Chapter XVIII: Book III: 69. The Nut-Brown Maid (2)

[486] wighty = sturdy, active.

[487] wroken = avenged.

_78. Lamkin_

I

It’s Lamkin was a mason good
As ever built wi’ stane;
He built Lord Wearie’s castle,
But payment got he nane.

II

‘O pay me, Lord Wearie,
Come, pay to me my fee.’--
‘I canna pay you, Lamkin,
For I maun gang o’er the sea.’--

III

‘O pay me now, Lord Wearie,
Come, pay me out o’ hand.’--
‘I canna pay you, Lamkin,
Unless I sell my land.’--

IV

‘O gin ye winna pay me,
I here sall mak’ a vow
Before that ye come hame again,
Ye sall hae cause to rue.’

V

Lord Wearie got a bonny ship,
To sail the saut sea faem;
Bade his lady weel the castle keep,
Ay till he should come hame.

VI

‘Gae bar the doors,’ the lady said,
‘Gae well the windows pin;
And what care I for Lamkin
Or any of his gang?’

VII

But the nourice was a fause limmer[488]
As e’er hung on a tree;
She laid a plot wi’ Lamkin,
Whan her lord was o’er the sea.

VIII

She laid a plot wi’ Lamkin,
When the servants were awa’,
Loot him in at a little shot-window[489],
And brought him to the ha’.

IX

‘O whare’s a’ the men o’ this house,
That ca’ me the Lamkin?’--
‘They’re at the barn-well thrashing;
’Twill be lang ere they come in.’--

X

‘And whare’s the women o’ this house,
That ca’ me the Lamkin?’--
‘They’re at the far well washing;
’Twill be lang ere they come in.’--

XI

‘And whare’s the bairns o’ this house,
That ca’ me the Lamkin?’--
‘They’re at the school reading;
’Twill be night or they come hame.’--

XII

‘O whare’s the lady o’ this house,
That ca’s me the Lamkin?’--
‘She’s up in her bower sewing,
But we soon can bring her down.’

XIII

Then Lamkin’s tane a sharp knife,
That hung down by his gare[490],
And he has gi’en the bonny babe
A deep wound and a sair.

XIV

Then Lamkin he rockèd,
And the fause nourice sang,
Till frae ilka bore[491] o’ the cradle
The red blood out sprang.

XV

Then out it spak’ the lady,
As she stood on the stair:
‘What ails my bairn, nourice,
That he’s greeting[492] sae sair?

XVI

‘O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi’ the pap!’--
‘He winna still, lady,
For this nor for that.’--

XVII

‘O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi’ the wand!’--
‘He winna still, lady,
For a’ his father’s land.’--

XVIII

‘O still my bairn, nourice,
O still him wi’ the bell!’--
‘He winna still, lady,
Till ye come down yoursel’.’--

XIX

O the firsten step she steppit,
She steppit on a stane;
But the neisten step she steppit,
She met him Lamkin.

XX

‘O mercy, mercy, Lamkin,
Hae mercy upon me!
Though you hae ta’en my young son’s life,
Ye may let mysel’ be.’--

XXI

‘O sall I kill her, nourice,
Or sall I lat her be?’--
‘O kill her, kill her, Lamkin,
For she ne’er was good to me.’--

XXII

‘O scour the bason, nourice,
And mak’ it fair and clean,
For to keep this lady’s heart’s blood,
For she’s come o’ noble kin.’--

XXIII

‘There need nae bason, Lamkin,
Lat it run through the floor;
What better is the heart’s blood
O’ the rich than o’ the poor?’

XXIV

But ere three months were at an end,
Lord Wearie came again;
But dowie[493], dowie was his heart
When first he came hame.

XXV

‘O wha’s blood is this,’ he says,
‘That lies in the cham’er[494]?’--
‘It is your lady’s heart’s blood;
’Tis as clear as the lamer[495].’--

XXVI

‘And wha’s blood is this,’ he says,
‘That lies in my ha’?’--
‘It is your young son’s heart’s blood;
’Tis the clearest ava’[496].’

XXVII

O sweetly sang the black-bird
That sat upon the tree;
But sairer grat Lamkin,
When he was condemn’d to dee.

XXVIII

And bonny sang the mavis
Out o’ the thorny brake;
But sairer grat the nourice,
When she was tied to the stake.

FOOTNOTES:

[488] limmer = wretch, jade.

[489] shot-window = a window opening on a hinge.

[490] gare = a seam of the skirt.

[491] bore = hole, crevice.

[492] greeting = wailing, crying.

[493] dowie = heavy, sorrowful.

[494] cham’er = chamber.

[495] lamer = amber.

[496] ava’ = of all.

_79. Hugh of Lincoln_

_and The Jew’s Daughter_

I

A’ the boys of merry Lincoln
Were playing at the ba’[497],
And by it came him sweet Sir Hugh,
And he play’d o’er them a’.

II

He kick’d the ba’ with his right foot,
And catch’d it wi’ his knee,
And thro’-and-thro’ the Jew’s window
He gar’d the bonny ba’ flee.

III

He’s doen[498] him to the Jew’s castell,
And walk’d it round about;
And there he saw the Jew’s daughter
At the window looking out.

IV

‘Throw down the ba’, ye Jew’s daughter,
Throw down the ba’ to me!’--
‘Never a bit,’ says the Jew’s daughter,
‘Till up to me come ye.’--

V

‘How will I come up? How can I come up?
How can I come up to thee?
I winna come up, I darena come up,
Without my play-feres[499] three.’

VI

She’s ta’en her to the Jew’s garden,
Where the grass grew long and green,
She’s pu’d an apple red and white
To wyle the pretty boy in.

VII

She’s wyled him in through ae dark door,
And sae has she through nine;
She’s laid him on a dressing table,
And stickit him like a swine.

VIII

And first came out the thick, thick blood,
And syne came out the thin,
And syne came out the bonny heart’s blood;
There was no more within.

IX

She’s row’d[500] him in a cake o’ lead,
Bade him lie still and sleep;
She’s thrown him into Our Lady’s draw-well,
Was fifty fathom deep.

X

When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
And a’ the bairns came hame,
Then every lady had hame her son,
But Lady Helen had nane.

XI

She’s ta’en her mantle her about,
Her coffer by the hand,
And she’s gone out to seek her son,
And wander’d o’er the land.

XII

She’s doen her to the Jew’s castell
Where a’ were fast asleep;
Cries, ‘Bonnie Sir Hugh, O pretty Sir Hugh,
I pray you to me speak!’

XIII

She near’d Our Lady’s deep draw-well,
And fell down on her knee:
‘Where’er ye be, my sweet Sir Hugh,
I pray you speak to me!’--

XIV

‘O the lead is wondrous heavy, mother,
The well is wondrous deep;
The little penknife sticks in my throat,
And I downa[501] to ye speak.

XV

‘Gae hame, gae hame, my mither dear,
Prepare my winding sheet,
And at the back o’ merry Lincoln
The morn I will you meet.’

XVI

Now Lady Helen is gane hame,
Made him a winding sheet,
And at the back o’ merry Lincoln
The dead corpse did her meet.

XVII

And a’ the bells o’ merry Lincoln
Without men’s hands were rung;
And a’ the books o’ merry Lincoln
Were read without man’s tongue;
And never was such a burial
Sin’ Adam’s day begun.

FOOTNOTES:

[497] ba’ = ball, football.

[498] doen = betaken.

[499] play-feres = playfellows.

[500] row’d = wrapped.

[501] downa = cannot, have not the force to.

_80. The Heir of Linne_

I

The bonny heir, and the well-faur’d[502] heir,
The weary heir o’ Linne--
Yonder he stands at his father’s yetts[503],
And naebody bids him in.

II

‘O see for he gangs, and see for he stands,
The unthrifty heir o’ Linne!
O see for he stands on the cauld causey[504],
And nane bids him come in!’

III

His father and mother were dead him fro’,
And so was the head o’ his kin;
To the cards and dice that he did run,
Did neither cease nor blin[505].

IV

To drink the wine that was so clear
With all he would mak’ merrye;
And then bespake him John o’ the Scales,
To the heir of Linne said he:

V

‘How doest thou, thou Lord of Linne
Doest want or gold or fee?
Wilt thou not sell thy lands so broad
To such a good fellow as me?’

VI

He told the gold upon the board,
Wanted never a bare pennye:
‘The gold is thine, the land is mine,
The heir of Linne I will be.’

VII

‘Here’s gold enow,’ saith the heir of Linne,
‘For me and my companye.’
He drank the wine that was so clear,
And with all he made merrye.

VIII

Within three quarters of a year
His gold it waxèd thin;
His merry men were from him gone,
Bade him, ‘To the de’il ye’se gang!’

IX

‘Now well-a-day!’ said the heir of Linne,
‘I have left not one pennye.
God be with my father!’ he said,
‘On his land he lived merrilye.’

X

His nourice at her window look’d,
Beholding dale and down,
And she beheld this distress’d young man
Come walking to the town.

XI

‘O see for he gangs, and see for he stands,
The weary heir o’ Linne!
O see for he stands on the cauld causey,
And nane bids him come in!’--

XII

‘Sing owre again that sang, nourice,
The sang ye sung just now.’--
‘I never sung a sang i’ my life
But I would sing owre to you.

XIII

‘Come here, come here, Willy,’ she said,
‘And rest yoursel’ wi’ me;
I hae seen you in better days,
And in jovial companye.’--

XIV

‘Gie me a sheave[506] o’ your bread, nourice,
And a bottle o’ your wine,
And I will pay it you owre again
When I am Lord of Linne.’--

XV

‘Ye’se get a sheave o’ my bread, Willy,
And a bottle o’ my wine;
But ye’ll pay me when the seas gang dry,
For ye’ll ne’er be Lord o’ Linne.’

XVI

Then he turn’d him right and round about,
As will a woman’s son,
And aff he set and bent his way
And cam’ to the house o’ Linne.

XVII

But when he cam’ to that castle,
They were set down to dine;
A score of nobles there he saw,
Sat drinking at their wine.

XVIII

Then some bade gie him beef and fish,
And some but bane and fin,
And some bade gie him naething at a’,
But let the palmer gang.

XIX

Then out it speaks him John o’ Scales,
A saucy word spak’ he:
‘Put round the cup, give the beggar a sup,
Let him fare on his way.’

XX

Then out it speaks Sir Ned Magnew,
Ane o’ young Willy’s kin:
‘This youth was ance a sprightly boy
As ever lived in Linne.’

XXI

He turn’d him right and round about,
As will a woman’s son,
Then minded him on a little wee key
That his mother left to him.

XXII

His mother left him this little wee key
A little before she deed;
And bade him keep this little wee key
Till he was in maist need.

XXIII

Then forth he went, these nobles left
All drinking in the room;
Wi’ walking rod intill his hand
He walk’d the castle roun’:

XXIV

Till that he found a little door,
And therein slipp’d the key;
And there he found three chests in fere[507]
Of the red and the white monie.

XXV

Back then through the nobles a’
He went and did not blin,
Until he cam’ where John o’ the Scales
Was seated [at the wine].

XXVI

Then out and spake it John o’ Scales,
He spake wi’ mock and jeer:
‘I’d gie a seat to the Lord o’ Linne
If sae be that he were here.

XXVII

‘When the lands o’ Linne a-selling were
A’ men said they were free;
I will sell them twenty pound better cheap
Nor ever I bought of thee.’--

XXVIII

‘I tak’ ye to witness, nobles a’!’
--He cast him a God’s pennye[508]--
‘I will buy them twenty pound better cheap
Nor ever he bought of me.’

XXIX

He’s done him to the gaming-table,
For it stood fair and clean;
And there he’s tould as much rich gold
As free’d the lands o’ Linne.

XXX

He told the gold there over the board,
Wanted never a broad pennye;
‘The gold is thine, the land is mine,
Lord o’ Linne again I’ll be.’

XXXI

‘Well-a-day!’ said John o’ the Scales’ wife,
‘Well-a-day, and woe is me!
Yesterday I was the Lady o’ Linne,
And now I’m a naebodye!’

XXXII

But ‘Fare thee well,’ said the heir of Linne,
‘Now John o’ the Scales!’ said he:
‘A curse light on me if ever again
My lands be in jeopardye!’

FOOTNOTES:

[502] well-faur’d = well favoured.

[503] yetts = gates.

[504] causey = causeway, pavement.

[505] blin = stint, check.

[506] sheave = slice.

[507] in fere = together.

[508] God’s pennye = earnest or luck-penny.

_81. Fair Mary of Wallington_

I

When we were silly sisters seven,
--Sisters were so fair,--
Five of us were brave knights’ wives,
And died in childbed lair[509].

II

Up then spake Fair Mary,
Marry wou’d she nane;
If ever she came in man’s bed,
The same gate[510] wad she gang.

III

‘Make no vows, Fair Mary,
For fear they broken be;
Here’s been the Knight of Wallington,
Asking good will of thee.’--

IV

‘If here’s been the knight, mother,
Asking good will of me,
Within three quarters of a year
You may come bury me.’

V

But when she came to Wallington,
And into Wallington hall,
There she spy’d her [lord’s] mother,
Walking about the wall.

VI

‘You’re welcome, welcome, daughter dear,
To thy castle and thy bowers.’--
‘I thank you kindly, mother,
I hope they’ll soon be yours.’

VII

She had not been in Wallington
Three quarters and a day,
Till upon the ground she could not walk,
She was a weary prey.

VIII

She had not been in Wallington
Three quarters and a night,
Till on the ground she could not walk,
She was a weary wight.

IX

‘Is there ne’er a boy into this town,
Who’ll win him hose and shoon,
That will run to fair Paddington,
And bid my mother come?’

X

Up then spake a little boy,
Near unto her a-kin:
‘Full oft I have your errands gone,
But now I will it run.’

XI

Then she call’d her waiting-maid
To bring up bread and wine:
‘Eat and drink, my bonny boy,
Thou’ll ne’er eat more of mine.

XII

‘Give my respects to my mother,
She sits in her chair of stone,
And ask her how she likes the news,
Of seven to have but one?

XIII

‘Give my respects to my mother,
As she sits in her chair of oak,
And bid her come to my sickening,
Or my merry lake-wake[511].

XIV

‘Give my love to my brothers
William, Ralph, and John,
And to my sister Betty fair,
And to her white as bone:

XV

‘And bid her keep her maidenhead,
Be sure [to keep it lang:]
For if e’er she come into man’s bed,
The same gate will she gang.’

XVI

Away this little boy is gone,
As fast as he could run;
When he came where brigs were broke,
He laid him down and swum.

XVII

When he saw the lady, he said,
‘Lord may your keeper be!’--
‘What news, my pretty boy,
Hast thou to tell to me?’--

XVIII

‘Your daughter Mary orders me
As you sit in a chair of stone,
To ask you how you like the news,
Of seven to have but one?

XIX

‘Your daughter gives you her commands,
As you sit in a chair of oak,
And bids you come to her sickening,
Or her merry lake-wake.

XX

‘She gives command to her brothers
William, Ralph, and John,
[And] to her sister Betty fair,
And to her white as bone.

XXI

‘She bids her keep her maidenhead,
Be sure [to keep it lang:]
For if e’er she come into man’s bed,
The same gate will she gang.’

XXII

She kickt the table with her foot,
She kickt it with her knee,
The silver plate into the fire,
So far she made it flee.

XXIII

Then she call’d her waiting-maid
To bring her riding-hood,
So did she on her stable-groom
To bring her riding-steed.

XXIV

‘Go saddle to me the black, the black,
Go saddle to me the brown,
Go saddle to me the swiftest steed
That e’er rid to Wallington!’

XXV

When they came to Wallington,
And into Wallington hall,
There she spy’d her son Fenwick,
Walking about the wall.

XXVI

‘God save you, my dearest son,
Lord may your keeper be!
Tell me where is my daughter fair,
That used to walk with thee?’

XXVII

He turn’d his head him round about,
The tears did fill his e’e:
‘’Tis a month,’ he said, ‘since Fair Mary
Took her chambers from me.’

XXVIII

She went on [to her daughter’s chamber];
And there were in the hall
Four and twenty ladies,
Letting the tears down fall.

XXIX

Her daughter had a scope[512] into
Her cheek and eke her chin,
All to keep in her dear life
Till her dear mother came.

XXX

‘Come take the rings off my fingers,
The skin it is so white,
And give them to my mother dear,
For she was all the wyte[513].

XXXI

‘Come take the rings off my fingers,
The veins they are so red,
Give them to Sir William Fenwick,
I’m sure his heart will bleed.’

XXXII

Then she took out a razor
That was both sharp and fine,
And out of her left side she has taken
The heir of Wallington.

XXXIII

There is a race in Wallington,
And that I rue full sare;
Tho’ the cradle it be full spread up,
The bride-bed is left bare.

FOOTNOTES:

[509] lair = lying-in.

[510] gate = way.

[511] lake-wake = lyke-wake, corpse-watching.

[512] scope = bandage, gag.

[513] wyte = blame, cause of trouble.

_82. Young Waters_

I

About Yule, when the wind blew cule,
And the round tables began,
O there is come to our King’s court
Mony a well-favor’d man.

II

The Queen luikt owre the castle-wa’
Beheld baith dale and down,
And there she saw Young Waters
Come riding to the town.

III

His footmen they did rin before,
His horsemen rade behind;
Ane mantel of the burning gowd
Did keip him frae the wind.

IV

Gowden-graith’d[514] his horse before,
And siller-shod behind;
The horse Young Waters rade upon
Was fleeter than the wind.

V

Out then spak’ a wylie lord,
Unto the Queen said he:
‘O tell me wha’s the fairest face
Rides in the company?’--

VI

‘I’ve sene lord, and I’ve sene laird,
And knights of high degree,
Bot a fairer face than Young Waters’
Mine eyne did never see.’

VII

Out then spake the jealous King,
And an angry man was he:
‘O if he had bin twice as fair,
You micht have excepted me.’

VIII

‘You’re neither laird nor lord,’ she says,
‘But the King that wears the crown;
There is not a knight in fair Scotland
But to thee maun bow down.’

IX

For a’ that she cou’d do or say,
Appeas’d he wad nae bee,
But for the words which she had said,
Young Waters he maun dee.

X

They hae ta’en Young Waters,
And put fetters to his feet;
They hae ta’en Young Waters, and
Thrown him in dungeon deep.

XI

‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town,
In the wind but and the weet;
But I neir rade thro’ Stirling town
Wi’ fetters at my feet.

XII

‘Aft have I ridden thro’ Stirling town,
In the wind but and the rain;
But I neir rade thro’ Stirling town
Neir to return again.’

XIII

They hae ta’en to the heiding-hill[515]
His young son in his craddle;
And they hae ta’en to the heiding-hill
His horse but and his saddle.

XIV

They hae ta’en to the heiding-hill
His lady fair to see;
And for the words the Queen had spoke
Young Waters he did dee.

FOOTNOTES:

[514] graith’d = harnessed.

[515] heiding-hill = beheading mound.

_83. The Queen’s Marie_

I

Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,
Wi’ ribbons in her hair;
The King thought mair o’ Marie Hamilton
Than ony that were there.

II

Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane
Wi’ ribbons on her breast;
The King thought mair o’ Marie Hamilton
Than he listen’d to the priest.

III

Marie Hamilton’s to the kirk gane,
Wi’ gloves upon her hands;
The King thought mair o’ Marie Hamilton
Than the Queen and a’ her lands.

IV

She hadna been about the King’s court
A month, but barely ane,
Till she was beloved by a’ the King’s court,
And the King the only man.

V

She hadna been about the King’s court
A month, but barely three,
Till frae the King’s court Marie Hamilton,
Marie Hamilton durstna be.

VI

The King is to the Abbey gane,
To pu’ the Abbey tree,
To scale[516] the babe frae Marie’s heart;
But the thing it wadna be.

VII

O she has row’d[517] it in her apron,
And set it on the sea--
‘Gae sink ye or swim ye, bonny babe,
Ye’se get nae mair o’ me.’

VIII

Word is to the kitchen gane,
And word is to the ha’,
And word is to the noble room
Amang the ladies a’,
That Marie Hamilton’s brought to bed,
And the bonny babe’s miss’d and awa’.

IX

Scarcely had she lain down again,
And scarcely fa’en asleep,
When up and started our gude Queen
Just at her bed-feet;
Saying--‘Marie Hamilton, where’s your babe?
For I am sure I heard it greet[518].’--

X

‘O no, O no, my noble Queen!
Think no sic thing to be;
’Twas but a stitch into my side,
And sair it troubles me!’--

XI

‘Get up, get up, Marie Hamilton:
Get up and follow me;
For I am going to Edinburgh town,
A rich wedding for to see.’

XII

O slowly, slowly rase she up,
And slowly put she on;
And slowly rade she out the way
Wi’ mony a weary groan.

XIII

The Queen was clad in scarlet,
Her merry maids all in green;
And every town that they cam to,
They took Marie for the Queen.

XIV

‘Ride hooly[519], hooly, gentlemen,
Ride hooly now wi’ me!
For never, I am sure, a wearier burd
Rade in your companie.’

XV

But little wist Marie Hamilton,
When she rade on the brown,
That she was gaen to Edinburgh town,
And a’ to be put down.

XVI

‘Why weep ye sae, ye burgess wives,
Why look ye sae on me?
O I am going to Edinburgh town,
A rich weddìng to see.’

XVII

When she gaed up the tolbooth stairs,
The corks frae her heels did flee;
And lang or e’er she cam down again,
She was condemn’d to die.

XVIII

When she cam to the Netherbow port,
She laugh’d loud laughters three;
But when she came to the gallows foot
The tears blinded her e’e.

XIX

‘Yestreen the Queen had four Maries,
The night she’ll hae but three;
There was Marie Seaton, and Marie Beaton,
And Marie Carmichael, and me.

XX

‘O often have I dress’d my Queen,
And put gowd upon her hair;
But now I’ve gotten for my reward
The gallows to be my share.

XXI

‘Often have I dress’d my Queen
And often made her bed;
But now I’ve gotten for my reward
The gallows tree to tread.

XXII

‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,
When ye sail owre the faem,
Let neither my father nor mother get wit
But that I’m coming hame.

XXIII

‘I charge ye all, ye mariners,
That sail upon the sea,
That neither my father nor mother get wit
The dog’s death I’m to die.

XXIV

‘For if my father and mother got wit,
And my bold brethren three,
O mickle wad be the gude red blude
This day wad be spilt for me!

XXV

‘O little did my mother ken,
The day she cradled me,
The lands I was to travel in
Or the death I was to die!’

FOOTNOTES:

[516] scale = drive away, get rid of.

[517] row’d = wrapped.

[518] greet = wail, cry.

[519] hooly = gently.

_84. The Outlaw Murray_

I

Ettrick Forest is a fair forest,
In it grows many a seemly tree;
There’s hart and hind, and dae and rae,
And of a’ wild beasts great plentie.

II

There’s a castle, bigg’d[520] wi’ lime and stane;
O gif it stands not pleasantlie!
In the fore-front o’ that castle fair,
Twa unicorns are bra’ to see;
There’s the picture of a knight, and a lady bright,
And the green hollìn[521] abune their bree[522].

III

There an Outlaw keeps five hundred men,
He keeps a royal companie,
His merry men are a’ in ae livery clad,
O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see;
He and his lady in purple clad,
O gin they live not royallie!

IV

Word is gane to our noble King,
In Edinburgh where that he lay,
That there was an Outlaw in Ettrick Forest,
Counted him nought, nor his courtrie[523] gay.

V

‘I make a vow,’ then the gude King said,
‘Unto the Man that dear bought me,
I’se either be King of Ettrick Forest,
Or King of Scotland that Outlaw’s be!’

VI

Then spake the Earl hight Hamilton,
And to the noble King said he,
‘My sovereign prince, some counsel take,
First at your nobles, syne at me.

VII

‘I rede[524] ye, send yon braw Outlaw till,
And see gif your man come will he:
Desire him come and be your man,
And hold of you yon forest free.

VIII

‘Gif he refuses to do that,
We’ll conquess baith his lands and he!
Or else we’ll throw his castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ his gay ladye.’

IX

The King call’d on a gentleman,
James Boyd (the Earl of Arran his brother was he);
When James he came before the King,
He kneel’d before him on his knee.

X

‘Welcome, James Boyd!’ said our noble King,
‘A message ye maun gang for me:
Ye maun hie to Ettrick Forest,
To yon Outlàw, where dwelleth he.

XI

‘Ask him of whom he holds his lands,
Or man wha may his master be,
And desire him come and be my man,
And hold of me yon forest free.

XII

‘To Edinburgh to come and gang,
A safe warrànt I sall him gie;
And gif he refuses to do that,
We’ll conquess baith his lands and he.

XIII

‘Thou mayst vow I’ll cast his castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ his gay ladye;
I’ll hang his merry men, pair by pair,
In ony frith[525] where I may them see.’

XIV

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 e’e.

XV

Baith dae and rae, and hart and hin’,
And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;
He heard the bows that boldly ring,
And arrows whidderand[526] him near by.

XVI

Of that fair castle he got a sight;
The like he ne’er saw wi’ his e’e!
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 hollìn abune their bree.

XVII

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.

XVIII

His men were a’ clad in the green,
The knight was armèd cap-a-pie,
With a bended bow, on a milkwhite steed;
And I wot they rank’d right bonnilie.

XIX

Thereby Boyd kend he was master man,
And servèd 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.’--

XX

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

XXI

‘Thir lands are mine,’ the Outlaw said;
‘I own nae king in Christentie;
Frae Soudron[527] I this forest wan,
When the King nor his knights were not to see.’--

XXII

‘He desires you’ll come to Edinburgh,
And hauld of him this forest free;
And, gif ye refuse to do this thing,
He’ll conquess baith thy lands and thee.
He hath vow’d to cast thy castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ thy gay ladye;

XXIII

‘He’ll hang thy merry men, pair by pair,
In ony frith where he may them find.’--
‘Ay, by my troth!’ the Outlaw said,
‘Than wad I think me far behind.

XXIV

‘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 wearíe.’

XXV

Then spak’ his lady, fair of face:
She said, ‘’Twere without consent of me,
That an outlaw suld come before a King;
I am right rad[528] of treasonrie.
Bid him be gude to his lords at hame,
For Edinburgh my lord sall never see.’

XXVI

James Boyd took his leave o’ the Outlaw keen,
To Edinboro’ boun’ is he;
When James he cam’ before the King,
He kneelèd lowly on his knee.

XXVII

‘Welcome, James Boyd!’ said our noble King,
‘What forest is Ettrick Forest free?’--
‘Ettrick Forest is the fairest forest
That ever man saw wi’ his e’e.

XXVIII

‘There’s the dae, the rae, the hart, the hin’,
And of a’ wild beasts great plentie;
There’s a pretty castle of lime and stane,
O gif it stands not pleasantlie!

XXIX

‘There’s in the fore-front o’ that castle
Twa unicorns, sae bra’ to see,
There’s the picture of a knight, and a lady bright,
Wi’ the green hollìn abune their bree.

XXX

‘There the Outlaw keeps five hundred men,
He keeps a royal companie;
His merry men in ae livery clad,
O’ the Lincoln green sae gay to see:
He and his lady in purple clad;
O gin they live not royallie!

XXXI

‘He says, yon forest is his ain,
He wan it frae the Soudronie;
Sae as he wan it, sae will he keep it,
Contrair all kings in Christentie.’--

XXXII

‘Gar warn me Perthshire, and Angus baith,
Fife, up and down, and Lothians three,
And graith[529] my horse,’ said our noble King,
‘For to Ettrick Forest hie will I me.’

XXXIII

Then word is gane the Outlaw till,
In Ettrick Forest, where dwelleth he,
That the King was comand to Ettrick Forest,
To conquess baith his lands and he.

XXXIV

‘I mak’ a vow,’ the Outlaw said,
‘I mak’ a vow, and that trulie:
Were there but three men to tak’ my part,
Yon King’s coming full dear suld be!’

XXXV

Then messengers he callèd forth,
And bade them hie them speedilye:
‘Ane of ye gae to Halliday,
The Laird of the Corehead is he.

XXXVI

‘He certain is my sister’s son;
Bid him come quick and succour me;
The King comes on for Ettrick Forest,
And landless men we a’ will be.’--

XXXVII

‘What news? what news?’ said Halliday,
‘Man, frae thy master unto me?’--
‘Not as ye would; seeking your aid;
The King’s his mortal enemie.’--

XXXVIII

‘Ay, by my troth!’ said Hailiday,
‘Even for that it repenteth me;
For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest,
He’ll tak’ fair Moffatdale frae me.

XXXIX

‘I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men,
And surely mair, if mae may be;
And before he gets the forest fair,
We a’ will die on Newark Lee!’

XL

The Outlaw call’d a messenger,
And bid him hie him speedilye
To Andrew Murray of Cockpool:
‘That man’s a dear cousin to me;
Desire him come and mak’ me aid
With a’ the power that he may be.’

XLI

‘It stands me hard,’ Andrew Murray said,
‘Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me;
To enter against a king wi’ crown,
And set my lands in jeopardie!
Yet, if I come not on the day,
Surely at night he sall me see.’

XLII

To Sir James Murray of Traquair,
A message came right speedilie:
‘What news? what news?’ James Murray said,
‘Man, frae thy master unto me?’--

XLIII

‘What needs I tell? for weel ye ken
The King’s his mortal enemie;
And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest,
And landless men ye a’ will be.’

XLIV

‘And, by my troth,’ James Murray said,
‘Wi’ that Outlaw will I live and dee;
The King has gifted my lands lang syne--
It cannot be nae warse wi’ me.’

XLV

The King was comand thro’ Cadden Ford,
And full five thousand men was he;
They saw the dark forest them before,
They thought it awsome for to see.

XLVI

Then spak’ the Earl hight Hamilton,
And to the noble King said he,
‘My sovereign prince, some counsel tak’,
First at your nobles, syne at me.

XLVII

‘Desire him meet thee at Permanscore,
And bring four in his companie;
Five earls sall gang yoursell before,
Gude cause that you suld honour’d be.

XLVIII

‘And, gif he refuses to do that,
With fire and sword we’ll follow thee;
There sall never a Murray, after him,
Hold land in Ettrick Forest free.’

XLIX

The King then call’d a gentleman,
Royal banner-bearer there was he,
James Hope Pringle of Torsonse by name;
He cam’ and kneel’d upon his knee.

L

‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!
A message ye maun gae for me:
Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray,
Surely where boldly bideth he.

LI

‘Bid him meet me at Permanscore,
And bring four in his companie;
Five earls sall come mysell before,
Gude reason I suld honour’d be.

LII

‘And gif he refuses to do that,
Bid him look for nae good o’ me;
There sall never a Murray, after him,
Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’

LIII

James cam’ before the Outlaw keen,
And servèd him in his ain degree.--
‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!
What message frae the King to me?’--

LIV

‘He bids ye meet him at Permanscore,
And bring four in your company;
Five earls shall gang himsell before,
Nae mair in number will he be.

LV

‘And gif you refuse to do that,
(I freely here upgive wi’ thee,)
He’ll cast your bonny castle down,
And mak’ a widow o’ your gay ladye.
There will never a Murray, after thysell,
Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’--

LVI

‘It stands me hard,’ the Outlaw said,
‘Judge gif it stands na hard wi’ me:
What reck o’ the losing of mysell?--
But a’ my offspring after me!

LVII

‘Auld Halliday, young Halliday,
Ye sall be twa to gang wi’ me;
Andrew Murray, and Sir James Murray,
We’ll be nae mae in companie.’

LVIII

When that they cam’ before the King,
They fell before him on their knee:
‘Grant mercy, mercy, noble King!
E’en for his sake that dyed on tree.’

LIX

‘Siccan[530] like mercy sall ye have;
On gallows ye sall hangit be!’--
‘Over God’s forbode,’ quoth the Outlaw then,
‘I hope your grace will better be!
Else, ere you come to Edinburgh port,
I trow thin guarded sall ye be.

LX

‘Thir lands of Ettrick Forest fair,
I wan them from the enemie;
Like as I wan them, sae will I keep them,
Contrair a’ kings in Christentie.’

LXI

All the nobles the King about,
Said pity it were to see him dee.
‘Yet grant me mercy, sovereign prince,
Extend your favour unto me!

LXII

‘I’ll give thee the keys of my castell,
Wi’ the blessing o’ my gay ladye,
Gin thou’lt make me sheriff of this forest,
And a’ my offspring after me.’--

LXIII

‘Wilt thou give me the keys of thy castell,
Wi’ the blessing of thy gay ladye?
I’se make thee sheriff of Ettrick Forest,
Surely while upward grows the tree;
If you be not traitor to the King,
Forfaulted[531] sall thou never be.’

LXIV

‘But, Prince, what sall come o’ my men?
When I gae back, traitor they’ll ca’ me.
I had rather lose my life and land,
Ere my merry men rebukèd me.’--

LXV

‘Will your merry men amend their lives,
An’ a’ their pardons I grant thee?
Now, name thy lands where’er they lie,
And here I render them to thee.’--

LXVI

‘Fair Philiphaugh is mine by right,
And Lewinshope still mine shall be;
Newark, Foulshiells, and Tinnès baith,
My bow and arrow purchased me.

LXVII

‘And I have native steads to me,
The Newark Lee and Hanginshaw;
I have mony steads in Ettrick Forest,
But them by name I dinna knaw.’

LXVIII

The keys of the castle he gave the King,
Wi’ the blessing o’ his fair ladye;
He was made sheriff of Ettrick Forest,
Surely while upward grows the tree;
And if he was na traitor to the King,
Forfaulted he suld never be.

LXIX

Wha ever heard, in ony times,
Siccan an outlaw in his degree
Sic favour get before a King,
As did Outlaw Murray of the forest free?

FOOTNOTES:

[520] bigg’d = built.

[521] hollin = holly.

[522] bree = brow.

[523] courtrie = courtiers.

[524] rede = advise.

[525] frith = wood.

[526] whidderand = whizzing.

[527] Soudron = Southron, English.

[528] rad = afraid.

[529] graith = harness.

[530] siccan = such.

[531] Forfaulted = forfeited.

_85. Glenlogie_

I

Four-and-twenty nobles rade to the King’s ha’,
But bonny Glenlogie was the flow’r o’ them a’.

II

Lady Jeanie Melville cam’ trippin’ down the stair;
When she saw Glenlogie her hairt it grew sair.

III

She call’d to the footman that ran by his side:
Says, ‘What is your lord’s name, an’ where does he bide?’--

IV

‘His name is Glenlogie when he is from home:
He’s of the gay Gordons, his name it is John.’--

V

‘Glenlogie, Glenlogie, an you will prove kind,
My love is laid on you; I am tellin’ my mind.’--

VI

He turn’d about lightly, as the Gordons do a’;
Says, ‘I thank you, Lady Jeanie, but I’m promised awa’.’

VII

She call’d on her maidens her bed for to make,
Her rings from her fingers she did them a’ break.

VIII

‘Where will I get a bonny boy, to win hose and shoon,
To go to Glenlogie and bid Logie come?’

IX

When Glenlogie got the letter, amang noblemen,
‘I wonder,’ said Glenlogie, ‘what does young women mean?

X

‘I wonder i’ the warld what women see at me,
That bonny Jeanie Melville for my sake shou’d dee?

XI

‘O what is my lineage, or what is my make,
That bonny Jeanie Melville shou’d dee for my sake?

XII

‘Go saddle my black horse, go saddle him soon,
Till I ride to Bethelnie, to see Lady Jean!’

XIII

When he came to Bethelnie, he rade round about,
And he saw Jeanie’s father at the window look out.

XIV

When he came to the gateway, small mirth was there;
But was weepin’ and wailin’, a’ tearin’ their hair.

XV

O pale and wan look’d she when Glenlogie came ben,
But red ruddy grew she whene’er he sat down.

XVI

‘Turn round Jeanie Melville, turn round to this side,
And I’ll be the bridegroom, and you’ll be the bride!’

XVII

O ’twas a merry weddin’, and the portion down told,
Of bonny Jeanie Melville, scarce sixteen years old!

_86. Lady Elspat_

I

‘O brent’s[532] your brow, my Lady Elspat;
O gowden yellow is your hair!
Of a’ the maids o’ fair Scotland
There’s nane like Lady Elspat fair.’

II

‘Perform your vows,’ she says, ‘Sweet William;
The vows which ye ha’ made to me;
And at the back o’ my mither’s castle
This night I’ll surely meet wi’ thee.’

III

But wae be to her brother’s page,
Wha heard the words this twa did say!
He’s tauld them to her lady mither,
Wha wrought Sweet William mickle wae.

IV

For she’s ta’en him, Sweet William,
And she’s gar’d bind him wi’s bow-string.
Till the red blood o’ his fair body
Frae ilka nail o’ his hand did spring.

V

O it fell ance upon a time
That the Lord Justice came to town;
Out she has ta’en him, Sweet William,
Brought him before the Lord Justice boun’.

VI

‘And what is the crime now, madame,’ he says,
‘Has been committed by this young man?’--
‘O he has broken my bonny castle,
That was well biggit[533] wi’ lime and stane.

VII

‘And he has broken my bonny coffers,
That was well bandit[534] wi’ aiken[535] ban’;
And he has stolen my rich jewels;
I wot he has them every ane.’

VIII

Then out it spak’ her Lady Elspat
As she sat by the Lord Justice’ knee:
‘Now ye hae tauld your tale, mither,
I pray, Lord Justice, you’ll now hear me.

IX

‘He hasna broken her bonny castle,
That was well biggit wi’ lime and stane;
Nor has he stolen her rich jewels,
For I wot she has them every one.

X

‘But tho’ he was my first true love,
And tho’ I had sworn to be his bride,
’Cause he had not a great estate
She would this way our loves divide.’

XI

Then out it spak’ the Lord Justice
(I wot the tear was in his e’e):
‘I see nae fault in this young man;
Sae loose his bands, and set him free.

XII

‘Tak’ back your love now, Lady Elspat,
And my best blessing you baith upon!
For gin he be your first true love,
He is my eldest sister’s son.

XIII

‘There is a steed within my stable
Cost me baith gowd and white monèy;
Ye’se get as mickle o’ my free land
As he’ll ride about in a summer’s day.’

FOOTNOTES:

[532] brent = straight, smooth.

[533] biggit = built.

[534] bandit = bound.

[535] aiken = oaken.

_87. Jamie Douglas_

I

I was a lady of high renown
As ever lived in the north countrie;
I was a lady of high renown
When the Earl Douglas luvèd me.

II

And when we came through Glasgow toun,
We were a comely sight to see;
My gude lord in the black velvèt,
And I mysel’ in cramasie[536].

III

But when we came to Douglas toun,
We were a fine sight to behold:
My gude lord in the cramasie
And I mysel’ in the shining gold.

IV

And when that my auld[537] son was born
And set upon his nurse’s knee,
I was happy a woman as e’er was born,
And my gude lord he luvèd me.

V

But O an my young son was born
And set upon his nurse’s knee
And I mysel’ were dead and gane,
For a maid again I’ll never be!

VI

There cam’ a man into this house,
And Jamie Lockhart was his name,
And it was told to my gude lord
That I was owre in love wi’ him.

VII

O wae be unto thee, Blackwòod,
And ae an ill death may ye dee!
For ye was the first and foremost man
That parted my gude lord and me.

VIII

I sent a word to my gude lord,
‘Come down, and sit, and dine wi’ me,
And I’ll set thee on a chair of gowd,
And a siller towel on thy knee.’--

IX

‘When cockle-shells turn silver bells,
And mussell grow on every tree,
When frost and snow turns fire to burn,
Then I’ll sit down and dine wi’ thee.’

X

When that my father he had word
That my gude lord had forsaken me,
He sent a fifty brisk dragoons
To fetch me home to my ain countrie.

XI

‘Fare thee well, my Jamie Douglas!
Fare thee well, ever dear to me!
But O, an my young babe were born
And set upon some nourice’ knee!

XII

‘And fare thee well, my pretty palace!
And fare ye well, my children three!
God grant your father grace to be kind,
More kind to you than he was to me!’

XIII

Then slowly, slowly rase I up,
But quickly, quickly he cam’ doun,
And when he saw me sit in my coach,
He made his drums and trumpets sound.

XIV

When we cam’ in by Edinbro’ town,
My father and mother they met me
Wi’ trumpets soundin’ on every side;
But it was nae music at a’ to me.

XV

‘Now hau’d your comfort my father dear,
And mother your weeping let abee!
I’ll never lye in another man’s arms
Since my dear lord has forsaken me.’

XVI

It’s very true, and it’s aft-times said,
The hawk will flie far far frae her nest:
And a’ the warld may plainly see
They are far frae me that I luve best.

_Lament of Barbara, Marchioness of Douglas_

XVII

O waly, waly, up the bank,
And waly, waly, doun the brae,
And waly, waly, yon burn-side,
Where I and my Love wont to gae!

XVIII

I lean’d my back unto an aik,
I thocht it was a trustie tree;
But first it bow’d and syne it brak--
Sae my true love did lichtlie[538] me.

XIX

O waly, waly, gin love be bonnie
A little time while it is new!
But when ’tis auld it waxeth cauld,
And fades awa’ like morning dew.

XX

O wherefore should I busk my heid,
Or wherefore should I kame my hair?
For my true Love has me forsook,
And says he’ll never lo’e me mair.

XXI

Now Arthur’s Seat sall be my bed,
The sheets sall ne’er be ’filed by me;
Saint Anton’s well sall be my drink;
Since my true Love has forsaken me.

XXII

Marti’mas wind, when wilt thou blaw,
And shake the green leaves aff the tree?
O gentle Death, when wilt thou come?
For of my life I am wearìe.

XXIII

’Tis not the frost, that freezes fell,
Nor blawing snaw’s inclemencie,
’Tis not sic cauld that makes me cry;
But my Love’s heart grown cauld to me.

XXIV

When we cam’ in by Glasgow toun,
We were a comely sicht to see;
My Love was clad in the black velvèt,
And I mysel’ in cramasie.

XXV

But had I wist, before I kist,
That love had been sae ill to win,
I had lock’d my heart in a case o’ gowd,
And pinn’d it wi’ a siller pin.

XXVI

And O! if my young babe were born,
And set upon the nurse’s knee;
And I mysel’ were dead and gane,
And the green grass growing over me!

FOOTNOTES:

[536] cramasie = crimson.

[537] auld = eldest.

[538] lichtlie = slight, treat with disrespect.

_88. Katharine Johnstone_

I

There was a may, and a weel-far’d[539] may,
Lived high up in yon glen;
Her name was Katharine Johnstone
She was courted by mony men.

II

Doun cam’ the Laird o’ Lamington
Out frae the North Countrie,
All for to court this pretty may,
Her bridegroom for to be.

III

He tell’d na her father, he tell’d na her mither,
He tell’d na ane o’ her kin,
But he tell’d the bonnie lass hersel’
An’ her consent did win.

IV

But up then cam’ Lord Faughanwood
Out frae the English Border,
And for to court this pretty may,
A’ mounted in good order.

V

He’s tell’d her father, he’s tell’d her mither,
And a’ the lave[540] o’ her kin;
But he’s tell’d na the bonny lass hersel’
Till on her weddin’-e’en.

VI

She’s sent unto her first fere[541] love,
Gin he would come to see,
And Lamington has sent back word
Weel answer’d should she be.

VII

Then he has sent a messenger
Right quietly thro’ the land,
For four-and-twenty armèd men
To ride at his command.

VIII

The bridegroom from a high window
Beheld baith dale and down,
And there he spied her first fere love
Cam’ riding to the toun.

IX

She scoffèd and she scornèd him
Upon her weddin’-day,
And said it was the Fairy Court
He saw in sic array!

X

When a’ were at the dinner set,
Drinking the blude-red wine,
In cam’ the Laird o’ Lamington
The bridegroom ’should hae been.

XI

‘O come ye here to fight, young lord?
Or come ye here to play?
Or come ye here to drink good wine
Upon the weddin’-day?’--

XII

‘I come na here to fight,’ he said
‘I come na here to play;
I’ll but lead a dance wi’ the bonny bride,
And mount and go my way.’

XIII

There was a glass of the blude-red wine
Was fill’d them up between,
But aye she drank to Lamington,
Wha her true love had been.

XIV

He’s ta’en her by the milk-white hand,
And by the grass-green sleeve;
He’s mounted her high behind himsel’,
At her kin he’s spier’d[542] nae leave.

XV

There were four-and-twenty bonny boys
A’ clad in the Johnstone grey,
They swore they would tak’ the bride again
By the strong hand, if they may.

XVI

It’s up, it’s up the Cowden bank,
It’s down the Cowden brae;
The bride she gar’d the trumpet sound
‘It is a weel-won play!’

XVII

The blude ran down by Cowden bank
And down by Cowden brae,
But aye she gar’d the trumpet sound
‘It’s a’ fair play!’

XVIII

‘My blessing on your heart, sweet thing!
Wae to your wilfu’ will!
Sae mony a gallant gentleman’s blood
This day as ye’ve gar’d spill.’

XIX

But a’ you lords of fair England,
If you be English born,
Come never to Scotland to seek a wife
Or else ye’ll get the scorn.

XX

They’ll haik ye up[543], and settle ye by[544],
Until your weddin’-day;
Then gie ye frogs instead o’ fish,
And do ye foul, foul play.

FOOTNOTES:

[539] weel-far’d = well-favoured.

[540] lave = rest.

[541] fere = mate.

[542] spier’d = asked.

[543] haik ye up = hold you in suspense.

[544] settle ye by = keep you waiting aside.

_89. Johnie Armstrong_

I

Sum speiks of lords, sum speiks of lairds,
And sick lyke men of hie degrie;
Of a gentleman I sing a sang,
Sum tyme called Laird of Gilnockie.

II

The King he wrytes a luving letter,
With his ain hand sae tenderly,
And he hath sent it to Johnie Armstrang,
To cum and speik with him speedily.

III

The Eliots and Armstrangs did convene;
They were a gallant cumpanie--
‘We’ll ride and meit our lawful King,
And bring him safe to Gilnockie.’

IV

‘Make kinnen[545] and capon ready, then,
And venison in great plentie;
We’ll wellcum here our royal King;
I hope he’ll dine at Gilnockie!’--

V

They ran their horse on the Langholme howm,
And brak their spears wi’ mickle main;
The ladies lukit frae their loft windows--
‘God bring our men weel hame agen!’

VI

When Johnie cam’ before the King,
Wi’ a’ his men sae brave to see,
The King he movit his bonnet to him;
He ween’d he was King as weel as he.

VII

‘May I find grace, my sovereign liege,
Grace for my loyal men and me?
For my name it is Johnie Armstrang,
And a subject of yours, my liege,’ said he.

VIII

‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
I grantit never a traitor’s life,
And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee.’--

IX

‘Grant me my life, my liege, my King!
And a bonny gift I’ll gie to thee:
Full four-and-twenty milk-white steids,
Were a’ foal’d in ae yeir to me.

X

‘I’ll gie thee a’ these milk-white steids,
That prance and nicker[546] at a speir;
And as mickle gude Inglish gilt[547],
As four o’ their braid backs dow[548] bear.’--

XI

‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
I grantit never a traitor’s life,
And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee!’--

XII

‘Grant me my life, my liege, my King!
And a bonny gift I’ll gie to thee:
Gude four-and-twenty ganging[549] mills,
That gang thro’ a’ the yeir to me.

XIII

‘These four-and-twenty mills complete
Sall gang for thee thro’ a’ the yeir;
And as mickle of gude reid wheit,
As a’ thair happers[550] dow to bear.’--

XIV

‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
I grantit never a traitor’s life,
And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee.’--

XV

‘Grant me my life, my liege, my King!
And a great great gift I’ll gie to thee:
Bauld four-and-twenty sisters’ sons,
Sall for thee fetch, tho’ a’ should flee!’--

XVI

‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
I grantit never a traitor’s life,
And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee.’--

XVII

‘Grant me my life, my liege, my King!
And a brave gift I’ll gie to thee:
All between heir and Newcastle town
Sall pay their yeirly rent to thee.’--

XVIII

‘Away, away, thou traitor strang!
Out o’ my sight soon mayst thou be!
I grantit never a traitor’s life,
And now I’ll not begin wi’ thee.’--

XIX

‘Ye lied, ye lied, now, King,’ he says,
‘Altho’ a King and Prince ye be!
For I’ve luved naething in my life,
I weel dare say it, but honesty:

XX

‘Save a fat horse, and a fair woman,
Twa bonny dogs to kill a deir;
But England suld have found me meal and mault,
Gif I had lived this hundred yeir!

XXI

‘She suld have found me meal and mault,
And beef and mutton in a’ plentie;
But never a Scots wyfe could have said
That e’er I skaith’d[551] her a puir flee.

XXII

‘To seik het water beneith cauld ice,
Surely it is a greit folie--
I have asked grace at a graceless face,
But there is nane for my men and me!

XXIII