17 Monie a lord and fair ladie
Met Lord John in the closs,
But the bonniest face amang them a'
Was hauding Lord John's horse.
18 [Monie a lord and lady bricht
Met Lord John on the green,
But the bonniest boy amang them a'
Was standing by, him leen.]
19 Monie a lord and gay ladie
Sat dining in the ha,
But the bonniest face that was there
Was waiting on them a'.
20 O up bespak Lord John's sister,
A sweet young maid was she:
'My brither has brought a bonnie young page,
His like I neer did see;
But the red flits fast frae his cheek,
And the tear stands in his ee.'
21 But up bespak Lord John's mither,
She spak wi meikle scorn:
'He's liker a woman gret wi bairn,
Than onie waiting-man.'
22 'It's ye'll rise up, my bonnie boy,
And gie my steed the hay:'
'O that I will, my dear master,
As fast as I can gae.'
23 She took the hay aneath her arm,
The corn intil her hand,
But atween the stable-door and the staw,
Lady Margret made a stand.
24 [Whan bells were rung, and mass was sung,
And a' men boun for bed,
Lord John, mither, and sister gay
In ae bour they were laid.]
25 [Lord John had na weel gat aff his claise,
Nor was he weel laid doun,
Till his mither heard a bairn greet,
And a woman's heavy moan.]
26 ['Win up, win up, Lord John,' she said,
'Seek neither hose nor shoon;
For I've heard a bairn loud greet,
And a woman's heavy moan.']