Classic Poem

About Yule, quhen the wind blew cule
And the round tables began,
A! there is cum to our king's court
Mony a well-favour'd man.

The queen luikt owre the castle wa',
Beheld baith dale and down,
And then she saw young Waters
Cum riding to the town.

His footmen they did rin before,
His horsemen rade behind,
Ane mantel of the burning gowd
Did keip him frae the wind.

Gowden graith'd his horse before
And siller shod behind,
The horse yo[u]ng Waters rade upon
Was fleeter than the wind.

But then spake a wylie lord,
Unto the queen said he:
O tell me quha's the fairest face
Rides in the company.

I've sene lord and I've sene laird
And knights of high degree,
Bot a fairer face than young Waters
Mine eyne did never see.

Out then spack the jealous king
(And an angry man was he):
O if he had been twice as fair
You micht have excepted me.

You're neither laird nor lord, she says,
Bot the king that wears the crown;
Ther is not a knight in fair Scotland
Bot to thee maun bow down.

For a' that she could do or say
Appeas'd he wad nae bee;
Bot for the words which she had said
Young Waters he maun dee.

They hae ta'en young Waters and
Put fetters to his feet;
They hae ta'en young Waters and
Thrown him in dungeon deep.

Aft I have ridden thro' Stirling town
In the wind bot and the weit,
Bot I neir rade thro' Stirling town
Wi' fetters at my feet.

Aft have I ridden thro' Stirling town
In the wind bot and the rain,
Bot I neir rade thro' Stirling town
Neir to return again.

They hae ta'en to the heiding-hill
His young son in his craddle,
And they hae ta'en to the heiding-hill
His horse bot and his saddle.
They hae ta'en to the heiding-hill
His lady fair to see,
And for the words the Queen had spoke
Young Waters he did dee.