Page:Carroll - Rhyme and Reason.djvu/209

Rh "It cam' to me frae the far countrie
 * Wi' its silken string and a';

But it wasna prepaid," said that high-born maid,
 * "Sae I gar'd them tak' it awa'."

"O ever alack that ye sent it back,
 * It was written sae clerkly and well!

Now the message it brought, and the boon that it sought,
 * I must even say it mysel'."

Then up and spake the popinjay,
 * Sae wisely counselled he.

"Now say it in the proper way:
 * Gae doon upon thy knee!"

The lover he turned baith red and pale,
 * Went doon upon his knee:

"O Ladye, hear the waesome tale
 * That must be told to thee!

"For five lang years, and five lang years,
 * I coorted thee by looks;

By nods and winks, by smiles and tears,
 * As I had read in books.