Yet will we spend our dearest blood,
Thy chiefest harts to slay.
Then Douglas swore a solemn oath,
And thus in rage did say,
Ere thus will I out-braved be,
One of us two shall die:
I know thee well, an earl thou art,
Lord Percy; so am I.
But trust me, Percy, pity 'twere,
And great offence to kill
Any of these our guiltless men,
For they have done no ill.
Let thou and I the battle try,
And set our men aside.
Accurst be he, Earl Percy said,
By whom this is denied.
Then stept a gallant squire forth,
Witherington was his name,
Who said, I would not have it told
To Henry our king for shame,
That e'er my captain fought on foot,
And I stood looking on.
You be two earls, said Witherington,
And I a squire alone:
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,
Their hearts were good and true;
At the first flight of arrows sent,
Full four-score Scots they slew.
Yet bides Earl Douglas on the bent[82]
As Chieftain stout and good,
As valiant Captain, all unmov'd
The shock he firmly stood.
His host he parted had in three,
As leader ware and try'd,
And soon his spearmen on their foes
Bore down on every side.