Page:Adam Bell, Clym of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie (2).pdf/14

 But when their arrows were all gone

Men preced to them full fast,

They drew their swordes theuthen [sic] anone,

And their bows from them cast.

Then they went lyghtly on their way,

With swords and bucklers round;

By that it was mid of the day,

They made many a wound.

There was an out-horn in Carlile blown,

And the bells backward did ring,

Many a woman said alas!

And many their hands did wring.

The Mayre of Carlile forth has gone,

With him a full great rout,

These yeoman dreaded him full sore,

Their lives were in great doubt.

The Mayre came armed then apace,

With pole-axe in his hand;

Many a strong man with him was,

There in that stoure to stand.

The Mayre smote Cloudeslie with his bill,

His buckler he brust in two,

Ful many a yeoman with great evil

Cried, alas! treason! for wo,

Keep well the gates fast, they bade,

That these traitors out not go.

But all for nought was that they wrought,

So fast they down were laid;

They all three so manfully fought.

They gotten without abraid.