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: Chevy Chace tailpiece] SIR LANCELOT DU LAKE [Illustration: Sir Lancelot Du Lake headpiece] 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. Wheras a mighty knight doth dwell, That now is of great fame: Therefore tell me what wight thou art, And what may be thy name. "My name is Lancelot du Lake." Quoth she, it likes me than: Here dwelles a knight who never was Yet matcht with any man: Who has in prison threescore knights And four, that he did wound; Knights of King Arthurs court they be, And of his table round. She brought him to a river side, And also to a tree, Whereon a copper bason hung, And many shields to see. He struck soe hard, the bason broke; And Tarquin soon he spyed: Who drove a horse before him fast, Whereon a knight lay tyed.