Then up and bespake the good Laird's Jock, The best falla in a' the companie; "Sit thy ways down a little while, Dickie, And a piece o' thy ain cow's hough I'll gi' thee." But Dickie's heart it grew sae great, 85 That ne'er a bit o't he dought to eat; Then Dickie was ware o' an auld peat-house, Where a' the night he thought for to sleep. Then Dickie was ware o' an auld peat-house, Where a' the night he thought for to ly; 90 And a' the prayers the poor fool pray'd, "I wish I had amense for my ain three ky!" Then it was the use of Pudding-burn, And the house of Mangerton, all haill,[L94] These that cam na at the first ca', 95 They got nae mair meat t' the neist meal. The lads, that hungry and weary were, Aboon the door-head they hang the key; Dickie he took good notice to that, Says--"There's a bootie yonder for me." 100 Then Dickie into the stable is gane, Where there stood thirty horses and three; He has tied them a' wi' St. Mary's knot,[L103] A' these horses but barely three. He has tied them a' wi' St. Mary's knot, 105 A' these horses but barely three; He's loupen on ane, tane anither in hand, And out at the door and gane is Dickie. Then on the morn, whan the day grew light, The shouts and cries rose loud and hie-- 110 "O where's that thief?" quo' the good Laird's Jock, "Tell me the truth and the veritie!" "O where's that thief?" quo' the good Laird's Jock; "See unto me ye dinna lie!"-- "Dickie's been i' the stable last night, 115 And has my brother's horse and mine frae me." "Ye wad ne'er be tall'd," quo' the good Laird's Jock; "Have ye not found my tales fu' leel? Ye wad ne'er out o' England bide, Till crooked, and blind, and a' wad steal." 120 "But lend me thy bay," Johnie Armstrong can say; "There's nae horse loose in the stable but he; And I'll either bring Dick o' the Cow again, Or the day is come that he shall die." "To lend thee my bay!" the Laird's Jock can say, 125 "He's worth baith goud and good monie: Dick o' the Cow has away twa horse: I wish na thou may make him three." He's tane the laird's jack on his back, A twa-handed sword that hang by his thigh; 130 He's tane the steel cap on his head, And on is he gane to follow Dickie. Then Dickie was na a mile aff the town, I wat a mile but barely three, Till he's o'ertane by Johnie Armstrong, 135 Hand for hand, on Cannobie lee.[L136]