23 I wish that you may constant prove Vnto the man that you do love. B Gilbert's Christmas Carols, 2d ed., p. 65, from the editor's recollection. West of England. 1 There were three sisters fair and bright, Jennifer gentle and rosemaree And they three loved one valiant knight. As the dew flies over the mulberry tree 2 The eldest sister let him in, And barred the door with a silver pin. 3 The second sister made his bed, And placed soft pillows under his head. 4 The youngest sister, fair and bright, Was resolved for to wed with this valiant knight. 5 'And if you can answer questions three, O then, fair maid, I will marry with thee. 6 'What is louder than an horn, And what is sharper than a thorn?' 7 'Thunder is louder than an horn, And hunger is sharper than a thorn.' 8 'What is broader than the way, And what is deeper than the sea?' 9 'Love is broader than the way, And hell is deeper than the sea.' * * * * * * * 10 . . . . . . . 'And now, fair maid, I will marry with thee.' C Motherwell's MS., p. 647. From the recitation of Mrs Storie. 1 There was a knicht riding frae the east, Sing the Cather banks, the bonnie brume Wha had been wooing at monie a place. And ye may beguile a young thing sune 2 He came unto a widow's door And speird whare her three dochters were. 3 The auldest ane's to a washing gane, The second's to a baking gane. 4 The youngest ane's to a wedding gane, And it will be nicht or she be hame. 5 He sat him doun upon a stane, Till thir three lasses came tripping hame. 6 The auldest ane's to the bed making, And the second ane's to the sheet spreading. 7 The youngest ane was bauld and bricht, And she was to lye with this unco knicht. 8 'Gin ye will answer me questions ten, The morn ye sall be made my ain. 9 'O what is heigher nor the tree? And what is deeper nor the sea? 10 'Or what is heavier nor the lead? And what is better nor the breid? 11 'O what is whiter nor the milk? Or what is safter nor the silk? 12 'Or what is sharper nor a thorn? Or what is louder nor a horn? 13 'Or what is greener nor the grass? Or what is waur nor a woman was?' 14 'O heaven is higher nor the tree, And hell is deeper nor the sea. 15 'O sin is heavier nor the lead, The blessing's better nor the bread. 16 'The snaw is whiter nor the milk, And the down is safter nor the silk. 17 'Hunger is sharper nor a thorn, And shame is louder nor a horn. 18 'The pies are greener nor the grass, And Clootie's waur nor a woman was.'