"My right hand will be gloved, Janet,
My left hand will be bare;
And these the tokens I gie thee,
160 Nae doubt I will be there.
"They'll turn me in your arms, Janet,
An adder and a snake;
But had me fast, let me not pass,
Gin ye wad buy me maik.
165 "They'll turn me in your arms, Janet,
An adder and an ask;
They'll turn me in your arms, Janet,
A bale that burns fast.
"They'll turn me in your arms, Janet,
170 A red-hot gad o' airn;
But haud me fast, let me not pass,
For I'll do you no harm.
"First dip me in a stand o' milk,
And then in a stand o' water;
175 But had me fast, let me not pass—
I'll be your bairn's father.
"And, next, they'll shape me in your arms,
A tod, but and an eel;
But had me fast, nor let me gang,
180 As you do love me weel.
"They'll shape me in your arms, Janet,
A dove, but and a swan;
And, last, they'll shape me in your arms
A mother-naked man:
185 Cast your green mantle over me—
Gloomy, gloomy, was the night,
And eiry was the way,
As fair Janet, in her green mantle,
190 To Miles Cross she did gae.
Betwixt the hours of twelve and one,
A north wind tore the bent;
And straight she heard strange elritch sounds
Upon that wind which went.