W. “Ná caus, bot for to make the Tene.”
I. “Thow suld noucht bere sà fare a Knyf.”
W. “Swà sayd the Preyst, that swywyd thi Wyf:
Swà lang he cald that Woman fayr,
Quhill that his Barne wes made thi Ayre.”
I. “Me-thynk thow drywys me to scorne.”
W. “Thi Dame wes swywyd or thow wes borne.”
B. viii. c. xiii. 28–38.
The similarity of Henry’s version is too apparent to be the effect of chance. After a little badinage, which does not appear in Wyntown, he says,
“Ma Sotheroune men to thaim assemblit ner.
Wallace as than was laith to mak a ster.
Ane maid a scrip, and tyt at his lang suorde:
‘Hald still thi hand,’ quod he, ‘and spek thi word.’
‘With thi lang suerd thow makis mekill bost.’
‘Tharoff,’ quod he, ‘thi deme maid litill cost.’
‘Quhat causs has thow to wer that gudlye greyne?—’
‘My maist causs is bot for to mak the teyne.’
‘Quhat suld a Scot do with sa fair a knyff?—’
‘Sa said the prest that last janglyt thi wyff;
‘That woman lang has tillit him so fair,
‘Quhill that his child, worthit to be thine ayr.’
‘Me think,’ quod he, ‘thow drywys me to scorn.’
‘Thi deme has beyne japyt or thow was born.’”
“Buke Sext,” 141–154.
The parties soon come to blows; and, in the conflict, Wallace cut off the hand of one of his opponents. Wyntown thus takes notice of the circumstance.