Classic Poem

Then down cam Queen Marie,
Wi gold links in her hair,
Saying, Marie Mild, where is the child,
That I heard greet sae sair?

" There was nae child wi me, madam,
There was nae child wi me;
It was but me in a sair cholic,
When I was like to die."

" I 'm not deceived," Queen Marie said,
" No, no, indeed not I!
So Marie Mild, where is the child?
For sure I heard it cry."

She turned down the blankets fine,
Likewise the Holland sheet,
And underneath, there strangled lay
A lovely baby sweet.

" O cruel mother," said the queen,
" Some fiend possessed thee;
But I will hang thee for this deed,
My Marie tho thou be!"


When she cam to the Netherbow Port
She laught loud laughters three;
But when she cam to the gallows-foot,
The saut tear blinded her ee.

" Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,
The night she 'll hae but three;
There was Marie Seton, and Marie Beaton,
And Marie Carmichael, and me.

" Ye mariners, ye mariners,
That sail upon the sea,
Let not my father or mother wit
The death that I maun die!

" I was my parents' only hope,
They neer had ane but me;
They little thought when I left hame,
They should nae mair me see!"