LORD THOMAS AND FAIR ANNET, A SCOTTISH BALLAD, Seems to be composed ( not without improvements) out of two ancient English ones, printed in the former volume. See book I. ballad XIV. and book II. ballad IV. — If this had been the original, the authors of those two ballads would hardly have adopted two fuch different Stories: befides this contains enlargements not to be found in either of the others. It is given with Some corrections, from a MS. copy transmitted from Scotland. CA LORD Thomas and fair Annet Sate a' day on a hill; Whan night was cum, and fun was fett, Lord Thomas faid a word in jeft, A'! I will nevir wed a wife Gif ye will nevir wed a wife, } The IQ The nut-brouwne bride haes gowd and gear, Fair Annet fhe has gat nane; And the little beauty fair Annet haes, O it wull foon be gane! And he has till his brother gane: Now brother rede ye mee; A' fall. I marrie the nut browne bride, The nut browne bride has oxen, brother The nut browne bride has kye; I wad hae ye marrie the nut - browne bride,us And caft fair Annet bye. Her oxen may dye i' the houfe, Billie, I 30 #1!'A 35 GI Ife rede ye tak fair Annet, Thomas," And let the browne bride alahe No, I will tak, my mithers counsel, And marrie me owt o'hand; 15 #A 1 And I will tak the nut browne bride; Fair Annet may leive the land. Lord Thomas he faw fair Annet wex pale, And marvelit what mote bee: But whan he faw her dear hearts blude, A' wood wroth wexed hee. He drew his dagger, that was fae sharp, And drave it into the nut- browne bride, 105 Lord Thomas was buried without kirk - wa', And ay they grew, and ay they threw, As they wad faine be neare; And by this ye may ken right weil, They were twa luvers deare. 120 .VI. CORYDON's DOLEFUL KNELL. This little fimple elegy is given, with fome corrections, from two copies, one of which is in "The golden garland "of princely delights. دو |