162. And who could ride like him.
164. ’Twas far outowre the brim.
After 16:
He swam high, and he swam low,
And he swam to and fro,
But he neer could spy the hazel-bush
That would bring him to the brow.
Comment: The mother was a witch; made responses for Margaret; met him in a green habit on his return home. He inquired for the ford; she directed him to the deepest linn. When he got into the water, two hounds seized on his horse, and left him to struggle with the current.
Willie’s mother had transferred herself to Margaret’s house according to the variation in 94; so she is the witch.
All this is very paltry. The mother’s curse was enough to drown Willie without her bestirring herself further.