"NOW rede me, dear mither, a sonsy rede; A sonsy rede swythe rede to me, How Marstig's daughter I may fa', My love and lemman gay to be." She's made him a steed o' the clear water: A saddle and bridle o' sand made she; She's shap'd him into a knight sae fair, Syne into Mary's kirk-yard rade he. He's tied his steed to the kirk-stile, Sync wrang-gates round the kirk gaed he; When the Mer-man entered the kirk-door, Awa the sma' images turned their ee'. The priest afore the altar stood: "O, what for a gude knight may this be?" The may leugh till hersell, and said, "God gif that gude knight were for me!" The Mer-man he stept o'er ae deas, And he has steppit over three: "O maiden, pledge me faith and troth! O Marstig's daughter, gang wi' me!" And she raught out her lily hand, And pledg'd it to the knight sae free: "Hae; there's my faith and troth, Sir Knight, And willingly I'll gang wi' thee." Out frae the kirk gaed the bridal train, And on they danc'd wi' fearless glee; And down they danc'd unto the strand, Till twasome now alane they be: "O Marstig's daughter, haud my steed, And the bonniest ship I'll bigg for thee!" And whan they came to the white sand, To shore the sma' boats turning came; And whan they came to the deep water, The maiden sank in the saut sea faem. The shriek she shriek'd amang the waves Was heard far up upo' the land: "I rede gude ladies, ane an a', They dance wi' nae sic unco man." |