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THE EARL OF MAE'S DAUGHTER. |
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From Bnchan's Ancient BaUads and Songs of the North of Scotland, (i. 49.)
It is much to be regretted that this piece has not come down to us in a purer and more ancient form. Similar ballads are found in Danish, Swedish, and Faroish. Several forms of the Danish are given by Grundtvig (Ridderen i Fugleham, No. 68), who also cites many popular tales which have the same basis, e. g. the Countess d'Aulnoy's fairy story of The Blue Bird.
It was intill a pleasant time,
Upon a simmer's day; The noble Earl of Mar's daughter
Went forth to sport and play.
As thus she did amuse hersell, «
Below a green aik tree, There she saw a sprightly doo
Set on a tower sae hie.
" 0 Cow-me-doo, my love sae true,
If ye'll come down to me, w
Ye'se hae a cage o' guid red gowd Instead o' simple tree :
" I'll put gowd hingers roun' your cage, And siller roun' your wa'; I'll gar ye shine as fair a bird i*
As ony o' them a'." |
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