She says, ‘I would rather have one kiss,
Childe Waters, of thy mouth
Than I would have Cheshire and Lancashire both,
That lies by north and south.’—
VI
‘To-morrow, Ellen, I must ride
Far into the north countrye.’—
‘Then I will run low by your side:
Your foot-page let me be!’—
VII
‘If you will be my foot-page, Ellen,
As you do tell it me,
Then you must cut your gown of green
An inch above your knee.’
VIII
Childe Waters leapt on his milk-white steed,
And fast away did ride:
Burd Ellen has kilted her gay clothing,
And ran low by his side.
IX
All this long day Childe Waters rode,
She barefoot by his side;
Yet was he never so courteous a knight
As to say, ‘Burd Ellen, ride.’