| B. |
Readings inserted by Motherwell in a, copy of
his Minstrelsy.
43,4. My malison and deidly curse
Shall bear ye companie.
After 7:
He swam high, and he swam low,
And he swam to and fro,
Until he gript a hazel-bush,
That brung him to the brow.
94. Var. But his mother answered him.
10. O rise, rise, May Marget, h[e says],
(cut away by the binder)
O rise and let me in,
For the very steed that I came on
Does tremble at every limb.
113. mither and father 's baith awauk.
12. O hae ye neer a stable, he says,
Or hae ye neer a barn,
Or hae ye neer a wild-guse house,
Where I might rest till morn?
141. My barn is.
142. My stable is.
143. The house is fu o wild, wild gees.
144. They canna be moved.
154. Rides in my companie.
161. his milk-white.
162. And who could ride like him.
164. 'T was far outowre the brim.
After 16:
He swam high, and he swam low,
And he swam to and fro,
But he neer could spy the hazel-bush
That would bring him to the brow.
Comment: The mother was a witch; made
responses for Margaret; met him in a green
habit on his return home. He inquired for
the ford; she directed him to the deepest
linn. When he got into the water, two
hounds seized on his horse, and left him to
struggle with the current.
Willie's mother had transferred herself to
Margaret's house according to the variation in 94;
so she is the witch.
All this is very paltry. The mother's curse
was enough to drown Willie without her
bestirring herself further. |
