No manner of treating, nor advice, Could hold from striking in that place; For, in the height and heat of blood, 15 James struck George Wharton on the face. "What doth this mean," George Wharton said, "To strike in such unmanly sort? But, that I take it at thy hands, The tongue of man shall ne'er report!" 20 "But do thy worst, then," said Sir James, "Now do thy worst, appoint a day! There's not a lord in England breathes Shall gar me give an inch of way." "Ye brag right weel," George Wharton said; 25 "Let our brave lords at large alane, And speak of me, that am thy foe, For you shall find enough o' ane." "I'll interchange my glove wi' thine; I'll show it on the bed of death; 30 I mean the place where we shall fight; There ane or both maun lose life and breath!" "We'll meet near Waltham," said Sir James; "To-morrow, that shall be the day. We'll either take a single man, 35 And try who bears the bell away." Then down together hands they shook, Without any envious sign; Then went to Ludgate, where they lay, And each man drank his pint of wine. 40 No kind of envy could be seen, No kind of malice they did betray; But a' was clear and calm as death, Whatever in their bosoms lay: Till parting time; and then, indeed, 45 They show'd some rancour in their heart; "Next time we meet," says George Wharton, "Not half sae soundly we shall part!" So they have parted, firmly bent Their valiant minds equal to try: 50 The second part shall clearly show, Both how they meet, and how they die. PART SECOND. George Wharton was the first ae man Came to the appointed place that day, Where he espyed our Scots lord coming, 55 As fast as he could post away. They met, shook hands; their cheeks were pale; Then to George Wharton James did say, "I dinna like your doublet, George, It stands sae weel on you this day. 60 "Say, have you got no armour on? Have you no under robe of steel? I never saw an Englishman Become his doublet half sae weel." "Fy no! fy no!" George Wharton said, 65 "For that's the thing that mauna be, That I should come wi' armour on, And you a naked man truly." "Our men shall search our doublets, George, And see if one of us do lie; 70 Then will we prove, wi' weapons sharp, Ourselves true gallants for to be."