“First let pass the black, Janet, And syne let pass the brown; But grip ye to the milk-white steed, And pu’ the rider down.
“For I ride on the milk-white steed, And aye nearest the town; Because I was a christen’d knight, They gave me that renown.
“My right hand will be gloved, Janet, My left hand will be bare; And these the tokens I gie thee, Nae doubt I will be there.
“They’ll turn me in your arms, Janet, An adder and a snake; But haud me fast, let me not pass, Gin ye wad be my maik.
“They’ll turn me in your arms, Janet, An adder and an ask; They’ll turn me in your arms, Janet, A bale that burns fast.
“They’ll turn me in your arms, Janet, A red-hot gad o’ airn; But haud me fast, let me not pass, For I’ll do you no harm.
“And, next, they’ll shape me in your arms, A tod, but and an eel; But haud me fast, nor let me gang, As you do love me weel.
“They’ll shape me in your arms, Janet, A dove, but and a swan; And, last, they’ll shape me in your arms A mother-naked man: Cast your green mantle over me-- I’ll be myself again.”--
Gloomy, gloomy, was the night, And eiry was the way, As fair Janet in her green mantle, To Miles Cross she did gae.
The heavens were black, the night was dark, And dreary was the place; But Janet stood, with eager wish, Her lover to embrace.
Betwixt the hours of twelve and one, A north wind tore the bent; And straight she heard strange elritch sounds, Upon that wind which went.
About the dead hour o’ the night, She heard the bridles ring; And Janet was as glad o’ that As any earthly thing.
Their oaten pipes blew wondrous shrill. The hemlock small blew clear; And louder notes from hemlock large, And bog-reed, struck the ear; But solemn sounds, or sober thoughts, The Fairies cannot bear.
They sing, inspired with love and joy, Like skylarks in the air; Of solid sense, or thought that’s grave, You’ll find no traces there.
Fair Janet stood, with mind unmoved, The dreary heath upon; And louder, louder wax’d the sound, As they came riding on.
Will o’ Wisp before them went, Sent forth a twinkling light; And soon she saw the fairy bands All riding in her sight.
And first gaed by the black, black steed, And then gaed by the brown; But fast she gript the milk-white steed, And pu’d the rider down.