Reliques of ancient English poetry: consisting of old heroic ballads ...

AND BALLADS. 331
Then to his Lucy's new-made grave,
Convey'd by trembling fvvains,
One mould with her, beneath one fod
For ever now remains.
Oft at their grave the conftant hind 65
And plighted maid are feen ;
With garlands gay, and true-love knots
They deck the facred green.
Put, {Wain forfworn, whoe'er thou art,
This hallow'd fpot forbear ; 79
Jtemember Colin's dreadful fate,
And fear to meet him there.
XVII.
MARGARET'S GHOST.
which appeared in form of the public news-
Ybif Ballad', papers in or before the year 1 724, came from the pen of
David Mallet, Efq\ who in the edition of his poems, 3 vols,
1759, informs us that the plan was fuggejied by the four
verfes quoted above in pag. llQ r which he fuppofed to be
the beginning offome ballad now lof.
'* Thefe lines,fays he, naked ofornament andfimple, as they
*' are, fi ruck my fancy ; and bringing frejh into my mind an
" unhappy adventure much talked offormerly, gave birth to
" the following poem, which was written many years ago"
The two hitroduilory lines (and one or two others elfetuherej
had originally more of the balladfmplicity, viz.
< l When all was n.vrapt in dark midnight,
(t And all were faji afeep, &c.
'TWAS