53
Then he appeared in her arms
Like the fire burning bauld;
She held him fast, let him not go,
He was as iron cauld.
54
And he appeared in her arms
Like the adder an the snake;
She held him fast, let him not go,
He was her warld's make.
55
And he appeared in her arms
Like to the deer sae wild;
She held him fast, let him not go,
He's father o her child.
56
And he appeared in her arms
Like to a silken string;
She held him fast, let him not go,
Till she saw fair morning.
57
And he appeared in her arms
Like to a naked man;
She held him fast, let him not go,
And wi her he's gane hame.
58
These news hae reachd thro a' Scotland,
And far ayont the Tay,
That Lady Margaret, our king's daughter,
That night had gaind her prey.
59
She borrowed her love at mirk midnight,
Bare her young son ere day,
And though ye'd search the warld wide,
Ye'll nae find sic a may.
H.
Campbell MSS, II, 129.
1
I forbid ye, maidens a',
That wears gowd in your hair,
To come or gang by Carterhaugh,
For young Tam Lane is there.