"Now nay, now nay, good James Swynàrd, 145 I may not believe that witch ladìe; The Douglasses were ever true, And they can ne'er prove false to mee. "I have now in Lough-leven been The most part of these years three, 150 Yett have I never had noe outrake, Ne no good games that I cold see. "Therefore I'll to yond shooting wend, As to the Douglas I have hight: Betide me weale, betide me woe, 155 He ne'er shall find my promise light." He writhe a gold ring from his finger, And gave itt to that gay ladìe: Sayes, "It was all that I cold save, In Harley woods where I cold bee." 160 "And wilt thou goe, thou noble lord? Then farewell truth and honestìe, And farewell heart, and farewell hand, For never more I shall thee see." The wind was faire, the boatmen call'd, 165 And all the saylors were on borde; Then William Douglas took to his boat, And with him went that noble lord. Then he cast up a silver wand, Says, "Gentle lady, fare thee well!" 170 The lady fett a sigh soe deep, And in a dead swoone down shee fell. "Now let us goe back, Douglas," he sayd, "A sickness hath taken yond faire ladìe; If ought befall yond lady but good, 175 Then blamed for ever I shall bee." "Come on, come on, my lord," he sayes, "Come on, come on, and let her bee; There's ladyes enow in Lough-leven For to cheere that gay ladìe." 180 "If you'll not turne yourself, my lord, Let me goe with my chamberlaine; We will but comfort that faire lady, And wee will return to you againe." "Come on, come on, my lord," he sayes, 185 "Come on, come on, and let her bee; My sister is craftye, and wold beguile A thousand such as you and mee." "When they had sayled fifty myle, Now fifty mile upon the sea, 190 Hee sent his man to ask the Douglas, When they shold that shooting see." "Faire words," quoth he, "they make fooles faine, And that by thee and thy lord is seen; You may hap to thinke itt soone enough, 195 Ere you that shooting reach, I ween." Jamye his hatt pulled over his browe, He thought his lord then was betray'd; And he is to Erle Percy againe, To tell him what the Douglas sayd. 200 "Hold upp thy head, man," quoth his lord, "Nor therefore lett thy courage fayle; He did it but to prove thy heart, To see if he cold make it quail."