[Footnote 99: Wrestle.]
[Footnote 100: Love.]
BABYLON; OR THE BONNIE BANKS O’ FORDIE
1. There were three ladies
lived in a bower,
Eh vow bonnie,
And they went out to pull a flower
On the bonnie banks o’ Fordie.
2. They hadna pu’ed
a flower but ane,
When
up started to them a banisht man.
3. He’s ta’en
the first sister by her hand,
And
he’s turned her round and made her stand.
4. “It’s
whether will ye be a rank robber’s wife,
Or
will ye die by my wee pen-knife?”
5. “It’s
I’ll not be a rank robber’s wife,
But
I’ll rather die by your wee pen-knife!”
6. He’s killed
this may, and he’s laid her by,
For
to bear the red rose company.
7. He’s taken the second
ane by the hand,
And he’s turned her round and made her
stand.
8. “It’s whether
will ye be a rank robber’s wife,
Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?”
9. “I’ll not
be a rank robber’s wife,
But I’ll rather die by your wee pen-knife.”
10. He’s killed this
may, and he’s laid her by,
For to bear the red rose company.
11. He’s taken the
youngest ane by the hand,
And he’s turned her round and made
her stand.
12. Says, “Will ye
be a rank robber’s wife,
Or will ye die by my wee pen-knife?”
13. “I’ll not
be a rank robber’s wife,
Nor will I die by your wee pen-knife.”
14. “For I hae a brother
in this wood,
And gin ye kill me, it’s he’ll
kill thee.”
15. “What’s thy
brother’s name? Come tell to me.”
“My brother’s name is Baby Lon.”
16. “O sister, sister,
what have I done!
O have I done this ill to thee!”
17. “O since I’ve
done this evil deed,
Good sall never be seen o’ me.”
18. He’s taken out
his wee pen-knife,
And he’s twyned[101] himsel o’
his own sweet life.
[Footnote 101: Parted, deprived.]
CHILDE MAURICE[102]
1. Childe Maurice hunted
i’ the silver wood,
He hunted it round about,
And noebodye that he found therein,
Nor none there was without.
2. He says, “Come hither,
thou little foot-page,
That runneth lowlye by my knee,
For thou shalt goe to John Steward’s
wife
And pray her speake with me.”
3. “....
....
I, and greete thou doe that ladye well,
Ever soe well fro me.”
4. “And, as it falls,
as many times
As knots beene knit on a kell[103],
Or marchant men gone to leeve London
Either to buy ware or sell.”
5. “And, as it falles,
as many times
As any hart can thinke,
Or schoole-masters are in any schoole-house
Writing with pen and inke:
For if I might, as well as she may,
This night I would with her speake.”
6. “And heere I send
her a mantle of greene,
As greene as any grasse,
And bid her come to the silver wood,
To hunt with Child Maurice.”