Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/426

 BALLADS AND SONGS BY UNKNOWN AUTHORS

367. Thomas the Rhymer

True Thomas lay on Huntlie bank; A ferlie he spied wi' his e'e; And there he saw a ladye bright Come riding down by the Eildon Tree.

Her skirt was o' the grass-green silk, Her mantle o' the velvet fyne; At ilka tett o' her horse's mane, Hung fifty siller bells and nine.

True Thomas he pu'd aff his cap, And louted low down on his knee: 'Hail to thee, Mary, Queen of Heaven! For thy peer on earth could never be.'

'O no, O no, Thomas,' she said, 'That name does not belang to me; I'm but the Queen o' fair Elfland, That am hither come to visit thee.

'Harp and carp, Thomas,' she said; 'Harp and carp along wi' me; And if ye dare to kiss my lips, Sure of your bodie I will be.'

ferlie] marvel. tett] tuft, lock. harp and carp] play and recite (as a minstrel).