"Ere thus I will out-braved be,
One of us two shall dye:
I know thee well, an earl thou art;
Lord Piercy, so am I.
"But trust me, Piercy, pity it were,85
And great offence, to kill
Any of these our harmless men,
For they have done no ill.
"Let thou and I the battel try,
And set our men aside:90
"Accurs'd be he," Lord Piercy said,
"By whom this is deny'd."
Then stept a gallant squire forth,
(Witherington was his name)
Who said, "I would not have it told95
To Henry our king for shame,
"That ere my captaine fought on foot,
And I stood looking on:
You be two earls," said Witherington,
"And I a squire alone.100
"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,105
Their hearts were good and true;
At the first flight of arrows sent,
Full three score Scots they slew.
To drive the deer with hound and horn,
Earl Douglas had the bent;110
A captain mov'd with mickle pride
The spears to shivers sent.
They clos'd full fast on every side,
No slacknes there was found;
And many a gallant gentleman115
Lay gasping on the ground.