The sea rumbled below.
And up and spoke the father,
Shrill was his voice to hear;
"I have a word in private,
A word for the royal ear.

"Life is dear to the agèd,
And honor a little thing;
I would gladly sell the secret,"
Quoth the Pict to the King.
His voice was small as a sparrow's,
And shrill and wonderful clear:
"I would gladly sell my secret,
Only my son I fear.

"For life is a little matter,
And death is nought to the young;
And I dare not sell my honor
Under the eye of my son.
Take _him_, O king, and bind him,
And cast him far in the deep;
And it's I will tell the secret.
That I have sworn to keep."

They took the son and bound him,
Neck and heels in a thong,
And a lad took him and swung him,
And flung him far and strong,
And the sea swallowed his body,
Like that of a child of ten;--