THE ELPHIN KNIGHT.

Lithe, bothe zonge and alde:Of ay worde y will you saye,Ay litel tale that me was taldErli on ay Wedenesdaye.A mody barn, that was ful bald,My friend that y frained aye,Al my gesing he me tald,And galid me als we went bi waye."Miri man, that es so wyth,Of ay thing gif me answere:For him that mensked man wyt mith,Wat sal worth of this were?" &c.

"Miri man, that es so wyth,Of ay thing gif me answere:For him that mensked man wyt mith,Wat sal worth of this were?" &c.

Finlay,36, crustlike.

39, Clidelik.

43, Glalli wild.

52, That, qy. Yat?; with.

53, dygh.

68, south.

"The following transcript is a literal copy from the original in the Pepysian library, Cambridge." Motherwell'sMinstrelsy, Appendix, p. i.

"A Proper New Ballad, entituled,The Wind hath blown my Plaid away, or, A Discourse betwixt a young Maid and the Elphin-Knight; To be sung with its own pleasant New Tune."

The Elphin Knight site on yon hill,Ba, ba, ba, lilli ba,He blowes his horn both loud and shril,The wind hath blown my plaid awa.5He blowes it East, he blowes it West,Ba, ba, &c.He blowes it where he lyketh best.The wind, &c."I wish that horn were in my kist,10Ba, ba, &c.Yea, and the knight in my armes two."The wind, &c.She had no sooner these words said,Ba, ba, &c.15When that the knight came to her bed.The wind, &c."Thou art over young a maid," quoth he,Ba, ba, &c."Married with me thou il wouldst be."20The wind, &c."I have a sister younger than I,Ba, ba, &c.And she was married yesterday."The wind, &c.25"Married with me if thou wouldst be,Ba, ba, &c.A courtesie thou must do to me.The wind, &c."For thou must shape a sark to me,30Ba, ba, &c.Without any cut or heme," quoth he.The wind, &c."Thou must shape it needle- and sheerlesse,Ba, ba, &c.35And also sue it needle-threedlesse."The wind, &c."If that piece of courtesie I do to thee,Ba, ba, &c.Another thou must do to me.40The wind, &c."I have an aiker of good ley-land,Ba, ba, &c.Which lyeth low by yon sea-strand.The wind, &c.45"For thou must cure it with thy horn,Ba, ba, &c.So thou must sow it with thy corn.The wind, &c."And bigg a cart of stone and lyme,50Ba, ba, &c.Robin Redbreast he must trail it hame.The wind, &c."Thou must barn it in a mouse-holl,Ba, ba, &c.55And thrash it into thy shoes' soll.The wind, &c."And thou must winnow it in thy looff,Ba, ba, &c.And also seck it in thy glove.60The wind, &c."For thou must bring it over the sea,Ba, ba, &c.And thou must bring it dry home to me.The wind, &c.65"When thou hast gotten thy turns well done,Ba, ba, &c.Then come to me and get thy sark then.The wind, &c.""I'l not quite my plaid for my life,70Ba, ba, &c.It haps my seven bairns and my wife.The wind shall not blow my plaid awa.""My maidenhead I'l then keep still,Ba, ba, &c.75Let the Elphin Knight do what he will.The wind's not blown my plaid awa.""My plaid awa, my plaid awa,And o'er the hill and far awa,And far awa, to Norrowa,My plaid shall not be blown awa."

The Elphin Knight site on yon hill,Ba, ba, ba, lilli ba,He blowes his horn both loud and shril,The wind hath blown my plaid awa.

5He blowes it East, he blowes it West,Ba, ba, &c.He blowes it where he lyketh best.The wind, &c.

"I wish that horn were in my kist,10Ba, ba, &c.Yea, and the knight in my armes two."The wind, &c.

She had no sooner these words said,Ba, ba, &c.15When that the knight came to her bed.The wind, &c.

"Thou art over young a maid," quoth he,Ba, ba, &c."Married with me thou il wouldst be."20The wind, &c.

"I have a sister younger than I,Ba, ba, &c.And she was married yesterday."The wind, &c.

25"Married with me if thou wouldst be,Ba, ba, &c.A courtesie thou must do to me.The wind, &c.

"For thou must shape a sark to me,30Ba, ba, &c.Without any cut or heme," quoth he.The wind, &c.

"Thou must shape it needle- and sheerlesse,Ba, ba, &c.35And also sue it needle-threedlesse."The wind, &c.

"If that piece of courtesie I do to thee,Ba, ba, &c.Another thou must do to me.40The wind, &c.

"I have an aiker of good ley-land,Ba, ba, &c.Which lyeth low by yon sea-strand.The wind, &c.

45"For thou must cure it with thy horn,Ba, ba, &c.So thou must sow it with thy corn.The wind, &c.

"And bigg a cart of stone and lyme,50Ba, ba, &c.Robin Redbreast he must trail it hame.The wind, &c.

"Thou must barn it in a mouse-holl,Ba, ba, &c.55And thrash it into thy shoes' soll.The wind, &c.

"And thou must winnow it in thy looff,Ba, ba, &c.And also seck it in thy glove.60The wind, &c.

"For thou must bring it over the sea,Ba, ba, &c.And thou must bring it dry home to me.The wind, &c.

65"When thou hast gotten thy turns well done,Ba, ba, &c.Then come to me and get thy sark then.The wind, &c."

"I'l not quite my plaid for my life,70Ba, ba, &c.It haps my seven bairns and my wife.The wind shall not blow my plaid awa."

"My maidenhead I'l then keep still,Ba, ba, &c.75Let the Elphin Knight do what he will.The wind's not blown my plaid awa."

"My plaid awa, my plaid awa,And o'er the hill and far awa,And far awa, to Norrowa,My plaid shall not be blown awa."

"A song above 500 years old, made by the old mountain-bard, Duncan Frasier, living on Cheviot, A.D. 1270."

This ballad, first published in Hutchinson'sHistory of Northumberland, was the composition of Mr. Robert Lambe, vicar of Norham. Several stanzas are, however, adopted from some ancient tale. It has been often printed, and is now taken from Ritson'sNorthumberland Garland.

The similar story ofThe Worme of Lambton, versified by the Rev. J. Watson (compareOrmekampenand the cognate legends, Grundtvig, i. 343, also vol. viii. p. 128, of this collection), may be seen in Richardson'sBorderer's Table-Book, viii. 129, or in Moore'sPictorial Book of Ancient Ballad Poetry, page 784. With the tale of theLambton Worm of Durhamagrees in many particulars that of theWorm of Lintonin Roxburghshire. (See Scott's introduction toKempion, and Sir C. Sharpe'sBishopric Garland, p. 21.) It is highly probable that the mere coincidence of sound withLinden-Wormcaused this last place to be selected as the scene of such a story.

The king is gone from Bambrough Castle,Long may the princess mourn;Long may she stand on the castle wall,Looking for his return.5She has knotted the keys upon a string,And with her she has them ta'en,She has cast them o'er her left shoulder,And to the gate she is gane.She tripped out, she tripped in,10She tript into the yard;But it was more for the king's sake,Than for the queen's regard.It fell out on a day, the kingBrought the queen with him home;15And all the lords in our countryTo welcome them did come."O welcome father!" the lady cries,"Unto your halls and bowers;And so are you, my step-mother,20For all that's here is yours."A lord said, wondering while she spake,[98]"This princess of the NorthSurpasses all of female kindIn beauty, and in worth."25The envious queen replied, "At least,You might have excepted me;In a few hours, I will her bringDown to a low degree."I will her liken to a laidley worm,30That warps about the stone,And not tillChildy Wyndcomes back,Shall she again be won."The princess stood at the bower doorLaughing, who could her blame?35But e'er the next day's sun went down,A long worm she became.For seven miles east, and seven miles west,And seven miles north, and south,No blade of grass or corn could grow,40So venomous was her mouth.The milk of seven stately cows(It was costly her to keep)Was brought her daily, which she drankBefore she went to sleep.45At this day may be seen the caveWhich held her folded up,And the stone trough, the very sameOut of which she did sup.Word went east, and word went west,50And word is gone over the sea,That a laidley worm in Spindleston-HeughsWould ruin the North Country.Word went east, and word went west,And over the sea did go;55The Child of Wynd got wit of it,Which filled his heart with woe.He called straight his merry men all,They thirty were and three:"I wish I were at Spindleston,60This desperate worm to see."We have no time now here to waste,Hence quickly let us sail:My only sister Margaret,Something, I fear, doth ail."65They built a ship without delay,With masts of the rown tree,With flutring sails of silk so fine,And set her on the sea.They went on board; the wind with speed,70Blew them along the deep;At length they spied an huge square towerOn a rock high and steep.The sea was smooth, the weather clear;When they approached nigher,75King Ida's castle they well knew,And the banks of Bambroughshire.The queen look'd out at her bower window,To see what she could see;There she espied a gallant ship80Sailing upon the sea.When she beheld the silken sails,Full glancing in the sun,To sink the ship shesentawayHer witch wives every one.85The spells were vain; the hags returnedTo the queen in sorrowful mood,Crying that witches have no powerWhere there is rown-tree wood.Her last effort, she sent a boat,90Which in the haven lay,With armed men to board the ship,But they were driven away.The worm lept out, the worm lept down,She plaited round the stone;95And ay as the ship came to the landShe banged it off again.The Child then ran out of her reachThe ship on Budley-sand,And jumping into the shallow sea,100Securely got to land.And now he drew hisberry-brownsword,And laid it on her head;And swore, if she did harm to him,That he would strike her dead.105"O quit thy sword, and bend thy bow,And give me kisses three;For though I am a poisonous worm,No hurt I'll do to thee."O quit thy sword, and bend thy bow,110And give me kisses three;If I'm not won e'er the sun go down,Won I shall never be."He quitted his sword, and bent his bow,He gave her kisses three;115She crept into a hole a worm,But out stept a lady.No clothing had this lady fine,To keep her from the cold;He took his mantle from him about,120And round her did it fold.He has taken his mantle from him about,And in it he wrapt her in,And they are up to Bambrough castle,As fast as they can win.125His absence, and her serpent shape,The king had long deplored;He now rejoyced to see them bothAgain to him restored.The queen they wanted, whom they found130All pale, and sore afraid,Because she knew her power must yieldTo Childy Wynd's, who said,"Woe be to thee, thou wicked witch;An ill death mayest thou dee;135As thou my sister hast lik'ned,So lik'ned shalt thou be."I will turn you into a toad,That on the ground doth wend;And won, won shalt thou never be,140Till this world hath an end."Now on the sand near Ida's tower,She crawls a loathsome toad,And venom spits on every maidShe meets upon her road.145The virgins all of Bambrough townWill swear that they have seenThis spiteful toad, of monstrous size,Whilst walking they have been.All folks believe within the shire150This story to be true,And they all run to Spindleston,The cave and trough to view.This fact now Duncan Frasier,Of Cheviot, sings in rhime,155Lest Bambroughshire men should forgetSome part of it in time.

The king is gone from Bambrough Castle,Long may the princess mourn;Long may she stand on the castle wall,Looking for his return.

5She has knotted the keys upon a string,And with her she has them ta'en,She has cast them o'er her left shoulder,And to the gate she is gane.

She tripped out, she tripped in,10She tript into the yard;But it was more for the king's sake,Than for the queen's regard.

It fell out on a day, the kingBrought the queen with him home;15And all the lords in our countryTo welcome them did come.

"O welcome father!" the lady cries,"Unto your halls and bowers;And so are you, my step-mother,20For all that's here is yours."

A lord said, wondering while she spake,[98]"This princess of the NorthSurpasses all of female kindIn beauty, and in worth."

25The envious queen replied, "At least,You might have excepted me;In a few hours, I will her bringDown to a low degree.

"I will her liken to a laidley worm,30That warps about the stone,And not tillChildy Wyndcomes back,Shall she again be won."

The princess stood at the bower doorLaughing, who could her blame?35But e'er the next day's sun went down,A long worm she became.

For seven miles east, and seven miles west,And seven miles north, and south,No blade of grass or corn could grow,40So venomous was her mouth.

The milk of seven stately cows(It was costly her to keep)Was brought her daily, which she drankBefore she went to sleep.

45At this day may be seen the caveWhich held her folded up,And the stone trough, the very sameOut of which she did sup.

Word went east, and word went west,50And word is gone over the sea,That a laidley worm in Spindleston-HeughsWould ruin the North Country.

Word went east, and word went west,And over the sea did go;55The Child of Wynd got wit of it,Which filled his heart with woe.

He called straight his merry men all,They thirty were and three:"I wish I were at Spindleston,60This desperate worm to see.

"We have no time now here to waste,Hence quickly let us sail:My only sister Margaret,Something, I fear, doth ail."

65They built a ship without delay,With masts of the rown tree,With flutring sails of silk so fine,And set her on the sea.

They went on board; the wind with speed,70Blew them along the deep;At length they spied an huge square towerOn a rock high and steep.

The sea was smooth, the weather clear;When they approached nigher,75King Ida's castle they well knew,And the banks of Bambroughshire.

The queen look'd out at her bower window,To see what she could see;There she espied a gallant ship80Sailing upon the sea.

When she beheld the silken sails,Full glancing in the sun,To sink the ship shesentawayHer witch wives every one.

85The spells were vain; the hags returnedTo the queen in sorrowful mood,Crying that witches have no powerWhere there is rown-tree wood.

Her last effort, she sent a boat,90Which in the haven lay,With armed men to board the ship,But they were driven away.

The worm lept out, the worm lept down,She plaited round the stone;95And ay as the ship came to the landShe banged it off again.

The Child then ran out of her reachThe ship on Budley-sand,And jumping into the shallow sea,100Securely got to land.

And now he drew hisberry-brownsword,And laid it on her head;And swore, if she did harm to him,That he would strike her dead.

105"O quit thy sword, and bend thy bow,And give me kisses three;For though I am a poisonous worm,No hurt I'll do to thee.

"O quit thy sword, and bend thy bow,110And give me kisses three;If I'm not won e'er the sun go down,Won I shall never be."

He quitted his sword, and bent his bow,He gave her kisses three;115She crept into a hole a worm,But out stept a lady.

No clothing had this lady fine,To keep her from the cold;He took his mantle from him about,120And round her did it fold.

He has taken his mantle from him about,And in it he wrapt her in,And they are up to Bambrough castle,As fast as they can win.

125His absence, and her serpent shape,The king had long deplored;He now rejoyced to see them bothAgain to him restored.

The queen they wanted, whom they found130All pale, and sore afraid,Because she knew her power must yieldTo Childy Wynd's, who said,

"Woe be to thee, thou wicked witch;An ill death mayest thou dee;135As thou my sister hast lik'ned,So lik'ned shalt thou be.

"I will turn you into a toad,That on the ground doth wend;And won, won shalt thou never be,140Till this world hath an end."

Now on the sand near Ida's tower,She crawls a loathsome toad,And venom spits on every maidShe meets upon her road.

145The virgins all of Bambrough townWill swear that they have seenThis spiteful toad, of monstrous size,Whilst walking they have been.

All folks believe within the shire150This story to be true,And they all run to Spindleston,The cave and trough to view.

This fact now Duncan Frasier,Of Cheviot, sings in rhime,155Lest Bambroughshire men should forgetSome part of it in time.

v.21-28. CompareYoung Waters, (iii. 90,) v. 21-28, andYoung Beichan and Susie Pye, (iv. 7,) v. 118-124.

v.31. Childy Wynd is obviously a corruption of Child Owain.

83, went.

101, berry-broad.

We were sisters, sisters seven,Bowing down, bowing down;The fairest women under heaven.And aye the birks a-bowing.They kiest kevels them amang,Wha wou'd to the grenewood gang.5The kevels they gied thro' the ha',And on the youngest it did fa'.Now she must to the grenewood gang,To pu' the nuts in grenewood hang.She hadna tarried an hour but ane,10Till she met wi' a highlan' groom.He keeped her sae late and lang,Till the evening set, and birds they sang.He ga'e to her at their parting,A chain o' gold, and gay gold ring:15And three locks o' his yellow hair:Bade her keep them for evermair.When six lang months were come and gane,A courtier to this lady came.Lord Dingwall courted this lady gay,20And so he set their wedding-day.A little boy to the ha' was sent,To bring her horse was his intent.As she was riding the way along,She began to make a heavy moan.25"What ails you, lady," the boy said,"That ye seem sae dissatisfied?"Are the bridle reins for you too strong?Or the stirrups for you too long?""But, little boy, will ye tell me,30The fashions that are in your countrie?""The fashions in our ha' I'll tell,And o' them a' I'll warn you well."When ye come in upon the floor,His mither will meet you wi' a golden chair.35"But be ye maid, or be ye nane,Unto the high seat make ye boun."Lord Dingwall aft has been beguil'd,By girls whom young men hae defiled."He's cutted the paps frae their breast bane,40And sent them back to their ain hame."When she came in upon the floor,His mother met her wi' a golden chair.But to the high seat she made her boun':She knew that maiden she was nane.45When night was come, they went to bed,And ower her breast his arm he laid.He quickly jumped upon the floor,And said, "I've got a vile rank whore."Unto his mother he made his moan,50Says, "Mother dear, I am undone."Ye've aft tald, when I brought them hame,Whether they were maid or nane."I thought I'd gotten a maiden bright,I've gotten but a waefu' wight.55"I thought I'd gotten a maiden clear,But gotten but a vile rank whore.""When she came in upon the floor,I met her wi' a golden chair."But to the high seat she made her boun',60Because a maiden she was nane.""I wonder wha's tauld that gay ladie,The fashion into our countrie.""It is your little boy I blame,Whom ye did send to bring her hame."65Then to the lady she did go,And said, "O Lady, let me know"Who has defiled your fair bodie?Ye're the first that has beguiled me.""O we were sisters, sisters seven,70The fairest women under heaven;"And we kiest kevels us amang,Wha wou'd to the grenewood gang;"For to pu' the finest flowers,To put around our summer bowers.75"I was the youngest o' them a',The hardest fortune did me befa'."Unto the grenewood I did gang,And pu'd the nuts as they down hang."I hadna stay'd an hour but ane,80Till I met wi' a highlan' groom."He keeped me sae late and lang,Till the evening set, and birds they sang."He gae to me at our parting,A chain of gold, and gay gold ring:85"And three locks o' his yellow hair:Bade me keep them for evermair."Then for to show I make nae lie,Look ye my trunk, and ye will see."Unto the trunk then she did go,90To see if that were true or no.And aye she sought, and aye she flang,Till these four things came to her hand.Then she did to her ain son go,And said, "My son, ye'll let me know.95"Ye will tell to me this thing:—What did yo wi' my wedding-ring?""Mother dear, I'll tell nae lie:I gave it to a gay ladie."I would gie a' my ha's and towers,100I had this bird within my bowers.""Keep well, keep well, your lands and strands,Ye hae that bird within your hands."Now, my son, to your bower ye'll go:Comfort your ladie, she's full o' woe."105Now when nine months were come and gane,The lady she brought hame a son.It was written on his breast-bane,Lord Dingwall was his father's name.He's ta'en his young son in his arms,110And aye he prais'd his lovely charms.And he has gi'em him kisses three,And doubled them ower to his ladie.

We were sisters, sisters seven,Bowing down, bowing down;The fairest women under heaven.And aye the birks a-bowing.

They kiest kevels them amang,Wha wou'd to the grenewood gang.

5The kevels they gied thro' the ha',And on the youngest it did fa'.

Now she must to the grenewood gang,To pu' the nuts in grenewood hang.

She hadna tarried an hour but ane,10Till she met wi' a highlan' groom.

He keeped her sae late and lang,Till the evening set, and birds they sang.

He ga'e to her at their parting,A chain o' gold, and gay gold ring:

15And three locks o' his yellow hair:Bade her keep them for evermair.

When six lang months were come and gane,A courtier to this lady came.

Lord Dingwall courted this lady gay,20And so he set their wedding-day.

A little boy to the ha' was sent,To bring her horse was his intent.

As she was riding the way along,She began to make a heavy moan.

25"What ails you, lady," the boy said,"That ye seem sae dissatisfied?

"Are the bridle reins for you too strong?Or the stirrups for you too long?"

"But, little boy, will ye tell me,30The fashions that are in your countrie?"

"The fashions in our ha' I'll tell,And o' them a' I'll warn you well.

"When ye come in upon the floor,His mither will meet you wi' a golden chair.

35"But be ye maid, or be ye nane,Unto the high seat make ye boun.

"Lord Dingwall aft has been beguil'd,By girls whom young men hae defiled.

"He's cutted the paps frae their breast bane,40And sent them back to their ain hame."

When she came in upon the floor,His mother met her wi' a golden chair.

But to the high seat she made her boun':She knew that maiden she was nane.

45When night was come, they went to bed,And ower her breast his arm he laid.

He quickly jumped upon the floor,And said, "I've got a vile rank whore."

Unto his mother he made his moan,50Says, "Mother dear, I am undone.

"Ye've aft tald, when I brought them hame,Whether they were maid or nane.

"I thought I'd gotten a maiden bright,I've gotten but a waefu' wight.

55"I thought I'd gotten a maiden clear,But gotten but a vile rank whore."

"When she came in upon the floor,I met her wi' a golden chair.

"But to the high seat she made her boun',60Because a maiden she was nane."

"I wonder wha's tauld that gay ladie,The fashion into our countrie."

"It is your little boy I blame,Whom ye did send to bring her hame."

65Then to the lady she did go,And said, "O Lady, let me know

"Who has defiled your fair bodie?Ye're the first that has beguiled me."

"O we were sisters, sisters seven,70The fairest women under heaven;

"And we kiest kevels us amang,Wha wou'd to the grenewood gang;

"For to pu' the finest flowers,To put around our summer bowers.

75"I was the youngest o' them a',The hardest fortune did me befa'.

"Unto the grenewood I did gang,And pu'd the nuts as they down hang.

"I hadna stay'd an hour but ane,80Till I met wi' a highlan' groom.

"He keeped me sae late and lang,Till the evening set, and birds they sang.

"He gae to me at our parting,A chain of gold, and gay gold ring:

85"And three locks o' his yellow hair:Bade me keep them for evermair.

"Then for to show I make nae lie,Look ye my trunk, and ye will see."

Unto the trunk then she did go,90To see if that were true or no.

And aye she sought, and aye she flang,Till these four things came to her hand.

Then she did to her ain son go,And said, "My son, ye'll let me know.

95"Ye will tell to me this thing:—What did yo wi' my wedding-ring?"

"Mother dear, I'll tell nae lie:I gave it to a gay ladie.

"I would gie a' my ha's and towers,100I had this bird within my bowers."

"Keep well, keep well, your lands and strands,Ye hae that bird within your hands.

"Now, my son, to your bower ye'll go:Comfort your ladie, she's full o' woe."

105Now when nine months were come and gane,The lady she brought hame a son.

It was written on his breast-bane,Lord Dingwall was his father's name.

He's ta'en his young son in his arms,110And aye he prais'd his lovely charms.

And he has gi'em him kisses three,And doubled them ower to his ladie.

May Marg'ret stood in her bouer door,Kaiming doun her yellow hair;She spied some nuts growin in the wud,And wish'd that she was there.5She has plaited her yellow locksA little abune her bree;And she has kilted her petticoatsA little below her knee;And she's aff to Mulberry wud,10As fast as she could gae.She had na pu'd a nut, a nut,A nut but barely ane,Till up started the Hynde Etin,Says, "Lady! let thae alane."15"Mulberry wuds are a' my ain;My father gied them me,To sport and play when I thought lang;And they sall na be tane by thee."And ae she pu'd the tither berrie,20Na thinking o' the skaith;And said, "To wrang ye, Hynde Etin,I wad be unco laith."But he has tane her by the yellow locks,And tied her till a tree,25And said, "For slichting my commands,An ill death shall ye dree."He pu'd a tree out o' the wud,The biggest that was there;And he howkit a cave monie fathoms deep,30And put May Marg'ret there."Now rest ye there, ye saucie may;My wuds are free for thee;And gif I tak ye to mysell,The better ye'll like me."35Na rest, na rest May Marg'ret took,Sleep she got never nane;Her back lay on the cauld, cauld floor,Her head upon a stane."O tak me out," May Marg'ret cried,40"O tak me hame to thee;And I sall be your bounden pageUntil the day I dee."He took her out o' the dungeon deep,And awa wi' him she's gane;45But sad was the day an earl's dochterGaed hame wi' Hynde Etin.It fell out ance upon a day,Hynde Etin's to the hunting gane;And he has tane wi' him his eldest son,50For to carry his game."O I wad ask you something, father,An ye wadna angry be;"—"Ask on, ask on, my eldest son,Ask onie thing at me."55"My mother's cheeks are aft times weet,Alas! they are seldom dry;"—"Na wonder, na wonder, my eldest son,Tho' she should brast and die."For your mother was an earl's dochter,60Of noble birth and fame;And now she's wife o' Hynde Etin,Wha ne'er got christendame."But we'll shoot the laverock in the lift,The buntlin on the tree;65And ye'll tak them hame to your mother,And see if she'll comforted be.""I wad ask ye something, mother,An' ye wadna angry be;"—"Ask on, ask on, my eldest son,70Ask onie thing at me.""Your cheeks they are aft times weet,Alas! they're seldom dry;"—"Na wonder, na wonder, my eldest son,Tho' I should brast and die.75"For I was ance an earl's dochter,Of noble birth and fame;And now I am the wife of Hynde Etin,Wha ne'er got christendame."

May Marg'ret stood in her bouer door,Kaiming doun her yellow hair;She spied some nuts growin in the wud,And wish'd that she was there.

5She has plaited her yellow locksA little abune her bree;And she has kilted her petticoatsA little below her knee;And she's aff to Mulberry wud,10As fast as she could gae.

She had na pu'd a nut, a nut,A nut but barely ane,Till up started the Hynde Etin,Says, "Lady! let thae alane."

15"Mulberry wuds are a' my ain;My father gied them me,To sport and play when I thought lang;And they sall na be tane by thee."

And ae she pu'd the tither berrie,20Na thinking o' the skaith;And said, "To wrang ye, Hynde Etin,I wad be unco laith."

But he has tane her by the yellow locks,And tied her till a tree,25And said, "For slichting my commands,An ill death shall ye dree."

He pu'd a tree out o' the wud,The biggest that was there;And he howkit a cave monie fathoms deep,30And put May Marg'ret there.

"Now rest ye there, ye saucie may;My wuds are free for thee;And gif I tak ye to mysell,The better ye'll like me."

35Na rest, na rest May Marg'ret took,Sleep she got never nane;Her back lay on the cauld, cauld floor,Her head upon a stane.

"O tak me out," May Marg'ret cried,40"O tak me hame to thee;And I sall be your bounden pageUntil the day I dee."

He took her out o' the dungeon deep,And awa wi' him she's gane;45But sad was the day an earl's dochterGaed hame wi' Hynde Etin.

It fell out ance upon a day,Hynde Etin's to the hunting gane;And he has tane wi' him his eldest son,50For to carry his game.

"O I wad ask you something, father,An ye wadna angry be;"—"Ask on, ask on, my eldest son,Ask onie thing at me."

55"My mother's cheeks are aft times weet,Alas! they are seldom dry;"—"Na wonder, na wonder, my eldest son,Tho' she should brast and die.

"For your mother was an earl's dochter,60Of noble birth and fame;And now she's wife o' Hynde Etin,Wha ne'er got christendame.

"But we'll shoot the laverock in the lift,The buntlin on the tree;65And ye'll tak them hame to your mother,And see if she'll comforted be."

"I wad ask ye something, mother,An' ye wadna angry be;"—"Ask on, ask on, my eldest son,70Ask onie thing at me."

"Your cheeks they are aft times weet,Alas! they're seldom dry;"—"Na wonder, na wonder, my eldest son,Tho' I should brast and die.

75"For I was ance an earl's dochter,Of noble birth and fame;And now I am the wife of Hynde Etin,Wha ne'er got christendame."

This is a translation by Jamieson (Popular Ballads and Songs, i. 219), of the DanishElveskud(Abrahamson, i. 237). Lewis has given a version of the same in theTales of Wonder, (No. 10.) The corresponding Swedish ballad,The Elf-Woman and Sir Olof(Afzelius, iii. 165) is translated by Keightley,Fairy Mythology, p. 84. This ballad occurs also in Norse, Faroish, and Icelandic.

Of the same class areElfer Hill, (from the Danish, Jamieson, i. 225; from the Swedish, Keightley, 86; through the German,Tales of Wonder, No. 6:)Sir Olof in the Elve-Dance, (Keightley, 82;Literature and Romance of Northern Europe, by William and Mary Howitt, i. 269:)The Merman and Marstig's Daughter, (from the Danish, Jamieson, i. 210;Tales of Wonder, No. 11:) the Breton tale ofLord Nann and the Korrigan, (Keightley, 433:) three Slavic ballads referred to by Grundtvig, (Elveskud, ii. 111:)Sir Peter of Stauffenbergh and the Mermaid, (from the German, Jamieson,Illustrations of Northern Antiquities, 257,) and the well-knownFischerof Goethe.

Sir Oluf the hend has ridden sae wide,All unto his bridal feast to bid.And lightly the elves, sae feat and free,They dance all under the greenwood tree!5And there danced four, and there danced five;The Elf-King's daughter she reekit bilive.Her hand to Sir Oluf sae fair and free:"O welcome, Sir Oluf, come dance wi' me!"O welcome, Sir Oluf! now lat thy love gae,10And tread wi' me in the dance sae gay.""To dance wi' thee ne dare I, ne may;The morn it is my bridal day.""O come, Sir Oluf, and dance wi' me;Twa buckskin boots I'll give to thee;15"Twa buckskin boots, that sit sae fair,Wi' gilded spurs sae rich and rare."And hear ye, Sir Oluf! come dance wi' me;And a silken sark I'll give to thee;"A silken sark sae white and fine,20That my mother bleached in the moonshine.""I darena, I maunna come dance wi' thee;For the morn my bridal day maun be.""O hear ye, Sir Oluf! come dance wi' me,And a helmet o' goud I'll give to thee."25"A helmet o' goud I well may ha'e;But dance wi' thee ne dare I, ne may.""And winna thou dance, Sir Oluf, wi' me?Then sickness and pain shall follow thee!"She's smitten Sir Oluf—it strak to his heart;30He never before had kent sic a smart;Then lifted him up on his ambler red;"And now, Sir Oluf, ride hame to thy bride."And whan he came till the castell yett,His mither she stood and leant thereat.35"O hear ye, Sir Oluf, my ain dear son,Whareto is your lire sae blae and wan?""O well may my lire be wan and blae,For I ha'e been in the elf-womens' play.""O hear ye, Sir Oluf, my son, my pride,40And what shall I say to thy young bride?""Ye'll say, that I've ridden but into the wood,To prieve gin my horse and hounds are good."Ear on the morn, whan night was gane,The bride she cam wi' the bridal train.45They skinked the mead, and they skinked the wine:"O whare is Sir Oluf, bridegroom mine?""Sir Oluf has ridden but into the wood,To prieve gin his horse and hounds are good."And she took up the scarlet red,50And there lay Sir Oluf, and he was dead!Ear on the morn, whan it was day,Three likes were ta'en frae the castle away;Sir Oluf the leal, and his bride sae fair,And his mither, that died wi' sorrow and care.55And lightly the elves sae feat and free,They dance all under the greenwood tree!

Sir Oluf the hend has ridden sae wide,All unto his bridal feast to bid.

And lightly the elves, sae feat and free,They dance all under the greenwood tree!

5And there danced four, and there danced five;The Elf-King's daughter she reekit bilive.

Her hand to Sir Oluf sae fair and free:"O welcome, Sir Oluf, come dance wi' me!

"O welcome, Sir Oluf! now lat thy love gae,10And tread wi' me in the dance sae gay."

"To dance wi' thee ne dare I, ne may;The morn it is my bridal day."

"O come, Sir Oluf, and dance wi' me;Twa buckskin boots I'll give to thee;

15"Twa buckskin boots, that sit sae fair,Wi' gilded spurs sae rich and rare.

"And hear ye, Sir Oluf! come dance wi' me;And a silken sark I'll give to thee;

"A silken sark sae white and fine,20That my mother bleached in the moonshine."

"I darena, I maunna come dance wi' thee;For the morn my bridal day maun be."

"O hear ye, Sir Oluf! come dance wi' me,And a helmet o' goud I'll give to thee."

25"A helmet o' goud I well may ha'e;But dance wi' thee ne dare I, ne may."

"And winna thou dance, Sir Oluf, wi' me?Then sickness and pain shall follow thee!"

She's smitten Sir Oluf—it strak to his heart;30He never before had kent sic a smart;

Then lifted him up on his ambler red;"And now, Sir Oluf, ride hame to thy bride."

And whan he came till the castell yett,His mither she stood and leant thereat.

35"O hear ye, Sir Oluf, my ain dear son,Whareto is your lire sae blae and wan?"

"O well may my lire be wan and blae,For I ha'e been in the elf-womens' play."

"O hear ye, Sir Oluf, my son, my pride,40And what shall I say to thy young bride?"

"Ye'll say, that I've ridden but into the wood,To prieve gin my horse and hounds are good."

Ear on the morn, whan night was gane,The bride she cam wi' the bridal train.

45They skinked the mead, and they skinked the wine:"O whare is Sir Oluf, bridegroom mine?"

"Sir Oluf has ridden but into the wood,To prieve gin his horse and hounds are good."

And she took up the scarlet red,50And there lay Sir Oluf, and he was dead!

Ear on the morn, whan it was day,Three likes were ta'en frae the castle away;

Sir Oluf the leal, and his bride sae fair,And his mither, that died wi' sorrow and care.

55And lightly the elves sae feat and free,They dance all under the greenwood tree!

"I have seven ships upon the sea,Laden with the finest gold,And mariners to wait us upon;—All these you may behold.5"And I have shoes for my love's feet,Beaten of the purest gold,And lined wi' the velvet soft,To keep my love's feet from the cold."O how do you love the ship," he said,10"Or how do you love the sea?And how do you love the bold marinersThat wait upon thee and me?""O I do love the ship," she said,"And I do love the sea;15But woe be to the dim mariners,That nowhere I can see."They had not sailed a mile awa',Never a mile but one,When she began to weep and mourn,20And to think on her little wee son."O hold your tongue, my dear," he said,"And let all your weeping abee,For I'll soon show to you how the lilies growOn the banks of Italy."25They had not sailed a mile awa',Never a mile but two,Until she espied his cloven foot,From his gay robes sticking thro'.They had not sailed a mile awa',30Never a mile but three,When dark, dark, grew his eerie looks,And raging grew the sea.They had not sailed a mile awa',Never a mile but four,35When the little wee ship ran round about,And never was seen more!

"I have seven ships upon the sea,Laden with the finest gold,And mariners to wait us upon;—All these you may behold.

5"And I have shoes for my love's feet,Beaten of the purest gold,And lined wi' the velvet soft,To keep my love's feet from the cold.

"O how do you love the ship," he said,10"Or how do you love the sea?And how do you love the bold marinersThat wait upon thee and me?"

"O I do love the ship," she said,"And I do love the sea;15But woe be to the dim mariners,That nowhere I can see."

They had not sailed a mile awa',Never a mile but one,When she began to weep and mourn,20And to think on her little wee son.

"O hold your tongue, my dear," he said,"And let all your weeping abee,For I'll soon show to you how the lilies growOn the banks of Italy."

25They had not sailed a mile awa',Never a mile but two,Until she espied his cloven foot,From his gay robes sticking thro'.

They had not sailed a mile awa',30Never a mile but three,When dark, dark, grew his eerie looks,And raging grew the sea.

They had not sailed a mile awa',Never a mile but four,35When the little wee ship ran round about,And never was seen more!

We are indebted for the following recension ofConstantine and Aretéto Mr. Sophocles of Harvard College. It is constructed from Fauriel's text, combined with a copy in Zambelios'sἌισματα Δημοτικά, and with a version taken down from the recitation of a Cretan woman. The translation is by the skilful hand of Professor Felton.

We may notice by the way that several versions of this piece are given by Tommaseo, in hisCanti Popolari Toscani, etc. iii. 341.

Μάννα μὲ τοὺς ἐννιά σου υἱοὺς καὶ μὲ τὴ μιά σου κόρη,Τὴν κόρη τὴ μονάκριβη τὴν πολυαγαπημένη,Τὴν εἶχες δώδεκα χρονῶν κ' ἥλιος δὲν σοῦ τὴν εἶδε,'Σ τὰ σκοτεινὰ τὴν ἤλουγες, 'ς τ' ἄφεγγα τὴν ἐπλέκες,5'Σ τ' ἄστρη καὶ 'ς τὸν αὐγερινὸ τσ' ἔφκειανες τὰ σγουρα της.Ἡ γειτονιὰ δὲν ἤξερε πῶς εἶχες θυγατέρα,Καὶ προξενιὰ σοῦ φέρανε ἀπὸ τὴ Βαβυλώνη.Οἱ ὀκτὼ ἀδερφοὶ δὲν θέλουνε, καὶ ὁ Κωσταντῖνος θέλει·Δός τηνε, μάννα, δός τηνε τὴν Ἀρετὴ 'ς τὰ ξένα,10Νά 'χω κ' ἐγὼ παρηγοριὰ 'ς τὴ στράτα ποῦ διαβαίνω.""Φρένιμος εἶσαι, Κωσταντῆ, μ' ἄσχημ' ἀπιλογήθης·Ἂν τύχῃ πίκρα γὴ χαρὰ, ποιὸς θὰ μοῦ τὴνε φέρῃ;"Τὸ θεὸ τῆς βάνει ἐγγυτὴ καὶ τοὺς ἁγιοὺς μαρτύρους,Ἂν τύχῃ πίκρα γὴ χαρὰ νὰ πάῃ νὰ τῆς τὴν φέρῃ·15Καὶ σάν τὴν ἐπαντρέψανε τὴν Ἀρετὴ 'ς τὰ ξένα,Ἔρχεται χρόνος δίσεφτος καὶ οἱ ἐννιὰ πεθάναν.Ἔμεινε ἡ μάννα μοναχὴ σὰν καλαμιὰ 'ς τὸν κάμπο.'Σ τὰ ὀχτὼ μνήματα δέρνεται, 'ς τὰ ὀχτὼ μυρολογάει,'Σ τοῦ Κωσταντίνου τὸ θαφτιὸ ἀνέσπα τὰ μαλλιά της·20"Σήκου, Κωσταντινάκη μου, τὴν Ἀρετή μου θέλω·Τὸ θεὸ μοῦ 'βάλες ἐγγυτὴ καὶ τοὺς ἁγιοὺς μαρτύρους,Ἂν τύχῃ πίκρα γὴ χαρὰ νὰ πᾷς νὰ μοῦ τὴν φέρῃς."Καὶ μέσα 'ς τὰ μεσάνυχτα ἀπ' τὸ κιβούρι βγαίνει.Κάνει τὸ σύγνεφο ἄλογο, καὶ τ' ἄστρο σαλιβάρι,25Καὶ τὸ φεγγάρι συντροφιὰ καὶ πάει νὰ τὴνε φέρῃ.Βρίσκει την καὶ χτενίζουνται ὄξου 'ς τὸ φεγγαράκι.Ἀπομακριὰ τὴν χαιρετάει καὶ ἀπομακριὰ τῆς λέγει."Γιὰ ἔλα, Ἀρετούλα μου, κυράνα μας σὲ θέλει.""Ἀλίμονο, ἀδερφάκι μου, καὶ τί 'νε τούτ' ἡ ὥρα!30Ἂν ἦν' χαρὰ 'ς τὸ σπίτι μας, νὰ βάλω τὰ χρυσά μου,Καὶ ἂν πίκρα, ἀδερφάκι μου, νά 'ρθω ὡς καθὼς εἶμαι."""Μηδὲ πίκρα μηδὲ χαρὰ· ἔλα ὡς καθὼς εἶσαι."'Σ τὴ στράτα ποῦ διαβαίνανε, 'ς τὴ στράτα ποῦ παγαῖναν,Ἀκοῦν πουλιὰ καὶ κιλαδοῦν, ἀκοῦν πουλιὰ καὶ λένε·35"Γιὰ δὲς κοπέλα ὄμορφη νὰ σέρνῃ ἀπεθαμένος!""Ἄκουσες, Κωσταντάκη μου, τί λένε τὰ πουλάκια;""Πουλάκια 'νε καὶ ἂς κιλαδοῦν, πουλάκια 'νε καὶ ἂς λένε."Καὶ παρακεῖ ποῦ πάγαιναν καὶ ἄλλα πουλιὰ τοὺς λέγαν·"Τί βλέπουμε τὰ θλιβερὰ τὰ παραπονεμένα;40Νὰ περπατοῦν οἱ ζωντανοὶ μὲ τοὺς ἀπεθαμένους;""Ἄκουσες, Κωσταντάκη μου, τί λένε τὰ πουλάκια;""Πουλάκια 'νε καὶ ἂς κιλαδοῦν, πουλάκια 'νε καὶ ἂς λένε.""Φοβοῦμαί σ' ἀδερφάκι μου, καὶ λιβανιὲς μυρίζεις.""Ἐχτὲς βραδὺς ἐπήγαμε κάτω 'ς τὸν Ἁϊγιάννη,45Κ' ἐθύμιασέ μας ὁ παπᾶς μὲ τὸ πολὺ λιβάνι."Καὶ παρεμπρὸς ποῦ πήγανε, καὶ ἄλλα πουλιὰ τοὺς λένε·;"Ὦ θὲ μεγαλοδύναμε, μεγάλο θάμα κάνεις!Τέτοια πανώρηα λυγερὴ νὰ σέρνῃ ἀπεθαμένος!"Τ' ἄκουσε πάλε ἡ Ἀρετὴ κ' ἐρράγισ' ἡ καρδιά της·50"Ἄκουσες, Κωσταντάκη μου, τί λένε τὰ πουλάκια;Πές μου ποῦ 'ν' τὰ μαλλάκια σου, τὸ πηγουρὸ μουστάκι;""Μεγάλη ἀρρώστια μ' εὕρηκε, μ' ἔρρηξε τοῦ θανάτου."Βρίσκουν τὸ σπίτι κλειδωτὸ κλειδομανταλωμένο,Καὶ τὰ σπιτοπαράθυρα ποῦ 'ταν ἀραχνιασμένα·55"Ἄνοιξε, μάννα μ', ἄνοιξε, καὶ νὰ τὴν Ἀρετή σου.""Ἂν ἦσαι Χάρος, διάβαινε, καὶ ἄλλα παιδιὰ δὲν ἔχω·Ἡ δόληα Ἀρετούλα μου λείπει μακριὰ 'ς τὰ ξένα.""Ἄνοιξε, μάννα μ', ἄνοιξε, κ' ἐγώ' μαι ὁ Κωσταντῆς σου.Τὸ θιὸ σοῦ 'βάλα ἐγγυτὴ καὶ τοὺς ἁγιοὺς μαρτύρους,60Ἂν τύχῃ πίκρα γὴ χαρὰ νὰ πάω νὰ σοῦ τὴν φέρω."Καὶ ὥστε νὰ 'βγῇ 'ς τὴν πόρτα της, ἐβγῆκε ἡ ψυχή της.

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