48. 'Indeed I wat ye lee'd, my lord, And even so loud as I hear ye lie; I wan him frae his man, Fair Johnë Armstrong, Hand for hand on Cannobie lee.

49. 'There's the jack was on his back, The twa-handed sword that hung leugh by his thigh; There's the steel cap was on his head; I have a' these takens to lett you see.'

Ballads of Scottish Tradition and Romance — Part 40

50. 'If that be true thou to me tels (I trow thou dare not tel a lie), I'le give thee twenty pound for the good horse, Wel tel'd in thy cloke-lap shall be.

Ballads of Scottish Tradition and Romance — Part 40

51. 'And I'le give thee one of my best milk-kye To maintain thy wife and children three; And that may be as good, I think, As ony twa o' thine might be.'

Ballads of Scottish Tradition and Romance — Part 40

52. 'The shame speed the liars, my lord!' quo' Dickie; 'Trow ye ay to make a fool of me? I'le either have thirty pound for the good horse, Or else he's gae to Mattan fair wi' me.'

53. Then he has given him thirty pound for the good horse, All in gold and good monie: He has given him one of his best milk-kye To maintain his wife and children three.

54. Then Dickie's come down through Carlile town, Even as fast as he may drie. The first of men that he with mett Was my lord's brother, Bailife Glazenberrie.

55. 'Well may ye be, my good Ralph Scrupe!' 'Welcome, my brother's fool!' quo' he; 'Where did thou gett Fair Johnie Armstrong's horse?' 'Where did I get him but steal him,' quo' he.

56. 'But will thou sell me Fair Johnie Armstrong's horse? And, billie, will thou sell him to me?' quo' he; 'Ay, and [thou] tel me the monie on my cloke-lap, For there's not one farthing I'le trust thee.'

57. 'I'le give thee fifteen pound for the good horse, Wel told on thy cloke-lap shal be; And I'le give thee one of my best milk-kye To maintain thy wife and thy children three.'

58. 'The shame speed the liars, my lord!' quo' Dickë, 'Trow ye ay to make a fool of me?' quo' he; 'I'le either have thirty pound for the good horse. Or else he's to Mattan Fair with me.'

59. He has given him thirty pound for the good horse, All in gold and good monie; He has given him one of his best milk-kye To maintain his wife and children three.

60. Then Dickie lap a loup on high, And I wat a loud laughter leugh he; 'I wish the neck of the third horse were browken, For I have a better of my own, and onie better can be.'