Word is come to Edinboro’,
To Jamie the Scottish King,
Earl Douglas, lieutenant of the Marches,
Lay slain Cheviot within.
LVI
His hands the King did weal[1122] and wring,
Said, ‘Alas! and woe is me!
Such another captain Scotland within
I’ faith shall never be!’
LVII
Word is come to lovely London,
To the fourth Harry, our King,
Lord Percy, lieutenant of the Marches,
Lay slain Cheviot within.
LVIII
‘God have mercy on his soul,’ said King Harry,
‘Good Lord, if thy will it be!
I’ve a hundred captains in England,’ he said,
‘As good as ever was he:
But Percy, an I brook[1123] my life,
Thy death well quit shall be.’
LIX
And as our King made his avow
Like a noble prince of renown,
For Percy he did it well perform
After, on Homble-down;