Page:Ballads, Stevenson, 1890.djvu/89

 The king sat high on his charger,

He looked on the little men;

And the dwarfish and swarthy couple

Looked at the king again.

Down by the shore he had them;

And there on the giddy brink—

"I will give you life, ye vermin,

For the secret of the drink."

There stood the son and father

And they looked high and low;

The heather was red around them,

The sea rumbled below.

And up and spoke the father,

Shrill was his voice to hear:

"I have a word in private,

A word for the royal ear.

"Life is dear to the aged,

And honor a little thing;

I would gladly sell the secret,"

Quoth the Pict to the King.

His voice was small as a sparrow's,

And shrill and wonderful clear:

"I would gladly sell my secret,

Only my son I fear.

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