‘“O fear not the priest, who sleepeth to the east! For to Dryburgh the way he has ta’en; And there to say mass, till three days do pass, For the soul of a knight that is slayne.”—
‘He turn’d him around, and grimly he frown’d; Then he laugh’d right scornfully— "He who says the mass-rite for the soul of that knight May as well say mass for me.
‘“At the lone midnight hour, when bad spirits have power, In thy chamber will I be.” With that he was gone, and my lady left alone, And no more did I see.’—
Then changed, I trow, was that bold Baron’s brow, From the dark to the blood-red high; ‘Now, tell me the mien of the knight thou hast seen, For, by Mary, he shall die!’
‘His arms shone full bright, in the beacon’s red light; His plume it was scarlet and blue; On his shield was a hound, in a silver leash bound, And his crest was a branch of the yew.’
‘Thou liest, thou liest, thou little foot-page, Loud dost thou lie to me! For that knight is cold, and low laid in the mould, All under the Eildon-tree.’
‘Yet hear but my word, my noble lord! For I heard her name his name; And that lady bright, she called the knight Sir Richard of Coldinghame.’
The bold Baron’s brow then changed, I trow, From high blood-red to pale— ‘The grave is deep and dark—and the corpse is stiff and stark— So I may not trust thy tale.
‘Where fair Tweed flows round holy Melrose, And Eildon slopes to the plain, Full three nights ago, by some secret foe, That gay gallant was slain.
‘The varying light deceived thy sight, And the wild winds drown’d the name; For the Dryburgh bells ring, and the white monks do sing, For Sir Richard of Coldinghame!’