They have taken Eppie Morrie, Since better could nae be, 30 And they're awa' to Carrie side, As fast as horse could flee. Then mass was sung, and bells were rung, And all were bound for bed, Then Willie an' Eppie Morrie 35 In one bed they were laid. "Haud far awa' frae me, Willie, Haud far awa' frae me; Before I'll lose my maidenhead, I'll try my strength with thee." 40 She took the cap from off her head, And threw it to the way; Said, "Ere I lose my maidenhead, I'll fight with you till day." Then early in the morning, 45 Before her clothes were on, In came the maiden of Scalletter, Gown and shirt alone. "Get up, get up, young woman, And drink the wine wi' me;" 50 "You might have called me maiden, I'm sure as leal as thee." "Wally fa' you, Willie, That ye could nae prove a man, And taen the lassie's maidenhead; 55 She would have hired your han'." "Haud far awa' frae me, lady, Haud far awa' frae me; There's not a man in a' Strathdon, The day shall wed wi' me." 60 Soon in there came Belbordlane, With a pistol on every side; "Come awa' hame, Eppie Morrie, And there you'll be my bride." "Go get to me a horse, Willie, 65 And get it like a man, And send me back to my mother, A maiden as I cam. "The sun shines o'er the westlin hills, By the light lamp of the moon, 70 Just saddle your horse, young John Forsyth, And whistle, and I'll come soon." MACPHERSON'S RANT. This ballad, worthy of a hangman's pen, was first printed in Herd's _Scottish Songs_, i. 161. It is found, mutilated and altered, with the title of _Macpherson's Lament_, in the _Thistle of Scotland_, p. 52. The story of Macpherson is given as follows by a writer in the _New Monthly Magazine_, vol. i. p. 142, cited by Chambers, _Scottish Songs_, i. 84.