| F. |
In a letter to Scott, January 3, 1803, Laidlaw
gives some account of the ballad sung
by Walter Grieve, and cites some verses
from recollection, which, not unnaturally,
differ from what he afterwards took down
in writing.
"He likewise sung part of a very beautiful ballad
which I think you will not have seen. As
a punishment for her inconstancy, the Devil
is supposed to come and entice a young
woman from her husband, in the form of
her former lover. The tune is very solemn
and melancholy, and the effect is mixed with
a considerable proportion of horror. I remember
but very few verses. He prevails
upon her to go abroad [aboard?] to hear his
musicians, after upbraiding her
| |
'I might hae marrit a king's daughter, but
I mindit my love for thee.' |
"The description of her setting her child on
the nurse's knee and bidding him farewell
is waesome, but I have forgot it."
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She set her foot into the ship, to hear the music play;
The masts war o the beaten goud, and the sails o the silk sae gay. |
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They hadna saild a league thrae land, a league but barely three,
Till drearie grew his countenance, and drumlie grew his ee. |
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They hadna saild another league, another league but three,
Till she beheld his cloven fit, and she wept most bitterlie. |
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'O had yer tongue, my love,' he said, 'why weep ye sae mournfulie?
We're gaun to see how the lillies do grow on the banks o fair Italie.' |
| |
'What hills are yon, yon pleasant hills, where the sun shines [a wafer here]
'O yon's the hills of heaven,' he said, 'where you will never win!'" |
Letters addressed to Sir Walter Scott, Vol.
I, No 78, Abbotsford. |
