Earl Richard once on a day,
And all his valiant men so wight,
He did him down to Barnisdale,
Where all the land is fair and light.
He was aware of a damosel,5
I wot fast on she did her bound,
With towers of gold upon her head,
As fair a woman as could be found.
He said, "Busk on you, fair ladye,
The white flowers and the red;10
For I would give my bonnie ship,
To get your maidenhead."
"I wish your bonnie ship rent and rive,
And drown you in the sea;
For all this would not mend the miss15
That ye would do to me."
"The miss is not so great, ladye,
Soon mended it might be.
"I have four-and-twenty mills in Scotland,
Stands on the water Tay;20
You'll have them, and as much flour
As they'll grind in a day."
"I wish your bonnie ship rent and rive,
And drown you in the sea;
For all that would not mend the miss25
That ye would do for me."
"The miss is not so great, lady,
Soon mended it will be.
"I have four-and-twenty milk-white cows,
All calved in a day;30
You'll have them, and as much hained grass
As they all on can gae."
"I wish your bonnie ship rent and rive,
And drown ye in the sea;
For all that would not mend the miss35
That ye would do to me."
"The miss is not so great, ladye,
Soon mended it might be.