And till the kirk she wadna gae,
Nor tillt she wadna ride,
Till four-and-twenty men she gat her before,
And twenty on ilka side,90
And four-and-twenty milk white dows,
To flee aboon her head.
A loud lauchter gae Lord Wa'yates,
'Mang the mids o' his men;
"Marry that lady wha that will,95
A maiden she is nane."
"O leuch ye at my men, Wa'yates,
Or did ye lauch at me?
Or leuch ye at the bierdly bride,
That's gaun to marry me?"100
"I leuchna at your men, uncle,
Nor yet leuch I at thee;
But I leuch at my lands so braid,
Sae weel's I do them see."
When e'en was come, and e'en-bells rung,105
And a' man gane to bed,
The bride but and the silly bridegroom
In ae chamber were laid.
Wasna't a fell thing for to see
Twa heads upon a cod;110
Lady Maisery's like the mo'ten goud,
Auld Ingram's like a toad.
He turn'd his face unto the stock,
And sound he fell asleep;
She turn'd her face unto the wa',115
And saut tears she did weep.
It fell about the mirk midnicht,
Auld Ingram began to turn him;
He put his hand on's ladie's side,
And waly, sair was she mournin'.120
"What aileth thee, my lady dear?
Ever alas, and wae is me!