In Finlay's second copy, the murderer's name is Balcanqual, "which," observes the editor, "is an ancient Scottish surname, and is sometimes corrupted, for the more agreeable sound, into Beluncan." It is more likely that Belinkin has suggested Balcanqual, than that Balcanqual has been corrupted into Lamkin.
Belinkin was as gude a mason As e'er pickt a stane; He built up Prime Castle, But payment gat nane.
The lord said to his lady, 5 When he was going abroad, "O beware of Belinkin, For he lyes in the wood."
The gates they were bolted, Baith outside and in; 10 At the sma' peep of a window Belinkin crap in.
"Gude morrow, gude morrow," Said Lambert Linkin. "Gude morrow to yoursell, sir," 15 Said the fause nurse to him.
"O whare is your gude lord?" Said Lambert Linkin. "He's awa to New England, To meet with his king." 20
"O where is his auld son?" Said Lambert Linkin. "He's awa to buy pearlings, Gin our lady ly in."
"Then she'll never wear them," 25 Said Lambert Linkin. "And that is nae pity," Said the fause nurse to him.
"O where is your lady?" Said Lambert Linkin. 30 "She's in her bouir sleepin'," Said the fause nurse to him.
"How can we get at her?" Said Lambert Linkin. "Stab the babe to the heart 35 Wi' a silver bo'kin."
"That wud be a pity," Said Lambert Linkin. "Nae pity, nae pity," Said the fause nurse to him. 40
Belinkin he rocked, And the fause nurse she sang, Till a' the tores o' the cradle[L43] Wi' the red blude down ran.
"O still my babe, nurice, 45 O still him wi' the knife." "He'll no be still, lady, Tho' I lay down my life."
"O still my babe, nurice, O still him wi' the kame." 50 "He'll no be still, lady, Till his daddy come hame."
"O still my babe, nurice, O still him wi' the bell." "He'll no be still, lady, 55 Till ye come down yoursell."
"It's how can I come doun, This cauld frosty nicht, Without e'er a coal Or a clear candle licht?" 60
"There's twa smocks in your coffer, As white as a swan; Put ane o' them about you, It will shew you licht doun."
She took ane o' them about her, 65 And came tripping doun; But as soon as she viewed, Belinkin was in.
"Gude morrow, gude morrow," Said Lambert Linkin. 70 "Gude morrow to yoursell, sir," Said the lady to him.
"O save my life, Belinkin, Till my husband come back, And I'll gie ye as much red gold 75 As ye'll haud in your hat."
