Jamieson (_Popular Ballads and Songs_, 1806, vol. i. p. 113) published his Scottish version under the more appropriate name of _Burd Ellen_, who is the real heroine rather than the ruffian Waters is the hero. Adopting the idea of Mrs. Hampden Pye, who wrote a ballad on the same subject, he changes the character of the catastrophe by adding three concluding stanzas to wind up the story in an unhappy manner. Another version of the ballad, which ends happily, is given in Kinloch's _Ancient Scottish Ballads_ under the title of Lady Margaret. A German version of this ballad was made by the poet Bürger.]
Childe Waters in his stable stoode And stroakt his milke white steede To him a fayre yonge ladye came[152] As ever ware womans weede.[153]
Sayes, Christ you save, good Childe Waters; 5 Sayes, Christ you save, and see: My girdle of gold that was too longe,[154] Is now too short for mee.
And all is with one chyld of yours, I feele sturre att my side; 10 My gowne of greene it is too straighte; Before, it was too wide.
If the child be mine, faire Ellen, he sayd, Be mine as you tell mee; Then take you Cheshire and Lancashire both,[155] 15 Take them your owne to bee.
If the childe be mine, faire Ellen, he sayd, Be mine, as you doe sweare: Then take you Cheshire and Lancashire both, And make that child your heyre. 20
Shee saies, I had rather have one kisse, Child Waters, of thy mouth; Than I wolde have Cheshire and Lancashire both, That lye by north and south.[156]
And I had rather have one twinkling,[157] 25 Childe Waters, of thine ee:[158] Then I wolde have Cheshire and Lancashire both To take them mine owne to bee.
To morrow, Ellen, I must forth ryde Farr into the north countrie;[159] 30 The fairest lady that I can find, Ellen, must goe with mee.
[Thoughe I am not that lady fayre, Yet let me go with thee.] And ever I pray you, Child Watèrs, 35 Your foot-page let me bee.
If you will my foot-page be, Ellèn, As you doe tell to mee;[160] Then you must cut your gowne of greene, An inch above your knee: 40
Soe must you doe your yellowe lockes, An inch above your ee:[161] You must tell no man what is my name; My foot-page then you shall bee.
Shee, all the long day Child Waters rode,[162] 45 Ran barefoote by his side;[163] Yett was he never so courteous a knighte, To say, Ellen, will you ryde?