A fragment of this fine ballad (which is commonly called _The Cruel Knight_) was published by Herd, (i. 222,) and also by Pinkerton, (_Select Scottish Ballads_, i. 69,) with variations. Finlay constructed a nearly complete edition from two recited copies, but suppressed some lines. (_Scottish Ballads_, ii. 72.) The present copy is one which Motherwell obtained from recitation, with a few verbal emendations by that editor from Finlay's. With respect to the sudden and strange catastrophe, Motherwell remarks:-- "The reciters of old ballads frequently supply the best commentaries upon them, when any obscurity or want of connection appears in the poetical narrative. This ballad, as it stands, throws no light on young Johnstone's motive for stabbing his lady; but the person from whose lips it was taken down alleged that the barbarous act was committed unwittingly, through young Johnstone's suddenly waking from sleep, and, in that moment of confusion and alarm, unhappily mistaking his mistress for one of his pursuers. It is not improbable but the ballad may have had, at one time, a stanza to the above effect, the substance of which is still remembered, though the words in which it was couched have been forgotten." _Minstrelsy_, p. 193. Buchan's version, (_Lord John's Murder_, ii. 20,) it will be seen, supplies this deficiency. Young Johnstone and the young Col'nel Sat drinking at the wine: "O gin ye wad marry my sister, It's I wad marry thine." "I wadna marry your sister, 5 For a' your houses and land; But I'll keep her for my leman, When I come o'er the strand. "I wadna marry your sister, For a' your gowd so gay; 10 But I'll keep her for my leman, When I come by the way." Young Johnstone had a nut-brown sword, Hung low down by his gair, And he ritted[L15] it through the young Col'nel, 15 That word he ne'er spak mair. But he's awa' to his sister's bower, He's tirled at the pin: "Whare hae ye been, my dear brither, Sae late a coming in?" 20 "I hae been at the school, sister, Learning young clerks to sing." "I've dreamed a dreary dream this night, I wish it may be for good; They were seeking you with hawks and hounds, 25 And the young Col'nel was dead." "Hawks and hounds they may seek me, As I trow well they be; For I have killed the young Col'nel, And thy own true love was he." 30 "If ye hae killed the young Col'nel, O dule and wae is me; But I wish ye may be hanged on a hie gallows, And hae nae power to flee."