Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Scottish ballads

91
When birds forsook the sapless boughs,
And bees the faded green ;
Then Lady Frennet, vengefu' dame,
Did wander frae the ha'.
To the wide forest's dewie gloom.
Among the leaves that fa.
Her page, the swiftest of her train,
Had dumb a lofty tree,
Whase branches to the angry blast
Were soughing mournfuUie.
He tura'd his een towards the path
That near the castle lay,
Where good Lord John and Rothiemay
Were riding down the brae.
Swift darts the eagle through the sky,
When prey beneath is seen :
As quickly he forgot his hold,
And perch'd upon the green.
" O hie thee, hie thee, lady gay,
Frae this dark wood awa' I
Some visitors of gallant mein
Are hasting to the ha'."
Then round she row'd her silken plaid.
Her feet she did na spare,
Until she left the forest's skirts
A long bow-shot and mair.
" O where, O where, my good Lord John,
tell me where ye ride ?
W^ithin my castle-wall this nicht
1 hope ye mean to bide.