That is set on to conquer me."160
Then Henry Hunt, with rigour hot,
Came bravely on the other side,
Who likewise shot in at his deck,
And killed fifty of his men beside.
Then "Out alas," Sir Andrew cryd,165
"What may a man now think or say!
Yon merchant thief that pierceth me,
He was my prisoner yesterday."
Then did he on Gordion call
Unto the top castle for to go,170
And bid his beams he should let fall,
For he greatly fear'd an overthrow.
The lord call'd Horsely now in haste:
"Look that thy word stand in stead,
For thou shall be hanged on main mast,175
If thou miss twelve score a shilling's breadth."
Then up [the] mast tree swerved he,
This stout and mighty Gordion;
But Horsely he most happily
Shot him under his collar-bone:180
Then call'd he on his nephew then,
Said, "Sister's son, I have no mo,
Three hundred pound I will give thee,
If thou will to top-castle go."
Then stoutly he began to climb,185
From off the mast scorn'd to depart;
But Horsely soon prevented him,
And deadly pierced him to the heart.
His men being slain, then up amain
Did this proud pirate climb with speed,190
For armour of proof he had on,
And did not dint of arrows dread.
"Come hither, Horseley," said the lord,
"See thou thy arrows aim aright;
Great means to thee I will afford,195
And if thou speedst, I'll make thee knight."
Sir Andrew did climb up the tree,
With right good will and all his main;
Then upon the breast hit Horsley he,
Till the arrow did return again.200
Then Horsley spied a private place,
With a perfect eye, in a secret part;
His arrow swiftly flew apace,
And smote Sir Andrew to the heart.
"Fight on, fight on, my merry men all,205
A little I am hurt, yet not slain;
I'll but lie down and bleed awhile,
And come and fight with you again.
"And do not," said he, "fear English rogues,
And of your foes stand not in awe,210
But stand fast by St. Andrew's crosse,
Until you hear my whistle blow."
They never heard this whistle blow,
Which made them all full sore afraid.
Then Horsely said, "My Lord, aboard,215
For now Sir Andrew Barton's dead."
Thus boarded they his gallant ship,
With right good will and all their main;
Eighteen score Scots alive in it,