It fell out on a day, the king
Brought the queen with him home;
15 And all the lords in our country
To welcome them did come.
"O welcome father!" the lady cries,
"Unto your halls and bowers;
And so are you, my step-mother,
20 For all that's here is yours."
A lord said, wondering while she spake, [98]
"This princess of the North
Surpasses all of female kind
In beauty, and in worth."
25 The envious queen replied, "At least,
You might have excepted me;
In a few hours, I will her bring
Down to a low degree.
"I will her liken to a laidley worm,
30 That warps about the stone,
And not till [Childy Wynd] comes back,
The princess stood at the bower door
Laughing, who could her blame?
35 But e'er the next day's sun went down,
A long worm she became.
For seven miles east, and seven miles west,
And seven miles north, and south,
No blade of grass or corn could grow,
40 So venomous was her mouth.
The milk of seven stately cows
(It was costly her to keep)
Was brought her daily, which she drank
Before she went to sleep.
45 At this day may be seen the cave
Which held her folded up,
And the stone trough, the very same
Out of which she did sup.