When first we meet on the Border side."

Then shoulder high, with shout and cry,

We bore him down the ladder lang:

At every stride Red Rowan made,

I wot the Kinmont's airns play'd clang.

"O mony a time," quo' Kinmont Willy,

"I have ridden horse baith wild and wood;

But a rougher beast than Red Rowan

I ween my legs have ne'er bestrode.

(hente, caught. fley'd, frightened. starkest, strongest. airns, irons.)