“Thy faith and troth thou gavest to me,
  And again thou’lt never win,
Until thou come within my bower
  And kiss me cheek and chin.”

“My lips they are sae bitter,” he says,
  “My breath it is sae strang,
If ye get ae kiss from me to-night,
  Your days will not be lang.

“The cocks are crawing, Marjorie,—­
  The cocks are crawing again: 
The dead wi’ the quick they mustna stay,
  And I must needs be gone.”

She followed him high, she followed him low,
  Till she came to yon church-yard green,
And there the deep grave opened up,
  And young William he lay down.

“What three things are these, sweet William,
  That stand beside your head?”
“O it’s three maidens, Marjorie,
  That once I promised to wed.”

“What three things are these, sweet William,
  That stand close at your side?”
“O it’s three babes,” he says, “Marjorie,
  That these three maidens had.”

“What three things are these, sweet William,
  That lie close at thy feet?”
“O it’s three hell-hounds, Marjorie,
  That’s waiting my soul to keep.”

And she took up her white, white hand,
  And struck him on the breast;
Saying, “Have here again thy faith and troth,
  And I wish your soul good rest.”

CLERK SAUNDERS

Clerk Saunders and may Margaret
    Walked ower yon garden green;
And deep and heavy was the love
    That fell thir twa between.

“A bed, a bed,” Clerk Saunders said,
    “A bed for you and me!”
“Fye na, fye na,” said may Margaret,
    “Till anes we married be!”

“Then I’ll take the sword frae my scabbard
    And slowly lift the pin;
And you may swear, and save your aith,
    Ye ne’er let Clerk Saunders in.

“Take your napkin in your hand,
    Tie up your bonnie een,
And you may swear and save your aith,
    Ye saw me na since yestreen.”

It was about the midnight hour,
    When they asleep were laid,
When in and came her seven brothers,
    Wi’ torches burning red: 

When in and came her seven brothers,
    Wi’ torches burning bright: 
They said, “We hae but one sister,
    And behold her lying with a knight!”

Then out and spake the first o’ them,
    “We will awa’ and let them be.” 
And out and spake the second o’ them,
    “His father has nae mair but he.”

And out and spake the third o’ them,
    “I wot that they are lovers dear.” 
And out and spake the fourth o’ them,
    “They hae been in love this mony a year.”

Then out and spake the fifth o’ them,
    “It were great sin true love to twain,”
And out and spake the sixth o’ them,
    “It were shame to slay a sleeping man.”

Then up and gat the seventh o’ them,
    And never a word spake he;
But he has striped his bright brown brand
    Out through Clerk Saunders’ fair bodye.