Betuixt Dunother and Aberdein,
I rais and tuik the way,
Beleiuing weill it had not beine
Nought halff ane hour to day.
The lift was clad with cloudis gray,5
And owermaskit was the moone,
Quhilk me deceaued whair I lay,
And maid me ryss ouer soone.
On Towie Mounth I mett a man,
Weill grathed in his gear:10
Quoth I, "Quhat neues?" then he begane
To tell a fitt of warre.
[Quoth he, "Of lait I heir,]
Ane bloodie broust there was brouine,
Zesterday, withouten moir,15
Upone ane hill at Strathdoune."
Then I, as any man wold be,25
Desyrous for to know
Mair of that taill he told to me,
The quhilk he said he sawe—
Be then the day began to daw,
And back with him I red;30
Then he began the soothe to schaw,
And on this wayis he said.
Macallenmore cam from the wast
With many a bow and brand;
To wast the Rinnes he thought best,35
The Earll of Huntlies [land].
He swore that none should him gainestand,
Except that he war fay;
Bot all sould be at his comand
That dwelt be northen Tay.40
Then Huntlie, for to prevent that perrill,
Directit hastilie
Unto the noble Erll of Erroll,
Besought him for supplie.
Quha said, "It is my deutie45
For to giue Huntlie support;
For if he lossis Strabolgie,
My Slaines will be ill hurt.
"Thairfoir I hald the subject vaine,
Wold rave us of our right;50
First sall one of us be slaine,
The uther tak the flight.
Suppose Argyll be muche of might,
Be force of Heigheland men;
We's be a motte into his sight,55
Or he pas hame againe.
"Be blaithe, my mirrie men, be blaithe,
Argyll sall have the worse,
Give he into this countrie kaithe,
I houpe in Gods cross."60
Then leap this lord upon his horss,
Ane warrlyk troupe at Torray;
To meit with Huntlie and his force,
They ryde to Elgine of Murray.