I
When captains couragious, whom death could not daunte,
Did march to the siege of the citty of Gaunt[1301],
They muster’d their souldiers by two and by three,
And the foremost in battle was Mary Ambree.
II
When brave Sir John Major was slaine in her sight,
Who was her true lover, her joy, and delight,
Because he was slaine most treacherouslie,
She vow’d to revenge him, did Mary Ambree.
III
She clothèd herselfe from the top to the toe
In buffe of the bravest, most seemelye to showe;
A faire shirt of mail then slippèd on she;
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?
IV
A helmet of proofe she strait did provide,
A strong arminge sword she girt by her side,
And on each hand a goodly faire gauntlett put shee;
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?
V
Then tooke she her sworde and her target in hand,
Bidding all such as wo’ld to be sworn of her band;
To wayte on her person came thousand and three:
Was not this a brave bonny lass, Mary Ambree?