They had a guide that guided them Which in their hearts did dwell, The which to this that moved them, The very devil in hell. See here in what uncertainty This wretched world is led; At night in his prosperity, At morning slain, and dead. I wis a woeful house there was, The lord lay slain, and dead, Their foes then eat before their face Their meat, ale, wine, and bread. Two boys sir Robert Beaumont had There left alive unslain; Sir John of Eland he then bade To eat with him certain. The one did eat with him truly, The younger it was, I think; Adam, the eldest, sturdily, Would neither eat nor drink.[50] "See how this boy," said Eland, "see His father's death can take; If any be, it will be he, That will revengement make. "But if that he wax wild anon I shall him soon foresee; And cut them off by one and one, As time shall then serve me." _The first fray here now have you heard, The second doth ensue; And how much mischief afterward Upon these murders grew._ _And how the mischief he contriv'd His wicked heart within, Light on himself shall be described, Mark now, for I begin:--_ The same morning two messengers Were sent to Lancashire, To Mr. Townley and Brereton, Their helps for to require. Unto the mount beneath Marsden Now were they come with speed, But hearing that their friend was slain, They turn'd again indeed. When Eland with his wilful ire Thus Beaumont's blood had shed, Into the coasts of Lancashire, The lady Beaumont fled. With her she took her children all At Brereton to remain; Some time also at Townley hall They sojourned certain. Brereton and Townley friends they were To her, and of her blood; And presently it did appear They sought to do her good. They kept the boys 'till they increas'd In person and in age, Their father's death to have redrest Still kindled their courage. Lacy and Lockwood were with them Brought up at Brereton green, And Quarmby, kinsman unto them, At home durst not be seen. The feats of fence they practiced To wield their weapons well, Till fifteen years were finish'd, And then it so befel, Lockwood, the eldest of them all, Said, "Friends, I think it good, We went into our country all, To venge our fathers' blood. "If Eland have this for well done He will slay me indeed, Best were it then we slew him soon, And cut off Cain his seed. "I saw my father Lockwood slain, And Quarmby in the night, And last of all they slew certain, Sir Robert Beaumont, knight. "O Lord, this was a cruel deed, Who could their hands refrain; For to pluck out such wicked weed, Tho' it were to their pain!" To this the rest then all agreed, Devising day by day, Of this their purpose how to speed, What was the readiest way.