"There's some will ca' me Parcy Reed,
And speak my praise in tower and town;140
It's little matter what they do now,
My life-blood rudds the heather brown.
"There's some will ca' me Parcy Reed,
And a' my virtues say and sing;
I would much rather have just now145
A draught o' water frae the spring!"
The herd flung aff his clouted shoon,
And to the nearest fountain ran;
He made his bonnet serve a cup,
And wan the blessing o' the dying man.150
"Now, honest herd, ye maun do mair,—
Ye maun do mair as I ye tell;
Ye maun bear tidings to Troughend,
And bear likewise my last farewell.
"A farewell to my wedded wife,155
A farewell to my brother John,
Wha sits into the Troughend tower,
Wi' heart as black as any stone.
"A farewell to my daughter Jean,
A farewell to my young sons five;160
Had they been at their father's hand,
I had this night been man alive.
"A farewell to my followers a',
And a' my neighbours gude at need;
Bid them think how the treacherous Ha's165
Betrayed the life o' Parcy Reed.
"The laird o' Clennel bears my bow,
The laird o' Brandon bears my brand;
Whene'er they ride i' the border side,
They'll mind the fate o' the laird Troughend."170