Andwhenhecamyntotheforeyst,Yondertheleffesgrene,Berdysthersangeonbowhesprest,Hetwasgretjoytosene.
"Herhetysmercytobe,"seydeRoben,"Foramanthathadhawttospende;
BemeyhorneweschallawetYeffRobenHodebenerhande."
Robensetheshornetohesmowthe,Andblowablastthatwasfullgod,Thatherdehesmenthattherstode,Ferdowneynthewodde;
"Ihermeymaster,"seydeLeytellJohn;
Theyranasthaywerwode.
Whanthaytotharmastercam,LeytellJohnwoldnotspar;
"Master,howhaffeyowfarynNotynggam?
Howhaffeyowsoldeyowrwar?"
"Ye,bemeytrowthe,LeytyllJohn,Lokethowtakenocar;
YhaffebrowtthescreffeofNotynggam,Forallhowrchaffar."
"Heysfollwellcom,"seydeLytyllJohn,"Thestydyngysfollgodde;"
Thescreffehadlevernarahundredponde[HehadneverseneRobenHode.]
"HadIwestthatbeforen,AtNotynggamwhenwewer,ThowscholdenotcomynfeyrforestOfallthesthowsandeeyr."
"Thatwotywell,"seydeRoben,"Ythankegodthatyebeher;
Therforschallyeleffeyowrhorsewithhos,Andallyourhotherger."
"ThatfendIgodysforbode,"kodthescreffe,"Sotolesemeygodde;"
"Hetheryecamonhorsefollhey,Andhomschallyegoonfote;
Andgretwelltheyweyffeathome,Thewomanysfollgodde.
"Yschallhersendeawheytpalffrey,Hethambelletastheweynde;
Nerfortheloffeofyowrweyffe,Offmorsorowscholdeyowseyng."
ThespartedRobynHodeandthescreffe,ToNotynggamhetokethewaye;
Hesweyffefeyrwelcomedhemhom,Andtohemganschesaye:
"Seyr,howhaffeyowfaredyngreneforeyst?
HaffeyebrowtRobenhom?"
"Dam,thedeyellspedehim,bothebodeyandbon,Yhaffehadeafollgreteskorne.
"Ofallthegodthatyhaffeladetogrenewod,Hehayttakehetfrome,Allbotthisfeyrpalffrey,Thathehaytsendetothe."
Withthatschetokeopalowdelawhyng,Andswharbehemthatdeyedontre,"NowhaffeyowpayedforallthepottysThatRobengaffetome.
"NowyebecornhomtoNotynggam,Yeschallhaffegodynowe;"
NowspekeweofRobenHode,Andofthepottyronderthegrenebowhe.
"Potter,whatwastheypottyswortheToNotynggamthatyleddewithme?"
"Theywerworthtwonobellys,"seydhe,"Somotytreyffeorthe;
Socowdeyhadfortham,Andyhadtherbe."
"Thowschalthafetenponde,"seydeRoben,"Ofmoneyfeyrandfre;
Andyeverwhanthoucomesttogrenewod,Wellcom,pottertome."
ThespartydRobyn,thescreffe,andthepotter,Ondernethethegrene-wodtre;
GodhaffemerseyonRobynHodyssolle,Andsaffeallgodyemanrey!
Ballad:RobinHoodAndTheButcherCome,allyoubravegallants,andlistenawhile,WITHHEYDOWN,DOWN,ANADOWN,Thatareinthebowerswithin;
ForofRobinHood,thatarchergood,AsongIintendfortosing.
Uponatimeitchancedso,BoldRobininforrestdid'spyAjollybutcher,withabonnyfinemare,Withhisfleshtothemarketdidhye.
"Goodmorrow,goodfellow,"saidjollyRobin,"Whatfoodhast[thou]?telluntome;
Thytradetometell,andwherethoudostdwell,ForIlikewellthycompany."
Thebutcherheanswer'djollyRobin,"NomatterwhereIdwell;
ForabutcherIam,andtoNottinghamIamgoing,myfleshtosell."
"What's[the]priceofthyflesh?"saidjollyRobin,"Come,tellitsoonuntome;
Andthepriceofthymare,besheneversodear,ForabutcherfainwouldIbe."
"Thepriceofmyflesh,"thebutcherrepli'd,"Isoonwilltelluntothee;
Withmybonnymare,andtheyarenottoodear,Fourmarkthoumustgiveuntome."
"FourmarkIwillgivethee,"saithjollyRobin,"Fourmarkitshallbethyfee;
Themonycomecount,andletmemount,ForabutcherIfainwouldbe."
NowRobinheistoNottinghamgone,Hisbutcherstradetobegin;
Withgoodintenttothesheriffhewent,Andtherehetookuphisinn.
Whenotherbutchersdidopentheirmeat,BoldRobinhethenbegun;
Buthowfortosellheknewnotwell,Forabutcherhewasbutyoung.
Whenotherbutchersnomeatcouldsell,Robingotbothgoldandfee;
ForhesoldmoremeatforonepenyThenotherscoulddoforthree.
Butwhenhesoldhismeatsofast,Nobutcherbyhimcouldthrive;
ForhesoldmoremeatforonepenyThanotherscoulddoforfive.
WhichmadethebutchersofNottinghamTostudyastheydidstand,Saying,"Surelyhe'is'someprodigal,Thathathsoldhisfathersland."
ThebutcherssteppedtojollyRobin,Acquaintedwithhimfortobe;
"Come,brother,"onesaid,"webeallofonetrade,Come,willyougodinewithme?"
"Accurstofhisheart,"saidjollyRobin,"Thatabutcherdothdeny;
Iwillgowithyou,mybrethrentrue,AsfastasIcanhie."
Butwhentothesheriffshousetheycame,Todinnertheyhiedapace,AndRobinHoodhethemanmustbeBeforethemalltosaygrace.
"PrayGodblessusall,"saidjollyRobin,"Andourmeatwithinthisplace;
Acupofsacksogoodwillnourishourblood,AndsodoIendmygrace."
"Comefillusmorewine,"saidjollyRobin,"Letusbemerrywhilewedostay;
Forwineandgoodcheer,beitneversodear,IvowIthereck'ningwillpay.
"Come,'brothers,'bemerry,"saidjollyRobin,"Letusdrink,andnevergiveore;
FortheshotIwillpay,ereIgomyway,Ifitcostmefivepoundsandmore."
"Thisisamadblade,"thebutchersthensaid;
Saiesthesheriff,"Heissomeprodigel,Thatsomelandhassoldforsilverandgold,Andnowhedothmeantospendall.
"Hastthouanyhornbeasts,"thesheriffrepli'd,"Goodfellow,toselluntome?"
"Yes,thatIhave,goodmastersheriff,Ihavehundredstwoorthree;
"Andahundredakerofgoodfreeland,Ifyoupleaseittosee:
AndIlemakeyouasgoodassuranceofit,Asevermyfathermademe."
Thesheriffhesaddledhisgoodpalfrey,And,withthreehundredpoundingold,AwayhewentwithboldRobinHood,Hishornedbeaststobehold.
AwaythenthesheriffandRobindidride,TotheforrestofmerrySherwood;
Thenthesheriffdidsay,"GodblessusthisdayFromamantheycallRobinHood!"
Butwhenalittlefarthertheycame,BoldRobinhechancedtospyAhundredheadofgoodreddeer,Cometrippingthesherifffullnigh.
"Howlikeyoumyhorn'dbeasts,goodmastersheriff?
Theybefatandfairfortosee;"
"Itellthee,goodfellow,IwouldIweregone,ForIlikenotthycompany."
ThenRobinsethishorntohismouth,Andblewbutblaststhree;
ThenquicklyanontherecameLittleJohn,Andallhiscompany.
"Whatisyourwill,master?"thensaidLittleJohn,"Goodmastercometelluntome;"
"IhavebroughthitherthesheriffofNottinghamThisdaytodinewiththee."
"Heiswelcometome,"thensaidLittleJohn,"Ihopehewillhonestlypay;
Iknowhehasgold,ifitbebutwelltold,Willserveustodrinkawholeday."
ThenRobintookhismantlefromhisback,Andlaiditupontheground:
AndoutofthesheriffsportmantleHetoldthreehundredpound.
ThenRobinhebroughthimthorowthewood,Andsethimonhisdapplegray;
"Ohavemecommandedtoyourwifeathome;"
SoRobinwentlaughingaway.
NOTES
SIRPATRICKSPENS
Mr.Childfindsthefirstpublishedversionof"thegrandoldballadofSirPatrickSpens,"asColeridgecallsit,inBishopPercy'sRELIQUES.Herethenameis"Spence,"andthemiddlerhyme-
"Hafowre,hafowretoAberdour,"
isnotofearlydate.The"Cork-heeledShoon,"too,cannotbeearly,butballadsaresubject,inoraltradition,tosuchmoderninterpolations.Theverseabouttheladieswaitingvainlyisanticipatedinapopularsongofthefourteenthcentury,onadefeatoftheNOBLESSEinFlanders-
"Theirladiesthemmayabideinbowerandhallwelllong!"
Iftherebehistoricalfoundationfortheballad,itisprobablyablendingofthevoyageofMargaret,daughterofAlexanderIII.,towedEric,KingofNorway,in1281someofherescortweredrownedontheirwayhome,withtherathermysteriousdeath,ordisappearance,ofMargaret'sdaughter,"TheMaidofNorway,"onhervoyagetomarrythesonofEdwardI.,in1290.Awoman,whoallegedthatshewastheMaidofNorway,waslaterburnedatthestake.Thegreatnumberandvarietyofversionssufficientlyindicatetheantiquityofthisballad,whereinexacthistoryisnottobeexpected.
THEBATTLEOFOTTERBURN
FromTHEBORDERMINSTRELSY,SirWalterScott'slatesteditionof1833:thecopyintheeditionof1802islesscomplete.Thegentleandjoyouspassageofarmshererecorded,tookplaceinAugust1388.WehaveanadmirableaccountofOtterburnfightfromFroissart,whorevelsinagallantencounter,fairlyfoughtouthandtohand,withnointerventionofarcheryorartillery,andfornowretchedpracticalpurpose.InsuchacombattheScots,neverrenownedforsuccessatlongbowls,andledbyaDouglas,werelikelytoprovevictorious,evenagainstlongodds,andwhentakenbysurprise.
ChoosinganadvantageinthediscordantdaysofRichardII.,theScotsmusteredaverylargeforcenearJedburgh,merelytobreaklancesonEnglishground,andtakeloot.Learningthat,astheyadvancedbytheCarlisleroute,theEnglishintendedtoinvadeScotlandbyBerwickandtheeastcoast,theScotssentthreeorfourhundredmen-at-arms,withafewthousandmountedarchersandpikemen,whoshouldharryNorthumberlandtothewallsofNewcastle.
ThesewereledbyJames,EarlofDouglas,March,andMurray.InafightatNewcastle,DouglastookHarryPercy'spennon,whichHotspurvowedtorecover.Theretreatbegan,buttheScotswaitedatOtterburn,partlytobesiegethecastle,partlytoabideHotspur'schallenge.Hemadehisattackatmoonlight,withoverwhelmingodds,butwashamperedbyamarsh,andincommodedbyaflankattachoftheScots.Thenitcametowhowouldpoundlongest,withaxeandsword.DouglascuthiswaythroughtheEnglish,axeinhand,andwasoverthrown,buthismenprotectedhisbody.TheSinclairsandLindsayraisedhisbanner,withhiscry;
MarchandDunbarcameup;HotspurwastakenbyMontgomery,andtheEnglishwereroutedwithheavyloss.DouglaswasburiedinMelroseAbbey;verymanyyearslatertheEnglishdefiledhisgrave,butwerepunishedatAncramMoor.ThereisanEnglishpoemonthefightof"about1550";ithasmanyanalogieswithourScottishversion,and,doubtless,oursdescendsfromaballadalmostcontemporary.TheballadwasagreatfavouriteofScott's.Inasevereillness,thinkingofLockhart,notyethisson-in-law,hequoted-
"Mywoundisdeep,Ifainwouldsleep,Takethouthevanguardofthethree."
Mr.Childthinksthecommandto"yieldtothebracken-bush"
unmartial.Thisdoesnotseemastrongobjection,inFroissart'stime.Itisexplainedinanoralfragment-
"Forthereliesanethyonbracken-bushWhaafthasconqueredmairthanthee."
Mr.Childalsothinksthatthe"dreamydream"maybecopiedfromHumeofGodscroft.ItisatleastasprobablethatGodscroftborrowedfromtheballadwhichhecites.TheembroideredgauntletofthePercyisinthepossessionofDouglasofCaverstothisday.
TAMLIN,ORTAMLANE
Burns'sversion,inJohnson'sMUSEUM1792.Scott'sversionismadeupofthiscopy,Riddell's,Herd's,andoralrecitations,andcontainsfeebleliteraryinterpolations,not,ofcourse,bySirWalter.THECOMPLAINTOFSCOTLAND1549mentionsthe"TaleoftheYoungTamlene"asthenpopular.ItisneedlessheretoenterintothesubjectofFairyland,andcapturesofmortalsbyFairies:theEditorhassaidhissayinhiseditionofKirk'sSECRET
COMMONWEALTH.TheNereids,inModernGreece,practisefairycantrips,andthesamebeliefsexistinSamoaandNewCaledonia.
ThemetamorphosesarefoundintheODYSSEY,Bookiv.,inthewinningofThetis,theNEREID,ORFAIRYBRIDE,byPeleus,inamodernCretanfairytale,andsoon.ThereisasimilarincidentinPENDABALOA,aSenegambianballadCONTESPOPULAIRESDELA
SENEGAMBIE,BerengerFerand,Paris,1885.ThedippingofTamlanehasprecedentsinOLDDECCANDAYS,inaHottentottalebyBleek,andinLESDEUXFRERES,theEgyptianstory,translatedbyMasperotheEditorhasalreadygiventheseparallelsinanotetoBORDER
BALLADS,byGrahamR.Thomson.Mr.ChildalsocitesMannhardt,"WaldundFeldkulte,"ii.64-70.Carterhaugh,thesceneoftheballad,isatthejunctionofEttrickandYarrow,betweenBowhillandPhiliphaugh.
THOMASRYMER
FromTHEBORDERMINSTRELSY;theoriginalwasderivedfromaladylivingnearErceldouneEarlston,andfromMrs.Brown'sMSS.ThatThomasofErceldounehadsomepopularfameasarhymerandsoothsayerasearlyas1320-1350,seemstobeestablished.AslateastheFortyFive,nay,evenaslateastheexpectedNapoleonicinvasion,sayingsattributedtoThomaswererepeatedwithsomemeasureofbelief.ArealThomasRymerofErceldounewitnessedanundateddeedofPeterdeHaga,earlyinthethirteenthcentury.
ThedeHagas,orHaigsofBemersyde,werethesubjectsoftheprophecyattributedtoThomas,"Betide,betide,whate'erbetide,TherewillayebeaHaiginBemersyde,"
andaHaigstillownsthatancientCHATEAUontheTweed,whichhasasingularsetoftraditions.LearmontisusuallygivenastheErceldounefamilyname;abranchofthefamilyownedDairsieinFifeshire,andwereakindofhereditaryprovostsofSt.Andrews.
IfThomasdidpredictthedeathofAlexanderIII.,orratherreportitbydintofclairvoyance,hemusthavelivedtill1285.ThedateofthepoemontheFairyQueen,attributedtoThomas,isuncertain,thestoryitselfisavariantof"OgiertheDane."ThesceneisHuntlyBank,underEildonHill,andwaspartofthelandsacquired,atfantasticprices,bySirWalterScott.Hispassionforlandwasreallypartofhispassionforcollectingantiquities.ThetheoryofFairylandhereasinmanyotherScottishlegendsandwitchtrialsisborrowedfromthePre-ChristianHades,andtheFairyQueenisalaterefractionfromPersephone.Nottoeat,intherealmofthedead,isaregularpreceptofsavagebelief,alltheworldover.Mr.RobertKirk'sSECRETCOMMONWEALTHOFELVES,FAUNS,ANDFAIRIESmaybeconsulted,ortheEditor'sPERRAULT,p.xxxv.
Oxford,1888.OfthelaterlegendsaboutThomas,Scottgivesplenty,inTHEBORDERMINSTRELSY.Thelongancientromanticpoemonthesubjectisprobablythesourceoftheballad,thoughalocalballadmayhaveprecededthelongpoem.ScottnamedtheglenthroughwhichtheBogleBurnflowstoChiefswood,"TheRhymer'sGlen."
SIRHUGH
ThedateoftheMartyrdomofHughisattributedbyMatthewParisto1225.ChaucerputsaversioninthemouthofhisPrioress.NodoubtthestorymusthavebeenamereexcuseforJew-baiting.InAmericatheJewbecomes"TheDuke"inaversionpickedupbyMr.
Newells,fromtherecitationofastreetboyinNewYork.ThedaughterofaJewisnotmorelikelythanthedaughterofaduketohavebeenconcernedinthecruelandblasphemousimitationofthehorrorsattributedbyHoracetothewitchCanidia.ButsomesuchsurvivalsofpagansorcerydidexistintheMiddleAges,undertheinfluenceof"Satanism."
SONDAVIE
Motherwell'sversion.Oneofmanyballadsonfratricide,instigatedbythemother:orinquiredintobyher,asthecasemaybe."Edward"isanotherexampleofthisgloomysituation.
THEWIFEOFUSHER'SWELL
Here"Thecockdothcraw,thedaydothdaw,"
havingamiddlerhyme,canscarcelybeofextremeantiquity.
Probably,intheoriginalpoem,thedeadreturntorebuketheextremegriefoftheMother,butthepoemisperhapsreallymoreaffectingintheabsenceofadidacticmotive.ScottobtaineditfromanoldwomaninWestLothian.Probablythereading"fashes,"
troubles,"intheflood"iscorrect,not"fishes,"or"freshes."
Themotherdesiresthattheseamayneverceasetobetroubledtillhersonsreturnverse4,line2.Thepeculiardoomofwomendeadinchild-bearingoccurseveninAztecmythology.
THETWACORBIES
FromthethirdvolumeofBORDERMINSTRELSY,derivedbyCharlesKirkpatrickSharpefromatraditionalversion.TheEnglishversion,"ThreeRavens,"waspublishedinMELISMATA,byT.
Ravensworth1611.InScots,thelady"hasta'enanothermate"
hishawkandhoundhavedesertedthedeadknight.IntheEnglishsong,thehoundswatchbyhim,thehawkskeepoffcarrionbirds,asforthelady-
"Sheburiedhimbeforetheprime,Shewasdeadherselfeereevensongtime."
ProbablytheEnglishistheearlierversion.
THEBONNIEEARLOFMURRAY
HuntlyhadacommissiontoapprehendtheEarl,whowasinthedisgraceofJamesVI.Huntly,asanallyofBothwell,askedhimtosurrenderatDonibristle,inFife;hewouldnotyieldtohisprivateenemy,thehousewasburned,andMurraywasslain,Huntlygashinghisface."Youhavespoiledabetterfacethanyourown,"
saidthedyingEarl1592.JamesMelvillementionscontemporaryballadsonthemurder.RamsaypublishedtheballadinhisTEA
TABLEMISCELLANY,anditisoftensungtothisday.
CLERKSAUNDERS
FirstknownaspublishedinBORDERMINSTRELSY1802.Theapparitionoftheloverisborrowedfrom"SweetWillie'sGhost."
Theevasionspractisedbythelady,andtheausteritiesvowedbyherhavemanyNorse,French,andSpanishparallelsinfolk-poetry.
Scott'sversionis"madeup"fromseveralsources,butis,inanycase,versemostsatisfactoryaspoetry.
WALY,WALY
FromRamsay'sTEATABLEMISCELLANY,acuriouslycompositegatheringofverses.Thereisaverse,obviouslyavariant,inasixteenthcenturysong,citedbyLeyden.St.Anthon'sWellisonahillslopeofArthur'sSeat,nearHolyrood.HereJeanieDeanstrystedwithhersister'sseducer,inTHEHEARTOFMIDLOTHIAN.TheCairnofNicholMushat,thewife-murderer,isnotfaroff.TheruinsofAnthony'sChapelarestillextant.
LOVEGREGOR
ThereareFrenchandRomaicvariantsofthisballad."Lochroyal,"
wheretheballadislocalized,isinWigtownshire,butthelocalizationvaries.The"tokens"areasoldastheReturnofOdysseus,intheODYSSEY,histokenisthesingularconstructionofhisbridalbed,attachedbyhimtoalivingtree-trunk.AsimilarlegendoccursinChinese.SeeGerland'sALT-GIECHISCHEMARCHEN.
THEQUEEN'SMARIE-MARYHAMILTON
Amade-upcopyfromScott'seditionof1833.Thisballadhascausedagreatdealofcontroversy.QueenMaryhadnoMaryHamiltonamongherFourMaries.NoMariewasexecutedforchild-
murder.Butweknow,fromKnox,thatballadswererecitedagainsttheMaries,andthatoneoftheMary'schamberwomenwashanged,withherlover,apottinger,orapothecary,forgettingridofherinfant.Theselastfactswerecertainlyquitebasisenoughforaballad,theballadechoing,nothistory,butrumour,andrumouradaptedtothepopulartaste.Thustheballadmighthavepassedunchallenged,asasurvival,moreorlessmodifiedintime,ofQueenMary'speriod.Butin1719aMaryHamilton,aMaidofHonour,ofScottishdescent,wasexecutedinRussia,forinfanticide.CharlesKirkpatrickSharpeconceivedthatthisaffairwastheoriginoftheballad,andisfollowedbyMr.Child.
Wereply1Theballadhasalmostthelargestnumberofvariantsonrecord.Thisisaproofofantiquity.Variantssomany,differinginallsortsofpoints,couldnothavearisenbetween1719,andtheageofBurns,whoquotesthepoem.
2Thisisespeciallyimprobable,because,in1719,theoldveinofballadpoetryhadrundry,popularsonghadchosenotherforms,andnoliteraryimitatorcouldhavewrittenMaryHamiltonin1719.
3Thereisnoexampleofapopularballadinwhichacontemporaryevent,interestingjustbecauseitiscontemporary,isthrownbackintoaremoteage.
4Thename,MaryHamilton,isoftenNOTgiventotheheroineinvariantsoftheballad.Sheisofseveralnamesandranksinthevariants.
5AsMr.Childhimselfremarked,the"pottinger"oftherealstoryofQueenMary'stimeoccursinonevariant.Therewasno"pottinger"intheRussianaffair.
Allthesearguments,towhichothersmightbeadded,seemfataltothelatedateandmodernoriginoftheballad,andMr.Child'sownfaithinthehypothesiswasshaken,ifnotoverthrown.
KINMONTWILLIE
FromTHEBORDERMINSTRELSY.TheaccountinSatchellshaseitherbeenbasedontheballad,ortheballadisbasedonSatchells.
Afterameeting,ontheBorderofSalkeldofCorby,andScottofHaining,KinmontWilliewasseizedbytheEnglishasherodehomefromthetryst.Being"wanted,"hewaslodgedinCarlisleCastle,andthiswasabreachoftheday'struce.Buccleugh,aswarder,triedtoobtainWillie'sreleasebypeacefulmeans.Thesefailing,Buccleughdidwhattheballadreports,April13,1596.HardenandGoudilandswerewithBuccleugh,beinghisneighboursnearBranxholme.DickyofDryhope,withothers,Armstrongs,wasalsotruetothecallofduty.AfewversesintheballadareclearlybyAUTGUALTERUSAUTDIABOLUS,andnonetheworseforthat.
Salkeld,ofcourse,wasnotreallyslain;and,ifthemenwere"leftfordead,"probablytheywerenotlonginthatdebatablecondition.Intherisingof1745PrinceCharlie'smenfordedEdenasboldlyasBuccleuch,thePrincesavingadrowningHighlanderwithhisownhand.
JAMIETELFER
Scott,foronce,waswronginhislocalities.TheDodheadofthepoemisNOTthatnearSinglee,inEttrick,butaplaceofthesamename,nearSkelfhill,onthesouthernsideofTeviot,withinthreemilesofStobs,whereTelfervainlyseekshelpfromElliot.TheotherDodheadisatagreatdistancefromStobs,upBorthwickWater,overthetableland,pastClearburnLochandBuccleugh,andsodownEttrick,pastTushielaw.TheCatslockhillisnotthatonYarrow,nearLadhope,butanothernearBranxholme,whenceitisnofarcrytoBranxholmeHall.BorthwickWater,GoudilandsbelowBranxholme,CommonsidealittlefartherupTeviot,Allanhaugh,andtheotherplacesoftheScotts,werealleasily"warned."
Therearetracesofamodernhandinthisexcellentballad.ThetopographyisherecorrectedfromMS.notesinafirsteditionoftheMINSTRELSY,inthelibraryofMr.CharlesGrieveatBranxholme'
Park,ascionof"auldJockGrieve"oftheCoultartCleugh.NameslingerlonginpleasantTeviotdale.
THEDOUGLASTRAGEDY
TheballadhasNorseanalogues,butisherelocalizedontheDouglasBurn,atributaryofYarrowontheleftbank.TheSt.
Mary'sKirkwouldbethatnowruinous,onSt.Mary'sLoch,thechapelburnedbytheLadyofBranxholmewhenshe"gatheredabandOfthebestthatwouldrideathercommand,"
intheLAYOFTHELASTMINSTREL.TheancientkeepofBlackhouseonDouglasBurnmayhavebeenthehomeoftheheroine,ifwearetolocalize.
THEBONNYHIND
Herdgotthistragicballadfromamilkmaid,in1771.Mr.Childquotesaverseparallel,preservedinFaroe,andintheIcelandic.
ThereisasimilarincidentinthecycleofKullervo,intheFinnishKALEVALA.ScottsaysthatsimilartragediesarecommoninScotchpopularpoetry;suchcasesare"LizzieWan,"and"TheKing'sDochter,LadyJean."AsorrownearlyasbitteroccursintheFrench"MilkWhiteDove":abrotherkillshissister,metamorphosedintoawhitedeer."TheBridgeofDeath"French
seemstohintatsomethingofthesamekind;orrathertheEditorfindsthathehasarbitrarilyread"TheBonnyHind"into"LePontdesMorts,"inPuymaigre'sCHANTSPOPULAIRESDUPAYSMESSIN,p.60.
BALLADSANDLYRICSOFOLDFRANCE,p.63
YOUNGBEICHAN,ORYOUNGBICHAM
ThisistheoriginaloftheCockneyLOVINGBALLADOFLORDBATEMAN,illustratedbyCruikshank,andbyThackeray.Thereisavastnumberofvariants,evidencetotheantiquityofthestory.TheearliestknowntraceisinthefamiliarlegendoftheSaracenlady,whosoughtandfoundherlover,GilbertBecket,fatherofThomaseBecket,inLondonseeprefacetoLIFEOFBECKET,orBeket,PercySociety,1845.ThedatemaybeCIRC.1300.Thekindofstory,thelovingdaughterofthecruelcaptor,isasoldasMedeaandJason,andhersearchforherlovercomesinsuchMARCHENas"TheBlackBullo'Norraway."NostoryismorewidelydiffusedseeAFAR
TRAVELLEDTALE,intheEditor'sCUSTOMANDMYTH.Theappearanceofthe"TrueLove,"justatherlover'swedding,iscommonintheMARCHENoftheworld,andoccursinaRomaicballad,aswellasinmanyfromNorthernEurope.The"localcolour"-theMoororSaracen-isderivedfromCrusadingtimes,perhaps.Motherwellfoundtheballadrecitedwithintervalsofprosenarrative,asinAUCASSINANDNICOLETTE.ThenotestoCruikshank'sLOVINGBALLAD
are,obviously,byThackeray.
THEBONNYHOUSEO'AIRLY
LordAirly'shousesweredestroyedbyArgyll,representingtheCovenanters,andalsoinpursuanceofaprivatefeud,in1639,or1640.Thereareerroneousversionsofthisballad,inwhichLochielappears,andthedateis,apparently,transferredto1745.
Montrose,inhisearlyCovenantingdays,wasnotactuallyconcernedintheburningoftheBonnieHouse,whichhe,whenaRoyalist,revengedonthepossessionsof"gleyedArgyll."Thereferenceto"Charlie"isoutofkeeping;noone,perhaps,evercalledCharlesI.bythataffectionatename.LadyOgilviehadnotthelargefamilyattributedtoher:herson,LordOgilvie,escapedfromprisonintheCastleofSt.Andrews,afterPhiliphaugh.ALordOgilviewasoutin1745;and,later,hadaregimentintheFrenchService.Fewfamilieshavearecordsoconsistentlyloyal.
ROBROY
TheabductorsofthewidowedyoungheiressofEdenhellywereRob'ssons,RobinOig,whowentthroughaformofmarriagewiththegirl,andJamesMohr,agoodsoldier,butadouble-dyedspyandscoundrel.RobinOigwashangedin1753.JamesMohr,adetectedtraitortoPrinceCharles,diedmiserablyinParis,in1754.
ReadersofMr.Stevenson'sCATRIONAknowJameswell;informationastohisvillaniesisextantinAdditionalMSS.BritishMuseum.
Thisisprobablythelatestballadinthecollection.Itoccursinseveralvariants,someofwhich,copiedoutbyBurns,derivethenceacertainaccidentalinterest.InMr.Stevenson'sCATRIONA,theheroineofthatnametakesathoroughlyHighlandviewoftheabduction.RobinOig,inanycase,was"nanethewauro'ahanging,"forheshotaMaclarenattheplough-tail,beforetheForty-Five.ThetrialofthesesonsofAlpenwaspublishedshortlyafterScott'sROBROY.
KILLIECRANKIE
FoughtonJuly27,1689.NOTonthehaughnearthemodernroadbytherailway,buthigherupthehill,inthegroundsofUrrardHouse.Twosheltertrenches,whenceDundee'smencharged,arestillvisible,highonthehillsideaboveUrrand.Thereissaid,byMr.Child,tohavebeenacontemporarybroadsideoftheballad,whichisanexampleoftheevolutionofpopularballadsfromtheoldtraditionalmodel.Thereisanothersong,by,orattributedto,Burns,andofremarkablespiritandvigour.
ANNANWATER
FromTHEBORDERMINSTRELSYScottsaysthatthesearetheoriginalwordsofthetuneof"AllanWater,"andthathehasaddedtwoversesfromavariantwithafortunateconclusion."AllanWater"
isacommonrivername;thestreamsocalledjoinsTeviotaboveBranxholme.AnnanisthelargestreamthatflowsintotheSolwayFrith.TheGate-slack,inAnnandale,fixesthelocality.
THEELPHINNOURRICE
ThiscuriouspoemistakenfromthereprintofCharlesKirkpatrickSharpe'stinyBALLADBOOK,itselfnowalmostINTROUVABLE.Itdoesnot,totheEditor'sknowledge,occurelsewhere,butisprobablyauthentic.TheviewoftheFaeryQueenismorepleasingandsympatheticthanusual.Whymortalwomenweredesiredasnursesexcepttoattendonstolenmortalchildren,keptto"paytheKanetohell"isnotobvious.Irishbeliefsarepreciselysimilar;inEnglandtheyareoffrequentoccurrence.
JOHNNIEARMSTRANG
ArmstrangofGilnockiewasabrotherofthelairdofMangertoun.
HehadakindofRobinHoodreputationontheScottishBorder,asonewhoonlyrobbedtheEnglish.Pitscottie'saccountofhisslayingbyJamesV.1529readsasiftheballadwerehisauthority,andanairforthesubjectismentionedintheCOMPLAINT
OFSCOTLAND.InSirHerbertMaxwell'sHISTORYOFDUMFRIESAND
GALLOWAYisanexcellentaccountofthehistoricalfactsofthecase.
EDOMO'GORDON
FoundedonaneventinthewarsbetweenKingsmenandQueensmen,intheminorityofJamesVI.,whileQueenMarywasimprisonedinEngland."Edom"wasAdamGordonofAuchindown,brotherofHuntley,andaQueen'sman.He,byhisretainer,Car,orKer,burnedTowieHouse,aseatoftheForbes's.KerrecursinthelongandmoreorlessliteraryballadofTHEBATTLEOFBALRINNES.Invariantsthelocalitiesaremuchaltered,and,inoneversion,thesceneistransferredtoAyrshire,andLoudounCastle.Alltheballadsoffire-raising,averyusualpractice,havepointsincommon,andtransferencewaseasy.
LADYANNEBOTHWELL'SLAMENT
TraditionhasconfusedtheheroineofthispiecewiththewifeofBothwelhaugh,whoslewtheRegentMurray.Thathismotivewasnotmerepoliticalassassination,buttoavengetheill-treatmentanddeathofhiswife,seemstobedisprovedbyMaidment.Theaffair,however,isstillobscure.ThisdesertedLadyAnneoftheballadwas,infact,notthewifeofBothwelhaugh,butthedaughteroftheBishopofOrkney;herloverissaidtohavebeenhercousin,AlexanderErskine,sonoftheEarlofMar.PartofthepoemMr.
ChildpointsoutoccursinBroome'splay,THENORTHERNLASS
1632.Thoughapopularfavourite,thepieceisclearlyofliteraryorigin,andhasbeenseverely"edited"byaliteraryhand.
ThisversionisAllanRamsay's.
JOCKO'THESIDE
ALiddesdalechant.Jockflourishedabout1550-1570,andiscommemoratedasareceiverbySirRichardMaitlandinapoemoftenquoted.Theanalogiesofthisballadwiththatof"KinmontWillie"
areveryclose.Thereferencetoapunch-bowlsoundsmodern,andthetaleismuchlessplausiblethanthatof"KinmontWillie,"
which,however,bearsafewobviousmarksofSirWalter'sownhand.
Ascepticaleditormustchoosebetweentwotheories:eitherScottofSatchellsfoundedhisaccountoftheaffairof"KinmontWillie"
onapre-existingballadofthatname,ortheballadprintedbyScottisbasedontheprosenarrativeofScottofSatchells.Theformerhypothesis,everythingconsidered,isthemoreprobable.
LORDTHOMASANDFAIRANNET
PublishedinPercy'sRELIQUES,fromaScotchmanuscript,"withsomecorrections."Thesituation,withvariousdifferencesindetailandconclusion,ispopularinNorseandRomaicballads,andalsoinmanyMARCHENofthetypeofTHEBLACKBULLOFNORRAWAY.
FAIRANNIE
FromTHEBORDERMINSTRELSY.ThereareDanish,Swedish,Dutch,andGermanversions,andthethemeentersartisticpoetryasearlyasMariedeFranceLELAIDELFREISNE.InScotchtheEarlofWemyssisarecentimportation:theearldomdatesfrom1633.OfcoursethisprocessofattachingalegendorMARCHENtoawell-knownname,orplace,isoneofthemostcommoninmythologicalevolution,andbyitselfinvalidatesthetheorywhichwouldexplainmythsbyaphilologicalanalysisofthepropernamesinthetale.Thesemaynotbe,andprobablyarenot,theoriginalnames.
THEDOWNIEDENSOFYARROW
FromTHEBORDERMINSTRELSY.ScottthoughtthattheherowasWalterScott,thirdsonofThirlestane,slainbyScottofTushielaw.The"monument"astandingstonenearYarrowisreallyofaveryearly,ratherPost-Romandate,andreferstonofeudofThirlestane,Oakwood,Kirkhope,orTushielaw.ThestoneisnotfarfromYarrowKrik,nearaplacecalledWarrior'sRest.HamiltonofBangour'sversionisbeautifulandwellknown.Quiterecentlyaveryearlyintermentofacorpse,inthecurvedposition,wasdiscoverednotfarfromthestandingstonewiththeinscription.
Ballad,stone,andintermentmayallbedistinctandseparate.
SIRROLAND
FromMotherwell'sMINSTRELSY.Theauthenticityoftheballadisdubious,but,ifaforgery,itisaveryskilledonefortheearlynineteenthcentury.PoetslikeMr.Swinburne,Mr.Rossetti,andMrs.MarriotWatsonhaveimitatedthegenuinepopularballad,butneversocloselyastheauthorof"SirRoland."
ROSETHEREDANDWHITELILY
FromtheJamieson-BrownMS.,originallywrittenoutbyMrs.Brownin1783:SirWaitermadechangesinTHEBORDERMINSTRELSY.Theballadisclearlyacompositeaffair.RobertChambersregardedMrs.BrownastheMrs.Harrisofballadlore,butMr.NorvalClyne'sreplywasabsolutelycrushingandsatisfactory.
THEBATTLEOFHARLAW
FoughtonJuly24,1411.ThisfightbroketheHighlandforceinScotland.Thefirstversionis,ofcourse,literary,perhapsacompositionof1550,orevenearlier.Thesecondversionistraditional,andwasprocuredbyAytounfromLadyJohnScott,herselftheauthorofsomebeautifulsongs.ButthebestballadontheRedHarlawisthatplacedbyScottinthemouthofElspeth,inTHEANTIQUARY.This,indeed,isbeyondallrivalrythemostsplendidmodernimitationoftheancientpopularMuse.
DICKIEMACPHALION
AgreatfavouriteofScott's,whohearditsungatMissEdgeworth's,duringhistourinIreland1825.OneverserecursinaJacobitechant,probablyof1745-1760,butthebibliographyofJacobitesongsisespeciallyobscure.
ALYKE-WAKEDIRGE
FromtheBORDERMINSTRELSY.Theideasaremainlypre-Christian;
theBrigo'DreadoccursinIslamiteandIroquoisbelief,andinalmostallmythologiesthesoulshavetocrossaRiver.MusicforthisdirgeisgiveninMr.HaroldBoulton'sandMissMacleod'sSONGSOFTHENORTH.
THELAIRDOFWARISTOUN
ThisversionwastakendownbySirWalterScottfromhismother'srecitation,forJamieson'sbookofballads.JamiesonlaterquarrelledbitterlywithSirWalter,aslettersatAbbotsfordprove.AvariantisgivenbyKinloch,andalonger,lesspoetical,butmorehistoricallyaccurateversionisgivenbyBuchan.TheHouseofWaristounis,orlatelywas,amelancholyplacehangingaboveanarrowlake,inthenorthernsuburbsofEdinburgh,neartheWaterofLeith.KincaidwasthenameoftheLaird;accordingtoChambers,themorefamouslairdsofCovenantingtimeswereJohnstons.Kincaidissaidtohavetreatedhiswifecruelly,whereforeshe,orhernurse,engagedoneRobertWeir,anoldservantofherfatherLivingstoneofDunipace,tostrangletheunhappymaninhisownbedroomJuly2,1600.Theladywasbeheaded,thenursewasburned,and,later,Weirwasalsoexecuted.
Theline"Iwishthatyemaysinkforsin"
occursinanearlierballadonEdinburghCastle-
"AndthatallfortheblackdinnerEarlDouglasgottherein."
MAYCOLVEN
FromHerd'sMS.VersionsoccurinPolish,German,Magyar,Portuguese,Scandinavian,andinFrench.TheballadisherelocalisedontheCarrickcoast,nearGirvan.TheladyiscalledaKennedyofCulzean.Prof.BuggeregardsthiswidelydiffusedballadasbasedontheApocryphallegendofJudithandHolofernes.
Ifso,thelegendisDIABLEMENTCHANGEENROUTE.MoreprobablytheoriginisaMARCHENofakindofRAKSHASAfataltowomen.Mr.
Childhascollectedavastmassoferuditiononthesubject,andbynomeansacquiescesinProf.Bugge'singenioushypothesis.
JOHNIEFAA
FromPinkerton'sScottishBallads.TheeventnarratedisalegendofthehouseofCassilisKennedy,butiswhollyunhistorical.
"SirJohnFaa,"inthefable,isaidedbyGypsies,but,apparently,isnotoneoftheEarlsofEgypt,onwhomMr.Crockett'snovel,THE
RAIDERS,maybeconsulted.Theballadwasfirstprinted,asfarasisknown,inRamsay'sTEATABLEMISCELLANY.
HOBBIENOBLE
TheherorecursinJOCKO'THESIDE,andJocko'theMainsisanhistoricalcharacter,thatis,findsmentioninauthenticrecords,asScottpointsout.TheArmstrongsweredeportedingreatnumbers,as"anillcolony,"toUlster,byJamesI.SirHerbertMaxwell'sHISTORYOFDUMFRIESANDGALLOWAYmaybeconsultedfortheseandsimilarreivers.
THETWASISTERS
Aversionof"Binnorie."Theballadhereendsabruptly;doubtlessthefiddlermadefiddle-stringsofthelady'shair,andafiddleofherbreast-bone,whiletheinstrumentprobablyrevealedthecrueltyofthesister.Otherextantversionsarecompositeorinterpolated,sothisfragmentSharpe'shasbeenpreferredinthisplace.
MARYAMBREE
TakenbyPercyfromapieceinthePepysCollection.Thegirlwarriorisafavouritefigureinpopularromance.Oftensheslaysatreacherouslover,asinBILLYTAYLOR.NothingisknownofMaryAmbreeasanhistoricalpersonage;shemaybeaslegendaryasfairmaidenLilias,ofLiliarid'sEdge,who"foughtuponherstumps."
InthatcasethelocalnameisdemonstrablyearlierthanthemythicalLilias,whofoughtwithsuchtenacity.
ALISONGROSS
Jamiesongavethisballadfromamanuscript,alteringthespellinginconformitywithScotsorthography.Mr.Childprintsthemanuscript;hereJamieson'smorefamiliarspellingisretained.
TheideaoftheromanceoccursinaRomaicMARCHEN,but,inplaceoftheQueenofFaery,amorebeautifulgirlthanthesorceressNereidinRomaic,restorestheyouthtohistrueshape.Mr.
Childregardedthetaleas"oneofthenumerouswildgrowths"fromBEAUTYANDTHEBEAST.ItwouldbemorecorrecttosaythatBEAUTY
ANDTHEBEASTisalate,courtly,Frenchadaptationandamplificationoftheoriginalpopular"wildgrowth"whichfirstappearsinliteraryformasCUPIDANDPSYCHE,inApuleius.
Exceptforthemetamorphosis,however,thereislittleanalogyinthiscase.ThefriendlyactoftheFairyQueeniswithoutparallelinBritishFolklore,butMr.ChildpointsoutthattheNereidQueen,inGreece,isstillaskindasThetisofold,notasepulchralsiren,theshadowofthepagan"FairyQueenProserpina,"
asCampioncallsher.
THEHEIROFLYNNE
FromPercy'sFolioManuscript.ThereisacognateGreekepigram-
[Greektextwhichcannotbereproduced]
GORDONOFBRACKLEY
This,thoughprobablynotthemostauthentic,isdecidedlythemostpleasingversion;itisfromMackay'scollection,perhapsfromhispen.
EDWARD
PercygotthispiecefromLordHailes,withpseudo-antiquatedspelling.Mr.Swinburnehaspublishedaparallelballad"FromtheFinnish."ThereareanumberofparallelballadsonCruelBrothers,andCruelSisters,suchasSONDAVIE,whichmaybecompared.Fratricidesandunconsciousincestsweremotivesdeartopopularpoetry.
YOUNGBENJIE
FromtheBORDERMINSTRELSY.ThatcorpsesMIGHTbeginto"thraw,"
ifcarelesslywatched,wasaprevalentsuperstition.Scottgivesanexample:thefollowingmaybeadded,aslesswellknown.Thewatchershadleftthecorpsealone,andwerediningintheadjoiningroom,whenaterriblenoisewasheardinthechamberofdeath.Nonedaredenter;theministerwassentfor,andpassedintotheroom.Heemerged,askedforapairoftongs,andreturned,bearinginthetongsABLOODYGLOVE,andthenoiseceased.Healwaysdeclinedtosaywhathehadwitnessed.
Ministerswereexorcistsinthelastcentury,andthefatherofJamesThomson,thepoet,diedsuddenlyinaninterviewwithaguest,inahauntedhouse.Thehousewaspulleddown,asbeinguninhabitable.
AULDMAITLAND
FromTHEBORDERMINSTRELSY.Thisballadisinserted,notforitsmerit,stilllessforitsauthenticity,butfortheproblemofitspuzzlinghistory.ScottcertainlygotitfromthemotheroftheEttrickShepherd,in1801.TheShepherd'sfatherhadbeenagrown-
upmanin1745,andhismotherwasalsoofagreatage,andunlikelytobeabletolearnanew-forgedballadbyheart.TheShepherdhimselfthenamostunsophisticatedpersonsaid,inaletterofJune30,1801,thathewas"surprizedtohearthissongissuspectedbysometobeamodernforgery;thecontrarywillbebestprovedbymostoftheoldpeople,hereabout,havingagreatpartofitbyheart."Thetwolastlinesofversesevenwere,confessedly,addedbyHogg,tofillaLACUNA.Theyareespeciallymoderninstyle.NowthustofillupshamLACUNAEinshamballadsofhisown,withlinesmanifestlymodern,wasafavouritetrickofSurteesofMainsforth.Heusedthedevicein"Barthram'sDirge,"
whichentirelytookinSirWalter,andwasguiltyofmanyotherSUPERCHERIES,especiallyofthe"FrayofSuportMill."CouldtheunletteredShepherd,fondofhoaxesashewas,haveinventedthisstratagem,sixteenyearsbeforehejoinedtheBLACKWOODset?Andisitconceivablethathisoldmother,enteringintothejoke,wouldcommitherson'sfraudulentversestomemory,andrecitethemtoSirWalterasgenuinetradition?ShesaidtoScott,thattheballad"neverwasprintedi'theworld,formybrothersandmelearneditandmanymaefraeauldAndrewMoore,andhelearneditfraeauldBabyMettlin"Maitland?"whawashousekeepertothefirstlairdo'Tushilaw."OnEttrick,nearThirlestane.ShedoubtlessmeantthefirstoftheAndersonsofTushielaw,whosucceededtheoldlairds,theScotts."Shewassaidtohaebeenanotheroraguidane,andtherearemanyqueerstoriesabouthersel',butO,shehadbeenagrandsingero'auldsongsan'
ballads."Hogg'sDOMESTICMANNERSOFSIRWALTERSCOTT,p.61,1834.
"Maitlanduponauldbeirdgray"ismentionedbyGawainDouglas,inhisPALICEOFHONOUR,whichtheShepherdcanhardlyhaveread,andScottidentifiedthisMaitlandwiththeancestorofLethington;hisdatewas1250-1296.Onthewhole,eventheastuteShepherd,inhisearlydaysofauthorship,couldhardlyhavelaidaplotsoinsidious,andthequestionoftheauthenticityandoriginoftheballadobviousinterpolationsapartremainsamystery.Whocouldhaveforgedit?Itis,asanexerciseinimitation,farbeyondHARDYKNUTE,andatleastonalevelwithSIRROLAND.Thepossibilityofsuchforgeriesisnowveryslightindeed,butvitiatesearlycollections.
IfwesuspectLeyden,whoalonehadthenecessaryknowledgeofantiquities,wearestillmetbytheimprobabilityofoldMrs.Hoggbeingengagedinthehoax.Moreover,LeydenwasprobablytookeenanantiquarytotakepartinoneofthedeceptionswhichRitsonwishedtopunishsoseverely.Mr.Childexpresseshisstrongandnaturalsuspicionsoftheauthenticityoftheballad,andHoggis,certainly,adubioussource.HetookinJeffreywiththesongof"DonaldMacgillavray,"andinstantlyboastedofhistriumph.Hecouldnothavekepthissecret,afterthedeathofScott.Theseconsiderationsmustnotbeneglected,howeversuspicious"Auld,Maitland"mayappear.
THEBROOMFIELDHILL
FromBuchan'sBALLADSOFTHENORTHOFSCOTLAND.ThereareElizabethanreferencestothepoem,andatwelfthcenturyromanceturnsonthemainideaofsleepmagicallyinduced.Theloverthereinismorefortunatethantheherooftheballad,and,finally,overcomesthespell.TheidearecursintheNorsepoetry.
WILLIE'SLADYE
ScotttookthisballadfromMrs.Brown'scelebratedManuscript.
ThekindofspellindicatedwaspractisedbyHerauponAlcmena,beforethebirthofHeracles.Analogousisthespellbybindingwitch-knots,practisedbySimaethaonherlover,inthesecondIdyllofTheocritus.Montaignehassomecuriousremarksontheseenchantments,explainingtheirpowerbywhatisnowcalled"suggestion."ThereisaDanishparallelto"Willie'sLadye,"
translatedbyJamieson.
ROBINHOODBALLADS
Thereisplentiful"learning"aboutRobinHood,butnorealknowledge.Heisfirstmentionedinliterature,asthesubjectof"rhymes,"inPIERSPLOWMANCIRC.1377.Asatopicofballadshemustbemucholderthanthatdate.In1439hisnamewasasynonymforabandit.Wyntoun,theScotschronicler,datestheoutlawinthetimeofEdwardI.Major,theScotsphilosopherandmasterofJohnKnox,makesaguesstakenupbyScottinIVANHOEastheperiodofRichardI.KuhnseekstoshowthatHoodisasurvivalofWoden,orofhisWOODEN,"woodenhorse"orhobbyhorse.TheRobinHoodplaywasparallelwiththeMaygames,which,asMr.FrazershowsinhisGOLDENBOUGH,werereallysurvivalsofaworld-widereligiouspractice.ButRobinHoodneednotbeconfusedwiththelegendaryMayKing.Mr.Childjudiciouslyrejectsthesemythologicalconjectures,based,astheyare,onfar-fetchedetymologiesandanalogies.Robinisanidealizedbandit,reiver,orKlepht,asinmodernRomaicballads,andhisadventuresarepreciselysuchaspopularfancyeverywhereattachestosuchpopularheroes.AnhistoricalRobintheremayhavebeen,butPREMITNOX
ALTA.
ROBINHOODANDTHEMONK
ThiscopyfollowsinMr.Child'searlyedition,"fromthesecondeditionofRitson'sROBINHOOD,ascollatedbySirFredericMadden."Itisconjecturedtobe"possiblyasoldasthereignofEdwardII."Thatthemurderofamonkshouldbepardonedinthefacilewaydescribedismanifestlyimprobable.EveninthelawlessGallowayof1508,McGhieofPhumptonwasfinedsixmerksfor"throwingWilliamSchankis,monk,fromhishorse."HistoryofDumfriesandGalloway,bySirHerbertMaxwell,p.155.
ROBINHOODANDTHEPOTTER
PublishedbyRitson,fromaCambridgeMS.,probablyofthereignofHenryVII.
ROBINHOODANDTHEBUTCHER
PublishedbyRitson,fromaBlackLettercopyinthecollectionofAnthonyWood,theOxfordantiquary.