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I
THERE cam’ seven Egyptians on a day, | |
| And wow, but they sang bonny! | |
| And they sang sae sweet, and sae very complete, | |
| Down cam’ Earl Cassilis’ lady. | |
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II
She cam’ tripping down the stair, | 5 |
| And a’ her maids before her; | |
| As soon as they saw her weel-faur’d face | |
| They cast the glamourie owre her. | |
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III
They gave to her the nutmeg, | |
| And they gave to her the ginger; | 10 |
| But she gave to them a far better thing, | |
| The seven gold rings off her fingers. | |
| |
IV
And when the Earl he did come home, | |
| Enquiring for his ladie, | |
| One of the servants made this reply, | 15 |
| ‘She ’s awa’ with the gypsie laddie.’ | |
| |
V
‘Come saddle for me the brown,’ he said, | |
| ‘For the black was ne’er so speedy, | |
| And I will travel night and day | |
| Till I find out my wanton ladie.’ | 20 |
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VI
‘Will you come home, my dear?’ he said, | |
| ‘Oh will you come home, my honey? | |
| And by the point of my broad sword, | |
| A hand I’ll ne’er lay on you.’… | |
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VII
‘Yestreen I rade this water deep, | 25 |
| And my own gude lord beside me; | |
| But this night I maun wet my little pretty feet | |
| With a wheen blackguards to wade me. | |
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VIII
‘Yestreen I lay on a good feather-bed, | |
| And my own wedded lord beyond me, | 30 |
| And to-night I’ll lie in the ash-corner, | |
| With the gypsies all around me. | |
| |
IX
‘They took off my high-heeled shoes, | |
| That were made of Spanish leather, | |
| And I have put on coarse Lowland brogues, | 35 |
| To trip it o’er the heather. | |
| |
X
‘The Earl of Cassilis is lying sick; | |
| Not one hair I’m sorry; | |
| I’d rather have a kiss from Johnny Faa’s lips | |
| Than all his gold and his money.’ | 40 |
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