O up then spak the southland lord,
And blinkit wi' his ee;
"I trow this lady's born a bairn,"
Then laucht loud lauchters three.80
"Ye hae gi'en me the gowk, Annet,
But I'll gie you the scorn;
For there's no a bell in a' the town
Shall ring for you the morn."
Out and spak then sweet Willie,85
"Sae loud's I hear you lie,
There's no a bell in a' the town
But shall ring for Annet and me."
And Willie swore a great great oath,
And he swore by the thorn,90
That she was as free o' a child that night,
As the night that she was born.
O up an' spak [the brisk bridegroom],
And he spak up wi' pride,
"Gin I should lay my gloves in pawn,95
I will dance wi' the bride."
"Now haud your tongue, [my lord," she said],
"Wi' dancing let me be,
I am sae thin in flesh and blude,
Sma' dancing will serve me."100
But she's ta'en Willie by the hand,
The tear blinded her ee;
"But I wad dance wi' my true love,
But bursts my heart in three."
She's ta'en her bracelet frae her arm,105
Her garter frae her knee,
"Gie that, gie that, to my young son;
He'll ne'er his mother see."
[93]. Sic Herd. Finlay, then sweet Willie.