The Outlaw call’d a messenger, And bid him hie him speedilye To Andrew Murray of Cockpool: ‘That man’s a dear cousin to me; Desire him come and mak’ me aid With a’ the power that he may be.’ XLI ‘It stands me hard,’ Andrew Murray said, ‘Judge gif it stand na hard wi’ me; To enter against a king wi’ crown, And set my lands in jeopardie! Yet, if I come not on the day, Surely at night he sall me see.’ XLII To Sir James Murray of Traquair, A message came right speedilie: ‘What news? what news?’ James Murray said, ‘Man, frae thy master unto me?’-- XLIII ‘What needs I tell? for weel ye ken The King’s his mortal enemie; And now he is coming to Ettrick Forest, And landless men ye a’ will be.’ XLIV ‘And, by my troth,’ James Murray said, ‘Wi’ that Outlaw will I live and dee; The King has gifted my lands lang syne-- It cannot be nae warse wi’ me.’ XLV The King was comand thro’ Cadden Ford, And full five thousand men was he; They saw the dark forest them before, They thought it awsome for to see. XLVI Then spak’ the Earl hight Hamilton, And to the noble King said he, ‘My sovereign prince, some counsel tak’, First at your nobles, syne at me. XLVII ‘Desire him meet thee at Permanscore, And bring four in his companie; Five earls sall gang yoursell before, Gude cause that you suld honour’d be. XLVIII ‘And, gif he refuses to do that, With fire and sword we’ll follow thee; There sall never a Murray, after him, Hold land in Ettrick Forest free.’ XLIX The King then call’d a gentleman, Royal banner-bearer there was he, James Hope Pringle of Torsonse by name; He cam’ and kneel’d upon his knee. L ‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse! A message ye maun gae for me: Ye maun gae to yon Outlaw Murray, Surely where boldly bideth he. LI ‘Bid him meet me at Permanscore, And bring four in his companie; Five earls sall come mysell before, Gude reason I suld honour’d be. LII ‘And gif he refuses to do that, Bid him look for nae good o’ me; There sall never a Murray, after him, Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’ LIII James cam’ before the Outlaw keen, And servèd him in his ain degree.-- ‘Welcome, James Pringle of Torsonse! What message frae the King to me?’-- LIV ‘He bids ye meet him at Permanscore, And bring four in your company; Five earls shall gang himsell before, Nae mair in number will he be. LV ‘And gif you refuse to do that, (I freely here upgive wi’ thee,) He’ll cast your bonny castle down, And mak’ a widow o’ your gay ladye. There will never a Murray, after thysell, Have land in Ettrick Forest free.’-- LVI