But for a' sae wounded as Earl Bran was, He has set his lady on her horse. They rode till they came to the water o' Doune, And then he alighted to wash his wounds. [Illustration: 0193] "O Earl Bran, I see your heart's blood!" "Tis but the gleat o' my scarlet hood." They rode till they came to his mother's gate, And sae rudely as he rapped at it. "O my son's slain, my son's put down, And a' for the sake of an English loon." (_ghat_, gleam.) "O say not sae, my dear mother, But marry her to my youngest brother. "This has not been the death o' ane, But it's been that of fair seventeen." [Illustration: 0194] THE NUTBROWN MAID |Be it right or wrong, these men among On women do complain, Affirming this, how that it is A labour spent in vain To love them weel, for never a deal They love a man again: For let a man do what he can Their favour to attain, Yet if a new do them pursue, Their first true lover than Laboureth for nought, and from her thought He is a banished man." (_deal_, bit. _than_, then.) "I say not nay, but that all day It is both writ and said, That woman's faith is, as who saith, All utterly decayed: But nevertheless, right good witness In this case might be laid, That they love true, and continue,-- Record _the nutbrown maid_; Which from her love, when her to prove He came to make his moan, Would not depart, for in her heart She loved but him alone." "Then between us let us discuss What was all the manner Between them two; we will also Tell all the pain and fear That she was in; now I begin, See that ye me answer: Wherefore [all] ye that present be, I pray you give an ear. I am the knight, I come by night, As secret as I can, Saying 'Alas! thus standeth the case, I am a banished man! '" "And I your will for to fulfill In this will not refuse, Trusting to shew, in words few, That men have an ill use, To their own shame, women to blame, And causeless them accuse: Therefore to you I answer now, All women to excuse, 'Mine own heart dear, with you what cheer? I pray you tell anon: For in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone.'" "It standeth so: a deed is do Whereof much harm shall grow. My destiny is for to die A shameful death, I trow, Or else to flee,--the one must be: None other way I know, But to withdraw as an outlaw, And take me to my bow. Wherefore, adieu, my own heart true, None other red I can; For I must to the green wood go, Alone, a banished man." "O Lord, what is this worldés bliss That changeth as the moon! My summer's day in lusty May Is darked before the noon. I hear you say Farewell: nay, nay, We depart not so soon. Why say ye so? Whither will ye go? Alas, what have ye done? (_red_, plan. _darked_, darkened.)