Then spak the kene laird of Buckscleuth,
A stalworthye man, and sterne was he—
"For a king to gang an Outlaw till,
Is beneath his state and his dignitie.
"The man that wons yon Foreste intill,
He lives by reif and felonie!
Wherefore, brayd on, my sovereign liege!
Wi' fire and sword we'll follow thee;
Or, gif your courtrie lords fa' back,
Our borderers sall the onset gie."