‘Fear ye na that,’ quo’ the Laird’s Jock;
‘A faint heart ne’er wan a fair ladie;
Work thou within, we’ll work without,
And I’ll be sworn we’ll set thee free.’
XXII
The first strong door that they cam at,
They loosèd it without a key;
The next chain’d door that they cam at,
They garr’d it a’ to flinders flee.
XXIII
The prisoner now upon his back
The Laird’s Jock has gotten up fu’ hie;
And, airns and a’, down the tolbooth[1192] stair,
Wi’ nae sma’ speed and joy brings he.
XXIV
‘Now, Jock, my man,’ quo’ Hobbie Noble,
‘Some o’ his weight ye may lay on me.’—
‘I wat weel no!’ quo’ the Laird’s ain Jock,
‘I count him lighter than a flee.’
XXV
Sae out at the gates they a’ are gane,
The prisoner’s set on horseback hie;
And now wi’ speed they’ve ta’en the gate,
While ilk ane jokes fu’ wantonlie: