1.1.4‘blee,’ complexion.Kinge Arthurliues in merry Carleile,& seemely is to see,& there he hath with him Queene Genever,That bride soe bright of blee.2.2.4Perhaps we should read ‘stiff in stowre,’ a constant expression in ballads, ‘sturdy in fight.’And there he hath with [him] Queene Genever,That bride soe bright in bower,& all his barons about him stoode,That were both stiffe and stowre.3.The king kept a royall Christmasse,Of mirth and great honor,And when........*****4.‘And bring me word what thing it isThat a woman [will] most desire;This shalbe thy ransome, Arthur,’ he sayes,‘For I’le haue noe other hier.’5.King Arthur then held vp his hand,According thene as was the law;He tooke his leaue of the baron there,& homward can he draw.6.And when he came to merry Carlile,To his chamber he is gone,& ther came to him his cozen Sir GawaineAs he did make his mone.7.And there came to him his cozen Sir GawaineThat was a curteous knight;‘Why sigh you soe sore, vnckle Arthur,’ he said,‘Or who hath done thee vnright?’8.‘O peace, O peace, thou gentle Gawaine,That faire may thee beffall!For if thou knew my sighing soe deepe,Thou wold not meruaile att all;9.‘Ffor when I came to Tearne Wadling,A bold barron there I fand,With a great club vpon his backe,Standing stiffe and strong;10.‘And he asked me wether I wold fight,Or from him I shold begone,Or else I must him a ransome pay& soe depart him from.11.11. Arthur’s customary bravery and chivalry are not conspicuous in this ballad.‘To fight with him I saw noe cause,Methought it was not meet,For he was stiffe & strong with-all,His strokes were nothing sweete;12.‘Therefor this is my ransome, Gawaine,I ought to him to pay:I must come againe, as I am sworne,Vpon the Newyeer’s day.13.‘And I must bring him word what thing it is...............*****14.Then King Arthur drest him for to rydeIn one soe rich arrayToward the fore-said Tearne Wadling,That he might keepe his day.15.And as he rode over a more,Hee see a lady where shee sateBetwixt an oke & a greene hollen;She was cladd in red scarlett.16.Then there as shold haue stood her mouth,Then there was sett her eye,The other was in her forhead fastThe way that she might see.17.Her nose was crooked & turnd outward,Her mouth stood foule a-wry;A worse formed lady than shee was,Neuer man saw with his eye.18.18.1‘halch upon,’ salute.To halch vpon him, King Arthur,This lady was full faine,But King Arthur had forgott his lesson,What he shold say againe.19.‘What knight art thou,’ the lady sayd,‘That will not speak to me?Of me be thou nothing dismaydTho’ I be vgly to see;20.‘For I haue halched you curteouslye,& you will not me againe;Yett I may happen, Sir Knight,’ shee said,‘To ease thee of thy paine.’21.21.1‘Giue,’ If.‘Giue thou ease me, lady,’ he said,‘Or helpe me any thing,Thou shalt have gentle Gawaine, my cozen,& marry him with a ring.’22.‘Why, if I help thee not, thou noble King Arthur,Of thy owne heart’s desiringe,Of gentle Gawaine........*****23.And when he came to the Tearne WadlingThe baron there cold he finde,With a great weapon on his backe,Standing stiffe and stronge.24.And then he tooke King Arthur’s letters in his hands,& away he cold them fling,& then he puld out a good browne sword,& cryd himselfe a king.25.And he sayd, ‘I haue thee & thy land, Arthur,To doe as it pleaseth me,For this is not thy ransome sure,Therfore yeeld thee to me.’26.And then bespoke him noble Arthur,& bad him hold his hand;‘& giue me leaue to speake my mindIn defence of all my land.’27.27.3‘hollen,’ holly.He said, ‘As I came over a more,I see a lady where shee sateBetweene an oke & a green hollen;She was clad in red scarlett;28.28.3‘sckill,’ reason, judgment.‘And she says a woman will haue her will,& this is all her cheef desire:Doe me right, as thou art a baron of sckill,This is thy ransome & all thy hyer.’29.He sayes, ‘An early vengeance light on her!She walkes on yonder more;It was my sister that told thee this;& she is a misshappen hore!30.‘But heer He make mine avow to GodTo doe her an euill turne,For an euer I may thate fowle theefe get,In a fyer I will her burne.’*****The 2d Part31.Sir Lancelott & Sir Steven boldThey rode with them that day,And the formost of the companyThere rode the steward Kay.32.Soe did Sir Bauier and Sir Bore,Sir Garrett with them soe gay,Soe did Sir Tristeram that gentle knight,To the forrest fresh & gay.33.And when he came to the greene fforrest,Vnderneath a greene holly treeTheir sate that lady in red scarletThat vnseemly was to see.34.34.2‘swire,’ neck: the Folio readssmire.Sir Kay beheld this ladys face,& looked vppon her swire;‘Whosoeuer kisses this lady,’ he sayes,‘Of his kisse he stands in feare.’35.Sir Kay beheld the lady againe,& looked vpon her snout;‘Whosoeuer kisses this lady,’ he saies,‘Of his kisse he stands in doubt.’36.‘Peace, cozen Kay,’ then said Sir Gawaine,‘Amend thee of thy life;For there is a knight amongst vs allThat must marry her to his wife.’37.37.4‘slaine’: the Folio givesshaine.‘What! wedd her to wiffe!’ then said Sir Kay,‘In the diuells name, anon!Gett me a wiffe whereere I may,For I had rather be slaine!’38.Then some tooke vp their hawkes in hast,& some tooke vp their hounds,& some sware they wold not marry herFor citty nor for towne.39.And then bespake him noble King Arthur,& sware there by this day:‘For a litle foule sight & misliking.....*****40.Then shee said, ‘Choose thee, gentle Gawaine,Truth as I doe say,Wether thou wilt haue me in this liknesseIn the night or else in the day.’41.41.2‘was’ (Child’s suggestion): the Folio readswith.And then bespake him gentle Gawaine,Was one soe mild of moode,Sayes, ‘Well I know what I wold say,God grant it may be good!42.‘To haue thee fowle in the nightWhen I with thee shold play;Yet I had rather, if I might,Haue thee fowle in the day.’43.43.1‘feires,’ = feres, mates: the Folio readsseires.‘What! when Lords goe with ther feires,’ shee said,‘Both to the ale & wine?Alas! then I must hyde my selfe,I must not goe withinne.’44.44.2Folio:but a skill: see note on 28.3.And then bespake him gentle Gawaine;Said, ‘Lady, thats but skill;And because thou art my owne lady,Thou shalt haue all thy will.’45.Then she said, ‘Blessed be thou, gentle Gawaine,This day that I thee see,For as thou see[st] me att this time,From hencforth I wil be:46.‘My father was an old knight,& yett it chanced soeThat he marryed a younge ladyThat brought me to this woe.47.‘Shee witched me, being a faire young lady,To the greene forrest to dwell,& there I must walke in womans likness,Most like a feend of hell.48.48.1‘carlish,’ churlish.‘She witched my brother to a carlish b....................*****49...........That looked soe foule, & that was wontOn the wild more to goe.50.‘Come kisse her, brother Kay,’ then said Sir Gawaine,‘& amend thé of thy liffe;I sweare this is the same ladyThat I marryed to my wiffe.’51.Sir Kay kissed that lady bright,Standing vpon his ffeete;He swore, as he was trew knight,The spice was neuer soe sweete.52.‘Well, cozen Gawaine,’ sayes Sir Kay,‘Thy chance is fallen arright,For thou hast gotten one of the fairest maidsI euer saw with my sight.’53.‘It is my fortune,’ said Sir Gawaine;‘For my Vnckle Arthur’s sakeI am glad as grasse wold be of raine,Great ioy that I may take.’54.Sir Gawaine tooke the lady by the one arme,Sir Kay tooke her by the tother,They led her straight to King ArthurAs they were brother & brother.55.King Arthur welcomed them there all,& soe did lady Geneuer his queene,With all the knights of the round tableMost seemly to be seene.56.King Arthur beheld that lady faireThat was soe faire and bright,He thanked Christ in TrinityFor Sir Gawaine that gentle knight;57.Soe did the knights, both more and lesse;Reioyced all that dayFor the good chance that hapened wasTo Sir Gawaine & his lady gay.
1.
1.4‘blee,’ complexion.
Kinge Arthurliues in merry Carleile,
& seemely is to see,
& there he hath with him Queene Genever,
That bride soe bright of blee.
2.
2.4Perhaps we should read ‘stiff in stowre,’ a constant expression in ballads, ‘sturdy in fight.’
And there he hath with [him] Queene Genever,
That bride soe bright in bower,
& all his barons about him stoode,
That were both stiffe and stowre.
3.
The king kept a royall Christmasse,
Of mirth and great honor,
And when...
.....
*****
4.
‘And bring me word what thing it is
That a woman [will] most desire;
This shalbe thy ransome, Arthur,’ he sayes,
‘For I’le haue noe other hier.’
5.
King Arthur then held vp his hand,
According thene as was the law;
He tooke his leaue of the baron there,
& homward can he draw.
6.
And when he came to merry Carlile,
To his chamber he is gone,
& ther came to him his cozen Sir Gawaine
As he did make his mone.
7.
And there came to him his cozen Sir Gawaine
That was a curteous knight;
‘Why sigh you soe sore, vnckle Arthur,’ he said,
‘Or who hath done thee vnright?’
8.
‘O peace, O peace, thou gentle Gawaine,
That faire may thee beffall!
For if thou knew my sighing soe deepe,
Thou wold not meruaile att all;
9.
‘Ffor when I came to Tearne Wadling,
A bold barron there I fand,
With a great club vpon his backe,
Standing stiffe and strong;
10.
‘And he asked me wether I wold fight,
Or from him I shold begone,
Or else I must him a ransome pay
& soe depart him from.
11.
11. Arthur’s customary bravery and chivalry are not conspicuous in this ballad.
‘To fight with him I saw noe cause,
Methought it was not meet,
For he was stiffe & strong with-all,
His strokes were nothing sweete;
12.
‘Therefor this is my ransome, Gawaine,
I ought to him to pay:
I must come againe, as I am sworne,
Vpon the Newyeer’s day.
13.
‘And I must bring him word what thing it is
.....
.....
.....
*****
14.
Then King Arthur drest him for to ryde
In one soe rich array
Toward the fore-said Tearne Wadling,
That he might keepe his day.
15.
And as he rode over a more,
Hee see a lady where shee sate
Betwixt an oke & a greene hollen;
She was cladd in red scarlett.
16.
Then there as shold haue stood her mouth,
Then there was sett her eye,
The other was in her forhead fast
The way that she might see.
17.
Her nose was crooked & turnd outward,
Her mouth stood foule a-wry;
A worse formed lady than shee was,
Neuer man saw with his eye.
18.
18.1‘halch upon,’ salute.
To halch vpon him, King Arthur,
This lady was full faine,
But King Arthur had forgott his lesson,
What he shold say againe.
19.
‘What knight art thou,’ the lady sayd,
‘That will not speak to me?
Of me be thou nothing dismayd
Tho’ I be vgly to see;
20.
‘For I haue halched you curteouslye,
& you will not me againe;
Yett I may happen, Sir Knight,’ shee said,
‘To ease thee of thy paine.’
21.
21.1‘Giue,’ If.
‘Giue thou ease me, lady,’ he said,
‘Or helpe me any thing,
Thou shalt have gentle Gawaine, my cozen,
& marry him with a ring.’
22.
‘Why, if I help thee not, thou noble King Arthur,
Of thy owne heart’s desiringe,
Of gentle Gawaine...
.....
*****
23.
And when he came to the Tearne Wadling
The baron there cold he finde,
With a great weapon on his backe,
Standing stiffe and stronge.
24.
And then he tooke King Arthur’s letters in his hands,
& away he cold them fling,
& then he puld out a good browne sword,
& cryd himselfe a king.
25.
And he sayd, ‘I haue thee & thy land, Arthur,
To doe as it pleaseth me,
For this is not thy ransome sure,
Therfore yeeld thee to me.’
26.
And then bespoke him noble Arthur,
& bad him hold his hand;
‘& giue me leaue to speake my mind
In defence of all my land.’
27.
27.3‘hollen,’ holly.
He said, ‘As I came over a more,
I see a lady where shee sate
Betweene an oke & a green hollen;
She was clad in red scarlett;
28.
28.3‘sckill,’ reason, judgment.
‘And she says a woman will haue her will,
& this is all her cheef desire:
Doe me right, as thou art a baron of sckill,
This is thy ransome & all thy hyer.’
29.
He sayes, ‘An early vengeance light on her!
She walkes on yonder more;
It was my sister that told thee this;
& she is a misshappen hore!
30.
‘But heer He make mine avow to God
To doe her an euill turne,
For an euer I may thate fowle theefe get,
In a fyer I will her burne.’
*****
31.
Sir Lancelott & Sir Steven bold
They rode with them that day,
And the formost of the company
There rode the steward Kay.
32.
Soe did Sir Bauier and Sir Bore,
Sir Garrett with them soe gay,
Soe did Sir Tristeram that gentle knight,
To the forrest fresh & gay.
33.
And when he came to the greene fforrest,
Vnderneath a greene holly tree
Their sate that lady in red scarlet
That vnseemly was to see.
34.
34.2‘swire,’ neck: the Folio readssmire.
Sir Kay beheld this ladys face,
& looked vppon her swire;
‘Whosoeuer kisses this lady,’ he sayes,
‘Of his kisse he stands in feare.’
35.
Sir Kay beheld the lady againe,
& looked vpon her snout;
‘Whosoeuer kisses this lady,’ he saies,
‘Of his kisse he stands in doubt.’
36.
‘Peace, cozen Kay,’ then said Sir Gawaine,
‘Amend thee of thy life;
For there is a knight amongst vs all
That must marry her to his wife.’
37.
37.4‘slaine’: the Folio givesshaine.
‘What! wedd her to wiffe!’ then said Sir Kay,
‘In the diuells name, anon!
Gett me a wiffe whereere I may,
For I had rather be slaine!’
38.
Then some tooke vp their hawkes in hast,
& some tooke vp their hounds,
& some sware they wold not marry her
For citty nor for towne.
39.
And then bespake him noble King Arthur,
& sware there by this day:
‘For a litle foule sight & misliking
.....
*****
40.
Then shee said, ‘Choose thee, gentle Gawaine,
Truth as I doe say,
Wether thou wilt haue me in this liknesse
In the night or else in the day.’
41.
41.2‘was’ (Child’s suggestion): the Folio readswith.
And then bespake him gentle Gawaine,
Was one soe mild of moode,
Sayes, ‘Well I know what I wold say,
God grant it may be good!
42.
‘To haue thee fowle in the night
When I with thee shold play;
Yet I had rather, if I might,
Haue thee fowle in the day.’
43.
43.1‘feires,’ = feres, mates: the Folio readsseires.
‘What! when Lords goe with ther feires,’ shee said,
‘Both to the ale & wine?
Alas! then I must hyde my selfe,
I must not goe withinne.’
44.
44.2Folio:but a skill: see note on 28.3.
And then bespake him gentle Gawaine;
Said, ‘Lady, thats but skill;
And because thou art my owne lady,
Thou shalt haue all thy will.’
45.
Then she said, ‘Blessed be thou, gentle Gawaine,
This day that I thee see,
For as thou see[st] me att this time,
From hencforth I wil be:
46.
‘My father was an old knight,
& yett it chanced soe
That he marryed a younge lady
That brought me to this woe.
47.
‘Shee witched me, being a faire young lady,
To the greene forrest to dwell,
& there I must walke in womans likness,
Most like a feend of hell.
48.
48.1‘carlish,’ churlish.
‘She witched my brother to a carlish b.....
.....
.....
.....
*****
49.
.....
.....
That looked soe foule, & that was wont
On the wild more to goe.
50.
‘Come kisse her, brother Kay,’ then said Sir Gawaine,
‘& amend thé of thy liffe;
I sweare this is the same lady
That I marryed to my wiffe.’
51.
Sir Kay kissed that lady bright,
Standing vpon his ffeete;
He swore, as he was trew knight,
The spice was neuer soe sweete.
52.
‘Well, cozen Gawaine,’ sayes Sir Kay,
‘Thy chance is fallen arright,
For thou hast gotten one of the fairest maids
I euer saw with my sight.’
53.
‘It is my fortune,’ said Sir Gawaine;
‘For my Vnckle Arthur’s sake
I am glad as grasse wold be of raine,
Great ioy that I may take.’
54.
Sir Gawaine tooke the lady by the one arme,
Sir Kay tooke her by the tother,
They led her straight to King Arthur
As they were brother & brother.
55.
King Arthur welcomed them there all,
& soe did lady Geneuer his queene,
With all the knights of the round table
Most seemly to be seene.
56.
King Arthur beheld that lady faire
That was soe faire and bright,
He thanked Christ in Trinity
For Sir Gawaine that gentle knight;
57.
Soe did the knights, both more and lesse;
Reioyced all that day
For the good chance that hapened was
To Sir Gawaine & his lady gay.
picture
Text.—The Percy Folio is the sole authority for this excellent lively ballad. It is here given as it stands in the manuscript, except for division into stanzas. Percy printed the ballad ‘verbatim,’—that is, with emendations—and also a revised version.
The Story, which exists in countless variations in many lands, is told from the earliest times in connection with the Arthurian legend-cycle. Restricting the article used as a criterion of chastity to a mantle, we find the elements of this ballad existing in French manuscripts of the thirteenth century (the romance calledCort Mantel); in a Norse translation of this ‘fabliau’; in the IcelandicMantle Rhymesof the fifteenth century; in theScalachronicaof Sir Thomas Gray of Heton (circ.1355); in Germany, and in Gaelic (a ballad known in Irish writings, but not in Scottish); as well as in many other versions.
The trial by the drinking-horn is a fable equally old, as far as the evidence goes, and equally widespread; but it is not told elsewhere in connection with the parallel story of the mantle. Other tests used for the purpose of discovering infidelity or unchastity are:— a crown, a magic bridge (German); a girdle (English; cp. Florimel’s girdle in theFaery Queen, Book iv. Canto 5); a bed, a stepping-stone by the bedside, a chair (Scandinavian); flowers (Sanskrit); a shirt (German and Flemish); a picture (Italian, translated to England—cp. Massinger’sThe Picture(1630), where he localisesthe story in Hungary); a ring (French); a mirror (German, French, and Italian); and so forth.
Caxton, in his preface toKyng Arthur(1485), says:— ‘Item, in the castel of Douer ye may see Gauwayn’s skull and Cradok’s mantel.’ Sir Thomas Gray says the mantle was made into a chasuble, and was preserved at Glastonbury.
Thomas Love Peacock says (The Misfortunes of Elphin, chap. xii.), ‘Tegau Eurvron, or Tegau of the Golden Bosom, was the wife of Caradoc [Craddocke], and one of the Three Chaste Wives of the island of Britain.’ A similar statement is recorded by Percy at the end of his ‘revised and altered’ ballad, taking it from ‘the Rev. Evan Evans, editor of the Specimens of Welsh Poetry.’
1.Inthe third day of Mayto Carleile did comeA kind curteous childthat cold much of wisdome.2.2.3‘brauches,’ brooches.A kirtle & a mantlethis child had vppon,With brauches and ringesfull richelye bedone.3.He had a sute of silke,about his middle drawne;Without he cold of curtesye,he thought itt much shame.4.‘God speed thee, King Arthur,sitting at thy meate!& the goodly Queene Gueneuer!I canott her fforgett.5.5.2‘hett,’ bid; ‘heede,’MS.heate.‘I tell you lords in this hall,I hett you all heede,Except you be the more surer,is you for to dread.’6.6.1‘potewer.’ Child says:— Read potener, Frenchpautonnière, pouch, purse.He plucked out of his potewer,& longer wold not dwell,He pulled forth a pretty mantle,betweene two nut-shells.7.‘Haue thou here, King Arthure,haue thou heere of mee;Give itt to thy comely queene,shapen as itt is alreadye.8.8.4Perhaps the line should end with ‘his,’ but ‘wiffe’ is the last word in the manuscript.‘Itt shall neuer become that wiffethat hath once done amisse’:Then euery knight in the King’s courtbegan to care for his wiffe.9.9.3‘new-fangle,’ desirous of novelties.Forth came dame Gueneuer,to the mantle shee her bid;The ladye shee was new-fangle,but yett shee was affrayd.10.When shee had taken the mantle,shee stoode as she had beene madd;It was ffrom the top to the toeas sheeres had itt shread.11.11.1‘gaule,’ perhaps = gules,i.e.red.11.3‘wadded,’ woad-coloured,i.e.blue.One while was itt gaule,another while was itt greene;Another while was itt wadded;ill itt did her beseeme.12.Another while was it blacke,& bore the worst hue;‘By my troth,’ quoth King Arthur,‘I thinke thou be not true.’13.13.2‘blee,’ colour.13.3‘rudd,’ complexion.Shee threw downe the mantle,that bright was of blee,Fast with a rudd reddto her chamber can shee flee.14.14.1‘walker,’ fuller.Shee curst the weauer and the walkerthat clothe that had wrought,& bade a vengeance on his crownethat hither hath itt brought.15.‘I had rather be in a wood,vnder a greene tree,Then in King Arthurs court,shamed for to bee.’16.Kay called forth his ladye,& bade her come neere;Saies, ‘Madam, & thou be guiltye,I pray thee hold thee there.’17.Forth came his ladyeshortlye and anon,Boldlye to the mantlethen is shee gone.18.When shee had tane the mantle,& cast it her about,Then was shee bareall aboue the buttocckes.19.Then euery knightthat was in the Kings courtTalked, laug[h]ed, & showted,full oft att that sport.20.Shee threw downe the mantle,that bright was of blee,Ffast with a red ruddto her chamber can shee flee.21.Forth came an old knight,pattering ore a creede,& he proferred to this litle boy20 markes to his meede,22.& all the time of the Christmassewillinglye to ffeede;For why this mantle mightdoe his wiffe some need.23.When shee had tane the mantle,of cloth that was made,Shee had no more left on herbut a tassell and a threed:Then euery knight in the Kings courtbade euill might shee speed.24.She threw downe the mantle,that bright was of blee,& fast with a redd ruddto her chamber can shee flee.25.25.4‘dinne,’ trouble.Craddocke called forth his ladye,& bade her come in;Saith, ‘Winne this mantle, ladye,with a litle dinne.26.‘Winne this mantle, ladye,& it shalbe thineIf thou neuer did amissesince thou wast mine.’27.Forth came Craddockes ladyeshortlye & anon,But boldlye to the mantlethen is shee gone.28.28.4‘crowt,’ pucker.When shee had tane the mantle,& cast itt her about,Vpp att her great toeitt began to crinkle & crowt;Shee said, ‘Bowe downe, mantle,& shame me not for nought.29.‘Once I did amisse,I tell you certainlye,When I kist Craddockes mouthvnder a greene tree,When I kist Craddockes mouthbefore he marryed mee.’30.When shee had her shreeuen,& her sines shee had tolde,The mantle stoode about herright as shee wold,31.Seemelye of coulour,glittering like gold;Then euery knight in Arthurs courtdid her behold.32.Then spake dame Gueneuerto Arthur our king:‘She hath tane yonder mantle,not with wright but with wronge.33.‘See you not yonder womanthat maketh her selfe soe cleane?I haue seene tane out of her beddof men fiueteene;34.34.2‘by-deene,’ one after another.‘Preists, clarkes, & wedded men,from her by-deene;Yett shee taketh the mantle,& maketh her selfe cleane!’35.Then spake the litle boythat kept the mantle in hold;Sayes, ‘King, chasten thy wiffe;of her words shee is to bold.36.‘Shee is a bitch & a witch,& a whore bold;King, in thine owne hallthou art a cuchold.’37.37 and 38: Evidently some lines have been lost here, and the rhymes are thereby confused.A litle boy stoodelooking ouer a dore;He was ware of a wyld bore,wold haue werryed a man.38.He pulld forth a wood kniffe,fast thither that he ran;He brought in the bores head,& quitted him like a man.39.He brought in the bores head,and was wonderous bold;He said there was neuer a cucholds kniffecarue itt that cold.40.Some rubbed their k[n]iuesvppon a whetstone;Some threw them vnder the table,& said they had none.41.King Arthur & the childstood looking them vpon;All their k[n]iues edgesturned backe againe.42.42.3‘birtled,’ cut up.Craddoccke had a litle kniueof iron & of steele;He birtled the bores headwonderous weele,That euery knight in the Kings courthad a morssell.43.43.2‘ronge,’ rang.The litle boy had a horne,of red gold that ronge;He said, ‘There was noe cuckoldeshall drinke of my horne,But he shold itt sheede,either behind or beforne.’44.Some shedd on their shoulder,& some on their knee;He that cold not hitt his mouthput it in his eye;& he that was a cuckold,euery man might him see.45.Craddoccke wan the horne& the bores head;His ladye wan the mantlevnto her meede;Euerye such a louely ladye,God send her well to speede!
1.
Inthe third day of May
to Carleile did come
A kind curteous child
that cold much of wisdome.
2.
2.3‘brauches,’ brooches.
A kirtle & a mantle
this child had vppon,
With brauches and ringes
full richelye bedone.
3.
He had a sute of silke,
about his middle drawne;
Without he cold of curtesye,
he thought itt much shame.
4.
‘God speed thee, King Arthur,
sitting at thy meate!
& the goodly Queene Gueneuer!
I canott her fforgett.
5.
5.2‘hett,’ bid; ‘heede,’MS.heate.
‘I tell you lords in this hall,
I hett you all heede,
Except you be the more surer,
is you for to dread.’
6.
6.1‘potewer.’ Child says:— Read potener, Frenchpautonnière, pouch, purse.
He plucked out of his potewer,
& longer wold not dwell,
He pulled forth a pretty mantle,
betweene two nut-shells.
7.
‘Haue thou here, King Arthure,
haue thou heere of mee;
Give itt to thy comely queene,
shapen as itt is alreadye.
8.
8.4Perhaps the line should end with ‘his,’ but ‘wiffe’ is the last word in the manuscript.
‘Itt shall neuer become that wiffe
that hath once done amisse’:
Then euery knight in the King’s court
began to care for his wiffe.
9.
9.3‘new-fangle,’ desirous of novelties.
Forth came dame Gueneuer,
to the mantle shee her bid;
The ladye shee was new-fangle,
but yett shee was affrayd.
10.
When shee had taken the mantle,
shee stoode as she had beene madd;
It was ffrom the top to the toe
as sheeres had itt shread.
11.
11.1‘gaule,’ perhaps = gules,i.e.red.
11.3‘wadded,’ woad-coloured,i.e.blue.
One while was itt gaule,
another while was itt greene;
Another while was itt wadded;
ill itt did her beseeme.
12.
Another while was it blacke,
& bore the worst hue;
‘By my troth,’ quoth King Arthur,
‘I thinke thou be not true.’
13.
13.2‘blee,’ colour.
13.3‘rudd,’ complexion.
Shee threw downe the mantle,
that bright was of blee,
Fast with a rudd redd
to her chamber can shee flee.
14.
14.1‘walker,’ fuller.
Shee curst the weauer and the walker
that clothe that had wrought,
& bade a vengeance on his crowne
that hither hath itt brought.
15.
‘I had rather be in a wood,
vnder a greene tree,
Then in King Arthurs court,
shamed for to bee.’
16.
Kay called forth his ladye,
& bade her come neere;
Saies, ‘Madam, & thou be guiltye,
I pray thee hold thee there.’
17.
Forth came his ladye
shortlye and anon,
Boldlye to the mantle
then is shee gone.
18.
When shee had tane the mantle,
& cast it her about,
Then was shee bare
all aboue the buttocckes.
19.
Then euery knight
that was in the Kings court
Talked, laug[h]ed, & showted,
full oft att that sport.
20.
Shee threw downe the mantle,
that bright was of blee,
Ffast with a red rudd
to her chamber can shee flee.
21.
Forth came an old knight,
pattering ore a creede,
& he proferred to this litle boy
20 markes to his meede,
22.
& all the time of the Christmasse
willinglye to ffeede;
For why this mantle might
doe his wiffe some need.
23.
When shee had tane the mantle,
of cloth that was made,
Shee had no more left on her
but a tassell and a threed:
Then euery knight in the Kings court
bade euill might shee speed.
24.
She threw downe the mantle,
that bright was of blee,
& fast with a redd rudd
to her chamber can shee flee.
25.
25.4‘dinne,’ trouble.
Craddocke called forth his ladye,
& bade her come in;
Saith, ‘Winne this mantle, ladye,
with a litle dinne.
26.
‘Winne this mantle, ladye,
& it shalbe thine
If thou neuer did amisse
since thou wast mine.’
27.
Forth came Craddockes ladye
shortlye & anon,
But boldlye to the mantle
then is shee gone.
28.
28.4‘crowt,’ pucker.
When shee had tane the mantle,
& cast itt her about,
Vpp att her great toe
itt began to crinkle & crowt;
Shee said, ‘Bowe downe, mantle,
& shame me not for nought.
29.
‘Once I did amisse,
I tell you certainlye,
When I kist Craddockes mouth
vnder a greene tree,
When I kist Craddockes mouth
before he marryed mee.’
30.
When shee had her shreeuen,
& her sines shee had tolde,
The mantle stoode about her
right as shee wold,
31.
Seemelye of coulour,
glittering like gold;
Then euery knight in Arthurs court
did her behold.
32.
Then spake dame Gueneuer
to Arthur our king:
‘She hath tane yonder mantle,
not with wright but with wronge.
33.
‘See you not yonder woman
that maketh her selfe soe cleane?
I haue seene tane out of her bedd
of men fiueteene;
34.
34.2‘by-deene,’ one after another.
‘Preists, clarkes, & wedded men,
from her by-deene;
Yett shee taketh the mantle,
& maketh her selfe cleane!’
35.
Then spake the litle boy
that kept the mantle in hold;
Sayes, ‘King, chasten thy wiffe;
of her words shee is to bold.
36.
‘Shee is a bitch & a witch,
& a whore bold;
King, in thine owne hall
thou art a cuchold.’
37.
37 and 38: Evidently some lines have been lost here, and the rhymes are thereby confused.
A litle boy stoode
looking ouer a dore;
He was ware of a wyld bore,
wold haue werryed a man.
38.
He pulld forth a wood kniffe,
fast thither that he ran;
He brought in the bores head,
& quitted him like a man.
39.
He brought in the bores head,
and was wonderous bold;
He said there was neuer a cucholds kniffe
carue itt that cold.
40.
Some rubbed their k[n]iues
vppon a whetstone;
Some threw them vnder the table,
& said they had none.
41.
King Arthur & the child
stood looking them vpon;
All their k[n]iues edges
turned backe againe.
42.
42.3‘birtled,’ cut up.
Craddoccke had a litle kniue
of iron & of steele;
He birtled the bores head
wonderous weele,
That euery knight in the Kings court
had a morssell.
43.
43.2‘ronge,’ rang.
The litle boy had a horne,
of red gold that ronge;
He said, ‘There was noe cuckolde
shall drinke of my horne,
But he shold itt sheede,
either behind or beforne.’
44.
Some shedd on their shoulder,
& some on their knee;
He that cold not hitt his mouth
put it in his eye;
& he that was a cuckold,
euery man might him see.
45.
Craddoccke wan the horne
& the bores head;
His ladye wan the mantle
vnto her meede;
Euerye such a louely ladye,
God send her well to speede!
The Textof this popular and excellent ballad is given from the Jamieson-BrownMS.It was copied, with wilful alterations, into Scott’s AbbotsfordMS.calledScottish Songs. Professor Child prints sixteen variants of the ballad, nearly all from manuscripts.
The Storyof the duel with the Italian is given with more detail in other versions. In two ballads from Motherwell’sMS., where ‘the Italian’ becomes ‘the Tailliant’ or ‘the Talliant,’ the champion jumps over Johney’s head, and descends on the point of Johney’s sword. This exploit is paralleled in a Breton ballad, where the Seigneur Les Aubrays of St. Brieux is ordered by the French king to combat his wild Moor, who leaps in the air and is received on the sword of his antagonist. Again, in Scottish tradition, James Macgill, having killed Sir Robert Balfour about 1679, went to London to procure his pardon, which CharlesII.offered him on the condition of fighting an Italian gladiator. The Italian leaped once over James Macgill, but in attempting to repeat this manœuvre was spitted by his opponent, who thereby procured not only his pardon, but also knighthood.
1.O Johneywas as brave a knightAs ever sail’d the sea,An’ he’s done him to the English court,To serve for meat and fee.2.He had nae been in fair EnglandBut yet a little while,Untill the kingis ae daughterTo Johney proves wi’ chil’.3.O word’s come to the king himsel’,In his chair where he sat,That his ae daughter was wi’ bairnTo Jack, the Little Scott.4.‘Gin this be true that I do hear,As I trust well it be,Ye pit her into prison strong,An’ starve her till she die.’5.5.2,4‘A wot’ = I wis.O Johney’s on to fair Scotland,A wot he went wi’ speed,An’ he has left the kingis court,A wot good was his need.6.6.2SeeYoung Bekie, 16.4;Brown Adam, 5.2.O it fell once upon a dayThat Johney he thought lang,An’ he’s gane to the good green wood,As fast as he coud gang.7.‘O whare will I get a bonny boy,To rin my errand soon,That will rin into fair England,An’ haste him back again?’8.O up it starts a bonny boy,Gold yallow was his hair,I wish his mother meickle joy,His bonny love mieckle mair.9.‘O here am I, a bonny boy,Will rin your errand soon;I will gang into fair England,An’ come right soon again.’10.10. SeeLady Maisry, 21;Lord Ingram and Chiel Wyet, 12, etc.: a stock ballad-phrase.O whan he came to broken briggs,He bent his bow and swam;An’ whan he came to the green grass growan,He slaikid his shoone an’ ran.11.Whan he came to yon high castèl,He ran it roun’ about,An’ there he saw the king’s daughter,At the window looking out.12.12.1‘sark,’ shift.12.4‘Speer’ (speir), ask.‘O here’s a sark o’ silk, lady,Your ain han’ sew’d the sleeve;You’r bidden come to fair Scotlan’,Speer nane o’ your parents’ leave.13.13.2‘gare,’ gore: seeBrown Robin, 10.4.‘Ha, take this sark o’ silk, lady,Your ain han’ sew’d the gare;You’re bidden come to good green wood,Love Johney waits you there.’14.She’s turn’d her right and roun’ about,The tear was in her ee:‘How can I come to my true-love,Except I had wings to flee?15.‘Here am I kept wi’ bars and bolts,Most grievous to behold;My breast-plate’s o’ the sturdy steel,Instead of the beaten gold.16.‘But tak’ this purse, my bonny boy,Ye well deserve a fee,An’ bear this letter to my love,An’ tell him what you see.’17.Then quickly ran the bonny boyAgain to Scotlan’ fair,An’ soon he reach’d Pitnachton’s tow’rs,An’ soon found Johney there.18.18.4‘loote,’ let.He pat the letter in his han’An’ taul’ him what he sa’,But eer he half the letter read,He loote the tears doun fa’.19.‘O I will gae back to fair Englan’,Tho’ death shoud me betide,An’ I will relieve the dameselThat lay last by my side.’20.Then out it spake his father dear,‘My son, you are to blame;An’ gin you’r catch’d on English groun’,I fear you’ll ne’er win hame.’21.Then out it spake a valiant knight,Johny’s best friend was he;‘I can commaun’ five hunder men,An’ I’ll his surety be.’22.22.4‘mess,’ mass.The firstin town that they came till,They gard the bells be rung;An’ the nextin town that they came till,They gard the mess be sung.23.The thirdin town that they came till,They gard the drums beat roun’;The king but an’ his nobles a’Was startl’d at the soun’.24.Whan they came to the king’s palaceThey rade it roun’ about,An’ there they saw the king himsel’,At the window looking out.25.‘Is this the Duke o’ Albany,Or James, the Scottish king?Or are ye some great foreign lord,That’s come a visiting?’26.‘I’m nae the Duke of Albany,Nor James, the Scottish king;But I’m a valiant Scottish knight,Pitnachton is my name.’27.27.3‘or,’ ere.‘O if Pitnachton be your name,As I trust well it be,The morn, or I tast meat or drink,You shall be hanged hi’.’28.Then out it spake the valiant knightThat came brave Johney wi’;‘Behold five hunder bowmen bold,Will die to set him free.’29.29.2The second ‘laugh’ is the past tense of the verb.Then out it spake the king again,An’ a scornfu’ laugh laugh he;‘I have an Italian in my houseWill fight you three by three.’30.‘O grant me a boon,’ brave Johney cried;‘Bring your Italian here;Then if he fall beneath my sword,I’ve won your daughter dear.’31.31.2‘gurious,’ grim, ugly.Then out it came that Italian,An’ a gurious ghost was he;Upo’ the point o’ Johney’s swordThis Italian did die.32.Out has he drawn his lang, lang bran’,Struck it across the plain:‘Is there any more o’ your English dogsThat you want to be slain?’33.33.2‘tocher,’ dowry.‘A clark, a clark,’ the king then cried,‘To write her tocher free’;‘A priest, a priest,’ says Love Johney,‘To marry my love and me.34.‘I’m seeking nane o’ your gold,’ he says,‘Nor of your silver clear;I only seek your daughter fair,Whose love has cost her dear.’
1.
O Johneywas as brave a knight
As ever sail’d the sea,
An’ he’s done him to the English court,
To serve for meat and fee.
2.
He had nae been in fair England
But yet a little while,
Untill the kingis ae daughter
To Johney proves wi’ chil’.
3.
O word’s come to the king himsel’,
In his chair where he sat,
That his ae daughter was wi’ bairn
To Jack, the Little Scott.
4.
‘Gin this be true that I do hear,
As I trust well it be,
Ye pit her into prison strong,
An’ starve her till she die.’
5.
5.2,4‘A wot’ = I wis.
O Johney’s on to fair Scotland,
A wot he went wi’ speed,
An’ he has left the kingis court,
A wot good was his need.
6.
6.2SeeYoung Bekie, 16.4;Brown Adam, 5.2.
O it fell once upon a day
That Johney he thought lang,
An’ he’s gane to the good green wood,
As fast as he coud gang.
7.
‘O whare will I get a bonny boy,
To rin my errand soon,
That will rin into fair England,
An’ haste him back again?’
8.
O up it starts a bonny boy,
Gold yallow was his hair,
I wish his mother meickle joy,
His bonny love mieckle mair.
9.
‘O here am I, a bonny boy,
Will rin your errand soon;
I will gang into fair England,
An’ come right soon again.’
10.
10. SeeLady Maisry, 21;Lord Ingram and Chiel Wyet, 12, etc.: a stock ballad-phrase.
O whan he came to broken briggs,
He bent his bow and swam;
An’ whan he came to the green grass growan,
He slaikid his shoone an’ ran.
11.
Whan he came to yon high castèl,
He ran it roun’ about,
An’ there he saw the king’s daughter,
At the window looking out.
12.
12.1‘sark,’ shift.
12.4‘Speer’ (speir), ask.
‘O here’s a sark o’ silk, lady,
Your ain han’ sew’d the sleeve;
You’r bidden come to fair Scotlan’,
Speer nane o’ your parents’ leave.
13.
13.2‘gare,’ gore: seeBrown Robin, 10.4.
‘Ha, take this sark o’ silk, lady,
Your ain han’ sew’d the gare;
You’re bidden come to good green wood,
Love Johney waits you there.’
14.
She’s turn’d her right and roun’ about,
The tear was in her ee:
‘How can I come to my true-love,
Except I had wings to flee?
15.
‘Here am I kept wi’ bars and bolts,
Most grievous to behold;
My breast-plate’s o’ the sturdy steel,
Instead of the beaten gold.
16.
‘But tak’ this purse, my bonny boy,
Ye well deserve a fee,
An’ bear this letter to my love,
An’ tell him what you see.’
17.
Then quickly ran the bonny boy
Again to Scotlan’ fair,
An’ soon he reach’d Pitnachton’s tow’rs,
An’ soon found Johney there.
18.
18.4‘loote,’ let.
He pat the letter in his han’
An’ taul’ him what he sa’,
But eer he half the letter read,
He loote the tears doun fa’.
19.
‘O I will gae back to fair Englan’,
Tho’ death shoud me betide,
An’ I will relieve the damesel
That lay last by my side.’
20.
Then out it spake his father dear,
‘My son, you are to blame;
An’ gin you’r catch’d on English groun’,
I fear you’ll ne’er win hame.’
21.
Then out it spake a valiant knight,
Johny’s best friend was he;
‘I can commaun’ five hunder men,
An’ I’ll his surety be.’
22.
22.4‘mess,’ mass.
The firstin town that they came till,
They gard the bells be rung;
An’ the nextin town that they came till,
They gard the mess be sung.
23.
The thirdin town that they came till,
They gard the drums beat roun’;
The king but an’ his nobles a’
Was startl’d at the soun’.
24.
Whan they came to the king’s palace
They rade it roun’ about,
An’ there they saw the king himsel’,
At the window looking out.
25.
‘Is this the Duke o’ Albany,
Or James, the Scottish king?
Or are ye some great foreign lord,
That’s come a visiting?’
26.
‘I’m nae the Duke of Albany,
Nor James, the Scottish king;
But I’m a valiant Scottish knight,
Pitnachton is my name.’
27.
27.3‘or,’ ere.
‘O if Pitnachton be your name,
As I trust well it be,
The morn, or I tast meat or drink,
You shall be hanged hi’.’
28.
Then out it spake the valiant knight
That came brave Johney wi’;
‘Behold five hunder bowmen bold,
Will die to set him free.’
29.
29.2The second ‘laugh’ is the past tense of the verb.
Then out it spake the king again,
An’ a scornfu’ laugh laugh he;
‘I have an Italian in my house
Will fight you three by three.’
30.
‘O grant me a boon,’ brave Johney cried;
‘Bring your Italian here;
Then if he fall beneath my sword,
I’ve won your daughter dear.’
31.
31.2‘gurious,’ grim, ugly.
Then out it came that Italian,
An’ a gurious ghost was he;
Upo’ the point o’ Johney’s sword
This Italian did die.
32.
Out has he drawn his lang, lang bran’,
Struck it across the plain:
‘Is there any more o’ your English dogs
That you want to be slain?’
33.
33.2‘tocher,’ dowry.
‘A clark, a clark,’ the king then cried,
‘To write her tocher free’;
‘A priest, a priest,’ says Love Johney,
‘To marry my love and me.
34.
‘I’m seeking nane o’ your gold,’ he says,
‘Nor of your silver clear;
I only seek your daughter fair,
Whose love has cost her dear.’
The Textis taken from Motherwell’sMinstrelsy, a similar version being given in Maidment’sNorth Countrie Garland. A few alterations from the latter version are incorporated.
The Storybears tokens of confusion withLady Maisryin some of the variants of either, but here the tragedy is that the bridegroom is brother to the lover. The end of this ballad in all its forms is highly unnatural in its style: why should Maisery’s remorse at having been such an expense to Lord Ingram be three times as great as her grief for the loss of her lover? It is by no means romantic.
1.1.4‘honour’: Motherwell printedbonheur.Lord Ingramand Chiel WyetWas baith born in one bower;Laid baith their hearts on one lady,The less was their honour.2.Chiel Wyet and Lord IngramWas baith born in one hall;Laid baith their hearts on one lady,The worse did them befall.3.Lord Ingram woo’d her Lady MaiseryFrom father and from mother;Lord Ingram woo’d her Lady MaiseryFrom sister and from brother.4.Lord Ingram woo’d her Lady MaiseryWith leave of a’ her kin;And every one gave full consent,But she said no to him.5.Lord Ingram woo’d her Lady MaiseryInto her father’s ha’;Chiel Wyet woo’d her Lady MaiseryAmang the sheets so sma’.6.6.3‘ben,’ in.Now it fell out upon a dayShe was dressing her head,That ben did come her father dear,Wearing the gold so red.7.He said, ‘Get up now, Lady Maisery,Put on your wedding gown;For Lord Ingram he will be here,Your wedding must be done.’8.8.2‘sell’: Motherwell gavekill.‘I’d rather be Chiel Wyet’s wife,The white fish for to sell,Before I were Lord Ingram’s wife,To wear the silk so well.9.‘I’d rather be Chiel Wyet’s wife,With him to beg my bread,Before I were Lord Ingram’s wife,To wear the gold so red.10.‘Where will I get a bonny boy,Will win gold to his fee,And will run unto Chiel Wyet’s,With this letter from me?’11.‘O here I am, the boy,’ says one,‘Will win gold to my fee,And carry away any letterTo Chiel Wyet from thee.’12.12. Cp.Lady Maisry, 21.And when he found the bridges brokeHe bent his bow and swam;And when he found the grass growing,He hastened and he ran.13.And when he came to Chiel Wyet’s castle,He did not knock nor call,But set his bent bow to his breast,And lightly leaped the wall;And ere the porter open’d the gate,The boy was in the hall.14.The first line he looked on,A grieved man was he;The next line he looked on,A tear blinded his ee:Says, ‘I wonder what ails my one brother,He’ll not let my love be!15.‘But I’ll send to my brother’s bridal—The bacon shall be mine—Full four and twenty buck and roe,And ten tun of the wine;And bid my love be blythe and glad,And I will follow syne.’16.16.4‘neen,’ none, not.There was not a groom about that castle,But got a gown of green,And all was blythe, and all was glad,But Lady Maisery she was neen.17.There was no cook about that kitchen,But got a gown of gray;And all was blythe, and all was glad,But Lady Maisery was wae.18.18.2‘garl,’ gravel.Between Mary Kirk and that castleWas all spread ower with garl,To keep Lady Maisery and her maidensFrom tramping on the marl.19.From Mary Kirk to that castleWas spread a cloth of gold,To keep Lady Maisery and her maidensFrom treading on the mold.20.When mass was sung, and bells was rung,And all men bound for bed;Then Lord Ingram and Lady MaiseryIn one bed they were laid.21.When they were laid into their bed,It was baith saft and warm,He laid his hand over her side,Says, ‘I think you are with bairn.’22.‘I told you once, so did I twice,When ye came me to woo,That Chiel Wyet, your only brother,One night lay in my bower.23.‘I told you twice, I told you thrice,Ere ye came me to wed,That Chiel Wyet, your one brother,One night lay in my bed.’24.‘O will you father your bairn on me,And on no other man?And I’ll give him to his dowryFull fifty ploughs of land.’25.‘I will not father my bairn on you,Nor on no wrongeous man,Though ye would give him to his dowryFive thousand ploughs of land.’26.26.1Motherwell givesdid stand.Then up did start him Chiel Wyet,Shed by his yellow hair,And gave Lord Ingram to the heartA deep wound and a sair.27.Then up did start him Lord Ingram,Shed by his yellow hair,And gave Chiel Wyet to the heart,A deep wound and a sair.28.28.4‘brain,’ mad.There was no pity for that two lords,Where they were lying slain;But all was for her Lady Maisery,In that bower she gaed brain.29.There was no pity for that two lords,When they were lying dead;But all was for her Lady Maisery,In that bower she went mad.30.30.2‘tree,’ wood.Said, ‘Get to me a cloak of cloth,A staff of good hard tree;If I have been an evil woman,I shall beg till I dee.31.31.1‘a’ = ae, each.‘For a bit I’ll beg for Chiel Wyet,For Lord Ingram I’ll beg three;All for the good and honourable marriage,At Mary Kirk he gave me.’
1.
1.4‘honour’: Motherwell printedbonheur.
Lord Ingramand Chiel Wyet
Was baith born in one bower;
Laid baith their hearts on one lady,
The less was their honour.
2.
Chiel Wyet and Lord Ingram
Was baith born in one hall;
Laid baith their hearts on one lady,
The worse did them befall.
3.
Lord Ingram woo’d her Lady Maisery
From father and from mother;
Lord Ingram woo’d her Lady Maisery
From sister and from brother.
4.
Lord Ingram woo’d her Lady Maisery
With leave of a’ her kin;
And every one gave full consent,
But she said no to him.
5.
Lord Ingram woo’d her Lady Maisery
Into her father’s ha’;
Chiel Wyet woo’d her Lady Maisery
Amang the sheets so sma’.
6.
6.3‘ben,’ in.
Now it fell out upon a day
She was dressing her head,
That ben did come her father dear,
Wearing the gold so red.
7.
He said, ‘Get up now, Lady Maisery,
Put on your wedding gown;
For Lord Ingram he will be here,
Your wedding must be done.’
8.
8.2‘sell’: Motherwell gavekill.
‘I’d rather be Chiel Wyet’s wife,
The white fish for to sell,
Before I were Lord Ingram’s wife,
To wear the silk so well.
9.
‘I’d rather be Chiel Wyet’s wife,
With him to beg my bread,
Before I were Lord Ingram’s wife,
To wear the gold so red.
10.
‘Where will I get a bonny boy,
Will win gold to his fee,
And will run unto Chiel Wyet’s,
With this letter from me?’
11.
‘O here I am, the boy,’ says one,
‘Will win gold to my fee,
And carry away any letter
To Chiel Wyet from thee.’
12.
12. Cp.Lady Maisry, 21.
And when he found the bridges broke
He bent his bow and swam;
And when he found the grass growing,
He hastened and he ran.
13.
And when he came to Chiel Wyet’s castle,
He did not knock nor call,
But set his bent bow to his breast,
And lightly leaped the wall;
And ere the porter open’d the gate,
The boy was in the hall.
14.
The first line he looked on,
A grieved man was he;
The next line he looked on,
A tear blinded his ee:
Says, ‘I wonder what ails my one brother,
He’ll not let my love be!
15.
‘But I’ll send to my brother’s bridal—
The bacon shall be mine—
Full four and twenty buck and roe,
And ten tun of the wine;
And bid my love be blythe and glad,
And I will follow syne.’
16.
16.4‘neen,’ none, not.
There was not a groom about that castle,
But got a gown of green,
And all was blythe, and all was glad,
But Lady Maisery she was neen.
17.
There was no cook about that kitchen,
But got a gown of gray;
And all was blythe, and all was glad,
But Lady Maisery was wae.
18.
18.2‘garl,’ gravel.
Between Mary Kirk and that castle
Was all spread ower with garl,
To keep Lady Maisery and her maidens
From tramping on the marl.
19.
From Mary Kirk to that castle
Was spread a cloth of gold,
To keep Lady Maisery and her maidens
From treading on the mold.
20.
When mass was sung, and bells was rung,
And all men bound for bed;
Then Lord Ingram and Lady Maisery
In one bed they were laid.
21.
When they were laid into their bed,
It was baith saft and warm,
He laid his hand over her side,
Says, ‘I think you are with bairn.’
22.
‘I told you once, so did I twice,
When ye came me to woo,
That Chiel Wyet, your only brother,
One night lay in my bower.
23.
‘I told you twice, I told you thrice,
Ere ye came me to wed,
That Chiel Wyet, your one brother,
One night lay in my bed.’
24.
‘O will you father your bairn on me,
And on no other man?
And I’ll give him to his dowry
Full fifty ploughs of land.’
25.
‘I will not father my bairn on you,
Nor on no wrongeous man,
Though ye would give him to his dowry
Five thousand ploughs of land.’
26.
26.1Motherwell givesdid stand.
Then up did start him Chiel Wyet,
Shed by his yellow hair,
And gave Lord Ingram to the heart
A deep wound and a sair.
27.
Then up did start him Lord Ingram,
Shed by his yellow hair,
And gave Chiel Wyet to the heart,
A deep wound and a sair.
28.
28.4‘brain,’ mad.
There was no pity for that two lords,
Where they were lying slain;
But all was for her Lady Maisery,
In that bower she gaed brain.
29.
There was no pity for that two lords,
When they were lying dead;
But all was for her Lady Maisery,
In that bower she went mad.
30.
30.2‘tree,’ wood.
Said, ‘Get to me a cloak of cloth,
A staff of good hard tree;
If I have been an evil woman,
I shall beg till I dee.
31.
31.1‘a’ = ae, each.
‘For a bit I’ll beg for Chiel Wyet,
For Lord Ingram I’ll beg three;
All for the good and honourable marriage,
At Mary Kirk he gave me.’