The Textis that obtained in 1800 by Alexander Fraser Tytler from Mrs. Brown of Falkland, and by him committed to writing. The first ten and the last two stanzas show corruption, but the rest of the ballad is in the best style.
The Storyemphasises the necessity of asking the consent of a brother to the marriage of his sister, and therefore the titleThe Cruel Brotheris a misnomer. In ballad-times, the brother would have been well within his rights; it was rather a fatal oversight of the bridegroom that caused the tragedy.
Danish and German ballads echo the story, though in the commonest German ballad,Graf Friedrich, the bride receives anaccidentalwound, and that from the bridegroom’s own hand.
The testament of the bride, by which she benefits her friends and leaves curses on her enemies, is very characteristic of the ballad-style, and is found in other ballads, asLord RonaldandEdward, Edward. In the present case, ‘sister Grace’ obtains what would seem to be a very doubtful benefit.
1.1.2,4It should be remembered that the refrain is supposed to be sung with each verse, here and elsewhere.Therewas three ladies play’d at the ba’,With a hey ho and a lillie gayThere came a knight and played o’er them a’,As the primrose spreads so sweetly.2.The eldest was baith tall and fair,But the youngest was beyond compare.3.The midmost had a graceful mien,But the youngest look’d like beautie’s queen.4.The knight bow’d low to a’ the three,But to the youngest he bent his knee.5.The ladie turned her head aside;The knight he woo’d her to be his bride.6.The ladie blush’d a rosy red,And say’d, ‘Sir knight, I’m too young to wed.’7.‘O ladie fair, give me your hand,And I’ll make you ladie of a’ my land.’8.‘Sir knight, ere ye my favour win,You maun get consent frae a’ my kin.’9.He’s got consent frae her parents dear,And likewise frae her sisters fair.10.He’s got consent frae her kin each one,But forgot to spiek to her brother John.11.Now, when the wedding day was come,The knight would take his bonny bride home.12.And many a lord and many a knightCame to behold that ladie bright.13.And there was nae man that did her see,But wish’d himself bridegroom to be.14.Her father dear led her down the stair,And her sisters twain they kiss’d her there.15.15.1‘closs,’ close.Her mother dear led her thro’ the closs,And her brother John set her on her horse.16.She lean’d her o’er the saddle-bow,To give him a kiss ere she did go.17.He has ta’en a knife, baith lang and sharp,And stabb’d that bonny bride to the heart.18.She hadno ridden half thro’ the town,Until her heart’s blude stain’d her gown.19.‘Ride softly on,’ says the best young man,‘For I think our bonny bride looks pale and wan.’20.‘O lead me gently up yon hill,And I’ll there sit down, and make my will.’21.‘O what will you leave to your father dear?’‘The silver-shod steed that brought me here.’22.‘What will you leave to your mother dear?’‘My velvet pall and my silken gear.’23.‘What will you leave to your sister Anne?’‘My silken scarf and my gowden fan.’24.‘What will you leave to your sister Grace?’‘My bloody cloaths to wash and dress.’25.‘What will you leave to your brother John?’‘The gallows-tree to hang him on.’26.‘What will you leave to your brother John’s wife?’‘The wilderness to end her life.’27.This ladie fair in her grave was laid,And many a mass was o’er her said.28.28.2‘rive,’ tear.But it would have made your heart right sair,To see the bridegroom rive his hair.
1.
1.2,4It should be remembered that the refrain is supposed to be sung with each verse, here and elsewhere.
Therewas three ladies play’d at the ba’,
With a hey ho and a lillie gay
There came a knight and played o’er them a’,
As the primrose spreads so sweetly.
2.
The eldest was baith tall and fair,
But the youngest was beyond compare.
3.
The midmost had a graceful mien,
But the youngest look’d like beautie’s queen.
4.
The knight bow’d low to a’ the three,
But to the youngest he bent his knee.
5.
The ladie turned her head aside;
The knight he woo’d her to be his bride.
6.
The ladie blush’d a rosy red,
And say’d, ‘Sir knight, I’m too young to wed.’
7.
‘O ladie fair, give me your hand,
And I’ll make you ladie of a’ my land.’
8.
‘Sir knight, ere ye my favour win,
You maun get consent frae a’ my kin.’
9.
He’s got consent frae her parents dear,
And likewise frae her sisters fair.
10.
He’s got consent frae her kin each one,
But forgot to spiek to her brother John.
11.
Now, when the wedding day was come,
The knight would take his bonny bride home.
12.
And many a lord and many a knight
Came to behold that ladie bright.
13.
And there was nae man that did her see,
But wish’d himself bridegroom to be.
14.
Her father dear led her down the stair,
And her sisters twain they kiss’d her there.
15.
15.1‘closs,’ close.
Her mother dear led her thro’ the closs,
And her brother John set her on her horse.
16.
She lean’d her o’er the saddle-bow,
To give him a kiss ere she did go.
17.
He has ta’en a knife, baith lang and sharp,
And stabb’d that bonny bride to the heart.
18.
She hadno ridden half thro’ the town,
Until her heart’s blude stain’d her gown.
19.
‘Ride softly on,’ says the best young man,
‘For I think our bonny bride looks pale and wan.’
20.
‘O lead me gently up yon hill,
And I’ll there sit down, and make my will.’
21.
‘O what will you leave to your father dear?’
‘The silver-shod steed that brought me here.’
22.
‘What will you leave to your mother dear?’
‘My velvet pall and my silken gear.’
23.
‘What will you leave to your sister Anne?’
‘My silken scarf and my gowden fan.’
24.
‘What will you leave to your sister Grace?’
‘My bloody cloaths to wash and dress.’
25.
‘What will you leave to your brother John?’
‘The gallows-tree to hang him on.’
26.
‘What will you leave to your brother John’s wife?’
‘The wilderness to end her life.’
27.
This ladie fair in her grave was laid,
And many a mass was o’er her said.
28.
28.2‘rive,’ tear.
But it would have made your heart right sair,
To see the bridegroom rive his hair.
The Textis from Arnold’sChronicle, of the edition which, from typographical evidence, is said to have been printed at Antwerp in 1502 by John Doesborowe. Each stanza is there printed in six long lines. Considerable variations appear in later editions. There is also a BalliolMS.(354), which contains a contemporary version, and the Percy Folio contains a corrupt version.
This should not be considered as a ballad proper; it is rather a ‘dramatic lyric.’ Its history, however, is quite as curious as that of many ballads. It occurs, as stated above, in the farrago known as theChronicleof Richard Arnold, inserted between a list of the ‘tolls’ due on merchandise entering or leaving the port of Antwerp, and a table giving Flemish weights and moneys in terms of the corresponding English measures. Why such a poem should be printed in such incongruous surroundings, what its date or who its author was, are questions impossible to determine. Its position here is perhaps almost as incongruous as in its original place.
From 3.9to the end of the last verse but one, it is a dialogue between an earl’s son and a baron’s daughter, in alternate stanzas; a prologue and an epilogue are added by the author.
Matthew Prior printed the poem in his works, in order to contrast it with his own version,Henry and Emma, which appealed to contemporary taste as more elegant than its rude original.
1.1.1‘among,’ from time to time.1.5‘neuer a dele,’ not at all.Beit right, or wrong, these men amongOn women do complaine;Affermyng this, how that it isA labour spent in vaine,To loue them wele; for neuer a dele,They loue a man agayne;For lete a man do what he can,Ther fouour to attayne,Yet, yf a newe to them pursue,Ther furst trew louer thanLaboureth for nought; and from her though[t]He is a bannisshed man.2.I say not nay, bat that all dayIt is bothe writ and saydeThat womans fayth is as who saytheAll utterly decayed;But neutheles, right good wytnesIn this case might be layde;That they loue trewe, and contynew,Recorde the Nutbrowne maide:Which from her loue, whan, her to proue,He cam to make his mone,Wolde not departe, for in her herte,She louyd but hym allone.3.3.4‘they’ = the. ‘in fere,’ in company. ‘and fere’ (= fear) is usually printed.Than betwene us lete us discusse,What was all the manerBetwene them too; we wyll alsoTell all they payne in fere,That she was in; now I begynne,Soo that ye me answere;Wherfore, ye, that present beI pray you geue an eare.I am the knyght; I cum be nyght,As secret as I can;Sayng, alas! thus stondyth the cause,I am a bannisshed man.4.And I your wylle for to fulfylleIn this wyl not refuse;Trusting to shewe, in wordis fewe,That men haue an ille useTo ther owne shame wymen to blame,And causeles them accuse;Therfore to you I answere nowe,All wymen to excuse,—Myn owne hert dere, with you what chiere?I prey you, tell anoon;For, in my mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you allon.5.5.1‘do,’ done.5.5‘ton,’ one.5.10i.e.I know no other advice.It stondith so; a dede is do,Wherfore moche harme shal growe;My desteny is for to deyA shamful dethe, I trowe;Or ellis to flee: the ton must bee.None other wey I knowe,But to withdrawe as an outlaw,And take me to my bowe.Wherefore, adew, my owne hert trewe,None other red I can:For I muste to the grene wode goo,Alone a bannysshed man.6.6.4‘derked,’ darkened.6.7‘wheder,’ whither.O Lorde, what is this worldis blisse,That chaungeth as the mone!My somers day in lusty mayIs derked before the none.I here you saye farwel: nay, nay,We depart not soo sone.Why say ye so? wheder wyll ye goo?Alas! what haue ye done?Alle my welfare to sorow and careShulde chaunge, yf ye were gon;For, in [my] mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you alone.7.7.2‘distrayne,’ affect.7.5‘aslake,’ abate.I can beleue, it shal you greue,And somwhat you distrayne;But, aftyrwarde, your paynes hardeWithin a day or tweyneShall sone aslake; and ye shall takeComfort to you agayne.Why shuld ye nought? for, to make thought,Your labur were in vayne.And thus I do; and pray you, loo,As hertely as I can;For I must too the grene wode goo,Alone a banysshed man.8.Now, syth that ye haue shewed to meThe secret of your mynde,I shalbe playne to you agayne,Lyke as ye shal me fynde.Syth it is so, that ye wyll goo,I wol not leue behynde;Shall neuer be sayd, the Nutbrowne mayd,Was to her loue unkind:Make you redy, for soo am I,All though it were anoon;For, in my mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you alone.9.Yet I you rede take good hedeWhan men wyl thynke, and sey;Of yonge, and olde, it shalbe tolde,That ye be gone away,Your wanton wylle for to fulfylle,In grene wood you to play;And that ye myght from your delyteNoo lenger make delay:Rather than ye shuld thus for meBe called an ylle woman,Yet wolde I to the grene wodde goo,Alone a banyshed man.10.10.9‘thoo,’ those.Though it be songe of olde and yonge,That I shuld be to blame,Theirs be the charge, that speke so largeIn hurting of my name:For I wyl proue that feythful loueIt is deuoyd of shame;In your distresse and heuynesse,To parte wyth you, the same:And sure all thoo, that doo not so,Trewe louers ar they noon;But, in my mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you alone.11.11.3‘renne,’ run.11.6A later edition of theChroniclereads— ‘A bowe, redy to drawe.’I councel yow, remembre howeIt is noo maydens lawe,Nothing to dought, but to renne outTo wod with an outlawe;For ye must there in your hande bereA bowe to bere and drawe;And, as a theef, thus must ye lyeue,Euer in drede and awe,By whiche to yow gret harme myght grow:Yet had I leuer than,That I had too the grenewod goo,Alone a banysshyd man.12.I thinke not nay, but as ye saye,It is noo maydens lore:But loue may make me for your sake,As ye haue said beforeTo com on fote, to hunte, and shote,To gete us mete and store;For soo that I your companyMay haue, I aske noo more:From whiche to parte, it makith myn herteAs colde as ony ston;For, in my mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you alone.13.13.6‘rescous,’ rescue. Another edition has ‘socurs.’For an outlawe, this is the lawe,That men hym take and binde;Wythout pytee hanged to bee,And wauer with the wynde.Yf I had neede, (as God forbede!)What rescous coude ye finde?Forsothe, I trowe, you and your boweShuld drawe for fere behynde:And noo merueyle; for lytel auayleWere in your councel than:Wherfore I too the woode wyl gooAlone a banysshd man.14.Ful wel knowe ye, that wymen beeFul febyl for to fyght;Noo womanhed is it in deedeTo bee bolde as a knight:Yet, in suche fere, yf that ye wereAmonge enemys day and nyght,I wolde wythstonde, with bowe in hande,To greue them as I myght,And you to saue; as wymen haueFrom deth many one:For, in my mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you alone.15.15.7‘abowe,’ above; ‘roue,’ roof.Yet take good hede, for euer I dredeThat ye coude not susteinThe thorney wayes, the depe valeis,The snowe, the frost, the reyn,The colde, the hete: for drye, or wete,We must lodge on the playn;And, us abowe, noon other roueBut a brake bussh or twayne:Which sone shulde greue you, I beleue;And ye wolde gladly thanThat I had too the grenewode goo,Alone a banysshyd man.16.Syth I haue here ben partynereWith you of joy and blysse,I must also parte of your wooEndure, as reason is:Yet am I sure of oon plesure;And, shortly, it is this:That, where ye bee, me semeth, perde,I coude not fare amysse,Wythout more speche, I you besecheThat we were soon agone;For, in my mynde, of all mankynde,I loue but you alone.17.Yef ye goo thedyr, ye must consider,Whan ye haue lust to dyneTher shal no mete before to gete,Nor drinke, beer, ale, ne wine;Ne shetis clene, to lye betwene,Made of thred and twyne;Noon other house but leuys and bowesTo keuer your hed and myn,Loo, myn herte swete, this ylle dyetShuld make you pale and wan;Wherfore I to the wood wyl goo,Alone, a banysshid man.18.18.7‘hele,’ health.Amonge the wylde dere, suche an archier,As men say that ye bee,Ne may not fayle of good vitayleWhere is so grete plente:And watir cleere of the ryuereShalbe ful swete to me;Wyth whiche in hele I shal right weleEndure, as ye shal see;And, or we goo, a bed or twooI can prouide anoon;For, in my mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you alone.19.19.3‘here,’ hair; ‘ere,’ ear.19.9‘And,’ If.Loo, yet before ye must doo more,Yf ye wyl goo with me;As cutte your here up by your ere,Your kirtel by the knee;Wyth bowe in hande, for to withstondeYour enmys, yf nede bee:And this same nyght before daylyght,To woodwarde wyl I flee.And ye wyl all this fulfylle,Doo it shortely as ye can:Ellis wil I to the grenewode goo,Alone, a banysshyd man.20.20.7‘ensue,’ follow.I shal as now do more for youThat longeth to womanhed;To short my here, a bowe to bere,To shote in tyme of nede.O my swete mod[er], before all otherFor you haue I most drede:But now, adiew! I must ensueWher fortune duth me leede.All this make ye: now lete us flee;The day cum fast upon;For, in my mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you alone.21.Nay, nay, not soo; ye shal not goo,And I shal telle you why,—Your appetyte is to be lyghtOf loue, I wele aspie:For, right as ye haue sayd to me,In lyke wyse hardelyYe wolde answere who so euer it were,In way of company.It is sayd of olde, sone hote, sone colde;And so is a woman.Wherfore I too the woode wly goo,Alone, a banysshid man.22.22.2The type is broken in the 1502 edition, which reads ‘to say be....’Yef ye take hede, yet is noo nedeSuche wordis to say by me;For ofte ye preyd, and longe assayed,Or I you louid, parde:And though that I of auncestryA barons doughter bee,Yet haue you proued how I you louedA squyer of lowe degree;And euer shal, whatso befalle—To dey therfore anoon;For, in my mynde, of al mankyndeI loue but you alone.23.23.6‘yede,’ went.A barons childe to be begyled,It were a curssed dede;To be felow with an outlawe,Almyghty God forbede.Yet bettyr were the power squyereAlone to forest yede,Than ye shal saye another day,That, be [my] wyked dede,Ye were betrayed: wherfore, good maide,The best red that I can,Is, that I too the grenewode goo,Alone, a banysshed man.24.Whatso euer befalle, I neuer shalOf this thing you upbrayd:But yf ye goo, and leue me soo,Than haue ye me betraied.Remembre you wele, how that ye deleFor, yf ye as the[y] sayd,Be so unkynde, to leue behyndeYour loue, the notbrowne maide,Trust me truly, that I [shall] deySone after ye be gone;For, in my mynde, of all mankyndeI loue but you alone.25.25.3‘purueid (= purveyed) me,’ provided myself.Yef that ye went, ye shulde repent;For in the forest noweI haue purueid me of a maide,Whom I loue more than you;Another fayrer, than euer ye were,I dare it wel auowe;And of you bothe eche shulde be wrotheWith other, as I trowe;It were myn ease, to lyue in pease,So wyl I, yf I can:Wherfore I to the wode wyl goo,Alone a banysshid man.26.26.9‘moo’ = mo,i.e.more.Though in the wood I undirstodeYe had a paramour,All this may nought reineue my thought,But that I wil be your;And she shal fynde me soft and kynde,And curteis euery our;Glad to fulfylle all that she wylleCommaunde me to my power:For had ye, loo, an hundred moo,Yet wolde I be that one,For, in my mynde, of all mankynde,I loue but you alone.27.Myn owne dere loue, I see the proueThat ye be kynde and trewe,Of mayde, and wyf, in al my lyf,The best that euer I knewe.Be mery and glad, be no more sad,The case is chaunged newe;For it were ruthe, that, for your trouth,Ye shuld haue cause to rewe.Be not dismayed; whatsoeuer I saydTo you, whan I began,I wyl not too the grene wod goo,I am noo banysshyd man.28.This tidingis be more glad to me,Than to be made a quene,Yf I were sure they shuld endure;But it is often seen,When men wyl breke promyse, they spekeThe wordis on the splene;Ye shape some wyle me to begyleAnd stele fro me, I wene:Than were the case wurs than it was,And I more woobegone:For, in my mynde, of al mankyndeI loue but you alone.29.Ye shal not nede further to drede;I wyl not disparageYou, (God defende!) syth you descendOf so grete a lynage.Now understonde; to Westmerlande,Whiche is my herytage,I wyl you brynge; and wyth a rynge,By wey of maryageI wyl you take, and lady make,As shortly as I can:Thus haue ye wone an erles sonAnd not a banysshyd man.30.30.10‘echeon,’ each one.Here may ye see, that wymen beIn loue, meke, kinde, and stable;Late neuer man repreue them than,Or calle them variable;But rather prey God that we mayTo them be comfortable;Whiche somtyme prouyth suche as loueth,Yf they be charitable.For sith men wolde that wymen sholdeBe meke to them echeon,Moche more ought they to God obey,And serue but Hym alone.
1.
1.1‘among,’ from time to time.
1.5‘neuer a dele,’ not at all.
Beit right, or wrong, these men among
On women do complaine;
Affermyng this, how that it is
A labour spent in vaine,
To loue them wele; for neuer a dele,
They loue a man agayne;
For lete a man do what he can,
Ther fouour to attayne,
Yet, yf a newe to them pursue,
Ther furst trew louer than
Laboureth for nought; and from her though[t]
He is a bannisshed man.
2.
I say not nay, bat that all day
It is bothe writ and sayde
That womans fayth is as who saythe
All utterly decayed;
But neutheles, right good wytnes
In this case might be layde;
That they loue trewe, and contynew,
Recorde the Nutbrowne maide:
Which from her loue, whan, her to proue,
He cam to make his mone,
Wolde not departe, for in her herte,
She louyd but hym allone.
3.
3.4‘they’ = the. ‘in fere,’ in company. ‘and fere’ (= fear) is usually printed.
Than betwene us lete us discusse,
What was all the maner
Betwene them too; we wyll also
Tell all they payne in fere,
That she was in; now I begynne,
Soo that ye me answere;
Wherfore, ye, that present be
I pray you geue an eare.
I am the knyght; I cum be nyght,
As secret as I can;
Sayng, alas! thus stondyth the cause,
I am a bannisshed man.
4.
And I your wylle for to fulfylle
In this wyl not refuse;
Trusting to shewe, in wordis fewe,
That men haue an ille use
To ther owne shame wymen to blame,
And causeles them accuse;
Therfore to you I answere nowe,
All wymen to excuse,—
Myn owne hert dere, with you what chiere?
I prey you, tell anoon;
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you allon.
5.
5.1‘do,’ done.
5.5‘ton,’ one.
5.10i.e.I know no other advice.
It stondith so; a dede is do,
Wherfore moche harme shal growe;
My desteny is for to dey
A shamful dethe, I trowe;
Or ellis to flee: the ton must bee.
None other wey I knowe,
But to withdrawe as an outlaw,
And take me to my bowe.
Wherefore, adew, my owne hert trewe,
None other red I can:
For I muste to the grene wode goo,
Alone a bannysshed man.
6.
6.4‘derked,’ darkened.
6.7‘wheder,’ whither.
O Lorde, what is this worldis blisse,
That chaungeth as the mone!
My somers day in lusty may
Is derked before the none.
I here you saye farwel: nay, nay,
We depart not soo sone.
Why say ye so? wheder wyll ye goo?
Alas! what haue ye done?
Alle my welfare to sorow and care
Shulde chaunge, yf ye were gon;
For, in [my] mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you alone.
7.
7.2‘distrayne,’ affect.
7.5‘aslake,’ abate.
I can beleue, it shal you greue,
And somwhat you distrayne;
But, aftyrwarde, your paynes harde
Within a day or tweyne
Shall sone aslake; and ye shall take
Comfort to you agayne.
Why shuld ye nought? for, to make thought,
Your labur were in vayne.
And thus I do; and pray you, loo,
As hertely as I can;
For I must too the grene wode goo,
Alone a banysshed man.
8.
Now, syth that ye haue shewed to me
The secret of your mynde,
I shalbe playne to you agayne,
Lyke as ye shal me fynde.
Syth it is so, that ye wyll goo,
I wol not leue behynde;
Shall neuer be sayd, the Nutbrowne mayd,
Was to her loue unkind:
Make you redy, for soo am I,
All though it were anoon;
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you alone.
9.
Yet I you rede take good hede
Whan men wyl thynke, and sey;
Of yonge, and olde, it shalbe tolde,
That ye be gone away,
Your wanton wylle for to fulfylle,
In grene wood you to play;
And that ye myght from your delyte
Noo lenger make delay:
Rather than ye shuld thus for me
Be called an ylle woman,
Yet wolde I to the grene wodde goo,
Alone a banyshed man.
10.
10.9‘thoo,’ those.
Though it be songe of olde and yonge,
That I shuld be to blame,
Theirs be the charge, that speke so large
In hurting of my name:
For I wyl proue that feythful loue
It is deuoyd of shame;
In your distresse and heuynesse,
To parte wyth you, the same:
And sure all thoo, that doo not so,
Trewe louers ar they noon;
But, in my mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you alone.
11.
11.3‘renne,’ run.
11.6A later edition of theChroniclereads— ‘A bowe, redy to drawe.’
I councel yow, remembre howe
It is noo maydens lawe,
Nothing to dought, but to renne out
To wod with an outlawe;
For ye must there in your hande bere
A bowe to bere and drawe;
And, as a theef, thus must ye lyeue,
Euer in drede and awe,
By whiche to yow gret harme myght grow:
Yet had I leuer than,
That I had too the grenewod goo,
Alone a banysshyd man.
12.
I thinke not nay, but as ye saye,
It is noo maydens lore:
But loue may make me for your sake,
As ye haue said before
To com on fote, to hunte, and shote,
To gete us mete and store;
For soo that I your company
May haue, I aske noo more:
From whiche to parte, it makith myn herte
As colde as ony ston;
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you alone.
13.
13.6‘rescous,’ rescue. Another edition has ‘socurs.’
For an outlawe, this is the lawe,
That men hym take and binde;
Wythout pytee hanged to bee,
And wauer with the wynde.
Yf I had neede, (as God forbede!)
What rescous coude ye finde?
Forsothe, I trowe, you and your bowe
Shuld drawe for fere behynde:
And noo merueyle; for lytel auayle
Were in your councel than:
Wherfore I too the woode wyl goo
Alone a banysshd man.
14.
Ful wel knowe ye, that wymen bee
Ful febyl for to fyght;
Noo womanhed is it in deede
To bee bolde as a knight:
Yet, in suche fere, yf that ye were
Amonge enemys day and nyght,
I wolde wythstonde, with bowe in hande,
To greue them as I myght,
And you to saue; as wymen haue
From deth many one:
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you alone.
15.
15.7‘abowe,’ above; ‘roue,’ roof.
Yet take good hede, for euer I drede
That ye coude not sustein
The thorney wayes, the depe valeis,
The snowe, the frost, the reyn,
The colde, the hete: for drye, or wete,
We must lodge on the playn;
And, us abowe, noon other roue
But a brake bussh or twayne:
Which sone shulde greue you, I beleue;
And ye wolde gladly than
That I had too the grenewode goo,
Alone a banysshyd man.
16.
Syth I haue here ben partynere
With you of joy and blysse,
I must also parte of your woo
Endure, as reason is:
Yet am I sure of oon plesure;
And, shortly, it is this:
That, where ye bee, me semeth, perde,
I coude not fare amysse,
Wythout more speche, I you beseche
That we were soon agone;
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde,
I loue but you alone.
17.
Yef ye goo thedyr, ye must consider,
Whan ye haue lust to dyne
Ther shal no mete before to gete,
Nor drinke, beer, ale, ne wine;
Ne shetis clene, to lye betwene,
Made of thred and twyne;
Noon other house but leuys and bowes
To keuer your hed and myn,
Loo, myn herte swete, this ylle dyet
Shuld make you pale and wan;
Wherfore I to the wood wyl goo,
Alone, a banysshid man.
18.
18.7‘hele,’ health.
Amonge the wylde dere, suche an archier,
As men say that ye bee,
Ne may not fayle of good vitayle
Where is so grete plente:
And watir cleere of the ryuere
Shalbe ful swete to me;
Wyth whiche in hele I shal right wele
Endure, as ye shal see;
And, or we goo, a bed or twoo
I can prouide anoon;
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you alone.
19.
19.3‘here,’ hair; ‘ere,’ ear.
19.9‘And,’ If.
Loo, yet before ye must doo more,
Yf ye wyl goo with me;
As cutte your here up by your ere,
Your kirtel by the knee;
Wyth bowe in hande, for to withstonde
Your enmys, yf nede bee:
And this same nyght before daylyght,
To woodwarde wyl I flee.
And ye wyl all this fulfylle,
Doo it shortely as ye can:
Ellis wil I to the grenewode goo,
Alone, a banysshyd man.
20.
20.7‘ensue,’ follow.
I shal as now do more for you
That longeth to womanhed;
To short my here, a bowe to bere,
To shote in tyme of nede.
O my swete mod[er], before all other
For you haue I most drede:
But now, adiew! I must ensue
Wher fortune duth me leede.
All this make ye: now lete us flee;
The day cum fast upon;
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you alone.
21.
Nay, nay, not soo; ye shal not goo,
And I shal telle you why,—
Your appetyte is to be lyght
Of loue, I wele aspie:
For, right as ye haue sayd to me,
In lyke wyse hardely
Ye wolde answere who so euer it were,
In way of company.
It is sayd of olde, sone hote, sone colde;
And so is a woman.
Wherfore I too the woode wly goo,
Alone, a banysshid man.
22.
22.2The type is broken in the 1502 edition, which reads ‘to say be....’
Yef ye take hede, yet is noo nede
Suche wordis to say by me;
For ofte ye preyd, and longe assayed,
Or I you louid, parde:
And though that I of auncestry
A barons doughter bee,
Yet haue you proued how I you loued
A squyer of lowe degree;
And euer shal, whatso befalle—
To dey therfore anoon;
For, in my mynde, of al mankynde
I loue but you alone.
23.
23.6‘yede,’ went.
A barons childe to be begyled,
It were a curssed dede;
To be felow with an outlawe,
Almyghty God forbede.
Yet bettyr were the power squyere
Alone to forest yede,
Than ye shal saye another day,
That, be [my] wyked dede,
Ye were betrayed: wherfore, good maide,
The best red that I can,
Is, that I too the grenewode goo,
Alone, a banysshed man.
24.
Whatso euer befalle, I neuer shal
Of this thing you upbrayd:
But yf ye goo, and leue me soo,
Than haue ye me betraied.
Remembre you wele, how that ye dele
For, yf ye as the[y] sayd,
Be so unkynde, to leue behynde
Your loue, the notbrowne maide,
Trust me truly, that I [shall] dey
Sone after ye be gone;
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde
I loue but you alone.
25.
25.3‘purueid (= purveyed) me,’ provided myself.
Yef that ye went, ye shulde repent;
For in the forest nowe
I haue purueid me of a maide,
Whom I loue more than you;
Another fayrer, than euer ye were,
I dare it wel auowe;
And of you bothe eche shulde be wrothe
With other, as I trowe;
It were myn ease, to lyue in pease,
So wyl I, yf I can:
Wherfore I to the wode wyl goo,
Alone a banysshid man.
26.
26.9‘moo’ = mo,i.e.more.
Though in the wood I undirstode
Ye had a paramour,
All this may nought reineue my thought,
But that I wil be your;
And she shal fynde me soft and kynde,
And curteis euery our;
Glad to fulfylle all that she wylle
Commaunde me to my power:
For had ye, loo, an hundred moo,
Yet wolde I be that one,
For, in my mynde, of all mankynde,
I loue but you alone.
27.
Myn owne dere loue, I see the proue
That ye be kynde and trewe,
Of mayde, and wyf, in al my lyf,
The best that euer I knewe.
Be mery and glad, be no more sad,
The case is chaunged newe;
For it were ruthe, that, for your trouth,
Ye shuld haue cause to rewe.
Be not dismayed; whatsoeuer I sayd
To you, whan I began,
I wyl not too the grene wod goo,
I am noo banysshyd man.
28.
This tidingis be more glad to me,
Than to be made a quene,
Yf I were sure they shuld endure;
But it is often seen,
When men wyl breke promyse, they speke
The wordis on the splene;
Ye shape some wyle me to begyle
And stele fro me, I wene:
Than were the case wurs than it was,
And I more woobegone:
For, in my mynde, of al mankynde
I loue but you alone.
29.
Ye shal not nede further to drede;
I wyl not disparage
You, (God defende!) syth you descend
Of so grete a lynage.
Now understonde; to Westmerlande,
Whiche is my herytage,
I wyl you brynge; and wyth a rynge,
By wey of maryage
I wyl you take, and lady make,
As shortly as I can:
Thus haue ye wone an erles son
And not a banysshyd man.
30.
30.10‘echeon,’ each one.
Here may ye see, that wymen be
In loue, meke, kinde, and stable;
Late neuer man repreue them than,
Or calle them variable;
But rather prey God that we may
To them be comfortable;
Whiche somtyme prouyth suche as loueth,
Yf they be charitable.
For sith men wolde that wymen sholde
Be meke to them echeon,
Moche more ought they to God obey,
And serue but Hym alone.
The Text.—Of seven or eight variants of this ballad, only three preserve the full form of the story. On the whole, the one here given—from Sharp’sBallad Book, as sung by an old woman in Perthshire—is the best, as the other two—from Herd’sScots Songs, and the KinlochMSS.—are slightly contaminated by extraneous matter.
The Storyis a simple ballad-tale of ‘true-love twinned’; but the episode of the dancing forms a link with a number of German and Scandinavian ballads, in which compulsory dancing and horse-riding is made a test of the guilt of an accused maiden. In the Scotch ballad the horse-riding has shrunk almost to nothing, and the dancing is not compulsory. The resemblance is faint, and the barbarities of the Continental versions are happily wanting in our ballad.
1.‘Yemaun gang to your father, Janet,Ye maun gang to him soon;Ye maun gang to your father, Janet,In case that his days are dune.’2.Janet’s awa’ to her father,As fast as she could hie:‘O what’s your will wi’ me, father?O what’s your will wi’ me?’3.‘My will wi’ you, Fair Janet,’ he said,‘It is both bed and board;Some say that ye lo’e Sweet Willie,But ye maun wed a French lord.’4.‘A French lord maun I wed, father?A French lord maun I wed?Then, by my sooth,’ quo’ Fair Janet,‘He’s ne’er enter my bed.’5.5.4‘jo,’ sweetheart.Janet’s awa’ to her chamber,As fast as she could go;Wha’s the first ane that tapped there,But Sweet Willie her jo?6.‘O we maun part this love, Willie,That has been lang between;There’s a French lord coming o’er the sea,To wed me wi’ a ring;There’s a French lord coming o’er the sea,To wed and tak’ me hame.’7.‘If we maun part this love, Janet,It causeth mickle woe;If we maun part this love, Janet,It makes me into mourning go.’8.‘But ye maun gang to your three sisters,Meg, Marion, and Jean;Tell them to come to Fair Janet,In case that her days are dune.’9.Willie’s awa’ to his three sisters,Meg, Marion, and Jean:‘O haste, and gang to Fair Janet,I fear that her days are dune.’10.Some drew to them their silken hose,Some drew to them their shoon,Some drew to them their silk manteils,Their coverings to put on,And they’re awa’ to Fair Janet,By the hie light o’ the moon......11.‘O I have born this babe, Willie,Wi’ mickle toil and pain;Take hame, take hame, your babe, Willie,For nurse I dare be nane.’12.He’s tane his young son in his arms,And kisst him cheek and chin,And he’s awa’ to his mother’s bower,By the hie light o’ the moon.13.‘O open, open, mother,’ he says,‘O open, and let me in;The rain rains on my yellow hair,And the dew drops o’er my chin,And I hae my young son in my arms,I fear that his days are dune.’14.With her fingers lang and sma’She lifted up the pin,And with her arms lang and sma’Received the baby in.15.15.3‘nourice,’ nurse.‘Gae back, gae back now, Sweet Willie,And comfort your fair lady;For where ye had but ae nourice,Your young son shall hae three.’16.16.4‘busk,’ dress.Willie he was scarce awa’,And the lady put to bed,When in and came her father dear:‘Make haste, and busk the bride.’17.‘There’s a sair pain in my head, father,There’s a sair pain in my side;And ill, O ill, am I, father,This day for to be a bride.’18.‘O ye maun busk this bonny bride,And put a gay mantle on;For she shall wed this auld French lord,Gin she should die the morn.’19.Some put on the gay green robes,And some put on the brown;But Janet put on the scarlet robes,To shine foremost throw the town.20.And some they mounted the black steed,And some mounted the brown;But Janet mounted the milk-white steed,To ride foremost throw the town.21.‘O wha will guide your horse, Janet?O wha will guide him best?’‘O wha but Willie, my true love?He kens I lo’e him best.’22.And when they cam’ to Marie’s kirk,To tye the haly ban’,Fair Janet’s cheek looked pale and wan,And her colour gaed and cam’.23.When dinner it was past and done,And dancing to begin,‘O we’ll go take the bride’s maidens,And we’ll go fill the ring.’24.24.1‘ben,’ into the house.24.4‘downa,’ like not to.O ben then cam’ the auld French lord,Saying, ‘Bride, will ye dance with me?’‘Awa’, awa’, ye auld French Lord,Your face I downa see.’25.O ben then cam’ now Sweet Willie,He cam’ with ane advance:‘O I’ll go tak’ the bride’s maidens,And we’ll go tak’ a dance.’26.‘I’ve seen ither days wi’ you, Willie,And so has mony mae,Ye would hae danced wi’ me mysel’,Let a’ my maidens gae.’27.O ben then cam’ now Sweet Willie,Saying, ‘Bride, will ye dance wi’ me?’‘Aye, by my sooth, and that I will,Gin my back should break in three.’28.She had nae turned her throw the dance,Throw the dance but thrice,Whan she fell doun at Willie’s feet,And up did never rise.29.Willie’s ta’en the key of his coffer,And gi’en it to his man:‘Gae hame, and tell my mother dearMy horse he has me slain;Bid her be kind to my young son,For father has he nane.’30.The tane was buried in Marie’s kirk,And the tither in Marie’s quire;Out of the tane there grew a birk,And the tither a bonny brier.
1.
‘Yemaun gang to your father, Janet,
Ye maun gang to him soon;
Ye maun gang to your father, Janet,
In case that his days are dune.’
2.
Janet’s awa’ to her father,
As fast as she could hie:
‘O what’s your will wi’ me, father?
O what’s your will wi’ me?’
3.
‘My will wi’ you, Fair Janet,’ he said,
‘It is both bed and board;
Some say that ye lo’e Sweet Willie,
But ye maun wed a French lord.’
4.
‘A French lord maun I wed, father?
A French lord maun I wed?
Then, by my sooth,’ quo’ Fair Janet,
‘He’s ne’er enter my bed.’
5.
5.4‘jo,’ sweetheart.
Janet’s awa’ to her chamber,
As fast as she could go;
Wha’s the first ane that tapped there,
But Sweet Willie her jo?
6.
‘O we maun part this love, Willie,
That has been lang between;
There’s a French lord coming o’er the sea,
To wed me wi’ a ring;
There’s a French lord coming o’er the sea,
To wed and tak’ me hame.’
7.
‘If we maun part this love, Janet,
It causeth mickle woe;
If we maun part this love, Janet,
It makes me into mourning go.’
8.
‘But ye maun gang to your three sisters,
Meg, Marion, and Jean;
Tell them to come to Fair Janet,
In case that her days are dune.’
9.
Willie’s awa’ to his three sisters,
Meg, Marion, and Jean:
‘O haste, and gang to Fair Janet,
I fear that her days are dune.’
10.
Some drew to them their silken hose,
Some drew to them their shoon,
Some drew to them their silk manteils,
Their coverings to put on,
And they’re awa’ to Fair Janet,
By the hie light o’ the moon.
.....
11.
‘O I have born this babe, Willie,
Wi’ mickle toil and pain;
Take hame, take hame, your babe, Willie,
For nurse I dare be nane.’
12.
He’s tane his young son in his arms,
And kisst him cheek and chin,
And he’s awa’ to his mother’s bower,
By the hie light o’ the moon.
13.
‘O open, open, mother,’ he says,
‘O open, and let me in;
The rain rains on my yellow hair,
And the dew drops o’er my chin,
And I hae my young son in my arms,
I fear that his days are dune.’
14.
With her fingers lang and sma’
She lifted up the pin,
And with her arms lang and sma’
Received the baby in.
15.
15.3‘nourice,’ nurse.
‘Gae back, gae back now, Sweet Willie,
And comfort your fair lady;
For where ye had but ae nourice,
Your young son shall hae three.’
16.
16.4‘busk,’ dress.
Willie he was scarce awa’,
And the lady put to bed,
When in and came her father dear:
‘Make haste, and busk the bride.’
17.
‘There’s a sair pain in my head, father,
There’s a sair pain in my side;
And ill, O ill, am I, father,
This day for to be a bride.’
18.
‘O ye maun busk this bonny bride,
And put a gay mantle on;
For she shall wed this auld French lord,
Gin she should die the morn.’
19.
Some put on the gay green robes,
And some put on the brown;
But Janet put on the scarlet robes,
To shine foremost throw the town.
20.
And some they mounted the black steed,
And some mounted the brown;
But Janet mounted the milk-white steed,
To ride foremost throw the town.
21.
‘O wha will guide your horse, Janet?
O wha will guide him best?’
‘O wha but Willie, my true love?
He kens I lo’e him best.’
22.
And when they cam’ to Marie’s kirk,
To tye the haly ban’,
Fair Janet’s cheek looked pale and wan,
And her colour gaed and cam’.
23.
When dinner it was past and done,
And dancing to begin,
‘O we’ll go take the bride’s maidens,
And we’ll go fill the ring.’
24.
24.1‘ben,’ into the house.
24.4‘downa,’ like not to.
O ben then cam’ the auld French lord,
Saying, ‘Bride, will ye dance with me?’
‘Awa’, awa’, ye auld French Lord,
Your face I downa see.’
25.
O ben then cam’ now Sweet Willie,
He cam’ with ane advance:
‘O I’ll go tak’ the bride’s maidens,
And we’ll go tak’ a dance.’
26.
‘I’ve seen ither days wi’ you, Willie,
And so has mony mae,
Ye would hae danced wi’ me mysel’,
Let a’ my maidens gae.’
27.
O ben then cam’ now Sweet Willie,
Saying, ‘Bride, will ye dance wi’ me?’
‘Aye, by my sooth, and that I will,
Gin my back should break in three.’
28.
She had nae turned her throw the dance,
Throw the dance but thrice,
Whan she fell doun at Willie’s feet,
And up did never rise.
29.
Willie’s ta’en the key of his coffer,
And gi’en it to his man:
‘Gae hame, and tell my mother dear
My horse he has me slain;
Bid her be kind to my young son,
For father has he nane.’
30.
The tane was buried in Marie’s kirk,
And the tither in Marie’s quire;
Out of the tane there grew a birk,
And the tither a bonny brier.
The Textis given from the Jamieson-BrownMS.It was first printed by Scott, with the omission of the second stanza—perhaps justifiable—and a few minor changes. He notes that he had seen a copy printed on a single sheet.
The Storyhas a remote parallel in a Danish ballad, extant in manuscripts of the sixteenth century and later,Den afhugne Haand. The tale is told as follows. Lutzelil, knowing the evil ways of Lawi Pederson, rejects his proffered love. Lawi vows she shall repent it, and the maiden is afraid for nine months to go to church, but goes at Easter. Lawi meets her in a wood, and repeats his offer. She begs him to do her no harm, feigns compliance, and makes an assignation in the chamber of her maids. She returns home and tells her father, who watches for Lawi. When he comes and demands admission, she denies the assignation. Lawi breaks down the door, and discovers Lutzelil’s father with a drawn sword, with which he cuts off Lawi’s hand.
The reason for objecting to the second stanza as here given is not so much the inadequacy of a golden hammer, or the unusual whiteness of the smith’s fingers, but the rhyme in the third line.
1.1.3‘leeler,’ more loyal.O whawoud wish the win’ to blaw,Or the green leaves fa’ therewith?Or wha wad wish a leeler loveThan Brown Adam the Smith?2.2.2‘study,’ stithy, anvil.His hammer’s o’ the beaten gold,His study’s o’ the steel,His fingers white are my delite,He blows his bellows well.3.But they ha’ banish’d him Brown AdamFrae father and frae mither,An’ they ha’ banish’d him Brown AdamFrae sister and frae brither.4.4.3‘biggit,’ built.And they ha’ banish’d Brown AdamFrae the flow’r o’ a’ his kin;An’ he’s biggit a bow’r i’ the good green woodBetwen his lady an’ him.5.5.2‘thought lang,’ thought (it) tedious;i.e.was bored. Cp.Young Bekie, 16.4, etc.;Johney Scot, 6.2, and elsewhere.O it fell once upon a dayBrown Adam he thought lang,An’ he woud to the green wood gang,To hunt some venison.6.He’s ta’en his bow his arm o’er,His bran’ intill his han’,And he is to the good green wood,As fast as he coud gang.7.O he’s shot up, an’ he’s shot down,The bird upo’ the briar,An’ he’s sent it hame to his lady,Bade her be of good cheer.8.O he’s shot up, an’ he’s shot down,The bird upo’ the thorn,And sent it hame to his lady,And hee’d be hame the morn.9.9.2‘forbye,’ apart.Whan he came till his lady’s bow’r-doorHe stood a little forbye,And there he heard a fu’ fa’se knightTemptin’ his gay lady.10.10.1‘he’ is of course the false knight.O he’s ta’en out a gay gold ring,Had cost him mony a poun’:‘O grant me love for love, lady,An’ this sal be your own.’11.11.1‘loo,’ love.‘I loo Brown Adam well,’ she says,‘I wot sae does he me;An’ I woud na gi’ Brown Adam’s loveFor nae fa’se knight I see.’12.12.2‘string’:i.e.the top; purses were bags with a running string to draw the top together.Out he has ta’en a purse of gold,Was a’ fu’ to the string:‘Grant me but love for love, lady,An’ a’ this sal be thine.’13.‘I loo Brown Adam well,’ she says,‘An’ I ken sae does he me;An’ I woudna be your light lemanFor mair nor ye coud gie.’14.Then out has he drawn his lang, lang bran’,An’ he’s flash’d it in her een:‘Now grant me love for love, lady,Or thro’ you this sal gang!’15.15.2‘lang’: theMS.reads long.‘O,’ sighing said that gay lady,‘Brown Adam tarrys lang!’Then up it starts Brown Adam,Says, ‘I’m just at your han’.’16.16.1etc., ‘gard,’ made.He’s gard him leave his bow, his bow,He’s gard him leave his bran’;He’s gard him leave a better pledge—Four fingers o’ his right han’.
1.
1.3‘leeler,’ more loyal.
O whawoud wish the win’ to blaw,
Or the green leaves fa’ therewith?
Or wha wad wish a leeler love
Than Brown Adam the Smith?
2.
2.2‘study,’ stithy, anvil.
His hammer’s o’ the beaten gold,
His study’s o’ the steel,
His fingers white are my delite,
He blows his bellows well.
3.
But they ha’ banish’d him Brown Adam
Frae father and frae mither,
An’ they ha’ banish’d him Brown Adam
Frae sister and frae brither.
4.
4.3‘biggit,’ built.
And they ha’ banish’d Brown Adam
Frae the flow’r o’ a’ his kin;
An’ he’s biggit a bow’r i’ the good green wood
Betwen his lady an’ him.
5.
5.2‘thought lang,’ thought (it) tedious;i.e.was bored. Cp.Young Bekie, 16.4, etc.;Johney Scot, 6.2, and elsewhere.
O it fell once upon a day
Brown Adam he thought lang,
An’ he woud to the green wood gang,
To hunt some venison.
6.
He’s ta’en his bow his arm o’er,
His bran’ intill his han’,
And he is to the good green wood,
As fast as he coud gang.
7.
O he’s shot up, an’ he’s shot down,
The bird upo’ the briar,
An’ he’s sent it hame to his lady,
Bade her be of good cheer.
8.
O he’s shot up, an’ he’s shot down,
The bird upo’ the thorn,
And sent it hame to his lady,
And hee’d be hame the morn.
9.
9.2‘forbye,’ apart.
Whan he came till his lady’s bow’r-door
He stood a little forbye,
And there he heard a fu’ fa’se knight
Temptin’ his gay lady.
10.
10.1‘he’ is of course the false knight.
O he’s ta’en out a gay gold ring,
Had cost him mony a poun’:
‘O grant me love for love, lady,
An’ this sal be your own.’
11.
11.1‘loo,’ love.
‘I loo Brown Adam well,’ she says,
‘I wot sae does he me;
An’ I woud na gi’ Brown Adam’s love
For nae fa’se knight I see.’
12.
12.2‘string’:i.e.the top; purses were bags with a running string to draw the top together.
Out he has ta’en a purse of gold,
Was a’ fu’ to the string:
‘Grant me but love for love, lady,
An’ a’ this sal be thine.’
13.
‘I loo Brown Adam well,’ she says,
‘An’ I ken sae does he me;
An’ I woudna be your light leman
For mair nor ye coud gie.’
14.
Then out has he drawn his lang, lang bran’,
An’ he’s flash’d it in her een:
‘Now grant me love for love, lady,
Or thro’ you this sal gang!’
15.
15.2‘lang’: theMS.reads long.
‘O,’ sighing said that gay lady,
‘Brown Adam tarrys lang!’
Then up it starts Brown Adam,
Says, ‘I’m just at your han’.’
16.
16.1etc., ‘gard,’ made.
He’s gard him leave his bow, his bow,
He’s gard him leave his bran’;
He’s gard him leave a better pledge—
Four fingers o’ his right han’.
The Textis from the CampbellMSS.
The Storywas imagined by Kinloch to possess a quasi-historical foundation: JamesV.of Scotland, who eventually married Madeleine, elder daughter of FrancisI., having been previously betrothed ‘by treaty’ to Marie de Bourbon, daughter of the Duke of Vendôme, returned to Scotland in 1537. The theory is neither probable nor plausible.
1.Theking he hath been a prisoner,A prisoner lang in Spain, O,And Willie o’ the WinsburyHas lain lang wi’ his daughter at hame, O.2.‘What aileth thee, my daughter Janet,Ye look so pale and wan?Have ye had any sore sickness,Or have ye been lying wi’ a man?Or is it for me, your father dear,And biding sae lang in Spain?’3.‘I have not had any sore sickness,Nor yet been lying wi’ a man;But it is for you, my father dear,In biding sae lang in Spain.’4.‘Cast ye off your berry-brown gown,Stand straight upon the stone,That I may ken ye by yere shape,Whether ye be a maiden or none.’5.She’s coosten off her berry-brown gown,Stooden straight upo’ yon stone;Her apron was short, her haunches were round,Her face it was pale and wan.6.‘Is it to a man o’ might, Janet?Or is it to a man of fame?Or is it to any of the rank robbersThat’s lately come out o’ Spain?’7.‘It is not to a man of might,’ she said,‘Nor is it to a man of fame;But it is to William of Winsbury;I could lye nae langer my lane.’8.The king’s called on his merry men all,By thirty and by three:‘Go fetch me William of Winsbury,For hanged he shall be.’9.But when he cam’ the king before,He was clad o’ the red silk;His hair was like to threeds o’ gold,And his skin was as white as milk.10.‘It is nae wonder,’ said the king,‘That my daughter’s love ye did win;Had I been a woman, as I am a man,My bedfellow ye should hae been.11.‘Will ye marry my daughter Janet,By the truth of thy right hand?I’ll gi’e ye gold, I’ll gi’e ye money,And I’ll gi’e ye an earldom o’ land.’12.‘Yes, I’ll marry yere daughter Janet,By the truth of my right hand;But I’ll hae nane o’ yer gold, I’ll hae nane o’ yer money,Nor I winna hae an earldom o’ land.13.‘For I hae eighteen corn-millsRuns all in water clear,And there’s as much corn in each o’ themAs they can grind in a year.’
1.
Theking he hath been a prisoner,
A prisoner lang in Spain, O,
And Willie o’ the Winsbury
Has lain lang wi’ his daughter at hame, O.
2.
‘What aileth thee, my daughter Janet,
Ye look so pale and wan?
Have ye had any sore sickness,
Or have ye been lying wi’ a man?
Or is it for me, your father dear,
And biding sae lang in Spain?’
3.
‘I have not had any sore sickness,
Nor yet been lying wi’ a man;
But it is for you, my father dear,
In biding sae lang in Spain.’
4.
‘Cast ye off your berry-brown gown,
Stand straight upon the stone,
That I may ken ye by yere shape,
Whether ye be a maiden or none.’
5.
She’s coosten off her berry-brown gown,
Stooden straight upo’ yon stone;
Her apron was short, her haunches were round,
Her face it was pale and wan.
6.
‘Is it to a man o’ might, Janet?
Or is it to a man of fame?
Or is it to any of the rank robbers
That’s lately come out o’ Spain?’
7.
‘It is not to a man of might,’ she said,
‘Nor is it to a man of fame;
But it is to William of Winsbury;
I could lye nae langer my lane.’
8.
The king’s called on his merry men all,
By thirty and by three:
‘Go fetch me William of Winsbury,
For hanged he shall be.’
9.
But when he cam’ the king before,
He was clad o’ the red silk;
His hair was like to threeds o’ gold,
And his skin was as white as milk.
10.
‘It is nae wonder,’ said the king,
‘That my daughter’s love ye did win;
Had I been a woman, as I am a man,
My bedfellow ye should hae been.
11.
‘Will ye marry my daughter Janet,
By the truth of thy right hand?
I’ll gi’e ye gold, I’ll gi’e ye money,
And I’ll gi’e ye an earldom o’ land.’
12.
‘Yes, I’ll marry yere daughter Janet,
By the truth of my right hand;
But I’ll hae nane o’ yer gold, I’ll hae nane o’ yer money,
Nor I winna hae an earldom o’ land.
13.
‘For I hae eighteen corn-mills
Runs all in water clear,
And there’s as much corn in each o’ them
As they can grind in a year.’
The Textis from the early part of the Percy Folio, and the ballad is therefore deficient. Where gaps are marked in the text with a row of asterisks, about nine stanzas are lost in each case—half a page torn out by a seventeenth-century maidservant to light a fire! Luckily we can supply the story from other versions.
The Story, also given inThe Weddynge of SrGawen and Dame Ragnell(in the RawlinsonMS. C.86 in the Bodleian Library), runs as follows:—
Shortly after Christmas, Arthur, riding by Tarn Wadling (still so called, but now pasture-land, in the forest of Inglewood), meets a bold baron, who challenges him to fight, unless he can win his ransom by returning on New Year’s Day with an answer to the question, What does a woman most desire? Arthur relates the story to Gawaine, asks him and others for an answer to the riddle, and collects their suggestions in a book (‘letters,’ 24.1). On his way to keep his tryst with the baron, he meets an unspeakably ugly woman, who offers her assistance; if she will help him, Arthur says, she shall wed with Gawaine. She gives him the true answer, A woman will have her will. Arthur meets the baron, and after proffering the budget of answers, confronts him with the true answer. The baron exclaims against the ugly woman, whom he asserts to be his sister.
Arthur returns to his court, and tells his knights that a wife awaits one of them on the moor. SirLancelot, Sir Steven (who is not mentioned elsewhere in Arthurian tales), Sir Kay, Sir Bauier (probably Beduer or Bedivere), Sir Bore (Bors de Gauves), Sir Garrett (Gareth), and Sir Tristram ride forth to find her. At sight, Sir Kay, without overmuch chivalry, expresses his disgust, and the rest are unwilling to marry her. The king explains that he has promised to give her to Sir Gawaine, who, it seems, bows to Arthur’s authority, and weds her. During the bridal night, she becomes a beautiful young woman. Further to test Gawaine, she gives him his choice: will he have her fair by day and foul by night, or foul by day and fair by night? Fair by night, says Gawaine. And foul to be seen of all by day? she asks. Have your way, says Gawaine, and breaks the last thread of the spell, as she forthwith explains: her step-mother had bewitched both her, to haunt the moor in ugly shape, till some knight should grant herallher will, and her brother, to challenge all comers to fight him or answer the riddle.
Similar tales, but with the important variation—undoubtedly indigenous in the story—that the man who saves his life by answering the riddle has himself to wed the ugly woman, are told by Gower (Confessio Amantis, BookI.) and Chaucer (The Tale of the Wyf of Bathe). The latter, which is also Arthurian in its setting, was made into a ballad in theCrown Garland of Golden Roses(circ.1600), compiled by Richard Johnson. A parallel is also to be found in an Icelandic saga.