But first he had touchd the lazar man,
And stroakt him with his hand:
The lazar under the gallowes tree
All whole and sounde did stand.
The lazar under the gallowes tree
Was comelye, straight and tall;
King Henrye made him his head stewarde
To wayte withinn his hall.
NOTES
- He probably insinuates that the king should heal him by his power of touching for
the King's Evil.
X. The Gaberlunzie Man A SCOTTISH BALLAD ..................................................
Tradition informs us that the author of this song was King James V. of
Scotland. This prince (whose character for wit and libertinism bears a great
resemblance to that of his gay successor Charles II.) was noted for strolling about his
dominions in disguise,[1] and for his frequent gallantries with country girls. Two
adventures of this kind he hath celebrated with his own pen, viz. in this ballad of "The
Gaberlunzie Man;" and in another intitled "The Jolly Beggar," beginning thus:
"Thair was a jollie beggar, and a begging he was boun,
And he tuik up his quarters into a land'art toun.
Fa, la, la," &c.
It seems to be the latter of these ballads (which was too licentious to be
admitted into this collection) that is meant in theCatalogue of Royal and Noble
Authors,[2] where the ingenious writer remarks, That there is something very
ludicrous in the young woman's distress when she thought her first favour had been
thrown away upon a beggar.
Bishop Tanner has attributed to James V. the celebrated ballad of Christ's Kirk
on the Green, which is ascribed to King James I. in Bannatyne's manuscript written in
1561: and notwithstanding that authority, the Editor of this book is of opinion that
Bishop Tanner was right.
King James V. died Dec. 13th. 1542, aged 33.THE pauky auld Carle come ovir the lee
Wi' mony good-eens and days to mee,
Saying, "Goodwife, forzour courtesie,
Willze lodge a silly poor man?"
The night was cauld, the carte was wat,
And down azont the ingle he sat
My dochtors shoulders he gan to clap,
And cadgily ranted and sang.