6
Alice opened a back window,
And looked all about;
She was aware of the Justice and Sherife both
And with them a great route.
Alas! treason! cried Alice,
Ever wo may thou be;
Go into my chamber, husband, she said,
Sweet William of Cloudeslie.
He took his sword and his buckler.
His bow and his children three,
And went into his strongest chamber,
Where he thought surest to be.
Fair Alice, like a lover true,
Took a pole-axe in her hand,
Said, he shall die that cometh in
This door, while I may stand.
Cloudeslie bent a right good bow,
That was of trusty tree,
He smote the Justice on the breast,
That his arrow burst in three.
A curse on his heart, said William,
This day thy coat did on!
If it had not been better than mine,
It had gone near thy bone.
Yield thee, Cloudeslie, said the Justice,
Cast thy bow and thy arrows thee fro
A curse on his heart, said fair Alice,
That my husband councelleth so.
Set fire to the house, said the Sherife,
Sith it will no better be,
And burn we therein William, he said,
His wife and children three.
