The King was cuming thro' Caddon Ford,[L195] 195 And full five thousand men was he; They saw the derke Foreste them before, They thought it awsome for to see. Then spak the lord hight Hamilton, And to the nobil King said he, 200 "My sovereign liege, sum council tak, First at your nobilis, syne at me. "Desyre him mete thee at Permanscore, And bring four in his cumpanie; Five Erles sall gang yoursell befor, 205 Gude cause that you suld honour'd be. "And, gif he refuses to do that, We'll conquess baith his landis and he; There sall nevir a Murray, after him, Hald land in Ettricke Foreste free." 210 Then spak the kene Laird of Buckscleuth, A stalworthe man, and sterne was he-- "For a King to gang an Outlaw till, Is beneath his state and his dignitie. "The man that wons yon foreste intill, 215 He lives by reif and felonie! Wherefore, brayd on, my sovereign liege, Wi' fire and sword we'll follow thee; Or, gif your countrie lords fa' back, Our Borderers sall the onset gie." 220 Then out and spak the nobil King, And round him cast a wilie ee-- "Now, had thy tongue, Sir Walter Scott, Nor speak of reif nor felonie: For had every honest man his awin kye, 225 A right puir clan thy name wad be!" The King then call'd a gentleman, Royal banner-bearer there was he, James Hoppringle of Torsonse, by name; He cam and knelit upon his kn['e]. 230 "Wellcum, James Pringle of Torsonse! A message ye maun gang for me: Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray, Surely where bauldly bideth he. "Bid him mete me at Permanscore, 235 And bring four in his cumpanie; Five erles sall cum wi' mysell, Gude reason I suld honour'd be. "And gif he refuses to do that, Bid him luke for nae good o' me! 240 There sall nevir a Murray, after him, Have land in Ettricke Foreste free." James cam before the Outlaw kene, And served him in his ain degr['e]-- "Welcum, James Pringle of Torsonse! 245 What message frae the King to me?" "He bids ye meet him at Permanscore,[L247] And bring four in your cumpany; Five erles sall gang himsell befor, Nae mair in number will he be. 250 "And gif you refuse to do that, (I freely here upgive wi' thee,) He'll cast yon bonny castle down, And make a widowe o' that gay ladye.