In "Sir Patrick Spens" we are told:
Long, long may the ladies sit,
With their fans into their hand,
Or e'er they see Sir Patrick Spens
Come sailing into land.
Similarly, in South Slavic Epic and Russian Bylina the slain villain's wife
or mother looks out the window to see him coming back, but looks in vain.
I am looking for other occurrences of this motif ot the bereft lady or
ladies, who look in vain for the return of the dead or slain man.
Any suggestions will be appreciated. Thanks much.
William B. McCarthy
Department of English
Penn State DuBois
College Place
DuBois, PA 15801
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(814) 371-1056
375-4700
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