Texts.—The version here given is compounded from two different sources, almost of necessity. Stanzas 1-19 were given by Scott, compounded from W. Tytler’s BrownMS.and the recitation of an old woman. But at stanza 20 Scott’s version becomes eccentric, and he prints such verses as:—
‘A famous harper passing byThe sweet pale face he chanced to spy...The strings he framed of her yellow hair,Whose notes made sad the listening air.’
‘A famous harper passing by
The sweet pale face he chanced to spy...
The strings he framed of her yellow hair,
Whose notes made sad the listening air.’
Stanzas 20-25, therefore, have been supplied from the Jamieson-BrownMS., which after this point does not descend from the high level of ballad-poetry.
The Story.—This is a very old and a very popular story. An early broadside exists, dated 1656, and the same version is printed inWit Restor’d, 1658. Of Scandinavian ballads on the same subject, nine are Danish, two Icelandic, twelve Norwegian, four Färöe, and eight or nine Swedish.
1.Therewere twa sisters sat in a bour,Binnorie, O Binnorie!There came a knight to be their wooer,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.2.He courted the eldest wi’ glove and ring,Binnorie, O Binnorie!But he lo’ed the youngest aboon a’ thing,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.3.He courted the eldest with broach and knife,Binnorie, O Binnorie!But he lo’ed the youngest aboon his life,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.4.The eldest she was vexed sair,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And sair envìed her sister fair,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.5.The eldest said to the youngest ane,Binnorie, O Binnorie!‘Will ye go and see our father’s ships come in?’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.6.She’s ta’en her by the lilly hand,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And led her down to the river-strand,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.7.The youngest stude upon a stane,Binnorie, O Binnorie!The eldest came and pushed her in,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.8.8.3‘jaw,’ wave.She took her by the middle sma’,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And dashed her bonnie back to the jaw,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie/9.‘O sister, sister, reach your hand!’Binnorie, O Binnorie!‘And ye shall be heir of half my land,’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.10.‘O sister, I’ll not reach my hand,’Binnorie, O Binnorie!‘And I’ll be heir of all your land,’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.11.11.3‘my world’s make,’ my earthly mate.‘Shame fa’ the hand that I should take,’Binnorie, O Binnorie!‘It’s twin’d me and my world’s make,’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.12.‘O sister, reach me but your glove,’Binnorie, O Binnorie!‘And sweet William shall be your love,’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.13.‘Sink on, nor hope for hand or glove,’Binnorie, O Binnorie!‘And sweet William shall better be my love,’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.14.‘Your cherry cheeks and your yellow hair,’Binnorie, O Binnorie!‘Garr’d me gang maiden evermair,’By the bonnie mill-dams o’ Binnorie.15.Sometimes she sunk, and sometimes she swam,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Until she came to the miller’s dam,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.16.‘O father, father, draw your dam!’Binnorie, O Binnorie!‘There’s either a mermaid or a milk-white swan,’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.17.The miller hasted and drew his dam,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And there he found a drowned woman,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.18.You could not see her yellow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie!For gowd and pearls that were sae rare,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.19.You could na see her middle sma’,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Her gowden girdle was sae bra’,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.20.An’ by there came a harper fine,Binnorie, O Binnorie!That harped to the king at dine,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.21.When he did look that lady upon,Binnorie, O Binnorie!He sigh’d and made a heavy moan,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.22.He’s ta’en three locks o’ her yallow hair,Binnorie, O Binnorie!And wi’ them strung his harp sae fair,By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.23.The first tune he did play and sing,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Was, ‘Farewell to my father the king,’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.24.The nextin tune that he play’d syne,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Was, ‘Farewell to my mother the queen,’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.25.The lasten tune that he play’d then,Binnorie, O Binnorie!Was, ‘Wae to my sister, fair Ellen!’By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
1.
Therewere twa sisters sat in a bour,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
There came a knight to be their wooer,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
2.
He courted the eldest wi’ glove and ring,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
But he lo’ed the youngest aboon a’ thing,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
3.
He courted the eldest with broach and knife,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
But he lo’ed the youngest aboon his life,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
4.
The eldest she was vexed sair,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
And sair envìed her sister fair,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
5.
The eldest said to the youngest ane,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
‘Will ye go and see our father’s ships come in?’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
6.
She’s ta’en her by the lilly hand,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
And led her down to the river-strand,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
7.
The youngest stude upon a stane,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
The eldest came and pushed her in,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
8.
8.3‘jaw,’ wave.
She took her by the middle sma’,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
And dashed her bonnie back to the jaw,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie/
9.
‘O sister, sister, reach your hand!’
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
‘And ye shall be heir of half my land,’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
10.
‘O sister, I’ll not reach my hand,’
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
‘And I’ll be heir of all your land,’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
11.
11.3‘my world’s make,’ my earthly mate.
‘Shame fa’ the hand that I should take,’
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
‘It’s twin’d me and my world’s make,’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
12.
‘O sister, reach me but your glove,’
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
‘And sweet William shall be your love,’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
13.
‘Sink on, nor hope for hand or glove,’
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
‘And sweet William shall better be my love,’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
14.
‘Your cherry cheeks and your yellow hair,’
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
‘Garr’d me gang maiden evermair,’
By the bonnie mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
15.
Sometimes she sunk, and sometimes she swam,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
Until she came to the miller’s dam,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
16.
‘O father, father, draw your dam!’
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
‘There’s either a mermaid or a milk-white swan,’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
17.
The miller hasted and drew his dam,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
And there he found a drowned woman,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
18.
You could not see her yellow hair,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
For gowd and pearls that were sae rare,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
19.
You could na see her middle sma’,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
Her gowden girdle was sae bra’,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
20.
An’ by there came a harper fine,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
That harped to the king at dine,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
21.
When he did look that lady upon,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
He sigh’d and made a heavy moan,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
22.
He’s ta’en three locks o’ her yallow hair,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
And wi’ them strung his harp sae fair,
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
23.
The first tune he did play and sing,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
Was, ‘Farewell to my father the king,’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
24.
The nextin tune that he play’d syne,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
Was, ‘Farewell to my mother the queen,’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
25.
The lasten tune that he play’d then,
Binnorie, O Binnorie!
Was, ‘Wae to my sister, fair Ellen!’
By the bonny mill-dams o’ Binnorie.
The Textis that of a copy mentioned by Percy, ‘printed not long since at Glasgow, in one sheet 8vo. The world was indebted for its publication to the lady Jean Hume, sister to the Earle of Hume, who died lately at Gibraltar.’ The original edition, discovered by Mr. Macmath after Professor Child’s version (from theReliques) was in print, is:— ‘Young Waters, an Ancient Scottish Poem, never before printed. Glasgow, printed and sold by Robert and Andrew Foulis, 1755.’ This was also known to Maidment. Hardly a word differs from Percy’s version; but here I have substituted the spellings ‘wh’ for Percy’s ‘quh,’ in ‘quhen,’ etc., and ‘y’ for his ‘z’ in ‘zoung, zou,’ etc.
The Storyhas had historical foundations suggested for it by Percy and Chambers. Percy identified Young Waters with the Earl of Murray, murdered, according to the chronicle of Sir James Balfour, on the 7th of February 1592. Chambers, in 1829, relying on Buchan’s version of the ballad, had no doubt that Young Waters was one of the Scots nobles executed by JamesI., and was very probably Walter Stuart, second son of the Duke of Albany. Thirty years later, Chambers was equally certain that the ballad was the composition of Lady Wardlaw.
In a Scandinavian ballad, Folke Lovmandson is a favourite at court; a little wee page makes the fatal remark and excites the king’s jealousy. The innocent knight is rolled down a hill in a barrel set with knives—a punishment common in Scandinavian folklore.
1.1.2‘round tables,’ an unknown game.AboutYule, when the wind blew cule,And the round tables began,A there is cum to our king’s courtMony a well-favor’d man.2.The queen luikt owre the castle-wa’,Beheld baith dale and down,And there she saw Young WatersCum riding to the town.3.His footmen they did rin before,His horsemen rade behind;Ane mantel of the burning gowdDid keip him frae the wind.4.4.1‘graith’d,’ harnessed, usually; here perhaps shod.Gowden-graith’d his horse before,And siller-shod behind;The horse Young Waters rade uponWas fleeter than the wind.5.Out then spack a wylie lord,Unto the queen said he:‘O tell me wha ’s the fairest faceRides in the company?’6.6.1‘laird,’ a landholder, below the degree of knight.—Jamieson.‘I’ve sene lord, and I’ve sene laird,And knights of high degree,Bot a fairer face than Young WatersMine eyne did never see.’7.Out then spack the jealous king,And an angry man was he:‘O if he had bin twice as fair,You micht have excepted me.’8.‘You’re neither laird nor lord,’ she says,‘Bot the king that wears the crown;There is not a knight in fair ScotlandBot to thee maun bow down.’9.For a’ that she coud do or say,Appeas’d he wad nae bee,Bot for the words which she had said,Young Waters he maun die.10.They hae ta’en Young Waters,And put fetters to his feet;They hae ta’en Young Waters, andThrown him in dungeon deep.11.‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town,In the wind bot and the weit;Bot I neir rade thro’ Stirling townWi’ fetters at my feet.12.‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town,In the wind bot and the rain;Bot I neir rade thro’ Stirling townNeir to return again.’13.13.1‘heiding-hill’:i.e.heading (beheading) hill. The place of execution was anciently an artificial hillock.—Percy.They hae ta’en to the heiding-hillHis young son in his craddle,And they hae ta’en to the heiding-hillHis horse bot and his saddle.14.They hae ta’en to heiding-hillHis lady fair to see,And for the words the queen had spokeYoung Waters he did die.
1.
1.2‘round tables,’ an unknown game.
AboutYule, when the wind blew cule,
And the round tables began,
A there is cum to our king’s court
Mony a well-favor’d man.
2.
The queen luikt owre the castle-wa’,
Beheld baith dale and down,
And there she saw Young Waters
Cum riding to the town.
3.
His footmen they did rin before,
His horsemen rade behind;
Ane mantel of the burning gowd
Did keip him frae the wind.
4.
4.1‘graith’d,’ harnessed, usually; here perhaps shod.
Gowden-graith’d his horse before,
And siller-shod behind;
The horse Young Waters rade upon
Was fleeter than the wind.
5.
Out then spack a wylie lord,
Unto the queen said he:
‘O tell me wha ’s the fairest face
Rides in the company?’
6.
6.1‘laird,’ a landholder, below the degree of knight.—Jamieson.
‘I’ve sene lord, and I’ve sene laird,
And knights of high degree,
Bot a fairer face than Young Waters
Mine eyne did never see.’
7.
Out then spack the jealous king,
And an angry man was he:
‘O if he had bin twice as fair,
You micht have excepted me.’
8.
‘You’re neither laird nor lord,’ she says,
‘Bot the king that wears the crown;
There is not a knight in fair Scotland
Bot to thee maun bow down.’
9.
For a’ that she coud do or say,
Appeas’d he wad nae bee,
Bot for the words which she had said,
Young Waters he maun die.
10.
They hae ta’en Young Waters,
And put fetters to his feet;
They hae ta’en Young Waters, and
Thrown him in dungeon deep.
11.
‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town,
In the wind bot and the weit;
Bot I neir rade thro’ Stirling town
Wi’ fetters at my feet.
12.
‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town,
In the wind bot and the rain;
Bot I neir rade thro’ Stirling town
Neir to return again.’
13.
13.1‘heiding-hill’:i.e.heading (beheading) hill. The place of execution was anciently an artificial hillock.—Percy.
They hae ta’en to the heiding-hill
His young son in his craddle,
And they hae ta’en to the heiding-hill
His horse bot and his saddle.
14.
They hae ta’en to heiding-hill
His lady fair to see,
And for the words the queen had spoke
Young Waters he did die.
The Textis from Allan Ramsay’sTea-Table Miscellany(1763). It was not included in the first edition (1724-1727), nor until the ninth edition in 1740, when to the original three volumes there was added a fourth, in which this ballad appeared. There is also a Scotch version,Sir John Grehme and Barbara Allan. Percy printed both in theReliques, vol. iii.
The Storyof Barbara Allan’s scorn of her lover and subsequent regret has always been popular. Pepys records of Mrs. Knipp, ‘In perfect pleasure I was to hear her sing, and especially her little Scotch song of Barbary Allen’ (January 2, 1665-6). Goldsmith’s words are equally well known: ‘The music of the finest singer is dissonance to what I felt when an old dairymaid sung me into tears withJohnny Armstrong’s Last Goodnight, orThe Cruelty of Barbara Allen.’ The tune is excessively popular: it is given in Chappell’sEnglish Song and Ballad Music.
1.Itwas in and about the Martinmas time,When the green leaves were afalling,That Sir John Græme, in the West Country,Fell in love with Barbara Allan.2.He sent his men down through the town,To the place where she was dwelling;‘O haste and come to my master dear,Gin ye be Barbara Allan.’3.O hooly, hooly rose she up,To the place where he was lying,And when she drew the curtain by,‘Young man, I think you’re dying.’4.‘O it’s I am sick, and very, very sick,And ’t is a’ for Barbara Allan.’‘O the better for me ye ’s never be,Tho’ your heart’s blood were aspilling.’5.‘O dinna ye mind, young man,’ said she,‘When ye was in the tavern a drinking,That ye made the healths gae round and round,And slighted Barbara Allan?’6.He turn’d his face unto the wall,And death was with him dealing;‘Adieu, adieu, my dear friends all,And be kind to Barbara Allan.’7.And slowly, slowly raise she up,And slowly, slowly left him,And sighing, said, she coud not stay,Since death of life had reft him.8.She had not gane a mile but twa,When she heard the dead-bell ringing,And every jow that the dead-bell geid,It cry’d, ‘Woe to Barbara Allan!’9.‘O mother, mother, make my bed,O make it saft and narrow!Since my love died for me to-day,I’ll die for him to-morrow.’
1.
Itwas in and about the Martinmas time,
When the green leaves were afalling,
That Sir John Græme, in the West Country,
Fell in love with Barbara Allan.
2.
He sent his men down through the town,
To the place where she was dwelling;
‘O haste and come to my master dear,
Gin ye be Barbara Allan.’
3.
O hooly, hooly rose she up,
To the place where he was lying,
And when she drew the curtain by,
‘Young man, I think you’re dying.’
4.
‘O it’s I am sick, and very, very sick,
And ’t is a’ for Barbara Allan.’
‘O the better for me ye ’s never be,
Tho’ your heart’s blood were aspilling.’
5.
‘O dinna ye mind, young man,’ said she,
‘When ye was in the tavern a drinking,
That ye made the healths gae round and round,
And slighted Barbara Allan?’
6.
He turn’d his face unto the wall,
And death was with him dealing;
‘Adieu, adieu, my dear friends all,
And be kind to Barbara Allan.’
7.
And slowly, slowly raise she up,
And slowly, slowly left him,
And sighing, said, she coud not stay,
Since death of life had reft him.
8.
She had not gane a mile but twa,
When she heard the dead-bell ringing,
And every jow that the dead-bell geid,
It cry’d, ‘Woe to Barbara Allan!’
9.
‘O mother, mother, make my bed,
O make it saft and narrow!
Since my love died for me to-day,
I’ll die for him to-morrow.’
The Textis from the Jamieson-BrownMS., on which version Scott drew partly for his ballad in theMinstrelsy. Mrs. Brown recited the ballad again to William Tytler in 1783, but the result is now lost, with most of the other Tytler-Brown versions.
The Story.—One point, the maid’s feint of death to escape from her father to her lover, is the subject of a ballad very popular in France; a version entitledBelle Isambourgis printed in a collection calledAirs de Cour, 1607. Feigning death to escape various threats is a common feature in many European ballads.
It is perhaps needless to remark that no goshawk sings sweetly, much less talks. In Buchan’s version (of forty-nine stanzas) the goshawk is exchanged for a parrot.
1.‘O well’s me o’ my gay goss-hawk,That he can speak and flee;He’ll carry a letter to my love,Bring back another to me.’2.2.3‘couth,’ word.—Jamieson.The derivation, from Anglo-Saxoncwide, is hard.‘O how can I your true-love ken,Or how can I her know?When frae her mouth I never heard couth,Nor wi’ my eyes her saw.’3.‘O well sal ye my true-love ken,As soon as you her see;For, of a’ the flow’rs in fair Englan’,The fairest flow’r is she.4.‘At even at my love’s bow’r-doorThere grows a bowing birk,An’ sit ye down and sing thereonAs she gangs to the kirk.5.‘An’ four-and-twenty ladies fairWill wash and go to kirk,But well shall ye my true-love ken,For she wears goud on her skirt.6.‘An’ four-and-twenty gay ladiesWill to the mass repair,But well sal ye my true-love ken,For she wears goud on her hair.’7.7.3‘she’ is the goshawk; called ‘he’ in 1.2.O even at that lady’s bow’r-doorThere grows a bowin’ birk,An’ she sat down and sang thereon,As she ged to the kirk.8.8.3‘shot-window,’ here perhaps a bow-window.‘O eet and drink, my marys a’,The wine flows you among,Till I gang to my shot-window,An’ hear yon bonny bird’s song.9.9.2‘streen’ = yestreen, last evening.‘Sing on, sing on, my bonny bird,The song ye sang the streen,For I ken by your sweet singin’,You ’re frae my true-love sen’.’10.O first he sang a merry song,An’ then he sang a grave,An’ then he peck’d his feathers gray,To her the letter gave.11.‘Ha, there’s a letter frae your love,He says he sent you three;He canna wait your love langer,But for your sake he’ll die.12.‘He bids you write a letter to him;He says he’s sent you five;He canno wait your love langer,Tho’ you’re the fairest woman alive.’13.‘Ye bid him bake his bridal bread,And brew his bridal ale,An’ I’ll meet him in fair Scotlan’Lang, lang or it be stale.’14.She’s doen her to her father dear,Fa’n low down on her knee:‘A boon, a boon, my father dear,I pray you, grant it me.’15.‘Ask on, ask on, my daughter,An’ granted it sal be;Except ae squire in fair Scotlan’,An’ him you sall never see.’16.‘The only boon my father dear,That I do crave of the,Is, gin I die in southin lans,In Scotland to bury me.17.‘An’ the firstin kirk that ye come till,Ye gar the bells be rung,An’ the nextin kirk that ye come till,Ye gar the mess be sung.18.‘An’ the thirdin kirk that ye come till,You deal gold for my sake,An’ the fourthin kirk that ye come till,You tarry there till night.’19.19.1‘bigly,’lit.habitable; the stock epithet of ‘bower.’She is doen her to her bigly bow’r,As fast as she coud fare,An’ she has tane a sleepy draught,That she had mix’d wi’ care.20.She’s laid her down upon her bed,An’ soon she’s fa’n asleep,And soon o’er every tender limbCauld death began to creep.21.Whan night was flown, an’ day was come,Nae ane that did her seeBut thought she was as surely deadAs ony lady coud be.22.Her father an’ her brothers dearGard make to her a bier;The tae half was o’ guid red gold,The tither o’ silver clear.23.Her mither an’ her sisters fairGard work for her a sark;The tae half was o’ cambrick fine,The tither o’ needle wark.24.The firstin kirk that they came till,They gard the bells be rung,An’ the nextin kirk that they came till,They gard the mess be sung.25.25.4‘make,’ mate, lover.The thirdin kirk that they came till,They dealt gold for her sake,An’ the fourthin kirk that they came till,Lo, there they met her make!26.‘Lay down, lay down the bigly bier,Lat me the dead look on’;Wi’ cherry cheeks and ruby lipsShe lay an’ smil’d on him.27.27.1‘sheave,’ slice.‘O ae sheave o’ your bread, true-love,An’ ae glass o’ your wine,For I hae fasted for your sakeThese fully days is nine.28.‘Gang hame, gang hame, my seven bold brothers,Gang hame and sound your horn;An’ ye may boast in southin lan’sYour sister’s play’d you scorn.’
1.
‘O well’s me o’ my gay goss-hawk,
That he can speak and flee;
He’ll carry a letter to my love,
Bring back another to me.’
2.
2.3‘couth,’ word.—Jamieson.The derivation, from Anglo-Saxoncwide, is hard.
‘O how can I your true-love ken,
Or how can I her know?
When frae her mouth I never heard couth,
Nor wi’ my eyes her saw.’
3.
‘O well sal ye my true-love ken,
As soon as you her see;
For, of a’ the flow’rs in fair Englan’,
The fairest flow’r is she.
4.
‘At even at my love’s bow’r-door
There grows a bowing birk,
An’ sit ye down and sing thereon
As she gangs to the kirk.
5.
‘An’ four-and-twenty ladies fair
Will wash and go to kirk,
But well shall ye my true-love ken,
For she wears goud on her skirt.
6.
‘An’ four-and-twenty gay ladies
Will to the mass repair,
But well sal ye my true-love ken,
For she wears goud on her hair.’
7.
7.3‘she’ is the goshawk; called ‘he’ in 1.2.
O even at that lady’s bow’r-door
There grows a bowin’ birk,
An’ she sat down and sang thereon,
As she ged to the kirk.
8.
8.3‘shot-window,’ here perhaps a bow-window.
‘O eet and drink, my marys a’,
The wine flows you among,
Till I gang to my shot-window,
An’ hear yon bonny bird’s song.
9.
9.2‘streen’ = yestreen, last evening.
‘Sing on, sing on, my bonny bird,
The song ye sang the streen,
For I ken by your sweet singin’,
You ’re frae my true-love sen’.’
10.
O first he sang a merry song,
An’ then he sang a grave,
An’ then he peck’d his feathers gray,
To her the letter gave.
11.
‘Ha, there’s a letter frae your love,
He says he sent you three;
He canna wait your love langer,
But for your sake he’ll die.
12.
‘He bids you write a letter to him;
He says he’s sent you five;
He canno wait your love langer,
Tho’ you’re the fairest woman alive.’
13.
‘Ye bid him bake his bridal bread,
And brew his bridal ale,
An’ I’ll meet him in fair Scotlan’
Lang, lang or it be stale.’
14.
She’s doen her to her father dear,
Fa’n low down on her knee:
‘A boon, a boon, my father dear,
I pray you, grant it me.’
15.
‘Ask on, ask on, my daughter,
An’ granted it sal be;
Except ae squire in fair Scotlan’,
An’ him you sall never see.’
16.
‘The only boon my father dear,
That I do crave of the,
Is, gin I die in southin lans,
In Scotland to bury me.
17.
‘An’ the firstin kirk that ye come till,
Ye gar the bells be rung,
An’ the nextin kirk that ye come till,
Ye gar the mess be sung.
18.
‘An’ the thirdin kirk that ye come till,
You deal gold for my sake,
An’ the fourthin kirk that ye come till,
You tarry there till night.’
19.
19.1‘bigly,’lit.habitable; the stock epithet of ‘bower.’
She is doen her to her bigly bow’r,
As fast as she coud fare,
An’ she has tane a sleepy draught,
That she had mix’d wi’ care.
20.
She’s laid her down upon her bed,
An’ soon she’s fa’n asleep,
And soon o’er every tender limb
Cauld death began to creep.
21.
Whan night was flown, an’ day was come,
Nae ane that did her see
But thought she was as surely dead
As ony lady coud be.
22.
Her father an’ her brothers dear
Gard make to her a bier;
The tae half was o’ guid red gold,
The tither o’ silver clear.
23.
Her mither an’ her sisters fair
Gard work for her a sark;
The tae half was o’ cambrick fine,
The tither o’ needle wark.
24.
The firstin kirk that they came till,
They gard the bells be rung,
An’ the nextin kirk that they came till,
They gard the mess be sung.
25.
25.4‘make,’ mate, lover.
The thirdin kirk that they came till,
They dealt gold for her sake,
An’ the fourthin kirk that they came till,
Lo, there they met her make!
26.
‘Lay down, lay down the bigly bier,
Lat me the dead look on’;
Wi’ cherry cheeks and ruby lips
She lay an’ smil’d on him.
27.
27.1‘sheave,’ slice.
‘O ae sheave o’ your bread, true-love,
An’ ae glass o’ your wine,
For I hae fasted for your sake
These fully days is nine.
28.
‘Gang hame, gang hame, my seven bold brothers,
Gang hame and sound your horn;
An’ ye may boast in southin lan’s
Your sister’s play’d you scorn.’
The Textis here given from the Jamieson-BrownMS.Versions, lengthened and therefore less succinct and natural, are given in Christie’sTraditional Ballad Airs(Love Robbie) and in Buchan’sBallads of the North of Scotland(Brown Robyn and Mally).
The Storyis a genuine bit of romance. The proud porter is apparently suspicious, believing that the king’s daughter would not have made him drunk for any good purpose. In spite of that he cannot see through Brown Robin’s disguise, though the king remarks that ‘this is a sturdy dame.’ The king’s daughter, one would think, who conceals Robin’s bow in her bosom, must also have been somewhat sturdy. Note the picturesque touch in 8.2.
1.2‘birling,’ drinking: cf. 7.1.1.Theking but an’ his nobles a’Sat birling at the wine;}bisHe would ha’ nane but his ae daughterTo wait on them at dine.2.She’s served them butt, she’s served them ben,Intill a gown of green,But her e’e was ay on Brown Robin,That stood low under the rain.3.3.1‘bigly,’ commodious: seeThe Gay Goshawk, 19.1.3.3‘shot-window,’ here perhaps a shutter with a pane of glass let in.She’s doen her to her bigly bow’r,As fast as she coud gang,An’ there she’s drawn her shot-window,An’ she’s harped an’ she sang.4.‘There sits a bird i’ my father’s garden,An’ O but she sings sweet!I hope to live an’ see the dayWhen wi’ my love I’ll meet.’5.‘O gin that ye like me as wellAs your tongue tells to me,What hour o’ the night, my lady bright,At your bow’r sal I be?’6.‘Whan my father an’ gay GilbertAre baith set at the wine,O ready, ready I will beTo lat my true-love in.’7.7.1‘birl’d,’ plied: cf. 1.2.7.4Cf.Fause Footrage16.4: a popular simile.7.5‘stown,’ stolen: ‘yates,’ gates.O she has birl’d her father’s porterWi’ strong beer an’ wi’ wine,Untill he was as beastly drunkAs ony wild-wood swine:She’s stown the keys o’ her father’s yatesAn latten her true-love in.8.When night was gane, an’ day was come,An’ the sun shone on their feet,Then out it spake him Brown Robin,‘I’ll be discover’d yet.’9.Then out it spake that gay lady:‘My love ye need na doubt,For wi’ ae wile I’ve got you in,Wi’ anither I’ll bring you out.’10.10.4‘gare,’ gore;i.e.by her knee: a stock ballad phrase.She’s ta’en her to her father’s cellar,As fast as she can fare;She’s drawn a cup o’ the gude red wine,Hung ’t low down by her gare;An’ she met wi’ her father dearJust coming down the stair.11.11.4‘gantrees,’ stands for casks.‘I woud na gi’ that cup, daughter,That ye hold i’ your han’,For a’ the wines in my cellar,An’ gantrees whare the[y] stan’.’12.12.3‘sic,’ such: theMS.givessick: ‘steer,’ disturbance.‘O wae be to your wine, father,That ever ’t came o’er the sea;’Tis pitten my head in sic a steerI’ my bow’r I canna be.’13.13.4‘marys,’ maids.‘Gang out, gang out, my daughter dear,Gang out an’ tack the air;Gang out an’ walk i’ the good green wood,An’ a’ your marys fair.’14.Then out it spake the proud porter—Our lady wish’d him shame—‘We’ll send the marys to the wood,But we’ll keep our lady at hame.’15.15.4‘gains for,’ suits, is meet (Icelandic,gegna). Cf. Jamieson’s version ofSir Patrick Spence:—‘For I brought as much white moneyAs will gain my men and me.’‘There’s thirty marys i’ my bow’r,There’s thirty o’ them an’ three;But there ’s nae ane amo’ them a’Kens what flow’r gains for me.’16.She’s doen her to her bigly bow’rAs fast as she could gang,An’ she has dresst him Brown RobinLike ony bow’r-woman.17.17.4‘cordwain,’ Cordovan (Spanish) leather.The gown she pat upon her loveWas o’ the dainty green,His hose was o’ the saft, saft silk,His shoon o’ the cordwain fine.18.She’s pitten his bow in her bosom,His arrow in her sleeve,His sturdy bran’ her body next,Because he was her love.19.Then she is unto her bow’r-doorAs fast as she coud gang;But out it spake the proud porter—Our lady wish’d him shame—‘We’ll count our marys to the wood,And we’ll count them back again.’20.The firsten mary she sent outWas Brown Robin by name;Then out it spake the king himsel’,‘This is a sturdy dame.’21.21.2‘gay’: theMS.givesgray. This is Child’s emendation, who points out that the sun was up, 8.2.O she went out in a May morning,In a May morning so gay,But she never came back again,Her auld father to see.
1.2‘birling,’ drinking: cf. 7.1.
1.
Theking but an’ his nobles a’
Sat birling at the wine;
He would ha’ nane but his ae daughter
To wait on them at dine.
2.
She’s served them butt, she’s served them ben,
Intill a gown of green,
But her e’e was ay on Brown Robin,
That stood low under the rain.
3.
3.1‘bigly,’ commodious: seeThe Gay Goshawk, 19.1.
3.3‘shot-window,’ here perhaps a shutter with a pane of glass let in.
She’s doen her to her bigly bow’r,
As fast as she coud gang,
An’ there she’s drawn her shot-window,
An’ she’s harped an’ she sang.
4.
‘There sits a bird i’ my father’s garden,
An’ O but she sings sweet!
I hope to live an’ see the day
When wi’ my love I’ll meet.’
5.
‘O gin that ye like me as well
As your tongue tells to me,
What hour o’ the night, my lady bright,
At your bow’r sal I be?’
6.
‘Whan my father an’ gay Gilbert
Are baith set at the wine,
O ready, ready I will be
To lat my true-love in.’
7.
7.1‘birl’d,’ plied: cf. 1.2.
7.4Cf.Fause Footrage16.4: a popular simile.
7.5‘stown,’ stolen: ‘yates,’ gates.
O she has birl’d her father’s porter
Wi’ strong beer an’ wi’ wine,
Untill he was as beastly drunk
As ony wild-wood swine:
She’s stown the keys o’ her father’s yates
An latten her true-love in.
8.
When night was gane, an’ day was come,
An’ the sun shone on their feet,
Then out it spake him Brown Robin,
‘I’ll be discover’d yet.’
9.
Then out it spake that gay lady:
‘My love ye need na doubt,
For wi’ ae wile I’ve got you in,
Wi’ anither I’ll bring you out.’
10.
10.4‘gare,’ gore;i.e.by her knee: a stock ballad phrase.
She’s ta’en her to her father’s cellar,
As fast as she can fare;
She’s drawn a cup o’ the gude red wine,
Hung ’t low down by her gare;
An’ she met wi’ her father dear
Just coming down the stair.
11.
11.4‘gantrees,’ stands for casks.
‘I woud na gi’ that cup, daughter,
That ye hold i’ your han’,
For a’ the wines in my cellar,
An’ gantrees whare the[y] stan’.’
12.
12.3‘sic,’ such: theMS.givessick: ‘steer,’ disturbance.
‘O wae be to your wine, father,
That ever ’t came o’er the sea;
’Tis pitten my head in sic a steer
I’ my bow’r I canna be.’
13.
13.4‘marys,’ maids.
‘Gang out, gang out, my daughter dear,
Gang out an’ tack the air;
Gang out an’ walk i’ the good green wood,
An’ a’ your marys fair.’
14.
Then out it spake the proud porter—
Our lady wish’d him shame—
‘We’ll send the marys to the wood,
But we’ll keep our lady at hame.’
15.
15.4‘gains for,’ suits, is meet (Icelandic,gegna). Cf. Jamieson’s version ofSir Patrick Spence:—‘For I brought as much white moneyAs will gain my men and me.’
‘There’s thirty marys i’ my bow’r,
There’s thirty o’ them an’ three;
But there ’s nae ane amo’ them a’
Kens what flow’r gains for me.’
16.
She’s doen her to her bigly bow’r
As fast as she could gang,
An’ she has dresst him Brown Robin
Like ony bow’r-woman.
17.
17.4‘cordwain,’ Cordovan (Spanish) leather.
The gown she pat upon her love
Was o’ the dainty green,
His hose was o’ the saft, saft silk,
His shoon o’ the cordwain fine.
18.
She’s pitten his bow in her bosom,
His arrow in her sleeve,
His sturdy bran’ her body next,
Because he was her love.
19.
Then she is unto her bow’r-door
As fast as she coud gang;
But out it spake the proud porter—
Our lady wish’d him shame—
‘We’ll count our marys to the wood,
And we’ll count them back again.’
20.
The firsten mary she sent out
Was Brown Robin by name;
Then out it spake the king himsel’,
‘This is a sturdy dame.’
21.
21.2‘gay’: theMS.givesgray. This is Child’s emendation, who points out that the sun was up, 8.2.
O she went out in a May morning,
In a May morning so gay,
But she never came back again,
Her auld father to see.
The Textof this little ballad is given from Bell’sAncient Poems, Ballads, and Songs of the Peasantry of England.
It should be compared withLord Lovel.
1.1.2‘quoif,’ cap. The line should doubtless be:— ‘Mending her midnight quoif.’Lady Alicewas sitting in her bower-window,At midnight mending her quoif,And there she saw as fine a corpseAs ever she saw in her life.2.‘What bear ye, what bear ye, ye six men tall?What bear ye on your shoulders?’‘We bear the corpse of Giles Collins,An old and true lover of yours.’3.‘O lay him down gently, ye six men tall,All on the grass so green,And to-morrow, when the sun goes down,Lady Alice a corpse shall be seen.4.‘And bury me in Saint Mary’s church,All for my love so true,And make me a garland of marjoram,And of lemon-thyme, and rue.’5.Giles Collins was buried all in the east,Lady Alice all in the west,And the roses that grew on Giles Collins’s grave,They reached Lady Alice’s breast.6.The priest of the parish he chanced to pass,And he severed those roses in twain;Sure never were seen such true lovers before,Nor e’er will there be again.
1.
1.2‘quoif,’ cap. The line should doubtless be:— ‘Mending her midnight quoif.’
Lady Alicewas sitting in her bower-window,
At midnight mending her quoif,
And there she saw as fine a corpse
As ever she saw in her life.
2.
‘What bear ye, what bear ye, ye six men tall?
What bear ye on your shoulders?’
‘We bear the corpse of Giles Collins,
An old and true lover of yours.’
3.
‘O lay him down gently, ye six men tall,
All on the grass so green,
And to-morrow, when the sun goes down,
Lady Alice a corpse shall be seen.
4.
‘And bury me in Saint Mary’s church,
All for my love so true,
And make me a garland of marjoram,
And of lemon-thyme, and rue.’
5.
Giles Collins was buried all in the east,
Lady Alice all in the west,
And the roses that grew on Giles Collins’s grave,
They reached Lady Alice’s breast.
6.
The priest of the parish he chanced to pass,
And he severed those roses in twain;
Sure never were seen such true lovers before,
Nor e’er will there be again.
The Textis from the Percy Folio, givenliteratim, with two rearrangements of the lines (in stt. 4 and 22) and a few obvious corrections, as suggested by Hales, and Furnivall, and Child. The Folio version was printed by Jamieson in hisPopular Ballads and Songs.
The Scotch version,Gil Morrice, was printed by Percy in theReliquesin preference to the version of his Folio. He notes that the ballad ‘has lately run through two editions in Scotland: the second was printed at Glasgow in 1755.’ Thanks to an advertisement prefixed to these Scottish editions, sixteen additional verses were obtained and added by Percy, who thought that they were ‘perhaps after all only an ingenious interpolation.’Gil Morriceintroduces ‘Lord Barnard’ in place of ‘John Steward,’ adopted, perhaps, fromLittle Musgrave and Lady Barnard. Motherwell’s versions were variously calledChild Noryce,Bob Norice,Gill Morice,Chield Morice. Certainly the Folio ballad is unsurpassed for its vigorous, objective style, and forcible, vivid pictures.
The Storyof this ballad gave rise to Home’sDouglas, a tragedy, produced in the Concert Hall, Canongate, Edinburgh, 1756 (on which occasion the heroine’s name was given as ‘Lady Barnard’), and transferred to Covent Garden Theatre, in London, in 1757, the heroine’s name being altered to ‘Lady Randolph.’
Perhaps in the same year in which the play was produced in London, the poet Gray wrote from Cambridge:— ‘I have got the old Scotch ballad on whichDouglaswas founded; it is divine, and as long as from hence to Aston. Aristotle’s best rules are observed in it in a manner which shows the author never had heard of Aristotle. It begins in the fifth act of the play. You may read it two-thirds through without guessing what it is about; and yet, when you come to the end, it is impossible not to understand the whole story.’
1.1.1‘siluer’: the Folio givessiluen.Child Mauricehunted ithe siluer wood,He hunted itt round about,And noebodye that he ffound therin,Nor none there was with-out.2...........And he tooke his siluer combe in his hand,To kembe his yellow lockes.3.He sayes, ‘Come hither, thou litle ffoot-page,That runneth lowlye by my knee,Ffor thou shalt goe to Iohn Stewards wiffeAnd pray her speake with mee.4.4.3,4These lines in the Folio precede st. 6...........I, and greete thou doe that ladye well,Euer soe well ffroe mee.5.5.2i.e.as many times as there are knots knit in a net for the hair; cf. Frenchcale.5.3‘leeue,’ lovely.‘And, as itt ffalls, as many timesAs knotts beene knitt on a kell,Or marchant men gone to leeue LondonEither to buy ware or sell;6.‘And, as itt ffalles, as many timesAs any hart can thinke,Or schoole-masters are in any schoole-houseWritting with pen and inke:Ffor if I might, as well as shee may,This night I wold with her speake.7.‘And heere I send her a mantle of greene,As greene as any grasse,And bid her come to the siluer wood,To hunt with Child Maurice.8.8.4‘Let,’ fail: it is the infinitive, governed by ‘bidd.’‘And there I send her a ring of gold,A ring of precyous stone,And bidd her come to the siluer wood,Let ffor no kind of man.’9.9.1‘yode,’ went.9.4‘blan,’ lingered.One while this litle boy he yode,Another while he ran,Vntill he came to Iohn Stewards hall,I-wis he never blan.10.And of nurture the child had good,Hee ran vp hall and bower ffree,And when he came to this lady ffaire,Sayes, ‘God you saue and see!11.‘I am come ffrom Child Maurice,A message vnto thee;And Child Maurice, he greetes you well,And euer soe well ffrom mee;12.‘And, as itt ffalls, as oftentimesAs knotts beene knitt on a kell,Or marchant-men gone to leeue LondonEither ffor to buy ware or sell;13.13.3‘are’: omitted in the Folio.‘And as oftentimes he greetes you wellAs any hart can thinke,Or schoolemasters are in any schoole,Wryting with pen and inke.14.‘And heere he sends a mantle of greene,As greene as any grasse,And he bidds you come to the siluer wood,To hunt with Child Maurice.15.‘And heere he sends you a ring of gold,A ring of the precyous stone;He prayes you to come to the siluer wood,Let ffor no kind of man.’16.‘Now peace, now peace, thou litle ffoot-page,Ffor Christes sake, I pray thee!Ffor if my lord heare one of these words,Thou must be hanged hye!’17.Iohn Steward stood vnder the castle-wall,And he wrote the words euerye one,..........18.18.3‘I,’ aye.And he called vnto his hors-keeper,‘Make readye you my steede!’I, and soe he did to his chamberlaine,‘Make readye thou my weede!’19.19.1‘lease,’ leash, thong, string: perhaps for bringing back any game he might kill.And he cast a lease vpon his backe,And he rode to the siluer wood,And there he sought all about,About the siluer wood.20.And there he ffound him Child MauriceSitting vpon a blocke,With a siluer combe in his hand,Kembing his yellow locke.*****21.After 20 at least one verse is lost.But then stood vp him Child Maurice,And sayd these words trulye:‘I doe not know your ladye,’ he said,‘If that I doe her see.’22.22.1,2In the Folio these lines precede 21.1,2.He sayes, ‘How now, how now, Child Maurice?Alacke, how may this bee?Ffor thou hast sent her loue-tokens,More now then two or three;23.‘Ffor thou hast sent her a mantle of greene,As greene as any grasse,And bade her come to the siluer woodeTo hunt with Child Maurice.24.24.1‘hast’ omitted in the Folio.‘And thou [hast] sent her a ring of gold,A ring of precyous stone,And bade her come to the siluer wood,Let ffor noe kind of man.25.25.2‘tone,’ the one (or other).‘And by my ffaith, now, Child Maurice,The tone of vs shall dye!’‘Now be my troth,’ sayd Child Maurice,‘And that shall not be I.’26.But hee pulled forth a bright browne sword,And dryed itt on the grasse,And soe ffast he smote att Iohn Steward,I-wisse he neuer rest.27.Then hee pulled fforth his bright browne sword,And dryed itt on his sleeue,And the ffirst good stroke Iohn Stewart stroke,Child Maurice head he did cleeue.28.And he pricked itt on his swords poynt,Went singing there beside,And he rode till he came to that ladye ffaire,Wheras this ladye lyed.29.And sayes, ‘Dost thou know Child Maurice head,If that thou dost itt see?And lap itt soft, and kisse itt oft,For thou louedst him better than mee.’30.But when shee looked on Child Maurice head,She neuer spake words but three:‘I neuer beare no child but one,And you haue slaine him trulye.’31.Sayes, ‘Wicked be my merrymen all,I gaue meate, drinke, and clothe!But cold they not haue holden meWhen I was in all that wrath!32.‘Ffor I haue slaine one of the curteousest knightsThat euer bestrode a steed,Soe haue I done one [of] the fairest ladyesThat euer ware womans weede!’
1.
1.1‘siluer’: the Folio givessiluen.
Child Mauricehunted ithe siluer wood,
He hunted itt round about,
And noebodye that he ffound therin,
Nor none there was with-out.
2.
.....
.....
And he tooke his siluer combe in his hand,
To kembe his yellow lockes.
3.
He sayes, ‘Come hither, thou litle ffoot-page,
That runneth lowlye by my knee,
Ffor thou shalt goe to Iohn Stewards wiffe
And pray her speake with mee.
4.
4.3,4These lines in the Folio precede st. 6.
.....
.....
I, and greete thou doe that ladye well,
Euer soe well ffroe mee.
5.
5.2i.e.as many times as there are knots knit in a net for the hair; cf. Frenchcale.
5.3‘leeue,’ lovely.
‘And, as itt ffalls, as many times
As knotts beene knitt on a kell,
Or marchant men gone to leeue London
Either to buy ware or sell;
6.
‘And, as itt ffalles, as many times
As any hart can thinke,
Or schoole-masters are in any schoole-house
Writting with pen and inke:
Ffor if I might, as well as shee may,
This night I wold with her speake.
7.
‘And heere I send her a mantle of greene,
As greene as any grasse,
And bid her come to the siluer wood,
To hunt with Child Maurice.
8.
8.4‘Let,’ fail: it is the infinitive, governed by ‘bidd.’
‘And there I send her a ring of gold,
A ring of precyous stone,
And bidd her come to the siluer wood,
Let ffor no kind of man.’
9.
9.1‘yode,’ went.
9.4‘blan,’ lingered.
One while this litle boy he yode,
Another while he ran,
Vntill he came to Iohn Stewards hall,
I-wis he never blan.
10.
And of nurture the child had good,
Hee ran vp hall and bower ffree,
And when he came to this lady ffaire,
Sayes, ‘God you saue and see!
11.
‘I am come ffrom Child Maurice,
A message vnto thee;
And Child Maurice, he greetes you well,
And euer soe well ffrom mee;
12.
‘And, as itt ffalls, as oftentimes
As knotts beene knitt on a kell,
Or marchant-men gone to leeue London
Either ffor to buy ware or sell;
13.
13.3‘are’: omitted in the Folio.
‘And as oftentimes he greetes you well
As any hart can thinke,
Or schoolemasters are in any schoole,
Wryting with pen and inke.
14.
‘And heere he sends a mantle of greene,
As greene as any grasse,
And he bidds you come to the siluer wood,
To hunt with Child Maurice.
15.
‘And heere he sends you a ring of gold,
A ring of the precyous stone;
He prayes you to come to the siluer wood,
Let ffor no kind of man.’
16.
‘Now peace, now peace, thou litle ffoot-page,
Ffor Christes sake, I pray thee!
Ffor if my lord heare one of these words,
Thou must be hanged hye!’
17.
Iohn Steward stood vnder the castle-wall,
And he wrote the words euerye one,
.....
.....
18.
18.3‘I,’ aye.
And he called vnto his hors-keeper,
‘Make readye you my steede!’
I, and soe he did to his chamberlaine,
‘Make readye thou my weede!’
19.
19.1‘lease,’ leash, thong, string: perhaps for bringing back any game he might kill.
And he cast a lease vpon his backe,
And he rode to the siluer wood,
And there he sought all about,
About the siluer wood.
20.
And there he ffound him Child Maurice
Sitting vpon a blocke,
With a siluer combe in his hand,
Kembing his yellow locke.
*****
21.
After 20 at least one verse is lost.
But then stood vp him Child Maurice,
And sayd these words trulye:
‘I doe not know your ladye,’ he said,
‘If that I doe her see.’
22.
22.1,2In the Folio these lines precede 21.1,2.
He sayes, ‘How now, how now, Child Maurice?
Alacke, how may this bee?
Ffor thou hast sent her loue-tokens,
More now then two or three;
23.
‘Ffor thou hast sent her a mantle of greene,
As greene as any grasse,
And bade her come to the siluer woode
To hunt with Child Maurice.
24.
24.1‘hast’ omitted in the Folio.
‘And thou [hast] sent her a ring of gold,
A ring of precyous stone,
And bade her come to the siluer wood,
Let ffor noe kind of man.
25.
25.2‘tone,’ the one (or other).
‘And by my ffaith, now, Child Maurice,
The tone of vs shall dye!’
‘Now be my troth,’ sayd Child Maurice,
‘And that shall not be I.’
26.
But hee pulled forth a bright browne sword,
And dryed itt on the grasse,
And soe ffast he smote att Iohn Steward,
I-wisse he neuer rest.
27.
Then hee pulled fforth his bright browne sword,
And dryed itt on his sleeue,
And the ffirst good stroke Iohn Stewart stroke,
Child Maurice head he did cleeue.
28.
And he pricked itt on his swords poynt,
Went singing there beside,
And he rode till he came to that ladye ffaire,
Wheras this ladye lyed.
29.
And sayes, ‘Dost thou know Child Maurice head,
If that thou dost itt see?
And lap itt soft, and kisse itt oft,
For thou louedst him better than mee.’
30.
But when shee looked on Child Maurice head,
She neuer spake words but three:
‘I neuer beare no child but one,
And you haue slaine him trulye.’
31.
Sayes, ‘Wicked be my merrymen all,
I gaue meate, drinke, and clothe!
But cold they not haue holden me
When I was in all that wrath!
32.
‘Ffor I haue slaine one of the curteousest knights
That euer bestrode a steed,
Soe haue I done one [of] the fairest ladyes
That euer ware womans weede!’