Page:History of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie (1).pdf/22

 ( 22 ) they set up two hazel rods,

Twenty score pace between.

hold an archer, said Cloudeslie,

That cleaves your wand in two;

Here is none such, reply’d the king,

For no man can do so,

will essay, Sir, said Cloudeslie,

Ere that I further go;

Cloudeslie, with a bearing arrow,

Did cleave the wand in two.

Thou’rt the best archer, said the king,

That ever I did see;

for your love, said William,

I’ll do more masterly

I have a son of seven years old,

He is to me full dear,

will tie him unto a stake,

You shall see him that’s here.

I'll lay an apple on his head,

Go six score paces fro',

And I myself with broad arrow,

Will cleave the apple in two.

haste thee then said the good king,

By him that died by thee ;

thou dost not as thou hast said,

Hang’d surely thou shalt be:

But if thou touch his head or go,

In sight, that men may see,

By all the stars that are in heav’n,

I hang you shall all three.