45 "Likewise well skill'd in magic spells,
As ye may plainly see;
And she transform'd me to yon shape,
To charm such maids as thee.
"I am a doo the live lang day,
50 A sprightly youth at night;
This aye gars me appear mair fair
In a fair maiden's sight.
"And it was but this verra day
That I came ower the sea;
55 Your lovely face did me enchant,—
I'll live and dee wi' thee."
"O Cow-me-doo, my luve sae true,
Nae mair frae me ye'se gae."
"That's never my intent, my luve,
60 As ye said, it shall be sae."
"O Cow-me-doo, my luve sae true,
It's time to gae to bed."
"Wi' a' my heart, my dear marrow,
It's be as ye ha'e said."
65 Then he has staid in bower wi' her
For sax lang years and ane,
Till sax young sons to him she bare,
And the seventh she's brought hame.
But aye as ever a child was born,
70 He carried them away,
And brought them to his mither's care,
As fast as he cou'd fly.
Thus he has staid in bower wi' her
For twenty years and three;
75 There came a lord o' high renown
To court this fair ladie.
But still his proffer she refused,
And a' his presents too;
Says, "I'm content to live alane
80 Wi' my bird, Cow-me-doo."