VII
‘O no, O no, when he speers[431] for me
Saying, “William, whar is John?”
Ye’ll say ye left me at Chester school
Leaving the school alone.’
VIII
He’s ta’en him up upo’ his back,
And borne him hence away,
And carried him to Chester kirk,
And laid him in the clay.
IX
But when he sat in his father’s chair,
He grew baith pale and wan:
‘O what blude’s that upon your brow?
And whar is your brither John?’—
X
‘O John’s awa’ to Chester school,
A scholar he’ll return;
He bade me tell his father dear
About him no’ to mourn.
XI
‘And it is the blude o’ my gude grey steed;
He wadna hunt for me.’—
‘O thy steed’s blude was ne’er so red,
Nor ne’er so dear to me!