Herd's MSS, I, 25.
1 A better mason than Lammikin
nevir builded wi the stane,
Wha builded Lord Weire's castill,
but wages nevir gat nane.
* * * * *
2 They stecked doors, they stecked yates,
close to the cheik and the chin;
They stecked them a' but a little wickit,
and Lammikin crap in.
3 'Now where's the lady of this castle?
nurse, tell to Lammikin:'
'She's sewing up intill her bowir,'
the fals nourrice she sung.
4 'What sall we do, what sall we say,
to gar her cum there down?'
'We'll nip the baby in the cradle,'
the fals nourrice she sung.
5 Lammikin nipped the bonie babe,
while loud fals nourice sings;
Lammikin nipped the bony babe,
while hich the red blude springs.
6 'O gentil nourice, please my babe,
O please him wi the keys:'
'He'll no be pleased, gay lady,
gin I'd sit on my knees.'
7 'Gude gentil nourice, please my babe,
O please him wi a knife:'
'He winna be pleased, mistress myne,
gin I wad lay down my lyfe.'
8 'Sweet nourice, loud, loud cries my babe,
O please him wi the bell:'
'He winna be pleased, gay lady,
till ye cum down yoursell.'