A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

205
THE CRUEL BROTHER.
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|This ballad is popular throughout Scotland. A gentleman
falls in love with a young lady, and obtains her and her
parents' consent to their union, but neglects to inform
her brother o£ his intention, who considers the omission
as an unpardonable insult; the marriage, however, is consummated
with raych splendour, at which the utmost
harmony and conviviality prevail; the company begin
to sejTarate, the happy pair are also on the eve of setting
off to their own house, the lady takes leave of all her relations,
and is in the act of saluting her brother, when
he draws out a knife and mortally wounds her. While
our sorrow is excited for the fate of the young lady,
and we are prepared to hear what punishment is inflict-
ed on the perpetrator, our curiosity is disappointed by
the childish questions and answers which conclude the
|)oem.]
i-HERE was three ladies in a ha'.
Fine flowers i' the valley;
There came three lords amang them a'j
The red; green^ and the yellow,
TOLc I, S