Made-to his ear attentively applied A pipe on which the wind would deftly play- A mailed angel on a battle-day; And cups of flowers, and herbage green and gold; He would entice that other man to hear And, sooth, these two did love each other dear, There did they dwell-from earthly labour free, If but a bird, to keep them company, Or butterfly sate down, they were, ween, As pleased as if the same had been a maiden queen. VI. ELLEN IRWIN; OR, THE BRAES OF KIRTLE.* FAIR Ellen Irwin, when she sate Upon the Braes of Kirtle, Was lovely as a Grecian maid Young Adam Bruce beside her lay; From many knights and many squires And Gordon, fairest of them all, Sad tidings to that noble youth! For it may be proclaimed with truth, But what is Gordon's beauteous face, To them who sit by Kirtle's Braes Upon the verdant mosses? Alas that ever he was born! The Gordon, couched behind a thorn, Sees them and their caressing, Beholds them blest and blessing. *The Kirtle is a river in the southern part of Scotland, on whose banks the events here related took place. |