken, 25 + First ye sall sift and syne sall kned; + And ay as ye gang but and ben, + Luk that the bairnis dryt not the bed. + Yeis lay ane soft wisp to the kill; + We haif ane deir ferme on o[u]r heid; 30 + And ay as ye gang furth and in, + Keip weill the gaislingis fra the gled." + + The wyf was up richt late at evin, + I pray God gif her evill to fair! + Scho kyrnd the kyrne, and skumd it clene, 35 + And left the gudeman bot the bledoch bair. + Than in the mornyng up scho gatt, + And on hir hairt laid hir disjune; + Scho put als mekle in hir lap, + As micht haif ser[v]d them baith at nune. 40 + + Sayis, "Jok, will thou be maister of wark, + And thou sall had, and I sall kall; + Ise promise thé ane gude new sark, + Athir of round claith or of small." + Scho lousit oxin aucht or nyne, 45 + And hynt ane gad-staff in hir hand; + And the gudman raiss eftir syne, + And saw the wyf had done command. + + And caud the gaislingis furth to feid; + Thair was bot sevensum of thame all; 50 + And by thair cumis the gredy gled, + And likkit up five, left him bot twa. + Than out he ran in all his mane, + How sune he hard the gaislingis cry; + Bot than or he come in agane, 55 + The calfis brak louss and sowkit the ky. + + The calvis and ky being met in the lone, + The man ran with ane rung to red; + Than by thair cumis ane ill-willy cow, + And brodit his buttok quhill that it bled. 60 + Than hame he ran to an rok of tow, + And he satt doun to say the spynning; + I trow he lowtit our neir the low, + Quoth he, "This wark hes ill begynning." + + Than to the kyrn that he did stoure, 65 + And jumlit at it quhill he swatt: + Quhen he had jumlit a full lang houre, + The sorrow crap of butter he gatt. + Albeit na butter he could gett, + Yit he wes cummerit with the kyrne, 70 + And syne he het the milk our hett, + And sorrow a spark of it wald yirne. + + Than ben thair come ane gredy sow, + I trow he cund hir littil thank; + For in scho schot hir mekle mow, 75 + And ay scho winkit and scho drank. + He cleikit up ane crukit club, + And thocht to hitt the sow ane rout; + The twa gaislingis the gled had left, + That straik dang baith thair harnis out. 80 + + [He gat his foot upon the spyre,[L81-88] + To have gotten the flesche doune to the pat; + He fell backward into the fyre, + And brack his head on the keming stock. + Yit he gat the mekle pat upon the fyre, 85 + And gat twa cannes, and ran to the spout; + Er he came in, quhat thought ye of that? + The fyre brunt aw the pat-a... out.] + + Than he beur kendling to the kill, + But scho start all up in ane low; 90 + Quhat evir he hard, quhat evir he saw, + That day he had na will to mow. + Then he yeid to tak up the bairnis, + Thocht to haif fund thame fair and clene; + The first that he gat in his armis 95 + Was all bedirtin to the ene. + + The first that he gat in his armis, + It was all dirt up to the eine; + "The devill cut of thair handes," quoth he, + "That fild you all sa fow this strene." 100 + He trailit foull scheitis doun the gait, + Thought to haif wescht thame on ane stane; + The burne wes rissin grit of spait, + Away fra him the scheitis hes tane. + + Then up he gat on ane know heid, 105 + On hir to cry, on hir to schout;[L106] + Scho hard him, and scho hard him not, + Bot stoutly steird the stottis about. + Scho draif the day unto the night, + Scho lousit the pluch, and syne come hame; 110 + Scho fand all wrang that sould bene richt, + I trow the man thought richt grit schame. + + Quoth he, "My office I forsaik, + For all the dayis of my lyf, + For I wald put ane house to wraik, 115 + Had I bene twenty dayis gudwyf." + Quoth scho, "Weill mote ye bruke your place, + For trewlie I will never excep it:" + Quoth he, "Feind fall the lyaris face, + Bot yit ye may be blyth to get it." 120 + + Than up scho gat ane mekle rung, + And the gudman maid to the doir;[L122] + Quoth he, "Dame, I sall hald my tung, + For and we fecht I'ill get the woir." + Quoth he, "Quhen I forsuk my pluche, 125 + I trow I but forsuk my seill; + And I will to my pluch agane, + Ffor I and this howse will nevir do weill." + +81-88. This stanza, which does not occur in the Bannatyne MS., or in the +ordinary printed copies, is given by Laing from a MS. "written in a hand +not much later than the year 1600." + +106. MS. cray. + +122. MS. dur. + + + + +THE FRIAR IN THE WELL. + + +An old story, often referred to, e. g. in Skelton's _Colyn Cloute_, v. +879. The ballad is found in various collections in the British Museum, +and is cited in part from one of these, in Dyce's note to the passage in +Skelton. There is a Scottish version in Kinloch's _Ballad Book_, p. 25. +The following is from Durfey's _Pills to Purge Melancholy_, iii. 325 +(_The Fryer and the Maid_), but as that copy is abridged, we have +supplied the omitted stanzas from Chappell's _Popular Music_, p. 273. + + As I lay musing all alone, + A merry tale I thought upon; + Now listen a while, and I will you tell + Of a fryer that loved a bonny lass well. + + He came to her when she was going to bed, 5 + Desiring to have her maidenhead; + But she denyed his desire, + And said that she did fear hell-fire. + + "Tush, tush," quoth the fryer, "thou needst not doubt, + If thou wert in hell, I could sing thee out:" 10 + "Why then," quoth the maid, "thou shalt have thy request;" + The fryer was as glad as a fox in his nest. + + "But one thing more I must require,[L13] + More than to sing me out of hell-fire; + That is, for doing of the thing, 15 + An angel of money you must me bring." + + "Tush, tush," quoth the fryer, "we two shall agree; + No money shall part thee, [my love,] and me; + Before thy company I will lack, + I'll pawn the grey gown off my back." 20 + + The maid bethought her on a wile, + How she might this fryer beguile. + When he was gone, the truth to tell, + She hung a cloth before a well. + + The fryer came, as his bargain was, 25 + With money unto his bonny lass; + "Good morrow, fair maid;" "Good morrow," quoth she; + "Here is the money I promis'd thee." + + She thank'd him, and she took the money: + "Now lets go to't, my own dear honey:" 30 + "Nay, stay awhile, some respite make; + If my master should come, he would us take." + + "Alas!" quoth the maid, "my master doth come." + "Alas!" quoth the fryer, "where shall I run?" + "Behind yon cloth run thou," quoth she, 35 + "For there my master cannot see." + + Behind the cloth the fryer went, + And was in the well incontinent. + "Alas!" quoth he, "I'm in the well;" + "No matter," quoth she, "if thou wert in hell. 40 + + "Thou saidst thou could sing me out of hell: + I prithee sing thyself out of the well. + Sing out," quoth she, "with all thy might, + Or else thou'rt like to sing there all night." + + The fryer sang out with a pitiful sound, 45 + "O help me out, or I shall be drown'd." + ["I trow," quoth she, "your courage is cool'd;" + Quoth the fryer, "I never was so fool'd. + "I never was served so before;" + "Then take heed," quoth she, "thou com'st here no more." 50 + + Quoth he, "For sweet St. Francis sake, + On his disciple some pity take:" + Quoth she, "St. Francis never taught + His scholars to tempt young maids to naught." + + The friar did entreat her still 55 + That she would help him out of the well: + She heard him make such piteous moan, + She help'd him out, and bid him begone. + + Quoth he, "Shall I have my money again, + Which from me thou hast before-hand ta'en?" 60 + "Good sir," quoth she, "there's no such matter; + I'll make you pay for fouling the water." + + The friar went along the street, + Dropping wet, like a new-wash'd sheep; + Both old and young commended the maid 65 + That such a witty prank had play'd.] + +13. request. + + + + +GET UP AND BAR THE DOOR. + +Herd's _Scottish Songs_, ii. 63. + + +First printed by Herd in a slightly different form, ed. 1776, ii. 159; +also Johnson's _Museum_, p. 310, and Ritson's _Scottish Songs_, i. 226. +The hero of this story is traditionally known as one Johnie Blunt, who +lived on Crawford Moor. Several versions of a song called by his name +are current among the Scottish peasantry, one of which is given in +Johnson's _Museum_, p. 376.--This ballad, says Stenhouse, furnished +Prince Hoare with one of the principal scenes in his musical +entertainment of _No Song, no Supper_, "acted at Drury Lane in 1790, and +since throughout the United Kingdom with great success." + + It fell about the Martinmas time, + And a gay time it was than, + That our gudewife had puddings to mak, + And she boil'd them in the pan. + + The wind blew cauld frae east and north, 5 + And blew into the floor; + Quoth our gudeman to our gudewife, + "Get up and bar the door." + + "My hand is in my hussyskep, + Goodman, as ye may see; 10 + An' it shou'dna be barr'd this hunder year, + It's ne'er be barr'd by me." + + They made a paction 'tween them twa, + They made it firm and sure, + That the first word whaever spak, 15 + Should rise and bar the door. + + Than by there came twa gentlemen, + At twelve o'clock at night, + Whan they can see na ither house, + And at the door they light. 20 + + "Now whether is this a rich man's house, + Or whether is it a poor?" + But ne'er a word wad ane o' them speak, + For barring of the door. + + And first they ate the white puddings, 25 + And syne they ate the black: + Muckle thought the gudewife to hersell, + Yet ne'er a word she spak. + + Then ane unto the ither said, + "Here, man, tak ye my knife; 30 + Do ye tak aff the auld man's beard, + And I'll kiss the gudewife." + + "But there's na water in the house, + And what shall we do than?" + "What ails ye at the pudding bree 35 + That boils into the pan?" + + O up then started our gudeman, + An angry man was he; + "Will ye kiss my wife before my een, + And scald me wi' pudding bree?" + + O up then started our gudewife, 40 + Gied three skips on the floor; + "Gudeman, you have spak the first word; + Get up and bar the door." + + + + +THE DRAGON OF WANTLEY. + +Percy's _Reliques_, iii. 350. _Old Ballads_, i. 37. + + +This in its way most admirable ballad is clearly a parody of some +ancient _K[oe]mpevise_. The armor studded with spikes connects this +story with the legend of the _Worm of Lambton_ (see vol. i. p. 281, and +_post_, p. 136), which, we are inclined to think with Grundtvig (i. +346), may have some radical connection with Regner Lodbrog's fight with +the snake that guarded Thora's bower. The well in v. 100 corresponds to +the pit in which the hero stands in _Ormekampen_, Grundtvig, i. +342.--Printed by Percy from a copy in Roman letter, in the Pepys +Collection, "collated with such others as could be procured." PERCY. + + Old stories tell how Hercules + A dragon slew at Lerna, + With seven heads, and fourteen eyes, + To see and well discerne-a: + But he had a club, this dragon to drub, 5 + Or he had ne'er done it, I warrant ye: + But More of More-Hall, with nothing at all, + He slew the dragon of Wantley. + + This dragon had two furious wings, + Each one upon each shoulder; 10 + With a sting in his tayl, as long as a flayl, + Which made him bolder and bolder. + He had long claws, and in his jaws + Four and forty teeth of iron; + With a hide as tough as any buff, 15 + Which did him round environ. + + Have you not heard how the Trojan horse + Held seventy men in his belly? + This dragon was not quite so big, + But very near, I'll tell ye. 20 + Devoured he poor children three, + That could not with him grapple; + And at one sup he eat them up, + As one would eat an apple. + + All sorts of cattle this dragon did eat; 25 + Some say he ate up trees, + And that the forests sure he would + Devour up by degrees; + For houses and churches were to him geese and turkies;[L29] + He ate all, and left none behind, 30 + But some stones, dear Jack, that he could not crack, + Which on the hills you will find. + + In Yorkshire, near fair Rotherham, + The place I know it well, + Some two or three miles, or thereabouts, 35 + I vow I cannot tell; + But there is a hedge, just on the hill edge, + And Matthew's house hard by it; + O there and then was this dragon's den, + You could not chuse but spy it. 40 + + Some say, this dragon was a witch; + Some say, he was a devil; + For from his nose a smoke arose, + And with it burning snivel; + Which he cast off, when he did cough, 45 + In a well that he did stand by, + Which made it look just like a brook + Running with burning brandy. + + Hard by a furious knight there dwelt, + Of whom all towns did ring, 50 + For he could wrestle, play at quarter-staff, kick, cuff and huff, + Call son of a w...., do any kind of thing. + By the tail and the main, with his hands twain, + He swung a horse till he was dead; + And that which is stranger, he for very anger 55 + Eat him all up but his head. + + These children, as I told, being eat, + Men, women, girls, and boys, + Sighing and sobbing, came to his lodging, + And made a hideous noise; 60 + "O save us all, More of More-Hall, + Thou peerless knight of these woods; + Do but slay this dragon, who won't leave us a rag on, + We'll give thee all our goods." + + "Tut, tut," quoth he, "no goods I want: 65 + But I want, I want, in sooth, + A fair maid of sixteen, that's brisk and keen, + With smiles about the mouth, + Hair black as sloe, skin white as snow, + With blushes her cheeks adorning, 70 + To anoynt me o'er night, ere I go to fight, + And to dress me in the morning." + + This being done, he did engage + To hew the dragon down; + But first he went, new armour to 75 + Bespeak at Sheffield town; + With spikes all about, not within but without, + Of steel so sharp and strong, + Both behind and before, arms, legs, and all o'er, + Some five or six inches long. 80 + + Had you but seen him in this dress, + How fierce he look'd and how big, + You would have thought him for to be + Some Egyptian porcupig. + He frighted all, cats, dogs, and all, 85 + Each cow, each horse, and each hog: + For fear they did flee, for they took him to be + Some strange outlandish hedge-hog. + + To see this fight, all people then + Got up on trees and houses; 90 + On churches some, and chimneys too; + But these put on their trowses, + Not to spoil their hose. As soon as he rose, + To make him strong and mighty, + He drank by the tale, six pots of ale, 95 + And a quart of aqua-vitæ. + + It is not strength that always wins, + For wit doth strength excell; + Which made our cunning champion + Creep down into a well, 100 + Where he did think, this dragon would drink, + And so he did in truth; + And as he stoop'd low, he rose up and cry'd, "Boh!" + And hit him in the mouth. + + "Oh," quoth the dragon, "pox take thee, come out! 105 + Thou disturb'st me in my drink:" + And then he turn'd, and s... at him; + Good lack how he did stink! + "Beshrew thy soul, thy body's foul, + Thy dung smells not like balsam; 110 + Thou son of a w...., thou stink'st so sore, + Sure thy diet is unwholesome." + + Our politick knight, on the other side, + Crept out upon the brink, + And gave the dragon such a douse, 115 + He knew not what to think: + "By cock," quoth he, "say you so, do you see?" + And then at him he let fly + With hand and with foot, and so they went to't; + And the word it was, Hey boys, hey! 120 + + "Your words," quoth the dragon, "I don't understand"; + Then to it they fell at all, + Like two wild boars so fierce, if I may + Compare great things with small. + Two days and a night, with this dragon did fight 125 + Our champion on the ground; + Though their strength it was great, their skill it was neat, + They never had one wound. + + At length the hard earth began to quake, + The dragon gave him a knock, 130 + Which made him to reel, and straitway he thought, + To lift him as high as a rock, + And thence let him fall. But More of More-Hall, + Like a valiant son of Mars, + As he came like a lout, so he turn'd him about, + And hit him a kick on the a... 136 + + "Oh," quoth the dragon, with a deep sigh, + And turn'd six times together, + Sobbing and tearing, cursing and swearing, + Out of his throat of leather; 140 + + "More of More-Hall! O thou rascàl! + Would I had seen thee never; + With the thing at thy foot, thou hast prick'd my a... gut, + And I am quite undone forever." + + "Murder, murder," the dragon cry'd, 145 + "Alack, alack, for grief; + Had you but mist that place, you could + Have done me no mischief." + Then his head he shaked, trembled and quaked, + And down he laid and cry'd; 150 + First on one knee, then on back tumbled he, + So groan'd, kickt, s..., and dy'd. + +29, were to him gorse and birches. Other copies. + + * * * * * + +[Asterism] In the improved edition of the _Reliques_, a most +extraordinary attempt to explain the foregoing burlesque as an allegory +(!) is made in a "Key" appended to the ballad, and said to be +"communicated by Godfrey Bosville, Esq., of Thorp, near Malton, in +Yorkshire." + +"Warncliff Lodge, and Warncliff Wood (vulgarly pronounced Wantley), are +in the parish of Penniston, in Yorkshire. The rectory of Penniston was +part of the dissolved monastery of St. Stephen's, Westminster; and was +granted to the Duke of Norfolk's family: who therewith endowed an +hospital, which he built at Sheffield, for women. The trustees let the +impropriation of the great tithes of Penniston to the Wortley family, +who got a great deal by it, and wanted to get still more: for Mr. +Nicholas Wortley attempted to take the tithes in kind, but Mr. Francis +Bosville opposed him, and there was a decree in favour of the modus in +37th Eliz. The vicarage of Penniston did not go along with the rectory, +but with the copyhold rents, and was part of a large purchase made by +Ralph Bosville, Esq., from Queen Elizabeth, in the 2d year of her reign: +and that part he sold in 12th Eliz. to his elder brother Godfrey, the +father of Francis; who left it, with the rest of his estate, to his +wife, for her life, and then to Ralph, third son of his uncle Ralph. The +widow married Lyonel Rowlestone, lived eighteen years, and survived +Ralph. + +"This premised, the ballad apparently relates to the lawsuit carried on +concerning this claim of tithes made by the Wortley family. 'Houses and +churches were to him geese and turkeys:' which are titheable things, the +Dragon chose to live on. Sir Francis Wortley, the son of Nicholas, +attempted again to take the tithes in kind: but the parishioners +subscribed an agreement to defend their modus. And at the head of the +agreement was Lyonel Rowlestone, who is supposed to be one of 'the +stones, dear Jack, which the Dragon could not crack.' The agreement is +still preserved in a large sheet of parchment, dated 1st of James I., +and is full of names and seals, which might be meant by the coat of +armour, "with spikes all about, both within and without." More of +More-hall was either the attorney, or counsellor, who conducted the +suit. He is not distinctly remembered, but More-hall is still extant at +the very bottom of Wantley [Warncliff] Wood, and lies so low, that it +might be said to be in a well: as the Dragon's den [Warncliff Lodge] was +at the top of the wood 'with Matthew's house hard by it.' The keepers +belonging to the Wortley family were named, for many generations, +Matthew Northall: the last of them left this lodge, within memory, to be +keeper to the Duke of Norfolk. The present owner of More-hall still +attends Mr. Bosville's Manor Court at Oxspring, and pays a rose a year. +'More of More-Hall, with nothing at all, slew the Dragon of Wantley.' He +gave him, instead of tithes, so small a modus, that it was in effect, +nothing at all, and was slaying him with a vengeance. 'The poor children +three,' &c., cannot surely mean the three sisters of Francis Bosville, +who would have been coheiresses, had he made no will? The late Mr. +Bosville had a contest with the descendants of two of them, the late Sir +George Saville's father, and Mr. Copley, about the presentation to +Penniston, they supposing Francis had not the power to give this part of +the estate from the heirs at law; but it was decided against them. The +Dragon (Sir Francis Wortley) succeeded better with his cousin +Wordesworth, the freehold lord of the manor, (for it is the copyhold +manor that belongs to Mr. Bosville,) having persuaded him not to join +the refractory parishioners, under a promise that he would let him his +tithes cheap: and now the estates of Wortley and Wordesworth are the +only lands that pay tithes in the parish. + +"N. B. The 'two days and a night,' mentioned in ver. 125, as the +duration of the combat, was probably that of the trial at law." + + * * * * * + +NOTE to p. 128, and p. 131, v. 75-80. Grundtvig, ii. 653, refers to a +B[oe]otian legend in Pausanias ix. 26, 5, for an instance of a similar +contrivance. The story goes, that one Menestratus, to save a friend who +was about to be exposed in due course to a dragon, made himself a brazen +breastplate, which had on every scale a hook with the point bent +upwards. Armed in this, he went voluntarily to meet the monster, and +destroyed him, though at the expense of his own life. + + + + +APPENDIX. + + + + +KEMPY KAYE. + +From Sharpe's _Ballad Book_, p. 81. + + +There is a resemblance in two points between this ballad and the Danish +_Greve Genselin_ (Grundtvig, No. 16, translated by Jamieson, +_Illustrations_, p. 310). The characters in both are giants: the +smallest kemp that danced at Genselin's bridal was "fifteen ells to his +knee." Secondly, the bridal in the one ballad and the wooing in the +other are described in a style of extravagant parody; more gross in the +English, however, than in the Danish, where it is confined to the +bride's enormous appetite. This portion of _Greve Genselin_ occurs also +in _Tord af Havsgaard_ (Grundtvig, No. 1), which ballad is founded upon +the story of Thor's Hammer in the _Edda_. + + Kempy Kaye's a wooing gane, + Far far ayont the sea, + An' he has met with an auld auld man, + His gudefather to be. + + "Gae scrape yeersel, and gae scart yeersel, 5 + And mak your bruchty face clean,[L7, 8] + For the wooers are to be here the nicht, + And yeer body's to be seen. + + "What's the matter wi' you, my fair maiden, + You luk so pale and wan? 10 + I'm sure you was once the fairest maiden + That ever the sun shined on." + + Sae they scrapit her, and they scartit her, + Like the face of an assy pan, + And in cam Kempy Kaye himself, 15 + A clever and tall young man.[L16-20] + + His teeth they were like tether sticks, + His nose was three feet lang; + Between his shouthers was ells three, + Between his een a span. 20 + + "I'm coming to court your dochter dear, + An' some pairt of your gear:" + "An' by my sooth," quo' Bengoleer, + "She'll sair a man o' weir. + + "My dochter she's a thrifty lass; 25 + She span seven year to me; + An' if it war weil counted up, + Full ten wobs it would be." + + He led his dochter by the han', + His dochter ben brought he; 30 + "O is she not the fairest lass + That's in great Christendye?" + + Ilka hair intil her head + Was like a heather cow, + And ilka louse aninder it 35 + Was like a lintseed bow.[L36] + + She had lauchty teeth, an' kaily lips, + An' wide lugs fu' o' hair; + Her pouches fu' o' pease-meal daigh, + War hinging down her spare. 40 + + Ilka ee intil her head + Was like a rotten ploom, + An' down down browit was the quean, + An' sairly did she gloom. + + Ilka nail upon her hand 45 + Was like an iron rake, + An' ilka teeth into her head + Was like a tether stake. + + She gied to him a gay gravat + O' the auld horse's sheet, 50 + And he gied her a gay gold ring + O' the auld couple reet. + +7, 8. _Var_. + + For Kempy Kaye's to be here the nicht, + Or else the morn at een. + +16-20. See _King Henry_, v. 21,22, vol. i. p. 148, and _The Wee Wee +Man_, vol. i. p. 126, note. Also _Carle of Carlile_, v. 177-188 in +Madden's _Syr Gawayne_, p. 256. + +36. _Var._ Was like a brucket yowe. + + + + +KEMPY KAYE. + +From Kinloch's _Ballad Book_, p. 41. + + + Kempy Kaye is a wooing gane + Far far ayont the sea, + And there he met wi' auld Goling, + His gudefather to be, be, + His gudefather to be. 5 + + "Whar are ye gaun, O Kempy Kaye, + Whar are ye gaun sa sune?" + "O I am gaun to court a wife, + And think na ye that's weel dune, dune, + And think na ye that's weel dune?" 10 + + "And ye be gaun to court a wife, + As ye do tell to me, + 'Tis ye sall hae my Fusome Fug, + Your ae wife for to be, be, + Your ae wife for to be." 15 + + "Rise up, rise up my Fusome Fug, + And mak your foul face clean, + For the brawest wooer that ere ye saw + Is come develling doun the green, green, + Is come develling doun the green." 20 + + Up then raise the Fusome Fug, + To mak her foul face clean; + And aye she curs'd her mither + She had na water in, in, + She had na water in. 25 + + She rampit out, and she rampit in, + She rampit but and ben; + The tittles and tattles that hang frae her tail + Wad muck an acre o' land, land, + Wad muck an acre o' land. 30 + + She had a neis upon her face + Was like an auld pat-fit; + Atween her neis bot and her mou + Was inch thick deep o' dirt, dirt, + Was inch thick deep o' dirt. 35 + + She had twa een intil her head + War like twa rotten plooms; + The heavy brows hung down her face, + And O I vow she glooms, glooms! + And O I vow she glooms! 40 + + Ilka hair that was on her head + Was like a heather cow, + And ilka louse that lookit out + Was like a lintseed bow, bow, + Was like a lintseed bow. 45 + + When Kempy Kaye cam to the house, + He lookit thro' a hole, + And there he saw the dirty drab + Just whisking oure the coal, coal, + Just whisking oure the coal. 50 + + He gied to her a braw silk napkin, + Was made o' an auld horse brat; + "I ne'er wore a silk napkin a' my life, + But weel I wat Is'e wear that, that, + But weel I wat Is'e wear that. 55 + + "He gied to her a braw gowd ring, + Was made frae an auld brass pan, + "I ne'er wore a gowd ring in a' my life, + But now I wat I'se wear ane, ane, + But now I wat Is'e wear ane." 60 + + Whan thir twa loves had met thegither, + O kissing to tak their fill, + The slaver that hang atween their twa gabs + Wad hae tether'd a ten year auld bill, bill, + Wad hae tether'd a ten year auld bill. 65 + + + + +THE JOVIAL HUNTER OF BROMSGROVE. + + +From _Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England_, +edited by Robert Bell, p. 124. This ballad, says the editor, "has long +been popular in Worcestershire and some of the adjoining counties. It +was printed for the first time by Mr. Allies of Worcester, under the +title of _The Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove_; but amongst the peasantry of +that county, and the adjoining county of Warwick, it has always been +called _The Old Man and his Three Sons_--the name given to a fragment of +the ballad still used as a nursery song in the north of England, the +chorus of which slightly varies from that of the ballad: (see p. 250 of +the same publication.)" Mr. Bell imagines that there is an allusion to +this ballad in _As You Like It_, i. 2, where Le Beau says + + "There comes an old man and his three sons," + +and Celia replies, + + "I could match this beginning with an old tale." + + * * * * * + + Old Sir Robert Bolton had three sons, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + And one of them was Sir Ryalas, + _For he was a jovial hunter_. + + He ranged all round down by the wood side, 5 + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_, + Till in a tree-top a gay lady he spied, + _For he was a jovial hunter_. + + "O, what dost thee mean, fair lady?" said he, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; 10 + "The wild boar's killed my lord, and has thirty men gored, + _And thou beest a jovial hunter_. + + "O what shall I do this wild boar for to see?" + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + "O, thee blow a blast, and he'll come unto thee, 15 + _As thou beest a jovial hunter_. + + Then he blowed a blast, full north, east, west and south, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + And the wild boar then heard him full in his den, + _As he was a jovial hunter_. 20 + + Then he made the best of his speed unto him, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + [Swift flew the boar, with his tusks smeared with gore,][L23] + _To Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter_. + + Then the wild boar, being so stout and so strong, 25 + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + Thrashed down the trees as he ramped him along, + _To Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter_. + + "O what dost thee want of me?" wild boar, said he, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; 30 + "O I think in my heart I can do enough for thee, + _For I am the jovial hunter_." + + Then they fought four hours in a long summer day, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + Till the wild boar fain would have got him away 35 + _From Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter_. + + Then Sir Ryalas drawed his broad sword with might, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + And he fairly cut the boar's head off quite, + _For he was a jovial hunter_. 40 + + Then out of the wood the wild woman flew, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + "O my pretty spotted pig thou hast slew, + _For thou beest a jovial hunter_. + + "There are three things, I demand them of thee, 45 + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + "It's thy horn, and thy hound, and thy gay lady, + _As thou beest a jovial hunter_." + + "If these three things thou dost ask of me," + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; 50 + It's just as my sword and thy neck can agree, + _For I am a jovial hunter_." + + Then into his long locks the wild woman flew, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + Till she thought in her heart to tear him through, 55 + _Though he was a jovial hunter_. + + Then Sir Ryalas drawed his broad sword again, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + And he fairly split her head into twain, + _For he was a jovial hunter_. 60 + + In Bromsgrove church, the knight he doth lie, + _Wind well thy horn, good hunter_; + And the wild boar's head is pictured thereby, + _Sir Ryalas, the jovial hunter_. + +23. Inserted by Bell. + + + + +THE BLUDY SERK. + + +_The Bludy Serk_, both story and morality, is taken from the _Gesta +Romanorum_; see two forms of the tale in Madden's _Old English +Versions_, &c. p. 22, p. 404. + +This poem is preserved in the Bannatyne Manuscript, and has been several +times printed. The present copy is from Laing's _Select Remains of the +Ancient Popular Poetry of Scotland_. The author is Robert Henryson, +whose ballad of _Robene and Makyne_ has been given in the fourth volume +of this collection. + + This hindir yeir I hard be tald, + Thair was a worthy king; + Dukis, erlis, and barronis bald, + He had at his bidding. + The lord was anceane and ald, 5 + And sexty yeiris cowth ring; + He had a dochter, fair to fald, + A lusty lady ying. + + Off all fairheid scho bur the flour, + And eik hir faderis air; 10 + Off lusty laitis and he honour; + Meik, bot and debonair. + Scho wynnit in a bigly bour; + On fold wes none so fair; + Princes luvit hir, paramour, 15 + In cuntries our all quhair. + + Thair dwelt a lyt besyde the king + A fowll gyane of ane; + Stollin he hes the lady ying, + Away with hir is gane; 20 + And kest hir in his dungering, + Quhair licht scho micht se nane; + Hungir and cauld and grit thristing + Scho fand in to hir wame. + + He wes the laithliest on to luk 25 + That on the grund mycht gang; + His nailis wes lyk ane hellis cruk, + Thairwith fyve quarteris lang. + Thair wes nane that he ourtuk, + In rycht or yit in wrang, 30 + But all in schondir he thame schuke, + The gyane wes so strang. + + He held the lady day and nycht + Within his deip dungeoun; + He wald nocht gif of hir a sicht 35 + For gold nor yit ransoun, + Bot gife the king mycht get a knycht + To fecht with his persoun, + To fecht with him, both day and nycht, + Quhill ane wer dungin doun. 40 + + The king gart seik baith fer and neir, + Beth be se and land, + Off any knycht gife he micht heir, + Wald fecht with that gyand. + A worthy prince, that had no peir, 45 + Hes tane the deid on hand, + For the luve of the lady cleir, + And held full trewe cunnand. + + That prince come prowdly to the toun, + Of that gyane to heir, 50 + And fawcht with him, his awin persoun, + And tuke him presonier, + And kest him in his awin dungeoun, + Allane withouttin feir, + With hungir, cawld, and confusioun, 55 + As full weill worthy weir; + + Syne brak the bour, had hame the bricht, + Vnto hir fadir he;[L58] + Sa evil wondit was the knycht, + That he behuvit to de. 60 + Unlusum was his likame dicht, + His sark was all bludy; + In all the warld was thair a wicht + So petyouse for to se! + + The lady murnyt, and maid grit mone, 65 + With all her mekle micht: + "I lufit nevir lufe, bot one, + That dulfully now is dicht! + God sen my lyfe wer fra me tone, + Or I had sene yone sicht; 70 + Or ellis in begging evir to gone, + Furth with yone curtass knycht!" + + He said, "Fair lady, now mone I + De, trestly ye me trow: + Tak ye my sark that is bludy, 75 + And hing it forrow yow: + First think on it, and syne on me, + Quhen men cumis yow to wow." + The lady said, "Be Mary fre, + Thairto I mak a wow." 80 + + Quhen that scho lukit to the serk, + Scho thocht on the persoun, + And prayit for him with all hir harte, + That lowsd hir of bandoun, + Quhair scho was wont to sit full merk, 85 + In that deip dungéoun; + And ever quhill scho wes in quert, + That wass hir a lessoun. + + Sa weill the lady luvit the knycht, + That no man wald scho tak: 90 + Sa suld we do our God of micht + That did all for us mak; + Quhilk fullély to deid was dicht, + For sinfull manis saik; + Sa suld we do both day and nycht, 95 + With prayaris to him mak. + + +MORALITAS. + + This king is lyk the trinitie, + Baith in hevin and heir: + The manis saule to the lady, + The gyane to Lucefeir: 100 + The knycht to Chryst, that deit on tre, + And coft our synnis deir: + The pit to hell, with panis fell, + The syn to the woweir. + + The lady was wowd, but scho said nay, 105 + With men that wald hir wed; + Sa suld we wryth all syn away, + That in our breistis bred. + I pray to Jesu Chryst verrey + For us his blud that bled, 110 + To be our help on domysday, + Quhair lawis ar straitly led. + + The saule is Godis dochtir deir, + And eik his handewerk, + That was betrasit with Lucifeir, 115 + Quha sittis in hell full merk. + Borrowit with Chrystis angell cleir, + Hend men, will ye nocht herk? + For his lufe that bocht us deir, + Think on the Bludy Serk! 120 + +58. MS. deir. + + + + +THE WANTON WIFE OF BATH. + +Evans's _Old Ballads_, i. 277; Collection of 1723, ii. 173. + + +This excellent ballad, to adopt the encomium of Addison, (_Spectator_, +No. 247,) was admitted by Percy into the earlier editions of the +_Reliques_, (iii. 146, 1st ed.) though excluded from the revised edition +of 1794. The same story circulates among the peasantry of England and +Scotland in the form of a penny tract or chap-book; _Notices of Popular +Histories_, p. 16, Percy Soc. vol. xxiii., _Notes and Queries_, New +Series, vol. iii. p. 49. The jest is an old one. Mr. Halliwell refers to +a _fabliau_ in Barbazan's collection, which contains the groundwork of +this piece; _Du Vilain qui conquist Paradis par Plait_, Meon's ed. iv. +114. + + In Bath a wanton wife did dwell, + As Chaucer he doth write, + Who did in pleasure spend her days, + In many a fond delight. + + Upon a time love sick she was, 5 + And at the length did die; + Her soul at last at Heaven's gate + Did knock most mightily. + + Then Adam came unto the gate: + "Who knocketh there?" quoth he: 10 + "I am the Wife of Bath," she said, + "And fain would come to thee." + + "Thou art a sinner," Adam said, + "And here no place shall have;" + "And so art thou, I trow," quoth she, 15 + "And gip, a doting knave! + + "I will come in in spite," she said, + "Of all such churls as thee; + Thou wert the causer of our woe, + Our pain and misery; 20 + + "And first broke God's commandments, + In pleasure of thy wife:" + When Adam heard her tell this tale, + He run away for life. + + Then down came Jacob at the gate, 25 + And bids her pack to hell: + "Thou false deceiver, why?" said she;-- + "Thou mayst be there as well. + + "For thou deceiv'dst thy father dear, + And thine own brother too:" 30 + Away slunk Jacob presently, + And made no more ado. + + She knocks again with might and main, + And Lot he chides her straight: + "Why then," quoth she, "thou drunken ass, 35 + Who bid thee here to prate? + + "With thy two daughters thou didst lie, + On them two bastards got:" + And thus most tauntingly she chaft + Against poor silly Lot. 40 + + "Who calleth there," quoth Judith then, + "With such shrill sounding notes?" + "This fine minks surely came not here," + Quoth she, "for cutting throats!" + + Good Lord, how Judith blush'd for shame, 45 + When she heard her say so! + King David hearing of the same, + He to the gate did go. + + Quoth David, "Who knocks there so loud, + And maketh all this strife?" 50 + "You were more kind good sir," she said, + "Unto Uriah's wife. + + "And when thy servant thou didst cause + In battle to be slain, + Thou causedst then more strife than I, 55 + Who would come here so fain." + + "The woman's mad," said Solomon, + "That thus doth taunt a king;" + "Not half so mad as you," she said, + "I trow, in many a thing. 60 + + "Thou hadst seven hundred wives at once, + For whom thou didst provide, + And yet three hundred wh...., God wot, + Thou didst maintain beside. + + "And those made thee forsake thy God, 65 + And worship stocks and stones; + Besides the charge they put thee to + In breeding of young bones. + + "Hadst thou not been besides thy wits, + Thou wouldst not thus have ventur'd; 70 + And therefor I do marvel much + How thou this place hast entered." + + "I never heard," quoth Jonas then, + "So vile a scold as this;" + "Thou wh...son runaway," quoth she, 75 + "Thou diddest more amiss." + + "They say," quoth Thomas, "women's tongues + Of aspen leaves are made;" + "Thou unbelieving wretch," quoth she, + "All is not true that's said." 80 + + When Mary Magdalen heard her then, + She came unto the gate; + Quoth she, "Good woman, you must think + Upon your former state." + + "No sinner enters in this place," 85 + Quoth Mary Magdalen then; + "'Twere ill for you, fair mistress mild," + She answered her again. + + "You for your honesty," quoth she, + "Had once been ston'd to death, 90 + Had not our Saviour Christ come by, + And written on the earth. + + "It was not by your occupation + You are become divine; + I hope my soul, by Christ's passion, 95 + Shall be as safe as thine." + + Then rose the good apostle Paul; + Unto this wife he cried, + "Except thou shake thy sins away, + Thou here shalt be denied." 100 + + "Remember, Paul, what thou hast done + All thro' a lewd desire, + How thou didst persecute God's church + With wrath as hot as fire." + + Then up starts Peter at the last, 105 + And to the gate he hies; + "Fond fool," quoth he, "knock not so fast; + Thou weariest Christ with cries." + + "Peter," said she, "content thyself, + For mercy may be won; 110 + I never did deny my Christ + As thou thyself hast done." + + When as our Saviour Christ heard this, + With heavenly angels bright, + He comes unto this sinful soul, 115 + Who trembled at his sight. + + Of him for mercy she did crave; + Quoth he, "Thou hast refused + My proffer'd grace and mercy both, + And much my name abused." 120 + + "Sore have I sinn'd, O Lord," she said, + "And spent my time in vain; + But bring me, like a wand'ring sheep, + Into thy fold again. + + "O Lord my God, I will amend 125 + My former wicked vice; + The thief for one poor silly word + Past into Paradise." + + "My laws and my commandments," + Saith Christ, "were known to thee; 130 + But of the same, in any wise, + Not yet one word did ye." + + "I grant the same, O Lord," quoth she; + "Most lewdly did I live; + But yet the loving father did 135 + His prodigal son forgive." + + "So I forgive thy soul," he said, + "Through thy repenting cry; + Come you therefore into my joy, + I will not thee deny." 140 + + + + +THE GENTLEMAN IN THRACIA. + +From Collier's _Roxburghe Ballads_, p. 17. + + +This ballad is founded on a tale in the _Gesta Romanorum_, (_Old English +Versions_, &c. p. 140.) Nearly the same story occurs in Barbazan's +_Fabliaux_, ii. 440, and also, says Madden, in the _Contes Tartares_ of +Gueulette, iii. 157, and many other places. The model for all these is +of course the Judgment of Solomon, in _1 Kings_, iii. 16-27. See Douce, +ii. 385. + +Mr. Collier remarks that this ballad is without date, but was +undoubtedly written late in the sixteenth, or early in the seventeenth, +century. + + In searching ancient chronicles, + It was my chance to finde + A story worth the writing out, + In my conceit and mind. + It is an admonition good 5 + That children ought to have, + With reverence for to thinke upon + Their parents laid in grave. + + In Thracia liv'd a gentleman, + Of noble progeny, 10 + Who rul'd his household with great fame, + And true integrity. + This gentleman did take to wife + A neat and gallant dame, + Whose outward shew and beauty bright 15 + Did many hearts inflame. + + The luster that came from her lookes, + Her carriage and her grace, + Like beauteous Cynthia did outshine + Each lady in that place. 20 + And being puffed up in pride, + With ease and jollity, + Her husband could not her content; + She other men must try. + + Lasciviously long time she liv'd, 25 + Yet bore it cunningly; + For she had those that watch'd so well, + That he could nought espy. + With bribes and gifts she so bewitch'd + The hearts of some were neere, 30 + That they conceal'd her wickednesse, + And kept it from her deare. + + Thus spending of her time away + In extreme wantonesse, + Her private friends, when she did please, 35 + Unto her had accesse. + But the all-seeing eye of heaven + Such sinnes will not conceale, + And by some meanes at last will he + The truth of all reveale. 40 + + Upon a time sore sicke she fell, + Yea to the very death, + And her physician told her plaine + She must resigne her breath. + Divines did likewise visit her, 45 + And holy counsell gave, + And bade her call upon the Lord, + That he her soule might save. + + Amongst the rest, she did desire + They would her husband bring; 50 + "I have a secret to reveale," + She said, "my heart doth sting." + Then he came posting presently + Unto her where she lay, + And weeping then he did desire, 55 + What she to him would say. + + She did intreat that all might voyd + The roome, and he would stay; + "Your pardon, husband, I beseech," + Unto him she did say: 60 + "For I have wrong'd your marriage-bed, + And plaid the wanton wife; + To you the truth I will reveale, + Ere I depart this life. + + "Foure hopefull sonnes you think you have; 65 + To me it best is knowne, + And three of them are none of yours; + Of foure but one's your owne, + And by your selfe on me begot, + Which hath a wanton beene; 70 + These dying teares forgivenesse beg; + Let mercy then be seene." + + This strooke her husband in a dump, + His heart was almost dead; + But rouzing of his spirits up, 75 + These words to her he said. + "I doe forgive thee with my heart, + So thou the truth wilt tell, + Which of the foure is my owne sonne, + And all things shall be well." 80 + + "O pardon me, my husband deare," + Unto him she did say; + "They are my children every one," + And so she went away. + Away he goes with heavy heart; 85 + His griefes he did conceale, + And like a wise and prudent man, + To none did it reveale. + + Not knowing which to be his owne, + Each of his love did share, 90 + And to be train'd in vertues paths + Of them he had a care. + In learning great and gentle grace + They were brought up and taught, + Such deare affection in the hearts 95 + Of parents God hath wrought. + + They now were growne to mens estates, + And liv'd most gallantly; + Each had his horse, his hawke, his hound, + And did their manhood try. 100 + The ancient man did joy thereat, + But yet he did not know + Which was his sonne amongst the foure; + That bred in him much woe. + + At length his glasse of life was run, 105 + The fates doe so decree; + For poore and rich they all must dye, + And death will take no fee. + Unto some judges he did send, + And counsell that were grave, 110 + Who presently to him did come + To know what he would have. + + They coming then to his beds side, + Unto them he did say: + "I know you all to be my friends, 115 + Most faithfull every way; + And now, before I leave the world, + I beg this at your hands, + To have a care which of my sonnes + Shall have my goods and lands." 120 + + And to them all he did relate + What things his wife had done. + "There is but one amongst the foure + That is my native sonne; + And to your judgement I commit, 125 + When I am laid in grave, + Which is my sonne, and which is fit + My lands and goods to have." + + He dying, they in councill sate + What best were to be done; 130 + For 'twas a taske of great import + To judge which was his sonne. + The brothers likewise were at strife, + Which should the living have, + When as the ancient man was dead, 135 + And buried in his grave. + + The judges must decide the cause, + And thus they did decree: + The dead man's body up to take, + And tye it to a tree; 140 + A bow each brother he must have, + And eke an arrow take, + To shoot at their dead fathers corps, + As if he were a stake. + + And he whose arrow nearest hit 145 + His heart, as he did stand, + They'd judge him for to be right heire, + And fit to have the land. + On this they all did straight agree, + And to the field they went; 150 + Each had a man his shaft to beare, + And bow already bent. + + "Now," quoth the judges, "try your skill + Upon your father there, + That we may quickly know who shall 155 + Unto the land be heire." + The oldest took his bow in hand, + And shaft, where as he stood, + Which pierc'd so deep the dead mans brest, + That it did run with blood. 160 + + The second brother then must shoot, + Who straight did take his aime, + And with his arrow made a wound, + That blood came from the same. + The third likewise must try his skill 165 + The matter to decide; + Whose shaft did make a wound most deep + Into the dead man's side. + + Unto the fourth and youngest, then, + A bow and shaft were brought; 170 + Who said, "D'ee thinke that ere my heart + Could harbour such a thought, + To shoot at my dear father's heart, + Although that he be dead, + For all the kingdomes in the world 175 + That farre and wide are spread?" + + And turning of him round about, + The teares ran downe amaine: + He flung his bow upon the ground, + And broke his shaft in twaine. 180 + The judges seeing his remorse, + They then concluded all + He was the right, the other three + They were unnaturall. + + And so he straight possest the lands, 185 + Being made the heire of all, + And heaven by nature in this kind + Unto his heart did call. + His brothers they did envy him, + But yet he need not care, 190 + And of his wealth, in portions large, + Unto them he did share. + + + + +SIR RICHARD WHITTINGTON'S ADVANCEMENT. + + +This ballad is taken from _The Crowne-Garland of Golden Roses_, p. 20, +Percy Society, vol. vi. Another copy is in _A Collection of Old +Ballads_, i. 130. A play called _The History of Whittington_ was entered +on the Stationers' books in Feb. 1604, and the "famous fable of +Whittington and his puss" is mentioned in _Eastward Hoe_, 1605. (Weber +and Halliwell.) + +"There is something so fabulous," (says the editor of _Old Ballads_, +following Grafton and Stow,) "or at least, that has such a romantic +appearance, in the history of Whittington, that I shall not choose to +relate it; but refer my credulous readers to common tradition, or to the +penny histories. Certain it is that there was such a man; a citizen of +London, by trade a mercer, and one who has left public edifices and +charitable works enow behind him, to transmit his name to posterity. +Amongst others, he founded a house of prayer; with an allowance for a +master, fellows, choristers, clerks, &c., and an almshouse for thirteen +poor men, called Whittington College. He entirely rebuilt the loathsome +prison, which then was standing at the west gate of the city, and called +it Newgate. He built the better half of St. Bartholomew's Hospital, in +West-Smithfield, and the fine library in Grey-Fryars, now called +Christ's Hospital: as also great part of the east end of Guildhall, with +a chapel, and a library in which the records of the city might be +kept.... 'Tis said of him, that he advanced a very considerable sum of +money towards carrying on the war in France, under this last monarch. He +married Alice, the daughter of Hugh and Molde Fitzwarren: at whose +house, traditions say, Whittington lived a servant, when he got his +immense riches by venturing his cat in one of his master's ships. +However, if we may give credit to his own will, he was a knight's son; +and more obliged to an English king and prince, than to any African +monarch, for his riches. For when he founded Whittington College, and +left a maintenance for so many people, as above related, they were, as +Stow records it, for this maintenance bound to pray for the good estate +of Richard Whittington, and Alice his wife, their founders; and for Sir +William Whittington, and Dame Joan his wife; and for Hugh Fitzwarren, +and Dame Molde his wife; the fathers and mothers of the said Richard +Whittington and Alice his wife; for King Richard the Second, and Thomas +of Woodstock, Duke of Gloucester, special lords and promoters of the +said Richard Whittington, &c." + +Richard Whittington was Sheriff of London in the 18th year of Richard +the Second, 1394, was then knighted, and chosen Mayor in the 22d year of +the same reign, 1398. He was again Mayor in the 9th year of Henry the +Fourth, 1407, and the 8th of Henry the Fifth, 1420. + +Keightley has devoted a chapter of his _Tales and Popular Fictions_ (the +seventh) to the legend of Whittington and his Cat. He cites two similar +stories from Thiele's _Danish Popular Traditions_, another from the +letters of Count Magalotti, a Florentine of the latter half of the 17th +century, another from the _Facezie_ of Arlotto, a Tuscan humorist of the +15th century, another, of Venetian origin, from a German chronicle of +the 13th century, and finally one from the Persian _Tarikh al Wasaf_, a +work said to have been composed at the end of the 13th or the beginning +of the 14th century. Mr. Halliwell adds one more of a Portuguese wrecked +on the coast of Guinea, from the _Description of Guinea_, 1665. + + Here must I tell the praise + Of worthy Whittington, + Known to be in his dayes + Thrice Maior of London. + But of poor parentage, 5 + Borne was he, as we heare, + And in his tender age + Bred up in Lancashire. + + Poorely to London than + Came up this simple lad, 10 + Where, with a marchant-man, + Soone he a dwelling had; + And in a kitchen plast, + A scullion for to be, + Whereas long time he past 15 + In labour drudgingly. + + His daily service was + Turning spitts at the fire; + And to scour pots of brasse, + For a poore scullions hire. 20 + Meat and drinke all his pay, + Of coyne he had no store; + Therefore to run away, + In secret thought he bore. + + So from this marchant-man, 25 + Whittington secretly + Towards his country ran, + To purchase liberty. + But as he went along, + In a fair summer's morne, 30 + Londons bells sweetly rung, + "Whittington, back return!" + + Evermore sounding so, + "Turn againe, Whittington; + For thou in time shall grow 35 + Lord-Maior of London." + Whereupon back againe + Whittington came with speed, + A prentise to remaine, + As the Lord had decreed. 40 + + "Still blessed be the bells; + (This was his daily song) + They my good fortune tells, + Most sweetly have they rung. + If God so favour me, 45 + I will not proove unkind; + London my love shall see, + And my great bounties find." + + But see his happy chance! + This scullion had a cat, 50 + Which did his state advance, + And by it wealth he gat. + His maister ventred forth, + To a land far unknowne, + With marchandize of worth, 55 + As is in stories showne. + + Whittington had no more + But this poor cat as than, + Which to the ship he bore, + Like a brave marchant-man. 60 + "Vent'ring the same," quoth he, + "I may get store of golde, + And Maior of London be, + As the bells have me told." + + Whittington's marchandise, 65 + Carried was to a land + Troubled with rats and mice, + As they did understand. + The king of that country there, + As he at dinner sat, 70 + Daily remain'd in fear + Of many a mouse and rat. + + Meat that in trenchers lay, + No way they could keepe safe; + But by rats borne away, 75 + Fearing no wand or staff. + Whereupon, soone they brought + Whittingtons nimble cat; + Which by the king was bought; + Heapes of gold giv'n for that. 80 + + Home againe came these men + With their ships loaden so, + Whittingtons wealth began + By this cat thus to grow. + Scullions life he forsooke 85 + To be a marchant good, + And soon began to looke + How well his credit stood. + + After that he was chose + Shriefe of the citty heere, 90 + And then full quickly rose + Higher, as did appeare. + For to this cities praise, + Sir Richard Whittington + Came to be in his dayes 95 + Thrise Maior of London. + + More his fame to advance, + Thousands he lent his king, + To maintaine warres in France, + Glory from thence to bring. 100 + And after, at a feast + Which he the king did make, + He burnt the bonds all in jeast, + And would no money take. + + Ten thousand pound he gave 105 + To his prince willingly, + And would not one penny have; + This in kind curtesie. + God did thus make him great,[L109] + So would he daily see 110 + Poor people fed with meat, + To shew his charity. + + Prisoners poore cherish'd were, + Widdowes sweet comfort found; + Good deeds, both far and neere, 115 + Of him do still resound. + Whittington Colledge is + One of his charities; + Records reporteth this + To lasting memories. 120 + + Newgate he builded faire, + For prisoners to live in; + Christs-Church he did repaire, + Christian love for to win. + Many more such like deedes 125 + Were done by Whittington; + Which joy and comfort breedes, + To such as looke thereon. + + Lancashire, thou hast bred + This flower of charity: 130 + Though he be gon and dead + Yet lives he lastingly. + Those bells that call'd him so, + "Turne again, Whittington," + Call you back many moe 135 + To live so in London. + +109. made. + + + + +CATSKIN'S GARLAND, OR, THE WANDERING YOUNG GENTLEWOMAN. + +Moore's _Pictorial Book of Ancient Ballad Poetry_, p. 596. + + +Only in a very debased form is this enchanting tale preserved by English +tradition. The following ballad is given, in the collection cited above, +from a modern broadside, but has here received a few improvements from +two other copies cited by the editor. Mr. Halliwell has printed another +version of Catskin in _The Nursery Rhymes of England_, p. 48, Percy +Society, vol. iv. The story is possessed by almost every nation in +Europe. It is found not only among the Northern races, but among the +Hungarians, Servians, Wallachians, Welsh, Italians, and French. In +Germany it is current in a great variety of forms, the two most +noteworthy of which are _Aschenputtel_, to which correspond +_Cennerentola_ in the _Pentamerone_ (i. 6), the _Cendrillon_ of +Perrault, and the _Finette Cendron_ of Madame d'Aulnoy; and +_Allerlei-Rauh_, which is the same as the _Peau d'Ane_ of Perrault, the +_She-Bear_ of the _Pentamerone_ (ii. 6), and the _Doralice_ of +Straparola (i. 4).--See the Grimms' _Kinder-und-Haus-Märchen_, No. 21, +65, and notes in vol. iii.; also the Swedish story of _The Little Gold +Shoe_, and _The Girl clad in Mouse-skin_, from the Danish, in Thorpe's +_Yule Tide Stories_, pp. vii. 112, 375. + + +PART I. + + You fathers and mothers, and children also, + Come near unto me, and soon you shall know + The sense of my ditty, for I dare to say, + The like hasn't been heard of this many long day. + + This subject which to you I am to relate, 5 + It is of a 'squire who had a large estate; + And the first dear infant his wife she did bare, + Was a young daughter, a beauty most fair. + + He said to his wife, "Had this but been a boy, + It would please me better, and increase my joy; 10 + If the next be of the same sort, I declare, + Of what I am possessed it shall have no share." + + In twelve months after, this woman, we hear, + Had another daughter, of beauty most clear; + And when her father knew 'twas a female, 15 + Into a bitter passion he presently fell. + + Saying, "Since this is of the same sort as the first, + In my habitation she shall not be nurs'd; + Pray let it be sent into the country, + For where I am, truly this child shall not be." 20 + + With tears his dear wife unto him did say, + "My dear, be contented, I'll send her away." + Then into the country this child she did send, + For to be brought up by an intimate friend. + + Altho' that her father hated her so, 25 + He good education on her did bestow, + And with a gold locket, and robes of the best, + This slighted young damsel was commonly drest. + + But when unto stature this damsel was grown, + And found from her father she had no love shewn, 30 + She cried, "Before I will lie under his frown, + I am fully resolv'd to range the world round." + + +PART II. + + But now mark, good people, the cream of the jest, + In what a strange manner this female was drest: + Catskins into a garment she made, I declare, 35 + The which for her clothing she daily did wear. + + Her own rich attire, and jewels beside, + They up in a bundle together were ty'd; + And to seek her fortune she wander'd away, + And when she had wander'd a cold winter's day, 40 + + In the evening-tide she came to a town, + Where at a knight's door she sat herself down, + For to rest herself, who was weary for sure. + This noble knight's lady then came to the door, + + And seeing this creature in such sort of dress, 45 + The lady unto her these words did express, + "From whence came you, or what will you have?" + She said, "A night's rest in your stable I crave." + + The lady said to her, "I grant thy desire, + Come into the kitchen, and stand by the fire;" 50 + Then she thank'd the lady, and went in with haste, + Where she was gaz'd on from biggest to the least. + + And, being warm'd, her hunger was great, + They gave her a plate of good food for to eat; + And then to an outhouse this damsel was led, 55 + Where with fresh straw she soon made her a bed. + + And when in the morning the day-light she saw, + Her rich robes and jewels she hid in the straw; + And being very cold, she then did retire, + And went into the kitchen, and stood by the fire. 60 + + The cook said, "My lady promis'd that thou[L61] + Shouldest be a scullion to wait on me now:[L62] + What say'st thou, girl, art thou willing to bide?" + "With all my heart," then she to her reply'd. + + To work at her needle she could very well, 65 + And [for] raising of paste few could her excel; + She being so handy, the cook's heart did win, + And then she was call'd by the name of Catskin. + + + +PART III. + + This knight had a son both comely and tall, + Who often-times used to be at a ball, 70 + A mile out of town, and one evening-tide, + To see a fine dancing away he did ride. + + Catskin said to his mother, "Madam, let me + Go after your son, this ball for to see." + With that, in a passion this lady she grew, 75 + And struck her with a ladle, and broke it in two. + + Being thus served, she then got away, + And in her rich garments herself did array; + Then to see this ball she then did retire, + Where she danced so fine all did her admire. 80 + + The sport being done, this young squire did say, + "Young lady, where do you live, tell me, I pray?" + Her answer to him was, "Sir, that I will tell; + At the sign of the Broken Ladle I dwell." + + She being very nimble, got home first, 'tis said, 85 + And with her catskin robes she soon was arrayed; + Then into the kitchen again she did go, + But where she had been none of them did know. + + Next night the young 'squire, himself to content, + To see the ball acted, away then he went. 90 + She said, "Let me go this ball for to view;" + She struck her with a skimmer, and broke it in two. + + Then out of doors she ran, being full of heaviness, + And with her rich garments herself she did dress; + For to see this ball she ran away with speed, 95 + And to see her dancing all wonder'd indeed. + + The ball being ended, the 'squire said then, + "Pray where do you live?" She answered again,[L98] + "Sir, because you ask me, account I will give; + At the sign of the Broken Skimmer I live." 100 + + Being dark, she left him, and home[ward] did hie, + And in her catskin robes she was drest presently, + And into the kitchen among them she went, + But where she had been they were all innocent. + + [When] the 'squire came home and found Catskin there, 105 + He was in amaze, and began for to swear, + "For two nights at the ball has been a lady, + The sweetest of beauties that e'er I did see. + + "She was the best dancer in all the whole place, + And very much like our Catskin in the face; 110 + Had she not been drest in that costly degree, + I would have sworn it was Catskin's body." + + Next night he went to see this ball once more; + Then she ask'd his mother to go as before; + Who having a bason of water in hand, 115 + She threw it at Catskin, as I understand. + + Shaking her wet ears, out of doors she did run, + And dressed herself when this thing she had done; + To see this ball acted she then run her ways, + To see her fine dancing all gave her the praise. 120 + + And having concluded, the young squire he + Said, "From whence do you come, pray now tell me?" + Her answer was, "Sir, you shall know the same, + From the sign of the Bason of Water I came." + + Then homeward she hurried, as fast as might be. 125 + This young 'squire then was resolved to see + Whereto she belong'd, then follow'd Catskin: + Into an old straw-house he saw her creep in. + + He said, "O brave Catskin, I find it is thee, + Who these three nights together has so charmed me; 130 + Thou'rt the sweetest creature my eyes e'er beheld; + With joy and comfort my heart it is fill'd. + + "Thou art the cook's scullion, but as I have life, + Grant me [but] thy love, and I'll make thee my wife, + And you shall have maids to wait at your call." 135 + "Sir, that cannot be; I've no portion at all." + + "Thy beauty is portion, my joy and my dear; + I prize it far better than thousands a year; + And to gain my friends' consent, I've got a trick; + I'll go to my bed and feign myself sick. 140 + + "There's none shall attend me but thee, I profess,[L141] + And some day or other in thy richest dress + Thou shalt be drest; if my parents come nigh, + I'll tell them that for thee sick I do lie." + + +PART IV. + + Having thus consulted, this couple partèd. 145 + Next day this young 'squire took to his bed. + When his dear parents this thing perceiv'd, + For fear of his death they were heartily griev'd. + + To tend him they sent for a nurse presently: 149 + He said, "None but Catskin my nurse now shall be." + His parents said, "No." He said, "But she shall, + Or else I'll have none for to nurse me at all." + + His parents both wonder'd to hear him say thus, + That no one but Catskin must be his nurse; + So then his dear parents their son to content, 155 + Up into the chamber poor Catskin they sent. + + Sweet cordials and other rich things were prepar'd, + Which betwixt this young couple was equally shar'd; + And when all alone, they in each other's arms + Enjoy'd one another in love's pleasant charms. 160 + + At length on a time poor Catskin, 'tis said, + In her rich attire she then was array'd; + And when his mother the chamber drew near, + Then much like a goddess did Catskin appear. + + Which caus'd her to startle, and thus she did say; 165 + "What young lady's this, son, tell me I pray?" + He said, "It is Catskin, for whom I sick lie, + And without I have her with speed I shall die." + + His mother ran down for to call the old knight, + Who ran up to see this amazing great sight; 170 + He said, "Is this Catskin we hold so in scorn? + I ne'er saw a finer dame since I was born." + + The old knight said to her, "I pry'thee tell me, + From whence dost thou come, and of what family." + Then who was her parents she gave them to know, 175 + And what was the cause of her wandering so. + + The young 'squire said, "If you will save my life, + Pray grant this young creature may be my wife." + His father reply'd, "Your life for to save, + If you are agreed, my consent you shall have." 180 + + Next day, with great triumph and joy, as we hear, + There were many coaches came far and near; + She much like a goddess drest in great array, + Catskin to the 'squire was married that day. + + For several days this great wedding did last, 185 + Where was many topping and gallant rich guests; + And for joy the bells rung all over the town, + And bottles of claret went merrily round. + + When Catskin was married, her fame to raise, + To see her modest carriage all gave her the praise; 190 + Thus her charming beauty the squire did win, + And who lives so great as he and Catskin? + + +PART V. + + Now in the fifth part I'll endeavour to shew, + How things with her parents and sister did go; + Her mother and sister of life [are] bereft, 195 + And all alone the old knight he was left. + + And hearing his daughter being married so brave, + He said, "In my noddle a fancy I have; + Drest like a poor man a journey I'll make, + And see if on me some pity she'll take. 200 + + Then drest like a beggar he goes to the gate, + Where stood his daughter, who appear'd very great; + He said, "Noble lady, a poor man I be, + And am now forced to crave charity." + + With a blush she asked him from whence he came, 205 + With that then he told her, and also his name; + She said, "I'm your daughter, whom you slighted so, + Yet, nevertheless, to you kindness I'll shew. + + "Thro' mercy the Lord hath provided for me. + Now, father, come in and sit down," then said she. 210 + Then the best of provisions the house could afford, + For to make him welcome was set on the board. + + She said, "Thou art welcome; feed hearty, I pray; + And, if you are willing, with me you shall stay + So long as you live." Then he made this reply; 215 + "I am only come thy love for to try. + + "Thro' mercy, my child, I am rich, and not poor; + I have gold and silver enough now in store; + And for the love that at thy house I have found, + For a portion I'll give thee ten thousand pounds." 220 + + So in a few days after, as I understand, + This man he went home and sold off his land; + And ten thousand pounds to his daughter did give, + And now altogether in love they do live. + +61. thee. + +62. upon me. + +98. answered him. + +141. protest. + + + + +THE TAMING OF A SHREW. + + +Ritson's _Ancient Songs and Ballads_, ii. 242. "From one of the Sloan +MSS. in the Museum, No. 1489. The writing of Charles the First's time." +A far superior poem on the very popular subject of the disciplining of +wives is that of _The Wife Lapped in Morels Skin_, printed in Utterson's +_Select Pieces of Early Popular Poetry_, ii. 173, and as an appendix to +the Shakespeare Society's edition of the old _Taming of a Shrew_. As a +counterpart to these pieces may be mentioned the amusing poem called +_Ane Ballad of Matrymonie_, in Laing's _Select Remains_, or, _The +Honeymoon_, Aytoun's _Ballads of Scotland_, i. 284. + + Al you that are assembled heere, + Come listen to my song, + But first a pardon I must crave, + For feare of further wrong; + I must entreat thes good wyves al 5 + They wil not angrye be, + And I will sing a merrye song, + If they thereto agree. + + Because the song I mean to sing + Doth touch them most of all, 10 + And loth I were that any one + With me shold chide and brawle. + I have anough of that at home, + At boarde, and eake in bed; + And once for singing this same song 15 + My wyfe did breake my head. + + But if thes good wyves all be pleasd, + And pleased be the men, + Ile venture one more broken pate, + To sing it once agayne. 20 + But first Ile tell you what it's cald, + For feare you heare no more; + 'Tis calde the Taming of a Shrew, + Not often sung before. + + And if I then shall sing the rest, 25 + A signe I needs must have; + Hold but your finger up to me, + Or hem,--that's al I crave-- + Then wil I sing it with a harte, + And to it roundelye goe; 30 + You know my mynde, now let me see + Whether I shal sing't or no. _Hem._ + + Well then, I see you willing are + That I shall sing the reste; + To pleasure al thes good wyves heire 35 + I meane to do my best. + For I do see even by their lookes + No hurte to me they thinke, + And thus it chancte upon a tyme, + (But first give me a drinke.) 40 + + Not long agoe a lustye lad + Did woe a livelye lasse, + And long it was before he cold + His purpose bring to passe; + Yet at the lenth it thus fell out, 45 + She granted his petition, + That she would be his wedded wyfe, + But yet on this condicion. + + That she shold weare the breeches on + For one yeare and a day, 50 + And not to be controld of him + Whatsoere she'd do or say.[L52] + She rulde, shee raignd, she had hir wil + Even as she wold require; + But marke what fell out afterwards, 55 + Good wyves I you desyre. + + She made him weary of his lyfe; + He wisht that death wold come, + And end his myserye at once, + Ere that the yeare was run; 60 + He thought it was the longest yeare + That was since he was borne, + But he cold not the matter mend, + For he was thereto sworne. + + Yet hath the longest day his date; 65 + For this we al do know, + Although the day be neer soe long, + To even soone wil it goe. + So fell it out with hir at lenth, + The yeare was now come out; 70 + The sun, and moone, and all the starres, + Their race had run about. + + Then he began to rouse himselfe, + And to his wyfe he saide, + "Since that your raigne is at an end, 75 + Now know me for your heade." + But she that had borne swaye so long + Wold not be under brought, + But stil hir tounge on pattens ran, + Though many blowes she caught. 80 + + He bet hir backe, he bet hir syde, + He bet hir blacke and blew; + But for all this she wolde not mend, + But worse and worse she grew. + When that he saw she wolde not mend, 85 + Another way wrought hee; + He mewde hir up as men mew hawkes, + Where noe light she cold see. + + And kept hir without meate or drinke + For four dayes space and more; 90 + Yet for all this she was as ill + As ere she was before. + When that he saw she wold not mend, + Nor that she wold be quiet, + Neither for stroakes nor locking up, 95 + Nor yet for want of dyet, + + He was almost at his wits end, + He knew not what to doe; + So that with gentlenes againe + He gane his wyfe to woo. 100 + But she soone bad him holde his peace, + And sware it was his best, + But then he thought him of a wyle + Which made him be at rest. + + He told a frend or two of his 105 + What he had in his mynde; + Who went with him into his house, + And when they all had dynde, + "Good wyfe," quoth he, "thes frends of myne + Come hither for your good; 110 + There lyes a vayne under your toung, + Must now be letten blood." + + Then she began to use hir tearmes, + And rayléd at them fast; + Yet bound they hir for al hir strenth 115 + Unto a poaste at laste, + And let hir blood under the toung, + And tho she bled full sore, + Yet did she rayle at them as fast + As ere she raylde before. 120 + + "Wel then," quoth he, "the faulte I see, + She hath it from her mother; + It is hir teeth infects hir toung, + And it can be noe other; + And since I now doe know the cause, 125 + Whatsoever to me befall, + Ile plucke hir teeth out of hir toung, + Perhaps hir toung and all." + + And with a payre of pinsers strong + He pluckt a great tooth out, 130 + And for to plucke another thence, + He quicklye went about. + But then she held up both her hands, + And did for mercye pray, + Protesting that against his will, 135 + She wold not doe nor saye. + + Whereat hir husband was right glad, + That she had changde hir mynde, + For from that tyme unto hir death + She proved both good and kynde. 140 + Then did he take hir from the poast, + And did unbind hir then; + I wold al shrews were served thus; + Al good wyves say Amen. + +52. she did or said. + + + + +TITUS ANDRONICUS'S COMPLAINT. + + +On the 6th of February, 1593-4, _A noble Roman Historye of Tytus +Andronicus_, was entered in the Stationers' Registers, to John Danter, +and also "the ballad thereof." The earliest known edition of +Shakespeare's play was in 1600. The differences between this play and +the ballad are thus stated by Percy. + +"In the ballad is no mention of the contest for the empire between the +two brothers, the composing of which makes the ungrateful treatment of +Titus afterwards the more flagrant: neither is there any notice taken of +his sacrificing one of Tamora's sons, which the tragic poet has assigned +as the original cause of all her cruelties. In the play, Titus loses +twenty-one of his sons in war, and kills another for assisting Bassianus +to carry off Lavinia; the reader will find it different in the ballad. +In the latter she is betrothed to the Emperor's son: in the play to his +brother. In the tragedy, only two of his sons fall into the pit, and the +third, being banished, returns to Rome with a victorious army, to avenge +the wrongs of his house: in the ballad, all three are entrapped, and +suffer death. In the scene, the Emperor kills Titus, and is in return +stabbed by Titus's surviving son. Here Titus kills the Emperor, and +afterwards himself." * * * * * + +"The following is given from a copy in _The Golden Garland_, entitled as +above; compared with three others, two of them in black letter in the +Pepys collection, entitled _The Lamentable and Tragical History of +Titus Andronicus_, &c. To the Tune of _Fortune_. Printed for E. +Wright.--Unluckily, none of these have any dates." Percy's _Reliques_, +i. 238. + + You noble minds, and famous martiall wights, + That in defence of native country fights, + Give eare to me, that ten yeeres fought for Rome, + Yet reapt disgrace at my returning home. + + In Rome I lived in fame fulle threescore yeeres, 5 + My name beloved was of all my peeres; + Fulle five-and-twenty valiant sonnes I had, + Whose forwarde vertues made their father glad. + + For when Romes foes their warlike forces bent, + Against them stille my sonnes and I were sent; 10 + Against the Goths full ten yeeres weary warre + We spent, receiving many a bloudy scarre. + + Just two-and-twenty of my sonnes were slaine + Before we did returne to Rome againe: + Of five-and-twenty sonnes, I brought but three 15 + Alive, the stately towers of Rome to see. + + When wars were done, I conquest home did bring, + And did present my prisoners to the king, + The queene of Goths, her sons, and eke a Moore, + Which did such murders, like was nere before. 20 + + The emperour did make this queene his wife, + Which bred in Rome debate and deadly strife; + The Moore, with her two sonnes, did growe soe proud, + That none like them in Rome might bee allowd. + + The Moore soe pleas'd this new-made empress' eie, 25 + That she consented to him secretlye + For to abuse her husbands marriage bed, + And soe in time a blackamore she bred. + + Then she, whose thoughts to murder were inclinde, + Consented with the Moore of bloody minde, 30 + Against myselfe, my kin, and all my friendes, + In cruell sort to bring them to their endes. + + Soe when in age I thought to live in peace, + Both care and griefe began then to increase: + Amongst my sonnes I had one daughter bright, 35 + Which joy'd and pleased best my aged sight. + + My deare Lavinia was betrothed than + To Cesars sonne, a young and noble man: + Who, in a hunting, by the emperours wife, + And her two sonnes, bereaved was of life. 40 + + He, being slaine, was cast in cruel wise + Into a darksome den from light of skies: + The cruell Moore did come that way as then + With my three sonnes, who fell into the den. + + The Moore then fetcht the emperour with speed, 45 + For to accuse them of that murderous deed; + And when my sonnes within the den were found, + In wrongfull prison they were cast and bound. + + But nowe behold what wounded most my mind: + The empresses two sonnes, of savage kind, 50 + My daughter ravished without remorse, + And took away her honour, quite perforce. + + When they had tasted of soe sweete a flowre, + Fearing this sweete should shortly turne to sowre, + They cutt her tongue, whereby she could not tell 55 + How that dishonoure unto her befell. + + Then both her hands they basely cutt off quite, + Whereby their wickednesse she could not write, + Nor with her needle on her sampler sowe + The bloudye workers of her direfull woe. 60 + + My brother Marcus found her in the wood, + Staining the grassie ground with purple bloud, + That trickled from her stumpes, and bloudlesse armes: + Noe tongue at all she had to tell her harmes. + + But when I sawe her in that woefull case, 65 + With teares of bloud I wet mine aged face: + For my Lavinia I lamented more + Then for my two-and-twenty sonnes before. + + When as I sawe she could not write nor speake, + With grief mine aged heart began to breake; 70 + We spred an heape of sand upon the ground, + Whereby those bloudy tyrants out we found. + + For with a staffe, without the helpe of hand, + She writt these wordes upon the plat of sand: + "The lustfull sonnes of the proud emperesse 75 + Are doers of this hateful wickednesse." + + I tore the milk-white hairs from off mine head, + I curst the houre wherein I first was bred; + I wisht this hand, that fought for countries fame, + In cradle rockt, had first been stroken lame. 80 + + The Moore, delighting still in villainy, + Did say, to sett my sonnes from prison free, + I should unto the king my right hand give, + And then my three imprisoned sonnes should live. + + The Moore I caus'd to strike it off with speede, 85 + Whereat I grieved not to see it bleed, + But for my sonnes would willingly impart, + And for their ransome send my bleeding heart. + + But as my life did linger thus in paine, + They sent to me my bootlesse hand againe, 90 + And therewithal the heades of my three sonnes, + Which filled my dying heart with fresher moanes. + + Then past reliefe, I upp and downe did goe, + And with my teares writ in the dust my woe: + I shot my arrowes towards heaven hie, 95 + And for revenge to hell often did crye. + + The empresse then, thinking that I was mad, + Like Furies she and both her sonnes were clad, + (She nam'd Revenge, and Rape and Murder they) + To undermine and heare what I would say. 100 + + I fed their foolish veines a certaine space,[L101] + Untill my friendes did find a secret place, + Where both her sonnes unto a post were bound, + And just revenge in cruell sort was found. + + I cut their throates, my daughter held the pan 105 + Betwixt her stumpes, wherein the bloud it ran: + And then I ground their bones to powder small, + And made a paste for pyes streight therewithall. + + Then with their fleshe I made two mighty pyes, + And at a banquet, served in stately wise, 110 + Before the empresse set this loathsome meat; + So of her sonnes own flesh she well did eat. + + Myselfe bereav'd my daughter then of life, + The empresse then I slewe with bloudy knife, + And stabb'd the emperour immediatelie, 115 + And then myself: even soe did Titus die. + + Then this revenge against the Moore was found; + Alive they sett him halfe in the ground, + Whereas he stood untill such time he starv'd: + And soe God send all murderers may be serv'd. 120 + +101. i. e. encouraged them in their foolish humours, or fancies. P. + + + + +JOHN DORY. + + +This ballad, formerly a very great favorite, and continually alluded to +in works of the 16th and 17th centuries, is found among the "Freemen's +Songs of three voices" in _Deuteromelia_, 1609; also in Playford's +_Musical Companion_, 1687, and for one voice in _Wit and Mirth, or Pills +to Purge Melancholy_, vol. i. 1698 and 1707. It is, however, much older +than any of these books. + +Carew, in his _Survey of Cornwall_, 1602, p. 135, writes: "Moreover, the +prowess of one Nicholas, son to a widow near Foy, is descanted upon in +an old three-man's song, namely, how he fought bravely at sea with John +Dory, (a Genowey, as I conjecture,) set forth by John, the French King, +and, after much bloodshed on both sides, took, and slew him, in revenge +of the great ravine and cruelty which he had fore committed upon the +Englishmen's goods and bodies." The only King John that could be meant +here is of course John II. the Good, (see v. 10,) who was taken prisoner +at Poitiers, and died in 1364. No John Doria is mentioned as being in +the service of John the Good.--Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 57, and +Chappell's _Popular Music_, p. 67. + + As it fell on a holy-day, + And upon 'a' holy-tide-a, + John Dory bought him an ambling nag, + To Paris for to ride-a. + + And when John Dory to Paris was come, 5 + A little before the gate-a, + John Dory was fitted, the porter was witted, + To let him in thereat-a. + + The first man that John Dory did meet, + Was good king John of France-a; 10 + John Dory could well of his courtesie, + But fell downe in a trance-a. + + "A pardon, a pardon, my liege and my king, + For my merie men and for me-a; + And all the churles in merie England, 15 + Ile bring them all bound to thee-a." + + And Nicholl was then a Cornish man, + A little beside Bohide-a, + And he mande forth a good blacke barke, + With fifty good oares on a side-a. 20 + + "Run up, my boy, unto the maine top, + And looke what thou canst spie-a:" + "Who ho! who ho! a goodly ship I do see, + I trow it be John Dory-a." + + They hoist their sailes, both top and top, 25 + The meisseine and all was tride-a; + And every man stood to his lot, + Whatever should betide-a. + + The roring cannons then were plide, + And dub-a-dub went the drumme-a; 30 + The braying trumpets lowd they cride, + To courage both all and some-a. + + The grapling-hooks were brought at length, + The browne bill and the sword-a; + John Dory at length, for all his strength, 35 + Was clapt fast under board-a. + + + + +SIR EGLAMORE. + + Courage Crowned with Conquest: Or, a brief relation how that valiant + knight and heroick champion, Sir Eglamore, bravely fought with, and + manfully slew, a terrible huge great monstrous dragon. To a pleasant + new tune. + + +This ballad is found in _The Melancholie Knight_, by Samuel Rowlands, +1615; in the _Antidote to Melancholy_, 1661; in _Merry Drollery +Complete_, 1661; in Dryden's _Miscellany Poems_, iv. 104; in the +"Bagford and Roxburghe collections of Ballads," &c. (Chappell.) The +various editions differ considerably. The following is from Ritson's +_Ancient Songs_, (ed. 1790,) p. 211, where it was reprinted from a +black-letter copy dated 1672. + + Sir Eglamore, that valiant knight, + _With his fa, la, lanctre down dilie_, + He fetcht his sword and he went to fight, + _With his fa, la, lanctre, &c._ + As he went over hill and dale, + All cloathed in his coat of male, + _With his fa, la, lanctre, &c._ + + A huge great dragon leapt out of his den, 5 + Which had killed the Lord knows how many men; + But when he saw Sir Eglamore, + Good lack had ye seen how this dragon did roare! + + This dragon he had a plaguy hide, + Which could both sword and spear abide; 10 + He could not enter with hacks and cuts, + Which vext the knight to the very hearts blood and guts. + + All the trees in the wood did shake, + Stars did tremble, and men did quake; + But had ye seen how the birds lay peeping, 15 + 'Twould have made a mans heart to fall a-weeping. + + But it was too late to fear, + For now it was come to fight dog, fight bear; + And as a yawning he did fall, + He thrust his sword in, hilt and all. 20 + + But now as the knight in choler did burn, + He owed the dragon a shrewd good turn: + In at his mouth his sword he bent, + The hilt appeared at his fundament. + + Then the dragon, like a coward, began to fly 25 + Unto his den, that was hard by; + And there he laid him down and roar'd; + The knight was vexed for his sword. + + "The sword, that was a right good blade, + As ever Turk or Spaniard made, 30 + I for my part do forsake it, + And he that will fetch it, let him take it." + + When all this was done, to the ale-house he went, + And by and by his two pence he spent; + For he was so hot with tugging with the dragon, 35 + That nothing would quench him but a whole flaggon. + + Now God preserve our King and Queen, + And eke in London may be seen + As many knights, and as many more, + And all so good as Sir Eglamore. 40 + + + + +JEPHTHAH, JUDGE OF ISRAEL. + + +We have thought it necessary to include in this collection one or two +specimens of ballads founded on stories in the Jewish Scriptures. +Besides those here selected, it may be well to refer to the following: +_The Constancy of Susanna_, (cited in _Twelfth Night_,) Evans, i. 11; +_David and Bathsheba_, _id._ p. 291; _Tobias_, _Old Ballads_, ii. 158; +_Holofernes_, _The Garland of Goodwill_, p. 85, and _Old Ballads_, ii. +166. + +Every one will remember that the ballad of _Jephthah_ is quoted in +_Hamlet_ (Act II. sc. 2). Percy published an imperfect copy of this +piece, written down from the recollection of a lady (_Reliques_, i. +193). The following is from a black-letter copy reprinted in Evans, i. +7, which was entitled "_Jepha, Judge of Israel_." + + I have read that many years agoe, + When Jeph[th]a, judge of Israel, + Had one fair daughter and no moe,[L3] + Whom he loved passing well. + And as by lot, God wot, 5 + It came to passe, most like it was, + Great warrs there should be, + And who should be the chiefe but he, but he. + + When Jeph[th]a was appointed now + Chiefe captain of the company, 10 + To God the Lord he made a vow, + If he might have the victory, + At his return, to burn, + For his offering, the first quick thing, + Should meet with him then, 15 + From his house when he came agen, agen. + + It chanced so these warrs were done, + And home he came with victory; + His daughter out of doors did run + To meet her father speedily: 20 + And all the way did play + To taber and pipe, and many a stripe, + And notes full high, + For joy that he was so nigh, so nigh. + + When Jeph[th]a did perceive and see 25 + His daughter firm and formostly, + He rent his cloths, and tore his haire, + And shrieked out most piteously: + "For thou art she," quoth he, + "Hath brought me low--alas, for woe! 30 + And troubled me so, + That I cannot tell what to doe, to doe. + + "For I have made a vow," quoth he, + Which must not be diminishéd; + A sacrifice to God on high; 35 + My promise must be finishéd." + "As ye have spoke, provoke + No further care, but to prepare + Your will to fulfill, + According to God's will, God's will. 40 + + "For sithence God has given you might + To overcome your enemies, + Let one be offer'd up, as right, + For to perform all promises. + And this let be," quoth she, 45 + "As thou hast said; be not afraid; + Although it be I, + Keep promise with God on high, on high. + + "But father, do so much for me + As let me go to wildernesse, 50 + There to bewaile my virginity, + Three months to bemoan my heavinesse. + And let there go some moe, + Like maids with me." "Content," quoth he, + And sent her away, 55 + To mourn till her latter day, her day. + + And when that time was come and gone + That she should sacrificed be, + This virgin sacrificed was, + For to fulfill all promises. 60 + As some say, for aye + The virgins there, three times a year, + Like sorrow fulfill + For the daughter of Jeph[th]a still, still, still. + +3. more + + + + +SAMSON. + +Evans's _Old Ballads_, i. 283, from a black-letter copy. + + + When Samson was a tall young man, + His power and strength increased then, + And in the host and tribe of Dan + The Lord did bless him still. + It chanced so upon a day, 5 + As he was walking on his way, + He saw a maiden fresh and gay + In Timnath. + + With whom he fell so sore in love, + That he his fancy could not move; 10 + His parents therefore he did prove, + And craved their good wills: + "I have found out a wife," quoth he; + "I pray ye, father, give her me; + Though she a stranger's daughter be, 15 + I pass not." + + Then did bespeak his parents dear, + "Have we not many maidens here, + Of country and acquaintance near, + For thee to love and like?" 20 + "O no," quoth Samson presently, + "Not one so pleasant in my eye, + Whom I could find so faithfully + To fancy." + + At length they granted their consent, 25 + And so with Samson forth they went; + To see the maid was their intent, + Which was so fair and bright. + But as they were a-going there, + A lion put them in great fear, 30 + Whom Samson presently did tear + In pieces. + + When they were come unto the place, + They were agreed in the case; + The wedding day appointed was, 35 + And when the time was come, + As Samson went for beauty's fees, + The lion's carcass there he sees, + Wherein a sort of honey bees + Had swarmed. 40 + + Then closely Samson went his way, + And not a word thereof did say, + Untill the merry feasting-day, + Unto the company. + "A riddle I will shew," quoth he; 45 + "The meaning if you tell to me, + Within seven days I will give ye + Great riches. + + "But if the meaning you do miss, + And cannot shew me what it is, 50 + Then shall you give to me i-wiss + So much as I have said." + "Put forth the riddle then," quoth they, + "And we will tell it by our day, + Or we will lose, as thou dost say, 55 + The wager." + + "Then make," quoth he, "the total sum. + Out of the eater meat did come, + And from the strong did sweetness run; + Declare it, if you can." 60 + And when they heard the riddle told, + Their hearts within them waxed cold, + For none of them could then unfold + The meaning. + + Then unto Samson's wife went they, 65 + And threatened her, without delay, + If she would not the thing bewray, + To burn her father's house. + Then Samson's wife, with grief and woe, + Desired him the same to shew, + And when she knew, she straight did go, 70 + To tell them. + + Then were they all full glad of this; + To tell the thing they did not miss; + "What stronger beast than a lion is? 75 + What sweeter meat than honey?" + Then Samson answered them full round, + "If my heifer had not ploughed the ground, + So easily you had not found + My riddle. 80 + + Then Samson did his losses pay, + And to his father went his way: + But while with them he there did stay,[L83] + His wife forsook him quite, + And took another to her love, 85 + Which Samson's anger much did move: + To plague them therefore he did prove + His cunning. + + A subtle thought he then had found, + To burn their corn upon the ground; 90 + Their vineyards he destroyed round, + Which made them fret and fume. + But when they knew that Samson he + Had done them all this injury, + Because his wife did him deny, 95 + They killed her. + + And afterward they had decreed + To murder Samson for that deed; + Three thousand men they sent with speed, + To bring him bound to them. 100 + But he did break his cords apace, + And with the jaw-bone of an ass + A thousand men, ere he did pass, + He killed. + + When all his foes were laid in dust, 105 + Then Samson was full sore athirst; + In God therefore was all his trust, + To help his fainting heart: + For liquor thereabout was none: + The Lord therefore from the jaw-bone 110 + Did make fresh water spring, alone + To help him. + + Then Samson had a joyfull spright, + And in a city lay that night, + Whereas his foes, with deadly spite, 115 + Did seek his life to spill: + But he at midnight then awakes, + And tearing down the city gates, + With him away the same he takes + Most stoutly. 120 + + Then on Delilah, fair and bright, + Did Samson set his whole delight, + Whom he did love both day and night, + Which wrought his overthrow. + For she with sweet words did entreat, 125 + That for her sake he would repeat + Wherein his strength, that was so great, + Consisted. + + At length, unto his bitter fall, + And through her suit, which was not small, 130 + He did not let to show her all + The secrets of his heart. + "If that my hair be cut," quoth he, + "Which now so fair and long you see, + Like other men then shall I be 135 + In weakness." + + Then through deceit which was so deep, + She lulled Samson fast asleep; + A man she call'd, which she did keep, + To cut off all his hair. 140 + Then did she call his hateful foes, + Ere Samson from her lap arose, + Who could not then withstand their blows, + For weakness. + + To bind him fast they did devise, 145 + Then did they put out both his eyes; + In prison wofully he lies, + And there he grinds the mill. + But God remembered all his pain, + And did restore his strength again, 150 + Although that bound he did remain + In prison. + + The Philistines now were glad of this; + For joy they made a feast i-wiss, + And all their princes did not miss 155 + To come unto the same. + And being merry bent that day, + For Samson they did send straightway, + That they might laugh to see him play + Among them. 160 + + Then to the house was Samson led, + And when he had their fancies fed, + He pluck'd the house upon their head, + And down they tumbled all. + So that with grief and deadly pain, 165 + Three thousand persons there were slain; + Thus Samson then, with all his train, + Was brained. + +83. But wisht. + + + + +QUEEN DIDO, OR, THE WANDERING PRINCE OF TROY. + +Percy's _Reliques_, iii. 240, and Ritson's _Ancient Songs and Ballads_, +ii. 101. + + +"Such is the title given in the Editor's folio MS. to this excellent old +ballad, which, in the common printed copies, is inscribed, _Eneas, +wandering Prince of Troy_. It is here given from that MS. collated with +two different printed copies, both in black-letter, in the Pepys +Collection." PERCY. + +As other ballads on classical subjects, may be mentioned _Constant +Penelope, Reliques_, iii. 324; _Pyramus and Thisbe_, in _A Handfull of +Pleasant Delites_, p. 42 (Park's _Heliconia_, vol. ii.); and _Hero and +Leander_ in Collier's _Roxburghe Ballads_, p. 227, from which was formed +the song, or ballad, in the _Tea-Table Miscellany_, ii. 138, Ritson's +_Scotish Songs_, ii. 198, &c. + + When Troy towne had, for ten yeeres 'past,'[L1] + Withstood the Greekes in manfull wise, + Then did their foes encrease soe fast, + That to resist none could suffice: + Wast lye those walls, that were soe good, 5 + And corne now growes where Troy towne stoode. + + Æneas, wandering prince of Troy, + When he for land long time had sought, + At length arriving with great joy, + To mighty Carthage walls was brought; 10 + Where Dido queene, with sumptuous feast, + Did entertaine that wandering guest. + + And, as in hall at meate they sate, + The queene, desirous newes to heare, + Says, "Of thy Troys unhappy fate, 15 + Declare to me, thou Trojan deare: + The heavy hap and chance soe bad, + That thou, poore wandering prince, hast had." + + And then anon this comelye knight, + With words demure, as he cold well, 20 + Of his unhappy ten yeares 'fight,'[L21] + Soe true a tale began to tell, + With wordes soe sweete, and sighes soe deepe, + That oft he made them all to weepe. + + And then a thousand sighes he fet, 25 + And every sigh brought teares amaine; + That where he sate the place was wett, + As though he had seene those warrs againe: + Soe that the queene, with ruth therfore, + Said, "Worthy prince, enough, no more." 30 + + And then the darksome night drew on, + And twinkling starres the skye bespred, + When he his dolefull tale had done, + And every one was layd in bedd: + Where they full sweetly tooke their rest, 35 + Save only Dido's boyling brest. + + This silly woman never slept, + But in her chamber, all alone, + As one unhappye, alwayes wept, + And to the walls shee made her mone; 40 + That she shold still desire in vaine + The thing she never must obtaine. + + And thus in grieffe she spent the night, + Till twinkling starres the skye were fled, + And Ph[oe]bus, with his glistering light, 45 + Through misty cloudes appeared red; + Then tidings came to her anon, + That all the Trojan shipps were gone. + + And then the queene with bloody knife + Did arme, her hart as hard as stone; 50 + Yet, something loth to loose her life, + In woefull wise she made her mone; + And, rowling on her carefull bed, + With sighes and sobbes, these words shee sayd: + + "O wretched Dido queene!" quoth shee, 55 + "I see thy end approacheth neare; + For hee is fled away from thee, + Whom thou didst love and hold so deare: + What, is he gone, and passed by? + O hart, prepare thyselfe to dye. 60 + + "Though reason says thou shouldst forbeare, + And stay thy hand from bloudy stroke, + Yet fancy bids thee not to fear, + Which fetter'd thee in Cupids yoke. + Come death," quoth shee, "resolve my smart!"-- 65 + And with those words shee peerced her hart. + + When death had pierced the tender hart + Of Dido, Carthaginian queene, + Whose bloudy knife did end the smart, + Which shee sustain'd in mournfull teene, 70 + Æneas being shipt and gone, + Whose flattery caused all her mone, + + Her funerall most costly made, + And all things finisht mournfullye, + Her body fine in mold was laid, 75 + Where itt consumed speedilye: + Her sisters teares her tombe bestrewde, + Her subjects griefe their kindnesse shewed. + + Then was Æneas in an ile + In Grecya, where he stayd long space, 80 + Whereas her sister in short while + Writt to him to his vile disgrace; + In speeches bitter to his mind + Shee told him plaine he was unkind. + + "False-harted wretch," quoth shee, "thou art; 85 + And traiterouslye thou hast betraid + Unto thy lure a gentle hart, + Which unto thee much welcome made; + My sister deare, and Carthage' joy, + Whose folly bred her deere annoy. 90 + + "Yett on her death-bed when shee lay, + Shee prayd for thy prosperitye, + Beseeching God, that every day + Might breed thy great felicitye: + Thus by thy meanes I lost a friend; 95 + Heaven send thee such untimely end." + + When he these lines, full fraught with gall, + Perused had, and wayed them right, + His lofty courage then did fall; + And straight appeared in his sight 100 + Queene Dido's ghost, both grim and pale; + Which made this valliant souldier quaile. + + "Æneas," quoth this ghastly ghost, + "My whole delight, when I did live, + Thee of all men I loved most; 105 + My fancy and my will did give; + For entertainment I thee gave, + Unthankefully thou didst me grave. + + "Therfore prepare thy flitting soule + To wander with me in the aire, 110 + Where deadlye griefe shall make it howle, + Because of me thou tookst no care: + Delay not time, thy glasse is run, + Thy date is past, thy life is done." + + "O stay a while, thou lovely sprite; 115 + Be not soe hasty to convay + My soule into eternall night, + Where itt shall ne're behold bright day: + O doe not frowne; thy angry looke + Hath made my breath my life forsooke. 120 + + "But, woe is me! all is in vaine, + And bootless is my dismall crye; + Time will not be recalled againe, + Nor thou surcease before I dye. + O lett me live, and make amends 125 + To some of thy most dearest friends. + + "But seeing thou obdurate art, + And wilt no pittye on me show, + Because from thee I did depart, + And left unpaid what I did owe, 130 + I must content myselfe to take + What lott to me thou wilt partake." + + And thus, as one being in a trance, + A multitude of uglye feinds + About this woffull prince did dance: 135 + He had no helpe of any friends: + His body then they tooke away, + And no man knew his dying day. + +1, 21. war. MS. and pr. cop. + + + + +GEORGE BARNWELL. + +Percy's _Reliques_, iii. 297. + + +"The subject of this ballad is sufficiently popular from the modern play +which is founded upon it. This was written by George Lillo, a jeweller +of London, and first acted about 1730.--As for the ballad, it was +printed at least as early as the middle of the last century. + +"It is here given from three old printed copies, which exhibit a strange +intermixture of Roman and black-letter. It is also collated with another +copy in the Ashmole Collection at Oxford, which is thus entitled: "_An +excellent ballad of George Barnwell, an apprentice of London, who ... +thrice robbed his master, and murdered his uncle in Ludlow_. The tune is +_The Merchant_." + +There is another copy in Ritson's _Ancient Songs_, ii. 156. Throughout +the Second Part, the first line of each stanza has, in the old editions, +two superfluous syllables, which Percy ejected; and Ritson has adopted +the emendation. + + +THE FIRST PART. + + All youths of fair Englànd + That dwell both far and near, + Regard my story that I tell, + And to my song give ear. + + A London lad I was, 5 + A merchant's prentice bound; + My name George Barnwell; that did spend + My master many a pound. + + Take heed of harlots then, + And their enticing trains; 10 + For by that means I have been brought + To hang alive in chains. + + As I upon a day + Was walking through the street, + About my master's business, 15 + A wanton I did meet. + + A gallant dainty dame + And sumptuous in attire; + With smiling look she greeted me, + And did my name require. 20 + + Which when I had declar'd, + She gave me then a kiss, + And said, if I would come to her + I should have more than this. + + "Fair mistress," then quoth I, 25 + "If I the place may know, + This evening I will be with you; + For I abroad must go, + + "To gather monies in, + That are my master's due: 30 + And ere that I do home return + I'll come and visit you." + + "Good Barnwell," then quoth she, + "Do thou to Shoreditch come, + And ask for Mrs. Milwood's house, 35 + Next door unto the Gun. + + "And trust me on my truth, + If thou keep touch with me, + My dearest friend, as my own heart + Thou shalt right welcome be." 40 + + Thus parted we in peace, + And home I passed right; + Then went abroad, and gathered in, + By six o'clock at night, + + An hundred pound and one: 45 + With bag under my arm + I went to Mrs. Millwood's house, + And thought on little harm. + + And knocking at the door, + Straightway herself came down; 50 + Rustling in most brave attire, + With hood and silken gown. + + Who, through her beauty bright, + So gloriously did shine, + That she amaz'd my dazzling eyes, 55 + She seemed so divine. + + She took me by the hand, + And with a modest grace, + "Welcome, sweet Barnwell," then quoth she, + "Unto this homely place. 60 + + "And since I have thee found + As good as thy word to be, + A homely supper, ere we part, + Thou shalt take here with me." + + "O pardon me," quoth I, 65 + "Fair mistress, I you pray; + For why, out of my master's house + So long I dare not stay." + + "Alas, good sir," she said, + "Are you so strictly ty'd, 70 + You may not with your dearest friend + One hour or two abide? + + "Faith, then the case is hard; + If it be so," quoth she, + "I would I were a prentice bound, 75 + To live along with thee. + + "Therefore, my dearest George, + List well what I shall say, + And do not blame a woman much, + Her fancy to bewray. 80 + + "Let not affection's force + Be counted lewd desire; + Nor think it not immodesty, + I should thy love require." + + With that she turn'd aside, 85 + And with a blushing red, + A mournful motion she bewray'd + By hanging down her head. + + A handkerchief she had, + All wrought with silk and gold, 90 + Which she, to stay her trickling tears, + Before her eyes did hold. + + This thing unto my sight + Was wondrous rare and strange, + And in my soul and inward thought 95 + It wrought a sudden change: + + That I so hardy grew + To take her by the hand, + Saying, "Sweet mistress, why do you + So dull and pensive stand?" 100 + + "Call me no mistress now, + But Sarah, thy true friend, + Thy servant, Milwood, honouring thee, + Until her life hath end. + + "If thou wouldst here alledge 105 + Thou art in years a boy; + So was Adonis, yet was he + Fair Venus' only joy." + + Thus I, who ne'er before + Of woman found such grace, 110 + But seeing now so fair a dame + Give me a kind embrace, + + I supt with her that night, + With joys that did abound; + And for the same paid presently, 115 + In mony twice three pound. + + An hundred kisses then, + For my farewel she gave; + Crying, "Sweet Barnwell, when shall I + Again thy company have? 120 + + "O stay not hence too long; + Sweet George, have me in mind:" + Her words bewicht my childishness, + She uttered them so kind. + + So that I made a vow, 125 + Next Sunday, without fail, + With my sweet Sarah once again + To tell some pleasant tale. + + When she heard me say so, + The tears fell from her eye; 130 + "O George," quoth she, "if thou dost fail, + Thy Sarah sure will dye." + + Though long, yet loe! at last, + The appointed day was come, + That I must with my Sarah meet; 135 + Having a mighty sum[L136] + + Of money in my hand, + Unto her house went I, + Whereas my love upon her bed + In saddest sort did lye. 140 + + "What ails my heart's delight, + My Sarah dear?" quoth I; + "Let not my love lament and grieve, + Nor sighing pine and die. + + "But tell me, dearest friend, 145 + What may thy woes amend, + And thou shalt lack no means of help, + Though forty pound I spend." + + With that she turn'd her head, + And sickly thus did say: 150 + "Oh me, sweet George, my grief is great; + Ten pound I have to pay + + Unto a cruel wretch; + And God he knows," quoth she, + "I have it not." "Tush, rise," I said, 155 + "And take it here of me. + + "Ten pounds, nor ten times ten, + Shall make my love decay;" + Then from my bag into her lap, + I cast ten pound straightway. 160 + + All blithe and pleasant then, + To banqueting we go; + She proffered me to lye with her, + And said it should be so. + + And after that same time, 165 + I gave her store of coyn, + Yea, sometimes fifty pound at once; + All which I did purloyn. + + And thus I did pass on; + Until my master then 170 + Did call to have his reckoning in + Cast up among his men. + + The which when as I heard, + I knew not what to say: + For well I knew that I was out 175 + Two hundred pound that day. + + Then from my master straight + I ran in secret sort; + And unto Sarah Milwood there + My case I did report. 180 + + _But how she used this youth, + In this his care and woe, + And all a strumpet's wiley ways, + The second part may showe._ + +136. The having a sum of money with him on Sunday, &c., shows this +narrative to have been penned before the civil wars: the strict +observance of the Sabbath was owing to the change of manners at that +period. PERCY. + + +THE SECOND PART. + + "Young Barnwell comes to thee, + Sweet Sarah, my delight; + I am undone, unless thou stand + My faithful friend this night. + + "Our master to accompts 5 + Hath just occasion found; + And I am caught behind the hand + Above two hundred pound. + + "And now his wrath to 'scape, + My love, I fly to thee, 10 + Hoping some time I may remaine + In safety here with thee." + + With that she knit her brows, + And looking all aquoy, + Quoth she, "What should I have to do 15 + With any prentice boy? + + "And seeing you have purloyn'd + Your master's goods away, + The case is bad, and therefore here + You shall no longer stay." 20 + + "Why, dear, thou know'st," I said, + "How all which I could get, + "I gave it, and did spend it all + Upon thee every whit." + + Quoth she, "Thou art a knave, 25 + To charge me in this sort, + Being a woman of credit fair, + And known of good report. + + "Therefore I tell thee flat, + Be packing with good speed; 30 + I do defie thee from my heart, + And scorn thy filthy deed." + + "Is this the friendship, that + You did to me protest? + Is this the great affection, which 35 + You so to me exprest? + + "Now fie on subtle shrews! + The best is, I may speed + To get a lodging any where + For money in my need. 40 + + "False woman, now farewell; + Whilst twenty pound doth last, + My anchor in some other haven + With freedom I will cast." + + When she perceiv'd by this, 45 + I had store of money there, + "Stay, George," quoth she, "thou art too quick: + Why, man, I did but jeer. + + "Dost think for all my speech, + That I would let thee go? 50 + Faith, no," said she, "my love to thee + I-wiss is more than so." + + "You scorne a prentice boy, + I heard you just now swear: + Wherefore I will not trouble you:" 55 + "Nay, George, hark in thine ear; + + "Thou shalt not go to-night, + What chance soe're befall; + But man, we'll have a bed for thee, + Or else the devil take all." 60 + + So I by wiles bewitcht, + And snar'd with fancy still, + Had then no power to 'get' away, + Or to withstand her will. + + For wine on wine I call'd, 65 + And cheer upon good cheer; + And nothing in the world I thought + For Sarah's love too dear. + + Whilst in her company, + I had such merriment, 70 + All, all too little I did think, + That I upon her spent. + + "A fig for care and thought! + When all my gold is gone, + In faith, my girl, we will have more, 75 + Whoever I light upon. + + "My father's rich; why then + Should I want store of gold?" + "Nay, with a father, sure," quoth she, + "A son may well make bold." 80 + + "I've a sister richly wed; + I'll rob her ere I'll want." + "Nay then," quoth Sarah, "they may well + Consider of your scant." + + "Nay, I an uncle have; 85 + At Ludlow he doth dwell; + He is a grazier, which in wealth + Doth all the rest excell. + + "Ere I will live in lack, + And have no coyn for thee, 90 + I'll rob his house, and murder him." + "Why should you not?" quoth she. + + "Was I a man, ere I + Would live in poor estate, + On father, friends, and all my kin, 95 + I would my talons grate. + + "For without money, George, + A man is but a beast: + But bringing money, thou shalt be + Always my welcome guest. 100 + + "For shouldst thou be pursued + With twenty hues and cryes, + And with a warrant searched for + With Argus' hundred eyes, + + "Yet here thou shalt be safe; 105 + Such privy wayes there be, + That if they sought an hundred years, + They could not find out thee." + + And so carousing both + Their pleasures to content, 110 + George Barnwell had in little space + His money wholly spent. + + Which done, to Ludlow straight + He did provide to go, + To rob his wealthy uncle there; 115 + His minion would it so. + + And once he thought to take + His father by the way, + But that he fear'd his master had + Took order for his stay.[L120] 120 + + Unto his uncle then + He rode with might and main, + Who with a welcome and good cheer + Did Barnwell entertain. + + One fortnight's space he stayed, 125 + Until it chanced so, + His uncle with his cattle did + Unto a market go. + + His kinsman rode with him, + Where he did see right plain, 130 + Great store of money he had took: + When, coming home again, + + Sudden within a wood, + He struck his uncle down, + And beat his brains out of his head; 135 + So sore he crackt his crown. + + Then seizing fourscore pound, + To London straight he hyed, + And unto Sarah Millwood all + The cruell fact descryed. 140 + + "Tush, 'tis no matter, George, + So we the money have + To have good cheer in jolly sort, + And deck us fine and brave." + + Thus lived in filthy sort, 145 + Until their store was gone: + When means to get them any more, + I-wis poor George had none. + + Therefore in railing sort, + She thrust him out of door; 150 + Which is the just reward of those, + Who spend upon a whore. + + "O do me not disgrace + In this my need," quoth he: + She called him thief and murderer, 155 + With all the spight might be. + + To the constable she sent, + To have him apprehended; + And shewed how far, in each degree, + He had the laws offended. 160 + + When Barnwell saw her drift, + To sea he got straightway; + Where fear and sting of conscience + Continually on him lay. + + Unto the lord mayor then, 165 + He did a letter write, + In which his own and Sarah's fault + He did at large recite. + + Whereby she seized was, + And then to Ludlow sent, 170 + Where she was judg'd, condemn'd, and hang'd, + For murder incontinent. + + There dyed this gallant quean, + Such was her greatest gains; + For murder in Polonia, 175 + Was Barnwell hang'd in chains. + + Lo! here's the end of youth + That after harlots haunt, + Who in the spoil of other men + About the streets do flaunt. 180 + +120. i.e. for stopping and apprehending him at his father's. P. + + + + +THE DUKE OF ATHOL'S NURSE. + + +From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, ii. 23. Annexed is a +less perfect copy from Kinloch's collection. A fragment of this piece is +printed in Cromek's _Select Scottish Songs by R. Burns_, (ii. 196,) with +some stanzas of _Willy's drowned in Yarrow_, (vol. ii. p. 181, of this +collection.) Mr. Aytoun has made up a very good ballad from several +copies; _Ballads of Scotland_, 2, 236. + + As I gaed in yon greenwood side, + I heard a fair maid singing; + Her voice was sweet, she sang sae complete, + That all the woods were ringing. + + "O I'm the Duke o' Athole's nurse, 5 + My post is well becoming; + But I wou'd gie a' my half-year's fee, + For ae sight o' my leman." + + "Ye say, ye're the Duke o' Athole's nurse, + Your post is well becoming; 10 + Keep well, keep well your half-year's fee, + Ye'se hae twa sights o' your leman." + + He lean'd him ower his saddle bow, + And cannilie kiss'd his dearie; + "Ohon, and alake! anither has my heart, 15 + And I darena mair come near thee!" + + "Ohon, and alake! if anither hae your heart, + These words hae fairly undone me; + But let us set a time, tryst to meet again, + Then in gude friends you will twine me!" 20 + + "Ye will do you down to yon tavern house, + And drink till the day be dawing; + And, as sure as I ance had a love for you, + I'll come there and clear your lawing. + + "Ye'll spare not the wine, altho' it be fine, 25 + Nae Malago, tho' it be rarely; + But ye'll aye drink the bonnie lassie's health + That's to clear your lawing fairly." + + Then he's done him down to yon tavern house, + And drank till day was dawing; 30 + And aye he drank the bonny lassie's health + That was coming to clear his lawing. + + And aye as he birled, and aye as he drank + The gude beer and the brandy, + He spar'd not the wine, altho' it was fine, 35 + The sack nor the sugar candy. + + "It's a wonder to me," the knight he did say, + "My bonnie lassie's sae delaying; + She promis'd, as sure as she loved me ance, + She wou'd be here by the dawing." 40 + + He's done him to a shott window, + A little before the dawing, + And there he spied her nine brothers bauld, + Were coming to betray him. + + "Where shall I rin, where shall I gang, 45 + Or where shall I gang hide me? + She that was to meet me in friendship this day, + Has sent nine men to slay me!" + + He's gane to the landlady o' the house, + Says, "O can you supply me? 50 + For she that was to meet me in friendship this day, + Has sent nine men to slay me! + + She gae him a suit o' her ain female claise, + And set him to the baking; + The bird never sang mair sweet on the bush, 55 + Nor the knight sung at the baking. + + As they came in at the ha' door, + Sae loudly as they rappit, + And when they came upon the floor, + Sae loudly as they chappit! 60 + + "O had ye a stranger here last night, + Who drank till the day was dawing? + Come, show us the chamber where he lyes in, + We'll shortly clear his lawing." + + "I had nae stranger here last night, 65 + That drank till the day was dawing; + But ane that took a pint, and paid it ere he went, + And there's naething to clear o' his lawing." + + A lad amang the rest, being o' a merry mood, + To the young knight fell a-talking; 70 + The wife took her foot, and gae him a kick, + Says, "Be busy, ye jilt, at your baking." + + They stabbed the house, baith but and ben, + The curtains they spared nae riving, + And for a' that they did search and ca', 75 + For a kiss o' the knight they were striving. + + + + +THE DUKE OF ATHOL'S NOURICE. + +Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_, p. 127. + + + As I cam in by Athol's yetts, + I heard a fair maid singing; + "I am the Duke o' Athol's nourice, + And I wat it weel does set me; + And I wad gie a' my half-year's fee, 5 + For ae sicht o' my Johnie." + + "Keep weel, keep weel, your half-year's fee, + For ye'll soon get a sicht o' your Johnie; + But anither woman has my heart, + And I am sorry for to leave ye." 10 + + "Ye'll dow ye doun to yon change-house, + And drink till the day be dawing; + At ilka pint's end ye'll drink the lass' health, + That's coming to pay the lawing." + + He hied him doun to yon change-house, 15 + And he drank till the day was dawing; + And at ilka pint's end he drank the lass' health, + That was coming to pay for his lawing. + + Aye he ranted, and aye he sang, + And drank till the day was dawing; 20 + And aye he drank the bonnie lass' health, + That was coming to pay the lawing. + + He spared na the sack, though it was dear, + The wine, nor the sugar-candy; + * * * * + * * * + + He has dune him to the shot-window, 25 + To see gin she war coming; + There he saw the duke and a' his merry men, + That oure the hill cam rinning. + + He has dune him to the landlady, + To see gin she wad protect him; 30 + She buskit him up into woman's claise, + And set him till a baking. + + Sae loudlie as they rappit at the yett, + Sae loudlie as they war calling; + "Had ye a young man here yestreen, 35 + That drank till the day was dawing?" + + "He drank but ae pint, and he paid it or he went, + And ye've na mair to do wi' the lawing." + They searchit the house a' round and round, + And they spared na the curtains to tear them; 40 + + While the landlady stood upo' the stair-head, + Crying, "Maid, be busy at your baking;" + They gaed as they cam, and left a' undone, + And left the bonnie maid at her baking. + + + + +THE HIREMAN CHIEL. + +From _Scarce Ancient Ballads_, p. 17. The same in Buchan, ii. 109, _The +Baron turned Ploughman_. + + + There was a knight, a barone bright, + A bauld barone was he, + And he had only but one son, + A comely youth to see. + + He's brought him at schools nine, 5 + So has he at schools ten, + But the boy learn'd to haud the plow + Among his father's men. + + But it fell ance upon a day + The bauld barone did say, 10 + "My son you maun gae court a wife, + And ane o high degree. + + "Ye have lands, woods, rents, and bouirs, + Castels and touirs three; + Then go my son and seek some dame 15 + To share that gift wi' thee." + + "Yes, I have lands and woods, father, + Castels and touirs three; + But what if she like my lands and rents + Far more than she loves me? 20 + + "But I will go and seek a wife + That weel can please mine ee, + And I sall fairly try her love + Before she gang wi me." + + He then took off the scarlet coat, 25 + Bedeck'd wi shinin' gold, + And has put on the hireman's coat, + To keip him frae the cold. + + He then laid past the studded sword, + That he could bravely draw, 30 + And he's gone skipping down the stair, + Swift as the bird that flaw. + + He took a stick into his hand, + Which he could bravely wiel, + And he's gane whistling o'er the lan', 35 + Like a young hireman chiel. + + And he gaed up yon high high hill,[L37] + And low down i the glen, + And there he saw a gay castell, + Wi turrets nine or ten. 40 + + And he has gone on, and farther on, + Till to the yett drew he, + And there he saw a lady fair, + That pleas'd the young man's ee. + + He went streight to the greave's chamber, 45 + And with humilitie, + Said, "Have ye any kind of work + For a hireman chiel like me?" + + "What is the work that ye intend, + Or how can we agree? 50 + Can ye plow, reap, and sow the corn, + And a' for meat and fee?" + + "Yes, I can plow, and reap, and mow, + And sow the corn too; + I can weel manage horse and cow, 55 + And a' for meat and fee." + + "If ye can haud the plow right weel, + And sow the corn too, + By faith and troth, my hireman chiel, + We shall not part for fee." 60 + + He['s] put his hand in his pocket, + And taen out shillings nine; + Says, "Take ye that, my hireman chiel, + And turn in here and dine." + + He acted all he took in hand, 65 + His master lov'd him weel, + And the young lady of the land + Fell in love wi the hireman chiel. + + How oft she tried to drown the flame, + And oft wept bitterlie; 70 + But still she lov'd the hireman chiel, + So well's he pleas'd her ee. + + She has written a broad letter, + And seal'd it wi' her hand, + And dropt it at the stable door, 75 + Where the young man did stand. + + "I am in love, my hireman chiel, + I'm deip in love wi thee; + And if ye think me worth your love, + I' the garden green meet me." 80 + + When he had read the letter o'er, + A loud loud laugh gae he; + Said, "If I manage my business well, + I'm sure to get my fee." + + At night they met behind a tree, 85 + Low in the garden green, + To tell their tale among the flowers, + And view the e'ening scene. + + Next morning by the rising sun, + She, with her maries fair, 90 + Walk'd to the fields to see the plow, + And meet the hireman there. + + "Good morn, good morn, my lady gay, + I wonder much at you, + To rise so early in the morn, 95 + While fields are wet wi dew, + To hear the linnets on the thorn, + And see the plow-boy plow." + + "But I wonder much at you, young man, + I wonder much at you, 100 + That ye no other station have + Than hold my father's plow." + + "I love as weel to rise each morn + As ye can your maries fair; + I love as weel to hold the plow 105 + As I were your father's heir. + + "If ye love me, as ye protest, + And I trust weel ye do, + The morn's night at eight o'clock, + In gude green wood meet me." 110 + + "Yes, I love you, my hireman chiel, + And that most tenderlie, + But when my virgin honor's gone, + I soon will slighted be." + + "Take ye no dread, my lady gay, 115 + Lat a your folly be; + If ye com a maiden to green wood, + You'll return the same for me." + + The lady she went home again + Wi a mary on every hand; 120 + She was so very sick in love, + She could not sit nor stand. + + It was a dark and cloudy night, + No stars beam'd o'er the lea, + When the lady and the hireman met 125 + Beneath a spreading tree. + + He took the lady in his arms, + Embraced her tenderlie, + And thrice he kiss'd her rosy lips + Under the green wood tree. 130 + + "Hold off your hands, young man, I pray; + I wonder much at thee; + The man that holds my father's plow, + To lay his hands on me." + + "No harm I mean, my winsome dame, 135 + No impudence at a'; + I never laid a hand on you + Till your libertie I saw." + + "It is a dark and dismal night, 140 + The dew is falling down; + I will go home, least I should spoil + My cap and satin gown." + + "If you are wearied so soon, + Why did ye tryst me here?" 145 + "I would not weary with you, my dear, + Tho this night were a year." + + When morning beams began to peep + Among the branches green, + The lovers rose, and part to meet, 150 + And tell their tale again. + + "Ye will go home unto the plow, + Where often ye hae been; + I'll tak my mantle folded up, + And walk i the garden green. 155 + + "The barone and my mother dear + Will wonder what I mean; + They'll think I've been disturbed sair, + When I am up so soon." + + But this pass'd on, and farther on, 160 + For two months and a day, + Till word came to the bauld barone, + And an angry man was he. + + The barone swore a solemn oath, + An angry man was he, 165 + "The morn, before I eat or drink, + High hanged shall he be." + + "Farewell, my lovely maiden fair, + A long adieu to thee; + Your father's sworn a solemn swear 170 + That hanged I shall be." + + "O woe's me," the lady said, + "Yet do not troubled be; + If e'er they touch the hair on thy head, + They'll get no good of me." 175 + + He turn'd him right and round about, + And a loud loud laugh gae he; + "That man stood never in the court + That dare this day hang me." + + The lady spake from her bouir door, 180 + An angry woman was she; + "What insolence in you to tryst + Her to the green wood tree." + + "If she had not given her consent, + She had not gone wi me; 185 + If she came a maiden to green wood, + She return'd again for me." + + He turn'd him right and round about, + And a loud loud laugh gae he; + "Ye may wed your daughter whan ye will, 190 + She's none the worse for me." + + He has gone whistling o'er the knowe, + Swift as the bird that flaw; + The lady stood in her bouir door, + And lout the salt tears fa. 195 + + But this pass'd on, and further on, + A twelve month and a day, + Till there came a knight and a barone bright + To woo this lady gay. + + He soon gain'd the baronne's will, 200 + Likewise the mother gay; + He woo'd and won the lady's love, + But by a slow degree. + + "O weel befa' you, daughter dear, + And happy may ye be, 205 + To lay your love on the grand knight, + And let the hireman be." + + "O haud your tongue, my father dear, + And speak not so to me; + Far more I love the hireman chiel 210 + Than a' the knights I see. + + The morn was come, and bells were rung, + And all to church repair; + But like the rose among the throng + Was the lady and her maries fair. 215 + + But as they walked o'er the field, + Among the flowers fair, + Beneath a tree stood on the plain, + The hireman chiel was there. + + "I wish you joy, my gay madam, 220 + And aye well may ye be; + There is a ring, a pledge of love, + That ance I got from thee." + + "O wae befa' ye, you hireman chiel, + Some ill death may ye die; 225 + Ye might hae tauld to me your name, + Your hame, or what countrie." + + "If ye luve me, my lady gay, + As ye protest ye do, + Then turn your love from this gay knight, 230 + And reach your hand to me." + + Then out spake the gay baronne, + And an angry man was he; + "If I had known she was belov'd, + She had never been lov'd by me." 235 + + When she was set on high horse-back, + And riding thro' the glen, + They saw her father posting quick, + With fifty armed men. + + "Do for yourself, my hireman lad, 240 + And for your safety flee; + My father he will take me back, + But married I'll never be." + + When they were up yon rising hill, + There low down i' the glen, 245 + He saw his father's gilded coach, + Wi' five hundred gentlemen. + + "Come back, turn back, my hireman chiel, + Turn back and speak wi' me; + Ye've serv'd me lang for the lady's sake, 250 + Come back, and get your fee." + + "Your blessing give us instantly, + Is all we crave o' thee; + These seven years I've serv'd for her sake, + But now I'm paid my fee." 255 + +37. As. + + + + +ARMSTRONG AND MUSGRAVE. + +From _A Collection of Old Ballads_, i. 175. + + +The story of this ballad seems to be the same as that of _Lord +Livingston_, in the third volume of this collection (p. 343). The whole +title is as follows: + + A pleasant ballad shewing how two valiant knights, Sir John Armstrong + and Sir Michael Musgrave, fell in love with the beautiful daughter + of the Lady Dacres in the North; and of the great strife that + happen'd between them for her, and how they wrought the death of one + hundred men. + + As it fell out one Whitsunday, + The blith time of the year, + When every tree was clad with green, + And pretty birds sing clear, + The Lady Dacres took her way 5 + Unto the church that pleasant day, + With her fair daughter fresh and gay, + A bright and bonny lass. + + Sir Michael Musgrave, in like sort, + To church repaired then, 10 + And so did Sir John Armstrong too, + With all his merry men. + Two greater friends there could not be, + Nor braver knights for chivalry, + Both batchelors of high degree, 15 + Fit for a bonny lass. + + They sat them down upon one seat, + Like loving brethren dear, + With hearts and minds devoutly bent + God's service for to hear; 20 + But rising from their prayers tho, + Their eyes a ranging strait did go, + Which wrought their utter overthrow, + All for one bonny lass. + + Quoth Musgrave unto Armstrong then, 25 + "Yon sits the sweetest dame, + That ever for her fair beauty + Within this country came." + "In sooth," quoth Armstrong presently, + "Your judgment I must verify, 30 + There never came unto my eye + A braver bonny lass." + + "I swear," said Musgrave, "by this sword, + Which did my knighthood win, + To steal away so sweet a dame, 35 + Could be no ghostly sin." + "That deed," quoth Armstrong, "would be ill, + Except you had her right good will, + That your desire she would fulfil, + And be thy bonny lass." 40 + + By this the service quite was done, + And home the people past; + They wish'd a blister on his tongue + That made thereof such haste. + At the church door the knights did meet, 45 + The Lady Dacres for to greet, + But most of all her daughter sweet, + That beauteous bonny lass. + + Said Armstrong to the lady fair, + "We both have made a vow 50 + At dinner for to be your guests, + If you will it allow." + With that bespoke the lady free, + "Sir knights, right welcome shall you be;" + "The happier men therefore are we, 55 + For love of this bonny lass." + + Thus were the knights both prick'd in love, + Both in one moment thrall'd, + And both with one fair lady gay, + Fair Isabella call'd. 60 + With humble thanks they went away, + Like wounded harts chas'd all the day, + One would not to the other say, + They lov'd this bonny lass. + + Fair Isabel, on the other side, 65 + As far in love was found; + So long brave Armstrong she had ey'd, + Till love her heart did wound; + "Brave Armstrong is my joy," quoth she, + "Would Christ he were alone with me, 70 + To talk an hour, two, or three, + With his fair bonny lass." + + But as these knights together rode, + And homeward did repair, + Their talk and eke their countenance shew'd 75 + Their hearts were clogg'd with care. + "Fair Isabel," the one did say, + "Thou hast subdu'd my heart this day;" + "But she's my joy," did Musgrave say, + "My bright and bonny lass." 80 + + With that these friends incontinent + Became most deadly foes; + For love of beauteous Isabel, + Great strife betwixt them rose: + Quoth Armstrong, "She shall be my wife, 85 + Although for her I lose my life;" + And thus began a deadly strife, + And for one bonny lass. + + Thus two years long this grudge did grow + These gallant knights between, 90 + While they a-wooing both did go, + Unto this beauteous queen; + And she who did their furies prove, + To neither would bewray her love, + The deadly quarrel to remove 95 + About this bonny lass. + + But neither, for her fair intreats, + Nor yet her sharp dispute, + Would they appease their raging ire, + Nor yet give o'er their suit. 100 + The gentlemen of the North Country + At last did make this good decree, + All for a perfect unity + About this bonny lass. + + The love-sick knights should be set 105 + Within one hall so wide, + Each of them in a gallant sort + Even at a several tide; + And 'twixt them both for certainty + Fair Isabel should placed be, 110 + Of them to take her choice full free, + Most like a bonny lass. + + And as she like an angel bright + Betwixt them mildly stood, + She turn'd unto each several knight 115 + With pale and changed blood; + "Now am I at liberty + To make and take my choice?" quoth she: + "Yea," quoth the knights, "we do agree; + Then chuse, thou bonny lass." 120 + + "O Musgrave, thou art all too hot + To be a lady's love," + Quoth she, "and Armstrong seems a sot, + Where love binds him to prove. + Of courage great is Musgrave still, 125 + And sith to chuse I have my will, + Sweet Armstrong shall my joys fulfil, + And I his bonny lass." + + The nobles and the gentles both + That were in present place, 130 + Rejoiced at this sweet record; + But Musgrave, in disgrace, + Out of the hall did take his way, + And Armstrong marryed was next day + With Isabel his lady gay, 135 + A bright and bonny lass. + + But Musgrave on the wedding-day, + Like to a Scotchman dight, + In secret sort allured out + The bridegroom for the fight; 140 + And he, that will not outbraved be, + Unto his challenge did agree, + Where he was slain most suddenly + For his fair bonny lass. + + The news whereof was quickly brought 145 + Unto the lovely bride; + And many of young Armstrong's kin + Did after Musgrave ride. + They hew'd him when they had him got, + As small as flesh into the pot; 150 + Lo! thus befel a heavy lot + About this bonny lass. + + The lady young, which did lament + This cruel cursed strife, + For very grief dyed that day, 155 + A maiden and a wife. + An hundred men that hapless day + Did lose their lives in that same fray, + And 'twixt those names, as many say, + Is deadly strife still biding. 160 + + + + +FAIR MARGARET OF CRAIGNARGAT. + + +"Craignargat is a promontory in the Bay of Luce. Though almost +surrounded by the Barony of Mochrum, it was long possessed by a branch +of the family of Macdowall, which was probably our heroine's +surname.--On the head of Fair Margaret's lovers, it may be remarked, +that the Agnews of Lochnaw are a very ancient family, and hereditary +sheriffs of Wigton. The Gordon mentioned was probably Gordon of +Craighlaw, whose castle was situated about five miles from Craignargat, +in the parish of Kirkcowan, considered so remote before the formation of +military roads, that the local proverb says,--'Out of the world, and +into Kirkcowan.' The Hays of Park dwell on the coast, about six miles +from Craignargat; but it is singular that the lady is not complimented +with a Dunbar as her lover, the Place of Mochrum, as the old town is +called, being only two miles from her reputed residence." Sharpe's +_Ballad Book_, p. 71. + + Fair Marg'ret of Craignargat + Was the flow'r of all her kin, + And she's fallen in love with a false young man, + Her ruin to begin. + + The more she lov'd, the more it prov'd 5 + Her fatal destiny, + And he that sought her overthrow + Shar'd of her misery. + + Before that lady she was born, + Her mother, as we find, 10 + She dreamt she had a daughter fair, + That was both dumb and blind. + + But as she sat in her bow'r door, + A-viewing of her charms, + There came a raven from the south, 15 + And pluck'd her from her arms. + + Three times on end she dreamt this dream, + Which troubled sore her mind, + That from that very night and hour + She could no comfort find. 20 + + Now she has sent for a wise woman, + Liv'd nigh unto the port, + Who being call'd, instantly came, + That lady to comfort. + + To her she told her dreary dream, 25 + With salt tears in her eye, + Hoping that she would read the same, + Her mind to satisfy. + + "Set not your heart on children young, + Whate'er their fortune be, 30 + And if I tell what shall befal, + Lay not the blame on me. + + "The raven which ye dreamed of, + He is a false young man, + With subtile heart and flatt'ring tongue, 35 + Your daughter to trepan. + + "Both night and day, 'tis you I pray + For to be on your guard, + For many are the subtile wyles + By which youth are ensnar'd." 40 + + When she had read the dreary dream, + It vex'd her more and more, + For Craignargat, of birth and state, + Liv'd nigh unto the shore. + + But as in age her daughter wax'd, 45 + Her beauty did excel + All the ladies far and near + That in that land did dwell. + + The Gordon, Hay, and brave Agnew, + Three knights of high degree, 50 + Unto the dame a-courting came, + All for her fair beauty. + + Which of these men, they ask'd her then, + That should her husband be; + But scornfully she did reply, 55 + "I'll wed none of the three." + + "Since it is so, where shall we go + A match for thee to find, + That art so fair and beautiful, + That none can suit thy mind?" 60 + + With scorn and pride she answer made, + "You'll ne'er choice one for me, + Nor will I wed against my mind, + For all their high degree." + + The brave Agnew, whose heart was true, 65 + A solemn vow did make, + Never to love a woman more + All for that lady's sake. + + To counsel this lady was deaf, + To judgement she was blind, 70 + Which griev'd her tender parents dear, + And troubled sore their mind. + + From the Isle of Man a courter came, + And a false young man was he, + With subtile heart and flatt'ring tongue, 75 + To court this fair lady. + + This young man was a bold outlaw, + A robber and a thief, + But soon he gain'd this lady's heart, + Which caused all their grief. 80 + + "O will you wed," her mother said, + "A man you do not know, + For to break your parents' heart, + With shame but and with woe?" + + "Yes, I will go with him," she said, 85 + "Either by land or sea; + For he's the man I've pitchéd on + My husband for to be." + + "O let her go," her father said, + "For she shall have her will; 90 + My curse and mallison she's got, + For to pursue her still." + + "Your curse, father, I don't regard, + Your blessing I'll ne'er crave; + To the man I love I'll constant prove, 95 + And never him deceive." + + On board with him fair Margaret's gone, + In hopes his bride to be; + But mark ye well, and I shall tell + Of their sad destiny. 100 + + They had not sail'd a league but five, + Till the storm began to rise; + The swelling seas ran mountains high, + And dismal were the skies. + + In deep despair that lady fair 105 + For help aloud she cries, + While crystal tears like fountains ran + Down from her lovely eyes. + + "O I have got my father's curse + My pride for to subdue! 110 + With sorrows great my heart will break, + Alas what shall I do! + + "O were I at my father's house, + His blessing to receive, + Then on my bended knees I'd fall, 115 + His pardon for to crave! + + "To aid my grief, there's no relief, + To speak it is in vain; + Likewise my loving parents dear + I ne'er shall see again." 120 + + The winds and waves did both conspire + Their lives for to devour; + That gallant ship that night was lost, + And never was seen more. + + When tidings to Craignargat came, 125 + Of their sad overthrow, + It griev'd her tender parent's heart; + Afresh began their woe. + + Of the dreary dream that she had seen, + And often thought upon,-- 130 + "O fatal news," her mother cries, + "My darling, she is gone! + + "O fair Marg'ret, I little thought + The seas should be thy grave, + When first thou left thy father's house, 135 + Without thy parent's leave." + + May this tragedy a warning be + To children while they live, + That they may love their parents dear, + Their blessing to receive. 140 + + + + +RICHIE STORIE. + + +"John, third Earl of Wigton, had six sons, and three daughters. The +second, Lady Lillias Fleming, was so indiscreet as to marry a footman, +by whom she had issue. She and her husband assigned her provision to +Lieutenant-Colonel John Fleming, who discharged her renunciation, dated +in October, 1673." Sharpe's _Ballad Book_, p. 95. + + The Earl o' Wigton had three daughters, + O braw wallie, but they were bonnie! + The youngest o' them, and the bonniest too, + Has fallen in love wi' Richie Storie. + + "Here's a letter for ye, madame, 5 + Here's a letter for ye, madame; + The Erle o' Home wad fain presume + To be a suitor to ye, madame." + + "I'll hae nane o' your letters, Richie; + I'll hae nane o' your letters, Richie; 10 + For I've made a vow, and I'll keep it true, + That I'll have nane but you, Richie." + + "O do not say so, madame; + O do not say so, madame; + For I have neither land nor rent, 15 + For to maintain you o', madame. + + "Ribands ye maun wear, madame, + Ribands ye maun wear, madame; + With the bands about your neck + O' the goud that shines sae clear, madame." 20 + + "I'll lie ayont a dyke, Richie, + I'll lie ayont a dyke, Richie; + And I'll be aye at your command + And bidding, whan ye like, Richie." + + O he's gane on the braid braid road, 25 + And she's gane through the broom sae bonnie, + Her silken robes down to her heels, + And she's awa' wi' Richie Storie. + + This lady gaed up the Parliament stair, + Wi' pendles in her lugs sae bonnie; 30 + Mony a lord lifted his hat, + But little did they ken she was Richie's lady. + + Up then spak the Erle o' Home's lady; + "Was na ye richt sorrie, Annie, + To leave the lands o' bonnie Cumbernauld, 35 + And follow Richie Storie, Annie?" + + "O what need I be sorrie, madame, + O what need I be sorrie, madame? + For I've got them that I like best, + And was ordained for me, madame." 40 + + "Cumbernauld is mine, Annie, + Cumbernauld is mine, Annie; + And a' that's mine, it shall be thine, + As we sit at the wine, Annie." + + + + +THE FARMER'S OLD WIFE. + + +_The Carl of Kellyburn Braes_, composed by Burns for Johnson's _Museum_, +(p. 392,) was founded, he says, "on the old traditionary verses." These +we have met with in no other form but the following, which is taken from +_Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England_, edited +by Robert Bell, p. 204. What is styled the original of _The Carle of +Kellyburn Braes_, in Cromek's _Remains of Nithsdale and Galloway Song_, +p. 83, is, like many of the pieces in that volume, for the most part a +fabrication. The place of the burden is supplied in Sussex, says Mr. +Bell, by a whistling chorus. + +Of the same tenor is the ballad of _The Devil and the Scold_, Collier's +_Roxburghe Ballads_, p. 35. + +We subjoin the first stanza of Burns's ballad for the sake of the +burden, which is said to be old. + + There lived a carl on Kellyburn braes, + _Hey, and the rue grows bonnie wi' thyme_, + And he had a wife was the plague o' his days, + _And the thyme it is wither'd, and the rue is in prime_. + + * * * * * + + There was an old farmer in Sussex did dwell, + And he had a bad wife, as many knew well. + + Then Satan came to the old man at the plough,-- + "One of your family I must have now. + + "It is not your eldest son that I crave, 5 + But it is your old wife, and she I will have." + + "O welcome, good Satan, with all my heart! + I hope you and she will never more part." + + Now Satan has got the old wife on his back, + And he lugged her along like a pedlar's pack. 10 + + He trudged away till they came to his hall-gate: + Says he, "Here, take in an old Sussex chap's mate. + + O then she did kick the young imps about,-- + Says one to the other, "Let's try turn her out." + + She spied thirteen imps all dancing in chains, 15 + She up with her pattens, and beat out their brains. + + She knocked the old Satan against the wall,-- + "Let's try turn her out, or she'll murder us all." + + Now he's bundled her up on his back amain, + And to her old husband he took her again. 20 + + "I have been a tormentor the whole of my life, + But I ne'er was tormented till I met with your wife." + + + + +THE DUEL OF WHARTON AND STUART. + +_Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, iii. 77. + + +The unhappy event upon which the following ballad is founded took place +under the reign of James the VI. + +"The sufferers in this melancholy affair were both men of high birth, +the heirs-apparent of two noble families, and youths of the most +promising expectation. Sir James Stuart was a knight of the Bath, and +eldest son of Walter, first Lord Blantyre, by Nicholas, daughter of Sir +James Somerville of Cambusnethan. Sir George Wharton was also a knight +of the Bath, and eldest son of Philip, Lord Wharton, by Frances, +daughter of Henry Clifford, Earl of Cumberland. He married Anne, +daughter of the Earl of Rutland, but left no issue." SCOTT. + +This ballad was printed in the first edition of Ritson's _Ancient +Songs_, p. 199, from a black-letter copy in Major Pearson's collection, +(afterwards part of the Roxburghe.) Scott's version appears to have been +obtained from James Hogg. "Two verses have been added," says Sir Walter, +"and one considerably improved, from Mr. Ritson's edition. These three +stanzas are the fifth and ninth of Part First, and the penult verse of +Part Second. I am thus particular, that the reader may be able, if he +pleases, to compare the traditional ballad with the original edition. It +furnishes striking evidence, that 'without characters, fame lives long.' +The difference chiefly to be remarked betwixt the copies, lies in the +dialect, and in some modifications applicable to Scotland; as, using the +words "our Scottish Knight." The black-letter ballad, in like manner, +terms Wharton "our English Knight." + +In this connection we may mention another ballad founded on a duel--_Sir +Niel and Mac Van_, in Buchan's larger collection, ii. 16. A stall copy +is called _Sir Neil and Glengyle_. + + +PART FIRST. + + It grieveth me to tell you o' + Near London late what did befall, + 'Twixt two young gallant gentlemen; + It grieveth me, and ever shall. + + One of them was Sir George Wharton, 5 + My good Lord Wharton's son and heir; + The other, James Stuart, a Scottish knight, + One that a valiant heart did bear. + + When first to court these nobles came, + One night, a-gaming, fell to words,[L10] 10 + And in their fury grew so hot, + That they did both try their keen swords. + + No manner of treating, nor advice, + Could hold from striking in that place; + For, in the height and heat of blood, 15 + James struck George Wharton on the face. + + "What doth this mean," George Wharton said, + "To strike in such unmanly sort? + But, that I take it at thy hands, + The tongue of man shall ne'er report!" 20 + + "But do thy worst, then," said Sir James, + "Now do thy worst, appoint a day! + There's not a lord in England breathes + Shall gar me give an inch of way." + + "Ye brag right weel," George Wharton said; 25 + "Let our brave lords at large alane, + And speak of me, that am thy foe, + For you shall find enough o' ane." + + "I'll interchange my glove wi' thine; + I'll show it on the bed of death; 30 + I mean the place where we shall fight; + There ane or both maun lose life and breath!" + + "We'll meet near Waltham," said Sir James; + "To-morrow, that shall be the day. + We'll either take a single man, 35 + And try who bears the bell away." + + Then down together hands they shook, + Without any envious sign; + Then went to Ludgate, where they lay, + And each man drank his pint of wine. 40 + + No kind of envy could be seen, + No kind of malice they did betray; + But a' was clear and calm as death, + Whatever in their bosoms lay: + + Till parting time; and then, indeed, 45 + They show'd some rancour in their heart; + "Next time we meet," says George Wharton, + "Not half sae soundly we shall part!" + + So they have parted, firmly bent + Their valiant minds equal to try: 50 + The second part shall clearly show, + Both how they meet, and how they die. + + +PART SECOND. + + George Wharton was the first ae man + Came to the appointed place that day, + Where he espyed our Scots lord coming, 55 + As fast as he could post away. + + They met, shook hands; their cheeks were pale; + Then to George Wharton James did say, + "I dinna like your doublet, George, + It stands sae weel on you this day. 60 + + "Say, have you got no armour on? + Have you no under robe of steel? + I never saw an Englishman + Become his doublet half sae weel." + + "Fy no! fy no!" George Wharton said, 65 + "For that's the thing that mauna be, + That I should come wi' armour on, + And you a naked man truly." + + "Our men shall search our doublets, George, + And see if one of us do lie; 70 + Then will we prove, wi' weapons sharp, + Ourselves true gallants for to be." + + Then they threw off their doublets both, + And stood up in their sarks of lawn; + "Now, take my counsel," said Sir James, 75 + "Wharton, to thee I'll make it knawn: + + "So as we stand, so will we fight, + Thus naked in our sarks," said he; + "Fy no! fy no!" George Wharton says, + "That is the thing that must not be. 80 + + "We're neither drinkers, quarrellers, + Nor men that cares na for oursell, + Nor minds na what we're gaun about, + Or if we're gaun to heav'n or hell. + + "Let us to God bequeath our souls, 85 + Our bodies to the dust and clay:" + With that he drew his deadly sword, + The first was drawn on field that day. + + Se'en bouts and turns these heroes had, + Or e'er a drop o' blood was drawn; 90 + Our Scotch lord, wond'ring, quickly cry'd, + "Stout Wharton, thou still hauds thy awn!" + + The first stroke that George Wharton gae, + He struck him thro' the shoulder-bane; + The neist was thro' the thick o' the thigh; 95 + He thought our Scotch lord had been slain. + + "O ever alack!" George Wharton cry'd, + "Art thou a living man, tell me? + If there's a surgeon living can, + He's cure thy wounds right speedily." 100 + + "No more of that," James Stuart said; + "Speak not of curing wounds to me! + For one of us must yield our breath, + Ere off the field one foot we flee." + + They looked oure their shoulders both, 105 + To see what company was there: + They both had grievous marks of death, + But frae the other nane wad steer. + + George Wharton was the first that fell, + Our Scotch lord fell immediately; 110 + They both did cry to Him above + To save their souls, for they boud die. + + +10. Sir George Wharton was quarrelsome at cards; a temper which he +exhibited so disagreeably when playing with the Earl of Pembroke, that +the Earl told him, "Sir George, I have loved you long; but by your +manner in playing, you lay it upon me either to leave to love you, or to +leave to play with you; wherefore choosing to love you still, I will +never play with you any more."--LODGE'S _Illustrations_, vol. iii. p. +350. SCOTT. + + + + +SADDLE TO RAGS. + + +From _Ancient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England_, +Percy Society, vol. xvii. p. 126. The editor took this piece down from +the recitation of a Yorkshire yeoman. Other ballads are popular with +nearly the same plot, one of them called _The Crafty Ploughboy, or the +Highwayman outwitted_. Another of a similar description is _Jock the Leg +and the Merry Merchant_, (Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, +ii. 165,) formed on the model of some Robin Hood ballad. + + This story I'm going to sing, + I hope it will give you content, + Concerning a silly old man + That was going to pay his rent. + + As he was a-riding along, 5 + Along all on the highway, + A gentleman-thief overtook him, + And thus unto him did say. + + "O well overtaken, old man, + O well overtaken," said he; 10 + "Thank you kindly, sir," says the old man, + "If you be for my companie." + + "How far are you going this way?" + It made the old man to smile; + "To tell you the truth, kind sir, 15 + I'm just a-going twa mile. + + "I am but a silly old man, + Who farms a piece of ground; + My half-year rent, kind sir, + Just comes to forty pound. 20 + + "But my landlord's not been at hame,-- + I've not seen him twelve month or more; + It makes my rent to be large, + I've just to pay him fourscore." + + "You should not have told any body, 25 + For thieves there are ganging many; + If they were to light upon you, + They would rob you of every penny." + + "O never mind," says the old man, + "Thieves I fear on no side; 30 + My money is safe in my bags, + In the saddle on which I ride." + + As they were a-riding along, + And riding a-down a ghyll, + The thief pulled out a pistòl, 35 + And bade the old man stand still. + + The old man was crafty and false, + As in this world are many; + He flung his old saddle o'er t' hedge, + And said, "Fetch it, if thou'lt have any." 40 + + This thief got off his horse, + With courage stout and bold, + To search this old man's bags, + And gave him his horse to hold. + + The old man put foot in stirrup, 45 + And he got on astride, + He set the thief's horse in a gallop,-- + You need not bid th' old man ride! + + "O stay! O stay!" says the thief, + "And thou half my share shalt have:" 50 + "Nay, marry, not I," quoth the old man, + "For once I've bitten a knave!" + + This thief he was not content; + He thought these must be bags; + So he up with his rusty sword, 55 + And chopped the old saddle to rags. + + The old man gallop'd and rode + Until he was almost spent, + Till he came to his landlord's house, + And paid him his whole year's rent. 60 + + He opened this rogue's portmantle; + It was glorious for to behold; + There was five hundred pound in money, + And other five hundred in gold. + + His landlord it made him to stare, 65 + When he did the sight behold; + "Where did thou get the white money, + And where get the yellow gold?" + + "I met a fond fool by the way, + I swapped horses, and gave him no boot; 70 + But never mind," says the old man, + "I got a fond fool by the foot." + + "But now you're grown cramped and old, + Nor fit for to travel about;" + "O never mind," says the old man, 75 + "I can give these old bones a root!" + + As he was a-riding hame, + And a-down a narrow lane, + He spied his mare tied to a tree, + And said, "Tib, thou'lt now gae hame." 80 + + And when that he got hame, + And told his old wife what he'd done, + She rose and she donned her clothes, + And about the house did run. + + She sung, and she danced, and sung, 85 + And she sung with a merry devotion, + "If ever our daughter gets wed, + It will help to enlarge her portion!" + + + + +THE FAUSE KNIGHT UPON THE ROAD. + +Motherwell's _Minstrelsy_, p. lxxiv. + + + "O whare are ye gaun?" + Quo' the fause knicht upon the road; + "I'm gaun to the scule," + Quo' the wee boy, and still he stude. + + "What is that upon your back?" 5 + Quo' the fause knicht upon the road; + "Atweel it is my bukes," + Quo' the wee boy, and still he stude. + + "What's that ye've got on your arm?" + Quo' the fause knicht, &c. 10 + "Atweel it is my peit," + Quo' the wee boy, &c. + + "Wha's aucht they sheep?" + Quo' the fause knicht, &c. + "They are mine and my mither's," 15 + Quo' the wee boy, &c. + + "How monie o' them are mine?" + Quo' the fause knicht, &c. + "A' they that hae blue tails," + Quo' the wee boy, &c. 20 + + "I wiss ye were on yon tree," + Quo' the fause knicht, &c. + "And a gude ladder under me," + Quo' the wee boy, &c. + + "And the ladder for to break," 25 + Quo' the fause knicht, &c. + "And you for to fa' doun," + Quo' the wee boy, &c. + + "I wiss ye were in yon sie," + Quo' the fause knicht, &c. 30 + "And a gude bottom under me," + Quo' the wee boy, &c. + + "And the bottom for to break," + Quo' the fause knicht upon the road; + "And ye to be drowned," 35 + Quo' the wee boy, and still he stude. + + + + +GIFTS FROM OVER SEA. Appendix to p. 11. + +Wright's _Songs and Carols, printed from a MS. in the Sloane +Collection_, No. 8. + + + I have a zong suster fer bezondyn the se, + Many be the drowryis that [s]che sente me. + [S]che sente me the cherye withoutyn ony ston, + And so [s]che dede [the] dowe withoutyn ony bon: + Sche sente me the brere withoutyn ony rynde, + Sche bad me love my lemman withoute longgyng. + + How xuld ony cherye be withoute ston? + And how xuld ony dowe ben withoute bon? + How xuld any brere ben withoute rynde? + How xuld I love myn lemman without longyng? + + Quan the cherye was a flour, than hadde it non ston: + Quan the dowe was an ey, than hadde it non bon: + Quan the brere was on-bred, than hadde it non rynd: + Quan the mayden hazt that [s]che louth, [s]che is without longyng. + + + + +THE COURTEOUS KNIGHT. + +Appendix to p. 11, p. 83. + +From _Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland_, i. 91. + + + There was a knight, in a summer's night, + Appear'd in a lady's hall, + As she was walking up and down, + Looking o'er her castle wall. + + "God make you safe and free, fair maid, 5 + God make you safe and free!" + "O sae fa' you, ye courteous knight; + What are your wills wi' me? + + "My wills wi' you are not sma', lady, + My wills wi' you nae sma'; 10 + And since there's nane your bower within, + Ye'se ha'e my secrets a'. + + "For here am I a courtier, + A courtier come to thee; + And if ye winna grant your love, 15 + All for your sake I'll dee." + + "If that ye dee for me, sir knight, + Few for you will make meen; + For mony gude lord's done the same, + Their graves are growing green." 20 + + "O winna ye pity me, fair maid, + O winna ye pity me? + O winna ye pity a courteous knight, + Whose love is laid on thee?" + + "Ye say ye are a courteous knight, 25 + But I think ye are nane; + I think ye're but a millar bred, + By the color o' your claithing. + + "You seem to be some false young man, + You wear your hat sae wide; 30 + You seem to be some false young man, + You wear your boots sae side." + + "Indeed I am a courteous knight, + And of great pedigree; + Nae knight did mair for a lady bright 35 + Than I will do for thee. + + "O I'll put smiths in your smithy, + To shoe for you a steed; + And I'll put tailors in your bower, + To make you for a weed. 40 + + "I will put cooks in your kitchen, + And butlers in your ha'; + And on the tap o' your father's castle, + I'll big gude corn and saw." + + "If ye be a courteous knight, 45 + As I trust not ye be, + Ye'll answer some o' the sma' questions + That I will ask at thee. + + "What is the fairest flower, tell me, + That grows in muir or dale?[L50] 50 + Likewise, which is the sweetest bird + Sings next the nightingale? + Or what's the finest thing," she says, + "That king or queen can wale?[L54] + + "The primrose is the fairest flower 55 + That grows in muir or dale;[L56] + The mavis is the sweetest bird + Next to the nightingale; + And yellow gowd's the finest thing + That king or queen can wale. 60 + + "Ye ha'e asked many questions, lady, + I've you as many told;" + "But, how many pennies round + Make a hundred pounds in gold? + + "How many of the small fishes, 65 + Do swim the salt seas round? + Or, what's the seemliest sight you'll see + Into a May morning?" + + "Berry-brown ale, and a birken speal, + And wine in a horn green; 70 + A milk-white lace in a fair maid's dress, + Looks gay in a May morning." + + "Mony's the questions I've ask'd at thee, + And ye've answer'd them a'; + Ye are mine, and I am thine, 75 + Amo' the sheets sae sma'." + + "You may be my match, kind sir, + You may be my match and more; + There ne'er was ane came sic a length, + Wi' my father's heir before. 80 + + "My father's lord o' nine castles, + My mother she's lady ower three, + And there is nane to heir them all, + No never a ane but me; + Unless it be Willie, my ae brother, 85 + But he's far ayont the sea." + + "If your father's laird o' nine castles, + Your mother lady ower three; + I am Willie your ae brother, + Was far beyond the sea." 90 + + "If ye be Willie, my ae brother, + As I doubt sair ye be; + But if it's true ye tell me now, + This night I'll gang wi' thee." + + "Ye've ower ill washen feet, Janet, 95 + And ower ill washen hands, + And ower coarse robes on your body, + Alang wi' me to gang. + + "The worms they are my bed-fellows, + And the cauld clay my sheet; 100 + And the higher that the wind does blaw, + The sounder I do sleep. + + "My body's buried in Dumfermline, + And far beyond the sea; + But day nor night, nae rest cou'd get, 105 + All for the pride o' thee. + + "Leave aff your pride, jelly Janet," he says, + "Use it not ony mair; + Or when ye come where I hae been, + You will repent it sair. 110 + + "Cast aff, cast aff, sister," he says, + "The gowd lace fray your crown; + For if ye gang where I ha'e been, + Ye'll wear it laigher down. + + "When ye're in the gude church set, 115 + The gowd pins in your hair, + Ye take mair delight in your feckless dress + Than ye do in your morning prayer. + + "And when ye walk in the church-yard, + And in your dress are seen, 120 + There is nae lady that sees your face + But wishes your grave were green. + + "You're straight and tall, handsome withall, + But your pride owergoes your wit; + But if ye do not your ways refrain, 125 + In Pirie's chair ye'll sit. + + "In Pirie's chair you'll sit, I say, + The lowest seat o' hell; + If ye do not amend your ways, + It's there that ye must dwell." 130 + + Wi' that he vanish'd frae her sight, + Wi' the twinkling o' an eye; + Naething mair the lady saw, + But the gloomy clouds and sky. + +50, 56, mire. + +54, wile. + + + + +THE NORTHERN LORD AND CRUEL JEW. + +Appendix to p. 46. + + +This ballad, which has some features of resemblance to _Cymbeline_, as +well as to the _Merchant of Venice_, is taken from Buchan's _Gleanings +of Scotch, English, and Irish scarce old Ballads_, p. 105. Another copy +is in Mr. Halliwell's _New Boke about Shakspeare_, p. 19. + + A noble lord of high renown, + Two daughters had, the eldest brown, + The youngest beautiful and fair: + By chance a noble knight came there. + + Her father said, "Kind sir, I have 5 + Two daughters: which do you crave?" + "One that is beautiful," he cried; + The noble knight he then replied: + + "She's young, she's beautiful and gay, + And is not to be given away, 10 + But as jewels are bought and sold; + She shall bring me her weight in gold. + + "The price I think ye need not grudge, + Since I will freely give as much + With her one sister, if I can 15 + Find out some other nobleman." + + With that bespoke the noble knight, + "I'd sooner have the beauty bright, + At that vast rate, renownèd lord, + Than the other with a vast reward." 20 + + So then the bargain it was made; + But ere the money could be paid, + He had it of a wealthy Jew; + The sum so large, the writings drew + + That if he failed, or miss'd the day, 25 + So many ounces he should pay + Of his own flesh, instead of gold; + All was agreed, the sum was told. + + So he returned immediately + Unto the lord, where he did buy 30 + His daughter fine, I do declare, + And paid him down the money there. + + He bought her there, it is well known + Unto mankind; she was his own; + By her a son he did enjoy, 35 + A sweet and comely handsome boy. + + At length the time of pay drew near, + When the knight did begin to fear; + He dreaded much the cruel Jew, + Because the money it was due. 40 + + His lady asked him why he grieved: + He said, "My jewel, I received + Such sum of money of a Jew, + And now the money it is due. + + "And now the day of payment's come, 45 + I'm sure I cannot pay the sum; + He'll have my flesh, weight for weight, + Which makes my grief and sorrow great." + + "Hush, never fear him," she replied; + "We'll cross the raging ocean wide, 50 + And so secure you from the fate:" + To her request he yielded straight. + + Then having pass'd the raging seas, + They travelled on, till by degrees + Unto the German court they came, 55 + The knight, his son, and comely dame. + + Unto the Emperor he told + His story of the sum of gold + That he had borrowed of a Jew, + And that for fear of death he flew. 60 + + The Emperor he did erect + A court for them, and show'd respect + Unto his guests, because they came + From Britain, that blest land of fame. + + As here he lived in delight, 65 + A Dutch lord told our English knight, + That he a ton of gold would lay, + He could enjoy his lady gay. + + From her, the lord he was to bring + A rich and costly diamond ring, 70 + That was to prove and testify + How he did with his lady lie. + + He tries, but never could obtain + Her favour, but with high disdain + She did defy his base intent; 75 + So to her chambermaid he went, + + And told her if she would but steal + Her lady's ring, and to conceal + The same, and bring it to him straight, + She should enjoy a fine estate. 80 + + In hopes of such a fine reward, + The ring she stole; then the Dutch lord + Did take it to the noble knight, + Who almost swooned at the sight. + + Home he goes to the lady straight; 85 + Meeting her at the palace gate, + He flung her headlong into the mote, + And left her there to sink or float. + + Soon after that, in clothes of green, + She like a warlike knight was seen, 90 + And in most gallant gay deport + She rode unto the Emperor's court. + + Now when the Emperor beheld + Her brave deportment, he was fill'd + With admiration at the sight, 95 + Who call'd herself an English knight. + + The Emperor then did reply, + "We have an English knight to die + For drowning of his lady gay;" + Quoth she, "I'd see him, if I may." 100 + + 'Twas granted; so to him she came, + And calling of him by his name, + She said, "Kind sir, be of good cheer; + Your friend I'll be, you need not fear." + + She to the Emperor did ride, 105 + And said, "Now let this cause be tried + Once more, for I've a mind to save + This noble gallant from the grave." + + It being done, the court was set; + The Dutch lord came, seeming to fret, 110 + About the ring seeming to fear, + How truth would make his shame appear. + + And so it did, and soon they call + The maid, who on her knees did fall + Before the court, and did confess 115 + The Dutch lord's unworthiness. + + The court repliéd, "Is it so? + The lady, too, for ought we know, + May be alive; therefore we'll stay + The sentence till another day." 120 + + Now the Dutch lord gave him a ton + Of gold, which he had justly won, + And so he did with shame and grief, + And thus the knight obtain'd relief. + + The Dutch lord to revenge the spite 125 + Upon our noble English knight, + Did send a letter out of hand, + And so the Jew did understand, + + How he was in a German court; + So here upon this good report, 130 + The Jew has cross'd the ocean wide, + Resolving to be satisfied. + + Soon as e'er he fixed his eyes, + Unto the knight in wrath he cries, + "Your hand and seal I pray behold; 135 + Your flesh I'll have instead of gold." + + [Then] said the noble knight in green, + "May not your articles be seen?" + "Yes, that they may," replied the Jew, + "And I'm resolved to have my due." 140 + + So then the knight began to read; + At length she said, "I find, indeed, + Nothing but flesh you are to have;" + Answers the Jew, "That's all I crave." + + The poor distressed knight was brought; 145 + The bloody-minded Jew he thought + That day to be reveng'd on him, + And part his flesh from every limb. + + The knight in green said, "Mr. Jew, + There's nothing else but flesh your due; 150 + Then see no drop of blood you shed, + For if you do, off goes your head. + + "Pray take your due, with all my heart, + But with his blood I will not part." + With that the Jew sneaked away, 155 + And had not one word more to say. + + No sooner were these troubles past, + But his wife's father came at last, + Resolving for to have his life, + For drowning his beloved wife. 160 + + Over the seas her father brought + Many brave horses; one was bought + By the pretended knight in green, + Which was the best that e'er was seen. + + So to the German court he came, 165 + Declaring, such a one by name + Had drowned his fair daughter dear, + And ought to die a death severe. + + They brought him from the prison then, + Guarded by many armed men, 170 + Unto the place where he must die, + And the young knight was standing by. + + Then from her side her sword she drew, + And run her gelding through and through. + Her father said, "Why do you so?" 175 + "I may; it is my own, you know. + + "You sold your gelding, 'tis well known; + I bought it, making it my own, + And may do what I please with it;" + And then to her he did submit. 180 + + "Here is a man arraign'd and cast, + And brought to suffer death at last, + Because your daughter dear he slew; + Which if he did, what's that to you? + + "You had your money, when you sold 185 + Your daughter for her weight in gold; + Wherefore he might, it is well known, + Do what he pleased with his own." + + So having chang'd her garments green, + And dress'd herself like a fair queen, 190 + Her father and her husband straight + Both knew her, and their joys were great. + + Soon they did carry the report + Unto the famous German court, + How the renowned English knight 195 + Had found his charming lady bright. + + So the Emperor and the lords of fame, + With cheerful hearts they did proclaim + An universal joy, to see + His lady's life at liberty. + + + + +GIGHT'S LADY. Appendix to p. 93. + +From Buchan's _Ballads of the North of Scotland_, i. 133. + + +Buchan complains that all other editions of this ballad "have been +deprived of their original beauty and catastrophe" by officious and +sacrilegious hands, and adds that his copy "is quite at variance with +all its printed predecessors." In this last remark he is certainly +correct, but as for his affirmation that the ballad "recounts an affair +which actually took place in the reign, or rather minority, of King +James VI.," we ask for some authority beyond his note to the ballad. + +In another copy mentioned by Motherwell, Geordie, from jealousy, +ungratefully drowns his deliverer in the sea. + + "First I was lady o' Black Riggs, + And then into Kincraigie; + Now I am the Lady o' Gight, + And my love he's ca'd Geordie. + + "I was the mistress o' Pitfan, 5 + And madam o' Kincraigie; + But now my name is Lady Anne, + And I am Gight's own lady. + + "We courted in the woods o' Gight, + Where birks and flow'rs spring bonny; 10 + But pleasures I had never one, + But sorrows thick and mony. + + "He never own'd me as his wife, + Nor honour'd me as his lady, + But day by day he saddles the grey, 15 + And rides to Bignet's lady." + + When Bignet he got word of that, + That Gight lay wi' his lady, + He's casten him in prison strong, + To ly till lords were ready. 20 + + "Where will I get a little wee boy, + That is baith true and steady, + That will run on to bonny Gight, + And bring to me my lady?" + + "O here am I, a little wee boy, 25 + That is baith true and steady, + That will run to the yates o' Gight, + And bring to you your lady." + + "Ye'll bid her saddle the grey, the grey, + The brown rode ne'er so smartly; 30 + Ye'll bid her come to Edinbro' town, + A' for the life of Geordie." + + The night was fair, the moon was clear, + And he rode by Bevany, + And stopped at the yates o' Gight, 35 + Where leaves were thick and mony. + + The lady look'd o'er castle wa', + And dear but she was sorry! + "Here comes a page frae Edinbro' town; + A' is nae well wi' Geordie. 40 + + "What news, what news, my little boy? + Come tell me soon and shortly;" + "Bad news, bad news, my lady," he said, + "They're going to hang your Geordie." + + "Ye'll saddle to me the grey, the grey, 45 + The brown rade ne'er so smartly; + And I'll awa' to Edinbro' town, + Borrow the life o' Geordie." + + When she came near to Edinbro' town, + I wyte she didna tarry; 50 + But she has mounted her grey steed, + And ridden the queen's berry. + + When she came to the boat of Leith, + I wat she didna tarry; + She gae the boatman a guinea o' gowd, 55 + To boat her ower the ferry. + + When she came to the pier o' Leith, + The poor they were sae many; + She dealt the gowd right liberallie, + And bade them pray for Geordie. 60 + + When she gaed up the tolbooth stair, + The nobles there were many: + And ilka ane stood hat on head, + But hat in hand stood Geordie. + + She gae a blink out ower them a', 65 + And three blinks to her Geordie; + But when she saw his een fast bound, + A swoon fell in this lady. + + "Whom has he robb'd? What has he stole? + Or has he killed ony? 70 + Or what's the crime that he has done, + His foes they are sae mony?" + + "He hasna brunt, he hasna slain, + He hasna robbed ony; + But he has done another crime, 75 + For which he will pay dearly." + + Then out it speaks Lord Montague, + (O wae be to his body!) + "The day we hang'd young Charles Hay, + The morn we'll head your Geordie." 80 + + Then out it speaks the king himsell, + Vow, but he spake bonny! + "Come here, young Gight, confess your sins, + Let's hear if they be mony. + + "Come here, young Gight, confess your sins, 85 + See ye be true and steady; + And if your sins they be but sma', + Then ye'se win wi' your lady." + + "Nane have I robb'd, nought have I stown, + Nor have I killed ony; 90 + But ane o' the king's best brave steeds, + I sold him in Bevany." + + Then out it speaks the king again, + Dear, but he spake bonny! + "That crime's nae great; for your lady's sake, 95 + Put on your hat now, Geordie." + + Then out it speaks Lord Montague, + O wae be to his body! + "There's guilt appears in Gight's ain face, + Ye'll cross examine Geordie." 100 + + "Now since it all I must confess, + My crime's baith great and mony: + A woman abused, five orphan babes, + I kill'd them for their money." + + Out it speaks the king again, 105 + And dear but he was sorry! + "Your confession brings confusion, + Take aff your hat now, Geordie." + + Then out it speaks the lady hersell, + Vow, but she was sorry! 110 + "Now all my life I'll wear the black, + Mourn for the death o' Geordie." + + Lord Huntly then he did speak out, + O fair mot fa' his body! + "I there will fight doublet alane, 115 + Or ony thing ails Geordie." + + Then out it speaks the king again, + Vow, but he spake bonny! + "If ye'll tell down ten thousand crowns, + Ye'll buy the life o' Geordie." 120 + + She spread her mantle on the ground, + Dear, but she spread it bonny! + Some gae her crowns, some ducadoons, + And some gae dollars mony. + Then she tauld down ten thousand crowns,-- 125 + "Put on your hat, my Geordie." + + Then out it speaks Lord Montague, + Wae be to his body! + "I wisht that Gight wanted the head; + I might enjoy'd his lady." 130 + + Out it speaks the lady hersell, + "Ye need ne'er wish my body; + O ill befa' your wizzen'd snout! + Wou'd ye compare wi' Geordie?" + + When she was in her saddle set, 135 + Riding the leys sae bonny, + The fiddle and fleet play'd ne'er sae sweet, + As she behind her Geordie. + + "O Geordie, Geordie, I love you well, + Nae jealousie cou'd move me; 140 + The birds in air, that fly in pairs, + Can witness how I love you. + + "Ye'll call for one, the best o' clerks, + Ye'll call him soon and shortly; + As he may write what I indite, 145 + A' this I've done for Geordie." + + He turn'd him right and round about, + And high, high looked Geordie; + "A finger o' Bignet's lady's hand + Is worth a' your fair body." 150 + + "My lands may a' be masterless, + My babes may want their mother; + But I've made a vow, will keep it true, + I'll be bound to no other." + + These words they caus'd a great dispute, 155 + And proud and fierce grew Geordie; + A sharp dagger he pulled out, + And pierc'd the heart o's lady. + + The lady's dead, and Gight he's fled, + And left his lands behind him; 160 + Altho' they searched south and north, + There were nane there cou'd find him. + + Now a' that liv'd into Black Riggs, + And likewise in Kincraigie, + For seven years were clad in black, 165 + To mourn for Gight's own lady. + + + + +GLOSSARY. + +[Pointing hand] Figures placed after words denote the pages in which +they occur. + + + aboon, _above_. + + abye, _pay a penalty for_, _suffer_. + + ae, _one_. + + a-fit, _afoot_. + + ahin, ahint, _behind_, _besides_. + + airn, _iron_. + + anceane, _ancient_, _aged_. + + ane, 148? + + aneath, _beneath_. + + angel, _a coin worth from 6s. 8d. to 10s._ + + aninder, _under_. + + anis, _once_. + + aquoy, _coy_, _averse._ + + a-rowe, _in a row_. + + assy-pan, 140, _ash-pan_. + + astonyd, _confounded_. + + athir, _either_. + + atweel, _well_, _very well_. + + atween, _between_. + + avow, _vow_. + + aw, _all_. + + ayont, _beyond_, _on the other side of_. + + + ban'd, _execrated_. + + bandoun, 150, _captivity_. + + barker, _tanner_, from the bark used in his business. + + barrow-hogge, 47, _a gelded hog_. + + battes, _cudgels_, or _blows_. + + bauld, 117, _bold_, _self-complacent_. + + bayarde, _bay-horse_, _horse in general_: "blind Bayard" was a proverb. + + be, _by_. + + bede, 105, _put forward_, _offer_. + + behuvit, _behoved_, _must_. + + beik, 117, _warm_. + + ben, bend, _in_. + + bent, _coarse grass_, _field_. + + berry, 285, corrupt? + + besene, wel, _appearing well_, _well dressed_, _&c._ + + bet, _beat_. + + bet, _better_. + + beth, _both_. + + betrasit, _betrayed_. + + beur, _bore_. + + big, 279, _cultivate_. + + bigly, _spacious_, _commodious_. + + bill, _bull_. + + bill, _halbert_. + + birk, _birch_. + + birled, _poured out drink_, _drank_. + + blanne, _stopped_. + + bledoch, _buttermilk_. + + blink, _smile_; + blinkit, 95, _looked kindly_. + + bolles, _bowls_. + + borrow, borrowit, _ransom_, _ransomed_. + + bot and, _but also_. + + boud, 264, _behoved_, _must needs_. + + bouks, _bodies_. + + bour, bower, _chamber_, _dwelling_. + + bowne, _ready_. + + brast, _burst_. + + brat, _cloth_. + + bra', braw, _brave_, _handsome_; + braw wallie, _fair fortune_, exclamation of pleasure or admiration. + + brayn-pannes, _skulls_. + + bred, _breed_. + + bree, _soup_, _broth_. + + brenning, _burning_; + brenyng drake, _fire-drake_, _fiery dragon_. + + brest, _burst_. + + bricht, the, 149, _the fair one_. + + brode-hen, 105, _brood-hen_, _sitting-hen_? + + brodit, _pierced_. + + brok, bruik, bruke, _have possession of_, _enjoy_, _keep_. + + bruchty, _spotted_, or _streaked_ with dirt; + brucket yowe, 140, _speckled ewe_. + + brunt, _burnt_. + + bur, _bore_. + + burne, _brook_. + + buskit, _dressed_. + + but and ben, _out and in_. + + + ca'd, _called_; + 16, _driven_. + + cadgily, _merrily_. + + can, could, used as auxiliaries to form the perfect and pluperfect + tenses. + + cannilie, _softly_. + + cantels, _pieces_. + + canty, _merry_. + + capull, _horse_. + + carle, _fellow_. + + carpe, _to talk_, _discourse_, _tell stories_. + + casey, _causeway_. + + caud, _called_. + + cauk, _chalk_. + + chappit, _tapped_, _knocked_. + + cheape, _bargain_. + + chefe, cheveron, _upper part of the escutcheon_. + + chiel, _young man_, _servant_. + + childer-gamme, _children's game_. + + choice, _choose_. + + Christendye, _Christendom_. + + claise, _clothes_. + + clead, _clad_. + + cleikit, _caught_. + + cleir, _bright_. + + clenkyng, _clinking_. + + coffer, _head-dress_, _cap_. + + coft, _bought_, _redeemed_. + + cokeney, 115, "seems to be a diminutive for cook," says Percy. The + word more probably denotes some kind of _lean or common meat_. See + Wright's note. + + cold, _could_. + + comyn, _come_. + + con, see can. + + confound, _destroy_. + + coost, 110, _region_, _direction_. + + could of courtesie, _knew what was good manners_. + + cors, _body_. + + couple, _rafter_. + + courtnalls, a disrespectful (?) name for _courtiers_. + + cow, _twig_. + + cowth ring, 148, _had reigned_; + see can. + + crap, _crop_, _yield_. + + crech, _creek_, _crutch_. + + creppid, _crept_. + + crook (my knee), _make lame_. They say in the North, "the horse + crooks," _i. e._ goes lame. Percy. + + crouse, _brisk_, _merry_. + + cummerit, _vexed_, _bothered_. + + cund hir thank, _gave her thanks_. + + cunnand, _covenant_, _engagement_. + + curtass, _courteous_. + + + daigh, _dough_. + + dang, _knocked_. + + dawing, _dawning_. + + de, dee, _die_; + deed, _died_. + + denay, _refuse_. + + dent, _blow_. + + deport, 274, _array_. + + deray, _ruin_, _confusion_. + + descryed, _described_, _related_. + + develling, 142, _sauntering_. + + dicht, 150, _circumstanced_: + dicht to deid, 151, _done_ or _put to death_. + + disjune, _breakfast_. + + dizt, (dight), _dressed_. + + do, dow, you down, _take yourself down_. + + dole, dool, _grief_. + + donned, 105, _dun_. + + douse, _blow_. + + doute, _fear_. + + dow, _dove_. + + down-browit, _scowling_. + + doz troz, _dough trough_. + + drake, _dragon_. + + drowryis, _love-gifts_. + + dryt, _dirt_. + + ducadoons, _ducats_. (?) + + dulfully, _dolefully_, _sadly_. + + dun feather and gray, by, 88, _by a carrier pigeon_. + + dungin down, _beat down_, _overcame_. + + duzty, _doughty_; + duztynesse, _doughtiness_. + + dyke, _ditch_ or _wall_. + + + earn, 100, _curdle_. + + ee, ene, _eye_, _eyes_. + + eftir syne, _afterwards_. + + eneuch, _enough_. + + ey, _egg_. + + + fa', _fall_, _befall_. + + fain, _glad_, _pleased_, _enamored_. + + fairheid, _beauty_. + + fald, 148, _fold_, _embrace_. + + falle, _fell_. + + fancy, _love_. + + fand, _found_. + + fang, _grasp_ (_and carry off_). + + fannes, 111, _winnowing fans_. + + fare, _go_. + + fauld, _fold_. + + fay, _faith_. + + fecht, _fight_. + + feckless, 282, _poor_, _miserable_. + + fee, _property_. + + feind fall, _the devil take_. + + fel, 102, 111, _many_. (?) + + fell, _hide_. + + fere, _mate_. + + ferly, _wonder_, _miracle_; + _wonderfully_. + + fet, _fetched_. + + ffor, 105, _from_, _against_. + + firm, 199, _first_? Qy. corrupt? + + firstae, _first one_, _first_. + + fitted, 195, _disposed_? + + flatred, _flattened_, _broken_? + + fleechin, _wheedling_. + + fleet, _flute_. + + flirry, _blossom_. + + fold, 148, _ground_, _world_. + + fole, _full_. + + fond, _foolish_. + + forbye, _over and above_. + + forfend, _forbid_. + + forfozt, _worn out with fighting_. + + forrow, _before_. + + fow, _full_. + + fowkyn, _crepitus ventris_. Percy. + + fre, _free_, _noble_. + + freke, _man_, _fellow_. + + fullily, _foully_. + + fusome, _fulsome_. + + + ga, _go_. + + ga', _gall_. + + gaberlunzie, _a wallet_; + gaberlunzie-man, _a man that carries a wallet_, _beggar_. + + gabs, _mouths_. + + gadlyngs, _idle lads_. + + gait, _path_, _way_. + + gane, _gone_. + + gappe, 106, _entrance of the lists_. + + gar, _cause_, _make_. + + gaun, _going_. + + gear, geere, _property_. + + gedurt, _gathered_. + + gife, gin, _if_. + + gip, 153, like gup, _get up_, _be off_, _&c._ + + gled, _kite_. + + gloamin', _twilight_. + + gloom, _frown_. + + goud, _gold_. + + gowt, 108, v. 109, MS. Harl., should perhaps be, "_yf I_ have," &c. + + grate, _scratch_. + + gravat, _cravat_. + + graythid, _made ready_. + + gre, 105, _prize_. + + greave, _manager of a farm_. + + grit, _great_. + + gudefather, _father-in-law_. + + gurde, _struck_. + + gyand, gyane, _giant_. + + + had, _hold_. + + hairt, _heart_. + + hard, _heard_. + + harnis, _brains_. + + harnys, 110, _horns_. + + harwos, _harrows_. + + haud, _hold_, _keep_. + + he, _high_, _noble_. + + heck, _hatch_, _small-door_. + + heid, _head_. + + hellis-cruk, 148, _a crook by which vessels are hung over the fire_. + + hend, 152, _gentle_; + Aytoun reads, "hain'd," _spared_, _saved_. + + hent, _took_. + + het, _heated_. + + hicher, _higher_. + + hight, _promised_. + + hilt, _taken_. + + hindir, 148, _hundred_. + + hiphalt, _lame in the hip_. + + hireman chiel, _man-servant_. + + hit, _it_. + + holt, _grove_; + sometimes, _hill_. + + horse-brat, _horse-cloth_. + + husband, _husbandman_. + + hussy, _housewife_; + husyskep, _housekeeping_. + + hynt, _took_. + + hyzt, _promised_. + + + ifere, _together_. + + ilka, _each_. + + ill-fardly, _ill-favoredly_, _uglily_. + + ill-willy, _ill-natured_. + + in-fere, _together_. + + ingle, _fire_. + + intil, _in_. + + i-wiss, _surely_, _for a certainty_; + sometimes seems to be ignorantly employed for I wot, _I know_. + + + jetted, 41, _went proudly_. + + jimp, _slender_. + + jumlit, 119, _stirred rapidly_, used of the motion of churning. + + + kaily, _cabbage-like_. + + kall, _drive_. + + kavis, _calves_. + + keel, _red ochre_. + + keming-stock, _back of a chimney grate_. + + kest, _cast_. + + kexis, _dried stalks of hemlock_. + + kid, _displayed_. + + kill, _kiln_. + + kind, _nature_. + + kirn, _churn_. + + kists, _chests_. + + kned, _kneed_. + + know, _knoll_. + + ky, _cows_. + + kynde, _nature_, _habit_; + comyn of kynde, 107, _come of a good strain_? + + kyrne, _churn_; + kyrnd, _churned_. + + + laigher, _lower_. + + laith, _loath_; + laithliest, _loathsomest_. + + laitis, lusty, _pleasant manners_. + + lambs-wool, _a beverage made of ale and roasted apples_. + + lane, her, _alone by herself_. + + lauchty, 141, _pale_, _white_? + + lawing, _scot_, _tavern-reckoning_. + + leal, _honest_. + + lear'd, _learned_. + + led, 151, (of laws) _carried out_. (?) + + lenth, _length_. + + lese, _lose_. + + let, _desist_, _omit_. + + leuch, _laughed_. + + lever, _rather_. + + leys, _leas_. + + lightlye, _without good reason_. + + likame, _body_. + + lintseed bow, _the globule which contains the seed of flax_. + + lizt, _light_. + + lone, in the, 119, "_an opening between fields of corn, for driving + the cattle homeward, or milking cows_." + + losel, _worthless fellow_. + + lout, _let_. + + louz, lowe, _laughed_. + + low, _flame_. + + lowte, _bow_; + lowtit, _bent_. + + lugs, _ears_. + + lyarde, _gray horse_, _horse in general_. + + lyt, _little_, _a little while_. + + + mane, _moan_. + + maries, _maid-servants_. + + maun, _must_. + + mavis, _song-thrush_. + + may, _maid_. + + meen, _moan_. + + meisseine, 195, _mizzen-sail_. + + mekle, _much_. + + menzie, _many_, _retinue_. + + merk, _dark_, _sad_. + + micht, _might_. + + micull, _great_. + + minny, _mother_. + + moe, _more_. + + mone, _man_. + + mot, mought, _may_. + + mou, mow, _mouth_. + + muckle, _much_. + + muir, _moor_. + + myskaryd, 104, _miscarried_, _disadvantageously disposed of_. + + + nappy (of ale), _strong_. + + native, 162, _true-born_. + + neb, _nose_, _beak_. + + nedis hase spedde, _succeeded in what he wanted_. + + neis, _nose_. + + neist, _next_. + + nolles, _heads_. + + nones, _nonce_. + + nourice, _nurse_. + + nozt, _nought_. + + + ohon, _alas_. + + on loft, 112, _aloft_, i. e. _standing up_, or _on horseback_. + + onys, _once_. + + other, 110, _or_? + + our, ower, _over_, _too_; + our all quhair, 148, _everywhere_. + + ourtuk, _overtook_. + + + pairt, _part_. + + palmer, _pilgrim_, _vagabond_. + + panis, _pains_. + + pannell, panele, 41, 108, _a rustic saddle_, _a pad_, _without frame + or bow_. + + paramour, 148, _passionately_. + + partake, 212, _impart_, _assign_. + + pass, _care_. + + pat-fit, _pot-foot_. + + pawky, _sly_. + + pechmyn, _parchment_. + + peit, 269, _whip_. + + pele, _long-handled baker's shovel_. + + pendles, _ear-rings_. + + Pirie's chair, 282? + + ploo-mell, plow-mell, _"a small wooden hammer occasionally fixed to + the plough_." Percy. + + ploom, _plum_. + + pluch, _plough_. + + pollis, _polls_. + + porcupig, _porcupine_. + + poudurt, _powdered_. + + prayse-folk, 114? + + prees, _press_, _crowd_. + + prest, _ready_, _eager_. + + priefe, _prove_. + + priving, _proof_. + + progeny, 158, _descent_. + + + quert, 150, _high spirits_, _hilarity_. + + quha, _&c. who_, _&c._ + + quhill, _till_. + + + ra, _roe_. + + ramped, rampit, _rushed violently_, _pranced about in bad humor_. + + rant, _make merry_, _riot_. + + rarely, 229, _dear_. + + raton, _rat_. + + rauzt, _reft_, _took away_. + + reade, _advice_. + + record, 247, _avowal_; + draw to record, _take to witness_. + + red, 119, to part (them). + + reet, 141, _root_. + + refe, _steward_, _bailiff_. + + remorse, 164, _tenderness of feeling_. + + renning, _running_. + + reve, _take from_. + + richt, _right_. + + ridand, _riding_. + + ring, 148, _reign_. + + rok, _distaff_. + + roose, 87, _boast of_, _commend_. + + root, 268, rout, i. e. _stretch_, or _tramp_? + + rost, thu carpis of cold, 110, (proverb), _thou speakest to no purpose_? + + round claith and small, 118? + + rout, _blow_. + + rowte, _crowd_. + + rowe, a-, upon a row, _in a row_. + + ruell bones, see Gloss. to vol. i. + + ruggut, _pulled violently_. + + rung, _cudgel_, _staff_. + + ryschys, _rushes_. + + ryzt, _right_. + + + sa, _so_. + + sair, _suit_, _satisfy_. + + sark, _shirt_. + + say, _essay_. + + scart, _scratch_. + + scho, _she_. + + schondir, in, _asunder_. + + se'en, _seven_. + + sen, _since_. + + sen, _send_, _grant_. + + senvye, _mustard-seed_. + + serk, _shirt_. + + set, _suit_. + + sevensum, _seven_. + + sheave, _slice_. + + shent, 66, _shamed_. + + shott-window, _projecting window_. + + shouthers, _shoulders_. + + shriefe, _sheriff_. + + shurtyng, 103, _sport_, _pastime_. + + sic, siccan, _such_. + + sicht, _sight_. + + side, _long_. + + sith, sithence, _since_. + + six-mennys song, _song for six voices_. + + skomfet, _discomfit_. + + skumd, _skimmed_. + + slatred, _broken_, _cracked_. + + slee, _sly_. + + smeek, _smoke_. + + sonde, _sending_. + + sooth, _truth_, _troth_. + + sorrow, _devil a bit_. + + sort, _style_; + _company_, _swarm_ (of bees). + + sot, 247, _fool_. + + sould, _should_. + + sowkit, _sucked_. + + spait, _flood_, _freshet_. + + spare, 141, _opening in a gown or petticoat_. + + speal, 280, _chip_ or _shaving_. The sense? + + speer, _ask for_. + + speere, 67, "an aperture in the wall, shot-window." Aytoun. (?) + + spence, _expense_. + + spright, sprite, _spirit_. + + spyre, _a post or pillar, supporting a shelf on which victuals are + put_. See _Gloss._ to Jamieson's _Pop. Ball._ + + stark, _stiff_, _strong_. + + sted, stede, _place_. + + steer, _stir_. + + stert, _started_. + + stock, _the forepart of a bed further from the wall_. + + stollin, _stolen_. + + stondis, _stands_. + + stottis, _oxen_. + + stound, _time_. + + stoure, 119, _hurry_. + + stown, _stolen_. + + strae, _straw_. + + strene, this, 120, _yesternight_. + + stripe, 199, _measure_. + + swa, _so_. + + swear, _oath_. + + swete, 103, qy. sweté, _sweaty?_ + + swippyng, _striking fast_, as in threshing. + + swipylles, 112; "a swepyl is _that staff of the flail with which the + corn is beaten out_, vulgarly a supple," Percy: _swingle_. + + swynkers, _laborers_. + + syde, _long_. + + syne, _then_. + + + tald, _told_. + + tee, _too_. + + teene, _sorrow_, _suffering_. + + tent, 58, "_a kind of Alicant, a general name for Spanish wines, + except white_." Halliwell. + + tha, _then_. + + than, _then_. + + thannes, _thence_. + + thee, _thrive_. + + then, _than_. + + think lang, _suffer from ennui_. + + thir, _these_. + + tho, _then_. + + thouz, _though_. + + thrang, _close_. + + thristing, _thirsting_. + + thristlecock, _throstle_, _thrush_. + + thrustand, _thrusting_, _pressing_. + + tide, _time_. + + tint, _lost_. + + tittles and tattles, "_clots of dirt such as hang on a cow's tail_." + + to-brast, _burst in pieces_. + + to-claterde, 111, _beaten in_ (with noise)? + + to-flaterde, 111, _broken to pieces?_ + + tokynyng, 107, _token_, _sign_. + + tolbooth, _prison_. + + tone, _taken_. + + trestly, _truly_, _confidently_. + + trippande, _tripping_. + + tryst, _an appointment to meet_; + _to make such an appointment_. + + tuggut, _tugged_. + + twatling, 43, _small_, _piddling_. + + twine, _part_ (_from_). + + + unhappy, 42, _ill-conditioned_. + + unlusum, _unlovely_, _revolting_; + was his likame dicht, 150, _unlovely was the condition into which + his body was brought_. + + up, _upon_; + upon lofte, _on high_. + + + verrey, _very_, _true_. + + vow, _exclamation of admiration_. + + + wa', _wall_. + + wad, _would_. + + wad, _wager_. + + waft, _weft_, _woof_. + + wale, _choose_. + + wallow't, _became pale_. + + wame, _belly_, _stomach_. + + wan, 91, _come_, _got_. + + war, _worse_. + + ware, _aware_. + + waryd, _cursed_. + + wat, _know_. + + wearifu', _causing pain or trouble_. + + wede, _dress_. + + weel-faurd, _well-favored_, _fair_. + + weet, _know_. + + weir, _war_. + + weir, 149, _were_. + + weloo, interjection of grief. + + we'se, _we shall or will_. + + wha's aucht, _who is it owns?_ + + whang, _slice_. + + whereas, _where that_, _where_. + + white moneye, _silver_. + + whoard, _hoard_, _keep_. + + whorles and spindles, 101, "_instruments used in Scotland for spinning + instead of spinning-wheels_." Percy. + + wicht, _wight_, _creature_. + + wiel, _wield_. + + wight, _quick_. + + will, _uncertain how to proceed_, _distracted_. + + win, _go_. + + winna, _will not_. + + winsome, _gay_, _comely_, _pleasant_. + + withouttin, _without_. + + witted, 195, _endowed with wit?_ + wo, woo, _sad_. + + wobs, _webs_. + + woir, _worse_. + + wood, _frantic_. + + wow, _woe_. + + wow, _vow_; + exclamation of admiration. + + woweir, _wooer_, _suitor_. + + wraik, _wreck_. + + wrest and wrang, 113, _writhed and twisted_. + + wryth away, _put aside_. + + wynne, _joy_. + + wynnit, _dwelt_. + + wyspys, _wisps_. + + wyte, _blame_. + + wyte, for wot, _know_. + + + yates, _gates_. + + ycha, _every_. + + yeersel, _yourself_. + + yeid, _went_. + + ye'se, _you shall or will_. + + yestreen, _yesterday_. + + yetts, _gates_. + + ying, _young_. + + yirne, _curdle_. + + + ze, _ye_. + + zede, _went_. + + zet, _yet_. + + zong, _young_. + + + + +INDEX. + + +The titles by which ballads are designated in this collection are here +printed in Roman letters; other titles, whether of ballads included in +this collection, or not, and in general, all other references, in +Italic. + +In looking for a title, the articles, both the definite and the +indefinite, are to be dropped. "O. B." denotes the often-referred-to +Collection of 1723: "P. S." Percy Society Publications: = signifies that +two pieces are equivalent. + + * * * * * + + _Aage og Else_, Danish bal. 2, 145. + + Adam Bel, Clym of the Cloughe, and Wyllyam of Cloudeslé. 5, 124, 1. + + _Adam Gordon_ (the freebooter). 6, 149: 5, xix. + + _Adventures of Faravla_, &c., Irish Fairy tale. 8, 284. + + _Agnete og Havmanden_, Danish ballad. 1, 179. + + Alison Gross. 1, 168. + + Allerlei-Rauh, German tale. 8, 172. + + _Alphonso and Ganselo_ (or, _Faithful Friendship_), Garl. G. Will, + p. 60, P. S. xxx: O. B. 2, 145: Evans, 1, 354. + + Als y yod on ay Mounday. 1, 273, 126. + + _Amadis._ 1, 5, 6. + + Andrew Lammie. 2, 190. + + Annan Water. 2, 186. + + _Apuleius, Metam._ 1, 162. + + _Arabian Nights._ 1, 5; 8, 54. + + Archie of Ca'field. 6, 88, 81. + + _Arden of Feversham._ Evans, 3, 217. + + _Armenian Lady's Love_, Wordsworth's. 4, 202. + + Armstrong's Good-Night. 6, 40. + + Armstrong and Musgrave. 8, 243. + + _Artèmire_, Voltaire's. 3, 242. + + As I came from Walsingham. 4, 191. + + _As I was walking under a grove_. 1, 128. + + _As You Like It_. 5, xxv: 8, 144. + + _Aschenputtel_, German tale. 8, 172. + + _Audam and Doorkhaunee_, Afghan tale. 2, 120. + + Auld Maitland. 6, 217. + + _Ausgleichung_, German ballad. 1, 5. + + + _Babe Nourice_. 2, 40. + + Babylon, or, The Bonnie Banks o' Fordie. 2, 277. + + _Baffled Knight_. Percy, 2, 362: = _Too Courteous Knight_, Ritson, + Anc. Songs, 2, 54: Durfey, 3, 37: = _The Shepherd's Son_, Herd, 2, + 267: = _Jock Sheep_, Kinloch, Ballad Book, p. 17: = _Blow the + Winds, Heigh Ho_, Anc. Poems, &c., p. 123, P. S. xvii. Bell, _id._ + p. 82. + + Bailiff's Daughter of Islington. 4, 158. + + _Ballad of Matrymonie_. 8, 182. + + _Bandello_. 3, 242, 370; 6, 209. + + Barbara Allen's Cruelty. 2, 158. + + Barbara Livingston. 4, 270. + + _Baron (or Laird) o' Leys_. Buchan, 2, 144; Kinloch, B. B. 74. + + Baron of Brackley. 6, 188, 192. + + _Baron turned Ploughman_. 8, 233. + + _Bateman's Tragedy_. O. B. 1, 261. Ritson, Anc. Songs, 2, 95. + + Battle of Alford. 7, 238. + + Battle of Balrinnes. 7, 214. + + Battle of Bothwell Bridge. 7, 148, 149. + + Battle of Corichie. 7, 210. + + Battle of Glenlivet. 7, 214. + + Battle of Harlaw. 7, 181, 317. + + Battle of Killiecrankie. 7, 152. + + Battle of Loudon Hill. 7, 144. + + Battle of Otterbourne. 7, 3, 19, 29, 177. + + Battle of Pentland Hills. 7, 240. + + Battle of Philiphaugh. 7, 131. + + Battle of _Sherramoor_ (Burns). 6, 157. + + Battle of Sheriff-Muir. 7, 156, 260. + + Battle of _Strath-aven_. 7, 214, 217. + + Battle of Tranent-Muir, or Preston-Pans. 7, 167. + + _Beautiful Lady of Kent_. Bal. of Peasantry, P. S. xvii. 130; Bell, + _id._ 84. + + _Bent Sae Brown_. 2, 57. + + _Bergkonungen_, Swedish bal. 1, 179. + + _Berkshire Lady's Garland_. Bal. of Peasantry, P. S. xvii. 138; Moore, + 456. + + Bessie Bell and Mary Gray. 3, 126. + + _Betrayed Lady_. 4, 180. + + _Bettelman_, German bal. 8, 98. + + Billie Archie. 6, 94. + + _Binnorie_. 2, 231. + + Birth of Robin Hood. 5, 170, 392. + + [_de la_] _Blanca Niña_, Spanish ballad. ii. 319. + + Blancheflour and Jellyflorice. 4, 295. + + Blind Beggar's Daughter of Bednall Green. 4, 161. + + Blood-Stained Son (_Der blutige Sohn_, translated). 2, 350. + + _Blow the Winds, Heigh Ho = Baffled Knight_. + + Bludy Serk. 8, 147. + + _Blue Beard_, 2, 272. + + _Blue Bird_, fairy tale. 1, 171. + + _Bold Burnett's Daughter = Bonny Hynd_. + + Bold Pedlar and Robin Hood. 5, 248. + + _Bold Rankin_. 3, 95. + + Bondsey and Maisry. 2, 379, 298. + + Bonnie Annie. 3, 47. + + Bonnie Banks o' Fordie. 2, 277. + + Bonnie George Campbell. 3, 92. + + Bonnie House o' Airly. 6, 183, 186. + + _Bonnie Lass of Anglesey_. Herd, 2, 190: Buchan, 2, 63. + + _Bonnie Susie Cleland_. 2, 78. + + Bonny Baby Livingston. 4, 38. + + Bonny Barbara Allan. 2, 155. + + Bonny Bee-Ho'm. 3, 57: 2, 215. + + _Bonny Birdy_. 2, 22. + + Bonny Bows o' London. 2, 360. + + Bonny Earl of Murray. 7, 119, 121: 3, 88. + + _Bonny Hind Squire_. 8, 11, 83. + + _Bonny Hynd_. Scott's _Minstrelsy_, 3, 307: = _Lizie Wan_, Herd, ed. + 1776, 1, 91: = The _Broom blooms bonnie_, &c. Motherwell, lxxxiv. + 189: = _Castle Ha's Daughter_, Buchan, 1, 241. Also called _Lady + Jean_, Motherwell, Appendix, p. xxi., and _Bold Burnett's + Daughter_, Buchan, 1, 315. + + Bonny John Seton. 7, 230. + + _Bonny May_. 4, 45. + + Bothwell. 1, 158, 152. + + _Bothwell Lines_. 7, 149. + + Boy and the Mantle. 1, 3. + + Boyne Water. 7, 253. + + Braes o' Yarrow. 3, 69: Logan's, 2, 182. + + Brave Earl Brand and the King of England's Daughter. 2, 388, 114. + + Brave Lord Willoughby. 7, 114. + + Bride's Testament = Cruel Brother. + + _Broom blooms bonnie_, &c. = _Bonny Hynd_. + + Broom of Cowdenknows. 4, 45. + + Broomfield Hill. 1, 131. + + Brown Adam. 4, 60. + + _Brown Robin._ 2, 9. Buchan, 2, 299. + + _Brume_, _brume on hil_. 1, 131. + + Burd Ellen. 3, 213, 205, 269. + + Burd Ellen and Young Tamlane. 1, 271. + + _Burd Helen._ 3, 192. + + Burning of Auchindown, see Willie Mackintosh. + + By Landsdale hey ho. 5, 431. + + + _Camille, ou la Manière de filer le parfait Amour._ 1, 5. + + Captain Car. 6, 147. + + Captain Wedderburn's Courtship. 8, 11, 5. + + _Carl of Kellyburn Braes._ 8, 257. + + _Carle of Carlile._ 8, 140. + + _Carnal and the Crane._ 1, 315. + + _Castle Ha's Daughter_ = _Bonny Hynd_. + + Catherine Johnstone. 4, 34. + + Catskin's Garland, (or, The Wandering Young Gentlewoman.) 8, 172. + + _Ce qui plaît aux Dames_, Voltaire's. 1, 29. + + _Cendrillon_, _Cennerentola_. 8, 172. + + _[du] Chevalier qui fist sa Fame confesse, fabliau_. 6, 209. + + Chevy-Chace. 7, 43, 25. + + Chil Ether. 4, 299. + + _Child Brenton._ 1, 152. + + Child Noryce. 2, 40. + + Child of Elle. 3, 224, 220; + 2, 114. + + Child Rowland and Burd Ellen. 1, 245. + + Child Waters. 3, 205, 269. + + Childe Maurice, _Chield Morice_. 2, 313, 30. + + Childe Vyet. 2, 72. + + Children in the Wood. 3, 128. + + Child's Last Will. 2, 366. + + _Cinthio's Heccatomithi._ 8, 60. + + Clerk Colvill. 1, 192; + 2, 271. + + _Clerk of Oxenford's Tale_, Chaucer's. 4, 207. + + Clerk Saunders. 2, 45, 318, 53, 57, 82. + + Clerk's Twa Sons o' Owsenford. 2, 63; + 1, 214. + + Clerk Tamas. 3, 349. + + _Cokwolds Daunce._ 1, 17. + + _Conde de Barcelona y la Emperatriz de Alemania._ 3, 242. + + Constance of Cleveland. 4, 225. + + _Constancy of Susanna._ 8, 198. + + _Constant Penelope._ 8, 207. + + Constantine and Areté. 1, 304, 307, 217. + + _Contes à rire._ 8, 3. + + _Corn, lai du._ 1, 3. + + Cospatrick. 1, 152. + + _Countess of Errol_, see _Errol_. + + _Coupe Enchantée._ 1, 4. + + _Court Mantel._ 1, 4. + + _Courteous King Jamie._ 1, 147. + + Courteous Knight. 8, 272, 11. + + _Covering Blue_ = _Keach in the Creel_. + + _Crafty Lover, or, The Lawyer outwitted._ Bell, Ball. of Peasantry, 110. + + _Crafty Ploughboy, or, The Highwayman outwitted_. 8, 265. + + Croodlin Doo. 2, 363. + + Cruel Black. 3, 370. + + Cruel Brother, or, The Bride's Testament. 2, 251, 257, 265. + + _Cruel Brother_, Swedish bal. 2, 46. + + _Cruel Jew's Garland._ 8, 46. + + _Cruel Knight._ 2, 291. + + Cruel Mother. 2, 267, 269, 372, 257. + + Cruel Sister. 2, 231. + + _Cunning Clerk_ = _Keach in the Creel_. + + _Cymbeline._ 8, 277. + + + Dæmon Lover. 1, 201, 302. + + _David and Bathsheba._ 8, 198. + + _Dead Man's Song of Heaven and Hell._ Evans, 1, 297; + Ritson, Anc. Songs, old ed., p. 286; + Brit. Bibliog. 2, 136, &c. + + _Death of John Seton._ 7, 230. + + _Death of Keeldar._ 6, 140. + + Death of Parcy Reed. 6, 179. + + Death of Queen Jane. 7, 77. + + _Decameron._ 2, 382; + 4, 207; + 6, 209. + + _Demaundes Joyous._ 8, 3. + + _Devil and the Scold._ 8, 257. + + Dialogue between Will Lick-Ladle and Tom Clean-Cogue. 7, 260, 157. + + Dick o' the Cow. 6, 67. + + _Dolopathos._ 8, 45. + + _Donald of the Isles._ 4, 68, 76. + + _Doralice._ 8, 172. + + _Douglas_, Home's. 2, 28. + + Douglas Tragedy. 2, 114; + 3, 220, 223; + 5, 334. + + _Dowie Den._ 3, 65. + + Dowie Dens of Yarrow. 3, 63. + + Dragon of Wantley. 8, 128. + + _Dronken Hansje._ 8, 55. + + Drowned Lovers. 2, 175. + + _Drunkard's Legacy._ 8, 60. + + Duchess of Suffolk's Calamity. 7, 298, 115. + + Duel of Wharton and Stuart. 8, 259. + + _Duke Hamilton._ Smith's Scot. Mins., 2, 58. + + _Duke of Argyle's Courtship._ Buchan, 2, 148. + + Duke of Athol. 4, 94. + + Duke of Athol's Nurse. 8, 228, 231. + + Duke of Gordon's Daughter. 4, 102. + + Duke of Perth's Three Daughters. 2, 281. + + _Dumb Wife of Aberdour._ Aytoun, 2, 185. + + _Durham Garland._ Ritson, Bish. Gar. p. 1. + + _Dysmal._ 2, 382. + + + _Earl Crawford._ Buchan, 1, 61. + + _Earl Lithgow._ 3, 260. + + _Earl Marshal._ 6, 209. + + _Earl of Errol_, see _Errol_. + + Earl of Mar's Daughter. 1, 171. + + Earl Richard (A). 3, 3, 10, 293. + + Earl Richard (B). 3, 266, 395. + + Earl Robert. 3, 26. + + _Edda._ 1, 213; + 8, 139. + + Edom o' Gordon. 6, 147, 154; + 7, 216. + + Edward. 2, 225, 219, 251. + + _Edwin and Emma_, Goldsmith's. 4, 189. + + _Eitle Dinge_, German ballads. 1, 128. + + _Elfer Hill._ 1, 298. + + Elfin Knight. 1, 128, 277. + + _Elfrida and Sir James of Perth._ 3, 73. + + _Elf-Woman and Sir Olof_, Swedish bal. 1, 298. + + _Ellen Irwin_, Wordsworth's. 2, 208. + + _Elveskud_, Danish bal. 1, 298. + + Enchanted Ring. 3, 53. + + Eppie Morie. 6, 260, 203. + + _Erle of Tolous._ 3, 242. + + Erlinton. 3, 220; + 2, 114. + + _Errol_, _Earl of Errol, &c._ Sharpe, B. B., p. 89: = Kinloch, B. B., + p. 31: = _Countess of Errol_, Buchan, 2, 176, and Gleanings, + p. 158: = _Errol's Place_, Maidment's N. C. G., p. 31. + + _Eulenspiegel._ 8, 3, 4. + + Execution of Sir Simeon Fraser. 6, 274. + + + _Facezie_ of Arlotto. 8, 167. + + _Factor's Garland._ O. B. 3, 221: = Sheldon, p. 274. + + _F[oe]stemanden i Graven_, Danish ballad. 2, 145. + + Fair Annie. 3, 191, 198. + + Fair Annie of Lochroyan. 2, 98. + + Fair Flower of Northumberland. 4, 180. + + Fair Helen of Kirconnell. 2, 207. + + Fair Janet. 2, 86, 80, 120. + + _Fair Mabel of Wallington_ (= _The Mild Mary_): Ritson, + Northumb. Garl. p. 38. + + Fair Margaret and Sweet William. 2, 140, 162. + + Fair Margaret of Craignargat. 8, 249. + + _Fair Midel and Kirsten Lyle_, Danish bal. 2, 342. + + Fair Rosamond. 7, 283. + + _Fairy Queen._ 1, 5. + + _Faithful Friendship_, see _Alphonso and Ganselo_. + + False Sir John. 2, 271. + + [_den_] _Falske Riddaren_, Swedish bal. 2, 272. + + Famous Flower of Serving-Men. 4, 174; + 3, 86. + + Farmer's Old Wife. 8, 257. + + Fause Foodrage. 3, 40, 159. + + Fause Knight upon the Road. 8, 269. + + Fause Lover. 4, 89. + + _Felon Sowe of Rokeby._ Ev. 3, 270; + Moore, 187; + Scott, Notes to Rokeby; + Robson, Metr. Romances, p. 105, Camden Soc., No. 18, etc. + + _Fine Flowers i' the Valley._ 2, 257. + + Fine Flowers in the Valley. 2, 265. + + _Finette Cendron._ 8, 172. + + Fire of Frendraught. 6, 173. + + _Fischer_, Goethe's. 1, 298. + + _Fitchers Vogel_, German tale., 2, 272. + + Flemish Insurrection. 6, 269. + + Flodden Field. 7, 71. + + _Florent and the King of Sicily's Daughter_, Gower's tale., 1, 29. + + _Florice and Blancheflour._ 4, 295. + + _Flourence de Romme, Le Dit de._ 3, 159. + + Fray of Suport. 6, 115. + + _Frennet Hall._ 6, 177. + + _Frère de Lait_, Breton bal. 1, 217. + + Friar in the Well. 8, 122. + + _Frolicksome Courtier and Jovial Tinker._ 8, 55. + + Frolicksome Duke, or, The Tinker's Good Fortune. 8, 54. + + From Bogie Side, or, The Marquis's Raide. 7, 267, 156. + + _Fryer and the Maid._ 8, 122. + + + Gaberlunzie Man. 8, 98. + + _Galien Rethoré._ 1, 231. + + Gallant Grahams. 7, 137. + + _Gamelyn, Cook's Tale of._ 5, xxv. 38. + + Gardener. 4, 92. + + Gay Goss-Hawk. 3, 277; + 2, 10. + + Gentle Herdsman, tell to me. 4, 187. + + Gentleman in Thracia. 8, 158. + + Geordie, _Geordie Luklie._ 8, 92, 96, 93. + + George Barnwell. 8, 213. + + _Georgics._ 1, 125. + + Gernutus the Jew of Venice. 8, 45. + + _Gesta Romanorum._ 1, 5, 7, 276; + 8, 3, 45, 147, 158. + + Get up and bar the door. 8, 125. + + Gifts from over Sea. 8, 271, 11. + + Gight's Lady. 8, 285, 93. + + Gilderoy. 6, 196. + + Gil Morrice. 2, 28. + + _Girl clad in Mouse-skin_, Swedish tale. 8, 173. + + Glasgerion. 2, 3. + + Glasgow Peggy. 4, 76. + + Glenkindie. 2, 3. + + Glenlogie. 4, 80. + + _Godiva. How Coventry was made free by Godina_ (sic), _Countess of + Chester._ Evans, 2, 29. + + _Golden Glove, or, The Squire of Tamworth._ Ball. of Peas. P. S. xvii. + 106; + Bell, _id._ 70. + + _Golden Legend._ 1, 70. + + _Gowans sae gay._ 1, 195. + + Graeme and Bewick. 3, 77. + + _Graf Hans von Holstein und seine Schwester Annchristine_, German bal. + 2, 78. + + _Grandmother Adder-Cook_, German bal. 2, 364. + + [_der_] _Grausame Bruder_, German bal. 2, 79. + + _Green Broom-Field._ 1, 136. + + Greensleeves. 4, 240. + + _Greve Genselin_, Danish ballad., 8, 139. + + _Grey Cock._ Herd, 2, 278. + + [_der_] _Grobe Bruder_, German bal. 2, 79. + + [_den_] _Grymma Brodern_, Swedish bal. 2, 319. + + Gude Wallace. 6, 232. + + _Guy of Warwick._ 1, 62. + + Gypsie Laddie. 4, 114. + + + _Hakon Borkenbart_, Swedish saga. 4, 207. + + _Hardyknute._ 3, 40, 148. + + _Harpans Kraft_, Swedish and Danish bal. 2, 8. + + _Haughs o' Yarrow._ 3, 65. + + Haws of Cromdale. 7, 234. + + Hawthorn Tree. 1, 311. + + [_der_] _Heilige Georg_, German legend. 1, 70. + + Heir of Linne. 8, 60, 70. + + _Helgakvitha Hundingsbana_, II., 1, 213. + + _Henry and Emma_, Prior's. 4, 143. + + _Hero and Leander._ 8, 207. + + _Herodotus._ 1, 6. + + _Herr Aester ok Fröken Sissa_, Swedish bal. 1, 152. + + _Herr Halewyn_, Dutch bal. 2, 272. + + _Herr Malmstens Dröm_, Swedish bal. 2, 141. + + _Herr Medelvold_, Danish bal., 2, 342. + + _Herr Peder och Liten Kerstin_, Swedish bal. 2, 125. + + _Herr Peders Sjöresa_, Swedish bal. 3, 47. + + _Herr Redevall_, Swedish bal., 2, 342. + + _Herr Sallemand_, Danish bal., 2, 120. + + _Herr Truels's Döttre_, Danish bal. 2, 277. + + _Hertig Fröjdenborg och Fröken Adelin_, Swedish bal. 2, 120. + + _Hertig Nils_, Swedish bal. 2, 120. + + _Hierarchie of the Blessed Angels._ 1, 163. + + _Highwayman Outwitted_, see _Crafty Ploughboy._ + + _Hildebrand og Hilde_, Danish bal. 2, 115, 388. + + _Hilla Lilla_, Swedish bal. 2, 120. + + Hireman Chiel. 8, 233. + + Hirlanda. 3, 243. + + _Histoire de la Comtesse de Savoie._ 3, 242. + + _Histoire de Palanus, Comte de Lyon._ 3, 242. + + _Historia de Cataluña._ 3, 242. + + Hobie Noble. 6, 97, 67. + + _Holofernes._ 8, 198. + + _Honeymoon._ 8, 182. + + _Honour of a London Prentice._ O. B. 1, 199: + Ritson, Ancient Songs, 2, 199. + + _Horn and Rimnild, Horn et Rimenhild._ 1, 6; + 4, 17. + + Horn of King Arthur. 1, 17, 4. + + _House Carpenter._ 1, 209. + + Hugh of Lincoln. 3, 136. + + Hughie Graham (Hughie the Graeme). 6, 51, 55, 247. + + Hunting of the Cheviot. 7, 25, 43. + + [_det_] _Hurtige Svar_, Danish bal. 2, 319. + + _Hustru og Mands Moder_, Danish bal. 1, 162. + + Hynd Horn. 4, 17, 25. + + Hynde Etin. 1, 294, 179; + 2, 271. + + + _I'll wager, I'll wager._ 1, 131. + + _Ill May-Day, Story of._ Garl. Good Will, p. 39, P. S. xv: O. B. 3, + 54: Evans, 3, 76. + + In Sherwood livde stout Robin Hood. 5, 433. + + _Ingefred og Gudrune_, Danish bal. 1, 152. + + + _Jack Horner, Tale of._ Halliwell's Nursery Rhymes, p. 165, P. S. iv. + James Herries. 1, 205. + + Jamie Douglas. 4, 287. + + Jamie Telfer of the Fair Dodhead., 6, 105. + + Jane Shore. 7, 194. + + _Jean o' Bethelnie's Love for Sir G. Gordon._ 4, 80. + + _Jelitza and her Brothers_, Servian bal. 1, 217. + + Jellon Grame. 2, 285. + + Jephthah, Judge of Israel. 8, 198. + + _Jesus Barnet, Stefan, og Herodes_, Danish bal. 1, 315. + + Jew's Daughter. 3, 144, 331. + + _Jock o' Hazeldean, Jock o' Hazelgreen._ 4, 83. + + Jock o' the Side. 6, 80, 67, 88. + + _Jock Sheep_ = _Baffled Knight._ _Jock the Leg and the Merry Merchant._ + 8, 265. + + John Dory. 8, 194. + + _John Grumlie._ 8, 116. + + John o' Hazelgreen. 4, 83. + + _John the Reeve._ 8, 21. + + John Thomson and the Turk., 3, 352. + + Johnie Armstrang. 6, 37, 45, 251. + + _Johnie Blunt._ 8, 125. + + Johnie _of Braidisbank_, or of Breadislee. 6, 12, 11. + + Johnie of Cocklesmuir, or _of Cockielaw_. 6, 16, 11. + + Johnie Cope. 7, 274, 168. + + Johnie Faa and the Countess o' Cassilis. 4, 283. + + Johnie Scot. 4, 50. + + Johny Cock, or _Johny Cox_. + + 6, 243, 245, 11, 12. + + _Jolly Beggar._ 8, 98. + + Jolly Goshawk. 3, 285. + + _Jolly Harper._ 6, 3. + + Jolly Pinder of Wakefield, with Robin Hood, Scarlet, and John. 5, 204. + + _Jomfruen i Linden_, Danish bal. 1, 311. + + _Jomfruen i Ormeham_, Danish ballad. 1, 138, 168. + + _Jomfruen og Dværgekongen_ (_Maid and the Dwarfking_), Danish ballad. + 1, 179. + + _Jon Rimaardsöns Skriftemaal_, Danish ballad. 3, 47. + + Jovial Hunter of Bromsgrove. 8, 144. + + _Jugement de Salemon, fabliau._ 8, 158. + + _Jürg Drachentödter_, German ballad. 1, 70. + + + Katharine Janfarie. 4, 29. + + _Keach in the Creel._ Anc. Poems, &c. p. 112, P. S. xvii: = _Covering + Blue_, Kinloch, B. B., p. 61: = _Cunning Clerk_, Buchan, 1, 278. + + Kempion, Kemp Owyne. 1, 137, 143, 281. + + Kempy Kaye. 8, 139, 141. + + _Kertonha'._ 1, 114. + + _Killiecrankie._ 7, 153. + + _Kinder-u.-Haus-Märchen._ 1, 201; + 2, 231, 272; + 8, 3, 5, 173. + + _Kindesmörderin_, German ballads. 2, 262. + + _King and a Poore Northerne Man._ P. S. vol. i: Moore, p. 376. + + _King and the Barker._ 8, 22. + + _King Alfred and the Neatherd_, 8, 21; + _K. A. and the Shepherd_, 5, 238; + 8, 23. + + _King and the Hermit._ 8, 21, 22. + + _King and the Miller_, Danish tale. 8, 3. + + King and the Miller of Mansfield. 8, 32. + + King Arthur, and the King of Cornwall, 1, 231, 183; + Legend of, 1, 50; + K. A.'s Death, 1, 40. + + King Cophetua and the Beggar Maid. 4, 195. + + _King Edward and Jane Shore._ 7, 194. + + _King Edward and the Hermit_, 5, xxiii: _K. E. and the Shepherd_, 5, + xxiii; + 8, 21. + + King Edward the Fourth and the Tanner of Tamworth. 8, 21; + 5, xxiv. + + _King Edward the Third and the Fair Countess of Salisbury._ O. B. 2, 68. + + King Estmere. 3, 159; + 1, 183. + + King Henrie the Fifth's Conquest. 7, 190. + + King Henry. 1, 147, 29: 8, 140. + + _King Henry and a Bishop_, 8, 5: _K. H. and the Soldier_, 8, 22. + + _King Henry the Eighth and the Cobbler._ 8, 22. + + _King Henry the Second and the Cistercian Abbot._ 8, 21. + + _King Horn._ 4, 17. + + _King James the First and the Tinker._ 8, 22, 23. + + King John and the Abbot of Canterbury, 8, 3: _K. J. and the Bishop of + Canterbury_, 8, 5. + + _King Lear._ 1, 245. + + King Leir and his Three Daughters. 7, 276. + + King Malcolm and Sir Colvin. 3, 378, 173. + + King of France's Daughter. 4, 216. + + King of Scots and Andrew Browne. 7, 103. + + _King Olfrey and the Abbot._ 8, 5. + + King's Disguise and Friendship with Robin Hood. 5, 376. + + _King Waldemar and his Sister_, Danish bal. 2, 78, 86. + + _King William and the Forester._ 8, 22. + + Kinmont Willie. 6, 58, 81. + + Knight and Shepherd's Daughter. 3, 260. + + _Knight of the Swan._ 3, 159. + + Knight's Ghost. 1, 210. + + _Kong Diderik og hans K[oe]mper_, Danish ballad. 3, 159. + + _Kong Valdemar og hans Söster_, Danish bal. 2, 78, 251. + + _Krist' Lilla och Herr Tideman_, Swedish bal. 2, 342. + + _Krone der Königin von Afion_. 1, 16: _K. of Heinrich vom Türlein_, + 1, 4. + + + _Ladies of Finsbury, Life and Death of the._ Crown Garland G. Roses, + p. 44, P. S. xv; + Evans, 3, 318. + + Lads of Wamphray. 6, 168. + + _Lady Alice._ 2, 162. + + Lady Anne. 2, 262. + + Lady Anne Bothwell's Lament. 4, 123, 129. + + _Lady Daisy._ 2, 382. + + Lady Diamond. 2, 382. + + Lady Elspat. 4, 308. + + Lady Isabel and the Elf-Knight. 1, 195; + 2, 271. + + Lady Isabella's Tragedy. 3, 366. + + _Lady Jane._ 3, 192. + + _Lady Jean_ = _Bonny Hynd._ + + Lady Maisry. 2, 78, 319. + + Lady Margaret. 3, 390, 205. + + Lady Marjorie. 2, 338. + + _Lady's Fall, Lamentable Ballad of._ O. B. 1, 244; + Percy, 3, 182; + Ritson, Anc. Songs, 2, 110. + + _Lai du Corn._ 1, 3. + + _Lai le Frein._ 3, 191. + + Laidley Worm of Spindleston-Heugh. 1, 281, 137. + + _Laird o' Leys_ = _Baron o' Leys_. + + Laird o' Logie. 4, 109. + + Laird of Blackwood. 4, 290, 135. + + Laird of Drum. 4, 118. + + _Laird of Laminton._ 4, 29. + + _Laird of Lochnie._ 4, 45. + + _Laird of Ochiltree._ 4, 45. + + _Laird of Roslin's Daughter._ 8, 11. + + Laird of Waristoun. 3, 107, 110, 316. + + Lambert Linkin. 3, 100, 94. + + _Lambton Worm of Durham._ 1, 281. + + Lament of the Border Widow. 3, 86; 4, 174. + + _Lamentable Fall of the Duchess of Gloucester_. Garl. of Goodwill, + p. 271, P. S. xv; O. B. 2, 90. + + _Lamentation of Shore's Wife_. 7, 194. + + Lamkin, Lammikin. 3, 94, 307. + + _Lancelot_. 1, 6. + + Lang Johnny Moir. 4, 272. + + Lass of Lochroyan. 2, 106. + + _Last Guid Night_. 6, 40. + + _Lawyer Outwitted_, see _Crafty Lover_. + + Lay the Bent to the Bonny Broom. 8, 18. + + _Leander on the Bay_. 2, 177. + + Leesome Brand. 2, 342. + + Lenore, Bürger's. 1, 217. + + _Liebesprobe_, Ger. bal. 4, 144. + + Life and Death of Sir Hugh of the Grime. 6, 247. + + Life and Death of Thomas Stukely. 7, 305. + + _Lilla Rosa_, Swedish bal. 2, 120. + + [_den_] _Lillas Testamente_, Swedish bal. 2, 366, 251. + + _Lind im Thale_, German bal. 4, 144. + + _Linden_, Swedish bal. 1, 311. + + _Lindormen_, Danish ballad. 1, 138, 168. + + _Liten Kerstins Förtrollning_. 1, 162. + + _Liten Kerstin och Fru Sofia_, Swedish bal. 2, 78. + + _Liten Kerstin Stalldräng_, Swedish bal. 4, 174. + + Little Gest of Robin Hood. 5, 42, 18, 376, 383; 8, 22. + + _Little Gold Shoe_, Swedish tale. 8, 173. + + Little John and the Four Beggars. 5, 325. + + Little Musgrave and the Lady Barnard. 2, 15. + + Lizae Baillie. 4, 73, 280. + + Lizie Lindsay. 4, 63, 68, 73. + + _Lizie Wan = Bonny Hynd_. + + _Lochinvar_. 4, 29. + + Lochmaben Harper. 6, 3, 7. + + Long Lonkin. 3, 313, 94. + + _Lord Aboyne_. 4, 97. + + Lord Barnaby. 2, 307. + + _Lord Bateman_. 4, 1, 2. + + Lord Beichan and Susie Pye. 4, 253. + + Lord Delaware. 7, 313. + + Lord Derwentwater. 7, 164: _L. D.'s Goodnight_, 7, 165. + + Lord Dingwall. 1, 288, 152. + + Lord Donald. 2, 244, 251. + + Lord Jamie Douglas. 4, 135, 287. + + Lord John. 1, 42, 134. + + _Lord John's Murder_. 2, 292. + + Lord Livingston. 3, 343; 8, 243. + + Lord Lovel. 2, 162, 141. + + _Lord Lundy_. 4, 261. + + Lord Maxwell's Goodnight. 6, 162. + + _Lord Nann and the Korrigan_, Breton bal. 1, 298; + 2, 120. + + Lord Randal (A), 2, 22: (B), 2, 248, 244. + + _Lord Ronald._ 2, 248. + + Lord Salton and Auchanachie. 2, 165, 167. + + Lord Thomas and Fair Annet. 2, 125, 120, 131. + + Lord Thomas and Fair Ellinor. 2, 121. + + Lord Thomas of Winesberry and the King's Daughter. 4, 305. + + Lord Thomas Stuart. 3, 357. + + Lord Wa'yates and Auld Ingram. 2, 326. + + Lord William. 3, 18, 3. _Lord William._ 4, 261. + + Loudoun Castle. 6, 254. + + _Love Gregory._ 2, 98, + + _Lover's Complaint being forsaken of his Love._ 4, 234. + + Lovers Quarrel. 4, 311. + + Lowlands of Holland. 2, 213. + + Lytell Geste of Robyn Hode. 5, 42, 18, 376, 383; + 8, 22. + + + _Mackintosh was a soldier brave._ 7, 165. + + Macpherson's Rant (or _Lament_), 6, 263: his _Farewell_, by Burns, 6, + 266. + + _Mädchen und der Sagebaum, Mädchen und die Hasel_, German bal. 1, 311. + + _Maid and the Dwarf-King_, Danish ballad. 1, 179. + + _Maledizione Materna_, Italian ballad. 2, 171. + + _Mantel_, _Mantel Mautaillé_, _Court Mantel_, &c. 1, 3, 4. + + _Marchioness of Douglass._ 4, 135. + + _Margaret's Ghost._ 2, 141. + + _Mari Confesseur_, La Fontaine's. 6, 209. + + Marquis of Huntley's Retreat, (or _The Marquis's Raide_). 7, 267, 156. + + Marriage of Sir Gawaine. 1, 28, 147. + + _Martial._ 2, 177. + + Mary Ambree. 7, 108, 257. + + Mary Hamilton. 3, 120, 324, 329. + + _Maudlin, the Merchant's Daughter._ 4, 328. + + _May-a-Row._ 2, 286. + + May Colvin. 2, 271; + 1, 195, 198. + + _Memorables of the Montgomeries._ Evans, 2, 41; + Bal. and Songs of Ayrshire, 1, 60. + + _Merchant of Venice._ 8, 45, 46, 277. + + Merchant's Daughter of Bristow. 4, 328. + + _Merchant's Garland_, see _Factor's Garland_. + + Mermaid (or Clerk Colvill). 1, 192. + + _Merman and Marstig's Daughter_, Danish bal. 1, 298. + + _Mery Ballet of the Hathorn Tre._ 1, 311. + + _Mild Mary_, see _Fair Mabel of Wallington_. + + Miller and the King's Daughter. 2, 357, 231. + + Minister's Dochter o' Newark (or _of New York_). 2, 376. + + _Möen paa Baalet_, Danish ballad. 2, 251. + + _Moral Tale of Love and Honour_, Shenstone's. 4, 202. + + _Morte Arthure._ 1, 4, 40, 50, 55. + + _Mothers Malison._ 2, 171. + + _Moyen de Parvenir._ 5, 187. + + Murder of the King of Scots. 7, 78. + + _Murning Maidin._ Sibbald, 1, 201. + + + _Nattergalen_, Danish ballad. 1, 125. + + _New Notborune Mayd._ 4, 144. + + _No Song, no Supper._ 8, 125. + + Noble Fisherman, or, Robin Hood's Preferment. 5, 329. + + _Nobleman's Generous Kindness._ Bal. of Peas. p. 148, P. S. xvii: + Bell, id. 98. + + Nökkens Svig, Danish ballad. 1, 195, 198. + + Northern Lass, Brome's. 4, 123. + + Northern Lord and Cruel Jew. 8, 277. + + Northumberland betrayed by Douglas. 7, 92: 6, 124. + + _Numbers._ 1, 6. + + Nutbrowne Maide. 4, 143. + + + _O heard ye e'er of a silly blind Harper._ 6, 3. + + _Odyssey_, i. 125. + + _Of a Knight and a Faire Virgin._ 1, 29. + + _Of Wakefylde and a Grene._ 5, 204. + + _Old Abbot and King Alfred._ O. B. 2, 55. + + _Old Man and his Three Sons._ 8, 144. + + Old Robin of Portingale. 3, 34. + + [_den_] _Onde Svigermoder_, Danish bal. 2, 251. + + _Orlando Furioso_, 1, 4: _O. Inamorato_, 1, 137. + + _Ormekampen_, Danish ballad. 1, 281; + 8, 128. + + _Our gudeman came home at e'en._ 2, 319. + + _Outlandish Knight._ 2, 272. + + _Owen of Carron_, Langhorne's. 2, 28. + + _Owlglass._ 8, 3. + + + _Palace of Pleasure_, Painter's. 1, 5. + + _Palmerin of England._ 1, 5. + + _Patient Countess_, 4, 208; + Patient Grissel, 4, 207. + + _Patrañuelo_ of Timoneda. 8, 3. + + _Pausanias_, a dragon story in. 8, 136. + + _Peau d'Ane._ 8, 172. + + _Pecorone._ 8, 45. + + _Peele's Chronicle Hist. of Ed. I._ 6, 209. + + _Pennyworth of Wit._ O. B. 2, 215. + + _Perceforest._ 1, 5. + + _Perceval._ 1, 4. + + _Pfalzgraf am Rhein_, German bal. 2, 79. + + _Phaffe Amis._ 8, 3. + + _Picture_, Massinger's. 1, 5. + + _Pilgrim to Compostella_, Southey's. 1, 315. + + _Prince Edward and Adam Gordon._ 5, 149. + + Prince Robert. 3, 22; + 2, 120. + + Pr[oe]lium Gillicrankianum. 7, 251. + + Proud Lady Margaret. 8, 83, 11; + 2, 319. + + _Proud Margaret_, Swedish bal. 1, 179. + + Provost's Dochter. 4, 292, 180. + + _Pyramus and Thisbe._ 8, 207. + + + Queen Dido. 8, 207. + + Queen Eleanor's Confession. 6, 209, 213; + 7, 292. + + Queen Eleanor's Fall. 7, 291; + 6, 209. + + Queen Jeanie. 7, 74, 77. + + Queen's Marie. 3, 113. + + + _Räthsellieder_, German. 8, 12. + + Raid of the Reidswire. 6, 129. + + Rantin Laddie. 4, 97. + + Rare Willy drown'd in Yarrow. 2, 181. + + _Rauf Coilzear._ 8, 21. + + _Ravengaard og Memering_, Danish bal. 3, 234, 241. + + Reading Skirmish. 7, 243. + + _Red Etin_, tale of. 1, 245. + + Reedisdale and Wise William. 8, 87. + + _Ribolt og Guldborg_, Danish bal. 2, 114. + + Richie Storie. 8, 255. + + _Riddar Olle_, (or _Olof_,) Swedish bal. 1, 152. + + _Ridderen i Fugleham_, Danish bal. 1, 171. + + Rising in the North. 7, 82; + 6, 124. + + _Ritter Golmi mit der Herzogin auss Britanien_, Hans Sachs's. 3, 242. + + _Ritter St. Georg_, German legend. 1, 70. + + _Ritter und das Mägdlein_, German bal. 2, 141. + + Rob Roy. 6, 202, 257, 258. + + Robene and Makyne. 4, 245. + + ROBIN HOOD and Allin-a-Dale. 5, 278. + + Robin Hood and Guy of Gisborne. 5, 159, 428. + Robin Hood and his Huntesmen, song. 5, 434. + Robin Hood and Little John. 5, 216. + Robin Hood and Maid Marian. 5, 372. + Robin Hood and Queen Katherine. 5, 312. + Robin Hood and the Beggar. 5, 187, 251, 255, 404, 17. + Robin Hood and the Bishop. 5, 298. + Robin Hood and the Bishop of Hereford. 5, 294. + Robin Hood and the Butcher. 5, 33, 17. + Robin Hood and the Curtall Fryer. 5, 271, 420. + Robin Hood and the Golden Arrow. 5, 383. + Robin Hood and the Monk. 5, 1, 128. + Robin Hood and the Old Man. 5, 257. + Robin Hood and the Peddlers. 5, 243. + Robin Hood and the Potter. 5, 17, 33, 43, 188, 420. + Robin Hood and the Ranger. 5, 207. + Robin Hood and the Scotchman. 5, 418. + Robin Hood and the Shepherd. 5, 238. + Robin Hood and the Stranger. 5, 404, 39, 188, 418. + Robin Hood and the Tanner. 5, 223. + Robin Hood and the Tanner's Daughter. 5, 334. + Robin Hood and the Tinker. 5, 230. + Robin Hood and the Valiant Knight. 5, 338, 308, 382. + + Robin Hood, Birth of. 5, 392, 170. + Robin Hood, _Essay on._ 5, vii. + Robin Hood, Lytell Geste of. 5, 42. + Robin Hood, Playe of. 5, 420, 428. + Robin Hood, rescuing the Three Squires. 5, 267. + Robin Hood, rescuing the Widow's Three Sons. 5, 261. + + Robin Hood's Birth, Breeding, Valour, and Marriage. 5, 343, 125. + Robin Hood's Chase. 5, 320. + Robin Hood's Death and Burial. 5, 308. + Robin Hood's Delight. 5, 211. + Robin Hood's Golden Prize. 5, 303. + Robin Hood's Preferment. 5, 329. + Robin Hood's Progress to Nottingham. 5, 290. + Robin Hood's Rescuing Will Stutley. 5, 283. + + Robin Hood, True Tale of. 5, 353. + Robin Hood, Wedding of, and Little John. 5, 184. + Robin Hood, Will Scadlock, and Little John. 5, 409. + + Robyn and Gandelyn. 5, 38. + + _Robin's Tesment._ 1, 128. + + _Röfvaren Brun, R. Rymer_, Swedish bal. 2, 272. + + Rookhope Ryde. 6, 121. + + _Roman Charity._ O. B. 2, 137; + Evans, 3, 296. + + _Rosamonds Overthrow_, see _Unfortunate Concubine_. + + _Rose, Lay of the._ 1, 5. + + Rose the Red and White Lilly. 5, 173, 396. + + _Rosmer Hafmand_, Danish bal. 1, 253, 245. + + + _Sacchetti's Novels._ 8, 3. + + Saddle to Rags. 8, 265. + + _Salomon and Saturn_ (or _Marcolf_). 8, 3. + + Samson. 8, 201. + + _St. Cunigund_, legend of. 3, 238. + + St. George and the Dragon. 1, 69. + + St. Stephen and Herod. 1, 315. + + Sang of the Outlaw Murray. 6, 20. + + _Schloss in Oesterreich_, German bal. 2, 63. + + _Schön Ulrich u. Rautendelein, S. U. u. Roth-Aennchen_, German bal. + 2, 272. + + _Schöne Hannele_, German bal. 1, 179. + + _Scottish Squire._ 3, 277. + + Seven Champions of Christendom. 1, 83. + + _Shepherd's Son_ = _Baffled Knight_. + + _Silva Sermonum Jucundissimorum._ 8, 116. + + [_der_] _Singende Knochen_, German tale. 2, 231. + + Sir Aldingar. 3, 234. + + Sir Andrew Barton. 7, 55, 201. + + Sir Cauline. 3, 173. + + Sir Eglamore. 8, 196. + + Sir Guy, Legend of. 1, 61. + + Sir Hugh. 3, 142, 331, 335. + + Sir Hugh le Blond. 3, 234, 253. + + Sir James the Rose. 3, 73. + + Sir John Suckling's Campaign. 7, 128. + + Sir Lancelot du Lake. 1, 55. + + _Sir Niel and Mac Van_ (or _Glengyle_). 8, 260. + + _Sir Olof in the Elve-Dance_, Swedish bal. 1, 298. + + Sir Oluf and the Elf-King's Daughter, Danish bal. 1, 298, 192. + + Sir Patrick Spens. 3, 147, 152, 338. + + _Sir Peter of Stauffenbergh and the Mermaid._ 1, 298. + + Sir Richard Whittington's Advancement. 8, 165. + + Sir Roland. 1, 223. + + _Sir Stig and Lady Torelild_, Danish bal. 1, 162. + + _Sir Wal and Lisa Lyle_, Swedish bal. 2, 342. + + Sir William Wallace. 6, 237. + + _Skj[oe]n Anna_, Danish bal. 3, 383, 192. + + _Sleeper Awakened_, tale of. 8, 54. + + Snake-Cook, German bal. 2, 364. + + Son Davie. 2, 228, 219. + + _Song of a Beggar and a King._ 4, 195. + + _Sorgens Magt_, Swedish bal. 2, 145; + 1, 213. + + _Sövnerunerne_, Danish bal. 1, 131. + + Spanish Lady's Love. 4, 201. + + Spanish Virgin. 3, 360. + + _Speculum Ecclesiæ._ 8, 21. + + _Speculum Historiale._ 1, 70, 315. + + _Squire of Tamworth_, see _Golden Glove_. + + _Staffans Visa_, Swedish carol. 1, 315. + + _Stepmother_, German bal. 2, 364. + + _Stolt Ingeborgs Forklædning_, Danish bal. 4, 174. + + _Stolts Botelid Stalldräng_, Swedish bal. 4, 174. + + _Stout Cripple of Cornwall._ Evans, 1, 97. + + Stukely, Life and Death of Thomas. 7, 305. + + _Südeli_, German bal. 3, 191. + + Suffolk Miracle. 1, 217. + + _Sven i Rosengård_, Swedish bal. 2, 347, 219. + + _Sven Svanehvit_, Swedish bal. 8, 12. + + _Svend Vonved_, Danish bal. 3, 159; 8, 11. + + _Sweet Song of an English Merchant._ Evans, 1, 28. + + Sweet William. 4, 261, 29. + + Sweet William and May Margaret. 2, 152, 45. + + Sweet William's Ghost. 2, 145, 45. + + Sweet Willie (a), 2, 93, 86; + (b), 4, 174. + + Sweet Willie and Fair Annie. 2, 131. + + Sweet Willie and Fair Maisry. 2, 332, 86. + + Sweet Willie and Lady Margerie. 2, 53. + + + [_den_] _Talende Strengeleg_, Danish bal. 2, 231. + + _Tarikh al Wasaf._ 8, 167. + + Tam-a-Line. 1, 258. + + Taming of a Shrew. 8, 182, 55. + + _Tancred and Ghismonda._ 2, 382. + + _Tancrède_, Voltaire's. 3, 242. + + _Thom of Lyn._ 1, 114. + + Thomas of Ersseldoune. 1, 95, 120, 273. + + Thomas the Rhymer. 1, 109, 120. + + _Thore och hans Syster_, Swedish bal. 2, 319. + + _Thorkil Troneson_, Swedish bal. 1, 152. + + _Three Brothers._ 6, 94. + + Three Knights. 2, 368. + + Three Ravens. 3, 59. + + _Three Sisters._ 8, 18. + + Tinker's Good Fortune, see Frolicksome Duke. + + _Titus and Gisippus._ 4, 225. + + Titus Andronicus's Complaint. 8, 188. + + _Tobias._ 8, 198. + + [_der_] _Todte Freier_, German bal. 2, 145. + + _Todtenhemdchen_, German tale. 1, 213. + + Tom Linn. 1, 267. + + _Tom Thumbe, Life and Death of._ Ritson's Anc. Pop. Poetry, p. 111. + + _Too Courteous Knight_ = _Baffled Knight_. + + _Tord af Havsgaard_, Danish bal. 8, 139. + + _Torkild Trundesön_, Danish and Swedish bal. 1, 152. + + _Tristan._ 1, 4, 152; 2, 119. + + _Trooper and Fair Maid._ 1, 128. + + True Tale of Robin Hood. 5, 353. + + Trumpeter of Fyvie. 2, 201. + + Turnament of Totenham. 8, 101. + + Twa Brothers. 2, 219, 353. + + Twa Corbies. 3, 61. + + Twa Sisters. 2, 238. + + _Tyrannical Husband, Ballad of a._ 8, 116. + + + _Ulinger_, German bal. 2, 272. + + _Ulrich und Aennchen_, German bal. 2, 272. + + Undaunted Londonderry. 7, 247. + + _Unfortunate Concubine, or, Rosamond's Overthrow._ 7, 284. + + Up and war them a' Willie. 7, 264, 156. + + + _Valentine and Ursine_, tale of. Percy, 3, 330. + + _Vendicatrice_, Italian bal. 2, 392. + + _Vilain qui conquist Paradis par Plait, fabliau du._ 8, 152. + + _Von eitel unmöglichen Dingen_, German ballads. 1, 128. + + _Vorwirth._ German bal. 1, 213. + + + [_die_] _Wahrsagenden Nachtigallen_, Danish bal. 2, 342. + + _Wallace and his Leman._ 6, 232. + + Waly, waly, but love be bonny. 4, 132. + + Wandering Jew. 8, 76. + + Wandering Prince of Troy. 8, 207. + + _Wandering Young Gentlewoman_, see _Catskin's Garland_. + + Wanton Wife of Bath. 8, 152. + + _Warenston and the Duke of York's Daughter._ 3, 113. + + Water o' Wearie's Well. 1, 198; + 2, 271. + + _We were Sisters, we were Seven._ 1, 152. + + Weary Coble o' Cargill. 3, 30; + 2, 216. + + Wedding of Robin Hood and Little John. 5, 184. + + _Weddynge of Syr Gawen and Dame Ragnell._ 1, 29. + + Wee, wee Man. 1, 126, 273; + 8, 140. + + West Country Damosel's Complaint. 2, 384. + + _West Country Wager._ 1, 131. + + _Wha will bake my bridal bread._ 3, 191. + + _White Doe of Rylstone_, Wordsworth's. 7, 84. + + _Widow of Westmoreland._ Kinloch, Bal. Book, p. 1. + + _Wiedergefundene Königstochter_, German bal. 3, 191. + + _Wife Lapped in Morel's Skin._ 8, 182. + + Wife of Auchtirmuchty. 8, 116. + + _Wife of Bath's Tale._ 1, 29. + + Wife of Usher's Well. 1, 213; + 2, 63. + + _Wilkinasaga._ 5, 128. + + William and Marjorie. 2, 149, 45. + + William Guiseman. 3, 50. + + _Willie and Annet._ 2, 79, 86. + + Willie and Lady Maisry. 2, 57. + + Willie and May Margaret. 2, 171. + + Willie Mackintosh, or, The Burning of Auchindown. 6, 159. + + Willie Wallace. 6, 231, 237. + + Willie's drowned in Gamery. 2, 181. + + Willie's Ladye. 1, 162. + + Willow, Willow, Willow. 4, 234. + + _Willy's drowned in Yarrow._ 8, 228. + + _Wind hath blown my plaid away._ 1, 277. + + Winning of Cales. 7, 123. + + _Wolfdietrich._ 2, 346. + + Woman Warrior. 7, 257. + + _Wood o' Warslin._ 2, 220. + + _Worm of Lambton, Worm of Linton._ 1, 281; + 8, 128. + + _Wylie Wife of the hie Town hie._ Struthers's British Minstrel, 1, xxv. + + + _Xailoun_, tale of. 8, 54. + + + _Young Airly._ 6, 184. + + Young Akin. 1, 179. + + _Young Allan_ (taken from Sir Patrick Spens). Buchan, 2, 11. + + Young Bearwell. 4, 302. + + Young Beichan and Susie Pye. 4, 1, 253; + 1, 282. + + Young Bekie. 4, 10. + + Young Benjie. 2, 298. + + _Young Bondwell._ 4, 2. + + Young Child Dyring, Danish bal. 4, 265. + + _Young Cloudeslee._ 5, 124. + + Young Hastings the Groom. 1, 189; + 2, 271. + + Young Hunting. 3, 295, 3. + + Young Johnstone. 2, 291. + + _Young Laird of Ochiltrie._ 4, 109. + + _Young Prince James._ 2, 78. + + _Young Ratcliffe._ 7, 165. + + Young Redin. 3, 13. + + Young Tamlane. 1, 114. + + Young Waters. 3, 88, 301; + 1, 282; + 7, 120. + + Youth of Rosengord, Swedish bal. 2, 347, 219. + + + _Zauberbecher, Sage vom._ 1, 4. + + _Zeyn Alasman and the King of the Genii_, tale of. 1, 5. + + * * * * * + + +Transcriber's Notes + + [Asterism] represents an asterism (three stars). + [gh] represents letter "yogh". + [Pointing hand] denotes the symbol of a right pointing hand. + +Minor changes to regularise ballad line numbering and indentation have +been made without comment. + +The following changes have been made to the text where typographical +errors have been corrected. + +Page iv (Index): corrected "Gentleman" to "Gentlewoman" (The Wandering +young Gentlewoman) + +Page 123 note to line 13: changed "12" to "13" (13. request.) + +Page 123 Line 30: changed single to double close quotation mark ("Now +lets go to't, my own dear honey:") + +Page 133 Line 121: added missing close quotation mark ("Your words," +quoth the dragon, "I don't understand";) + +Page 144: added closing quotation mark (p. 250 of the same +publication.)") + +Page 153 Line 11: changed single to double opening qoutation mark ("I am +the Wife of Bath," she said,) + +Page 157 Line 112: deleted extraneous closing single quotation mark (As +thou thyself hast done.") + +Page 167 Line 2: changed "Whitttington" to "Whittington" (Of worthy +Whittington,) + +Page 196: deleted unmatched open quotation marks before "in" (This +ballad is found in _The Melancholie Knight_) + +Page 261 Line 28: changed single to double closing quotation mark (For +you shall find enough o' ane.") + +Page 264 Line 100: changed single to double closing quotation mark (He's +cure thy wounds right speedily.") + +Page 270 Line 32: changed "Que'" to "Quo'" (Quo' the wee boy, &c.) + +Page 279 Line 50: added opening quotation mark ("We'll cross the raging +ocean wide,) + +Page 301: changed "confidentyl" to "confidently" (trestly, _truly_, +_confidently_.) + +Page 306: changed comma to full stop after "Sheriff-Muir" ([Battle of] +Sheriff-Muir. 7, 156, 260.) + +Page 308: changed "rown" to "Brown" (_Brown Robin._ 2, 9. Buchan, 2, +299.) + +Page 308: added comma after volume number (Constance of Cleveland. 4, +225.) + +Page 312: changed full stop to comma after ballad name (_Herr Aester ok +Fröken Sissa_, Swedish bal. 1, 152.) + +Page 315: changed comma to full stop after ballad name (_Krone der +Königin von Afion_. 1, 16) + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of English and Scottish Ballads Volume +VIII (of 8), by Various + +*** END OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK 43825 *** |