Quan the cherye was a flour, than hadde it non ston:
Quan the dowe was an ey, than hadde it non bon:
Quan the brere was on-bred, than hadde it non rynd:
Quan the mayden hazt that che louth, che is without longyng.
[THE COURTEOUS KNIGHT.]
From Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, i. 91.
There was a knight, in a summer's night,
Appear'd in a lady's hall,
As she was walking up and down,
Looking o'er her castle wall.
"God make you safe and free, fair maid, 5
God make you safe and free!"
"O sae fa' you, ye courteous knight;
What are your wills wi' me?
"My wills wi' you are not sma', lady,
My wills wi' you nae sma'; 10
And since there's nane your bower within,
Ye'se ha'e my secrets a'.
"For here am I a courtier,
A courtier come to thee;
And if ye winna grant your love, 15
All for your sake I'll dee."