69-80. This miracle is frequently witnessed over the graves of faithful lovers.--King Mark, according to the German romance, planted a rose on Tristan's grave, and a vine on that of Isold. The roots struck down into the very hearts of the dead lovers, and the stems twined lovingly together. The French account is somewhat different. An eglantine sprung from the tomb of Tristan, and twisted itself round the monument of Isold. It was cut down three times, but grew up every morning fresher than before, so that it was allowed to stand. Other examples are, in this volume, _Fair Janet_, _Lord Thomas and Fair Annet_; in the third volume, _Prince Robert_, &c. The same phenomenon is exhibited in the Swedish ballads of _Hertig Fröjdenborg och Fröken Adelin_, _Lilla Rosa_, _Hilla Lilla_, _Hertig Nils_, (_Svenska Folk-Visor_, i. 95, 116, Arwidsson, ii. 8, 21, 24,) in the Danish ballad of _Herr Sallemand_, (_Danske Viser_, iii. 348,) in the Breton ballad of _Lord Nann and the Korrigan_, translated in Keightley's _Fairy Mythology_, p. 433, in a Servian tale cited by Talvi, _Versuch_, &c., p. 139, and in the Afghan poem of _Audam and Doorkhaunee_, described by Elphinstone, _Account of the Kingdom of Caubul_, i. 295,--which last reference we owe to Talvi.--In the case of the Danish ballad it is certain, and in some of the other cases probable, that the idea was derived from the romance of _Tristan_. LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ELLINOR. The four pieces which follow have all the same subject. _Lord Thomas and Fair Ellinor_, is given from the _Collection of Old Ballads_, 1723, vol. i. p. 249, where it is entitled, _A Tragical Ballad on the unfortunate Love of Lord Thomas and Fair Ellinor, together with the Downfal of the Brown Girl_. The text differs but slightly from that of Percy, (iii. 121,) and Ritson, _Ancient Songs_, ii. 89. Lord Thomas he was a bold forrester, And a chaser of the king's deer; Fair Ellinor was a fine woman, And Lord Thomas he loved her dear. "Come riddle my riddle, dear mother," he said, 5 "And riddle us both as one; Whether I shall marry with fair Ellinor, And let the brown girl alone?" "The brown girl she has got houses and land, And fair Ellinor she has got none; 10 Therefore I charge you on my blessing, Bring me the brown girl home." As it befell on a high holiday, As many more did beside, Lord Thomas he went to fair Ellinor, 15 That should have been his bride. But when he came to fair Ellinors bower, He knocked there at the ring; But who was so ready as fair Ellinor, For to let Lord Thomas in. 20 "What news, what news, Lord Thomas?" she said, "What news hast thou brought unto me?" "I am come to bid thee to my wedding, And that is bad news for thee."