I have a zong suster fer bezondyn the se, Many be the drowryis that [s]che sente me. [S]che sente me the cherye withoutyn ony ston, And so [s]che dede [the] dowe withoutyn ony bon: Sche sente me the brere withoutyn ony rynde, Sche bad me love my lemman withoute longgyng. How xuld ony cherye be withoute ston? And how xuld ony dowe ben withoute bon? How xuld any brere ben withoute rynde? How xuld I love myn lemman without longyng? Quan the cherye was a flour, than hadde it non ston: Quan the dowe was an ey, than hadde it non bon: Quan the brere was on-bred, than hadde it non rynd: Quan the mayden hazt that [s]che louth, [s]che is without longyng. THE COURTEOUS KNIGHT. Appendix to p. 11, p. 83. From _Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland_, i. 91. There was a knight, in a summer's night, Appear'd in a lady's hall, As she was walking up and down, Looking o'er her castle wall. "God make you safe and free, fair maid, 5 God make you safe and free!" "O sae fa' you, ye courteous knight; What are your wills wi' me? "My wills wi' you are not sma', lady, My wills wi' you nae sma'; 10 And since there's nane your bower within, Ye'se ha'e my secrets a'. "For here am I a courtier, A courtier come to thee; And if ye winna grant your love, 15 All for your sake I'll dee." "If that ye dee for me, sir knight, Few for you will make meen; For mony gude lord's done the same, Their graves are growing green." 20 "O winna ye pity me, fair maid, O winna ye pity me? O winna ye pity a courteous knight, Whose love is laid on thee?" "Ye say ye are a courteous knight, 25 But I think ye are nane; I think ye're but a millar bred, By the color o' your claithing. "You seem to be some false young man, You wear your hat sae wide; 30 You seem to be some false young man, You wear your boots sae side." "Indeed I am a courteous knight, And of great pedigree; Nae knight did mair for a lady bright 35 Than I will do for thee. "O I'll put smiths in your smithy, To shoe for you a steed; And I'll put tailors in your bower, To make you for a weed. 40 "I will put cooks in your kitchen, And butlers in your ha'; And on the tap o' your father's castle, I'll big gude corn and saw." "If ye be a courteous knight, 45 As I trust not ye be, Ye'll answer some o' the sma' questions That I will ask at thee.