"Likewise if I had thought I'd been
Sic a great fright to thee,
I'd brought Sir John o' Erskine park;
He's thretty feet and three."
"Wae to the little boy," said the King,165
"Brought tidings unto thee;
Let all England say what they will,
High hanged shall he be."
"O if ye hang the little wee boy
Brought tidings unto me,170
We shall attend his burial,
And rewarded ye shall be."
"O take the lady," said the king,
"And the boy shall be free:"
"A priest, a priest," then Johnny cried,175
"To join my love and me."
"A clerk, a clerk," the king replied,
"To seal her tocher wi' thee."
Out it speaks auld Johnny then,
These words pronounced he:180
"I wantnae lands and rents at hame,
I'll ask nae gowd frae thee;
I am possess'd o' riches great,
Hae fifty ploughs and three;
Likewise fa's heir to ane estate185
At the foot o' Benachie.
"Hae ye ony masons in this place,
Or ony at your call,
That ye may now send some of them,
To build your broken wall?"190
"Yes, there are masons in this place,
And plenty at my call;
But ye may gang frae whence ye came,
Never mind my broken wall."
They've ta'en the lady by the hand,195
And set her prison free;
Wi' drums beating, and fifes playing,
They spent the night wi' glee.