Page:Hunting of Chevy-chace (2).pdf/3



( 3 ) The bow-men muſter'd on the hill,

well able to endure;

Their backſides all, with ſpecial care,

that day were guarded ſure.

The hounds ran ſwiftly through the wood

the nimble deer to take :

And with their cries the hills and dales

an echo ſhrill did make.

Carl Piercy to the quarry went,

to view the fallow deer;

he, Earl Douglas promiſed

this day to meet me here ;

But if I thought he would not come,

no longer would I ſtay.

With that a brave young gentleman,

thus to the Earl did ſay,

yonder doth Earl Douglas come,

his men in armour bright,

all fifteen hundred Scottish ſpears,

all marching in our fight ;

All pleaſant men of Tevioidale,

dwell by the river Tweed.

Then ceaſe your ſport, Earl Piercy cry'd,

and take your bows with ſpeed;

And now with me, my countrymen,

your courage forth advance ;

for there was ne'er a champion yet,

in Scotland or in France,

ever did on horſebacle come,

but if my hap it were,

kurſt encounter man for man,

with him to break a ſpear.

Douglas on a milk-white fteed,

moſt like a Baron bold,

de foremoſt of the company

whoſe armour ſhone like gold.