Page:History of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie (1).pdf/6

 ( 6 ) Plague on his heart, said fair Alice,

Who tell my husband so,

Set fire on the house, said the sheriff,

Since no better it will be,

And burn me therein, William, he said.

His wife and children three:

They fir'd the house in many a place,

Till the fire flew on high;

Alas, alas! said fair Alice,

I see we here shall die.

William opened a back window,

That was in’s chamber high,

And there with sheet, did he let down,

His wife and children three.

For christian love do them no harm,

But wreak you all on me.

William shot so wond’rous well,

Till all his arrows were gone;

And fire so fast about him fell,

That bow strings burnt in twain.

The sparkles burnt, and burnt upon

Good William of Cloudeslie;

But then was he a woeful man,

'Twas' cowards of me.

Rather had I, said William,

My sword in rout to run,

Than here amongst mine enemies wood,

So cruelly to burn.

He took his sword and buckler then,

Amongst them all he ran;