To W. G. E. and to my friends K. H. and G. C. L. M. I dedicate this book

It is neither allegory nor fable but a Story to be read for its own sake.

The proper names I have tried to spell simply. The e in Carcë is long, like that in Phryne, the o in Krothering short and the accent on that syllable: Corund is accented on the first syllable, Prezmyra on the second, Brandoch Daha on the first and fourth, Gorice on the last syllable, rhyming with thrice: Corinius rhymes with Flaminius, Galing with sailing, La Fireez with desire ease: ch is always guttural, as in loch.

E. R. E.

9th January 1922

True Thomas lay on Huntlie bank, A ferlie he spied wi his ee; And there he saw a Lady bright Come riding down by the Eildon Tree.

Her skirt was o the grass-green silk, Her mantle o the velvet fyne, At ilka tett of her horse’s mane Hung fifty siller bells and nine.

True Thomas he pulld aff his cap, And louted low down on his knee: “Hail to thee, Mary, Queen of Heaven! For thy peer on earth could never be.”

“O no, O no, Thomas,” she says, “That name does not belang to me; I’m but the Queen of fair Elfland, That am hither come to visit thee.

“Harp and carp, Thomas,” she says, “Harp and carp alang wi me. And if ye dare to kiss my lips, Sure of your bodie I will be.”

“Betide me weal, betide me woe, That weird shall never daunton me.” Syne he has kissed her rosy lips, All underneath the Eildon Tree.

Thomas the Rhymer