“It ill befits,” the youngest said,
  “A crowned king to lie;
  “But, or that I taste meat and drink,
  “Reproved sall he be.”

  He went before King Edward strait,
  And kneel’d low on his knee;
  “I wad hae leave, my lord,” he said,
  “To speak a word wi’ thee.”

  The king he turned him round about,
  And wistna what to say—­
  Quo’ he, “Man, thou’s hae leave to speak,
  Tho’ thou should speak a’ day.”

  “Ye said, that three young lads o’ France
  “Your standard stole away,
  “Wi’ a fause tale, and fauser trayne,
  “And mony men did slay: 

  “But we are nane the lads o’ France,
  “Nor e’er pretend to be;
  “We are three lads o’ fair Scotland,
  “Auld Maitland’s sons are we;

  “Nor is there men, in a’ your host,
  “Daur fight us, three to three.” 
  “Now, by my sooth,” young Edward said,
  “Weel fitted ye sall be!

  “Piercy sall wi’ the eldest fight,
  “And Ethert Lunn wi’ thee;
  “William of Lancaster the third,
  “And bring your fourth to me!”

“Remember, Piercy, aft the Scot[93] “Has cow’rd beneath thy hand:  “For every drap of Maitland blood, “I’ll gie a rigg of land.”

  He clanked Piercy ower the head,
  A deep wound and a sair,
  Till the best blood o’ his bodie
  Cam rinning down his hair.

  “Now, I’ve slayne ane; slay ye the twa;
  “And that’s gude companye;
  “And if the twa suld slay you baith,
  “Ye’se get na help frae me.”

  But Ethert Lunn, a baited bear,
  Had many battles seen;
  He set the youngest wonder sair,
  Till the eldest he grew keen—­

  “I am nae king, nor nae sic thing: 
  “My word it shanna stand! 
  “For Ethert sail a buffet bide,
  “Come he beneath my brand.”

  He clanked Ethert ower the head,
  A deep wound and a sair,
  Till the best blood of his bodie
  Cam rinning ower his hair.

  “Now I’ve slayne twa; slay ye the ane;
  “Is na that gude companye? 
  “And tho’ the ane suld slay ye baith,
  “Ye’se get na help o’ me.”

  The twa-some they hae slayne the ane;
  They maul’d him cruellie;
  Then hung them over the draw-brigg,
  That all the host might see.

  They rade their horse, they ran their horse,
  Then hovered on the lee;
  “We be three lads o’ fair Scotland,
  “That fain wad fighting see.”

  This boasting, when young Edward heard. 
  An angry man was he! 
  “I’ll take yon lad, I’ll bind yon lad,
  “And bring him bound to thee!”

  “Now, God forbid,” King Edward said,
  “That ever thou suld try! 
  “Three worthy leaders we hae lost,
  “And thou the fourth wad lie.

  “If thou should’st hang on yon draw-brigg,
  “Blythe wad I never be!”
  But, wi’ the poll-axe in his hand,
  Upon the brigg sprang he.