7 She's taen a napkin in her hand,
And lo she did tie up her een,
That she might swear, and safe her aith,
She sawna Sandy syne yestreen.
8 They were na weel into the room,
Nor yet laid weel into the bed,
. . . . . . .
. . . . . . .
9 When in came a' her seven brethern,
And a' their torches burning bright;
Says they, We hae but ae sister,
And behold, she's lying wi you this night.
10 'I,' bespake the first o them,
A wat an ill death mat he die!
'I bear a brand into my hand
Shall quickly gar Clerk Saunders die.'
11 'I,' bespake the second of them,
A wat a good death mat he die!
'We will gae back, let him alane,
His father has nae mair but he.'
12 'I,' bespake the third o them,
A wat an ill death mat he die!
'I bear the brand into my hand
Shall quickly help to gar him die.'
13 'I,' bespake the fourth o them,
A wat a good death mat he die!
'I bear the brand into my hand
Shall never help to gar him die.'
14 'I,' bespake the fifth o them,
A wat an ill death mat he die!
'Altho his father hae nae mair,
I'll quickly help to gar him die.'
15 'I,' bespake the sixth o them,
A wat a good death mat he die!
'He's a worthy earl's son,
I'll never help to gar him die.'
16 'I,' bespake the seventh of them,
A wat an ill death mat he die!
'I bear the brand into my hand
Shall quickly gar Clerk Saunders die.'