O so it fell upon a day,
When hunting they might be,
They rested them in Silverwood,
Beneath that green aik tree.60
And many were the green-wood flowers
Upon the grave that grew,
And marvell'd much that bonny boy
To see their lovely hue.
"What's paler than the prymrose wan?65
What's redder than the rose?
What's fairer than the lilye flower
On this wee know that grows?"—
O out and answer'd Jellon Grame,
And he spak hastilie—70
"Your mother was a fairer flower,
And lies beneath this tree.
"More pale she was, when she sought my grace,
Than prymrose pale and wan;
And redder than rose her ruddy heart's blood,75
That down my broadsword ran."—
Wi' that the boy has bent his bow,
It was baith stout and lang;
An thro' and thro' him, Jellon Grame,
Says,—"Lie ye there, now, Jellon Grame!
My malisoun gang you wi'!
The place that my mother lies buried in
Is far too good for thee."
[1]. Silverwood, mentioned in this ballad, occurs in a medley MS. song, which seems to have been copied from the first edition of the Aberdeen Cantus, penes John G. Dalyell, Esq. advocate. One line only is cited, apparently the beginning of some song:—
"Silverwood, gin ye were mine." Scott.