A.

A.'Erlinton,' Scott's Minstrelsy,III, 235, ed. 1803.B.'True Tammas,' Mr R. White's papers.C.'Robin Hood and the Tanner's Daughter,' Gutch's Robin Hood,II, 345.

A.'Erlinton,' Scott's Minstrelsy,III, 235, ed. 1803.

B.'True Tammas,' Mr R. White's papers.

C.'Robin Hood and the Tanner's Daughter,' Gutch's Robin Hood,II, 345.

'Erlinton' (A) first appeared in the Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, the text formed "from the collation of two copies obtained from recitation."Bis a manuscript copy, furnished by the late Mr Robert White of Newcastle, and was probably taken down from recitation by Mr James Telfer early in the century.C, in which Robin Hood has taken the place of a hero who had at leastconnectionsout of Great Britain, was first printed in Gutch's Robin Hood, from a manuscript of Mr Payne Collier, supposed to have been written about 1650.

This ballad has only with much hesitation been separated from the foregoing. In this as in that, a man induces a maid to go off with him; he is set upon by a party of fifteen inA,B, as in 7A; and he spares the life of one of his assailants [an old man,A,B, the younger brother,C]. Some agreements as to details with Scandinavian Ribold ballads have already been noticed, and it has been observed that while there is no vestige of the dead-naming in 'Earl Brand,' there is an obvious trace of it in 'Erlinton'A,B. 'Erlinton'A,Bhas also one other correspondence not found in 'Earl Brand,'—the strict watch kept over the lady (st. 2). Even the bigly bower, expressly built to confine her in, is very likely a reminiscence or a displacement of the tower in which Hilde is shut up,afterher elopement, in some of the Scandinavian ballads (Danish 83A,B; SwedishA, dark house). But notwithstanding these resemblances to the Ribold story, there is a difference in the larger part of the details, and all the 'Erlinton' ballads have a fortunate conclusion, which also does not seem forced, as it does in Arwidsson, 107, the only instance, perhaps, in which a fortunate conclusion in a Ribold ballad is of the least account; for Grundtvig'sF,Gare manifestly copies that have been tampered with, and Landstad 34 is greatly confused at the close. It may be an absolute accident, but 'Erlinton'A,Bhas at least one point of contact with the story of Walter of Aquitania which is not found in 'Earl Brand.' This story requires to be given in brief on account of its kinship to both.

Walter, with his betrothed Hildegunde, fly from the court of Attila, at which they have both lived as hostages since their childhood, taking with them two boxes of jewels. Gunther, king of Worms, learns that a knight and lady, with a richly-laden horse, have passed the Rhine, and sets out in pursuit, with twelve of his best fighting men, resolved to capture the treasure. The fugitives, after a very long ride, make a halt in a forest, and Walter goes to sleep with his head on Hildegunde's knees. The lady meanwhile keeps watch, and rouses her lover when she perceives by the dust they raise that horsemen are approaching. Gunther sends one of his knights with a message demanding the surrender of the treasure. Walter scornfully refuses, but expresses a willingness to make the king a present of a hundred bracelets, or rings, of red gold, in token of his respect. The messenger is sent back with directions to take the treasure by force, if it should be refused again. Walter, having vainly offered a present of two hundred bracelets to avoid a conflict, is attacked by the knight, whom he slays. Ten others go the way of this first, and only the king and one of his troop, Hagen, a very distinguished knight and an old comrade of Walter, remain. These now attack Walter; the combat is longand fierce; all three are seriously wounded, and finally so exhausted as to be forced to cease fighting. Walter and Hagen enter into a friendly talk while refreshing themselves with wine, and in the end Gunther[117]is put on a horse and conducted home by Hagen, while Walter and Hildegunde continue their journey to Aquitania. There they were married and ruled thirty happy years. ('Waltharius,' ed. R. Peiper, 1873.)

The particular resemblances of 'Erlinton'A,Bto 'Walter' are that the assailants are "bold knights," or "bravest outlaws,"notthe lady's kinsmen; that there are two parleys before the fight; and that the hero survives the fight and goes off with his love. The utmost that could be insisted on is that some features of the story of Walter have been blended in the course of tradition with the kindred story of Ribold. 'Erlinton'Cis much less like 'Walter,' and more like 'Ribold.'

The 'Sultan's Fair Daughter,' translated by Aigner, Ungarische Volksdichtungen, p. 93, 2d ed., has perhaps derived something from the Walter story. Two Magyars escape from the Sultan's prison by the aid of his daughter, under promise of taking her to Hungary. She often looks backwards, fearing pursuit. At last a large band overtake them. One of the Magyars guards the lady; the other assaults the Turks, of whom he leaves only one alive, to carry back information. One of the two has a love at home; the other takes the Sultan's daughter.

'Erlinton' is translated by Rosa Warrens, Schottische Volkslieder, No 24, and by Karl Knortz, Schottische Balladen, No 12.

Scott's Minstrelsy,III, 235, ed. 1803; ed. 1833,II, 353. Made up from two copies obtained from recitation.

1Erlinton had a fair daughter;I wat he weird her in a great sin;For he has built a bigly bower,An a' to put that lady in.2An he has warnd her sisters six,An sae has he her brethren se'en,Outher to watch her a' the night,Or else to seek her morn an een.3She hadna been i that bigly bowerNa not a night but barely ane,Till there was Willie, her ain true love,Chappd at the door, cryin 'Peace within!'4'O whae is this at my bower door,That chaps sae late, nor kens the gin?''O it is Willie, your ain true love,I pray you rise an let me in!'5'But in my bower there is a wake,An at the wake there is a wane;But I'll come to the green-wood the morn,Whar blooms the brier, by mornin dawn.'6Then she's gane to her bed again,Where she has layen till the cock crew thrice,Then she said to her sisters a','Maidens, 't is time for us to rise.'7She pat on her back her silken gown,An on her breast a siller pin,An she's tane a sister in ilka hand,An to the green-wood she is gane.8She hadna walkd in the green-woodNa not a mile but barely ane,Till there was Willie, her ain true love,Whae frae her sisters has her taen.9He took her sisters by the hand,He kissd them baith, an sent them hame,An he's taen his true love him behind,And through the green-wood they are gane.10They hadna ridden in the bonnie green-woodNa not a mile but barely ane,When there came fifteen o the boldest knightsThat ever bare flesh, blood, or bane.11The foremost was an aged knight,He wore the grey hair on his chin:Says, 'Yield to me thy lady bright,An thou shalt walk the woods within.'12'For me to yield my lady brightTo such an aged knight as thee,People wad think I war gane mad,Or a' the courage flown frae me.'13But up then spake the second knight,I wat he spake right boustouslie:'Yield me thy life, or thy lady bright,Or here the tane of us shall die.'14'My lady is my warld's meed;My life I winna yield to nane;But if ye be men of your manhead,Ye'll only fight me ane by ane.'15He lighted aff his milk-white steed,An gae his lady him by the head,Sayn, 'See ye dinna change your cheer,Untill ye see my body bleed.'16He set his back unto an aik,He set his feet against a stane,An he has fought these fifteen men,An killd them a' but barely ane.17. . . . . . .. . . . . . .For he has left that aged knight.An a' to carry the tidings hame.18When he gaed to his lady fair,I wat he kissd her tenderlie:'Thou art mine ain love, I have thee bought;Now we shall walk the green-wood free.'

1Erlinton had a fair daughter;I wat he weird her in a great sin;For he has built a bigly bower,An a' to put that lady in.

2An he has warnd her sisters six,An sae has he her brethren se'en,Outher to watch her a' the night,Or else to seek her morn an een.

3She hadna been i that bigly bowerNa not a night but barely ane,Till there was Willie, her ain true love,Chappd at the door, cryin 'Peace within!'

4'O whae is this at my bower door,That chaps sae late, nor kens the gin?''O it is Willie, your ain true love,I pray you rise an let me in!'

5'But in my bower there is a wake,An at the wake there is a wane;But I'll come to the green-wood the morn,Whar blooms the brier, by mornin dawn.'

6Then she's gane to her bed again,Where she has layen till the cock crew thrice,Then she said to her sisters a','Maidens, 't is time for us to rise.'

7She pat on her back her silken gown,An on her breast a siller pin,An she's tane a sister in ilka hand,An to the green-wood she is gane.

8She hadna walkd in the green-woodNa not a mile but barely ane,Till there was Willie, her ain true love,Whae frae her sisters has her taen.

9He took her sisters by the hand,He kissd them baith, an sent them hame,An he's taen his true love him behind,And through the green-wood they are gane.

10They hadna ridden in the bonnie green-woodNa not a mile but barely ane,When there came fifteen o the boldest knightsThat ever bare flesh, blood, or bane.

11The foremost was an aged knight,He wore the grey hair on his chin:Says, 'Yield to me thy lady bright,An thou shalt walk the woods within.'

12'For me to yield my lady brightTo such an aged knight as thee,People wad think I war gane mad,Or a' the courage flown frae me.'

13But up then spake the second knight,I wat he spake right boustouslie:'Yield me thy life, or thy lady bright,Or here the tane of us shall die.'

14'My lady is my warld's meed;My life I winna yield to nane;But if ye be men of your manhead,Ye'll only fight me ane by ane.'

15He lighted aff his milk-white steed,An gae his lady him by the head,Sayn, 'See ye dinna change your cheer,Untill ye see my body bleed.'

16He set his back unto an aik,He set his feet against a stane,An he has fought these fifteen men,An killd them a' but barely ane.

17. . . . . . .. . . . . . .For he has left that aged knight.An a' to carry the tidings hame.

18When he gaed to his lady fair,I wat he kissd her tenderlie:'Thou art mine ain love, I have thee bought;Now we shall walk the green-wood free.'

MS. of Robert White, Esq., of Newcastle, from James Telfer's collection.

1There was a knight, an he had a daughter,An he wad wed her, wi muckle sin;Sae he has biggit a bonnie bower, love,An a' to keep his fair daughter in.2But she hadna been in the bonnie bower, love,And no twa hours but barely ane,Till up started Tammas, her ain true lover,And O sae fain as he wad been in.3'For a' sae weel as I like ye, Tammas,An for a' sae weel as I like the gin,I wadna for ten thousand pounds, love,Na no this night wad I let thee in.4'But yonder is a bonnie greenwud,An in the greenwud there is a wauk,An I'll be there an sune the morn, love,It's a' for my true love's sake.5'On my right hand I'll have a glove, love,An on my left are I'll have nane;I'll have wi' me my sisters six, love,An we will wauk the wuds our lane.'6They hadna waukd in the bonnie greenwud,Na no an hour but barely ane,Till up start Tammas, her ain true lover,He's taen her sisters her frae mang.7An he has kissed her sisters six, love,An he has sent them hame again,But he has keepit his ain true lover,Saying, 'We will wauk the wuds our lane.'8They hadna waukd in the bonnie greenwudNa no an hour but barely ane,Till up start fifteen o the bravest outlawsThat ever bure either breath or bane.9An up bespake the foremost man, love,An O but he spake angrily:'Either your life—or your lady fair, sir,This night shall wauk the wuds wi me.'10'My lady fair, O I like her weel, sir,An O my life, but it lies me near!But before I lose my lady fair, sir,I'll rather lose my life sae dear.'11Then up bespak the second man, love,An aye he spake mair angrily,Saying, 'Baith your life, and your lady fair, sir,This night shall wauk the wuds wi me.'12'My lady fair, O I like her weel, sir,An O my life, but it lies me near!But before I lose my lady fair, sir,I'll rather lose my life sae dear.13'But if ye'll be men to your manhood,As that I will be unto mine,I'll fight ye every ane man by man,Till the last drop's blude I hae be slain.14'O sit ye down, my dearest dearie,Sit down and hold my noble steed,And see that ye never change your cheerUntil ye see my body bleed.'15He's feughten a' the fifteen outlaws,The fifteen outlaws every ane,He's left naething but the auldest manTo go and carry the tidings hame.16An he has gane to his dearest dear,An he has kissed her, cheek and chin,Saying, 'Thou art mine ain, I have bought thee dear,An we will wauk the wuds our lane.'

1There was a knight, an he had a daughter,An he wad wed her, wi muckle sin;Sae he has biggit a bonnie bower, love,An a' to keep his fair daughter in.

2But she hadna been in the bonnie bower, love,And no twa hours but barely ane,Till up started Tammas, her ain true lover,And O sae fain as he wad been in.

3'For a' sae weel as I like ye, Tammas,An for a' sae weel as I like the gin,I wadna for ten thousand pounds, love,Na no this night wad I let thee in.

4'But yonder is a bonnie greenwud,An in the greenwud there is a wauk,An I'll be there an sune the morn, love,It's a' for my true love's sake.

5'On my right hand I'll have a glove, love,An on my left are I'll have nane;I'll have wi' me my sisters six, love,An we will wauk the wuds our lane.'

6They hadna waukd in the bonnie greenwud,Na no an hour but barely ane,Till up start Tammas, her ain true lover,He's taen her sisters her frae mang.

7An he has kissed her sisters six, love,An he has sent them hame again,But he has keepit his ain true lover,Saying, 'We will wauk the wuds our lane.'

8They hadna waukd in the bonnie greenwudNa no an hour but barely ane,Till up start fifteen o the bravest outlawsThat ever bure either breath or bane.

9An up bespake the foremost man, love,An O but he spake angrily:'Either your life—or your lady fair, sir,This night shall wauk the wuds wi me.'

10'My lady fair, O I like her weel, sir,An O my life, but it lies me near!But before I lose my lady fair, sir,I'll rather lose my life sae dear.'

11Then up bespak the second man, love,An aye he spake mair angrily,Saying, 'Baith your life, and your lady fair, sir,This night shall wauk the wuds wi me.'

12'My lady fair, O I like her weel, sir,An O my life, but it lies me near!But before I lose my lady fair, sir,I'll rather lose my life sae dear.

13'But if ye'll be men to your manhood,As that I will be unto mine,I'll fight ye every ane man by man,Till the last drop's blude I hae be slain.

14'O sit ye down, my dearest dearie,Sit down and hold my noble steed,And see that ye never change your cheerUntil ye see my body bleed.'

15He's feughten a' the fifteen outlaws,The fifteen outlaws every ane,He's left naething but the auldest manTo go and carry the tidings hame.

16An he has gane to his dearest dear,An he has kissed her, cheek and chin,Saying, 'Thou art mine ain, I have bought thee dear,An we will wauk the wuds our lane.'

Gutch's Robin Hood,II, 345, from a MS. of Mr. Payne Collier's, supposed to have been written about 1650.

1As Robin Hood sat by a tree,He espied a prettie may,And when she chanced him to see,She turnd her head away.2'O feare me not, thou prettie mayde,And doe not flie from mee;I am the kindest man,' he said,'That ever eye did see.'3Then to her he did doffe his cap,And to her lowted low;'To meete with thee I hold it good hap,If thou wilt not say noe.'4Then he put his hand around her waste,Soe small, so tight, and trim,And after sought her lip to taste,And she to kissed him.5'Where dost thou dwell, my prettie maide?I prithee tell to me;''I am a tanner's daughter,' she said,'John Hobbes of Barneslee.'6'And whither goest thou, pretty maide?Shall I be thy true love?'If thou art not afeard,' she said,'My true love thou shalt prove.'7'What should I feare?' then he replied;'I am thy true love now;''I have two brethren, and their prideWould scorn such one as thou.'8'That will we try,' quoth Robin Hood;'I was not made their scorne;Ile shed my blood to doe the[e] good,As sure as they were borne.'9'My brothers are proude and fierce and strong;''I am,' said he, 'the same,And if they offer thee to wrong,Theyle finde Ile play their game.10'Through the free forrest I can run,The king may not controll;They are but barking tanners' sons,To me they shall pay toll.11'And if not mine be sheepe and kine,I have cattle on my land;On venison eche day I may dine,Whiles they have none in hand.'12These wordes had Robin Hood scarce spoke,When they two men did see,Come riding till their horses smoke:'My brothers both,' cried shee.13Each had a good sword by his side,And furiouslie they rodeTo where they Robin Hood espied,That with the maiden stood.14'Flee hence, flee hence, away with speede!'Cried she to Robin Hood,'For if thou stay, thoult surely bleede;I could not see thy blood.'15'With us, false maiden, come away,And leave that outlawe bolde;Why fledst thou from thy home this day,And left thy father olde?'16Robin stept backe but paces five,Unto a sturdie tree;'Ile fight whiles I am left alive;Stay thou, sweete maide, with mee.'17He stood before, she stoode behinde,The brothers two drewe nie;'Our sister now to us resign,Or thou full sure shalt die.'18Then cried the maide, 'My brethren deare,With ye Ile freely wend,But harm not this young forrester,Noe ill doth he pretend.'19'Stande up, sweete maide, I plight my troth;Fall thou not on thy knee;Ile force thy cruell brothers bothTo bend the knee to thee.20'Stand thou behinde this sturdie oke,I soone will quell their pride;Thoult see my sword with furie smoke,And in their hearts' blood died.'21He set his backe against a tree,His foote against a stone;The first blow that he gave so freeCleft one man to the bone.22The tanners bold they fought right well,And it was one to two;But Robin did them both refell,All in the damsell's viewe.23The red blood ran from Robins brow,All downe unto his knee;'O holde your handes, my brethren now,I will goe backe with yee.'24'Stand backe, stand backe, my pretty maide,Stand backe and let me fight;By sweete St. James be no[t] afraideBut I will it requite.'25Then Robin did his sword uplift,And let it fall againe;The oldest brothers head it cleft,Right through unto his braine.26'O hold thy hand, bolde forrester,Or ill may thee betide;Slay not my youngest brother here,He is my father's pride.'27'Away, for I would scorne to owe,My life to the[e], false maide!'The youngest cried, and aimd a blowThat lit on Robin's head.28Then Robin leand against the tree,His life nie gone did seeme;His eyes did swim, he could not seeThe maiden start betweene.29It was not long ere Robin HoodCould welde his sword so bright;Upon his feete he firmly stood,And did renew the fight.30Untill the tanner scarce could heaveHis weapon in the aire;But Robin would not him bereaveOf life, and left him there.31Then to the greenewood did he fly,And with him went the maide;For him she vowd that she would dye,He'd live for her, he said.

1As Robin Hood sat by a tree,He espied a prettie may,And when she chanced him to see,She turnd her head away.

2'O feare me not, thou prettie mayde,And doe not flie from mee;I am the kindest man,' he said,'That ever eye did see.'

3Then to her he did doffe his cap,And to her lowted low;'To meete with thee I hold it good hap,If thou wilt not say noe.'

4Then he put his hand around her waste,Soe small, so tight, and trim,And after sought her lip to taste,And she to kissed him.

5'Where dost thou dwell, my prettie maide?I prithee tell to me;''I am a tanner's daughter,' she said,'John Hobbes of Barneslee.'

6'And whither goest thou, pretty maide?Shall I be thy true love?'If thou art not afeard,' she said,'My true love thou shalt prove.'

7'What should I feare?' then he replied;'I am thy true love now;''I have two brethren, and their prideWould scorn such one as thou.'

8'That will we try,' quoth Robin Hood;'I was not made their scorne;Ile shed my blood to doe the[e] good,As sure as they were borne.'

9'My brothers are proude and fierce and strong;''I am,' said he, 'the same,And if they offer thee to wrong,Theyle finde Ile play their game.

10'Through the free forrest I can run,The king may not controll;They are but barking tanners' sons,To me they shall pay toll.

11'And if not mine be sheepe and kine,I have cattle on my land;On venison eche day I may dine,Whiles they have none in hand.'

12These wordes had Robin Hood scarce spoke,When they two men did see,Come riding till their horses smoke:'My brothers both,' cried shee.

13Each had a good sword by his side,And furiouslie they rodeTo where they Robin Hood espied,That with the maiden stood.

14'Flee hence, flee hence, away with speede!'Cried she to Robin Hood,'For if thou stay, thoult surely bleede;I could not see thy blood.'

15'With us, false maiden, come away,And leave that outlawe bolde;Why fledst thou from thy home this day,And left thy father olde?'

16Robin stept backe but paces five,Unto a sturdie tree;'Ile fight whiles I am left alive;Stay thou, sweete maide, with mee.'

17He stood before, she stoode behinde,The brothers two drewe nie;'Our sister now to us resign,Or thou full sure shalt die.'

18Then cried the maide, 'My brethren deare,With ye Ile freely wend,But harm not this young forrester,Noe ill doth he pretend.'

19'Stande up, sweete maide, I plight my troth;Fall thou not on thy knee;Ile force thy cruell brothers bothTo bend the knee to thee.

20'Stand thou behinde this sturdie oke,I soone will quell their pride;Thoult see my sword with furie smoke,And in their hearts' blood died.'

21He set his backe against a tree,His foote against a stone;The first blow that he gave so freeCleft one man to the bone.

22The tanners bold they fought right well,And it was one to two;But Robin did them both refell,All in the damsell's viewe.

23The red blood ran from Robins brow,All downe unto his knee;'O holde your handes, my brethren now,I will goe backe with yee.'

24'Stand backe, stand backe, my pretty maide,Stand backe and let me fight;By sweete St. James be no[t] afraideBut I will it requite.'

25Then Robin did his sword uplift,And let it fall againe;The oldest brothers head it cleft,Right through unto his braine.

26'O hold thy hand, bolde forrester,Or ill may thee betide;Slay not my youngest brother here,He is my father's pride.'

27'Away, for I would scorne to owe,My life to the[e], false maide!'The youngest cried, and aimd a blowThat lit on Robin's head.

28Then Robin leand against the tree,His life nie gone did seeme;His eyes did swim, he could not seeThe maiden start betweene.

29It was not long ere Robin HoodCould welde his sword so bright;Upon his feete he firmly stood,And did renew the fight.

30Untill the tanner scarce could heaveHis weapon in the aire;But Robin would not him bereaveOf life, and left him there.

31Then to the greenewood did he fly,And with him went the maide;For him she vowd that she would dye,He'd live for her, he said.

42.Ed. 1833 hasor kens.

12.IfA12be right, gross injustice is done the father by changingI wat he weird herintohe wad wed her. One of the two is a singular corruption.There is another copy ofBamong Mr White'spapers, with the title 'Sir Thamas,' which I have no doubt has been "revised," whether by Telfer, or by Mr White himself, it is impossible to say. The principal variations are here given, that others may be satisfied.12. wed her mang his ain kin.14. this fair.23. Till up cam Thamas her only true love.32. O tirl nae langer at the pin.33. I wadna for a hundred pounds, love.34. can I.43. fu soon.44. And by oursels we twa can talk.

12.IfA12be right, gross injustice is done the father by changingI wat he weird herintohe wad wed her. One of the two is a singular corruption.

There is another copy ofBamong Mr White'spapers, with the title 'Sir Thamas,' which I have no doubt has been "revised," whether by Telfer, or by Mr White himself, it is impossible to say. The principal variations are here given, that others may be satisfied.

12. wed her mang his ain kin.

14. this fair.

23. Till up cam Thamas her only true love.

32. O tirl nae langer at the pin.

33. I wadna for a hundred pounds, love.

34. can I.

43. fu soon.

44. And by oursels we twa can talk.

51,2.I'll hae a glove on my right hand, love,And on my left I shall hae nane.62-4.Beyond an hour, or scarcely twa,When up rode Thamas, her only true love,And he has tane her frae mang them a'.

51,2.I'll hae a glove on my right hand, love,And on my left I shall hae nane.

62-4.Beyond an hour, or scarcely twa,When up rode Thamas, her only true love,And he has tane her frae mang them a'.

71. He kissed her sisters, a' the six, love.73. his winsome true love.74. That they might walk.81. didna walk.

71. He kissed her sisters, a' the six, love.

73. his winsome true love.

74. That they might walk.

81. didna walk.

82-4.Beyond two hours, or barely three,Till up cam seven[118]stalwart outlaws,The bauldest fellows that ane could see.

98. We'll take your life, for this lady fair, sir.101. My lady's fair, I like her weel, sir.

98. We'll take your life, for this lady fair, sir.

101. My lady's fair, I like her weel, sir.

112,3.And he spak still mair furiously;'Flee, or we'll kill ye, because your lady.12.'My lady fair, I shall part na frae thee,And for my life, I did never fear;Sae before I lose my winsome lady,My life I'll venture for ane sae dear.13.'But if ye're a' true to your manhood,As I shall try to be true to mine,I'll fight ye a', come man by man then,Till the last drop o my bloud I tine.'

112,3.And he spak still mair furiously;'Flee, or we'll kill ye, because your lady.

12.'My lady fair, I shall part na frae thee,And for my life, I did never fear;Sae before I lose my winsome lady,My life I'll venture for ane sae dear.

13.'But if ye're a' true to your manhood,As I shall try to be true to mine,I'll fight ye a', come man by man then,Till the last drop o my bloud I tine.'

142. my bridled steed.143. And mind ye never change your colour.

142. my bridled steed.

143. And mind ye never change your colour.

15.He fought against the seven outlaws,And he has beat them a' himsel;But he left the auldest man amang themThat he might gae and the tidings tell.16.Then he has gane to his dearest dearie,And he has kissed her oer and oer;'Though thou art mine, I hae bought thee dearly,Now we shall sunder never more.'

15.He fought against the seven outlaws,And he has beat them a' himsel;But he left the auldest man amang themThat he might gae and the tidings tell.

16.Then he has gane to his dearest dearie,And he has kissed her oer and oer;'Though thou art mine, I hae bought thee dearly,Now we shall sunder never more.'

11.Robinhood, and so always.31.After this: Finis, T. Fleming.

11.Robinhood, and so always.

31.After this: Finis, T. Fleming.

FOOTNOTES:[117]Gunther, as well remarked by Klee, 'Zur Hildesage,' p. 19, cannot have belonged originally to the Hildegunde saga. No sufficient motive is furnished for introducing him. In the Polish version of the story there is only one pursuer, Arinoldus, whom Walter slays. Rischka, Verhältniss der polnischen Sage von Walgierz Wdaly zu den deutschen Sagen von W. v. Aquitanien, p. 8 ff.[118]"The original ballad had fifteen. Seven would do as well, and the latter number would seem more nearly to resemble the truth."

[117]Gunther, as well remarked by Klee, 'Zur Hildesage,' p. 19, cannot have belonged originally to the Hildegunde saga. No sufficient motive is furnished for introducing him. In the Polish version of the story there is only one pursuer, Arinoldus, whom Walter slays. Rischka, Verhältniss der polnischen Sage von Walgierz Wdaly zu den deutschen Sagen von W. v. Aquitanien, p. 8 ff.

[118]"The original ballad had fifteen. Seven would do as well, and the latter number would seem more nearly to resemble the truth."

A. a.Deloney's 'Jack of Newbury,' reprint of 1859, p. 61.b.'The Ungrateful Knight and the Fair Flower of Northumberland,' Ritson's Ancient Songs, 1790, p. 169.B. a.Kinloch MSS,V, 49.b.'The Provost's Dochter,' Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 131.C.'The Betrayed Lady.'a.Buchan's MSS,II, 166.b.Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland,II, 208.D.Motherwell's MS., p. 102.E.'The Flower of Northumberland,' Mr Robert White's papers.

A. a.Deloney's 'Jack of Newbury,' reprint of 1859, p. 61.b.'The Ungrateful Knight and the Fair Flower of Northumberland,' Ritson's Ancient Songs, 1790, p. 169.

B. a.Kinloch MSS,V, 49.b.'The Provost's Dochter,' Kinloch's Ancient Scottish Ballads, p. 131.

C.'The Betrayed Lady.'a.Buchan's MSS,II, 166.b.Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland,II, 208.

D.Motherwell's MS., p. 102.

E.'The Flower of Northumberland,' Mr Robert White's papers.

The earliest copy of this ballad is introduced as 'The Maidens' Song,'[119]in Deloney's Pleasant History of John Winchcomb, in his younger yeares called Jacke of Newberie, a book written as early as 1597. Mr Halliwell reprinted the "9th" edition, of the date 1633,[120]in 1859, and the ballad is found at p. 61 of the reprint (A). The copy in Ritson's Ancient Songs, 1790, p. 169, has a few variations, which are probably to be explained by Ritson having used some other edition of Deloney. Ritson's text is used in The Borderer's Table Book,VI, 25, and was taken thence into Sheldon's Minstrelsy of the English Border, with some arbitrary alterations. The ballad was formerly popular in Scotland. Kinloch and Buchan printedBandCwith some slight changes; the texts are now given as they stand in the manuscripts.E, a traditional version from the English border, has unfortunately been improved by some literary pen.

An English lady is prevailed upon to release a Scot from prison, and to fly with him, on the promise of being made his wife, and (A) lady of castles and towers. She takes much gold with her (A), and a swift steed (two,A). According toAthey come to a rough river; the lady is alarmed, but swims it, and is wet from top to toe. On coming within sight of Edinburgh, the faithless knight bids her choose whether she will be his paramour or go back: he has wife and children. She begs him to draw his sword and end her shame: he takes her horse away, and leaves her. Two English knights come by, who restore her to her father. The dismissal takes place at the Scottish cross and moor inB; at a moor and a moss,C; at Scotland bridge,D; at a fair Scottish cross,E. She offers to be servant in his kitchen rather than go back,B,C,E; begs him to throw her into the water,D; from his castle wall,E. He fees an old man to take her home on an old horse,B,E.

We do not find the whole of this story repeated among other European nations, but there are interesting agreements in parts with Scandinavian, Polish, and German ballads.

There is some resemblance in the first half to a pretty ballad of the northern nations which treats in a brief way the theme of our exquisite romance of 'The Nutbrown Maid:'Danish, 'Den Trofaste Jomfru,' Grundtvig, No 249,IV, 494, nine copies,A-I, the first three from 16th or 17th century manuscripts, the others from tradition of this century, as are also the following:K-M, 'Den Fredløse,' Kristensen,II, 191, No 57: Swedish, 'De sju Gullbergen,'A, Afzelius, No 79,III, 71, new ed., No 64,I, 322;B,C, Grundtvig,IV, 507 f:NorwegianA, 'Herre Per og stolt Margit,' Landstad, No 74, p. 590;B, 'Herr' Nikelus,' Landstad, No 75, p. 594.[121]All tell very much the same tale. A knight carries off a maid on his horse, making her magnificent promises, among which are eight gold castles, Dan.C,D,E,H,I; one,K,L,M; eight, Norw.A; nine, Norw.B; seven, Swed.B; seven gold mountains, Swed.A, perhaps, by mistake of bergenfor borgar[122]She gets her gold together while he is saddling his horse, Dan.A, C, D, F, H, M; Swed.A; Norw.A,B. They come to a sea-strand or other water, it is many miles to the nearest land, Dan.B,D, Swed.A,C; the lady wishes she were at home, Dan.E,F, Swed.B,C. He swims the horse across, Dan.A,B,D,E,F,H,K,L,M; Swed.A,B,C[part of the way, having started in a boat, Norw.A,B]. The maid wrings her clothes, Dan.A,D,K,L; Swed.A; Norw.A,B. She asks, Where are the gold castles which you promised? Dan.C7,D14,K9,L7,M8; Norw.A22,B16.[123]He tells her that he has no gold castle but this green turf, Dan.C8; he needs none but the black ground and thick wood, Dan.K10: he is a penniless, banished man. She offers him her gold to buy him a charter of peace. In all, except Dan.A,B,C, and the incomplete Dan.I, Norw.B, he goes on to say that he has plighted faith to another woman, and she meekly replies, Then I will be your servant. He continues the trial no further, reveals himself as of wealth and rank, says that she shall have ladies to wait on her, and makes her his queen. The knight is king of England in Dan.B,H, King Henry, simply, in Dan.F. The gold castles prove to be realities: there is in Dan.Eeven one more than was promised.[124]

ThePolishballads of the class of 'Lady Isabel and the Elf Knight' (see p.39f) have thus much in common with 'The Fair Flower of Northumberland:' a maid is induced to go off with a man on horseback, and takes gold with her; after going a certain distance, he bids her return home; inAA,H,R, he gives her her choice whether to return or to jump into the river; she prefers death (cf.D3, 5, p.116); in all they finally come to a river, or other water, into which he throws her.[125]

There is aGermanballad which has some slight connection with all the foregoing, and a very slight story it is altogether: 'Stolz Heinrich,' Simrock, No 9, p. 23, 'Stolz Syburg,' Reiffenberg, No 16, p. 32, No 17, p. 34, from the Lower Rhine and Münster; made over, in Kretzschmer,I, 187, No 106. Heinrich, or Syburg, wooes a king's daughter in a distant land. He asks her to go with him, and says he has seven mills in his country. "Tell me what they grind," says Margaret, "and I will go with you." The mills grind sugar and cinnamon, mace and cloves. They come to a green heath. Margaret thinks she sees the mills gleaming: he tells her that a green heath is all he has. "Then God have mercy that I have come so far," she says; draws a sword; kneels before him, and stabs herself.

The ballad of 'Young Andrew,' further on, has points in common with 'The Fair Flower of Northumberland.'

Cis translated by Rosa Warrens, Schottische Lieder der Vorzeit, No 31, p. 137.

a.Deloney's Pleasant History of John Winchcomb, 9th ed., London, 1633, reprinted by Halliwell, p. 61.b.Ritson's Ancient Songs, 1790, p. 169.

1It was a knight in Scotland borneFollow, my love, come over the strandWas taken prisoner, and left forlorne,Even by the good Earle of Northumberland.2Then was he cast in prison strong,Where he could not walke nor lie along,Even by the goode Earle of Northumberland.3And as in sorrow thus he lay,The Earle's sweete daughter walkt that way,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.4And passing by, like an angell bright,The prisoner had of her a sight,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.5And loud to her this knight did crie,The salt teares standing in his eye,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.6'Faire lady,' he said, 'take pity on me,And let me not in prison dye,And you the faire flower of Northumberland.'7'Faire Sir, how should I take pity on thee,Thou being a foe to our countrey,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'8'Faire lady, I am no foe,' he said,'Through thy sweet love heere was I stayd,For thee, the faire flower of Northumberland.'9'Why shouldst thou come heere for love of me,Having wife and children in thy countrie?And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'10'I sweare by the blessed Trinitie,I have no wife nor children, I,Nor dwelling at home in merrie Scotland.11'If curteously you will set me free,I vow that I will marrie thee,So soone as I come in faire Scotland.12'Thou shalt be a lady of castles and towers,And sit like a queene in princely bowers,When I am at home in faire Scotland.'13Then parted hence this lady gay,And got her father's ring away,To helpe this sad knight into faire Scotland.14Likewise much gold she got by sleight,And all to helpe this forlorne knightTo wend from her father to faire Scotland.15Two gallant steedes, both good and able,She likewise tooke out of the stable,To ride with this knight into faire Scotland.16And to the jaylor she sent this ring,The knight from prison forth to bring,To wend with her into faire Scotland.17This token set the prisoner free,Who straight went to this faire lady,To wend with her into faire Scotland.18A gallant steede he did bestride,And with the lady away did ride,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.19They rode till they came to a water cleare:'Good Sir, how should I follow you heere,And I the faire flower of Northumberland?20'The water is rough and wonderfull deepe,An[d] on my saddle I shall not keepe,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'21'Feare not the foord, faire lady,' quoth he,'For long I cannot stay for thee,And thou the faire flower of Northumberland.'22The lady prickt her wanton steed,And over the river swom with speede,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.23From top to toe all wet was shee:'This have I done for love of thee,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'24Thus rode she all one winter's night,Till Edenborow they saw in sight,The chiefest towne in all Scotland.25'Now chuse,' quoth he, 'thou wanton flower,Whe'r thou wilt be my paramour,Or get thee home to Northumberland.26'For I have wife, and children five,In Edenborow they be alive;Then get thee home to faire England.27'This favour shalt thou have to boote,Ile have thy horse, go thou on foote,Go, get thee home to Northumberland.'28'O false and faithlesse knight,' quoth shee,'And canst thou deale so bad with me,And I the faire flower of Northumberland?29'Dishonour not a ladie's name,But draw thy sword and end my shame,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'30He tooke her from her stately steed,And left her there in extreme need,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.31Then sate she downe full heavily;At length two knights came riding by,Two gallant knights of faire England.32She fell downe humbly on her knee,Saying, 'Courteous knights, take pittie on me,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.33'I have offended my father deere,And by a false knight that brought me heere,From the good Earle of Northumberland.'34They tooke her up behind them then,And brought her to her father's againe,And he the good Earle of Northumberland.35All you faire maidens be warned by me,Scots were never true, nor never will be,To lord, nor lady, nor faire England.

1It was a knight in Scotland borneFollow, my love, come over the strandWas taken prisoner, and left forlorne,Even by the good Earle of Northumberland.

2Then was he cast in prison strong,Where he could not walke nor lie along,Even by the goode Earle of Northumberland.

3And as in sorrow thus he lay,The Earle's sweete daughter walkt that way,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.

4And passing by, like an angell bright,The prisoner had of her a sight,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.

5And loud to her this knight did crie,The salt teares standing in his eye,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.

6'Faire lady,' he said, 'take pity on me,And let me not in prison dye,And you the faire flower of Northumberland.'

7'Faire Sir, how should I take pity on thee,Thou being a foe to our countrey,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'

8'Faire lady, I am no foe,' he said,'Through thy sweet love heere was I stayd,For thee, the faire flower of Northumberland.'

9'Why shouldst thou come heere for love of me,Having wife and children in thy countrie?And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'

10'I sweare by the blessed Trinitie,I have no wife nor children, I,Nor dwelling at home in merrie Scotland.

11'If curteously you will set me free,I vow that I will marrie thee,So soone as I come in faire Scotland.

12'Thou shalt be a lady of castles and towers,And sit like a queene in princely bowers,When I am at home in faire Scotland.'

13Then parted hence this lady gay,And got her father's ring away,To helpe this sad knight into faire Scotland.

14Likewise much gold she got by sleight,And all to helpe this forlorne knightTo wend from her father to faire Scotland.

15Two gallant steedes, both good and able,She likewise tooke out of the stable,To ride with this knight into faire Scotland.

16And to the jaylor she sent this ring,The knight from prison forth to bring,To wend with her into faire Scotland.

17This token set the prisoner free,Who straight went to this faire lady,To wend with her into faire Scotland.

18A gallant steede he did bestride,And with the lady away did ride,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.

19They rode till they came to a water cleare:'Good Sir, how should I follow you heere,And I the faire flower of Northumberland?

20'The water is rough and wonderfull deepe,An[d] on my saddle I shall not keepe,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'

21'Feare not the foord, faire lady,' quoth he,'For long I cannot stay for thee,And thou the faire flower of Northumberland.'

22The lady prickt her wanton steed,And over the river swom with speede,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.

23From top to toe all wet was shee:'This have I done for love of thee,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'

24Thus rode she all one winter's night,Till Edenborow they saw in sight,The chiefest towne in all Scotland.

25'Now chuse,' quoth he, 'thou wanton flower,Whe'r thou wilt be my paramour,Or get thee home to Northumberland.

26'For I have wife, and children five,In Edenborow they be alive;Then get thee home to faire England.

27'This favour shalt thou have to boote,Ile have thy horse, go thou on foote,Go, get thee home to Northumberland.'

28'O false and faithlesse knight,' quoth shee,'And canst thou deale so bad with me,And I the faire flower of Northumberland?

29'Dishonour not a ladie's name,But draw thy sword and end my shame,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.'

30He tooke her from her stately steed,And left her there in extreme need,And she the faire flower of Northumberland.

31Then sate she downe full heavily;At length two knights came riding by,Two gallant knights of faire England.

32She fell downe humbly on her knee,Saying, 'Courteous knights, take pittie on me,And I the faire flower of Northumberland.

33'I have offended my father deere,And by a false knight that brought me heere,From the good Earle of Northumberland.'

34They tooke her up behind them then,And brought her to her father's againe,And he the good Earle of Northumberland.

35All you faire maidens be warned by me,Scots were never true, nor never will be,To lord, nor lady, nor faire England.

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