THE BALLAD OF THE BEAR-HUNTERS.

THREE hunters went a-hunting

In wild woods far away,

To chase the bear on mountain slopes,

At dawning of the day.

They met Dame Joris on the road,

Plump as a gourd was she,

And with her went her daughter bright,

The rose-red Margerie.

And it's whoop! Oho! Hollo! Hallò!

The morn is shining fair.

Whoop! Hollo! Hoy! and wish us joy,
A-hunting of the bear.

"Get supper for us, Joris,

When we return to-night;

Good beer and wine, and crackling chine,
And a fire-side warm and bright.
Ere sets the sun, three hungry men,
We'll seek your hostelry;

And Bruin dead in his old grey coat

For it's whoop! Oho! Hollo! Hallo!

The morn is shining fair.

Whoop! Hollo! Hoy! and wish us joy,
A-hunting of the bear."

"I've got," quo' she, "a ven'son haunch,
A turkey served with brawn,
And foaming flagons of wine as good
As ever from cask was drawn.
And if you slay the shaggy bear
That prowls our forests through,
I'll find the meat, and share the drink,
And charge you ne'er a sou.

For it's whoop! Oho! Hollo! Hallò!
The morn is shining fair.

Whoop! Hollo! Hoy! I wish you joy,
A-hunting of the bear."

"What wilt thou give us, maiden?"
Said Reinhold, whispering low,
And clasp'd her by the yielding hand,
That nobody might know.

"I wish for something better than wine,

Better than golden fee,—

A look, a smile, or word of love,

From rose-red Margerie.

For it's whoop! Oho! Hollo! Hallò!

The morn is shining fair.

Whoop! Hollo! Hoy! and wish me joy,
A-hunting of the bear."

THE BALLAD OF THE BEAR-HUNTERS.

“I'll give," quo' she, "a squeezing hand When nobody is nigh,

A whisper'd word, a favouring smile,

A twinkle of the eye.

I'll give;-but what have I to give,
Although I speak so free,

Unless it be a vow of truth,

And the heart of Margerie?

For it's whoop! Oho! Hollo! Hallò!
The morn is shining fair.

Whoop! Hollo! Hoy! I wish you joy,
A-hunting of the bear."

They had their hunting on the hill,
And merry men were they;

And a beaten foe was Bruin the bold,

At closing of the day.

And Joris spread a regal feast,

The ven'son and the chine,

Turkey and brawn, and snow-white cheese,

And overflowing wine.

And 'twas whoop! Oho! Hollo! Hallo!

The wine-cup circles fair.

Whoop! Hollo! Hoy! 'tis ever joy,
A-hunting of the bear.

"We track'd his steps an hour ere noon

'Twas up amid the snow;

And then we track'd him down again,

To his rocky dells below.