It was the good Erle of Westmorlande;
a noble Erle was callèd hee;
and he wrought treason against the crowne;
alas, it was the more pittye!
And soe it was the Erle of Northumberland,
another good noble Erle was hee;
they tooken both upon one part,
against their crowne they wolden bee.
Earle Percy is into his garden gone,
and after walks his awne ladye;
“I heare a bird sing in my eare
that I must either fight or flee.”
“God forbid,” shee sayd, “good my Lord,
that ever so that it shalbee,
but goe to London to the court,
and faire fall truth and honestye!”
“But nay, now nay, my Ladye gay,
that ever it shold soe bee;
my treason is knowen well enoughe;
at the court I must not bee.”
“But goe to the Court! yet, good my Lord,
take men enowe with thee;
if any man will doe you wronge,
your warrant they may bee.”
“But nay, now nay, my Lady gay,
for soe it must not bee,
if I goe to the court, Ladye,
death will strike me, and I must dye.”
“But goe to the Court! yett, good my Lord,
I my-selfe will ryde with thee;
if any man will doe you wronge,
your borow[25] I shalbee.”
“But nay, now nay, my Lady gay,
for soe it must not bee;
for if I goe to the Court, Ladye,
thou must me never see.
But come hither, thou litle footpage,
come thou hither unto mee,
for thou shalt goe a message to Master Norton
in all the hast that ever may bee.