Classic Poem

1.

There was a king, and a very great king,
And a king of meikle fame;
He had not a child in the world but ane,
Lady Daisy was her name.

2.

He had a very bonnie kitchen-boy,
And William was his name;
He never lay out o Lady Daisy's bower,
Till he brought her body to shame.

3.

When een-birds sung, and een-bells rung,
And a' men were boune to rest,
The king went on to Lady Daisy's bower,
Just like a wandering ghaist.

4.

He has drawn the curtains round and round,
And there he has sat him down;
" To whom is this, Lady Daisy, " he says,
" That now you gae so round?

5.

" Is it to a laird? or is it to a lord?
Or a baron of high degree?
Or is it William, my bonnie kitchen-boy?
Tell now the truth to me. "

6.

" It's no to a laird, and it's no to a lord,
Nor a baron of high degree;
But it's to William, your bonnie kitchen-boy:
What cause hae I to lee? "

7.

" O where is all my merry, merry men,
That I pay meat and fee,
That they will not take out this kitchen-boy,
And kill him presentilie? "

8.

They hae taen out this bonnie kitchen-boy,
And killd him on the plain;
His hair was like the threads o gold,
His een like crystal stane;
His hair was like the threads o gold,
His teeth like ivory bane.

9.

They hae taen out this bonnie boy's heart,
Put it in a cup o gold;
" Take that to Lady Daisy, " he said,
" For she's impudent and bold. "
And she washd it with the tears that ran from her eye
Into the cup of gold.

10.

" Now fare ye weel, my father the king,
You hae taen my earthly joy;
Since he's died for me, I'll die for him,
My bonnie kitchen-boy. "

11.

" O where is all my merry, merry men,
That I pay meat and wage,
That they could not withold my cruel hand,
When I was mad with rage?

12.

" I think nae wonder, Lady Daisy, " he said,
" That he brought your body to shame;
For there never was man of woman born
Sae fair as him that is slain. "