Aytoun's Ballads of Scotland, II, 173, 1859, from the recollection
of a lady residing at Kirkaldy.
| 1 |
There was a king, and a very great king,
And a king of meikle fame;
He had not a child in the world but ane,
Lady Daisy was her name. |
| 2 |
He had a very bonnie kitchen-boy,
And William was his name;
He never lay out o Lady Daisy's bower,
Till he brought her body to shame. |
| 3 |
When een-birds sung, and een-bells rung,
And a' men were boune to rest,
The king went on to Lady Daisy's bower,
Just like a wandering ghaist. |
| 4 |
He has drawn the curtains round and round,
And there he has sat him down;
'To whom is this, Lady Daisy,' he says,
'That now you gae so round? |
| 5 |
'Is it to a laird? or is it to a lord?
Or a baron of high degree?
Or is it William, my bonnie kitchen-boy?
Tell now the truth to me.' |
| 6 |
'It's no to a laird, and it's no to a lord,
Nor a baron of high degree;
But it's to William, your bonnie kitchen-boy:
What cause hae I to lee?' |
| 7 |
'O where is all my merry, merry men,
That I pay meat and fee,
That they will not take out this kitchen-boy,
And kill him presentlie?' |
| 8 |
They hae taen out this bonnie kitchen-boy,
And killd him on the plain;
His hair was like the threads o gold,
His een like crystal stane;
His hair was like the threads o gold,
His teeth like ivory bane. |
| 9 |
They hae taen out this bonnie boy's heart,
Put it in a cup o gold;
'Take that to Lady Daisy,' he said,
'For she's impudent and bold;
And she washd it with the tears that ran from her eye
Into the cup of gold. |
| 10 |
'Now fare ye weel, my father the king!
You hae taen my earthly joy;
Since he's died for me, I'll die for him,
My bonnie kitchen-boy.' |
| 11 |
'O where is all my merry, merry men,
That I pay meat and wage,
That they could not withold my cruel hand,
When I was mad with rage? |
| 12 |
'I think nae wonder, Lady Daisy,' he said,
'That he brought your body to shame;
For there never was man of woman born
Sae fair as him that is slain.' |
