J. F. Campbell Collection > Minstrelsy of the Scottish border

" I weird ye to a fiery beast,
And relieved sail ye never be,
Till Kenipion, the kingis son,
Cum to the crag, and thrice kiss thee."
meikle dolour did she dree.
And aye the salt seas o'er she swam ;
And far mair dolour did she dree
On Estmere crags, e'er she them clamb.
And aye she cried for Kempion,
Gin he would but cum to her hand :
Now word has gane to Kempion,
That sicken a beast was in his land.
" Now, by my sooth," said Kempion,
" This fiery beast, I'll gang and see."
" And, by my sooth," said Segramour,
" My ae brother, I'll gang wi' thee."
Then bigged hae they a bonny boat.
And they hae set her to the sea ;
But a mile before they reached the shore,
Around them she gar'd the red fire flee.
" O Segramour, keep the boat afloat.
And let her na the land o'er near ;
For this wicked beast will sure gae mad,
And set fire to a' the land and mair."
Syne has he bent an arblast bow.
And aim^l an arrow at her head ;
And swore if she didna quit the land,
AVi'' that same shaft to shoot her dead.
" O out of my sty the I winna rise,
(And it is not for the awe o' thee)
Till Kempion, the kingis son.
Cum to the crag, and thrice kiss me."
He has louted him o'er the dizzy crag,
And gien the monster kisses ane;
Awa she gaed, and again she cam.
The fieryest beast that ever was seen.
" O out o' my stythe I winna rise,
(And not for a thy bow nor thee)
Till Kempion, the kingis son.
Cum to the crag, and thrice kiss mo."