As he came down by Merriemass, And in by the benty line, There has he espied a deer lying Aneath a bush of ling. 20 Johnie he shot, and the dun deer lap, And he wounded her on the side; But atween the water and the brae, His hounds they laid her pride. And Johnie has bryttled the deer sae weel, 25 That he's had out her liver and lungs; And wi' these he has feasted his bluidy hounds, As if they had been earl's sons. They eat sae much o' the venison, And drank sae much o' the blude, 30 That Johnie and a' his bluidy hounds Fell asleep as they had been dead. And by there came a silly auld carle, An ill death mote he die! For he's awa' to Hislinton, 35 Where the Seven Foresters did lie. "What news, what news, ye gray-headed carle, What news bring ye to me?" "I bring nae news," said the gray-headed carle, "Save what these eyes did see. 40 "As I came down by Merriemass, And down among the scroggs, The bonniest childe that ever I saw Lay sleeping amang his dogs. "The shirt that was upon his back 45 Was o' the Holland fine; The doublet which was over that Was o' the Lincome twine. "The buttons that were on his sleeve Were o' the goud sae gude: 50 The gude graie hounds he lay amang, Their mouths were dyed wi' blude." Then out and spak the First Forester, The heid man ower them a'-- "If this be Johnie o' Breadislee, 55 Nae nearer will we draw." But up and spak the Sixth Forester, (His sister's son was he,) "If this be Johnie o' Breadislee, We soon shall gar him die!" 60 The first flight of arrows the Foresters shot, They wounded him on the knee; And out and spak the Seventh Forester, "The next will gar him die." Johnie's set his back against an aik, 65 His fute against a stane; And he has slain the Seven Foresters, He has slain them a' but ane. He has broke three ribs in that ane's side, But and his collar bane; 70 He's laid him twa-fald ower his steed, Bade him carry the tidings hame. "O is there nae a bonnie bird Can sing as I can say, Could flee away to my mother's bower, 75 And tell to fetch Johnie away?" The starling flew to his mother's window stane, It whistled and it sang; And aye the ower word o' the tune Was--"Johnie tarries lang!" 80