“how like you my shepards & my millers,
my priests with shaven crownes?”
“by my fayth, they are the sorest fighting men
that ever I mett on the ground;
“there was never a yeoman in merry England
but he was worth a Scottish knight!”
“I,[21] by my troth,” said King Edward, & laughe,
“for you fought all against the right.”
but now the Prince of merry England
worthilye under his Sheelde
hath taken the King of ffrance
at Poytiers in the ffeelde.
the Prince did present his father with that food,[22]
the lovely King off ffrance,
& fforward of his Iourney he is gone:
god send us all good chance!
“you are welcome, brothers!” sayd the King of Scotts,
to the King of ffrance,
“for I am come hither too soone;
Christ leeve that I had taken my way
unto the court of Roone!”
“& soe wold I,” said the King of ffrance,
“when I came over the streame,
that I had taken my Iourney
unto Ierusalem.”
Thus ends the battell of ffaire Durham
in one morning of may,
the battell of Cressey, & the battle of Potyers,
All within one monthes day.
then was welthe and welfare in mery England,
Solaces, game, & glee,
& every man loved other well,
& the King loved good yeomanrye
but God that made the grasse to growe,
& leaves on greenwoode tree,
now save & keepe our noble King,
& maintaine good yeomanry!
ffinis.]