One while the little foot-page went, And another while he ran; Untill he came to his journey's end; The little foot-page never blan.[116] When to that gentleman he came, Down he kneeled on his knee; And took the letter betwixt his hands, And lett the gentleman it see. And when the letter it was redd Affore that goodlye companye, I wis, if you the truth wold know, There was many a weeping eye. He sayd, "Come thither, Christopher Norton,[117] A gallant youth thou seemst to bee; What doest thou counsell me, my sonne, Now that good earle's in jeopardy?" "Father, my counselle's fair and free; That earle he is a noble lord, And whatsoever to him you hight, I wold not have you break your word." "Gramercy, Christopher, my sonne, Thy counsell well it liketh mee, And if we speed and scape with life, Well advanced shalt thou bee. "Come you hither, my nine good sonnes, Gallant men I trowe you bee; How many of you, my children deare, Will stand by that good earle and mee?" Eight of them did answer make, Eight of them spake hastilie, "O father, till the daye we dye We'll stand by that good earle and thee." "Gramercy now, my children deare, You showe yourselves right bold and brave; And whethersoe'er I live or dye, A father's blessing you shall have. "But what sayst thou, O Francis Norton,[118] Thou art mine eldest sonne and heire: Somewhat lyes brooding in thy breast; Whatever it bee, to mee declare." "Father, you are an aged man, Your head is white, your bearde is gray; It were a shame at these your years For you to ryse in such a fray." "Now fye upon thee, coward Francis, Thou never learnedest this of mee: When thou wert yong and tender of age, Why did I make soe much of thee?" "But, father, I will wend with you, Unarm'd and naked will I bee; And he that strikes against the crowne, Ever an ill death may he dee." Then rose that reverend gentleman, And with him came a goodlye band To join with the brave earle Percy, And all the flower o' Northumberland. With them the noble Nevill[119] came The earle of Westmoreland was hee; At Wetherbye they mustred their host, Thirteen thousand faire to see. Lord Westmoreland his ancyent[120] raisde, The Dun Bull he rays'd on hye, And three Dogs with golden collars Were there sett out most royallye.[121] Earle Percy there his ancyent spred, The Halfe-Moone shining all soe faire:[122] The Norton's ancyent had the crosse, And the five wounds our Lord did beare. Then sir George Bowes[123] he straitways rose After them some spoyle to make: Those noble earles turn'd backe againe, And aye they vowed that knight to take. That baron he to his castle fled, To Barnard castle then fled hee,[124] The uttermost walles were eathe[125] to win, The earles have wonne them presentlie.