Motherwell's Manuscript, p. 196,
from the recitation of Mrs. Thomson.
| 1 |
* * * *
'O I have seven bold brethren,
And they are all valiant men,
If they knew a man that would tread my bower
His life should not go along wi him.' |
| 2 |
'Then take me up into your arms,
And lay me low down on your bed,
That ye may swear, and keep your oath clear,
That your bower-room I did na tread. |
| 3 |
'Tie a handkerchief round your face,
And you must tye it wondrous keen,
That you may swear, and keep your oath clear,
Ye saw na me since late yestreen.' |
| 4 |
But they were scarsley gone to bed,
Nor scarse fa'n owre asleep,
Till up and started her seven brethren,
Just at Lord Saunder's feet. |
| 5 |
Out bespoke the first brither,
'Oh but love be wondrous keen!'
Out bespoke the second brither,
'It's ill done to kill a sleeping man.' |
| 6 |
Out bespoke the third brither,
'We had better gae and let him be;'
Out bespoke the fourth brither,
'He'll no be killd this night for me:' |
| 7 |
Out bespoke the fifth brother,
'This night Lord Saunders he shall die;
Tho there were not a man in all Scotland,
This night Lord Saunders he shall die.' |
| 8 |
He took out a rousty rapier,
And he drew it three times thro the strae;
Between Lord Saunders' short rib and his side
He gard the rusty rapier gae. |
| 9 |
'Awake, awake, Lord Saunders,' she said,
'Awake, awake, for sin and shame!
For the day is light, and the sun shines bricht,
'And I am afraid we will be taen. |
| 10 |
'Awake, awake, Lord Saunders,' she said,
'Awake, awake, for sin and shame!
For the sheets they are asweat,' she said,
'And I am afraid we will be taen. |
| 11 |
'I dreamed a dreary dream last night,
I wish it may be for our good,
That I was cutting my yellow hair,
And dipping it in the wells o blood.' |
| 12 |
Aye she waukened at this dead man,
Aye she put on him to and fro;
Oh aye she waukend at this dead man,
But of his death she did not know.
* * * * * |
| 13 |
'It's I will do for my love's sake
What many ladies would think lang;
Seven years shall come and go
Before a glove go on my hand. |
| 14 |
'And I will do for my love's sake
What many ladies would not do;
Seven years shall come and go
Before I wear stocking or shoe. |
| 15 |
'Ther'll neer a shirt go on my back,
There'll neer a kame go in my hair,
There'll never coal nor candle-light
Shine in my bower nae mair.' |
