| |
I
A FAIR maid sat in her bower-door, | |
| Wringing her lily hands, | |
| And by it came a sprightly youth, | |
| Fast tripping o’er the strands. | |
| |
II
‘Where gang ye, young John,’ she says, | 5 |
| ‘Sae early in the day? | |
| It gars me think, by your fast trip, | |
| Your journey’s far away.’ | |
| |
III
He turn’d about wi’ a surly look, | |
| And said, ‘What’s that to thee? | 10 |
| I’m gaen to see a lovely maid, | |
| Mair fairer far than ye.’— | |
| |
IV
‘Now hae ye play’d me this, fause love, | |
| In simmer, ’mid the flowers? | |
| I shall repay ye back again, | 15 |
| In winter, ’mid the showers. | |
| |
V
‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love, | |
| Will ye not turn again? | |
| For as ye look to other women, | |
| Sall I to other men.’— | 20 |
| |
VI
‘Go make your choice of whom you please, | |
| For I my choice will have; | |
| I’ve chosen a maid more fair than thee, | |
| I never will deceive.’ | |
| |
VII
She’s kilted up her claithing fine, | 25 |
| And after him gaed she; | |
| But aye he said, ‘Ye’ll turn again, | |
| Nae farther gang wi’ me.’— | |
| |
VIII
‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love, | |
| Will ye ne’er love me again? | 30 |
| Alas, for loving you sae well, | |
| And you nae me again!’ | |
| |
IX
The firstan town that they cam’ till, | |
| He bought her brooch and ring; | |
| And aye he bade her turn again, | 35 |
| And nae farther gang wi’ him. | |
| |
X
‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love, | |
| Will ye ne’er love me again? | |
| Alas, for loving you sae well, | |
| And you nae me again!’ | 40 |
| |
XI
The nextan town that they cam’ till, | |
| He bought her muff and gloves; | |
| But aye he bade her turn again, | |
| And choose some other loves. | |
| |
XII
‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love, | 45 |
| Will ye ne’er love me again? | |
| Alas, for loving you sae well, | |
| And you nae me again!’ | |
| |
XIII
The nextan town that they cam’ till, | |
| His heart it grew mair fain, | 50 |
| And he was as deep in love wi’ her | |
| As she was ower again. | |
| |
XIV
The nextan town that they cam’ till, | |
| He bought her wedding gown, | |
| And made her lady of ha’s and bowers, | 55 |
| Into sweet Berwick town. | |
| |
