But God forbid King Edward said
That ever thou should try
Three worthy leaders we hae lost,
And you the fourth shall be.
If thou wert hung owr yon drawbrigg
Blythe wad I never be
But wi’ the pole-axe in his hand,
Outower the bridge sprang he
The first stroke that young Edward gae
He struck wi might and main
He clove the Maitlen’s helmet stout,
And near had pierced his brain.
When Matlen saw his ain blood fa,
An angry man was he
He let his weapon frae him fa’
And at his neck did flee
And thrice about he did him swing,
Till on the ground he light
Where he has halden young Edward
Tho’ he was great in might
Now let him up, King Edward cry’d,
And let him come to me
And for the deed that ye hae done
Ye shal hae earldoms three
It’s ne’er be said in France nor Ire
In Scotland when I’m hame
That Edward once was under me,
And yet wan up again
He stabb’d him thro and thro the hear
He maul’d him cruelly
Then hung him ower the drawbridge
Beside the other three
Now take from me that feather bed
Make me a bed o’ strae
I wish I neer had seen this day
To mak my heart fu’ wae
If I were once at London Tower,
Where I was wont to be
I never mair should gang frae hame,
Till borne on a bier-tree