"Norse e'en like gray goss-hawk stared wild;"
a circumstance which led the Editor to make the strictest inquiry into the authenticity of the song. But every doubt was removed by the evidence of a lady of high rank, who not only recollected the ballad, as having amused her infancy, but could repeat many of the verses, particularly those beautiful stanzas from the 20th to the 25th. The Editor is, therefore, compelled to believe, that the author of _Hardyknute_ copied the old ballad, if the coincidence be not altogether accidental." SCOTT.
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, 5 As I have heard them tell, Until the nobles of the land Against them did rebel.
And they cast kevils them amang, And kevils them between; 10 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, 15 And swore it suld be he.
When bells were rung, and mass was sung, And a' men bound to bed, King Honour and his gay ladye In a high chamber were laid. 20
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 25 Hang hie upon a pin; And aye as ae door he did unlock, He has fasten'd it him behind.
Then up and raise him, King Honour, Says--"What means a' this din? 30 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, 35 And pierced him to the heart.
Then up and got the Queen hersell, And fell low down on her knee, "O spare my life, now, Fause Foodrage! For I never injured thee. 40
"O spare my life, now, Fause Foodrage! Until I lighter be! And see gin it be lad or lass, King Honour has left me wi'."--
"O gin it be a lass," he says, 45 "Weel nursed it sall be; But gin it be a lad bairn, He sall be hanged hie.
"I winna spare for his tender age, Nor yet for his hie, hie kin; 50 But soon as e'er he born is, He sall mount the gallows pin."--
O four-and-twenty valiant knights Were set the Queen to guard; And four stood aye at her bour door, 55 To keep both watch and ward.