"And I had rather have one twinkling,25
Childe Waters, of thine ee,
Than I wolde have Cheshire and Lancashire both,
To take them mine owne to bee."
"To morrowe, Ellen, I must forth ryde
Farr into the north countree;30
The fayrest lady that I can finde,
Ellen, must goe with mee."
["Thoughe I am not that ladye fayre,]
[Yet let me go with thee:]
And ever I pray you, Childe Waters,35
Your foot-page let me bee."
"If you will my foot-page bee, Ellen,
As you doe tell to mee,
Then you must cut your gowne of greene
An inch above your knee:40
"Soe must you doe your yellowe lockes,
An inch above your ee;
You must tell no man what is my name;
My foot-page then you shall bee."
Shee, all the long daye Childe Waters rode,45
Ran barefoote by his syde,
Yet was he never soe courteous a knighte,
To say, "Ellen, will you ryde?"
Shee, all the long daye Childe Waters rode,
Ran barefoote thorow the broome,50
Yett was hee never soe courteous a knighte,
To say, "put on your shoone."
"Ride softlye," shee sayd, "O Childe Waters:
Why doe you ryde so fast?
The childe, which is no mans but thine,55
My bodye itt will brast."