"We will not fight in this quarrel." "How--my own squires control me ?" exclaimed Ramorny.
"We were your squires and pages, my lord, while you were master of the Duke of Rothsay's household.

It is bruited about the Duke no longer lives; we desire to know the truth." "What traitor dares spread such falsehoods ?" said Ramorny.
"All who have gone out to skirt the forest, my lord, and I myself among others, bring back the same news.

The minstrel woman who left the castle yesterday has spread the report everywhere that the Duke of Rothsay is murdered, or at death's door.

The Douglas comes on us with a strong force--" "And you, cowards, take advantage of an idle report to forsake your master ?" said Ramorny, indignantly.
"My lord," said Eviot, "let Buncle and myself see the Duke of Rothsay, and receive his personal orders for defence of this castle, and if we do not fight to the death in that quarrel, I will consent to be hanged on its highest turret.

But if he be gone by natural disease, we will yield up the castle to the Earl of Douglas, who is, they say, the King's lieutenant.