AULD ROBIN GRAY. YOUNG Jamie lo'ed me weel, and he sought me for his bride, But saving a crown he had naething else beside; To make that crown a pound, my Jamie gaed to sea, And the crown and the pound were baith for me. He had na been awa a week but only twa, When my mither she fell sick, and the cow was stown awa, My father brak his arm, and my Jamie at the sea, And auld Robin Gray cam' a-courting to me. My father cou'dna work, and my mither cou'dua spin; I toiled baith day and night, but their bread I cou'dna win; Auld Rob maintained them baith, and wi' tears in his ee Said, Jenny, for their sakes, oh, will you marry me? My heart it said nay; I looked for Jamie back; But the wind it blew high, and the ship it proved a wrack, The ship it proved a wrack, - why didna Jenny dee? And why do I live to say, Oh, waes me! When we came in by Glasgow town, And I mysel in cramasie. But had I wist before I kissed, And pinned it with a silver pin. O, O, if my young babe were born, ANONYMOUS. FAIR ANNIE. "It's narrow, narrow, make your bed, And learn to lie your lane; For I'm gaun o'er the sea, Fair Annie, "But wha will bake my bridal bread, Or brew my bridal ale? And wha will welcome my brisk bride, That I bring o'er the dale?". "It's I will bake your bridal bread, "But she that welcomes my brisk bride Maun gang like maiden fair; "But how can I gang maiden-like, She's ta'en her young son in her armis, Another in her hand; And she's up to the highest tower, To see him come to land. And aye she served the lang tables With white bread and with wine; And aye she drank the wan water, To haud her colour fine. And aye she served the lang tables, With white bread and with brown; And ay she turned her round about, Sae fast the tears fell down. And he's ta'en down the silk napkin, Hung on a silver pin; And aye he wipes the tear trickling Adown her cheek and chin. And aye he turned him round about, When bells were rung, and mass was sung, And a' men bound to bed, Annie made her bed a little forbye, To hear what they might say; "And ever alas!" fair Annie cried, "That I should see this day! "Gin my seven sons were seven young rats, Running on the castle wa', "Gin my seven sons were seven young hares, Running o'er yon lilly lee, And wae and sad fair Annie sat, "My gown is on," said the new-come bride, "My shoes are on my feet, And I will to fair Annie's chamber, And see what gars her greet. "What ails ye, what ails ye, Fair Annie, That ye make sic a moan? Has your wine barrells cast the girds, "O wha was't was your father, Annie, "The Earl of Wemyss was my father, "If the Earl of Wemyss was your father, I wot sae was he mine; And it shall not be for lack o'gowd, "Come to your bed, my sister dear, "Awa, awa, ye forenoon bride, I wudna hear my Annie greet, "OI have seven ships o' mine ain, A' loaded to the brim; And I will gie them a' to thee, SCOTT'S VERSION. GRISELDA. THE CLERKES TALE. Ther is right at the West side of Itaille Doun at the rote of Vesulus the cold, A lusty plain, abundant of vitaille, Ther many a toun and tour thou maist behold, That founded were in time of fathers old, And many another delitable sighte. And Saluces this noble contree highte. A markis whilom lord was of that land, As were his worthy elders him before, And obeysant, ay redy to his hand, |