A Bundle of Ballads [8]
He fought upon his stumps.
And with Earl Douglas there was slain Sir Hugh Montgomery, And Sir Charles Morrel that from the field One foot would never fly;
Sir Roger Hever of Harcliffe too,-- His sister's son was he,-- Sir David Lambwell, well esteemed, But saved he could not be;
And the Lord Maxwell in like case With Douglas he did die; Of twenty hundred Scottish spears, Scarce fifty-five did fly.
Of fifteen hundred Englishmen Went home but fifty-three; The rest in Chevy Chase were slain, 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 blood, They bore with them away; They kissed 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 may 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 Piercy of Northumberland Was slain in Chevy Chase.
"Now God be with him!" said our king, "Sith 'twill no better be, I trust I have within my realm Five hundred as good as he!
"Yet shall not Scots nor Scotland say But I will vengeance take, And be reveng-ed on them all For brave Earl Piercy's sake."
This vow the king did well perform After on Humble Down; In one day fifty knights were slain, With lords of great renown,
And of the rest of small account, Did many hundreds die: Thus ended the hunting in Chevy Chase Made by the Earl Piercy.
God save our king, and bless this land With plenty, joy, and peace, And grant henceforth that foul debate Twixt noble men may cease!
THE NUT-BROWN MAID
Be it right or wrong, these men among On women do complain; Affirming this, how that it is A labour spent in vain To love them wele; for never a dele They love a man again: For let a man do what he can, Their favour to attain, Yet, if a new to them pursue, Their first true lover than Laboureth for naught; and from her thought He is a banished man.
I say not nay, but that all day It is both writ and said That woman's faith is, as who saith, All utterly decayed; But nevertheless, right good witn-ess In this case might be laid. That they love true, and contin-ue, Record the Nut-brown Maid: Which from her love, when her to prove He came to make his moan, Would not depart; for in her heart She loved but him alone.
Then between us let us discuss What was all the manere Between them two: we will also Tell all the pain in fere That she was in. Now I begin, So that ye me answere: Wher-efore, ye, that present be I pray you give an ear. I am the knight. I come by night, As secret as I can; Saying, "Alas! thus standeth the case, I am a banished man."
And I your will for to fulfil In this will not refuse; Trusting to shew, in word-es few, That men have an ill use (To their own shame) women to blame, And causeless them accuse: Therefore to you I answer now, All women to excuse,-- "Mine own heart dear, with you what cheer? I pray you, tell anone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone."
HE. "It standeth so: a deed is do Whereof much harm shall grow; My destiny is for to die A shameful death, I trow; Or else to flee. The one must be. None other way I know, But to withdraw as an out-law, And take me to my bow. Wherefore, adieu, my own heart true! None other rede I can: For I must to the green wood go, Alone, a banished man."
SHE. "O Lord, what is this world-es bliss, That changeth as the moon! My summer's day in lusty May Is darked before the noon. I hear you say, farewell: Nay, nay! We de-part not so soon. Why say ye so? whither will ye go? Alas! what have ye done? All my welf-are to sorrow and care Should change, if ye were gone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you
And with Earl Douglas there was slain Sir Hugh Montgomery, And Sir Charles Morrel that from the field One foot would never fly;
Sir Roger Hever of Harcliffe too,-- His sister's son was he,-- Sir David Lambwell, well esteemed, But saved he could not be;
And the Lord Maxwell in like case With Douglas he did die; Of twenty hundred Scottish spears, Scarce fifty-five did fly.
Of fifteen hundred Englishmen Went home but fifty-three; The rest in Chevy Chase were slain, 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 blood, They bore with them away; They kissed 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 may 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 Piercy of Northumberland Was slain in Chevy Chase.
"Now God be with him!" said our king, "Sith 'twill no better be, I trust I have within my realm Five hundred as good as he!
"Yet shall not Scots nor Scotland say But I will vengeance take, And be reveng-ed on them all For brave Earl Piercy's sake."
This vow the king did well perform After on Humble Down; In one day fifty knights were slain, With lords of great renown,
And of the rest of small account, Did many hundreds die: Thus ended the hunting in Chevy Chase Made by the Earl Piercy.
God save our king, and bless this land With plenty, joy, and peace, And grant henceforth that foul debate Twixt noble men may cease!
THE NUT-BROWN MAID
Be it right or wrong, these men among On women do complain; Affirming this, how that it is A labour spent in vain To love them wele; for never a dele They love a man again: For let a man do what he can, Their favour to attain, Yet, if a new to them pursue, Their first true lover than Laboureth for naught; and from her thought He is a banished man.
I say not nay, but that all day It is both writ and said That woman's faith is, as who saith, All utterly decayed; But nevertheless, right good witn-ess In this case might be laid. That they love true, and contin-ue, Record the Nut-brown Maid: Which from her love, when her to prove He came to make his moan, Would not depart; for in her heart She loved but him alone.
Then between us let us discuss What was all the manere Between them two: we will also Tell all the pain in fere That she was in. Now I begin, So that ye me answere: Wher-efore, ye, that present be I pray you give an ear. I am the knight. I come by night, As secret as I can; Saying, "Alas! thus standeth the case, I am a banished man."
And I your will for to fulfil In this will not refuse; Trusting to shew, in word-es few, That men have an ill use (To their own shame) women to blame, And causeless them accuse: Therefore to you I answer now, All women to excuse,-- "Mine own heart dear, with you what cheer? I pray you, tell anone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you alone."
HE. "It standeth so: a deed is do Whereof much harm shall grow; My destiny is for to die A shameful death, I trow; Or else to flee. The one must be. None other way I know, But to withdraw as an out-law, And take me to my bow. Wherefore, adieu, my own heart true! None other rede I can: For I must to the green wood go, Alone, a banished man."
SHE. "O Lord, what is this world-es bliss, That changeth as the moon! My summer's day in lusty May Is darked before the noon. I hear you say, farewell: Nay, nay! We de-part not so soon. Why say ye so? whither will ye go? Alas! what have ye done? All my welf-are to sorrow and care Should change, if ye were gone: For, in my mind, of all mankind I love but you