The King then call’d a gentleman,
Royal banner-bearer there was he,
James Hope Pringle of Torsonse by name;
He cam’ and kneel’d upon his knee.
L
‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!
A message ye maun gae for me:
Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray,
Surely where boldly bideth he.
LI
‘Bid him meet me at Permanscore,
And bring four in his companie;
Five earls sall come mysell before,
Gude reason I suld honour’d be.
LII
‘And gif he refuses to do that,
Bid him look for nae good o’ me;
There sall never a Murray, after him,
Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’
LIII
James cam’ before the Outlaw keen,
And servèd him in his ain degree.—
‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse!
What message frae the King to me?’—