As he went from the well-fared maid, A beggar bold I wat met he, Was cover'd wi' a clouted cloak, And in his hand a trusty tree. 30 "What news, what news, ye silly auld man? What news hae ye this day to gie?" "No news, no news, ye belted knight, No news hae I this day to thee, But fifteen lords in the hostage house 35 Waiting Wallace for to see." "Ye'll lend me your clouted cloak, That covers you frae head to shie, And I'll go to the hostage house, Asking there for some supplie." 40 Now he's gone to the West-muir wood, And there he's pull'd a trusty tree; And then he's on to the hostage gone, Asking there for charitie. Down the stair the captain comes, 45 Aye the poor man for to see: "If ye be a captain as good as ye look, Ye'll give a poor man some supplie; If ye be a captain as good as ye look, A guinea this day ye'll gie to me." 50 "Where were ye born, ye crooked carle? Where were ye born, in what countrie?" "In fair Scotland I was born, Crooked carle that I be." "I would give you fifty pounds, 55 Of gold and white monie, I would give you fifty pounds, If the traitor Wallace ye'd let me see." "Tell down your money," said Willie Wallace, "Tell down your money, if it be good; 60 I'm sure I have it in my power, And never had a better bode. "Tell down your money, if it be good, And let me see if it be fine; I'm sure I have it in my power 65 To bring the traitor Wallace in." The money was told on the table, Silver bright of pounds fiftie: "Now here I stand," said Willie Wallace, "And what hae ye to say to me?" 70 He slew the captain where he stood, The rest they did quack an' roar; He slew the rest around the room, And ask'd if there were any more. "Come, cover the table," said Willie Wallace, 75 "Come, cover the table now, make haste; For it will soon be three lang days Sin I a bit o' meat did taste." The table was not well covered, Nor yet was he set down to dine, 80 Till fifteen more of the English lords Surrounded the house where he was in. The guidwife she ran but the floor, And aye the guidman he ran ben; From eight o'clock till four at noon 85 He had kill'd full thirty men. He put the house in sic a swither That five o' them he sticket dead, Five o' them he drown'd in the river, And five hung in the West-muir wood. 90