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THE LANG COORTIN'.
"It cam' to me frae the far countrie
Wi' its silken string and a';
But it wasna prepaid," said that high-born maid,
"Sae I gar'd them tak' it awa'."
"O ever alack that ye sent it back,
It was written sae clerkly and well!
Now the message it brought, and the boon that it
sought,
I must even say it mysel'."
Then up and spake the popinjay,
Sae wisely counselled he:
"Now say it in the proper way,
Gae doon upon thy knee I"
The lover he turned baith red and pale,
Gaed doon upon his knee:
"O ladye, hear the waesome tale
I have to tell to thee!
