"O no, O no, Thomas," she said;
"That name does not belang to me;
"I am but the queen of fair Elfland,
"That am hither come to visit thee.
"Harp and carp, Thomas," she said;
"Harp and carp along wi' me;
"And if ye dare to kiss my lips,
"Sure of your bodie I will be."
"Betide me weal, betide me woe,
"That weird[43] shall never danton me."
Syne he has kissed her rosy lips,
All underneath the Eildon Tree.
"Now, ye maun go wi' me," she said;
"True Thomas ye maun go wi' me;
"And ye maun serve me seven years,
"Thro' weal or woe as may chance to be."
She mounted on her milk-white steed;
She's ta'en true Thomas up behind;
And aye, whene'er her bridle rung,
The steed flew swifter than the wind.
O they rade on, and farther on;
The steed gaed swifter than the wind;
Until they reached a desart wide,
And living land was left behind.
"Light down, light down, now, true Thomas,
"And lean your head upon my knee:
"Abide and rest a little space,
"And I will shew you ferlies three.
"O see ye not yon narrow road,
"So thick beset with thorns and briers?
"That is the path of righteousness,
"Though after it but few enquires.
"And see not ye that braid braid road,
"That lies across that lily leven?
"That is the path of wickedness,
"Though some call it the road to heaven.
"And see not ye that bonny road,
"That winds about the fernie brae?
"That is the road to fair Elfland,
"Where thou and I this night maun gae.