Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/462

 376. Binnorie

There were twa sisters sat in a bour; Binnorie, O Binnorie! There cam a knight to be their wooer, By the bonnie milldams o' Binnorie.

He courted the eldest with glove and ring, But he lo'ed the youngest abune a thing.

The eldest she was vexèd sair, And sair envied her sister fair.

Upon a morning fair and clear, She cried upon her sister dear:

'O sister, sister, tak my hand, And let's go down to the river-strand.'

She's ta'en her by the lily hand, And led her down to the river-strand.

The youngest stood upon a stane, The eldest cam and push'd her in.

'O sister, sister, reach your hand! And ye sall be heir o' half my land:

'O sister, reach me but your glove! And sweet William sall be your love.'

Sometimes she sank, sometimes she swam, Until she cam to the miller's dam.

Out then cam the miller's son, And saw the fair maid soummin' in.

'O father, father, draw your dam! There's either a mermaid or a milk-white swan.'

soummin'] swimming.