SIR PATRICK SPENS

i. The Sailing

THE king sits in Dunfermline town
Drinking the blude-red wine ;

" O whare will I get a skeely skipper
To sail this new ship o5 mine ? "

O up and spak an eldern knight.
Sat at the king's right knee ;

" Sir Patrick Spens is the best sailor
That ever sail'd the sea/5

Our king has written a braid letter.
And seaPd it with his hand, 10

And sent it to Sir Patrick Spens,
Was walking on the strand.

" To Noroway, to Noroway,
To Noroway o'er the faem ;

The king's daughter o' Noroway,
5Tis thou must bring her hame.3

The first word that Sir Patrick read
So loud, loud laugh'd he ;
The neist word that Sir Patrick read
The tear blinded his e'e. 20