16
She pulled him into her arms,
Let his bright bridle fa',
And he fell low into her arms,
Like stone in castle's wa.
17
They first shaped him into arms
An adder or a snake;
But she held him fast, let him not go,
For he'd be her warld's make.
18
They next shaped him into her arms
Like a wood black dog to bite;
But she held him fast, let him not go,
For he'd be her heart's delight.
19
They next shaped him into her arms
Like a red-het gaud o airn;
But she held him fast, let him not go,
He'd be father o her bairn.
20
They next shaped him into her arms
Like the laidliest worm of Ind;
But she held him fast, let him not go,
And cried aye 'Young Tamlin.'
21
The Queen of Faery turned her horse about,
Says, Adieu to thee, Tamlene!
For if I had kent what I ken this night,
If I had kent it yestreen,
I wad hae taen out thy heart o flesh,
And put in a heart o stane.
F.
Motherwell's MS., p. 64, from the recitation of widow McCormick, February, 1825.
* * * * *
1
She's taen her petticoat by the band,
Her mantle owre her arm,
And she's awa to Chester wood,
As fast as she could run.