Part 10 (1/2)

Yet will we spend our dearest blood, Thy chiefest harts to slay.

Then Douglas swore a solemn oath, And thus in rage did say,

Ere thus will I out-braved be, One of us two shall die: I know thee well, an earl thou art, Lord Percy; so am I.

But trust me, Percy, pity 'twere, And great offence to kill Any of these our guiltless men, For they have done no ill.

Let thou and I the battle try, And set our men aside.

Accurst be he, Earl Percy said, By whom this is denied.

Then stept a gallant squire forth, Witherington was his name, Who said, I would not have it told To Henry our king for shame,

That e'er my captain fought on foot, And I stood looking on.

You be two earls, said Witherington, And I a squire alone:

I'll do the best that do I may, While I have power to stand: While I have power to wield my sword, I'll fight with heart and hand.

Our English archers bent their bows, Their hearts were good and true; At the first flight of arrows sent, Full four-score Scots they slew.

Yet bides Earl Douglas on the bent[82]

As Chieftain stout and good, As valiant Captain, all unmov'd The shock he firmly stood.

His host he parted had in three, As leader ware and try'd, And soon his spearmen on their foes Bore down on every side.

Throughout the English archery They dealt full many a wound: But still our valiant Englishmen All firmly kept their ground:

And throwing straight their bows away, They grasp'd their swords so bright: And now sharp blows, a heavy shower, On s.h.i.+elds and helmets light.

They clos'd full fast on every side, No slackness there was found; And many a gallant gentleman Lay gasping on the ground.

O Christ! it was a grief to see, And likewise for to hear, The cries of men lying in their gore, And scattered here and there.

At last these two stout earls did meet, Like captains of great might: Like lions wood,[83] they laid on loud, And made a cruel fight:

They fought until they both did sweat, With swords of tempered steel; Until the blood, like drops of rain, They trickling down did feel.

Yield thee, Lord Percy, Douglas said; In faith I will thee bring, Where thou shalt high advanced be By James our Scottish king:

Thy ransom I will freely give, And thus report of thee, Thou art the most courageous knight, That ever I did see.

No, Douglas, quoth Earl Percy 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, Which struck Earl Douglas to the heart, A deep and deadly blow:

[Ill.u.s.tration: CHEVY CHASE. EARL PERCY, AND EARL DOUGLAS.]

Who never spake more words than these, Fight on, my merry men all; For why, my life is at an end; Lord Percy sees my fall.

Then leaving life, Earl Percy took The dead man by the hand; And said, Earl Douglas, for thy life Would I had lost my land.