When she came to Young Beichan’s gate She tirlèd[329] softly at the pin; So ready was the proud portèr To open and let this lady in. XXI ‘Is this Young Beichan’s gates?’ she says, ‘Or is that noble lord within?’-- ‘He’s up the stairs wi’ his bonny bride, For this is the day o’ his weddin’.’-- XXII ‘O has he taken a bonny bride, And has he clean forgotten me?’ And sighing said that ladye gay, ‘I wish I were in my own countrie!’ XXIII She’s putten her hand in her pockèt And gi’en the porter guineas three; Says, ‘Take ye that, ye proud portèr, And bid the bridegroom speak with me.’ XXIV And she has ta’en her gay gold ring, That with her love she brake so free; Says, ‘Gie him that, ye proud portèr, And bid the bridegroom speak with me.’ XXV O when the porter came up the stair, He’s kneelèd low upon his knee: ‘Won[330] up, won up, ye proud portèr, And what makes a’ this courtesie?’-- XXVI ‘O I’ve been porter at your gates I’m sure this thirty years and three, But there is a lady stands thereat The fairest I did ever see.’ XXVII It’s out then spake the bride’s mother, --Aye, and an angry woman was she-- ‘Ye might have excepted our bonny bride, And twa or three of our companie.’ XXVIII ‘My dame, your daughter’s fair enough, And aye the fairer mote she be! But the fairest time that ever she was, She’ll no compare wi’ this ladye. XXIX ‘For on every finger she has a ring, And on the mid-finger she has three, And as mickle gold she has on her brow ’Would buy an earldome o’ land to me. XXX ‘And this golden ring that’s broken in twa, She sends the half o’ this golden ring, And bids you speak with a lady fair, That out o’ prison did you bring.’ XXXI Then up and started Young Beichan And sware so loud by Our Ladye, ‘It can be none but Susie Pye, That has come over the sea to me! XXXII O quickly ran he down the stair, Of fifteen steps he made but three; He’s ta’en his bonny love in his arms And kiss’d and kiss’d her tenderlie. XXXIII ‘O have ye ta’en another bride, And have ye quite forsaken me? And have ye clean forgotten her That gave you life and libertie?’ XXXIV She’s lookèd over her left shoulder To hide the tears stood in her e’e; ‘Now fare-thee-well, Young Beichan,’ she says-- ‘I’ll strive to think no more on thee.’ XXXV ‘O never, never, Susie Pye, For surely this can never be, That ever I shall wed but her That’s done and dreed[331] so much for me!’ XXXVI Then up bespake the bride’s mother-- She never was heard to speak so free: ‘Ye’ll not forsake my only daughter, Though Susie Pye has cross’d the sea.’ XXXVII