King Easter has courted her for her lands,
King Wester for her fee;
King Honour for her comely face,
And for her fair bodie.
They had not been four months married,
As I have heard them tell,
Until the nobles of the land
Against them did rebel.
And they cast kevils[1] them amang,
And kevils them between;
And they cast kevils them amang,
Wha suld gae kill the king.
O some said yea, and some said nay,
Their words did not agree;
Till up and got him, Fause Foodrage,
And swore it suld be he.
When bells were rung, and mass was sung,
And a' men bound to bed,
King Honour and his gaye ladye
In a hie chamber were laid.
Then up and raise him, Fause Foodrage,
When a' were fast asleep,
And slew the porter in his lodge,
That watch and ward did keep.
O four and twenty silver keys
Hang hie upon a pin;
And aye, as ae door he did unlock,
He has fastened it him behind.
Then up and raise him, King Honour,
Says—"What means a' this din?
"Or what's the matter, Fause Foodrage,
"Or wha has loot you in?"
"O ye my errand weel sall learn,
"Before that I depart."
Then drew a knife, baith lang and sharp,
And pierced him to the heart.