Veritopicon
The Harvard Classics › Vol. 40

Traditional Ballads

 

p. 51

3 the Douglas Tragedy 1

" RISE up, rise up, now, Lord Douglas," she says," And put on your armour so bright,1 8 4 Thrive. 1 8 5 Certainly.[52]Let it never be said that a daughter of thineWas married to a lord under night.
p. 51
p. 52"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 2 the last night."
He's mounted her on a milk-white steed,And himself on a dapple grey,With a bugelet horn hung down by his side,And lightly they rode away.
Lord William lookit oer his left shoulder,To see what he could see,And there he spy'd her seven brethren bold,Come riding over the lee.
"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."
She held his steed in her milk-white hand,And never shed one tear,Until that she saw her seven brethren fa,And her father hard fighting, who lovd her so dear
"O hold your hand, Lord William!" she said,"For your strokes they are wondrous sair;True lovers I can get many a ane,But a father I can never get mair."
O she's taen out her handkerchief,It was o the holland sae fine,And aye she dighted 3 her father's bloody wounds,That were redder than the wine.
"O chuse, O chuse, Lady Margret," he said,"O whether will ye gang or bide?"
p. 53

The Douglas Tragedy

"I'll gang, I'll gang, Lord William," she said,"For ye have left me no other guide."
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.
O they rade on, and on they rade,And a' by the light of the moon,Until they came to yon w an water,And there they lighted down .
They lighted down to tak a drinkOf the spring that ran sae clear,And down the stream ran his gude heart's blood,And sair she gan to fear.
"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."
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 down.
"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 w in .
" O mak my bed, lady mother," he says," O make it braid and deep,And lay lady Margret close at my back,And the sounder I will sleep."
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![54]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.
And they twa met, and they twa plat,1And fain they wad be near;And a' the warld might ken right weelThey were twa lovers dear.
But bye and rade the Black Douglas,And wow but he was rough!For he puUd up the bonny brier.And flang't in St. Mary's Loch.
^ The Twa SistersThere was twa sisters in a bowr,Binnorie, O BinnorieThere was twa sisters in a bowr,Binnorie, O BinnorieThere was twa sisters in a bowr,There came a knight to be their wooer,By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie.
He courted the eldest wi glove an ring.But he lovd the youngest above a' thing.
He courted the eldest wi brotch an knife,But lovd the youngest as his life.
The eldest she was vexed sair.An much envi'd her sister fair.
Into her bowr she could not rest,Wi grief an spite she almos brast.
Upon a morning fair an clear.She cried upon her sister dear:
"O sister, come to yon sea stran.An see our father's ships come to Ian."[55]She's taen her by the milk-white han,And led her down to yon sea stran.
p. 54
p. 55The youngesft] stood upon a stane,The eldest came an threw her in.
She tooke her by the middle sma,And dashd her bonny back to the jaw . 1
" O sister, sister, tak my han,An Ise 2 mack you heir to a' m y lan.
" O sister, sister, tak my middle,An yes 3 get my goud 4 and my gouden girdle.
" O sister, sister, save my life,An I swear Ise never be nae man's wife."
"Foul fa the han that I should tacke,It twin'd 5 mean my wardles make . 6
"Your cherry cheeks an yallow hairGars 7 me gae maiden for evermair."
Sometimes she sank, an sometimes she swam,Till she came down yon bonny mill-dam.
O out it came the miller's son,An saw the fair maid swimmin in.
" O father, father, draw your dam ,Here's either a mermaid or a swan."
The miller quickly drew the dam,An there he found a drownd woman .
You coudna see her yallow hairFor gold and pearle that were so rare.
You coudna see her middle smaFor gouden girdle that was sae braw.'Current. 2 1 will. 3 Ye shall. 4 Gold. 5 Separated. 6 World's mate. 'Causes.[56]You coudna see her fingers white,For gouden rings that was sae gryte. 8
An by there came a harper fine,That harped to the king at dine.
When he did look that lady upon,He sighd and made a heavy moan.
He's taen three locks o her yallow hair,An wi them strung his harp sae fair.
The first tune he did play and sing,Was , "Farewell to my father the king."
The nextin tune that he playd syne, 9Was , "Farewell to my mother the queen."
The lasten tune that he playd then,Was , " Wae to my sister, fair Ellen."

Edward

" WHY dois your brand sae drap w i bluid,Edward , Edward ,Why dois your brand sae drap w i bluid,And why sae sad gang 1 yee O ? "" O I hae killed my hauke sae guid, 2Mither, mither,O I hae killed my hauke sae guid,And I had nae mair bot hee O . "
" Your haukis bluid was nevir sae reid,Edward , Edward ,Your haukis bluid was nevir sae reid,My deir son I tell thee O . "" O I hae killed my reid-roan steid,Mither, mither,
p. 57

Edward

O I hae killed my reid-roan steid,That erst was sae fair and frie O . "
"Your steid was auld, and ye hae gat mair,Edward , Edward ,Your steid was auld, and ye hae gat mair,Sum other dule 3 ye drie 4 O . "" O I hae killed my fadir deir,Mither, mither,O I hae killed my fadir deir,Alas, and wae is mee O ! "
" And whatten 5 penance wul ye drie for that,Edward , Edward ,And whatten penance will ye drie for that?My deir son, now tell me O . ""He set my feit in yonder boat,Mither, mither,He set my feit in yonder boat,And lie fare ovir the sea O . "
" And what wul ye doe w i your towirs and your ha,Edward , Edward ?And what wul you doe w i your towirs and your ha,That were sae fair to see O ? ""He let thame stand tul they doun fa,Mither, mither,He let thame stand till they down fa,For here nevir mair maun I bee O . "
" And what wul ye leive to your bairns and your wife,Edward , Edward ?And what wul ye leive to your bairns and your wife,W h any e gang ovir the sea O ? "" The warldis room, late them beg thrae life,Mither, mither,The warldis room, late them beg thrae life,For thame nevir mair wul I see O . "
" And what wul ye leive to your ain mither deir,Edward , Edward ?[58]And what wul ye leive to your ain mither deir?My deir son, now tell me O . "" The curse of hell frae me sail ye beir,Mither, mither,The curse of hell frae me sail ye beir,Sic counseils ye gave to me O . "
p. 57
p. 58

Babylon; Or, the Bonnie Banks O Forme

THERE were three ladies lived in a bower,E h vow bonnieAnd they went out to pull a flower,On the bonnie banks o Fordie
They hadna pu'ed a flower but ane,When up started to them a banisht man .
He's taen the first sister by her hand,And he's turned her round and made her stand.
"It's whether will ye be a rank robber's wife,Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?"
"It's I'll not be a rank robber's wife,But I'll rather die by your wee pen-knife."
He's killed this may, and he's laid her by,For to bear the red rose company.
He's taken the second ane by the hand,And he's turned her round and made her stand.
"It's whether will ye be a rank robber's wife,Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?"
"I'll not be a rank robber's wife,But I'll rather die by your wee pen-knife."
He's killed this may , and he's laid her by,For to bear the red rose company.
p. 59

Babylon; Or, the Bonnie Banks O Fordie

He's taken the youngest ane by the hand,And he's turned her round and made her stand.
Says, "Will ye be a rank robber's wife,Or will ye die by my we e pen-knife?"
"I'll not be a rank robber's wife,Nor will I die by your we e pen-knife.
"For I hae a brother in this wood,And g in ye kill me , it's he'll kill thee."
"What's thy brother's name? come tell to me."" My brother's name is Baby L on . "
" O sister, sister, what have I done!O have I done this ill to thee!
" O since I've done this evil deed,Good sail 1 never be seen o me."
He's taken out his we e pen-knife,And he's t wyne d 2 himsel o his ain sweet life.

Hind Horn

IN Scotland there was a babie born,And his name it was called young Hind Horn .Lilie lal, etc. With a fal lal, etc.
He sent a letter to our kingThat he was in love with his daughter Jean.
He's gien to her a silver w and ,With seven living lavrocks 3 sitting thereon.
She's gien 4 to him a diamond ring,With seven bright diamonds set therein.
" When this ring grows pale and w an ,You may know by it my love is gane."'Shall. 2 Deprived. 3 Larks. 4 Given.[60]One day as he looked his ring upon,He saw the diamonds pale and w an .
He left the sea and came to land,And the first that he met was an old beggar man.
" What news, what news ? " said young Hind Horn;" No news, ho news," said the old beggar man.
" No news," said the beggar, "no news at a',But there's a wedding in the king's ha.
"But there is a wedding in the king's ha,That has halden 5 these forty days and twa."
"Will ye lend me your begging coat?And I'll lend you my scarlet cloak.
"Will you lend me your beggar's rung ? 8And I'll gie you my steed to ride upon.
"Will you lend me your wi go hair,To cover mine, because it is fair?"
The auld beggar man was bound for the mill,But young Hind Horn for the king's hall.
The auld beggar man was bound for to ride,But young Hind Horn was bound for the bride.
When he came to the king's gate,He sought a drink for Hind Horn's sake.
The bride came down with a glass of wine,When he drank out of the glass, and dropt in the ring
" O got ye this by sea or land?Or got ye it off a dead man's hand ? "
"I got not it by sea, I got it by land,And I got it, madam, out of your own hand."[61]"O I'll cast off my gowns of brown,And beg wi you frae town to town.
p. 60
p. 61"O I'll cast off my gowns of red,And I'll beg wi you to win my bread."
"Ye needna cast off your gowns of brown,For I'll make you lady o many a town.
"Ye needna cast off your gowns of red,It's only a sham, the begging o my bread."
The bridegroom he had wedded the bride,But young Hind Horn he took her to bed.
Lord Thomas and Fair Annex
Lord Thomas and Fair AnnetSate a' day on a hill;Whan night was cum, and sun was sett.They had not talkt their fill.
Lord Thomas said a word in jest,Fair Annet took it ill:"A, I will nevir wed a wifeAgainst my ain friends' will."
"Gif ye wuU nevir wed a wife,A wife wuU neir wed yee:"Sag he is hame to tell his mither,And knelt upon his knee.
"O rede,' O rede, mither," he says,"A gude rede gie^ to mee;O sail I tak the nut-browne bride.And let Faire Annet bee?"
"The nut-browne bride haes gowd' and gear,*Fair Annet she has gat nane;And the little beauty Fair Annet haesO it wuU soon be gane."■ Advice. ^ Give. ' Gold. * Goods.[62]And he has till his brother gane:" Now , brother, rede 5 ye mee;A , sail I marrie the nut-browne bride,And let Fair Annet bee?"
" The nut-browne bride has oxen, brother,The nutrbrowne bride has kye ; 6I wad hae ye marrie the nut-browne bride,And cast Fair Annet bye."
" Her oxen may dye i the house, billie,And her kye into the byre, 7And I sail hae nothing to mysellBot a fat fadge 8 by the fyre."
And he has till his sister gane:" Now , sister, rede ye mee;O sail I marrie the nut-browne bride,And set Fair Annet free?"
"Ise rede ye tak Fair Annet , Thomas ,And let the browne bride alane;Lest ye sould sigh, and say, Alace,What is this we brought hame!"
" No , I will tak my mither's counsel,And marrie me owt o hand; 9And I will tak the nut-browne bride,Fair Annet may leive the land."
Up then rose Fair Annet's father,Twa hours or it wer day,And he is gane into the bowerWherein Fair Annet lay.
"Rise up, rise up, Fair Annet," he says,"Put on your silken sheene;Let us gae to St. Marie's kirke,And see that rich weddeen."[63]"My maides, gae to my dressing-roome,And dress to me my hair;Whaireir yee laid a plait before,See yee lay ten times mair.
p. 62
p. 63"My maids, gae to my dressing-room,And dress to me my smock;The one half is o the Holland fine,The other o needle-work."
The horse Fair Annet rade upon,He amblit like the wind;Wi siller'" he was shod before,Wi burning gowd behind.
Four and twanty siller bellsWer a' tyed till his mane.And yae tift o the norland wind,They tinkled ane by ane.
Four and twanty gay gude knichtsRade by Fair Annet's side,And four and twanty fair ladies,As gin she had bin a bride.
And whan she cam to Marie's kirk.She sat on Marie's stean:The cleading" that Fair Annet had onIt skinkled" in their een.
And whan she cam into the kirk,She shimmerd like the sun;The belt that was about her waistWas a' wi pearles bedone."
She sat her by the nut-browne bride,And her een they wer sae clear,Lord Thomas he clean forgat the bride.Whan Fair Annet drew near.■" Silver. !• Clothing. " Sparkled. " Ornamented.[64]He had a rose into his hand,He gae it kisses three,And reaching by the nut-browne bride,Laid it on Fair Annet's knee.
Up then spak the nut-browne bride,She spak w i meikle spite:" And whair gat ye that rose-water,That does mak yee sae white?"
" O I did get the rose-waterW hair ye wull neir get nane,For I did get that very rose-waterInto my mither's wame." 1 4
The bride she drew a long bodkin "Frae out her gay head-gear,And strake Fair Annet unto the heart,That word spak nevir mair.
Lord Thomas he saw Fair Annet wex pale,And marvelit what mote 1 6 bee;But whan he saw her dear heart's blude,A ' wood-wroth 1 7 wexed hee.
He drew his dagger, that was sae sharp,That was sae sharp and meet,And drave it into the nut-browne bride,That fell deid at his feit.
" Now stay for me, dear Annet," he sed," Now stay, my dear," he cry'd;Then strake the dagger untill his heart,And fell deid by her side.
Lord Thomas was buried without kirkwa,Fair Annet within the quiere,And o the tane thair grew a birk,The other a bonny briere.Womb. 1 5 Dagger. 1 6 Might. 1 7 Mad with anger.[65]And ay they grew, and ay they threw,As they wad faine be neare;And by this ye may ken right weilThey were twa luvers deare.
Love Gregor
"O WHA will shoe my fu fair foot?And wha will glove my hand?And wha will lace my middle jimp,'Wi the new made London band?
"And wha will kaim^ my yellow hair,Wi the new made silver kaim?And wha will father my young son,Till Love Gregor come hame?"
"Your father will shoe your fu fair foot.Your mother will glove your hand;Your sister will lace your middle jimpWi the new made London band.
"Your brother will kaim your yellow hair,Wi the new made silver kaim;And the king of heaven will father your bairn.Till Love Gregor come haim."
"But I will get a bonny boat.And I will sail the sea,For I maun gang^ to Love Gregor,Since he canno come hame to me."
O she has gotten a bonny boat.And sailld the sa't sea fame;*She langd to see her ain true-love,Since he could no come hame.
"O row your boat, my mariners,And bring me to the land,For yonder I see my love's castle,CIoss by the sa't sea strand."' Slim. 2 Comb. ' Must go. * Foam.[66]She has taen her young son in her arms,And to the door she's gone,And lang she's knocked and sair she ca'd,But answer got she none.
" O open the door, Love Gregor," she says," O open, and let me in;For the w in blaws thro my yellow hair,And the rain draps oer my chin."
" Awa , awa, ye ill woman ,You'r nae come here for good;You'r but some witch, or wile warlock,1Or mer-maid of the flood."
"I a m neither a witch nor a wile warlock,Nor mer-maid of the sea,I am Fair Annie of Rough Royal;O open the door to me."
" G in ye be Annie of Rough Royal —And I trust ye are not she—Now tell me some of the love-tokensThat past between you and me."
" O dinna you mind now, Love Gregor,When we sat at the wine,How we changed the rings frae our fingers?And I can show thee thine.
" O yours was good, and good enneugh,But ay the best was mine;For yours was o the good red goud,But mine o the dimonds fine.
"But open the door now, Love Gregor,O open the door I pray,For your young son that is in my armsWill be dead ere it be day."[67]"Awa, awa, ye ill woman,For here ye shanno win^ in;Gae drown ye in the raging sea,Or hang on the gallows-pin."
p. 66
p. 67When the cock had crawn, and day did dawn,And the sun began to peep,Then it raise him Love Gregor,And sair, sair did he weep.
"O I dreamd a dream, my mother dear,The thoughts o it gars' me greet,'That Fair Annie of Rough RoyalLay cauld dead at my feet."
"Gin it be for Annie of Rough RoyalThat ye make a' this din,She stood a' last night at this door.But I trow she wan' no in."
"O wae betide ye, ill woman.An ill dead'" may ye die!That ye woudno open the door to her,Nor yet woud waken me."
O he has gone down to yon shore-side,As fast as he could fare;He saw Fair Annie in her boat,But the wind it tossed her sair.
And "Hey, Annie!" and "How, Annie!O Annie, winna ye bide?"But ay the mair that he cried Annie,The braider grew the tide.
And "Hey, Annie!" and "How, Annie!Dear Annie, speak to me!"But ay the louder he cried Annie,The louder roard the sea.• Shall not get. 'Makes. «Weep. 'Got. "Death.[68]The wind blew loud, the sea grew rough,And dashd the boat on shore;Fair Annie floats on the raging sea,But her young son raise no more.
Love Gregor tare his yellow hair,And made a heavy moan;Fair Annie's corpse lay at his feet,But his bonny young son was gone.
O cherry, cherry was her cheek,And gowden was her hair,But clay cold were her rosy lips,Nae spark of life was there.
And first he's kissd her cherry cheek,And neist he's kissed her chin;And saftly pressed her rosey lips,But there was nae breath within.
" O wae betide my cruel mother,And an ill dead may she die!For she turnd my true-love frae my door,When she came sae far to me."

Bonny Barbara Allan

IT was in and about the Martinmas time,When the green leaves were a falling,That Sir John Gr x me , in the West Country,Fell in love with Barbara Allan.
He sent his man down through the town,To the place where she was dwelling:" O haste and come to my master dear,G in ye be Barbara Allan."
O hooly,1 hooly rose she up,To the place where he was lying,And when she drew the curtain by," Young man, I think you're dying."
p. 69

Bonny Barbara Allan

" O it's I'm sick, and very, very sick,And 'tis a' for Barbara Allan:"" O the better for me ye's never be,Tho your heart's blood were a spilling.
" O dinna ye mind, young man," said she," When ye was in the tavern a drinking,That ye made the healths gae round and round,And slighted Barbara All an ? "
He turned his face unto the wall,And death was with him dealing:"Adieu, adieu, my dear friends all,And be kind to Barbara Allan."
And slowly, slowly raise she up,And slowly, slowly left him,And sighing said, she coud not stay,Since death of life had reft him.
She had not gane a mile but twa,When she heard the dead-bell ringing,And every jow that the dead-bell gied,It cry'd, Woe to Barbara Allan!
" O mother, mother, make my bed!O make it saft and narrow!Since my love died for me to-day,I'll die for him to-morrow."

The Gay Goss-hawk

" O WELL's me o my gay goss-hawk,That he can speak and flee;He'll carry a letter to my love,Bring back another to me."
" O how can I your true-love ken, 1Or how can I her know ?Whan frae her mouth I never heard couth, 2Nor wi my eyes her saw."[70]"O well sal ye my true-love ken,As soon as you her see;For, of a' the flowrs in fair Englan,The fairest flowr is she.
p. 69
p. 70"At even at my love's bowr-doorThere grows a bowing birk,'An sit ye down and sing thereon,As she gangs to the kirk.
"An four-and-twenty ladies fairWill wash and go to kirk.But well shall ye my true-love ken,For she wears goud on her skirt.
"An four and twenty gay ladiesWill to the mass repair,But well sal ye my true-love ken,For she wears goud on her hair."
O even at that lady's bowr-doorThere grows a bowin birk.An he set down and sang thereon,As she ged to the kirk.
"O eet and drink, my marys* a',The wine flows you among.Till I gang to my shot-window,An hear yon bonny bird's song.
"Sing on, sing on, my bonny bird.The song ye sang the streen,'For I ken by your sweet singinYou're frae my true-love sen."'
O first he sang a merry song,An then he sang a grave,An then he peckd his feathers gray,To her the letter gave.' Birch. * Maids. ' Last night. ' Sent.
p. 71

The Gay Goss-hawk

Ha , there's a letter frae your love,He says he sent you three;He canno wait your love langer,But for your sake he'll die.
"He bids you write a letter to him ;He says he's sent you five;He canno wait your love langer,Tho you're the fairest woman alive."
" Ye bid him bake his bridal-bread,And brew his bridal-ale,An I'll meet him in fair ScotlanLang , lang or it be stale."
She's doen 7 her to her father dear,Fa'n low down on her knee:" A boon, a boon, my father dear,I pray you, grant it me."
" Ask on, ask on, my daughter,An granted it sal be;Except ae squire in fair Scotlan,An him you sail never see."
" The only boon, my father dear,That I do crave of thee,Is, g in 8 I die in southin 9 lands,In Scotlan to bury me.
" An the firstin 10 kirk that ye come till,Ye gar the bells be rung,An the nextin kirk that ye come till,Ye gar the mess be sung.
" An the thirdin kirk that ye come till,You deal gold for my sake,An the fourthin kirk that ye come till,You tarry there till night."'Gone. 8If. 9 Southern. "First.[72]She is doen her to her bigly bowr, 1 1As fast as she coud fare,An she has tane a sleepy draught,That she had mixed w i care.
She's laid her down upon her bed,An soon she's fa'n asleep,And soon oer every tender limbCauld death began to creep.
Whan night was flown, an day was come,Nae ane that did her seeBut thought she was as surely deadAs ony lady coud be.
Her father an her brothers dearGard 1 2 make to her a bier;The tae 1 3 half was o guid red gold,The tither 1 4 o silver clear.
Her mither an her sisters fairGard work for her a sark;The tae half was o cambrick fine,The tither o needle wark .
The firstin kirk that they came till,They gard the bells be rung,An the nextin kirk that they came till,They gard the mess be sung.
The thirdin kirk that they came till,They dealt gold for her sake,An the fourthin kirk that they came till,Lo , there they met her make I
" Lay down , lay down the bigly bier.L at me the dead look on;"W i cheery cheeks and ruby lipsShe lay an smil'd on him.
p. 73

The Three Ravens

" O ae sheave 1 5 o your bread, true-love,An a e glass o your wine,For I hae fasted for your sakeThese fully days is nine.
" Gang hame, gang hame, my seven bold brothers,Gang hame and sound your horn;Any e may boast in southin lansYour sister's playd you scorn."

The Three Ravens

THERE were three rauens sat on a tree,Down e a downe, hay down, hay downeThere were three rauens sat on a tree,With a downeThere were three rauens sat on a tree,They were as blacke as they might be.With a downe derrie, derrie, derrie, downe, downe.
The one of them said to his mate,"Where shall we our breakefast take?"
" Down e in yonder greene field,There lies a knight slain vnder his shield.
"His hounds they lie downe at his feete,So well they can their master keepe.
"His haukes they flie so eagerly,There's no fowle dare him come nie." 1
Down e there comes a fallow doe,As great with yong as she might goe.
She lift v p his bloudy hed,And kist his wounds that were so red.
She got him v p vpon her backe,And carried him to earthen lake. 21 5 Slice. 1 Nigh. 2 Pit.[74]She buried him before the prime,She was dead herselfe ere euen-song time.
God send euery gentleman.Such haukes, such hounds, and such a leman.'
I) The Twa Corbies*As I was walking all alane,I heard two corbies making a mane;The tane unto the t' other say,"Where sail we gang and dine to-day?"
"In behint yon auld faiP dyke,I wot^ there lies a new slain knight;And naebody kens'* that he lies there,But his hawk, his hound, and lady fair.
"His hound is to the hunting gane,His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame,His lady's ta'en another mate,So we may mak our dinner sweet.
"Ye'11 sit on his white hause-bane,''And I'll pike out his bonny blue een;Wi ae lock o his gowden hairWe'll theek^ our nest when it grows bare.
"Mony a one for him makes mane,'But nane sail ken where he is gane;Oer his white banes when they are bare,The wind sail blaw for evermair."
/^ Sir Patrick SpenceThe king sits in Dumferling toune,Drinking the blude-reid wine:"O whar will I get guid sailor,To sail this schip of mine?"
' Sweetheart. ' Crows. ^ Turf. ' Know. * Knows. * Neck-bone.« Thatch. ' Moan.[75]Up and spak an eldern' knicht,Sat at the kings richt kne:"Sir Patrick Spence is the best sailorThat sails upon the se."
The king has written a braid letter,And signd it wi his hand.And sent it to Sir Patrick Spence,Was walking on the sand.
The first line that Sir Patrick red,A loud lauch lauched he;The next line that Sir Patrick red.The teir blinded his ee.
"O wha is this has don this deid,This ill deid don to me,To send me out this time o' the yeir.To sail upon the se!
"Mak haste, mak haste, my mirry men all.Our guid schip sails the morne:""O say na sae, my master deir.For I feir a deadlie storme.
"Late late yestreen I saw the new moone,Wi the auld moone in her arme,And I feir, I feir, my deir master.That we will cum to harme."
O our Scots nobles wer richt laithTo weet their cork-heild schoone;Bot lang owre a' the play wer play'd,Thair hats they swam aboone.
O lang, lang may their ladies sit,Wi thair fans into their hand.Or eir they se Sir Patrick SpenceCum sailing to the land.
"Old.[76]0 lang, lang may the ladies stand,W i thair gold kerns in their hair,Waiting for thair ain deir lords,For they'll se thame na mair.
Ha f owre, 2 half owre to Aberdour,It's fiitie fadom deip,And thair lies guid Sir Patrick Spence,W i the Scots lords at his feit.

Thomas Rymer and the Queen of Elfland

TRUE THOMAS lay oer yond grassy bank,And he beheld a ladie gay,A ladie that was brisk and bold,Come riding oer the fernie brae. 1
Her skirt was of the grass-green silk,Her mantel of the velvet fine,At ilka tett 2 of her horse's maneHung fifty silver bells and nine.
True Thomas he took off his hat,And bowed him low down till his knee:"All hail, thou mighty Queen of Heaven!For your peer on earth I never did see."
" O no, O no, True Thomas , " she says," That name does not belong to me;I a m but the queen of fair Elfland,And I'm come here for to visit thee.
"But ye maun go wi me now, Thomas ,True Thomas , ye maun go wi me,For ye maun 3 serve me seven years,Thro weel or wae as may chance to be."
She turned about her milk-white steed,And took True Thomas up behind,And aye wheneer her bridle rang,The steed flew swifter than the wind.
p. 77

Thomas Rymer

For forty days and forty nightsHe wade thro red blude to the knee,And he saw neither sun nor moon,But heard the roaring of the sea.
O they rade on, and further on,Until they came to a garden green:"Light down , light down , ye ladie free,Some of that fruit let me pull to thee."
" O no, O no, True Thomas , " she says," That fruit maun not be touched by thee,For a' the plagues that are in hellLight on the fruit of this countrie.
"But I have a loaf here in my lap,Likewise a bottle of claret wine,And now ere we go farther on,We '11 rest a while, and ye may dine."
When he had eaten and drunk his fill,"Lay down your head upon my knee,"The lady sayd, "ere we climb yon hill,And I will show you fairlies 4 three.
" O see not ye yon narrow road,So thick beset w i thorns and briers?That is the path of righteousness,Tho after it but few enquires.
" And see not ye that braid braid road,That lies across yon lillie leven 5?That is the path of wickedness,Tho some call it the road to heaven.
" And see not ye that bonnie road,Which winds about the fernie brae?That is the road to fair Elfland,W he [ r e ] you and I this night maun gae.* Wonders. 5 Meadow.[78]"But Thomas , ye maun hold your tongue,Whatever you may hear or see,For gin ae word you should chance to speak,You will neer get back to your ain countrie."
He has gotten a coat of the even cloth,And a pair of shoes of velvet green,And till seven years were past and goneTrue Thomas on earth was never seen.

16 Sweet William's Ghost

WHAN bells war rung, an mass was sung,A w at a' man to bed were gone,Clark Sanders came to Margret's window,With mony a sad sigh and groan.
"Are ye sleeping, Margret," he says,"Or are ye waking , presentlie?Give me my faith and trouthe again,A wat, 1 trew-love, I gied 2 to thee."
"Your faith and trouth ye's 3 never get,Nor our trew love shall never twain, 4Till ye come with me in my bower,And kiss me both cheek and chin."
" My mouth it is full cold, Margret,It has the smell now of the ground;And if I kiss thy comely mouth,Thy life-days will not be long.
"Cocks are crowing a merry mid-larf, !I wat the wild fule 6 boded day;Gie me my faith and trouthe again,And let me fare me on my way."
" Thy faith and trouth thou shall na get,Nor our trew love shall never twin, 4Till ye tell me what comes of womenA w at 1 that dy's in strong travelling."1 1 know. 2 Gave. 3 Ye shall. 4 Part. s Unintelligible. 6 Fowl.[79]"Their beds are made in the heavens high,Down at the foot of our good Lord's knee,Well set about w i gilly-flowers,A wat sweet company for to see.
" O cocks are crowing a merry midd-larf,A wat the wilde foule boded day;The salms of Heaven will be sung,And ere now I'le be misst away."
Up she has tain a bright long wand,And she has straked 7 her trouth thereon;She has given (it) him out at the shot-window, 8W i many a sad sigh and heavy groan.
"I thank you, Margret, I thank you, Margret,And I thank you hartilie;G in e 9 ever the dead come for the quick,Be sure, Margret, I'll come again for thee."
It's hose an shoon and goun d 1 0 alaneShe dame the wall and followed him,Until she came to a green forest,On this she lost the sight of him.
"Is there any room at your head, Sanders?Is there any room at your feet?Or any room at your twa sides?Whare fain, fain w o u d I sleep."
"Their is na room at my head, Margret,Their is na room at my feet;There is room at my twa sides,For ladys for to sleep.
"Cold meal 1 1 is my covering owre,But an my winding sheet;My bed it is full low, I say,Down among the hongerey worms I sleep.[80]"Cold meal is my covering owre,But an my winding sheet;The dew it falls na sooner downThe nay it is full weet."
p. 79
p. 80

iy THE WIFE OF USHER'S WELL

THERE lived a wife at Usher's Well ,And a wealthy wife was she;She had three stout and stalwart sons,And sent them oer the sea.
They hadna been a week from her,A week but barely ane,Whan word came to the carline 1 wifeThat her three sons were gane.
They hadna been a week from her,A week but barely three,Whan word came to the carlin wifeThat her sons she'd never see.
"I wish the wind may never cease,Nor fashes 2 in the flood,Till my three sons come hame to me ,In earthly flesh and blood."
It fell about the Martinmass,When nights are lang and mirk. 3The carlin wife's three sons came hame,And their hats were o the birk. 4
It neither grew in syke 5 nor ditch,Nor yet in ony sheugh; 6But at the gates o Paradise,That birk grew fair eneugh.
"Blow up the fire, my maidens,Bring water from the well;For a' m y house shall feast this night,Since my three sons are well."'Old woman. 2Storms(?). 3Dark. 4Birch. 5Trench. 6Furrow.[81]And she has made to them a bed.She's made it large and wide,And she's taen her mantle her about,Sat down at the bed-side.
Up then crew the red, red cock,And up and crew the gray;The eldest to the youngest said," 'Tis time we were away."
The cock he hadna crawd but once,And clappd his wings at a'.When the youngest to the eldest said,"Brother, we must awa."
"The cock doth craw, the day doth daw,The channerin' worm doth chide;Gin we be mist out o our place,A sair pain we maun bide.
"Lie still, lie still but a little wee while,Lie still but if we may;Gin my mother should miss us when she wakes.She'll go mad ere it be day."
"Faer ye weel, my mother dear!Fareweel to barn and byre!And fare ye weel, the bonny lassThat kindles my mother's fire!"
i8 Hugh of Lincoln
Four and twenty bonny boysWere playing at the ba,'And by it came him sweet Sir Hugh,And he playd oer them a'.
He kicked the ba with his right foot.And catchd it wi his knee,^Fretting. iBall.[82]And throuch-and-thro the Jew's windowHe gard the bonny ba flee.
He's doen him to the Jew's castell,And walkd it round about;And there he saw the Jew's daughter.At the window looking out.
"Throw down the ba, ye Jew's daughter.Throw down the ba to me!""Never a bit," says the Jew's daughter,"Till up to me come ye."
"How will I come up? How can I come up?How can I come to thee?For as ye did to my auld father,The same ye'U do me."
She's gane till her father's garden,And pu'd an apple red and green;'Twas a' to wyle^ him sweet Sir Hugh,And to entice him in.
She's led him in through ae dark door,And sae has she thro nine;She's laid him on a dressing-table.And stickit him like a swine.
And first came out the thick, thick blood,And syne came out the thin,And syne came out the bonny heart's blood;There was nae mair within.
She's rowd' him in a cake o lead,Bade him lie still and sleep;She's thrown him in Our Lady's draw-well,Was fifty fathom deep.
When bells were rung, and mass was sung,And a' the bairns came hame,2 Entice. 3 Rolled.[83]When every lady gat hame her son,The Lady Maisry gat nane.
She's taen her mantle her about,Her coffer by the hand,And she's gane out to seek her son,And wanderd oer the land.
She's doen her to the Jew's castell.Where a' were fast asleep:"Gin ye be there, my sweet Sir Hugh,I pray you to me speak."
She's doen1 her to the Jew's garden,Thought he had been gathering fruit:"Gin^ ye be there, my sweet Sir Hugh,I pray you to me speak."
She heard Our Lady's deep draw-well.Was fifty fathom deep:"Whareer ye be, my sweet Sir Hugh,I pray you to me speak."
"Gae hame, gae hame, my mither dear.Prepare my winding sheet.And at the back o merry LincolnThe morn I will you meet."
Now Lady Maisry is gane hame.Made him a winding sheet.And at the back o merry LincolnThe dead corpse did her meet.
And a' the bells o merry LincolnWithout men's hands were rung.And a' the books o merry LincolnWere read without man's tongue,And neer was such a burialSin Adam's days begun.[84]19 Young BichamIn London city was Bicham born.He longd strange countries for to see.But he was taen by a savage Moor,Who handld him right cruely.
p. 83
p. 84For thro his shoulder he put a bore,'An thro the bore has pitten'' a tree,'An he's gard^ him draw the carts o wine,Where horse and oxen had wont to be.
He's casten [him] in a dungeon deep.Where he coud neither hear nor see;He's shut him up in a prison strong,And he's handld him right cruely.
O this Moor he had but ae daughter,I wot her name was Shusy Pye;She's doen her to the prison-house,And she's calld Young Bicham one word by.
"O hae ye ony lands or rents,Or citys in your ain country,Coud free you out of prison strong.An coud mantain a lady free?"
"O London city is my own.An other citys twa or threeCoud loose me out o prison strong,An coud mantain a lady free."
O she has bribed her father's menWi meikle goud and white money,She's gotten the key o the prison doors,An she has set Young Bicham free.
She's gi'n him a loaf o good white bread.But an a flask o Spanish wine,'Hole. ^PuL 3Piece of wood. *Made.
p. 85

Young Bicham

And she bad him mind on 5 the ladie's loveThat sae kindly freed him out o pine. 6
" Go set your foot on good ship-board,An haste you back to your ain country,An before that seven years has an end,Come back again, love, and marry me."
It was lang or seven years had an endShe longd fu sair her love to see;She's set her foot on good ship-board,An turnd her back on her ain country.
She's saild up, so has she doun,Till she came to the other side;She's landed at Young Bicham's gates,An I hop this day she sal be his bride.
"Is this Young Bicham's gates?" says she,"Or is that noble prince within ? ""He's up the stairs w i his bonny bride,An monny a lord and lady w i him."
" O has he taen a bonny bride,An has he clean forgotten me!"An sighing said that gay lady,"I wish I were in my ain country!"
But she's pitten 7 her han in her pocket,An gin the porter guineas three;Says, " Take ye that, ye proud porter,An bid the bridegroom speak to me."
O whan the porter came up the stair,He's fa'n 8 low down upon his knee:" Won 9 up, won up, ye proud porter,An what makes a' this courtesy?"
" O I've been porter at your gatesThis mair nor seven years an three,[86]But there is a lady at them nowThe like of whom I never did see.
p. 85
p. 86"For on every finger she has a ring,Anon the mid-finger she has three,An there's as meikle goud aboon her browAs w o u d buy an earldome o lan to me."
Then up it started Young Bicham,An sware so loud by Our Lady ,"It can be nane but Shusy Pye,That has come oer the sea to me."
O quickly ran he down the stair,O fifteen steps he has made but three;He's tane 1 0 his bonny love in his arms,An a wot 1 1 he kissed her tenderly.
"O hae " you taen a bonny bride?An hae you quite forsaken me ?An hae ye quite forgotten herThat gae 1 3 you life an liberty?"
She's lookit oer her left shoulderTo hide the tears stood in her ee;" Now fare thee well, Young Bicham," she says,"I'll strive to think nae mair on thee."
" Take back your daughter, madam," he says," An a double dowry I'll gi her wi;For I maun 1 4 marry my first true love,That's done and suffered so much for me."
He's take his bonny love by the han,And led her to yon fountain stane;He's changd her name frae Shusy Pye,An he's cald her his bonny love, Lady Jane.10Taken. 1 1 1 know. 1 2Have. "Gave. "Must.
p. 87

Get Up and Bar the DoorGet Up and Bar the Door

IT fell about the Martinmas time,And a gay time it was then,When our good wife got puddings to make,And she's boild them in the pan.
The wind sae cauld blew south and north,And blew into the floor;Quoth our good man to our goodwife," Gae 1 out and bar the door."
" My hand is in my hussyfskap, 2Good man , as ye may see;An it shoud nae be barrd this hundred year,It's no be barrd for me."
They made a paction tween them twa,They made it firm and sure,That the first word whaeer shoud speak,Shoud rise and bar the door.
Then by there came two gentlemen,At twelve o'clock at night,And they could neither see house nor hall,Nor coal nor candle-light.
" Now whether is this a rich man's house,Or whether is it a poor?"But neer a word wad ane o them speak,For barring of the door.
And first they ate the white puddings,And then they ate the black;Tho muckle thought the goodwife to hersel,Yet neer a word she spake.
Then said the one unto the other,"Here, man, tak ye my knife;Do ye tak aff the auld man's beard,And I'll kiss the goodwife."[88]"But there's nae water in the house,And what shall we do than?""What ails thee at the pudding-broo,'That boils into the pan?"
p. 87
p. 88O up then started our goodman,An angry man was he:"Will ye kiss my wife before my een.And scad"* me wi pudding-bree?"
Then up and started our goodwife,Gied three skips on the floor:"Goodman, you've spoken the foremost word,Get up and bar the door."
21 The Battle of Otterburn
It fell about the Lammus time,When the muir-men won' their hay,That the doughty Earl Douglas wentInto England to catch a prey.
He chose the Gordons and the Graemes,With the Lindsays light and gay;But the Jardines wadna wi him ride.And they rued it to this day.
And he has burnt the dales o TineAnd part of Almonshire.And three good towers on Roxburgh fellsHe left them all on fire.
Then he marched up to Newcastle,And rode it round about:"O whae's the lord of this castle,Or whae's the lady o't?"
But up spake proud Lord Piercy then.And O but he spake hie!^' Water in which the puddings were boiled. * Scald.' Dry, make. ^ High.
p. 89

The Battle of Otter Bt Jr N

"I a m the lord of this castle,And my wife's the lady gaye."
"If you are lord of this castle,Sae weel it pleases me;For ere I cross the borden againThe ane of us shall die."
He took a lang speir in his hand,Was made of the metal free,And for to meet the Douglas thenHe rode most furiously.
But O how pale his lady lookd, •Frae off the castle w a ,When down before the Scottish spearShe saw brave Piercy fa!
How pale and w an his lady lookd,Frae off the castle hieght,When she beheld her Piercy yieldTo Doughty Douglas' might!
" Had we twa been upon the green,And never an eye to see,I should have had ye flesh and fell;But your sword shall gae w i me."
"But gae 3 you up to Otterburn,And there wait dayes three,And if I come not ere three days' endA fause 4 lord ca ye me."
" The Otterburn's a bonny burn,'Tis pleasant there to be,But there is naught at OtterburnTo feed my men and me.
" The deer rins wild owr hill and dale,The birds fly wild frae tree to tree,[90]And there is neither bread nor kale 5To fend 6 my men and me.
p. 89
p. 90"But I will stay at Otterburn,Where you shall welcome be;And if ye come not at three days' endA coward I'll ca thee."
" Then gae your ways to Otterburn,And there wait dayes three;And if I come not ere three days' endA coward ye's ca me."
They lighted high on Otterburn,Upon the bent 7 so brown,They lighted high on Otterburn,And threw their pallions 8 down .
And he that had a bonny boySent his horses to grass,And he that had not a bonny boy,His ain 9 servant he was.
But up then spak a little page,Before the peep of the dawn ;" O waken ye, waken ye, my good lord,For Piercy's hard at hand!"
" Ye lie, ye lie, ye loud liar,Sae loud I hear ye lie!The Piercy hadna men yestreen 1 0To dight 1 1 my men and me.
"But I have seen a dreary dream;Beyond the isle o Sky;I saw a dead man won the fight,And I think that man was I."
He belted on his good broad-swordAnd to the field he ran,[91]THE BATTLE OF OTTERBURN ^IWhere he met wi the proud Piercy,And a' his goodly train.
p. 90
p. 91When Piercy wi the Douglas met,I wat he was right keen;They swakked''' their swords till sair they swat,And the blood ran them between.
But Piercy wi his good broad-sword.Was made o the metal free,Has wounded Douglas on the browTill backward he did flee.
Then he calld on his little page.And said, Run speedily.And bring my ain dear sister's son,Sir Hugh Montgomery.
[Who, when he saw the Douglas bleed,His heart was wonder wae:"Now, by my sword, that haughty lordShall rue before he gae."
"My nephew bauld," the Douglas said,"What boots the death of ane?'^Last night I dreamed a dreary dream.And I ken the day's thy ain."
"I dreamd I saw a battle foughtBeyond the isle o Sky,When lo! a dead man wan the field.And I thought that man was I.
"My wound is deep, I fain wad sleep,Nae mair I'll fighting see;Gae lay me in the breaken'^ bushThat grows on yonder lee.'^
"But tell na ane of my brave menThat I lye bleeding wan,"Smote. "One. "Own. '^Fern. '«Meadow.[92]But let the name of Douglas stillBe shouted in the van.
" And bury me here on this lee,Beneath the blooming briar,And never let a mortal kenA kindly Scot lyes here."
He liftit up that noble lord,W i the saut tear in his ee,And hid him in the breaken bush,On yonder lily lee.
The moon was clear, the day drew near,The spears in flinters flew,But mony gallant EnglishmanEre day the Scotsman slew.
Sir Hugh Montgomery he rodeThro all the field in sight,And loud the name of Douglas stillHe urgd w i a' his might.
The Gordons good, in English bloodThey steeped their hose and shoon,The Lindsays flew like fire about,Till a' the fray was doon.]
When stout Sir Hugh wi Piercy met,I w a the was right fain;They swakked their swords till sair they sAnd the blood ran down like rain.
" O yield thee, Piercy," said Sir Hugh ," O yield, or ye shall die!""Fain wad I yield," proud Piercy said,"But neer to loun 1 7 like thee."
" Thou shalt not yield to knave nor loun,Nor shalt thou yield to me;1 7 Fellow.[93]But yield thee to the breaken bushThat grows on yonder lee."
"I will not yield to bush or brier,Nor will I yield to thee;But I will yield to Lord Douglas,Or Sir Hugh Montgomery."
[When Piercy knew it was Sir Hugh,He fell low on his knee,But soon he raisd him up again,Wi mickle courtesy.]
He left not an Englishman on the field
That he hadna either killd or taenEre his heart's blood was cauld.
22 Chevy Chase
God prosper long our noble litng,our liffes' and saftyes all!A woefuU hunting once there didin Cheuy Chase befall.
To dr/ue the deere w/th hound and homeErie Pearcy took the way:The child may rue that is vnbornethe hunting of that day!
The stout Erie of Northumberlanda vow to God did makeHis pleasure in the Scottish woodsthree somwers days to take,
The cheefest harts in Cheuy C[h]aseto kill and beare away:These tydings to Erie Douglas camein Scottland, where he lay.' Lives.[94]Who sent Erie Pearcy present wordhe would prevent his sport;The English erle, not fearing that,did to the woods resort,
W/th fifteen hundred bowmen bold,All chosen men of might,Who knew ffuU well in time of needeto ayme their shafts arright.
The gallant greyhound[s] swiftly ranto chase the fallow deere;On Munday they began to hunt,ere daylight did appeare.
And long before high noone the hada hundred fat buckes slaine;Then hauing dined, the drouyers wentto rouze the deare againe.
The bowmen mustered on the hills,well able to endure;Theire backsids all w;th speciall carethat day were guarded sure.
The hounds ran swiftly through the woodsthe nimble deere to take,That w/th their cryes the hills and dalesan eccho shrill did make.
Lord Pearcy to the querry^ wentto view the tender deere;Q«oth he, "Erie Douglas promised oncethis day to meete me heere;
"But if I thought he wold not come,noe longer wold I stay."W/th that a braue younge gentlmanthus to the erle did say:' Slaughtered game.[95]"Loe, yonder doth Erie Douglas come,Iiys men in armour bright;Full twenty hundred Scottish speresall marching in our sight.
"All men of pleasant Tiuydale,fast by the riuer Tweede:""O ceaze yowr sportts!" Erie Pearcy said,"and take -your bowes w/th speede.
"And now w/th me, my countrymen,youi courage forth advance!For there was neuer champion yett,in Scottland nor in Ffrance,
"That euer did on horsbacke come,[but], and if my hap it were,I durst encounter man for man,w/th him to break a spere."
Erie Douglas on his milke-white steede,most like a baron bold,Rode formost of his company,whose armor shone like gold.
"Shew me," sayd hee, "whose men you beethat hunt soe boldly heere,ThaX. w/thout my consent doe chaseand kill my fallow deere."
The first man that did answer makewas noble Pearcy hee,Who sayd, "Wee list not to declarenor shew whose men wee bee;
"Yett wee will spend our deerest bloodthy cheefest harts to slay."Then Douglas swore a solempne oathe,and thus in rage did say:[96]"Ere thus I will outbraued bee,one of vs tow shall dye;I know thee well, an erle thou art;Lord Pearcy, soe am I.
"But trust me, Pearcye, pittye it were,and great offence, to killThen any of these our guiltlesse men,for they haue done none ill.
"Let thou and I the battell trye,and set our men aside:""Accurst bee [he!]" Erie Pearcye sayd,"by whome it is denyed."
Then stept a gallant squire forth—Witherington was his name—Who said, "I wold not haue it toldTo Henery our king, for shame,
"That ere my captaine fought on foote,and I stand looking on.You bee two Erles," q«oth Witherington,"and I a squier alone;
"I'le doe the best that doe I may,while I haue power to stand;While I haue power to weeld my sword,rit fight with hart and hand."
Our English archers bent their bowes;their harts were good and trew;Att the first flight of arrowes sent,full foure score Scotts the slew.
To driue the deere w/th hound and home,Douglas bade' on the bent;Two captaines moued w/th mickle'' might,their speres to shiuers went.' Abode. * Great.[97]They closed full fast on eu^rye sidenoe slackness there was found,But many a gallant gentlemanlay gasping on the ground.
0 Christ! it was great greeue 5 to seehow eche man chose his spere,And how the blood out of their brestsdid gush like water cleare.
At last these two stout erles did meet,like captaines of great might;Like lyons woode 6 they layd on lode;the made a cruell fight.
The fought vntil they both did sweat,w/th swords of tempered Steele,Till blood downe their cheekes like rainethe trickling downe did feele.
" O yeeld thee, Pearcye!" Douglas sayd," And in faith I will thee bringeWhere thou shall high advanced beeby lames our Scottish king.
" Thy ransome I will freely giue,and this report of thee,Thou art the most couragious knight[that ever I did see.]"
"Noe, Douglas!" quoth Erie Percy then,"thy profer I doe scorne;I will not yeelde to any Scottthat euer yett was borne!"
W / t h that there came an arrow keene,out of an English bow ,Which stroke Erie Douglas on the bresta deepe and deadlye blow.[98]Who neuer sayd more words than these;"Fight on, my merry men all!For why, my life is att [an] end,lord Pearcy sees my fall."
p. 97
p. 98Then leauing lifle, Erie Pearcy tookethe dead man by the hand;Who said, "Erie Dowglas, for thy life.Wold I had lost my land!
"O Christ! my verry hart doth bleedfor sorrow for thy sake.For sure, a more redoubted knightmischance cold neuer take."
A knight amongst the Scotts there waswhich, saw Erie Douglas dye.Who streight in hart did vow revengevpon the Lord Pearcye.
S/r Hugh Mountgomerye was he called,who, with a spere full bright.Well mounted on a gallant steed,ran feirdy through the fight,
And past the English archers all,w/thout all dread or feare,And through Erie Percyes body thenhe thrust his hatfull spere.
With such a vehement force and mighthis body he did gore.The staff ran through the other sidea large cioth-yard and more.
Thus did both those nobles dye,whose courage none cold staine;An English archer then perceiuedthe noble erle was slaine.[99]He had [a] good bow in his hand,made of a trusty tree;An arrow of a cloth-yard longto the hard head haled hee.
Against S/r Hugh Mountgomeryehis shaft full right he sett;The grey-goose-winge that was there-onin his harts bloode was wett.
This fight from breake of day did lasttill setting of the sun,For when the rung the euening-bellthe battele scarse was done.
W / t h stout Erie Percy there was slaineS/r Iohn of Egerton,S/r Robert Harcliffe and S/r William ,S/r lames, that bold barron.
And with S/r George and S/r lames,both knights of good account,Good S/r Raphe Rebbye there was slaine,whose prowesse did surmount.
For Witherington needs must I wayleas one in dolefull dumpes,For when his leggs were smitten of,he fought vpon his stumpes.
And w/th Erie Do w glas there was slaineS/r Hugh Mountgomerye,And S/r Charles Morrell, that from feeldeone foote wold neuer flee;
S/r Roger Heuer of Harcliffe tow,his sisters sonne was hee;S/r David Lamb well , well esteemed,but saved he cold not bee.[100]And the "Lard Maxwell, in like case,w / t h Douglas he did dye;Of twenty hundred Scottish speeres,scarce fifty-fiue did flye.
Of fifteen hundred Englishmenwent home but fifty-three;The rest in C he u y Chase were slaine,vnder the greenwoode tree.
Next day did many widdowes cometheir husbands to bewayle;They washt their wounds in brinish teares,but all wold not prevayle.
They r bodyes, bathed in purple blood,the bore w / t h them away;They kist them dead a thousand timesere the were cladd in clay.
The newes was brought to Eddenborrow,where Scottlands king did rayne,That braue Erie Douglas soddainlyewas w / than arrow slaine.
" O heauy newes!" King lames can say;"Scotland may wittenesse beeI haue not any captaine moreof such account as hee."
Like tydings to King Henery came,w/thin as short a space,That Pearcy of Northumberlandwas slaine in C he u y Chase.
" Now God be w / t h him!" said our king,"sith it will noe better bee;I trust I haue within my realmefiue hundred as good as hee.[101]"Yett shall not Scotts nor Scottland saybut I will vengeance take,And be revenged on them allfor braue Erie Percyes sake."
This vow the king did well performeafter on Humble-downe;In one day fifty knights were slayne.With lords of great renowne.
And of the rest, of small account,did many hundreds dye:Thus endeth the hunting in Cheuy Chase,made by the Erie Pearcye.
God saue our king, and blesse this landw/th plentye, ioy, and peace,And grant hencforth that foule debatetwixt noble men may ceazel
2_j JoHNiE Armstrong
There dwelt a man in faire Westmerland,lonne Armestrong men did him call,He had nither lands nor rents coming in.Yet he kept eight score men in his hall.
He had horse and harness for them all.Goodly steeds were all milke-white;O the golden bands an about their necks.And their weapons, they were all alike.
Newes then was brought unto the kingThat there was sicke a won' as hee,That lived lyke a bold out-law,And robbed all the north country.
The king he writt an letter then,A letter which was large and long;He signed it with his owne hand,And he promised to doe him no wrong.'Such a one.[102]When this letter came Ionne' untill,His heart it was as blythe as birds on the tree:"Never was I sent for before any king,My father, my grandfather, nor none but mee.
" And if wee goe the king before,I would we went most orderly;Every man of you shall have his scarlet cloak,Laced with silver laces three.
"Every won of you shall have his velvett coat,Laced with sillver lace so white;O the golden bands an about your necks,Black hatts, white feathers, all alyke."
By the morrow morninge at ten of the clock,Towards Edenburough gon was hee,And with him all his eight score men;Good lord, it was a goodly sight for to see!
When Ionne came befower the king,He fell downe on his knee;" O pardon, my soveraine leige," he said," O pardon my eight score men and mee!"
" Thou shalt have no pardon, thou traytor strong,For thy eight score men nor thee;For to-morrow morning by ten of the clock,Both thou and them shall hang on the gallow-tree."
But Ionne look'd over his left shoulder,Good Lord, what a grevious look looked hee!Saying, " Asking grace of a graceles face—Why there is none for you nor me."
But Ionne had a bright sword by his side,And it was made of the mettle so free,That had not the king stept his foot aside,He had smitten his head from his faire bodde.[103]Saying, "Fight on, my merry men all,And see that none of you be taine;For rather then men shall say we were hange'd,Let them report how we were slaine."
Then , God wott, faire Eddenburrough rose,And so besett poore Ionne rounde,That fowerscore and tenn of Ionnes best menLay gasping all upon the ground.
Then like a mad man Ionne laide about,And like a mad man then fought hee,Untill a falce Scot came Ionne behinde,And runn him through the faire boddee.
Saying, "Fight on, my merry men all,And see that none of you be taine;For I will stand by and bleed but awhile,And then will I come and fight againe."
Newes then was brought to young Ionne Armestrong,As he stood by his nurses knee,Who vowed if ere he live'd for to be a man,O the treacherous Scots revengd hee'd be.

Captain Car

IT befell at Martynmas,When wether waxed colde,Captaine Care said to his me « ,We must go take a holde.
Syck, sike, and to-towe sike,And sike and like to die;The sikest nighte that euer I abode,God lord haue mercy on me ! 1
"Haille, master, and wether you will,And wether ye like it best";" To the castle of Crecrynbroghe,And there we will take our reste."

The refrain here, as often, has no significance for the story.

p. 104"I knowe wher is a gay castle,Is builded of lyme and stone;Within their is a gay ladie,Her lord is riden and gone."
The ladie she lend^ on her castle-walle,She loked vpp and downe;There was she ware of an host of men.Come riding to the towne.
"Se yow, my meri men all.And se yow what I see?Yonder I see a host of men,I muse who they bee."
She thought he had ben her wed lord,As he comd riding home;Then was it traitwr Captaine Care,The lord of Ester-towne.
They wer no soner at supper sett.Then after said the grace.Or Captaine Care and all his menWer lighte aboute the place.
"Gyue ouer thi howsse, thou lady gay,And I will make the a bande;^To-nighte thou shall ly within my arm«,To-morrowe thou shall ere my lande."
Then bespacke the eldest sonne.That was both whitt and redde:"O mother dere, geue ouer your howsse.Or ell« we shalbe deade,"
"I will not geue oui?r my hous," she saithe,"Not for feare of my lyffe;It shalbe talked throughout the land,The slaughter of a wyffe.^ Leaned. ' Agreement.
p. 105

Captain Car

"Fetch me my pestilett, 4And charge me my gonne,That I may shott at yonder bloddy butcher,The lord of Easter-towne."
Styfly vpon her wall she stode,And lett the pellettw flee;But then she myst the blody bucher,And she slew other three.
"[I will] not geue ouer my hous," she saithe,"Netheir for lord nor lowne;Nor yet for traitowr Captaine Care,The lord of Easter-towne.
"I desire of Captaine Care,And all his bloddye band,That he would saue my eldest sonne,The eare 5 of all my lande."
" Lap him in a shete," he sayth," And let him downe to me,And I shall take him in my armes,His waran 6 shall I be."
The captayne sayd unto him selfe:W yth sped, before the rest,He cut his tonge out of his head,His hart out of his brest.
He lapt them in a handkerchef,And knet it of knot « three,And cast them ouer the castell-wall,At that gay ladye.
"Fye vpon the, Captayne Care,And all thy bloddy band!For thou hast slayne my eldest sonne,The ayre 5 of all my land."[106]Then bespake the yongest sonne,That sat on the nurses knee,Sayth, "Mother gay, geue ouer your house;It smoldereth me."
p. 105
p. 106"I wold geue my gold," she saith," And so I wolde my flee, 7For a blaste of the westryn wind,To dryue the smoke from thee.
" F y v p o » the, John Hamleton,That euer I paid the hyre!For thou hast broken my castle-wall,And kyndled in the ffyre."
The lady gate 8 to her close parler,The fire fell aboute her head;She toke vp her children thre,Set, " Bab « , we are all dead."
Then bespake the hye steward,That is of hye degree;Saith, "Ladie gay, you are in close,We the r ye fighte or flee."
Lord Hamleton dremd in his dream,In Caruall where he laye,His halle were all of fyre,His ladie slayne or daye.
"Busk 9 and b own e , 1 0 my mery men all,Even and go ye with me;For I dremd that my haal was on fyre,My lady slayne or 1 1 day."
He buskt him and b own d h y m ,And like a worthi knighte;And when he saw his hall burning,His harte was no dele lighte.* Property. 8 Went. 9 Prepare. 1 0 Make ready. 1 1 Ere.[107]CAPTAIN CAR 10']He sett a tru/npett till his mouth.He blew as it plesd his grace;Twenty score of HawjlentonsWas light aboute the place.
"Had I knowne as much yesternighteAs I do to-daye,Captaine Care and all his menShould not haue gone so quite.
"Fye vpon the, Captaine Care,And all thy blody bande!Thou haste slayne my lady gay.More w«rth then all thy lande.
"If thou had ought eny ill will," he saith,"Thou shoulde haue taken my lyfife.And haue saved my children, thre,All and my louesome wyfle."
25 The Bonny Earl of Murray
Ye Highlands, and ye Lawlands,Oh where have you been?They have slain the Earl of Murray,And they layd him on the green.
"Now wae' be to thee, Huntly!And wherefore did you sae?I bade you bring him wi you.But forbade you him to slay."
He was a braw gallant.And he rid at the ring;And the bonny Earl of Murray,Oh he might have been a king!
He was a braw gallant,And he playd at the ba;
»Woe.[108]And the bonny Earl of MurrayWas the flower amang them a'.
He was a braw gallant,And he played at the glove;And the bonny Earl of Murray,Oh he was the Queen's love!
Oh lang will his ladyLook oer the castle Down,Eer she see the Earl of MurrayCome sounding thro the town!Eer she, etc.
a6 KiNMONT Willie
O HAVE ye na heard o the fause Sakelde ?O have ye na heard o the keen Lord Scroop?How they hae taen bauld Kinmont Willie,On Hairibee to hang him up?
Had Willie had but twenty men,But twenty men as stout as he,Fause Sakelde had never the Kinmont taen,Wi eight score in his companie.
They band his legs beneath the steed.They tied his hands behind his back;They guarded him, fivesome on each side.And they brought him ower the Liddel-rack,
They led him thro the Liddel-rack,And also thro the Carlisle sands;They brought him to Carlisle castell,To be at my Lord Scroope's commands.
"My hands are tied, but my tongue is free,And whae will dare this deed avow?Or answer by the border law?Or answer to the bauld Buccleuch?"
p. 109

Kinmont Willie

" Now haud thy tongue, thou rank reiver! 1There's never a Scot shall set ye free;Before ye cross my castle-yate, 2I trow ye shall take farewell o me."
"Fear na ye that, my lord," quo Willie;"By the faith o my bodie, Lord Scroop," he said,"I never yet lodged in a hostelrieBut I paid my law in g 3 before I gaed."
Now word is gane to the bauld Keeper,In Branksome Ha where that he lay,That Lord Scroope has taen the Kinmont WillieBetween the hours of night and day.
He has taen the table w i his hand,He garrd 4 the red wine spring on hie;" Now Christ's curse on my head," he said,"But avenged of Lord Scroop I'll be!
" O is my basnet 5 a widow's curch?Or my lance a w and of the willow-tree?Or my arm a ladye's lilye hand ?That an English lord should lightly 6 me.
" And have they taen him Kinmont Willie,Against the truce of Border tide,And forgotten that the bauld BacleuchIs keeper here on the Scottish side?
" And have they een taen him Kinmont Willie,Withouten either dread or fear,And forgotten that the bauld BacleuchCan back a steed, or shake a spear?
" O were there war between the lands,As well I wot that there is none,I would slight 7 Carlisle castell high,Tho it were builded of marble-stone.'Robber. 2 Gate. 3 Bill. 4 Made.[110]"I would set that castell in a low, 8And sloken 9 it with English blood;There's nevir a man in CumberlandShould ken where Carlisle castell stood.
p. 109
p. 110"But since nae war's between the lands,And there is peace, and peace should be,I'll neither harm English lad or lass,And yet the Kinmont freed shall be!"
He has calld him forty marchmen bauld,I trow they were of his ain name,Except Sir Gilbert Elliot, calldThe Laird of Stobs, I mean the same.
He has calld him forty marchmen bauld,Were kinsmen to the bauld Buccleuch,With spur on heel, and splent on spauld, 1 0And gleuves of green, and feathers blue.
There were five and five before them a',W i hunting-horns and bugles bright;And five and five came wi Buccleuch,Like Warden's men, arrayed for fight.
And five and five like a mason-gang,That carried the ladders lang and hie;And five and five like broken men;And so they reached the Woodhouselee.
And as we crossed the Bateable Land ,When to the English side we held,The first o men that we met wi,Wha e sould it be but fause Sakelde!
"Where be ye gaun, ye hunters keen ? "Quo fause Sakelde; "come tell to me!"" We go to hunt an English stag,Has trespassed on the Scots countrie."[111]"Where be ye gaun, ye marshal-men?"Quo fause Sakelde; "come tell to me true!"" We go to catch a rank reiver,Has broken faith w i the bauld Buccleuch."
p. 110
p. 111"Where are ye gaun, ye mason-lads,W i a' your ladders lang and hie?"" We gang to herry 1 1 a corbie's 1 2 nest,That wons not far frae Woodhouselee."
"Where be ye gaun, ye broken men ? "Quo fause Sakelde; "come tell to me!"Now Dickie of Dry hope led that band,And the never a word o lear 1 3 had he.
" Why trespass ye on the English sideRow-footed 1 4 oudaws, stand!" quo he;The neer a word had Dickie to say,Sae he thrust the lance thro his fause bodie.
Then on we held for Carlisle toun,And at Staneshaw-bank the Eden we crossd;The water was great, and meikle of spait, 1 5But the nevir a horse nor man we lost.
And when we reached the Stanshaw-bank,The wind was rising loud and hie; 1 6And there the laird garrd 1 7 leave our steeds,For fear that they should stamp and nie. 1 3
And when we left the Staneshaw-bank,The wind began full loud to blaw;But 'twas wind and weet, and fire and sleetWhen we came beneath the castel-wa.
We crept on knees, and held our breath,Till we placed the ladders against the w a ;And sae ready was Buccleuch himsellTo mount the first before us a'.1 1 Rob. 1 2 Crow's. 1 3 Learning. 1 4 Rough-footed. 1 5 In high flood. 1 6 High.1 7 Caused. 1 8 Neigh.[112]He has taen the watchman by the throat.He flung him down upon the lead:"Had there not been peace between our lands.Upon the other side thou hadst gaed.
"Now sound out, trumpets!" quo Buccleuch;"Let's waken Lord Scroope right merriliel"Then loud the Warden's trumpets blew"O whae dare meddle wi me?"
Then speedilie to wark we gaed,And raised the slogan" ane and a',And cut a hole thro a sheet of lead.And so we wan to the castel-ha.
They thought King James and a' his menHad won the house wi bow and speir:It was but twenty Scots and tenThat put a thousand in sic a stear!^"
Wi coulters and wi forehammers.We garrd the bars bang merrilie,Untill we came to the inner prison.Where Willie o Kinmont he did lie.
And when we cam to the lower prison,Where Willie o Kinmont he did lie,"O sleep ye, wake ye, Kinmont Willie,Upon the morn that thou's to die?"
"O I sleep saft, and I wake aft,It's lang since sleeping was fleyd^' frae me;Gie my service back to my wyfe and bairns.And a' gude fellows that speer^^ for me."
Then Red Rowan has hente^' him up,The starkest men in Teviotdale:"Abide, abide now. Red Rowan,Till of my Lord Scroope I take farewell."War-cry. 2" Stir. "geared. "Ask. 2'Taken.[113]"Farewell, farewell, my gude Lord Scroope!My gude Lord Scroope, farewell!" he cried;"I'll pay you for my lodging-maill^*When first we meet on the border-side."
Then shoulder high, with shout and cry.We bore him down the ladder lang;At every stride Red Rowan made,I wot the Kinmont's aims playd clang.
"O mony a time," quo Kinmont Willie,"I have ridden horse baith wild and wood;But a rougher beast than Red RowanI ween my legs have neer bestrode.
"And mony a time," quo Kinmont Willie,"I've pricked a horse out oure the furs;^^But since the day I backed a steedI nevir wore sic cumbrous spurs."
We scarce had won the Staneshaw-bank,When a' the Carlisle bells were rung.And a thousand men, in horse and foot,Cam wi the keen Lord Scroope along.
Buccleuch has turned to Eden Water,Even where it flowd frae bank to brim,And he has plunged in wi a' his band,And safely swam them thro the stream.
He turned him on the other side.And at Lord Scroope his glove flung he:"If ye like na my visit in merry England,In fair Scotland come visit me!"
All sore astonished stood Lord Scroope,He stood as still as rock of stane;He scarcely dared to trew his eyesWhen thro the water they had gane.^* Rent. ^^ Furrows.[114]"He is either himsell a devil frae hell,Or else his mother a witch maun be;I wad na have ridden that wan waterFor a' the gowd in Christentie."
27 Bonnie George CampbellHie upon Hielands,and laigh upon Tay,Bonnie George Campbellrode out on a day.
He saddled, he bridled,and gallant rode he,And hame cam his guid horse,but never cam he.
Out cam his mother dear,greeting fu sair.And out cam his bonnie bryde,riving' her hair.
"The meadow lies green,the corn is unshorn,But bonnie George Campbellwill never return,"
Saddled and bridledand booted rode he,A plume in his helmet,A sword at his knee.
But toom^ cam his saddle,all bloody to see,Oh, hame cam his guid horse,but never cam he!* Tearing. * Empty.[115]28 The Dowy Houms O Yarrow
Late at een, drinkin the wine,Or early in a mornin,The set a combat them between.To fight it in the dawnin.
"O stay at hame, my noble lord!O stay at hame, my marrow!My cruel brother will you betray.On the dowy' houms^ o Yarrow."
"O fare ye weel, my lady gaye!0 fare ye weel, my Sarah!For I maun gae, tho I neer returnFrae the dowy banks o Yarrow."
She kissed his cheek, she kaimd' his hair,As she had done before, O;She belted on his noble brand,An he's awa to Yarrow.
O he's gane up yon high, high hill—I wat he gaed wi sorrow—And in a den spied nine armd men,I the dowy houms o Yarrow.
"O ir^ ye come to drink the wine.As ye hae doon before, O?Or ir ye come to wield the brand.On the bonny banks o Yarrow.?"
"I im no come to drink the wine,As I hae don before, O,But I im come to wield the brand.On the dowy houms o Yarrow."
Four he hurt, and five he slew.On the dowy houms o Yarrow,' Sad. ^ Flat land by a river. ' Combed. * Are.[116]Till that stubborn knight came him behind.An ran his body thorrow.
"Gae hame, gae hame, good-brother John,And tell your sister SarahTo come and lift her noble lord,Who's, sleepin sound on Yarrow."
"Yestreen^ I dreamed a dolefu dream;I kend^ there wad be sorrow;I dreamd I pu'd the heather green.On the dowy banks o Yarrow."
She gaed up yon high, high hill—I wat she gaed wi sorrow—An in a den spy'd nine dead men.On the dowy houms o Yarrow.
She kissed his cheek, she kaimd his hair,As oft she did before, O;She drank the red blood frae him ran.On the dowy houms o Yarrow.
"O haud your tongue, my douchter dear,For what needs a' this sorrow?I'll wed you on a better lordThan him you lost on Yarrow."
"O haud your tongue, my father dear,An dinna grieve your Sarah;A better lord was never bornThan him I lost on Yarrow.
"Tak hame your ousen,' tak hame your kye,'For they hae bred our sorrow;I wiss that they had a' gane madWhan they cam first to Yarrow."5Last night. ^Knew. 'Oxen. 'Cows.
p. 117

Mary HamiltonMary Hamilton

WORD'S gane to the kitchen,And word's gane to the ha,That Marie Hamilton has born a bairnTo the hichest Stewart of a'.
She's tyed it in her apronAnd she's thrown it in the sea;Says, 'Sink ye, swim ye, bonny wee babe,You'll ne'er get mair o me.'
Down then cam the auld Queen,Goud 1 tassels tying her hair:' O Marie, where's the bonny wee babeThat I heard greet 2 sae sair ? ' 3
'There was never a babe infill 4 my room,As little designs to be;It was but a touch o my sair side,Came o'er my fair bodie.'
' O Marie, put on your robes o black,Or else your robes o brown,For ye maun gang 5 wi me the night,To see fair Edinbro town.'
'I winna put on my robes o black,Nor yet my robes o brown;But I'll put on my robes o white,To shine through Edinbro town.'
When she gaed up the Cannogate,She laughd loud laughters three;But when she cam down the CannogateThe tear blinded her ee.
When she gaed up the Parliament stair,The heel cam aff her shee; 6JGold. 2 Weep. 3 Sore. 4 Into, in. 5 Must go. 6 Shoe.[118]And lang or she cam down againShe was condemnd to dee.
When she came down the Cannogate,The Cannogate sae free,Many a ladie lookd o'er her window,Weeping for this ladie.
'Make never meen' for me,' she says,'Make never meen for me;Seek never grace frae a graceless face.For that ye'll never see.
'Bring me a bottle of wine,' she says,'The best that eer ye hae,''That I may drink to my weil-wishers,And they may drink to me.
'And here's to the jolly sailor ladThat sails upon the faem;And let not my father nor mother get witBut that I shall come again.
'And here's to the jolly sailor ladThat sails upon the sea;But let not my father nor mother get wit'O the death that I maun dee.
*0 little did my mother think.The day she cradled me.What lands I was to travel through,What death I was to dee.
'O little did my father think.The day he held up me,What lands I was to travel through.What death I was to dee.
'Last nicht I washd the Queen's feet.And gendy laid her down;'Moan. 'Ever you have. 'Knowledge.[119]And a' the thanks I've gotten the nichtTo be hangd in Edinbro town!
'Last nicht there was four Maries,The nicht there'll be but three;There was Marie Seton, and Marie Beton,And Marie Carmichael, and me.'

3 0 the Baron of Brackley

INVEREY cam doun Deeside, whistlin and playin,He was at brave Braikley's yett 1 ere it was dawin. 2
He rappit fu loudly an wi a great roar,Cried, ' Cum doun, cum doun, Braikley, and open the door.
'Are ye sleepin, Baronne, or are yew akin ?Ther's sharpe swords at your yett, will gar 3 your blood spin.
'Open the yett, Braikley, and lat us within,Till we on the green turf gar your bluid rin.'
Up spak his ladie, at his bak where she lay,'Get up, get up, Braikley, an be not afraid;The'r but young hir'd widifus 4 w i belted plaids.'
' Cum kiss me , m i Peggy , Fie nae langer stay,For I will go out and meet Inverey.
'But haud your tongue, Peggy , and mak nae sic din,For yon same hir'd widifus will prove themselves men.'
She called on her marys, 5 they cam to her hand;Cries, 'Bring me your rocks, 6 lassies, we will them command.
'Get up, get up, Braikley, and turn bak your k y , 7Or mean m i women will them defy.
' Cum forth then, m i maidens, and show them some play;We'll ficht them, and shortly the cowards will fly.[120]'Gin I had a husband, whereas I hae nane,He w o u d nae ly i his bed and see his ky taen. 8
p. 119
p. 120'Ther's four-and-twenty milk-whit calves, twal o them k y , 'In the woods o Glentanner, it's ther thei a' ly.
'Ther's goat i the Etnach, and sheep o the brae,An a' will be plundered by young Inverey.'
' Now haud your tongue, Peggy, and gie me a gun,Ye'll see me gae furth, but I'll never cum in.
'Call mi brother William, mi unkl also,M i cousin James Gordon; we'll mount and we'll go.'
When Braikley was ready and stood i the doss,He was the bravest baronne that eer mounted horse.
Whan all wer assembled o the castell green,No man like brave Braikley was ther to be seen.
' Turn bak, brother William , ye are a bridegroom;
' W i bonnie Jean Gordon, the maid o the mill;O sichin and sobbin she'll soon get her fill.'
'I'm no coward, brother, 'tis kend I'm a man;'I'll ficht, my dear brother, w i heart and gudewill,
'I'll ficht i your quarral as lang's I can stand.And so will young Harry that lives at the mill.'But turn, mi dear brother, and nae langer stay:What'll cum o your ladie, gin Braikley thei slay?
'What'll cum o your ladie and bonnie young son?O what'll cum o them when Braikley is gone?'
'I never will turn: do you think I will fly?But here I will ficht, and here I will die.'
p. 121

The Baron of Brackley

'Strik dogs,' crys Inverey, 'and ficht till ye're slayn,For we are four hundred, ye are but four men.
'Strik, strik, ye proud boaster, your honour is gone,Your lands we will plunder, your castell we'll burn.'
At the head o the Etnach the battel began,At Little Auchoilzie thei killd the first man.
First thei killd ane, and soon they killd twa,The i killd gallant Braikley, the flour o them a',
The i killd William Gordon , and James o the Knox ,And brave Alexander, the flour o Glenmuick.
What sichin and moaning was heard i the glen,For the Baronne o Braikley, who basely was slayn!
' Cam ye b i the castell, and was ye in there?Saw ye pretty Peggy tearing her hair?'
'Yes, I cam by Braikley, and I gaed in there,And there saw his ladie braiding her hair.
'She was rantin,and dancin, and singin for joy,And vowin that nicht she w o u d feest Inverey.
'She eat wi him, drank w i him, welcomd him in,Was kind to the man that had slain her baronne.'
Up spake the son on the nourice's knee,'Gin I live to be a man, revenged I'll be.'
Ther's dool 1 0 i the kitchin, and mirth i the ha,The Baronne o Braikley is dead and awa.

Bewick and Grahame

Old Grahame he is to Carlisle gone,Where Sir Robert Bewick there met he;In arms to the wine they are gone,And drank till they were both merry.1 0 Grief.[122]Old Grahame he took up the cup,And said, 'Brother Bewick, here's to thee,And here's to our two sons at home.For they live best in our country.'
'Nay, were thy son as good as mine.And of some books he could but read,With sword and buckler by his side.To see how he could save his head,
'They might have been calld two bold brethrenWhere ever they did go or ride;They might have been calld two bold brethren,They might have crackd' the Border-side.
'Thy son is bad, and is but a lad,And buUy^ to my son cannot be;For my son Bewick can both write and read,And sure I am that cannot he.'
'I put him to school, but he would not learn,I bought him books, but he would not read;But my blessing he's never haveTill I see how his hand can save his head.'
Old Grahame called for an account.And he askd what was for to pay;There he paid a crown, so it went round,Which was all for good wine and hay.
Old Grahame is into the stable gone.Where stood thirty good steeds and three;He's taken his own steed by the head.And home rode he right wantonly.
When he came home, there did he espyA loving sight to spy or see.There did he espy his own three sons.Young Christy Grahame, the foremost was he.' Defied. ^ Mate, chum, sworn brother.[123]There did he espy his own three sons,Young Christy Grahame , the foremost was he:'Where have you been all day, father,That no counsel you would take by me ? '