As I cam down by yon castle wa'

written in 1792

As I cam down by yon castle wa', And in by yon garden green, O there I spied a bony bony lass, But the flower-borders were us between. A bony bony lassie she was, As ever mine eyes did see: O five hundred pounds would I give, For to have such a pretty bride as thee. To have such a pretty bride as me, Young man ye are sairly mista'en; Tho' ye were king o' fair Scotland, I wad disdain to be you queen. Talk not so very high, bony lass, O talk not so very, very high: The man at the fair that wad sell, He maun learn at the man that wad buy. I trust to climb a far higher tree, And herry a far richer nest: Tak this advice o' me, bony lass, Humility wad set thee best.