midnight
Now , tell me truly , were I in thy power as thou art in mine , what fate would ye award to Soulis ? ' '' ` Then truly , ' replied Walter , ` I would hang thee on the highest tree in Branxholm Woods . ' '' ` Well spoken , young Strong-bow , ' returned Soulis ; ` and I will show thee , though ye think I have no mercy , that I am more merciful than thou . ' Ye would choose for me the highest tree , but I shall _ give thee the choice of the tree from which you may prefer your body to hang _ , and from whose top the owl may sing its midnight song , and to which the ravens shall gather for a feast . And thou , pretty face , ' added he , turning to Marion , ` sith you will not , even to save him , give me thine hand , i ` faith , if I may not be thy husband , I will be thy priest , and celebrate your marriage , for I will bind your hands together , and ye shall hang on the next branch to him . ' '' ` For that I thank thee , ' said the undaunted maiden . `` He then called together his four remaining armed men , and placing halters round the necks of his intended victims , they were dragged forth to the woods around the Hermitage , where Walter was to choose the fatal tree .