40. ‘Aye, by my troth,’ quoth Halliday, ‘Even for that it repenteth me; For gif he lose fair Ettrick Forest, He’ll tak fair Moffatdale frae me. 41. ‘I’ll meet him wi’ five hundred men, And surely mae, if mae may be.’ The Outlaw call’d a messenger, And bid him hie him speedily. 42. ‘To Andrew Murray of Cockpool, That man’s a dear cousin to me; Desire him come, and make me aid, With all the power that he may be. 43. ‘The king has vow’d to cast my castle down, And mak a widow of my gay ladye; He’ll hang my merry men pair by pair In ony place where he may them see.’ 44. ‘It stands me hard,’ quoth Andrew Murray, ‘Judge if it stands not hard with me; To enter against a king with crown, And put my lands in jeopardie! 45. ‘Yet gif I come not on the day, Surely at night he sall me see.’ To Sir James Murray, laird of Traquair, A message came right speedilie. 46. ‘What news, what news?’ James Murray said, ‘Man, frae thy master unto me?’ ‘What need I tell? for wel ye ken The king’s his mortal enemie. 47. ‘He desires ye’ll come and make him aid, With all the powers that ye may be.’ ‘And, by my troth,’ James Murray said, ‘With that Outlaw will I live and die; 48. ‘The king has gifted my lands lang syne, It can not be nae war with me.’ ... ... ... ... ... ... 49. The king was coming thro’ Caddon Ford, And fifteen thousand men was he; They saw the forest them before, They thought it awsome for to see. 50. Then spak the earl hight Hamilton, And to the noble king said he, ‘My sovereign prince, some counsel take, First at your nobles, syne at me. 51. ‘Desire him meet thee at Penman’s Core, And bring four in his companie; Five earls sall gang yoursell before, Gude cause that you suld honour’d be. 52. ‘And, if he refuses to do that, Wi’ fire and sword we’ll follow thee; There sall never a Murray, after him, Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’ 53. The king then call’d a gentleman, Royal banner-bearer then was he; James Hope Pringle of Torsonse, by name: He came and knelit upon his knee. 54. ‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse! Ye maun a message gae for me; Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray, Surely where bauldly bideth he. 55. ‘Bid him meet me at Penman’s Core, And bring four of his companie; Five earls sall come wi’ mysel, Gude reason I suld honour’d be. 56. ‘And if he refuses to do that, Bid him look for nae good o’ me; There sall never a Murray after him Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’ 57. James came before the Outlaw keen, And served him in his ain degree; ‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse! What tidings frae the king to me?’ 58. ‘He bids you meet him at Penman’s Core, And bring four of your companie; Five earls will come with the king, Mae mair in number will he be.