9 ‘Good tydings, father, I haue you brought, Goo[d tydings] I hope it is to thee; The booke is not in all S[c]ottlande But I can reade it before yo_u_r eye.’ 10 A ioyed man his father was, Euen the worthy Lo_rd_ of Learne: ‘Thou shalt goe into Ffrance, my child, The speeches of all strange lands to learne.’ 11 But then bespake the child his mother, The Lady of Learne and then was shee; Saies, Who must be his well good guide, When he goes into that strange country? 12 And then bespake that bonnie child, Vntill his father tenderlie; Saies, Father, I’le haue the hend steward, For he hath beene true to you and mee. 13 The lady to concell the steward did take, And counted downe a hundred pound there; Saies, Steward, be true to my sonne and my heire, And I will giue thee mickle mere. 14 ‘If I be not true to my m_aster_,’ he said, ‘Christ himselfe be not trew to mee! If I be not true to my lord and m_aster_, An ill death _tha_t I may die!’ 15 The Lo_rd_ of Learne did apparell his child W_i_th bruche, and ringe, and many a thinge; The apparrell he had his body vppon, Thé say was worth a squier’s liuinge. 16 The parting of the younge Lo_rd_ of Learne W_i_th his ffather, his mother, his ffellows deere, Wold haue made a manis hart for to change, If a Iew borne that he were. 17 The wind did serue, and thé did sayle Over the sea into Ffrance land; He vsed the child soe hardlie, He wold let him haue neuer a penny to spend. 18 And meate he wold let the child haue none, Nor mony to buy none, trulie; The boy was hungry and thirsty both; Alas! it was the more pitty. 19 He laid him downe to drinke the water _Tha_t was soe low beneathe the brime; He [that] was wont to haue drunke both ale and wine Then was faine of the water soe thinne. 20 And as he was drinking of the water _Tha_t ran soe low beneath the brime, Soe ready was the false steward To drowne the bonny boy therin. 21 ‘Haue mercy on me, worthy steward! My life,’ he said, ‘lend it to mee, And all _tha_t I am heire vpon,’ Saies, ‘I will giue vnto thee.’ 22 Mercy to him the steward did take, And pulld the child out of the brime; Euer alacke, the more pittye! He tooke his clothes euen from him. 23 Saies, Doe thou me of that veluett gowne, The crimson hose beneath thy knee, And doe me of thy cordiuant shoone, Are buckled w_i_th the gold soe free. 24 ‘Doe thou me off thy sattin doublett, Thy shirtband wrought w_i_th glistering gold, And doe mee off thy golden chaine, About thy necke soe many a fold.