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.