43
'First dip me in a stand o milk,
And then in a stand o water;
But had me fast, let me not pass,
I'll be your bairn's father.
44
'And next they'll shape me in your arms
A tod but and an eel;
But had me fast, nor let me gang,
As you do love me weel.
45
'They'll shape me in your arms, Janet,
A dove but and a swan,
And last they'll shape me in your arms
A mother-naked man;
Cast your green mantle over me,
I'll be myself again.'
46
Gloomy, gloomy, was the night,
And eiry was the way,
As fair Janet, in her green mantle,
To Miles Cross she did gae.
47
About the dead hour o the night
She heard the bridles ring,
And Janet was as glad o that
As any earthly thing.
48
And first gaed by the black black steed,
And then gaed by the brown;
But fast she gript the milk-white steed,
And pu'd the rider down.
49
She pu'd him frae the milk-white steed,
And loot the bridle fa,
And up there raise an erlish cry,
'He's won amang us a'!'
50
They shaped him in fair Janet's arms
An esk but and an adder;
She held him fast in every shape,
To be her bairn's father.
51
They shaped him in her arms at last
A mother-naked man,
She wrapt him in her green mantle,
And sae her true love wan.
52
Up then spake the Queen o Fairies,
Out o a bush o broom:
'She that has borrowd young Tamlane
Has gotten a stately groom.'