Читать книгу Story-Telling Ballads. Selected and Arranged for Story-Telling and Reading Aloud and for the Boys' and Girls' Own Reading онлайн

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I’ll spit on the ground ye tread.”

They led him forth to the gallows-tree;

When he saw that maiden there,

Who at her risk, unto his mother

Carried his last letter;

The thoughts o’ the gallows could not stir

The heart o’ that dauntless Chief,

But the weeping look of that young girl,

It pierced his soul wi’ grief.

And while the tear hung in her eye,

He took her lily hand;

And said, “Thy heart is far too meek,

For such a ruffian band.

“Hear me, Murray, speak my mind,

I care not for thy word,

I’d rather marry this poor maiden,

If should my life be spared,

“Then ever I’d wed thy daughter Meg.”—

Sir Gideon clapped his hand;

“A bargain! I take thee at thy word,

Young Scott where dost thou stand.”

They buckled them in holy bonds,

The priest he prayed the while;

And when the marriage knot was tied,

Sir Gideon blithe did smile.

His mother fell upon his neck,

“God bless my bairn, he’s free!

And bless the bonny lassie yet,

Who brought the word to me!”

“I give thee a father’s blessing, sir,”

The Murray blithely cried;