"He'll loose yon bluidhound Borderers, 255 Wi' fire and sword to follow thee; There will nevir a Murray, after thysell, Have land in Ettrick Foreste free." "It stands me hard," the Outlaw said, "Judge gif it stands na hard wi' me, 260 Wha reck not losing of mysell, But a' my offspring after me. "My merryemen's lives, my widowe's teirs-- There lies the pang that pinches me; "When I am straught in bluidie eard, 265 Yon castell will be right dreirie. "Auld Halliday, young Halliday, Ye sall be twa to gang wi' me; Andrew Murray, and Sir James Murray, We'll be nae mae in cumpanie." 270 When that they cam before the King, They fell before him on their kn['e]-- "Grant mercie, mercie, nobil King! E'en for his sake that dyed on tree." "Sicken like mercie sall ye have, 275 On gallows ye sall hangit be!" "Over God's forbode," quoth the Outlaw then, "I hope your grace will bettir be; Else, ere you come to Edinburgh port, I trow thin guarded sall ye be. 280 "Thir landis of Ettricke Foreste fair, I wan them from the enemie; Like as I wan them, sae will I keep them, Contrair a' kingis in Christentie." All the nobilis the King about, 285 Said pitie it were to see him dee-- "Yet grant me mercie, sovereign prince, Extend your favour unto me! "I'll give thee the keys of my castell, Wi' the blessing o' my gay ladye, 290 Gin thou'lt make me sheriffe of this Foreste, And a' my offspring after me." "Wilt thou give me the keys of thy castell, Wi' the blessing of thy gaye ladye? I'se make thee sheriffe of Ettricke Foreste. 295 Surely while upward grows the tree; If you be not traitour to the King, Forfaulted sall thou nevir be." "But, Prince, what sall cum o' my men? When I gae back, traitour they'll ca' me. 300 I had rather lose my life and land, Ere my merryemen rebuked me." "Will your merryemen amend their lives, And a' their pardons I grant thee? Now, name thy landis where'er they lie, 305 And here I RENDER them to thee."-- "Fair Philiphaugh is mine by right, And Lewinshope still mine shall be; Newark, Foulshiells, and Tinnies baith, My bow and arrow purchased me. 310 "And I have native steads to me, The Newark Lee and Hanginshaw;[L312] I have mony steads in the forest schaw, But them by name I dinna knaw."