"Wi' a ged o' airn," did Simmy say,
"And ilka man wi' a horse to ride,
We aucht wad break the Bishop's castle,
And carry himsel' to the Liddel side.
"The banks o' Whythaugh I sall na see,
I never sall look upon wife and bairn;
I wad pawn my saul for my gude mear, Jean,
I wad pawn my saul for a ged o' airn."
There was ane that brocht them their water and bread;
His gude sire, he was a kindly Scot,
Says "Your errand I'll rin to the Laird o' Cessford,
If ye'll swear to pay me the rescue shot."
Then Simmy has gi'en him his seal and ring,
To the Laird o' Cessford has ridden he -
I trow when Sir Robert had heard his word
The tear it stood in Sir Robert's e'e.
"And saIl they starve him, Simmy o' Whythaugh,
And sall his bed be the rotten strae?
I trow I'll spare neither life nor gear,
Or ever I live to see that day!
"Gar bring up my horses," Sir Robert he said,
"I bid ye bring them by three and three,
And ane by ane at St. George's close,
At York gate gather your companie.
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