Skene Manuscript, p. 13; taken down from recitation in the
north of Scotland, 1802-3.
| 1 |
Four and twenty noblemen they rode thro Banchory fair,
But bonnie Glenlogie was flower [of a'] that was there. |
| 2 |
Four and twenty noblemen rode from Banchory ha,
But bonnie Glenlogie he was flower of them a'. |
| 3 |
'O bonnie Glenlogie, be constant and kind,
An, bonnie Glenlogie, I'll tell you my mind. |
| 4 |
. . so frank and so free,
. . and I get na Glenlogie, I'll die.' |
| 5 |
'O bonnie Jeanie, your portion's but sma
To lay your love on me, that's promist awa.' |
| 6 |
Her cherry cheeks grew pale an wan; with the tear in her ee,
'Gin I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.' |
| 7 |
Ben came her father, steps to her bowr:
'Dear Jeanie, you'r acting the part of a [whore]. |
| 8 |
'You're seeking ane that cares na for thee;
Ye's get Lord William, let Glenlogie be.' |
| 9 |
'O had you still, father, let your folly be;
Gin I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.' |
| 10 |
Ben came her mother, steps on the floor:
'Dear daughter Jeanie, you're acting the [whore], |
| 11 |
'Seeking of ane that cares na for thee;
For ye'll get Lord William, let Glenlogie be.' |
| 12 |
'O had your tongue, mother, and let me be;
An I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.' |
| 13 |
O ben came her father's chaplain, a man of great skill,
And he has written a broad letter, and he has pennd it well. |
| 14 |
H'as pennd it well, an sent it awa
To bonnie Glenlogie, the flower of them a'. |
| 15 |
When he got the letter, his tears did down fa
'She's laid her love on me, that was promist awa.' |
| 16 |
He calld on his servant wi speed, and bade him saddle his horses, and bridle them a':
'For she has laid her love on me, altho I was promist awa.' |
| 17 |
The horses were saddled wi speed, but ere they came he was four mile awa,
To Jean of Bethelny, the flowr of them a'. |
| 18 |
But when he came to her bowr she was pale and wan,
But she grew red and ruddy when Glenlogie came in. |
| 19 |
'Cheer up, bonnie Jeannie, ye are flowr o them a';
I have laid my love on you, altho I was promist awa.' |
| 20 |
Her beauty was charming, her tocher down tauld;
Bonnie Jean of Bethelny was scarce fifteen year auld. |
