7 She's taen a lang claith in her hand, She's hauden 't up afore her een, That she might swear, and save her aith, That she saw na Sandy sin yestreen. 8 She has taen him in her arms twa, And carried him into her bed, That she might swear, and save her aith, That on her bour-floor he never gaed. 9 Then in there cam her firsten brother, Bauldly he cam steppin in: 'Come here, come here, see what I see! We hae only but ae sister alive, And a knave is in bour her wi.' 10 Then in and cam her second brother, Says, Twa lovers are ill to twin; And in and cam her thirden brother, 'O brother dear, I say the same.' 11 Then in and cam her fourthen brother, 'It's a sin to kill a sleepin man;' And in and cam her fifthen brother, 'O brother dear, I say the same.' 12 Then in and cam her sixthen brother, 'I wat he's neer be steerd by me;' But in and cam her seventhen brother, 'I bear the hand that sall gar him dee.' 13 Then out he drew a nut-brown sword, I wat he stript it to the stroe, And thro and thro Clerk Saunders' body I wat he garrd cauld iron go. 14 Then they lay there in ither's arms Until the day began to daw; Then kindly to him she did say, 'It's time, my dear, ye were awa. 15 'Ye are the sleepiest young man,' she said, 'That ever my twa een did see; Ye've lain a' nicht into my arms, I'm sure it is a shame to be.' 16 She turnd the blankets to the foot, And turnd the sheets unto the wa, And there she saw his bluidy wound, . . . . . . . 17 'O wae be to my seventhen brother, I wat an ill death mot he dee! He's killd Clerk Saunders, an earl's son, I wat he's killd him unto me.' 18 Then in and cam her father dear, Cannie cam he steppin in; Says, Haud your tongue, my dochter dear, What need you mak sic heavy meane? 19 'We'll carry Clerk Saunders to his grave, And syne come back and comfort thee:' 'O comfort weel your seven sons, father, For man sall never comfort me; Ye'll marrie me wi the Queen o Heaven, For man sall never enjoy me.' D Motherwell's MS., p. 196, from the recitation of Mrs Thomson. * * * * * * * 1 'O I have seven bold brethren, And they are all valiant men, If they knew a man that would tread my bower His life should not go along wi him.' 2 'Then take me up into your arms, And lay me low down on your bed, That ye may swear, and keep your oath clear, That your bower-room I did na tread. 3 'Tie a handkerchief round your face, And you must tye it wondrous keen, That you may swear, and keep your oath clear, Ye saw na me since late yestreen.'