‘I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men,
And surely mair, if mae may be;
And before he gets the forest fair,
We a’ will die on Newark Lee!’
XL
The Outlaw call’d a messenger,
And bid him hie him speedilye
To Andrew Murray of Cockpool:
‘That man’s a dear cousin to me;
Desire him come and mak’ me aid
With a’ the power that he may be.’
XLI
‘It stands me hard,’ Andrew Murray said,
‘Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me;
To enter against a king wi’ crown,
And set my lands in jeopardie!
Yet, if I come not on the day,
Surely at night he sall me see.’
XLII
To Sir James Murray of Traquair,
A message came right speedilie:
‘What news? what news?’ James Murray said,
‘Man, frae thy master unto me?’—
XLIII
‘What needs I tell? for weel ye ken
The King’s his mortal enemie;
And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest,
And landless men ye a’ will be.’