“What news? what news?” said Halliday,

“Man, frae thy master unto me?”

“Not as ye would, seeking your aid;

The King’s his mortal enemie.”

“Ay, by my troth!” said Halliday,

“Even for that it repenteth me;

For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest,

He’ll tak’ fair Moffatdale frae me.

“I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men,

And surely mair, if mae may be;