Sheldon's Minstrelsy of the English Border, p. 232, as recited "by a lady of Berwick on Tweed, who used to sing it in her childhood, and had learnt it from her nurse."
Sheldon's Minstrelsy of the English Border, p. 232, as recited "by a lady of Berwick on Tweed, who used to sing it in her childhood, and had learnt it from her nurse."
1The laird of Roslin's daughter walked thro the wood her lane,And by came Captain Wedderburn, a servant to the Queen;He said unto his serving man, Wer 't not agaynst the law,I would tak her to my ain house as lady o my ha.2He said, My pretty ladye, I pray give me your hand;You shall have drums and trumpets always at your command;With fifty men to guard you, that well their swords can draw,And I'll tak ye to my ain bed, and lay you next the wa.3'I'm walking in my feyther's shaws:' quo he, My charming maid,I am much better than I look, so be you not afraid;For I serve the queen of a' Scotland, and a gentil dame is she;So we'se be married ere the morn, gin ye can fancy me.4. . . . . . .. . . . . . .'The sparrow shall toot on his horn, gif naething us befa,And I'll mak you up a down-bed, and lay you next the wa.5'Now hold away from me, kind sir, I pray you let me be;I wont be lady of your ha till you answer questions three:Questions three you must answer me, and that is one and twa,Before I gae to Woodland's house, and be lady o your ha.6'You must get me to my supper a chicken without a bone;You must get me to my supper a cherry without a stone;You must get me to my supper a bird without a ga,Before I go to Woodland's house and be lady of your ha.'7'When the cherry is in the bloom, I'm sure it has no stone;When the chicken's in the shell, I'm sure it has nae bone;The dove she is a gentil bird, and flies without a ga;So I've answered you your questions three, and you're lady of my ha.'* * * * *8'Questions three you must answer me: What's higher than the trees?And what is worse than woman's voice? What's deeper than the seas?'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .9He answered then so readily: Heaven's higher than the trees;The devil's worse than woman's voice; hell's deeper than the seas;. . . . . . .. . . . . . .10'One question still you must answer me, or you I laugh to scorn;Go seek me out an English priest, of woman never born;'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .11'Oh then,' quo he, 'my young brother from mother's side was torn,And he's a gentil English priest, of woman never born;'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .12Little did his lady think, that morning when she raise,It was to be the very last of all her mayden days;. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
1The laird of Roslin's daughter walked thro the wood her lane,And by came Captain Wedderburn, a servant to the Queen;He said unto his serving man, Wer 't not agaynst the law,I would tak her to my ain house as lady o my ha.
2He said, My pretty ladye, I pray give me your hand;You shall have drums and trumpets always at your command;With fifty men to guard you, that well their swords can draw,And I'll tak ye to my ain bed, and lay you next the wa.
3'I'm walking in my feyther's shaws:' quo he, My charming maid,I am much better than I look, so be you not afraid;For I serve the queen of a' Scotland, and a gentil dame is she;So we'se be married ere the morn, gin ye can fancy me.
4. . . . . . .. . . . . . .'The sparrow shall toot on his horn, gif naething us befa,And I'll mak you up a down-bed, and lay you next the wa.
5'Now hold away from me, kind sir, I pray you let me be;I wont be lady of your ha till you answer questions three:Questions three you must answer me, and that is one and twa,Before I gae to Woodland's house, and be lady o your ha.
6'You must get me to my supper a chicken without a bone;You must get me to my supper a cherry without a stone;You must get me to my supper a bird without a ga,Before I go to Woodland's house and be lady of your ha.'
7'When the cherry is in the bloom, I'm sure it has no stone;When the chicken's in the shell, I'm sure it has nae bone;The dove she is a gentil bird, and flies without a ga;So I've answered you your questions three, and you're lady of my ha.'
* * * * *
8'Questions three you must answer me: What's higher than the trees?And what is worse than woman's voice? What's deeper than the seas?'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
9He answered then so readily: Heaven's higher than the trees;The devil's worse than woman's voice; hell's deeper than the seas;. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
10'One question still you must answer me, or you I laugh to scorn;Go seek me out an English priest, of woman never born;'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
11'Oh then,' quo he, 'my young brother from mother's side was torn,And he's a gentil English priest, of woman never born;'. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
12Little did his lady think, that morning when she raise,It was to be the very last of all her mayden days;. . . . . . .. . . . . . .
A. a.
24. I lye.43,4and 53,4have been interchanged.54. lye you.b.lay.71. teen.171. priest was.172. it was.173. boned (?)bhasbored.bis a copy ofa, but with the long lines broken up into two, and some slight variations.
24. I lye.
43,4and 53,4have been interchanged.
54. lye you.
b.lay.
71. teen.
171. priest was.
172. it was.
173. boned (?)
bhasbored.
bis a copy ofa, but with the long lines broken up into two, and some slight variations.
b.
34. And we'll.51.Omitsif.63.Omitssae jimp.112. and they are questions.122. wish.134. betwixt.
34. And we'll.
51.Omitsif.
63.Omitssae jimp.
112. and they are questions.
122. wish.
134. betwixt.
B.
In stanzas of four short lines.
In stanzas of four short lines.
a.
162, 172.Var.women's vice.171.Var.Poison is greener.172.Var.There's nathing waur.
162, 172.Var.women's vice.
171.Var.Poison is greener.
172.Var.There's nathing waur.
b.
Lord Roslin's Daughter's Garland. Containing three excellent new songs.
Lord Roslin's Daughter's Garland. Containing three excellent new songs.
Licensed and entered according to order.11, walks throw.12. And by came.13, servant man.14, 34, 64, 74, 104, 144, 184. next the wa.174. neist.23, 43. missd you know.34. And we'll ... and thou's ly next.42. will I.44. So I not.
Licensed and entered according to order.
11, walks throw.
12. And by came.
13, servant man.
14, 34, 64, 74, 104, 144, 184. next the wa.
174. neist.
23, 43. missd you know.
34. And we'll ... and thou's ly next.
42. will I.
44. So I not.
51,2.Then said the pretty lady, I pray tell me your name.My name is Captain Wedderburn, a servant to the king.
51,2.Then said the pretty lady, I pray tell me your name.My name is Captain Wedderburn, a servant to the king.
53. of him I'd not stand in aw.61. He lighted off.62. And held her by the milk-white hand even as they rode along.63. so jimp.64. So I'll take.71. lodging house.73. But such a pretty face as thine in it I never saw.74. make her up a down-bed.82. will not go to your bed till you dress me.83. three you must do to me.91. O I must have ... a cherry without a stone.92. a chicken without a bone.
53. of him I'd not stand in aw.
61. He lighted off.
62. And held her by the milk-white hand even as they rode along.
63. so jimp.
64. So I'll take.
71. lodging house.
73. But such a pretty face as thine in it I never saw.
74. make her up a down-bed.
82. will not go to your bed till you dress me.
83. three you must do to me.
91. O I must have ... a cherry without a stone.
92. a chicken without a bone.
101,2.When the cherry is into the bloom I am sure it hath no stone,And when the chicken's in the shell I'm sure it hath no bone.
101,2.When the cherry is into the bloom I am sure it hath no stone,And when the chicken's in the shell I'm sure it hath no bone.
103. it is a gentle.112. I will not go till ... till you answer me questions.113. Questions four you must tell me.121. You must get to me.122. That the wraft was neer ca'd.123,4and 163,4(and consequently 133,4, 173,4) are wrongly interchanged inb, mixing up ferlies and questions.a123,4, 133,4, 14, 15, 161,2, 163,4, 171,2, 173,4==b153,4, 163,4, 17, 14, 151,2, 123,4, 161,2, 133,4.132. the wraft was neer ca'd throw.133,4. A sparrow's horn you well may get, there's one on ilka pa.141. standing at the door.143. A hole cut in his mother's side, he from the same did fa.162. And what ... women's voice.163. What bird sings best, and wood buds first, that dew does on them fa.171. sky is higher.172. worse than women's voice.173. the dew does on them fa.182. the last night.183. now they both lie in one bed.cclosely resemblingb, the variations frombare given.
103. it is a gentle.
112. I will not go till ... till you answer me questions.
113. Questions four you must tell me.
121. You must get to me.
122. That the wraft was neer ca'd.
123,4and 163,4(and consequently 133,4, 173,4) are wrongly interchanged inb, mixing up ferlies and questions.
a123,4, 133,4, 14, 15, 161,2, 163,4, 171,2, 173,4==b153,4, 163,4, 17, 14, 151,2, 123,4, 161,2, 133,4.
132. the wraft was neer ca'd throw.
133,4. A sparrow's horn you well may get, there's one on ilka pa.
141. standing at the door.
143. A hole cut in his mother's side, he from the same did fa.
162. And what ... women's voice.
163. What bird sings best, and wood buds first, that dew does on them fa.
171. sky is higher.
172. worse than women's voice.
173. the dew does on them fa.
182. the last night.
183. now they both lie in one bed.
cclosely resemblingb, the variations frombare given.
c.
1. cameomitted,v.2; unto,v.3.2. into your bed,v.4.3. guard you ... who well,v.3; into ... thou'lt,v.4.51,2. Then says,v.1.6. lighted from ... this lady,v.1; middle jimp,v.3.7. pretty fair,v.2; as this,v.3.8. dress me,v.3.9. unto,vv1,2; O I must,v.2.10. in the bloom,v.1; we both shall ly in,v.4.11. will give oer,v.1; to your ... you tell me,v.2.12. You must get to me ... that waft,v.2; bird sings first ... on them does,v.3.13. sings first,v.3.14. in your ... you tell me,v.2; I'll ly in,v.4.15. What is ... woman's,v.2; I'll ly in,v.4.
1. cameomitted,v.2; unto,v.3.
2. into your bed,v.4.
3. guard you ... who well,v.3; into ... thou'lt,v.4.
51,2. Then says,v.1.
6. lighted from ... this lady,v.1; middle jimp,v.3.
7. pretty fair,v.2; as this,v.3.
8. dress me,v.3.
9. unto,vv1,2; O I must,v.2.
10. in the bloom,v.1; we both shall ly in,v.4.
11. will give oer,v.1; to your ... you tell me,v.2.
12. You must get to me ... that waft,v.2; bird sings first ... on them does,v.3.
13. sings first,v.3.
14. in your ... you tell me,v.2; I'll ly in,v.4.
15. What is ... woman's,v.2; I'll ly in,v.4.
16.Death's greener than the grass, hell's deeper than the seas,The devil's worse than woman's voice, sky's higher than the trees,vv1,2; every paw,v.3; thou shalt,v.4.
16.Death's greener than the grass, hell's deeper than the seas,The devil's worse than woman's voice, sky's higher than the trees,vv1,2; every paw,v.3; thou shalt,v.4.
18. the lady ... rose,v.1; It was to be the very last,v.2; they ly in ae,v.4.
18. the lady ... rose,v.1; It was to be the very last,v.2; they ly in ae,v.4.
d.
Follows the broadside (b,c) through the first nine stanzas, with changes from Jamieson's "own recollection," or invention, and one fromA. 10 has certainly arbitrary alterations. The remaining eight stanzas are the corresponding ones ofAtreated freely. The comparison here is withb, readings fromAin 11-18 not being noticed.13, serving men.23.mist awa, fromA; so in 43, a stanza not inA.53. I'd have nae awe.61. He lighted aff ... this lady.63. middle jimp.64. To tak her to his ain.73. sic a lovely face as thine.74. Gae mak her down.83. maun dress to me.91. It's ye maun get.92,3. And ye maun get.101. It's whan the cherry is in the flirry.102. in the egg.103. And sin the flood o Noah the dow she had nae ga.A, B d, 11, 121,2, 131,2, 14, 151,2, 161,2==B b, c, 14, 151,2, 161,2, 11, 121,2, 131,2.111. and gie your fleechin oer.112. Unless you'll find me ferlies, and that is ferlies four.113. Ferlies four ye maun find me.114. Or I'll never lie.122. And get to me.123. doth first down.124. Ye sall tell afore I lay me down between you and the wa.132. has an Indian gown that waft.133. on cedar top the dew.142. that gait me perplex.143. three times twa.151. the greenest grass.152. war nor an ill woman's wish.163. horn is quickly found ... on every claw.164. There's ane upon the neb of him.173. A wild bore tore his mither's side.183. now there's nae within the realm, I think.
Follows the broadside (b,c) through the first nine stanzas, with changes from Jamieson's "own recollection," or invention, and one fromA. 10 has certainly arbitrary alterations. The remaining eight stanzas are the corresponding ones ofAtreated freely. The comparison here is withb, readings fromAin 11-18 not being noticed.
13, serving men.
23.mist awa, fromA; so in 43, a stanza not inA.
53. I'd have nae awe.
61. He lighted aff ... this lady.
63. middle jimp.
64. To tak her to his ain.
73. sic a lovely face as thine.
74. Gae mak her down.
83. maun dress to me.
91. It's ye maun get.
92,3. And ye maun get.
101. It's whan the cherry is in the flirry.
102. in the egg.
103. And sin the flood o Noah the dow she had nae ga.
A, B d, 11, 121,2, 131,2, 14, 151,2, 161,2==B b, c, 14, 151,2, 161,2, 11, 121,2, 131,2.
111. and gie your fleechin oer.
112. Unless you'll find me ferlies, and that is ferlies four.
113. Ferlies four ye maun find me.
114. Or I'll never lie.
122. And get to me.
123. doth first down.
124. Ye sall tell afore I lay me down between you and the wa.
132. has an Indian gown that waft.
133. on cedar top the dew.
142. that gait me perplex.
143. three times twa.
151. the greenest grass.
152. war nor an ill woman's wish.
163. horn is quickly found ... on every claw.
164. There's ane upon the neb of him.
173. A wild bore tore his mither's side.
183. now there's nae within the realm, I think.
e
has stanzas 1, 5 (?), 9, 12, 10, 13, 14 ofa, the first two imperfect. The last line of each stanza is changed, no doubt for delicacy's sake, toI will tak you wi me, I tell you, aye or na, or the like.
has stanzas 1, 5 (?), 9, 12, 10, 13, 14 ofa, the first two imperfect. The last line of each stanza is changed, no doubt for delicacy's sake, toI will tak you wi me, I tell you, aye or na, or the like.
1.The Earl o Roslin's dochter gaed out to tak the air;She met a gallant gentleman, as hame she did repair;. . . . . . .I will tak you wi me, I tell you, aye or no.5(?).I am Captain Wedderburn, a servant to the king.. . . . . . .I will tak you wi me, I tell you, aye or no.
1.The Earl o Roslin's dochter gaed out to tak the air;She met a gallant gentleman, as hame she did repair;. . . . . . .I will tak you wi me, I tell you, aye or no.
5(?).I am Captain Wedderburn, a servant to the king.. . . . . . .I will tak you wi me, I tell you, aye or no.
91. I maun hae to my supper a bird without a bone.93. An I maun hae a gentle bird that flies.94. Before that I gae with you, I tell you, aye or na.101. When the bird is in the egg.102. in the bud ... I'm sure.103. it is a gentle bird.122, 132. a gey mantle ... neer ca'ed.133. sune sall get.141. is standing at.142. say that he was ... a sin.
91. I maun hae to my supper a bird without a bone.
93. An I maun hae a gentle bird that flies.
94. Before that I gae with you, I tell you, aye or na.
101. When the bird is in the egg.
102. in the bud ... I'm sure.
103. it is a gentle bird.
122, 132. a gey mantle ... neer ca'ed.
133. sune sall get.
141. is standing at.
142. say that he was ... a sin.
f.
Stanzas 9, 10 only.91. 'T is I maun hae to my supper a bird without a bone.92. withouten stone.93. withouten ga.101. When the bird is in the shell, I'm sure.102. I'm sure.103. a gentle ... withouten ga.
Stanzas 9, 10 only.
91. 'T is I maun hae to my supper a bird without a bone.
92. withouten stone.
93. withouten ga.
101. When the bird is in the shell, I'm sure.
102. I'm sure.
103. a gentle ... withouten ga.
C.
Printed in stanzas of four short lines.
Printed in stanzas of four short lines.
FOOTNOTES:[389]This book has been pursued by me for years, with the coöperation of many friends and agents, but in vain.[390]Followed by Virgil's riddle, Ecl. iii, 104-5, Where is the sky but three spans broad?[391]Halliwell's Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales, p. 150; Halliwell's Nursery Rhymes, No 375; Notes and Queries, 3d Ser., IX, 401; 4th Ser., III, 501, 604; Macmillan's Magazine, V, 248, by T. Hughes. The first of these runs:I have four sisters beyond the sea,Para-mara, dictum, domineAnd they did send four presents to me.Partum, quartum, paradise, tempum,Para-mara, dictum, domineThe first it was a bird without eer a bone,The second was a cherry without eer a stone.The third it was a blanket without eer a thread,The fourth it was a book which no man could read.How can there be a bird without eer a bone?How can there be a cherry without eer a stone?How can there be a blanket without eer a thread?How can there be a book which no man can read?When the bird's in the shell, there is no bone;When the cherry's in the bud, there is no stone.When the blanket's in the fleece, there is no thread;When the book's in the press, no man can read.The Minnesinger dames went far beyond our laird's daughter in the way of requiring "ferlies" from their lovers. Der Tanhuser and Boppe represent that their ladies would be satisfied with nothing short of their turning the course of rivers; bringing them the salamander, the basilisk, the graal, Paris's apple; giving them a sight of Enoch and Elijah in the body, a hearing of the sirens, etc. Von der Hagen, Minnesinger, II, 91 f, 385 f.[392]There were, no doubt, Grissels enough in the very distinguished family of the Sinclairs of Roslin to furnish one for this ballad. I see two mentioned among the Sinclairs of Herdmanstoun. Even a Wedderburn connection, as I am informed, is not absolutely lacking. George Home of Wedderburn († 1497), married the eldest daughter of John Sinclair of Herdmanstoun: Douglas's Peerage of Scotland, ed. Wood, 1813, II, 174.[393]The difficulty here is the want of a [Greek:pou stô], from which to climb the tree.[394]These number-riddles or songs are known to every nation of Europe. E. g., Chambers' Popular Rhymes of Scotland, p. 44, ed. 1870, from Buchan's MSS, I, 280:O what will be our ane, boys?O what will be our ane, boys?My only ane, she walks alane,And evermair has dune, boys, etc.See Köhler in Orient u. Occident, II, 558-9. A dragon, in Hahn's Griechische u. Albanesische Märchen, II, 210, gives Penteklimas ten of these number-riddles: if he answers them he is to have a fine castle; if not, he is to be eaten. An old woman answers for him: "One is God, two are the righteous, etc.; ten is your own word, and now burst, dragon!" The dragon bursts, and Penteklimas inherits his possessions.[395]Gozzi retains the first and third riddles, Schiller only the third. By a happy idea, new riddles were introduced at the successive performances of Schiller's play. Turandot appears as a traditional tale in Schneller's Märchen u. Sagen aus Wälschtirol, No 49, p. 132, "I tre Indovinelli."[396]The castle with walls and gate thus equipped, or a palisade of stakes each crowned with a head, is all but a commonplace in such adventures. This grim stroke of fancy is best in 'La mule sanz frain,' where there are four hundred stakes,all but onesurmounted with a bloody head: Méon, Nouveau Recueil, 1, 15, vv 429-37. For these parlous princesses, of all sorts, see Grundtvig, 'Den farlige Jomfru,' IV, 43 ff, No 184.[397]Von Hammer, Geschichte der schönen Redekünste Persiens, p. 116, previously cited by von der Hagen, Gesammtabenteuer, III, lxii.[398]The German schwank affixes the forfeit of the head to failure. In the Norwegian the unsuccessful brothers get off with a thrashing. The fire in the English, found also in the German, recalls the third task in the Gesta Romanorum.[399]Khudyakof, in the Ethnographical Collection of the Russian Geographical Society, Etnografitcheskiy Sbornik, etc., VI, 9, 10, 8. Ralston, The Songs of the Russian People, p. 353.[400]Vigfusson objects to Thor being the interlocutor, though that is the name in the MS., because cunning does not suit Thor's blunt character, and proposes Odin instead. "May be the dwarf first met Thor (Wingthor), whereupon Woden (Wingi) came up." Corpus Poeticum Boreale, I, 81.
[389]This book has been pursued by me for years, with the coöperation of many friends and agents, but in vain.
[389]This book has been pursued by me for years, with the coöperation of many friends and agents, but in vain.
[390]Followed by Virgil's riddle, Ecl. iii, 104-5, Where is the sky but three spans broad?
[390]Followed by Virgil's riddle, Ecl. iii, 104-5, Where is the sky but three spans broad?
[391]Halliwell's Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales, p. 150; Halliwell's Nursery Rhymes, No 375; Notes and Queries, 3d Ser., IX, 401; 4th Ser., III, 501, 604; Macmillan's Magazine, V, 248, by T. Hughes. The first of these runs:I have four sisters beyond the sea,Para-mara, dictum, domineAnd they did send four presents to me.Partum, quartum, paradise, tempum,Para-mara, dictum, domineThe first it was a bird without eer a bone,The second was a cherry without eer a stone.The third it was a blanket without eer a thread,The fourth it was a book which no man could read.How can there be a bird without eer a bone?How can there be a cherry without eer a stone?How can there be a blanket without eer a thread?How can there be a book which no man can read?When the bird's in the shell, there is no bone;When the cherry's in the bud, there is no stone.When the blanket's in the fleece, there is no thread;When the book's in the press, no man can read.The Minnesinger dames went far beyond our laird's daughter in the way of requiring "ferlies" from their lovers. Der Tanhuser and Boppe represent that their ladies would be satisfied with nothing short of their turning the course of rivers; bringing them the salamander, the basilisk, the graal, Paris's apple; giving them a sight of Enoch and Elijah in the body, a hearing of the sirens, etc. Von der Hagen, Minnesinger, II, 91 f, 385 f.
[391]Halliwell's Popular Rhymes and Nursery Tales, p. 150; Halliwell's Nursery Rhymes, No 375; Notes and Queries, 3d Ser., IX, 401; 4th Ser., III, 501, 604; Macmillan's Magazine, V, 248, by T. Hughes. The first of these runs:
I have four sisters beyond the sea,Para-mara, dictum, domineAnd they did send four presents to me.Partum, quartum, paradise, tempum,Para-mara, dictum, domineThe first it was a bird without eer a bone,The second was a cherry without eer a stone.The third it was a blanket without eer a thread,The fourth it was a book which no man could read.How can there be a bird without eer a bone?How can there be a cherry without eer a stone?How can there be a blanket without eer a thread?How can there be a book which no man can read?When the bird's in the shell, there is no bone;When the cherry's in the bud, there is no stone.When the blanket's in the fleece, there is no thread;When the book's in the press, no man can read.
I have four sisters beyond the sea,Para-mara, dictum, domineAnd they did send four presents to me.Partum, quartum, paradise, tempum,Para-mara, dictum, domine
The first it was a bird without eer a bone,The second was a cherry without eer a stone.
The third it was a blanket without eer a thread,The fourth it was a book which no man could read.
How can there be a bird without eer a bone?How can there be a cherry without eer a stone?
How can there be a blanket without eer a thread?How can there be a book which no man can read?
When the bird's in the shell, there is no bone;When the cherry's in the bud, there is no stone.
When the blanket's in the fleece, there is no thread;When the book's in the press, no man can read.
The Minnesinger dames went far beyond our laird's daughter in the way of requiring "ferlies" from their lovers. Der Tanhuser and Boppe represent that their ladies would be satisfied with nothing short of their turning the course of rivers; bringing them the salamander, the basilisk, the graal, Paris's apple; giving them a sight of Enoch and Elijah in the body, a hearing of the sirens, etc. Von der Hagen, Minnesinger, II, 91 f, 385 f.
[392]There were, no doubt, Grissels enough in the very distinguished family of the Sinclairs of Roslin to furnish one for this ballad. I see two mentioned among the Sinclairs of Herdmanstoun. Even a Wedderburn connection, as I am informed, is not absolutely lacking. George Home of Wedderburn († 1497), married the eldest daughter of John Sinclair of Herdmanstoun: Douglas's Peerage of Scotland, ed. Wood, 1813, II, 174.
[392]There were, no doubt, Grissels enough in the very distinguished family of the Sinclairs of Roslin to furnish one for this ballad. I see two mentioned among the Sinclairs of Herdmanstoun. Even a Wedderburn connection, as I am informed, is not absolutely lacking. George Home of Wedderburn († 1497), married the eldest daughter of John Sinclair of Herdmanstoun: Douglas's Peerage of Scotland, ed. Wood, 1813, II, 174.
[393]The difficulty here is the want of a [Greek:pou stô], from which to climb the tree.
[393]The difficulty here is the want of a [Greek:pou stô], from which to climb the tree.
[394]These number-riddles or songs are known to every nation of Europe. E. g., Chambers' Popular Rhymes of Scotland, p. 44, ed. 1870, from Buchan's MSS, I, 280:O what will be our ane, boys?O what will be our ane, boys?My only ane, she walks alane,And evermair has dune, boys, etc.See Köhler in Orient u. Occident, II, 558-9. A dragon, in Hahn's Griechische u. Albanesische Märchen, II, 210, gives Penteklimas ten of these number-riddles: if he answers them he is to have a fine castle; if not, he is to be eaten. An old woman answers for him: "One is God, two are the righteous, etc.; ten is your own word, and now burst, dragon!" The dragon bursts, and Penteklimas inherits his possessions.
[394]These number-riddles or songs are known to every nation of Europe. E. g., Chambers' Popular Rhymes of Scotland, p. 44, ed. 1870, from Buchan's MSS, I, 280:
O what will be our ane, boys?O what will be our ane, boys?My only ane, she walks alane,And evermair has dune, boys, etc.
O what will be our ane, boys?O what will be our ane, boys?My only ane, she walks alane,And evermair has dune, boys, etc.
See Köhler in Orient u. Occident, II, 558-9. A dragon, in Hahn's Griechische u. Albanesische Märchen, II, 210, gives Penteklimas ten of these number-riddles: if he answers them he is to have a fine castle; if not, he is to be eaten. An old woman answers for him: "One is God, two are the righteous, etc.; ten is your own word, and now burst, dragon!" The dragon bursts, and Penteklimas inherits his possessions.
[395]Gozzi retains the first and third riddles, Schiller only the third. By a happy idea, new riddles were introduced at the successive performances of Schiller's play. Turandot appears as a traditional tale in Schneller's Märchen u. Sagen aus Wälschtirol, No 49, p. 132, "I tre Indovinelli."
[395]Gozzi retains the first and third riddles, Schiller only the third. By a happy idea, new riddles were introduced at the successive performances of Schiller's play. Turandot appears as a traditional tale in Schneller's Märchen u. Sagen aus Wälschtirol, No 49, p. 132, "I tre Indovinelli."
[396]The castle with walls and gate thus equipped, or a palisade of stakes each crowned with a head, is all but a commonplace in such adventures. This grim stroke of fancy is best in 'La mule sanz frain,' where there are four hundred stakes,all but onesurmounted with a bloody head: Méon, Nouveau Recueil, 1, 15, vv 429-37. For these parlous princesses, of all sorts, see Grundtvig, 'Den farlige Jomfru,' IV, 43 ff, No 184.
[396]The castle with walls and gate thus equipped, or a palisade of stakes each crowned with a head, is all but a commonplace in such adventures. This grim stroke of fancy is best in 'La mule sanz frain,' where there are four hundred stakes,all but onesurmounted with a bloody head: Méon, Nouveau Recueil, 1, 15, vv 429-37. For these parlous princesses, of all sorts, see Grundtvig, 'Den farlige Jomfru,' IV, 43 ff, No 184.
[397]Von Hammer, Geschichte der schönen Redekünste Persiens, p. 116, previously cited by von der Hagen, Gesammtabenteuer, III, lxii.
[397]Von Hammer, Geschichte der schönen Redekünste Persiens, p. 116, previously cited by von der Hagen, Gesammtabenteuer, III, lxii.
[398]The German schwank affixes the forfeit of the head to failure. In the Norwegian the unsuccessful brothers get off with a thrashing. The fire in the English, found also in the German, recalls the third task in the Gesta Romanorum.
[398]The German schwank affixes the forfeit of the head to failure. In the Norwegian the unsuccessful brothers get off with a thrashing. The fire in the English, found also in the German, recalls the third task in the Gesta Romanorum.
[399]Khudyakof, in the Ethnographical Collection of the Russian Geographical Society, Etnografitcheskiy Sbornik, etc., VI, 9, 10, 8. Ralston, The Songs of the Russian People, p. 353.
[399]Khudyakof, in the Ethnographical Collection of the Russian Geographical Society, Etnografitcheskiy Sbornik, etc., VI, 9, 10, 8. Ralston, The Songs of the Russian People, p. 353.
[400]Vigfusson objects to Thor being the interlocutor, though that is the name in the MS., because cunning does not suit Thor's blunt character, and proposes Odin instead. "May be the dwarf first met Thor (Wingthor), whereupon Woden (Wingi) came up." Corpus Poeticum Boreale, I, 81.
[400]Vigfusson objects to Thor being the interlocutor, though that is the name in the MS., because cunning does not suit Thor's blunt character, and proposes Odin instead. "May be the dwarf first met Thor (Wingthor), whereupon Woden (Wingi) came up." Corpus Poeticum Boreale, I, 81.
A.'Proud Lady Margaret,' Scott's Minstrelsy, III, 275, ed. 1803.B. a.'The Courteous Knight,' Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, I, 91; Motherwell's MS., p. 591.b.Motherwell's Minstrelsy, Introduction, p. lxxxi.C.'The Jolly Hind Squire,' Buchan's MSS, II, 95.D.'The Knicht o Archerdale,' Harris MS., fol. 7, No 3.E.'Fair Margret,' A. Laing, Ancient Ballads and Songs, MS., 1829, p. 6.
A.'Proud Lady Margaret,' Scott's Minstrelsy, III, 275, ed. 1803.
B. a.'The Courteous Knight,' Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, I, 91; Motherwell's MS., p. 591.b.Motherwell's Minstrelsy, Introduction, p. lxxxi.
C.'The Jolly Hind Squire,' Buchan's MSS, II, 95.
D.'The Knicht o Archerdale,' Harris MS., fol. 7, No 3.
E.'Fair Margret,' A. Laing, Ancient Ballads and Songs, MS., 1829, p. 6.
Awas communicated to Scott "by Mr Hamilton, music-seller, Edinburgh, with whose mother it had been a favorite." Two stanzas and one line were wanting, and were supplied by Scott "from a different ballad, having a plot somewhat similar." The stanzas were 6 and 9.Cwas printed from the MS., with a few changes, under the title of 'The Bonny Hind Squire,' by Dixon, in Scottish Traditional Versions of Ancient Ballads, p. 42, and from Dixon in Bell's Early Ballads, p. 183. Christie, Traditional Ballad Airs, I, 28, says the ballad was called 'Jolly Janet' by the old people in Aberdeenshire.
A-Dare plainly compounded of two ballads, the conclusion being derived fromE. The lady's looking oer her castle wa, her putting riddles, and her having gard so mony die,make the supposition far from incredible that the Proud Lady Margaret of the first part of the ballad may originally have been one of the cruel princesses spoken of in the preface to 'Captain Wedderburn's Courtship,' p.417. But the corrupt condition of the texts ofA-Dforbids any confident opinion.
A dead mistress similarly admonishes her lover, in a ballad from Brittany, given in Ampère, Instructions relatives aux Poésies populaires de la France, p. 36.
"Non, je ne dors ni ne soumeille,Je sis dans l'enfer à brûler."Auprès de moi reste une place,C'est pour vous, Piar', qu'on l'a gardée.""Ha! dites-moi plustot, ma Jeanne,Comment fair' pour n'y point aller?""Il faut aller à la grand-messe,Et aux vêpres, sans y manquer."Faut point aller aux fileries,Comm' vous aviez d'accoutumé."Ne faut point embrasser les fillesSur l' bout du coffre au pied du lect."
"Non, je ne dors ni ne soumeille,Je sis dans l'enfer à brûler.
"Auprès de moi reste une place,C'est pour vous, Piar', qu'on l'a gardée."
"Ha! dites-moi plustot, ma Jeanne,Comment fair' pour n'y point aller?"
"Il faut aller à la grand-messe,Et aux vêpres, sans y manquer.
"Faut point aller aux fileries,Comm' vous aviez d'accoutumé.
"Ne faut point embrasser les fillesSur l' bout du coffre au pied du lect."
So Beaurepaire, Étude, p. 53; Puymaigre, 'La Damnée,' Chants populaires, I, 115; V. Smith, Chants du Velay et du Forez, Romania, IV, 449 f, 'La Concubine;' and Luzel, "Celui qui alla voir sa maitresse en enfer," I, 44, 45. In this last, a lover, whose mistress has died, goes into a monastery, where he prays continually that he may see her again. The devil presents himself in the likeness of a young man, and on condition of being something gently considered takes him to hell. He sees his mistress sitting in a fiery chair (cf.B, 30, 31), devoured by serpents night and day, and is informed that fasts and masses on his part will only make things worse. Like Dives, she sends word to her sister not to do as she has done. Some of these traits are found also in one or another of the French versions.
Translated by Doenniges, p. 6, after Scott, and by Knortz, Schottische Balladen, No 1, after Aytoun, II, 62.
Scott's Minstrelsy, III, 275, ed. 1803. Communicated "by Mr Hamilton, music-seller, Edinburgh, with whose mother it had been a favorite."
Scott's Minstrelsy, III, 275, ed. 1803. Communicated "by Mr Hamilton, music-seller, Edinburgh, with whose mother it had been a favorite."
1'T was on a night, an evening bright,When the dew began to fa,Lady Margaret was walking up and down,Looking oer her castle wa.2She looked east and she looked west,To see what she could spy,When a gallant knight came in her sight,And to the gate drew nigh.3'You seem to be no gentleman,You wear your boots so wide;But you seem to be some cunning hunter,You wear the horn so syde.'4'I am no cunning hunter,' he said,'Nor neer intend to be;But I am come to this castleTo seek the love of thee.And if you do not grant me love,This night for thee I'll die.'5'If you should die for me, sir knight,There's few for you will meane;For mony a better has died for me,Whose graves are growing green.6['But ye maun read my riddle,' she said,'And answer my questions three;And but ye read them right,' she said,'Gae stretch ye out and die.]7'Now what is the flower, the ae first flower,Springs either on moor or dale?And what is the bird, the bonnie bonnie bird,Sings on the evening gale?'8'The primrose is the ae first flowerSprings either on moor or dale,And the thristlecock is the bonniest birdSings on the evening gale.'9['But what's the little coin,' she said,'Wald buy my castle bound?And what's the little boat,' she said,'Can sail the world all round?']10'O hey, how mony small penniesMake thrice three thousand pound?Or hey, how mony salt fishesSwim a' the salt sea round?'11'I think you maun be my match,' she said,'My match and something mair;You are the first eer got the grantOf love frae my father's heir.12'My father was lord of nine castles,My mother lady of three;My father was lord of nine castles,And there's nane to heir but me.13'And round about a' thae castlesYou may baith plow and saw,And on the fifteenth day of MayThe meadows they will maw.'14'O hald your tongue, Lady Margaret,' he said,'For loud I hear you lie;Your father was lord of nine castles,Your mother was lady of three;Your father was lord of nine castles,But ye fa heir to but three.15'And round about a' thae castlesYou may baith plow and saw,But on the fifteenth day of MayThe meadows will not maw.16'I am your brother Willie,' he said,'I trow ye ken na me;I came to humble your haughty heart,Has gard sae mony die.'17'If ye be my brother Willie,' she said,'As I trow weel ye be,This night I'll neither eat nor drink,But gae alang wi thee.'18'O hold your tongue, Lady Margaret,' he said,'Again I hear you lie;For ye've unwashen hands and ye've unwashen feet,To gae to clay wi me.19'For the wee worms are my bedfellows,And cauld clay is my sheets,And when the stormy winds do blow,My body lies and sleeps.'
1'T was on a night, an evening bright,When the dew began to fa,Lady Margaret was walking up and down,Looking oer her castle wa.
2She looked east and she looked west,To see what she could spy,When a gallant knight came in her sight,And to the gate drew nigh.
3'You seem to be no gentleman,You wear your boots so wide;But you seem to be some cunning hunter,You wear the horn so syde.'
4'I am no cunning hunter,' he said,'Nor neer intend to be;But I am come to this castleTo seek the love of thee.And if you do not grant me love,This night for thee I'll die.'
5'If you should die for me, sir knight,There's few for you will meane;For mony a better has died for me,Whose graves are growing green.
6['But ye maun read my riddle,' she said,'And answer my questions three;And but ye read them right,' she said,'Gae stretch ye out and die.]
7'Now what is the flower, the ae first flower,Springs either on moor or dale?And what is the bird, the bonnie bonnie bird,Sings on the evening gale?'
8'The primrose is the ae first flowerSprings either on moor or dale,And the thristlecock is the bonniest birdSings on the evening gale.'
9['But what's the little coin,' she said,'Wald buy my castle bound?And what's the little boat,' she said,'Can sail the world all round?']
10'O hey, how mony small penniesMake thrice three thousand pound?Or hey, how mony salt fishesSwim a' the salt sea round?'
11'I think you maun be my match,' she said,'My match and something mair;You are the first eer got the grantOf love frae my father's heir.
12'My father was lord of nine castles,My mother lady of three;My father was lord of nine castles,And there's nane to heir but me.
13'And round about a' thae castlesYou may baith plow and saw,And on the fifteenth day of MayThe meadows they will maw.'
14'O hald your tongue, Lady Margaret,' he said,'For loud I hear you lie;Your father was lord of nine castles,Your mother was lady of three;Your father was lord of nine castles,But ye fa heir to but three.
15'And round about a' thae castlesYou may baith plow and saw,But on the fifteenth day of MayThe meadows will not maw.
16'I am your brother Willie,' he said,'I trow ye ken na me;I came to humble your haughty heart,Has gard sae mony die.'
17'If ye be my brother Willie,' she said,'As I trow weel ye be,This night I'll neither eat nor drink,But gae alang wi thee.'
18'O hold your tongue, Lady Margaret,' he said,'Again I hear you lie;For ye've unwashen hands and ye've unwashen feet,To gae to clay wi me.
19'For the wee worms are my bedfellows,And cauld clay is my sheets,And when the stormy winds do blow,My body lies and sleeps.'
a.Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, 1, 91; Motherwell's MS., p. 591.b.Motherwell's Minstrelsy, Introduction, p. lxxxi.
a.Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, 1, 91; Motherwell's MS., p. 591.b.Motherwell's Minstrelsy, Introduction, p. lxxxi.
1There was a knight, in a summer's night,Appeard in a lady's hall,As she was walking up and down,Looking oer her castle wall.2'God make you safe and free, fair maid,God make you safe and free!''O sae fa you, ye courteous knight,What are your wills wi me?'3'My wills wi you are not sma, lady,My wills wi you nae sma,And since there's nane your bower within,Ye'se hae my secrets a'.4'For here am I a courtier,A courtier come to thee,And if ye winna grant your love,All for your sake I'll dee.'5'If that ye dee for me, sir knight,Few for you will make meen;For mony gude lord's done the same,Their graves are growing green.'6'O winna ye pity me, fair maid,O winna ye pity me?O winna ye pity a courteous knight,Whose love is laid on thee?'7'Ye say ye are a courteous knight,But I think ye are nane;I think ye're but a millar bred,By the colour o your claithing.8'You seem to be some false young man,You wear your hat sae wide;You seem to be some false young man,You wear your boots sae side.'9'Indeed I am a courteous knight,And of great pedigree;Nae knight did mair for a lady brightThan I will do for thee.10'O I'll put smiths in your smithy,To shoe for you a steed,And I'll put tailors in your bower,To make for you a weed.11'I will put cooks in your kitchen,And butlers in your ha,And on the tap o your father's castleI'll big gude corn and saw.'12'If ye be a courteous knight,As I trust not ye be,Ye'll answer some o the sma questionsThat I will ask at thee.13'What is the fairest flower, tell me,That grows in mire or dale?Likewise, which is the sweetest birdSings next the nightingale?Or what's the finest thing,' she says,'That king or queen can wile?'14'The primrose is the fairest flowerThat grows in mire or dale;The mavis is the sweetest birdNext to the nightingale;And yellow gowd's the finest thingThat king or queen can wale.15'Ye hae asked many questions, lady,I've you as many told;''But how many pennies roundMake a hundred pounds in gold?16'How many of the small fishesDo swim the salt seas round?Or what's the seemliest sight you'll seeInto a May morning?'* * * * *17'Berry-brown ale and a birken speal,And wine in a horn green;A milk-white lace in a fair maid's dressLooks gay in a May morning.'18'Mony's the questions I've askd at thee,And ye've answerd them a';Ye are mine, and I am thine,Amo the sheets sae sma.19'You may be my match, kind sir,You may be my match and more;There neer was ane came sic a lengthWi my father's heir before.20'My father's lord o nine castles,My mother she's lady ower three,And there is nane to heir them all,No never a ane but me;Unless it be Willie, my ae brother,But he's far ayont the sea.'21'If your father's laird o nine castles,Your mother lady ower three,I am Willie your ae brother,Was far beyond the sea.'22'If ye be Willie, my ae brother,As I doubt sair ye be,But if it's true ye tell me now,This night I'll gang wi thee.'23'Ye've ower ill washen feet, Janet,And ower ill washen hands,And ower coarse robes on your body,Alang wi me to gang.24'The worms they are my bed-fellows,And the cauld clay my sheet,And the higher that the wind does blaw,The sounder I do sleep.25'My body's buried in Dumfermline,And far beyond the sea,But day nor night nae rest coud get,All for the pride o thee.26'Leave aff your pride, jelly Janet,' he says,'Use it not ony mair;Or when ye come where I hae beenYou will repent it sair.27'Cast aff, cast aff, sister,' he says,'The gowd lace frae your crown;For if ye gang where I hae been,Ye'll wear it laigher down.28'When ye're in the gude church set,The gowd pins in your hair,Ye take mair delight in your feckless dressThan ye do in your morning prayer.29'And when ye walk in the church-yard,And in your dress are seen,There is nae lady that sees your faceBut wishes your grave were green.30'You're straight and tall, handsome withall,But your pride owergoes your wit,But if ye do not your ways refrain,In Pirie's chair ye'll sit.31'In Pirie's chair you'll sit, I say,The lowest seat o hell;If ye do not amend your ways,It's there that ye must dwell.'32Wi that he vanishd frae her sight,Wi the twinkling o an eye;Naething mair the lady sawBut the gloomy clouds and sky.
1There was a knight, in a summer's night,Appeard in a lady's hall,As she was walking up and down,Looking oer her castle wall.
2'God make you safe and free, fair maid,God make you safe and free!''O sae fa you, ye courteous knight,What are your wills wi me?'
3'My wills wi you are not sma, lady,My wills wi you nae sma,And since there's nane your bower within,Ye'se hae my secrets a'.
4'For here am I a courtier,A courtier come to thee,And if ye winna grant your love,All for your sake I'll dee.'
5'If that ye dee for me, sir knight,Few for you will make meen;For mony gude lord's done the same,Their graves are growing green.'
6'O winna ye pity me, fair maid,O winna ye pity me?O winna ye pity a courteous knight,Whose love is laid on thee?'
7'Ye say ye are a courteous knight,But I think ye are nane;I think ye're but a millar bred,By the colour o your claithing.
8'You seem to be some false young man,You wear your hat sae wide;You seem to be some false young man,You wear your boots sae side.'
9'Indeed I am a courteous knight,And of great pedigree;Nae knight did mair for a lady brightThan I will do for thee.
10'O I'll put smiths in your smithy,To shoe for you a steed,And I'll put tailors in your bower,To make for you a weed.
11'I will put cooks in your kitchen,And butlers in your ha,And on the tap o your father's castleI'll big gude corn and saw.'
12'If ye be a courteous knight,As I trust not ye be,Ye'll answer some o the sma questionsThat I will ask at thee.
13'What is the fairest flower, tell me,That grows in mire or dale?Likewise, which is the sweetest birdSings next the nightingale?Or what's the finest thing,' she says,'That king or queen can wile?'
14'The primrose is the fairest flowerThat grows in mire or dale;The mavis is the sweetest birdNext to the nightingale;And yellow gowd's the finest thingThat king or queen can wale.
15'Ye hae asked many questions, lady,I've you as many told;''But how many pennies roundMake a hundred pounds in gold?
16'How many of the small fishesDo swim the salt seas round?Or what's the seemliest sight you'll seeInto a May morning?'
* * * * *
17'Berry-brown ale and a birken speal,And wine in a horn green;A milk-white lace in a fair maid's dressLooks gay in a May morning.'
18'Mony's the questions I've askd at thee,And ye've answerd them a';Ye are mine, and I am thine,Amo the sheets sae sma.
19'You may be my match, kind sir,You may be my match and more;There neer was ane came sic a lengthWi my father's heir before.
20'My father's lord o nine castles,My mother she's lady ower three,And there is nane to heir them all,No never a ane but me;Unless it be Willie, my ae brother,But he's far ayont the sea.'
21'If your father's laird o nine castles,Your mother lady ower three,I am Willie your ae brother,Was far beyond the sea.'
22'If ye be Willie, my ae brother,As I doubt sair ye be,But if it's true ye tell me now,This night I'll gang wi thee.'
23'Ye've ower ill washen feet, Janet,And ower ill washen hands,And ower coarse robes on your body,Alang wi me to gang.
24'The worms they are my bed-fellows,And the cauld clay my sheet,And the higher that the wind does blaw,The sounder I do sleep.
25'My body's buried in Dumfermline,And far beyond the sea,But day nor night nae rest coud get,All for the pride o thee.
26'Leave aff your pride, jelly Janet,' he says,'Use it not ony mair;Or when ye come where I hae beenYou will repent it sair.
27'Cast aff, cast aff, sister,' he says,'The gowd lace frae your crown;For if ye gang where I hae been,Ye'll wear it laigher down.
28'When ye're in the gude church set,The gowd pins in your hair,Ye take mair delight in your feckless dressThan ye do in your morning prayer.
29'And when ye walk in the church-yard,And in your dress are seen,There is nae lady that sees your faceBut wishes your grave were green.
30'You're straight and tall, handsome withall,But your pride owergoes your wit,But if ye do not your ways refrain,In Pirie's chair ye'll sit.
31'In Pirie's chair you'll sit, I say,The lowest seat o hell;If ye do not amend your ways,It's there that ye must dwell.'
32Wi that he vanishd frae her sight,Wi the twinkling o an eye;Naething mair the lady sawBut the gloomy clouds and sky.
Buchan's MSS, II, 95.
Buchan's MSS, II, 95.
1Once there was a jolly hind squireAppeard in a lady's ha,And aye she walked up and down,Looking oer her castle wa.2'What is your wills wi me, kind sir?What is your wills wi me?''My wills are [not] sma wi thee, lady,My wills are [not] sma wi thee.3'For here I stand a courtier,And a courtier come to thee,And if ye will not grant me your love,For your sake I will die.'4'If you die for my sake,' she says,'Few for you will make moan;Many better's died for my sake,Their graves are growing green.5'You appear to be some false young man,You wear your hat so wide;You appear to be some false young man,You wear your boots so side.6'An asking, asking, sir,' she said,'An asking ye'll grant me:''Ask on, ask on, lady,' he said,'What may your asking be?'7'What's the first thing in flower,' she said,'That springs in mire or dale?What's the next bird that sings,' she says,'Unto the nightingale?Or what is the finest thing,' she says,'That king or queen can wile?'8'The primrose is the first in flowerThat springs in mire or dale;The thristle-throat is the next that singsUnto the nightingale;And yellow gold is the finest thingThat king or queen can wile.9'You have asked many questions, lady,I've you as many told;''But how many pennies roundMake a hundred pounds in gold?10'How many small fishesDo swim the salt seas round?Or what's the seemliest sight you'll seeInto a May morning?* * * * *11'There's ale into the birken scale,Wine in the horn green;There's gold in the king's bannerWhen he is fighting keen.'12'You may be my match, kind sir,' she said,'You may be my match and more;There neer was one came such a lengthWith my father's heir before.13'My father's lord of nine castles,No body heir but me.''Your father's lord of nine castles,Your mother's lady of three;14'Your father's heir of nine castles,And you are heir to three;For I am William, thy ae brother,That died beyond the sea.'15'If ye be William, my ae brother,This night, O well is me!If ye be William, my ae brother,This night I'll go with thee.'16'For no, for no, jelly Janet,' he says,'For no, that cannot be;You've oer foul feet and ill washen handsTo be in my company.17'For the wee wee worms are my bedfellows,And the cold clay is my sheet,And the higher that the winds do blow,The sounder I do sleep.18'Leave off your pride, jelly Janet,' he says,'Use it not any more;Or when you come where I have beenYou will repent it sore.19'When you go in at yon church door,The red gold on your hair,More will look at your yellow locksThan look on the Lord's prayer.20'When you go in at yon church door,The red gold on your crown;When you come where I have been,You'll wear it laigher down.'21The jolly hind squire, he went awayIn the twinkling of an eye,Left the lady sorrowful behind,With many bitter cry.
1Once there was a jolly hind squireAppeard in a lady's ha,And aye she walked up and down,Looking oer her castle wa.
2'What is your wills wi me, kind sir?What is your wills wi me?''My wills are [not] sma wi thee, lady,My wills are [not] sma wi thee.
3'For here I stand a courtier,And a courtier come to thee,And if ye will not grant me your love,For your sake I will die.'
4'If you die for my sake,' she says,'Few for you will make moan;Many better's died for my sake,Their graves are growing green.
5'You appear to be some false young man,You wear your hat so wide;You appear to be some false young man,You wear your boots so side.
6'An asking, asking, sir,' she said,'An asking ye'll grant me:''Ask on, ask on, lady,' he said,'What may your asking be?'
7'What's the first thing in flower,' she said,'That springs in mire or dale?What's the next bird that sings,' she says,'Unto the nightingale?Or what is the finest thing,' she says,'That king or queen can wile?'
8'The primrose is the first in flowerThat springs in mire or dale;The thristle-throat is the next that singsUnto the nightingale;And yellow gold is the finest thingThat king or queen can wile.
9'You have asked many questions, lady,I've you as many told;''But how many pennies roundMake a hundred pounds in gold?
10'How many small fishesDo swim the salt seas round?Or what's the seemliest sight you'll seeInto a May morning?
* * * * *
11'There's ale into the birken scale,Wine in the horn green;There's gold in the king's bannerWhen he is fighting keen.'
12'You may be my match, kind sir,' she said,'You may be my match and more;There neer was one came such a lengthWith my father's heir before.
13'My father's lord of nine castles,No body heir but me.''Your father's lord of nine castles,Your mother's lady of three;
14'Your father's heir of nine castles,And you are heir to three;For I am William, thy ae brother,That died beyond the sea.'
15'If ye be William, my ae brother,This night, O well is me!If ye be William, my ae brother,This night I'll go with thee.'
16'For no, for no, jelly Janet,' he says,'For no, that cannot be;You've oer foul feet and ill washen handsTo be in my company.
17'For the wee wee worms are my bedfellows,And the cold clay is my sheet,And the higher that the winds do blow,The sounder I do sleep.
18'Leave off your pride, jelly Janet,' he says,'Use it not any more;Or when you come where I have beenYou will repent it sore.
19'When you go in at yon church door,The red gold on your hair,More will look at your yellow locksThan look on the Lord's prayer.
20'When you go in at yon church door,The red gold on your crown;When you come where I have been,You'll wear it laigher down.'
21The jolly hind squire, he went awayIn the twinkling of an eye,Left the lady sorrowful behind,With many bitter cry.