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 62 BALLADS

For seven hours to all men's view

This fight endured sore, Until our men so feeble grew

That they could fight no more; And then upon dead horses

Full savourly they eat, And drank the puddle water,

That could no better get.

When they had fed so freely,

They kneeled on the ground, And praised God devoutly

For the favour they had found; And bearing up their colours,

The fight they did renew, And cutting tow'rds the Spaniard,

Five thousand more they slew.

The sharp steel-pointed arrows

And bullets thick did fly; Then did our valiant soldiers

Charge on most furiously: Which made the Spaniards waver,

They thought it best to flee : They feared the stout behaviour

Of brave Lord Willoughby.

Then quoth the Spanish general, 'Come, let us march away,

I fear we shall be spoiled all If that we longer stay :

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