[140. Archie of Cawfield]
I
As I was a-walking mine alane,
It was by the dawning of the day,
I heard twa brithers make their mane,
And I listen’d weel what they did say.
II
The youngest to the eldest said:
‘Blythe and merrie how can we be?
There were three brithren of us born,
And ane of us is condemn’d to die.’—
III
‘An ye wad be merrie, an ye wad be sad,
What the better wad billy[1206] Archie be?
Unless I had thirty men to mysell,
And a’ to ride in my companie.
IV
‘Ten to hald the horses’ heads,
And other ten the watch to be,
And ten to break up the strong prison
Where billy Archie he does lie.