"[There's fifteen thousand armed men]
Encamped on yon lee;
Ye'll never be a bite to them,
For aught that I can see.40
"But halve your men in equal parts,
Your purpose to fulfill;
Let ae half keep the water side,
The rest gae round the hill.
"Your nether party fire must,45
Then beat a flying drum;
And then they'll think the day's their ain,
And frae the trench they'll come.
"Then, those that are behind them, maun
Gie shot, baith grit and sma';50
And so, between your armies twa,
Ye may make them to fa'."
"O were ye ever a soldier?"
Sir David Lesly said;
"O yes; I was at [Solway Flow],55
Where we were all betray'd.
"Again I was at curst Dunbar,
And was a pris'ner ta'en;
And many weary night and day
In prison I hae lien."60
"If ye will lead these men aright,
Rewarded shall ye be;
But, if that ye a traitor prove,
I'll hang thee on a tree."
"Sir, I will not a traitor prove;65
Montrose has plunder'd me;