Page:Poems and ballads (IA poemsballads00swinrich).pdf/340

 The seventh to woo, the eighth to wed, Fair thin reeds in the mill-water; The ninth had gold work on her head, Honey in the comb for the king's daughter.

The ninth had gold work round her hair, Fallen flowers in the mill-water; The tenth may was goodly and fair, Golden gloves for the king's daughter.

We were ten maidens in a field green, Fallen fruit in the mill-water; Fairer maidens never have been, Golden sleeves for the king's daughter.

By there comes the king's young son, A little wind in the mill-water; "Out of ten maidens ye'll grant me one," A crown of red for the king's daughter.

"Out of ten mays ye'll give me the best," A little rain in the mill-water; A bed of yellow straw for all the rest, A bed of gold for the king's daughter.

He's ta'en out the goodliest, Rain that rains in the mill-water; A comb of yellow shell for all the rest A comb of gold for the king's daughter.