Page:Douglas & Piercy, or, The hunting at Chevychase (1).pdf/18

 Full fifteen hundred Scottiſh ſpears,

all marching in our fight!

All valiant men of Tiviotdale,

come from the river Tweed.

Then ceaſe your ſports, Earl Piercy ſaid,

and take your bows with ſpeed!

And go with me, my countrymen,

yur coourage to advance;

For there was ne'er a champion yet,

in Scotland or in France,

That ever did on horſe-back come,

but, if my hap it were,

I durit encounter man for man,

with him to break a ſpear.

Lord Douglas, on a milk-white ſteed,

moſt like a baron bold,

Rode foremoſt of the company,

whoſe armour ſhone like gold!

Shew me, ſaid he, whoſe men ye be,

that hunt ſo boldly here,

That, without my confent, do chaſe

and kill my fallow-deer?

The firſt man that did anſwer make,

was noble Piercy he,

Who ſaid, We liſt not to declare,

and ſhow whoſe men we be:

Yet we will ſpend our deareſt blood,

the choiceſt harts to ſlay.