[The Knight he rode, the lady ran,]75
A live long summer's day;
Till they came to the wan water
That all men do call Tay.
He set his horse head to the water,
Just thro' it for to ride;80
And the lady was as ready as him
The waters for to wade.
For he had never been as kind-hearted
As to bid the lady ride;
And she had never been so low-hearted85
As for to bid him bide.
But deep into the wan water
There stands a great big stone;
He turned his wight horse head about,
Said, "Lady fair, will ye loup on?"90
She's taken the wand was in her hand,
And struck it on the foam,
And before he got the middle stream,
The lady was on dry land.
"By help of God and our Lady,95
My help lyes not in your hand.
"I learned it from my mother dear,—
Few is there that has learned better—
When I came to a deep water,
I can swim thro' like ony otter.100
"I learned it from my mother dear,—
I find I learned it for my weel;
When I came to a deep water,
I can swim thro' like ony eel."
"Turn back, turn back, you lady fair,105
You know not what I see;
There is a lady in that castle,
That will burn you and me."