Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 315 pages of information about Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 2.

Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 2 eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 315 pages of information about Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 2.

  “Before the turf, where I now stand,
     “The fause nurse buried me;
  “Thy cruel penknife sticks still in my heart,
     “And I come not back to thee.”

[Footnote A:  Propine—­Usually gift, but here the power of giving or bestowing.]

* * * * *

LORD WILLIAM

This ballad was communicated to me by Mr James Hogg; and, although it bears a strong resemblance to that of Earl Richard, so strong, indeed, as to warrant a supposition, that the one has been derived from the other, yet its intrinsic merit seems to warrant its insertion.  Mr Hogg has added the following note, which, in the course of my enquiries, I have found most fully corroborated.

“I am fully convinced of the antiquity of this song; for, although much of the language seems somewhat modernized, this must be attributed to its currency, being much liked, and very much sung, in this neighbourhood.  I can trace it back several generations, but cannot hear of its ever having been in print.  I have never heard it with any considerable variation, save that one reciter called the dwelling of the feigned sweetheart, Castleswa.”

LORD WILLIAM

  Lord William was the bravest knight
     That dwait in fair Scotland,
  And, though renowned in France and Spain,
     Fell by a ladie’s hand.

  As she was walking maid alone,
    Down by yon shady wood. 
  She heard a smit[A] o’ bridle reins,
    She wish’d might be for good.

  “Come to my arms, my dear Willie,
     “You’re welcome hame to me;
  “To best o’ chear and charcoal red,[B]
  “And candle burnin’ free.”

  “I winna light, I darena light,
     “Nor come to your arms at a’;
  “A fairer maid than ten o’ you,
     “I’ll meet at Castle-law.”

  “A fairer maid than me, Willie! 
     “A fairer maid than me! 
  “A fairer maid than ten o’ me,
     “Your eyes did never see.”

  He louted owr his saddle lap,
     To kiss her ere they part,
  And wi’ a little keen bodkin,
     She pierced him to the heart.

  “Ride on, ride on, lord William, now,
     “As fast as ye can dree! 
  “Your bonny lass at Castle-law
     “Will weary you to see.”

  Out up then spake a bonny bird,
     Sat high upon a tree,—­
  How could you kill that noble lord? 
     “He came to marry thee.”

  “Come down, come down, my bonny bird,
     “And eat bread aff my hand! 
  “Your cage shall be of wiry goud,
     “Whar now its but the wand.”

  “Keep ye your cage o’ goud, lady,
     “And I will keep my tree;
  “As ye hae done to lord William.,
     “Sae wad ye do to me.”

  She set her foot on her door step,
     A bonny marble stane;
  And carried him to her chamber,
     O’er him to make her mane.

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Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, Volume 2 from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.