And ye'se be wed to ane o' her serving men,45
For ye'se get na mair o' me."
Then up bespak the wylie parrot,
As it sat on the tree;—
"Ye lee, ye lee, Lord John," it said,
"Sae loud as I hear ye lee.50
"Ye say it's thirty miles frae your mither's bouer,
Whan it's but barely three;
And she'll ne'er be wed to a serving man,
For she'll be your ain ladie."
* * * * * *
Monie a lord and fair ladie55
Met Lord John in the closs,
But the bonniest face amang them a',
Was hauding Lord John's horse.
Monie a lord and gay ladie
Sat dining in the ha',60
But the bonniest face that was there,
Was waiting on them a'.
O up bespak Lord John's sister,
A sweet young maid was she:
"My brither has brought a bonnie young page,65
His like I ne'er did see;
But the red flits fast frae his cheek,
And the tear stands in his ee."
But up bespak Lord John's mither,
She spak wi' meikle scorn:70
"He's liker a woman gret wi' bairn,
Than onie waiting-man."
"It's ye'll rise up, my bonnie boy,
And gie my steed the hay:"—
"O that I will, my dear master,75
As fast as I can gae."
She took the hay aneath her arm,
The corn intil her hand;
But atween the stable door and the staw,
Lady Marg'ret made a stand.80