As he went from the well-fared maid,
A beggar bold I wat met he,
Was cover'd wi' a clouted cloak,
And in his hand a trusty tree.30
"What news, what news, ye silly auld man?
What news hae ye this day to gie?"
"No news, no news, ye belted knight,
No news hae I this day to thee,
But fifteen lords in the hostage house35
Waiting Wallace for to see."
"Ye'll lend me your clouted cloak,
That covers you frae head to shie,
And I'll go to the hostage house,
Asking there for some supplie."40
Now he's gone to the West-muir wood,
And there he's pull'd a trusty tree;
And then he's on to the hostage gone,
Asking there for charitie.
Down the stair the captain comes,45
Aye the poor man for to see:
"If ye be a captain as good as ye look,
Ye'll give a poor man some supplie;
If ye be a captain as good as ye look,
A guinea this day ye'll gie to me."50
"Where were ye born, ye crooked carle?
Where were ye born, in what countrie?"
"In fair Scotland I was born,
Crooked carle that I be."
"I would give you fifty pounds,55
Of gold and white monie,
I would give you fifty pounds,
If the traitor Wallace ye'd let me see."
"Tell down your money," said Willie Wallace,
"Tell down your money, if it be good;60
I'm sure I have it in my power,
And never had a better bode.