And never a word spake he;

But he has striped[[A]] his bright brown brand

Out through Clerk Saunders' fair bodye.

Clerk Saunders he started, and Margaret she turned

Into his arms as asleep she lay;

And sad and silent was the night

That was atween thir twae.

And they lay still and sleeped sound,

Until the day began to daw;

And kindly to him she did say,