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KATHARINE JANFARIE.
A story similar to this occurs in various forms both in Scotland and the Scandinavian kingdoms. Scott inserted the ballad in his first edition under the title of The Laird of Laminton; the present copy is an improved one obtained by him from several recitations. (Minstrelsy of the Scottish Border, iii. 122.) Other versions are Motherwell's, printed with this, Maid-ment's, in his North Countrie Garland, p. 34, (Catharine Jaffery), and Buchan's, in his Gleanings, p. 74, (Loch-in-var.) Sweet William, in Motherwell's collection, (see Appendix,) is still another variety.
Jamieson has translated a Danish ballad which, though not cognate with these, exhibits nearly the same incidents, and we have inserted it in the Appendix.
It need hardly be remarked that the spirited ballad of Lochinvar in Marmion is founded on this ancient legend.
There was a may, and a weel-far'd may,
Lived high up in yon glen : Her name was Katharine Janfarie,
She was courted by mony men. |
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