  IAbout Yule, when the wind blew cule, And the round tables began, O there is come to our King’s court Mony a well-favor’d man. IIThe Queen luikt owre the castle-wa’ Beheld baith dale and down, And there she saw Young Waters Come riding to the town. IIIHis footmen they did rin before, His horsemen rade behind; Ane mantel of the burning gowd Did keip him frae the wind. IVGowden-graith’d And siller-shod behind; The horse Young Waters rade upon Was fleeter than the wind. VOut then spak’ a wylie lord, Unto the Queen said he: ‘O tell me wha’s the fairest face Rides in the company?’— VI‘I’ve sene lord, and I’ve sene laird, And knights of high degree, Bot a fairer face than Young Waters’ Mine eyne did never see.’ VIIOut then spake the jealous King, And an angry man was he: ‘O if he had bin twice as fair, You micht have excepted me.’ VIII‘You’re neither laird nor lord,’ she says, ‘But the King that wears the crown; There is not a knight in fair Scotland But to thee maun bow down.’ IXFor a’ that she cou’d do or say, Appeas’d he wad nae bee, But for the words which she had said, Young Waters he maun dee. XThey hae ta’en Young Waters, And put fetters to his feet; They hae ta’en Young Waters, and Thrown him in dungeon deep. XI‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town, In the wind but and the weet; But I neir rade thro’ Stirling town Wi’ fetters at my feet. XII‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town, In the wind but and the rain; But I neir rade thro’ Stirling town Neir to return again.’ XIIIThey hae ta’en to the heiding-hill His young son in his craddle; And they hae ta’en to the heiding-hill His horse but and his saddle. XIVThey hae ta’en to the heiding-hill His lady fair to see; And for the words the Queen had spoke Young Waters he did dee. |
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