And when to London that he came, The King from Ffrance was come home, And there unto the King of Scotts He sayd these words anon.-- LVIII ‘How like you my shepards and my millers? My priests with shaven crownes?’-- ‘By my fayth, they are the sorest fighters That ever I mett on the ground. LIX ‘There was never a yeaman in merry England But was worth a Scottish knight.’-- ‘Ay, by my troth,’ said King Edward, and laughe, ‘For you fought all against the right.’ LX But now the prince of merry England, Worthilye under his sheelde, Hath taken captive the King of France, At Poytiers in the field. LXI The prince did present his father With the lovely King of France, And forward of his journey he is gone: God send us all good chance! LXII Sayd the King of Scots to the King of France, ‘Well met, brother, too soone! Christ leeve that I had taken my way Unto the court of Roome!’ LXIII ‘And soe wold I,’ said the King of France, ‘When I came over the streame, That I had taken my journey Unto Jerusalem!’ LXIV Thus ends the battell of fair Durham, In one morning of May; The battells of Cressey and of Poytiers, All within one monthes day. LXV Then was wealthe and welfare in merry England, Solaces, game, and glee, And every man loved other well, And the King loved good yeomanrye. LXVI But God that made the grasse to growe, And leaves on greenwoode tree, Now save and keepe our noble King, And maintaine good yeomanrye! FOOTNOTES: [1023] buskèd = dressed. [1024] bowne = ready. [1025] stounde = time. [1026] leeve = dear, pleasant. [1027] hansell = foretaste. [1028] Anguish = Angus. [1029] Hambleton = Hamilton. [1030] breeme = fierce. [1031] buske = addressed. [1032] bowne = ready. [1033] thoe = those. [1034] ancyents = ensigns. [1035] may = maiden. _127. The Battle of Otterburn_ I It fell about the Lammas tide When husbands[1036] win their hay, The doughty Douglas bound him to ride In England to take a prey. II He has chosen the Graemes, and the Lindsays light, And the gallant Gordons gay; And the Earl of Fyfe withouten strife, He’s bound him over Solwày. III They come in over Ottercap Hill, So down by Rodeley Cragge; Upon Green Leyton they lighted down Styrande[1037] many a stagge. IV And they have brent[1038] the dales of Tyne, And harryed Bamborowe shire, And the Otter Dale they have brent it hale[1039] And left it a’ on fire. V Then spake a berne[1040] upon the bent[1041], Of comfort that was not cold, And said, ‘We have brent Northumberland, We have all wealth in hold. VI