University of Virginia Library

The Deil's Courting

THE ELFIN KNIGHT—I

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Motherwell's MS., p. 103. From the recitation of John McWhinnie, collier, Newtown Green, Ayr.

1

A lady wonned on yonder hill,
Hee ba and balou ba
And she had musick at her will.
And the wind has blown my plaid awa

2

Up and cam an auld, auld man,
Wi his blue bonnet in his han.

19

3

‘I will ask ye questions three;
Resolve them, or ye'll gang wi me.

4

‘Ye maun mak to me a sark,
It maun be free o woman's wark.

5

‘Ye maun shape it knife-sheerless,
And ye maun sew it needle-threedless.

6

‘Ye maun wash it in yonder well,
Whare rain nor dew has ever fell.

7

‘Ye maun dry it on yonder thorn,
Where leaf neer grew since man was born.’

8

‘I will ask ye questions three;
Resolve them, or ye'll neer get me.

9

‘I hae a rig o bonnie land
Atween the saut sea and the sand.

10

‘Ye maun plow it wi ae horse bane,
And harrow it wi ae harrow pin.

11

‘Ye maun shear't wi a whang o leather,
And ye maun bind't bot strap or tether.

12

‘Ye maun stack it in the sea,
And bring the stale hame dry to me.

13

‘Ye maun mak a cart o stane,
And yoke the wren and bring it hame.

14

‘Ye maun thresh't atween your lufes,
And ye maun sack't atween your thies.’

15

‘My curse on those wha learnëd thee;
This night I weend ye'd gane wi me.’