第1章

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.ThemediaevalminstrelsandJONGLEURS(whomaybestbestudiedinLeonGautier\'sIntroductiontohisEPOPEESFRANCAISES)sanginCourtandCamp.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,hasprecedentinancientEgypt(inTHETWOBROTHERS),andinmodernSenegambia.Thefairytax,tithe,orteind,paidtoHell,isillustratedbyoldtrialsforwitchcraft,inScotland.(1)Now,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,washangedforchildmurder(CHILD,vi.383).Ithasthereforebeensupposed,firstbyCharlesKirkpatrickSharpelongago,laterbyProfessorChild,andthenbyMr.Courthope,thatourballadisof1719,orlater,anddealswiththeRussian,nottheScotch,tragedy.

Tothiswemayreply(1)thatwehavenoexampleofsuchathrowingbackofacontemporaryevent,inballads.(2)Thereisaversion(CHILD,viii.507)inwhichMaryHamilton\'sparamourisa"pottinger,"orapothecary,asintherealoldScotchaffair.(3)

Thenumberofvariantsofaballadislikelytobeproportionatetoitsantiquityandwidedistribution.NowonlySIRPATRICKSPENS

hassomanywidelydifferentvariantsasMARYHAMILTON.Thesecouldhardlyhavebeenevolvedbetween1719and1790,whenBurnsquotesthepoemasanoldballad.(4)Wehavenoexampleofapoemsomuchintheoldballadmanner,forperhapsahundredandfiftyyearsbefore1719.Thestylefirstdegradedandthenexpired:

compareROBROYandKILLIECRANKIE,inthiscollection,alsotheballadsofLOUDOUNHILL,THEBATTLEOFPHILIPHAUGH,andothersmuchearlierthan1719.NewstylesofpopularpoetryoncontemporaryeventsasSHERRIFFMUIRandTRANENTBRAEhadarisen.(5)TheextremehistoricinaccuracyofMARYHAMILTONisparalleledbythatofalltheballadsonrealevents.ThementionofthePottingerisatraceofrealhistorywhichhasnoparallelintheRussianaffair,andthereisnoroom,saysProfessorChild,forthesuppositionthatitwasvoluntarilyinsertedbyreciterorcopyist,totallywiththenarrativeinKnox\'sHistory.

Ontheotherside,wehavethenameofMaryHamiltonoccurringinatragiceventof1719,butthenthenamedoesnotuniformlyappearinthevariantsoftheballad.TheladyistherespokenofgenerallyasMaryHamilton,butalsoasMaryMyle,LadyMaisry,asdaughteroftheDukeofYork(Stuart),asMarieMild,andsoforth.

Thoughshebidssailorscarrythetaleofherdoom,sheisnotabroad,butinEdinburghtown.NothingcanbelessprobablethanthataScotspopularballad-makerin1719,tellingthetaleofayesterday\'stragedyinRussia,shouldthrowthetimebackbyahundredandfiftyyears,shouldchangethescenetoScotland(theheartofthesorrowwouldbeMary\'sexile),and,aboveall,shouldcomposeaballadinastylelongobsolete.Thisisnotthemethodofthepopularpoet,andsuchimitationsoftheoldballadasHARDYKNUTEshowthatliterarypoetsof1719hadnotknowledgeorskillenoughtomimictheantiquemannerwithanysuccess.

Wemay,therefore,eveninfaceofProfessorChild,regardMARY

HAMILTONasanoldexampleofpopularperversionofhistoryinballad,notas"oneoftheverylatest,"andalso"oneoftheverybest"ofScottishpopularballads.

ROBROYshowsthesamepowerofperversion.ItwasnotRobRoybuthissons,RobinOig(whoshotMaclarenattheplough-tail),andJamesMohr(alternatelythespy,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\'sdaughter(astapleincidentofoldFrenchromance),andbyherreleased.TheladyaftersevenyearsrejoinsLordBateman:hehasjustmarriedalocalbride,but"ordersanothermarriage,"andsendshomehisbride"inacoachandthree."ThisincidentisstereotypedintheballadsandoccursinanexampleintheRomaic.

(2)

NowLordBatemanisYOUNGBEKIEintheScotchballads,whobecomesYOUNGBEICHAN,YOUNGBICHEM,andsoforth,andhasadventuresidenticalwiththoseofLordBateman,thoughtheproudporterintheScotsversionisscarcelysoprominentandillustrious.AsMotherwellsaw,Bekie(Beichan,Buchan,Bateman)isreallyBecket,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:SirPatrickSpens(BorderMinstrelsy.)

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:BattleOfOtterbourne(Child,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:TamLin(Child,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:ThomasTheRhymer(Child,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\'sWell(Child,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.