had i the wyte? she bade me

had i the wyte, had i the wyte,

had i the wyte? she bade me;

she watch'd me by the hie-gate side,

and up the loan she shaw'd me.

and when i wadna venture in,

a coward loon she ca'd me:

had kirk an' state been in the gate,

i'd lighted when she bade me.

sae craftilie she took me ben,

and bade me mak nae clatter;

“for our ramgunshoch, glum gudeman

is o'er ayont the water.”

whae'er shall say i wanted grace,

when i did kiss and dawte her,

let him be planted in my place,

syne say, i was the fautor.