5
and I ſtood looking on,
You are two earls, ſaid Witherington,
and I a ſquire alone,
I'll do the beſt that do I may,
while I have power to ſtand,
While I have ſtrength to wield my ſword
I'll fight with heart and hand,
The Engliſh archer bent their bows,
their hearts were good and true:
At the firſt flight of arrows ſent,
full threeſcore Scots they ſlew,
To drive the deer with hound and horn
earl Douglas had been bent.
The captains mov'd with muckle pride,
their ſpears in ſhivers ſent.
They clos'd full faſt on every side,
no ſlackneſs could be found,
Whilſt many a gallant gentlemen,
lay gaſping on the ground.
Oh, Chrift! 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 did meet,
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 tickling down did feel;
Yield thee, Earl Piercy, Douglas ſaid,
in faith I will thee bring,
