And with Erle Douglas, there was slaine Sir Hugh Montgomerye, Sir Charles Murray, that from the feeld One foote wold never flee. Sir Charles Murray, of Ratcliff, too, His sisters sonne was hee; Sir David Lamb, so well esteem'd, Yet saved cold not bee. And the Lord Maxwell in like case Did with Erle Douglas dye: Of twenty hundred Scottish speres, Scarce fifty-five did flye. Of fifteen hundred Englishmen, Went home but fifty-three; The rest were slaine in Chevy-Chace, Under the greene woode tree. Next day did many widowes come, Their husbands to bewayle; They washt their wounds in brinish teares, But all wold not prevayle. Theyr bodyes, bathed in purple gore, They bare with them away: They kist them dead a thousand times, Ere they were cladd in clay. The news was brought to Eddenborrow, Where Scottlands king did raigne, That brave Erle Douglas suddenlye Was with an arrow slaine: O heavy newes, King James did say, Scotland may witnesse bee, I have not any captaine more Of such account as hee. Like tydings to King Henry came, Within as short a space, That Percy of Northumberland Was slaine in Chevy-Chace: Now God be with him, said our king, Sith it will noe better bee; I trust I have, within my realme, Five hundred as good as hee: Yett shall not Scotts nor Scotland say, But I will vengeance take: I'll be revenged on them all, For brave Erle Percyes sake. This vow full well the king perform'd After, at Humbledowne; In one day, fifty knights were slayne, With lords of great renowne: And of the rest, of small acount, Did many thousands dye: Thus endeth the hunting of Chevy-Chase, Made by the Erle Percy. God save our king, and bless this land With plenty, joy, and peace; And grant henceforth, that foule debate 'Twixt noblemen may cease. [Illustration] SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE [Illustration] When Arthur first in court began, And was approved king, By force of armes great victorys wanne, And conquest home did bring, Then into England straight he came With fifty good and able Knights, that resorted unto him, And were of his round table: And he had justs and turnaments, Whereto were many prest, Wherein some knights did far excell And eke surmount the rest. But one Sir Lancelot du Lake, Who was approved well, He for his deeds and feats of armes All others did excell. When he had rested him a while, In play, and game, and sportt, He said he wold goe prove himselfe In some adventurous sort. He armed rode in a forrest wide, And met a damsell faire, Who told him of adventures great, Whereto he gave great eare. Such wold I find, quoth Lancelott: For that cause came I hither. Thou seemest, quoth shee, a knight full good, And I will bring thee thither.