The king sits in Dumferling toune,
Drinking the blude-reid wine:
"O whar will I get ae guid sailor,
To sail this schip of mine?"
Up and spak an eldern knicht,
Sat at the king's richt kne;
"Sir Patrick Spence is the best sailor
That sails upon the se."
The king has written a braid letter,
And signd it wi his hand,