XVII
Her breath was strang, her hair was lang
And twisted ance about the tree,
As awa’ she gid and again she swang—
‘Come to the craig, an’ kiss with me!
XVIII
‘Here is a royal brand,’ she said,
‘That I have found in the green sea;
And while your body it is on,
Drawn shall your blood never be;
But if you touch me, tail or fin,
I swear my brand your death shall be.’
XIX
He’s louted him o’er the Eastmuir craig,
As out she swang and about the tree;
He steppèd in, gave her a kiss
That royal brand he brought him wi’.
XX
Her breath was sweet, her hair grew short,
And twisted nane about the tree,
As awa’ she gid and again she came
The fairest lady that ever could be.
XXI
‘O was it a wer-wolf into[130] the wood,
Or was it a mermaid into the sea,
Or was it a man or a vile woman,
My true love, that mis-shapit thee?’—