And mony ane sings o' grass, o' grass, 65 And mony ane sings o' corn; And mony ane sings o' Robin Hood, Kens little whare he was born. It was na in the ha', the ha', Nor in the painted bower; 70 But it was in the gude green wood, Amang the lily flower. ROSE THE RED, AND WHITE LILLY. _Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border_, iii. 208. This legend and the preceding are placed in this volume solely on account of the names given to the personages who figure in them. In character they have no affinity with the recognized circle of Robin Hood ballads. The story is of a more ancient cast, and also of a type common to the northern nations, and we have no doubt that Robin Hood and Little John were in the day of their popularity made to displace heroes of immemorial prescription, in order to give eclat to an old tale. Of _Rose the Red, and White Lilly_, three versions have been published. The present is that of Scott, given "chiefly" from Mrs. Brown's manuscript. Kinloch's is subjoined, and another, furnished by Buchan, is printed in the Appendix. O Rose the Red, and White Lilly, Their mother deir was dead; And their father has married an ill woman, Wish'd them twa little guid. But she had twa as gallant sons 5 As ever brake mans bread; And the tane o' them lo'ed her, White Lilly, And the tother Rose the Red. O bigged hae they a bigly bour, Fast by the roaring strand; 10 And there was mair mirth in the ladyes bour, Nor in a' their fathers land. But out and spak their step-mother, As she stood a little forebye-- "I hope to live and play the prank 15 Sall gar your loud sang lie." She's call'd upon her eldest son, "Cum here, my son, to me: It fears me sair, my Bauld Arthur, That ye maun sail the sea." 20 "Gin sae it maun be, my deir mother, Your bidding I maun dee; But, be never waur to Rose the Red, Than ye hae been to me." She's called upon her youngest son, 25 "Cum here, my son, to me: It fears me sair, my Brown Robin, That ye maun sail the sea." "Gin it fear ye sair, my mother deir, Your bidding I shall dee; 30 But, be never waur to White Lilly, Than ye hae been to me." "Now haud your tongues, ye foolish boys, For small sall be their part: They ne'er again sall see your face, 35 Gin their very hearts suld break." Sae Bauld Arthur's gane to our king's court, His hie chamberlain to be; But Brown Robin, he has slain a knight, And to grene-woode he did flee. 40