A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

154.
CLERK SAUNDERS.
[This ballad is apparently very ancient, and affectingly nar-
rates the unfortunate issue of an illicit amour between
two lovers The appearance of the young man's ghost,
and his conversation with his mistress, in which he un-
folds some of " the secrets of his prison-house,*' give
an air of wildness and beauty to the piece which ren-
der it highly interesting.— It is taken from Mr Scott's
" Border Minstrelsy," a work in praise of which it is
impossible to speak too highly ; and although we are
aware that our praise or censure can neither add to nor
detract from the merits of the celebrated editor, yet we
cannot refrain from expressing our admiration of the
genius that planned the work, at the industry and pati-
ence necessary in collecting, and the judgment, research,
and erudition which illustrates those memorials of the
actions and manners of our forefathers.]
Clerk Saunders and May Margaret
Walked ower yon garden green
And sad and heavy was the love
That fell thir twa between.
" A bed, a bed," Clerk Saunders said,
" A bed for you and me \"
*' Fye na, fye na," said May Margaret,
" Till anes we married be.
;