7 He set his foot in the stirrop,
And away then did he ride;
She tuckt her kirtle about her middle,
And run close by his side.
8 But when she came to the broad water,
She set her brest and swom,
And when she was got out again,
She took her heels and run.
9 He never was the courteous knight
To say, Fair maid, will you ride?
Nor she never was so loving a maid
To say, Sir Knight, abide.
10 But when she came to the king's fair court,
She knocked at the ring;
So ready was the king himself
To let this fair maid in.
11 'O Christ you save, my gracious leige,
Your body Christ save and see!
You have got a knight within your court
This day hath robbed me.
12 'What hath he robbed thee of, fair maid?
Of purple or of pall?
Or hath he took thy gay gold ring,
From off thy finger small?'
13 'He hath not robbed me, my liege,
Of purple nor of pall;
But he hath got my maidenhead,
Which grieves me worst of all.'
14 'Now if he be a batchelor,
His body I'le give to thee;
But if he be a married man,
High hanged shall he be.'
15 He called down his merry men all,
By one, by two, and by three;
Sweet William was us'd to be the first,
But now the last comes hee.
16 He brought her down full forty pound,
Ty'd up with[in] a glove:
'Fair maid, I give the same to the,
And seek another love.'