Till that he found a little door,
And therein slipp’d the key;
And there he found three chests in fere[507]
Of the red and the white monie.
XXV
Back then through the nobles a’
He went and did not blin,
Until he cam’ where John o’ the Scales
Was seated [at the wine].
XXVI
Then out and spake it John o’ Scales,
He spake wi’ mock and jeer:
‘I’d gie a seat to the Lord o’ Linne
If sae be that he were here.
XXVII
‘When the lands o’ Linne a-selling were
A’ men said they were free;
I will sell them twenty pound better cheap
Nor ever I bought of thee.’—
XXVIII
‘I tak’ ye to witness, nobles a’!’
—He cast him a God’s pennye[508]—
‘I will buy them twenty pound better cheap
Nor ever he bought of me.’