Page:History of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie (1).pdf/9

 ( 9 ) Here is a fit of Cloudeslie,

And another for to say.

And when they came to merry Carlisle

In fair morning tide,

They found the gates closely shut,

Around on every side.

Alas! then said good Adam Bell,

That e’er we were made men:

Those gates are shut so wond’rous well,

We may not come therein,

At length then spake Clim of the Clough,

A while we will us bring;

Let us say we be messengers,

And straight come from the King.

Adam, said then, I've a letter,

Well, let us wisely walk:

We will say we have the king's seal;

I hold porter no clerk.

Then Adam Bell beat at the gate,

With strokes both great and strong,

The porter heard such noise thereat,

And to the gates did throng.

Who is there, said the porter then,

That makes all this knocking,

We are two messengers, they said,

And come straight from the king;

We’ve a letter said Adem Bell,

To justice must it bring;

Let us in our message to do,

And return to the king.