THE HEIR OF LINNIE.
He told him forth the good red gold,
He told it forth with mickle din.
The gold is thine, the land is mine,
And now again I'm the lord of Linne.
Says, Have thou here, thou good fellòw,
Forty pence thou didst lend me:
Now I am again the lord of Linne,
And forty pounds I will give thee.
I'll make thee keeper of my forest,
Both of the wild deer and the tame;
For but I reward thy bounteous heart,
I wis, good fellow, I were to blame.
Now well-a-day! saith Joan o' the Scales:
Now well-a-day! and woe is my life!
Yesterday I was lady of Linne,
Now I'm but John o' the Scales his wife.
Now fare thee well, said the heir of Linne;
Farewell now, John o' the Scales, said he:
Christ's curse light on me, if ever again
I bring my lands in jeopardy.
