‘Fear not the ford, faire lady,’ quoth he, _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- ‘For long I cannot stay for thee, And thou the faire flower of Northumberland.’ XVII From top to toe all wet was she: _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- ‘This have I done for love of thee, And I the faire flower of Northumberland.’ XVIII They rode till they came to a Scottish moss, _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- He bade her light off from her father’s horse, Says, ‘Go, get you back to Northumberland. XIX ‘For I have a wife and children five, _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- In Edenborrow they be alive, So get thee home to Northumberland.’-- XX ‘Have pity on me as I had it on thee! _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- A cook in your kitchen I will be, Even I, the faire flower of Northumberland. XXI ‘Or take me by the body so meek, _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- And throw me in the water so deep, For I darena go back to Northumberland.’ XXII He turn’d him around and he thought of a plan, _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- He bought an old horse and he hired an old man To carry her back to Northumberland. XXIII When she came thro’ her father’s ha’, _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- She louted[454] her low amongst them a’, She was the faire flower of Northumberland. XXIV Down came her father, he saw her and smiled, _Follow, my love, come over the strand_-- ‘You arena the first the false Scots have beguiled, And ye’re aye welcome back to Northumberland!’ FOOTNOTES: [452] dee = die. [453] wight = sturdy. [454] louted = bowed. _72. Young John_ I A fair maid sat in her bower-door, Wringing her lily hands, And by it came a sprightly youth, Fast tripping o’er the strands. II ‘Where gang ye, young John,’ she says, ‘Sae early in the day? It gars me think, by your fast trip, Your journey’s far away.’ III He turn’d about wi’ a surly look, And said, ‘What’s that to thee? I’m gaen to see a lovely maid, Mair fairer far than ye.’-- IV ‘Now hae ye play’d me this, fause love, In simmer, ’mid the flowers? I shall repay ye back again, In winter, ’mid the showers. V ‘But again, dear love, and again, dear love, Will ye not turn again? For as ye look to other women, Sall I to other men.’-- VI ‘Go make your choice of whom you please, For I my choice will have; I’ve chosen a maid more fair than thee, I never will deceive.’ VII She’s kilted up her claithing fine, And after him gaed she; But aye he said, ‘Ye’ll turn again, Nae farther gang wi’ me.’-- VIII