3
Their backſides all, with ſpecial care,
that day were guarded ſure.
The hounds ran ſwiftly through the woods,
the nimble deer to take,
and with their cries the hills and dales
an echo ſhrill did make.
Lord Percy to the quarry went
to view the ſlaughter'd deer;
Quoth he, Earl Douglas promiſed
this day to meet me here:
But if I thought he would not come,
no longer would I ſtay-
with that a brave young gentleman,
thus to the Earl did ſay:
Lo! yonder doth Earl Douglas come,
his men in armour bright;
full fifteen hundred Scotiſh ſpears
are marching in our light.
All men of pleaſant Tiviotdale,
fait by the river Tweed-
Then ceaſe your ſport; Earl Percy ſaid,
and take your bows with ſpeed:
And now with me, my countrymen,
your courage forth advance;
For never was there a champion yet
in Scotland or in France,
That ever did on horſeback come,
but, if my hap it were,
durſt encounter, man for man,
with him to break a ſpear.
Earl Douglas, on a milk white ſteed,
moſt like a baron bold,
Rode foremoſt of the company,
his armour ſhone like gold.
Shew me, ſaid he, whoſe men you be,
that hunt ſo boldly here;
