GUDE WALLACE. "O FOR my ain king,” quo gude Wallace, "The rightfu' king of fair Scotland! "Between me and my sovereign blude "I think I see some ill seed sawn." Wallace out over yon river he lap, And he has lighted low down on yon plain; And he was aware of a gay ladie, As she was at the well washing. "What tydins, what tydins, fair lady," he says, "What tydins hast thou to tell unto me; "What tydins, what tydins, fair lady,” he says, "What tydins hae ye in the south countrie.” "Low down in yon wee ostler house*, "There is fifteen Englishmen, "And they are seekin for gude Wallace, "Its him to take, and him to hang." There's nought in my purse," quo gude Wallace, "Theres nought, not even a bare pennie; "But I will down to yon wee ostler house, "Thir fyfteen Englishmen to see.” And when he came to yon wee ostler house, "Where was ye born, auld crookit carl, "And an auld crookit carl, just sic as ye see." "I wad gie fifteen shillings to onie crookit carl, "To onie crookit carl, just sic as ye, "If ye will get me gude Wallace, "For he is the man I wad very fain see." *Wee ostler house, small inn. He hit the proud captain alang the chaffts blade*, That never a bit o' meal he ate mair; And he sticket the rest at the table where they sat, And he left them a' lyin sprawlin there. "Get up, get up, gudewife," he says, The dinner was na weel readie, Were a' lighted about the yett. "Come out, come out, now gude Wallace, The gude wife had an auld gudeman, * Chaffts blade, cheek bone. Wordie, worthy. |