As I me went this endris[1] day,
    Full fast in mind making my moan,
  In a merry morning of May
    By Huntlie banks myself alone,
  I heard the jay and the throstle-cock; 5
    The mavis meaned[2] her of her song;
  The woodwale bered[3] as a bell,
    That all the wood about me rong. 
  Alone in longing thus as I lay
    Underneath a seemly tree, 10
  Saw I where a lady gay
    Came riding over a longe lea. 
  If I should sit to Doomesday
    With my tongue to wrable and wry[4],
  Certainly that lady gay 15
    Never be she described for me! 
  Her palfrey was a dapple-gray,[5]
    Swilk[6] one ne saw I never none;
  As does the sun on summer’s day,
    That fair lady herself she shone. 20
  Her saddle it was of roelle-bone[7];
    Full seemly was that sight to see! 
  Stiffly set with precious stone
    And compast all with crapotee[8]—­
  Stones of Orient great plenty; 25
    Her hair about her head it hang;
  She rode over that longe lea;
    A while she blew, another she sang. 
  Her girths of noble silk they were;
    The buckles were of beryl-stone; 30
  Her stirrups were of crystal clear,
    And all with pearl overbegone[9];
  Her paytrell[10] was of iral-stone;
    Her crupper was of orphare[11];
  And as clear gold her bridle shone; 35
    On either side hang belles three. 
  She led three grew-hounds in a leash,
    And seven raches[12] by her they ran;
  She bare an horn about her halse[13],
    And under/her belt full many a flane[14]. 40
  Thomas lay and saw that sight
    Underneath a seemly tree. 
  He said “Yon is Mary most of might,[15]
    That bare that child that died for me. 
  But-if[16] I speak with yon lady bright, 45
    I hope my heart will break in three! 
  Now shall I go with all my might
    Her for to meet at Eildon tree[17].” 
  Thomas rathely[18] up he rase,
    And he ran over that mountain high; 50
  If it be as the story says,
    Her he met at Eildon tree. 
  He kneeled down upon his knee,
    Underneath that greenwood spray,
  And said “Lovely lady, rue on me, 55
    Queen of heaven, as thou well may!”
  Then spake that lady mild of thought,
    “Thomas, let such wordes be;
  Queen of heaven ne am I nought,
    For I took never so high degree. 60
  But I am of another country,
    If I be ’parelled most of price;
  I ride after these wilde fee[19];
    My raches runnes at my device.” 
  “If thou be ’parelled most of price, 65