{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/child/ch065.htm","path":"neu/eng/child/ch065.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/child/ch065.htm","text":"65A.1 THE young lords o the north country\nHave all a wooing gone,\nTo win the love of Lady Maisry,\nBut o them she woud hae none.\n65A.2 O they hae courted Lady Maisry\nWi a\u2019 kin kind of things;\nAn they hae sought her Lady Maisry\nWi brotches an wi\u2019 rings.\n65A.3 An they ha sought her Lady Maisry\nFrae father and frae mother;\nAn they ha sought her Lady Maisry\nFrae sister an frae brother.\n65A.4 An they ha followd her Lady Maisry\nThro chamber an thro ha;\nBut a\u2019 that they coud say to her,\nHer answer still was Na.\n65A.5 \u2018O had your tongues, young men,\u2019 she says,\n\u2018An think nae mair o me;\nFor I\u2019ve gien my love to an English lord,\nAn think nae mair o me.\u2019\n65A.6 Her father\u2019s kitchy-boy heard that,\nAn ill death may he dee!\nAn he is on to her brother,\nAs fast as gang coud he.\n65A.7 \u2018O is my father an my mother well,\nBut an my brothers three?\nGin my sister Lady Maisry be well,\nThere\u2019s naething can ail me.\u2019\n65A.8 \u2018Your father and your mother is well,\nBut an your brothers three;\nYour sister Lady Maisry\u2019s well,\nSo big wi bairn gangs she.\u2019\n65A.9 \u2018Gin this be true you tell to me,\nMy mailison light on thee!\nBut gin it be a lie you tell,\nYou sal be hangit hie.\u2019\n65A.10 He\u2019s done him to his sister\u2019s bowr,\nWi meikle doole an care;\nAn there he saw her Lady Maisry,\nKembing her yallow hair.\n65A.11 \u2018O wha is aught that bairn,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018That ye sae big are wi\u2019\nAnd gin ye winna own the truth,\nThis moment ye sall dee.\u2019\n65A.12 She turnd her right an roun about,\nAn the kem fell frae her han;\nA trembling seizd her fair body,\nAn her rosy cheek grew wan.\n65A.13 \u2018O pardon me, my brother dear,\nAn the truth I\u2019ll tell to thee;\nMy bairn it is to Lord William,\nAn he is betrothd to me.\u2019\n65A.14 \u2018O coud na ye gotten dukes, or lords,\nIntill your ain country,\nThat ye draw up wi an English dog,\nTo bring this shame on me?\n65A.15 \u2018But ye maun gi up the English lord,\nWhan youre young babe is born;\nFor, gin you keep by him an hour langer,\nYour life sall be forlorn.\u2019\n65A.16 \u2018I will gi up this English blood,\nTill my young babe be born;\nBut the never a day nor hour langer,\nTho my life should be forlorn.\u2019\n65A.17 \u2018O whare is a\u2019 my merry young men,\nWhom I gi meat and fee,\nTo pu the thistle and the thorn,\nTo burn this wile whore wi?\u2019\n65A.18 \u2018O whare will I get a bonny boy,\nTo help me in my need,\nTo rin wi hast to Lord William,\nAnd bid him come wi speed?\u2019\n65A.19 O out it spake a bonny boy,\nStood by her brother\u2019s side:\n\u2018O I would rin your errand, lady,\nOer a\u2019 the world wide.\n65A.20 \u2018Aft have I run your errands, lady,\nWhan blawn baith win and weet;\nBut now I\u2019ll rin your errand, lady,\nWi sat tears on my cheek.\u2019\n65A.21 O whan he came to broken briggs,\nHe bent his bow and swam,\nAn whan he came to the green grass growin,\nHe slackd his shoone and ran.\n65A.22 O whan he came to Lord William\u2019s gates,\nHe baed na to chap or ca,\nBut set his bent bow till his breast,\nAn lightly lap the wa;\nAn, or the porter was at the gate,\nThe boy was i the ha.\n65A.23 \u2018O is my biggins broken, boy?\nOr is my towers won?\nOr is my lady lighter yet,\nOf a dear daughter or son?\u2019\n65A.24 \u2018Your biggin is na broken, sir,\nNor is your towers won;\nBut the fairest lady in a\u2019 the lan\nFor you this day maun burn.\u2019\n65A.25 \u2018O saddle me the black, the black,\nOr saddle me the brown;\nO saddle me the swiftest steed\nThat ever rade frae a town.\u2019\n65A.26 Or he was near a mile awa,\nShe heard his wild horse sneeze:\n\u2018Mend up the fire, my false brother,\nIt\u2019s na come to my knees.\u2019\n65A.27 han he lighted at the gate,\nShe heard his bridle ring:\n\u2018Mend up the fire, my false brother,\nIt\u2019s far yet frae my chin.\n65A.28 \u2018Mend up the fire to me, brother,\nMend up the fire to me;\nFor I see him comin hard an fast\nWill soon men\u2019t up to thee.\n65A.29 \u2018O gin my hands had been loose, Willy,\nSae hard as they are boun,\nI would have turnd me frae the gleed,\nAnd castin out your young son.\u2019\n65A.30 \u2018O I\u2019ll gar burn for you, Maisry,\nYour father an your mother;\nAn I\u2019ll gar burn for you, Maisry,\nYour sister an your brother.\n65A.31 \u2018An I\u2019ll gar burn for you, Maisry,\nThe chief of a\u2019 your kin;\nAn the last bonfire that I come to,\nMysel I will cast in.\u2019\n65B: Lady Maisry\n65B.1 IN came her sister,\nStepping on the floor;\nSays, It\u2019s telling me, my sister Janet,\nThat you\u2019re become a whore.\n65B.2 \u2018A whore, sister, a whore, sister?\nThat\u2019s what I\u2019ll never be;\nI\u2019m no so great a whore, sister,\nAs liars does on me lee.\n65B.3 In came her brother,\nStepping on the floor;\nSays, It\u2019s telling me, my sister Janet,\nThat you\u2019re become a whore.\u2019\n65B.4 \u2018A whore, brother, a whore, brother?\nA whore I\u2019ll never be;\nI\u2019m no so bad a woman, brother,\nAs liears does on me lee.\u2019\n65B.5 In came her mother,\nStepping on the floor:\n\u2018They are telling me, my daughter,\nThat you\u2019re so soon become a whore.\u2019\n65B.6 \u2018A whore, mother, a whore, mother?\nA whore I\u2019ll never be;\nI\u2019m only with child to an English lord,\nWho promised to marry me.\u2019\n65B.7 In came her father,\nStepping on the floor;\nSays, They tell me, my daughter Janet,\nThat you are become a whore.\u2019\n65B.8 \u2018A whore, father, a whore, father?\nA whore I\u2019ll never be;\nI\u2019m but with child to an English lord,\nWho promisd to marry me.\u2019\n65B.9 Then in it came an old woman,\nThe lady\u2019s nurse was she,\nAnd ere she could get out a word\nThe tear blinded her ee.\n65B.10 \u2018Your father\u2019s to the fire, Janet,\nYour brother\u2019s to the whin;\nAll for to kindle a bold bonfire,\nTo burn your body in.\u2019\n65B.11 \u2018Where will I get a boy,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Will gain gold for his fee,\nThat would run unto fair England\nFor thy good lord to thee.\u2019\n65B.12 \u2018O I have here a boy,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Will gain gold to his fee,\nFor he will run to fair England\nFor thy good lord to thee.\u2019\n65B.13 Now when he found a bridge broken,\nHe bent his bow and swam,\nAnd when he got where grass did grow,\nHe slacked it and ran.\n65B.14 And when he came to that lord\u2019s gate,\nStopt not to knock or call,\nBut set his bent bow to his breast\nAnd lightly leapt the wall;\nAnd ere the porter could open the gate,\nThe boy was in the hall,\n65B.15 In presence of that noble lord,\nAnd fell down on his knee:\n\u2018What is it, my boy,\u2019 he cried,\n\u2018Have you brought unto me?\n65B.16 \u2018Is my building broke into?\nOr is my towers won?\nOr is my true-love delivered\nOf daughter or of son?\u2019\n65B.17 \u2018Your building is not broke,\u2019 he cried,\n\u2018Nor is your towers won,\nNor is your true-love delivered\nOf daughter nor of son;\nBut if you do not come in haste,\nBe sure she will be gone.\n65B.18 \u2018Her father is gone to the fire,\nHer brother to the whin,\nTo kindle up a bold bonfire,\nTo burn her body in.\u2019\n65B.19 \u2018Go saddle to me the black,\u2019 he cried,\n\u2018And do it very soon;\nGet unto me the swiftest horse\nThat ever rade from the town.\u2019\n65B.20 The first horse that he rade upon,\nFor he was raven black,\nHe bore him far, and very far,\nBut failed in a slack.\n65B.21 The next horse that he rode upon,\nHe was a bonny brown;\nHe bore him far, and very far,\nBut did at last fall down.\n65B.22 The next horse that he rode upon,\nHe as the milk was white;\nFair fall the mare that foaled that foal.\nTook him to Janet\u2019s sight!\n65B.23 And boots and spurs, all as he was,\nInto the fire he lap,\nGot one kiss of her comely mouth,\nWhile her body gave a crack.\n65B.24 \u2018O who has been so bold,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018This bonfire to set on?\nOr who has been so bold,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018Her body for to burn?\u2019\n65B.25 \u2018O here are we,\u2019 her brother said,\n\u2018This bonfire who set on;\nAnd we have been so bold,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018Her body for to burn.\u2019\n65B.26 \u2018O I\u2019ll cause burn for you, Janet,\nYour father and your mother;\nAnd I\u2019ll cause die for you, Janet,\nYour sister and your brother.\n65B.27 \u2018And I\u2019ll cause mony back be bare,\nAnd mony shed be thin,\nAnd mony wife be made a widow,\nAnd mony ane want their son.\u2019\n65C: Lady Maisry\n65C.1 BEN came to her father dear,\nStepping upon the floor;\nSays, It\u2019s told me, my daughter Janet,\nThat you\u2019re now become a whore.\n65C.2 \u2018A whore, father, a whore, father?\nThat\u2019s what I\u2019ll never be,\nTho I am with bairn to an English lord,\nThat first did marry me.\u2019\n65C.3 Soon after spoke her bower-woman,\nAnd sorely did she cry:\n\u2018Oh woe is me, my lady fair,\nThat ever I saw this day!\n65C.4 \u2018For your father\u2019s to the fire, Janet,\nYour brother\u2019s to the whin,\nEven to kindle a bold bonefire,\n65C.5 \u2018Where will I get a bonnie boy,\nWill win gold to his fee,\nThat will run on to fair England\nFor my good lord to me?\u2019\n65C.6 \u2018Oh here am I, your waiting-boy,\nWould win gold to my fee,\nAnd will carry any message for you,\nBy land or yet by sea.\u2019\n65C.7 And when he fand the bridges broke,\nHe bent his bow and swam,\nBut when he fand the grass growing,\nHe slacked it and ran.\n65C.8 And when he came to that lord\u2019s gate,\nStopt not to knock nor call,\nBut set his bent bow to his breast,\nAnd lightly lap the wall.\n65C.9 And ere the porter was at the gate\nThe boy was in the hall,\nAnd in that noble lord\u2019s presence\nHe on his knee did fall.\n65C.10 \u2018O is my biggins broken?\u2019 he said,\n\u2018Or is my towers won?\nOr is my lady lighter yet,\nOf daughter of or son?\u2019\n65C.11 \u2018Your biggins are not broken,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018Nor is your towers won,\nNor is your lady lighter yet,\nOf daughter or of son;\nBut if you stay a little time\nHer life it will be gone.\n65C.12 \u2018For her father\u2019s gone to the fire,\nHer brother to the whin,\nEven to kindle a bold bonfire,\nTo burn her body in.\u2019\n65C.13 \u2018Go saddle for me in haste,\u2019 he cried,\n\u2018A brace of horses soon;\nGo saddle for me the swiftest steeds\nThat ever rode to a town.\u2019\n65C.14 The first steed that he rade on,\nFor he was as jet black,\nHe rode him far, and very far,\nBut he fell down in a slack.\n65C.15 The next steed that he rode on,\nFor he was a berry brown;\nHe bore him far, and very far,\nBut at the last fell down.\n65C.16 The next steed that he rode on,\nHe was as milk so white;\nFair fall the mare that foaled the foal\nTook him to Janet\u2019s lyke!\n65C.17 But boots and spurs, all as he was,\nInto the fire he lap,\nTook ae kiss of her comely mouth,\nWhile her body gave a crack.\n65C.18 \u2018O who has been so bold,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018This bonfire to set on?\nOr who has been so bold,\u2019 he cried,\n\u2018My true-love for to burn?\u2019\n65C.19 Her father cried, I\u2019ve been so bold\nThis bonefire to put on;\nHer brother cried, We\u2019ve been so bold\nHer body for to burn.\n65C.20 \u2018Oh I shall hang for you, Janet,\nYour father and your brother;\nAnd I shall burn for you, Janet,\nYour sister and your mother.\n65C.21 \u2018Oh I shall make many bed empty,\nAnd many shed be thin,\nAnd many a wife to be a widow,\nAnd many one want their son.\n65C.22 \u2018Then I shall take a cloak of cloth,\nA staff made of the wand,\nAnd the boy who did your errand run\nShall be heir of my land.\u2019\n65D: Lady Maisry\n65D.1 LADY MARGERY was her mother\u2019s ain daughter,\nAnd her father\u2019s only heir,\nAnd she\u2019s away to Strawberry Castle,\nTo learn some unco lair.\n65D.2 She hadna been in Strawberry Castle\nA year but only three,\nTill she has proved as big with child,\nAs big as woman could be.\n65D.3 Word has to her father gone,\nAs he pat on his shoon,\nThat Lady Margery goes wi child,\nUnto some English loon.\n65D.4 Word has to her mother gane,\nAs she pat on her gown,\nThat Lady Margery goes wi child,\nUnto some English loon.\n65D.5 The father he likes her ill,\nThe mother she likes her waur,\nBut her father he wished her in a fire strang,\nTo burn for ever mair.\n* * * * *\n65D.6 \u2018Will ye hae this auld man, Lady Margery,\nTo be yeer warldly make?\nOr will ye burn in fire strang,\nFor your true lover\u2019s sake?\u2019\n65D.7 \u2018I wunna hae that old, old man\nTo be my worldly make,\nBut I will burn in fire strang,\nFor my true lover\u2019s sake.\u2019\n65D.8 \u2018O who will put of the pot?\nO who will put of the pan?\nAnd who will build a bale-fire,\nTo burn her body in.\u2019\n65D.9 The brother took of the pot,\nThe sister took of the pan,\nAnd her mother builded a bold bale-fire,\nTo burn her body in.\n65D.10 \u2018O where will I get a bony boy\nThat will run my errand soon?\nThat will run to Strawberry Castle,\nAnd tell my love to come soon?\u2019\n65D.11 But then started up a little boy,\nNear to that lady\u2019s kin:\n\u2018Often have I gane your errands, madam,\nBut now it is time to rin.\u2019\n65D.12 O when he came to Strawberry Castle,\nHe tirled at the pin;\nThere was nane sae ready as that lord himsell\nTo let the young body in.\n65D.13 \u2018O is my towers broken?\nOr is my castle wone?\nOr is my lady Margery lighter\nOf a daughter or a son?\u2019\n65D.14 \u2018Your towers are not broken,\nNor is your castle wone;\nBut the fairest lady of a\u2019 the land\nFor thee this day does burn.\u2019\n65D.15 \u2018Go saddle for me the black, black horse,\nGo saddle to me the brown;\nGo saddle to me as swift a steed\nAs ever man rade on.\u2019\n65D.16 They saddled to him the black horse,\nThey saddled to him the brown;\nThey\u2019ve saddled to him as swift a steed\nAs ever man rade on.\n65D.17 He put his foot into the stirrup,\nHe bounded for to ride;\nThe silver buttons lap of his breast,\nAnd his nose began to bleed.\n65D.18 He bursted fifteen gude stout steeds,\nAnd four o them were dappled gray,\nAnd the little foot-page ran aye before,\nCrying, Mend it, an ye may!\n65D.19 When he came to the bale-fire,\nHe lighted wi a glent,\nWi black boots and clean spurs,\nAnd through the fire he went.\n65D.20 He laid ae arm about her neck,\nAnd the other beneath her chin;\nHe thought to get a kiss o her,\nBut her middle it gade in twain.\n65D.21 \u2018But who has been so false,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018And who has been sae cruel,\nTo carry the timber from my ain wood\nTo burn my dearest jewel?\n65D.22 \u2018But I\u2019ll burn for ye, Lady Margery,\nYeer father and yeer mother;\nAnd I\u2019ll burn for ye, Lady Margery,\nYeer sister and yeer brother.\n65D.23 \u2018I\u2019ll do for ye, Lady Margery,\nWhat never was done for nane;\nI\u2019ll make many lady lemanless,\nAnd many a clothing thin.\n65D.24 \u2018And I\u2019ll burn for yeer sake, Lady Margery,\nThe town that yeer burnt in,\nAnd [make] many a baby fatherless,\nThat\u2019s naething o the blame.\u2019\n65E: Lady Maisry\n65E.1 LADY MARJORY was her mother\u2019s only daughter,\nHer father\u2019s only heir, O\nAnd she is awa to Strawberry Castle,\nTo get some unco lair. O\n65E.2 She had na been in Strawberry Castle\nA twelve month and a day,\nTill Lady Marjory she gaes wi child,\nAs big as she can gae.\n65E.3 Word is to her father gone,\nBefore he got on his shoon,\nThat Lady Marjory she gaes wi child,\nAnd it is to an Irish groom.\n65E.4 But word is to her mother gane,\nBefore that she gat on her gown,\nThat Lady Marjorie she goes wi child,\nTo a lord of high renown.\n65E.5 \u2018O wha will put on the pot?\u2019 they said,\n\u2018Or wha will put on the pan?\nOr wha will put on a bauld, bauld fire,\nTo burn Lady Marjorie in?\u2019\n65E.6 Her father he put on the pot,\nHer sister put on the pan,\nAnd her brother he put on a bauld, bauld fire,\nTo burn Lady Marjorie in;\nAnd her mother she sat in a golden chair,\nTo see her daughter burn.\n65E.7 \u2018But where will I get a pretty little boy,\nThat will win hose and shoon,\nThat will go quickly to Strawberry Castle\nAnd bid my lord come doun?\u2019\n65E.8 \u2018O here am I a pretty boy,\nThat\u2019ll win hose and shoon,\nThat will rin quickly to Strawberry Castle,\nAnd bid thy lord come doun.\u2019\n65E.9 O when he came to broken brigs,\nHe bent his bow and swam,\nAnd when he came to good dry land,\nHe let down his foot and ran.\n65E.10 When he came to Strawberry Castle,\nHe tirled at the pin;\nNone was so ready as the gay lord himsell\nTo open and let him in.\n65E.11 \u2018O is there any of my towers burnt?\nOr any of my castles broken?\nOr is Lady Marjorie brought to bed,\nOf a daughter or a son?\u2019\n65E.12 \u2018O there is nane of thy towers burnt,\nNor nane of thy castles broken,\nBut Lady Marjorie is condemned to die,\nTo be burnt in a fire of oaken.\u2019\n65E.13 \u2018O gar saddle to me the black,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018Gar saddle to me the brown;\nGar saddle to me the swiftest steed\nThat eer carried a man from town.\u2019\n65E.14 He left the black into the slap,\nThe brown into the brae,\nBut fair fa that bonny apple-gray\nThat carried this gay lord away!\n65E.15 He took a little horn out of his pocket,\nAnd he blew \u2019t both loud and shrill,\nAnd the little life that was in her,\nShe hearkend to it full weel.\n65E.16 \u2018Beet on, beet on, my brother dear,\nI value you not one straw,\nFor yonder comes my own true-love,\nI hear his horn blaw.\n65E.17 \u2018Beet on, beet on, my father dear,\nI value you not a pin,\nFor yonder comes my own true-love,\nI hear his bridle ring.\u2019\n65E.18 But when he came into the place,\nHe lap unto the wa;\nHe thought to get a kiss o her bonny lips,\nBut her body fell in twa.\n65E.19 \u2018Oh vow, oh vow, oh vow,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018Oh vow but ye\u2019ve been cruel!\nYe\u2019ve taken the timber out of my own wood\nAnd burnt my ain dear jewel.\n65E.20 \u2018Now for thy sake, Lady Marjorie,\nI\u2019ll burn both father and mother;\nAnd for thy sake, Lady Marjorie,\nI\u2019ll burn both sister and brother.\n65E.21 \u2018And for thy sake, Lady Marjorie,\nI\u2019ll burn both kith and kin;\nBut I will remember the pretty little boy\nThat did thy errand rin.\u2019\n65F: Lady Maisry\n65F.1 FAIR MARJORYRR\u2019rrS gaen into the school,\nBetween six and seven,\nAn she\u2019s come back richt big wi bairn,\nBetween twalve and eleven.\n65F.2 It\u2019s out then sprung her mither dear,\nStood stately on the flure:\n\u2018Ye\u2019re welcum back, young Marjory,\nBut ye\u2019re sune becum a hure.\u2019\n65F.3 \u2018I\u2019m not a hure, mither,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Nor ever intend to be;\nBut I\u2019m wi child to a gentleman,\nAn he swears he\u2019ll marry me.\u2019\n65F.4 [It\u2019s out then sprung her father dear,\nStood stately on the flure:\n\u2018Ye\u2019re welcum back, young Marjory,\nBut ye\u2019re sune becum a hure.\u2019\n65F.5 \u2018I\u2019m not a hure, father,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Nor ever intend to be;\nBut I\u2019m wi child to a gentleman,\nAn he swears he will marry me.\u2019\n65F.6 It\u2019s out then sprung her brother dear,\nStood stately on the flure:\n\u2018Ye\u2019re welcum back, young Marjory,\nBut ye\u2019re sune becum a hure.\u2019\n65F.7 \u2018I\u2019m not a hure, brother,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Nor ever intend to be;\nBut I\u2019m wi child to a gentleman,\nAn he swears he will marry me.\u2019\n65F.8 It\u2019s out then sprung her sister dear,\nStood stately on the flure:\n\u2018Ye\u2019re welcum back, young Marjory,\nBut ye\u2019re sune becum a hure.\u2019\n65F.9 \u2018I\u2019m not a hure, sister,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018Nor ever intend to be;]\nYe\u2019re but a young woman, sister,\nAn ye shuld speak sparinlie.\u2019\n65F.10 Her father\u2019s to the grene-wude gaen,\nHer brither\u2019s to the brume;\nAn her mither sits in her gowden chair,\nTo see her dochter burn.\n* * * * *\n65F.11 . . . . . .\n. . . . .\nThe sister she culd do naething,\nAnd she sat down to greet.\n65F.12 \u2018Oh whare will I get a bonny boy,\nThat will win hose an shoon,\nThat wull rin to Strawberry Castle for me,\nAnd bid my true-love come?\u2019\n65F.13 It\u2019s out than spak a bonny boy,\nThat stude richt at her knee:\n\u2018It\u2019s I wull rin your errand, ladie,\nWi the saut tear i my ee.\u2019\n65F.14 It\u2019s whan he cam to broken brigg,\nHe bent his bow an swam,\nAn whan he cam whare green grass grew,\nSet doon his feet an ran.\n65F.15 An whan he cam to Strawberry Castle,\nHe thirled at the pin,\nAn aye sae ready as the porter was\nTo rise and let him in.\n* * * * *\n65F.16 \u2018Gae saddle to me the black,\u2019 he says,\n\u2018Gae saddle to me the broun;\nGae saddle to me the swiftest steed\nThat eer set fute on grun.\u2019\n65F.17 It\u2019s first he burst the bonny black,\nAn syne the bonny broun,\nBut the dapple-gray rade still away,\nTill he cam to the toun.\n65F.18 An aye he rade, an aye he rade,\nAn aye away he flew,\nTill the siller buttons flew off his coat;\nHe took out his horn an blew.\n65F.19 An aye he blew, an aye he blew,\nHe blew baith loud an shrill,\nAn the little life that Marjory had,\nShe heard his horn blaw weel.\n65F.20 \u2018Beik on, beik on, cruel mither,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018For I value you not a straw;\nFor if ever I heard my love in my life,\nHe\u2019s comin here awa.\u2019\n* * * * *\n65F.21 When he cam unto the flames\nHe jamp in, butes and a\u2019;\nHe thocht to hae kissd her red rosy lips,\nBut her body broke in twa.\n* * * * *\n65F.22 I\u2019ll burn for thy sake, Marjory,\nThe toun that thou lies in;\nAn I\u2019ll mak the baby fatherless,\nFor I\u2019ll throw mysel therein.\n65G: Lady Maisry\n65G.1 * * * *\n\u2018MY father was the first good man\nWho tied me to a stake;\nMy mother was the first good woman\nWho did the fire make.\n65G.2 \u2018My brother was the next good man\nWho did the fire fetch;\nMy sister was the next good woman\nWho lighted it with a match.\n65G.3 \u2018They blew the fire, they kindled the fire,\nTill it did reach my knee:\n\"[O mother, mother, quench the fire!\nThe smoke will smother me.\"]\n65G.4 \u2018O had I but my little foot-page,\nMy errand he would run;\nHe would run unto gay London,\nAnd bid my lord come home.\u2019\n65G.5 Then there stood by her sister\u2019s child,\nHer own dear sister\u2019s son:\n\u2018O many an errand I\u2019ve run for thee,\nAnd but this one I\u2019ll run.\u2019\n65G.6 He ran, where the bridge was broken down\nHe bent his bow and swam;\nHe swam till he came to the good green turf,\nHe up on his feet and ran.\n65G.7 He ran till he came at his uncle\u2019s hall;\nHis uncle sat at his meat:\n\u2018Good mete, good mete, good uncle, I pray,\nO if you knew what I\u2019d got to say,\nHow little would you eat!\u2019\n65G.8 \u2018O is my castle broken down,\nOr is my tower won?\nOr is my gay lady brought o bed,\nOf a daughter or a son?\u2019\n65G.9 \u2018Your castle is not broken down,\nYour tower it is not won;\nYour gay lady is not brought to bed,\nOf a daughter or a son.\n65G.10 \u2018But she has sent you a gay gold ring,\nWith a posy round the rim,\nTo know, if you have any love for her,\nYou\u2019ll come to her burning.\u2019\n65G.11 He called down his merry men all,\nBy one, by two, by three;\nHe mounted on his milk-white steed,\nTo go to Margery.\n65G.12 They blew the fire, they kindled the fire,\nTill it did reach her head:\n\u2018O mother, mother, quench the fire!\nFor I am nearly dead.\u2019\n65G.13 She turned her head on her left shoulder,\nSaw her girdle hang on the tree:\n\u2018O God bless them that gave me that!\nThey\u2019ll never give more to me.\u2019\n65G.14 She turned her head on her right shoulder,\nSaw her lord come riding home:\n\u2018O quench the fire, my dear mother!\nFor I am nearly gone.\u2019\n65G.15 He mounted off his milk-white steed,\nAnd into the fire he ran,\nThinking to save his gay ladye,\nBut he had staid too long.\n65H: Lady Maisry\n65H.1 THERE stands a stane in wan water,\nIt\u2019s lang ere it grew green;\nLady Maisry sits in her bower door,\nSewing at her silken seam.\n65H.2 Word\u2019s gane to her mother\u2019s kitchen,\nAnd to her father\u2019s ha,\nThat Lady Maisry is big wi bairn-+-\nAnd her true-love\u2019s far awa.\n65H.3 When her brother got word of this,\nThen fiercely looked he:\n\u2018Betide me life, betide me death,\nAt Maisry\u2019s bower I\u2019se be.\n65H.4 \u2018Gae saddle to me the black, the black,\nGae saddle to me the brown;\nGae saddle to me the swiftest steed,\nTo hae me to the town.\u2019\n65H.5 When he came to Maisry\u2019s bower,\nHe turnd him round about,\nAnd at a little shott-window,\nHe saw her peeping out.\n65H.6 \u2018Gude morrow, gude morrow, Lady Maisry,\nGod make you safe and free!\u2019\n\u2018Gude morrow, gude morrow, my brother dear,\nWhat are your wills wi me?\u2019\n65H.7 \u2018What\u2019s come o a\u2019 your green claithing,\nWas ance for you too side?\nAnd what\u2019s become o your lang stays,\nWas ance for you too wide?\u2019\n65H.8 \u2018O he that made my claithing short,\nI hope he\u2019ll make them side;\nAnd he that made my stays narrow,\nI hope he\u2019ll make them wide.\u2019\n65H.9 \u2018O is it to a lord o might,\nOr baron o high degree?\nOr is it to any o your father\u2019s boys,\nRides in the chase him wi?\u2019\n65H.10 \u2018It\u2019s no to any Scottish lord,\nNor baron o high degree;\nBut English James, that little prince,\nThat has beguiled me.\u2019\n65H.11 \u2018O was there not a Scots baron\nThat could hae fitted thee,\nThat thus you\u2019ve lovd an Englishman,\nAnd has affronted me?\u2019\n65H.12 She turnd her right and round about,\nThe tear blinded her ee:\n\u2018What is the wrang I\u2019ve done, brother,\nYe look sae fierce at me?\u2019\n65H.13 \u2018Will ye forsake that English blude,\nWhen your young babe is born?\u2019\n\u2018I\u2019ll nae do that, my brother dear,\nTho I shoud be forlorn.\u2019\n65H.14 \u2018I\u2019se cause a man put up the fire,\nAnither ca in the stake,\nAnd on the head o yon high hill\nI\u2019ll burn you for his sake.\n65H.15 \u2018O where are all my wall-wight men,\nThat I pay meat and fee,\nFor to hew down baith thistle and thorn,\nTo burn that lady wi?\u2019\n65H.16 Then he has taen her, Lady Maisry,\nAnd fast he has her bound;\nAnd he causd the fiercest o his men\nDrag her frae town to town.\n65H.17 Then he has causd ane of his men\nHew down baith thistle and thorn;\nShe carried the peats in her petticoat-lap,\nHer ainsell for to burn.\n65H.18 Then ane pat up this big bauld fire,\nAnither ca\u2019d in the stake;\nIt was to burn her Lady Maisry,\nAll for her true-love\u2019s sake.\n65H.19 But it fell ance upon a day,\nPrince James he thought full lang;\nHe minded on the lady gay\nHe left in fair Scotland.\n65H.20 \u2018O where will I get a little wee boy,\nWill win gowd to his fee,\nThat will rin on to Adam\u2019s high tower,\nBring tidings back to me?\u2019\n65H.21 \u2018O here am I, a little wee boy,\nWill win gowd to my fee,\nThat will rin on to Adam\u2019s high tower,\nBring tidings back to thee.\u2019\n65H.22 Then he is on to Adam\u2019s high tower,\nAs fast as gang coud he,\nAnd he but only wan in time\nThe fatal sight to see.\n65H.23 He sat his bent bow to his breast,\nAnd ran right speedilie,\nAnd he is back to his master,\nAs fast as gang coud he.\n65H.24 \u2018What news, what news, my little wee boy?\nWhat news hae ye to me?\u2019\n\u2018Bad news, bad news, my master dear,\nBad news, as ye will see.\u2019\n65H.25 \u2018Are ony o my biggins brunt, my boy?\nOr ony o my towers won?\nOr is my lady lighter yet,\nO dear daughter or son?\u2019\n65H.26 \u2018There\u2019s nane o your biggins brunt, master,\nNor nane o your towers won,\nNor is your lady lighter yet,\nO dear daughter nor son.\n65H.27 \u2018There\u2019s an has been [put up] a big bauld fire,\nAnither ca\u2019d in the stake,\nAnd on the head o yon high hill,\nThey\u2019re to burn her for your sake.\u2019\n65H.28 \u2018Gae saddle to me the black, the black,\nGae saddle to me the brown;\nGae saddle to me the swiftest steed,\nTo hae me to the town.\u2019\n65H.29 Ere he was three miles near the town,\nShe heard his horse-foot patt:\n\u2018Mend up the fire, my fause brother,\nIt scarce comes to my pap.\u2019\n65H.30 Ere he was twa miles near the town,\nShe heard his bridle ring:\n\u2018Mend up the fire, my fause brother,\nIt scarce comes to my chin.\n65H.31 \u2018But look about, my fause brother,\nYe see not what I see;\nI see them coming here, or lang\nWill mend the fire for thee.\u2019\n65H.32 Then up it comes him little Prince James,\nAnd fiercely looked he:\n\u2018I\u2019se make my love\u2019s words very true\nShe said concerning me.\n65H.33 \u2018O wha has been sae bauld,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018As put this bonfire on?\nAnd wha has been sae bauld,\u2019 he said,\n\u2018As put that lady in?\u2019\n65H.34 Then out it spake her brother then,\nHe spoke right furiouslie;\nSays, I\u2019m the man that put her in:\nWha dare hinder me?\n65H.35 \u2018If my hands had been loose,\u2019 she said,\n\u2018As they are fastly bound,\nI woud hae looted me to the ground,\nGien you up your bonny young son.\u2019\n65H.36 \u2018I will burn, for my love\u2019s sake,\nHer father and her mother;\nAnd I will burn, for my love\u2019s sake,\nHer sister and her brother.\n65H.37 \u2018And I will burn, for my love\u2019s sake,\nThe whole o a\u2019 her kin;\nAnd I will burn, for my love\u2019s sake,\nThro Linkum and thro Lin.\n65H.38 \u2018And mony a bed will I make toom,\nAnd bower will I make thin;\nAnd mony a babe shall thole the fire,\nFor I may enter in.\u2019\n65H.39 Great meen was made for Lady Maisry,\nOn that hill whare she was slain;\nBut mair was for her ain true-love,\nOn the fields for he ran brain.\n65I: Lady Maisry\n65I.1 THERE lived a lady in Scotland,\nRefrain: Hey my love and ho my joy\nThere lived a lady in Scotland,\nRefrain: Who dearly loved me\nThere lived a lady in Scotland,\nAn she\u2019s fa\u2019n in love wi an Englishman,\nRefrain: And bonnie Susie Cleland is to be burnt in Dundee\n65I.2 The father unto the daughter came,\nRefrain: Who dearly loved me\n65I.2 Saying, Will you forsake that Englishman?\n65I.3 \u2018If you will not that Englishman forsake,\nRefrain: Who dearly loved me\n65I.3 O I will burn you at a stake.\u2019\n65I.4 \u2018I will not that Englishman forsake,\nRefrain: Who dearly loved me\n65I.4 Tho you should burn me at a stake.\n65I.5 \u2018O where will I get a pretty little boy,\nRefrain: Who dearly loves me\n65I.5 Who will carry tidings to my joy?\u2019\n65I.6 \u2018Here am I, a pretty little boy,\nRefrain: Who dearly loves thee\n65I.6 Who will carry tidings to thy joy.\u2019\n65I.7 \u2018Give to him this right-hand glove,\nRefrain: Who dearly loves me\n65I.7 Tell him to get another love.\nRefrain: For, etc.\n65I.8 \u2018Give to him this little penknife,\nRefrain: Who dearly loves me\n65I.8 Tell him to get another wife.\nRefrain: For, etc.\n65I.9 \u2018Give to him this gay gold ring;\nRefrain: Who dearly loves me\n65I.9 Tell him I\u2019m going to my burning.\u2019\nRefrain: An, etc.\n65I.10 The brother did the stake make,\n65I.10r Who dearly loved me\n65I.10 The father did the fire set.\n65I.10r An bonnie Susie Cleland was burnt in Dundee.\n65[J]: Lady Maisry\n65[J].1 Lady Margery was the king\u2019s ae daughter,\nBut an the prince\u2019s heir; O\nShe\u2019s away to Strawberry Castle,\nTo learn some English lair. O\n65[J.2] She had not been in Strawberry Castle\nA twelvemonth and a day\nTill she\u2019s even as big wi child\nAs ever a lady could gae.\n65[J.3] Her father\u2019s to the cutting o the birks,\nHer mother to the broom,\nAnd a\u2019 for to get a bundle o sticks\nTo burn that fair lady in.\n65[J.4] \u2018O hold your hand now, father dear,\nO hold a little while,\nFor if my true-love be yet alive\nI\u2019ll hear his bridle ring.\n65[J.5] \u2018Where will I get a bonny boy,\nThat will win hoes and shoon,\nThat will run to Strawberry Castle\nAnd tell my love to come?\u2019\n65[J.6] She\u2019s called on her waiting-maid\nTo bring out bread and wine:\n\u2018Now eat and drink, my bonny boy,\nYe\u2019ll neer eat mair o mine.\u2019\n65[J.7] Away that bonny boy he\u2019s gaen,\nAs fast as he could rin;\nWhen he cam where grass grew green\nSet down his feet and ran.\n65[J.8] And when he cam where brigs were broken\nHe bent his bow and swam;\n. . . . . . .\n. . . . . . .\n65[J.9] When he came to Strawberry Castle,\nHe lighted on the green;\nWho was so ready as the noble lord\nTo rise and let the boy in!\n65[J.10] \u2018What news? what new, my pretty page?\nWhat tydings do ye bring?\nIs my lady lighter yet\nOf a daughter or a son?\u2019\n65[J.11] \u2018Bad news, bad news, my noble lord,\nBad tydings have I brung;\nThe fairest lady in a\u2019 Scotland\nThis day for you does burn.\u2019\n65[J.12] He has mounted a stately steed\nAnd he was bound to ride;\nThe silver buttons flew off his coat\nAnd his nose began to bleed.\n65[J.13] The second steed that lord mounted\nStumbled at a stone;\n\u2018Alass! alass!\u2019 he cried with grief,\n\u2018My lady will be gone.\u2019\n65[J.14] When he came from Strawberry Castle\nHe lighted boots and a\u2019;\nHe thought to have goten a kiss from her,\nBut her body fell in twa.\n65[J.15] For the sake o Lady Margery\nHe\u2019s cursed her father and mother,\nFor the sake o Lady Margery\nHe\u2019s cursed her sister and brother.\n65[J.16] And for the sake o Lady Margery\nHe\u2019s cursed all her kin;\nHe cried, Scotland is the ae warst place\nThat ever my fit was in!\n65[K]: Lady Maisry\n65[K].1 Marjorie was fer father\u2019s dear,\nHer mother\u2019s only heir,\nAn she\u2019s away to Strawberry Castle,\nTo learn some unco lear.\n65[K.2] She had na been i Strawberry Castle\nA year but barely three\nTill Marjorie turnd big wi child,\nAs big as big could be.\n* * * * *\n65[K.3] \u2018Will ye hae that old, old man\nTo be yer daily mate,\nOr will ye burn in fire strong\nFor your true lover\u2019s sake?\u2019\n65[K.4] \u2018I winna marry that old, old man\nTo be my daily mate;\nI\u2019ll rather burn i fire strong\nFor my true lover\u2019s sake.\n* * * * *\n65[K.5] \u2018O where will I get a bonnie boy\nThat will win hose an shoon\nAn will gae rin to Strawberry Castle,\nTo gar my good lord come soon?\u2019\n65[K.6] \u2018Here am I, a bonnie boy\nThat will win hose an shoon,\nAn I\u2019ll gae rin to Strawberry Castle,\nAnd gar your lord come soon.\u2019\n65[K.7] \u2018Should ye come to a brocken brig,\nThan bend your bow an swim;\nAn whan ye com to garse growin\nSet down yer feet an rin.\u2019\n65[K.8] When eer he came to brigs broken,\nHe bent his bow an swam,\nAnd whan he cam to grass growin\nHe set down his feet an ran.\n65[K.7] When eer he cam to Strawberry Castle\nHe tirlt at the pin;\nThere was nane sae ready as that young lord\nTo open an let him in.\n65[K.8] \u2018Is there ony o my brigs broken?\nOr ony o my castle win?\nOr is my lady brought to bed\nOf a daughter or a son?\u2019\n65[K.9] \u2018There\u2019s nane o a\u2019 yer brigs broken,\nTher\u2019s nane of your castles win;\nBut the fairest lady in a\u2019 your land\nThis day for you will burn.\u2019\n65[K.10] \u2018Gar saddle me the black, black horse,\nGar saddle me the brown,\nGar saddle me the swiftest stead\nThat eer carried man to town.\u2019\n65[K.11] He\u2019s burstit the black unto the slack,\nThe grey unto the brae,\nAn ay the page that ran afore\nCried, Ride, sir, an ye may.\n65[K.12] Her father kindlet the bale-fire,\nHer brother set the stake,\nHer mother sat an saw her burn,\nAn never cired Alack!\n65[K.13] \u2018Beet on, beet [on], my cruel father,\nFor you I cound nae friend;\nBut for fifteen well mete mile\nI\u2019ll hear my love\u2019s bridle ring.\u2019\n65[K.14] When he cam to the bonnie Dundee,\nHe lightit wi a glent;\nWi jet-black boots an glittrin spurs\nThrough that bale-fire he went.\n65[K.15] He thought his love wad hae datit him,\nBut she was dead an gane;\nHe was na sae wae for the lady\nAs he was for her yong son.\n65[K.16] \u2018But I\u2019ll gar burn for you, Marjorie,\nYer father an yer mother,\nAn I\u2019ll gar burn for you, Marjorie,\nYour sister an your brother.\n65[K.17] \u2018An I will burn for you, Marjorie,\nThe town that ye\u2019r brunt in,\nAn monie ane\u2019s be fatherless\nThat has but little sin.\u2019","title":"The Child Ballads: 65. Lady Maisry","type":"page"}