SEVENTEENTH CENTURY.

K

HELEN OF KIRKCONNELL.

WISH I were where Helen lies,
Night and day on me she cries,
O that I were where Helen lies,

On fair Kirkconnell lea.

O Helen, fair beyond compare,
I'll mak' a garland o' your hair
Shall bind my heart for evermair,
Until the day I die.

O that I were where Helen lies,
Night and day on me she cries,
Out of my bed she bids me rise,
Says, "Haste and come to me."

O Helen fair! O Helen chaste!

Were I with thee I would be blest,
Where thou liest low and tak'st thy rest,

On fair Kirkconnell lea.

I wish my grave were growing green,
A winding-sheet drawn o'er my e'en,
And I in Helen's arms lying,
On fair Kirkconnell lea.

I wish I were where Helen lies,
Night and day on me she cries,
And I am weary of the skies,
For her sake that died for me.

(Unknown.)

THE THREE RAVENS.

1611.

HERE were three ravens sat on a tree,
They were as black as black might be ;
The one of them said to his mate,

"Where may we our breakfast take?”
"Down in yonder greeny field
There lies a knight slain under shield."
"His hounds they lie down at his feet,
So well they can their master keep;
His hawks they fly so eagerly,

There is no fowl dare come him nigl..”

Down there came a fallow doe,

As great with young as she might go ;

She lifted up his bloody head,

And kissed his wounds that were so red;

She got him up upon her back,

And carried him down by yon lake;

She buried him before the prime,

She was dead herself ere evensong time;

God send every gentleman

Such hawks, such hounds, and such a leman.

(Unknown.)