"A malison light on the tongue,
Sic tidings tells to me!—
But gin it be a lie you tell,35
You shall be hanged hie."
He's doen him to his sister's bower,
Wi' mickle dool and care;
And there he saw her, lady Maisry,
Kembing her yellow hair.40
["O wha is aucht that bairn," he says,]
"That ye sae big are wi'?
And gin ye winna own the truth,
This moment ye sall die."
She's turned her richt and round about,45
And the kembe fell frae her han';
A trembling seized her fair bodie,
And her rosy cheek grew wan.
"O pardon me, my brother dear,
And the truth I'll tell to thee;50
My bairn it is to Lord William,
And he is betrothed to me."
"O cou'dna ye gotten dukes, or lords,
Intill your ain countrie,
That ye drew up wi' an English dog,55
To bring this shame on me?
"But ye maun gi'e up your English lord,
Whan your young babe is born;
For, gin ye keep by him an hour langer,
Your life shall be forlorn."60
"I will gi'e up this English lord,
Till my young babe be born;
But the never a day nor hour langer,
Though my life should be forlorn."