Classic Poem

The Pictis houndis were nocht of sic speed
As Scottis houndis, nor yet sae gude at need,
Nor in sic game they were nocht half sae gude,
Nor of sic pleasure, nor sic pulchritude.
The King therefore he did give every man
Of the best houndis were among them than,
At their pleasure that time they were nocht spared
With horse and hound and all other reward.

This noble King, of whom before I told,
One hound he had both curious and bold,
Pleasant but peir, and full of pulchritude,
Supple and swift and in all game richt gude:
All other houndis he did exceed sae far
As into licht the moon does near ilk star.
The young Pictis to him they took gude keep,
Soon in the nicht when all men were asleep
They stole this hound and many other mo'
After they had taken their leave to go.
Soon in the morn when that this hound was missed
There was no wight where he was gone that wist;
Except the man that had the hound in care
Followit richt fast, and after him he fare.

The young lordis some scorpit with great scorn,
Saying again, Suppose he had sworn,
That dog again as then he should nocht get;
And he richt well thocht that he should them let.
Richt hastily laid handis on the hound
In leash and collar wherewith he was bound,
Truly, he said, they wald him nocht deny.
One hasty man that stood him near hand by
Drew out ane knife that was of metal gude
And stickit him that same time where he stude.
Ane man of his that time that stood near by
The coronach (raised) with ane loud shout and cry.

They gatherit fast when they heard the shout,
The country men that dwelt near hand about,
And when the people has heard tell 'em plain
The hound was stolen, the Kingis servant slain
That had the hound that time into his cuir,
They micht nocht thole no longer that injure.
All made ane vow revengit for to be
Of that great wrong, or all there for to dee.
And there was slain, if I richt understude,
Sixty Scottis that were men of gude;
Ane hundred Pictis fighting on that plain,
Into that field that same day was slain.