‘Where have ye been a’ night, Thomas?
O wow, ye’ve tarried long!’—
‘I have been courtin’ Fair Annet,
And she is frae me gone.
VII
‘O rede[376], O rede, mither,’ he says,
‘A gude rede gie to me:
O sall I tak’ the nut-brown bride,
And let Fair Annet be?’—
VIII
‘The nut-brown bride has gold and gear,
Fair Annet she’s got nane;
And the little beauty Fair Annet has
O it will soon be gane.
IX
‘It’s an’ ye wed the nut-brown bride,
I’ll heap gold wi’ my hand;
But an’ ye wed her, Fair Annet,
I’ll straik[377] it wi’ a wand.
X
‘The nut-brown bride has sheep and kye,
Fair Annet she’s got nane;
Son Thomas, for my benison
Bring ye the brown bride hame.’—