So they ran out their horses on Langholm Down, and broke their spears, and the ladies, looking from their high windows, cried "God send our men safe home again." When Johnie came before the King with all his brave fellows, the King took off his bonnet to him as to an equal. "My name is Johnie Armstrong," said the freebooter, "your subject, my liege; let me find grace for my loyal men and me." But the King cried, "Away with thee, thou traitor, out of my sight! Never have I granted a traitor’s life, nor will I now begin with thee!" "Grant me my life, my King, and I will give thee a bonnie gift—four-and-twenty milk-white steeds, newly foaled—I’ll give thee four-and-twenty milk-white steeds that prance and neigh at a spear, and as much English gold as four of their broad backs are able to bear." "Away with thee, thou traitor, out of my sight! Never have I granted a traitor’s life, nor will I now begin with thee!" "Grant me my life, my King, and I will give thee a bonnie gift—four-and-twenty mills that are working all the year round for me—four-and-twenty mills that shall go for thee all the year round, and as much good red wheat as all their happers are able to bear." "Away with thee, thou traitor, out of my sight! Never have I granted a traitor’s life, nor will I now begin with thee!" "Grant me my life, my King, and I will give thee a great gift—four-and-twenty sisters’ sons shall fight for thee though all should flee." "Away with thee, thou traitor, out of my sight! Never have I granted a traitor’s life, nor will I now begin with thee!" "Grant me my life, my King, and I will give thee a brave gift. All between here and Newcastle town shall pay thee yearly rent." "Away with thee, thou traitor, out of my sight! Never have I granted a traitor’s life, nor will I now begin with thee!" "Ye lie, calling me traitor; ye lie now, King, although ye be King and Prince. Well dare I say it, that all my life I have loved naught but honesty, a fleet horse, a fair woman, and two bonny dogs to kill a deer; yet had I lived for another hundred years, England should have still found me meal and malt and plenty of beef and mutton. Never would a Scot’s wife have been able to say that I robbed her of aught. But surely it is great folly to seek for hot water beneath cold ice. I have asked grace of a graceless King, but there is none for me and my men. But had I known before I came how unkind thou wouldst prove to me, I would have kept the Borderside in spite of thee and thy nobles. How glad would be England’s King if he but knew that I was taken, for once I slew his sister’s son and broke a tree over his breastbone." Now Johnie had a girdle round his waist embroidered and spangled with burning gold, very beautiful to look upon, and from his hat hung down nine tassels, each worth three hundred pounds. "What wants that knave that a King should have, but the sword of honour and the crown?" cried the King.