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(See p. 114.)

This fragment was taken down from the recitation

of an old woman. Maidment's New Book of Old Ballads, p. 54.

O all you ladies young and gay,

Who are so sweet and fair,

Do not go into Chaster's wood,

For Tomlinn will be there.

* * * * *

5 Fair Margaret sat in her bonny bower,

Sewing her silken seam,

And wished to be in Chaster's wood,

Among the leaves so green.

She let the seam fall to her foot,

10 The needle to her toe,

And she has gone to Chaster's wood,

As fast as she could go.

When she began to pull the flowers;

She pull'd both red and green;

15 Then by did come, and by did go,

Said, "Fair maid, let abene!

"O why pluck you the flowers, lady,

Or why climb you the tree?

Or why come ye to Chaster's wood,

20 Without the leave of me?"

"O I will pull the flowers," she said,

"Or I will break the tree;

For Chaster's wood it is my own,

I'll ask no leave at thee."

25 He took her by the milk-white hand,

And by the grass-green sleeve;

And laid her down upon the flowers,

At her he ask'd no leave.

The lady blush'd and sourly frown'd,

30 And she did think great shame;

Says, "If you are a gentleman,

You will tell me your name."

"First they call me Jack," he said,

"And then they call'd me John;

35 But since I liv'd in the Fairy court,

Tomlinn has always been my name.

"So do not pluck that flower, lady,

That has these pimples gray;

They would destroy the bonny babe

40 That we've gotten in our play."

"O tell to me, Tomlinn," she said,

"And tell it to me soon;

Was you ever at a good church door,

Or got you christendom?"

45 "O I have been at good church door,

And oft her yetts within;

I was the Laird of Foulis's son,

The heir of all his land.

"But it fell once upon a day,

50 As hunting I did ride,

As I rode east and west yon hill,

Then woe did me betide.

"O drowsy, drowsy as I was,

Dead sleep upon me fell;

55 The Queen of Fairies she was there,

And took me to hersel.

"The morn at even is Hallowe'en,

Our Fairy court will ride,

Through England and through Scotland both,

60 Through all the world wide;

And if that ye would me borrow,

At Rides Cross ye may bide.

"You may go into the Miles Moss,

Between twelve hours and one;

65 Take holy water in your hand,

And cast a compass round.

"The first court that comes along,

You'll let them all pass by;

The next court that comes along,

70 Salute them reverently.

"The next court that comes along,

Is clad in robes of green;

And it's the head court of them all,

For in it rides the Queen.

75 "And I upon a milk-white steed,

With a gold star in my crown;

Because I am an earthly man,

I'm next the Queen in renown.

"Then seize upon me with a spring,

80 Then to the ground I'll fa';

And then you'll hear a rueful cry,

That Tomlinn is awa'.

"Then I'll grow in your arms two,

Like to a savage wild;

85 But hold me fast, let me not go,

I'm father of your child.

"I'll grow into your arms two

Like an adder, or a snake;

But hold me fast, let me not go,

90 I'll be your earthly maik.

"I'll grow into your arms two

Like ice on frozen lake;

But hold me fast, let me not go,

Or from your goupen break.

95 "I'll grow into your arms two,

Like iron in strong fire;

But hold me fast, let me not go,

Then you'll have your desire."

And its next night into Miles Moss,

100 Fair Margaret has gone;

When lo she stands beside Rides Cross,

Between twelve hours and one.

There's holy water in her hand,

She casts a compass round;

105 And presently a Fairy band

Comes riding o'er the mound.

This seems to be the most appropriate connection for a short fragment from Maidment's North Countrie Garland, (p. 21.) It was taken down from the recitation of a lady who had heard it sung in her childhood.