He has ridden, and she has run,
And barefoot through the broom;
Yet was he never so courteous a knight
As to say, ‘Put on your shoon.’
XI
‘Ride softly,’ she said, ‘Childe Waters!
O why do you ride so fast?
The child which is no man’s but yours
My body it will brast.’
XII
He has ridden on high horseback,
And she’s run low beside,
Until they came to a wan water—
I think men call it Clyde.
XIII
Says, ‘See’st yon water, Ellen,
That flows from bank to brim?’—
‘I trust to God, Childe Waters
You will never see me swim.’
XIV
The firsten step Burd Ellen stept,
The water came to her knee;
‘Ochon, alas!’ said Burd Ellen,
‘This water’s o’er deep for me!’