"If ever ye kist, if ever ye blest,
And bade them thrive and thee,30
O save them now frae scaith and scorn,
O save your oys and me!
"Their father's pride may yet relent;
His mither's rede he'll hear;
Nor for anither break the heart35
That ance to him was dear.
"He had my love and maiden pride;
I had nae mair to gi'e;
He well may fa' a brighter bride,
But nane that lo'es like me."40
"A brighter bride he ne'er can fa';
A richer well he may;
But daughter dearer nor Fair Annie,
His mither ne'er can ha'e."
That princess stood her son before:45
"My lord the king," said she,
"Fy on the lawless life ye lead,
Dishonour'd as ye be!
"Its Annie's gude, and Annie's fair,
And dearly she lo'es thee;50
And the brightest gems in a' your crown
Your seven fair sons wad be.
"Her love, her life, her maiden fame,
Wi' you she shar'd them a';
Now share wi' her your bridal bed;55
Her due she well may fa'."
"To my bridal bed, my mither dear,
Fair Annie ne'er can win;
I coft her out of fremmit lands,
Nor ken her kith or kin."60
And he's gard write a braid letter,
His wedding to ordein;
And to betrothe anither bride
To be his noble queen.