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It's a widespread topos. In French ballads, possibly the most famous instance is "Malbrouk s'en va-t-en guerre" (from which we get the tune "For He's a Jolly Good Fellow" incidentally, but let that pass). This song has spread all over, including to Spain (in Catalonia it's known as Mambru and as El comte l'Aronge), Germany, Italy and Portugal. Plot: The lady waits for her lord to return. She looks out of the castle window. Eventually she espies two pages returning, bringing the bad news of his death in battle. References: Henri Davenson, Le livre des chansons, (Neuchatel: La Baconniere, 1944), p. 419 Manuel Mila i Fontanals, Romancerillo catalan, (Barcelona: Verdaguer, 1882), p. 206. William J. Entwistle, European Balladry, (Oxford: Clarendon, 1939), p. 139. Cheers Simon ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bill McCarthy" <[log in to unmask]> To: <[log in to unmask]> Sent: Friday, December 22, 2000 9:24 PM Subject: Re: Bereft Ladies > 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 > [log in to unmask] > (814) 371-1056 > 375-4700 > >