XIX "But what's the Thorn? and what the pond? 200 And what the hill of moss to her? And what the creeping breeze that comes [24] The little pond to stir?" "I cannot tell; but some will say She hanged her baby on the tree; 205 Some say she drowned it in the pond, Which is a little step beyond: But all and each agree, The little Babe was buried there, Beneath that hill of moss so fair. 210 XX "I've heard, the moss is spotted red [25] With drops of that poor infant's blood; But kill a new-born infant thus, I do not think she could! Some say, if to the pond you go, 215 And fix on it a steady view, The shadow of a babe you trace, A baby and a baby's face, And that it looks at you; Whene'er you look on it, 'tis plain 220 The baby looks at you again. XXI "And some had sworn an oath that she Should be to public justice brought; And for the little infant's bones With spades they would have sought. 225 But instantly the hill of moss [26] Before their eyes began to stir! And, for full fifty yards around, The grass--it shook upon the ground! Yet [27] all do still aver 230 The little Babe lies [28] buried there, Beneath that hill of moss so fair. XXII "I cannot tell how this may be But plain it is the Thorn is bound With heavy tufts of moss that strive 235 To drag it to the ground; And this I know, full many a time, When she was on the mountain high, By day, and in the silent night, When all the stars shone clear and bright, 240 That I have heard her cry, 'Oh misery! oh misery! Oh woe is me! oh misery!'" * * * * * Compare 'The Heart of Midlothian' (vol. iii. chap. v. edition of 1818): "Are ye sure ye ken the way ye are taking us?" said Jeanie, who began to imagine that she was getting deeper into the woods, and more remote from the highroad. "Do I ken the road? Wasna I mony a day living here, and what for shouldna I ken the road? I might hae forgotten, too, for it was afore my accident; but there are some things ane can never forget, let them try it as muckle as they like."