Up then rose the kemperye men, And loud they gan to crye: ‘Ah! traytors, yee have slayne our kyng, And therefore yee shall dye.’ LXVII Kyng Estmere threwe the harpe asyde, And swith[304] he drew his brand, And Estmere he and Adler Yonge Right stiffe in stour[305] can stand. LXVIII And aye their swordes soe sore can byte, Throughe help of gramarye, That soone they have slayne the kempery men, Or forst them forth to flee. LXIX Kyng Estmere tooke that fayre ladye, And marryed her to his wiffe, And brought her home to merry England, With her to lead his life. FOOTNOTES: [291] renisht = _perhaps for_ ‘revisht’, dressed, arrayed. [292] weeds = garments. [293] rearing = leaning. [294] nickèd = refused. [295] pall = fine cloth. [296] kempès = fighting-men. [297] blanne = halted. [298] My reade shall ryse = my counsel shall arise, or spring, from thee. [299] yate = gate. [300] lither = naughty. [301] neigh = come nigh, approach. [302] till = entice. [303] fitt = strain of music. [304] swith = swiftly. [305] stour = press of fighting. _42. Fair Annie_ I ‘It’s narrow, narrow, mak your bed, And learn to lie your lane; For I’m gaun owre the sea, Fair Annie, A braw Bride to bring hame. Wi’ her I will get gowd and gear, Wi’ you I ne’er gat nane. II ‘But wha will bake my bridal bread, Or brew my bridal ale? And wha will become my bright Bride, That I bring owre the dale?’-- III ‘It’s I will bake your bridal bread, And brew your bridal ale; And I will welcome your bright Bride, That you bring owre the dale.’-- IV ‘But she that welcomes my bright Bride Maun gang like maiden fair; She maun lace on her robe sae jimp[306], And comely braid her hair. V ‘Bind up, bind up your yellow hair, And tie it on your neck; And see you look as maiden-like As the day that first we met.’-- VI ‘O how can I gang maiden-like, When maiden I am nane? Have I not borne six sons to thee, And am wi’ child again?’-- VII ‘I’ll put cooks into my kitchen, And stewards in my hall, And I’ll have bakers for my bread, And brewers for my ale; But you’re to welcome my bright Bride, That I bring owre the dale.’ VIII Three months and a day were gane and past, Fair Annie she gat word That her love’s ship was come at last, Wi’ his bright young Bride aboard. IX She’s ta’en her young son in her arms, Anither in her hand; And she’s gane up to the highest tower, Looks over sea and land. X ‘Come doun, come doun, my mother dear, Come aff the castle wa’! I fear if langer ye stand there, Ye’ll let yoursell doun fa’.’ XI