Page:History of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie (1).pdf/23

 ( 23 ) That I have promis'd, said William,

I never will forsake;

So there even before the king,

In earth he drove a stake,

And bound thereto his eldest son,

Bade him stand still thereat;

He turn’d the child’s face him fro',

Because he should not start.

Then on his head an apple set,

And his bow then he bent;

Full six score paces they were met,

To which Cloudeslie went.

There he drew a fair broad arrow,

His bow was great and long,

He set that arrow in his bow,

That was both stiff and strong.

He pray’d the people that were there,

That they would all still stand ;

For he that shoots for such a wager,

Had need of steady hand.

Much people pray’d for Cloudeslie,

That saved his life might be ;

And when he made ready to shoot,

Was many a weeping eye,

Then Cloudeslie clave the apple in two,

Which many a man did see;

Now God forbid, then said the king,

That you should shoot at me.

give thee eighteen-pence a day,

And my bow shalt thou bear,