At last the Douglas and the Percy met,
Like to captains of might and of main;
They swapt[1106] together till they both swat[1107]
With swordès of fine Milan.
XXXI
These worthy freykès for to fight
Thereto they were full fain,
Till the blood out of their basnets sprent[1108]
As ever did hail or rain.
XXXII
‘Yield thee, Percy,’ said the Douglas,
‘And i’ faith I shall thee bring
Where thou shalt have an Earl’s wages
Of Jamie our Scottish king.
XXXIII
‘Thou shaltè have thy ransom free,
—I hight[1109] thee here this thing;
For the manfullest man thou art that e’er
I conquer’d in field fighting.’
XXXIV
But ‘Nay’, then said the lord Percye,
‘I told it thee beforn
That I would never yielded be
To man of a woman born.’