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THE YOUNG TAMLANE. 115
the stands of milk, and of water, in which Tamlane was dipped, in order to effect the disenchantment; and upon these spots, according to their mode of expressing themselves, the grass will never grow. Miles Cross, (perhaps a corruption of Mary's Cross,) where fair Janet awaited the arrival of (he Fairy train, is said to have stood near the Duke of Buecleuch's seat of Bow-hill, about half a mile from Carterhaugh."— (Scott's Minstrelsy, ii. 334, at the end of a most interesting essay, introductory to this tale, on the Fairies of Popular Superstition.)
"01 forbid ye, maidens a',
That wear gowd on your hair, To come or gae by Carterhaugh, For young Tamlane is there.
" There's nane that gaes by Carterhaugh, »
But maun leave him a wad, Either gowd rings, or green mantles,'
Or else their maidenheid.
" Now gowd rings ye may buy, maidens,
Green mantles ye may spin ; w
But, gin ye lose your maidenheid, Ye'll ne'er get that agen." —
But up then spak her, fair Janet, The fairest o' a' her kin ; " 111 cum and gang to Carterhaugh, v>
And ask nae leave o' him."— |
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