 | The Turke and Gowin, Sir Lambewell, Lord of Learne, Scotish Feilde, Flodden Feilde, Eger and Grine, Sir Triamore, Sir Degree. Ladye Bessiye |  |
Lord: of Learne
182
It was the worthy Lord of learen,
he was a lord of a hie degree;
he had noe more children but one sonne,
he sett him to schoole to learne curtesie.
he was a lord of a hie degree;
he had noe more children but one sonne,
he sett him to schoole to learne curtesie.
learing did soe proceed with that child—
I tell you all in veretie—
he learned more vpon one day
then other children did on 3:
I tell you all in veretie—
he learned more vpon one day
then other children did on 3:
& then bespake the Schoole Master,
vnto the Lord of Learne said hee,
“I thinke thou be some stranger borne,
for the holy gost remaines with thee.”
vnto the Lord of Learne said hee,
“I thinke thou be some stranger borne,
for the holy gost remaines with thee.”
he said, “I am noe stranger borne,
forsooth, Master, I tell it to thee,
it is a gift of almighty god
which he hath giuen vnto mee.”
forsooth, Master, I tell it to thee,
it is a gift of almighty god
which he hath giuen vnto mee.”
183
the schooleMaster turnd him round about,
his angry mind he thought to asswage,
for the child cold answer him soe quicklie,
& was of soe tender yeere of agee.
his angry mind he thought to asswage,
for the child cold answer him soe quicklie,
& was of soe tender yeere of agee.
the Child, he caused a steed to be brought,
a golden bridle done him vpon;
he tooke his leaue of his schoolfellows,
& home the Child that he is gone.
a golden bridle done him vpon;
he tooke his leaue of his schoolfellows,
& home the Child that he is gone.
& when he came before his father,
he ffell low downe vpon his knee,
“my blessing, father, I wold aske,
if christ wold grant you wold giue it me.”
he ffell low downe vpon his knee,
“my blessing, father, I wold aske,
if christ wold grant you wold giue it me.”
“Now god thee blesse, my sonne & my heire,
his servant in heauen that thou may bee!
what tydings hast thou brought me, child?
thou art comen home so soone to mee.”
his servant in heauen that thou may bee!
what tydings hast thou brought me, child?
thou art comen home so soone to mee.”
“good tydings, father, I haue you brought,
Goo[d tydings] I hope it is [?] to mee,
the booke is not in all S[c]ottlande
but I can reade it before your eye.”
Goo[d tydings] I hope it is [?] to mee,
the booke is not in all S[c]ottlande
but I can reade it before your eye.”
a Ioyed man his father was,
euen the worthy Lord of Learne,
“thou shalt goe into ffrance, my Child,
to learne the speeches of all strange lands.”
euen the worthy Lord of Learne,
“thou shalt goe into ffrance, my Child,
to learne the speeches of all strange lands.”
but then bespake the Child his mother,—
the Lady of learne & then was shee,—
saies, “who must be his well good guide
when he goes into that strange country?”
the Lady of learne & then was shee,—
saies, “who must be his well good guide
when he goes into that strange country?”
184
& then bespake that bonnie Child
vntill his father tenderlie,
saies, “father, Ile haue the hend Steward,
for he hath beene true to you & mee.”
vntill his father tenderlie,
saies, “father, Ile haue the hend Steward,
for he hath beene true to you & mee.”
the Lady to concell the steward did take,
& counted downe a 100li: there,
saies, “steward, be true to my sonne & my heire,
& I will giue thee mickle mere.”
& counted downe a 100li: there,
saies, “steward, be true to my sonne & my heire,
& I will giue thee mickle mere.”
“If I be not true to my Master,” he said,
“Christ himselfe be not trew to mee!
if I be not true to my lord & Master,
an ill death that I may die!”
“Christ himselfe be not trew to mee!
if I be not true to my lord & Master,
an ill death that I may die!”
the Lord of Learne did apparell his Child
with Bruche, & ringe, & many a thinge;
the apparrell he had his body vppon,
thé say was worth a Squiers liuinge.
with Bruche, & ringe, & many a thinge;
the apparrell he had his body vppon,
thé say was worth a Squiers liuinge.
the parting of the younge Lord of Learne
with his ffather, his mother, his ffellows deere,
wold haue made a manis hart for to change,
if a Iew borne that he were.
with his ffather, his mother, his ffellows deere,
wold haue made a manis hart for to change,
if a Iew borne that he were.
the wind did serue, & thé did sayle
over the sea into ffrance Land:
he vsed the Child soe hardlie,
he wold let him haue neuer a penny to spend,
over the sea into ffrance Land:
he vsed the Child soe hardlie,
he wold let him haue neuer a penny to spend,
and meate he wold let the Child haue none,
nor mony to buy none trulie;
the boy was hungry & thirsty both;
alas! it was the more pitty.
nor mony to buy none trulie;
the boy was hungry & thirsty both;
alas! it was the more pitty.
185
he laid him downe to drinke the water
that was soe low beneathe the brimn;
he was wont to haue drunke both ale & wine,
then was faine of the water soe thinne;
that was soe low beneathe the brimn;
he was wont to haue drunke both ale & wine,
then was faine of the water soe thinne;
& as he was drinking of the water
that ran soe low beneath the brime,
soe ready was the false steward
to drowne the bonny boy therin.
that ran soe low beneath the brime,
soe ready was the false steward
to drowne the bonny boy therin.
“haue Mercy on me, worthy steward!
my life,” he said, “lend it to mee!
& all that I am heire vpon”
saies, “I will giue vnto thee.”
my life,” he said, “lend it to mee!
& all that I am heire vpon”
saies, “I will giue vnto thee.”
Mercy to him the steward did take,
& pulld the child out of the brime;
euen, alacke! the more pittye!
he tooke his clothes euen from him;
& pulld the child out of the brime;
euen, alacke! the more pittye!
he tooke his clothes euen from him;
saies, “doe thou me of that veluett gowne,
the crimson hose beneath thy knee,
& doe me of thy cordiuant shoone
are buckled with the gold soe free;
the crimson hose beneath thy knee,
& doe me of thy cordiuant shoone
are buckled with the gold soe free;
“doe thou me off thy sattin doublett,
thy shirtband wrought with glistering gold,
& doe mee off thy golden Chaine
about thy necke soe many a fold;
thy shirtband wrought with glistering gold,
& doe mee off thy golden Chaine
about thy necke soe many a fold;
“doe thou me off thy veluett hat
with fether in thats is soe ffine,
all vnto thy silken shirt
thats wrought with many a golden swaine.”
with fether in thats is soe ffine,
all vnto thy silken shirt
thats wrought with many a golden swaine.”
186
the child before him naked stood,
with skin as white as lilly flower;
for his worthy lords bewtie
He might haue beene a ladyes paramoure.
with skin as white as lilly flower;
for his worthy lords bewtie
He might haue beene a ladyes paramoure.
he put vpon him a lether cote,
& breeches of the same beneath the knee,
& sent that bony Child him froe,
service for to craue, truly.
& breeches of the same beneath the knee,
& sent that bony Child him froe,
service for to craue, truly.
he pulld then forth a naked sword
that hange full low then by his side,
“turne thy name, thou villaine,” he said,
“or else this sword shall be thy guide.”
that hange full low then by his side,
“turne thy name, thou villaine,” he said,
“or else this sword shall be thy guide.”
“what must be my name, worthy steward?
I pray thee, now tell it me.”
“thy name shalbe pore disaware,
to tend sheepe on a lonelye lee.”
I pray thee, now tell it me.”
“thy name shalbe pore disaware,
to tend sheepe on a lonelye lee.”
the bonny Child, he went him froe,
& looked to himselfe truly,
saw his apparrell soe simple vppon;
O Lord! he weeped tenderlye.
& looked to himselfe truly,
saw his apparrell soe simple vppon;
O Lord! he weeped tenderlye.
vnto a shepards house that Childe did goe,
& said, “Sir, god you saue & see!
doe you not want a servant boy
to tend your sheepe on a lonelie lee?”
& said, “Sir, god you saue & see!
doe you not want a servant boy
to tend your sheepe on a lonelie lee?”
“where was thou borne?” the shepard said,
“where, my boy, or in what country?”
“Sir,” he said, “I was borne in fayre Scottland
that is soe farr beyond the sea.”
“where, my boy, or in what country?”
“Sir,” he said, “I was borne in fayre Scottland
that is soe farr beyond the sea.”
187
“I haue noe child,” the shepard sayd,
“my boy, thoust tarry & dwell with mee;
my liuinge,” he sayd, “& all my goods,
Ile make thee heire [of] after mee.”
“my boy, thoust tarry & dwell with mee;
my liuinge,” he sayd, “& all my goods,
Ile make thee heire [of] after mee.”
& then bespake the shepards wife,
to the Lord of learne thus did she say,
“goe thy way to our sheepe,” she said,
“& tend them well both night & day.”
to the Lord of learne thus did she say,
“goe thy way to our sheepe,” she said,
“& tend them well both night & day.”
it was a sore office, O Lord, for him
that was a lord borne of a great degree!
as he was tenting his sheepe alone,
neither sport nor play cold hee.
that was a lord borne of a great degree!
as he was tenting his sheepe alone,
neither sport nor play cold hee.
Let vs leaue talking of the Lord of Learne,
& let all such talking goe;
let vs talke more of the falst steward
that caused the Child all this woe.
& let all such talking goe;
let vs talke more of the falst steward
that caused the Child all this woe.
he sold this lord of Learnes his Clothes
for 500li: to his pay,
& bought himselfe a suite of apparrell
might well beseeme a Lord to weare.
for 500li: to his pay,
& bought himselfe a suite of apparrell
might well beseeme a Lord to weare.
when he that Gorgeous apparrell bought
that did soe finelie his body vppon,
he laughed the bony Child to scorne
that was the bonny Lord of learne;
that did soe finelie his body vppon,
he laughed the bony Child to scorne
that was the bonny Lord of learne;
he laughed that bonny boy to scorne;
Lord! pitty it was to heare!
I haue herd them say, & soe haue you too,
that a man may buy gold to deere.
Lord! pitty it was to heare!
I haue herd them say, & soe haue you too,
that a man may buy gold to deere.
188
when that he had all that gorgeous apparell
that did soe finelie his body vpon,
he went a woing to the dukes daughter of france,
& called himselfe the Lord of Learne.
that did soe finelie his body vpon,
he went a woing to the dukes daughter of france,
& called himselfe the Lord of Learne.
the duke of ffrance heard tell of this;
to his place that worthy Lord was come truly;
he entertaind him with a quart of Red renish wi[ne],
saies, “Lord of Learne, thou art welcome to me!”
to his place that worthy Lord was come truly;
he entertaind him with a quart of Red renish wi[ne],
saies, “Lord of Learne, thou art welcome to me!”
then to supper that they were sett,
Lords & ladyes in their degree;
the steward was sett next the duke of france;
an vnseemlye sight it was to see.
Lords & ladyes in their degree;
the steward was sett next the duke of france;
an vnseemlye sight it was to see.
then bespake the duke of ffrance,
vnto the Lord of leearne said hee there,
sayes, “lord of Learne, if thoule marry my daught[er,]
Ile Mend thy liuing 500l: a yeere.”
vnto the Lord of leearne said hee there,
sayes, “lord of Learne, if thoule marry my daught[er,]
Ile Mend thy liuing 500l: a yeere.”
Then bespake that Lady fayre,
answered her ffather soe alone,
that shee wold be his marryed wiffe
if he wold make her Lady of Learne.
answered her ffather soe alone,
that shee wold be his marryed wiffe
if he wold make her Lady of Learne.
then hand in hand the steward her he tooke,
& plight that Lady his troth alone,
that she shold be his Marryed wiffe,
& he wold make her the Ladie of learne.
& plight that Lady his troth alone,
that she shold be his Marryed wiffe,
& he wold make her the Ladie of learne.
thus that night it was gone,
the other day was come truly,
the Lady wold see the Robucke run
vp hills & dales & forrest free.
the other day was come truly,
the Lady wold see the Robucke run
vp hills & dales & forrest free.
189
then shee was ware of the younge Lord of learne
tending sheepe vnder a bryar, trulye;
& thus shee called vnto her maids,
& held her hands vp thus an hie,
tending sheepe vnder a bryar, trulye;
& thus shee called vnto her maids,
& held her hands vp thus an hie,
sayes, “feitch me yond shepards boy,
Ile know why he doth mourne, trulye.”
when he came before that Lady fayer,
he fell downe vpon his knee,
Ile know why he doth mourne, trulye.”
when he came before that Lady fayer,
he fell downe vpon his knee,
he had beene so well brought vpp
he needed not to learne curtesie.
“where wast thou borne, thou bonny boy,
where or in what countrye?”
he needed not to learne curtesie.
“where wast thou borne, thou bonny boy,
where or in what countrye?”
“Madam, I was borne in faire Scottland
that is soe farr beyond the sea.”
“what is thy name, thou bonny boy?
I pray thee tell it vnto mee.”
that is soe farr beyond the sea.”
“what is thy name, thou bonny boy?
I pray thee tell it vnto mee.”
“My name,” he sayes, “is poore Disaware,
that tends sheepe on a lonely lee.”
“one thing thou must tell mee, bonny boy,
which I must needs aske of thee:
that tends sheepe on a lonely lee.”
“one thing thou must tell mee, bonny boy,
which I must needs aske of thee:
“dost not thou know the young Lord of Learne?
he is comen a woing into france to me.”
“yes, that I doe, Madam,” he said;
& then he wept most tenderlie;
“the Lord of learne is a worthy Lord,
if he were at home in his oune country.”
he is comen a woing into france to me.”
“yes, that I doe, Madam,” he said;
& then he wept most tenderlie;
“the Lord of learne is a worthy Lord,
if he were at home in his oune country.”
190
“what ayles thee to weepe, my bonny boy?
tell me or ere I part thee froe.”
“nothing but for a freind, Madam,
thats dead from me many a yeere agoe.”
tell me or ere I part thee froe.”
“nothing but for a freind, Madam,
thats dead from me many a yeere agoe.”
a loud laughter the Ladie lought;
O Lord! shee smiled wonderous hie;
“I haue dwelled in france since I was borne;
such a shepards boy I did neuer see.
O Lord! shee smiled wonderous hie;
“I haue dwelled in france since I was borne;
such a shepards boy I did neuer see.
“wilt thou not leaue thy sheepe, my Child,
& come vnto service vnto mee?
& I will giue thee meate & fee,
& my Chamberlaine thou shalt bee.”
& come vnto service vnto mee?
& I will giue thee meate & fee,
& my Chamberlaine thou shalt bee.”
“then I will leaue my sheepe, Madam,” he sayd,
“& come into service vnto thee;
if you will giue me meate & fee,
your Chamberlaine that I may bee.”
“& come into service vnto thee;
if you will giue me meate & fee,
your Chamberlaine that I may bee.”
when the Lady came before her father,
shee fell Low downe vpon her knee,
“grant me, father,” the Lady said,
“this boy my Chamberlaine to be.”
shee fell Low downe vpon her knee,
“grant me, father,” the Lady said,
“this boy my Chamberlaine to be.”
“but O Nay, Nay,” the duke did say,
“soe my daughter it may not bee;
the Lord that is come a woing to you
will be offended with you & mee.”
“soe my daughter it may not bee;
the Lord that is come a woing to you
will be offended with you & mee.”
then came downe the false steward
which called himselfe the Lord of learne, trulie:
when he looked that bonny boy vpon,
an angry man I-wis was hee.
which called himselfe the Lord of learne, trulie:
when he looked that bonny boy vpon,
an angry man I-wis was hee.
191
“where thou was Borne, thou vagabond?
where?” he sayd, “& in what country?”
says, “I was borne in fayre Scotland
that is soe far beyond the sea.”
where?” he sayd, “& in what country?”
says, “I was borne in fayre Scotland
that is soe far beyond the sea.”
“what is thy name, thou vagabond?
haue done qu[i]cklie, & tell it to me.”
“my name,” he sayes, “is poore disaware;
I tend sheep on the lonelie lee.”
haue done qu[i]cklie, & tell it to me.”
“my name,” he sayes, “is poore disaware;
I tend sheep on the lonelie lee.”
“thou art a theefe,” the steward said,
“& soe in the end I will prooue thee.”
then be-spake the Ladie fayre,
“peace, Lord of learne! I doe pray thee;
ffor if noe loue you show this Child,
noe favor can you haue of mee.”
“& soe in the end I will prooue thee.”
then be-spake the Ladie fayre,
“peace, Lord of learne! I doe pray thee;
ffor if noe loue you show this Child,
noe favor can you haue of mee.”
“will you beleeue me, Lady faire,
when the truth I doe tell yee?
att Aberdonie beyond the sea
his father he robbed a 100: 3.”
when the truth I doe tell yee?
att Aberdonie beyond the sea
his father he robbed a 100: 3.”
But then bespake the Duke of france
vnto the boy soe tenderlie,
saies, “boy, if thou loue harsses well,
my stable groome I will make thee.”
vnto the boy soe tenderlie,
saies, “boy, if thou loue harsses well,
my stable groome I will make thee.”
& thus that that did passe vppon
till the 12 monthes did draw to an ende;
the boy applyed his office soe well,
euery man became his freind.
till the 12 monthes did draw to an ende;
the boy applyed his office soe well,
euery man became his freind.
he went forth earlye one morning
to water a gelding at the water soe free;
the gelding vp, & with his head
he hitt the Child aboue his eye:
to water a gelding at the water soe free;
the gelding vp, & with his head
he hitt the Child aboue his eye:
192
“woe be to thee, thou gelding!” he sayd,
“& to the mare that foled thee!
thou hast striken the Lord of learne
a litle tinye aboue the knee.
“& to the mare that foled thee!
thou hast striken the Lord of learne
a litle tinye aboue the knee.
“first night after I was borne, a Lord I was;
an earle after my father doth die;
my father is the worthy Lord of learne;
his child he hath noe more but mee;
he sent me over the sea with the false steward,
& thus that he hath beguiled mee.”
an earle after my father doth die;
my father is the worthy Lord of learne;
his child he hath noe more but mee;
he sent me over the sea with the false steward,
& thus that he hath beguiled mee.”
the Lady [wa]s in her garden greene,
walking with her mayds, trulye,
& heard the boy this mourning make,
& went to weeping trulie:
walking with her mayds, trulye,
& heard the boy this mourning make,
& went to weeping trulie:
“sing on thy song, thou stable groome!
I pray thee doe not Let for mee,
& as I am a true Ladie
I wilbe trew vnto thee.”
I pray thee doe not Let for mee,
& as I am a true Ladie
I wilbe trew vnto thee.”
“but Nay, now Nay, Madam!” he sayd,
“soe that it may not bee,
I am tane sworne vpon a booke,
& forsworne I will not bee.”
“soe that it may not bee,
I am tane sworne vpon a booke,
& forsworne I will not bee.”
“sing on thy song to thy gelding
& thou doest not sing to mee;
& as I am a true Ladie
I will euer be true vnto thee.”
he sayd, “woe be to thy, gelding,
& to the Mare that foled thee!
& thou doest not sing to mee;
& as I am a true Ladie
I will euer be true vnto thee.”
he sayd, “woe be to thy, gelding,
& to the Mare that foled thee!
193
“for thou hast strucken the Lord of Learne
a litle aboue Mine eye.
first night I was borne, a lord I was;
an Earle after my father doth dye;
a litle aboue Mine eye.
first night I was borne, a lord I was;
an Earle after my father doth dye;
“my father is the good Lord of Learne,
& child he hath noe other but mee.
My father sent me over with the false steward,
& thus that he hath beguiled mee.
& child he hath noe other but mee.
My father sent me over with the false steward,
& thus that he hath beguiled mee.
“woe be to thee steward, Lady,” he sayd,
“woe be to him verrily!
he hath beene aboue this 12 months day
for to deceiue both thee & mee.
“woe be to him verrily!
he hath beene aboue this 12 months day
for to deceiue both thee & mee.
“if you doe not my Councell keepe
that I haue told you with good intent,
& if you doe it not well keepe,
ffarwell! my life is at an ende.”
that I haue told you with good intent,
& if you doe it not well keepe,
ffarwell! my life is at an ende.”
“I wilbe true to thee, Lord of Learne,
or else christ be not soe vnto me;
And as I am a trew ladye,
Ile neuer marry none but thee!”
or else christ be not soe vnto me;
And as I am a trew ladye,
Ile neuer marry none but thee!”
shee sent in for her father, the Duke,
in all the speed that ere might bee;
“put of my wedding, father,” shee said,
“for the loue of god, this Monthes 3:
in all the speed that ere might bee;
“put of my wedding, father,” shee said,
“for the loue of god, this Monthes 3:
“sicke I am,” the ladye said,
“O sicke, & verry like to die!
put of my wedding, father Duke,
ffor the loue of god this Monthes 3.”
“O sicke, & verry like to die!
put of my wedding, father Duke,
ffor the loue of god this Monthes 3.”
194
the Duke of france put of this wedding
of the steward & the lady, monthes 3;
for the Ladie, sicke shee was,
sicke, sicke, & like to die.
of the steward & the lady, monthes 3;
for the Ladie, sicke shee was,
sicke, sicke, & like to die.
shee wrote a letter with her owne hand
in all the speede that euer might bee;
shee sent over into scottland
that is soe ffarr beyond the sea.
in all the speede that euer might bee;
shee sent over into scottland
that is soe ffarr beyond the sea.
when the Messenger came beffore the old Lord of Learne,
he kneeled low downe on his knee,
& he deliuered the letter vnto him
in all the speed that euer might bee.
he kneeled low downe on his knee,
& he deliuered the letter vnto him
in all the speed that euer might bee.
first looke he looked the letter vpon,
Lo! he wept full bitterly,
the second looke he looked it vpon,
said, “false steward! woe be to thee!”
Lo! he wept full bitterly,
the second looke he looked it vpon,
said, “false steward! woe be to thee!”
when the Ladye of learne these tydings heard,
O Lord! shee wept soe biterlye:
“I told you of this, now good my lord,
when I sent my Child into that wild country.”
O Lord! shee wept soe biterlye:
“I told you of this, now good my lord,
when I sent my Child into that wild country.”
“peace, Lady of learne,” the Lord did say,
“for Christ his loue I doe pray thee;
& as I am a christian man,
wroken vpon him that I wilbe.”
“for Christ his loue I doe pray thee;
& as I am a christian man,
wroken vpon him that I wilbe.”
he wrote a letter with his owne hand
in all the speede that ere might bee;
he sent it into the Lords in Scottland
that were borne of a great degree;
in all the speede that ere might bee;
he sent it into the Lords in Scottland
that were borne of a great degree;
195
he sent for lords, he sent for knights,
the best that were in the countrye,
to goe with him into the land of france,
to seeke his sonne in that strange Country.
the best that were in the countrye,
to goe with him into the land of france,
to seeke his sonne in that strange Country.
the wind was good, & they did sayle,
500 men into france Land,
there to seeke that Bonny boy
that was the worthy Lord of Learne.
500 men into france Land,
there to seeke that Bonny boy
that was the worthy Lord of Learne.
they sought the country through & through,
soe farr to the dukes place of ffrance Land:
there they were ware of that bonny boy
standing with a porters staffe in his hand.
soe farr to the dukes place of ffrance Land:
there they were ware of that bonny boy
standing with a porters staffe in his hand.
then the worshippfull, thé did bowe,
the serving men fell on their knees,
they cast their hatts vp into the ayre
for Ioy that boy that they had seene.
the serving men fell on their knees,
they cast their hatts vp into the ayre
for Ioy that boy that they had seene.
the Lord of learne, then he light downe,
& kist his Child both Cheeke & chinne,
& said, “god blesse thee, my sonne & my heire,
the blisse of heauen that thou may wiine!”
& kist his Child both Cheeke & chinne,
& said, “god blesse thee, my sonne & my heire,
the blisse of heauen that thou may wiine!”
the false steward & the Duke of france
were in a Castle topp trulie:
“what fooles are yond,” says the false steward,
“to the porter makes soe Lowe curtesie?”
were in a Castle topp trulie:
“what fooles are yond,” says the false steward,
“to the porter makes soe Lowe curtesie?”
Then bespake the duke of ffrance,
calling my Lord of Learne trulie,
he sayd, “I daubt the day be come
that either you or I must die.”
calling my Lord of Learne trulie,
he sayd, “I daubt the day be come
that either you or I must die.”
196
thé sett the Castle round about,
a swallow cold not haue flone away;
& there thé tooke the false steward
That the Lord of Learne did betray.
a swallow cold not haue flone away;
& there thé tooke the false steward
That the Lord of Learne did betray.
& when they had taken the false steward,
he fell lowe downe vpon his knee,
& craued mercy of the Lord of learne
for the villanous dedd he had done, trulye.
he fell lowe downe vpon his knee,
& craued mercy of the Lord of learne
for the villanous dedd he had done, trulye.
“thou shalt haue mercy,” said the Lord of Learne,
“thou vile traitor! I tell to thee;
as the Lawes of the realme they will thee beare,
wether it bee for thee to liue or dye.”
“thou vile traitor! I tell to thee;
as the Lawes of the realme they will thee beare,
wether it bee for thee to liue or dye.”
a quest of lords that there was chosen
to goe vppon his death, trulie:
there thé Iudged the false steward,
whether he was guiltie, & for to dye.
to goe vppon his death, trulie:
there thé Iudged the false steward,
whether he was guiltie, & for to dye.
The forman of the Iury, he came in;
he spake his words full Lowd & hiye:
said, “make thee ready, thou false steward,
for now thy death it drawes full nie!”
he spake his words full Lowd & hiye:
said, “make thee ready, thou false steward,
for now thy death it drawes full nie!”
sayd he, “if my death it doth draw nie,
god forgiue me all I haue done amisse!
where is that Lady I haue loued soe longe,
before my death to giue me a Kisse.”
god forgiue me all I haue done amisse!
where is that Lady I haue loued soe longe,
before my death to giue me a Kisse.”
“away, thou traitor!” the Lady said,
“auoyd out of my company!
for thy vild treason thou hast wrought,
thou had need to cry to god for mercye.”
“auoyd out of my company!
for thy vild treason thou hast wrought,
thou had need to cry to god for mercye.”
197
first they tooke him & h[a]ngd him halfe,
& let him downe before he was dead,
& quartered him in quarters Many,
& sodde him in a boyling Lead;
& let him downe before he was dead,
& quartered him in quarters Many,
& sodde him in a boyling Lead;
& then they tooke him out againe,
& cutten all his ioynts in sunder,
& burnte him eke vpon a hyll;
I-wis thé did him curstlye cumber.
& cutten all his ioynts in sunder,
& burnte him eke vpon a hyll;
I-wis thé did him curstlye cumber.
a loud laughter the lady laught;
O lord! she smiled merrylie;
She sayd, “I may praise my heauenly King
that euer I seene this vile traytor die.”
O lord! she smiled merrylie;
She sayd, “I may praise my heauenly King
that euer I seene this vile traytor die.”
then bespake the duke of france,
vnto the right Lord of Learne sayd he there,
says, “Lord of Learne, if thou wilt marry my daught[er]
Ile mend thy liuing 500 a yeere.”
vnto the right Lord of Learne sayd he there,
says, “Lord of Learne, if thou wilt marry my daught[er]
Ile mend thy liuing 500 a yeere.”
but then bespake that bonie boy,
& answered the Duke quicklie,
“I had rather marry your daughter with a ring of go[ld,]
then all the gold that ere I blinket on with mine eye.”
& answered the Duke quicklie,
“I had rather marry your daughter with a ring of go[ld,]
then all the gold that ere I blinket on with mine eye.”
198
But then bespake the old Lord of Learne,
to the Duke of france thus he did say,
“seeing our Children doe soe well agree,
they shalbe marryed ere wee goe away.”
to the Duke of france thus he did say,
“seeing our Children doe soe well agree,
they shalbe marryed ere wee goe away.”
they Lady of learne, shee was for sent
throughout Scottland soe speedilie,
to see these 2 Children sett vpp
in their seats of gold full royallye.
throughout Scottland soe speedilie,
to see these 2 Children sett vpp
in their seats of gold full royallye.
ffins.
| The Turke and Gowin, Sir Lambewell, Lord of Learne, Scotish Feilde, Flodden Feilde, Eger and Grine, Sir Triamore, Sir Degree. Ladye Bessiye | |