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Compylit be Sir David Lyndesay of the Mont, alias, Lyoun, King of Armes. Quho that antique stories reidis, Considder may the famous deidis Of our nobill progenitouris, Quhilk suld to us be richt mirrouris, Thair verteous deidis to ensew, And vicious leving to eschew. Sic men bene put in memorie That deith suld not confound thair glorie. Howbeit thair bodie bene absent, Thair verteous deidis bene present. Poetis, thair honour to avance, Hes put thame in rememberance. Sum wryt of preclair conquerouris, And sum of vailyeand empriouris, And sum of nobill michtie kingis That royallie did reull thair ringis; And sum of campiounis, and of knichtis That bauldlie did defend thair richtis, Quhilk vailyeandlie did stand in stour For the defence of thair honour; And sum of squyeris douchtie deidis, That wounders wrocht in weirlie weidis. Sum wryt of deidis amorous, As Chauceir wrait of Troilus, How that he luiffit Cressida; Of Jason and of Medea. With help of Cleo I intend — Sa Minerve wald me sapience send — Ane nobill squyer to discryfe Quhais douchtines during his lyfe I knaw my self: thairof I wryte, And all his deidis I dar indyte, And secreitis that I did not knaw, That nobill squyer did me schaw. Sa I intend, the best I can, Descryve the deidis and the man, Quhais youth did occupie in lufe, Full plesantlie without reprufe; Quhilk did as monie douchtie deidis As monie ane that men of reidis Quhilkis poetis puttis in memorie For the exalting of thair glorie. Quhairfoir I think, sa God me saif, He suld have place amangis the laif, That his hie honour suld not smure, Considering quhat he did indure Oft times for his ladeis sake. I wait Sir Lancelote du Lake, Quhen he did lufe King Arthuris wyfe, Faucht never better with sword nor knyfe For his ladie in no battell, Nor had not half so just querrell. The veritie, quha list declair, His lufe was ane adulterair And durst not cum into hir sicht, Bot lyke ane houlet on the nicht. With this squyer it stude not so: His ladie luifit him and no mo. Husband nor lemman had scho none, And so he had hir lufe alone. I think it is no happie lyfe, Ane man to jaip his maisteris wyfe As did Lancelote: this I conclude, Of sic amour culd cum na gude.                 Now to my purpois will I pas, And shaw yow how the squyer was Ane gentilman of Scotland borne; So was his father him beforne, Of nobilnes lineallie discendit, Quhilks thair gude fame hes ever defendit. Gude Williame Meldrum he was namit Quhilk in his honour was never defamit, Stalwart and stout in everie stryfe, And borne within the schyre of Fyfe; To Cleische and Bynnis richt heritour, Quhilk stude for lufe in monie stour He was bot twentie yeiris of age, Quhen he began his vassalage: Proportionat weill; of mid stature; Feirie and wicht and micht indure; Ovirset with travell both nicht and day; Richt hardie baith in ernist and play; Blyith in countenance; right fair of face; And stude weill ay in his ladies grace, For he was wounder amiabill, And in all deidis honorabill, And ay his honour did avance, In Ingland first, and syne in France, And thair his manheid did assaill, Under the kingis greit admirall Quhen the greit navie of Scotland, Passit to the sey aganis Ingland. And as thay passit be Ireland coist, The admirall gart land his oist And set Craigfergus into fyre, And saifit nouther barne nor byre. It was greit pietie for to heir Of the pepill the bailfull cheir, And how the land folk wer spuilyeit; Fair wemen underfute wer fuilyeit. Bot this young squyer, bauld and wicht, Savit all wemen quhair he micht; All preistis and freiris he did save, Till at the last he did persave Behind ane garding amiabill Ane womanis voce richt lamentabill, And on that voce he followit fast, Till he did see hir at the last, Spuilyeit, naikit as scho was borne. Twa men of weir wer hir beforne Quhilk wer richt cruell men and kene, Partand the spuilyie thame betwene. Ane fairer woman nor scho wes He had not sene in onie place. Befoir him on hir kneis scho fell, Sayand: “For him that heryit Hell, Help me, sweit Sir — I am ane mayd!” Than softlie to the men he said: “I pray yow give againe hir sark, And tak to yow all uther wark.” Hir kirtill was of scarlot reid, Of gold, ane garland of hir heid, Decorit with enamelyne, Belt and brochis of silver fyne. Of yallow taftais wes hir sark, Begaryit all with browderit wark Richt craftelie, with gold and silk. Than said the ladie quhyte as milk, “Except my sark, no thing I crave: Let thame go hence with all the lave.” Quod thay to hir, “Be Sanct Fillane, Of this ye get nathing agane!” Than said the squyer courteslie, “Gude freindis, I pray yow hartfullie, Gif ye be worthie men of weir, Restoir to hir agane hir geir Or, be greit God that all hes wrocht, That spuilyie sal be ful deir bocht!” Quod thay to him, “We thee defy!” And drew thair swordis haistely, And straik at him with sa greit ire That from his harnes flew the fyre. With duntis sa darflie on him dang, That he was never in sic ane thrang. Bot he him manfullie defendit, And with ane bolt on thame he bendit And hat the ane upon the heid, That to the ground he fell doun deid, For to the teith he did him cleif: Lat him ly thair with ane mischeif. Than with the uther hand for hand, He beit him with his birneist brand: The uther was baith stout and strang, And on the squyer darflie dang, And than the squyer wrocht greit wonder, Ay till his sword did shaik in sunder. Than drew he furth ane sharp dagair And did him cleik be the collair, And evin in at the collerbane, At the first straik he hes him slane: He founderit fordward to the ground. Yit was the squyer haill and sound, Forquhy he was sa weill enarmit, He did escaip fra thame unharmit. And quhen he saw thay wer baith slane, He to that ladie past agane Quhair scho stude nakit on the bent, And said, “Take your abulyement,” And scho him thankit full humillie, And put hir claithis on spedilie. Than kissit he that ladie fair, And tuik his leif at hir but mair. Be that the taburne and trumpet blew And everie man to shipburd drew. That ladie was dolent in hart From tyme scho saw he wald depart That hir relevit from hir harmes, And hint the squyer in hir armes And said, “Will ye byde in this land, I sall yow tak to my husband: Thocht I be cassin now in cair, I am,” quod scho, “my fatheris air, The quhilk may spend of pennies round Of yeirlie rent ane thowsand pound.” With that hartlie scho did him kis. “Are ye,” quod scho, “content of this?” “Of that,” quod he, “I wald be fane Gif I micht in this realme remane, Bot I mon first pas into France. Sa quhen I cum agane, perchance, And efter that the peice be maid, To marie yow I will be glaid. Fairwell, I may no langer tarie: I pray God keip yow, and sweit Sanct Marie.” Than gaif scho him ane lufe taking, Ane riche rubie set in ane ring. “I am,” quod scho, “at your command, With yow to pas into Scotland.” “I thank yow hartfullie,” quod he, “Ye are ovir young to saill the see, And speciallie with men of weir.” “Of that,” quod scho, “tak ye na feir, 1 I sall me cleith in mennis clais, And ga with yow quhair evir ye pleis: Suld I not lufe him paramour, That saifit my lyfe and my honour?” “Ladie, I say yow in certane, Ye sall have lufe for lufe agane, Trewlie, unto my lyfis end! Fairweill: to God I yow commend.” With that into his boit he past, And to the ship he rowit fast. Thay weyit thair ankeris and maid saill, This navie with the admirall, And landit in bauld Brytane. This admirall was erle of Arrane, Quhilk was baith wyse and vailyeand, Of the blude royall of Scotland, Accompanyit with monie ane knight Quhilk wer richt worthie men and wicht. Amang the laif, this young squyar Was with him richt familiar, And throw his verteous diligence, Of that lord he gat sic credence That quhen he did his courage ken, Gaif him cure of fyve hundreth men Quhilkis wer to him obedient, Reddie at his commandement. It wer to lang for to declair The douchtie deidis that he did thair. Becaus he was sa courageous, Ladies of him wes amorous. He was an munyeoun for ane dame: Meik in chalmer lyk ane lame, Bot in the feild ane campioun, Rampand lyke ane wyld lyoun, Weill practikit with speir and scheild, And with the formest in the feild. No chiftane was amangis thame all In expensis mair liberall. In everilk play he wan the pryse, With that he was verteous and wyse, And so, becaus he was weill pruifit, With everie man he was weill luifit.                 Hary the aucht, king of Ingland, That tyme at Caleis wes lyand With his trimphant ordinance, Makand weir on the realme of France. The King of France his greit armie Lay neir hand by in Picardie, Quhair aither uther did assaill, Howbeit thair was na set battaill, Bot thair wes daylie skirmishing, Quhair men of armis brak monie sting. Quhen to the squyer Meldrum Wer tauld thir nouellis all and sum, He thocht he wald vesie the weiris, And waillit furth ane hundreth speiris, And futemen quhilk wer bauld and stout, The maist worthie of all his rout.                 Quhen he come to the king of France, He wes sone put in ordinance; Richt so was all his companie That on him waitit continuallie. Thair was into the Inglis oist Ane campioun that blew greit boist. He was ane stout man and ane strang, Quhilk oist wald with his conduct gang Outthrow the greit armie of France, His valiantnes for to avance, And Maister Talbart was his name, Of Scottis and Frenche quhilk spak disdane, And on his bonnet usit to beir Of silver fyne takinnis of weir. And proclamatiounis he gart mak That he wald, for his ladies saik, With any gentilman of France To fecht with him with speir or lance: Bot no Frenche man in all that land With him durst batteil hand for hand. Than, lyke ane weiriour vailyeand, He enterit in the Scottis band: And quhen the squyer Meldrum Hard tell this campioun wes cum, Richt haistelie he past him till, Demanding him quhat was his will. “Forsuith, I can find none,” quod he, “On hors nor fute dar fecht with me.” Than said he, “It wer greit schame Without battell ye suld pas hame: Thairfoir to God I mak ane vow, The morne my self sall fecht with yow, Outher on horsbak or on fute — Your crakkis I count thame not ane cute. 2 I sall be fund into the feild, Armit on hors with speir and scheild.” Maister Talbart said, “My gude chyld, It wer maist lik that thow wer wyld. Thow ar to young, and hes no might To fecht with me that is so wicht. To speik to me thow suld have feir, For I have sic practik in weir That I wald not effeirit be To mak debait aganis sic thre, For I have stand in manie stour And ay defendit my honour. Thairfoir, my barne, I counsell thee, Sic interprysis to let be.” Than said this squyer to the knight: “I grant ye ar baith greit and wicht. Young David was far les than I Quhen he with Golias manfullie Withouttin outher speir or scheild He faucht and slew him in the feild. I traist that God salbe my gyde And give me grace to stanche thy pryde. Thocht thow be greit, like Gowmakmorne, Traist weill I sall yow meit the morne Beside Montruill, upon the grene, Befoir ten houris I salbe sene. And gif ye wyn me in the feild, Baith hors and geir I sall yow yeild, Sa that siclyke ye do to me.” “That I sall do, be God!” quod he, “And thairto I give thee my hand.” And swa betwene thame maid an band That thay suld meit upon the morne. Bot Talbart maid at him bot scorne, Lychtlyand him with wordis of pryde, Syne hamewart to his oist culd ryde, And shew the brethren of his land How ane young Scot had tane on hand To fecht with him beside Montruill, “Bot I traist he sall prufe the fuill.” Quod thay: “The morne that sall we ken: The Scottis ar haldin hardie men.” Quod he, “I compt thame not ane cute: He sall returne upon his fute And leif with me his armour bricht, For weill I wait he hes no micht On hors nor fute to fecht with me. Quod thay: “The morne that sall we se.” Quhan to Monsour de Obenie Reportit was the veritie, How that the squyer had tane on hand To fecht with Talbart hand for hand, His greit courage he did commend, Sine haistelie did for him send. And quhen he come befoir the lord, The veritie he did record — How for the honour of Scotland, That battell he had tane on hand: “And sen it givis me in my hart, Get I ane hors to tak my part, My traist is sa in Goddis grace, To leif him lyand in the place. Howbeit he stalwart be and stout, My lord, of him I have no dout.” Than send the lord out throw the land, And gat ane hundreth hors fra hand: To his presence he brocht in haist, And bad the squyer cheis him the best. Of that the squyer was rejoisit, And cheisit the best as he suppoisit, And lap on him delyverlie. Was never hors ran mair plesantlie With speir and sword at his command, And was the best of all the land. He tuik his leif and went to rest, Syne airlie in the morne him drest Wantonlie, in his weirlyke weid, All weill enarmit saif the heid. He lap upon his cursour wicht, And straucht him in his stirroppis richt. His speir and scheild and helme wes borne With squyeris that raid him beforne: Ane velvot cap on heid he bair, Ane quaif of gold to heild his hair. This lord of him taik sa greit joy, That he himself wald him convoy; With him ane hundreth men of armes, That thair suld no man do him harmes. The squyer buir into his scheild Ane otter in ane silver feild. His hors was bairdit full richelie, Coverit with satyne cramesie. Than fordward raid this campioun, With sound of trumpet and clarioun, And spedilie spurrit ovir the bent Lyke Mars the god armipotent. Thus leif we rydand our squyar, And speik of maister Talbart mair, Quhilk gat up airlie in the morrow, And no maner of geir to borrow — Hors, harnes, speir nor scheild — Bot was ay reddie for the feild, And had sic practik into weir, Of our squyer he tuik na feir, And said unto his companyeoun, Or he come furth of his pavilyeoun: “This nicht I saw into my dreame Quhilk to reheirs I think greit shame. Me thocht I saw cum fra the see Ane greit otter rydand to me, The quhilk was blak with ane lang taill, And cruellie did me assaill And bait me till he gart me bleid, And drew me backwart fra my steid. Quhat this suld mene I can not say Bot I was never in sic ane fray.” His fellow said: “Think ye not schame For to gif credence till ane dreame? Ye knaw it is aganis our faith! Thairfoir go dres yow in your graith, And think weill throw your hie courage This day ye sall wyn vassalage.” Than drest he him into his geir Wantounlie, like ane man of weir Quhilk had baith hardines and fors, And lichtlie lap upon his hors. His hors was bairdit full bravelie, And coverit wes richt courtfullie With browderit wark and velvot grene; Sanct Georges croce thair micht be sene On hors, harnes and all his geir. Than raid he furth withouttin weir, Convoyit with his capitane, And with monie ane Inglisman Arrayit all with armes bricht: Micht no man see ane fairer sicht.                 Than clariounis and trumpettis blew And weiriouris monie hither drew. On everie side come monie man To behald quha the battell wan. The feild wes in the medow grene, Quhair everie man micht weill be sene: The heraldis put thame sa in ordour That no man passit within the bordour, Nor preissit to cum within the grene, Bot heraldis and the campiounis kene. The ordour and the circumstance Wer lang to put in remembrance. Quhen thir twa nobill men of weir Weir weill accowterit in thair geir, And in thair handis strang burdounis, Than trumpotis blew and clariounis, And heraldis cryit hie on hicht: “Now let thame go: God shaw the richt!” Than spedilie thay spurrit thair hors, And ran to uther with sic fors That baith thair speiris in sindrie flaw. Than said they all that stude on raw, Ane better cours than they twa ran Was not sene sen the warld began. Than baith the parties wer rejoisit; The campiounis ane quhyle repoisit Till thay had gottin speiris new. Than with triumph the trumpettis blew And they, with all the force they can, Wounder rudelie at aither ran, And straik at uther with sa greit ire That fra thair harnes flew the fyre. Thair speiris war sa teuch and strang That aither uther to eirth doun dang, Baith hors and man with speir and scheild, That flatlingis lay into the feild. Than maister Talbart was eschamit: “Forsuith, forever I am defamit!” And said this: “I had rather die, Without that I revengit be.” Our young squyer, sic was his hap, Was first on fute, and on he lap Upon his hors without support. Of that the Scottis tuke gude comfort Quhen thay saw him sa feirelie Loup on his hors sa galyeardlie. The squyer liftit his visair Ane lytill space to take the air. Thay bad him wyne, and he it drank And humillie he did thame thank. Be that, Talbart on hors mountit, And of our squyer lytill countit, And cryit gif he durst undertak To ryn anis for his ladies saik. The squyer answerit hie on hight: “That sall I do, be Marie bricht! I am content all day to ryn, Till ane of us the honour wyn.” Of that Talbart was weill content, And ane greit speir in hand he hent. The squyer in his hand he thrang His speir, quhilk was baith greit and lang, With ane sharp heid of grundin steill, Of quhilk he was appleisit weill. That plesand feild was lang and braid, Quhair gay ordour and rowme was maid, 3 And everie man micht have gude sicht, And thair was monie weirlyke knicht. Sum man of everie natioun Was in that congregatioun. Than trumpettis blew triumphantlie, And thay twa campiounis egeirlie Thay spurrit thair hors with speir on breist, Pertlie to preif their pith thay preist. 4 That round rinkroume wes at utterance, 5 Bot Talbartis hors with ane mischance, He outterit, and to ryn was laith, Quhairof Talbart was wonder wraith. The squyer furth his rink he ran, Commendit weill with everie man, And him dischargit of his speir Honestlie, lyke an man of weir. Becaus that rink thay ran in vane, Than Talbart wald not ryn agane Till he had gottin ane better steid, Quhilk was brocht to him with gude speid, Quhairon he lap, and tuik his speir, As brym as he had bene ane beir, And bowtit fordwart with ane bend, And ran on to the rinkis end, And saw his hors was at command. Than wes he blyith, I understand, Traistand na mair to ryn in vane. Than all the trumpettis blew agane: Be that, with all the force they can, Thay richt rudelie at uther ran. Of that meiting ilk man thocht wounder, Quhilk soundit lyke ane crak of thunder, And nane of thame thair marrow mist. Sir Talbartis speir in sunder brist, Bot the squyer with his burdoun Sir Talbart to the eirth dang down. That straik was with sic micht and fors That on the ground lay man and hors, And throw the brydell hand him bair, And in the breist ane span and mair. 6 Throw curras and throw gluifis of plait, That Talbart micht mak na debait. The trencheour of the squyeris speir Stak still into Sir Talbartis geir. Than everie man into that steid Did all beleve that he was deid. The squyer lap richt haistelie From his cursour deliverlie, And to Sir Talbart maid support, And humillie did him comfort. Quhen Talbart saw into his scheild, Ane otter in ane silver feild, “This race,” said he “I may sair rew, For I see weill my dreame wes trew. Me thocht yone otter gart me bleid, And buir me backwart from my steid. Bot heir I vow to God soverane, That I sall never just agane.” And sweitlie to the squyer said, “Thow knawis the cunnand that we maid: Quhilk of us twa suld tyne the feild, He suld baith hors and armour yeild. Till him that wan, quhairfoir, I will My hors and harnes geve thee till.” Than said the squyer courteouslie: “Brother, I thank yow hartfullie — Of yow forsuith nathing I crave, For I have gottin that I wald have.” With everie man he was commendit, Sa vailyeandlie he him defendit. The capitane of the Inglis band Tuke the young squyer be the hand And led him to the pailyeoun, And gart him mak collatioun. Quhen Talbartis woundis wes bund up fast, The Inglis capitane to him past And prudentlie did him comfort, Syne said: “Brother, I yow exhort To tak the squyer be the hand.” And sa he did at his command, And said: “This bene bot chance of armes.” 7 With that he braisit him in his armes, Sayand: “Hartlie I yow forgeve,” And than the squyer tuik his leve, Commendit weill with everie man. Than wichtlie on his hors he wan, With monie ane nobill man convoyit: Leve we thair Talbart sair annoyit. Sum sayis of that discomfitour, He thocht sic schame and dishonour That he departit of that land, And never wes sene into Ingland. Bot our squyer did still remane Efter the weir, quhill peice was tane. All capitanes of the kingis gairdis Gaif to the squyer riche rewairdis; Becaus he had sa weill debaitit, With everie nobill he wes weill traitit. Efter the weir he tuke licence, Syne did returne with diligence From Pycardie to Normandie, And thair ane space remanit he, Becaus the navie of Scotland Wes still upon the coist lyand.                 Quhen he ane quhyle had sojornit, He to the court of France returnit For to decore his vassalege, From Bartanye tuke his veyage With aucht scoir in his companie Of waillit wicht men and hardie, Enarmit weill lyke men of weir With hakbut, culvering, pik and speir, And passit up throw Normandie Till Ambiance in Pycardie, Quhair nobill Lowes, the king of France, Wes lyand with his ordinance With monie ane prince and worthie man. And in the court of France wes than Ane mervellous congregatioun Of monie ane divers natioun; Of Ingland monie ane prudent lord Efter the weir makand record. Thair wes than ane ambassadour, Ane lord, ane man of greit honour: With him was monie nobill knicht Of Scotland, to defend thair richt, Quhilk guydit thame sa honestlie, Inglismen had thame at invie And purposit to mak thame cummer, Becaus they wer of greiter number. And sa, quhairever thay with thame met, Upon the Scottis thay maid onset, And lyke wyld lyounis furious, Thay layd ane seige about the hous Thame to destroy, sa thay intendit. Our worthie Scottis thame weill defendit: The Sutheroun wes ay fyve for ane, 8 Sa on ilk syde thair wes men slane. The Inglismen grew in greit ire, And cryit, “Swyith — set the hous in fyre!” Be that the squyer Meldrum Into the market streit wes cum With his folkis in gude array, And saw the toun wes in ane fray. He did inquyre the occasioun: Quod thay, “The Scottis are all put doune Be Inglismen into thair innis.” Quod he: “I wald gif all the Bynnis, That I micht cum or thay departit!” With that he grew sa cruell hartit, That he was like ane wyld lyoun, And rudelie ran outthrow the toun With all his companie weill arrayit, And with baner ful braid displayit. And quhen thay saw the Inglis rout, Thay set upon thame with ane schout; With reird sa rudelie on thame ruschit, That fiftie to the eirth thay duschit. Thair was nocht ellis bot tak and slay. 9 This squyer wounder did that day, And stoutlie stoppit in the stour, And dang on thame with dintis dour. Wes never man buir better hand; Thair micht na buckler byde his brand, 10 For it was weill sevin quarter lang. With that sa derflie on thame dang That, lyke ane worthie campioun, Ay at ane straik he dang ane doun. Sum wes evill hurt, and sum wes slane; Sum fel quhilk rais not yit agane. Quhen that the Sutheroun saw his micht, Effrayitlie thay tuke the flicht And wist not quhair to flie for haist, Thus throw the toun he hes thame chaist. Wer not Frenchemen come to the redding, 11 Thair had bene mekill mair blude shedding.                 Of this journey I mak an end, Quhilk everie nobill did commend. Quhen to the king the cace wes knawin, And all the suith unto him shawin, How this squyer sa manfullie On Sutheroun wan the victorie, He put him into ordinance. And sa he did remane in France Ane certane tyme for his plesour, Weill estemit in greit honour, Quhair he did monie ane nobill deid. With that, richt wantoun in his weid, Quhen ladies knew his hie courage, He was desyrit in mariage Be ane ladie of greit rent, Bot youth maid him sa insolent That he in France wald not remane, Bot come to Scotland hame agane. Thocht Frenche ladies did for him murne, The Scottis wer glaid of his returne. At everie lord he tuke his leve, Bot his departing did thame greive, For he was luifit with all wichtis Quhilk had him sene defend his richtis. Scottis capitanes did him convoy, Thocht his departing did thame noy. At Deip he maid him for the saill, 12 Quhair he furnischit ane gay veschaill For his self and his men of weir With artailyie, hakbut, bow, and speir, And furneist hir with gude victuaill, With the best wyne that he culd waill. And quhen the schip was reddie maid, He lay bot ane day in the raid Quhill he gat wind of the southeist. Than thay thair ankeris weyit on haist, And syne maid saill, and fordwart past Ane day at morne, till at the last, Of ane greit saill thay gat ane sicht, And Phoebus schew his bemis bricht Into the morning richt airlie. Than past the skipper richt spedelie Up to the top with richt greit feir, And saw it wes ane man of weir, And cryit: “I see nocht ellis, perdie, Bot we mon outher fecht or fle.” 13 The squyer wes in his bed lyand, Quhen he hard tell this new tydand. Be this, the Inglis artailye Lyke hailschot maid on thame assailye, And sloppit throw thair fechting saillis, And divers dang out ovir the waillis. The Scottis agane, with all thair micht Of gunnis than thay leit fle ane flicht. Thar thay micht weill see quhair they wair: Heidis and armes flew in the air. The Scottis schip scho wes sa law, That monie gunnis out ovir hir flaw 14 Quhilk far beyond thame lichtit doun, Bot the Inglis greit galyeoun Fornent thame stude lyke ane strang castell, That the Scottis gunnis micht na way faill, Bot hat hir ay on the richt syde With monie ane slop, for all hir pryde, That monie ane beft wer on thair bakkis. Than rais the reik with uglie crakkis, Quhilk on the sey maid sic ane sound That in the air it did redound, That men micht weill wit on the land, That shippis wer on the sey fechtand. Be this thegyder straik the shippis And ather on uther laid thair clippis, And than began the strang battell — Ilk man his marrow did assaill. Sa rudelie thay did rushe togidder, That nane micht hald thair feit for slidder, 15 Sum with halbert and sum with speir, Bot hakbuttis did the greitest deir. Out of the top the grundin dartis Did divers peirs out throw the hartis. Everie man did his diligence Upon his fo to wirk vengence, Ruschand on uther routtis rude, That ovir the waillis ran the blude. The Inglis capitane cryit hie: “Swyith yeild, yow doggis, or ye sall die! And do ye not, I mak ane vow That Scotland sal be quyte of yow.” That peirtlie answerit the squyer, And said, “O tratour tavernar — I lat thee wit, thow hes na micht This day to put us to the flight.” Thay derflie ay at uther dang; The squyer thristit throw the thrang And in the Inglis schip he lap, And hat the capitane sic ane flap Upon his heid till he fell doun, Welterand intill ane deidlie swoun. And quhen the Scottis saw the squyer Had strikkin doun that rank rever, They left thair awin schip standand waist And in the Inglis schip in haist They followit all thair capitane, And sone wes all the Sutheroun slane. Howbeit thay wer of greiter number, The Scottismen put thame in sic cummer That thay wer fane to leif the feild, Cryand mercie, than did thame yeild. Yit wes the squyer straikand fast At the capitane, till at the last, Quhen he persavit no remeid, Outher to yeild or to be deid, He said: “O gentill capitane, Thoill me not for to be slane — My lyfe to yow sal be mair pryse Nor sall my deith ane thowsand syse! For ye may get, as I suppois, Thrie thowsand nobillis of the rois Of me, and of my companie. Thairfoir I cry yow loud mercie. Except my lyfe, nothing I craif: Tak yow the schip and all the laif. I yeild to yow baith sword and knyfe — Thairfoir, gud maister, save my lyfe!” The squyer tuik him be the hand, And on his feit he gart him stand, And treittit him richt tenderly, And syne unto his men did cry, And gaif to thame richt strait command To straik no moir, bot hald thair hand. Than baith the capitanes ran and red, And so thair wes na mair blude shed. Than all the laif thay did thame yeild, And to the Scottis gaif sword and scheild. Ane nobill leiche the squyer had — Quhairof the Inglismen wes full glaid — To quhome the squyer gaif command The woundit men to tak on hand, And so he did with diligence, Quhairof he gat gude recompence. Than quhen the woundit men wer drest, And all the deand men confest, And deid men cassin in the see, Quhilk to behald wes greit pietie, Thair was slane of Inglis band Fyve score of men, I understand, The quhilk wer cruell men and kene, And of the Scottis wer slane fyftene. And quhen the Inglis capitane Saw how his men wer tane and slane, And how the Scottis, sa few in number, Had put thame in sa greit ane cummer, He grew intill ane frenesy, Sayand, “Fals Fortoun, I the defy! For I belevit this day at morne, That he was not in Scotland borne That durst have met me hand for hand Within the boundis of my brand.” The squyer bad him mak gude cheir, And said, “It wes bot chance of weir: Greit conquerouris, I yow assure, Hes hapnit siclike adventure. Thairfoir mak mirrie and go dyne, And let us preif the michtie wyne!” Sum drank wyne and sum drank aill, Syne put the shippis under saill, And waillit furth of the Inglis band Twa hundreth men, and put on land Quyetlie on the coist of Kent: The laif in Scotland with him went. The Inglis capitane, as I ges, He wairdit him in the Blaknes, And treitit him richt honestlie, Togither with his companie, And held thame in that garnisoun Till thay had payit thair ransoun. Out throw the land than sprang the fame That squyer Meldrum wes cum hame.                 Quhen they hard tell how he debaitit, With everie man he was sa treitit, That quhen he travellit throw the land, Thay bankettit him fra hand to hand 16 With greit solace, till at the last Out throw Straitherne the squyer past, And as it did approch the nicht, Of ane castell he gat ane sicht, Beside ane montane in ane vaill, And than, efter his greit travaill, He purpoisit him to repois Quhair ilk man did of him rejois. Of this trimphant plesant place, Ane lustie ladie wes maistres Quhais lord was deid schort tyme befoir, Quhairthrow hir dolour wes the moir. Bot yit scho tuke sum comforting To heir the plesant dulce talking Of this young squyer of his chance, And how it fortunit him in France. This squyer and the ladie gent Did wesche, and then to supper went. During that nicht thair was nocht ellis Bot for to heir of his novelis. Eneas, quhen he fled from Troy, Did not Quene Dido greiter joy Quhen he in Carthage did arryve, And did the seige of Troy discryve. The wonderis that he did reheirs Wer langsum for to put in vers, Of quhilk this ladie did rejois. Thay drank, and syne went to repois. He fand his chalmer weill arrayit, With dornik work on buird displayit. Of venisoun he had his waill, Gude aquavite, wyne and aill, With nobill confeittis, bran and geill, 17 And swa the squyer fuir richt weill. Sa, to heir mair of his narratioun, This ladie come to his collatioun, Sayand he was richt welcum hame. “Grandmercie than,” quod he, “Madame.” Thay past the time with ches and tabill, For he to everie game was abill. Than unto bed drew everie wicht: To chalmer went this ladie bricht, The quhilk this squyer did convoy, Syne till his bed he went with joy. That nicht he sleipit never ane wink, Bot still did on the ladie think. Cupido with his fyrie dart Did peirs him so outthrow the hart, Sa all that nicht he did bot murnit, Sumtyme sat up, and sumtyme turnit, Sichand with monie gant and grane, To fair Venus makand his mane, Sayand, “Ladie, quhat may this mene? I was ane fre man lait yistrene, And now ane cative, bound and thrall, For ane that I think flour of all.                 I pray God, sen scho knew my mynd, How for hir saik I am sa pynd Wald God I had bene yit in France Or I had hapnit sic mischance: To be subject or serviture Till ane quhilk takis of me na cure!” This ladie ludgit neirhand by, And hard the squyer prively, With dreidfull hart makand his mone, With monie cairfull gant and grone. Hir hart, fulfillit with pietie, Thocht scho wald haif of him mercie, And said: “Howbeit I suld be slane, He sall have lufe for lufe agane. Wald God I micht with my honour, Have him to be my paramour!” This wes the mirrie tyme of May, Quhen this fair ladie, freshe and gay, Start up to take the hailsum air, With pantonis on hir feit ane pair, Airlie into ane cleir morning Befoir fair Phoebus uprysing, Kirtill alone, withouttin clok, And saw the squyeris dure unlok. Scho slippit in or ever he wist, And fenyeitlie past till ane kist, And with her keyis oppinnit the lokkis And maid hir to take furth ane boxe — Bot that was not hir erand thair. With that, this lustie young squyar Saw this ladie so plesantlie Cum to his chalmer quyetlie, In kyrtill of fine damais broun, Hir goldin traissis hingand doun. Hir pappis wer hard, round and quhyte, Quhome to behald wes greit delyte. Lyke the quhyte lyllie wes hir lyre; Hir hair was like the reid gold wyre, Hir schankis quhyte, withouttin hois, Quhairat the squyer did rejois, And said than, “Now, vailye quod vailye, Upon the ladie thow mak ane sailye!” Hir courtlyke kirtill was unlaist, And sone into his armis hir braist And said to hir: “Madame, gude morne — Help me, your man that is forlorne. Without ye mak me sum remeid, Withouttin dout, I am bot deid, Quhairfoir ye mon releif my harmes.” With that he hint hir in his armes, And talkit with hir on the flure, Syne quyetlie did bar the dure. “Squyer,” quod scho, “quhat is your will? Think ye my womanheid to spill? Na, God forbid, it wer greit syn! My lord and ye wes neir of kyn. Quhairfoir I mak yow supplicatioun: Pas and seik ane dispensatioun. Than sall I wed yow with ane ring; Than may ye leif at your lyking, For ye ar young, lustie and fair, And als ye ar your fatheris air. Thair is na ladie in all this land May yow refuse to hir husband. And gif ye lufe me as ye say, Haist to dispens the best ye may, And thair to yow I geve my hand — I sall yow take to my husband.” Quod he: “Quhill that I may indure, I vow to be your serviture, Bot I think greit vexatioun To tarie upon dispensation —” Than in his armis he did hir thrist, And aither uther sweitlie kist, And wame for wame thay uther braissit; With that hir kirtill wes unlaissit. Than Cupido, with his fyrie dartis, Inflammit sa thir luiferis hartis, Thay micht na maner of way dissever, Nor ane micht not part fra ane uther, Bot like wodbind thay wer baith wrappit. Thair tenderlie he hes hir happit Full softlie up intill his bed — Judge ye gif he hir schankis shed. “Allace,” quod scho, “quhat may this mene?” And with hir hair scho dicht hir ene.                 I can not tell how thay did play, Bot I beleve scho said not nay. He pleisit hir sa, as I hard sane, That he was welcum ay agane. Scho rais and tendirlie him kist, And on his hand ane ring scho thrist, And he gaif hir ane lufe drowrie — Ane ring set with ane riche rubie, In takin that thair lufe for ever Suld never from thir twa dissever. And than scho passit unto hir chalmer, And fand hir madinnis sweit as lammer Sleipand full sound, and nothing wist How that thair ladie past to the kist. Quod thay: “Madame, quhair have ye bene?” Quod scho: “Into my gardine grene, To heir thir mirrie birdis sang. I lat yow wit, I thocht not lang, Thocht I had taryit thair quhill none.” 18 Quod thai: “Quhair wes your hois and schone? Quhy yeid ye with your bellie bair?” Quod scho: “The morning wes sa fair, For be him that deir Jesus sauld, I felt na wayis ony maner of cauld.” Quod thay: “Madame, me think ye sweit.” Quod scho: “Ye see I sufferit heit: The dew did sa on flouris fleit That baith my lymmis ar maid weit Thairfoir ane quhyle I will heir ly, Till this dulce dew be fra me dry. Ryse and gar mak our denner reddie.” “That sal be done,” quod thay, “My ladie.” Efter that scho had tane hir rest, Sho rais and in hir chalmer hir drest, And efter mes to denner went. Than wes the squyer diligent To declair monie sindrie storie Worthie to put in memorie.                 Quhat sall we of thir luiferis say? Bot all this tyme of lustie May, They past the tyme with joy and blis, Full quyetlie with monie ane kis. Thair was na creature that knew Yit of thir luiferis chalmer glew, And sa he levit plesandlie Ane certane time with his ladie, Sum time with halking and hunting, Sum time with wantoun hors rinning, And sum time, like ane man of weir, Full galyardlie wald ryn ane speir. He wan the pryse abone thame all, Baith at the buttis and the futeball; Till everie solace he was abill, At cartis and dyce, at ches and tabill; And gif ye list, I sall yow tell How that he seigit ane castell. Ane messinger come spedilie From the Lennox to that ladie, And schew how that Makfagon — And with him monie bauld baron — Hir castell had tane perfors And nouther left hir kow nor hors, And heryit all that land about, Quhairof the ladie had greit dout. Till hir squyer scho passit in haist, And schew him how scho wes opprest, And how he waistit monie ane myle Betwix Dunbartane and Argyle. And quhen the squyer Meldrum Had hard thir novellis all and sum, Intill his hart thair grew sic ire That all his bodie brint in fyre, And swoir it suld be full deir sald, Gif he micht find him in that hald. He and his men did them addres Richt haistelie in thair harnes, Sum with bow and sum with speir, And he, like Mars the god of weir, Come to the ladie and tuke his leif, And scho gaif him hir richt hand gluif, The quhilk he on his basnet bure And said: “Madame, I yow assure That worthie Lancelot du laik, Did never mair for his ladies saik Nor I sall do, or ellis de, Without that ye revengit be.” Than in hir armes scho him braist, And he his leif did take in haist, And raid that day and all the nicht, Till on the morne he gat ane sicht Of that castell baith fair and strang. Than, in the middis his men amang, To michtie Mars his vow he maid, That he suld never in hart be glaid, Nor yit returne furth of that land Quhill that strenth wer at his command. 19 All the tennentis of that ladie Come to the squyer haistelie, And maid aith of fidelitie That they suld never fra him flie. Quhen to Makferland, wicht and bauld, The veritie all haill wes tauld How the young squyer Meldrum Wes now into the cuntrie cum, Purpoisand to seige that place, Than vittaillit he that fortres And swoir he suld that place defend Bauldlie untill his lyfis end. Be this, the squyer wes arrayit, With his baner bricht displayit, With culvering, hakbut, bow and speir. Of Makfarland he tuke na feir, And like ane campioun courageous, He cryit and said, “Gif ovir the hous!” The capitane answerit heighly And said: “Tratour, we thee defy! We sall remane this hous within, Into despyte of all thy kyn.” With that the archeris bauld and wicht Of braid arrowis let fle ane flicht Amang the squyers companie, And thay agane richt manfullie With hakbute, bow and culveryne, Quhilk put Makferlandis men to pyne, And on thair colleris laid full sikker, And thair began ane bailfull bikker. Thair was bot schot and schot agane, Till on ilk side thair wes men slane. Than cryit the squyer couragious: “Swyith, lay the ledderis to the house!” And sa thay did, and clam belyfe As busie beis dois to thair hyfe. Howbeit thair wes slane monie man, Yit wichtlie ovir the wallis they wan. The squyer, formest of them all, Plantit the baner ovir the wall, And than began the mortall fray — Thair wes not ellis bot tak and slay. Than Makferland, that maid the prais, From time he saw the squyeris face, Upon his kneis he did him yeild, Deliverand him baith speir and scheild. The squyer hartlie him ressavit, Commandand that he suld be savit, And sa did slaik that mortall feid, Sa that na man wes put to deid. In fre waird was Makferland seisit, And leit the laif gang quhair they pleisit. And sa this squyer amorous Seigit and wan the ladies hous, And left thairin ane capitane, Syne to Stratherne returnit agane, Quhair that he with his fair ladie Ressavit wes full plesantlie, And to tak rest did him convoy. Judge ye gif thair wes mirth and joy: Howbeit the chalmer dure wes cloisit, They did bot kis, as I suppoisit. Gif uther thing wes them betwene, Let them discover that luiferis bene, For I am not in lufe expart And never studyit in that art.                 Thus they remainit in merines, Beleifand never to have distres. In that meine time this ladie fair Ane douchter to the squyer bair: Nane fund was fairer of visage. Than tuke the squyer sic courage, Agane the mirrie time of May, 20 Threttie he put in his luferay In scarlot fyne and of hew grene, Quhilk wes ane semelie sicht to sene.                 The gentilmen in all that land Wer glaid with him to mak ane band, And he wald plainelie take thair partis, And not desyring bot thair hartis. Thus levit the squyer plesandlie, With musick and with menstralie. Of this ladie he wes sa glaid, Thair micht na sorrow mak him sad. Ilk ane did uther consolatioun, Taryand upon dispensatioun. Had it cum hame, he had hir bruikit, 21 Bot or it come, it wes miscuikit, And all this game he bocht ful deir, As ye at lenth sall efter heir.                 Of warldlie joy it wes weill kend That sorrow bene the fatall end, For jelousie and fals invie Did him persew richt cruellie. I mervell not thocht it be so, For they wer ever luiferis fo, Quhairthrow he stude in monie ane stour, 22 And ay defendit his honour.                 Ane cruell knicht dwelt neir hand by Quhilk at this squyer had invy, Imaginand intill his hart How he thir luiferis micht depart, And wald have had hir maryand Ane gentilman within his land The quhilk to him wes not in blude. Bot finallie, for to conclude, Thairto scho wald never assent. Quhairfoir the knicht set his intent This nobill squyer for to destroy, And swore he suld never have joy Intill his hart, without remeid, Till ane of thame wer left for deid. This vailyeand squyer manfully In ernist or play did him defy, Offerand himself for to assaill Bodie for bodie in battaill; The knicht thairto not condiscendit, Bot to betrais him ay intendit.                 Sa it fell anis upon ane day In Edinburgh, as I hard say: This squyer and the ladie trew Was thair, just matteris to persew. That cruell knight, full of invy, Gart hald on them ane secreit spy Quhen thai suld pas furth of the toun, For this squyeris confusioun, Quhilk traistit no man suld him greive Nor of tressoun had no beleive, And tuik his licence from his oist And liberallie did pay his coist And sa departit blyith and mirrie, With purpois to pas ovir the ferrie. He wes bot auchtsum in his rout, For of danger he had no dout. The spy come to the knicht anone, And him informit how they wer gone. Than gadderit he his men in hy With thrie scoir in his company, Accowterit weill in feir of weir, Sum with bow and sum with speir, And on the squyer followit fast, Till thay did see him at the last, With all his men richt weill arrayit, With cruell men nathing effrayit. And quhen the ladie saw the rout, Got wait gif scho stude in greit dout. Quod scho: “Your enemeis I see — Thairfoir, sweit hart, I reid yow fle. In the cuntrey I will be kend; Ye ar na partie to defend. Ye knaw yone knichtis crueltie, That in his hart hes no mercie: It is bot ane that thay wald have. Thairfoir, deir hart, yourself ye save — Howbeit thay tak me with this trane, I sal be sone at yow agane — For ye war never sa hard staid.” 23 “Madame,” quod he, “be ye not raid, For be the halie Trinitie, This day ane fute I will not fle!” And be he had endit this word, He drew ane lang twa-handit sword, And put his aucht men in array, And bad that thay suld take na fray. Than to the squyer cryit the knicht, And said: “Send me the ladie bricht! Do ye not sa, be Goddis corce, I sall hir tak away perforce!” The squyer said: “Be thow ane knicht, Cum furth to me and shaw the richt, Bot hand for hand, without redding, 24 That thair be na mair blude shedding. And gif thow winnis me in the feild, I sall my ladie to the yeild.” The knicht durst not for all his land Fecht with this squyer hand for hand. The squyer than saw no remeid, Bot outher to fecht or to be deid. To hevin he liftit up his visage, Cryand to God with hie courage: “To thee my querrell I do commend.” Syne bowtit fordwart with ane bend, With countenance baith bauld and stout, He rudelie rushit in that rout, With him his litill companie, Quhilk them defendit manfullie. The squyer with his birneist brand Amang his famen maid sic hand That Gaudefer, as sayis the letter, At Gadderis Ferrie faucht no better. His sword he swappit sa about, That he greit round maid in the rout, And like ane man that was dispairit, His wapoun sa on thame he wairit, Quhome ever he hit, as I hard say, Thay did him na mair deir that day. Quha ever come within his boundis, He chaipit not but mortall woundis. Sum mutilate wer, and sum wer slane, Sum fled and come not yit agane. He hat the knicht abone the breis That he fel fordwart on his kneis: Wer not Thome Giffard did him save, The knicht had sone bene in his grave. Bot than the squyer with his brand Hat Thomas Giffard on the hand: From that time furth during his lyfe, He never weildit sword nor knyfe. Than come ane sort as brim as beiris, And in him festnit fyftene speiris In purpois to have borne him doun, Bot he, as forcie campioun, Amang thai wicht men wrocht greit wounder, For all thai speiris he schure in sunder. Nane durst com neir him hand for hand, Within the boundis of his brand. This worthie squyer courageous Micht be compairit to Tydeus Quhilk faucht for to defend his richtis, And slew of Thebes fyftie knichtis. Rolland with Brandwell, his bricht brand, Faucht neuer better hand for hand, Nor Gawin aganis Golibras, Nor Olyver with Pharambras. I wait he faucht that day alse weill As did Sir Gryme aganis Graysteille, And I dar say, he was als abill, As onie knicht of the Round Tabill, And did his honour mair avance, Nor onie of thay knichtis perchance, The quhilk I offer me to preif Gif that ye pleis, sirs, with your leif.                 Amang thay knichts wes maid ane band That they suld fecht bot hand for hand, Assurit that thair suld cum no mo. With this squyer it stude not so: His stalwart stour quha wald discryfe, Aganis ane man thair come ay fyfe. Quhen that this cruell tyrane knicht Saw the squyer sa wounder wicht, And had no micht him to destroy, Into his hart thair grew sic noy That he was abill for to rage That no man micht his ire asswage. 25 “Fy on us,” said he to his men: “Ay aganis ane sen we ar ten! Chaip he away, we are eschamit — 26 Like cowertis we sal be defamit. I had rather be in hellis pane Or he suld chaip fra us unslane.” And callit thrie of his companie, Said: “Pas behind him quyetlie.” And sa thay did richt secreitlie, And come behind him cowartlie, And hackit on his hochis and theis Till that he fell upon his kneis. Yit quhen his schankis wer schorne in sunder, Upon his kneis he wrocht greit wounder, Sweipand his sword round about, Not haifand of the deith na dout. Durst nane approche within his boundis, Till that his cruell mortall woundis Bled sa, that he did swap in swoun: Perforce behuifit him than fall doun. And quhen he lay upon the ground, They gaif him monie cruell wound That men on far micht heir the knokkis, Like boucheouris hakkand on their stokks. And finallie, without remeid, They left him lyand thair for deid With ma woundis of sword and knyfe Nor ever had man that keipit lyfe. Quhat suld I of thir tratouris say? Quhen they had done they fled away. Bot than this lustie ladie fair, With dolent hart scho maid sic cair, Quhilk wes greit pietie for to reheirs And langsum for to put in vers. With teiris scho wuische his bludie face, Sichand with manie loud “allace.” “Allace,” quod scho, “that I was borne — In my querrell thow art forlorne! Sall never man efter this Of my bodie have mair plesour, For thow was gem of gentilnes, And verie well of worthines.” That to the eirth scho rushit doun And lay intill ane deidlie swoun. Be that the regent of the land Fra Edinburgh come fast rydand: Sir Anthonie Darsie wes his name, Ane knicht of France and man of fame, Quhilk had the guiding haillilie Under Johne, Duke of Albanie, Quhilk wes to our young king tutour, And of all Scotland governour. Our king was bot fyve yeiris of age, That time quhen done wes the outrage. Quhen this gude knicht the squyer saw Thus lyand intill his deid thraw, “Wo is me,” quod he, “to see this sicht On thee, quhilk worthie wes and wicht! Wald God that I had bene with thee As thow in France was anis with me Into the land of Picardy, Quhair Inglis men had greit invy To have me slane, sa they intendit, Bot manfullie thow me defendit And vailyeandlie did save my lyfe. Was never man with sword nor knyfe — Nocht Hercules, I dar weill say — That ever faucht better for ane day, Defendand me within ane stound: Thow dang seir sutheroun to the ground. I may thee mak no help, allace, Bot I sall follow on the chace Richt spedilie, baith day and nicht, Till I may get that cruell knicht. I mak ane vow: gif I may get him, In till ane presoun I sall set him, And quhen I heir that thow beis deid, Than sall my handis straik of his heid.” With that he gave his hors the spurris, And spedelie flaw ovir the furris. He and his gaird with all thair micht They ran till thai ovirtuik the knicht. Quhen he approchit, he lichtit doun, And like ane vailyeand campioun, He tuik the tyrane presonar, And send him backward to Dumbar, And thair remainit in presoun Ane certane time in that dungeoun. Let him ly thair with mekill cair, And speik we of our heynd squyar, Of quhome we can not speik bot gude. Quhen he lay bathand in his blude, His freindis and his ladie fair, They maid for him sic dule and cair Quhilk wer greit pietie to deploir: Of that matter I speik no moir. Thay send for leiches haistelie, Syne buir his bodie tenderlie To ludge into ane fair ludgyne, Quhair he ressavit medicyne. The greitest leichis of the land Come all to him without command, And all practikis on him provit, Becaus he was sa weill belovit. Thay tuik on hand his life to save, And he thame gaif quhat they wald have. Bot he sa lang lay into pane, He turnit to be ane chirurgiane, And als be his naturall ingyne, He lernit the art of medicyne. He saw thame on his bodie wrocht, Quhairfoir the science wes deir bocht. Bot efterward quhen he was haill, He spairit na coist nor yit travaill To preif his practikis on the pure, And on thame previt monie ane cure On his expensis, without rewaird — Of money he tuik na regaird.                 Yit sum thing will we commoun mair Of this ladie quhilk maid greit cair, Quhilk to the squyer wes mair pane Nor all his woundis, in certane. And than hir freindis did conclude, Becaus scho micht to him na gude That scho suld take hir leif and go Till hir cuntrie, and scho did so. Bot thir luiferis met never agane, Quhilk wes to thame ane lestand pane, For scho aganis hir will wes maryit, Quhairthrow hir weird scho daylie waryit. 27 Howbeit hir bodie wes absent, Hir tender hart wes ay present Baith nicht and day with hir squyar: Wes never creature that maid sic cair. Penelope for Ulisses, I wait, had never mair distres, Nor Cresseid for trew Troylus Wes not tent part sa dolorous. I wait it wes aganis hir hart That scho did from hir lufe depart. Helene had not sa mekill noy Quhen scho perforce wes brocht to Troy. I leif hir than with hart full sore, And speik now of this squyer more.                 Quhen this squyer wes haill and sound, And softlie micht gang on the ground, To the regent he did complane. Bot he, allace, wes richt sone slane Be David Hume of Wedderburne, The quhilk gart monie Frenchemen murne, For thair was nane mair nobill knicht, Mair vailyeand, mair wys, mair wicht, And sone efter that crueltie, The knicht was put to libertie, The quhilk the squyer had opprest: Sa wes his matter left undrest Becaus the king was young of age, Than tyrannis rang into thair rage, 28 Bot efterward, as I hard say, On Striviling brig upon ane day, This knight wes slane with crueltie, And that day gat na mair mercie Nor he gaif to the young squyar. I say na mair, let him ly thair: For cruell men, ye may weill see, They end ofttimes with crueltie. For Christ to Peter said this word: “Quha ever straikis with ane sword, That man sal be with ane sword slane.” That saw is suith, I tell yow plane. He menis, quha straikis cruellie Aganis the law without mercie, Bot this squyer to nane offendit, Bot manfullie himself defendit. Wes never man with sword nor knyfe Micht saif thair honour and thair lyfe As did the squyer all his dayis, With monie terribill effrayis. Wald I at lenth his lyfe declair, I micht weill writ ane uther quair. Bot at this time I may not mend it, Bot shaw yow how the squyer endit.                 Thair dwelt in Fyfe ane agit lord That of this squyer hard record, And did desire richt hartfullie To have him in his companie, And send for him with diligence, And he come with obedience, And lang time did with him remane, Of quhome this agit lord was fane. Wyse men desiris commounlie Wyse men into thair companie, For he had bene in monie ane land — In Flanderis, France and in Ingland — Quhairfoir the lord gaif him the cure Of his houshald, I yow assure, And in his hall cheif merschall, And auditour of his comptis all. He was ane richt courticiane, And in the law ane practiciane, Quhairfoir during this lordis lyfe, Tchyref depute he wes in Fyfe, To everie man ane equall judge, And of the pure he wes refuge, And with justice did thame support, And curit thair sairis with greit comfort. For as I did reheirs before, Of medicine he tuke the lore Quhen he saw the chirurgience Upon him do thair diligence. Experience maid him perfyte, And of the science tuke sic delyte That he did monie thriftie cure, And speciallie upon the pure, Without rewaird for his expensis, Without regaird or recompencis. To gold, to silver, or to rent, This nobill squyer tuke litill tent. Of all this warld na mair he craifit, Sa that his honour micht be saifit. And ilk yeir for his ladies saik, Ane banket royall wald he maik, And that he maid on the Sonday Precedand to Asch Wednisday, With wyld foull, venisoun and wyne; With tairt, and flaun, and frutage fyne; Of bran and geill thair wes na skant, 29 And ipocras he wald not want. I have sene sittand at his tabill Lordis and lairdis honorabill, With knichtis and monie ane gay squyar Quhilk wer to lang for to declair, With mirth, musick and menstrallie. All this he did for his ladie, And for hir saik during his lyfe Wald never be weddit to ane wyfe. And quhen he did declyne to age, He faillit never of his courage. Of ancient storyis for to tell, Abone all uther he did precell, Sa that everilk creature To heir him speik thay tuke plesure. Bot all his deidis honorabill, For to descryve I am not abill. Of everie man he was commendit, And as he leivit, sa he endit, Plesandlie till he micht indure, Till dolent deith come to his dure, And cruellie with his mortall dart, He straik the squyer throw the hart. His saull with joy angelicall, Past to the hevin imperiall: Thus at the Struther into Fyfe, This nobill squyer loist his lyfe. I pray to Christ for to convoy All sic trew luiferis to his joy. Say ye Amen, for cheritie: Adew! Ye sall get na mair of me. FINIS.

old-fashioned ancestors (see note) take as a model living; avoid cast down Although Have illustrious valorous emperors rule; realms champions boldly valiantly; battle squires’ valiant warlike attire (i.e., armor); (see note) wrote loved (see note) (see note) Providing that; (see note) tell of Whose valor venture to write of (see note) [To] write of; (see note) [He] whose; spend; love disgrace Who As many a man that people read about Whom; memorialize (pl.) God save me among the rest be extinguished I am sure love Fought; (see note) cause to state it plainly adulteress [he] did not dare Except; owl in was not the case loved; other lover seduce such love; (see note) before him nobility directly; (see note) Who (pl.); reputation shire of Fife heir; (see note) defended; many battles displays of prowess medium height; (see note) Nimble; bold Oppressed by hardship Cheerful attractive always (see note) test (see note) sea coast had his host land Carrickfergus on saved; barn; cow-shed wretched mourning robbed defiled strong wherever priests and friars; (see note) notice pleasant garden voice; sorrowful Robbed; naked; (see note) men of war (i.e., soldiers) fierce Dividing the booty than ravaged virgin chemise; (see note) (see note) gown (see note) enamelling brooches yellow taffeta; chemise Striped; embroidered white; (see note) rest Saint Fáelán; (see note) sincerely If; soldiers things (i.e., clothes and other possessions) plunder sparks; (see note) blows; violently; struck danger sudden spring; leapt hit teeth; cleave with a curse at close quarters burnished sword violently struck shatter to pieces dagger catch killed collapsed forward Because; armed (and armored) grass clothing humbly And took his leave of her without more delay Then; drum mournful rescued; injury took If you will stay fallen; into distress heir heartily delighted must peace love token (see note) sincerely too young clothe; clothes take him as a lover (see note) boat weighed their anchors Brittany (see note) valiant bold rest earned such a good name make known care were in love with him darling; (see note) chamber; lamb; (see note) champion Rampaging foremost more generous every fight; was victorious tried and tested; (see note) By; loved Henry VIII Calais; stationed host (see note) each the other Although (see note) many a staff these tidings go to see; fighting chose; spearmen foot soldiers armed band came marshaled attended to him among; armed forces spoke very arrogantly Whose company would; leadership Throughout (see note) spoke scornfully badges of war; (see note) had made fight at close quarters Heard; had come went to him who dares to fight Either (see note) found in (see note) You seem to be crazy powerful professional skill frightened contest with stood; many a battle child enterprises powerful either (see note) quell (see note) tomorrow morning (see note) ten o’clock overcome armor If; the same thus; agreement the next morning just mocked him Disdaining homewards; army; did ride told; fellow men taken it upon himself fight trust; prove the fool know are thought to be (see note) on foot I know full well Tomorrow morning (see note) truth of the matter taken it upon himself at close quarters Then hurriedly truth taken since; (see note) If I could get trust lying in the field Although fear immediately invited; choose delighted leapt upon; nimbly took his leave Lightheartedly; armor except leapt; powerful war-horse immediately; directly; (see note) velvet skull-cap; hold took escort fighting men bore upon (see note) caparisoned crimson satin champion (shrill) trumpet field mighty in arms; (see note) riding experience in warfare had no fear Before; tent Something that; rehearse (i.e., say again) sea Which bit; made me bleed have never been so frightened; (see note) prepare yourself; armor honor in battle Jovially leapt; (see note) caparisoned; splendidly elegantly embroidered; velvet cross (see note) without doubt Escorted by warriors; many who battle ground organized them so well boundary; (see note) organization; details these equipped; (see note) strong spears; (see note) May God reveal [who has] the just cause; (see note) shattered into pieces abreast charge (on horseback) since rested fiercely; each other sparks tough each the other; struck prostrate; on ashamed Indeed; disgraced Unless luck leapt nimbly Leap; gallantly; (see note) For a little while offered By that [time] agree have one encounter; (see note) loudly joust took gripped ground (i.e., sharpened) steel With which; pleased warlike (see note) bad luck swerved; run; reluctant; (see note) furious course round (of jousting); in vain leapt fierce; bear darted; leap tournament-ground's obedient happy Trusting fiercely; each other neither; opponent burst into pieces spear struck stroke cuirass (breastplate); plate gloves make no defense point armor in that place lightly upon encounter; sorely regret that; made me bore agreement; (see note) Whichever; lose therefore give to you sincerely in truth pavilion had him take refreshment (see note) embraced; (see note) Sincerely energetically; mounted escorted distressed defeat (see note) until peace was agreed; (see note) (see note) fought took his leave Then lying off the coast; (see note) stayed embellish his martial reputation Brittany set out eight-score (i.e., 160) selected; brave (see note) Amiens Louis XII stationed; army accord (see note) conducted themselves envy trouble attacked (see note) (see note) Quick At that point uproar overcome at their lodgings If; before fiercely armed crowd a loud cry; fiercely battered down stood firm in battle struck; heavy blows seven ells; (see note) hardily; struck champion struck one down badly did not get up again In fright; fled did not know where much more day’s performance truth military service extravagant in his clothes manly spirit income disdainful Although people escort grieve; (see note) ship artillery; guns her (i.e., the ship); food choose anchorage Until in haste Phoebus Apollo (i.e., the sun) displayed platform up on mast man-of-war (i.e., a fighting ship) news At that point; artillery an attack made holes; fighting struck; gunwales let fly; round (of gunfire) low (in the water) (see note) landed In front of always hit her hole were beaten backwards rose the smoke sea resound know fighting at sea Then together ran each; grappling hooks opponent violently (see note) harm From the top platform; sharpened; (see note) pierce many through the heart tried his hardest Inflicting violent blows on others gunwales Surrender immediately; (see note) if you do not rid unflinchingly traitorous taverner; (see note) I’ll have you know boldly pushed through the crowd leapt hit; blow Tumbling into a deathly faint foul pirate standing empty (see note) Although caused them such distress eager to leave alternative Either Do not allow me to be slain will be worth more Than; times; (see note) (see note) desire rest made him stand (see note) remainder physician dying cast (i.e., 100 men) overcome Had caused them such great distress into a frenzy Within reach of my sword (see note) try; potent Then picked out rest imprisoned; (see note) garrison ransom; (see note) news fought treated joy (see note) (see note) valley decided to rest each delightful (see note) so that; more gentle speech fortunes things went for him wash nothing else news (stories) describe tedious; (see note) rest found; chamber; arranged fine linen; table choice whisky; ale fared late supper tables (a board game) person Whom; escort Then (see note) (see note) pierce; through just lamented Sighing; gape; groan making his complaint yesterday evening captive; enslaved grant that in such torment Before I had suffered such misfortune servant To one who cares nothing for me stayed heard fearful; complaint With many an unhappy gape and groan (see note) lover; (see note) wholesome slippers Phoebus Apollo (i.e., the sun) Gown door; (see note) before he was aware of it pretending; chest hearty chamber patterned silk tresses hanging breasts; firm lily; flesh legs; hose; (see note) come what may; (see note) advance elegant; unlaced; (see note) clasped Unless; remedy So you must relieve my suffering took floor lock the door; (see note) ruin; (see note) (see note) live as you wish lovely heir Hurry to arrange things last servant delay for clasp tightly each the other belly to belly; embraced gown; unlaced (see note) these lovers’ in no way separate woodbine; (see note) tucked parted her legs (see note) said; (see note) rose pushed love-token As a sign these two separate; (see note) found; ambergris (see note) unaware these hose and shoes went sold (i.e., Judas Iscariot); (see note) cold sweat flow (collect) legs soft have made; dinner mass many different these lovers lovely lit. “bedroom sport” hawking spirited; riding valiantly; i.e., joust above archery-targets; (see note) At; pastime cards; dice; board-games wish besieged (see note) (see note) seized by force; (see note) neither; cow ravaged was greatly alarmed explained to him laid waste Dumbarton; (see note) these tidings Within burned very dearly paid for stronghold attire armor glove bore on his helmet; (see note) Than; die; (see note) Unless embraced leave rode gained sight amidst his men (see note) an oath hardy The whole truth Intending; besiege provisioned Boldly armed (see note) had no fear Surrender haughtily Despite bold and brave broad arrows; (see note) With guns, arrows and gunshot made; suffer collars assailed fiercely dire encounter each Quickly; ladders climbed swiftly bees; hive Although bravely; got foremost capture and strike down; (see note) pressed the attack When cordially; received end; enmity death (see note) let the rest go Besieged Strathearn Received lead Although; chamber door lovers (see note) Believing mean daughter; gave birth; (see note) None found Thirty; livery (see note) (see note) publicly And desiring only their hearts [in return] lived minstrelsy Waiting for; (see note) before; mismanaged known (see note) though lovers’ enemies (see note) Who felt malice towards this squire in these lovers; separate marrying Who; unrelated; (see note) In; relief (cure) would not assent betray; ever once lawful Set out downfall believed; harm treachery; expectation leave; the landlord; (see note) expenses (see note) He was one of only eight men in his band fear straight away in haste three score (i.e., 60 men) Well equipped in warlike array in order By; not at all alarmed band [of men] God knows; fear suggest; escape (see note) You are in no position to defend yourself that (yonder) (see note) just one [person] Although; trap with afraid i.e., not one foot And as soon as he had finished this speech (see note) eight; battle-formation not take fright If you don’t; body; (see note) by force (see note) overcome alternative either Then [he] sprang forward with a leap violently; crowd themselves polished sword Among his enemies he showed such valor i.e., book (see note) whirled That he cut a great circle in the crowd waged war harm escaped not without struck down or killed struck; above; eyebrows forward Were it not that; (see note) Struck; (see note) band as fierce as bears planted powerful champion hardy those; sliced to pieces reach; sword (see note) (see note) (see note) (see note) know (see note) (see note) Than; those offer myself as witness permission agreement fight only Confident; (see note) valiant battle; describe always wicked astonishingly hardy vexation on the point of since cowards; disgraced Than; escape; unslain houghs; thighs; (see note) shins any fear within his reach drop; a faint he was forced to far away butchers; blocks relief lying many Than; remained alive these lovely grieving; such lamentation repeat overlong (tedious) washed Sighing ruined (see note) tumbled in a deadly faint Then (see note) (see note) (see note) in his death throes who; hardy once desire (see note) an instant struck many; (see note) prison flew; furrows villain prisoner back; (see note) gentle sorrow and grief lament physicians carried lodge; lodging physicians without being asked And exercised all [their] skills on him tried in surgeon innate ability (see note) knowledge healed effort exercise; skills; poor brought about had no care discuss Than leave (see note) these lovers lasting pain married Although (see note) I am sure (see note) a tenth part (see note) distress (see note) leave slowly i.e., the regent (see note) Which caused valiant unresolved Stirling bridge Than; (see note) (see note) saying is true; honestly With many awe-inspiring assaults Were I to; describe book rectify this elderly; (see note) heard [an] account sincerely assiduously With; delighted running marshal accounts courtier practitioner Sheriff-Depute; (see note) poor afflictions learned the art physicians practice their art fully versed successful poor payment; (see note) income paid little heed desired So long as; preserved every (see note) tart; flawn; (see note); fruit spiced sweetened wine sitting (see note) Which would take too long to describe minstrelsy He did surpass all others every person set down By; praised lived as long as; go on distressing; death; door soul (see note) lead such; lovers Adieu (Fr. farewell)