Chapter XXV: Part III

The Queen looked out at her bower-window,
To see what she could see;
There she espied a gallant ship
Sailing upon the sea.

When she beheld the silken sails,
Full glancing in the sun,
To sink the ship she sent away
Her Witch Wives every one.

Their spells were vain; the Hags returned
To the Queen in sorrowful mood,
Crying, that Witches have no power
Where there is Rowan-Tree wood.

Her last effort, she sent a boat,
Which in the haven lay,
With armed men to board the ship,
But they were driven away.

The Worm leapt up, the Worm leapt down,
She plaited round the stane;
And aye, as the ship came to the land,
She banged it off again.

The Child then ran out of her reach
The ship on Budle-sand;
And jumping into the shallow sea,
Securely got to land.

And now he drew his berry-brown sword,
And laid it on her head;
And swore, if she did harm to him,
That he would strike her dead.

“Oh! quit thy sword, and bend thy bow,
And give me kisses three;
For though I am a poisonous Worm,
No hurt I will do to thee.

“Oh! quit thy sword, and bend thy bow,
And give me kisses three;
If I am not won e’er the sun go down,
Won I shall never be.”

He quitted his sword, he bent his bow,
He gave her kisses three:
She crept into a hole a Worm,
But stept out a Lady.

No clothing had this Lady fine,
To keep her from the cold;
He took his mantle from him about,
And round her did it fold.

He has taken his mantle from him about,
And it he wrapt her in,
And they are up to Bambrough Castle,
As fast as they can win.