Читать книгу Superstitions of the Highlands & Islands of Scotland - John Gregorson Campbell - Страница 33

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The Banshi is, without doubt, the original of the Queen of Elfland, mentioned in ballads of the South of Scotland. The Elfin Queen met Thomas of Ercildoune by the Eildon tree, and took him to her enchanted realm, where he was kept for seven years. She gave him the power of foretelling the future, ‘the tongue that never lied.’ At first she was the most beautiful woman he had ever seen, but when he next looked—

“The hair that hung upon her head,

The half was black, the half was grey,

And all the rich clothing was away

That he before saw in that stead;

Her eyes seemed out that were so grey,

And all her body like the lead.”

In Gaelic tales seven years is a common period of detention among the Fairies, the leannan sìth communicates to her lover the knowledge of future events, and in the end is looked upon by him with aversion. There is no mention, however, of Fairyland, or of an Elfin King or Queen, and but rarely of Fairies riding. True Thomas, who is as well known in Highland lore as he is in the Lowlands, is said to be still among the Fairies, and to attend every market on the look-out for suitable horses. When he has made up his complement he will appear again among men, and a great battle will be fought on the Clyde.