Classic Poem

More generally played—and not in Scotland only— is “T HREE Brethren COME FROM S PAIN .” The players stand in two lines, slightly apart, facing each other—the boys on one side, the girls on the other. The boys advance dancing, and singing the first verse. The girls remain motionless, and only she who represents the mother speaks.
We are three brethren come from Spain,
 All in French garlands;
We are come to court your daughter, Jane,
 And adieu to you, my darlings. As they recede, the mother replies:—

My daughter Jane she is too young,
 All in French garlands:
She cannot bide your flattering tongue,
 And adieu to you, my darlings. The boys advance again, singing:—

Be she young, or be she old,
 All in French garlands,
It's for a bride she must be sold,
 And adieu to you, my darlings. Answer:—

A bride, a bride, she shall not be,
 All in French garlands;
Till she go through the world with me,
 And adieu to you, my darlings. Address:—

Then fare ye well, my lady gay,
 All in French garlands;
We'll come again some other day,
 And adieu to you, my darlings. Answer:—

Come back, come back, you scornful knight,
 All in French garlands;
Clear up your spurs, and make them bright,
 And adieu to you, my darlings. Address:—

Of my spurs take you no thought,
 All in French garlands;
For in this town they were not bought,
 And adieu to you, my darlings, Answer:—

Smell my lilies, smell my roses,
 All in French garlands;
Which of my daughters do you choose?
 And adieu to you, my darlings. Address:—

Are all your daughters safe and sound?
 All in French garlands:
Are all your daughters safe and sound?
 And adieu to you, my darlings. Answer:—

In every pocket a thousand pounds,
 All in French garlands;
On every finger a gay, gold ring,
 And adieu to you, my darlings. The formula is repeated as above until every boy has chosen a lady-mate, when all march round arm-in-arm in pairs, and the game is ended.