The tale is much the same with the Breton romance, called _Lay le Frain_, or the _Song of the Ash_. Indeed, the editor is convinced, that the farther our researches are extended, the more we shall see ground to believe, that the romantic ballads of later times are, for the most part, abridgments of the ancient metrical romances, narrated in a smoother stanza, and more modern language. A copy of the ancient romance, alluded to, is preserved in the invaluable collection (W. 4. 1.) of the Advocates' Library, and begins thus: We redeth oft and findeth ywrite And this clerkes wele it wite Layes that ben in harping Ben yfound of ferli thing Sum beth of wer and sum of wo Sum of joye and mirthe also And sum of trecherie and of gile Of old aventours that fel while And sum of bourdes and ribaudy And many ther beth of faery Of al thinges that men seth Maist o' love forsoth yai beth In Breteyne bi hold time This layes were wrought so seithe this rime When kinges might our y here Of ani mervailes that ther wer They token a harp in glee and game And maked a lay and gaf it name Now of this aventours that weren y falle Y can tel sum ac nought alle Ac herkeneth Lordinges sothe to sain I chil you tel _Lay le Frain_ Bifel a cas in Breteyne Whereof was made Lay le Frain In Ingliche for to tellen y wis Of ane asche forsothe it is On ane ensammple fair with alle That sum time was bi falle &c. LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ANNIE. * * * * * "Its narrow, narrow, make your bed, "And learn to lie your lane; "For I'm ga'n o'er the sea, Fair Annie, "A braw bride to bring hame. "Wi' her I will get gowd and gear; "Wi' you I ne'er got nane. "But wha will bake my bridal bread, "Or brew my bridal ale? "And wha will welcome my brisk bride, "That I bring o'er the dale?" "Its I will bake your bridal bread, "And brew your bridal ale; "And I will welcome your brisk bride, "That you bring o'er the dale." "But she that welcomes my brisk bride, "Maun gang like maiden fair; "She maun lace on her robe sae jimp, "And braid her yellow hair." "But how can I gang maiden-like, "When maiden I am nane? "Have I not borne seven sons to thee, "And am with child again?" She's ta'en her young son in her arms, Another in her hand; And she's up to the highest tower, To see him come to land. "Come up, come up, my eldest son, "And look o'er yon sea-strand, "And see your father's new-come bride, "Before she come to land." "Come down, come down, my mother dear! "Come frae the castle-wa'! "I fear, if langer ye stand there, "Ye'll let yoursell down fa'."