XII
They hadna wauk’d in the bonnie green-wood
Na no an hour but barely ane,
Till up start fifteen o’ the bravest outlaws
That ever bare either blood or bane.
XIII
Then up bespake the foremost knight,—
An’ O but he spake angrilỳ:
Says, ‘Yield to me thy ladye bright,
This night shall wauk the woods wi’ me.’—
XIV
‘I like her weel, my ladye bright,
And O my life but it lies me near!
But before I lose my ladye bright
I’ll rather lose my life sae dear.’
XV
But up an’ spake the second knight—
I wat he spake right boustruslie—
Says, ‘Baith your life an’ your ladye bright
This night shall wauk the woods wi’ me.’—
XVI
‘My ladye is my warldis meed[277]:
My life I winna yield to nane;
But if ye be men of your manheid,
Ye’ll only fight me ane by ane.—