I. The Sailing.
I
The king sits in Dunfermline town
Drinking the blude-red wine;
‘O whare will I get a skeely[464] skipper
To sail this new ship o’ mine?’
II
O up and spak an eldern knight,
Sat at the king’s right knee:
‘Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
That ever sail’d the sea.’
III
Our king has written a braid letter,
And seal’d it with his hand,
And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens,
Was walking on the strand.
IV
‘To Noroway, to Noroway,
To Noroway o’er the faem;
The king’s daughter o’ Noroway,
’Tis thou must bring her hame.’