THE WORM OF SPINDLESTONHEUGH
Out then spak the new-come bride,
I wot she spak wi' pain and care;
"O some hae gold to weave, Helen,
And some hae gold to wear."
I wot she spak wi' pain and care;
"O some hae gold to weave, Helen,
And some hae gold to wear."
Out then spak the witch-mother,
I wot she spak fu' little worth;
"Look where my saddle sits, Helen,
Ye'll stand against the saddle-girth."
I wot she spak fu' little worth;
"Look where my saddle sits, Helen,
Ye'll stand against the saddle-girth."
She's tane the red kaims frae her hair,
The red shoon frae her feet;
She's set her face to the saddle-stirrup,
That nane should hear her greet.
The red shoon frae her feet;
She's set her face to the saddle-stirrup,
That nane should hear her greet.
And aye she ran, and weel she ran
Till her sides were waxen sair;
And the sun that was upon the ways
Had burnt her through her hair.
Till her sides were waxen sair;
And the sun that was upon the ways
Had burnt her through her hair.
They hadna ridden a mile but three
When she was fain to bide;
For the blood was come upon her feet
And the pain upon her side.
When she was fain to bide;
For the blood was come upon her feet
And the pain upon her side.
And whiles she ran, and whiles she grat,
In the warm sun and the cold,
Till they came to the bonny castle
Was bigged upon with gold.
In the warm sun and the cold,
Till they came to the bonny castle
Was bigged upon with gold.
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