Part 44

33 ‘You’re welcome, bonny Jeany Gordon, With my young family; Mount and go to Northumberland, There a countess thou shall be.’

* * * * *

#a.#

The Duke of Gordon’s Garland, composed of several excellent New Songs. I. The Duke of Gordon’s Daughter. II. A new song calld Newcastle Ale. Licensed and enterd according to order.

_Heber’s copy differs in a few places from Percy’s, and generally for the worse._

4^2. on _wanting_.

7^4. she woud.

10^3. cause _wanting_.

13^4. will not.

16^2. think it.

18^2. and rain.

24^3. you.

24^4. And be.

32^2. tears in her eyes.

_Ritson’s._ 9^3. wants thee. 13^3. wants for. 31^1. gold and.

#b.#

_Two copies, one in the British Museum_, 1078. i. 20 (7), Printed at the St. Michael Press, by C. M’Lachlan, Dumfries, _dated in the catalogue_ 1785?

#c.#

_British Museum_, 11621. b. 12 (28), _dated_ 1810?

A beautiful old song, entitled the Duke of Gordon’s three Daughters. To which is added The Challenge. Stirling: Printed by M. Randall.

#d.#

_British Museum_, 1078. k. 4 (5), _dated_ 1820? The Duke of Gordon’s Three Daughters. To which is added Mrs Burns Lament for Burns. Peterhead: Printed by P. Buchan.

#b, c, d.#

1^1. had.

1^3. stay at.

1^4. they went to.

2^1. in bonny.

2^3. Till Jean.

2^4. #b.# him went she. #c, d.# And from him she would not stay.

3^1. come.

3^{3,4}. How Lady Jean fell in love with a captain, And from him she would not stay.

4^1. to me: horse, he cry’d.

4^2. My servant shall ride on.

4^3. will go.

4^4. Forthwith to bring her away.

5^2. only one.

5^3. walking _wanting_.

6^{2,3}. O where.

6^4. #c, d.# not along with.

7^1. #b.# us, they did say.

7^4. And from him she would (#c, d#, will) not stay.

8^1. to bonny.

8^4. #b.# A training of. #c, d.# A training his gallant.

9^1. woe be to thee.

9^4. High hanged. #b.# shalt thou.

10^1. #b.# The Duke he wrote. #c, d.# The D. of G. wrote a letter.

10^2. #b.# he sent.

10^3. Desiring him to hang.

10^4. #b.# eer he causd hang any. #c, d.# For marrying his daughter Jean.

11^1. #b.# O no I. #c, d.# Said the king, I’ll not.

11^2. #b.# For any (#c, d#, all the) offence that.

11^3. him put off the scarlet.

12^1. Now word.

12^3. To strip off.

13^{1,3}. #b.# Jean.

13^3. #c, d.# for my true-love.

13^4. this and more I’ll.

14^2. #c, d.# Not _wanting_. #b, c, d.# but only.

14^4. And another.

15^1. #b.# weary, weary wandering. #c, d.# weary wandering.

16. O hold thy tongue, bonny Jean Gordon, O hold your tongue, my lamb! (#c, d.# thy) For once I was a noble captain, Now for thy sake a single man.

17^1. #b.# O high is the hills and the mountains. #c, d#, high were: and mountains.

17^2. #b.# and the.

18,19. _Wanting._

20^1. #b#. was in. #c, d.# were in.

20^3. I could go. #b.# Jean _for_ Castle, _wrongly_.

_19–21 of #b#are displaced, and come after #b# 26: or, 23–27 of #a# follow #a# 20, and then come this stanza (not in #a#) and #a# 21, 22._

_After 20._ #b#:

O hold thy tongue, bonny Jean (#c, d.# your) Gordon, O hold your tongue, my dow! I’ve but one half-crown in the world, I’ll buy hose and shoon (#c, d.# And I’ll) to you.

21^1. #b.# Then, _wrongly_. #b, c, d.# to bonny.

21^2. And coming over the green.

21^3. #b.# porter cried out with a cry. #c, d.# called out very loudly.

21^4. #b.# O _wanting_. #b, c, d.# comes our.

22^1. #b.# O _wanting_. #b, c, d.# Jean.

22^2. #b.# dearly. #c, d.# Her father he did say.

22^3. Thou art: Jean.

22^4. Captain _wanting_.

23^1. over the.

23^3. But a messenger.

23^4. Which caused a countermand.

24^1. #b.# home now pretty. #c, d.# home now brave.

24^2. To enjoy your.

24^3. #b#. home now pretty. #c, d.# O come home gallant.

24^4. You’r the heir of.

25^1. #c, d.# O _wanting_.

25^3. O they. #b.# are all.

25^4. The lands. #b.# all ready.

26^2. And let’s.

26^3. I’ll go home and have my.

26^4. And then.

27^1. bonny Castle.

27^2. #b.# And then at the gate stood he. #c, d.# he stood, _wrongly_.

27^3. #b.# porter cry’d out. #c, d.# cry’d with a loud voice.

27^4. #c, d.# O here. #b.# comes the.

28^1. #c, d.# O you’re welcome now, Captain.

28^3. #b.# come to. #c, d.# come within.

29^1. #b.# at _wrongly omitted_. #b, c, d.# gate.

29^3. #c, d.# Now I’m.

30, 31. _Wanting._

32^1. #c, d.# Then Jean came.

32^2. #c, d.# The salt tear in.

32^3. babe she had at every foot.

32^4. #c, d.# And one in her arms did ly.

33. #b.# You’re welcome, bonny Jean Gordon, You are dearly welcome to me; You’re welcome, bonny Jeany Gordon, Countess of Cumberland to be.

#c, d.# The Captain took her straight in his arms, O a happy man was he! Saying, Welcome, _etc._, _as in_ #b#.

33^4. #c, d.# Northumberland.

_After 33._ #b.# So the captain came off with his lady, (#c, d.# The captain) And also his sweet babes three; (#c, d.# And his lovely babies three) Saying, I’m as good blood by descent, Tho the great Duke o Gordon you be.

#e-h# _are but partially collated_.

#e.#

1^1. had.

1^2. Lady Mary, Margret, and Jean.

1^4. they wadna bide.

7^4. From him she will not stay.

8. _Wanting._

9^4. Hie hangit shalt thou be.

10^3. Desiring to hang.

10^4. For marrying his dochter Jean.

11^2. For a’ the offence I see.

11^3. gar him throw aff his broad scarlet.

13^4. A’ this and mair I’ll dree.

14^2. A year but only three.

15^1. weary wandering.

16. _As in_ #b#, #c#, #d#.

17^1. High war the hills and the mountains.

18, 19. _Wanting._

20^3. I could ga.

_After 20_:

‘O an I war at bonnie Castle Gordon, . . . . . . . O an I war at bonnie Castle Gordon, There I’d get hose and sheen.’

‘Though ye war at bonnie Castle Gordon, And standing on the green, Your father is sae hard-hearted a man He wad na lat you in.’

‘If I war at bonnie Castle Gordon, And standing on the green, My mither’s a tender-hearted woman, She wad rise and lat me in.’

_Then_: O haud your tongue—I’ll buy hose and sheen to you, _as in_ #b#, #c#, #d#.

22^4. awa wi your Ogilvie.

23^3. But a messenger.

23^4. Which causd a countermand.

24^4. Ye’re the heir of.

26^3. I’ll gae hame and heir my estate.

_After 26_:

‘Then hoist up your sail,’ said the Captain, ‘And we’ll gae oure the sea, And I’ll gae to bonnie Castle Gordon, There my dear Jeanie to see.’

27^2. And whan in sicht cam he.

_Between 28, 29_:

‘The last time I cam to your yetts Ye wadna let me in, But now I’m again at your yetts, And in I will not gang.’

30, 31. _Wanting._

32^2. Wi the saut tear in her ee.

32^3. A babe she held in every arm.

32^4. Anither gaun at her knee.

33. _As in #c#, #d#, and a concluding stanza as in #b#, #c#, #d#._

#f.#

1^1. had.

2^2. Months but barely three.

2^4, 3^4, 7^4. fae him she winna stay.

3^1. Word’s come.

6^2. sister Jean.

6^4. ye are walkin alane.

9^4. High hangëd.

10^4. If ever he hangëd ane.

13^{2,4}. A’ this I’ll dee an mair.

14. _Wanting._

15^1. weary wanrin.

15^4. a single sodger lad.

16. _As in_ #b#, #c#, #d#.

18, 19. _Wanting._

20^2. Fa monie merry day I hae been.

_After 20 a stanza as in #b#, #c#, #d#, and then this silly one_:

‘O they would be bad stockins, O they would be worse sheen, O they would be bad stockins Ye’d get for half a crown.’

21^1. they cam to bonnie Aberdeen.

22^4. awa wi your Ogilvie.

23^3. But a messenger.

23^4. Which proved a counterman.

24^4. You’re the heir o.

26, 30, 31. _Wanting._

32^2. Wi the saut tear in her ee.

32^3. She had a babe in ilka airm.

32^4. An a third whar nane could see.

33^2. Ye’re welcome, thrice welcome to me.

33^{3,4}. Ye’re welcome, bonnie Jeannie Gordon, Countess o Northumberlan to be.

#g.#

1^1. had.

2^2. A month but only one.

3^4. from him she wald not stay.

4^2. My servant shall ride on.

4^4. An forthwith bring her away.

5^2. only one.

6^4. she’s not along with you.

7^4. from him she will not stay.

8^4. Training his gallant men.

9^4. It’s high hangit ye sall.

10^3. It was to hang.

10^4. For marrying his daughter Jean.

11^2. For all the offence I can see.

11^4. 12^4. Put on but the.

13. ‘A’ this I will do for your sake, Jeanie Gordon, A’ this I will do for thee; I will cast aff the gold lace an scarlet, Put on but the single livery.’

14^2. Ae year but only three.

15^4. a single soldier-lad.

16. ‘O haud your tongue, Jeannie Gordon, An dinna ye lichtlie me; I was tane frae a captain’s commission An made low for lyin wi thee.’

(_17 as 15._) 17^1. High were the hills an the mountains.

18, 19. _Wanting._

_Before 20_:

‘Haud your tongue, Jeannie Gordon, Ye needna gloom on me; I hae but ae half-crown in the warld, I’ll buy stockings an shoon to thee.’

20^1. If I were in the bonny glens o Ourdlie.

20^2. Where mony bonny days I hae been.

_After 20_:

‘If ye were at bonny Castle Gordon, An lichtit on the green, Your faither is a hard-hearted man, He wald na let you in.’

‘If I were at bonny Castle Gordon, An lichtit on the green, My mother’s a good-hearted woman, She wald open an lat me in.’

22. The Duke o Gordon cam trippin doun stairs Wi the saut tear in his ee: (_cf._ 32^2) ‘Ye’re welcome here, Jeannie Gordon, Wi a’ your young family, (_cf._ 33^2) Ye’re welcome here, Jeannie Gordon, But awa wi your Ogilvie.’

23^{1,2}. The Captain took ship an sailed, He sailed from the land.

23^3. But a messenger.

23^4. Which caused a countermand.

24^{1,3}. Come back, come back, C. O.

24^4. You are earl.

25. _Wanting._

26^3. I will gae hame an.

27^2. An lichtit on the green.

27^4. Says, Here’s Captain Ogilvie again.

_After 27_:

The Duke o Gordon cam trippin doun stairs, Wi his hat into his hand: ‘Ye’re welcome hame, Captain Ogilvie, The heir o Northumberland.’

_After 28_:

‘Put up your hat, Duke o Gordon, An do not let it fa; It never set the noble Duke o Gordon To bow to a single soldier-lad.’

29^4. No ither favour I claim.

30, 31. _Wanting._

32^2. the saut tear in her ee.

32^{3,4}. You’re welcome hame, Captain Ogilvie, You’re dearly welcome to me.

33. _Wanting._

_After 33_: The Captain went aff with his lady, _nearly as in_ #b-e#.

_The order of stanzas is deranged. Some of the variations are clearly misremembrances._

#h.#

_Nine stanzas only._

1^1. had.

1^4. wud awa.

2^2. A month but barely twa.

2^4. from him she wudna stay.

3^4. from him she will not stay.

11^2. For any offence that.

15^1. weary, weary wanderin.

_After 15_: Had yer tongue—I’ll buy hose and shoon for you, Had yer tongue—For your sake I’m a single man.

22^4. awa wi your Ogilvie.

_Christie’s ballad has many of the readings of #a#, and a few of the editor’s. Of_ “two verses, as sung in the counties of Banff and Moray, hitherto unpublished,” _one is in all copies except #a#; the other is the inept stanza_ (_see_ #f#):

‘Oh, coarse, coarse would be the stockings, And coarser would be the shoon, Oh, coarse, coarse would they baith be, You would buy for ae siller crown.’

238

GLENLOGIE, OR, JEAN O BETHELNIE

#A.# Skene MS., p. 13.

#B.# ‘Glenlogie,’ Sharpe’s Ballad Book, 1823, p. 37.

#C.# ‘Glenlogie,’ Gibb MS., No 6, p. 33.

#D.# ‘There waur aucht an forty nobles,’ Harris MS., fol. 17.

#E. a.# ‘Jean o Bethelnie’s Love for Sir G. Gordon,’ Buchan’s Ballads of the North of Scotland, I, 188. #b.# ‘Bonnie Jean o Bethelnie,’ Christie’s Traditional Ballad Airs, I, 54.

#F.# ‘Jean o Bethelnie,’ Percy Papers, communicated by R. Lambe, 1768.

#G.# ‘Glenlogie,’ Alexander Laing’s MS., p. 8.

#H.# ‘Glenlogie,’ Kinloch MSS, V, 431.

#I. a.# “Scotch Ballads, Materials for Border Minstrelsy,” No 77, Abbotsford. #b#. ‘Glenogie,’ Smith’s Scotish Minstrel, IV, 78, 1822.

‘Glenlogie,’ in Chambers’ Popular Rhymes of Scotland, 1826, p. 200, is a repetition of #B#. #F#, the copy earliest taken down, is not pure and unvarnished tradition. The reconstructed copy in the Ballad Minstrelsy of Scotland, Glasgow, 1871, p. 506, was “based on a MS. version communicated to Mr Buchan in a letter from Mr Alexander Laing, dated Brechin, April 9th, 1829, and there given by him as taken down from the recitation of the amiable daughter of a clergyman in the North.” #G#, from Laing’s MS., may be supposed to be the ballad sent to Buchan by Laing. #I b# has been touched up by one of “that parliament of gentle ladies,” in Motherwell’s phrase, who had charge of the literary part of Smith’s Scotish Minstrel.

Jean of Bethelnie, #A#, #C#, #E#, #F#, Jean Melville, #B#, #D#, #G#, of the age of fifteen or sixteen, scarce seventeen, #G#, falls in love at sight with Glenlogie (Earl Ogie, #F#, Glenogie, #I b#), and opens her mind to him. Glenlogie, though much flattered, is obliged to say that he is already promised.[140] Jean takes to her bed, determined to die. Her father (mother, #A#[141]), as all too frequently happens at such conjunctures, proposes the miserable comfort of another and a better match, and, as usual, is told to hold his tongue. The chaplain of the family (the father himself is a king’s chaplain in #F#) takes the business in hand, and writes a broad, long, and well-penned letter to Glenlogie, setting forth the desperate condition of the girl. Glenlogie is so much affected that he rides to Bethelnie with all haste and presents himself to Jean as her bridegroom, although promised awa.

The young lady is Jean Gordon in #C#. #H# has changed Bethelnie to Belhelvie, another Aberdeenshire town. I has Glenfeldy for Bethelnie.

Gerhard, p. 103, has translated #E a#; Knortz, Schottische Balladen, p. 15, Aytoun’s copy, that is, #B#.

* * * * *

A

Skene MS., p. 13; taken down from recitation in the north of Scotland, 1802–3.

1 Four an twenty noblemen they rode thro Banchory fair, But bonnie Glenlogie was flower [of a’] that was there.

2 Four and twenty noblemen rode from Banchory ha, But bonnie Glenlogie he was flower of them a’.

3 ‘O bonnie Glenlogie, be constant and kind, An, bonnie Glenlogie, I’ll tell you my mind.

4 . . . . so frank and so free, . . . and I get na Glenlogie, I’ll die.’

5 ‘O bonnie Jeanie, your portion’s but sma To lay your love on me, that’s promist awa.’

6 Her cherry cheeks grew pale an wan; with the tear in her ee, ‘Gin I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.’

7 Ben came her father, steps to her bowr: ‘Dear Jeanie, you’r acting the part of a [whore].

8 ‘You’re seeking ane that cares na for thee; Ye’s get Lord William, let Glenlogie be.’

9 ‘O had you still, father, let your folly be; Gin I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.’

10 Ben came her mother, steps on the floor: ‘Dear daughter Jeanie, you’re acting the [whore],

11 ‘Seeking of ane that cares na for thee; For ye’ll get Lord William, let Glenlogie be.’

12 ‘O had your tongue, mother, and let me be; An I get na Glenlogie, I surely will die.’

13 O ben came her father’s chaplain, a man of great skill, And he has written a broad letter, and he has pennd it well.

14 H’as pennd it well, an sent it awa To bonnie Glenlogie, the flower of them a’.

15 When he got the letter, his tears did down fa ‘She’s laid her love on me, that was promist awa.’

16 He calld on his servant wi speed, and bade him saddle his horses, and bridle them a’: ‘For she has laid her love on me, altho I was promist awa.’

17 The horses were saddled wi speed, but ere they came he was four mile awa, To Jean of Bethelny, the flowr of them a’.

18 But when he came to her bowr she was pale and wan, But she grew red and ruddy when Glenlogie came in.

19 ‘Cheer up, bonnie Jeannie, ye are flowr o them a’; I have laid my love on you, altho I was promist awa.’

20 Her beauty was charming, her tocher down tauld; Bonnie Jean of Bethelny was scarce fifteen year auld.

* * * * *

B

Sharpe’s Ballad Book, p. 37, 1823.

1 Four and twenty nobles sits in the king’s ha, Bonnie Glenlogie is the flower among them a’.

2 In came Lady Jean, skipping on the floor, And she has chosen Glenlogie ‘mong a’ that was there.

3 She turned to his footman, and thus she did say: Oh, what is his name? and where does he stay?

4 ‘His name is Glenlogie, when he is from home; He is of the gay Gordons, his name it is John.’

5 ‘Glenlogie, Glenlogie, an you will prove kind, My love is laid on you; I am telling my mind.’

6 He turned about lightly, as the Gordons does a’: ‘I thank you, Lady Jean, my loves is promised awa.’

7 She called on her maidens her bed for to make, Her rings and her jewels all from her to take.

8 In came Jeanie’s father, a wae man was he; Says, I’ll wed you to Drumfendrich, he has mair gold than he.

9 Her father’s own chaplain, being a man of great skill, He wrote him a letter, and indited it well.

10 The first lines he looked at, a light laugh laughed he; But ere he read through it the tears blinded his ee.

11 Oh, pale and wan looked she when Glenlogie cam in, But even rosy grew she when Glenlogie sat down.

12 ‘Turn round, Jeanie Melville, turn round to this side, And I’ll be the bridegroom, and you’ll be the bride.’

13 Oh, ‘t was a merry wedding, and the portion down told, Of bonnie Jeanie Melville, who was scarce sixteen years old.

* * * * *

C

Gibb MS., No 6, p. 33, from the recitation of Mrs Gibb, senior; traced to Mrs E. Lindsay, about 1800.

1 There was three score o nobles sat at the king’s dine, An bonny Glenlogie was flower o thrice nine.

* * * * * *

2 . . . . cam trippin downstair, An she fancied Glenlogie ower a’ that was there.

3 She called on the footman that ran by his side, Says, What is that man’s name, an where does he bide?

4 ‘His name is Glenlogie when he goes from home. But he’s of the great Gordons, an his name is Lord John.’

5 ‘Glenlogie! Glenlogie! Glenlogie!’ said she, ‘An for bonnie Glenlogie I surely will die.’

6 She called on her maidens to make her her bed, . . . . . . . . .

* * * * * *

7 When Glenlogie got the letter, amang noble-men, ‘Dear me,’ said Glenlogie, ‘what does young women mean!’

8 Then up spake his father, Let it never be said That such a fine lady should die for your sake.

9 ‘Go saddle my black horse, go saddle him soon, Till I go to Bethelnie, to see Lady Jean.’

10 When he got to Bethelnie, there was naebody there But was weeping an wailing an tearing their hair.

* * * * * *

11 ‘Turn round, Jeanie Gordon, turn round to this side; I’ll be the bridegroom, an ye’s be the bride.’

* * * * *

D

Harris MS., fol. 17; learned from Mrs Harris before 1832.

1 There waur aucht an forty nobles rade to the king’s ha, But bonnie Glenlogie was the flour o them a’.

2 There waur aucht an forty nobles rade to the king’s dine, But bonnie Glenlogie was the flour o thrice nine.

3 Bonnie Jeanie Melville cam trippin doun the stair, An whan she saw Glenlogie her hairt it grew sair.

4 . . . . . . . . . ‘He’s of the gay Gordons, his name it is John.’

5 ‘Oh, Logie! Oh, Logie! Oh, Logie!’ said she, ‘If I get na Glenlogie, I surely will dee.’

6 He turned him aboot, as the Gordons do a’, Says, I thank you, Lady Jeanie, but I’m promised awa.

7 She called on her maidens her hands for to take, An the rings from her fingers she did them a’ break.

8 ‘Oh, what is my lineage, or what is my make. That such a fine lady suld dee for my sake?’

9 Such a pretty wedding, as I have been told, An bonnie Jeanie Melville was scarce sixteen years old.

* * * * *

E

#a.# Buchan’s Ballads of the North of Scotland, I, 188. #b.# Christie’s Traditional Ballad Airs, I, 54.

1 There were four-and-twenty ladies dined i the Queen’s ha, And Jean o Bethelnie was the flower o them a’.

2 Four-and-twenty gentlemen rode thro Banchory fair, But bonny Glenlogie was the flower that was there.

3 Young Jean at a window she chanced to sit nigh, And upon Glenlogie she fixed an eye.

4 She calld on his best man, unto him did say, O what is that knight’s name? or where does he stay?

5 ‘He’s of the noble Gordons, of great birth and fame; He stays at Glenlogie, Sir George is his name.’

6 Then she wrote a broad letter, and wrote it in haste; To send to Glenlogie, she thought it was best.

7 Says, O brave Glenlogie, unto me be kind; I’ve laid my love on you, and told you my mind.

8 Then reading the letter, as he stood on the green, Says, I leave you to judge, sirs; what does women mean?

9 Then turnd about sprightly, as the Gordons do a’: ‘Lay not your love on me, I’m promisd awa.’

10 When she heard this answer, her heart was like to break, That she laid her love on him, and him so ungrate.

11 Then she calld on her maidens to lay her to bed, And take her fine jewels and lay them aside.

12 ‘My seals and my signets, no more shall I crave; But linen and trappin, a chest and a grave.’

13 Her father stood by her, possessëd with fear To see his dear daughter possessëd with care.

14 Says, Hold your tongue, Jeannie, let all your folly be; I’ll wed you to Dumfedline, he is better than he.

15 ‘O hold your tongue, father, and let me alane; If I getna Glenlogie, I ‘ll never have ane.

16 ‘His bonny jimp middle, his black rolling eye, If I getna Glenlogie, I’m sure I shall die.’

17 But her father’s old chaplain, a man of great skill, He wrote a broad letter, and pennëd it well.

18 Saying, O brave Glenlogie, why must it be so? A maid’s love laid on you, shall she die in her woe?

19 Then reading the letter, his heart was like to break That such a leal virgin should die for his sake.

20 Then he calld on his footman, and likewise his groom, Says, Get my horse saddled and bridlëd soon.

21 Before the horse was saddled and brought to the yate, Bonnie Glenlogie was five miles on foot.

22 When he came to Bethelnie, he saw nothing there But weeping and wailing, vexation and care.

23 Then out spake her father, with the tear in his ee, You’re welcome, Glenlogie, you’re welcome to me.

24 ‘If ye make me welcome, as welcome’s ye say, Ye’ll show me the chamber where Jeannie does lay.’

25 Then one o her maidens took him by the hand, To show him the chamber where Jeannie lay in.

26 Before that she saw him, she was pale and wan; But when she did see him, she grew ruddy again.

27 ‘O turn, bonny Jeannie, turn you to your side; For I’ll be the bridegroom, and ye’ll be the bride.’

28 When Jeannie was married, her tocher down tauld, Bonny Jean o Bethelnie was fifteen years auld.

* * * * *

F

Communicated to Percy by Robert Lambe, of Norham, August 17, 1768; dated April, 1768.

1 Fourscore nobles ride in the king’s court, And bonny Earl Ogie’s the flower of the rout; Fourscore lean oer the castle-wa, But Jean of Bethelnie’s the flower of em a’.

2 She writ a broad letter, and pennd it fou lang, And sent it Earl Ogie as fast as ‘t can gang: ‘Bonny Earl Ogie, be courteous and kind; I’ve laid my love on thee; maun I die in my prime?’