Throughout the English archery
They dealt full many a wound:
But still our valiant Englishmen
All firmly kept their ground:
And throwing straight their bows away,
They grasp'd their swords so bright:
And now sharp blows, a heavy shower,
On shields and helmets light.
They clos'd full fast on every side,
No slackness there was found;
And many a gallant gentleman
Lay gasping on the ground.
O Christ! it was a grief to see,
And likewise for to hear,
The cries of men lying in their gore,
And scattered here and there.
At last these two stout earls did meet,
Like captains of great might:
Like lions wood,[83] they laid on loud,
And made a cruel fight:
They fought until they both did sweat,
With swords of tempered steel;
Until the blood, like drops of rain,
They trickling down did feel.
Yield thee, Lord Percy, Douglas said;
In faith I will thee bring,
Where thou shalt high advanced be
By James our Scottish king:
Thy ransom I will freely give,
And thus report of thee,
Thou art the most courageous knight,
That ever I did see.
No, Douglas, quoth Earl Percy then,
Thy proffer I do scorn;
I will not yield to any Scot,
That ever yet was born.
With that, there came an arrow keen
Out of an English bow,
Which struck Earl Douglas to the heart,
A deep and deadly blow: