26. "No, Douglas," saith Earl Percy then,
"Thy proffer I do scorn;
I will not yield to any Scot
That ever yet was born."
27. With that there came an arrow keen
Out of an English bow,
Which struck Earl Douglas to the heart—
A deep and deadly blow;
28. Who never spake more words than these
"Fight on, my merry men all;
For why, my life is at an end;
Lord Percy sees my fall."
29. Then leaving life, Earl Percy took
The dead man by the hand,
And said: "Earl Douglas, for thy life
Would I had lost my land!
30. "In truth, my very heart doth bleed
With sorrow for thy sake;
For sure a more redoubted knight
Mischance did never make."
31. A knight amongst the Scots there was
Who saw Earl Douglas die,
Who straight in wrath did vow revenge
Upon the Earl Percy.
32. Sir Hugh Mountgomery was he called,
Who with a spear full bright,
Well mounted on a gallant steed,
Ran fiercely through the fight;
33. And past the English archers all,
Without a dread or fear,
And through Earl Percy's body then
He thrust his hateful spear.
34. So thus did both these nobles die,
Whose courage none could stain.
An English archer then perceived
The noble earl was slain.
35. Against Sir Hugh Mountgomery
To right a shaft he set;
The gray goose-wing that was thereon
In his heart's blood was wet.