22 But Young Johnstone had a little wee sword,
Hung low down by his gair,
And he stabbed it in fair Annet's breast,
A deep wound and a sair.
23 'What aileth thee now, dear Johnstone?
What aileth thee at me?
Hast thou not got my father's gold,
Bot and my mither's fee?'
24 'Now live, now live, my dear ladye,
Now live but half an hour,
And there's no a leech in a' Scotland
But shall be in thy bower.'
25 'How can I live? how shall I live?
Young Johnstone, do not you see
The red, red drops o my bonny heart's blood
Rin trinkling down my knee?
26 'But take thy harp into thy hand,
And harp out owre yon plain,
And neer think mair on thy true-love
Than if she had never been.'
27 He hadna weel been out o the stable,
And on his saddle set,
Till four and twenty broad arrows
Were thrilling in his heart.
C
Motherwell's MS., p. 310, from the recitation of Jeanie Nicol, May 4, 1825.
1 Sweet William and the young Colnel
One day was drinking wine:
'It's I will marry your sister,
If ye will marry mine.'
2 'I will not marry your sister,
Altho her hair he brown;
But I'll keep her for my liberty-wife,
As I ride thro the town.'