“O is there na a bonnie bird,
     “Can sing as I can say;
    “Could flee away to my mother’s bower,
     “And tell to fetch Johnie away?”

    The starling flew to his mother’s window stane,
     It whistled and it sang;
    And aye the ower word o’ the tune
     Was—­“Johnie tarries lang!”

  They made a rod o the hazel bush,
   Another o’ the slae-thorn tree,
  And mony mony were the men
   At fetching our Johnie.

  Then out and spak his auld mother,
   And fast her tears did fa’—­
  “Ye wad nae be warned, my son Johnie,
   “Frae the hunting to bide awa.

  “Aft hae I brought to Breadislee,
   “The less gear[D] and the mair,
  “But I ne’er brought to Breadislee,
   “What grieved my heart sae sair!

  “But wae betyde that silly auld carle! 
   “An ill death shall he die! 
  “For the highest tree in Merriemass
   “Shall be his morning’s fee.”

  Now Johnie’s gude bend bow is broke,
   And his gude graie dogs are slain;
  And his body lies dead in Durrisdeer,
   And his hunting it is done.

[Footnote A:  Ling—­Heath.]

[Footnote B:  Brytlled—­To cut up venison.  See the ancient ballad of Chevy Chace, v. 8.]

[Footnote C:  Scroggs—­Stunted trees.]

[Footnote D:  Gear—­Usually signifies goods, but here spoil.]

KATHERINE JANFARIE.

The Ballad was published in the first edition of this work, under the title of “The Laird of Laminton.” It is now given in a more perfect state, from several recited copies.  The residence of the Lady, and the scene of the affray at her bridal, is said, by old people, to have been upon the banks of the Cadden, near to where it joins the Tweed.  Others say the skirmish was fought near Traquair, and KATHERINE JANFARIE’S dwelling was in the glen, about three miles above Traquair house.

  There was a may, and a weel far’d may.,
   Lived high up in yon glen;
  Her name was Katherine Janfarie,
   She was courted by mony men.

  Up then came Lord Lauderdale,
   Up frae the Lawland border;
  And he has come to court this may,
   A’ mounted in good order.

  He told na her father, he told na her mother,
   And he told na ane o’ her kin;
  But he whisper’d the bonnie lassie hersel’,
   And has her favour won.

  But out then cam Lord Lochinvar,
   Out frae the English border,
  All for to court this bonnie may,
   Weil mounted, and in order.

  He told her father, he told her mother,
   And a’ the lave o’ her kin;
  But he told na the bonnie may hersel’,
   Till on her wedding e’en.

  She sent to the Lord of Lauderdale,
   Gin he wad come and see;
  And he has sent word back again,
   Weel answered she suld be.