Maun gang like maiden fair; She maun lace on her robe sae jimp, And braid her yellow hair."-- "But how can I gang maiden-like, When maiden I am nane? Have I not born seven sons to thee, And am with child again?"-- She's ta'en her young son in her arms, Another in her hand; And she's up to the highest tower, To see him come to land. "Come up, come up, my eldest son, And look o'er yon sea-strand, And see your father's new-come bride, Before she come to land."-- "Come down, come down, my mother dear, Come frae the castle wa'! I fear, if langer ye stand there, Ye'll let yoursel' down fa."-- (_jimp_, slim.) And she gaed down, and farther down, Her love's ship for to see; And the topmast and the mainmast Shone like the silver free. And she's gane down, and farther down, The bride's ship to behold; And the topmast and the mainmast They shone just like the gold. She's ta'en her seven sons in her hand; I wot she didna fail! She met Lord Thomas and his bride, As they came o'er the dale. "You re welcome to your house, Lord Thomas, You're welcome to your land; You're welcome with your fair lady, That you lead by the hand. "You're welcome to your ha's, lady, You're welcome to your bowers; You're welcome to your hame, lady, For a' that's here is yours."-- "I thank thee, Annie; I thank thee, Annie; Sae dearly as I thank thee; You're the likest to my sister Annie, That ever I did see. (_free,_ precious.) "There came a knight out o er the sea, And steal'd my sister away; The shame scoup in his company, And land where er he gae!"-- She hang ae napkin at the door, Another in the ha'; And a' to wipe the trickling tears, Sae fast as they did fa'. And aye she served the lang tables With white bread and with wine; And aye she drank the wan water, To had her colour fine. And aye she served the lang tables, With white bread and with brown; And ay she turned her round about, Sae fast the tears fell down. And hes ta en down the silk napkin, Hung on a silver pin; And aye he wipes the tear trickling Adown her cheek and chin. And aye he turn'd him round about, And smiled amang his men, Says--"Like ye best the old lady, Or her that's new come hame?"-- (_scaup_, go. _had_, hold, keep.) When bells were rung, and mass was sung, And a' men bound to bed, Lord Thomas and his new-come bride, To their chamber they were gaed. Annie made her bed a little for bye, To hear what they might say; "And ever alas!" fair Annie cried, "That I should see this day! "Gin my seven sons were seven young rats, Running on the castle wa', And I were a grey cat mysel', I soon would worry them a'. "Gin my seven sons were seven young hares, Running o er yon lily lea,