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

81
His father spak but ae word
Says, " I speak it in time.
—
For an ye gang to London, Johnie,
I fear your coming hame."
" But I maun up to London gang,
Whatever me betide,
And louse* her out o' prison Strang,
She lay last by my side."
Up bespak Johnie's ae best man,
That stood by Johnie's knee
" Ye'se get twenty four o' my best men
To bear ye companie."
And out and spak anither youth,
And a prettyf youth was he
" Afore I see young Johnie dung|,
I'll fecht for him till I die."
Whan Johnie was in his saddle set,
A pleasant sicht to see!
—
Louse —liberate. f Pretty—brave. \ Dung—overcome.
F