You have been a good and faithful servant to our house.

But, by the oath of a Douglas, if you come one foot farther, I will cut the rope and you shall be dashed in pieces beneath." The master armourer stopped--not with any fear of death upon him, but lest a stroke of his master's dirk should destroy their well-arranged mode of escape.
"O Earl William, my dear lord, hear me," he said in a gasping voice, still hanging perilously between earth and heaven.

"If I have indeed been a faithful servant, I beseech you come with me--for the sake of the house of Douglas and of your mother, a widow and alone." "Go down, Malise MacKim," said the Earl, more gently; "I will speak with you only at the rope's foot." So very unwillingly Malise went back.
"Now," said the Earl, "hearken--this will I do and no other.

I will remain here and abide that which shall befall me, as is the will of God.

I am bound by a tie that I cannot break.