And when he came to the ladyes chamber,[121] 65 He thrild upon the pinne:[122] The ladye was more than true of promise, And rose and let him in.[123]
Saies, whether have you left with me Your bracelett or your glove? 70 Or are you returned backe againe[124] To know more of my love?
Glasgèrion swore a full great othe By oake, and ashe, and thorne; Lady, I was never in your chambèr. 75 Sith the time that I was borne.
O then it was your lither foot-page,[125] He hath beguiled mee.[126] Then shee pulled forth a little pen-kniffe,[127] That hanged by her knee: 80
Sayes, there shall never noe churlès blood Within my bodye spring:[128] [No churlès blood shall ever defile[129] The daughter of a kinge.][129]
Home then went Glasgèrion,[130] 85 And woe, good lord, was hee.[131] Sayes, come thou hither, Jacke my boy,[132] Come hither unto mee.[133]
If I had killed a man to night,[134] Jacke, I would tell it thee: 90 But if I have not killed a man to night Jacke, thou hast killed three.
And he puld out his bright browne sword, And dryed it on his sleeve, And he smote off that lither ladds head, 95 Who did his ladye grieve.[135]
He sett the swords poynt till his brest, The pummil untill a stone:[136] Throw the falsenesse of that lither ladd, These three lives werne all gone. 100
[93] [Ver. 4. where cappe and candle yoode, MS.]
[102] [V. 16. my hart I durst neere breake.]
[105] [Ver. 29. but come you hither Master, quoth he.]
[107] [V. 34. and did on hose and shoone.]
[108] This is elsewhere expressed "_twirled the pin_," or "_tirled at_ _the pin_" (see b. ii. s. vi. v. 3.) and seems to refer to the turning round the button on the outside of a door, by which the latch rises, still used in cottages.
[The explanation given by Percy in this note is an unfounded guess. The Risp or tirling pin was very generally used in the north to do the duty afterwards performed by the knocker. There are several of these curious contrivances in the Antiquarian Museum at Edinburgh, and they are described by D. Wilson in his _Memorials of Edinburgh in the Olden Time_, as follows,--"These antique precursors of the knocker and bell are still frequently to be met with in the steep turnpikes of the Old Town, notwithstanding the cupidity of the Antiquarian collectors. The ring is drawn up and down the notched iron rod and makes a very audible noise within." (1848, vol. i. p. 97).]
