The English and Scottish Popular Ballads :: :: University of Virginia Library

‘And when will ye return again?’ she said,
‘Lord Lavel, pray tell to me:’
‘Whan seven lang years are past and gane,
Fair Nancybelle, I'll return to thee.’

4

‘'Tis too lang, Lord Lavel,’ she said,
‘'Tis too lang for me;
'Tis too long, Lord Lavel,’ she said,
‘A true lover for to see.’

[OMITTED]

5

He had na been in merry England
A month but barely three,
Till languishing thoughts cam into his mind,
And Nancybelle fain wad he see.

208

6

He rade, and he rade, alang the hieway,
Till he cam to yonder toun;
He heard the sound o a fine chapel-bell,
And the ladies were mourning roun.

7

He rade, and he rade, alang the hieway,
Till he cam to yonder hall;
He heard the sound o a fine chapel-bell,
And the ladies were mourning all.

8

He asked wha it was that was dead,
The ladies did him tell:
They said, It is the king's daughter,
Her name is Fair Nancybelle;
She died for the love of a courteous young knicht,
His name is Lord Lavel.

9

‘O hast thou died, Fair Nancybelle,
O hast thou died for me!
O hast thou died, Fair Nancybelle!
Then I will die for thee.’

10

Fair Nancybelle died, as it might be, this day,
Lord Lavel he died tomorrow;
Fair Nancybelle died with pure, pure love,
Lord Lavel he died with sorrow.

11

Lord Lavel was buried in Mary's kirk,
Nancybelle in Mary's quire;
And out o the ane there grew a birk,
Out the other a bonny brier.

12

And ae they grew, and ae they threw,
Until they twa did meet,
That ilka ane might plainly see
They war twa lovers sweet.