Cries—Milk the ewes, Lassie! let nane o' them gae!
And ay she milked, and ay she sang—
The Yellow-haired Laddie shall be my gudeman!
And ay she milked, and ay she sang—
The Yellow-haired Laddie shall be my gudeman!...
Allan Ramsay
[357]. Quoth John to Joan.
This old song, which was set to music in the reign of Henry VIII., comes (like Dallyaunce of No. 35), out of a Morality Play, Lusty Juventus, the author of which is said to be one "R. Wever," whose body has now for many a century been slumbering on in its cocoon.
[358]. Milk-White Fingers, Cherry Nose.
This is the only poem I have ever seen in which the midmost feature of a pretty face is compared to a cherry. And yet a frosty morning must have given many a dainty nose that fair bright coral colour.