LAMKIN. After Jamieson. The many versions of this ballad show an unusually small number of variations. The name, though occurring in the several forms of Lambert Linkin, Lamerlinkin, Rankin, Belinkin, Lankyn, Lonkin, Balcanqual, most often appears as Lamkin or Lammikin or Lambkin, being perhaps a nick-name given to the mason for the meekness with which he had borne his injuries. This would explain the resentful tone of his inquiries on entering the house. _Nourice_, nurse. _Limmer_, wretch. _Shot-window_, projecting window. _Gaire_, edge of frock. _Ilka_, each. _Bore_, crevice. _Greeting_, crying. _Dowie_, doleful. _Chamer_, chamber. _Lamer_, amber. _Ava'_, of all. HUGH OF LINCOLN. Mainly after Jamieson. Percy gives a version of this famous ballad under title of _The Jew's Daughter_, and Herd and Motherwell, as well as Jamieson, have secured copies from recitation. The general view that this ballad rests upon an historical basis has but slender authority behind it. Matthew Paris, never too reliable as a chronicler, says that in 1255 the Jews of Lincoln, after their yearly custom, stole a little Christian boy, tortured and crucified him, and flung him into a pit, where his mother found the body. This is in all probability one of the many cruel slanders circulated against the Jews during the Middle Ages, to reconcile the Christian conscience to the Christian maltreatment of that long-suffering race. Such stories are related of various mediaeval innocents, in various lands and centuries, and may be classed together, until better evidence to the contrary presents itself, as malicious falsehood. This ballad should be compared, of course, with Chaucer's _Prioresses Tale_. _Keppit_, caught. _Gart_, made. _Twinn'd_, deprived. _Row'd_, rolled. _Ilka_, each. _Gin_, it. FAIR ANNIE. Mainly after Jamieson's version entitled _Lady Jane_. Jamieson gives another copy, where the heroic lady is known as _Burd Helen_, but Scott, Motherwell, Kinloch, Buchan, and others agree on the name _Fair Annie_. The pathetic beauty of the ballad has secured it a wide popularity. There are Danish, Swedish, Dutch, and German versions. "But Fair Annie's fortunes have not only been charmingly sung," says Professor Child. "They have also been exquisitely _told_ in a favorite lay of Marie de France, 'Le Lai del Freisne.' This tale of Breton origin is three hundred years older than any manuscript of the ballad. Comparison will, however, quickly show that it is not the source either of the English or of the Low German and Scandinavian ballad. The tale and the ballads have a common source, which lies further back, and too far for us to find." _Your lane_, alone. _Braw_, finely dressed. _Gear_, goods. _But and_, and also. _Stown_, stolen. _Leugh_, laughed. _Loot_, let. _Gars_, makes. _Greet_, weep.