5
A captain mov'd with meikle pride.
The spears in shivers went.
They closed full fast on every side,
No slackness there was found,
And many a gallant gentleman
Lay gasping on the ground.
O ! but it was a grief to see,
And likewise for to hear,
The cries of men lying in their gore,
All scattered here and there.
At last these two Earls did meet,
Like chieftains of great might;
Like lions mov'd, they fear’d no lord.
They made a cruel 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,
Yield thee, Percy, Douglas said,
In faith I will thee bring
Where thou shall high advanced be,
By James our Scottish King;
Thy ransom I will freely give,
And this report of thee—
Thou art the most courageous knight
That ever I did see.
Nay, Douglas, quoth Lord Percy then,
Thy proffer I do scorn;
I will not yield to any Scot
That ever yet was born.
With that there came an arrow keen.
Out of the English bow,
Which struck Lord Douglas to the heart,
