2 ’Twas at that time a noble squire, Sprung from an ancient line, Laid his love on a lady fair, The king’s daughter o Linne. 3 When cocks did craw, and day did daw, And mint in meadows sprang, Young Ronald and his little wee boy They rode the way alang. 4 So they rode on, and farther on, To yonder pleasant green, And there he spied that lady fair, In her garden alane. 5 These two together lang they stood, And love’s tale there they taul; The glancing o her fair color Did Ronald’s own impale. 6 He lifted’s hat, and thus he spake; O pity have on me! For I could pledge what is my right, All for the sake of thee. 7 ‘Ye’re young amo your mirth, kind sir, And fair o your dull hours; There’s nae a lady in a’ London But might be your paramour. 8 ‘But I’m too young to wed, kind sir, You must not take it ill; Whate’er my father bids me do, I maun be at his will.’ 9 He kissd her then and took his leave, His heart was all in pride, And he is on to Windsor gone, And his boy by his side. 10 And when he unto Windsor came, And lighted on the green, There he spied his mother dear, Was walking there alane. 11 ‘Where have ye been, my son, Ronald, From gude school-house, this day?’ ‘I hae been at Linne, mother, Seeing yon bonny may.’ 12 ‘O wae’s me for you now, Ronald, For she will not you hae; For mony a knight and bauld baron She’s nickd them a’ wi nae.’ 13 Young Ronald’s done him to his bower, And he took bed and lay; Nae woman could come in his sight, For the thoughts o this well-fard may. 14 Then in it came his father dear, Well belted in a brand; The tears ran frae his twa gray eyes, All for his lovely son. 15 Then Ronald calld his stable-groom To come right speedilie; Says, Ye’ll gang to yon stable, boy, And saddle a steed for me. 16 ‘His saddle o the guid red gowd, His bits be o the steel, His bridle o a glittering hue; See that ye saddle him weel. 17 ‘For I’ve heard greeters at your school-house, Near thirty in a day; But for to hear an auld man greet, It passes bairns’ play.’ 18 When cocks did craw, and day did daw, And mint in meadows sprang, Young Ronald and his little wee boy The way they rode alang. 19 So they rode on, and further on, To yonder pleasant green, And there they saw that lady fair, In her garden alane. 20 And twenty times before he ceasd He kissd her lips sae clear, And said, Dear lady, for your sake, I’ll fight fell lang and sair.