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This morning they killed a very ſtately hart, the largeſt that had been ſeen in the kingdom! Whereupon the huntſman run to call the Earl, that he might ſee the charming creature; and he declared he had never ſeen any ſo large.
Earl Piercy remembering the meſſage ſent him the former night, he turned to a Knight on his left hand, ſaying, “The time, Sir Knight, draws near, that, if Earl Douglas keeps his word, we ſhall have another kind of ſport to undertake; he promiſed this morning to make us a viſit, therefore let it be your care to keep our men together, leſt ſome of them be ſurpriſed; for, man to man, ſaid he, I fear them not. But, if I thought he would not come, we would remove hence to the next foreſt; for thither, I perceive, most of the deer, frighted from this foreſt, are fled.” He had no ſooner uttered theſe words, than one of his 'Squires, called Witherington, came haſtily to him, ſaying, “ My noble Lord, cauſe the dogs be immediately called off, and muſter up your bold archers; for from yonder hill I ſaw Earl Douglas coming directly towards you, though yet above two miles diſtant, having a great troop of ſpearmen, which I gueſs not leſs than ten thouſand.” “I thank the heartily,” replied the Earl,
