4
Yet we will spend our dearest blood,
The choicest harts to slay.
Then Douglas swore a solemn oath,
And thus in rage did say—
E’er thus I will outbraved be,
One of us two shall die.
I know thee well, an Earl thou art—
Lord Percy—so am I:
But trust me, Percy, pity it were,
And great offence to kill
Any of these our harmless men.
For they have done no ill.
Let thee and me the battle try.
And set our men aside;
Accurs’d be he, said Earl Percy,
By whom this is denied.
Then slept a gallant squire forth,
Witherington by name;
Who said he would not have it told
To Henry his king for shame—
That e’er my captain fought on foot.
And I stood looking on.
Ye be two Earls, said Witherington,
And I a ’squire alone,
I’ll do the best that I may do,
Whilst I have power to stand—
Whilst I have power to wield my sword.
I’ll fight with heart and hand.
Our Scottish archers bent their bows,
Their hearts were good and true;
At the first flight of arrows sent,
They fourscore English slew.
To drive the deer with hound and horn,
