Whene'er they came within the yate,
They thrust their horse them frae,
And took three lang spears in their hands,135
Saying, "Here sall come nae mae!"
And they shot out, and they shot in,
Till it was fairly day;
When mony of the Englishmen
About the draw-brigg lay.140
Then they hae yoked carts and wains,
To ca' their dead away,
And shot auld dykes abune the lave,
In gutters where they lay.
The king, at his pavilion door,145
Was heard aloud to say,
"Last night, three o' the lads o' France
My standard stole away.
"Wi' a fause tale, disguised, they came,
And wi' a fauser trayne;150
And to regain my gaye standard,
These men were a' down slayne."
"It ill befits," the youngest said,
"A crowned king to lie;
But, or that I taste meat and drink,155
Reproved sall he be."
He went before King Edward straight,
And kneel'd low on his knee;
"I wad hae leave, my lord," he said,
"To speak a word wi' thee."160
The king he turn'd him round about,
And wistna what to say—
Quo' he, "Man, thou's hae leave to speak,
Though thou should speak a' day."
"Ye said that three young lads o' France165
Your standard stole away,
Wi' a fause tale, and a fauser trayne,
And mony men did slay.