Page:Excellent popular ballad.pdf/3

3 At length she bless'd his well try'd love,
 * Allow'd his tender claim:

She vow'd to him her virgin heart,
 * And own'd an equal flame.

Her father, Buchan's cruel lord,
 * Their passion disapprov'd.

And bade her wed Sir John the Græme,
 * And leave the youth she lov'd.—

One night they met, as they were wont,
 * Deep in a shady wood,

Where on a bank beside the burn,
 * A blooming, saugh-tree stood.

Conceal'd among the underwood,
 * The crafty Donald lay,

The brother of Sir John the Græme,
 * To watch what they might say.

When thus the maid began: "My sire
 * Our passion disapproves;

And bids me wed Sir John the Græme
 * So here must end our loves.

"My father's will must be obey'd,
 * Nought boots me to withstand:

Some fairer maid, in beauty's bloom,
 * Shall bless thee wi' her hand.

"Soon will Matilda be forgot,
 * And from thy mind effac'd;

But may that happiness be thine
 * Which I can never taste!"—

"What do I hear? Is this thy vow?"
 * Sir James the Ross reply'd: