XXXI
‘Put not the wyte[242] on me,’ she says,
‘It was my May[243] Catheren.’
Then they have cut baith thorn and fern,
To burn that maiden in.
XXXII
When they had ta’en her May Catheren,
In the bonfire set her in;
It wouldna take upon her cheeks,
Nor yet upon her chin,
Nor yet upon her yellow hair,
To heal the deadly sin.
XXXIII
Out they have ta’en her May Catheren,
And put the lady in:
O it took upon her cheek, her cheek,
Took fast upon her chin,
Took fast upon her fair body—
She burnt like hollins[244] green.
FOOTNOTES:
[235] birl’d = poured.
[236] gare = gore, in the skirt.
[237] cleiding = clothing.