Page:Oxford Book of English Verse 1250-1900.djvu/429

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He has gotten a coat of the even cloth,
And a pair o' shoon of the velvet green;
And till seven years were gane and past,
True Thomas on earth was never seen.

368.Sir Patrick Spens

I. The Sailing

THE king sits in Dunfermline town
Drinking the blude-red wine;
‘O whare will I get a skeely[1] skipper
To sail this new ship o' 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.’

Our king has written a braid letter,
And seal'd it with his hand,
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,
'Tis thou must bring her hame.’

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.


  1. ↑ 368. skeely] skilful.
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