"Fair lady," he said, "take pity on me,21
Follow, my love, come over the strand,
And let me not in prison die,
And you the fair Flower of Northumberland."
"Fair Sir, how should I take pity on thee,25
Follow, my love, come over the strand,
Thou being a foe to our country,
And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."
"Fair lady, I am no foe," he said,
Follow, my love, come over the strand,30
"Through thy sweet love here was I stay'd,
For thee, the fair Flower of Northumberland."
"Why shouldst thou come here for love of me,
Follow, my love, come over the strand,
Having wife and children in thy country,35
And I the fair Flower of Northumberland."
"I swear by the blessed Trinity,
Follow, my love, come over the strand,
I have no wife nor children, I,
Nor dwelling at home in merry Scotland.40
"If courteously thou wilt set me free,
Follow, my love, come over the strand,
I vow that I will marry thee,
So soon as I come in fair Scotland.
"Thou shalt be a lady of castles and towers,45
Follow, my love, come over the strand,
And sit like a queen in princely bowers,
Were I at home in fair Scotland."
Then parted hence this lady gay,
Follow, my love, come over the strand,50
And got her fathers ring away,
To help this knight into fair Scotland.
Likewise much gold she got by sleight,
Follow, my love, come over the strand,
And all to help this forlorn knight,55
To wend from her father to fair Scotland.