"But what gard thou steal the Laird's Jock's horse?185
And, limmer, what gard thou steal him?" quo' he;
"For lang might thou in Cumberland dwelt,
[Ere the Laird's Jock had stawn frae thee."]
"Indeed I wat ye lied, my lord!
And e'en sae loud as I hear ye lie!190
I wan him frae his man, fair Johnie Armstrong,
Hand for hand, on Cannobie lee.
"There's the jack was on his back,
This twa-handed sword that hang laigh by his thigh,
And there's the steel cap was on his head;195
I hae a' these takens to let thee see."
"If that be true thou to me tells,
(I trow thou dare na tell a lie,)
I'll gi' thee twenty punds for the good horse,
Weil tel'd in thy cloak lap shall be.200
"And I'll gi' thee ane o' my best milk-ky,
To maintain thy wife and children three;
And that may be as good, I think,
As ony twa o' thine might be."
"The shame speed the liers, my lord!" quo' Dickie;205
"Trow ye aye to make a fool o' me?
I'll either hae thirty punds for the good horse,
Or he's gae t' Mortan fair wi' me."
He's gi'en him thirty punds for the good horse,
All in goud and good monie;210
He has gi'en him ane o' his best milk-ky,
To maintain his wife and children three.
Then Dickie's came down through Carlisle town,
E'en as fast as he might drie:
The first o' men that he met with,215
Was my Lord's brother, Bayliff Glozenburrie.