"O I have been porter at your gates105
This thirty years and three;
But there are three ladies at them now,
Their like I did never see.
"There's ane o' them drest in red scarlet,
And twa in dainty green;110
And they hae girdles about their middles
Would buy an earldome."
Then out and spak the bierdly bride,
"Was a' goud to the chin;
"Gin she be fine without," she says,115
"We's be as fine within."
Then up it starts him, young Bekie,
And the tear was in his e'e:
"I'll lay my life it's Burd Isbel,
Come o'er the sea to me."120
O quickly ran he down the stair;
And whan he saw 'twas she,
He kindly took her in his arms,
And kist her tenderlie.
"O hae ye forgotten now, young Bekie,125
The vow ye made to me,
When I took you out of prison strang,
When ye was condemned to die?
"I gae you a steed was good in need,
And a saddle o' royal bane;130
A leash o' hounds o' ae litter;
And Hector called ane."
It was weel kent what the lady said,
That it was nae a lie;
For at the first word the lady spak,135
The hound fell at her knee.