The thirden step Burd Ellen slept, The water came to her pap; And the bairn that was in her two sides For cold began to quake. XVII ‘Lie still, lie still, my own dear babe! Ye work your mother woe; Your father that rides on high horseback Cares little for us two.’ XVIII About the midst of Clyde-water There was a yeard-fast[333] stone: He lightly turn’d his horse about And took Burd Ellen on. XIX When she over the water won, She then came to his knee: Says, ‘How far is it to your lodgin’ Where we this night may be?’-- XX ‘Seest thou not yon castle, Ellen? Of red gold shines the gate: There is twenty-and-four fair ladies And one my worldly mate. XXI ‘Seest thou not yon castle, Ellen? Of red gold shines the tower: There is twenty-and-four fair ladies, And one my paramour. XXII ‘Seest thou not yon castle, Ellen, That shines so fair to see? There’s a lady in it, Ellen, Will sunder you and me.’-- XXIII ‘I do see the castle, Childe Waters: Of red gold shines the gate. God give you good then of yourself, And of your worldly mate! XXIV ‘I wish no ill to your lady; She ne’er wish’d none to me; But I wish the maid most of your love Dries[334] this and more for thee. XXV ‘I wish no ill to your lady; She ne’er comes in my thought; But I wish the maid most of your love That dearest has you bought.’-- XXVI ‘But my hounds shall eat of the bread of wheat, And you of the bread of bran; And you shall curse the heavy hour That ever your love began. XXVII ‘But my horse shall drink of the good red wine, And you of the water wan; And you will sigh and say “Alas, That ever I loved a man!”’-- XXVIII ‘O, I will drink of the wan water, And eat of the bread of bran; And aye will I bless the happy hour That ever I loved a man.’ XXIX O four-and-twenty gay ladies Were playing at the ball, But Ellen, the fairest lady, Must bring his steed to stall. XXX And four-and-twenty gay ladies Were playing at the chess, But Ellen, the fairest lady, Must bring his horse to grass. XXXI When bells were rung, and mass was sung, And a’ men bound to meat, Burd Ellen was at the bye-table Among the foot-men set. XXXII ‘O eat and drink, my bonny boy, The white bread and the beer.’-- ‘The never a bit can I eat or drink, My heart’s so full of fear.’-- XXXIII ‘O eat and drink, my bonny boy, The white bread and the wine.’-- ‘O I cannot eat nor drink, master, My heart’s so full of pine[335].’ XXXIV