A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

140
been produced and handed about in manuscript," which
the learned Doctor justly conjectures to be only an in-
genious interpolation. Although the poem throughout
has evidently undergone corrections from its reciters, yet
the later additions are easily distinguishable by every
reader acquainted with ballad poetry. In this edition they
are inserted within brackets ]
;
Gil Morrice was an erle's son.
His name it waxed wide
It was nae for his great riches.
Nor yit his meikle pride
But it was for a lady gay.
That liv'd on Carron side.
" Whar sail I get a bonny boy
That will win hose and shoen ;
That will gae to Lord Barnard's ha'.
And bid his lady cum ?
^' And ye maun rin my errand, Willie ;
And ye maun rin wi' speid ;
Whan ither boys gang on their feet.
Ye sail hae prancing steid.'*
" Oh no ! Oh no \ my master dear \^
I dara nae for my life ;
I'll no gae to the bauld baron's.
For to triest furth his wife/'
" My bird Willie, my boy Willie ;
My dear Willie," he sayd,
^' How can ye strive against the Stream ?
For I sail be obey'd/'