Fairer maidens never had been,

Golden sleeves for the king's daughter.

By there comes the king's young son,

A little wind in the mill-water;

"Out of ten maidens ye'll grant me one,"

A crown of red for the king's daughter.

"Out of ten mays ye'll give me the best,"

A little rain in the mill-water;

A bed of yellow straw for all the rest,

A bed of gold for the king's daughter.