Of Liddisdaill the commoun theifis

Sa pertlie[1176] steillis now and reiffis[1177],

For thair mischeifis.

Thay plainlie throw the countrie rydis;

I trow the meikill[1178] devill thame gydis:

Nor dure thame bydis[1181].

Thay leif richt nocht[1182]; quhairever thay ga

Thair can na-thing be hid thame fra;

To burn and slay.

Thay theifis have neirhand herreit haill[1183]

Ettrick forest and Lauderdaill;

That thay will waill[1184].

Thai landis ar with stouth sa socht[1185]

To extreme povertie ar brocht;

That are left ocht[1188].

Bot commoun taking of blak-maill,[1189]

Thay that had flesche and breid and aill

With watter-caill[1192].

Thai theifis that steillis and tursis[1193] hame,

Ilk ane of thame hes ane to-name—

Thay think na schame.

Thay spuilye[1195] puir men of thair pakis[1196];

Thay leif thame nocht, on bed nor bakis;

All with him takis.

Thay leif not spendill, spoone, nor speit,

Bed, bowster, blanket, sark, nor scheit;

He is richt meit.

He is weill kend, Johne of the Syde;

A gretar theif did never ryde:

Our gude ane gyide[1199].

Thair is ane, callit Clements Hob,

Fra ilk puir wyfe reiffis hir wob[1200],

Thairfoir his gob[1202]!

To sic grit stouth quha-eir wald trow it

But gif sum greit man it allowit?

That dar avow it.

Of sum grit men they have sic gait[1203]

That redy ar thame to debait[1204],

Thame, air nor lait.

Quhat causis theifis us our-gang[1207]

Bot want of justice us amang?

Now to do wrang.

Of stouth thocht now thay cum gud speid

That nather of men nor God hes dreid,

Quhill[1209] thay be deid.