None but my foe to be my guide, On fair Kirconnell Lee; I lighted down my sword to draw, I hacked him in pieces sma, I hacked him in pieces sma', For her sake that died for me. (_burd_, maid.) O Helen fair, beyond compare! I'll make a garland of thy hair, Shall bind my heart for evermair, Until the day I die. O that I were where Helen lies! Night and day on me she cries; Out of my bed she bids me rise, Says, "Haste and come to me!"-- O Helen fair! O Helen chaste! If I were with thee, I were blest, Where thou lies low, and takes thy rest, On fair Kirconnell Lee. I wish my grave were growing green, A winding-sheet drawn ower my een, And I in Helen's arms lying, On fair Kirconnell Lee. I wish I were where Helen lies! Night and day on me she cries -, And I am weary of the skies, For her sake that died for me. [Illustration: 0253] THE CRUEL BROTHER |There was three ladies play'd at the ba', _With a heigh-ho! and a lily gay;_ There came a knight, and play'd o'er them a, _As the primrose spreads so sweetly._ The eldest was baith tall and fair, But the youngest was beyond compare. The midmost had a gracefu' mien, But the youngest look'd like beauty's queen. The knight bow'd low to a' the three, But to the youngest he bent his knee. The lady turned her head aside, The knight he woo'd her to be his bride. The lady blush'd a rosy red, And said, "Sir knight, I'm too young to wed." "O lady fair, give me your hand, And I'll mak you lady of a' my land." "Sir knight, ere you my favour win, Ye maun get consent frae a' my kin." He has got consent frae her parents dear, And likewise frae her sisters fair. He has got consent frae her kin each one, But forgot to speir at her brother John. Now, when the wedding day was come, The knight would take his bonny bride home, And many a lord and many a knight, Came to behold that lady bright. And there was nae man that did her see, But wished himself bridegroom to be. Her father dear led her down the stair, And her sisters twain they kiss'd her there. Her mother dear led her through the close, And her brother John set her on her horse. She lean'd her o er the saddle-bow, To give him a kiss ere she did go. He has taen a knife, baith lang and sharp, And stabb'd that bonny bride to the heart. (_speir_, ask.) She hadna ridden half thro' the town, Until her heart's blood stained her gown. "Ride saftly on," said the best young man, "For I think our bonny bride looks pale and wan." "O lead me gently up yon hill, And I'll there sit down, and make my will." "O what will you leave to your father dear?" "The silver-shod steed that brought me here." "What will you leave to your mother dear?" "My velvet pall and silken gear." "And what will you leave to your sister Ann?" "My silken scarf, and my gowden fan."