3.

The custom of binding the new-laid sod of the church-yard with osiers,
or other saplings, prevailed both in England and Scotland, and served to
protect the turf from injury by cattle, or otherwise. It is alluded to
by Gay, in the _What d'ye call it_--

Stay, let me pledge, 'tis my last earthly liquor,
When I am dead you'll bind my grave with _wicker_.

In the _Shepherd's Week_, the same custom is alluded to, and the cause
explained:--

With _wicker rods_ we fenced her tomb around,
To ward, from man and beast, the hallowed ground,
Lest her new grave the parson's cattle raze,
For both his horse and cow the church-yard graze.
_Fifth Pastoral._

EARL RICHARD.

NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED.

_There are two Ballads in Mr_ HERD'S _MSS. upon the following Story,
in one of which the unfortunate Knight is termed_ YOUNG HUNTIN. _A
Fragment, containing from the sixth to the tenth verse, has been
repeatedly published. The best verses are here selected from both
copies, and some trivial alterations have been adopted from tradition._

"O lady, rock never your young son young,
"One hour langer for me;
"For I have a sweetheart in Garlioch Wells,
"I love far better than thee.

"The very sole o' that ladye's foot
"Than thy face is far mair white."--
"But, nevertheless, now, Erl Richard,
"Ye will bide in ray bower a' night?"

She birled[A] him with the ale and wine,
As they sat down to sup;
A living man he laid him down,
But I wot he ne'er rose up.

Then up and spak the popinjay,
That flew aboun her head;
"Lady! keep weel your green cleiding
"Frae gude Erl Richard's bleid."

"O better I'll keep my green cleiding
"Frae gude Erl Richard's bleid,
"Than thou canst keep thy clattering toung,
"That trattles in thy head."

She has call'd upon her bower maidens,
She has call'd them ane by ane;
"There lies a deid man in my bour:
"I wish that he were gane!"

They hae booted him, and spurred him,
As he was wont to ride;--
A hunting-horn tied round his waist,
A sharp sword by his side;
And they hae had him to the wan water,
For a' men call it Clyde.

Then up and spak the popinjay,
That sat upon the tree--
"What hae ye done wi' Erl Richard?
"Ye were his gay ladye."

"Come down, come down, my bonny bird,
"And sit upon my hand;
"And thou sall hae a cage o' gowd,
"Where thou hast but the wa