V.

BALLAD. THE BLUE BROTHER. (Parody of a Ballad in “Percy’s Reliques.”)

’Twas on Maxwelton’s bonny braes (“Where early fa’s the dew.”) That at the set of sun I met A Friar of Orders blue.

With sigh, and frown, and eyes cast down, His face was sad to see; Some heavy care was settled there―― Whatever could it be?

“Come hither, come hither, thou Holy Friar, Why dost thou look so blue?” He answer’d stern――“I’ve yet to learn What that’s to do with _you_.”

“Wert thou,” I asked, “a baron bold, Who sought a hermit’s lot, Because thy love so false did prove?” He answer’d, “I was _not_.”

“And hast thou fought in distant climes, Seen mighty cities fall, And wounded been a score of times?” He answered, “Not at all.”

“And did thy true love follow thee, In page’s garb disguised? And when thou foundest it was she, Say, wert thou not surprised?”

“No true love ever follow’d me Thus garbed; or if she had, At once, I ween, I must have seen ’Twas she, and not a lad.”

“And did she, stricken by thy side In thy embrace expire?” “Good gracious! no――who told you so? He _must_ have been a liar.”

“Or hadst thou woed some ladye fair, And wast about to wed, But saw or heard that she preferr’d Another knight instead?

“And didst thou seek their trysting-place, And fiercely slay them both, And there inter both him and her?” “I did’nt, on my oath!”

“Or did’st thou quarrel with a maid, Who loved thee all the time, And seek a hermitage’s shade? Far in a foreign clime;

“And did the maiden seek thee out, Dress’d like a pilgrim-boy? And, having found thee safe and sound, Die, there and then, for joy?”

Fire flash’d from that Blue Brother’s eye; “’Tis well,” he cried, “for you, That I’m a Friar, else in mine ire Some mischief might I do!

“Why should I tell to such as thou The story of my youth? My patience is exhausted now, Denying each untruth.

“You’re right, so far, if you suppose I’ve seen some woes and cares, But, mark you well, I never tell To strangers my affairs.”

The vesper-bell rang thro’ the dell; Abrupt he sped away, And not another syllable Did to this minstrel say.

And tho’ upon Maxwelton’s braes Since then I’ve often been, I know not why, but never I Have that Blue Brother seen.