'And now with me, my countrymen, Your courage forth advance; For there was never champion yet, In Scotland, nor in France, 'That ever did on horseback come; And, 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 Percy 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 outbravèd be, One of us two shall die: I know thee well! An earl thou art, Lord Percy. So am I. 'But, trust me, Percy, 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.' 'Accursed be he,' Earl Percy 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 stood 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 a grief to see, And likewise for to hear, The cries of men lying in their gore, And scattered here and there. At last, these two stout earls did meet. Like captains of great might, Like lions wood, they laid on load, And made a cruel fight: They fought, until they both did sweat, With swords of tempered steel, Till blood adown their cheeks, like rain, They trickling down did feel. 'Yield thee, O Percy,' Douglas said, 'In faith! I will thee bring, Where thou shalt high advancèd be, By James, our Scottish King! 'Thy ransom I will freely give! And this report of thee, "Thou art the most courageous knight That ever I did see!"' 'No, Douglas,' quoth Earl Percy then, 'Thy proffer I do scorn; I will not yield to any Scot That ever yet was born!'