Page:Hunting of Chevy-chace (2).pdf/4

 ( 4 ) Show me, ſaid he, whoſe men we

that hunt ſo boldly here!

That, without my conſent, do chace

and kill my fallow deer.

The firſt man that did anſwer make

was noble Piercy he,

Who ſaid, We lift not to declare,

nor ſhow whoſe men we be;

Yet we will ſpend our dearest blood,

the choiceſt harts to ſlay,

Then Douglas ſwore a ſolemn oath,

and thus in rage did ſay,

Ere thus I will out-braved be,

one of us two ſhall die;

I know thee well, an Earl thou art.

Lord Piercy; ſo am I

But truſt me, Piercy, pity it were,

and great offence to kill

Any of theſe our harmleſs men,

for they have done no ill.

Let me and thee thy battle try,

and ſet our men aſide;

Accurs'd be he, Lord Piercy ſsaid

by whom this is denied.

Then ſtept a gallant 'Squire forth,

Withrington by name;

Who ſaid be would not have it told

To Henry his King for ſhame;

That 'er my Captain fought on foot,

and I ſtood locking on

You be to Earls, tad Withrington,

and I a 'Squire alone;

I'll do the best that I can do,

while I have power to ſtand ;

While I have power to wield my ſword; but

I'll fight with heart and hand.