Then by the twinkling of an e'e45
He spied an armed knight;
A fair lady bearing his brand,
Wi' torches burning bright.
Then he cried high, as he came nigh,
"Coward, thief, I bid you flee!50
There is not ane comes to this hill,
But must engage wi' me.
"Ye'll best take road before I come,
And best take foot and flee;
Here is a sword baith sharp and broad,55
Will quarter you in three."
Sir Colvin said, "I'm not afraid
Of any here I see;
You hae not ta'en your God before;
Less dread hae I o' thee."60
Sir Colvin then he drew his sword,
His foe he drew his brand;
And they fought there on Elrick's hill
Till they were bluidy men.
The first an' stroke the knight he strake,65
Gae Colvin a slight wound;
The next an' stroke Lord Colvin strake,
Brought's foe unto the ground.
"I yield, I yield," the knight he said,
"I fairly yield to thee;70
Nae ane came e'er to Elrick-hill
E'er gain'd such victorie.
"I and my forbears here did haunt
Three hundred years and more;
I'm safe to swear a solemn oath,75
We were never beat before."
"An asking," said the lady gay,
"An asking ye'll grant me:"
"Ask on, ask on," said Sir Colvin,
"What may your asking be?"80