If thou canst answer me questions three,
This very day will I marry thee."
"Kind sir, in love, O then," quoth she,
"Tell me what your [three] questions be."
"O what is longer than the way,
Or what is deeper than the sea?
"Or what is louder than the horn,
Or what is sharper than a thorn?
"Or what is greener than the grass,
Or what is worse then a woman was?"
"O love is longer than the way,
And hell is deeper than the sea.
"And thunder is louder than the horn,
And hunger is sharper than a thorn.
"And poyson is greener than the grass,
And the Devil is worse than woman was."
When she these questions answered had,
The knight became exceeding glad.
And having [truly] try'd her wit,
He much commended her for it.
And after, as it is verifi'd,
He made of her his lovely bride.
So now, fair maidens all, adieu,
This song I dedicate to you.
I wish that you may constant prove
Vnto the man that you do love.
B
Gilbert's Christmas Carols, 2d ed., p. 65, from the editor's recollection. West of England.
THERE were three sisters fair and bright,
Refrain:Jennifer gentle and rosemaree
And they three loved one valiant knight.
Refrain:As the dew flies over the mulberry tree
The eldest sister let him in,
And barred the door with a silver pin.
The second sister made his bed,
And placed soft pillows under his head.
The youngest sister, fair and bright,
Was resolved for to wed with this valiant knight.
"And if you can answer questions three,
O then, fair maid, I will marry with thee.
"What is louder than an horn,
And what is sharper than a thorn?
"Thunder is louder than an horn,
And hunger is sharper than a thorn."
"What is broader than the way,
And what is deeper than the sea?"
"Love is broader than the way,
And hell is deeper than the sea."
- * * * *
. . . . .
"And now, fair maid, I will marry with thee."
C
Motherwell's MS., p. 647. From the recitation of Mrs Storie.
THERE was a knicht riding frae the east,
Refrain:Sing the Cather banks, the bonnie brume
Wha had been wooing at monie a place.
Refrain:And ye may beguile a young thing sune
He came unto a widow's door,
And speird whare her three dochters were.
The auldest ane's to a washing gane,
The second's to a baking gane.
The youngest ane's to a wedding gane,
And it will be nicht or she be hame.
