Then word is gane the Outlaw till, In Ettrick Forest, where dwelleth he, That the King was coming to his countrie, To conquer baith his lands and he.
“I mak’ a vow,” the Outlaw said, “I mak’ a vow, and that trulie: Were there but three men to tak’ my part, Yon King’s coming full dear suld be!”
Then messengers he called forth, And bade them hie them speedilye: “Ane of ye gae to Halliday, The Laird of the Corehead is he.
“He certain is my sister’s son; Bid him come quick and succor me; The King comes on for Ettrick Forest, And landless men we a’ will be.”
“What news? what news?” said Halliday, “Man, frae thy master unto me?” “Not as ye would, seeking your aid; The King’s his mortal enemie.”
“Ay, by my troth!” said Halliday, “Even for that it repenteth me; For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest, He’ll tak’ fair Moffatdale frae me.
“I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men, And surely mair, if mae may be; And before he gets the forest fair, We a’ will die on Newark Lee!”
The Outlaw called a messenger, And bid him hie him speedilye To Andrew Murray of Cockpool: “That man’s a dear cousin to me; Desire him come and mak’ me aid With a’ the power that he may be.”
“It stands me hard,” Andrew Murray said, “Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me; To enter against a King wi’ crown, And set my lands in jeopardie! Yet, if I come not on the day, Surely at night he sall me see.”
To Sir James Murray of Traquair, A message came right speedilye: “What news? what news?” James Murray said, “Man, frae thy master unto me?”
“What needs I tell? for weel ye ken The King’s his mortal enemie; And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest, And landless men ye a’ will be.”
“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.”
The King was coming thro’ Caddon Ford, And full five thousand men was he; They saw the dark forest them before, They thought it awsome for to see.
Then spak’ the Lord hight Hamilton, And to the noble King said he, “My sovereign Liege, some counsel tak’, First at your nobles, syne at me.
“Desire him meet thee at Permanscore, And bring four in his companie; Five Earls sall gang yoursell before, Gude cause that you suld honoured be.