The ballad - Index of

The Ballad
structure. In The Cruel Brother* there is a lady,
the youngest of three sisters, who is to be married
to a knight. The suitor has gained the consent
"
of the lady's parents and of her sisters, but forgot
to speak to her brother John." When the
wedding-day was come,
*'
Her father dear led her down the stair,
And her sisters twain they kiss'd her there.
Her mother dear led her thro' the close,
And her brother "
set John her on her horse.
She leans down to kiss him, and he stabs her
his act being justified, of course, by the fatal
neglect of the bridegroom. The lady makes her
will in stichomuthia :
" *
O what will you leave to '
your father dear
'The silver-shod steed that brought me here.'
* What will you leave to your mother dear
*My velvet pall and my silken gear.'
'
'
What will you leave to '
your sister Anne
*
My silken scarf and my gowden fan.'
'
What will you leave to '
your sister Grace
'
My bloody clothes to wash and dress.'
'
What will you leave to your brother John '
* The gallows-tree to hang him on.'
* What will you leave to your brother John's
wife "
* "
The wilderness to end her life.'
1
First Series, 76. (The reference is to my Popular Ballads
of the Olden Time, four series.)
29