Chapter XIV: Book II: 35. Hynd Horn (1)

I

Hynd Horn’s bound, love, and Hynd Horn’s free,
_With a hey lillelu and a how lo lan;_
Where was ye born, or in what countrie?
_And the birk and the broom blows bonnie._

II

‘In good greenwood, there I was born,
And all my forbears me beforn.

III

‘O seven long years I served the King,
And as for wages I never gat nane;

IV

‘But ae sight o’ his ae daughter.
And that was thro’ an auger-bore.’

V

Seven long years he served the King,
And it’s a’ for the sake of his daughter Jean.

VI

The King an angry man was he;
He sent young Hynd Horn to the sea.

VII

He’s gi’en his luve a silver wand
Wi’ seven silver laverocks[255] sittin’ thereon.

VIII

She’s gi’en to him a gay gold ring
Wi’ seven bright diamonds set therein.

IX

‘As lang’s these diamonds keep their hue,
Ye’ll know I am a lover true:

X

‘But when the ring turns pale and wan,
Ye may ken that I love anither man.’

XI

He hoist up sails and awa’ sail’d he
Till that he came to a foreign countrie.

XII

One day as he look’d his ring upon,
He saw the diamonds pale and wan.

XIII

He’s left the seas and he’s come to the land,
And the first that he met was an auld beggar man.

XIV

‘What news, what news? thou auld beggar man,
For it’s seven years sin I’ve seen land.’

XV

‘No news,’ said the beggar, ‘no news at a’,
But there is a wedding in the King’s ha’.

XVI

‘But there is a wedding in the King’s ha’
That has halden these forty days and twa.’

XVII

‘Cast off, cast off thy auld beggar weed[256],
And I’ll gi’e thee my gude grey steed:

XVIII

‘And lend to me your wig o’ hair
To cover mine, because it is fair.’--

XIX

‘My begging weed is na for thee,
Your riding steed is na for me.’

XX

But part by right and part by wrang
Hynd Horn has changed wi’ the beggar man.

XXI

The auld beggar man was bound for to ride,
But young Hynd Horn was bound for the bride.

XXII

When he came to the King’s gate,
He sought a drink for Hynd Horn’s sake.

XXIII

The bride came trippin’ down the stair,
Wi’ the scales o’ red gowd in her hair;

XXIV

Wi’ a cup o’ the red wine in her hand,
And that she gae to the auld beggar man.

XXV

Out o’ the cup he drank the wine,
And into the cup he dropt the ring.

XXVI

‘O got ye this by sea or land?
Or got ye it of a dead man’s hand?’--

XXVII

‘I got it na by sea nor land,
But I got it, madam, of your own hand.’

XXVIII

‘O, I’ll cast off my gowns o’ brown,
And beg with you frae town to town.

XXIX

‘O, I’ll cast off my gowns o’ red,
And I’ll beg wi’ you to win my bread.

XXX

‘O I’ll take the scales o’ gowd frae my hair,
And I’ll follow you for evermair.’

XXXI

She has cast awa’ the brown and the red,
And she’s follow’d him to beg her bread.

XXXII

She has ta’en the scales o’ gowd frae her hair
And she’s follow’d him for evermair.

XXXIII

But atween the kitchen and the ha’
He has let his cloutie[257] cloak down fa’.

XXXIV

And the red gowd shinèd over him a’,
_With a hey lillelu, and a how lo lan_;
And the bride frae the bridegroom was stown[258] awa’,
_And the birk and the broom blows bonnie_.

FOOTNOTES:

[255] laverocks = larks.

[256] weed = clothes.

[257] cloutie = full of clouts, patched.

[258] stown = stolen.

_36. Hynd Etin_

I

May Margaret sits in her bower door
Sewing her silken seam;
She heard a note in Elmond’s wood,
And wish’d she there had been.

II

She loot[259] the seam fa’ frae her side,
The needle to her tae[260],
And she is on to Elmond’s wood
As fast as she could gae.

III

She hadna pu’d a nut, a nut,
Nor broken a branch but ane,
Till by there came the Hynd Etin,
Says, ‘Lady, lat alane.

IV

‘O why pu’ ye the nut, the nut,
Or why break ye the tree?
For I am forester o’ this wood:
Ye should spier[261] leave at me.’--

V

‘I’ll ask leave at nae living man,
Nor yet will I at thee;
My father is king o’er a’ this realm,
This wood belongs to me.’

VI

The highest tree in Elmond’s wood,
He’s pu’d it by the reet[262],
And he has built for her a bower
Near by a hallow seat[263].

VII

He’s kept her there in Elmond’s wood
For six lang years and ane,
Till six pretty sons to him she bare,
And the seventh she’s brought hame.

VIII

It fell out ance upon a day
He’s to the hunting gane,
And a’ to carry his game for him
He’s tane his eldest son.

IX

‘A question I will ask, father,
Gin ye wadna angry be.’--
‘Say on, say on, my bonny boy,
Ye’se nae be quarrell’d by me.’

X

‘I see my mither’s cheeks aye weet,
I never can see them dry;
And I wonder what aileth my mither
To mourn [sae constantly].’--

XI

‘Your mither was a king’s daughtèr,
Sprung frae a high degree;
She might hae wed some worthy prince
Had she na been stown[264] by me.

XII

‘Your mither was a king’s daughtèr
Of noble birth and fame,
But now she’s wife o’ Hynd Etin,
Wha ne’er gat christendame.

XIII

‘But we’ll shoot the buntin’ o’ the bush,
The linnet o’ the tree,
And ye’se tak’ them hame to your dear mither,
See if she’ll merrier be.’

XIV

It fell upon anither day,
He’s to the hunting gane
And left his seven [young] children
To stay wi’ their mither at hame.

XV

‘O I will tell to you, mither,
Gin ye wadna angry be.’--
‘Speak on, speak on, my little wee boy,
Ye’se nae be quarrell’d by me.’--

XVI

‘As we came frae the hind-hunting,
We heard fine music ring.’--
‘My blessings on you, my bonny boy,
I wish I’d been there my lane.’

XVII

They wistna weel where they were gaen,
Wi’ the stratlins[265] o’ their feet;
They wistna weel where they were gaen,
Till at her father’s yate[266].

XVIII

‘I hae nae money in my pocket,
But royal rings hae three;
I’ll gie them you, my little young son,
And ye’ll walk there for me.

XIX

‘Ye’ll gi’e the first to the proud portèr
And he will let you in;
Ye’ll gi’e the next to the butler-boy
And he will show you ben[267];

XX

‘Ye’ll gi’e the third to the minstrel
That plays before the King;
He’ll play success to the bonny boy
Came thro’ the wood him lane.’

XXI

He ga’e the first to the proud portèr
And he open’d and let him in;
He ga’e the next to the butler-boy,
And he has shown him ben.

XXII

He ga’e the third to the minstrel
That play’d before the King,
And he play’d success to the bonny boy
Came thro’ the wood him lane.

XXIII

Now when he came before the King,
Fell low upon his knee;
The King he turn’d him round about,
And the saut tear blint[268] his e’e.

XXIV

‘Win up, win up, my bonny boy,
Gang frae my companie;
Ye look sae like my dear daughtèr,
My heart will burst in three.’--

XXV

‘If I look like your dear daughtèr,
A wonder it is none;
If I look like your dear daughtèr,
I am her eldest son.’--

XXVI

‘Will ye tell me, ye little wee boy,
Where may my Margaret be?’--
‘She’s just now standing at your yates,
And my six brithers her wi’.’--

XXVII

‘O where are a’ my porter-boys
That I pay meat and fee,
To open my yates baith wide and braid,
Let her come in to me?’

XXVIII

When she cam’ in before the King,
Fell low down on her knee:
‘Win up, win up, my daughter dear,
This day ye’se dine wi’ me.’--

XXIX

‘Ae bit I canna eat, father,
Nor ae drop can I drink,
Until I see my mither dear,
For lang for her I think.’

XXX

When she cam’ in before the queen,
Fell low down on her knee;
‘Win up, win up, my daughter dear,
This day ye’se dine wi’ me.’--

XXXI

‘Ae bit I canna eat, mither,
Nor ae drop can I drink,
Until I see my sister dear,
For lang for her I think.’

XXXII

When that these twa sisters met,
She hail’d her courteouslie;
‘Come ben, come ben, my sister dear,
This day ye’se dine wi’ me.’--

XXXIII

‘Ae bit I canna eat, sister,
Nor ae drop can I drink,
Until I see my dear husband,
So lang for him I think.’--

XXXIV

‘O where are a’ my rangers bold
That I pay meat and fee,
To search the forest far an’ wide,
And bring Etin back to me?’

XXXV

Out it speaks the little wee boy:
‘Na, na, this mauna be;
Without ye grant a free pardon,
I hope ye’ll nae him see.’--

XXXVI

‘O here I grant a free pardon,
Well seal’d by my own han’;
Ye may mak’ search for Young Etin
As soon as ever ye can.’

XXXVII

They search’d the country wide and braid,
The forests far and near,
And they found him into Elmond’s wood,
Tearing his yellow hair.

XXXVIII

‘Win up, win up now, Hynd Etin,
Win up an’ boun[269] wi’ me;
We’re messengers come frae the court;
The King wants you to see.’--

XXXIX

‘O lat them tak’ frae me my head,
Or hang me on a tree;
For since I’ve lost my dear lady,
Life’s no pleasure to me.’--

XL

‘Your head will na be touch’d, Etin,
Nor you hang’d on a tree;
Your lady’s in her father’s court
And a’ he wants is thee.’

XLI

When he cam’ in before the King,
Fell low down on his knee;
‘Win up, win up now, Young Etin,
This day ye’se dine wi’ me.’

XLII

But as they were at dinner set
The wee boy ask’d a boon:
‘I wish we were in a good kirk
For to get christendoun.

XLIII

‘For we hae lived in gude green wood
This seven years and ane;
But a’ this time since e’er I mind
Was never a kirk within.’--

XLIV

‘Your asking’s na sae great, my boy,
But granted it sall be;
This day to gude kirk ye sall gang
And your mither sall gang you wi’.’

XLV

When unto the gude kirk she came,
She at the door did stan’;
She was sae sair sunk down wi’ shame,
She couldna come farther ben.

XLVI

Then out and spak’ the parish priest,
And a sweet smile ga’e he:
‘Come ben, come ben, my lily-flower,
Present your babes to me.’

XLVII

Charles, Vincent, Sam and Dick,
And likewise John and James;
They call’d the eldest Young Etin,
Which was his father’s name.

FOOTNOTES:

[259] loot = let.

[260] tae = toe.

[261] spier = ask.

[262] reet = root.

[263] hallow seat = holy man’s or hermit’s cave.

[264] stown = stolen.

[265] stratlins =? stragglings.

[266] yate = gate.

[267] ben = further in.

[268] blint = blinded.

[269] boun = go.

_37. Erlinton_

I

Erlinton had a fair daughter;
I wat he wear’d her in[270] a great sin;
For he has built a bigly bower,
And a’ to put that lady in.

II

An’ he has warn’d her sisters six,
An’ sae has he her brethren se’en,
Outher to watch her a’ the night,
Or else to seek her morn an’ e’en.

III

She hadna been i’ that bigly bower,
Na not a night but barely ane,
Till there was Willie, her ain true love,
Chapp’d[271] at the door, cryin’ ‘Peace within!’

IV

‘O whae is this at my bower door,
That chaps sae late, nor kens the gin[272]?’--
‘O it is Willie, your ain true love,
I pray you rise an’ let me in.’--

V

‘For a’ sae weel as I like ye, Willie,
For a’ sae weel as I ken the gin,
I wadna for ten thousand pounds, love,
Na, no this night wad I let ye in.

VI

‘But in the green-wood is a wake[273],
And at the wake there is a wane[274],
An’ there I’ll come as sune the morn, love,
Na, no a mile but barely ane.

VII

‘On my right hand I’ll have a glo’[275], love,
And on my left hand I’ll have nane;
I’ll have wi’ me my sisters six, love,
And we will wauk the wood our lane[276].’

VIII

Then she’s gane to her bed again,
She has layen till the cock crew thrice,
An’ then she said to her sisters a’,
‘Maidens, ’tis time for us to rise.’

IX

She pat on her back her silken gown,
An’ on her breast a siller pin,
An’ she’s ta’en her sisters by the hand,
An’ to the green-wood she is gane.

X

They hadna wauk’d in the bonny green-wood,
Na no an hour but barely ane,
Till up start Willie, her ain true love,
Wha frae her sisters has her ta’en.

XI

An’ he has kiss’d her sisters six,
An’ he has sent them hame again,
But he has keepit his ain true love,
Sayin’ ‘We’ll wauk the woods our lane.’

XII

They hadna wauk’d in the bonnie green-wood
Na no an hour but barely ane,
Till up start fifteen o’ the bravest outlaws
That ever bare either blood or bane.

XIII

Then up bespake the foremost knight,--
An’ O but he spake angrilỳ:
Says, ‘Yield to me thy ladye bright,
This night shall wauk the woods wi’ me.’--

XIV

‘I like her weel, my ladye bright,
And O my life but it lies me near!
But before I lose my ladye bright
I’ll rather lose my life sae dear.’

XV

But up an’ spake the second knight--
I wat he spake right boustruslie--
Says, ‘Baith your life an’ your ladye bright
This night shall wauk the woods wi’ me.’--

XVI

‘My ladye is my warldis meed[277]:
My life I winna yield to nane;
But if ye be men of your manheid,
Ye’ll only fight me ane by ane.--

XVII

‘O sit ye down, my dearest dear,
Sit down an’ hold my milk-white steed,
An’ see that ye dinna change your cheer
Until ye see my body bleed.’

XVIII

He set his back unto an aik[278],
He set his feet against a stane,
He’s feightin a’ these fifteen outlaws,
An’ kill’d them a’ but barely ane.

XIX

An’ he has gane to his ladye dear,
I wat he kiss’d her cheek an’ chin--
‘Thou art mine ain, I have bought thee dear,
An’ now we will wauk the woods our lane.’

FOOTNOTES:

[270] wear’d her in = led her into.

[271] chapp’d = knocked.

[272] gin = trick, or sleight, of the door-latch.

[273] wake (_obscure_).

[274] wane = dwelling, arbor.

[275] glo’ = glove.

[276] our lane = we alone.

[277] warldis meed = world’s reward, most precious thing in the world: _or perhaps corrupted from_ warldis make, mate.

[278] aik = oak.

_38. Earl Brand_

I

O did ye ever hear o’ brave Earl Brand?
_Ay lally, o lilly lally_
He courted the King’s daughter o’ fair England
_All i’ the night sae early_.

II

She was scarcely fifteen years that tide[279]
Till sae boldly she came to his bedside.

III

‘O Earl Bran’, fain wad I see
A pack of hounds let loose on the lea.’--

IV

‘O lady, I have no steeds but one,
But thou shall ride, and I will run.’--

V

‘O Earl Bran’, my father has two,
And thou shall have the best of tho’.’--

VI

They have ridden o’er moss and moor,
And they have met neither rich nor poor,

VII

Until they met with old Carl Hood:
--He’s aye for ill and never for good.

VIII

‘Earl Bran’, if ye love me,
Seize this old carl, and gar him die.’--

IX

‘O lady fair, it wad be sair
To slay an old man that has grey hair.

X

‘O lady fair, I’ll no do sae;
I’ll gie him a pound and let him gae.’

XI

‘O where hae ye ridden this lee-lang[280] day?
Or where hae ye stolen this lady away?’--

XII

‘I have not ridden this lee-lang day,
Nor yet have I stolen this lady away.

XIII

‘She is my only, my sick sistèr,
Which I have brought from Winchester.’--

XIV

‘If she be sick and like to dead,
Why wears she the ribbon sae red?

XV

‘If she be sick and like to die,
Then why wears she the gold on high?’

XVI

When came the carl to this lady’s yett[281],
Rudely, rudely he rapp’d thereat.

XVII

‘O where’s the lady o’ this ha’?’--
‘She’s out with her maids to play at the ba’.’--

XVIII

‘Ha, ha, ha! ye are a’ mista’en;
Gae count your maidens o’er again.

XIX

‘I met her far beyond the lea,
With the young Earl Brand, his leman to be.’

XX

Her father arm’d of his men fifteen,
And they’re ridden after them all-by-dene[282].

XXI

O’er her left shoulder the lady look’d then:
‘O Earl Bran’, we both are ta’en!’--

XXII

‘If they come on me ane by ane,
Ye may stand by and see them slain.

XXIII

‘But if they come on me ane and all,
Ye may stand by and see me fall.’

XXIV

They have come on him ane by ane,
And fourteen men he has them slain.

XXV

But the fifteenth man behind stole round,
And he’s gi’en him a deadly wound.

XXVI

But for a’ sae wounded as Earl Brand was
He has set his lady on her horse.

XXVII

They rode till they came to the water o’ Doune.
And there he lighted to wash his wound.

XXVIII

‘O Earl Bran’, I see your heart’s bloud!’--
‘It’s na but the glent[283] o’ my scarlet hood.’

XXIX

They rode till they came to his mother’s yett,
So faint and feebly he rapp’d thereat.

XXX

‘O my son’s slain, he’s falling to swoun,
And a’ for the sake of an English loun!’--

XXXI

‘So say not sae, my dearest mother,
But marry her to my youngest brother.

XXXII

‘This has not been the death o’ ane,
But it’s been the death o’ fair seventeen.’

FOOTNOTES:

[279] tide = time, season.

[280] lee-lang = live-long.

[281] yett = gate.

[282] all-by-dene = all together.

[283] glent = gleam.

_39. The Douglas Tragedy_

I

‘Rise up, rise up, now Lord Douglas,’ she says,
‘And put on your armour so bright;
Let it never be said that a daughter of thine
Was married to a lord under night.

II

‘Rise up, rise up, my seven bold sons,
And put on your armour so bright,
And take better care of your youngest sister,
For your eldest’s awa the last night.’

III

He’s mounted her on a milk-white steed,
And himself on a dapple grey,
With a bugelet horn hung down his side;
And lightly they rode away.

IV

Lord William look’d o’er his left shoulder,
To see what he could see,
And there he spy’d her seven brethren bold
Come riding over the lea.

V

‘Light down, light down, Lady Margret,’ he said,
‘And hold my steed in your hand,
Until that against your seven brethren bold,
And your father, I mak’ a stand.’

VI

O, there she stood, and bitter she stood,
And never did shed one tear,
Until that she saw her seven brethren fa’,
And her father, who lov’d her so dear.

VII

‘O hold your hand, Lord William!’ she said,
‘For your strokes they are wondrous sair;
True lovers I can get many an ane,
But a father I can never get mair.’

VIII

O she’s ta’en out her handkerchief,
It was o’ the holland sae fine,
And aye she dighted[284] her father’s wounds,
That were redder than the wine.

IX

‘O chuse, O chuse, Lady Margret,’ he said,
‘O whether will ye gang or bide?’
‘I’ll gang, I’ll gang, Lord William,’ she said,
‘For ye’ve left me no other guide.’

X

He’s lifted her on a milk-white steed,
And himself on a dapple grey,
With a bugelet horn hung down by his side;
And slowly they baith rade away.

XI

O they rade on, and on they rade,
And a’ by the light of the moon,
Until they came to yon wan water,
And there they lighted doun.

XII

They lighted doun to tak’ a drink
Of the spring that ran sae clear,
And doun the stream ran his gude heart’s blood,
And sair she gan to fear.

XIII

‘Hold up, hold up, Lord William,’ she says,
‘For I fear that you are slain.’--
‘’Tis naething but the shadow of my scarlet cloak,
That shines in the water sae plain.’

XIV

O they rade on, and on they rade,
And a’ by the light of the moon,
Until they cam’ to his mother’s ha’ door,
And there they lighted doun.

XV

‘Get up, get up, lady mother,’ he says,
‘Get up, and let me in!
Get up, get up, lady mother,’ he says,
‘For this night my fair lady I’ve win.

XVI

‘O mak my bed, lady mother,’ he says,
‘O mak it braid and deep,
And lay Lady Margret close at my back,
And the sounder I will sleep.’

XVII

Lord William was dead lang ere midnight,
Lady Margret lang ere day,
And all true lovers that go thegither,
May they have mair luck than they!

XVIII

Lord William was buried in St. Mary’s kirk,
Lady Margret in Mary’s quire;
Out o’ the lady’s grave grew a bonny red rose,
And out o’ the knight’s a brier.

XIX

And they twa met, and they twa plat[285],
And fain they wad be near;
And a’ the warld might ken right weel
They were twa lovers dear.

XX

But bye and rade the Black Douglas,
And wow but he was rough!
For he pull’d up the bonny brier,
And flang ’t in St. Mary’s Lough.

FOOTNOTES:

[284] dighted = dressed.

[285] plat = pleated.

_40. Glasgerion_

I

Glasgerion was a King’s own son,
And a harper he was good;
He harpèd in the King’s chamber
Where cup and candle stood,
And so did he in the Queen’s chamber,
Till ladies waxèd wood[286].

II

And then bespake the King’s daughter
And these words thus said she:
[‘There’s never a stroke comes over this harp,
But it glads the heart of me.’]

III

Said, ‘Strike on, strike on, Glasgerion,
Of thy striking do not blin[287];
There’s never a stroke comes over thine harp
But it glads my heart within.’

IV

‘Fair might you fall, lady,’ quoth he;
‘Who taught you now to speak?
I have loved you, lady, seven year;
My heart I durst ne’er break.’--

V

‘But come to my bower, my Glasgerion,
When all men are at rest;
As I am a lady true of my promise,
Thou shalt be a welcome guest.’

VI

But home then came Glasgerion,
A glad man, Lord, was he!
‘And come thou hither, Jack, my boy,
Come hither unto me.

VII

‘For the King’s daughter of Normandye
Her love is granted me;
And before the cock have crowen
At her chamber must I be.’

VIII

‘But come you hither, master,’ quoth he,
‘Lay your head down on this stone;
For I will waken you, master dear,
Afore it be time to gone.’

IX

But up then rose that lither[288] lad,
And did on hose and shoon;
A collar he cast upon his neck,
He seemèd a gentleman.

X

And when he came to that lady’s chamber
He tirl’d[289] upon a pin;
The lady was true of her promise,
Rose up and let him in.

XI

He did not kiss that lady gay
When he came nor when he yode[290];
And sore mistrusted that lady gay
He was of some churle’s blood.

XII

But home then came that lither lad,
And did off his hose and shoon,
And cast that collar from ’bout his neck;
He was but a churlè’s son:
‘Awaken,’ quoth he, ‘my master dear,
I hold it time to be gone.

XIII

‘For I have saddled your horse, master,
Well bridled I have your steed;
Have not I served a good breakfast
When time comes I have need?’

XIV

But up then rose good Glasgerion,
And did on both hose and shoon,
And cast a collar about his neck;
He was a Kingé’s son.

XV

And when he came to that lady’s chamber,
He tirl’d upon a pin;
The lady was more than true of her promise,
Rose up, and let him in.

XVI

Says, ‘Whether have you left with me
Your bracelet or your glove?
Or are you back return’d again
To know more of my love?’

XVII

Glasgerion swore a full great oath
By oak and ash and thorn,
‘Lady, I was never in your chamber
Sith the time that I was born.’--

XVIII

‘O then it was your little foot-page
Falsely hath beguiled me’:
And then she pull’d forth a little pen-knife
That hangèd by her knee,
Says, ‘There shall never no churlè’s blood
Spring within my bodye.’

XIX

But home then went Glasgerion,
A woe man, Lord, was he;
Sayes, ‘Come hither, thou Jack, my boy,
Come thou hither to me.

XX

‘For if I had kill’d a man to-night,
Jack, I would tell it thee,
But if I have not kill’d a man to-night,
Jack, thou hast killéd three!’

XXI

And he pull’d out his bright brown sword,
And dried it on his sleeve,
And he smote off that lither lad’s head
And ask’d no man no leave.

XXII

He set the sword’s point till his breast,
The pommel till a stone;
Through the falseness of that lither lad
These three lives wern all gone.

FOOTNOTES:

[286] wood = crazy, wild with delight.

[287] blin = stint, cease.

[288] lither = rascally, vile.

[289] tirl’d = rattled.

[290] yode = went.

_41. King Estmere_

I

Hearken to me, gentlemen,
Come and you shall heare;
Ile tell you of two of the boldest brether
That ever bornè were.

II

The tone of them was Adler Younge,
The tother was Kyng Estmere;
They were as bolde men in their deeds
As any were, farr and neare.

III

As they were drinking ale and wine
Within his brother’s hall,
‘When will ye marry a wyfe, brother,
A wyfe to glad us all?’

IV

Then bespake him Kyng Estmere,
And answered him hartilye:
‘I know not that ladye in any land,
That’s able to marrye with mee.’--

V

‘Kyng Adland hath a daughter, brother,
Men call her bright and sheene;
If I were kyng here in your stead,
That ladye shold be my queene.’--

VI

Saies, ‘Reade me, reade me, deare brother,
Throughout merry England,
Where we might find a messenger
Betwixt us towe to sende.’--

VII

Saies, ‘You shal ryde yourselfe, brother,
Ile beare you companye;
Many a man throughe fals messengers is deceived,
And I feare lest soe shold wee.’

VIII

Thus they renisht[291] them to ryde,
Of twoe good renisht steeds,
And when they came to Kyng Adland’s halle,
Of redd gold shone their weeds[292].

IX

And when they came to Kyng Adland’s halle,
Before the goodlye gate,
There they found good Kyng Adland
Rearing[293] himselfe theratt.

X

‘Now Christ thee save, good Kyng Adland;
Now Christ you save and see.’--
Sayd, ‘You be welcome, Kyng Estmere,
Right hartilye to mee.’

XI

‘You have a daughter,’ said Adler Younge,
‘Men call her bright and sheene;
My brother wold marrye her to his wiffe,
Of Englande to be queene.’--

XII

‘Yesterday was att my deere daughter
Kyng Bremor his sonne of Spayn,
And then she nickèd[294] him of naye,
And I doubt sheele do you the same.’--

XIII

‘The Kyng of Spayne is a foule paynim,
And ’lieveth on Mahound,
And pitye it were that fayre ladye
Shold marry a heathen hound.

XIV

‘But grant to me,’ sayes Kyng Estmere,
‘For my love I you praye,
That I may see your daughter deere
Before I goe hence awaye.’--

XV

‘Although itt is seven yeers and more
Since my daughter was in halle,
She shall come once downe for your sake,
To glad my guestès alle.’

XVI

Downe then came that mayden fayre,
With ladyes laced in pall[295],
And halfe a hundred of bold knightes,
To bring her from bowre to hall,
And as many gentle squiers,
To tend upon them all.

XVII

The talents of golde were on her head sette
Hanged low downe to her knee,
And everye ring on her small finger
Shone of the chrystall free.

XVIII

Saies, ‘God you save, my deere madam,’
Saies, ‘God you save and see!’--
Said, ‘You be welcome, Kyng Estmere,
Right welcome unto mee.

XIX

‘And, if you love me, as you saye,
Soe well and hartilee,
All that ever you are comen about
Soone sped now itt shal bee.’

XX

Then bespake her father deare:
‘My daughter, I saye naye;
Remember well the Kyng of Spayne,
What he sayd yesterdaye.

XXI

‘He wold pull downe my halles and castles,
And reave me of my lyfe;
I cannot blame him if he doe,
If I reave him of his wyfe.’--

XXII

‘Your castles and your towres, father,
Are stronglye built aboute,
And therefore of the Kyng his sonne of Spaine
Wee neede not stande in doubt.

XXIII

‘Plight me your troth, nowe, Kyng Estmere,
By heaven and your righte hand,
That you will marrye me to your wyfe,
And make me queene of your land.’

XXIV

Then Kyng Estmere he plight his troth,
By heaven and his righte hand,
That he wolde marrye her to his wyfe,
And make her queene of his land.

XXV

And he tooke leave of that ladye fayre,
To goe to his owne countree,
To fetche him dukes and lordes and knightes,
That marryed they might bee.

XXVI

They had not ridden scant a myle,
A myle forthe of the towne,
But in did come the Kyng of Spayne,
With kempès[296] many one.

XXVII

But in did come the Kyng of Spayne,
With manye a bold barone,
Tone day to marrye Kyng Adland’s daughter,
Tother daye to carrye her home.

XXVIII

Shee sent one after Kyng Estmere,
In all the spede might bee,
That he must either turne againe and fighte,
Or goe home and loose his ladye.

XXIX

One whyle then the page he went,
Another while he ranne;
Till he had oretaken Kyng Estmere,
I-wis he never blanne[297].

XXX

‘Tydings, tydings, Kyng Estmere!’--
‘What tydings nowe, my boye?’--
‘O tydinges I can tell to you,
That will you sore annoye.

XXXI

‘You had not ridden scant a mile,
A mile out of the towne,
But in did come the Kyng of Spayne,
With kempès many a one:

XXXII

‘But in did come the Kyng of Spayne,
With manye a bold barone,
Tone daye to marrye Kyng Adland’s daughter,
Tother daye to carry her home.

XXXIII

‘My ladye fayre she greetes you well,
And ever-more well by mee;
You must either turne againe and fighte,
Or goe home and loose your ladye.’--

XXXIV

Saies, ‘Reade me, reade me, deere brother,
My reade shall ryse[298] at thee;
Whether it is better to turne and fighte,
Or goe home and loose my ladye.’

XXXV

‘Now hearken to me,’ sayes Adler Yonge,
‘And your reade must rise at me;
I quicklye will devise a waye
To sette thy ladye free.

XXXVI

‘My mother was a westerne woman,
And learned in gramarye,
And when I learnèd at the schole,
Something shee taught itt mee.

XXXVII

‘There growes an hearbe within this field,
And iff it were but knowne,
His color, which is whyte and redd,
It will make blacke and browne.

XXXVIII

‘His color, which is browne and blacke,
Itt will make redd and whyte;
That sworde is not in all Englande
Upon his coate will byte.

XXXIX

‘And you shal be a harper, brother,
Out of the north countrye,
And Ile be your boy, soe faine of fighte,
And beare your harpe by your knee.

XL

‘And you shal be the best harper
That ever tooke harpe in hand,
And I wil be the best singer
That ever sung in this lande.

XLI

‘Itt shal be written in our forheads,
All and in grammarye,
That we towe are the boldest men
That are in all Christentye.’

XLII

And thus they renisht them to ryde,
Of tow good renisht steedes,
And when they came to Kyng Adland’s halle,
Of redd gold shone their weedes.

XLIII

And whan they came to Kyng Adland’s halle
Untill the fayre hall yate[299],
There they found a proud portèr,
Rearing himselfe thereatt.

XLIV

Sayes, ‘Christ thee save, thou proud porter,’
Sayes, ‘Christ thee save and see!’--
‘Nowe you be welcome,’ sayd the porter,
‘Of what land soever ye bee.’

XLV

‘Wee beenè harpers,’ sayd Adler Younge,
‘Come out of the northe countrye;
Wee beenè come hither untill this place
This proud weddinge for to see.’--

XLVI

Sayd, ‘And your color were white and redd,
As it is blacke and browne,
I wold saye Kyng Estmere and his brother
Were comen untill this towne.’

XLVII

Then they pulled out a ryng of gold,
Layd itt on the porter’s arme:
‘And ever we will thee, proud portèr,
Thow wilt saye us no harme.’

XLVIII

Sore he looked on Kyng Estmere,
And sore he handled the ryng,
Then opened to them the fayre hall yates,
He lett for no kind of thyng.

XLIX

Kyng Estmere he stabled his steede
Soe fayre att the hall-bord;
The froth that came from his brydle bitte
Light in Kyng Bremor’s beard.

L

Saies, ‘Stable thy steed, thou proud harpèr,’
Saies, ‘Stable him in the stalle;
It doth not beseeme a proud harpèr
To stable his steed in a kyng’s halle.’

LI

‘My ladde he is so lither[300],’ he said,
‘He will doe nought that’s meete;
And is there any man in this hall
Were able him to beate?’

LII

‘Thou speakst proud words,’ sayes the Kyng of Spaine,
‘Thou harper, here to mee;
There is a man within this halle
Will beate thy ladd and thee.’--

LIII

‘O let that man come downe,’ he said,
‘A sight of him wold I see;
And when hee hath beaten well my ladd,
Then he shall beate of mee.’

LIV

Downe then came the kemperye man,
And lookèd him in the eare;
For all the gold that was under heaven,
He durst not neigh[301] him neare.

LV

‘And how nowe, kempe,’ said the Kyng of Spaine,
‘And how, what aileth thee?’--
He saies, ‘It is writt in his forhead,
All and in gramarye,
That for all the gold that is under heaven,
I dare not neigh him nye.’

LVI

Then Kyng Estmere pull’d forth his harpe,
And play’d a pretty thinge;
The ladye upstart from the borde,
And wold have gone from the king.

LVII

‘Stay thy harpe, thou proud harpèr,
For God’s love I pray thee;
For and thou playes as thou beginns,
Thou’lt till[302] my bryde from mee.’

LVIII

He stroake upon his harpe againe,
And play’d a pretty thinge;
The ladye lough a loud laughter,
As shee sate by the king.

LIX

Saies, ‘Sell me thy harpe, thou proud harpèr,
And thy stringës all;
For as many gold nobles thou shall have,
As heere bee ringes in the hall.’

LX

‘What wold ye doe with my harpe,’ he sayd,
‘If I did sell itt yee?’--
‘To playe my wiffe and me a fitt[303],
When abed together wee bee.’

LXI

‘Now sell me,’ quoth hee, ‘thy bryde soe gay,
As shee sitts by thy knee;
And as many gold nobles I will give
As leaves been on a tree.’

LXII

‘And what wold ye doe with my bryde soe gay,
Iff I did sell her thee?
More seemelye it is for her fayre bodye
To lye by mee then thee.’

LXIII

Hee played agayne both loud and shrille,
And Adler he did syng,
‘O ladye, this is thy owne true love,
Noe harper, but a kyng.

LXIV

‘O Ladye, this is thy owne true love,
As playnlye thou mayest see,
And Ile rid thee of that foule paynim
Who partes thy love and thee.’

LXV

The ladye looked, the ladye blushte,
And blushte and lookt agayne,
While Adler he hath drawne his brande,
And hath the Sowdan slayne.

LXVI

Up then rose the kemperye men,
And loud they gan to crye:
‘Ah! traytors, yee have slayne our kyng,
And therefore yee shall dye.’

LXVII

Kyng Estmere threwe the harpe asyde,
And swith[304] he drew his brand,
And Estmere he and Adler Yonge
Right stiffe in stour[305] can stand.

LXVIII

And aye their swordes soe sore can byte,
Throughe help of gramarye,
That soone they have slayne the kempery men,
Or forst them forth to flee.

LXIX

Kyng Estmere tooke that fayre ladye,
And marryed her to his wiffe,
And brought her home to merry England,
With her to lead his life.

FOOTNOTES:

[291] renisht = _perhaps for_ ‘revisht’, dressed, arrayed.

[292] weeds = garments.

[293] rearing = leaning.

[294] nickèd = refused.

[295] pall = fine cloth.

[296] kempès = fighting-men.

[297] blanne = halted.

[298] My reade shall ryse = my counsel shall arise, or spring, from thee.

[299] yate = gate.

[300] lither = naughty.

[301] neigh = come nigh, approach.

[302] till = entice.

[303] fitt = strain of music.

[304] swith = swiftly.

[305] stour = press of fighting.

_42. Fair Annie_

I

‘It’s narrow, narrow, mak your bed,
And learn to lie your lane;
For I’m gaun owre the sea, Fair Annie,
A braw Bride to bring hame.
Wi’ her I will get gowd and gear,
Wi’ you I ne’er gat nane.

II

‘But wha will bake my bridal bread,
Or brew my bridal ale?
And wha will become my bright Bride,
That I bring owre the dale?’--

III

‘It’s I will bake your bridal bread,
And brew your bridal ale;
And I will welcome your bright Bride,
That you bring owre the dale.’--

IV

‘But she that welcomes my bright Bride
Maun gang like maiden fair;
She maun lace on her robe sae jimp[306],
And comely braid her hair.

V

‘Bind up, bind up your yellow hair,
And tie it on your neck;
And see you look as maiden-like
As the day that first we met.’--

VI

‘O how can I gang maiden-like,
When maiden I am nane?
Have I not borne six sons to thee,
And am wi’ child again?’--

VII

‘I’ll put cooks into my kitchen,
And stewards in my hall,
And I’ll have bakers for my bread,
And brewers for my ale;
But you’re to welcome my bright Bride,
That I bring owre the dale.’

VIII

Three months and a day were gane and past,
Fair Annie she gat word
That her love’s ship was come at last,
Wi’ his bright young Bride aboard.

IX

She’s ta’en her young son in her arms,
Anither in her hand;
And she’s gane up to the highest tower,
Looks over sea and land.

X

‘Come doun, come doun, my mother dear,
Come aff the castle wa’!
I fear if langer ye stand there,
Ye’ll let yoursell doun fa’.’

XI

She’s ta’en a cake o’ the best bread,
A stoup o’ the best wine,
And a’ the keys upon her arm,
And to the yett[307] is gane.

XII

‘O ye’re welcome hame, my ain gude lord,
To your castles and your towers;
Ye’re welcome hame, my ain gude lord,
To your ha’s, but and your bowers.
And welcome to your hame, fair lady!
For a’ that’s here is yours.’

XIII

‘O whatna lady’s that, my lord,
That welcomes you and me?
Gin I be lang about this place,
Her friend I mean to be.’

XIV

Fair Annie served the lang tables
Wi’ the white bread and the wine;
But ay she drank the wan water
To keep her colour fine.

XV

And aye she served the lang tables
Wi’ the white bread and the brown,
And aye she turn’d her round about,
Sae fast the tears fell doun.

XVI

She took a napkin lang and white,
And hung it on a pin;
It was to wipe away the tears,
As she gaed out and in.

XVII

When bells were rung and mass was sung,
And a’ men bound for bed,
The bridegroom and the bonny Bride
In ae chamber were laid.

XVIII

Fair Annie’s ta’en a harp in her hand,
To harp thir twa asleep;
But ay, as she harpit and she sang,
Fu’ sairly did she weep.

XIX

‘O gin my sons were seven rats,
Rinnin’ on the castle wa’,
And I mysell a great grey cat,
I soon wad worry them a’!

XX

‘O gin my sons were seven hares,
Rinnin’ owre yon lily lea,
And I mysell a good greyhound,
Soon worried they a’ should be!’

XXI

Then out and spak the bonny young Bride,
In bride-bed where she lay:
‘That’s like my sister Annie,’ she says;
‘Wha is it doth sing and play?

XXII

‘I’ll put on my gown,’ said the new-come Bride,
‘And my shoes upon my feet;
I will see wha doth sae sadly sing,
And what is it gars her greet.

XXIII

‘What ails you, what ails you, my housekeeper,
That ye mak sic a mane?
Has ony wine-barrel cast its girds,
Or is a’ your white bread gane?’--

XXIV

‘It isna because my wine is spilt,
Or that my white bread’s gane;
But because I’ve lost my true love’s love,
And he’s wed to anither ane.’--

XXV

‘Noo tell me wha was your father?’ she says,
‘Noo tell me wha was your mither?
And had ye ony sister?’ she says,
‘And had ye ever a brither?’--

XXVI

‘The Earl of Wemyss was my father,
The Countess of Wemyss my mither,
Young Elinor she was my sister dear,
And Lord John he was my brither.’--

XXVII

‘If the Earl of Wemyss was your father,
I wot sae was he mine;
And it’s O my sister Annie!
Your love ye sallna tyne[308].

XXVIII

‘Tak your husband, my sister dear;
You ne’er were wrang’d for me,
Beyond a kiss o’ his merry mouth
As we cam owre the sea.

XXIX

‘Seven ships, loaded weel,
Cam owre the sea wi’ me;
Ane o’ them will tak me hame,
And six I’ll gie to thee.’

FOOTNOTES:

[306] jimp = slender, trim.

[307] yett = gate.

[308] tyne = lose.

_43. The Lass of Lochroyan_

I

‘O wha will shoe my bonny foot?
And wha will glove my hand?
And wha will bind my middle jimp[309]
Wi’ a lang, lang linen band?

II

‘O wha will kame[310] my yellow hair,
With a haw bayberry[311] kame?
And wha will be my babe’s father
Till Gregory come hame?’--

III

‘Thy father, he will shoe thy foot,
Thy brother will glove thy hand,
Thy mither will bind thy middle jimp
Wi’ a lang, lang linen band.

IV

‘Thy sister will kame thy yellow hair,
Wi’ a haw bayberry kame;
The Almighty will be thy babe’s father
Till Gregory come hame.’--

V

‘And wha will build a bonny ship,
And set it on the sea?
For I will go to seek my love,
My ain love Gregory.’

VI

Up then spak her father dear,
A wafu’ man was he;
‘And I will build a bonny ship,
And set her on the sea.

VII

‘And I will build a bonny ship,
And set her on the sea,
And ye sal gae and seek your love,
Your ain love Gregory.’

VIII

Then he’s gart build a bonny ship,
And set it on the sea,
Wi’ four-and-twenty mariners,
To bear her company.

IX

O he’s gart build a bonny ship,
To sail on the salt sea;
The mast was o’ the beaten gold,
The sails o’ cramoisie[312].

X

The sides were o’ the gude stout aik,
The deck o’ mountain pine,
The anchor o’ the silver shene,
The ropes o’ silken twine.

XI

She hadna sail’d but twenty leagues,
But twenty leagues and three,
When she met wi’ a rank reiver[313],
And a’ his companie.

XII

‘Now are ye Queen of Heaven hie,
Come to pardon a’ our sin?
Or are ye Mary Magdalane,
Was born at Bethlehem?’--

XIII

‘I’m no the Queen of Heaven hie,
Come to pardon ye your sin,
Nor am I Mary Magdalane,
Was born in Bethlehem.

XIV

‘But I’m the lass of Lochroyan,
That’s sailing on the sea
To see if I can find my love,
My ain love Gregory.’--

XV

‘O see na ye yon bonny bower?
It’s a’ covered owre wi’ tin?
When thou hast sail’d it round about,
Lord Gregory is within.’

XVI

And when she saw the stately tower,
Shining both clear and bright,
Whilk stood aboon the jawing[314] wave,
Built on a rock of height,

XVII

Says, ‘Row the boat, my mariners,
And bring me to the land,
For yonder I see my love’s castle,
Close by the salt sea strand.’

XVIII

She sail’d it round, and sail’d it round,
And loud and loud cried she,
‘Now break, now break your fairy charms,
And set my true-love free!’

XIX

She’s ta’en her young son in her arms,
And to the door she’s gane,
And long she knock’d, and sair she ca’d,
But answer got she nane.

XX

‘O open, open, Gregory!
O open! if ye be within;
For here’s the lass of Lochroyan,
Come far fra kith and kin.

XXI

‘O open the door, Lord Gregory!
O open and let me in!
The wind blows loud and cauld, Gregory,
The rain drops fra my chin.

XXII

‘The shoe is frozen to my foot,
The glove unto my hand,
The wet drops fra my yellow hair,
Na langer dow[315] I stand.’

XXIII

O up then spak his ill mither,
--An ill death may she die!
‘Ye’re no the lass of Lochroyan,
She’s far out-owre the sea.

XXIV

‘Awa’, awa’, ye ill woman,
Ye’re no come here for gude;
Ye’re but some witch or wil’ warlock,
Or mermaid o’ the flood.’--

XXV

‘I am neither witch nor wil’ warlock,
Nor mermaid o’ the sea,
But I am Annie of Lochroyan,
O open the door to me!’--

XXVI

‘Gin ye be Annie of Lochroyan,
As I trow thou binna she,
Now tell me of some love-tokens
That pass’d ’tween thee and me.’

XXVII

‘O dinna ye mind, love Gregory,
As we sat at the wine,
We changed the rings frae our fingers?
And I can shew thee thine.

XXVIII

‘O yours was gude, and gude enough,
But ay the best was mine,
For yours was o’ the gude red gowd,
But mine o’ the diamond fine.

XXIX

‘Yours was o’ the gude red gowd,
Mine o’ the diamond fine;
Mine was o’ the purest troth,
But thine was false within.’--

XXX

‘If ye be the lass of Lochroyan,
As I kenna thou be,
Tell me some mair o’ the love-tokens
Pass’d between thee and me.’--

XXXI

‘And dinna ye mind, love Gregory!
As we sat on the hill,
Thou twin’d me o’ my maidenheid,
Right sair against my will?

XXXII

‘Now open the door, love Gregory!
Open the door! I pray;
For thy young son is in my arms;
And will be dead ere day.’--

XXXIII

‘Ye lie, ye lie, ye ill woman,
So loud I hear ye lie;
For Annie of the Lochroyan
Is far out-owre the sea.’

XXXIV

Fair Annie turn’d her round about:
‘Weel, sine that it be sae,
May ne’er woman that has borne a son
Hae a heart sae fu’ o’ wae!

XXXV

‘Tak down, tak down that mast o’ gowd,
Set up a mast of tree;
It disna become a forsaken lady
To sail sae royallie.’

XXXVI

When the cock had crawn, and the day did dawn,
And the sun began to peep,
Up then raise Lord Gregory,
And sair, sair did he weep.

XXXVII

‘O I hae dream’d a dream, mither,
I wish it may bring good!
That the bonny lass of Lochroyan
At my bower window stood.

XXXVIII

‘O I hae dream’d a dream, mither,
The thought o’t gars me greet!
That fair Annie of Lochroyan
Lay dead at my bed-feet.’--

XXXIX

‘Gin it be for Annie of Lochroyan
That ye mak a’ this mane,
She stood last night at your bower-door,
But I hae sent her hame.’--

XL

‘O wae betide ye, ill woman,
An ill death may ye die!
That wadna open the door yoursell
Nor yet wad waken me.’

XLI

O he’s gane down to yon shore-side,
As fast as he could dree,
And there he saw fair Annie’s bark
A rowing owre the sea.

XLII

‘O Annie, Annie,’ loud he cried,
‘O Annie, O Annie, bide!’
But ay the mair he cried ‘Annie,’
The braider grew the tide.

XLIII

‘O Annie, Annie, dear Annie,
Dear Annie, speak to me!’
But ay the louder he ’gan call,
The louder roar’d the sea.

XLIV

The wind blew loud, the waves rose hie
And dash’d the boat on shore;
Fair Annie’s corpse was in the faem,
The babe rose never more.

XLV

Lord Gregory tore his gowden locks
And made a wafu’ moan;
Fair Annie’s corpse lay at his feet,
His bonny son was gone.

XLVI

O cherry, cherry was her cheek,
And gowden was her hair,
And coral, coral was her lips,
Nane might with her compare!

XLVII

Then first he kiss’d her pale, pale cheek,
And syne he kiss’d her chin,
And syne he kiss’d her wane, wane lips,
There was na breath within.

XLVIII

‘O wae betide my ill mither,
An ill death may she die!
She turn’d my true-love frae my door,
Who cam so far to me.

XLIX

‘O wae betide my ill mither,
An ill death may she die!
She has no been the deid[316] o’ ane,
But she’s been the deid of three.’

L

Then he’s ta’en out a little dart,
Hung low down by his gore[317],
He thrust it through and through his heart,
And words spak never more.

FOOTNOTES:

[309] jimp = slim.

[310] kame = comb.

[311] haw bayberry =? _a corruption for_ ‘braw ivory’: _or_ bayberry _may_ = laurel-wood.

[312] cramoisie = crimson.

[313] reiver = robber.

[314] jawing = surging.

[315] dow = can.

[316] deid = death.

[317] gore = skirt, waist.

_44. Young Bekie_

I

Young Bekie was as brave a knight
As ever sail’d the sea;
And he’s doen him to the court of France,
To serve for meat and fee.

II

He had nae been i’ the court of France
A twelvemonth nor sae long,
Til he fell in love with the king’s daughter,
And was thrown in prison strong.

III

The king he had but ae daughter,
Burd Isbel was her name;
And she has to the prison-house gane,
To hear the prisoner’s mane.

IV

‘O gin a lady wou’d borrow[318] me,
At her stirrup-foot I wou’d rin;
Or gin a widow wou’d borrow me,
I wou’d swear to be her son.

V

‘Or gin a virgin wou’d borrow me,
I wou’d wed her wi’ a ring;
I’d gie her ha’s, I’d gie her bowers,
The bonny towrs o’ Linne.’

VI

O barefoot, barefoot gaed she but[319],
And barefoot came she ben[320];
It was no for want o’ hose and shoone,
Nor time to put them on;

VII

But a’ for fear that her father dear
Had heard her making din:
She’s stown the keys o’ the prison-house door
And latten the prisoner gang.

VIII

O whan she saw him, Young Bekie,
Her heart was wondrous sair!
For the mice but and the bold rottons[321]
Had eaten his yallow hair.

IX

She’s gi’en him a shaver for his beard,
A comber till his hair,
Five hunder pound in his pocket,
To spen’ and nae to spair.

X

She’s gi’en him a steed was good in need,
An’ a saddle o’ royal bone[322],
A leash o’ hounds o’ ae litter,
And Hector callèd one.

XI

Atween this twa a vow was made,
’Twas made full solemnly.
That or three years was come an’ gane,
Well married they should be.

XII

He had nae been in ’s ain country
A twelvemonth till an end,
Till he’s forc’d to marry a duke’s daughter,
Or than[323] lose a’ his land.

XIII

‘Ohon, alas!’ says Young Bekie,
‘I know not what to dee;
For I canno win to Burd Isbel,
An’ she kensnae to come to me.’

XIV

O it fell once upon a day
Burd Isbel fell asleep,
And up it starts the Billy Blind[324],
And stood at her bed-feet.

XV

‘O waken, waken, Burd Isbel,
How can you sleep so soun’,
Whan this is Bekie’s wedding day,
An’ the marriage gaïn on?

XVI

‘Ye do ye to your mither’s bowr,
Think neither sin nor shame;
An’ ye tak twa o’ your mither’s marys[325],
To keep ye frae thinking lang.

XVII

‘Ye dress yoursel’ in the red scarlèt,
An’ your marys in dainty green,
An’ ye pit girdles about your middles
Wou’d buy an earldome.

XVIII

‘O ye gang down by yon sea-side,
An’ down by yon sea-stran’;
Sae bonny will the Hollan’s boats
Come rowin’ till your han’.

XIX

‘Ye set your milke-white foot abord,
Cry, Hail ye, Domine!
An’ I shal be the steerer o’t,
To row you o’er the sea.’

XX

She’s tane her till her mither’s bowr,
Thought neither sin nor shame,
And she took twa o’ her mither’s marys,
To keep her frae thinking lang.

XXI