Buchan's Ballads of the North of Scotland, II, 6; Motherwell's MS., p. 581.
1 There ance livd a king in fair Scotland,
King Malcolm called by name,
Whom ancient history gives record
For valour, worth, and fame.
2 And it fell ance upon a day,
The king sat down to dine,
And then he missd a favourite knight,
Whose name was Sir Colvin.
3 But out it speaks another knight,
Ane o Sir Colvin's kin:
'He's lyin in bed, right sick in love,
All for your daughter Jean.'
4 'O wae's me,' said the royal king,
'I'm sorry for the same;
She maun take bread and wine sae red,
Give it to Sir Colvin.'
5 Then gently did she bear the bread,
Her page did carry the wine,
And set a table at his bed:
'Sir Colvin, rise and dine.'
6 'O well love I the wine, lady,
Come frae your lovely hand,
But better love I your fair body,
Than all fair Scotland's strand.'
7 'O hold your tongue now, Sir Colvin,
Let all your folly be;
My love must be by honour won,
Or nane shall enjoy me.
8 'But on the head o Elrick's hill,
Near by yon sharp hawthorn,
Where never a man with life eer came,
Sin our sweet Christ was born;
9 'O ye'll gang there and walk a' night,
And boldly blaw your horn;
With honour that ye do return,
Ye'll marry me the morn.'