"Sicken like mercie sall ye have,275
On gallows ye sall hangit be!"
"Over God's forbode," quoth the Outlaw then,
"I hope your grace will bettir be;
Else, ere you come to Edinburgh port,
I trow thin guarded sall ye be.280
"Thir landis of Ettricke Foreste fair,
I wan them from the enemie;
Like as I wan them, sae will I keep them,
Contrair a' kingis in Christentie."
All the nobilis the King about,285
Said pitie it were to see him dee—
"Yet grant me mercie, sovereign prince,
Extend your favour unto me!
"I'll give thee the keys of my castell,
Wi' the blessing o' my gay ladye,290
Gin thou'lt make me sheriffe of this Foreste,
And a' my offspring after me."
"Wilt thou give me the keys of thy castell,
Wi' the blessing of thy gaye ladye?
I'se make thee sheriffe of Ettricke Foreste.295
Surely while upward grows the tree;
If you be not traitour to the King,
Forfaulted sall thou nevir be."
"But, Prince, what sall cum o' my men?
When I gae back, traitour they'll ca' me.300
I had rather lose my life and land,
Ere my merryemen rebuked me."
"Will your merryemen amend their lives,
And a' their pardons I grant thee?
Now, name thy landis where'er they lie,305
And here I RENDER them to thee."—
"Fair Philiphaugh is mine by right,
And Lewinshope still mine shall be;
Newark, Foulshiells, and Tinnies baith,
My bow and arrow purchased me.310
"And I have native steads to me,
[The Newark Lee and Hanginshaw;]