Then loud, loud cry'd the Clerk Colvill,
"O my head it pains me sair;"
"Then take, then take," the maiden said,
25 "And frae my sark you'll cut a gare."
Then she's gi'ed him a little bane-knife,
And frae her [sark] he cut a share;
She's ty'd it round his whey-white face,
But ay his head it aked mair.
30 Then louder cry'd the Clerk Colvill,
"O sairer, sairer akes my head;"
"And sairer, sairer ever will,"
The maiden crys, "till you be dead."
Out then he drew his shining blade,
35 Thinking to stick her where she stood;
But she was vanish'd to a fish,
And swam far off, a fair mermaid.
"O mother, mother, braid my hair;
My lusty lady, make my bed;
40 O brother, take my sword and spear,
For I have seen the false mermaid."
[27], his sark.