68
'Three lauchters o his yellow hair,
For fear that we suld neer meet mair.
69
'O mither, if ye'll believe nae me,
Break up the coffer, an there ye'll see.'
70
An ay she coost, an ay she flang,
Till her ain gowd ring came in her hand.
71
And scarce aught i the coffer she left,
Till she gat the knife wi the siller heft,
72
Three lauchters o his yellow hair,
Knotted wi ribbons dink and rare.
73
She cried to her son, 'Where is the ring
Your father gave me at our wooing,
An I gae you at your hunting?
74
'What did ye wi the cuttie knife,
I bade ye keep it as yere life?'
75
'O haud yere tongue, my mither dear;
I gae them to a lady fair.
76
'I wad gie a' my lands and rents,
I had that ladie within my brents.
77
'I wad gie a' my lands an towers,
I had that ladie within my bowers.'