24. When he did look that lady upon, He sighd and made a heavy moan. 25. He's taen three locks o her yallow hair, An wi them strung his harp sae fair. 26. The first tune he did play and sing, Was, "Farewell to my father the king." 27. The nextin tune that he playd syne,1 Was, "Farewell to my mother the queen." 28. The lasten tune that he playd then, Was, "Wae 2 to my sister, fair Ellen." THE CRUEL BROTHER 1. There was three ladies playd at the ba,3 With a hey ho and a lillie gay There came a knight and played oer them a'. As the primrose spreads so sweetly. 2. The eldest was baith tall and fair, But the youngest was beyond compare. 3. The midmost had a graceful mien, But the youngest lookd like beautie's queen. 4. The knight bowd low to a' the three, But to the youngest he bent his knee. 5. The ladie turned her head aside, The knight he woo'd her to be his bride. 6. The ladie blushd a rosy red, And sayd, "Sir knight, I'm too young to wed." 7. "O ladie fair, give me your hand, And I'll make you ladie of a' my land." 20. "O lead me gently up yon hill, And I'll there sit down, and make my will." 21. "O what will you leave to your father dear?" "The silver-shode steed that brought me here." 22. "What will you leave to your mother dear?" "My velvet pall and my silken gear." 1 23. "What will you leave to your sister Anne?" "My silken scarf and my gowden fan." 24. "What will you leave to your sister Grace?" . "My bloody cloaths to wash and dress." 25. "What will you leave to your brother John?" "The gallows-tree to hang him on." 26. "What will you leave to your brother John's wife?" "The wilderness to end her life." 27. This ladie fair in her grave was laid, And many a mass was oer her said. 28. But it would have made your heart right sair, To see the bridegroom rive his haire. EDWARD 1. "Why dois your brand sae drap wi bluid,2 Edward, Edward, Why dois your brand sae drap wi bluid, And why sae 3 sad gang yee O?" "O I hae killed my hauke sae guid, Mither, mither, 1 crows * moan I 2 8 go 2. .109 "In behint yon auld fail dyke,* I wot there lies a new slain knight; And naebody kens that he lies. there, But his hawk, his hound, and lady fair. 3. "His hound is to the hunting gane, His hawk to fetch the wild-fowl hame, His lady's ta'en another mate, 4. "Ye'll sit on his white hause-bane," And I'll pike out his bonny blue 7 een; 8 Wi ae lock o his gowden hair We'll theek our nest when it grows bare. 5. "Mony a one for him makes mane, But nane sall ken where he is gane; Oer his white banes, when they are bare, The wind sall blaw for evermair." THOMAS RYMER AND THE QUEEN OF ELFLAND 1. True Thomas lay oer yond grassy bank, And he beheld a ladie gay, 2. Her skirt was of the grass-green silk, 3. True Thomas he took off his hat, And bowed him low down till his knee: • turf wall knows neck-bone eyes 8 thatch hillside 10 lock |