Attempt > Volume 1 and Select writings

THE ATTEMPT
59
“ Lie doun, lie doun, tliou fause Southron,
Where better men hae lain,
And yield thee prisoner to this knight,
Or lie among the slain.”
The English to the Scottish knight
Has owned him vanquished man,
And they hae washed their bludy ban’s
In the stream that by them wan.
An’ side by side they’ve sat them doun,
In the house o’ gude Mark Sprott;
There wadna twa dear brithers then
Mair friendly been, I wot.
0 then outspak the Scottish knight,
“ Twa days nae food I’ve seen,
Or the bravest knight in a’ England
Eae match for Bruce had been.”
0 then outspak the English knight,
“ I did not think, I trow,
With the leader of the Scottish men
To answer blow for blow.”
An’ syne outspak Mark Sprott’s gudewife,
Wi’ muckle scorn spake she,
“ Leader o’ the Scottish men !
King is his degree.
An’ while this roof is owre your head,
Ye, Sir, shall hail him king,
Or in your comely English face
This scalding brose I’ll fling.”
Then smiling spak the gude De Bruce,
“ ’Twere pity great, I ween,
To spoil a comely face wi’ brose
Would feed a hungry king.
Then of thy stores draw forth, gude dame,
For this gude knight an’ me,
For baith o’ this thy tempting fare
Wad fain partakers be.”
Then answer made Mark Sprott’s gudewife,
“ Brave king, that mayna be,
Shame fa’ my hand gin it should feed
Our mortal enomie.
Were I a man, hemp to his ban’s,
Thrieve Castle for his hame,
Cauld bread and water for his food
Should serve this knight o’ fame.”
“ Fair fa’ thy true Scots heart, gude dame,
Fair fa’ thy loyaltie,
Now by my royal word, I swear,
Bewarded thou shalt be.
This bonny holm fu’ fertile is,
Yon hill is fair an’ green,
A goodly heritage ’twould make
For kindly Scot, I ween.
Of all round which thy feet can rin,
While I thy brose do pree,
Thou, by my kingly word, I vow,
Shalt be the fair ladie.
H