And with Earl Douglas, there was slain
Sir Hugh Montgomery,

Sir Charles Murray, that from the field

One foot would never flee.

Sir Charles Murray, of Ratcliff, too,
His sister's son was he;

Sir David Lamb, so well esteem'd,

Yet saved could not be.

And the Lord Maxwell in like case
Did with Earl Douglas die :
Of twenty hundred Scottish spears,
Scarce fifty-five did fly.

Of fifteen hundred Englishmen,
Went home but fifty-three;

The rest were slain in Chevy Chase,
Under the greenwood tree.

Next day did many widows come,

Their husbands to bewail;

They washed their wounds in brinish tears,

But all would not prevail.

Their bodies, bathed in purple gore,

They bare with them away:

They kiss'd them dead a thousand times,

Ere they were clad in clay.

This news was brought to Edinburgh,
Where Scotland's king did reign,

That brave Earl Douglas suddenly

Was with an arrow slain :

O heavy news, King James did say,
Scotland can witness be,

I have not any captain more
Of such account as he.

Like tidings to King Henry came,
Within as short a space,

That Percy of Northumberland

Was slain in Chevy Chase :

Now God be with him, said our king,
Since it will no better be;
trust I have, within my realm,

Five hundred as good as he :

Yet shall not Scots nor Scotland say,

But I will vengeance take:

I'll be revenged on them all,

For brave Earl Percy's sake.

This vow full well the king perform'd
After, at Humbledown;

In one day, fifty knights were slain,
With lords of great renown :

And of the rest, of small account,

Did many thousands die :

Thus endeth the hunting of Chevy Chase,

Made by the Earl Percy.

God save our king, and bless this land

In plenty, joy, and peace;

And grant henceforth, that foul debate

'Twixt noblemen may cease.

N summer time, when leaves grow green,
And blossoms bedeck the tree,

King Edward would a hunting ride,
Some pastime for to see.

With hawk and hound he made him bowne,*
With horn, and eke with bow;

To Drayton Basset he took his way,
With all his lords in a row.

And he had ridden o'er dale and down

By eight of clock in the day,

When he was 'ware of a bold tannèr,

Come riding along the way.

* Ready.

A fair russet coat the tanner had on
Fast buttoned under his chin,

And under him a good cow-hide,
And a mare of four shilling.*

Now stand you still, my good lords all,
Under the greenwood spray;

And I will wend to yonder fellow,

To weet what he will say.

God speed, God speed thee, said our king.
Thou art welcome, sir, said he.
The readiest way to Drayton Basset
I pray thee to show to me.

To Drayton Basset wouldst thou go,
Fro' the place where thou dost stand?
The next pair of gallows thou comest unto,
Turn in upon thy right hand.

That is an unready way, said our king,

Thou dost but jest I see;

Now show me out the nearest way,

And I pray thee wend with me.

*

A shilling was a large sum in those days.

+ Know.