She crossed him thrice, that lady bold; The fairest knight on Scottish mold, Merry it is in good greenwood, When the mavis and merle are singing, But merrier were they in Dunfermline gray, When all the bells were ringing. Walter Scott [1771–1832] SONG From "Rokeby" O BRIGNALL banks are wild and fair, Would grace a summer-queen. And as I rode by Dalton-Hall A Maiden on the castle-wall Was singing merrily: "O Brignall banks are fresh and fair, I'd rather rove with Edmund there "O Maiden, wouldst thou wend with me, Then to the greenwood shalt thou speed, Yet sung she, "Brignall banks are fair, And Greta woods are green; I'd rather rove with Edmund there Than reign our English queen. Song "I read you, by your bugle-horn And by your palfrey good, I read you for a Ranger sworn To keep the king's greenwood." "A Ranger, lady, winds his horn, And 'tis at peep of light; His blast is heard at merry morn, I would I were with Edmund there "With burnished brand and musketoon So gallantly you come, I read you for a bold Dragoon That lists the tuck of drum." "I list no more the tuck of drum, No more the trumpet hear; But when the beetle sounds his hum Yet mickle must the maiden dare Would reign my Queen of May! "Maiden! a nameless life I lead, And when I'm with my comrades met Beneath the greenwood bough,— What once we were we all forget, And you may gather garlands there 2627 Walter Scott [1771–1832] GLENARA OH, heard ye yon pibroch sound sad in the gale, Glenara came first with the mourners and shroud; In silence they went, over mountain and moor, "And tell me, I charge you, ye clan of my spouse, "I dreamt of my lady, I dreamt of her shroud," Oh, pale grew the cheek of that chieftain, I ween, "I dreamt of my lady, I dreamt of her grief; In dust, low the traitor has knelt to the ground, Thomas Campbell [1777–1844] Lord Ullin's Daughter LORD ULLIN'S DAUGHTER A CHIEFTAIN, to the Highlands bound, "Now who be ye, would cross Lochgyle, "And fast before her father's men Three days we've fled together, For should he find us in the glen, My blood would stain the heather. "His horsemen hard behind us ride; Outspoke the hardy Highland wight, "And by my word! the bonny bird So, though the waves are raging white, I'll row you o'er the ferry." By this the storm grew loud apace, The water-wraith was shrieking; And in the scowl of heaven each face Grew dark as they were speaking. But still as wilder blew the wind, 2629 "O, haste thee, haste!" the lady cries, The boat has left a stormy land, And still they rowed amidst the roar Lord Ullin reached that fatal shore,-- For sore dismayed, through storm and shade, One lovely hand she stretched for aid, And one was round her lover. "Come back! come back!" he cried in grief, "Across this stormy water: And I'll forgive your Highland chief, My daughter!-O my daughter!" 'Twas vain; the loud waves lashed the shore, Return or aid preventing; The waters wild went o'er his child, And he was left lamenting. Thomas Campbell [1777-1844] "WAE'S ME FOR PRINCE CHARLIE” A WEE bird came to our ha' door; And aye the o'ercome o' his sang Was "Wae's me for Prince Charlie!" |