VIII
And Johnnie has brittled[1161] the deer sae well,
Had out her liver and lungs;
And wi’ these he has feasted his bluidy hounds
As if they had been Earl’s sons.
IX
They ate sae much o’ the venison,
And drank sae much o’ the blude,
That Johnnie and his gude gray hounds
Fell asleep by yonder wood.
X
By there came a silly auld carle,
An ill death mote he die!
And he’s awa’ to Hislinton,
Where the Seven Foresters did lie.
XI
‘What news, what news, ye gray-headed carle?
What news? come tell to me.’—
‘I bring nae news,’ said the gray-headed carle,
‘But what these eyes did see.
XII
‘High up in Braidislee, low down in Braidislee,
And under a buss o’ scroggs[1162],
The bonniest childe that ever I saw
Lay sleeping atween his dogs.