Page:Hunting of Chevy Chace.pdf/5

(5) At the firſt ſlight of arrows ſent,

they fourſcore Engliſh ſlew

To drive the dear with hound and horse,

Douglas bade on the bent,

A captain mov'd with meikle pride,

the ſpears and ſhivers went,

They clos'd full faſt on every ſide,

no ſlackneſs there was found,

And many a gallant gentleman,

lay gaſping on the ground,

O! but it was a grief to ſee

and likewiſe for to hear,

The cries of men laying in their gore

all ſcatter'd here and there,

At last theſe two ſtout earls did meet,

like chieftians of great might,

Like lions mov'd they fear'd no lord,

they made a gallant fight,

They fought until they both did ſweat,

with ſword's of temper'd ſteel,

Until the blood like drops of rain,

they trinkling down did fall,

Yield thee, lord Piercy, Douglas ſaid,

in faith I will the bring,

Where thou ſhalt high advanced be,

by James our Noble king,

Thy ranſome I will truly give,

and this report of thee,

Thou art the most courageous knight,

that I ever yet did ſee.

No Douglas quoth lord Piercy then,

thy proffer I do ſcorn.

I will not yield to any Scot.

that ever yet was born

With that there came an arrow keen,

out of an Engliſh bow