At ilka tippit o' his horse mane There hang a siller bell; The wind was loud, the steed was proud, 15 And they gae a sindry knell. The king he lay ower's castle wa', Beheld baith dale and down; And he beheld him, young Waters, Come riding to the town. 20 He turn'd him right and round about, And to the queen said he,-- "Who is the bravest man, my dame, That ever your een did see?" "I've seen lairds, and I've seen lords, 25 And knights o' high degree; But a braver man than young Waters My e'en did never see." He turn'd him right and roun' about, And ane angry man was he; 30 "O wae to you, my dame, the queen; Ye might ha'e excepted me!" "Ye are nae laird, ye are nae lord, Ye are the king that wears the crown; There's nae a lord in fair Scotland, 35 But unto you maun a' bow down." "O lady, for your love choicing, Ye shall win to your will; The morn, or I eat or drink, Young Waters I'll gar kill." 40 And nevertheless, the king cou'd say, "Ye might ha'e excepted me; Yea for yea," the king cou'd say, "Young Waters he shall die. "Likewise for your ill-wyled words 45 Ye sall ha'e cause to mourn; Gin ye hadna been sae big wi' child, Ye on a hill su'd burn." Young Waters came before the King, Fell low down on his knee; 50 "Win up, win up, young Waters, What's this I hear o' thee?" "What ails the king at me," he said, "What ails the king at me?" "It is tauld me the day, sir knight, 55 Ye've done me treasonie." "Liars will lie on sell gude men, Sae will they do on me; I wudna wish to be the man That liars on wudna lie." 60 Nevertheless, the king cou'd say, "In prison strang gang ye; O yea for yea," the king cou'd say, "Young Waters, ye shall die." Syne they ha'e ta'en him, young Waters, 65 Laid him in prison strang, And left him there wi' fetters boun', Making a heavy mane. "Aft ha'e I ridden thro' Striveling town Thro' heavy wind and weet; 70 But ne'er rade I thro' Striveling town Wi' fetters on my feet. "Aft ha'e I ridden thro' Striveling town, Thro' heavy wind and rain; But ne'er rade I thro' Striveling town 75 But thought to ridden't again." They brought him to the heading-hill, His horse, bot and his saddle; And they brought to the heading-hill His young son in his cradle. 80