SirPatrickSpensBattleOfOtterbourneTamLinThomasTheRhymer"SirHugh;OrTheJew'sDaughter"
　　SonDavie!SonDavie!
　　TheWifeOfUsher'sWellTheTwaCorbiesTheBonnieEarlMorayClerkSaundersWaly,WalyLoveGregor;Or,TheLassOfLochroyanTheQueen'sMarieKinmontWillieJamieTelferTheDouglasTragedyTheBonnyHindYoungBichamTheLovingBalladOfLordBatemanTheBonnieHouseO'AirlyRobRoyTheBattleOfKillie-CrankieAnnanWaterTheElphinNourriceCospatrickJohnnieArmstrangEdomO'GordonLadyAnneBothwell'sLamentJockOTheSideLordThomasAndFairAnnetFairAnnieTheDowieDensOfYarrowSirRolandRoseTheRedAndWhiteLilyTheBattleOfHarlaw-EvergreenVersionTraditionaryVersionDickieMacphalionALyke-WakeDirgeTheLairdOfWaristounMayColvenJohnieFaaHobbieNobleTheTwaSistersMaryAmbreeAlisonGrossTheHeirOfLynneGordonOfBrackleyEdward,EdwardYoungBenjieAuldMaitlandTheBroomfieldHillWillie'sLadyeRobinHoodAndTheMonkRobinHoodAndThePotterRobinHoodAndTheButcherINTRODUCTION
　　Whenthelearnedfirstgaveseriousattentiontopopularballads,fromthetimeofPercytothatofScott,theylabouredundercertaindisabilities.TheComparativeMethodwasscarcelyunderstood,andwaslittlepractised.Editorswerecontenttostudytheballadsoftheirowncountryside,or,atmost,ofGreatBritain.TeutonicandNorthernparallelstoourballadswerethenadduced,asbyScottandJamieson.ItwaslaterthattheballadsofEurope,fromtheFaroestoModernGreece,werecomparedwithourown,withEuropeanMARCHEN,orchildren'stales,andwiththepopularsongs,dances,andtraditionsofclassicalandsavagepeoples.Theresultsofthismorerecentcomparisonmaybebrieflystated.Poetrybegins,asAristotlesays,inimprovisation.Everymanishisownpoet,and,inmomentsofstrongemotion,expresseshimselfinsong.AtypicalexampleistheSongofLamechinGenesis-
　　"Ihaveslainamantomywounding,Andayoungmantomyhurt."
　　InstancesperpetuallyoccurintheSagas:Grettir,Egil,Skarphedin,arealwayssinging.InKIDNAPPED,Mr.Stevensonintroduces"TheSongoftheSwordofAlan,"afineexampleofCelticpractice:wordsandairarebeatenouttogether,intheheatofvictory.Inthesameway,thewomensangimproviseddirges,likeHelen;lullabies,likethelullabyofDanaeinSimonides,andflowersongs,asinmodernItaly.Everyfunctionoflife,war,agriculture,thechase,haditsappropriatemagicalandmimeticdanceandsong,asinFinland,amongRedIndians,andamongAustralianblacks."Thedeedsofmen"werechantedbyheroes,asbyAchilles;storiesweretoldinalternateverseandprose;girls,likeHomer'sNausicaa,accompanieddanceandballplay,priestsandmedicine-menaccompaniedritesandmagicalceremoniesbysongs.
　　Thesepracticesareworld-wide,andworld-old.Thethoroughlypopularsongs,thusevolved,becametherudematerialofaprofessionalclassofminstrels,whenthesearose,asintheheroicageofGreece.AminstrelmightbeattachedtoaCourt,oranoble;orhemightgowanderingwithsongandharpamongthepeople.Ineithercase,thisclassofmendevelopedmoreregularandamplemeasures.Theyevolvedthehexameter;theLAISSEoftheCHANSONSDEGESTE;thestrangetechnicalitiesofScandinavianpoetry;themetresofVedichymns;thechoralodesofGreece.ThenarrativepopularchantbecameintheirhandstheEpic,orthemediaevalrhymedromance.Themetreofimprovisedversechangedintotheartisticlyric.Theselyricformswerefixed,inmanycases,bytheartofwriting.Butpoetrydidnotremainsolelyinprofessionalandliteraryhands.ThemediaevalminstrelsandJONGLEURSwhomaybestbestudiedinLeonGautier'sIntroductiontohisEPOPEESFRANCAISESsanginCourtandCamp.Thepoorer,lessregularbrethrenoftheart,harpedandplayedconjuringtricks,infarmandgrange,oratstreetcorners.TheforeignnewermetrestooktheplaceoftheoldalliterativeEnglishverse.
　　Butunprofessionalmenandwomendidnotceasetomakeandsing.
　　Somewritershavedecided,amongthemMr.Courthope,thatourtraditionalballadsaredegradedpopularsurvivalsofliterarypoetry.Theplotsandsituationsofsomeballadsare,indeed,thesameasthoseofsomeliterarymediaevalromances.Buttheseplotsandsituations,inEpicandRomance,arethemselvesthefinalliteraryformofMARCHEN,mythsandinventionsoriginallyPOPULAR,andstill,incertaincases,extantinpopularformamongraceswhichhavenotyetevolved,orborrowed,theamplerandmorepolishedandcomplexGENRESofliterature.Thus,whenaliteraryromanceandaballadhavethesametheme,theballadmaybeapopulardegradationoftheromance;or,itmaybetheoriginalpopularshapeofit,stillsurvivingintradition.Awell-knowncaseinprose,isthatoftheFrenchfairytales.
　　Perrault,in1697,borrowedthesefromtraditionandgavethemliteraryandcourtlyshape.ButCENDRILLONorCHAPERONROUGEinthemouthofaFrenchpeasant,isapttobetheoldtraditionalversion,uncontaminatedbytherefinementsofPerrault,despitePerrault'simmensesuccessandcirculation.Thustraditionpreservespre-literaryforms,eventhough,onoccasion,itmayborrowfromliterature.Peasantpoetshavebeenauthorsofballads,withoutbeing,forallthat,professionalminstrels.Manysuchpoemssurviveinourballadliterature.
　　Thematerialoftheballadmaybeeitherromanticorhistorical.
　　Theformerclassisbasedononeoftheprimevalinventedsituations,oneoftheelementsoftheMARCHENinprose.Suchtalesormythsoccurinthestoriesofsavages,inthelegendsofpeasants,areinterwovenlaterwiththeplotinEpicorRomance,andmayalsoinspireballads.Popularsuperstitions,thewitch,metamorphosis,thereturningghost,thefairy,allofthemsurvivalsoftheearliestthought,naturallyplayagreatpart.
　　TheHistoricalballad,ontheotherhand,hasabasisofresoundingfact,murder,battle,orfire-raising,butthefacts,beingderivedfrompopularrumour,areimmediatelycorruptedanddistorted,sometimesoutofallknowledge.GoodexamplesaretheballadsonDarnley'smurderandtheyouthofJamesVI.
　　Intheromanticclass,wemaytakeTAMLANE.Heretheideaoffairiesstealingchildrenisthoroughlypopular;theyalsostealyoungmenaslovers,andagain,menmaywinfairybrides,byclingingtothemthroughalltransformations.AclassicalexampleistheseizureofThetisbyPeleus,andChildquotesamodernCretanexample.Thedippinginmilkandwater,Imayadd,hasprecedentinancientEgyptinTHETWOBROTHERS,andinmodernSenegambia.Thefairytax,tithe,orteind,paidtoHell,isillustratedbyoldtrialsforwitchcraft,inScotland.1Now,inliteraryformsandromance,asinOGIERLEDANOIS,personsarecarriedawaybytheFairyKingorQueen.Butheretheliteraryromanceborrowsfrompopularsuperstition;theballadhasnoneedtoborrowafamiliarfactfromliteraryromance.Onthewholesubjectthecuriousmayconsult"TheSecretCommonwealthofElves,Fauns,andFairies,"bytheReverendRobertKirkofAberfoyle,himself,accordingtotradition,avictimofthefairies.
　　Thus,inTAMLANE,thewholeDONNEEispopular.Butthecurrentversion,thatofScott,iscontaminated,asScottknew,byincongruousmodernisms.Burns'sversion,fromtradition,alreadylocalizestheeventsatCarterhaugh,thejunctionofEttrickandYarrow.ButBurns'sversiondoesnotmaketheEarlofMurrayfatherofthehero,northeEarlofMarchfatheroftheheroine.
　　Roxburghisthehero'sfatherinBurns'svariant,whichismoreplausible,andthemodernversesdonotoccur.Thisballadapparentlyowesnothingtoliteraryromance.
　　InMARYHAMILTONwehaveanotableinstanceoftheHistoricalBallad.NoMarieofMaryStuart'ssuffereddeathforchildmurder.
　　ShehadnoMarieHamilton,noMarieCarmichaelamongherfourMaries,thoughaladyofthelatternamewasathercourt.ButearlyinthereignaFrenchwomanofthequeen'swashanged,withherparamour,anapothecary,forslayingherinfant.Knoxmentionsthefact,whichisalsorecordedinlettersfromtheEnglishambassador,uncitedbyMr.Child.KnoxaddsthattherewereballadsagainsttheMaries.Now,inMarch1719,aMaryHamilton,ofScotsdescent,amaidofhonourofCatherineofRussia,washangedforchildmurderCHILD,vi.383.Ithasthereforebeensupposed,firstbyCharlesKirkpatrickSharpelongago,laterbyProfessorChild,andthenbyMr.Courthope,thatourballadisof1719,orlater,anddealswiththeRussian,nottheScotch,tragedy.
　　Tothiswemayreply1thatwehavenoexampleofsuchathrowingbackofacontemporaryevent,inballads.2ThereisaversionCHILD,viii.507inwhichMaryHamilton'sparamourisa"pottinger,"orapothecary,asintherealoldScotchaffair.3
　　Thenumberofvariantsofaballadislikelytobeproportionatetoitsantiquityandwidedistribution.NowonlySIRPATRICKSPENS
　　hassomanywidelydifferentvariantsasMARYHAMILTON.Thesecouldhardlyhavebeenevolvedbetween1719and1790,whenBurnsquotesthepoemasanoldballad.4Wehavenoexampleofapoemsomuchintheoldballadmanner,forperhapsahundredandfiftyyearsbefore1719.Thestylefirstdegradedandthenexpired:
　　compareROBROYandKILLIECRANKIE,inthiscollection,alsotheballadsofLOUDOUNHILL,THEBATTLEOFPHILIPHAUGH,andothersmuchearlierthan1719.NewstylesofpopularpoetryoncontemporaryeventsasSHERRIFFMUIRandTRANENTBRAEhadarisen.5TheextremehistoricinaccuracyofMARYHAMILTONisparalleledbythatofalltheballadsonrealevents.ThementionofthePottingerisatraceofrealhistorywhichhasnoparallelintheRussianaffair,andthereisnoroom,saysProfessorChild,forthesuppositionthatitwasvoluntarilyinsertedbyreciterorcopyist,totallywiththenarrativeinKnox'sHistory.
　　Ontheotherside,wehavethenameofMaryHamiltonoccurringinatragiceventof1719,butthenthenamedoesnotuniformlyappearinthevariantsoftheballad.TheladyistherespokenofgenerallyasMaryHamilton,butalsoasMaryMyle,LadyMaisry,asdaughteroftheDukeofYorkStuart,asMarieMild,andsoforth.
　　Thoughshebidssailorscarrythetaleofherdoom,sheisnotabroad,butinEdinburghtown.NothingcanbelessprobablethanthataScotspopularballad-makerin1719,tellingthetaleofayesterday'stragedyinRussia,shouldthrowthetimebackbyahundredandfiftyyears,shouldchangethescenetoScotlandtheheartofthesorrowwouldbeMary'sexile,and,aboveall,shouldcomposeaballadinastylelongobsolete.Thisisnotthemethodofthepopularpoet,andsuchimitationsoftheoldballadasHARDYKNUTEshowthatliterarypoetsof1719hadnotknowledgeorskillenoughtomimictheantiquemannerwithanysuccess.
　　Wemay,therefore,eveninfaceofProfessorChild,regardMARY
　　HAMILTONasanoldexampleofpopularperversionofhistoryinballad,notas"oneoftheverylatest,"andalso"oneoftheverybest"ofScottishpopularballads.
　　ROBROYshowsthesamepowerofperversion.ItwasnotRobRoybuthissons,RobinOigwhoshotMaclarenattheplough-tail,andJamesMohralternatelythespy,theJacobite,andtheHanoverianspyoncemore,whocarriedofftheheiressofEdenbelly.Indeedakindofaddedepilogue,inadifferentmeasure,provesthatapoetwasawareofthefacts,andwishedtocorrecthispredecessor.
　　Suchthenareballads,inrelationtolegendandhistory.Theyare,onthewhole,withexceptions,absolutelypopularinorigin,composedbymenofthepeopleforthepeople,andthendiffusedamongandalteredbypopularreciters.InEnglandtheysoonwontheirwayintoprintedstallcopies,andweregrievouslyhandledandmoralizedbythehackeditors.
　　NoballadhasastrangerhistorythanTHELOVINGBALLADOFLORD
　　BATEMAN,illustratedbythepencilsofCruikshankandThackeray.
　　Theirformisaludicrouscockneyperversion,butitretainstheessence.Bateman,acaptiveof"thisTurk,"isbelovedbytheTurk'sdaughterastapleincidentofoldFrenchromance,andbyherreleased.TheladyaftersevenyearsrejoinsLordBateman:hehasjustmarriedalocalbride,but"ordersanothermarriage,"andsendshomehisbride"inacoachandthree."ThisincidentisstereotypedintheballadsandoccursinanexampleintheRomaic.
　　2
　　NowLordBatemanisYOUNGBEKIEintheScotchballads,whobecomesYOUNGBEICHAN,YOUNGBICHEM,andsoforth,andhasadventuresidenticalwiththoseofLordBateman,thoughtheproudporterintheScotsversionisscarcelysoprominentandillustrious.AsMotherwellsaw,BekieBeichan,Buchan,BatemanisreallyBecket,GilbertBecket,fatherofThomasofCanterbury.EveryonehasheardhowHISSaracenbridesoughthiminLondon.RobertofGloucester'sLIFEANDMARTYRDOMOFTHOMASBECKET,PercySociety.
　　SeeChild'sIntroduction,IV.,i.1861,andMOTHERWELL'S
　　MINSTRELSY,p.xv.,1827.Thelegendofthedissolvedmarriageisfromthecommonstockofballadlore,MotherwellfoundanexampleinthestateofCANTEFABLE,alternateproseandverse,likeAUCASSINANDNICOLETTE.Thusthecockneyrhymedescendsfromthetwelfthcentury.
　　Suchareafewofthecuriositiesoftheballad.Theexamplesselectedarechieflychosenfortheirromanticcharm,andforthespiritoftheBorderraidswhichtheyrecord.Afewnotesareaddedinanappendix.ThetextischosenfromamongthemanyvariantsinChild'slearnedbutstillunfinishedcollection,andanefforthasbeenmadetochoosethecopieswhichcontainmostpoetrywithmostsignsofuncontaminatedoriginality.InafewcasesSirWalterScott'sversions,thoughconfessedly"madeup,"arepreferred.PerhapstheeditormaybeallowedtosaythathedoesnotmerelyploughwithProfessorChild'sheifer,buthasmadeastudyofballadsfromhisboyhood.
　　Thisfactmayexempthim,evenintheeyesoftoopatrioticAmericancritics,from"thecommonblameofaplagiary."Indeed,asProfessorChildhasnotyetpublishedhisgeneraltheoryoftheBallad,theeditordoesnotknowwhetherheagreeswiththeideasheresetforth.
　　SofartheEditorhadwritten,whennewscameofProfessorChild'sregretteddeath.Hehadlivedtofinish,itissaid,thevastcollectionofallknowntraditionalScottishandEnglishBallads,withallaccessiblevariants,aworkofgreatlabourandresearch,andadistinguishedhonourtoAmericanscholarship.Wearenottold,however,thathehadwrittenageneralstudyofthetopic,withhisconclusionsastotheevolutionanddiffusionoftheBallads:astotheinfluenceswhichdirectedtheselectionofcertainthemesofMARCHENforpoetictreatment,andtheprocessesbywhichidenticalballadsweredistributedthroughoutEurope.Noone,itistobefeared,isleft,inEuropeatleast,whoseknowledgeofthesubjectissowideandscientificasthatofProfessorChild.Itistobehopedthatsomepupilofhismaycompletethetaskinhissense,if,indeed,hehasleftitunfinished.
　　Ballad:SirPatrickSpensBorderMinstrelsy.
　　ThekingsitsinDunfermlinetown,Drinkingtheblude-redwineo:
　　"OwharewillIgetaskeelyskipperTosailthisnewshipofmineo?"
　　Oupandspakeaneldern-knight,Satattheking'srightknee:
　　"SirPatrickSpensisthebestsailorThateversaildthesea."
　　Ourkinghaswrittenabraidletter,Andsealditwithhishand,AndsentittoSirPatrickSpens,Waswalkingonthestrand.
　　"ToNoroway,toNoroway,ToNorowayoerthefaem;
　　Theking'sdaughterofNoroway,'Tisthoumaunbringherhame."
　　ThefirstwordthatSirPatrickread,Saeloud,loudlaughedhe;
　　TheneistwordthatSirPatrickread,Thetearblindedhisee.
　　"Owhaisthishasdonethisdeed,Andtauldthekingome,Tosendusout,atthistimeoftheyear,Tosailuponthesea?"
　　"Beitwind,beitweet,beithall,beitsleet,Ourshipmustsailthefaem;
　　Theking'sdaughterofNoroway,'Tiswemustfetchherhame."
　　TheyhoysedtheirsailsonMonendaymorn,Wi'a'thespeedtheymay;
　　TheyhaelandedinNoroway,UponaWodensday.
　　Theyhadnabeenaweek,aweekInNorowaybuttwae,WhenthatthelordsoNorowayBeganaloudtosay:
　　"YeScottishmenspenda'ourking'sgoud,Anda'ourqueenisfee."
　　"Yelie,yelie,yeliarsloud!
　　Fu'loudIhearyelie!
　　"ForIbroughtasmuchwhitemonieAsganemymenandme,AndIbroughtahalf-fou'o'guderedgoud,Outo'ertheseawi'me.
　　"Makeready,makeready,mymerry-mena'!
　　Ourgudeshipsailsthemorn."
　　"Noweveralake,mymasterdear,Ifearadeadlystorm!
　　Isawthenewmoon,lateyestreen,Wi'theauldmooninherarm;
　　Andifwegangtosea,master,Ifearwe'llcometoharm."
　　Theyhadnasail'daleague,aleague,Aleaguebutbarelythree,Whentheliftgrewdark,andthewindblewloud,Andgurlygrewthesea.
　　Theankersbrak,andthetop-mastslap,Itwassicadeadlystorm;
　　Andthewavescamo'erthebrokenship,Tilla'hersidesweretorn.
　　"OwherewillIgetagudesailor,Totakemyhelminhand,TillIgetuptothetalltop-mast;
　　ToseeifIcanspyland?"
　　"OhereamI,asailorgude,Totakethehelminhand,Tillyougouptothetalltop-mastButIfearyou'llne'erspyland."
　　Hehadnaganeastep,astep,Astepbutbarelyane,Whenaboutflewoutofourgoodlyship,Andthesaltseaitcamein.
　　"Gae,fetchawebo'thesilkenclaith,Anothero'thetwine,Andwapthemintoourship'sside,Andletnatheseacomein."
　　Theyfetchdawebothesilkenclaith,Anotherothetwine,Andtheywappedthemrounthatgudeship'ssideButstilltheseacamein.
　　Olaith,laith,wereourgudeScotslordsToweettheircork-heel'dshoon!
　　Butlangoratheplaywasplay'dTheywattheirhatsaboon,Andmonywasthefeather-bedThatflutteredonthefaem,Andmonywasthegudelord'ssonThatnevermaircamhame.
　　Theladyeswrangtheirfingerswhite,Themaidenstoretheirhair,A'forthesakeoftheirtrueloves,Forthemthey'llseenamair.
　　Olang,langmaytheladyessit,Wi'theirfansintotheirhand,BeforetheyseeSirPatrickSpensComesailingtothestrand!
　　Andlang,langmaythemaidenssit,Wi'theirgoudkaimsintheirhair,A'waitingfortheiraindearloves!
　　Forthemthey'llseenamair.
　　OfortymilesoffAberdeen,'Tisfiftyfathomsdeep,AndthereliesgudeSirPatrickSpens,Wi'theScotslordsathisfeet.
　　Ballad:BattleOfOtterbourneChild,vol.vi.
　　ItfellabouttheLammastide,Whenthemuir-menwintheirhay,ThedoughtyDouglasboundhimtorideIntoEngland,todriveaprey.
　　HechosetheGordonsandtheGraemes,WiththemtheLindesays,lightandgay;
　　ButtheJardineswaldnorwithhimride,Andtheyrueittothisday.
　　Andhehasburn'dthedalesofTyne,AndpartofBambroughshire:
　　AndthreegoodtowersonReidswirefells,Heleftthemallonfire.
　　Andhemarch'duptoNewcastle,Androdeitroundabout:
　　"Owha'sthelordofthiscastle?
　　Orwha'stheladyo't?"
　　ButupspakeproudLordPercythen,AndObuthespakehie!
　　"Iamthelordofthiscastle,Mywife'stheladygaye."
　　"Ifthou'rtthelordofthiscastle,Saeweelitpleasesme!
　　For,ereIcrosstheBorderfells,Thetaneofussalldie."
　　Hetookalangspearinhishand,Shodwiththemetalfree,AndfortomeettheDouglasthere,Heroderightfuriouslie.
　　ButOhowpalehisladylook'd,Fraeaffthecastlewa',Whendown,beforetheScottishspear,ShesawproudPercyfa'.
　　"Hadwetwabeenuponthegreen,Andneveraneyetosee,Iwadhaehadyou,fleshandfell;
　　Butyourswordsallgaewi'mee."
　　"ButgaeyeuptoOtterbourne,Andwaittheredayisthree;
　　And,ifIcomenoterethreedayisend,Afauseknightca'yeme."
　　"TheOtterbourne'sabonnieburn;
　　'Tispleasanttheretobe;
　　ButthereisnoughtatOtterbourne,Tofeedmymenandme.
　　"Thedeerrinswildonhillanddale,Thebirdsflywildfromtreetotree;
　　Butthereisneitherbreadnorkale,Tofeedmymenandme.
　　"YetIwillstayitOtterbourne,Whereyoushallwelcomebe;
　　And,ifyecomenotatthreedayisend,AfauselordI'llca'thee."
　　"ThitherwillIcome,"proudPercysaid,"BythemightofOurLadye!"-
　　"TherewillIbidethee,"saidtheDouglas,"MytrothIplighttothee."
　　TheylightedhighonOtterbourne,Uponthebentsaebrown;
　　TheylightedhighonOtterbourne,Andthrewtheirpallionsdown.
　　Andhethathadabonnieboy,Sentouthishorsetograss,Andhethathadnotabonnieboy,Hisainservanthewas.
　　Butupthenspakealittlepage,Beforethepeepofdawn:
　　"Owakenye,wakenye,mygoodlord,ForPercy'shardathand."
　　"Yelie,yelie,yeliarloud!
　　SaeloudIhearyelie;
　　ForPercyhadnotmenyestreen,Todightmymenandme.
　　"ButIhavedream'dadrearydream,BeyondtheIsleofSky;
　　Isawadeadmanwinafight,AndIthinkthatmanwasI."
　　Hebeltedonhisguidbraidsword,Andtothefieldheran;
　　Butheforgotthehelmetgood,Thatshouldhavekepthisbrain.
　　WhenPercywitheDouglasmet,Iwathewasfufain!
　　Theyswakkedtheirswords,tillsairtheyswat,Andthebloodrandownlikerain.
　　ButPercywithhisgoodbroadsword,Thatcouldsosharplywound,HaswoundedDouglasonthebrow,Tillhefelltotheground.
　　Thenhecalldonhislittlefoot-page,Andsaid-"Runspeedilie,Andfetchmyaindearsister'sson,SirHughMontgomery."Mynephewgood,"theDouglassaid,"Whatrecksthedeathofane!
　　LastnightIdreamdadrearydream,AndIkentheday'sthyain.
　　"Mywoundisdeep;Ifainwouldsleep;
　　Takethouthevanguardofthethree,Andhidemebythebrakenbush,Thatgrowsonyonderlilyelee.
　　"Oburymebythebraken-bush,Beneaththebloomingbrier;
　　LetneverlivingmortalkenThatereakindlyScotlieshere."
　　Heliftedupthatnoblelord,Withesauttearinhise'e;
　　Hehidhiminthebrakenbush,Thathismerriemenmightnotsee.
　　Themoonwasclear,thedaydrewnear,Thespearsinflindersflew,ButmonyagallantEnglishmanEredaytheScotsmenslew.
　　TheGordonsgood,inEnglishblood,Theysteepdtheirhoseandshoon;
　　TheLindesaysflewlikefireabout,Tillallthefraywasdone.
　　ThePercyandMontgomerymet,Thateitherofotherwerefain;
　　Theyswappedswords,andtheytwaswat,Andayethebloodrandownbetween.
　　"Yieldthee,nowyieldthee,Percy,"hesaid,"OrelseIvowI'lllaytheelow!"
　　"TowhommustIyield,"quothEarlPercy,"NowthatIseeitmustbeso?"
　　"Thoushaltnotyieldtolordnorloun,Noryetshaltthouyieldtome;
　　Butyieldtheetothebraken-bush,Thatgrowsuponyonlilyelee!"
　　"Iwillnotyieldtoabraken-bush,NoryetwillIyieldtoabrier;
　　ButIwouldyieldtoEarlDouglas,OrSirHughtheMontgomery,ifhewerehere."
　　AssoonasheknewitwasMontgomery,Hestuckhissword'spointinthegronde;
　　TheMontgomerywasacourteousknight,Andquicklytookhimbythehonde.
　　ThisdeedwasdoneatOtterbourne,Aboutthebreakingoftheday;
　　EarlDouglaswasburiedatthebrakenbush,AndthePercyledcaptiveaway.
　　Ballad:TamLinChild,PartII.,p.340,Burns'sVersion.
　　OIforbidyou,maidensa',Thatweargowdonyourhair,TocomeorgaebyCarterhaugh,ForyoungTamLinisthere.
　　There'snanethatgaesbyCarterhaughButtheyleavehimawad,Eithertheirrings,orgreenmantles,Orelsetheirmaidenhead.
　　JanethaskiltedhergreenkirtleAlittleaboonherknee,AndshehasbraidedheryellowhairAlittleaboonherbree,Andshe'sawa'toCarterhaugh,Asfastasshecanhie.
　　WhenshecametoCarterhaughTamLinwasatthewell,Andthereshefandhissteedstanding,Butawaywashimsel.
　　Shehadnapu'dadoublerose,Arosebutonlytwa,TillupthenstartedyoungTamLin,Says,"Lady,thou'spunaemae.
　　"Whypu'sthoutherose,Janet,Andwhybreaksthouthewand?
　　OrwhycomesthoutoCarterhaughWithouttenmycommand?"
　　"Carterhaugh,itismyain,Mydaddiegaveitme;
　　I'llcomeandgangbyCarterhaugh,Andasknaeleaveatthee."
　　*****
　　JanethaskiltedhergreenkirtleAlittleaboonherknee,AndshehassnoodedheryellowhairAlittleaboonherbree,Andsheistoherfather'sha,Asfastasshecanhie.
　　FourandtwentyladiesfairWereplayingattheba,AndoutthencamthefairJanet,Ancethefloweramangthema'.
　　FourandtwentyladiesfairWereplayingatthechess,AndoutthencamthefairJanet,Asgreenasoniegrass.
　　Outthenspakanauldgreyknight,Layoerthecastlewa,Andsays,"Alas,fairJanet,fortheeButwe'llbeblameda'."
　　"Haudyourtongue,yeauld-fac'dknight,Someilldeathmayyedie!
　　FathermybairnonwhomIwill,I'llfathernaneonthee."
　　Outthenspakherfatherdear,Andhespakmeekandmild;
　　"Andeveralas,sweetJanet,"hesays.
　　"Ithinkthougaeswichild."
　　"IfthatIgaewi'child,father,Myselmaunbeartheblame;
　　There'sneeralairdaboutyourhaShallgetthebairn'sname.
　　"Ifmylovewereanearthlyknight,Ashe'sanelfingrey,Iwadnagiemyaintrue-loveFornaelordthatyehae.
　　"Thesteedthatmytrue-loveridesonIslighterthanthewind;
　　WisillerheisshodbeforeWiburninggowdbehind."
　　JanethaskiltedhergreenkirtleAlittleaboonherknee,AndshehassnoodedheryellowhairAlittleaboonherbree,Andshe'sawa'toCarterhaugh,Asfastasshecanhie.
　　WhenshecamtoCarterhaugh,TamLinwasatthewell,Andthereshefandhissteedstanding,Butawaywashimsel.
　　Shehadnapu'dadoublerose,Arosebutonlytwa,TillupthenstartedyoungTamLin,Says,"Lady,thoupu'snaemae.
　　"Whypu'sthoutherose,Janet,Amangthegrovessaegreen,Anda'tokilltheboniebabeThatwegatusbetween?"
　　"Otellme,tellme,TamLin,"shesays,"For'ssakethatdiedontree,Ifeeryewasinholychapel,Orchristendomdidsee?"
　　"Roxbrughhewasmygrandfather,Tookmewithhimtobide,AndanceitfelluponadayThatwaedidmebetide.
　　"Andanceitfelluponaday,Acaulddayandasnell,Whenwewerefraethehuntingcome,ThatfraemyhorseIfell;
　　TheQueenoFairiesshecaughtme,Inyongreenhilltodwell.
　　"Andpleasantisthefairyland,But,aneerietaletotell,AyattheendofsevenyearsWepayatiendtohell;
　　Iamsaefairandfu'ofleshI'mfeareditbemysel.
　　"ButthenightisHalloween,lady,ThemornisHallowday;
　　Thenwinme,winme,anyewill,ForweelIwatyemay.
　　"JustatthemirkandmidnighthourThefairyfolkwillride,Andtheythatwadtheirtruelovewin,AtMilesCrosstheymaunbide."
　　"ButhowshallItheeken,TamLin,Orhowmytrue-loveknow,AmangsaemonyuncoknightsThelikeIneversaw?"
　　"Ofirstletpasstheblack,lady,Andsyneletpassthebrown,Butquicklyruntothemilk-whitesteed,Puyehisriderdown.
　　"ForI'llrideonthemilk-whitesteed,Andaynearestthetown;
　　BecauseIwasanearthlyknightTheygiemethatrenown.
　　"Myrighthandwillbegloyd,lady,Mylefthandwillbebare,Cocktupshallmybonnetbe,Andkaimddownshallmyhair;
　　Andthae'sthetakensIgiethee,NaedoubtIwillbethere.
　　"They'llturnmeinyourarms,lady,Intoaneskandadder;
　　Butholdmefast,andfearmenot,Iamyourbairn'sfather.
　　"They'llturnmetoabearsaegrim,Andthenalionbold;
　　Butholdmefast,andfearmenot,Asyeshallloveyourchild.
　　"Againthey'llturnmeinyourarmsToaredhetgaudofairn;
　　Butholdmefast,andfearmenot,I'lldotoyounaeharm.
　　"Andlastthey'llturnmeinyourarmsIntotheburninggleed;
　　Thenthrowmeintowellwater,Othrowmeinwispeed.
　　"AndthenI'llbeyouraintrue-love,I'llturnanakedknight;
　　Thencovermewiyourgreenmantle,Andcovermeoutosight."
　　Gloomy,gloomywasthenight,Andeeriewastheway,AsfairJennyinhergreenmantleToMilesCrossshedidgae.
　　Aboutthemiddleo'thenightSheheardthebridlesring;
　　ThisladywasasgladatthatAsanyearthlything.
　　Firstshelettheblackpassby,Andsynesheletthebrown;
　　Butquicklysherantothemilk-whitesteed,Andpu'dtheriderdown,Saeweelshemindedwhaehedidsay,AndyoungTamLindidwin;
　　Synecoverdhimwihergreenmantle,Asblythe'sabirdinspring.
　　OutthenspaktheQueenoFairies,Outofabushobroom:
　　"ThemthathasgottenyoungTamLinHasgottenastatelygroom."
　　OutthenspaktheQueenoFairies,Andanangrywomanwasshe;
　　"Shamebetideherill-far'dface,Andanilldeathmayshedie,Forshe'staenawathebonniestknightIna'mycompanie.
　　"ButhadIkend,TamLin,"shesays,"WhatnowthisnightIsee,Iwadhaetaenoutthytwagreye'en,Andputintwaeenotree."
　　Ballad:ThomasTheRhymerChild,PartII.,p.317.
　　TrueThomaslayonHuntliebank;
　　Aferliehespiedwi'hisee;
　　Andtherehesawaladybright,ComeridingdownbytheEildonTree.
　　Herskirtwasothegrass-greensilk,Hermantleothevelvetfyne,Atilkatettofherhorse'smaneHangfiftysillerbellsandnine.
　　TrueThomashepulldaffhiscap,Andloutedlowdowntohisknee:
　　"Allhail,thoumightyQueenofHeaven!
　　ForthypeeronearthIneverdidsee."
　　"Ono,Ono,Thomas,"shesaid,"Thatnamedoesnotbelangtome;
　　IambutthequeenoffairElfland,Thatamhithercometovisitthee.
　　"Harpandcarp,Thomas,"shesaid,"Harpandcarp,alongwi'me,Andifyedaretokissmylips,SureofyourbodieIwillbe!"
　　"Betidemeweal,betidemewoe,Thatweirdsallneverdauntonme;
　　Synehehaskissedherrosylips,AllunderneaththeEildonTree.
　　"Now,yemaungowime,"shesaid,"TrueThomas,yemaungowime,Andyemaunservemesevenyears,Throwealorwoeasmaychancetobe."
　　Shemountedonhermilk-whitesteed,She'staenTrueThomasupbehind,Andayewheneerherbriderung,Thesteedflewswifterthanthewind.
　　Otheyradeon,andfartheron-
　　Thesteedgaedswifterthanthewind-
　　Untiltheyreachedadesartwide,Andlivinglandwasleftbehind.
　　"Lightdown,lightdown,now,TrueThomas,Andleanyourheaduponmyknee;
　　Abideandrestalittlespace,AndIwillshewyouferliesthree.
　　"Oseeyenotyonnarrowroad,Sothickbesetwiththornsandbriers?
　　Thatisthepathofrighteousness,Thoafteritbutfewenquires.
　　"Andseeyenotthatbraidbraidroad,Thatliesacrossthatlilyleven?
　　Thatisthepathofwickedness,Thosomecallittheroadtoheaven.
　　"Andseenotyethatbonnyroad,Thatwindsabouttheferniebrae?
　　ThatistheroadtofairElfland,WherethouandIthisnightmaungae.
　　"But,Thomas,yemaunholdyourtongue,Whateveryemayhearorsee,For,ifyouspeakwordinElflynland,Ye'llneergetbacktoyouraincountrie."
　　Otheyradeon,andfartheron,Andtheywadedthroriversaboontheknee,Andtheysawneithersunnormoon,Buttheyheardtheroaringofthesea.
　　Itwasmirkmirknight,andtherewasnaesternlight,Andtheywadedthroredbludetotheknee;
　　Fora'thebludethat'sshedanearthRinsthrothespringsothatcountrie.
　　Synetheycameontoagardengreen,Andshepu'danapplefraeatree:
　　"Takethisforthywages,TrueThomas,Itwillgivethetonguethatcanneverlie."
　　"Mytongueismineain,"TrueThomassaid,"Agudelygiftyewadgieme!
　　Ineitherdoughttobuynorsell,AtfairortrystwhereImaybe.
　　"Idoughtneitherspeaktoprinceorpeer,Noraskofgracefromfairladye:"
　　"Nowholdthypeace,"theladysaid,"ForasIsay,somustitbe."
　　Hehasgottenacoatoftheevencloth,Andapairofshoesofvelvetgreen,AndtillsevenyearswereganeandpastTrueThomasonearthwasneverseen.
　　Ballad:"SirHugh;OrTheJew'sDaughter"
　　Child,vol.v.
　　Four-and-twentybonnyboysWereplayingattheba,AndbyitcamehimsweetSirHugh,Andheplaydo'erthema'.
　　HekickdthebawithhisrightfootAndcatchditwihisknee,Andthrouch-and-throtheJew'swindowHegardthebonnybaflee.
　　He'sdoenhimtotheJew'scastellAndwalkditroundabout;
　　AndtherehesawtheJew'sdaughter,Atthewindowlookingout.
　　"Throwdowntheba,yeJew'sdaughter,Throwdownthebatome!"
　　"Neverabit,"saystheJew'sdaughter,"Tilluptomecomeye."
　　"HowwillIcomeup?HowcanIcomeup?
　　HowcanIcometothee?
　　Forasyedidtomyauldfather,Thesameye'lldotome."
　　She'sganetillherfather'sgarden,Andpu'danappleredandgreen;
　　'Twasa'towylehimsweetSirHugh,Andtoenticehimin.
　　She'sledhiminthroughaedarkdoor,Andsaehasshethronine;
　　She'slaidhimonadressing-table,Andstickithimlikeaswine.
　　Andfirstcameoutthethick,thickblood,Andsynecameoutthethin;
　　Andsynecameoutthebonnyheart'sblood;
　　Therewasnaemairwithin.
　　She'srowdhiminacakeolead,Badehimliestillandsleep;
　　She'sthrownhiminOurLady'sdraw-well,Wasfiftyfathomdeep.
　　Whenbellswererung,andmasswassung,Anda'thebairnscamehame,Wheneveryladygathameherson,TheLadyMaisrygatnane.
　　She'staenhermantleherabout,Hercofferbythehand,Andshe'sganeouttoseekherson,Andwanderedo'ertheland.
　　She'sdoenhertotheJew'scastell,Wherea'werefastasleep:
　　"Ginyebethere,mysweetSirHugh,Iprayyoutomespeak."
　　"Gaehame,gaehame,mymitherdear,Preparemywinding-sheet,AndatthebackomerryLincolnThemornIwillyoumeet."
　　NowLadyMaisryisganehame,Makehimawinding-sheet,AndatthebackomerryLincoln,Thedeadcorpsedidhermeet.
　　AndathebellsomerryLincolnWithoutmen'shandswererung,Anda'thebooksomerryLincolnWerereadwithoutman'stongue,AndneerwassuchaburialSinAdam'sdaysbegun.
　　Ballad:SonDavie!SonDavie!
　　Mackay.
　　"Whatbluid'sthatonthycoatlap?
　　SonDavie!SonDavie!
　　Whatbluid'sthatonthycoatlap?
　　Andthetruthcometelltome,O."
　　"Itisthebluidofmygreathawk,Motherlady,Motherlady!
　　Itisthebluidofmygreathawk,AndthetruthIhaetaldtothee,O."
　　"Hawk'sbluidwasne'ersaered,SonDavie!SonDavie!
　　Hawk'sbluidwasne'ersaered,Andthetruthcometelltome,O."
　　"Itisthebluidofmygreyhound,Motherlady!Motherlady!
　　Itisthebluidofmygreyhound,Anditwudnarinforme,O."
　　"Hound'sbluidwasne'ersaered,SonDavie!SonDavie!
　　Hound'sbluidwasne'ersaered,Andthetruthcometelltome,O."
　　"Itisthebluido'mybrotherJohn,Motherlady!Motherlady!
　　Itisthebluido'mybrotherJohn,AndthetruthIhaetaldtothee,O."
　　"Whataboutdidthepleabegin?
　　SonDavie!SonDavie!"
　　"Itbeganaboutthecuttingo'awillowwand,Thatwouldneverhaebeenatree,O."
　　"Whatdeathdostthoudesiretodie?
　　SonDavie!SonDavie!
　　Whatdeathdostthoudesiretodie?
　　Andthetruthcometelltome,O."
　　"I'llsetmyfootinabottomlessship,Motherlady!motherlady!
　　I'llsetmyfootinabottomlessship,Andye'llneverseemairo'me,O."
　　"Whatwiltthouleavetothypoorwife?
　　SonDavie!SonDavie!"
　　"Griefandsorrowallherlife,Andshe'llnevergetmairfraeme,O."
　　"Whatwiltthouleavetothyyoungson?
　　SonDavie!sonDavie!"
　　"Thewearywarldtowanderupanddown,Andhe'llnevergetmairo'me,O."
　　"Whatwiltthouleavetothymotherdear?
　　SonDavie!SonDavie!"
　　"Afireo'coalstoburnherwi'heartycheer,Andshe'llnevergetmairo'me,O."
　　Ballad:TheWifeOfUsher'sWellChild,vol.iii.
　　TherelivedawifeatUsher'sWell,Andawealthywifewasshe;
　　Shehadthreestoutandstalwartsons,Andsentthemoerthesea,Theyhadnabeenaweekfromher,Aweekbutbarelyane,WhenwordcametothecarlinewifeThatherthreesonsweregane.
　　Theyhadnabeenaweekfromher,Aweekbutbarelythree,WhanwordcametothecarlinwifeThathersonsshe'dneversee.
　　"Iwishthewindmaynevercease,Norfashesintheflood,Tillmythreesonscomehametome,Inearthlyfleshandblood!"
　　ItfellabouttheMartinmass,Whannightsarelangandmirk,Thecarlinewife'sthreesonscamehame,Andtheirhatswereothebirk.
　　Itneithergrewinsykenorditch,Noryetinonysheugh;
　　ButatthegatesoParadiseThatbirkgrewfaireneugh.
　　*****
　　"Blowupthefire,mymaidens!
　　Bringwaterfromthewell;
　　Fora'myhouseshallfeastthisnight,Sincemythreesonsarewell."
　　Andshehasmadetothemabed,She'smadeitlargeandwide;
　　Andshe'staenhermantleherabout,Satdownatthebedside.