"Now welladay!" sayth Joan o' the Scales:
"Now welladay! and woe is my life!
Yesterday I was lady of Linne,
Now Ime but John o' the Scales his wife."
"Now fare thee well, sayd the heire of Linne;
Farewell now, John o' the Scales," said hee:
"Christs curse light on me, if ever again
I bring my lands in jeopardy."
***In the present edition of this ballad several ancient readings are restored from the
folio manuscript.
NOTES
1 i.e.earnest-money; from the French 'denier à Dieu.' At this day, when application is
made to the Dean and Chapter of Carlisle to accept an exchange of the tenant under
one of their leases, a piece of silver is presented by the new tenant, which is still
called aGod's-penny.
- In-fere,i.e.together.
3.i.e.unless I amend.
4.i.e.advice, counsel.
- Perhaps the hole in the door or window, by which it was "speered,"i.e. sparred,
fastened, or shut. In Bale's Second Part of theActs of Eng. Votaries, we have this
phrase (fol. 38), "The dore therof oft tymes opened andspearedagayne."