A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

199
LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ANNIE.
[Fragments of this old batlad have frequently been pub-
lished, but it was reserved for the industry of Mr Scott
to restore it to its present state. It is very beautiful,
abounding in many fine touches of nature.
Fair Annie, a lady, who had been carried off from her
father's house when very young, becomes housekeeper
to a nobleman, to whom she has a large family; he
resolves on marrying a rich nobleman's daughter, and
accordingly gives directions for the reception of his
bride j on his returning home with her and a large retinue,
they are met by fair Annie and her children, who
welcome them into the house ; a sumptuous entertainment
is prepared, at v^hich she perforins the duties of
her office, and during which, with great difBculty, she
represses her grief for the infidelity of her lord ; on re-
tiring to her chamber, however, her sorrow gets vent,
when she is overheard by the bride, who comes to her
and desires to know the cause of her mourning, and
imagining she bears some resemblance to her sister who
had been stolen away, inquires her pedigree, when she
is surprised to learn that the disconsolate Annie is in
reality her sister ; the bride prepares to return home,
but previous to her setting sail gives great part of her
dowry to fair Annie and her children.
It is somewhat remarkable, that a poem on the same sub-
ject, and bearing the title of Skio2n Anna, or Fair Annie,