Page:Lyra heroica.djvu/71

 XXV

CHEVY CHACE

THE HUNTING

GOD prosper long our noble king,

Our lives and safeties all; A woeful hunting once there did

In Chevy-Chace befall;

To drive the deer with hound and horn

Erie Percy took his way; The child may rue that is unborn,

The hunting of that day.

The stout Erie of Northumberland

A vow to God did make, His pleasure in the Scottish woods

Three summer's days to take,

The chiefest harts in Chevy-Chace

To kill and bear away. These tydings to Erie Douglas came,

In Scotland where he lay :

Who sent Erie Percy present word,

He wold prevent his sport. The English Erie, not fearing that,

Did to the woods resort

�� �