"That ever did on horseback come,
But if my hap it were,
I durst encounter man for man,
With him to break a spear."

Earl Douglas on his milk-white steed,
Most like a baron bold,
Rode foremost of his company,
Whose armour shone like gold:

"Show me," said he, "whose men you be
That hunt so boldly here;
That without my consent do chase
And kill my fallow deer."

The first man that did answer make
Was noble Piercy, he,
Who said, "We list not to declare,
Nor show whose men we be;

"Yet we will spend our dearest blood
Thy chiefest harts to slay."
Then Douglas swore a solemn oath,
And thus in rage did say,

"Ere thus I will outbrav-ed be,
One of us two shall die!
I know thee well! an earl thou art,
Lord Piercy! so am I.

"But trust me, Piercy, pity it were,
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 Piercy said,
"By whom it is denied."

Then stepped 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 stand looking on:
You be two Earls," quoth 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 fourscore Scots they slew.

To drive the deer with hound and horn,
Douglas bade on the bent;
Two captains moved with mickle might,
Their spears to shivers went.

They closed full fast on every side,
No slackness there was found,
But many a gallant gentleman
Lay gasping on the ground.

O Christ! it was great grief to see
How each man chose his spear,
And how the blood out of their breasts
Did gush like water clear!

At last these two stout Earls did meet
Like captains of great might;
Like lions wood they laid on load,
They made a cruel fight.

They foug