When, as he laved, sounds came sae sweet
Frae ilka rock ajee;[164]
The brief[165] was out; 'twas him it doomed
The mermaid's face to see.
Frae 'neath a rock sune, sune she rose,
An' stately on she swam,
Stopped i' the midst, and becked and sang
For him to stretch his han';
Gowden glist the yellow links
That roun' her neck she'd twine;