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
As Chieftain stout and good,
As valiant Captain, all unmov'd

The shock he firmly stood.

* Field.

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 shields 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,* 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.

* Wild.

With that, there came an arrow keen

Out of an English bow,

Which struck Earl Douglas to the heart,

A deep and deadly blow:

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.

O Christ! my very heart doth bleed
With sorrow for thy sake;

For sure, a more renowned knight
Mischance could never take.

A knight amongst the Scots there was,
Which saw Earl Douglas die,

Who straight in wrath did vow revenge
Upon the Lord Percy :