Part 1 / Book 2 — 48. Brown Adam

I O wha would wish the wind to blau Or the green leaves fa’ therewith? Or wha would wish a lealer love Than Brown Adam the Smith? II But they hae banish’d Brown Adam, Frae father and frae mither; And they hae banish’d Brown Adam, Frae sister and frae brither. III And they hae banish’d Brown Adam Frae the flow’r o’ a’ his kin; And he’s biggit[350] a bow’r i’ the good green-wood Between his ladye and him. IV O it fell once upon a day Brown Adam he thought long, And he is to the green-wood As fast as he could gang. V He has ta’en his bow his arm over, His sword intill his han’, And he is to the good green-wood To hunt some venison. VI O he’s shot up, and he’s shot down The bunting on the breer[351]; And he’s sent it hame to his ladye, Bade her be of good cheer. VII O he’s shot up, and he’s shot down, The linnet on the thorn, And sent it hame to his ladye, Said he’d be hame the morn. VIII When he cam’ till his lady’s bow’r-door He stood a little forbye, And there he heard a fu’ fause knight Tempting his gay ladye. IX O he’s ta’en out a gay gold ring Had cost him mony a poun’; ‘O grant me love for love, ladye, And this sall be your own.’— X ‘I lo’e Brown Adam well,’ she says, ‘I wot sae does he me; I wadna gie Brown Adam’s love For nae fause knight I see.’ XI Out he has ta’en a purse of gold Was a’ fu’ to the string; ‘O grant me love for love, ladye, And a’ this sall be thine.’— XII ‘I lo’e Brown Adam well,’ she says, ‘An’ I ken sae does he me; An’ I wadna be your light leman For mair nor ye could gie.’ XIII Then out he drew his lang, lang bran’, And he’s flash’d it in her e’en: ‘Now grant me love for love, lady, Or thro’ you this sall gang.’— XIV ‘O,’ sighing said that gay ladye, ‘Brown Adam tarries lang!’— Then up and starts him Brown Adam, Says, ‘I’m just to your hand.’ XV He’s gar’d him leave his bow, his bow, He’s gar’d him leave his brand; He’s gar’d him leave a better pledge— Four fingers o’ his right hand.