8 He mounted her on a milk-white steed,
Himself upon anither,
And all along the way they rode,
Like sister and like brither.
9 When she came to her father's yate
She tirled at the pin,
And ready stood the porter there,
To let this fair maid in.
10 And when the gate was opened,
So nimbly's she whipt in;
'Pough! you're a fool without,' she says,
'And I'm a maid within.
11 'Then fare ye well, my modest boy,
I thank you for your care;
But had you done what you should do,
I neer had left you there.'
12 'Oh I'll cast aff my hose and shoon,
And let my feet gae bare,
And gin I meet a bonny lass,
Hang me if her I spare.'
13 'In that do as you please,' she says,
'But you shall never more
Have the same opportunity;'
With that she shut the door.
14 There is a gude auld proverb,
I've often heard it told,
He that would not when he might,
He should not when he would.
E
Motherwell's MS., p. 410: from the singing of Agnes Lyle, Kilbarchan, September, 1825.
1 There was a knight, was drunk with wine,
Came riding along the way, sir;
He would have had a lady gay
Amang the quiles of hay, sir.