SirPatrickSpensBattleOfOtterbourneTamLinThomasTheRhymer\"SirHugh;OrTheJew\'sDaughter\"
SonDavie!SonDavie!
TheWifeOfUsher\'sWellTheTwaCorbiesTheBonnieEarlMorayClerkSaundersWaly,WalyLoveGregor;Or,TheLassOfLochroyanTheQueen\'sMarieKinmontWillieJamieTelferTheDouglasTragedyTheBonnyHindYoungBichamTheLovingBalladOfLordBatemanTheBonnieHouseO\'AirlyRobRoyTheBattleOfKillie-CrankieAnnanWaterTheElphinNourriceCospatrickJohnnieArmstrangEdomO\'GordonLadyAnneBothwell\'sLamentJockOTheSideLordThomasAndFairAnnetFairAnnieTheDowieDensOfYarrowSirRolandRoseTheRedAndWhiteLilyTheBattleOfHarlaw-EvergreenVersionTraditionaryVersionDickieMacphalionALyke-WakeDirgeTheLairdOfWaristounMayColvenJohnieFaaHobbieNobleTheTwaSistersMaryAmbreeAlisonGrossTheHeirOfLynneGordonOfBrackleyEdward,EdwardYoungBenjieAuldMaitlandTheBroomfieldHillWillie\'sLadyeRobinHoodAndTheMonkRobinHoodAndThePotterRobinHoodAndTheButcherINTRODUCTION
Whenthelearnedfirstgaveseriousattentiontopopularballads,fromthetimeofPercytothatofScott,theylabouredundercertaindisabilities.TheComparativeMethodwasscarcelyunderstood,andwaslittlepractised.Editorswerecontenttostudytheballadsoftheirowncountryside,or,atmost,ofGreatBritain.TeutonicandNorthernparallelstoourballadswerethenadduced,asbyScottandJamieson.ItwaslaterthattheballadsofEurope,fromtheFaroestoModernGreece,werecomparedwithourown,withEuropeanMARCHEN,orchildren\'stales,andwiththepopularsongs,dances,andtraditionsofclassicalandsavagepeoples.Theresultsofthismorerecentcomparisonmaybebrieflystated.Poetrybegins,asAristotlesays,inimprovisation.Everymanishisownpoet,and,inmomentsofstrongemotion,expresseshimselfinsong.AtypicalexampleistheSongofLamechinGenesis-
\"Ihaveslainamantomywounding,Andayoungmantomyhurt.\"
InstancesperpetuallyoccurintheSagas:Grettir,Egil,Skarphedin,arealwayssinging.InKIDNAPPED,Mr.Stevensonintroduces\"TheSongoftheSwordofAlan,\"afineexampleofCelticpractice:wordsandairarebeatenouttogether,intheheatofvictory.Inthesameway,thewomensangimproviseddirges,likeHelen;lullabies,likethelullabyofDanaeinSimonides,andflowersongs,asinmodernItaly.Everyfunctionoflife,war,agriculture,thechase,haditsappropriatemagicalandmimeticdanceandsong,asinFinland,amongRedIndians,andamongAustralianblacks.\"Thedeedsofmen\"werechantedbyheroes,asbyAchilles;storiesweretoldinalternateverseandprose;girls,likeHomer\'sNausicaa,accompanieddanceandballplay,priestsandmedicine-menaccompaniedritesandmagicalceremoniesbysongs.
Thesepracticesareworld-wide,andworld-old.Thethoroughlypopularsongs,thusevolved,becametherudematerialofaprofessionalclassofminstrels,whenthesearose,asintheheroicageofGreece.AminstrelmightbeattachedtoaCourt,oranoble;orhemightgowanderingwithsongandharpamongthepeople.Ineithercase,thisclassofmendevelopedmoreregularandamplemeasures.Theyevolvedthehexameter;theLAISSEoftheCHANSONSDEGESTE;thestrangetechnicalitiesofScandinavianpoetry;themetresofVedichymns;thechoralodesofGreece.ThenarrativepopularchantbecameintheirhandstheEpic,orthemediaevalrhymedromance.Themetreofimprovisedversechangedintotheartisticlyric.Theselyricformswerefixed,inmanycases,bytheartofwriting.Butpoetrydidnotremainsolelyinprofessionalandliteraryhands.ThemediaevalminstrelsandJONGLEURS(whomaybestbestudiedinLeonGautier\'sIntroductiontohisEPOPEESFRANCAISES)sanginCourtandCamp.Thepoorer,lessregularbrethrenoftheart,harpedandplayedconjuringtricks,infarmandgrange,oratstreetcorners.TheforeignnewermetrestooktheplaceoftheoldalliterativeEnglishverse.
Butunprofessionalmenandwomendidnotceasetomakeandsing.
Somewritershavedecided,amongthemMr.Courthope,thatourtraditionalballadsaredegradedpopularsurvivalsofliterarypoetry.Theplotsandsituationsofsomeballadsare,indeed,thesameasthoseofsomeliterarymediaevalromances.Buttheseplotsandsituations,inEpicandRomance,arethemselvesthefinalliteraryformofMARCHEN,mythsandinventionsoriginallyPOPULAR,andstill,incertaincases,extantinpopularformamongraceswhichhavenotyetevolved,orborrowed,theamplerandmorepolishedandcomplexGENRESofliterature.Thus,whenaliteraryromanceandaballadhavethesametheme,theballadmaybeapopulardegradationoftheromance;or,itmaybetheoriginalpopularshapeofit,stillsurvivingintradition.Awell-knowncaseinprose,isthatoftheFrenchfairytales.
Perrault,in1697,borrowedthesefromtraditionandgavethemliteraryandcourtlyshape.ButCENDRILLONorCHAPERONROUGEinthemouthofaFrenchpeasant,isapttobetheoldtraditionalversion,uncontaminatedbytherefinementsofPerrault,despitePerrault\'simmensesuccessandcirculation.Thustraditionpreservespre-literaryforms,eventhough,onoccasion,itmayborrowfromliterature.Peasantpoetshavebeenauthorsofballads,withoutbeing,forallthat,professionalminstrels.Manysuchpoemssurviveinourballadliterature.
Thematerialoftheballadmaybeeitherromanticorhistorical.
Theformerclassisbasedononeoftheprimevalinventedsituations,oneoftheelementsoftheMARCHENinprose.Suchtalesormythsoccurinthestoriesofsavages,inthelegendsofpeasants,areinterwovenlaterwiththeplotinEpicorRomance,andmayalsoinspireballads.Popularsuperstitions,thewitch,metamorphosis,thereturningghost,thefairy,allofthemsurvivalsoftheearliestthought,naturallyplayagreatpart.
TheHistoricalballad,ontheotherhand,hasabasisofresoundingfact,murder,battle,orfire-raising,butthefacts,beingderivedfrompopularrumour,areimmediatelycorruptedanddistorted,sometimesoutofallknowledge.GoodexamplesaretheballadsonDarnley\'smurderandtheyouthofJamesVI.
Intheromanticclass,wemaytakeTAMLANE.Heretheideaoffairiesstealingchildrenisthoroughlypopular;theyalsostealyoungmenaslovers,andagain,menmaywinfairybrides,byclingingtothemthroughalltransformations.AclassicalexampleistheseizureofThetisbyPeleus,andChildquotesamodernCretanexample.Thedippinginmilkandwater,Imayadd,hasprecedentinancientEgypt(inTHETWOBROTHERS),andinmodernSenegambia.Thefairytax,tithe,orteind,paidtoHell,isillustratedbyoldtrialsforwitchcraft,inScotland.(1)Now,inliteraryformsandromance,asinOGIERLEDANOIS,personsarecarriedawaybytheFairyKingorQueen.Butheretheliteraryromanceborrowsfrompopularsuperstition;theballadhasnoneedtoborrowafamiliarfactfromliteraryromance.Onthewholesubjectthecuriousmayconsult\"TheSecretCommonwealthofElves,Fauns,andFairies,\"bytheReverendRobertKirkofAberfoyle,himself,accordingtotradition,avictimofthefairies.
Thus,inTAMLANE,thewholeDONNEEispopular.Butthecurrentversion,thatofScott,iscontaminated,asScottknew,byincongruousmodernisms.Burns\'sversion,fromtradition,alreadylocalizestheeventsatCarterhaugh,thejunctionofEttrickandYarrow.ButBurns\'sversiondoesnotmaketheEarlofMurrayfatherofthehero,northeEarlofMarchfatheroftheheroine.
Roxburghisthehero\'sfatherinBurns\'svariant,whichismoreplausible,andthemodernversesdonotoccur.Thisballadapparentlyowesnothingtoliteraryromance.
InMARYHAMILTONwehaveanotableinstanceoftheHistoricalBallad.NoMarieofMaryStuart\'ssuffereddeathforchildmurder.
ShehadnoMarieHamilton,noMarieCarmichaelamongherfourMaries,thoughaladyofthelatternamewasathercourt.ButearlyinthereignaFrenchwomanofthequeen\'swashanged,withherparamour,anapothecary,forslayingherinfant.Knoxmentionsthefact,whichisalsorecordedinlettersfromtheEnglishambassador,uncitedbyMr.Child.KnoxaddsthattherewereballadsagainsttheMaries.Now,inMarch1719,aMaryHamilton,ofScotsdescent,amaidofhonourofCatherineofRussia,washangedforchildmurder(CHILD,vi.383).Ithasthereforebeensupposed,firstbyCharlesKirkpatrickSharpelongago,laterbyProfessorChild,andthenbyMr.Courthope,thatourballadisof1719,orlater,anddealswiththeRussian,nottheScotch,tragedy.
Tothiswemayreply(1)thatwehavenoexampleofsuchathrowingbackofacontemporaryevent,inballads.(2)Thereisaversion(CHILD,viii.507)inwhichMaryHamilton\'sparamourisa\"pottinger,\"orapothecary,asintherealoldScotchaffair.(3)
Thenumberofvariantsofaballadislikelytobeproportionatetoitsantiquityandwidedistribution.NowonlySIRPATRICKSPENS
hassomanywidelydifferentvariantsasMARYHAMILTON.Thesecouldhardlyhavebeenevolvedbetween1719and1790,whenBurnsquotesthepoemasanoldballad.(4)Wehavenoexampleofapoemsomuchintheoldballadmanner,forperhapsahundredandfiftyyearsbefore1719.Thestylefirstdegradedandthenexpired:
compareROBROYandKILLIECRANKIE,inthiscollection,alsotheballadsofLOUDOUNHILL,THEBATTLEOFPHILIPHAUGH,andothersmuchearlierthan1719.NewstylesofpopularpoetryoncontemporaryeventsasSHERRIFFMUIRandTRANENTBRAEhadarisen.(5)TheextremehistoricinaccuracyofMARYHAMILTONisparalleledbythatofalltheballadsonrealevents.ThementionofthePottingerisatraceofrealhistorywhichhasnoparallelintheRussianaffair,andthereisnoroom,saysProfessorChild,forthesuppositionthatitwasvoluntarilyinsertedbyreciterorcopyist,totallywiththenarrativeinKnox\'sHistory.
Ontheotherside,wehavethenameofMaryHamiltonoccurringinatragiceventof1719,butthenthenamedoesnotuniformlyappearinthevariantsoftheballad.TheladyistherespokenofgenerallyasMaryHamilton,butalsoasMaryMyle,LadyMaisry,asdaughteroftheDukeofYork(Stuart),asMarieMild,andsoforth.
Thoughshebidssailorscarrythetaleofherdoom,sheisnotabroad,butinEdinburghtown.NothingcanbelessprobablethanthataScotspopularballad-makerin1719,tellingthetaleofayesterday\'stragedyinRussia,shouldthrowthetimebackbyahundredandfiftyyears,shouldchangethescenetoScotland(theheartofthesorrowwouldbeMary\'sexile),and,aboveall,shouldcomposeaballadinastylelongobsolete.Thisisnotthemethodofthepopularpoet,andsuchimitationsoftheoldballadasHARDYKNUTEshowthatliterarypoetsof1719hadnotknowledgeorskillenoughtomimictheantiquemannerwithanysuccess.
Wemay,therefore,eveninfaceofProfessorChild,regardMARY
HAMILTONasanoldexampleofpopularperversionofhistoryinballad,notas\"oneoftheverylatest,\"andalso\"oneoftheverybest\"ofScottishpopularballads.
ROBROYshowsthesamepowerofperversion.ItwasnotRobRoybuthissons,RobinOig(whoshotMaclarenattheplough-tail),andJamesMohr(alternatelythespy,theJacobite,andtheHanoverianspyoncemore),whocarriedofftheheiressofEdenbelly.Indeedakindofaddedepilogue,inadifferentmeasure,provesthatapoetwasawareofthefacts,andwishedtocorrecthispredecessor.
Suchthenareballads,inrelationtolegendandhistory.Theyare,onthewhole,withexceptions,absolutelypopularinorigin,composedbymenofthepeopleforthepeople,andthendiffusedamongandalteredbypopularreciters.InEnglandtheysoonwontheirwayintoprintedstallcopies,andweregrievouslyhandledandmoralizedbythehackeditors.
NoballadhasastrangerhistorythanTHELOVINGBALLADOFLORD
BATEMAN,illustratedbythepencilsofCruikshankandThackeray.
Theirformisaludicrouscockneyperversion,butitretainstheessence.Bateman,acaptiveof\"thisTurk,\"isbelovedbytheTurk\'sdaughter(astapleincidentofoldFrenchromance),andbyherreleased.TheladyaftersevenyearsrejoinsLordBateman:hehasjustmarriedalocalbride,but\"ordersanothermarriage,\"andsendshomehisbride\"inacoachandthree.\"ThisincidentisstereotypedintheballadsandoccursinanexampleintheRomaic.
(2)
NowLordBatemanisYOUNGBEKIEintheScotchballads,whobecomesYOUNGBEICHAN,YOUNGBICHEM,andsoforth,andhasadventuresidenticalwiththoseofLordBateman,thoughtheproudporterintheScotsversionisscarcelysoprominentandillustrious.AsMotherwellsaw,Bekie(Beichan,Buchan,Bateman)isreallyBecket,GilbertBecket,fatherofThomasofCanterbury.EveryonehasheardhowHISSaracenbridesoughthiminLondon.(RobertofGloucester\'sLIFEANDMARTYRDOMOFTHOMASBECKET,PercySociety.
SeeChild\'sIntroduction,IV.,i.1861,andMOTHERWELL\'S
MINSTRELSY,p.xv.,1827.)Thelegendofthedissolvedmarriageisfromthecommonstockofballadlore,MotherwellfoundanexampleinthestateofCANTEFABLE,alternateproseandverse,likeAUCASSINANDNICOLETTE.Thusthecockneyrhymedescendsfromthetwelfthcentury.
Suchareafewofthecuriositiesoftheballad.Theexamplesselectedarechieflychosenfortheirromanticcharm,andforthespiritoftheBorderraidswhichtheyrecord.Afewnotesareaddedinanappendix.ThetextischosenfromamongthemanyvariantsinChild\'slearnedbutstillunfinishedcollection,andanefforthasbeenmadetochoosethecopieswhichcontainmostpoetrywithmostsignsofuncontaminatedoriginality.InafewcasesSirWalterScott\'sversions,thoughconfessedly\"madeup,\"arepreferred.PerhapstheeditormaybeallowedtosaythathedoesnotmerelyploughwithProfessorChild\'sheifer,buthasmadeastudyofballadsfromhisboyhood.
Thisfactmayexempthim,evenintheeyesoftoopatrioticAmericancritics,from\"thecommonblameofaplagiary.\"Indeed,asProfessorChildhasnotyetpublishedhisgeneraltheoryoftheBallad,theeditordoesnotknowwhetherheagreeswiththeideasheresetforth.
SofartheEditorhadwritten,whennewscameofProfessorChild\'sregretteddeath.Hehadlivedtofinish,itissaid,thevastcollectionofallknowntraditionalScottishandEnglishBallads,withallaccessiblevariants,aworkofgreatlabourandresearch,andadistinguishedhonourtoAmericanscholarship.Wearenottold,however,thathehadwrittenageneralstudyofthetopic,withhisconclusionsastotheevolutionanddiffusionoftheBallads:astotheinfluenceswhichdirectedtheselectionofcertainthemesofMARCHENforpoetictreatment,andtheprocessesbywhichidenticalballadsweredistributedthroughoutEurope.Noone,itistobefeared,isleft,inEuropeatleast,whoseknowledgeofthesubjectissowideandscientificasthatofProfessorChild.Itistobehopedthatsomepupilofhismaycompletethetaskinhissense,if,indeed,hehasleftitunfinished.
Ballad:SirPatrickSpens(BorderMinstrelsy.)
ThekingsitsinDunfermlinetown,Drinkingtheblude-redwineo:
\"OwharewillIgetaskeelyskipperTosailthisnewshipofmineo?\"
Oupandspakeaneldern-knight,Satattheking\'srightknee:
\"SirPatrickSpensisthebestsailorThateversaildthesea.\"
Ourkinghaswrittenabraidletter,Andsealditwithhishand,AndsentittoSirPatrickSpens,Waswalkingonthestrand.
\"ToNoroway,toNoroway,ToNorowayoerthefaem;
Theking\'sdaughterofNoroway,\'Tisthoumaunbringherhame.\"
ThefirstwordthatSirPatrickread,Saeloud,loudlaughedhe;
TheneistwordthatSirPatrickread,Thetearblindedhisee.
\"Owhaisthishasdonethisdeed,Andtauldthekingome,Tosendusout,atthistimeoftheyear,Tosailuponthesea?\"
\"Beitwind,beitweet,beithall,beitsleet,Ourshipmustsailthefaem;
Theking\'sdaughterofNoroway,\'Tiswemustfetchherhame.\"
TheyhoysedtheirsailsonMonendaymorn,Wi\'a\'thespeedtheymay;
TheyhaelandedinNoroway,UponaWodensday.
Theyhadnabeenaweek,aweekInNorowaybuttwae,WhenthatthelordsoNorowayBeganaloudtosay:
\"YeScottishmenspenda\'ourking\'sgoud,Anda\'ourqueenisfee.\"
\"Yelie,yelie,yeliarsloud!
Fu\'loudIhearyelie!
\"ForIbroughtasmuchwhitemonieAsganemymenandme,AndIbroughtahalf-fou\'o\'guderedgoud,Outo\'ertheseawi\'me.
\"Makeready,makeready,mymerry-mena\'!
Ourgudeshipsailsthemorn.\"
\"Noweveralake,mymasterdear,Ifearadeadlystorm!
Isawthenewmoon,lateyestreen,Wi\'theauldmooninherarm;
Andifwegangtosea,master,Ifearwe\'llcometoharm.\"
Theyhadnasail\'daleague,aleague,Aleaguebutbarelythree,Whentheliftgrewdark,andthewindblewloud,Andgurlygrewthesea.
Theankersbrak,andthetop-mastslap,Itwassicadeadlystorm;
Andthewavescamo\'erthebrokenship,Tilla\'hersidesweretorn.
\"OwherewillIgetagudesailor,Totakemyhelminhand,TillIgetuptothetalltop-mast;
ToseeifIcanspyland?\"
\"OhereamI,asailorgude,Totakethehelminhand,Tillyougouptothetalltop-mastButIfearyou\'llne\'erspyland.\"
Hehadnaganeastep,astep,Astepbutbarelyane,Whenaboutflewoutofourgoodlyship,Andthesaltseaitcamein.
\"Gae,fetchawebo\'thesilkenclaith,Anothero\'thetwine,Andwapthemintoourship\'sside,Andletnatheseacomein.\"
Theyfetchdawebothesilkenclaith,Anotherothetwine,Andtheywappedthemrounthatgudeship\'ssideButstilltheseacamein.
Olaith,laith,wereourgudeScotslordsToweettheircork-heel\'dshoon!
Butlangoratheplaywasplay\'dTheywattheirhatsaboon,Andmonywasthefeather-bedThatflutteredonthefaem,Andmonywasthegudelord\'ssonThatnevermaircamhame.
Theladyeswrangtheirfingerswhite,Themaidenstoretheirhair,A\'forthesakeoftheirtrueloves,Forthemthey\'llseenamair.
Olang,langmaytheladyessit,Wi\'theirfansintotheirhand,BeforetheyseeSirPatrickSpensComesailingtothestrand!
Andlang,langmaythemaidenssit,Wi\'theirgoudkaimsintheirhair,A\'waitingfortheiraindearloves!
Forthemthey\'llseenamair.
OfortymilesoffAberdeen,\'Tisfiftyfathomsdeep,AndthereliesgudeSirPatrickSpens,Wi\'theScotslordsathisfeet.
Ballad:BattleOfOtterbourne(Child,vol.vi.)
ItfellabouttheLammastide,Whenthemuir-menwintheirhay,ThedoughtyDouglasboundhimtorideIntoEngland,todriveaprey.
HechosetheGordonsandtheGraemes,WiththemtheLindesays,lightandgay;
ButtheJardineswaldnorwithhimride,Andtheyrueittothisday.
Andhehasburn\'dthedalesofTyne,AndpartofBambroughshire:
AndthreegoodtowersonReidswirefells,Heleftthemallonfire.
Andhemarch\'duptoNewcastle,Androdeitroundabout:
\"Owha\'sthelordofthiscastle?
Orwha\'stheladyo\'t?\"
ButupspakeproudLordPercythen,AndObuthespakehie!
\"Iamthelordofthiscastle,Mywife\'stheladygaye.\"
\"Ifthou\'rtthelordofthiscastle,Saeweelitpleasesme!
For,ereIcrosstheBorderfells,Thetaneofussalldie.\"
Hetookalangspearinhishand,Shodwiththemetalfree,AndfortomeettheDouglasthere,Heroderightfuriouslie.
ButOhowpalehisladylook\'d,Fraeaffthecastlewa\',Whendown,beforetheScottishspear,ShesawproudPercyfa\'.
\"Hadwetwabeenuponthegreen,Andneveraneyetosee,Iwadhaehadyou,fleshandfell;
Butyourswordsallgaewi\'mee.\"
\"ButgaeyeuptoOtterbourne,Andwaittheredayisthree;
And,ifIcomenoterethreedayisend,Afauseknightca\'yeme.\"
\"TheOtterbourne\'sabonnieburn;
\'Tispleasanttheretobe;
ButthereisnoughtatOtterbourne,Tofeedmymenandme.
\"Thedeerrinswildonhillanddale,Thebirdsflywildfromtreetotree;
Butthereisneitherbreadnorkale,Tofeedmymenandme.
\"YetIwillstayitOtterbourne,Whereyoushallwelcomebe;
And,ifyecomenotatthreedayisend,AfauselordI\'llca\'thee.\"
\"ThitherwillIcome,\"proudPercysaid,\"BythemightofOurLadye!\"-
\"TherewillIbidethee,\"saidtheDouglas,\"MytrothIplighttothee.\"
TheylightedhighonOtterbourne,Uponthebentsaebrown;
TheylightedhighonOtterbourne,Andthrewtheirpallionsdown.
Andhethathadabonnieboy,Sentouthishorsetograss,Andhethathadnotabonnieboy,Hisainservanthewas.
Butupthenspakealittlepage,Beforethepeepofdawn:
\"Owakenye,wakenye,mygoodlord,ForPercy\'shardathand.\"
\"Yelie,yelie,yeliarloud!
SaeloudIhearyelie;
ForPercyhadnotmenyestreen,Todightmymenandme.
\"ButIhavedream\'dadrearydream,BeyondtheIsleofSky;
Isawadeadmanwinafight,AndIthinkthatmanwasI.\"
Hebeltedonhisguidbraidsword,Andtothefieldheran;
Butheforgotthehelmetgood,Thatshouldhavekepthisbrain.
WhenPercywitheDouglasmet,Iwathewasfufain!
Theyswakkedtheirswords,tillsairtheyswat,Andthebloodrandownlikerain.
ButPercywithhisgoodbroadsword,Thatcouldsosharplywound,HaswoundedDouglasonthebrow,Tillhefelltotheground.
Thenhecalldonhislittlefoot-page,Andsaid-\"Runspeedilie,Andfetchmyaindearsister\'sson,SirHughMontgomery.\"Mynephewgood,\"theDouglassaid,\"Whatrecksthedeathofane!
LastnightIdreamdadrearydream,AndIkentheday\'sthyain.
\"Mywoundisdeep;Ifainwouldsleep;
Takethouthevanguardofthethree,Andhidemebythebrakenbush,Thatgrowsonyonderlilyelee.
\"Oburymebythebraken-bush,Beneaththebloomingbrier;
LetneverlivingmortalkenThatereakindlyScotlieshere.\"
Heliftedupthatnoblelord,Withesauttearinhise\'e;
Hehidhiminthebrakenbush,Thathismerriemenmightnotsee.
Themoonwasclear,thedaydrewnear,Thespearsinflindersflew,ButmonyagallantEnglishmanEredaytheScotsmenslew.
TheGordonsgood,inEnglishblood,Theysteepdtheirhoseandshoon;
TheLindesaysflewlikefireabout,Tillallthefraywasdone.
ThePercyandMontgomerymet,Thateitherofotherwerefain;
Theyswappedswords,andtheytwaswat,Andayethebloodrandownbetween.
\"Yieldthee,nowyieldthee,Percy,\"hesaid,\"OrelseIvowI\'lllaytheelow!\"
\"TowhommustIyield,\"quothEarlPercy,\"NowthatIseeitmustbeso?\"
\"Thoushaltnotyieldtolordnorloun,Noryetshaltthouyieldtome;
Butyieldtheetothebraken-bush,Thatgrowsuponyonlilyelee!\"
\"Iwillnotyieldtoabraken-bush,NoryetwillIyieldtoabrier;
ButIwouldyieldtoEarlDouglas,OrSirHughtheMontgomery,ifhewerehere.\"
AssoonasheknewitwasMontgomery,Hestuckhissword\'spointinthegronde;
TheMontgomerywasacourteousknight,Andquicklytookhimbythehonde.
ThisdeedwasdoneatOtterbourne,Aboutthebreakingoftheday;
EarlDouglaswasburiedatthebrakenbush,AndthePercyledcaptiveaway.
Ballad:TamLin(Child,PartII.,p.340,Burns\'sVersion.)
OIforbidyou,maidensa\',Thatweargowdonyourhair,TocomeorgaebyCarterhaugh,ForyoungTamLinisthere.
There\'snanethatgaesbyCarterhaughButtheyleavehimawad,Eithertheirrings,orgreenmantles,Orelsetheirmaidenhead.
JanethaskiltedhergreenkirtleAlittleaboonherknee,AndshehasbraidedheryellowhairAlittleaboonherbree,Andshe\'sawa\'toCarterhaugh,Asfastasshecanhie.
WhenshecametoCarterhaughTamLinwasatthewell,Andthereshefandhissteedstanding,Butawaywashimsel.
Shehadnapu\'dadoublerose,Arosebutonlytwa,TillupthenstartedyoungTamLin,Says,\"Lady,thou\'spunaemae.
\"Whypu\'sthoutherose,Janet,Andwhybreaksthouthewand?
OrwhycomesthoutoCarterhaughWithouttenmycommand?\"
\"Carterhaugh,itismyain,Mydaddiegaveitme;
I\'llcomeandgangbyCarterhaugh,Andasknaeleaveatthee.\"
*****
JanethaskiltedhergreenkirtleAlittleaboonherknee,AndshehassnoodedheryellowhairAlittleaboonherbree,Andsheistoherfather\'sha,Asfastasshecanhie.
FourandtwentyladiesfairWereplayingattheba,AndoutthencamthefairJanet,Ancethefloweramangthema\'.
FourandtwentyladiesfairWereplayingatthechess,AndoutthencamthefairJanet,Asgreenasoniegrass.
Outthenspakanauldgreyknight,Layoerthecastlewa,Andsays,\"Alas,fairJanet,fortheeButwe\'llbeblameda\'.\"
\"Haudyourtongue,yeauld-fac\'dknight,Someilldeathmayyedie!
FathermybairnonwhomIwill,I\'llfathernaneonthee.\"
Outthenspakherfatherdear,Andhespakmeekandmild;
\"Andeveralas,sweetJanet,\"hesays.
\"Ithinkthougaeswichild.\"
\"IfthatIgaewi\'child,father,Myselmaunbeartheblame;
There\'sneeralairdaboutyourhaShallgetthebairn\'sname.
\"Ifmylovewereanearthlyknight,Ashe\'sanelfingrey,Iwadnagiemyaintrue-loveFornaelordthatyehae.
\"Thesteedthatmytrue-loveridesonIslighterthanthewind;
WisillerheisshodbeforeWiburninggowdbehind.\"
JanethaskiltedhergreenkirtleAlittleaboonherknee,AndshehassnoodedheryellowhairAlittleaboonherbree,Andshe\'sawa\'toCarterhaugh,Asfastasshecanhie.
WhenshecamtoCarterhaugh,TamLinwasatthewell,Andthereshefandhissteedstanding,Butawaywashimsel.
Shehadnapu\'dadoublerose,Arosebutonlytwa,TillupthenstartedyoungTamLin,Says,\"Lady,thoupu\'snaemae.
\"Whypu\'sthoutherose,Janet,Amangthegrovessaegreen,Anda\'tokilltheboniebabeThatwegatusbetween?\"
\"Otellme,tellme,TamLin,\"shesays,\"For\'ssakethatdiedontree,Ifeeryewasinholychapel,Orchristendomdidsee?\"
\"Roxbrughhewasmygrandfather,Tookmewithhimtobide,AndanceitfelluponadayThatwaedidmebetide.
\"Andanceitfelluponaday,Acaulddayandasnell,Whenwewerefraethehuntingcome,ThatfraemyhorseIfell;
TheQueenoFairiesshecaughtme,Inyongreenhilltodwell.
\"Andpleasantisthefairyland,But,aneerietaletotell,AyattheendofsevenyearsWepayatiendtohell;
Iamsaefairandfu\'ofleshI\'mfeareditbemysel.
\"ButthenightisHalloween,lady,ThemornisHallowday;
Thenwinme,winme,anyewill,ForweelIwatyemay.
\"JustatthemirkandmidnighthourThefairyfolkwillride,Andtheythatwadtheirtruelovewin,AtMilesCrosstheymaunbide.\"
\"ButhowshallItheeken,TamLin,Orhowmytrue-loveknow,AmangsaemonyuncoknightsThelikeIneversaw?\"
\"Ofirstletpasstheblack,lady,Andsyneletpassthebrown,Butquicklyruntothemilk-whitesteed,Puyehisriderdown.
\"ForI\'llrideonthemilk-whitesteed,Andaynearestthetown;
BecauseIwasanearthlyknightTheygiemethatrenown.
\"Myrighthandwillbegloyd,lady,Mylefthandwillbebare,Cocktupshallmybonnetbe,Andkaimddownshallmyhair;
Andthae\'sthetakensIgiethee,NaedoubtIwillbethere.
\"They\'llturnmeinyourarms,lady,Intoaneskandadder;
Butholdmefast,andfearmenot,Iamyourbairn\'sfather.
\"They\'llturnmetoabearsaegrim,Andthenalionbold;
Butholdmefast,andfearmenot,Asyeshallloveyourchild.
\"Againthey\'llturnmeinyourarmsToaredhetgaudofairn;
Butholdmefast,andfearmenot,I\'lldotoyounaeharm.
\"Andlastthey\'llturnmeinyourarmsIntotheburninggleed;
Thenthrowmeintowellwater,Othrowmeinwispeed.
\"AndthenI\'llbeyouraintrue-love,I\'llturnanakedknight;
Thencovermewiyourgreenmantle,Andcovermeoutosight.\"
Gloomy,gloomywasthenight,Andeeriewastheway,AsfairJennyinhergreenmantleToMilesCrossshedidgae.
Aboutthemiddleo\'thenightSheheardthebridlesring;
ThisladywasasgladatthatAsanyearthlything.
Firstshelettheblackpassby,Andsynesheletthebrown;
Butquicklysherantothemilk-whitesteed,Andpu\'dtheriderdown,Saeweelshemindedwhaehedidsay,AndyoungTamLindidwin;
Synecoverdhimwihergreenmantle,Asblythe\'sabirdinspring.
OutthenspaktheQueenoFairies,Outofabushobroom:
\"ThemthathasgottenyoungTamLinHasgottenastatelygroom.\"
OutthenspaktheQueenoFairies,Andanangrywomanwasshe;
\"Shamebetideherill-far\'dface,Andanilldeathmayshedie,Forshe\'staenawathebonniestknightIna\'mycompanie.
\"ButhadIkend,TamLin,\"shesays,\"WhatnowthisnightIsee,Iwadhaetaenoutthytwagreye\'en,Andputintwaeenotree.\"
Ballad:ThomasTheRhymer(Child,PartII.,p.317.)
TrueThomaslayonHuntliebank;
Aferliehespiedwi\'hisee;
Andtherehesawaladybright,ComeridingdownbytheEildonTree.
Herskirtwasothegrass-greensilk,Hermantleothevelvetfyne,Atilkatettofherhorse\'smaneHangfiftysillerbellsandnine.
TrueThomashepulldaffhiscap,Andloutedlowdowntohisknee:
\"Allhail,thoumightyQueenofHeaven!
ForthypeeronearthIneverdidsee.\"
\"Ono,Ono,Thomas,\"shesaid,\"Thatnamedoesnotbelangtome;
IambutthequeenoffairElfland,Thatamhithercometovisitthee.
\"Harpandcarp,Thomas,\"shesaid,\"Harpandcarp,alongwi\'me,Andifyedaretokissmylips,SureofyourbodieIwillbe!\"
\"Betidemeweal,betidemewoe,Thatweirdsallneverdauntonme;
Synehehaskissedherrosylips,AllunderneaththeEildonTree.
\"Now,yemaungowime,\"shesaid,\"TrueThomas,yemaungowime,Andyemaunservemesevenyears,Throwealorwoeasmaychancetobe.\"
Shemountedonhermilk-whitesteed,She\'staenTrueThomasupbehind,Andayewheneerherbriderung,Thesteedflewswifterthanthewind.
Otheyradeon,andfartheron-
Thesteedgaedswifterthanthewind-
Untiltheyreachedadesartwide,Andlivinglandwasleftbehind.
\"Lightdown,lightdown,now,TrueThomas,Andleanyourheaduponmyknee;
Abideandrestalittlespace,AndIwillshewyouferliesthree.
\"Oseeyenotyonnarrowroad,Sothickbesetwiththornsandbriers?
Thatisthepathofrighteousness,Thoafteritbutfewenquires.
\"Andseeyenotthatbraidbraidroad,Thatliesacrossthatlilyleven?
Thatisthepathofwickedness,Thosomecallittheroadtoheaven.
\"Andseenotyethatbonnyroad,Thatwindsabouttheferniebrae?
ThatistheroadtofairElfland,WherethouandIthisnightmaungae.
\"But,Thomas,yemaunholdyourtongue,Whateveryemayhearorsee,For,ifyouspeakwordinElflynland,Ye\'llneergetbacktoyouraincountrie.\"
Otheyradeon,andfartheron,Andtheywadedthroriversaboontheknee,Andtheysawneithersunnormoon,Buttheyheardtheroaringofthesea.
Itwasmirkmirknight,andtherewasnaesternlight,Andtheywadedthroredbludetotheknee;
Fora\'thebludethat\'sshedanearthRinsthrothespringsothatcountrie.
Synetheycameontoagardengreen,Andshepu\'danapplefraeatree:
\"Takethisforthywages,TrueThomas,Itwillgivethetonguethatcanneverlie.\"
\"Mytongueismineain,\"TrueThomassaid,\"Agudelygiftyewadgieme!
Ineitherdoughttobuynorsell,AtfairortrystwhereImaybe.
\"Idoughtneitherspeaktoprinceorpeer,Noraskofgracefromfairladye:\"
\"Nowholdthypeace,\"theladysaid,\"ForasIsay,somustitbe.\"
Hehasgottenacoatoftheevencloth,Andapairofshoesofvelvetgreen,AndtillsevenyearswereganeandpastTrueThomasonearthwasneverseen.
Ballad:\"SirHugh;OrTheJew\'sDaughter\"
(Child,vol.v.)
Four-and-twentybonnyboysWereplayingattheba,AndbyitcamehimsweetSirHugh,Andheplaydo\'erthema\'.
HekickdthebawithhisrightfootAndcatchditwihisknee,Andthrouch-and-throtheJew\'swindowHegardthebonnybaflee.
He\'sdoenhimtotheJew\'scastellAndwalkditroundabout;
AndtherehesawtheJew\'sdaughter,Atthewindowlookingout.
\"Throwdowntheba,yeJew\'sdaughter,Throwdownthebatome!\"
\"Neverabit,\"saystheJew\'sdaughter,\"Tilluptomecomeye.\"
\"HowwillIcomeup?HowcanIcomeup?
HowcanIcometothee?
Forasyedidtomyauldfather,Thesameye\'lldotome.\"
She\'sganetillherfather\'sgarden,Andpu\'danappleredandgreen;
\'Twasa\'towylehimsweetSirHugh,Andtoenticehimin.
She\'sledhiminthroughaedarkdoor,Andsaehasshethronine;
She\'slaidhimonadressing-table,Andstickithimlikeaswine.
Andfirstcameoutthethick,thickblood,Andsynecameoutthethin;
Andsynecameoutthebonnyheart\'sblood;
Therewasnaemairwithin.
She\'srowdhiminacakeolead,Badehimliestillandsleep;
She\'sthrownhiminOurLady\'sdraw-well,Wasfiftyfathomdeep.
Whenbellswererung,andmasswassung,Anda\'thebairnscamehame,Wheneveryladygathameherson,TheLadyMaisrygatnane.
She\'staenhermantleherabout,Hercofferbythehand,Andshe\'sganeouttoseekherson,Andwanderedo\'ertheland.
She\'sdoenhertotheJew\'scastell,Wherea\'werefastasleep:
\"Ginyebethere,mysweetSirHugh,Iprayyoutomespeak.\"
\"Gaehame,gaehame,mymitherdear,Preparemywinding-sheet,AndatthebackomerryLincolnThemornIwillyoumeet.\"
NowLadyMaisryisganehame,Makehimawinding-sheet,AndatthebackomerryLincoln,Thedeadcorpsedidhermeet.
AndathebellsomerryLincolnWithoutmen\'shandswererung,Anda\'thebooksomerryLincolnWerereadwithoutman\'stongue,AndneerwassuchaburialSinAdam\'sdaysbegun.
Ballad:SonDavie!SonDavie!
(Mackay.)
\"Whatbluid\'sthatonthycoatlap?
SonDavie!SonDavie!
Whatbluid\'sthatonthycoatlap?
Andthetruthcometelltome,O.\"
\"Itisthebluidofmygreathawk,Motherlady,Motherlady!
Itisthebluidofmygreathawk,AndthetruthIhaetaldtothee,O.\"
\"Hawk\'sbluidwasne\'ersaered,SonDavie!SonDavie!
Hawk\'sbluidwasne\'ersaered,Andthetruthcometelltome,O.\"
\"Itisthebluidofmygreyhound,Motherlady!Motherlady!
Itisthebluidofmygreyhound,Anditwudnarinforme,O.\"
\"Hound\'sbluidwasne\'ersaered,SonDavie!SonDavie!
Hound\'sbluidwasne\'ersaered,Andthetruthcometelltome,O.\"
\"Itisthebluido\'mybrotherJohn,Motherlady!Motherlady!
Itisthebluido\'mybrotherJohn,AndthetruthIhaetaldtothee,O.\"
\"Whataboutdidthepleabegin?
SonDavie!SonDavie!\"
\"Itbeganaboutthecuttingo\'awillowwand,Thatwouldneverhaebeenatree,O.\"
\"Whatdeathdostthoudesiretodie?
SonDavie!SonDavie!
Whatdeathdostthoudesiretodie?
Andthetruthcometelltome,O.\"
\"I\'llsetmyfootinabottomlessship,Motherlady!motherlady!
I\'llsetmyfootinabottomlessship,Andye\'llneverseemairo\'me,O.\"
\"Whatwiltthouleavetothypoorwife?
SonDavie!SonDavie!\"
\"Griefandsorrowallherlife,Andshe\'llnevergetmairfraeme,O.\"
\"Whatwiltthouleavetothyyoungson?
SonDavie!sonDavie!\"
\"Thewearywarldtowanderupanddown,Andhe\'llnevergetmairo\'me,O.\"
\"Whatwiltthouleavetothymotherdear?
SonDavie!SonDavie!\"
\"Afireo\'coalstoburnherwi\'heartycheer,Andshe\'llnevergetmairo\'me,O.\"
Ballad:TheWifeOfUsher\'sWell(Child,vol.iii.)
TherelivedawifeatUsher\'sWell,Andawealthywifewasshe;
Shehadthreestoutandstalwartsons,Andsentthemoerthesea,Theyhadnabeenaweekfromher,Aweekbutbarelyane,WhenwordcametothecarlinewifeThatherthreesonsweregane.
Theyhadnabeenaweekfromher,Aweekbutbarelythree,WhanwordcametothecarlinwifeThathersonsshe\'dneversee.
\"Iwishthewindmaynevercease,Norfashesintheflood,Tillmythreesonscomehametome,Inearthlyfleshandblood!\"
ItfellabouttheMartinmass,Whannightsarelangandmirk,Thecarlinewife\'sthreesonscamehame,Andtheirhatswereothebirk.
Itneithergrewinsykenorditch,Noryetinonysheugh;
ButatthegatesoParadiseThatbirkgrewfaireneugh.
*****
\"Blowupthefire,mymaidens!
Bringwaterfromthewell;
Fora\'myhouseshallfeastthisnight,Sincemythreesonsarewell.\"
Andshehasmadetothemabed,She\'smadeitlargeandwide;
Andshe\'staenhermantleherabout,Satdownatthebedside.