They closed full fast on every side,-- No slackness there was found; And many a gallant gentleman Lay gasping on the ground. In truth, it was a grief to see How each one 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 wode, they laid on lode, And made a cruel fight. They fought until they both did sweat, With swords of tempered steel, Until the blood, like drops of rain, They trickling down did feel. "Yield thee, Lord 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," saith Earl Percy then, "Thy proffer I do scorn; I will not yield to any Scot That ever yet was born." With that there came an arrow keen Out of an English bow, Which struck Earl Douglas to the heart,-- A deep and deadly blow; Who never spake more words than these: "Fight on, my merry men all; For why, my life is at an end; Lord Percy sees my fall." Then leaving life, Earl Percy took The dead man by the hand; And said, "Earl Douglas, for thy life Would I had lost my land. "In truth, my very heart doth bleed With sorrow for thy sake; For sure a more redoubted knight Mischance did never take." A knight amongst the Scots there was Who saw Earl Douglas die, Who straight in wrath did vow revenge Upon the Earl Percy. Sir Hugh Montgomery was he called, Who, with a spear full bright, Well mounted on a gallant steed, Ran fiercely through the fight; And past the English archers all, Without a dread or fear; And through Earl Percy's body then He thrust his hateful spear; With such vehement force and might He did his body gore, The staff ran through the other side A large cloth-yard and more. So thus did both these nobles die. Whose courage none could stain. An English archer then perceived The noble earl was slain. He had a bow bent in his hand, Made of a trusty tree; An arrow of a cloth-yard long To the hard head haled he. Against Sir Hugh Montgomery So right the shaft he set, The gray goose wing that was thereon In his heart's blood was wet. This fight did last from break of day Till setting of the sun; For when they rung the evening-bell The battle scarce was done. With stout Earl Percy there was slain Sir John of Egerton, Sir Robert Ratcliff, and Sir John, Sir James, that bold baron. And with Sir George and stout Sir James, Both knights of good account, Good Sir Ralph Raby there was slain, Whose prowess did surmount.