For never sith ye were on your mothers born

Had ye never so mickle need."

brittling, cutting up. ware, aware. meany, company. bille, battle-axe. sith, since.

The doughty Douglas on a steed

He rode all his men beforne;

His armour glittered as did a glede;

A bolder bairn was never born.

"Tell me whose men ye are," he says,

"Or whose men that ye be:

Who gave you leave to hunt in this Cheviot chase,