We sat down in the shade by Mrs. Sanker; some on the bench by her side, some on the grass at her feet, and she recited for us the time-worn ballad she had begun for King: just as the following year she would recite things to us, as already told of, sitting on the floor beam of the turret-room. It was called "Lord Thomas." Should you like to hear it? Lord Thomas he was a bold forester, And a keeper of the king's deer; Fair Ellenor, she was a fair young lady, Lord Thomas he loved her dear. "Come, read me a riddle, dear mother," said he, "And riddle us both as one: Whether fair Ellen shall be mine-- Or to bring the brown girl home?" "The brown girl she hath both houses and lands; Fair Ellenor, she has none: Therefore I'd advise thee, on my blessing, To bring the brown girl home." Then he decked himself and he dressed himself, And his merry men, all in green: And as he rode through the town with them Folks took him to be some king. When he came to fair Ellenor's bower So boldly he did ring; There was none so ready as fair Ellen herself To loose Lord Thomas in. "What news, what news, Lord Thomas, What news have you brought unto me?" "I'm come to invite you to my wedding; And that is bad news for thee." "Oh, now forbid," fair Ellenor said, "That any such thing should be done: For I thought to have been the bride myself, And that you would have been the bridegroom. "Come, read me a riddle, dear mother," said she, "And riddle us both as one: Whether I shall go to Lord Thomas's wedding, Or whether I shall tarry at home?" "There's one may be thy friend, I know; But twenty will be thy foe: Therefore I charge thee, on my blessing, To Lord Thomas's wedding don't go." "There's one will be my friend, I know, Though twenty should be my foe: Betide me life, or betide me death, To Lord Thomas's wedding I go." Then she went up into her chamber And dressed herself all in green: And when she came downstairs again, They thought it must be some queen. When she came to Lord Thomas's castle So nobly she did ring: There was none so ready as Sir Thomas himself To loose this lady in. Then he took her by her lily-white hand And led her across the hall; And he placed her on the daïs, Above the ladies all. "Is this your bride, Lord Thomas? I think she looks wondrous brown: You might have had as fair a young maiden As ever trod English ground." "Despise her not," said Lord Thomas; "Despise her not unto me; I love thy little finger, Ellen, Better than her whole body." The brown girl, having a knife in her hand, Which was both keen and sharp, Between the long ribs and the short, She pierced fair Ellenor's heart.