5 She loot the seam fa' frae her side,
And the needle to her tae;
And she is on to Elmond-wood
As fast as she coud gae.
She hadna pu'd a nut, a nut,
10 Nor broken a branch but ane,
Till by it came a young hind chiel,
Says, "Lady, lat alane.
"O why pu' ye the nut, the nut,
Or why brake ye the tree?
15 For I am forester o' this wood:
Ye shou'd spier leave at me."
"I'll ask leave at no living man,
Nor yet will I at thee;
My father is king o'er a' this realm,
20 This wood belongs to me."
She hadna pu'd a nut, a nut,
Nor broken a branch but three,
Till by it came him Young Akin,
And gar'd her lat them be.
25 The highest tree in Elmond's-wood,
He's pu'd it by the reet;
And he has built for her a bower
Near by a hallow seat.
He's built a bower, made it secure
30 Wi' carbuncle and stane;
Tho' travellers were never sae nigh,
Appearance it had nane.
He's kept her there in Elmond's-wood,
For six lang years and one;
35 Till six pretty sons to him she bear,
And the seventh she's brought home.
It fell ance upon a day,
This guid lord went from home;
And he is to the hunting gane,
40 Took wi' him his eldest son.