Then they are on to the land o' France,65
Where auld King Edward lay,
Burning baith castle, tower, and town,
That he met in his way.
Until he came unto that town,
Which some call [Billop-Grace];70
There were Auld Maitland's sons, a' three,
Learning at school, alas!
The eldest to the youngest said,
"O see ye what I see?
[Gin a' be trew yon standard says,]75
We're fatherless a' three.
"For Scotland's conquer'd up and down;
Landmen we'll never be:
Now, will you go, my brethren two,
Then they hae saddled twa black horse,
Twa black horse and a gray;
And they are on to King Edward's host,
Before the dawn of day.
When they arrived before the host,85
They hover'd on the lay—
"Wilt thou lend me our king's standard,
To bear a little way?"
"Where wast thou bred? where wast thou born?
Where, or in what countrie?"90
"In north of England I was born:"
(It needed him to lie.)
"A knight me gat, a lady bore,
I am a squire of high renowne;
I well may bear't to any king,95
That ever yet wore crowne."
"He ne'er came of an Englishman,
Had sic an ee or bree;
But thou art the likest Auld Maitland,
That ever I did see.100