English Poetry I: From Chaucer to Gray.
The Harvard Classics. 1909–14.
Traditional Ballads
4. The Twa Sisters
T
Binnorie, O Binnorie
There was twa sisters in a bowr,
Binnorie, O Binnorie
There was twa sisters in a bowr,
There came a knight to be their wooer,
By the bonny mill-dams of Binnorie.
But he lovd the youngest above a’ thing.
But lovd the Youngest as his life.
An much envi’d her sister fair.
Wi grief an spite she almos brast.
She cried upon her sister dear:
An see our father’s ships come to lan.”
And led her down to yon sea stran.
The eldest came an threw her in.
And dashd her bonny back to the jaw.
An Ise mack you heir to a’ my lan.
An Yes get my goud and my gouden girdle.
An I swear Ise never be nae man’s wife.”
It twin’ d me an my wardles make.
Gars me gae maiden for evermair.”
Till she came down yon bonny mill-dam.
An saw the fair maid swimmin in.
Here’s either a mermaid or a swan.”
An there he found a drownd woman.
For gold and pearle that were so rare.
For gouden girdle that was sae braw.
For gouden rings that was sae gryte.
That harped to the king at dine.
He sighd and made a heavy moan.
An wi them strung his harp sae fair.
Was, “Farewell to my father the king.”
Was, “Farewell to my mother the queen.”
Was, “Wae to my sister, fair Ellen.”