Chapter 54

In West Ingria,b+c+a.In North Ingria,b+c+a+a.In Karelia,b+c+a+a+a.

That is to say, there has been a constantly increasing influence exerted by the West Finnish versions upon the East Finnish Ingrian versions, and reciprocally. This circumstance has caused it to be maintained that the East Finnish versions were derived from the West Finnish, in spite of the difference of the metre.

353 a.Fwas communicated by Rev. W. Findlay: Findlay MSS, I, 100.

353.H. c.Mrs Bacheller, of Jacobstown, North Cornwall (sister of Mrs Gibbons, from whom 78Hwas derived, see IV, 474 b), gave Rev. S. Baring-Gould the following version of the tale, taught her by a Cornish nursery maid, probably the same mentioned at the place last cited.

“A king had three daughters. He gave each a golden ball to play with, which they were never to lose. The youngest lost hers, and was to be hung on the gallows-tree if it were not found by a day named. Gallows ready, all waiting to see the girl hung. She sees her father coming, and cries:@

‘Father, father, have you found my golden ball,And will you set me free?’‘I’ve not found your golden ball,And I can’t set you free;But I am come to see you hangedUpon the gallows-tree.’

‘Father, father, have you found my golden ball,And will you set me free?’

‘Father, father, have you found my golden ball,

And will you set me free?’

‘I’ve not found your golden ball,And I can’t set you free;But I am come to see you hangedUpon the gallows-tree.’

‘I’ve not found your golden ball,

And I can’t set you free;

But I am come to see you hanged

Upon the gallows-tree.’

The same repeated with every relationship, brother, sister, etc.; then comes the lover:

‘Lover, lover, have you found the golden ball,’ etc.‘Yes, I have found your golden ball,And I can set you free;I’m not come to see you hungUpon the gallows-tree.’”@

‘Lover, lover, have you found the golden ball,’ etc.

‘Yes, I have found your golden ball,And I can set you free;I’m not come to see you hungUpon the gallows-tree.’”@

‘Yes, I have found your golden ball,

And I can set you free;

I’m not come to see you hung

Upon the gallows-tree.’”@

354, IV, 481 f.

‘The Prickly Bush,’ Mr Heywood Sumner, in English County Songs, by Lucy E. Broadwood and J. A. Fuller Maitland, p. 112. From Somersetshire.

1‘O hangman, hold thy hand,’ he cried,‘O hold thy hand awhile,For I can see my own dear fatherComing over yonder stile.2‘O father, have you brought me gold?Or will you set me free?Or be you come to see me hung,All on this high gallows-tree?’3‘No, I have not brought thee gold,And I will not set thee free,But I am come to see thee hung,All on this high gallows-tree.’4‘Oh, the prickly bush, the prickly bush,It pricked my heart full sore;If ever I get out of the prickly bush,I’ll never get in any more.’

1‘O hangman, hold thy hand,’ he cried,‘O hold thy hand awhile,For I can see my own dear fatherComing over yonder stile.

‘O hangman, hold thy hand,’ he cried,

‘O hold thy hand awhile,

For I can see my own dear father

Coming over yonder stile.

2‘O father, have you brought me gold?Or will you set me free?Or be you come to see me hung,All on this high gallows-tree?’

‘O father, have you brought me gold?

Or will you set me free?

Or be you come to see me hung,

All on this high gallows-tree?’

3‘No, I have not brought thee gold,And I will not set thee free,But I am come to see thee hung,All on this high gallows-tree.’

‘No, I have not brought thee gold,

And I will not set thee free,

But I am come to see thee hung,

All on this high gallows-tree.’

4‘Oh, the prickly bush, the prickly bush,It pricked my heart full sore;If ever I get out of the prickly bush,I’ll never get in any more.’

‘Oh, the prickly bush, the prickly bush,

It pricked my heart full sore;

If ever I get out of the prickly bush,

I’ll never get in any more.’

The above is repeated three times more, with the successive substitution of ‘mother,’ ‘brother,’ ‘sister,’ for ‘father.’ Then the first two stanzas are repeated, with ‘sweetheart’ for ‘father,’ and instead of 3 is sung:

5‘Yes, I have brought thee gold,’ she cried,‘And I will set thee free,And I am come, but not to see thee hungAll on this high gallous-tree.’‘Oh, the prickly bush,’ etc.

‘Yes, I have brought thee gold,’ she cried,

‘And I will set thee free,

And I am come, but not to see thee hung

All on this high gallous-tree.’

‘Oh, the prickly bush,’ etc.

In this version, a man is expressly delivered by a maid, contrary to the general course of tradition. So apparently inJ, IV, 481, as understood by Dr. Birkbeck Hill.

P. 355. M. G. Lewis, in a letter of May 29, 1800 (Letters at Abbotsford, I, No 30), refers to a copy of this ballad (and one of ‘Brown Adam’) which he had furnished Scott. This might perhaps be the “MS. of some antiquity” (printed, IV, 482).

As to the bird’s part in this ballad, compare the following passage. A son, in prison, sending a letter to his mother by a bird, gives this charge:

Quando giugnerete alla porta mia,Là sta un ulivo.Posati su quell’ ulivo,V’agita e dibatti l’ali,Ché di te caderà il foglio di carta.

Quando giugnerete alla porta mia,

Là sta un ulivo.

Posati su quell’ ulivo,

V’agita e dibatti l’ali,

Ché di te caderà il foglio di carta.

De Rada, Rapsodie d’un poema Albanese, I, canto xvi, p. 29.

P. 356 a, III, 517 a, IV, 482 a.French.Add: ‘La belle qui fait la morte,’ ‘La fille du duc de Montbrison,’ Pineau, Le Folk-Lore du Poitou, p. 311, p. 389 (each, six stanzas); ‘La belle dans la tour,’ six copies (besides Belle Idoine repeated), M. Wilmotte in Bulletin de Folklore, Société du Folklore Wallon, 1893, p. 35.

356 b, 3d paragraph, III, 517 a. Add: A copy of ‘Les trois capitaines,’ in Mélusine, VI, 52, 183; Wallonia, I, 38; “Fréd. Thomas, La Mosäique du Midi, V, 1841; C. Beauquier, Mém. de la Soc. d’Émulation du Doubs, 1890,” Mélusine, VI, 220, where also a Catalan version, which had escaped my notice, Milà y Fontanals, Romancerillo, p. 259, No 264, is registered by M. Doncieux. A Breton version, Mélusine, VI, 182.

P. 379.A.Considering that Sir Walter Scott professes to have derived some variations from recitation in the south of Scotland (see the note, IV, 387), the copy in “Scottish Songs” may be fully collated, small as will be the value of the result.

‘John the Little Scott,’ fol. 24.

1John the Scot was as brave a knightAs ever shook a speir,And he is up to fair England,The king’s braid banner to bear.2And while he was in fair England,Sae fair his hap did proveThat of the king’s ae daughter dearHe wan the heart and love.3But word is gane to the English king,And an angry man was he,And he has sworn by salt and breadThey should it dear abye.

1John the Scot was as brave a knightAs ever shook a speir,And he is up to fair England,The king’s braid banner to bear.

John the Scot was as brave a knight

As ever shook a speir,

And he is up to fair England,

The king’s braid banner to bear.

2And while he was in fair England,Sae fair his hap did proveThat of the king’s ae daughter dearHe wan the heart and love.

And while he was in fair England,

Sae fair his hap did prove

That of the king’s ae daughter dear

He wan the heart and love.

3But word is gane to the English king,And an angry man was he,And he has sworn by salt and breadThey should it dear abye.

But word is gane to the English king,

And an angry man was he,

And he has sworn by salt and bread

They should it dear abye.

4wanting.51. Then Johny’s gane.52,4. I wot.53. the English.63,4.To hear some news from his true love,Least she had sufferd wrang.72. That will win hose and shoon.73. will gang into.81. Then up there.9wanting.103. to grass growing.111. And when: to the king’s castle.113. saw that fair ladye.122, 132. ain sel.124. And speer na your father’s.131. Here take.133. to feir Scotland.134. Your true love waits.141. The ladie turned her round about.144. Unless.152. In prison pinching cold.153. My garters are of.154. the silk and gold.163. And hie thee back to yon Scottish knight.171. quickly sped.181. He told him then that ladie’s words.182. He told him.183,4.But ere the tale was half said outSae loudly to horse he did ca.194. That should have been my bride.201. And spak his mither dear.203. For gin you’re taen.204. ye’ll.211. and spak.212. And Johny’s true.214. And his surety I will.22.Then when they cam to English groundThey gard the mass be sung,And the firsten town that they cam toThey gard the bells be rung.231. And the nextin: cam to.234. Were.241. And when: the high castle.242. rode.253. Or is it.261. I’m not.262. James our.263. But Johny Scot, the little Scot.271. is thy name.273. eer.281. and spak the gallant.283. hundred.284. That will die or.291. and spak.292. And sae scornfully leugh he.293. my bower.301. boon, said the little Scot.302. Bring forth your.303. falls.304. I hae.31Out then cam that Italian knight,A griesly sight to see;Between his een there was a span,Between his shoulders three and three.And forth then came brave John the Scot,He scarcely reachd his knee,Yet on the point of Johny’s brandThe Italian knight did die.32And syne has he waved his bludie glaive,And slait it on the plain;‘Are there any more Italian dogsThat you wish to be slain?’33‘A clerk, a clerk,’ the king he cried,‘To register this deed;’‘A priest, a priest,’ Pitnochtan cried,‘To marry us wi speed.’34wanting.

4wanting.

51. Then Johny’s gane.

52,4. I wot.

53. the English.

63,4.

To hear some news from his true love,Least she had sufferd wrang.

To hear some news from his true love,

Least she had sufferd wrang.

72. That will win hose and shoon.

73. will gang into.

81. Then up there.

9wanting.

103. to grass growing.

111. And when: to the king’s castle.

113. saw that fair ladye.

122, 132. ain sel.

124. And speer na your father’s.

131. Here take.

133. to feir Scotland.

134. Your true love waits.

141. The ladie turned her round about.

144. Unless.

152. In prison pinching cold.

153. My garters are of.

154. the silk and gold.

163. And hie thee back to yon Scottish knight.

171. quickly sped.

181. He told him then that ladie’s words.

182. He told him.

183,4.

But ere the tale was half said outSae loudly to horse he did ca.

But ere the tale was half said out

Sae loudly to horse he did ca.

194. That should have been my bride.

201. And spak his mither dear.

203. For gin you’re taen.

204. ye’ll.

211. and spak.

212. And Johny’s true.

214. And his surety I will.

22.

Then when they cam to English groundThey gard the mass be sung,And the firsten town that they cam toThey gard the bells be rung.

Then when they cam to English ground

They gard the mass be sung,

And the firsten town that they cam to

They gard the bells be rung.

231. And the nextin: cam to.

234. Were.

241. And when: the high castle.

242. rode.

253. Or is it.

261. I’m not.

262. James our.

263. But Johny Scot, the little Scot.

271. is thy name.

273. eer.

281. and spak the gallant.

283. hundred.

284. That will die or.

291. and spak.

292. And sae scornfully leugh he.

293. my bower.

301. boon, said the little Scot.

302. Bring forth your.

303. falls.

304. I hae.

Out then cam that Italian knight,A griesly sight to see;Between his een there was a span,Between his shoulders three and three.And forth then came brave John the Scot,He scarcely reachd his knee,Yet on the point of Johny’s brandThe Italian knight did die.

Out then cam that Italian knight,A griesly sight to see;Between his een there was a span,Between his shoulders three and three.

Out then cam that Italian knight,

A griesly sight to see;

Between his een there was a span,

Between his shoulders three and three.

And forth then came brave John the Scot,He scarcely reachd his knee,Yet on the point of Johny’s brandThe Italian knight did die.

And forth then came brave John the Scot,

He scarcely reachd his knee,

Yet on the point of Johny’s brand

The Italian knight did die.

And syne has he waved his bludie glaive,And slait it on the plain;‘Are there any more Italian dogsThat you wish to be slain?’

And syne has he waved his bludie glaive,

And slait it on the plain;

‘Are there any more Italian dogs

That you wish to be slain?’

‘A clerk, a clerk,’ the king he cried,‘To register this deed;’‘A priest, a priest,’ Pitnochtan cried,‘To marry us wi speed.’

‘A clerk, a clerk,’ the king he cried,

‘To register this deed;’

‘A priest, a priest,’ Pitnochtan cried,

‘To marry us wi speed.’

34wanting.

384. A copy ofDwas sent by Motherwell to C. K. Sharpe with a letter of December 6, 1824, in which many of the variations ofbwere introduced intoa.

P. 407.A.Collated with the copy in the Abbotsford MS. “Scottish Songs,” as to which see the note at IV, 387.@

‘Willie of Douglas-dale,’ fol. 16.

11, was a gallant squire.21. the English court.23. When.24. But her he neer could.31. once.32. thewanting.34. By theae.41. louted low.42. His cap low in his.43. I greet ye well, ye gentle knight.44. your cap.51. knight, fair dame.52. Nor eer can hope.53. am but a humble squire.54. That serves.61. Gae.62. baith night.63. temptingwritten beforefaceand struck out.64. ever I.7wanting.82. He watchd that ladye’s.83. passd the twa between.91. O narrow is my gown, Willy.93. And short are my petticoats.94. sae wide.96. is laid.101. gin my father get wit.102. never eat.103,5. get wit.104. gae.106. Ah, Willy, you’ll.111. O gin ye’ll.112. gang.113. into.12wanting.141. day was come.142. den.143. That gentle ladye.144. While the.153,4,Or lack ye ony tender loveThat may assuage your pain.161. wan na.162. for my.163. And alas, alas.171. He’s felld the thorn in.172. And blawn it to a flame.173. He’s strewd it.174. To cheer that lovely dame.181. He’s: in gude.182. And laid the fair ladye.183. he’s happed her oer wi withered.184. his coat and goun.19wanting.201. branch red.202. grew in gude grene wood.203. And brought her a draught.204. I wot they did her good.21-23wanting.241. to shoot.242. has hewanting.25 (after30).261,2.Syne has he sought the forest through,Sum woman’s help to gain.263. he came to a bonny.271. O will ye leave the sheep, he says.272. And come.273. ye.274. give.282. She fell down.283. fair dame.284. For a.292. butwanting.293. ye: flocks.294. And gang to fair.303. for you.304. marrywanting: Scottish man.After30 (see 25):O taen has she the bonny knave-boyAnd washd him in the milke,And she has tended the sick lady,And rowd her in the silk.311. maid.313. took to fair.321. anwanting.323. they gat safe.324. Himself was lord therein.

11, was a gallant squire.

21. the English court.

23. When.

24. But her he neer could.

31. once.

32. thewanting.

34. By theae.

41. louted low.

42. His cap low in his.

43. I greet ye well, ye gentle knight.

44. your cap.

51. knight, fair dame.

52. Nor eer can hope.

53. am but a humble squire.

54. That serves.

61. Gae.

62. baith night.

63. temptingwritten beforefaceand struck out.

64. ever I.

7wanting.

82. He watchd that ladye’s.

83. passd the twa between.

91. O narrow is my gown, Willy.

93. And short are my petticoats.

94. sae wide.

96. is laid.

101. gin my father get wit.

102. never eat.

103,5. get wit.

104. gae.

106. Ah, Willy, you’ll.

111. O gin ye’ll.

112. gang.

113. into.

12wanting.

141. day was come.

142. den.

143. That gentle ladye.

144. While the.

153,4,

Or lack ye ony tender loveThat may assuage your pain.

Or lack ye ony tender love

That may assuage your pain.

161. wan na.

162. for my.

163. And alas, alas.

171. He’s felld the thorn in.

172. And blawn it to a flame.

173. He’s strewd it.

174. To cheer that lovely dame.

181. He’s: in gude.

182. And laid the fair ladye.

183. he’s happed her oer wi withered.

184. his coat and goun.

19wanting.

201. branch red.

202. grew in gude grene wood.

203. And brought her a draught.

204. I wot they did her good.

21-23wanting.

241. to shoot.

242. has hewanting.

25 (after30).

261,2.

Syne has he sought the forest through,Sum woman’s help to gain.

Syne has he sought the forest through,

Sum woman’s help to gain.

263. he came to a bonny.

271. O will ye leave the sheep, he says.

272. And come.

273. ye.

274. give.

282. She fell down.

283. fair dame.

284. For a.

292. butwanting.

293. ye: flocks.

294. And gang to fair.

303. for you.

304. marrywanting: Scottish man.

After30 (see 25):

O taen has she the bonny knave-boyAnd washd him in the milke,And she has tended the sick lady,And rowd her in the silk.

O taen has she the bonny knave-boy

And washd him in the milke,

And she has tended the sick lady,

And rowd her in the silk.

311. maid.

313. took to fair.

321. anwanting.

323. they gat safe.

324. Himself was lord therein.

411. From “The Old Lady’s Collection,” No 33, ‘Willie of Duglass Daill.’ The Dame Oliphant of the other versions is somewhat disguised in the old lady’s writing as Demelefond, Demelofen, etc.

1Willie was a rich man’s son,A rich man’s son was he;Hee thought his father lake to sair,An his mother of mine digree,An he is on to our English court,To serve for meatt an fee.2He hadno ben in our king’s courtA tuall-month an a day,Till he fell in love we Mary, Dem [Ele]fon,An a great buity was she.3He hadno ben in our king’s courtA tuall-month an a houre,Till he dreamed a lady of buty brightGave him a rosey flour.4The lady touk her mantell her about,Her gooun-teall in her hand,An she is on to gued grean woud,As fast as she could gang.5. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .An ther she spayed a gellant knight,Kamen his yallou hear.6‘What is yer name, sir knight?For a knight I am sure ye be;’‘I am called Willie of Duglas Dall,Did ye never hear of me?’‘If ye be Willie of Duglass Daill,I afft have heard of thee.’7‘What is yer name, ye lovely dame?For a lady I trou ye be;’‘I am called Mary, Dem Elefond,Did ye never hear of me?’8‘In ye be Mary, Dem Elefon,As I trust well ye be,. . . . . . .My heart ye haa ye we.’9The lady was fair an rear,The knight’s heart had she;The knight was tall an straght withall,The lady’s hart had he.10It fell ance upon a dayDem Elofen thought lang,An she is on to Willie’s bour,As fast as she could gang.11‘Narrou is my pettecot, Willie,It ance was saa wide,An narrou is my stays, Willie,Att ance wer saa wide,An paill is my chikes, Willie,An laigh, laigh is my pride.12‘. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .An the knights of my father’s court gat word of this,I feer they wad gare ye diee.’13He touke . . . . . . . . .The lady by the hand,An they are one to gued green woud,As fast as they coud gang.14It fell ance upon a dayStrong travileng came her tell,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .15‘Ye take your boue on yer shoulder,Yer arrous in yer hand,An ye gaa farr throu green woud,An shout some veneson.16‘Fan ye hear me loud cray,Bide far awaa fra me,Bat fan ye hear me laying stillYe may come back an see.’17Fan he hard her loud cray,He bad far awaa,Bat fan he heard her laying stillHe did come an see,An he got herAn her young son her wee.18He milked the goats,An feed his young son wee,And he made a fire of the oken speals,An warmed his lady wee.19It fell ance upon a dayThe lady though[t] lang:‘An ye haa any place in fair Scotland, Willie,I wiss ye wad haa me hame.’20‘. . . . . . .I ha lands an reants saa friee,The bonny lands of Duglass Daill,They a’ lay bread an friee.’21He’s taen the knight-bairn in his arms,His lady by the hand,An he is out throu gued green woud,As fast as they coud gang.22. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .Till they came to a maid kepping her goats,. . . . . . . .23‘Hallë, ye maid,For a maid ye seem to be;Will ye live your goats keppingAn goo we me?24‘I cannot live my father, I canno live my midder,Nor yet my brethren three;I cannot live my goats kepping,An goo along we the.25‘Fatt is your name, ye lovely dame?For a lady I am shour ye be;’‘I am called Mary, Dem Elifond,Did ye never hear of me?’26‘If ye be Mary, Dem Elifond,As I trust well ye be,I will live my goats keppingAn goo along we the.27‘For I will live my father, an I will live my mother,An my brothers three,An I will live my goats,An go along we thee.’28The maid touke the knight-bairn in her ar[m]s,An his lady took he,An they are to gued ship-bourd,And took God to be ther foresteed, an didne fear to droun.29An they landed att Duglas Dalle,Far the lands was braid an frie,An the knight-bairn was Black Sir James of Duglas Dall,An a gallant knight was hee.

1Willie was a rich man’s son,A rich man’s son was he;Hee thought his father lake to sair,An his mother of mine digree,An he is on to our English court,To serve for meatt an fee.

Willie was a rich man’s son,

A rich man’s son was he;

Hee thought his father lake to sair,

An his mother of mine digree,

An he is on to our English court,

To serve for meatt an fee.

2He hadno ben in our king’s courtA tuall-month an a day,Till he fell in love we Mary, Dem [Ele]fon,An a great buity was she.

He hadno ben in our king’s court

A tuall-month an a day,

Till he fell in love we Mary, Dem [Ele]fon,

An a great buity was she.

3He hadno ben in our king’s courtA tuall-month an a houre,Till he dreamed a lady of buty brightGave him a rosey flour.

He hadno ben in our king’s court

A tuall-month an a houre,

Till he dreamed a lady of buty bright

Gave him a rosey flour.

4The lady touk her mantell her about,Her gooun-teall in her hand,An she is on to gued grean woud,As fast as she could gang.

The lady touk her mantell her about,

Her gooun-teall in her hand,

An she is on to gued grean woud,

As fast as she could gang.

5. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .An ther she spayed a gellant knight,Kamen his yallou hear.

. . . . . . . .

An ther she spayed a gellant knight,

Kamen his yallou hear.

6‘What is yer name, sir knight?For a knight I am sure ye be;’‘I am called Willie of Duglas Dall,Did ye never hear of me?’‘If ye be Willie of Duglass Daill,I afft have heard of thee.’

‘What is yer name, sir knight?

For a knight I am sure ye be;’

‘I am called Willie of Duglas Dall,

Did ye never hear of me?’

‘If ye be Willie of Duglass Daill,

I afft have heard of thee.’

7‘What is yer name, ye lovely dame?For a lady I trou ye be;’‘I am called Mary, Dem Elefond,Did ye never hear of me?’

‘What is yer name, ye lovely dame?

For a lady I trou ye be;’

‘I am called Mary, Dem Elefond,

Did ye never hear of me?’

8‘In ye be Mary, Dem Elefon,As I trust well ye be,. . . . . . .My heart ye haa ye we.’

‘In ye be Mary, Dem Elefon,

As I trust well ye be,

. . . . . . .

My heart ye haa ye we.’

9The lady was fair an rear,The knight’s heart had she;The knight was tall an straght withall,The lady’s hart had he.

The lady was fair an rear,

The knight’s heart had she;

The knight was tall an straght withall,

The lady’s hart had he.

10It fell ance upon a dayDem Elofen thought lang,An she is on to Willie’s bour,As fast as she could gang.

It fell ance upon a day

Dem Elofen thought lang,

An she is on to Willie’s bour,

As fast as she could gang.

11‘Narrou is my pettecot, Willie,It ance was saa wide,An narrou is my stays, Willie,Att ance wer saa wide,An paill is my chikes, Willie,An laigh, laigh is my pride.

‘Narrou is my pettecot, Willie,

It ance was saa wide,

An narrou is my stays, Willie,

Att ance wer saa wide,

An paill is my chikes, Willie,

An laigh, laigh is my pride.

12‘. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .An the knights of my father’s court gat word of this,I feer they wad gare ye diee.’

‘. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

An the knights of my father’s court gat word of this,

I feer they wad gare ye diee.’

13He touke . . . . . . . . .The lady by the hand,An they are one to gued green woud,As fast as they coud gang.

He touke . . . . . . . . .

The lady by the hand,

An they are one to gued green woud,

As fast as they coud gang.

14It fell ance upon a dayStrong travileng came her tell,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .

It fell ance upon a day

Strong travileng came her tell,

. . . . . . .

15‘Ye take your boue on yer shoulder,Yer arrous in yer hand,An ye gaa farr throu green woud,An shout some veneson.

‘Ye take your boue on yer shoulder,

Yer arrous in yer hand,

An ye gaa farr throu green woud,

An shout some veneson.

16‘Fan ye hear me loud cray,Bide far awaa fra me,Bat fan ye hear me laying stillYe may come back an see.’

‘Fan ye hear me loud cray,

Bide far awaa fra me,

Bat fan ye hear me laying still

Ye may come back an see.’

17Fan he hard her loud cray,He bad far awaa,Bat fan he heard her laying stillHe did come an see,An he got herAn her young son her wee.

Fan he hard her loud cray,

He bad far awaa,

Bat fan he heard her laying still

He did come an see,

An he got her

An her young son her wee.

18He milked the goats,An feed his young son wee,And he made a fire of the oken speals,An warmed his lady wee.

He milked the goats,

An feed his young son wee,

And he made a fire of the oken speals,

An warmed his lady wee.

19It fell ance upon a dayThe lady though[t] lang:‘An ye haa any place in fair Scotland, Willie,I wiss ye wad haa me hame.’

It fell ance upon a day

The lady though[t] lang:

‘An ye haa any place in fair Scotland, Willie,

I wiss ye wad haa me hame.’

20‘. . . . . . .I ha lands an reants saa friee,The bonny lands of Duglass Daill,They a’ lay bread an friee.’

‘. . . . . . .

I ha lands an reants saa friee,

The bonny lands of Duglass Daill,

They a’ lay bread an friee.’

21He’s taen the knight-bairn in his arms,His lady by the hand,An he is out throu gued green woud,As fast as they coud gang.

He’s taen the knight-bairn in his arms,

His lady by the hand,

An he is out throu gued green woud,

As fast as they coud gang.

22. . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .Till they came to a maid kepping her goats,. . . . . . . .

. . . . . . . .

Till they came to a maid kepping her goats,

. . . . . . . .

23‘Hallë, ye maid,For a maid ye seem to be;Will ye live your goats keppingAn goo we me?

‘Hallë, ye maid,

For a maid ye seem to be;

Will ye live your goats kepping

An goo we me?

24‘I cannot live my father, I canno live my midder,Nor yet my brethren three;I cannot live my goats kepping,An goo along we the.

‘I cannot live my father, I canno live my midder,

Nor yet my brethren three;

I cannot live my goats kepping,

An goo along we the.

25‘Fatt is your name, ye lovely dame?For a lady I am shour ye be;’‘I am called Mary, Dem Elifond,Did ye never hear of me?’

‘Fatt is your name, ye lovely dame?

For a lady I am shour ye be;’

‘I am called Mary, Dem Elifond,

Did ye never hear of me?’

26‘If ye be Mary, Dem Elifond,As I trust well ye be,I will live my goats keppingAn goo along we the.

‘If ye be Mary, Dem Elifond,

As I trust well ye be,

I will live my goats kepping

An goo along we the.

27‘For I will live my father, an I will live my mother,An my brothers three,An I will live my goats,An go along we thee.’

‘For I will live my father, an I will live my mother,

An my brothers three,

An I will live my goats,

An go along we thee.’

28The maid touke the knight-bairn in her ar[m]s,An his lady took he,An they are to gued ship-bourd,And took God to be ther foresteed, an didne fear to droun.

The maid touke the knight-bairn in her ar[m]s,

An his lady took he,

An they are to gued ship-bourd,

And took God to be ther foresteed, an didne fear to droun.

29An they landed att Duglas Dalle,Far the lands was braid an frie,An the knight-bairn was Black Sir James of Duglas Dall,An a gallant knight was hee.

An they landed att Duglas Dalle,

Far the lands was braid an frie,

An the knight-bairn was Black Sir James of Duglas Dall,

An a gallant knight was hee.

Written, like all the other pieces in the collection, without division into stanzas or verses.23. Demefon;contracted at the edge.93. was tell.112.Readside?142.Perhapsher tee.

Written, like all the other pieces in the collection, without division into stanzas or verses.

23. Demefon;contracted at the edge.

93. was tell.

112.Readside?

142.Perhapsher tee.

P. 426 f. Of the Italian ballad there are many more versions, but it is needless to cite them. Add forSpanish: ‘La Ausencia,’ Pidal, Asturian Romances, Nos 31, 32, p. 152 f.

P. 433 b, 2d paragraph. Beating of daughters.

Elizabeth Paston, a marriageable woman, was “betyn onys in the weke, or twyes, and som tyme twyes on a day, and hir hed broken in to or thre places.” (1449.) Paston Letters, ed. Gairdner, I, 90.

110. The Knight and the Shepherd’s Daughter.

P. 457, IV, 492. From “The Old Lady’s Collection,” No 34, ‘Earl Richerd,’==Skene,M.

1Ther was a sheperd’s daughterKeeped hogs upon yon hill,An by came [t]her a gentell knight,An he wad haa his will.2Fan his willOf her he had taiin,‘Kind sir, for your curtisy,Will ye tell me yer name?’3‘Some they caa me Joke,An some caa me John,Bat fan I am in our king’s courtHichkoke is my name.’4The lady being well book-readShe spealled it our agen:‘Hichkoke in LatinIs Earl Richerd att heam.’5He patt his liag out-our his steadAn to the gate has gain;She kilted up her green clathingAn fast folloued she.6‘Turn back, ye carl’s dother,An dinnë follou me;It setts no carl’s dothersKing’s courts to see.’7‘Perhaps I am a carle’s dother,Perhaps I am nean,Bat fan ye gat me in free forestYe sud haa latten alean.’8Fan they came to yon wan waterThat a’ man cas Glide,He luked our his left shoulder,Says, Fair maid, will ye ride?9‘I learned it in my mother’s bour,I watt I learned it well,Fan I came to wan waterTo soum as dos the eall.10‘I learned it in my mother’s bour,I wiss I had learned it better,Fan I came to wan watterTo sume as dos the otter.’11She touk a golden comb,Combed out her yallou hear,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .12‘Far gatt ye that, ye carl’s dother,I pray ye tell to me;’‘I gatt it fra my mither,’ she says,‘To begulle sick sparks as ye.’13‘Gin ye be a carl’s gett,As I trou well ye be,Far gatt ye a’ that fine clothing,To cloath yer body we?’14‘My mother was an ill woman,An ill woman was she,An she gatt a’ that fine clathing,Frae sick chaps as ye.’15Fan they came to our king’s court,She fell lou doun on her knee:‘Win up, ye fair may,What may ye want we me?’‘Ther is a knight in your courtThis day has robbed me.’16‘Has he robbed you of your goud?Or of your whit monie?Or of your meadnhead,The flour of your body?’17‘He has no robbed me of my goud,Nor yet of my fiee,Bat he has robed me of my madinhead,The flour of my body.’18‘Wad ye keen the knight,If ye did him see?’‘I wad keen him well by his well-fared faceAn the blieth blink of his eay.’An sighan says the king,I wiss it binë my brother Richie!19The king called on his merry men a’,By an, by tua, by three;Earl Richerd had ay ben the first,Bat the last man was he.20By that ye might a well kentThe gulty man was he;She took him by the hand,Says, That same is hee.21Ther was a brand laid doun to her,A brand batt an a ring,Three times she minted to the brand,Bat she took up the ring;A’that was in the court’S counted her a wise woman.22‘I will gee ye five hundred pound,To make yer marrage we,An ye gie hame, ye carl’s dother,An fash na mare we me.’23‘Ye keep yer five hundred pound,To make yer marreg we,For I will ha nathing bat yer sell,The king he promised me.’24‘I ill gee ye a thousand poun,To make yer marrage we,An ye gae hame, ye carl’s gett,An fash na mare we me.’25‘Ye keep yer thousand pound,To make yer marreg we,For I ill ha nathing batt yer sell,The king he promised me.’26He toke her dounAn clothed her in green;Fan she cam up,She was fairer then the quin.27Fan they gaid to Mary Kirk,The nettels grue by dike:‘O gin my midder war hear,Sai clean as she wad them peak!’28He drue his hat out-our his eayn,The tear blinded his eay;She drue back her yallou loaks,An a light laughter luke she.29Fan she came by yon mill-toun,. . . . . .‘O well may the mill goo,An well matt she be!For aften ha ye filled my pokeWe the whit meall an the gray.’30‘I wiss I had druken the waterFan I drank the aill,Or any carl’s dotherSuld ha tald me siken a teall.’31‘Perhaps I am a carl’s dother,Perhaps I am nean;Fan ye gatt me in frie forest,Ye sud ha latten alean.* * * * * *32‘Take awa yer silver spons,Far awa fra me,An ye gee me t[he] ram-horn [s]pons,Them I am best used we.33‘Ye take awa yer tabel-cloths,Far awa fra me,An ye gee me a mukell dishI am best used we.34‘For if I had my mukel dish hear,An sayn an it war fou,I wad sup till I war sared,An sayn lay doun my head an slep like ony sou.35‘Ye take away yer hollan shits,Far awa fra me,An ye bring me a cannas,It’s the thing I ben eased we.’36Fan bells wer rung, an mess was sung,An a’ man boun to bed,Earl Richerd an the carl’s dotherIn a bed [were laid].37‘Lay yond, lay yond, ye carl’s dother,Your hot skin . . me;It setts na carl’s dothersIn earls’ beds to be.’38‘Perhaps I am a carl’s dother,Perhaps I am nean;Bat fan ye gat me in free forestYe might a latten alean.’39Up starts the Bellie Blind,Att ther bed-head:‘I think it is a meatt marrageBetuen the ane an the eather,The Earl of Heartfourds ae daughterAn the Quien of England’s brother.’40‘If this be the Earl of Heartfourd’s ae doughter,As I trust well it be,Mony a gued hors have I reddenFor the love of the.’

1Ther was a sheperd’s daughterKeeped hogs upon yon hill,An by came [t]her a gentell knight,An he wad haa his will.

Ther was a sheperd’s daughter

Keeped hogs upon yon hill,

An by came [t]her a gentell knight,

An he wad haa his will.

2Fan his willOf her he had taiin,‘Kind sir, for your curtisy,Will ye tell me yer name?’

Fan his will

Of her he had taiin,

‘Kind sir, for your curtisy,

Will ye tell me yer name?’

3‘Some they caa me Joke,An some caa me John,Bat fan I am in our king’s courtHichkoke is my name.’

‘Some they caa me Joke,

An some caa me John,

Bat fan I am in our king’s court

Hichkoke is my name.’

4The lady being well book-readShe spealled it our agen:‘Hichkoke in LatinIs Earl Richerd att heam.’

The lady being well book-read

She spealled it our agen:

‘Hichkoke in Latin

Is Earl Richerd att heam.’

5He patt his liag out-our his steadAn to the gate has gain;She kilted up her green clathingAn fast folloued she.

He patt his liag out-our his stead

An to the gate has gain;

She kilted up her green clathing

An fast folloued she.

6‘Turn back, ye carl’s dother,An dinnë follou me;It setts no carl’s dothersKing’s courts to see.’

‘Turn back, ye carl’s dother,

An dinnë follou me;

It setts no carl’s dothers

King’s courts to see.’

7‘Perhaps I am a carle’s dother,Perhaps I am nean,Bat fan ye gat me in free forestYe sud haa latten alean.’

‘Perhaps I am a carle’s dother,

Perhaps I am nean,

Bat fan ye gat me in free forest

Ye sud haa latten alean.’

8Fan they came to yon wan waterThat a’ man cas Glide,He luked our his left shoulder,Says, Fair maid, will ye ride?

Fan they came to yon wan water

That a’ man cas Glide,

He luked our his left shoulder,

Says, Fair maid, will ye ride?

9‘I learned it in my mother’s bour,I watt I learned it well,Fan I came to wan waterTo soum as dos the eall.

‘I learned it in my mother’s bour,

I watt I learned it well,

Fan I came to wan water

To soum as dos the eall.

10‘I learned it in my mother’s bour,I wiss I had learned it better,Fan I came to wan watterTo sume as dos the otter.’

‘I learned it in my mother’s bour,

I wiss I had learned it better,

Fan I came to wan watter

To sume as dos the otter.’

11She touk a golden comb,Combed out her yallou hear,. . . . . . .. . . . . . .

She touk a golden comb,

Combed out her yallou hear,

. . . . . . .

12‘Far gatt ye that, ye carl’s dother,I pray ye tell to me;’‘I gatt it fra my mither,’ she says,‘To begulle sick sparks as ye.’

‘Far gatt ye that, ye carl’s dother,

I pray ye tell to me;’

‘I gatt it fra my mither,’ she says,

‘To begulle sick sparks as ye.’

13‘Gin ye be a carl’s gett,As I trou well ye be,Far gatt ye a’ that fine clothing,To cloath yer body we?’

‘Gin ye be a carl’s gett,

As I trou well ye be,

Far gatt ye a’ that fine clothing,

To cloath yer body we?’

14‘My mother was an ill woman,An ill woman was she,An she gatt a’ that fine clathing,Frae sick chaps as ye.’

‘My mother was an ill woman,

An ill woman was she,

An she gatt a’ that fine clathing,

Frae sick chaps as ye.’

15Fan they came to our king’s court,She fell lou doun on her knee:‘Win up, ye fair may,What may ye want we me?’‘Ther is a knight in your courtThis day has robbed me.’

Fan they came to our king’s court,

She fell lou doun on her knee:

‘Win up, ye fair may,

What may ye want we me?’

‘Ther is a knight in your court

This day has robbed me.’

16‘Has he robbed you of your goud?Or of your whit monie?Or of your meadnhead,The flour of your body?’

‘Has he robbed you of your goud?

Or of your whit monie?

Or of your meadnhead,

The flour of your body?’

17‘He has no robbed me of my goud,Nor yet of my fiee,Bat he has robed me of my madinhead,The flour of my body.’

‘He has no robbed me of my goud,

Nor yet of my fiee,

Bat he has robed me of my madinhead,

The flour of my body.’

18‘Wad ye keen the knight,If ye did him see?’‘I wad keen him well by his well-fared faceAn the blieth blink of his eay.’An sighan says the king,I wiss it binë my brother Richie!

‘Wad ye keen the knight,

If ye did him see?’

‘I wad keen him well by his well-fared face

An the blieth blink of his eay.’

An sighan says the king,

I wiss it binë my brother Richie!

19The king called on his merry men a’,By an, by tua, by three;Earl Richerd had ay ben the first,Bat the last man was he.

The king called on his merry men a’,

By an, by tua, by three;

Earl Richerd had ay ben the first,

Bat the last man was he.

20By that ye might a well kentThe gulty man was he;She took him by the hand,Says, That same is hee.

By that ye might a well kent

The gulty man was he;

She took him by the hand,

Says, That same is hee.

21Ther was a brand laid doun to her,A brand batt an a ring,Three times she minted to the brand,Bat she took up the ring;A’that was in the court’S counted her a wise woman.

Ther was a brand laid doun to her,

A brand batt an a ring,

Three times she minted to the brand,

Bat she took up the ring;

A’that was in the court

’S counted her a wise woman.

22‘I will gee ye five hundred pound,To make yer marrage we,An ye gie hame, ye carl’s dother,An fash na mare we me.’

‘I will gee ye five hundred pound,

To make yer marrage we,

An ye gie hame, ye carl’s dother,

An fash na mare we me.’

23‘Ye keep yer five hundred pound,To make yer marreg we,For I will ha nathing bat yer sell,The king he promised me.’

‘Ye keep yer five hundred pound,

To make yer marreg we,

For I will ha nathing bat yer sell,

The king he promised me.’

24‘I ill gee ye a thousand poun,To make yer marrage we,An ye gae hame, ye carl’s gett,An fash na mare we me.’

‘I ill gee ye a thousand poun,

To make yer marrage we,

An ye gae hame, ye carl’s gett,

An fash na mare we me.’

25‘Ye keep yer thousand pound,To make yer marreg we,For I ill ha nathing batt yer sell,The king he promised me.’

‘Ye keep yer thousand pound,

To make yer marreg we,

For I ill ha nathing batt yer sell,

The king he promised me.’

26He toke her dounAn clothed her in green;Fan she cam up,She was fairer then the quin.

He toke her doun

An clothed her in green;

Fan she cam up,

She was fairer then the quin.

27Fan they gaid to Mary Kirk,The nettels grue by dike:‘O gin my midder war hear,Sai clean as she wad them peak!’

Fan they gaid to Mary Kirk,

The nettels grue by dike:

‘O gin my midder war hear,

Sai clean as she wad them peak!’

28He drue his hat out-our his eayn,The tear blinded his eay;She drue back her yallou loaks,An a light laughter luke she.

He drue his hat out-our his eayn,

The tear blinded his eay;

She drue back her yallou loaks,

An a light laughter luke she.

29Fan she came by yon mill-toun,. . . . . .‘O well may the mill goo,An well matt she be!For aften ha ye filled my pokeWe the whit meall an the gray.’

Fan she came by yon mill-toun,

. . . . . .

‘O well may the mill goo,

An well matt she be!

For aften ha ye filled my poke

We the whit meall an the gray.’

30‘I wiss I had druken the waterFan I drank the aill,Or any carl’s dotherSuld ha tald me siken a teall.’

‘I wiss I had druken the water

Fan I drank the aill,

Or any carl’s dother

Suld ha tald me siken a teall.’

31‘Perhaps I am a carl’s dother,Perhaps I am nean;Fan ye gatt me in frie forest,Ye sud ha latten alean.

‘Perhaps I am a carl’s dother,

Perhaps I am nean;

Fan ye gatt me in frie forest,

Ye sud ha latten alean.

* * * * * *

32‘Take awa yer silver spons,Far awa fra me,An ye gee me t[he] ram-horn [s]pons,Them I am best used we.

‘Take awa yer silver spons,

Far awa fra me,

An ye gee me t[he] ram-horn [s]pons,

Them I am best used we.

33‘Ye take awa yer tabel-cloths,Far awa fra me,An ye gee me a mukell dishI am best used we.

‘Ye take awa yer tabel-cloths,

Far awa fra me,

An ye gee me a mukell dish

I am best used we.

34‘For if I had my mukel dish hear,An sayn an it war fou,I wad sup till I war sared,An sayn lay doun my head an slep like ony sou.

‘For if I had my mukel dish hear,

An sayn an it war fou,

I wad sup till I war sared,

An sayn lay doun my head an slep like ony sou.

35‘Ye take away yer hollan shits,Far awa fra me,An ye bring me a cannas,It’s the thing I ben eased we.’

‘Ye take away yer hollan shits,

Far awa fra me,

An ye bring me a cannas,

It’s the thing I ben eased we.’

36Fan bells wer rung, an mess was sung,An a’ man boun to bed,Earl Richerd an the carl’s dotherIn a bed [were laid].

Fan bells wer rung, an mess was sung,

An a’ man boun to bed,

Earl Richerd an the carl’s dother

In a bed [were laid].

37‘Lay yond, lay yond, ye carl’s dother,Your hot skin . . me;It setts na carl’s dothersIn earls’ beds to be.’

‘Lay yond, lay yond, ye carl’s dother,

Your hot skin . . me;

It setts na carl’s dothers

In earls’ beds to be.’

38‘Perhaps I am a carl’s dother,Perhaps I am nean;Bat fan ye gat me in free forestYe might a latten alean.’

‘Perhaps I am a carl’s dother,

Perhaps I am nean;

Bat fan ye gat me in free forest

Ye might a latten alean.’

39Up starts the Bellie Blind,Att ther bed-head:‘I think it is a meatt marrageBetuen the ane an the eather,The Earl of Heartfourds ae daughterAn the Quien of England’s brother.’

Up starts the Bellie Blind,

Att ther bed-head:

‘I think it is a meatt marrage

Betuen the ane an the eather,

The Earl of Heartfourds ae daughter

An the Quien of England’s brother.’

40‘If this be the Earl of Heartfourd’s ae doughter,As I trust well it be,Mony a gued hors have I reddenFor the love of the.’

‘If this be the Earl of Heartfourd’s ae doughter,

As I trust well it be,

Mony a gued hors have I redden

For the love of the.’

22. ha had.82. cas es:perhapscaeswas meant.94. to eull.185. sigh an.213. courts.323. twith an imperfect letter, forthe.372.Perhapswe.395, 401.Thetis not crossed inHeartfourd,andHearlfourdmay be meant.

22. ha had.

82. cas es:perhapscaeswas meant.

94. to eull.

185. sigh an.

213. courts.

323. twith an imperfect letter, forthe.

372.Perhapswe.

395, 401.Thetis not crossed inHeartfourd,andHearlfourdmay be meant.

Kidson’s Traditional Tunes, p. 20, from Mr Benjamin Holgate, Leeds.

1There was a shepherd’s daughterWho kept sheep on yon hill;There came a young man riding by,Who swore he’d have his will.Fol lol layFol lol di diddle lol di day

There was a shepherd’s daughter

Who kept sheep on yon hill;

There came a young man riding by,

Who swore he’d have his will.

Fol lol lay

Fol lol di diddle lol di day

21,2.He took her by the lilly-white handAnd by her silken sleeve,34.Or tell to me your name.

21,2.

He took her by the lilly-white handAnd by her silken sleeve,

He took her by the lilly-white hand

And by her silken sleeve,

34.

Or tell to me your name.

4‘Oh, some they call me Jack, sweetheart,And some they call me Will,But when I ride the king’s high-gateMy name is Sweet William.’

‘Oh, some they call me Jack, sweetheart,And some they call me Will,But when I ride the king’s high-gateMy name is Sweet William.’

‘Oh, some they call me Jack, sweetheart,

And some they call me Will,

But when I ride the king’s high-gate

My name is Sweet William.’

44. But name.

Findlay’s MSS, I, 208, from Mr McKenzie, Advie, Morayshire.

1‘T is said a shepherd’s ae daughterKept sheep upon a hill,An by there cam a courteous knight,An he wad hae his will.2He’s taen her by the milk-white handAn by the grass-green sleeve,He’s laid her doon at the fit o a bush,An neer ance speired her leave.

1‘T is said a shepherd’s ae daughterKept sheep upon a hill,An by there cam a courteous knight,An he wad hae his will.

‘T is said a shepherd’s ae daughter

Kept sheep upon a hill,

An by there cam a courteous knight,

An he wad hae his will.

2He’s taen her by the milk-white handAn by the grass-green sleeve,He’s laid her doon at the fit o a bush,An neer ance speired her leave.

He’s taen her by the milk-white hand

An by the grass-green sleeve,

He’s laid her doon at the fit o a bush,

An neer ance speired her leave.

P. 480 a, 4th paragraph. ‘The Politick Maid’ was entered to Thomas Lambert, 16th May, 1637: Arber, Stationers’ Registers, IV, 385.

481 b, III, 518 a, IV, 495 a. Tears. ‘Chasseur, mon beau chasseur,’ Pineau, Le Folk-Lore du Poitou, p. 251.

Varieties. ‘La jolie Couturière,’ Pineau, p. 285.

483 b. ‘La jolie Batelière,’ Romania, XIII, 410; La Tradition, VII, 110.

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