52 BALLADS
Christ ! it was a griefe to see, And likewise for to heare,
The cries of men lying in their gore, And scattered here and there !
At last these two stout erles did meet, Like captaines of great might:
Like lions wode, they laid on lode, And made a cruel fight :
They fought untill they both did sweat With swords of tempered steele;
Until the blood like drops of rain They trickling downe did feele.
'Yield thee, Lord Percy,' Douglas said;
'In faith I will thee bringe, Where thou shalt high advanced be
By James our Scottish king:
Thy ransome I will freely give,
And this report of thee, Thou art the most courageous knight,
That ever I did see.'
'No, Douglas,' quoth Erie Percy then, 'Thy proffer I do scorne;
1 will not yield to any Scot,
That ever yet was borne. '
With that, there came an arrow keene
Out of an English bow, Which struck Erie Douglas to the heart,
A deep and deadly blow :
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