THE ACTS and life of the most Victorious Conqueror, Robert Bruce King of SCOTLAND.  
WHEREIN also are contained the Martial deeds of the valiant Princes, Edward Bruce, Sir james Dowglas, earl Thomas Randel, Walter Stewart, and sundry others.  
Newly corrected and conferred with the best and most ancient Manuscripts.  
EDINBURGH, Printed by Andro Hart. ANNO 1620.   

The Printers Preface to the Reader.  
THere is nothing unto which the mind of man doth more aspire than to renown & immortality: therefore it is, that no time hath been so barbarous, no countries so uncivil, but they have had a care to preserve worthy actions from the injury of oblivion, and laboured that the names of these that were virtuous, while they lived, should not perish with their breath. And amongst all the strange and divers fashions of remembering the dead, no record hath been found to be compared to that of books, and amongst all books none so lasting as these in verse, which how so ever rudely done, yet seem to have striven with days, and even to compass time, being the first remembrances that either Greece or Rome have, and apparently shall be the last.  
How curious our Antecessours in this Isle have been to extend their memory to after ages▪ many old monuments yet to be seen, can bear witness, but more than any, that fame of which many years since was amongst foreigners of their ancient Poets the Bards, who wrote in verse the deeds of their most valiant men, and song them in the wild Forests and mountains, with which (though long time after) the many records we have of the ancient defenders of our Country, may be brought forth: and amongst all the rest, this story of the valiant BRUCE is not the least: it speaketh the language of that time, if it spoke ours, it would not be itself: yet as an antique it is venerable.  
To speak somewhat of the occasion of those wars, that the History may the better appear. Alexander the third of that name, King of SCOTLAND departed this life suddenly without succession to the crown, except Margaret his Niece, daughter to the King of Norway, who being left the undoubted heir to the Kingdom, King Edward of England desired her in marriage to his son Prince Edward, whereunto our Scottish Nobility easily condescended, but she being dead, before the ambassadors arrived, they returned with sorrowful hearts: whereupon arose great trouble's and contention amongst the Nobility, who should succeed to the Crown: and albeit there were many contendents: yet at length, came only betwixt the Bruce & Baliol. The Nobility to avoid further strife, convened themselves, to decide who should have the undoubted right: but because they could not agree, both the parties being so great, that their power could not make the parties stand to their arbitrement, they with one voice referred the deciding thereof to Edward of England, supponing, that he should deal most sincerely therein, considering how willingly they had condescended to the marriage of his son with Margaret the Niece of King Alexander, who accepting very gladly of the matter, hoping to achieve by craft, that which he and his predecessors could never obtain by force, left off his journey to the Holy LAND, hoping to speed better at home for the enlarging of his Dominions, being a man greatly inclined that way, called the parties before him at Barwike, protesting here withal that he called them not upon any presumption, that he pretended over them, but as they had chosen him to be arbiter in the cause: so he called them to the deciding of the matter, and to colour his purpose, he had convened a number of learned Lawyers out of France, and other Countries, pretending that he would do nothing without law and reason: yet the most part of the Doctors there convened, as namely, Mr. Siluius, Mr. Rainerius, Decius, Mr. Severius de Florentia, mentioned in the Pluscadin Chronicle, and in Scotichronicon condescended, that Robert Bruce had the best right, quòd propinquior in gradu debet succedere: and therefore Robert Bruce in respect he was uno gradu stipiti propinquior, and was also the first Male, albeit begotten on the younger sister. But King Edward had his own decinct, not regarding their arbitrement, called first secretly the Bruce unto him, to whom he was well inclined, promising to decide in his favours, if he would hold his Kingdom in homage of him. But Bruce being a man of Heroik spirit, refused absolutely to subject a free Realm to the servitude of any foreign Prince whomsoever. The King highly offended, turned himself frowardly in great anger from the Bruce, called john Ballioll also secretly, & promised him the same conditions: the man being blinded with ardent desire to reign, not regarding what he did promise, so he might have Soveraignitie, condescended easily to whatsumever Edward required, and so by him was nominate King, & sent home to Scotland, where he was conveyed to Scone, and there crowned, and all, except Bruce, swore to him obedience. Shortly after, there fell out a slaughter of Makdulffe earl of Fife, by the Abirnethies men at that time in great authority and wealth, and because Makdulffe his brother suspected the King to be partial in judging, summoned him to be judged before King Edward. The Ballioll being there present, and sitting beside King Edward in the convention of Estates, and being called, thought to answer by a Procutour, was compelled to arise and defend his cause at the Bar, wherewith being sorely grieved, albeit he durst not peep for the time, yet returning home in a marvellous chaufe, revolving in his mind, how he might cast off this yoke and bondage, whereunto foolishly he had subjected himself, and as he did meditate upon this, a profitable dissension for his purpose, intervened between France and England, which immediately braced forth in war: so that at a Convention in Scotland both the King's Ambassadors were present. The French to renew their old league with the new King, the English by the recent surrender of the Realm, desired assistance in that war. Both the Ambassadors were referred to the Parliament, the Nobility prone to cast off the late yoke of England discerned the French petition just, and the English unjust, for that league with France, was made five hundreth years ago, by the consent of the whole Realm, inviolably observed to that day, but that surrender was but new thrown out of the King against his will, which albeit he had been willing to do, yet neither was the King, nor the Realm bound to bide at it, seeing it was done without the consent of the Estates in Parliament, without whose consent, the King could do nothing. These News coming to King Edward's ears, having taken some Month's truce with France, he sent his Navy that was boon to France into Scotland, thinking to overthrow the Scots, before they were provided, and to keep Barwike unvittalled. The Scots encountering this Navy at the River mouth of Tweed, won eighteen ships, and chased the rest. King Edward's wrath was by this loss more vehemently provoked to revenge, summoned the Ballioll thrice to compear before him at Newcastle, and because he compeared not at all, he sent for Bruce, and promised him the Kingdom, if he would write to his friends, either to leave their King, or to flee in battle. The King with all diligence passed toward Barwike, where finding the town strongly garnished with men: and coming small speed in his pursuit, he feigned a retreat, and caused some of the Bruces faction sparse brutes that the Ballioll with a great Oast was even there at hand, whereupon the most notable men of the town, supponing themselves to be free of the common enemy, ran forth for to receive their King honourably: and so both horse and foot went out of the town confusedly. But Edward had appointed a number of horsemen to wait upon that turn, who cutted them off easily from their companies, being ushed so confusedly, and out of order, and coming to the next Port, entered in the town, the King with his foot-hoste following, made miserable slaughter upon all sorts of people, & increasing in multitude, sent a part of his army to besiege Dumbar, himself within few days received the Castle of Barwike, which the keepers randred, despairing of relief: then joining all his forces together at Dumbar, encountered with the Scots host which came hither with a great battle to raise the siege: the victory inclined to the English side. The chief men of the Nobility fled to the Castle, but the Captain not having Vivers sufficient to sustain such a multitude rendered, and all kind of cruelty execute upon the captives. But when the Bruce desired the Kingdom in recompense of his travel, and according to promise. Edward answered him in French, have we nothing ado, but to purchase Kingdoms for you. Dumbar, and some other Castles upon the Border being randred, Edinburgh and Striuiling were delivered also: from Striuiling Edward passed Forth, and marched towards Forfare, where the Ballioll was, when without impediment he came to Monrosse: The Ballioll by persuasion of john Cummine of strabogy randred himself, & the Kingdom into King Edward's hands, whom he shipped, & sent into England. Edward returned to Barwike, & by sharp edict summoned all the Scottish Nobility to come thither, such as came were compelled to swear obedience unto him. William Dowglas a man of Noble blood, and valiant, refusing to swear, was cast in prison, where within few years he died. Thus all things succeeding to his wish, he appointed john Warre● Earl of Surrey Viceroy, Hue Cressingham Thesaurer, and leaving them behind him, he returned to London, where he warded john Ballioll, when he had reigned 4. years. But he within a short space at the request of the Bishop of Rome was sent to France, leaving his son Edward in pledge for him. Afterward Edward with a great army, took shipping to pass in France. The Scots in esperance of liberty (he being absent) choosed twelve Regent's, and by all their advices, john Cummine Earl of Buchan with a sufficient army was sent in England. The English Garrisons left in Scotland dispersed here and there, durst not stir: so he without impediment spoilt Cumberland and Northumberland. Albeit this voyage somewhat encouraged the Scots, yet did it but small help to the whole war, for all strong holds were fortified by the enemy's garrisons. But while as Noblemen lacked both strength and sufficient courage to enterprise greater matters, William Wallace a man of Noble and ancient Family, who did Acts, in those Wars not only above all men's expectation, but also incredible, being a man of great bodily strength, & high courage: He hardened his body against injuries of Fortune, and confirmed his courage by perilous attempts to enterprise higher and greater, even with danger: he gathered unto him some company of Men, and herewith not only slew any Englishmen he met with, but often times also with few foght with great numbers in sundry places where he met with them, & slew them. In short space his fam filled both the Realms: so they that had like causes as he had, & not unlike love to their Country, gathering together swarmed to him from all parts, and within few months he amassed an indifferent Army: Noblemen for fear or lashnes lying still, Wallace was proclaimed Governor, and as Lieutenant for Ballioll, commanded as lawful Magistrate. He took not this name of pride or of desire to Empire, but only (like another Samson) upon compassion, and love of his Countrypeople. After this, he essayed with open force, took many castles, (either not sufficiently furnished or not weill guarded, or negligently kept) and razed them. His Men of War's minds were so confirmed, that under his conduct they feared no peril, for that his hardiment lacked never wisdom, nor his wisdom the wished event. So in short space he won all the Forts that Englishmen possessed beyond Forth.  
King Edward hearing these rumours, and having all his Army with him in France, he wrote to Henry Percy Lord of Northumberland, & to William Latimer, to raise quickly Forces out of the next adjacent Country, and join themselves with Cressinghame, to suppress the Scots. Wallace in this time besieged the Castle of Cowper in Fyfe, to the end his men of war should not be idle, attending the coming of the English army: his enemies now coming near, marched directly to Striuiling, (The River of Forth hath no fords at Striuiling) Yet there was a wooden bridge, over the which Cressinghame past, with the great part of his a●m●: the rest following so thick, (the bridge being overburdened with so huge a weight) brak in pieces. The Scots charged these that were past, before they could be Arrayed, slew their leader, drove back the rest in the water, with so huge a slaughter, that almost the whole were either slain by the Scots, or drowned in the river. Wallace after this so followed his fortune, that he left not an Englishman in Scotland, except prisoners. This victory was obtained upon the Ides of Septemb. 1297. Hereafter followed great Famine for not manuring of the ground: and Pest followed Hunger: whereof greater destruction was feared than of the War. Wallace to remedy this aswell as he might, charged all sensible men, to come unto him at a certain day, & carried them with him into England: where living in winter in their enemy's lands, they spared Vivers at home; where he remained from the kalends of November, unto the kal. of Febr. and no man durst match him, And then having enriched themselfs with their enemy's spoils, returned with great glory. As this journey augmented Wallace's fame and authority among the people, so it increased the Noble men's envy against him: whereof Edw. being privy, setting things in France in order, as time would permit, leaving his old soldiers beyond sea, amassing a very great army upon the sudden, of novices, he marched toward Scotland: but when in the plain of Stanemure both armies stood in order of battle, about half a mile from other: Edw. viewing Wall. host, his skill and order of battle: albeit he had a greater number of people, yet durst he not hazard; returning his standards, softly retired: but Wallace for fear of ambushment durst not follow. This victory obtained without blood, against a most potent King. The enemies of Wall. more sharply assaulted him, raising brutes through the country, that he openly shot at the Kingdom. So they conclude, by all means to subvert Wall. authority. These devices not unknown to King Edw. he raised a great army of English & Scots, who had remained constant in their promise made to him the next Summer came unto Fawkirk: which village is builded upon the very ruins of Severus Wall, distant from Striuiling 6 miles. The Scottish host abode not far from thence, strong enough indeed, for they were 30 thousand, if the Rulers had agreed amongst themselves. The Rulers were john Cumming, john Stewart, & Will. Wallace. the former two in blood, & puissance, the last in Marshal glory, most flourishing of all Scotland. While as the 3 battles stood in readiness to fight, a new contention was added to the former envy, Who should lead the Vanguard: & neither of them giving place to the other: the Englishmen ended the strife who in order of battle, with displayed Banners, came upon them with expedition: Cummine with his company fled without stroke: Steward environed both behind and before, was slain with his host. Wallace being sore set upon in front, and Bruce coming about a Knowle, to charge him on the back, contained his men together in such order, as in such state he best could, and returned back over CARROUN Water, where he defended himself, having gathered together those that were fled, and Bruce desiring to speak with him, he refused not: when these two alone stood right over against other, at a deep & narrow part of the River, Bruce first said, he wondered at him, that being carried with the facile favour of the people, would hazard himself in so many perils again a King, most puissant of that age: assisted also with great support of Scots, & that without any hope of recompense of his pains? For albeit he vanquished Edward, the Scots would never allow of him to be King: and if he were overthrown he had no refuge, but in the mercy of his enemy. To whom Wallace answered: I (said he) never took these pains to purchase to myself a Kingdom, for that is unagreeable with my condition, and my mind covets it not, but seeing my Countrymen through your cowardice, to whom the Realm rightly appertains, destitute of Rulers, & hereby casten into their most cruel enemies hands: not only in bondage and slavery, but even to the shambles, I pitied their case, & have enterprised the defence of their cause, forsaken by you, whose liberty I shall not forsake, bef●●e my life forsake me. And so the conference ended: either of both returning to their own. After this unhappy Battle Wallace returned to Perth, and there skailed his army giving place to the envy born against him: and after that day enterprised nothing for the Realm: and renounced the name of Magistrate: albeit he left not off the invading of the English Nation, wheresoever he could be their master. Edward, after this wasted by all warlike calamities, the Lands beyond Forth even to Perth: subduing those that in respect of the present misery durst not stir: & so retired with his army into England. The Scots that were careful for the liberty of their Realm, a little refreshed after the enemy's departure, made john Cumming younger, Regent: who by the advice of the Counsel sent Ambassadors to Philip Valloys King of France, to travel with him that by Mediation of his Sister, who was then affianced to Edward, they might at least obtain Truce. By her travels they obtained Truce for seven Months, but not observed (bona fide:) for Englishmen took the Ambassadors that were directed to Bonifacius the eight, and imprisoned them. The Scots in the mean time who could not abide the tyranny of Englishmen, nor could by no punishment satiat Edwards cruel mind, neither yet obtain peace upon just conditions, prepared themselves with obstinate minds to fight it out, without all hope of pardon. First they drove all Edward's Captains forth of all Towns, and Fortresses, and vexed the Scots, of the English faction, with all the force they might: while as the stat of matters thus continued almost two years. Edward sent Rodolph Confrey, with a puissant Army, to suppress this rebellion of the Scots, and to put an end to those Wars. This Army without impediment wasted all to Rosling, a place in Louthian, four miles distant from Edinburgh, & to destroy farther within the Country divided their Army in three, john Cummine, and john Fraser, the most wealthy men in Tweed-dale, gathering to the number of 8000 men, marched towards the enemy, of purpose either to keep in the enemy, that he should not run at random to spoil the Country, or if they found better occasion, to follow Fortun. Better occasion was offered than they looked for: For Englishmen fearing nothing less than the coming of their enemies, so often overthrown, behaving themselves more loosely than was expedient, in their enemy's ground, by sudden coming of the Scots upon the first of their Camps, were overthrown with a great slaughter: they that escaped raised great tumult in the second camp, where th'alarm was fearfully raised, every man exhorting his Mate to support their own, they prepared themselues for revenge. The conflict was terrible, as betwixt these that were fires, through victory, & these that were enraged by thirst of revenge: in end, th' Englishmen discomfist & chased, victory, albeit not unbloody, yielded to the Scots: the third host, which had been further off, afraid the Scots, for many being wounded, & most part wearied with travels in 2 late battles foresaw manifest danger to ensue by fight, & assured destruction by flight, at length the Heads commanded to slay all captives: left while they were occupied with th'enemy, they should come upon their backs: they armed their servants with slain men's armour▪ & so made show of a greater army to their enemies: the battle begun was keenly foghten on both sides: the fight being doubtful for a while, the scots by exhortation of their leaders, & calling to mind their late double victory, renewing their strength: ran so fiercely upon their enemies that their array broken, they gave backs, It was foghten at Rosline, the 6 of the kal. of March, 1320. The more notable that this victory was, 3 hosts in one day overthrown by one, the more sharply Edw. set his mind to deface this ignominy, and once to put an end to their longsome War. He amasseth a greater army than ever he did before, & pursued Scotland both by land & sea, to the utter most borders of Ros. No man in warfare durst hazard himself against so puissant an army, except Wallace, with his few folks, sometimes behind, & somtims before, & somtims upon their wings, chopped at such as had rashly run forth from the host. Edw. pressed by great promises to make him his own, but in vain: his answer was ay to all men, that he had avowed his life to his Country. Thus things achieved: Edw. adjoined himself to his son Edward, whom he had left at Perth, took in sundry Strengths & Forts & Striuiling, after 3 months siege, the rest rendered for fear Edward held a Parliament in Sainct-Andrews, where he made most part of the Nobility for fear to swear to be his true subjects; Wall, always excepted; who for fear to be betrayed of the nobility, withdrew himself to his old lurking places. Edw. appointed Lieutenants and Magistrates throughout Scotland, past home to England, and left no Monuments, Histories, Books, Laws, nor learned men, undestroyed, or transported with him: thinking thereby to exterminate the name of that Nation. He left Odomare Valentine, Viceroy, to extinguish all innovations, if any begin to peep. But now Wars arose, where he lest meaned. Among the rest of Scottish Nation with Edward was Robert Bruces son, who contended with Ballioll for the Kingdom, and john Cummine, cousin german to john Ballioll, late King of Scots. Edw. had spoken often times severally, & long time holden them in the hals, upon vain hope of the Kingdom, and so used their means in the conquest of the same, being both men of great power and friendship: but the deceitful mockage at length manifested: there was nothing more desired of either of them, than occasion to be revenged upon Edw. falset against promise & trust to both: but emulation whereby the one suspected the other, was the stay, that neither durst communicate his counsel to the other. Now Cum. perceived these doings miscontented Bruce, vehemently deplored unto him the misery of their Country, beginning from the ground thereof and inveighing greatly against the King of England's perfidy, accused first himself, & then Bruce, by whose assistance and travels their people were brought to this misery proceeding further from this beginning of speech, every of them promising secrecy to other upon their Faith and honesty. They agreed betwixt themselves thus: That Bruce should be King and Cummine should resign his Right in his favours: & Cummine should have all Lands that Bruce possessed in Scotland (he had many fair and fruitful Lands) and Cummine should be second in honour next unto the King. These things sworn, written, & sealed, Bruce waiting opportunity of change, passed to the Court of England, leaving behind him in Scotland his wife and brethren. After his departure, Cummine either repenting his former advice, or else he thought by craft to cut away Bruce, that thereby he might more easily come by the kingdom. He bewrayed these secrets to Edward: and to purchase credit herein, he sent him the Contract signed by both. Bruce was summoned to a day for treason, charged not to depart from Court, & quiet keepers appointed unto him, commanded to spy both his words and deeds. The cause why the King protracted time in this so manifest a turn, was, that his brethren might be apprehended before the brute of his execution should arise. Bruce in the mean time was informed of the sudden danger, by his old friend the Earl of Gomera: who durst not counsel him by letter to flee, but warning by example, sent a pair of guilt spurs with some pieces of gold, as if he had borrowed them the day preceding. Robert, as men in danger are most twenty, not ignorant what was meant by the propine called for a Smith in the night, caused shoe three Horses backward, lest the print of the Horse feet in the snow might bewray their flight, & that same night might be espied: accompanied with other two, took journey upon the 7 day thereafter: themselves and their horses weary, came to a Castle of his own standing beside Lochmabene: there finding his brother David & Robert Fleming: and taking them with him, scarcely opening unto them the cause of his flight, chanced upon a Messenger, carrying letters from Cummine to Edward, bearing, That Robert should be executed with diligence: for delay brought danger, lest a Noble man, favoured of the people, and therewith also wise & stout should raise new troubles, etc. The Cummines treason also by this testimony tried, Robert inflamed with rage of ire, passed directly to Drumfreise, where he understood his enemy was: & finding john Cummine in the Gray-Friers Kirke: produced his letters, & reproved him bitterly, while as he impudently stood to the denial thereof: but he impatient, in wrath strak him in the belly with his Dagger, and left him for dead. When he was horsing again, james Lindesay his cousin, and Roger Kirk-Patricke, his friend, perceiving his countenance changed inquired the cause? He told them in a word, He believed Cummine was dead. What? said LINDESAY, Hast thou left so dangerous a deed in doubt? & therewith he entered into the Kirk, & not only slew him but also Robert Cummine, his kinsman, pressing to support him. This murder was committed the 4 of the Ides of February 1305. about this time William Wallace was taken, and betrayed by john Menteith, his familiar companion, corrupted by Edward's Money in the bounds of Glasgow, where he lurked for the time: sent to London, where by Edward's command he was unhonestly beheaded and quartered: his members t● terrify others) hung up in most public places in England & Scotland. This was the end of this most worthy man's life, who for high spirit in interprising dangers, for fortitude in execution, comparable in deed to the most famous Chieftains, amongst the Ancients: for love to his native Country, second to no●e, he only free, the rest slaves, could neither be bought with benefits, nor compelled by force to leave the public cause which he had once professed; whose death appeared more to be lamented, that being invincible, to his enemy he was betrayed by his Familiar, that in no case should have done so.  
The Bruce staying only till he had obtained pardon of the Bishop of Rome, for the murder committed in holy Church. In the next month of april, 1306. passing to Scone, he was crowned King. First knowing well the great puissance of his enemy, he amasseth all the forces he could, from all parts, although the whole clan of Cummines, the greatest in Scotland that ever was before them, or since in puissance withstood him, and his assisting of Edward, offended many, and the greater part of the Realm beside, lay quiet for fear of English force, he, notwithstanding of his few number, hazarded against Odomar at Meibwen, with the loss of a few was put to the worst. The like bad success he had in passing from Athol to Argyle▪ where the Cummines beset him, and forced him to fight at Dalry, his men fleeing to save themselves in places of greatest surety. From this time with one or two in company, thinking himself in that state more sure with few than many. He wandered in the wilderness like a wild man: and albeit he would have assayed Fortoun, he saw no appearance of force in any part: for the common people upon the construing of the two former losses caused him be forsaken of all: two only of his old friends stood constantly by him, Micolum Levin earl of Lennox, and Gilbert Hay, Englishmen not satiate sufficiently with his miseries, sent, and apprehended his kinsmen throughout all the Country, his wife token by William Earl of Rosse, was sent into England, his brother Nigell, the Castle of Kildrummie betrayed by the Captain thereof, with his wife, and children, were randred to the enemy, Thomas and Alexander his brethren also passing from Galloway to Carrik were taken at Lochrien, and sent into England. These three in sundry places were beheaded, the remnant of the Bruces faction were sought also and slain, & their goods confiscate. The King himself most often with one in company in this time kept the unhaunted mountains, every day and hour changing lurking holes, and while as he thought not himself sure that way, neither from treason of the people, nor cruelty of his enemies, passed to the Isles, to an old friend of his called Angus, and lurking there certain months, he was supposed to be dead, and so the enemy ceased searching. This brute as it was not unprofitable for his security, so if it had any while continued, it appeared to his friends, to cut away all hope of recovering the Realm: thinking therefore to attempt some what, getting a small company from his friend, with whom he lurked: he sailed to Carrik, where he took a Castle of his own inheritance, at unawares kept by a strong garrison of Englishmen, and slew them all, lest he might be environed by force of the enemy, and crossing the Firth of Clyde, with the like felicity took the Castle of innerness far distant from there and so passing from place to place, taking in towns, Castles, and strengths. The Countrie-people (being heavily oppressed by the enemy) flocking to him from all quarters, he gathered a reasonable army: and albeit he had not only the common enemy to withstand, but also a number of mighty intestine enemies at home, especially the Cummines' faction, yet from this time forth, whatsoever he attempted succeeded prosperously, till he had expelled the enemy utterly out of the Realm, and subdued the whole Country to his obedience: but leaving the History of his further progress, because it will appear more particularly itself, I remit the Reader to the perusing thereof. This is he of whom it may be said, that was said of that Roman Scipio, unus homo nobis cunctando restituit rem. Into what bondage found he his Nation? To what liberty did he restore it? Since the times of the old Heroes none hath more excelled in all virtues. Who more courageous in war? Who more temperate in peace? Who ever had a fortune more hard? Who ever did more hardly lead Fortune captive, and less regarded her frowns? a constant course of victory still enabling all his enterprises, whose mind would not been broken, much more bowed under such heaps of miseries? whose eonstancy would not be quelled to have his wife taken captive, his four brethren slain, his friends with all mischiefs oppressed: to have himself not only barred of his patrimony and estate, but of a Kingdom? and all done against faith, by a Prince the mightiest of that age. Beside all these calamities, thralled, and brought to the extremest of want: he neither doubted of the recovery of his Crown, nor was at any tim seen, to commit any thing unworthy of a kingly mind. Let Rome boast of Camillus and Scipio, France of her Charles, Epirus of great Scandeberge, Scotland shall not forget this Prince, for she cannot. And if he be not so renowned as these, it is not for that he is not as worthy: but for that he hath not had so brave trumpeters of his fame, being born in so unpolished an age: which time the destroyer and restorer of every thing may perhaps hereafter in these more learned days amend. There be some who hold the opinion that the publishing of those books is hurtful, as embers of consumed discord, but it is not the publishing of the simplicity of our predecessors that can divide us, or cause any discord, but rather our own too great subtlety, ambition and avarice, and the turning the pages of Tacitus and of Secretary Machiavelli that can breed an ague in our state. Can the reading of the wars betwixt Longcaster and York separate the red and white Roses? I think no. But I am persuaded that all men of sound minds will rather abhor discord in reading of these books, seeing what miseries and horrible calamities these wars, bring forth and what great occasion we of both Nations have to magnify God's goodness, that in our days since the Gospel hath been in sincerity published amongst us, hath turned all these bloody broils into a peaceable Calm, especially now in the person of our dread Sovereign: So that now, as the Prophet sayeth, Our swords are broken into mattocks, and our spears into siths. But if we would consider what means have been used, what pains taken, and plots laid by the wisest of both Nations, to knit up this union, and yet could never effectate the same, until it pleased GOD to cut down this partition wall of long debate, in the person of our most gracious SOVEREIGN. GOD give us grace to be thankful for it. AMEN.   

ROBERTUS BRUSSIUS Regni instaurator, ac penè novus conditor, in omni Fortuna invictus.  

QVIS varios casus, quis dura pericula BRUSSI,  
Fatorumque vices commemorare queat?  
Qui victus toties, toties qui victor & hostis,  
In vacuo fixit Martia signa solo.  
Qui domitis Fatis pugnando restituit rem;  
Civibus & patriam, jusque suum patriae.  
cum tot acerba virum, cum tot cumulata suorum  
Funera funeribus cerneret ante oculos;  
Mens generosa animi Fortunae excelsior omni  
Imperio, stabili perstitit usque gradu?  
SCOTIA quae statues VICTORI justa trophaea?  
Qui Fati, ac hostis, Victor & ipse Sui est.   

The same in English.  
Who can the hazards hard, the chances strange  
Of Bruce report, a Mark of Fortune's change?  
Oft was he thralled, his Foes oft from him fled,  
Oft ensigns on the purple Plains he spread.  
He daunted Fates, his native Soil ou'rthrowne  
Her to her own, to her brought back a Crown.  
By fight he all restored, and having seen  
So many funeral heaps before his cene  
His Mind unquelled reached Fortune's wheel above,  
And in the Sphere of Courage ●ixt did move.  
Where hast thou (Scotland) for his Trophies room,  
Who Fates, Foes, & himself for thee o'ercome.    

THE ACTS AND LIFE OF the most victorious Conqueror Robert Bruce King of SCOTLAND.  
WHEREIN ALSO ARE contained the Martial deeds of the valiant Princes: Edward Bruce, Sir james Dowglas, Earl Thomas Randell, Walter Stewart, and sundry others.  
STories to read are delectable,  
Suppose they nought contain but fable  
Then sold Stories the soothfast were,  
If they been spoken in good manner:  
Have double pleasure in hearing:  
The first is their pleasant carping,  
The other is, their soothsastnesse,  
That shows the thing right as it we.  
And soothfast things that are likand,  
To men's hearing are pleasand:  
Therefore I would fain set my will,  
If my wit might suffice theretill.  
To put in write a soothfast story,  
That it may last in memory:  
Sa that no length of time may let,  
Nor gar it hailly be forget,  
For ald Stories that men reides,  
Represents to them their deides  
Of stalwart folk that lived air,  
Right as they then present wair.  
And certes they sold weill have prize,  
That in their time were wicht and wise:  
And led their life in great travel:  
And oft until hard stoure of battle,  
Won riched great praise of Chivalry,  
And was void of all Cowartrie:  
As was King Robert of Scotland,  
That hardy was of heart and hand:  
And good Schir james of Dowglas,  
That in his time sa worthy was:  
That of his praise and his bounty,  
In sundry lands honour won he.  
Of tham I think this book to ma.  
Now God of grace, that I may swa  
Treit it, and bring it to good ending,  
That I say nought but suithfast thing.  
QUhen Alexander the King was died  
That Scotland had to steir and leid  
The land sex years, and mair perfay  
Lay desolate after his day:  
Till all the Barouns at the last  
Assemblit them, and that full fast,  
To cheiss a King the land to steir:  
That of the ancestry cummin weir,  
Of Kings that had that Royalty,  
And had most riched their King to be,  
But Inuy that is so felon,  
Maid among them dissensioun,  
For some would have the Balliol King,  
For he was cummin of the offspring  
Of her, that eldest sister was:  
Uther sum contrary it that caiss:  
And said, that he there King sold be,  
That was of als near degree,  
And cummin was of the first Male,  
And of Branches Collateral.  
They said, succession of Kinrike,  
Was not till lower state alike:  
For there micht not succeeded a Female,  
Quhill foundin micht be any Male,  
That were in line even descendand:  
They beir all uther ways in hand:  
For then the nixt cummin of their said,  
Man, or woman sold succeeded.  
By this reason the Lords thocht hail,  
That the Lord of Annandaill,  
Robert the Bruce, Earl of Carrik,  
Aught to succeeded to the Kinrik.  
THe Barons thus were in discord,  
And on no manner micht accord:  
Till at the last they all accordit,  
That all their speich sold be recordit,  
To Schir Edward of England King,  
And he sold sweir but fenȝeing,  
He sold as arbiter declare,  
Of the two that I told of air:  
Who sold succeeded to sit on hicht,  
And let him Regne that had the riched.  
This Ordinance they thocht the best,  
For at that time was peace and rest  
Betwixt Scotland and England baith,  
That they could not perceive the skaith,  
That toward them was appearand,  
For why the King of England  
Held such friendship, and company,  
With their King that was worthy:  
They trowed that he as good nighbour,  
And as friendfull Compositour,  
Would have judged in leele Lawtie,  
But otherwise yeed all the glie.  
A Folke blinded full of great folly,  
Had ye bethought once earnestly,  
What peril to you might appear,  
Ye had not wrought in that maneare.  
Had ye ta'en keep, how that this King  
Always withouten fainyéeing,  
Travelled for to win Senyeorie,  
And through his might did occupy  
Lands, that were to him marchand,  
As Wales was, and all Ireland,  
That he put into such thirlage,  
That they that were of high Parage,  
Should run on foot, as Ribalds all,  
When he would any folk assail.  
Durst none of Wales in battle ride,  
Nor yet fra Even fell, abide  
Castle, nor walled town within,  
But he should lithe and limbs tine▪  
Into sick thirlage them led he,  
Whom he ou'rcame with his poustie,  
Ye might see he should occupy  
Through slight, that he might not through mastery.  
Had ye tan● keep what was thirlage,  
And had considered his usage,  
That gripped ay but gane giving,  
Ye should withouten his denying,  
Have chosen you a King, that might  
Have holden well your Land at right.  
Wales ensample might have been  
To you, had ye it well foreseen.  
And wise men say he is happy,  
That will therein himself chastie,  
For unfair things may fall perfay  
The morn, as they did yesterday:  
But ye trusted into lawtie,  
As simple folk but subtlety,  
An● wist not what might after tide:  
For in the world that is so wide,  
As none, determinately that shall  
Know any thing that's for to fall,  
For GOD that is of most Poustis,  
Reserved it to his Majesty,  
For to know in his Prescience,  
Of things to come the contingence.  
IN this manner assented were,  
The Barons (as I said you air)  
And through their own hail consent,  
Messengers to him they went.  
Then to the holy land boun was he,  
To Saracens to wéere surely.  
And fra he wist what charge they had,  
He busked him but more abode,  
And to England again is gane,  
And left the purpose that he had ta'en.  
And sign to Scotland word sent he,  
That they should make an assembly,  
And he in high should come to do:  
In all thing, as they write him to.  
But he thotht weill throw their debate,  
That he sold slely find sum gait,  
How that he all the Senȝory  
Throw his great micht sold occupy:  
And to Robert the Bruce said he:  
Give thou will hauled in chief of me  
For evermore, and thine offspring:  
I shall do so, thou shall be King.  
Schir (he said) so God me saif,  
The Kinrik ȝarne I notched to haif:  
But give it fall of riched to me:  
And give God will that it so be,  
I shall als freely in all thing  
Hold it, as lunges to a King,  
Or as mine Elders before me  
Held it in freast Royalty.  
The uther wryit him, and swair,  
That he sold never have it mair:  
And turnit him in wrath away,  
But Schir john Ballioll perfay  
Assentit soon till all his will:  
Quherethrow after fell mekill ill.  
He was King but a litil quhyle,  
Quhen throw great subtlety and guile  
For little enchesoun or for nane,  
He was arreistit and sign ta'en,  
And degradit fine was he  
Of honour and of dignity,  
Quhether that it was wrong or riched,  
God wait it, that is most of micht.  
QUhen Schir Edward the michty King,  
Had on this ways done his liking,  
With john the Ballioll, that so soon  
Was all degrade and it undone:  
To Scotland went he then in high,  
And all the land can occupy:  
So hail, that both Castle and Toun,  
Were all in his possession:  
From Weik anent Orknay,  
To Mulesnuke in Galloway,  
And stuffit all with Englishmen,  
Schireffs, and Bailleis made he then,  
And all kin uther Officers,  
That to govern the land affeires,  
He made of Inglis nation.  
Then worthit they so feirs and felon,  
And so wickit and so grevous,  
So heavy, and so covetous,  
That Scottismen micht do nothing,  
That ever micht pleiss to their likings  
Their wives would they oftly by,  
And their daughters despiteously,  
And give any thereat were wrath,  
They would him wait with a great skaith:  
For they sold soon find enchesoun,  
To put him to destructioun:  
And give any man near them by,  
Had any thing that was worthy,  
Hound, or horse, or other thing,  
That pleasand was to their liking:  
With riched, or wrong have it would they,  
And give any would them ganesay,  
They would so do, that he sold tyne,  
either life, or land, or live in pine:  
For they dampnit them even at their will.  
Takand no keip to riched, nor skill.  
Alace they dampnit them fellounly:  
For good Knichts' that were worthy,  
For little enchesoun, and oft for none  
Were hanged by the necks ilkone.  
Alace, they sore that ever was free,  
And ay in freedom was wont to be,  
Through their mischance and their folly,  
Were thirled then so wickedly:  
That their foes their judges were:  
What wickedness may men have maire?  
O how freedom is Noble thing:  
For it makes man to have liking.  
Freedoms all solace to men gives:  
He lives at ease that freely lives:  
A Noble heart may have none ease,  
Nor nought else that may it please,  
If freedom failyee: for free liking  
Is yarned above all other thing.  
O he that hath ay lived free:  
May not know well the property,  
The anger nor the wretched doom,  
That is coupled unto thirldome:  
But if he had assayed it,  
Then all perqueir he might it wit:  
And should think freedom more to prize,  
Then all the gold men may devose.  
For contrary things ever mare,  
Discovering of the other are:  
And he that into thraldom is,  
All that he hath in bandoun is,  
To his Lord what ever he be:  
Yet he hath not so mickle free,  
As free liking to leave or do  
It▪ that his heart draws him to:  
And yet Clerks make Question,  
When they fall in disputation:  
If a man bad his thirl ought do:  
And in the same time came him to  
His Wife, and asked him his det,  
Whether he his Lords need should bet,  
And pay first what he owe, and sign  
Do forth his Lords commanding:  
Or leave his Wife unpaid, and do  
It that his Lord commanded him to.  
I leave all the solution,  
To men of more discretion.  
But sen they make sick comparing,  
Betwixt the debts of wedding,  
And Lords bidding to their will thirl.  
Ye may well see though none should tell,  
How hard a thing that thraldom is:  
For men may well wit that are wise,  
That wedding is the hardest band,  
That any man may take on hand,  
And thraldom is well war then dead,  
For while a thirl his life may lead,  
It mars him both body and banes,  
And dead annoys him not, but ones.  
Shortly to say, is none to tell  
The sore condition of a Threll.  
THus gate they lived in thirlage  
Both poor and rich of high parage.  
For of the Lords some they slew,  
And some they hanged, & some they drew;  
And some they put into prison,  
Withouten cause or Encheson,  
And among other of Dowglas,  
Sir William put in prysoun was,  
That of Dowglas was Lord and Sire,  
Of him they have made a Martyr:  
For in prison they him slew,  
And his lands that were fair anew,  
They to the Lord of Cliffurd gave,  
He left a son, a litil knave,  
That then was but a litil Page,  
And sign came to great vassalage,  
His father's death he venged sa,  
That in England I underta,  
Was none in life, but they him dread:  
For he so feill in arms sched,  
That none that lives can it tell.  
So wonder hard things befell  
Till him, or he to state was broucht,  
But there was none aventour that mocht  
Astoney his heart, nor gar it let  
To do the thing it was on set.  
How that he ay thocht ernistly  
To do his deed avisedly.  
He thocht he was not worth no weill,  
That might not of annoys feill:  
And that for to encheif great things,  
With hard travel and barganings,  
Sold gar his prize ay doubled be:  
Therefore in all his life-time he  
Forsuike never pain nor travel,  
Nor never would for mischief fail,  
To drive the thing even to the end,  
And taken the chance that God would send.  
send His name was james of Dowglas,  
And quhen he heard his father was  
Put in prison so fellounly,  
And that his lands so haillely  
Were given to the Cliffurd, perfay  
He wist not what to do, or say.  
For he had nothing to dispend,  
Nor there was none that ever him kend,  
Would do so mickle for him that he  
Micht with sufficience found in be.  
THus was he wonder will of wane,  
And suddenly in heart hes ta'en,  
That he would travel over the see,  
And a quhile into Paris be,  
And drée mischief where none him kend,  
Quhill God sum succour to him send:  
And as he thocht, he did riched sa,  
And soon to Paris can he ga',  
And lived there full simpilly,  
Quhere that he glaid was, and jolly,  
And to sic exercise oft he ȝeid:  
As course craves of youthheid,  
And quhiles in play and vanity,  
The quhilk sometime may availȝe:  
For knowledge of money estates,  
May quhiles availȝe money gates,  
As to the good Earl of Artois,  
Robert befell until his days:  
For oft fenȝeing of Ribaldie,  
Auailȝeit him, and that greatly,  
And Cato says until his writ,  
To fenȝe folly quhyles is wit.  
In Paris near three years dwelled he,  
And then came tything over the see,  
That his father was done to dead,  
Then was he wonder will of read.  
And thocht that he would home again,  
To look give he throw any pain▪  
Micht win again his heritage,  
And his men out of all thirlage.  

The first rising of Lord DOWGLAS.  

TO Sanctandrous he came in high,  
Where the Bishop full courteously  
Received him, and gart him bear  
His knives, to carve to him, and shear:  
And clad him then full honourably,  
And ordained chamber where he should lie.  
A well great while there dwelled he,  
All men him loved for his bounty:  
For he was of full fair affeir,  
Wise, courteous, and deboneir,  
Large, and loving als was he:  
And over all thing he loved lawtie,  
Lawtie to love is no folly,  
Through lawtie lives men right wisely.  
With one virtue of lawtie,  
A man may yet sufficient be:  
And but lawtie may none have prize,  
Whether that he be wight or wise:  
For where it failyies, no virtue,  
May be of price, nor of value:  
To make a man so good, that he  
May simply good man called be.  
He was in all his deeds léele:  
For he deinyied not to deal  
With traitourie nor with falset:  
His heart on high honour was set:  
And him contented on sick manner,  
That all him loved that were him near:  
But he was not so fair that we  
Should speak greatly of his beauty.  
In visage was he some déele grey:  
And had black hair (as I heard say)  
But then of limbs he was well made,  
With banes great and shoulders brade.  
His body well made, and lenyie,  
(As they that saw him said to me)  
When he was blithe he was lovely,  
And meek and sweet in company  
But who in battle might him see,  
Another countenance had he:  
And in his speech lisped some dell,  
And that set him full wonder well  
To good Hector of Troy might he  
In many things likened be.  
Hector had black hair as he had,  
And stark limbs, and right well made.  
And lisped also as did he,  
And was fulfilled of all bounty,  
And was courteous, wise and wight:  
But of manhéed and mickle might,  
To Hector dare I none compare,  
Of all that ever in world were▪  
For in his time so wrought he,  
That he should greatly loved be.  
HE dwelled there thus till on a tide  
The King Edward with mickle pride  
Came to Starling with great menyie:  
For to hold there an assembly,  
Hitherward went many a Baroun,  
And Bishop William of Lambertoun  
Who hither als, and with him was  
His Esquire james of Dowglas,  
The Bishop led him to the King  
And said Sir, here to you I bring  
This Child, that claims your man to be,  
And prayeth you for Charity,  
That ye receive here his homage,  
And grant to him his heritage.  
Quhat lands claims he, said the King?  
Schir, give that it be your liking,  
He claims the Lordship of Dowglas:  
For Lord thereof his father was.  
The King then writhed him angrily,  
And said, Schir Bischop, sikkerlie  
Give thou would keep thy fewtie,  
Thou make no sic speaking to me.  
His father was ay my felon:  
And died therefore in my prison:  
And was agains my Majesty:  
Therefore I ought his air to be.  
Go purches lands where ever he may,  
For thereof gets he none perfay,  
The Clyffurd shall have them, for he  
Ay leillely he hes served me  
The Bischop heard him so answer,  
And durst then speak to him no mair:  
Bot from his presence went on hy,  
For he dread sore his felony:  
So that no more he spoke thereto:  
But did that he came for to do.  
The King in England went again,  
With money men of mekill main.  
LOrdings who likes for to hear,  
The Romans now begins here:  
Of men that were in great distress,  
And assayed full great hardiness,  
Or they micht come to their intent.  
But sign our Lord sic grace them sent,  
That they sensyne through great valour,  
Came to great hicht, and high honour,  
maugre their foes everichone,  
That were so fell,, that ay for one  
Of them, they were well a thousand,  
Bot where God helps, who may withstand?  
Ȝet if we say the suithfastnes,  
They were eir more than they were less,  
But God that is of mekill micht,  
Preserved them in his foresicht,  
To venge the harms and the contrares,  
That they fell folk, and oppressares  
Did to simple folk and worthy  
That could not save themselves: for thy  
They were like to the Maccabees,  
That as men in the Bible sees,  
Throw their great worship and valour,  
fought in money a stalwart stour:  
For to delyuer their Country,  
Fra folk that throw Iniquity  
Held them, and theirs into thirlage,  
They wrought so throw their vassalage,  
That with few folk they had victory,  
Of michty Kings (as says the Story)  
And delivered their lands all free,  
Quherefore their names sold loved be.  
This Lord the Bruce I spoke of air.  
Saw all the Kinrik so forfair,  
And so troubled the folk saw he,  
That he thereof had great pity.  
Bot quhat pity that ever he had,  
No countenance thereof he made.  
Quhill on a time Schir john Cuming,  
As they came riding from Striuiling,  
Said to him, Schir, will ye not see,  
How that governed is this Country?  
They slew our folk but Enchesoun,  
And hes this land against reasoun:  
And ye thereof Lord should be.  
And if that ye will trow to me,  
Ye shall thereof gar make you King,  
And I shall be in your helping:  
With thy, ye give me all the land,  
That ye have now into your hand:  
And if that ye will not do swa,  
Nor sick a state upon you ta:  
All hail my lands shall yours be,  
And let me take the state on me,  
And bring this land out of thirlage:  
For there is neither man nor Page,  
In all this land, but they will be  
With us, to make themselves free.  
The Lord the Bruce heard his carping,  
And weinde he spoke but soothfast thing:  
And for it liked to his will,  
He gave soon his assent theretill.  
And said, sen ye will it be swa,  
I will blithly upon me ta  
The name for I wot I have right:  
And ri●ht makes oft the feeble wight.  
Their Barouns thus accorded are:  
And that ilk night written were,  
Their Indentours, aithes made,  
To hold that they forespoken had.  
But over all thing woe worth treasoun:  
For there is neither Earl nor Baroun,  
Nor Duke, nor Prince, nor King of might,  
Though he be never so wise nor wight,  
For wit, worship praise, nor renown,  
That ever may keep him fra treasoun.  
Was not all Troy with treason ta'en  
When ten years of the siege was gane,  
Where there was slain eight hundred thousand  
Of them thereout through strength of hand,  
As Dares in his book did wraite,  
And dyted their battle and their state.  
They might not have been ta'en with might:  
But treasoun took them through her slight,  
And Alexander the Conqueror,  
That conquered Babylon's Tower,  
And all this world of length and breed,  
In twelve year through his doughty deed▪  
Was sign destroyed by poison,  
In his own house through treasoun:  
But ere he died his land dealt he,  
To see his death was great pity,  
julius Cesar als that wan  
Britain and France, as worthy man,  
afric, Arabia, Egypt and Syrie,  
And als Europe all haillelie.  
And for his worship and valour,  
Of Rome was first made Emperor,  
Sign in his Capitol was he  
Through them of his counsel privy,  
Slain with botkins unto the dead,  
And when he saw there was no read,  
His even with hand enclosed he,  
For to die with more honesty.  
Als Arthur that through Chivalry,  
Had Britain Mistress and Lady,  
Of twelve Kinrikes that he won,  
And also as a Noble man,  
He won through battle France all free,  
And Lucius Tiber vanquished he▪  
Then he of Rome was Emperor,  
And yet for all his great valour,  
Modreed his Sister son his slew:  
And good men als ma than anew,  
Through treason and through wickedness,  
The Bruce thereof bears witness.  
So fell it of this cunning making,  
Of the Cuming to the King  
Of England, and told all the case,  
But I trow not all as it was.  
The Indentour to him gave he,  
And sign shawed the iniquity,  
And therefore sign he tholed dead,  
That to it could set no remead.   

WHen the King saw the Inden●our,  
He was angry without measure.  
And swore that he should vengeance ta,  
Of the Bruce that presumed sa,  
Against him for to brawl and rise,  
Or to conspire in sic a wise:  
And to Sir john Cumyng said he,  
That he should for his lawtie  
Be rewarded, and that highly,  
And he him thanked humbly,  
And thought well to have the leading  
Of all Scotland but gane saying:  
Fra that the Bruce to death was brought,  
But oft failyeis that fool's thought.  
And wise men's etteling  
Comes not aye to that ending,  
That they think that it should come to:  
For GOD what's what is ado,  
Of his etling right so it fell,  
As I shall afterwards you tell,  
He took his leave, and home is went,  
And the King cummed a Parliament  
Hes set, then after hastily,  
And hidder summon he in high,  
The Barons of his fewtie,  
And to the Lord the Bruce sent he,  
Bidding to come to that gaddring:  
And he that had no perceiving,  
Of the treasoun, and the falset,  
Rade to the King but  let:  
And in London him harboured he  
The first day of their assembly:  
Sign on the morn to Court he went,  
The King sat into Parliament,  
And before his counsel privy,  
The Lord the Bruce there called he:  
And showed him the Indentour,  
He was in full great aventour,  
To tyne his life: but GOD of might  
Reserved him to hire hight:  
That would not that he so were dead,  
The King besought him in that stead,  
The Indentour, the Seal to see,  
And asked if that it sealed he,  
He looked the Seal full tentively,  
And answered him full meekly,  
And said, though that I simple be,  
My Seal is not all time with me.  
I have another it to bear:  
Therefore if that your wills were,  
I ask you respite for to see  
The letter: and therewith advise me  
Till the morn that ye be set,  
And then but any longer let,  
The letter shall I enter here  
Before your Court plane year,  
And there till broach draw I  
Mine heritage all halely.  
The King thought he was traist anough,  
Give he his land in Borrow dreuch,  
And let him with the letter pas,  
To enter as forespoken was.    

The escaping of the Bruce, and the dead of john Cuming.  
THe Bruce went to his Inns swyth,  
And wit ye well he was full blithe,  
That he had gotten that respite,  
He called his Marshal to him tyte,  
And bade him look on all maneare  
That he made to his men good cheer,  
For he will in his chamber be,  
A well great while in privity.  
With him one Clerk and no ma.  
The Marshal to the hall can ga,  
And did his Lords commanding.  
The Lord the Bruce but more letting,  
Gart privily bring steeds twa,  
And he, and the Clerk withouten ma  
Lap on withouten perceiving,  
And day and night but sojourning  
They rade, till on the fifth day  
Coming to Lochmabene are they,  
His brother Edward there they found,  
That thought ferlie he took on hand,  
For to come home so privily,  
He told his brother halely:  
How that he there summoned was,  
And how he escaped through ca●e.  
So fell it in the 'samine tie,  
That at Dumfreis right there beside,  
Sir john Cumyng sojourn made,  
The Bruce lap on but any bade,  
And thought but any more letting,  
For to quite him his discovering,  
hither he rade but longer let,  
And Sir john Cumyng there he met,  
In the Friars at the high Altar,  
And showed him with boarding cheer,  
The Indentour, sign with a knife  
Right in that place he reft his life.  
Sir Edward coming als was slain,  
And other als of mickle main:  
And not for thy yet some men says,  
That that debate fell otherways:  
But whosoever fell in debaite,  
Therethrough he died well I wait.  
He misdid that greetly but wéere,  
That gave no girth to the Altéere.  
Therefore so hard mischief him fell,  
That I heard never in Romans tell,  
Of man so hard stead as was he,  
And after came to sic bounty.  
NOw again to the King go we.  
That on the morrow with his barnie  
Sat into his Parliament,  
And after the Lord the Bruce he sent,  
Right to his Inns with Knights keen,  
When he ofttime had called been.  
And his men after him asked they,  
They said that he sen yesterday,  
Dwelled in his chamber it hardly,  
And a Clerk with him anerly,  
Then knocked they at the chamber there:  
And when they heard none make answer,  
They brak the door, but they found naught,  
He was away that they there sought:  
They told the King all hail the case,  
And how that he escaped was,  
He was of his escape sorry,  
And swore in ire full stalwartly.  
That he sold drawn and hanged be,  
He menassed as him thought, but he  
Thought it sold pass another way:  
And when he, as ye heard me say,  
Into the Kirk john Cuming had slain,  
To Lochmabene he went again,  
And gart men with his letters ride,  
To friends upon ilk side.  
They came to him with their meinie,  
And his men als assembled he,  
And thought that he would make him King,  
Over all the land the word can spring,  
That the Bruce had the coming slain,  
And among others letters a●e gane,  
To the Bishop of Androistoun,  
That told how slain was the Baroun.  
The Letter told him hail the dead,  
And he till his men can it read:  
And then he said, full sikkerly,  
I hope that Thomas prophecy,  
Of Erstiltoun, shall very be  
In him for so our Lord me see,  
I have great hope he shall be King,  
And have this land all in leading.   

The Dowglas Meeting with King Robert.  
IAmes of Dowglas that aye where  
Always before the Bishop share:  
He had well hard the Letter red,  
And he took also full good heed  
To all that the Bishop had said,  
And when the boards down were laid:  
To Chamber went he then in high,  
And james of Dowglas privily:  
Said to the Bishop, Sir, ye see  
How Englishmen through their poustie,  
Disherites me of all my Land,  
And men have gart you understand,  
Als that the Earl of Carrike,  
Claims to govern this Kinrike:  
And for your Man that he hath slain,  
All Englishmen at him again.  
And would disherit him blythly,  
And in a Line with him am I.  
Therefore Sir, if it been your will  
I would take with him good and ill,  
Through him I think my Land to win,  
Magre the Cliffurd, and his kin.  
The Bishop heard, and had pity,  
And said, Sweet Son so God me see,  
I would blythly that ye were there,  
So that I not reproved were.  
On this manner well work thou may,  
Thou shalt take farrand my Palfrey.  
For there none Horse is in this Land  
So wight, nor yet so well rinnand,  
Take him as of thine own head,  
As I had given thereto no read.  
And give his keeper oft grunches,  
Look that thou take him maugre his,  
So shall I more assonyied be,  
Almighty GOD, for his poustie,  
Grant, that he thou passes to,  
And thou so well all time may do,  
That ye you fra your foes defend.  
He taught him silver for to spend:  
And sign gave him his bennisoun,  
And bade him pass his way off town:  
For he would sleep till he was gane,  
The Dowglas then his way hes ta'en,  
Right to the horse as he him bad:  
But he that him in keeping had,  
Warned him well despiteously,  
But he that wraithes him angrily,  
Felled him with a sword's dint,  
And sign but any longer stint,  
The horfe he saddled hastily,  
And lap on him deliverly:  
And passed forth but leave taking.  
Dear GOD that is over all things King,  
Save him and shield him fra his faes:  
All him alone the way he taes  
Toward the town of Lochmabane,  
And a little fra Ayrik stane,  
The Bruce with a great rout he met,  
He rade to Scone for to be set  
In King's stool, and to be King.  
And when Dowglas saw his coming,  
He rade and hailsed him in high,  
And lowted to him courteously,  
And told him hai●ly all his state,  
And what he was and als what gate,  
The Clyffurd held his heritage,  
And that he came to make homage  
To him, as to his righteous King,  
And that he boun was in all thing  
To take with him both good and ill.  
And when the Bruce had heard his will.  
He received him in great dainty,  
And men and arms to him taught he.  
He trowed well he should be worthy,  
For all his friends were ay doughty.  
Thus gate made they their acquaintance,  
That never yet for no mischance  
Departed while they living waire.  
Their friendship ay waxed more and maire:  
For he served ay léelely▪  
And the other ay wilfully  
That was both worthy, wight and wise,  
Rewarded him well his service.  
The Lord the Bruce to Glasgow rade,  
And sent about him till he had  
Of his friends a great meinie.   

Coronatio Regis ROBERTI.  
And then to Scone in high rade he,  
And was made King but longer let,  
And in the King's stool he was set:  
As in that time was the manner,  
But of their noble and great affeir,  
Their service nor their royalty,  
Ye shall hear now nothing of me.  
Outtane that he, of the Barnage  
That hidder came taken their homage,  
And sign he went over all the land,  
Friends and friendship purchasand:  
To maintain that he had begun.  
He wist ere all the lands were win,  
That he should find hard bargaining  
With him that was of England King:  
For there was none in life so fell,  
So proud, so hie, and so cruel.  
And when to King Edward was told,  
How that the Bruce that was so bold:  
Had brought the coming to an ending,  
And how he had sign made him King,  
Out of his wit he yéed full near,  
And sign gart call him Sir Aymeere,  
Of Wallans, that was wise and wight,  
And of his hands a doughty Knight,  
And bade him men and Arms ta,  
And in all hy to Scotland ga',  
And burn, and ●la, and raise Dungeoun,  
And heght all Fife in warisoun  
To him, that might other take or slay,  
Robert the Bruce that was his fa.  
Sir Aymer did as he him bade,  
Greit Chivalry with him he had,  
With him was Philip the Mowbray,  
Sir Ingrayme Vmfraywile perfay,  
That was both wise and als worthy,  
And fulfilled of great Chivalry,  
And of Scotland the most party,  
They had into their Company.   

The first Speaking of King Robert with Sir Aymer  
FOr yet then mickle of the Land  
Was into the Englishmen hand.  
To Perth they went into a rout,  
That then was walled all about.  
With fell Towers right high battailled,  
For to defend if it were sailyeid,  
Therein dwelled Sir Aymery  
With all his great Chivalry,  
The King Robert wist he was there,  
And what kin Chiftanes with him were,  
He assembled all his meinie,  
And had feill folk of great bounty:  
But their foes were more than they,  
By fifteen hunger as I heard say:  
And yet he had there at that need,  
Feill folk that doughty were indeed,  
And Barons that were bald as Baire,  
Two Earls als was with him there  
Of Lennox, and Athol were they  
Edward the Bruce was there alsway,  
Thomas Randell and Hue de la Hay,  
And good Sir David de Barclay,  
Fresell, Somerwell, and Inchemertine,  
james of Dowglas there was sign,  
That then was but of little might,  
And other feill forcie men in fight:  
Als was good Crystal of Setoun,  
And Robert Boyde of great Renown:  
And other feill men of mickle might,  
But I cannot tell what they hight.  
Though they were few they were worthy,  
And fulfilleth of great Chivalry,  
And in battle in good array,  
Before Saint johnstoun they lay:  
And bad Sir Aymer is and fight:  
And he that in his mickle might  
Trusted on them that were him by,  
Bade his men arm them hastily:  
But Sir Ingrayme of Vmfrawile,  
Thought it was all too great peril,  
In plain battle to them to go,  
While that they were arrayed also:  
And to Sir Aymer then said he,  
Sir, give that ye will trow to me,  
Ye shall not is them to assailye:  
Till they are purvayed in battailye:  
For their leader is wise and wight,  
And of his hand an noble Knight,  
And he hes in his company  
Money a good Knight and worthy,  
That shall be hard for to assay  
While they are in so good array:  
For it sold be full mickle might  
That now should put them to the flight.  
For when they folk are well arrayed,  
And for the battle are purveyed,  
With thy that they all good men be  
They shall far more be avisie,  
And well more to be dread than they  
Were set somedeal out of array.  
Therefore ye may gar say them till,  
That they may this night give they will,  
Gang harbrie them, and sleep and rest,  
And on the morn but longer frist,  
Ye shall ishe forth to the battle,  
And feght with them but give they fail.  
So shall they wend to their harbrie,  
Some shall to Forray pass sickerlie.  
And they that dwells at the ludging,  
Give they come out of travelling,  
Shall in short time unarmed be,  
Then on our best manner may we  
With all our fair Chivalry  
Rid toward them full hardly:  
And they that wenes to rest all night,  
When they see us arrayed to fight,  
Coming on them so suddenly,  
They shall afraid be gréetumly,  
And ere they knit in battle be,  
We shall speed us ●ic sort that we  
Shall be all ready for to semble,  
That some for erynesse shall tremble,  
When he assailyde is suddenly,  
That with avisement is doughty.   

The Ludging of King Robert in the Park of Methwen.  
AS he devised, so have they done,  
And to them outwith sent he soon:  
And bade them harbrie them that night,  
And on the morn come to the fight.  
When they saw they might do no mair,  
Toward Methwen soon can they fare:  
And in the Wood them lodged they,  
The third part went to the Forray:  
And the lave soon unarmed were,  
And skailed to lodge them here and there.  
Sir Aymer then but more abode,  
With all the folk he with him had,  
Ished enforcedly to the fight,  
And rade into a randoun right,  
The strait way toward Methwen  
The King that was unarmed then,  
Saw them come on enforcedly,  
And to his men can highly cry.  
To arms swyth, and make you yaire,  
Here at our hand our foes are:  
And they did so in full great hy,  
And on their horse leapt hastily:  
The King displayed his banner,  
When that his folk assembled were.  
He said, Lordings, now may ye see  
That you folk through subtlety,  
Shapes them to do with slight,  
If that they dread to do with might.  
Now perceive I, that who will trow  
His fa, it shall him sometime grow:  
●nd naught for thy, though they be feill,  
GOD may right well our werdes deill:  
For multitude makes no victory,  
As men have red in money Story.  
As few folk oft have vanquished ma,  
Trow ye that we shall do right sa,  
Ye are ilkane wight and worthy  
And called of great Chivalry,  
And wait right well what honour is,  
Work ye therefore on sic a wise,  
That your honour be saved ay,  
And one thing will I to you say,  
That he that dies for his Country,  
In height of heaven shall harboured be.  
When this was said they saw cummand,  
Their foes riding at their hand,  
Arrayed right avisedly,  
Wilful to do Chivalry.   

The Battle of Methwen, and the first Discomfit of King Robert.  
ON either side thus were they there,  
And to assemble ready were:  
And so rudely can raging ride,  
That Spears all too frushed are,  
And fe●●l men dead and wounded saire,  
The blood out of the beirnes braced,  
Of best and of the worthiest,  
That wilful were to win honour,  
Plunged into that stalwart stour,  
And routs rude about them dang,  
Men might have seen into that thrang:  
Knights that wight and worthy were,  
Under Horse's feet defouled there.  
Some wounded and some all dead,  
The grass waxed all of blood all red:  
And they that held on Horse in hy,  
Swapped out Swords deliveredly,  
And so fell strokes gave and took,  
That all the rinke about them shook,  
The Bruces folk full hardly,  
Shawed their great Chivalry:  
And he himself attour the lave,  
So hard and heavy dints gave,  
That where he came they made him way,  
His men them put to hard assay,  
To stint their foes mickle might:  
Than they so fair had of the fight:  
That they wan place aye mair and mair.  
The King's small folk near vanquished were.  
ANd where the King his folk hes seen,  
Begin to failye for proper teen:  
To his Ensenye can highly cry,  
And in the stour so hardly.  
He raged till all the semble shook,  
He all so hewed that he overtook:  
And dang on them while he might drée,  
And to his folk he cried high.  
On them, on them, they feeble fast,  
This bargain may no longer last,  
And with that word so wilfully,  
He dang on them so hardly:  
That who had seen him in that fight,  
Sold hold him for a doughty Knight:  
〈◊〉 it though he stout was, and hardy,  
And other als of his company,  
There might no worship there availie,  
For there small folk all hail they failie.  
And fled and skailled here and there,  
But the good that escaped were,  
Baide fight in that stalwart stour,  
To conquest them endless honour.  
And when Sir Aymer he hath seen,  
The small folk fleeing hail be déene,  
And saw so few abide the fight.  
He drew to him money a Knight,  
And in the stour so hardly,  
He rushed with his company,  
That he rushed his foes ilkane.  
Sir Thomas Randell there was ta'en,  
That then was a young bachelor,  
And Sir Alexander the Fraser,  
And Sir David the Barclay,  
Inchemertine and Hue de la Hay,  
And Somerwell, and other ma,  
And the King himself also,  
Was set into so hard essay,  
Through good Sir Philip the Mowbray,  
That rade to him full hardly:  
And hint his renyie, and then can cry:  
Help, help, I have thee now made King,  
With that came griding in a ling,  
Christill of Setoun when he so  
The King saw seized with his foe,  
To Sir Philip sic routs he wrought,  
That thought he was of mickle might,  
He gart him stakker desilie,  
And had to earth gane haillelie:  
War not he held him by the Steed,  
Out of his hand the bridle yeed,  
And the King his Ensign can cry,  
Relieved his men that stood him by,  
That were so few that they not might,  
Endure the force more of the fight.  
They pricked then out of the press,  
And the King that all angry was:  
For he his men saw flee him fro,  
Said then, Lordings, sen it is so  
That were runneth again us here,  
Good is we pass off their danger,  
While God us send eftsoons some grace,  
And it may fall, if they will chase.  
Quite them combat somedeal we shall.  
To that word they assented all.  
And from them walloped uppermere,  
Their foes also they weary were:  
That of them all they chased nane.  
But with prisoners that they had ta'en,  
Right to town they held the way,  
Right glade and joyful of their Prey.  
That night they lay all in the town.  
There was none of so great renown,  
Nor none so hardy of them all.  
That durst harbrie without the wall:  
So dread they sore the gane coming  
Of Sir Robert the doughty King,  
And to the King of England soon,  
They wrote hailly as they had done:  
And he was blithe of that tithing,  
And for despite bade draw and hang  
All the prisoners, though they were more,  
But Sir Aymer did nothing so:  
To some both life and land gave he,  
To leave the Bruce and his fewtie,  
And serve the King of England,  
And of him for to hold their land:  
And wary the Bruce as their foe,  
Thomas Randell was one of tho.  
That for his life became their man,  
And others that were taken then,  
Some they ransomed, and some they slew,  
And some hanged, and some they drew.  
IN this manner rebuted was  
The Bruce that great mourning mais:  
For his men that were slain and ta'en,  
And he was also will of wane:  
For he trowde in none sikkerlie,  
Except them of his company  
That were so few they scarce might been,  
Five hunger men of hail menyie,  
His brother also was him by,  
Sir Edward that was so worthy,  
And with him was a bold Baroun,  
Sir William the Halyburtoun,  
The Earl of Athol he was there:  
Bot ay sen they discomfit were.  
The Earl of Lennox was away,  
And was put to full hard assay,  
Ere he met with the King again,  
Bot always as a man of main,  
He him maintained manfully,  
The King had in his company  
james also Lord of Dowglas  
That wise, wight, and worthy was.  
Sir Gilbert de la Hay also,  
Sir neil campbel and other ma:  
That I their names cannot tell,  
And Outlaws went to dail and fell,  
Dreeing in the mountains pine,  
And eat flesh, and drank water sign,  
He durst not into plains ga',  
For all the Commons went him fra:  
That for their lives were full fain,  
To pass to English peace again.  
So fares it always commonly,  
In Commons may no man affy,  
Bot he that may their warrant be:  
So fare they then with him, for he  
Them fra their foes might not warrant,  
They turned all to the other hand,  
Bot thraldom that men gart them feel,  
Gart them ay yarn, that he sure well.  
THus in the hills lived he,  
Till the most part of his meinie  
Was reven and rend, and no shoes had,  
Bot as they then of Hides made:  
Therefore they went to Aberdene,  
Where neil the Bruce came, & the Queen  
And other Ladies fair and pleasand,  
Ilkone for love of their husband:  
And for leele love and loyalty,  
Partner of their pains would be.  
They choosed rather with them to ta  
Anger and pains, than be them fra:  
Sign love it is of sick a might,  
That it does all the pains make light,  
And money times makes tender wight,  
Als of sick strength, and of sick might:  
That they may meekle pain endure,  
And to forsake none adventure,  
That ever may fall: with thy that they  
Therethrough succour their lives may.  
¶ Men reads when Thebes was ta'en,  
And King Adrestus men were slain,  
That assieged the City,  
All the women of his Country,  
Came for to fetch him home again▪  
When they heard all his folk was slain,  
Where that the King Campeus  
Through the Oast of Menestheus,  
That came through case riding them by,  
With three hunger in company,  
That through the King's prayer assailed,  
And yet to take the town had failyéed,  
War not the wives that thrilled the wall,  
With pikkes where the assailyeours all  
Entered and destroyed the town,  
And slew the people but ransoun:  
Sign when the Duke his ways was gane  
And all the King's men were slain:  
The Wives had him to his Country,  
Where was no living man but he,  
In women mickle comfort lies,  
And great solace in money wise.  
So fell it here for their coming  
Comforted gretumly the King:  
For why everilk night he work.  
And his rest on the day he took,  
A good while there he soiournde then,  
And eased wonder well his men,  
While that the Englishmen heard say,  
That he there with his menyie lay:  
At all kin ease, and sickerly,  
Their Oast assembled they in hy.  
And trowed there him to surprise:  
But he that in his deeds was wise,  
Witted, they assembled were, and where:  
And wist that they so money were:  
That he might not against them fight:  
His men in hy he gart them dight,  
And bush them of the town to ride,  
The Ladies rade hard by his side:  
Then to the hills they held their way,  
Where great default of meat had they:  
Bot worthy james of Dowglas,  
Ay traveled he, and busy was,  
For to purchase the Lady's meat:  
And eels in money wise walled get:  
For whiles vennison he them brought,  
And with his hands whiles he wrought.  
Girns to take Geddes, and Salmon,  
Trout, Celes, and Menons,  
And whiles they went to the Forray,  
And so their meat purchased they  
Ilke man traveled for to get,  
And purchased them that they might eat,  
But of all that ever there were,  
There was not one among them there,  
That with the Ladies more praised was,  
Than was Sir james of Dowglas:  
And the King oft comforted was  
Through his wit, and his business,  
On this manner then governed they,  
Till they came to the head of Tay,   

How john of Lorne discomfist King Robert.  
THe Lord of Lorne winned thereby,  
That was Capital enemy,  
To the King for his Emes sake  
john the coming, and thought to take  
Vengeance upon cruel manéere.  
When the King wist he was so near:  
He assembled his Men in high,  
And had into his company,  
The Barons of Argyle also.  
They were a thousand well and ma.  
That come for to suppress the King,  
That was well ware of their coming,  
But all too few with him he had:  
And yet he boldly them abode:  
And feill of them at their first meeting  
Was laid at earth but recovering:  
The King's folk full well them bare,  
And slew and feill wounded sare:  
But the folk of the other party  
Faught with axes so fellounly:  
For they on foot were everilkane,  
But they feill of their Horse hes slain,  
And to some gave they wounds wide,  
james of Dowglas was hurt that tid,  
And als Sir Gilbert de la Hay,  
The King his men saw in affray,  
And his Ensenye right fast 'gan cry:  
And in the stour full hardly,  
He rade, and rushed among them all,  
And feill of them there gart he fall:  
But when he saw they were so fell▪  
And saw them so great dints deal,  
He dread to tine his men for thy,  
His solke to him he can rely.  
And said Lordings, it folly were,  
To us for to assemble mare:  
For they feill of our Horse have slain,  
And if we feght with them again:  
We shall tyne of our small Menʒie,  
And ourselves shall in peril been,  
Therefore me think most according,  
To withdraw us, we defending,  
Till we come out of their danger,  
Our strength is at our hand well near.  
Then they withdrew them haillelie:  
But that was nothing cowartly,  
For samin into a sop held they,  
And the King him abandound ay,  
To defend behind his meinie:  
And through his worship so wrought he,  
That he rescued all the fléears,  
And so astonished all the chasers.  
That none durst on't of battle chase:  
For at their hand always he was.  
So well defended he his men,  
That who so ever had seen him then  
Prove so worthy vassalage:  
And turn so oft-time his visage,  
He should say, he ought well to been,  
A King of full great Royalty.  
WHen that the Lord of Lorne saw,  
His men stand of him sick awe,  
That they durst not follow the chase.  
Right angry in his heart he was.  
And sair wondered that he should so,  
Stoney them him alone but more,  
He said, Me think Martheokes son,  
Right as Golmakmorne was won,  
To have from Fyngall his menyie,  
Right so from us all his, hes he,  
He set ensample thus him like,  
The whilk he might more manerlyke,  
Likened him to Gaudifer Delaryse:  
When that the mighty Duke Betyse  
Assayed in Gaders the Forrayours,  
And when the King them made recourse:  
Duke Betyse taken on him the flight,  
And would no more abide the fight,  
But good Gaudifer the worthy  
Abandound him so hardly.  
For to rescue all the fléears:  
And for to astoney the chasers:  
That Alexander to earth he bore,  
And so did he Ptolemy there,  
And good Corneus also,  
Danchine, and also other more,  
But at the last there slain he was,  
In that failyied the liklinesse  
For that the King Chevalruosly,  
Defended all his company,  
That was set in full great danger,  
And yet escaped hail and fear.   

How the King slew the three men that swore his death.  
TWo brether were into the land,  
That were the hardiest of hand,  
There were in all that same Country:  
And they had sworn if they might see  
The Bruce and him over ta,  
That they should die, or then him s●a,  
Their Surname was Makindorser,  
That is als meekile to say here,  
As Durwarts sons perfay,  
Of their conuéene the third had they:  
That was right stout, ill and felon.  
When they the King of great renown  
Saw so behind his Menʒie ride,  
And saw him turn so money a tide.  
They abode ay while that he was  
Entered into a narrow place,  
Betwixt a Loch and a narrow Brabant,  
That was so straight I underta,  
That he might not well turn his Steed:  
Then with one will to him they yéed,  
And one him by the Bridle hint:  
But he reached to him sick a dint,  
That arm and shoulder flaw him fra,  
With that another can him ta  
By the Leg, and his hand can shoot  
Betwixt the stirrup and his foot,  
And when the King felt there his hand,  
In steroppes stythlie can he up stand.  
And strake with Spurs his Steed in hy,  
And he lanced deliveredly:  
So that the other failyied feet.  
And nought for thy his hands was yet,  
Under the sterop maugre his.  
The third in full great hy with this,  
Right to the braes side he yéed.  
And start behind him on a Steed.  
The King was then in full great press,  
The whilk bethought, as he that was.  
In all his deeds avisie,  
To do an outrageous bounty:  
He hint him that behind him was,  
And maugre him he can him raise.  
From behind him though he had sworn,  
And laid him even him before:  
Sign with his sword sic dints him gave.  
That he the head till harness clave.  
He rushed down of blood all red,  
As he that stoun● felt of the dead:  
And then the King in full great high,  
Strake at the other vigorously,  
And at the first strake he him slew,  
That he after his sterop drew.  
On this wise him delivered he,  
Of all these felon foes three.  
WHen john of Lorn hes seen the King  
Set for himself so great helping,  
And defend him so manfully:  
Was none among them so hardy:  
That durst assailyie him more in fight,  
So dread they of his mickle might.  
There was a Baroun Maknaghtane,  
That in his heart great keep hes ta'en  
Unto the King's great Chevalrie,  
And praised him in his heart greetly,  
And to the Lord of Lorne said he.  
Surely Sir may now ye see  
Beta'en the starkest pondlayne  
That in your life-time ye saw ta'en,  
For you Knight through his doughty deed  
And through his courageous manhéed,  
Hes felled into a little tide  
Three men of meekle might and pride,  
And stoneyed all our menyie swa,  
That after him dare no man ga,  
And turns so money time his Steed,  
It seems of us he hes no dread.  
Then can the Lord of Lorne say,  
It seems it likes thee perfay,  
That he slays yone gate our menyie.  
Sir said he, so our Lord me see,  
To save your peace, it is not sa,  
Bot whether he be friend or fa,  
That wins praise of Chivalry,  
Men sold speak thereof léelely,  
And sickerly in all my time,  
I heard never in song, nor rhyme,  
Tell of a man that so smertly,  
Encheefed so great Chivalry.  
sick speaking of the King they made,  
And he after his menyie rade,  
And to sic savitie them led,  
Where he his foes nothing dread:  
And they of Lorn● again are gane,  
meaning the skaith that they had ta'en.  
The King that night his watches set,  
And gart ordain that they might eat.  
And bade them comfort to them take,  
And at their mights merry make:  
For discomfort as then, said he,  
Is the worst thing in world may be:  
For through mickle discomforting,  
Men ofttimes falls in despairing.  
And fra a man despaired be,  
Then utterly vanquished is he:  
And fra the heart be discomfit,  
The body is not worth a mite:  
Therefore he said, attour all thing.  
Keep you well from discomforting,  
And think, though we now harms feel.  
That GOD may yet relief us well.  
Men reads oft of money that were  
Far harder stead, than we yet are:  
And sign our LORD sick grace them lent,  
That they came well to their intent:  
For Rome umwhile so hard was stead,  
When Hannibal them vanquished had:  
That of Kings with rich stane,  
That was off Knights fingers ta'en,  
He send three bowls to Carthage,  
And sign to Rome took his voyage,  
For to destroy the City all,  
And they within both great and small,  
Had fled when they saw his coming,  
Had not been Scipio the ying,  
That ere they fled would them have slain,  
And so he turned them again:  
And sign for to defend the City,  
Thrilled, and servants made he free,  
And made them Knights everilkane:  
And of the Temple sign hes ta'en,  
The arms that their Elders bare,  
In name of victory efféered there.  
And when they armed were and dight,  
They stalwart Carls were and wight,  
And saw that they were free also,  
They thought that they had rather ta  
The deed: than let the town be ta'en:  
And with common assent as one,  
They ished of the town to fight,  
Where Hannibal of mickle might,  
Against them arrayed was:  
Bot through the might of God's grace,  
It rained so hard and so heavy,  
That there was none so hardy.  
That durst then into the plain abide,  
But sped them all in hy to ride.  
The one part to the Palliouns,  
And the other part to the towns.  
The rain thus letted the fight:  
So did it twice thereafter sign.  
When Hannibal saw this ferly,  
With all his great Chivalry,  
He left the town, and held his way,  
And sign was put to sick assay,  
Through the power of that City,  
That his life and his land tint he,  
Sen so whéene and so unworthy  
Man sick a Knight, and so mighty:  
Ye may well by example see,  
That no man sold despaired be,  
Nor let his heart be vanquished all:  
For no mischief that ever may fall:  
For nane wait in how little space,  
That GOD will sometime send his grace,  
Had they fled and their ways ta'en,  
Their foes sold the town have ta'en:  
Therefore men that wéering are,  
Sold set their intent evermare,  
To stand against their foes might,  
Other with strength or else with flight:  
As they think to come to purpose,  
And give that they were set in chose,  
To die or to live cowardly,  
They should erer die Chevalrously.  
THus gate them comforted the King,  
And to comfort them in can bring,  
Old Stories of men that were  
Set into hard assays fear,  
And that Fortoun contraried fast,  
And came to purpose at the last:  
Therefore he said, that he that would  
Their hearts undiscomfite hauled▪  
Sold ay think Ithingly to bring  
All their purposes to good ending.  
As whylum did Cesar the worthy,  
That traveled ay so busily,  
With all his might following to make  
End of the purpose that he would take  
That him thought he had done right naught  
Ay to do while he left ought:  
For thy great things enchéeved he,  
As men may in his Story see,  
Men may see by his Ithand will,  
And it sold als accord to skill,  
That who takes purpose entirely,  
And follows on it Ithandly:  
Withouten fainting or falding,  
With thy it be cunnable thing,  
Bot he the more be unhappy,  
He shall encheeve it be party  
Have he lifedaies it may befall,  
That he shall well encheeve it all.  
For they should none have despairing,  
For to enchéeve a full great thing:  
For if it fall, he therefore fa●lye,  
The fault may lie in his travailye,  
He preached to them on this manner,  
And fainyied to make better cheer,  
Then he had matter to, be far,  
For his cause yeed from ill to war,  
They were ay in so hard travail,  
While the Ladies began to fail:  
That might the travele dree no mare,  
So did other als that were there,  
The Earl john was one of they,  
Of Athol, when that he saw say,  
The King thus be discomfist twice,  
And so feill folk against him rise,  
And leave him in sick travel and doubt,  
His heart began to fail all out:  
And to the King upon a day,  
He said, if I durst to you say,  
We live into so meekle dread,  
And of meat hes so meekle need,  
And is ay in sick travelling,  
With Caldoro and Hunger and waking,  
That I set of myself in so,  
I count not of my life a stro.  
Their angers may I no more dree.  
For thought me worthed therefore to die.  
I mon sojourn where ever it be.  
Leave me thereto for Charity,  
The King saw that he thus gate failyed,  
And that he was so fair travailyied,  
He said Sir earl we shall soon see,  
And ordain how it may best be.  
Where ever ye be our Lord you send  
Grace, from your foes you to defend.  
With that in hy to him called he,  
They that were to him most privy,  
Then among them they thought it best,  
And ordained for the likeliest,  
That the Queen and the Earl also,  
And the Ladies in high should go,  
With neil the Bruce to Kildromy  
For they thought they should sickerly  
Dwell there, while they were victualed well  
For so stark was the Castle.  
That it with strength was hard to get,  
While that within were men and meat,  
As they ordained they did in hy,  
The Queen and all her company,  
Lap on their Horse, and forth they fare,  
Men might have seen who had been there,  
At lief taking Ladies great,  
And made cheeks with tears what:  
And Knights for their love's sake  
Both sigh and weep, and mourning make.  
They kissed their loves at their departing,  
The King bethought him of a thing  
That he fra thine on foot would go,  
And take on foot both well and woe,  
And would no Horsemen with him have,  
From them there all hail they gave,  
To the Ladies that mister had.  
The Queen forth her ways rade,  
And safely came to the Castle,  
Where her folk were received well.  
And eased well with meat and drink:  
Yet might none ease let her to think  
On the King that so hard was stad,  
That but two hunger with him had.  
The whilk them well governed ay,  
God help them that all mights may▪   

The pain of King Robert among the Mountains  
THe Queen dwelled thus in Kildromie,  
And the King and his company.  
They were two hunger and no more,  
Fra they had sent their Horse them fro:  
Wanred among the high mountains,  
Where he and his oft tholled pains:  
For it was to the Winter near,  
And so fell foes about them were,  
That all the Country them weirrayed.  
With so hard noy they them assayed.  
Of hunger, cold, and showers snell,  
Is none that lives that can tell,  
The King saw how his men were stad,  
And what annoy else that they had:  
And saw was Winter drawing near,  
And that he might on no manéere,  
Drée in the Hills the cold lying▪  
Nor yet the long nights waking,  
He thought he would to Kintyre go,  
And so long sojourn there to more,  
While Winter weather were away,  
And then he thought but more delay,  
In the maneland for to arrive,  
And to the end his weirds drive.  
And for Kintyre lies in the sea,  
Sir neil campbel before sent he,  
For to get him Naving and meat,  
A certain time to him he set,  
When he should meet him at the sea,  
Sir neil campbel with his Menʒie,  
Went his way but more letting.  
And left his brother with the King,  
And in ten days so travelde he,  
That he gate shipping good plenty,  
And vittane in great abundance,  
So made he Noble Chevisance:  
For his friends winned thereby,  
That helped him full willingly.   

How the King past-over Lochlowmond.  
THe King after that he was gane,  
To Lochmabene the way hes ta'en:  
And came there on the third day:  
But there about no Boat found they,  
That might them over the Water bear,  
Then were they noyed in great manner.  
For it was far about to ga,  
And they were into doubt also:  
To meet their foes that spread were wide,  
Therefore endlang the Loeh side,  
They sought so busily and so fast,  
While james of Dowglas at the last,  
Fand a little sinking Bait,  
And it to land they drew full hait:  
But it so little was, that it  
Might but three over the Water flit.  
They send thereof word to the King,  
That was joyful of that finding:  
And first into the Bat is gone,  
With him Dowglas: the third was one▪  
That rowed them over deliverly,  
And set them on the land all dry:  
And rowed so oft syes to and fra,  
Fetching ay over twa and twa:  
That in a night and in a day,  
com over the Loch are they:  
For some of them could swoome full well,  
And on his back bear a fardel,  
So with swooming and with rowing,  
They brought them over, & all their thing.  
The King a while merrily,  
Read to them that was him by,  
Romans of worthy Ferembras,  
That worthily overcome was,  
With the right doughty Oliver,  
And how the doughty Dutch peers were,  
Assieged into Egrymor,  
Where King Lanyn lay them before,  
With more thousands than I can say,  
And but eleven within were they,  
And a woman: that were so stad,  
That they no meat there with them had▪  
But as they fra their foes it won.  
Yet they contained so them than,  
That they the town held manlely,  
While that Richard of Normandy,  
Magre his foes warned the King,  
That was joyful of that tithing:  
For he weened they had all been slain,  
Therefore he turned in hy again:  
And wan Monetribill and past Flagote:  
And sign Lavyn, and all his float,  
Despiteously discomfit he,  
And deliured his men all free.  
And won the Nails and the Spear,  
And the Crown that JESUS bear,  
And of the Cross a great party,  
He won through his great Chivalry.  
The good King upon this manner,  
Comforted them that were with him near,  
And made him gaming and solace,  
While that his men overpassed was.  
WHen they had past the Water brade,  
Suppose they feill of foes had,  
They made them merry, and was blithe,  
Yet not for thy full feill sith,  
They had full great default of meat,  
And therefore Uennison to get,  
In twa parts are they gane.  
The King himself was into one,  
And good Sir james of Dowglas,  
Into the other party was,  
Then in the hight they held their way.  
And hunted long while of the day,  
They sought Shawes, and seattes set:  
Bot little good gate they to eat.  
Then happened in that time through eace,  
That the Earl of Lennox was,  
Among the hills near thereby,  
And when he heard sick blow and cry,  
He had wonder what it might be,  
And on sick manner spied he,  
That he knew well it was the King,  
And then but any more dwelling,  
With all them of his company,  
Right to the King he went in hy.  
So blithe and so joyful, that he  
Might on no manner blyther be:  
For he the King weened had been dead,  
And he was also will of read:  
That he durst rest into no place,  
Sen that the King discomfit was  
At Methwen: he heard never tithing,  
That ever certain was of the King:  
Therefore in full great dainty,  
The King full homely hailsed he,  
And he him welcomed right blythly,  
And kissed him full tenderly,  
And all the Lords that were there,  
UUere joyful of their meeting there.  
And kissed him in great dainty,  
It was great pity for to see,  
How they for joy and pity great,  
When that they with their fellows met,  
That they weened had been dead: for thy  
They welcomed him more hartfully:  
And he for pity great again:  
That never of meeting was so fain.  
Though I say, that they great sooth,  
It was no greeting properly,  
For I trow traistly that greeting,  
Comes to men through misliking:  
And that none may but anger greet,  
Bot it be women that can wéet  
Their cheeks, when them list with tears  
The whilk oft time's none ill them déeres.  
Bot I wait right well but lieging,  
Where ever men hes of sick greeting,  
That mickle joy and great pity,  
May gar men so amoved be,  
That water fra their heart will rise.  
And wéet their éene on sick a wise,  
That it is like to be greeting,  
Though it be not like in all thing.  
For when men greets inkerly,  
The heart is sorrowful or angry:  
Bot for pity, I trow greeting,  
Be nothing but an opening  
Of heart: that shawes the tenderness,  
Of ruth, that in it closed is.  
THe Barons upon this manner.  
Through God's grace assembled were  
The Earl had meat, and that plenty,  
And with blithe heart, them it gave he:  
And they, eat it with full good will,  
And sought none other sauce theretill,  
Bot appetite that oft men takes,  
For well scoured was their stomaches.  
They ate and drank sick as they had.  
And to the Lord sick loving made,  
And thanked him with full good cheer,  
That they were met on that manner,  
The King at them then asked yarn,  
Sen he them saw, how they had farne:  
And they full piteously can tell,  
Of aventures that them befell:  
And great annoys. and poverty.  
The King thereat had great pity,  
And tauld them piteously again,  
The noy, the travel, and the pain.  
That he had tholed sen he them saw,  
Was none among them high, nor law:  
But he hath pity, and pleasance,  
When he heard make remembrance  
Of the perils that passed were.  
For when men ought at liking are,  
To tell of pains passed by,  
Pleases the hearing wondrously.  
And to rehearse their old diseases,  
Does them oft comfort, nor eases.  
With thy thereto follow no blame,  
Dishonour, Wickedness▪ nor Shame.   

How the King passed to the Sea, and how the Earl of Lennox was chaste.  
AFter the meat soon raise the King,  
When he had leaved his speaking,  
And busked him with his Menʒie,  
And went in hy toward the sea,  
Where Sir neil campbel soon them met  
Both with ships and with meat,  
Sailes, Airs, and other thing.  
That was spéedfull to their faring.  
Then shipped they withouten mair,  
Some went to Steer, and some to Air,  
And rowed about the I'll of Boot,  
Men might see money freely foot,  
About the Coasts there bowning,  
As they on Airs were rowing  
And néeves that stalwart were and square  
That wont to span great spears were.  
So spanned Airs that men might see,  
Feel of their Hide left on the tree:  
For all was doing, Knight and Knave,  
Was none that other disport might have,  
From Steer, from Air and from rowing  
To further them in their flitting,  
But in the 'samine time that they,  
Were shipped, as ye heard me say,  
The good Earl of Lennox was,  
(I cannot tell you through what case)  
Left behind all with his Gaillay,  
While the King was far on his way.  
And when that they of his Country,  
Witted, that so left behind was he,  
By sea with ships they him sought,  
And he that saw that he was nought  
Of pith, to feght with these traitors:  
And that he had no near succours,  
Nor the King's float: for thy  
He sped him after them in high:  
But the traitors him followed so,  
That they well near can him overta:  
For all the might that he might do,  
Ay near and near they came him to.  
And when he saw they were so near:  
That he might well their manance hear,  
And saw them near and near come aye,  
Then to his Menʒie can he say,  
But if we find some subtlety,  
We shall all soon overtaken been:  
Therefore I reed but more letting,  
That outtaken our arming.  
We cast all thing into the sea,  
And fra our ship so lighted been,  
We shall all row and speed us so,  
That we shall well escape them fro,  
With that they shall make dwelling,  
Upon the sea to take our thing,  
And we shall row but resting aye,  
Till we escaped been them fray  
As he divised so have they do one,  
And their ship have they lighted soon,  
And rowed soon with all their might,  
And when their ship was made so light.  
She raiked sliding through the sea,  
And when their fo●s can them see.  
Before them always maire and maire.  
The things that there fleeting were  
They took and turned sign again,  
And so they leesed all their pain.  
WHen that the Earl on this manner,  
And his Menʒie escaped were.  
After the King he can him hy,  
That then with all his company  
Into Kintyre arrived was.  
The Earl he told him all the case,  
How he was chased on the sea,  
With them that should his own men be:  
And how he had been ta'en but doubt,  
War not it that he wapped out.  
All that he had him light to ma,  
And so escaped he them fra  
Sir earl, said the King perfay,  
If thou escaped is away,  
Of thy tynsall is no plenyeing:  
But I will tell thee well one thing:  
That there will fall thee great folly,  
To pass oft from my company:  
For oft syes when thou art away,  
Thou art set in full hard assay:  
Therefore me think it best for thee,  
To hold thee always near by me.  
Sir, said the Earl, it shall be so,  
I shall no ways pass far you fro,  
Till GOD give grace we be of might,  
Against our foes to hold our right.  
ANgus of the Isles that time was sire  
And Lord, and leader of Kintyre.  
The King right well received he,  
And undertook his man to be:  
And him and his on money wise,  
He abandounded to his service:  
And for more sikkernesse gave him sign,  
His Castle of Donabardyne:  
To dwell therein at his liking,  
Full greetly thanked him the King.  
And received his service:  
Yet not for thy on money wise,  
He was dreading for treasoun aye  
And therefore as I heard men say,  
He trusted in none sikkerlie,  
While that he knew him utterly,  
But what kin dread that ever he had,  
Fair countenance to him he made,  
And in Donabardyne days three:  
He sojounrde still with his meinie:  
Sign gart his men all make them you're,  
Toward Ranchoyn by sea to far,  
That is one Isle into the sea,  
And may well in the midway be,  
Betwixt Kintyre and Ireland,  
Where als great streams are rinnand,  
And als perilous and mair,  
For to sail them in ship fair,  
And the great Raes of Britanye,  
Or straits of Marroke into Spainye,  
Their Ships to sea they set.  
And made ready but longer let,  
Ankers, Rapes, both Sail, and Air,  
And all that needed to Ship-fare,  
When they were boun, to ship they went,  
The wind was well to their intent,  
They raised Sails, and swith they fare,  
And by the Mule they passed there.  
And entered soon into the Raes,  
Whereat the storm so sturdy was,  
With waves wide that boln were,  
UUaltering as hills here and there.  
The ships over the waves slade,  
For wind at will blowing they had:  
But not for thy, who there had been,  
A great stertling he might have seen  
Of ships. For while some would be  
Right on the waves summity:  
And some slade fra the hight so law,  
Right as they down to hell would draw:  
Sign on the waves start suddenly,  
And other ships that were by,  
Delyverly drew to the Deep,  
It was great Cunning for to keep,  
Their Takle into sick a thrang,  
And wait sick waves ay among,  
That reft them oft sight of the land.  
When that they to it were marching.  
And when ships were sailing near,  
The sea would rise on sick manner▪  
That of the waves the weltering height,  
Would reave them oft off their sight:  
Yet into Raughring sikkerly,  
They arrived ilkone safely,  
Right blithe, and glade that they were sa,  
Escaped the hideous waves fra.  
IN Raughring they arrived are,  
And to the land they went but mare,  
Armed upon their best manner:  
When the folk that there winning were,  
Saw men of arms in their Country,  
Arrive into sick quantity:  
They fled in hy with their cattle,  
Right toward a stalwart Castle,  
That in the land was near them by:  
Men might hear women highly cry,  
And flee with cattle here and there:  
Bot the King's folk that were  
Delyuer of foot, them can over-hy,  
And them arrested haillely,  
And brought them to the King again.  
So that none of them all was slain.  
Then with them treated so the King,  
That they to fulfil his yarning,  
Became his men everilkane:  
And hes him truly undertaken,  
That they and theirs loud and still,  
Sold be in all things at his will:  
And while him liked there to leind,  
Euerilk day they sold him send  
Uittaile for three hunger men:  
And ay for Lord they sold him ken,  
So that their Fortresses might be,  
For all his men their own free.  
The Cunnand on this wise was made,  
And on the morn but longer bade:  
Of all Raughring both man and page  
Kneeled, and made the King homage,  
And therewith swore to him fewtie,  
To serve him into léele lawtie:  
And held him therewith léele Cunnand.  
For while he dwelled into that land,  
They gave meat to his company,  
And served him right faithfully.   

How the Queen, and other Ladies were ta'en, and prisoned, and her men slain  

AT Raughring leave we now the King,  
In rest withouten bargaining:  
And of his foes a while speak we,  
That through their might and their poustie,  
Made sick a persecutioun,  
So hard, so straight, and so felon,  
On them, that to him loving were,  
Or kin or friend in any manner.  
That it to hear was great pity,  
For they spared none of no degree,  
That they trowed his friends were,  
nother of the Kirke nor Seculare.  
For of Glasgow Bishop Robert,  
And Marcus of Maine they stythly spared  
Both in fetters and in prison,  
And als good Crystal of Setoun  
Into Lochdon betrayed was,  
Through a Disciple of judas.  
Maknaght a false Traitor that ay  
Was with him dwelling night and day,  
Whom to he made good company,  
It was far war than traitoury,  
For to betray sick a person,  
So Noble, and of so good renown:  
Bot thereof had he no pity,  
In Hell condemned mot he be.  
For when he him betrayed had,  
The Englishmen right with him rade  
In hy in England to the King:  
And gart draw him, and head and hang,  
Withouten pity or mercy,  
It was great sorrow sikkerly,  
That so worthy a person as he,  
Sold in sick manner hanged be.  
Thus gate ended the worthiness  
Of Craufurd als, Sir Reynald we●,  
And Sir Bryse als of the Blaire,  
Were hanged in a barn at Air.  
The Queen and Dame Mariory,  
Her Daughter that sign worthily,  
Was coupled into God's band,  
With Walter Stewart of Scotland,  
That would in no wise longerly  
In the Castle of Kildromy,  
To bide a Siege. Bot riding raith  
With Knights and with Squyars' baith,  
To Rosse, right to the girth of Thane.  
Bot that travel they made in vain.  
For they of Rosse they would not bear  
For them no blame, nor no danger.  
Out of the girth them als hes ta'en,  
And sign hes send them everilkane:  
Right into England to the King,  
That gart draw all the men and hang,  
And put the Ladies into prison,  
Some in Castle and some in Dungeoun.  
It was great pity for to hear,  
Folke troubled on sick manner.    

How Englishmen sieged the Castle of Kildromy.  

THat time was into Kildromy,  
Good men that were wight, & worthy,  
Sir neil the Bruce this wait ye well,  
And the Earl also of Athol,  
The Castle right well vittailde they,  
And meat, and Fuel they can purvey:  
And enforced the Castle so,  
That them thought no strength might ta it,  
And when it to the King was told  
Of England: how they shoope to hold  
The Castle: he was all angry,  
And called his Son to him in high,  
The Eldest and appearand air,  
A young Bachelor, stark and fair,  
Sir Edward of Carnaverane:  
That was the starkest man of one,  
That might be found in a Country:  
Prince of Wales that time was he,  
And he gart call Earls two,  
Glochester and Harfoorde were tho,  
And bade them wend into Scotland,  
And set a Siege with stalwart hand,  
To the Castle of Kildromy,  
And the holder's 〈◊〉 haillily,  
He bade destroy them but ransoun,  
Or bring them to him in prison.  
When this mandament they had ta'en  
They assembled an Host on one:  
And to the Castle went in hy,  
And it assieged vigorously:  
And money a time it hard assailyied:  
And yet to take it oft they failyied:  
For they within were right worthy,  
And them defended doughtely,  
And repugned their foes oft again:  
Some baissed, some wounded, & some slain  
And money a time ishe they would,  
And bargain at the Barras hold,  
And wound their foes oft and slay,  
Surely they them contemned sa,  
That they thereout despaired were,  
And through England again to far,  
For so stark saw they the Castle,  
And thought that it was weaponde well,  
And saw the men defend them sa,  
That they none hope had it to ta,  
None had they done all that sessoun,  
Give it not war right false treasoun.  
For there within was a Traitor,  
A false Lurdane, a Losyngeour▪  
Osbarne to name made the treason,  
I wait not for what enchesoun:  
Nor whom with he made the convince,  
But as they said, that were within,  
He took a Coulter hot glowing,  
That red was in a fire burning:  
And went into the meekle Hall,  
That then with corn was filled all.  
And high up in the mow it did,  
But it full long was not there hid,  
For men says oft that fire nor pride,  
But disconering may no man hide:  
For the pomp of the pride foorthshawes,  
Or else the great boast as it blawes,  
Nor there may no man fire so cover,  
But it shall low or reek discover.  
So it fell here: for fire so clear  
Soon through the thick board can appear.  
First as a Stern▪ sign as a Moon,  
And well braider thereafter soon.  
The fire out soon in bleases braced,  
And the reek raise so wonder fast:  
The fire over all the Castle spread,  
There might with force no man it red,  
Then they within drew to the wall,  
That at that time was battailde all  
Within, right as it was without.  
That battalling withouten doubt,  
Saved their lives, for to brake,  
Fire blasts that them would overtake.  
And when their foes that mischief saw  
To arms went they in a thraw.  
And assailled the Castle fast,  
Where they durst come for fires blast▪  
But they within that mister had,  
So great defence and worthy made,  
That they full oft their foes rushed,  
For no kin peril they refused.  
Nor travel for to save their lives,  
But Weird, that to the end all drives,  
The World's things them so traveled:  
That they on two sides were assailled.  
Within with fire, that them so broolyied:  
Without with folk that them so tuilyied▪  
That they brint maugre theirs the ȝet,  
But for the fire that was so het,  
They durst not enter so soon in hy,  
Therefore their folk they gart rely,  
And went to rest for it was night,  
Till on the morn that day was light.  
AT sick mischief as ye may see,  
Were they within, which was pity,  
They them defended doughtely:  
Contemning them so manfully,  
That they ere day throw mekill pain,  
Had timmered up the ȝat again:  
But on the morn when day was light.  
And sun was shining fair and bright:  
Then they without in hail battle,  
Came purveyed ready to assail:  
But they within they were so stad,  
That they not meat nor fuel had.  
Where with they might the Castle hauled,  
Treated first, and sign them yald,  
To be into the Kings will.  
That aye to Scottish men was ill:  
As soon after well was knawne:  
For they were hanged all and drawn.  
When this Cunnand thus treated was,  
And affirmed with sikkernesse,  
They took them off the Castle soon,  
And in short time so have they done,  
That all a quartter of Snawdoun,  
Right to the earth they tumbled down,  
And toward England held their way:  
But when that King Edward heard say,  
How neil the Bruce held Kildromy,  
Against his son so stalwatrly,  
He gathered great Chivalry,  
And toward Scotland went in hy.  
And as he in Northumberland,  
Was with his great rout rydand.  
A sickness took him by the way,  
And put him to so hard assay,  
That he might neither gang nor ride,  
Him behoved maugre his abide,  
Into an Hamelet was thereby,  
A little town and unworthy,  
With great pain they him hither brought,  
He was so stad, that he na moght  
His breath but with great pains draw:  
Or speak but if it were well law.  
But then he bade they sold him say,  
What place was that where he in lay.  
Sir, they said, Burgh in the sand:  
They call this place into this land.  
Call they it Burgh, alas (said he)  
My hope is now fordone to me:  
For I weened never to those the pain  
Of death: while I through mickle maine,  
The Burgh of jerusalem had ta'en,  
My life there weened I sold be gane.  
In Burgh, I wist well I sold die,  
But I was neither wise nor sly,  
To other Burghes help for to ta.  
Now may I no wise further ga',  
Thus plenyied he him of his folly,  
As he had matter sikkerly.  
When he weened to wit certainty  
Of it, that none might certain be.  
Yet some men said, enclosed he had  
A Spreit that him an answer made,  
Of things that he would inquire:  
But he was fool withouten wéere,  
That gave traist too that Creature:  
For Feynds are of sick nature,  
That they to Mankind have envy:  
For they will on no wise truly,  
That they that well are living here,  
Shall win the Siege, where fra they were  
Tumbled through their mickle pride.  
Wherethrough oft times will betide,  
That when Feynds distrenyied are,  
They will appear, and make answer,  
Through force of conjuration:  
But they so false are, and so felon,  
That they make ay their answering,  
Into double understanding,  
To deceive them that will them trow.  
Ensample will I set you now,  
Of a Were, as I heard tell,  
Betwixt France and the Flemings fell.  
The Earl of Flanders Mother was  
A Necromancer, and Sathanas  
She raised: and him asked sign,  
What sold worth of the feghtyne,  
Betwixt the French King, and her Son.  
And he (as all time he was won)  
Into deceit made her answer,  
And said to her their verses here.   

Versus Bellide BOSBEK.  
Rex ruet in bello, tumulíque carebit honore.  
FERRANDUS (comitissa) tuus, mea chara Minerva,  
parisio's veniet, magna comitante caterva.   

This was the speech he made perfay,  
And is in English thus to say.  
The King shall fall in the fighting,  
And shall failye honour of eirding,  
And thy Ferrand, thy Nephew, my Dear,  
Shall right to Paris wend but wéere:  
Following him a great company,  
Of Noble men, and of worthy.  
This is the sentence of the Saw,  
That he in Latin can her shaw.  
He called her his dear minerve.  
For she was ay wont for to serve  
Him▪ till she léesed at his device:  
And for she made the 'samine service,  
His Minerue and her called he:  
And als through his subtility,  
He called her Dear, her to deceive:  
That she the titter should conceive,  
Of his speech the understanding,  
That most pleased to her liking.  
His double speech her so deceived,  
That through it her son the dead received:  
For she was of his answer blithe,  
And to her son she told it swyth,  
And bade him to the battle speed,  
And he sold Victor be but dread:  
And he that heard her sermoning,  
Sped him in hy to the fight.  
Where he discomfit was and shent,  
And taken and to Paris sent:  
But in the fight not for thy,  
The King through his Chivalry,  
Was laid at earth and laimed baith:  
But his men horsed him well raith.  
And when Ferrandus Mother heard,  
How her son in the battle fared:  
And that he was so discomfit:  
She raised the ill Spirit tyte,  
And asked him why he lied had,  
Of the answer he to her made,  
And he said, that he said sooth all.  
I said he, that the King sold fall  
In the battle, and so did he,  
And failyéed eirding, as men may see,  
And I said he, that thy son sold go  
To Paris: and he did right so:  
Following him sick a menyie,  
That never in his life-time, he  
Had sick a meinie into leading.  
Now sees thou, I made no lieging.  
The Wife convicted was perfay,  
And durst no more to him then say.  
Thus gate through double understanding,  
That bargain came to sick ending,  
That the one part deceived was.  
Right so fell it upon this case,  
At jerusalem trowed he,  
Graved into the Burgh to be,  
At the whilk Burgh into the sand,  
He swelled right in his own land.  
And when he to the death was near,  
The folk that at Kildromy were,  
Came with the prisoners they had ta'en:  
And soon unto the King are gane,  
And for to comfort him they tauld,  
How they the Castle to them yald:  
And how they to his will were brought.  
To do with them what ever him thought.  
Asked what they sold with them do?  
Then looked he angerly them to,  
And said girning, gar hang and draw.  
It was great wonder of sick saw:  
That he, that to the death was near,  
Sold answer upon sick manner,  
Withouten meaning of mercy:  
How might he trust on him to cry,  
That soothfastly deems all thing,  
To have mercy for his crying.  
Of him that through his felony,  
Into sick point had no mercy.  
His men his mandament have done,  
And he died thereafter soon.  
And sign was brought to Burying,  
His Son sign after him was King.    

How james of Dowglas passed into Arrane.  
TO King Robert again go we  
In Raughring with his Menȝie  
Lay▪ till all the winter near was 'gan  
And of that I'll his meat hes ta'en  
james of Dowglas was angry,  
That they so long should idle lie.  
And Sir Robert Boyd said he,  
The poor folk of this Country,  
Are Charged upon great manner,  
Of us that idle lies here.  
I have heard say: that in Arrane,  
In a strong Castle made of stane,  
Are Englishmen, that with strong hand,  
Holds the Lordship of that Land.  
Go we hidder, and well may fall,  
Annoyed them in some thing we shall.  
Sir Robert said, I grant theretill,  
To lie here more were little skill:  
Therefore to Arrane pass will we.  
For I know right well the Country,  
And the Castle also know I.  
We shall come there so privily,  
That they shall have no perceiving,  
Nor yet knowledge of our coming,  
And we shall near inbushment be,  
Where we their coming well may see.  
So shall it on no manner fall,  
But catch them in some wise we shall:  
With that they busked them on one,  
And at the King their leave hes ta'en.  
And went soon forth upon their way,  
Into Kintyre soon come are they:  
Sign rowed alwaes by the land,  
While that the night was near at hand,  
Then to Arrane they held their way,  
And safely their arrived they.  
And in a Glen their Gaillay dreugh,  
And sign it hailed well enough.  
Their Takle airs, and all their Steer,  
They had all on the same manner:  
And held their way then in the night,  
So that ere Day was dawen light:  
They were enbusht the Castle near,  
Armed upon their best manner:  
And though they wet were and weary,  
And long fasting all hungry:  
They thought to hold them all privy.  
Until that they their time might see,  
Sir john the Hastings at that tide,  
With Knights of full mickle pride,  
And with Squyers and Yemanrie,  
And had a well great company:  
Was in the Castle of Brathwyke:  
And oft time when it would him like,  
He went to hunt with his menyie,  
And so the Land abandound he.  
That none durst warn to do his will,  
He was into the Castle still,  
The time that james of Dowglas,  
So near hand by enbushed was,  
So happened at that time through chance,  
That with victual and purveyance,  
And with cléething and als arming,  
The day before in the Evening,  
The Under Wardane arrived was,  
With three Baittes right near the place,  
Where the folk I spoke of air,  
Full privily enbushed were.  
Soon from the Baittes saw them go,  
Of Englishmen thretty and more,  
Charged all with sundry things,  
Some bare wine, and some armings,  
The remanent all charged were,  
With things of sundry manner.  
And other sundry yéed them by,  
And they were Masters idly:  
They that enbushed were them saw,  
And then withouten dread or awe,  
Their ambushment on them they broke,  
And slew all that they might overtake.  
They cried hideously and high,  
And they that dreeding were to die,  
Right as beasts can rairre and cry,  
And they slew them without mercy,  
So that into the 'samine stead,  
Were near so forty that were dead.  
When they that in the Castle were,  
Herd the folk so cry and raire,  
They ished forth to the fight,  
But when the Dowglas saw their coming,  
His men to him he can rely,  
And went to meet them hastily.  
And when they of the Castle saw,  
Him come on them but dread or awe,  
They fled withouten more debate,  
And they them followed to the gate,  
And slew of them as they in past:  
But they their ȝets barred so fast,  
That they at them might do no mair,  
Therefore they left them ilke one there,  
And turned to the place again,  
Where that the men before was slain,  
And when they that within the Baittes,  
Saw them coming, and what gaites  
They had discomfit their meinie,  
In hy they put them to the say,  
And rowed fast with all their maine,  
But the wind was them again:  
And so great the Land birst rise,  
That they might wéeld the sea no wise.  
Nor they durst not come to the Land,  
But held them there so long hobland.  
That of three Baits drowned two,  
And when Dowglas saw it was so,  
He took the arming and the cléething,  
Uittaile, and wine, and other thing,  
That they found there: and held their way  
Right glad and joyful of their prey.  
¶ On this manner james of Dowglas,  
And his meinie through God's grace,  
Were well relieved with arming.  
And with Uittaile and als Cléething.  
Sign to a straight they held their way,  
And them full manly governde they,  
While on the tent day that the King,  
With all that were in his leading,  
Arrived were in that Country,  
With threttie Gaillaies come and three,  
The King arrived in Arrane,  
And sign to the Land is he gaue:  
And in a town took his Harbrie,  
And sign speared full specially,  
If any men could tell tithand,  
Of any strangers in that land.  
Yes said a woman, Sir, perfay,  
Of strange men, I can you say,  
That are come into this Country,  
And short while sign through their bounty  
They discomfited our Wardane,  
And money of his men have slain,  
And to a stalwart place hereby,  
Repaireth all their company.  
Dame, said the King, wilt thou me wis,  
To the place where their repair is,  
I shall reward thee but lieging:  
For they are all of my dwelling,  
And I right blythly would them see,  
And as I trow, so would they me.  
Yes Sir: said she, I will blythly,  
Go with you and your company,  
While that I show you their repair.  
That is enough, my sister fair,  
Now go we forward, said the King.  
Then went they forth but more letting  
Following her. And she them led,  
While at the last she show the steed  
To the King in a woody Glen:  
And said, Sir, yonder saw I the men  
That ye spéere after, make ludging,  
Here trow I, is their repairing:  
The King then blew his horn in hy,  
And gart the men that were him by,  
Hold them still in privity,  
And sign again his horn blew he:  
james of Dowglas heard him blow,  
And well the blast soon can he know.  
And said, surely yone is the King,  
I ken him well by his blowing,  
The third time therewith als he blue,  
And Sir Robert Boyd him knew:  
And said, yone is the King but dréed,  
Go we will forth to him good speed,  
Then went they to the King in high,  
And to him inclined courteously,  
And blythly welcomed them the King,  
That was joyful of their meeting,  
And kissed them, and speared sign  
How had they farne in their huntyne?  
And they him told all but lieging:  
Sign loved they GOD of their meeting,  
Then with the King to his harbry  
They went, both blithe and joyfully.   

How the King sent his man to spy in Carrik▪ who were to him friendly.  
THE King upon the other day,  
To his privy men can say:  
Ye know all well, and well may see,  
How ye are out of your Country  
Banished through Englishmen might,  
And that which ours sold be with right,  
Through their mastery they occupy,  
And would also without mercy,  
Give they had might, destroy us all:  
But GOD forbid, that it sold fall  
To us, as they make menassing,  
Then were there no recovering,  
And manhood bids us, that we  
To procure vengeance busy be:  
For ye may see we have three things,  
That makes us admonishing.  
For to be worthy, wise, and wight,  
And to annoy them at our might.  
One is, our life's safety:  
That could in no wise saved be.  
Give they had us at their liking.  
The other that makes us egging,  
Is that they our possession  
Holds with strength against reason:  
The third is, the joy that we abide,  
Give that it happens (as well may tide)  
That we have victory and mastery,  
To overcome all their felony.  
Therefore we sold our hearts raise,  
So that no mischief sold us abase:  
And shape always to that ending,  
That bears in it mense and loving:  
And therefore, Lordings, if that ye see,  
Among you, that it spéedfull be:  
I will send a man in Carrik,  
To spy and spear how the Kinrik  
Is led? and who is friend or foe.  
And give he sees we land may to:  
On Turneberyse-nuke he may  
Make a fire on a certain day,  
To make takning to us, that we  
May there arrive in safety:  
And if he sees, we may not sa,  
Look on no wise the fire he ma.  
So may we thereof have witting  
Of our passage and our dwelling.  
To this speech all assented are,  
And there the King withouten mare,  
Called one that was to him privy,  
And borne was of Carrik Country:  
And charged him in life, and mair,  
As ye heard he devised air:  
And set him certain day to more  
The ●ire: give he saw it were so,  
●hat they had possibility,  
To maintain wéere in that Country:  
And he that was right well in will,  
His Lord's yarning to fulfil,  
●s he that worthy was and léele,  
And could his secret well concéele.  
Said, he was boun into all thing,  
For to fulfil his commanding,  
And said, he sold do so wisely,  
That no reproof sold after lie.  
Sign at the King his leave hes ta'en,  
And forth upon his way is gane.  
NOw goes the Messenger his way,  
That hight Cuthbert (as I heard say)  
In Carrik soon arrived he:  
And passed through all the Country:  
But he found sew therein perfay,  
That good would of his Master say.  
For feill of them durst not for dread,  
And other some right into deed,  
Were faes to the Noble King,  
That rued sign their bargaining,  
Both high and low the land was then,  
All occupied with Englishmen:  
That despised attour all thing,  
Robert the Bruce the doughty King.  
Carrik was given then whollelie  
To Sir Henry the Lord Percy▪  
That into Turnberyse Castle then,  
Was well near with three hundreth men,  
And daunted so all hail the Land,  
That all to him were obeyand.  
This Cuthbert saw his felony,  
And saw the folk so haillely,  
Be worthen English, both rich and poor,  
That he to none durst him discover:  
But thought to leave the fire unmade:  
Sign to his Master went but bade:  
All that convyne to him to tell,  
That was so angry, and so fell.   

Of the fire the King saw burning  
THE King that into Arrane lay.  
When that cumin was the day,  
That he set to his Messenger,  
As I to you devised air,  
After the fire he looked fast,  
And soon as the Noon was past,  
He thought well that he saw a fire,  
By Turneberie burning fair and shire,  
And to his men he couth it shaw,  
Ilkane thought well that they it saw,  
Then with blithe heart the folk can cry.  
Good King, speed you deliverly,  
So that we soon in the Evening,  
Arrive withouten perceiving.  
I grant (said he) now make you yare,  
God further us into our fare:  
Then in short time men might them see,  
Shoot all their Gaillayes to the sea,  
And bare to sea, both Air and Stéer:  
And other things that needful were.  
And as the King upon the sand,  
Was ganging up and down bydand,  
His menyie till they ready were:  
His Hosts came right to him there,  
And when that she him hailsed had,  
A privy speak she to him made:  
And said, Take good keep to my Saw,  
For ere ye pass, I shall you shaw,  
Of your Fortune a great party,  
And attour all thing especially,  
A wittering here I shall you ma.  
What end that your purpose shall ta.  
For in this Land is none truly,  
Wat's things to come so well as I.  
Yée pass now forth in your voyage,  
To venge the harm and the outrage,  
That Englishmen hes to you done,  
But ye what not what kin Fortune.  
Yée money drée in your weraying,  
But wit ye well without lieging,  
That fra ye have now taken Land,  
There shall no might nor strength of hand  
Gare you pass out of that Country,  
While all to you abandounde been,  
Within short time ye shall been King,  
And have the Land at your liking,  
And overcome your foes all,  
But fell annoys feel ye shall,  
Or that your purpose end have ta'en:  
But ye shall them overdrive ilkane.  
And that ye trow this sikkerly,  
My two sons with you shall I  
Send: to take part of your travail,  
For I wot well, they shall not fail.  
To be rewarded well at right,  
When ye are raised to your height.  
¶ The King that heard all her carping  
Thanked her in mickle thing,  
For she comforted him somedeal,  
And he trowed not all well  
Her speech: For he had great ferly,  
How he should wit it sickerly.  
As it was wonderful perfay,  
How any man's science may  
Know things that are to come,  
Determinately, either all or some,  
But if that he inspired were,  
Of him that all things evermare  
Sees, in his own Prescience,  
As it were aye in his presence.  
As was David and jeremy,  
Samuel, joseph, and Esay.  
That through his holy grace could tell  
Feill things that afterwards befell,  
But these Prophets so thin are sown,  
That none in earth may now be known.  
But feill folk are so curious,  
And to wit things so covetous,  
That they trow through their great Clergy,  
Or else through their deviltie,  
Of their twain manners makes finding,  
Of things to come to have knowing,  
Ane of them is Astrology,  
Wherethrough Clerks that are witty,  
May know Conjunction of Planets,  
And whidder that their course them sets,  
In soft Sieges, or in angry,  
And of the Heaven all haillelie,  
How that the disposition  
Wirkes upon things here down:  
On Regions or on Climates,  
That all where worketh not all gaites.  
Yet may they fail the truth to say,  
In things that them happen may.  
For whether that man inclined be,  
To virtue or iniquity:  
He may right well refrain his will,  
Either through virtue or through skill,  
And to the contrary turn it all,  
As hath been money time seen fall,  
That men kindly to ill given,  
Through their great wit away have driven  
Their ill: and worthen of renown,  
maugre the constellatioun.  
As Aristotle, if as men reeds,  
He had followed his kindly deeds:  
He had been false and covetous,  
But his wit made him virtuous,  
And sign that man may on this wise,  
Work against the course, that is  
Principal cause of their deeming,  
Me think they deem no certain thing,  
negromancy another is,  
That ken men on sundry wise:  
Through stalwart Conjuration:  
And als through Exhortation  
To gar Spirits to them appear.  
And give them answer on seir manner,  
As whylum did the Pithonesse,  
That when Saul abased was,  
Of the Philistimes might,  
Raised through her meekle s●ight.  
samuel's Spreit als tight,  
Or in his stead the evil spreit,  
That gave right graith answer her to:  
But of herself right naught wist sho,  
And man is into dreeding ay,  
Of things that he hes heard say,  
Namely that are to come, while he  
Know of the end the certainty:  
And sen they are in sick weening,  
Withouten certain witting:  
methink, who says he knows things  
To come: he makes great gabing.  
But whidder she that told the King,  
How his purpose sold have ending,  
Weind, or wist it utterly,  
It fell after all hollelie,  
As she said, for sign King was he,  
And reigned into free poustie.   

Of the Kings Hansaling in Carrik, at his first arriving.  
THis was in Ver, when Winter tide,  
With his blasts hideous to bide,  
Was overdriven: and birds small,  
As Turtle, and the Nightingale,  
Began right sweetly for to sing,  
And for to make their solacing.  
Sweet notes and sounds séere,  
And melodies pleasant to hear.  
And trees begouth breaking to ma  
Burgeons, and blithe blooms also,  
To win the hewing of their head,  
That wicked Winter hath them made,  
And all gersse begouth to spring.  
In that sweet time the Noble King,  
With his float, and a few menyie.  
Four hunger I trow they might be,  
Went to the sea out of Arrane,  
A little before the Even was gane.  
They rowed fast with all their might,  
While that upon them fell the night,  
That woxt murk on great manner:  
So that they wist not where they were,  
For they no needle had nor stane,  
But rowed always forth in one.  
Stéering always upon the fire,  
That they saw burning light and shire.  
It was but aventour them led,  
And they in short time so them sped,  
That at the fire arrived they,  
And went to land but more delay:  
And Cuthbert that hath seen the fire,  
Was full of anger and of ire,  
For he durst not do it away.  
And he was also doubting ay,  
That his Lord sold pass to the sea,  
Therefore their coming waited he.  
And met them at their arriving:  
He was right soon brought to the King:  
That spéered at him how he had done?  
And he with sore heart told him soon▪  
How there was none there well willand:  
But all were foes, that ever he found.  
And that Sir Henry the Percy  
With near three hunger in company,  
Was in the Castle there beside:  
Filled full of despite, and pride,  
But more than two parts of his rout,  
Were harboured in the towns about;  
And despises you more, Sir King,  
Then men may despise any thing,  
Then said the King in full great ire,  
Traitor▪ why made thou then the fire?  
Ah (Sir) he said, so God me see,  
The fire was never made through me:  
Nor ere this night I wist it naught:  
But fra I wist it, well I thought,  
That ye and wholly your meinie,  
In hy sold put you to the sea,  
For thy come I to meet you here,  
To tell perils that may appear.  
The King was at his speech angry,  
And asked his privy men him by.  
What that they thought was best to do.  
Sir Edward answered first thereto,  
His brother that was so hardy:  
And said, I say you sikkerly,  
There shall no peril that may be,  
Drive me again unto the sea  
Mine adventure here take will I,  
Whether it be easeful or angry,  
Brother (he said) sen ye will sa,  
It is good we the ●amine ta,  
Disease, or ease, or pain, or play.  
After as GOD will us purvey.  
And sen men says, that the Percy,  
Mine heritage will occupy:  
And his meinie so near us lies.  
That us despises money ways.  
So we venge some of the despite,  
And that may we have done full tyte:  
For they lie traistlie but dréeding  
Of us, or of our here coming:  
And thought we sleeping slay them all,  
Reprooue us thereof no man shall:  
For werrayour no force should more,  
Whether he might overcome his foe,  
Through strength, or great subtlety,  
But at good faith ay holden be.  
When this was said, they went their way,  
And to the town soon comen are they,  
So privily but noise making:  
That none perceived their coming,  
They skailled through the town in high,  
And broke up doors sturdily:  
And slew all that they might overtake,  
And they that no defence might make,  
Full piteously can raire and the cry:  
And they slew them without mercy,  
As they that were in full great will,  
To venge the anger and the ill,  
That they & theirs to them had wrought  
With so felon a will them sought:  
That they slew them up everilkone,  
Except Makdowell him alone,  
That escaped through mickle slight,  
And through the mirkenes of the night.  
In the Castle the Lord Percy,  
Herd well the noise and the cry.  
And so did the men with him were,  
And full infrainly got their geire:  
But of them none was so hardy,  
And durst ishe forth to cry,  
In sick affray baide they that night,  
While on the morn that day was light,  
And then ceased into party,  
The noise, the slaughter and the cry.  
The King gart than departed been,  
All hail the spraith to his meinie,  
And dwelled there sign days three,  
sick handsel to these folk gave he:  
Right in the first beginning,  
Newling at his Incomming.  
WHen that the King and his folk were,  
Arrived, as I told you air.  
A while in Carrik leinded he,  
To see who friend, or foe would be,  
And he found little tenderness.  
But not for thy the people was,  
Inclined to him in party:  
But Englishmen so angerly.  
Led them with danger and with awe,  
That they no friendship durst him shaw  
But a Lady of that Country,  
That was to him in near degree,  
In Cozenage, was wonder blithe  
Of his arriving, and als swyth▪  
Sped her to him in full great high,  
With forty men in company,  
And betaught all unto the King,  
To help him in his warraying.  
And he received them in dainty,  
And her full greatly thanked he,  
And speered tithings of the Queen,  
And of his friends all bedéene,  
That he had left in that Country:  
When that he put him to the sea,  
And she him told sighing full saire,  
How that his brether token were:  
In the Castle of Kildromy,  
And sign destroyed villainously.  
And the Earl of Athol also,  
And how the Queen and other more,  
That his party were holdand,  
Were ta'en and led into England  
Were put into felon prison,  
And how good Crystal of Setoun  
Was slain: greeting: she told the King,  
That was sorrowful of that tithhing.  
And said when he had thought a thraw,  
The words that I shall to you shaw,  
Alace, he said, for love of me,  
And for their mickle léele lawtie,  
They Noble men; and they worthy,  
Are destroyed so villainously:  
But if I live in liege poustie,  
Their death right soon shall venged been,  
Yea, whether the King of England,  
Thought that the Kinrike of Scotland:  
Was all too little for him and me,  
Therefore I will it mine all be.  
But of good Crystal of Setoun,  
That was so worthy of Renown,  
That he should die were great pity.  
Where any worship might préeud been,  
THe King thus sighing made his mane  
And the Lady her leave hes ta'en:  
And sign went home to her winning.  
And feill syes' comfort she the King,  
Both with silver and with meat,  
sick as she in the land might get,  
And he oft rioted the land,  
And made all his that ever he found,  
And sign he drew him to the height,  
To stint better his foes might.  
In that time was the Percy,  
With a full simple company:  
In Turn●berise Castle yet lying,  
For the King Robert sore dréeding,  
That he durst not is forth to far  
Fra thine to the Castle of Aire.  
That was then full of Englishmen,  
But lay lurking in a Den,  
While the men of Northumberland,  
Should come armed with strong hand,  
And conduct him to his Country,  
For to them send his Poist hath he,  
And they in hy assembled then,  
Passing attour a thousand men:  
And asked counsel them among,  
Whether that they should dwell or gang:  
But they were stonisht wonder saire,  
So far in Scotland for to far,  
For a Knight Sir Gawter de Lile,  
Said it was too great peril,  
So near these Soldiers to go:  
His speech discomforted them so.  
That they had left all the voyage.  
Were not a Knight of great courage,  
That Sir Roger of Saint john hight,  
That them comforted with his might,  
And sic words can to them say,  
That they together held their way,  
To Turnebery where the Percy  
Lap on, and went with them in hy.  
In England his own Castle till,  
Without distroublance or more ill.  
Now in England is Percy,  
Where I trow he a while shall lie,  
Or that he shape him for to far,  
To weirray Carrik any mare:  
For he wist that he had no right:  
And als he dread the King's might:  
That in Carrik was dwelland,  
In the most strengths of that Land.  
land Where james of Dowglas on a day  
Came to the King, and can him say,  
Sir, with your leave I would go see  
How that they do in my Country.  
And how my men demained are,  
For it annoys me wonder sare:  
That the Cliffurde so peaceably,  
Brooks and holds the Senyeory,  
That should be mine with all kin right,  
But while I live, if I have might,  
To lead a Yeoman or a swain:  
He shall not brook it but bargain,  
The King said, Certes, I cannot see,  
How that ye yet may sikker be.  
Into that Country for to far,  
While Englishmen so mighty are:  
And thou what not who is thy friend,  
He said, Sir, needless I will wend,  
And take the adventure God will give,  
Whether it be to die or live.  
The King said, Sen that thou wilt so  
And sick a yarning hes to go:  
Thou shalt pass forth with my blessing,  
And if thee happens any thing,  
That annoyous or skaithfull be,  
I pray thee speed thee soon to me:  
Take we together what ever may fall.  
I grant, he said, and therewithal  
He louted, and his leave hes ta'en,  
And is toward the Country gane.   

The first winning of the Castle of Dowglas.  
NOw takes james his voyage,  
Toward Dowglas his heritage.  
With two men withouten ma,  
This was a simple store to ta,  
Castle or land of wéere to win.  
But fast he yarned to begin,  
To bring his purpose to ending:  
And good help lies in beginning:  
For good beginning and hardy,  
Give it be followed wittily,  
May gar oft syes unlikely thing,  
Come to right good and fair ending:  
So did he here: for he was wise,  
And saw he might not on no wise,  
Weary his foe with even might:  
Therefore he thought to work with slight,  
In Dowglasdaill his own Country:  
Upon an Evening entered he,  
And then a man winned thereby,  
That was of friends right mighty,  
And rich of money and of cattle,  
And had been to his father léell:  
And to himself in his Youthhead,  
Had done money a thankful deed.  
Thomas Diksoun was his name perfay,  
To him he send, and can him pray,  
That he would come allanerlie,  
For to speak with him privily,  
And but danger to him he gaes:  
But when he told him what he was,  
He great for joy, and for pity,  
And him right to his house had he▪  
Where in a chamber privily,  
He held him and his company:  
That none of him had perceiving,  
And meat, and drink, and other thing,  
That might them ease, they had plenty:  
So wrought they with their subtlety,  
That all the leele men of the land,  
That with his Father were dwelland,  
This good man gart come one and one:  
And make him manrent everilkone:  
And he himself first homage made.  
Dowglas in heart great gladness had.  
That the good men of his Country,  
Would this wise to him bounden be,  
He spéered the conuéene of the land.  
And who the Castle had in hand?  
And they him told all haillelie,  
And sign among them privily:  
They ordained that he still sold be,  
In hiddles and in privity,  
Till Palmesunday that was near hand,  
The third day after followand.  
For then the folk of that Country,  
Assembled at the Kirk would be:  
And they that in the Castle were,  
Wold als be there their Palms to bear.  
As folk that had no dréed of ill:  
For they thought all was at their will,  
Then sold he come with his two men,  
Before that folk sold not him ken.  
He sold a mantle have old and bare,  
And a flail, as he a Ta●ker were.  
Under the mantle not for thy,  
He sold be armed privily:  
And when the men of his Country,  
That sold all boun before him be:  
His Ensenyie might hear him cry,  
Then sold they all right enforcedly,  
Right in mids the Kirke assaill,  
The Englishmen with hard battle.  
So that none might escape them fra,  
For therethrough trowed they to ta  
The Castle: that beside was near:  
And when this, that I tell you here  
Was devised and undertaken,  
Ilkone home to his house is gane:  
And held this speak in privity,  
Until the day of their assembly.   

How Dowglas in Sanct Brides Kirke, With the Englishmen can wirke.  
THE folk upon the Palmesunday,  
Held to Saint Brides Kirk their way:  
And they that in the Castle were,  
Ished out both less and maire:  
And went their Palms for to bear,  
Except a Cook and a Porter.  
james of Dowglas, of their coming:  
And what they were had good witting,  
And sped him to the Kirk in hy:  
But ere he came, so hastily,  
One of his men cried Dowglas, Dowglas,  
Thomas Dikson, that nearest was,  
To them that were of the Castle,  
That were then Inwith the Chancel.  
When they the Dowglas so heard cry,  
Drew out his sword, and felonly  
Rushed among them to and fro,  
And one other withouten more.  
But they in high were left lyand,  
With that Dowglas came near at hand,  
And they enforced on them the cry:  
But they the Chancel sturdily  
Held, and them defended well,  
While of their men were slain some dell.  
But, the Dowglas so well him bare,  
That all the men that with him were,  
Had comfort of his well doing.  
And he himself spared nothing:  
But proved so his force in fight,  
That through his worship and his might,  
His men so keenly helped than,  
That they the Chancel on them wan.  
Then dang they on so sturdily,  
That in short time men might see lie,  
The two part dead, or then dieand.  
The lave were seized soon in hand:  
So that of threttie lived nane,  
But they were slain ilkane or ta'en.  
james of Dowglas when this was done,  
The prisoners hes ta'en full soon,  
And with them of his company,  
Toward the Castle went in high:  
Or any noise of cry sold rise.  
And for he would them soon surprise:  
That in the Castle leaved were,  
They were but two withouten mare,  
Five or sex before send he,  
That found all open the entry,  
And entered, and the Porter took,  
Right at the ȝet, and sign the Cook.  
With that the Dowglas came to the ȝet,  
And entered in without deba●te,  
And ●ound the meat all ready graithed,  
With boards set, and claithes laid,  
The ȝets than he gart them spare,  
And sat at meat all at laissair,  
Sign all the goods tursed they,  
That they thought light to bear away.  
Silver, treasure, and als cléething,  
And namelte weapons, and all arming,  
Uittaile that might not tursed been,  
On this manner destroyed he,  
All the Uittaile outtaken salt,  
And Wheat▪ and Flower, and Meal and Malt,  
In the wine Cellar gart he bring.  
And sign all on the Floor down fling,  
And the Prisoners that he had ta'en,  
Right there in gart he hid ilkane,  
Sign off the Tons the heads out strake:  
A foul melle there gart he make.  
For Meal, and Malt Bread, and Wine,  
Ran together in a melline:  
That was unseemly for to s●e.  
Therefore the men of that Country,  
Called it the Dowglas Ladnaire.  
And will be called this money year,  
Then took he Salt as I heard tell,  
And dead Horse and forded the Wall,  
And sign burned all outtaken stone,  
And is forth with his meinie gone.  
To his reset: for he trowed well,  
If he had holden the Castle,  
He should had been assieged raith:  
And that thought him to mickle skaith▪  
For he none hope had of rescuing,  
And als it was right perilous thing,  
In Castle assieged for to be,  
When a thing wants of their three:  
Uittaile, or meat, with arming,  
Or else good hope of rescuing,  
And for he dread their things should fail,  
He choosed forward to travail,  
Where he might at his largesse be,  
And so drives forth his Destiny:  
IN this wise was the Castle ta'en,  
And slain that were therein ilkane,  
The Dowglas sign all his menyie,  
Gart in seir places parted been,  
That men should wit less where they were  
That yeed aye parted here and there,  
Them that were wounded gart he lie,  
Into hiddles all privily,  
And gart good Léeches to them bring,  
While that they were into leeching:  
And himself with a few menyie,  
While one, while two, and whiles three,  
And sometime, he himself alone,  
In hiddles through the Land is gone.  
So dread he Englishmen might,  
That he durst not well come in sight:  
For they that time were all wéeldand:  
As Masters and Lords over all the Land,  
But their tithings were skailled soon,  
Of this deed the Dowglas had done.  
Came to the Cliffurdes ear in hy:  
That for his tinsel was right sorry.  
And meened his men that were slain:  
And sign he hes to purpose ta'en,  
To big the Castle up again.  
Therefore as men of mickle mane  
He assembled a great company,  
And sign to Dowglas went in hy,  
And bigged up the Castle swyth,  
And made it right stalwart and stith:  
And put therein Uittaile and Men.  
And one of the Thrilwailes then,  
He left behind him the Captain,  
And sign to England went again.   

How one man and his sons twa, Undertaken King Robert to slay.  
INto Carrik yet was the King.  
With a full simple gaddering,  
He passed not two hundreth men,  
But yet Sir Edward his brother then  
In Galloway was near hand by,  
With him another company,  
They held the Strengths of the Land,  
For they durst not yet take on hand,  
To ride over all the Land plainly,  
For of Wallange Sir Aymery,  
Was into EDINBURGH lyand,  
And als was Wardane of the Land,  
And when he heard of his coming,  
Of King Robert and his meinie,  
Into Carrik, and how that he,  
Had slain so of the Percies' men:  
His counsel he assembled then.  
And with consent of his Counsel,  
He sent to Air him to assail,  
Sir Ingrame Bell that was hardy,  
And with him a great company,  
And when Sir Ingrame come was there,  
Him thought not spéedfull for to far,  
For to assailyie him in the height,  
Therefore he thought to work with slight,  
And lay still in the Castle than,  
While he got spéering of a man  
Of Carrik that was sly and wight,  
And als a man of mickle might:  
As any man of that Country,  
Was to King Robert most privy,  
As he that was his sib man near,  
And when he would, without danger,  
Might to the King's presence go,  
The whilk man and his Sons two,  
Were winning still in that Country,  
For they would not perceived been,  
That they were special to the King,  
They made him money time warning,  
When that they might his tinsel see,  
Therefore in them affied he,  
His name I cannot tell perfay,  
But I have heard of sooth men say,  
Forsooth that his one eye was out.  
But he so sturdy was and stout,  
That he was the most doughty man,  
That into Carrik was living than,  
And when Sir Ingrame got witting,  
Forsooth this was no lieging.  
After him in high he sent.  
And he came at his commandment.  
Sir Ingrame that was sly and wise,  
Treated with him on sick a wise:  
That he made sicker undertaking,  
With treasoun for to slay the King:  
And he sold have for his service,  
Give he fulfilled this device:  
Well forty pounds worth of land▪  
To him and all his airs livand.  
THE treasoun thus is undertaken,  
And he home to his house is gane:  
And waited opportunity,  
To fulfil his iniquity.  
In great peril than was the King,  
That of this treasoun wist nothing:  
For he, that he trowed most of one,  
His dead hes fully undertaken.  
None may betraise tittar than he,  
That man introwes into lawtie.  
The King in him traisted: for thy,  
He had fulfilled his felony,  
Were not the King through God's grace,  
Got warning how his purpose was:  
And how, and for how mickle land,  
He took his slaughter upon hand.  
I wait not who the warning made:  
But in all time sick hap he had:  
That when men shupe him to betrays,  
He got witting thereof always:  
And money a time as I heard say  
Through women that him loved ay:  
That would tell all that they might hear,  
And so may fall that it did here,  
But how so ever it fell perdie,  
I trow he shall the warrer be.  
Yet not for thy the Traitor ay,  
Had in his thought both night and day:  
How he might best bring to ending,  
His treasonable undertaking.  
Till he bethought him at the last:  
And in his mind can umbecast,  
That the King had in custom ay,  
For to rise early every day:  
And pass well far from his meinie:  
When he would pass to the Prinie,  
And seek a covert him alone,  
And at the most had with him one.  
There thought he with his sons twa,  
For to surprise the King, and slay:  
And sign wend to the wood their way:  
But yet of purpose failyied they.  
And for this cause came all three,  
Into the covert that was privy:  
Where that the King was wont to ga,  
His privy needs for to ma.  
There hid they them till his coming,  
And the King early in the morning  
Raise, when that his liking was,  
And right toward the Covert gaes:  
Where lying were the Traitors three,  
For to do there his privity.  
To treasoun than he took no heed:  
But he was wont where ever he yéed,  
His sword about his halfe to bear:  
And that availed him greatly there.  
For had not GOD all things weildand:  
sick help set in his own hand,  
He had been dead withouten dread:  
A chamber Page then with him yeed:  
And so withouten fellows more.  
Toward the Covert can he go.  
Now but GOD help the Noble King,  
He is near brought to his ending.  
For that Covert that he yéed till,  
Was on the other side of the hill:  
That none of his men might him see:  
Thitherward went his Page and he.  
And when he comen was in the Shaw,  
He saw the three coming on raw,  
Against him full sturdily.  
Then to his boy he said, in high,  
Yone men will slay us, if they may.  
What weapons hast thou? ah Sir, perfay  
I have a bow, but and a wire.  
Give me them smartly, he said, ah Sir,  
What will ye then that I shall do?  
Stand on far, and behold us to.  
If thou me sees above to be,  
Thou salt have weapons great plenty,  
And if I die, withdraw thee soon:  
And with the sword withouten hone,  
He took the bow out of his hand,  
For the Traitors were near cummand.  
The Father had a sword but maire:  
The other both sword and handare bare:  
The third a sword had, and a spear.  
The King perceived by their afféere,  
That all was sooth, men to him told,  
Traitor (he said) thou hes me fold:  
Come thou no further, but hold thee there,  
I will thou come no furthermare.  
Ah Sir, bethink you then said he,  
How near that I sold to you be.  
UUho sold come nearer you than I?  
The King said, I will sikkerlie,  
At this time that thou come not near,  
Thou may say what thou wilt on féere,  
But he with false words fleeching,  
With his two sons was near coming.  
When the King saw he would not let,  
But ay came on with fléeching falset:  
He takes the wire and lets it flee,  
And hit the Father right in the eye:  
While that it in the harness ran,  
And he backward fell down right than.  
The brother that the hand axe bare,  
That saw his father felled there.  
A gird right to the King can make,  
And with the axe can him overtake.  
But he that had his sword on height  
Reached him sick routs in ran down right:  
That he the head to harness clave,  
And dead down to the earth him drove.  
The other brother that the spear bare,  
Saw his brother was fallen there:  
With the spear as an angry man,  
In a race to the King he ran.  
But the King that him dread some thing,  
Waited the spear at the coming:  
And with a whisk the head off strake.  
And ere the other had coming to take  
His sword, the King sick swak him gave,  
That he his head to the harness clave:  
He rushed down of blood all red:  
And when the King saw they were dead,  
All three lying, he wipes his brand.  
With that his boy came fast rinnand.  
And said, Our Lord mot loved been,  
That granted you might and poustie,  
To fell the felony and the pride,  
Of their three in so little tide.  
The King said, So our Lord me see  
They had been worthy men all three,  
Had they not been full of treasoun,  
But that made their confusion.  
¶ The King is went to his ludging,  
And of this deed came some tithing:  
To Sir Ingrame of Vmfrawile:  
That thought his subtlety, and guile  
Had all failyied in that place.  
Therefore he so annoyed was,  
That he again to Lochmabane,  
To Sir Aymer his way is gane,  
And to him told all hail the case,  
But he thereof sore wondered hes.  
How any man so suddenly,  
Might do so great a Chivalry,  
As did the King, that him allane,  
Vengeance of the three Traitors hes ta'en,  
And said, Now may men well perdie  
Wit that it is all in certainty,  
That Ure aye helps the hardy men,  
As by this dead we may well ken,  
Were he not so outrageous hardy,  
He had not so unabasedly:  
And so smertly done his advantage.  
I dread that his great vassalage,  
And his great travel bring to end,  
The thing that men full little wend.  
sick speaking made they of the King,  
That they withouten Sojourning.  
Travelde in Carrik here and there,  
His men from him so skailled were.  
To purchase their necessity,  
And als the Country for to see,  
That they left not with him sixty,  
And when the galloways wist surely,  
That he was with so few meinie.  
They made a privy assembly,  
Of well two hunger men and ma:  
And a sloothhound can with them ta.  
For they thought him for to surprise:  
And if he fled in any wise,  
To follow him with Hounds so,  
That he should no wise pass them fro:  
They shupe them in one Evening,  
To surprise suddenly the King,  
And to him held they strait the way:  
But he that had his Watches ay,  
On ilke side: of their coming,  
Long ere they came had sure witting,  
And how feill folk that they might be,  
Therefore he thought with his meinie,  
To withdraw him out of that place,  
For the night near hand fallen was,  
And for the Night he thought that they,  
Should not have sight to hold the way:  
That he were passed with his Menʒie,  
And as he thought, right so did he,  
And went him down to a Marace,  
On a Water that rinning was:  
And in a Boge he found a place,  
Was straight, and well two Bow-drawght was,  
From that water they passed had,  
He said, here may we make abode:  
And rest you all a while and lie,  
I will go wait all privily,  
If I hear aught of their coming:  
And if I hear of any thing,  
I shall gare warn you, so that ye,  
At your advantag ay shall be.   

How he discomfist him allane, Two hunger, and slew fifteen certain.  
THe King now takes his gate to go,  
And with him took servants two,  
And Sir Gilbert de la Hay left he  
There, for to rest with his Menʒie.  
To the Water he came in high,  
And hearkened full tentfully,  
If he might hear of their coming,  
But yet then might he hear nothing,  
Endlang the water then yeed he,  
On either side great quantity,  
And saw the braes high standing,  
The Water how through slyke rinning:  
And found no Ford, that men might pass,  
But where himself overpassed was.  
And so straight was the upcomming,  
That two men might scarce through it thring,  
Nor on no manner might guide them so,  
That they together long might go.  
And when he long time had been there,  
He harkened and heard as horsemen were  
And Hounds whilssilling upon fear,  
That aye he thought came near and near  
He stood still for to hearken maire:  
And aye the longer he stood there,  
He heard it near and near command:  
But he thought he would still yet stand,  
While that he heard more takinning,  
Then for a Hounds whissilling,  
He would not waken his meinie.  
Therefore he would abide, and see,  
What folk they were: and whether they  
Held toward him the right way:  
Or past another gaite far by,  
The Moon was shining right clearly:  
So long he stood, that he might hear,  
The noise of them that comen were,  
Then his two men in hy sent he,  
To waken and warn his meinie,  
And they are forth their ways gone:  
And he left still there him alone,  
And so long stood he hearkenand,  
While that he saw come at his hand,  
The hail rout in full great high,  
Then he bethought him hastily,  
If he held toward his meinie,  
That ere he might repaired be:  
They should be passed the ford ilkane,  
And then behoved to choose him one  
Of these two: other flee, or die,  
But his heart that was stout and high,  
Counselled him alone to bide:  
And keep them at the Fords side,  
And defend well the upcomming,  
Sen he was garnished with arming.  
That he their arrows should not dread.  
And if he were of great manheede:  
He might astoney them ilkane,  
Sen they could come but one and one,  
He did right as his heart him bade:  
For manhood, strength and courage he had  
When he so stoutly him allane,  
For little strength of earth hes ta'en:  
To feght with two hunger or more,  
Therewith he to the Ford can go:  
And they upon the other party,  
That saw him stand allanerlie,  
Thringing in the Water rade,  
For of him little doubt they had,  
And came to him in full great hy:  
He smote the first so rigorously,  
With his Sword that sharply share,  
While he down to the earth him bare,  
The lave came on in a randoun:  
But his Horse that was borne down,  
Cumbered them the upgang to ta,  
And when the King saw it was sa,  
He stikked the Horse▪ and he can fling,  
And sign fell in the upcomming.  
The lave with that came with a shout,  
And he that stalwart was and stout,  
Met them right stoutly at the bram,  
And so good payment can them ma,  
That fivesome in the Ford he slew.  
The lave then somedeal them withdrew,  
That dread his strikes wonder fair:  
For he in nothing them forbore.  
Then said one, Certes we are to blame:  
What shall we say when we come hame,  
When one man feghts against us all,  
When saw men ever sick foully fall,  
As us, if we it thus gate leave?  
With that all hail a shout they gave.  
And cried: on him, he may not last.  
With that they pressed on him so fast,  
That had he not the better been,  
He had been dead withouten ween.  
But he so great defence can make:  
That where he hit with even strake,  
There might no thing against him stand.  
In little space he left lyand  
So feill that the upgang was then,  
Ditted with slain horse, and men.  
So that his foes for that stopping,  
Might not come to the upcomming.  
Ah dear GOD, who had been by,  
And seen how he so hardly,  
Addressed him against them all:  
I wait well that they sold him call,  
The best that lived in his day:  
And if that I the sooth would say,  
I heard never in no time gone,  
One stint so money him alone.   

Example how Tydeus slew forty nine men, And the Lieutenant thold shame & pain.  
Even like when that Achilles,  
Fra his brother Polynices,  
Was sent to Thebes in message,  
To ask wholly the heritage  
Of Thebes, to hold it for a year:  
Two twins of one both they were.  
They straue: for either King would be.  
But the Barnage of that Country,  
Gart them assent on that manner,  
That the one sold be King one year,  
And the other with his meinie,  
Sold not be found in that Country,  
While the first brother reigning were.  
Sign sold the other reign one year,  
And then the first sold leave the land,  
While that the other were reignand.  
Thus ay one year sold reign the one,  
The other one year, when that were gone.  
To ask holding of this assent,  
Was Tydeus to Thebes sent:  
And so spoke for Polynices,  
That of Thebes Eteocles,  
Bad his Constable with him ta,  
Men armed well, and so forth ga:  
To meet Tydeus in the way:  
And slay him but longer delay.  
The Constable his way is gane,  
And nine and forty hes with him ta'en:  
So that he▪ with them made fifty,  
Into the Evening privily,  
They set a ambushment in the way,  
Where that Tydeus behooved to ga,  
Betwixt an high Craig and the Sea.  
And he, that of their Mavitie  
UUist nothing: his way hes ta'en,  
And toward Grece again is gane,  
And as he road into the night,  
So saw he with the Moon's light,  
Shining of shields great plenty:  
And had wonder what it might be.  
With that all hail they gave a cry:  
And he that heard so suddenly  
sick noise, somedeal afraid was:  
But in short time he to him taes  
His spreits full hardly:  
For his gentle heart and worthy,  
Assured him into that need:  
That with spurs he strake the Steed,  
And rushed in among them all.  
The first he met he gart him fall,  
And sign his sword he swapped out,  
And reached about him money a rout:  
And slew sexsome well soon or ma  
Then under him his horse they slay:  
And he fell: but he smartly raise,  
Striking about him room he mais,  
And slew of them a quantity.  
But wounded wonder sore was he.  
With that a little rod he found,  
Up toward the craig strykand:  
Hither he went in full great high,  
Defending him right doughtily:  
While in the craig he clam somedeill,  
And found a place enclosed well:  
Where none but one might him assaill.  
There stood he▪ and gave them battle,  
And they assailyied him ilkone:  
And oft syes when that he slew one,  
As he down to the earth did drive:  
He would bear down well four or five.  
There stood he, and defended so,  
While he had slain the half and more.  
A great stone then by him saw he:  
That through the great mavitie,  
Was loosed ready for to fall.  
And when he saw them coming all,  
He tumbled down on them the stane,  
And eight men therewith hath he slain.  
And so astoneyed the remnand,  
That they were near all retéerand.  
Then would he prison hold no maire.  
But on them ran with sword all baire:  
And hewed and slew with all his maine,  
While he had nine and forty slain,  
The Constable sign can he ta,  
And gart him swear that he should ga':  
To King Eteocles, and tell,  
The aventures that them befell:  
TYDEUS bore him doughtily,  
That overcame him allane fifty.  
Yée that this reads, judge ye,  
Whether that more should praised be:  
The King that with his avisement  
Under taken sick hardement?  
As to stint him alone but fear,  
The folk that fully two hundreth were,  
Or Tydeus that suddenly  
Fra they had raised on him the cry,  
Through hardement that they had ta'en,  
Won fifty men all him alane?  
They did their deed both in their night,  
And fought both with the Moon's light,  
But the King he discomfit ma,  
And Tydeous the ma can slay.  
Now deem ye whidder more loving  
Should Tydeus have or the doughty King  
IN this manner as I have told,  
The King that stark was stout and bold  
Was fighting on the Fords side,  
Giving and taking routs red:  
While he sick martyrdom had made,  
That he the Ford all stopped had:  
That none of them might to him ride,  
Then thought they folly for to bide,  
And haillelie the flight can ta,  
And went homeward where they came fra.  
Then the King's men with the cry,  
Wakened, and full frayedlie,  
Came for to seek the Lord the King,  
The Galloway men heard their coming  
They fled▪ and durst no longer bide,  
The King's men that dreading were that tide,  
For their King full speedily,  
Came to the Ford: and sign in hy  
They found the King sitting allane,  
And had his Bassinet off ta'en,  
To take the air: for he was heat,  
Then spéered they at him his state:  
And he told them all hail the case,  
And how that he assailyied was.  
And how that GOD him helped so,  
That he escaped hail them fro:  
Then looked they how feill were dead:  
And they found lying in that stead,  
Fifteen that was slain with his hand,  
Then loved they fast God all weildand,  
That they their Lord found hail and feir,  
And said▪ they would in no manner  
Dread their foes▪ sen their Chiftane  
Was of sic heart and of sick mane:  
That for them had undertaken,  
With so feill folk to feght allane.  
sick Words spoke they of the King,  
And of his high undertaking,  
They ferlied and yarned him to see,  
That wont was oft with him to been  
Ah, how worship is a perfect thing,  
Worship makes men to have loving,  
●f it be followed worthily,  
But prize, and worship not for thy,  
●s hard to win but great travel,  
Oft to defend, and oft assail,  
And to be in their deeds wise,  
Garres men of worship win the prize.  
There may no man have wo●thheed,  
But he have wit to steer the deed:  
And see what is to live or ta,  
Worship extremities hes twa,  
Fool hardement the formest is,  
And the other is Cowardice.  
And they are both to forsake.  
Fool hardement all will overtake:  
As well things to leave as ta,  
But Cowardice does nothing sa,  
But utterly forsaketh all.  
And that were wonder for to fall,  
Were not wanting of discretion:  
For thy hes worship sick renown,  
That it is mid betwixt the twa,  
And taketh that it will unta:  
And leaves that is to leave. For i●  
Hes so great garnishing with wit,  
That it all perils well can see:  
And all advantage that may be.  
It would to hardement hold holy.  
With thy away were the folly,  
For Hardement with folly is,  
But Hardement that melled is  
With wit, is worship aye, perdie,  
For but wit worship cannot been.  
THis Noble King that we of read,  
Melled all time Wit with Manhéed,  
That may men by his mellie see,  
His Wit shown him the straight entry  
Of the Ford, and the ishing also,  
That him thought was hard to ta,  
Upon a time that was worthy.  
Therefore his hardement hastily  
Thought well, it might be undertaken,  
Sen atanes him might assail but one,  
Thus hardiness governed with wit,  
That he in all time together knit,  
Gart him of worship win the prize,  
And oft overcame his enemies.   

How james of Dowglas with a train, Slew Thriswaile, and his men of main.  
THe King in Carrik dwelled then still,  
His men assembled fast him till,  
That in the Land were travelling,  
When they of this deed heard tything,  
Then thought they well with him to ta.  
Their hap, that sick defence can ma.  
But yet then james of Dowglas  
In Dowglasdaile dwelling was,  
Or else well née●e hand thereby,  
In hiddles somedeal privily.  
For he would see his governing,  
That had the Castle in keeping,  
And gart make money jeopardy,  
To see if he would ishe blythly,  
When he perceived well, that he  
Would ishe blythly with his Menʒie,  
He made a gaddering privily,  
Of them that were of his party:  
That were so fell, that they durst fight  
With Thriswaile, and all his hail might  
Of them that in the Castle were,  
He shupe in one night for to far  
To Sandylands, and near thereby,  
He him ambushed privily:  
And sent a few a train to ma,  
That soon in the morning can ta  
Cattell, that were the Castle by.  
And sign withdrew them hastily  
Toward them that ambushed were.  
Then Thriswaile withouten maire  
Gart arm his men withouten bade,  
And ished with all the men he had:  
And followed fast after the Kine.  
He was armed at point cleanly,  
Outtaken that his head was bare.  
Then with the men that with him were,  
The cattle followed he good speed.  
Right as a man that had no dread,  
While that he of them got a sight,  
Then pricked they with all their might:  
Following them out of array:  
They sped them fleeing, while that they  
The ambushment by somedeal were passed:  
And Thryswaile chased them right fas●.  
And then they that ambushed were,  
Rushed on them both less and more:  
And raised suddenly the cry,  
And they that saw so suddenly.  
That folk came eagerly prickand,  
Betwixt them, and their warrant:  
Then were they in full great effray:  
And for they were out of array.  
Some of them fled, and some abode  
And Dowglas that there with him had.  
A great meinie, full eagerly  
Assailyied, and skailled them hastily.  
And in short time them cumbered so,  
That well near none escaped them fro.  
Thriswaill that was their capitane,  
Was there into the Bargain slain:  
And of his men the most party.  
The lave fled full effrayedlie,  
Dowglas meinie fast can chase:  
And the fléears their ways gaes.  
To the Castle in full great high:  
The formest entered speedily:  
But the chasers sped them so fast:  
That they overtook some at the last,  
And them without mercy can slay.  
And when they of the Castle swa  
Saw them slay of their men them by:  
They closed the ȝets hastily,  
And in hy to the walls ran,  
james of Dowglas meinie than  
Seized well hastily in hand,  
All that they about the Castle found  
To their resset: sign went their way,  
Thus Thriswaile ished to that essay.  
When Thriswaile upon this manéere  
Had ished, as I tell you here:  
james of Dowglas and his men  
Busked them altogether then,  
And went their way toward the King  
In great hy: for they heard tything,  
That of Wallance Sir Aymery  
With a full great Chivalry,  
Both of English, and of Scotishmen,  
With great felony were ready then  
Assembled for to seek the King,  
That was that time with his gaddering,  
In Cummok, where it straitest was,  
hither went james of Dowglas,  
And was right welcome to the King,  
And when he told had that tithing,  
How that Sir Aymer was command,  
For to hunt him out of the Land,  
With Hounds and Horn, right as he were  
A Wolf, or else a thief's fear.  
Then said the King, It may well fall,  
Though he come and his power all,  
We shall abide in this Country,  
And if he comes, we shall him see,  
The King then spoke on this manner,  
And of Wallance then Sir, Aymer,  
Assembled a great company,  
Of Noble men and right worthy,  
Of England and of Louthiane:  
And he hes also with him ta'en,  
john of Lorne, and all his might,  
That had of worthy men and wight  
With him aught hunger, and ma,  
A Sloothhound had he there also  
So good that change would for nothing,  
And some men says yet, that the King,  
As a traitor him nourished had,  
And aye so mickle of him made:  
That his own hands would him feed,  
He followed him where ever he yéede:  
So that the Hound him loved sa,  
Through him he thought the King to ta:  
For he wist that he loved him sa,  
That he would pass no ways him fra.  
But how that john of Lorne him had,  
I heard never no mention made:  
But men said, it was certain thing,  
That he had him in his leading,  
And through him thought the King to ta:  
For he wist that he loved him sa,  
That fra that he might ones feel  
The Kings Sent▪ he wist right well,  
That he would change it for nothing.  
This john of Lorne hated the King,  
For Sir Cumyng his Emes sake:  
Might he him other slay or take,  
He would not prize his life a stra:  
But if he vengeance might of him ta.   

How Sir Aymer and john of Loune, Chased the King with Hound and horn.  
THis Wardane than Sir Aymery  
With john of Lorne in company:  
And other of great renown also:  
Sir Thomas Randell was one of tha,  
Came in Cumnok to seek the King.  
That was well war of their coming:  
And was up in the strengths then,  
And with him well three hundreth men,  
His brother that time with him was,  
And als Sir james of Dowglas.  
Sir Aymers xout there they saw,  
That held the Plains and the Law,  
And in hail battle was arrayed,  
The King that no supposing had,  
That they were more than he saw there:  
To them, and neither else where  
Had eye: and wrought unwittily.  
For john of Lorne full craftily,  
Behind thought to surprise the King,  
Therefore with all his gaddering,  
About an Hill he held his way,  
And held him into Covert aye,  
While he so near came to the King,  
Ere he perceived his coming,  
That he was at his hand well near.  
The other Host, and Sir Aymer,  
pressed upon the other party,  
The King was in great jeopardy,  
That was on either side beset  
With foes, that to slay him threat.  
And the least party of the two,  
Was starker than the other two,  
And when he saw them press him to,  
He thought in hy what was to do.  
He said Lordings we have no might,  
At this time for to stand in fight.  
Therefore depart we us in three,  
So shall we not all sailyied been,  
And in three parts hold on your way,  
Sign to his meinie can he say,  
Betwixt them into privity,  
In what steed their repair should be.  
With that their gate all are they gane,  
And in three parts their way have ta'en,  
john of Lorne came to the place,  
Wherefra the King departed was.  
And in his trace the Hound is set,  
That then withouten longer let,  
Held even the way after the King,  
Right as he had of him knowing.  
And left the other parties twa,  
As he no Keep would to them ta  
And when the King saw his coming,  
Efter his rout into a ling:  
He thought he knew that it was he,  
Therefore he said to his meinie,  
Ye then in three depart you soon,  
And they did so withouten hone:  
And held their ways in three parties.  
The Hound did there so great Mistress,  
That he held aye without changing,  
Efter the rout where was the King.  
ANd when the King hes seen them so,  
All in one rout after him go  
The way, and followed not his men,  
He had a great perceiving then,  
That they knew him, for thy in hy,  
He bade his men right hastily  
Skaill, and ilke man hold his way  
Right by him: and so did they  
By themselves and sundry gates are gane:  
And the King hes with him ta'en  
A Foster-brother withouten ma,  
And together held their gate they twa,  
The Hound always followed the King,  
And changed not for no parting,  
But ay followed the King's trace,  
But wavering, as he passed was.  
And when that john of Lorne saw  
The Hound so fast after him draw,  
And followed fast after them twa:  
He knew the King was one of tha,  
And bade five of his company,  
That were right wight men and hardy:  
And als of foot the speediest were,  
That they might find among them there:  
Run after him, and him overta:  
And let him no wise scape you fra.  
And fra they have heard his bidding,  
They held their way after the King,  
And followed him so speedily,  
That they well soon can him overhy,   

How the King slew the five men, That john of Lorne sent to him then.  
THE King that saw them coming were,  
Was annoyed in great manner.  
For he thought, if they were hardy,  
They might him travel, and tarry,  
And hold him still so tariand,  
While the remnant were at hand.  
But had he dread but anerly  
They five, I trow full sikkerly,  
He should not have full mickle dréed:  
And to his Fellow as he yéede:  
He said, their five are fast cummand,  
They are well near now at our hand.  
Say, Is there any help in thee?  
For we shall soon assailyied been.  
Yea Sir (he said) all that I may,  
Thou says well, said the King perfay:  
I see them coming to us near,  
I will no farther, but right here  
Abide while I am into aynd,  
And see what force that they will feigned.  
The King then stood full sturdily:  
And the five men in full great high,  
Came with great shore and manassing.  
And three of them went to the King,  
And to his man the other two,  
With Swords in Hand can stoutly go.  
The King met them that to him sought,  
And to the first sick rout he wrought,  
The Ear and Cheek down to the halfe,  
He share off, and the shoulders als,  
He rushed down, all desily,  
The two that saw so suddenly  
Their Fellow fell: effrayed were,  
And start a little backermare.  
The King with that blenked him by,  
And saw the two men sturdy,  
Against his men sick mellie ma,  
With that he left his own twa,  
And to them that fought with his man,  
A loop right lightly made he than,  
And smote the Head quite off the one,  
To his own two sign is he gone,  
That came on him right sturdy:  
He met the first so eagerly,  
That with the sword that sharply share  
The arms he from the body bare,  
What strakes they gave I cannot tell,  
But to the King so sore befell.  
That though he travel had and pain,  
He of his foes four hes he slain.  
His Foster-brother after soon,  
The fist hes out of his day's doom.  
And when the King saw that all fife,  
UUas on this wise brought out of life,  
To his fellow can he say:  
Thou hes helped right well perfay.  
It likes you to say so (quoth he)  
But over great part to you took ye:  
Ye slew four of the five alone.  
The King said, as the glee is gone,  
Better than thou I might it do:  
For I had more leisure thereto.  
The two fellows that dealt with thee,  
When they me saw assembled with three,  
Of me right no kin doubt they had:  
For they weened I was straight stad.  
And for thy that they dread me nought,  
Noy them more than thou I moght,  
But let us thank GOD of his grace,  
That fra our foes us delivered hes:  
With that the King looked him by,  
And saw of Lorne the company,  
Well near with their sloothhound cummand  
Then to a wood that was near hand  
He went; with his fellow in high,  
GOD save them for his great mercy.   

How the King scaped fra his faes, And how the sloothhound slain was.  
THE King toward the Wood is gane,  
Weary for sweit, and will of wane.  
Into the Wood soon entered he,  
And held down toward a vaillie,  
Wherethrough the Wood a water ran:  
hither in great hy went he than,  
And begouth for to rest him there:  
And said, he might no further far.  
His man said, Sir, that may not be:  
Bide ye ought long, ye shall soon see  
Five hunger yarning you to slay,  
And that is money against us twa.  
And sen we may not deal with might:  
We man help that we may with slight.  
The King said, sen that thou wilt so,  
Go forth, and I shall with thee go:  
But I have heard oft times say,  
That who endlong a Water ay,  
Would w●●de a bowdraught, he sold gar  
Both the ●●●thhound and his leidar,  
Tyne th● Se●t that men gart them ta,  
Prove 〈◊〉 i● it will now do swa.  
For 〈…〉 devilish Hound away:  
I rek 〈◊〉 all the ●e●ue perfay.  
As he devised so have they done,  
And entered in the water soon:  
And held down endland it their way,  
And sign unto the Land yéede they,  
And held their way as they did air,  
And john of Lorne with great efféere  
Came with his rout right to the place,  
Where that his five men slain was,  
He méened them When he them saw:  
And after said, in a little thraw,  
That he should soon revenge their dead,  
But otherwise the gaming yeede,  
There would he make no more dwelling,  
But forth in hy followed the King.  
Right to the Burn they passed were,  
But the Sloothhound made stinting there:  
And wavered long time to and fro,  
That he no certain gate could go.  
While at the last that john of Lorne  
Perceived the Hound the Scent had forne:  
And said: we have tint this travail,  
To pass further may not avail:  
For the Wood is both long and wide,  
And he is far forth by this tide,  
Therefore is good we turn again,  
And wast no more travel in vain.  
With that resyed he his meinie,  
And his way to the Oist took he.  
THus escaped the Noble King:  
But some men says, his escaping,  
Upon another manner fell▪  
Then through the waiding, as they tell,  
That the King a good Archer had.  
And when he saw his Lord so stad:  
That he was left so anerly.  
He ran on side always him by,  
While he into the Wood was gone.  
Then said he to himself alone:  
That he right there a rest would ma,  
To look if he the Hound might slay:  
For if the Hound might last on live,  
He wist, right well that they might drive  
The King's trace, while they him ta:  
And he wist well they would him slay.  
And for he would his Lord succour,  
He put his life in aventour:  
And sat into a bush knéeland,  
While that the Hound came to his hand,  
And with an arrow soon him slew:  
And to the Wood sign him withdrew,  
But whether his escaping fell,  
As I told first, or I now tell:  
I wait not, but without losing,  
At that Burn escaped the King.   

What manner that the thiefs three, Made to the King slight lawtie.  
THE King is forth his ways ta'en,  
And john of Lorne again is gane,  
To Sir Aymer, that fra that chase  
With his meinie repaired was:  
That sped but little in their chase.  
And thought that they made following  
Full eagerly, they won but small:  
Their foes were escaped all.  
Men says, Sir Thomas Randell than  
Chase, the King's banner wan:  
Wherethrough in England with the King  
He had great prize, and hie loving.  
When the chasers relied were,  
And john of Lorne had met them there▪  
He told Sir Aymer all the case,  
How that the King escaped was:  
And how that he his five men slew,  
And to the wood sign he him drew.  
When Sir Aymer heard tell in hy,  
He sained him for this ferly:  
And said, he is greatly to praise,  
I know none living in their days:  
That at mischief can help him sa.  
I trow he shall be hard to ta,  
And he were bodin evenly,  
On this wise spoke Sir Aymerie,  
And the good King held forth his way,  
Betwixt him and his men, while they  
Passed out through the Forest were:  
Then in a Moor they entered are,  
That was both high, long and brad,  
And by the half they passed had,  
They saw on side three men cummand:  
Like to light men, and waverand,  
Swords they had, and axes als,  
And one of them about his Hals,  
A meekle bound in Wedder bare,  
They met the King, and hailsed him fair,  
The King again them hailsed yald,  
And asked them whether they walled?  
They said, Robert the Bruce they sought,  
To meet with him, if that they might,  
Their Man-rent to him would they ma,  
The King said, If that you will swa▪  
Hold forth your ways now with me,  
And I shall gar you soon him see.  
They perceived by his speaking,  
And his efféeres▪ he was the King,  
They changed countenance, and late,  
And held not in the first estate:  
For they were foes to the King,  
And thought to come into talking:  
And dwell with him▪ while that they saw  
Their point, and bring him out of daw,  
They granted to his Speak for thy,  
But the King that was aye witty,  
Perceived well by their having,  
That they love him well nothing.  
He said, Felloews ye must all three,  
(Farther acquanted while that we be)  
All by yourself before us go,  
And on the 'samine wise we two  
Shall follow you behind well near,  
Sir (said they) it is no mistéere  
To trow into us any ill.  
None do I (said he) but I will  
Yée go before us a little way,  
Better with other known while we been,  
We grant (they said) sen ye will so,  
And forth upon their gate they go.   

The slaying of the Thiefs three, And how the King his death was nigh.  
THus yéed they while the night was near,  
And then the formest com were,  
To a waste Husband House, and there  
They slew the Wedder that they bore:  
And strake fire for to make their meat,  
And asked the King if he would eat,  
And rest him while the meat were dight:  
The King that hungry was, I hight,  
Assented to their speech in hy,  
But he said, he would alanerly  
Betwixt him and his Fellow been  
At a fire, and they all three,  
In the end of the House should ma  
Another fire, and they did swa,  
They drew them to the House end,  
And half the Wadder to them send:  
And they roasted in hy their meat,  
And fell right freshly it to eat:  
For the King right long fasted had,  
And had full meekle travel made:  
Therefore he ate full eagerly,  
And when he eaten had hastily,  
He had to sleep so meekle will,  
What he might make no let theretill,  
For when the veins filled are,  
The body is heavy evermare,  
And to sleep draweth heaviness,  
The King that all fortravelde was,  
To his Foster brother says,  
Certes, me behoves to sleep need ways.  
Say, may I trust thee me to wake,  
While I a little sleeping take.  
Yes Sir (he said) while I may drée,  
The King then winked a little wi●,  
And slept, but not right inkerlie,  
And glifned up oft suddenly,  
For he had dread of the three men,  
That at the other fire were then:  
That they his foes were well he wist,  
Therefore he sléeped as fowl on twist▪  
The King sléeped but little than.  
While sick a sleep fell on his man.  
That he might not hold up his eye,  
But fell on sleep and snored high.  
Now is the King in great peril:  
For sleep he so a little while,  
He shall been dead withouten dread,  
For the three traitors took good heed,  
That he on sleep was, and his man,  
In full great high they gate up than,  
And drew their Swords full hastily,  
And went toward the King in high,  
And sleeping thought him for too slay,  
And his Foster brother also.  
To him they yéed a full great pace,  
But in that time, through God's grace,  
The King up blenked suddenly,  
And saw his man sleeping him by:  
And saw coming the Traitors three,  
Deliverlie on foot start he:  
And drew his sword, and sign them met,  
And as he yéed his foot he set,  
Upon his man right heavily,  
He wakened and rose desily,  
For the sleep mastered him sa,  
That ere he gate up, one of that,  
That came up for too slay the King,  
Gave him a straike in his rising,  
That he might help himself no maire  
The King so straight stad was there,  
That he was never yet so stad,  
Were not the arming that he hade,  
He had been dead withouten were,  
Yet noughthelesse on this manéere,  
GOD helped him so in that bargain,  
That the three traitors hes he slain,  
Through God's grace, and his manhéed,  
His Foster brother there was dead,  
Then was he wonder will of wane,  
When he saw he was left allane,  
His Foster-brother sore méened he,  
And waried all the other three,  
And sign his way took him alone,  
And is toward his tryst then gone,  
The King went forth right wrathfully  
Meenand his man full tenderly,  
And held his way all him alone,  
And right toward the House is gone,  
Where he set tryst to meet his men.  
It was well near the night by then,  
He came soon in the House and land,  
The Housewife on the Benke sittand,  
She asked him soon what he was,  
And whence he came, and whether he gas?  
A travelling man good Dame (said he)  
That travels here through the Country,  
She said, all travelling men here  
For anes sake more welcome are.  
The King said, Good Dame what is he?  
That garres you have sick speciality  
To men that travels? Sir perfay,  
(Quoth the Goodwife) I will you say.  
The King Robert the Bruce is he,  
Whilk is right Lord of this Country,  
His foes now holds him in thrang,  
But I think to see ere it be long,  
Him Lord and King over all this Land,  
When that no foes shall him withstand,  
Dame love ye him so well, said he?  
Yea Sir (she said) so GOD me sie▪  
Dame (he said) lo him here the by:  
For I am he, I say thee soothfastly,  
Ah, Sir (she said) and where are gone  
Your men, that ye are thus alone,  
At this time, Dame, I have na ma,  
(She said) it may no wise be sa,  
I have two Sons wight and hardy,  
They shall become your men in hy.  
As she devised so have they done,  
His sworn men became they soon,  
The Goodwife gart him sit and eat▪  
But he sat short while at the meat.  
When that he heard great stamping,  
About the house: then but losing,  
They start up the house for to defend:  
But soon after the King hes kend  
james of Dowglas: then was he blithe,  
And bade open the doors swyth:  
And they came in all that they were,  
Sir Edward his brother was there,  
And james also of Dowglas,  
That was escaped fra the chase,  
And with the King's brother met:  
Sign to the tryst that there was set,  
They sped them with their company,  
That was a hunger and fifty.  
And when that they have seen the King,  
They were joyful of that meeting:  
And asked how he scaped was?  
And he them told all hail the case:  
How the five men him pressed fast,  
And how he through the Water past,  
And how he met the thiefs three,  
And how he sleeping slain sold be▪  
When he wakened through God's grace,  
And how his Foster brother was  
Slain, he told them haillelie.  
Then loved they GOD almighty,  
That their Lord was escaped so.  
Then spoke they words to and fro:  
While at the last the King can say,  
Fortoun hes travelled us fast this day,  
That skailled us so suddenly.  
Our foes this night traistlie lie:  
For they trow we so skailled are,  
And fled to warrant here and there,  
That we shall not their days three,  
All togidder assembled be.  
Therefore this night they shall traistlie,  
But UUatches take their ease and lie:  
And this day they have done despite.  
Therefore this night I would them quite:  
wherefore who knew their harberie:  
And would come on them suddenly:  
With few meinie men might them skaith,  
And yet escape withouten waith.   

Here tranoynted the Noble King, And to his faes made an affraying.  
PErfay (quoth james of Dowglas)  
As I came hitherward by case,  
I came so near the harberie,  
That I can bring you where they lie:  
And would ye speed you yet ere day  
It might well happen that we may  
Do them a greater skaith well soon,  
Than they us all this day hes done:  
For they lie skailled as them list,  
Then thought they all it was the best,  
To speed them to them hastily:  
And they did so in full great high,  
And came on them in the dawing.  
Right as the day begouth to spring,  
So fell it that a company  
Into a town had ta'en harbrie,  
Well fra the Oist a mile, or maire:  
Men said, that they two hunger were.  
There assembled the Noble King:  
And soon after their assembling,  
They that sleeping assailyied were,  
Right hideously can cry and rear,  
And other some that heard the cry,  
Ran forth so right effrayedlie:  
That some of them all naked were,  
Fleeing to warrant here and there.  
And some their Harness to them drew.  
And they withouten mercy them slew,  
And so cruel vengeance can ta,  
That the two part of them and ma,  
Were slain into that 'samine stead,  
And to their Host the remnand fled.  
THe Oist than heard the noise and cry,  
And saw their men so wretchedly,  
Come naked fleeing here and there,  
Some all hail, some wounded sare,  
Into full great effray they rose,  
And ilke man to his Banner goes:  
So that the Oist was all on steer,  
The King and they that with him were,  
When they on steer the Oist saw so,  
Toward their warrant can they go,  
And there in savitie came they,  
And when Sir Aymer heard say,  
Now that the King their men had slain.  
And how they were turned again,  
He said, Now may ye clearly see,  
That Noble heart where ever it be,  
Is hard to over come with Mastery,  
For where an heart is right worthy,  
Against Stoutness it is ay stout,  
And as I trow there may no doubt,  
Gar it all out discomfit be,  
While body living is in poustie,  
As by this melle may be seen:  
We weened Robert the Bruce had been  
So discomfit, that by good skill,  
He should have neither heart nor will,  
sick jeopardy to under ●a,  
For he was put at under sa.  
That he was left all him alone,  
And all his men were from him gone,  
And he was so sore traveled,  
To put them off that he assailyied:  
That he should have yarned resting,  
More than fighting and travelling,  
But his heart full is of bounty,  
So that it vanquished may not be.  
IN this wise spoke Sir Aymery,  
And when they of his company  
Saw that they travelde had in vain:  
And how the King their men had slain  
That at his largesse was then all free,  
Them thought it was but Nicety,  
For to make there longer dwelling,  
Sen they might not annoy the King,  
And then said Sir Aymery,  
That unbethought him hastily:  
That he to Carlisle then would ga,  
And there a while so journey ma:  
And leave his spies on the King,  
To know always his contening,  
And when that he his time might see.  
He thought that with a great meinie,  
He should set on them suddenly,  
Therefore with all his company,  
To England he his way hes ta'en.  
And ilk man to his House is gane.  
A while to Carlyle went is he,  
And therein thinked for to been,  
While he his time saw of the King,  
That then with all his gaddering,  
Was in Carrik as he was wont,  
And would wend with his men to hunt.   

How the King and his Hounds twa, Three men in the Wood can slay.  
SO happened it upon a day,  
He went to Hunt for to assay,  
What gaming was in that Country,  
So happened it that day when he  
By a Wood side to a seat is gane.  
With his two Hounds him allane,  
But he his sword ay with him bare,  
He had but short while sitten there,  
When he faw from the Wood command,  
Three men with bows in their hand,  
That toward him came speedily,  
And he perceived them in high,  
By their effeere and their hasting,  
That they him loved no kind thing,  
He raise up, and his Léech drew he,  
And leet his Hound's gang all free,  
GOD help the King now for his might:  
For bot he baith be wise and wight,  
He shall be set in meekle press,  
For tha three men withouten lies,  
They were his foes all verily,  
And waited him ay busily,  
To see when they might vengeance take  
Of him: for Sir john Cumyngs sake,  
And they thought then they leisure had.  
And sen he him alone was stad.  
They thought in hy they should him slay.  
And if that they might chevish sa,  
That they might win the Wood again:  
Fra that th●y had the good King slain.  
His men they thought they should not dread.  
In ire toward the King they yéed,  
And bent their bows, when they were near.  
And that he dread on great manner  
Their arrows: for he naked was,  
In hy a speech to them he mais:  
And said, you aught to shame perdie,  
Sen I am one and ye are three,  
For to shoot at me upon fear.  
But had you hardiment to come near,  
And with your swords to essay.  
Win me on sick wise if ye may,  
Yée shall all out maire praised be,  
Perfay, quoth one then of the three:  
Shall no man say we doubt of thee sa,  
That we with arrows shall thee slay,  
With that their bows away they kest,  
And came on fast but longer frist,  
The King them met full hardly,  
And smote the first so rigorously,  
That he fell dead down on the green,  
And when the King's Hounds had seen,  
Two men assailyie their Master sa,  
They lap to one, and could him ta,  
Right by the neck▪ full sturdy,  
While top over tail they gart him lie,  
And the King that his sword out had.  
Saw the Hound's sick succours made.  
Ere he that fallen had might up rise,  
He him assailyied on sick a wise,  
That he the back strake even in two,  
The third that saw his fellow so,  
Without recovering to be slain,  
took to the Wood his gate again,  
But the King followed speedily,  
And als the Hounds that were him by,  
When they the man saw flee him fra,  
Ran to him soon, and can him ta  
Right by the neck while he him dreugh,  
And the King that was near aneugh.  
In his rising a straike him gave,  
That stark dead to the earth him drove.  
The King's meinie that were near  
When that they saw on sick maneer,  
The King assailyied so suddenly,  
They sped them toward him in high,  
And asked how that case befell?  
And he all hail it can them tell:  
How they assailyied him all three.  
Perfay (say they) we may well see  
That it is hard to undertake,  
sick mellie with you for to make,  
That so smer●lie hes slain three,  
Withouten hurt: Perfay (said he)  
I slew but one withouten ma.  
GOD and mine Hounds hes slain twa,  
Their treason cumbered them perfay,  
For right wight men all three were they.  
WHen that the King through God's grace,  
On this manner escaped was,  
He blew his Horn, and then in high,  
His good men can to him rely,  
Then homeward buskde he him to far:  
For that day would he hunt no maire.  
In Glentrolle a while he lay,  
And went oft times to hunt and play,  
For to purchase them vennisoun:  
For then the Deire were in season.  
In all that time Sir Aimery,  
With Noble men in company,  
Lay in Carlisle his time to see.  
And when he heard the certainty,  
That in Glentrolle was the King,  
And went to hunt and to playing:  
He thought then with his Chivalry,  
To come upon him suddenly,  
And from Carlisle on nights ride,  
And in Covert on days bide:  
And thus gate with his tranoynting,  
He thought for to surprise the King,  
He assembled a great meinie,  
Of folk of full great Renounie,  
Both of Scots and Englishmen,  
Their way togidder held they then,  
And rade on nights privily,  
While they came to a Wood near by  
Glentrolle: where lodged was the King,  
That wist right naught of their coming:  
Into great peril now is he.  
For but GOD through his great bounty  
Save him, he shall be slain or ta'en:  
For they were sex where he was one.   

How the King with a few meinie, Discomfit Sir Aymer in Glentrolle.  
WHen Sir Aymer (as I have told)  
With his men that were stout and bold,  
Were coming so near the King that they  
Were but a mile, fra him off way.  
He took avisement with his men,  
On what manner they sold do then.  
For he said them that the King was  
Ludged, into so straight a place,  
That horsemen might him not assailyie:  
And if footmen gave him battailyie,  
He sold be hard to win, give he  
Might of their coming witted be,  
Therefore I red all privily  
We send a woman him to spy:  
That poorly shall arrayed be.  
She may ask meat for Charity,  
And see their conuéene haillelie.  
Upon what manner that they lie,  
And in that while we and our meinie,  
Coming out through the Wood may be,  
On foot, all armed as we are.  
May we do so, that we come there  
On them, or they wit our coming,  
We shall find in them no stinting,  
This counsel thought they was the best:  
Then send they forth but longer frist,  
The woman that sold be their spy:  
And she her way held forth in hy,  
Right to the Ludging where was the King,  
That had no dread of supprising:  
For in Glentrolle was the King,  
That was near brought to supprising,  
yeed unarmed, merry and blithe.  
The woman hes he seen all swyth.  
He saw her uncouth, and for thy  
He beheld her more tentively:  
And by her countenance him thought,  
That for good comen was she nought.  
Then gart he men in high her ta:  
And she that dread men sold her slay,  
Told them now that Sir Aimery,  
With the Clyffurde in company,  
And the flower of Northumberland,  
UUere coming on them at their hand.  
WHen that the King heard that tithing,  
He armed him but more dwelling:  
So did they all that with him were,  
Sign in a sop assembled there.  
I trow they were three hundreth near.  
And when they all assembled were:  
The King his banner gart display,  
And set his men in good array.  
But they stand had but a thraw,  
Right at their hand when that they saw  
Their foes through the Wood command,  
Armed on foot, with spear in hand:  
They sped them full enforcedly,  
The noise begeuth then and the cry:  
For the good King that formest was  
Stoutly toward his foes gaes:  
And hynt out of a man's hand,  
That near beside him was gangand.  
A bow, and a brade arrow als,  
And hit the formest in the hals,  
While throppell and wessand yéed in two,  
And he down to the earth can go.  
The lave with that made a stinting,  
And then but more the Noble King,  
Hint from His Banerman his Banner,  
And said, upon them: for they are  
Discomfist all, and with that word,  
He swapped smartly out his Sword,  
And on them ran so hardly,  
That all they of his company,  
took hardement of his good deed.  
And some that first their ways yeed,  
Again came to the feght in hy,  
And met their foes vigorously.  
That all the formest rushed were,  
And when they that were backer mair,  
Saw that the formest left their steed,  
They turned all their back and fled.  
Out of the Wood they them with drew,  
The King but few men of them slew,  
For they right soon their gait can go,  
For it discomforted them so,  
That the King and his men was,  
All armed to defend the place:  
When they weened through their tranoynting,  
To have winning without fighting,  
That they effrayed were suddenly,  
And he them sought so angrily,  
That they in full great by again  
Out of the Wood can to the Plane:  
For they failyied of their intent.  
They were that time so foully shent:  
That fifteen hundreth men and ma.  
With a few were rebuted sa:  
That they withdrew them shamefully,  
Therefore among them suddenly.  
Raise great debate, and great distance,  
Ilkane with other of their mischance,  
The Cliffurde and Vanis made a mellie,  
Where Cliffurde reached him routs three  
And either side drew to parties.  
But Sir Aymer that was ay wise,  
Departed them with mickle pain,  
And went to England home again,  
He wist, fra strife raise them among,  
They should not hold together long,  
Without debate or more melle,  
For thy to England turned he,  
With more shame than he went off tou●,  
When so money of sick renown,  
Saw so few men bide them battle.  
Where they right hardy were to assail.   

How james of Dowglas discomfit than, At Ederfoord Philip Mowbray with money man,  
THe King fra Sir Aymer was gane  
Gathered his Menʒie everilkane:  
And left both Woods and Mountains,  
And held the strait way of the Plains.  
For he would fane that end were made  
Of that, that he begunnen had.  
And he wist well he could not bring  
It to good end but travelling.  
To Kyle first went he, and that land.  
He made to him all obeysand.  
And of Cuninghame the most party,  
He gart yield to his Senourie.  
In Bothwell then Sir Aymer was,  
That in his heart great anger ta●s,  
For them of Cuninghame and Kill,  
That were obeysand to his will.  
And had left Englishmen fewtie,  
Thereof fane venged would he been,  
And sent there Philip the Mowbray  
With a thousand (as I heard say)  
That armed were in his leading,  
In Kill, for to weirray the King,  
But james of Dowglas that all tide,  
Had Spies out upon ilk side,  
Witted of their coming: and that they  
Would hold down Makyrnoks way.  
He took with him all privily,  
Them that were of his company,  
That were sixty withouten ma,  
Sign in a straight place can they ga',  
That is into Makyrnoks way,  
The Nether Ford that heght perfay,  
And lieth betwixt Marraises two,  
Where that none Horse on life may go,  
On the South half where james was,  
Is an upgang, and a narrow place,  
And on the North half is the way,  
So ill, as it appears this day.  
Dowglas with them he with him had.  
Embushed him, and there abode.  
He might well far see their coming,  
But they of him might see nothing.  
They bade in ambushment all that night.  
And when the Sun was shining bright.  
They saw the battle come arrayed,  
The vanguard with Banner displayed,  
And soon after the remanand,  
They saw well near behind cummand.  
Then held they them still and privy,  
While the foremost of their menyie,  
Were entered in the Ford them by,  
Then shout they on them with a cry:  
And with the weapons that sharply share.  
Some in the Ford they backward bore:  
And some with arrows were bleeded brad  
sick martyrdom on them they made:  
That they can thraw to void the place.  
But behind them so stopped was  
The way: that they fast might not flee,  
And that gart of them money die:  
For they no wise might get away,  
But as they came: except that they  
Would through their foes hold their gate,  
But that way thought they all to hate,  
Their foes met them so sturdily,  
And continued the feght so hardly:  
That they so dréeding were, that they,  
The first might flee, fled fast away.  
And when the Réeregard saw them so  
Discomfit: and their ways fast go,  
They fled on far, and held their way,  
But Sir Philip the Mowbray,  
That with the formest riding way,  
That entered was into that place,  
When that he saw how he was stad,  
Through the great worship that he had.  
With Spurs he strake the Steed of prize,  
And maugre all his enemies  
Through the thickest of them he rade,  
And but taking escaped had,  
Were not one hynt him by the brand,  
But the good Steed that would not stand,  
He lanced forth deliveredly,  
But the other so stubbornly  
Held, while the belt brist from the brand  
And sword, and belt left in his hand.  
And he but sword his ways rade.  
Well outwith them, and there abode,  
Beholding how his meinie fled:  
And how his foes obteénde the Steed.  
That were betwixt him and his men:  
Therefore he took his ways then,  
To Kilmarnok and to KILWINNYNE  
And to Ardrossen after sign:  
And through the Largesse him alane,  
To En●●erkip the way hes ta'en,  
Right to the Castle that well then,  
Was stuffed all with Englishmen.  
That him received in great dainty.  
And fra they wist what sort that he  
So far had ridden him alane,  
Through men that were his foes ilkane,  
They praised him full gretumly,  
And loved mickle his Chivalry,  
Sir Philip thus escaped was?  
And Dowglas, that was in the place,  
Where he sixty had slain, and ma,  
The lave foully their gate can ga,  
And fled to Bothwell home again.  
Whereof Sir Aymer was not fane:  
When he heard tell on what manner.  
That his meinie discomfist were.   

How the King under Lowdon hill, Discomfist Sir Aymer his power still.  
WHen to King Robert he it told,  
How that the Dowglas that was so bold  
Uanquisht so feill with so few meinie.  
Right glad into his heart was he:  
And als his men comforted were:  
For they thought well both less and mare,  
They sold the less their foes dread:  
Sen their purpose so with them yeed.  
The King then lay into Gastoun,  
That is right even anent Lowdoun:  
And to his peace took the Country.  
When Sir Aymer, and his meinie  
Herd how he rioted all the land,  
And how that none durst him withstand,  
He was into his heart sorry,  
And with one of his company,  
He sent him word, and said, if he,  
Durst him into the Plains see,  
He sold on the tent day of May,  
Come under Lowdoun hill always.  
And give that he would meet him there:  
He said, his worship were the mare,  
And more be turned to Nobleness,  
To meet him in the Plain hard ways,  
With hard dynts and even fight,  
Than for to do into stalking,  
The King that heard his Messinger,  
Had despite on a great manner,  
That Sir Aymer spoke so proudly:  
Therefore he answered angerly.  
And to the Messenger said he,  
Say to thy Lord, give that I be  
In life: he shall me see that day  
Well near, give he ●are hold the way  
That he hes said, for sikkerlie  
At Lowdon hill meet him sall I.  
The Messenger but more abode,  
To his Master his ways rade.  
And his answer told him all swyth:  
That was no need to make him blithe:  
For he thought through his mickle might,  
Give the King durst appear to fight:  
That through the great Chivalry,  
That he sold lead his company,  
He sold so overcome the King,  
That there sold be no recovering:  
And the King on the other party,  
That was ay wise, and right witty,  
Rade for to see, and choose the place:  
And saw the high gate lying was,  
Near a fair field both fair and dry.  
But upon other side there by,  
Was a great Moss, mickle and brade:  
And fra the way was that men rade,  
A bowdraught well on other side.  
But that place thought he all too wide,  
To abide men that horsed were:  
Therefore three dykes overthort he share,  
From both the Mosses to the way:  
That were so far from other, that they  
Were even a bowdraught, or maire,  
So holl, and hie tha dykes were,  
That men might not but mickle pain  
Pass them, though none were then again:  
But slops in the way left he,  
So large, and of sick quantity:  
That five hundreth might togidder ride  
In at the slops side for side.  
There thought he battle for to bide,  
And bargain them, for he no dread  
Had, that they sold behind assail:  
Nor yet on side give them battle.  
And before, he thought well that he  
Sold from there might defended be.  
Three deep dykes there gart he ma:  
For give he might not well overta  
To meet them at the first: that he  
Sold have the other at his poustie:  
Or then the third, give it fell so,  
That they had past the other two.  
On this wise ordained he:  
And sign assembled his meinie:  
That wax sex hundreth fighting men,  
But Rangald that was with him then,  
That were als feill, as he, or ma,  
With all that meinie can he ga':  
The Even forow the field sold be,  
To Lowdon Bog, where that he  
Would abide to see their coming.  
Sign with the men of his leading,  
He thought to speed him, so that he  
Sold at the dykes before them be.  
SIr Aymer on the other party,  
Gaddered so great Chivalry:  
That he was well three thousand near,  
Armed and dight on good manéere.  
And as a man of greet Noblay,  
He held toward the tryst his way,  
When the set day comen was,  
He sped him fast toward the place,  
That he had named for to fight.  
The Sun was risen shining bright,  
That blenked on the shields brade,  
In battles two ordained he had,  
The folk that he had in his leading.  
The King well soon in the morning,  
Saw coming soon the first battle,  
Arrayed seemly, and wonder well:  
And at their back they saw cummand,  
The other battle followand.  
Their Basnets burnished all were bright,  
Against the Sun lemand of light.  
Their spears, pennons, and their shields,  
With light illuminate all the fields.  
Their best and browdred bright Banners,  
And horse hewed on seire manners:  
And coat-armours, of seire colours:  
And Hawbréekes that were white as flowers  
Made them glittering, that they were like  
To Angels hie of heavens Kinrike.  
THE King said, Lordings, now ye see,  
How yone men through their great poustie  
Would if they might fulfil their will,  
Sla us, and make sembland theretill.  
And sen we know their felony,  
Go we and meet them hardly,  
That the stoutest of their meinie,  
Of our meeting abased be:  
For give the formest eagerly  
Be met, ye shall see suddenly,  
The hindmest full abased be,  
And though they be far more than we,  
That should abase us little thing,  
For when we come to the fighting,  
There may meet us no more than we:  
Therefore, Lordings, ilkane should be,  
Of worship, and of great valour,  
For to maintain here our honour.  
Think what worship us abides,  
If that we may, as well betides.  
Have victory of our foes here:  
For there is no man far nor near,  
In all this Land that we them doubt.  
Then said they all that stood about,  
Sir if GOD will, we shall so do,  
That no reproof shall lie us to,  
Now go we forth, then said the King,  
And he that made of nought all thing,  
Lead us, and save us for his might,  
And help us for to hold our right.  
With that they held their way in high,  
Well sex hundreth in company:  
stalwart and stout, worthy and wight.  
But they were all too few I hight,  
Against so feill to stand in stour.  
Were not their outrageous valour.  
¶ Now goes the Noble King his way  
Right stoutly into good array,  
And to the formest dikes is gane,  
And in the slop the field hes ta'en,  
The Carriage men, and the poverall,  
That were no worth into battle,  
Behind him leaved he all still,  
Sitting together upon an Hill.  
Sir Aymer the King hes seen,  
With his men that were cant and kéene,  
Came to the Plain down from the Hill,  
As him thought, into full good will,  
For to defend or then assailyie,  
If any man would come into battle,  
Therefore his men comforted he,  
And bade them wight, and worthy been:  
For if that they might win the King,  
And have victory of that fighting,  
They should greetly rewarded been,  
And eke greatly their Renounie,  
With that they were right near the King,  
And heard well oft his manassing:  
And gart trump up to the assembly,  
With the formest of his meinie,  
They embraced to them shields brade,  
And right sign together rade,  
With heads stooping and spears straught,  
Right to the King their way they reached.  
That met them with so great vigour,  
That of the best and most valour.  
Were laid at earth at their meeting,  
Where men might hear sick a breaking  
Of spears: that too frushed were,  
And the wounded so cry and raire,  
That it annoyous was to hear.  
For they that first assembled were  
Fonyeed, and fought full sturdy,  
The noise begouth then, and the cry.  
O mighty GOD who had there been,  
And had the Kings worship seen,  
And his brother that was him by,  
That them contained so manfully.  
That their good deed and their bounty,  
Gave great comfort to their meinie.  
And how the Dowglas so manfully,  
Comforted them that was him by,  
He should well say, they had good will,  
To win honour and come theretill,  
The King's men so worthy were,  
That with their spears that sharply share,  
They stiked men, and steeds baith:  
While red blood ran of wounds raith,  
The Horse that stikked were can fling,  
And rushed the folk in their flinging.  
So that they that foremost were,  
Were stikked in slops here and there,  
The King that saw them rushed so.  
And saw them reilling to and fro,  
Ran upon them so eagerly,  
And dang on them so hardly,  
He feill gart of his foes fall.  
The field well near was covered all,  
Both with slain Horse, and with men,  
For the good King that followed then,  
With five hundreth with weapons bare,  
That would nothing their foes spare,  
They dang on them so hardly.  
That in short time men might see lie,  
At earth an hundreth well and maire,  
The remnant well the weaker were,  
Then they begouth them to withdraw.  
And when they of the Réeregard saw,  
Their vanguard be so discomfit,  
They fled withouten more respite,  
And when Sir Aymer hes seen,  
His men flying all bedéene,  
Wit ye well he was full woe,  
But he could not admonish so.  
That any for him would turn again,  
And when he saw he tint his pain,  
He turned his bridle, and to go,  
For the good King them pressed so,  
For some were dead, and some were ta'en,  
And all the lave their gate were gane.  
THe folk fled on this manner  
Withouten rest: and Sir Aymer,  
Again to Bothwell is he gane,  
Méenand the skaith that he hes ta'en,  
So Shamefully that he vanquished was.  
Then to England in high he gaes.  
Right to the King, and shamefully,  
He gave up all his Wardanerie:  
Nor never sign for no kin thing,  
But if he come right with the King,  
Come he to wéere into Scotland.  
So heavy took he that in hand,  
That the King into set battle:  
With few folk like a Poverall,  
Uanquisht him with a great meinie.  
That were renowned of great bountiss,  
sick anger had Sir Aymery:  
And King Robert that was worthy,  
abode all still into the place,  
While that his men had left the chase,  
Sign with prisoners they had ta'en.  
They are toward their Inns gane.  
Fast loving GOD of their welfare:  
He might have seen that had been there,  
Folke that right merry were and glad,  
For their victory, and als they had,  
A King so sweet, and debonair,  
So wise, and of so fair affeere,  
So blithe, and als so well bourdand,  
And in battle so stout to stand,  
So wise, and also so worthy,  
That they had great cause blithe to be.  
So were they blithe withouten doubt:  
For feill that winned thereabout,  
Fra they saw the King use them sa,  
To him their homage can they ma.  
Then waxed his power more and waire:  
And he thought well that he would far,  
Out over the Mount with his meinie,  
To look who there his friend would be.  
Into Sir Alexander Fraser  
He traisted for they Cousing were:  
And his brother Simon also.  
He had great mister of money ma:  
For he had foes money one,  
Sir john Cumyng Earl of Buchane,  
And Sir john the Mowbray sign,  
And Sir David of Brechine,  
With all the folk of their leading,  
Wolves foes to the Noble King:  
And for he wist they were his faes,  
His voyage hitherward he taes:  
For he would see what kin ending,  
They would make of their menassing.  
THe King busked and made him you're,  
Northward with his men to far.  
His brother can he with him ta:  
And Sir Gilbert de la Hay also.  
The Earl of Lennox als was there,  
That with the King was over all where,  
Sir Robert Boyde and other more.  
The King can forth his ways go.  
He left james of Dowglas,  
With all the folk that with him was,  
Behind him, for to look if he  
Might recover his own Country.  
He put himself in full great peril:  
But eiter in a little while,  
With his great Worship so he wrought,  
That to the King's peace he brought,  
The Forest of E●t●ik all hail,  
And even so did he Dowglasdaill,  
And jedburgh Forest also:  
And who so well on hand would ta,  
To tell his worship's one and one:  
He sold of them find money one:  
For in his time as men told me,  
Thretteine times vanquished was he:  
And had victory times seven and fifty  
He seemed not long time idle to lie:  
By his travel he had no will.  
methink, men sold him love of skill:   

How james of Dowglas slew Webtoun, And won his Castle, & kest it down.  
THis james when the King was gane,  
All privily his men hes ta'en▪  
And went to Dowglasdaill again,  
And privily hes made a train,  
To them that in the Castle were,  
A ambushment silly made they there,  
And of his men fourteen and ma  
He gart, as they would sekkes ta,  
Filled with gers, and sign them lay  
Upon their horse, and hold their way,  
Right as they would to Lanerik fare.  
Out with where they ambushed were.  
And when they of the Castle saw,  
So feill jades ganging on raw,  
Of that sight were they wonder fane,  
And told it to their Capitane:  
That heght Sir john of Webroun,  
That was both stark, stout and felon:  
jolie also, and courageous.  
And for that he loved Paramours,  
He would ishe far the lightlier.  
He gart his men all take their gear,  
And ishe to get them victual,  
For it that they had fast did fail.  
They ished all abundantly,  
And preiked forth so wilfully,  
To win the lads that they saw pass,  
Till the Dowglas and his men was  
Betwixt them and the Castle.  
The lade-men than perceived well,  
And they cast down their lads in high,  
And their gowns deliverly,  
That heilled them, they cast away.  
And in great hy their horse hynt they:  
And start upon them sturdily,  
And met their foes with a cry.  
They had great wonder when they saw,  
Them that were eir lurking full law,  
Come upon them so hardly,  
They were abased suddenly.  
And at the Castle would have been.  
When on the other side they have seen,  
Dowglas break his Embushement,  
That against them so stoutly went,  
They wist not what to do or say,  
Their foes on ather side saw they,  
That strake on them without sparing:  
That they might help their selfe nothing,  
But fled to warrant where they moght:  
And they so angerly them soght,  
That of them all escaped nane.  
Sir john of Webtoun there was slain:  
And when he dead was as ye hear,  
They found into his Awmanneir  
A letter, that to him sent a Lady,  
That he loved for Drowrie.  
That said when he had kept one year,  
In wéere as worthy Batcheléere,  
The aventrous Castle of Dowglas,  
That for to keep so perilous was:  
Then might he well ask a Lady,  
His Armours, and her Drowrie.  
The Letter spoke on this manner:  
And when they slain on this wise were,  
Dowglas right to the Castle rade,  
And there so great debate he made:  
That in the Castle entered he:  
I wait not all the certainty,  
Whether it was through strength or slight:  
For he wrought so with his great might,  
That the Constable, and all the lave,  
That was therein both man and knave  
He took, and gave them dispending,  
And sent them home but more grieving,  
To the Cliffurde, in their Country:  
And sign so busily wrought he,  
That he all tumbled down the wall:  
And destroyed the houses all.  
Sign to the Forest held his way,  
Where he had many hard assay:  
And money fair points of wéere befell,  
Who could them all rehearse or tell,  
He should say that his name should been  
Lasting in full great Renounie.   

How over the Month past the King, And there fell sick in his passing.  
NOw will we leave in the Forest  
Dowglas, that shall have little rest.  
While the Country delivered been,  
Of Englishmen, and their poustie:  
And turn we to the Noble King,  
That with the folk of his leading,  
Toward the Month hes ta'en his way,  
Right short, into full good array,  
Where Alexander Fraser him met.  
And als his brother that Simon het?  
With all his folk they with him had.  
The King of their coming was glad:  
And cherished them in all kin thing.  
And they told him of the coming  
Of Sir Coming earl of Buchane,  
That to him help, had with him ta'en  
Sir john Mowbray, and other ma,  
And Sir David Brechine also:  
With all the folk of their leading,  
And yarnes more than any thing  
Vengeance of you, Sir, King to take,  
For Sir john Cumyng his Emes sake,  
That whilum at Drumfreis was slain,  
The King said, So our Lord me sane,  
I had great cause him for too slay.  
And sen that they on hand will ta.  
Because of him to were on me,  
I shall abide a while and see,  
On what wise they will prove their might,  
And if it fall that they will fight.  
If they assail, we shall de●end:  
Let fall after what God will send.  
Efter this speech the King in high,  
Held strait his way to Enrowry:  
And there he took sick a sickness,  
That put him to so heard distress:  
That he forbure both drink and meat.  
His men no Medicine might get,  
That ever might to the King auailyi●,  
His heart all hail begouth to failyie:  
That he might nouther ride, nor go.  
Then wit ye well his men were woe,  
For none was in that company.  
That would have been half so sorry,  
For to have seen his brother dead:  
Lying before them in that stead,  
As they were all for his sickness,  
For all their comfort in him was,  
And good Sir Edward the worthy,  
His brother that was so hardy,  
And wise and wight, set meekle pain,  
To comfort them with all his maine.  
And when Lords that were there,  
Saw that the evil aye mair and maire  
Travelled the King: they thought in hy,  
It was not sp●edfull there to lie,  
For there all plain was the Country,  
And they were but a few meinie.  
To lie but strength into the Plain.  
Therefore while that their Captain,  
Were recovered of his mickle ill,  
They thought to wind some strengths till:  
For folk withouten Captain,  
But they the better be in pain,  
Shall not be all so good indeed,  
As they a Lord had them to lead,  
That put himself in adventure:  
But abasing to take the Ure  
That God will send: for when that he  
Of sick will is and sick bounty,  
That he dare put him to essay,  
His folk shall take example ay,  
Of his good deed, and his bounty,  
And one of them shall be worth three,  
Of them, that wicked Chiftane hes,  
His wretchedness so in them gaes,  
That they their manliness shall tyne.  
Through wickedness of his convyne.  
For when the Lord that them should lea●,  
May do nought, but as he were dead.  
Or from his folk holds his way  
fleeing: trow ye not that they  
Uincust shall in their hearts been.  
●es shall they, as I trow perdie:  
But if their hearts been so high,  
They will not for their worship flee,  
And though some been of sick bounty,  
When they the Lord and his meinie  
Sees flee, yet shall they flee a pain:  
For all men flees the deed full fain,  
See what he does, that so foully,  
Flées thus for his Cowardrie?  
Both him and his vanquishes he,  
And garres his foes aboue been:  
But he through his great Nobilay  
To peril him abandounes ay,  
For to recomfort his meinie,  
Garres them be of sick great bounty,  
That money time a unlikely thing  
They bring right well to good ending,  
So did this good King as I of read,  
That through his courageous manhood,  
Comforted his men on sick manner:  
That none had radnesse where he were,  
They would not feght while that he was  
Lying in sick great sickness,  
Therefore in Litter they him lay,  
And to the Slenath held their way.  
And thought into that Strength to lie,  
While passed was his Malady.   

How the King's men with fighting, Defended the King in his lying.  
BOt fra the Earl of Buchane  
Witted, that they were hidder gane:  
And knew that so sick was the King  
That men doubted of this recovering,  
He sent after his men in hy,  
And assembled a great company.  
For all his own men were there,  
And als his friends with him were,  
There was Sir john the Mowbray  
And his brother, as I heard say,  
And als Sir David of Breching  
With feill folk of his leading.  
And when they all assembled were,  
In hy they took their way to far  
To the Slenath, with all their men,  
For to assailyie the King, that then  
Was lying into his sickness.  
This was after the Martimesse,  
When snow overhailed all the land.  
To the Slenath they came near hand,  
Arrayed on their best manner:  
And then the King's men that were  
Ware of their coming, them apparelled  
To defend give they were assailyied,  
And not for thy, their foes were  
Ay two for one, or else maire.  
The Earls men near coming were,  
Trumping, and making mickle fare,  
And made Knights when they were near,  
And they that in the UUoodside were,  
Stood in array right sturdily,  
And thought to bide there hardly  
The coming of their enemies:  
But they would upon no kin wise  
Ishe to assailyie them in fighting,  
While recovered were the Noble King,  
And give other would them assailyie,  
They would defend, vailyie quoth vailyie.  
And when the Earls company  
Saw, that they wrought so wisely:  
That they their strength shupe to defend,  
Their Archere forth to them hes send,  
To bikker them as men of mane:  
And they sent Archers them again,  
That bikkered them so sturdily,  
That they of the Earls party,  
Right to their battle driven were,  
Four days on this wise lay they there,  
Bikkering them everilke day:  
But the Bowmen the war had ay.  
And when the King's company,  
Saw their foes before them lie,  
That ilk day waxed ma and ma:  
And they were wheene, and stad were sa,  
That they had nothing for to eat:  
But give they traveled it to get.  
Therefore they took counsel in high,  
That there they would no longer lie:  
But hold their way where they might get  
To them, and theirs, victual and meat.  
In a Litter the King they lay:  
And graithed them upon their way,  
That all their foes might it see.  
Ilke man busked in their degree  
To fight, if they assailyied were.  
In mids of them the King they bore,  
And yeed about him right worthily,  
And not full greatly can them high.  
The Earl, and they that with him were,  
Saw that they busked them to far:  
And how with so little affray,  
They held forth with the King their way.  
Ready to fight, who would assailyie:  
Their hearts then begouth to failyie,  
And in peace léete them pass away,  
And to their houses home went they.   

How the King discomfist at Enrowry, The Earl of Buchane shamefully.  
THe Earl his way took to Buchane:  
And Sir Edward the Bruce is gane  
Right to strabogy with the King:  
And so long made their Sojourning,  
While he begouth to recover and ga.  
And sign their ways can they ta  
To Enrowrie straught again:  
For they would lie into the Plain  
The UUinter season: for victual  
Into the Plain they might not fail.  
The Earl wist that they were there,  
And gaddered meinie here and there:  
Brechine, Mowbray, and their men,  
All to the Earl assembled then,  
They were a full great company  
Of men arrayed iolelie,  
To old Meldrome they held their way:  
And there with their men lodged they.  
Before Yule-Euen one night but maire.  
A thousand trow I well they were:  
They lodged them there all the night,  
While on the morn that day was light,  
The Lord of Brechine, Sir Davy,  
Is went toward Enrowry.  
To look give he in any wise,  
Might do skaith to his enemies.  
And to the end of Enrowry,  
●e came riding so suddenly,  
That of the King's men he slew  
One part, and other men withdrew.  
That fled their way toward the King:  
That with most part of his gaddering,  
On yond half of the town were lying:  
And when men told him the tithing,  
How Sir David had slain his men,  
His horse in high he asked then:  
And bade his men all make them you're,  
In full great high: for he would far  
To bargain with his enemies.  
With that he busked him to rise,  
That was not well recovered then,  
Then said some of his privy men:  
What think ye, Sir, thus gate to far  
To feght, and ye not recovexed are?  
Yes, said the King withouten wéere,  
Their boast hes made me hail and fear,  
There sold no Medicine so soon  
Have cured me, as they have done.  
Therefore so GOD himself me see,  
I shall have them, or then they me.  
And when his men hes heard the King,  
Set him so well for the fighting:  
Of his recovering all blithe they were,  
And made them for the battle yare.  
THe Noble King and his meinie,  
That might well near seven hunger be  
Toward old Meldrome held the way,  
Where the Earl and his meinie lay.  
The discurreours saw them cummand  
With Banners to the wind waivand:  
And told it to their Lord in high,  
That gart arm his men hastily,  
And them arrayed for the battle,  
Behind them set they their poveraill,  
And made good semblance for to fight.  
The King came on with mickle might.  
And they abode making great fear,  
While that they near assembled were,  
But when they saw the Noble King  
Come stoutly on without stinting:  
A little on bridle them with drew,  
And the King that right well knew  
That they were all discomfist near.  
Preassed on them with his banner,  
And they withdrew them maire and maire  
And when the small folk they had there,  
Saw their Lords withdraw them so,  
They turned their back, and hail to go,  
And fled, and skailed here and there.  
The Lords that yet togidder were.  
Saw that their small folk were fleeing,  
And saw the King stoutly coming:  
They were ilkeane abased so,  
That they the back gave, and to go,  
A little stound togidder held they,  
And sign ilke man took sundry way,  
Fell never man sick foul mischance,  
Efter so sturdy countenance.  
And when the King's company  
Saw that they fled so foullelie.  
They chased them with all their mane.  
And some they took, and some hes slain.  
The remanand were fleeing ay.  
Who had best Horse, goat best away.  
To England fled the Earl of Buchane:  
Sir john Mowbray is with him gane,  
And were resset there with the King:  
But they both short while had resting  
For they died both soon after sign,  
For good Sir David of Breching  
Fled to Brechin his own Castle,  
And garnist it both fair and well:  
But the Earl of Athol Sir Davy,  
His son, that was in Kildromy,  
Came sign, and him assieged there,  
And he that would hold wéere na mair,  
Nor bargain with the Noble King.  
Came sign his man with good liking.   

Of the heirship of Buchane, And how the Castle of Forfare was ta'en  
NOw go we to the King again,  
That of his victory was fane,  
And gart his men burn all Buchane,  
From end to end, and spared nane:  
And heryed them on sick manner,  
That after that well fifty year,  
Men méened the heirship of Buchane.  
The King then to his peace hes ta'en,  
The North Country all hailelie,  
Obeyed they to his Senyeorie:  
So that by North the Month was nane  
But they his men were comen ilkane.  
The Lordship aye woxt maire and maire,  
Toward Angous' sign can he fare,  
And thought soon to make his all free:  
That were on Northside the Scots Sea,  
The Castle of Forfare was then,  
Stuffed all with Englishmen:  
But Philip the Frasar of Platane,  
Hes of his friends with him ta'en.  
And with Ladder all privily  
He to the Castle can him by:  
And clomb up over the walls of stane,  
And sign all that he found hes slain:  
Sign yald the Castle to the King.  
That made him right fair rewarding,  
And sign he gart break down the wall,  
And forded well and Castle all.   

How the King wan Saint johnstown. And tumbled all the Towers down.  
WHen that the Castle of Forfare,  
And all the towers down tumbled were,  
Right to the earth, as I have I told,  
The King that stout was, stark and bold,  
Thought that he would make all free,  
Upon North half the Scots sea.  
To Perth he went with all his rout,  
And unbeset the town about,  
But unto it hes a Siege set,  
But while they might have men, & meat,  
It might not but great pain be ta'en:  
For all the wall were then of stane.  
And thick towers, and high standing:  
And that time were there in winning,  
The Methwenes and the Olyphands:  
They two the town had in their hands,  
Of Stratherne als the Earl was there:  
But his Son and his men were,  
Without into the King's rout,  
There was ilke day bikkering stout,  
And men slain on either party:  
But the good King that was witty  
In all his deeds everilkane,  
Saw the walls so stight of stane,  
And saw the fence that they can make.  
And that the town was hard to take.  
With open assault of strength and might,  
Therefore he thought to work with slight,  
And in all time that he there lay,  
He spied, and slely gart assay,  
Where at the dykes it shaldest was:  
While at the last he found a place,  
That they might to their shoulders weighed.  
And when he that place had founden had,  
He gart his meinie busk ilkane,  
When sex Oulkes of the siege was gan●:  
And tursed their Harness haillelie,  
And left the siege all openly,  
And forth with all his folk can far,  
As he would do thereat no mare.  
And they that were into the town,  
When they to fare saw him all boon,  
They shouted him, and scorning made,  
And he forth on his ways rade,  
As he no will had again to turn,  
Nor beside them to make sojourn:  
And in aught day's nought for thy,  
He gart make Ladders privily:  
That might suffice to this intent:  
And in a murk night sign he went  
Toward the town with his meinie:  
And Horse and knaves leaved he  
Far from the town: and sign hes ta'en  
His Ladders: and on foot are gane  
Toward the town all privily,  
They heard no Watches speak nor cry,  
For they that were therein may fall.  
As men that dread naught, but slept all.  
They had no dread then of the King,  
For they of him heard no tiding,  
All the three days before or maire:  
Therefore sikker and traist they were,  
And when the King heard them not steer,  
He was right blithe in great manéere,  
And his ladder in hand can ta:  
Example to his men to ma.  
Arrayed well in all his gear:  
Shot in the dyke, and with his spear  
Cast till that he it over wade,  
But to his throat the water stood.  
THat time was in his company.  
A Knight of France, wight and hardy  
And when he in the water sa  
Saw the King pass, and with him ta  
His ladder unabasedlie,  
He saned him for the ferlie,  
And said, O Lord, what shall we say,  
Of our Lords of France, that ay  
With good morsels fairses their paunch,  
And will but eat, and drink, and dance?  
When sick a King, and so worthy,  
As this is through his Chenalrie,  
Into sick peril hes him set,  
To win a wretched Hamelet,  
With that word to the dyke he ran,  
And over after the King he won.  
And when the King's meinie saw,  
Their Lord the King into a thraw,  
Past to the dyke, and but more let,  
Their ladders to the wall they set,  
And to climb up fast pressed they:  
But the good King, as I heard say,  
Was the second yéed over the wall,  
And bade there while his meinie all,  
Ass coming up in full great hy:  
Yet then raise neither noise nor cry,  
But soon after they noise made,  
That of them first perceiving had.  
So that the cry raise through the town:  
But he that with his men was boon,  
To assailyie, to the town is went.  
And the most part of his men sent▪  
And skailled through the town: but he  
Held with himself a great meinie.  
So that he might be ay purveyed  
To defend, give he were assayed:  
But they that he sent through the town  
Put to so great confusion  
Their foes: that in beds were,  
Or skailled: fleeing here and there:  
That ere the sun raise, they had ta'en  
Their foes, and discomfist ilkane.  
The Wardanes both therein were ta'en,  
And Malise of Stratherne was gane  
To his father, the Earl Malis,  
And with strength took him, and all his.  
Sign for his sake, the Noble King  
Gave him his land in governing.  
The lave that ran out through the town,  
Seized to them in great fusioun,  
Men, arming, and Merchandise,  
And other good of sundry wise,  
While they that were both poor and bare,  
Of their goods rich, and mighty were.  
But there was few slain: for the King  
Had given them in commanding,  
Upon great pain they should slay nane,  
That but great bargain might be ta'en:  
For they were kind to the Country  
He wist: and had of them piety.  
IN this manner the town was ta'en:  
And sign the Towers everilkane,  
And walls great were tumbled down,  
He left nothing about the town,  
Tower standing, nor stone wall,  
But he gart haillelie destroy them all,  
And prisoners that there took he:  
He sent where they might kéeped be:  
And to his peace took all the land.  
Was none that then durst them withstand,  
On North half the Scots sea,  
All obeyed to his Majesty:  
Except the Lord of Lorne, and that  
Of Argyle, that would not with him ga.  
He held him ay against the King,  
And hated him attour all thing.  
But yet ere all the gaming ga',  
I trow well that the King sall ta  
Vengeance of his great cruelty:  
And that him sore repent shall he,  
That he the King contraried ay,  
May fall, when he it mend not may.  
THE King's brother when the town  
Was taken thus▪ and doungen down  
Sir Edward that was so hardy,  
took him with a great company,  
And took his gate in Galloway:  
For with his men he would assay,  
Give he recover might that land,  
And win it fra Englishmen hand,  
This Sir Edward the Bruce I hight  
Was of his hand a Noble Knight:  
And in blitheness sweet and jolly,  
But he was outrageous hardy:  
And of so hie undertaking:  
That he had never yet abasing  
Of multitude of men, for thy  
He discomfist commonly  
Money with whéene: therefore had he  
Attour his Peers the Renounie.  
And who rehearse would all his deed,  
Of his worship, and his manhéede,  
Men might a mickle Romans make.  
And not for thy I think to take  
On hand to say, of him some thing:  
But not teind part his travelling.   

How Sir Edward discomfist at Cree, Sir Ingrame Vinfravile, and Aymerie.  
THis good Knight that I spoke of air,  
With all the folk that with him were  
And into Galloway comen is,  
All that he found he makes all his,  
And heryed greatly all the land.  
But then in Galloway was winnand  
Sir Ingrame Vmfravile that was  
Renowned of so great Prowess,  
That he of worship past the rout:  
Therefore he gart ay bear about  
Upon an spear a red Bonnet,  
Into takinning that he was set  
Into the height of Chivalry,  
Of Saint john: als Sir Aymery  
Their two the Land had in stéering:  
And when they heard of the coming  
Of Sir Edward, that all plainly,  
Ouer-rade the land, then in great high,  
They assembled of their meinie,  
I trow twelve hundredth they might been:  
But he with fewer folk them met,  
Beside Cree, and so hard them set,  
With hard battle and stalwart fight,  
That he them put all to the flight.  
And slew two hundreth well and ma,  
And the Chiftanes in hy can ta.  
There to Both well for to be,  
Received there into savitie.  
And Sir Edward them chased fast,  
Both to the Castle at the last.  
Gate Sir Ingrame and Sir Aymery:  
But the best of their company,  
Lay dead behind them in the place,  
And when Sir Edward saw the chase  
Was faillyied, he gart sese the Prey,  
And so feill Cattell had away,  
That it was wonder for to see,  
Of Both well tower they saw, how he  
Gart his men with him drive the Prey:  
But no let there till set might they.  
Through his courageous Chivalry,  
Galloway was stoneyed gretumly,  
And doubted him for his bounty,  
Some of the men of that Country  
Came to his peace, and made him aith:  
But Sir Aymer that had the skaith,  
Ester the bargain I told of air,  
Rade in England to purchase there,  
Of armed men great company,  
To venge him of the velanie,  
That Sir Edward the Noble Knight,  
Him did at Cree into the fight,  
Of good men he assembled there,  
●ell fifteen hundreth men and maire,  
That was of right great Renounie:  
His way with all the folk took he:  
And in the Land all privily  
Entered with that Chivalry:  
Thinking Sir Edward to surprise,  
If he might upon any wise,  
For he thought he would him assailyie,  
Ere he left into plain battailyie.   

How Sir Edward with fifty, Wan fifteen hundreth, and Sir Aymery.  
NOw may ye hear of great ferlie,  
And als of right high Chivalry  
For Sir Edward was in the land  
With all his Menʒie right near hand,  
And in the morning right early,  
He heard the Country men make cry,  
And had a witting of their coming,  
Then busked he him but delaying,  
And lap on Horse deliverly,  
He had into his rout fifty,  
All lap on Horse arrayed well,  
His small folk gart he ilke deill,  
Withdraw them to a straight thereby:  
And he rade forth with his fifty.  
A Knight that then was in his rout.  
Worthy, and wight, stalwart and stout,  
Couries, and fair, and of good fame,  
Sir Alane Cathkart is his name,  
Told me this tale, I to you tell.  
Greit Mist into the morning fell.  
So that men might not see them by  
For a Mist a bowdraught fullly,  
So happened, that they found the trace.  
Where the great rout passed was  
Of their foes that before rade,  
Sir Edward that great yarning had  
All time to do great Chivalry,  
With all his rout in full great high.  
Followed the trace where gane were they▪  
And before midmorne of the day,  
The Mist wox clear all suddenly:  
And then he and his company,  
Was not a bowdraught from the rout.  
Then set they on them with a shout:  
For if they fled, they wist that they  
Should not get fourth part well away  
therefore in aventur to die  
They would them part ere they would flee  
And when the English company  
Saw on them come so suddenly,  
sick folk withouten abasing,  
They were put into great affraying,  
And the other but more abode,  
So hardly among them rade:  
That feill of them to earth they bore,  
Astoneyed so greetly they were,  
Through the force of the first assay,  
And they that were to so great affray,  
They weened by far he had been ma,  
For that they were assailyied sa.  
And Sir Edward's company,  
When they had thrilled them hastily,  
Set stoutly in the head again:  
〈◊〉 at their course bounden, and slain  
Were of their foes a great party,  
That they affraiyed were utterly:  
So that they skailled greetly then,  
When good Sir Edward and his men  
Saw them into so evil array:  
The third time on them preiked they,  
And they that saw them so stoutly,  
Come on them, and so hardly,  
All their rout both less and maire,  
●●ed fast skailling here and there,  
Was none of them all so hardy  
To bide, but fled all commonly,  
To their warrant, and he can chase,  
That wilful to destroy them was:  
And some he took, and some hes slain:  
But Sir Aymery with mickle pain  
Escaped, and his gaite is gane:  
His men discomfist everilkane.  
Some ta'en, some slain, some fled away,  
This was a full fair point perfay.  
Lo how Hardement ta'en suddenly,  
And drivene sign to the end sharply,  
May gar oft time unlikely thing,  
Come to right fair and good ending,  
As it fell into this case here  
For Hardement withouten wéere,  
Wan fifteen hundreth with fifty,  
When aye for one they were threttie,  
●nd two men is over money here,  
But they were led on sick maneere,  
That they discomfist were ilkane.  
Sir Aymer home his gaite is gane,  
Right blithe, that so he got away:  
● trow, he shall not money a day,  
Have will to weirray that Country,  
With thy Sir Edward therein be.  
And he dwelled still into the land,  
Them that rebelled still weirrayand▪  
And in one year so weirrayed he:  
That he won quite all that Country,  
To his brother's peace the King:  
But that was nought but hard fighting.  
For in that time there him befell,  
Money sore point, as I heard tell,  
The whilk are not all written here:  
But I wot well that in that year  
Threttéene Castles with strength he won,  
And overcame money a moody man.  
And who of him the sooth would read,  
Had he had measure in his deed,  
I trow that worthier than he,  
In his time might not founden be:  
Except his brother alanerly,  
To whom into good Chivalry,  
I dare compare none, was in his day;  
For he led him with measure ay.  
And with wit all his Chivalry  
He governed ay so worthily,  
That he full oft unlikely thing  
Brought right well to a good ending.   

How james Dowglas took Thomas Randell, And Alexander Stewart, as I heard tell.  
IN all that time james of Dowglas  
Into the Forest ay travelling was▪  
And it through hardement and slight,  
Occupied all, maugre the might  
Of his feill foes, the whilk they  
Set him oft syes in hard assay.  
But oft through wit, and through bounty,  
His purpose to good end brought he:  
Into that time himself through case  
One night, as he travelling was,  
And thought to have had his resting,  
In a house by the Water of Lyn●,  
And as he came with his meinie,  
Near hand the house, so listened he,  
And heard their Saws everilke deill.  
And he by that perceived well,  
That they were strange men that there  
That night in that house harboured were:  
And as he thought, so fell through case:  
For of Bonkill the Lord there was  
Alexander Stewa●t heght he.  
With other two of great bounty:  
Thomas Randell of great renown,  
And also Adam of Gordoun:  
That came there with great company,  
And thought in the Forest to lie,  
And occupy it with all their might,  
And with travel and stalwart fight,  
To chase Dowglas from that Country:  
But otherwise all yéed the glee.  
When james of Dowglas had witting,  
And als to him there came tiding,  
That strange men had ta'en harberie,  
Into the place where he shupe to lie,  
He to that place passed hastily.  
Both he and all his company  
And umbeset the house about.  
When they within heard sick a rouf  
About the house, they raise in high,  
And took their gear right hastily,  
And came forth fra the harvest were.  
Their foes them met with weapons bare,  
And them assailyied right hardly,  
And they defended doughtily,  
With all their might, while at the last,  
Their foes pressed them so fast,  
That their folk failed them ilkane,  
Thomas Randell there was ta'en,  
And Alexander Stewart also,  
Wounded into one place, or twa.  
Adame of Gordoun fra the fight,  
What through strength, and what through slight,  
Escaped, and als seire of their men.  
But they that were arreisted then,  
Were of their taking wonder wa:  
But néedlings them behooude be sa.  
That night good james of Dowglas  
Made to Sir Alexander, that was  
His Emes son right gladsome cheer:  
So did he als withouten wéere  
To Thomas Randell, for that he  
Was to the King in near degree  
Of blood, for his sister him bare.  
And on the morn withouten maire,  
Toward the noble King he rade,  
And with him both the two he had.  
The King of that present was blithe,  
And thanked him thereof feill sith,  
And to his Nevoy can he say  
Thou hes a while renoun●d thy fay,  
But now recounsailde thou mon be.  
Then to the King answered he,  
And said, ye chastie me, but ye  
Ought better for to chastyed be.  
For sen ye weirrayed the King  
Of England into plain fighting,  
Ye sold press to direnye you right  
With might, and not yet with slight.  
The King said, yet fall it may  
Ere it be long, to sick assay:  
But sen thou speaks so rudely,  
It is great reason▪ that men chasty  
Thy proud words, while that thou knaw  
The right, and duerie that thou awe.  
The King without more delaying,  
Sent him to be in firm keeping,  
Where that he a while shall be,  
Nought all upon his own poustie.   

How the King at Gleclab●n, Discomfist john of Lorne's men.  
WHen Thomas Randel on this wise  
Was taken, as I here devose:  
And sent to dwell in firm keeping,  
For his speech he spoke to the King.  
The King that thought upon the skaith,  
The despite, and the velanie baith,  
That john of Lorne had to him done:  
His ●ist assembled he alsoone,  
And toward Lorne he took the way,  
With all his men in good array.  
But john of Lorne of his coming,  
Long ere he came had good witting.  
And men on ilke side gathered he:  
I trow two thousand they might been.  
And sent them for to stop the way,  
Where the good King behoved to ga.  
Clochmabanie heght that mountain,  
I trow that into all Britain,  
A higher Hill may not founden been.  
There john of Lorne gart his menyie,  
Enbushed be above the way.  
If the King held that gait perfay,  
He thought he should soon vanquished be:  
And himself held him on the sea,  
Well near the place with his Gaillayes,  
But the King that at all assays,  
Was founden wise, and right witty,  
Perceived well their subtlety,  
And him hoved that gaite to go,  
His men departed he in two.  
And that to the good Lord of Dowglas,  
In whom all virtue winning was.  
He taught his Archers everilkane.  
And the good Lord hes with him ta'en  
Sir Alexander the Phraser wight,  
And William Wiseman a good Knight,  
And with them then Sir Andro Grace,  
That with their meinie held their way,  
And clomb the Hill deliverly,  
And ere they of the other party  
Perceived them, they had ilkane,  
The height aboue their foes ta'en.  
The King and his men held their way,  
And when into the place were they  
Entered, the folk of Lorne in high,  
Upon the King raised the cry,  
And shot, and tumbled on them stanes,  
Both great and heavy for the nanes.  
But they skaithed not greetly the King,  
For he had there in his leading,  
Men that light and delivered were,  
And light armour upon them bare,  
So that they stoutly clomb the Hill,  
And stopped their foes to fulfil  
The most part of their felony,  
And als upon the other party,  
Came james of Dowglas, and his rou●,  
And shot upon them with a shout,  
And wounded themwith arrows fast,  
And with their Swords at the last,  
They rushed among them hardly  
But they of Lorne full manfully  
Greit and a pert defence can ma.  
But when they saw, that they were sa  
Assailyied upon two parties,  
And saw well that their enemies,  
Had all the fairer of the fight,  
In full great high they took the flight,  
And they a felon chase can ma,  
And slew all that they might overta.  
And they that might escape perfay,  
Right to a Water held their way,  
That ran down by the Hills side,  
That was so straight so deep and wide,  
That men on no wise might it pass,  
But at a Brig that narrow was.  
To that Brig held they fast their way,  
And to break it can fast assay.  
●ut they them chased when they them saw  
Make their a rest but dread or awe  
They rushed upon them hastily,  
And discomfist them utterly:  
And held the Brig hail while the King,  
With all the folk of his leading,  
Passed the Brig all at their ease,  
To john of Lorne it should displease,  
I trow when he his men might see,  
Out of the ships into the sea.  
Be slain and chased from the Hill,  
And he might set no let theretill:  
For it angers as gretumly,  
To good hearts that are worthy,  
To see their foes fulfil their will,  
As to themselves to those the ill,   

How Linlithgow-Peill winnen was Through William Binnie, and his purchase.  
AT sick mischief were they of Lorne,  
For feill their lives there hes forlorn  
And other some had fled away.  
The King in haste gart seize the Prey,  
Over all the Land, where men may see,  
So great abundance come of fee,  
That it were wonder to behold,  
The King that stout was stark and bold,  
To Dunstaffage right sturdy,  
A Siege set: and busily  
Assailyied that Castle for to get:  
And in short time he hes them set  
In sick thrang, that therein were than,  
That maugre theirs he it won:  
And a good Wardane therein set.  
And betaught him both men and meat:  
So that he long time there might been,  
maugre them all of that Country.  
Sir Alexander of Argyle that saw  
The King destroy up clean, and law  
His land, sent treitise to the King,  
And Came his man but more dwelling:  
And he received him to his peace.  
But john of Lorne his son, that was  
Sittell, as he was wont to be,  
He ●led in ships to the sea,  
But they that left were on the land,  
Were to the King all obeysand:  
And he their pledges all hes ta'en,  
And toward Peirth again is gane,  
To play him there into the Plain,  
Yet Lowthiane was him again:  
And at Linlithgow was yet a peil,  
mickle and stark, and stuffed well  
With Englishmen that was resset  
To them that with armours, and meat,  
From Edinburgh would to Strivilng ga',  
And from Striuiling would again also,  
That to the Country did great ill,  
Now may ye hear if that ye will,  
Of interludes and jeopardies,  
That men assailyied money wise,  
castles and Peills for to ta,  
And this Linlithgow was one of that.  
And I shall tell you how it was ta'en.  
In the Country there winned one,  
That husband was, and with his fee,  
Oft hay unto the peil led he.  
William Binny to name he heght,  
A stalwart man he was in feght.  
He saw so hard the Country stad,  
That he great noy and pity had:  
Through Fortresses that were then  
Governde and led with Englishmen,  
Then travelde men out of measure.  
He was a stout Carl, and a stir:  
And of himself dour, and hardy.  
And had friends that winned him by,  
And showed to some his privity:  
And upon his conuéene gate he:  
Men that might enbushment ma,  
While that he sold with his UUane ga:  
To lead them hay into the peil:  
But his UUane sold be stuffed well.  
For aught men armed in the body,  
In his UUane sold sit privily:  
And with hay heilled all about.  
And himself that was dour and stout,  
Sold by the UUane gang idly,  
And a Yeoman wight, and hardy,  
Before sold drive the Wane, and wear  
A hatchat that would sharply shear  
Under this belt: and when the ȝet  
Circumference opened, and they were thereat:  
When he heard him cry sturdy,  
Call all, call all, then in great by,  
He sold strike with the axe in twa  
The chenyies: and then in hy sold they  
That were within the Wane come out,  
And debate make, while that the rout  
That sold near by enbushed be,  
Come for to maintain that melle,  
This was into the Harvest tide,  
When fields that fair were, and wide,  
Charged with corn, and furnished were  
For sundry corns that they bore,  
Woxt ripe to win to man his food.  
And the trees all charged stood,  
With seire fruits on sundry wise.  
In this swée time, as I device,  
They of the peil had winnen hay,  
And with that Binny spoken had they,  
To lead their hay, for he was near:  
And he consented but danger.  
And said, that he in the morning  
Well soon a Fodder sold in bring.  
Fairer and greater, and well more,  
Than he did any that year before,  
And held them cunnand sikkerly,  
For that night warned he privily,  
Them that in his Wane sold ga,  
And them that bushed sold be also.  
And they so greatly sped them there,  
That ere day they enbushed were,  
Well near the peil, where they might hear,  
The cry, als soon as any wéere.  
And held them so still, but stéering,  
That none of them had perceiving,  
And this Binny fast can him pain,  
To dress his meinie in his Wane:  
And all a while before the day,  
He had them heilled well with hay.  
And made him then to yoke his fee  
While men the sun might shining see:  
And some that were within the peil,  
Were ●●hed out on their own Seel,  
To win their harvest near thereby.  
Then Binny with his company,  
That in his Wane closed he had:  
UUent on his way but more abode:  
And called his Wane toward the peil,  
And the Porter that saw him well.  
Came near the ȝet, it opened soon.  
And then Binny withouten hone,  
Gart call the Wane deliverly,  
And when it set was evenly,  
Betwixt the cheeks of the ȝet:  
So that he might it close no gaite:  
He cried loud, call all, call all.  
And he then léete his Gad-wand fall,  
And hewed in two the chenyie in hy,  
Binny with that deliverly  
Reached to the Porter sick a rout,  
That blood and harness both yeed out:  
And they that were within the Wane,  
Lapet out believe, and soon hes slain  
Men of the Castle haillelie,  
Then in a while begouth the cry,  
And they that near ambushed were,  
Lap out, and came with swords bare,  
And took the Castle all but pain,  
And hes them that therein was slain.  
And they that were went forth before,  
When they the Castle saw forlorn,  
They fled to warrant here and there:  
And some to Edinburgh can far.  
And to Striuiling are other gane,  
And some into the gaite were slain.   

How Thomas Randel came to the King's Peace, And was made Earl withouten lies.  
BYnny on this wise with his Wane,  
Wan the peil, and their men hes slain;  
Sign gave it to the King in high,  
That him rewarded worthily,  
And gart down drive it to the ground.  
And sign over all the Land can send,  
Setting in peace all the Country:  
That unto him obey and would been,  
And when a little time was spent,  
Efter Thomas Randell he sent,  
And with him so well treated he,  
That he his man heght for to been,  
The King his anger there him forgave,  
And to maintain his state him gave  
Murray, and earl thereof him made,  
And other sundry Lands brade,  
He gave him into Heritage:  
He knew his worthy vassalage,  
And his great wit, and his advice.  
His traistie heart, and his léele service.  
Therefore in him affied he,  
And made him rich of lands and fee,  
As he was certes right worthy:  
For if men speak of him truly,  
He was so courageous a Knight.  
So wise, so worthy, and so wight.  
And of sa Sovereign great bounty,  
That mickle of him may spoken be.  
And for I think of him to read,  
And to tell part of his good deed,  
I will describe you his fassouns,  
And part of his conditiouns.  
He was of measurable stature,  
And all well portrayed at measure.  
With brade visage pleasant and fair,  
Courts at point, and debonair,  
And of right sikker contéening:  
Lawtie he loved attour all thing.  
Falset, treasoun, and felony,  
He gainestood ever allutterly:  
And loved Honour and Largesse,  
And aye maintained Righteousness:  
In company he was Solacious,  
And with that blithe, and amorous,  
And good Knights he loved aye.  
And if that I the sooth will say,  
He was fulfilled so of all bounty:  
As of all Virtue's made were he.  
I will commend him here no more,  
But ye shall well hear farthermore.  
That he for his deeds worthy,  
Sold well be praised Soverainely.   

How Thomas Randell that was worthy, Sieged Edinburgh Castell stoutly.  
WHen the King was with him sought,  
And great Lordship had to him taught.  
He woxt so wise, and so avisie:  
That his lands first established he.  
And sign he sped him to the wéere,  
To help his Eme at his power.  
And with the consent of the King,  
And with a simple apparelling,  
To EDINBURGH he went in hy  
With good men into company,  
And set a Siege to the Castle,  
That then was garnished wonder well.  
With men and victual at all right,  
So that they dread no man's might.  
But this good Earl not for thy,  
Set a Siege to it full partly,  
And pressed the folk that therein was:  
So that not one the ȝet durst pass.  
They may abide therein and eat  
Their victual, while they ought may get:  
But I trow they shall letted been,  
To purchease more in that Country,  
That time Edward of England King,  
Had given the Castle in keeping,  
To Sir Peirs Libald a Gascoun.  
And when they of his Warnisoun,  
Saw the Siege left there so straight,  
They mistraisted him of Traitourie,  
That he spoken had with the King,  
And for that ilke mistrowing▪  
They took and put him in prison:  
And of their own Nation,  
They made a Constable them to lead,  
Both witty and aware, and wight of deed  
And he set wit, and strength, and slight,  
To keep the Castle with all his might▪  
But now of them I will be still,  
And speak a little while I will  
Of the doughty Lord of Dowglas,  
That left into the Forest was.  
Where he money a jeopardy,  
And fair points of Chivalry  
Proved, as well by night as day,  
To them that in the Castle lay:  
Of jedburgh, and Roxburgh, but I  
Will let feill of them now pass by:  
For I cannot rehearse them all,  
And though I could, trow well ye shall  
Say, that I might not suffice thereto,  
There should so mickle been to do,  
But it, that I wait sikkerly,  
Efter my wit, rehearse shall I.   

How james Dowglas gart Ladders make Of hemp, the Castle of Roxburgh to tak●  
THe time that the good Earl Thomas,  
Assieged, as the letter says,  
Edinburgh, james of Dowglas  
Set all his wit for to purchase,  
Now Roxburgh through subtlety:  
Or any craft, might winnen been.  
While he gart Sym of the Ledhouse,  
A crafty man, and curious,  
Of Hempine rapes Ladders ma,  
And treen steps bounden lafoy,  
That they would break on no kin wise,  
A Crook they made at their device  
Of Iron, that was stark and square,  
That fra it in a kernel were  
Festened, it should hang thereby,  
And the Ladder therefra straightly.  
This good Lord Dowglas as soon  
As this devised was, and done  
Gaddered good men in privity:  
Three score, I trow that they might been:  
And in the Fast Even right,  
In the beginning of the night,  
To the Castle took their way,  
With black Frogs all heilled they,  
The armours, that they on them had.  
They came near by there, and abode.  
And sent haillely their horse them fro,  
And in arraying on a rout they go,  
On hands and feet, when they were near  
Right as they Kine, and Oxen were,  
That were unbounden left thereout,  
It was right murk withouten doubt:  
But one upon the Wall that lay,  
Beside him to his fear can say:  
This man thinks to make good cheer,  
(And named a Hu●band thereby near)  
That hes left all his Oxen out.  
The other says, that is no doubt:  
He shall make good cheer this night though they  
Been with the black Dowglas led away:  
They weened the Dowglas and his men  
Had been Oxen: for they yéed then  
On hands and feet, aye one and one.  
The Dowglas right good tent hes ta'en  
To all their speech, but right soon they,  
Held speaking inward both their way.  
DOwglas men there of was blithe.  
And sped them to the wall swyth.  
And soon had up their ladders set,  
That made a clap when the crook knet,  
And fastened fast in the kernel.  
Ane of the watches heard it well,  
And busked hitherward but bade.  
But Ledhouse that the ladders made,  
Sped him to climb up first the wall:  
But ere he was comen up all,  
He that that Waird had in keeping,  
Met him right at the upcomming.  
And for he thought to ding him down,  
He made nouther cry nor sound:  
But sought to him deliverly.  
And he that was in jeopardy  
To die, a loup he to him made,  
And got him by the neck but bade,  
And stikked him upward with a knife:  
While with his hand he reft his life,  
And when he dead so saw him lie:  
Up on the Wall he went in hy:  
And down the body kest them till.  
And said: all gangs as we will,  
Speed you all up deliverly.  
And they did so in full great hy:  
But ere they got up there came one  
That saw Ledhouse stand him allane:  
And knew he was naught of their men,  
And in great hy rushed to him then,  
And him assailyied sturdily:  
But he slew him despiteously:  
For he was armed, and was wight:  
The other naked was I hight,  
And had not for to stint a straike.  
sick melle there up can he make,  
While Dowglas and his meinie all,  
Were winnen up upon the UUall:  
Then to the Tower they went in hy,  
The folk that time were haillely  
Into the hall, at their dancing,  
And singing, and other ways playing:  
As upon Fast Even is  
The Custom, to make joy and bliss,  
To men that were in savitie.  
So trowed they that time to be:  
But ere they wist, into the hall,  
Dowglas, and his rout came all.  
And cried on height, Dowglas, Dowglas,  
And they that more were then he was,  
Herd Dowglas cry so hideously,  
They were abased for the cry:  
And shupe them no defence to ma.  
And they but pity can them slay,  
While they had gotten the upper hand,  
The other fled to seek warrant,  
That out of measure the deed can dread.  
The Wardane saw how that it yéed,  
That called was Gilmyn de Fyrmes:  
In the great Tower he gotten hes,  
And other of his company,  
And closed the ȝets hastily▪  
The lave that left were thereout,  
Were ta'en, or slain▪ this is no doubt:  
But give that any lap the wall.  
The Dowglas held that night the hall,  
Although his foes thereat was wa.  
His men were ganging to and fra,  
Throughout the Castle all that night,  
While on the morn that day was light.  
THe Wardan that was in the Tower:  
That was a man of great valour,  
Gilmyn de Firmes when he saw,  
The Castle tint both high and law:  
He set his might for to defend  
The Tower, but they without him send  
Arrows in so great quantity,  
That sore annoyed thereof was he.  
Yet while the other day not for thy  
He held the Tower full sturdy.  
And then at an assault he was  
Wounded so felly in the face,  
That he was dréeding of his life:  
Therefore he treated them but strife,  
And yald the Tower on sick manner,  
That he, and all that with him were,  
Sold safely pass into England,  
Dowglas held them full good cunnand,  
And convoyde him to his Country.  
But there full short while lived he:  
For through the wound into the face,  
He died soon, and buried was.  
Dowglas the Castle séesed all,  
That then was closed with stalwart wall:  
And sent this Ledhouse to the King,  
That made him right good rewarding:  
And his brother in full great hy,  
Sir Edward that was so doughty,  
He sent hidder to tumble down,  
Both Tower, Castle, and als Dungeoun,  
And he came with great company,  
And gart travel so busily,  
That Tower, & Wall, right to the ground  
He gart cast down in little stound:  
And dwelled there, while that Tevydaill,  
Came to the King's peace all hail:  
Except jedburgh, and other that near  
To the Englishmen bounds were:   

How William Frances led Thomas Randell, Up to the Craig of Edinburgh Castell.  
WHen Roxburgh was win on this wise,  
The Earl Thomas that high emprise,  
Set ay on Soverane hie bounty,  
At Edinburgh with his meinie,  
Was lying at the Siege, as I  
Told you before all openly.  
But fra he heard how Roxburgh was  
Ta'en with a train, all his purchase,  
And wit and business, I hight:  
He set to purchase him some slight:  
How he might help him through victory,  
Melled with high Chivalry:  
To win the wall of the Castle,  
Through some kin slight, for he wist well,  
That no strength might it plainly get,  
While there within were men and meat.  
Therefore privily spéered he,  
Give any man might there founden be,  
That could find any jeopardy,  
To climb the wall right privily:  
And he sold have his warisoun:  
For it was his intention,  
To put himself in adventure:  
Or at that Siege on him misfure.  
Then was there one William Frances,  
Wise and expert, wise and courts:  
And he in his youthhead had been  
In the Castle, when he had seen  
The Earl so earnestly him set  
Some subtlety, or wile to get,  
Where through the Castle have might he,  
He came to him in privity.  
And said, Me think ye would blithly,  
That men found you some jeopardy,  
How ye might over the walls win:  
And certes, if ye will begin  
For to assay on sick a wise,  
I undertake for my service,  
For to ken you to climb the wall,  
And I shall formest been of all  
Wherewith a short Ladder may we  
(I hope of twelve foot it may be)  
Climb the Wall up all quietly.  
And if that ye will wit how I  
Wate this, I shall you blithly say.  
When I was young this hinder day,  
My father was keeper of yone house,  
And I was somedeill lecherous,  
And loved a Wench here in the town,  
And that I but suspicion:  
Might repair to her privily,  
Of rapes to me a ladder made I:  
And therewith over the wall I slade,  
A straight rod there I spied had,  
Into the Craige sign down I went,  
And oft syes come to mine intent.  
And when that it drew near the day,  
I held again the 'samine way,  
And aye came in but perceiving,  
I used so long that travelling:  
So that I can that rod go right,  
Though men see never so murk a night.  
And if ye think ye would assay,  
To pass up after me that way,  
Up to the Wall I shall you bring,  
If GOD us save from perceiving  
Of them that Watches are on the wall,  
And if it us so fair may fall,  
That we our ladders may up set,  
While a man on the Wall may get.  
He shall defend if there been need,  
While the remnand up them speed,  
The Earl was blithe of that carping,  
And heght to him fair rewarding:  
And undertook that gate to ga,  
And bade him soon his ladder ma.  
And hold him privy while they might,  
Set for their purpose on a night,  
Soon after was the Ladder made:  
And then the Earl but more abode,  
purveyed him a night privily,  
With threttie men wight and hardy:  
And in a murk night held their way,  
They put them in full hard assay,  
And to great peril sickerly,  
I trow, might they have seen clearly,  
That gate had not been undertaken,  
Although to stop them had not been one  
For the Craig was high and hideous,  
And the climming right perilous,  
If any happened to slide, or fall,  
He should be soon too frushed all,  
The night was murk, as I heard say,  
And to the foot soon comen were they  
Of the Craige that was high and shore,  
Then William Frances them before,  
clomb in the Crookes before them ay:  
And at the back him followed they:  
With mickle pain, while to, while fro.  
They clomb in the Crookes so,  
While half the Craig they climmen had:  
And there a place they found so brade,  
That they might sit on allanerly:  
And they were ayndlesse and weary,  
And there abode their aind to ta,  
And right as they were sitting sa,  
Right aboue them, upon the Wall,  
The Chak-watches assembled all,  
Now help them God that all thing may,  
For in full great peril are they.  
For might they see them, there should nane  
Escape out of that place unslain,  
To dead with stones they sold them ding,  
For they might help themselves nothing:  
But wonder murk there was the night.  
So that they had of them no sight.  
And not for thy: yet was there one,  
Of them that swakked down a stone,  
And said, away treatoure, I see thee well,  
Howbeit he saw of him no deill  
Out over their heads flew the stane,  
And they sat still lurking ilkane.  
The Watches when they heard no steer,  
From that place passed all in fear  
And car●ing held they forth their way,  
The Earl Thomas as soon as they,  
That on the Craige, sat then him by,  
Toward the Craige clomb hastily,  
And hidder came with mickle main,  
And not but great peril, and pain,  
For fra thine up was grei●ousar,  
To climb up, nor beneath by far,  
But what kin pain so ever they had,  
Right to the Wall they came but bade:  
That was well near twelve foot on height.  
And withouten perceiving or sight,  
They set the Ladder to the Wall:  
And sign Frances before them all  
clomb up, and sign Sir Andro Grace,  
And sign the Earl himself perfay,  
Was the third man the Wall can ta▪  
When they there down their Lord swa  
Saw, climb up upon the Wall,  
As wood men they clomb after all:  
But ere up comen all were they,  
They that were watches to assay:  
Heard steering, and privy speaking,  
And also framing of arming.  
And on them set full sturdily,  
And they met them full hardly:  
And slew of them despiteously,  
Then through the Castle rose the cry,  
Treasoun, treasoun, they cried fast,  
Then some of them were so aghast.  
That they fled, and lap over the wall  
But to say sooth they fled not all.  
For the Constable that was hardy,  
All armed ished forth to the cry:  
And with him feill hardy, and stout.  
Yet was the Earl hard with his rout,  
Feghting with them upon the Wall:  
But soon discomfist he them all,  
By that his men were comen ilkane,  
Up to the wall: and he hes ta'en,  
His way down to the Castle soon.  
In great peril he hes him done,  
For they were ma than he therein.  
And they had been of good convince:  
But some thing they afraid were.  
And not for thy with weapons bare,  
The Constable and his company,  
Met him and his great hardly.  
Their men might see right bargain rise:  
For with weapons on money wise,  
They dang on other at their might,  
While swords that were fair and bright,  
Were to the hilts all bloody.  
Then hideously began the cry:  
For they that felled, or stikked were:  
Right hideously can cry and raire.  
The good Earl and his company,  
Faught in that feght so sturdily,  
That all their foes rushed were:  
The Constable was slain right there.  
And fra he fell, the remanand  
Fled, where they might best to warrant,  
They durst not qide, nor make debate.  
The Earl was handled there so haite,  
That had it not happened through case,  
That the Constable there slain was,  
He had been in great peril there:  
But then they fled, there was no maire,  
Ilke man for to save his life:  
Fled forth his days for to drife:  
And some slade down out over the wall.  
The Earl hes ta'en the Castle all,  
For there was none durst him withstand  
I never heard into no land,  
Was Castle ta'en so hardly,  
Outtaken Tyre alanerly.  
When Alexander the Conqueror,  
That conquered Babylon's Tower,  
Lap fra a Bar forth to the Wall,  
Where he among his foes all,  
Defended him full doughtely,  
While that his noble Chivalry,  
With ladders over the walls yeed,  
That neither left for dead nor dread.  
For when they wist well that the King,  
Was in the town, there was nothing  
Into that time that stint them moght,  
For all peril they set at naught.  
They clomb the wall and Areste  
Came first to the good King, where he  
Defended him with all his might.  
And they so hard were stad in fight,  
That he was felled on his knee,  
Then to his back he set a tree:  
For dread they sold behind assailyie.  
Areste than to the battailyie  
Sped him in hy so sturdy,  
And dang on them so doggedly,  
That the King well rescued was.  
For his men into sundry place  
clomb over the walls, & sought the King,  
And him rescued with hard fighting,  
And won the town deliverly.  
Outtaken this taking alanerly,  
I heard never in no time gane,  
Where Castell was so stoutly ta'en:  
And of this taking that I méene,  
Sanct Margaret the good holy Queen  
Witted in her time, through revelling  
Of him that knows, and wats all thing.  
Therefore in stead of Prophecy,  
She left a taikning full jolly,  
That is there in her Chapel.  
Sho gart well portray a Castle,  
A ladder up to the wall standing  
And a man thereupon climming,  
And wrote on him, as old men says,  
In French, Garde vous de Francoys.  
And for this word she gart write sa:  
Men weened ye Frenchmen sold it ta:  
But Frances called was he,  
That so clomb up in privity.  
She wrote it as in Prophecy,  
And it fell afterward sooth,  
Right as sho said, for ta'en it was,  
And Frances led them up that place.  
On this wise Edinburgh was ta'en,  
And they that were therein ilkane,  
Other ta'en, or slain, or lap the walk,  
Their goods have they leaved all:  
And the house everilkane.  
Sir Peirs Libald that was ta'en,  
As I said air in Boys they found,  
And into hard festning sittand.  
They brought him to the Earl in hy,  
And he gart lose him hastily,  
And he became the Kings man.  
They send word to the King right than,  
And told how the Castle is ta'en:  
And he in hy is hidder gane,  
With money men in company:  
And gart cast down all haillely,  
Both Tower, and walls to the ground.  
And sign over all the land can found,  
Séesing the Country to his peace.  
Of this deed that so worthy was:  
The Earl was praised gretumly,  
The King that saw him so worthy,  
Was blithe, and glad attour the lave:  
And to maintain his state him gave  
Rents and lands fair ineugh.  
And he to so great worship dreugh,  
That all spoke of his great bounty:  
His foes oft syes astoneied he:  
For he fled never for force in fight.  
What shall I more say of his might?  
His great manhéede, and his bounty,  
Garres him yet renowned be.   

How Sir Edward won Ruglein-Peill, And Dundie, sine St●iuiling sieged well.  
In this time that their jeopardies  
Of their castles, as I device,  
Were enchéeved so suddenly,  
Sir Edward Bruce that was worthy  
Had all Galloway and Niddisdaill  
UUinnen to his liking all hail,  
And doungen down the castels all,  
Right to the dykes both Tower and Wall,  
He heard them say, and knew it well,  
That in Ruglyn was then a peil.  
hither he went with his meinie,  
And win it in short time hes he:  
Sign to Dundie hes ta'en the way,  
That then was holden (as I heard say)  
Against the King: therefore in hy  
He set a Siege thereto stoutly,  
And lay there till it yolden was.  
To Striuiling sign the way he taes,  
Where good Sir Philip the Mowbray,  
That was so doughty at assay,  
Was UUardane, and had in keeping  
The Castle of the English King.  
Thereto a Siege he set stoutly,  
They bikkered oft syes sturdy.  
But great Chivalry was done nane.  
Sir Edward fra the Siege was ta'en  
A well long while about it lay  
From the Lentrone, that is to say,  
While forrow the Saint johnes Mass.  
The English folk that therein was,  
Begouth to failyie victual by than,  
And Sir Philip as doughty man,  
Treated till they consented were:  
That if at Midsummer then a year  
To come, it were not with battle  
Rescued, that then withouten fail,  
He should the Castle yield quietly,  
That cunnand broke they sikkerly,   

How Sir Edward withouten sturne, Undertaken the battle of Bannock-burn.  
ANd when this cunnand thus was made,  
Sir Philip into England rade:  
And told the King all the hail tale:  
How that he twelve month all hail  
Haddit, as written was in their Tailyie,  
To rescue Striuiling with battailyie,  
And when he heard Sir Philip say.  
That Scottish men had set a day,  
To feght, and he such leisure had  
To purvey him he was right glad:  
And said, It was great sucquidrie,  
That set them upon sick folly:  
For he thought to be ere that day  
So purveyed, and in sick array,  
That there sold no strength him withstand  
And when the Lords of England  
Herd that this day was set plainly.  
They judged it all to great folly,  
And thought to have them at their liking,  
If men abode them in fighting.  
But oft failyies that fool's thought,  
And yet wise men comes nought  
To that end, that they weine always:  
A little stone oft, as men says,  
May gar walter a mickle Wane,  
Na man's might may stand again  
The grace of God, that all things stéeres,  
He wates whereto all things afféeres,  
And dispones at his liking  
Efter his ordinance all thing.  
WHen Sir Edward, as I you say,  
Had given so outrageous a day,  
To yield, or to rescue Striuiling:  
Right to the King then went he sign:  
And told what treaty he had made,  
And what day he them given had▪  
The King said, when he heard the day,  
That was unwisely done perfay,  
I never yet heard so long warning  
Was given to so mighty a King,  
As is the King of England.  
For he hes now into his hand  
England, Ireland, and Wales also,  
And Aquitaine yet with all than  
Dwells under his Senyeory.  
And of Scotland a great party  
And of treasure so stuffed is he:  
That he may wageours have plenty.  
And we are few against so feill.  
GOD may right well our weirdes deill:  
But we are set in jeopardy  
To tyne or win then hastily.  
Sir Edward said, So God me reed,  
Though he and all that he may ●éede  
Come, we shall feght all, though they were more  
When the King heard his brother so  
Speak, to the Battle so hardly,  
He praised him in his heart greatly.  
And said (Brother) sen so is gane:  
That this thing thus is undertaken,  
Shape we us therefore manly,  
And all that loves us tenderly,  
And the freedom of this Country,  
purvey them at that time to been  
Boun on their best wise, that they may.  
So if our foes will assay,  
To rescue Striuiling with battle,  
That we of purpose gar them fail.   

The sembling of the English Host, That with great power came and boast.  
ON this wise all assented were,  
And bade their men all make them you're:  
For to be boun against that day.  
Weapons and armours purveyed they.  
And all that afféered to fighting:  
And of England the mighty King,  
purveyed him in so great array,  
That Certes, I heard never say,  
That Englishmen more apparel  
Made, than they did for that battle.  
For when the time was comen near,  
The King assembled his powéere.  
And beside his own Chivalry  
That was so great, it was ferlie  
He had of money a far Country,  
With him good men of great bounty,  
Of France, and other Chivalry,  
He had into his company,  
The Earl of Henault als was there,  
And with him met that worthy were:  
Of Gasconyie, and of Almanyie.  
And of the worthiest of Brittainyie:  
He had wight men, and well farrand,  
Armed cleanly both head and hand.  
Of England als the Chivalry,  
He had there gaddered so cleanly,  
That none were left might weapons wéeld,  
Or worthy were to feght in field.  
Of Wales als with him had he:  
And of Ireland a great meinie:  
Of Poytow, Aquitaine, and Bayoun:  
He had money of great renown.  
Of Scotland he had yet then,  
A great meinie of worthy men.  
When altogether assembled were,  
He had of feghters with him there,  
An hundreth thousand men and ma:  
And forty thousand were of that,  
Armed on Horse, both head and hand,  
And of tha yet were three thousand,  
With barded Horse, in plait and mailyie,  
To make the front of the battailyie.  
And fifty thousand of Archers  
He had, withouten Hobillers',  
And men on foot, and small rangall,  
That kéeped Harness, and Uittaill:  
He had so feil it were ferly▪  
Of Cartes als that yéed him by,  
So feill, that by them that charged were  
With Pavilliouns, and that vessel bare,  
And apparel for Chamber and Hall,  
Fourscore were charged with Fewall,  
They were so feill where that they rade,  
And their battles were so brad:  
And so great rout held they there,  
That men that mickle Host might see there  
Overtook the Lands largely,  
Men might see there who had been by,  
Money a worthy man and wight,  
And money an armour gay dight.  
And money a sturdy stéering Steed.  
Arrayed aye into rich weed.  
Money Helmes, and Haberiones,  
Shields, Spears, and eke Pennouns:  
And so money a comely Knight,  
That it seemed into that sight.  
They should vanquish the world all hail.  
Why should I make too long my tale?  
To Baruike are they come ilkane,  
And some therein hes Inns ta'en:  
And some lodged without the town,  
In tents, and in Pavillioun.   

How Englishmen manassed at will The Scots, and dealt their lands till.  
ANd when the King his Oast hes seen  
So great, so good men and so clean:  
He was right joyful in his thought:  
And well supposed, that there were nought  
A King in World might him withstand,  
Him thought all winnen to his hand.  
And largely among his men,  
The lands of Scotland dealt he then.  
Of other men's lands large was he:  
And they that were of his meinie,  
Manassed the Scottishmen haillely,  
With great words, and not for thy:  
Or that they come to their intent,  
Holl●s in hail claith shall be rend.   

In tun battles the Englishmen Were dealt, & taught to Chiftanes then  
THe King through counsel of his men,  
His folk dealt into battles ten.  
In ilk battle, were ten thousand,  
That thought they stalwardly sold stand  
In battle and sold hold their right.  
And let not for their foes might,  
He set Leaders to ilk battle,  
That known were of good governal.  
And to renowned Earls twa,  
Of Gloucester and Herfurd were tha,  
He gave the vanguard in leading,  
With money men at their bidding,  
Ordained with full great array,  
They were so Chevalrous that they  
Trowed, give they came to the fight,  
There sold no strength withstand their might:  
And the King when his meinie were  
Divided into battle's sear:  
His own battle ordained he,  
And who sold at his bridle be.  
Sir Geiles the Argentine he set,  
Upon the one side his renyie to get:  
And of Wallance Sir Aymery:  
On other half that was worthy,  
For into their sovereign bounty,  
Over all the lave affied he.   

How all the Noble Chivalry, At Edinburgh took harbery.  
WHen the King upon this wise,  
Had ordained, (as I here devose)  
His battles and his renowning:  
He raise early in the morning.  
And fra Berwick they took their way.  
Both hills and valleys covered they.  
And the battles there was so brade,  
Departed over the hills rade:  
The Sun was bright, and shined clear:  
And armours that bright byrneist were,  
So blenked with the Sun's beam:  
That all the land seemed in a leame,  
Banners right freshly flambisighand,  
And Pensalls to the wind waivand:  
So feill they were of seir Countries,  
That it was wonder to devose:  
And I sold tell all their afféere,  
Their countenance and their manéere,  
Though I couth, I sold cumbered be.  
The King with all his great meinie,  
To Edinburgh are they comen right.  
They were all out too feill to fight,  
With few folk of a simple land:  
But where God helps, who may withstand.   

How in this time assembled then, To King Robert hes certain men.  
THe King Robert when he heard say.  
That Englishmen in sick array:  
And into so great quantity,  
Came in his land▪ in hy gart he  
All men be summonde privily,  
And they came all full wilfully,  
To the Torwood, where that the King  
●ad ordained to make their meéeting.  
Sir Edw●rd the Bruce the worthy,  
Came with a full great company  
Of good men armed well, and dight:  
Hardie and forcy, for to fight.  
Walter Stewart of Scotland sign.  
That then was but a beardless hyne,  
Came with a rout of Noble men:  
That men be countenance might then ken.  
And the good Lord Dowglas also,  
Brought with him men, I underta:  
That well were used into fighting,  
They shall the less have abasing,  
Give them betide in thrang to be:  
And one advantage shall sooner see,  
For to astoney their foes might,  
Than men that uses not to fight.  
The Earl of Murray with his men,  
Arrayed well came also then,  
Into good conuéene for to fight:  
And wilful to maintain their right.  
Outtaken money other Baroun,  
And Knights of full great renown,  
Came with their men full stalwardly,  
When they assembled were hailly,  
Of fighting men, I trow, they were  
Threttie thousand and somedeal mare,  
Withouten carriage and purall:  
That carried Harness and Uittall.  
Over all the Host yéed the King,  
And beheld to their conteening:  
And saw that of full fair afféere,  
And hardy countenance they were,  
By lyklinesse the most Cowart,  
Seemed to do full well his part,  
The King hes seen all their having,  
That knew them well into sick thing,  
And saw them all commonly,  
Of sicker countenance, and hardy,  
Without affray, or abasing,  
In his heart had he great liking,  
And thought that men of so great will,  
If they would set their might theretill,  
Should been full hard to win, perfay.  
And as he met them in the way,  
He welcomed them with gladsome fair,  
Speaking good words here and there,  
And they that their Lord saw blythly  
So welcome them, and so homely,  
joyful they were, and thought that they,  
Aught well to put them in assay,  
Of herd fighting, and stalwart stour,  
For to maintain well his honour.   

The parting of the Scots men, That in four battles dealt were then.  
THe worthy King when he hes seen,  
His Host assembled all bedeene:  
And saw them wilful to fulfil  
His liking with good heart and will:  
And to maintain well his franchise,  
He was joyful on money wise:  
And called all his counsel privy:  
And said them: Lords, now may ye see,  
That Englishmen with mickle might,  
Hes all disponed them to fight:  
For they yone Castle would rescue.  
Therefore is good we ordain now,  
How we may let them of purpose,  
And so fra them the ways close,  
That they pass not but great letting.  
We have here with us at bidding.  
Well threttie thousand men and ma.  
Make we four battles of all that.  
And ordain us on sick manner:  
That when our foes comes near,  
We to the new Park hold our way,  
For there behoves them pass, perfay.  
But if they will beneath us go.  
And over the Maras pass, and so,  
We shall been at a vantage there,  
And me think that right spéedfull were,  
To pass on foot to this fighting,  
Armed but in light arming;  
For shape we us on Horse to fight,  
Sen that our foes are maire of might.  
And better horsed than are we,  
We should into great peril been,  
And if we feght on foot, perfay,  
We shall be at a vantage aye.  
For in the Park among the trees,  
The Horsemen cumbered always bees,  
And the Syke also there down,  
Shall put them to confusion.  
And they consented to that Saw:  
And then into a little thraw,  
Their four battles ordained they,  
And to the Earl Thomas, perfay:  
He gave the Uangarde in leading,  
For in his Noble governing,  
And in his high Chivalry.  
They had affiance soverainely.  
And for to maintain his Banner,  
Lords that of great worship were,  
Were assigned with their meinie,  
Within his battle for to been.  
The other battle was given to lead,  
To him that doughty was of deed,  
And praised als of Chivalry  
That was Sir Edward the worthy.  
I trow he shall maintain him so,  
That how so ever the gaming go,  
His foes to plenyie shall matter have,  
And sign the third battle he gave,  
To Walter Stewart for to lead,  
And to Dowglas doughty of deed:  
They were Cousing in near degree:  
Therefore to him betaught was he,  
For he was young, and not for thy  
I trow, he shall so manfully,  
Do his devour, and work so well  
That men shall of his deeds tell.  
The feird battle the Noble King  
took in his own governing:  
And had into his company,  
The men of Carrik haillelie:  
And of the Isles, whereof was sire  
And of Argyle and of Kintyre,  
Angous of the Isles, and Boot also,  
And of the plain lands he had ma,  
Of armed men a Noble rout:  
His Battle stalwart was and stout:  
He said, the Réeregard he would ma,  
And even before him should ga  
The vanguard, and on either hand,  
The other Battles should been gangand  
Behind on side a little space,  
And the King that behind them was,  
Should see where there was most myster,  
And relive them with his Banner.   

How King Robert gart pots make, And covert them well, I undertake:  
THe King that was both wight, and wise.  
And right attentive at device:  
And hardy als attour all thing,  
Ordained his men for the fighting.  
And on the morn on Saturday,  
The King heard his discurreours say,  
That Englishmen with meekle might,  
Had lain at Edinburgh that night,  
Therefore withouten more delay,  
He to the North-Parke held his way:  
With all that in his leading were,  
And in the Park them harboured there:  
And in a plain field by the way,  
Where he thought they behoved have way  
The Englishmen give that they walled  
Through the Park to the Castle hauled:  
He gart men money Pots ma,  
Of a foot-brade round, and all than  
Were deep, up to a man's knee:  
And so thick, that they might likened be.  
To a wax Kame with Bees made.  
And then the Pots they covered had  
With sticks, and with gersse all green,  
So that they might not well be seen.  
On Sunday sign in the morning,  
Well soon after the Sunrising,  
They heard the Mass all reverently.  
And money shrave them full devoutly:  
That thought to die into that melle,  
Or then to make their Country free.  
To GOD for their right prayed they,  
There dined none of them that day,  
But for the Uigile of Sanct john,  
They fasted water, and bread ilkone.  
THe King when that the Mass was done  
Went for to see the Pots soon:  
And at his liking saw them made,  
On other side the way well brade.  
It was potted (as I have tauld)  
Give that their foes on horse would hauld,  
Forth on the way, I trow they shall  
Not all escape withouten fall:  
Throughout the Oast then gart he cry,  
That all sold arm them hastily,  
And busk them on their best manner.  
And when that all assembled were.  
He gart array them for to fight,  
And sign over all gart cry on height,  
That who so ever he were, that found  
His heart not sikker for to stand,  
To win all, or die with honour,  
For to maintain that stalwart stour:  
That he betime should take his way:  
And none sold dwell with him but they,  
That would stand with him to the end,  
And take the grace that God would send.  
Then all answered with one cry,  
And with one voice said generally,  
That none for doubt of dead sold fail,  
While discomfist were the hail battle.   

How the King sent fra him all hail, His small folk, carriage, and vittaill.  
WHen the good King hes heard his men  
So hardly answer him then:  
Saying, that neither dead nor dread,  
To sick discomfort sold them lead:  
That they sold eschew the fighting:  
In heart he had great rejoicing.  
For him thought men of sick having,  
So good, so hardy, and so fine,  
Sold well in battle hold their right,  
Against men of full mickle might.  
Sign all the small folk, and puraill,  
He sent, with harness, and vittaill,  
Into the Park right far him fra,  
And gart them fra the battle ga.  
And as he bade, they went their way,  
Twenty thousand near were they.  
They held their way to a valley:  
Out of the sight of the great battellyie.  
Of men of arms wight and hardy:  
The King left with a clean meinie:  
That were togidder twenty thousand,  
That I trow stalwardly shall stand,  
And do their devour as they awe.  
They stood then ranged on a raw,  
Ready for to bide battailyie,  
Give any folk would them assailyie.   

How the King bade the Earl Murray, To keep beside the Kirke the way.  
THe King than gart them busked be:  
For he wist into certainty,  
That Englishmen with mickle might  
Had lain at the Falkirk that night.  
And sign to him the way all strait  
Held, with their men of mickle might.  
Therefore to his Nevoy bade he  
The Earl of Murray with his meinie,  
Beside the Kirk to keep the way:  
That none sold pass that gaite, perfay,  
Without debate to the Castle:  
And he said, that himself sold well  
Keep the entry with his battle.  
Give that any would there assail:  
And sign his brother Sir Edward,  
And young Walter the good Steward,  
And the Lord Dowglas also,  
With their meinie good tent sold ta,  
UUhilk of them had most mister,  
Sold help with them that with them were.  
The King then sent james of Dowglas,  
And Sir Robert of Keith, that was  
Marshal of all the Oast in fee,  
The Englishmen coming for to see:  
And they lap on withouten bade,  
Well horsed men with them they had:  
And soon the great Oast have they seen:  
Where shields shining were so shéene:  
And Basnets' byrnished so bright:  
That gave against the Sun sick light  
They saw so money browdred Banners,  
Standards, and Pensalls upon spears:  
And so feill Knights upon steeds,  
And flawming in their ●oly weeds:  
And so feill battles and so brade,  
And took so great room as they rade.  
That the most Oast and the best,  
Of Christendom, and the lykliest:  
Sold be abased for to see,  
Their foes into sick quantity,  
And so arrayed for to fight.  
When their discurreours had sight  
Of their foes (as I heard say)  
Toward the King they took their way:  
And told him into privity,  
The multitude, and the beauty  
Of their foes, that came so brade:  
And of the great might that they had.  
Then the King bade, that they sold ma  
No countenance as it were so,  
But bade them into common say,  
That they came into ill array,  
To comfort his men through that wise:  
For oft times of a word may rise  
Discomfort, and tynsall withal:  
And als well through a word may fall,  
Comfort may rise, and hardement.  
To garmen come to their intent:  
And on the same wise did it hear.  
Their comfort and their hardy cheer,  
Comforted them so gretumly,  
That of their Host the least hardy,  
By countenance would formest been.  
For to begin the great melle.   

How with a hundreth the Earl of Murray To aught hundredth battle gave.  
Upon this wise the Noble King,  
Gave to his men great comforting:  
Through hardy countenance, and cheer,  
That he made on so good maneere,  
They thought that no mischief might been,  
So great with thy they might him see  
Before them, that should so engréeve,  
But his worship should them relieve.  
His worship them comforted sa,  
And countenance that he did ma.  
That the most Coward was hardy.  
On other half full sturdily,  
The Englishmen in sick array,  
As ye have heard me forrow say:  
Came with their battles approaching,  
Their Banners to the wind waving.  
And when they comen were so near:  
That but two mile betwixt them were,  
They choosed a ●oly company,  
Of wight men armed solely,  
On fair Coursers armed at right,  
And great Lords of mickle might,  
There was Capitane of that rout:  
The Lord Cliffurd that was so stout,  
Was of them all sovereign leader,  
Aught hundredth armed I trow they were,  
They were all young men and jolly:  
Yarning for to do Chivalry  
The best of all the Host were they,  
Of countenance, and of array:  
They were the fairest company,  
That men might find of so money,  
To the Castle they thought to far:  
For if that they might well come there,  
They thought it should rescued be:  
Forth on their way held this meinie,  
And toward Stri●iling held their way:  
Beneath the Park eschewed they.  
For they wist well the King was there,  
And beneath the Park so can they fare:  
Under the Kirke into a rout.  
The Earl Thomas that was so stout.  
When he saw them so take the Plain  
In full great by went them again.  
With an hundreth withouten more,  
Annoyed in his heart, and woe:  
That they so far were passed by.  
For the King had him said rudely,  
That a Rose of his Chaiplet  
Was fallen: for he was set  
To keep the way tha men were passed,  
Therefore he hasted him so fast,  
That comen into short time was he,  
In the plain field, with his Menʒie,  
For he thought that he should amend,  
That he trespassed had, or then end.  
And when the Englishmen him saw,  
Come on withouten dread or awe:  
And took so hardly the Plane,  
In hy they went then him again,  
And strake with spurs the steeds stight.  
That bore them even, and hard, and suight  
And when the Earl saw that meinie  
Come so stoutly, to his men said he,  
Been not abashed for their shore,  
But set your Spears you before:  
And back to back set all your rout,  
And all your spear points out.  
That gate defend us best may we,  
Environed with them give we been.  
And as he bade, so have they done.  
And the other came on all soon:  
Before them all there came prickand,  
A Knight hardy of heart and hand:  
And was a well great Lord at hame.  
Sir William the Hawcourt was his name:  
And pricked at them so hardly,  
And they met him so sturdily,  
And he, and horse were both borne down,  
And slain right there without ransoun.  
With Englishmen greatly was he  
Méened that day for his bounty.  
The lave come on full sturdily,  
But none of them so hardly,  
Rushed among them as did he,  
But with far more maturity,  
They assembled all in a rout.  
And environed them all about.  
And to the enemies in that tide,  
Rane with Spears wounds wide  
To their Horse that came them near:  
And they that riding on them were,  
That were borne down, lossed their lives:  
And als Spears▪ darts, and Knives,  
And weapons upon seir manner,  
Kest among them that fighting were,  
They defended them so worthily,  
That their foes had great ferlie,  
For some would shoot out of their rout.  
And of them that assailyied about,  
Sticked steeds, and bore down men  
The Englishmen so rudely then,  
Kest among them Swords and Spears,  
That in with them a mountyand was  
Of weapons that there warped were.  
The Earl and his men thus fought there,  
At great mischief, as I heard say,  
For fewer by full far were they:  
For their foes them all about,  
Were environed, where money rout,  
Were reached them full despiteously,  
Their foes demained them straight.  
On either side they were so stad,  
For the great bargain that they had,  
For fighting, and for Sun's heat.  
That all their flesh with sweat was wet:  
And sick a stew rose over them then.  
Of breathing both of Horse and Men,  
And of powder, that sick mirkness,  
Into the air above them wes,  
That it was wonder for to see  
They were in great perplexity:  
But with great travel not for thy  
They them defended manfully:  
And set both will, strength and might,  
To rush their foes into that fight,  
That them demained angrily.  
But give GOD help them hastily,  
They shall have their fill of fighting.  
But when the Noble renowned King,  
With other Lords that were him by,  
Saw the Earl so abandountly,  
took plain field, james of Dowglas,  
Came to the King where that he was.  
And said, Sir, ah, Sancta Mary,  
The Earl of Murray openly  
Takes the plain field with his meinie  
He is in peril, but he be  
Soon helped: for his foes are ma  
Than he, and horsed well also.  
And with your leave, I will me speed  
To help him, for he hes great need,  
All environed with his foes is he.  
The King said, so our Lord me see,  
One foot to him salt thou not ga:  
Give he well does, let him well ta,  
Whether it happen to win or lose,  
I will not for him break purpose.  
●ertes (said he) I may no wise,  
See that his foes him surprise,  
When that I may set help theretill.  
With your lief, sickerly I will  
Help him, or die into the Pain:  
Do then, and speed thee soon again.  
The King said, and he held his way,  
Gifhe mae come in time, perfay,  
I trow that he shall help so well,  
That all his foes shall it feel.   

How the King slew Sir Henry Bowm, With his handaxe, & strake him down.  
NOw Dowglas forth his way ta'en hes,  
And in that same time fell through case:  
That the King of England, when he  
Was comen with his great meinie,  
Near to the place where I said air,  
Where Scots men assembled were:  
He gart arrest all his battle,  
And also for to take counsel.  
Whether they walled harbrie them that night,  
Or then but more go to the fight,  
The vanguard then that wist nothing,  
Of his arrest, nor his dwelling,  
Rade to the Park all strait their way,  
But stinting into good array.  
And when the King wist that they were  
In hail battle coming so near,  
His battle gart he well array.  
Himself rade on a grey Palfrey  
Proper and jolly, arrayand  
His battle, with an axe in hand:  
And on his Bassinet heght he bore,  
An hat with Carbuncle ay where,  
And thereupon into takinning  
An high Crown, that he was King.  
And when Gloucester and Harefurd were,  
In hail battle coming so near:  
Before them all there came rydand,  
With helm on head, and spear in hand,  
Sir Henry the Bowme that was worthy,  
That was a Knight and hardy:  
And to the Earl of Harefurde Cousin,  
Armed in armours good and fine:  
Came on a Steed a bowshot near,  
Before all other that there were:  
And knew the King, for that he saw  
Him so arraying his men on raw:  
And by the Crown also was set,  
Above his head on the Bassinet:  
And toward him he went in hy.  
And when the King so apeirtly,  
Saw him come forth before his Fears:  
In hy to him the Steed he stéeres,  
And when Sir Henry saw the King  
Come on withouten abasing,  
To him he rade in full great hy:  
And thought that he sold well lightly  
Win him, and have him at his will,  
Sen he him saw horsed so ill:  
They sprent togidder in a ling.  
Sir Henry miss the Noble King:  
And he that in his stirrups stood,  
With axe that was both hard and good,  
With so great mane reached him a dint,  
That neither hat, nor helm might stint  
The heavy dint that he him gave:  
The head right to the harness clave.  
The hand axe shaft frushed in twa,  
And he down to the earth can ga  
All flatlings, for him failed might.  
This was the first strake of the fight,  
That was performed doughtely:  
And when the King's men so stoutly  
Saw him even at the first meeting,  
Withouten doubt or abasing,  
Have slain a Knight even at a strake:  
sick hardement thereat they take,  
That they come on right hardly.  
And when the Englishmen stoutly  
Them saw come on, had sick abasing,  
Specially for that the King,  
So stoutly that good Knight had slain,  
Then they withdrew them everilkane.  
They durst not then abide the fight,  
So dread they for the King's might.  
And when the King's men them saw,  
So in hail battle them withdraw,  
A great shout to them can they make,  
And they in hy gave all the back.  
And they that followed, then hes slain  
Some of them that they have overta'en:  
But they were few, the sooth to say,  
Their horse feet had them all away,  
Except some part that died there,  
Rebuted filthily they were,  
They rade their way with well more shame,  
By far, then when they came fra hame.  
WHen that the King repaired was,  
And gart his men leave all the chase,  
The Lords of his company,  
Blamed him, as they durst greatly,  
That he put him in adventure,  
To meet so stark a Knight and stir.  
In sick point as he then was seen:  
For they said, it might have been  
Cause of their tynsall everilkane.  
The King answer hes made right nane,  
But méened his hand-axe-shafte, that so,  
Was broken with that strake in two.  
THe Earl Thomas was yet feghtand,  
With his foes on either hand:  
And slew of them a quantity,  
But weary was his men and he.  
The whilk with weapons sturdily,  
Themselves defended manfully:  
While the Lord Dowglas came near:  
That sped him on gre●t manéere.  
And Englishmen that were fighting,  
When they the Dowglas saw coming,  
Euanishing made an opening,  
Sir james Dowglas by their reeling  
Knew, that they were discomfist near.  
Then bade he them that with him were,  
Stand still, and press no farthermare,  
For they that yonder fighting are,  
He said, that they are of so great bounty,  
That their foes all soon shall been  
Discomfist, through their own might.  
Though no man help them for to fight.  
And come we now to the fighting,  
When they are at discomfiting,  
Men should say, we them rescued had:  
And then should they that cause had made,  
With great travel, and hard fighting,  
Lose a great part of their losing,  
And it were sin to lose his prize,  
That of sick soveragine bounty is,  
That he through plain and hard fighting  
Hes here enchéeved unlikely thing:  
He shall have that he winnen hes.  
The Earl with that that fighting was,  
When he his foes saw reeling so,  
In hy upon them can he go,  
And pressed them so wonderfast,  
With hard strakes: while at the last  
They fled, and durst abide no maire:  
Horse and man both left they there.  
And held their way in full great high.  
Not altogether, but sinderlie.  
And they that were overta'en, were slain:  
The lave fled to their Host again.  
Of their tinsel sorry and woe,  
The Earl that had him helped so,  
And his men als that were weary,  
Hints off their Basnets in hy,  
To draw their braith: for they were haite,  
They were all hailling into Swait.  
They seemed men forsooth I heght:  
That had fended their foes to fight:  
And so did they full doughtely.  
They sai● of all their company,  
That there was but a some few slain:  
Then loved they God, and were fain,  
And blithe, that they escaped so:  
Toward the King then can they go:  
To him well soon they comen are,  
He asked them of their welfare,  
And gladsome cheer to them he made:  
For they so well them borne had.  
Then all ran into great dainty,  
The Earl of Murray for to see.  
So fast they ran to see him there,  
That near hand all assembled were,  
And when the good King can them see,  
Before him all assembled been,  
Blithe and glad, that their foes were  
Rebuted upon that manner.  
A little while he held them still,  
Sign on this wise, he said them till,   

How that the King comforted his men, That twice their foes rebuted had then.  
LOrdings, we ought to loife and love,  
Almighty GOD that sits above  
That send us so fair beginning  
It is a great discomforting,  
To our foes, that on this wise,  
So soon hes been rebuted twice.  
For when they of their Host shall hear,  
And know the sooth, on what manner:  
Their vanguard that was so stout,  
And sign yone other jolly rout:  
That I trow of the best men were,  
That they may find among them there,  
Were rebuted so suddenly,  
I trow and knows it all clearly:  
That money a heart so wavering been,  
That seemed before of great bounty,  
And fra the heart be discomfit,  
The body is not worth a mite.  
Therefore, I trow that good ending,  
Shall follow to our beginning:  
And yet I say not this you till:  
For that ye should fulfil my will  
To feght: for in you it shall been,  
And if ye think spéedfull that we  
Feght, we shall feght: and if ye will  
We leave, your liking to fulfil,  
I shall consent in ilke wise  
To do right as ye will devose  
Therefore say on your will plainly,  
Then with a voice all can they cry.  
Good King withouten more delay,  
The morn as soon as ye see day,  
Ordain you hail for the battle,  
For doubt of deed we shall not fail,  
Nor no pain shall refused been,  
While we have made our Country free.  
WHen the King heard them so manly,  
Speak to the thing, and so hastily:  
Saying, that neither life nor dead,  
To sick discomfort should them lead:  
That they should eschew the fighting,  
In heart he had great rejoicing:  
And to him great gladship can ta,  
And said, Lordings, sen ye will sa,  
Shape we us then in the morning,  
So that we by the Sunrising  
Have heard Mass, and be busked well,  
Ilke man in his own battle:  
Without our Pavilions arrayed  
Ilke man with his Banner displayed:  
And look on na wise ye broke array,  
And as ye love me, I you pray,  
That ilke man for his own honour,  
purvey him a good governor.  
And when it comes unto the fight,  
Ilke man set will, heart and might,  
To stint our foes mickle pride,  
They shall on Horse arrayed ride,  
And come on us in full great high,  
Meet them with Spears sturdy:  
And think than you on the mickle ill,  
That they and theirs have done us till:  
And are in will yet for to do,  
Give they have might to come thereto.  
And Certes me think well that we  
Without abasing aught to be  
Worthy, and of great vassalage,  
For we have three fair advantage.  
The first is, that we have the right,  
And for the right ay GOD will fight.  
The other is, that they comen are here,  
Through lipning in their great power,  
To seek us in our own land:  
And hes brought here even to our hand,  
Riches into so great plenty,  
That the poorest of you all shall be  
Both mighty and rich therewithal,  
Give that we win, as well may fall.  
The third is, that we for our lives,  
And for our children, and our wives,  
And for our freedom, and our land  
Are strenyied in battle for to stand.  
And they for their might anerly,  
And for they set of us lightly:  
And for they would destroy us all,  
Makes them to feght, but yet map fall,  
That they shall rue the bargaining.  
And Certes, I warn you of one thing,  
Give happen them, as GOD forbid,  
For to prevail into this steed,  
So that they win us all plainly,  
They shall of us have no mercy.  
And sen we know their felon will,  
Me think it sold accord to skill,  
To set stoutness against felony,  
And that gaite make a jeopardy.  
Wherefore I you require, and pray:  
That with all might that ever ye may,  
But Cowardice or abasing,  
Ye press you at the beginning,  
To meet them that shall first assemble:  
So stoutly, that the hindmest tremble.  
And think upon your great manhéede,  
Your worship and your doughty deed:  
And on the joy that we abide,  
Give that us fall, as well may tide,  
Hap for to vanquish the great battailyie,  
Into our hands withouten failyie,  
We bear honour, praise, and riches,  
Freedom, and wealth, and all blitheness,  
Give ye contéene you manfully.  
And in the contrair, all haillely  
Shall fail, give ye let Cowardice,  
Or wickedness your heart surprise.  
Ye might have lived into thraldom:  
But for ye yarned to have freedom:  
Ye are assembled here with me,  
Therefore it is needful that we be  
UUorthie, and wight but abasing  
And I warn you well of one thing,  
That more mischief may fall us nane.  
Nor in their hands to be ta'en,  
For they sold slay us (I wait well)  
Even as they did my brother neil.  
But when I think on your stoutness,  
And on the money great Prowess:  
That ye have done so worthily,  
I traist, and trowes it sikkerly,  
To have plain victory into this fight.  
For though your foes be mickle of might,  
They have the wrong and succowdry,  
And covets wrangous Senyeory,  
And the strength of this place ye see,  
Shall let us environed for to be.  
And I pray you all specially,  
Both more and less commonly:  
That none of you for greediness,  
Have eye to take of their riches:  
Nor yet Prisoners to ta,  
While ye see them arrayed sa:  
And that the field ours plainly be,  
Then at our liking so may we  
Take all the riches that there is.  
Give ye will work upon this wise:  
Ye shall have victory sickerly.  
I wait not what more say shall I?  
But ye wait all what honour is:  
Contéene you, that on sick a wise,  
That your honour ay saved be.  
And I heght here in my laiety,  
Give any dies in the battailyie,  
His land freely but Tax or Tailyie,  
On the first day his airs shall wield,  
Though he be never so young of eild.  
Now make you ready for the sight:  
GOD help us, that is most of might.  
I reed, armed all night we be,  
purveyed in battle, so that we  
To meet our foes all be boun.  
Then answered they all with one sound:  
As ye device all shall be done.  
Then to their Inns went they soon.  
And ordained them for the fighting.  
Sign assembled in the Evening:  
And that gaite all the night they lay.  
While on the morn that it was day.  
WHen the Clyffurde, as I heard air,  
And all his rout rebuted were:  
And the great vanguard also,  
Were distrenyied the back to ta,  
And they had told their rebuting,  
They of the vanguard, how the King  
Slew at one stroke so apertly,  
A Knight that wight was, and hardy.  
And how the Kings hail battle  
Shupe them so stoutly to assail,  
And Sir Edward the Bruce also,  
When they all hail the back can ta,  
And how they left had of their men.  
And Clyffurd als had told him then,  
How Thomas Randell took the Plain,  
With a few folk how he hes slain  
Sir William Haward the worthy,  
And how the Earl fought manfully,  
That as a Hurcheon all his rout  
Gart set out spears them about.  
And how that they were put again,  
And one part of their good men slain.  
The Englishmen sick abasing  
Taken, and sick dread of that tithing,  
That in five hundreth places and ma,  
Together would they rowning ga',  
And said, our Lords for their might,  
With all gaites feght against the right:  
But who makes wéeres wrongously,  
They offend GOD all too greatly,  
And they that happen to misfaile,  
And so may happen here, we shall.  
And when their Lords had perceiving,  
Of that discomfort, and that rowning,  
That they yeed togidder two and two,  
Throughout the Host then can they go,  
To gar Heralds soon make cry,  
That none discomforted should been,  
For in jeopardies is off happennyne,  
Whiles to wine, and whiles to tyne,  
And that into the great battailyie,  
That upon no manner may failyie,  
But if the Scots flee their way,  
Shall all amended been perfay,  
Therefore they monisht them to been  
Of great worship, and great bounty,  
And stoutly in the battle stand,  
And take amends at their own hand.  
They may well monish as they will,  
And they may heght als to fulfil,  
With stalwart heart their bidding all:  
But not for thy, I trow they shall,  
Into their hearts dréeding been,  
The King with his counsel privy,  
Hes ta'en to read that he would nought,  
Feght while the morn, but he were sought  
Therefore they harboured them that night,  
Down in the Kersse, and gart all dight,  
And make ready all their apparel,  
Against the morn for the battle.  
For in the Kersse Puilles were,  
Houses and thank, they broke and bare  
To make brigges where they might pass.  
And some men says, the folk that was  
In the Castle, when night can fall,  
When that they knew their mischief all,  
They went forth all that ever there were,  
And doors and windows with them bare  
So that they had before the day,  
Brigged the Pools so that they  
Were passed over them everilkane,  
And the hard field on Horse hes ta'en.  
All ready for to give battle,  
Arrayed into their apparel.  
THe Scottish men when that it was day,  
Their Mass devoutly heard have they,  
Sign took a s●p, and made them you're:  
And when that they assembled were,  
And in their battles all purveyed,  
And their brad Banners all displayed,  
They made Knights, as it afféeres.  
To men that uses tha mystéeres,  
The King made Walter Stewart Knight  
And james Dowglas that was wight,  
And others als of great bounty,  
He made ilkane in their degree.  
When this was done, as I you say,  
Then went they forth in good array,  
And took the plain field apartly.  
Money wight men, good and hardy,  
They were fulfilled of great bounty,  
Men might into that rout there see.  
The Englishmen on other party,  
That right as Angels shine brightly,  
Were not arrayed on sick manner,  
For all their battles togidder were  
In a shilltrum: but whidder it was,  
Through great straightness of the place,  
That they were in to bide fighting:  
Or than it was for abasing.  
I what not, but in a shilltrum,  
It seemed they were all and some,  
Except the vanguard allanerlie,  
That with a right great company,  
By themselves arrayed were,  
Who had been by, might have seen there  
Tha folk overtook a mickle field  
On breadth, where money a shining shield,  
And money a birnisht bright armour,  
And money man of great valour,  
And money a Banner bright and shéene.  
Might in that great shiltrum be seen,  
And when the King of England,  
Saw Scottishmen take on hand▪  
To take the plain Field sa openly,  
Upon foot he thought ferlie:  
And said, What? will you Scottishmen fight:  
Yea, sikkerlie, Sir, said a Knight,  
Sir Ingrame the Vmfravile heght he,  
And said, Forsooth▪ Sir, now I see,  
But dread the most marvelous fight  
That ever I saw: whéene for to fight,  
The Scottishmen so few hes ta'en on hand  
Against the hail might of England,  
On plain hard field to give battle,  
But if ye will trow my counsel.  
Yée shall discomfit them lightly.  
Yée shall with draw you hyne suddenly,  
With Battles, Banners and Pennons,  
While that we pass our Pavilions,  
And ye shall see as soon that they,  
maugre their Lord, shall break array,  
And skaill then our Harness to ta,  
And when we skailled see them sa  
Prick we on them then hardly:  
And we shall have them well lightly.  
For than shall none been knit to fight,  
That may withstand our mickle might,  
I will not (said the King) perfay  
Do so: for there shall no man say,  
That I should eschew the battle,  
Nor withdraw me for sick Rangall.   

The meeting of the great battailyie, Where Scots defend, and English failyie.  
WHen this was said, that hear say I,  
The Scottishmen right reverently.  
Knéeled all down, to GOD to pray:  
And a short prayer than made they  
To GOD, to help them in their fight.  
And when the English King had sight,  
Of them kneeling, he said, in hy  
Yone folk knéeles to ask mercy,  
Sir Ingrame said, Yée say sooth now,  
They ask mercy, but not at you,  
For their tresspasse to GOD they cry.  
I tell you one thing sikkerlie.  
That yone men will win all, or die,  
For doubt of deed they will not flee.  
Now be it so, then said the King:  
And then bot longer delaying,  
They gart come to the assembly,  
On either side than men might see,  
Money a worthy man and hardy,  
Ready to do great Chivalry.  
THus were they boun on ather side:  
And Englishmen with mickle pride,  
That were into the vanguard,  
To the battle that Sir Edward  
Governed and led, held strait their way,  
The horse with spurs hardened they,  
And pricked on them sturdy.  
And they met them right hardly:  
So that at their assembling there,  
sick a frushing of spears were:  
That far away men might it hear.  
At that meeting withouten wéere,  
Were steeds sticked money one:  
And money Knight borne down, & slain:  
And money a hardy met doughtily,  
Where they escaped full hardly.  
They dang on other with weapons seire.  
Some of the horse that sticked were,  
Rushed and reilled right rudely:  
But the remnand not for thy,  
That might come to the assembling,  
For all that made no stinting:  
But assembled right hardly,  
And they met them right sturdily,  
With spears that were sharp to sheer,  
And axes that well grounden were,  
Wherewith reached was money a rout:  
The fight was there so fell and stout,  
That money a worthy man and wight,  
Through force was felled in that fight,  
That had no might to rise again.  
The Scottishmen fast can them pain,  
Their foes mickle might to frush:  
I trow, they shall no pain refuse,  
Nor perils, while their foes be,  
Set in well hard perplexity.   

The Earl of Murray with his battailyie, Came on stoutly but any failyie.  
ANd when the Earl of Murray sa  
Their vanguard saw so stoutly ta  
The way, to Sir Edward all strait,  
That met them with full mickle might.  
He held his way with his Banner,  
To the great rout, where togidder were  
The nine battles that were so brade.  
So feil Banners with them they had,  
And of men so great quantity:  
That it was wonder for to see,  
The good Earl hidder took the way,  
With his battle in good array:  
And assembled so hardily,  
That men might hear that had been by,  
A great frush of the spears that braced:  
For their foes assailyied fast,  
That on the Steeds with mickle pride,  
Came pricking, as they would over ride  
The Earl, and all his company:  
But they met them so sturdily,  
That money of them to earth they bore,  
And money a Steed was sticked there:  
And feill good men felled under feet,  
That had no power to rise yet.  
There men might see an hard battle,  
And some defend, and some assail:  
And money a rumble great and red,  
Be reached there on ather side,  
While through the byrnisht breast the blood,  
That on the earth in streams yood.  
The Earl of Murray and his men,  
So stoutly them contéened then:  
That they wan place ay maire and maire:  
On their foes, the whilks were,  
Ay ten for one, or ma, perfay.  
So that it seemed well that they  
Were tint among so fell meinie,  
As they were plunged in the sea,  
And when the Englishmen has seen  
The Earl, and all his men bedéene,  
Feght so stoutly but affraying,  
Right as they had none abasing.  
They pressed them fast with all their might:  
And they with spears and swords bright,  
And axes that right sharply share,  
In mids the visage met them there:  
There men might see a stalwart stour,  
And money men of great valour,  
With spears, Masses, and with knives,  
And other weapons wissell lives:  
So that money fell down all dead.  
The gersse wort of the blood all red.  
The Earl that wight was and worthy,  
And his men fought so manfully:  
That who so had them seen that day,  
I trow forsooth, that he sold say,  
That they their devour did full well:  
So that their foes sold it feel.   

How Walter Stewart and Dowglas, Came with their battle that worthy was.  
WHen that their two battles were,  
Assembled, as I said you air:  
The Stewart Walter that then was,  
And good Sir james of Dowglas,  
In a battle when they saw,  
The Earl withouten dread or awe,  
Assembled with his company,  
On all tha folk so sturdily,  
For to help him they held their way,  
With their battle in good array:  
And assembled so hardly,  
Beside the Earl a little by:  
That their foes felt their coming well.  
For with weapons stalwart of steel,  
They dang on them with all their might,  
Their foes received them well I hight,  
With swords, spears, and with Mas.  
The battle there so felon was.  
And als so great spilling of blood:  
While on the earth the streams yoode,  
The Scottishmen so well them bare,  
And so great slaughter made they there:  
And fra so feill there lives they reft,  
That all the field was bloody left:  
That time that the three battles were  
All side for side, fighting well near:  
Then might men hear money a dint,  
And weapons upon armours stint.  
And so over tumbled Knights and steeds  
And money one rich in Royal weeds,  
Defouled foully under feet:  
Some held on loft, some tint the sweet.  
A long time thus they fought, and were  
That men no noise, nor cry might hear:  
There was naught else but grains & dints,  
They shook the fire as men on flints:  
They fought ilkane so eagerly,  
That they made neither noise cry:  
But dang on other with their might,  
With weapons that were birneist bright:  
The arrows als so thick they flaw,  
That men might say well that them saw,  
That they an hideous shout can ma.  
For where they fell I underta.  
They left after them takinning,  
That needed (as I trow) léeching,  
The English archers shot so fast,  
That if their shot might have had last,  
It had been hard to Scottishmen.  
But King Robert that can well ken,  
That their archerers were perilous:  
And their shot hard and grievous,  
Ordained before the assembly,  
His Marshal, with a great meinie,  
Five hundreth armed into steel,  
That on light Horse were horsed well,  
To prick among the archers,  
And so assailyie them with Spears,  
That they no leisure had to shoot,  
His Marshal that hereof I mute.  
That Sir Robert of Keith was called,  
(As I before have to you talde)  
When he saw the battles so  
Assembled, and togidder go,  
And saw the archers shoot stoutly,  
Then with them of his company.  
In hy among them can he ride,  
And overtook them at a side.  
And rushed among them so rudely,  
Striking them so despiteously,  
And in sick fusioun dushing them down,  
And slaying them without ransoun:  
That they them skailled everilkane.  
And from that time forth there were nane  
That assembled thick shot to ma,  
When Scottish archers saw it was sa,  
They were rebuted, they woxt hardy,  
And with all their might shot eagerly,  
Among the Horsemen that their rade,  
And wounds wide to them they made:  
And slew of them a well great deill.  
And bure them hardly and well:  
For from their foes archers were,  
Skailled, as I said to you air,  
That more than they were by great thing  
So that they dread not their shooting,  
They woxt so hardy, that they thought  
They should set all their foes at nought.  
THe Marshal and his company,  
Was yet (as to you air said I)  
Among the archers where they made,  
With spear's room, where ever they rade  
And slew all that they might overta:  
For they right lightly might do so:  
For they had not an strake to stint,  
Nor for to hold again an dint,  
Against armed men into the fight,  
May naked men have little might.  
They skailled them on sick manner,  
That some to their great battle were  
Withdrawn then, in full great high,  
And some were fled allutterly.  
But the folk that behind them was,  
That for their own folk had no place,  
Yet then to come to the fighting,  
Again right smertly can them ding.  
The Archers that they met fleeing,  
That then was made right recréeing  
That their hearts were tint cleanly,  
I trow they shall not skaith greatly,  
The Scottish men with shot that day:  
And the good King Robert that aye  
Was filled full of great bounty,  
Saw how that his battles three,  
So hardly assembled were,  
And in the fight so well them bare  
And so fast on their foes can ding:  
That him thought none had abasing,  
And how the Archers were skailled then,  
He was all blithe: and to his men  
He said, Lordings, now look that ye  
Worthy, and of good comfort be,  
At this assemble, and hardy.  
And assemble you so sturdy,  
That nothing may before you stand,  
Our men so fiercely are feghtand.  
That they their foes hes cumbered sa:  
That be they pressed, I underta  
A little faster, ye shall see  
That they discomfist soon shall been,  
Now go we on them so hardly,  
And ding on them so doughtely.  
That they may feill at our coming,  
That we them hate in mickle thing:  
For great cause they have us made,  
That occupied our lands brade,  
And put all to subjectioun:  
Your goods made all theirs common:  
Our kin and friends for their own,  
Despitteouslie hanged and drawn:  
And would destroy us if they might,  
But I trow God through his foresight,  
This day hes granted us his grace,  
To wreak us on them in this place.  
When this was said, they held their way,  
And on one side assembled they  
So stoutly, that at their meeting,  
Their foes were rushed a great thing,  
Their men might see them fiercely fight,  
And they that worthy were and wight,  
Do money a worthy vassalage.  
They fought as they were in a rage.  
For when the Scots archery,  
Saw their foes so sturdily  
Stand in the battle them again,  
With all their might, and all their maine,  
They laid on as men out of wit:  
And where they with full strake might hit  
There might none armour stint their strak  
They frushed all they might overtake:  
And with axe's sick dushes gave,  
That they Heads, and Helmes clave.  
And their foes right hardly,  
Met them, and dang on doggedly,  
With weapons that were stith of steel.  
There was a battle right cruel.  
So great dinging there was of dynts,  
As weapons upon armours stints:  
And of spear's sick bristing,  
And sick thrang, and sick thrysting:  
sick graining, girning, that was so great,  
And noise: that they can other beat:  
Crying Ensenyies on ilk side,  
Giving and taking wounds wide,  
That it was hideous for to hear:  
All the four battles with that were  
Feghting in a front hailly,  
O mighty GOD, how doughtely,  
Sir Edward the Bruce and his men,  
Among their foes contéened them then?  
Feghting in so good convyne:  
So worthy, hardy, and so fine,  
That their vanguard rushed was,  
And maugre theirs, left all the place.  
And to their great rout into warrant  
They went, that then had upon hand  
So great noise, that they were afraid  
For Scottish men that them hard assayed:  
That they were in a shiltrum all,  
Who happened in that press to fall,  
I trow, again he shall not rise.  
Their men might see on money wise,  
Hardements enchéeved doughtely:  
And men that wight were and worthy,  
Down under feet lying all dead:  
Where all the field with blood was red:  
Armoures and coats that they bore,  
Were so with blood defouled there:  
That they might not described be,  
And who had then been by to see,  
The Steward Walter, and all his rout,  
And the Lord Dowglas that was stout,  
Feghting into that stalwart stour,  
They sold say, that of all honour,  
They were worthy, that in that fight,  
So fast pressed their foes might:  
And rushed them where ever they yéed,  
Men might see then so money Stéede  
Fleeing on stray, that Lord had nane.  
O G●D, who then good tent had ta'en  
To the good Earl of Murray,  
And his, that so great dynts gave:  
And so fast fought in that battle,  
Tholling sick pain, and sick travel:  
That they, and theirs made sick debate,  
That where they came, they made them gaite,  
There men might hear Ensenyies cry:  
And Scottishmen cried hardly:  
On them, on them, on them they failyie:  
With that so hard they can assailyie,  
And slew all that they might overta.  
And the Scots Archers also,  
Shot among them right sturdily,  
Engréeving them so greetumlie:  
That what for them that with them fought  
And so great routs to them reached,  
And pressed them full eagerly:  
And what for arrows, that felonly,  
Money great wounds can them ma:  
And slew fast of their horse also:  
That they recooled a little wie,  
They dread so greatly for to die:  
That their conuéene woxt worse than eir.  
For they that fighting with them were,  
Set hardement, and strength, and will,  
And heart, and courage to fulfil:  
With all their mane, and all their might,  
To put them fully to the flight.   

How Scottish Swains of sheets made, Them Banners, and in battle rade.  
IN this time that I tell of here,  
That their battles on this manéere,  
Were stricken, where on ather side,  
Were money men of mickle pride:  
Feghting they were full earnestly:  
They might have seen who had been by,  
Yeomen, and Swains, and Pedaill,  
That in the Park to keep victual,  
Were left, when they wist but lieging,  
That their Lords with hard fighting,  
On there foes assembled were:  
One of themselves that was there,  
Capitane over them all they made,  
And sheets, that were somedeill brade  
They made in stead of Banners,  
And fastened on long trees and spears:  
And said, that they would see the fight,  
And help their Lords at their might:  
When hereto all assented were,  
In a rout they assembled are.  
Fifteen thousand they were, and ma.  
And then in great hy can they ga',  
With their Banners all in a rout,  
As they had been men stith and stout,  
They came with all their assembly,  
While that they might the battles see.  
Then all at ones they gave a cry:  
Sla, slay, upon them hardly:  
And therewithal coming were they,  
But they were yet well far away.  
And Englishmen that frushed were  
Through force of fight, as I said air,  
When they saw men with sick a cry  
Coming with sick a company,  
That they well near als money were,  
As they were fighting with them you're:  
And they before had not them seen:  
Then wit ye well withouten ween,  
They were abased so gretumly:  
That the best and the most hardy,  
That was into that Oast that day,  
Walled with his Mensk have been away,  
The King Robert by their reilling,  
Saw them well near discomfiting,  
Then his Ensenyie he can fast cry  
And with them of his company,  
His foes he pressed so fast, that they  
Then were into so great affray:  
That they left place ay maire and maire.  
For all the Scottishmen that were there:  
When they saw them eschew the fight,  
Dang on them so with all their might:  
That they skailled in trowples' seire,  
And till discomfiting drew near.  
And some of them fled all plainly:  
But they that wight were and hardy,  
That shame letted to take the flight  
With great mischief maintained the fight,  
And stoutly in the stoure can stand.  
And when the King of England,  
Saw his men flee in sundry place,  
And saw his foe's rout, that was  
Worthen so wight, and so worthy,  
That all his folk were haillelie  
So astoneyed, that they had no might,  
To stint their foes in that fight:  
He was abased so gretumly,  
That he, and in his company,  
Fifteen hundreth armed men at right,  
Into that frush taken all the flight:  
And to the Castle took their way.  
And I have heard yet some men say,  
That of Vallance Sir Aymery,  
When he the field saw vanquished near,  
By the renyie led away the King,  
Against his will from the fighting,  
And when Sir Geiles de Argentie,  
Saw the King with his Menʒie,  
Shape then to flee so speedily,  
He speed then to the King in high:  
And said (Sir), sen that ye will so,  
That ye thus gaite your way will go,  
Have good day: for again will I,  
Yet fled I never sikkerlie.  
And I choose rather to bide and die,  
Then for to live, and shamefully flee,  
His bridle then but more abode:  
He turned and again he rade,  
As dread of no kin thing had he:  
And pricked crying, Argentie  
Right on Sir Edward Bruces rout.  
That was so stalwart and so stout:  
And they right sturdy him met,  
And so feill Spears on him set,  
That he and Horse were charged so,  
And both down to the earth can go,  
And in that place there slain was he.  
And of his death was great pity.  
He was the third best Knight, perfay.  
That men wist living in this day:  
And did full money fair journey,  
On Saracens three derenyies made he:  
And into ilke derenyie of tha,  
He quickly vanquished Saracens twa,  
His great worship took their ending:  
And fra Sir Aymer, with the King,  
Was fled, there durst not one abide,  
But fleeing skailled on ilke side.  
And their foes pressed them right fast,  
To say the sooth they were aghast:  
And fled so done affrayedlie:  
That of them a great company,  
Fled in the Water of Forth, and there  
The most part of them drowned were:  
And Banockburne within the braes,  
Of Men and Horse so charged was:  
That upon drowned Horse, and Men,  
Folke might pass dry out over it then,  
And Lads, Swains, they Rangall,  
When they saw vanquished the battle,  
Ran among them, and so can slay  
Tha folk that no defence might ma,  
That it was pity for to see  
I never heard into no Country,  
Folks at so great mischief were stad,  
On one side they their foes had:  
That slew them down without mercy,  
And they had on the other party,  
Banockburne, that so cummersome was,  
For slike and deepness for to pass:  
That there might none out over it ride,  
But there behoved them to abide:  
So that some slain some drowned were:  
Might none eschape that ever came there,  
But yet full money got away:  
That elsewhere fled, as I hear say,  
The King with them he with him had,  
In a rout to the Castle rade:  
And would have been therein, for they  
Witted not what gate to get away.  
Sir Philip Mowbray said him till,  
The Castle Sir, is at your will,  
But come ye in it, ye shall see  
That ye shall soon assieged been:  
And there is none in all England,  
To make rescourse dare take in hand:  
And but rescourse may no Castle,  
Been holden long, this wait ye well,  
Therefore comfort you and rely  
Your men about you, right straitly:  
And hold about the Park your way,  
Als sadly knit, as ever ye may,  
For I trow that none shall have might,  
That chooses with so feill to fight.  
And as he counselled, so have they done:  
And beneath the Castle went they soon.  
Right by the round table their way,  
And the new Park environed they.  
And toward Linlithgow held in hy:  
But I trow they shall hastily,  
See convoyed, with sick folk that they,  
● trow, might suffer well away.  
For Sir james Lord of Dowglas,  
Came to the King, and asked the case:  
And gave to him lief but abode.  
But all too few of Horse he had:  
He had not in his rout sixty,  
But yet he sped him hastily:  
The way after the King to ta.  
Now let him on his ways ga',  
And after this we shall well tell,  
What to him in the chase befell.   

How the Earl of Hartfurd in Bothwell was. Ta'en over the walls, fled from the chase.  
WHen the great battle on this wise,  
Was discomfist, as I devose.  
Where threttie thousand well were dead,  
And drowned, and slain into that stead,  
And some were into hands ta'en:  
And other some their gaite are gane.  
The Earl of Herfurde for that melle,  
Departed with a great menyie:  
And strait to Bothwell held their way,  
That then was in Englishmen faith:  
Was holden as a place of wéere.  
Sir Walter Gilbertson was there  
Capitane, and it had in ward.  
The Earl of Herfurd hidder rade,  
And was ta'en in over the wall,  
And fifty of his men withal:  
And set in Houses sinderlie,  
So that they had there no mastery.  
The lave went toward England,  
But of that ro●t, I take on hand,  
The third part were slain, or ta'en:  
The lave with great pain hame be gane.  
Sir Morris also the Barclay,  
Fra the great Oast held his way.  
With a great rout of Wales men,  
Where ever they rade, men might them ken:  
For they well near all naked were,  
Or linen claithes had but maire.  
They held their way in full great hy:  
But money of their company,  
Ere they in England came were ta'en:  
And money of them als were slain.  
They fled als other way's seite:  
But to the Castle that was near,  
Of Striuiling, fled sick a meinie,  
That it was wonder for to see.  
For all the Craigges so heilled were  
About the Castle here and there:  
Of them that for strength of that stead,  
Hidderward to warrant fled.  
And for they were so feill, that there  
Fled under the Castle were.  
The King Robert that was witty,  
Held ay his good men near him by:  
For dread that rise again sold they.  
This was the cause forsooth, to say,  
Wherethrough the King of England,  
Escaped home into his land,  
WHen that the field so clean was made  
Of Englishmen, that none abode:  
The Scottishmen took soon in hand,  
So great riches there they found.  
Silver and gold, clothes and arming,  
And vessel, and all other thing,  
That ever they might lay on their hand,  
So great a riches there they found:  
That money men were rich made,  
Of the riches that they there had.  
When this was done, that here say I,  
The King sent a great company,  
Up to the Craigges them to assail,  
That were fled from the great battle:  
And they them yald without debate,  
And them in hand they took full haite:  
Sign to the King all brought were they,  
And they dispended hailly that day  
In riches, and in spraith taking:  
Fra end was made of the fighting.  
And when they naked spoilt were,  
That were slain in the battle there,  
It was forsooth a great ferly,  
To see so money there dead to lie:  
Two hundreth pair of spurs red,  
Were ta'en of Knights that were dead.  
The Earl of Gloucester dead was there,  
That men called, Sir Gilbert of Clare:  
And Geiles de Argentie also,  
And pain Typont, and other ma:  
That there names not tell can I.  
And upon Scottishmen party,  
There was slain worthy Knights twa,  
William Wepont was one of tha:  
And Sir Walter of Rosse another,  
That Sir Edward the King's brother  
Loved, and held in sick dainty,  
That as himself him loved he.  
And when he wist that he was dead,  
He was so wa, and will of read,  
That he said, making full evil cheer.  
That him had rather the journey were  
Undone, ere he so dead had been.  
Outtaken him, men hes not seen,  
When he for any man made meaning.  
And the cause was of his loving,  
That he his sister in Paramours  
Loved, and held at great retoures,  
His own wife Dame Issabell:  
And therefore so great distance fell  
Betwixt him, and the Earl Davy  
Of Athol, brother to this Lady:  
That the Earl on Sanct john's night,  
When both the Kings were boun to fight  
In Cambuskynneth the King's victual  
took, and hardly can assail  
Sir William of Airth, and him slew,  
And with him men more than enew.  
Therefore sign into England  
He was banished, and all his land  
Was seized, as forfeit to the King,  
That did thereof all his liking.  
ANd when the field, as I told air,  
Was despoiled, and made all bare.  
The King and all his company,  
Glade, and joyful was, and merry  
Of the grace that them fallen was:  
Toward their Inns the ways taes  
To rest them: for they weary were.  
But for the Earl Gilbert of Clare  
That slain was in the battle place,  
The King somedeill annoyed was:  
For to him near sib was he,  
Then to a Kirk he gart him be  
Brought, and walked all that night.  
And on the morn when day was light,  
The King raise as his use was:  
And to an English Knight through case  
Happened, that he yéede waverand:  
So that no man laid on him hand:  
And in a busk he hid his arming,  
And waited while he saw the King,  
In the morning come forth early:  
Then is he went to him in high,  
Sir Marmaduk the Twemane he hight:  
He raiked to the King full right,  
And hailsed him upon his knee.  
Welcome Sir Marmaduk (said he)  
To what man art thou prisoner?  
To none (he said) but to you here,  
I yield me at your will to be,  
And I receive thee, Sir, said he.  
Then gart he treat him courteously.  
He dwelled long in his company:  
And sign in England him sent he,  
Arrayed well but ransom free:  
And gave him great gifts thereto:  
A worthy man that so could do,  
Might make him greatly for to prize.  
When Marmaduk upon this wise  
Was yolden, as I to you say.  
Then came Sir Philip the Mowbray:  
And to the King yald the Castle,  
His cunnand hes he holden well  
Then with him treated so the King,  
That he beleft of his dwelling,  
And held him léelely his faith,  
To the last end of his life day,   

How james of Dowglas convoyed the King Of England home but Sojourning,  
NOw speak we of the Lord Dowglas,  
And tell how he followed the chase:  
And had whéene in his company,  
But he sped him in full great high,  
And as he through the Torwood eight,  
He saw come riding over the Moor:  
Sir Laurence of Abernethie,  
That with sixty in company,  
Came for to help the Englishmen,  
For he was Englishman yet then  
And when he heard how that it was,  
He left the Englishmen peace,  
And to the Lord Dowglas there,  
For to been léele and true he swore,  
And then they both followed the chase:  
And ere the King of England was  
Passed Linlithgow, they came so near,  
With all the folk that with them were,  
That well among them shoot they might,  
But they thought them too few to fight,  
For five hundreth armed they were,  
In the great rout that they had there,  
together full surely rade they,  
And held them upon bridle aye,  
They were governed full wittily:  
For it seemed they were aye ready,  
For to defend them at their might  
If they assailyied were in fight.  
And the Lord Dowglas and his men,  
Thought it was not good purpose then,  
To feght with them all openly,  
He convoyed them so narrowly:  
That of the hindmest aye took he,  
Might none behind his Fellows been,  
A pennie-stone-cast, but he in hy,  
Was ta'en or slain deliveredly  
They no rescourse would to him ma,  
Although he followed never sa,  
IN this mane● convoyed them he,  
While that the King and his meinie,  
To Wincheburgh all comen are.  
Then lighted they all that there were,  
To bait their Horse that were weary:  
And Dowglas and his company,  
Bated also beside them near.  
They were so feill withouten wéere.  
And in arms so cleanly dight:  
And so arrayed for to fight,  
And h●e so ween, and but gaddering,  
That he would not in plain fighting  
Assaillyie them, but rade them by,  
Waiting his time so eithandly,  
A little while they baited there,  
And sign lap on, and forth can far,  
And he was always by them near,  
And leete them not have sick leiser  
As anes wa●er for to ma.  
And if that any stad were sa,  
And behind left was 〈◊〉 space:  
Seezed in hand als soon he was,  
They convoyed them upon this wiser  
While that the King, and rout is  
Comde to the Castle of Dumbar.  
Where he, and of his men so were,  
Received right well, for yet than.  
The Earl Patrick was Englishman:  
That gart with meat and drink also.  
Refresh them well, and sign can ta,  
A bait, and send the King by say,  
To Bamburgh in his own Country.  
Their Horse there left they all on stray,  
But léesed als soon in hand were they.  
The lave that lived were without.  
Addressed them into a rout:  
And held to Berwicke strait their way,  
In a rout, and the sooth shall say:  
They leaved of there men partly,  
Ere they came there, but not for thy  
They came to Berwick soon, and there  
Into the town received were:  
Else at great mischief had they been.  
And when the Lord Dowglas hes seen,  
That he had léesed there his pain,  
Toward the King he went again.  
THe King escaped on this wise,  
(Lo what falding to Fortune lies,  
That whiles upon a man will smile,  
And prick him sign another while:  
In no time stable can she stand,  
This mighty King of England,  
She had set on her wheel at height,  
When with so ferlifull a might,  
Of men, of arms and archers,  
And of foot men and Hobillers',  
He came riding out of his Land,  
As I before have borne on hand:  
And in a night sign and a day,  
She set him into so hard assay,  
That he with few men in a bait,  
Feign was for to hold home his gaite:  
But of this ilke wheel turning,  
King Robert should make no mourning,  
For his side of the wheel on height▪  
Rose, when the other down can light,  
For two contrares ye may wit well,  
Set against other in a wheel▪  
When one is high, another is law,  
And if it fall that Fortoun thraw  
The wheel about, it that on hight  
Was eir, on force it mon down light:  
And it that laigh was under air,  
Mon leap on height in the contraire,  
So eight it of their Kings two.  
For when King Robert stad was so,  
That in his great mischief was he,  
The other was in his Majesty.  
And when the King Edward's might  
Woxt less, than Roberts raise on height:  
And now sick Fortoun came him till.  
That he was hied and had his will.  
AT Striuiling was he yet lyand,  
And the great Lords that he found,  
Dead in the field, he gart bury,  
In holy places honourably.  
And the lave sign that dead were there,  
Into great Pits buried were.  
The Castle and the towers sign,  
Even to the ground down gart he mine,  
And sign to Bothwell sent he,  
Sir Edward with a great meinie,  
For they therein send to him word,  
That the rich Earl of Herfurd,  
And other mighty als were there.  
So treated he with Sir Walter,  
That earl, and Castle, and all the lave,  
Into Sir Edward's hand he gave.  
Then to the King the Earl sent he,  
That gart him right well kéeped be.  
While at the last they treated sa:  
That he to England home sold ga,  
Without paying of ransom, free:  
And that for him sold changed be,  
Bishop Robert that blind was made,  
And the Queen that they taken had  
In prison, as before said I,  
And her Daughter Dame Mariory.  
The Earl was changed for their three:  
And when they comen were home all free,  
The King's daughter that was fair,  
And was als his appearand air,  
With Walter Stewart can her wed:  
And they well soon got of their bed  
A man-child through God's grace,  
That after his good old father was  
Called Robert, and sign was King,  
And had the land in governing,  
Efter his worthy son Davy:  
That reigned nine years and threttie,  
And in the time of the compiling  
Of this book this last Robert was King:  
And of his Kinrik passed was  
Five years, and was the year of grace,  
A thousand three hundreth and seventy  
And five: and of his eild sixty.  
And that was after the good King,  
Robert was brought to his ending,  
Sex and forty UUinter but maire.  
GOD grant, that they that comen are  
Of his offspring, maintain the land,  
And hold the folk well to warrant:  
And maintain right, and eke lawtie,  
Als well as in his time did he,   

How King Robert rade in England, And brunt up all Northumberland.  
KIng Robert now was well at height,  
And ilk day them grew more his might:  
His men wort rich, and his Country  
Abounded well of corn and fee:  
And of all kind of other riches.  
And mirth, solace, and all ulythnes  
Was in the hail land commonly:  
For ilk man blithe was, and jolly.  
The King after this great journey,  
Through reed and counsel of his privy,  
In sundry town's gart cry on height,  
That who so claimed to have right,  
To hold in Scotland land and fee,  
That within twelve months sold he  
Come and claim it: and then to do  
To the king, as pertained thereto.  
And give they come not in that year,  
Then sold they wit withouten wéere  
That hard thereafter none sold be,  
The King that was of great bounty,  
Had business when this was done,  
One ●ast gact summoned after soon,  
And went then into England,  
And over rade all Northumberland,  
And brunt towns, and took their prey,  
And sign went home upon their way.  
I let it shortly pass far by:  
For there was no great Chivalry  
Proved, that is to speak of here.  
The King went oft in this manner  
In England, for to rich his men,  
That in riches abounded then.   

How Sir Edward took on hand, For to make were into Ireland.  
THe Earl of Carrik Sir Edward,  
That stouter was than a Leopard,  
And had no will to live at peace,  
Thought that Scotland too little wes  
To his brother, and him also:  
Therefore to purpose can he ta,  
That he of Ireland would be King:  
Therefore he sent, and had treating,  
With the Irshry of Ireland,  
That in their lawtie took on hand,  
Of all Ireland to make him King:  
With thy, that he with hard fighting,  
Might overcome the Englishmen,  
That in that land were winning then,  
And they sold help with all their might:  
And he that heard them make sick heght,  
Into his heart he had great liking.  
And with the consent of the King,  
Gathered him men of great bounty:  
And sign at Air shipped he.  
Into the neist month of May,  
To Ireland held he strait his way,  
And had there in his company,  
The Earl Thomas that was worthy:  
And good Sir Philip the Mowbray,  
That sikker was in hard assay:  
Sir john Sowles that was wight,  
And Sir john Stewart a good Knight:  
The Ramsay als of Oughterhous.  
That was right wise and Chevalrous.  
And Sir Fergus of Ardrossane,  
And other Knight's money one.  
In Wolings Firth arrived they  
Saiflie, but bargain or assay,  
And sent their ships home again.  
A great thing have they undertaken,  
That with so whéene as they were,  
That was seven thousand men but maire,  
Shupe for to weirray all Ireland,  
Where they fall see money thousand,  
Come armed on them for to fight:  
But though they whéene were, they were wight,  
And without dread or affray.  
In two battles they took their way,  
Toward Craigfergus. it to see.  
But the Lords of that Country,  
Maundewile, Bisset, and Logane,  
Their men they sembled everilkane.  
The Savages als was with them there:  
And when they all assembled were,  
They were well near twenty thousand.  
When that they wist, that in their land,  
sick a meinie arrived were,  
With all the folk that they had there,  
They went toward them in hy.  
And when Sir Edward wist surely,  
That to him near coming were they,  
His men right well he gart array.  
The vanguard had the Earl Thomas,  
In the Réeregard Sir Edward was,   

The first battle that Sir Edward Won in Ireland, with fighting hard.  
THeir foes approached to the fight,  
And they met them but abasing,  
There men might see a full great melle,  
The Earl Thomas and his meinie,  
Dang on their foes so doughtely,  
That in short time men might see lie,  
An hundreth that all bloody were,  
For hobynes that were sticked there.  
Reilled and flung, and great room made;  
And kest them that upon them rade,  
Sir Edward and his company,  
Assembled then so hardly,  
That they their foes their rushed all:  
Who happened in that feght to fall.  
It was great peril of his rising.  
The Scottishmen in that fighting,  
So apertly, and well them bare:  
That all their foes rushed were,  
And they hailly the flight hes ta'en,  
In the battle were taken and slain,  
All hail the flower of Wollistar,  
The Earl of Murray great prize had there  
For his right worthy Chivalry,  
Comforted all his company.  
This was a well fair beginning,  
For newling at their arriving.  
In plain feght they discomfist there  
These folk, that aye four for one were,  
Sign to Craigfergus are they gane,  
And in the town hes Inns ta'en.  
The Castle new was stuffed then,  
Right well with vittaill and with men,  
Thereto they set a Siege in hy.  
And money ishe full apertly  
Made was, while the Siege there lay:  
While truce at the last took they.  
When that the folk of Wollister,  
To his peace hailly comen were.  
Then Sir Edward would take on hand,  
To ride farthermore in the land.   

The withletting of the pass of Endnellane  
ANd of the Kings of that Country.  
There came to him and made fewtie▪  
Well ten or twelve, as I heard say.  
But they hold him short while perfay.  
For two of them, one Makgoulchane,  
And another heght Macarthane,  
Umbeset him into his way,  
Where him behoved of need to ga.  
With two thousand men with Spears,  
And als money of their archers:  
And all the cattle of the land.  
Were driven hidder to warrant.  
Men called that place Endnellane,  
In all Ireland straitter is nane:  
For thy Sir Edward there kept they:  
And thought he should not pass that way.  
But he his voyage strait hes ta'en,  
And even toward the place is gane,  
The Earl of Murray Sir Thomas,  
That first put him to all assays,  
He lighted on foot with his Menʒie,  
And apertly the place took he.  
The Irish King, I spoke of air,  
That in the place ambushed were,  
Met him full stoutly: But he  
Assailed so with his Menʒie,  
That maugre theirs he won the place,  
Slain of their foes full money was  
Throughout the Wood then chased they,  
And seezed in sick abundance the Prey.  
That all the folk of their Host were,  
Refreshed well an week or mair.  
At Kylsagart Sir Edward lay,  
And there well soon he hes heard say:  
That at Dondalke was an assembly,  
Made of the Lords of that Country,  
In Host they were assembled there  
There was first Richard of Clare  
That in all Ireland Lievetenand  
Was to the King of England.  
The Earl of Desmound als was there.  
And the Earl also of Kildar.  
The Bryane eke, and the Wardane  
That were Lords of great renown.  
The Butler also there was,  
And when Sir Morise le fitz Thomas,  
That with their men were comen there▪  
A right great Host, forsooth they were,  
And when Sir Edward wist surely,  
That there was sick a Chivalry,  
In by his Host he gart array.  
And hitherward he took his way,  
And near the town took his Harbrie,  
But, for he wist right perfectly,  
That in the town were money men,  
His battles he arrayed then:  
And stood arrayed in battle,  
To keep them, if they would assail.   

The battle of Dondalk in Ireland. That Sir Edward took with his hand.  
ANd when that Sir Richard of Clare,  
And other Lords that were there:  
With that the Scottishmen so were near,  
With their battles coming were,  
They took to counsel that at night:  
For it was late▪ they would not fight:  
But on the morn in the morning,  
Well soon after the Sunrising,  
They should ishe forth all that there were  
Therefore that night they did no maire,  
But Harboured them on another party,  
That night the Scots company,  
Were watched right well at all their might▪  
And on the morn when day was light,  
In two battles they them arrayed.  
And stood with Banners in hand displayed,  
For the Battle all ready boon,  
And they that were within the town,  
When the Sun was risen shining clear,  
Send forth of them that with them were,  
Fifty to see the conteening  
Of Scottishmen, and their coming.  
And they rade forth, and saw them soon,  
Sign come again withouten hone▪  
And when that they all lighted were,  
Then told they to their Lords there,  
That Scottishmen seemed to be  
Worthy, and of right great bounty,  
But they are not withouten were:  
Half deill a Denner to us are here.  
The Lords had of that tiding  
Great joy, and great recomforting:  
And gart men through the City cry,  
That all sold arm them hastily.  
When they were armed, and purveyed,  
And for the fight all hail arrayed,  
Then went they forth in good array:  
Sign with their foes assembled they,  
That keeped them right hardly.  
The stour began then cruelly.  
For at her party set all their might,  
To rush their foes into that fight:  
And with all pain on other dang.  
That stalwart stour lasted well long:  
That men might not perceive, nor see  
Who most there at aboue sold be:  
For fra soon after the Sun rising,  
Till after mid-noon the fighting  
Lasted, into sick a doubt:  
But than Sir Edward that was stout,  
With all them of his company,  
Shot upon them so sturdily:  
That they might those no more the fight,  
All in a frush they took the flight.  
And they followed full eagerly,  
Into the town all commonly,  
They entered both Intermelle:  
There men might felon slaughter see.  
For the right Noble Earl Thomas,  
That with his rout followed the chase.  
Made sick slaughter into the town,  
And so felon Decisioun:  
That all the rows bloody were,  
Of slain men that were lying there▪  
The Lords were gotten all away.  
And when the town (as I heard say)  
Was through great force of fighting ta'en,  
And all their foes fled, or slain,  
They harboured them within the town,  
Where, of victual was sick fusioun,  
And so great abundance of wine:  
That the good Earl had doubt therein,  
That of their men sold drunken be,  
And make in drunkenness some melle.  
Therefore he made of wine, Lewerie  
To ilk man that he paid sold be.  
And they had all enough perfay.  
That night right well at ease were they,  
And right blithe of the great honour,  
That them befell for their valour.   

The third battle in Ireland, That good Sir Edward took on hand.  
EFter this fight they soiournde there,  
Into Dondalk three days or maire:  
Then took they Southerward their way,  
Earl Thomas rade before them ay.  
And as they rade through the Country,  
They might upon the hills see,  
So money men it was ferly.  
And when the Earl would sturdily  
Dress him to them with his Banner:  
They would flee all that ever they were:  
So that in fight not one would bide.  
And they forth on their ways did ride,  
While to a great Forest came they,  
Kylros it heght, as I heard say,  
And they took all their harbrie there.  
In all this time, Richard of Clare,  
That was the Kings Lievetenand,  
Of all the barnage of Ireland,  
An great Oast there assembled had,  
That was five battles great and brade:  
And Sir Edward, and his men,  
Well near him were they comen then.  
He goat soon witting, that they were  
In hail battle coming near.  
His men addressed he them again,  
And gart them stoutly take the Plain:  
And sign the Earl came them to see:  
And Sir Philip de Mowbray sent he,  
And Sir john Stewart went also,  
For to discover the way they ta:  
And saw the Oast near come at hand,  
That were to guess fifty thousand.  
Home to Sir Edward rade they then,  
And said, that they were money men.  
He said again: the ma they be,  
The more honour all out have we,  
Give that we bear us manfully:  
We are here set in jeopardy,  
To win honour, or for to die,  
We are too far fra home to flee:  
Therefore let ilk man worthy be,  
Yone are but gaddered of this Country,  
And they shall flee, I trow lightly,  
Give we assail them manfully.  
All they said then, they sold well do.  
With that they approached near them to,  
Their battels ready for to fight,  
And they met them with meekle might.  
They were ten thousand worthy men,  
The Scottishmen all on foot were then,  
And they on S●eedes trapped well:  
Some heilled all in Iron and Steel.  
But Scottishmen at their meeting,  
With spears pierced their arming:  
And sticked horse, and men down bare,  
A felon slaughter was then there:  
I can not tell their straikes all,  
Nor who in feght gart others fall:  
But in short time I underta,  
They of Ireland were cumbered sa:  
That they durst them abide no maire,  
But fled skailled all here and there.  
And leaved in the battle stead,  
Well money of their good men dead.  
Of weapons, arming, and dead men,  
The field was hailly overstrowed then:  
That great Oast rudely rushed was:  
But Sir Edward léete no man chase,  
But with prisoners that they had ta'en,  
Toward the Wood again is gain:  
Where that their harness leaved were,  
That night they made them merry cheer,  
And loved GOD fast of his grace.  
The good Knight that so worthy was,  
To judas Macchabeus might  
Be likened well, that into fight,  
Forsook no multitude of men,  
While he had one against ten.   

How an Irish King false and froward, Leete out a Loch upon Sir Edward.  
THus as I said, Richard of Clare,  
And his great Host rebuted were:  
But he about him nought for thy,  
Was gaddering men aye it hardly,  
For he thought yet to recover his cast,  
It angered him even felon fast:  
That twice into battle was he  
Discomfist with a few meinie:  
And Scottishmen that to the Forest,  
Were riding for to take their rest:  
All tha two nights there they lay,  
And made them mirth, solace and play,  
Toward Endrossy sign they rade,  
An Irish King that aith had made  
To Sir Edward of his fewtie  
For before that time him prayed he  
To see his land, and his victual,  
Nor not that they might help should fail.  
Sir Edward trowed into his height,  
And with his rout rade hidder right,  
A great River he gart him pass,  
And in a right fair place that was  
Laigh by a Burn, he gart them ta  
Their Harbery, and said, he would ga,  
To gar men victual to them bring,  
He held his way but more dwelling,  
For to betraise was all his thought.  
In sick a place he hes them brought.  
Wherefra two journeys well and mare,  
All the cattle withdrawn were,  
So that they in that land might get  
Nothing, that worth was for to eat.  
With hunger he thought them to féeblish.  
Sign bring on them their enemies,  
This false traitor men had made,  
A little South where he harboured had,  
Sir Edward with the Scottishmen:  
The Ishe of a Loch to dem.  
And let it out within the night,  
The water then with sick a might,  
On Sir Edward, and his men came down  
That they in peril were to drown,  
For ere they wist, on flot were they,  
With mickle pain they got away,  
And held their lives, as God gave grace:  
But of their Harness tint there was.  
He made them no good feast perfay,  
And not for thy avengh had they:  
For though they wanted of the meat,  
I warn you well, they were well weet  
In great distress there were they stad,  
For great default of meat they had.  
And they betwixt great Rivers two  
Were set, and might pass none of tho.  
The Ban, that is an arm of the sea,  
That with Horse may not passed been,  
Was betwixt them and W●sister.  
They had been in great peril there.  
Were not a scummer of the Sea,  
Thomas of Dun called was he,  
Herd that the Host so straitly than  
Was stad, he sailed up the Ban:  
While that he came near where they lay,  
They knew him well, and blithe were they  
Then with four ships that he had ta'en,  
He set them over the Ban ilkane,  
And when they came in bigged Land,  
Uittaile, and meat aneugh they ●and,  
And in a Wood them harboured they,  
None of the Land wist where they lay.  
They resset them, and made good cheer.  
Into that time beside them were,  
With a great Host Richard of Clare,  
And other great of Ireland, were  
Harboured into a Forest side:  
And ilke day they gart men ride.  
To bring victuals in seir manners  
To them from the town of Cogners,  
That well near ten miles was them fro,  
Ilke day as they would come and go,  
They came the Scottishmen Host so near,  
That but two mile betwixt them were,   

How Sir Thomas of Randell, Wan from the Irishmen their vit●all.  
ANd when the Earl Thomas perceiving  
Had, of their come, and their ganging  
He got him a good company,  
Three hundreth on horse wight and hardy,  
There was Sir Philip the Mowbray.  
And Sir john Stewart als perfay,  
And Sir Allane Stewart also,  
Sir Robert Boyd, and other ma,  
They rade to meet the vittallers,  
That with their victual from Cogners.  
Came, holding to their Host the way,  
So suddenly on them set they:  
That they were so abased all,  
That all they let their weapons fall,  
And mercy piteously can cry.  
And they took them in their mercy,  
And hes them up so cleenelie ta'en,  
That of them all escaped nane.  
The Earl through them got wittering:  
That of their Host in the Evening,  
Some would come out of the Wood-side,  
And for to meet their vitttaile ride,  
He thought on them a jeopardy,  
And gart his men all haillelie,  
Dight them in Prisoner's array.  
Their Prisoners als with them took they:  
And while the night was near the● bade,  
And sign toward the Host they rade.  
Some of their meekle Host hes seen  
Them come, and weened well they had been  
Their vittaillers, therefore they rade  
Against them safely: for they had  
No dread, that they their foes were.  
And als they hungered very saire,  
Therefore they came abandounlie.  
And when they near were, in great hy  
The Earl, and all that with him were,  
Rushed on them with Weapons bare:  
And their Ensenyie highly can cry.  
And they that saw so suddenly  
Their foes ding on them, were rad,  
That they none heart to help had,  
But to their Wood their way they ta,  
And they chased, and so feill can slay,  
That all the fields overstrowed were.  
More than a thousand dead were there:  
Right to their Oast they can them chase,  
And sign again their ways gaes.  
ON this wise was the victual ta'en,  
And of the Irish men money slain:  
The Earl sign wi●h his company,  
Prisoners, and victual haillelie,  
They brought all to Sir Edward swyth:  
And he was of their coming blithe.  
That night they made them merry cheer▪  
For they even at their ease now were:  
They were all watched ay sickerlie.  
Their foes upon the other party,  
When they heard how their men were slain,  
And how their victual als was ta'en:  
They took the counsel, that they would  
Their ways toward Cogneres hold,  
And harbrie in the City ta.  
And in great hy they have done sa,  
And road by night to the City,  
They found their victual great plenty,  
And made them merry and good cheer:  
For in the town all traist they were.  
Upon the morn they sent to spy,  
Where Scottishmen had ta'en harbry,  
But they were met with▪ and all ta'en:  
And brought unto the Oast ilkane.  
The Earl of Murray right meekly,  
Speered at one of their company,  
Where their Oast lay, & what they thought  
To do, and said, give that he might  
Find, that the sooth to him said he,  
He sold gang home but ransom free.  
He said, forsooth, I shall you say,  
They think the morn when it is day,  
To seek you with all their meinie.  
Give they may get wit where ye be:  
They have gart through the City cry,  
On pain of life full fellounly.  
That all the men of this Country,  
The morn into the City be,  
And truly they shall be so feill,  
That ye shall no wise with them deal.   

How Thomas Randell chased hame, The Scurreours, that fra Cogners came.  
DE Pardew (said he) it may well be,  
To Sir Edward with that yéed he,  
And told him utterly this tale,  
Then have they ta'en for counsel hail,  
That they will ride to the City,  
That same night, so that they may be,  
Betwixt the town with all their rout:  
And they that were the town without,  
As they devised: so have they done,  
Before the town they came all soon,  
And but half deill a mile of way  
Fra the town, arrest taken they.  
And when the day was dawning light,  
Fifty on Hobines that were wight,  
Came to a little hill that was  
From the town a little space:  
And saw Sir Edward's harbrie,  
And of that sight had great ferlie:  
That so wheene upon any wise,  
Durst undertake so high emprise,  
As for to come so hardily,  
Upon all the great Chivalry  
Of Ireland, to bide battle:  
And so it was withouten fail.  
For against them were gaddered there,  
With the Wardane, Richard of Clare,  
The Butlers, and the Earls twa,  
Of Desmound, and Kyldar also:  
Brunhame, Wedoun, and Sir Waryne,  
And Sir Plastayne, a Florentyne,  
That was a Knight of Lombardie,  
And was of full great Chivalry.  
And Maundewell was there also,  
Bissatris, Loganes, and other ma.  
The Savages als, and yet was one,  
That heght Sir Michael of Kylcalave,  
And with their Lords so feill was then,  
That against one of the Scottishmen,  
I wait well they were five or ma.  
When their Discurreours hes seen sa  
The Scottish Dast, they went in hy,  
And told their Lords openly:  
How they to them were coming near:  
To seek them far was no mystéere.  
And when the Earl Thomas had seen:  
That tha men at the hill had been,  
He took with him a great meinie,  
On horse an hundreth they might be.  
And to the hill they took their way,  
And in a Slak enbushed they,  
And in short time fra the City,  
They saw come riding a meinie,  
For to discover to the hill.  
They were blithe, and held them still,  
While they were comen to them near:  
Then in a rush all that they were,  
They set upon them hardly:  
And they that saw so suddenly  
Tha folk come on them, abased were,  
Yet notthelesse, some of them there  
abode stoutly to make debate:  
And other some are fled their gaite,  
And in short time were all that,  
That made arrest disrayed sa:  
That they fled hastily their gaite,  
And they them chased to the yait:  
And one part of them hes slain,  
And sign went to their Oast again.   

The feird battle made in Ireland, That Sir Edward won with strange hand.  
WHen they within hes seen so slain  
Their men & chased home again,  
They were all wa, and in great high,  
To arms, highly can they cry.  
They armed them all that they were,  
And ●or the battle mad them you're,  
And ished out all well arrayed:  
In hail battle with Banner displayed,  
Boun on their ways for to assail  
Their foes into fell battle.  
And when Sir Philip the Mowbray,  
Saw them ishe in so good array,  
To Sir Edward the Bruce went he.  
And said, Sir, it is good that we  
Shape for some slight that may avail,  
To help us in this great battle.  
Our men are good, but they have will  
To do more than they may fulfil.  
Therefore I reed, our Carriage  
Withouten any man or page,  
By themselves arrayed be,  
And they shall seem far more than we.  
Set we before them our Banner,  
Yone folk that cometh out of Cogners  
When that out Banners they shall see,  
Shall trow trais●lie that they are we,  
And hidder in great hy shall ride,  
Come we then on them at a side,  
And we shall been at a vantage,  
For fra they in our Carriage  
Been entered, they shall cumbered been:  
And then with all our might may we,  
Lay on, and do all that we may,  
And as he ordained, done have they,  
And they that came out of Cogners,  
Addressed them to the Banners:  
And struck the Horse with spurs in hy,  
And rushed among them suddenly.  
The barrel ferrars that were there,  
Cumbered them fast that riding were:  
And then the Earl and his battle  
Came on, and sadly can assail.  
And Sir Edward a little by,  
Assembled with his company.  
That money a faith fell under feet.  
The field with blood woxt soon all weet,  
With so great felony there they fought,  
And so great routs to other reached:  
That it was hideous for to see,  
How they maintained that great melle,  
So keenly they fought on either side,  
Giving, and taking routs red,  
That prime was past, or men might see,  
What part soon aboue should been,  
But soon after that Prime was passed,  
The Scottishmen dang on so fast:  
They set upon them at aboundoun,  
As ilke man were a Scorpioun,  
That all their foes took the flight,  
Was none of them that was so wight,  
That ever durst abide his fear,  
But ilke man fled his ways sere,  
To the town fled, the most party,  
And the Earl Thomas so eagerly,  
And his men chased with swords bare.  
That among them they mingled were,  
And all togidder came in the town,  
Then was the slaughter so felon,  
That all the rows run of the blood,  
Whom ever they goat, to death he yood,  
So that there were als feill dead,  
Well near, as in the battle steed.  
The Swaryne was taken there,  
And so feared was Richard of Clare:  
That he held to the South Country,  
All that Month I trow that he,  
Shall have no great will for to fight.  
Sir john Steward a Noble Knight  
Was wounded through the body there,  
With a spear that tied sharply share.  
But to Mount Peller went he sign.  
And lay there long into Léeching:  
But at the last healed was he,  
Sir Edward then with his Menʒie,  
took in the town their Harbaie,  
That night they blithe were and jolly,  
For the victory that they had there.  
And on the morn withouten maire  
Sir Edward gart men gang and see,  
All the victual of that City:  
And they found sick fusioun therein  
Of corn, and flower and wax and win●:  
That they of it had grief ferlie,  
And Sir Edward gart haille lie  
To Craigfergus it carried be,  
Sign hidder he went with his Menʒie,  
And held the Siege full stalwartly,  
While Palm sunday was passed by▪  
Then to the Tuesday in Pasch Oulk,  
On either side they truce taken:  
So that they might that holy ti●e,  
In penance and in prayed bide,  
But upon Pasch Even ●ight,  
To the Castle into the night,  
From Divilling came ships fifteen,  
Charged with armour and men bedeene.  
Three thousand trow I well they were,  
That entered in the Castle there,  
The Maundwell also, and Sir Thomas  
Capitane of that Menʒie was:  
In the Castle full privily  
They entered: for they ga●● spy,  
That money of Sir Edward's men,  
Were skailled in the Country then.  
Therefore they thought in the morning,  
To ishe but longer delaying.  
And to surprise them suddenly.  
For they thought they should traistly,  
For the trewesse that taken were:  
But I trow falset ever maire  
Shall have mischief, and evil ending.  
Sir Edward wist of this nothing:  
For of treason had he no thought.  
But for the truce he letted nought  
To set watches to the Castle.  
Ilk night he gart wake it full well:  
And neil Fleming work that night.  
And sextie worthy men and wight,  
And as soon as the day was clear,  
They that within the Castle were,  
Had armed them, and made them boon:  
And sign the draw-brig they lot down:  
They ished then in great plenty,  
And when neil Fleming can them see,  
He sent one to the King in high,  
Sign said to them, that was him by:  
Now shall men see, I undertake,  
Who dare for his Lord's sake,  
Now bear you well: for sikkerly,  
With all yone Menʒie feght will I:  
Into bargain them hold shall we,  
While that our Master armed been.  
And with that word assembled they,  
That were all out too few perfay,  
With sick a great rout for to fight:  
And not for thy with all their might,  
They dang on them so hardly,  
That all their foes had great ferlie,  
That they were all of sick manhood:  
That they no dread had of their dead:  
But their feill foes so can assail.  
That there might no worship avail,  
But they were slain up everilkane,  
So clean, that there escaped nane.  
And the man that went to the King,  
For to warn him of their ishing,  
Warned him in full great hy.  
Sir Edward was then commonly,  
Called the King of all Ireland.  
And when he had sick haste on hand,  
In full great haste he got his gear:  
Twelve with him in his chamber were:  
That armed them in full great hy  
Sign with his Banner hardly,  
The mids of the town he taes.  
With that near coming were his foes,  
That had dealt all their men in three.  
The Maundewile with a great meinie,  
Right through the town the way held down  
The lave on other side the town,  
Held to meet them that fleeing were:  
They thought that all that they found there  
Should die but ransom everilkane:  
But otherwise the guise is gane.  
For Sir Edward with his banner,  
And his twelve that I told of eir,  
On all the rout so hardly  
Assembled, that it was ferlie.  
For Gib Harper before him yeed,  
That was the doughtiest of deed,  
That might be found of his estate:  
And with an Axe made him sick gaite,  
That he the first felled to the ground,  
And sign into a little stound,  
The Mandewile by his arming  
〈◊〉 knew▪ and reached him sick a swing.  
That he to earth passed hastily,  
Sir Edward that was near him by,  
Reversed him, and with a knife,  
Right in that place he rest his life.  
With that of Ardrossane Sir Fergus,  
That was a wight Knight and courageous  
Assembled with sextie men and ma:  
They pressed then their foes sa:  
That they that saw their Lord slain,  
Tint heart, and would have been again,  
And ay as Scottishmen might be  
Armed, they came to the melle:  
And dang upon their foes sa,  
That they hailly the back can ta,  
And tha men chased to the yait,  
There was great fight and hard debaite.  
There slew Sir Edward with his hand  
A Knight, that of all Ireland,  
Was called best, and of most bounty,  
To surname Maundewile heght he,  
His proper name I can not say,  
But his folk to so hard assay  
Was set, that they of the Dungeoun,  
Durst open no yait, nor brig let down.  
Sir Edward so then fought perfay,  
That ished forth on him that day,  
That there escaped never one,  
But they were either slain or ta'en.  
For to the fight Manakill then  
Came, with two hundreth of spearemen,  
And they slew all they might to win,  
This ilk Manakill with a gin,  
Wan of their ships four or five,  
And hailly reft the men their life.  
When end was made of that fighting,  
Yet then was life in neil Fleming,  
Sir Edward went him for to see,  
About him slain lay his meinie,  
All in a lump, on ather hand,  
And he to die ready thrawand,  
Sir Ed●ard of him had great pity,  
And him full greatly méened he:  
And regretted his great manhéed,  
His worship and his doughty deed,  
sick moan he made they had ferlie:  
For he was not customably  
Want, for to mean any thing,  
Nor would not hear men make meaning▪  
He stood there by while he was dead:  
And sign had him to hallowed Steed:  
And sign with worship gart him be  
Eirded, with great solemnity.   

How King Robert won the Isles to hand, And gart his ships sail on dry land,  
IN this wise ished Mandewile,  
But wit ye well that fraud and guile,  
Shall always have an evil ending,  
As well was seen by this ishing,  
In time of truce ished they,  
And in sick time as on Pasch day,  
When Christ raise to save man's kin,  
Fra weme of old Adames sin.  
Therefore so great mischance them fell,  
That ilk one (as ye heard me fell)  
Was slain up, or else taken there.  
And they that in the Castle were.  
Were set in sick a fray that hour,  
That they could see no where succour  
Sold come to relieve them, that day:  
That shortly then treitted they,  
To yield the Castle to him free  
To save their lives, and certes he  
Held them full well all his cunnand.  
The Castle took he in his hand,  
And vittailde it well, and in it set  
A good UUardane, it for to get,  
And there a while rested he.  
Of him no more now speak will we.  
BOt to King Robert will we gang,  
That we have left unspoken of long:  
When he had convoyed to the sea,  
His brother Edward with his meinie,  
With his ships he made him you're,  
Into the Isles for to far.  
Walter Stewart with him took he.  
His Maich, and with him great meinie,  
And other men of great Noblay,  
To the Tarbarts they took their way  
In Gaillayes ordained for their fare▪  
But them worthed their ships draw there.  
And a mile was betwixt the seas,  
And that is loved all with trees:  
The King his ships there gart draw,  
And for the wind can stoutly blaw,  
Upon their back, as they can ga,  
He gart men Masts, and rapes ma,  
And set them in the ships hie,  
And Sails to the tops tie.  
And gart men gang there by drawing,  
The wind them helped that was blawing:  
So that into a little space,  
Their float all there over drawn was,  
And when they that in the Isles were.  
Herd tell, how that the good King there,  
Gart his ships with Sails give.  
Out over betwixt the Tabarts two,  
They were abased alluterly:  
For they wist through old Prophecy,  
That he that should gar ships so,  
Betwixt the seas with Sails go,  
Should win the Isles so to hand:  
That none with strength should him withstand:  
Therefore they came all to the King,  
Durst none gainstand his bidding,  
Overtook ●ohn of Lorne allane,  
But well soon after he was ta'en,  
And presented right to the King,  
And they that were of his leading,  
That to the King have broken faith,  
Were all destroyed and dead away.  
This john of Lorne the King hes ta'en,  
And sent him forth to Dumbartane,  
A while in prison for to been:  
Sign to Lochleven sent was he,  
Where he was long time in fasting,  
I trow he made therein ending,  
The King when all the Isles were  
Brought to his liking less and maire,  
All that season there dwelled he,  
At Hunting, and at game, and glee.   

Lord Dowglas with battle plain, rescued the Prey, and brought again▪  
WHen the King upon this manner  
He daunted the Isles as I tell here  
The good Sir james Dowglas  
Into the Forest dwelling was,  
Defending doughtily the Land,  
That time in B●rwicke was winnand,  
Edmound of Calhow a Gascoun,  
He was a Knight of great renown:  
And into Gasconyie his Country,  
Lord of great Senyeorie was he:  
And had then Berwick in keeping.  
He made a privy gaddering,  
And got him a great company,  
Of wight men armed jollily▪  
All the neither end of Tevidall,  
He preyed into him all hail:  
And of the Mers a great party:  
Sign toward Berwick went in hy.  
Sir Adam of Gordoun, that then  
Was becomen Scottishman,  
Saw them drive so away his fee,  
And weened they whéene were for that he,  
Saw but the fleeing skaill perfey,  
And them that seezed on the Prey.  
That to Sir james of Dowglas,  
In full great by the way he ●aes:  
And told how Englishmen their Prey  
Had ta'en, and sign were went away:  
Toward Berwicke with all their fee,  
And said they wheene were: and if he  
Would speed him, he should well lightly  
Win them, and rescue all the Kine.  
Sir james soon gave his assent  
To follow them, and forth is went:  
And followed them in full great high,  
And came well ne●re them hastily,  
For ere they might fully see,  
They came well near with their meinie.  
But then both foray and the staill.  
Wine knit into a sop all hail:  
Bot knaves & swains that had no might,  
For to stand into field to fight,  
Before them gart they drive the Kine,  
They were a right fair company,  
And all togidder in a staill.  
The Dowglas saw their lump all hail,  
And saw them of so good convyne,  
And that they were so money sign,  
That they for one of his were two,  
Lordings (he said) sen it is so:  
That we have chaste on sick manner,  
That we are now comen so near,  
That we may not eschew the fight.  
But if we fully take the flight,  
Let ilke man of his life then méene,  
And how we money times have been  
In great thrang, and comen well away.  
Think we to do right so this day:  
And take we of this Ford here by,  
Our advantage: for in great high,  
They shall come on us for to fight,  
Get we then will, and strength and might,  
For to meet them right hardly,  
And with that word full hastily,  
He hes displayed his banner,  
For his foes were coming near.  
And when they saw they were so wheene.  
They thought all was their own bedeene.  
And assembled full hardly.  
Their men might see them feght felly  
And a right cruel melle make,  
And money strakes gave, and take.  
The Dowglas there right hard was stad,  
But the great hardement that he had,  
Comforted them on sick a wise,  
That no man thought on Cowardice,  
But fought so fast with all their maine.  
That they feill of their foes have slain:  
And though they were full money more  
Than they: yet them they demained so:  
That Edmund de Callok was dead,  
Through Dowglas right in that ilke stead:  
And all the lave fra this was done,  
Were all hail discomfist soon,  
And they that chased some hes slain,  
And turned the Preys hail again.  
The hardest fighting this was,  
That ever the good Lord Dowglas  
Was in, and of so few meinie.  
For had not been his great bounty,  
That slew their Chieftain in the fight,  
His men to dead had been all dight.  
But he had into custom ay.  
When ever he came to hard assay,  
He pressed the Chiftane for too slay:  
And herefore hope I that he did sa,  
That gart him have victory full size,  
When Sir Edmund upon this wise.  
Was dead, the good Lord Dowglas,  
To the Forest his way he takes:  
His foes greatly can him dread,  
The word sprang far of his manhood.  
So that in England near there by,  
Men spoke of it right commonly.   

How james of Dowglas slew Newel, That vowed to meet him in battle.  
SIr Robert newel at that tide  
Winned in Barwike there beside,  
The Marches where the Lord Dowglas  
In the Forest repairing was,  
And had him in full great envy,  
And for ●he saw him so manfully,  
Make his bounds ay more and maire:  
He heard the folk that with him were,  
Speak of the Lord Dowglas might,  
And how he forcie was in fight:  
And how him oft fell fair Fortoun,  
He wraithed him thereat full soon:  
And said, what ween ye, is there nane  
That ever is worth, but he allane:  
Ye set him as he were but Peer,  
But I avow before you here,  
Give ever he come into this land,  
He shall find me near at his hand.  
And give I ever his banner  
May see displayed upon wéere,  
I shall assemble it but doubt,  
Although ye hold him never so stout.  
Of this avow soon Bodword was  
Brought, to Sir james of Dowglas,  
That said, give he will hold his heght,  
I shall do so, he shall have feght  
Of me, and of my company,  
Yet or ought long, well near him by,  
His retinue then gaddered he,  
That were good men of great bounty:  
And to the March in good array,  
Upon a night he took the way,  
So that in the morning early,  
He was with all his company  
Before Barwike and there he made  
Men to display his Banner brade,  
And of his meinie some sent he,  
For to burn towns two, or three:  
And bade them soon again them speed,  
So that at hand give there come need,  
They might before the feght be read.  
The newel that wist verily,  
That Dowglas comen was so near,  
And saw all broad stand his banner:  
Then with tha folk that he had there,  
That with him a great meinie were:  
For all the good of that Country,  
Into that time with him had he:  
So that he with him there had then,  
Well more then were the Scottishmen.  
He held his way up to an hill.  
And said, Lordings, it were my will,  
To make end of the great deray,  
That Dowglas does to us ilk day.  
But me think it spéedfull that we  
Abide till that his meinie be  
Skailled all, to take our Pray:  
Then fiercely set on them we ma●  
And we shall have them at our will.  
Then they gave all assent theretill,  
And on the hill abode hovand.  
The men fast gaddered of the land,  
And drew to him in full great hy:  
And Dowglas then that was worthy,  
Thought it was folly more to bide,  
Toward the hill than can he ride.  
And when the newel saw, that they  
Would not pass forth to the Forray:  
But pressed to him with all their might,  
He wist well then that he would fight:  
And to his meinie can he say:  
Lordings, now hold we forth our way:  
Here is the flower of this Country,  
And more than they also are we.  
Assemble we then hardly,  
For Dowglas with yone Yemanry,  
Shall have no might to us, perfay,  
Then in a frush assembled they,  
That men might hear the spears braced,  
And ilkone dang on other fast,  
And blood braced out of wounds wide.  
They fought fast upon ather side:  
For ather party can them pain,  
To put their foes on back again.  
The Lord the newel, and Dowglas,  
When that the fight fellest was,  
They fought felly with all their maught,  
Great routs ather to other reached.  
But Dowglas stark was I hight,  
And more used als in the fight,  
And set heart and will also:  
For to deliver him of his fa:  
While at the last through mickle mains  
Of forre, the newel hes he slain.  
Then his Ensenyie can he cry,  
And on the lave so hardly  
He rushed with all his meinie,  
That in short time men might see  
Their foes take on them the flight:  
And they them chaste with all their might,  
Sir Ralph the newel in that place,  
And the Baroun of Hiltonn was  
Taken, and other of mickle might.  
There was reill slain into that fight,  
That worthy in their time had been.  
And when the field was cleanged clean:  
So that their foes everilkane,  
Were slain, or chaste away, or ta'en,  
Then gart he foray all the land,  
And séesed all that ever he found:  
And burned the towns in their way,  
Sign hail & fear home comen are they.  
The Pray among his meinie,  
Efter their merits dealt hes he:  
And held nothing to his behoof,  
sick deeds ought to gar men love  
Their Lord, and so they did,, perfay.  
He treated them so wisely ay,  
And with so mickle love also,  
And countenance, that he would ma,  
Of their deed, that the most Coward,  
He made stoutter then a Leopard.  
With cherissing this gaite made he  
His men wight, and of great bounty.  
When newel thus was brought to ground  
And of Calhow Sir Edmound,  
The dread of the good Lord Dowglas,  
And his Renown so skailled was,  
Throughout the Marches of England,  
That all that were therein dwelland,  
Dred him as the self Devit of Hell,  
And yet I have heard oft size tell,  
That he so greetly dread was then,  
That when wives would their children ban  
They would even with an angry face,  
Betake them to the black Dowglas.  
Through his great worship and bounty  
So with his foes dread was he,  
That they growed to hear his Name,  
He may at ease now dwell at hame  
A while, for I trow he shall nought,  
With foe's money days been sought.  
Now let him in the Forest been,  
And of him speak no more will we,  
But of Sir Edward the worthy,  
That with all his Chivalry,  
Was at Craigfergus yet lyand,  
To speak more we will take on hand.   

Here past in Ireland the Noble King, To his brother with great gaddering,  
WHen Sir Edward, as I said air  
Had discom●̄st Richard of Clare,  
And of Ireland all the Barnage,  
Thrice through his worthy Uassalage.  
And sign with all his men of main,  
To Craigfergus was comde again.  
The good Earl of Murray Sir Thomas,  
took lief in Scotland for to pass:  
And he him left without grudging,  
And sign him charged to the King,  
To pray him specially, that he  
Would come in Ireland him to see.  
For were they both into that lan●.  
They should find none should them withstand.  
The Earl then forth his way hes ta'en,  
And to his Ships is he gaue,  
He sailed well out over the sea,  
In Scotland soon arrived he,  
Sign to the King he went in hy.  
And he received him joyfully,  
And spéered of his brother's fare,  
And of his journeys that they had there,  
And he him told all but losing:  
And when the King left had speaking,  
His charge to the King told he;  
And he said, He would blithly see  
His brother, and also the affair  
Of the Country, and what it were,  
A great Menʒie then gaddered he,  
And two Lords of great bounty,  
The one Walter Stewart was,  
The other james of Dowglas,  
Wardans' in his absence made he,  
For to maintain well the Country,  
Sign to the sea he took his way,  
And at Lochreane in Galloway,  
He shipped with all his Menʒie,  
To Craigfergus soon comen is he,  
Sir Edward of hi● come was blithe▪  
And went down for to meet him swyth:  
And welcomed him with gladsome cheer  
So did he all that with him were,  
And specially the Earl Thomas  
Of Murray, that his Nevoy was,  
Sign to the Castle went he there,  
And made them meekle feast and far:  
They sojournde therein days three,  
In mirth, solace and royalty.  
KIng Robert now upon this wise  
Into Ireland arrived is,  
And when into Craigfergus had he  
With his men sojournde days three,  
He took counsel that he would,  
With all their folk their ways hold,  
Through all Ireland from end to other.  
Sir Edward then the King's brother,  
Before into the vanguard rade.  
The King himself the Reeregard had,  
That had into his company,  
The Earl Thomas that was worthy,  
Their ways fordward have they ta'en,  
And soon passed ever ilkane.   

Here fought King Robert in Ireland, With 5. thousand against 40. thousand.  
THIS was in mids the mirthful May,  
When Birds sings on ilke Spray:  
Making their Notes with seemly sound:  
For softness of the sweet seasoun:  
And Leaves of the Branches spreeds,  
And blooms bright about them breeds,  
And Fields strewed are with Flowers,  
Well savouring of seir colours  
And all thing worthed blithe and gay,  
When that the good King took his way.  
To ride Southward, as I said air,  
The Wardane than Richard of Clare,  
Witted the King was arrived sa:  
And wist he shupe him for to ta  
His way, toward the South Country,  
Of all Ireland then gaddered he:  
Both Burgess and Chivalry  
And Hobilers, and Yeamanrie,  
Till he had near forty thousand:  
But he would not yet take on hand.  
With all his foes in field to fight,  
But umbethought him of a slight,  
That he with all that great meinie,  
Would in a Wood enbushed be.  
All privily beside the way:  
Where their foes behoves to ga,  
And let the vanguard pass far by,  
And assemble sign hardly:  
On the Reeregard with all his men,  
They did as he devised then,  
In a Wood they enbushed were.  
The Scottishmen rade by them near,  
But they no showing to them made,  
Sir Edward well forth before rade.  
With them that were of his meinie:  
To the Réeregard no tent took he:  
And Sir Richard of Clare in hy,  
When Sir Edward was passed by,  
Send light Yemen that well couth shoot,  
To bikker the Réeregarde upon foot.  
Then two of them that sent forth were  
At the Wood side them bikkered there,  
And shot among the Scottishmen.  
The King that with him there had then,  
Well near five thousand wight, and hardy  
Saw them two so abundantly  
Shoot among them, and come so near,  
He wist right well withouten wéere:  
That they well near some power had.  
Therefore a bidding hes he made,  
That no man sold be so hardy.  
To break at them, bot sourly.  
Ride ready ay into battle,  
To defend give men would assail:  
For we shall soon, I underta,  
He said have for to do with ma.  
But Sir Coline campbel that near  
Was by, where tha two Yemen were,  
Shooting among them hardly,  
Preiked on them in full great hy:  
And soon the one he hes overta'en,  
And with a spear him sign hes slain.  
The other turned, and shot again:  
And at that shot his horse hes slain.  
With that, the King came hastily,  
And into his Melancholy,  
With a Truncheoun into his néefe,  
To Sir Coline sick dush did give:  
That he fell down on his Arsoun.  
Then bade he smartly tit him down.  
Bot other Lords that was him by,  
Hes meased the King in some party:  
Bot he said, breaking of bidding,  
Might be cause of discomfiting.  
Ween ye yone Ribald durst assail  
Us so here in our own battle:  
Bot give they had supply right near,  
I wait right well withouten wéere,  
That we shall have to do in hy:  
Therefore look ilk man be ready,  
With that well near threttie and ma  
Of bowmen came, and bikkered sa:  
That they hurt of the King's men.  
The King hes sent his Archers then  
To shoot, for to put them again.  
With that they entered in the Plain.  
And saw arrayed against them stand,  
In four battles, forty thousand.  
The King said, Lordings, now let see,  
UUho worthy in this fight shall be▪  
On them withouten more abode.  
So stoutly with that on them they rade,  
And assembled so hardly:  
That of their foes a great party  
Were laid at earth, at their meeting,  
There was of spear's sick a breisting,  
As ather upon other rade:  
That it a full great frush hes made,  
Horse came there rushing head for head:  
So that feill on the ground lay dead.  
Money a wight, and worthy man,  
As ather upon other ran,  
Were dushed dead down to the ground.  
That blood ran out at money wound,  
In sick effusioun, that even than,  
Of very blood the streams ran:  
With weapons that were bright and bar●  
That money a good man died there.  
And they that worthy were, and wight,  
And stoutly with their foes can fight,  
pressed them formest to be.  
There men might cruel battle see,  
And hard bargain I take on hand.  
In all the wéere of Ireland,  
So great a fighting was not seen.  
And when of great victories nineteen,  
Sir Edward had withouten wéere,  
And that in less than in three year,  
And into sundry battles of tha,  
He vanquished twenty thousand and ma,  
With trapped horse even to the feet,  
But in all that time he was yet,  
Ay one for five, when lest was he:  
But the good King into this melle,  
Had always eight of his fa men,  
For one, but he so bore him then:  
That his good deed, and his bounty,  
Comforted so all his meinie:  
That the most Coward hardy was.  
For where he saw the thickest press,  
So hardly he on them rade:  
And so great room about him made,  
That he slew all he might overtake,  
And rudely rushed them aback.  
The Earl Thomas that was worthy,  
Was in all times near him by,  
And fought as he were in a rage.  
So that through their great Uassallage:  
Their men sick hardement did take,  
That they no peril did forsake:  
But them abandouned so stoutly,  
And dang on them so hardly,  
Till all their foes afraid were.  
And they that saw well by there fare,  
That they eschewed somedeill the fight,  
They dang on them with all their might,  
And pressed dinging on them so fast:  
That they the back gave at the last.  
And they that saw them take the flight,  
They dang on them with all their might:  
And in their fleeing feill can slay.  
The King's men hes chased sa:  
That they discomfist them ilkane.  
Richard of Clare the way hes ta'en  
To Deviling in full great hy:  
With other Lords that fled him by,  
And garnished both Castle and towns,  
That were in their Possessiouns.  
They were so fellounly flayed there:  
That as I trow, Richard of Clare,  
Shall have no will to find his might,  
In battle, nor in field to fight,  
While King Robert, and his meinie,  
Is dwelling into that Country.  
They stuffed strengths on this wise,  
And the King that was so to prize,  
Saw in the field right money slain.  
And one of them that there was ta'en,  
That was arrayed full worthily,  
He saw him weep right dulefully.  
He asked him why he made sick cheer?  
He said, Sir, withouten wéere,  
It is no wonder that I greet,  
I see so money slain at my feet,  
The flower of all North Ireland,  
That hardiest was of heart and hand:  
And most doubted in hard assay.  
Then said the King to him, perfay:  
Thou hast more cause mirths to ma,  
That thou the deed escaped sa.  
RIchard of Clare on this manner,  
And all his foes discomfist were,  
With few folks as I have to you told,  
And when Edward Bruce the sa bold  
Witted that the King had fought so,  
With so money, and he therefrom,  
Might no man see a wraither man,  
But the good King said to him then:  
That it was in his own folly:  
For he rade so unwittelie,  
So far before making no ward,  
To them that were in the Réeregard:  
For he said, who on wéere would ride,  
In the vanguard he should no tide.  
Pass from his Reeregard, far from sight:  
For great peril so fall their might.  
Of this fight will I speak no maire,  
But the King, and all that were there,  
Rade forward in a better array,  
And near togidder then ever held they.  
Through all the land they plainly rade  
They found none that them obstacle made  
They rade even before Drochynda,  
And before Deviling also:  
But to give battle none they found.  
Sign went they Southward in the land,  
And right to Lynrike held their way,  
That is the Southmest town, perfay,  
That in all Ireland may founden be,  
There lay he days two or three,  
And busked sign again to far.  
And when that they all ready were,  
The King hes heard a woman cry,  
He asked what was that in hy?  
It is a Lavender, Sir, said one,  
That her child-evill here hes ta'en:  
And mon leave now behind you here.  
Therefore she makes yone evil cheer,  
The King said, Certes, it were pity,  
That she in that time left should been,  
For I trow Certes there is no man,  
But he will rue of Women then.  
His Host then all arrested he,  
And gart a tent soon stented been,  
And gart her gang in hastily,  
And other Women been her by:  
While she delivered was, he bade,  
And sign forth on his ways rade,  
And how she forth should carried been,  
Ere ever he sure, ordained he.  
This was a right great courtesy,  
To sick a King, and so mighty,  
That gart his men dwell on sick manner,  
Only for a poor Lavender.  
Again Norward they took their way,  
Through all Ireland than passed they.  
Through all Connoch, to Deviline,  
Through all Mich and Irrelle sign,  
Through Monaster, and Lawester,  
And sign hailly through all Vlsister  
To Craigfergus without battle,  
For there was none durst him assail,  
The Kings of the Irishrie,  
Came to Sir Edward haillelie,  
And all manrent can to him ma,  
But if that it were one or twa,  
To Craigfergus they came again,  
Into that way was no bargain:  
But if it any Skirmish were,  
That is not for to speak of here.  
The Irish Kings everilkane,  
Then home to their repair are gane,  
And undertook in all kin thing,  
For to obey to the bidding  
Of Sir Edward, that their King called they,  
He was well set now in good way,  
To conquest the land haillelie,  
For he had now on his party  
The Irishry, and all Vlsister,  
And he was so forth on his Wéere,  
That he hes past through all Ireland,  
From end to end through strength of hand  
Could he have governed him with skill,  
And followed not too fast his will,  
But with measure have led his deed:  
It was well like withouten dréed:  
That he might have conqueissed well,  
The land of Ireland everilk deill.  
And his outrageous succudry,  
And will that more was then hardy,  
Of purpose letted him perfay,  
As hereafter I shall you say.   

How Dowglas slew Richmond, sign at meat In battle their harbreours served in seat.  
NOw leave we here the Noble King,  
All at ease, and his liking:  
And speak we of the Lord Dowglas,  
That left to keep the Marches was.  
He gart get wright's that were slay,  
And in the hawgh of Lyntalle,  
He gart them make a fair manner,  
And when the House bigged were,  
He gart purvey him right well there:  
For he thought to make an Infare,  
And to make good cheer to his men.  
In Richemond there was winning then,  
An Earl that called was Sir Thomas,  
He had envy at the Dowglas:  
And said, If that he his Banner,  
Might see displayed upon wéere,  
That soon on it assemble should he,  
He heard how Dowglas thought to been.  
At Lyntalle a feast to ma.  
And he got witting well also,  
That the King, and a great Menʒie,  
Were passed then off the Country:  
And the Earl of Murrray Thomas,  
Therefore he thought the Country was  
Feel of men, for to withstand  
Men that them sought with stalwart hand  
And of the Marches than had he  
The Governance and the paustie,  
He gaddered folk about him then,  
While he was well ten thousand men:  
And Wood axes gart them take▪  
For he thought he and his men would make,  
To hew down jedburgh Forrest clean,  
That no tree should therein been seen.  
They held them forth upon their way:  
And the good Lord Dowglas, that ay,  
Had spies out on everilke side.  
Got good witting that they would ride,  
And come upon them suddenly,  
Then gaddered he right hastily,  
Them that he might of his meinie,  
I trow, that then with him had he  
Fifty, that worthy were and wight,  
And at all point armed and dight:  
And of Archers a great meinie,  
Assembled als with him had he,  
A place than was there in the way:  
Where he wist well that pass would they,  
That had wood upon ather side.  
The entry was well large and wide:  
And as a Shield it narrowed ay,  
While that into a place, the way  
Was not a penniestane-cast of bread.  
The good Lord Dowglas hidder yéed.  
When he wist they were near cummand,  
In to a Cleugh on the one hand,  
All his Archers enbushed he:  
And bade they sold hold them privy,  
Ay while they heard them raise the cry:  
And then sold they shoot hardly  
Among their foes, and sail them saire:  
While that he through them passed were:  
And then with him hold forth sold they.  
Then byrkes on ather side the way,  
That young and thick were growing near,  
They knit together on sick manner:  
That men might not well through them ride.  
When this was done, he can abide,  
Upon the other side of the way:  
And Richemond in good array,  
Came riding in the first Eshell.  
The Lord Dowglas hes seen him well:  
And gart his men all hold them still,  
While at their hand they came them till.  
And entered in the narrow way,  
Then with a shout on them set they:  
And cried on high, Dowglas, Dowglas.  
And Richemond that right worthy was,  
When he had heard so rise the cry,  
And Dowglas Banner saw plainly:  
He dressed him hidderwards in hy.  
And they came on so bardely,  
That through them have they made their way,  
All that they met to earth dang they.  
The Richemond borne down there was,  
And soon arrested him Dowglas,  
And him reversed with a knife,  
And in that place he left his life,  
An Hat upon his Helm he bore,  
And that took Dowglas with him there,  
In takinning that it forced was.  
And sign in by his ways taes,  
While in the wood they entered were.  
The Archers well hes ta'en them there:  
For well and hardly shot they.  
The Englishmen in great affray  
UUere set: for Dowglas suddenly  
With all them of his company,  
Ere ever they wist was in their rout:  
And thirled them well near throughout.  
And had almost done his dead,  
Ere they to help them could take heed.  
And when they saw their Lord was slain,  
They took him up, and turned again,  
To draw them fra the shot away,  
Then in a Plain assembled they:  
And for their Lord that then was dead,  
They shupe them in that ilk stead,  
For to take harbry all that night,  
And then the Dowglas that was wight,  
Got wit that a Clerk Eleis,  
With well three hundreth enemies,  
All strait to Lyntalle were gane,  
And harbrie for their Oast had ta'en:  
Then hidder is he went in hy,  
With all them of his company,  
And found Clerk Eleis at the meat,  
And all his rout about him set:  
And they came on them stoutly there,  
And with swords that sharply share,  
They served them full eagerly.  
They were slain down so haillelie,  
That well near there escaped nane.  
They served them in full great wane,  
With shéering swords, and with knives,  
That well near all léesed their lives.  
They had a felon Intermais,  
For that subcharge too charging was.  
They that escaped there through case,  
To their great Oast the ways taes.  
And told, how that their men were slain  
So clean, that there escaped nane.  
And when they of the Oast had heard,  
How that Dowglas with them fared:  
That had their herbryours all slain,  
And themselves rushed all again:  
And slew their Lord in mids their rouf,  
There was none of them all so stout:  
That more will had them to assail.  
Therefore they have ta'en to counsel,  
That time, and to purpose hes ta'en,  
To wend homeward, and home are gane:  
And sped them so upon their way,  
That to England soon comen are they,  
The Forest left they standing still:  
To hew it then they had no will,  
And specially while the Dowglas,  
So near hand by their neighbour was:  
And he that saw them turn again,  
Perceived well their Lord was slain:  
And by the hat that he had ta'en,  
He wist right well also for one  
That taken was said him surely,  
That Richemound ay commonly,  
Was wont that furred Hat to wéere.  
Then Dowglas blithe that was than eir:  
For he wist well that Richemound,  
His felon so was brought to ground.  
SIr james Dowglas on this wise  
Through his worship, and his emprise.  
Defended worthily the land.  
This point of wéere, I take on hand,  
UUes undertaken right apertly,  
And enchéeved right hardly,  
For he astoneyed withouten wéere.  
Tha folk that well ten thousand were,  
With fifty armed men but ma.  
I can als tell you other twa  
Points: that well encheeved were,  
With fifty men: and but all wéere,  
They were all done so hardly:  
That they were praised Soverainely,  
Attour all other points of were:  
That in their time enchéeved were.  
This was the first: that with fifty,  
Was brought to end, and so stoutly,  
In Galloway the other fell,  
When as ye heard me before tell:  
How Sir Edward the Bruce with fifty,  
Uanquisht of Saint john Sir Aymery:  
And fifteen hundreth men by tail.  
The third fell into Eskdaile,  
When that Sir john of Sowles, was  
The governor of all that place,  
And to Sir Andro Hardeclay,  
With fifty men beset the way,  
That had near in his company,  
Three hundredth Horsed jollily.  
This Sir john into plain Melle,  
Through Sovereign hardement, and bounty,  
Uanquisht them sturdily ilkeane,  
And Sir Andro in hands hes ta'en.  
I will not rehearse now the manner,  
For who so liketh they may hear.  
Young Women when they will play,  
Sing it among them everilke day,  
Their were the worthy points three,  
That I trow evermore shall been  
Praised, while men may on them mean,  
It is well worth withouten ween:  
That their names for evermaire,  
That in their time so worthy were,  
That men to hear hes yet dainty,  
That their worship, and their bounty,  
Been always lasting into loving.  
Where he that is Almighty King,  
Bring them high up, to Heaven's bliss,  
Where always lasting loving is.   

How the Bishop of Dunkelden sign, Scomfist the shipmen beside Dumfermling.  
IN this time that the Richemound,  
Was on this manner brought to the ground.  
Men of the coasts of England.  
That dwelled in Homber, or near hand,  
Gaddered them a great meinie,  
And went in ships to the sea,  
And toward Scotland went in hy,  
And to the Firth came hastily,  
They went to have had all their liking:  
For they wist well that the King,  
Was then far out of the Country,  
And with him money of great bounty.  
Therefore into the Firth came they,  
And endland it held up their way,  
While they beside Innerkething,  
On the West half toward Dumfermling  
took Land, and fast begouth to reave.  
The Earl of Fyth, and the Shireffe,  
Saw to the Coast ships approachand,  
They gaddered to defend the Land:  
And they forgane the ships ay,  
As they sailed they took their way,  
And thought to let them land to take.  
And when the shipmen saw them make  
sick countenance, and sick array,  
They said among them, that they  
Would not for them let land to ta,  
Then to the land they sped them sa,  
That they came there in full great high.  
And arrived full hardly.  
The Scottishmen saw their coming,  
And had thereof sick abasing:  
That they all hail did ride them fro,  
And the land but stop leet them to,  
They durst not feght with them for thy  
They with drew them all haillely,  
And yet they were five hundreth near,  
When they away thus riding were,  
And no defence begouth to shape,  
Of Dunkeldin the good Bishop,  
That William was called the Sincler,  
Came with a rout on good manner,  
I trow on Horse they were sixty,  
Himself was armed jollily,  
He rade upon a stalwart Steed,  
A Chimmer for to heil his weed,  
Above his armour had he then,  
And armed also were his men.  
The Earl, and the Shireffe met he.  
Riding away with their Menʒie,  
He asked them well soon, what hy,  
Made them to turn so hastily:  
They said, their foes with stalwart hand  
Into sick fusion had taken land,  
That they thought them all out too feill,  
And they were few with them to deill.  
When the Bishop heard it was sa,  
He said, the King ought well to ma  
Of you, that takes so well on hand,  
In his absence to wéere his land  
Certes, if he gart serve you well  
The gilt spurs right by the heil,  
He should in hy gar hue you fro.  
Right would, with Coward's men did so:  
Who loves their Lord, and his Country,  
Turn smartly now again with me:  
With that he kest off his Chimmeere,  
And hint in hand a stalwart Spear:  
And rade toward his foes in hy,  
All turned with him haillelie:  
For he had them reproved so,  
That of them all none went them fro,  
He rade before them sturdily,  
And they followed full manfully,  
While that they were near approachand,  
Untto their foes that had ta'en land.  
And soon were knit in good array,  
Then some were went to the Ferray.  
The good Bishop when he them saw,  
He said, Lordings but dréed or awe,  
Prick we upon them hardly,  
And we shall have them well hastily.  
If they see us, come but abasing,  
So that we hea●e make no more stinting,  
They shall right soon discomfist be,  
Now do ye well, for men shall see,  
Who loves the King's Menske this dayr  
Then all togidder in good array,  
They preiked upon them sturdy,  
The Bishop that was right hardly,  
And mickle and stark, rade forward ay.  
Then in a frush assembled they:  
And they that at their first meeting,  
Felt of their spears so saire sowing,  
Uanisht, and would have been away,  
Toward their ships in hy held they,  
And they them chased fellonlis,  
And slew them full despiteously,  
That all the fields overstrowed were,  
Of Englishmen that slain were there:  
And they that yet held unslain.  
Preassed them to the sea again.  
And Scottishmen that chased sa:  
Slew all that ever they might overta:  
But they that fled yet not for thy  
So to their ships can them hy:  
That in some baittes so feill can ga:  
For that their foes them chased sa:  
That they overtumbled: and the men  
That were therein, were drowned then.  
There did an Englishman that day,  
A well great strength, as I heard say:  
For when he chased was to the bait,  
A Scottishman that him handled hait:  
He hint up by the arms twa,  
And were he well, or were he was:  
He even upon his back him slang,  
And with him in the bait can gang:  
And kest him in even maugre his:  
This was a well great strength, I wis,  
The Englishmen that went away,  
Toward their ships in hy went they,  
And sailed home angry and wa,  
That they had been rebuted sa.   

The hame-come of King Robert, Out of Ireland fra Sir Edward.  
WHen the Shipmen on this wise,  
Was discomfist, as I device:  
The Bishop that so well him bare,  
And had comforted all that were there,  
Was yet into the fighting slead,  
Where near two hundreth well were dead  
Withouten them that drowned were.  
And when the field was spoilt baire:  
They went all home to their repair.  
To the Bishop is it fallen fair:  
That through his praise and his bounty,  
Encheered sick a great journey,  
The King therefore ay fra that day,  
Him loved, and praised, and honoured ay:  
And had him into sick dainty:  
That his own Bishop him called he.  
Thus they defended the Country,  
On both halves of the Scots sea,  
While that the King out of the land  
Was then, as ● have borne on hand.  
Through all Ireland his course hes made,  
And again to Craigfergus rade.  
And when his brother as he were King,  
Had all the Irishry at bidding:  
And haillely Vlsister also,  
He busked home his way to ga:  
And of his men that were most hardy▪  
And praised als of Chivalry,  
With his brother great part left he:  
And sign is went unto the sea,  
When they their lieves on ather party  
Had ta'en, they went to ship in hy.  
The Earl Thomas with him he had,  
And raised Sail but more abode:  
And in the land of Galloway.  
UUithout peril arrived they.  
The Lords of the land were fane,  
When they wist he was come again,  
And to him went in full great hy,  
And he received them tenderly,  
And made them Feast & gladsome cheer:  
And then so wonder blithe they were  
Of his coming, as man might say,  
Great Feast to him for thy made they,  
Where ever he rade, all the Country  
Gaddered in dainty him for to see.  
Great gladness was there in the land:  
All was then win unto his hand:  
Fra the red Swyre unto Orknay,  
Was none of Scotland fra his faith:  
Excepting Barwike it alane:  
That time therein winued one,  
That Capitane then was of the town,  
All Scottishmen into suspicion  
He had, and treated them right ill:  
He had ay to them right ill will,  
And held them all at under ay:  
Till that it fell upon a day:  
That a Burgess, Sym of Spalding,  
Thought that it was right heavy thing,  
On sick sort to rebuted be.  
Therefore into his heart thought he,  
That he would slely make convyne,  
With the Marshal, whose Cousyne  
He had wedded to his wife:  
And as he thought, he did belief:  
Letter to him he sent in hy,  
With a traist man full privily:  
And set him time to come, one night  
With ladders▪ and good men, and wight,  
To the Kow yet right privily:  
And bade hint hold his tryst truly:  
And he sold meet them at the wall:  
For on that night his watch sold fall.  
When the letters the Marshal saw,  
He umbethought him a little thraw:  
For he wist by himself, that he  
Might neither of might nor power be:  
For to encheeve so great a thing.  
And give he took to his helping  
One another sold wraithed be.  
Therefore right to the King yeed he  
And showed him betwixt them twa  
The letter, and the charge also,  
When the King heard that this train  
Was spoken into sick certain:  
That him thought therein no fantise:  
He said him certes thou hes wrought wise  
That hes discovered it first to me.  
For give thou had discovered thee,  
To my Nevoy the Earl Thomas,  
Thou sold displease the Lord Dowglas,  
And him also in the contrary,  
But I shall wirke on sick manner:  
That thou at thine intent shall be,  
And have of them no maugre.  
Thou shall take Keep well to thy day.  
And with them that thou purchase may,  
At Even shall thou enbushed be,  
In Dunce Parke. but by privy:  
And I shall gar the Earl Thomas,  
And the Lord also of Dowglas,  
Ather with a certain of men  
Be there, to do as thou shall ken,  
The Marshal then but more delay,  
took leave, and held forth on his way,  
And held his speech privy and still,  
Till the day that was set him till.   

The winning of Berwick and the fighting That was in the town at the winning.  
THen of the best of Lowthiane,  
He with him to his trysthes ta'en:  
For Shireffe then therefore was he,  
To Dunce Park with his Menʒie,  
He came at Even full privily,  
And sign with a good company,  
Soon after came the Earl Thomas,  
That was met with the Lord▪ Dowglas,  
A right fair company there were,  
When they were met togidder there.  
And when the Marshal the convince,  
To both the Lords, sign by line  
Had told they went forth on their way,  
Far from the town their horse left they,  
To make it short, so wrought they then,  
That but seeing of any man,  
(Out Sym of Spalding allane,  
That gart that thing be undertaken)  
That set their Ladders to the Wall,  
And but perceiving came in all:  
And held them in a nook privy,  
While that the night should passed been,  
And ordained that the most party:  
Of their men should gang sikkerlie,  
With their Lords and hold a staill,  
And the remnand should all hail,  
Skaill through the town, and take slay,  
All the men they might overta.  
But soon his ordinance broke they,  
For als soon as it dawen was day,  
The two part of their men and more,  
All skailled through the town can go,  
So greedy for to get the good,  
That they ran even as they were wood,  
And sieged Houses▪ and slew men,  
And they that saw their foes then,  
Come upon them so suddenly,  
Throughout the town they raised the cry,  
And shot togideer here and there,  
And aye as they assembled were  
They would abide and make debate:  
Had they been warned well I wait,  
They should have sold their lives dear,  
For they were good men: and als they were  
Far more, than they were that them sought:  
But they were skailled so that they moght  
On no manner assembled be.  
There was great melles two or three:  
That their foes all rushed were  
But Scottishmen so well them bare:  
And disrayed at the last were sa:  
That they all hail the flight can ta.  
Some got the Castle, but not all,  
And some were slidden over the wall,  
And some were into hands ta'en:  
And some were in the bargain slain,  
On this wise them conteened they,  
Till it was near noon of the day,  
Then they that in the Castle were,  
And other that fled were to them there.  
That were a right great company,  
When they the Banners so simpillie  
Saw stand, and stuffed with so whéene,  
Their yaits have they opened soon,  
And ished on them hardly.  
The Earl Thomas that was worthy,  
And the good Lord als of Dowglas,  
With all the folk that with them was,  
Met them stoutly with weapons seir,  
Then men might see who had been near,  
Men abandoun them hardly:  
And Englishmen fought cruelly,  
And with all mights can them pain,  
To rush the Scottishmen again,  
I trow, they had done so perfay,  
For they were fewer far than they,  
Had it not been a new made Knight,  
That to his name Sir William hight  
Of Keith, and of the Gallistoun,  
He heght through difference of Surnoun:  
That bore him right well that day.  
And put him to so hard assay,  
That he sick dints about him dang,  
That where he saw the thickest thrang,  
He pressed with so meekle might:  
And so enforcedly can fight.  
That he made to their meinie way:  
And they that near were to him ay,  
Dang on their foes so hardly:  
That they have ta'en the back in hy.  
And to the Castle held their way:  
With great mischief there entered they:  
For they were pressed there so fast:  
That they left money of the last.  
But they that entered not for thy.  
Closed the yates right hastily.  
And in hy to the walls ran:  
For they were not all sikker then.   

Here sent they word to the King, That come to the Castle yielding,  
THe town was ta'en upon this wise▪  
Through great worship and great emprise:  
And all the good that they there found:  
Was seesed hailly in their hand.  
Uittaile they found in great fusioun,  
And all that served to stuff a town,  
That kéeped they from destroying.  
And sign hes sent word to the King,  
And he was of that tything blithe.  
And sped him hitherwwaard full swyth,  
And as he through the Country rade,  
Men gaddered to him while he had  
A meekle rout of worthy men,  
And the folk that were winning then,  
In the Mers and Tevidaile:  
And in the Forest als all hail:  
And the East end of Lowthiane:  
Before that the King came, be gane  
To Barwike with a stalwart hand:  
That nane that was that time winnand,  
On yond side Tweed durst well appear,  
And they that in the Castle were,  
When that their foes in sick plenty,  
Saw before them assembled been,  
And had none hope of reskewing,  
They were abased in great thing.  
But they the Castle not for thy,  
Held fius days right sturdy:  
And yaild it on the sext day.  
Sign to their Country home went they.   

Here Walter Stewart took of the King, Baith Town, and Castle in keeping.  
THus was the Castle and the town,  
To Scottishmen possession  
Brought, and soon after the King  
Came riding with all his gaddering  
To Barwike: and in the Castle,  
He was harboured both fair and well:  
And his great Lords all him by.  
The remnand all commonly,  
To harbrie in the town are gane.  
The King hes then to counsel ta'en,  
That he would not break down the wall,  
But Castle and the town withal:  
Stuffed well with men and with victual,  
And all kin other apparel  
That might avail, or yet mister:  
To hold castle, or town of were.  
And Walter Stewart of Scotland,  
That then was young and vailyeand,  
And son in law to the good King,  
Had ay sick will, and sick yarning,  
Near hand the Marches for to be.  
That Barwike in keeping then took he,  
And received of the King the town,  
And the Castle, and Dungeoun.  
The King gart men of great Nobilley,  
Ride in England for to take Pray,  
And brought out great plenty of fee:  
And with some Countries truce taken he.  
For victual that in great fusioun,  
He gart bring smertly to the town:  
So that both Toun and Castell were  
Stuffed well for one year or maire.  
¶ The good Stewart of Scotland then,  
Sent for his friends and his men,  
Till he had with him but Archers,  
And but Burgesses, and Aulisters,  
Five hundreth men wight and hardy,  
That bare arms of Ancestry.  
john Crab a Fleming als had he,  
That was of so great subtlety,  
To ordain, and to make apparel,  
For to defend and to assail,  
Castle of wéere, or then City:  
That no sleear might founden be.  
He gart Engines, and Trains ma,  
And purveyed great fires also,  
Fire-galdes, and shot on seir manners,  
That to defend Castle efféeres:  
He purveyed into full great wane.  
Bot guns for cracks had they nane:  
For yet in Scotland then but ween  
The use of them had not been seen.  
And when the town upon this wise,  
Was stuffed (as I here devose)  
The Noble King his way hes ta'en,  
And ridden toward Louthiane:  
And Walter Stewart that was stout,  
He left in Barwike with a rout:  
And ordained fast for apparel,  
To defend, give men would assail.   

The King of England his power, Gaddered to siege Barwike but were.  
WHen to the King of England,  
Was told, how that with stalwart hand  
Barwike was ta'en, and stuffed sign,  
With men, and armour, and victual fine:  
He was annoyed gretumly.  
And gart be summoned hastily  
His counsel, and hes ta'en to read,  
That he his Oast would hidder lead:  
And with all might that he might get:  
Unto the town a Siege set:  
And gart dyke them so stalwartly,  
That while they liked there to lie,  
They sold far out the surer be,  
And give the men of the Country,  
With strength of folk would them assail  
At their dykes in plain battle:  
They sold advantage have greatly.  
Although forsooth it great folly  
Kinsfolks: for to assailyie into fighting,  
At their dykes so stark a King.  
When his counsel on this manner  
Was ta'en, he gart men far and ne'er,  
His men hailly assembled be.  
A great Oast with him than had he,  
Of Longcastell the Earl Thomas,  
That sign was Sanct, as some men says,  
Into his company was there.  
And all the Earls als that were  
In England worthy for to fight,  
And Barouns als of mickle might,  
With him to that assiege had he:  
And gart the ships by the sea,  
Bring shot, and other apparel,  
And great Garnisoun als of victual,,  
To Barwik● then with his meinie  
And with his battles arrived came he.  
And to the Lords ilkane sundry,  
Ordained a field for their harbry.  
Then men might see their Pavilliouns,  
Be stented on sundry fassiouns,  
So feill that they a Toun made there,  
More than both Toun and Castell were,  
On ather halfe sign, on the sea.  
Their ships came in sick plenty,  
With victual arming▪ and with men,  
That all the haven was stopped then.  
And when they that were in the town,  
Saw their foes in sick fusioun,  
By sea and land come sturdy:  
Then they as wight men, and hardy,  
Shupe them soon to defend their Steed,  
That they in aventour of their dead,  
Sold put them, or then rush again  
Their foes: for their Capitaine  
Treated them so lovingly:  
And therewith als the mayst party  
Of them, that armed with him were,  
Were of his blood, or Sib-men near:  
Or else they were of his ally.  
Of sick comfort men might them see,  
And als so fair in their conteening:  
That none of them had abasing,  
Upon the day well armed were they,  
And in the nights well watched ay.  
Well sex days they so abode,  
That they no full great bargain had.   

How Englishmen dyked them about, And sign went to the Siege but doubt,  
INto this time as I tell here,  
That they withouten bargain were,  
The Englishmen so closed had,  
Their Host, with dykes that they made:  
That they were strengthened gretumly,  
Sign with all hands busily,  
They shup them with their apparel,  
Them of the town for to assail:  
And on our Ladies Even Mary,  
That bure the birth that all can by,  
That men calls her Nativity:  
Soon in the morning men might see  
The English Host armed them in high,  
And display Banners sturdily,  
And assemble to their Banners,  
With Instruments on seir manners:  
As Scaffolds, Ladders, and coverings,  
Pikkes, Howes and eke staff slings,  
To ilke Lord and his battle,  
Was ordained where they should assail,  
And they within, when that they saw,  
These men so raying them on a raw,  
Ttheir wairdes they went in hy,  
That were stuffed so stalwardly,  
With stones, and shot, and other thing,  
That needed to their defending.  
And into sick manner abode  
Their foes, that to them sailyie made.  
When they without were all ready,  
They trumped to the assault in hy,  
And ilke man with his apparel,  
Where he should be went to assail.  
To ilke kernel that there were,  
Archers to shoot assigned are.  
And when on this wise they were boon,  
Then went in hy toward the town,  
And filled the Oykes right hastily,  
Sign to the walls right hardly,  
They went with Ladders that they had.  
But they so great defence hes made,  
That were above upon the Wall:  
That both Ladders, and men withal,  
They gart fall flatlings to the ground.  
Then men might see in little stound.  
Men assailing right hardly,  
Pressing up Ladders doughtily:  
And them above defending well,  
Tumbling them down to their unseill.  
With great annoy defended they  
Their town: for if we the sooth shall say.  
The walls of the town they were  
So law: that a man with a Spear,  
Might strike another upon the face,  
And the shot als so thick it was,  
That it were wonder for to see▪  
And Walter Stewart with a Menʒie,  
Kade aye about for to see where  
That for to help most mister were▪  
And where men pressed most he made  
Succours, to them that mister had,  
The money ●olke that were without.  
Had environed the town about:  
So that no part of it was free.  
Their men might the assailyeares see,  
Abandoun them right hardly:  
And the defenders doughtily,  
With all their mights can them pain●,  
To put their foes force again.  
On this wise them contéened they,  
While Noon was passed of the day:  
Then they that in the ships were▪  
Ordained a ship with full great fare,  
To come with all their apparel,  
Right to the wall for to assail.  
To the mid Mast their bait they drew,  
With armed men therein anew:  
A brig they had for to let fall,  
Right from the bait upon the wall:  
With Barges by they can her tow,  
They pressed her right fast to row,  
Beside the Brighouse to the Wall:  
On that intent they set them all:  
They brought her white she came well ne●  
Then men might see on seir manner,  
Some men defended, and some assail,  
Full busily, with hard battle.  
They of the town so well them bare.  
That the shipmen so handled were:  
That they the ship on no manner,  
Might gar come to the wall so ne'er:  
That their Fall-brig might reek theretill▪  
●o long abode they fighting still,  
While that she ebbed to the ground,  
Their men might in a little stound,  
●ée them by far of war convince,  
Then they were ever that was therein,  
And when the Sea was ●bbed so,  
That men all dry might to her go.  
Out of the town ished in h●  
To her a well great company:  
And fire in her hes kindled soon.  
Into short time so have they done,  
That into fire they gart her birne,  
And money slain, that was therein:  
And some were fled and away gane,  
An Ingynour there have they rane,  
That was sléest of that misteere.  
That men wist other far, or near  
Into the town sign entered they,  
It fell them happily that day:  
That they got in so hastily.  
For there came a gre●t company,  
In full great hy up by the sea,  
When they the ship saw burning high,  
But ere they came, the other was past,  
The yait they barred and closed fast,  
The folk assailyied fast that day,  
And they within defended a:  
On sick a wise, that they that were  
With sick a force assailyeing there,  
Might do their will on no manéere.  
And when the Evensong time was near,  
The folk without that were weary,  
And some wounded full cruelly.  
Saw them within defend them sa.  
And saw it was not eith to ta  
The town while sick defence were made,  
By them that within the stéering had,  
The Host saw that their ship was brynt,  
And of their men some in hy were tint.  
And their folk wounded and weary,  
They gart blew the retreat in high,  
Fra the shipmen rebuted were,  
They leet the other assail no maire:  
For through the shipmen they weened ilkane,  
That they the toun sold well have ta'en,  
And men says, that mo●ships then sa,  
pressed that time the town to ta:  
But for that there was burnt, but one,  
And the Ingynour therein was ta'en:  
Here therefore mention made I,  
But of one ship alanerlie.  
WHen they blown had the retreat,  
Tha folk that tholed pains great:  
Withdrew them hailly ●ta the wall,  
The assault have they left withal,  
And they within that weary were,  
And money of them wounded saire,  
Were blithe and glad when they them saw  
So in hail battle them withdraw:  
And fra they wist surely, that they  
Held to their Pavilions the way:  
They set good Watches to their wall,  
●yne to their Inns went they all:  
●nd eased them that weary were:  
And als them that were wounded saire,  
●ad good léeches, forsooth I hight:  
That helped them with all their might,  
●n ather side weary were they:  
That night they did no more perfay.  
●iue days after they were still,  
That none to other did great ill.   

Here sent King Robert in England, Dowglas & Murray with stalwart hand.  
NOw leave we their folk here lyand,  
All still (as I have borne on hand)  
And turn the course of our carping,  
To Sir Kobert the doughty King:  
That assembled, both far and near,  
An Dast, and when he wist but wéere,  
That the King so of England,  
Had assieged with stalwart hand,  
Barwike, where. Walter Stewart was:  
To purpose with his men he taes,  
That he would not sa soon assail,  
The King of England with battle,  
And at his dykes especially  
For it might well turn to folly.  
Therefore he ordained Lords twa,  
The Earl of Murray was one of tha:  
The other was the Lord Dowglas,  
And fifteen hundreth men, to pass  
In England, for to burn and ●●a:  
And so great riot there to ma,  
That they that lay sieging the town,  
When they hear the destructioun,  
That they sold into England ma:  
Sold be so dréeding. and so wa:  
For their Children, and for their Uuives,  
That they sold dréed to loss their lives,  
And their goods also, that they  
Sold dread they sold be had away,  
And they sold leave the Siege in hy,  
And wend to rescue hastily  
Their goods, their friends, and their land;  
Therefore (as I have borne on hand)  
Their Lords sent he forth in hy.  
And they their ways held hastily,  
In England gart they burn and slay:  
And wrought therein so mickle was:  
Ay as they fure through the Country,  
That it was pity for to see  
To them that would it any good:  
For they destroyed all as they yoode.  
So long they rade destroying sa:  
That they traversed off to and fra:  
So that they comen are to Repoun,  
And destroyed haillely that Toun.  
At Borrow brig their harbery  
They took, and at Midtoun there by.  
And when the men of that Country,  
Their men saw so destroyed be:  
They gaddered into full great hy.  
Archers, Burgesses, and Yemanry,  
Priests, Clerks, Abbots, Fréeres,  
Husbands, and men of all master's,  
While they togidder assembled were,  
Well twenty thousand men, and maire:  
Right good armour aneugh they had.  
The Archbishop of York they made  
Their Capitaine, and to counsel  
Hes ta'en, that they in plain battle,  
Would assail the Scottishmen,  
That far fewer than they were then.  
Then he displayed his Banner,  
And other Bishops that were there,  
Gart display their Banner also.  
And in a rout forth can they ga',  
Toward Mid●oun the ready way,  
And when the Scottishmen heard say,  
That they were to them coming near:  
They busked them on their best maneere:  
And dealt them into battles twa,  
Dowg●as the vanguard can ma,  
And the Reeregard made earl Thomas,  
(For Capitaine of the Oast he was)  
And so ordained in good array,  
Toward their foes they held the way,  
When that they had of other sight,  
They pressed on both the halves to fight.  
The Englishmen came right sadly,  
With good countenance, and hardy,  
Right in a front with their Banner,  
While that their foes came so ne'er:  
That they their visage well might see.  
Three spear length, trow I it might be  
Betwixt them, than sick abaissing  
took them that but assonyeing,  
They took the back, and all to ga.  
When Scottishmen hes seen them sa  
Affrayedly flee all their way,  
In great hy upon them set they,  
And ●lew, and took a great party:  
That the lave fled full effrayedly,  
As they best might, to seek warrant.  
They were chased to near at hand,  
That well a thousand died there.  
And of tha yet three hundreth were  
Priests that died in that place.  
Therefore that bargain called was,  
The Chapter of Midtoun: for there  
Slain so money Priests were.   

The other assault of Berwick, That was right shape to the Scots kinrike.  
WHen that their folk discomfist was,  
And Scottishmen had left the chase:  
They went then forward in the land,  
Slaying destroying, and burnand  
Than they that at the Siege lay,  
Ere it was passed the fifth day,  
Had made them sundry apparel,  
To gang eft 'zounds to assail▪  
Of great Geistes a Sow they made,  
That stalwart heilling outwith had:  
With armed men anew therein,  
And Instruments for to mine,  
Sundry Scaffolds than made withal,  
That were far higher than the Wall,  
And ordained als that by the sea,  
The town should right well sailȝied been:  
And they within▪ that them sa,  
So great apparel to them ma,  
Through Crabs counsel that was ●lée,  
A Crane they have gart dress up high,  
Rinning on wheels, that they might bring  
It where that need were of helping:  
And pick, and far all have they ta'en,  
And Lint, and hards, and Brintstane,  
And dry tree that would well birne,  
And melled ather other in:  
And great Faggots therefore they made,  
Girthed with Irne bands brade  
The Faggots well might measured been,  
To a great tunnes quantity.  
The Faggots burning in a bail,  
With their Cranmer thought they should avail:  
And if the Sow come to the wall,  
To let it burning on her fall:  
And with a sta●ke Chenyie hold it there:  
While all were burnt up that there were,  
Engines also for to cast,  
They ordained, and made ready fast:  
And set ilke man to his ward.  
And Sir Walter the good Stewart  
With armed men should ride about,  
And see where that there was most doubt,  
And succour there with his Menʒie,  
And when they into sick degree.  
Had made them for their assailyeing,  
On the Rood Even in the dawing,  
The English Host blew to assail.  
There might men see with seir apparel,  
The great Host come full sturdily.  
The town environed they in hy.  
And assailyied with full great will:  
For all their might they set theretill,  
Fast they them pressed to the town:  
But they that can them abandoun  
To dead, or then to wounds fair:  
So well hes them defended there.  
That Ladders to the ground they slang,  
And with stones so fast they dang  
Their foes, that feill they left lying,  
Some dead some hurt, & some swoouning,  
But they that held on foot, in hy,  
Drew them away deliverly,  
And sojournde there for no ●in thing,  
But went stoutly to assailyeing.  
And they abo●e defended ay,  
And set them to so hard assay:  
While that feile of them wounded were,  
And they so great defence made there.  
That they stinted their foes might,  
Upon sick manner can they fight:  
While it was near Noon of the day,  
Then they without in great array,  
pressed their Sow toward the wall,  
And they within right soon gart call,  
The Engineer that taken was,  
And great mannance to him maes:  
And swore that he should die, but he,  
Préeved on the Sow sick subtlety,  
That he should frush her ilke dail:  
And he that hes perceived well,  
That the dead was near him till,  
But if he might fulfil their will,  
Thought, that he all his might would do  
bended in great by then was sho,  
And to the Sow was then even set,  
In hy he gart draw the Cleiket:  
And smertly swapped out a stone,  
That even over the Sow is gone,  
And behind her a little wie  
It fell: and then they cried high,  
That were in her forth to the wall,  
For dréedlesse it is ours all.  
The Ingynour then deliverly,  
Gart bind the gyne full hastily,  
That kest the stone right smertly out.  
It flew over whiddering in a rout,  
And fell right even before the Sow,  
Their hearts then begouth to grow.  
But if they with their mights all,  
pressed the sow toward the wall.  
And hes her set thereto cunningly,  
The Ingynour than gart bend in hy  
The begin, and swakked out a stone,  
That even toward the Lift is gone,  
And with great weight dushed down,  
R●ght by the wall in a randoun,  
And hit the Sow in sick a manner,  
That it that was the most sour:  
And starkest for to stint straike,  
In sunder with that d●sh he broke.  
The men ran forth in full great high.  
And on the walls they can cry:  
That their Sow fecried was there.  
john Crab that had his gear all there.  
In the Faggots hes set a fire,  
And over the walls sign can it wire.  
And brunt the Sow in brands bare,  
With this all fast assailyeing were  
The folk without with felon fight.  
And they within with mickle might,  
Defended manfully that Steed,  
Into great adventure of their deed.  
The shipmen with great apparel.  
Came with their ships to assail.  
With Topcasteles garnished well,  
And with men armed into steel,  
Their baits v● in midds their Mast,  
Drawn well high, and fastened fast,  
And pressed with their great adventure,  
Toward the wall: but the Ingynour  
Hit an Aspen with a stone,  
That the men that were therein ilkane,  
Came down dushing on the land.  
Fra hinefoorth durst none take on hand,  
With ships to press them to the wall,  
Bot the lave were assailyeing all.  
On everlike side so eagerly:  
That Certes, it was great ferlie,  
That tha folk sick defence hes made.  
For the great mischief they then had:  
For their walls so low they were,  
That a man right with a spear,  
Might strike another up in the face:  
As here before told to you it was.  
And feill of them were wounded saire:  
And the la●e so fast travelling were:  
That none had laiser rest to ta▪  
Their adversaries them assailyied sa:  
They were therein so straight stad,  
That their Wardane with him had,  
An hundreth men in company,  
Armed, that wight were and hardy,  
And rade about for to see where,  
That his folk hardest pressed were:  
But he of his hail company,  
Behoved to leave a great party.  
So that by he a course had made  
About of all his men he had●  
There was left with him only one:  
For he had them left everilkane,  
To relieve where he saw mister:  
And the folk that assailyeing were,  
At Mary yait, they hewed had▪  
The Bars and a fire had made  
At the Draw-brig, and brunt it down:  
And were thringing in great susioun,  
Right to the yait a fire to ma.  
And they within gart smertly ga',  
Right to the UUardane for to say,  
How they were set in hard assay.  
And when Sir Walter Stewart heard,  
How that his men so straight fared,  
He gart come fra the Castle then,  
All that were there of armed men:  
For there that day assailyied nane.  
And with that rout in hy is gane,  
To Marry yait, and to the wall  
Is went, and saw the peril all.  
And umbethought him suddenly,  
But give great help were sent in hy  
Thereto, they sold burn up the yait,  
With the fire that he found thereat.  
Therefore upon great hardement,  
He suddenly set his intent:  
And gart all wide set up the yait,  
And the fire that he found thereat,  
With strength of men he put away.  
He set him in full great assay:  
For they that were assailyeing there  
pressed on him with weapons bare:  
And he defended with all his might.  
There men might see a felon fight,  
With sticking, stopping, and straiking:  
There made they sturdy defending,  
maugre their foes, while the night:  
Gart them on both halves leave the fight.  
THey of the Dast, when night can fall,  
Fra the assault withdrew them all:  
Wounded, and weary, and forbeft,  
With faintness there the Salt they left,  
And to their Inns they went in hy,  
And set their Watches hastily.  
The lave them eased, as they might best:  
For they had great mister of rest.  
That night they spoke all commonly,  
Of them within, and had ferly,  
That they so stout defence had made,  
Against the great assault they had:  
And they within on other party,  
When they their foes so haillely  
Saw them withdraw, they were all blithe,  
And their Watches hes ordained swyth:  
And sign are to their Inns gane.  
There was but few of them then slain,  
Bot feill were wounded cruelly.  
The lave out of measure were weary.  
It was an hard assault, perfay:  
For certainly I heard men say,  
That no few men more defence had made:  
That so right sharp assailyeing had,  
And of one thing that there befell,  
I have ferly, that I of tell:  
That is, that into all that day,  
When all the most assailyied they:  
And the shot thickest was with all,  
Women with bairnes, and children small.  
In arms full gaddered up, and bare,  
To them that on the walls were,  
Arrows, and not one slain was there.  
Nor yet wounded, and that was maire.  
To a miracle of GOD almighty,  
And to nought else it set can I.  
On ather side, that night they were  
All still, while on the morn but maire,  
There came tithings out of England,  
To the Oast that was mislykand:  
How that at Borrowbrig by Midtoun,  
Their men were slain & doungen down:  
And that the Scotishmen through the land,  
Rade yet burning, and slayand,  
And when the King hes heard this tale,  
His counsel he assembled hale:  
To see, whidder better were him till,  
Abide about the town all still:  
And assail while it winnen were:  
Or then in England for to far:  
And rescue his land, and men.  
His counsel fast discorded then:  
For the South men would that he made  
Arrest there, while he winnen had  
The town, and the Castle also.  
But North men would nothing swa:  
They dread their friends for to tyne,  
And most part of their goods sign,  
Through Scottishmen cruelty.  
They would he leet the Siege be,  
And ride for to rescue the land.  
Of Longcastell, I take on hand:  
The Earl Thomas was one of tha,  
That counselled the King home for to ga.  
And for that, more inclined he,  
To the folk of the North Country:  
Then to the Southeroun men's will,  
He took it to so mickle ill,  
That he gart turse his gear in hy,  
And with his battle haillely:  
That of the Oast near third part was,  
To England home his ways taes,  
But lief ●ee home hes ●ane his gate:  
Therefore fell after sick debate.  
betwixt him, and the King, that ay  
Lested, and Andro Hardeclay.  
That through the King was on him set,  
took him sign, and into Pumfret,  
Into the Hill beside the town  
Strake off his head but ransoun.  
Therefore sign hauged & drowned was he  
And with him a great meinie.  
Men sign said after that this Thomas,  
That on this wise martyred was,  
Was sign a Saint, mirackles did:  
But envy then gart them be hid.  
But whidder he holy was or nane.  
At Pumfret thus gate was he slain.  
And sign the King of England,  
When that he saw him take on hand,  
To pass his was so openly.  
He thought that vecill it was folly▪  
His Harness therefore cursed he:  
And with the lave of his Menʒie,  
To England home can be fare.  
The Scottishmen that destroying were  
Throughout England full cruelly  
Burning and wasting right rigorously,  
When 't at they have heard tithings tell  
Of this great Siege that was so fell:  
That they all skailed were and gane,  
Unto England home again:  
So that their folks relieved were,  
And set now free from all danger:  
Then did they take Westward the way,  
And by Carlisle returned are they,  
With prize, and with prisoners,  
And other goods on seir manners,  
The Lords to the King are gane.  
The King (I wish) was wonder fane,  
That they returned hail and fear:  
And that they sped on that maneere,  
That they their foe's discomfist had,  
And but tinsel of men had made  
Recourse to them, that in Barwike  
Were assieged right fair and thick.  
That into full great danger was,  
Through strength of them that sieged hes.  
And when the King had spéered tithand,  
How they had farne into England,  
And of their journey what progress,  
That they have had; and what success?  
And they have told him all their fare,  
How Englishmen discomfist were,  
Right blithe into his heart was he,  
And made them Feast with game and glee.  
Barwike was on this manner  
rescued, and they that therein were.  
He was worthy a Prince to been,  
Through manhéede, and subtility,  
That could with wit so high a thing,  
But tinsel bring to good ending.  
To Berwick sign the King goes,  
And when he heard sign how it was  
Defended so done manfully,  
He loved them that were there greatly.  
Walter Stewarts great bounty,  
Attour the lave commended he,  
For the right great defence he made,  
At the ȝet, where men brunt had  
The brig, as ye heard me devose.  
And Certes, he was meekle to praise:  
That so stoutly with plain fighting,  
At open Yate made sick defending,  
Might he had lived, while he had been,  
Of perfect eild, withouten ween,  
His Renown should have streiked far.  
But death that watches ever ne'er,  
Into the flour of his Youthheed,  
Made end of all his doughty deed,  
As ● shall tell furthermare,  
When the King had a while been there,  
He sent for Masouns far and near,  
That slee were of that mistéere:  
And gart well tenfoote high the wall,  
About Barwike the town over all.  
And sign toward Louthiane,  
With his Menʒie his gate hes ta'en,  
And sign he gart ordain in hy,  
Both armed men, and Yemanrie,  
Into Ireland in hy to far,  
To help his brother that was there.  
But he that rest annoyed ay,  
And would in travel be always,  
Ane day before the arriving  
Of them, were sent him from the King,  
He took his way Southward to far,  
maugre them all that with him were,  
For he had not then in that land,  
Of all men (I trow) two thousand.  
Except the Kings of the ●rishrie,  
That in great routs rade him by.  
Toward Dondalk he took his way:  
And when Richard of Clare heard say,  
That he came with a few Menʒie:  
All that he might assembled he:  
Of all Ireland of armed men.  
So that he had there with him then,  
Of trapped Horses twenty thousand,  
By them that were on foot gangand:  
And held forth Northward on his way,  
And when Sir Edward heard men say,  
That comen near to him was he,  
He sent Discurreours him to see,  
The Sowles and the Stewart were they  
And als Sir Philip the Mowbray,  
And when they seen had their coming,  
They went again to tell tithing:  
And said, they were well money men,  
In hy Sir Edward answered then:  
And said, that he should feght that day,  
Though five, or six times more were they  
Sir john Stewart said sickerlie,  
I reed ye feght not in sick high,  
Men says your brother is cummand,  
With fifteen hundreth men at hand.  
And were they knit with you, ye might  
Abide stalwartly the fight.  
Sir Edward looked right angerly  
And to the Sowles said in hy:  
What sayest thou? Sir, he said, perfay,  
As my Fellow said Sir, I say,  
Then to Sir Philip the Mowbray said he,  
Sir (said he) so our Lord me see,  
Me thought it folly for to bide  
Yone men, that speeds them to ride:  
For we are few, our foes are feill▪  
God may right well our Weirds deill,  
But it were wonder that our might  
Sold overcome so feill in fight.  
Then with great ire (alace) said he,  
I weened never to have heard that of thee:  
Now help who will, for sickerly  
This day but more bade fight will I.  
Shall no man say while that I die,  
That strength of men sall gar me flee.  
GOD shield that any sold us blame,  
That we deal our Noble fame.  
Now be it swagait then (said they)  
We shall take that GOD will purvey,  
And when the Kings of Irishry,  
Herd say, and wist it sickerly,  
That their King with so whéene walled fight  
Against so money of mickle might:  
They came to him in full great hy,  
And counseled him full tenderly,  
For to abide his men, and they  
Sold hold their foes all that day  
Doing▪ and on the morn also,  
With their assaults that they sold ma.  
But there might no counsel avail,  
He would all gaites to the battle.  
And when they saw he was so thra  
To fight, they said, ye may well ga:  
But we will quite us utterly,  
To fight with yone great company,  
For none of us will stand to fight:  
Trust not therefore into our might:  
For our manner is in this land,  
To follow, and to fight flee and:  
And not to stand in plain Melle.  
While the one part discomfist be.  
He said, sen that your custom is,  
I ask no more of you, but this,  
That is, that ye and your meinie,  
would all togidder arrayed be,  
And stand on far but departing,  
And see our feght, and our ending.  
They said, well, that they sold do sa:  
And sign toward their foes can ga.  
They were well threttie thousand near,  
Edward, and they that with him were,  
They were not fully two thousand,  
Arrayed then stalwardly to stand,  
Against threttie thousand and ma.  
Sir Edward that day would not ●a  
His Coat-armour, bot Gib Harper  
That men held as withouten peer,  
Of his estate, had on that day,  
All hail Sir Edward's array▪  
The feght abode they on this wise,  
And in great hy their enemies,  
Came to assemble all ready.  
And they met them right hardly.  
They were so few the sooth to say,  
That rushed with their foes were they:  
And they that most pressed to stand,  
Were slain down, and the remanand  
Fled to the Irishry for succour,  
Sir Edward that had sick valour  
Was dead, and Sir john Stewart also,  
And Sir john Sowles als with tha.  
And other of their company:  
They vanquished were so suddenly,  
That few into the Plain were slain,  
For the lave hes their ways ta'en:  
To the Irish Kings that were there,  
That in hail battle howing were.  
john Thomson that was leader,  
Of them of Carrike that were there.  
When he saw the discomfiting,  
Withdrew him to an Irish King,  
That of his acquaintance had he:  
And he received him in dainty.  
And when john comen was to the King  
He saw men lead fra the fighting,  
Sir Philip Mowbray the wight,  
That had been discomfist in the fight:  
And by the arms led was he,  
With two men upon the Caussey,  
That was betwixt them and the town,  
That streiked long in a randoun:  
Toward the town they held their way,  
And when in mids the Caussey were the●,  
Sir Philip of his business  
Overcome and perceived he was  
Ta'en, and swagaites led with twa.  
The one he swakked soon him fra,  
And sign the other in great hy.  
He drew his sword deliverly,  
And to the feght the way he taes,  
Endlang the Caussey that there was  
Filled into so great fusioun  
Of men, that went then to the town.  
And he that met them can them ma,  
sick payment, where he can them ta,  
That well an hundreth men gart he,  
Leave maugre theirs the Caussey,  
And john Thomson said surely,  
That saw his deeds all haillelie,  
That toward the battle even he yéede,  
john Thomson thereto took good heed,  
And cried to him in full great hy.  
That they were vanquished all plainly:  
And said, come here: for there is nane  
On life for they are dead ilkane.  
Then stood he still a while, and saw  
That they were all done out of daw:  
Sign went he toward him sikkerly.  
This john wrought sign so wittily,  
That all that hidder fled, they were  
Comde to Craigfergus hail and fear,  
Although they left some of their gear.  
And they that at the fight were,  
Sought Sir Edward to get his head,  
Among the folk that there was dead:  
And found Gib Harper in his gear:  
And for so good his armings were,  
They strake his head off: and sign it,  
They have gart salt into a Kit:  
And in a Present but hething  
In England sent it to the King.  
They weened Sir Edward it had been:  
But for the arming that was shéene,  
They of the head deceived were:  
Although Sir Edward died there.  
On this wise were the Noble men,  
Through wilfulness, all lossed then,  
And that was sin, and great pity:  
For had their outrageous bounty,  
Been led with wit, and with measure,  
But give the more misaventure  
Befell them it sold been hard thing,  
Sold lead them to discomforting,  
But great outrageous succudrie,  
Gart them all dear their worship buy:  
And they that fled from the Melle,  
Sped them in hy toward the Sea:  
And to Craigfergus comen be they:  
And they that were into the way,  
To Sir Edward, sent from the King,  
When they heard the discomfiting,  
To Craigfergus they went again,  
And that was not withouten pain,  
For they were money times that day  
Assailyied with Irishrie: but they  
Held them togidder sikkerlie,  
Defending them so worthily:  
That they escaped oft through might,  
And money times oft by slight.  
For oft there to themselves gave they,  
To let them skaithlesse pass away.  
And to Craigfergus came they sa,  
Then baits and shipmen they ta,  
And sailed to Scotland into hy,  
And arrived all their safely.  
When they of Scotland had witting,  
Of Sir Edward's discomfiting:  
They méened him full tenderly,  
Over all the land full commonly:  
And they that with him slain were there.  
Full tender als méened they were.  
SIr Edward Bruce, as is said air,  
Was discomfist on this manner:  
And when the field was cleanged clean,  
So that no resistance there was seen.  
The Wardane than Richard of Clare  
With all the folks that he had there.  
Toward Dondalke hes ta'en the way,  
So that no debate made they:  
At that time with the Irishry,  
But to the town they held in hy,  
And sign hes sent to the King,  
That England had in governing,  
Gib harper's head into a Kit,  
john Mowppas to the King had it:  
Whilk he received in great dainty,  
Right blithe of that Present was he.  
For he was glad that he was so  
Delivered of sick a felon foe,  
In heart thereof he took sick pride,  
That in all haste he would ride.  
With a great Host into Scotland,  
To revenge him with stalwart hand,  
Of the trey, travel and the teen,  
That done to him therein had been.  
Then a right great Host gaddered he,  
And gart his ships by the sea  
Come with great fusioun of victual  
For at that time he thought all hail,  
For to destroy so clean Scotland,  
That none should been therein livand,  
And with his Host in great array  
Toward Scotland he took the way.  
And when King Robert wist that he  
Came on him with sick a Menʒie,  
He gaddered men both far and near,  
While so feill comen to him were,  
And was als for to come him to:  
That him thought he should well do:  
He gart with draw all the cattle.  
Of Lowthiane everilk deill.  
And into strengths gart them be led,  
And ordained men to defend that stead:  
And with his Host all still he lay,  
At Co●ros: for he would assay,  
To gar his foes through fasting  
Bee feeble, and through long waking.  
And fra he feeblished had heir might,  
Assemble with them he would to fight.  
He thought to work upon this wise,  
And Englishmen through great Mistress,  
Came with their Host to ●outhiane,  
And then to Edinburgh▪ are they gane,  
And there abode days three.  
Their ships that were upon the sea,  
Tad the wind contrary to them ay:  
So that upon no manner of way,  
Power they had to the Firth to bring  
Their victual to relieve their King:  
And they of the Host that failyied meat.  
When they saw that they might not get  
Their victuals to them by the sea,  
They sent then forth a great meinie,  
For to foray all Louthiane.  
But cattle have they founden nane.  
Except a Kow that was haltand,  
That in Tranent town they ●and.  
And when the Earl of Warrane,  
Saw their Forrayours come again,  
And a Kow anerly come sa:  
He asked if they found no ma?  
And they have said all to him. Nay.  
Then Certes said he, I dare say,  
This is the dearest beast, that I  
Saw ever yet: for sickerly  
It cost a thousand pound and maire.  
And when the King, and they that were  
Of his counsel, saw they might get  
No cattle to their Host to eat.  
Then they of fasting had great pain.  
To England turned they home again.  
At Melros shupe they for to lie,  
And sent before a company.  
Three hundredth near of armed men:  
But the Lord Dowglas that was then,  
Beside into a Forest near,  
Witted of their coming and what they were  
And with them of his company,  
Into Melros all haillelie,  
He howered into a ambushment,  
And a right sturdy Fréere hes sent,  
Without the Yate their coming to see,  
And bade him hold him all privy,  
While that he saw them comen all,  
Right to the cunyie of the Wall:  
And cried on high, Dowglas, Dowglas,  
The Fréere then forth his ways taes,  
That was right darfe, stout, and hardy,  
His mickle hood covered haillely  
The arming that he on him had.  
Upon a stalwart Horse he rade,  
And in his hand he had a Spear,  
And abode upon that manéere,  
While that he saw them commenner,  
And when the formest passed were  
The cunyie, he cried, Dowglas, Dowglas,  
Then to them all, a course he maes,  
And bare one down deliveredly,  
Then Dowglas with his company,  
Ished upon them with a shout.  
And when they saw so great a rout,  
Come upon them so suddenly,  
They were abased gretumly:  
And gave the back but more abode.  
The Scottishmen among them rade,  
And slew all them they might overta,  
And great martyrdom there can ma:  
And they that scaped were unslain:  
And to their Oast went home again:  
And told them what good welcoming,  
Dowglas then made at their coming,  
Conuoying them again rudely,  
And warned them the plain harbrie.   

Here followed King Robert in height, The English King with all his might.  
THe King of England, and his men,  
That saw their harbreours come then  
Rebuted on that great manner.  
Annoyed in their hearts they were:  
And thought it was a great folly,  
Into the wood to take harbrie.  
Therefore by Dryburgh in a Plain:  
They harbried them, and sign again,  
Are went to England but delay.  
And when the King Robert heard say:  
That they were turned home again,  
And how their harbreours were slain,  
In by an Oast assembled he,  
And went forth over the Scots sea:  
Eighty thousand he was, and ma,  
And eight battles he made of tha:  
In ilk battle were ten thousand:  
Sign went he forth to England,  
And in hail rout he followed fast  
The English King, while at the last,  
He came approaching by Byland,  
When at that time there was lyand,  
The King of Englan● with his men,  
King Robert that had witting then,  
That he lay there with mickle might:  
Tranoynted so on him one night:  
That on the morn by it was day,  
Come to the plain field were they.  
Fra Byland a little space:  
But betwixt them, and it there was,  
A craig bram streiked well long:  
And a great Path up for to gang.  
Otherwise might they not have way,  
To pass to Bylands abbey:  
Bot give they passed far about.  
And when the mickle English rout,  
Herd that the King Robert was near,  
The most part of them that were there,  
Went to the Path to take the bram,  
There thought they their defence to ma:  
Their Banners there they gart display,  
And their battles in brade array:  
And thought well to defend the place.  
When King Robert perceived hes,  
That they them thought for to defend,  
Efter his counsel hes he send.  
And asked what was best to do?  
The Lord Dowglas answered him to:  
And said, Sir, I will underta,  
That in short time I shall do sa:  
That I shall win yone place plainly:  
Or then gar all yone company,  
Come down to you into this Plain:  
Or ye shall never trow me again.  
The King then said great GOD thee speed:  
And he on forth his ways yeede,  
And of the Oast the most party,  
Put then into his company▪  
And held their way toward the place,  
The Earl of Murray Sir Thomas,  
Left his battle, and in great high,  
But with few men in company,  
Came to the Court of the Lord Dowglas,  
And ere he entered into the place,  
Before them all the place took he:  
For he would that men sold him see.  
And when the good Lord Dowglas,  
Saw that he so comen was.  
He praised him thereof greatly,  
And welcomed him honourably.  
And to the place can togidder ga.  
When Englishmen saw them do sa,  
They lighted, and against them yeed,  
Two Knights, that doughty were indeed,  
Thomas of Struthers heght one to name,  
And the other Sir Ralph of Cowban●?  
Their two Knights of good degree,  
Came down before all their meinie:  
They were both of full great bounty,  
And met their foes right manfully.  
There might men see well other assail,  
And men defend with stout battle:  
And arrows flee in great fusioun,  
And they that above were, tumbled down  
Stones upon them from the height.  
But they that set both will and might,  
To wi● the Path, and pressed sa:  
That Sir Ralph Cowbane can ta  
The way, right to his Oast in hy,  
And left Sir Thomas manfully  
Defending with great might the place,  
While that he so supprised was:  
That he was ta'en through hard fight.  
And therefore sign while his ending,  
He was renowned the best of hand,  
Of one Knight, was in all England.  
For this ilk Sir Ralph of Cowbane,  
In all England he had the name:  
For the best Knight of that land.  
And for Sir Thomas dwelled still fightand,  
Where Sir Ralph (as before said we)  
Withdrew him, aboue him prised was he.   

The discomfiting of Englishmen, At Bylands Path into the Glen.  
THus were they fight in the place:  
And when King Robert, that was  
UUise in his deeds, and eke worthy,  
Saw his men ay so doughtily,  
The Peth upon their foes ta,  
And saw his foes defend them sa:  
Then gart he all the Irishry,  
That were into his company,  
Of Argyle, and Isles also,  
Speed them in hy unto the bram.  
He bade them leave the Peth haillely,  
And climb up on the Craiges thereby:  
And speed them fast the height to ta,  
And in great high they have done sa:  
And clomb as Gaites up to the height,  
And left not for their foes might.  
maugre their foes they bore them sa:  
That they are gotten aboue the bram.  
Then fought they wonder felonly,  
And rushed their foes right sturdily.  
There was a right perilous bargain:  
For a Knight heght Sir john of Britain  
That lighted hes aboue the bram,  
With his men great defence can ma,  
But the Scottishmen can so assaille,  
And gave to them so feill battle:  
That they were set in sick effray,  
That they that flee might, fled away.  
Sir john of Britain there was ta'en,  
And most part of his Menʒie s●aine,  
Of France there were ta'en Knights two,  
The Lord of Sowllie was one of though:  
The other was the Marshal Britain  
That was a right great Lord at hame,  
The lave some dead were, and some slain,  
The remnand fled were everilkane.  
And when the King of England,  
As yet at Byland was lyand:  
Saw his men discomfist plainly,  
He took his way in full great high,  
And Southward fled in all his might,  
The Scots men chased him hard, I hight:  
And in the chase hes money slain:  
But he quickly away is gane,  
And the most part of his Menʒie,  
Walter Stewart of great bounty,  
Set ay upon high Chivalry.  
With five hundreth in company,  
To York Yates a chase can ma:  
And there some of their men can s●a:  
And abode while near the night.  
To see if any would is to fight  
And when he saw none would is out,  
He turned again wi●h all his rout:  
And to the Host they went in hy,  
That then had ta'en their harbery:  
Into the abbey of Byland,  
And Rues that were near by lyand.  
They deal● among them that was there,  
And gave the King of England's gear:  
That he had left into Byland,  
All gripped they into their hand:  
And made them glad, and eke merry.  
And when the King had ta'en Harberie,  
They brought to him their prisoners  
All unarmed, as it affeeres:  
And when he saw john of Britain,  
He had at him full great disdain:  
For he of him would speak highly,  
At home, and too despitefully.  
He bade have him away in high,  
And look he kéeped were straitly,  
And said, were it not that he were  
A Captive, as he then was there  
His words he should full dear abye.  
And he full fast can cry, mercy,  
They let him forth withouten maire,  
And kept him well white that they were  
Come home to their own Country.  
Long after sign ransomed was he:  
For twenty thousand pound to pay,  
As I have heard among men say.  
WHen that the King this speech had made,  
The French Knights they taken had.  
Were brought there before the King.  
And he made them fair welcoming,  
And said, I wait right well that ye  
For your great worship and bounty,  
Came for to see this fighting here:  
For sen ye in the Country were,  
Your strength, your worship & your might,  
Would not those you eschew the fight,  
And sen that cause led you theretill,  
And neither wrath, nor yet ill will,  
As friends ye shall received be,  
And welcome been all time to me.  
They kneeled, and thanked him greetly▪  
And he gart treat them courteously,  
A long while with him them held he.  
And did them honour and bounty,  
And when they yarned to their land.  
Unto the King of France in Presand,  
He sent them quite, but ransom free,  
And gifts great to them gave he,  
His friends thusgaite courteously,  
He could receive, and right humbly,  
And his foes stoutly astoney.  
At Byland all that night he lay,  
For their victory all blithe they were,  
And on the morn withouten maire,  
They have Southwards ta'en their way  
So far at that time travelde they,  
Burning, slaying, and destroying  
Their foes, with all their might noying,  
While to the wall comen were they,  
Sign North again they took the way  
And sign homeward in their repair,  
They destroyed hail the wall of Bewar,  
And sign with prisoners and cattle,  
Riches, and money fair jewel,  
To Scotland took they home their way,  
Blithe and joyful of their Prey.  
And ilke man went to his repair,  
Thanking gre●t God of their welfare,  
That they the King of England,  
Through worship and through strength of hand  
And through their King's great bounty,  
Discomfist had in his own Country.  
THus was the Land a while at peace:  
But Covetise that cannot cease,  
To set men upon felony,  
To gar men come to Senyeorie,  
Greit Lords of full great Renown,  
Made a feill Conjuration,  
Against Robert the doughty King,  
They thought to bring him to ending:  
And for to brook after his dead  
The K●nrike, and Reign in his stead.   

Of the great Treasoun the ordaining, To Robert the Bruce the noble King▪  
THe Lord Sowles Sir Williame,  
Of this dead had most defame:  
For principal thereof was he,  
Both of assent and cruelty:  
And had gotten with him sundry,  
Gilbert Malyerd, and john of Logie,  
They were Knights, I tell of here.  
And Richard Browne als a squire:  
And good Sir David the Brechyne,  
Was of this deed arrested sign,  
And I shall tell you furthermare:  
But they ilkane discovered were,  
Through a Lady (as I heard say)  
Ere to their purpose come might they:  
For she told hailly to the King,  
Their purpose, and their ordaining.  
And when that he sold have been dead.  
And Sowles King into his stead:  
And told him very takinning.  
That this purpose was soothfast thing,  
And when the King wist that it was sa,  
So subtle purpose can he ta:  
That he gart take them everilkane.  
And where the Lord Sowles was ta'en,  
Three hundreth, and sixty had he,  
Of Squyers, clad in his Leverie,  
At that time in his company,  
Outtane Knights that were jolly.  
Into Barwike taken was he,  
Then might men all his meinie see,  
Sorry, and woe the sooth to say.  
The King let them all pass away,  
And held them that he taken had.  
The Lord Sowles then after made  
●laine granting of that hail purpose.  
A Parliament therefore set was,  
And hidder brought that meinie were.  
The Lord Sowles hes granted there  
The deed, into plain Parliament,  
Therefore soon after he was sent,  
To his pains in Dumbartane,  
And died in that town of stane.  
Sir Gilbert Malyerd, and Logie,  
And Richard Browne, their three plainly,  
Was with assize there overta'en,  
Therefore they were drawn ilkane,  
And hanged, and headed als thereto.  
As men them damned had to do.  
And good Sir David the Brechine,  
They gart challenge thereafter sign:  
And he granted, that of that thing  
Was made to him discovering:  
But thereto gave he no consent,  
But for he heilled their intent,  
And discovered it not to the King,  
Whom of he held all his holding,  
And had made to him fewtie:  
judged to hang, and drawn be  
He was, and as they drew him to hang▪  
The people farly fast can thring  
Him, and his mischief for to see:  
That to behold was great pity.  
Sir Ingrame Vmfravile that then  
Was with the King a Scottishman:  
When he that great mischief did see:  
He said, Lordings, whereto press ye,  
To see the mischief of this Knight,  
That was so worthy and so wight?  
For I have seen ma press to see,  
Him for his Sovereign bounty:  
Than now does for to see him here,  
And when their words spoken were,  
With sorry cheer he held him still,  
While men had done on him their will.  
And sign with lief of the King,  
He brought him menskfully to eirding:  
And sign to the King said he:  
One thing I pray you, Sir grant to me:  
That is, that ye of all my land,  
That is into Scotland lyand,  
Would give me leave to do my will.  
The King soon hes said him till,  
I will well grant▪ that it so be:  
But tell me what annoys thee?  
He said again, grant me mercy,  
And I shall tell you it plainly.  
Mine heart gives me no more to be,  
With you dwelling in this Country.  
Therefore that it not you grieve,  
I pray you heartily of your lief:  
For where so Noble and worthy a Knight,  
And so Chevalrous and so wigh●▪  
And so renowned of worship sign,  
As Sir David the good Brechyne:  
And so fulfilled of all manhéede,  
Was put to so villainous a dead:  
Mine heart forsooth may not give me,  
To dwell for nothing that may be.  
The King said, sen that ye will sa  
When ever ye will ye may ga:  
And you shall have good leave thereto.  
Thy liking of thy land to do:  
And he him thanked gretumly,  
And of his land in full great hy,  
As him thought best, disponed he.  
Sign at the King of great bounty,  
Before them all that with him were,  
His lief he took for evermaire.  
And went in England to the King,  
And he him told all but losing.  
How that the Knights destroyed were,  
And all as I told you air:  
And of the King's Courtesy,  
That leaved him debonerlie,  
To do with his land his liking,  
In that time were sent fra the King,  
Of Scotland, Messengers to treat  
For peace, give that they might it get,  
As there oftsyse before was send,  
Suppose they could not bring it to end.  
For the good King in his intent,  
Sen GOD sick grace to him had sent,  
That he had winnen all his land,  
Through strength of arms to his hand,  
That he peace in his land would ma,  
And all the land established sa:  
That his air after him sold be  
In peace, give men held their lawtie.  
IN this time that the Vmfravile,  
As I bore on hand air while,  
Came to the King of England,  
The Scots Messengers there he found,  
Of peace and rest to have treatise.  
The King wist Sir Ingrame was wise,  
And asked his counsel thereto:  
What he would reed him for to do.  
For he said he was laith to ma  
Peace with King Robert Bruce his fa,  
While that he venged of him were.  
Sir Ingrams made to him answer,  
And said, he dealt so courteously.  
With me, that on no wise sold I  
Gave counsel to his hurting:  
Thou behoves néedwise (said the King)  
To this thing say thine advice.  
Sir (said he) sen your will it is,  
That I say, wit ye sikkerly:  
For all your great Chivalry,  
To deal with them ye have no might,  
His men so worthy are and wight,  
For long usage of fighting,  
That have been nourished in sick thing,  
That ilke yeoman is so wight,  
Of his, that he is worth a Knight.  
But if ye think your wéere to bring,  
To good purpose at your liking:  
Long truce with him take ye:  
Then shall the most part of his Menʒie.  
That are but simple Yemanrie,  
Be strenyied all commonly,  
To win their meat with their travill,  
And some of them of need mon call  
With pleugh, and Borrow for to get.  
And other fear Crafts their daily meat,  
So that their arming shall worth old,  
And be rousted, destroyed, and sold,  
And feill that now of wéere are slay,  
Into these long truce shall die,  
And others in their stead shall rise,  
That shall ken little of sick masteries,  
And when they thus diffused are,  
Then may ye move on them were,  
To this assented they ilkane,  
And after soon were truce ta'en,  
Betwixt the two Kings that were,  
Taken to last for threttéene year.  
And on the Marches gart them cry,  
The Scottishmen keeped them leelely,  
But Englishmen upon the sea,  
Destroyed through great cruelty.  
Merchant ships that sailling were,  
From Scotland to Flanders with waire,  
And destroyed the men ilkane:  
And to their use the goods hes ta'en.  
The King sent oft to have redress:  
But nought thereof redress there was,  
And he abode all time askand.  
The truce on his half gart he stand,  
Upon the Marches stabilly,  
And gart men keep them léelely.   

Walter Stewart here died he, At Paslay eirded sign was he.  
IN this time that the truce were.  
Lesting on Marches (as I said air)  
Walter Stewart that worthy was,  
At Bathcat a great sickness taes,  
His evil woxt ay more and more,  
While men perceived by his sore,  
That he of need must pay the det,  
That no man for to pay may let.  
Shriven and als repenting well,  
When all was done to him ilke deill.  
That Christian men ought for to have  
As good Christian, the Gaist he gave.  
Then might men hear folk weep and cry  
And money a Knight and fair Lady,  
Murning and making full evil cheer,  
So did they all that ever were there,  
All men him méened commonly,  
For of his eild he was worthy.  
When long tim they their dole had made  
The Corpse to Paslay have they had:  
And there with great solemnity,  
And with great dole eirded was he.  
GOD for his might his soul mote bring,  
Where joy aye lasteth but ending.   

The Earl of Murray and Dowglas, With their Host comen to Wardel was.  
AFter his death (as I said air)  
The truce that so taken were:  
For to have lasted threttéene year,  
When two of them were passed near,  
And an hailfe, I trow also:  
King Robert saw men would not ma  
Redress of ships that were ta'en:  
And of the men als that were slain.  
But ay continued their pravity,  
Where ever they met upon the sea:  
He sent, and quit him all plainly,  
And gave the truce up openly.  
And in vengeance of this trespass,  
The Earl of Murray Sir Thomas.  
And Donald Earl of Mar also,  
And james of Dowglas with them twa,  
And james Stewart that leader was,  
Efter his good brother's decease,  
Of all his brethers men in wéere,  
He gart upon their best maneere,  
With money men boun them to ga,  
In England, for to to burn and slay,  
And they held forth soon to England,  
They were of good men ten thousand:  
And brunt and slew into their way,  
Their foes fast destroyed they.  
And thusegaite fordward can they fare,  
To Wardall Park while they comen are  
That time Edward of Carnaverane  
The King, was dead, and laid in Lame.  
And Edward his son that was ying,  
In England crowned then was King:  
And surname had of Windsor,  
He had in France been before,  
With his mother Dame Issobell,  
And was wedded (as I heard tell)  
To a young Lady fair of face,  
That the Earls Daughter was  
Of Henault, and of that Country,  
Brought with him men of great bounty  
That was right wise, and wight in wéere,  
Sir john de Henault was leader,  
And in that time the Scots men were.  
At Wardall Park (as I said air)  
Into York was he new made King,  
And heard tell of the destroying,  
That Scottishmen made in his Country,  
A great Host to him gaddered he:  
He was well near fifty thousand,  
Then held he Northward in the land,  
In hail battle with that Menʒie:  
Eighteen year old that time was he,  
The Scots men they had all Cokdaill,  
From end to end they haryed hail:  
And Wardall again they rade,  
Their Discurreours that sight hes head,  
Of coming of the Englishmen:  
To their Lords they told it then,  
Then the Lord Dowglas in a ling,  
Ride forth for to see their coming:  
And saw that seven battles were they,  
That came riding in good array.  
When he the folk beholden had,  
Toward his Oast again he rade.  
The Earl spéered give he had seen  
The Oast? yea Sir (he said) but ween.  
What folk are they? Sir, money men.  
The Earl his aith hes made even then:  
We shall fight with them, yea, though they were,  
Full more by far, than they now are,  
Sir, loved be GOD, he said again:  
That we have sick a Capitane,  
That so great thing dare underta.  
Bot by Sanct bride, it bees not sa,  
Give my counsel may trowed be:  
For fight on no manner shall we,  
But it be at our advantage,  
For me think it were no outrage,  
To fewer folks against ma,  
A vantage when they may, to ta:  
As they were on this wise speaking,  
On an high rig they saw streiking,  
Toward them even in battle brade,  
Banners anew displayed they had:  
And another coming after near,  
And right upon the same manéere.  
They came while seven battle's brade,  
Out over that high Rig passed had.  
The Scottishmen were then lyand.  
On North half near toward Scotland,  
The daile was streiked well, I hight,  
On ather side there was an height,  
And to the water down somedeill stay,  
The Scottishmen in good array,  
On their best wise busked ilkane,  
Stood in their strength that they had ta'en:  
And that was far fra the Water of Wéere,  
A quarter of a mile well near:  
Their stood they battle to abide▪  
The Englishmen there on ather side,  
Came riding downward, while they were  
To Wéeres Water coming near:  
And on the other half their foes were:  
Then have they made a rest right there,  
And sent out Archers a thousand,  
With Hounds and Bows in their hand:  
And gart them well drink of the wine:  
And bade them gang to bicker sign  
The Scottish Oast in a randoun:  
And look give they might ding them down,  
For might they gar them break array,  
To have them at their will thought they:  
And armed men down with them send  
Them at the water to defend.  
The Lord Dowglas hes seen their fare,  
And men that right well horsed were,  
And armed a great company,  
Behind the battle privily,  
He gart hour to abide their coming.  
And when he made to them tokenning,  
They sold come pricking fast, and slay,  
With spears all that they might overta:  
Donald of Mar their Chiftane was,  
And Archibald with him of Dowglas,  
The Lord Dowglas toward them rade▪  
And a gown on his arming had:  
And traversed always up again:  
Them near his battle for to train,  
And they that drunken had of wine,  
Came ay up endlang in a line,  
While that the battles came so near,  
That arrows fallen among them were.  
Robert of Ogill a good squire,  
Came pricking on a good Coursar:  
And on the archers cried again,  
Ye wait not who makes you that train.  
It is the Lord Dowglas, that will  
Of his plays ken some you till.  
When they heard speak of the Dowglas,  
The hardiest man effrayed was,  
And again turned haillely.  
His taken then he made in hy,  
And the folk that enbushed were,  
So stoutly pricked on them there,  
That well three hundreth have they slain,  
And to the water home again:  
The remanand all can they chase.  
Sir William of Erskin that was  
New made Knight the 'samine day,  
Well horsed into good array,  
Chased with others that were there:  
So farfoorth, that his horse him bare  
Among the lump of Englishmen:  
And with strong hand he was taken then,  
But of him well soon change was made,  
Of other men that they taken had:  
Fra their English archers were slain,  
Their folk rade to their Oast again.  
And right so did the Lord Dowglas,  
And when that he repaired was,  
They might among their foes see,  
Their Pavilions soon stented be.  
Then they perceived soon in hy.  
That they that night would take harbry.  
And shape to do no more that day:  
Therefore them also harboured they:  
And stented Pavilions soon in hy,  
Tents and Lugges als there by,  
They gart make, and set all on raw,  
That day two new things they saw:  
That before in Scotland had been nane,  
Tymbres for Helmes was the one,  
That them thought then of great bounty,  
And also wonder for to see.  
The other, Craikes were for wéere,  
That they before had never éere.  
Of their two things they had ferlie.  
That night they watched stalwardlie:  
The most part of them armed lay,  
While on the morn that it was day.  
THe Englishmen than umbethought,  
Upon what manner that they might,  
Gar the Scots leave their advantage:  
For they thought folly, and outrage,  
To gang up to them to assail  
Them, at their strength in plain battle:  
Therefore of good men a thousand,  
Armed on horse both foot and hand,  
They sent before, their foes to be.  
Enbushed into a valley:  
And shupe their battle as they would  
Upon them to the fighting hauled.  
For they thought Scotsmen of sick will,  
That they might not hold them still,  
For they knew them of sick courage:  
That they sold leave strength & advantage  
And meet them in the field plainly.  
Then should their ambushment hastily,  
Behind break on them at the back,  
So thought theywel they sold them wrack  
And make them to repent their play,  
Their enbushment fooorth sent they,  
And them enbushed privily.  
And on the morn somedeal airly,  
Into the Host soon trumped they:  
And gart their battle's brade array,  
And held toward the Water right,  
And well arrayed for to fight.  
The Scottishmen that saw them sa,  
Bowne on their best wise can them ma.  
And in their battle well arrayed,  
With Banners to the wind displayed,  
They left their strength and all plainly  
To feght they shupe them hastily.  
In als good manner as they might.  
Right as their foes before had thought.  
But the Lord Dowglas, that ay where,  
Set out watches here and there.  
To wit of their enbushment,  
Then in great hy soon is he went,  
Before the battalls, and sturdily,  
He bade ilk man turn them in hy.  
Right as they stood, them turned he so  
Up to the Strength he bade them go:  
So that no let be therein made▪  
And they did as they bidding had.  
Then turned they with mickle pain,  
While to their strength they came again:  
And stood ready to give battle,  
If their foes would them assail.  
When Englishmen hes seen them so,  
Toward their strength again up go.  
They cried high, they flee away.  
Sir john of Henault said, perfay  
Yone fleeing is right Tragedy,  
Their armed men behind I see,  
And their Banners so that they there,  
Shall turn them, as they standing were:  
And be arrayed for the fight.  
If any would them press with might,  
They have seen our enbushment,  
And again to their strength are went.  
Yone folk are governed wittily.  
For he that leads them is worthy,  
For advice, wit, and wisdom,  
To govern the Empire of Rome.  
This spoke that worthy Knight that day:  
And the enbushment, so that they  
Saw that they so discovered were  
Toward their Host again they fare,  
And the battles of Englishmen,  
When they saw that they failyied then  
Of their purpose, to their Harbrie  
They went, and ludged them in hy.  
On either half right so did they.  
They made no more debate that day.  
WHen they that day overdriven had,  
Fires in great fusion they made:  
Als soon as night fallen was,  
Then the good Lord of Dowglas,  
That spied had a place there by▪  
That two mile hine where most trustly,  
The Scottishmen might harbrie ta:  
And defend them better also,  
Then else, into any place them by,  
It was a Park, that haillely  
Was ●nnuoned about with wall,  
It was near full of trees all:  
But a great Plain into it was.  
hither thought the Lord Dowglas  
By night all their Host to bring:  
Therefore without more dwelling,  
They bet their fires, and made them yar●:  
And sign togidder forth can far.  
And to the Park without tinsall  
They came, and harboured them all hail  
Upon the water, and als near  
To it, as they before were.  
And on the morn when it was day,  
The English Host miss away  
The Scottishmen, and had ferlie,  
And gart Discurreours hastily  
Pass to see where they were away,  
And by their fires perceived they,  
That they in the Park of Wardaill,  
Had gart harbry their Host all hail:  
Therefore their Host but more abode  
Busked, and even anent them rade,  
On other side the Water of Were,  
Gart stint their Paviliouns all near,  
As of before stinted were they.  
Eight days on this wise they lay:  
That Englishmen durst not assail,  
The Scottishmen in plain battle.  
For strength of earth that they had there,  
There was ilke day just of wéere,  
And skirmishing full apartly.  
And men ta'en on either party,  
And they that ta'en were on one day,  
On another changed were they.  
But other deeds were not done.  
That greatly here are for to moon,  
While it fell on the ninth day,  
The Lord Dowglas hes spied a way,  
How that he might about them ride.  
And come on them at the Forest side,  
And at Even purveyed he,  
And took with him a great Menʒie:  
Five hundreth on Horse wight and hardy,  
And on the night all privily,  
Without noise or din he rade,  
While that he near environed had  
Their Host, and on the Forest side,  
Toward them sléelie can he ride  
And the mayst part that with him were:  
Bare in their hands swords bare,  
And bade them hew Pavilions in twa,  
That they the Pavilions might ma,  
To fall on them that in them were:  
Then should the lave that Forrayours are  
Strike down with spears sturdy,  
And when they heard his Horn in hy,  
To the Water held down the way:  
When this was said (as I heard say)  
Toward their foes fast they ride,  
That on that side no Marches had.  
And as they were near approaching,  
An Englishman that lay beeking  
Him by a fire, said to his Fear:  
I wait not what may tied us here:  
But a great grooving me taes:  
I dread me sore for black Dowglas,  
And he that heard him, said perfay,  
Thou salt have cause, give that I may.  
By that, with all his company,  
He rusted on them hardly,  
And proud Pavilions down he bore,  
And with spears that sharply share,  
They sticked men despiteously.  
The noise soon raise, and als the skry:  
They stobbed, sticked, and they slew  
And money Pavilions down they threw:  
And felon slaughter made they there.  
For they that lying naked were,  
Had no power defence to ma,  
And but pity they can them slay,  
They gart them wit that great folly  
Was, near there foes for to lie  
But give they straight watched were.  
The Scottishmen were slaying there  
Their foes, ●n this wise, while the cry  
Was through the Oast all commonly,  
That Lords, and others were on steer,  
And when the Dowglas wist they were  
Armed, than all commonly,  
He blew his horn then to rely  
His men, and bade them hold their way,  
Toward the Water, and so did they.  
And he abode hindmest to see,  
Lest any of his leaved sold be.  
And as he abode so howand,  
There came a Carl with Club in hand,  
And so great routtes to him reached,  
That had not been his mickle maught,  
And his right Sovereign great manhood,  
Into that place he had been dead.  
His men that to the water down  
Were ridden right in a randoun,  
Miss their Lord, when they came there.  
They were dreading for him full saire.  
Ilkone at other speered tithing,  
But yet of him they heard nothing.  
Then can they counsel togidder ta,  
That they to seek him up would ga:  
And as they were in that effray,  
A towting of his horn heard they.  
And they that have it known swyth,  
Were of his coming wonder blithe:  
And spéered at him of his abode?  
And he told how a Carl him made.  
With his Club so felon pay,  
That met him stoutly on the way:  
That had not God helped him the maire,  
He had been in great peril there.  
Thus gaite speaking they held their way,  
While to their Oast comen are they:  
That on foot armed on them bade,  
For to help give they mister had,  
And as soon as the Lord Dowglas,  
Met with the Earl of Murray was,  
The Earl spéered at him tithing,  
How he had fared in his outting:  
Sir (said he) we have drawn blood:  
The Earl that was of Noble mood,  
Said, and we all had hidder gane,  
We had destroyed them ilkane,  
It might have fallen well (said he)  
But sickerly anew were we,  
To put us in yone adventure:  
For had they made discomfiture  
On us▪ that yonder passed were,  
It might have stonisht them that are here.  
The Earl said, sen it so is  
That we may not with jeopardies,  
Our felon foes force assail:  
We shall it do in plain battle,  
The Lord Dowglas ●a●d, by Sanct bride,  
It were great folly at this tide  
To us, with sick an Oast to fight:  
That ilk day grows of more might,  
And victual hes at all plenty:  
And in the Country here are we,  
Where there may come to us no succours  
Hard is to make us here recourse,  
Nor we not foray may to get meat,  
sick as we have here, mon we eat.  
Do we with our foes therefore,  
That are lying here us before:  
As I heard tell this other year.  
How that a Fox did with a fisher,  
How did the Fox the Earl can say?  
He said, a Fisher whylum lay,  
Beside a River fish to get,  
His nets than he had there set,  
A little Ludge there had he made,  
And there within a bed he had,  
And eke a little fire also  
And one door was withouten ma.  
One night his nets for to see,  
He raise, and well long dwelled he,  
And when he had done his deed,  
Towards his Ludge again he yéede,  
And with the light of the little fire,  
That in the Ludge was burning shire,  
Into the Ludge a Fox he saw,  
That fast in can a Salmond draw,  
Then to the door he went in hy,  
And drew a sword deliverly:  
And said, Traitor, thou mon here lout.  
The Fox that was in full great doubt:  
Looked about him hole to see,  
Bot none ishe forth there could get he:  
Bot where the man stood sturdy.  
A Mantle he perceived him by,  
Lying upon the bed, he saw,  
And with his teeth he can it draw  
Out over the fire, and when the man  
Saw his Mantle lie burning then,  
To rid it ran he hastily,  
The Fox got out then in great high,  
And held his way his warrant till.  
The man thought him beguiled ill,  
That he his Salmond so hes tint,  
And also had his Mantle brint:  
And the Fox harmless got away.  
This Example I may well say,  
By yone folk, and us that are here.  
We are the Fox, they are the Fisher,  
That stéekes before us the way,  
They think we may not get away:  
But right where that they lie Pard,  
Yet as they think, it shall not be.  
For I have gart spy us a gaite,  
Suppose that it be somedeill wat,  
That not a Page of ours shall tine,  
Our foes for this small tranoynting,  
Weens that we shall pride us sa,  
That we plainly on hand shall ta,  
To give them open plain battle.  
But at this time their thought shall fail:  
For we the morn and all this day,  
Shall make als merry as we may:  
And make us boon against the night,  
And then gar make our fires bright,  
And blaw our Horns, and make fare,  
As all the World our own it were,  
While that the night well fallen been,  
And then with all our Harness we  
Shall take our way homeward in hy:  
And altogether hold sickerlie,  
While we been out of their danger,  
That thinks us now enclosed here:  
And we shall be at our own will,  
And we shall think them trumped ill,  
Fra they wit well we been away.  
To this haillely assented they,  
And made them good cheer all that night  
While on the morn that day was light.  
¶ Upon the morn all privily,  
They turst Harness, and made ready,  
So that ere E●en all boon were they.  
Their foes that against them lay,  
Gart have their men that were there dead,  
In Carts to an hallowed Steed.  
The Hosts both all that day were  
In peace till that the night was near.  
The Scots Host that lying were  
Into the Park made Feast and Fare.  
And blue Horns, and fires made,  
And gart them burn both bright & brade:  
So that their fires that night was maire,  
Than any time before there were.  
And when the night was fallen well,  
With all their Harness everilke deille,  
All privily they rade their way,  
Sign in a Moss soon entered they:  
That was well two mile of bread,  
Out over the Moss on foot they yéede:  
And in their hand their Horse led they,  
It was a full great noisome way,  
But Flaikes in the Wood they made  
Of wands, and them with them had:  
And sykes therewith brigged they:  
And so had well their horse away.  
On sick wise, that all that there were,  
Come through the Moss both hail & fear:  
And tint but little of their gear,  
But if it were any old Sowméere:  
That in the Moss was left lyand,  
When all (as I have borne on hand)  
Out over the Moss that was so brade  
Were comen, great gladness they had,  
And rade forth homeward on their way.  
And on the morn when it was day.  
Ahe Englishmen saw the Harbrie,  
Where Scottishmen before can lie.  
All void: and wondered greatly then,  
And sent forth sundry of their men.  
While at the last their trace found they,  
And sign when they were goneaway.  
That to a mickle Moss them had,  
That was so hideous for to weighed:  
That adventure of them durst none:  
But to their Host again is gone,  
And told how that they passed were.  
Where never man had passed air.  
When Englishmen heard it was sa,  
In hy to counsel can they ta:  
That they would follow them no maire:  
Their Host right then they skailed there,  
And ilke man to his own they rade,  
King Robert than that witting had,  
That his men so in the Park lay,  
And what mischief then at were they:  
An Host assembled he in h●●,  
Ten thousand men wight and hardy:  
And sent them forth with Earls two.  
Of Stratherne, and Angus were they,  
The Host in Wardaile to relieve:  
And if they might so well enchéeve:  
That 'samine night that meet might they,  
They thought their foes to assay,  
So fell it on that 'samine day,  
That the Moss (as ye heard me say)  
Was passed: the Discurreours that there.  
Riding before the Hosts were,  
On ather Host hes gotten a sight.  
And they that worthy were and wight,  
At their meeting juste● of wéere:  
Ensenʒies hie they cried their,  
And by their cry perceived they:  
That they were friends, and no faith.  
Then might men see them glad and blithe,  
And told it to their Lords swyth.  
The Hosts met both togidder sign,  
There was right homely welcomming,  
Made among great Lords there:  
Of their meeting joyful they were:  
The Earl Patrick, and his Menʒie.  
Had victual with great plenty.  
And gave it to them with glad cheer,  
Thus went they hameward all in fear:  
Destroying the Country in their way,  
In Scotland well comen are they.  
The Lords went then all to the King,  
That made them right fair welcoming,  
For of their coming right glad was he:  
And that they ●ith sick property,  
Withouten tinsall escaped had,  
They were blithe, merry and glad.   

How King Robert assembled there, Three Hosts in England for to far.  
Soon after that, the Earl Thomas,  
From Wardall thus repaired was:  
The King assembled all his might.  
And left none that was worthy to fight.  
A great Host there assembled he,  
And dealt his Host in parts three.  
Ane part of Norame went but let.  
And there a stalwart Siege they set:  
And held them right in at their dyke,  
Another part unto Anuike  
Is went, and there a Siege set they,  
And while that there the Siege lay,  
At the Castle (as I said air)  
Part of assaults made they there:  
And money fairè Chivalry  
Enchéeved was full doughtely,  
The King at the Castle lyand  
Left his folk (as I boor on hand)  
And with the third Oast held his way,  
Fra Park to Park, him for to play:  
Hooving, as all his own it were.  
And to them that were with him there,  
The lands of Northumberland,  
That next to Scotland was lyand  
In fee, and heritage gave he:  
And they paid for the Seals fee.  
On this wise rade he destroyand,  
While that the King of England:  
Through counsel of the mortimer,  
And his Mother, that at that time were,  
Leaders to him, that then young was,  
To King Robert, to treat of peace,  
Sent Messengers, and so sped they:  
That he assented on this way,  
Then a perpetual peace to take.  
And they a marriage sold make,  
With King Robert's son Davy,  
That five years old was then surely,  
And of Dame jane als of the tower,  
That sign was of great valour:  
Sister she was to the young King,  
That England had in governing,  
That had in eild then seven year:  
And King Robert for skaithes fear,  
That he did to them of England,  
Had done in were through stalwart hand  
Twenty thousand pound shall pay,  
Of silver, and gold, and good money.  
When men their things spoken had,  
And with Seales, and oaths made,  
Séesing of friendship and of peace,  
For any cause it sold never cease,  
The Marriage than gart ordain they,  
To be in Barwike, and the day  
They have set when that it sold be:  
Sign went ilk man to his Country,  
Thus made was peace, where were was air:  
And sign the Sieges raised were.  
The King ordained for to pay,  
The Silver, and against the day,  
He gart well for the Maugery,  
Ordain, when his son Davy,  
Sold wedded be: and the Earl Thomas,  
And als the good Lord of Dowglas,  
Into his stead sign ordained he,  
Devisers of the Feast to be:  
For his sickness took him so saire:  
That on no wise might he be there.  
His sickness came of a fundying,  
He had ta'en through his cold lying.  
When in his great mischief was he,  
He felt that hard perplexity.  
At Cardrosse all that time he lay.  
And when near comen was the day,  
That ordained for the wedding was:  
The Earl▪ and the Lord Dowglas,  
To Barwik● came with mickle fare,  
And brought young David with them there,  
The Queen, and with her the Mortimer,  
On the other party comen were,  
With great efféere and Royalty.  
The young Lady of great beauty,  
hither came with rich afféere,  
The wedding have they made right there:  
With great feast and solemnity.  
There might men mirth, and gladness see:  
For full great Feast made they there,  
And Scottishmen, and English were,  
together in joy, and solace:  
No felon speech betwixt them was,  
The Feast a well long time held they.  
And when they busked to far away,  
The Queen hes her Daughter left there,  
With great riches, and Royal fare.  
I trow that long time no Lady  
To house was given so richly,  
The Earl, and the Lord Dowglas,  
Her in great dainty received hes,  
As it was worthy sickerly.  
For she was sign the best Lady,  
And the fairest that men might see.  
Efter this great solemnity,  
When on both sides the lief was ta'en,  
The Queen to England home is gane:  
And had with her the mortimer,  
The Earl, and they that leaved were,  
When a while they her convoyed had,  
Toward Barwike again they rade:  
And sign with all their company,  
Toward the King they went in hy:  
And had with them the young Davy,  
And als Dame jane the young Lady.  
The King made them fair welcoming,  
And after but long delaying,  
He hes gart set a Parliament,  
And hidder with money men is went:  
For he thought he would in his life,  
Crown his young Son, and his Wife,  
At that Parliament, and so did he,  
With great fare, and solemnity.  
The King David was crowned there,  
And all his Lords that there were:  
And also all the Commountie,  
Made him homage, and fewtie:  
And before that they crowned were,  
King Robert gart ordain there:  
Give it fell that his son Davy,  
Died but Air Male of his body:  
That Robert Stewart sold be  
King, and brook the Royalty,  
That his Daughter bare in Marriage.  
And that this Tailyie sold leelely  
Be holden, all the Lords swore,  
And with their Seals affirmed if there.  
And give it happened Robert the King,  
To pass to GOD while they were ying:  
The good Earl of Murray Sir Thomas,  
With the Lord also of Dowglas,  
While they had wit to steer their Reign,  
Sold have them into governing.  
And then the Lordship they sold ta,  
Hereto their aithes can they ma:  
And all the Lords that were there,  
To that twa Wardanes aithes swore,  
To obey them into Lawtie,  
Give it happened them UUardanes to be.  
WHen all this thing thus treated was,  
And affirmed with sickernes:  
The King to Cardros went in hy,  
And there him took so suddenly  
His sickness, and him travelde sa:  
That he wist him behoved ma,  
Of all this life the common end.  
That is the death, when GOD will send.  
Therefore his▪ Letters soon sent he,  
For all the Lords of his Country:  
And they came as he bidden had.  
His Testament then hes he made,  
Before both Lords and Prelates,  
And to Religions of seir Estates,  
For hail of his soul gave he  
Silver into great quantity.  
He ordained for his soul right well:  
And when this was done ilk deill:  
Lords (he said) so it is gone  
With me, that there is nought but one,  
That is the death withouten dread,  
That ilke man shall those on need,  
And I thank God that hes me sent  
Space in our life here to repent.  
For through me and my wéering,  
Of blood there hes been great spilling:  
Where money saklesse man was slain,  
Therefore this sickness and this pain,  
I take in thank for my trespass,  
And mine heart firmly set was,  
And when I was in prosperity,  
From my sins to saved been:  
To travel upon God's faes,  
And sen he me now to him taes,  
That the body may on no wise,  
Perform that the heart can devose,  
I would mine heart were hidder sent,  
Wherein conceived was that intent,  
Therefore I pray you everilkane,  
That ye among you all choose one,  
That been honest wise and wight,  
And of his hands a Noble Knight,  
On God's foes mine Heart to bear,  
When soul and body dissevered are  
For I would it were worthily  
Had there: sen God will nought, that I,  
Had power hitherward to go:  
Then were their hearts all so woe,  
That none might hold them from greeting  
He bade them leave their sorrowing,  
For it (he said) might not relive,  
And might themselves greatly grieve.  
He prayed them in hy to do  
The thing that they were charged to.  
Then went they forth with dreary mood  
And among them that thought it good.  
That the worthy Lord Dowglas,  
Whom in both wit and worship was.  
Should take the travel upon hand,  
Hereto they were all accordand,  
And to the King they went in hy,  
And told him that they thought truly:  
That the doughty Lord Dowglas,  
Best ordained for that travel was,  
And when the King heard, that they sa  
Had ordained him his Heart to ta,  
That he most yarned should it have,  
(He said) so God himself me the save,  
I hold me right well paid, that ye,  
Have chosen him for his bounty,  
For Certes it hes been my yarning.  
Ay sen I thought to do this thing:  
That he mine heart should with him bear  
And sen ye all assented are  
It is the more liking to me,  
Let see now what thereto says he,  
And when the Lord of Dowglas,  
Witted that the King thus spoken hes,  
He ●●me, and kneeled to the King,  
And on this wise made his talking,  
I thank you greetly (Lord) said he,  
Of money largesse and great bounty,  
That ye have done to me feill size,  
Sen first I came to your service:  
But over all thing, I make thanking,  
That ye so digne and worthy a thing,  
As your heart, that illuminate was,  
With all bounty and worthiness.  
Will that I in my keeping take.  
For you right blithely will I make  
This travel, if God will me give  
Laiser, and space so long to live.  
The King him thanked tenderly,  
There was none in that company,  
That wéeped not for great pity,  
That was great sorrow for to see.   

Here died King Robert, and was sign Solemnedly buried in Dumfermling,  
WHen the Lord Dowglas, in this wise,  
Hes undertaken so high Emprise:  
As the good King's Heart to bear,  
On God's foes for to wear:  
Praised for his Emprise was he.  
And the King's infirmity▪  
Was more and more, while at the last,  
The dulefull death approached fast,  
And when he had gart do him to,  
All that good Christian men should do.  
With true repentance than he gave  
The gaist whilk GOD to Heaven mote have,  
Among his Chosen for to be,  
In joy, solace, and Angels glee:  
And fra his folk wist he was dead,  
The sorrow that raise from stead to stead,  
There might men see men rive their hair,  
And comely Knights greet full saire,  
And their hands togidder drive,  
And as wood men their claithes rive.  
Regarding his worthy bounty,  
His wit, his strength, and honesty:  
And over all the great company,  
That he oft made them courteously.  
All our defence they said, alas,  
And he that hail our comfort was,  
Our wit, our heal, our governing,  
Is brought alace here to ending.  
His worship, and his mickle might,  
Made all that were with him so wight.  
That they might never abased been,  
While before them they might him see.  
Alace, what shall we do or say?  
For in life while he lasted ay  
With all our foes dread were we:  
And into money other Country.  
Of our Worship ran the Renown:  
And that was all for his Persoun.  
With sick words they made their mane.  
And sickerlie wonder was nane:  
For better Governor than he,  
Might in no Country founden be:  
I hope that none that is on life.  
The lament, and sorrow can descrive,  
That tha folk for their Lord made.  
And when that they long sorrowed had,  
And he bowelled was cleanly,  
And balmed sign full richly,  
The worthy Lord, the good Dowglas,  
His Heart (as it forespoken was)  
Hes received in great dainty,  
With great fair and Solemnity,  
They have him had to Dunfermelyne,  
And him solemnedly eirded sign.  
And in a fair Tomb in the Queire,  
Bishops and Prelates they there were  
Assolyied him when the Service  
Was done, as they could best devose:  
And sign upon the other day,  
Sorry, and wa they went away.   

Here bouned the Lord Dowglas forwart, To the holy Land with the Bruces Heart.  
WHen that the good King buried was,  
The Earl of Murray Sir Thomas,  
took all the land in governing,  
And all obeyed to his bidding,  
And the good Lord of Dowglas sign,  
Gart make a Case of gold right fine;  
Enamalled through subtlety.  
Therein the King's heart put he,  
And ay about his halfe it bore,  
And fast he bouned him for to far.  
His Testament devised he,  
And ordained his lands sold be  
Governed, while his gaine-comming,  
By friends, and all other thing,  
That to him pertained any wise,  
With sick foresight as men could devose,  
Ere his forth passing ordained he,  
That nothing might amended be,  
And when that he his lief hes ta'en,  
To ship at Barwike is he gaue:  
And with him a Noble company,  
Of Knights, and of Squyery,  
He put him in hy to the Sea,  
A long way fordward sailed he,  
Betwixt Cornwall, and Bartanyie,  
He sailed, and left the ground of Spainyie,  
On North-halfe him, and held their way,  
While to Massillie ground came they.  
But greatly was his men, and he,  
Traveled with tempests on the Sea:  
Bot though they greatly grieved were,  
Hail and fear they comen are,  
And landed at the great Sibille,  
And after it a little while,  
Their horse to land they drew ilkane,  
And in the town hes harbery ta'en:  
And him conteened right richly:  
For he had a fair company,  
And gold enough for to dispend.  
The King Alphous after him send,  
And him right well received he,  
And proffered him in great plenty,  
Gold and silver, horse and arming:  
Bot he thereof would take nothing:  
For he said, he took that voyage,  
To pass into his pilgrimage,  
On God's foes, that his travel  
Might after to his saul avail.  
And sen he wist that he had wéere  
With Saracens that dwelled there,  
To help him was his will hailly.  
The King him thanked courteously,  
And betaught him good men that were  
Well known with the lands were:  
And the manner of the land also,  
Sign to his Inns can he ga'.  
And well good Sojourn there he made,  
And mickle treating als he had.  
Knights that came of far Country,  
Came in great routtes him to see,  
And honoured him full gretumly:  
And over all men most Soverainely,  
The English Knights that were there,  
Him honoured, and great company bare:  
Among them all was one strong Knight,  
That was holden so wonder wight,  
That for one of the best was he,  
Praised of all Christaintie.  
So fast to Heaven was all his face,  
That it well near all wounded was.  
Ere he the Lord Dowglas had seen,  
He weened his face had all wounded been:  
But never a hurt in it had he.  
When he unwounded can it see,  
He said, that he had great ferly,  
That sick a Knight and so worthy,  
And praised of so great bounty,  
Might in his face unwounded be.  
And meekly thereto answered he,  
And said, GOD lent me hands to bear,  
Wherewith I might my head wéere,  
Thus made he courteous answering,  
With a right high understanding:  
That for default of Fence it was,  
That so evil hewn was his face.  
The good Knights that then were by,  
Praised his answer gretumly:  
For it was made with small speaking,  
And had right high understanding.   

The judging of the Lord Dowglas, That in his time sa worthy was.  
Upon this manner still they lay,  
While through the Country they heard say,  
That the King of Palmeryn,  
With money a moody Saracene.  
Was entered in the land of Spain:  
All hail the Country to demaine.  
The King of Spain on the other party,  
Gaddered his Oast deliverly,  
And dealt them into battles three.  
And to the Lord Dowglas gave he,  
The vanguard for to lead and steer,  
And all the strangers that with him were:  
And the great Master of Sanct jake,  
The other battle gart he take.  
The Réeregard made himself there,  
And thus devised, forth they fare,  
To meet their foes that in battle  
Arrayed was, ready to assail,  
And came against them full sturdy.  
The Dowglas then that was worthy,  
When he to them of his leading,  
Had made a fair admonishing,  
To do well, and no dead to dread,  
For Heaven's bliss sold be their meed,  
If that they died in God's service,  
Then as good wéerryours, and wise.  
With them stoutly assembled he.  
There men might felon fighting see,  
For all they were wight and hardy,  
That were on the Christian party.  
But ere they joined in battle.  
What the Dowglas did, I shall you tell.  
¶ The Bruces Heart that on his breast  
Was hinging, in the field he kest,  
Upon a stone-cast, and well more before  
And said, Now pass thou forth before,  
As thou was wont in field to be,  
And I shall follow, or else die:  
And so he did withouten ho,  
He fought even while he came it to,  
And took it up in greith dainty,  
And ever in field this used he,  
So fast they fought with all their maine:  
That of their servant's money were ●laine,  
The whilk with money ●ell fusio●n,  
Money a Christian dang they down,  
But at the last the Lord Dowglas,  
And the Christians that with him was,  
pressed upon the Saracenes sa,  
That they hailly the flight can ta.  
And they chased with all their maine,  
And money in the chase was slain.  
So far chased the Lord Dowglas,  
With few folks that he passed was,  
Forth fare from them that chased then,  
He had not with him, but scant ten,  
Of all men that were with him there,  
When he saw all repared were:  
Toward his Hust sign turned he.  
And as he turned, can well see,  
That all the Chaissers turned again:  
And they réelled with mickle pain.  
And as the good Lord of Dowglas.  
(As I said air) repairing was,  
So saw he right before him near,  
Where that Sir William de Sincleere,  
With a great rout environed was.  
He was annoyed, and said, alas,  
Yone worthy Knight will soon be dead,  
But he have help through our manhood,  
Let us then help him now in hy,  
Sen that we are so near him by,  
And I wait well our intent is,  
To live and die in God's service.  
His will in all thing do shall we.  
There shall no peril eschewed been,  
While he be put out of yone pain  
Or then we shall been with him slain.  
With that with spears right speedily,  
They strake the Horse in full great hy●  
Among the Saracenes they rade,  
And room about them have they made.  
They dang on fast with all their might,  
And feill of them to death were dight.  
Greiter defence made never so whéene,  
Against so feill, it was right seen,  
While the● might last to give battle,  
There might no worship there avail,  
That time, for slain was ilkane there:  
The Saracenes so money were,  
That they were twenty large for one.  
The good Lord Dowglas there was slain,  
And Sir William Sinclare also:  
And other worthy Knights twa,  
Sir Robert Logane, heght the one,  
And the other Walter Logane.  
Wherefore our Lord with mickle might,  
Their souls have to the Heaven's height.  
THe good Lord Dowglas thus was dead,  
And the Saracenes on that stead,  
abode no more, but held their way,  
Their Knights dead there soon live they,  
Some of the good Lord Dowglas men,  
That their Lord dead had founden then,  
yeed near all wood for dole and woe,  
Long for him they sorrowed so,  
And sign with great dole home him bare,  
And the King's Heart have they found there.  
And that home with them have they ta'en,  
And are toward their Inns gane,  
With greeting and with evil cheer,  
That sorrow and grief it was to hear:  
And of Keith good Sir Williame,  
That all that day had been at hame:  
For at so great disease was he,  
That he came not to that journey,  
For his arm was broken in twa,  
When he than folk's sick dole saw ma,  
He asked what it was in hy,  
And they told him all openly,  
How that their doughty Lord was slain,  
With Saracenes that had turned again,  
And when he wist that it was so,  
Attour all other he was most woe:  
And made a wonder evil cheer,  
That all wondered that by him were.  
But to tell of their sorrowing,  
Annoys, and helps but little thing,  
Men might well wit though none them told  
What dole and sorrow men make would,  
For to tine sick a Lord as he  
Was unto them of his Menʒie,  
For he was sweet and debonair,  
And well could treat his friends fair,  
And his foes right felonly,  
Astonish through his great Chivalry:  
For of full little fear was he:  
But over all thing he loved Lawtie:  
At treasoun groowed so greetly,  
That no traitor might be him by,  
But he should wit that he should be  
Well punished for his traitourie▪  
I trow the Lord Fabricius,  
That from Rome to wéerray Pyrrhus,  
Was sent with a great meinie,  
Hated treasoun no less than he.  
The whilk when that Pyrrhus had  
On him, and on his Menʒie made,  
An outrageous discomfiture,  
When he escaped through adventure  
And money of his men were slain:  
And he had gaddered his Host again,  
A great master of Medicine,  
That Pyrrhus had in governing,  
Proffered unto Fabritius,  
In treasoun for to slay Pyrrhus,  
For in his first potatioun,  
He should give him deadly poison,  
Fabricius that wonder had,  
That he sick proffer to him made:  
Said, Certes, Rome is mickle of might,  
Through strength of arms for to fight,  
To vanquish well their foes though they  
Consent to Treasoun by no way:  
And for thou would do that Treasoun,  
Thou salt go fetch the warisoun,  
Even at Pyrrhus, and let him do  
What ever him lies in heart thereto.  
Then to Pyrrhus he sent in hy  
This Master, and gart him openly,  
From end to end, tell all his tale.  
When Pyrrhus had it heard all hail:  
He said, was never man that sa,  
For Lawtie bure him to his fa:  
As here Fabricius bears to me.  
It is als ill to gar him be  
Turned fra way of righteousness,  
Or to consent to wickedness,  
As at midday to turn again  
The sun, that rinnes his course all plain  
Thus said he of Fabricius,  
That sign vanquished this same Pyrrhus,  
In plain battle through hard fight:  
His honest lawtie gart me bring  
In this Example now, for he  
Had Sovereign praise of true Lawtie:  
And right so had the Lord Dowglas,  
That honest, léele, and worthy was,  
That was dead, as before said we.  
Men méened him in ilk Country:  
When his men had made mourning,  
They bowelled him but delaying,  
And gart seeth him, that might be ta'en  
The flesh all quite even fra the bane.  
The Corpse there in a holy place,  
Eirded with great worship was.  
The bones have they with them ta'en,  
And sign are to their ships gane.  
When they were leaved of the King,  
That dole had of their severing,  
To Sea they went, good wind they had,  
Their course to England have they made,  
And there safely arrived they.  
Sign toward Scotland held their way,  
And there they are comen in great high,  
And the bones right honourably,  
Into the Kirk of Dowglas there  
Eirded, with dole and mickle care.  
Sir Archibald his son gart sign,  
Of Allabast both fair and fine,  
Ordain a Tomb full richly:  
As it efféered to so worthy.   

The Earl of Murray died here, Through Poysoun given by a false Frere.  
WHen that on this wise Sir Williame  
Of Keith, had brought the bones hame,  
And the good King's Heart also,  
And had gart men richly ma,  
With saire afféere, a Sepulture:  
The Earl of Murray that the cure  
That time of Scotland had ha●lly,  
With great worship hes gart bury  
The King's Heart in the abbey,  
Of Melros, where men do pray ay,  
That he, and his have Paradise.  
When this was done, as I device,  
The good Earl governed all the land,  
And held the poor well to warrant,  
The Laws so well maintained he,  
And held in peace so the Country,  
That it was never led ere his day  
So well, as I heard old men say▪  
Bot sign alas poisoned was ho,  
By a false Monk full traitorously.  
Their Lords died upon this wise,  
He that Lord of all thing is,  
Up to his joyful bliss them bring,  
And grant us grace, that their offspring  
Led well the land: and intentive  
Be, for to follow in all their life:  
Their Noble Elders great bounty.  
The onefald GOD in Trinity,  
May bring us up to Heaven's bliss,  
Where always joy and resting is. AMEN.    

Here ends the Book of the Noble King,  
That ever in Scotland yet did ring,  
Called King Robert the Bruce,  
That was mayst worthy of all ruce,  
And of the Noble and good Lord Dowglas,  
And money ma that with him was.   

A TABLE.  
OF the Contention that araise after the death of King Alexander, who should succeed to the Crown 
Fol. 2  How by the consent of all the Estates, King Edward of England was elected as a friendly Compositour of this contention. 
3  How King Edward after the attempting the minds of the Bruce & the Ballioll, declared the Ballioll King. 
6  Of the pleasures and commodities of Liberty, and the heaviness and hurts of servitude of strangers. 
8  How sir William Dowglas was put in prison, and his lands given to the Clifford: and of his son james Dowglas. 
9  How the said james passed in France, and returning again in Scotland after his father's death, dwelled with the Bishop of Sainctandros. 
12  Of the commoning and band made betwixt the Bruce, and Cumming, and how the coming show the Indentour to King Edward 
16  How Bruce was examined before the Parliament, and how he escaped, and slew the coming in the Kirke of Dumfreis. 
18  Of the meeting of sir james Dowglas with Robert Bruce and of his coronation. 
23  How King Robert came to Pearth, and sought battle of sir Aymer Wallance. 
26  The judging of King Robert in the Park of Methwen. 
29  Of the battle of Methwen, and discomfiture of King Robert, where money Noble men were ta'en. 
31  Of the distress that King Robert and his folks tholled in the Mountains 
35  How King Robert was discomfist by john of Lorne. 
38  How King Robert slew the three men that swore his death. 
Fol. 41  How the Queen and the Earl of Athole departed fra the King to Kildromy. 
48  How the King passed to Lochlowmound. 
50  Of the meeting of the Earl of Lennox with the King. 
52  How the King passed to the sea. 
55  How the Earl of Lennox was chaste on the sea. 
56  How the King was received of Angus of the Isles, and was gent●y entreated of him, 
58  How the Queen and her other Ladies were ta'en and prisoned, and her men slain. 
61  Of the siege of Kildromie, and how it was betraised to the Englishmen. 
62  Of the death of King Edward of England. 
66  The illusion of the Devil made to the mother of Ferrand earl of Flanders, and of the success of the battle that followed thereafter. 
68  How james of Dowglas passed in Arrane, and gart victual and armour there. 
71  How the King sent a spy in Carrik to spy wha were his friends there. 
76  Of the fire the King saw burning 
79  Of the Kings hanselling at his first arriving in Carrik. 
83  How james of Dowglas won his Castle of Dowglas. 
97  How a man of Carrik with twa sons, took in hand to slay the King Robert. 
97  How King Robert slew the three Traitors 
101  How King Robert discomfist twa hundredth Galloway-men, and slew fifteen of them. 
105  whither Tydeus slew forty nine men, and their Captain. 
108  How james of Dowglas slew Thriswall, the Captain of Dowglas, 
114  How sir Aymer and john of Lorne searched the King with a sleuthhound. 
118  How King Robert slew ye●. men that followed him. 
121  How the King was sairlie sought by the sleuthhound▪ and how the sleuthhound was slain. 
123  How the three Thiefs came to the King, and fainyied that they would be his men. 
126  How the King's Foster-brother was slain, and himself in great danger, and how he slew the three Thiefs. 
128  How the King after his great troubles, effrayed the English company. 
133  How the King & his hounds slew the 3 men in the wood. 
136  How the King discomfist sir Aymer in Glentroll. 
140  How sir james Dowglas discomfist sir Philip Mowbray with his company at Ederfurd. 
143  How the King discomfist sir Aymer, and his men under Lowdoun hill. 
147  How sir james Dowglas slew sir john Webtoun and w● the Castle of Dowglas, and sign cast it down. 
156  How the King passed over the Month, and fell sick by the way. 
159  How the King's men defended him during the time of his sickness. 
162  How the King discomfist the Earl of Buchane at Enrowry 
165  Of the heirship of Buchane, and how the Castle of Forfare was ta'en. 
168  How the King wan saint johnstoun, and cast down all the Tower thereof. 
169  Of the French Knight that was with King Robert at the winning of saint johnstoun. 
171  How sir Edward Bruce discomfist sir Aymer, and sir Ingrame Vmfravile at the Water of Cree. 
174  How sir Edward Bruce with fifty in company, discomfist sir Aymer with fifteen hundreth. 
176  How sir james Dowglas took Thomas Randell, and Alexander Stewart. 
180  How the King discomfist john of Lorne's men at Cre●labē 
182  whither William Binny won the peil of Linlithgowe▪ through the bringing in of hay to it. 
182  How Thomas Randell was recounselled with the King, and was made Earl of Murray. 
190  How Thomas Randel sieged the castle of Edinburgh. 
191  How Sir james Dowglas by the convoy of Sym of Lydhouse, won the Castle of Roxburgh. 
193  How Earl Thomas Randell won the Castle of Edinburgh, by the convoying of William Frances. 
198  How sir Edward Bruce won the peil of Ruglyn, and sign won Dundie. 
206  How sir Edward Bruce sieged Sttiviling, and of the ●rewes ta'en thereat. 
207  How King Edward gaddered a puissant army to relieve St●iuiling. 
208  How King Edward divided his battles, and took harbry in Edinburgh, 
213  How King Robert gaddered his folks, and ordered his battles, to resist king Edward. 
216  How king Robert gart make deep pots in the field, & overcovered them with eird. 
218  How king Robert dissevered his vitaillers, and carriage men fra his camp, and set Earl Thomas Randell to keep the gaite beside the Kirke. 
220  How the Earl of Murray with an hundreth in company, discomfist eight hundreth Englishmen. 
224  How king Robert slew sir Henry Bowme in the face of ●aith the Oasts. 
228  Of the comfort given by king Robert to his folks. 
233  Of the battle of Bannocburne. 
242  How the Scottish vittallers and carriage men, made them banners of s●eetes, and presented themselues to the field. 
253  The valiantness and death of sir Geiles de Argentie. 
255  How the Earl of Herfurd after the battle was received in Bothwell. 
258  How the king gart honourably bury the Earl of Gloucester, and the Castle of Striuiling was rendered, and sir Philip Mowbray became the kings man. 
262  How sir james Dowglas chased king Edward to Dum●ar, and his company to Barwike. 
263  How the Castle of Bothwell, & the Earl of Herfurd were randred to sir Edward Bruce, & the Earl interchanged for the Queen, and her Daughter that were prisoners. 
267  How king Robert rade in England, and brunt Northumberland. 
268  How sir Edward Bruce with a great company passed in 〈◊〉 
269  Of the first three battles sir Edward won in Ireland. 
271  How the Irishmen treasonably leet our a Lo●h on sir Edward and his company. 
279  How Earl Thomas Randell conqueissed the Irishmen victuals, 
287  How Earl Thomas chased the Scurreours that came fra Cogneres. 
284  Of the fourth battle sir Edward won in Ireland. 
286  How king Robert daunted the Isles, and took john of Lorne. 
296  How sir james Dowglas rescued the Pray ta'en by Englishmen, and slew sir Edmund Calhow Capitane of Barwike. 
296  How sir james Dowglas slew the Lord newel. 
299  How king Robert passed in Ireland to support his brother. 
303  How king Robert fought in Ireland against a great number of men, and discomfist them. 
305  How sir james Dowglas in absence of king Robert with a few company slew the Earl of Richmond. 
313  How sir james Dowglas slew Clerk Eleis and his company. 
317  How sir james Dowglas in absence of King Robert, defended valiantly the Country. 
318  How the Bishop of Dunkeld, and the Earl of Fife discomfist the Englishmen beside Dumfermeling. 
320  Of the returning of king Robert from Ireland. 
323  How Barwik was win by the moyen of Sim of Spaldin. 
327  How the King received the Castle of Barwike, and made Walter Stewart Capitane thereof. 
330  How the King of England assembled his power to siege Barwike. 
333  Of the siege of Barwike. 
345  How Earl Thomas Randell and sir james Dowglas past and burnt in England to raise the siege from Barwike. 
340  Of the second assault of Barwike. 
343  How the siege of Barwike was skailled, and the town relieved. 
350  Of the death of sir Edward in Ireland, and money noble men with him. 
356  How King Edward again invaded Scotland, and how sundry of his men were slain by sir james Dowglas. 
363  How Englishmen were discomfist at Byland. 
366  Of the conspiracy devised against King Robert. 
370  Of the truce ta'en betwixt Scotland and England, and of the death of walter Stewart. 
376  How the Earl of Murray, and sir james Dowglas brunt in England till they came to Wardall Park, and of the death of King Edward of Carnaver, and of his son Edward of Windesore. 
377  How Sir james Dowglas entered in the English Host, and slew money in their Tents. 
386  How the Scottish Host, by the convoy of Sir james Dowglas returned in Scotland without battle. 
391  How King Robert to relieve his folks, assembled his Host, and entered into England in three parts. 
394  Of the peace ta'en, and of the Marriage of Edward's sister, with David King Robert's son. 
395  How King Robert took sickness in Cardrosse, & sent for his Lords. 
398  How the Lord Dowglas was chosen to pass to the holy Land, with the Bruces Heart, and of the death of King Robert, and how he was buried in Dumfermling. 
401  How the Lord Dowglas passed to the holy Land with the King's heart. 
403  Of the great prowess and valiantness done by the Lord Dowglas in Spain. 
406  How the Lord Dowglas in relieving Sir William Sinclar, were both slain by ●uge multitude of Saracenes. 
408  Of the noble virtues of the Lord Dowglas, and a comparison betwixt him and the Roman Fabricius. 
410  How Sir William Keith brought the Lord Dowglas banes in Scotland, and buried them in the Kirke of Dowglas, 
412  Of the death of sir Thomas Randell Governor of Scotland by poison, 
Folly, eodem.   
FINIS TABULAE.