‘And, by my troth,’ James Murray said,
‘Wi’ that Outlaw will I live and dee;
The King has gifted my lands lang syne—
It cannot be nae warse wi’ me.’
XLV
The King was comand thro’ Cadden Ford,
And full five thousand men was he;
They saw the dark forest them before,
They thought it awsome for to see.
XLVI
Then spak’ the Earl hight Hamilton,
And to the noble King said he,
‘My sovereign prince, some counsel tak’,
First at your nobles, syne at me.
XLVII
‘Desire him meet thee at Permanscore,
And bring four in his companie;
Five earls sall gang yoursell before,
Gude cause that you suld honour’d be.
XLVIII
‘And, gif he refuses to do that,
With fire and sword we’ll follow thee;
There sall never a Murray, after him,
Hold land in Ettrick Forest free.’