‘And when ye’ve done an’ finish’d your wark, Come to me, love, an’ get your sark.’ XXII ‘It’s I’ll not quit my plaid for my life; It haps my seven bairns and my wife.’ _The wind sall not blaw my plaid awa’:_ ‘And it’s I will keep me a maiden still, Let the elfin knight do what he will’-- _The wind has not blawn my plaid awa’!_ FOOTNOTES: [98] _gowans_ = daisies. [99] kist = chest. [100] niest = next. [101] sark = shirt. [102] wat = wetted. [103] are = plough. [104] ae tyne = one harrow-point. [105] loof = palm. _9. The Riddling Knight_ I There were three sisters fair and bright, _Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemary_, And they three loved one valiant knight-- _As the dow[106] flies over the mulberry-tree_. II The eldest sister let him in, And barr’d the door with a silver pin. III The second sister made his bed, And placed soft pillows under his head. IV The youngest sister that same night Was resolved for to wed wi’ this valiant knight. V ‘And if you can answer questions three, O then, fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee. VI ‘O what is louder nor a horn, Or what is sharper nor a thorn? VII ‘Or what is heavier nor the lead, Or what is better nor the bread? VIII ‘Or what is longer nor the way, Or what is deeper nor the sea?’-- IX ‘O shame is louder nor a horn, And hunger is sharper nor a thorn. X ‘O sin is heavier nor the lead, The blessing’s better nor the bread. XI ‘O the wind is longer nor the way And love is deeper nor the sea.’ XII [‘You have answer’d aright my questions three,] _Jennifer, Gentle and Rosemary;_ And now, fair maid, I’ll marry wi’ thee, _As the dow flies over the mulberry-tree._ FOOTNOTES: [106] _dow_ = dove. _10. May Colvin_ I False Sir John a-wooing came To a maid of beauty fair; May Colvin was this lady’s name, Her father’s only heir. II He woo’d her but[107], he woo’d her ben, He woo’d her in the ha’; Until he got the lady’s consent To mount and ride awa’. III ‘Go fetch me some of your father’s gold, And some of your mother’s fee, And I’ll carry you into the north land, And there I’ll marry thee.’ IV She’s gane to her father’s coffers Where all his money lay, And she’s taken the red, and she’s left the white, And so lightly she’s tripp’d away. V She’s gane to her father’s stable Where all the steeds did stand, And she’s taken the best, and she’s left the warst That was in her father’s land. VI She’s mounted on a milk-white steed, And he on a dapple-grey, And on they rade to a lonesome part, A rock beside the sea. VII