A collection of ancient and modern Scottish ballads, etc

270
CLERK COLVILL; or, THE MERMAID.
A FRAGMENT.
[The inhabitants of our northern and western coasts, at no
distant period, firmly believed, that the dangerous shelves
around them were tenanted with sea-monsters; the chief
of these was the mermaid, who was represented as a
beautiful female dragging a fish's tail ; so fatal was her
appearance considered, that whoever beheld her was sup-
posed to survive the sight but a very short time : this part
of the popular superstition is exemplified in the folloAV-
ing fragment, where the hero's temerity in approaching
and accosting one hastens his death.—The scene of
the poem is laid at Slains oa the coast of Buchan, which
is indented by the sea with immense chasms, excavated
in many places to a great extent.]
Clerk Colvill and his lusty dame
Were walking in the garden green ;
The belt abound l^.er stately waist
Cost Clerk Colvill of pounds fifteen.