{"collection":"Northern European Mythology","html_url":"https://unchartedknowledge.5gfusion.net/browse/neu/eng/boeb/boeb13.htm","path":"neu/eng/boeb/boeb13.htm","source_url":"https://sacred-texts.com/neu/eng/boeb/boeb13.htm","text":"ABOUT Yule, when the wind blew cool;\n \u00a0\u00a0And the round tables began,\n A' there is come to our king's court\n \u00a0\u00a0Mony a well-favoured man.\nThe queen looked o'er the castle wa',\n \u00a0\u00a0Beheld baith dale and down,\n And then she saw young Waters\n \u00a0\u00a0Come riding to the town.\nHis footmen they did rin before,\n \u00a0\u00a0His horsemen rade behind;\n Ane mantle of the burning gowd\n \u00a0\u00a0Did keep him frae the wind.\nGowden graith'd\u00a01 his horse before,\n \u00a0\u00a0And siller shod behind;\n The horse young Waters rade upon\n \u00a0\u00a0Was fleeter than the wind.\nOut then spake a wily lord,\n \u00a0\u00a0Unto the queen said he:\n \"O tell me wha's the fairest face\n \u00a0\u00a0Rides in the company?\"\n\"I've seen lord, and I've seen laird,\n \u00a0\u00a0And knights of high degree,\n But a fairer face than young Waters\n \u00a0\u00a0Mine eyen did never see.\"\nOut then spake the jealous king\n \u00a0\u00a0And an angry man was he:\n \"O if he had been twice as fair,\n \u00a0\u00a0You might have excepted me.\"\n\"You're neither laird nor lord,\" she says,\n \u00a0\u00a0\"But the king that wears the crown;\n There is not a knight in fair Scotland,\n \u00a0\u00a0But to thee maun bow down.\"\nFor a' that she could do or say,\n \u00a0\u00a0Appeased he wad nae be;\n But for the words which she had said,\n \u00a0\u00a0Young Waters he maun dee.\nThey hae ta'en young Waters,\n \u00a0\u00a0And put fetters to his feet;\n They hae ta'en young Waters,\n \u00a0\u00a0And thrown him in dungeon deep.\n\"Aft I have ridden thro' Stirling town,\n \u00a0\u00a0In the wind but and the weet;\n But I ne'er rade thro' Stirling town\n \u00a0\u00a0Wi' fetters at my feet.\n\"Aft have I ridden thro' Stirling town,\n \u00a0\u00a0In the wind but and the rain;\n But I ne'er rade thro' Stirling town\n \u00a0\u00a0Ne'er to return again.\"\nThey hae ta'en to the heading-hill\n \u00a0\u00a0His young son in his cradle;\n And they hae ta'en to the heading-hill\n \u00a0\u00a0His horse but and his saddle.\nThey hae ta'en to the heading-hill\n His lady fair to see;\n And for the words the queen had spoke\n Young Waters he did dee.\n90:1 Graitih'd, girthed.","title":"A Book of Old English Ballads: Young Waters","type":"page"}