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

17
I've learnt it in my father's bouer,
I've learnt it for my better,
And I will soum this wan water,
As tho' I was ane otter."
" Jump on behind, ye weill-faur'd may*,
Or do ye chuse to ride?"
wC No, thank ye, sir," the lady said,
" I wad rather chuse to wydef;"
And afore that he was mid-water,
She was at the ither side.
—
" Turn back, turn back, ye weill-faur'd may,
My heart will brak in three;"
" And sae did mine on yon bonnie hill-side,
Whan ye wad na let me be."
" Whare gat ye that gay claithing,
This day I see on thee?" #
" My mither was a gude milk-nurse,
And a gude nourice was she,
She nurs'd the Earl o' Stockford's ae dochterj,
And gat a' this to me."
* Weill-faurd may—handsome maid . f Wyde—wade.
\ Ae dpchter—only daughter.
B