Chapter LII: Part II

James Boyd took his leave o’ the noble King,
To Ettrick Forest fair cam’ he;
Down Birkendale Brae when that he cam’,
He saw the fair forest wi’ his ee.

Baith dae and rae, and hart and hind,
And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;
He heard the bows that boldly ring,
And arrows whidderan’ him near by.

Of that great Castle he got a sight;
The like he ne’er saw wi’ his ee!
On the fore front o’ that Castle fair,
Twa unicorns were bra’ to see;
The picture of a Knight, and Lady bright,
And the green hollin abune their bree.

Thereat he spyed five hundred men,
Shooting with bows on Newark Lee;
They were a’ in ae livery clad,
O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see.

His men were a’ clad in the green,
The Knight was armed capapie,
With a bended bow, on a milk-white steed;
And I wot they ranked right bonnilie.

Thereby Boyd kend he was master man,
And served him in his ain degree.
“God mote thee save, brave Outlaw Murray!
Thy Ladye, and all thy chivalrie!”
“Marry, thou’s welcome, gentleman,
Some King’s messenger thou seems to be.”

“The King of Scotland sent me here,
And, gude Outlaw, I am sent to thee;
I wad wot of whom ye hold your lands,
Or man wha may thy master be?”

“Thir lands are mine,” the Outlaw said;
“I ken nae King in Christentie;
Frae Soudron I this forest wan,
When the King nor his Knights were not to see.”

“He desires you’ll come to Edinburgh,
And hauld of him this forest free;
And, gif ye refuse to do this thing,
He’ll conquer baith thy lands and thee.
He hath vowed to cast thy Castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ thy gay Ladye;

“He’ll hang thy merrymen, pair by pair,
In ony frith where he may them find.”
“Ay, by my troth!” the Outlaw said,
“Than wauld I think me far behind.

“Ere the King my fair country get,
This land that’s nativest to me,
Mony o’ his nobles sall be cauld;
Their ladies sall be right wearie.”

Then spak’ his Lady, fair of face:
She said, “’T were without consent of me,
That an outlaw suld come before a King;
I am right rad of treasonrie.
Bid him be gude to his lords at hame,
For Edinburgh my Lord sall never see.”