If this be so, the present form of the ballad illustrates admirably two methods of corruption by tradition.
THE GIPSY LADDIE
1.
There cam singers to Earl Cassillis’ gates,
And oh, but they sang bonnie!
They sang sae sweet and sae complete,
Till down cam the earl’s lady.
2.
2.3 ‘weel-faur’d,’ well-favoured.
She cam tripping down the stair,