+The Text+ is from Herd's _Ancient and Modern Scots Songs_ (1769), which
is almost identical with a copy in Johnson's _Museum_. Another variant,
also given in the _Museum_, was contributed by Burns, who made it
shorter and more dramatic.
+The Story+ of this farcical ballad has long been popular in many lands,
European and Oriental, and has been introduced as an episode in English,
French, and German plays. A close parallel to the ballad may be found in
Straparola, Day VIII., first story.