Ancient Scottish ballads, recovered from tradition, and never before ...

166
blem of her virgin state, and was looked upon, by our
simple, but honest forefathers, as a " guilty thing,"
whose honour could only be repaired by marrying her
seducer.
But he seemd to be a gentleman.
Or a man of some pious degree.—p. 162, v. 10.
Is there here any allusion to those itinerant friars
whom the poet anathematizes, and prays fervently to
God to send " every priest ane wife;"
" For than suld nocht sa many hure
Be up and doune this land;
Nor yit sa many beggars pur
In kirk and mercat stand.
And not sa meikill bastard seid
Throw out this cuntrie sawin
Nor gude men uncouth fry suld feed,
An all the suith were knawin."
Pinkertons Ballads, v. 2, p. 104.
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