Glen Collection of printed music > Printed text > Scottish ballads

393
What news, what news from Ancrum fight ?
What news from the bold Buccleuch ?"
" The Ancrum Moor is red with gore,
For many a Southron fell ;
And Buccleuch has charged us, evermore.
To watch our beacons well."
The lady blushed red, but nothing she said ;
Nor added the Baron a word :
Then she stepped down the stair to her chamber fair,
And so did her moody lord.
In sleep the lady mourned, and the Baron tossed and
turned.
And oft to himself he said :
" The worms around him creep, and his bloody grave
is deep
It cannot give up the dead !"
It was near the ringing of matin bell,
The night was wellnigh done.
When a heavy sleep on that Baron fell.
On the eve of good St John.
The lady looked through the chamber fair,
By the light of a dying flame ;
And she was aware of a knight stood there —
Sir Richard of Coldinghame !
" Alas I away, away !" she cried,
'' For the holy Virgin's sake !"
" Lady, I know who sleeps by thy side ;
But, lady, he will not awake.
By Eildon tree, for long nights three,
In bloody grave have I lain ;