noon
'T is an honour that I covet not , '' said she ; `` nor would I risk thy safety for a moment to wear a crown . '' Madeline was right in her apprehension that King David would revenge the attack that had been made upon the rear of his army . When , with the morning sun , he beheld two hundred of his soldiers lying dead upon the ground -- `` Now , by my halidome , '' said he , `` and for this outrage , I will not leave one stone of Wark Castle upon another , but its ruins shall rise as a cairn over the graves of these men . '' Before noon , the entire Scottish host were encamped around the castle ; and the young king sent a messenger to the gates , demanding the countess and Sir William to surrender . `` Surrender ! boasting Scot ! '' said the chivalrous Joan ; `` doth your boy king think that a Plantagenet will yield to a Bruce !