Communicated to Percy by Robert Lambe, of Norham,
August 17, 1768; dated April, 1768.
| 1 |
Fourscore nobles ride in the king's court,
And bonny Earl Ogie's the flower of the rout;
Fourscore lean oer the castle-wa,
But Jean of Bethelnie's the flower of em a'. |
| 2 |
She writ a broad letter, and pennd it fou lang,
And sent it Earl Ogie as fast as 't can gang:
'Bonny Earl Ogie, be courteous and kind;
I've laid my love on thee; maun I die in my prime?' |
| 3 |
'O pox on thee, Jenny, for being sae slaw!
Bonny Earl Ogie is promisd awa:'
This letter was like to mak her heart break,
For revealing her mind to a man so ingrate. |
| 4 |
'Come here, all my handmaids, O do this with speed,
Take my gowns and my passments, and lay me to bed;
Lay me to bed, it is all that I crave;
Wi my sark in my coffin, lay me in my grave.' |
| 5 |
Her father beheld her with heart full of grief,
And spoke these words to her, to gi her relief:
Hawd your tongue, Jenny, your mourning let be,
You shall have drumfinely, who's as good as he. |
| 6 |
'Haud your tongue, father, your words make me sad;
If I get not Earl Ogie, I still shall be bad;
With his bonny streight body, and black rolling eee,
If I get not Earl Ogie, for him I mun dee.' |
| 7 |
Her father, king's chaplain, and one of great skill,
Did write a broad letter, and pennd it fou weel;
He as writ a broad letter, and pennd it fou lang,
And sent it Earl Ogie as fast as 't can gang. |
| 8 |
'Bonny Earl Ogie, be courteous and kind;
My daughter loves you; must she die in her prime?'
When he read the first lines, a loud laugh gave he;
But or he redd the middle, the tear filld his ee, |
| 9 |
'Come here, all my footmen, and also my groom,
Go saddle my horses, and saddle them soon:'
They were not weel saddled and set on the green
Or bonny Earl Ogie was twa mile his lain. |
| 10 |
When he came to Bethelnie, he nothing saw there
But mourning and weeping, lamentation and care:
'O you that's her handmaid, take me by the hand,
Lead me to the chamber that Jenny lies in.' |
| 11 |
When thither he came, she was pale and half dead;
As soon as she saw him, her cheeks they grew red:
'Come, turn thee, my Jenny, come, turn on thy side,
I'll be the bridegroom, you shall be the bride.' |
| 12 |
Her spirit revived to hear him say sae,
And thus ended luckily all her great wae;
Then streight were they married, with joy most profound,
And Jean of Bethelnie was sav'd from the ground. |
