5
The Engliſh archers bent their bows,
their hearts were good and true;
At the firt flight of arrows ſent,
full threeſcore Scots they ſlew.
To drive the deer with hound and horn,
Earl Percy had been bent;
The captains mov'd with meikle pride,
The ſpears to ſhivers ſent.
They cloſed full faſt on ev'ry ſide,
no ſlackneſs there was found;
And many a gallant gentleman
lay gaſping on the ground.
Oh, dear! it was a grief to ſee,
and likewiſe for to hear,
The groans of men lying in their gore,
and ſcatter'd here and there.
At laſt theſe two bold earls met,
like captains of great might;
Like lions mov'd, they laid on blows,
and made a bloody fight.
They fought until they both did ſweat,
with ſwords of temper'd ſteel,
Until the blood, like drops of rain,
They trickling down did feel.
Yeild thee, Earl Percy, Douglas ſaid,
in faith I will thee bring,
Where thou ſhalt high advanced be
by James, our Scotiſh king;
Thy ranſom I will freely give,
and thus report of thee:
Thou art the moſt couragious knight
that ever I did ſee.
No, Douglas, quoth Earl Percy then,
thy proffers I do ſcorn:
