‘The shame speed the liars, my lord!’ quo’ Dickie;
‘Trow ye aye to make a fule o’ me?
I’ll either hae twenty punds for the gude horse,
Or he’s gae to Mortan Fair wi’ me.’
LIII
He’s gi’en him twenty punds for the gude horse,
A’ in the goud and gude monie;
He’s gi’en him ane o’ his best milk kye,
To maintain his wife and children three.
LIV
Then Dickie’s come down thro’ Carlisle toun,
E’en as fast as he could drie:
The first o’ men that he met wi’
Was my Lord’s brother, Bailiff Glozenburrie.
LV
‘Weil be ye met, my gude Ralph Scroope!’—
‘Welcome, my brother’s fule!’ quo’ he;
‘Where didst thou get Johnie Armstrang’s horse?’—
‘Where did I get him, but steal him,’ quo’ he.
LVI
‘But wilt thou sell me the bonny horse?
And, billie, wilt thou sell him to me?’ quo’ he.—
‘Ay; if thou’lt tell me the monie on my cloak lap:
For there’s never ae penny I’ll trust thee.’—