13
'But it fell once upon a day,
As hunting I did ride,
As I rode east and west yon hill
There woe did me betide.
14
'O drowsy, drowsy as I was!
Dead sleep upon me fell;
The Queen of Fairies she was there,
And took me to hersell.
15
'The Elfins is a pretty place,
In which I love to dwell,
But yet at every seven years' end
The last here goes to hell;
And as I am ane o flesh and blood,
I fear the next be mysell.
16
'The morn at even is Halloween;
Our fairy court will ride,
Throw England and Scotland both,
Throw al the world wide;
And if ye would me borrow,
At Rides Cross ye may bide.
17
'You may go into the Miles Moss,
Between twelve hours and one;
Take holy water in your hand,
And cast a compass round.
18
'The first court that comes along,
You'll let them all pass by;
The next court that comes along,
Salute them reverently.
19
'The next court that comes along
Is clad in robes of green,
And it's the head court of them all,
For in it rides the queen.
20
'And I upon a milk-white steed,
With a gold star in my crown;
Because I am an earthly man
I'm next to the queen in renown.
21
'Then seize upon me with a spring,
Then to the ground I'll fa,
And then you'll hear a rueful cry
That Tomlin is awa.
22
'Then I'll grow in your arms two
Like to a savage wild;
But hold me fast, let me not go,
I'm father of your child.